DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 1, 1992
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
AIRPORT FINANCING PROPOSAL SENSIBLE: FS ........................... 1
GOVT TO REVIEW LPG LORRY PARKING REQUIREMENT ...................... 2
STI COMMENTS ON MFN VOTE .......................................... 2
BANKING SECTOR HELPS CURB PROPERTY SPECULATIONS ................... 3
GUIDELINES ON QUESTIONING OF SUSPECTS TAKE EFFECT ................. 4
STATEMENT OF AIMS FOR SCHOOL EDUCATION ............................ 6
IMPORTANCE OF MAINTENANCE OF PRIVATE SLOPES STRESSED .............. 7
HONG KONG BUILDING ON ECONOMIC TIES WITH CHINA .................... 9
CANADIANS UPDATED ON INFRASTRUCTURAL DEVELOPMENTS IN HK ........... 10
HK'S BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES OUTLINED AT MONTREAL SEMINAR .......... 12
ARRANGEMENTS FOR DISPOSAL OF CONSTRUCTION WASTES EXPLAINED ........ 13
MONETARY STATISTICS FOR AUGUST RELEASED ........................... 14
ENVIRONMENT OFFICE SET UP TO MONITOR WEST KOWLOON WORKS ........... 17
SOCIAL WORK ASSISTANTS URGED TO ACT IN CLIENTS' INTEREST .......... 18
PIPE-LAYING METHOD AVOIDS TRAFFIC DISRUPTION ...................... 19
GRADING OF BEACH WATER QUALITY .................................... 20
JOINING SCHOOL MANAGEMENT INITIATIVE SCHEME REQUIRES VISION AND COURAGE ............................................................ 23
CONTRACT AWARDED TO DEMOLISH LOK ON PAI CHIMNEYS .................. 24
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS ........ 24
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 1, 1992
1
AIRPORT FINANCING PROPOSAL SENSIBLE: FS
* * * * ♦
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, MR HAMISH MACLEOD, TODAY (THURSDAY) SAID "A VERY SENSIBLE PROPOSAL" ON AIRPORT FINANCING ARRANGEMENTS HAD BEEN PUT TO THE CHINESE IN THE AIRPORT COMMITTEE.
RESPONDING TO PRESS QUESTIONS AFTER OFFICIATING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE CITIBANK PLAZA, HE SAID: "WE ARE NOW WAITING FOR AN OFFICIAL RESPONSE."
"AND WHY AMONG OTHER THINGS THAT I SAY IT IS A SENSIBLE PROPOSAL I REALLY WOULD LIKE TO EMPHASISE AGAIN THAT IT INVOLVES TREATING THE LAND PREMIA CONCERNED AS ADDITIONAL REVENUE AND THERE IS CERTAINLY NO QUESTION OF THAT PACKAGE ADVERSELY AFFECTING OUR OTHER SPENDING, WHETHER ON SOCIAL WELFARE, ON EDUCATION, ON MEDICAL OR ANYTHING ELSE - IT IS QUITE SEPARATE - AND THAT IS A STRONG PLUS POINT IN THE PROPOSAL," HE SAID.
HE SAID AS THE AIRPORT PROJECT WOULD BENEFIT THE SPECIAL ADMINISTRATIVE REGION (SAR), SO PROPOSALS THAT MIGHT INVOLVE THE SAR CONTRIBUTING IN SOME WAY WOULD CERTAINLY NOT BE UNREASONABLE.
ON THE MATTER OF LAND SALES, HE SAID: "IN FACT, OUR PRESENT PROPOSAL INVOLVES TREATING THE LAND SALES AS ADDITIONAL TO THE NORMAL LAND SALES PROGRAMME."
"SO ACTUALLY THE REVENUE IS ADDITIONAL ENTIRELY, WHETHER WE TREAT THE SAR PORTION OR OUR PORTION."
ASKED ABOUT WHETHER HONG KONG WAS PREPARING FOR "A ROCKY TIME" IN THE LIGHT OF ISSUES OF THE MOST FAVOURED NATION, SECTION 301 AND THE GOVERNOR’S FORTHCOMING SPEECH, MR MACLEOD SAID HONG KONG HAD BEEN THROUGH MANY SUCH CHALLENGES IN THE PAST.
"IT IS TRUE THAT WE HAVE U.S.-CHINA TRADE RELATIONS AS AN ISSUE. I AM AFRAID IT IS NOT A NEW ISSUE AS IT HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR SOME YEARS.
"WE HAVE THE U.S. ELECTIONS. WE HAVE CONSTITUTIONAL DEVELOPMENTS IN HONG KONG AND SO ON, BUT OUR STRENGTH IS THAT WE FACE THOSE CHALLENGES WITH AN ECONOMY IN EXTREMELY GOOD SHAPE," HE SAID.
HE ALSO POINTED OUT THAT ACTION AGAINST CHINA WOULD AFFECT A LOT OF OTHER COUNTRIES IN THE REGION TOO.
"IT IS NOW PRETTY WELL TAKEN BY MOST PEOPLE. IT HAS BEEN WELL PUT OVER BY THE PRIVATE SECTOR AND OURSELVES IN THE U.S. AND IT HAS DEFINITELY HAD SOME EFFECT," HE SAID.
---------0-----------
/2 ........
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 1, 1992
GOVT TO REVIEW LPG LORRY PARKING REQUIREMENT
*****
THE GOVERNMENT INTENDS TO SEEK THE ADVICE OF THE GAS SAFETY ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON THE ADEQUACY OF THE REQUIREMENT THAT AN LPG CYLINDER LORRY SHOULD NOT BE PARKED UNATTENDED WITHIN 15 METRES OF A BUILT-UP AREA.
STATING THIS TODAY (THURSDAY), THE ACTING SECRETARY FOR ECONOMIC SERVICES, MRS ELIZABETH BOSHER, SAID WHILE THE EXISTING REQUIREMENT FOLLOWED INTERNATIONAL PRACTICE, IT WOULD BE REVIEWED IN THE LIGHT OF THE RECENT EXPLOSION AT TUEN MUN AND LOCAL CONDITIONS TO SEE WHETHER THERE WAS A NEED FOR CHANGE.
AT PRESENT, IT IS ILLEGAL TO LEAVE AN LPG CYLINDER WAGON PARKED UNATTENDED WITHIN 15 METRES OF A BUILT-UP AREA AS STIPULATED UNDER PERMIT CONDITION NO. 5(B) OF REGULATION 28 OF GAS SAFETY (GAS SUPPLY) REGULATIONS.
IT IS ALSO AN OFFENCE TO LEAVE CATEGORY 5 DANGEROUS GOODS VEHICLES UNATTENDED AS STIPULATED UNDER FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT LICENCE CONDITION NO. 9 OF SECTION 9(7) OF THE DANGEROUS GOODS ORDINANCE.
UNDER THE GAS SAFETY (GAS SUPPLY) REGULATIONS, THE OWNER OF A CYLINDER WAGON SHALL ENSURE THAT NOT LESS THAN TWO PERSONS WHO ARE TRAINED BY REGISTERED GAS SUPPLIERS ARE EMPLOYED ON THE WAGON AT ALL TIMES WHEN THE WAGON IS CARRYING CYLINDERS EN ROUTE AND WHEN THE CYLINDERS ARE BEING LOADED OR UNLOADED.
MRS BOSHER SAID OVER THE NEXT FEW DAYS THE GAS AUTHORITY AND OTHER GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS RESPONSIBLE FOR DANGEROUS GOODS LEGISLATION WOULD BE MEETING TO REVIEW THE ADEQUACY OF ENFORCEMENT AGAINST UNATTENDED VEHICLES CARRYING SUCH GOODS AND THE QUESTION OF OVERNIGHT PARKING FACILITIES FOR DANGEROUS GOODS VEHICLES.
- - 0 - -
STI COMMENTS ON MFN VOTE
*****
THE ACTING SECRETARY FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY, MISS DENISE YUE, SAID TODAY (THURSDAY) THAT IT CAME AS NO SURPRISE THAT THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OVERRODE THE PRESIDENTIAL VETO OF THE MOST FAVOURED NATION (MFN) CONDITIONALITY BILL BY MORE THAN A TWO-THIRDS MAJORITY.
"THE HOUSE VOTE IS EXPECTED. WE REMAIN CAUTIOUSLY OPTIMISTIC THAT THE PRESIDENT’S VETO WILL BE SUSTAINED IN THE SENATE," MISS YUE
SAID.
/"THE HONG
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 1, 1992
- 3 -
’’THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT AND THE PRIVATE SECTOR HAVE CLEARLY EXPLAINED HONG KONG’S CONCERNS TO CONGRESSIONAL LEADERS AND THE U.S. ADMINISTRATION.
’’WE SHALL CONTINUE TO DO SO TO ENSURE THAT HONG KONG’S INTERESTS WILL BE TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT," SHE ADDED.
THE BILL SEEKS TO PLACE CONDITIONS ON RENEWAL OF CHINA’S MFN TRADING STATUS IN 1993 AND WAS VETOED BY THE PRESIDENT ON MONDAY (SEPTEMBER 28).
BY A VOTE OF 345 TO 74, THE U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OVERRODE THE PRESIDENTIAL VETO ON SEPTEMBER 30, 1992.
UNDER U.S. LEGISLATION, A TWO-THIRDS MAJORITY VOTE IS REQUIRED IN BOTH THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES AND THE SENATE TO OVERRIDE A PRESIDENTIAL VETO.
THE SENATE WILL ATTEMPT TO OVERRIDE THE PRESIDENTIAL VETO ON OCTOBER 1.
--------0 - -
BANKING SECTOR HELPS CURB PROPERTY SPECULATIONS
*****
THE GENERAL ADOPTION BY THE BANKING SECTOR OF A 70 PER CENT LOAN-TO-VALUE RATIO HAS HAD A CALMING EFFECT ON THE RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY MARKET, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, MR HAMISH MACLEOD, SAID TODAY (THURSDAY).
HE EXPRESSED HIS APPRECIATION TO THE BANKING SECTOR IN HONG KONG FOR ACTING PRUDENTLY AND RESPONSIBLY IN TAKING STEPS TO TIGHTEN THEIR CRITERIA FOR RESIDENTIAL MORTGAGE LENDING.
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF HONG KONG NEW HEADQUARTERS OF CITIBANK, MR MACLEOD SAID CONTINUED CAUTION ON THE PART OF THE BANKING SECTOR WAS LIKELY TO BE IMPORTANT.
HE NOTED THAT THE CURRENT DIFFICULTIES OF BANKS ELSEWHERE IN THE WORLD WAS AN ELOQUENT TESTIMONY TO THE RISKS OF OVER-AMBITIOUS PROPERTY LENDING.
’’WE RECOGNISE THAT IF SUPERVISORY RULES ARE TO BE EFFECTIVE, THEY MUST BE ACCEPTED AS FAIR AND REASONABLE BY THOSE TO WHOM THEY WILL APPLY.
’’WE ARE VERY CONSCIOUS OF THE NEED TO PROTECT THE NON-PROFESSIONAL INVESTORS IN OUR MARKETS. OUR AIM IS TO HAVE A LEVELPLAYING FIELD FOR ALL, BUT WE ALWAYS MAKE IT A POINT TO LISTEN TO THE VIEWS OF THOSE WHO WILL BE AFFECTED BY CHANGES TO OUR REGIME.
/"THAT IS .......
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 1, 1992
4
"THAT IS WHY CONSULTATION ON ENHANCEMENTS TO THE SUPERVISORY FRAMEWORK WILL CONTINUE TO BE AN ESSENTIAL PART OF OUR SUPERVISORY APPROACH," MR MACLEOD SAID.
HE POINTED OUT THAT HONG KONG HAD ONE OF THE GREATEST CONCENTRATIONS OF FOREIGN BANKS IN ASIA-PACIFIC.
"OF THE WORLD’S TOP 100 BANKS IN TERMS OF ASSETS, 83 ARE ALREADY HERE. AND A SIGNIFICANT PROPORTION OF FOREIGN BANKS HAVE THEIR REGIONAL HEADQUARTERS BASED IN HONG KONG.
"WE ARE NOW A MAJOR CAPITAL EXPORTING CENTRE IN ASIA. OVER 60 PER CENT OF THE LOCAL BANKING SECTOR’S AGGREGATE ASSETS AND LIABILITIES ARE EXTERNAL, INVOLVING TRANSACTIONS WITH SOME 130 COUNTRIES.
"WE HAVE ESTABLISHED OURSELVES AS AN INTERNATIONAL CENTRE FOR LOAN SYNDICATION. AMONGST THE TOTAL SYNDICATED LOANS ARRANGED FOR ASIAN BORROWERS IN THE FAR EAST LAST YEAR, HONG KONG ENTITIES RANKED ONLY AFTER JAPAN.
"INDEED, OVER 90 PER CENT OF CHINA’S EXTERNAL SYNDICATED LOANS LAST YEAR WERE BELIEVED TO BE ARRANGED HERE."
HE SAID THE OPENING OF THE CITIBANK PLAZA, THE NEW HEADQUARTERS FOR THE CITIBANK, REFLECTED NOT ONLY THE GROWTH OF THE BANK ITSELF BUT ALSO SYMBOLISED THE BANK’S CONTINUING COMMITMENT TO, AND CONFIDENCE IN, HONG KONG.
"IT IS ALSO SYMBOLIC OF THE THRIVING ECONOMIC AND FINANCIAL LINKS BETWEEN HONG KONG AND THE UNITED STATES," HE SAID.
------0-------
GUIDELINES ON QUESTIONING OF SUSPECTS TAKE EFFECT
*****
A NEW SET OF GUIDELINES FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS TO FOLLOW WHEN QUESTIONING SUSPECTS AND TAKING STATEMENTS CAME INTO EFFECT TODAY (THURSDAY).
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS IN THE ROYAL HONG KONG POLICE FORCE, THE CUSTOMS AND EXCISE DEPARTMENT, THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT AND THE INDEPENDENT COMMISSION AGAINST CORRUPTION HAD UNDERGONE TRAINING IN THE PAST FEW MONTHS TO ENSURE THAT THEY UNDERSTOOD AND WOULD FOLLOW THESE GUIDELINES.
THE GUIDELINES ARE KNOWN AS "RULES AND DIRECTIONS FOR THE QUESTIONING OF SUSPECTS AND THE TAKING OF STATEMENTS".
"THE PRIMARY AIM OF SUCH RULES AND DIRECTIONS WAS TO ENSURE THAT WRITTEN STATEMENTS AND ORAL ANSWERS OBTAINED FROM SUSPECTS ARE VOLUNTARILY GIVEN AND ADMISSIBLE IN EVIDENCE," HE SAID.
/THE RULES .......
5
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 1, 1992
THE RULES AND DIRECTIONS ARE BASED ON THE 1964 ENGLISH JUDGES’ RULES BUT SOMEWHAT MODIFIED TO SUIT THE CIRCUMSTANCES OF HONG KONG.
THEY WERE RECOMMENDED BY A WORKING PARTY APPOINTED BY THE CHIEF JUSTICE IN 1988 TO EXAMINE WHETHER THE 1964 ENGLISH JUDGES’ RULES SHOULD BE INTRODUCED IN HONG KONG.
THE WORKING PARTY COMPRISED REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE JUDICIARY, THE LEGAL PROFESSION AND THE LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES.
THE SPOKESMAN EXPLAINED THAT IN PRACTICE LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS HAD BEEN FOLLOWING PREVIOUS VERSIONS OF THE ENGLISH JUDGES’ RULES.
THE NEW RULES AND DIRECTIONS WILL BE GAZETTED TOMORROW.
THEY SERVED AS A GUIDE TO LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS BY UPDATING THE PROCEDURES IN QUESTIONING SUSPECTS AND IN TAKING STATEMENTS TO ADAPT TO THE CIRCUMSTANCES OF HONG KONG.
THE RULES AND DIRECTIONS ALSO STIPULATE IN GREATER DETAIL THE PRINCIPLES GOVERNING THESE RULES AND DIRECTIONS, AND THE RIGHTS AND FACILITIES AVAILABLE TO PERSONS WHEN THEY ARE QUESTIONED OR WHEN THEY MAKE STATEMENTS.
THEY STIPULATE THAT LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS ARE ENTITLED TO QUESTION OR OBTAIN INFORMATION FROM ANY PERSON IN RELATION TO AN OFFENCE.
IF HE HAS EVIDENCE TO SUSPECT THAT THE PERSON HAS COMMITTED AN OFFENCE, HE SHOULD CAUTION THAT PERSON BEFORE PUTTING ANY QUESTIONS TO HIM THAT HE IS NOT OBLIGED TO SAY ANYTHING UNLESS HE WISHES TO DO SO BUT WHAT HE SAYS WILL BE TAKEN DOWN IN WRITING AND MAY BE GIVEN IN EVIDENCE.
THE OFFICER SHOULD ALSO MAKE AN ACCURATE RECORD OF THE INTERVIEW WITH A SUSPECT OR THE STATEMENT MADE BY A PERSON.
THE OFFICER SHOULD GIVE A SUSPECT AN OPPORTUNITY TO READ THE RECORD AND TO MAKE CORRECTIONS, ALTERATIONS, OR ADDITIONS.
THE RULES AND DIRECTIONS ALSO STIPULATE THE FACILITIES THAT SHOULD BE MADE AVAILABLE TO THE PERSONS IN CUSTODY OR UNDER INVESTIGATION AND THAT THEY SHOULD BE INFORMED OF THEIR RIGHTS AND SUCH FACILITIES.
"THEY MAY SPEAK ON THE TELEPHONE TO THEIR FRIENDS OR COMMUNICATE PRIVATELY, WHETHER IN PERSON OR ON THE TELEPHONE, WITH BARRISTERS OR SOLICITORS, PROVIDED THAT THERE IS NO UNREASONABLE DELAY OR HINDRANCE TO THE PROCESSES OF INVESTIGATION OR TO THE ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
"THE STATEMENT OR RECORD OF INTERVIEW SHOULD BE RECORDED IN THE LANGUAGE USED BY THE PERSON MAKING THE STATEMENT OR ANSWERING THE QUESTIONS. THE PERSON SHOULD BE ENTITLED A COPY OF THE STATEMENT OR RECORD OF THE INTERVIEW AS SOON AS POSSIBLE," HE ADDED.
/ANOTHER MAJOR .......
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 1, 1992
6
ANOTHER MAJOR FEATURE OF THE RULES AND DIRECTIONS IS THE GUIDELINE ON INTERROGATING AND ARRESTING CHILDREN AND YOUNG PERSONS.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID:"CHILDREN AND YOUNG PERSONS UNDER THE AGE OF 16 SHOULD ONLY BE INTERVIEWED IN THE PRESENCE OF A PARENT OR A GUARDIAN, OR IN THEIR ABSENCE, A PERSON OTHER THAN A POLICE OFFICER AND WHO IS OF THE SAME SEX AS THE CHILD OR YOUNG PERSON."
"A CHILD OR YOUNG PERSON SHOULD NOT BE ARRESTED, OR EVEN
INTERVIEWED, AT SCHOOL IF SUCH ACTION CAN POSSIBLY BE AVOIDED.
"WHERE IT IS FOUND ESSENTIAL TO CONDUCT THE INTERVIEW AT SCHOOL, THIS SHOULD BE DONE ONLY WITH THE CONSENT, AND IN THE PRESENCE, OF THE HEAD TEACHER OR HIS NOMINEE," HE ADDED.
- - 0 - -
STATEMENT OF AIMS FOR SCHOOL EDUCATION
*****
THE EDUCATION COMMISSION TODAY (THURSDAY) ISSUED FOR PUBLIC CONSULTATION A DOCUMENT ENTITLED "SCHOOL EDUCATION IN HONG KONG: A STATEMENT OF AIMS".
THE DOCUMENT ARISES FROM A PROPOSAL IN THE COMMISSION’S FOURTH REPORT PUBLISHED IN NOVEMBER 1990 THAT THE BASIC AIMS OF EDUCATION AT ALL LEVELS SHOULD BE LAID DOWN AND KEPT UNDER REVIEW.
THE COMMISSION HAS CONCENTRATED FIRST ON FORMALISING THE AIMS OF PRIMARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOLING, SINCE THESE ARE THE CORE OF THE EDUCATION SYSTEM.
"IN ESSENCE, THE DRAFT STATEMENT OF AIMS SETS OUT BRIEFLY, BUT IN A FORMAL AND COHERENT MANNER, WHAT OUR EDUCATION POLICIES AND OUR SCHOOLS ARE ALREADY TRYING TO ACHIEVE," A SPOKESMAN FOR THE COMMISSION SAID.
"UP TILL NOW, THE AIMS OF SCHOOL EDUCATION HAVE EITHER BEEN STATED PIECEMEAL IN A NUMBER OF DOCUMENTS, OR HAVE BEEN LEFT UNSTATED."
THE SPOKESMAN NOTED THAT THE PURPOSE OF THE DRAFT STATEMENT OF AIMS WAS TO GIVE THE COMMUNITY AN OPPORTUNITY TO DISCUSS, AND TO REACH BROAD AGREEMENT ON, THE AIMS OF SCHOOL EDUCATION; AND TO PROVIDE EDUCATORS WITH A USEFUL FRAMEWORK FOR PLANNING, CONDUCTING AND EVALUATING THEIR EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITIES.
"WE ARE ALREADY IMPLEMENTING VARIOUS MEASURES, SUCH AS TARGET-RELATED ASSESSMENTS AND THE SCHOOL MANAGEMENT INITIATIVE, TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF EDUCATION AS WELL AS TO ENHANCE THE ABILITY OF SCHOOLS TO ACCOUNT TO PARENTS AND THE PUBLIC FOR THE QUALITY OF THEIR SERVICES," HE SAID.
/"AN AGREED
7
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 1, 1992
"AN AGREED STATEMENT OF AIMS WILL BE A HELPFUL ADDITION TO THESE MEASURES."
THE DOCUMENT COMPRISES SEVEN UNDERLYING PRINCIPLES, A SET OF 15 AIMS, AN EXPLANATION OF HOW THE STATEMENT OF AIMS WILL AFFECT THE PLANNING AND DELIVERY OF SCHOOL EDUCATION, AND A NUMBER OF EVALUATIVE QUESTIONS.
EACH OF THE AIMS AND THE UNDERLYING PRINCIPLES IS ACCOMPANIED BY A SHORT EXPLANATION OF WHY IT WAS SELECTED.
"IN THIS WAY," THE SPOKESMAN EXPLAINED, "THE COMMISSION HOPES THAT THE STATEMENT CAN GAIN BROAD ACCEPTANCE IN THE COMMUNITY.
"IT ALSO HOPES THAT, WHERE DIVERGENT VIEWS ARE PUT FORWARD, THEY TOO WILL BE BASED ON CLEARLY STATED PRINCIPLES."
DURING THE SIX-WEEK CONSULTATION PERIOD, WHICH RUNS UNTIL NOVEMBER 16, THE COMMISSION HOPES TO RECEIVE COMMENTS FROM PARENTS, EMPLOYERS, EDUCATORS AND OTHER MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC.
COPIES HAVE BEEN SENT TO ALL PRIMARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOLS, OTHER EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS AND THE MAIN EMPLOYERS’ ORGANISATIONS.
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC CAN OBTAIN COPIES FROM DISTRICT OFFICES OF THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION AS WELL AS DISTRICT EDUCATION OFFICES.
FOLLOWING PUBLIC CONSULTATION, THE COMMISSION WILL ANALYSE RESPONSES AND PROPOSE CHANGES WHERE APPROPRIATE.
THE GOVERNMENT WILL THEN PUBLISH THE STATEMENT OF AIMS AS AN OFFICIAL POLICY DOCUMENT.
COMMENTS IN WRITING SHOULD BE SENT EITHER BY POST TO THE SECRETARY, EDUCATION COMMISSION, 12TH FLOOR, WEST WING, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, LOWER ALBERT ROAD, HONG KONG OR BY FACSIMILE (NO. 868 5916) BEFORE NOVEMBER 16.
--------0-----------
IMPORTANCE OF MAINTENANCE OF PRIVATE SLOPES STRESSED ******
THE PRINCIPAL GOVERNMENT GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEER, DR ANDREW MALONE, SAID TODAY (THURSDAY) THAT THE GOVERNMENT ATTACHED GREAT IMPORTANCE TO THE PROPER MAINTENANCE OF SLOPES BY THEIR OWNERS.
A PUBLICITY CAMPAIGN IS BEING LAUNCHED TO REMIND OWNERS OF THE NEED FOR REGULAR MAINTENANCE OF THEIR SLOPES.
SPEAKING AT A LUNCHEON MEETING OF THE Y’S MEN’S CLUB OF HONG KONG, MR MALONE, HEAD OF THE GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEERING OFFICE (GEO) OF THE CIVIL ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT, SAID A SIGNIFICANT CONTRIBUTORY FACTOR TO LANDSLIDES WAS THE LACK OF PROPER MAINTENANCE BY SLOPE OWNERS.
/UNFORTUNATELY THIS .......
8
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 1, 1992
UNFORTUNATELY THIS HAD NOT BEEN WIDELY APPRECIATED, HE SAID.
HE POINTED OUT THAT CUT SLOPES AND RETAINING WALLS NEXT TO PRIVATE PREMISES WERE NOT PART OF NATURAL HILLSIDES OR GOVERNMENT LAND, BUT PRIVATE PROPERTY.
"WE SHOULD NOT ASK THE TAXPAYERS TO FOOT THE BILL FOR THE MAINTENANCE OF PRIVATE PROPERTY.”
URGING OWNERS TO CONDUCT INSPECTIONS AND CARRY OUT MAINTENANCE ON SLOPES, DR MALONE SAID MOST SLOPE FAILURES WERE TRIGGERED BY HEAVY RAINFALL.
DRAINS GET BLOCKED AND MUST BE KEPT CLEAR. SURFACING MATERIALS LIKE CONCRETE OR PLASTER OFTEN CRACK.
"CRACKS MUST BE SEALED. CLEANING OF DRAINS AND SEALING OF CRACKS MUST BE DONE ANNUALLY BEFORE THE WET SEASON STARTS," HE SAID.
MR MALONE NOTED THAT IF AN OWNER FAILED TO MAINTAIN THE SLOPE, IT WOULD DETERIORATE AND MIGHT BECOME LIABLE TO COLLAPSE AND CAUSE DANGER.
IF THIS HAPPENS, THE BUILDING AUTHORITY IS EMPOWERED TO ORDER THE OWNER TO RECTIFY THE SLOPE. IF HE DEFAULTS, THE WORK WILL BE CARRIED OUT BY HIRED SERVICES AND THE OWNER WILL BE CHARGED FOR THE BILL.
MORE THAN 350 STATUTORY ORDERS REQUIRING OWNERS TO INVESTIGATE AND REPAIR SUB-STANDARD SLOPES HAVE BEEN SERVED FOLLOWING STUDIES.
"ALMOST ALL PRIVATE OWNERS ACT RESPONSIBLY WHEN RECEIVING SUCH A NOTICE," DR MALONE SAID.
A LEAFLET ENTITLED "KEEP YOUR SLOPES SAFE” HAS BEEN PRODUCED BY GEO. COPIES ARE AVAILABLE FROM GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS AND ARE BEING SENT TO BUILDING MANAGEMENT COMMITTEES AND PROPERTY COMPANIES.
DR MALONE SAID OWNERS COULD NOW FIND OUT THE STATUS OF THEIR SLOPES FROM THE CATALOGUE OF SLOPES KEPT BY GEO.
THEY CAN CHECK WHETHER SLOPES HAVE BEEN STUDIED AND THE OUTCOME OF THE STUDY. MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE WELCOME TO USE THE PUBLIC ENQUIRY SERVICE.
ABOUT ONE-THIRD OF THE 10,000 SLOPES LISTED IN THE CATALOGUE ARE PRIVATELY OWNED AND ARE SUBJECT TO SAFETY CHECKS ALONG WITH GOVERNMENT OWNED SLOPES.
GEOTECHNICAL STUDIES HAVE BEEN COMPLETED ON ABOUT 5,000 SLOPES. ONE OUT OF FIVE NEEDS TREATMENT TO UPGRADE THE SAFETY STANDARD.
THE UPGRADING WORKS ARE CARRIED OUT IN PRIORITY ACCORDING TO THE RISK LEVEL.
DR MALONE SAID PROBABLY IT WOULD TAKE FIVE YEARS TO COMPLETE THE STUDIES ON THE REMAINING SLOPES.
/THE GOVERNMENT .......
9
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 1, 1992
THE GOVERNMENT SPENDS ABOUT $40 MILLION EACH YEAR ON SLOPE MAINTENANCE. WHILE GEO ITSELF DOES NOT MAINTAIN SLOPES, THE JOB IS DONE BY OTHER DEPARTMENTS SUCH AS HIGHWAYS, ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES AND HOUSING DEPARTMENTS.
AS FOR NEW SLOPE WORKS, GEO CHECKS THE GEOTECHNICAL ASPECTS OF SLOPE DESIGNS AND STANDARD OF CONTROL OF EARTHWORK ON THE SITE.
"GEOTECHNICAL STANDARDS PRIVATE DEVELOPMENT. HOWEVER, CHECKING IS STRICTLY CONTROLLED MALONE SAID.
ARE THE SAME FOR GOVERNMENT AND THE ADMINISTRATION OF PRIVATE WORK UNDER THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE," DR
-----0------
HONG KONG BUILDING ON ECONOMIC TIES WITH CHINA
*****
HONG KONG IS EMERGING AS A COMPLEX REGIONAL BUSINESS HUB, OFFERING WIDE-RANGING CAPABILITIES, AND WITH CONNECTIONS REACHING ALL OVER THE WORLD, THE SECRETARY FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY, MR T H CHAU, SAID IN TORONTO TODAY (THURSDAY).
HE DISCUSSED THE TERRITORY’S ECONOMIC RELATIONS WITH THE PEARL RIVER DELTA OF CHINA DURING A BUSINESS SEMINAR ORGANISED BY HONG KONG TRADE DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL IN CANADA.
NOTING THAT HONG KONG WAS MORE THAN AN ENTREPOT IN THE RELATIONSHIP, HE SAID: "HONG KONG’S TRADERS ARE NOT SIMPLY FUNNELLING GOODS INTO AND OUT OF CHINA."
"THEY ARE ADDING VALUE TO RE-EXPORTS THROUGH A WIDE RANGE OF SUPPORT SERVICES, SUCH AS FINANCING, INSURANCE, ACCOUNTING AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS.
"THAT HAS CONTRIBUTED TO THE STRONG GROWTH OF HONG KONG’S FINANCIAL AND BUSINESS SECTORS IN RECENT YEARS, AND TO ITS GROWING ROLE AS AN ENTREPOT FOR THE ASIA-PACIFIC REGION AS A WHOLE," HE SAID.
HE POINTED OUT THAT THE ECONOMIC PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN HONG KONG AND THE PEARL RIVER DELTA COMBINED THE MARKETING AND MANAGEMENT EXPERTISE OF HONG KONG WITH THE LOW-COST MANUFACTURING FACILITIES OF THE PROVINCE.
"THE RESULT HAS BEEN A CHANGE IN THE EMPHASIS OF MANUFACTURING IN HONG KONG.
"THE FOCUS IS INCREASINGLY ON HIGHER-TECHNOLOGY PRODUCTION, AND ON THE CONTROL, SUPPORT AND SERVICING OF OPERATIONS IN CHINA AND INDEED ELSEWHERE IN THE REGION."
BY MANAGING THE RELATIONSHIP SKILFULLY, HONG KONG HAD FOUND A WAY TO REDUCE PRODUCTION COSTS WITHOUT SACRIFICING QUALITY AND TURNAROUND TIME, HE SAID.
/MEANWHILE, THE ......
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 1, 1992
10
MEANWHILE, THE DELTA GAINED IN TERMS OF TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER, EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES, EDUCATION FOR ITS WORKERS AND AN ECONOMIC BOOM WITH INCREASED PROSPERITY FOR ALL.
PER CAPITA GDP IN THE SPECIAL ECONOMIC ZONE OF SHENZHEN STOOD AT US$1,300 LAST YEAR - MORE THAN FOUR TIMES THAT FOR THE REST OF CHINA.
PER CAPITA GDP IN HONG KONG IS EXPECTED TO EXCEED US$16,000 THIS YEAR, THE SECOND HIGHEST IN ASIA AFTER JAPAN.
LOOKING AHEAD, MR CHAU CONCEDED THAT THERE WAS ONE POTENTIAL CLOUD ON THE HORIZON: TRADE FRICTION BETWEEN CHINA AND THE UNITED STATES, HONG KONG’S SECOND LARGEST TRADE PARTNER.
HE HOPED THAT AN AMICABLE SETTLEMENT COULD BE REACHED.
"BUT THE FUNDAMENTAL DYNAMIC BEHIND HONG KONG’S RELATIONSHIP WITH SOUTHERN CHINA IS HEALTHY: WELL-DEVELOPED ECONOMY GRAVITATING NORTHWARD IN SEARCH OF THE MORE ABUNDANT LAND AND LABOUR OF A LESS-DEVELOPED ECONOMY," HE SAID.
"LARGELY BECAUSE OF THE SUCCESS OF THE HONG KONG-PEARL RIVER DELTA RELATIONSHIP, BEIJING IS PURSUING NEW DIRECTIONS IN ECONOMIC REFORM WHICH GO BEYOND THE MANFACTURING SECTOR," HE ADDED.
HONG KONG WAS PLAYING A PIONEERING ROLE IN PENETRATING THE LARGE CONSUMER MARKET IN CHINA AND WAS USING ITS CONNECTIONS IN THE PEARL RIVER DELTA TO BUILD ON ITS LEAD, MR CHAU NOTED.
HE ADDED THAT IT WAS IMPORTANT TO REMEMBER THAT HONG KONG WAS A SEPARATE ECONOMIC ENTITY, AND THAT EVEN AFTER 1997 IT WOULD CONTINUE TO BE A SEPARATE CUSTOMS TERRITORY AND TO MAKE TRADE AND ECONOMIC DECISIONS ON ITS OWN.
"IT IS BY REMAINING AN AUTONOMOUS TRADING PARTNER AND ECONOMIC FORCE THAT HONG KONG CAN BEST RETAIN ITS DYNAMISM AND BUILD ON ITS CURRENT ROLE," HE SAID.
- - 0 - -
CANADIANS UPDATED ON INFRASTRUCTURAL DEVELOPMENTS IN HK * * * * *
ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT REASONS WHY HONG KONG HAS BEEN ABLE TO KEEP PACE WITH DRAMATIC LEVELS OF ECONOMIC AND POPULATION GROWTH IS ITS READINESS TO ENCOURAGE THE PRIVATE SECTOR TO PLAY AS LARGE A ROLE AS POSSIBLE IN THE FINANCING AND MANAGEMENT OF KEY INFRASTRUCTURAL PROJECTS.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE SECRETARY FOR ECONOMIC SERVICES, MRS ANSON CHAN, TODAY (THURSDAY) AT A BUSINESS SEMINAR ORGANISED BY THE HONG KONG TRADE DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL IN TORONTO, CANADA.
/OUTLINING THE
11
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 1, 1992
OUTLINING THE OPPORTUNITIES FOR INFRASTRUCTURAL DEVELOPMENTS AND VARIOUS ECONOMIC ACHIEVEMENTS OF THE TERRITORY, SHE SAID: "HONG KONG’S PORT AND AIRPORT DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY - OR PADS AS IT IS USUALLY KNOWN - IS A BOLD STATEMENT OF OUR INTENTION TO MEET THE CHALLENGE OF CONTINUING ECONOMIC GROWTH."
"THE AIRPORT CORE PROGRAMME COMPRISES 10 PROJECTS AT A TOTAL ESTIMATED COST OF ABOUT US$20.5 BILLION. WE ARE COMMITTED TO COMPLETING AS MUCH OF THE WORKS AS POSSIBLE IN THE NEXT FIVE YEARS.
"BUT THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE NEW AIRPORT AND ASSOCIATED INFRASTRUCTURE IS NOT THE ONLY SHOW IN TOWN. OVER THE NEXT FIVE YEARS, THESE PROJECTS WILL CONSTITUTE ONLY ABOUT 25 PER CENT OF TOTAL GOVERNMENT CAPITAL EXPENDITURE," MRS CHAN SAID.
PORT EXPANSION WOULD CONTINUE WITH CONSULTANTS ALREADY COMMISSIONED TO ADVISE ON FURTHER PORT DEVELOPMENT ON LANTAU ISLAND, SHE SAID.
"THE STUDY EMBRACES NOT ONLY PROVISION FOR CONTAINER TERMINALS, BUT ALSO EXAMINES REQUIREMENTS FOR PUBLIC CARGO WORKING AREAS, TYPHOON SHELTERS, SHIP REPAIR AND DOCKYARD FACILITIES, TOGETHER WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF ESSENTIAL PORT SERVICES, SUCH AS TUGS AND PILOTS.
"ITS PRIMARY OBJECTIVE IS TO PROVIDE HONG KONG WITH A COHERENT AND FLEXIBLE DEVELOPMENT PLAN WHICH WILL SATISFY ANTICIPATED PORT NEEDS FOR THE NEXT 15 TO 20 YEARS AND BEYOND," SHE EXPLAINED.
SHE NOTED THAT IN THE PIPELINE WERE MAJOR PROJECTS FOR WASTE DISPOSAL; A MAJOR PROGRAMME OF NEW CONSTRUCTION AND UPGRADING OF SEWAGE AND DRAINAGE SYSTEMS; FURTHER INVESTMENT IN NEW TOWNS; CONSTRUCTION, REDEVELOPMENT AND REPROVISIONING OF HOSPITALS AND OTHER COMMUNITY FACILITIES.
"AS I HAVE SAID BEFORE OUR AIM IN ALL AREAS OF OUR INFRASTRUCTURAL DEVELOPMENT WILL BE TO ENCOURAGE PRIVATE SECTOR PARTICIPATION AS FAR AS POSSIBLE, BOTH IN THE FORM OF DIRECT INVESTMENT WHERE APPROPRIATE, AND THROUGH THE PARTICIPATION OF LOCAL AND OVERSEAS CONTRACTORS AND SERVICE PROVIDERS."
"WE IN HONG KONG ARE PROUD OF THE FACT THAT OUR ECONOMY IS ONE OF THE MOST OPEN IN THE WORLD," SHE SAID.
"WHEN IT COMES TO TENDERING FOR MAJOR INFRASTRUCTURAL PROJECTS I CAN ASSURE YOU THAT WE OPERATE A SYSTEM THAT IS TRANSPARENT, FAIR AND WITHOUT NATIONAL BIAS.
"OUR AIM IS TO GET THE BEST PRODUCT FOR THE BEST PRICE TO COMPLETE MAJOR PROJECTS ON TIME AND WITHIN THE ORIGINAL BUDGET," SHE STRESSED.
"IN THESE RESPECTS, I THINK OUR RECORD SPEAKS FOR ITSELF. FOR EXAMPLE, A REVIEW OF CONTRACTS AWARDED TO DATE FOR PORT AND AIRPORT DEVELOPMENT WOULD REVEAL THAT THE SUCCESSFUL BIDDERS, MANY OF WHICH ARE MULTI-NATIONAL JOINT VENTURES, INCLUDE REPRESENTATION FROM HONG KONG, CHINA, UNITED KINGDOM, NETHERLANDS, BELGIUM, JAPAN, AUSTRALIA, NEW ZEALAND, FRANCE AND THE UNITED STATES," SHE ADDED.
MRS CHAN SAID HONG KONG WELCOMED AN EXPANDING CANADIAN ROLE IN HONG KONG’S TASK OF BUILDING FOR THE FUTURE WITH A FIRM SENSE OF PURPOSE AND A COMMITMENT TO THE HIGHEST STANDARDS.
--------0----------
/12 ........
12
HK’S BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES OUTLINED AT MONTREAL SEMINAR *****
FESTIVAL HONG KONG ’92 IN MONTREAL TURNED ITS ATTENTION TO BUSINESS ON WEDNESDAY WITH AN INTENSIVE ONE-DAY SEMINAR AND LUNCHEON FEATURING PROMINENT HONG KONG AND CANADIAN SPEAKERS.
DURING THE SEMINAR HELD AT CONCORDIA UNIVERSITY, THEY SHARED THEIR EXPERIENCES AND EXPERTISE IN THE WAYS OF DOING BUSINESS IN HONG KONG.
WELCOMING THE HONG KONG DELEGATION BEFORE AN AUDIENCE OF SOME 300 MEMBERS OF THE MONTREAL BUSINESS COMMUNITY, DEPUTY MINISTER OF INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS OF QUEBEC, MONSIEUR PAUL-EMILE BLOUIN, EMPHASISED THE IMPORTANCE OF TRADE AND ECONOMIC LINKS BETWEEN HONG KONG AND CANADA.
OPENING THE PROCEEDINGS FOR THE HONG KONG DELEGATES, SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER, MR JOHN CHAN, NOTED THAT HONG KONG AND CANADA HAD BEEN FRIENDS AND PARTNERS FOR MORE THAN 100 YEARS.
"THIS SEMINAR IS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR US TO TELL YOU HOW HONG KONG HAS FARED, WHAT OUR PLANS ARE FOR THE FUTURE AND WHAT OPPORTUNITIES WE HAVE TO OFFER OUR FRIENDS AND PARTNERS AS WE MOVE FORWARD IN OUR NEVER-ENDING EFFORT TO BUILD FOR OURSELVES A BETTER TOMORROW," MR CHAN SAID.
ANOTHER SPEAKER DIRECTOR-GENERAL OF TRADE, DONALD TSANG, TALKED ABOUT THE TERRITORY’S ECONOMIC RELATIONS WITH SOUTHERN CHINA.
THE CHAIRMEN OF INCHCAPE PACIFIC AND HONG KONG GENERAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, MR PAUL CHENG, SPOKE ON HONG KONG’S ECONOMIC RELATIONS WITH CANADA.
THE SEMINAR WAS CO-ORGANISED BY THE HONG KONG-CANADA BUSINESS ASSOCIATION AND THE HONG KONG TRADE DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL.
SPEAKERS FROM CANADA WERE SENIOR VICE-PRESIDENT QUEBEC REGION OF CANADIAN IMPERIAL BANK OF COMMERCE, MR ROBERT PUNCT-RAYMOND; VICE-PRESIDENT SEAGRAM ASIA PACIIFC, MR JOEL BARAD; VICE-PRESIDENT MARKETING FOR CANADIAN INTERNATIONAL AIRLINE, MR ED GRANVOGL; AND MR KIM KEENAN OF THE ASIA-PACIFIC FOUNDATION.
PRESIDENT OF THE HONG KONG-CANADA BUSINESS ASSOCIATION, MR PAUL MAYER, GAVE THE CLOSING REMARKS.
AFTER THE SEMINAR, MR JOHN CHAN, MR DONALD TSANG AND MR PAUL CHENG WENT ON TO A TAPING OF A FOUR-PART SERIES ON HONG KONG.
THEY WERE JOINED BY MR ALLEN LEE AND EX-CANADIAN COMMISSIONER IN HONG KONG, MR MAURICE COPITHORNE.
THE FOUR PROGRAMMES WILL BE BROADCAST AS PART OF "THE WORLD IN REVIEW" SERIES VIA SATELLITE ON THE CANADIAN BROADCASTING CORP (CBC) NETWORK IN CANADA AND THE PUBLIC BROADCASTING SERVICE (PBS) NETWORK IN THE U.S. DURING THE FESTIVAL HK ’92 PERIOD.
TOPICS COVERED A WIDE RANGE OF HONG KONG ISSUES, INCLUDING THE ECONOMY, LINKS WITH SOUTH CHINA, THE POLITICAL SCENE, EMIGRATION AND HONG KONG’S FUTURE AFTER 1997.
- - 0 - -
/13
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 1, 1992
- 13 -
ARRANGEMENTS FOR DISPOSAL OF CONSTRUCTION WASTES EXPLAINED
*****
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT (EPD) SAID THE DISRUPTION TO THE OPERATION OF THE TSEUNG KWAN 0 LANDFILL EARLIER IN THE DAY HAD AFFECTED MOST OF THE REFUSE COLLECTION SYSTEMS IN KOWLOON AND ON HONG KONG ISLAND.
THE DISRUPTION WAS CAUSED BY SOME LORRIES BLOCKING THE ENTRANCE TO AND EXIT FROM THE LANDFILL.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE NEW DISPOSAL ARRANGEMENTS FOR CONSTRUCTION WASTES AT TSEUNG KWAN 0 AND SHUEN WAN LANDFILLS STARTED TODAY (THURSDAY) AND WAS BEING IMPLEMENTED SMOOTHLY UNTIL 11 AM.
AT THAT TIME, SEVERAL DRIVERS PURPOSELY BLOCKED THE ENTRANCE TO AND EXIT FROM THE LANDFILL.
THE DRIVERS REFUSED TO MOVE THEIR LORRIES DESPITE REQUESTS FROM THE SITE STAFF OF EPD, CIVIL ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT (CED) AND THE POLICE.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE NEW ARRANGEMENTS WERE WELL PUBLICISED IN THE PAST TWO WEEKS, ADDING THAT ALL LORRY DRIVERS SHOULD BE WELL AWARE OF THE ARRANGEMENTS.
ENQUIRIES MADE BY LORRY DRIVERS THROUGH THE DEPARTMENT’S HOTLINE HAVE BEEN FEW.
THE SPOKESMAN EXPLAINED THAT THE NEW ARRANGEMENTS WERE AIMED AT BENEFICIALLY USING INERT CONSTRUCTION WASTES TO RECLAIM LAND AT PUBLIC DUMPS AND OVERCOMING THE SERIOUS PROBLEM OF REFUSE LANDFILLS REACHING FULL CAPACITY.
IT WOULD BE NECESSARY FOR SOME CONSTRUCTION WASTES TO BE SORTED ON CONSTRUCTION SITES TO SEPARATE THEM FROM THE INERT MATERIALS.
AT THE SAME TIME, THE STANDARDS OF MATERIALS ACCEPTED AT PUBLIC DUMPS HAD BEEN RELAXED, THUS REDUCING THE NEED TO SORT THE WASTES.
DURING A MEETING WITH REPRESENTATIVES OF THE LORRY DRIVERS ON THE SITE, STAFF OF EPD AND CED EXPLAINED THE OBJECTIVES AND REQUIREMENTS OF THE NEW ARRANGEMENTS.
THE LORRY DRIVERS COMPLAINED THAT THEY WERE GIVEN UNSORTED CONSTRUCTION WASTES FROM THE CONTRACTORS WHO PRODUCED THE WASTES AND THAT THEY HAD DIFFICULTIES TO DO THE SORTING THEMSELVES.
IT WAS AGREED AT THE MEETING THAT THE STANDARD FOR ACCEPTING CONSTRUCTION WASTES AT THE TWO LANDFILLS WOULD BE RELAXED FOR THE NEXT TWO WEEKS.
DURING THE TWO-WEEK PERIOD, EPD AND CED WOULD FURTHER DISCUSS WITH THE CONTRACTORS AND LORRY DRIVERS TO MAKE PROPER ARRANGEMENTS FOR SORTING THE WASTES ON SITE BEFORE DELIVERY TO LANDFILLS AND PUBLIC DUMPS.
--------0----------
/14 ........
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 1, 1992
14
MONETARY STATISTICS FOR AUGUST RELEASED * * * ♦ *
HONG KONG DOLLAR DEPOSITS WITH AUTHORISED INSTITUTIONS RECORDED A MODERATE INCREASE DURING AUGUST, ACCORDING TO STATISTICS PUBLISHED TODAY (THURSDAY) BY THE MONETARY AFFAIRS BRANCH.
CONSISTENT WITH THIS, THE BROADEST HONG KONG DOLLAR MONEY SUPPLY, M3, ROSE. HONG KONG DOLLAR LOANS AND ADVANCES ALSO INCREASED IN THE MONTH.
DEPOSITS
HONG KONG DOLLAR DEPOSITS WITH AUTHORISED INSTITUTIONS, ADJUSTED TO INCLUDE SWAP DEPOSITS, ROSE BY 1.0% IN AUGUST FOLLOWING INCREASES OF 2.1% AND 0.6% IN JUNE AND JULY RESPECTIVELY.
AMONG THESE DEPOSITS, DEMAND DEPOSITS FELL BY 6.6% WHILE SAVINGS AND TIME DEPOSITS INCREASED BY 1.7% AND 2.4% RESPECTIVELY. YEAR-ON-YEAR, TOTAL HONG KONG DOLLAR DEPOSITS GREW BY 17.2%.
FOREIGN CURRENCY DEPOSITS WITH AUTHORISED INSTITUTIONS INCREASED BY 1.3% IN AUGUST, AFTER AN INCREASE OF 0.4% IN JUNE AND A DECREASE OF 0.6% IN JULY.
OF THESE DEPOSITS, U.S. DOLLAR DEPOSITS INCREASED BY 3.9% WHILE NON-U.S. DOLLAR DEPOSITS DECREASED BY 0.6%. YEAR-ON-YEAR, TOTAL FOREIGN CURRENCY DEPOSITS GREW BY 9.8%.
DURING AUGUST, DEPOSITS IN ALL CURRENCIES WITH LICENSED BANKS ROSE BY 1.2% WHILE DEPOSITS WITH RESTRICTED LICENCE BANKS AND DEPOSITTAKING COMPANIES ROSE BY 1.1% AND 0.3% RESPECTIVELY.
YEAR-ON-YEAR, DEPOSITS WITH LICENSED BANKS GREW BY 14.4% WHILE DEPOSITS WITH RESTRICTED LICENCE BANKS AND DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES DECLINED BY 4.7% AND 23.7% RESPECTIVELY. /
MONEY SUPPLY
HK$M1 DECREASED BY 3.2% WHILE BOTH HK$M2 AND HK$M3 INCREASED BY 1.1% EACH IN AUGUST, COMPARED WITH INCREASES OF 0.4%, 0.8% AND 0.8% IN JULY.
YEAR-ON-YEAR, THESE MONETARY AGGREGATES INCREASED BY 24.4%, 18.6% AND 17.0% RESPECTIVELY.
TOTAL Ml DECREASED BY 2.7% WHILE BOTH TOTAL M2 AND M3 INCREASED BY 1.2% EACH IN AUGUST.
/THESE COMPARED ......
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 1, 1992
15
THESE COMPARED WITH INCREASES OF 0.4%, 0.3% AND NO CHANGE RESPECTIVELY IN JULY. YEAR-ON-YEAR, THESE MONETARY AGGREGATES INCREASED BY 23.0%, 14.3% AND 12.9% RESPECTIVELY.
LOANS AND ADVANCES
TOTAL OUTSTANDING LOANS AND ADVANCES EXTENDED BY AUTHORISED INSTITUTIONS INCREASED BY 2.4% IN AUGUST, FOLLOWING INCREASES OF 1.9% AND 1.0% IN JUNE AND JULY RESPECTIVELY.
AMONG THESE LOANS, BOTH HONG KONG DOLLAR LOANS AND FOREIGN CURRENCY LOANS INCREASED BY 0.4% AND 3.4% RESPECTIVELY.
COMPARED WITH A YEAR EARLIER, THESE LOANS INCREASED BY 16.4% AND 26.7% RESPECTIVELY.
LOANS TO FINANCE VISIBLE TRADE OF HONG KONG DECREASED BY 0.1% IN AUGUST, AFTER INCREASES OF 1.0% AND 0.9% IN JUNE AND JULY RESPECTIVELY. YEAR-ON-YEAR, SUCH LOANS GREW BY 9.5%.
OTHER LOANS FOR USE IN HONG KONG INCREASED BY 0.9% IN AUGUST, FOLLOWING INCREASES OF 1.2% AND 0.6% IN JUNE AND JULY RESPECTIVELY. YEAR-ON-YEAR, THESE LOANS INCREASED BY 16.2%.
LOANS FOR USE OUTSIDE HONG KONG INCREASED BY 3.7% IN AUGUST, AFTER INCREASES OF 2.6% AND 1.5% IN JUNE AND JULY. YEAR-ON-YEAR, THESE LOANS GREW BY 30.3%.
LOANS TO FINANCE TRADE NOT TOUCHING HONG KONG INCREASED BY 1.2% DURING AUGUST, AFTER DECREASES OF 1.4% AND 23.0% IN JUNE AND JULY RESPECTIVELY. YEAR-ON-YEAR, THESE LOANS INCREASED BY 0.6%.
NUMBER OF REPORTING INSTITUTIONS
THE NUMBER OF REPORTING LICENSED BANKS DECREASED BY ONE TO 159 WHILE THE NUMBER OF RESTRICTED LICENCE BANKS REMAINED UNCHANGED AT 54. THE NUMBER OF DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES DECREASED BY ONE TO 149.
/TABLE 1 .......
16
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 1, 1992
TABLE 1 : MONETARY STATISTICS - AUGUST 1992
• Aug 1992 Earlier months (9? change to Aug 1992) (HKSmn)
Money Supply Ml -HKS 128,021 Jul 1992 132,296 ( -3.2 ) May 1992 124,221 ( 3.1 ) Aug 1991 102,932 ( 24.4
Foreign currency 16,469 16,177 ( 1.8 ) 15,116 ( 9.0 ) 14,492 ( 13.6 )
Total 144,490 148,473 ( -2.7 ) 139,337 ( 3.7 ) 117,424 ( 23.0 )
M2 - HKS* 700,939 693,623 ( 1.1 ) 673,182 ( 4.1 ) 590,926 ( 18.6 )
Foreign currency* 766,853 756,977 ( 1.3 ) 757,632 ( 1.2 ) 692,871 ( 10.7 )
Total 1,467,792 1,450,601 ( 1.2 ) 1,430,814 ( 2.6 ) 1,283,797 ( 14.3 )
M3 - HKS* 723,214 715,622 ( 1.1 ) 696,091 ( 3.9 ) 617,890 ( 17.0 )
Foreign currency* 803.141 792,679 ( 1.3 ) 795,216 ( 1.0 ) 733,971 ( 9.4 )
Total 1,526,355 1,508,301 ( 1.2 ) 1,491,307 ( 2.4 ) 1,351,861 ( 12.9 )
Notes and coins in circulation 56,287 54,459 ( 3.4 ) 51,902 ( 8.4 ) 46,836 ( 20.2 )
of which held by public 48,403 47,022 ( 2.9 ) 45,079 ( 7.4 ) 40,240 ( 20.3 )
Total Deposits
Total Demand deposits 96,088 101.451 ( -5.3 ) 94,258 ( 1.9 ) 77,184 ( 24.5 )
Total Savings deposits 349,928 347.454 ( 0.7 ) 332,829 ( 5.1 ) 269,661 ( 29.8 )
Total Time deposits with licensed banks 957,085 938,030 ( 2.0 ) 942,768 ( 1.5 ) 879,800 ( 8.8 )
Total Time deposits with restricted licence banks 36,650 36,257 ( 1.1 ) 37,378 ( -1.9 ) 38,451 ( -4.7 )
Total Time deposits with deposit-taking companies 20,088 20,029 ( 0.3 ) 20,946 ( ■4.1 ) 26,321 ( -23.7 )
HKS deposits* 661,075 654,827 ( 1.0 ) 637,737 ( 3.7 ) 563,909 ( 17.2 )
USS deposits* 347,278 334,256 ( 3.9 ) 322,661 ( 7.6 ) 293,395 ( 18.4 )
Other foreign currency deposits* 451,486 454,138 ( -0.6 ) 467,781 ( -3.5 ) 434,112 ( 4.0 )
All deposits 1,459,839 1,443.221 ( 1.2 ) 1,428,178 ( 2.2 ) 1,291,417 ( 13.0 )
Foreigi)/currency swap deposits 49,009 46,747 ( 4.8 ) 42,830 ( 14.4 ) 47,852 ( 2.4 )
Total Loans and advances
To finance H.K.’s visible trade 90,878 90,945 ( -0.1 ) 89,219 ( 1.9 ) 82,995 ( 9.5 )
To finance merchandising trade not touching H.K. 11,333 11,196 ( 1.2 ) 14,750 ( -23.2 ) 11,263 ( 0.6 )
Other loans for use in H.K. 892,222 884,492 ( 0.9 ) 868,605 ( 2.7 ) 767,935 ( 16.2 )
Other loans for use outside H.K. 1,427,802 1,377,519 ( 3.7 ) 1,322,827 ( 7.9 ) 1,095,380 ( 30.3 )
Other loans where the place of use is not known 38,150 38,022 ( 0.3 ) 38,602 ( -1.2 ) 40,115 ( -4.9 )
Loans in HKS 792,500 789,201 ( 0.4 ) 774,498 ( 2.3 ) 680,924 ( 16.4 )
Loans in foreign currencies 1,667,885 1,612,973 ( 3.4 ) 1,559,506 ( 6.9 ) 1,316,763 ( 26.7 )
Total loans and advances 2,460,384 2,402,174 ( 2.4 ) 2,334,004 ( 5.4 ) 1,997,687 ( 23.2 )
♦ 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.
- - 0
/17........
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 1, 1992
17
ENVIRONMENT OFFICE SET UP TO MONITOR WEST KOWLOON WORKS
*****
THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION OFFICE FOR THE WEST KOWLOON AREA WAS CREATED WITH THE SIGNING OF A CONSULTANCY AGREEMENT WITH CBS CONSULTANTS IN ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES (ASIA) LTD AND BINNIE CONSULTANTS LTD ON AUGUST 27 THIS YEAR.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT SAID THE OFFICE WAS SET UP BECAUSE THE WEST KOWLOON PROJECT AREA, UNLIKE OTHER AIRPORT CORE PROGRAMME (ACP) PROJECT AREAS, HAD PARTICULAR FEATURES THAT CALL FOR SPECIAL MONITORING ARRANGEMENTS.
"THE MAIN DISTINGUISHING FEATURE IS THAT THE PROJECTS INVOLVE A MULTIPLICITY OF CONTRACTS TAKING PLACE AT THE SAME TIME, EACH UNDER THE DIRECTION OF DIFFERENT ENTITIES, BOTH WITHIN AND OUTSIDE THE GOVERNMENT.
"AS ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS DO NOT ALWAYS RESPECT WORKS SITE BOUNDARIES, AN OVERALL VIEW AND MANAGEMENT IS REQUIRED," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
THE MAIN RESPONSIBILITY OF THE OFFICE IS TO MONITOR AND INVESTIGATE THE CUMULATIVE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT OF PROJECTS IN THE WEST KOWLOON AREA, INCLUDING MAJOR ACP PROJECTS.
THESE ACP PROJECTS INCLUDE THE WEST KOWLOON RECLAMATION, WEST KOWLOON EXPRESSWAY AND THE AIRPORT RAILWAY.
"THE EMPHASIS WILL BE ON IDENTIFYING POTENTIAL PROBLEMS AND TAKING PREVENTIVE MEASURES BEFORE THEY ARISE," THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
THE OFFICE WILL IDENTIFY THE CAUSES OF ADVERSE EFFECTS ON THE ENVIRONMENT AND PROVIDE TIMELY AND EXPERT ADVICE ON OPTIONS FOR CORRECTING THE SITUATION.
IT WILL ALSO REPORT PERIODICALLY TO THE GOVERNMENT ON ENVIRONMENTAL PERFORMANCE MEASURES, THE REMEDIAL ACTIONS TAKEN AND THEIR RESULTS, AND OUTSTANDING ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES.
AS A FOCAL POINT FOR ENVIRONMENT ASPECTS OF THE ACP WORKS, THE OFFICE WILL HELP THE GOVERNMENT INFORM AND CONSULT THE AFFECTED PARTIES AND THE GENERAL PUBLIC.
THE CONSULTANTS WILL WORK UNDER THE SUPERVISION OF THE DEPARTMENT FOR A PERIOD OF TWO YEARS AT A COST OF $11 MILLION.
--------0-----------
/18 .......
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 1, 1992
18
SOCIAL WORK ASSISTANTS URGED TO ACT IN CLIENTS’ INTEREST
* * * * *
IN RESPONSE TO PRESS ENQUIRIES, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT SAID THE DEPARTMENT WAS CONCERNED ABOUT REPORTS ON SOCIAL WORK ASSISTANT (SWA) BRANCH TAKING INDUSTRIAL ACTION STARTING FROM TODAY (THURSDAY).
URGING THE SWA GRADE TO ACT WITH GOOD SENSE AND PATIENCE, HE REMINDED THEM THAT AS SOCIAL WELFARE WORKERS THEY SHOULD PUT CLIENTS’ INTEREST ABOVE PERSONAL BENEFITS.
HOWEVER, HE SAID THE DEPARTMENT HAD NOT OBSERVED GREAT DISRUPTION TO THE SERVICES PROVIDED TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC AS A RESULT OF THE WORK-TO-RULE ACTION.
"WE FEEL THAT THE DEPARTMENT CAN COUNT ON THEIR PROFESSIONAL ETHICS IN NOT CARRYING OUT ANY DRASTIC ACTION THAT PUTS OUR CLIENTS’ INTEREST AT RISK," HE SAID.
MOST OF THE ITEMS THAT THE GRADE SAID THEY WOULD REFUSE TO HANDLE FELL WITHIN THEIR JOB DESCRIPTION WHEN THEY JOINED THE DEPARTMENT, HE SAID.
"HOWEVER, IT IS DIFFICULT TO INCLUDE EVERY DETAIL OF THEIR RESPONSIBILITIES. ONLY AN OUTLINE COULD BE LISTED, THUS CAUSING THE MISUNDERSTANDING.
"BESIDES, WE NEED TO RESPOND APPROPRIATELY TO CHANGING NEEDS OF OUR CLIENTS TO BETTER SERVE THEM," HE SAID.
THE DEPARTMENT HAS WRITTEN TO THE SWA BRANCH, REMINDING THEM THAT CERTAIN DUTIES THAT THE BRANCH WOULD REFUSE TO DO WERE IN FACT NORMAL DUTIES.
IT HAS EXPLAINED TO THE BRANCH THAT THE INDUSTRIAL ACTION WAS UNCALLED FOR AND OF NO BENEFIT BECAUSE IT WOULD NOT ACHIEVE ANYTHING NOW EXCEPT TO LOWER THE HIGH REGARD HELD BY THE PUBLIC AND THE GOVERNMENT FOR THE GRADE.
THE DEPARTMENT HAS BEEN HOLDING MEETINGS WITH THE SWA BRANCH TO RESOLVE THE MATTER. A FURTHER MEETING IS SCHEDULED FOR NEXT WEEK.
0----------
/19........
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 1, 1992
- 19 -
PIPE-LAYING METHOD AVOIDS TRAFFIC DISRUPTION
*****
AN ADVANCED PIPE-LAYING METHOD IS BEING USED IN WORKS FOR THE EAST KOWLOON SEWERAGE IMPROVEMENTS AND POLLUTION CONTROL SCHEME TO AVOID DISRUPTION TO TRAFFIC AND NUISANCE TO THE PUBLIC.
THE CONTRACTOR FOR THE WORKS, AOKI CORPORATION, IS USING THE PIPE-JACKING METHOD TO INSTALL TWO LARGE PIPES AT NINE METRES BELOW PRINCE EDWARD ROAD EAST IN SAN PO KONG.
THE MAINS ARE TO BE PLACED INSIDE A SECTION OF A 100-METRE-LONG, 1,950-MM PRE-CAST CONCRETE PIPE USING A MICROTUNNELLING SHIELD FOR EXCAVATION.
OFFICIATING AT A CEREMONY TO LAY THE PIPES, THE ACTING DIRECTOR OF DRAINAGE SERVICES, MR NG YEE-YUM, SAID: "THIS METHOD DOES NOT REQUIRE TRENCHING ON THE ROAD, THUS THE HEAVY TRAFFIC FLOW ON PRINCE EDWARD ROAD WILL NOT BE DISRUPTED."
"IT ALSO MINIMISES NUISANCE TO THE PUBLIC AS THE WORKS ARE MAINLY CARRIED OUT UNDERGROUND," HE ADDED.
MR NG SAID SIMILAR "NO DIG" METHOD HAD BEEN USED IN OTHER DRAINAGE SERVICES DEPARTMENT PROJECTS AT STANLEY, SHEK 0, TAI TAM AND WONG CHUK HANG ROAD ON HONG KONG ISLAND.
THE WORKS, WHICH FORM PART OF THE $1.34 BILLION SCHEME, ENTAIL THE CONSTRUCTION OF A 1,200-METRE-LONG BOX CULVERT, 2,OOO-METRE-LONG OF 1,050 MM TO 1,800 MM PIPE SEWERS AND THREE SMALL PUMPING STATIONS.
THE TRUNK SEWERS AND BOX CULVERT WILL BE CONSTRUCTED STARTING FROM CHOI HUNG ROAD AND PRINCE EDWARD ROAD EAST VIA EASTERN ROAD AND RUNNING ALONG WANG KWONG ROAD.
> MR NG EXPLAINED THAT THIS SEWERAGE NETWORK WOULD REPLACE THE EXISTING OVERLOADED SEWER SYSTEM AND WOULD EVENTUALLY DISCHARGE THE SEWER TO THE KWUN TONG SEWAGE SCREENING PLANT.
"THREE PUMPING STATIONS ARE TO BE CONSTRUCTED IN SAN PO KONG AND KOWLOON BAY AREAS TO INTERCEPT THE POLLUTED BASE FLOWS FROM THE STORM WATER DRAINAGE SYSTEM, AND ENSURE IT PASSES THROUGH THE TREATMENT PLANT,” HE SAID.
THE SCHEME AIMS AT IMPROVING THE EXISTING SEWERAGE SYSTEM AND CONTROLLING POLLUTION BY INTERCEPTING AND DIVERTING THE SEWAGE THAT IS DISCHARGED INCORRECTLY TO THE STORM WATER DRAINAGE SYSTEM.
THE MEASURES ARE TO BE IMPLEMENTED IN TWO STAGES.
CONSTRUCTION WORKS FOR THE FIRST STAGE STARTED IN APRIL THIS YEAR AND ARE SCHEDULED FOR COMPLETION AT THE END OF 1993.
STAGE TWO IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN IN MID-1994 AND BE COMPLETED BY THE END OF 1997.
------0-----------
/20 .......
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 1, 1992
- 20 -
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 GRADING SYSTEM SERVES TO INFORM SWIMMERS AND THE GENERAL PUBLIC ABOUT THE STATE OF BACTERIOLOGICAL POLLUTION AT VARIOUS BEACHES.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID THE GRADING WOULD 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 GASTROINTESTINAL COMPLAINTS AS A RESULT OF SWIMMING AT A BEACH THAT HAS SOME DEGREE OF POLLUTION.
THE ESTIMATE
INFORMATION GATHERED
IS BASED ON A LARGE BODY OF STATISTICAL 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 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 SPOKESMAN SAID.
THE GRADINGS SYSTEM IS:
* 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" .......
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 1, 1992
21
* 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 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.
SIMILARLY, THE REOPENING OF A CLOSED BEACH WOULD ONLY BE CONSIDERED IF A GRADE "3" OR BETTER WAS 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 BY THE URBAN COUNCIL. THESE THREE BEACHES ARE IDENTIFIED BY AN ”X” IN THE FOLLOWING LIST.
THE GRADES ON THE BACTERIOLOGICAL WATER QUALITY OF VARIOUS BEACHES IN HONG KONG TODAY ARE:
BEACH
PREVIOUS
GRADING
PRESENT
GRADING
(AS AT 17.9.92)
(AS AT 1.10.92)
HONG KONG SOUTH
BIG WAVE BAY CHUNG HOM KOK DEEP WATER BAY HAIRPIN MIDDLE BAY REPULSE BAY SHEK O SOUTH BAY ST. STEPHEN’S TURTLE COVE STANLEY MAIN ROCKY BAY TO TEI WAN*
2
1
1
1
1
2
1
1
1
2
1
1
1
1 X
1
X
1
/TUEN MUN
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 1, 1992
22
TUEN MUN DISTRICT
OLD CAFETERIA x
NEW CAFETERIA 3
CASTLE PEAK x
KADOORIE 2
BUTTERFLY 2
SAI KUNG DISTRICT
CAMPERS 1 1
CLEAR WATER BAY 1ST BEACH 2 1 2
CLEAR WATER BAY 2ND BEACH 2 2
HAP MUN BAY 1 1
KIU TSUI 1 1 1
PAK SHA CHAU 1 1 1
SILVERSTRAND 2 1 2
TRIO (HEBE HAVEN) 2 2
ISLANDS DISTRICT 1
CHEUNG SHA UPPER 1 i
CHEUNG SHA LOWER 2 i 2
DISCOVERY BAY* 2 2
HUNG SHING YEH 1 1
KWUN YAM WAN 1 1 1
TONG FUK 1 1 1
LO SO SHING 1 1 1
PUI 0 2 X 1
SILVERMINE BAY 2 1 2
TUNG WAN, CHEUNG CHAU 2 1
TUNG 0* 1 1
TSUEN WAN DISTRICT
ANGLERS ' 3 9
APPROACH 2 O 9
CASAM 2 O 2
GEMINI 3 c 2
HOI MEI WAN 2 2
LIDO 2 u O
TING KAU 2 C
TUNG WAN, MA WAN 1 1
NOTE
X" THE BEACH HAS BEEN CLOSED FOR SWIMMING ♦ NON-GAZETTED BEACH
/THE FOLLOWING .......
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 1, 1992
23
THE FOLLOWING BEACHES HAVE CHANGED GRADING ON THIS OCCASION:
BIG WAVE BAY, TRIO (HEBE HAVEN), PUI O AND TUNG WAN ON CHEUNG CHAU FROM "2" TO "1"; NEW CAFETERIA AND GEMINI FROM "3" TO "2"; APPROACH FROM "2" TO "3".
THE CHANGES ARE WITHIN THE NORMAL RANGE OF FLUCTUATION OF THE BACTERIOLOGICAL WATER QUALITY OF THESE BEACHES.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
ENQUIRIES MAY BE MADE OF ACTING PRINCIPAL ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION OFFICER MR DAVID L HALL ON 835 1234.
--------0-----------
JOINING SCHOOL MANAGEMENT INITIATIVE SCHEME REQUIRES VISION AND COURAGE t » * *
JOINING THE SCHOOL MANAGEMENT INITIATIVE (SMI) SCHEME IS NOT AN EASY DECISION, AND IT REQUIRES VISION AND COURAGE ON THE PART OF THE MANAGEMENT AND STAFF OF THE SCHOOL, THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, MR DOMINIC S W WONG, SAID AT A SEMINAR ON THIS SUBJECT.
HE PRAISED THE SUPERVISORS AND PRINCIPALS OF 34 SMI SCHOOLS IN THE FIRST AND SECOND PHASES OF THE SCHEME.
MR WONG NOTED THAT THE INITIAL RESPONSE TO THE SCHEME WAS NOT VERY ENTHUSIASTIC.
"THIS IS UNDERSTANDABLE BECAUSE PEOPLE BY NATURE ARE SCEPTICAL OF REFORMS, PARTICULARLY WHEN THEY ARE UNCERTAIN ABOUT WHAT CHANGES ARE IN STORE," HE SAID.
"FORTUNATELY, AS CONFIRMED BY OVERSEAS EXPERIENCE, THESE EARLY WORRIES WILL DISAPPEAR IN THE COURSE OF TIME AS PRINCIPALS AND TEACHERS BECOME MORE FAMILIAR WITH THE NEW MANAGEMENT SYSTEM," HE EXPLAINED.
MR WONG WAS IMPRESSED BY THE HIGH STANDARD OF SCHOOL PLANS PREPARED BY SCHOOLS IN THE FIRST PHASE OF THE SCHEME, SAYING THAT SUCH OUTSTANDING PLANNING WORK WOULD NOT ONLY FACILITATE A MORE SENSIBLE USE OF FUNDS, BUT WOULD ALSO SET AN EXCELLENT EXAMPLE FOR OTHER SCHOOLS TO FOLLOW, ALL TO THE BENEFIT OF STUDENTS IN HONG KONG.
"TO FACILITATE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE SMI FIVE YEARS, THE GOVERNMENT WILL SPEND MORE THAN UP A MODERN MANAGEMENT INFORMATION SYSTEM POINTED OUT, ADDING THAT THE GOVERNMENT WOULD MILLION ON TRAINING STAFF IN THESE SCHOOLS.
SCHEME IN THE NEXT $80 MILLION TO BUILD IN SMI SCHOOLS," HE ALSO SPEND OVER $50
/DURING THE .......
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 1, 1992
24
DURING THE SEMINAR, COPIES OF THE SMI MANUAL ON SCHOOL ADMINISTRATION CONTAINING COMPREHENSIVE ADVICE AND INFORMATION WERE INTRODUCED AND DISTRIBUTED TO PARTICIPANTS.
THEY WERE ALSO BRIEFED ON THE TRAINING PROGRAMME FOR SMI SCHOOLS DURING THE 1992-93 SCHOOL YEAR.
------0--------
CONTRACT AWARDED TO DEMOLISH LOK ON PAI CHIMNEYS * * * * *
THE CIVIL ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT TODAY (THURSDAY) AWARDED A $4 MILLION CONTRACT FOR THE DEMOLITION BY EXPLOSIVES OF TWO CHIMNEYS AND OTHER ASSOCIATED WORKS AT LOK ON PAI DESALTER.
THE TWO 126-METRE HIGH REINFORCED CONCRETE CHIMNEYS HAVE TO BE DEMOLISHED TO MAKE WAY FOR A TRANSHIPMENT AREA FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE NEW AIRPORT BY THE PROVISIONAL AIRPORT AUTHORITY.
THE CONTRACT WILL BEGIN LATER THIS MONTH. THE BLASTING WORK IS SCHEDULED TO TAKE PLACE IN DECEMBER THIS YEAR.
THIS IS THE FIRST TIME WHEN EXPLOSIVES ARE USED IN HONG KONG FOR DEMOLITION WORKS.
---------0-----------
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS *****
$ MILLION
OPENING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT 2,440
REVERSAL OF LAF -940
BALANCE AFTER REVERSAL OF LAF 1,500
NET INJECTION/WITHDRAWAL TODAY NIL
EFFECT OF LAF TODAY NIL
CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT 1,500
LAF RATE 2.00 BID/4.00 OFFER TW1 109.9 *+0.3* 1.10.92
/HONG KONG .......
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 1, 1992
25
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND
EF BILLS HONG KONG GOVERNMENT BONDS
TERMS YIELD TERM ISSUE COUPON PRICE YIELD
1 WEEK 2.27 PCT 14 MONTHS 2311 6.25 103.43 3.16
1 MONTH 2.32 PCT 17 MONTHS 2402 5.50 102.97 3.30
3 MONTHS 2.45 PCT 20 MONTHS 2405 5.50 103.00 3.62
6 MONTHS 2.52 PCT 23 MONTHS 2408 4.375 101.09 3.80
12 : MONTHS 3.01 PCT
TOTAL TURNOVER OF BILLS AND BONDS - U,545MN
CLOSED 1 OCTOBER 1992
--------0-----------
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 2, 1992
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
ADDITIONAL MEETINGS FOR QUESTION TIME WITH GOVERNOR .................... 1
STI COMMENTS ON SENATE’S MFN VOTE ...................................... 2
RELAXATION OF RENT CONTROL WILL HAVE LITTLE IMPACT : SURVEY ............ 2
BLITZ ON UNATTENDED DANGEROUS GOODS VEHICLES ........................... 4
TWO MORE AIDS CASES CONFIRMED........................................... 5
$10B TO BE SPENT ON PUBLIC WORKS THIS YEAR ............................. 5
NEW TYPHOON SHELTER TO OPEN IN YAU MA TEI .............................. 6
PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO TOY SAFETY BILL.................................. 7
RETAIL SALES VALUE IN JULY ON INCREASE ................................. 8
FESTIVAL HK LAUNCHED IN CALGARY ........................................ 11
U.S. EXPERT TO ADVISE ON STUDENT PROBLEMS .............................. 12
SIXTH LAUNCH ADDED TO IMMIGRATION FLEET ................................ 13
TENDERS INVITED FOR CHA KWO LING RECLAMATION PROJECT.................... 13
UC COMPLEX FOR SHAM SHUI PO RESIDENTS .................................. 14
TAI PO SEWAGE TREATMENT WORKS TO BE UPGARDED............................ 14
CONTRACTORS INVITED TO SEEK PREQUALIFICATION FOR WEST KOWLOON EXPRESSWAY WORKS .................................................................. 15
KIU YAM STREET TO GET FACE-LIFT......................................... 15
TAM LANE TO BE RESUMED AND REPAIRED..................................... 16
COUNTRY PARK VISITORS URGED TO PREVENT HILL FIRES ...................... 16
INFLAMMABLE SUBSTANCES SHOULD BE PROPERLY STORED ....................... 17
CORRECTIONAL SERVICES PRAISED FOR AFTERCARE SERVICES ................... 18
207 YOUNGSTERS WIN DUKE OF EDINBURGH AWARDS ............................ 19
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS ............. 20
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 2, 1992
- 1 -
ADDITIONAL MEETINGS FOR QUESTION TIME WITH GOVERNOR
******
OWING TO OVERWHELMING RESPONSE TO THE TWO PUBLIC MEETINGS "QUESTION TIME WITH THE GOVERNOR" — TWO ADDITIONAL MEETINGS WILL BE HELD ON OCTOBER 13 AND 16 AT THE TSUEN WAN TOWN HALL AND THE HONG KONG CULTURAL CENTRE IN TSIM SHA TSUI RESPECTIVELY.
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WISHING TO ATTEND THE ADDITIONAL MEETINGS CAN OBTAIN FREE ADMISSION TICKETS FROM 10 AM NEXT WEDNESDAY (OCTOBER 7).
THE TICKETS WILL BE AVAILABLE AT THE FOLLOWING URBTIX OUTLETS:
* CITY HALL
* HONG KONG CULTURAL CENTRE
* HONG KONG COLISEUM
* HONG KONG ACADEMY FOR PERFORMING ARTS
* HONG KONG ARTS CENTRE
* QUEEN ELIZABETH STADIUM
* SHEUNG WAN CIVIC CENTRE
* SAI WAN HO CIVIC CENTRE
* NGAU CHI WAN CIVIC CENTRE
* TSUEN WAN TOWN HALL
* SHA TIN TOWN HALL
* TUEN MUN TOWN HALL
* TOM LEE MUSIC COMPANY (CAMERON LANE BRANCH, MAN YEE BUILDING BRANCH, TAIKOO SHING BRANCH, CAUSEWAY BAY BRANCH, SHA TIN BRANCH AND TSUEN WAN BRANCH)
THE TICKETS, LIMITED TO TWO PER PERSON, WILL BE AVAILABLE ON A FIRST-COME, FIRST-SERVED BASIS.
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WILL HAVE THE CHANCE TO PUT QUESTIONS TO THE GOVERNOR ON HIS POLICY ADDRESS TO BE DELIVERED TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON OCTOBER 7. INTERPRETATION FACILITIES WILL BE AVAILABLE.
THE FIRST OF THE ADDITIONAL MEETINGS WILL BE HELD IN THE TSUEN WAN TOWN HALL ON OCTOBER 13 (TUESDAY) FROM 5.45 PM TO 7.15 PM.
THE OTHER MEETING WILL BE HELD AT THE HONG KONG CULTURAL CENTRE IN TSIM SHA TSUI ON OCTOBER 16 (FRIDAY) FROM 5.45 PM TO 7.15 PM.
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 2, 1992
2 -
STI COMMENTS ON SENATE’S MFN VOTE *****
THE ACTING SECRETARY FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY, MISS DENISE YUE, WELCOMED THE NEWS EARLY THIS (FRIDAY) MORNING THAT THE U. S. I PRESIDENT’S VETO OF THE MOST FAVOURED NATION (MFN) CONDITIONALITY BILL HAD BEEN SUSTAINED IN THE SENATE.
’’THE VOTE FELL SHORT OF THE TWO-THIRDS MAJORITY REQUIRED TO OVERRIDE THE PRESIDENTIAL VETO. THE BILL IS DEAD," MISS YUE SAID.
UNFORTUNATELY THIS IS NOT THE ENI) OF THE MATTER. THE PRESIDENT HAS TO RENEW MFN TRADING STATUS FOR CHINA EVERY YEAR UNDER PRESENT U.S. LAW. HE HAS TO DO SO BY JUNE 3 EVERY YEAR.
"WE WILL CONTINUE TO EMPHASISE TO THE U.S. ADMINISTRATION AND MEMBERS OF CONGRESS JUST HOW DAMAGING WITHDRAWAL OR CONDITIONING OF CHINA’S MFN STATUS WOULD BE TO HONG KONG,” SHE SAID.
THE PRESIDENTIAL VETO OF THE BILL ATTACHING CONDITIONS TO THE RENEWAL OF CHINA’S MFN TRADING STATUS HAS BEEN SUSTAINED.
THE U.S. SENATE VOTE ON THURSDAY WAS 59 TO 40. THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES VOTED BY 345 TO 74 TO OVERRIDE THE VETO ON WEDNESDAY (SEPTEMBER 30).
--------0-----------
RELAXATION OF RENT CONTROL WILL HAVE LITTLE IMPACT: SURVEY
* * t * t
THE COMMISSIONER OF RATING AND VALUATION, MR BARRY WOODROFFE, TODAY (FRIDAY) SAID EVEN INCLUDING PRE-WAR PREMISES, ONLY ABOUT 50,000 HOUSEHOLDS OR 150,000 PEOPLE WOULD BE AFFECTED BY THE PHASING OUT OF RENT CONTROL.
A COMPREHENSIVE SURVEY CONDUCTED BY HIS DEPARTMENT REVEALED THAT ABOUT 80 PER CENT OF THE AFFECTED HOUSEHOLDS HAD ONE OR MORE PERSONS IN THE ECONOMICALLY ACTIVE AGE GROUP OF 15 - 59 AND ONLY EIGHT PER CENT OF HOUSEHOLDS WERE OCCUPIED BY PEOPLE AGED OVER 70.
ADDRESSING A LUNCHEON MEETING OF THE ROTARY CLUB OF KOWLOON NORTH, MR WOODROFFE SAID THE FIGURES OF AFFECTED HOUSEHOLDS AND PEOPLE WERE WELL BELOW SOME OF THE PUBLISHED CLAIMS OF CERTAIN INTEREST GROUPS.
/HE NOTED .......
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 2, 1992
- 3 -
HE NOTED THAT PROJECTIONS BY THE INTEREST GROUPS OE FUTURE HARDSHIP FOR MANY OF THE AFFECTED TENANTS ALSO APPEARED TO HAVE BEEN SIGNIFICANTLY OVERSTATED,
"THE AVERAGE RENT NOW BEING PAID BY FOR WHOLE FLATS IS $3,300 PER MONTH WHICH IS ABOUT 63 PER CENT OF THE MARKET RENT,” HE SAID.
AS REGARDS THE POOREST SECTION OF THE COMMUNITY - THOSE RENTING BED SPACES OR SINGLE ROOMS, MR WOODROFFE SAID THE SURVEY INDICATED THAT THERE WERE ONLY ABOUT 2,100 BED SPACES AND 10,000 SINGLE ROOMS CURRENTLY PROTECTED BY PART II OF THE LANDLORD AND TENANT (CONSOLIDATION) ORDINANCE.
MR WOODROFFE ADDED THAT 86 PER CENT OF THE AFFECTED BED SPACES HAD RENTS UNDER $400 AND 70 PER CENT OF SINGLE ROOMS LET FOR LESS THAN $1,000 A MONTH.
HE BELIEVED THAT THE DECONTROL PROPOSALS WOULD HAVE LITTLE EFFECT ON TENANTS OF THESE SUB-DIVIDED PREMISES IN 1993.
IN 1994, THEY WOULD ONLY RESULT IN ADDITIONAL RENT PAYMENTS OF ABOUT $35 PER BED SPACE AND $74 PER SINGLE ROOM WHICH WOULD BE ABOUT ONE PER CENT OF THE OCCUPANT’S INCOME.
"IF THIS CAUSES HARDSHIP, TENANTS CAN APPLY FOR RENTAL ASSISTANCE AND SOCIAL WELFARE BENEFITS."
IF A SINGLE PERSON WHOSE INCOME WAS SO LOW THAT HE COULD NOT AFFORD THE RENT, THAT TENANT WOULD BE ABLE TO OBTAIN UP TO $743 A MONTH IN ADDITION TO BASIC PUBLIC ASSISTANCE.
HE SAID IT WAS ALSO INTERESTING TO NOTE THAT CURRENT CONTROLLED RENTS OF WHOLE FLATS AT $3,300 A MONTH REPRESENTED ABOUT 23 PER CENT OF HOUSEHOLD INCOME AND THAT THE RATIO FOR SUB-DIVIDED PREMISES WAS SUBSTANTIALLY LOWER - IN PARTICULAR FOR BED SPACES WHERE IT WAS ONLY SEVEN PER CENT.
AS REGARDS PRE-WAR PREMISES, HE SAID GOVERNMENT PROPOSED A SIMILAR SERIES OF GRADUAL INCREASES TO BRING THE RENTALS UP TO MARKET LEVELS.
CURRENTLY, THE CONTROLLED RENTS FOR THESE ARE 48 TIMES THE PREWAR RENT - AN AVERAGE OF $1,675 A MONTH OR 59 PER CENT OF MARKET RENTS.
"THE INCREASE FACTOR HAS BEEN ADJUSTED ANNUALLY OVER SEVERAL YEARS," HE SAID, ADDING THAT THE BILL PROPOSED A FURTHER THREE SUCH INCREASES.
"HOWEVER, EVEN AFTER THE PERMITTED INCREASES, CERTAIN OF THE PERMITTED RENTS WILL STILL BE VERY LOW SO IT IS ALSO NECESSARY TO INCORPORATE A MINIMUM RENT PROVISION INTO PART I OF THE LANDLORD AND TENANT ORDINANCE," HE SAID.
HE SAID THIS WOULD MEAN THAT INITIALLY LANDLORDS CAN CHARGE AT LEAST 60 PER CENT OF MARKET RENTS.
/"THE CHANGES .......
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 2, 1992
4
"THE CHANGES TO THE LANDLORD AND TENANT LAWS PROPOSED IN THE BILL WILL, WE FEEL, HELP TO BRING EQUITY TO THE CURRENT SITUATION."
HE SAID THE PROPOSED PHASED INCREASES TO THE CONTROLLED RENTS BROUGHT THEM GRADUALLY UP TO THE MARKET LEVEL, ENABLING PARTS I AND II CONTROLS TO EXPIRE AND BE REPLACED WITH PART IV WHICH BASICALLY GAVE TENANTS SECURITY OF TENURE AT THE PREVAILING MARKET RENT.
"THIS WILL SIMPLIFY THE CURRENT SITUATION WHERE, CONFUSINGLY, THREE DIFFERENT SETS OF RULES APPLY TO DOMESTIC TENANCIES.
"THE BILL ALSO PROVIDES FOR INCREASED COMPENSATION FOR TENANTS WHERE PREMISES ARE REQUIRED BY LANDLORDS FOR REDEVELOPMENT."
MR WOODROFFE SAID FURTHER DELAY COULD COST AFFECTED TENANTS DEARLY AS THE PROPOSALS IN THE BILL WOULD ROUGHLY DOUBLE THE CURRENT STATUTORY COMPENSATION.
--------0-----------
BLITZ ON UNATTENDED DANGEROUS GOODS VEHICLES
* * * *
FIRE OFFICERS LAST (THURSDAY) NIGHT RAIDED SEVERAL PLACES IN YAU MA TEI AND TUEN MUN TO CHECK UNATTENDED VEHICLES CARRYING CATEGORY 5 DANGEROUS GOODS SUCH AS KEROSENE, DIESEL AND PETROL.
DURING THE OPERATION, THEY FOUND EIGHT UNATTENDED VEHICLES LOADED WITH KEROSENE IN DRUMS OR LIQUEFIED PETROLEUM GAS (LPG) CYLINDERS ON THE STREETS.
IN ALL CASES, THE OFFICERS MANAGED TO LOCATE THE DRIVERS OF THE VEHICLES AFTER SOME TIME.
CASES CONNECTED WITH LPG WERE REFERRED TO THE GAS STANDARD OFFICE.
THE DRIVERS OF THE VEHICLES CARRYING CATEGORY 5 DANGEROUS GOODS WERE ASKED TO REMOVE THE VEHICLES AND THE GOODS TO FIRE STATIONS FOR TEMPORARY STORAGE PENDING LEGAL ACTION AGAINST OFFENDERS.
DESCRIBING THE OPERATION AS ROUTINE, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT SAID THE DEPARTMENT WOULD CONTINUE SPOT CHECKS ON THESE VEHICLES AND TAKE PROSECUTION ACTION AGAINST THOSE WHO HAVE BREACHED THE DANGEROUS GOODS VEHICLES LICENSING CONDITIONS.
THE SPOKESMAN URGED RESIDENTS TO CALL THE DEPARTMENT ON HOTLINE 723 8787 IF THEY SAW VEHICLES LOADED WITH CATEGORY 5 DANGEROUS GOODS BEING LEFT UNATTENDED ON THE STREETS.
- - 0-----------
/5.........
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 2, 1992
5
TWO MORE AIDS CASES CONFIRMED * * * * *
TWO MORE CASES OF AIDS (ACQUIRED IMMUNE DEFICIENCY SYNDROME) WERE CONFIRMED AND ANOTHER SIX PERSONS INCLUDING TWO WOMEN WERE FOUND TO BE POSITIVE FOR THE HIV ANTIBODY TEST IN AUGUST, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH ANNOUNCED TODAY (FRIDAY).
TWO PREVIOUSLY DIAGNOSED AIDS PATIENTS DIED IN THE SAME MONTH.
THIS BRINGS TO 310 THE TOTAL NUMBER OF HIV INFECTED IN HONG KONG WITH 68 CONFIRMED AIDS CASES.
SO FAR, 43 PATIENTS HAVE DIED AND 25 OTHERS ARE EITHER UNDER COUNSELLING AND TREATMENT OR HAVE LEFT THE TERRITORY.
OF THE 310 HIV INFECTED, 61 WERE HAEMOPHILIACS, 210 ACQUIRED THE INFECTION SEXUALLY, SIX WERE DRUG ABUSERS AND THREE ACQUIRED THE INFECTION THROUGH BLOOD TRANSFUSION BEFORE 1985 WHEN HIV ANTIBODY SCREENING TEST WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
FOR THE REMAINING 30, THE INFORMATION AVAILABLE WAS INADEQUATE FOR CLASSIFICATION.
UNDER THE HIV SURVEILLANCE PROGRAMME WHICH STARTED IN 1985, A TOTAL OF 245,735 BLOOD SPECIMENS HAVE BEEN TESTED FOR THE HIV ANTIBODY.
THE HONG KONG RED CROSS BLOOD TRANSFUSION SERVICE HAS ALSO SCREENED ALL BLOOD DONORS FOR AIDS.
UP TO AUGUST, 1,125,709 UNITS OF BLOOD HAD BEEN TESTED AND 26 DONORS WERE FOUND POSITIVE.
---------0-----------
$10B TO BE SPENT ON PUBLIC WORKS THIS YEAR
*****
THE GOVERNMENT IS TO SPEND MORE THAN $10 BILLION THIS YEAR ON THE PUBLIC WORKS PROGRAMME ON TOP OF THE EXPENDITURE ON THE NEW AIRPORT RELATED PROJECTS.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE SECRETARY FOR WORKS, MR JAMES BLAKE, AT THE TRAINEES AND APPRENTICE GRADUATION CEREMONY OF A CONSTRUCTION COMPANY’S TRAINING SCHEME THIS (FRIDAY) EVENING.
MR BLAKE SAID NEW ROADS, BETTER SEWAGE AND DRAINAGE, COMMUNITY SPACE WITH SHARED FACILITIES, SCHOOLS, HOSPITALS, CLINICS AND MANY OTHER PROJECTS COULD BE FOUND IN THE MORE THAN 1,000 ITEMS ALREADY IN THE PUBLIC WORKS PROGRAMME.
/"THE GOVERNMENT .......
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 2, 1992
- 6 -
"THE GOVERNMENT WILL SPEND MUCH MORE PUBLIC MONEY ON HOUSING AND THE RELATED NEW TOWNS INFRASTRUCTURE ALONE, THAN IT IS TO SPEND ON AIRPORT RELATED PROJECTS," HE ADDED.
MR BLAKE NOTED THAT THE VERY HIGH TECHNOLOGICAL AND PROFESSIONAL SKILLS OF THE WORK FORCE WAS ONE OF THE MOST VALUABLE RESOURCES IN HONG KONG.
"TO ENSURE THAT WE CAN CONTINUE TO RELY UPON AN ADEQUATE HIGH QUALITY SOURCE OF WORKERS IN THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY, THE GOVERNMENT HAS BEEN ACTIVELY PROMOTING THE TRAINING OF ITS TECHNICIANS AND PROFESSIONALS," HE SAID.
HE SAID THE GOVERNMENT HAD BEEN PROVIDING ON-THE-JOB TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES FOR GRADUATES AND TECHNICIANS IN CERTAIN FIELDS OF THE INDUSTRY.
"WE ARE ALSO STRONGLY ENCOURAGING CONTRACTORS TO PROVIDE THE NECESSARY TRAINING TO THEIR EMPLOYEES, AN ENDEAVOUR WHICH IS ALSO BENEFICIAL TO CONTRACTORS THEMSELVES, BY MEANS OF LEGISLATION AND ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURES."
"SO FAR, THE RESULT IS ENCOURAGING. LAST YEAR ABOUT 400 CRAFT AND TECHNICIAN APPRENTICES WERE TRAINED BY THE GOVERNMENT, AND SOME 10,000 WERE TRAINED BY VARIOUS INDUSTRIES IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR," MR BLAKE SAID.
----0------
NEW TYPHOON SHELTER TO OPEN IN YAU MA TEI
******
THE MARINE DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED THAT THE NEW YAU MA TEI TYPHOON SHELTER WILL BE COMMISSIONED FOR PUBLIC USE NEXT TUESDAY (OCTOBER 6).
THE SENIOR MARINE OFFICER (WESTERN REGION) OF THE MARINE DEPARTMENT, MR LO KWOK-TAI, TODAY (FRIDAY) SAID: "ALL VESSELS MOORED AT THE EXISTING YAU MA TEI TYPHOON SHELTER ARE REQUIRED TO MOVE OUT ON OR BEFORE OCTOBER 14, EXCEPTIONS ARE VESSELS OPERATING AT THE YAU MA TEI PUBLIC CARGO WORKING AREA (PCWA) AND THOSE APPROVED BY THE DIRECTOR OF MARINE."
"THE MARINE DEPARTMENT WILL HAVE SPECIAL LAUNCH PATROLS TO ASSIST OWNERS AND OPERATORS OF VESSELS TO MOVE INTO THE NEW TYPHOON SHELTER STARTING NEXT TUESDAY," HE SAID.
MR LO EXPLAINED THAT UNDER THE WEST KOWLOON RECLAMATION PROJECT, THE PRESENT YAU MA TEI TYPHOON SHELTER WOULD BE RECLAIMED FOR VARIOUS AIRPORT CORE PROJECTS DEVELOPMENT.
THE SOUTH ENTRANCE TO THE EXISTING SHELTER WILL BE CLOSED ON OCTOBER 15 WHEN MARINE WORKS START.
/VESSELS SAILING .......
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 2, 1992
VESSELS SAILING TO THE YAU MA TEI PCWA SHOULD USE THE NORTH ENTRANCE WHERE A 150-METRE-WIDE FAIRWAY, MARKED WITH QUICK YELLOW FLASHING LIGHT BUOYS, HAD BEEN ESTABLISHED.
LOCATED IMMEDIATELY TO THE WEST OF THE EXISTING TYPHOON SHELTER, THE NEW SHELTER HAS A WATER AREA OF ABOUT 70 HECTARES AND IS PROTECTED BY RECLAMATION AND BREAKWATER ARMS.
TWO ENTRANCES ARE PROVIDED AND THERE WILL BE 25 MOORING DOLPHINS.
A MARINE DEPARTMENT NOTICE ON THE COMMISSIONING OF THE NEW YAU MA TEI TYPHOON SHELTER AND THE CLOSING OF THE EXISTING YAU MA TEI TYPHOON SHELTER WILL BE ISSUED TOMORROW (SATURDAY).
COPIES OF THE NOTICE ARE AVAILABLE FOR COLLECTION AT THE PORT FORMALITIES OFFICE ON THE THIRD FLOOR OF HARBOUR BUILDING, 38 PIER ROAD, CENTRAL, HONG KONG.
- - 0 - -
PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO TOY SAFETY BILL * * * »
THE ADMINISTRATION HAS REACHED AGREEMENT WITH A LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL AD HOC GROUP SET UP TO STUDY THE TOYS AND CHILDERN’S PRODUCTS SAFETY BILL ON THE PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO THE BILL AT A MEETING TODAY (FRIDAY).
THE AMENDMENTS SEEK TO:
* INCLUDE EN71 AND ASTM STANDARDS AS ALTERNATIVE SAFETY STANDARDS FOR TOYS IN ADDITION TO THE ICTI STANDARD;
* ENSURE THAT THE PACKAGING OF TOYS IS INCLUDED IN THE BILL;
* ENABLE A COURT TO GIVE DUE CONSIDERATION TO A TESTING CERTIFICATE SHOWING COMPLIANCE WITH THE SAFETY STANDARDS WHEN A DEFENCE OF DUE DILIGENCE IS USED BY A TOY SUPPLIER IN PROCEEDINGS AGAINST HIM; AND
* ENSURE THAT ANY ADDITIONAL SAFETY STANDARDS TO BE MADE FOR TOYS AND CHILDREN’S PRODUCTS UNDER CLAUSE 35 WILL NOT DEROGATE FROM ANY OF THE STANDARDS ALREADY PRESCRIBED IN THE BILL.
"WE BELIEVE THAT THE ADOPTION OF A MULTIPLE-STANDARD-REGIME WILL MAXIMISE THE CHOICE OF TOYS TO BE SUPPLIED TO CHILDREN IN HONG KONG," A GOVERMENT SPOKESMAN SAID.
"IT WILL PROVIDE THE NECESSARY FLEXIBILITY FOR TOY SUPPLIERS WITHOUT UNDERMINING THE PROTECTION OF CHILDREN."
THE AMENDMENTS WILL ALSO REMOVE UNCERTAINTY IN THE PRESENT WORDING OF THE BILL AS TO WHETHER THE PACKAGING OF TOYS IS TO BE INCLUDED.
/"THERE ARE
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 2, 1992
’’THERE ARE SIMILAR SAFETY SPECIFICATIONS IN THE ICTI , ASTM AND EN71 STANDARDS FOR THE PACKAGING OF TOYS. THE AMENDMENTS WILL MAKE IT CLEAR THAT THEY WILL BE APPLIED TO TOYS SUPPLIED IN HONG KONG,” HE EXPLAINED.
A NEW PROVISION WILL BE ADDED TO CLAUSE 25 REGARDING DEFENCE OF DUE DILIGENCE.
"WE AGREE WITH THE AD HOC GROUP THAT THIS WILL SEND A CLEAR MESSAGE TO THE TOY SUPPLIERS THAT IT WILL BE IN THEIR OWN INTEREST TO OBTAIN SUCH TESTING CERTIFICATES BEFORE SUPPLYING THEIR PRODUCTS IN HONG KONG,” HE SAID.
"WE APPRECIATE THE AD HOC GROUP’S CONCERN ABOUT THE MAKING OF REGULATION ON ADDITIONAL SAFETY STANDARDS UNDER CLAUSE 35 OF THE BILL," HE SAID.
"WE HAVE ASSURED MEMBERS THAT IF THESE STANDARDS ARE TO BE
MADE, THEY WILL HAVE TO BE MORE STRINGENT THAN THE EXISTING STANDARDS.
"WE HOPE TO INTRODUCE THESE AMENDMENTS TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON NOVEMBER 4, 1992 UPON RESUMPTION OF THE SECOND READING DEBATE ON THE BILL," HE SAID.
- - 0 - -
RETAIL SALES VALUE IN JULY ON INCREASE * * * *
THE VALUE OF TOTAL RETAIL SALES IN JULY, ESTIMATED AT $13.6 BILLION, INCREASED BY 15% OVER THE SAME MONTH LAST YEAR, ACCORDING TO STATISTICS RELEASED TODAY (FRIDAY) BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
THE INCREASE REFLECTED A CONTINUED GROWTH IN SPENDING BY BOTH LOCAL CONSUMERS AND TOURISTS.
AFTER DISCOUNTING THE EFFECT OF PRICE CHANGES OVER THE PERIOD, TOTAL RETAIL SALES INCREASED BY 10% IN VOLUME TERMS.
THE INCREASE WAS MAINLY ATTRIBUTABLE TO THE GROWTH IN CONSUMER SPENDING ON MOTOR VEHICLES, CLOTHING, JEWELLERY AND WATCHES.
SALES OF MOTOR VEHICLES REGISTERED A LARGE YEAR-ON-YEAR INCREASE, BY 28% IN VALUE AND 22% IN VOLUME. SALES OF CLOTHING, FOOTWEAR AND ALLIED PRODUCTS WENT UP BY 20% IN VALUE AND 9% IN VOLUME.
SALES OF JEWELLERY, WATCHES, CLOCKS AND VALUABLE GIFTS ROSE BY 17% IN VALUE AND 23% IN VOLUME. THE LARGER INCREASE IN VOLUME WAS DUE TO THE FALL IN THE,PRICES OF JEWELLERY ITEMS.
MORE MODERATE INCREASES WERE RECORDED FOR SALES IN DEPARTMENT STORES, BY 12% IN VALUE AND 2% IN VOLUME; AND FOR SALES OF FUELS, BY 13% IN VALUE AND 6% IN VOLUME.
/ON THE
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 2, 1992
9
ON THE OTHER HAND, SALES IN SUPERMARKETS RECORDED A SLIGHT DECREASE IN VOLUME BY 1%, DESPITE AN INCREASE IN VALUE BY 7%. SALES IN OTHER FOODSTUFF OUTLETS CONTINUED TO DROP, BY 2% IN VALUE AND 6% IN VOLUME.
COMPARING THE FIRST SEVEN MONTHS OF THIS YEAR WITH THE SAME PERIOD LAST YEAR, TOTAL RETAIL SALES ROSE BY 19% IN VALUE AND 13% IN VOLUME.
COMPARING WITH JUNE, AND BEARING IN MIND THAT THIS COMPARISON MAY BE AFFECTED BY SEASONAL FACTORS, TOTAL RETAIL SALES IN JULY INCREASED BY 4% IN VALUE AND 5% 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 DETAILS OF THE JULY FIGURES 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 SECTION OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT, 19TH FLOOR, WANCHAI TOWER I, WAN CHAI.
ENQUIRIES MAY BE MADE OF THE WHOLESALE AND RETAIL TRADE STATISTICS SECTION OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT ON TEL 802 1258.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
TABLE 1 PRESENTS THE REVISED TOTAL RETAIL SALES FIGURE FOR JUNE AND THE PROVISIONAL FIGURE FOR JULY.
TABLE 2 SHOWS THE VALUE AND VOLUME INDEXES OF RETAIL SALES IN JUNE AND JULY FOR ALL RETAIL OUTLETS AND BY TYPE OF RETAIL OUTLET, WITH AVERAGE RETAIL SALES FROM OCTOBER 1989 TO SEPTEMBER 1990 TAKEN AS 100.
COMPARISONS OF JULY 1992 RESULTS WITH THOSE FOR JUNE 1992 AND JULY 1991, AND COMPARISONS OF RETAIL SALES IN THE FIRST SEVEN MONTHS OF THIS YEAR WITH THE SAME PERIOD LAST YEAR ARE ALSO GIVEN.
/TABLE 1 : .......
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 2, 1992
- 10 -
TABLE 1 : TOTAL RETAIL SALES
Total Retail Sates for July 1992 (Provisional Figure) • HKS13,589.8 million for June 1992 (Revised Figure) » HKS13,094.0 million
TABLE 2 : VALUE AND VOLUME INDEXES OF RETAIL SALES FOR JUNE 1992 AND JULY 1992
(Monthly average of Oct. 89 • Sept. 90 « 100)
Item Index o Retail Sales June 1992 July 1992 July compa June 199J red with 1992 July compa July 199. red witl 199 Jan-Jul 1992 compared with Jan-Jul 1991
(A) FOR ALL RETAIL OUTLETS (Revised figures) (Provisional figures) Points X Points X Points X
Value 139.4 144.7 *5.3 ♦3.8 ♦ 18.6 ♦ 14.8 ♦21.6 ♦ 19.1
IB) BY TYPE OF RETAIL OUTLET Volume 122.1 127.6 *5.5 ♦4.5 ♦11.4 ♦9.8 ♦ 13.8 ♦13.0
Foodstuffs, alcoholic Value 113.4 114.8 *1.4 ♦1.2 •2.9 -2.4 ♦5.2 ♦4.8
drinks and tobacco (other than supermarkets) Volume 93.4 96.1 ♦2.7 ♦2.9 -6.4 -6.2 -3.6 -3.6
Supermarkets Value 133.9 129.2 •4.7 -3.5 ♦8.4 ♦6.9 ♦ 12.3 ♦ 10.8
Volume 109.7 105.2 -4.5 •4.1 -1.2 -1.1 *2.1 ♦2.1
Fuels Value 135.5 141.7 *6.1 ♦4.5 ♦ 16.5 ♦ 13.2 ♦8.9 ♦7.4
Volume 104.5 108.4 ♦3.9 ♦3.7 ♦5.6 ♦ 5.5 ♦0.4 ♦0.4
Clothing, footwear and Value 147.4 155.4 ♦8.0 ♦5.4 ♦25.6 ♦ 19.7 ♦27.3 ♦23.2
allied products Volume 119.6 129.2 ♦9.6 ♦8.0 ♦ 10.1 ♦8.5 ♦ 13.7 ♦ 12.5
Consumer durable goods * Value 175.2 164.9 -10.3 •5.9 ♦20.8 ♦ 14.4 *41.3 ♦35.9
Volume 157.2 148.8 -8.4 •5.3 ♦ 14.4 ♦ 10.7 ♦32.7 ♦30.1
- Motor vehicles Value 201.8 187.8 -14.0 •6.9 ♦41.2 ♦ 28.1 ♦ 76.3 ♦ 70.4
and parts Volume 170.4 159.2 -11.3 •6.6 ♦28.4 ♦21.7 ♦59.0 ♦59.8
- Consumer durable Value 155.9 148.2 -7.6 -4.9 ♦6.0 ♦4.2 ♦ 15.9 ♦ 13.3
goods other than motor vehicles and parts Volume 147.6 141.3 -6.3 -4.3 ♦4.3 ♦3.2 ♦13.6 ♦ 11.7
Department stores Value 119.4 133.0 ♦13.6 ♦ 11.4 ♦14.2 ♦ 12.0 ♦ 17.2 ♦ 16.0
Volume 98.9 113.1 ♦ 14.1 ♦ 14.3 ♦2.4 ♦2.2 ♦6.6 ♦6.5
Jewellery, watches Value 141.7 144.5 ♦2.8 ♦ 2.0 ♦20.8 ♦ 16.8 ♦ 23.9 ♦21.9
and clocks, and valuable gifts Volume 148.6 151.0 ♦2.3 ♦ 1.6 ♦ 28.3 ♦ 23.0 ♦ 29.8 ♦27.9
Other consumer goods Value 133.0 162.6 ♦29.6 ♦22.3 ♦41.1 ♦33.9 ♦ 19.3 ♦16.3
not elsewhere classified Volume 114.6 140.8 ♦26.1 ♦22.8 ♦28.1 ♦25.0 ♦7.7 ♦6.8
NOTE : * This covers both ’’Motor vehicles and parts" and "Consumer durable goods other than motor vehicles and parts"
------0
/Il.........
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 2, 1992
11
FESTIVAL HK LAUNCHED IN CALGARY *****
A TRADITIONAL ’’DRAGON AWAKENING" CEREMONY LAUNCHED A WIDE SPECTRUM OF BUSINESS, CULTURAL AND RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES IN CALGARY ON THURSDAY AS PART OF THE FESTIVAL HONG KONG ’92.
CALGARY JOINS TORONTO, MONTREAL, OTTAWA AND VANCOUVER IN HOSTING THE LARGEST EVER OVERSEAS PROMOTION STAGED BY THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT.
MORE THAN 17 FESTIVAL EVENTS INCLUDING A TRADE SHOW, A DRAGON BOAT RACE AND A CHINA TOWN CARNIVAL ARE BEING HELD IN CALGARY THIS MONTH, THANKS TO THE SUPPORT OF HUNDREDS OF VOLUNTEERS, AND LOCAL AND INTERNATIONAL SPONSORS.
OFFICIATING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY IN CALGARY’S CONVENTION CENTRE WERE SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER, MR JOHN CHAN; SECRETARY FOR RECREATION AND CULTURE, MR JAMES SO; ALBERTA’S MINISTER OF HEALTH NANCY BETKOWSKI AND MAYOR AL DUERR OF THE CITY OF CALGARY.
SPEAKING AT THE CEREMONY, MAYOR AL DUERR SAID THE FESTIVAL WOULD STRENGTHEN THE HONG KONG-CANADA RELATIONSHIP THROUGH BUILDING UP A DEEP APPRECIATION OF THE TWO CULTURES AND LIFESTYLE.
"I AM SURE THAT THE FESTIVAL WILL CREATE A BOND WITH HONG KONG THAT WILL CONTINUE TO DEVELOP AND PROSPER IN THE FUTURE," HE SAID.
ANOTHER OFFICIATING GUEST MINISTER BETKOWSKI SAID THE THEME OF THE FESTIVAL "BRIDGE ACROSS THE PACIFIC" WAS BOTH TIMELY AND APPROPRIATE AND THAT THE FRIENDSHIP AND GOODWILL BROUGHT BY THE FESTIVAL WOULD HAVE A LASTING IMPACT ON CALGARY AND THE PROVINCE OF ALBERTA.
"WHILE THE EYES OF THE DRAGONS WERE OPENED AT THE CEREMONY, THE EYES OF THE CANADIANS WILL BE OPENED BY THE FESTIVAL TO THE BEAUTY, VITALITY AND SPIRIT OF HONG KONG AND ITS PEOPLE," THE MINISTER SAID.
AFTER THE CEREMONY, MR CHAN DECLARED FESTIVAL HONG KONG '92 IN CALGARY OFFICIALLY OPENED.
LATER IN THE EVENING, A SPIRIT OF FRIENDSHIP BETWEEN THE TWO CITIES WAS DEMONSTRATED BY A BIG TURNOUT OF MORE THAN 450 LOCAL DIGNITARIES, BUSINESS PEOPLE AS WELL AS SENIOR FEDERAL AND PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS AT A GALA DINNER.
THE DINNER ENDED WITH A PERFORMANCE BY THE HONG KONG YOUTH CHINESE INSTRUMENTAL ENSEMBLE, WHICH WON LONG AND LOUD APPLAUSES FROM THE AUDIENCE.
THE PERFORMING GROUP COMPRISES 14 TALENTED YOUNG MUSICIANS FROM HONG KONG.
- - 0 - -
/12 ........
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 2, 1992
U.S. EXPERT TO ADVISE ON STUDENT PROBLEMS *****
THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT HAS INVITED A MENTAL HEALTH EDUCATION EXPERT FROM THE U.S. TO GIVE ADVICE ON WAYS TO HANDLE STUDENT PROBLEMS.
THE EXPERT, MISS DIANE RYERSON, WOULD ARRIVE LATER THIS MONTH TO CONDUCT SEMINARS AND WORKSHOPS FOR STAFF OF THE DEPARTMENT AND SCHOOL PRINCIPALS ON HOW TO HANDLE STUDENT PROBLEMS.
THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, MR DOMINIC S W WONG, HOPED THAT THIS WOULD HELP REDUCE THE NUMBER OF TRAGIC INCIDENTS INVOLVING STUDENTS.
SPEAKING AT A PRIZE-PRESENTATION CEREMONY OF THE ROYAL COMMONWEALTH SOCIETY ESSAY COMPETITION, MR WONG SAID THE DEPARTMENT WAS NOW ACTIVELY PROMOTING THE CONCEPT OF THE WHOLE-SCHOOL APPROACH TO GUIDANCE.
"THIS MEANS THAT THE WHOLE SCHOOL, WHETHER PRIMARY OR SECONDARY, THEIR TEACHERS, STUDENTS AND PARENTS WILL BE MOTIVATED TO BETTER UNDERSTAND ONE ANOTHER’S ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES, AND STUDENTS’ PROBLEMS IN THE DEVELOPMENTAL STAGE," HE SAID.
HE SAID THIS WOULD CREATE A MORE CARING AND POSITIVE LEARNING ENVIRONMENT FOR STUDENTS, ENABLE EARLY SOLVING OF THE PROBLEMS AND PROMOTE HOME-SCHOOL CO-OPERATION.
"I BELIEVE THAT THIS APPROACH WILL USEFULLY COMPLEMENT THE SERIES OF PREVENTIVE MEASURES PROMOTED BY THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT IN THE PAST YEAR FOLLOWING THE COMMUNITY’S CONCERN OVER THE INCREASE IN STUDENT SUICIDE ATTEMPTS," MR WONG ADDED.
AS A FURTHER MEASURE, THE DEPARTMENT WOULD ORGANISE A SERIES OF EDUCATIONAL SEMINARS ON THE WHOLE-SCHOOL APPROACH, HE SAID.
THE HONG KONG CONTEST OF THE ESSAY COMPETITION WAS SPONSORED BY THE ROYAL COMMONWEALTH SOCIETY IN HONG KONG AND THE HONG KONG GENERAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.
THIS ANNUAL COMPETITION, WHICH HAS BEGUN SINCE 1913, ATTRACTED 156 STUDENTS FROM 21 SCHOOLS THIS YEAR.
MR WONG SAID THE RESPONSE CLEARLY REFLECTED THE ENTHUSIASM AMONG YOUNG PEOPLE TO DEVELOP IDEAS OF THEIR OWN, TO SHARE THEIR EXPERIENCE WITH OTHERS AND TO EXERCISE THEIR LITERARY SKILLS IN ENGLISH WHICH WAS A SECOND LANGUAGE TO MOST OF HONG KONG PEOPLE.
WINNERS WERE AWARDED BOOK PRIZES RANGING FROM $200 TO $1,350.
THE HIGHEST AWARD - THE ROYAL COMMONWEALTH SOCIETY IN HONG KONG AWARD - WENT TO MISS MARY HO WING FONG OF SACRED HEART CANOSSIAN COLLEGE. APART FROM HER $1,350 BOOK PRIZE, SHE EARNED A ROUND TRIP TO KUALA LUMPUR.
ALSO PRESENTING PRIZES TO THE WINNERS WERE THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF THE HONG KONG GENERAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, MR HARRY GARLICK AND REPRESENTATIVE OF THE ROYAL COMMONWEALTH SOCIETY IN HONG KONG, DR VERNER BICKLEY.
- - 0 - -
/13
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 2, 1992
- 13 -
SIXTH LAUNCH ADDED TO IMMIGRATION FLEET
*****
THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT COMMISSIONED ITS SIXTH LAUNCH TODAY (FRIDAY) AT JOSS HOUSE BAY.
SPEAKING AT THE COMMISSIONING CEREMONY, THE DIRECTOR OF IMMIGRATION, MR LAURENCE LEUNG MING-YIN, SAID THE NEW LAUNCH WOULD GO A LONG WAY TO MEETING THE DEMAND DUE TO INCREASED TRAFFIC BETWEEN HONG KONG, CHINA AND MACAU.
IT WOULD ALSO HELP CONTAIN THE GROWING PROBLEM OF ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION BY SEA, HE ADDED.
DURING THE CEREMONY, MR LEUNG PAID TRADITIONAL TRIBUTE TO THE GODDESS OF THE SEA AT THE TIN HAU TEMPLE.
HE WAS ACCOMPANIED BY DEPUTY DIRECTOR, MR JOHN YEUNG HIN-CHUNG AND HIS SENIOR OFFICERS.
THE LAUNCH THEN CAST OFF AND SALUTED THE GODDESS OF "TIN HAU" BY COMPLETING THREE FIGURES-OF-EIGHT IN THE WATERS OF JOSS HOUSE BAY.
--------0-----------
TENDERS INVITED FOR CHA KWO LING RECLAMATION PROJECT
*****
THE CIVIL ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF A SEAWALL AND FOR RECLAMATION AT CHA KWO LING, ADJACENT TO THE FORMER OIL DEPOT.
THE WORKS INCLUDE THE CONSTRUCTION OF A 720-METRE-LONG VERTICAL SEAWALL AND THE RECLAMATION OF ABOUT FOUR HECTARES OF LAND, WHICH WILL PRIMARILY BE USED AS A PUBLIC CARGO WORKING AREA (PCWA).
THE WORKS FORM PART OF THE HONG KONG INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT IMPROVEMENT PROJECT, WHICH WILL PROVIDE ADDITIONAL AIRCRAFT PARKING BAYS TO COPE WITH INCREASING TRAFFIC DEMAND.
THE RECLAMATION WORK CAN PROVIDE LAND FOR THE RELOCATION OF THE PRESENT KOWLOON BAY PCWA TO MAKE WAY FOR AIRCRAFT PARKING BAYS.
REPROVISIONING ARE IN TWO PHASES. THE FIRST PHASE HAS BEEN COMPLETED ALREADY.
WORKS UNDER THIS CONTRACT FORM THE SECOND PHASE AND ARE SCHEDULED TO BEGIN IN DECEMBER FOR COMPLETION IN ABOUT 18 MONTHS.
DEADLINE FOR SUBMITTING TENDERS IS NOON ON OCTOBER 23.
FORMS OF TENDER AND FURTHER PARTICULARS MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE CHIEF ENGINEER, PORT WORKS DIVISION, CIVIL ENGINEERING OFFICE, CIVIL ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT, FIFTH FLOOR, CIVIL ENGINEERING BUILDING, 101 PRINCESS MARGARET ROAD, KOWLOON.
--------0-----------
/14 ........
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 2, 1992
14
UC COMPLEX FOR SHAM SHUT PO RESIDENTS
******
THE ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF A SIX-STOREY URBAN COUNCIL COMPLEX ON A SITE BOUNDED BY KWEILIN STREET, KI LUNG STREET, PEI HO STREET AND TAI NAN STREET IN SHAM SHUI PO.
UPON COMPLETION, THE COMPLEX WILL HOUSE A MARKET WITH OVER 200 STALLS, A COOKED FOOD CENTRE WITH 20 STALLS, A REFUSE COLLECTION POINT, UNIFORM STORES, OFFICES, AN INDOOR GAMES HALL, A SPORTS CENTRE, NINE SQUASH COURTS, TWO BASKETBALL COURTS AND A COFFEE CORNER.
WORKS ARE SCHEDULED TO START NEXT JANUARY AND BE COMPLETED IN DECEMBER 1994.
TENDER OFFER WILL CLOSE AT NOON ON OCTOBER 23.
FORMS OF TENDER AND FURTHER PARTICULARS MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT, 34TH FLOOR, QUEENSWAY GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 66 QUEENSWAY, HONG KONG.
------0--------
TAI PO SEWAGE TREATMENT WORKS TO BE UPGRADED * * * * *
THE DRAINAGE SERVICES DEPARTMENT IS INVITING CONTRACTORS TO APPLY FOR PREQUALIFICATION FOR THE ELECTRICAL AND MECHANCIAL CONTRACT TO UPGRADE AND REFURBISH THE TAI PO SEWAGE TREATMENT WORKS.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT TODAY (FRIDAY) SAID ONLY CONTRACTORS ON THE FOLLOWING LISTS OF APPROVED SUPPLIERS OF MATERIALS AND SPECIALIST CONTRACTORS FOR PUBLIC WORKS WERE ELIGIBLE TO APPLY:
* SUPPLY AND INSTALLATION OF ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL EQUIPMENT FOR SEWAGE TREATMENT AND SCREENING PLANTS, ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT (EMSD); AND
* MANUFACTURE AND ERECTION OF MECHANICAL PLANTS AND EQUIPMENT, GROUP II (EMSD).
THE CONTRACT COMPRISES DESIGN, SUPPLY, INSTALLATION, TESTING, COMMISSIONING AND DEFECTS LIABILITY OF THE PROCESS AND ALL ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL EQUIPMENT FOR THE TAI PO SEWAGE TREATMENT WORKS, STAGES ONE AND TWO UPGRADING AND REFURBISHMENT PROJECT.
PREQUALIFICATION DOCUMENTS ARE AVAILABLE FROM THE CONTRACT SECTION OF EMSD IN ROOM 811, 98 CAROLINE HILL ROAD, CAUSEWAY BAY.
THE INVITATION NOTICE IS GAZETTED TODAY.
THE CLOSING DATE IS NOON ON NOVEMBER 6. FOLLOWING THE PREQUALIFICATION EXERCISE, TENDERS FROM PREQUALIFIED CONTRACTORS WILL BE INVITED IN JUNE NEXT YEAR.
------0----------
/15 .......
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 2, 1992
15
CONTRACTORS INVITED TO SEEK PREQUALIFICATION FOR WEST KOWLOON EXPRESSWAY WORKS *****
THE GOVERNMENT IS INVITING APPLICATIONS FROM CONTRACTORS TO PREQUALIFY FOR TENDERING FOR THE NORTH AND SOUTH CONTRACTS OF THE WEST KOWLOON EXPRESSWAY TO BE BUILT ON THE NEW WEST KOWLOON RECLAMATION.
INVITATION NOTICES ARE GAZETTED TODAY (FRIDAY).
WORKS FOR THE NORTH CONTRACT COMPRISE MAINLY THE CONSTRUCTION OF A 2.7-KILOMETRE DUAL THREE-LANE HIGHWAY BETWEEN TAI KOK TSUI AND MEI FOO SUN CHUEN WHERE AN INTERCHANGE WILL BE BUILT.
IT ALSO INCLUDES ASSOCIATED ROAD AND RAILWAY FORMATION WORKS AND FOOTBRIDGES.
WORKS FOR THE SOUTH CONTRACT INVOLVE MAINLY THE CONSTRUCTION OF A 1.5-KILOMETRE DUAL THREE-LANE EXPRESSWAY TOGETHER WITH AN INTERCHANGE AT YAU MA TEI AND ASSOCIATED ROAD WORKS, DRAINAGE CULVERTS AND FOOTBRIDGES.
CONTRACTORS WITH RELEVANT EXPERIENCE AND EXPERTISE ARE INVITED TO APPLY FOR PREQUALIFICATION.
APPLICATIONS FOR PREQUALIFICATION MUST BE SUBMITTED BY NOON ON FRIDAY, OCTOBER 30 FOR THE NORTH CONTRACT AND BY NOON ON FRIDAY, OCTOBER 23 FOR THE SOUTH CONTRACT.
PREQUALIFIED CONTRACTORS WILL BE INVITED TO TENDER FOR BOTH CONTRACTS IN MARCH NEXT YEAR.
---------0---------
KIU YAM STREET TO GET FACE-LIFT * * * *
THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL HAS AUTHORISED THE RESUMPTION AND REPAIR OF KIU YAM STREET AND A NEARBY SCAVENGING LANE IN SHAM SHUI PO.
THE STREET AND THE LANE ARE nOW UNDER PRIVATE MULTIPLE OWNERSHIP AND IS NOT PROPERLY MANAGED OR MAINTAINED.
THE RESUMPTION WILL ENABLE THE GOVERNMENT TO REPAIR THEM FOR PUBLIC BENEFIT.
THE PROPOSED WORKS INVOLVED THE REPAIR OF THE DEFECTIVE FOOTPATHS, CARRIAGEWAYS AND DRAINS.
WORK IS EXPECTED TO START IN AUGUST NEXT YEAR.
--------0-----------
/16 .......
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 2, 1992
16
TAM LANE TO BE RESUMED AND REPAIRED
*****
THE HIGHWAYS DEPARTMENT PROPOSES TO RESUME AND REPAIR TAM LANE IN CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT.
TAM LANE IS UNDER PRIVATE MULTIPLE OWNERSHIP AND IS NOT PROPERLY MANAGED OR MAINTAINED.
THE RESUMPTION WILL ENABLE THE GOVERNMENT TO REPAIR THE LANE FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE PUBLIC. WORKS ARE EXPECTED TO START IN JULY 1994.
A NOTICE CONCERNING THE PROPOSED WORKS IS GAZETTED TODAY (FRIDAY).
THE PLAN AND SCHEME SHOWING THE PROPOSED WORKS AND LAND RESUMPTION CAN BE SEEN AT THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT OFFICE, PUBLIC ENQUIRY SERVICE CENTRE, GROUND FLOOR, HARBOUR BUILDING, 38 PIER ROAD, CENTRAL, HONG KONG; AND AT THE DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE, HONG KONG WEST, SOUTHORN CENTRE, 19TH FLOOR, 130 HENNESSY ROAD, WAN CHAI, HONG KONG.
ANY PERSON OBJECTING TO THE PROPOSAL MUST SEND HIS OBJECTION IN WRITING TO THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, EAST WING, SECOND FLOOR, LOWER ALBERT ROAD, NO LATER THAN DECEMBER 1.
-----0------
COUNTRY PARK VISITORS URGED TO PREVENT HILL FIRES
*****
THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT TODAY (FRIDAY) URGED COUNTRYSIDE VISITORS TO TAKE EXTRA CARE IN THE COMING DRY SEASON TO PREVENT HILL FIRES.
THE APPEAL WAS MADE BY THE DEPARTMENT’S COUNTRY PARKS PROTECTION OFFICER, MR CHAN PING-KWONG, AS HE LAUNCHED A COUNTRYSIDE FIRE PREVENTION DRIVE DURING A PRESS VISIT TO THE TAI PO KAU NATURE RESERVE.
’’THE COUNTRYSIDE IS FOR US TO ENJOY. WE HAVE THE OBLIGATION TO PROTECT IT," MR CHAN SAID.
IN THE LAST DRY SEASON, THE DEPARTMENT’S FIRE CREW MEMBERS ATTENDED 107 HILL FIRES IN OR NEAR COUNTRY PARKS. THE FIRES DAMAGED OVER 158,000 TREES COVERING 1,094 HECTARES OF LAND.
IN THE PREVIOUS SEASON, 187 HILL FIRES WERE ATTENDED.
MR CHAN ATTRIBUTED THE DROP TO THE WET WEATHER AND INCREASING PUBLIC AWARENESS OF FIRE PREVENTION.
/THE JOINT ......
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 2, 1992
17 -
THE JOINT EFFORTS OF THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT, FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT, CIVIL AID SERVICES AND THE ROYAL HONG KONG AUXILIARY AIR FORCE ALSO HELPED PREVENT THE SPREADING OF HILL FIRES.
CALLING ON COUNTRYSIDE VISITORS TO GUARD AGAINST FIRES, MR CHAN SAID TREES AND UNDERGROWTH COULD EASILY CATCH FIRE WHICH MIGHT SPREAD OUT OF CONTROL.
"HILL FIRES NOT ONLY DAMAGE THE VEGETATION, BUT ALSO LANDSCAPE QUALITY, WILDLIFE HABITAT AND SOIL STABILITY," HE ADDED.
HE ADVISED THE PUBLIC TO TAKE THE FOLLOWING PRECAUTIONARY MEASURES:
* COUNTRY PARK VISITORS SHOULD LIGHT FIRES ONLY IN DESIGNATED BARBECUE PITS;
* SMOKERS SHOULD NOT DISCARD BURNING CIGARETTE ENDS IN THE COUNTRYSIDE;
* VILLAGERS SHOULD BE CAREFUL WHEN BURNING WEEDS AND RUBBISH ON FARMLAND NEAR HILL SIDES; AND
* GRAVE WORSHIPPERS SHOULD LIGHT JOSS PAPER IN CONTAINERS AND SHOULD NEVER LEAVE BURNING JOSS STICKS AND PAPER UNATTENDED.
MR CHAN ALSO REMINDED GRAVE WORSHIPPERS TO OBSERVE THE MEASURES DURING THE FORTHCOMING CHUNG YEUNG FESTIVAL.
"ANY PERSON WHO IGNORES THESE RULES MAY CAUSE A HILL FIRE AND DAMAGE OUR VALUABLE COUNTRYSIDE. THE OFFENDER IS LIABLE TO A MAXIMUM FINE OF $5,000 AND ONE YEAR’S IMPRISONMENT," HE SAID.
DURING THE ANNUAL COUNTRYSIDE FIRE PREVENTION DRIVE, THE MESSAGE WILL GET THROUGH TO THE PUBLIC THROUGH THE MASS MEDIA, POSTERS AND LEAFLETS.
--------0------------
INFLAMMABLE SUBSTANCES SHOULD BE PROPERLY STORED
*****
FACTORY PROPRIETORS ARE TODAY (FRIDAY) REMINDED TO TAKE EVERY MEASURE TO ENSURE PROPER STORAGE OF INFLAMMABLE SUBSTANCES USED IN INDUSTRY.
"INFLAMMABLE SUBSTANCES EXCEEDING 35 LITRES SHOULD BE KEPT IN DANGEROUS GOODS STORES APPROVED BY THE DIRECTOR OF FIRE SERVICES," CHIEF FACTORY INSPECTOR, MR CHAN TAT-KING, SAID.
"IF THE INFLAMMABLE SUBSTANCES DO NOT EXCEED 35 LITRES, THEY SHOULD BE STORED IN SUITABLE CLOSED CONTAINERS KEPT IN STRONG INCOMBUSTIBLE CABINETS OR CUPBOARDS AWAY FROM HEAT," MR CHAN ADDED.
/HE POINTED .......
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 2, 1992
- 18 -
HE POINTED OUT THAT IN ANY CASE CONTAINERS OF INFLAMMABLE SUBSTANCES SHOULD BE PROPERLY LABELLED WHILE THE WORKERS SHOULD BE TRAINED ON THE BASIC SAFETY PRECAUTIONS AT WORK, INCLUDING FIRE CONTROL.
THERE HAVE BEEN CASES IN WHICH TOILETS AND CORNERS IN FACTORY BUILDINGS ARE USED FOR STORAGE OF LIQUEFIED PETROLEUM GAS CYLINDERS AND LARGE CANS OF INDUSTRIAL SOLVENTS, SUCH AS THINNERS AND KEROSENE.
’’THIS IS AN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS PRACTICE AS IT WILL LEAD TO EXPLOSION BECAUSE OF CARELESS SMOKING OR USE OF UNPROTECTED NAKED FLAME IN THE TOILET,” MR CHAN SAID.
”IN ANY CASE, TOILETS AND COMMON AREAS IN FACTORY BUILDINGS MUST NOT BE USED FOR STORAGE PURPOSE,” HE STRESSED.
”WE WILL PROSECUTE PROPRIETORS WHO DO NOT COMPLY WITH REGULATIONS RELATING TO THE SAFE STORAGE OF DANGEROUS GOODS AND INFLAMMABLE SUBSTANCES," HE SAID.
THE MAXIMUM PENALTY FOR THE OFFENCES IS A FINE OF $30,000.
---------0-----------
CORRECTIONAL SERVICES PRAISED FOR AFTERCARE SERVICES
*****
A FORMER OMELCO MEMBER, SIR OSWALD CHEUNG, TODAY (FRIDAY) PRAISED THE CORRECTIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT FOR ACHIEVING SUCCESS IN ITS AFTERCARE SERVICES.
SPEAKING AT A PASSING-OUT PARADE FOR 73 ASSISTANT OFFICERS OF THE DEPARTMENT, SIR OSWALD SAID STATISTICS INDICATED THAT A LARGE MAJORITY OF SUPERVISEES HAD REMAINED FREE FROM CRIME DURING THEIR SUPERVISION PERIOD.
THE DEPARTMENT IS ACTIVELY PURSUING THE EXTENSION OF AFTERCARE SUPERVISION FOR CERTAIN CATEGORIES OF ADULT PRISONERS SO AS TO PROVIDE EX-OFFENDERS WITH AN APPROPRIATE FORM OF CONTROL AND HELP AS THEY REINTEGRATE INTO THE COMMUNITY.
SIR OSWALD TOLD THOSE ON PARADE THAT A CAREER WITH THE CORRECTIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT WAS BY NO MEANS AN EASY ONE.
"OVERCROWDING IN PENAL INSTITUTIONS CAUSED BY THE INFLUX OF ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS HAS BEEN, AND WILL REMAIN FOR THE FORESEEABLE FUTURE, A MAJOR PROBLEM FOR THE DEPARTMENT IN ITS DAILY ADMINISTRATION AND OPERATIONS.
"ALREADY WE HAVE SEEN AN UPSURGE IN THE CRIME RATE OVER THE PAST YEARS AND AN INCREASING CRIMINAL SOPHISTICATION IN OFFENDERS, MANY OF WHOM ARE RUTHLESS," HE SAID.
/THE NUMBER .......
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 2, 1992
- 19 -
THE NUMBER OF HIGH-RISK PRISONERS HAS INCREASED BY MORE THAN 50 PER CENT. THE DEPARTMENT IS NOW LOOKING AT ADDITIONAL RESOURCES AND FACILITIES TO CATER FOR THIS PARTICULAR GROUP OF PRISONERS.
ON THE MANAGEMENT OF VIETNAMESE MIGRANTS, SIR OSWALD NOTED THAT THIS HEAVY BURDEN HAD PLACED EXTRA STRAIN ON THE ALREADY STRETCHED RESOURCES.
THE DEPARTMENT IS GOING TO SHOULDER ADDITIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES BY ABSORBING VIETNAMESE MIGRANTS FROM SHEK KONG DETENTION CENTRE WHICH IS CURRENTLY RUN BY THE POLICE.
"IN DOING SO, A CONSIDERABLE NUMBER OF POLICE OFFICERS CAN BE RELEASED AND REDEPLOYED TO LOOK AFTER PUBLIC ORDER ON THE STREETS," SIR OSWALD SAID.
--------0-----------
207 YOUNGSTERS WIN DUKE OF EDINBURGH AWARDS *****
THE SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS, MR MICHAEL SUEN, TODAY (FRIDAY) CALLED ON 207 DUKE OF EDINBURGH SILVER AWARDEES TO MAKE PERSISTENT EFFORTS TO OBTAIN THE GOLD AWARDS.
SPEAKING AT THE DUKE OF EDINBURGH 54TH SILVER AWARD PRESENTATION CEREMONY, HE SAID THE AWARD SCHEME HAD DEVELOPED A WIDE VARIETY OF PROGRAMMES TO INSPIRE YOUNG PEOPLE’S INITIATIVE AND CREATIVITY AS WELL AS TO CHALLENGE THEIR PHYSICAL AND MENTAL PROWESS.
THE ACTIVITIES ALSO FOSTER A SENSE OF RESPONSIBILITY AND INSTIL IN THEM THE SPIRIT TO SERVE THE COMMUNITY, HE SAID.
AT THE CEREMONY, 56 VOLUNTEERS RECEIVED COMMENDATION LETTERS FOR HELPING OUT WITH THE SCHEME.
MR SUEN URGED THEM TO CONTINUE THEIR SUPPORT FOR THE SCHEME SO THAT MORE YOUNGSTERS COULD BENEFIT.
SINCE IT WAS INTRODUCED IN 1961, 20 YOUTH ORGANISATIONS HAVE JOINED THE SCHEME AS OPERATING AUTHORITIES TO HELP ITS PROMOTION WORK.
THE NUMBER OF PARTICIPANTS HAD GROWN TO SOME 41,000 LAST YEAR.
------0--------
/20 .......
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 2, 1992
20
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS
*****
$ MILLION
OPENING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT 1,500
REVERSAL OF LAF NIL
BALANCE AFTER REVERSAL OF LAF 1,500
NET INJECTION/WITHDRAWAL TODAY NIL
EFFECT OF LAF TODAY +980
CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT 2,480
LAF RATE 2.00 BID/4.00 OFFER TWI 109.7 *-0.2* 2.10.92
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND
EF BILLS
TERMS YIELD TERM
1 WEEK 2.22 PCT 14 MONTHS
1 MONTH 2.28 PCT 17 MONTHS
3 MONTHS 2.38 PCT 20 MONTHS
6 MONTHS 2.50 PCT 23 MONTHS
12 MONTHS 2.97 PCT
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT BONDS
ISSUE COUPON PRICE YIELD
2311 6.25 103.40 3.16
2402 5.50 102.93 3.31
2405 5.502 102.98 3.62
2408 4.375 101.07 3.81
TOTAL TURNOVER OF BILLS AND BONDS
CLOSED 2 OCTOBER 1992
- 9,090 MN
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 3, 1992
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
FEWER COMPLAINTS AGAINST TAXI SERVICES .............................. 1
HK CONTINUES TO BE AUTONOMOUS: SEM .................................. 2
HK SEMINAR FOR CALGARY BUSINESSMEN .................................. 4
CHILDREN INVITED TO JOIN STORY TELLING CONTEST ...................... 5
TSING YI KINDERGARTEN PLACES IN SURPLUS ............................. 6
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS .......... 6
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 3, 1992
1
FEWER COMPLAINTS AGAINST TAXI SERVICES
****.*
THE NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS AGAINST TAXI SERVICES IN THE SECOND QUARTER OF THIS YEAR DROPPED TO 582 COMPARED WITH 66.3 IN THE FIRST QUARTER, REPRESENTING A DECREASE OF 12.2 PER CENT.
THIS WAS SHOWN IN THE LATEST QUARTERLY REPORT RELEASED BY THE TRANSPORT ADVISORY COMMITTEE'S TRANSPORT COMPLAINTS UNIT (TCU) TODAY (SATURDAY).
"OF THESE, 556 CASES OR 96 PER CENT ARE ABOUT TAXI DRIVER MALPRACTICES. MOST OF THE COMPLAINTS ARE RELATED TO OVERCHARGING (276 CASES) AND REFUSING HIRE (104 CASES)," A SPOKESMAN FOR THE TCU SAID.
"TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF TAXI SERVICES, THE COMMITTEE HAS ENDORSED A NUMBER OF MEASURES AGAINST TAXI DRIVER MALPRACTICES INCLUDING TAX I-METER TAMPERING,” HE SAID.
"THE COMMITTEE HAS ALSO INITIATED A COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW OF TAXI POLICY. A CONSULTATIVE PAPER WILL BE ISSUED AT THE END OF THIS MONTH FOR WIDE PUBLIC CONSULTATION," HE ADDED.
DURING THE SECOND QUARTER, THE TRANSPORT COMPLAINTS UNIT RECEIVED A TOTAL OF 2,398 COMPLAINTS, COMPARED WITH 2,316 IN THE SAME PERIOD LAST YEAR.
OF THESE, 1,350 OR 56 PER CENT WERE ABOUT PUBLIC TRANSPORT SERVICES, AS AGAINST 1,302 CASES IN THE FIRST QUARTER OF THIS YEAR.
THERE WERE 533 COMPLAINTS ABOUT FRANCHISED BUS SERVICES, COMPARED WITH 482 IN THE FIRST QUARTER. OF THESE, 382 WERE ABOUT NON-ADHERENCE TO SCHEDULED FREQUENCIES, STAFF CONDUCT AND INSUFFICIENT PASSENGER SERVICES.
THE NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS ON BUS SCHEDULES AND ROUTEINGS IN KOWLOON AND THE NEW TERRITORIES DROPPED FROM 100 TO 75. HOWEVER, THOSE ON HONG KONG ISLAND INCREASED FROM 20 TO 41.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THERE WERE 247 COMPLAINTS ON ROAD CONGESTION, OF WHICH 46 WERE ON HONG KONG ISLAND, 97 IN KOWLOON AND 102 IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.
"FACTORS CONTRIBUTING TO ROAD CONGESTION INCLUDED TRAFFIC LIGHT PHASING, VEHICLE OBSTRUCTION AND ROAD WORKS," HE ADDED.
THE NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS CONCERN I NG ROAD MAINTENANCE ROSE BY 93 TO 172. THE MAJOR COMPLAINTS WERE DEFECTIVE ROAD SURFACES, FAULTY TRAFFIC LIGHTS AND DAMAGED TRAFFIC SIGNS OR AIDS.
THE NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT MEASURES ROSE MARGINALLY FROM 153 CASES TO 158.
/AREAS OF .......
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 3, 1992
2
AREAS OF CONCERN INCLUDED PHASING OF TRAFFIC LIGHTS, TRAFFIC LANE ARRANGEMENT, AND PROVISION OF TRAFFIC SIGNS AND AIDS.
’’COMPLAINTS ABOUT BREACHES OF THE LAW STOOD AT 410, A RISE OF 102 COMPARED WITH FIGURES FOR THE PREVIOUS QUARTER.
’’THESE ARE RELATED MAINLY TO ILLEGAL PARKING AND MOTORISTS FAILING TO COMPLY WITH TRAFFIC REGULATIONS," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
------0--------
HK CONTINUES TO BE AUTONOMOUS: SEM * * * * *
THE MAIN CHALLENGE FACING HONG KONG IN THE NEXT FEW YEARS, AND CERTAINLY THE MOST WIDELY TALKED ABOUT, IS HOW TO MANAGE THE TRANSITION UP TO AND ACROSS JULY 1, 1997, WHEN HONG KONG WILL UNDERGO THE UNPRECEDENTED TRANSFORMATION FROM BEING A BRITISH DEPENDENT TERRITORY TO BECOMING A SPECIAL ADMINISTRATIVE REGION OF THE PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF CHINA.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER, MR JOHN CHAN, WHEN ADDRESSING A LUNCHEON ORGANISED BY THE HONG KONG-CANADA BUSINESS ASSOCIATION AND THE CALGARY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE IN CALGARY, CANADA, TODAY (SATURDAY).
MR CHAN POINTED OUT THAT HISTORICALLY, HONG KONG HAD GONE THROUGH SEVERAL TRANSFORMATIONS IN THE PAST 150 YEARS.
HE BELIEVED THE FORTHCOMING CHANGE IN HONG KONG’S CONSTITUTIONAL POSITION OUGHT NOT TO BE VERY DIFFICULT TO MANAGE.
"AFTER ALL, THE RETURN OF SOVEREIGNTY IS TO TAKE PLACE IN ACCORDANCE WITH A BINDING INTERNATIONAL AGREEMENT WHICH MAKES SPECIFIC PROVISION FOR THE MAINTENANCE OF HONG KONG’S WELL-ESTABLISHED SYSTEMS AND LIFESTYLE," HE SAID.
’’THE KEYNOTE IS CONTINUITY, UNDER THE GUIDING CONCEPT OF ’ONE COUNTRY, TWO SYSTEMS’.
"HONG KONG WILL CONTINUE TO BE
CAPITALIST SOCIETY WELL INTO THE NEXT CENTURY,
A HIGHLY AUTONOMOUS, AND PERHAPS BEYOND."
MR CHAN TOLD THE GATHERING THAT THE FUNDAMENTAL ELEMENTS OF HONG KONG’S SUCCESS HAD BEEN CAREFULLY PRESERVED IN THE SINO-BRITISH JOINT DECLARATION AND THE BASIC LAW FOR THE FUTURE HONG KONG SPECIAL ADMINISTRATIVE REGION (SAR).
IN BRIEF, THAT AGREEMENT ENABLES HONG KONG TO REMAIN A CAPITALIST SOCIETY UNDER THE "ONE COUNTRY, TWO SYSTEMS" CONCEPT AFTER ITS RETURN TO CHINA IN 1997.
THE CURRENT SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC SYSTEMS IN HONG KONG WILL REMAIN UNCHANGED, AND SO WILL THE LIFESTYLE.
/THE HONG .......
3
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 3, 1992
THE HONG KONG SAR WILL ALSO RETAIN THE STATUS OF A FREE PORT AND A SEPARATE CUSTOMS TERRITORY, WHILE ITS GOVERNMENT WHICH WILL BE COMPOSED OF LOCAL HONG KONG PEOPLE, WILL DECIDE ITS ECONOMIC AND TRADE POLICIES ON ITS OWN. '
"THUS, THE FUTURE SAR CAN BE EXPECTED TO RETAIN OUR FIRM COMMITMENT TO THE POLICIES OF FREE TRADE AND FREE ENTERPRISE; MINIMAL GOVERNMENT INTERVENTION IN THE MARKET PLACE; FREEDOM FROM EXCHANGE CONTROLS; A SIMPLE TAX SYSTEM WITH LOW TAX RATES; SOUND AND EQUITABLE BUSINESS LAWS; AND SO ON," MR CHAN ADDED.
ALTHOUGH THE JOINT DECLARATION AND THE BASIC LAW HAVE ALREADY SET OUT WHAT HONG KONG WILL BE LIKE AFTER 1997, MR CHAN NOTED THAT SOME PEOPLE STILL PERCEIVED THE GREAT UNCERTAINTY AS TO WHETHER WHAT HAD BEEN PROMISED WOULD ACTUALLY MATERIALISE.
THE OCCASIONAL SQUABBLE BETWEEN THE BRITISH AND CHINESE GOVERNMENTS OVER A HONG KONG ISSUE ALSO AROUSES IMMEDIATE CONCERNS THAT THE AGREEMENT OVER THE FUTURE OF HONG KONG WILL NOT WORK.
"IT IS IMPORTANT WHEN THIS HAPPENS THAT WE SHOULD LOOK PURPOSEFULLY INTO THE FUTURE, BEYOND THE IMMEDIATE PROBLEMS AND UNCERTAINTIES THAT CONFRONT US," MR CHAN SAID.
"AFTER ALL, LIKE NO OTHER PLACE IN THE WORLD, HONG KONG CAN LOOK TO A BINDING INTERNATIONAL AGREEMENT AND SAY, 'HEREIN IT IS ORDAINED’.
"SO THERE ARE VERY SOLID FOUNDATIONS UPON WHICH HONG KONG CAN BUILD FOR A BRIGHT FUTURE."
TO CITE AN EXAMPLE THAT HONG KONG IS TACKLING ITS PROBLEMS IN A POSITIVE AND PURPOSEFUL WAY, MR CHAN SAID SOME 60,000 PEOPLE LEFT HONG KONG TO SETTLE ABROAD LAST YEAR.
OF THE TOTAL, ROUGHLY ONE IN THREE BELONGED TO THE MANAGERIAL, ADMINISTRATIVE, PROFESSIONAL AND ASSOCIATE PROFESSIONAL CATEGORY; AND ONE IN SIX HAD A FIRST DEGREE OR ABOVE.
TO DEAL WITH THE PROBLEM, HONG KONG IS EXPANDING EDUCATION AND VOCATIONAL TRAINING RAPIDLY TO INCREASE THE OUTPUT OF LOCAL TALENT.
THE NUMBER OF DEGREE GRADUATES PRODUCED BY THE TERTIARY EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS IN HONG KONG ROSE FROM 3,000 IN 1987 TO 7,100 IN 1991, AND BY 1996 THE PLANNED OUTPUT WILL BE OVER 17,000.
IN ADDITION, A LARGE NUMBER OF HONG KONG STUDENTS GRADUATING OVERSEAS RETURN AFTER COMPLETION OF THEIR STUDIES.
STATISTICS SHOW THAT THE NUMBER OF FIRST DEGREE HOLDERS IN HONG KONG HAS RISEN FROM 180,000 IN 1986 TO 256,000 IN 1991.
PLANS ARE IN HAND TO DOUBLE THE OUTPUT OF DEGREE GRADUATES BY THE LOCAL TERTIARY EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS BETWEEN 1990 AND 1995, MR CHAN SAID.
/HE ADDED .......
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 3, 1992 4
HE ADDED THAT THE GOVERNMENT WAS ALSO EXPANDING VOCATIONAL AND SKILLS TRAINING SO AS TO ENSURE A CONTINUOUS SUPPLY OF THE SKILLS NEEDED BY THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY, AND TO PROVIDE A SOUND BASIS UPON WHICH LOCAL INDUSTRY CAN CONTINUE THEIR EFFORTS IN ADOPTING HIGHER TECHNOLOGY.
IN TERMS OF PHYSICAL INFRASTRUCTURE, MR CHAN REPORTED THAT HONG KONG HAS A COMPREHENSIVE STRATEGY FOR A MASSIVE EXPANSION OF ITS PORT, AIRPORT AND ASSOCIATED FACILITIES TO COPE WITH THE RAPIDLY GROWING DEMAND FOR THEIR SERVICES.
HE SAID: ’’LIKE MOST OTHER COMMUNITIES IN THE WORLD, HONG KONG IS BUILDING FOR ITSELF A STABLE AND PROSPEROUS FUTURE.
"IN DOING SO, WE OFFER OUR FRIENDS AND PARTNERS FROM ABROAD MANY EXCELLENT BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES.
"SO I WOULD ENCOURAGE ALL OF YOU TO GET ON THE BRIDGE ACROSS THE PACIFIC AND COME TO JOIN AND HELP US IN OUR IMPORTANT UNDERTAKING.
"WHEN YOU GET OFF THAT BRIDGE AT THE OTHER END, YOU WILL FIND YOURSELVES LOOKING NOT JUST AT LITTLE HONG KONG - EXCITING ENOUGH THOUGH IT MAY BE - BUT AT A MUCH BIGGER ASIA-PACIFIC REGION," MR CHAN ADDED.
---------0-----------
HK SEMINAR FOR CALGARY BUSINESSMEN *****
MORE THAN 150 MEMBERS OF THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY IN CALGARY TOOK PART IN A SEMINAR TO EXPLORE MUTUAL ECONOMIC BENEFITS FOR CALGARY AND HONG KONG BUSINESSES.
THE SEMINAR, JOINTLY ORGANISED BY CALGARY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, HONG KONG CANADA BUSINESS ASSOCIATION IN CALGARY AND THE HONG KONG TRADE DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL, WAS A BUSINESS ELEMENT OF THE FESTIVAL HONG KONG ’92 BEING HELD IN CANADA.
PARTICIPANTS HAD INDEPTH DISCUSSIONS ON HONG KONG’S RELATIONS WITH CHINA, EXPORT TO THE TERRITORY, ECONOMIC RELATIONS BETWEEN HONG KONG AND THE PEARL RIVER DELTA AND FINANCING EXCHANGES.
IN HIS OPENING ADDRESS, MAYOR AL DUERR OF THE CITY OF CALGARY-CALLED ON THE CALGARIANS TO LEARN FROM HONG KONG AND BE PREPARED TO ADAPT TO CHANGE.
"HONG KONG IS PROBABLY THE BEST INTERNATIONAL EXAMPLE OF A SOCIETY OR BUSINESS COMMUNITY THAT IS ALIGNED TO THE 21ST CENTURY," THE MAYOR SAID.
SECRETARY FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY, MR T H CHAU, TOLD THE GATHERING THAT THE TERRITORY WAS PLAYING A PIONEER ROLE IN PENETRATING THE FAST GROWING CONSUMER MARKET IN CHINA AND WAS USING ITS CONNECTIONS IN THE PEARL RIVER DELTA TO BUILD ON ITS LEAD.
/NOTING THAT .......
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 3, 1992
5
NOTING THAT DEVELOPMENTS IN THE PEARL RIVER DELTA WERE BRINGING NEW CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES, MR CHAU INVITED CANADIAN COMPANIES TO EXPLORE THEM WITH HONG KONG AND SHARE IN THE BENEFITS OF AN IMPORTANT NEW FRONTIER IN GLOBAL TRADE.
THE BUSINESS SEMINAR CONCLUDED WITH A LUNCH MEETING DURING WHICH SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER, MR JOHN CHAN, DELIVERED A KEY-NOTE SPEECH ABOUT BUSINESS CLIMATE AND OPPORTUNITIES IN HONG KONG.
LATER IN THE DAY, MR T H CHAU, ACCOMPANIED BY THE DIRECTOR OF HONG KONG ECONOMIC AND TRADE OFFICE IN CANADA, MR STEPHEN LAM, TOURED A TRADE SHOW BEING HELD IN THE CALGARY CONVENTION CENTRE.
THE TRADE SHOW FEATURED MORE THAN 50 DISPLAYS BY LOCAL AND HONG KONG TRADE AGENCIES DOING BUSINESS ON BOTH SIDES OF THE PACIFIC.
IN THE EVENING, MR JOHN CHAN AND SECRETARY FOR RECREATION AND CULTURE, MR JAMES SO, ATTENDED AN ALBERTA THEATRE PROJECTS ”M. BUTTERFLY" AT THE CALGARY PERFORMING ARTS CENTRE.
THE PLAY IS CHOREOGRAPHED BY TANG YUEN HA OF HONG KONG’S TANG’S BEIJING OPERA COMPANY.
TANG WAS THE 1991 WINNER OF THE PLUM FLOWER AWARD WHICH IS THE HIGHEST HONOUR BESTOWED UPON A THEATRE ARTIST IN CHINA.
--------0-----------
CHILDREN INVITED TO JOIN STORY TELLING CONTEST
******
CHILDREN AGED BETWEEN FIVE AND TELLING COMPETITION ORGANISED BY THE OFFICE.
12 ARE INVITED TO ENTER A STORY-CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT
THE ANNUAL CONTEST, AIMED AT PROMOTING CHILDREN’S INTEREST IN READING AND SKILLS IN PUBLIC SPEAKING, ATTRACTED MORE THAN 80 PARTICIPANTS LAST YEAR.
THE EVENT IS CO-ORGANISED BY' KENNEDY' TOWN EAST AREA COMMITTEE AND KENNEDY TOWN CARITAS SOCIAL CENTRE, WITH SPONSORSHIP FROM THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT BOARD AND THE DISTRICT’S ASSOCIATION FOR CULTURE AND ARTS.
THE COMPETITION IS DIVIDED INTO TWO SECTIONS - ONE FOR CHILDREN AGED BETWEEN FIVE AND EIGHT AND THE OTHER FOR THOSE BETWEEN NINE AND 12.
THE CONTESTANTS WILL BE REQUIRED TO COMPOSE AND PRESENT IN CHINESE A THREE-MINUTE STORY ON A SUBJECT OE THEIR OWN CHOICE.
THE PRELIMINARY AND THE FINALS ARE SCHEDULED FOR OCTOBER 31 AND NOVEMBER 7 RESPECTIVELY.
/THE TOP .......
6
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 3, 1992
THE TOP THREE WINNERS IN BOTH SECTIONS WILL EACH BE AWARDED A TROPHY AND OTHER PRIZES.
ENTRIES WILL CLOSE ON OCTOBER 23. APPLICATION FORMS ARE AVAILABLE FROM THE DISTRICT OFFICE ON THE GROUND FLOOR OF HARBOUR BUILDING, 38 PIER ROAD AND THE KENNEDY TOWN CARITAS SOCIAL CENTRE AT 27 POKFIELD ROAD.
ENQUIRIES MAY BE MADE ON TEL 852 3484.
--------0-----------
TSING YI KINDERGARTEN PLACES IN SURPLUS
* * * »
IN RESPONSE TO MEDIA ENQUIRIES ON THE NUMBER OF KINDERGARTEN PLACES ON TSING YI ISLAND, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT SAID: "CONTRARY TO MEDIA REPORTS THIS MORNING, THERE WAS ACTUALLY A SURPLUS OF KINDERGARTEN PLACES ON TSING YI ISLAND."
THERE ARE 21 KINDERGARTENS ON THE ISLAND WITH 7,266 PLACES AVAILABLE.
ACCORDING TO ENROLMENT FIGURES PROVIDED BY THE KINDERGARTENS TO THE DEPARTMENT, THERE ARE STILL MORE THAN 200 PLACES TO BE FILLED.
"MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE ADVISED NOT TO INTERPRET LONG QUEUES OF PEOPLE AS SIGNS OF SHORTAGES.
"ACCORDING TO THE 1991-92 ENROLMENT SURVEY, THERE WERE 223,376 KINDERGARTEN PLACES IN THE TERRITORY AND AN ENROLMENT OF 193,658 CHILDREN IN THE 1991-92 SCHOOL YEAR," HE SAID.
--------0-----------
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS *****
$ MILLION
OPENING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT 2,480
REVERSAL OF LAF -980
BALANCE AFTER REVERSAL OF LAF 1,500
NET INJECTION/WITHDRAWAL TODAY NIL
EFFECT OF LAF TODAY -100
CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT 1,400
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, OCTOBER 4, 1992
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
VIEWS ON ENERGY-SAVING STANDARD SOUGHT ................................ 1
TORONTO ENJOYS HONG KONG - STYLE WEEKEND .............................. 2
ALBERTA'S FIRST DRAGON BOAT RACES ..................................... 3
SEARCH FOR OUTSTANDING EDUCATORS ...................................... 4
DRAWING CONTEST FOR CENTRAL AND WESTERN CHILDREN ...................... 4
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 4, 1992
1
VIEWS ON ENERGY-SAVING STANDARD SOUGHT
*****
THE ENERGY EFFICIENCY ADVISORY COMMITTEE IS CONSULTING ARCHITECTS, ENGINEERS AND PROFESSIONAL BODIES ON THE PROPOSED OVERALL THERMAL TRANSFER VALUE (OTTV) STANDARD DESIGNED TO MAKE NEW COMMERCIAL AND HOTEL BUILDINGS MORE ENERGY EFFICIENT.
DETAILS OF THE CALCULATION METHODS AND THE RECOMMENDED OTTV STANDARD ARE CONTAINED IN A DRAFT HANDBOOK SENT TO ARCHITECTS AND ENGINEERS WHO HAVE BEEN ASKED TO GIVE THEIR VIEWS BY APRIL 30 NEXT YEAR.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS BRANCH TODAY (SUNDAY) SAID THE HANDBOOK PROVIDED USEFUL INFORMATION ON HOW TO APPLY THE PROPOSED OTTV STANDARD TO EXISTING BUILDINGS AND THOSE EITHER UNDER CONSTRUCTION OR IN THE PLANNING STAGE, PARTICULARLY ON DESIGN LIMITATION AND COST.
HE EXPLAINED THAT OTTV WAS A VALUE TO MEASURE HEAT TRANSFER THROUGH THE EXTERIOR OF A BUILDING. BUILDINGS DESIGNED WITH A LOW OTTV VALUE WOULD CUT DOWN THE ABILITY OF A BUILDING TO ABSORB HEAT FROM AN OUTSIDE ENVIRONMENT.
"THIS IN TURN, WILL REDUCE ELECTRICITY CONSUMPTION OF AIR-CONDITIONING SYSTEMS AND LOWER THE LEVEL OF ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION CAUSED BY BURNING OF FOSSIL FUEL IN POWER STATIONS," HE SAID.
"VIEWS COLLECTED IN THE CONSULTATION EXERCISE WILL BE TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT IN EVALUATING AND FINALISING AN OTTV STANDARD FOR USE IN HONG KONG," THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
THE ENERGY EFFICIENCY ADVISORY COMMITTEE WAS SET UP IN APRIL LAST YEAR TO ADVISE THE GOVERNMENT ON PROPOSALS TO IMPROVE ENERGY EFFICIENCY IN HONG KONG AND TO FORMULATE A COMPREHENSIVE ENERGY EFFICIENCY POLICY IN THE LONG TERM.
IT HAD RECOMMENDED THAT STATUTORY OTTV CONTROL SHOULD BE
INTRODUCED INITIALLY FOR NEW COMMERCIAL AND HOTEL BUILDINGS.
--------0-----------
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 4, 1992
2
TORONTO ENJOYS HONG KONG - STYLE WEEKEND
******
A HONG KONG CARNIVAL, A STREET FESTIVAL IN CENTRAL CHINATOWN AND THE TAPING OF A TVB SPECTACULAR YESTERDAY (OCTOBER 3) SAW TENS OF THOUSANDS OF TORONTO RESIDENTS TAKING TO THE STREETS TO ENJOY A VIVID TASTE OF HONG KONG’S LIFESTYLE FOR THE SECOND WEEKEND IN SUCCESSION.
BRIGHT SUNSHINE AND TEMPERATURES IN THE LOW 20S WERE MADE-TO-ORDER FOR FESTIVAL HONG KONG ’92 ORGANISERS AND BROUGHT BIGGER THAN EXPECTED CROWDS FLOCKING TO ALL OF THE FESTIVAL EVENTS.
"IT’S GREAT. IT’S A SUCCESS," SAID ONE EXCITED ORGANISER, SURVEYING THE THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE IN CARNIVAL MOOD STROLLING ALONG A CORDONED-OFF MAIN THOROUGHFARE IN THE HEART OF TORONTO’S CENTRAL CHINATOWN.
"WHAT IS REALLY FANTASTIC, IS THAT IT IS NOT ONLY THE CHINESE PEOPLE WHO HAVE TURNED UP, BUT THE LARGE NUMBERS OF PEOPLE FROM THE OTHER MAINSTREAMS OF THE COMMUNITY AS WELL," HE SAID. "THIS IS WHAT WE ALL HOPED FOR AND WANTED TO SEE."
ORGANISED BY THE OFFICE OF THE MAYOR OF TORONTO, MRS JUNE ROWLANDS, AND THE CITY’S CHINESE BUSINESS ASSOCIATION, THE CHINATOWN FESTIVAL FEATURED DOZENS OF STREET STALLS SELLING A WIDE VARIETY OF WARES FROM DIM SUM AND LEATHER GOODS TO KUNG FU LESSONS AND COMPUTER SERVICES.
THERE WERE ALSO DEMONSTRATIONS OF SEALION DANCING, TAI CHI AND A FASHION PARADE, INTERSPERSED WITH PERFORMANCES OF CHINESE MUSIC AND DANCING.
THE ONE-DAY EVENT, JOINTLY OPENED BY MAYOR ROWLANDS AND BARONESS DUNN, NECESSITATED CLOSING AN ENTIRE CITY BLOCK TO ALL TRAFFIC, INCLUDING TRAM SERVICES — A MOVE WHICH WAS TAKEN BY MANY AS AN INDICATION OF THE SIGNIFICANCE WHICH CITY OFFICIALS HAVE GIVEN TO THE STAGING OF FESTIVAL HONG KONG ’92 IN CANADA.
EARLIER IN THE DAY, THE HONG KONG CARNIVAL WAS OPENED WITH A DAZZLING DRAGON DANCE AND CONCERT IN THE METRO-TORONTO CONVENTION CENTRE. THE TWO-DAY DISPLAY OF ARTS AND CRAFTS, COMMERCIAL SERVICES, ELECTRONIC TECHNOLOGY AND ENTERTAINMENT WAS PRESENTED BY THE CHINESE CULTURAL CENTRE OF GREATER TORONTO, WITH SPECIAL ASSISTANCE FROM THE HONG KONG TOURIST ASSOCIATION.
IN HER OPENING SPEECH, ONTARIO’S MINISTER FOR THE ENVIRONMENT, THE HON PAULINE BROWES, SAID: "IT HAS BEEN A SPECTACULAR WEEK IN METROPOLITAN TORONTO."
SHE SAID SHE HAD BEEN PARTICULARLY MOVED TO HAVE HEARD, FOR THE FIRST TIME, THE FESTIVAL HONG KONG CHILDREN’S (HORUS SINGING THE CANADIAN NATIONAL ANTHEM IN CANTONESE DURING THE MORNING’S OPENING CEREMONY.
/MRS BROWES .......
3
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 4, 1992
MRS BROWES THEN R#AD OUT A MESSAGE OF CONGRATULATIONS AND GOOD WISHES FROM THE PRIME MINISTER OF CANADA, MR BRIAN MULRONEY, IN WHICH HE EMPHASISED THE BENEFITS CANADA HAD ENJOYED IN ITS CLOSE AND GROWING RELATIONSHIP WITH HONG KONG AND WHICH, HI SAID "WERE ENRICHING OUR NATION GREATLY."
"CANADA HAS A CULTURAL MOSAIC WHICH IS THE ENVY OF MANY NATIONS, AND WE ARE PROUD OF ITS DIVERSITY," THE PRIME MINISTER SAID.
AFTER A WEEK OF INTENSE HONG KONG-STYLE ACTIVITY IN TORONTO, FESTIVAL HONG HONG ’92 WILL NOW SWING ITS EMPHASIS TOWARD CALGARY AND VANCOUVER IN THE COMING WEEK.
TO MARK THE REMARKABLE SUCCESS OF THE TORONTO PROGRAMME, THE SECRETARY FOR RECREATION AND CULTURE, MR JAMES SO, HELD A RECEPTION AT THE METRO-TORONTO CONVENTION CENTRE YESTERDAY TO THANK THE FESTIVAL’S SUPPORTERS AND SPONSORS.
AFTERWARDS THE GUESTS HAD A TRULY AUTHENTIC HONG KONG EXPERIENCE WHEN THEY ATTENDED THE TAPING OF A HONG KONG TVB SPECTACULAR "BRIDGE ACROSS THE PACIFIC", WHICH FEATURED THE CANADIAN BALLERINA KAREN KAIN AND A STAR-STUDDED LINE-UP OF TELEVISION ARTISTES FLOWN FROM HONG KONG.
------0--------
ALBERTA’S FIRST DRAGON BOAT RACES ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
THE SHORES OF GLENMORE PARK IN CALGARY WERE ON SATURDAY PACKED WITH TENS OF THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE, YOUNG AND OLD, WHO MADE THEIR WAY THERE JUST TO WATCH THE FIRST EVER DRAGON BOAT RACES IN THE HISTORY OF THE PROVINCE OF ALBERTA.
AS PART OF FESTIVAL HONG KONG ’92, SIX UNIQUE ONE-TON DRAGON BOATS COMPLETED WITH COLOURFUL DRAGON HEADS AND TRADITIONAL DRUMMERS TOOK PART IN THE RACE.
AFTER THE EYE-DOTTING CEREMONY PERFORMED BY CHILDREN AND DIGNITARIES FROM THE CITY OF CALGARY AND HONG KONG INCLUDING MRS AGNES CHAN, WIFE OF SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER, MR JOHN CHAN, 29 COMMUNITY AND CORPORATE TEAMS BEGAN TO COMPETE AT VARIOUS EVENTS.
THE EXCITING, NOISY, COLOURFUL YND PROVIDED A WHOLE DAY OF FUN AND JOY FOR MANY VISITORS FROM OTHER CITIES.
SPECTACULAR EVENTS
CALGARIAN FAMILIES
HAD
AND
EARLIER, AT A VERY SPECIAL AND UNIQUE CALGARY TRADITIONAL CEREMONY, MR CHAN, HIS WIFE AGNES AND FESTIVAL CO-ORDINATOR MAUREEN CHAN EACH RECEIVED \ WHITE COWBOY HAT AND BECAME AN HONOURARY CALGARIAN.
THE HISTORY OF THE WHITE HAT GOES BACK TO THE END OF SECOND WORLD WAR. SINCE THEN THIS TREASURED WESTERN KEEPSAKE HAS BEEN BOTH A METAPHOR FOR CALGARY AND ITS PEOPLE AND A SOUVENIR TO DOZENS OF CELEBRATED DIGNITARIES INCLUDING PRINCE PHILIP, POPE JOHN PAUL, COMEDIAN BOB HOPE AND FORMER GERMAN CHANCELLOR HELMUT SCHMIDT.
------0 - -
/4 ........
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 4, 1992
4
SEARCH FOR OUTSTANDING EDUCATORS *****
OUTSTANDING EDUCATORS ARE BEING SOUGHT FOR AWARDS AIMED AT GIVING DUE RECOGNITION TO THOSE WHO HAVE CONTRIBUTED TOWARDS THE EDUCATION OF LOCAL CHILDREN.
STUDENTS, PARENTS, TEACHERS AND THOSE IN THE EDUCATIONAL FIELD ARE INVITED TO MAKE NOMINATIONS.
THE AWARD, THE FIRST OF ITS KIND IN HONG KONG, ALSO SERVES TO ENHANCE EXCHANGES OF EXPERIENCE AMONG MEMBERS OF THE PROFESSION.
AN EDUCATION DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THERE WOULD BE FIVE AWARDS FOR EACH OF THE FOUR CATEGORIES: SPECIAL CONTRIBUTION, PEDAGOGICAL ACHIEVEMENT, PERSEVERANCE AND LONG SERVICE.
SINCE THIS IS THE FIRST TIME TO OFFER THE AWARDS, THOSE WHO HAVE ALREADY RETIRED, IN ADDITION TO THOSE RETIRING AT THE END OF THE SCHOOL YEAR CAN BE NOMINATED.
WINNERS WILL EACH RECEIVE A CERTIFICATE OR A TROPHY AND A PRIZE.
NOMINATION FORMS ARE NOW AVAILABLE FROM SCHOOLS AND DISTRICT EDUCATION OFFICES. NOMINATIONS WILL BE ACCEPTED BETWEEN OCTOBER 15 AND DECEMBER 31.
A PRIZE-PRESENTATION CEREMONY WILL BE HELD NEXT JULY.
THE OUTSTANDING EDUCATORS AWARDS SCHEME IS ORGANISED BY MING PAO AND SPONSORED BY THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT AND VARIOUS EDUCATIONAL BODIES.
--------0-----------
DRAWING CONTEST FOR CENTRAL AND WESTERN CHILDREN
*****
CHILDREN LIVING OR STUDYING IN CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT CAN DEMONSTRATE THEIR DRAWING SKILLS BY ENTERING AN ANNUAL DRAWING CONTEST TO BE HELD IN THE GARDEN PLAZA OF HONG KONG PARK ON OCTOBER 2 5.
IN VIEW OF THE OVERWHELMING RESPONSE LAST YEAR, A DISTRICT OFFICE SPOKESMAN TODAY (SUNDAY) REMINDED INTERESTED PARTICIPANTS THAT ENTRIES WOULD CLOSE ON OCTOBER 16 AND WOULD BE FIRST-COME, FIRST-SERVED.
THE CONTEST IS DIVIDED INTO TWO SECTIONS. THE JUNIOR SECTION, ON THE THEME "NATURAL LANDSCAPES", IS OPEN TO CHILDREN AGED FOUR TO NINE.
/AS FOR ........
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 4, 1992
5
AS FOR THE SENIOR SECTION, WHICH IS OPEN TO THOSE AGED BETWEEN 10 AND 15, PARTICIPANTS ARE REQUIRED TO PRESENT DRAWINGS ON THE THEME ’’THE PRESENT AND FUTURE OUTLOOK OF CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT”.
THE TOP THREE WINNERS IN BOTH SECTIONS WILL PRIZES INCLUDING A TROPHY, A BOOK COUPON AND GIFTS. ENTRANTS WILL ALSO BE GIVEN SOUVENIRS.
THE COMPETITION IS ORGANISED BY THE DISTRICT BOARD, THE DISTRICT’S ASSOCIATION FOR CULTURE AND EAST AREA COMMITTEE AND YWCA, WITH SPONSORSHIP FROM LIMITED.
EACH BE AWARDED OTHER OUTSTANDING
OFFICE, DISTRICT
ARTS, MID-LEVELS
PENTEL (HONG KONG)
ENTRY FORMS ARE NOW AVAILABLE AT THE DISTRICT OFFICE ON THE GROUND FLOOR OF HARBOUR BUILDING, 38 PIER ROAD, CENTRAL.
ENQUIRIES MAY BE MADE ON TEL 852 3499.
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
MONDAY, OCTOBER 5, 1992
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
GOVERNOR TO PRESENT FIRST POLICY ADDRESS ............................ 1
CONSULTATION ON ANTI-SMOKING PROPOSALS DUE TO END.................... 2
IMPACT OF U.S.-CHINA TRADE TIES ON HONG KONG......................... 2
TRADE OFFICIALS TO VISIT TAIPEI ..................................... 4
PROPER LABELLING REQUIRED FOR PREPACKAGED FOOD ...................... 4
NEW PUBLIC LIGHT BUS ROUTE IN CENTRAL AND WESTERN ................... 5
STUDENTS INVITED TO JOIN READING AWARD SCHEME ....................... 5
MONDAY, OCTOBER 5, 1992
- 1 -
GOVERNOR TO PRESENT FIRST POLICY ADDRESS * * * * *
THE GOVERNOR, THE RT HON CHRISTOPHER PATTEN, WILL PRESENT HIS FIRST POLICY ADDRESS TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON WEDNESDAY (OCTOBER 7) WHEN HE OPENS THE 1992-93 SESSION OF THE COUNCIL.
MR PATTEN WILL BEGIN HIS ADDRESS AT 2.30 PM. THE PROCEEDINGS WILL BE BROADCAST LIVE ON ALL FOUR TELEVISION CHANNELS, AS WELL AS ON RADIO TELEVISION HONG KONG 1 AND 5, COMMERCIAL RADIO AND METRO RADIO.
COPIES OF THE FULL TEXT OF THE GOVERNOR’S SPEECH IN ENGLISH AND CHINESE WILL BE AVAILABLE TO MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC FROM 4 PM THAT DAY AT ALL DISTRICT OFFICES AND THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS SALES CENTRE, GENERAL POST OFFICE BUILDING, CONNAUGHT PLACE, CENTRAL.
A SUMMARY OF THE SPEECH WILL ALSO BE AVAILABLE.
IN THE EVENING, MR PATTEN WILL GIVE A FIVE-MINUTE BROADCAST ON RADIO AND TELEVISION ON THE MAIN AREAS OF HIS POLICY ADDRESS.
ATTENTION NEWS EDITORS:
A SPECIAL CLOSED WORKING SESSION WILL BE ARRANGED ON WEDNESDAY (OCTOBER 7) IN THE GIS PRESS CONFERENCE ROOM ON THE FIFTH FLOOR OF BEACONSFIEDS HOUSE TO ENABLE MEDIA MEMBERS TO WORK ON ADVANCE COPIES OF THE GOVERNOR’S POLICY ADDRESS. THE SESSION WILL START AT NOON AND WILL LAST UNTIL 4 PM.
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES WORKING ON ADVANCE COPIES OF THE GOVERNOR’S SPEECH WILL NOT BE ABLE TO LEAVE GIS PRESS CONFERENCE ROOM WITH THEIR COPIES UNTIL THE GOVERNOR HAS DELIVERED HIS SPEECH.
YOU ARE REMINDED THAT CONTENTS OF THE POLICY ADDRESS ARE ALSO EMBARGOED UNTIL AFTER DELIVERY IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
THE USE OF MOBILE PHONES WILL NOT BE ALLOWED AT THE CLOSED WORKING SESSION. SOUND FEED IS AVAILABLE INSIDE THE PRESS CONFERENCE ROOM.
THE SAME AFTERNOON, THE GOVERNOR WILL HOLD A PRESS CONFERENCE AT 4.30 PM IN THE MULTI-PURPOSE HALL AT THE CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, LOWER ALBERT ROAD.
YOU ARE INVITED TO SEND REPRESENTATIVES TO ATTEND THE PRESS CONFERENCE. PRESS MEMBERS SHOULD ARRIVE BY 4 PM.
--------0-----------
/2 ........
MONDAY, OCTOBER 5, 1992
2 CONSULTATION ON ANTI-SMOKING PROPOSALS DUE TO END *****
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE REMINDED TO SEND IN THEIR VIEWS ON THE GOVERNMENT’S PROPOSALS TO FURTHER RESTRICT THE USE, SALE AND PROMOTION OF TOBACCO PRODUCTS BEFORE THE END OF THIS MONTH.
A CONSULTATION PAPER CONTAINING FURTHER PROPOSALS ON ANTISMOKING MEASURES WAS PUBLISHED IN AUGUST THIS YEAR TO GAUGE PUBLIC ATTITUDE TOWARDS FUTURE POLICY DIRECTION.
THE PROPOSALS INCLUDE BANNING THE SALE OF TOBACCO PRODUCTS TO MINORS, THE PROHIBITION OF TOBACCO ADVERTISING IN PRINTED PUBLICATIONS AND FOR DISPLAY ON BILLBOARDS AND SIGNS, AS WELL AS THE PROHIBITION IN CERTAIN MEDIA ANY ADVERTISEMENT THAT WOULD RECALL A TOBACCO BRAND NAME.
THE CONSULTATION PAPER HAD BEEN DISCUSSED BY SIX DISTRICT BOARDS OR THEIR COMMITTEES.
"SO FAR, WE HAVE RECEIVED ABOUT 100 SUBMISSIONS FROM INDIVIDUALS, MEDICAL PRACTITIONERS, MEDICAL BODIES, ADVERTISING COMPANIES AND VARIOUS OTHER ORGANISATIONS," A SPOKESMAN FOR THE HEALTH AND WELFARE BRANCH SAID TODAY (MONDAY).
OF THE VIEWS RECEIVED, MOST HAD ENDORSED IN PRINCIPLE THE GOVERNMENT’S GOAL TO DISCOURAGE SMOKING.
"WE LOOK FORWARD TO RECEIVING MORE SUBMISSIONS AS THE
CONSULTATION IS DRAWING TO A CLOSE," HE SAID.
COPIES OF THE CONSULTATION PAPER ARE AVAILABLE FROM ALL DISTRICT OFFICES PUBLIC ENQUIRY CENTRES, PUBLIC HOSPITALS, CLINICS, TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT LICENSING OFFICES AND THE OFFICE OF THE HONG KONG COUNCIL ON SMOKING AND HEALTH AT 266 QUEEN’S ROAD EAST, WAN CHAI.
VIEWS IN WRITING SHOULD BE SENT TO THE HEALTH BRANCH, SEVENTH FLOOR, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, MAIN ALBERT ROAD, HONG KONG, ON OR BEFORE OCTOBER 31.
AND WELFARE
WING, LOWER
-----0------
IMPACT OF U.S.-CHINA TRADE TIES ON HONG KONG
*****
THE SECRETARY FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY, MR T H CHAU, LOOKED AT THE INTERDEPENDENCE OF HONG KONG’S ECONOMY WITH ITS TWO LARGEST TRADING PARTNERS - CHINA AND THE UNITED STATES - IN HIS SPEECH AT THE CHICAGO COUNCIL ON FOREIGN RELATIONS TODAY (MONDAY).
THESE ECONOMIC TIES WERE IMMENSELY VALUABLE TO HONG KONG, BUT AT THE SAME TIME, THEY MADE THE TERRITORY VULNERABLE TO U.S.-CHINA TRADE FRICTION, HE SAID.
/MR CHAU .......
MONDAY, OCTOBER 5, 1992
3
MR CHAU NOTED THAT HONG KONG WA'S KEEPING A CLOSE WATCH ON THE PROGRESS OF MARKET ACCESS NEGOTIATIONS BETWEEN THE U.S. AND CHINA -THE SO-CALLED SECTION 301 ACTION.
"HONG KONG AND AMERICAN BUSINESS INTERESTS WOULD BE HURT BY ANY U.S. RETALIATION AGAINST CHINA, AND BY ANY CHINESE COUNTERRETALIATION,” HE SAID.
HE SAID HONG KONG HOPED THAT CHINA AND THE U.S. COULD REACH A NEGOTIATED SETTLEMENT LIKE THEY DID EARLY THIS YEAR, ON THE PROTECTION OF U.S. INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS IN CHINA.
’’THE ISSUE OF WHETHER CHINESE PRODUCTS WILL CONTINUE TO BENEFIT FROM MOST-FAVOURED-NATION (MFN) RATES OF CUSTOMS TARIFFS WHEN IMPORTED INTO THE U.S. HAS BEEN A THORNY ONE IN RECENT YEARS,” HE SAID.
MFN IS CLEARLY THE WRONG TOOL FOR SOLVING TRADE OR NON-TRADE PROBLEMS BETWEEN THE U.S. AND CHINA, HE SAID.
TURNING TO THE IMPLICATIONS OF 1997 FOR HONG KONG, MR CHAU SAID MANY HONG KONG EMIGRANTS WERE NOW RETURNING.
AT THE SAME TIME, PRACTICAL STEPS WERE BEING TAKEN TO MAKE UP FOR THE LOSS OF TALENT, INCLUDING SCHEMES FOR PRACTICAL AND VOCATIONAL TRAINING AND FOR COMPANIES TO BRING IN TALENT FROM ABROAD.
HE EMPHASISED THAT HONG KONG WAS APPROACHING THE FUTURE FROM A POSITION OF IMPRESSIVE FINANCIAL STRENGTH, THANKS TO THE STRONG GROWTH OF THE ECONOMY AND TO PRUDENT MANAGEMENT OF THE PUBLIC PURSE.
THE GOVERNMENT RECENTLY MADE PUBLIC A FIGURE THAT HAD HITHERTO BEEN ONE OF HONG KONG’S BEST KEPT SECRETS - THE SIZE OF THE EXCHANGE FUND WHICH HOLDS THE BULK OF THE GOVERNMENT’S FINANCIAL ASSETS, INCLUDING FISCAL RESERVES AND THE BACKING TO THE NOTE AND COIN ISSUE.
AT THE END OF 1991, THE FUND STOOD AT ABOUT $30 BILLION, OF WHICH $29 BILLION ARE FOREIGN CURRENCY ASSETS.
"THE MUTUAL BENEFIT WHICH HONG KONG AND CHINA DERIVE FROM EACH OTHER IS ONE OF THE BEST GUARANTEES OF HONG KONG’S FUTURE AS A HIGHLY AUTONOMOUS SPECIAL ADMINISTRATIVE REGION OF CHINA,” HE ADDED.
’’THE SINO-BRITISH JOINT DECLARATION GUARANTEES THAT AFTER 1997, HONG KONG WILL CONTINUE TO BE A SEPARATE CUSTOMS TERRITORY AND WILL CONTINUE TO MAKE TRADE AND ECONOMIC DECISIONS ON ITS OWN.
"I BELIEVE THAT IT IS BY REMAINING AS AN AUTONOMOUS TRADING PARTNER AND A SEPARATE ECONOMIC ENTITY THAT HONG KONG CAN RETAIN ITS VITALITY AND DYNAMISM AND THEREBY CONTINUE TO PLAY ITS CURRENT ROLE,” HE SAID.
”1 AM CONFIDENT THAT HONG KONG WILL CONTINUE TO BE A SHINING EXAMPLE OF FREE TRADE AND FREE ENTERPRISE LONG AFTER 1997 HAS PASSED INTO HISTORY,” HE ADDED.
------0------------
/4.........
MONDAY, OCTOBER 5, 1992
4
TRADE OFFICIALS TO VISIT TAIPEI * * * * ♦
THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR-GENERAL OF TRADE, MR JOHN C TSANG, AND TRADE OFFICER MR ALLEN PANG WILL LEAVE FOR TAIPEI TOMORROW (TUESDAY) FOR A THREE-DAY VISIT.
"THE VISIT, CONDUCTED UNDER THE UMBRELLA OF THE ASIA-PACIFIC ECONOMIC COOPERATION (APEC), IS PART OF HONG KONG’S CONTINUING EFFORT TO INTENSIFY CONTACTS WITH OTHER APEC PARTICIPANTS ON TRADE-RELATED MATTERS," A TRADE DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID.
"DURING THE VISIT, WE HOPE TO GAIN A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF CHINESE TAIPEI’S TRADING REGIME AND TO IDENTIFY SPECIFIC TRADE BARRIERS FACING IMPORTS FROM HONG KONG," HE ADDED.
THE TWO OFFICIALS WILL RETURN TO HONG KONG ON OCTOBER 8.
PROPER LABELLING REQUIRED FOR PREPACKAGED FOOD * * * *
FOOD MANUFACTURERS AND RETAILERS MUST PROPERLY LABEL OR MARK PREPACKAGED FOOD ITEMS, WHETHER COMPLETELY OR PARTIALLY PACKED AS <
REQUIRED BY THE THIRD SCHEDULE OF THE FOOD AND DRUGS (COMPOSITION AND LABELLING) REGULATIONS.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH SAID TODAY (MONDAY) THAT OFFENDERS MAY BE FINED A MAXIMUM OF $25,000 AND JAILED UP TO SIX MONTHS.
THE APPEAL WAS MADE FOLLOWING RECENT COURT CASES IN WHICH THREE RETAILERS PLEADED GUILTY TO CHARGES OF SELLING IMPROPERLY LABELLED PREPACKAGED FOOD ITEMS AND WERE SUBSEQUENTLY FINED BETWEEN $450 AND $1,000.
THE PREPACKAGED FOOD ITEMS NOT PROPERLY MARKED INCLUDED ROASTED ONIONS, CHOCOLATE COOKIES, CHERRY TOMATOES, GREEN GRAPES AND PRESERVED GINGER.
THE PACKINGS DID NOT SHOW THE NAME OR DESIGNATION OF THE FOOD, THE INGREDIENTS, AN INDICATION OF THE FOODS’ MINIMUM DURABILITY, THE NAME AND ADDRESS OF THE MANUFACTURER OR PACKER AND THE QUANTITY OR NET WEIGHT OF THE CONTENTS AS REQUIRED BY THE THIRD SCHEDULE OF THE FOOD AND DRUGS (COMPOSITION AND LABELLING) REGULATIONS.
0
/5 ........
MONDAY, OCTOBER 5, 1992
- 5 -
NEW PUBLIC LIGHT BUS ROUTE IN CENTRAL AND WESTERN
* * * *
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES THAT A NEW PUBLIC LIGHT BUS (SCHEDULED) ROUTE 45 RUNNING BETWEEN SAI YING PUN AND STAR FERRY (CONNAUGHT PLACE) ON HONG KONG ISLAND WILL COME INTO SERVICE FROM 7 AM ON WEDNESDAY (OCTOBER 7).
THE OPERATION HOURS WILL BE FROM 7 AM TO 7.45 PM. THE FARE WILL BE $4 PER SINGLE JOURNEY.
----------------------0------- STUDENTS INVITED TO JOIN READING AWARD SCHEME * ♦ * * ♦
THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT IS INVITING SECONDARY STUDENTS TO TAKE PART IN THE 1993 READING AWARD SCHEME.
THE SCHEME IS AIMED AT HELPING STUDENTS DEVELOP A GOOD READING HABIT AND PROMOTING THE USE OF SCHOOL LIBRARY.
THE AWARDS ARE DIVIDED INTO TWO GROUPS: SENIOR GROUP FOR SECONDARY 4 AND 5 STUDENTS, AND JUNIOR GROUP FOR THOSE IN SECONDARY 1 TO 3.
ENTRANTS ARE REQUIRED TO READ NO LESS THAN 10 LIBRARY BOOKS, INCLUDING AT LEAST THREE ENGLISH AND THREE CHINESE BOOKS BETWEEN THIS MONTH AND APRIL 1993.
THEY ARE REQUIRED TO WRITE AN ESSAY OF 700 TO 1,000 WORDS ON ONE OF THE BOOKS FOR THE SENIOR GROUP AND 400 TO 700 WORDS FOR THE JUNIOR GROUP.
THEY MAY ALSO DESIGN THE COVER FOR ONE OF THE BOOKS THAT THEY HAVE READ AND WRITE AN ARTICLE OF 100 TO 150 WORDS EXPLAINING THE DESIGN AND ITS RELATION TO THE THEME OF THE BOOK.
BOOK COUPONS WORTH $300 TO $2,000 WILL BE AWARDED TO THE WINNING ENTRANTS.
A TOTAL OF 34,000 STUDENTS TOOK PART IN 1992.
THE SCHEME IS SPONSORED BY SHUN HING EDUCATION AND CHARITY FUND LTD.
---------0-----------
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL.: 842 8777
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 6, 1992
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
GOVERNOR TO VISIT CANADA IN NOVEMBER .............................. 1
FOREIGN SECRETARY SPEAKS ON HONG KONG ............................. 2
POLICE MEETINGS IN SHENZHEN ....................................... 2
HK STOCK MARKET AMONG WORLD TOP PERFORMERS ........................ 3
NEW DIRECTOR OF NAPCO APPOINTED ................................... 4
CHEMICAL WASTES PROBLEMS CAN BE AVOIDED ........................... 5
LAND AUCTION ON THURSDAY .......................................... 7
WATER STORAGE FIGURE .............................................. 7
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND TENDER RESULTS ................. 8
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS ........ 9
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 6, 1992
1 GOVERNOR TO VISIT CANADA IN NOVEMBER » * * * »
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN TODAY CONFIRMED THAT THE GOVERNOR, THE RT HON CHRISTOPHER PATTEN, WILL MAKE AN OFFICIAL VISIT TO CANADA FROM NOVEMBER 11 TO 14 TO PARTICIPATE IN FESTIVAL HONG KONG ’92 IN THE CITIES OF OTTAWA, VANCOUVER AND TORONTO.
THE GOVERNOR’S ATTENDANCE WILL MARK THE OFFICIAL CLOSING OF THE MONTH-LONG FESTIVAL WHICH FEATURED OVER 150 EVENTS STAGED IN FIVE MAJOR CITIES ACROSS CANADA, THE LARGEST OVERSEAS PROMOTION EVER ORGANISED BY THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT.
THE FESTIVAL RECIPROCATES FESTIVAL CANADA WHICH WAS HELD IN HONG KONG LAST YEAR.
DURING HIS FOUR-DAY VISIT TO CANADA, MR PATTEN WILL PRESENT AN OFFICIAL GIFT FROM HONG KONG TO THE PEOPLE OF CANADA, A SPECIALLY MADE TRADITIONAL 12-METRE DRAGON BOAT WHICH WILL BE DONATED TO THE NATIONAL MUSEUM OF CIVILISATION IN OTTAWA.
HE WILL ATTEND THE GALA DINNER IN VANCOUVER WHICH WILL MARK THE END OF THE FESTIVAL.
HE WILL ALSO VISIT SENIOR CANADIAN OFFICIALS, MEET COMMUNITY LEADERS AND LAY A WREATH AT THE CENOTAPH IN VANCOUVER ON REMEMBRANCE DAY (NOVEMBER 11) IN CANADA, PAYING TRIBUTE TO THE CANADIAN SOLDIERS WHO HELPED TO DEFEND HONG KONG DURING THE SECOND WORLD WAR.
THERE WILL BE MANY OPPORTUNITIES FOR MR PATTEN TO GET OUT AND ABOUT AND MEET PEOPLE AND SPEAK TO THEM.
THE CHIEF SECRETARY, SIR DAVID FORD, WAS ALSO SCHEDULED TO VISIT CANADA IN LATE OCTOBER TO PARTICIPATE IN FESTIVAL ACTIVITIES.
HOWEVER, AS HE WILL BE DEPUTY TO THE GOVERNOR DURING THE PERIOD OCTOBER 21 TO 23 WHILE MR PATTEN IS AWAY FROM HONG KONG FOR HIS OFFICIAL VISIT TO CHINA, SIR DAVID’S PROGRAMME IN CANADA WILL BE TAKEN OVER BY MR BARRIF WIGGHAM, WHO WILL BE ACTING CHIEF SECRETARY THEN.
MR WIGGHAM WILL PARTICIPATE IN FESTIVAL ACTIVITIES IN MONTREAL, OTTAWA AND VANCOUVER.
--------0-----------
/2 ........
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 6, 1992
2
FOREIGN SECRETARY SPEAKS ON HONG KONG *****
THE FOLLOWING IS THE SECTION ON HONG KONG FROM THE SPEECH MADE BY THE FOREIGN SECRETARY, MR DOUGLAS HURD, TO THE CONSERVATIVE PARTY CONFERENCE IN BRIGHTON TODAY (TUESDAY):
"THERE IS SOMEONE ELSE, NOT PART OF THE FOREIGN OFFICE TEAM, WHOM I MUST MENTION HERE. WE ALL REMEMBER HOW AT THE CONFERENCE LAST YEAR THE CHAIRMAN OF THE PARTY ENTHUSED AND ENTERTAINED US IN TWO DAZZLING SPEECHES. SINCE THEN CHRIS PATTEN AND HIS FAMILY HAVE LIVED THROUGH SOME HARSH DAYS. TOMORROW HE PRESENTS TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL IN HONG KONG HIS PROGRAMME FOR THE COLONY’S FUTURE. AMONG OTHER THINGS HIS AIM IS TO STRENGTHEN AND EXTEND DEMOCRACY IN HONG KONG IN A WAY WHICH LASTS BEYOND 1997. EVERYONE KNOWS THE DIFFICULTIES ALONG THIS ROAD WHEN SOVEREIGNTY CHANGES. BUT CHRIS PATTEN’S PLANS ARE SKILFUL AND FAR-REACHING. THEY HAVE OUR FULL SUPPORT. LET US WISH HIM WELL ON A BIG DAY.”
POLICE MEETINGS IN SHENZHEN
*****
THE COMMISSIONER OF POLICE, MR LI KWAN-HA, TODAY (TUESDAY) HELD A SERIES OF MEETINGS IN SHENZHEN WITH SENIOR OFFICALS FROM THE GUANGDONG PUBLIC SECURITY BUREAU, LED BY MR CHEN SHAOJI.
THE MEETINGS WERE HELD IMMEDIATELY AFTER SIX VEHICLES REPORTEDLY STOLEN IN HONG KONG WERE RETURNED FROM CHINA BY THE CHINESE PUBLIC SECURITY OFFICIALS AT HWANG KIANG BORDERING LOK MA CHAU.
BEFORE LEADING AN OFFICIAL PARTY COMPRISING SENIOR POLICE OFFICERS TO SHENZHEN FOR THE MEETINGS, MR LI SAID HE WELCOMED THE RETURN OF THE VEHICLES WHICH SHOWED "CONSTRUCTIVE CO-OPERATION IS WORKING" BETWEEN THE TWO SIDES.
"MORE IMPORTANTLY," MR LI NOTED, "THE CHINESE WILL INTRODUCE WITH IMMEDIATE EFFECT THAT NO RIGHT HAND DRIVE VEHICLES WILL BE REGISTERED NOR WILL BE ALLOWED TO TRANSFER OWNERSHIP."
HE SAID ANYONE FOUND IN POSSESSION OF RIGHT HAND DRIVE VEHICLES WITHOUT REGISTRATION WOULD BE COMMITTING AN OFFENCE IN CHINA.
MR LI SAID HE HOPED THIS WOULD HAVE A POSITIVE EFFECT ON CAR STEALING IN HONG KONG.
AMONG THOSE ACCOMPANYING MR LI WERE THE DEPUTY COMMISSIONER OF POLICE (MANAGEMENT), MR KEITH LOMAS; DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS, MR EDDIE HUI KEI-ON AND DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF CRIME, MR TSANG YAM-PUI.
------0--------
/3.........
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 6, 1992
3
HK STOCK MARKET AMONG WORLD TOP PERFORMERS ♦ * * ♦ ♦
WITH RECESSION LINGERING IN
THE WESTERN DEVELOPED ECONOMIES
AND THE SECURITIES MARKET OF JAPAN STILL SOME WAY FROM FULL THE PERFORMANCE OF THE HONG KONG MARKET IN THE PAST YEAR IS
RECOVERY, CERTAINLY
SOMETHING THAT WE CAN BE PROUD OF.
THIS WAS STATED TODAY (TUESDAY) RY THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, MR HAMISH MACLEOD, AT THE SIXTH ANNIVERSARY COCKTAIL RECEPTION OF THE STOCK EXCHANGE OF HONG KONG.
’’INDEED, OUR MARKET WAS AMONGST THF TOP PERFORMERS IN 1991, WITH THE HANG SENG INDEX GAINING 42 PER CENT.
”SO FAR THIS YEAR 30 PER CENT,” HE SAID.
THE HANG SENG INDEX HAS RISEN BY YET ANOTHER
MR MACLEOD SAID THF GOOD MARKET PERFORMANCE WAS DUE TO A NUMBER OF FAVOURABLE FACTORS: "OUR ECONOMA IS ROBUST. WE EXPECT THE ECONOMY TO GROW AT AN ANNUAL AVERAGE RATE OF 5 PER CENT IN REAL TERMS UP TO 1997.
”WE HAVE A WELL-ESTABLISHED
RISK-MANAGEMENT FRAMEWORK TO PROTECT THF MARKET PRACTITIONERS.
LFGAL, INTEREST
REGULATORY
OF INVESTORS
AND
AND
"WE HAVE THE IMMENSE POTENTIAL ECONOMIC HINTERLAND."
PROVIDED BY CHINA AS OUR
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY NOTED THAT THE PAST YEAR HAD WITNESSED
THE SMOOTH AND SUCCESSFUL IMPLEMENTATION OF THF REFORM PACKAGE FOR THE STOCK EXCHANGE.
’’THIS IS AN IMPORTANT ACHIEVEMENT. IT PUTS OUR STOCK MARKET ON A FIRM AND SOUND FOOTING,” HE SAID.
”AS SECURITIES MARKETS BECOME INCREASINGLY COMPETITIVE, WE MUST CONTINUE TO SEEK TO MAINTAIN HONG KONG’S COMPETITIVE EDGE, AND SECURE ITS PLACE AMONGST THE LEADING FINANCIAL CENTRES OF THE WORLD,” HE ADDED.
"WE MUST ENSURE THAT OUR PRUDENTI \L FRAMEWORK IS BROADLY COMPATIBLE WITH THAT OF MAJOR FINANCIAL CENTRES ELSEWHERE. WE MUST ENSURE THAT OUR SYSTEM IS AT LEAST AS GOOD, IF NOT BETTER.
"WE NEED TO CONTINUE TO MODERNISE AND DEVELOP OUR MARKET AND TO RETAIN THE TRUST OF INVESTORS BOTH HERE AND OVERSEAS," HF SAID.
THERE IS NOW A MORE REPRESENTATIVE STOCK EXCHANGE COUNCIL WHICH PROVIDES A STRONG HASIS ON WHICH THE EXCHANGE CAN OPERATE AND DEVELOP.
/"SINCE THE .......
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 6, 1992
4
"SINCE THE BEGINNING OF THIS YEAR, THE STOCK EXCHANGE HAS ASSUMED FULL RESPONSIBILITIES FOR LISTING FUNCTIONS. THIS IS A MAJOR STEP FORWARD TO BECOMING A FULLY SELF-REGULATED BODY,” MR MACLEOD SAID.
’GOOD PROGRESS IS ALSO BEING MADE ON TECHNICAL IMPROVEMENTS. BY THIS TIME TOMORROW THE CENTRAL CLEARING AND SETTLEMENT SYSTEM WILL BE IN FULL SWING - USHERING IN A NEW ERA FOR OUR SECURITIES INDUSTRY,” HE ADDED.
---------0-------------
NEW DIRECTOR OF NAPCO APPOINTED
♦ * * *
THE GOVERNMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (TUESDAY) THAT MR GORDON SIU KWING-CHUE WILL BE ATTACHED TO THE NEW AIRPORT PROJECTS CO-ORDINATION OFFICE (NAPCO) FROM OCTOBER 12 WITH A VIEW TO SUCCEEDING MR RAFAEL HUI SI-YAN AS DIRECTOR OF NAPCO ON OCTOBER 22.
MR HUI WILL PROCEED ON LEAVE ON OCTOBER 22 AND ASSUME DUTY AS COMMISSIONER FOR TRANSPORT ON NOVEMBER 27.
IN THE MEANTIME, MR PANG HAU-CHUNG WILL ACT AS COMMISSIONER FOR TRANSPORT FROM OCTOBER 12 TO NOVEMBER 26.
FOLLOWING ARE BIOGRAPHICAL NOTES ON MR SIU AND MR HUI:
MR GORDON SIU KWING-CHUE
MR SIU, AGED 46, FIRST JOINED THE HONG KONG CIVIL SERVICE IN 1966 AND WAS APPOINTED TO THE ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICE IN 1968.
HE ROSE TO HIS PRESENT RANK OF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER STAFF GRADE A IN 1991.
DURING THE EARLY YEARS OF HIS CAREER, MR SIU SERVED IN THE FORMER NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION, FINANCE BRANCH, SOCIAL SERVICES BRANCH AND IN THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT AS MUSIC ADMINISTRATOR.
MORE RECENTLY, HE WAS DEPUTY SECRETARY FOR THE CIVIL SERVICE FROM 1981 TO 1985; SECRETARY-GENERAL, OMELCO, FROM 1985 TO 1988; AND POSTMASTER GENERAL FROM 1988 TO 1989, WHEN HE TOOK UP HIS PRESENT APPOINTMENT AS COMMISSIONER FOR TRANSPORT.
/MR RAFAEL ......
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 6, 1992
5
MR RAFAEL HUJ SI-YAN
MR HUI, AGED 4 1, FIRST JOINED THE HONG KONG ( IV IL SERVICE IN 1 970 AND WAS APPOINTED TO THE ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICE IN 1971.
HE ROSE TO HIS PRESENT RANK OF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER STAFF GRADE Bl IN 1989.
MR HUI HAS SERVED TN V NUMBER OF DEPARTMENTS VND BRANCHES INCLUDING THE FORMER HOME AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT, SECURITY BRANCH AND TRANSPORT BRANCH.
MORE' RECENTLY, HE WAS DEPI TV SEC RETARV-GENERAL, OMELCO, FROM 1985 TO 1986; DEPUTY SECRETARY FOR ECONOMIC SERVICES FROM 1986 TO 1990; AND DEPUTY SECRETARY (NEK AIRPORT WORKS) FROM 1990 TO 1991, WHEN HE TOOK UP HIS PRESENT APPOINTMENT AS DIRECTOR OF THE NEW AIRPORT PROJECTS CO-ORDINATION OFFICE IN THE WORKS BRANCH.
---_ _ Q - - - -
CHEMICAL WASTES PROBLEMS CAN BF WOIDED I * ♦ ♦ ♦
HONG KONG HAS HAD THE GOOD FORTUNE OF DISASTERS CAUSED BY CHEMICAL WASTES ON THE SCALE OF ITAI DISEASE IN JAPAN AND LOVE CANAL IN THE USA.
NOT EXPERIENCING
MINIMATA AND ITAI
WITH THE ENFORCEMENT OF THF KVSTE DISPOSAL COMMISSIONING OF THE CHEMICAI WASTE TREATMENT TSING VI ISLAND EARLY NEXT YEAR, HONG KONG STANDS CONTINUOUSLY AVOIDING Sue H LARGE-SC ALL PROBLEMS.
ORDINANCE VND THE FACILITY (CWTF) ON
A GOOD CHANCE OF
TH1S WAS THF IMPRESSION GAINED BV SOME 200 LOCAL VND OVERSEAS ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENTISTS, ENGINEERS AND RESEARCHERS IN THE FIELD OF SOLID AND CHEMICAL WASTE MANAGEMENT, GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS AND ACADEMIC RESEARCHERS AT A CONFERENCE TODAY (TUESDAY).
THE CONFERENC E VIMS EXPERIENCES ON CHEMICAL WASTE
TO EXCHANGE ISSUES.
IDEAS \ND TO SHARE
ADDRESSING THE OPENING SESSION OF WASTE AND PUBLIC CLEANSING ASSOC CATION CHEMICAL WASTE MANAGEMENT, THE \(TING s ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS, MR BOWEN LEUNG, SAID WASTE WAS TWOFOLD.
THE INTERNATIONAL SOLID REG ION A L CON F ERENCE ON
ECRETARV FOR PLANNING, THE POLICY ON CHEMICAL
"FIRST, IT SEEKS TO PROVIDE A 'ENTRAI lAIH.ITY FOR IHF EN\ IRONMENIAI.IA l-RJENhlA IREATMI-NT AND DISPOSAI or si f H WASTES AND SECONDLY, IT AIMS TO ENCOI'RAGE WASTE RE|)l ( 1’ION SO THAT I FSS NFFDS TO BE DISPOSED OF. ’ io
/"THE PROVISION .......
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 6, 1992
6
"THE PROVISION OF A CENTRAL FACILITY IS ESSENTIAL IN HONG KONG WHERE THE MAJORITY OF THE ESTIMATED 8,000 CHEMICAL WASTE PRODUCERS COMPRISE SMALL, CROWDED FACTORIES WITH LITTLE SPACE, CAPITAL OR EXPERTISE TO DEVELOP AND INSTALL IN-HOUSE WASTE TREATMENT SYSTEMS," HE SAID.
MR LEUNG ALSO SAID THE GOVERNMENT WAS STILL WORKING ON THE DETAILS OF A CHARGING SCHEME.
"HAVING SAID THAT, HOWEVER, IT IS CERTAIN THAT THE FINAL SCHEME WILL HAVE TO TAKE CAREFUL ACCOUNT OF ITS IMPLICATIONS ON THE INDUSTRY ITSELF, AND STRIKE A BALANCE BETWEEN THE ENVIRONMENTAL OBJECTIVE OF AN OPTIMUM USE OF THE CWTF AS WELL AS THE FINANCIAL OBJECTIVE OF RECOVERING THE COSTS OF THE FACILITY.
"THE TAXPAYERS CANNOT BE EXPECTED TO PAY THE COST FOR DISPOSING OF CHEMICAL WASTES WHEN THEY HAVE, FOR SO LONG, HAD TO ENDURE THE SOCIAL COST OF A DEGRADED ENVIRONMENT FOR SO MANY YEARS," MR LEUNG SAID.
ALSO SPEAKING AT THE REGIONAL CONFERENCE, THE DIRECTOR OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION, DR STUART REED, SAID UNLIKE MOST INDUSTRIALISED COUNTRIES, HONG KONG HAD NEVER HAD A SIGNIFICANT CHEMICAL MANUFACTURING INDUSTRY.
"HONG KONG’S PROBLEMS HAVE BEEN GENERATED RATHER BY THE USE OF CHEMICALS MANUFACTURED ELSEWHERE AND THE USE AND DISPOSAL OF PRODUCTS CONTAINING THESE CHEMICALS."
DR REED SAID IF, IN THE FUTURE, HONG KONG DID SEE A GROWTH IN THE MANUFACTURE OF CHEMICALS, THEN HE WAS CONFIDENT THAT HONG KONG AT PRESENT HAD IN PLACE THE ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL AND TREATMENT FACILITIES TO KEEP ON TOP OF ANY POTENTIAL PROBLEMS.
DURING THE ONE-AND-A-HALF-DAY REGIONAL CONFERENCE, SPECIAL TECHNICAL REPORTS AND PAPERS ON CHEMICAL WASTE MANAGEMENT, LEGISLATIVE CONTROLS, TREATMENT TECHNOLOGIES AND STANDARDS; AND OTHER CHEMICAL WASTE ISSUES WITH INTERNATIONAL PERSPECTIVES WILL BE PRESENTED BY WASTE MANAGEMENT EXPERTS FROM AROUND THE WORLD.
--------0-----------
/7........
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 6, 1992
7 LAND AUCTION ON THURSDAY * * * * *
THREE PIECES OF GOVERNMENT LAND WILL BE SOLD IN A PUBLIC AUCTION BY THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT ON THURSDAY (OCTOBER 8) AT 2.30 PM IN THE THEATRE OF THE HONG KONG CITY HALL.
THE FIRST SITE IS LOCATED IN AREA 29B, FANLING, NEW
TERRITORIES.
IT HAS AN AREA OF ABOUT 6,900 SQUARE METRES AND IS INTENDED FOR PRIVATE RESIDENTIAL PURPOSES.
THE SECOND SITE IS LOCATED IN MEI WO CIRCUIT, SHA TIN, NEW TERRITORIES.
WITH AN AREA OF ABOUT 884 SQUARE METRES, THE SITE IS EARMARKED FOR PRIVATE RESIDENTIAL PURPOSES FOR OCCUPATION BY ONE SINGLE FAMILY.
THE THIRD SITE IS LOCATED IN AREA 11, ON SUM STREET, SHA TIN, NEW TERRITORIES.
IT HAS AN AREA OF ABOUT 8,100 SQUARE METRES AND IS DESIGNATED FOR INDUSTRIAL AND/OR GODOWN (EXCLUDING DANGEROUS GOODS GODOWN) PURPOSES AND/OR BUS DEPOT.
ATTENTION NEWS EDITORS:
YOUR REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER THE AUCTION.
A PRESS POSITION WILL BE DESIGNATED AT THE VENUE.
PHOTOGRAPHERS ARE ADVISED TO BRING ALONG TELEPHOTO LENSES.
------0-------
WATER STORAGE FIGURE * * * *
STORAGE IN HONG KONG’S RESERVOIRS AT 9 AM TODAY (TUESDAY) STOOD AT 84.1 PER CENT OF CAPACITY OR 492.926 MILLION CUBIC METRES.
THIS TIME LAST YEAR THE RESERVOIRS CONTAINED 267.617 MILLION
CUBIC METRES OF WATER, REPRESENTING 45.7 PER CENT OF CAPACITY.
------0-------
/8.........
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 6, 1992
- 8
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND TENDER RESULTS *****
TENDER DATE 6 OCT 92 6 OCT 92
PAPER ON OFFER EF BILLS EF BILLS
ISSUE NUMBER Q241 Y295
AMOUNT APPLIED HKD 1,930 MN HKD 400 MN
AMOUNT ALLOTTED HKD 800 MN HKD 200 MN
AVERAGE YIELD ACCEPTED 2.48 PCT 3.15 PCT
HIGHEST YIELD ACCEPTED 2.50 PCT 3.19 PCT
PRO RATA RATIO ABOUT 32 PCT 100 PCT
AVERAGE TENDER YIELD 2.55 PCT HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND 3.21 PCT
TENDERS TO BE HELD IN ' THE WEEK BEGINNING 12 OCTOBER 1992 -
TENDER DATE 13 OCT 92 13 OCT 92
PAPER ON OFFER EF BILLS EF BILLS
ISSUE NUMBER Q242 H275
ISSUE DATE 14 OCT 92 14 OCT 92
MATURITY DATE 13 JAN 93 14 APR 93
TENOR 91 DAYS 182 DAYS
AMOUNT ON OFFER HKD 800+160 MN HKD 300+60 MN
---------0-----------
/9.........
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 6, 1992
9
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS ♦ ♦ ♦ » *
$ MILLION
OPENING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT 1,400
REVERSAL OF LAF +100
BALANCE AFTER REVERSAL OF LAF 1,500
NET INJECTION/WITHDRAWAL TODAY NIL
EFFECT OF LAF TODAY -200
CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT 1,300
LAF RATE 2.00 BID/4.00 OFFER TWI 109.9 *+0.1* 6.10.92
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND
EF BILLS HONG KONG GOVERNMENT BONDS
TERMS YIELD TERM ISSUE COUPON PRICE YIELD
1 WEEK 2.38 PCT 14 MONTHS 2311 6.25 103.26 3.28
1 MONTH 2.45 PCT 17 MONTHS 2402 5.50 102.86 3.36
3 MONTHS 2.49 PCT 20 MONTHS 2405 5.502 102.88 3.68
6 MONTHS 2.63 PCT 23 MONTHS 2408 4.375 100.95 3.88
12 MONTHS 3.15 PCT
TOTAL TURNOVER OF BILLS AND BONDS - 6,638MN
CLOSED 6 OCTOBER 1992
---------0-----------
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 7, 1992
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
TRANSCRIPT OF GOVERNOR'S PRESS CONFERENCE ......................... 1
PRIME MINISTER MAKES STATEMENT ON GOVERNOR'S POLICY ADDRESS ....... 6
EXECUTIVE COUNCIL APPOINTMENTS ANNOUNCED .......................... 7
LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL APPOINTMENTS ANNOUNCED ........................ 10
WIGGHAM TO HEAD WASHINGTON OFFICE ................................. 11
GUANGDONG DELEGATION VISITS HK ON ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION ........ 11
OTTAWA DECLARES FESTIVAL HK WEEK .................................. 12
TWO SITES IN KWAI CHUNG, SHAU KEI WAN TO LET ...................... 13
267 VIETNAMESE RETURN HOME ........................................ 13
UNAUTHORISED BUILDING WORKS IN NORTH POINT TO BE CLOSED ........... 14
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS......... 14
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 7, 1992
PRESS CONFERENCE GIVEN BY THE GOVERNOR THE RT HON CHRISTOPHER PATTEN AFTER HIS POLICY SPEECH TO LEGCO
ON WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 7, 1992
******
GOVERNOR: THE PRESS CONFERENCE TODAY WILL BE QUITE A SHORT ONE, FOR SEVERAL REASONS. FIRST OF ALL BECAUSE THERE IS GOING TO BE NO SHORTAGE OF OPPORTUNITIES OF ASKING ME QUESTIONS OVER MY SPEECH OVER THE NEXT FEW DAYS. I’VE GOT AN HOUR-AND-A-HALF SESSION WITH THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TOMORROW, AND THEN I’VE GOT PUBLIC MEETINGS ON THURSDAY AND FRIDAY EVENINGS, AND ANOTHER PUBLIC MEETING ON FRIDAY LUNCHTIME WITH THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY. SO FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO ARE GOOD AT MARATHONS, THERE IS NO SHORTAGE OF OPPORTUNITIES OVER THE NEXT FEW DAYS TO HEAR MY ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS ON SOME OF THE ISSUES THAT MAY CONCEIVABLY ARISE AS A RESULT OF THE SPEECH THAT I’VE JUST GIVEN. SO THAT IS JUST A FRIENDLY INDICATION THAT I WILL ONLY BE ANSWERING QUESTIONS FOR 20-25 MINUTES, SOMETHING LIKE THAT.
WHO WOULD LIKE TO START? PERHAPS IF WE COULD HAVE THE NORMAL RULES: IF YOU COULD JUST GIVE YOUR NAME AND NEWSPAPER OR TELEVISION STATION OR RADIO STATION AND THEN ASK ONE QUESTION, BECAUSE IT’S ONLY FAIR ON THE OTHERS.
YAU SING-MO (HK ECONOMIC TIMES): IF THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT OBJECTS TO THE PROPOSED CHANGES OUTLINED IN YOUR SPEECH, FOR EXAMPLE WITH RESPECT TO THE FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCIES AND THE CREATION OF A NEW ELECTORAL COLLEGE, WILL YOU GO AHEAD ELECTORALLY AND REGARDLESS OF CHINESE OBJECTIONS?
GOVERNOR: I THINK, INEVITABLY, AFTER ONE HAS MADE A SPEECH SETTING OUT PROPOSALS FOR DISCUSSION, LARGE NUMBERS OF THE QUESTIONS ARE HYPOTHETICAL. BUT THE FIRST LESSON I WAS TAUGHT WHEN I GOT INVOLVED IN POLITICS WAS NOT TO ANSWER HYPOTHETICAL QUESTIONS. WHAT I LOOK FORWARD TO DOING IS DISCUSSING MY SPEECH, AND OTHER MATTERS, WITH MR LU PING AND OTHER CHINESE OFFICIALS. I ALSO LOOK FORWARD TO DISCUSSING MY SPEECH WITH MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL AND MEMBERS OF THIS COMMUNITY. IT IS VERY IMPORTANT THAT I HAVE THEIR THOUGHTS ON IT AS WELL AS THE THOUGHTS OF CHINESE OFFICIALS. IN DUE COURSE, WHAT THE GOVERNOR OF HONG KONG WILL OF COURSE BE REQUIRED TO DO IS TO PRESENT LEGISLATIVE PROPOSALS FOR THE 1995 ELECTIONS TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. THAT IS, AS IT WERE, THE END-GAME IN THIS PARTICULAR DISCUSSION AND I’M SURE THAT THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, LIKE THE GOVERNOR, WILL TAKE ACCOUNT OF EVERYONE’S POINT OF VIEW WHEN THEY COME TO A CONCLUSION ON THE LEGISLATIVE PROPOSALS FOR 1995.
ALICE LAI (MING PAO): IT SEEMS TO ME THAT IN YOUR POLICY SPEECH YOU SELDOM MENTIONED THE SINO-HONG KONG RELATIONSHIP BUT WHEN YOU WERE FIRST IN HONG KONG YOU SAID THAT THE SINO-HONG KONG RELATIONSHIP WILL BE THE TOP PRIORITY. IS THERE ANY CHANGE IN YOUR PRIORITIES AND WHAT IS THE RATIONALE BEHIND THAT?
/GOVERNOR: THERE ........
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 7, 1992
2
GOVERNOR: THERE IS NO CHANGE IN PRIORITY AND I DID REFER SEVERAL TIMES TO THE IMPORTANCE OF A GOOD RELATIONSHIP WITH CHINA. I THINK THAT IT SHOULD GO WITHOUT NEEDING TO BE SAID, THAT WE WANT TO HAVE THE CLOSEST POSSIBLE RELATIONSHIP WITH CHINA. I SAID THAT THIS AFTERNOON AND I’LL SAY IT AGAIN, BUT I THINK THAT IF THAT WERE TO BE THE CONTENT OF EVERY PAGE OF EVERY SPEECH I MADE, PEOPLE MIGHT THINK THAT I’D GOT MY GRAMAPHONE NEEDLE STUCK - IF GRAMAPHONE NEEDLES STILL EXIST.
CATHERINE ONG (BUSINESS TIMES): BY SLASHING REPRESENTATIVES OF ALL POLITICAL PARTIES FROM YOUR EXCO APPOINTMENTS, AREN’T YOU AFRAID THAT YOU MIGHT HAVE DIFFICULTY GETTING SUPPORT IN PASSING GOVERNMENT BILLS IN THE LEGCO?
GOVERNOR: I HOPE NOT. I SET OUT THE RATIONALE BEHIND MY DECISION AT SOME LENGTH IN MY SPEECH AND I’VE DISCUSSED IT WITH PARTY GROUPS AS WELL. I HAVE TO SECURE A MAJORITY IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL AS THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OF THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT, WITH MY SENIOR OFFICIALS, IN WHATEVER WAY I CAN. I TALKED ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF IMPROVING THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE ADMINISTRATION AND THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL BUT AT THE END OF THE DAY I HAVE TO ARGUE MY CASE TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, AND I HOPE BE CONVINCING ABOUT IT, THAT’S WHAT ACCOUNTABILITY MEANS.
ANDREW BROWN (TVB): I THINK THAT FELICE LIEH-MAK WAS A MEMBER OF THE CO-OPERATIVE RESOURCES CENTRE UNTIL VERY RECENTLY. ISN’T THERE A CONFLICT OF INTERESTS HAVING HER ON THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL WHEN HER POLITICAL INTERESTS ARE SO OPENLY DECLARED?
GOVERNOR: I DON’T BELIEVE SO. SHE HAS LEFT THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL AND THE LOOSE POLITICAL GROUPING OF WHICH SHE WAS A MEMBER. I THINK SHE HAS A VERY SUBSTANTIAL CONTRIBUTION TO MAKE IN THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL, SHE’S ENORMOUSLY KNOWLEDGEABLE ABOUT A WIDE RANGE OF ISSUES, PARTICULARLY IN THE HEALTH AND SOCIAL WELFARE FIELDS, AND I WOULD HAVE THOUGHT THAT HER APPOINTMENT WOULD BE WELCOMED BY MOST OF HER COLLEAGUES OR FORMER COLLEAGUES ON THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
LAURENCE ZUCKERMAN (INTERNATIONAL HERALD TRIBUNE): I WAS WONDERING -THE PREMISE OF YOUR CONSTITUTIONAL REFORMS SEEMS TO BE BASED ON THE FACT THAT PEOPLE IN HONG KONG WANT MORE DEMOCRACY WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED LIMITS OF THE BASIC LAW - I WAS WONDERING HOW YOU CAME TO THAT CONCLUSION WHEN LAST SEPTEMBER’S ELECTIONS WERE SWEPT BY THE UDHK WHICH CAMPAIGNED ON THE IDEA THAT THERE SHOULD BE MORE, INCREASED DEMOCRACY BEYOND THE LIMITS OF THE BASIC LAW?
/GOVERNOR: IN ........
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 7, 1992
- 3 -
GOVERNOR: IN THE COMMUNITY AND MY IMPRESSION AFTER THREE MONTHS, RATHER MORE, BECAUSE I MET QUITE A LOT OF THE POLITICAL GROUPS BEFORE I CAME TO HONG KONG AND HAD DONE A LOT OF READING. MY IMPRESSION IS THAT PEOPLE WANT TO SEE DEMOCRACY TAKEN FORWARD BUT THEY WANT TO SEE IT TAKEN FORWARD IN A SUSTAINABLE WAY AND MOST OF THEM WOULD DEFINE THAT AS TAKEN FORWARD IN A WAY WHICH IS CONSISTENT WITH THE BASIC LAW; SO, WHAT I LOOKED FOR TODAY WAS WAYS IN WHICH I COULD DO THAT. LET’S CONSIDER WHAT THE PARAMETERS ARE. THE PRESENT SOVEREIGN POWER WISHES TO SEE THE PACE OF DEMOCRATISATION QUICKENED. THE FUTURE SOVEREIGN POWER HAS SAID NOTHING SHOULD BE DONE WHICH INVOLVES A CHANGE IN THE BASIC LAW. THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG, WITH A GREAT DEAL OF INHERENT WIT AND WISDOM, HAVE REACHED THE CONCLUSION,IN MY JUDGEMENT, OF WHAT WE SHOULD BE DOING IS WAYS OF INCREASING, ENHANCING DEMOCRACY BUT THAT WILL LAST AND IS CONSISTENT WITH THE PROVISIONS OF HONG KONG’S MINI CONSTITUTION AFTER 1997. THAT’S WHAT I HAVE TRIED TO DO BUT DOUBTLESS IF I’VE GOT THE BALANCE WRONG PEOPLE WILL TELL ME BOTH IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL AND IN THE PUBLIC MEETINGS THAT I AM ABOUT TO ATTEND. I THINK I’VE GOT IT ABOUT RIGHT BUT WE’LL SEE.
LEUNG YIU-WING (UNITED DAILY NEWS HK): SENIOR CHINESE OFFICIALS HAVE ALREADY CRITICISED THAT YOU SET OUT YOUR POLITICAL REFORM WITHOUT PRIOR CONSULTATION AND NEGOTIATION WITH THEM. THEN HOW ARE YOU GOING TO WIN THE BACKING OF THE CHINESE SIDE FOR YOUR POLITICAL REFORM?
GOVERNOR: LET’S BE CLEAR WHAT HAS ACTUALLY HAPPENED. WE GAVE NOTICE IN NEW YORK AND IN PEKING ABOUT PRECISELY WHAT I INTENDED TO DO, ALMOST TWO WEEKS AGO. WE SET OUT CONFIDENTIALLY IN TERMS WITH CHINESE OFFICIALS WHAT MY PROPOSALS ON CONSTITUTIONAL ISSUES WOULD AMOUNT TO AND I THINK THAT THAT WAS A PROPER THING TO DO, TO GIVE CHINA AND CHINESE OFFICIALS DUE NOTICE OF WHAT I WAS INTENDING TO SAY. SECONDLY, THERE WAS THE ISSUE OF WHETHER I SHOULD SAY ANYTHING BEFORE I REACHED AN AGREEMENT WITH CHINESE OFFICIALS. IF I MAY SAY SO WITHOUT BEING PROVOCATIVE, I HAVEN’T NOTICED THE REVERSE VERY OFTEN BEING THE CASE. I THINK CHINESE OFFICIALS, FOR EXAMPLE, DELIVERED THEIR VIEWS ON THE MEMBERSHIP OF EXCO WITHOUT AT ANY STAGE SAYING WE MUST TALK TO THE BRITISH FIRST AND SEE IF WE CAN GET SOME AGREEMENT ON THIS. BUT I AM IN A DILEMMA ON THIS MATTER. WHEN IT COMES TO THE AIRPORT, CHINESE OFFICIALS SAY, IN MY VIEW, QUITE RIGHTLY TO US, YOU MUST SAY WHAT YOUR PROPOSALS ARE TO THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG. YOU MUSTN’T BE SECRETIVE ABOUT YOUR PROPOSALS. SO WHY SHOULD ONE BE OPEN ABOUT ONE’S PROPOSALS ON THE FINANCING OF AN AIRPORT BUT SECRETIVE ABOUT ONE’S PROPOSALS ABOUT THE FUTURE OF HONG KONG’S WAY OF LIFE. THAT DOESN’T SEEM TO ME TO SHOW A VERY SENSIBLE BALANCE IF I WAS TO DO THAT.
/THERE IS .......
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 7, 1992
4
THERE IS SOMETHING ELSE. IF I HAD SAJD IN MY SPEECH TODAY, AND WHEN IT COMES TO 1995, I AM NOT GOING TO TELL ANY OF YOU WHAT MY THOUGHTS ARE, I AM GOING TO GO TO PEKING A FEW TIMES AND THEN WHEN WE’VE REACHED AN AGREEMENT I AM GOING TO COME BACK AND TELL YOU WHAT WE’VE DECIDED. IF I’D SAID THAT IT WOULD HAVE BEEN VERY' DESTABILISING POLITICALLY, THE NEXT MONTH WOULD HAVE BEEN FULL OF RUMOUR - MUCH OF IT UNFOUNDED ABOUT THIS OR THAT THING WHICH CHINA OR BRITAIN WAS GOING TO DO - SO I THINK IT IS BETTER FOR ME TO SAY WHAT MY PROPOSALS ARE. I REPEAT, THEY ARE PROPOSALS. THEY ARE PROPOSALS TO BE DISCUSSED HERE IN HONG KONG, THEY ARE PROPOSALS TO BE DISCUSSED IN PEKING. PROPOSALS TO BE DISCUSSED. AND I THINK IT IS BETTER AND SEEING THAT WE ARE TALKING ABOUT IMMENSELY IMPORTANT MATTERS TO DO IT IN A SPIRIT OF FRANKNESS, IN A SPIRIT OF OPENNESS, SO PEOPLE CAN ACTUALLY KNOW WHAT WE ARE DISCUSSING AND WHAT WE ARE TALKING ABOUT. SO I VERY MUCH HOPE THAT CHINESE OFFICIALS WON'T FEEL TOO STRONGLY, AS YOU SUGGESTED, BECAUSE I THINK THERE ARE GOOD ARGUMENTS WHICH I HAVE TRIED TO PUT TO YOU ON THE OTHER SIDE.
FANNY WONG (SOUTH CHINA MORNING POST): DO YOU AGREE THAT YOUR SPEECH IS SO DESIGNED THAT IT WILL AMOUNT TO A CHALLENGE TO THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT THAT YOU HAVE TAKEN UP TWO KEY' AREAS WHICH ARE LIKELY TO UPSET CHINA; NAMELY, THAT YOU ARE SPEEDING UP DEMOCRACY IN SUCH AN UNPRECEDENTED MANNER AND THEN YOU ARE SPENDING SO EXPENSIVELY ON VARIOUS SOCIAL POLICIES WHICH IS LIKELY TO INCREASE THE FINANCIAL BURDEN ON THE SAR GOVERNMENT?
GOVERNOR: LET ME DEAL WITH THE LAST POINT FIRST. WE ARE ABLE TO MAKE CONSIDERABLE PROGRESS IN FIELDS LIKE SOCIAL WELFARE ABOVE ALL BECAUSE, THANKS TO THEIR OWN EFFORTS THIS YEAR, THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG HAVE EARNED A WINDFALL. WHEN WE STARTED OUT, AS YOU WILL RECALL, WE WERE PREDICTING A BUDGET SURPLUS FOR THIS YEAR OF ABOUT 7-1/2 BILLION HONG KONG DOLLARS. BECAUSE OUR REVENUES HAVE CONTINUED TO BE AS BUOYANT DURING THIS FINANCIAL YEAR AS THEY WERE IN THE LAST QUARTER OF THE LAST FINANCIAL YEAR, AND FOR ONE OR TWO OTHER REASONS, OUR SURPLUS WAS GOING TO OVERSHOOT THIS YEAR BY A FURTHER 6 BILLION. IT SEEMED TO ME THAT IT WOULD HAVE NOT MADE GREAT SENSE TO HAVE A CUSHION AS SUBSTANTIAL AS 13-1/2 BILLION BUT IT WOULD NOT BE SENSIBLE TO FRITTER AWAY THE 6 BILLION, BUT THE SENSIBLE THING TO DO WAS, AS IT WERE, TO CAPITALISE THE 6 BILLION. PUTTING IT THROUGH THE LOTTERIES FUND AND INTO, AND MAINLY, INTO OUR PROPOSALS ON SEWAGE SO THAT IT WENT TO MEET OVER THE NEXT FEW YEARS SOME OF OUR LONGER TERM TARGETS: I THINK THAT IS A WHOLLY PRUDENT AND SENSIBLE WAY OF US BEHAVING. WE WILL STILL CONTINUE TO OPERATE WITH A VERY SUBSTANTIAL SURPLUS AND WE WILL LEAVE IN 1997 A VERY SUBSTANTIAL SURPLUS. AS I RECALL, LAST YEAR WE WERE BEING CRITICISED BECAUSE WE ANNOUNCED THE SURPLUS FOR 1997 WAS GOING TO BE MUCH GREATER THAN WE PREVIOUSLY PREDICTED. THE SURPLUS IN 1997 WILL STILL BE VERY LARGE. IT WILL BE A TRIBUTE TO THE VERY SENSIBLE FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT OF THIS COMMUNITY’S AFFAIRS AND TO THE HARD WORK OF PEOPLE IN HONG KONG. IF YOU LOOK AROUND THE WORLD, THERE AREN’T, FRANKLY, MANY FINANCE MINISTERS ANYWHERE WHO CAN POINT TO THE SORT OF SURPLUSES THAT WE RUN IN HONG KONG AND THAT IS HOW IT IS GOING TO STAY. OUR PUBLIC EXPENDITURE PROGRAMMES WILL CONTINUE TO GROW LESS FAST THAN THE RISE IN OVERALL GROWTH IN THE ECONOMY.
/AS TO .......
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 7, 1992
5
AS TO THE FIRST PART OF YOUR QUESTION, WHAT I HAVE DONE IS TO TRY VERY HARD TO FIND WAYS IN WHICH WE CAN ACCOMMODATE THE UNDERSTANDABLE ASPIRATIONS OF PEOPLE IN HONG KONG FOR MORE SAY IN THE CONDUCT OF THEIR AFFAIRS WITH THE PROVISIONS OF THE BASIC LAW.
EVERYTHING I SAID THIS AFTERNOON - IF THAT IS CHINA DOES NOT ACCEPT THE ARGUMENTS FOR AN INCREASE IN THE NUMBER OF DIRECTLY ELECTED SEATS- EVERYTHING I SET OUT THIS AFTERNOON IS ENTIRELY CONSISTENT WITH THE BASIC LAW.
HUGO GURDON (DAILY TELEGRAPH): COULD YOU COMMENT ON THE DANGER OF THE CHINESE RIGHT TO CONSULTATION BECOMING A POSSIBLE VETO ON YOUR PROPOSALS. ALTHOUGH THEY ARE ONLY PROPOSALS, YOU PUT A LOT OF TIME AND EFFORT INTO THEM AND YOU THINK THAT THEY ARE RIGHT. COULD YOU SUGGEST HOW YOU ARE GOING TO ENSURE THAT THE RIGHT TO CONSULTATION DOESN’T BECOME A RIGHT TO OBSTRUCT?
GOVERNOR: THERE IS A DIFFERENCE OF LINGUISTICS AS WELL AS ACTION BETWEEN A CONSULTATIVE PROCESS AND THE EXERCISE OF A VETO. I GO INTO CONSULTATIONS AND DISCUSSIONS WITH PEKING AND WITH THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG AND WITH THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL IN GOOD FAITH. I WISH, IF WE CAN DO SO, TO FIND AGREEMENT ALL ROUND. I AM THAT SORT OF CHAP. I LOVE IT IF WE CAN FIND A POSITION WHICH EVERYONE WILL SUPPORT AND I WILL WORK FOR THAT. BUT WHAT YOU HAVE TO DO IN PUBLIC LIFE, AT THE END OF ANY DISCUSSIONS, IS TO COME TO A CONCLUSION ABOUT WHAT IS THE RIGHT WAY FORWARD GIVEN WHAT PEOPLE HAVE SAID TO YOU; AND AS I MENTIONED AT THE OUTSET, SOONER OR LATER, AND PROBABLY RATHER SOONER, THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ITSELF IS GOING TO HAVE TO VOTE ON THE WAY THE 1995 ELECTIONS SHOULD BE CONDUCTED.
BARBARA BASLER (NEW YORK TIMES): SO THESE PROPOSALS THAT YOU’VE SET FORTH TODAY WILL GO BEFORE LEGCO, NO MATTER WHAT BEIJING SAYS?
GOVERNOR: NO, I DIDN’T SAY THAT AT ALL, WHAT I SAID IS THAT THE ENDGAME, AFTER I’VE DISCUSSED THESE PROPOSALS WITH THE COMMUNITY, AFTER I’VE DISCUSSED THEM WITH LEGCO, AFTER I’VE DISCUSSED THEM WITH PEKING, IS THAT WE WILL HAVE TO PUT PROPOSALS TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL AND I HOPE GET THEM SUPPORTED. BUT I REPEAT THAT I VERY MUCH HOPE THAT EVERYBODY WILL FIND THE PROPOSALS THAT I’VE PUT FORWARD AS SENSIBLE AND COHERENT A PACKAGE AS I DO. AND SINCE THE OBJECTIVE, WHICH I THINK IS PRETTY COMMON IN HONG KONG TO ALL OF US, IS TO PUSH FORWARD DEMOCRACY IN A WAY WHICH IS CONSISTENT WITH THE BASIC LAW, I HOPE THAT THE IDEAS I’VE ADVANCED WILL GET A GREAT DEAL OF SUPPORT.
CHRIS ROBERTS (METRO NEWS): THE CREATION OF THE GOVERNMENT-LEGCO COMMITTEE WOULD APPEAR TO BE A KIND OF HALF-WAY HOUSE IN A WAY, TO APPEASE THE UNITED DEMOCRACTS - THEY ARE STILL NOT GETTING ON TO THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL. AREN’T YOU DENYING THE PARTY WHICH THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG VOTED OVERWHELMINGLY FOR, A VOICE IN THE HIGHEST LEVEL OF GOVERNMENT?
/GOVERNOR: NO ........
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 7, 1992
- 6 -
GOVERNOR: NO, WHAT WE HAVE IS A SYSTEM IN WHICH PEOPLE VOTE FOR A LEGISLATURE WHICH MONITORS GOVERNMENT, TO WHICH GOVERNMENT IS ACCOUNTABLE. WE DON’T HAVE A SYSTEM, NOR IS IT INTENDED THAT WE SHOULD HAVE A SYSTEM, IN WHICH WE HAVE AS IT WERE, CABINET GOVERNMENT OR THE WESTMINSTER MINISTERIAL MODEL, AND THERE’S A CLEAR DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THEM. WHAT I WANT TO SEE IS THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL DEVELOPING RESPONSIBLY ITS ROLE AS A MONITORING BODY OF GOVERNMENT, AND THE PROPOSALS THAT I’VE PUT FORWARD IN ORDER TO IMPROVE THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE EXECUTIVE AND THE LEGISLATURE, ARE MEANT TO HELP ME RATHER THAN TO HELP ANYONE ELSE. WE DO NEED TO FIND AN EFFECTIVE HINGE BETWEEN THE EXECUTIVE AND THE LEGISLATURE. WE DO, IN MY VIEW, NEED TO FIND AN EFFECTIVE FORUM IN WHICH WE CAN DISCUSS WITH LEGISLATORS, DISCUSS WITH THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, THE HANDLING OF GOVERNMENT BUSINESS, THE HANDLING OF LEGISLATION AND FINANCIAL MATTERS IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, AND THAT IS WHAT I AM PROPOSING WE SHOULD DO.
I’LL BE ANSWERING QUESTIONS FOR AN HOUR-AND-A-HALF ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS IN THE NEXT FEW WEEKS, FOR ANYONE WHO CAN GET A TICKET. THANK YOU ALL VERY MUCH INDEED.
--------0-----------
PRIME MINISTER MAKES STATEMENT ON GOVERNOR’S POLICY ADDRESS *****
THE PRIME MINISTER HAS MADE THE FOLLOWING STATEMENT ON THE SPEECH DELIVERED BY THE GOVERNOR OF HONG KONG TODAY (WEDNESDAY):
"ALL OF US KNOW THE GREAT IMPORTANCE OF BRITAIN’S
RESPONSIBILITIES TOWARDS THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG.
"THE GOVERNOR HAS CONSULTED WIDELY IN HONG KONG ON THE AGENDA FOR THE NEXT FIVE YEARS - AN AGENDA WHICH HE HAS SET OUT IN HIS SPEECH TO THE HONG KONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY.
"I FULLY ENDORSE HIS APPROACH, WHICH I AM CERTAIN REPRESENTS THE BEST WAY FORWARD FOR HONG KONG.
"I COMMEND IT TO THE PEOPLE OF THE TERRITORY AND TO THEIR REPRESENTATIVES IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL."
---------0-----------
/7
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 7, 1992
7
EXECUTIVE COUNCIL APPOINTMENTS ANNOUNCED * * * * *
THE GOVERNOR, THE RT HON CHRISTOPHER PATTEN, TODAY (WEDNESDAY) ANNOUNCED THAT HE HAD ACCEPTED THE RESIGNATION OF THE FOLLOWING NONOFFICIAL MEMBERS OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL:
MR ALLEN LEE, CBE, JP MRS RITA FAN, CBE, JP PROFESSOR WANG GUNGWU, CBE MRS SELINA CHOW, OBE, JP MR EDWARD HO, OBE, JP MR HUI YIN-FAT, OBE, JP MR ANDREW WONG, OBE, JP
HE ALSO ANNOUNCED THE FOLLOWING NEW APPOINTMENTS:
MR DENIS CHANG, QC, JP PROFESSOR EDWARD CHEN DR RAYMOND CH’IEN MR ANDREW LI, QC, JP PROFESSOR FELICE LIEH MAK, OBE, JP MR C H TUNG MS ROSANNA WONG, OBE, JP
IN ANNOUNCING HIS APPOINTMENTS, MR PATTEN SAID: "AS I SAID TODAY IN MY ADDRESS TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, I HAVE DECIDED THAT AT THIS STAGE OF HONG KONG’S POLITICAL DEVELOPMENT THERE SHOULD NOT BE ANY OVERLAPPING MEMBERSHIP BETWEEN THE EXECUTIVE AND LEGISLATIVE COUNCILS.
"I INTEND THE NEW EXECUTIVE COUNCIL TO BE A NON-PARTY POLITICAL BODY TO WHICH I CAN LOOK FOR SOUND, IMPARTIAL ADVICE ON THE WIDE RANGE OF ISSUES THAT COME BEFORE THE ADMINISTRATION.
"THE NON-OFFICIAL MEMBERS WHOM I AM APPOINTING TO EXCO ARE RESPECTED AND DISTINGUISHED PEOPLE WHO I BELIEVE CAN GIVE ME SOUND AND THOUGHTFUL ADVICE WITHOUT THE CONFLICTING LOYALTIES OF ACTIVE DAY-TO-DAY POLITICAL INVOLVEMENT.
"PROFESSOR CHEN AND PROFESSOR LIEH MAK HAVE RESIGNED FROM THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, AND PROFESSOR LIEH MAK HAS RESIGNED FROM THE COOPERATIVE RESOURCES CENTRE."
MR PATTEN PAID A WARM TRIBUTE TO THE RETIRING MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL AND THANKED THEM FOR THE SIGNIFICANT CONTRIBUTION THAT THEY HAD MADE TO THE WORK OF THE COUNCIL DURING THEIR PERIOD OF MEMBERSHIP.
"AS I SAID THIS AFTERNOON, HONG KONG IS IN THEIR DEBT FOR THE SINCERITY AND GOODWILL THEY SHOWED IN SHOULDERING AN INCREASINGLY DIFFICULT POLITICAL BURDEN OVER THE PAST YEAR.”
/THE GOVERNOR
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 7, 1992
8
THE GOVERNOR ALSO ANNOUNCED THAT, AGAIN WITH EFFECT FROM TODAY, MAJOR-GENERAL JOHN FOLEY (COMMANDER BRITISH FORCES) AND MR BARRIE WIGGHAM (SECRETARY FOR THE CIVIL SERVICE) WILL STEP DOWN AS MEMBERS OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL AND THAT MRS ANSON CHAN (SECRETARY FOR ECONOMIC SERVICES), MR JOHN CHAN (SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER) AND MR MICHAEL SZE (SECRETARY FOR CONSTITUTIONAL AFFAIRS) WOULD BE APPOINTED TO THE COUNCIL.
MR PATTEN SAID THESE CHANGES WERE IN NO WAY A REFLECTION OF MAJOR-GENERAL FOLEY’S OR MR WIGGHAM’S CONTRIBUTION TO THE WORK OF THE COUNCIL, WHICH HAD BEEN EXEMPLARY.
’’BUT IT IS CLEARLY IMPORTANT THAT OUR OUTSTANDING SENIOR LOCAL OFFICERS SHOULD INCREASINGLY ASSUME KEY POSITIONS OF RESPONSIBILITY. THIS IS AN IMPORTANT PART OF OUR PREPARATION FOR 1997."
DETAILS OF THE NEW MEMBERS OF EXCO ARE:
MR DENIS CHANG, QC, JP
AGED 48. ONE OF HONG KONG’S LEADING BARRISTERS. NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE SECURITIES AND FUTURES COMMISSION AND DEPUTY CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD OF REVIEW (INLAND REVENUE). A FORMER MEMBER OF THE BASIC LAW CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEE.
PROFESSOR EDWARD CHEN KWAN-YIU
AGED 47. DIRECTOR OF THE CENTRE OF ASIAN STUDIES AT THE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG AND CHAIRMAN OF THE CONSUMER COUNCIL. A MEMBER OF THE ECONOMIC ADVISORY COMMITTEE AND THE BOARD OF THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY CORPORATION. FORMER MEMBER OF THE BASIC LAW CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEE.
DR RAYMOND CH’IEN KUO-FUNG
AGED 40. MANAGING DIRECTOR OF THE LAM SOON HONG KONG GROUP. VICE-CHAIRMAN OF THE FEDERATION OF HONG KONG INDUSTRIES, MEMBER OF THE INDUSTRY AND TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL, THE ECONOMIC ADVISORY COMMITTEE AND TRADE ADVISORY BOARD.
MR ANDREW LI KWOK-NANG, QC, JP
AGED 43. ONE OF HONG KONG’S LEADING BARRISTERS. CHAIRMAN OF THE UNIVERSITY AND POLYTECHNIC GRANTS COMMITTEE AND A MEMBER OF THE JUDICIAL SERVICE COMMISSION.
/PROFESSOR FELICE
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 7, 1992
9
PROFESSOR FELICE LIEH MAK, OBE, JP
AGED 51. PROFESSOR OF PSYCHIATRY AT THE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG. CHAIRMAN OF THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON SOCIAL WORK TRAINING AND MANPOWER PLANNING AND A MEMBER OF THE HOSPITAL AUTHORITY AND THE SOCIAL WELFARE ADVISORY COMMITTEE.
MR C H TUNG
AGED 55. CHAIRMAN OF THE ISLAND NAVIGATION CORPORATION INTERNATIONAL LIMITED. MEMBER OF THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE OF THE COMMUNITY CHEST OF HONG KONG AND OF THE PORT DEVELOPMENT BOARD. ONE OF THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT’S ADVISERS ON HONG KONG.
MS ROSANNA WONG YICK-MING, OBE, JP
AGED 40. FORMER APPOINTED MEMBER OF EXCO AND LEGCO. GENERAL SECRETARY OF THE HONG KONG FEDERATION OF YOUTH GROUPS. FORMER CHAIRMAN OF SOCIAL WELFARE ADVISORY COMMITTEE AND COMMISSION ON YOUTH.
MRS ANSON CHAN, CBE, JP
AGED 52. JOINED THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT IN 1962. SECRETARY FOR ECONOMIC SERVICES SINCE 1987. PREVIOUS POSTS INCLUDE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE.
MR JOHN CHAN, LVO, OBE, JP
AGED 49. JOINED THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT IN 1964. SECRETARY
FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER SINCE 1991. PREVIOUS POSTS INCLUDE DEPUTY CHIEF SECRETARY AND SECRETARY FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY.
MR MICHAEL SZE, ISO, JP
AGED 47. JOINED THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT IN 1969. SECRETARY
FOR CONSTITUTIONAL AFFAIRS SINCE 1991. PREVIOUS POSTS INCLUDE DIRECTOR OF TRADE AND DIRECTOR OF MARINE.
---------0---------
/10 .......
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 7, 1992
10
LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL APPOINTMENTS ANNOUNCED
*****
THE GOVERNOR, THE RT HON CHRISTOPHER PATTEN, TODAY (WEDNESDAY) ANNOUNCED THAT HE HAD ACCEPTED THE RESIGNATION OF THE FOLLOWING NON-OFFICIAL MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, WITH EFFECT FROM OCTOBER 8 THIS YEAR:
PROFESSOR EDWARD CHEN
PROFESSOR FELICE LIEH MAK, OBE, JP
HE ALSO ANNOUNCED THE FOLLOWING NEW APPOINTMENTS:
MISS CHRISTINE LOH
MR ROGER LUK KOON-HOO
IN ANNOUNCING HIS APPOINTMENTS, MR PATTEN PAID A WARM TRIBUTE TO THE SIGNIFICANT CONTRIBUTION THAT PROFESSOR CHEN AND PROFESSOR LIEH MAK HAD MADE TO THE WORK OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL DURING THE PAST YEAR.
”TO REPLACE THEM, I HAVE APPOINTED TWO YOUNG PROFESSIONALS WHO I BELIEVE WILL BE ABLE TO CONSIDER THE ISSUES THAT COME BEFORE THE COUNCIL IN AN INTELLIGENT AND OPEN-MINDED WAY.
”1 AM SURE THAT THEY WILL BOTH MAKE AN IMPORTANT CONTRIBUTION TO THE WORK OF THE COUNCIL.”
MISS LOH’S AND MR LUK’S APPOINTMENTS WILL RUN FROM OCTOBER 8, 1992 UNTIL THE NEXT DISSOLUTION OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
DETAILS OF THE NEW MEMBERS OF LEGCO ARE:
MISS CHRISTINE LOH
AGED 36. DIRECTOR OF CIM COMPANY LIMITED. A MEMBER OF THE LAW REFORM COMMISSION OF HONG KONG, THE BOARD OF REVIEW - LONG TERM PRISON SENTENCES AND THE BOARD OF GOVERNORS OF THE HONG KONG ARTS CENTRE.
MR ROGER LUK KOON-HOO
AGED 41. ASSISTANT GENERAL MANAGER OF THE HANG SENG BANK LIMITED. A MEMBER OF THE STATISTICS ADVISORY BOARD.
- - 0 - -
/Il
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 7, 1992
WIGGHAM TO HEAD WASHINGTON OFFICE ♦ * » *
IN RESPONSE TO PRESS ENQUIRIES, A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN CONFIRMED TODAY (WEDNESDAY) THAT IT IS INTENDED THAT THE SECRETARY FOR THE CIVIL SERVICE, MR BARRIE WIGGHAM, WILL BE POSTED TO HEAD THE HONG KONG ECONOMIC AND TRADE OFFICE IN WASHINGTON DC, USA, LATE NEXT YEAR.
THE POSTING OF A HIGHLY EXPERIENCED SECRETARY GRADE OFFICER TO THE OFFICE WOULD SUBSTANTIALLY STRENGTHEN THE LEVEL OF HONG KONG GOVERNMENT’S REPRESENTATION IN NORTH AMERICA.
THE WASHINGTON OFFICE CLOSELY MONITORS ECONOMIC AND TRADE DEVELOPMENTS, PROPOSED LEGISLATION AND OTHER MATTERS IN THE USA AND CANADA THAT MIGHT AFFECT HONG KONG’S ECOMOMIC INTERESTS IN GENERAL AND BILATERAL TRADE WITH THESE TWO COUNTRIES IN PARTICULAR.
AS WITH THE NEW YORK AND SAN FRANCISCO OFFICES, THE WASHINGTON OFFICE ALSO ASSISTS WITH THE RECRUITMENT IN THE UNITED STATES AND CANADA OF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICERS FOR HONG KONG.
MR WIGGHAM IS EXPECTED TO STEP DOWN AS SECRETARY FOR THE CIVIL SERVICE SOMETIME IN SPRING NEXT YEAR.
------0--------
GUANGDONG DELEGATION VISITS HK ON ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
* » t » »
THE DIRECTOR OF PLANNING, DR K S PUN, TODAY (WEDNESDAY) HELD A MEETING WITH A GUANGDONG DELEGATION TO CONSIDER THE FINAL DRAFT OF THE "TECHNICAL REPORT ON THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION OF DEEP BAY AND ITS CATCHMENTS".
THE DRAFT WAS PREPARED BY THE TECHNICAL SUB-GROUP OF THE HONG KONG - GUANGDONG ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION LIAISON GROUP.
THE DOCUMENT IS SCHEDULED FOR SUBMISSION TO THE LIAISON GROUP FOR CONSIDERATION AND ENDORSEMENT TOWARDS THE END OF THIS YEAR.
REPRESENTATIVES OF THE HONG KONG SIDE INCLUDE OFFICIALS FROM THE PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS BRANCH; ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT, AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT AS WELL AS PLANNING DEPARTMENT.
THE GUANGDONG SIDE IS LED BY THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF THE SHENZHEN ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION BUREAU, MR FAN JUNJUN.
OTHER MEMBERS OF THE DELEGATION INCLUDE REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE SOUTH CHINA SEA BRANCH OF THE STATE OCEANIC ADMINISTRATION, GUANGDONG ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION BUREAU AND SHENZHEN PLANNING AND LAND BUREAU.
THE DELEGATION WILL STAY IN HONG KONG FOR TWO DAYS AND VISIT THE MAI PO MARSHES NATURE RESERVE, OYSTER CULTURE ACTIVITIES IN LAU FAU SHAN AND VARIOUS ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION INSTALLATIONS.
- - 0 - -
/12 ........
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 7, 1992
- 12 -
OTTAWA DECLARES FESTIVAL HK WEEK *****
THE MAYOR OF OTTAWA, MRS JACQUELINE HOLTZMAN, HAS DECLARED OCTOBER 6-19 TO BE "FESTIVAL HONG KONG WEEK" IN CANADA’S CAPITAL CITY.
THE SURPRISE ANNOUNCEMENT DELIGHTED THE LARGE AUDIENCE, INCLUDING CANADIAN AND HONG KONG OFFICIALS, GATHERING IN BRIGHT AUTUMN SUNSHINE IN THE AMPHITHEATRE OF THE WORLD EXCHANGE PLAZA TO WATCH THE OPENING OF FESTIVAL HONG KONG ’92 IN THE CITY.
IN HER OPENING SPEECH, CANADA’S SECRETARY OF STATE FOR EXTERNAL AFFAIRS, MISS BARBARA MCDOUGALL, OFFERED HER HEARTY CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL OF THE ORGANISERS FOR THE SUCCESS IN LAUNCHING THE FESTIVAL IN OTTAWA.
ALSO ADDRESSING THE OPENING CEREMONY, THE SECRETARY FOR RECREATION AND CULTURE, MR JAMES SO, SAID: "WITH SUCH CLOSE AND GROWING TIES BETWEEN OUR TWO COMMUNITIES, IT IS IMPORTANT THAT WE DO OUR BEST TO STRENGTHEN AND BUILD ON THEM FURTHER SO THAT WE CAN WORK TOGETHER TOWARDS GREATER PROSPERITY AND STABILITY OF THE ASIA-PACIFIC RIM. "
HE POINTED OUT THAT THE AIM OF THE FESTIVAL WAS TO BUILD A BRIDGE ACROSS THE PACIFIC AND, TO ACHIEVE THIS, IT WAS IMPERATIVE FOR CANADA AND HONG KONG TO HAVE A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF EACH OTHER’S LIFESTYLE.
"WE HOPE THAT BY ENABLING CANADIANS TO FEEL THE HEARTBEAT OF HONG KONG, THEY WILL BE ABLE TO HAVE A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF WHAT MAKES HONG KONG TICK," HE SAID.
AMONG THOSE ATTENDING THE CEREMONY WAS THE BRITISH HIGH COMMISSIONER TO CANADA, MR NICHOLAS BAYNE, AND THE DIRECTOR OF THE HONG KONG ECONOMIC AND TRADE OFFICE, TORONTO, MR STEPHEN LAM.
ALSO IN ATTENDANCE WAS A WORLD WAR II VETERAN, MR ALFRED S HOE, WHO TOOK PARTICULAR NOTE OF MR SO’S REFERENCE TO HONG KONG’S CLOSE AND FRIENDLY LINKS WITH CANADA, GOING BACK OVER A CENTURY.
MR HOE, FORMERLY OF NO. 3 VICKERS MACHINEGUN COY. HONG KONG VOLUNTARY DEFENCE CORPS (NOW THE VOLUNTEERS), RECALLED HOW HE HAD FOUGHT SIDE-BY-SIDE WITH THE TWO REGIMENTS OF CANADIAN SOLDIERS SENT BY THEIR GOVERNMENT TO HELP IN THE DEFENCE OF HONG KONG IN DECEMBER 1941 .
- - 0----------
/13........
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 7, 1992
13
TWO SITES IN KWAI CHUNG, SHAU KEI WAN TO LET ******
THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR THE SHORT-TERM TENANCIES ON TWO PIECES OF GOVERNMENT LAND IN KWAI CHUNG AND SHAU KEI WAN.
THE FIRST SITE IS IN AREA 26D, KWAI CHUNG AND HAS AN AREA OF ABOUT 3,325 SQUARE METRES.
IT IS INTENDED FOR A FEE-PAYING CAR PARK FOR CONTAINER TRACTORS AND TRAILERS LICENSED UNDER THE ROAD TRAFFIC ORDINANCE.
THE TENANCY IS FOR TWO YEARS AND RENEWABLE QUARTERLY
THEREAFTER.
THE OTHER PIECE OF LAND IS AT HING MAN STREET, SHAU KEI WAN.
OCCUPYING AN AREA OF ABOUT 320 SQUARE METRES, THE LAND IS DESIGNATED FOR OPEN STORAGE OF THE TENANT’S GOODS (EXCLUDING CONTAINERS AND DANGEROUS GOODS) AND/OR USE AS A COMMERCIAL GARDEN.
THE TENANCY IS FOR THREE YEARS AND RENEWABLE QUARTERLY THEREAFTER.
TENDER OFFERS WILL CLOSE AT NOON ON OCTOBER 23.
FORMS OF TENDER, TENDER NOTICES 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, 10TH FLOOR, YAU MA TEI CAR PARK BUILDING, 250 SHANGHAI STREET, KOWLOON OR THE RESPECTIVE DISTRICT LANDS OFFICES.
-----0------
267 VIETNAMESE RETURN HOME
*****
A GROUP OF 267 VIETNAMESE MIGRANTS TODAY (WEDNESDAY) RETURNED TO VIETNAM UNDER THE UNHCR’S VOLUNTARY REPATRIATION PROGRAMME.
COMPRISING 84 MEN, 64 WOMEN, 55 BOYS AND 64 GIRLS, THEY WERE THE 126TH BATCH TO GO BACK UNDER THE PROGRAMME.
THE GROUP BROUGHT TO 9,081 THE TOTAL NUMBER OF VIETNAMESE MIGRANTS WHO HAVE RETURNED VOLUNTARILY THIS YEAR, AND TO 22,960 THE TOTAL NUMBER OF RETURNEES SINCE THE PROGRAMME STARTED IN MARCH 1989.
---------0-----------
/14 ........
seei <v HsfloToo .
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 7, 1992
14
THJ 07 /-w IM 'JAMS
UNAUTHORISED BUILDING WORKS IN NORTH POINT TO BE CLOSED
******
SHT HOH 8HSGHHT DMIT.-^I 81 '■ ' ’•
0HUHO WD ®IAJ 5!MKOYC® '•
THE BUILDING AUTHORITY IS SEEKING TO CLOSE THE UNAUTHORISED BUILDING WORKS ON A BUILDING IN NORTH POINT SO THAT THEY CAN BE DEMOLISHED WITHOUT CAUSING DANGER TO THE OCCUPIERS AND THE PUBLIC.
THE UNAUTHORISED STRUCTURES ARE ON THE ROOF OVER FLAT B, SECOND FLOOR, MAY KA MANSION, 21-23 FORT STREET.
NOTICE OF INTENTION TO APPLY FOR A CLOSURE ORDER UNDER THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE FROM THE HONG KONG DISTRICT COURT ON JANUARY 7, 1993 WAS POSTED ON THE PREMISES TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
DEMOLITION WORKS ARE EXPECTED TO START AS SOON AS ORDER IS ISSUED.
THE CLOSURE
:, /19 ----0----
?/» HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS *****
$ MILLION
OPENING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT 1,300
REVERSAL OF LAF + 200
BALANCE AFTER REVERSAL OF LAF 1,500
NET INJECTION/WITHDRAWAL TODAY NIL
EFFECT OF LAF TODAY +1,000
CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT 2,500
LAF RATE 2.00 BID/4.00 OFFER TWI 110.0 *+0.1* 7.10.92
/HONG KONG .......
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 7, 1992
15
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND
EF BILLS
TERMS YIELD TERM
1 WEEK 2.46 PCT 14 MONTHS
1 MONTH 2.48 PCT 17 MONTHS
3 MONTHS 2.50 PCT 20 MONTHS
6 MONTHS 2.65 PCT 23 MONTHS
12 MONTHS 3.17 PCT
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT BONDS
ISSUE COUPON PRICE YIELD
2311 6.25 103.32 3.21
2402 5.50 102.88 3.34
2405 5.502 102.90 3.66
2408 4.375 101.01 3.84
TOTAL TURNOVER OF BILLS AND BONDS
CLOSED 7 OCTOBER 1992
- 11,158 MN
--------0 - -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN - SUPPLEMENT
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 7, 1992
ADDRESS BY THE GOVERNOR THE RT HON CHRISTOPHER PATTEN AT THE OPENING OF THE
1992/93 SESSION OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
GOVERNOR OUTLINES POLICY PRINCIPLES .................................... 1
GOVERNOR OPTIMISTIC OVER GROWTH PROSPECTS .............................. 2
GOVERNOR SETTING UP A BUSINESS COUNCIL ................................. 3
GOVT FIRMLY COMMITTED TO LINKED EXCHANGE RATE .......................... 4
TIME FOR A HK MONETARY AUTHORITY: GOVERNOR ............................. 5
IMPROVED EFFICIENCY - KEY TO CURB INFLATION: GOVERNOR .................. 5
$300M INJECTION INTO SPECIAL RETRAINING FUND............................ 6
CASH NEEDED FOR RESEARCH PROJECTS: GOVERNOR ............................ 8
BEST EDUCATION SOUGHT FOR ALL CHILDREN ................................. 8
DELAY IN NEW AIRPORT A PITY FOR HK AND CHINA: GOVERNOR ................ 10
GOVERNOR PLEDGES TO INCREASE SOCIAL WELFARE SPENDING .................. 12
MEDICAL CLINIC WAITING TIMES TO BE REDUCED ............................ 15
TARGETTING HEALTH NEEDS OF VULNERABLE GROUPS .......................... 16
HOUSING SCHEME FOR 'SANDWICH CLASS' ................................... 18
TIME TO STOP ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION .................................. 19
MORE POLICE ON STREETS TO DETER CRIME ................................. 22
AMBITIOUS PROGRAMMES THE SOCIAL DIVIDEND OF SUCCESS ................... 25
'PERFORMANCE PLEDGES' FOR CIVIL SERVANTS .............................. 26
EXCO'S ADVICE TO BE SOUGHT ON PRESS FREEDOM CONCERNS .................. 29
DIRECT ACCESS TO COMAC PROPOSED........................................ 30
LEGCO/EXCO TO BE SEPARATED............................................. 30
LEGCO PRESIDENT TO BE ELECTED.......................................... 32
OMELCO TO BE WOUND UP? ................................................ 33
WIDE-RANGING ELECTORAL PACKAGE PROPOSED ............................... 34
HK CONTRIBUTES TO A MORE PROSPEROUS CHINA: GOVERNOR ................... 37
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 7, 1992
1
GOVERNOR OUTLINES POLICY PRINCIPLES *****
THE GOVERNOR, THE RT HON CHRISTOPHER PATTEN, TODAY (WEDNESDAY) OUTLINED IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL FOUR KEY PRINCIPLES ON WHICH GOVERNMENT POLICIES WILL BE BASED.
IN HIS FIRST POLICY ADDRESS, OPENING THE 1992/93 LEGCO SESSION, MR PATTEN SAID THESE PRINCIPLES WERE:
* FIRST, WE MUST CONTINUE TO GENERATE THE ECONOMIC SUCCESS THAT HAS MADE HONG KONG ONE OF THE WONDERS OF THE WORLD: GOVERNMENT’S APPROACH TO BUSINESS WILL REMAIN ONE OF MINIMUM INTERFERENCE AND MAXIMUM SUPPORT;
* SECONDLY, WE MUST LEAVE INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES FREE TO RUN THEIR OWN LIVES, WHILE PROVIDING PROPER HELP FOR THOSE WHO -OFTEN THROUGH NO FAULT OF THEIR OWN - ARE IN GENUINE NEED;
* THIRDLY, WE MUST GUARANTEE THE RULE OF LAW, WITH AN INDEPENDENT JUDICIARY ENFORCING LAWS DEMOCRATICALLY ENACTED, AND WITH CRIME AND CORRUPTION UNDER UNREMITTING ATTACK;
* FOURTHLY, WE MUST MAKE POSSIBLE THE WIDEST DEMOCRATIC PARTICIPATION BY THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG IN THE RUNNING OF THEIR OWN AFFAIRS, WHILE REINFORCING CERTAINTY ABOUT HONG KONG’S FUTURE.
MR PATTEN SAID IF THE GOVERNMENT HELD TO THESE PRINCIPLES, HONG KONG SHOULD MAINTAIN AN ECONOMY WHICH CONTINUED TO THRIVE AND PROSPER, GENERATING THE WEALTH REQUIRED TO PROVIDE THE STANDARDS OF PUBLIC SERVICE THAT PEOPLE RIGHTLY DEMANDED.
BESIDES, THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD SECURE A COMMUNITY WHOSE FREEDOMS AND WAY OF LIFE WERE PROTECTED, AND WHOSE INSTITUTIONS WERE VIGOROUS AND EFFECTIVE, DRAWING THEIR STRENGTH FROM THEIR DEEP ROOTS WITHIN THE COMMUNITY ITSELF.
"WE SHALL HAVE A GOVERNMENT WHICH GIVES A CLEAR LEAD, AND WHICH RESPONDS PROMPTLY TO HONG KONG’S CHANGING NEEDS AND ASPIRATIONS," THE GOVERNOR SAID.
HE SAID IN A LITTLE UNDER FIVE YEARS, BRITISH ADMINISTRATION IN HONG KONG WOULD COME TO AN END.
"ONE CHAPTER WILL CLOSE; A NEW ONE WILL BEGIN. NOW IS THE TIME TO SET OUT WHAT WE WANT TO ACHIEVE OVER THE NEXT FIVE YEARS.
"NOW IS THE TIME TO BE CLEAR ABOUT THE KIND OF HONG KONG WE WANT TO SEE.
"NOW IS THE TIME TO SHOW HOW WE MEAN TO PREPARE FOR HONG KONG’S FUTURE UNDER THAT FAR-SIGHTED CONCEPT, ’ONE COUNTRY, TWO SYSTEMS’."
MR PATTEN SAID HIS GOAL WAS SIMPLY TO SAFEGUARD HONG KONG’S WAY OF LIFE.
/"THIS WAY .......
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 7, 1992
- 2 -
"THIS WAY OF LIFE NOT ONLY PRODUCES IMPRESSIVE MATERIAL AND CULTURAL BENEFITS; IT ALSO INCORPORATES VALUES THAT WE ALL CHERISH.
"OUR PROSPERITY AND STABILITY UNDERPIN OUR WAY OF LIFE."
BUT, EQUALLY, HE SAID HONG KONG’S WAY OF LIFE WAS THE FOUNDATION ON WHICH WE MUST BUILD OUR FUTURE STABILITY AND PROSPERITY. THANKS TO THIS COMBINATION, HONG KONG HAD ACHIEVED MORE THAN ANYONE COULD EVER HAVE PREDICTED.
"PRIDE IN OUR PAST AND PRESENT SHOULD HELP MAKE US CONFIDENT ABOUT OUR FUTURE," HE SAID.
---------0-----------
GOVERNOR OPTIMISTIC OVER GROWTH PROSPECTS * * * * *
DESPITE THE ECONOMIC GLOOM IN MANY OTHER PARTS OF THE WORLD, HONG KONG HAS EVERY REASON TO BE OPTIMISTIC ABOUT ITS GROWTH PROSPECTS, THE GOVERNOR, THE RT HON CHRISTOPHER PATTEN, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
DELIVERING HIS POLICY ADDRESS IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, MR PATTEN SAID HONG KONG WAS AT THE CENTRE OF ASIA AND THE PACIFIC’S RAPID DEVELOPMENT - A HISTORIC PROCESS WHICH WAS LIFTING HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS OF PEOPLE OUT OF POVERTY.
"THIS IS A ’TRADE WIND' THAT PROMISES TO SWEEP THE WHOLE REGION INTO AN ECONOMIC REVOLUTION AS GREAT AS ANY SEEN IN EUROPE OR NORTH AMERICA SINCE THE VERY START OF INDUSTRIALISATION."
MR PATTEN SAID HONG KONG’S ECONOMIC FUTURE WAS INEXTRICABLY BOUND UP WITH CHINA, AND WITH GUANGDONG PROVINCE IN PARTICULAR.
CHINA’S EXTRAORDINARY GROWTH RATES HAD HELPED TO PROTECT HONG KONG AGAINST THE RECESSIONARY CONDITIONS WHICH HAD PLAGUED MUCH OF THE WORLD ECONOMY IN RECENT YEARS.
"AS A RESULT, WE ARE PROJECTING THAT HONG KONG’S ANNUAL GDP GROWTH BETWEEN NOW AND 1997 WILL AVERAGE 5% IN REAL TERMS," HE SAID.
THE GOVERNOR ADDED.THAT HONG KONG INEVITABLY FACED DANGERS AS WELL AS GREAT OPPORTUNITIES.
"SOME ARE DANGERS WHICH WE CANNOT OURSELVES DIRECTLY CONTROL -THE OUTCOME OF THE TALKS BETWEEN THE USA AND CHINA ON MARKET ACCESS, FOR EXAMPLE, OR THE CONTROVERSY OVER THE EXTENSION OF MFN STATUS FOR CHINA.
"ON BOTH THESE ISSUES WE HAVE PUT OUR CASE WITH VIGOUR.
ULTIMATELY, THE GOVERNOR SAID, TRADE WARS BENEFITTED NOBODY AND ENDED UP HURTING EVERYBODY.
/"THEY CUT .......
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 7, 1992
3
’’THEY CUT GROWTH, DESTROY JOBS AND RAISE PRICES.”
"I HOPE THAT CHINA AND THE USA CAN SETTLE THEIR TRADE DIFFERENCES IN A WAY WHICH ENHANCES RATHER THAN DIMINISHES PROSPECTS FOR THE GLOBAL ECONOMY," HE SAID.
THE GOVERNOR SAID THE SUCCESS OF THE ECONOMY WAS CENTRAL TO ALL OUR HOPES.
"OUR PRESCRIPTION FOR PROSPERITY IS STRAIGHTFORWARD.
"WE BELIEVE THAT BUSINESSMEN NOT POLITICIANS OR OFFICIALS MAKE THE BEST COMMERCIAL DECISIONS.
"WE BELIEVE THAT LOW AND PREDICTABLE TAXES ARE THE BEST FORM OF INVESTMENT INCENTIVE.
"WE BELIEVE THAT GOVERNMENT SPENDING MUST FOLLOW NOT OUTPACE ECONOMIC GROWTH. WE BELIEVE IN COMPETITION WITHIN A SOUND, FAIR FRAMEWORK OF REGULATION AND LAW," HE SAID.
------0------------
GOVERNOR SETTING UP A BUSINESS COUNCIL
*****
THE GOVERNOR, THE RT HON CHRISTOPHER PATTEN, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY) HE IS ESTABLISHING A GOVERNOR’S BUSINESS COUNCIL AND WAS INVITING DISTINGUISHED MEMBERS OF THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY TO JOIN IT.
IN HIS POLICY ADDRESS TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, MR PATTEN SAID THE COUNCIL’S MANDATE WOULD BE TO ADVISE HIM ON:
* FIRST, HOW TO KEEP HONG KONG THE MOST BUSINESS-FRIENDLY LOCATION IN ASIA;
* SECONDLY, THE IMPACT OF GOVERNMENT POLICIES ON BUSINESS, SO AS TO MODIFY OR ABOLISH THOSE THAT STAND IN THE WAY OF PROGRESS;
* THIRDLY, HOW TO MAXIMISE THE POTENTIAL OF ALL OUR RESOURCES AND OF OUR POSITION AT THE HEART OF THE ASIAN ECONOMY; AND
* FOURTHLY, HOW BEST TO PROMOTE HONG KONG’S TRADE AND INDUSTRY, INCLUDING INWARD INVESTMENT.
MR PATTEN SAID HE WANTED TO MOBILISE THE VERY BEST TALENT AND EXPERIENCE THAT HONG KONG HAD TO OFFER TO ADVISE HIM ON HOW BEST HONG KONG COULD SUSTAIN ITS ECONOMIC GROWTH, NOW AND INTO THE NEXT CENTURY.
"DESPITE OUR TRACK RECORD OF SUSTAINED ECONOMIC GROWTH, WE CANNOT TAKE FUTURE SUCCESS FOR GRANTED," HE SAID.
HONG KONG’S POSITION WAS STRONG; BUT IT WAS NOT IMPREGNABLE.
/"I AM ........
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 7, 1992
4
"I AM ANXIOUS THAT WE SHOULD DO EVERYTHING WE CAN TO HELP - AND NOTHING TO HINDER - THE BUSINESSES ON WHOSE SUCCESS IN THE MARKETPLACE WE ALL DEPEND."
THE GOVERNOR SAID HE WOULD ASK HIS BUSINESS COUNCIL TO PUT AT THE TOP OF ITS AGENDA THE DEVELOPMENT OF A COMPREHENSIVE COMPETITION POLICY FOR HONG KONG.
"HONG KONG LIVES BY TRADE. OUR GOODS AND SERVICES MUST, THEREFORE, BE COMPETITIVE IN WORLD MARKETS."
HE SAID WE COULD NOT AFFORD TO SUBSIDISE THE INEFFICIENT OR BAIL OUT THE INCOMPETENT.
"COMPETITION IS ALSO OUR BEST DEFENCE AGAINST INFLATION. OUR BUSINESSES HAVE DEFENDED THEMSELVES AGAINST RISING PRICES BY SEARCHING FOR NEW PRODUCTION LOCATIONS, NEW SOURCES OF EFFICIENCY AND NEW MARKET OPPORTUNITIES."
HE SAID HONG KONG WAS PROUD OF ITS FREE AND COMPETITIVE MARKETS. BUT A MORE SOPHISTICATED AND PROSPEROUS COMMUNITY HAD BECOME INCREASINGLY UNWILLING TO ACCEPT UNFAIR AND DISCRIMINATORY BUSINESS PRACTICES.
THE PUBLIC HAD ALREADY BEGUN TO VOICE ALARM AT THE USE OF MARKET POWER BY SUPPLIERS IN AREAS OF SPECIAL IMPORTANCE TO THE ORDINARY FAMILY’S WELL-BEING.
IN SOME INSTANCES, HE SAID, SUCH AS FLAT SALES, SELF-REGULATION OF THE SORT ENVISAGED BY REAL ESTATE DEVELOPERS WAS PART OF THE ANSWER.
"BUT, ACROSS THE BOARD, THE GOVERNMENT WILL SEEK TO JOIN FORCES WITH THE CONSUMER COUNCIL, AS WELL AS WITH YOU, THE MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, TO DEFEND FREE MARKETS AND TO GIVE CONSUMERS THE FULL REDRESS AGAINST UNSCRUPULOUS BUSINESS PRACTICES TO WHICH THEY ARE ENTITLED."
u
GOVT FIRMLY COMMITTED TO LINKED EXCHANGE RATE *****
THE GOVERNOR, THE RT HON CHRISTOPHER PATTEN, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY) THE GOVERNMENT REMAINS FIRMLY COMMITTED TO THE LINKED EXCHANGE RATE WITH THE US DOLLAR, THE PREDOMINANT CURRENCY IN HONG KONG’S TRANSACTIONS WITH THE REST OF THE WORLD.
DELIVERING HIS POLICY SPEECH IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, MR PATTEN SAID THE POLITICAL RISKS OF TAMPERING WITH THE LINK WOULD BE ENORMOUS.
’’THE RISKS TO OUR ECONOMIC STABILITY WOULD BE EQUALLY DAUNTING. THE LINK MUST AND WILL REMAIN,” HE SAID.
/THE GOVERNOR
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 7, 1992
5
THE GOVERNOR SAID THE GOVERNMENT DID NOT MANAGE THE ECONOMY, NOR DID IT SET PRICES, FIX WAGES OR DETERMINE PROFITS.
THESE MATTERS WERE RIGHTLY LEFT TO MARKET FORCES, HE SAID.
THE GOVERNMENT HAD, HOWEVER, TRADITIONALLY ACCEPTED A SPECIAL RESPONSIBILITY FOR MAINTAINING A STABLE EXCHANGE RATE.
"THERE IS AN OBVIOUS NEED IN HONG KONG’S UNIQUE CIRCUMSTANCES TO GIVE THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY AND THE PUBLIC AT LARGE THE REASSURANCE OF A STABLE RELATIONSHIP WITH OUR PRINCIPAL EXTERNAL CURRENCY," HE SAID.
------0----------
TIME FOR A HK MONETARY AUTHORITY: GOVERNOR
* * * * *
THE TIME HAS COME TO ESTABLISH A HONG KONG MONETARY AUTHORITY WITHIN THE FRAMEWORK OF THE EXECUTIVE-LED GOVERNMENT, THE GOVERNOR, THE RT HON CHRISTOPHER PATTEN, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
IN ESSENCE, MR PATTEN SAID THE AUTHORITY WOULD BRING TOGETHER THE EXISTING OFFICE OF THE EXCHANGE FUND AND THE OFFICE OF THE COMMISSIONER OF BANKING.
IN HIS POLICY ADDRESS TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, HE SAID THESE ARRANGEMENTS WOULD ENHANCE GOVERNMENT’S ABILITY TO MAINTAIN MONETARY STABILITY IN THE YEARS TO COME, AND MAINTAIN THE DEGREE OF PROFESSIONALISM AND CONTINUITY NECESSARY TO COMMAND THE CONFIDENCE OF THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG AND THE INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL COMMUNITY.
HE SAID THE AUTHORITY WOULD BE ACCOUNTABLE TO THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY.
---------0-----------
IMPROVED EFFICIENCY - KEY TO CURB INFLATION: GOVERNOR
*****
THE GOVERNOR, THE RT HON CHRISTOPHER PATTEN, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY) THAT OUR MOST USEFUL WEAPON IN THE BATTLE AGAINST INFLATION IS IMPROVED EFFICIENCY.
IN HIS POLICY ADDRESS TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, MR PATTEN SAID HE WANTED THE GOVERNMENT TO SET A GOOD EXAMPLE:
* WE SHOULD BE VIGOROUS IN OUR SEARCH FOR SAVINGS AND IN OUR EFFORTS TO ROOT OUT WASTE AND INEFFICIENCY;
* WE SHOULD NOT ALLOW GROWTH IN PUBLIC EXPENDITURE TO EXCEED GROWTH IN THE ECONOMY;
/* WE SHOULD .......
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 7, 1992
6
* WE SHOULD, THROUGH THE NEW EFFICIENCY UNIT, WORK ENERGETICALLY TO ACHIEVE LEVELS OF EFFICIENCY IN GOVERNMENT WHICH MATCH THOSE IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR.
MR PATTEN SAID WHILE WE WERE CONSTRAINED IN OUR ABILITY TO FIGHT INFLATION, WE WERE CERTAINLY NOT POWERLESS.
"OUR INFLATION, UNLIKE THAT IN MOST PARTS OF THE WORLD, IS PART OF THE PRICE WE ARE PAYING FOR SUBSTANTIAL GROWTH.
"THAT EXPLAINS INFLATION; IT DOES NOT EXCUSE IT."
THE GOVERNOR SAID HE SHARED THE COMMUNITY’S CONCERN ABOUT THE THREAT OF DOUBLE-DIGIT INFLATION.
"AND THE HARDER WE WORK TOGETHER, WITHIN THE GOVERNMENT AND OUTSIDE IT, TO MAKE SURE THAT OUR ECONOMY IS COMPETITIVE, THE TOUGHER WE SHALL BE ON INFLATION."
AS ALWAYS, HE SAID, WE MUST KEEP INCREASES IN WAGES AND SALARIES IN LINE WITH THE HIGHER PRODUCTIVITY THAT EFFICIENCY BROUGHT.
"BUT AS LONG AS WE HAVE INFLATION, THERE MUST BE PROPER PROTECTION FOR THOSE MOST VULNERABLE TO PRICE INCREASES. THE ELDERLY. THE WIDOWED. THOSE UNABLE TO HOLD REGULAR JOBS THROUGH DISABILITY OR INFIRMITY.
"I WANT TO MAKE THIS PLAIN: WE SHALL NOT PERMIT THE VALUE OF THEIR SOCIAL SECURITY PAYMENTS TO BE GNAWED AWAY BY INFLATION," HE SAID.
------0--------
$300M INJECTION INTO SPECIAL RETRAINING FUND * * * * *
THE GOVERNMENT PROPOSES TO MAKE AN IMMEDIATE INJECTION OF $300 MILLION INTO A SPECIAL RETRAINING FUND FOR WORKERS, OVER AND ABOVE THE INCOME FROM THE LEVY PAID BY EMPLOYERS FOR PERMISSION TO IMPORT WORKERS.
THAT INJECTION, BY ITSELF, SHOULD BE ABLE TO RETRAIN MORE THAN 15,000 WORKERS OVER THE NEXT TWO TO THREE YEARS: MORE THAN DOUBLE THE NUMBER ORIGINALLY PLANNED.
THIS WAS' STATED BY THE GOVERNOR, THE RT HON CHRISTOPHER PATTEN, IN HIS POLICY SPEECH IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
"I HOPE EMPLOYERS WILL MAKE FULL USE OF THOSE WHO HAVE ACQUIRED NEW SKILLS THROUGH THIS PROGRAMME," HE SAID.
MR PATTEN SAID THE RELEVANT BILL FOR THE SPECIAL FUND WAS BEING EXAMINED BY THE LEGCO.
"WE ARE DETERMINED TO MAKE A SUCCESS OF THIS SCHEME," HE SAID.
/"WE MUST .......
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 7, 1992
7
"WE MUST NOT LET OUR WORKERS BE MAROONED BY THE DECLINE OF ESTABLISHED INDUSTRIES OR BECOME THE CASUALTIES OF TECHNOLOGICAL AND ECONOMIC- REVOLUTIONS."
HE SAID THE GOVERNMENT HAD MADE A START WITH AN EMPLOYEE RETRAINING SCHEME SPECIFICALLY DESIGNED TO HELP WORKERS GAIN NEW SKILLS.
HONG KONG’S WORKFORCE WAS GROWING FAR MORE SLOWLY THAN THE ECONOMY ITSELF - FEW OTHER ECONOMIES SHARED THAT PROBLEM, HE SAID.
SINCE 1986, THE WORKING POPULATION HAD RISEN BY LESS THAN 1% \
YEAR.
THE NUMBER OF YOUNGSTERS FINISHING THEIR EDUCATION AND TAKING UP WORK HAD ACTUALLY DECLINED BY 20% IN THE PAST FIVE YEARS.
THIS PUT VERY SERIOUS PRESSURE ON HONG KONG’S MANPOWER RESOURCES, MR PATTEN SAID. »
HE SAID THE SHORTAGE HAD BEEN EASED SOMEWHAT BY. LOOKING ABROAD FOR ADDITIONAL WORKERS.
THE GOVERNMENTS HAD APPROVED THE EMPLOYMENT OF NEARLY 25,000 FOREIGN WORKERS UNDER THE GENERAL LABOUR IMPORTATION SCHEME.
"AND WE MUST CONTINUE TO MAKE GOOD THE SHORTFALLS IN PARTICULAR OCCUPATIONS AND PROFESSIONS BY IMPORTING TALENT AND SKILLS FROM ELSEWHERE WITHOUT DAMAGING THE WELL-BEING OF HONG KONG’S OWN WORKERS."
THE GOVERNOR ALSO STRESSED THAT THERE MUST BE NO ABUSES IN THE LABOUR MARKET.
TO MAKE THIS MESSAGE CLEAR, THE GOVERNMENT INTENDED TO INTRODUCE NEW MEASURES TO HIT OUT AT THOSE WHO TRIED TO PROFIT FROM ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS AND AT THOSE WHO EMPLOYED THEM.
"WE MUST TACKLE THE ROOT OF THIS PROBLEM, ESPECIALLY ON CONSTRUCTION SITES.”
HE SAID MANY GOOD EMPLOYERS, INCLUDING PRINCIPAL CONTRACTORS, AND THE UNIONS HAD PROPOSED A NUMBER OF IMAGINATIVE DETERRENTS, INCLUDING A REQUIREMENT FOR WORKERS TO DISPLAY THEIR IDENTITY CARDS AT ALL TIMES, POSSIBLY ON THEIR'SAFETY HELMETS.
"WE WILL BE FOLLOWING UP THIS AND OTHER PROPOSALS WITH VIGOUR," HE SAID.
/8 ........
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 7, 1992
8
CASH NEEDED FOR RESEARCH PROJECTS: GOVERNOR
*****
THE GOVERNMENT WILL HAVE TO PROVIDE THE TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS WITH THE CASH THEY NEED TO ENCOURAGE THEIR STAFF AND GRADUATE STUDENTS TO UNDERTAKE RESEARCH PROJECTS, THE GOVERNOR, THE RT HON CHRISTOPHER PATTEN, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
IN HIS POLICY SPEECH TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, MR PATTEN SAID THE UNIVERSITY AND POLYTECHNIC GRANTS COMMITTEE, THROUGH THE RESEARCH GRANTS COUNCIL, ALREADY AI.LOCATED FUNDS FOR THIS PURPOSE.
MR PATTEN SAID THESE WOULD BE INCREASED FROM $122 MILLION THIS YEAR TO $144 MILLION NEXT YEAR, AND TO ABOUT $180 MILLION IN 1994/95 -A REAL INCREASE OF OVER 20% A YEAR.
"THE NEED FOR FURTHER INCREASES BEYOND 1994/95 WILL CONSIDERED SYMPATHETICALLY IN THE CONTEXT OF THE FUNDING REQUIREMENT FOR THE TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS FOR THE 1995-98 TRIENNIUM," HE SAID.
THE RAPID EXPANSION OF TERTIARY EDUCATION HAD PROVIDED HONG KONG WITH A NEW POOL OF HIGHLY-TRAINED TALENT.
"WE MUST USE THEIR EXPERTISE TO BRIDGE A MAJOR GAP IN HONG KONG’S INFRASTRUCTURE: OUR ABILITY TO DEVELOP AND ADAPT NEW TECHNOLOGY."
"WE CANOT EXPECT TO ACHIEVE THIS GOAL ON THE CHEAP," HE SAID.
THE GOVERNOR SAID THESE PUBLIC FUNDS SHOULD BE REGARDED AS SEED MONEY.
"WE EXPECT THE PRIVATE SECTOR TO PLAY ITS PART."
AS HONG KONG’S ACADEMICS ESTABLISHED A REPUTATION FOR. EXCELLENCE IN RESEARCH AS WELL AS IN TEACHING, THEY WOULD BE WELL PLACED TO ATTRACT COMMERCIAL SUPPORT FOR THEIR PROJECTS.
SO THE SUPPLY OF QUALIFIED ACADEMICS WOULD INCREASE AT A TIME WHEN THE TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS WERE LOOKING TO RECRUIT AN ADDITIONAL 2,000 TEACHERS IN THE NEXT THREE YEARS.
0
------------o-----------------
BEST EDUCATION SOUGHT FOR ALL CHILDREN *****
THE GOVERNMENT WANTS, AND WILL WORK FOR, THE BEST EDUCATION FOR ALL THE CHILDREN OF HONG KONG.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE GOVERNOR, THE RT HON CHRISTOPHER PATTEN, IN HIS POLICY SPEECH IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MR PATTEN SAID AN ENORMOUS AMOUNT HAD BEEN DONE OVER THE PAST TWO DECADES TO EXPAND EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES.
/•’THIS WILL........ .
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 7, 1992
9
"THIS WILL CONTINUE. BETWEEN NOW AND 1997, WE PLAN TO INCREASE RECURRENT SPENDING ON EDUCATION BY 15.8% IN REAL TERMS."
HE SAID THESE ADDITIONAL RESOURCES WOULD ENABLE THE GOVERNMENT TO CONTINUE THE PLANS FOR THE DRAMATIC EXPANSION OF TERTIARY EDUCATION WHICH WERE STARTED IN 1989 BY HIS DISTINGUISHED PREDECESSOR, LORD WILSON.
BUT THIS INCREASE IN QUANTITY AT THE TOP MUST BE MATCHED BY AN INCREASE IN QUALITY AT THE EARLIER LEVELS.
RAISING STANDARDS IN PRIMARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOLS MUST NOW BE THE TOP PRIORITY, HE SAID.
THE LAST TWO REPORTS OF THE EDUCATION COMMISSION PROVIDED CLEAR AND POSITIVE ADVICE ON HOW THIS COULD BE ACHIEVED.
MR PATTEN SAID THE SINGLE MOST IMPORTANT STEP MUST BE TO MAKE IT POSSIBLE FOR THE HARD-PRESSED TEACHERS TO PAY MORE ATTENTION TO THE NEEDS OF THE INDIVIDUAL CHILD.
"WE ALL KNOW THAT, WHATEVER ELSE THEY ARE, CHILDREN ARE FIRST AND FOREMOST INDIVIDUALS.
"THEY DO NOT ALL LEARN AT THE SAME SPEED. SOME ARE BETTER AT READING THAN AT MATHS. SOME ARE BETTER AT DAY-DREAMING THAN EITHER. SOME ARE BUDDING EINSTEINS FROM THEIR FIRST DAY IN THE CLASSROOM," HE SAID.
OUR EDUCATION SYSTEM MUST BRING OUT THE VERY BEST IN ALL OF THEM. TO DO THAT, TEACHERS - WITH BETTER TRAINING AND MORE RESOURCES - MUST HAVE THE TIME TO SPUR ON THE ABLE AND TO ENCOURAGE THE LESS ABLE.
"THE BRIGHTEST CHILDREN MUST BE FREE TO EXCEL; THE LESS BRIGHT MUST BE GIVEN EVERY OPPORTUNITY AND SUPPORT," HE SAID.
ON CLASSROOM QUALITY, MR PATTEN SAID WE MUST RECOGNISE THAT TEACHERS, TOO OFTEN, HAD TO TEACH TOO MANY PERIODS AND TOO MANY PUPILS.
TO HELP TEACHERS RAISE STANDARDS:
* "FIRST, WE SHALL PROVIDE MORE TEACHERS FOR ALL STANDARD-SIZE SCHOOLS - UP TO THREE MORE IN EACH PRIMARY SCHOOL, ONE A YEAR FROM SEPTEMBER 1993; AND UP TO TWO MORE IN EACH SECONDARY SCHOOL, ONE A YEAR FROM 1994;
* "SECONDLY, WE SHALL REDUCE THE SIZE OF SCHOOL CLASSES TO 35 PUPILS EACH, STARTING IN SEPTEMBER 1993 WITH PRIMARY ONE, AND EXTENDING IT TO HIGHER LEVELS A YEAR AT A TIME;
* "THIRDLY, WE SHALL ENSURE THAT, WHEREVER POSSIBLE, ALL NEW PRIMARY SCHOOLS OPERATE ON A WHOLE-DAY BASIS FROM SEPTEMBER 1993 - IN ADDITION TO THE 39 EXISTING BISESSIONAL SCHOOLS
WHICH ARE ALREADY DUE TO BECOME WHOLE-DAY OVER THE NEXT FIVE YEARS."
/AS A........
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 7, 1992
10
AS A RESULT OF THESE MEASURES, MR PATTEN SAID THERE WOULD BE ABOUT 780 ADDITIONAL TEACHERS NEXT YEAR AND A FURTHER 1,420 BY 1997.
THIS INCREASE WOULD REDUCE THE RATIO OF PUPILS TO TEACHERS:
- FROM 27 TO 24 IN PRIMARY SCHOOLS, AND
- FROM 22 TO 20 IN SECONDARY SCHOOLS,
BETWEEN NOW AND 1997.
TO IMPROVE TEACHERS TRAINING AND EDUCATION, MR PATTEN SAID THE
GOVERNMENT WOULD SET UP A PROVISIONAL GOVERNING COUNCIL FOR THE
PROPOSED NEW INSTITUTE OF EDUCATION AND MAKE OTHER INTERIM IMPROVEMENTS AS SOON AS POSSIBLE IN THE NEW YEAR.
HE SAID THE COUNCIL WOULD BE GIVEN THE TASK OF PLANNING THE INSTITUTE’S DEVELOPMENT INTO AN INDEPENDENT BODY OFFERING CERTIFICATE AND, IN DUE COURSE, DEGREE QUALIFICATIONS.
"AND WE WILL ENCOURAGE THE TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS TO DEVELOP COURSES TO ENABLE SERVING TEACHERS TO UPGRADE THEIR QUALIFICATIONS," HE SAID.
THE OPEN LEARNING INSTITUTE HAD A MAJOR CONTRIBUTION TO MAKE TO THIS PROCESS, AND THE GOVERNMENT PROPOSED TO PROVIDE A CAPITAL GRANT OF $150 MILLION TO HELP IT ACQUIRE ITS OWN BUILDING.
"WE SHALL ALSO BE TAKING STEPS TO INCREASE THE QUALIFIED TEACHERS IN KINDERGARTENS BY IMPROVING THE SCHEME," HE ADDED.
PROPORTION OF FEE REMISSION
- - 0 - -
DELAY IN NEW AIRPORT A PITY FOR HK AND CHINA: GOVERNOR *****
ANY DELAY IN THE COMPLETION OF THE NEW AIRPORT WOULD BE A GREAT PITY FOR HONG KONG AND FOR CHINA, THE GOVERNOR, THE RT HON CHRISTOPHER PATTEN, SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
IN HIS POLICY ADDRESS, MR PATTEN SAID HE VERY MUCH HOPED THAT WE SHOULD BE ABLE TO RESOLVE THE LATEST DIFFICULTIES IN SHORT ORDER.
"I WILL WORK MY HARDEST TO DO SO," HE SAID.
"IF IN THE EVENT WE CANNOT ACHIEVE THE BREAK-THROUGH WE NEED, AND IF BECAUSE OF THAT THE TIMETABLE SLIPS, THE COSTS RISE AND I HAVE TO FLY OUT OF KAI TAK OR LEAVE ON THE LADY MAURINE, IT WILL NOT BE FOR WANT OF EFFORT OR INGENUITY IN SEEKING OUT A TIMELY SOLUTION," HE SAID.
"I REMAIN CONVINCED THAT IF WE DISCUSS THE AIRPORT ON ITS MERITS, THEN OUR VERY ABLE NEGOTIATORS ON BOTH SIDES COULD SORT THINGS OUT IN A MORNING, PERHAPS EVEN WITH A BREAK FOR COFFEE."
/THE GOVERNOR .......
11
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 7, 1992
THE GOVERNOR SAID THE AIRPORT WOULD CONFIRM HONG KONG'S POSITION AT THE CROSSROADS OF ASIA.
FROM TIME TO TIME, HE SAID HE HAD HEARD IT SAID THAT HONG KONG DID NOT REALLY NEED A NEW AIRPORT.
TO THOSE WHO ENTERTAIN SUCH DOUBTS, HE WOULD SAY:
- IF HONG KONG IS TO CONTINUE AS ASIA’S PREMIER BUSINESS CITY, WE NEED A NEW AIRPORT;
- IF HONG KONG IS TO CONTINUE TO EXPAND ECONOMICALLY WHEN KAI TAK REACHES CAPACITY BY 1995, WE NEED A NEW AIRPORT;
- IF WE ARE TO WELCOME MORE VISITORS TO HONG KONG AFTER KAI TAK HAS REACHED CAPACITY, THEN WE NEED A NEW AIRPORT;
- IF WE ARE TO RELIEVE THE LONG-SUFFERING RESIDENTS OF KOWLOON WHO HAVE AIRCRAFT FLYING IN AND OUT OF THEIR LAUNDRY ALL DAY, THEN WE NEED A NEW AIRPORT;
- IF WE ARE TO REMAIN AN INTERNATIONAL AND REGIONAL CENTRE OF AVIATION, AS PROMISED IN THE JOINT DECLARATION, THEN WE NEED A NEW AIRPORT;
- AND THE NEW AIRPORT AND ITS RELATED PROJECTS WILL OPEN UP A THOUSAND HECTARES OF LAND FOR DEVELOPMENT - A DEVELOPMENT BOOM THAT COULD ADD 1% TO OUR ANNUAL GDP GROWTH.
MR PATTEN SAID THE CASE FOR A NEW AIRPORT WAS OVERWHELMING.
"IT WILL BE AN AIRPORT, NOT FOR BRITAIN, BUT FOR HONG KONG AND FOR SOUTHERN CHINA. IT DESERVES TO BE BUILT. AND IT WILL BE BUIL'i EVERYONE KNOWS THAT," HE SAID.
HE SAID THE GOVERNMENT HAD SET OUT ITS PLANS AND SPELT THEM OUT IN DETAIL.
"WE HAVE EXPLAINED HOW WE WILL FINANCE THEM. WE HAVE EXPLAINED TOO THAT THE AIRPORT WILL NOT BE FINANCED AT THE EXPENSE OF KEY SOCIAL PROGRAMMES: AS YOU WILL REALISE FROM THIS SPEECH, WE HAVE BEEN AS GOOD AS OUR WORD ON THIS."
TOGETHER THE AIRPORT AUTHORITY AND MTRC WOULD RAISE LOANS ON WORLD MARKETS IN ORDER TO RELIEVE THE BURDEN ON PUBLIC FUNDS.
HE SAID IT WAS NOT WITHOUT GOOD REASON THAT THE MTRC HAD EARNED ITSELF A WORLDWIDE REPUTATION AS A RESPONSIBLE BORROWER WITH A STRONG CREDIT RATING.
"IN HONG KONG, WE KNOW A THING OR TWO ABOUT THESE MATTERS. WE WILL PLOUGH THE FRUITS OF DEVELOPMENT BACK INTO CONSTRUCTION OF THE PROJECTS THEMSELVES.
"AND WE SHALL BE DRAWING ON OUR OWN CONSIDERABLE EXPERIENCE IN COMPLETING SUCH PROJECTS ON TIME AND IN THE MOST COST-EFFECTIVE MANNER POSSIBLE."
/THE GOVERNOR .......
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 7, 1992
THE GOVERNOR SAID A SPECIAL FEATURE OF THE HONG KONG SUCCESS STORY WAS THE PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT AND THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY TO PROVIDE AND DEVELOP HONG KONG’S INFRASTRUCTURE.
"EVERYWHERE I GO I SEE THE FRUITS OF THIS PARTNERSHIP - FROM NEW INDUSTRY TO NEW HOSPITALS, FROM THE TOLO HIGHWAY TO THE ISLAND EASTERN CORRIDOR.
"EVERYWHERE I GO I SEE PROJECTS BUILT, IN TRUE HONG KONG STYLE, WITHIN COST AND ON, OR AHEAD OF, TIME. AND OF COURSE THERE ARE TIL! NEW TOWNS, STAGGERING ACHIEVEMENTS IN THEIR OWN RIGHT."
HE SAID THE GOVERNMENT WOULD CONTINUE TO BUILD FOR THE FUTURE.
"THE GOVERNMENT ALONE PLANS TO SPEND SOME $78 BILLION OVER THE NEXT FIVE YEARS - GETTING ON FOR HALF AS MUCH AGAIN AS WE SPENT OVER THE PREVIOUS FIVE, AND AN ASTONISHING $1.8 MILLION DOLLARS AN HOUR.
"AND THAT IS IN ADDITION TO OUR CONTRIBUTION TO THE AIRPORT CORE PROJECTS.
"AMONGST OTHER THINGS, THIS MONEY WILL PAY FOR A NEW INFIRMARY AT TAI PO, THE RECLAMATION'OF 69 HECTARES OF LAND AT TSEUNG KWAN 0 FOR HOUSING AND COMMUNITY FACILITIES, MAJOR DRAINAGE IMPROVEMENTS IN THE NORTH-WEST NEW TERRITORIES, AND THE RECLAMATION OF 55 HECTARES OF LAND IN TUEN MUN FOR SPECIAL INDUSTRIES."
MR PATTEN SAID THESE PROJECTS MIGHT NOT SOUND AS GLAMOROUS AND EXCITING AS THE NEW AIRPORT, BUT THEY WERE VITAL COMPONENTS IN THE GOVERNMENT’S PROGRAMME TO UPGRADE THE QUALITY OF LIFE IN OUR COMMUNITY.
------0-------
GOVERNOR PLEDGES TO INCREASE SOCIAL WELFARE SPENDING
*****
THE GOVERNOR, THE RT HON CHRISTOPHER PATTEN, TODAY (WEDNESDAY) PLEDGED THAT BETWEEN NOW AND 1997, THE GOVERNMENT WOULD INCREASE ITS RECURRENT SPENDING ON SOCIAL WELFARE BY 26% IN REAL TERMS, SUBJECT TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL’S APPROVAL.
IN HIS POLICY ADDRESS TO LEGCO, MR PATTEN SAID WITH THIS EXTRA MONEY, WE COULD MOVE AHEAD QUICKLY TO ACHIEVE TARGETS WHICH MEET Till COMMUNITY’S NEEDS IN REHABILITATION, SOCIAL WELFARE AND SOCIAL SECURITY•
”WE WILL UPDATE THE TARGETS REGULARLY TO ENSURE THAT THEY MATCH THE CHANGING NEEDS AND CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE VARIOUS GROUPS OF CLIENTS," HE SAID.
/TO REMOVE .......
9
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 7, 1992
13
TO REMOVE ALL ANXIETY ABOUT FUNDING, MR PATTEN SAID THE GOVERNMENT WOULD PUT BEFORE THE LEGCO SPECIAL ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE SECURE FUNDING OF A MAJOR IMPROVEMENT IN THE GOVERNMENT’S WELFARE SERVICES BETWEEN NOW AND 1997.
THE GOVERNMENT WOULD MAKE AN IMMEDIATE CAPITAL INJECTION INTO THE LOTTERIES FUND OF $2.3 BILLION, HF SAID.
HONG KONG IS A THRIVING TERRITORY. THAT IS WHAT HARD WORK HAS ACHIEVED. BUT IT IS NOT WITHOUT ITS DARKER SIDE.
’’EVEN IN THE MIDST OF PROSPERITY, SOME MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY SUFFER FROM POVERTY AND DEPRIVATION,' HE SAID.
THE GOVERNOR SAID IT WAS OUR DUTY TO USE A PROPER SHARE OF THE WEALTH WE GENERATED TO ENSURE THAT THEY WERE NOT FORGOTTEN, AND HAD THE EDUCATION, THE SKILLS AND THE ASSISTANCE THEY NEEDED TO COPE WITH CHANGE.
"HONG KONG IS NOT A WELFARE STATE, BUT WE ARE A SOCIETY THAT CARES DEEPLY ABOUT THE STATE OF WELFARE."
HE SAID WELFARE SERVICES MUST BE MORE THAN JUST A SAFETY NET THAT ALLOWED THE FORTUNATE MAJORITY TO ENJOY ITS PROSPERITY WITH AN EASY CONSCIENCE.
HE SAID HONG KONG COULD TAKE PRIDE IN THE WAY IT HAD IMPROVED ITS WELFARE SERVICES IN BOTH SCOPE AND QUALITY OVER THE LAST DECADE.
BUT MUCH REMAINED TO BE DONE TO HONOUR OUR OBLIGATIONS TO THE DEPRIVED AND THE DISABLED.
ON THE REHABILITATION PROGRAMME, THE GOVERNOR CONFIRMED THAT THE NECESSARY FUNDS WOULD BE MADE AVAILABLE TO MEET THE KEY TARGETS SET OUT IN THE GREEN PAPER ON REHABILITATION.
HE SAID AN ADDITIONAL 3,930 RESIDENTIAL PLACES WOULD BE PROVIDED FOR THE MENTALLY HANDICAPPED, THE PHYSICALLY DISABLED AND THOSE WHO HAD SUFFERED FROM MENTAL ILLNESS.
MR PATTEN SAID THIS WAS AN INCREASE OF JUST OVER 100%. AS A RESULT, THERE SHOULD BE ENOUGH RESIDENTIAL PLACES FOR ALL WHO NEEDED THEM BY 1997.
HE SAID THE DEMAND FOR DAY SERVICES FOR THE MENTALLY HANDICAPPED WOULD ALSO BE MET IN FULL.
THE MENTALLY HANDICAPPED WOULD HAVE AN ADDITIONAL 2,110 PLACES IN SHELTERED WORKSHOPS AND AN EXTRA 1,650 PLACES IN DAY ACTIVITY CENTRES, HE SAID.
WITH THIS EXPANSION, THERE SHOULD NO LONGER BE ANY NEED, OR ANY EXCUSE, FOR THE MENTALLY HANDICAPPED TO BE LEFT TO LANGUISH AT HOME.
ON SOCIAL WELFARE SERVICES, MR PATTEN SAID THE GOVERNMENT MUST ALSO END THE UNCERTAINTY ABOUT ITS COMMITMENT TO THE GOALS SET BY LAST YEAR’S WHITE PAPER ON SOCIAL WELFARE.
/HE SAID .......
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 7, 1995
- ' 14
HE SAID HE WAS DETERMINED THAT THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD ACHIEVE ALL THE KEY TARGETS FOR 1997.
HE SPELT OUT WHAT THIS SHOULD MEAN FOR THE PEOPLE CONCERNED:
* THE ELDERLY WILL RECEIVE A SPECIAL PRIORITY. WE WILL
PROVIDE THEM WITH AN ADDITIONAL 5,000 PLACES IN CARE AND ATTENTION HOMES AND HOMES FOR THE AGED. WE WILL ALSO ESTABLISH 14 MORE MULTI-SERVICE CENTRES AND 70 SOCIAL CENTRES.
* FOR CHILDREN, WE WILL PROVIDE AN ADDITIONAL 5,600 NURSERY PLACES; AN EXTRA 1,200 DAY RECHE PLACES; 200 MORE FOSTER CARE PLACES; AN ADDITIONAL 45 SMALL GROUP HOMES; AND AN EXTRA 60 SCHOOL SOCIAL WORKERS.
* WE WILL ALSO PROVIDE AN ADDITIONAL 44 HOME HELP TEAMS.
"THESE IMPORTANT MEASURES WILL DO MUCH TO ENHANCE THE QUALITY OF LIFE FOR MANY OF OUR FELLOW CITIZENS AND THEIR FAMILIES," HE SAID.
MR PATTEN SAID THE GOVERNMENT WOULD ALSO UNDERTAKE A THOROUGH OVERHAUL OF THE SOCIAL SECURITY SYSTEM.
"WE WILL INTRODUCE A COMPREHENSIVE SOCIAL SECURITY ASSISTANCE SCHEME TO IMPROVE MEANS-TESTED BENEFITS.
"THIS PACKAGE WILL PROVIDE, AS A CONSOLIDATED SUM, INCOME SUPPORT FOR THE SPECIAL NEEDS OF PARTICULAR GROUPS."
IN ADDITION, THE GOVERNMENT WOULD CONTINUE TO PROVIDE BENEFITS IN THE FORM OF A SOCIAL SECURITY ALLOWANCE FOR THOSE WHO WERE ELDERLY OR DISABLED BUT WHO WOULD NOT RECEIVE THE NEW MEANS-TESTED COMPREHENSIVE SOCIAL SECURITY PAYMENTS.
"AND I CAN ASSURE THEM THAT THEIR LEVEL OF BENEFITS WILL BE MAINTAINED UNDER THE NEW ARRANGEMENTS."
HE SAID BASIC RATES UNDER THE EXISTING PUBLIC ASSISTANCE SCHEME RANGED BETWEEN $600 A MONTH FOR AN INDIVIDUAL IN A FAMILY TO $B25 A MONTH FOR A SINGLE PERSON LIVING ALONE.
THESE CREATED ANOMALIES AND UNFAIR DIFFERENCES IN LEVELS OF EXISTING PAYMENTS.
THE NEW COMPREHENSIVE SOCIAL SECURITY ASSISTANCE SCHEME, HE SAID, WOULD REMOVE THESE DEFECTS.
"THE NEW SCHEME WILL ENSURE THAT THOSE MOST IN NEED WILL BE BETTER OFF," HE SAID.
THE GOVERNOR ALSO HOPED THAT LEGCO MEMBERS WOULD APPROVE THE FUNDING FOR AN EASING OF RESTRICTIONS ON THE ABILITY OF BENEFICIARIES TO RECEIVE SOCIAL SECURITY PAYMENTS OUTSIDE HONG KONG.
/THE CURRENT ......
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 7, 1992
15
THE CURRENT RULE, ALLOWING 45 DAYS ABSENCE FROM THE TERRITORY FOR PUBLIC ASSISTANCE RECIPIENTS AND 119 DAYS ABSENCE FOR SPECIAL NEEDS ALLOWANCE RECIPIENTS BEFORE BENEFITS WERE SUSPENDED, WOULD BE CHANGED TO 180 DAYS FOR ALL ELDERLY AND DISABLED RECIPIENTS.
"AS A RESULT, OUR ELDERLY PEOPLE WHO WANT TO SPEND MORE TIME WITH THEIR RELATIVES IN SOUTHERN CHINA, FOR EXAMPLE, WILL BE ABLE TO DO SO MORE EASILY THAN IN THE PAST," HE SAID.
MR PATTEN SAID THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE AND THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE WOULD PROVIDE LEGCO MEMBERS WITH FULL DETAILS OF THE IMPROVEMENTS TO THE SOCIAL SECURITY SYSTEM ON SATURDAY.
THERE WOULD BE CONSIDERABLE ADMINISTRATIVE PREPARATIONS TO COMPLETE. NEVERTHELESS, HE SAID HE HAD INSTRUCTED THAT THE NEW ARRANGEMENTS SHOULD COME INTO EFFECT FROM JULY 1, NEXT YEAR, SUBJECT, OF COURSE, TO THE LEGCO’S APPROVAL OF THE FUNDING.
------0-------
MEDICAL CLINIC WAITING TIMES TO BE REDUCED
*****
THE GOVERNMENT PLANS TO PROVIDE MORE MEDICAL FACILITIES AND AT THE SAME TIME IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF SERVICE FOR PATIENTS, ESPECIALLY IN REDUCING WAITING TIMES AT CLINICS, THE GOVERNOR, THE RT HON CHRISTOPHER PATTEN, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
"NO ONE SHOULD DOUBT THE GOVERNMENT’S COMMITMENT TO GO ON IMPROVING THE QUALITY OF THE MEDICAL SERVICES AVAILABLE TO ALL SECTIONS OF THE COMMUNITY," MR PATTEN SAID IN HIS POLICY ADDRESS TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
HE SAID: "IN THE NEXT FINANCIAL YEAR, SUBJECT TO THIS COUNCIL’S APPROVAL, WE SHALL INCREASE THE FUNDS AVAILABLE TO THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH BY 4% IN REAL TERMS. THE HOSPITAL AUTHORITY WILL RECEIVE CLOSE TO 8% EXTRA.
"BETWEEN NOW AND 1997, WE PLAN TO RAISE RECURRENT SPENDING ON HEALTH CARE, INCLUDING HOSPITAL SERVICES, BY 22% IN REAL TERMS.
"THESE ADDITIONAL RESOURCES WILL ENABLE US TO PROVIDE AN ADDITIONAL 4,200 HOSPITAL BEDS, TO OPEN 13 NEW CLINICS AND TO EXPAND 11 EXISTING CLINICS."
MR PATTEN SAID WHILE THIS AMOUNTED TO A REAL AND SUSTAINED COMMITMENT TO IMPROVING OUR GENERAL HEALTH CARE SERVICES, THE GOVERNMENT MUST DO MORE THAN SIMPLY INCREASE THE QUANTITY OF THE SERVICES AVAILABLE.
"WE MUST ALSO RAISE THE QUALITY OF SERVICE WE OFFER OUR PATIENTS. WE INTEND TO START WITH PATIENT CARE.
/"THE FIRST .......
16
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 7, 1992
"THE FIRST MAJOR IMPROVEMENT IS TO MAKE SURE THAT PATIENTS DO NOT HAVE TO WAIT AN EXCESSIVE LENGTH OF TIME FOR TREATMENT, PARTICULARLY IN EMERGENCY CASES.
"NEXT YEAR, WE AIM TO REDUCE THE AVERAGE WAITING TIME FOR ACCIDENT AND EMERGENCY CASES IN PUBLIC HOSPITALS FROM ONE HOUR AT PRESENT TO LESS THAN 30 MINUTES.
"WE WILL ALSO CUT THE WAITING TIME AT GENERAL CLINICS FOR 300,000 PATIENTS SUFFERING FROM CHRONIC DISEASES BY GIVING THEM ADVANCE APPOINTMENTS.
"WHERE WE CANNOT ELIMINATE THE NEED TO WAIT, WE CAN AT LEAST MAKE THE EXPERIENCE MORE COMFORTABLE BY INSTALLING AIR-CONDITIONERS IN WAITING ROOMS, AND BY PROVIDING DRINKING FOUNTAINS AND BETTER EQUIPPED AND CLEANER TOILETS."
MR PATTEN ALSO SAID DOCTORS MUST HAVE ACCESS TO ACCURATE AND RELIABLE INFORMATION ON THEIR PATIENTS.
"MEDICAL RECORDS WILL BE STANDARDISED IN GENERAL CLINICS. WITHOUT THIS BASIC INFORMATION, WE CANNOT HOPE TO ACHIEVE HIGHER STANDARDS AND ENSURE CONTINUITY OF CARE.
"AND PATIENTS NEED TO KNOW WHAT MEDICINES HAVE BEEN PRESCRIBED IF THEY ARE TO TAKE AN ACTIVE PART IN MANAGING THEIR OWN TREATMENT. ALL DRUGS PRESCRIBED AT GENERAL CLINICS ARE NOW LABELLED.
"THE NEXT STEP WILL BE TO EXTEND DRUG LABELLING TO ALL PUBLIC HOSPITALS AND SPECIALIST CLINICS," HE SAID.
MR PATTEN SAID THESE MEASURES MIGHT NOT SOUND DRAMATIC BY THEMSELVES, BUT, OVERALL, THEY WOULD BRING ABOUT A MARKED AND VISIBLE IMPROVEMENT.
"THEY REFLECT OUR DETERMINATION TO INTRODUCE A MORE RESPONSIVE AND EFFICIENT SERVICE THROUGHOUT OUR HEALTH CARE SYSTEM.
"THEY ALSO DEMONSTRATE THE STYLE OF MANAGEMENT WHICH THE NEW HOSPITAL AUTHORITY IS SEEKING TO DEVELOP," HE ADDED.
--------0-----------
TARGETTING HEALTH NEEDS OF VULNERABLE GROUPS
*****
NEW TARGETS NEED TO BE SET TO MEET THE SPECIAL HEALTH NEEDS OF SPECIFIC GROUPS WHO ARE PARTICULARLY VULNERABLE, WITH THE FOCUS BEING ON EARLY DETECTION AND TREATMENT.
IN ADDITION, MORE WILL BE DONE IN PROVIDING FOR THE EFFECTIVE AND HUMANE TREATMENT OF MENTAL ILLNESS.
THE GOVERNOR, THE RT HON CHRISTOPHER PATTEN, SAID THIS IN HIS POLICY ADDRESS TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
/"WE MUST .......
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 7, 1992
"WE MUST PROVIDE THE BEST POSSIBLE TREATMENT FOR THOSE WHO FALL ILL. BUT IT IS MUCH BETTER TO HELP THEM AVOID FALLING ILL IN THE FIRST PLACE," MR PATTEN SAID.
HE SAID BETWEEN NOW AND 1997 THE GOVERNMENT WILL:
* ESTABLISH SEVEN HEALTH CENTRES FOR THE ELDERLY TO PROVIDE SCREENING AND OTHER PRIMARY HEALTH CARE SERVICES FOR 700,000 PEOPLE AGED 65 AND ABOVE;
* ESTABLISH THREE "WELL-WOMAN" CLINICS TO PROVIDE PRIMARY HEALTH CARE, INCLUDING GYNAECOLOGICAL EXAMINATIONS AND SCREENING, TO WOMEN, ESPECIALLY SOME 320,000 AGED 45 AND ABOVE.
IN MAKING A PLEDGE ON TREATING MENTAL ILLNESS, MR PATTEN SAID SUCH PATIENTS WERE, THROUGHOUT THE WORLD, TOO OFTEN NEGLECTED OR ABANDONED.
HE SAID: "MENTAL ILLNESS IS A MARKED FEATURE OF URBAN LIFE IN THIS CENTURY. IN HONG KONG WE MUST TRY TO DO BETTER FOR THIS VULNERABLE GROUP OF OUR FELLOW CITIZENS.
"THE DOCTORS AND NURSES WHO HAVE MADE IT THEIR VOCATION TO SERVE THE MENTALLY ILL, TOGETHER WITH THE PATIENTS THEMSELVES AND THEIR FAMILIES, MUST BE GIVEN THE FACILITIES THEY NEED FOR THE EFFECTIVE AND HUMANE TREATMENT OF PSYCHIATRIC ILLNESS."
HE SAID BETWEEN NOW AND 1997:
* WE WILL ATTACK THE INTOLERABLE OVERCROWDING AT CASTLE PEAK HOSPITAL. WITH THE GENEROUS HELP OF THE ROYAL HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB, 800 NEW BEDS WILL BE PROVIDED;
* ALMOST 900 ADDITIONAL BEDS WILL BE PROVIDED FOR PSYCHIATRIC PATIENTS IN OTHER HOSPITALS;
* DEMAND FOR PLACES IN HALF-WAY HOUSES AND LONG-STAY CARE HOMES WILL BE MET IN FULL;
» PROFESSIONAL TEAMS WILL BE SET UP TO TREAT THE MENTALLY ILL IN THE COMMUNITY. THEY WILL ENABLE US TO HALVE THE CURRENT WAITING TIME FOR PSYCHIATRIC REHABILITATION. THE FIRST TEAM WILL BE SET UP NEXT YEAR, AND WILL SPECIALISE IN CARING FOR ELDERLY MENTAL PATIENTS IN THE COMMUNITY.
------0-----------
/18 .......
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 7, 1992
- 18 -
HOUSING SCHEME FOR 'SANDWICH CLASS' * * * ♦ ♦
THE GOVERNMENT PROPOSES TO INTRODUCE A NEW MIDDLE-INCOME HOUSING SCHEME FOR THE 'SANDWICH CLASS', SUBJECT TO CONSULTATION WITH THE SINO-BRITISH LAND COMMISSION, THE GOVERNOR, THE RT HON CHRISTOPHER PATTEN, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
THE SCHEME WILL BE SIMILAR TO THE PRESENT HOME OWNERSHIP SCHEME, WITH THE FIRST LAND SITES INTENDED TO BE ALLOCATED IN 1993/94.
IN HIS POLICY ADDRESS, MR PATTEN DESCRIBED THE SANDWICH CLASS AS ONE GROUP IN THE COMMUNITY WHOSE HOUSING PROBLEMS CAUSED HIM PARTICULAR CONCERN AND HE SHARED LEGCO MEMBERS’ VIEWS THAT THE BURDEN MUST BE EASED.
OUTLINING HIS PROPOSALS FOR THE NEW SCHEME, HE SAID:
’’BETWEEN NOW AND 1997, THESE PROPOSALS WILL BENEFIT ABOUT 13,000 FAMILIES.
"AS A RESULT, A SIGNIFICANT PROPORTION OF THE SANDWICH CLASS WILL HAVE ACCESS TO AFFORDABLE HOUSING.
"AT THE SAME TIME, THE OPPORTUNITIES FOR PROPERTY SPECULATORS TO EXPLOIT THEIR MARKET WILL BE REDUCED."
MR PATTEN SAID THE LAND FOR THE SCHEME WOULD BE IN ADDITION TO THE LAND REQUIRED FOR THE PUBLIC HOUSING PROGRAMME.
"BECAUSE OF THE TIME LAG IN DEVELOPING NEW HOUSING PROJECTS, THE FIRST UNITS WILL NOT BE AVAILABLE UNTIL 1995/96.
"OBVIOUSLY, TO WAIT ANOTHER THREE YEARS FOR ASSISTANCE FROM THIS SCHEME IS NOT GOOD ENOUGH.
"SO, I PROPOSE THAT, IN THE MEANTIME, WE SHOULD BUY FLATS FROM THE PRIVATE SECTOR TO SELL TO THE SANDWICH CLASS AT AFFORDABLE PRICES. WE HOPE TO OFFER 1,000 FLATS DURING THE FIRST YEAR OF OPERATION.
"THIS INTERIM PLAN WILL BE DISCONTINUED AS SOON AS FLATS FROM THE LONG TERM SCHEME BECOME AVAILABLE," HE SAID.
MR PATTEN SAID HOUSING CONTINUED TO BE A MAJOR CLAIM ON THE GOVERNMENT’S RESOURCES, WITH MORE AND MORE FAMILIES WANTING TO PROGRESS FROM BEING RENT-PAYING TENANTS TO OWNER-OCCUPIERS.
OUTLINING ACTION TO PROVIDE RELIEF FROM THE HOUSING SQUEEZE, HE SAID:
"ON AVERAGE, WELL OVER 100 NEW FLATS WILL BE BUILT EVERY SINGLE DAY BETWEEN NOW AND 1997 BY THE HOUSING AUTHORITY AND THE HOUSING SOCIETY.
"ALL URBAN SQUATTERS ON GOVERNMENT LAND WILL BE REHOUSED BY MARCH 1996.
/"ALMOST THREE-QUARTERS .......
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 7, 1992
19
’’ALMOST THREE-QUARTERS OF PEOPLE LIVING IN EXISTING TEMPORARY HOUSING AREAS WILL HAVE BEEN REHOUSED BY 1997.
’’JUST UNDER 60% OF FAMILIES WILL OWN THEIR OWN HOMES BY 1997, ONE OF THE HIGHEST PROPORTIONS IN THE WORLD.”
MR PATTEN ADDED: ’’THESE IMPRESSIVE FIGURES SHOW OUR CONTINUING COMMITMENT TO THE HOUSING PROGRAMMES WHICH - THANKS TO THE FORESIGHT OF LORD MACLEHOSE AND SOME OF MY OTHER PREDECESSORS - HAVE TRANSFORMED THE LIVING STANDARDS OF SO MANY OF OUR FAMILIES.
’’AND WE WILL NATURALLY CONTINUE TO WORK CLOSELY WITH THE PRIVATE SECTOR TO ENSURE THAT THE MAXIMUM POSSIBLE SUPPLY OF ACCOMMODATION COMES ONTO THE MARKET AT COMPETITIVE PRICES.”
---------0-----------
TIME TO STOP ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
*****
MEASURES TO CONTROL ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION, INCLUDING A PROPOSAL THAT THE COMMUNITY SHOULD CONTRIBUTE TO THE COST OF SEWAGE SERVICES, WERE OUTLINED BY THE GOVERNOR, THE RT HON CHRISTOPHER PATTEN, IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
IN ADDITION, MR PATTEN SAID ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION HAD TO STOP, AND HE WAS DETERMINED THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD SET 'A GOOD, GREEN EXAMPLE’.
AND, WITH IMMEDIATE EFFECT, AN ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT WILL BE INCLUDED IN POLICY PAPERS SUBMITTED TO THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL.
IN HIS POLICY ADDRESS, MR PATTEN SAID BETWEEN NOW AND 1997, $7.3 BILLION WOULD BE SPENT ON MEASURES TO HANDLE PROPERLY THE SOLID AND TOXIC WASTES WHICH HONG KONG PRODUCED EVERY DAY.
THESE INCLUDED SANITARY LANDFILLS IN REMOTE AREAS OF THE NEW TERRITORIES, STRATEGICALLY LOCATED REFUSE TRANSFER STATIONS FOR THE BULK TRANSFER OF SOLID WASTE TO THE NEW LANDFILLS, AND A CHEMICAL WASTE TREATMENT FACILITY FOR TOXIC WASTES.
"ALL THESE FACILITIES WILL COME INTO OPERATION WITHIN THE NEXT FIVE YEARS.
"THEY WILL ENABLE US TO CLOSE THE OLDER URBAN LANDFILLS AND INCINERATORS; TO COPE WITH OUR SOLID WASTE FOR THE NEXT 20 YEARS; AND TO DEAL PROPERLY WITH THE 100,000 TONNES OF TOXIC WASTE INDUSTRY PRODUCES EVERY YEAR," HE SAID.
MR PATTEN SAID THE GOVERNMENT HAD, HOWEVER, ALWAYS RECOGNISED THAT PLANS TO CONTROL WATER POLLUTION WOULD TAKE LONGER TO IMPLEMENT, AND THAT IT WOULD NOT BE EASY TO PAY FOR THE MANY, COSTLY SEWAGE PROGRAMMES THAT WERE NECESSARY.
/THE ENTIRE .......
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 7, 1992
20
THE ENTIRE SEWAGE STRATEGY PROGRAMME WOULD REQUIRE SOME $17.8 BILLION OVER THE NEXT 10 YEARS, WITH $7.3 BILLION OF THIS REQUIRED BETWEEN NOW AND 1997.
IT WOULD NOT BE POSSIBLE TO FUND THIS FROM THE CAPITAL WORKS RESERVE FUND IN THE NORMAL WAY. EVEN IF BUDGETARY GUIDELINES WERE IGNORED AND ALL OTHER CAPITAL PROJECTS PRE-EMPTED, FINANCING ON THIS SCALE WOULD NOT BE AVAILABLE.
"BUT WE CANNOT SIMPLY SHRUG OUR SHOULDERS AND ACCEPT DEFEAT. THE PROBLEM WILL NOT GO AWAY. SO HOW DO WE FIND THE RESOURCES WE NEED?" HE SAID.
"ONE WAY FORWARD IS FOR THE COMMUNITY TO CONTRIBUTE TO THE COST OF SEWAGE SERVICES WHICH EVERYONE USES.
"THE BROAD PRINCIPLE IS THAT AS WE ALL CONTRIBUTE IN ONE WAY OR ANOTHER TO WATER POLLUTION, IT IS RIGHT WE SHOULD ALL WORK TOGETHER TO HELP SOLVE THE PROBLEM.
"PEOPLE HAVE SAID TO ME THAT THEY WOULD NOT OBJECT TO MAKING SOME MODEST CONTRIBUTION THEMSELVES, PROVIDED THEY WERE CONVINCED THAT THE TERRITORY’S APPALLING WATER POLLUTION PROBLEMS WOULD BE PROPERLY SORTED OUT AS A RESULT.
"BUT IT WOULD BE UNFAIR FOR THE BURDEN TO FALL PRIMARILY ON ORDINARY FAMILIES.
"SO THE GOVERNMENT’S PROPOSAL IS THAT THE CONTRIBUTION MADE BY INDIVIDUAL HOUSEHOLDS SHOULD INDEED BE MODEST.
"WE WILL BE LOOKING IN MORE DETAIL AT THESE FINANCING ARRANGEMENTS OVER THE PERIOD AHEAD AND, IN DUE COURSE, CONSULTING WIDELY ON THEM," HE SAID.
MR PATTEN SAID IT WAS CLEARLY IMPORTANT THAT THE GOVERNMENT ITSELF SHOULD ALSO SHOW ITS COMMITMENT TO SOLVING THIS PROBLEM IN A FAIR AND REASONABLE WAY.
"I AM PROPOSING, THEREFORE, THAT THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD CONTRIBUTE NOT LESS THAN $3 BILLION FROM ITS CAPITAL INVESTMENT FUND TO ENABLE THE STRATEGY TO GET OFF THE GROUND QUICKLY.
"THIS INJECTION WILL REDUCE VERY CONSIDERABLY THE LEVEL OF CHARGES THAT WOULD OTHERWISE BE NECESSARY.
"I WANT TO EMPHASISE THAT THE FIRST $7.3 BILLION PHASE OF THE SEWAGE STRATEGY, ON WHICH WE ARE EMBARKING, CAN AND WILL BE FINANCED BY HONG KONG BEFORE 1997; FURTHER DEVELOPMENT OF THE STRATEGY WILL BE A MATTER FOR THE GOVERNMENT OF THE SAR IN THE YEARS BEYOND.
"I BELIEVE THAT BY WORKING TOGETHER IN THE WAY I HAVE DESCRIBED, GOVERNMENT, INDUSTRY AND THE COMMUNITY AT LARGE WILL BE ABLE TO CLEAN UP OUR WATERS AND MAKE OUR AMBITIOUS SEWAGE STRATEGY A REALITY.
/"I SHALL ..
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 7, 1992
21
"I SHALL BE LOOKING FOR SUPPORT FROM ALL WHO ARE SERIOUSLY COMMITTED TO A CLEANER, GREENER HONG KONG IN CARRYING THIS THROUGH."
MR PATTEN SAID THERE WERE OTHER THINGS THAT COULD BE DONE TO IMPROVE THE STATE OF THE ENVIRONMENT.
"I AM DETERMINED, FOR EXAMPLE, THAT THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD SET A GOOD, GREEN EXAMPLE. I WANT CONCERN FOR OUR ENVIRONMENT TO ENTER EVERY CORNER OF GOVERNMENT.
"ONE ACTION I HAVE ASKED TO BE TAKEN WITH IMMEDIATE EFFECT IS FOR AN ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT TO BE INCLUDED IN PAPERS SUBMITTED TO THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL. CURRENTLY, THIS RULE APPLIES ONLY TO MAJOR DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS.
"FROM NOW ON, I WANT THIS PRACTICE TO BE EXTENDED TO ALL POLICY PROPOSALS WHERE THERE IS LIKELY TO BE A SIGNIFICANT COST OR BENEFIT TO THE ENVIRONMENT. WHERE THERE IS LIKELY TO BE LITTLE OR NO IMPACT, THAT MUST BE CLEARLY STATED.
"I HAVE ASKED MY OFFICIALS TO LOOK AT OTHER ENVIRONMENTAL INITIATIVES IN THE COMING MONTHS. I ALSO WANT TO TALK FURTHER TO THOSE OUTSIDE GOVERNMENT WHO TAKE AN ACTIVE INTEREST IN THESE IMPORTANT MATTERS, AND WILL, IN DUE COURSE, ANNOUNCE THE FURTHER MEASURES THAT WE PROPOSE TO TAKE," HE SAID.
STRESSING THAT ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION HAD TO BE STOPPED, MR PATTEN SAID:
"WE HAVE TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR ADDRESSING THIS PROBLEM. WE CANNOT PASS THE BUCK TO GENERATIONS TO COME. IF YOU WILL EXCUSE THE PUN, THE MUCK STOPS HERE."
"WE CANNOT ESCAPE THE ACCUSATION THAT THE ENVIRONMENT IS THE ONE STRIKING FAILURE BY HONG KONG’S NORMAL STANDARDS OF SUCCESS."
HE SAID THE LEVEL OF POLLUTION IN HONG KONG WAS PARTICULARLY SURPRISING BECAUSE, UNLIKE MANY OTHER CITIES, THIS COMMUNITY DID NOT VANDALISE ITS PUBLIC HOUSING, ITS MTR, OR ITS OTHER COMMUNITY FACILITIES. WE VALUED THESE PUBLIC ASSETS.
"WHY, THEREFORE, DO WE GO ON VANDALISING OUR ENVIRONMENT?"
HE SAID THERE WAS LITTLE POINT IN HAVING MORE AND MORE COMFORTABLE HOMES IF WE ALLOWED THE ENVIRONMENT IN WHICH WE LIVED TO CONTINUE ON A DOWNWARD SPIRAL OF NEGLECT AND DEGRADATION.
"WE CANNOT GO ON POISONING THE AIR WE BREATHE AND THE FOOD WE EAT. WE CANNOT GO ON DUMPING FILTH INTO THE WATER WHICH WE DRINK AND IN WHICH WE SWIM."
CITING JUST TWO OF THE SOBERING STATISTICS, MR PATTEN SAID:
* "WE MAY HAVE THE TALLEST AND FINEST BUILDINGS IN ASIA, BUT RIGHT NEXT TO THEM, WE HAVE A HARBOUR INTO WHICH WE DISCHARGE 1.5 MILLION CUBIC METRES OF UNTREATED SEWAGE AND INDUSTRIAL WASTE EVERY DAY;
/* "WE MAY ........
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 7, 1992
22
♦ "WE MAY HAVE SOME OF THE BEST NATURAL PARKS IN THE WORLD, BUT WE DUMP 1,200 CUBIC METRES OF LIVESTOCK WASTE INTO OUR RIVERS AND STREAMS EACH DAY.”
THIS DAILY DISCHARGE OF FILTH HAD POISONED OUR RIVERS AND STREAMS, ALMOST EXTINGUISHED MARINE LIFE IN THE HARBOUR AND HAD BECOME A SERIOUS HAZARD TO PUBLIC HEALTH.
MR PATTEN SAID THE SCALE OF THE TASK WAS BIG, BUT FOR A CITY LIKE HONG KONG IT WAS HARDLY OVERWHELMING.
"WE HAVE THE TECHNOLOGY TO ACT. WE HAVE THE RESOURCES REQUIRED. WE CAN MAKE A BIG DIFFERENCE, AND SWIFTLY, IF WE CHOOSE.
"AND THEN, WHEN WE HAVE CLEANED UP HONG KONG, WE WILL HAVE A NEW PRODUCT FOR EXPORT. ENVIRONMENTAL TECHNOLOGY IS GOING TO BE A ’GROWTH AREA’ FOR MANY YEARS TO COME."
MR PATTEN SAID WE HAD, OF COURSE, MADE SIGNIFICANT PROGRESS IN RECENT YEARS.
"WE ARE STEADILY MOVING AHEAD WITH IMPLEMENTATION OF THE 1989 WHITE PAPER, WHICH ENVISAGED A 10-YEAR PROGRAMME TO MAKE HONG KONG MORE ENVIRONMENTALLY-FRIENDLY.
"I AM HAPPY TO BE ABLE TO SAY THAT ALREADY 73 OF ITS 118 TARGETS HAVE BEEN MET.
"THERE HAVE BEEN SOME DRAMATIC IMPROVEMENTS; SULPHUR DIOXIDE LEVELS, FOR EXAMPLE, HAVE BEEN CUT BY 40% SINCE 1990 - AND UP TO 80% IN THE AREAS WORST AFFECTED.
"BUT THERE IS MUCH MORE TO BE DONE," HE STRESSED.
--------0-----------
MORE POLICE ON STREETS TO DETER CRIME
*****
DESCRIBING LAW AND ORDER AS A PERMANENT PRIORITY AREA, THE GOVERNOR, THE RT HON CHRISTOPHER PATTEN, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY) THE COMMUNITY’S FIRST LINE OF DEFENCE AGAINST CRIME IS A SUBSTANTIAL AND VISIBLE POLICE PRESENCE ON THE STREETS.
"NOTHING DETERS THE POTENTIAL LAW-BREAKER, PARTICULARLY VIOLENT CRIMINAL GANGS, MORE THAN A HIGH RISK OF COMING FACE-TO-FACE WITH FULLY-TRAINED, WELL-EQUIPPED AND THOROUGHLY PROFESSIONAL POLICE TEAMS," MR PATTEN SAID IN HIS POLICY ADDRESS.
HE SAID THE CRIMINAL AND THE CORRUPT THREATENED OUR WAY OF LIFE, AND WE NEEDED TO DETER POTENTIAL LAWBREAKERS, TO PURSUE CRIMINALS RUTHLESSLY AND TO ENSURE THAT THEY WERE BROUGHT SWIFTLY TO JUSTICE.
/"THE COMMUNITY .......
23
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 7, 1992
’’THE COMMUNITY LOOKS TO OUR BRAVE POLICE FORCE, TO THE ICAC AND TO THE JUDICIARY TO PROTECT ITS MEMBERS AND THEIR PERSONAL RIGHTS AND PROPERTY,” HE SAID.
MR PATTEN SAID HONG KONG HAD ALREADY ACHIEVED A HIGH LEVEL OF POLICING WITH 460 OFFICERS PER 100,000 OF THE POPULATION (COMPARED WITH 400 IN LONDON AND 350 IN TOKYO).
"BUT WE WANT TO MAINTAIN THESE LEVELS, AND OVER THE LAST THREE YEARS WE WERE LOSING MORE OFFICERS FROM THE FORCE THAN WE WERE ABLE TO RECRUIT.
’’FORTUNATELY, THE PACKAGE ANNOUNCED IN MAY TO BOOST THE RECRUITMENT OF JUNIOR POLICE OFFICERS HAS WORKED.
’’THE NUMBER OF OFFICERS RECRUITED SO FAR THIS YEAR STANDS AT 1,261: 78% HIGHER THAN THE FIGURE FOR THE EQUIVALENT PERIOD IN 1991.
’’MORE RECRUITS AND BETTER DEPLOYMENT OF THE FORCE MEAN THAT WE CAN PUT MORE POLICE OFFICERS ON TO THE STREETS WHERE IT COUNTS.
”OUR PLAN IS TO HAVE AROUND 800 EXTRA POLICE OFFICERS ON THE STREETS NEXT YEAR.”
MR PATTEN SAID TRIAD AND ORGANISED CRIME CONTINUED TO MENACE THE PEACE AND SECURITY OF THE COMMUNITY.
”WE ARE DETERMINED TO COMBAT THEM. THE ORGANISED AND SERIOUS CRIMES BILL NOW BEFORE THIS COUNCIL WILL BE A MAJOR WEAPON IN THIS BATTLE,” HE SAID.
THERE WAS STILL A SERIOUS PROBLEM WITH CROSS-BORDER CRIME.
”1 AM VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THE ILLEGAL ACTIVITIES ASSOCIATED WITH SMUGGLING, INCLUDING CAR THEFT, AND I AM DETERMINED THAT THE PENALTIES FOR INVOLVEMENT IN THESE ACTIVITIES SHOULD BE INCREASED SUBSTANTIALLY.
”1 AM PARTICULARLY CONCERNED BY CROSS-BORDER TRIAD ACTIVITIES AND THE VIOLENT CRIME WHICH THIS HAS BROUGHT TO OUR STREETS.
”1 WELCOME THE CO-OPERATION OF THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT IN POSTING HERE TWO SENIOR PUBLIC SECURITY BUREAU OFFICERS TO ASSIST WITH ANTI-CRIME LIAISON.
"THERE HAVE ALREADY BEEN A NUMBER OF SUCCESSES AS A RESULT OF THE CLOSER CO-OPERATION BETWEEN THE TWO SIDES: THE RETURN OF CRIMINAL OFFENDERS TO HONG KONG, FOR EXAMPLE, AND THE EXCHANGE OF INTELLIGENCE AND INFORMATION ON CRIMINAL ACTIVITIES,” HE SAID.
MR PATTEN SAID A RASH OF RECENT INCIDENTS INVOLVING POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS INCURSIONS BY CHINESE VESSELS INTO HONG KONG’S TERRITORIAL WATERS HIGHLIGHTED THE IMPORTANCE OF CROSS-BORDER CO-OPERATION.
HE SAID: ”IF CHINA IS WORRIED ABOUT SMUGGLING, I CAN SAY WITHOUT EQUIVOCATION - ’SO ARE WE’. BUT THE RIGHT WAY TO DEAL WITH THIS PROBLEM IS THROUGH PLANNED, SENSITIVE AND EFFECTIVE CO-OPERATION BETWEEN PROPERLY CONTROLLED FORCES, ACTING WITHIN THEIR OWN BOUNDARIES.
"I AM .........
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 7, 1992
24
"I AM GLAD THAT THE VERY SERIOUS INCIDENT OF 25 SEPTEMBER WAS QUICKLY RESOLVED. I WANT TO END SMUGGLING, AND I WANT TO DO MORE TO AVOID PUTTING THE LIVES OF OUR POLICEMEN AT RISK IN OUR OWN WATERS.
"SO I SHALL PROPOSE TO THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT THAT WE PLAN AND PUBLICLY IMPLEMENT A JOINT ANTI-SMUGGLING DRIVE. I FEEL SURE THEY WILL WELCOME THIS. IT WILL SHOW STRONG, EXECUTIVE-LED GOVERNMENT ON BOTH SIDES IN DEFENCE OF OUR COMMON PROSPERITY AND STABILITY."
REFERRING TO THE SPECTRE OF CORRUPTION, MR PATTEN SAID IT WAS IMPORTANT THAT HONG KONG REMAINED A SOCIETY WHICH WOULD NOT TOLERATE CORRUPTION, NO MATTER WHO MIGHT BE INVOLVED, AND NO MATTER WHAT THE CRIMINALS’ HIGH-PLACED CONNECTIONS, ACCESS TO POWER OR FINANCIAL RESOURCES.
"CORRUPTION IS A MENACE TO US ALL. THE ICAC, WITH MY SUPPORT, WILL WORK TO ENSURE THAT THE EVILS OF CORRUPTION ARE CLEARLY UNDERSTOOD, THE OPPORTUNITIES FOR CORRUPTION ARE MINIMISED, AND THE CHANCES OF BEING CAUGHT AND PUNISHED ARE RECOGNISED TO BE TOO GREAT TO BE WORTH THE RISK.
"THE STABILITY AND PROSPERITY OF HONG KONG REQUIRE A RELENTLESS ASSAULT ON CORRUPTION BEFORE AND AFTER 1997," HE SAID.
MR PATTEN SAID ONE ASPECT OF LAW AND ORDER ABOUT WHICH HE HAD HEARD A GREAT DEAL SINCE HIS ARRIVAL WAS PUBLIC ORDER AND THE POWERS WHICH POLICE OFFICERS NEEDED TO MAINTAIN IT.
THIS ISSUE WAS ALWAYS DIFFICULT BECAUSE OF THE CONFLICTING VALUES WHICH WERE INVOLVED.
"ON ONE SIDE, WE HAVE THE RIGHT OF MEN AND WOMEN TO COME TOGETHER TO DISCUSS PUBLIC AFFAIRS, TO MAKE THEIR CONCERNS KNOWN TO THE RULING INSTITUTIONS DIRECTLY AS WELL AS TO THE COMMUNITY AT LARGE.
"THE GOVERNMENT MUST ENSURE THAT THE PUBLIC HAS GENUINE OPPORTUNITIES TO PROTEST PEACEFULLY - EVEN WHERE THE TARGET IS THE GOVERNMENT ITSELF.
"AT THE SAME TIME, THE GOVERNMENT HAS A PARAMOUNT DUTY TO PROTECT LIFE AND PROPERTY, AND TO PREVENT VIOLENCE AND DISORDER. THE POLICE, IN OTHER WORDS, MUST HAVE EFFECTIVE POWERS TO PROTECT PUBLIC ORDER.
"I AM CONFIDENT THAT IN OUR CURRENT REVIEW OF THE PUBLIC ORDER ORDINANCE, WE WILL BE ABLE TO FIND THE CORRECT BALANCE BETWEEN THE FREEDOM OF THE INDIVIDUAL IN A MODERN SOCIETY AND THE PRACTICAL REQUIREMENTS OF POLICE OFFICERS IN UPHOLDING THE LAW IN A CIVILISED COMMUNITY.
"WE SHOULD NEVER FORGET THAT IN ORDER TO PRESERVE LIBERTIES, THEY NEED TO BE EXERCISED WITH RESTRAINT."
TURNING TO CAPITAL PUNISHMENT, MR PATTEN SAID ANY SOCIETY BASED ON THE RULE OF LAW MUST ENSURE THAT ITS LAWS REFLECTED THE REALITIES OF CONTEMPORARY LIFE AND THOUGHT.
/" I THINK .......
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 7, 1992 - 25 -
"I THINK IT WRONG IN PRINCIPLE TO LEAVE LAWS ON THE STATUTE BOOK WHICH ARE OUT OF DATE, WHICH WE DO NOT USE AND WHICH WE HAVE NO INTENTION OF USING. I AM REFERRING HERE TO THE LAW ON CAPITAL PUNISHMENT.
"ON 26 JUNE LAST YEAR, THIS COUNCIL VOTED FOR A MOTION IN FAVOUR OF THE REPEAL OF CAPITAL PUNISHMENT.
"IN THE DEBATE, MANY MEMBERS RECOGNISED THAT LAWS WHICH ARE NOT USED OR ARE OUT OF DATE SHOULD BE REPEALED.
"WE HAVE THEREFORE PREPARED DRAFT LEGISLATION TO REPLACE THE PENALTY OF CAPITAL PUNISHMENT WITH LIFE IMPRISONMENT.
"THIS AMENDING LEGISLATION WILL BE PRESENTED TO THE COUNCIL DURING THIS NEW SESSION," HE SAID.
---------0 ----------
AMBITIOUS PROGRAMMES THE SOCIAL DIVIDEND OF SUCCESS *****
THE GOVERNOR, THE RT HON CHRISTOPHER PATTEN, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY) THAT THE AMBITIOUS IMPROVEMENT PROGRAMMES HE HAD PROPOSED FOR WELFARE SERVICES WERE THE SOCIAL DIVIDEND OF A HARD-WORKING, SUCCESSFUL AND ENTERPRISING COMMUNITY.
DELIVERING HIS POLICY ADDRESS, HE SAID THESE PROPOSALS WOULD INCREASE THE GOVERNMENT’S ANNUAL SPENDING ON THESE KEY AREAS BY OVER $8 BILLION BY 1997.
THIS REPRESENTED AN INCREASE IN ANNUAL EXPENDITURE OF 21% IN REAL TERMS OVER THIS PERIOD.
"WE WILL STILL BE HOLDING SPENDING GROWTH TO FIGURES THAT CAN BE SUSTAINED BY OUR ECONOMIC PERFORMANCE AND WHICH WILL ALLOW US TO MAINTAIN OUR TRADITIONALLY PRUDENT LEVEL OF RESERVES."
HE SAID HE WAS DETERMINED NOT TO ALLOW HONG KONG TO MAKE THE MISTAKE MADE IN SOME OTHER SOCIETIES AND START SPENDING MONEY THAT WE HAD NOT EARNED.
THE GOVERNOR SAID THE MAIN AREAS OF IMPROVEMENT IN THE VARIOUS KEY PROGRAMMES WOULD BE PRESENTED TO LEGCO MEMBERS LATER THIS WEEK BY THE RESPECTIVE POLICY SECRETARIES.
IN ADDITION, FURTHER WORK WOULD NEED TO BE DONE TO FLESH OUT THE DETAILS IN PREPARATION FOR THE 1993/94 BUDGET, OR IN SOME CASES FOR EARLY SUBMISSION TO LEGCO’S FINANCE COMMITTEE.
ON WAYS TO MEET THE BILL, MR PATTEN SAID: "WE HAVE ENJOYED AN UNEXPECTEDLY GOOD REVENUE SITUATION IN THE RECENT PAST AND WE EXPECT THIS TO CONTINUE FOR THE REST OF THIS FINANCIAL YEAR - HENCE MY PROPOSAL TO MAKE A VERY SUBSTANTIAL CAPITAL INJECTION INTO THE LOTTERIES FUND.
/'•THIS WILL..........
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 7, 1992
26
"THIS WILL ENABLE THE FUND TO MAKE RECURRENT GRANTS TO SUBVENTED WELFARE AGENCIES TO MEET THE TARGETS FOR THE KEY SERVICES SET OUT IN THE SOCIAL WELFARE PROGRAMME, INCLUDING REHABILITATION."
IN THIS WAY, HE SAID, WE COULD ENSURE THAT OUR TARGETS FOR SOCIAL WELFARE IMPROVEMENTS WOULD BE SECURELY FUNDED BETWEEN NOW AND 1997 .
"THIS IS THE SOCIAL DIVIDEND OF A HARD-WORKING, SUCCESSFUL AND ENTERPRISING COMMUNITY."
HE SAID THE ADDITIONAL RESOURCES REQUIRED FOR FUNDING IMPROVEMENTS IN MOST OF THE OTHER KEY PROGRAMMES WHICH HE HAD OUTLINED WOULD CONTINUE TO BE MET THROUGH THE GENERAL REVENUE.
"GIVEN OUR EXCELLENT TRACK RECORD AND OUR ROBUST BUSINESS PROSPECTS, I BELIEVE WE CAN MAKE THESE PLANS, CONFIDENT THAT FUTURE ECONOMIC GROWTH WILL FINANCE THEM AND WITHOUT IN ANY WAY WEAKENING OUR LONG-STANDING COMMITMENT TO A LOW-TAX ROLICY."
MR PATTEN SAID HE WAS-DUTY BOUND TO WARN THAT THESE AMBITIONS WERE SUBJECT TO UNEXPECTED REVERSALS IN OUR'ECONOMIC AND POLITICAL FORTUNES.
"BUT, LET ME GIVE MEMBERS AN UNEQUIVOCAL ASSURANCE: LOW AND PREDICTABLE TAXES HAVE BEEN THE BEDROCK OF OUR ECONOMIC POLICY. AND SO THEY WILL REMAIN," HE SAID.
- - 0 - -
fPERFORMANCE PLEDGES’ FOR CIVIL SERVANTS *****
ALL GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS PROVIDING SERVICES DIRECTLY TO THE PUBLIC WILL ADOPT PERFORMANCE PLEDGES AIMED EVENTUALLY AT ENGENDERING A CULTURE OF SERVICE AMONG STAFF.
IN HIS POLICY ADDRESS TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY), THE GOVERNOR, THE RT HON CHRISTOPHER PATTEN, SAID THESE PERFORMANCE PLEDGES WOULD:
* SET OUT IN PLAIN TERMS THE STANDARDS OF SERVICE WHICH THE PUBLIC HAS A RIGHT TO EXPECT;
* INCLUDE PROVISION FOR EFFECTIVE MONITORING OF ACTUAL PERFORMANCE AGAINST THE STANDARDS PLEDGED;
* ESTABLISH A RIGHT OF APPEAL FOR DISSATISFIED CLIENTS;
* GUARANTEE A RIGHT TO A FULL AND PROMPT EXPLANATION WHEN THESE STANDARDS ARE NOT ACHIEVED; AND
* ENSURE DISCLOSURE OF THE CRITERIA WHICH DETERMINE THE INDIVIDUAL’S ENTITLEMENTS TO BENEFITS AND SERVICES.
/HE SAID
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 7, 1992
27
HE SAID THE CIVIL SERVICE WAS TALENTED AND COMMITTED, AND IN THE LAST 30 YEARS HAD DONE A GREAT DEAL TO PROVIDE THE COMMUNITY WITH GOOD PUBLIC SERVICES. BUT GOOD COULD ALWAYS BE MADE BETTER.
’’AND I NOW WANT TO ASK THE MEN AND WOMEN WHO HAVE RESPONDED SO WELL TO THE COMMUNITY’S NEEDS IN THE PAST TO RESPOND TO THE COMMUNITY’S ASPIRATIONS FOR THE FUTURE.
"WE HAVE NOW TO GO ONE STEP FURTHER, AND SEEK TO ENGENDER IN OUR PUBLIC SERVICES A CULTURE THAT GOES BEYOND THE PROVISION OF THE BARE MINIMUM; A CULTURE THAT RECOGNISES THE PUBLIC AS THE PAYING CUSTOMER AND TREATS HIM OR HER ACCORDINGLY.
"WE HAVE TO SET OUT PRECISELY WHAT STANDARDS OUR CUSTOMERS SHOULD EXPECT FROM THE PUBLIC SERVICES; HOW TO JUDGE WHETHER THOSE STANDARDS ARE BEING MET; AND WHAT TO DO WHEN THEY ARE NOT."
MR PATTEN SAID GOOD GOVERNMENT WAS ABOUT MUCH MORE THAN SIMPLY FINDING THE WHEREWITHAL TO UPGRADE OUR PROGRAMMES, TO IMPROVE OUR SOCIAL SERVICES OR ENHANCE OUR INFRASTRUCTURE.
AN INCREASINGLY PROSPEROUS AND SOPHISTICATED COMMUNITY QUITE RIGHTLY DEMANDED GREATER OPENNESS AND ACCOUNTABILITY FROM THE PUBLIC SECTOR WHICH IT PAID FOR - AND AN OFFICIAL ATTITUDE OF MIND WHICH REGARDED THE PUBLIC AS CLIENTS NOT SUPPLICANTS.
MR PATTEN SAID IT MADE SENSE TO BEGIN WITH THOSE AGENCIES AND DEPARTMENTS WHICH HAD THE MOST CONTACT WITH THE PUBLIC AND THE GREATEST IMPACT ON THEIR DAILY LIVES.
THE GOVERNMENT WOULD PUBLISH THE FIRST PERFORMANCE PLEDGES BY THE END OF THIS YEAR, AND THEY WOULD SET OUT TARGETS FOR:
* WAITING TIMES FOR TREATMENT AT HOSPITAL AUTHORITY SPECIALIST CLINICS;
* WAITING TIMES FOR CONSULTATIONS AT DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH GENERAL CLINICS;
* RESPONSES BY THE POLICE, FIRE AND AMBULANCE SERVICES TO CALLS FOR EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE;
* PROCESSING TIME AT IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT CONTROL POINTS SUCH AS THE AIRPORT;
* REPLIES TO TAXPAYERS’ ENQUIRIES AT THE INLAND REVENUE; AND
♦ PROCESSING APPLICATIONS FOR DRIVING AND VEHICLE LICENCES BY THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT.
NOTING THAT THERE WOULD ALWAYS BE THE MORE COMPLEX APPLICATION, THE UNUSUAL REQUEST, WHICH MEANT DELAYS IN THE SPEED OF SERVICE, THE GOVERNOR SAID IN THOSE CASES THE SERVICE IN QUESTION WOULD BE REQUIRED TO KEEP ITS CLIENTS INFORMED OF THE REASONS FOR DELAYS.
MR PATTEN SAID EVENTUALLY EVERY PART OF THE PUBLIC SECTOR WHICH PROVIDED ITS SERVICES DIRECTLY TO THE COMMUNITY WOULD COMMIT ITSELF PUBLICLY TO PERFORMANCE PLEDGES.
/BUT, IN ........
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 7, 1992
28
BUT, IN THE MEANTIME, THE CIVIL SERVICE BRANCH WAS STARTING WORK ON THE BASIC ELEMENTS OF THE NEW CLIENT-BASED CULTURE WHICH SHOULD INFUSE EVERY AREA OF GOVERNMENT ACTIVITY:
* CIVIL SERVANTS DEALING WITH THE PUBLIC WILL IDENTIFY THEMSELVES BY NAME;
* CORRESPONDENCE FROM THE PUBLIC WILL RECEIVE AT LEAST AN INTERIM REPLY WITHIN 10 DAYS;
* GOVERNMENT FORMS AND DOCUMENTS WILL BE REVIEWED TO ENSURE THAT THEY ARE NECESSARY, SIMPLE AND TOTALLY USER-FRIENDLY. WE WILL ABOLISH AS MANY AS WE CAN;
* TRAINING COURSES WILL BE RUN TO HELP THE CIVIL SERVICE ESTABLISH NEW STANDARDS OF COURTESY AND HELPFULNESS.
THE GOVERNOR SAID THESE PERFORMANCE PLEDGES WOULD BE THE FIRST STAGE IN A PROGRAMME WHICH HE INTENDED TO MAKE A PERMANENT FEATURE OF THE PUBLIC SECTOR.
BUT HE ALSO WANTED THE PUBLIC TO HAVE A GREATER SAY IN THE {RUNNING OF SERVICES PROVIDED IN THEIR NAME - AND TO MAKE SURE THAT THE PUBLIC COULD BE CONFIDENT THAT THEIR VIEWS WERE FULLY REPRESENTED.
HE INTENDED THAT MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC SHOULD BE INVOLVED IN OVERSEEING PERFORMANCE PLEDGES THROUGH ’USERS’ COMMITTEES’ WHERE THESE WOULD HELP TO ENSURE EFFECTIVE MONITORING.
MR PATTEN SAID HE HAD ASKED THE CHIEF SECRETARY TO TAKE DIRECT CHARGE OF THE PERFORMANCE PLEDGE PROGRAMME, AND TO KEEP HIM CLOSELY IN TOUCH WITH ITS PROGRESS.
”HE WILL ENSURE THAT THE SUCCESS OF THIS INITIATIVE IS A TOP PRIORITY FOR THE CIVIL SERVICE BRANCH AND FOR THE EFFICIENCY UNIT WE ESTABLISHED EARLIER THIS YEAR.
"I AM IMPRESSED BY THE WAY IN WHICH THE CIVIL SERVICE, ESPECIALLY ITS MANAGERS, HAVE RESPONDED TO THE CALL FOR A NEW APPROACH.
’’FOR OUR PUBLIC SERVANTS, THIS IS AN OPPORTUNITY TO ACHIEVE THEIR MAJOR PROFESSIONAL GOAL - TO SERVE THE PUBLIC WHETHER AS THEIR PATIENTS IN HOSPITALS AND CLINICS, THEIR SOCIAL WORK CLIENTS, THEIR SCHOOL STUDENTS OR THEIR CONSTITUENTS IN GENERAL.
”1 BELIEVE THAT THE COMMUNITY CAN HAVE EVERY CONFIDENCE IN THE CIVIL SERVICE’S CAPACITY TO ACHIEVE A NEW STYLE AS WELL AS NEW STANDARDS OF SERVICE TO OUR PEOPLE,” HE SAID.
MR PATTEN SAID THE PROFESSIONALISM, INTEGRITY AND COMMITMENT OF THE CIVIL SERVICE WOULD BE VITAL FOR THE SUCCESS OF THE PROGRAMME HE HAD SET OUT FOR THE NEXT FIVE YEARS.
’’THESE QUALITIES WILL ALSO BE VITAL FOR HONG KONG’S CONTINUED SUCCESS AFTER 1997.
/"AS THE .......
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 7, 1992
29
"AS THE CIVIL SERVICE PREPARES FOR THE TRANSITION, WE SHALL HAVE TO DEVELOP THE MOMENTUM OF OUR LOCALISATION PROGRAMME, NOT LEAST TO COMPLY WITH THE PROVISIONS OF THE JOINT DECLARATION AND THE BASIC LAW.
"IN DOING SO, WE WILL NOT, OF COURSE, LOSE SIGHT OF THE IMPORTANT CONTRIBUTION WHICH OVERSEAS OFFICERS WILL CONTINUE TO MAKE TO HONG KONG’S PUBLIC SERVICE," HE SAID.
--------0-----------
EXCO’S ADVICE TO BE SOUGHT ON PRESS FREEDOM CONCERNS
*****
THE GOVERNOR, THE RT HON CHRISTOPHER PATTEN, WILL ASK THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL TO ADVISE HIM, BEFORE THE END OF THE YEAR, ON WHAT ACTION MIGHT BE TAKEN TO ADDRESS CONCERNS ON FREEDOM OF THE PRESS AND ON ACCESS TO INFORMATION.
MR PATTEN TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL THIS TODAY (WEDNESDAY), WHEN DEALING WITH PRESS FREEDOM IN HIS POLICY ADDRESS.
HE SAID HE HAD HEARD THE ARGUMENTS FOR A FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ORDINANCE AND FOR A REVIEW OF CURRENT LAWS WHICH MIGHT HAVE A BEARING ON PRESS FREEDOM.
"I UNDERSTAND THESE IMPORTANT CONCERNS. IN A FREE SOCIETY, THEY MERIT SERIOUS ATTENTION. WE CANNOT TAKE PRESS FREEDOM FOR GRANTED.
"BUT I SHOULD MAKE CLEAR AT THE OUTSET MY SERIOUS DOUBTS ABOUT THE VALUE OF GENERAL DECLARATORY LEGISLATION. SUCH LEGISLATION FREQUENTLY HAS THE OPPOSITE OF THE INTENDED EFFECT.
"BUT, HAVING LISTENED CAREFULLY TO THE REPRESENTATIONS MADE TO ME, I AM PREPARED TO LOOK AGAIN AT WHAT MIGHT BE DONE TO EXTEND ACCESS TO INFORMATION AND TO REVIEW LAWS WHICH MIGHT INFRINGE PRESS FREEDOM.
"A REVIEW HAS BEEN UNDER WAY SINCE AUGUST," HE SAID.
MR PATTEN SAID FREEDOM OF THE PRESS WAS ONE ASPECT OF HONG KONG’S WAY OF LIFE WHICH HE•THOUGHT DESERVED PARTICULAR ATTENTION, AND HE NOTED THE ISSUE WAS DEBATED IN LEGCO COUNCIL EARLIER THIS YEAR.
"HONG KONG IS BLESSED WITH A DIVERSE, VIGOROUS AND FREE PRESS. WITH 70 DAILY NEWSPAPERS, 600 MAGAZINES, THREE TELEVISION STATIONS AND THREE RADIO STATIONS, WE ARE NOT WANTING FOR VEHICLES OF EXPRESSION FOR THE FULL RANGE OF PUBLIC OPINION.
"EVERY ONE OF OUR NEWSPAPERS, RADIO AND TELEVISION STATIONS IS FREE TO REPORT ON ANY ISSUE THEY WISH AND TO CRITICISE, QUESTION AND CHALLENGE THE GOVERNMENT AS THEY SEE FIT," HE SAID.
- - 0 - -
/30 .......
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 7, 1992
30
DIRECT ACCESS TO COMAC PROPOSED *****
THE PUBLIC WILL HAVE THE RIGHT TO COMPLAIN DIRECTLY TO THE OFFICE OF THE COMMISSIONER FOR ADMINISTRATIVE COMPLAINTS (COMAC) UNDER PROPOSALS ANNOUNCED TODAY (WEDNESDAY) BY THE GOVERNOR, THE RT HON CHRISTOPHER PATTEN.
IN HIS POLICY ADDRESS TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, MR PATTEN PROPOSED THREE CHANGES TO COMAC:
* AT PRESENT, MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC CAN ONLY ASK THE COMMISSIONER TO INVESTIGATE THEIR COMPLAINTS THROUGH A NONOFFICIAL MEMBER OF THIS COUNCIL. IN FUTURE, THE PUBLIC SHOULD HAVE THE RIGHT TO TAKE COMPLAINTS DIRECTLY TO THE COMMISSIONER;
* AT PRESENT, THE COMMISSIONER IS UNABLE TO PUBLICISE HIS INVESTIGATION REPORTS. THIS RESTRICTION SHOULD BE LIFTED. BUT, OF COURSE, WE MUST CONTINUE TO PROTECT THE PRIVACY OF THE PEOPLE INVOLVED;
* THE COMMISSIONER’S JURISDICTION SHOULD BE EXTENDED TO INCLUDE COMPLAINTS AGAINST STATUTORY BODIES SUCH AS THE MTRC AND THE KCRC.
HE SAID WITH THESE CHANGES, THE COMMISSIONER’S OFFICE WOULD PROVE A MORE EFFECTIVE SAFEGUARD AGAINST MALADMINISTRATION AND THE ARBITRARY USE OF ADMINISTRATIVE POWER.
MR PATTEN SAID COMAC WAS ONE ADDITIONAL ELEMENT IN ARRANGEMENTS FOR ENSURING THAT THE GOVERNMENT WAS HELD ACCOUNTABLE TO THE COMMUNITY FOR ITS DECISIONS AND ACTIONS, WHICH HE THOUGHT WAS UNDERDEVELOPED.
------0----------
LEGCO/EXCO TO BE SEPARATED
*****
THE GOVERNMENT INTENDS TO SEPARATE, FOR THE TIME BEING, THE NON-OFFICIAL MEMBERSHIP OF THE EXECUTIVE AND LEGISLATIVE COUNCILS.
THIS WAS ANNOUNCED BY THE GOVERNOR, THE RT HON CHRISTOPHER PATTEN, IN HIS POLICY SPEECH TO LEGCO TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
HE SAID THAT AT THE PRESENT STAGE OF POLITICAL DEVELOPMENT HE HAD CONCLUDED THERE SHOULD NOT BE ANY OVERLAPPING MEMBERSHIP BETWEEN THE EXECUTIVE AND LEGISLATIVE COUNCILS.
"I INTEND, FOR THE TIME BEING, TO SEPARATE THE NON-OFFICIAL MEMBERSHIP OF THE TWO BODIES.
/"THIS SHOULD .......
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 7, 1992
31
"THIS SHOULD ALLOW BOTH COUNCILS TO PLAY THEIR PROPER ROLES. IN FUTURE WITHIN THIS COUNCIL, POLITICAL PARTIES AND GROUPS WILL BE FREE TO DEVELOP THEIR PROGRAMMES AND PLATFORMS, WITHOUT THE CONSTRAINTS THAT MEMBERSHIP OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL MUST IMPOSE," HE SAID.
THE GOVERNOR SAID IT WAS HIS INTENTION TO ENSURE THAT HONG KONG HAD A VIGOROUS AND EFFECTIVE EXECUTIVE-LED GOVERNMENT THAT WAS PROPERLY ACCOUNTABLE TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
HE BELIEVED THERE WAS A DANGER OF CONFUSION AND MUDDLE IN THE ROLES WHICH WOULD BOTH UNDERMINE THE COMPETENCE OF THE EXECUTIVE AND INHIBIT THE EFFECTIVE DEVELOPMENT OF THE LEGISLATURE AS AN INDEPENDENT CHECK ON GOVERNMENT.
"AS THE JOINT DECLARATION AND THE BASIC LAW BOTH MAKE PLAIN, IT IS THE LEGISLATURE WHICH IS THE MAIN CONSTITUTIONAL ELEMENT THAT MUST BE DEVELOPED. THAT IS, THEREFORE, MY MAJOR CONCERN."
MR PATTEN SAID THAT WITH A CHANGED AND MUCH MORE REPRESENTATIVE LEGISLATURE THERE SEEMED ONLY TWO CREDIBLE OPTIONS FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF EXCO AND ITS ADVISORY ROLE - A COALITION EXCO OR COMPLETE SEPARATION OF EXCO AND LEGCO.
HE SAID THAT TO SOME DEGREE THE COALITION APPROACH WAS ATTEMPTED AFTER THE 1991 LEGCO ELECTIONS, BUT IT FAILED TO GET FULLY OFF THE GROUND.
BESIDES PRACTICAL POLITICAL DIFFICULTIES, HE BELIEVED THERE WAS A MORE FUNDAMENTAL PROBLEM WITH THE COALITION APPROACH.
"IT WOULD RESULT IN THE TRANSFER OF POLITICAL DEBATE FROM THE OPEN FORUM OF LEGCO TO THE CLOSED COUNCIL OF EXCO.
"IN ADDITION, A COALITION EXCO IMPLIES THE APPOINTMENT OF SOME PEOPLE WHO HAVE ALREADY BEEN APPOINTED TO LEGCO. IT IS NO DISRESPECT TO THOSE WHO HAVE ALREADY SERVED ON EXCO WITH SUCH DISTINCTION TO SAY THAT THIS ’DOUBLE APPOINTMENTS’ APPROACH WOULD IN THE FUTURE MAKE A NONSENSE OF OUR ATTEMPTS TO STRENGTHEN OUR REPRESENTATIVE INSTITUTIONS," MR PATTEN SAID.
THE GOVERNOR PAID TRIBUTE TO THE JOINT MEMBERS WHO WERE STEPPING DOWN TODAY FROM THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL.
"I GREATLY ADMIRE THE WAY IN WHICH SO MANY OF THEM ATTEMPTED TO ACCEPT NEW AND IMPORTANT PA&TY POLITICAL OBLIGATIONS WHILE MAINTAINING THEIR COMMITMENT TO THE CONFIDENTIALITY AND COLLECTIVE RESPONSIBILITY WHICH ARE AN ESSENTIAL PART OF AN EXECUTIVE COUNCILLOR’S RESPONSIBILITIES.
"HONG KONG IS IN THEIR DEBT FOR THE SINCERITY AND GOODWILL THEY SHOWED IN SHOULDERING AN INCREASINGLY DIFFICULT POLITICAL BURDEN OVER THE LAST YEAR," HE ADDED.
THE NEW EXECUTIVE COUNCIL WOULD BE A NON-PARTY POLITICAL BODY PROVIDING IMPARTIAL ADVICE ON THE WIDE RANGE OF ISSUES COMING BEFORE THE ADMINISTRATION.
/"I AM ........
32
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 7, 1992
I AM, THEREFORE, APPOINTING TO EXCO INDEPENDENT MEMBERS OF THE
COMMUNITY, DISTINGUISHED IN THEIR OWN WALKS OF LIFE, WHO CAN GIVE ME ADVICE WITHOUT THE CONFLICTING LOYALTIES OF ACTIVE DAY-TO-DAY POLITICAL INVOLVEMENT.
"THERE WILL ALSO BE A NUMBER OF SENIOR GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS ON
THE COUNCIL," MR PATTEN SAID.
IT WAS INTENDED THAT EXCO SHOULD SPEND MORE TIME ON STRATEGIC ISSUES, AND LESS ON THE "MINUTIAE OF GOVERNMENT".
"I SHALL BE ASKING ITS NON-OFFICIAL MEMBERS FROM TIME TO TIME TO DEVELOP POLICIES WITH THE ADMINISTRATION IN THOSE FIELDS WHERE THEY HAVE PARTICULAR EXPERTISE.
"THOSE WILL BE THE POLICIES WHICH IT WILL THEN BE THE ADMINISTRATION’S TASK TO EXPLAIN TO THIS COUNCIL, AND TO PERSUADE THIS COUNCIL TO ADOPT AND DEVELOP.
"WHAT ACCOUNTABILITY MEANS IN PRACTICE IS CREATIVE DIALOGUE
BETWEEN THE ADMINISTRATION AND YOU," HE SAID.
- - 0 - -
LEGCO PRESIDENT TO BE ELECTED * * * * *
THE GOVERNOR, THE RT HON CHRISTOPHER PATTEN, TOLD LEGCO MEMBERS TODAY (WEDNESDAY) HE WISHED TO HAND OVER THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF PRESIDING OVER THE COUNCIL TO A PRESIDENT ELECTED BY THEM AS SOON AS THE NECESSARY FORMALITIES COULD BE COMPLETED.
"THIS WILL MEAN THAT, IN FUTURE, I WILL BE ANSWERABLE AS THE HEAD OF THE EXECUTIVE TO THIS COUNCIL RATHER THAN BEING RESTRICTED TO THE ROLE OF PRESIDENT," HE SAID IN HIS POLICY ADDRESS.
PUTTING THIS INTO PRACTICE, THE GOVERNOR SAID THAT IF MEMBERS AGREED, HE PROPOSED TO MAKE HIMSELF AVAILABLE TO ANSWER MEMBERS QUESTIONS AND TO DISCUSS GOVERNMENT POLICIES AND PROPOSALS, ON AT LEAST ONE THURSDAY EVERY MONTH WHEN LEGCO WAS IN SESSION.
"I SHOULD ALSO LIKE TO MAKE MYSELF AVAILABLE TO THIS COUNCIL TO REPORT ON MAJOR TRIPS ABROAD - LIKE MY TRIP TO CHINA - AND ON OTHER IMPORTANT DEVELOPMENTS. WE WILL OBVIOUSLY NEED TO WORK OUT TOGETHER EXACTLY HOW THESE ARRANGEMENTS CAN BEST BE MADE TO WORK."
MR PATTEN EXPLAINED THAT SEPARATING THE NON-GOVERNMENT MEMBERSHIP OF EXCO AND LEGCO IMPLIED THAT "LEGCO MUST BE LEFT FREE TO RUN ITS OWN AFFAIRS AND, IN THE PROCESS, TO DEVELOP FURTHER ITS RELATIONSHIP WITH THE GOVERNMENT".
"THAT IS THE POSITION NOW LAID DOWN IN THE ROYAL INSTRUCTIONS, AND WILL BE THE POSITION, SET OUT IN ARTICLE 75 OF THE BASIC LAW, IN THE FUTURE."
THE GOVERNOR BELIEVED THAT HANDING OVER THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF PRESIDING OVER THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL WAS AN IMPORTANT MOVE IN THAT DIRECTION.
- - 0 - -
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 7, 1992
33
OMELCO TO BE WOUND UP?
*****
THE GOVERNOR, THE RT HON CHRISTOPHER PATTEN, SAID TODAY IT SEEMED SENSIBLE TO WIND UP THE OFFICE OF MEMBERS OF THE EXECUTIVE AND LEGISLATIVE COUNCILS (OMELCO).
AND HE HAS PROPOSED THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A NEW NON-STATUTORY GOVERNMENT-LEGCO COMMITTEE TO CREATE AN EFFECTIVE WORKING RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN LEGCO AND THE ADMINISTRATION.
IN HIS POLICY SPEECH, MR PATTEN SAID THERE WAS A NEED TO GO STILL FURTHER IN ENSURING THAT THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL HAD THE INDEPENDENCE IT NEEDED TO REPRESENT THE COMMUNITY EFFECTIVELY.
’’YOU MUST HAVE CLEAR AND SEPARATE MANAGEMENT OF YOUR OWN AFFAIRS. IT WOULD SEEM SENSIBLE TO WIND UP THE OFFICE OF MEMBERS OF THE EXECUTIVE AND LEGISLATIVE COUNCILS (OMELCO), WHOSE FUTURE I KNOW YOU HAVE BEEN CONSIDERING.
"WE ARE READY TO WORK ACTIVELY WITH MEMBERS IN DEVELOPING FINANCIAL AND MANAGERIAL AUTONOMY IN ORGANISING YOUR OWN ADMINISTRATION AND SUPPORT FACILITIES. WE WELCOME YOUR PROPOSALS," HE SAID.
MR PATTEN SAID THE COUNCIL ALREADY HAD THE POWERS TO DEVELOP ITS OWN COMMITTEE STRUCTURE.
"I ASSUME YOU WILL WISH TO ESTABLISH A SYSTEM THAT ENABLES YOU TO ENSURE THE EXECUTIVE IS FULLY ACCOUNTABLE TO THE LEGISLATURE, AS LAID DOWN IN THE JOINT DECLARATION AND THE BASIC LAW, AND THAT THIS PROCEDURE WORKS EFFECTIVELY AND OPENLY."
HE ALSO SAID THERE WAS A NEED TO DEVELOP THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE COUNCIL AND THE GOVERNMENT TO ENSURE THAT PUBLIC BUSINESS WAS CONDUCTED EFFICIENTLY.
"I PROPOSE THAT A GOVERNMENT-LEGCO COMMITTEE SHOULD BE ESTABLISHED WHERE THE ADMINISTRATION CAN DISCUSS WITH MEMBERS OF THIS COUNCIL THE HANDLING OF THE ADMINISTRATION’S LEGISLATIVE AND FINANCIAL PROGRAMMES.
"THIS NEW NON-STATUTORY BODY WILL BE CHAIRED BY ME OR BY THE CHIEF SECRETARY OR FINANCIAL SECRETARY ACCORDING TO THE SUBJECT UNDER DISCUSSION," MR PATTEN SAID..
THE GOVERNOR INVITED THE COUNCIL TO DECIDE FOR ITSELF THE MEMBERS THAT SHOULD BE ASKED BY HIM TO JOIN THE NEW BODY.
HE ADDED THAT THERE WAS A NEED TO DISCUSS THE PRECISE ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE COMMITTEE.
"BUT ITS MAIN PURPOSE WILL BE THE VITAL TASK OF CREATING AN EFFECTIVE WORKING RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THIS COUNCIL AND THE ADMINISTRATION, SO THAT THE GOVERNMENT IS FULLY AWARE OF MEMBERS’ CONCERNS, AND SO THAT THIS COUNCIL IS FULLY BRIEFED ON THE PROPOSALS WHICH THE GOVERNMENT WILL BE ASKING MEMBERS TO SUPPORT," MR PATTEN SAID.
--------0----------
/34 ........
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 7, 1992
34
WIDE-RANGING ELECTORAL PACKAGE PROPOSED
*****
THE GOVERNOR, THE RT HON CHRISTOPHER PATTEN, TODAY UNVEILED A PACKAGE OF PROPOSALS TO DEVELOP HONG KONG’S REPRESENTATIVE INSTITUTIONS TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT WITHIN THE TERMS OF THE JOINT DECLARATION AND THE BASIC LAW.
THE PROPOSED ELECTORAL PACKAGE INCLUDES:
* LOWERING THE VOTING AGE TO 18
* INTRODUCTION OF SINGLE SEAT, SINGLE VOTE CONSTITUENCIES
* EXTENDING THE ELECTORATE OF THE FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCIES
» EXPANDING THE ROLE OF DISTRICT BOARDS
* DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS TO BE DIRECTLY ELECTED
* ESTABLISHING AN INDEPENDENT BOUNDARY AND ELECTION COMMISSION
* MEMBERS OF THE 1995 ELECTION COMMITTEE TO BE DRAWN FROM DIRECTLY ELECTED DBS
IN OUTLINING HIS PROPOSALS TO LEGCO MEMBERS, MR PATTEN MADE IT CLEAR THAT THEY WOULD REQUIRE SERIOUS DISCUSSIONS WITH PEKING.
"LET US BE CLEAR WHY WE ARE DISCUSSING WITH THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT ALL THESE ISSUES RELATING TO THE 1995 ELECTIONS.
"THE COMMUNITY WANTS MORE REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT. BUT I THINK IT IS EQUALLY PLAIN THAT A MAJORITY WANTS CONSTITUTIONAL REFORMS TO BE COMPATIBLE, AS FAR AS POSSIBLE,. WITH THE BASIC LAW AND, ACCORDINGLY, TO TRANSCEND 1997.
"AT THE SAME TIME, WE HAVE TO TAKE ACCOUNT OF THE OPINIONS OF BOTH THE PRESENT AND FUTURE SOVEREIGN POWERS. FOR THIS REASON, THE PROPOSALS I AM PUTTING FORWARD THIS AFTERNOON WILL REQUIRE SERIOUS DISCUSSION WITH PEKING," HE SAID.
MR PATTEN SAID WHAT HE WAS OUTLINING WAS THE BROAD SHAPE OF THE UNDERSTANDING WHICH HE HOPED COULD BE ACHIEVED BOTH WITHIN THE COMMUNITY AND WITH THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT.
LOWER VOTING AGE
THE GOVERNOR SAID HE WISHED TO SEE THE VOTING AGE REDUCED FROM 21 TO 18, AS THE COUNCIL ITSELF HAD RECMMENDED, AND WHICH WAS REGARDED IN CHINA AND BRITAIN AND COUNTRIES AROUND THE WORLD AS A SENSIBLE VOTING AGE.
HE SAID YOUNG MEN AND WOMEN IN HONG KONG WERE JUST AS ABLE TO EXERCISE THEIR JUDGMENT AS CITIZENS AS THEIR AGE GROUP ELSEWHERE.
SINGLE VOTE, SINGLE SEAT
MR PATTEN SAID THE 1991 SYSTEM OF DOUBLE MEMBER CONSTITUENCIES HAD BEEN CRITICISED BECAUSE OF THE "COAT TAIL” EFFECT.
/"TO AVOID .......
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 7, 1992
35
"TO AVOID THIS PROBLEM WHILE PRESERVING A STRAIGHTFORWARD SYSTEM, THE BEST OPTION IN MY VIEW IS TO GIVE EACH ELECTOR A SINGLE VOTE FOR A SINGLE DIRECTLY ELECTED REPRESENTATIVE IN A SINGLE SEAT CONSTITUENCY."
HE SAID THE METHOD WAS WELL KNOWN FROM MUNICIPAL COUNCIL AND DISTRICT BOARD ELECTIONS AND IT ALSO REFLECTED THE VIEWS OF MOST MEMBERS OF LEGCO.
FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCY REVISIONS
21
THE GOVERNOR SAID THERE WAS A NEED TO FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCIES AND AT THE NINE
LOOK BOTH AT THE EXISTING NEW ONES TO BE CREATED.
IN RELATION TO THE PRESENT ONES, MR PATTEN SAID HE PROPOSED THAT ALL FORMS OF CORPORATE VOTING SHOULD BE REPLACED BY INDIVIDUAL VOTERS. THUS, CORPORATE VOTERS IN THE BUSINESS AND INDUSTRIAL CONSTITUENCIES SHOULD BE REPLACED BY' INDIVIDUALS WHO OWN OR CONTROL THE MANAGEMENT OF THE CORPORATIONS CONCERNED.
FOR EXAMPLE ALL DIRECTORS OF COMPANIES THAT ARE MEMBERS OF THE GENERAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE WOULD BE ABLE TO VOTE, INSTEAD OF JUST THE COMPANIES THEMSELVES.
"ACCORDING TO THE SAME PRINCIPLE, VOTES WOULD BE GIVEN TO DESIGNATED OFFICE BEARERS OF TRADE UNIONS IN THE LABOUR FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCY; AND REGISTERED SOCIAL WORKERS WOULD BE ABLE TO VOTE ALONGSIDE THOSE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE MANAGEMENT OF WELFARE AGENCIES IN THE SOCIAL SERVICES CONSTITUENCY," HE SAID.
MR PATTEN SAID THAT TAKEN TOGETHER THESE MEASURES WOULD EXPAND THE FRANCHISE IN THE FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCIES CONCERNED BY MORE THAN FIVE TIMES, AND ALSO DEAL WITH SOME OF THE CRITICISMS LEVELLED AT THE EXISTING SYSTEM.
FOR THE NINE NEW CONSTITUENCIES, THE GOVERNOR SAID THE SIMPLEST AND FAIREST APPROACH WOULD BE TO DEFINE THEM SO THAT THEY INCLUDED THE ENTIRE WORKING POPULATION.
HE SAID THIS COULD BE DONE BY FOLLOWING THE EXISTING CLASSIFICATION OF OUR INDUSTRIAL AND COMMERCIAL SECTORS, IN EACH OF WHICH EVERY WORKER WOULD HAVE A VOTE:
- PRIMARY PRODUCTION, POWER AND CONSTRUCTION;
- TEXTILES AND GARMENTS;
- MANUFACTURING;
- IMPORT AND EXPORT;
- WHOLESALE AND RETAIL;
- HOTELS AND CATERING;
- TRANSPORT AND COMMUNICATIONS;
- FINANCING, INSURANCE, REAL ESTATE, AND BUSINESS SERVICES; AND - COMMUNITY, SOCIAL AND PERSONAL SERVICES.
/"SUCH A .......
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 7, 1992
36
"SUCH A STEP WOULD HAVE TWO MAIN EFFECTS. FIRST IT WOULD GIVE EVERY SINGLE WORKER IN HONG KONG THE OPPORTUNITY TO ELECT TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL A MEMBER TO REPRESENT HIM OR HER AT THE WORKPLACE. SECONDLY, BY ENCOMPASSING ALL OCCUPATIONS, WE WILL ENSURE BROAD REPRESENTATION IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
"THESE ARRANGEMENTS WOULD RESULT IN THE FRANCHISES OF THE 30 FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCIES BEING EXTENDED TO ALL ELIGIBLE WORKERS IN OUR WORKING POPULATION OF 2.7 MILLION. NATURALLY EACH VOTER WOULD ONLY BE ABLE TO VOTE IN ONE FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCY," MR PATTEN ADDED.
STRONGER LOCAL ADMINISTRATION
THE GOVERNOR SAID THE MUNICIPAL COUNCILS ALREADY HAD EXTENSIVE EXECUTIVE POWERS, BUT THE VERY VALUABLE DISTRICT BOARDS WERE FAR TOO LIMITED IN THEIR FUNCTIONS.
HE SAID HE INTENDED TO EXPAND THEIR RESPONSIBILITIES, FUNCTIONS AND BUDGETS IN 1993 TO "GIVE THEM GREATER RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ISSUES WHICH AFFECT THE RESIDENTS OF THEIR PARTICULAR DISTRICTS".
DISTRICT BOARDS WOULD BE GIVEN FULL AUTHORITY IN MANAGING FUNDS FOR MINOR ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS, LOCAL PUBLIC WORKS PROJECTS AND COMMUNITY BUILDING ACTIVITIES. THEY WOULD ALSO BE RESPONSIBLE FOR MANAGING COMMUNITY HALLS AND FOR MAKING APPOINTMENTS TO A VARIETY OF LOCAL BODIES, SUCH AS SCHOOL AND INDUSTRIAL LIAISON COMMITTEES AND CIVIC EDUCATION COMMITTEES.
MR PATTEN HAS ALSO PROPOSED THAT FROM 1994 ALL DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS SHOULD BE DIRECTLY ELECTED, EXCEPT EX-OFFICIO MEMBERS IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.
SIMILARLY THE NUMBER OF DIRECTLY ELECTED SEATS ON THE TWO MUNICIPAL COUNCILS SHOULD ALSO BE INCREASED.
"WHILE CONTINUING TO ALLOW THE DISTRICT BOARDS AND THE HEUNG YEE KUK TO ELECT THEIR EXISTING NUMBER OF REPRESENTATIVES TO THESE COUNCILS, WE SHOULD ABOLISH THE APPOINTED SEATS."
BOUNDARY AND ELECTION COMMISSION
MR PATTEN SAID THE ARRANGEMENTS OUTLINED WOULD INVOLVE A GOOD DEAL OF WORK IN DEFINING THE BOUNDARIES FOR THE NEW AND EXISTING CONSTITUENCIES.
IN ORDER TO ENSURE FAIRNESS, HE HAS PROPOSED THE ESTABLISHMENT OF AN INDEPENDENT BOUNDARY AND ELECTION COMMISSION WHICH WOULD REPORT DIRECTLY TO THE GOVERNOR.
THE 1995 ELECTION COMMITTEE
MR PATTEN SAID THAT IF THERE WAS TO BE AN ELECTION COMMITTEE FOR 1995, THE IDEAL WOULD BE ONE GENUINELY REPRESENTATIVE OF THE COMMUNITY.
/"THE SIMPLEST .......
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 7, 1992
37
’’THE SIMPLEST AND MOST EFFECTIVE FORMULA TO ACHIEVE THIS FOR ANY 1995 BODY WOULD BE TO DRAW ALL OR MOST OF ITS MEMBERS FROM THE DIRECTLY-ELECTED DISTRICT BOARDS; THEY SHOULD BE ABLE TO VOTE FOR ANY QUALIFIED CANDIDATE AND NOT JUST MEMBERS OF THE ELECTION COMMITTEE,” HE SAID.
ON THE SUBJECT OF MORE DIRECTLY ELECTED LEGCO SEATS FOR 1995, MR PATTEN SAID THE CASE HAD BEEN MADE TWO WEEKS AGO BY THE FOREIGN SECRETARY (MR HURD) TO THE CHINESE FOREIGN MINISTER.
WHILE THE CHINESE POSITION WAS THAT SUCH A MOVE WOULD BE INCOMPATIBLE WITH THE BASIC LAW, THE GOVERNOR SAID "THE CASE FOR MORE DIRECTLY ELECTED SEATS IN 1995 WILL CONTINUE TO BE MADE WITH VIGOUR”.
MR PATTEN BELIEVED THE ELECTORAL PACKAGE HE HAD OUTLINED TODAY WOULD BE • COMPATIBLE WITH THE BASIC LAW. "WHAT THESE ARRANGEMENTS SHOULD GIVE US, THEREFORE, IS A ’THROUGH TRAIN’ OF DEMOCRACY RUNNING ON THE TRACKS LAID DOWN BY THE BASIC LAW.”
REFERRING TO THE BENEFITS WHICH A MORE REPRESENTATIVE SYSTEM WOULD BRING TO HONG KONG, MR PATTEN SAID: ’’THIS PROCESS WILL ONLY SUCCEED IF HONG KONG’S POLITICIANS DISPLAY GOOD SENSE AND RESTRAINT AND DEMONSTRATE THE SUBSTANTIAL CONTRIBUTION WHICH GREATER DEMOCRACY CAN MAKE TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF HONG KONG, THE WELL-BEING OF ITS RESIDENTS AND THE CONFIDENCE OF ITS COMMUNITY.”
------0-----------
HK CONTRIBUTES TO A MORE PROSPEROUS CHINA: GOVERNOR *****
THE GOVERNOR, THE RT HON CHRISTOPHER PATTEN, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY) THE GOAL ”ONE COUNTRY, TWO SYSTEMS” MEANT A PROSPEROUS CHINA, MADE MORE PROSPEROUS STILL BY THE CONTRIBUTION OF A VIGOROUS, TOLERANT AND OPEN HONG KONG.
"WE SHOULD LOOK TOWARDS THE FIFTY YEARS BEYOND 1997. THEY WILL BE EVEN MORE SUCCESSFUL THAN THE FIFTY THAT WENT BEFORE.”
IN HIS POLICY ADDRESS, MR PATTEN SAID THEY WOULD SEE OUR OWN SYSTEM AND OUR OWN WAY OF LIFE SURVIVING AND FLOURISHING BECAUSE IT WORKED SO WELL, BECAUSE IT EMBODIED VALUES WE ALL HELD DEAR, AND BECAUSE OF THE EXAMPLE OF DECENCY AND SUCCESS THAT IT OFFERED TO THE REST OF HUMANITY.
SELECTING A FEW EXAMPLES OF THE RESULTS WHICH WOULD BE PRODUCED BY THE PROGRAMMES HE HAD OUTLINED, MR PATTEN SAID ON PRESENT INDICATIONS, BY 1997:
- OUR GDP PER HEAD WILL HAVE REACHED US$30,500, COMPARABLE TO ITALIAN AND DUTCH NATIONAL INCOME LEVELS TODAY, AND WITHIN 12 PERCENT OF FRANCE;
/- THE VALUE .......
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 7, 1992
- 38 -
- THE VALUE OF OUR TOTAL FOREIGN TRADE WILL BE US$548 BILLION, EQUIVALENT TO THE TOTAL EXTERNAL TRADE OF FRANCE TODAY, AND SUBSTANTIALLY MORE THAN THAT OF ITALY AND THE NETHERLANDS;
- WE WILL BE SPENDING AT TODAY’S PRICES $22 BILLION A YEAR EDUCATING OUR CHILDREN, $9.4 BILLION A YEAR HELPING THE DEPRIVED, DISABLED AND DISADVANTAGED, $15.3 BILLION A YEAR PROMOTING OUR HEALTH AND TREATING DISEASE, AND $1.4 BILLION A YEAR PROTECTING THE ENVIRONMENT;
- WE SHOULD - IF THE WILL IS THERE - HAVE CONSTRUCTED ASIA’S MOST MODERN AIRPORT, WITH A CAPACITY ON OPENING OF 35 MILLION PASSENGERS A YEAR AND THE POTENTIAL FOR EXPANSION TO A CAPACITY OF 87 MILLION PASSENGERS A YEAR; AND
- WE WILL HAVE ONE OF THE WORLD’S LARGEST CONTAINER PORTS, WITH A CAPACITY OF 9.2 MILLION CONTAINERS.
THE GOVERNOR ALSO SAID WE-WOULD BE A COMMUNITY IN WHICH:
- ALMOST 6 OUT OF 10 FAMILIES OWN THEIR OWN HOMES;
- ALMOST ONE IN FIVE OF THOSE AGED 17 TO 20 WILL BE STUDYING FOR DEGREES.
"THIS IS WHAT STABILITY AND PROSPERITY ARE ALL ABOUT IN
PRACTICAL TERMS.
"THIS IS WHAT THE HONG KONG WAY OF LIFE IS CAPABLE OF
DELIVERING, GIVEN MUTUAL TRUST AND CO-OPERATION FROM ALL THE PARTIES CONCERNED," HE SAID.
MR PATTEN SAID WE ALL RECOGNISED THE TROUBLED LEGACY OF HISTORY AND WE MUST MOVE BEYOND THE MISUNDERSTANDINGS INHERITED FROM THE PAST.
ON HIS VISIT TO PEKING LATER THIS MONTH, THE GOVERNOR SAID HIS GOAL THERE WOULD BE TO PUSH FORWARD THE PROCESS OF TRUST.
HE SAID THIS RELATIONSHIP MUST BE BASED ON FRANK DISCUSSIONS OF MUTUAL DIFFICULTIES IN ORDER TO ACHIEVE SOLUTIONS WHICH REFLECTED OUR COMMON GOALS.
"I AM CONFIDENT THAT WE CAN DO SO BECAUSE THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT HAS SHOWN A FIRM COMMITMENT TO PRESERVING HONG KONG AS A UNIQUE COMMUNITY, A COMMUNITY WITH MAJOR CONTRIBUTIONS STILL TO MAKE TO CHINA’S OWN DEVELOPMENT, AT THE SAME TIME AS IT PROVIDES AN ATTRACTIVE FUTURE FOR ITS OWN PEOPLE," HE SAID.
THE GOVERNOR SAID HE WOULD BE HOLDING DETAILED DISCUSSIONS THERE ABOUT SOME OF THE MAJOR ISSUES WHICH WOULD DETERMINE THE TERRITORY’S FUTURE, INCLUDING OUR PROPOSALS FOR THE 1995 ELECTION ARRANGEMENTS AND THE BEST WAY TO SETTLE DIFFERENCES OF OPINION OVER FINANCING THE NEW AIRPORT.
/AT THE .......
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 7, 1992
- 39 -
AT THE SAME TIME, HE SAID HE WOULD HAVE AN UNDERLYING MESSAGE R?cTqOpXpYAT?° THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT, a theme which would form the BASIS FOR ALL THAT HE HAD TO SAY.
MR PATTEN SAID HE WOULD BE EMPHASISING:
THE WORK THAT REMAINS TO BE DONE BETWEEN NOW AND 1997:
" THIS TERRITORY•PLANS WE HAVE F°R ™E FURTHER IMPROVEMENT OF
THE PICTURE OF THE HONG KONG, CREATED BY THIS OWN ENDEAVOURS, WHICH I WILL LEAVE IN 1997.
COMMUNITY’S
--------0-----------
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 8, 1992
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
GOVERNOR'S QUESTION TIME IN LEGCO.................................. 1
GOVERNOR'S PUBLIC MEETING AT CITY HALL............................... 22
GOVERNOR'S PHONE-IN PROGRAMME ON RTHK ............................... 33
THREE NEW TERRITORIES SITES FETCH $390.6M ........................... 53
PRINCIPLES FOR APPLICATION OF DEVELOPMENT IN MAI PO AREAS ENDORSED 54
UNAUTHORISED BUILDING WORKS IN SHEK O TO CLOSE ...................... 55
CFPA APPROVES GRANTS TO LOCAL ARTS GROUPS ........................... 55
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS........... 56
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 8, 1992
THE GOVERNOR THE RT HON CHRISTOPHER PATTEN’S QUESTION TIME IN LEGCO
THURSDAY, 8TH OCTOBER 1992
******
GOVERNOR: HONOURABLE MEMBERS, CAN I SAY FIRST OF ALL HOW GRATEFUL I AM TO THE COUNCIL FOR MAKING THIS SESSION POSSIBLE. I REALISE THAT WE ARE, ALL OF US, IN UNCHARTED WATERS, NOT LEAST YOUR PRESIDENT WHO IS MORE USED ON THESE OCCASIONS TO BEING DOWN THERE RATHER THAN UP HERE. BUT I DO WANT TO FIND A WAY IN WHICH WE CAN HAVE REGULAR EXCHANGES IN WHICH YOU CAN, ON A REGULAR BASIS, ASK ME QUESTIONS ABOUT THE POLICIES AND PROGRAMME OF THE EXECUTIVE. BUT WE MAY NEED TO BE A LITTLE CHARITABLE WITH ONE ANOTHER AND A LITTLE FLEXIBLE, UNTIL WE’VE WORKED OUT ARRANGEMENTS WHICH ARE SUITABLE ALL ROUND.
I HAVE ABSOLUTELY NO FIXED PREJUDICE OR OPINION ABOUT HOW WE SHOULD CONDUCT THESE SESSIONS, EXCEPT TO SAY THIS, WHICH I HOPE HONOURABLE MEMBERS WON’T FIND TOO SANCTIMONIOUS, I DO HOPE THAT WE CAN DEVELOP A STYLE OF DIALOGUE WHICH IS NOT TOO CONFRONTATIONAL. I THINK THIS SHOULD BE A CHANCE FOR EXPLANATION AND AN EXCHANGE OF VIEWS RATHER THAN FOR PARTISAN POINT SCORING. I DON’T PRETEND ON THIS OCCASION TO BRING WITH ME AS SOMETHING TO FOLLOW, THE EXAMPLE OF WESTMINSTER. WE MIGHT DO BETTER TO SET OUR OWN STANDARDS AND GIVE A BETTER EXAMPLE.
ONE OTHER GENERAL POINT THAT I’D LIKE TO MAKE AT THE OUTSET BEFORE PUTTING MYSELF IN THE HANDS OF THE COUNCIL. SOME PEOPLE HAVE SAID TO ME IN THE LAST THREE MONTHS THAT LEGCO USED TO WORK IN A VERY CO-OPERATIVE WAY AND THAT THAT SORT OF CO-OPERATION BETWEEN MEMBERS AND BETWEEN MEMBERS AND THE EXECUTIVE WOULD BE IMPOSSIBLE NOW THAT A MAJORITY OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL WAS ELECTED. I MUST SAY THAT I DON’T BELIEVE FOR A MOMENT THAT THAT SHOULD BE THE CASE. I THINK IT’S IMPERATIVE THAT WE DEMONSTRATE THAT A GOVERNMENT WHICH IS ACCOUNTABLE TO A LEGISLATURE LIKE THIS IS MORE LIKELY RATHER THAN LESS LIKELY TO PROMOTE STABILITY AND PROSPERITY AND I’M SURE THAT WE WILL BE ABLE TO DEVELOP A WAY OF EXCHANGING VIEWS WHICH ENABLES US TO WORK MORE CLOSELY TOGETHER RATHER THAN TO OPEN UP DIVISIONS BETWEEN US. THAT’S CERTAINLY GOING TO BE MY APPROACH TO MY RELATIONSHIP WITH THIS COUNCIL WHICH WILL NECESSARILY AND PROPERLY BE RATHER DIFFERENT FROM THE RELATIONSHIP WHICH MY PREDECESSORS HAVE HAD.
I’M NOW IN THE COUNCIL’S HANDS ABOUT HOW TO ANSWER QUESTIONS ON MY LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ADDRESS YESTERDAY. I GUESS THAT WE COULD DO NO BETTER THAN TAKE QUESTIONS FOR AN HOUR-AND-A-HALF IN THE ORDER IN WHICH HANDS RISE, AND I’LL TRY TO BE FAIR. IT’S NOT PREJUDICE AND NOT SEXISM IF I SAY THAT THE FIRST HAND THAT ROSE WAS THAT OF MISS EMILY LAU.
/MISS EMILY .......
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 8, 1992
2
MISS EMILY LAU: GOVERNOR - I THINK I’D RATHER ADDRESS YOU AS GOVERNOR RATHER THAN MR PRESIDENT - GOVERNOR, IN YOUR AGENDA FOR HONG KONG YOUR GOAL IS FORMIDABLY SIMPLE, TO SAFEGUARD HONG KONG’S WAY OF LIFE, AND YOU OUTLINE FOUR KEY PRINCIPLES WHICH YOU SAY IF WE UPHOLD THEM WE SHALL SECURE A COMMUNITY WHOSE FREEDOMS AND WAY OF LIFE ARE PROTECTED. GOVERNOR, AFTER READING THESE 43 PAGES, I FAIL TO SEE A BLUEPRINT WHICH WILL GIVE US HONG KONG PEOPLE THE CONFIDENCE THAT WE WILL ACHIEVE THIS OBJECTIVE, AND OF COURSE I’M SURE YOU KNOW I AM REFERRING TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF DEMOCRACY AT THE VERY HIGHEST LEVEL IN GOVERNMENT, MEANING THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL AND THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, ON WHICH YOUR PROPOSALS HAVE MADE US ALL VERY UPSET. AND ALSO ON THE PROTECTION OF HUMAN RIGHTS, GOVERNOR, THOSE WORDS I COULD NOT FIND IN THIS AGENDA. I DON’T KNOW WHETHER THEY ARE DIRTY WORDS TO THE HONG KONG ADMINISTRATION. AND YOU MENTION THREE SETS OF LAWS THAT YOU WILL CHANGE, WHICH I WELCOME: THE PUBLIC ORDER ORDINANCE, THE ABOLITION OF THE DEATH PENALTY, AND A LOOK AT LAWS WHICH MAY INFRINGE PRESS FREEDOM. BUT WHAT ABOUT OTHER LAWS GOVERNOR? SO WILL YOU PLEASE TELL US, HOW DO YOU INTEND TO CONSTRUCT A FREE AND DEMOCRATIC FUTURE FOR THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG BY LAYING VERY FIRM FOUNDATION IN AN AREA OF DEMOCRACY AT THE VERY HIGH LEVEL AND FIRM PROTECTION AND SAFEGUARDS FOR HUMAN RIGHTS?
GOVERNOR: I AGREE THAT IT IS PROBABLY BETTER TO ADDRESS ME AS GOVERNOR RATHER THAN MR PRESIDENT, PARTICULARLY AT THIS POINT IN THE AMERICAN POLITICAL CALENDAR. UNLIKE MR PEROT, I HAVEN’T YET DECLARED. I’M SORRY THAT IN ALL 43 PAGES OF MY ADDRESS, OF THE AGENDA THAT I SKETCHED OUT, YOU FAILED TO FIND ANYTHING WHICH CONVINCED YOU OF MY PURPOSE AND MY CONVICTION ABOUT THE SECURING OF HONG KONG’S WAY OF LIFE BEFORE AND AFTER 1997. LET ME, AT THE RISK OF REPETITION, SAY WHAT I WAS TRYING TO DO.
I WAS TRYING TO FIND A POINT OF BALANCE IN THE COMMUNITY. I NOTICE THAT THIS MORNING SOME HAVE DESCRIBED ME AS TOO CAUTIOUS, CAUTIOUS TO A FAULT. OTHERS HAVE DESCRIBED ME - OTHERS WHO ARE NOT UNKNOWN FOR THEIR RHETORICAL EXCESSES FROM TIME TO TIME -OTHERS HAVE DESCRIBED ME AS BEING RECKLESS. I DON’T NECESSARILY BELIEVE IT’S ALWAYS TRUE THAT IF YOU HAVE OPPOSITE ADJECTIVES USED ABOUT WHAT YOU’RE DOING YOU MUST BE COMING SENSIBLY THROUGH THE MIDDLE, BUT I DO BELIEVE ON THIS OCCASION THAT THE BALANCE I’VE PUT FORWARD IS JUST ABOUT RIGHT. AS I UNDERSTAND THE ASPIRATIONS OF PEOPLE IN HONG KONG, THEY DO WANT MORE DEMOCRACY. EVERY TIME THEY HAVE HAD THE OPPORTUNITY OF DECLARING THEIR POSITION THAT IS WHAT THEY HAVE SAID. BUT I ALSO THINK THAT THEY WANT MORE DEMOCRACY WHICH THEY BELIEVE WILL LAST AND MANY OF THEM, AS I KNOW FROM A PHONE-IN PROGRAMME THAT I TOOK PART IN THIS MORNING, DEFINE THAT AS DEMOCRATIC DEVELOPMENTS WHICH ARE CONSISTENT WITH HONG KONG’S MINI CONSTITUTION AFTER 1997 AND THE BASIC LAW.
SO WHAT I ATTEMPTED TO DO YESTERDAY WAS THIS: TO SAY, IF IT IS CHINA’S POSITION THAT THERE CANNOT BE ANY INCREASE IN DIRECTLY ELECTED SEATS BECAUSE THAT WOULD CONTRAVENE THE BASIC LAW, THEN LET US LOOK AT OTHER THINGS WHICH WOULD BROADEN DEMOCRACY WHICH ARE ENTIRELY CONSISTENT WITH THE BASIC LAW. I THINK THAT IS A COHERENT PACKAGE, I THINK THAT IS A COHERENT SET OF PROPOSALS, AND ONE WHICH I AM PREPARED TO DEFEND IN THIS COUNCIL, AND ONE WHICH I AM PREPARED TO DEFEND AND ARGUE FOR IN PEKING.
/BUT LET........
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 8, 1992
- 3 -
BUT LET ME MAKE ONE VERY IMPORTANT POINT ABOUT PROPOSALS FOR TAKING DEMOCRACY FORWARD. THERE WILL COME A POINT WHEN THIS COUNCIL WILL HAVE TO GIVE ITS DECISION, WHEN THIS COUNCIL WILL HAVE TO MAKE ITS OWN MIND UP ON HOW WE SECURE A DEMOCRACY FOR THE FUTURE, BECAUSE I WILL HAVE TO COME TO THIS COUNCIL WITH LEGISLATION ABOUT 1994 AND 1995 AND THIS COUNCIL WILL HAVE TO FACE DIFFICULT AND DEMANDING DECISIONS, TAKING ACCOUNT OF WHAT IS SAID IN PEKING, TAKING ACCOUNT OF WHAT IS SAID IN LONDON, AND TAKING ACCOUNT OF WHAT IS SAID ON THE STREETS OF HONG KONG. I THINK THAT THE PROPOSALS I HAVE PUT FORWARD ARE REASONABLE AND I HOPE THAT IS THE VIEW OF THIS COUNCIL AND OF THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG. I HOPE THAT IS THE VIEW OF PEKING IN DUE COURSE, THOUGH MAYBE I WILL HAVE SOME EXPLAINING AND ARGUMENTS TO DO FIRST.
ON HUMAN RIGHTS, I THINK THAT THE BILL OF RIGHTS WAS AN IMPORTANT DEVELOPMENT IN OUR ATTEMPT TO SAFEGUARD CIVIL LIBERTIES. I THINK IT WAS AN IMPORTANT STEP FORWARD TAKEN BY THE GOVERNMENT UNDER MY PREDECESSOR, AN IMPORTANT STEP FORWARD TO ENSURE THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE JOINT DECLARATION, AND WE HAVE TO TAKE ACCOUNT OF IT IN A NUMBER OF AREAS OF PUBLIC POLICY, NOT LEAST, AS I SAID YESTERDAY, IN A NUMBER OF ORDINANCES THAT HAVE AN EFFECT ON PUBLIC ORDER AND FREEDOM OF SPEECH, ON BOTH OF WHICH WE ARE UNDERTAKING, AS THE HONOURABLE MEMBER WILL KNOW, A REVIEW.
SO WHILE I RESPECT THE HONOURABLE MEMBER’S POSITION AND KNOW THAT IT IS, AS EVER, ARGUED WITH ELEGANCE AND FIRE, I VERY MUCH HOPE THAT-SOMEWHERE BETWEEN HER CAUTION AND OTHERS RECKLESSNESS, OR THE OTHER WAY ROUND, I WILL BE JUDGED TO HAVE GOT THE POINT OF BALANQE RIGHT.
MR PETER WONG: YOU’VE ADOPTED A TRADITIONAL AND VERY SUCCESSFUL FORMULA, THAT GOVERNMENT SPENDING MUST FOLLOW AND NOT OUTPACE ECONOMIC GROWTH. THIS HAS BEEN TAKEN TO MEAN GROWTH IN GOVERNMENT EXPENDITURE SHOULD NOT OUTSTRIP GDP GROWTH. THE FIVE YEAR IN MEDIUM TERM FORECAST ALREADY SHOWS THAT THE EXPENDITURE OF GOVERNMENT WILL BE CREEPING UP FROM ABOUT 17% OF GDP TO ABOVE 20. YOUR PROPOSALS WILL ADD ABOUT 5% PER YEAR OR ROUGHLY 1% OF EXTRA GDP GROWTH. SO, ARE YOU NOT BREAKING YOUR OWN RULES ABOUT THE LEVEL OF GOVERNMENT EXPENDITURE?
/GOVERNOR: NO ........
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 8, 1992
4
GOVERNOR: NO, I THINK IF YOU LOOK AT THE FIGURES I ANNOUNCED
YESTERDAY YOU WILL SEE VERY CLEARLY THAT OUR PUBLIC EXPENDITURE PROGRAMMES WILL GROW BY SLIGHTLY LESS THAN THE PREDICTED RATE OF INCREASE IN GDP GROWTH. CAN I SAY A FURTHER WORD ABOUT THE QUESTION OF FUNDING OUR PROGRAMMES? THE QUESTION OF WHETHER OR NOT WE’VE BEEN EXTRAVAGANT, BECAUSE IT IS AN IMPORTANT ONE PARTICULARLY FOR THIS HONOURABLE COUNCIL WHICH WILL HAVE TO LOOK AT OUR SPENDING PROGRAMMES IN DETAIL AND WHICH WILL HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY ON SATURDAY OF DISCUSSING THESE MATTERS WITH THE THREE SECRETARIES PRINCIPALLY CONCERNED. LAST
YEAR, I AM ADVISED, WHEN THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY PUT FORWARD HIS BUDGET HE WAS VIGOROUSLY ATTACKED FOR BEING FAR TOO CONSERVATIVE IN HIS VIEWS ON PUBLIC FINANCE. THIS YEAR, AFTER MY PROPOSALS YESTERDAY, THERE ARE SOME WHO ARE CRITICISING US FOR BEING TOO EXTRAVAGANT, THOUGH I HAPPEN TO SUSPECT WITHIN ABOUT 24 HOURS NORMAL SERVICE WILL BE RESUMED AND ONCE AGAIN, WE’LL BE CRITICISED FOR NOT SPENDING QUITE ENOUGH ON INDIVIDUAL PROGRAMMES. THE TRUTH IS, THAT NOTHING HAS CHANGED BETWEEN THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY’S BUDGET AND WHAT I SAID YESTERDAY. CERTAINLY NOTHING HAS CHANGED IN RELATION TO OUR VIEWS ON PRUDENTIAL PUBLIC EXPENDITURE. WE ARE ABLE TO MEET A NUMBER OF THE TARGETS WHICH I SET OUT YESTERDAY BECAUSE OF THE USE OF THE WINDFALL WHICH I DESCRIBED. THE SOUNDER THE REVENUES, THE INCREASE IN REVENUE FLOWS THAT WE ARE GETTING THIS YEAR, WHICH HAD I NOT CHOSEN IN EFFECT TO CAPITALISE IT, WOULD HAVE MEANT THAT OUR SURPLUS AT THE END OF THE YEAR WOULD HAVE BEEN NOT 7-1/2 BILLION BUT AT LEAST 13-1/2 BILLION. I THINK THAT 7-1/2 BILLION IS A PERFECTLY ADEQUATE SURPLUS FOR THIS COMMUNITY AND, IF FINANCE MINISTERS IN EUROPE AND NORTH AMERICA COULD POINT TO ANYTHING LIKE THAT AT THE MOMENT, THEY’D BE EXTREMELY
PLEASED. I THINK THE WAY WE HAVE USED THAT SURPLUS THIS YEAR IS
EXTREMELY SENSIBLE. I WANT TO MAKE THIS POINT CLEAR AS WELL. NOTHING
THAT WE ANNOUNCED YESTERDAY WILL HAVE AN EFFECT ON OUR FORECAST
RESERVES AND SURPLUSES FOR THE FUTURE. WE WILL CONTINUE TO RUN A SUBSTANTIAL SURPLUS. WE WILL CONTINUE TO RUN SUBSTANTIAL RESERVES AND WE WILL NEED TO DO SO IN ORDER TO PROVIDE US WITH A CUSHION AGAINST ANY ECONOMIC UNCERTAINTY IN THE YEARS AHEAD. SO WE ARE FINANCING OUR PROGRAMMES PRUDENTLY, THERE IS NO QUESTION OF US NEEDING TO RAISE TAXES IN ORDER TO FINANCE THE PROGRAMMES THAT I ANNOUNCED. WHAT WOULD BE DANGEROUS WOULD BE, AS SOME CHINESE OFFICIALS HAVE SUGGESTED WE SHOULD DO IN RELATION TO FUNDING THE AIRPORT, TO USE OUR RESERVES IN 1997 TO CUT INTO THOSE IN ORDER TO FINANCE THE AIRPORT. THAT REALLY WOULD BE DANGEROUS AND I AM NOT GOING TO DO IT.
DR LEONG CHE-HUNG (IN CANTONESE): YOUR ADDRESS HAS CONCENTRATED ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL AS A MEANS OF FUTURE CONSTITUTIONAL DEVELOPMENT. COULD YOU INFORM THIS COUNCIL WHAT ROLE, OR CHANGE IN ROLE IF ANY, THE FUTURE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL WILL TAKE? AND SIMILARLY, SINCE YOUR ARRIVAL IN HONG KONG YOU HAVE NOT INFREQUENTLY SOUGHT THE VIEWS OF POLITICAL PARTIES, YET IN YOUR ADDRESS VERY LITTLE IS MENTIONED IN THE WAYS YOU ARE GOING TO STIMULATE OR ENCOURAGE POLITICAL PARTIES. WHAT ARE YOUR PLANS TO DEVELOP POLITICAL PARTIES IN HONG KONG AS A VEHICLE FOR PROMOTING DEMOCRACY?
/GOVERNOR: I .......
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 8, 1992
5
GOVERNOR: I AM SURE THE HONOURABLE MEMBER WILL FORGIVE ME IF I
SAY THAT MUCH OF MY MORE RECENT CAREER HAS BEEN SPENT IN TRYING TO DEVELOP POLITICAL PARTIES AND I THOUGHT WHEN I CAME TO HONG KONG I MIGHT HAVE ESCAPED THAT. I DON’T THINK, AS GOVERNOR OF HONG KONG, TRYING TO STAND ABOVE PARTY POLITICS, THAT I CAN INVOLVE MYSELF IN THE ATTEMPT TO DEVELOP INSTITUTIONAL ARRANGEMENTS TO GIVE EXPRESSION TO INDIVIDUAL OR COLLECTIVE POINTS OF VIEW, THAT AFTER ALL IS WHAT A POLITICAL PARTY IS, BUT WHAT I DO BELIEVE IS THAT WE SHOULD HAVE AS VIGOROUS PUBLIC DEBATE AS POSSIBLE. I HAPPEN TO THINK THAT POLITICS IS AN HONOURABLE ADVENTURE RATHER THAN SOMETHING ONE SHOULD APOLOGISE FOR BEING INVOLVED IN. MANY PEOPLE FIND THAT THEY CAN PURSUE THEIR POLITICAL IDEAS AS INDEPENDENTS, OTHERS FIND THAT THEY WANT TO SHARE THEIR POLITICAL IDEAS, EVEN ACCOMMODATE SOME OF THEIR POLITICAL IDEAS BY WORKING AS PART OF A TEAM OR A PARTY. I JUST HOPE THAT WE CAN CONTINUE TO SEE THE VIGOROUS POLITICAL DEBATE THAT HAS STARTED IN HONG KONG AND THAT WE CAN SHOW THE REST OF THE WORLD AND DEMONSTRATE TO THE COMMUNITY THAT IT IS PERFECTLY POSSIBLE TO HAVE VIGOROUS PUBLIC DEBATE AND GOOD GOVERNMENT; INDEED, THAT GOOD GOVERNMENT IS MORE LIKELY WHERE YOU HAVE VIGOROUS PUBLIC DEBATE WHERE CHIEF EXECUTIVES LIKE ME HAVE TO COME AND EXPLAIN THEIR DECISIONS TO OUR LEGISLATORS; THEY ARE MORE LIKELY TO THINK ABOUT THE DECISIONS IN THE FIRST PLACE.
ON THE ROLE OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL, THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL WILL CONTINUE TO HAVE THE ROLE SET OUT IN THE ROYAL INSTRUCTIONS AND LETTERS PATENT. IT WILL HELP ME MAKE DECISIONS ABOUT STRATEGY AND POLICY IN HONG KONG AND ITS MEMBERS WILL ACT AS, I HOPE, WISE AND IMPARTIAL ADVISERS. BUT I COULD, MUST, PERHAPS ADD THIS POINT. I DO THINK THAT THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL IS PROBABLY MOST USEFUL WHERE IT’S ABLE TO CONTRIBUTE TO STRATEGIC DISCUSSION AND STRATEGIC DECISIONS AND DOESN’T GET TOO INVOLVED IN THE MINUTIA OF GOVERNMENT. I SUSPECT THAT THAT WOULD BE THE JUDGMENT OF MANY PAST AS WELL AS PRESENT MEMBERS OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL AND IT’S CERTAINLY THE WAY THAT I INTEND TO TRY TO GUIDE THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL IN THE FUTURE.
MR TIK CHI-YUEN (IN CANTONESE): MR. PRESIDENT, YOU TALK ABOUT DEMOCRATISATION IN YOUR POLICY SPEECH. THE MEETING POINT WELCOMES THAT, ALTHOUGH THE PROPOSALS ARE SOMEWHAT DIFFERENT FROM OURS. YESTERDAY, THE CHINESE AUTHORITIES DID NOT WANT TO ACCEPT YOUR PROPOSALS TO THE COMING NEGOTIATIONS. ARE YOU CONFIDENT THAT YOU CAN CONVINCE THE CHINESE TO ACCEPT YOUR PROPOSALS?
/GOVERNOR: HUMAN ........
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 8, 1992
6
GOVERNOR: HUMAN HISTORY IS FULL OF EXAMPLES OF PEOPLE WHO WERE CONVINCED THEY COULD DO THINGS AND THEN ANNOUNCED THAT, AND THEN FELL, ALAS, AT THE FIRST ATTEMPT. SO I CAN’T ARROGANTLY EXPRESS ANY SUCH CONVICTION. WHAT I CAN EXPRESS IS A HOPE THAT I CAN DEMONSTRATE TO MY, TO OUR, COLLEAGUES IN PEKING THAT THE PROPOSALS WHICH I’VE SUGGESTED, THAT THE PROPOSALS I’VE PUT FORWARD ARE GOOD FOR THE STABILITY AND PROSPERITY OF HONG KONG AND, THEREFORE, GOOD FOR THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN HONG KONG AND CHINA. I CAN DO THAT AS VIGOROUSLY AS POSSIBLE. WHAT I DARE SAY I CAN ALSO SAY IS, IF NOT THESE PROPOSALS, THEN WHAT? I DON’T MAKE THESE PROPOSALS OUT OF THE BLUE. I DON’T MAKE THESE PROPOSALS JUST BECAUSE IT’S MY INITIATIVE, I MAKE THESE PROPOSALS BECAUSE THE GOVERNOR OF HONG KONG AND THE GOVERNMENT OF HONG KONG HAVE TO COME FORWARD WITH PROPOSALS ABOUT WHAT TO DO ABOUT THE ELECTION COMMITTEE IN 1995, HAVE TO COME FORWARD WITH PROPOSALS ABOUT FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCIES IN 1995, HAVE TO COME FORWARD WITH PROPOSALS ABOUT ELECTORAL ARRANGEMENTS FOR DIRECTLY ELECTED SEATS IN 1995. I HAVE TO PUT FORWARD PROPOSALS. IF OTHERS THINK THAT I’VE GOT THOSE PROPOSALS WRONG, THEN THEY SHOULD SAY WHAT PROPOSALS THEY WOULD OFFER INSTEAD. IT’S VERY DIFFICULT TO HAVE A DIALOGUE IF WHAT HAPPENS IS THAT THE GOVERNOR OF HONG KONG COMES FORWARD WITH PROPOSALS, WHETHER ON THIS MATTER OR ON THE AIRPORT, IS THEN TOLD THAT THOSE PROPOSALS AREN’T ANY GOOD, RETURNS TO BASE AND THEN IS EXPECTED PRESUMABLY TO SET OFF WITH FURTHER PROPOSALS TO SEE IF THOSE ARE ALRIGHT AND, IF THERE ARE MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY, IF THERE ARE MEMBERS OF THIS LEGISLATURE, IF THERE ARE PEOPLE ELSEWHERE WHO THINK THAT MY PROPOSALS ARE WRONG, THEN I THINK IT’S INCUMBENT UPON THEM TO SAY WHERE THEY WOULD CHANGE THEM AND WHAT THEY WOULD PUT IN THEIR PLACE. THAT IS THE WAY WE CAN HAVE A RATIONAL, SENSIBLE EXCHANGE IN DIALOGUE AND I AM EXTREMELY KEEN TO HAVE A RATIONAL AND SENSIBLE AND OPEN DIALOGUE WITH OFFICIALS IN PEKING. IT DOES NEED TO BE OPEN, PEOPLE IN HONG KONG DO NEED TO KNOW WHAT WE ARE DISCUSSING ABOUT THEIR FUTURE.
MR LAU CHIN-SHEK (IN CANTONESE): MR GOVERNOR, YOUR REPORT SAYS THAT YOU WILL PUT IN A LOT OF RESOURCES IN WELFARE AND IN MATTERS CONCERNING PEOPLE’S LIVELIHOOD, BUT HOW MANY NEW PROPOSALS AND HOW MUCH WILL THERE BE FOR THE LOWER CLASS PEOPLE? AS FOR THE LABOUR SECTOR, YOU ARE SILENT ON SAFEGUARDS FOR THE WORKERS, FOR EXAMPLE, YOU TALK ABOUT RE-TRAINING, YOU INJECT 300 MILLION DOLLARS. SO THAT, IN THE COMING TWO OR THREE YEARS, MORE THAN 15,000 PEOPLE WILL BE RETRAINED. BUT DO YOU UNDERSTAND THAT EVERY YEAR WE HAVE ABOUT 70,000 MANUFACTURING WORKERS WHO HAVE TO SWITCH JOBS? BY 1996, THE LABOUR POPULATION FOR THE JUNIOR SECONDARY LEVEL PEOPLE, 85,000 PEOPLE, WILL HAVE EMPLOYMENT DIFFICULTIES BECAUSE OF SUPPLY AND DEMAND. AND THEN 15,000 RE-TRAINED PLACES ARE VERY SMALL AND THEN YOU ALSO IMPORT LABOUR FROM OTHER PLACES. THIS WILL BLOCK THE EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES OF THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN RE-TRAINED AND THEY WILL FIND DIFFICULTIES IN SWITCHING JOBS. HAVE YOU CONSIDERED OTHER PRACTICAL METHODS TO RESOLVE THE EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES AND PROBLEMS OF LOCAL WORKERS SO THAT THEY CAN CHANGE JOBS EASILY. FOR EXAMPLE, YOU SHOULD SCRAP IMPORTATION OF LABOUR. YOU SHOULD INJECT MORE MONEY FOR THE RETRAINING FUND AND YOU SHOULD ASK THE EMPLOYERS TO GIVE PRIORITY TO EMPLOY THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN RE-TRAINED.
/GOVERNOR: I ........
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 8, 1992
7 -
GOVERNOR: 1 THINK NORMAL SERVICE HAS BEEN RESUMED EVEN MORE
RAPIDLY THAN I EXPECTED. FOLLOWING MR WONG’S SUGGESTION THAT MAY BE I WAS SPENDING TOO MUCH, THE HONOURABLE MEMBER HAS MADE THE POINT VERY VIGOROUSLY THAT I AM NOT SPENDING ENOUGH. THAT IS A POLITICAL DEBATE AND DISCUSSION TO WHICH I AM PERHAPS MORE ACCUSTOMED THAN SOME OTHERS IN WHICH I’VE BEGUN TO TAKE PART. THE HONOURABLE MEMBER ASKS WHICH OF OUR PROPOSALS ARE NEW AND I THINK THE BEST WAY I CAN RESPOND IS TO SAY THIS: IN BOTH THE WHITE PAPER ON SOCIAL WELFARE, FOR INSTANCE, AND
THE GREEN PAPER ON REHABILITATION, WE SET OUT ASPIRATIONS FOR SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT IN THE COMMUNITY, BUT WE SET OUT THOSE ASPIRATIONS WITHOUT NECESSARILY MAKING IT CLEAR THAT WE WERE GOING TO BE ABLE TO PAY IN ORDER TO MEET A NUMBER OF THOSE ASPIRATIONS. WHAT I WAS SAYING YESTERDAY IS THOSE ARE, THE KEY ASPIRATIONS THERE, ARE ONES WHICH THE COMMUNITY IS GOING TO BE ABLE TO AFFORD AND GOING TO BE ABLE TO AFFORD WITHOUT BEING - TO COIN A PHRASE - RECKLESS IN THE WAY WE RUN OUR PUBLIC FINANCES.
ANOTHER AREA WHICH IS NEW IS THE COMMITMENT THAT WE’VE GIVEN ON RETRAINING. WE’RE USING 300 MILLION HONG,KONG DOLLARS FROM THE WINDFALL THIS YEAR TO ENHANCE THE FUNDS WHICH ARE GOING INTO THE EXISTING SCHEME, LARGELY AS YOU KNOW, AS A RESULT OF THE LEVY ON THOSE WHO EMPLOY IMPORTED LABOUR. WHAT OUR 300 MILLION WILL DO IS TO INCREASE THE NUMBER WHO ARE RE-TRAINED BY 15,000 WHEN ALREADY HAVE THOSE WHO ARE BEING RE-TRAINED UNDER EXISTING ARRANGEMENTS, SO THAT 15,000 IS A NEW ADDITIONAL COMMITMENT. THE HONOURABLE MEMBER IS ENTIRELY RIGHT TO SAY THAT A PROBLEM WHICH WE NEED TO ADDRESS ADEQUATELY IS THE ENCOURAGEMENT TO EMPLOYERS TO USE THE SKILLS OF THOSE WHO ARE RETRAINED. THAT IS IMPERATIVE IF WE ARE GOING TO BE ABLE TO USE OUR LABOUR FORCE IN THE BEST POSSIBLE WAY DURING A PERIOD WHEN IT IS BOUND TO BE UNDER PRESSURE. THERE ARE, I THINK, AT THE MOMENT, 70,000 PUBLISHED VACANCIES AND A LEVEL OF UNEMPLOYMENT WHICH, IN INTERNATIONAL TERMS, IS EXTREMELY LOW. SO RE-TRAINING IS A CRUCIAL ELEMENT IN REMOVING SUPPLY SIDE BLOCKAGES, MAKING OUR ECONOMY MORE EFFICIENT AND, THEREFORE, AMONG OTHER THINGS, MAKING IT MORE COMPETITIVE AND DEALING WITH INFLATION. I WAS VERY IMPRESSED BY THE RE-TRAINING WHICH I SAW AT THE VOCATIONAL TRAINING CENTRE IN KOWLOON, PARTICULARLY IF I MAY SAY SO, THE RE-TRAINING OF WOMEN WHO HAD BEEN EMPLOYED IN THE TEXTILE INDUSTRY AND WERE BEING RE-TRAINED FOR COMPUTERISED JOBS IN THE PRINTING INDUSTRY. IT WAS A VERY GOOD
EXAMPLE OF HOW A GOOD RE-TRAINING SCHEME CAN GIVE PEOPLE ADDITIONAL SKILLS WHICH ARE REQUIRED IN AN INCREASINGLY SOPHISTICATED ECONOMY. WE HAVE TO WORK CLOSELY WITH EMPLOYERS AND CLOSELY WITH THE LABOUR UNIONS TO MAKE SURE THAT WE MAKE THE BIGGEST POSSIBLE IMPACT WITH OUR RE-TRAINING PLANS.
MRS MIRIAM LAU: GOVERNOR, IN RECENT YEARS THERE’S INCREASING COMMUNITY CONCERN ABOUT THE NUMBER OF YOUNG PEOPLE COMMITTING CRIMES IN HONG KONG. THERE'S NO MENTION OF THIS AT ALL IN YOUR POLICY ADDRESS. HAS THE GOVERNMENT GOT ANY PROPOSALS AS TO HOW THIS PROBLEM SHOULD BE COUNTERED?
/GOVERNOR: I .......
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 8, 1992
- 8 -
GOVERNOR: I THINK THE HONOURABLE MEMBER RAISES AN EXTREMELY IMPORTANT POINT, A POINT WHICH IS IMPORTANT NOT ONLY IN HONG KONG BUT IN OTHER COMMUNITIES AS WELL. I THINK THAT IT IS, ALAS, OBSERVABLY THE FACT THAT INCREASINGLY, CRIME IS COMMITTED BY YOUNGER PEOPLE ELSEWHERE AND ALL TOO OFTEN WE’VE SEEN THE SAME THING, I KNOW FROM LOOKING AT THE FIGURES, IN HONG KONG AS WELL. I HOPE THAT THE PROPOSALS THAT WE’VE MADE ON EDUCATION WILL AT LEAST HELP TO DEAL WITH SOME OF THE PROBLEMS THAT THE HONOURABLE MEMBER HAS MENTIONED BUT I RECOGNISE THAT WE HAVE TO LOOK AT WAYS IN WHICH NOT ONLY EDUCATION, NOT ONLY THE PARENTAL ROLE, BUT ALSO OUR YOUTH SERVICES AND OUR SOCIAL WORKERS CAN CONTRIBUTE.
IF I MAY SAY SO, THERE IS ANOTHER WAY IN WHICH TO CONTRIBUTE AND IN WHICH THE COMMUNITY IS CONTRIBUTING IN DEALING WITH THE PROBLEM AND THAT IS BY TRYING TO ENSURE THAT THERE IS AS GOOD AND CO-OPERATIVE A RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN OUR EXCELLENT POLICE FORCE AND YOUNG PEOPLE. I WENT ON WHAT HAS FOR ME BEEN THE HOTTEST DAY OF THE SUMMER, TO THE POLICE CALL CAMP AND SAW THERE PROBABLY THE BEST EXAMPLE IN THE WORLD OF YOUNG PEOPLE AND THE POLICE ENJOYING THEMSELVES TOGETHER, AND YOUNG PEOPLE LEARNING A GREAT DEAL IN THE PROCESS. SO I HOPE THROUGH COMMUNITY INITIATIVES LIKE THAT, AND IN OTHER WAYS, WE CAN HELP TO TACKLE THE PROBLEM. BUT IF THE HONOURABLE MEMBER HAS ANY PARTICULAR IDEAS WHICH SHE WOULD LIKE US TO FOLLOW THROUGH, I WOULD BE DELIGHTED TO EXAMINE THEM.
MR JIMMY MCGREGOR: GOVERNOR, I’D LIKE TO ASK YOU A QUESTION ABOUT THE AIRPORT - IT WAS BOUND TO COME UP. I THINK HONG KONG HAS TRIED VERY HARD TO MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE CHINESE AUTHORITIES AND SEVERAL TIMES MAJOR PROPOSALS HAVE BEEN PUT TO THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT BY THE CHINESE WHICH HAVE BEEN ACCEPTED, BROADLY, BY THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT WHICH HAS THEN GONE BACK TO CHINA AND AGREED BASICALLY BUT ADDED SOME FURTHER POINTS. AT THE MOMENT WE DON’T HAVE ANY AGREEMENT ON THE AIRPORT FROM THE CHINESE AUTHORITIES AND IT IS ABSOLUTELY ESSENTIAL TO THE FURTHER DEVELOPMENT OF THE CHEK LAP KOK SITE. WHAT I SHOULD LIKE TO ASK IS: IF IN THE VERY BAD SITUATION WHERE WE DO NOT HAVE AGREEMENT WITHIN A PARTICULAR LENGTH OF TIME, WHAT HAPPENS TO THE BUILDING PROGRESS ON THE AIRPORT? DO WE REACH A POINT IN TIME WHERE CONTRACTS HAVE TO BE STOPPED, THE WORKERS HAVE TO BE LAID DOWN, LAID OFF, THE CONTRACTS WILL HAVE TO BE RENEGOTIATED OR COMPENSATION DEMANDED BY PEOPLE WHO ALREADY HAVE CONTRACTS AND SO ON? DO WE REACH A POINT IN TIME WHERE YOU AS GOVERNOR AND AS GOVERNMENT CANNOT TAKE THE AIRPORT PROPOSAL FURTHER FORWARD?
GOVERNOR: WE CERTAINLY REACH A TIME WHEN WE WOULD NEED TO LOOK FAIRLY RADICALLY AT THE OPTIONS IN TAKING THE PROJECT FORWARD. FOR EXAMPLE, WHETHER RATHER THAN TRYING TO DO EVERYTHING, WE SHOULD AGREE TO FINANCE WHAT WE CAN OURSELVES BETWEEN NOW AND 1997 AND THEN LEAVE OTHER MATTERS TO BE COMPLETED BY THE SAR GOVERNMENT. IF WE WERE TO ARRIVE AT THAT SITUATION, THEN THE ADMINISTRATION WOULD HAVE TO COME TO THIS COUNCIL IN ORDER TO HAVE PARTICULAR PROJECTS FUNDED, SO THE ROLE OF THE COUNCIL IN ANY DEVELOPMENT OR NECESSARY SHIFT IN OUR POLICY, WOULD BE ABSOLUTELY CRUCIAL.
/PERHAPS I .......
9
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 8, 1992
PERHAPS I CAN MAKE ANOTHER COUPLE OF POINTS. THE FIRST IS THAT I DON’T THINK THAT ANY AIRPORT CAN EVER HAVE BEEN DEBATED AND DISCUSSED AS MUCH AS THIS ONE. IF WE HAD A DOLLAR FOR EVERY WORD THAT HAS BEEN SPILT ON THE FINANCING OF THE AIRPORT WE WOULD HAVE PAID FOR IT TEN TIMES OVER. I THINK THAT THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG ARE PROBABLY GETTING RATHER FED UP WITH THE CONTINUING ARGUMENT AND DEBATE SINCE THEY KNOW, AS WELL AS I KNOW, AS WELL AS MY COLLEAGUES IN PEKING KNOW, THAT ONE DAY WE WILL HAVE A NEW AIRPORT. AND I THINK WHATEVER PEOPLE OUTSIDE MAY THINK, WE ALL KNOW IN HONG KONG THAT WE’LL BUILD WHEN WE DO, A NEW AIRPORT FASTER, MORE COST EFFECTIVELY AND BETTER, THAN ANYBODY ELSE IN THE WORLD WOULD. THAT’S THE REALITY WHICH MAKES SOME OF THE DEBATE ABOUT FINANCING RATHER MORE FRUSTRATING THAN IT OTHERWISE WOULD BE.
WE CAN’T DO MORE THAN OUR BEST TO SECURE THE COMPLETION OF THE AIRPORT IN TIME. THE FIRST PROPOSALS WE HAD FOR FUNDING MAXIMISED THE FACT THAT HONG KONG BECAUSE OF ITS RECORD, IS A SPECTACULARLY SUCCESSFUL BORROWER. WE THEN PUT FORWARD PROPOSALS WHICH MAXIMISE THE PROCEEDS THAT WE’RE GOING TO GET FROM DEVELOPMENTS ALONG THE MTRC. NOW I’M SURPRISED IF NEITHER OF THOSE ARRANGEMENTS CAN PROVE SATISFACTORY. I WILL CONTINUE TO DO MY BEST TO SECURE THE BEST POSSIBLE AIRPORT IN THE QUICKEST POSSIBLE TIME. I WILL KEEP THIS COUNCIL FULLY INFORMED ABOUT THE ARRANGEMENTS WE MAKE, ABOUT WHAT HAPPENS IN THE NEGOTIATIONS, AND ABOUT THE AVAILABLE OPTIONS. BECAUSE IF WE DO HAVE TO DECIDE TO PROCEED IN ANOTHER WAY - AND WE CERTAINLY WON’T ABANDON THE PROJECT, WE WILL CERTAINLY SEEK TO CONTINUE WITH IT - BUT IF WE DO HAVE TO LOOK AT IT IN ANOTHER WAY, THE ROLE OF THIS COUNCIL WILL BE ABSOLUTELY CRUCIAL BECAUSE THE FINANCE COMMITTEE WILL HAVE TO DECIDE ON THE FUNDING.
MR CHIM PUI-CHUNG (IN CANTONESE): THANK YOU MR PRESIDENT. THIS IS A QUESTION I’M SURE MANY MEMBERS ARE WAITING FOR BECAUSE THIS IS NOT AN EASY QUESTION TO ANSWER. MR PRESIDENT, IN YOUR POLICY ADDRESS YESTERDAY, I READ IT THROUGH CAREFULLY THREE TIMES, ABOUT CONSTITUTIONAL CHANGES, YOU MENTIONED THAT FOR DIRECTLY ELECTED MEMBERS YOU FULLY SUPPORT THAT BUT FOR THE APPOINTMENT SYSTEM YOU SEEMED NOT TO LIKE THEM THAT MUCH. NOW, BUT YOU YOURSELF ARE APPOINTED UNDER THE LETTERS PATENT, SO IS IT NOT IN CONFLICT WITH THE SPIRIT OF DEMOCRACY? AND THEN IN PARAGRAPH 104 YOU CRITICISE SOME PEOPLE WHO BET ON THE DEMOCRATIC PACE BUT YESTERDAY YOU KNOW THAT THE CHINESE SIDE WOULD HAVE SOME COMMENTS ON YOUR PROPOSALS, SO STILL ARE YOU NOW USING US AS HEROIC PAWNS? SO I HOPE YOU WOULD GIVE A DETAILED EXPLANATION TO HONG KONG PEOPLE BECAUSE WE ARE NOW USED AS PAWNS, SO IT IS A MATTER OF WHO IS BETTING ON WHAT.
GOVERNOR: THERE WILL OF COURSE COME A TIME, FAIRLY SOON, WHERE HONG KONG WILL HAVE A CHIEF EXECUTIVE WHO HAS EMERGED FROM A PROCESS OF SELECTION IF NOT ELECTION, AND THEREFORE I SUPPOSE I SHOULD REGARD MYSELF AS A DARWINIAN OBJECT, AS PART OF A PROCESS OF EVOLUTION, AND I HOPE THAT THIS PARTICULAR PART OF THE EVOLUTIONARY PROCESS ISN'T TOO SHELL-BACKED. JUST AS I THINK IT’S IMPORTANT THAT WE MOVE FORWARD IN RELATION TO THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE, SO I THINK IT’S IMPORTANT THAT WE MOVE FORWARD IN RELATION TO, FOR EXAMPLE, THE DISTRICT BOARDS ABOUT WHICH I SPOKE YESTERDAY, OR MUNICIPAL COUNCILS.
/IT'S THE .......
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 8, 1992
10
IT’S THE BASIC LAW ITSELF WHICH OF COURSE POINTS THE WAY TO THE REMOVAL OF APPOINTED MEMBERS FROM THIS COUNCIL AND TO COMPLETE ELECTION BY VARIOUS FORMULAE OF THE MEMBERS OF THIS LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, AND I’M SURE THE HONOURABLE MEMBER WOULDN’T WISH ME, IN THESE CIRCUMSTANCES, TO QUESTION THE BASIC LAW. WHAT WE HAVE TO DO THOUGH IS TO FIND WAYS IN WHICH WE CAN BRIDGE SOME OF THE GAPS THAT ARE LEFT, WHICH IS WHAT MY PROPOSALS WERE ATTEMPTING TO DO YESTERDAY.
I DID MAKE THOSE REMARKS ABOUT HONG KONG PEOPLE NOT BEING REGARDED AS HEROIC PAWNS BY OTHERS, THAT IS CERTAINLY MY VIEW AND IT’S A VIEW I WILL EXPRESS VIGOROUSLY TO THE OUTSIDE WORLD. MY OWN JUDGMENT IS THAT THE PROPOSALS THAT I PUT FORWARD, AS I SAID EARLIER, REPRESENTED THE SORT OF CONSENSUS WHICH HAS BEEN EMERGING ABOUT FUTURE POLITICAL DEVELOPMENT IN HONG KONG. I ASSUME THAT NOBODY WOULD THINK THAT THEY COULD FRIGHTEN PEOPLE IN HONG KONG OUT OF REACHING THOSE SORT OF CONCLUSIONS. IF PEOPLE IN HONG KONG ARE TO CHANGE THEIR MIND THEN I THINK THAT SHOULD BE THE PROCESS EITHER WAY, EITHER TO GO FASTER OR SLOWER, OF RATIONAL AND SENSIBLE DISCUSSION.
MRS SELINA CHOW: STILL ON THE SUBJECT OF DEMOCRATIC REFORM, YOU SAID EARLIER THAT YOU WOULD ENDEAVOUR RIGOROUSLY TO PERSUADE CHINA THAT THE PROPOSALS YOU HAVE NOW PUT FORWARD ARE COMPATIBLE WITH THE BASIC LAW SO THAT, AS FAR AS POSSIBLE, CONVERGENCE COULD BE ACHIEVED. IN CASE YOU FAIL TO CONVINCE CHINA, DO YOU INTEND TO PUT THOSE PROPOSALS TO THIS COUNCIL WITHOUT ANY PROSPECT OF CONVERGENCE AND WOULD YOU CONDUCT A REFERENDUM TO LET THE HONG KONG PEOPLE HAVE THEIR SAY SO AS TO FACILITATE THIS COUNCIL TO BE GUIDED BY THE PEOPLE’S CHOICE?
GOVERNOR: IF - I HOPE THE COUNCIL WILL FORGIVE ME - IF I DON’T ANSWER TOO MANY HYPOTHETICAL QUESTIONS, EVEN THOUGH THOSE HYPOTHETICAL QUESTIONS GO TO THE HEART OF WHAT MAY WELL BE THE CHOICES WHICH THE COUNCIL AND THE GOVERNOR HAVE TO MAKE IN THE NEXT FEW MONTHS. THE FIRST ADVICE THAT I EVER HAD IN POLITICS WAS NOT TO ANSWER HYPOTHETICAL QUESTIONS AND IT’S ADVICE THAT I’VE BEEN FAILING TO FOLLOW TO MY COST EVER SINCE. BUT I’D LIKE TO ANSWER THE HONOURABLE MEMBER IN A SLIGHTLY DIFFERENT WAY, WHICH 1 HOPE MEETS AT LEAST HER CENTRAL POINT.
WHEN I DISCUSS THESE ISSUES WITH THE COUNCIL, WHEN I’VE HAD A CHANCE OF HEARING THE VIEWS OF THE COMMUNITY, WHEN I’VE HAD A CHANCE OF DISCUSSING THESE ISSUES PROBABLY MORE THAN ONCE WITH OFFICIALS IN PEKING, I’LL HAVE TO REACH MY OWN CONCLUSION ABOUT WHAT IS A SENSIBLE WAY FORWARD. IT MAY BE THAT ONE OF THE ELEMENTS, ONE OF THOSE INVOLVED IN THE DEBATE, WON’T BE ENTIRELY AS HAPPY AS ONE WOULD LIKE, IN WHICH CASE, I WILL HAVE TO TAKE THAT INTO ACCOUNT. AND THEN, SOONER RATHER THAN LATER, AND CERTAINLY IN MY VIEW BY NEXT SPRING, IF WE’RE TO HAVE ALL THE ARRANGEMENTS IN PLACE BY 1994 OR 95. I WILL HAVE TO COME TO THIS COUNCIL WITH MY PROPOSALS AND THIS COUNCIL WILL ITSELF HAVE TO REACH A CONCLUSION ABOUT WHETHER THE GOVERNOR IS RIGHT, OR ABOUT WHETHER THE GOVERNOR’S PROPOSALS SHOULD BE AMENDED. THAT IS THE REALITY. THAT IS WHERE THE DECISIONS WILL BE TAKEN. I CAN GIVE A STRONG LEAD AS THE EXECUTIVE WHO LEADS THIS GOVERNMENT, BUT THIS COUNCIL IS WHERE LEGISLATION IS PASSED. SO, BEFORE ANYTHING FINAL IS DONE, IT WILL BE THIS COUNCIL WITH, I HOPE, MY ADVICE, THIS COUNCIL WHICH WILL MAKE THE DECISION, AND I HOPE THIS COUNCIL RECOGNISES THAT AND WELCOMES THE ROLE IT WILL PLAY AS A REPRESENTATIVE OF THE WHOLE COMMUNITY.
/MR EDWARD .......
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 8, 1992
- 11 -
MR EDWARD HO: A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE WORRIED ABOUT HUMAN RIGHTS
AND DEMOCRATIC DEVELOPMENT AND SO SHOULD THEY BE. THERE ARE STILL A LOT OF PEOPLE IN HONG KONG WHO ARE WORRIED ABOUT THE SHELTER OVER THEIR HEADS. AT LEAST DECENT SHELTER. I NOTICE FROM YOUR ADDRESS, FOR INSTANCE, YOU PROPOSE TO TACKLE THE MIDDLE INCOME HOUSING PROBLEM BY PROVIDING THE FIRST SITE IN 1993/94. AS I AM AN ARCHITECT, I KNOW THAT NORMALLY IT TAKES MORE THAN TWO YEARS TO PRODUCE THE FIRST HOME. SO, I THINK YOUR PROJECTION OF HAVING THE FIRST HOME BY 1995/96 IS \ BIT OPTIMISTIC. AND YOUR OTHER PROPOSAL OF BUYING FLATS FROM TH-PRIVATE SECTOR. 1 WOULD HAVE DOUBTS WHETHER, FIRST OF ALL, THAT YOH WOULD NOT INCREASE THE SPECULATIVE ASPECT, THE INFLATION OF PRICES FOR HOUSING. IF YOU ARE NOT INCREASING LAND SUPPLY, THEN AS LATE AS
JUNE THIS YEAR WE ARE STILL SHORT OF ABOUT 60 HECTARE, JUST FOR PUBLIC
HOUSING. SO MY QUESTION TO YOU SIR, IS HOW WOULD YOU DEMONSTRATE TO THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG THAT THE GOVERNMENT IS COMMITTED TO PROVIDE
MORE LAND AND INFRASTRUCTURE TO ENABLE US TO COMPLETE OUR LONG TERM
HOUSING STRATEGY AS WELL AS THE MIDDLE INCOME HOUSING THAT WE ARE SEEKING.
•
GOVERNOR: PERHAPS I CAN DEAL WITH THAT QUESTION IN THREE PARTS LIKE CEASAR’S GOLD. FIRST OF ALL, OUR INFRASTRUCTURE INVESTMENT IN HONG KONG OVER THE NEXT FIVE YEARS WILL BE, AS I RECALL, 44% HIGHER THAN IN THE LAST FIVE. WE ARE TALKING ABOUT INFRASTRUCTURE INVESTMENT OF ABOUT 78 BILLION AND THAT GOES, AMONG OTHER THINGS, TO PREPARE THE W V' FOR NEW HOUSING SCHEMES.
SECONDLY, OF COURSE YOU ARE RIGHT TO SAY THAT SANDWICH CLASS HOUSING. THAT PARTICULAR AND IMPORTANT PROBLEM, IS ONLY ONE ASPECT OF OVERALL HOUSING POLICY. WE WILL BE SPENDING OVER THE NEXT FIVE YEARS 4 1 BILLION HONG KONG DOLLARS ON HOUSING. THE HOUSING AUTHORITY AND THE HOUSING SOCIETY WILL BETWEEN THEM BE BUILDING ABOUT A 190,000 HOUSES OR UNITS OF ACCOMMODATION - HOUSES, FLATS - DURING THAT PERIOD. THA” WILL PROVIDE HOMES FOR ABOUT 650,000 PEOPLE. IT IS A VERY BIG HOUSING PROGRAMME. WITHIN THAT, LARGELY BECAUSE OF THE INTEREST SHOWN BY A NUMBER OF MEMBERS OF THIS LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, WE HAVE TRIED TO PUT FORWARD PROPOSALS ON THE SPECIFIC ISSUE OF SANDWICH CLASS HOUSING. WHAT WE’VE LOOKED FOR IS A LONGER TERM SCHEME BUT BECAUSE, AS THE HONOURABLE MEMBER SAYS, IT TAKES SOME TIME TO GET THAT UP AND RUNNING WE’VE ALSO BROUGHT FORWARD - OR WE’RE GOING TO BRING FORWARD -PROPOSALS FOR INTERIM MEASURES FOR A SHORTER TERM SCHEME AND WE ARF PROPOSING, IN EFFECT, TO TRY TO TRADE LAND FOR FLATS WHICH WOULD OTHERWISE BE UNOCCUPIED OR BE HANGING OVER THE MARKET. WE WILL OF COURSE HAVE TO HAVE ARRANGEMENTS IF-WE CAN GO FORWARD WITH THAT, WHICH ENSURE THAT IT DOESN’T LEAD TO SPECULATION SO THAT ANY TRADE OF LAND FOR FLATS WOULD HAVE, IN MY JUDGMENT, TO INVOLVE AS WELL THE PROPERTY DEVELOPER SPECIFYING A PRICE IN ADDITION TO ACCEPTING LAND.
THE SECRETARY FOR THE ENVIRONMENT WILL OF COURSE BE AVAILABLE TO ANSWER QUESTIONS ON THIS ISSUE FROM HONOURABLE MEMBERS, BUT TH1 HONOURABLE MEMBER WILL KNOW THAT ANY ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE DEPENDENT ON AN AGREEMENT WITH THE SINO-BRITISH LAND COMMISSION. BUT I HOPE THAT. SINCE THEY’VE BEEN ALREADY INFORMED ABOUT OUR THINKING ON THIS MATTER. THEY WON’T ACTUALLY FIND THAT TOO DIFFICULT.
/MR SIMON .......
12 - THURSDAY, OCTOBER 8, 1992
MR SIMON IP: IT WAS MUSIC TO MY EARS TO HEAR YOU EMPHASISE THE IMPORTANCE OF GUARANTEEING THE RULE OF LAW. I THINK YOU MENTIONED IT ON NO LESS THAN TWO OCCASIONS IN YOUR SPEECH. OF COURSE, THE INDEPENDENCE OF THE JUDICIARY, INDEPENDENCE OF THE LEGAL PROFESSION, ENFORCEMENT OF LAWS DEMOCRATICALLY ENACTED, ARE FUNDAMENTALLY IMPORTANT. AXIOMATIC 1 WOULD SAY. BUT, APART FROM THAT, DO YOU HAVE ANY FURTHER IDEAS AS TO HOW THE RULE OF LAW IN HONG KONG IN THE YEARS AHEAD COULD BE PRESERVED AND STRENGTHENED?
GOVERNOR: I THINK THAT THE ANSWER IS PARTLY ONE OF ADMINISTRATION
AND PARTLY ONE OF ATTEMPTING TO ENSURE THAT A CULTURE OR AN ATTITUDE OF MIND, OR AN APPROACH TO THE CONDUCT OF CIVIL SOCIETY IS AS DEEPLY ROOTED AS POSSIBLE. LET ME BEGIN WITH THE ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE AND ADMINISTRATIVE ISSUES. WE DO HAVE MATTERS TO RESOLVE TOGETHER WE HAVE, FOR EXAMPLE, TO CONSIDER THE QUESTION OF THE SPEED OF JUSTICE, JUST AS WE HAVE TO CONSIDER QUESTIONS OF THE LOCALISATION OF THOSE WHO DISPENSE WISDOM FROM THE BENCH. THOSE ARE BOTH MATTERS WHERE I KNOW THE LEGAL PROFESSION HAS TUT FORWARD PROPOSALS AND IDEAS WHICH WE HAVE TO CONSIDER. AT THE MOMENT, ONE OF THOSE IDEAS IS BEING CONSIDERED BY, I THINK, A JOINT COMMITTEE CHAIRED BY A DISTINGUISHED JUDGE, THAT IS, THE PROPOSAL THAT WE SHOULD TRY TO INTRODUCE THE EQUIVALENT IN HONG KONG OF THE SYSTEM OF RECORDERS WHICH OPERATES IN ENGLAND AND WALES. I THINK THAT IS A PROPOSAL WHICH WE SHOULD LOOK AT CONSTRUCTIVELY. I THINK IT WOULD GIVE US AN OPPORTUNITY FIRST OF ALL, OF GIVING MORE LOCAL LAWYERS A TASTE OR AN EXPERIENCE OF SITTING ON THE BENCH; SECONDLY, IT WOULD ACTUALLY HELP US TO RUN ONE OR TWO MORE COURTS AT THE SAME TIME AS OUR OTHER COURTS AND, THEREFORE, TO SPEED UP THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE WHO WERE GOING THROUGH THEM. I THINK THAT IT’S EXTREMELY IMPORTANT TO ENSURE THAT OTHER INSTITUTIONS ARE STRENGTHENED AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE. IT’S IMPERATIVE THAT THE ICAC CONTINUES TO HAVE OUR FULL-HEARTED SUPPORT. IT’S IMPORTANT THAT THE POLICE HAVE OUR FULL-HEARTED SUPPORT AND THE FINANCIAL RESOURCES THEY NEED AND THE COMMUNITY EXPECTS THEM TO HAVE.
I FIND THOSE ISSUES EASIER TO DEAL WITH AND EASIER TO ARTICULATE THAN THE SECOND MATTER THAT I RAISED. THE INCULCATION OF AN ATTITUDE IN OUR SOCIETY. WHO DOUBTS THAT ONE OF THE REASONS FOR HONG KONG’S SUCCESS IS OUR ACCEPTANCE OF THE RULE OF LAW? OUR ACCEPTANCE THAT NO ONE IS ABOVE THE LAW AND THAT INCLUDES, AS I SAID IN MY INAUGURAL ADDRESS, THE GOVERNOR. THAT HAS BEEN A KEY INGREDIENT IN HONG KONG’S SUCCESS AND WE HAVE TO ENSURE THAT IT REMAINS THE WAY IN WHICH WE CONDUCT OUR AFFAIRS. OTHER SOCIETIES HAVE DIFFERENT VIEWS OF THE RULE OF LAW. SOME SOCIETIES VIEW THE RULE OF LAW - OR THE LAW ITSELF - AS AN ARTIFACT OF THE STATE, NOT A FRAMEWORK WITHIN WHICH STATE CRAFT IS PRACTISED. SO, I THINK WE HAVE AN IMPORTANT JOB TO DO IN EXPLAINING
TO OTHERS WHAT WE MEAN BY THE RULE OF LAW AND ENSURING THAT OTHERS UNDERSTAND HOW CRUCIAL IT IS TO THE CONTINUANCE OF OUR STABILITY, PROSPERITY AND WAY OF LIFE.
MR LEE WING-TAT: ON CONSTITUTIONAL DEVELOPMENT, NOW, WE KNOW THAT WE HAVE NEW APPOINTED MEMBERS TO EXCO. THEY ARE VERY DISTINGUISHED PROFESSIONALS IN OUR COMMUNITY, BUT THEY ARE NOT ELECTED NEITHER ARE YOU SIR. AND, THEREFORE, HOW CAN YOU GUARANTEE THAT YOUR POLICIES WILL GET THE SUPPORT OF COMMUNITY AND CAN GO THROUGH LEGCO? AND I AN ALSO SURPRISED AT THIS, AT YOUR SUGGESTION AT DEMOCRATISATION AT THE LOCAL LEVEL, YOU STILL PROPOSE THAT EX-OFFICIO MEMBERS BE RETAINED.
WONDER IF YOU KNOW HOW THE MEMBERS ARE ELECTED. ACTUALLY, ONLY MALI-MEMBERS ARE ELIGIBLE AND SO, THIS IS ACTUALLY A DISCRIMINATION AGAINST THE FEMALE SEX. SO, DO YOU THINK THAT THIS IS REALLY APPROPRIATE?
/GOVERNOR: ON .......
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 8, 1992
13
GOVERNOR: ON MR LEE’S FIRST QUESTION, I’M AFRAID THAT I CAN’T
GIVE ANY GUARANTEE. I WOULD BE MISLEADING THE HONOURABLE MEMBER WERE I TO DO SO BUT I VERY MUCH HOPE THAT I CAN PERSUADE THIS COUNCIL TO SUPPORT THE MAIN THRUST OF THE ADMINISTRATION’S POLICIES. THE EXECUTIVE IS ACCOUNTABLE TO THIS COUNCIL AND I HOPE THAT IN EXERCISING THAT ACCOUNTABILITY, I CAN CARRY THE COUNCIL WITH ME, BUT POLICY IN EVEN A COMMUNITY WHICH HAS A VERY STRONG EXECUTIVE LEAD, POLICY IS PARTLY DEVELOPED IN THE TENSION, IN THE DIALOGUE BETWEEN THE EXECUTIVE AND THE LEGISLATURE.
ON THE QUESTION OF A CONTINUING ROLE FOR VILLAGE REPRESENTATIVES ON DISTRICT BOARDS, I DISCUSSED IT THIS MORNING WITH CHAIRMEN OF DISTRICT BOARDS, INCLUDING ONE OR TWO WHO ARE MEMBERS OF THIS HONOURABLE COUNCIL. I THINK I AM RIGHT IN SAYING THAT THERE ARE IN ALL 27 VILLAGE REPRESENTATIVES ON, I THINK, NINE OF THE DISTRICT BOARDS.-Nt WILL OBVIOUSLY HAVE FUTURE OPPORTUNITIES OF DEBATING THIS, PARTICULARLY WHEN IT COMES TO CONSIDERING THE ELECTORAL ARRANGEMENTS FOR 1994, BUT I HAVE TO SAY - SPEAKING FOR MYSELF - THAT I THINK IT’S IMPORTANT TO CONTINUE WITH THE LINK BETWEEN VILLAGE REPRESENTATIVES AND/OR VILLAGES AND THE DISTRICT BOARDS AND I WOULD BE LOATHE TO MOVE AWAY FROM SOMETHING WHICH I THINK IS WIDELY APPRECIATED AND ARGUED FOR IN THOSE DISTRICT BOARDS THEMSELVES. BUT I AM ALREADY AWARE OF THE FACT FROM THE HONOURABLE MEMBER’S BODY LANGUAGE THAT THIS IS GOING TO BE AN ISSUE ON WHICH THERE IS A GOOD DEAL OF DEBATE IN THE FUTURE.
MR HUI YIN-FAT: WHILE APPRECIATING THE ADDITIONAL PROVISIONS YOU PROMISED FOR SOCIAL WELFARE IN THE NEXT FEW YEARS, COULD YOU ENLIGHTEN US WITH REGARD TO THE PLANS AND PROJECTS WHICH HAVE BEEN APPROVED BY GOVERNMENT IN THE PAST BUT HAVE HITHERTO NOT BEEN IMPLEMENTED DUE TO SHORTAGE OF FUNDS? FOR EXAMPLE, WILL GOVERNMENT MAKE AVAILABLE ADDITIONAL FUNDING IN THE NEXT FINANCIAL YEAR TO COVER THESE AGREED PROJECTS. ALSO, SIR, THE PROVISION OF QUALITY OF WELFARE SERVICE DEPENDS HEAVILY ON THE AVAILABILITY OF TRAINED MANPOWER; WILL GOVERNMENT ALLOCATE ADDITIONAL RESOURCES TO TRAIN ENOUGH SOCIAL WORKERS FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF SOCIAL WELFARE PLANS FOR THE NEXT FEW YEARS?
GOVERNOR: I HOPE THE HONOURABLE MEMBER WHOSE ADVOCACY OF THE COURSE OF SOCIAL WELFARE IS OF COURSE ONE OF THE REASONS FOR THE GOVERNMENT’S RESPONSE TO THE WHITE PAPER AND THE GREEN PAPER, WILL EXCUSE ME IF I SAY THAT MY RETROSPECTIVE KNOWLEDGE OF WHAT HASN’T BEEN DONE IS LESS ACUTE AND WELL DEVELOPED THAN MY KNOWLEDGE OF WHAT I HOPE TO DO. I DON’T THINK THAT IT WOULD BE POSSIBLE FOR ME TO GIVE A GUARANTEE THAT EVERY PROJECT THAT WE HAVEN’T BEEN ABLE TO FUND IN THE PAST, WE WILL BE ABLE TO FUND NEXT YEAR. I THINK WERE I TO DO THAT, MR WONG AND OTHERS WHO TAKE A PROPER PRUDENT VIEW OF PUBLIC FINANCE, WOULD HAVE MUCH TO CRITICISE ME FOR. BUT WHAT I CAN SAY IS THAT THE KEY TARGETS, OF WHICH THE HONOURABLE MEMBER IS AWARE, IN THE SOCIAL WELFARE WHITE PAPER AND IN THE REHABILITATION GREEN PAPER, WILL BE MET. PREVIOUSLY WE HAD DISCUSSED THOSE KEY TARGETS OR SET THEM OUT AS ASPIRATIONS BUT IN MY VIEW THERE IS LITTLE POINT IN PUBLIC POLICY IN SETTING OUT ASPIRATIONS UNLESS YOU CAN SAY HOW YOU’RE GOING TO PAY FOR THEM. THE DOLLAR ON THE TABLE IS WHAT ACTUALLY MAKES THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN AN ASPIRATION AND REALITY AND WHAT WE WERE DOING YESTERDAY IS PUTTING ON THE TABLE DOLLARS WHICH THIS COMMUNITY CAN AFFORD BECAUSE OF ITS OWN EFFORTS, BECAUSE OF ITS OWN ENERGIES AND BECAUSE OF ITS OWN ENTREPRENEURIAL SPIRIT.
/ON THE ........
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 8, 1992
14
ON THE HONOURABLE MEMBER’S SECOND QUESTION, AND I WAS SURPRISED THAT A QUESTION ON THE NUMBER OF SOCIAL WORKERS CAME FROM HIM, ON THAT I THINK I CAN SAY THAT WE WILL BE INCREASING THE NUMBER OF SOCIAL WORKERS. WE NEED MORE SOCIAL WORKERS AND I BELIEVE I’M RIGHT TO SAY THAT IN THE COMING YEAR, AS A RESULT OF OUR PLANS, WE WILL REQUIRE BETWEEN 300 OR 400 EXTRA SOCIAL WORKERS AND I HOPE THAT THEY WILL RECOGNISE, WHEN THEY FIND THEMSELVES IN EMPLOYMENT IN A NUMBER OF AREAS, WHAT AN IMPORTANT ROLE THE HONOURABLE MEMBER HAS PLAYED IN ADVOCATING AN EXPANSION OF THE SOCIAL WORK SECTION OF HONG KONG.
MR MARTIN BARROW: GOVERNOR, I’M DELIGHTED THAT YOU’VE ENDORSED THE POLICY OF MINIMUM GOVERNMENT INTERFERENCE AND THAT HONG KONG SHOULD BE THE MOST BUSINESS-FRIENDLY LOCATION IN ASIA. WOULD YOU NOT AGREE THAT THERE ARE STRONG ARGUMENTS IN FAVOUR OF PRIVATISATION AS IS BEING PRACTISED NOW BY MOST OF OUR NEIGHBOURS IN EAST ASIA, AND IF SO WILL YOU BE ASKING YOUR OFFICIALS TO COME UP WITH SPECIFIC PROPOSALS IN THIS CONNECTION?
GOVERNOR: I THINK THAT THIS COMMUNITY HAS AS GOOD A RECORD AS ANY ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD, AT USING MARKET MECHANISMS TO SECURE PUBLIC GOODS. LET ME GIVE THE HONOURABLE GENTLEMAN AN EXAMPLE OF WHICH HE IS MORE FAMILIAR THAN I AM. NOWHERE IN THE WORLD HAS THE CONCEPT OF BOT IN FUNDING AND RUNNING PUBLIC PROJECTS BEEN CARRIED THROUGH AS SUCCESSFULLY AS IT HAS BEEN IN HONG KONG. EQUALLY, THERE’S HARDLY ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD WHICH HAS PUBLIC UTILITIES, WHICH HAS MASS TRANSPORTATION SYSTEMS, WHICH OPERATE IN SUCH A FINANCIALLY ADVANTAGEOUS WAY. IT’S INTERESTING THAT THE MTRC, FOR EXAMPLE, HAS ONE OF THE VERY BEST CREDIT RATINGS IN THE WORLD. I’VE NEVER BEEN IN A COMMUNITY BEFORE WHERE A RAILWAY COMPANY COULD COME NEAR TO BEING ABLE TO MAKE THAT SORT OF CLAIM.
THERE ARE WAYS IN WHICH WE CAN CARRY THAT PROCESS FORWARD AND CONTINUE PRIVATISATION. I NOTICE THAT THE HOUSING AUTHORITY ARE KEEN TO MAKE ANOTHER EFFORT TO ENCOURAGE THEIR TENANTS TO BECOME OWNERS WHEREVER POSSIBLE. I WELCOME THAT AND WILL SUPPORT ANY MEASURES THAT THEY BRING FORWARD. IN OTHER SECTORS TO SOME EXTENT WE’RE BOUND TO DISCUSS MATTERS WITH CHINA AND CHINESE OFFICIALS AND I HOPE THAT WHATEVER THE OCCASIONAL SQUALLS OR OCCASIONAL ARGUMENTS THAT WE HAVE, IN I’M SURE A FRIENDLY GENIAL SPIRIT, THAT I’M ABLE TO DEVELOP A RELATIONSHIP WITH OFFICIALS IN PEKING WHICH WILL ENABLE ME TO PERSUADE THEM THAT GOING FURTHER IN PRIVATISATION ISN'T SELLING THE SAR’S FAMILY SILVER BUT ENSURING THAT THE SAR HAS A LOT MORE FAMILY SILVER IN ORDER TO MAKE THE COMMUNITY MORE SUCCESSFUL. THAT WILL REQUIRE SOME ARGUMENT ON OUR PART, I DON’T THINK IT’S AS APPRECIATED AS I WOULD LIKE IT TO BE BUT I AM ABSOLUTELY CERTAIN THAT CONTINUING PRIVATISATION, CONTINUING THE USE OF MARKET MECHANISMS IN THE PUBLIC SECTOR, WOULD BE GOOD FOR PEOPLE IN HONG KONG AND GOOD FOR THE SERVICES WHICH THEY REQUIRE.
/MR RONALD .......
THURSDAY, OCTOBER S, 1992
15
MR RONALD ARCULLI: GOVERNOR, YOU MUSTN’T TAKE MY HONOURABLE FRIEND EDWARD HO TOO SERIOUSLY' WHEN HE SAYS BUYING A THOUSAND FLATS IS GOING TO PUSH THE PRICE UP. THOSE THAT I REPRESENT HAVE ASKED ME TO PUT THIS TO YOU: PLEASE SIR, WOULD YOU LIKE SOME MORE? BUT THAT HAVING BEEN SAID, YOU’VE MENTIONED SOME ILLS THAT NEED CORRECTING AND THAT WE REALLY SHOULD GO FOR EFFICIENCY AND HIGHER PRODUCTIVITY, AND THERE’S REALLY BEEN QUITE A LOT OF TALK ABOUT THAT IN THE PUBLIC SECTOR OVER THE PAST FEW YEARS. HOW DO YOU INTEND TO ENSURE THAT THE GOVERNMENT WILL DO SO AND WHETHER THIS MIGHT INCLUDE EITHER CUTTING DOWN THE SIZE OF THE CIVIL SERVICE, WHERE INEFFICIENCIES EXIST, AND IF POSSIBLE TO REDEPLOY SOME OF THAT SURPLUS MANPOWER INTO OTHER AREAS WITHIN THE CIVIL SERVICE?
GOVERNOR: I THINK THAT IT’S IN THE INTERESTS OF THE CIVIL SERVICE, AS IT’S IN THE INTERESTS OF OTHERS IN THE PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SECTOR, TO OPERATE IN AS LEAN A FASHION AS POSSIBLE. I DON’T THINK THAT THAT IS OTHER THAN A STATEMENT OF THE MANAGERIAL TRUTH. WHAT I HOPE WE CAN DO IS TO OPERATE OUR PERFORMANCE PLEDGES AND ATTEMPT TO INCREASE GREATER EFFICIENCY IN THE PUBLIC SERVICE SIDE BY SIDE. LET ME GIVE YOU AN EXPLANATION OF WHAT I MEAN. I THINK THAT ALL PUBLIC SERVICES, ALL CIVIL SERVICES, HAVE BEEN BAD AT PUSHING DECISIONS DOWN TO THE LOWEST POSSIBLE LEVEL. T THINK, FOR EXAMPLE, THAT IS ONE OF THE MAIN DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THE PUBLIC AND THE PRIVATE SECTOR. I THINK THAT IF YOU ARE A MANAGER AT ANY LEVEL IN THE CIVIL SERVICE, YOU SHOULD HAVE MORE CONTROL OVER THE RESOURCES THAT YOU MANAGE. YOU SHOULD BE ABLE TO MAKE SIMPLE DECISIONS ABOUT BUDGETING, ABOUT PURCHASE, ABOUT YOUR MANPOWER, WITHOUT HAVING TO DOUBLE CHECK, TREBLE CHECK, EVERY DECISION YOU MAKE ABOUT THE PURCHASE OF A FILING CABINET OR ABOUT THE REPAINTING OF OFFICES. I THINK A MORE EFFICIENT GOVERNMENT IS ONE IN WHICH CIVIL SERVANTS ARE ABLE TO TAKE MORE DECISIONS AT EVERY' POSSIBLE LEVEL.
AND WHEN CIVIL SERVANTS ARE GIVEN THE OPPORTUNITY OF MANAGING THEIR RESOURCES MORE SUCCESSFULLY, THEY BEHAVE LIKE MANAGERS EVERYWHERE ELSE, THEY TRY' TO RUN THEIR OPERATION AS COMPETENTLY AND EFFICIENTLY AS POSSIBLE. SO I SEE THE WHOLE PERFORMANCE PLEDGES EXERCISE AND THE EFFICIENCY CAMPAIGN WHICH WE’VE BEGUN, RUNNING HAND IN HAND, AND I SEE BOTH OF THEM ENHANCING THE STATUS OF CIVIL SERVANTS AND ENHANCING THE REGARD AND RESPECT IN WHICH THE PUBLIC SERVICE IN HONG KONG IS RIGHTLY' HELD.
MR TANG SIU-TONG (IN CANTONESE): MY QUESTION IS NOT A HYPOTHETICAL QUESTION, IT IS A REAL QUESTION. IN YOUR POLICY ADDRESS YOU DON’T GO INTO DETAIL ABOUT INFLATION BUT INFLATION IS A MAJOR WORRY IN HONG KONG, SO DO YOU HAVE ANY SOLUTIONS TO COMBAT INFLATION?
GOVERNOR: MAIDEN QUESTIONS AREN’T SUPPOSED TO BE THAI DIFFICULT. INFLATION IN HONG KONG - AND I DON’T WANT TO SOUND TOO MUCH LIKE AN ECONOMIST - INFLATION IN HONG KONG IS LARGELY A STRUCTURAL CONSEQUENCE OF OUR CIRCUMSTANCES. LARGELY A CONSEQUENCE OF THE FACT THAT WE ARE GROWING VERY FAST, BUT GROWING VERY" FAST WITH CONSIDERABLE RESTRAINTS BECAUSE OF OUR GEOGRAPHICAL CIRCUMSTANCES. WE HAVE PROBLEMS OF LAND SUPPLY, WE HAVE PROBLEMS OF LABOUR SUPPLY, AND THOSE SUPPLY SIDE PROBLEMS AT A TIME WHEN WE’RE EXPANDING AS RAPIDLY AS WE ARE, HAVE HELPED TO PRODUCE INFLATION.
/WE CAN'T ......
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 8, 1992
- 16
WE CAN’T USE MONETARY POLICY IN A CONVENTIONAL WAY TO DEAL WITH IT BECAUSE OF OUR ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY LINK WITH THE US DOLLAR. BUT LET US BE CLEAR, IF WE WERE USING MONETARY METHODS IN A TRADITIONAL WAY TO TRY TO DEAL WITH IT, THAT WOULD MEAN THAT WE WOULDN’T HAVE AS MANY PEOPLE IN JOBS AND WE PROBABLY WOULDN’T HAVE AS FAST ECONOMIC GROWTH. SO NOBODY SHOULD RECKON THAT USING MONETARY POLICY IN A TOUGHER WAY WOULD BE A COST-FREE OPTION.
WE MIGHT REMEMBER THAT THERE WERE - AND I THINK I’M REMEMBERING IT ACCURATELY - THERE WERE A COUPLE OF DECADES WHEN THE JAPANESE YEN WAS LINKED TO THE US DOLLAR, A PERIOD DURING WHICH, AGAIN AS I SUSPECT A CONSEQUENCE, JAPANESE INFLATION WAS INVARIABLY ABOVE UNITED STATES INFLATION. AT THE END OF THAT PERIOD I DON’T THINK MANY REGARDED THE JAPANESE ECONOMY AS BEING A WEAKER ECONOMY THAN THE UNITED STATES ECONOMY. WHAT IS IMPERATIVE IS THAT EVEN THOUGH OUR DOMESTIC INFLATION, TO WHICH I WANT TO RETURN, HAS BEEN INCREASING AT A LEVEL WHICH THE COMMUNITY RIGHTLY REGARDS WITH CONCERN, WE HAVEN’T BEEN SUFFERING TO THE SAME EXTENT WHEN IT COMES TO THE GOODS THAT WE EXPORT. THE GOODS THAT WE EXPORT, THE GOODS THAT WE MARKET, HAVE ONLY BEEN RISING AT ABOUT 1% A YEAR IN PRICE WHICH HAS MEANT THAT WE’VE REMAINED COMPETITIVE, LARGELY BECAUSE WE’VE BEEN ABLE TO USE GUANGDONG AND OTHER AREAS AS A MANUFACTURING BASE FOR OUR PRODUCTS. IT’S BEEN A VERY IMPORTANT PART OF OUR COMPETITIVE EDGE BUT WE’VE ALSO REMAINED COMPETITIVE BY RUTHLESSLY AND RELENTLESSLY TRYING TO MAKE OUR PROCESSES MORE EFFICIENT AND THAT IS SOMETHING FOR WHICH THE MANAGEMENT IN HONG KONG DESERVES A VERY SUBSTANTIAL PAT ON THE BACK.
THE COMMUNITY - AND I’M SURE THOSE WHO RECENTLY ELECTED THE HONOURABLE MEMBER MADE THIS POINT TO HIM AGAIN AND AGAIN - THE COMMUNITY IS UNDERSTANDABLY CONCERNED ABOUT THE THREAT OF DOUBLE-DIGIT INFLATION, AND SO AM I. WE HAVE TO TACKLE THAT IN A NUMBER OF SOPHISTICATED WAYS, FOR EXAMPLE, BY WHAT I WAS SAYING EARLIER, ON RE-TRAINING AND THE LABOUR SUPPLY. BY HELPING, AS I WAS SAYING EARLIER, TO DEAL WITH SOME OF THE PROBLEMS AFFECTING SOME GROUPS, PARTICULARLY THE SANDWICH CLASS IN HOUSING, BUT OTHERS AS WELL. THOSE ARE THE WAYS IN WHICH WE HAVE TO TRY TO BRING DOWN INFLATION. WE HAVE TO RECOGNISE THAT UNLESS THE WAGE INCREASES WE PAY OURSELVES CAN BE MET OUT OF INCREASED PRODUCTIVITY AND EFFICIENCY THAT TOO WILL LEAD TO GREATER INFLATION. SO WE NEED TO BE MORE EFFICIENT IN ORDER TO HOLD DOWN AND REDUCE INFLATAION. AND OF COURSE, FINALLY, WE NEED TO HELP THOSE WHO LIVE ON FIXED INCOMES, PARTICULARLY PUBLIC ASSISTANCE PAYMENTS, COPE WITH INFLATION BY ENSURING THAT THEIR PUBLIC ASSISTANCE PAYMENTS ARE PROTECTED YEAR AFTER YEAR AGAINST THE RAVAGES OF INFLATION.
MRS PEGGY LAM: MR GOVERNOR, IN YOUR POLICY ADDRESS YOU GO INTO DETAIL ABOUT EDUCATION AND YOU TALK ABOUT PARENTS AND QUALITY EDUCATION. ALL ALONG THE EDUCATION SYSTEM IN HONG KONG IS SUCH THAT IT IS CRITICISED BY THE COMMUNITY AND THE PARENTS. THE EDUCATION POLICIES IN HONG KONG ALL ALONG HAVE BEEN FORMULATED BY PROFESSIONALS. I WOULD LIKE TO ASK YOU THIS: HAVE YOU CONSIDERED THAT IN FUTURE, WHEN FORMULATING EDUCATIONAL POLICIES, YOU WILL INVITE PARENTS TO TAKE PART IN FORMULATING POLICIES?
/GOVERNOR: I ........
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 8, 1992
- 17 -
GOVERNOR: I THINK FOR TOO LONG, RIGHT ACROSS THE WORLD, PARENTS HAVE BEEN REGARDED WHEN IT’S COME TO THE DISCUSSION OF EDUCATIONAL POLICY AS A SORT OF OPTIONAL EXTRA. I THINK VERY OFTEN THEY’VE BEEN REGARDED AS NOT REALLY HAVING A SAY OR A ROLE IN THE DISCUSSION OF THE CURRICULUM, IN THE DISCUSSION OF EDUCATION QUALITY. SO I DO VERY MUCH WELCOME THE ATTEMPTS WHICH HAVE BEEN MADE IN HONG KONG TO GET PARENTS MORE INVOLVED IN SCHOOLS. I THINK THAT THE EDUCATION COMMISSION, UNDER THE CHAIRMANSHIP OF A RECENT AND VERY DISTINGUISHED MEMBER OF THIS COUNCIL, HAS PUT FORWARD PROPOSALS FOR INVOLVING PARENTS MORE, FOR EXAMPLE, WE’VE HAD A LOT OF DISCUSSION ABOUT THE SCHOOL MANAGEMENT INITIATIVE AND I THINK IT’S IMPORTANT TO TAKE THAT SCHOOL MANAGEMENT INITIATIVE FORWARD, I THINK PARENT/TEACHER ASSOCIATIONS HAVE A VALUABLE ROLE TO PLAY. WHAT I THINK PARENTS WANT IS THE ASSURANCE THAT BASIC STANDARDS OF NUMERACY AND LITERACY WON’T BE AFFECTED BY OCCASIONAL EDUCATIONAL FASHIONS. FORTUNATELY, I THINK HONG KONG HAS HAD THE GOOD SENSE TO REPEL BOARDERS WHEN MOST OF THESE EDUCATIONAL FADS HAVE DONE SO MUCH DAMAGE IN SOME OTHER COMMUNITIES AND SOME OTHER COUNTRIES, BUT IT’S IMPERATIVE THAT WE GET THE BASICS RIGHT IN SCHOOL, IT’S IMPERATIVE THAT WE DO ALL THAT WE CAN TO GIVE TEACHERS MORE TIME IN ORDER TO ENSURE THAT THEY CAN RAISE THE QUALITY OF WHAT THEY DO IN THE CLASSROOM, IT’S IMPERATIVE THAT WE MAKE SURE THAT WE HAVE EVEN BETTER TRAINED TEACHERS AND MORE GRADUATE TEACHERS ON BOTH OF WHICH WE ARE WORKING, AND IT’S IMPERATIVE THAT WE FIND EVERY POSSIBLE WAY OF INVOLVING PARENTS MORE THOROUGHLY IN THE MANAGEMENT OF SCHOOLS AND IN THE DISCUSSION OF WHAT HAPPENS IN SCHOOLS.
THERE IS ONE ADDITIONAL POINT THAT I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE. I DO THINK THAT WE ARE GOING TO HAVE TO THINK VERY HARD IN THE COMMUNITY ABOUT THE - AND I HOPE THIS WON’T BE REGARDED AS A PREJUDICED OBSERVATION ON MY PART, SPEAKING AS SOMEBODY WHO IS ALAS, ONLY VAGUELY BILINGUAL AND THAT NOT IN CANTONESE - I DO THINK WE WILL HAVE TO CONSIDER WHETHER OR NOT STANDARDS OF ENGLISH ARE AS GOOD AS THEY NEED TO BE, GIVEN THE COMMERCIAL AND ECONOMIC PRESSURES THERE WILL BE ON US IN THE NEXT FEW YEARS.
MR FRED LI WAH-MING: MR GOVERNOR, I WOULD LIKE TO TALK ABOUT PUBLIC ASSISTANCE. IN THE POLICY ADDRESS YOU MENTIONED INCREASING THE BASIC RATE FOR SINGLE PERSON FROM $825 TO $900 SOMETHING PER MONTH, THAT MEANS, A 15% INCREASE. BUT DO YOU KNOW, AFTER THIS ADJUSTMENT, AND WHEN ALL THE OTHER ALLOWANCES ARE COUNTED, THAT FOR EVERY RECIPIENT, DO YOU KNOW WHAT IS THE PUBLIC ASSISTANCE RECEIVED, WHICH WILL BE LESS THAN $2,000 PER MONTH? THAT IS, ON AVERAGE IT WOULD BE ABOUT $1,600 -1,700 PER MONTH. BUT FOR A PROSPEROUS SOCIETY LIKE HONG KONG WHERE WE HAVE A HIGH LIVING STANDARD, THIS IS INDEED A MOCKERY OF OUR SOCIETY. SO .1 WONDER WHAT YOU THINK THAT, MR GOVERNOR? AND ALSO, DO YOU THINK IT IS NECESSARY TO OVERALL THE WHOLE CALCULATION FORMULA FOR PUBLIC ASSISTANCE, BECAUSE IF THE BASIC RATE IS SO LOW, EVEN IF THERE IS 20%, 30% INCREASE, IT LAGS FAR BEHIND OUR LIVING STANDARDS. AND IF YOU DO NOT HAVE AN OVERHAUL, THEN I DON’T THINK THE SAFETY NET CAN REALLY SERVE THOSE WHO ARE IN NEED. SO I HOPE MR GOVERNOR YOU WOULD RESPOND TO THIS QUESTION.
/GOVERNOR: IT ........
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 8, 1992
- 18 -
GOVERNOR: IT IS NOT TO IN ANY WAY BELITTLE THE IMPORTANCE OF THE POINT THAT THE HONOURABLE MEMBER HAS MADE TO SAY THAT, WHEN AT THE OUTSET OF OUR DISCUSSIONS I SAID THAT I DIDN’T THINK THAT THE GOVERNMENT WOULD BE REGARDED FOR LONG AS HAVING BEEN EXTRAVAGANT YESTERDAY I DIDN’T REALISE THAT THE CRITICISMS WOULD BEGIN QUITE AS RAPIDLY AS THEY HAVE. THE PROPOSALS THAT WE MAKE ON PUBLIC ASSISTANCE, BOTH THE INCREASE IN SCALE RATES, AND THE RELAXATION OF THE ABSENCE RULE, ARE SUBSTANTIAL STEPS FORWARD. SUBSTANTIAL STEPS FORWARD IN HONG KONG WHICH WILL, I THINK, BE VERY WIDELY WELCOMED. BUT I KNOW THAT THERE WILL ALWAYS BE THOSE WHO, I’M SURE FOR VERY GOOD REASON, WILL SAY YOU SHOULD HAVE GONE FURTHER, YOU SHOULD HAVE DONE MORE. SOCIETIES CUSTOMARILY MAKE ADVANCES IN SOCIAL WELFARE BECAUSE THERE ARE MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY WHO DEVELOP THAT SORT OF CASE VERY OFTEN WITH ELOQUENCE AND VERVE.
WHAT ONE HAS TO DO ALWAYS IS TO BALANCE DIFFERENT INTERESTS AND I DON’T THINK THAT WE COULD HAVE GONE FURTHER THAN WE ANNOUNCED YESTERDAY WITHOUT RUNNING THE RISK OF THE SORT OF FINANCIAL IMPRUDENCE AGAINST WHICH I WAS EARLIER WARNED, OR WITHOUT CUTTING EXPENDITURE IN OTHER AREAS. FOR A FAMILY OF FOUR, AS I SAID YESTERDAY, THE NEW RATES PLUS RENT AND OTHER ADDITIONAL GRANTS WILL PROVIDE A MONTHLY INCOME OF $5,505. I WOULD WELCOME ANY COMPARISON THAT THE HONOURABLE MEMBER MADE WITH THE MEDIUM INCOME OF A WORKER IN MANUFACTURING AND HIS FAMILY. I THINK THAT COMPARISON WOULD SHOW PERHAPS THAT THE PUBLIC ASSISTANCE RATE INCREASES THAT I WAS SUGGESTING WERE PRETTY REASONABLE, BUT I REPEAT THAT IT IS INVARIABLY THE CASE THAT WHATEVER ADVANCE ONE MAKES IN SOCIAL PROGRAMMES, THERE WILL ALWAYS UNDERSTANDABLY BE THOSE WHO SAY THAT’S NOT ENOUGH, BECAUSE THEY HAVE A PROPER CONCERN FOR THE NEEDS AND REQUIREMENTS OF THE DISADVANTAGED AND THE NEEDY.
MR MARTIN LEE: MR PRESIDENT AND/OR GOVERNOR. THE FACT THAT YOU HAVE NOT MENTIONED IT IN YOUR SPEECH YESTERDAY DOESN’T MEAN THAT THEY WILL GO AWAY, WHETHER BY THE KAI TAK AIRPORT OR BY THE 'LADY MAURINE’. I AM REFERRING TO THE COURT OF FINAL APPEAL. YOU KNOW THAT BOTH THE BAR ASSOCIATION HERE AND THE BAR COUNCIL OF ENGLAND AND WALES, AND THE MAJORITY OF THE MEMBERS OF THIS COUNCIL HAVE EXPRESSED THE STRONG VIEW THAT WHAT HAS BEEN AGREED BETWEEN THE BRITISH AND CHINESE GOVERNMENTS OVER THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A COURT OF FINAL APPEAL IN HONG KONG BEFORE 1997 DOES NOT, IS NOT, CONSISTENT WITH THE JOINT DECLARATION OR THE BASIC LAW. NOW, WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO ABOUT THAT COURT? ARE YOU GOING TO WAIT UNTIL IT COMES BACK TO US VIA THE CHEK LAP KOK AIRPORT?
/GOVERNOR: WHAT ........
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 8, 1992
19
GOVERNOR: WHAT I AM GOING TO DO IN THE FIRST PLACE IS TO DISCUSS THE ISSUE WITH MY NEW EXECUTIVE COUNCIL, WHICH DOES, OF COURSE, INCLUDE IN ADDITION TO THE ATTORNEY, TWO OF THE MOST DISTINGUISHED LAWYERS IN THE COMMUNITY. WHAT WE WILL HAVE COLLECTIVELY TO DECIDE IS WHETHER IT IS THE VIEW OF THIS COUNCIL THAT WE SHOULD NOT GO AHEAD WITH THE COURT OF FINAL APPEAL BECAUSE, IN THIS COUNCIL’S VIEW, IT DOESN’T MEET REQUIREMENTS PARTICULARLY IN RELATION TO THE NUMBER OF JUDGES FROM OTHER JURISDICTIONS, OR WHETHER WITH OTHER DEVELOPMENTS ON THE LEGAL FRONT, WE SHOULD GO AHEAD WITH THE LEGISLATION AND THE APPOINTMENT OF THE COURT ARGUING THAT WHAT IS IMPORTANT IS THAT IT SHOULD HAVE SOME EXPERIENCE OF OPERATING WELL BEFORE 1997. THOSE ARE GOING TO BE THE OPTIONS WHICH THE COUNCIL WILL HAVE TO CONSIDER. WE CAN’T PUT OFF THOSE DECISIONS INDEFINITELY, BUT I WILL - IF THE HONOURABLE MEMBER WILL ALLOW - I WILL WANT FIRST OF ALL, TO DISCUSS THE MATTER WITH SOME OF THE LEARNED MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL AND, OF COURSE, THROUGH THEM, WITH THE WIDER LEGAL COMMUNITY. IT’S A POINT OF VIEW, IT’S AN ARGUMENT WHICH COMES BACK TO THE PROPOSITION WHICH MR IP ADVANCED EARLIER. THE SECURING OF THE RULE OF LAW IS THE MOST IMPORTANT THING THAT ALL OF US HAVE TO DO BEFORE 1997.
I BELIEVE THAT I COULD ANSWER, ON THIS OCCASION, TWO MORE QUESTIONS PROVIDED THEY ARE BRIEF. BUT, ALL THOSE WHO HAVEN’T BEEN ANSWERED TODAY WILL, OF COURSE, GET FIRST BILLING ON A FUTURE OCCASION.
MR TAM YIU-CHUNG: THANK YOU, MR GOVERNOR AND MR PRESIDENT. IN PARAGRAPH 8 OF YOUR POLICY ADDRESS YOU MENTION THE GOVERNOR’S BUSINESS COUNCIL WHICH WOULD BE CHAIRED BY YOU. SO WE CAN SEE THIS IS A COUNCIL OF HIGH LEVEL. NOW, FOR SUCH A HIGH LEVEL COUNCIL, WOULD IT BECOME ANOTHER EXECUTIVE COUNCIL AND, ALSO, THIS COUNCIL WOULD BE COMPOSED ENTIRELY OF MEMBERS FROM THE BUSINESS SECTOR. SO, WE ARE CONCERNED THAT YOU WOULD ONLY ENSURE THE INTERESTS OF THE BUSINESS SECTOR WHILE IGNORING THE INTERESTS OF THE GRASSROOTS LEVEL. HOW ARE YOU GOING TO ALLAY THAT FEAR?
/GOVERNOR: FIRST ........
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 8, 1992
20
GOVERNOR: FIRST OF ALL, THE BUSINESS COUNCIL WHICH I’VE PROPOSED, IS A NON-STATUTORY BODY. I HOPE THAT, WHEN THAT IS TRANSLATED, IT’S NOT TRANSLATED AS I THINK IT WAS YESTERDAY, AS ILLEGAL. NOBODY ON THE BUSINESS COUNCIL WILL BE REMOTELY ILLEGAL. IT WILL BE A NON-STATUTORY BODY BUT - I SAY’ THIS VERY OPENLY TO THE HONOURABLE MEMBER - I DID FEEL THE NECESSITY OF HAVING AS A MORE OPEN AND REGULAR CHANNEL OF COMMUNICATION WITH THE LEADERS OF THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY. BECAUSE, ALL THAT WE SET OUT TO DO, ALL OUR AMBITIONS, ARE ULTIMATELY DEPENDENT ON HOW WELL THEY DO AND HOW WELL OUR ECONOMY PERFORMS. SO I THOUGHT IT WAS IMPORTANT TO HAVE AS MUCH ACCESS AS POSSIBLE FOR THEM TO GOVERNMENT HOUSE. I IMAGINE THE COUNCIL WOULD PROBABLY MEET SIX OR SEVEN TIMES A YEAR. IT WILL LOOK AT BROAD, STRATEGIC ISSUES BUT IT WON’T BE LIKE THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL A DECISION MAKING BODY AT THE HEART OF GOVERNMENT AND I HOPE THAT NOBODY WILL CONFUSE THOSE ROLES. I’M NOT SURE THAT THERE IS QUITE THE DICHOTOMY WHICH THE HONOURABLE MEMBER SUGGESTS BETWEEN, AS IT WERE, THE VIEWS OF THOSE WHO RUN BUSINESSES AND THOSE WHO WORK IN BUSINESSES. ONE OF THE HAPPIEST FEATURES OF SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC LIFE IN HONG KONG IS THAT SOME OF THE DIVISIVENESS WHICH HAS HELPED IMPOVERISH COMMUNITIES ELSEWHERE ON THE FACTORY FLOOR AND IN THE COMMERCIAL SECTOR, HASN’T EXISTED HERE. I THINK THAT WHATEVER THE HISTORICAL REASONS FOR THAT, WHETHER THEY ARE MARXIST OR NOT, WE HAVEN’T FORTUNATELY, SUFFERED FROM THAT SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC TENSION. WE HAVE ALREADY OF COURSE, A WAY OF ALLOWING THE UNIONS TO FEED THEIR ADVICE THROUGH AN ADVISORY BODY TO THE COMMISSIONER OF LABOUR. I DISCUSSED THAT WITH A DELEGATION OF TRADE UNION LEADERS, AS I’M SURE THE HONOURABLE MEMBER KNOWS, RECENTLY AND, NOT ONLY DO I HOPE THAT THAT CHANNEL OF COMMUNICATION REMAINS BUT I HOPE MYSELF TO SEE LEADERS OF ORGANISED LABOUR IN HONG KONG REGULARLY IN THE FUTURE. AND I HOPE THAT LEADERS OF LABOUR, AND THOSE WHO WORK THROUGHOUT HONG KONG, WILL HAVE THEMSELVES WELCOMED THE PROPOSALS FOR DISCUSSION THAT I HAVE PUT FORWARD ON FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCIES.
MR SZETO WAH (IN CANTONESE): MR PRESIDENT, YESTERDAY YOU SAID THAT THE LAST TIME WHEN YOU LEAVE HONG KONG IN 1997 ON A PLANE, WHETHER YOU’RE GOING TO FLY FROM CHEK LAP KOK WOULD NOT HAVE ANY BEARING ON THE CREDIT PEOPLE ARE GOING TO HEAP ON YOU OR OTHERWISE. SO WHAT DO YOU THINK WOULD AFFECT MOST THE CREDIT THAT PEOPLE WILL GIVE YOU?
GOVERNOR: I THINK TWO THINGS. FIRST OF ALL WHETHER THEY THOUGHT, WHEN I LEFT HONG KONG IN 1997, THAT I HAD SECURED THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE JOINT DECLARATION THEREAFTER. I THINK THE JOINT DECLARATION WAS A HISTORIC DOCUMENT, I THINK IT IS PRETTY MUCH A UNIQUE DOCUMENT IN HUMAN HISTORY, AND I THINK THAT IF WHEN I LEFT AT THE END OF JUNE IN 1997 - TRAVELLING, I HOPE, OVERLAND BACK TO THE UNITED KINGDOM.BY MY OWN THROUGH-TRAIN - I VERY MUCH HOPE THAT PEOPLE WILL FEEL THAT I’VE DISCHARGED THAT OBLIGATION.
I HOPE THEY WILL FEEL, SECONDLY, THAT I’VE DONE AS IMPORTANT A JOB AS THERE IS, HONOURABLY AND HONESTLY.
DR SAMUEL WONG: GOVERNOR, FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCIES WERE CREATED TO ENSURE ALL IMPORTANT SECTORS OF OUR ECONOMY SHOULD HAVE A PART TO PLAY IN THE LEGISLATIVE PROCESS. YOUR PROPOSAL, BY EXPANDING THE ELECTORAL BASE, YOU ARE IN FACT NEGATING THIS RATIONALE AND OVERTURNING A PRACTICE WHICH HAS STOOD THE TEST OF TIME. ISN’T YOUR PROPOSAL CONTRARY TO THE SPIRIT OF THE BASIC LAW?
/GOVERNOR: NO ........
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 8, 1992
21
GOVERNOR: NO, I DON’T BELIEVE IT IS. I TAKE IT THAT THE RATIONALE FOR FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCIES, WHICH DON’T EXIST IN EVERY COMMUNITY BUT HAVE OBVIOUSLY A ROLE IN OUR DEMOCRATIC DEVELOPMENT, I TAKE IT THAT THE RATIONALE IS AND WAS THAT PEOPLE IN THEIR FUNCTION AS WORKERS SHOULD HAVE REPRESENTATION IN THIS LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. I, IF I’M ASKED HOW TO EXTEND FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCIES, CAN’T SEE ANY BETTER WAY OF DOING IT THAN BY TAKING THAT ARGUMENT TO ITS REASONABLE, THOUGH NOT IN MY JUDGMENT, ABSURD LOGIC. I’M NOT SURE WHY WE CAN ARGUE, FOR EXAMPLE, THAT SOMEBODY WHO GOES OUT IN A FISHING BOAT EVERYDAY ISN’T PERFORMING A FUNCTION WHICH CAN USEFULLY AND PROPERLY BE REPRESENTED IN THIS COUNCIL. I’M NOT ENTIRELY CONVINCED - AND I DON’T MEAN TO SINGLE OUT BANKERS IN THIS PARTICULAR REGARD - BUT I DON’T ENTIRELY SEE WHY BANKERS SHOULD BE REPRESENTED BUT NOT PEOPLE WHO WORK IN THE RETAIL SECTOR. THE RETAIL SECTOR HAS A CERTAIN FAME IN HONG KONG. WHY NOT PEOPLE WHO WORK IN THE TEXTILE INDUSTRY, WHO PROBABLY HAVE MORE FAME THAN ANYBODY IN TERMS OF OUR INTERNATIONAL ECONOMIC RELATIONS?
BUT I COME BACK, DR WONG, TO A POINT WHICH I BEGAN WITH. IF THERE ARE THOSE WHO DON’T REGARD MY PROPOSALS AS REASONABLE, AS BALANCED, AS SENSIBLE, LET THEM PUT FORWARD THEIR OWN PROPOSALS. IF THERE IS A BETTER WAY OF DEFINING THE FUNCTIONS OF THE 9 ADDITIONAL FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCIES, WHAT ARE THEY TO BE? WHO ELSE ARE WE TO REPRESENT? ARE WE TO REPRESENT OTHER CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE? ARE WE TO REPRESENT TEXTILE WORKERS BUT NOT THOSE WHO WORK IN AGRICULTURE OR FISHERIES? HOW ARE WE TO DO IT? I THINK THERE IS A POWERFUL ARGUMENT FOR ENSURING THAT AT THIS STAGE OF OUR POLITICAL DEVELOPMENT, HONG KONG HAS A LEGISLATURE WHICH IS BROADLY REPRESENTATIVE. I TAKE IT THAT THAT WAS THE ARGUMENT FOR FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCIES, I TAKE IT THAT THAT IS THE ARGUMENT - I’M BEING CHARITABLE - I TAKE IT THAT THAT WAS THE ARGUMENT WHICH UNDERPINNED THE ROLE OF FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCIES IN THE BASIC LAW, AND I AM WHOLLY WITHIN, IN MY VIEW AND HOPE THE COMMUNITY’S VIEW, BOTH THE SPIRIT AND THE LETTER OF THE BASIC LAW IN WHAT I HAVE PUT FORWARD.
I’M MUCH OBLIGED TO HONOURABLE MEMBERS OF THIS COUNCIL FOR GIVING ME THEIR ATTENTION TODAY. I HOPE THAT THE COUNCIL WILL BE ABLE TO WELCOME ME ON FUTURE OCCASIONS, FOR EXAMPLE, I HOPE THAT AS SOON AS POSSIBLE AFTER MY RETURN FROM PEKING, I WILL BE ABLE TO TAKE QUESTIONS FROM THIS COUNCIL. CONCEIVABLY BY THEN WE WILL HAVE ARRIVED AT ARRANGEMENTS WHICH ENABLE ME TO SPEND AN HOUR OR TWO WITH THE COUNCIL SLIGHTLY NEARER TO HONOURABLE MEMBERS, BUT FOR THE TIME BEING, IN ACCORDANCE WITH STANDING ORDERS, I NOW ADJOURN THE COUNCIL UNTIL 2.30 PM ON WEDNESDAY THE 14TH OF OCTOBER 1992.
- - 0----------
/22 ........
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 8, 1992
22
THE GOVERNOR THE RT HON CHRISTOPHER PATTEN’S PUBLIC MEETING AT THE CITY HALL THURSDAY, OCTOBER 8, 1992 ******
GOVERNOR: LADIES AND GENTLEMEN. FIRST OF ALL, WELCOME AND MANY
THANKS TO ALL OF YOU FOR COMING THIS EVENING. I VERY MUCH HOPE THAT THIS WILL BE THE FIRST OF A FAIRLY REGULAR SERIES OF MEETINGS LIKE THIS WHILE I AM THE GOVERNOR OF HONG KONG. IT WILL OBVIOUSLY DEPEND PARTLY ON ME AND PARTLY ON YOU. IF WE ALL HAVE A VERY BORING EVENING TOGETHER, I GUESS NOBODY WILL EVER COME TO A MEETING AGAIN. I’VE BEEN A LITTLE SURPRISED THAT THERE WAS SOME CONTROVERSY SURROUNDING THIS MEETING AND THE OTHERS I’VE PLANNED.
LET ME EXPLAIN WHAT I MEAN. THE SPEECH THAT I MADE YESTERDAY WAS ABOUT YOUR FUTURE AND I THINK YOU’VE GOT A RIGHT TO ASK ME QUESTIONS ABOUT WHAT I SAID. OF COURSE, I AM ACCOUNTABLE FIRST AND FOREMOST TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL WHICH REPRESENTS YOU. SO, I WENT TO THEM TODAY TO ANSWER THEIR QUESTIONS. BUT I ALSO HAVE TO GIVE YOU THE OPPORTUNITY TO ASK ME QUESTIONS TONIGHT AND ON OTHER OCCASIONS. THAT IS THE PURPOSE OF THIS EVENING’S QUESTION AND ANSWER. I AM SORRY THAT BECAUSE OF MY LINGUISTIC INADEQUACIES, BECAUSE I DON’T SPEAK CANTONESE AS WELL AS YOU SPEAK ENGLISH - INDEED, TO BE PERFECTLY HONEST, DON’T SPEAK CANTONESE AT ALL - THAT THEREFORE, EVERYTHING HAS TO BE TRANSLATED AND, THEREFORE, THINGS WILL TAKE A LITTLE LONGER. BUT I
VERY MUCH HOPE THAT DESPITE THAT DIFFICULTY, WE’LL BE ABLE TO HAVE A GOOD EXCHANGE.
LET ME JUST MAKE FOUR BRIEF POINTS AND THEN THE EVENING IS YOURS. THE FIRST THING THAT I SAID YESTERDAY IN MY SPEECH TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL IS THAT IT IS IMPERATIVE THAT WE CONTINUE THE POLICIES THAT HAVE BROUGHT HONG KONG GREAT ECONOMIC SUCCESS - LOW TAXES, SENSIBLE CONTROL OF PUBLIC EXPENDITURE, MAKING OUR CITY THE MOST BUSINESSFRIENDLY COMMUNITY IN ASIA.
SECONDLY, I SAID THAT IT WAS MY IMPRESSION THAT, WHILE YOU DIDN’T WANT THE GOVERNMENT TO BE EXTRAVAGANT, YOU DID WANT US TO BE FAIR AND YOU DID WANT US TO SPEND MORE WHERE WE COULD AFFORD IT ON PROGRAMMES LIKE EDUCATION, SOCIAL WELFARE, PROVISION FOR THE HANDICAPPED, PUBLIC ASSISTANCE, THE ENVIRONMENT AND SO ON.
THIRDLY, I SAID THAT IT WAS MY IMPRESSION THAT PEOPLE IN HONG KONG WANTED MORE DEMOCRACY, THAT THEY WANTED MORE DEMOCRACY WHICH THEY BELIEVE WILL LAST. AND, THEREFORE, THEY THOUGHT IT WOULD BE SENSIBLE FOR ME TO BRING FORWARD PROPOSALS FOR GREATER DEMOCRACY THAT WAS CONSISTENT WITH THE BASIC LAW. BUT DOUBTLESS, TONIGHT AND ON OTHER OCCASIONS, YOU WILL TELL ME WHETHER YOU THINK I WAS RIGHT OR WRONG.
FOURTHLY, I SAID THAT MY GREATEST OBJECTIVE IN HONG KONG WAS TO SECURE YOUR WAY OF LIFE FOR THE FUTURE, TO ENSURE THAT WE HAVE A FULL-HEARTED IMPLEMENTATION OF THE JOINT DECLARATION. PART OF THAT WAY OF LIFE IS THAT WE HAVE FREE AND OPEN MEETINGS LIKE THIS. AND I BELIEVE THAT ONE RESULT OF MEETINGS LIKE THIS IS THAT THE DECISIONS THAT I HAVE TO TAKE, AND OTHERS IN GOVERNMENT HAVE TO TAKE, ARE BETTER IF WE HAVE TO GO AND EXPLAIN OUR DECISIONS TO YOU. THAT’S WHAT ACCOUNTABILITY AND THAT’S WHAT GREATER DEMOCRACY MEANS. I HAVE TO KNOW, WHEN I MAKE A DECISION THAT, AT SOME STAGE, I’M GOING TO HAVE TO STAND IN FRONT OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL OR STAND IN FRONT OF YOU AND EXPLAIN MYSELF. AND THAT I CAN TELL YOU, HAS A GREAT EFFECT ON POLITICAL LEADERS. AND NOW, IT’S YOUR TURN. YOUR TURN TO ASK QUESTIONS. I HOPE SOMEBODY WILL WANT TO DO SO.
/QUESTION: I ........
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 8, 1992
- 23 -
QUESTION: I CAN SEE THAT IN THIS BOOK YOU GIVE A SET OF GOALS ABOUT THE QUANTITY CHANGE OF SOCIAL WELFARE, INCLUDING THE INCREASE OF WORKERS, INCREASE OF BEDS, INCREASE OF HOSTELS. BUT I DON’T SEE ANYTHING ABOUT THE CHANGE OF QUALITY IN THE SERVICE, ESPECIALLY, AS FAR AS WE KNOW, HONG KONG YOUTH PROBLEMS IS A VERY IMPORTANT PROBLEM IN NOWADAYS HONG KONG. BUT, ALL I SEE IN THIS BOOK YOU ONLY INCREASE 60 SCHOOL SOCIAL WORKERS. HOW ABOUT THE OTHER SERVICE? OTHER YOUTH SERVICE IN HONG KONG? I DON’T SEE ANY INCREASE IN QUALITY AND QUANTITY.
GOVERNOR: I’LL TRY, IF I MAY, TO BE FAIRIA BRIEF IN RESPONSE TO ALL QUESTIONS, NOT BECAUSE 1 DON’T THINK YOUR QUESTIONS ARE INTERESTING, BUT SO AS TO GIVE AS MANY PEOPLE AS POSSIBLE THE CHANCE OF ANSWERING. WE’VE ANNOUNCED IN MY SPEECH THAT OVER THE NEXT FIVE YEARS, WE’LL INCREASE EXPENDITURE ON SOCIAL WELFARE PROVISION BY ABOUT 26-1/2%. THAT IS AN INCREASE THAT WE CAN AFFORD IN HONG KONG, BECAUSE OF OUR ECONOMIC SUCCESS. IT ENABLES US TO MEET ALL THE KEY TARGETS IN THE WHITE PAPER ON SOCIAL WELFARE THAT WAS PUBLISHED A SHORT WHILE AGO AND ALL THE KEY TARGETS IN OUR REHABILITATION GREEN PAPER. SO WE WILL BE ABLE TO DO A GREAT DEAL MORE FOR THE MENTALLY ILL, FOR THE MENTALLY HANDICAPPED, FOR THE HANDICAPPED GENERALLY, FOR THE DISABLED AND SO ON. THAT WILL RESULT NEXT YEAR, FOR EXAMPLE, IN THE EMPLOYMENT OF I THINK BETWEEN THREE AND FOUR HUNDRED ADDITIONAL SOCIAL WORKERS. YOU ARE QUITE RIGHT TO SAY THAT I DIDN’T TALK EXTENSIVELY IN MY SPEECH ABOUT THE YOUTH SERVICE. I DID TALK A LOT ABOUT EDUCATION, I DID TALK A LOT ABOUT INCREASING THE NUMBER OF TEACHERS, NOT LEAST IN SECONDARY SCHOOLS AND REDUCING THE TEACHER/PUPIL RATIO. I DIDN’T TALK ABOUT THE YOUTH SERVICE, THERE WERE ONE OR TWO OTHER SUBJECTS THAT I DIDN’T TALK ABOUT AND THAT WAS, FRANKLY, BECAUSE MY SPEECH ANYWAY LASTED TWO HOURS AND I DIDN’T WANT TO BE CARRYING ON UNTIL INFINITY. BUT I DO HAVE, ON MY EXECUTIVE COUNCIL, ROSANNA WONG, WHO IS EXTREMELY EXPERIENCED IN THE WORK IN THE YOUTH FIELD AND I AM SURE SHE WILL MAKE ABSOLUTELY CERTAIN THAT IT GETS MY ACTIVE ATTENTION VIRTUALLY EVERY TUESDAY MORNING.
QUESTION: I HAVE TWO QUESTIONS TO ASK. ONE IS ON THE POLITICAL SYSTEM AND THE SECOND IS ON EDUCATION. FROM THE EXPERIENCE OF HISTORY, WE KNOW THAT WHEN THE BRITISH LEAVE THE COLONY, IT WILL BE A DISHONOURABLE ONE. THIS IS PERFECTLY PROVED IN YOUR POLICY SPEECH. SECOND, I WOULD LIKE TO SAY THAT YOUR POLITICAL SYSTEM WOULD LEAVE THE GOVERNMENT’S POWERS, WOULD WEAKEN THE GOVERNMENT’S POWER TO RULE HONG KONG. I HOPE YOU WOULD RESPECT THE JOINT DECLARATION. I HOPE YOU WOULD RESPECT THE BASK' LAW AND RESPECT THE PUBLIC’S WISH TO HAVE A SMOOTH TRANSITION TO 1997.
MY SECOND QUESTION IS ON EDUCATION. IN YOUR POLICY SPEECH, YOU SAID A LOT OF MONEY WILL BE PUT INTO EDUCATION. BUT I AM SURE THE 15% INCREASE WILL LARGELY GO INTO TERTIARY EDUCATION BUT BASIC EDUCATION IS WHAT IS MORE IMPORTANT. THE EDUCATION GROUPS HAVE ALL ALONG DEMANDED SMALLER CLASSES BUT ACCORDING TO YOUR PLAN, THE SMALLER CLASSES WILL START FROM PRIMARY ONE AND IT WILL TAKE A VERY LONG TIME FOR THE WHOLE PRIMARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOL SYSTEMS TO HAVE SMALLER CLASSES AND, ANOTHER VERY IMPORTANT POINT IS THE FLOATING CLASSES IN SECONDARY SCHOOLS. I HOPE YOU WILL ABOLISH THIS SYSTEM IN SECONDARY SCHOOLS.
/GOVERNOR: CAN ........
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 8, 1992
- 24
GOVERNOR: CAN I JUST VERY POLITELY SUGGEST IF WE WANT TO GET THROUGH A LOT OF QUESTIONS, HOWEVER GOOD THE QUESTIONS PEOPLE HAVE MAY BE, THAT WE TRY TO MAKE THEM AS BRIEF AS POSSIBLE. I DON’T AGREE, THOUGH I WILL BE VERY RESTRAINED IN MY LANGUAGE, WITH THE PREMISE OF YOUR QUESTION, NOR, I BELIEVE, WOULD THE PEOPLE OF COUNTRIES LIKE INDIA, ZIMBABWE, TANZANIA AND ELSEWHERE, WHERE WE LEFT DEMOCRACIES, DEMOCRACIES WHICH HAVE SURVIVED AND FLOURISHED, I THINK THEY MIGHT REGARD YOUR REMARKS AS BEING SLIGHTLY OFFENSIVE. BUT I DON’T BELIEVE THAT THE PROPOSALS THAT I’VE MADE WOULD IN ANY WAY WEAKEN THE GOVERNMENT. IS IT A WEAKER GOVERNMENT THAT COMES BEFORE A MEETING LIKE THIS THIS EVENING TO TRY TO EXPLAIN WHAT IT’S DOING. I HAPPEN TO BELIEVE THAT WHERE GOVERNMENT IS ACCOUNTABLE, IT IS STRONGER PRECISELY BECAUSE IT HAS A STRONGER RELATIONSHIP WITH THE COMMUNITY THAT IT SERVES. I DON’T BELIEVE THAT YOl ARE MORE LIKLY, FOR EXAMPLE, TO ENCOURAGE POLITICAL STABILITY BY PREVENTING PEOPLE EXPRESSING THEIR VIEWS. 1 THINK YOU ARE MORE LIKELY TO HAVE POLITICAL STABILITY IF PEOPLE ARE ABLE TO EXPRESS THEIR VIEWS EVEN IF THEY ARE CRITICAL OF THE GOVERNMENT.
YOU ASKED SECOND ABOUT EDUCATION AND OUR INCREASE IN EXPENDITURE ON EDUCATION. AS 1 SAID IN MY SPEECH, THE GOVERNMENT IS ALREADY COMMITTED TO A CONSIDERABLE EXPANSION IN TERTIARY EDUCATION, BUT YOU ARE ENTIRELY RIGHT TO SAY THAT IT’S IMPORTANT THAT WE ALSO IMPROVE PRIMARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION.
YOU ASKED, SECOND, ABOUT EDUCATION AND OUR INCREASE IN EXPENDITURE ON EDUCATION. AS I SAID IN MY SPEECH, THE GOVERNMENT IS ALREADY COMMITTED TO A CONSIDERABLE EXPANSION IN TERTIARY EDUCATION BUT YOU ARE ENTIRELY RIGHT TO SAY THAT IT’S IMPORTANT THAT WE ALSO IMPROVE PRIMARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION. WE’RE PROPOSING TO TRY TO DO THAT, FIRST OF ALL BY INCREASING THE NUMBER OF TEACHERS BY 2,200 OVER THE NEXT FIVE YEARS. SECONDLY, BY IMPROVING THE QUALITY OF TEACHER EDUCATION. ALL OF US KNOW THAT THE KEY TO A BETTER EDUCATION IS AS GOOD TEACHERS AS POSSIBLE, AND TO HELP TEACHERS I WANT TO SEE THEM HAVING SMALLER CLASSES, BEGINNING IN PRIMARY SCHOOLS, AND MORE TIME TO PREPARE FOR LESSONS.
QUESTION: MR GOVERNOR, HONG KONG IS A PLACE WHERE THE RULE OF LAW IS UPHELD AND THE EXECUTIVE AND THE JUDICIARY SHOULD BE SEPARATED. THEN MAY I ASK YOU, WHY IS A BLACK COURT ESTABLISHED BY THE EXECUTIVE AND THE SO CALLED PROPER APPEAL WAS CONDUCTED, BEHIND CLOSED DOORS, AND LAWYERS AND APPELLANTS WERE NOT ALLOWED TO KNOW ABOUT THE HEARING? AND I WANT TO ASK SOMETHING ABOUT THE WALLED CITY. IS IT A CHINESE TERRITORY OR A BRITISH TERRITORY? THE CHINESE AUTHORITIES HAVE MADE IT CLEAR THAT THE RESIDENTS SHOULD HAVE REASONABLE COMPENSATION, THEN WHY DO YOU USE YOUR POLICEMEN TO GRAB OUR PROPERTY FROM US? IF YOU SAY THIS IS CROWN LAND, WHY WAS THERE NO SIGN SAYING SO? AND I AM VERY DOUBTFUL WHY THE AD HOC GROUP WAS SO POWERFUL; TOGETHER WITH THE WELFARE ASSOCIATION IN THE WALLED CITY THEY VIRTUALLY DID EVERYTHING THEY LIKED AND THE WHOLE THING WAS CONDUCTED IN THE BLACK COURT AND THE HEARING WAS SECRET. I COMPLAINED TO EVERYONE, TO THE GOVERNOR, TO THE GOVERNMENT AND TO MRS ELSIE TU WHO TOLD ME THAT THE HEARING WAS ALL POWERFUL AND THAT WHAT’S GOING ON BEHIND THE CLOSED DOORS HAD THE FINAL SAY.
/GOVERNOR: WELL ........
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 8, 1992
- 25 -
GOVERNOR: WELL, IF YOU DON’T FIND MY ANSWER SATISFACTORY, I’M DELIGHTED TO SAY THAT ELSIE TU IS IN THE THIRD ROW AND AS EVERYBODY IN HONG KONG KNOWS, ELSIE HAS AN ANSWER TO ABSOLUTELY EVERY PROBLEM. LET ME JUST SAY THIS, SERIOUSLY, IN RESPONSE TO YOUR QUESTION AND THIS IS THE WALLED CITY QUESTION FOR TONIGHT, I DON’T THINK WE CAN HAVE EVERY QUESTION ON THE WALLED CITY. IN EVERY COMMUNITY, INCLUDING THIS ONE, THE COMMUNITY AS A WHOLE DECIDES FROM TIME TO TIME THAT A PARTICULAR AREA, FOR ONE REASON OR ANOTHER, SHOULD BE REDEVELOPED; THAT HAS HAPPENED IN A NUMBER OF OTHER PARTS OF HONG KONG. WHEN THAT HAPPENS IT IS ONLY RIGHT THAT IN THE FIRST PLACE, RESIDENTS AND BUSINESSES SHOULD BE CONSULTED, IN THE SECOND PLACE THAT THEY SHOULD BE OFFERED RE-HOUSING AND COMPENSATION IF THE PLAN GOES AHEAD.
THAT IS WHAT HAS HAPPENED IN THE CASE OF THE WALLED CITY, WITH FOR EXAMPLE A RIGHT OF APPEAL TO THE BOARD THAT YOU DESCRIBED IN LESS THAN FLATTERING TERMS, APPEAL TO A BOARD IF YOU DON’T LIKE COMPENSATION TERMS. I HAVE TO SAY, AND IT’S NOT AN UNREASONABLE POINT TO MAKE, THOUGH I APPRECIATE THE STRENGTH OF YOUR FEELING, THAT I BELIEVE I’M RIGHT IN SAYING THAT 98.5% OF THOSE WHO WERE AFFECTED BY THE REDEVELOPMENT HAVE ACCEPTED THE TERMS THAT WERE OFFERED THEM. THERE ARE SOME WHO ARE STILL ARGUING BUT IT DOES SEEM TO ME THAT 98.5% IS QUITE A HIGH FIGURE.
I’M SORRY THAT I CAN’T SAY ANY MORE TO YOU THAN THAT, BUT IT WILL ALWAYS BE THE CASE IN ANY COMMUNITY, PARTICULARLY ONE THAT’S GROWING AND EXPANDING AND THRIVING, THAT ONE HAS TO REDEVELOP PARTS OF IT FROM TIME TO TIME AND MAKE, I HOPE, ADEQUATE AND GENEROUS COMPENSATION PAYMENTS AS A RESULT.
QUESTION: ARE YOU SURE THAT IN THE FUTURE, CRC WILL CONTINUE TO SUPPORT GOVERNMENT POLICY? AND WILL YOU CONFIRM NOW, IN 1997 THERE WILL BE AN INCREASE IN THE LEGCO SEATS TO SATISFY THE UNITED DEMOCRATS? DO YOU KNOW WHETHER THE HIGH PROPERTY PRICES REFLECT MARKET PRICE OR DOES THE GOVERNMENT TO INTERFERE OR A FEW MORE HOUSE OWNERSHIP SCHEMES. I SPEAK CHINESE FOR THE NEXT QUESTION.
WILL YOU SEE AND RECTIFY THE SITUATION?
INTERPRETER: AND THERE ARE ALL THESE COMIC BOOKS AND BAD MOVIES AND UNDESIRABLE TV SHOWS IN HONG KONG, SO DO YOU HAVE ANY MESSAGE TO DEAL WITH THEM?
GOVERNOR: THREE QUESTIONS I THINK. FIRST OF ALL, DIRECTLY ELECTED SEATS, SECONDLY, HIGH PROPERTY PRICES, AND THIRDLY, I THINK THAT YOU WERE WORRIED ABOUT PORNOGRAPHIC LITERATURE AND PORNOGRAPHIC FILMS - AND GAMBLING - ALL RIGHT. LET ME DEAL WITH THOSE IN SEQUENCE.
/FIRST OF .......
26
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 8, 1992
FIRST OF ALL, DIRECTLY ELECTED SEATS. AS YOU KNOW, AS I TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL YESTERDAY, WHEN THE BRITISH FOREIGN SECRETARY SAW HIS CHINESE COLLEAGUE AND OPPOSITE NUMBER IN NEW YORK TWO WEEKS AGO TOMORROW, HE RAISED WITH HIM THE QUESTION OF THE NUMBER OF DIRECTLY ELECTED SEATS IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL IN 1995. HE PRESSED HIM TO ACCEPT AN INCREASE IN THE NUMBER OF DIRECTLY7 ELECTED SEATS, ARGUING THAT IF CHINA WAS TO ACCEPT THAT IT WOULD BE GOOD FOR HONG KONG AND REDOUND GREATLY TO CHINA’S CREDIT THROUGHOUT THE WORLD. THE CHINESE FOREIGN MINISTER REPLIED, IN I THINK TERMS WITH WHICH THE COMMUNITY IS FAMILIAR, THAT CHINA DID NOT BELIEVE THAT THAT WOULD BE SENSIBLE AND THAT IT WOULD CONTRAVENE THE BASIC LAW AND WAS THEREFORE NOT ACCEPTED. I SAID IN MY SPEECH TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL YESTERDAY, THAT IF CHINA WOULD NOT ACCEPT AN INCREASE IN THE NUMBER OF DIRECTLY ELECTED SEATS BECAUSE IT WOULD CONTRAVENE THE BASIC LAW, THEN WE COULD AND SHOULD LOOK AT AN ALTERNATIVE APPOACH. THAT IS, WAYS IN WHICH WE COULD INCREASE DEMOCRACY IN LINE WITH THE BASIC LAW, AND THAT WAS THE BASIS, THE FOUNDATION, OF THE PROPOSALS WHICH I SET OUT YESTERDAY.
THEY' ARE PROPOSALS; THEY’RE PROPOSALS TO DISCUSS WITH CHINA, THEY’RE PROPOSALS THAT I WILL DISCUSS, AS WELL, WITH THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL AND THE COMMUNITY. AND WHAT I SAY ABOUT THOSE PROPOSALS IS SIMPLY THIS: IT’S NOT ENOUGH JUST TO CRITICISE THEM, IT’S NOT ENOUGH JUST TO HURL ABUSE AT THEM. IF
PEOPLE HAVE CRITICISMS THEY SHOULD SAY WHAT THEIR ALTERNATIVE PROPOSALS ARE.
CAN I JUST ANSWER THE OTHER TWO QUESTIONS, AND I’LL BE VERY BRIEF. FIRST OF ALL, WE ALL KNOW THAT ONE OF THE BIGGEST REASONS FOR HIGH PROPERTY' PRICES IN HONG KONG IS THAT WE’RE SHORT OF LAND AND WE HAVE AN AWFUL LOT OF HOUSING TO PROVIDE, AND THAT AS ECONOMISTS WOULD TELL YOU, PRODUCES THE PRESSURES WHICH LEAD TO HIGHER PRICES. ONE REASON WHY I'M KEEN THAT WE SHOULD GET AHEAD WITH BUILDING THE NEW AIRPORT IS THAT IT WOULD PRODUCE A GREAT DEAL MORE LAND WHICH WOULD HELP US WITH SOME OF OUR SOCIAL NEEDS. I ALSO THINK THAT IT’S IMPORTANT TO HELP MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY WHO ARE PARTICULARLY' HARD HIT BY' HIGH LAND PRICES AND THAT’S WHY I BROUGHT FORWARD PROPOSALS YESTERDAY TO ASSIST THE SO CALLED SANDWICH CLASS WITH THEIR HOUSING PROBLEMS.
LASTLY, YOU MENTIONED SOME OF THE MATERIAL WHICH I KNOW CAUSES PEOPLE GREAT OFFENCE WHEN THEY SEE IT ON PUBLIC DISPLAY IN SHOPS AND SO ON WHERE THERE CHILDREN AND FAMILIES AND WIVES AND LOVED ONES CAN GO IN AND SEE IT. I DO HOPE THAT RETAILERS WILL BE VERY CAREFUL ABOUT WHAT THEY HAVE ON PUBLIC DISPLAY. I DON’T THINK ANY OF US ARE PRUDES BUT ALL OF US THINK THAT THERE IS SOME MATERIAL WHICH IS OFFENSIVE AND IS BETTER KEPT OUT OF THE WAY' OF CHILDREN AND FAMILIES.
QUESTION: THANK YOU MR GOVERNOR, 1 WOULD LIKE TO ASK TWO QUESTIONS. THE FIRST IS ON LABOUR. IN HONG KONG WE HAVE 50,000 PEOPLE UNEMPLOYED AND 100,000 UNDER-EMPLOYED. IN YOUR POLICY SPEECH AND WHEN YOU ANSWERED LEGCO MEMBERS’ QUESTIONS THIS AFTERNOON, YOU RELIED ON THE IMPORTATION OF LABOUR AND THE PRODUCTION LINE RELOCATED TO SOUTH CHINA TO SUSTAIN THE ECONOMIC GROWTH OF HONG KONG, AND YOU PROMISED TO SPEND $0.3 BILLION TO RE-TRAIN 15,000 DISPLACED WORKERS, SO WHERE WOULD THE REST GO? AND ESPECIALLY THAT THE WORKERS IN HONG KONG, THEY DO NOT HAVE RETIREMENT BENEFITS AND THEY DO NOT HAVE UNEMPLOYMENT PROTECTION.
/AND THE .......
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 8, 1992
27
AND THE SECOND QUESTION IS ON BASIC EDUCATION.
MAYBE YOU HAVE COME TO HONG KONG ONLY FOR TWO MONTHS AND YOU ARE NOT VERY CLEAR ABOUT THE SITUATION IN HONG KONG. NORMALLY, EVERY CHILD IN HONG KONG WOULD HAVE TO STUDY TWO YEARS IN A KINDERGARTEN BEFORE THEY GO TO PRIMARY SCHOOL AND KINDERGARTEN FEES ARE VERY, VERY EXPENSIVE, BUT THERE IS NO MENTION OF SUBSIDY FOR THIS PRE-PRIMARY EDUCATION, NOT IN THE EDUCATION COMMISSION’S NUMBER 5 REPORT AND NOT IN YOUR POLICY SPEECH. FRANKLY, I AM VERY DISAPPOINTED.
THE THIRD QUESTION IS THAT IN YOUR FIRST POLICY SPEECH YOU SEEM TO BE VERY GENEROUS. IN THE YEAR 1992 YOU PLAN TO SPEND $13.5 BILLION ON THE PEOPLE. MAY I ASK YOU WHETHER IN YOUR 1993 BUDGET WOULD YOU RAISE TAXES AND ADD MORE LEVIES ON THE ORDINARY PEOPLE OF HONG KONG?
GOVERNOR: THE ANSWER TO YOUR THIRD QUESTION IS, NO. I SAID YESTERDAY, VERY CLEARLY, THAT WE SHOULD CONTINUE IN HONG KONG TO HAVE LOW AND PREDICTABLE TAXES. I THINK LOW TAXES IS ONE OF THE REASONS FOR OUR SUCCESS AND THAT IS WHY I AM KEEN THAT WE SHOULD CONTINUE TO BE PRUDENT ABOUT PUBLIC SPENDING. WHAT I THINK ALL OF US RECOGNISE IS, IF YOU INCREASE PUBLIC SPENDING BY MORE THAN THE ECONOMY GROWS THEN THE ONLY WAY YOU CAN PAY FOR IT IS BY INCREASING TAXES AND THAT IS SOMETHING THAT WE HAVE TO AVOID. THAT MEANS THAT YOU HAVE TO MAKE DIFFICULT CHOICES OF PRIORITIES BETWEEN ONE PUBLIC SPENDING AREA AND ANOTHER AND THAT’S WHAT I WAS ATTEMPTING TO DO YESTERDAY.
SECONDLY - DOING YOUR QUESTIONS IN REVERSE ORDER - I DID ANNOUNCE YESTERDAY THAT WE WOULD PAY FOR A SUBSTANTIAL INCREASE IN NURSERY PLACES BETWEEN NOW AND 1997, AND I ALSO REFERRED IN PARAGRAPH 30 OF MY SPEECH - I KNOW BECAUSE I JUST LOOKED IT UP - TO THE FEE-REMISSION SCHEME IN KINDERGARTENS, BUT IF YOU’VE GOT OTHER SPECIFIC PROPOSALS THAT YOU’D LIKE ME TO LOOK AT, I’D BE HAPPY TO DO SO.
ON YOUR FIRST QUESTION, I ENTIRELY AGREE WITH YOU ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF THE MAXIMUM RE-TRAINING OF OUR LABOUR FORCE SO THAT WE CAN MEET NEW NEEDS AND SO THAT WE CAN AVOID A SITUATION IN WHICH SOME PEOPLE ARE MAROONED BY CHANGES IN TECHNOLOGY OR BY ADVANCES IN THEIR OWN INDUSTRIES. I ANNOUNCED YESTERDAY A COMMITMENT OF $300 MILLION TO INCREASING THE NUMBER OF TRAINING PLACES BY 15,000. WE’VE JUST STARTED A RE-TRAINING SCHEME, WE’VE ALREADY GOT, I THINK, 6,000 PLACES IN IT. WHAT I’VE PROPOSED WILL MORE THAN DOUBLE WHERE WE STAND AT THE MOMENT AND I VERY MUCH HOPE THAT EMPLOYERS WILL USE THOSE THAT ARE RE-TRAINED AT CONSIDERABLE COST BECAUSE THEY HAVE AN ENORMOUS CONTRIBUTION TO MAKE TO OUR ECONOMY AS IT BECOMES MORE SOPHISTICATED AND AS IT BECOMES MORE HIGH TECHNOLOGY.
THE LADY NEAR NUMBER THREE. CAN I SUGGEST THAT IF PEOPLE CAN CONCEIVABLY RESTRICT THEIR QUESTIONS TO ONE, IT WILL ENABLE, IF THEY ASK THREE QUESTIONS, THREE TIMES AS MANY PEOPLE TO GET IN.
NUMBER FIVE, SINCE YOU’VE BEEN SO VIGOROUS, YOU CAN HAVE A GO AFTER THE CHAP AT NUMBER FOUR. BUT NUMBER THREE.
/QUESTION: MR........
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 8, 1992
28
QUESTION: MR GOVERNOR, THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR GIVING US THIS OPPORTUNITY TO ASK YOU QUESTIONS. IN YOUR POLICY SPEECH, YOU ONLY LOOK AFTER THE SANDWICH CLASS BUT YOU HAVE NEGLECTED THE NEEDS OF THE RESIDENTS IN PUBLIC HOUSING. NOW, THE PUBLIC HOUSING POLICY IS VERY UNREASONABLE. IT’S GETTING MORE AND MORE MONEY ORIENTED. THE RENTAL POLICY IS VERY UNREASONABLE, WHY DIDN’T YOU HEAR OUR LOUD VOICE OF PROTEST? AND, THERE ARE A LOT OF OTHER UNREASONABLE POLICIES OF THE HOUSING AUTHORITY SUCH AS THE POLICY ON DIFFICULT HOUSEHOLDS, IT IS INDEED VERY UNREALISTIC. SO, DO YOU MEAN THAT YOU ONLY CARE ABOUT THOSE FLATS WHICH COULD BE SOLD FOR MONEY AND YOU NEGLECTED THE NEEDS OF THOSE WHO CANNOT AFFORD TO BUY THEIR FLATS? AND I WOULD LIKE TO ASK YOU TOO TO HELP THE SINGLE PARENT FAMILY BECAUSE, AT PRESENT, TO A VERY LARGE EXTENT YOUTH PROBLEMS HAVE ARISEN OUT OF A BROKEN FAMILY. SO, IT WOULD BE A VERY GOOD MEASURE IF YOU CAN DO SOMETHING TO HELP THESE FAMILIES.
GOVERNOR: CAN I SAY STRAIGHTAWAY THAT YOU ARE ENTIRELY RIGHT TO SAY THAT OUR MAIN CONCERN MUST BE WITH ALL HOUSING NEED, NOT JUST WITH ONE GROUP. WE ARE, IN FACT, PROPOSING TO SPEND, I THINK IT’S 41 BILLION DOLLARS OVER THE NEXT FIVE YEARS TO PROVIDE MORE HOUSING FOR ABOUT 190,000 FAMILIES. THAT’S ABOUT 650,000 PEOPLE. THE TRANSFORMATION OF HOUSING IN HONG KONG HAS BEEN A VERY IMPORTANT REASON FOR HONG KONG’S STABILITY AND SOCIAL HARMONY. IN OUR MANAGEMENT OF PUBLIC HOUSING, WE HAVE TO BE AS SENSITIVE AS POSSIBLE TO INDIVIDUAL NEEDS AND INDIVIDUAL REQUIREMENTS, DIFFICULT THOUGH THAT SOMETIMES IS. A POLICY ON DIFFICULT HOUSEHOLDS IS NOT ONE THAT HAS BEEN RAISED WITH ME BEFORE, BUT I CAN ASSURE YOU THAT I WILL ASK THE HOUSING AUTHORITY FOR A REPORT ON IT. WHAT YOU SAID ABOUT THE PROBLEMS OF SINGLE PARENT FAMILIES, IT WAS AN ISSUE THAT WAS RAISED WITH ME THE OTHER DAY BY A CHURCH GROUP THAT CAME TO LOBBY ME ON SOCIAL ISSUES. I HOPE THAT OUR IMPROVEMENTS IN PUBLIC ASSISTANCE WILL BE OF SOME HELP, BUT IT’S OBVIOUSLY AN AREA THAT WE NEED TO BE VERY SYMPATHETIC TOWARDS IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF SOCIAL POLICY IN THE FUTURE.
WHAT WE HAVE TO DO NOW IS TO FOLLOW A POLICY OF BEING FAIR TO MICROPHONES. OTHERWISE, I’LL GET INTO TROUBLE, BUT JUDGING BY THE NUMBER OF HANDS THAT ARE GOING UP AND THE LIMITED AMOUNT OF TIME AVAILABLE, WE ARE GOING TO HAVE MORE OF THESE MEETINGS.
FOUR, FIVE AND TWO AND THEN EIGHT.
QUESTION: THANK YOU MR PATTEN. I REMEMBER YOU HAVE MENTIONED ON
A PREVIOUS OCCASION ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF THE ARTS IN A COMMUNITY. IF I MAY QUOTE YOU, IN THE SENSE THAT YOU SAID, THE ARTS GIVES CONTEXT TO ANYBODY’S LIFE. DO YOU ALSO THINK THAT POLITICIANS HAVE THE RESPONSIBILITY TO CREATE AN ATMOSPHERE IN WHICH THE ARTS CAN FLOURISH’ YET, IN YOUR POLICY ADDRESS YESTERDAY, THERE WAS NO MENTION OF THE ARTS AT ALL IN THE CONTEXT OF YOUR ASPIRATIONS ON THE FUTURE OF HONG KONG. SO, MAY I ASK WHAT IS YOUR POLICY TO ENSURE THE FLOURISHING OF THE ARTS IN HONG KONG?
/GOVERNOR: AS ........
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 8, 1992
29
GOVERNOR: AS I SAID EARLIER, I WASN’T ABLE TO COVER EVERY SUBJECT UNDER THE SUN IN MY SPEECH YESTERDAY, OTHERWISE IT WOULD HAVE BEEN EVEN LONGER THAN IT WAS. BUT YOU ARE QUITE RIGHT TO REFER TO THE IMPORTANCE OF THE ARTS. AS HONG KONG’S WAY OF LIFE AND QUALITY OF LIFE HAVE IMPROVED, SO IT IS TRUE TO SAY THAT HONG KONG’S CULTURAL LIFE HAS IMPROVED AS WELL. I THINK WE CAN SEE THAT, FOR EXAMPLE, FROM THE QUALITY OF CONTRIBUTIONS MADE BY PERFORMING ARTISTS FROM HONG KONG IN CANADA OVER RECENT WEEKS. 1 THINK WE HAVE TO SUPPORT FURTHER CULTURAL ENRICHMENT IN OUR COMMUNITY BOTH BY PRIVATE SUBSIDY AND BY PUBLIC SUBSIDY AND I HOPE THAT I’LL BE PLAYING MY OWN PART OVER THE NEXT FEW MONTHS BY THE SUPPORT WE GIVE FOR A SERIES OF CONCERTS GIVEN BY THE EXCELLENT ACADEMY OF PERFORMING ARTS. BUT YOU ARE ENTIRELY RIGHT, THAT IT IS AN ISSUE WHICH BECOMES MORE IMPORTANT AS THE COMMUNITY BECOMES MORE PROSPEROUS AND AS ITS QUALITY OF LIFE IMPROVES.
QUESTION: MR GOVERNOR, I WOULD LIKE TO ASK YOU SOMETHING ON THE 1995 DIRECT ELECTIONS. ACTUALLY, ALL THE ARRANGEMENTS HAVE BEEN CLEARLY LAID DOWN IN THE BASIC LAW AND IN THE JOINT DECLARATION BUT YESTERDAY YOU SAID YOU WOULD ABOLISH ALL THE APPOINTED SEATS IN THE DISTRICT BOARDS, THEN THE DISTRICT BOARDS WILL BE ALL DIRECTLY ELECTED. SO I WANT YOU TO CLARIFY THIS POINT: WOULD YOU CREATE CONFUSION IN SOCIETY IF YOU FORCE YOUR PACE SO MUCH? A SMOOTH TRANSITION IN HONG KONG IS WHAT WE WANT AND I THINK YOU SHOULD DISCUSS MORE WITH CHINA. I LIVE IN HONG KONG AND I WANT TO DIE IN HONG KONG, I DON’T WANT TO SEE THAT YOU’VE MADE A MESS OF HONG KONG. LOOKING BACK INTO HISTORY, WE CAN SEE THAT EVERY TIME THE BRITISH RETREATED FROM HER COLONIES THERE WILL BE TROUBLES. FOR EXAMPLE IN INDIA THERE WAS WAR BETWEEN INDIA AND PAKISTAN.
AND SECONDLY, I WOULD LIKE TO ASK YOU SOMETHING ON THE ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS. I AM CHINESE AND THEY ARE CHINESE, I DON’T WANT TO SEE THEM ARRESTED LIKE CRIMINALS. IT’S A DISGRACE TO THE CHINESE PEOPLE TO SEE THEM ALL BOUND UP AND THEY HAVE TO SQUAT BY THE ROADSIDE. ON THE OTHER HAND THE VIETNAMESE MIGRANTS ARE SO WELL TREATED, SO I THINK EVERY CHINESE IN HONG KONG IS VERY ANGRY ABOUT THIS.
GOVERNOR: THE PROPOSALS THAT I MADE YESTERDAY, PROPOSALS FOR DISCUSSION WITH CHINA, WERE ENTIRELY CONSISTENT WITH THE BASIC LAW AND THE JOINT DECLARATION. THEY WERE CONSISTENT WITH THE BASIC LAW AND THE JOINT DECLARATION IN EVERY PARTICULAR. THEY WERE CONSISTENT WITH THE BASIC LAW AND THE JOINT DECLARATION IN WHAT THEY SAID ABOUT DISTRICT BOARDS. THEY WERE CONSISTENT IN WHAT THEY SAID ABOUT FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCIES. THEY WERE CONSISTENT IN WHAT THEY SAID ABOUT THE ELECTION COMMITTEE. THEY WERE CONSISTENT IN WHAT THEY SAID ABOUT LOWERING THE VOTING AGE. THEY WERE CONSISTENT IN EVERY PART, AND FRANKLY IT IS FOR OTHERS, IF THEY DISAGREE WITH ME, TO POINT OUT WHERE MY PROPOSALS ARE INCONSISTENT AND TO PUT FORWARD THEIR OWN PROPOSALS. IT’S NOT ENOUGH FOR PEOPLE TO CRITICISE. PEOPLE HAVE, IF THEY DISAGREE, TO PUT FORWARD THEIR OWN PROPOSALS FOR THE 1995 ELECTIONS.
I DIDN’T INVENT THE FACT THAT WE HAVE TO PRODUCE AN ELECTION COMMITTEE FOR 1995. I DIDN’T INVENT THE FACT THAT WE HAVE TO PUT TOGETHER 9 NEW FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCIES. THOSE THINGS ARE ALL CONSEQUENCES OF THE JOINT DECLARATION AND THE BASIC LAW AND THOSE ARE PROBLEMS WHICH I HAVE TO ADDRESS ON THE COMMUNITY’S BEHALF AND WITH THE HELP OF THE EXECUTIVE AND LEGISLATIVE COUNCILS.
/QUESTION: MR
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 8, 1992
30 -
QUESTION: MR PATTEN, I’VE LISTENED TO YOUR POLICY SPEECH AND NOTHING WAS MENTIONED ABOUT REPATRIATION OF VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE.
IN THE PAST TEN YEARS HONG KONG HAS SPENT OVER $2.2 BILLION ON THE BOAT PEOPLE AND THE GOVERNMENT’S PROMISED TO REPATRIATE THEM WITHIN 3 YEARS, WHEREAS WE HAVE ASKED THE GOVERNMENT TO REPATRIATE THEM WITHIN 2 YEARS. NOW WILL THE GOVERNMENT HONOUR THEIR WORD AND REPATRIATE THEM SPEEDILY AND SWIFTLY AS SOON AS POSSIBLE?
NUMBER 2, ABOUT THE MAINTENANCE OF A STRONG INDEPENDENT JUDICIARY. HONG KONG HAS KEPT ITS JUDICIARY - IN THE LAST DECADE IT ALMOST REMAINED UNCHANGED. WHAT STEPS WILL THE GOVERNOR TAKE TO STRENGTHEN AND PRESERVE THE STRONG INDEPENDENT JUDICIARY IN THE COMING FIVE YEARS?
GOVERNOR: FIRST OF ALL, I DIDN’T MENTION VIETNAMESE BOAT PEOPLE IN MY SPEECH BECAUSE, IN MY JUDGMENT, THAT IS A PROBLEM WHICH THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG HAVE HANDLED WITH CONSIDERABLE GENEROSITY OF SPIRIT AND GREAT COMPETENCE IN THE LAST FEW YEARS. WE NOW HAVE A SITUATION IN WHICH LARGELY BECAUSE OF VOLUNTARY RETURNS HOME THE NUMBER OF VIETNAMESE IN OUR CAMPS HAS FALLEN TO BELOW 50,000 AND EACH MONTH ABOUT ANOTHER 1,000 ARE RETURNED VOLUNTARILY. IN ADDITION, A NUMBER ARE GOING UNDER THE ORDERLY REPATRIATION SCHEME WHICH OF COURSE WE PLAYED A VERY SIGNIFICANT PART IN HELPING TO NEGOTIATE. SO THE PROBLEM IS BECOMING, I’M PLEASED TO SAY, LESS ACUTE. WE ARE GOING TO BE ABLE, FOR INSTANCE, TO CLOSE A CAMP SHORTLY, WHICH WILL ALLOW US TO PUT ANOTHER 200 POLICEMEN AND POLICEWOMEN ON OUR STREETS WHICH IS AN IMPORTANT STEP FORWARD, AND WE WILL CONTINUE TO PRESS FOR THE SUCCESSFUL CONCLUSION TO THE POLICY. WHAT WILL MAKE THE GREATEST DIFFERENCE, IN MY JUDGMENT, IS AS IT BECOMES CLEAR TO THOSE IN THE CAMPS THAT THE VIETNAMESE ECONOMY IS BEGINNING TO IMPROVE AND MANY HONG KONG BUSINESSMEN ARE PLAYING A SIGNIFICANT PART IN THAT. I HOPE THAT IT’S POSSIBLE TO SEE FURTHER IMPROVEMENTS AFTER THE PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS IN THE UNITED STATES.
ON THE SECOND QUESTION YOU RAISED, THAT IS THE STRENGTHENING OF THE JUDICIARY, WE WILL, AS YOU KNOW, OVER THE COMING MONTHS HAVE TO CONSIDER THE ISSUE OF THE COURT OF FINAL APPEAL, ON WHICH I ANSWERED A QUESTION IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY. BUT I AM KEEN TO SEE US MOVE FURTHER IN LOCALISING THE JUDICIARY, I’M KEEN TO SEE US DO MORE TO STRENGTHEN THE ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE IN HONG KONG. FOR EXAMPLE, I’M VERY INTERESTED IN THE PROPOSALS THAT ARE BEING DISCUSSED BETWEEN THE EXISTING JUDICIARY AND THE BAR COUNCIL FOR ESTABLISHING A BROADER BASED DEPUTY JUDGE SYSTEM WHICH WOULD ENABLE LOCAL BARRISTERS TO GET A TASTE OF WHAT IT’S LIKE TO BE A JUDGE AND ENCOURAGE MANY MORE OF THEM TO GO ON THE BENCH.
/QUESTION: MR ........
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 8, 1992
31
QUESTION: MR GOVERNOR, I WOULD LIKE TO ASK YOU FOUR QUESTIONS. NUMBER ONE, HOW CAN YOU ENSURE THAT THERE WILL BE 100 NEW UNITS EVERY DAY AND IN A YEAR THAT MEANS, THERE WILL BE A TOTAL OF 36,000 UNITS AND, SECONDLY, IT’S ON WELFARE. IN YOUR WELFARE PACKAGE THERE’S NO MENTION ABOUT HOUSING. SO, WOULD YOU LIKE TO PLEASE TELL ME WHETHER HOUSING IS PART OF SOCIAL WELFARE. THIRDLY, WHY WOULD THE GOVERNMENT ALLOCATE LAND TO BUILD HOUSING FOR THE SANDWICH CLASSES BUT YOU DO NOT ALLOCATE ANY LAND TO BUILD HOUSING TO LOOK AFTER THE NEEDS OF THE LOWER CLASSES AND THE RESIDENTS AFFECTED BY RE-DEVELOPMENT PLANS? FOURTHLY, YOU SAID IN 1997, TWO-THIRDS OF THE HONG KONG PEOPLE WILL OWN THEIR OWN HOMES. DO YOU MEAN TO SELL THE OLD HOUSING UNITS TO THE TENANT? I AM VERY CONCERNED ABOUT HOUSING POLICY.
GOVERNOR: I KNOW, AND YOU’VE EXPRESSED YOUR VIEWS ABOUT IT TO ME BEFORE VERY ELOQUENTLY, AND I’M SURE YOU WILL BE ABLE TO AGAIN.
FIRST OF ALL, ACTUALLY WE ARE GOING TO BUILD MORE HOMES A YEAR THAN YOU WERE SUGGESTING. THE TARGET IS 10,000 NOT 36,000. SO WHEN I SAID WE’D BE BUILDING A 100 UNITS A DAY I WAS SLIGHTLY UNDER-ESTIMATING. I THINK THE EXACT FIGURE IS A 107, IF YOU DO THE MATHEMATICS. IT IS IMPORTANT THAT WE DELIVER ON THAT HOUSING PROGRAMME, SECONDLY, OF COURSE, HOUSING IS A PART OF AN EFFECTIVE WELFARE POLICY, IT’S MORE THAN THAT BUT IT’S THAT TOO. BUT WHAT I TALKED ABOUT ALSO IN MY SPEECH IS THE IMPORTANCE OF PROVIDING MORE RESIDENTIAL PLACES. THEIR OWN HOUSING FOR PEOPLE LIKE THE DISABLED AND THE MENTALLY HANDICAPPED. MORE PLACES IN CARE AND ATTENTION HOMES FOR THE ELDERLY, ABOUT MORE THAN 5,000 MORE BETWEEN NOW AND 1997. SO WE HAVE TO THINK OF THEIR HOUSING AS WELL.
THIRDLY, OF COURSE, THE MAIN PART OF OUR LAND ALLOCATION PROGRAMME IS TO PROVIDE PUBLIC HOUSING, TO PROVIDE HOUSING FOR THE HOUSING AUTHORITY AND HOUSING FOR THE HOUSING SOCIETY. THE AMOUNT THAT I MENTIONED IN RELATION TO THE SANDWICH CLASS IS ONLY A VERY, VERY, VERY SMALL PROPORTION OF THAT. AND LASTLY, I DO THINK THAT BY 1997 WE SHOULD BE ABLE TO BE LIVING IN A COMMUNITY IN WHICH ABOUT 60% OF PEOPLE ARE OWNING THEIR OWN HOME, BUT THAT DOESN’T MEAN THAT THE HOUSING NEEDS OF THE OTHER 40% AREN’T JUST AS IMPORTANT, WHICH IS WHY WE NEED TO CONTINUE TO HAVE A LARGE AND WELL MANAGED PUBLIC HOUSING STOCK.
QUESTION: MR PATTEN, I AM ALSO VERY CONCERNED ABOUT HOUSING. IN PARAGRAPH 59 OF YOUR POLICY SPEECH, YOU MENTION SOME ARRANGEMENT ABOUT RESIDENTS OF THE TEMPORARY HOUSING AREAS, BUT DURING THE SEVERAL MONTHS YOU ARE HERE, IT SEEMS THAT YOU HAVE NOT VISITED ANY OF THESE TEMPORARY HOUSING AREAS. I WOULD LIKE YOU TO KNOW THAT A LOT OF THESE HOUSING AREAS ARE VERY OLD. THEY WERE BUILT MORF THAN TEN YEARS AGO, FOR EXAMPLE, PING SHEK AND SHUN LEE TEMPORARY HOUSING AREAS, THEY ARE BUILT OVER TEN YEARS AGO AND THE RESIDENTS HAVE TO LIVE IN THE WOODEN STRUCTURES PLAGUED BY TERMITES. SO, I THINK IT IS A GOOD IDEA IF YOU VISIT THESE PLACES AND SEE WHAT THEY ARE LIKE AND TO INCREASE YOUR KNOWLEDGE ABOUT THESE HOUSING AREAS.
/GOVERNOR: AS ........
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 8, 1992
32 -
GOVERNOR: AS YOU SAID, IN PARAGRAPH 59 OF MY SPEECH, I REFER TO OUR TARGET OF ENSURING THAT WE’VE CLEARED THREE-QUARTERS OF THE TEMPORARY HOUSING AREAS BY 1997, BUT YOU ARE QUITE RIGHT TO SAY THAT I HAVEN’T YET VISITED SUCH AN AREA MYSELF, THOUGH I HAVE VISITED MOST, OR MANY, OTHER PARTS OF HONG KONG AND HAVE VISITED SQUATTERS AREAS AND OTHER DIFFICULT HOUSING AREAS. BUT I’LL DO A BARGAIN WITH YOU. IF YOU’VE GOT A DAY OFF, OR CAN SPARE AN AFTERNOON, I’LL GO TO A TEMPORARY HOUSING AREA WITH YOU. AND 1 BET IT WILL THE FIRST TIME YOU’VE EVER BEEN TO A TEMPORARY HOUSING AREA IN A DAIMLER WITH A FLAG ON THE FRONT AND A CHAUFFEUR.
QUESTION: 1 AM SORRY I HAVE DIFFICULTY ...........
GOVERNOR: 1 SAID I BET IT WILL BE THE FIRST TIME THAT YOU’VE EVER BEEN TO A TEMPORARY HOUSING AREA IN A DAIMLER WITH A FLAG ON THE FRONT AND A CHAUFFEUR IN THE FRONT SEAT.
CAN I SAY THIS FINALLY. THE HALL WAS BOOKED UNTIL 7.15 AND, IF WE ARE GOING TO DO THIS AGAIN, WE HAVE TO BE NICE AND ORDERLY AND SENSIBLE. OTHERWISE THE URBAN COUNCIL WILL NEVER LET US BACK. WE HAVE MANAGED THIS EVENING TO GET ELEVEN DIFFERENT QUESTIONERS IN. AND THAT IS PARTLY BECAUSE SOME OF THE QUESTIONS, FOR UNDERSTANDABLE REASONS, HAVE BEEN QUITE LONG. SO NEXT TIME, IF WE CAN ASK SHORTER QUESTIONS, I THINK WE’LL BE ABLE TO GET TWICE AS MANY PEOPLE IN.
I AM EXTREMELY GRATEFUL TO YOU ALL FOR COMING THIS EVENING. I AM EXTREMELY GRATEFUL TO YOU FOR BEING SUCH AN INTELLIGENT AND CALM AND REASONABLE AUDIENCE. THIS DOESN’T ALWAYS HAPPEN AT PUBLIC MEETINGS. IT DOES SHOW, TO ANYONE WHO IS INTERESTED, WHETHER HERE OR ELSEWHERE, IS THAT THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG, WHATEVER THEIR VIEWS, CAN BE TRUSTED TO TALK ABOUT THEIR FUTURE, THE FUTURE OF THEIR FAMILIES AND THEIR COMMUNITY IN A RESPONSIBLE AND INTELLIGENT AND MATURE AND RESTRAINED WAY - AND THAT IS HOW WE ARE GOING TO PROVE TO THE WHOLE WORLD WHAT A SOPHISTICATED AND DEMOCRATIC POLITICAL COMMUNITY THIS CAN BE.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH INDEED AND I’LL SEE YOU AGAIN.
- - 0----------
/33 .......
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 8, 1992
33
GOVERNOR’S PHONE-IN PROGRAMME ON RTHK * * * * »
FOLLOWING IS THE TRANSCRIPT OF THE GOVERNOR’S RADIO PHONE-IN PROGRAMME ON RTHK THIS (THURSDAY) MORNING:
QUESTION: SIR, YOUR PROPOSALS ARE SPLENDID AND I DON’T WANT TO SEEM TO CAVIL, HOWEVER IT IS COMMON GROUND, I THINK, THAT THE RULE OF LAW IS PARAMOUNT TO THE PRESERVATION OF OUR FREEDOMS GENERALLY, AND THE COURT OF FINAL APPEAL HAS BEEN UNIVERSALLY CRITICISED, AT LEAST BY THE LEGAL COMMUNITY, TO WHICH I BELONG, AS NOT BEING SATISFACTORY. ’THE ECONOMIST’ VOICES THE OPINION THAT IT IS MORE IMPORTANT TO GET THAT RIGHT THAN TO PUSH AHEAD WITH DEMOCRACY. WILL YOU BE INTENDING TO TRY AND RE-NEGOTIATE THAT?
GOVERNOR: WHAT I’LL BE INTENDING TO DO FIRST OF ALL, AS AN OVERALL OBJECTIVE, IS VERY STRONGLY TO SUPPORT YOUR BASIC PROPOSITION THAT THE RULE OF LAW IS ABSOLUTELY CRUCIAL TO PRESERVING OUR WAY OF LIFE IN HONG KONG, I’M ABSOLUTELY IN AGREEMENT WITH YOU ON THAT. I THINK THAT THE CERTAINTY WHICH THE RULE OF LAW PROVIDES IS ONE OF THE MAIN REASONS FOR US DOING SO WELL IN HONG KONG OVER THE LAST FEW YEARS. THERE WAS A CONTROVERSY, YOU’RE RIGHT TO SAY, LAST YEAR, ABOUT THE PROPOSALS FOR THE COURT OF FINAL APPEAL. WHAT I’LL WANT TO DO IS TO DISCUSS WHERE WE STAND NOW WITH MY NEW EXECUTIVE COUNCIL, WHICH INCLUDES OF COURSE TWO OF THE MOST DISTINGUISHED BARRISTERS IN HONG KONG, ANDREW LI AND DENIS CHANG, AND THEN WE’LL GO BACK TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL WITH OUR THOUGHTS ON HOW TO TAKE THINGS FORWARD.
I THINK WHAT THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL WILL HAVE TO DECIDE IS THIS: WHETHER THEY THINK, AND WHETHER THE COMMUNITY THINKS, THAT WE SHOULD TRY TO ASK THE UK GOVERNMENT TO RE-NEGOTIATE THE AGREEMENT. I DON’T THINK, FRANKLY, THAT WE WOULD GET VERY FAR IF WE WERE TO PRESS ON THAT ROAD WITH CHINA. SECONDLY, WHETHER WE SHOULD ACTUALLY GO AHEAD AND SET UP THE COURT OF FINAL APPEAL, RECKONING THAT THE REALLY CRUCIAL THING IS TO GET A GOOD COURT OF APPEAL WORKING WELL BEFORE 1997. BUT IT’S A BIG ISSUE, IT GOES RIGHT TO THE HEART OF OUR FUTURE AND YOU’RE QUITE RIGHT TO RAISE IT.
QUESTION: THANK YOU, SIR, FOR BEING SO HELPFUL AND ENCOURAGING.
QUESTION: YOU ARE SEVERING THE LINKS BETWEEN EXCO AND LEGCO AND
AT THE DISTRICT BOARD LEVEL ALL APPOINTED MEMBERS WILL BE ABOLISHED, AND YET IN THE NEW TERRITORIES THERE WILL STILL BE EX-OFFICIO MEMBERS.
WILLIAM LEE: YOU MEAN IN THE RURAL COMMUNITY, YES.
QUESTION: COULD I KNOW THE RATIONALE BEHIND IT? WHY CAN’T WE
HAVE ALL DIRECTLY ELECTED MEMBERS?
WILLIAM LEE: WHY IS IT THAT WE STILL HAVE SOME EX-OFFICIO MEMBERS FROM THE RURAL COMMUNITY?
/GOVERNOR: WELL ........
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 8, 1992
- 34 -
GOVERNOR: WELL AS YOU KNOW, THE RURAL COMMUNITY REPRESENTATIVES ON THE DISTRICT BOARDS IN THE NEW TERRITORIES - THE RURAL COMMUNITY REPRESENTATIVES DO EMERGE BY A PROCESS OF ELECTION FROM THEIR VILLAGES. I THINK IT’S EXTREMELY IMPORTANT THAT WE RETAIN A LINK BETWEEN THE INDIGENOUS VILLAGERS AND THE DISTRICT BOARDS AND I THINK MOST PEOPLE WOULD REGARD THAT AS JUSTIFIED. THEY ARE ONLY A SMALL PROPORTION OF THOSE ON THE DISTRICT BOARDS IN THE AREAS CONCERNED AND I THINK THERE IS A JUSTIFICATION IN TERMS OF TRADITION AND IN TERMS OF A BROAD REPRESENTATION. BUT I THINK THAT’S VERY DIFFERENT FROM CONTINUING WITH A PROCESS IN WHICH A THIRD OF THE MEMBERS OF THE DISTRICT BOARDS WERE CENTRALLY APPOINTED. I DON’T HONESTLY THINK THAT ONE CAN JUSTIFY THAT AT A TIME WHEN THE WHOLE OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL IS GOING TO BE ELECTED BY ONE MEANS OR ANOTHER.
I HOPE THAT HASN’T DISAPPOINTED YOU TOO MUCH BUT I DO FEEL THAT THAT LINK BETWEEN VILLAGERS, BETWEEN RURAL COMMUNITIES AND THE DISTRICT BOARDS, IS RATHER AN IMPORTANT ONE.
WILLIAM LEE: DO YOU HAVE A FOLLOW UP QUESTION, MR LEE?
QUESTION: NOW, SINCE YOU THINK THAT YOU CAN INCREASE THE PACE OF
DEMOCRATISATION, I STILL CAN’T UNDERSTAND WHY THERE IS STILL SOME SORT OF APPOINTMENT IN THIS.
GOVERNOR: WELL IT’S NOT REALLY AN APPOINTMENT BECAUSE THE
REPRESENTATIVES ON THE DISTRICT BOARDS THAT YOU’RE TALKING ABOUT ARE ELECTED BY THEIR NEIGHBOURS, ARE ELECTED IN THEIR VILLAGES, TO SERVE ON THE DISTRICT BOARDS, SO I DON’T THINK IT’S APPOINTMENT LIKE THAT WHICH AFFECTS ALL THE DISTRICT BOARDS WHERE CENTRALLY WE’VE BEEN APPOINTING UP TO A THIRD OF THE MEMBERS. I THINK IT’S AN IMPORTANT LINK, ONE WHICH WE SHOULD KEEP EVEN AS WE MOVE TO BROADEN DEMOCRATIC PARTICIPATION IN DISTRICT BOARDS. AND I THINK THERE’S A FURTHER JUSTIFICATION FOR DOING THAT, I WANT TO SEE DISTRICT BOARDS ABLE TO DO RATHER MORE TO SERVE THEIR COMMUNITY. ONE OF THE FRUSTRATIONS THAT’S BEEN EXPRESSED TO ME WHEN I’VE BEEN GOING AROUND HONG KONG, BY MANY DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS, IS THAT THEY DON’T REALLY HAVE SUFFICIENT CONTROL OVER THE SMALL BUT IMPORTANT THINGS THAT AFFECT A COMMUNITY, LIKE LOCAL ENVIRONMENTAL PROJECTS, LIKE APPOINTMENT TO LOCAL COMMITTEES, THOSE ARE THE THINGS WHICH DISTRICT BOARDS ARE VERY WELL PLACED TO UNDERTAKE THEMSELVES.
QUESTION: I READ FROM YOUR REPORT AND HEARD IT FROM THE TV SERIES, WELL I THINK YOUR SUDDEN CHANGE OF THE POLITICAL DEVELOPMENT, FROM THE TOP TO THE GROUND, AND THEN YOU ARE SHAKING UP ALL HONG KONG’S STABILITY AND PROSPERITY. AND THE SECOND QUESTION IS THAT, WELL YOUR SUDDEN CHANGE, DO YOU THINK THAT YOU WILL LINK TO THE BASIC LAW?
/GOVERNOR: WELL ........
35
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 8, 1992
GOVERNOR: WELL FIRST OF ALL, I DON’T THINK THAT THE PROPOSALS I’M MAKING ARE AS RADICAL AS YOU SUGGEST, AND I REPEAT ONCE AGAIN WHAT I SAID YESTERDAY, THESE ARE PROPOSALS WHICH WILL HAVE TO BE DEBATED BY THE COMMUNITY - THAT’S ONE REASON WHY I AM TAKING PART IN THIS PHONE-IN THIS MORNING - AND WHICH OF COURSE I WILL HAVE TO DISCUSS WITH REPRESENTATIVES OF THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT. I THINK THE COMMUNITY RECOGNISES THAT I HAVE TO DO THAT. WHAT I’VE TRIED TO DO IS TO FIND A POINT OF BALANCE IN THE COMMUNITY BECAUSE IN MY JUDGMENT, PEOPLE IN HONG KONG WANT TO SEE US PUSH FORWARD DEMOCRACY IN MODEST AND SENSIBLE WAYS BUT THEY ALSO WANT TO SEE THOSE DEMOCRATIC INSTITUTIONS SURVIVING THROUGH 1997, AND THEREFORE THEY WANT US TO PUT FORWARD PROPOSALS WHICH ARE CONSISTENT WITH THE BASIC LAW. THAT IS WHAT I HAVE ATTEMPTED TO DO.
BUT THERE’S A VERY IMPORTANT POINT HERE WHICH I’D LIKE TO STRESS AND I’LL BE SAYING IT AGAIN AND AGAIN OVER THE NEXT FEW DAYS AND WEEKS. IT’S NOT CHRIS PATTEN WHO IS RAISING THESE ISSUES, THEY ARE THERE ANYWAY. WE ARE OBLIGED TO COME FORWARD WITH PROPOSALS ABOUT THE ELECTORAL COLLEGE FOR 1995, WE’RE OBLIGED TO COME FORWARD WITH PROPOSALS ABOUT HOW THE NINE NEW FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCIES SHOULD BE FORMED. THOSE ARE THINGS THAT WE’RE OBLIGED TO DO IN ORDER TO CONVERGE IN 1997 WITH THE BASIC LAW. NOW I’VE PUT FORWARD MY PROPOSALS. IF OTHER PEOPLE HAVE GOT PROPOSALS WHICH ARE AS COHERENT AS THE PACKAGE WE’VE PUT FORWARD, THEN LET’S HEAR FROM THEM.
KIT CUMMINGS: YOU ALSO MENTIONED A POINT ABOUT CHINA AND THE ACCEPTABILITY TO CHINA, DID YOU NOT CALLER?
GOVERNOR: YES, I’M LOOKING FORWARD TO MY VISIT TO PEKING LATER THIS MONTH AND I’VE MADE IT ABSOLUTELY CLEAR THAT THESE ARE THE PROPOSALS I’M TAKING WITH ME AND THESE ARE THE PROPOSALS THAT I’M GOING TO DISCUSS WITH CHINA. I THINK IT IS ENTIRELY RIGHT THAT I SHOULD HAVE SET OUT IN BROAD TERMS WHAT I’M GOING TO DISCUSS IN CHINA, OTHERWISE, UNTIL MY VISIT, THERE WOULD HAVE BEEN A GREAT BUBBLE OF SPECULATION ABOUT WHAT I WAS GOING TO DO, AND THERE WOULD HAVE BEEN A GOOD DEAL OF POLITICAL INSTABILITY AS A RESULT, AND I THINK PEOPLE WOULD HAVE WONDERED WHETHER THEY COULD TRUST A GOVERNOR WHO WASN’T PREPARED TO SAY TO THEM, BEFORE HE WENT TO PEKING, "THIS IS MY AGENDA, THESE ARE THE THINGS I WANT TO DISCUSS". THAT’S WHAT LIVING IN AN OPEN SOCIETY IS ALL ABOUT.
KIT CUMMINGS: MR PATTEN, PERHAPS I CAN INTERJECT HERE, THAT IT’S ALL VERY WELL FOR THE ORDINARY MEMBER OF THE PUBLIC TO HAVE A PROPOSAL AND THEN IT GETS SHOT DOWN AND THE REST OF US DECIDE IT’S NONESENSE, BUT IN YOUR CASE YOU HAVE THE FACE OF BEING THE GOVERNOR. IS THERE NOT A PROBLEM THAT IF YOUR PROPOSALS GET SHOT DOWN, YOU BECOME A LAME-DUCK, YOU LOSE FACE IN THE COMMUNITY?
GOVERNOR: I DON’T THINK SO. I’M ACCOUNTABLE TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL AND AT SOME STAGE IN THE EARLY PART OF NEXT YEAR I’M GOING TO HAVE TO GO TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL WITH PROPOSALS WHICH WE WILL HAVE TO CARRY INTO LAW, FOR, FOR EXAMPLE THE 1994 DISTRICT BOARD ELECTIONS AND FOR THE 1995 LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ELECTIONS, AND IT WILL BE AT THAT STAGE FOR US TO COME TO FINAL DECISIONS ABOUT WHAT WE WANT TO DO. BUT IN ANY COMMUNITY LIKE OURS, THE POLITICAL LEADERSHIP SHOULD GIVE A FIRM AND CLEAR LEAD, AND I BELIEVE I’VE DONE THAT, BUT YOU ALSO HAVE TO TAKE PART IN A DIALOGUE, IN OUR CASE NOT ONLY WITHIN THE COMMUNITY BUT WITH THE PRESENT SOVEREIGN POWER, THE UNITED KINGDOM, AND THE FUTURE SOVEREIGN POWER, CHINA.
/QUESTION: GOOD.........
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 8, 1992
- 36 -
QUESTION:
GOOD MORNING MR PATTEN.
GOVERNOR: HELLO, HOW ARE YOU?
QUESTION: FROM THE POLICY ADDRESS. YOU SAID THAT THERE WILL BE MORE SPENDING ON EDUCATION, SOCIAL WELFARE, HEALTH ETC. OUR ECONOMY IS DEVELOPING AND OUR GROWTH IS LIMITED AND OUR RESOURCES ARE LIMITED; AND SO, WHEN YOU DRAFTED YOUR POLICY ADDRESS HAVE YOU CONSIDERED ONE POINT. THAT IS, YOUR VAST INCREASE IN EXPENDITURE WILL ACTUALLY BE AT THE EXPENSE OF OTHER THINGS SUCH AS, PUBLIC WORKS. ARE YOU THINKING OF INCREASE OF TAXATION AS WELL?
GOVERNOR: I AM CERTAINLY NOT THINKING OF ANY INCREASE IN TAXATION. I MADE IT ABSOLUTELY CLEAR YESTERDAY THAT I BELIEVE THAT HONG KONG SHOULD CONTINUE TO HAVE LOW AND PREDICTABLE TAXES. NOR AM I PROPOSING THAT THERE SHOULD BE ANY CUT IN INVESTMENT AND INFRASTRUCTURE. WE ARE ACTUALLY PROPOSING TO SPEND 78 BILLION ON INFRASTRUCTURE IN THE NEXT FIVE YEARS WHICH WOULD BE 44% MORE THAN IN THE LAST FIVE. THE REASON WHY WE CAN AFFORD THE PROPOSALS I’VE MENTIONED, WHICH WILL STILL LEAVE US WITH A SUBSTANTIAL SURPLUS - AND WHICH WILL STILL MEAN THAT PUBLIC SPENDING IS GROWING LESS FAST THAN OUR ECONOMY - THE REASON WHY WE CAN AFFORD THIS IS FIRST OF ALL, THAT WE’VE BEEN DOING SO WELL THIS YEAR AND HAVE A WINDFALL BECAUSE OUR REVENUES ARE FAR GREATER THAN WE’D EXPECTED AND SECONDLY, BECAUSE WE ARE PREDICTING GROWTH OVER THE NEXT FIVE YEARS OF 5% IN REAL TERMS A YEAR. NOW THAT MAY WELL BE A MODEST ESTIMATE, BUT I THINK THAT WHAT I’VE SET OUT IS PROPOSALS WHICH HONG KONG CAN AFFORD AND WHICH WILL STILL ENSURE, UNLIKE MOST OTHER COMMUNITIES AROUND THE WORLD, THAT WE HAVE A BIG SURPLUS ON OUR ACCOUNTS AND SECONDLY, THAT WE KEEP PUBLIC SPENDING BELOW THE RATE OF INCREASE IN OUR OVERALL WEALTH.
QUESTION: MR PATTEN, YOU SAID A MOMENT AGO THAT IN THE NEXT FIVE YEARS THE ECONOMY WILL BE EXPERIENCING SOME GOOD GROWTH AND THERE WILL BE NO PROBLEM, BUT SUPPOSING THERE WILL BE A RECESSION IN HONG KONG AND THERE WILL BE SOME FACTORS OUTSIDE OF OUR CONTROL, WHAT STRATEGY DO YOU HAVE IN MIND?
GOVERNOR: I SAID YESTERDAY THAT, OF COURSE, THE PROPOSALS AND THE PLANS I SET OUT DEPEND ON US CONTINUING TO HAVE A STRONG AND BUOYANT ECONOMY; BUT WHAT I’VE TRIED TO BUILD INTO OUR PLANS IS A GOOD CUSHION. THAT’S WHY I AM DETERMINED THAT WE SHOULD CONTINUE TO HAVE A BIG PUBLIC SURPLUS. I’M NOT GOING TO MOVE AWAY FROM THAT, IT’S EXTREMELY IMPORTANT. UNLESS WE HAVE A BIG PUBLIC SURPLUS RIGHT DOWN TO 1997 THERE IS THE DANGER, AS YOU’VE SUGGESTED, OF US FINDING OURSELVES, FOR EXAMPLE, IF TRADE FRICTION BREAKS OUT BETWEEN CHINA AND THE UNITED STATES, HAVING TO CUT INTO OTHER PROGRAMMES UNLESS WE HAVE THAT BIG SURPLUS IN THE BANK TO GET US THROUGH ANY DIFFICULT TIMES AND NOTHING THAT I HAVE SUGGESTED IN MY POLICY ADDRESS IS GOING TO EAT INTO A BIG SURPLUS RIGHT THROUGH THE PERIOD UNTIL 1997.
/QUESTION: GOOD ........
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 8, 1992
- 37 -
QUESTION: GOOD MORNING SIR. FIRST MAY I SAY HOW PLEASED I AM AS CHAIRMAN OF THE RETAIL MANAGEMENT ASSOCIATION THAT WE’VE BEEN INCLUDED IN THE CLASSIFICATION FOR THE NEW FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCY SEAT. BUT IF I CAN PASS TO A MUCH BROADER QUESTION IN RELATION TO THE AIRPORT, IT SEEMS TO MY MIND, LISTENING TO THE COMMENTS FROM THE CHINA NEWS AGENCY WE’VE HEARD THIS MORNING, THEY ARE OBVIOUSLY NOT VERY HAPPY. IS THERE NOT A DANGER THAT THIS WILL LEAD TO AN IMPASSE BY THE TIME YOU GO TO BEIJING AND FOLLOWING THAT PERHAPS, IS GOING TO MEAN THAT AT SOME POINT IN THE NOT TOO DISTANT FUTURE YOU ARE GOING TO HAVE TO MAKE A VERY DEFINITE DECISION ON WHETHER THE AIRPORT WILL BE STOPPED OR PROCEED?
GOVERNOR: CAN I SAY TWO THINGS. FIRST OF ALL, ON THE INITIAL REMARK YOU MADE, I DO THINK THAT IT’S IMPORTANT THAT ALL SECTORS OF OUR ECONOMY, OF OUR ECONOMIC LIFE ARE REPRESENTED IN THE FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCIES AND I DON’T SEE ANY REASON WHY PEOPLE WHO WORK IN RETAIL CAN’T BE REPRESENTED WHEN PEOPLE WHO WORK IN OTHER SECTORS ARE; SO I AM PLEASED AT YOUR SUPPORT ON THAT.
QUESTION: THANK YOU.
GOVERNOR: SECONDLY, ON THE AIRPORT, I SAID YESTERDAY THAT - OR IMPLIED YESTERDAY - THAT THE IMPASSE FAR FROM JUST BEING SOMETHING THAT’S ANNOYING US ALL OR WORRYING US ALL THIS AUTUMN, IS SOMETHING THAT’S BEEN AROUND FOR A COUPLE OF YEARS. WE HAVEN’T MADE VERY MUCH PROGRESS ON THE AIRPORT. I DON’T THINK THAT THERE CAN EVER HAVE BEEN AN AIRPORT WHICH HAS BEEN DISCUSSED AS MUCH AS THIS. I THINK THAT A LOT OF PEOPLE IN HONG KONG MUST BE HEARTILY FED UP OF THE NEWS HEADLINES AND THE NEWS BULLETINS BEING FULL OF REPORTS ABOUT FINANCING THE AIRPORT. THE POSITION I SET OUT IS SIMPLY THIS. I CAN DO MY BEST, THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT CAN DO ITS BEST TO GET ON WITH THE AIRPORT AND COMPLETE IT BEFORE 1997; EVERYBODY KNOWS THAT WE WILL SOONER OR LATER HAVE AN AIRPORT - I WOULD LIKE US TO HAVE ONE SOONER -BUT IF IT IS IMPOSSIBLE FOR US TO HAVE ONE UNTIL LATER THEN I DON’T THINK IT WILL BE MY FAULT BUT, WHAT WE MUST RECOGNISE IS THAT, WHILE THERE ARE VERY RARELY WITH PROJECTS LIKE THIS ABSOLUTE DEADLINES, THE TRUTH IS THAT THE LONGER IT TAKES TO CARRY OUT A PROJECT LIKE THIS THAT THE MORE EXPENSIVE IT IS. THERE IS NO DENYING THAT. SO, I WOULD LIKE TO BE ABLE TO GET ON ON WITH IT, I THINK WE COULD SORT OUT ALL THE PROBLEMS IF THEY WERE CONSIDERED ON THEIR MERITS. IF WE CAN’T GET THAT SORT OF AGREEMENT THEN WE’LL JUST HAVE TO PROCEED AS BEST WE CAN.
QUESTION: THANK YOU SIR. WHEN YOU SAY IT WILL NOT BE MY FAULT IF IT DOESN’T PROCEED QUICKLY RATHER THAN LATER, ISN’T THAT IN A SENSE PLAYING THEIR OWN GAME AND ALMOST FORCING THEM TO MAKE A DECISION AS TO WHETHER THEY ARE GOING TO BACK YOU OR NOT? AREN’T YOU ACTUALLY SAYING TO THEM, 'LOOK IF YOU DON’T DO IT IT’S NOT MY FAULT, IT’S YOUR FAULT’?
/GOVERNOR: I ........
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 8, 1992
38 -
GOVERNOR: I DON’T WANT TO CAST BLAME AROUND AND I DARE SAY LOTS
OF PEOPLE WOULD EXPECT ME TO PULL AN AIRPORT LIKE A RABBIT OUT OF A HAT AND LOTS OF PEOPLE WOULD BLAME ME IF IT WASN’T DONE. BUT I THINK THERE IS A GENERAL RECOGNITION THAT EVEN THOUGH THERE HAVE BEEN WRANGLES OVER LEGITIMATE POINTS OF OPINION ON FINANCING THAT WE HAVE TRIED VERY VERY HARD TO MEET EVERY REASONABLE CRITICISM THAT’S BEEN PUT FORWARD. WE HAVE COME BACK AGAIN AND AGAIN WITH DIFFERENT IDEAS FOR FINANCING THE OVERALL AIRPORT. I WAS ABLE TO DEMONSTRATE YESTERDAY - I THINK WITHOUT MUCH QUESTIONING - THAT WE CAN BOTH AFFORD THE AIRPORT AND AFFORD SUBSTANTIAL INCREASES IN OUR SOCIAL WELFARE PROGRAMME. SO I DON’T THINK WE WILL HEAR MUCH OF THAT ARGUMENT AGAIN, BUT IT DOES TAKE TWO TO TANGO OR TWO TO PLAY A GAME OF TENNIS, OR TWO TO REACH AGREEMENT ON FINANCING THE AIRPORT AND, SOONER OR LATER, AS I KNOW FROM BEING A TENNIS PLAYER, IF YOU WANT A GOOD GAME IT’S IMPORTANT THAT THE BALL COMES BACK OVER THE NET.
QUESTION: I HAVE A FOLLOW UP QUESTION FOR YOU MR. PATTEN ABOUT THE AIRPORT. YOU SAID YESTERDAY THAT THE AIRPORT ISSUE CAN BE RESOLVED IN AN AFTERNOON. HOW SOON CAN YOU GET IT RESOLVED? DO YOU EXPECT TO GET IT RESOLVED IN AN AFTERNOON IN PEKING?
GOVERNOR: I DON’T KNOW. I’LL KNOW BETTER ONCE I’VE MET MR. LU PING, THE EXTREMELY DISTINGUISHED AND KNOWLEDGEABLE HEAD OF THE HONG KONG AND MACAU OFFICE. I THINK THAT IT’S ALWAYS BEST TO ASSUME THE BEST ABOUT THOSE THAT YOU’RE GOING TO WORK WITH AND THOSE YOU ARE GOING TO NEGOTIATE WITH AND I ASSUME THAT BOTH MR LU PING AND I WANT THE BEST FOR HONG KONG. THAT IS THE ASSUMPTION I AM GOING TO MAKE AND I WILL NOT BUDGE FROM THAT ASSUMPTION. SO, I DON’T WANT TO GIVE EXTRAVAGANT PROMISES ABOUT WHAT IS ACHIEVABLE FROM MY VISIT TO PEKING AND I THINK, FRANKLY, THAT PEOPLE, HOWEVER IMPORTANT THE AIRPORT IS, WILL REGARD SOME OF THE THINGS I DISCUSSED ABOUT HONG KONG’S FUTURE AND HONG KONG’S WAY OF LIFE HAS BEEN EVEN MORE IMPORTANT - A LOT MORE IMPORTANT - THAN THE AIRPORT.
QUESTION: GOOD MORNING MR PATTEN. REGARDING SERVICES FOR YOUNG PEOPLE, IT SEEMS AS IF YOU HAVEN’T REALLY TALKED ABOUT JUVENILES. WHY IS THAT SO?
GOVERNOR: I DIDN’T SAY VERY MUCH IN MY SPEECH ABOUT THE SORT OF SERVICES YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT, THOUGH I DID SAY QUITE A LOT IN MY SPEECH, AS YOU KNOW, ABOUT EDUCATION, BOTH PRIMARY AND SECONDARY, AND TERTIARY EDUCATION AND I ALSO SAID QUITE A LOT ABOUT DEVELOPMENTS IN THE SOCIAL WORKS SECTOR. BUT IF YOU ARE PARTICULARLY CONCERNED THAT I SHOULD TAKE ACCOUNT OF THE PROBLEMS AND CHALLENGES OF BEING A YOUNG PERSON, BEING A TEENAGER SAY, AND HAVING GOT A COUPLE OF TEENAGE DAUGHTERS - I’VE THREE TEENAGE DAUGHTERS NOW - I THINK I KNOW A LITTLE FIRST HAND ABOUT THE ISSUE; IF YOU ARE CONCERNED ABOUT THAT, THEN I AM DELIGHTED TO HAVE ON MY EXECUTIVE COUNCIL ROSANNA WONG WHO KNOWS, OF COURSE, A VERY GREAT DEAL ABOUT THIS AREA, AND I’M SURE WILL KEEP ME UP TO THE MARK IN MAKING CERTAIN THAT HONG KONG HAS THE SERVICES WHICH YOUNG PEOPLE NEED; BUT ABOVE ALL, WHAT I THINK YOUNG PEOPLE NEED IS THE CHANCE OF DEVELOPING THEIR TALENTS TO THE FULL. THAT’S WHY WE NEED GOOD TRAINING PROGRAMMES, THAT’S WHY WE NEED GOOD SECONDARY SCHOOLS AS WELL AS PRIMARY SCHOOLS AND THAT’S WHY WE NEED TO GO ON INCREASING ACCESS TO TERTIARY EDUCATION.
/QUESTION: GOOD ........
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 8, 1992
- 39 -
QUESTION: GOOD MORNING MR PATTEN. MY QUESTION IS ABOUT RELIGIOUS FREEDOM IN HONG KONG UP TO AND AFTER 1997. RELIGIOUS FREEDOM IS GUARANTEED IN THE BASIC LAW, AND CHURCH ACTIVITIES AS OUTLINED IN ARTICLE 141 ARE ALSO GUARANTEED, BUT IN THE LIGHT OF CHINA’S ANGRY REACTION YESTERDAY TO YOUR POLICY SPEECH AND THEIR UNWILLINGNESS TO ADHERE TO THE CONDITIONS AS LAID OUT IN THE JOINT DECLARATION AND THE BASIC LAW, WHAT GUARANTEE CAN YOU GIVE TO CHRISTIANS AND OTHER RELIGIOUS GROUPS THAT RELIGIOUS FREEDOM WILL BE PRESERVED IN HONG KONG UP TO AND AFTER 1997?
GOVERNOR: IT’S A SUBJECT ABOUT WHICH I FEEL VERY STRONGLY BECAUSE LIKE YOU I’M A PRACTISING CHRISTIAN AND I VERY MUCH ENJOY BEING PART OF THE CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY IN HONG KONG. I ENJOY VISITING CHURCHES OF A NUMBER OF DENOMINATIONS BUT PARTICULARLY, OBVIOUSLY, CATHOLIC CHURCHES BECAUSE I WAS A BORN CATHOLIC. I THINK THAT WE MUST TAKE WHAT IS SAID IN THE JOINT DECLARATION AND THE BASIC LAW ABOUT RELIGIOUS FREEDOM AT ITS WORD, AND I DON’T BELIEVE FOR ONE MOMENT THAT CHINA WOULD WANT TO UNDERMINE THE FREEDOMS WHICH ARE SO FUNDAMENTAL. WE DO TALK ABOUT "ONE COUNTRY TWO SYSTEMS" AND PART OF OUR SYSTEM IS THAT PEOPLE SHOULD BE FREE TO WORSHIP AS THEY WANT, PEOPLE SHOULD BE FREE TO ALLOW THEIR CONSCIENCES TO DICTATE THEIR MORAL AND POLITICAL ACTIONS, THAT’S WHAT RELIGIOUS FREEDOM IS ALL ABOUT AS WELL. I THINK IT’S ONE OF THE KEY ELEMENTS IN OUR WAY OF LIFE AND I TRUST THOSE WHO SIGNED THE JOINT DECLARATION, AND TRUST THOSE WHO AGREED TO THE BASIC LAW, TO MAINTAIN IT. I HAVE TO DO THAT AND I’M SURE THAT IF MR LU PING WAS DOING THIS ’QUESTION TIME’, OR ANY OF THE OTHER CHINESE OFFICIALS THAT I DEAL WITH - ip MR ZHOU NAN WAS DOING IT - HE WOULD MAKE THE SAME POINT.
QUESTION: BUT THERE ISN’T RELIGIOUS FREEDOM IN CHINA AT THE PRESENT TIME.
GOVERNOR: NO, BUT WE DO TALK ABOUT "ONE COUNTRY TWO SYSTEMS". I’M NOT GOING TO SAY ANYTHING ABOUT THE OTHER SYSTEM, THOUGH I HEARD AN EXTREMELY INTERESTING SERMON THE OTHER DAY ABOUT THE POSITION OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH IN CHINA. BUT WE KNOW WHAT OUR SYSTEM IS, WE KNOW THE GUARANTEES FOR OUR SYSTEM FOR 50 YEARS AFTER 1997 AND I’M ABSOLUTELY SURE THAT WHEN THE JOINT DECLARATION TALKS ABOUT PRESERVING FREEDOM OF RELIGIOUS WORSHIP AND FREEDOM OF RELIGIOUS THOUGHT, IT’S BANKABLE AND THERE’S A SORT OF GUARANTEE WHICH IS 18 CARAT.
QUESTION: GOOD MORNING MR PATTEN. NOW WE’VE READ FROM THE NEWSPAPER TODAY, THEY’RE SAYING THAT THE LAST GOVERNOR OF HONG KONG IS NOW SPENDING A LOT OF MONEV, SO IS IT TRUE THAT THE LAST GOVERNOR, OR A POLITICIAN, WILL TRY TO USE ALL THE RESERVES OF THE SAR? FROM THE POLICY ADDRESS - AND THEN AS A MEMBER OF THE PUBLIC IT PROBABLY SEEMS PERFECT AND TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE. AND AS MENTIONED PREVIOUSLY, IF THERE IS GOING TO BE AN IMPACT, WILL THAT BE ABLE TO BE CARRIED OUT FOR THE NEXT FIVE YEARS, BECAUSE THE POLICY ADDRESS IS FOR THE NEXT FIVE YEARS?
/AND THEN .......
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 8, 1992
40
AND THEN I ALSO FEEL THAT PROBABLY THE GOVERNOR IS NOT TAKING CARE OF THE LOWEST STRATA. YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT SANDWICHCLASS HOUSING AND ARE YOU AWARE OF THE FACT THAT THERE IS ALSO THE LOWER STRATA? ARE YOU GOING TO LEAVE THEM TO THE HOUSING AUTHORITY, MERELY? AND I’VE HEARD THAT SOME DEVELOPERS ARE TALKING ABOUT THE SANDWICH CLASS AND SAYING THAT THIS IS NOT REALLY VERY WISE BECAUSE YOU ARE GOING TO KEEP PRICES UP AND THE PROPERTY MARKET WILL NOT REALLY GO DOWN THAT MUCH.
WILLIAM LEE: MRS FUNG, YOU HAVE A BARRAGE OF QUESTIONS, LET MR PATTEN ANSWER YOUR QUESTIONS ONE-BY-ONE. SPENDING A LOT OF MONEY, SOME NEWSPAPERS TALK ABOUT YOU AS SANTA CLAUS, IS THIS THE CASE?
GOVERNOR: NO, I’M NOT SANTA CLAUS BUT I’M FORTUNATE ENOUGH TO BE GOVERNOR IN A COMMUNITY WHERE YOU, BY YOUR OWN EFFORTS, HAVE ACHIEVED SO MUCH THAT WE CAN ACTUALLY MOVE FORWARD IN MEETING SOME OF OUR SOCIAL TARGETS. WHAT WAS ONE OF THE FIRST THINGS I DID WHEN I BECAME GOVERNOR IN HONG KONG? ONE OF THE FIRST THINGS I DID WAS TO PUBLISH FOR THE FIRST TIME THE FIGURES FOR OUR EXCHANGE FUND, WHICH TELL THE WORLD AND TELL THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG JUST HOW MUCH MONEY WE’VE GOT IN THE BANK. WHAT I CAN ASSURE YOU OF IS THAT WHEN I LEAVE HONG KONG IN 1997, I WILL LEAVE BEHIND HUGE RESERVES WHICH ARE THE RESULT OF YOUR EFFORTS. WE’RE NOT GOING TO SPEND THOSE RESERVES, WE’RE GOING TO LEAVE THEM IN THE BANK FOR YOU, IN ORDER TO PROVIDE THE STABILITY WHICH OUR ECONOMY NEEDS, AND WE WILL BE PUBLIC ABOUT THOSE FIGURES, WE WILL BE PUBLIC ABOUT THOSE RESERVES, JUST SO YOU KNOW EXACTLY WHAT I’M TALKING ABOUT.
SECONDLY, THERE IS A BIT OF A CONTRADICTION IN WHAT YOU SAID, ALL OF US WANT PRUDENT CONTROL OF PUBLIC FINANCES AND YET ALL OF US WANT MORE TO BE SPENT ON .THIS AND THAT. AND YOU WERE SAYING, QUITE PROPERLY, THAT WE HAVE TO BE CONCERNED NOT JUST ABOUT THE SANDWICH-CLASS, BUT WE HAVE TO BE CONCERNED IN PUBLIC HOUSING ABOUT THOSE WITH LOWER INCOMES. I HOPE THAT’S WHAT WE’LL CONTINUE TO BE DOING BECAUSE WE’RE GOING TO BE COMPLETING, BETWEEN NOW AND 1997, OVER 100 FLATS A DAY, WE’RE GOING TO BE BUILDING BETWEEN NOW AND 1997, ABOUT 190,000 HOMES OF ONE SORT OR ANOTHER, EITHER THROUGH THE HOUSING ASSOCIATION OR THE HOUSING SOCIETY. WE’RE GOING TO BE SPENDING 41 BILLION OF YOUR DOLLARS, THAT’S A HUGE INVESTMENT IN PUBLIC HOUSING AND HOUSING PROVISION AND I THINK IT DEMONSTRATES THAT WE’RE CONCERNED TO GO ON WITH WHAT HAS BEEN A REAL SOCIAL REVOLUTION IN HONG KONG, PROVIDING DECENT HOUSING FOR ORDINARY FAMILIES.
QUESTION: GOOD MORNING MR PATTEN. CAN YOU TELL ME IF YOU FEEL COMFORTABLE IN HEADING UP A GOVERNMENT THAT BASES THE RIGHT OF ABODE IN THE TERRITORY ON THE RACIAL CHARACTERISTICS OF THE PERSON APPLYING FOR THIS RIGHT?
GOVERNOR: WELL, WHAT WE ARE DOING AT THE MOMENT, IN THE JOINT LIAISON GROUP, IS DISCUSSING RIGHT OF ABODE WITH THE FUTURE SOVEREIGN POWER, WITH CHINA. WE’VE STARTED TO MAKE PROGRESS ON THAT FRONT; WE MADE SOME PROGRESS AT THE JOINT LIAISON GROUP MEETING IN LONDON THE OTHER DAY. IT INVOLVES QUITE COMPLEX ISSUES OF NATIONALITY LAW WHICH WE’VE BEEN DISCUSSING WITH CHINA BUT I VERY MUCH HOPE THAT WE’LL CONTINUE TO MAKE PROGRESS AND BE ABLE TO COME FORWARD WITH PROPOSITIONS WHICH ARE ACCEPTABLE BOTH TO THE CHINESE SIDE AND TO THE COMMUNITY ON RIGHT OF ABODE FOR THE FUTURE. I REPEAT, IT’S AN EXTREMELY COMPLICATED ISSUE BUT ONE WHICH I HOPE WE’LL BE ABLE TO NEGOTIATE SUCCESSFULLY WITH CHINA.
/KIT CUMINGS
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 8, 1992
- 41
KIT CUMINGS: DOES THAT ANSWER YOUR QUESTION?
QUESTION: WELL, IT ANSWERS THE QUESTION BUT IT DOESN'T LEAVE ME VERY HAPPY, BECAUSE AS YOU KNOW, IN THE UNITED KINGDOM IN THE LIGHT OF THE RACE RELATIONS ACT, ANY IMMIGRATION OFFICER WHO ASKS SOMEBODY TO PROVE THEIR CAUCASIAN, INDIAN OR RACIAL ANCESTRY BEFORE OBTAINING SOME PRIVILEGE, WOULD LEAVE THAT IMMIGRATION OFFICER LIABLE TO ARREST. AND YET WE’RE SITTING AND PUTTING UP WITH THIS SITUATION YEAR ON YEAR HERE.
GOVERNOR: WELL, WHAT WOULD YOU PROPOSE THAT WE DO WHEN WE’RE NEGOTIATING IN THE JOINT LIAISON GROUP? WHAT I WANT TO COME OFF WITH IS PROPOSALS WHICH ARE AS SATISFACTORY AS POSSIBLE FOR THE WHOLE COMMUNITY, INCLUDING THOSE WHO PERHAPS WEREN’T BORN IN HONG KONG OR PERHAPS HAVE A DIFFERENT PASSPORT, AREN’T REGARDED AS CHINESE CITIZENS. THERE ARE A LOT OF VERY COMPLICATED ISSUES ABOUT WHAT EXACTLY IS MEANT BY NATIONHOOD OR CITIZENSHIP AND WE’RE TRYING TO WORK THOSE OUT IN A WAY WHICH WILL PROVIDE AN ACCEPTABLE LONG TERM SOLUTION. I UNDERSTAND YOUR ANXIETIES, THEY’VE BEEN PUT THROUGH A NUMBER OF FORA, INCLUDING I THINK SOME OF THE CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE, AND WE’LL CONTINUE TO EXPLORE THOSE ISSUES WITH THE CHINESE AUTHORITIES.
QUESTION: GOOD MORNING. I AM A PARENT OF A DISABLED PERSON, MENTALLY HANDICAPPED. YESTERDAY, I HEARD IN YOUR POLICY ADDRESS AND I LISTENED TO THE PART ABOUT SERVICES FOR SUCH PEOPLE AND YOU HAVE PRIORITY FOR THE ELDERLY, AND YET WE HAVE A GROUP OF CHILDREN, THEY ARE 16 ALREADY, AND A LOT OF THEM ARE NOW LIVING AT HOME. THERE ARE NO INSTITUTES THAT WILL TAKE CARE OF THEM. SO WHAT IS THE GOVERNOR’S ATTITUDE TOWARDS THEM?
GOVERNOR: WELL, CAN I SAY STRAIGHT AWAY THAT YOU ARE IN FACT A MEMBER OF ONE OF THE GROUPS WHICH I REGARD AS QUITE PROPERLY HAVING PRIORITY IN OUR SOCIAL PROGRAMMES. I’VE BEEN GOING ROUND THE TERRITORY, YOU’LL PROBABLY KNOW, SPENDING DAYS HAVING A CLOSER LOOK AT SOME OF OUR SOCIAL PROBLEMS, SOME OF OUR CHALLENGES, SOME OF THE THINGS THAT WE DO WELL AND SOME OF THE THINGS THAT WE NEED TO DO BETTER, AND ONE OF THE EARLIEST DAYS THAT I SPENT WAS IN THE SOCIAL WELFARE SECTOR. I SAW RESIDENTIAL CARE, I SAW CARE AND ATTENTION HOMES, I SAW SHELTERED WORKSHOPS, I SAW FOR INSTANCE SOME OF THE THINGS THAT ARE BEING DONE WITH THE HANDICAPPED AND SOME OF THE THINGS THAT ARE BEING DONE FOR THEM, THE MENTALLY HANDICAPPED. AT THE END OF THAT DAY I WAS TAKEN TO VISIT A FAMILY WHERE THERE WERE EIGHT CHILDREN, ONE OF WHOM WAS MENTALLY HANDICAPPED. THE MOTHER WAS HAVING, OF COURSE, ENORMOUS DIFFICULTY - YOU MAY BE IN THE SAME POSITION YOURSELF - COPING WITH A MENTALLY HANDICAPPED SON WHO HAD NOW LEFT SCHOOL AND SHE WASN’T ABLE TO GET HIM A PLACE IN A SHELTERED WORKSHOP OR IN A DAY CENTRE.
/NOW, I ........
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 8, 1992
- 42 -
NOW, I THINK THAT YOU AND OTHERS LIKE YOU DESERVE US TO SPEND MORE MONEY TO ENSURE THAT YOU DO HAVE DAY SERVICE PLACES AND WHAT WE ARE INTENDING TO DO IS TO INCREASE THE NUMBER OF DAY SERVICE PLACES OVER THE NEXT FOUR OR FIVE YEARS BY OVER 50 PERCENT. WE’RE GOING TO BE INCREASING THEM BY UP TO, I THINK IT’S JUST UNDER 4,000 -3,700 OR THEREABOUTS - AND THAT WILL ENABLE US TO MEET THE TARGET WHICH IS SET OUT IN OUR GREEN PAPER ON REHABILITATION AND ON THE DISABLED, AND I VERY MUCH HOPE THAT THIS WILL MEAN THAT PARENTS LIKE YOU WILL HAVE TO WAIT MUCH LESS LONG IN ORDER TO GET YOUR CHILDREN PLACES IN DAY CENTRES. I SYMPATHISE WITH THE PROBLEMS YOU HAVE COPING WITH A CHILD DAY AFTER DAY AT HOME. FRANKLY, I’VE ALWAYS REGARDED PARENTS LIKE YOU AS BEING AMONG THE REAL HEROES IN A COMMUNITY. HAVING THE CHALLENGE OF PARENTHOOD WITH A CHILD WHO YOU GREATLY LOVE BUT HAS A HANDICAP, AND I AM DETERMINED THAT WE SHOULD DO MORE TO HELP YOU.
WILLIAM LEE: MRS YEUNG, WHAT EXPECTATIONS DO YOU HAVE OF THE GOVERNOR? WHAT DO YOU THINK THE GOVERNOR SHOULD DO FOR THE HANDICAPPED?
QUESTION: NOW, THERE ARE PEOPLE WHO ARE SEVERELY MENTALLY HANDICAPPED AND ARE SUFFERING MANY ASPECTS AND WE CANNOT PUT THEM IN AN INSTITUTION OR HAVE RESIDENTIAL PLACES FOR THEM, AND THEN IN THE MORNING WE TAKE THEM THERE AND AT 3 O’CLOCK WE HAVE TO TAKE THEM HOME. AND THEY ARE OVER 16 AND THEY DO NOT HAVE RESIDENTIAL PLACES AND SO A LOT OF THEM ARE LIVING AT HOME AND WHAT WE NEED ACTUALLY ARE RESIDENTIAL PLACES FOR THESE PEOPLE.
GOVERNOR: WELL, LET ME RESPOND TO THAT AS WELL STRAIGHT AWAY, MRS YEUNG. NOT ONLY ARE WE INTENDING TO INCREASE THE NUMBER OF DAY CARE PLACES BUT WE ARE ALSO INTENDING TO INCREASE THE NUMBER OF RESIDENTIAL PLACES FOR THE DISABLED. WE’RE GOING TO MORE THAN DOUBLE THEM, INCREASING THEM BY ABOUT 3,900, SO I VERY MUCH HOPE THAT ON BOTH THOSE FRONTS OVER THE NEXT FOUR OR FIVE YEARS, HONG KONG WILL BE ABLE TO DEMONSTRATE THE SAME CARE AND CONCERN THAT IT’S SHOWN IN OTHER AREAS. I REPEAT THAT I THINK YOU AND PARENTS LIKE YOU ARE DOING A HEROIC JOB AND YOU DESERVE THE SUPPORT OF THE COMMUNITY IN DISCHARGING IT.
QUESTION: GOOD MORNING MR PATTEN, MY NAME IS LEE, I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW THE FOLLOWING. NOW IN HONG KONG A LOT OF PEOPLE HOPE THAT WHEN THE SAR COMES INTO BEING THERE WILL BE A THROUGH-TRAIN FOR LEGCO MEMBERS. YOU’VE PLEDGED THAT THE 1995 ELECTION ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE TAKEN UP WITH THE CHINESE AND YET IN YOUR POLICY ADDRESS THERE ARE ACTUALLY DRASTIC CHANGES, AND THEN LATER ON YOU WILL BE GOING TO BEIJING TO TALK TO THE CHINESE AUTHORITIES AND IF THEY HAVE ADVERSE COMMENTS WILL YOU TAKE THEIR VIEWS AND MAKE MODIFICATIONS? OTHERWISE WHEN THE SAR COMES INTO BEING IN 1997 THERE WON’T BE A THROUGH-TRAIN AND THERE MIGHT BE A LACK OF STABILITY, AND TUMULT, AND THEREFORE WILL THAT BE YOUR RESPONSIBILITY ACTUALLY?
/GOVERNOR: I ........
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 8, 1992
43
GOVERNOR: I THINK MY RESPONSIBILITY IS TO TRY TO GAUGE WHAT THE
MOOD IN HONG IS WHEN WE CONSIDER FURTHER DEMOCRATIC, FURTHER POLITICAL DEVELOPMENT. AND MY JUDGMENT IS, THOUGH I WILL OF COURSE EXPECT TO BE CRITICISED FROM BOTH SIDES, MY JUDGMENT IS THAT THE MIDDLE GROUND IN HONG KONG, THE CENTRE OF OPINION, IS SOMETHING LIKE THIS: I THINK PEOPLE WANT US TO BROADEN OUR INSTITUTIONS AND TO GIVE THEM MORE DEMOCRACY BUT I'THINK YOU ARE QUITE RIGHT, MR LEE, TO SAY THAT PEOPLE WANT THAT TO BE DONE IN A WAY WHICH IS CONSISTENT WITH THE BASIC LAW AND THAT IS WHAT I TRIED TO DO WITH MY PROPOSALS YESTERDAY. A LOT OF PEOPLE SAY THAT’S NOT ENOUGH, WHAT WE SHOULD ACTUALLY HAVE IS AN INCREASE IN THE NUMBER OF DIRECTLY ELECTED SEATS, THAT’S SOMETHING PEOPLE ARGUE AND I UNDERSTAND THE ARGUMENT.
CHINA HAS SAID WE CAN’T HAVE AN INCREASE IN THE NUMBER OF DIRECTLY ELECTED SEATS BECAUSE THAT WOULD MEAN A CHANGE IN THE BASIC LAW, SO WHAT I’VE SAID IS, IF WE’RE NOT TO HAVE AN INCREASE IN THE NUMBER OF DIRECTLY ELECTED SEATS LET’S LOOK AT AN ALTERNATIVE APPROACH, LET’S LOOK AT WAYS IN WHICH WE CAN INCREASE DEMOCRACY WITHIN THE BASIC LAW. NOW SOME OF THE THINGS ON WHICH I’VE PUT FORWARD PROPOSALS, WE’RE GOING TO HAVE TO TAKE DECISIONS ABOUT ANYWAY. EVEN IF CHRIS PATTEN HADN’T MADE A SPEECH YESTERDAY IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL FOR TWO HOURS, WE’D STILL BE HAVING TO MAKE PROPOSALS AND STILL BE HAVING TO CONSIDER WHAT WE DO ABOUT FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCIES, WHAT WE DO ABOUT THE ELECTORAL COLLEGE AND SO ON, BETWEEN NOW AND 1997. I’VE PUT FORWARD THESE PROPOSALS WHICH I BELIEVE ARE CONSISTENT WITH THE BASIC LAW. IF OTHER PEOPLE HAVE GOT PROPOSALS, LET THEM PUT THEM FORWARD, BUT I THINK MY PROPOSALS ARE A COHERENT AND POSITIVE, AND I HOPE IMAGINATIVE, EFFORT, TO RESPOND TO WHAT I THINK IS THE OPINION OF HONG KONG, AND WHAT IS ALSO THE OPINION IN LONDON AND IN PEKING. IT’S VERY DIFFICULT TO HIT ALL THESE CORNERS IN A WAY WHICH MAKES SENSE AND WHICH IS GOING TO ENSURE THAT WE HAVE INSTITUTIONS THAT LAST.
BUT IF I CAN JUST ADD ONE OTHER POINT, BECAUSE YOU RAISE VERY, VERY IMPORTANT ISSUES ABOUT STABILITY. I THINK THAT IN ORDER TO ENSURE STABILITY ONE NEEDS NOT ONLY TO HAVE CONSISTENCY THROUGH 1997 AND BEYOND, BUT DO RATHER MORE TO GIVE PEOPLE A RATHER GREATER SAY IN THE WAY HONG KONG IS RUN. I THINK ONE HAS TO ACHIEVE BOTH THOSE THINGS IF WE’RE TO MAKE THE PROGRESS THAT WE ALL WANT TO SEE.
QUESTION: GOVERNOR PATTEN, HELLO, HOW ARE YOU DOING? I’D LIKE TO ASK YOU A QUESTION. WHO COULD ENSURE THE STABILITY OF HONG KONG? WHO COULD, SHOULD ANYTHING HAPPEN?
GOVERNOR: BETWEEN NOW AND 1997 THE STABILITY AND PROSPERITY OF HONG KONG ARE PRINCIPALLY MY CONCERN AND THE CONCERN OF THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT BUT I’M SURE IT’S THE CASE THAT THE UNITED KINGDOM WHICH IS THE PRESENT SOVEREIGN POWER, AND CHINA WHICH IS THE FUTURE SOVEREIGN POWER, BOTH WANT THEMSELVES TO HELP IN THE TASK OF STABILITY AND PROSPERITY, IN ACHIEVING AND GUARANTEEING THOSE THINGS. I THINK THAT IT WOULD PERHAPS BE DE-STABILIS I NG IF FOR INSTANCE I WAS TO SAY TO THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG, "I’M NOT GOING TO TELL YOU WHAT I WANT TO TALK ABOUT IN PEKING ON 1995 AND YOU WON’T HEAR ABOUT THAT UNTIL I COME HOME". I DON’T THINK PEOPLE WOULD REGARD THAT AS BEING A VERY GOOD WAY OF ENSURING STABILITY IN HONG KONG. WHAT DO YOU THINK?
/QUESTIONER: I .......
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 8, 1992
44
QUESTIONER: I THINK THIS SHOULD BE A STRONGER COUNTRY TO LOOK ALL OVER THIS MATTER, TO TAKE CARE OF, THERE MUST BE A STRONGER COUNTRY TO TAKE CARE OF THIS MATTER.
GOVERNOR: YOU MEAN YOU THINK THAT STABILITY AND PROSPERITY NEEDS EITHER THE UNITED KINGDOM OR CHINA TO GIVE ITS FULL WEIGHT TO IT?
QUESTION: A LITTLE BIT THAT, YES.
GOVERNOR: WELL, WHAT WE ARE ALL ENGAGED IN IS A HISTORIC ENTERPRISE. IT’S NEVER REALLY BEEN TRIED BEFORE, "ONE COUNTRY TWO SYSTEMS", IT’S EXTREMELY CHALLENGING. IT INVOLVES A GOOD DEAL OF GIVE-AND-TAKE BETWEEN THE UNITED KINGDOM AND CHINA AND IT INVOLVES A GOOD DEAL OF UNDERSTANDING ON THE PART OF THE UNITED KINGDOM AND CHINA OF THE ASPIRATIONS OF PEOPLE IN HONG KONG AND OF WHAT HAS MADE HONG KONG SUCH A FANTASTICALLY SUCCESSFUL PLACE. IF YOU LOOK AROUND THE WORLD AT SUCCESS STORIES THERE AREN’T MANY WHICH ARE AS GOOD AS, LET ALONE BETTER, THAN WHAT’S HAPPENED IN HONG KONG AND THAT’S WHY WE’VE GOT TO KEEP OUR EYE VERY CLEARLY ON THE INGREDIENTS FOR SUCCESS IN HONG KONG. WE DO KNOW ABOUT THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN OUR WAY OF LIFE AND OUR STABILITY AND PROSPERITY AND WE’VE GOT TO KEEP THAT RELATIONSHIP.
QUESTION: I’D LIKE TO FOLLOW UP ON THIS MR PATTEN; THE CALLER ASKED YOU ABOUT YOUR PROPOSAL ABOUT THE CONSTITUTIONAL ARRANGEMENT, YOU SAID YOU WILL BE TAKING IT UP WITH BEIJING AND TALKING TO HONG KONG PEOPLE. BUT SUPPOSING CHINA WOULD VETO YOUR PROPOSAL WHEREAS HONG KONG PEOPLE SUPPORT YOUR PROPOSAL, WHAT WOULD YOU CHOOSE?
GOVERNOR: WELL, I SAID YESTERDAY, AND I MEAN IT, THAT I DON’T THINK THAT ANY PROPOSALS ARE GOING TO WORK UNLESS THEY HAVE THE BROAD SUPPORT OF THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG. IF OUR INTENTION IS TO ENSURE POLITICAL STABILITY BEFORE AND AFTER 1997, THEN THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG HAVE GOT TO BE BROADLY SATISFIED THAT WHAT IS BEING DONE IN THEIR NAME AND FOR THEM MAKES SENSE AND IS GOING TO GIVE THEM GUARANTEES OF FUTURE SECURITY. SO I DON'T THINK WE’RE TALKING ABOUT VETOES, I THINK WE’RE TALKING ABOUT A DIALOGUE, AND IT’S A DIALOGUE WHICH I HOPE WILL AT THE END OF THE DAY GIVE US A BASE FOR BUILDING HONG KONG’S FUTURE WHICH IS CONSISTENT WITH THE MINI CONSTITUTION, THE BASIC LAW, AFTER 1997, AND WHICH GIVES HONG KONG PEOPLE - WHICH IS GUARANTEED IN THE JOINT DECLARATION AND THE BASIC LAW - MORE DEMOCRACY.
QUESTION: GOOD MORNING MR PATTEN. I HEARD YOUR POLICY ADDRESS IN RELATION TO CONSTITUTIONAL CHANGES. I FEEL THAT IN ANY SOCIETY, ANY MEMBER OF A SOCIETY WOULD LIKE TO HAVE DEMOCRACY. NOW IN HONG KONG - NOW MR PATTEN, YOU TALK ABOUT CONSTITUTIONAL CHANGES - I PERSONALLY FEEL THAT IT MIGHT BE A LITTLE BIT TOO DRASTIC. I’VE TALKED TO SOME OF MY FRIENDS AND WE FEAR WHETHER IT MIGHT BE ABLE TO CONVERGE WITH THE BASIC LAW. AT THE TIME WHEN THE BASIC LAW WAS BEING DRAFTED THEY CONSULTED A WIDE SECTION OF OUR COMMUNITY INCLUDING THE UK AND ALSO DIFFERENT SECTORS OF THE HONG KONG COMMUNITY, AND IT’S ONLY WHEN IT’S ACCEPTED BY THE MAJORITY THAT THE DRAFT WAS FINALISED. AND YET WHEN I HEARD WHAT YOU SAID YESTERDAY, WE FEEL THAT CHANGES ARE MUCH MORE DRASTIC --
WILLIAM LEE: WHICH AREA DO YOU THINK THERE WILL BE NO CONVERGENCE THOUGH?
/QUESTIONER: NOW ........
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 8, 1992
- 45 -
QUESTIONER: NOW, FOR INSTANCE, LET’S TALK ABOUT THE 1995 SITUATION, THE DIRECT ELECTIONS. MR PATTEN SAID THAT THERE WILL BE DEMOCRACY AND THERE WILL BE A THROUGH-TRAIN. I DON’T FEEL THAT THAT'S POSSIBLE BECAUSE IF THE CHINESE ARE AGAINST IT AND THEY FEEL THAT IT’S IN BREACH OF THE BASIC LAW, THEN HOW CAN THERE BE A THROUGH-TRAIN?
WILLIAM LEE: YOU’RE CONCERNED ABOUT THE THROUGH-TRAIN, AREN’T YOU?
GOVERNOR: WELL, CAN I FIRST OF ALL SAY THAT OF COURSE THERE ARE SOME PEOPLE WHO ARE SAYING THAT THESE PROPOSALS GO TOO FAR. THERE ARE SOME PEOPLE SAYING THAT I HAVEN'T GONE NEARLY FAR ENOUGH. I’VE FOUND, MYSELF, INEVITABLY IT’S PART OF THE CONSEQUENCE OF TAKING DECISIONS, BEING CRITICISED ON BOTH SIDES. I SUSPECT THAT MAY MEAN THAT I’VE GOT IT JUST ABOUT RIGHT BUT I’LL BE INTERESTED IN REACTIONS IN THE COMMUNITY OVER THE COMING WEEKS AND MONTHS. BUT YOU SAY THAT YOU’RE CONCERNED THAT WHAT I’M DOING ISN’T CONSISTENT WITH THE BASIC LAW. I DON’T KNOW WHETHER YOU’VE GOT ANY PARTICULAR ASPECT OF THE BASIC LAW IN MIND BECAUSE I BELIEVE THAT EVERYTHING I’VE PUT FORWARD IS CONSISTENT WITH THE BASIC LAW.
IF THE REQUIREMENT IS THAT WHAT WE SHOULD DO CAN BE CONSISTENT WITH THE BASIC LAW, THEN I DON’T THINK IT’S REASONABLE FOR PEOPLE TO START CHANGING THE GOAL POSTS, START CHANGING THE BOUNDS OF THE DISCUSSION AND SAY, "AH WELL, REALLY THE BASIC LAW DOESN’T MEAN WHAT IT SAYS ON PAPER”. THE BASIC LAW IS WRITTEN DOWN, I KNOW ITS TEXT NOW EXTREMELY WELL, I’VE READ IT MORE FREQUENTLY THAN I’VE READ MOST DOCUMENTS, AND I HAVEN’T YET SEEN - I'VE EVEN GOT A COPY IN THE STUDIO - I DON’T KNOW OF ANY SERIOUS ARGUMENT WHICH SAYS THAT THE PROPOSALS I’VE PUT FORWARD FOR 1995 AREN’T CONSISTENT WITH THE BASIC LAW.
BUT CAN I REPEAT SOMETHING WHICH I’M AFRAID YOU MAY
HEAR FROM ME AGAIN AND AGAIN. IF THERE ARE OTHER PROPOSALS WHICH
PEOPLE WANT TO BRING FORWARD, INCLUDING CHINESE OFFICIALS, WHICH ARE IN THEIR VIEW CONSISTENT WITH THE BASIC LAW BUT ALSO MEET OUR
OBLIGATIONS TO MAKE SOME CHANGES IN 1995, THEN LET’S SEE THEM ON THE
TABLE. I CAN’T REALLY BE IN A POSITION IN WHICH I BRING FORWARD PROPOSALS, PUT THEM ON THE TABLE, AM TOLD THEY’RE NOT GOOD ENOUGH BUT MUST COME BACK WITH FURTHER PROPOSALS ON SOME OTHER OCCASION WHICH MIGHT OR MIGHT NOT BE SUITABLE. THAT’S NOT A VERY SENSIBLE WAY OF ACTUALLY TRYING TO ENGAGE IN A DISCUSSION.
QUESTION: CAN THE GOVERNOR PLEASE COMMENT ON WHEN THE GOVERNMENT IS PLANNING TO RATIFY CEDAW, WHICH IS THE CONVENTION FOR THE ELIMINATION OF DISCRIMINATION AGAINST WOMEN, AS CHINA AND BRITAIN HAVE DONE, AND ALSO IF THEY ARE REALLY COMMITTED TO THE SETTING UP OF A WOMEN’S COMMISSION IN HONG KONG?
/GOVERNOR: THAT'S
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 8, 1992
46
GOVERNOR: THAT’S AN ISSUE WHICH WAS RAISED WITH ME BY ONE OR TWO LEGISLATORS JUST BEFORE I MADE MY POLICY SPEECH. IT HADN’T BEEN RAISED WITH ME VERY MUCH BEFORE EXCEPT, I THINK, IN ONE LETTER. I AM PERFECTLY PREPARED TO ASK THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL TO LOOK AT THAT ISSUE. I KNOW WHAT AN IMPORTANT ROLE WOMEN PLAY IN OUR COMMUNITY -IN EVERY ASPECT OF OUR COMMUNITY - IT ALMOST BECOMES PATRONISING EVEN TO MAKE THAT REMARK, BECAUSE I’M NOT SURE THAT WE SHOULD MAKE THOSE DISTINCTIONS AS THOUGH THERE WAS SOMETHING CURIOUS OR GRAND OF MEN TO NOTICE WHAT A MARVELLOUS ROLE WOMEN PLAY. BUT I’M PERFECTLY PREPARED TO LOOK AT THE ISSUES RAISED BY YOU IN THAT QUESTION. I AM SORRY I HAVEN’T DONE SO YET, BUT TO BE PERFECTLY HONEST, IT’S NOT AN INDICATION THAT I DON’T THINK THESE MATTERS ARE IMPORTANT BUT I HAVE HAD QUITE A LOT OF OTHER THINGS TO LOOK AT IN MY FIRST THREE MONTHS.
KIT CUMINGS: DOES THAT REASSURE YOU?
QUESTION: YES, CAN I JUST ASK, THE WORRIES WE HAVE IS THAT THERE’S A LOT OF PRESSURES FOUND WITHIN THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY AND WITHIN LEGCO AND EXCO NOT TO RATIFY IT BECAUSE IT MEANS THAT BUSINESSES WILL HAVE TO PAY WOMEN THE SAME TERMS AND CONDITIONS AND GIVE THEM THE SAME WAGE AS MEN WHICH IS NOT HAPPENING. BECAUSE OF THE LACK OF CEDAW THERE IS NO EQUAL PAY LEGISLATION. SO I THINK THAT’S OUR MAIN WORRY, THAT THERE WILL BE PRESSURE BROUGHT TO BEAR WITHIN THE GOVERNMENT TO MAKE IT GO AWAY SO THEY DON’T HAVE TO PAY WOMEN THE SAME AMOUNT OF MONEY, WHICH MEANS MONEY OUT OF THEIR POCKET. SO I THINK THAT’S THE MAJOR BARRIER THAT WE SEEM TO BE COMING UP AGAINST.
GOVERNOR: CAN I JUST SAY TWO THINGS IN RESPONSE TO THAT, ONE OF
WHICH MAY RAISE YOUR HACKLES AND THE OTHER OF WHICH I HOPE WILL - I HOPE RAISE YOUR HACKLES TRANSLATES WELL INTO CANTONESE - AND THE OTHER OF WHICH MAY GIVE YOU SOME REASSURANCE. THE FIRST IS THAT I WOULDN’T WANT TO BE PART OF ANY INTERVENTION IN THE LABOUR MARKET WHICH FETCHED UP WITH WOMEN HAVING FEWER EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES RATHER THAN MORE BUT SECONDLY, ONE OF THE REASONS WHY I ANNOUNCED SUCH A BIG RETRAINING PACKAGE YESTERDAY WAS ONE OF MY EARLY EXPERIENCES IN HONG KONG. I WENT TO THE TRAINING CENTRE IN KOWLOON AND SAW SOME OF THE RE-TRAINING OF WOMEN TEXTILE WORKERS THAT WAS GOING ON, RE-TRAINING AS COMPUTER KEYBOARD WORKERS, WORKING WITH CHINESE CHARACTERS FOR THE PRINTING INDUSTRY. THERE WERE ABOUT 30 OR 40 WOMEN OF ALL AGES IN THE ROOM, THEY’D BEEN WORKING IN THE GARMENT INDUSTRY, THEY WERE TRANSFERRING TO A HIGHER TECHNOLOGY INDUSTRY AND DOING SO WITH GOVERNMENT SUPPORT; AND THE RESULT OF ALL THAT - THEY WERE EXTREMELY ENTHUSIASTIC, INTELLIGENT WOMEN - AND THE RESULT OF THAT WAS THEY WERE GOING TO HAVE LONG TERM JOBS AND BETTER PAID JOBS. I THINK HELPING WOMEN RE-TRAIN AS WELL AS MEN RE-TRAIN IS ABSOLUTELY CRUCIAL, NOT ONLY TO OUR ECONOMIC SUCCESS IN HONG KONG BUT ALSO TO ENSURING THAT EVERYBODY - WOMEN AND MEN - HAVE THE CHANCE IN OUR SOCIETY OF DEVELOPING THEIR FULL POTENTIAL.
THE TROUBLE IS, ONE OF THE CONDEMNATIONS OF CIVILISED - ALLEGED CIVILISED SOCIETIES - OVER THE YEARS IS THEY HAVEN’T GIVEN WOMEN THOSE OPPORTUNITIES PARTICULARLY IN EDUCATION.
QUESTION: I AM A CIVIL SERVANT.
GOVERNOR: GOOD, YOU DO A WONDERFUL JOB.
/QUESTIONER: IN .......
47
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 8, 1992
QUESTIONER: IN YOUR POLICY ADDRESS YOU HAVEN’T REALLY TOUCHED ON
PENSION AND OTHER BENEFITS. WHY AREN’T THEY THERE?
GOVERNOR: I DID TALK ABOUT BENEFITS. I PUT FORWARD SOME FAIRLY
SWEEPING, WIDE RANGING PROPOSALS, ON PUBLIC ASSISTANCE. BASICALLY, WHAT WE ARE DOING, AS YOU KNOW, IS INCREASING THE BASIC RATES FOR PUBLIC ASSISTANCE RIGHT ACROSS THE BOARD; AND WHICH IS A SMALL THING PERHAPS --
TRANSLATOR: WELL, MR PATTEN, HE IS TALKING ABOUT THE PENSION FOR
THE CIVIL SERVANTS, RATHER.
GOVERNOR: I WAS GOING TO COME TO THAT BUT HE HAD ALSO TALKED
I THINK ABOUT, I THOUGHT HE’D TALKED ABOUT BENEFITS AS WELL. SO FAR AS PENSIONS ACROSS THE BOARD ARE CONCERNED, WE’VE GOT A DISCUSSION DOCUMENT COMING FORWARD ON PENSIONS IN HONG KONG. ON PENSIONS FOR CIVIL SERVANTS THERE ARE GUARANTEES, AS YOU KNOW, AGREED BETWEEN BRITAIN AND CHINA AND I HAVE NO REASON TO DOUBT THAT THOSE GUARANTEES WILL BE KEPT TO.
WHAT WOULD YOU HAVE LIKED ME TO SAY AS A MATTER OF FACT, MR YEUNG? I ASK IN A GENUINE SPIRIT OF ENQUIRY BECAUSE I
NOTICED THAT IN SOME OF THE COMMENTS ON MY SPEECH, ONE OF THE CIVIL SERVICE UNION LEADERS HAD SAID HE’D LIKE ME TO HAVE SAID A BIT MORE ABOUT PENSIONS. WHAT WOULD YOU HAVE LIKED ME TO HAVE SAID?
QUESTIONER: FOR INSTANCE, FRINGE BENEFITS, HOUSING - AND THAT’S VERY BASIC - BECAUSE I KNOW THAT MANY MARRIED OFFICERS FACE A VERY SERIOUS PROBLEM THERE. IN MANY DEPARTMENTS, WHERE THEY MAY HAVE DEPARTMENTAL QUARTERS, BUT IT MAY TAKE THREE TO FOUR YEARS BEFORE THEY CAN GET A UNIT AND THEY ARE IN REMOTE AREAS OF THE NEW TERRITORIES AND, THEREFORE, THERE IS A LOT OF PRESSURE ON THE FAMILY AND AT THE SAME TIME IT’S A LONG TIME BEFORE THEY CAN GET TO THE OFFICE; AND THAT ALSO MEANS MORE EXPENSES AS WELL.
GOVERNOR: IF THESE ARE WORRIES OF YOUR UNION AND YOUR COLLEAGUES,
I WILL BE VERY HAPPY TO DISCUSS THEM WITH THE CIVIL SERVICE PROFESSIONAL ORGANISATIONS. OBVIOUSLY, I IMAGINE SOME CIVIL SERVANTS WILL BE HELPED BY THE PROPOSALS THAT I MADE ON SANDWICH CLASS HOUSING YESTERDAY, WHICH I HOPE WE’LL BE ABLE TO MAKE PROGRESS ON WITH THE SUPPORT OF THE SINO-BRITISH LAND COMMISSION, BUT IF THERE’S AN ADDITIONAL AGENDA, I’LL LOOK FORWARD TO TALKING WITH YOUR CIVIL SERVICE UNION LEADERS ABOUT IT. I HAD A USEFUL MEETING WITH FOUR GROUPS OF TRADE UNION LEADERS RECENTLY AND MY DOOR IS ALWAYS OPEN FOR THESE SORT OF DISCUSSIONS HOWEVER, I DO HAVE TO MAKE ONE OTHER POINT, THAT MY WALLET ISN’T ALWAYS OPEN BUT I AM ALWAYS PREPARED TO LISTEN AND TO TALK AND TO SEE IF WE CAN RESOLVE PROBLEMS, IF POSSIBLE.
QUESTION: GOOD MORNING SIR. YOU SAID THAT HONG KONG WILL BE GOVERNED BY EXECUTIVE-LED GOVERNMENT, SO NO DOUBT THAT THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL IS GOING TO PLAY A VERY IMPORTANT ROLE IN THE FUTURE. BUT WHEN YOU APPOINTED THE MEMBER OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL YESTERDAY, YOU DIDN’T GIVE ANY SINGLE SEAT FOR THE DIRECTLY ELECTED LEGISLATOR. IS IT BECAUSE OF THE PRESSURE FROM CHINA, OR BECAUSE THAT THEY BELONG TO PARTY THAT IS FIGHTING FOR THE DEMOCRACY DEVELOPMENT IN CHINA? DOES THIS MEAN THAT ANYONE BELONG TO ANY PARTY HAS NO FUTURE IN THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL?
/GOVERNOR: WHAT ........
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 8, 1992
48
GOVERNOR: WHAT IT MEANS IS THAT THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL AND THE
LEGISLATURE HAVE DIFFERENT JOBS AND DIFFERENT RESPONSIBILITIES AND I TRIED TO ARGUE AT LENGTH YESTERDAY HOW I THOUGHT THE INCREASE IN THE DEMOCRATIC ELEMENT, THE DIRECTLY ELECTED ELEMENT IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL HAD CHANGED THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN EXCO AND LEGCO, WHICH NECESSITATED THE ARGUMENTS THAT I WAS PUTTING FORWARD. WHEN PEOPLE ELECT THE LEGISLATURE THEY ARE ELECTING A BODY WHICH MONITORS GOVERNMENT AND WHICH HOLDS GOVERNMENT TO ACCOUNT. IN OUR SYSTEM WE DON’T HAVE CABINET GOVERNMENT, WE DON’T HAVE THE SAME SORT OF MINISTERIAL SYSTEM THAT SOME OTHER COMMUNITIES HAVE. PEOPLE AREN’T ELECTING, AS IT WERE, A PARTY WHICH IS GOING TO GOVERN. THEY ARE ELECTING INDIVIDUAL LEGISLATORS OR MEMBERS OF A PARTY WHO ARE GOING TO HOLD THE GOVERNMENT TO ACCOUNT AND THEREFORE IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF GOVERNMENT.
NOW, WHAT THAT MEANS IS THAT YOU HAVE A DIALOGUE OR A TENSION BETWEEN THE EXECUTIVE AND THE LEGISLATURE AND IT IS SOMEWHERE IN THAT DIALOGUE, SOMEWHERE IN THAT TENSION THAT POLICY HAS TO BE MADE AND POLICY HAS TO BE DISCUSSED. IT DID SEEM TO ME FOR ALL THE REASONS WHICH I SET OUT, WHICH I WON’T GO OVER AGAIN, THAT THIS WAS THE RIGHT MOMENT AT THIS STAGE IN OUR POLITICAL DEVELOPMENT TO MAKE A SEPARATION BETWEEN EXCO AND LEGCO, BUT THERE DOES HAVE TO BE A RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THEM AND THAT IS WHY I SUGGESTED THE HINGE BODY WHICH WE ARE GOING TO SET UP, A GOVERNMENT LEGCO COMMITTEE, WHICH WILL ENABLE THE GOVERNMENT TO MANAGE BETTER ITS BUSINESS THROUGH THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. BUT THESE ARE MATTERS OF JUDGMENT. I HOPE I’VE GOT IT RIGHT, I BELIEVE I’VE GOT IT RIGHT, BUT THERE’S OBVIOUSLY BEEN A GOOD DEAL OF DEBATE AND SOUL SEARCHING ABOUT THE ISSUE RIGHT ACROSS THE COMMUNITY.
QUESTION: HOW NICE IS IT THAT I CAN SPEAK TO YOU.
GOVERNOR: I AM DELIGHTED TO BE ABLE TO SPEAK TO YOU AND IF THEY LET ME, UNLESS EVERYBODY IS BORED OUT OF THEIR MINDS BY HAVING THE GOVERNOR FOR AN HOUR AND A QUARTER, I’D LIKE TO DO THIS FROM TIME TO TIME BECAUSE IT’S VERYUSEFUL FOR ME TO BE ABLE TO HEAR YOU RPOINT OF VIEW AND TO GIVE YOU THE OPPORTUNITY OF MAKING ME ANSWER FOR WHAT I DO. I THINK THAT IN ANY COMMUNITY ONE HAS BETTER GOVERNMENT IF THE PEOPLE WHO MAKE DECISIONS HAVE TO JUSTIFY THEM TO THE PEOPLE WHO ACTUALLY PAY THE GOVERNMENT- TAXPAYERS LIKE YOU.
QUESTIONER: I WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK ABOUT THE AIRPORT. WHY DIDN’T YOU EXPLAIN TO THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT THAT THE EXPENDITURE IN THE AIRPORT IS A KIND OF CAPITAL INVESTMENT? THE MORE WE USE OUR MONEY IN CAPITAL INVESTMENTS THE MORE THE ECONOMIC GROWTH IN HONG KONG, THE ECONOMIC GROWTH WILL BE MORE. WHY DIDN’T YOU EXPLAIN TO CHINA?
/GOVERNOR: I .......
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 8, 1992
49
GOVERNOR: I HAVE SAID IT FROM TIME TO TIME. I DIDN’T SAY AS MUCH YESTERDAY ABOUT THE AIRPORT AS I HAVE ON OTHER OCCASIONS, FRANKLY, BECAUSE I THINK PEOPLE KNOW MY VIEWS ON IT. BUT YOU ARE ENTIRELY RIGHT. THE POINT YOU ARE MAKING IS A VERY PERCEPTIVE ONE AND JUST LET ME GIVE YOU ONE FIGURE. WE RECKON THA THE AIRPORT, IF WE COMPLETED IT BY 1997, AND THE PROJECTS ASSOCIATED WITH IT, WOULD INCREASE OUR GROWTH, WOULD INCREASE OUR GDP BY THE EQUIVALENT OF OVER 400 BILLION DOLLARS BETWEEN 1997 AND 2010. THAT WOULD BE THE IMPACT OF THAT SORT OF INFRASTRUCTURE INVESTMENT. JUST AS THE WHOLE COMMUNITY BECOMES RICHER AND MORE PROSPEROUS WHEN WE DEVELOP OUR CONTAINER TERMINALS, WHEN WE DEVELOP OUR PORT, SO IT WILL BECOME MORE PROSPEROUS WHEN WE’VE GOT AN EVEN BIGGER AIRPORT AND THAT WILL GIVE US MORE MONEY FOR DEALING WITH SOME OF THE SOCIAL PROBLEMS THAT WE WERE TALKING ABOUT EARLIER. MORE MONEY FOR YOUTH SERVICES, MORE MONEY FOR HELPING THE MENTALLY HANDICAPPED AND MORE MONEY IN PEOPLE’S PRIVATE BANK ACCOUNTS SO THEY CAN HOUSE THEMSELVES BETTER. THOSE ARE THE CONSEQUENCES OF AN INVESTMENT IN THE FUTURE. WE ARE NOT FRITTERING MONEY AWAY, WE ARE ACTUALLY TALKING ABOUT WAYS IN WHICH WE CAN GUARANTEE HONG KONG’S PLACE AS THE PREMIER BUSINESS CITY IN ASIA. HONG KONG CAN FULFILL IN THE 21ST CENTURY IN RELATION TO CHINA AND ASIA, BROADLY SPEAKING, THE SAME SORT OF ROLE THAT NEW YORK FULFILLED AT THE BEGINNING OF THIS CENTURY IN RELATION TO THE UNITED STATES. WE ARE INCREDIBLY WELL PLACED TO BE ONE OF THE ECONOMIC CAPITALS OF THE WORLD AND ONE OF THE ECONOMIC CAPITALS OF THE WORLD NEEDS, AND WILL SOONER OR LATER GET, A NEW AIRPORT. I AM ABSOLUTELY CONVINCED OF THAT.
QUESTION: BY THE TIME YOU LEAVE HONG KONG IN 1997 WILL YOU GO EAST OR GO WET ON THE 'LADY MAURINE’?
GOVERNOR: I AM NOT ABSOLUTELY SURE WHETHER WE’LL TURN RIGHT OR LEFT. I HARBOUR AN ASPIRATION, AND I DON’T KNOW WHETHER IT WILL STILL BE THERE IN 1997, TO GO BACK TO THE UNITED KINGDOM IN 1997 OVERLAND, I THINK IT WOULD BE AN EXTREMELY EXCITING JOURNEY TO MAKE. I THINK MY WIFE IS A BIT MORE DOUBTFUL ABOUT IT AND I HAVEN’T YET SET OUT THESE IDEAS FOR OUR TWO DOGS. THEY MAY BE A BIT MORE SUSPICIOUS.
QUESTION: I WOULD LIKE TO THANK MR PATTEN FOR GIVING US THE BEST POLICY ADDRESS EVER AND YOU’ HAVE CREATED FOR US THE GARDEN OF EDEN. NOW, I FEAR THAT IF THE CONSERVATIVE PARTY IS OUSTED BY THE GENERAL PUBLIC IN ENGLAND BECAUSE OF THE MAASTRICHT TREATY, THEN WHAT WILL HAPPEN TO YOU AND YOUR POLICY ADDRESS? HOW CAN YOU REASSURE US THAT DESPITE THE POLITICAL CHANGES IN UK THERE WON’T BE ANY IMPACT ON HONG KONG? HOW CAN WE BE IMMUNE FROM POLITICAL CHANGES IN BRITAIN?
/GOVERNOR: CAN ........
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 8, 1992
- 50 -
GOVERNOR: CAN I JUST SAY THIS FIRST OF ALL, WHICH IS I THINK THE BEST ANSWER TO YOUR QUESTION. I HAVEN’T PROVIDED THE RESOURCES THAT CAN NOW BE SPENT ON EDUCATION AND WELFARE. YOU’VE PROVIDED THEM. HONG KONG HAS PROVIDED THEM BY HONG KONG’S HARD WORK, BY HONG KONG’S ENTERPRISE, BY HONG KONG’S SUCCESS. I’VE ONLY BEEN HERE THREE MONTHS, IT’S NOT TO MY CREDIT THAT THIS IS AVAILABLE, IT’S NOT TO MY CREDIT THAT WE CAN DO ALL THESE THINGS TO CARRY FORWARD CIVILISED LIFE IN HONG KONG, IT’S BECAUSE OF WHAT YOU IN HONG KONG HAVE DONE. AND IT IS ABSOLUTELY IMPERATIVE THAT PEOPLE IN HONG KONG RECOGNISE THAT AND HAVE THE SELF CONFIDENCE THAT SHOULD GO WITH IT. THIS IS ONE OF THE MOST SUCCESSFUL COMMUNITIES IN THE WORLD AND IT’S A PRIVILEGE TO BE ABLE TO HELP YOU ACTUALLY SPEND SOME OF THE PROCEEDS OF THAT SUCCESS IN A PRUDENT AND SENSIBLE WAY. SO, EVEN IF CHRIS PATTEN WAS TO - GOING BACK TO AN EARLIER QUESTION - DISAPPEAR OVER THE SIDE OF THE 'LADY MAURINE’ NEXT WEEK, EVEN IF CHRIS PATTEN WASN’T TO SURVIVE UNTIL CHRISTMAS, YOUR SUCCESS, AND THE PROCEEDS OF THAT SUCCESS WOULD BE HERE FOR ANOTHER GOVERNOR TO DISTRIBUTE.
LET ME JUST ADD ONE OTHER THING. I’M ABSOLUTELY SURE THAT THE MAASTRICHT TREATY IN THE UNITED KINGDOM - AND I’M NOT SPEAKING OF THE CONSERVATIVE PARTY CONFERENCE IN BRIGHTON - WILL BE RATIFIED. EUROPE IS AN ENORMOUSLY IMPORTANT ISSUE. IT’S NOT SURPRISING THAT IT INVOLVES PASSIONATE DISCUSSION AND DEBATE IN THE UNITED KINGDOM AND THE REST OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITY BUT I’M ABSOLUTELY SURE THAT THE CONSERVTIVE ARTY AND THE COUNTRY WILL FOLLOW JOHN MAJOR’S LEAD WHICH HE’LL BE GIVING IN HIS ADDRESS AT THE CONGRESS TOMORROW. THERE ARE TWO ENORMOUSLY IMPORTANT CONFERENCES OF COURSE, BOTH OF WHICH HAVE SOME EFFECT ON HONG KONG. THE FIRST IS THE ONE OF THE CONSERVATIVE PARTY IN BRIGHTON THIS WEEK. SECOND, AND FRANKLY MUCH MORE IMPORTANT, IS THE HISTORIC CONGRESS THAT WILL BE TAKING PLACE IN PEKING NEXT WEEK AND BEYOND.
QUESTION: I WOULD LIKE TO ASK YOU THIS QUESTION, THAT MANY OF US WOULD LIKE TO STAY BEYOND 1997 BUT HAVE THIS UNEASY FEELING THAT THERE IS RISING CRIME AND THE STRENGTHENING OF TRIAD ACTIVITIES IN HONG KONG. COULD YOU GIVE US MORE DETAILS HOW YOU ARE GOING TO TACKLE THIS PROBLEM?
GOVERNOR: CAN I FIRST OF ALL SAY - AND THIS IS NOT MEANT TO ENCOURAGE COMPLACENCY - BUT CAN I FIRST OF ALL SAY THAT THE ACTUAL CRIME FIGURES THAT WE FACE IN HONG KONG SHOW A SMALL REDUCTION IN CRIME AND A SMALL REDUCTION EVEN IN VIOLENT CRIME; AND IN COMPARISON WITH WHAT ONE WOULD FIND IN MOST OTHER BIG CITIES AROUND THE WORLD, WE ARE NOT TOO BADLY PLACED; BUT THINGS AREN’T GOOD ENOUGH AND I UNDERSTAND THE COMMUNITY BEING CONCERNED ABOUT CRIME. I UNDERSTAND THE COMMUNITY BEING CONCERNED ABOUT SOME OF THE PARTICULARLY AWFUL VIOLENT CRIMES THAT WE’VE SEEN IN THE LAST YEAR OR SO. I UNDERSTAND THE COMMUNITY SAYING EVEN IF WE ARE DOING BETTER THAN OTHER COMMUNITIES, NO LEVEL OF CRIME CAN BE REGARDED AS ACCEPTABLE. IN OUR WORLD WE DON’T LIKE THINGS THAT THREATEN OUR FAMILIES’ WELFARE AND THREATEN OUR LIVELIHOOD AND THREATEN OUR SAFETY. SO, WHAT DO WE HAV TO DO?
/FIRST OF .......
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 8, 1992
51
FIRST OF ALL, WE HAVE TO GIVE OUR BRAVE AND COMPETENT POLICE FORCE ALL THE SUPPORT THAT THEY NEED. WE’VE BEEN SUCCESSFUL THIS YEAR IN INCREASING POLICE RECRUITMENT. PARTLY AS A RESULT OF THAT, PARTLY AS A RESULT OF CLOSING DOWN ONE OF THE CAMPS, PARTLY AS A RESULT OF BETTER MANAGEMENT OF POLICE RESOURCES, WE SHOULD SEE ON THE STREETS NEXT YEAR AN ADDITIONAL 800 POLICEMEN AND POLICEWOMEN - I’D BETTER PUT IN VERY QUICKLY - ALL OF WHOM WILL HELP US IN THE FIGUT AGAINST CRIME.
SECONDLY, WE ARE PUTTING THROUGH THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL AT THE MOMENT, A BIG ORDINANCE WHICH WILL FIGHT TRIAL AND ORGANISED CRIME ACTIVITY AND MUCH MORE TOUGHLY.
THIRDLY, THERE IS ANOTHER AREA AND IT’S ONE WHERE I AM VERY KEEN THAT WE SHOULD CO-OPERATE WITH CHINA. WE DO HAVE TO WORK WITH THE AUTHORITIES IN GUANGDONG, WE DO HAVE TO WORK WITH THE AUTHORITIES IN CHINA TO TACKLE SOME SORTS OF CRIME TOGETHER. THEY ARE A THREAT NOT ONLY TO OUR STABILITY AND PROSPERITY - OF THE GROWING PROSPERITY I SHOULD SAY - IN GUANGDONG. SO, I’LL BE TALKING ABOUT CO-OPERATION IN TACKLING SMUGGLING AND OTHER SORTS OF CRIME WHEN I GO UP TO PEKING. I MADE THE POINT YESTERDAY THAT, IN ADDITION TO GIVING THE POLICE ALL THE SUPPORT WE CAN IN TERMS OF RESOURCES, I THINK WE NEED TO ENSURE THAT THEY HAVE THE SUPPORT OF THE LAW AND THE SUPPORT OF THE COURTS AND THAT, THEREFORE, IT’S IMPORTANT TO INCREASE PENALTIES FOR, FOR EXAMPLE, CAR THEFT AND SMUGGLING AND THOSE ARE BOTH REAL SOCIAL MENACES AND WE’VE GOT TO STAMP THEM OUT WHEREVER WE CAN.
QUESTION: I AM VERY HAPPY TO HEAR FROM MR PATTEN THAT THERE WILL BE INCREASE IN HOUSING EXPENSES, BUT I DO HAVE SOME VIEWS TO EXPRESS REGARDING THIS. IT SEEMS THAT, MR PATTEN, YOU HAVE MERELY CONCENTRATED ON ONE PARTICULAR SECTOR, THAT IS THE SANDWICH CLASS AND I WOULD LIKE TO REMIND MR PATTEN THT WE HAVE OVER 100,000 PEOPLE LIVING IN VERY CROWDED PRIVATE HOUSING. SO THE QUESTION IS, IN YOUR POLICY ADDRESS, YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT SOLUTIONS FOR THIS SANDWICH CLASS. SO, WHY HAVE YOU NEGLECTED THE NEED OF THE LOWER CLASSES?
GOVERNOR: I DID ACTUALLY REFER TO HOUSING IN MORE GENERAL TERMS THAN THAT YESTERDAY, AND PERHAPS I SHOULD HAVE SAID EVEN MORE. BUT MY SPEECH AS IT STOOD WAS TWO HOURS AND I THINK THAT, IF I HAD GOT UP TO THREE HOURS OR FOUR HOURS, THE SORT OF LENGTH THAT PRESIDEN TCSTRO MIGHT SPEAK FOR, PEOPLE WOULD HAVE BEEN PRETTY FED UP WITH ME. BUT YOU ARE ENTIRELY RIGHT TO SAY THAT SANDWICH CLASS HOUSING PROBLEMS ARE ONLY PART OF OUR HOUSING PROBLEM. THAT’S WHY WE ARE COMMITTED, AS I SAID TO A PREVIOUS CALLER, TO SPENDING ABOUT 41 BILLION ON HOUSING OVERALL IN THE NEXT FIVE YEARS. THAT’S WHY THE HOUSING AUTHORITY AND THE HOUSING SOCIETY WILL BE COMPLETING ABOUT A 190,000 HOMES IN THE NEXT FIVE YEARS, WHICH WILL PROVIDE NEW HOUSING, NEW HOMES FOR ABOUT 650,000 PEOPLE. NOW, THAT BY ANY STANDARDS, IS A VERY CONSIDERABLE STEP FORWARD IN HOUSING PROVISION. SANDWICH CLASS HOUSING IS IMPORTANT AND THE PROPOSALS WE HAVE TO HELP ABOUT 13,000 FAMILIES ARE IMPORTANT THERE; BUT WHAT I WAS SAYING ABOUT A 190,000 OR THEREABOUTS, AND WHAT I HAVE JUST SAID TO YOU IS OF COURSE EVEN MORE IMPORTANT, AND YOU ARE QUITE RIGHT TO SAY THAT THERE ARE STILL PEOPLE IN HOUSING NEED, STILL PEOPLE THAT WE HAVE TO HELP.
/QUESTION: FIRST ........
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 8, 1992
52
QUESTION: FIRST, THANK YOU VERY MUCH MR PATTEN FOR BECOMING PATRON TO THE INSTITUTE OF DIRECTORS AND YOUR SPEECH IS LIKE A GREAT WIND OF CHANGE, THANK GOD FOR IT. ANYWAY, MY POINT - AND I MAKE IT VERY QUICKLY - THE LEASES WHICH EXIST IN HONG KONG AT THE PRESENT MOMENT ARE TWO YEAR LEASES. THIS MEANS THAT THE DEVELOPER CAN COME ALONG AT ANY TIME, BUY A BLOCK OF BUILDINGS THAT HE HAS CAST HIS EYE ON, AND WITHIN TWO YEARS, HE CAN KICK EVERYBODY OUT. SO THAT THE ENGLISHMAN, THE CHINESE MAN OR ANYBODY ELSE’S HOME IS NOT HIS CASTLE. AND ONCE YOU ARE THROWN OUT OF THESE BUILDINGS, MANY OF US ARE MANGERS OR DIRECTORS OF PRIVATE BUSINESSES, YOU ARE THROWN ON TO A MARKET WHERE THE RENTS ARE GOING UP. SO, WE ARE BEING PUSHED DOWN THE LADDER AND CREATING A BULGE AT THE LOWER END. I THINK THIS IS A PROBLEM THAT WILL RISE VERY VERY RAPIDLY IN THE FUTURE. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
KIT CUMINGS: WHEN YOU SAY TWO YEARS, IS THIS UNUSUAL FOR ANYBODY WHO IS RENTING OUT HIS FLAT TO SOMEONE ELSE, NOT TO PROVIDE A SORT OF TERM OF TWO YEARS OR SOME SUCH TERM, WHETHER IN ENGLAND OR AMERICA OR ANYWHERE ELSE, WOULD THAT NOT BE SO?
QUESTIONER: OH NO, YOU GET MUCH LONGER LEASES IN THE UK.
GOVERNOR: I THINK THE ANSWER TO THAT IS, YES AND NO. UNDER THE SYSTEM IN UK WHICH WAS INTRODUCED NOT VERY LONG AGO - SOMETHING CALLED SHORT-HOLD TENURE - YOU’D GET THE SORT OF FIXED TERM THAT KIT WAS TALKING ABOUT. ON THE OTHER HAND, IF YOU HAVE BEEN A TENANT FROM THE PERIOD BEFORE SHORT-HOLD YOU MIGHT HAVE A LEASE OR A LET WITH NO LIMIT TO IT. IT WOULD DEPEND A BIT. BUT THAT’S THE FIRST TIME THE POINT’S BEEN RAISED WITH ME IN HONG KONG AND I’LL CERTAINLY CONSIDER IT, BUT ON THE OTHER HAND, IF YOU WANT TO HAVE A PRIVATE SECTOR IN RENTING, THEN YOU DO HAVE TO BALANCE THE INTERESTS OF LANDLORD AND TENANT.
KIT CUMINGS: TIME HAS CAUGHT UP WITH US, I’M AFRAID. IT’S NEARLY 9 O’CLOCK. IT REMAINS FOR US TO SAY THANK YOU TO EVERYBODY WHO DID CALL IN, SORRY TO THOSE OF YOU WHO TRIED TO CALL IN BUT DIDN'T GET YOUR QUESTION IN. I KNOW THERE ARE QUITE A FEW OF YOU OUT THERE WHO WILL BE DISAPPOINTED. HOWEVER, THERE WAS HOPE FROM WHAT MR PATTEN SAID. HE SEEMED TO BE ENJOYING HIMSELF, IF I MAY SAY SO, AND HE DID SUGGEST THAT HE WOULD DO THIS ON A REGULAR BASIS. HE WONDERED WHETHER HE WAS BORING US AND I THINK THE ANSWER GENERALLY WOULD BE CERTAINLY NOT, IT WAS VERY INTERESTING. AND MR PATTEN, THANK YOU VERY MUCH AND HOPE YOU’VE PERHAPS GAINED SOMETHING FROM BEING ON THIS SPECIAL CHINESE AND ENGLISH PROGRAMME WHEN LISTENERS WERE VOICING THEIR CONCERNS TO YOU.
GOVERNOR: I VERY MUCH ENJOYED IT. I DO THINK IT’S IMPORTANT, WHEN ONE’S TALKING ABOUT ISSUES THAT ARE FUNDAMENTAL TO THE FUTURE OF THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG THAT THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG SHOULD HAVE A CHANCE OF TALKING ABOUT THEM. I DON’T WANT THROUGH BROADCASTS OR DISCUSSIONS LIKE THIS IN ANY WAY TO TRY TO COMPETE WITH LEGISLATORS WHO’VE GOT THEIR OWN GREAT CREDIBILITY BECAUSE OF THEIR SERVICE TO THE COMMUNITY BUT I DO THINK THAT IT IS IMPORTANT, JUST AS I AM ANSWERABLE TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, THAT I SHOULD BE ANSWERABLE THROUGH PROGRAMMES LIKE THIS TO THE LISTENERS AND VIEWERS IN HONG KONG AND I HOPE IF YOU WILL HAVE ME BACK, THAT I CAN DO THIS AGAIN.
- - 0----------
/53 ........
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 8, 1992
53
THREE NEW TERRITORIES SITES FETCH $390.6M *****
THREE LOTS OF GOVERNMENT LAND WERE SOLD FOR A TOTAL AMOUNT OF $390.6 MILLION BY THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT IN A PUBLIC AUCTION THIS (THURSDAY) AFTERNOON.
THE FIRST SITE IS IN AREA 11, ON SUM STREET, SHA TIN, NEW TERRITORIES. IT WAS BOUGHT BY TOPSAIL ESTATE LIMITED AT $280 MILLION WITH BIDDING OPENED AT $180 MILLION.
COVERING AN AREA OF ABOUT 8,100 SQUARE METRES, IT IS INTENDED FOR INDUSTRIAL AND/OR GODOWN (EXCLUDING DANGEROUS GOODS GODOWN) PURPOSES AND/OR BUS DEPOT.
THE BUILDING COVENANT STIPULATES THAT THE DEVELOPER HAS TO COMPLETE A GROSS FLOOR AREA OF NOT LESS THAN 24,300 SQUARE METRES ON OR BEFORE SEPTEMBER 30, 1996.
THE SECOND LOT IS IN AREA 29B, FANLING, NEW TERRITORIES. IT WAS SOLD TO MADIGAN COMPANY LIMITED AT $97 MILLION. BIDDING OPENED AT $70 MILLION.
THE SITE HAS AN AREA OF ABOUT 6,900 SQUARE METRES AND IS DESIGNATED FOR PRIVATE RESIDENTIAL PURPOSES.
ACCORDING TO THE BUILDING COVENANT, THE DEVELOPER HAS TO COMPLETE A GROSS FLOOR AREA OF NOT LESS THAN 3,312 SQUARE METRES ON OR BEFORE DECEMBER 31, 1995.
THE REMAINING SITE IS IN MEI WO CIRCUIT, SHA TIN, NEW TERRITORIES. IT WAS BOUGHT BY MR CHAN SUK PING AT $13.6 MILLION WITH BIDDING OPENED AT $7.5 MILLION.
THIS PIECE OF LAND, WITH AN AREA OF ABOUT 884 SQUARE METRES, IS EARMARKED FOR PRIVATE RESIDENTIAL PURPOSE FOR OCCUPATION BY ONE SINGLE FAMILY.
THE BUILDING COVENANT STIPULATES THAT THE DEVELOPER HAS TO COMPLETE A GROSS FLOOR AREA OF NOT LESS THAN 212 SQUARE METRES ON OR BEFORE DECEMBER 31, 1995.
THE AUCTION WAS HELD IN THE CITY HALL THEATRE AND WAS CONDUCTED BY GOVERNMENT LAND AGENT, MR JAMES HUGHES.
- - 0 - -
/54
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 8, 1992
- 54 -
PRINCIPLES FOR APPLICATION OF DEVELOPMENT IN MAI PO AREAS ENDORSED *****
THE TOWN PLANNING BOARD HAS ENDORSED THE BASIC PRINCIPLES FOR THE CONSIDERATION OF APPLICATIONS FOR DEVELOPMENT IN AREAS AROUND MAI PO NATURAL RESERVE (MPNR).
THE SITE IS ZONED AS "SITE OF SPECIAL SCIENTIFIC INTEREST" (SSSI) IN THE DRAFT MAI PO AND FAIRVIEW PARK DEVELOPMENT PERMISSION AREA PLAN IN RECOGNITION THAT THE RESERVE IS INTERNATIONALLY RENOWNED AS AN EXTENSIVE AREA OF UNAFFECTED WETLAND HABITATS FOR MANY SPECIES OF BIRDS AND MAMMALS, AND A STOPOVER POINT FOR THOUSANDS OF MIGRATORY BIRDS.
AT A RECENT MEETING, THE BOARD VIEWED THAT IN ORDER TO PROTECT THE VALUABLE HABITAT AREAS AROUND THE RESERVE, IT WAS NECESSARY TO CAREFULLY CONSIDER DEVELOPMENT PROPOSALS IN ITS VICINITY SO AS TO AVOID THEIR ADVERSE CUMULATIVE EFFECT ON THE NATURE RESERVE.
THE BOARD AGREED THAT THE AREA SHOULD BE DEFINED AS DEEP BAY BUFFER ZONE 1 AND DEEP BAY BUFFER ZONE 2 RESPECTIVELY BY APPLYING CERTAIN PRINCIPLES.
BUFFER ZONE 1 IS THE AREA IN THE IMMEDIATE VICINITY OF INNER DEEP BAY INCLUDING THE MPNR WHERE STRINGENT PLANNING CONTROLS WILL BE EXERCISED.
THE PLANNING INTENTION IS PRIMARILY TO PROTECT THE SPECIAL ECOLOGICAL VALUE OF THESE COASTLINES AREAS AND THEIR SURROUNDINGS, INCLUDING INTER-TIDAL BIOLOGICAL COMMUNITY.
NEW DEVELOPMENT WITHIN THIS ZONE SHOULD NOT BE ALLOWED UNLESS IT IS REQUIRED TO SUPPORT THE CONSERVATION OF THE AREA’S NATURAL FEATURES AND SCENIC QUALITIES.
BUFFER ZONE 2 COVERS AREA FURTHER AWAY FROM THE RESERVE WHERE DEVELOPMENT PROPOSALS WITH INSIGNIFICANT IMPACT ON THE RESERVE WILL BE CONSIDERED.
IT CONSISTS OF MUCH WIDER AREAS WHICH HAVE A WIDER BEARING ON THE OVERALL AMENITY AND WATER QUALITY OF MPNR AND OTHER SSSI’S IN THE VICINITY.
THE PLANNING INTENTION IS PRIMARILY TO RESTRICT DEVELOPMENTS TO AGRICULTURAL AND RECREATIONAL USES ONLY.
NEW DEVELOPMENT WITHIN THIS ZONE WOULD NOT BE CONSIDERED UNLESS THE APPLICANT COULD DEMONSTRATE THAT THE PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT WOULD HAVE INSIGNIFICANT IMPACT ON ENVIRONMENT, DRAINAGE AND TRAFFIC IN THE AREA INCLUDING THE MPNR.
AN EXPLANATORY NOTE ON THE INTENTION BY THE TOWN PLANNING BOARD FOR THE CONSERVATION OF THE MAI PO NATURAL RESERVE, THE PRINCIPLES IN THE CONSIDERATION OF APPLICATIONS AND A PLAN SHOWING THE BOUNDARIES OF THE TWO ZONES ARE AVAILABLE FOR INSPECTION IN THE PLANNING INFORMATION AND TECHNICAL ADMINISTRATION UNIT OF THE PLANNING DEPARTMENT, 16TH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG.
------0--------
/55........
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 8, 1992
UNAUTHORISED BUILDING WORKS IN SHEK 0 TO CLOSE
******
THE BUILDING AUTHORITY IS SEEKING TO CLOSE THE UNAUTHORISED BUILDING WORKS AT A HOUSE IN SHEK O SO THAT THEY CAN BE DEMOLISHED WITHOUT CAUSING DANGER TO THE OCCUPIERS AND THE PUBLIC.
THE UNAUTHORISED STRUCTURES ARE FOUND AT HOUSE NO. 26, SHEK O VILLAGE, SHEK O LOT NO. 1489.
NOTICE OF INTENTION TO APPLY FOR A CLOSURE ORDER UNDER THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE FROM THE HONG KONG DISTRICT COURT ON JANUARY 8, NEXT YEAR WAS POSTED ON THE PREMISES TODAY (THURSDAY).
DEMOLITION WORKS ARE EXPECTED TO START AS SOON AS THE CLOSURE ORDER IS ISSUED.
- 0 -
CFPA APPROVES GRANTS TO LOCAL ARTS GROUPS *****
SIX PERFORMING ARTS GROUPS THAT HAVE SUCCESSFULLY SOLICITED BUSINESS SPONSORSHIP HAVE BEEN AWARDED A TOTAL OF $338,000 BY THE COUNCIL FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS (CFPA) UNDER THE MATCHING GRANT SCHEME OVER THE PAST THREE MONTHS.
IN THE DRAMA FIELD ARE CHUNG YING THEATRE COMPANY, SPONSORED BY ’STAR" FERRY CO LTD, AND CARLSBERG WANCHAI THEATRE; ACTORS’ FAMILY AND SEALS PLAYERS FOUNDATION, SPONSORED BY CARLSBERG BREWERY HONG KONG LTD.
IN THE MUSIC FIELD, NEW TUNE CHINESE ORCHESTRA IS SPONSORED BY BILLION SOURCE INVESTMENT CO LTD, AND GREEN HILL ANGLO-CHINESE ARTS PERFORMANCE TROUPE IS SPONSORED BY HILLSON MUSIC CENTRE, TSING MIU PIANO COMPANY AND LO FUNG MUSICAL CENTRE.
THE CFPA HAS ALSO APPROVED 23 PROJECT GRANTS, TOTALLING $640,540, TO 22 PERFORMING ARTS ORGANISATIONS.
IN THE DANCE FIELD ARE LOWINTRY MAK DANCE COMPANY AND HONG KONG DANCE FEDERATION.
IN THE DRAMA FIELD ARE ENERGETIC FAMILY, PAROUSIA, HONG KONG POLYTECHNIC STUDENTS’ UNION, ANONYMITY DRAMATIC CLUB, HONG KONG CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION OF CULTURAL AND RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES, NOVICE, THE NONSENSEMAKERS, HONG KONG YOUNG WOMEN’S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION, ’TEN’ THEATRE HOK YAU CLUB, ELCHK PING NGOR YOUTH CENTRE, KWUN TONG THEATRE, THE ALTITUDE DRAMA CLUB AND CHOI HUNG DRAMA ASSOCIATION.
/IN THE
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 8, 1992
56
IN THE MUSIC FIELD ARE THE LEARNERS CHORUS, HONG KONG YOUNG WOMEN’S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION, THE BUDS ART CENTRE AND LIM KEK HAN PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA.
IN THE CHINESE OPERA FIELD, GRANTS HAVE BEEN AWARDED TO HONG KONG PEKING OPERA CLUB AND HONG KONG PHAB ASSOCIATION.
IN THE ARTS SERVICES FIELD, GRANTS HAVE BEEN AWARDED TO ZUNI ICOSAHEDRON AND HONG KONG ARTS ADMINISTRATORS ASSOCIATION LTD.
APPLICATIONS FOR PROJECT AND MATCHING GRANTS CAN BE MADE ANY TIME IN THE YEAR.
THE APPLICANT MUST BE AN APPROVED CHARITABLE INSTITUTION OR A REGISTERED NON-PROFIT-MAKING ORGANISATION.
APPLICATIONS SHOULD BE SUBMITTED AT LEAST THREE MONTHS BEFORE THE PLANNED PERFORMANCE DATES TO ALLOW TIME FOR ASSESSMENT BY CFPA.
APPLICATION FORMS FOR PROJECT AND MATCHING GRANTS ARE AVAILABLE AT THE CFPA SECRETARIAT ON 40TH FLOOR, WANCHAI TOWER III, 5 GLOUCESTER ROAD, HONG KONG. ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE ON TEL 594 5600.
--------0-----------
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS * * * * *
$ MILLION
OPENING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT 2,500
REVERSAL OF LAF -1,000
BALANCE AFTER REVERSAL OF LAF 1,500
NET INJECTION/WITHDRAWAL TODAY NIL
EFFECT OF LAF TODAY NIL
CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT 1,500
LAF RATE 2.00 BID/4.00 OFFER TWI 110.4 *+0.4* 8.10.
/HONG KONG .......
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 8, 1992
- 57 -
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND
EF BILLS
TERMS YIELD TERM
1 WEEK 2.71 PCT 14 MONTHS
1 MONTH 2.68 PCT 17 MONTHS
3 MONTHS 2.67 PCT 20 MONTHS
6 MONTHS 2.76 PCT 23 MONTHS
12 MONTHS 3.24 PCT
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT BONDS
ISSUE COUPON PRICE YIELD
2311 6.25 103.20 3.32
2402 5.50 102.75 3.44
2405 5.502 102.80 3.73
2408 4.375 100.91 3.90
TOTAL TURNOVER OF BILLS AND BONDS
CLOSED 8 OCTOBER 1992
- 3,576 MN
---------0-----------
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 9, 1992
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
GOVERNOR'S BUSINESS COUNCIL MEMBERSHIP ANNOUNCED .................... 1
GOVERNOR'S LUNCHEON SPEECH TO THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY ................ 2
GOVERNOR'S PUBLIC MEETING AT SHA TIN TOWN HALL....................... 10
MORE OPPORTUNITIES FOR PARTICIPATION IN PUBLIC AFFAIRS: GOVERNOR .... 22
MERCHANT SHIPPING (SAFETY) (AMENDMENT) BILL 1992 GAZETTED ........... 22
SIXTH FLIGHT TO ORDERLY REPATRIATE VIETNAMESE ....................... 23
VOLUME AND PRICE MOVEMENTS OF EXTERNAL TRADE IN JULY ................ 24
TUEN MUN DB BY-ELECTION TO BE HELD ON SUNDAY ........................ 29
DISTRICT BOARDS TO PLAY A MORE IMPORTANT ROLE ....................... 30
GOVT DOCKYARD RECLAMATION WORKS ON STONECUTTERS ISLAND............... 31
FEES REVISED FOR USING COUNTRY PARK FACILITIES ...................... 32
SEWERAGE MASTER PLAN STUDY COMMISSIONED ............................. 33
TIN SHUI WAI SPORTS GROUND SURFACING WORKS .......................... 33
NEW SEAFRONT ROAD IN TSUEN WAN ...................................... 34
DREDGING PROJECT IN TAI TAM BAY ..................................... 34
AIDS EXHIBITION STALL SET UP AT REPULSE BAY FLEA MARKET.............. 35
TOLO HARBOUR SWIMMING RACE........................................... 35
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS .......... 36
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 9, 1992
GOVERNOR’S BUSINESS COUNCIL MEMBERSHIP ANNOUNCED.
* * * * *
THE GOVERNOR, THE RT HON CHRISTOPHER PATTEN, ANNOUNCED TODAY (FRIDAY) THE MEMBERSHIP OF HIS BUSINESS COUNCIL, ONE OF THE NEW INITIATIVES HE ANNOUNCED IN HIS ADDRESS TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON OCTOBER 7.
EIGHTEEN DISTINGUISHED MEMBERS OF THE HONG KONG BUSINESS COMMUNITY HAVE BEEN APPOINTED TO THE COUNCIL FROM TODAY UNTIL THE END OF 1994.
THEY ARE:
MR CHRISTOPHER CHENG WAI-CHEE MR PAUL CHENG MING-FUN MR MIKE CLANCY DR VICTOR FUNG KWOK-KING MR MICHAEL GALE MR JOHN GRAY MR WALTER KWOK PING-SHEUNG MR CHARLES LEE YEH-KWONG SIR Q W LEE MR VICTOR LI TZAR-KUOI MR VINCENT LO HONG-SUI MR NIGEL RICH MR PETER SUTCH MR ALLAN WONG CHI-YUN MR DAVID WONG SHOU-YEH MR PETER WOO KWONG-CHING MR GORDON WU YING-SHENG MR LARRY YUNG CHI-KIN THE GOVERNOR HAS ALSO APPOINTED THREE OFFICIAL MEMBERS TO THE COUNCIL - THE CHIEF SECRETARY, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY AND THE SECRETARY FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY.
’’THE OBJECTIVE OF THE COUNCIL IS TO EXPAND THE RANGE OF ADVICE ON BUSINESS AND RELATED MATTERS AVAILABLE TO THE GOVERNOR,” SAID THE INFORMATION CO-ORDINATOR, MR MIKE HANSON.
’’AMONGST OTHER THINGS, MEMBERS WILL BE ASKED TO GIVE THEIR VIEWS ON HOW TO KEEP HONG KONG THE MOST BUSINESS-FRIENDLY LOCATION IN ASIA AND HOW TO MAXIMISE THE POTENTIAL OF HONG KONG’S POSITION AT THE HEART OF THE ASIAN ECONOMY.”
THE GOVERNOR WILL ALSO ASK MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL FOR THEIR VIEWS ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF A COMPREHENSIVE COMPETITION POLICY FOR HONG KONG.
"THE INTENTION IS TO HAVE BIMONTHLY MEETINGS,” MR HANSON ADDED.
"THE DATE FOR THE FIRST MEETING HAS NOT BEEN FIXED BUT IT IS LIKELY TO BE IN LATE OCTOBER OR EARLY NOVEMBER.”
/2 ........
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 9, 1992
2
THE GOVERNOR THE RT HON CHRISTOPHER PATTEN'S LUNCHEON SPEECH TO THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY ON FRIDAY, OCTOBER 9, 1992 *****
PAUL, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, FIRST OF ALL I WANT YOU AL) TO KNOW THAT I’VE ALWAYS THOUGHT EXTREMELY WELL OF MOTHERS-IN-LAW. HAVE, AS SOME OF YOU MAY HAVE NOTICED, BEEN SPEAKING RATHER A LO’ RECENTLY, SO TODAY I WANT TO SHOW PERHAPS UNCHARACTERISTIC VERBAL RESTRAINT AND JUST MAKE A FEW REMARKS AT THE OUTSET, SO THAT YOU THEN HAVE THE MAXIMUM OPPORTUNITY TO THROW QUESTIONS AT ME - OR CHAIRS 01 WHATEVER COMES TO HAND.
THERE ARE THOUGH, A COUPLE OF THINGS THAT I WOULD LIKE TO SAY AT THE OUTSET. IN MY LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL SPEECH ON WEDNESDAY, I STARTED WITH A STATEMENT OF THE BLINDINGLY OBVIOUS, NAMELY THAT ECONOMIC SUCCESS, CONTINUING ECONOMIC SUCCESS, IS THE KEY TO ALL ELSE THAT WE WANT TO ACHIEVE IN HONG KONG. WE KNOW SOME OF THE REASONS FOR THAT ECONOMIC SUCCESS IN THE PAST AND WHAT I WANT TO ENSURE IS THAT WE DON’T FORGET ANY OF THE LESSONS THAT WE’VE APPLIED SO WELL OVER THE LAST DECADES.
ONE REASON WHY I AM SETTING UP A BUSINESS COUNCIL IS TO ENSURE THAT THE LEADERS OF THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY CAN REMIND ME, VIGOROUSLY FROM TIME TO TIME, JUST WHAT THOSE LESSONS HAVE AMOUNTED TO. I’LL BE ANNOUNCING THE NAMES OF THAT COUNCIL THIS AFTERNOON AND I’M VERY GRATEFUL TO ALL THOSE WHO’VE AGREED TO SERVE ON IT AND TO ADVISE ME ON HOW WE CAN ENSURE THAT HONG KONG REMAINS THE MOST BUSINESS-FRIENDLY COMMUNITY IN ASIA. THAT IS WHAT WE HAVE TO CONTINUE TO ACHIEVE.
I MENTIONED IN MY LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL SPEECH SOME OF WHAT I BELIEVE TO BE THE REASONS FOR OUR ECONOMIC SUCCESS. THE FIRST OF THEM - AND I MENTION THIS WITH ENTHUSIASM - THE FIRST OF THEM, LOW AND PREDICTABLE TAXES. I THINK THE BEST INVESTMENT INCENTIVE IS LOW AND PREDICTABLE TAXES. I NOTICE ONE OR TWO PEOPLE, PERHAPS ILL ADVISEDLY, HAVE ASKED ABOUT MY VIEWS ON TAX, AND I JUST WONDER IF WHEN THEY ASK THAT QUESTION THEY HAVE ANY NOTION AT ALL OF WHERE IT IS I CAME FROM. ALL OF US HAVE A PAST, AND MY PAST INCLUDED BEING
CHAIRMAN OF THE CONSERVATIVE PARTY TN THE UNITED KINGDOM, IN A GENERAL ELECTION CAMPAIGN, WHICH WE WON LARGELY BECAUSE WE ARGUED THE CASE FOR LOW TAXES. I AM NOT ABOUT TO COME TO HONG KONG AND CHANGE MY POLITICAL PHILOSOPHY ON TAXATION.
SECOND, ANOTHER CRUCIAL LESSON WHICH WE’VE GOT TO REMEMBER: PRUDENT CONTROL OF PUBLIC SPENDING. ONE OR TWO PEOPLE
HAVE ASKED WHETHER THE PROPOSALS I OUTLINED ON WEDNESDAY WERE EXTRAVAGANT. I’VE EVEN HEARD IT SUGGESTED BY ONE OF MY FUTURE IN LAWS, THAT MAYBE I’M A SOCIALIST. I’M NOT SURE WHETHER, GIVEN THE SOURCE, THAT WAS A TERM OF ENDEARMENT OR A TERM OF ABUSE. BUT I WANT TO MAKE IT ABSOLUTELY PLAIN TO YOU THAT IN MY OWN VIEW THE PROPOSALS THAT WE BROUGHT FORWARD WERE PRUDENT AND SENSIBLE. JUST LET ME GIVE YOU TWO FACTS WHICH ARE EXTREMELY IMPORTANT TO THIS ARGUMENT.
/THE FIRST .......
3
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 9, 1992
THE FIRST IS THAT NOTHING I ANNOUNCED ON WEDNESDAY WILL REDUCE THE FORECAST LEVEL OF RESERVES FOR 1997 THAT WE’VE ANNOUNCED. I INTEND, AS I SAID TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL YESTERDAY, TO CONTINUE TO RUN HONG KONG’S FINANCES ON THE BASIS OF A PRUDENT AND SUBSTANTIAL LEVEL OF RESERVES. THAT, I BELIEVE, IS VERY IMPORTANT IN HONG KONG’S CIRCUMSTANCES AND I’M NOT GOING TO LET ANYBODY PERSUADE ME TO REDUCE OUR ELBOW-ROOM ON THAT FRONT.'
WHY WAS I ABLE TO ANNOUNCE BIG INCREASES IN SOME SPENDING PROGRAMMES? FIRST OF ALL BECAUSE OF HONG KONG’S GROWTH RATE, THOUGH WHAT I HAVE MADE CLEAR ONCE AGAIN IS THAT ANY INCREASE IN PUBLIC SPENDING MUST STAY BEHIND RATHER THAN OUTPACE THE RATE OF GROWTH IN OUR ECONOMIC PERFORMANCE. WE’RE NOT GOING TO MAKE THE SAME MISTAKE THAT OTHER COMMUNITIES HAVE MADE AND SPEND MONEY THAT WE HAVEN’T EARNED. BUT THIS YEAR WE FIND OURSELVES IN AN EXTREMELY ADVANTAGEOUS POSITION, WE FIND OURSELVES, I’M PLEASED TO SAY, WITH REVENUES WHICH ARE MORE BOUYANT THAN WERE EXPECTED AT THE BEGINNING OF THE YEAR. WE WERE PREDICTING EARLIER THIS YEAR THAT WE WOULD HAVE A SURPLUS AT THE END OF THE YEAR OF SEVEN-AND-A-HALF BILLION. I WAS BROUGHT FIGURES SHORTLY AFTER I BECAME GOVERNOR, WHICH SHOWED THAT THANKS TO THE BUOYANCY OF OUR REVENUES ABOVE ALL, WE WERE LIKELY TO SEE NOT A SURPLUS AT THE END OF THE YEAR OF SEVEN-AND-A-HALF BILLION, BUT A SURPLUS AT THE END OF THE YEAR OF THIRTEEN-AND-A-HALF BILLION AND RISING.
NOW PRUDENT AS I AM, IT DIDN’T SEEM TO ME THAT WE NEEDED A SURPLUS OF THAT SIZE WHEN THERE WERE SO MANY THINGS WHICH THE COMMUNITY WANTED TO DO. WHAT WOULD HAVE BEEN EXTRAVAGANT, IN MY JUDGMENT, WOULD HAVE BEEN TO FRITTER THAT ADDITIONAL 6 BILLION WINDFALL AWAY IN ADDITIONAL SPENDING THIS YEAR, AND WHAT WE HAVE CHOSEN TO DO IS IN EFFECT TO CAPITALISE THAT WINDFALL, USING 3 BILLION TO GIVE A KICK-START TO OUR SEWAGE STRATEGY - COME TO THINK OF IT, I THINK ONE COULD FIND BETTER WORDS; I FOUND MYSELF THE OTHER DAY TALKING ABOUT "GETTING SEWAGE OF THE GROUND" - ANYWAY, YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN.
SECONDLY, TO PUT 2.3 BILLION THROUGH THE LOTTERIES FUND TO MEET SOME OF OUR SOCIAL WELFARE OBLIGATIONS AND TARGETS, IN ADDITION, AS I THINK YOU KNOW, WE’VE SPENT 300 MILLION ON RE-TRAINING, WHICH I BELIEVE IS CRUCIAL TO HONG KONG’S FUTURE SUCCESS AND CRUCIAL TO SOME OF OUR LABOUR MARKET PROBLEMS. SO THE SECOND POINT I WANTED TO MAKE IS, WE REMAIN COMMITTED TO PRUDENT CONTROL OF PUBLIC FUNDS.
THIRDLY, INFLATION. WE ALL KNOW THAT BECAUSE OF THE NECESSARY, CONTINUING, NOT TO BE CHANGED IN ANY CIRCUMSTANCES, LINK BETWEEN THE HONG KONG DOLLAR AND THE US DOLLAR - I JUST WANT TO GET THAT ON THE RECORD IN CASE THERE ARE ANY BROKERS HERE - THAT BECAUSE OF THAT THERE ARE LIMITS TO THE EXTENT TO WHICH WE CAN USE MONETARY POLICY. THOUGH LET’S REMEMBER WHAT USING MONETARY POLICY TO CONTROL INFLATION ACTUALLY MEANS. IT DOES HAVE SOME CONSEQUENCES, YOU’LL ALL RECALL, FOR LEVELS OF ECONOMIC GROWTH AND LEVELS OF EMPLOYMENT. BUT THERE ARE CONSTRAINTS ON US, SO WE FIND OURSELVES COPING WITH INFLATION WHICH IS LARGELY A STRUCTURAL CONSEQUENCE OF AN ECONOMY WHICH IS EXPANDING VERY RAPIDLY, WITH LABOUR CONSTRAINTS AND LAND CONSTRAINTS. IT PUTS THE ONUS ON US TO WORK EVEN HARDER, IN GOVERNMENT AND OUTSIDE GOVERNMENT, TO USE OUR RESOURCES AS EFFICIENTLY AS POSSIBLE.
/THANK HEAVENS .......
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 9, 1992
4
THANK HEAVENS, BECAUSE OF YOUR INVESTMENTS AND EXPANSION INTO THE MAINLAND, OUR EXPORT PRICES ARE ONLY GOING UP MARGINALLY. SO WE ARE REMAINING COMPETITIVE, THANKS TO YOUR EFFORTS IN INTERNATIONAL MARKETS. BUT WE DO CONTINUE TO HAVE TO WORK ON THOSE SUPPLY SIDE ISSUES, ABOVE ALL LABOUR, IN ORDER TO FIGHT INFLATION AS VIGOROUSLY AS WE CAN. I REPEAT, THAT I HOPE THAT MY COMMITMENT TO INCREASING RE-TRAINING IN HONG KONG WILL ASSIST IN THAT RESPECT.
FOURTH, THE FOURTH LESSON. WE KNOW, AGAIN PERHAPS BETTER THAN ANYONE ELSE, THAT FREE TRADE IS THE GREATEST FRIEND OF PROGRESS AND ECONOMIC SUCCESS. I WILL, YOU’LL FIND, BE THE MOST VIGOROUS LOBBYIST FOR FREE TRADE, FROM, IF IT’S NECESSARY, WASHINGTON TO WYOMING AND ANYWHERE ELSE AS WELL, I WILL BE THE MOST ACTIVE, PASSIONATE ADVOCATE OF FREE TRADE, I HOPE THAT YOU COULD WANT TO SEE. I BELIEVE VERY STRONGLY THAT IT IS A TERRIBLE ERROR TO TRY TO POLITICISE TRADE. I THINK THAT FREE TRADE IS THE BEST FRIEND OF PROGRESS. I THINK THAT TRADE DISPUTES, TRADE RESTRICTIONS, CUT JOBS, CUT GROWTH, PUT UP PRICES, SO YOU WILL FIND ME TODAY AND FOR THE INDEFINITE FUTURE, ARGUING THAT WE CONTINUE TO SEE FREE TRADE, AND I HOPE, A BENIGN TRADING ENVIRONMENT BETWEEN CHINA AND THE UNITED STATES .
I JUST WANT, IN ADDITION TO SAYING THAT ABOUT ECONOMIC ISSUES, ABOUT THE REAL WORLD, TO SAY ONE THING ABOUT POLITICS. BECAUSE IT’S UNDOUBTEDLY TRUE THAT ANOTHER OF THE REASONS FOR OUR ECONOMIC SUCCESS HAS BEEN BY AND LARGE POLITICAL STABILITY. THE ISSUES THAT I ADDRESSED ON WEDNESDAY, RELATING TO POLITICS, WEREN’T RAISED OUT OF THE BLUE BY THE NEW GOVERNOR OF HONG KONG, THEY’RE ALL THERE ALREADY, REQUIRING SOMEBODY TO ADDRESS THEM AND SOMEBODY TO BRING FORWARD PROPOSALS ABOUT THEM. I’M VERY CLEAR WHAT THE PARAMETERS ARE AND I’VE SET THEM OUT ON A NUMBER OF OCCASIONS IN THE LAST TWO OR THREE DAYS. THE PRESENT SOVEREIGN POWER, THE UNITED KINGDOM, HAS SUGGESTED THAT WE SHOULD TRY TO PRESS FORWARD THE PACE OF DEMOCRATISATION.
THE FUTURE SOVEREIGN POWER, CHINA, HAS MADE IT CLEAR THAT WHILE DEMOCRATISATION WILL INCREASE UNDER THE TERMS OF THE JOINT DECLARATION AND THE BASIC LAW, ANY DEMOCRATISATION SHOULD BE IN COMPLIANCE WITH THOSE TWO DOCUMENTS. AND WHERE, IN MY JUDGMENT, DO THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG STAND? MY JUDGMENT, AS I’VE SAID -AND I SHALL LOOK FORWARD TO WHAT THEY HAVE TO SAY IN THE COMING WEEKS AND MONTHS - MY JUDGMENT IS THAT PEOPLE, WISELY, WANT RATHER MORE SAY IN THE CONTROL OVER THEIR OWN AFFAIRS, BUT DO WANT IT IN A WAY THAT WILL LAST, AND DO WANT IT THEREFORE IN A WAY WHICH COMPLIES WITH THE BASIC LAW. THAT’S MY JUDGMENT OF WHERE THE POINT OF BALANCE IN THE COMMUNITY STANDS AT THE MOMENT AND THAT IS, THEREFORE, WHAT I AM GOING TO ATTEMPT TO SECURE. BUT I WANT TO ADD ONE OR TWO POINTS ABOUT THIS ISSUE OF POLITICAL STABILITY.
FIRST, I WANT TO GET THESE ISSUES OUT OF THE WAY AS SOON AS POSSIBLE FOR ONCE AND FOR ALL. I DON’T WANT THEM HANGING AROUND, I DON’T WANT THEM ERODING CONFIDENCE FOR THE NEXT FIVE YEARS. IF WE’RE GOING TO HAVE A DEBATE, A DISCUSSION, 1 WANT TO HAVE IT NOW AND I WANT TO PUT IT BEHIND US.
/SECONDLY, I ........
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 9, 1992
5
SECONDLY, I SIMPLY DON’T BELIEVE THAT IT WOULD HELP TO CREATE POLITICAL STABILITY FOR ME TO SAY, "WELL OF COURSE I’VE GOT SOME THOUGHTS ABOUT OUR POLITICAL INSTITUTIONS BUT I’M NOT GOING TO TELL YOU WHAT THEY ARE UNTIL WE’VE ACTUALLY COME TO SOME DECISIONS." WE’VE SEEN WHAT HAPPENS AS A RESULT OF THAT, IN THE PAST. MOUNTAINS OF SPECULATION, HUGE QUANTITIES OF EXEGESIS OF EVERY COMMA, OF EVERY PUNCTUATION MARK, IN EVERY COMMUNIQUE. I HAVEN’T NOTICED THAT THAT POLITICS BY OBFUSCATION AT AIRPORT PRESS CONFERENCES HAS BEEN EXACTLY CONDUCIVE TO POLITICAL STABILITY WHEN WE’VE BEEN SUBJECTED TO IT.
AND THIRDLY, I DON’T BELIEVE THAT IT WOULD HELP TO PROMOTE POLITICAL STABILITY, TO SAY TO THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG, "WE’RE GOING TO STAND FOUR-SQUARE AGAINST ANY AMBITIONS, ANY ASPIRATIONS, YOU MAY HAVE FOR A MODEST INCREASE IN YOUR CONTROL OVER YOUR OWN AFFAIRS. I THINK TO BLOCK OFF ANY FURTHER PROGRESS IN THAT WAY, WOULD BE FAR MORE LIKELY TO INCREASE INSTABILITY THAN TO PROMOTE STABILITY.
I VERY MUCH HOPE THAT IN THE NEXT FEW MONTHS I CAN CONVINCE THOSE WHO MAY NEED TO BE CONVINCED, THAT THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG ARE SOPHISTICATED, MATURE, RESPONSIBLE, RESTRAINED, SENSIBLE ENOUGH, TO LOOK AFTER A RATHER GREATER SHARE OF THEIR OWN DESTINY IN A WAY WHICH THREATENS NO ONE BUT DOES ENSURE THAT THIS COMMUNITY BECOMES MORE PROSPEROUS, MORE STABLE AND MORE CAPABLE, OF MAKING A SPECTACULAR CONTRIBUTION TO DEVELOPMENTS IN CHINA AND DEVELOPMENTS IN THE REGION. I THINK IT WOULD BE SURPRISING IF A COMMUNITY WHICH HAD BEEN SO CONFIDENT AND SUCCESSFUL IN EVERY MARKET IN THE WORLD, WASN’T ALSO IN A MODEST, RESTRAINED WAY, ABLE TO TAKE A SLIGHTLY LARGER PART IN SHAPING ITS OWN FUTURE.
I SAID I’D BE REASONABLY RESTRAINED, AND NOW I’D LIKE TO ASK YOU, OR INVITE YOU TO ASK QUESTIONS - IT’S NOT OBLIGATORY. BUT IF THERE ARE ANY OF YOU WHO WOULD LIKE TO ASK QUESTIONS, THERE ARE FOUR MICROPHONES, HELPFULLY NUMBERED, "1", "2", "3" AND "19", AND IF YOU COME FORWARD TO A MICROPHONE, I’LL TAKE YOU IN ORDER.
QUESTION: SIR, YOU HAVE MENTIONED TWO PRINCIPLES, ONE IS TO DEFEAT INFLATION, IF YOU CAN, AND THE SECOND IS TO LIMIT GOVERNMENT EXPENDITURE. GOVERNMENT HAS BEEN CRITICISED IN THE PAST FOR LEADING THE SALARIES RACE AND THEREFORE CONTRIBUTING TO INFLATION. I’D LIKE TO HEAR, ON BEHALF OF THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY, YOUR VIEWS ON HOW THAT CAN BE ARRESTED?
SECONDLY, YOUR PARTY IN THE UNITED KINGDOM HAS REDUCED GOVERNMENT EXPENDITURE BY PRIVATISATION. COULD WE HEAR YOUR VIEWS ON PRIVATISATION, PLEASE?
/GOVERNOR: YES ........
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 9, 1992
6
GOVERNOR: YES. LET ME OFFER YOU ANOTHER PIECE OF AUTOBIOGRAPHY. I PLAYED QUITE A PROMINENT PART AS THE THEN DIRECTOR OF THE CONSERVATIVE PARTY’S RESEARCH DEPARTMENT IN DRAFTING OUR MANIFESTO IN 1979, IN WHICH WE FIRST TALKED ABOUT PRIVATISATION AND ROLLING BACK THE BOUNDARIES OF THE STATE, AND THAT HAD CONSIDERABLE RELEVANCE IN THE UNITED KINGDOM BECAUSE THE BOUNDARIES OF THE STATE, THE BOUNDARIES OF STATE ACTION, LAY FAR OUT IN THE ECONOMY. AND PRIVATISATION, IN THE UNITED KINGDOM, HAS MOVED FORWARD ON THAT BASIS, HAULING BACK THE BOUNDARIES OF THE STATE. IF THE UNITED KINGDOM KEEPS AT IT FOR A FEW MORE YEARS IT WILL GET THE BOUNDARIES OF THE STATE MORE OR LESS BACK TO WHERE THEY ARE IN HONG KONG. BECAUSE FORTUNATELY, FOR THE SUCCESS OF THE HONG KONG ECONOMY, YOU DIDN'T GO THROUGH THE RASH OF NATIONALISATIONS AND INCREASES IN THE SIZE OF THE PUBLIC SECTOR WHICH SO AFFLICTED SO MANY EUROPEAN ECONOMIES IN THE 1940’S AND 50’S. SO THE FIRST POINT I MAKE IN RESPONSE TO YOUR QUESTION IS, THERE ISN’T GOING TO BE AS MUCH PRIVATISATION BECAUSE THERE ISN’T AS MUCH TO PRIVATISE.
WHERE THERE IS SCOPE FOR PRIVATISATION, I VERY MUCH HOPE THAT WE CAN PERSUADE THE IN-LAWS THAT IT IS IN THE INTERESTS OF HONG KONG’S LONG TERM ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND DOES NOT CONSIST OF FLOGGING-OFF THE FAMILY SILVER. WE HAVE SHOWN, FOR EXAMPLE, IN THE PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SECTOR, MUCH GREATER IMAGINATION AND FLAIR THAN MOST OTHER COMMUNITIES. LET ME GIVE YOU AN EXAMPLE. I THINK THAT BY AND LARGE BOT PROJECTS HAVE WORKED BETTER IN HONG KONG THAN ANYWHERE ELSE THAT I HAD EXPERIENCE OF WHEN I WAS, FOR EXAMPLE, BRITAIN’S DEVELOPMENT MINISTER. SO I THINK THAT WE COULD DO MORE TO PRIVATISE AND I VERY MUCH HOPE THAT WE’LL BE ABLE TO PERSUADE OUR COLLEAGUES IN PEKING THAT THAT IS A SENSIBLE FOUNDATION FOR POST 1997, BUT I REPEAT, THERE WON’T BE AS MUCH SCOPE AS THERE WAS IN THE UNITED KINGDOM.
I WAS DELIGHTED - I THINK I CAN SEE THE CHAIRMAN OF THE HOUSING AUTHORITY THERE - I WAS DELIGHTED TO HEAR THE OTHER DAY THAT THE HOUSING AUTHORITY ARE LOOKING AT NEW WAYS IN WHICH THEY CAN ENCOURAGE TENANTS TO MOVE TO HOME OWNERSHIP. I THINK THAT IS A PERSONAL SORT OF PRIVATISATION WHICH IS VERY WELCOME, WITHOUT IN ANY WAY TAKING AWAY FROM THE DRIVE TO PROVIDE DECENT HOUSING FOR THE WHOLE COMMUNITY.
YOUR FIRST QUESTION IS A QUESTION WHICH I TOUCHED ON IN MY SPEECH WHEN I POINTED OUT THAT IT’S IMPERATIVE IF WE REMAIN
COMPETITIVE, BOTH IN PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SECTORS, TO ENSURE THAT WE DON’T PAY OURSELVES MORE THAN WE’VE EARNED THROUGH PRODUCTIVITY, IMPROVEMENTS AND GREATER EFFICIENCY. AND I REPEAT, THAT HAS TO GO FOR THE PUBLIC AS WELL AS THE PRIVATE SECTORS. I KNOW THERE HAS BEEN SOME DISCUSSION FROM TIME TO TIME BETWEEN GOVERNMENT AND THE CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE FOR INSTANCE, ON THE QUESTION OF PAY-BARGAINING. I HOPF THAT IT WILL BE ONE OF THE ISSUES WHICH THE BUSINESS COUNCIL INTEREST
US IN. I WOULD BE SURPRISED IF IT’S NOT, SINCE I DON’T THINK I’VE YET BEEN TO LUNCH WITH A COMMERCIAL ORGANISATION IN HONG KONG WHERE IT HASN’T FEATURED ON THE MENU LONG BEFORE THE PISTACHIO FLAN.
/QUESTION: SIR ........
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 9, 1992
7
QUESTION: SIR, THIS IS FURTHER TO AN OPEN LETTER IN MAY WHICH I ADDRESSED TO YOU BUT WHICH THE LOCAL, ALLEGEDLY FREE PRESS, REFUSED TO PUBLISH, BUT SINCE ENGLISH IS NOT MY FIRST LANGUAGE, PLEASE PERMIT ME TO READ OUT THE QUESTION.
’’WOULD YOUR EXCELLENCY BE PLEASED TO FAVOURABLY CONSIDER ENACTING APPROPRIATE LEGISLATION TO ENSURE THAT HONG KONG WOULD NOT BE USED AS A PROPAGANDA BASE TO CHANGE OR OTHERWISE UNDERMINE THE SOCIALIST SYSTEM IN THE PRC, THE CONTINUED MAINTENANCE OF WHICH IS THE CORNERSTONE OF THE ’ONE COUNTRY TWO SYSTEMS’ CONCEPT EMBODIED IN THE JOINT DECLARATION?”
GOVERNOR: THANK YOU. MY STRONG CONVICTION IS THAT, TO QUOTE EDMUND BURKE, ’’LIBERTY MUST BE LIMITED IN ORDER TO BE POSSESSED”, AND THAT ONE OF THE RESPONSIBILITIES THAT ALL OF US HAVE IN A FREE SOCIETY WHERE THERE IS FREEDOM OF SPEECH AND FREEDOM OF ASSEMBLY, AND FREEDOM TO DEMONSTRATE, FREEDOM TO PUT OUR VIEWS AS VIGOROUSLY AS POSSIBLE, IS TO EXERCISE THOSE FREEDOMS IN A RESPONSIBLE WAY. “ONE COUNTRY TWO SYSTEMS” MEANS WHAT IT SAYS. IN THE JOINT DECLARATION, HONG KONG HAS BEEN GUARANTEED ITS LIBERTIES AND ITS WAY OF LIFE. I THINK WE SHOULD STAND ON THAT, AND SPEAKING FOR MYSELF AS LEADER OF THE GOVERNMENT OF THE COMMUNITY, I WILL ALWAYS EXERCISE RESTRAINT ABOUT THE OTHER SYSTEM WHICH IS DESCRIBED IN THAT HISTORIC CONCEPT. I DON’T SEEK TO LECTURE OTHERS BUT I THINK THAT IT’S QUITE WISE ADVICE FOR OTHERS TO FOLLOW AS WELL. BUT THAT SAID, I REPEAT, WE LIVE IN A FREE SOCIETY WHICH BRINGS OPPORTUNITIES AS WELL AS RESPONSIBILITIES.
QUESTION: GOVERNOR, IT HAS BEEN REPORTED THAT YOU HAVE REMARKED THAT IF THE WORST COMES TO THE WORST YOU WOULD LEAVE ON THE ’LADY MAUREEN’ BY THE TIME OF 1997. I’M VERY GLAD TO KNOW THAT YOU’RE GOING TO GET A DIFFERENT TREATMENT FROM MOST OF THE OTHERS IN HONG KONG WHO HAVE GOT TO REMAIN HERE, BUT WHAT’S GOING TO HAPPEN TO THE REST OF THE PEOPLE WHO PROBABLY COULD NOT EVEN LEAVE THE PLACE BY BICYCLE? AND IS YOUR PROPOSAL GOING TO HEAD FOR A CONFRONTATION OR ARE YOU GOING TO BACK DOWN WHEN CHINA OBJECTS? AS FAR AS THE EFFECT ON CHINA, YOU SEEM TO BE SAYING THAT YOU MIGHT CHANGE WHEN YOU MEET THE CHINESE OFFICIALS ON THE MAINLAND, BUT IN THAT CASE WHY ARE YOU MAKING THE PROPOSALS? THIS IS YOUR FORMAL REPORT AND I THINK IT’S GOT TO BE A RESPONSIBLE REPORT.
GOVERNOR: TWO QUESTIONS, 1 THINK, THERE. FIRST OF ALL, WHAT AM I GOING TO DO AND WHAT AM I GOING TO SAY AFTER I’VE HAD DISCUSSIONS IN PEKING? SECONDLY, WHAT DO I THINK OF THE FUTURE OF THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG AFTER 1997?
I MUST SAY THAT I HAVE A GREAT DEAL OF CONFIDENCE IN THE FUTURE FOR PEOPLE IN HONG KONG. I THINK THAT THIS IS AN ASTONISHINGLY SUCCESSFUL AND RESILIENT COMMUNITY AND IT’S PARTLY SUCCESSFUL, LARGELY SUCCESSFUL, BECAUSE OF THE WAY THAT ITS WAY OF LIFE AND ITS PROSPERITY AND STABILITY ARE INTERTWINED, AND IT’S MY CONCERN AND MY ENTHUSIASM TO ENSURE THAT THAT CONTINUES TO BE THE CASE.
/ON YOUR .......
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 9, 1992
8
ON YOUR OTHER QUESTION, AFTER I’VE DISCUSSED MATTERS IN PEKING ON THIS AND ON FUTURE OCCASIONS, I WILL REPORT THE OUTCOME TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL AND REPORT THE OUTCOME TO THE COMMUNITY. THERE WILL COME A MOMENT, HAPPILY, SOONER RATHER THAN LATER, WHEN THE COMMUNITY AND THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLORS AND THE GOVERNOR WILL HAVE TO COME TO A DECISION ABOUT THE BEST WAY FORWARD. IT WILL HEAVILY INVOLVE THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL BECAUSE THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL WILL HAVE TO PASS ANY LEGISLATION NECESSARY - AND THERE WILL BE LEGISLATION NECESSARY WHATEVER HAPPENS - FOR THE 1991 AND 1995 ELECTIONS. SO THAT WILL BE THE SEQUENCE OF EVENTS.
I JUST ADD ONE OTHER THING. I’VE PUT PROPOSALS FORWARD; I DON'T THINK IT’S ENOUGH IN TALKING ABOUT IMPORTANT PUBLIC EVENTS TO CRITICISE PROPOSALS THAT ARE PUT FORWARD UNLESS ONE’S PREPARED TO PUT FORWARD ONE’S ALTERNATIVES. SO I HOPE THAT IF ANYBODY THINKS THAT THE PROPOSALS I HAVE PUT FORWARD ARE WRONG OR ILL-JUDGED, THEY WILL PUT FORWARD THEIR OWN PROPOSALS AS AN ALTERNATIVE. WHAT IS ABSOLUTELY CLEAR IS THAT THERE ARE DECISIONS, NOT OF MY MAKING, WHICH WE HAVE TO COME TO, ABOUT A NUMBER OF MATTERS RELATING TO THE 1995 ELECTIONS AND THE SOONER WE COME TO THOSE DECISIONS, IN MY JUDGMENT, THE BETTER.
QUESTION: GIVEN THAT MANY COMPANIES, FOREIGN MULTI-NATIONAL COMPANIES, HAVE THEIR REGIONAL HEADQUARTERS OFFICES LOCATED IN HONG KONG, WHAT DO YOU PLAN TO DO ON BEHALF OF THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY TO HELP PROMOTE LONG TERM INVESTMENT IN HONG KONG? SPECIFIC PLANS OR PROGRAMMES THAT YOU HAVE COME UP WITH FOR LONG TERM INVESTMENT POST-1997.
GOVERNOR: WELL THE FIRST THING I’D LIKE TO DO - AND I’M MINDFUL OF THE FACT THAT ONE OF THE GREATEST POLITICAL LEADERS IN ASIA IS IN TOWN AND THEREFORE I’LL BE SLIGHTLY MORE RESTRAINED IN WHAT I SAY BECAUSE I’M GOING TO SEE HIM TOMORROW MORNING - BUT I DRAW YOUR ATTENTION TO A RECENT REPORT IN 'THE ECONOMIST’ MAGAZINE WHICH WAS A DIGEST OF A PIECE OF ACADEMIC RESEARCH, DONE 1 THINK BY MIT, COMPARING SINGAPORE AND HONG KONG AS BUSINESS LOCATIONS, COMPARING THEM AS LOCATIONS FOR MULTI-NATIONALS, AND COMPARING THEIR ECONOMIC PERFORMANCE OVER THE YEARS. AND I THINK IF I WAS TRYING TO PERSUADE MULTI-NATIONALS TO BASE THEMSELVES IN HONG KONG IN AS UNPROVOCATIVE A WAY AS POSSIBLE, I'D POST THEM, IN A PLAIN ENVELOPE, A COPY OF THAT ’ECONOMIST’ MAGAZINE ARTICLE BECAUSE I THINK IT TOLD AN EXTREMELY CONVINCING STORY.
BUT THERE IS ONE OTHER THING WHICH I THINK IS IMPERATIVE AND WHICH HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH, OR EVERYTHING TO DO WITH, ECONOMICS. WHAT HAVE BEEN THE MAIN REASONS FOR THIS ASTONISHING SUCCESS IN HONG KONG?. WELL, VERY LARGELY OF COURSE, THE ENTREPRENEURIAL SKILL AND ENERGY AND HARD WORK OF THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG. THAT GOES WITHOUT SAYING. SECONDLY, A GOVERNMENT WHICH HAS ALLOWED THOSE PEOPLE TO GET ON WITH WHAT INDIVIDUALS DO BEST. THIRDLY, THE RULE OF LAW; THIRDLY, THE CERTAINTY THAT EVERYBODY WAS PLAYING BY THE SAME RULES, THE CERTAINTY THAT THE MARKET WAS REGULATED CLEANLY FOR EVERYONE, WHETHER GOVERNMENT OR PRIVATE SECTOR. AND I THINK THE MOST IMPORTANT GUARANTEE FOR HONG KONG’S FUTURE IS THE CERTAINTY THAT WE’LL CONTINUE TO SEE THE APPLICATION OF THE RULE OF LAW.
/THE MOMENT .......
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 9, 1992
9
THE MOMENT THAT INTERNATIONAL BANKERS OR MULTI-NATIONAL COMPANIES BECAME WORRIED THAT THE RULE OF LAW MA^ BE ERODED, THE MOMENT THAT HAPPENED, THEY’D START TO LOOK ELSEWHERE TO PUT THEIR MONEY, AND THAT IS SOMETHING ALL OF US - WHATEVER THE DIFFERENCES OF OUR POLITICAL POINT OF VIEW - THAT IS SOMETHING WHICH ALL OF US HAVE TO STAND ABSOLUTELY ROCK FIRM BEHIND, IN MY VIEW. THAT IS THE REAL GUARANTEE OF HONG KONG’S ECONOMIC FUTURE, FOR MULTI-NATIONALS, FOR BANKS, FOR MANUFACTURING INDUSTRY, FOR EVERYONE WHO’S EMPLOYED IN THIS GREAT COMMUNITY.
QUESTION: SIR, THERE WERE STRONG CRITICISMS FROM CHINA THIS MORNING IN REACTION TO YOUR WEDNESDAY SPEECH. THEY ARE INDICATING THAT THE CHANGES YOU INTEND TO MAKE IN THE LEGISLATIVE AND EXECUTIVE COUNCILS DO NOT CONFORM TO THE JOINT DECLARATION AND THE BASIC LAW AND IF THESE CHANGES ARE INDEED CARRIED OUT, THAT THEY WOULD DEMOLISH THEM AND START OVER AGAIN. SINCE YOU’VE MADE THOSE PROPOSALS YOU MUST BELIEVE THAT THEY DO CONFORM TO THE BASIC LAW AND THE JOINT DECLARATION, SO WHEN YOU VISIT BEIJING HOW DO YOU INTEND TO CONVINCE THEM THAT THEY ARE ACTUALLY BENEFICIAL TO THE COMMUNITY AND THEY DO CONFORM TO THE BASIC LAW AND THE JOINT DECLARATION?
GOVERNOR: WELL, THE FIRST THING I’D LIKE TO SAY IS THIS, THAT I FOUND MYSELF ON WEDNESDAY, BEING VARIOUSLY ATTACKED. ON THE ONE HAND THERE WERE PEOPLE WHO SAID THAT I’D BEEN EXCEEDINGLY CAUTIOUS, ON THE OTHER HAND THERE WERE THOSE WHO SAID THAT I’D BEEN RECKLESS. IT MAY JUST BE THAT I GOT THINGS JUST ABOUT RIGHT DOWN THE MIDDLE, BUT WE WILL HAVE TO SEE. IT MAY JUST BE, AS WELL, THAT THERE ARE THOSE WHO WHEN THEY CRITICISE ME OR CONSIDER WHAT I DO, THAT THERE ARE THOSE WHO CHANGE THE GOAL POSTS FROM TIME TO TIME. THAT REMAINS TO BE SEEN.
I HAVE OBSERVED OR HEARD SOME OF THE REMARKS THAT YOU’VE SAID, THOUGH I VERY MUCH AGREE WITH WHAT A FOREIGN OFFICE SPOKESMAN SAID IN PEKING YESTERDAY, THAT THESE ARE ISSUES THAT WE MUST TRY TO DEAL WITH THROUGH CONSULTATION, AND I’LL LOOK FORWARD TO MY DISCUSSIONS WITH MR LU PING AND ANYBODY ELSE WHO WANTS TO DISCUSS MY PROPOSALS WITH ME. BUT IF PEOPLE SAY THAT WHAT I’VE SET OUT ISN’T IN CONFORMITY WITH THE JOINT DECLARATION AND THE BASIC LAW, IF THEY SAY THAT, I THINK IT’S INCUMBENT UPON THEM TO EXPLAIN WHY, TO INDICATE WHY WHAT I’VE SAID ISN’T IN CONFORMITY WITH THE BASIC LAW, WHICH PROVISIONS. I’VE NOTICED ALL SORTS OF SUGGESTIONS BUT HAVEN’T YET SEEN THE CASE ARGUED VERY CLEARLY.
/I HAVE .......
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 9, 1992
10
I HAVE READ THE JOINT DECLARATION AND THE BASIC LAW, I GUESS, NOW, MORE THAN I’VE READ ANY OTHER DOCUMENTS IN MY LIFE. I SAY, TO MY SHAME AS A PRACTISING CHRISTIAN, THAT I’VE READ THE BASIC LAW AND THE JOINT DECLARATION MORE FREQUENTLY THAN I'VE READ THE ’NEW TESTAMENT’. THEY ARE, FOR ME, WELL KNOWN AND IMPORTANT TEXTS AND I WOULD JUST BE INTERESTED TO KNOW, NOT A GENERAL BLAST OF CRITICISM, BUT WHERE EXACTLY I AM SUPPOSED TO HAVE INFRINGED. BUT I HOPE WE CAN CARRY FORWARD THOSE DISCUSSIONS SWIFTLY AND CALMLY AND RATIONALLY. BECAUSE, AS I WAS SAYING TO PAUL AND OTHERS AT LUNCH, WE’VE GOT AN AWFUL LOT OF OTHER VERY, VERY BIG ISSUES TO DEAL WITH TOGETHER.
AND I SAY ONE OTHER THING AS WELL. I DO MEAN IT WHEN I SAY THAT I WANT TO HAVE A CLOSE AND EFFECTIVE WORKING RELATIONSHIP WITH THE HEAD OF THE HONG KONG AND MACAU AFFAIRS OFFICE. I ADMIRE HIS RESTRAINT IN RECENT WEEKS WHEN DOUBTLESS OFFERED ON MANY OCCASIONS THE OPPORTUNITY TO MUTTER A FEW WORDS INTO A PASSING MICROPHONE OR INTO A PASSING REPORTER’S NOTEBOOK. I HOPE THAT WE’LL BE ABLE TO ESTABLISH A RELATIONSHIP IN WHICH, EVEN WHEN WE DISAGREE, WE CAN SPEAK FRANKLY AND FREQUENTLY ONE TO THE OTHER. AND I CAN ASSURE YOU THAT IF THAT IS THE CASE, AS I HOPE IT WILL BE, THE MEMBERS OF HIS OFFICE, AND MR LU PING HIMSELF, WILL FIND THAT I AM VERY FRANK WITH THEM AND VERY CANDID, AND I HOPE, PRETTY PREDICTABLE IN MY' DEALINGS.
--------0-----------
THE GOVERNOR THE RT HON CHRISTOPHER PATTEN’S PUBLIC MEETING AT SHA TIN TOWN HALL FRIDAY, OCTOBER 9, 1992 *****
GOVERNOR: MICHAEL, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, FIRST OF ALL, WELCOME AND THANK YOU VERY MUCH INDEED FOR COMING THIS EVENING. THIS IS NOT THE FIRST TIME THAT I’VE BEEN TO SHA TIN. I CAME HERE TO VISIT A HOUSING DEVELOPMENT ON MY FIRST DAY, FULL DAY, IN HONG KONG. I’VE BEEN TO THE SPORTS INSTITUTE AND I WENT TO THE LIBRARY JUST OVER THE ROAD AND I CAME HERE FOR THE MID-AUTUMN FESTIVAL WITH MY FAMILY. BUT I HAVEN’T YET BEEN TO THE RACES AND I HAVEN’T YET BEEN TO THE PIGEON RESTAURANT. SO, I HOPE IF THE OWNER OF THE PIGEON RESTAURANT IS HERE, HE WILL TAKE NOTE OF THAT.
THE LAST TIME I WAS HERE, THERE WERE A LOT OF YOUNG BALLET DANCERS ON THE STAGE BUT TONIGHT THERE’S GOING TO BE NO DANCING. TONIGHT IS YOUR OPPORTUNITY TO ASK ME, AS THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OF THE GOVERNMENT, AS THE GOVERNOR, TO ASK ME WHATEVER QUESTIONS YOU WANT.
/I'M........
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 9, 1992
I’M QUITE SURPRISED THAT THERE’S BEEN SOME CONTROVERSY ABOUT THE IDEA THAT I SHOULD HOLD QUESTION AND ANSWER SESSIONS LIKE THIS. AFTER ALL, THE SPEECH THAT I MADE ON WEDNESDAY WAS CONCERNED WITH YOUR FUTURE, THE FUTURE OF YOUR FAMILIES AND THE FUTURE OF HONG KONG AND I THINK YOU HAVE A RIGHT TO QUESTION ME ABOUT MY PROPOSALS, BECAUSE IT IS YOUR FUTURE. IT’S ALSO SOMETIMES SAID THAT FOR THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OF THE GOVERNMENT, OR FOR OTHER MEMBERS OF THE GOVERNMENT, TO COME OUT IN PUBLIC AND ANSWER QUESTIONS ABOUT THEIR POLICIES SOMEHOW WEAKENS THE GOVERNMENT. I THINK THAT IS THE EXACT OPPOSITE OF THE TRUTH. I THINK THAT IF YOU KNOW, AS A POLITICAL LEADER, THAT YOU ARE GOING TO GO OUT AND HAVE TO EXPLAIN AND DEFEND YOUR POLICIES TO THE PUBLIC IT MAKES YOU THINK AN AWFUL LOT HARDER ABOUT THE POLICIES THAT YOU BRING FORWARD. YOUR DISTINGUISHED LEGISLATORS IN SHA TIN, EMILY LAU AND ANDREW WONG, ALLOW YOU TO ASK THEM QUESTIONS AND 1 THINK THE GOVERNOR SHOULD ALLOW YOU TO ASK HIM QUESTIONS TOO.
THE SECOND THING I’D LIKE TO SAY VERY BRIEFLY IS THAT, WHAT I WAS TRYING TO DO IN MY SPEECH ON WEDNESDAY WAS TO RESPOND TO THE THINGS WHICH YOU HAVE BEEN SAYING TO ME, WHICH POLITICAL GROUPS HAVE BEEN SAYING TO ME, WHICH COMMUNITY LEADERS HAVE BEEN SAYING TO ME OVER THE LAST THREE MONTHS.
FIRST OF ALL, I THINK YOU WANT US TO MAKE SURE THAT WE CONTINUE THE POLICIES WHICH HAVE MADE HONG KONG SO SUCCESSFUL ECONOMICALLY. WE HAVE TO REMAIN THE MOST BUSINESS-FRIENDLY PLACE IN ASIA. WE HAVE TO GO ON ENSURING THAT WE KEEP TAXES VERY LOW.
NEXT, I THINK THAT YOU WANT US, WITHOUT BEING EXTRAVAGANT, TO BE AS FAIR AS POSSIBLE IN OUR SOCIAL POLICIES. I THINK YOU WANT US, WITHOUT ALLOWING PUBLIC EXPENDITURE TO GET OUT OF CONTROL, TO SPEND WHAT WE CAN AFFORD ON HELPING THE ELDERLY, ON HELPING THE NEEDY, ON HELPING THE DISABLED, ON IMPROVING OUR EDUCATION AND OUR RE-TRAINING.
NEXT, IN MY JUDGEMENT, YOU WANT US TO EXTEND DEMOCRACY, YOU WANT US TO DO SO IN A WAY WHICH IS LIKELY TO LAST, AND THE JUDGEMENT THAT I REACHED WAS THAT YOU WANTED ME TO LOOK FOR WAYS IN WHICH WE COULD EXTEND DEMOCRACY IN A WAY THAT WAS CONSISTENT WITH THE BASIC LAW. AND ABOVE ALL, I THINK YOU WANT THE GOVERNMENT TO DO ALL IN ITS POWER TO SECURE YOUR WAY OF LIFE FOR THE FUTURE, BECAUSE THIS IS A GOOD PLACE TO LIVE, A GOOD PLACE TO WORK, A GOOD PLACE TO BRING UP A FAMILY AND YOU WANT TO KEEP IT LIKE THAT. SO THAT’S WHAT I TRIED TO SET OUT ON WEDNESDAY AND THAT’S WHAT YOU CAN NOW ASK ME QUESTIONS ABOUT; BUT CAN I JUST - BEFORE THE FIRST QUESTION - CAN I JUST FOLLOW SOMETHING THAT MICHAEL SAID EARLIER. LAST NIGHT WE HAD THE FIRST OF THESE QUESTION AND ANSWER SESSIONS IN THE CITY HALL IN CENTRAL AND, IN MANY RESPECTS, IT WAS VERY SUCCESSFUL. ABOUT 30 QUESTIONS WERE ASKED, BUT ABOUT 30 QUESTIONS WERE ASKED BY ONLY 11 PEOPLE. NOW, IT MAKES IT MUCH EASIER FOR ME IF ONE PERSON ASKS A VERY LONG QUESTION OR A LOT OF QUESTIONS BECAUSE I’VE BEEN A POLITICIAN FOR A LONG TIME, AND THE LONGER YOU GIVE ME TO THINK OF THE ANSWER.
/QUESTION: MR
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 9, 1992
- 12 -
QUESTION: MR GOVERNOR, WE ARE VERY CONCERNED ABOUT YOUR POLICY SPEECH FROM WHICH WE KNOW THAT YOU’RE GOING TO PUT IN A LOT OF MONEY INTO SOCIAL WELFARE, ESPECIALLY TO LOOK AFTER THE HANDICAPPED PEOPLE, TO PROVIDE THEM WITH RESIDENTIAL PLACES AND SHELTERED WORKSHOPS. WE ARE VERY HAPPY ABOUT THAT. I AM PHYSICALLY-HANDICAPPED AND MANY OF OUR MEMBERS HAVE DIFFICULTY TO GO ON TO THE PUBLIC TRANSPORT TO MOVE ABOUT, SO WOULD YOU PROMISE TO DISCUSS WITH THE MTRC AND THE BUS COMPANIES TO TAKE CARE OF OUR NEEDS IN THIS RESPECT, SO THAT WE CAN MOVE ABOUT ON PUBLIC TRANSPORT AND WE CAN BE INTEGRATED INTO SOCIETY AGAIN?
GOVERNOR: I THINK YOU RAISE WHAT IS OBVIOUSLY ONE OF THE BIGGEST
PROBLEMS WHICH PEOPLE WITH A HANDICAP, LIKE YOU, FACE, AND THAT IS HOW YOU CAN AVOID BEING DEPENDENT ON OTHERS, HOW YOU CAN EXERCISE YOUR INDEPENDENCE AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE, AND THAT OF COURSE IS VERY LARGELY DEPENDENT ON YOUR MOBILITY, WHETHER YOU CAN GET AROUND. I SAW JUST HOW MOBILE SOME PEOPLE IN CHAIRS CAN BE, AT THE SPORTS INSTITUTE FOUNDATION A FEW WEEKS AGO, WHEN I SAW SOME OF OUR EXTREMELY GOOD DISABLED TABLE TENNIS PLAYERS WHO WERE GOING OFF TO THE PARALYMPICS. THEY WOULD HAVE ALL BEATEN ME WITH THE VERY GREATEST EASE. BUT OBVIOUSLY, PUBLIC TRANSPORT PRESENTS PARTICULAR PROBLEMS FOR THE DISABLED AND I WILL CERTAINLY TAKE UP WITH THE RAILWAY COMPANIES AND THE BUS COMPANIES THE POINTS THAT YOU’VE RAISED, AND IF YOU LIKE, WE'LL TRY TO ORGANISE A MEETING WITH THEM AT WHICH YOU CAN ACCOMPANY ME.
QUESTION: MR PATTEN, I HAVE ONE QUESTION TO ASK WHICH I THINK THE
SOCIETY AND THE LEGISLATIVE AND EXECUTIVE COUNCIL MEMBERS HAVE ALL ALONG NEGLECTED; IT’S THE QUESTION OF DRUG-ABUSE. A LOT OF YOUNG PEOPLE TODAY ARE ABUSING COUGH-DROPS, MARIJUANA, HEROIN, AND A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE ABUSING SLEEPING-PILLS AND TRANQUILI SERS, AND THEIR METHODS OF DRUG-ABUSE ARE BECOMING VERY DIFFERENT NOW AND THERE ARE MORE AND MORE PEOPLE DOING THIS. SO MAY 1 ASK YOU, AFTER YOU HAVE SETTLED THE ISSUES ABOUT THE AIRPORT AND THE POLITICAL SYSTEM - SO I'M NOT ASKING FOR THE FIRST PRIORITY - AFTER YOU HAVE RESOLVED THESE IMPORTANT ISSUES, WILL YOU PUT YOUR ATTENTION TO TACKLE THIS SITUATION?
GOVERNOR: I THINK, PERHAPS, I SHOULD GIVE IT EVEN EARLIER
ATTENTION. I’M SURE THAT WE’LL BE ABLE TO -- I HOPE WE’LL BE ABLE TO SETTLE THE AIRPORT REASONABLY SOON. BUT WHAT YOU WILL ALL KNOW, WHEN YOU FLY INTO THE NEW AIRPORT IN THE FUTURE, IS THAT IT IS BUILT ON MORE WORDS AND MORE NEGOTIATING MEETINGS AND MORE PROPOSALS AND MORE DISAGREEMENTS, THAN ANY AIRPORT IN THE WORLD. IT’S GOING TO BE THE MOST FAMOUS AIRPORT THERE’S EVFR BEEN.
DRUG-ABUSE IS AN APPALLING PROBLEM FOR TWO REASONS. FIRST OF ALL, STRANGELY, AS SOCIETIES ALI OVER THE WORLD HAVE BECOME MORE PROSPEROUS, AND AS THEORETICALLY, YOUNG PEOPLE HAVE HAD MORE OPPORTUNITIES TO MAKE THE MOST OF THEMSELVES, SO MORE YOUNG PEOPLE HAVE ABUSED THEIR BODIES AND THEIR MINDS WITH DRUGS. AND WHAT THAT DOES FIRST OF ALL, IS TO DESTROY THEIR LIVES.
/SECONDLY, THERE
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 9, 1992
SECONDLY, THERE IS A VERY CLOSE CONNECTION BETWEEN DRUG-ABUSE BY YOUNG PEOPLE AND CRIMINAL ACTIVITY BY YOUNGER AND OLDER PEOPLE, SO IT’S VERY IMPORTANT FOR US TO TACKLE IT. WE HAVE TO TACKLE IT BY BETTER EDUCATION ABOUT DRUG-ABUSE, WE HAVE TO TACKLE IT BY SENDING MORE TEAMS OF SOCIAL WORKERS INTO AREAS WHERE THERE IS A HIGH LEVEL OF YOUTH CRIME, AND WE HAVE TO TACKLE IT BY WORKING WITH THE COMMISSION ON YOUTH TO MAKE SURE, NOT ONLY THAT YOUNG PEOPLE KNOW THE DANGERS OF DRUGS TO THEMSELVES, BUT THEY EXPLAIN ABOUT THE DANGERS OF DRUGS TO THEIR PEER GROUP. AND WE’VE ALSO GOT TO TRY TO ENSURE THAT THEY HAVE ENOUGH FACILITIES, THROUGH OUR YOUTH SERVICES, SO THAT THEY DON’T FETCH UP SITTING UNDER A ROAD IN THE EVENING ABUSING THEIR BODIES WITH DRUGS.
QUESTION: MR GOVERNOR, I APPRECIATE VERY MUCH THE DEMOCRATISATION YOU INTRODUCED IN YOUR POLICY SPEECH, BUT I WONDER IF YOU HAVE EVER THOUGHT OF DEMOCRATISING THE HOUSING AUTHORITY. RIGHT NOW, MEMBERS OF THIS HOUSING AUTHORITY ARE ALL APPOINTED BY YOU.
GOVERNOR: CAN I ASK A QUESTION IN RETURN? AS A MATTER OF INTEREST, DO YOU THINK THE BEST WAY OF DEMOCRATISING THE HOUSING AUTHORITY WOULD BE BY DIRECTLY ELECTING THE MEMBERS OF THE HOUSING AUTHORITY OR, DO YOU THINK THAT WE SHOULD APPOINT MEMBERS FROM DISTRICT BOARDS, WHO ARE DIRECTLY ELECTED, TO SIT ON THE HOUSING AUTHORITY?
QUESTIONER: ACTUALLY, WE HAVE \LREADY PUT IN OUR RECOMMENDATION TO THE GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT AND WE THINK THAT REPRESENTATIVES ELECTED FROM THE GRASSROOTS CAN BETTER REFLECT THE OPINION AND THE NEEDS OF THE GRASSROOTS. IF YOU LIKE, WE CAN SUBMIT OUR RECOMMENDATIONS TO YOU AGAIN.
GOVERNOR: I’D CERTAINLY BE VERY HAPPY TO SEE THOSE RECOMMENDATIONS. CAN I SAY A COUPLE OF THINGS, ONE OF WHICH MAY BE MORE POPULAR THAN THE OTHER. THIS IS JUST TO DEMONSTRATE THAT GOVERNMENT CAN BE ABOUT HARD CHOICES. FIRST OF ALL, I THINK IT IS OF THE GREATEST IMPORTANCE IN GOOD MANAGEMENT OF PUBLIC HOUSING TO ENSURE THAT THERE IS EXTREMELY CLOSE COMMUNICATION BETWEEN THE MANAGEMENT OF THE HOUSING AUTHORITY AND THE TENANTS IN THE HOUSING AUTHORITY. BUT THERE ARE DECISIONS WHICH HOUSING MANAGERS HAVE TO TAKE WHICH CAN INVARIABLY BE UNPOPULAR. ALLOCATING FLATS CAN BE UNPOPULAR. DARE I MENTION INCREASING RENTS, WHICH IS SOMETIMES IMPORTANT AND NECESSARY, CAN BE UNPOPULAR. SO, IF ONE IS TALKING ABOUT GREATER DEMOCRATIC CONTROL ONE HAS TO REMEMBER THAT GREATER DEMOCRATIC CONTROL DOESN’T NECESSARILY MAKE IT EASIER TO TAKE DIFFICULT DECISIONS. NOW, AT THE MOMENT, THERE ARE SLIGHTLY MORE PEOPLE IN THE AUDIENCE WANTING TO ASK QUESTIONS THAN THERE IS AN AUDIENCE, THAN THERE ARE IN THE AUDIENCE, BUT WE’LL MOVE AS QUICKLY AS WE CAN.
/QUESTION: MR
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 9, 1992
14
QUESTION: MR PATTEN, I APPRECIATE VERY MUCH YOUR VERY APPROACHABLE STYLE AND I’D LIKE TO SEE YOU IMPLEMENT ALL THE PROPOSALS IN YOUR POLICY SPEECH, BUT I WOULD LIKE TO ASK YOU TO DO ONE THING. WILL YOU TRY TO LIVE ON THE AMOUNT OF $950 WHICH IS THE AMOUNT OF PUBLIC ASSISTANCE THAT PEOPLE ARE GETTING NOW? CAN YOU TRY TO LIVE ON $950 FOR ONE MONTH? AT THE PRESENT RENT LEVEL, WITH THE PRESENT LIVING STANDARDS?
GOVERNOR: ASSISTANCE DOING SO, YESTERDAY
CAN I REFER TO THE PROPOSALS 1 MADE YESTERDAY ON PUBLIC AS WELL AS THE PROPOSALS I MADE ON OTHER THINGS. AND IN CAN I SAY THAT, WHEN I SPOKE IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL AFTERNOON, I THINK THE FIRST QUESTION WAS FROM ONE OF THE
COUNCILLORS WHO SUGGESTED THAT MY PROPOSALS YESTERDAY HAD BEEN EXTRAVAGANT. I SAID THAT IF HE THOUGHT I’D BEEN EXTRAVAGANT, HE SHOULD START LISTENING TO SOME OF THE MEETINGS LIKE THIS WHEN I WAS SURE THAT PEOPLE WOULD BE TELLING ME THAT WE HAVEN'T SPENT ENOUGH. AS WELL AS THE PROPOSALS WE MADE YESTERDAY ON SOCIAL WELFARE, EDUCATION,
THE HANDICAPPED AND DISABLED, THE MENTALLY ILL AND SO ON, I ALSO BROUGHT FORWARD PROPOSALS FOR A COMPLETE RE-ORGANISATION OF OUR PUBLIC ASSISTANCE PROGRAMMES. AND, AT THE HEART OF THOSE PROPOSALS, WERE TWO THINGS. FIRST OF ALL, INCREASES IN BASIC RATES FOR FAMILY MEMBERS WHO HAVE IN THE PAST BEEN GETTING BETWEEN GOO AND 620 DOLLARS A MONTH, WE’VE PUSHED THE FIGURE UP TO 820, WHICH IS AN INCREASE OF, I THINK, JUST OVER 30%. FOR THOSE, AS YOU SAID, LIVING ON THEIR OWN ON PUBLIC ASSISTANCE, WE PUSHED UP THE INCREASE FROM - WE PUSHED UP THE FIGURE -FROM 825 TO 950, WHICH IS AN INCREASE OF ABOUT 15%. FOR A FAMILY OF FOUR WITH OTHER ALLOWANCES, TOTAL INCOME ON PUBLIC ASSISTANCE, AND THOSE OTHER ALLOWANCES AND SUPPLEMENTS, WILL BE ABOUT 5,500 A MONTH, JUST OVER. IN ADDITION TO THAT, WE RELAXED THE ABSENCE RULE WHICH WILL ALLOW A LOT MORE ELDERLY PEOPLE, FOR INSTANCE, TO SPEND MORE TIME WITH THEIR FAMILIES IN SOUTHERN CHINA, WHICH IS NOT A VERY EXPENSIVE CONCESSION, BUT 1 THINK AN IMPORTANT ONE. SO, WE DID TRY TO PUSH FORWARD IN PROVIDING MORE SOCIAL SECURITY, MORE PUBLIC ASSISTANCE. I RECOGNISE THAT WE’LL GO ON BEING PRESSED TO DO MORE, BUT I HOPE THOSE WHO PRESS U.S TO DO MORE WILL ALWAYS THINK ABOUT WHERE, PERHAPS, WE SHOULD CUT OTHER PROGRAMMES, OR WHETHER WE SHOULD INCREASE TAXES TO
PAY FOR. HIGHER PUBLIC ASSISTANCE.
/QUESTION: MR
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 9, 1992
15
QUESTION: MR GOVERNOR, THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR CONCERN ON THE REHABILITATION, ESPECIALLY YOUR CONCERN ABOUT THE FACT THAT THE SEVERELY MENTALLY-HANDICAPPED PEOPLE ARE NOT LOOKED AFTER IN THE LAST 10 YEARS. I AM NOT TRYING TO DO SOME SHOE-SHINING HERE.
GOVERNOR: I WAS VERY PLEASED THAT YESTERDAY WE WERE ABLE TO ANNOUNCE INCREASED SUPPORT FOR THE MENTALLY-HANDICAPPED, AMONG OTHER GROUPS, AND THE FACT THAT WE WERE ABLE TO DO THAT IS NO CREDIT TO ME. WE WERE ABLE TO DO THAT BECAUSE OF THE SUCCESS OF THE HONG KONG ECONOMY, AND THAT MEANS BECAUSE OF YOUR SUCCESS. I’VE ONLY BEEN GOVERNOR FOR THREE MONTHS, IT’S YOU THAT’S DONE THE WORK AND YOU THAT’S EARNED THAT SOCIAL DIVIDEND.
BUT LET ME TELL YOU THIS STORY, WHICH WILL BE FAMILIAR TO MANY OF YOU. ON ONE OF MY VISITS I WENT TO SEE A WOMAN WHO WAS LOOKING AFTER EIGHT CHILDREN, ONE OF WHOM WAS MENTALLY-HANDICAPPED. SHE WAS HOPING THAT HER SON WHO WAS IN HIS LATE TEENS, WOULD BE ABLE TO GET A PLACE IN A SHELTERED WORKSHOP OR IN A DAY CENTRE, AND THAT EVENTUALLY HE MIGHT BE ABLE TO GET A RESIDENTIAL PLACE BECAUSE IT WAS DIFFICULT FOR HER TO CARE FOR HIM AT HOME. IT WAS A GREAT BURDEN AND RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE FAMILY AND SHE COULD SEE NO ENI) TO THE WAITING FOR THE SORT OF PLACE WHICH HER SON REQUIRED.
I THINK THAT PARENTS AND FAMILIES WHO LOOK AFTER HANDICAPPED CHILDREN TN THOSE CIRCUMSTANCES ARE AMONG THE HEROES, THE HEROES WHO AREN’T GIVEN ENOUGH APPLAUSE IN OUR SOCIETY, AND I THINK IT SHOULD BE ONE OF OUR PRIORITIES TO BRING THEM MORE ASSISTANCE SO THAT THEY DON’T HAVE TO BEAR THE SORT OF BURDEN THEY’VE BORNE IN THE PAST FOR THE WHOLE OF THE FUTURE.
QUESTION: I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE YOUR OPINION ON SHELTERED PLACES AND THE BOUGHT PLACES SYSTEM.
GOVERNOR: I THINK THAT WE NEED MANY MORE SHELTERED PLACES. I’M PLEASED THAT WE’RE GOING TO BE ABLE TO INCREASE THE NUMBER OF DAY SERVICE PLACES BY ALMOST 4,000, THAT’S RATHER MORE THAN 50%, AND I HOPE THAT WILL ENABLE US OVER THE NEXT FOUR OR FIVE YEARS TO MEET ALL THE KEY TARGETS IN THE VERY IMPORTANT GREEN PAPER ON REHABILITATION THAT WAS PRODUCED A FEW MONTHS AGO.
QUESTION: MR GOVERNOR, IN YOUR POLICY SPEECH I THINK YOU HAVE LEFT OUT ONE VERY IMPORTANT POINT, THAT IS ABOUT THE BASIC LIVELIHOOD OF PEOPLE: CLOTHING, FOOD, HOUSING AND TRANSPORT. YOU PROMISED TO SPEND $73 BILLION TO BUILD FOR THE FUTURE, INCLUDING TO IMPROVE THE SEWAGE STRATEGY, BUT YOU HAVE NEGLECTED THE PROBLEM OF CONNECTING NEW TERRITORIES NORTH-WEST WITH THE URBAN AREAS. I HOPE YOUR ADVISERS CAN GIVE YOU SOME INFORMATION: HOW MUCH TIME HONG KONG PEOPLE ARE WASTING EACH DAY IN TRAFFIC CONGESTION. AND THIS, I THINK, HAS A LOT OF EFFECT ON THE PRODUCTIVITY AND THE RESOURCES OF THE SOCIETY.
MR GOVERNOR, I AM NOT GOING TO INVITE YOU TO ENJOY THE TRAFFIC CONGESTION ALONG TUEN MUN TRUNK ROAD BECAUSE I. WANT YOU TO SPEND MORE TIME ON YOUR POLITICAL DEVELOPMENT.
/GOVERNOR: IT'S ........
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 9, 1992
- 16 -
GOVERNOR: IT’S A VERY FAIR QUESTION TO ASK SOMEBODY LIKE ME, BECAUSE ON THE WHOLE, AS YOU VERY WELL KNOW, PEOPLE LIKE CHIEF EXECUTIVES TEND TO GET FROM ONE PLACE TO ANOTHER RATHER MORE EASILY THAN AN AUDIENCE LIKE YOU. BUT WHEN I WAS A MINISTER IN ENGLAND, AND AFTER I WAS A MINISTER IN ENGLAND, I VERY OFTEN USED TO SURPRISE PEOPLE BY TRAVELLING ON BUSES AND TRAINS. THEY ALWAYS THOUGHT THAT THERE WAS A MAN IN THE CARRIAGE WHO LOOKS LIKE CHRIS PATTEN. THERE ARE, I THINK, TWO CRUCIAL ISSUES, AND I'M SORRY THAT I DIDN’T TALK ABOUT THEM IN MY SPEECH. TO BE HONEST, MY SPEECH TOOK TWO HOURS AS IT WAS, AND IF I’D PUT A LOT MORE IN, FOR EXAMPLE ABOUT TRANSPORT, I’D STILL BE SPEAKING.
THE TWO KEY ISSUES, I THINK, ARE FIRST OF ALL, THE QUESTION OF WHETHER OR NOT THERE SHOULD BE A NEW RAIL-LINK BETWEEN THE NEW TERRITORIES AND THE MAIN URBAN AREAS, AND THAT IS BEING LOOKED AT AS YOU KNOW, BY A STUDY GROUP AT THE MOMENT. AND SECONDLY, WHEN AND WHETHER WE SHOULD BUILD ROUTE 3. BUT EVEN WITH THOSE DEVELOPMENTS THERE ARE OTHER PROBLEMS, PARTICULARLY CROSSING THE HARBOUR, AND I DON’T THINK THAT WE WILL BE ABLE TO RESOLVE THOSE UNTIL WE HAVE BUILT THE NEW WESTERN HARBOUR CROSSING. IN THE MEANTIME, UNTIL WE’VE COMPLETED THOSE PROJECTS, WE HAVE TO MAKE SURE, FIRST, THAT WE HAVE MORE FERRY-CROSSINGS, SECONDLY, THAT WE HAVE MORE BUS SERVICES. AND I WHOLLY AGREE WITH YOU THAT ALL THOSE TRANSPORT ISSUES HAVE TO BE RESOLVED, PARTICULARLY AS WE FURTHER DEVELOP HOUSING TN THE NEW TERRITORIES.
QUESTION: MR GOVERNOR, THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR GIVING ME THIS OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK TO YOU. FIRST OF ALL, MAY I ASK YOU TO TURN AROUND AND LOOK AT THE PICTURE BEHIND YOU? THERE IS ONE BIG BOAT AND SEVERAL SMALL BOATS. IF YOU SEE, THE BIG BOAT IS HEADING TOWARDS HONG KONG HARBOUR, THEN I WILL HAVE NO DOUBT ABOUT YOUR POLITICAL ATTENTION IN COMING TO HONG KONG, BUT IF THE BOAT IS HEADING AWAY FROM HONG KONG, THEN THERE’S STILL FIVE MORE YEARS TO GO. IF YOU CARRY ON BEING SO APPROACHABLE TO THE PEOPLE LIKE THIS, I DON’T THINK YOU NEED THOSE SMALL BOATS ESCORTING YOU WHILE YOU GO AWAY, BECAUSE YOU WILL BE VERY SAFE, YOU CAN WALK WITH ME IN THE STREET. AND THE QUESTION I WANT TO ASK IS ON POLITICS. ACTUALLY, YOU CAN ASK THE QUESTION AND ANSWER THE QUESTION YOURSELF, BECAUSE YOU ARF THE GOVERNOR OF HONG KONG, YOU ARE NOT A GOVERNOR IN AFRICA. YOU ASKED US IF WE WANT FREEDOM. OF COURSE, WE DO. YOU ASKED US IF WE WANT DEMOCRACY. OF COURSE, WE DO. YOU ASK IF WE WANT MORE BENEFITS. OF COURSE WE DO. SHALL 1 CONTINUE?
/GOVERNOR: DO ........
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 9, 1992
- 17 -
GOVERNOR: DO I GET THE RIGHT OF REPLY? DO YOU WANT TO SAY ANOTHER WORD? I THINK EVERYBODY IS ENJOYING IT.
QUESTION: I HAVE ONE MORE QUESTION TO ASK. I WAS IN CITY HALL LAST NIGHT AND ACTUALLY I WAS THE FIRST TO RAISE MY HAND, BUT THEN I HAVE TO COME HERE AGAIN TO RAISE MY QUESTIONS. I AM A TEACHER. DURING THE RIOTS IN 1967, I TAUGHT IN MRS ELSIE TU’S SCHOOL. WHEN THE CURFEW STARTED AT 4.30 PM, I TOOK SEVERAL HUNDRED STUDENTS AROUND KOWLOON TO TAKE EACH ONE OF THEM HOME AND ALL OF THEM WERE CRYING. AS I TOLD YOU, I AM A TEACHER BUT I LOST MY JOB THREE YEARS AGO AND I DON’T KNOW WHY. I ASKED TO SEE MR Y T LEE OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT. HE SAID HE HAD NO INTEREST IN SEEING ME, BUT I AM A TEACHER. OF COURSE I CAN MAKE HIM SEE ME AT LAST, BUT THERE WAS NO RESULT FROM OUR MEETING. I THINK ALL THE GOVERNMENT DO NOW IS TO PROCRASTINATE.
GOVERNOR: IF YOU GIVE US - HOLD ON A MINUTE, THERE’S 500 PEOPLE HERE. IF YOU GIVE US THE PAPERS ABOUT YOUR CASE, WE’LL LOOK AT THEM AND RESPOND TO YOU. THANK YOU VERY MUCH INDEED FOR THAT QUESTION.
QUESTION: MR PATTEN, AS PROPOSED IN YOUR POLICY SPEECH, A NUMBER OF NON-STATUTORY BODIES ARE TO BE ESTABLISHED, FOR EXAMPLE, THE BUSINESS COUNCIL AND THE GOVERNMENT LEGCO COMMITTEE, WHICH WILL CONTAIN A CERTAIN AMOUNT OF POWER. HOW WILL YOU GUARANTEE THERE’LL BE NO ABUSES OF POWER, GIVEN THAT THERE’LL BE NO CORRESPONDING SUPERVISORY BODY? THANK YOU.
GOVERNOR: THE FIRST THING THAT, PERHAPS, I SHOULD SAY IS THAT I THINK THE EXPRESSION NON-STATUTORY BODY WAS TRANSLATED WRONGLY IN THE TEXT OF MY SPEECH, SO THAT IT ACTUALLY SAYS IN THE TEXT, ’’ILLEGAL”, WHICH IS NOT AT ALL WHAT WE HAD IN MIND. LET ME EXPLAIN THE FUNCTIONS OF THE TWO BODIES THAT I’VE TALKED ABOUT. FIRST OF ALL, I WANT THE BUSINESS COUNCIL TO ENABLE SOME OF THE LEADERS OF OUR BUSINESS COMMUNITY TO GIVE ME THEIR ADVICE AND THEIR OPINIONS ON THE STRATEGY WE SHOULD FOLLOW TO MAKE SURE THAT HONG KONG CONTINUES TO BE A VERY SUCCESSFUL BUSINESS CENTRE.
SECONDLY, THE PURPOSE OF THE GOVERNMENT LEGCO COMMITTEE IS TO ENABLE ME TO MEET LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLORS OR MY SENIOR COLLEAGUES IN THE GOVERNMENT SO THAT WE CAN PLAN THE GOVERNMENT’S BUSINESS PROGRAMME THROUGH THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. IT WON’T BE AN EXECUTIVE BODY, IT WON’T BE A DECISION-MAKING BODY IN GOVERNMENT, BUT IT WILL I HOPE IMPROVE THE COMMUNICATION BETWEEN GOVERNMENT AND THE LEGISLATURE.
/QUESTION: MR
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 9, 1992
18
QUESTION: MR PATTEN, MAY I ASK YOU ONE QUESTION. HOW ARE YOU GOING TO DEAL WITH THE SINO-HONG KONG RELATIONS? YOU ARE NOT LIKE YOUR PREDECESSOR, YOU HAVEN’T MENTIONED ANYTHING ABOUT THIS IN YOUR POLICY SPEECH. THERE ARE 4 YEARS 8 MONTHS AND 21 DAYS BEFORE YOU LEAVE HONG KONG. MR PATTEN, IN YOUR POLICY SPEECH IN PARAGRAPH 36 AND PARAGRAPH 150 THERE ARE SOME CONTRADICTIONS. IN PARAGRAPH 36 YOU SAID IT’S NOT VERY IMPORTANT WHETHER WE HAVE A NEW AIRPORT OR NOT BUT IN PARAGRAPH 150 YOU SAID, IN 1997 WE’LL HAVE THE BEST AIRPORT IN HONG KONG. AND MOREOVER, IN PARAGRAPH 119, WHEN YOU QUOTE THE BASIC LAW YOU HAD THE WRONG PARAGRAPH NUMBER.
SO I THINK YOUR VERY APPROACHABLE IMAGE AND YOUR CONDUCT ARE NOT TN KEEPING WITH EACH OTHER. MAY I ASK YOU WHAT YOU WANT TO DO IN THE FUTURE: ARE YOU GOING TO LEAD THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG TO FIGHT AGAINST CHINA? AND IF WE LOSE THE BATTLE WILL YOU TAKE ALL OF US ON THE 'LADY MAUREEN’ TO GO BACK TO THE UK? AND ON THE 1ST OF JULY 1997, WHAT DO YOU WANT US TO BE LIKE - DYING SWANS OR FRESHLY FRIED PIGEONS?
GOVERNOR: FIRST OF ALL, IF I MAY SAY SO, YOU SHOULD QUOTE MORE ACCURATELY AND GET YOUR FACTS RATHER NEARER TO THE TRUTH. FOR EXAMPLE, YOU SAY THAT IN ARTICLE 119 I HAVE GOT THE ARTICLE OF THE BASIC LAW WHICH REFERS TO THE POWERS OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, WRONG. YOU’RE WRONG, I’VE GOT IT RIGHT. IT IS ARTICLE 75 OF THE BASIC LAW WHICH REFERS TO THE ABILITY OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TO RUN ITS PROCEDURES AS IT WANTS. IT’S ALSO ARTICLE 23 OF THE ROYAL INSTRUCTIONS, WHICH SAYS THE SAME THING. SO WHAT I SAID IN MY SPEECH IS ABSOLUTELY ACCURATE.
SECONDLY, BY A LITTLE CAREFUL EDITING, YOU CHANGE WHAT I SAID ABOUT THE AIRPORT IN THE LATTER PART OF MY SPEECH. I’D SAID EARLY ON THAT I VERY MUCH HOPED WE’D BE ABLE TO COMPLETE IT BY 1997 BUT IT WASN’T ENTIRELY IN MY HANDS. IN PARAGRAPH 150 I SAY, AND I QUOTE, AND YOU MAY NOTICE THE WORDS THAT YOU LEFT OUT:
"WE SHOULD, IF THE WILL IS THERE, HAVE CONSTRUCTED ASIA’S MOST MODERN AIRPORT.”
SO PERHAPS IT WAS AN OVERSIGHT THAT YOU LEFT OUT THE WORDS, "IF THE WILL IS THERE".
ONE MORE THING, I SAID AT THE 43RD ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATIONS, HELD BY THE NCNA, OF THE FOUNDATION OF THE PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF CHINA, THAT I WANTED THE CLOSEST AND BEST RELATIONSHIP WITH CHINA. I SAID THAT WHAT HURTS CHINA HURTS HONG KONG, AND WHAT IS GOOD FOR HONG KONG IS GOOD FOR CHINA. I THINK, TO GIVE THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG A RATHER GREATER SAY IN SHAPING THEIR OWN DESTINY IS GOOD FOR HONG KONG, AND 1 THINK THEREFORE, SINCE IT WOULD STRENGTHEN HONG KONG IT WOULD ALSO, IN DUE COURSE, STRENGTHEN CHINA. AND ONE OF THE THINGS WHICH I HAVE TO PERSUADE MY COLLEAGUES, OFFICIALS IN THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT, OF IS THAT THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG ARE RESPONSIBLE AND MATURE AND SOPHISTICATED, AND C\N VERY SENSIBLY TAKE A RATHER LARGER SHARE IN DETERMINING THEIR OWN FUTURE, WITHOUT BEING A THREAT TO ANYONE.
/QUESTION: MR.........
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 9, 1992
19
QUESTION: MR GOVERNOR, IN 1973, WHEN THE THEN GOVERNOR LORD MACLEHOSE, MADE THE 10-YEAR HOUSING POLICY, IT WAS VERY CLEARLY LAID DOWN THAT PUBLIC HOUSING WAS PART OF SOCIAL WELFARE. BUT AFTER 1988, THE HOUSING AUTHORITY WAS RE-ORGANISED AND ALL THE LAND BECAME THE PERMANENT ASSET, BELONGING TO THE HOUSING AUTHORITY AND THE AUTHORITY HAD TO PAY THE GOVERNMENT 5% DIVIDEND EVERY YEAR. IN A FEW YEARS’ TIME, A TOTAL OF 4.2 BILLION DOLLARS HAVE BEEN PAID AND IN 1997, THE HOUSING AUTHORITY WILL HAVE ALREADY PAID THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT 17 BILLION DOLLARS. SO, MAY I ASK YOU ONE QUESTION. PUBLIC HOUSING IS SOCIAL WELFARE OR A MEANS TO MAKE MONEY? DO YOU THINK IT IS IMPORTANT TO PROTECT THE LIVELIHOOD OF THE GRASSROOTS PEOPLE, OR DO YOU WANT TO FRY US LIKE DUCKS?
GOVERNOR: FIRST OF ALL, YOU ARE OF COURSE RIGHT. THAT HONG KONG NEEDS GOOD PUBLIC HOUSING PROGRAMMES AND I AM SURE YOU’D ALSO ACCEPT THAT GOOD PUBLIC HOUSING PROGRAMMES COST MONEY AND THAT IS WHY, WE ARE PROPOSING TO SPEND, ON HOUSING AUTHORITY AND HOUSING SOCIETY PROGRAMMES, 11 BILLION DOLLARS IN THE NEXT FIVE YEARS. THAT WILL CONTINUE TO PROVIDE ABOUT 40,000 UNITS A YEAR. THAT MEANS THAT, OVER THE NEXT FIVE YEARS, ABOUT A 190,000 FAMILIES WILL RECEIVE HOMES. THAT’S ABOUT 650,000 PEOPLE. THAT IS A VERY SUBSTANTIAL COMMITMENT TO TRYING TO DEAL WITH HONG KONG’S HOUSING NEED. YOU ARE ENTIRELY RIGHT TO SAY THAT, JUST BECAUSE OF THE AMOUNT OF HOUSING THAT’S BEEN PROVIDED IN THE LAST FEW YEARS, DOESN’T MEAN THAT WE CAN RELAX OUR EFFORTS. I CAN ASSURE YOU THAT WE ARE NOT GOING TO DO SO AND WE WILL CONTINUE TO COMMIT SUBSTANTIAL RESOURCES TO A GOOD HOUSING PROGRAMME FOR THE WHOLE OF HONG KONG.
QUESTION: MR GOVERNOR, ALTHOUGH MY SPEECH HAS BEEN DELAYED ONCE AGAIN, BUT I AM VERY GLAD THAT FINALLY YOU GAVE ME THIS OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK TO YOU. YOU HAVE A LOT OF - I HOPE THAT WHAT YOU HAVE PROMISED US, IF THERE IS ANY DELAY, AND AT THE END YOU CAN STILL FULFILL THEM. NOW, I WOULD LIKE TO ASK MY QUESTION. IN YOUR POLICY SPEECH, THOUGH THERE IS NO INDEPENDENT CHAPTERS AND PARAGRAPHS ON SINO-HONG KONG RELATIONS, BUT ACTUALLY THE RELATION HAS BEEN MENTIONED IN SEVERAL PLACES. REGARDING A LOT OF YOUR PROGRAMMES ON SOCIAL WELFARE, ON THE AIRPORT, ON LAW AND ORDER AND ON THE CONSTITUTIONAL DEVELOPMENT, I THINK IT WOULD BE VERY DIFFICULT TO PUT THEM INTO PRACTICE WITHOUT THE SUPPORT FROM CHINA. SO I DOUBT VERY MUCH, WHEN YOU GO TO PEKING LATER, HOW CAN YOU RESOLVE ALL THE PROBLEMS IN ONE MORNING AND, PERHAPS, WITH COFFEE BREAKS TOO? I WANT To KNOW IE THERE IS A STRONG RESISTANCE FROM CHINA, WHAT IS YOUR BOTTOM LINE? WHAT CAN YOU GIVE UP?
/GOVERNOR: WELL ........
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 9, 1992
20
GOVERNOR: WELL, YOU MENTIONED THE QUESTION OF COFFEE. WHAT I SAID WAS THAT, IN MY VIEW, WE COULD, IF WE TACKLED THEM ON THEIR MERITS, DEAL WITH THE OUTSTANDING ISSUES OVER THE AIRPORT IN THE MORNING, WITH A COFFEE BREAK. BUT THERE ARE OTHER ISSUES WHICH ARE MORE COMPLICATED AND WHICH WILL TAKE LONGER. I THINK IT’S CONCEIVABLE THAT WE MAY HAVE TO SPEND A LITTLE LONGER TALKING ABOUT POLITICAL ISSUES, BUT TAKE AN ISSUE WHICH I THINK WE SHOULD BE ABLE TO DEAL WITH QUITE SIMPLY AND WITHOUT TOO MUCH OF A PROBLEM. AND THAT IS THE IMPORTANCE OF CO-OPERATING TO DEAL WITH THE PROBLEM OF SMUGGLING AND THE PROBLEM OF CROSS-BORDER CRIME. I THINK THAT EVERYONE KNOWS SOME OF THE CENTRES FOR SMUGGLING BEYOND OUR BORDERS. SO, ONE OF THE THINGS THAT I WILL SAY TO MY COLLEAGUES IN THE GOVERNMENT OF THE PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF CHINA IS THAT I AM VERY MUCH IN FAVOUR OF STRONG, EXECUTIVE-LED GOVERNMENT IN HONG KONG AND I AM IN FAVOUR OF STRONG, EXECUTIVE-LED GOVERNMENT ELSEWHERE AS WELL; SO THAT, WE CAN COOPERATE AND SUCCESSFULLY DEAL WITH PROBLEMS LIKE SMUGGLING AND CROSS-BORDER CRIME.
WHAT IS MY BOTTOM LINE, YOU ASKED. MY BOTTOM LINE IS TO GOVERN HONG KONG FOR THE NEXT FIVE YEARS AS HONOURABLY AND HONESTLY AS POSSIBLE; MY BOTTOM LINE IS THAT THE ELECTIONS IN 1995 SHOULD BE CONDUCTED IN A WAY WHICH THE WHOLE COMMUNITY REGARDS AS FAIR AND EQUITABLE AND I VERY MUCH HOPE THAT, AFTER I HAVE DEPARTED, THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OF THE SPECIAL ADMINISTRATIVE REGION WILL, AFTER HIS FIRST POLICY SPEECH, COME TO THE TOWN HALL IN SHA TIN AND ANSWER QUESTIONS ON IT.
QUESTION: MR GOVERNOR, IN YOU POLICY SPEECH YOU HAVE SAID A LOT OF THINGS ABOUT SOCIAL WELFARE BUT MOST OF THEM WERE ABOUT THE ELDERLY, THE NEEDY AND THE DISABLED. THERE IS NOTHING DEVELOPMENTAL AND PREVENTIVE EXCEPT FOR THE MENTION OF 50 MORE SCHOOL SOCIAL WORKERS. BUT FOR THE TIME BEING, SCHOOL SOCIAL WORKERS’ WORK IS CHIEFLY REMEDIAL RATHER THAN DEVELOPMENTAL. AT THE BEGINNING OF THE EVENING, ONE OF THE MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC HERE MENTIONED THE PROBLEM OF DRUG-ABUSE AND YOU SAID IN RESPONSE THAT THERE WILL BE MORE SOCIAL WORKERS TO TACKLE THE PROBLEM BUT THERE IS NO MENTION ABOUT DEVELOPMENTAL AND PREVENTIVE MEASURES IN YOUR POLICY SPEECH. DO YOU THINK THESE ARE NOT NECESSARY?
GOVERNOR: NO, I THINK THEY ARE NECESSARY. I DO SAY QUITE A BIT, I THINK YOU’LL AGREF, ABOUT PREVENTIVE MEASURES IN THE HEALTH FIELD. I DIDN’T SAY VERY MUCH ABOUT PREVENTIVE MEASURES IN THE SOCIAL WELFARE FIELD, BUT YOU’RE QUITE RIGHT TO STRESS THE IMPORTANCE OF THAT. I REFERRED EARLIER TO SOME OF THE TEAMS THAT WE’VE BEEN SENDING INTO AREAS WHERE THERE IS A HIGH INCIDENCE OF JUVENILE CRIME, THAT IS AN EXAMPLE OF THE SORT OF IMPORTANT PREVENTIVE MEASURES THAT HAVE TO BE TAKEN .
I HAVE TO SAY, IF I CAN ADD ONE FURTHER POINT, THAT I THINK THE PROPOSALS THAT WE’VE TUT FORWARD ON EDUCATION, FOR PROVIDING MORE TEACHERS, FOR CUTTING CLASS SIZES AND FOR GIVING TEACHERS MORE TIME TO SPEND WITH PUPILS AND MORE TIME TO SPEND PREPARING FOR LESSONS, I THINK THOSE THINGS ARE EXTREMELY IMPORTANT IN ORDER TO ENSURE THAT WE PREVENT SOME OF THE SOCIAL PROBLEMS THAT MIGHT OTHERWISE ARISE.
/QUESTION: MR ........
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 9, 1992
- 21 -
QUESTION: MR PATTEN, IN YOUR POLICY SPEECH, IN THE PART ON EDUCATION, YOU SAID THERE WILL BE SMALLER CLASSES - THE CLASS SIZE WILL BE REDUCED TO 35 AND IT WILL START FROM PRIMARY 1. SO WHY CAN’T YOU BE MORE GENEROUS AND PUT THE SAME RESOURCES INTO SECONDARY SCHOOLS AND DO THE SAME FOR SECONDARY SCHOOLS, OR DO YOU THINK THAT SECONDARY EDUCATION IS LESS IMPORTANT THAN PRIMARY EDUCATION?
GOVERNOR: I THINK THAT BOTH ARE EXTREMELY IMPORTANT, THOUGH I SHOULD ADMIT AT THIS POINT, THAT MY GRANDPARENTS, BOTH MY GRANDMOTHER AND MY GRANDFATHER, WERE HEAD TEACHERS OF PRIMARY SCHOOLS. I SAID IN MY SPEECH THAT WE WOULD BE EMPLOYING OVER THE NEXT FIVE YEARS AN ADDITIONAL 2,200 TEACHERS, THAT WE WOULD BE BEGINNING TO REDUCE CLASS SIZES FROM 40 TO 35, AS YOU SAY, STARTING IN PRIMARY 1 AND WORKING OUR WAY THROUGH THE SYSTEM. BUT I ALSO SAID THAT TN ADDITION TO RECRUITING NEW TEACHERS FOR PRIMARY SCHOOLS BEGINNING FROM SEPTEMBER NEXT YEAR, WE’D ALSO, AS FROM THE FOLLOWING YEAR, START TO RECRUIT NEW TEACHERS, ADDITIONAL TEACHERS, FOR SECONDARY SCHOOLS AS WELL, BECAUSE IT IS IMPORTANT TO RECOGNISE THE BURDEN ON TEACHERS AT ALL LEVELS OF EDUCATION.
A RESULT OF THE PROPOSALS THAT I’VE PUT FORWARD IS THAT IN PRIMARY SCHOOLS, THE RATIO OF PUPILS TO TEACHERS WILL FALL FROM 27-1 TO 24-1, AND IN SECONDARY SCHOOLS FROM 22-1 TO 20-1. SO I VERY MUCH HOPE THAT WE WILL BE ABLE TO MEET THE SORT OF OBJECTIVES WHICH YOU’VE SET, EVEN IF WE CAN’T DO IT QUITE AS QUICKLY AS YOU WANT IT.
1 AM SORRY THAT WE HAVE TO CLOSE THE MEETING NOW. IT IS GENUINELY THE CASE THAT WE HAVE TO BE OUT OF THE HALL - WE HAVE TO BE OUT OF THE HALL BY FIVE MINUTES AGO. BUT THERE ARE TWO GROUPS OF PEOPLE THAT I WOULD LIKE TO THANK. FIRST OF ALL, I WOULD LIKE TO THANK THE INTERPRETERS. I APOLOGISE FOR THE FACT THAT I CANNOT SPEAK CANTONESE BUT YOU HAVE BEEN VFRY PATIENT WITH ME THIS EVENING. SECONDLY, I WANT TO THANK ALL OF YOU, BOTH FOR COMING THIS EVENING AND FOR, ON THE WHOLE, ASKING SUCH BRIEF QUESTIONS, WHICH HAS ENABLED US TO INCLUDE MANY MORE QUESTIONERS THAN HAPPENED LAST NIGHT.
I HOPE THAT YOU’LL ALLOW ME TO COME TO YOUR COMMUNITY AGAIN TO ANSWER QUESTIONS. WHEN 1 NEXT COME, ANY OF YOU WHO WERE HERE TONIGHT AND WEREN’T ABLE TO ASK QUESTIONS, WILL OF COURSE BE CALLED FIRST, PROVIDED WE BELIEVE YOU. IN CASE ANYONE DOUBTED IT, YOU HAVE DEMONSTRATED THIS EVENING HOW SENSIBLY AND RESPONSIBLY PEOPLE IN HONG KONG CAN DEBATE POLITICAL ISSUES AND THAT IS SOMETHING WHICH I CAN ASSURE YOU, MAKES ME FEEL MUCH MORE CONVINCED THAT IT’S RIGHT TO TRY TO GIVE YOU A BIGGER SHARE IN THE MANAGEMENT OF YOUR OWN FUTURE. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. - AND DON’T FORGET TO TELL THE OWNER OF THE PIGEON RESTAURANT!
---------0-----------
/22 .......
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 9, 1992
- 22 -
MORE OPPORTUNITIES FOR PARTICIPATION IN PUBLIC AFFAIRS: GOVERNOR * * * * *
THE GOVERNOR, THE RT HON CHRISTOPHER PATTEN, SAID THAT THE MORE PEOPLE WERE GIVEN AN OPPORTUNITY TO PARTICIPATE IN PUBLIC AFFAIRS AND IN DECISIONS ABOUT THEIR FUTURE, THE MORE EVERYBODY WOULD RECOGNISE IT.
HE WAS RESPONDING TO A PRESS QUESTION AFTER APPEARING ON A TELEVISION PROGRAMME ABOUT WHAT HE LEARNT FOLLOWING YESTERDAY’S SERIES OF PUBLIC SPEAKING SESSIONS.
"WHAT I’VE LEARNT, PARTICULARLY AT THE PUBLIC MEETING I HAD THIS EVENING IS WHAT A RESPONSIBLE, INTELLIGENT COMMUNITY THERE IS IN HONG KONG," MR PATTEN SAID.
---------0 - -
MERCHANT SHIPPING (SAFETY) (AMENDMENT) BILL 1992 GAZETTED ♦ * * ♦
THE MERCHANT SHIPPING (SAFETY) (AMENDMENT) BILL 1992 WHICH ENABLES SURVEYS TO BE CONDUCTED ON FOREIGN REGISTERED PASSENGER SHIPS ENGAGED IN NON-INTERNATIONAL VOYAGES WHICH BEGIN AND END WITHIN THE WATERS OF HONG KONG WITHOUT CALLING AT ANOTHER PORT WAS GAZETTED TODAY (FRIDAY).
THE BILL ALSO ENABLES THE INSPECTION OF CERTIFICATES OR OTHER DOCUMENTARY EVIDENCE CONCERNING THE SAFETY OF CARGO SHIPS NOT COVERED BY THE INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION FOR THE SAFETY OF LIFE AT SEA 1974 (SOLAS).
THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF MARINE (SHIPPING), MR JOHN TSE YAN-CHI,SAID:
"FOREIGN REGISTERED PASSENGER SHIPS BASED IN HONG KONG AND PLYING ON NON-INTERNATIONAL VOYAGES ARE OFTEN REMOTE FROM THE CONTROL OF THEIR FLAG STATE ADMINISTRATIONS.
"THE LATTER MAY THEREFORE FIND IT DIFFICULT IN SOME CASES TO ENSURE THAT THE SAFETY STANDARDS OF THESE SHIPS ARE MAINTAINED FULLY IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE SOLAS CONVENTION."
"SINCE SUCH SHIPS ROUTINELY CARRY LARGE NUMBERS OF HONG KONG PASSENGERS, THEIR SAFETY IS A MATTER OF CONCERN TO US.
"THE BILL ADDRESSES THIS CONCERN BY PROVIDING POWERS FOR THE DIRECTOR OF MARINE TO CONDUCT SURVEYS OF SUCH FOREIGN REGISTERED PASSENGER SHIPS JUST AS IF THEY WERE HONG KONG REGISTERED SHIPS," HE ADDED.
NOTING THAT THE DIRECTOR OF MARINE’S POWERS IN THIS REGARD HAD PREVIOUSLY BEEN CHALLENGED IN THE COURTS, MR TSE STRESSED THAT THE MARINE DEPARTMENT’S MAIN CONCERN WAS THE SAFETY OF PASSENGERS WHO GO ON SUCH SHIPS.
/MR TSE ........
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 9, 1992
- 23 -
MR TSE SAID: ’’THE MAJORITY OF PASSENGERS ARE HONG KONG RESIDENTS. WE HAVE A CLEAR DUTY OF CARE TOWARDS THEM. THE PROPOSAL IN THE BILL WILL ALLOW US TO FULFIL THIS DUTY IN A MANNER ENTIRELY CONSISTENT WITH INTERNATIONAL LAW AND PRACTICE.”
TURNING TO THE SAFETY OF CARGO SHIPS, MR TSE SAID THE MERCHANT SHIPPING (SAFETY) (AMENDMENT) BILL 1992 WOULD ENABLE THE DIRECTOR OF MARINE TO :
* REQUIRE FOREIGN CARGO SHIPS WHICH ARE UNDER 500 GROSS TONNAGE AND SHIPS OF OVER 500 GROSS TONNAGE REGISTERED IN COUNTRIES WHICH ARE NOT A PARTY TO THE SOLAS CONVENTION TO CONFORM TO THE HONG KONG STANDARDS AND CONVENTION STANDARDS RESPECTIVELY BEFORE BEING GRANTED CLEARANCE FOR AN INTERNATIONAL VOYAGE;
* PROHIBIT HONG KONG REGISTERED CARGO SHIPS UNDER 500 GROSS TONNAGE FROM PROCEEDING TO SEA ON ANY VOYAGE UNLESS THEY COMPLY WITH THE RELEVANT REGULATIONS, AND TO REQUIRE PRODUCTION OF DOCUMENTARY EVIDENCE OF SUCH COMPLIANCE WHEN REQUESTING CLEARANCE FOR ANY VOYAGE;
♦ ACCEPT CERTIFICATES OF ANY SHIPS WHICH ARE NOT IN THE PRECISE FORMAT OF THE SOLAS CONVENTION, FOR THE PURPOSES OF GRANTING CLEARANCE FOR ANY VOYAGE WHERE THE DIRECTOR OF MARINE IS SATISFIED THAT THE STANDARDS REQUIRED FOR THE ISSUE OF SUCH CERTIFICATES ARE SUBSTANTIALLY THE SAME AS THOSE REQUIRED FOR A HONG KONG REGISTERED SHIP.
UNDER THE MERCHANT SHIPPING (SAFETY) ORDINANCE SHIPS TO WHICH SOLAS APPLIES ARE REQUIRED TO PRODUCE VALID SOLAS SAFETY CERTIFICATES BEFORE OBTAINING A CLEARANCE TO SAIL FROM HONG KONG ON INTERNATIONAL VOYAGES.
HOWEVER THE SOLAS CONVENTION DOES NOT APPLY TO CARGO SHIPS UNDER 500 GROSS TONNAGE OR SHIPS REGISTERED IN COUNTRIES WHICH ARE NOT PARTY TO THE CONVENTION.
-----0------
SIXTH FLIGHT TO ORDERLY REPATRIATE VIETNAMESE
*****
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN ANNOUNCED TODAY (FRIDAY) THAT A SIXTH GROUP OF ABOUT 60 VIETNAMESE MIGRANTS SCREENED OUT AS NON-REFUGEES WILL RETURN TO VIETNAM TOMORROW (SATURDAY) UNDER THE CONTINUING ORDERLY RETURN PROGRAMME.
THIS IS THE SIXTH REPATRIATION FLIGHT UNDER THE ORDERLY RETURN PROGRAMME AGREED WITH THE VIETNAMESE GOVERNMENT ON OCTOBER 29 LAST YEAR.
/IT FOLLOWS .......
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 9, 1992
- 24 -
IT FOLLOWS THE ORDERLY REPATRIATION FLIGHTS ON NOVEMBER 9 AND DECEMBER 10 LAST YEAR, AND FEBRUARY 12, JUNE 19 AND AUGUST 4 THIS YEAR.
SO FAR, A TOTAL OF 221 NON-REFUGEES HAVE BEEN RETURNED TO VIETNAM UNDER THE PROGRAMME.
ATTENTION NEWS EDITORS:
THE FOLLOWING ARRANGEMENTS HAVE BEEN MADE TO FACILITATE MEDIA COVERAGE:
A FIXED POSITION WILL BE SET UP INSIDE THE AIRPORT WHERE JOURNALISTS WILL BE ABLE TO PHOTOGRAPH THE RETURNEES BOARDING THE PLANE THAT TAKES THEM BACK TO VIETNAM.
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES WISHING TO MAKE USE OF THE FACILITY SHOULD ASSEMBLE IN THE AIRPORT PRESS ROOM IN THE ARRIVAL HALL NO LATER THAN 8.45 AM. TELEPHOTO LENSES WILL BE NECESSARY.
EDITORS ARE REMINDED THAT THEIR REPORTERS AND PHOTOGRAPHERS MUST BE ABLE TO PRODUCE PROOF THAT THEY ARE BONA FIDE JOURNALISTS BEFORE THEY ARE ALLOWED TO USE THE FACILITY.
------0-------
VOLUME AND PRICE MOVEMENTS OF EXTERNAL TRADE IN JULY
* * * » »
THE VOLUME OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS IN THE FIRST SEVEN MONTHS OF THIS YEAR INCREASED BY 1%, WHILE THAT OF RE-EXPORTS INCREASED BY 30% OVER THE SAME PERIOD LAST YEAR, ACCORDING TO STATISTICS RELEASED TODAY (FRIDAY) BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
TAKING DOMESTIC EXPORTS AND RE-EXPORTS TOGETHER, THE VOLUME OF TOTAL EXPORTS INCREASED BY 21%. IMPORTS INCREASED BY 23% IN VOLUME.
THE GROWTH IN THE VOLUME OF TRADE IS DERIVED FROM THE GROWTH IN TRADE VALUES WITH THE EFFECT OF PRICE CHANGES BEING DISCOUNTED.
AS REGARDS PRICE CHANGES OVER THE SAME PERIOD OF COMPARISON, THE PRICES OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS AND RE-EXPORTS BOTH INCREASED BY 1%. IMPORT PRICES REMAINED 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 SEVEN MONTHS OF THIS YEAR AS COMPARED WITH THE SAME PERIOD LAST YEAR.
/COMPARING JULY
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 9, 1992
- 25
COMPARING JULY 1992 WITH JULY 1991, THE VOLUME OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS WAS VIRTUALLY UNCHANGED WHILE THAT OF RE-EXPORTS INCREASED BY 25%. THE VOLUME OF TOTAL EXPORTS INCREASED BY 17%. THE VOLUME OF IMPORTS INCREASED BY 22%.
OVER THE SAME PERIOD OF COMPARISON, THE PRICES OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS ROSE BY 1% WHILE THOSE OF RE-EXPORTS REMAINED VIRTUALLY UNCHANGED. IMPORT PRICES ROSE BY 1%.
THE CHANGES IN THE VALUE, UNIT VALUE AND VOLUME OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS BY PRINCIPAL COMMODITY GROUP ARE SHOWN IN TABLE 1.
COMPARING JULY 1992 WITH JULY 1991, COMMODITY GROUPS WHICH RECORDED SUBSTANTIAL INCREASES IN THE VOLUME OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS INCLUDED METAL ORES AND SCRAP (+39%); AND ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS ( + 12%) .
ON THE OTHER HAND, CONSIDERABLE DECREASES IN THE VOLUME OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS WERE RECORDED FOR DOMESTIC ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES (-44%); TEXTILE MADE-UPS AND RELATED ARTICLES (-41%); AND RADIOS OF ALL KINDS (-36%).
AS REGARDS DOMESTIC EXPORT PRICES, THE MOST SIGNIFICANT INCREASE WAS RECORDED FOR TEXTILE MADE-UPS AND RELATED ARTICLES, BY 7%.
ON THE OTHER HAND, ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS RECORDED A CONSIDERABLE DECREASE OF 5% IN DOMESTIC EXPORT PRICES. THE DOMESTIC EXPORT PRICES OF TEXTILE YARN AND THREAD; AND METAL ORES AND SCRAP BOTH DECLINED BY 2%.
THE CHANGES IN THE VALUE, UNIT VALUE AND VOLUME OF IMPORTS BY END-USE CATEGORY ARE SHOWN IN TABLE 2.
THE IMPORT VOLUME OF FOODSTUFFS INCREASED BY 8% IN JULY 1992 AS COMPARED WITH JULY 1991.
SIGNIFICANT INCREASES WERE RECORDED FOR THE IMPORT VOLUME OF TEA AND COFFEE; FRUIT; MILK, BUTTER, CHEESE AND EGGS; AND ANIMALS OF THE BOVINE SPECIES.
HOWEVER, CONSIDERABLE DECREASE WAS RECORDED FOR THE IMPORT VOLUME OF SUGAR; WHEAT AND FLOUR; SOYA BEAN OIL, PEANUT OIL, VEGETABLE OIL AND LARD; AND MEAT AND MEAT PREPARATIONS.
OVER THE SAME PERIOD OF COMPARISON, THE IMPORT VOLUME OF CONSUMER GOODS INCREASED BY 24%.
COMMODITY ITEMS WITH CONSIDERABLE INCREASES IN IMPORT VOLUME INCLUDED PASSENGER MOTOR CARS; WATCHES; AND CAMERAS, FLASHLIGHT APPARATUS AND SUPPLIES FOR PHOTOGRAPHY.
THE IMPORT VOLUME OF RAW MATERIALS AND SEMI-MANUFACTURES INCREASED BY 12% IN JULY 1992 AS COMPARED WITH JULY 1991.
/SIGNIFICANT INCREASES .......
26
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 9, 1992
SIGNIFICANT INCREASES IN IMPORT VOLUME WERE NOTED FOR RAW COTTON; LEATHER AND DRESSED FUR SKINS; WOOL AND OTHER ANIMAL HAIR; AND THERMIONIC CATHODE VALVES AND TUBES, DIODES, TRANSISTORS AND ELECTRICAL MICROCIRCUITS.
HOWEVER, CONSIDERABLE DECREASES WERE RECORDED FOR THE IMPORT volume of man-made fibres; clay and refractory construction MATERIALS, BUILDING MATERIALS, AND SO ON EXCEPT GLASS; AND YARN OF MAN-MADE FIBRES.
IMPORTS OF FUELS INCREASED BY 21% IN VOLUME IN JULY 1992 AS COMPARED WITH JULY 1991.
AS REGARDS CAPITAL GOODS, THE IMPORT VOLUME INCREASED BY 41% IN JULY 1992 OVER JULY 1991.
NOTABLE INCREASES WERE RECORDED FOR THE IMPORT VOLUME OF CONSTRUCT I ON MACHINERY; OTHER I NIIU: ill.'I A I. MACHINERY (OTHER THAN TEXTILE MACHINERY AND ELECTRICAL MACHINERI); AND SC I ENT I !• I< , MEDICAL, OPTICAL, MEASURING AND CONTROLLING INSTRUMENTS AND APPARATUS.
THE IMPORT PRICES OF MOST END-USE CATEGORIES INCREASED IN JULY 1992 OVER JULY 1991: CAPITAL GOODS (+4%); CONSUMER GOODS (+4%); FOODSTUFFS (+1%) AND FUELS (+1%).
HOWEVER, THE IMPORT PRICES OF RAW MATERIALS AND SEMIMANUFACTURES DECREASED BY 2%.
THE CHANGES IN THE VALUE, UNIT VALUE AND VOLUME OF RE-EXPORTS BY END-USE CATEGORY ARE SHOWN IN TABLE 3.
THE VOLUME OF RE-EXPORTS OF CAPITAL GOODS HAD GROWN SUBSTANTIALLY IN JULY 1992 COMPARED WITH JULY 1991 (BY 61%).
THAT OF CONSUMER GOODS; RAW MATERIALS AND SEMI-MANUFACTURES; AND FOODSTUFFS ALSO REGISTERED INCREASES, BY 25%, 12% AND 4%
RESPECTIVELY. HOWEVER, THE VOLUME OF RE-EXPORTS OF FUELS DECREASED BY 32%.
OVER THE SAME PERIOD OF COMPARISON, THE PRICES OF RE-EXPORTS OF FUELS, CONSUMER GOODS AND CAPITAL GOODS INCREASED BY 5%, 2% AND 1% RESPECTIVELY.
THE RE-EXPORT PRICES OF RAW MATERIALS AND SEMI-MANUFACTURES; AND FOODSTUFFS DECREASED BY 3% AND 1% RESPECTIVELY.
DETAILS ARE PUBLISHED IN THE JULY 1992 ISSUE OF THE "HONG KONG TRADE INDEX NUMBERS".
THE REPORT, AT $6 A COPY, WILL BE ON SALE AROUND OCTOBER 14 AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS SALES CENTRE ON THE GROUND FLOOR, GENERAL POST OFFICE BUILDING, CONNAUGHT PLACE, CENTRAL AND AT THE PUBLICATIONS SECTION OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT ON THE 19TH FLOOR, WANCHAI TOWER I, 12 HARBOUR ROAD, WAN CHAI.
ENQUIRIES ABOUT REGULAR SUBSCRIPTION TO THE REPORT MAY BE DIRECTED TO THE INFORMATION SERVICES DEPARTMENT AT FRENCH MISSION BUILDING, 1 BATTERY PATH, HONG KONG (TEL 842 8802) AND ENQUIRIES ON TRADE INDEXES TO THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT (TEL 582 4918).
/TABLE 1 .......
rRIDAY, OCTOBER 9, 1992
27
Table 1 : Changes in domestic exports by principal commodity group
Comparing JUL with JUL 1992 1991 Comparing wi th JAN-JUL JAN-JUL 1992 1991
Commodity group Vai ue 0. n Unit Value Volume % Value % Uni t Value Volume % %
Clothing 5 3 2 3 3 *
Textile fabrics -8 2 -10 2 2 *
Textile yarn and thread -19 -2 -17 -6 -3 -3
Textile made-ups and related articles -37 7 -41 -17 7 -22
Radios of all kinds -36 * -36 -38 -1 -38
Electronic components 7 -5 12 18 -5 24
Footwear -4 3 -7 -26 3 -28
Metal manufactures 5 J 5 9 4 5
Metal ores and scrap 36 -2 39 -8 -5 -4
Watches and clocks 2 1 1 -11 -1 -10
Travel goods, handbags and similar articles -13 * -13 3 2 2
Domestic electrical appliances -44 * -44 -34 1 -35
ALL COMMODITIES I 1 * 2 1 1
less than 0.5%
/TABLE 2 .......
28
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 9, 1992
Table 2 : Changes in imports by end-use category
Comparing JUL 1992 with JUL 1991 Comparing with JAN-JUL 1992 JAN-JUL 1991
End-use category Uu i t Value Value Volume Value Unit Value Volume
% % % % % %
Foodstuffs 9 1 8 12 1 11
Consumer goods 28 4 24 29 3 26
Raw materials and semi-manufactures 9 -2 12 14 -2 17
Fuels 21 1 21 6 -14 23
Capital goods 47 4 41 36 2 33
ALL COMMODITIES 23 1 22 23 * 23
less than 0.5%
Table 3 : Changes in re-exports by end-use category
Comparing JUL 1992 with JUL 1991 Comparing JAN-JUL 1992 with JAN-JUL 1991
End-use category Unit Unit
Value Value Volume % % % Value Value Volume % % %
Foodstuffs 3 -1 4 7 2 5
Consumer goods 28 2 25 33 3 29
Raw materials and semi-manufactures 8 -3 12 23 -2 25
Fuels -28 5 -32 6 -10 18
Capital goods 63 1 61 50 1 49
ALL COMMODITIES 25 A 25 31 1 30
less than 0.5%
--------0-----------
/29 .......
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 9,
1992
- 29
TUEN MUN DB BY-ELECTION TO BE HELD ON SUNDAY
* * * * *
REGISTERED VOTERS OF TUEN MUN DISTRICT BOARD’S TAI HING CONSTITUENCY ARE URGED TO PARTICIPATE IN THE FORTHCOMING BY-ELECTION ON SUNDAY (OCTOBER 11).
TUEN MUN DISTRICT OFFICER, MR PETER LEUNG, REMINDED THE 12,000 VOTERS THAT THEIR POLLING STATION, LOCATED AT TAI HING COMMUNITY HALL, WILL BE OPEN FROM 7.30 AM TO 10.30 PM.
"AS ONLY ONE SEAT IN THE CONSTITUENCY IS VACANT, ELECTORS MAY VOTE FOR ONLY ONE CANDIDATE," HE SAID.
HE ADDED THAT ELECTORS SHOULD BRING ALONG THEIR POLL CARDS AND IDENTITY CARDS.
THE THREE VYING CANDIDATES FOR THE SEAT ARE MISS HO HANG-MUI, MR LAM TAK-LEUNG AND MISS SO LAI-WAH.
ATTENTION NEWS EDITORS
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE BY-ELECTION.
THE SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS, MR MICHAEL SUEN, WILL VISIT THE POLLING STATION AT TAI HING COMMUNITY HALL, TAI HING ESTATE, TUEN MUN AT 10.45 AM.
HE WILL MEET THE PRESS OUTSIDE THE STATION AFTER THE VISIT.
THE REGIONAL SECRETARY (NEW TERRITORIES), MR ALBERT LAM, WILL ALSO MEET THE PRESS AFTER VISITING THE POLLING STATION AT 3.55 PM.
MR LAM WILL ALSO ROUND UP THE BY-ELECTION TO THE PRESS AT THE LOBBY OF TUEN MUN TOWN HALL AT 11 PM.
TO FACILITATE PRESS COVERAGE, A PRESS CENTRE WILL BE SET UP IN THE LECTURE ROOM 1, GROUND FLOOR, TUEN MUN TOWN HALL FROM 9.30 AM UNTIL THE CONCLUSION OF VOTE COUNTING.
GIS OFFICER ON DUTY AT THE CENTRE CAN BE CONTACTED ON TEL 441 4185.
A LIMITED NUMBER OF PARKING SPACES WILL BE AVAILABLE IN THE TOWN HALL CAR PARK.
PARKING LABELS ARE AVAILABLE FOR COLLECTION ON A FIRST-COME-FIRST-SERVED BASIS AT THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION’S NEWS AND PUBLICITY DIVISION ON 30TH FLOOR, SOUTHORN CENTRE, 130 HENNESSY ROAD, WAN CHAI.
- - 0 - -
/30 .......
30
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 9, 1992
DISTRICT BOARDS TO PLAY A MORE IMPORTANT ROLE
* * * *
THE DISTRICT BOARDS WILL ASSUME A MORE SIGNIFICANT ROLE IN FUTURE, THE SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS, MR MICHAEL SUEN, SAID TODAY (FRIDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE 1992 WAN CHAI FESTIVAL AT THE HAPPY VALLEY SPORTS GROUND, MR SUEN SAID APART FROM INCREASES IN DISTRICT BOARD FUNDINGS, THE GOVERNMENT WILL ALLOW BOARD MEMBERS TO TAKE UP MORE RESPONSIBILITIES IN LOCAL AFFAIRS.
THE GOVERNOR, THE RT HON CHRISTOPHER PATTEN, IN HIS MAIDEN POLICY ADDRESS ON WEDNESDAY, PROPOSED THAT APPOINTED MEMBERS TO MUNICIPAL COUNCILS AND DISTRICT BOARDS BE ABOLISHED IN 1994.
’’THE PROPOSAL IS A NATURAL STEP FORWARD IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION WHICH MEANS AN INCREASE IN THE DISTRICT BOARDS’ REPRESENTATIVE ROLE,” MR SUEN SAID.
MR SUEN SAID THE BOARDS HAD, OVER THE PAST DECADE, FULLY PLAYED AN INTERMEDIARY ROLE BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT AND THE PUBLIC.
’’THEY REFLECTED LOCAL RESIDENTS’ VIEWS ON ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT, TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT, AND CULTURAL AND RECREATIONAL FACILITIES AND SO ON.
’’AND THE ADMINISTRATION ALL ALONG REGARDED THE BOARDS AS A VERY REPRESENTATIVE ADVISORY BODY AT DISTRICT LEVEL,” HE SAID.
MR SUEN ADDED THAT THE BOARDS HAD MADE MUCH CONTRIBUTION TO VARIOUS DISTRICTS.
CITING WAN CHAI AS AN EXAMPLE, HE SAID THE DISTRICT BOARD, UNDER A "GREENING" CAMPAIGN, HAD PLANTED 600 TREES IN A FEW YEARS GIVING THE COMMERCIAL AREA A MORE COMFORTABLE AND FRESHER OUTLOOK.
THE BOARD ALSO SPONSORED FUNCTIONS ORGANISED BY LOCAL GROUPS AS WELL AS CO-ORGANISED ACTIVITIES WITH AREA COMMITTEES.
HE SAID THE TRIENNIAL WAN CHAI FESTIVAL PROVIDED LOCAL RESID NTS WITH A CHANCE TO BETTER UNDERSTAND THE DISTRICT AND ITS LATES DEVELOPMENT AND TO AROUSE THEIR CONCERN OVER LOCAL ISSUES.
TONIGHT’S PROGRAMME WAS KICKED OFF BY A GRAND PARADE ALONG THE 'EQUI TRACK" BY MORE THAN 2,000 PEOPLE FROM LOCAL SCHOOLS, KAIFONG ORGANISATIONS AND SPONSOR COMPANIES.
A 45-METRE "DANCING" DRAGON AND THE CHEUNG CHAU-TYPE FLOAT TEAMS WERE THE HIGHLIGHTS.
IN A FOLLOWING CEREMONY, MR SUEN, TOGETHER WITH A LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLOR, MR ALLEN LEE, WAN CHAI DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, MRS PEGGY LAM, AND CHAIRMAN OF THE FESTIVAL ORGANISING COMMITTEE, MR STEVEN LIU, RELEASED FOUR GIANT BALLOONS INTO THE AIR.
/A BANNER .......
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 9, 1992
31
A BANNER WAS HUNG TO EACH BALLOON WITH SLOGANS ON DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION. ONE WAS ON THE THEME OF THE FESTIVAL: "TO LIVE AND WORK BETTER IN WAN CHAI".
THERE WAS ALSO A SWITCH-ON CEREMONY WHICH WAS BROADCAST LIVE ON TVB JADE CHANNEL.
SOME 10,000 SPECTATORS WERE TREATED TO A MUSIC-PACKED AND STAR-STUDDED CONCERT EXTRAVAGANZA FEATURING SINGERS ANDY LAU AND SALLY YEH.
THE FESTIVAL WILL LAST UNTIL NOVEMBER 14. HIGHLIGHTS WILL INCLUDE THE LOCKHART ROAD FESTIVAL, THE CAUSEWAY BAY CENTRAL ARTS CARNIVAL AND THE JOINT SCHOOL CULTURAL NIGHT.
------0-------
GOVT DOCKYARD RECLAMATION WORKS ON STONECUTTERS ISLAND * * » * *
THE GOVERNMENT IS TO CONSTRUCT ABOUT 630 METRES OF SEAWALL AND RECLAIM AN AREA OF ABOi'T SIX HECTARES OF FORESHORE AND SEABED INSIDE THE BASIN AT THE NORTHEAST CORNER OF STONECUTTERS ISLAND.
THE PROJECT WILL PROVIDE LAND AND A TYPHOON SHELTER TO SERVE THE REPLACEMENT GOVERNMENT DOCKYARD.
WORK WILL START NEXT JANUARY AND BE COMPLETED IN JUNE 1995.
CONSTRUCTION IS ALREADY UNDER WAY ON THE LAND TO THE WEST OF THE BASIN AND ON SEVERAL OTHER SITES ON STONECUTTERS ISLAND TO PROVIDE A REPLACEMENT NAVAL BASE FOR HMS TAMAR. THIS WILL BE COMPLETED IN MARCH 1993.
ONCE THE GOVERNMENT DOCKYARD IS COMPLETED, THE BASIN WILL BE JOINTLY USED BY THE BRITISH FORCES AND THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT FLEET.
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 INJURIOUSLY AFFECTED BY THE UNDERTAKING MAY DELIVER TO THE DIRECTOR OF BUILDINGS AND LANDS A WRITTEN CLAIM FOR COMPENSATION ON OR BEFORE OCTOBER 8 NEXT YEAR.
THE NOTICE TOGETHER WITH ITS RELATED PLAN CAN BE SEEN AT THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT SURVEY AND MAPPING OFFICE, 14TH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, . GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG (WHERE COPIES CAN BE PURCHASED ON ORDER) AND AT THE SHAM SHUI PO DISTRICT OFFICE, SIXTH FLOOR , WEST COAST INTERNATIONAL BUILDING, 290-296 UN CHAU STREET, SHAM SHUI PO, KOWLOON.
- - 0 - -
/32 .......
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 9, 1992
32
FEES REVISED FOR USING COUNTRY PARK FACILITIES
*****
FEES FOR USING CERTAIN AMENITIES OR FACILITIES IN COUNTRY PARKS OR SPECIAL AREAS IN THE TERRITORY FOR SPECIFIC PURPOSES WILL BE REVISED FROM TODAY (FRIDAY).
THE REVISION, SET OUT IN THE COUNTRY PARKS AND SPECIAL AREAS (AMENDMENT) REGULATION 1992, HAS BEEN APPROVED BY THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL AND IS GAZETTED TODAY.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT SAID THE FEES WERE LAST REVISED IN 1989 ON A FULL COST RECOVERY BASIS.
HOWEVER, THE REVISION THEN ONLY REFLECTED THE COST LEVEL OF 1987-88, HE SAID.
HE SAID CURRENT REVISION WAS IN LINE WITH THE MOVEMENT OF THE GOVERNMENT CONSUMPTION EXPENDITURE DEFLATOR SINCE 1987-88, ADDING THAT IT WAS ENDORSED BY THE COUNTRY PARKS BOARD’S PLANNING AND MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE EARLIER THIS YEAR.
THE REVISED FEES WILL BE APPLIED TO THE FOLLOWING PERMITS:
* TO SELL OR LET ON HIRE ANY COMMODITY OR ARTICLE;
* TO DISPLAY ANY SIGN, NOTICE, POSTER, BANNER OR ADVERTISEMENT;
* TO CONSTRUCT OR ERECT ANY BUILDING, HUT OR SHELTER OR EXCAVATE ANY CAVE;
* TO HOLD ANY PUBLIC MEETING OR SPORTING COMPETITION, MAKE ANY PUBLIC SPEECH OR ADDRESS ANY PUBLIC MEETING;
* TO HOLD ANY FUND-RAISING EVENT; AND
* TO CARRY ON ANY ACTIVITY FOR BUSINESS.
THE SPOKESMAN POINTED OUT THAT MANY OTHER FACILITIES OR AMENITIES IN COUNTRY PARKS AND SPECIAL AREAS WILL REMAIN FREE OF CHARGE FOR THE ENJOYMENT OF THE PUBLIC.
---------0-----------
/33 .......
f
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 9, 1992
- 33 -
SEWERAGE MASTER PLAN STUDY COMMISSIONED » ♦ * ♦ ♦
THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT (EPD) HAS COMMISSIONED A STUDY TO ASSESS THE EXTENT OF THE POLLUTION PROBLEM RESULTING FROM THE IMPROPER DISCHARGE OF DOMESTIC SEWAGE AND INDUSTRIAL EFFLUENT TO STORMWATER DRAINS AND WATER COURSES IN ABERDEEN, AP LEI CHAU AND POK FU LAM.
THE AGREEMENT FOR THE STUDY WAS SIGNED TODAY (FRIDAY) BETWEEN EPD’S ASSISTANT DIRECTOR (WASTE AND WATER POLICY), MR MIKE STOKOE AND THE MANAGING DIRECTOR OF THE PYPUN-HOWARD HUMPHREYS LIMITED, MR D IVOR-SMITH.
AN EPD SPOKESMAN SAID THE STUDY WOULD ASSESS THE ADEQUACY AND PERFORMANCE OF THE EXISTING SEWERAGE SYSTEMS AND BASED ON THE RESULTS, SCHEMES FOR REMEDIAL WORKS WOULD BE FORMULATED TO ENSURE THAT ALL SEWAGE WOULD BE PROPERLY COLLECTED AND DISPOSED OF IN AN ENVIRONMENTALLY ACCEPTABLE MANNER.
HE SAID: "A SEWERAGE MASTER PLAN WILL BE DEVELOPED AND A PRIORITISED PROGRAMME FOR PROGRESSIVE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE NECESSARY ENGINEERING WORKS WILL BE PREPARED TO PROVIDE FOR SHORT- AND LONG-TERM MEASURES TO REDUCE THE POLLUTION PROBLEMS IN STAGES.
"EMPHASIS WILL BE GIVEN TO ACHIEVING EARLY ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENTS, PARTICULARLY AT ABERDEEN TYPHOON SHELTER," HE ADDED.
THE STUDY, AT A COST OF $10 MILLION, WILL BE CARRIED OUT IN TWO PHASES AND BE COMPLETED IN 21 MONTHS.
------0-------
TIN SHUI WAI SPORTS GROUND SURFACING WORKS
*****
THE ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR THE SUPPLY AND LAYING OF ALL-WEATHER ATHLETIC SURFACING FOR THE SPORTS GROUND IN AREA 12, TIN SHUI WAI, YUEN LONG.
WORKS WILL START EARLY NEXT YEAR AND IS EXPECTED TO BE COMPLETED NEXT JUNE.
FORMS OF TENDER AND FURTHER PARTICULARS MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE DEPARTMENT’S HEADQUARTERS, 34TH FLOOR, QUEENSWAY GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 66 QUEENSWAY, HONG KONG.
TENDER OFFER WILL CLOSE AT NOON ON NOVEMBER 6.
---------0-----------
/34 ........
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 9, 1992
34
NEW SEAFRONT ROAD IN TSUEN WAN
* ♦ » t
THE HIGHWAYS DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF A NEW ROAD CONNECTING HOI HING ROAD AND THE EXISTING CASTLE PEAK ROAD AT MILESTONE 10 IN TSUEN WAN.
THE NEW 1,200-METRE SEAFRONT ROAD WILL BE A DUAL TWO-LANE CARRIAGEWAY.
UPON COMPLETION, THE NEW ROAD WILL PROVIDE SIGNIFICANT RELIEF TO THE TRAFFIC CONGESTION CURRENTLY EXPERIENCED ON THE ADJACENT SECTION OF CASTLE PEAK ROAD.
WORKS WILL START IN DECEMBER THIS YEAR.
THE FIRST SECTION OF THE ROAD, ABOUT 650 METRES LONG FROM BELVEDERE GARDEN TO HOI HING ROAD, WILL TAKE ABOUT 13 MONTHS TO COMPLETE WITH THE REMAINING SECTION SCHEDULED FOR COMPLETION IN SEPTEMBER 1994.
--------0-----------
DREDGING PROJECT IN TAI TAM BAY
* * * *
THE GOVERNMENT INTENDS TO CARRY OUT DREDGING WITHIN AN AREA OF ABOUT 1.7 HECTARES OF FORESHORE AND SEABED AT TAI TAM BAY.
THE PROJECT WILL PROVIDE A CHANNEL FOR THE FLOATING OUT OF CONCRETE TUNNEL UNITS FROM A CASTING YARD AT THE SHEK O QUARRY.
WORK WILL START IN EARLY 1994 AND BE COMPLETED IN ABOUT SIX MONTHS.
THE EXTENT OF THE AREA AFFECTED IS DESCRIBED IN A NOTICE GAZETTED TODAY (FRIDAY).
ANY PERSON WHO CONSIDERS THAT HE HAS AN INTEREST, RIGHT OR EASEMENT IN OR OVER THE FORESHORE AND SEABED MAY SUBMIT A WRITTEN OBJECTION TO THE DIRECTOR OF BUILDINGS AND LANDS ON OR BEFORE DECEMBER 8.
THE NOTICE TOGETHER WITH ITS RELATED PLAN CAN BE SEEN ON NOTICE BOARDS POSTED NEAR THE SITE.
THE PLAN CAN ALSO BE SEEN AT THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT SURVEY AND MAPPING OFFICE, 14TH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG (WHERE COPIES CAN BE BOUGHT ON ORDER) AND AT THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OFFICE, SHOP 25, GROUND FLOOR, MEI FUNG COURT, ABERDEEN CENTRE, 7-11 NAM NING STREET, HONG KONG.
------0 - -
/35 .......
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 9, 1992
35
AIDS EXHIBITION STALL SET UP AT REPULSE BAY FLEA MARKET *****
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WHO WISH TO EXPRESS THEIR VIEWS ON GOVERNMENT’S PUBLICITY STRATEGY ON AIDS ARE INVITED TO VISIT A STALL BEING PUT UP AT THE REPULSE BAY FLEA MARKET THIS WEEKEND (OCTOBER 10 AND 11).
THE STALL, SET UP BY THE PUBLICITY WORKING GROUP UNDER THE COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION AND PUBLICITY ON AIDS, IS A PILOT SCHEME TO EXPLORE NEW PUBLICITY AVENUE TO PROMOTE PUBLIC AWARENESS OF AIDS.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE COMMITTEE SAID: "ANYBODY WHO WISHES TO KNOW MORE ABOUT AIDS ARE ALSO INVITED TO VISIT OUR STALL AND TO GET PUBLICATIONS ON THE SUBJECT."
SOUVENIRS WILL ALSO BE DISTRIBUTED TO VISITORS WHO MAY BE ASKED TO FILL IN A SIMPLE QUESTIONNAIRE.
"FROM THE DATA COLLECTED, WE HOPE TO GAUGE PUBLIC RESPONSE TOWARDS OUR LATEST ’CONDOM’ ANNOUNCEMENT IN THE PUBLIC INTEREST ON TELEVISION AND PUBLICITY STRATEGY," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
"WE ALSO TAKE THE OPPORTUNITY TO FIND OUT HOW FAR MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC KNOW ABOUT AIDS."
MEMBERS FROM THE PUBLICITY WORKING GROUP WHICH INCLUDE HEALTH PROFESSIONALS WILL BE ON HAND TO ANSWER QUESTIONS.
THE STALL WILL BE OPEN FROM 10 AM TO 5.30 PM ON SATURDAY AND SUNDAY.
ATTENTION NEWS EDITORS:
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO VISIT STALL NO 27 IN REPULSE BAY FLEA MARKET AT 3 PM ON SATURDAY (OCTOBER 10). GIS OFFICERS WILL BE ON HAND TO HELP.
------0-------
TOLO HARBOUR SWIMMING RACE * * * *
ABOUT 1,035 ATHLETES WILL JOIN A SWIMMING RACE ACROSS TOLO HARBOUR IN TAI PO ON SUNDAY (OCTOBER 11).
OF THEM, 860 ARE MEN AND 175 WOMEN. THE YOUNGEST ENTRANT IS 12 YEARS OLD AND THE OLDEST AGED 73.
THE RACE, IN ITS 24TH YEAR, IS ORGANISED BY THE TAI PO SPORTS ASSOCIATION AND CO-SPONSORED BY THE TAI PO DISTRICT BOARD.
/IT WILL .......
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 9, 1992
36
IT WILL START AT 10.30 AM AT SHA LAN BEACH IN SHUEN WAN AND FINISH AT THE TAI MEI TUK WATER SPORTS CENTRE, COVERING A 2,400-METRE COURSE.
TAI PO DISTRICT OFFICER, MR PO PUI-LEONG, WILL OFFICIATE AT A CEREMONY TO START OFF THE RACE.
THE REGIONAL SECRETARY (NEW TERRITORIES), MR ALBERT LAM, WILL PRESENT PRIZES TO WINNERS AT 12.10 PM AT THE WATER SPORTS CENTRE.
ATTENTION NEWS EDITORS:
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER THE 24TH CROSS TOLO HARBOUR SWIM IN TAI PO ON SUNDAY (OCTOBER 11).
A PRESS COACH WILL LEAVE FOR SHA LAN BEACH FROM THE TAI PO SPORTS ASSOCIATION’S LI FOOK LAM INDOOR SPORTS CENTRE, 2 ON CHEUNG ROAD, TAI PO, AT 9 AM.
THOSE MAKING THEIR OWN WAY THERE SHOULD GATHER AT THE PIER NEAR THE ROUNDABOUT OF SAM MUN TSAI ROAD, NEAR THE LUEN YICK SEAFOOD HOUSE IN THE LUEN YICK FISHERMEN VILLAGE BY 9.15 AM.
------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 TN THE ACCOUNT LAF RATE 2.00 BID/4.00 OFFER 1,500 NIL 1,500 NIL +1,180 2,680 TWI 110.6 *+0.2* 9.10.92 /HONG KONG
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 9, 1992
- 37 -
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND
EF BILLS HONG KONG GOVERNMENT BONDS
TERMS YIELD TERM ISSUE COUPON PRICE YIELD
1 WEEK 2.56 PCT 14 MONTHS 2311 6.25 103.24 3.26
1 MONTH 2.61 PCT 17 MONTHS 2402 5.50 102.78 3.40
3 MONTHS 2.62 PCT 20 MONTHS 2405 5.502 102.82 3.70
6 MONTHS 2.71 PCT 12 MONTHS 3.20 PCT 23 MONTHS 2408 4.375 100.93 3.88
TOTAL TURNOVER OF BILLS AND BONDS - 9,372 MN
CLOSED 9 OCTOBER 1992
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 10, 1992
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
UNEQUIVOCAL SUPPORT TO BEAT CRIME: GOVERNOR ........................... 1
COMMUNITY FEELING SAFER NOW: CHIEF SECRETARY .......................... 2
STI COMMENTS ON SECTION 301 ........................................... 3
HK JUNIOR POLICE CALL DELEGATION TO PATROL TORONTO CHINATOWN .......... 3
58 NON-REFUGEES RETURN TO VIETNAM ..................................... 4
DANGEROUS OPENINGS ON SITES MUST BE COVERED ........................... 5
FRESH WATER CUT IN TO KWA WAN ......................................... 6
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS ............ 6
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 10, 1992
1
UNEQUIVOCAL SUPPORT TO BEAT CRIME: GOVERNOR
******
THE GOVERNOR, THE RT HON CHRISTOPHER PATTEN, TODAY (SATURDAY) PLEDGED HIS UNEQUIVOCAL SUPPORT IN ALL THE WORK DONE BY THE FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE TO BEAT CRIME.
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING OF THE 1992 FIGHT CRIME
CONFERENCE, HE SAID: "I’M DELIGHTED THAT WE’RE ALL WORKING TOGETHER WITH THAT OBJECTIVE, TO MAKE SURE THAT HONG KONG
REMAINS THE CITY, THE TERRITORY, THAT WE ALL LOVE AND ALL WANT TO LIVE IN." "WHEN I’M ASKED WHAT IS CRUCIAL TO THE FUTURE AND TO THE SUCCESS AND TO THE STABILITY OF THIS COMMUNITY, I ALWAYS THINK THAT THE EASIEST, IF FOR SOME PEOPLE THE MOST SURPRISING, ANSWER, IS THIS: WHAT WE NEED ABOVE ALL IS ft GUARANTEE FOR THE FUTURE OF THE RULE OF LAW. "THAT IS WHAT WILL ENSURE THAT HONG KONG REMAINS A MARVELLOUS PLACE FOR PEOPLE TO LIVE AND WORK AND BRING UP FAMILIES. THAT IS WHAT, MORE THAN ANYTHING ELSE, WILL ENSURE THAT HONG KONG REMAINS ONE OF THE ECONOMIC CAPITALS OF THE WORLD, BECOMES EVEN STRONGER AS ONE OF THE ECONOMIC CAPITALS OF THE WORLD," HE ADDED.
MR PATTEN SAID THE WORK OF ORGANISATIONS SUCH AS THE FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE AND THE DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEES PLAYED A CRUCIAL ROLE IN HELPING TO COMBAT CRIME.
"I THINK THE PROGRESS THAT’S ALREADY BEEN MADE IS A GREAT TRIBUTE TO THE EFFORTS THAT ALL OF YOU HAVE CARRIED OUT, AND OF COURSE IT’S A GREAT TRIBUTE TO THE WORK OF THE POLICE.
"BUT IN MY VIEW IT’S ALWAYS A MISTAKE TO THINK OF CRIME AS JUST A MATTER FOR THE POLICE. IT’S NEVER JUST A MATTER FOR THE POLICE, ALTHOUGH THEY’RE OF COURSE IN THE FRONT LINE. AND ALL OF US, I’M SURE, ARE PARTICULARLY PROUD OF THOSE WHO ARE IN THE FRONT LINE HERE IN HONG KONG," HE SAID.
"SINCE MY ARRIVAL AS GOVERNOR, I’VE SEEN FOR MYSELF SOME OF THE EXCELLENT WORK DONE BY OUR POLICE FORCE. THEY’RE A FINE FORCE.
"I’VE VISITED POLICE STATIONS AT ALL HOURS OF THE DAY AND NIGHT, AND SOMETIMES TO THE SLIGHT SURPRISE OF THE OFFICERS ON DUTY. I’VE SEEN THE POLICE ON THE GROUND, I’VE BEEN OUT WITH THEM ON SHIPS AT NIGHT.
"I KNOW HOW DIFFICULT IS THE WORK THEY DO, I KNOW HOW DANGEROUS IS THE WORK THEY DO, AND I SAY - WHICH I KNOW YOU BELIEVE AS WELL -THAT THEY DESERVE THE STAUNCH SUPPORT OF THE WHOLE COMMUNITY. THEY’LL CERTAINLY ALWAYS HAVE MY SUPPORT FOR THE MAGNIFICENT WORK WHICH THEY DO," THE GOVERNOR SAID.
- - 0 - -
/2 ........
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 10, 1992
2
COMMUNITY FEELING SAFER NOW: CHIEF SECRETARY
» » « » t
THE COMMUNITY IS FEELING RATHER SAFER NOW THAT THE NUMBER OF ARMED ROBBERIES HAS BEEN SUBSTANTIALLY REDUCED IN RECENT MONTHS, THE CHIEF SECRETARY AND CHAIRMAN OF THE FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE, SIR DAVID FORD, SAID TODAY (SATURDAY).
ADDRESSING THIS YEAR’S FIGHT CRIME CONFERENCE, THE CHIEF SECRETARY SAID THERE WERE THREE REASONS FOR THIS.
"FIRSTLY, THE SUSTAINED POLICE EFFORT TO PUT MORE POLICEMEN ON TO THE STREETS IN KEY AREAS HAS NO DOUBT ACTED AS A DETERRENT.
"SECONDLY, THE SUCCESS OF THE POLICE FORCE IN ARRESTING SOME OF THE KEY PEOPLE INVOLVED IN THIS SORT OF CRIME HAS HELPED BREAK THE BACK OF MANY OF THE ORGANISED GANGS WHICH WERE INVOLVED.
"THIRDLY, THE IMPROVEMENT IN CROSS-BORDER LIAISON AND THE EFFORTS WHICH HAVE BEEN PUT IN BY THE ROYAL HONG KONG POLICE FORCE AND THE CHINESE AUTHORITIES HAS ALSO LED TO A REDUCTION IN THIS TYPE OF CRIME," SIR DAVID SAID.
ARMED ROBBERIES WERE A CAUSE OF VERY REAL CONCERN IN THE COMMUNITY AND THAT WE MUST CONTINUE TO ENSURE THAT THE NUMBERS OF THEM DID NOT AGAIN INCREASE, HE SAID.
HE INDICATED THAT THE GOVERNMENT WAS ANXIOUS TO INTRODUCE THE ORGANISED AND SERIOUS CRIMES BILL TO FIGHT ORGANISED CRIMES.
"THIS IS AN IMPORTANT AND MUCH NEEDED BILL. I SINCERELY HOPE THAT THE DEBATE WILL NOT DRAG ON TOO LONG AND THAT WE CAN BRING IT INTO LAW AS SOON AS POSSIBLE."
SIR DAVID POINTED OUT THE FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE WAS CONCERNED ABOUT JUVENILE CRIME, IN PARTICULAR, TRIAD ACTIVITIES IN SCHOOLS.
ON THEFT OF VEHICLES, HE EXPRESSED THE HOPE THAT MEASURES ANNOUNCED BY THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT EARLIER THIS MONTH TO TACKLE VEHICLE THEFT IN THE TERRITORY WOULD GO A LONG WAY TO ADDRESS THE PROBLEM.
"WE ARE CONFIDENT THAT GIVEN CLOSER CO-OPERATION WITH THE CHINESE AUTHORITIES, WE WILL BE ABLE TO PREVENT THIS PROBLEM FROM GETTING WORSE," HE ADDED.
SIR DAVID AGAIN STRESSED IN THIS YEAR’S CONFERENCE THE NEED FOR THE COMMUNITY TO PLAY A PART IN THE FIGHT AGAINST CRIME, ADDING THAT NO POLICE FORCE IN THE WORLD COULD BE SUCCESSFUL IN THAT FIGHT WITHOUT THE WHOLE-HEARTED SUPPORT OF THE COMMUNITY.
------0------------
/3 ........
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 10, 1992
3
STI COMMENTS ON SECTION 301 ♦ * * * *
THE SECRETARY FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY, MR T H CHAU TODAY (SATURDAY) WELCOMED THE NEWS THAT THE U.S. AND CHINA HAD EVENTUALLY REACHED AN AGREEMENT IN PRINCIPLE ON THE SECTION 301 MARKET ACCESS TALKS DURING THE FINAL ROUND OF NEGOTIATIONS IN WASHINGTON D.C.
"WE ARE PLEASED WITH THE SUCCESSFUL OUTCOME OF THESE NEGOTIATIONS," HE SAID.
"THIS IS A TRIUMPH FOR PRAGMATISM. THE POSITIVE OUTCOME IS THE RESULT OF THE EFFORTS MADE BY THE TWO SIDES.
"WE HOPE THAT THE U.S. AND CHINA WILL BUILD ON THIS CONSTRUCTIVE DEVELOPMENT. IT WILL BENEFIT BOTH ECONOMIES AND HONG KONG AS WELL," MR CHAU SAID.
--------0-----------
HK JUNIOR POLICE CALL DELEGATION TO * * * * *
PATROL TORONTO CHINATOWN
MEMBERS OF THE HONG KONG JUNIOR POLICE CALL (JPC) DELEGATION ARE GIVEN A CHANCE TO PATROL THE CENTRAL CHINATOWN IN TORONTO TOGETHHER WITH LOCAL POLICEMEN TODAY (SATURDAY) AFTER THEIR TOUR OF THE 52 DIVISION, A POLICE STATION AT CHINATOWN AREAS IN THE MORNING.
THE DELEGATION, LED BY SENIOR OFFICERS OF THE PUBLIC RELATIONS BRANCH OF THE ROYAL HONG KONG POLICE FORCE, MR JIMMY LEE AND MISS PEGGY NG, IS INVITED BY THE ORGANISING COMMITTEE OF FESTIVAL HONG KONG ’92 FOR A 10-DAY TOUR IN CANADA TO PARTICIPATE IN FESTIVAL EVENTS, VISIT LOCAL SCHOOLS, YOUTH ORGANISATIONS AND THE POLICE FORCE.
THE FIVE JPC YOUTHS FROM HONG KONG INCLUDE THREE WINNERS OF THE BEST JPC LEADERS : MR BART WONG (18), MR MAX MAK (19), MISS SIRET CHAN (24), AND TWO WINNERS OF THE BEST JPC MEMBERS AWARD : MISS YVONNE KAN (15) AND MR KWOK KA-CHUEN (16).
AS YOUTH AMBASSADORS FROM HONG KONG, THESE JPC YOUTHS HELP TO INTRODUCE THE JPC SCHEME AND ITS ACTIVITIES TO LOCAL CANADIANS THROUGH VISITS, DISCUSSIONS AND SLIDE PRESENTATIONS.
SINCE THEIR ARRIVAL IN TORONTO ON THURSDAY (OCTOBER 7), THEY HAVE VISITED THE MOUNTED UNIT, THE C.O. BICK POLICE TRAINING COLLEGE OF THE METRO POLICE AND HAVE TOURED THE INNER HARBOUR OF LAKE ONTARIO ON POLICE MARINE LAUNCH.
/WHILE TOURING .......
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 10, 1992
4
WHILE TOURING THE METRO POLICE HEADQUARTERS YESTERDAY (FRIDAY) MORNING, THE DELEGATION WAS RECEIVED BY A REPRESENTATIVE OF THE METRO POLICE, MR JOHN MACDONALD, AND ALSO MET WITH THE CHAIRPERSON OF THE METRO POLICE SERVICES BOARD, MISS SUSAN ENG.
APART FROM VISITING THE EDUCATION CENTRE OF THE TORONTO BOARD OF EDUCATION AND THE BLOOR COLLEGIATE INSTITUTE, THE JPC MEMBERS ALSO JOINED IN A LARGE SCOUT GROUP MEETING AND EXCHANGED VIEWS WITH SCOUTS WHO CAME FROM DIFFERENT ETHNIC BACKGROUNDS.
THE DELEGATION WILL LEAVE FOR OTTAWA NEXT MONDAY (OCTOBER 12) MORNING.
TO ENHANCE THEIR UNDERSTANDING OF CANADIAN LIFE, EACH OF THE JPC MEMBER WILL BE INVITED TO STAY IN A HOST FAMILY OF THE OTTAWA POLICE, AND THEY WILL JOIN IN THE THANKSGIVING DINNER WITH THEIR HOSTS ON THANKSGIVING DAY.
FULL PROGRAMMES HAVE ALREADY BEEN LINED UP FOR THE JPC DELEGATION IN OTTAWA. THE GROUP WILL TAKE PART IN STREET PROCESSION AT CARNIVAL, VISIT POLICE CENTRE, ATTEND CHARITY DINNER FOR THE CANADIAN YOUTH FOUNDATION AND MEET WITH THE "VENTURERS", WHO ARE THE LOCAL COUNTERPARTS OF THE HONG KONG JPC.
BEFORE DEPARTING FOR HONG KONG ON OCTOBER 16, THE GROUP WILL ATTEND SEVERAL FESTIVAL HONG KONG EVENTS WHICH INCLUDE THE PERFORMANCE OF THE CITY CONTEMPORARY DANCE COMPANY AND THE OPENING NIGHT OF THE FILM FESTIVAL.
------0----------
58 NON-REFUGEES RETURN TO VIETNAM
*****
THE REFUGEE CO-ORDINATOR, MR BRIAN BRESNIHAN, TODAY (SATURDAY) WELCOMED THE SMOOTH REPATRIATION OF 58 VIETNAMESE NON-REFUGEES UNDER THE ORDERLY RETURN PROGRAMME (ORP).
"WE ARE PLEASED THAT THE REPATRIATION OPERATION CONDUCTED THIS MORNING HAS BEEN UNEVENTFUL.
"INCREASINGLY, NON-REFUGEES REALISE THAT THEIR FUTURE LIES BACK IN VIETNEM, WHERE THEY CAN REBUILD THEIR LIVES WITH FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FROM THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITY AND OTHER AID SCHEMES," HR
A TOTAL OF 58 VIETNAMESE NON-REFUGEES WERE RETURNED TODAY ON THE SIXTH ORP FLIGHT UNDER THE AGREEMENT REACHED WITH THE VIETNAMESE GOVERNMENT ON OCTOBER 29 LAST YEAR.
THE GROUP COMPRISED 21 MEN, 12 WOMEN, FIVE BOYS AND 20 GIRLS.
/OF THEM .......
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 10, 1992
5 -
OF THEM, 48 WERE FORMER INMATES OF THE CHI MA WAN (LOWER) DETENTION CENTRE WHO ARRIVED IN HONG KONG BEFORE OCTOBER 29, 1991. THE REMAINING 10 WERE CRIMINAL OFFENDERS BEING DEPORTED TO VIETNAM. ALL HAVE BEEN SCREENED OUT AS NON-REFUGEES.
"THE ORDERLY RETURN PROGRAMME REMAINS A KEY ELEMENT IN ENCOURAGING MORE PEOPLE TO VOLUNTEER UNDER THE UNHCR SCHEME," HE SAID.
OVER 8,700 HAVE RETURNED VOLUNTARILY TO VIETNAM SINCE JANUARY THIS YEAR AND OVER 2,500 ARE WAITING TO GO HOME.
"WITH AN INCREASED RATE OF VOLUNTARY REPATRIATION, WE HOPE TO BE ABLE TO CLOSE ALL OUR CAMPS IN ABOUT THREE YEARS TIME,” MR BRESNIHAN SAID.
TURNING TO THE DECISION ANNOUNCED BY THE UNHCR TODAY TO REDUCE THE LEVEL OF FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FOR ORP RETURNEES, MR BRESNIHAN SAID THE MOVE WOULD SERVE AS A FURTHER INCENTIVE FOR NON-REFUGEES TO AVAIL OF THE VOLUNTARY PROGRAMME.
"WE HAVE BEEN IN DISCUSSION WITH THE UNHCR FOR QUITE SOME TIME NOW TO SEE HOW WE CAN FURTHER ENCOURAGE MORE PEOPLE TO VOLUNTEER," HE SAID.
"WE HOPE THAT A SYSTEM OF DIFFERENTIAL PAYMENTS BETWEEN VOLUNTEERS AND ORP RETURNEES WILL HAVE AN APPRECIABLE EFFECT ON THE VOLUNTARY REPATRIATION PROGRAMME. THOSE RETURNED ON TODAY’S FLIGHT, HOWEVER, WILL NOT BE AFFECTED," MR BRESNIHAN SAID.
--------0-----------
DANGEROUS OPENINGS ON * *
SITES MUST BE COVERED ♦ * *
BUILDING CONTRACTORS MUST ENSURE THAT SUITABLE GUARD-RAILS OR COVERINGS ARE PROVIDED AT ALL DANGEROUS FLOOR EDGES OR OPENINGS ON CONSTRUCTION SITES TO PREVENT WORKERS FALLING FROM A HEIGHT.
A BUILDING CONTRACTOR, SUNG FOO KEE LIMITED, WAS RECENTLY IMPOSED THE MAXIMUM FINE OF $50,000 BY A MAGISTRATE FOR FAILING TO PROVIDE SUITABLE GUARD-RAILS OR A FIXED COVERING TO A FLOOR OPENING.
THE COMPANY WAS ALSO FINED $4,000 FOR FAILING TO INSTALL SUITABLE GUARDS TO THE DRIVING BELT AND PULLEY OF A MIXING MACHINE ON A CONSTRUCTION SITE IN GARDEN ROAD.
"UNDER THE CONSTRUCTION SITES (SAFETY) REGULATIONS, EVERY OPENING, CORNER, BREAK, EDGE OR OTHER DANGEROUS PLACES FROM WHICH A PERSON MAY FALL MUST BE PROVIDED WITH SUITABLE GUARD-RAILS OR FIXED COVERINGS," SAID CHIEF FACTORY INSPECTOR OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT, MR CHAN TAT-KING, TODAY (SATURDAY).
/"ANY CONTRACTOR........
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 10, 1992
6
"ANY CONTRACTOR BREAKING THE PROVISIONS WILL BE LIABLE TO A MAXIMUM FINE OF $50,000 AND TO IMPRISONMENT FOR 12 MONTHS," MR CHAN SAID.
HE POINTED OUT THAT FALL OF PERSONS FROM A HEIGHT WAS A COMMON CAUSE OF ACCIDENTS ON CONSTRUCTION SITES, RESULTING IN SERIOUS INJURIES OR DEATH OF WORKERS.
DURING THE FIRST SIX MONTHS OF THIS YEAR, THE DEPARTMENT SUCCESSFULLY ISSUED 242 SUMMONSES TO OFFENDERS FAILING TO PROVIDE FENCES OR COVERINGS TO FLOOR EDGES, EXCAVATIONS, OPENINGS AND OTHER DANGEROUS PLACES ON SITE TO PREVENT THE FALL OF PERSONS.
---------0-----------
FRESH WATER CUT IN TO KWA WAN *****
FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO SOME PREMISES IN TO KWA WAN WILL GO OFF FROM 8 PM ON MONDAY (OCTOBER 12) TO 6 AM THE FOLLOWING DAY TO FACILITATE CONNECTION WORK ON WATER MAINS.
THE SUSPENSION WILL AFFECT ALL PREMISES BOUNDED BY KOWLOON CITY ROAD, MA TAU KOK ROAD, TO KWA WAN ROAD AND MOK CHEONG STREET, AS WELL AS 1-19 MOK CHEONG STREET, MA TAU KOK ROAD PUBLIC TOILET, MA TAU KOK ABATTOIR AND PART OF THE HONG KONG AND CHINA GAS COMPANY DEPOT.
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS *****
$ MILLION
OPENING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT 2,680
REVERSAL OF LAF -1,180
BALANCE AFTER REVERSAL OF LAF 1,500
NET INJECTION/WITHDRAWAL TODAY NIL
EFFECT OF LAF TODAY -290
CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT 1,210
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, OCTOBER 11, 1992
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
APPOINTMENTS TO HOTELS AND CLUBS APPEAL BOARDS ..................... 1
HK FESTIVAL IN VANCOUVER KICKS OFF ................................. 2
HK DELEGATION VISITS FUJIAN ........................................ 3
STUDY REPORT ON PORT-RELATED ENTERPRISES ON SALE.................... 3
COLLEGES OF EDUCATION RECEIVE $1.93M DONATION ...................... 4
HUNDREDS JOIN CROSS TOLO SWIM ...................................... 4
CALENDAR CARD DESIGN CONTEST ON AIDS ............................... 5
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 11, 1992
APPOINTMENTS TO HOTELS AND CLUBS APPEAL BOARDS
* « * »
THE GOVERNOR HAS APPOINTED 22 MEMBERS TO THE HOTEL AND GUESTHOUSE ACCOMMODATION APPEAL BOARD AND THE CLUBS (SAFETY OF PREMISES) APPEAL BOARD.
THE APPOINTED MEMBERS WILL SERVE BOTH BOARDS FOR A PERIOD OF TWO YEARS WITH EFFECT FROM SEPTEMBER 15 THIS YEAR.
MR CHUNG PUI-LAM HAS BEEN APPOINTED AS THE CHAIRMAN.
OTHER MEMBERS ARE:
MR POON CHO-YIU, RONALD MR YUEN KING-YUK, JASON MR CHEUNG HON-KAU, CARLOS MISS CHIANG LILY MR SHEN EDWARD
MR LUI LAI-CHEUNG, FREDERICK
MR TAM TAI-ON
MR LAM CHUN, DANIEL MR WONG SAN, SAMSON MR MICHAEL ROBERT MANN MR LAU CHI-KEUNG MR CHAN WAH-WAI, DAVID MR CHEUNG KWOK-HO, RICHARD MR WONG CHIK-WING MR KAN FOOK-YEE MR KWOK PING-KWONG, THOMAS MR WONG FOOK-YUE, DAVID '
MR WU T HAROLD DR WANG WEI-HUNG, ANDREW MR MAK PING-KEUNG MR YU SHIU-TIN, PAUL
THESE TWO APPEAL BOARDS ARE ESTABLISHED UNDER THE HOTEL AND GUESTHOUSE ACCOMMODATION ORDINANCE AND THE CLUBS (SAFETY OF PREMISES) ORDINANCE TO DEAL WITH APPEALS RELATING TO THE ISSUE OF HOTEL/GUESTHOUSE LICENCES, CLUB CERTIFICATES OF COMPLIANCE OR CERTIFICATES OF EXEMPTION.
THE APPOINTMENTS HAVE BEEN GAZETTED FRIDAY.
- - 0 . -
/2 ........
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 11, 1992
2
hk Festival in Vancouver kicks off
*****
THE SPECTACULAR SOUNDS, SIGHTS AND EXCITEMENT OF FESTIVAL HONG KONG ’92 IN CANADA HAVE NOW REACHED VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA - ONE OF THE FIVE CANADIAN CITIES HOSTING FESTIVALS TO ENHANCE LINKS BETWEEN HONG KONG AND CANADA.
AT AN OPENING CELEBRATION OF THE FESTIVAL AT THE PLAZA OF NATIONS IN VANCOUVER ON SATURDAY, HUNDREDS OF CANADIANS TOOK PART IN THE FESTIVITY AND EXPERIENCED FOR THEMSELVES HONG KONG’S CULTURE AND LIFESTYLE.
THE CELEBRATION FEATURED TRADE DISPLAYS, DIM SUM TASTING, FILMS ON HONG KONG, AND PERFORMANCES OF CHINESE MARTIAL ARTS, DANCES, MUSIC AND CHOIR.
LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR OF BRITISH COLUMBIA DAVID SEE-CHAI LAM AND HONG KONG’S SECRETARY FOR RECREATION AND CULTURE JAMES SO OFFICIATED AT A RIBBON-CUTTING CEREMONY TO KICK OFF THE FESTIVAL, TOGETHER WITH A NUMBER OF CANADIAN AND HONG KONG GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS INCLUDING DIRECTOR OF HONG KONG ECONOMIC AND TRADE OFFICE IN CANADA STEPHEN LAM.
THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR SAID THAT THE BRIDGE ACROSS THE PACIFIC THAT CANADA AND HONG KONG ARE NOW BUILDING HAVE MADE IT POSSIBLE FOR MORE PEOPLE TO FULFILL A LOT OF DREAMS.
’’TODAY, VANCOUVER IS DEFINITELY ASIA’S GATEWAY TO CANADA AND NORTH AMERICA, AND HONG KONG IS DEFINITELY CANADA’S BRIDGEHEAD TO ASIA,” HE SAID.
ALSO SPEAKING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY, MR SO REAFFIRMED THAT THE AIM OF THE FESTIVAL IS TO LINK THE TWO COUNTRIES EVEN CLOSER TOGETHER, SO THAT THEY CAN JOINTLY HELP EACH OTHER TO PROMOTE THE STABILITY AND PROSPERITY OF THE ASIA PACIFIC REGION.
MR SO NOTED THAT VANCOUVER AND HONG KONG HAVE ALREADY HAD VERY CLOSE LINKS. ONE EXAMPLE IS THAT THE UNIVERSITY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA AND SIMON FRASER UNIVERSITY WOULD PROBABLY HAVE THE LARGEST ALUMNI OF HONG KONG STUDENTS IN CANADA.
MORE THAN 40 EVENTS WILL BE HELD IN THE FOLLOWING TWO WEEKS, INCLUDING A DISPLAY OF HONG KONG’S NEW AIRPORT, BUSINESS SEMINAR, CHINESE COINS AND CURRENCY EXHIBITION, AS WELL AS SPORTS AND CULTURAL DEMONSTRATIONS.
MOTORISTS AND PEDESTRIANS IN THE BUSY DOWNTOWN DISTRICT ARB IMPRESSED BY THE 400 COLOURFUL BRIDGE ACROSS THE PACIFIC BANNERS FEATURING A DRAGON AND A MAPLE LEAF THAT HAVE BEEN HUNG ALL OVER THE MAIN STREETS AND BRIDGES.
/LATER IN .......
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 11, 1992
3
LATER IN THE DAY, SECRETARY FOR RECREATION AND CULTURE JAMES SO, ACCOMPANIED BY FESTIVAL COORDINATOR MAUREEN CHAN AND CHAIRMAN OF THE VANCOUVER FESTIVAL ORGANISING COMMITTEE MAURICE COPITHORNE, VISITED SIMON FRASER UNIVERSITY AND WATCHED SPORTS DEMONSTRATIONS BY SOME OF HONG KONG’S TOP EXPERTS IN TABLE-TENNIS AND CHINESE MARTIAL ART OF WUSHU.
HE ALSO PRESENTED SOUVENIRS TO REPRESENTATIVES OF BRITISH COLUMBIA TABLE TENNIS ASSOCIATION AND WESTERN CANADA CHINESE MARTIAL ARTS ASSOCIATION.
--------0-----------
HK DELEGATION VISITS FUJIAN ******
A DELEGATION OF TRADE OFFICIALS LED BY MR CHRISTOPHER JACKSON, THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR-GENERAL OF TRADE, HAS LEFT HONG KONG TODAY (SUNDAY) FOR A ONE-WEEK FAMILIARISATION VISIT TO FUJIAN PROVINCE.
"THE MAIN PURPOSE OF THE VISIT IS TO KEEP OURSELVES ABREAST OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IN THE FAST-GROWING SOUTHERN PROVINCE IN CHINA," MR JACKSON SAID.
THE EIGHT-MEMBER DELEGATION WILL VISIT XIAMEN AND FUZHOU WHERE THEY WILL BE RECEIVED BY THE MAYOR OF XIAMEN, MEET PROVINCIAL AND MUNICIPAL OFFICIALS AND VISIT FACTORIES.
MEMBERS OF THE HONG KONG DELEGATION INCLUDE MISS JOANNA CHOI, PRINCIPAL TRADE OFFICER; MISS WENDY CHEUNG, ASSISTANT SECRETARY FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY; MR THOMAS OR, TRADE OFFICER; MR GORDON CHEUNG, MISS CHUNG SHUK-YI AND MISS PATRICIA WOO, ASSISTANT TRADE OFFICERS, AND MRS SARAH LEE, INTERPRETER.
THEY WILL RETURN TO HONG KONG ON OCTOBER 17.
------0-------
STUDY REPORT ON PORT-RELATED ENTERPRISES ON SALE * * * *
THE PLANNING DEPARTMENT HAS PUBLISHED A REPORT THAT PROVIDES INFORMATION ON THE INDUSTRIAL AND COMMERCIAL ENTERPRISES WITH CLOSE LINKS TO THE PORT.
THE PUBLICATION, ENTITLED "THE FINAL REPORT OF THE STUDY ON PORT-RELATED INDUSTRIAL AND COMMERCIAL ENTERPRISES" (SPICE),CLEARLY DEMONSTRATES THE IMPORTANT ROLE OF THE PORT AND PORT-RELATED ACTIVITIES IN THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OF THE TERRITORY AND PROVIDES A DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXISTING ACTIVITIES AND THEIR LINKAGES.
/IN ADDITION .......
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 11, 1992
4
IN ADDITION, IT PROVIDES AN ESTIMATE OF THE CONTRIBUTION OF PORT-RELATED ACTIVITIES TO THE HONG KONG ECONOMY AND INDICATES POSSIBLE FUTURE REQUIREMENTS FOR SPICE ACTIVITIES TOGETHER WITH AN INDICATION OF A LAND USE STRATEGY TO MEET THESE REQUIREMENTS.
THE REPORT ALSO SUGGESTS WAYS IN WHICH THIS STRATEGY MAY NEED TO BE REFINED IN CONJUNCTION WITH BOTH A TERRITORIAL LAND USE STRATEGY AND MORE DETAILED LOCAL STUDIES.
INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THE REPORT IS DERIVED FROM A RECENT STUDY CARRIED OUT BY THE PLANNING DEPARTMENT.
THE STUDY WAS DESIGNED TO GATHER INFORMATION ON PORT-RELATED ACTIVITIES AND TO ESTIMATE LAND REQUIREMENTS TO MEET THE FUTURE EXPANSION OF THE PORT IN TERMS OF ITS RELATED ACTIVITIES.
THE PUBLICATION IS NOW AVAILABLE FOR SALE AT $154 A COPY AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS SALES CENTRE, GROUND FLOOR, GENERAL POST OFFICE BUILDING, CONNAUGHT PLACE, CENTRAL.
- - 0 - -
COLLEGES OF EDUCATION RECEIVE $1.93M DONATION * * * * *
THE ROYAL HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB HAS DONATED $1.93 MILLION TO THE COLLEGES OF EDUCATION AND THE HONG KONG TECHNICAL TEACHERS’ COLLEGE FOR THE PURCHASE OF 84 MICROCOMPUTERS THAT WILL BE LINKED BY LOCAL AREA NETWORK.
THE NEW COMPUTER SYSTEM WILL REPLACE THE PRESENT MICROCOMPUTERS WHICH WERE BOUGHT YEARS AGO.
THANKING THE CLUB FOR ITS CONTINUED SUPPORT TO TEACHERS’ EDUCATION, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT SAID: ’’THE EQUIPMENT WILL ENABLE STUDENT-TEACHERS TO ACQUIRE THE ESSENTIAL SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE OF APPLYING MODERN TECHNOLOGY TO THE PRACTICAL TECHNIQUES OF TEACHING.”
- - 0 - -
HUNDREDS JOIN CROSS TOLO SWIM
*****
A TOTAL OF 862 SWIMMERS TOOK PART IN THE 24TH CROSS TOLO HARBOUR SWIM IN TAI PO THIS (SUNDAY) MORNING.
OF THE SWIMMERS, 728 WERE MEN AND 134 WERE WOMEN. THE YOUNGEST WAS 12 YEARS OLD AND THE OLDEST 73.
THEY STARTED FROM SHA LAN BEACH IN SHUEN WAN TO THE TAI MEI TUK WATER SPORTS CENTRE, COVERING A DISTANCE OF 2,400 METRES.
/THE RACE
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 11, 1992
5
THE RACE WAS ORGANISED BY THE TAI PO SPORTS ASSOCIATION AND COSPONSORED BY THE TAI PO DISTRICT BOARD.
TAI PO DISTRICT OFFICER, MR PO PUI-LEONG, OFFICIATED AT THE STARTING CEREMONY AND THE REGIONAL SECRETARY (NEW TERRITORIES), MR ALBERT LAM, PRESENTED PRIZES TO THE WINNERS.
TROPHIES WERE AWARDED TO THE FIRST 10 WINNERS IN THE MEN’S AND WOMEN’S SECTIONS. 856 SWIMMERS WHO HAD COMPLETED THE FULL COURSE WITHIN 90 MINUTES RECEIVED COMMEMORATIVE CERTIFICATES.
THE CHAMPION IN THE MEN’S SECTION WAS MR NG MING KIT. MS CHENG HOI YAN CAME FIRST IN THE WOMEN’S SECTION.
- - 0 - -
CALENDAR CARD DESIGN CONTEST ON AIDS * * » *
THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH IS INVITING SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS TO ENTER A CALENDAR CARD DESIGN COMPETITION THAT AIMS TO RAISE CONCERN ABOUT AIDS AMONG YOUTHS.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY (SUNDAY) THAT THE COMPETITION ALSO AIMED AT FOSTERING ACTIVE PARTICIPATION IN THE HEALTH EDUCATION PROGRAMME ON AIDS.
THE CONTEST IS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT. IT COMPRISES TWO SECTIONS: JUNIOR SECONDARY (FORMS 1-3) AND SENIOR SECONDARY (FORMS 4-7) SECTIONS.
ENTRANTS ARE REQUIRED TO PRESENT THEIR DESIGN ON A A3-SIZE PAPER IN FULL COLOUR AND INDICATE THE MAGNIFICATION OF THE DRAWING.
THE CALENDAR CARD PRODUCED SHOULD BE FOLDED INTO POCKET SIZE DEPICTING THE THEME "PREVENTION OF AIDS AND CARE FOR PEOPLE WITH AIDS OR HIV INFECTION".
THE TOP THREE WINNERS OF EACH SECTION WILL EACH RECEIVE BOOK/STATIONERY COUPONS WORTH BETWEEN $1,000 TO $2,000. THERE WILL BE SEVEN MERIT PRIZES IN EACH GROUP.
THOSE WISHING TO TAKE PART SHOULD CONTACT THEIR SCHOOL FOR DETAILS. COMPLETED ENTRY FORMS SHOULD BE SENT TO THE ORGANISING BODY THROUGH THEIR SCHOOL BEFORE NOVEMBER 6.
ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE ON TEL 892 6546.
- - 0 - -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
MONDAY, OCTOBER 12, 1992
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
SOCIAL WELFARE EXPANSION PROGRAMMES TO GO AHEAD ....................... 1
EXTERNAL TRADE STATISTICS FOR AUGUST RELEASED ......................... 2
RESULTS OF TUEN MUN DISTRICT BOARD TAI HING CONSTITUENCY BY-ELECTION .. 9
LABOUR ADVISORY BOARD MEMBERS MAY SUGGEST AGENDA ITEMS ................ 10
SEPTEMBER AIR QUALITY REPORT RELEASE .................................. H
STUDY TO MAP OUT INFORMATION STRATEGY FOR LEGAL DEPARTMENT............. 14
RATES FOR FOURTH QUARTER DUE ON OCTOBER 31 ............................ 14
HK PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA IN CONCERT .................................. 16
WATER STORAGE FIGURE .................................................. 16
FRESH WATER CUT IN YAU MA TEI ......................................... 16
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS ............ 17
MONDAY, OCTOBER 12, 1992
SOCIAL WELFARE EXPANSION PROGRAMMES TO GO AHEAD
* * » * »
THE EXPANSION OF SOCIAL WELFARE PROGRAMMES ANNOUNCED BY THE GOVERNOR, THE RT HON CHRIS TOPHER IN HIS FIRST POLICY ADDRESS LAST WEDNESDAY WILL BEGIN AS SOON AS FUNDS ARE AVAILABLE IN THE NEXT FINANCIAL YEAR.
THIS WAS STATED TODAY (MONDAY) BY THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MR M D CARTLAND, AT A SPECIAL MEETING OF SOCIAL WELFARE ADVISORY COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS SOCIAL WELFARE ISSUES COVERED IN THE POLICY ADDRESS.
"THE FUNDING OF SOCIAL WELFARE PROGRAMMES ANNOUNCED BY THE GOVERNOR WILL BE SUFFICIENT TO MEET THE KEY TARGETS OF THE WHITE PAPER ON SOCIAL WELFARE FOR THE YEAR 1996-97," HE SAID.
THE PROPOSALS ARE ACHIEVABLE AND AFFORDABLE, MR CARTLAND ADDED.
AT THE MEETING, THE CHAIRMAN OF THE SOCIAL WELFARE ADVISORY COMMITTEE, PROFESSOR NELSON CHOW WING-SUN, COMMENTED ON THE PROPOSED SOCIAL SECURITY SYSTEM, A NEW SYSTEM TO REPLACE THE EXISTING PUBLIC ASSISTANCE AND SPECIAL NEEDS ALLOWANCE SCHEMES.
THE NEW SYSTEM WILL CONSIST OF THE COMPREHENSIVE SOCIAL SECURITY ASSISTANCE SCHEME AND THE SOCIAL SECURITY ALLOWANCE SCHEME, PROFESSOR CHOW EXPLAINED.
HE POINTED OUT THAT THE COMPREHENSIVE SOCIAL SECURITY ASSISTANCE SCHEME AIMED AT HELPING PERSONS WHOSE INCOME FELL BELOW THE PRESCRIBED LEVELS.
BASIC RATES UNDER THE EXISTING PUBLIC ASSISTANCE SCHEME RANGE BETWEEN $600 A MONTH FOR AN INDIVIDUAL IN A FAMILY TO $825 A MONTH FOR A SINGLE PERSON LIVING ALONE.
UNDER THE NEW SCHEME, THE CURRENT SLIDING SCALE OF BASIC SCALE RATES OF $600, $610 AND $620 FOR FAMILY MEMBERS WILL BE REPLACED BY A FLAT RATE OF $820 A MONTH.
THE CURRENT RATE OF $825 A MONTH FOR A SINGLE ADULT WILL BE INCREASED BY 15 PER CENT TO $950 A MONTH.
AT PRESENT, AN ELDERLY PERSON RECEIVES $1,238 A MONTH IF LIVING ALONE, OR $1,023 A MONTH IF LIVING WITH A FAMILY. THESE RATES WILL BE INCREASED BY 15 PER CENT TO $1,420 AND $1,180 RESPECTIVELY.
FOR A FAMILY OF FOUR, THE NEW RATES PLUS RENT AND OTHER ADDITIONAL GRANTS WOULD PROVIDE A MONTHLY INCOME OF $5,505, HE SAID.
THE CURRENT RULE, WHICH ALLOWS 45 DAYS ABSENCE FROM THE TERRITORY FOR PUBLIC ASSISTANCE RECIPIENTS AND 119 DAYS FOR SPECIAL NEEDS ALLOWANCE RECIPIENTS BEFORE BENEFITS ARE SUSPENDED, WILL BE CHANGED TO 180 DAYS FOR ALL ELDERLY AND DISABLED RECIPIENTS.
/"IT IS .......
MONDAY, OCTOBER 12, 1992
- 2 -
"IT IS INDICATED THAT THE GOVERNMENT HAS DECIDED TO IMPROVE THE SOCIAL SECURITY SYSTEM BY INCREASING THE OVERALL BENEFITS OF THE EXISTING SCHEMES BY RATES VARYING BETWEEN FOUR PER CENT AND 37 PER CENT, TO PROVIDE A HIGHER STANDARD OF LIVING FOR CLIENTS, AND TO IMPROVE THE DIFFERENTIALS BETWEEN THE RATES FOR VARIOUS TYPES OF CLIENTS TO REMEDY THE PLIGHT OF THOSE WORST-OFF MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITIES," HE SAID.
PROFESSOR CHOW SAID THE PROPOSED SOCIAL SECURITY PACKAGE SHOULD HELP TO UPGRADE THE LIVING STANDARDS OF THE NEEDY, ADDING THAT "THIS IS A VERY WELCOMING AND ENCOURAGING DEVELOPMENT".
------0--------
EXTERNAL TRADE STATISTICS FOR AUGUST RELEASED
*****
TOTAL MERCHANDISE TRADE IN AUGUST THIS YEAR, AT $161,148 MILLION, INCREASED BY 20% IN VALUE AS COMPARED WITH AUGUST 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 INCREASED BY 2% TO $20,833 MILLION WHILE THAT OF RE-EXPORTS ROSE BY 29% TO $60,943 MILLION.
TAKING DOMESTIC EXPORTS AND RE-EXPORTS TOGETHER, THE VALUE OF TOTAL EXPORTS INCREASED BY 21% TO $81,777 MILLION. MEANWHILE, THE VALUE OF IMPORTS INCREASED BY 19% TO $79,371 MILLION.
THE VALUE OF TOTAL MERCHANDISE TRADE IN THE FIRST EIGHT MONTHS OF THIS YEAR, AT $1,187 BILLION, INCREASED BY 22% AS COMPARED WITH THE SAME PERIOD LAST YEAR.
OVER THE SAME PERIOD OF COMPARISON, THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS INCREASED BY 2% TO $149 BILLION WHILE THAT OF RE-EXPORTS INCREASED BY 31% TO $431 BILLION.
THE VALUE OF TOTAL EXPORTS INCREASED BY 22% TO $580 BILLION WHILE THAT OF IMPORTS INCREASED BY 23% TO $607 BILLION.
THE CHANGES IN THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO THE 10 MAJOR MARKETS ARE SHOWN IN TABLE 1.
COMPARING AUGUST 1992 WITH AUGUST 1991, INCREASES WERE RECORDED IN THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO TAIWAN (+37%), SINGAPORE (+15%), CHINA (+12%), THE UNITED STATES (+8%) AND CANADA (+2%).
HOWEVER, DECREASES WERE RECORDED IN THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO GERMANY (-15%), FRANCE (-10%), JAPAN (-9%), THE NETHERLANDS (-8%) AND THE UNITED KINGDOM (-3%).
/COMPARING THE........
3
MONDAY, OCTOBER 12, 1992
COMPARING THE FIRST EIGHT MONTHS OF THIS YEAR WITH THE SAME PERIOD LAST YEAR, THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO CHINA, SINGAPORE, THE UNITED STATES, CANADA AND TAIWAN INCREASED BY 16%, 13%, 8%, 7% AND 6% RESPECTIVELY.
HOWEVER, THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO GERMANY, FRANCE, THE NETHERLANDS, THE UNITED KINGDOM AND JAPAN DECREASED, BY 25%, 17%, 10%, 10% AND 4% RESPECTIVELY.
TABLE 2 SHOWS THE CHANGES IN THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS OF THE 10 MAJOR COMMODITY DIVISIONS.
COMPARING THE FIRST EIGHT MONTHS OF 1992 WITH THE SAME PERIOD IN 1991, INCREASES IN THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS WERE REGISTERED FOR CLOTHING (BY $1,651 MILLION OR 4%); OFFICE MACHINES AND AUTOMATIC DATA PROCESSING MACHINES (BY $1,077 MILLION OR 9%); AND MACHINERY SPECIALISED FOR PARTICULAR INDUSTRIES (BY $495 MILLION OR 31%).
HOWEVER, DECREASES IN THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS WERE RECORDED FOR TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND SOUND RECORDING AND REPRODUCING APPARATUS AND EQUIPMENT (BY $1,943 MILLION OR 19%); AND PHOTOGRAPHIC APPARATUS, EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES, OPTICAL GOODS, WATCHES AND CLOCKS (BY $1,037 MILLION OR 8%).
THE CHANGES IN THE VALUE OF IMPORTS FROM THE 10 MAJOR SUPPLIERS ARE SUMMARISED IN TABLE 3.
COMPARING AUGUST 1992 WITH AUGUST 1991, INCREASES WERE RECORDED IN THE VALUE OF IMPORTS FROM ALL THE MAJOR SUPPLIERS: ITALY (+46%), MALAYSIA (+25%), JAPAN (+24%), GERMANY (+21%), CHINA (+19%), THE REPUBLIC OF KOREA (+19%), SINGAPORE (+19%), TAIWAN (+16%), THE UNITED STATES (+11%) AND THE UNITED KINGDOM (+8%).
COMPARING THE FIRST EIGHT MONTHS OF THIS YEAR WITH THE SAME PERIOD LAST YEAR, THE INCREASES IN THE VALUE OF IMPORTS FROM THE MAJOR SUPPLIERS WERE: GERMANY (+29%), JAPAN (+28%), MALAYSIA (+28%), ITALY (+27%), THE REPUBLIC OF KOREA (+27%), CHINA (+24%), SINGAPORE (+20%), TAIWAN (+18%), THE UNITED STATES (+14%) AND THE UNITED KINGDOM (+14%).
TABLE 4 SHOWS THE CHANGES IN THE VALUE OF IMPORTS OF THE 10 MAJOR COMMODITY DIVISIONS.
COMPARING THE FIRST EIGHT MONTHS OF 1992 WITH THE SAME PERIOD IN 1991, INCREASES IN THE VALUE OF IMPORTS WERE REGISTERED FOR MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES CONSISTING OF MAINLY BABY CARRIAGES, TOYS, GAMES AND SPORTING GOODS (BY $10,768 MILLION OR 31%); CLOTHING (BY $9,894 MILLION OR 25%); ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES, AND ELECTRICAL PARTS THEREOF (BY $9,787 MILLION OR 20%); TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND SOUND RECORDING AND REPRODUCING APPARATUS AND EQUIPMENT (BY $8,223 MILLION OR 22%); AND TEXTILES (BY $7,301 MILLION OR 12%).
THE CHANGES IN THE VALUE OF HONG KONG’S RE-EXPORTS TO THE 10 MAJOR COUNTRIES OF DESTINATION ARE SHOWN IN TABLE 5.
/COMPARING AUGUST ......
MONDAY, OCTOBER 12, 1992
4
COMPARING AUGUST 1992 WITH AUGUST 1991, THE VALUE OF RE-EXPORTS TO JAPAN, THE UNITED KINGDOM, THE UNITED STATES AND CHINA INCREASED SUBSTANTIALLY, BY 46%, 44%, 39% AND 33% RESPECTIVELY.
THAT TO CANADA, FRANCE, TAIWAN AND GERMANY ALSO INCREASED, BY 17%, 16%, 9% AND 6% RESPECTIVELY.
HOWEVER, THE VALUE OF RE-EXPORTS TO THE REPUBLIC OF KOREA AND SINGAPORE DECREASED, BY 14% AND 4% RESPECTIVELY.
COMPARING THE FIRST EIGHT MONTHS OF 1992 WITH THE SAME PERIOD IN 1991, THE VALUE OF RE-EXPORTS TO THE UNITED STATES, THE UNITED KINGDOM, CHINA, CANADA, JAPAN AND FRANCE INCREASED SUBSTANTIALLY, BY 43%, 38%, 38%, 37%, 30% AND 22% RESPECTIVELY.
THAT TO SINGAPORE AND TAIWAN ALSO INCREASED, BY 13% AND 12% RESPECTIVELY.
HOWEVER, THE VALUE OF RE-EXPORTS TO THE REPUBLIC OF KOREA AND GERMANY DECREASED, BY 7% AND 3% RESPECTIVELY.
TABLE 6 SHOWS THE CHANGES IN THE VALUE OF RE-EXPORTS OF THE 10 MAJOR COMMODITY DIVISIONS.
COMPARING THE FIRST EIGHT MONTHS OF 1992 WITH THE SAME PERIOD IN 1991, INCREASES IN THE VALUE OF RE-EXPORTS WERE REGISTERED FOR MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES CONSISTING OF MAINLY BABY CARRIAGES, TOYS, GAMES AND SPORTING GOODS (BY $16,707 MILLION OR 39%); CLOTHING (BY $10,634 MILLION OR 27%); TEXTILES (BY $7,601 MILLION OR 21%); AND ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES, AND ELECTRICAL PARTS THEREOF (BY $7,303 MILLION OR 29%).
ALL THE TRADE STATISTICS DESCRIBED HERE ARE MEASURED AT CURRENT PRICES AND NO ACCOUNT HAS BEEN TAKEN OF THE CHANGES IN PRICES BETWEEN THE PERIODS OF COMPARISON.
A SEPARATE ANALYSIS OF THE PRICE AND VOLUME MOVEMENTS OF EXTERNAL TRADE IN AUGUST WILL BE RELEASED IN EARLY NOVEMBER.
DETAILED TRADE STATISTICS ANALYSED BY COMMODITY AND BY COUNTRY ARE PUBLISHED IN TRADE STATISTICS REPORTS.
THE AUGUST 1992 ISSUE OF THE "HONG KONG EXTERNAL TRADE" WITH DETAILED ANALYSES ON THE PERFORMANCE OF HONG KONG’S EXTERNAL TRADE IN AUGUST WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR SALE AT $52 A COPY AROUND OCTOBER 16.
THE REPORT CAN BE BOUGHT AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS SALES CENTRE ON THE GROUND FLOOR, GENERAL POST OFFICE BUILDING, CONNAUGHT PLACE, CENTRAL, AND THE PUBLICATIONS SECTION OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT ON THE 19TH FLOOR, WANCHAI TOWER I, 12 HARBOUR ROAD, WAN CHAI.
ENQUIRIES ABOUT REGULAR SUBSCRIPTION TO THE REPORT MAY BE DIRECTED TO THE INFORMATION SERVICES DEPARTMENT AT FRENCH MISSION BUILDING, 1 BATTERY PATH, HONG KONG (TEL 842 8802) AND ENQUIRIES ON TRADE STATISTICS TO THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT (TEL 582 4915).
/TABLE 1 : ........
MONDAY, OCTOBER 12, 1992
5
TABLE 1 : DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO THE 10 MAJOR MARKETS
AUG AUG 92 JAN-AUG JAN-AUG 92
MAJOR MARKET 1992 OVER 1992 OVER
AUG 91 JAN-AUG 91
(HKD MN) ( % ) (HKD MN) ( % )
UNITED STATES 5,991 + 8 40,132 + 8
CHINA 5,357 + 12 39,404 + 16
GERMANY 1,467 - 15 9,957 - 25
UNITED KINGDOM 1,197 - 3 8,088 - 10
JAPAN 998 - 9 7,302 - 4
SINGAPORE 915 + 15 6,540 + 13
TAIWAN 510 + 37 4,129 + 6
CANADA 489 + 2 3,380 + 7
NETHERLANDS 386 - 8 3,211 - 10
FRANCE 276 - 10 2,073 - 17
TABLE 2 : DOMESTIC EXPORTS OF THE 10 MAJOR COMMODITY DIVISIONS
COMMODITY DIVISION AUG 1992 (HKD MN) AUG 92 OVER AUG 91 ( % ) JAN-AUG 1992 (HKD MN) JAN-AUG 92 OVER JAN-AUG 91
( % )
ARTICLES OF APPAREL AND CLOTHING ACCESSORIES 7,581 + 7 47,745 + 4
MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES (MAINLY JEWELLERY, GOLDSMITHS’ AND SILVERSMITHS’ WARES) 1,866 — 9 14,498 3
OFFICE MACHINES AND AUTOMATIC DATA PROCESSING MACHINES 1,683 + 1 12,975 + 9
ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES, AND ELECTRICAL PARTS THEREOF 1,801 + 9 12,677 + 2
/PHOTOGRAPHIC APPARATUS.........
MONDAY, OCTOBER 12, 1992
PHOTOGRAPHIC APPARATUS, EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES, OPTICAL GOODS, WATCHES AND CLOCKS 1 ,575 11 12,136 8
TEXTILE YARN, FABRICS, MADE-UP ARTICLES AND RELATED PRODUCTS 1 ,412 + 1 11,302 + 1
TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND SOUND RECORDING AND REPRODUCING APPARATUS AND EQUIPMENT 1 ,044 — 18 8,251 19
MANUFACTURES OF METALS 403 - 4 3,201 + 4
PLASTICS IN PRIMARY FORMS 278 - 4 2,302 + 4
MACHINERY SPECIALISED FOR PARTICULAR INDUSTRIES 269 + 24 2,093 + 31
TABLE 3: IMPORTS FROM THE 10 MAJOR SUPPLIERS
MAJOR SUPPLIER AUG 1992 (HKD MN) AUG 92 OVER AUG 91 ( % ) JAN-AUG 1992 (HKD MN) JAN-AUG 92 OVER JAN-AUG 91 ( % )
CHINA 31,268 + 19 224,564 + 24
JAPAN 12,991 + 24 103,970 + 28
TAIWAN 7,147 + 16 55,778 + 18
UNITED STATES 6,309 + 11 44,225 + 14
REPUBLIC OF KOREA 3,256 + 19 29,132 + 27
SINGAPORE 2,858 + 19 24,826 + 20
GERMANY 1,767 + 21 13,764 + 29
UNITED KINGDOM 1,546 + 8 12,536 + 14
ITALY 1,480 + 46 9,504 + 27
MALAYSIA 1,045 + 25 8,193 + 28
/TABLE 4 : .......
MONDAY, OCTOBER 12, 1992 >
TABLE 4 : IMPORTS OF THE 10 MAJOR COMMODITY DIVISIONS
COMMODITY DIVISION AUG 1992 (HKD MN) AUG 92 OVER AUG 91 ( % ) JAN-AUG 1992 (HKD MN) JAN-AUG 92 OVER JAN-AUG 91 ( % )
TEXTILE YARN, FABRICS, MADE-UP ARTICLES AND RELATED PRODUCTS 7,832 + 1 67,409 + 12
ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES, AND ELECTRICAL PARTS THEREOF 7,813 + 14 59,442 + 20
ARTICLES OF APPAREL AND CLOTHING ACCESSORIES 7,820 + 32 50,172 + 25
TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND SOUND RECORDING AND REPRODUCING APPARATUS AND EQUIPMENT 6,131 + 18 46,394 + 22
MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES (MAINLY BABY CARRIAGES, TOYS, GAMES AND SPORTING GOODS) 6,497 + 21 45,136 + 31
PHOTOGRAPHIC APPARATUS, EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES, OPTICAL GOODS, WATCHES AND CLOCKS 3,571 + 6 29,407 + 19
OFFICE MACHINES AND AUTOMATIC DATA PROCESSING MACHINES 2,716 + 38 21,760 + 48
FOOTWEAR 2,872 + 51 19,902 + 47
GENERAL INDUSTRIAL MACHINERY AND EQUIPMENT, AND MACHINE PARTS 2,399 + 63 19,190 + 54
NON-METALLIC MINERAL MANUFACTURES 2,202 + 22 18,881 + 20
/TABLE 5 : .......
MONDAY, OCTOBER 12, 1992
- 8
TABLE 5 : RE-EXPORTS TO THE 10 MAJOR COUNTRIES OF DESTINATION
MAJOR COUNTRY OF DESTINATION AUG 1992 (HKD MN) AUG 92 OVER AUG 91 ( % ) JAN-AUG 1992 (HKD MN) JAN-AUG 92 OVER JAN-AUG 91 ( % )
CHINA 17,178 + 33 130,844 + 38
UNITED STATES 14,775 + 39 92,546 + 43
JAPAN 3,523 + 46 22,960 + 30
GERMANY 2,788 + 6 20,584 - 3
TAIWAN 2,097 + 9 17,450 + 12
UNITED KINGDOM 2,017 + 44 12,200 + 38
REPUBLIC OF KOREA 1,027 - 14 9,012 - 7
SINGAPORE 1,044 - 4 8,673 + 13
CANADA 1,000 + 17 7,216 ♦ 37
FRANCE 952 + 16 7,126 + 22
TABLE 6 : RE-EXPORTS OF THE 10 MAJOR COMMODITY DIVISIONS
AUG AUG 92 JAN-AUG JAN-AUG 92
COMMODITY DIVISION 1992 OVER 1992 OVER
AUG 91 JAN-AUG 91
(HKD MN) ( % ) (HKD MN) ( % )
MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES (MAINLY BABY CARRIAGES, TOYS, GAMES
AND SPORTING GOODS) 9,735 + 26 59,079 + 39
ARTICLES OF APPAREL AND CLOTHING ACCESSORIES 7,725 + 35 49,365 + 27
TEXTILE YARN, FABRICS, MADE-UP ARTICLES AND RELATED PRODUCTS 5,529 + 15 43,999 + 21
/TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND ......
MONDAY, OCTOBER 12, 1992
- 9
TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND SOUND RECORDING AND REPRODUCING APPARATUS AND EQUIPMENT 4,774 + 19 33,040 + 21
ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES, AND ELECTRICAL PARTS THEREOF 4,649 + 30 32,781 + 29
FOOTWEAR 3,451 + 54 22,432 + 48
PHOTOGRAPHIC APPARATUS, EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES, OPTICAL GOODS, WATCHES AND CLOCKS 2,395 + 13 18,844 + 47
TRAVEL GOODS, HANDBAGS AND SIMILAR CONTAINERS 2,046 + 23 15,691 + 25
OFFICE MACHINES AND AUTOMATIC DATA PROCESSING MACHINES 1,796 + 45 13,282 + 45
GENERAL INDUSTRIAL MACHINERY AND EQUIPMENT, AND MACHINE PARTS 1,368 + 72 11,179 + 68
- - 0---------
RESULTS OF TUEN MUN DISTRICT BOARD TAI HING CONSTITUENCY BY-ELECTION *****
NAME OF CANDIDATE RESULT
SO LAI-WA 64
LAM TAK-LEUNG 1,129
HO HANG-MUI 2,355
--------0-----------
/10 .......
MONDAY, OCTOBER 12, 1992
10
LABOUR ADVISORY BOARD MEMBERS MAY SUGGEST AGENDA ITEMS * » » ♦ »
MEMBERS OF THE LABOUR ADVISORY BOARD (LAB) WILL BE ABLE TO PUT FORWARD SUGGESTIONS FOR INCLUSION IN THE AGENDA OF THE BOARD MEETINGS, THE COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR, MRS KATHERINE FOK, SAID TODAY (MONDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE LAB MEETING TODAY, MRS FOK, WHO IS ALSO CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD, SAID A RECENT REVIEW BY THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT HAD MADE THE RECOMMENDATION IN ORDER TO ALLOW FREER EXCHANGES OF VIEWS ON THE LAB.
"AN AMENDMENT WILL BE MADE TO THE LAB’S TERMS OF REFERENCE. DETAILED PROCEDURES FOR IMPLEMENTING THIS RECOMMENDATION WILL BE ANNOUNCED LATER," SHE TOLD THE MEETING.
THE REVIEW ALSO RECOMMENDED AN ALLOWANCE OF $4,000 PER TERM FOR EACH MEMBER OF THE BOARD TO HELP MEET THEIR EXPENSES INCURRED ON ACTIVITIES RELATING TO LAB FUNCTIONS.
THIS RECOMMENDATION WILL BE IMPLEMENTED IN THE NEW SESSION OF THE LAB WHICH WILL BEGIN NEXT JANUARY.
AT TODAY’S MEETING, THE BOARD ENDORSED A PROPOSED REGULATION AIMED AT ENHANCING THE SAFETY OF WORKERS OPERATING ON ALL POWER-DRIVEN SUSPENDED WORKING PLATFORMS, INCLUDING "GONDOLAS".
UNDER THE PROPOSED REGULATION, THE CONTRACTOR RESPONSIBLE FOR OR THE OWNER OF A SUSPENDED WORKING PLATFORM SHALL ENSURE THE GOOD MECHANICAL CONSTRUCTION AND INSTALLATION OF THE APPLIANCE.
THE PROPOSED REGULATION ALSO REQUIRES A RECORD OF REGULAR AND PROPER MAINTENANCE OF A SUSPENDED WORKING PLATFORM TO BE KEPT AND MADE AVAILABLE FOR INSPECTION.
IT WILL BE THE CONTRACTOR’S AND THE OWNER’S RESPONSIBILITY TO ENSURE THAT A SUSPENDED WORKING PLATFORM IS THOROUGHLY AND PERIODICALLY TESTED BY A COMPETENT EXAMINER AND THAT A VALID SAFETY CERTIFICATE IS OBTAINED.
THE PROPOSAL WILL ALSO REQUIRE THE CONTRACTOR AND THE OWNER TO PROVIDE A SUITABLE SAFETY BELT FOR EVERY PERSON CARRIED ON THE PLATFORM, WHICH SHOULD BE ATTACHED TO AN INDEPENDENT LIFELINE OR AN APPROPRIATE ANCHORAGE.
EMPLOYEES WILL BE REQUIRED TO WEAR A SAFETY BELT AND WILL BE PROHIBITED FROM TAMPERING OR INTERFERING WITH OR RENDERING INOPERATIVE ANY SAFETY ROPE OR ANY AUTOMATIC SAFETY DEVICE PROVIDED FOR THEM.
THE LAB ALSO SUPPORTED A PROPOSAL TO SIMPLIFY THE PROCEDURES FOR CERTIFICATION OF MEDICAL CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYEES TO FACILITATE APPLICATION FOR LONG SERVICE PAYMENT UNDER THE EMPLOYMENT ORDINANCE.
THE PROPOSAL WILL ALLOW ANY REGISTERED MEDICAL PRACTITIONER TO ISSUE A CERTIFICATE STATING THAT THE EMPLOYEE IS PERMANENTLY UNFIT FOR THE PARTICULAR JOB FOR WHICH HE IS CURRENTLY ENGAGED BY THE EMPLOYER.
/IF EITHER .......
MONDAY, OCTOBER 12, 1992
- 11 -
IF EITHER THE EMPLOYER OR THE EMPLOYEE IS NOT SATISFIED WITH THE MEDICAL ASSESSMENT MADE IN THE FIRST INSTANCE, HE MAY APPOINT ANY REGISTERED MEDICAL PRACTITIONER FOR A REASSESSMENT.
SHOULD MEDICAL OPINIONS OF THE TWO ASSESSMENTS BE IN CONFLICT, THE CASE MAY BE REFERRED TO THE COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR FOR DETERMINATION.
A THIRD PROPOSAL ENDORSED AT THE MEETING AIMS TO CLARIFY THE CALCULATION OF NORMAL WORKING DAYS IN THE PROVISIONS ON ’’LAY-OFF" UNDER THE EMPLOYMENT ORDINANCE.
THE PROPOSAL WILL PROVIDE THAT THE TOTAL NUMBER OF NORMAL WORKING DAYS IN THE REFERENCE PERIOD (THAT IS ANY CONSECUTIVE PERIOD OF FOUR WEEKS OR 26 WEEKS) SHOULD BE REDUCED BY THE DAYS OF LOCK-OUT, REST DAYS, STATUTORY HOLIDAYS AND ANNUAL LEAVE FOR DETERMINING WHETHER NON-PROVISION OF WORK BY THE EMPLOYER HAS TRIGGERED OFF LAY-OFF.
MEMBERS OF THE BOARD ALSO NOTED A PROPOSAL TO RAISE THE LICENCE FEE FOR AN EMPLOYMENT AGENCY FROM $500 TO $800, WHILE THE FEE FOR A DUPLICATE LICENCE WILL BE SET AT $160.
---------0-----------
SEPTEMBER AIR QUALITY REPORT RELEASE
******
THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT (EPD) TODAY RELEASED AIR QUALITY INFORMATION FOR SEPTEMBER 1992 OBTAINED AT ITS MONG KOK, CENTRAL/WESTERN AND KWAI CHUNG MONITORING STATIONS.
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.
IN SEPTEMBER, POLLUTANTS LEVELS WERE IN GENERAL HIGHER THAN IN AUGUST. THERE WAS AN EXCEEDANCE OF THE DAILY NITROGEN DIOXIDE AIR QUALITY OBJECTIVE VALUE AT THE MONG KOK STATION ON SEPTEMBER 3, A DAY CHARACTERISED BY LOW WIND SPEEDS.
/THE DAILY .......
MONDAY, OCTOBER 12, 1992
12
THE DAILY HONG KONG AIR QUALITY OBJECTIVES OF SO2 AND NO2 , TSP AND RSP ARE 350, 150, 260 AND 180 MICROGRAMS PER CUBIC METER RESPECTIVELY.
THESE OBJECTIVES ARE COMPARABLE TO InTERNATIONALLY RECOGNISED AIR QUALITY STANDARDS RECOMMENDED FOR PROTECTING THE HEALTH OF THE GENERAL PUBLIC.
HIGH LEVELS OF SO2 CAUSE RESPIRATORY ILLNESS, REDUCED LUNG FUNCTION AND INCREASE MORTALITY RATE.
NO2 CAUSES RESPIRATORY IRRITATION, INCREASES SUSCEPTIBILITY TO RESPIRATORY INFECTION AND IMPAIRS LUNG DEVELOPMENT.
TSP ACTS SYNERGISTICALLY WITH OTHER GASEOUS POLLUTANTS AND RSP CAUSES RESPIRATORY ILLNESS, REDUCES LUNG FUNCTION. SOME FORMS OF RSP MAY CAUSE CANCER.
THE MONG KOK, CENTRAL/WESTERN AND KWAI CHUNG STATIONS BROADLY REPRESENT AIR QUALITY RESPECTIVELY AT: LOCATIONS CLOSED TO ROAD TRAFFIC IN BUILD-UP URBAN DISTRICT; COMBINED COMMERCIAL AND RESIDENTIAL DISTRICTS; AND DISTRICT CLOSED TO INDUSTRIAL AREAS.
CURRENTLY THE EPD OPERATES A TOTAL OF 11 FIXED AIR QUALITY MONITORING STATIONS, INCLUDING THE THREE MENTIONED ABOVE.
THE OTHER EIGHT STATIONS ARE AT KWUN TONG, SHAM SHUI PO, TSIM SHA TSUI, TSEUNG KWAN 0, TSUEN WAN, HONG KONG SOUTH, TAI PO AND SHA TIN.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
FURTHER ENQUIRY CAN BE DIRECTED TO THE ACTING PRINCIPAL ENVIRONMENTAL OFFICE MR W.S. TSUT ON TEL 594 6403.
/13 .......
MONDAY, OCTOBER 12, 1992
13
Hong Kong Air Quality Report for September 1992
u 400-
r\ "5 5
R S 300 -
Mong Kok Di ji]
Key H T«*l PkrttuteM
|J Susp*xted Pwicchte
SXJpUrDoxidr — NlroQ^Dtxkte
200
h 100
0
September 1992
- - 0 - -
/14
MONDAY, OCTOBER 12, 1992
14
STUDY TO MAP OUT INFORMATION STRATEGY FOR LEGAL DEPARTMENT
******
A CONSULTANCY FIRM WILL CARRY OUT A STUDY TO FORMULATE AN INFORMATION SYSTEMS STRATEGY FOR THE LEGAL DEPARTMENT OVER THE NEXT FIVE YEARS IN AN EFFORT TO IMPROVE THE EFFICIENT AND EFFECTIVE MANAGEMENT OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY IN THE DEPARTMENT.
THE EIGHT-MONTH STUDY IS EXPECTED TO MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS THAT WILL UTILISE TECHNOLOGY FOR IMPROVING PRODUCTIVITY AND QUALITY OF SERVICES.
THE LEGAL DEPARTMENT WILL BENEFIT FROM HAVING A LONG-TERM INFORMATION STRATEGY THAT IS TAILORED TO MEET SPECIFIC NEEDS OF THE DEPARTMENT AND ELIMINATING REDUNDANT INFORMATION AND DUPLICATION OF EFFORT.
THE STUDY WILL ESTABLISH A SYSTEM THAT WILL ENABLE THE SHARING OF INFORMATION THROUGHOUT THE DEPARTMENT.
A $3.2 MILLION AGREEMENT ON THE STUDY WAS SIGNED TODAY (MONDAY) BETWEEN REPRESENTATIVES OF THE INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY SERVICES DEPARTMENT AND THE CONSULTANCY FIRM, DELOITTE TOUCHE TOHMATSU.
A TEAM OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY CONSULTANTS FROM THE FIRM WILL START THE STUDY NEXT WEEK, THE PROGRESS OF WHICH WILL BE MONITORED BY A STEERING COMMITTEE COMPRISING REPRESENTATIVES OF THE LEGAL DEPARTMENT, FINANCE BRANCH AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY SERVICES DEPARTMENT.
------0-------
RATES FOR FOURTH QUARTER DUE ON OCTOBER 31 *****
THE TREASURY TODAY (MONDAY) REMINDED RATEPAYERS TO PAY THE RATES FOR THE QUARTER OCTOBER 1 TO DECEMBER 31 BY NOON ON OCTOBER 31.
ANY RATEPAYER WHO HAS NOT RECEIVED A DEMAND NOTE MAY BRING ONE FOR ANY PREVIOUS QUARTER AND MAKE PAYMENT AT ANY OF THE FOLLOWING OFFICES:
* THE TREASURY HEADQUARTERS COLLECTION AND PAYMENT OFFICE, WANCHAI TOWER II, FIRST FLOOR, 7 GLOUCESTER ROAD, WAN CHAI, HONG KONG.
* THE CENTRAL SUB-TREASURY, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES (WEST WING), 11 ICE HOUSE STREET (SIDE ENTRANCE TO THE BUILDING ON ICE HOUSE STREET), HONG KONG.
* THE SAI WAN HO SUB-TREASURY, EASTERN LAW COURTS BUILDING, GROUND FLOOR, 29 TAI ON STREET, SAI WAN HO, HONG KONG.
/* THE YAU ........
MONDAY, OCTOBER 12, 1992
- 15 -
* 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 RATEPAYER WHO HAS NOT RECEIVED A DEMAND NOTE AND CANNOT PRODUCE ONE FOR ANY PREVIOUS QUARTER SHOULD INQUIRE AT THE TREASURY RATES SECTION, WANCHAI TOWER II, 30TH FLOOR, 7 GLOUCESTER ROAD, HONG KONG.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE TREASURY SAID IF THE SUM WAS NOT PAID BY END OF THIS MONTH, A SURCHARGE OF FIVE PER CENT MAY BE IMPOSED UNDER THE RATING ORDINACE.
A FURTHER SURCHARGE OF 10 PER CENT MAY BE ADDED TO ACCOUNTS (INCLUDING THE NORMAL FIVE PER CENT SURCHARGE) WHICH REMAIN UNPAID SIX MONTHS AFTER THE DUE DATE, HE SAID.
RATEPAYERS WHO HAVE SUBMITTED A VALID DIRECT DEBIT AUTHORISATION SHOULD NOTE THAT PAYMENT SHOULD BE MADE BY POST OR IN PERSON AS STIPULATED IN THE DEMAND NOTE UNLESS THE WORDING "PAYMENT TO BE MADE BY AUTOPAY" IS SHOWN.
IN THIS CASE, THEIR PAYMENT OF RATES WILL BE MADE BY DIRECT DEBIT TO THEIR BANK ACCOUNTS ON OCTOBER 31. RATEPAYERS SHOULD ENSURE THAT THEIR BANK ACCOUNTS CONTAIN THE NECESSARY FUNDS ON THE DAY.
RATES ARE PAYABLE ON VACANT PROPERTIES BUT ARE REFUNDABLE UNDER THE CONDITIONS SPECIFIED IN THE ORDINANCE.
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).
THE SPOKESMAN URGED RATEPAYERS TO PAY BY CHEQUE OR MONEY ORDER SENT BY POST.
---------0-----------
/16 .......
MONDAY, OCTOBER 12, 1992
- 16 -
HK PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA IN CONCERT *****
THE HONG KONG PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA WILL GIVE A CONCERT AS PART OF THE WAN CHAI FESTIVAL ON OCTOBER 18 (SUNDAY).
IT WILL BE CONDUCTED BY THE ORCHESTRA’S RESIDENT CONDUCTOR, MS YIP WING-SIE, WHO HAS BEEN WITH THE ORCHESTRA SINCE 1986.
ORGANISED BY THE WAN CHAI FESTIVAL ORGANISING COMMITTEE OF THE DISTRICT BOARD, THE CONCERT WILL BE HELD AT 8 PM AT THE LYRIC THEATRE, HONG KONG ACADEMY FOR PERFORMING ARTS IN WAN CHAI.
IT WILL FEATURE POPULAR WORKS SUCH AS THE OVERTURE "WILLIAM TELL” BY ROSSINI, MUSIC FOR "A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM” BY MENDELSSOHN, SUITE "THE FIREBIRD" BY STRAVINSKY, AND THE SUITE NO. 1 FROM "PEER GYNT" OP. 46 BY EDVARD GRIEG.
TICKETS AT DISCOUNTED PRICE OF $55 EACH ARE NOW ON SALE AT ALL URBTIX OUTLETS.
GROUP BOOKINGS ARE WELCOME. ENQUIRIES ON BOOKINGS AND THE PROGRAMMES CAN BE MADE ON TELEPHONE 734 9009 AND 835 1986 RESPECTIVELY.
THE CONCERT IS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE URBAN COUNCIL WITH SPONSORSHIP FROM HUTCHISON TELEPHONE COMPANY LTD.
------0--------
WATER STORAGE FIGURE * * * *
STORAGE IN HONG KONG’S RESERVOIRS AT 9 AM TODAY (MONDAY) STOOD AT 83.3 PER CENT OF CAPACITY OR 488.170 MILLION CUBIC METRES.
THIS TIME LAST YEAR THE RESERVOIRS CONTAINED 267.199 MILLION CUBIC METRES OF WATER, REPRESENTING 45.6 PER CENT OF CAPACITY.
------0--------
FRESH WATER CUT IN YAU MA TEI * * * *
FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO SOME PREMISES IN YAU MA TEI WILL GO OFF FROM 11 PM ON WEDNESDAY (OCTOBER 14) TO 6 AM THE FOLLOWING DAY TO FACILITATE WASTE DETECTION WORK ON WATER MAINS.
THE SUSPENSION WILL AFFECT ALL PREMISES BOUNDED BY KANSU STREET, CANTON ROAD, JORDAN ROAD AND FERRY STREET.
------0--------
/17........
MONDAY, OCTOBER 12, 1992
- 17 -
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS
***** $ MILLION
OPENING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT 1,210
REVERSAL OF LAF BALANCE AFTER REVERSAL OF LAF + 290 1,500
NET INJECTION/WITHDRAWAL TODAY NIL
EFFECT OF LAF TODAY CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT -450 1,050
LAF RATE 2.00 BID/4.00 OFFER TWI 110.5 *-0.3* 12.10.92
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND
EF BILLS
TERMS YIELD TERM
1 WEEK 2.45 PCT 13 MONTHS
1 MONTH 2.56 PCT 16 MONTHS
3 MONTHS 2.65 PCT 19 MONTHS
6 MONTHS 2.75 PCT 22 MONTHS
12 MONTHS 3.24 PCT
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT BONDS
ISSUE COUPON PRICE YIELD
2311 6.25 103.16 3.33
2402 5.50 102.68 3.47
2405 5.502 102.70 3.78
2408 4.375 100.82 3.95
TOTAL TURNOVER OF BILLS AND BONDS
CLOSED 12 OCTOBER 1992
- 7,848 MN
---------0-----------
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 13, 1992
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
AN AGREEMENT IS BEST OPTION FOR NEW AIRPORT......................... 1
THE GOVERNOR, THE RT HON CHRISTOPHER PATTEN'S PUBLIC MEETING AT TSUEN WAN TOWN HALL ON TUESDAY, 13TH OCTOBER 1992 .................... 2
STOCK MARKET IS SET FOR MORE DEVELOPMENTS .......................... 13
HK TO RECOGNISE WORLD STANDARDS DAY ................................ 13
FIGURES ON RESTAURANT RECEIPTS AND PURCHASES FOR SECOND QUARTER .... 16
LEGCO TO MEET TOMORROW.............................................. 18
228 VMS RETURNED TODAY ............................................. 18
A REPUTED DISCIPLINED SERVICE ...................................... 19
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND TENDER RESULTS .................. 20
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS ......... 21
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 13, 1992
AN AGREEMENT IS BEST OPTION FOR NEW AIRPORT *****
THE BEST OPTION IN THE NEW AIRPORT ISSUE WAS FOR HONG KONG TO BE ABLE TO REACH AN AGREEMENT WITH CHINA TO GO AHEAD WITH THE AIRPORT, THE AIRPORT RAILWAY AND ALL THE REST OF THE PROJECTS, THE GOVERNOR, THE RT HON CHRISTOPHER PATTEN, SAID TODAY (TUESDAY).
SPEAKING TO REPORTERS AFTER THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL MEETING, MR PATTEN SAID: "I REPEAT SOMETHING WHICH EVERYBODY KNOWS IN THEIR BONES, WHICH IS THAT THE AIRPORT AND THE PROJECTS ASSOCIATED WITH IT WILL BE COMPLETED; THAT WILL BE GOOD FOR HONG KONG; IT WILL BE GOOD FOR THE WHOLE REGION."
"IF WE CAN’T REACH AGREEMENT, THEN WE’LL HAVE TO DO ALL THAT WE CAN HERE IN HONG KONG, BUT THAT WILL BE A SECOND-BEST OPTION. I WANT TO REACH AN AGREEMENT," HE SAID.
COMMENTING ON THURSDAY’S AIRPORT COMMITTEE MEETING, MR PATTEN SAID: "WE VERY MUCH HOPE THAT CHINA WILL MAKE ANOTHER POSITIVE STEP FORWARD. THAT WE’LL BE ABLE TO WORK TOGETHER TO REACH FINAL AGREEMENT, BOTH AT THE AIRPORT COMMITTEE THIS WEEK AND WHEN I GO TO PEKING NEXT WEEK, AND MAYBE IT WILL REQUIRE ANOTHER AIRPORT COMMITTEE MEETING AFTER THAT."
"BUT I HOPE WE CAN NOW REACH AN AGREEMENT OR MOVE TOWARDS REACHING AGREEMENT. MY VIEW IS THAT THAT IS VERY MUCH WHAT THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG WOULD LIKE TO SEE US DO," HE SAID.
COMMENTING ON HIS PROPOSALS IN HIS POLICY ADDRESS TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL LAST WEEK, THE GOVERNOR SAID: "THE PROPOSALS I PUT FORWARD LAST WEEK WERE MADE IN HONG KONG."
"THE PROPOSALS I’VE PUT FORWARD REPRESENT MY BEST JUDGMENT OF HOW THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG WOULD LIKE TO SEE US MOVE FORWARD ON A NUMBER OF FRONTS; SOCIAL, ECONOMIC AND POLITICAL, AND NOTHING THAT HAS HAPPENED SINCE THEN HAS PERSUADED ME THAT THE JUDGMENT OF THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG IS WRONG.
"THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG HAVE MADE THIS ASTONISHINGLY SUCCESSFUL COMMUNITY; THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG WILL GO ON BUILDING ON THE FOUNDATIONS THAT THEY’VE LAID SO WELL IN THE LAST FEW YEARS. IT’S THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG WHO HAVE SAVED THEMSELVES AND WILL GO ON SAVING THEMSELVES AND BUILDING A BETTER AND BRIGHTER FUTURE," MR PATTEN SAID.
--------0-----------
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 13, 1992
2
THE GOVERNOR, THE RT HON CHRISTOPHER PATTEN’S PUBLIC MEETING AT TSUEN WAN TOWN HALL
ON TUESDAY, 13TH OCTOBER 1992
*****
MICHAEL, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, FIRST OF ALL, WELCOME, I’M DELIGHTED THAT YOU ALL CAME THIS EVENING. THIS IS THE SECOND VISIT THAT I’VE PAID TO THIS HALL, THE FIRST ONE WAS ABOUT THREE MONTHS AGO WHEN I WAS BEGINNING TO GET OUT AND MEET AS MANY PEOPLE IN HONG KONG AS POSSIBLE. I’M DELIGHTED THAT YOU’RE HERE TO MEET ME THIS EVENING.
QUITE A LOT OF THINGS, TN THE THREE MONTHS THAT I’VE BEEN HERE, HAVE SURPRISED AND DELIGHTED ME BUT I THINK IN SOME WAYS THE THING THAT HAS SURPRISED ME MOST HAS BEEN THE CONTROVERSY WHICH SURROUNDED MY DECISION TO COME OUT OF GOVERNMENT HOUSE AND ANSWER YOUR QUESTIONS AROUND HONG KONG. SOMEBODY, FOR EXAMPLE, WRITING ABOUT THESE MEETINGS THIS MORNING, DESCRIBED THEM AS A ’’SHOW”. I THINK THAT’S A TERRIBLY PATRONISING WAY TO DESCRIBE THE OPPORTUNITY WHICH YOU HAVE, AS THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG, TO ASK YOUR GOVERNOR QUESTIONS ABOUT YOUR FUTURE.
WHAT I TALKED ABOUT LAST WEEK IN MY SPEECH TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL WAS YOUR FUTURE, AND YOU HAVE MORE RIGHT THAN ANYONE TO QUESTION ME ABOUT MY VIEWS ON YOUR FUTURE BECAUSE IT IS YOUR FUTURE. SO THIS YEAR, AND EVERY YEAR THAT I AM GOVERNOR OF HONG KONG, I WILL COME OUT AND GIVE YOU THE CHANCE OF ASKING ME QUESTIONS LIKE THIS, AND I VERY MUCH HOPE THAT MY SUCCESSOR, THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OF THE SAR, WILL DO THE SAME.
SOME PEOPLE SAY THAT IT WEAKENS THE GOVERNMENT IF THE GOVERNOR COMES OUT AND TRIES TO ANSWER YOUR QUESTIONS. I THINK IT MAKES GOVERNMENT STRONGER, AND I THINK IT MAKES GOVERNMENT BETTER. AND I THINK THAT FOR ONE VERY SIMPLE REASON: IF YOU’RE IN GOVERNMENT AND YOU KNOW THAT YOU’RE GOING TO GO OUT SOMETIME AND HAVE TO EXPLAIN YOUR DECISIONS TO MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC, IF YOU KNOW YOU’RE GOING TO GO OUT AND HAVE TO ANSWER QUESTIONS ABOUT YOUR DECISIONS FROM MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC, YOU THINK A GREAT DEAL HARDER ABOUT THOSE DECISIONS IN THE FIRST PLACE. SO ONE THING THAT HAPPENS IS, I BELIEVE THAT WHEN YOU HAVE GOVERNMENT THAT IS ACCOUNTABLE, YOU HAVE STRONGER AND BETTER GOVERNMENT.
I JUST WANT TO SAY FOUR THINGS VERY, VERY BRIEFLY, ABOUT THE SPEECH THAT I MADE LAST WEEK. I SET OUT TO DO FOUR THINGS. FIRST OF ALL, I WANTED TO SHOW HOW WE CAN KEEP HONG KONG AS ECONOMICALLY SUCCESSFUL AS POSSIBLE: WITH LOW TAXES, WITH PRUDENT FINANCES, WITH SENSIBLE CONTROL OVER SPENDING, WITH THE FRIENDLIEST POSSIBLE ENVIRONMENT FOR BUSINESS. BECAUSE ALL OF US KNOW THAT UNLESS HONG KONG IS ECONOMICALLY SUCCESSFUL, MANY OF THE THINGS THAT WE WANT TO DO WILL BE IMPOSSIBLE.
/SECONDLY, I .......
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 13, 1992
SECONDLY, I WANTED TO SHOW HOW, WITH THE RESULTS OF OUR ECONOMIC SUCCESS, WE CAN DO MORE TO LOOK AFTER THOSE WHO ARE IN NEED, WHO HAVE DISADVANTAGES IN OUR COMMUNITY. I WANTED TO SHOW HOW WE COULD DO MORE FOR THE HANDICAPPED, FOR THE MENTALLY-ILL, FOR THE ELDERLY, FOR THE POORER MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY. I WANTED TO SHOW HOW WE CAN INVEST MORE IN EDUCATION, IN THE ENVIRONMENT AND THE OTHER THINGS WHICH WE REGARD AS IMPORTANT. THAT WASN’T THE GOVERNOR INVESTING THE GOVERNOR’S MONEY IN ALL THESE THINGS WE WANT. YOU HAVE EARNED THAT AND IT IS IMPORTANT THAT WE USE IT IN WAYS WHICH MAKE SENSE FOR THE WHOLE COMMUNITY.
THIRDLY, YOU’VE BEEN TELLING ME, MANY OF YOU, IN THE LAST FEW MONTHS, THAT WHAT YOU WANT IS A RATHER GREATER SHARE IN DETERMINING YOUR OWN FUTURE. THAT YOU WANT SOME MORE MODEST PROGRESS IN DEMOCRACY, BUT THAT YOU WANT THAT IN A WAY THAT WILL LAST, IN A WAY, IF POSSIBLE, WHICH IS CONSISTENT WITH THE CONSTITUTION AFTER 1997, THE BASIC LAW. THAT IS THE BALANCE WHICH I HAVE TRIED TO STRIKE. THAT IS WHAT I HAVE TRIED TO DO IN MY PROPOSALS ON CONSTITUTIONAL DEVELOPMENT, WHICH I BELIEVE REFLECT WHAT PEOPLE HAVE BEEN SAYING TO ME, WHICH I WILL OF COURSE BE DISCUSSING IN CHINA NEXT WEEK.
FOURTH, WHAT I AM DETERMINED TO TRY TO DO, IS TO SAFEGUARD THE WAY OF LIFE OF HONG KONG. THE WAY OF LIFE WHICH HAS UNDERPINNED OUR PROSPERITY AND STABILITY, AND THE WAY OF LIFE WHICH OUR STABILITY AND PROSPERITY HELP TO SHAPE AS WELL. HONG KONG HAS ONE OF THE MOST SUCCESSFUL STORIES OF MODERN TIMES. BY YOUR OWN EFFORTS YOU HAVE MADE HONG KONG INTO PROBABLY THE TENTH LARGEST TRADING COMMUNITY IN THE WORLD. IT’S AN ASTONISHING ACHIEVEMENT! I THINK WE HAVE TO SAFEGUARD THAT, AT THE SAME TIME AS WE TRUST YOU TO TAKE A GREATER SHARE IN RUNNING YOUR OWN AFFAIRS.
PART OF THAT WAY OF LIFE IS THAT YOU SHOULD BE ABLE TO ASK THE GOVERNOR DIFFICULT QUESTIONS, OR EVEN, I HOPE, SOME EASY QUESTIONS. BUT AS WAS SAID AT THE BEGINNING, I THINK IT’S VERY IMPORTANT THAT WE GIVE AS MANY PEOPLE AS POSSIBLE THE OPPORTUNITY TO ASK QUESTIONS. AT MY FIRST MEETING, IN THE CITY HALL IN CENTRAL, WE HAD ABOUT 25-30 QUESTIONS BUT ONLY 11 QUESTIONERS, BECAUSE SEVERAL PEOPLE ASKED THREE OR FOUR QUESTIONS. AT SHA TIN LAST FRIDAY, WE REACHED AN AGREEMENT, WE HAD A BIT OF DEMOCRACY AT THE BEGINNING OF THE QUESTION AND ANSWER, AND I ASKED EVERYBODY WHETHER THEY WOULD AGREE WITH ME THAT EVERYBODY WOULD ONLY HAVE ONE QUESTION. AND IF EVERYBODY ONLY HAS ONE QUESTION, WE MAY BE ABLE TO GET 20 OR SO QUESTIONERS IN. I THINK THAT’S A FAIR WAY OF PROCEEDING, AND AFTER THIS HAS BEEN INTERPRETED, I’D JUST LIKE TO HAVE EVERYONE WHO THINKS THAT IT SHOULD BE ONE QUESTION FOR EVERY QUESTIONER, TO RAISE THEIR HAND.
ANYBODY AGAINST? - A COUPLE. SO I THINK, BY AN OVERWHELMING MAJORITY, WE’VE AGREED THAT IT WILL BE ONE QUESTION EACH.
/QUESTION: MR ........
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 13, 1992
4
QUESTION: MR GOVERNOR, HOW ARE YOU? I WOULD LIKE TO ASK YOU, DURING THE SEVERAL M.ONTHS YOU ARE HERE, WHETHER YOU HAVE TRAVELLED ALONG TUEN MUN ROAD AND HAVE YOU EXPERIENCED ANY CONGESTION ALONG TUEN MUN ROAD?
GOVERNOR: I HAVE TRAVELLED ALONG IT, BUT THIS IS WHEN I SHOULD MAKE A CONFESSION, BECAUSE ALL OF YOU KNOW THAT IF YOU ARE GOVERNOR, YOU TEND TO TRAVEL WITH THE HELP OF THE POLICE RATHER MORE QUICKLY THAN IF YOU ARE AN ORDINARY MEMBER OF THE COMMUNITY IN HONG KONG. YOU SEE, I’VE STARTED OFF BY BEING VERY HONEST AND I WANT TO GO ON LIKE THAT. IF I CAN JUST SAY ANOTHER WORD AND THEN YOU COME BACK; WHAT I THINK I RECOGNISE IS THE IMPORTANCE OF DOING MORE IN THIS PART OF OUR COMMUNITY IN ORDER TO SPEED UP TRANSPORT LINKS. BY THE END OF THIS YEAR, WE WILL HAVE, OF COURSE, STUDIES WHICH SHOULD BE ABLE TO ALLOW US TO MAKE DECISIONS, FIRST OF ALL ON ROUTE 3 AND SECONDLY, ON A RAIL LINK FROM THE NORTH-WEST OF THE NEW TERRITORIES INTO THE MAIN URBAN AREAS. IN THE MEANTIME, THERE ARE IMPORTANT THINGS WE SHOULD DO TO GO ON TRYING TO INCREASE THE NUMBER OF FERRY CROSSINGS, THE NUMBER OF BUS SERVICES AND, IF I MAY SAY SO, TO INVOLVE DISTRICT BOARDS MUCH MORE IN TAKING DECISIONS ABOUT TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT ISSUES; ISSUES LIKE THE PROVISION OF CROSSINGS AND THE SITING OF TRAFFIC LIGHTS, THOSE ARE EXACTLY THE SORT OF ISSUES WHICH DISTRICT BOARDS ARE EXTREMELY WELL PLACED TO ADVISE US ON, BUT THE QUESTIONS ARE, I KNOW, GOING TO BE THE FUTURE OF THE ROUTE 3 AND THE FUTURE OF OUR RAIL SERVICES.
DO YOU WANT TO COME BACK?
QUESTIONER: MR GOVERNOR, IF YOU HAVEN’T EXPERIENCED ANY CONGESTION ON TUEN MUN ROAD, 1 HOPE YOU HAVE GOOD LUCK. NOW, MANY NEW TOWNS ARE BEING DEVELOPED, A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE MOVING INTO NEW TOWNS FROM THE URBAN AREA, FROM THE AREA OF TUEN MUN AND YUEN LONG A LOT OF PEOPLE HAVE TO GO OUT TO THE URBAN AREA TO WORK EVERYDAY AND ALL OF THEM ARE USING TUEN MUN ROAD. ALL KINDS OF VEHICLES HAVE TO USE THAT ROAD TOO AND THE CONGESTION IS VERY BAD AND THE NEW TERRITORIES RESIDENTS HAVE MORE THAN ONCE REFLECTED THEIR OPINION AND THEIR REQUEST TO THE GOVERNMENT AND TO ASK FOR A RAIL LINK BETWEEN TUEN MUN AND TSUEN WAN, BUT SO FAR WE HAVEN’T GOT ANY ANSWER. SO MAY I ASK YOU, MR GOVERNOR, WOULD THE GOVERNMENT CONSIDER BUILDING A RAIL LINK BETWEEN TUEN MUN AND TSUEN WAN? IF NOT, THEN I MIGHT HAVE TO CONSIDER MOVING OUT TO URBAN AREA AGAIN.
GOVERNOR: WELL, WE WOULDN’T WANT THAT. I REPEAT WHAT I SAID EARLIER, THAT WE HAVE TO TAKE TWO DECISIONS LATER IN THE YEAR: ONE WILL BE ON ROUTE 3, THE OTHER WILL BE ON THE RESULTS OF OUR RAILWAY DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY, WHICH WILL BE PUBLISHED LATER IN THE YEAR. I HOPE THAT WILL START TO SUGGEST SOME OF THE ANSWERS TO YOUR QUESTIONS. BUT IF IT DOESN’T I’M SURE YOU WILL LET ME KNOW AS ELOQUENTLY AND HUMOROUSLY AS YOU HAVE THIS EVENING, BECAUSE THESE ARE VERY IMPORTANT ISSUES, I KNOW HOW IMPORTANT TRANSPORT IS, PARTICULARLY WHEN WE ARE STILL SEEING SUCH SUBSTANTIAL DEVELOPMENT IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.
/QUESTION: MR ........
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 13, 1992
- 5 -
QUESTION: MR GOVERNOR, HOW ARE YOU? AT ONE OF YOUR PRESS CONFERENCES I READ IN THE PRESS REPORT THAT YOU WANTED TO RESOLVE THE PROBLEM OF PUBLIC HOUSING. WE WERE VERY HAPPY TO HEAR THAT BECAUSE WE THOUGHT THREE MILLION RESIDENTS OF PUBLIC HOUSING WOULD SEE THE SALVATION. BUT WHEN YOU DELIVERED YOUR POLICY SPEECH IT WAS NOT THE SAME, YOU ONLY MENTIONED ABOUT THE HOUSING FOR THE SANDWICH CLASS. BUT WHAT ABOUT THE THREE MILLION RESIDENTS WHO ARE NOW LIVING IN PUBLIC HOUSING? THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT IS ACTING LIKE A BIG LANDLORD AND THEY KEEP ON PERSECUTING US. THEY JUST RAISE RENTS WHENEVER THEY LIKE, ESPECIALLY FOR US WHO LIVE IN THE REDEVELOPMENT AREA AT KWAI CHUNG. WE PETITIONED TO THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT, WE PETITIONED TO THE GOVERNOR, BUT THE GOVERNOR JUST PASSED THE BALL BACK TO THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT AGAIN WHO GAVE US A REPLY WHICH CONTAINS NOTHING AT ALL; AND YOU DON’T CARE ABOUT THE PROBLEM OF HIGH RENTAL. I AM PAYING $187 PER MONTH BUT WHEN I MOVE TO A NEW BUILDING I HAVE TO PAY $715 PER MONTH. SO CAN YOU SEE HOW MANY TIMES THE RAISE IS? MR GOVERNOR, CAN YOU BE MORE CONCERNED ABOUT THE PROBLEM OF PUBLIC HOUSING BECAUSE YOU HAVEN’T MENTIONED ANYTHING IN YOUR POLICY SPEECH? AND I WOULD LIKE TO GIVE YOU A CARD.
GOVERNOR: WHICH I’VE GOT. CAN I, WITHOUT CRITICISING WHAT YOU SAID ABOUT MY SPEECH TOO MUCH BECAUSE I DID TALK ABOUT PUBLIC HOUSING - LET ME SAY A WORD OR TWO ABOUT PUBLIC HOUSING, AND ABOUT RENTS WHICH YOU MENTIONED IN PARTICULAR.
HOUSING IS ONE OF THE BIGGEST INVESTMENT PROGRAMMES THAT WE HAVE IN THE NEXT FIVE YEARS. WE INTEND TO SPEND ABOUT 41 BILLION OF YOUR HONG KONG DOLLARS ON HOUSING. THAT WILL PROVIDE NEW HOUSING FOR NEARLY 200,000 FAMILIES, ABOUT 650,000 PEOPLE, OVER THE NEXT FIVE YEARS. AND IT’S VERY IMPORTANT THAT WE PROVIDE THAT HOUSING BECAUSE WE HAVE TO IMPROVE THE HOUSING OF SOME PEOPLE WHO AT PRESENT LIVE IN INADEQUATE HOMES AND WE HAVE TO GO ON PROVIDING NEW HOUSING FOR PEOPLE WHO ARE FORMING FAMILIES, WHO ARE STARTING OUT IN LIFE TOGETHER, AND WE HAVE TO PROVIDE MORE SPECIALISED HOUSING AS WELL, FOR EXAMPLE, FOR THE SINGLE ELDERLY.
NOW, YOU MENTIONED THE PARTICULAR QUESTION OF RENTS. I SYMPATHISE WITH THOSE WHO DON’T RECEIVE PUBLIC ASSISTANCE BUT HAVE DIFFICULTY IN PAYING THEIR RENT AND, THEREFORE, I AM PLEASED THAT PROPOSALS HAVE COME FORWARD FOR GIVING PEOPLE IN THAT CATEGORY SUBSTANTIAL REDUCTIONS IN THEIR RENTS FOR UP TO SIX MONTHS. THOSE PROPOSALS WILL COST ABOUT HK$60 MILLION IN THE FIRST YEAR AND ABOUT $20 MILLION IN SUBSEQUENT YEARS. SO YOU ARE QUITE RIGHT TO SAY THAT WHATEVER THE PARTICULAR PROBLEMS IN HOUSING WHICH MAY BE FACED BY THE SO-CALLED SANDWICH CLASS, WHAT WE HAVE TO DO IN HONG KONG IS TO MAKE SURE THAT WE GO ON WITH A VERY LARGE, SUBSTANTIAL HOUSING PROGRAMME IN ORDER, LITERALLY, TO BUILD ON THE SOCIAL REVOLUTION WHICH WAS PRODUCED IN PUBLIC HOUSING IN THE 1970’S AND 80’S. IT IS EXTREMELY IMPORTANT TO THE STABILITY AND HARMONY OF OUR COMMUNITY THAT WE DO THAT.
/QUESTION: MR ........
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 13, 1992
- 6 -
QUESTION: MR GOVERNOR, I AM AN EDUCATION WORKER. IN YOUR POLICY ADDRESS YOU SAID THE RECURRING EXPENDITURE IN EDUCATION WILL BE INCREASED BY 15.8% IN REAL TERMS. I AM AT THE SAME TIME HAPPY AND UPSET, BECAUSE I AM A PRE-PRIMARY TEACHER AND I DON’T THINK YOU HAVE RECOGNISED THE IMPORTANCE OF PRE-PRIMARY EDUCATION. TAIWAN DOES, CHINA DOES, AND A LOT OF COUNTRIES DO, BUT THE GOVERNMENT GAVE THE REASON THAT THE CHILDREN DO NOT HAVE TO FINISH KINDERGARTEN OR GO TO CHILD CARE CENTRES BEFORE THEY GO TO PRIMARY SCHOOL, BUT NOW IN HONG KONG, MORE THAN 90% OF THE PARENTS SEND THEIR CHILDREN TO KINDERGARTEN AND CHILD CARE CENTRES, SPENDING SEVERAL HUNDRED DOLLARS A MONTH OR SEVERAL THOUSAND DOLLARS A MONTH. ARE THEY DOING JUST A USELESS THING? I THINK IN THE PRESENT EDUCATION SYSTEM IN HONG KONG, PREPRIMARY EDUCATION IS VERY IMPORTANT. THE STATUS OF PRE-PRIMARY EDUCATION WORKERS AND THE QUALITY OF THE PRIMARY EDUCATION WOULD BE SUBSTANTIALLY RAISED IF THE GOVERNMENT WOULD GIVE THE RECOGNITION TO THE IMPORTANCE OF THE PRE-PRIMARY EDUCATION. WHAT DO YOU THINK, MR GOVERNOR, ABOUT THE VIEW THAT PRE-PRIMARY EDUCATION IS NOT NECESSARY?
GOVERNOR: CAN I FIRST OF ALL SAY THAT IN ANY SOCIAL DEVELOPMENTS, IN ANY DEVELOPMENTS IN EDUCATION, HOWEVER EXTENSIVE THEY ARE YOU HAVE TO CHOOSE PRIORITIES. I WAS BEING CRITICISED LAST WEEK BY SOME PEOPLE FOR PROPOSING THAT WE SHOULD SPEND TOO MUCH MONEY IN HONG KONG. ACTUALLY, I THINK THAT WE'VE PUT FORWARD PROPOSALS THAT WE CAN AFFORD BUT IT IS IMPORTANT THAT WE ALL RECOGNISE IN A RESPONSIBLE WAY THAT WE CAN’T DO EVERYTHING THAT WE WOULD WANT, AT ONCE.
LET ME EXPLAIN WHAT I MEAN IN EDUCATION. WE HAVE IN THE LAST FEW YEARS IN HONG KONG, DECIDED GREATLY TO EXPAND THE TERTIARY SECTOR OF EDUCATION SO THAT WITHIN A YEAR OR TWO ALMOST ONE IN FIVE OF OUR YOUNG PEOPLE AGED 17 TO 20 WILL BE ABLE TO GO ON TO A UNIVERSITY OR A POLYTECHNIC. BUT WHAT PEOPLE HAVE BEEN SAYING TO ME IN THE LAST THREE MONTHS IS, IT’S NOT ENOUGH JUST TO PUT MORE INVESTMENT INTO HIGHER EDUCATION, WE ALSO NEED TO PUT MORE INTO OUR PRIMARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOLS AND IN PARTICULAR, THEY’VE ARGUED, WE NEED TO PUT MORE INTO TEACHERS, INTO INCREASING THE NUMBER OF TEACHERS, INTO REDUCING CLASS SIZES, AND INTO RAISING THE QUALITY OF TEACHER TRAINING.
I’VE TRIED TO RESPOND TO THAT, BEGINNING IN PRIMARY SCHOOLS, BY STARTING TO REDUCE THE SIZE OF CLASSES IN PRIMARY SCHOOLS FROM 40 TO 35 BEGINNING IN YEAR ONE. AND WHY DID I FEEL THAT ABOUT PRIMARY SCHOOLS? BECAUSE ALL OF US KNOW, AS PARENTS - AND TEACHERS KNOW AS WELL - THAT THE EDUCATION THE CHILDREN GET AT THE VERY BEGINNING IS CRUCIAL TO THEIR LATER DEVELOPMENT. OF COURSE IT’S REASONABLE FOR YOU TO SAY, "YOU SHOULDN’T DO THIS JUST FOR PRIMARY SCHOOLS, YOU SHOULDN’T JUST DO THIS FOR SECONDARY SCHOOLS AND TERTIARY EDUCATION, YOU MUST DO MORE FOR PRE-PRIMARY SCHOOLS AS WELL." WE ARE DOING SOME MORE FOR PRE-PRIMARY SCHOOLS. I ANNOUNCED AN INCREASE OF, I THINK, 5,600 IN THE NUMBER OF NURSERY PLACES. I ANNOUNCED IMPROVEMENTS IN THE FEE-REMISSION SCHEME FOR KINDERGARTENS, SO WE DO WANT TO SEE MORE DONE AT PRE-SCHOOL TOO. BUT I REPEAT WHAT I SAID AT THE BEGINNING, THAT MAKING POLITICAL DECISIONS IS ALL ABOUT TAKING DIFFICULT DECISIONS ABOUT PRIORITIES AND I THINK THIS YEAR, IT WAS RIGHT TO CONCENTRATE AS MUCH EXTRA HELP AS WE COULD ON TEACHERS AND ON PRIMARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOLS.
/QUESTION: GOOD ........
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 13, 1992
7
QUESTION: GOOD EVENING, MR PATTEN. I SHOULD LIKE TO RAISE AN ISSUE NOT MENTIONED IN YOUR RECENT POLICY ADDRESS. I REFER TO THE QUESTION OF HONG KONG’S MINORITY LONG TERM RESIDENTS, NOT OF CHINESE DESCENT, WHO DO NOT ENJOY PERMANENT RESIDENT STATUS IN HONG KONG. THE JOINT DECLARATION PROVIDES FOR PERMANENT RESIDENT STATUS BEING CONFIRMED ON NON-CHINESE PERSONS WHO HAVE RESIDED HERE FOR SEVEN YEARS. IN SPITE OF THIS EXISTING AGREEMENT, YOUR GOVERNMENT CONTINUES TO DECLINE TO GIVE SUCH LONG TERM RESIDENTS, LIKE MYSELF, PERMANENT RESIDENT STATUS, CLAIMING THAT A LACK OF A CLEAR DEFINITION FOR THE TERM "CHINESE RESIDENT" PRECLUDES THIS.
THE GOVERNMENT IS, ON THE OTHER HAND, WILLING TO USE THEIR OWN RACIALLY-DISCRIMINATING DEFINITION IN CURRENT LEGISLATION, TO ISSUE PERMANENT IDENTITY-CARDS TO PERSONS WHOLLY OR PARTLY OF CHINESE BLOOD. THIS PARTICULAR DEFINITION, DISTASTEFUL THOUGH IT IS, COULD JUST AS EASILY BE UTILISED TO GIVE NON-CHINESE RESIDENTS PERMANENT RESIDENT STATUS. WHAT DO YOU INTEND TO DO ABOUT REMOVING THIS RACIAL DISCRIMINATION AND PROVIDE ALL HONG KONG RESIDENTS WITH THE SAME RIGHTS? THANK YOU.
GOVERNOR: JUST BEFORE ANSWERING THE QUESTION, CAN I DEAL WITH A LITTLE LOCAL DIFFICULTY WITH THE GENTLEMAN AT NUMBER 2. WHAT IS VERY IMPORTANT ON OCCASIONS LIKE THIS IS, EVERYONE IN THE AUDIENCE IS FAIR TO ONE ANOTHER. A LOT OF PEOPLE WANT TO ASK QUESTIONS BUT WE’VE GOT TO DO IT IN A FAIR ORDER. I WILL ANSWER A QUESTION FROM YOU, BUT I WON’T ANSWER A QUESTION FROM YOU UNTIL THE GENTLEMAN IN THE WHITE T-SHIRT HAS ASKED A QUESTION, BECAUSE I CAI,LED HIM FIRST. SO IF YOU SIT DOWN, I WILL ASK YOU TO HAVE A QUESTION AFTER THE GENTLEMAN IN THE WHITE T-SHIRT. THANK YOU VERY MUCH, SIR, THAT IS A VERY GOOD EXAMPLE OF HOW WE CAN HAVE SERIOUS DISCUSSION IN AN ORDERLY WAY.
CAN I NOW COME TO THE IMPORTANT QUESTION WHICH WAS ASKED FROM NUMBER 5. I’M GOING TO BE QUITE BRIEF BECAUSE IT’S AN ISSUE WHICH IS AT PRESENT BEING DISCUSSED. IT IS AN ISSUE WHICH WE DO NEED TO DISCUSS WITH OUR CHINESE COLLEAGUES. IT’S BEEN ON THE AGENDA OF WHAT’S CALLED "THE JOINT LIAISON GROUP" FOR QUITE A LONG TIME NOW BUT I’M EXTREMELY PLEASED THAT AT THE LAST MEETING OF THE JOINT LIAISON GROUP, AT WHICH BRITISH AND CHINESE OFFICIALS DISCUSSED THESE MATTERS AROUND THE TABLE, AT THE LAST MEETING IN LONDON LAST MONTH, WE STARTED TO MAKE CONSIDERABLE PROGRESS ON WHAT IS CALLED "THE RIGHT OF ABODE AND RELATED ISSUES". SO I HOPE THAT WE’LL BE ABLE TO RESOLVE MATTERS IN A WAY WHICH IS SATISFACTORY FOR YOU AND FOR COLLEAGUES, SO THAT YOU CAN GO ON MAKING A SUBSTANTIAL CONTRIBUTION TO THE WELL BEING AND THE STABILITY OF HONG KONG. I DO UNDERSTAND THE WORRIES THAT MANY PEOPLE HAVE AND WE WILL TRY TO RESOLVE THEM AS SOON AS POSSIBLE WITH CHINESE OFFICIALS.
QUESTION: MR GOVERNOR, IN YOUR POLICY SPEECH YOU MENTIONED A LOT ABOUT POLITICAL DEVELOPMENT BUT YOU SAID THAT YOU ARE GOING TO TAKE THESE PROPOSALS TO PEKING TO DISCUSS WITH THEM. ON THE OTHER HAND, YOU ALSO STRESS THAT THIS IS WHAT THE HONG KONG PEOPLE WANT, THEY WANT A FASTER PACE IN DEMOCRATISATION. BUT THESE TWO MAY BE CONTRADICTORY. MAY I ASK YOU ONE THING: WHAT WILL YOU DO IF THE WISHES OF PEKING AND THE HONG KONG PEOPLE ARE NOT COMPATIBLE? AND WILL IT TRIGGER OFF A NEW POLITICAL WRANGLING, AND WILL IT AFFECT YOUR DISCUSSIONS ON THE NEW AIRPORT?
/GOVERNOR: FIRST ........
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 13, 1992
8
GOVERNOR: FIRST OF ALL, IT IS VERY IMPORTANT THAT ALL OF YOU RECOGNISE, AS I HOPE NOW THAT OFFICIALS IN PEKING RECOGNISE, THAT SO FAR AS I. AM CONCERNED, THERE HAS NOT BEEN, THERE CANNOT BE, THERE CAN NEVER BE, ANY LINKAGE BETWEEN DISCUSSIONS ON THE AIRPORT AND DISCUSSIONS ON POLITICAL DEVELOPMENT. THE AIRPORT IS VERY IMPORTANT TO HONG KONG’S DEVELOPMENT AND WE ALL KNOW THAT ONE DAY, I HOPE SOONER RATHER THAN LATER, WE’LL HAVE A NEW AIRPORT, AND IT WILL BE ONE OF THE BEST AIRPORTS IN THE WORLD. BUT I AM NOT - AND I HOPE YOU’LL UNDERSTAND HOW I COULDN’T - I AM NOT GOING TO PUT MYSELF IN A POSITION IN WHICH I TRADE VALUES FOR COMMERCIAL SETTLEMENTS. THAT WOULD BE ABSOLUTELY INTOLERABLE, AND I DON’T THINK YOU’D TRUST ME IF I DID THAT.
I THINK THAT MOST PEOPLE BELIEVE THAT IT IS WHOLLY PROPER FOR ME TO DISCUSS PROPOSALS FOR THE 1995 ELECTIONS WITH CHINESE OFFICIALS. I THINK PEOPLE RECOGNISE THAT THAT IS A SENSIBLE THING TO DO. I HOPE THAT I WILL BE ABLE TO CONVINCE CHINESE OFFICIALS THAT WE CAN GIVE PEOPLE IN HONG KONG A GREATER SAY IN THEIR OWN GOVERNMENT WITHOUT UNDERMINING STABILITY IN HONG KONG, WITHOUT THREATENING ANYONE. WE CAN BEHAVE MATURELY AND RESPONSIBLY, AS PEOPLE ARE THIS EVENING. I HOPE THAT I CAN PUT THAT CASE PERSUASIVELY. BUT AFTER THOSE DISCUSSIONS - AND IT MAY NEED MORE THAN ONE MEETING - AFTER THOSE DISCUSSIONS, I WILL HAVE TO PUT MY JUDGMENT, ONCE AGAIN, BEFORE THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG, ABOUT THE BEST WAY FORWARD. AND I WILL HAVE TO PUT LEGISLATION, AT SOME STAGE, BEFORE THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, WHICH WILL HAVE TO DECIDE THE BASIS FOR THE 1995 ELECTIONS.
LET ME ADD ONE OTHER POINT. THESE AREN’T THINGS WHICH I’VE TAKEN OUT OF THE BLUE, OUT OF THE SKY, THESE ARE PROPOSALS THAT I HAD TO BRING FORWARD BECAUSE WE DO NEED ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE ELECTION COMMITTEE IN 1995, FOR THE FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCIES AND SO ON. AND IF THERE ARE PEOPLE WHO THINK THAT MY PROPOSALS ARE WRONG, IT’S NOT SUFFICIENT FOR THEM JUST TO CRITICISE, IT’S NOT SUFFICIENT FOR THEM JUST TO SHOUT FROM THE GRANDSTAND AT THOSE OF US WHO ARE OUT ON THE PITCH, THEY SHOULD COME DOWN AND JOIN THE GAME AS WELL. THEY SHOULD TELL US WHAT PROPOSALS THEY WOULD PUT ON THE TABLE INSTEAD OF THE ONES WHICH I AM ADVANCING.
SO THAT IS THE WAY I SEE THINGS DEVELOPING. FIRST OF ALL MY DISCUSSIONS WITH CHINESE OFFICIALS. I SHALL REPORT BACK ON THOSE DISCUSSIONS TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. WE MAY NEED TO HAVE FURTHER DISCUSSIONS, BUT BEFORE TOO LONG, CERTAINLY IN THE EARLY PART OF NEXT YEAR, I WILL HAVE TO SET OUT MY THOUGHTS ON THE BEST WAY FORWARD FOR THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL AND THEN THEY WILL HAVE TO VOTE ON THEM.
QUESTION: MR GOVERNOR, THIS YEAR, IN THE FOUR COLLEGES OF EDUCATION THE TOTAL PLACES WERE 1,100 BUT THE ADMISSIONS WERE ONLY 972, AND THE SHORTFALL WAS 11%. IN YOUR POLICY SPEECH YOU MENTION THAT 780 ADDITIONAL TEACHERS WILL BE RECRUITED. MAY I ASK YOU: HOW CAN YOU ATTRACT MORE SECONDARY SCHOOL LEAVERS TO ENTER THE COLLEGES OF EDUCATION? AND HOW CAN YOU ENSURE THAT THE QUALITY OF TEACHERS WILL NOT DROP?
/GOVERNOR: I ........
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 13, 1992
- 9 -
GOVERNOR: I THINK THAT IN A COMMUNITY WHICH REGARDS EDUCATION AS IMPORTANT AS HONG KONG DOES, IT IS ABSOLUTELY IMPERATIVE THAT THE TEACHING PROFESSION HAS AS MUCH ESTEEM XS POSSIBLE. PEOPLE VERY OFTEN ASK WHAT IT IS THAT PRODUCES A GOOD EDUCATION, AND THERE HAS BEEN ENORMOUS AMOUNTS OF RESEARCH ON THE SUBJECT. WE ALL KNOW THAT WHAT PRODUCES THE REST EDUCATION IS GOOD TEACHERS. AND 1 THINK THAT THE RECOGNITION THAT TEACHERS ARE AT THE HEART OF X GOOD EDUCATION, PROPERLY REMUNERATED, PROPERLX PAID, GIVEN THE CONDITIONS IN WHICH THEY CAN WORK BEST, THOSE ARE THE WAYS IN WHICH WE’LL BE ABLE TO ATTRACT MORE AND BETTER PEOPLE INTO THE PROFESSION.
NOW, YOU HAVE QUITE RIGHTLY SAID THAT WE HAVE SET OURSELVES AMBITIOUS AND PERHAPS DIFFICULT TARGETS. WE’RE TRYING TO RECRUIT ANOTHER 700 TEACHERS NEXT YEAR, AND WE WANT TO RECRUIT, ON TOP OF THAT, ANOTHER 1,500 TEACHERS IN THE FOLLOWING YEARS, IN ORDER TO INCREASE THE TEACHING FORCE BY ABOUT 2,200. I HOPE THAT THE FACT THAT WE ARE REDUCING CLASS SIZES, THE FACT THAT WE ARE GIVING TEACHERS MORE TIME TO PREPARE THEIR LESSONS AND MORE TIME TO SPEND WITH INDIVIDUAL TEACHERS, WILL MAKE TEACHING ITSELF BOTH MORE ATTRACTIVE AND PERHAPS A LITTLE LESS BURDENSOME FOR TEACHERS THEMSELVES. AND IT’S A SUBJECT ABOUT WHICH 1 SPEAK WITH SOME PERSONAL INTEREST - BOTH MY GRANDPARENTS WERE TEACHERS.
QUESTION: MR GOVERNOR, AS FAR AS I UNDERSTAND, THE FUNCTION OF A POLICY ADDRESS IS TO TELL PEOPLE WHAT THE GOVERNMENT IS GOING TO DO FOR US AND WHAT ARE THE MAJOR GOVERNMENT POLICIES THAT YOU ARE GOING TO IMPLEMENT. YOU HAVE ALREADY TOUCHED ON SEVERAL SOCIAL POLICIES AND I AM SURE YOU HAVE ALREADY LISTENED TO A LOT ABOUT THE PROS AND CONS ABOUT THESE POLICIES AND YOU HAVE ALREADY STRUCK A BALANCE BETWEEN THEM. BUT RIGHT NOW THERE XRE STILL GREAT CONTROVERSIES SURROUNDING POLITICAL DEVELOPMENT, BUT IN YOUR POLICY SPEECH YOU HAVE ALREADY PUT FORTH RADICAL CHANGES. SO DO YOU THINK IT WOULD DETERIORATE THE RELATIONS BETWEEN CHINA, BRITAIN AND HONG KONG? NORMALLY, A GREEN PAPER WOULD BE ISSUED TO CONSULT THE PUBLIC ON MAJOR POLICIES, BUT WHY WAS THERE NO GREEN PAPER THIS TIME?
TN HONG KONG THERE IS THIS POLITICAL REALITY: A LOT OF PEOPLE DO NOT REGISTER AS VOTERS. THOSE WHO HAVE REGISTERED DID NOT GO TO CAST THEIR VOTE. SO UNDER THESE CIRCUMSTANCES WHY DO YOU HAVE SO MUCH CONFIDENCE THAT THE MAJORITY OF HONG KONG PEOPLE WANT SO MUCH DEMOCRACY? WHAT IS THE BASIS OF YOUR ARGUMENT?
GOVERNOR: FIRST OF ALL, AS I SAID EARLIER, WHAT I HAVE DONE IS TO SET OUT MY PROPOSALS FOR THE 1995 ELECTION.S AND FOR OTHER CONSTITUTIONAL ISSUES, AND THOSE PROPOSALS, I OBSERVE, ARE BEING WIDELY DISCUSSED IN HONG KONG, AS WOULD HAPPEN IF I’D PRODUCED A GREEN PAPER. WOULD YOU HAVE BEEN ANY HAPPIER IF 1 HAD SAID, IN MY LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL SPEECH, "I’M PRODUCING X GREEN PAPER WITH ALL THESE PROPOSALS IN", RATHER THAN STATING THEM IN THE SPEECH? I’M NOT SURE THAT THAT WOULD HAVE PRODUCED MORE OR LESS DISCUSSION.
/BUT YOU .......
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 13, 1992
10
BUT YOU MAKE A MORE IMPORTANT AND FUNDAMENTAL POINT, WHICH THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG ARE GOING TO HAVE TO DECIDE, WITH ME, OVER THE NEXT FEW MONTHS. AND I MUST SAY THAT JUDGING BY SOME RECENT POLLS, SOME RECENT OPINION POLLS, IT DOESN’T SEEM TO ME THAT I HAVE BADLY MISUNDERSTOOD WHAT PEOPLE IN HONG KONG ARE ASKING FOR. I THINK THAT PEOPLE WANT A MODEST INCREASE IN THE AMOUNT OF CONTROL THEY HAVE OVER THEIR OWN AFFAIRS. THIS IS ONE OF THE MOST SOPHISTICATED, SUCCESSFUL COMMUNITIES TN ASIA, ONE OF THE MOST SOPHISTICATED, SUCCESSFUL COMMUNITIES IN THE WORLD. I’M NOT PROPOSING ANYTHING WHICH IS RADICAL, I’M MAKING PROPOSALS WHICH ARE GRADUAL AND ORDERLY AND IN MY VIEW, WELL BALANCED. BUT IF THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG DISAGREE WITH THAT, I’M SURE THAT THEY WILL TELL ME.
WHAT I DON’T THINK IS CLEAR IS WHAT ALTERNATIVES ANYBODY ELSE HAS TO OFFER. PEOPLE CRITICISE, BUT I’M NOT AWARE OF OTHER PROPOSALS BEING PUT ON THE TABLE FOR THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG TO CONSIDER AND DISCUSS. I HOPE WE CAN DISCUSS THESE THINGS IN A RATIONAL AND COOL AND SENSIBLE WAY, AS YOU HAVE PUT YOUR QUESTION THIS EVENING, AND I HOPE AT THE END OF THAT DISCUSSION, WE CAN MOVE FORWARD IN A WAY WHICH CARRIES THE CONFIDENCE OF THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG, CONFIDENCE WHICH WILL BE STRENGTHENED IN A SUCCESSFUL FUTURE FOR THIS GREAT TERRITORY.
QUESTION: MR GOVERNOR, HOW ARE YOU? I AM VERY HAPPY TO HAVE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK WHAT IS ON MY MIND AND I WOULD LIKE TO GREET ALL THE PEOPLE IN THIS DISTRICT AND I WANT TO WISH THEM WELL. I AM A BUSINESS WOMAN AND I HOLD A BUSINESS LICENCE AND I THANK YOU ALL. MY RIGHTS ARE ALSO YOUR RIGHTS. YOU HAVE TOLD US ABOUT AIRPORT. YOU HAVE BEEN HERE THREE MONTHS, AND YOU ARE VERY HAPPY. IN YOUR POLICY ADDRESS YOU HAVE MENTIONED HOW TO PROTECT BUSINESSMEN AND I HOPE YOU WILL DO WHAT YOU SAY.
GOVERNOR: WE’VE ONLY GOT ANOTHER FIVE MINUTES. I WILL TELL YOU WHAT, WE WILL BOOK THE HALL NEXT WEEK AND YOU CAN COME AND HAVE A MEETING HERE.
QUESTIONER: I HAVE SUFFERED LOSS AT THE CLOSURE OF THE BANK OF CREDIT AND COMMERCE.
GOVERNOR: IF YOU COULD LET OTHER PEOPLE NOW ASK A QUESTION, YOU’VE HAD A JOLLY GOOD GO. DON’T PUSH HER, PLEASE DON’T PUSH HER. PLEASE, PLEASE, WE’LL DO THIS VERY CALMLY. THANK YOU VERY MUCH INDEED, THANK YOU FOR YOUR QUESTION. IF YOU'VE GOT A LETTER FOR ME AFTERWARDS, I WILL TAKE IT. THANK YOU VERY MUCH INDEED. ALRIGHT, IT JUST SPOILS IT FOR EVERYBODY ELSE.
QUESTION: MR GOVERNOR, I JUST WANT TO ASK A VERY SIMPLE QUESTION. HOW MUCH MONEY WILL THE GOVERNMENT INJECT INTO THE HOUSING AUTHORITY IN THE COMING YEARS, BECAUSE, IF IT IS NOT ENOUGH, THEN YOU ARE NOT GIVING ANY GENUINE ASSISTANCE TO THE LOWER INCOME CLASSES. LAST YEAR, THERE WERE ONLY 300 MILLION DOLLARS WHICH WENT TO THE HOUSING AUTHORITY AND WE JUST GAVE YOU A CARD AND WE WOULD LIKE TO HAVE A MEETING WITH YOU, SO WHEN CAN YOU GIVE US AN ANSWER ON THE DATE OF YOUR AVAILABILITY?
/GOVERNOR: I'LL ........
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 13, 1992
- 11
GOVERNOR: I’LL TAKE THE CARD FROM YOU AND I’LL LET YOU KNOW IF I’VE GOT A DATE SOON, BUT I HOPE IT BETTER NOT BE IN SCHOOL TIME, BUT I SAID EARLIER THAT THIS COMMUNITY WILL BE SPENDING 41 BILLION HONG KONG DOLLARS ON HOUSING IN THE NEXT FIVE YEARS; THAT IS A SUBSTANTIAL INVESTMENT, A HUGE AND NECESSARY INVESTMENT IN IMPROVING THE QUALITY OF LIFE OF MANY FAMILIES. I THINK I WILL PROBABLY GET SOME - WE'LL ALL GET THROWN OUT UNLESS WE STOP FAIRLY SOON BECAUSE WE ARE SUPPOSED TO FINISH AT 7.15. BUT, IF NO. 4 AND NO. 5 PROMISE TO BE REALLY, REALLY, REALLY BRIEF - NOT READING OUT A GREAT SPEECH BUT REALLY BRIEF - IF THEY BOTH ASK A QUESTION, I’LL ANSWER THEM BOTH TOGETHER.
QUESTION: MR GOVERNOR, ON THE DAY BEFORE YESTERDAY THE SECRETARY FOR CONSTITUTIONAL AFFAIRS ANSWERED A JOURNALIST THAT, IN YOUR POLICY SPEECH YOU MENTIONED ABOUT ABOLISHING ALL THE APPOINTED SEATS OF THE DISTRICT BOARDS BUT THIS MEASURE, MR MICHAEL SZE SAID WAS STILL SUBJECT TO DISCUSSION. SO WHAT ABOUT THE OTHER PART OF YOUR CONSTITUTIONAL PROPOSALS? ARE YOU GOING TO DISCUSS THEM WITH THE CHINESE AUTHORITIES AND WILL YOU COMPROMISE WITH THEM AND WOULD YOU CHANGE YOUR ATTITUDE?
GOVERNOR: WHAT I WILL DO - AND I THINK EVERYBODY WOULD REGARD IT
AS BEING CORRECT - IS TO DISCUSS MY PROPOSALS WITH CHINESE OFFICIALS JUST AS I AM DISCUSSING THEM WITH YOU AND OTHERS HERE THIS EVENING. BUT AT THE END OF THE DAY, AND THAT WILL BE SOONER RATHER THAN LATER, I WILL HAVE TO GIVE YOU MY BEST JUDGMENT ON THE MOST SENSIBLE WAY FORWARD. THAT IS WHAT 1 WILL HAVE TO DO AS GOVERNOR, THAT IS WHAT I WILL HAVE TO DO AS SOMEBODY WHO HAS TO PUT FORWARD SCHEMES FOR THE COMPOSITION OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL AND THE DISTRICT BOARDS AND MUNICIPAL COUNCILS IN 1994 AND 1995. SO, WHEN I SAY THEY ARE PROPOSALS FOR DISCUSSION, THEY ARE PROPOSALS FOR DISCUSSION, BUT MY OBJECTIVE IS ABSOLUTELY PLAIN. MY OBJECTIVE IS TO SECURE MORE
POLITICAL DEVELOPMENT IN A WAY THAT WILL LAST AND I THINK THAT IS WHAT MOST PEOPLE IN HONG KONG WANT AS WELL.
QUESTION: GOOD EVENING MR PATTEN. I HOPE MY QUESTION OF PRIMARY EDUCATION WILL NOT MAKE YOU FED UP. PRIMARY STUDENTS IN HONG KONG ARE REALLY UNDER SCHOOLING PRESSURE AND IT’S BECAUSE THEY HAVE TO DO HEAPS OF HOMEWORK, WHICH LASTS FOR HOURS; AND TEACHERS ALSO ADVISES THE PARENTS OR GUARDIANS THAT THEIR CHILDREN FOR NOT DOING THEIR HOMEWORK, MIGHT EVEN ALSO THREATEN THE STUDENT DIRECTLY AND GIVE THEM MENTAL PRESSURE. 1 DON’T UNDERSTAND WHY CAN’T THE SCHOOLCHILDREN ENJOY THE MORE NATURAL WAY OF EDUCATION AS OTHER MODERN COUNTRIES DO? THAT’S TO DO THEIR PAPERWORK IN SCHOOL, KEEP TO LESSER HOMEWORK AND DO MORE PRACTICAL PARTICIPATION IN LEARNING SUCH AS GOING ON EXCURSION, SO THAT PARENTS CAN SPEND MORE TIME ON JUDGING THEIR BEHAVIOUR THAN JUST TO FORCE THEM TO PAY MORE ATTENTION ON ASSIGNMENTS? WHY PRIMARY EDUCATION ATMOSPHERES IN HONG KONG ARE PUSHING CHILDREN TO BECOME MORE MATURE AND LEARNED AT AN EARLY STAGE? THIS WILL DESTROY OUR CHILDHOOD FREEDOM. I THINK IT IS MORE IMPORTANT TO STRENGTHEN CIVIC EDUCATION TO CHILDREN TO DISCIPLINE OUR FUTURE PILLARS OF HONG KONG THAN JUST BLINDLY TO MAKE THEM STUDY. I HOPE, MR PATTEN, YOU WILL INVESTIGATE AND GIVE MORE INSTRUCTIONS TO OUR EDUCATION DEPARTMENT IN THIS CONNECTION. THANK YOU.
/GOVERNOR: I ........
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 13, 1992
12
GOVERNOR: I THINK BY YOUR REACTION TO THAT QUESTION, ALL OF YOU RECOGNISE HOW CRUCIAL IT IS. ANY GOOD EDUCATION WE ALL KNOW, HAS TO BE A BALANCE, A BALANCE BETWEEN CHILDREN LEARNING THINGS AND THERE ARE SOME THINGS THAT YOU HAVE TO LEARN IN THE CLASSROOM AND CHILDREN DEVELOPING IN A BROADER WAY; AND WHAT IS RIGHT FOR ONE CHILD ISN’T NECESSARILY RIGHT FOR THE CHILD SITTING NEXT TO HIM OR HER IN THE CLASSROOM. AS I SAID IN MY SPEECH THE OTHER DAY, SOME CHILDREN ARE, FROM THEIR FIRST MOMENT IN SCHOOL, BUDDING EINSTEINS; SOME CHILDREN ARE VERY GOOD AT WORK, OTHER CHILDREN ARE BETTER AT DAY-DREAMING. WHAT IS IMPORTANT - AND IT’S THE GREAT CHALLENGE TO GOOD TEACHERS - IS TO BE ABLE TO LOOK AFTER THE DIFFERENT INTERESTS AND DIFFERENT ABILITIES OF EVERY CHILD AND TO HELP INDIVIDUAL CHILDREN DEVELOP TO THEIR FULL POTENTIAL.
I’LL TELL YOU WHAT IS THE PROBLEM WITH ALL OF US WHO ARE PARENTS. WE WERE EDUCATED YEARS AGO, I LEFT SCHOOL - I WON’T TELL YOU HOW LONG AGO - AND WE TEND TO THINK THAT THE ONLY SORT OF EDUCATION WHICH MAKES SENSE IS THE SORT THAT WE HAVE WHEN WE WERE AT SCHOOL. I KNOW VERY WELL THAT MY OWN CHILDREN HAVE BEEN BETTER EDUCATED THAN I WAS, HAVE BEEN EDUCATED IN A MUCH BROADER WAY, HAVE BEEN TAUGHT TO THINK AND UNDERSTAND, NOT JUST TO LEARN. SO I DO THINK, AS PARENTS, WE HAVE TO UNDERSTAND OURSELVES THAT THE CURRICULUM CHANGES, THAT TEACHING STYLE CHANGES. SO LONG AS THE CORE OF EDUCATION IS HARD, SO LONG AS THE CORE OF EDUCATION ENSURES THAT CHILDREN DEVELOP TO THE FULL, THAT IS A GOOD EDUCATION IN MY VIEW. I THINK IT IS CRUCIAL TO BUILD THE BRIDGES BETWEEN PARENTS AND TEACHERS, THROUGH PARENT-TEACHER ASSOCIATIONS, THROUGH CLOSER INVOLVEMENT OF PARENTS IN HELPING TO RUN SCHOOLS, BECAUSE THAT WAY, IF PARENTS UNDERSTAND WHAT IS HAPPENING IN THE CLASSROOM MORE, AND IF TEACHERS KNOW PARENTS BETTER, I THINK SOME OF THE DIVISIONS AND BREAKDOWNS IN COMMUNICATION WHICH YOU MENTIONED WOULD BE ENDED.
NOW WE’VE OVER-RUN BY FIFTEEN MINUTES AND I HAVE TO TELL YOU THAT THERE ARE MEN IN THE WINGS AND I THINK THEY ARE WAITING TO CARRY ME OFF. BUT THERE ARE TWO GROUPS THAT I WANT TO THANK THIS EVENING. FIRST OF ALL. I WANT TO THANK ALL OF YOU FOR COMING AND ASKING SUCH GOOD QUESTIONS AND BEHAVING SO WELL. JUST IN CASE ANYBODY DOUBTED IT, YOU’VE DEMONSTRATED ONCE AGAIN THAT WE CAN DISCUSS SOMETIMES VERY CONTROVERSIAL ISSUES AT A PUBLIC MEETING LIKE THIS IN HONG KONG IN A GOOD SPIRIT.
AND SECONDLY, I WOULD LIKE TO THANK ANOTHER GROUP. WITHOUT THEM, I’M AFRAID, THAT I WOULDN’T HAVE UNDERSTOOD YOUR QUESTIONS, AND SOME OF YOU MIGHT NOT HAVE UNDERSTOOD MY ANSWERS. I’D LIKE TO THANK THE INTERPRETERS WHO, ONCE AGAIN, HAVE DONE A WONDERFUL JOB. THANK YOU FOR COMING.
------0--------
/13 .......
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 13, 1992
- 13 -
STOCK MARKET IS SET FOR MORE DEVELOPMENTS *****
WITH THE ADVENT OF THE CENTRAL CLEARING AND SETTLEMENT SYSTEM (CCASS), THE WAY HAS NOW BEEN PAVED FOR A NUMBER OF SIGNIFICANT DEVELOPMENTS IN THE STOCK MARKET, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, MR HAMISH MACLEOD, SAID TODAY (TUESDAY).
THESE INCLUDED THE INTRODUCTION OF AN AUTOMATIC ORDER MATCHING AND EXECUTION SYSTEM, PROPOSALS REGARDING SHORT SELLING, AND THE DEVELOPMENT OF NEW PRODUCTS, SUCH AS TRADED OPTIONS, MR MACLEOD SAID AT A RECEPTION TO MARK THE INAUGURATION OF THE CCASS.
THE CCASS WAS FIRST INTRODUCED TO OPERATE INITIALLY ON TRADE-FOR-TRADE SETTLEMENT BASIS IN JUNE THIS YEAR FOR PARTICIPANTS TO FAMILIARISE THEMSELVES WITH ITS OPERATION.
IT CAME INTO FULL OPERATION LAST WEDNESDAY WHEN IT MOVED ON TO THE CONTINUOUS NETTING SYSTEM.
"I UNDERSTAND THAT THE BRIEF EXPERIENCE SO FAR HAS SHOWN THAT CCASS HAS GREATLY ENHANCED SETTLEMENT EFFICIENCY. MORE IMPORTANTLY, IT WILL SUBSTANTIALLY REDUCE COUNTERPARTY EXPOSURE OF BROKERS AND WILL PROVIDE A BETTER RISK MANAGEMENT FRAMEWORK TO SAFEGUARD THE INTEGRITY OF THE MARKET,” MR MACLEOD SAID.
HE SAID THE LAUNCHING OF THE CCASS MARKED ANOTHER NOTABLE MILESTONE IN A SERIES OF IMPROVEMENTS TO HONG KONG’S STOCK AND FUTURES MARKETS.
OTHER ACHIEVEMENTS THAT AIMED AT ENSURING MARKET INTEGRITY AND PROTECTING INVESTORS INCLUDED THE FORMATION OF THE SECURITIES AND FUTURES COMMISSION (SFC); THE RE-CONSTITUTION OF THE STOCK EXCHANGE AND THE FUTURES EXCHANGE, WITH MORE REPRESENTATIVE AND BROADLY BASED GOVERNING BODIES, INCLUDING BOTH LOCAL AND INTERNATIONAL INTERESTS; AND THE INTRODUCTION OF SANCTIONS AGAINST INSIDER DEALING AND A REQUIREMENT FOR PUBLIC DISCLOSURE OF THE INTERESTS OF SIGNIFICANT SHAREHOLDERS.
---------0-----------
HK TO RECOGNISE WORLD STANDARDS DAY *****
HONG KONG WILL BE JOINING MANY COUNTRIES AROUND THE WORLD TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY) IN RECOGNISING THE 23RD WORLD STANDARDS DAY WHICH MARKS ANOTHER MILESTONE IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF INTERNATIONAL STANDARDISATION.
THE WORLD STANDARDS DAY IS CELEBRATED EACH YEAR ON OCTOBER 14 IN ALL MEMBER COUNTRIES OF THE INTERNATIONAL ORGANISATION FOR STANDARDISATION (ISO) AND THE INTERNATIONAL ELECTROTECHNICAL COMMISSION (IEC).
/THE DEPUTY .......
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 13, 1992
14
THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR-GENERAL OF INDUSTRY, MR RICKY FUNG, SAID: ’’THIS DAY IS AN ANNUAL FOCAL POINT FOR PAYING TRIBUTE TO THE COLLABORATIVE EFFORTS OF THOUSANDS OF EXPERTS WHO PREPARE THE STANDARDS.
’’THIS YEAR, ISO AND IEC HAVE CHOSEN ’INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS -A KEY TO OPEN MARKETS’ AS THE THEME TO RECOGNISE THE GROWING IMPORTANCE INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS ARE HAVING ON THE FREE MOVEMENTS OF GOODS AND SERVICES ACROSS NATIONAL FRONTIERS.”
THE EVENT IS BEING ORGANISED BY THE ISO AND THE IEC WHICH HAVE BEEN ACTIVE IN DEVELOPING INTERNATIONAL PRODUCT STANDARDS AND WORKING TOWARDS COMPATIBILITY OF SYSTEMS WORLDWIDE FOR THE BENEFIT OF BOTH MANUFACTURERS AND CONSUMERS.
HONG KONG MONITORS CLOSELY THE DEVELOPMENT OF SUCH STANDARDS IN THE ISO AND IEC.
MR FUNG SAID HONG KONG WAS AN EXPORT-ORIENTED ECONOMY AND ITS MAJOR MARKETS HAD BEEN PLACING INCREASING EMPHASIS ON QUALITY AND CONSUMER SAFETY IN RECENT YEARS.
"A COMPREHENSIVE, POSITIVE INFORMATION SERVICE ON ALL STANDARDS, REGULATIONS, TESTING, CERTIFICATION AND RELATED TOPICS IN RELEVANT MARKETS AND FOR DOMESTIC USE IS THUS CRUCIAL TO HONG KONG,” HE SAID.
TO PROMOTE STANDARDISATION AND THE AWARENESS OF QUALITY IN HONG KONG, THE INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT SET UP THE PRODUCT STANDARDS INFORMATION BUREAU IN 1986.
ITS MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES ARE TO COLLECT AND COLLATE INFORMATION ON STANDARDS REQUIREMENTS IN HONG KONG’S OVERSEAS MARKETS AS WELL AS TO DISSEMINATE IT TO THE INDUSTRY.
THE BUREAU MAINTAINS A LIBRARY WITH ABOUT 80,000 VOLUMES OF NATIONAL STANDARDS OF HONG KONG’S MAJOR MARKETS AND INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS ISSUED BY THE ISO AND IEC.
IT HAS SET UP DIRECT ON-LINE COMPUTER LINKS WITH OVERSEAS STANDARDS INSTITUTIONS SINCE 1989 IN ORDER TO GET UPDATED INFORMATION ON OVERSEAS STANDARDS.
A COMPUTER-ASSISTED INFORMATION RETRIEVAL SYSTEM HAS ALSO BEEN INSTALLED SINCE 1991.
IN ADDITION, THE BUREAU OPERATED A SALES AGENCY SERVICE THROUGH WHICH NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS CAN BE PURCHASED.
IT IS ALSO AUTHORISED TO REPRODUCE AND SELL PHOTOCOPIES OF AUSTRALIAN, BRITISH, EUROPEAN, ISO AND IEC STANDARDS TO FACILITATE THE USE OF STANDARDS.
THE SALES AGENCY SERVICE HAS BECOME MORE AND MORE WELL RECEIVED BY THE TRADE. FOR INSTANCE, THE VOLUME OF SALES HAS INCREASED 56 PER CENT DURING APRIL TO SEPTEMBER THIS YEAR AS AGAINST THE CORRESPONDING PERIOD OF LAST YEAR.
/THE BUREAU .......
15
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 13, 1992
THE BUREAU ALSO PROVIDES A TECHNICAL ENQUIRY AND ADVICE SERVICE WHICH AIMS AT EXPLAINING THE TECHNICAL CONTENT OF OVERSEAS SPECIFICATIONS AND, WHERE APPROPRIATE, OFFERS SUGGESTIONS ON WAYS TO ENABLE A PRODUCT TO MEET THE STIPULATED REQUIREMENTS.
THE SERVICE HAS BEEN WELL RECEIVED BY LOCAL MANUFACTURERS AND EXPORTERS WITH THE NUMBER OF ENQUIRIES HANDLED RISING FROM 60 IN 1986 TO ABOUT 1,800 IN 1991.
TO HELP THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR TO MAINTAIN ITS COMPETITIVENESS AND TO FOSTER ITS FUTURE DEVELOPMENT BY BUILDING UP A QUALITY-IMAGE INTERNATIONALLY, THE GOVERNMENT HAS INTRODUCED A QUALITY IMPROVEMENT PROGRAMME TO SUPPORT MANUFACTURERS’ OWN EFFORTS TO UPGRADE THEIR PRODUCTION.
THE PROGRAMME INCLUDES IMPROVEMENTS TO HONG KONG’S EXISTING QUALITY INFRASTRUCTURE AND THE LAUNCHING OF A THREE-YEAR CAMPAIGN IN MARCH 1990 TO RAISE THE LEVEL OF QUALITY AWARENESS AMONG LOCAL MANUFACTURERS.
ALSO, THE HONG KONG QUALITY ASSURANCE AGENCY HAS BEEN SET UP TO MANAGE A VOLUNTARY SCHEME FOR THE CERTIFICATION OF BUSINESSES, BASED ON THE ISO 9000 QUALITY MANAGEMENT STANDARDS.
SO FAR, 28 LOCAL COMPANIES HAVE BEEN CERTIFIED TO THE ISO 9000 INTERNATIONAL QUALITY MANAGEMENT STANDARDS. A CONSIDERABLE NUMBER OF COMPANIES ARE IN THE FINAL STAGES OF PREPARATION FOR THE ISO 9000 AUDIT.
IT IS EXPECTED THAT THE QUALITY IMPROVEMENT ACTIVITIES UNDERTAKEN BY THE GOVERNMENT WILL HELP THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR MEET VARIOUS PRODUCT REQUIREMENTS IN HONG KONG’S MAJOR OVERSEAS MARKETS.
MR FUNG SAID APART FROM HELPING THE LOCAL INDUSTRY MEET VARIOUS OVERSEAS PRODUCT STANDARDS AND CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS, THE GOVERNMENT WAS ALSO CONSCIOUS OF THE SAFETY OF GOODS IMPORTED OR LOCALLY MADE FOR LOCAL CONSUMPTION.
"THOUGH HONG KONG DOES NOT HAVE A NATIONAL SYSTEM OF TECHNICAL REGULATIONS OR STANDARDS AND CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS FOR MOST PRODUCTS, THERE ARE, HOWEVER, CERTAIN REGULATIONS AND MEASURES RELATING TO SAFETY, INCLUDING THOSE GOVERNING SHIPS AND SHIPS REQUIREMENT, FOOD AND PHARMACEUTICAL PRODUCTS, ROAD TRAFFIC, BUILDING CONSTRUCTION, FIRE SERVICES AND RADIATION.
"IT IS THE OBJECTIVE OF THE GOVERNMENT THAT PRODUCTS BOUGHT BY LOCAL CONSUMERS ARE OF GOOD QUALITY AND UP TO INTERNATIONALLY RECOGNISED STANDARDS.
"A RECENT EXAMPLE IS THE PROPOSED TOYS AND CHILDREN’S PRODUCT SAFETY BILL WHICH IS EXPECTED TO BE ENACTED IN THE CURRENT LEGISLATIVE SESSION," HE SAID.
--------0------------
/16........
16
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 13, 1992
FIGURES ON RESTAURANT RECEIPTS AND PURCHASES FOR SECOND QUARTER
THE VALUE OF TOTAL RECEIPTS FOR THE RESTAURANT SECTOR IN THE SECOND QUARTER OF THIS YEAR, ESTIMATED AT $11.1 BILLION, INCREASED BY 21% OVER THE SAME QUARTER OF LAST YEAR, ACCORDING TO THE PROVISIONAL STATISTICS RELEASED TODAY (TUESDAY) BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
AFTER DISCOUNTING THE EFFECT OF PRICE CHANGES OVER THE PERIOD, TOTAL RECEIPTS INCREASED BY 9% IN VOLUME.
THE VALUE OF TOTAL PURCHASES BY RESTAURANTS IN THE SECOND QUARTER OF 1992, ESTIMATED AT $4.2 BILLION, WAS 22% HIGHER THAN IN THE SAME QUARTER OF 1991.
THE TOTAL RECEIPTS OF BARS CONTINUED TO INCREASE RAPIDLY IN THE SECOND QUARTER OF 1992, BY 55% IN VALUE AND 36% IN VOLUME AS COMPARED WITH A YEAR AGO.
THE TOTAL RECEIPTS OF FAST FOOD SHOPS ALSO INCREASED SIGNIFICANTLY, BY 33% IN VALUE AND 23% IN VOLUME. THE SUBSTANTIAL GROWTH WAS MAINLY DUE TO THE EXPANSION OF SOME MAJOR FAST FOOD CHAINS IN THE LATTER HALF OF 1991.
THE VALUE OF TOTAL RECEIPTS FOR CHINESE RESTAURANTS AND NONCHINESE RESTAURANTS ALSO WENT UP BY 19% AND 18% RESPECTIVELY. IN VOLUME TERMS, BOTH TYPES OF RESTAURANTS REGISTERED AN INCREASE OF 7%.
COMPARING THE FIRST HALF OF 1992 WITH THE SAME PERIOD OF 1991, TOTAL RESTAURANT RECEIPTS ROSE BY 19% IN VALUE AND 8% IN VOLUME.
COMPARING THE SECOND QUARTER OF 1992 WITH THE PRECEDING QUARTER, AND BEARING IN MIND THAT THE COMPARISON MAY BE AFFECTED BY SEASONAL FACTORS, TOTAL RESTAURANT RECEIPTS REGISTERED A SLIGHT INCREASE OF 1% IN VALUE BUT A SLIGHT DECREASE OF 1% IN VOLUME.
TABLE 1 PRESENTS THE REVISED FIGURES FOR THE TOTAL RECEIPTS AND TOTAL PURCHASES OF THE RESTAURANT SECTOR FOR THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1992 AND THE PROVISIONAL FIGURES FOR THE SECOND QUARTER OF 1992.
TABLE 2 SHOWS THE VALUE AND VOLUME INDEXES OF TOTAL RECEIPTS BY TYPE OF RESTAURANT FOR THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1992 AND THE SECOND 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 SECOND QUARTER OF 1992 WITH THOSE OF THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1992 AND THE SECOND QUARTER OF 1991; COMPARISONS OF TOTAL RECEIPTS FOR THE FIRST HALF OF 1992 WITH THE SAME PERIOD IN 1991 ARE ALSO GIVEN.
THE REPORT ON THE QUARTERLY SURVEY OF RESTAURANT RECEIPTS AND PURCHASES FOR THE SECOND QUARTER OF 1992 IS NOW ON SALE AT $1.50 A COPY AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS SALES CENTRE, GROUND FLOOR, GENERAL POST OFFICE BUILDING, CONNAUGHT PLACE, CENTRAL; AND THE PUBLICATIONS SECTION OF CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT, 19TH FLOOR, WANCHAI TOWER I, WAN CHAI.
ENQUIRIES ABOUT THE SURVEY RESULTS MAY BE DIRECTED TO THE WHOLESALE AND RETAIL TRADE STATISTICS SECTION OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT ON TEL 802 1258.
/TABLE 1 .......
17
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 13, 1992
IA&taE-li...IOJAL.R£VAVRAHT AMP PURCHASES
1st qtr. 1992 (.Revised figure)
2nd qtr. 1992 (Provisional fiaures)
Total restaurant receipts (in HK$ million) 10 924.5
Total purchases by restaurants (in HK$ million) 4 141.9
11 050.1
4 172.0
TABLED---^J^,VglUKJ,JJAeX^-.QL RECE1PIS..FM 1$t QUARTER 1992 ANP_2nd QUARTER 1992
(Quarterly average of Oct. 89 - Sept. 90 ■ 100)
Type of restaurant Index of total restaurant receipts 1st quarter 1992 2nd quarter 1992 2nd qtr. 1992 compared with 1st qtr. 1992 2nd qtr. 1992 compared with 2nd qtr. 1991 1st-2nd qtr. 1992 compared with 1st-2nd qtr. 1991
(Revised (Provisional Points X points X points X
figures) figures)
Chinese restaurants Value 124.2 121.8 -2.4 -2.0 ♦ 19.4 ♦19.0 ♦17.3 ♦16.4
Volume 99.2 94.7 -4.5 -4.5 ♦6.3 ♦7.1 ♦4.3 ♦4.6
Non-Chinese restaurants Value 118.1 125.4 ♦7.3 ♦6.2 ♦19.1 ♦18.0 ♦ 16.5 ♦15.7
Volume 95.0 98.2 ♦3.2 ♦3.4 ♦6.1 ♦6.6 ♦4.1 ♦4.4
Fast food shops Value 159.7 175.7 ♦16.0 ♦10.0 ♦43.9 ♦33.3 ♦46.9 ♦38.8
Volume 131.9 142.4 ♦10.5 ♦7.9 ♦26.1 ♦22.5 ♦29.2 ♦27.1
Bars Value 157.7 164.1 ♦6.4 ♦4.1 ♦58.1 ♦54.8 ♦56.8 ♦54.7
Volume 125.1 125.0 -0.1 -0.1 ♦33.0 ♦35.9 ♦32.3 ♦34.8
Other eating and Value 152.7 154.6 ♦1.9 ♦1.2 ♦21.7 ♦ 16.3 ♦30.7 ♦24.9
drinking places Volume 127.5 125.6 -1.9 -1.5 ♦8.6 ♦7.3 ♦15.7 ♦14.1
All restaurant types Value 127.1 128.6 ♦1.5 ♦1.1 ♦22.4 ♦21.1 ♦20.8 ♦19.4
Volume 102.1 100.7 -1.4 -1.4 ♦8.6 ♦9.3 ♦7.2 +7.6
------0
/18........
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 13, 1992
18
LEGCO TO MEET TOMORROW
♦ * * ♦
LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLOR, THE HON J D MCGREGOR, WILL MOVE A MOTION TO SUSPEND THE STANDING ORDERS OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, WHICH IF CARRIED, WILL ENABLE HIM TO MOVE A MOTION ON THE FORMATION OF AN ELECTION COMMITTEE FOR THE 1995 ELECTIONS TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY) AT THE LEGCO MEETING.
MEMBERS WILL ALSO ASK A TOTAL OF 20 QUESTIONS AND CONSIDER SIX BILLS AT THE MEETING.
OF THE SIX BILLS, FOUR WILL BE INTRODUCED FOR FIRST AND SECOND READINGS. DEBATES OF THEM ARE DUE TO BE ADJOURNED.
THEY ARE OATHS AND DECLARATIONS (AMENDMENT) BILL 1992, AMUSEMENT GAME CENTRES BILL, WATERWORKS (AMENDMENT) BILL 1992 AND TRAVEL AGENTS (AMENDMENT) BILL 1992.
DEBATES ON TWO OTHER BILLS WILL BE RESUMED. THEY ARE DUE TO GO THROUGH THE COMMITTEE STAGE AND BE GIVEN A THIRD READING.
THEY ARE EMPLOYEES RETRAINING BILL AND BUILDING (AMENDMENT) (NO. 2) BILL 1992.
IN ADDITION, THE CHIEF SECRETARY WILL PRESENT TO THE COUNCIL THE GOVERNMENT MINUTE IN RESPONSE TO THE PUBLIC ACCOUNTS COMMITTEE REPORT NO. 18 DATED JUNE 1992 AND THE FINANTCAL SECRETARY, LAND DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION ANNUAL REPORT 1991/92.
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-----------
228 VMS RETURNED TODAY
*****
A GROUP OF 228 VIETNAMESE MIGRANTS TODAY (TUESDAY) RETURNED TO VIETNAM UNDER THE UNHCR’S VOLUNTARY REPATRIATION PROGRAMME.
COMPRISING 101 MEN, 54 WOMEN, 30 BOYS AND 43 GIRLS, THEY WERE THE 127TH BATCH TO GO BACK UNDER THE PROGRAMME.
THIS GROUP BROUGHT TO 9,309 THE TOTAL NUMBER OF VIETNAMESE MIGRANTS WHO HAVE RETURNED VOLUNTARILY THIS YEAR, AND TO 23,188 THE TOTAL NUMBER OF RETURNEES SINCE THE PROGRAMME STARTED IN MARCH 1989.
-----0-------
/19 ........
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 13, 1992
- 19 -
A REPUTED DISCIPLINED SERVICE *****
STAFF OF THE FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT ARE REQUIRED TO HAVE A HIGH LEVEL OF TECHNICAL COMPETENCE, INITIATIVE AND DEVOTION TO DUTY.
THIS WAS STATED BY DEPUTY CHIEF FIRE OFFICER (HEADQUARTERS), MR LAM CHUN-MAN, TODAY (TUESDAY).
ADDRESSING A PASSING-OUT PARADE OF 12 SENIOR FIREMEN/FIREWOMEN IN THE CONTROL STREAM, MR LAM SAID THESE STANDARDS AND TRADITIONS HAD EARNED THE DEPARTMENT A FIRST-CLASS REPUTATION BOTH IN HONG KONG AND ABROAD.
THE RECRUITS, WHO HAD JUST COMPLETED A 12-WEEK INITIAL TRAINING, WILL BE POSTED TO THE COMMUNICATION (CONTROL) CENTRE WHICH OPERATES A ROUND-THE-CLOCK SERVICE.
MR LAM TOLD THEM THAT AS A CONTROL STAFF, THEY WOULD BE THE FIRST TO RECEIVE THE CALLS FOR HELP TO FIRES, ACCIDENTS, AND OTHER DISASTERS.
’’YOUR ACCURACY AND EFFICIENCY IN COMMUNICATION, DECISION-MAKING AND SUBSEQUENT MOBILISING OF RESOURCES ARE VITAL FACTORS THROUGH WHICH THE DEPARTMENT CAN MAINTAIN AN EFFICIENT SERVICE TO THE COMMUNITY,’’ HE SAID.
HE REMINDED THE GRADUATES THAT THEY NEED TO HAVE A STRONG SENSE OF RESPONSIBILITY AND A MIND CAPABLE OF WITHSTANDING WORKING PRESSURE, AND HOPED THEY WOULD SKILFULLY APPLY THE KNOWLEDGE AND TECHNIQUE LEARNED FROM THEIR TRAINING IN DISCHARGE OF THEIR DUTY.
IN THE FIRST EIGHT MONTHS OF THIS YEAR, CONTROL STAFF ANSWERED A TOTAL OF 17,180 FIRE CALLS, 11,598 SPECIAL SERVICE CALLS AND 286,977 AMBULANCE CALLS.
--------0-----------
/20 .......
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 13, 1992
- 20 -
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND TENDER RESULTS * * * * *
TENDER DATE 13 OCT 92 13 OCT 92
PAPER ON OFFER EF BILLS EF BILLS
ISSUE NUMBER Q242 H275
AMOUNT APPLIED HKD 1,875 MN HKD 740 MN
AMOUNT ALLOTTED HKD 800 MN HKD 300 MN
AVERAGE YIELD ACCEPTED 2.70 PCT 2.82 PCT
HIGHEST YIELD ACCEPTED 2.74 PCT 2.85 PCT
PRO RATA RATIO ABOUT 4 PCT ABOUT 22 PCT
AVERAGE TENDER YIELD 2.74 PCT HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND 2.88 PCT
TENDERS TO BE HELD IN THE WEEK BEGINNING 19 OCTOBER TENDER DATE 20 OCT 92 PAPER ON OFFER EF BILLS ISSUE NUMBER Q243 ISSUE DATE 21 OCT 92 MATURITY DATE 20 JAN 93 TENOR 91 DAYS AMOUNT ON OFFER HKD 800+160 MN 1992 -
- - 0 - -
/21 ........
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 13, 1992
21
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS *****
$ MILLION
OPENING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT 1,050
REVERSAL OF LAF +450
BALANCE AFTER REVERSAL OF LAF 1,500
NET INJECTION/WITHDRAWAL TODAY NIL
EFFECT OF LAF TODAY NIL
CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT 1,500
LAF RATE 2.00 BID/4.00 OFFER TWI 110.8 *+0.3* 13.10.92
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND
EF BILLS HONG KONG GOVERNMENT BONDS
TERMS YIELD TERM ISSUE COUPON PRICE YIELD
1 WEEK 2.50 PCT 13 MONTHS 2311 6.25 103.17 3.31
1 MONTH 2.57 PCT 16 MONTHS 2402 5.50 102.66 3.49
3 MONTHS 2.69 PCT 19 MONTHS 2405 5.502 102.69 3.78
6 MONTHS 2.78 PCT 22 MONTHS 2408 4.375 100.80 3.96
12 MONTHS 3.25 PCT
TOTAL TURNOVER OF BILLS AND BONDS - 5,561 MN z .
CLOSED 13 OCTOBER 1992
------0-------------
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 14, 1992
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MEETING:
EXPLANATION FROM CHINA SOUGHT ON RECENT SEA INCIDENTS 1
GOVT MONITORS EFFECTIVENESS OF LAWS ON DANGEROUS GASES 2
GOVT'S SHARE OF ACP ESTIMATED AT $7.1 B ................. 3
PRICE OF TSING MA BRIDGE UNAFFECTED ..................... 4
LAND GRANTED EXCEEDS SPECIFIED LIMIT .................... 4
UNDERGROUND ECONOMY HAS LITTLE IMPACT ON GOVT REVENUE 5
ADEQUATE FUNDING SECURED TO IMPLEMENT MAJOR SOCIAL WELFARE POLICIES ....................................... 6
SUFFICIENT GENERAL WARD BEDS TO BE PROVIDED ............. 6
CURRENT MONITORING SYSTEM ON RENTAL POLICIES WORKS WELL .................................................. 7
SETTLEMENT OF SPOUSES OF FORMER SERVICEMEN IN UK ........ 8
NEW ANCHORAGE FOR DETAINED CRAFT ....................... 9
WORKING GROUP TO MONITOR PROGRESS OF TRIAL ROADOPENING CHARGING SCHEME ............................... 10
FLEXIBLE USE OF GOVT LAND .............................. 10
LOCAL OFFICERS GIVEN NECESSARY EXPOSURE AND EXPERIENCE 11
COMPANIES PROVIDE DATA FOR PAY TREND SURVEY ............ 12
AIR QUALITY IN TUNNELS CLOSELY MONITORED ............... 12
536 VISITORS PROSECUTED FOR ILLEGALLY WORKING LAST YEAR ..................................;............... 13
LAW ON CAISSON WORK UNDER REVIEW ....................... 14
/PILOT INFORMATION .......
PILOT INFORMATION COMMUNAL SYSTEM A CONSIDERABLE SUCCESS ............................................... 15
NO PRIORITY TO FORMER ARMY EMPLOYEES TO CHANGE JOB .. 16
BILL TO BETTER PROTECT TRAVELLERS INTRODUCED ........... 16
TOUGHER LICENSING CONDITIONS FOR AMUSEMENT GAME CENTRES ............................................... 18
BUILDINGS POSING THREAT TO SAFETY BE GIVEN PRIORITY . 39
WATERWORKS (AMENDMENT) BILL INTRODUCED ................. 20
OATHS AND DECLARATIONS (AMENDMENT) BILL 1992 INTRODUCED ............................................ 21
MOTION ON ELECTION COMMITTEE PASSED IN LEGCO ........... 21
TRANSCRIPT OF GOVERNOR'S ADDRESS IN EUROPE-EAST ASIAN ECONOMIC FORUM .......................................... 22
GOVERNOR WELL AWARE OF GENERAL MOOD ...................... 25
GOVERNOR VISITS SOUTHERN DISTRICT ........................ 26
GREEN GROUPS BRIEFED ON PROPOSALS TO CLEAN UP HK WATERS 26
HK HAS MUCH EXPERTISE ON HIGH-SPEED CRAFT ................ 27
SHIPOWNERS ASSOCIATION MEMBERS VISIT MARITIME RESCUE CO-ORDINATION CENTRE .................................... 28
GOVT OFFICIALS TO VISIT CHINA ............................ 29
NEW FOOTBRIDGE OPENS AT CAUSEWAY BAY ..................... 30
NOMINATIONS INVITED FOR LAB ELECTION ..................... 30
GOVT LAND TO LET BY TENDER ............................... 31
FINANCE COMMITTEE TO MEET ON FRIDAY ...................... 32
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS .............................................. 32
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 14, 1992
EXPLANATION FROM CHINA SOUGHT ON RECENT SEA INCIDENTS
*****
THE GOVERNMENT HAS ASKED THE CHINESE AUTHORITIES FOR AN EXPLANATION OF RECENT INCIDENTS WHERE CHINESE OFFICIALS INTERCEPTED OR DETAINED OUTBOUND VESSELS WITHIN OR JUST OUTSIDE HONG KONG WATERS.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, MR ALISTAIR ASPREY, IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY THE HON MAN SAI-CHEONG, MR ASPREY SAID THE GOVERNMENT HAD RECEIVED AN APOLOGY FOR ONE OF THE TWO INCIDENTS WHICH OCCURRED IN HONG KONG WATERS.
HOWEVER, THE GOVERNMENT HAS YET TO RECEIVE A REPLY ON THE OTHER INCIDENTS ALTHOUGH HE UNDERSTOOD THE VESSELS CONCERNED WERE SUSPECTED OF SMUGGLING.
"WE SHOULD CONTINUE TO PRESS FOR A REPLY," THE SECRETARY SAID.
HE SAID ONLY TWO OF THE INCIDENTS TOOK PLACE IN HONG KONG WATERS.
"THESE WERE WELL WITHIN HONG KONG WATERS AND I DO NOT BELIEVE THERE COULD BE ANY QUESTION OF THE BOUNDARY BETWEEN HONG KONG AND CHINESE WATERS HAVING BEEN CONFUSED," HE SAID.
HE SAID THE SHIPOWNERS HAD BEEN ADVISED TO MAKE REPRESENTATIONS VIA THEIR FLAT STATE IF THEY FELT THEY HAD BEEN UNFAIRLY TREATED.
"THIS IS IN ACCORDANCE WITH STANDARD INTERNATIONAL PRACTICE," HE SAID.
MR ASPREY SAID ALL THE INCIDENTS, APART FROM THOSE IN HONG KONG WATERS, OCCURRED IN THE LEMA CHANNEL WHICH WAS PROHIBITED BY THE CHINESE AUTHORITIES TO ALL BUT CHINESE VESSELS.
THE MARINE DEPARTMENT THEREFORE ISSUED A NOTICE ON SEPTEMBER 19 TO REMIND MARINERS OF THE PROHIBITION, WHICH WAS CLEARLY MARKED ON NAVIGATIONAL CHARTS.
"WE HAVE ALSO ASKED THE CHINESE AUTHORITIES TO INFORM US THROUGH THE APPROPRIATE CHANNELS IF THEY HAVE EVIDENCE OF ANY VESSELS BEING INVOLVED IN SMUGGLING, SO THAT WE CAN CO-OPERATE BY TAKING ACTION IN HONG KONG WATERS," HE SAID.
HE SAID THE GOVERNMENT ACCEPTED THAT THE CHINESE AUTHORITIES HAD A RIGHT TO TAKE ACTION AGAINST THOSE THEY SUSPECTED OF BREAKING THE LAW IN THEIR WATERS.
--------0------------
/2 ........
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 14, 1992
2
GOVT MONITORS EFFECTIVENESS OF LAWS ON DANGEROUS GASES * * * * *
THE GOVERNMENT MONITORS THE EFFECTIVENESS OF EXISTING LAWS GOVERNING THE STORAGE AND CONVEYANCE OF DANGEROUS GASES MAINLY THROUGH REGULAR VISITS TO THE ESTABLISHMENTS AT WHICH DANGEROUS GASES ARE STORED TO VERIFY COMPLIANCE WITH THE RELEVANT LEGISLATIVE REQUIREMENTS OR LICENSING CONDITIONS.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE SECRETARY FOR ECONOMIC SERVICES, MRS ANSON CHAN, IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON ZACHARY WONG WAI-YIN IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MRS CHAN SAID THE FREQUENCY OF INSPECTION VARIED ACCORDING TO THE SIZE AND AGE OF THE INSTALLATION AND THE RISK THAT IT WAS CONSIDERED TO PRESENT.
IN THE CASE OF INSTALLATIONS COVERED BY THE DANGEROUS GOODS ORDINANCE, SHE SAID A LICENCE WOULD NOT BE RENEWED IF THE ESTABLISHMENT CONCERNED DID NOT COMPLY WITH ALL OF THE SAFETY REQUIREMENTS.
IN RESPECT OF INSTALLATIONS COVERED BY THE GAS SAFETY ORDINANCE, IMPROVEMENT NOTICES WOULD BE ISSUED, SHE SAID.
VEHICLES USED FOR THE CONVEYANCE OF DANGEROUS GASES WERE INSPECTED BY THE FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT OR THE GAS STANDARDS OFFICE, AS APPROPRIATE, TO ENSURE COMPLIANCE WITH THE RELEVANT SAFETY STANDARDS, MRS CHAN SAID.
INSPECTIONS OF INSTALLATIONS OR VEHICLES WERE CARRIED OUT IN RESPONSE TO COMPLAINTS.
SHE SAID LEGAL ACTION WAS TAKEN WHERE APPROPRIATE IN CASES WHERE THE LEGISLATIVE REQUIREMENTS WERE FOUND TO HAVE BEEN BREACHED.
THE PARKING OF VEHICLES USED TO CARRY CYLINDERS OF LIQUEFIED PETROLEUM GAS WAS CONTROLLED BY PERMIT CONDITIONS.
HOWEVER, MRS CHAN SAID THE RECENT EXPERIENCE HAD SHOWN THAT THE MONITORING AND CONTROL OF SUCH VEHICLES NEEDED TO BE IMPROVED.
SHE SAID CONSULTATIONS WITH THE INDUSTRY WERE UNDER WAY TO ESTABLISH HOW THESE IMPROVEMENTS COULD BEST BE ACHIEVED.
SHE SAID THE CRITERIA USED BY THE GOVERNMENT TO ASSESS THE IMPACT OF DANGEROUS GAS STORAGE FACILITIES ON THE SAFETY AND HEALTH OF NEARBY RESIDENTS, IN HONG KONG, ANY INSTALLATION WHICH STORED DANGEROUS GASES IN QUANTITIES EQUAL TO OR GREATER THAN A SPECIFIED LIMIT WAS CLASSIFIED AS A POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS INSTALLATION.
’’THE POTENTIAL RISK IT PRESENTS IS ANALYSED TAKING INTO ACCOUNT FACTORS SUCH AS THE SPECIFIC PROPERTIES OF THE GAS AND ITS POTENTIAL EFFECTS," MRS CHAN SAID.
/SHE SAID ........
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 14, 1992
3
SHE SAID IF THE APPROPRIATE RISK GUIDELINES COULD NOT BE MET, MITIGATION MEASURES TO REDUCE THE RISK LEVEL WERE IMPLEMENTED AS FAR AS PRACTICABLE.
"SUCH MEASURES INCLUDE, FOR EXAMPLE, IMPROVEMENTS TO STORAGE FACILITIES AND MORE EFFECTIVE SAFETY DEVICES AT THE PLANT.
"WHERE NECESSARY, RELOCATION OF THE PLANT WILL BE CONSIDERED," SHE ADDED.
--------0 -----------
GOVT’S SHARE OF ACP ESTIMATED AT $7.IB
*****
THE ESTIMATED EXPENDITURE THIS YEAR ON THE GOVERNMENT’S SHARE OF THE AIRPORT CORE PROGRAMME (ACP) WORKS IS ABOUT $7.1 BILLION, THE SECRETARY FOR THE TREASURY, MR K.Y. YEUNG, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY DR THE HON SAMUEL WONG IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, MR YEUNG SAID THIS WAS A LITTLE OVER 22% OF TOTAL CAPITAL EXPENDITURE FOR 1992-93, ESTIMATED AT $31.8 BILLION.
HE SAID OF THE $24.7 BILLION TO BE SPENT ON NON-ACP PROJECTS, ABOUT $3 BILLION WAS EARMARKED FOR EXPENDITURE ON OVER 200 NEW WORKS PROJECTS TO BE LET CONTRACTS DURING 1992-93.
HOWEVER, MR YEUNG SAID THE FIGURE OF $3 BILLION DID NOT INCLUDE THE EXPENDITURE TO BE INCURRED ON ACQUIRING LAND FOR THESE PROJECTS, AS THIS WAS MET FROM A SEPARATE BLOCK VOTE UNDER HEAD 701 LAND ACQUISITION.
"WHEN WE SAID IN THE PAST THAT THE GOVERNMENT’S FORECAST OF ITS SHARE OF WORKS EXPENDITURE ON THE ACP WOULD BE ABOUT A QUARTER OF THE GOVERNMENT’S FORECAST OF TOTAL CAPITAL EXPENDITURE, WE HAD IN MIND A FIGURE OF $54.5 BILLION SPREAD OVER THE FIVE YEARS 1992-93 TO 1996-97.
"THIS REPRESENTS LESS THAN A QUARTER OF THE GOVERNMENT’S FORECAST OF TOTAL CAPITAL EXPENDITURE, ESTIMATED AT $240.8 BILLION, OVER THE SAME FIVE YEAR PERIOD," MR YEUNG SAID.
"BUT ACTUAL WORKS EXPENDITURE ON THE AIRPORT CORE PROGRAMME IN ANY ONE YEAR COULD BE HIGHER OR LOWER THAN A QUARTER OF ACTUAL TOTAL CAPITAL EXPENDITURE IN THAT YEAR," HE ADDED.
-----o------
/4 .........
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 14, 1992
- 4
PRICE OF TSING MA BRIDGE UNAFFECTED * * * * *
THE PRICE RANKING OF THE TSING MA BRIDGE TENDERS REMAINS UNAFFECTED BY SUBSEQUENT CURRENCY FLUCTUATIONS EVEN THE TENDERED PRICE ACCEPTED INCLUDED A PART IN POUND STERLING, THE SECRETARY FOR TREASURY, MR K.Y. YEUNG, INFORMED THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY THE HON MARVIN CHEUNG KIN-TUNG, MR YEUNG SAID:
"THE ACCEPTED TENDER PRICE FOR THE TSING MA BRIDGE CONSTRUCTION WAS HK$4,544 MILLION AND L88 MILLION. USING THE EXCHANGE RATE OF HKSL3.845 TO THE POUND PREVAILING ON 29 APRIL 1992 THIS YEAR WHEN THE TENDER RECOMMENDATION WAS APPROVED BY THE CENTRAL TENDER BOARD, THE HONG KONG DOLLAR EQUIVALENT OF THE TENDERED SUM WAS $7,L44 MILLION."
THIS WAS THE BASIS ON WHICH THE FINANCE COMMITTEE’S FUNDING APPROVAL WAS SOUGHT ON MAY 15 THIS YEAR, HE SAID.
MR YEUNG SAID WITHIN HALF AN HOUR OF RECEIVING FINANCE COMMITTEE’S FUNDING APPROVAL FOR THE PROJECT, THE DIRECTOR OF THE OFFICE OF THE EXCHANGE FUND AT HIS REQUEST ARRANGED FOR THE FORWARD PURCHASE OF STERLING THROUGHOUT THE FIVE-YEAR CONTRACT PERIOD WHEN STERLING PAYMENTS WERE REQUIRED, AT A FIXED RATE OF HKS13.4 TO THE POUND.
"THE CONTRACT IS THEREFORE PRUDENTLY IMMUNISED AGAINST CURRENCY FLUCTUATIONS," HE SAID.
THE SECRETARY EXPLAINED THAT AS A RESULT OF THE FORWARD COVER ARRANGED, THE HONG KONG DOLLAR EQUIVALENT OF THE TSING MA BRIDGE CONTRACT WAS AT PRESENT $7,060 MILLION, OR $84 MILLION LESS THAN THE ESTIMATE OF $7,144 MILLION APPROVED BY FINANCE COMMITTEE.
------0-------
LAND GRANTED EXCEEDS SPECIFIED LIMIT *****
THE AMOUNT OF LAND GRANTED ANNUALLY FOR DEVELOPMENT SINCE THE ENTRY INTO FORCE OF THE JOINT DECLARATION HAS EXCEEDED THE 50 HECTARE LIMIT SPECIFIED BY AGREEMENT IN THE SINO-BRITISH LAND COMMISSION, THE ACTING SECRETARY FOR PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS, MR BOWEN LEUNG, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON ELSIE TU, MR LEUNG SAID THIS DEMONSTRATED THE CO-OPERATION AND UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN THE TWO SIDES OF THE LAND COMMISSION IN MAKING SUFFICIENT LAND AVAILABLE TO MEET JUSTIFIABLE DEMANDS.
"A TOTAL OF 274 HECTARES OF LAND WAS VESTED IN THE HOUSING AUTHORITY FOR CONTROL AND MANAGEMNT UNDER SECTION 5 OF THE HOUSING ORDINANCE BETWEEN 1987/88 AND 1991/92," HE SAID.
/OVER THE .......
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 14, 1992
5
OVER THE SAME PERIOD, THE AUTHORITY HAS PRODUCED 16,500 RENTAL TYPE FLATS FOR SALE UNDER THE HOME OWNERSHIP SCHEME.
HOWEVER, HE SAID THESE WERE NOT NECESSARILY ’FLATS ORIGINALLY EARMARKED FOR RENTING’.
’’DECISIONS TO DESIGNATE CERTAIN BLOCKS FOR HOME OWNERSHIP SCHEME (HOS) USES ARE TAKEN AT AN EARLY STAGE IN PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT BECAUSE INCLUSION OF THE RENTAL BLOCK DESIGN IN THE HOS PROGRAMME GIVES A WIDER MIX OF FLAT SIZES AND PRICES FOR HOS PURCHASERS,” HE ADDED.
MR LEUNG ALSO SAID LAND FOR CONSTRUCTION OF HOS BLOCKS WAS ACCOUNTABLE UNDER THE ANNUAL 50 HECTARE LIMIT. THIS ALSO INCLUDED TRANSFERS OF SITES FROM RENTAL PURPOSES TO HOS USES.
-----o------
UNDERGROUND ECONOMY HAS LITTLE IMPACT ON GOVT REVENUE ♦ * * ♦ t
IT IS VERY DIFFICULT TO MAKE AN ASSESSMENT OF THE SIZE OF UNDERGROUND ECONOMY, THE SECRETARY FOR ECONOMIC SERVICES, MRS ANSON CHAN, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY DR THE HON HUANG CHEN-YA IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, MRS CHAN SAID SUCH ACTIVITIES WERE DIFFICULT TO IDENTIFY, LOCATE AND MEASURE DUE TO THEIR PETTY AND DISPERSED NATURE.
"IN THE CASE OF ILLEGAL ACTIVITIES, SUCH AS DRUG AND SMUGGLING, THE DIFFICULTY IN OBTAINING CREDIBLE INFORMATION IS SELF-EVIDENT," SHE SAID.
TRAFFICKING
STATISTICAL
MRS CHAN SAID EXAMPLES OF PETTY ACTIVITIES INCLUDED PRIVATE TUITION, PART-TIME DOMESTIC HELP, FORTUNE TELLING, AND SOME SEGMENTS OF HAWKING AND PERSONAL SERVICES.
MRS CHAN NOTED THAT ALTHOUGH THE INCOMES OF THE RESPECTIVE SERVICE PROVIDERS WERE GENERALLY UNRECORDED, THE VOLUME OF ACTIVITIES CONCERNED AND THE TOTAL INCOME GENERATED WERE BELIEVED TO BE RELATIVELY SMALL COMPARED WITH THE SIZE OF THE ENTIRE ECONOMY.
"THE ADMINISTRATION HAS INFORMATION ON SOME OF THESE PETTY ACTIVITIES BUT IT TENDS TO BE FRAGMENTARY AND NO! VERY RELIABLE.
"IMPROVING OUR INFORMATION BASE WOULD, HOWEVER, REQUIRE DISPROPORTIONATE ADDITIONAL RESOURCES," SHE ADDED.
ON THE IMPACT OF UNDERGROUND ECONOMY ON GENERAL REVENUE, MRS CHAN SAID AS THESE PETTY ACTIVITIES WERE USUALLY PERFORMED BY INDIVIDUALS WITH INCOME BELOW THE TAX THRESHOLD, THEY WERE LIKELY TO HAVE LITTLE BEARING ON GENERAL REVENUE.
/’’TAXES ON .........
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 14, 1992
6
"TAXES ON SUCH ACTIVITIES ARE LEVIED WHERE FEASIBLE AND LEGITIMATE BUT THE ADMINISTRATION WILL CONTINUE TO FACE PRACTICAL DIFFICULTIES IN IDENTIFYING AND ASSESSING THEM FOR TAX PURPOSES," SHE SAID.
MRS CHAN SAID THE ADMINISTRATION WAS, HOWEVER, COMMITTED TO CONTINUE ITS PROGRAMME OF LEGISLATIVE AND ADMINISTRATIVE MEASURES AIMED AT TAX EVASION AND AVOIDANCE.
"AS AN ILLUSTRATION, THE COMMISSIONER FOR INLAND REVENUE INVESTIGATED 571 CASES IN 1991-92 AND RECOVERED EVADED TAXES AND PENALTIES AMOUNTING TO ABOUT $438 MILLION," SHE SAID.
------0 ------
ADEQUATE FUNDING SECURED TO IMPLEMENT MAJOR SOCIAL WELFARE POLICIES *****
THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, MRS ELIZABETH WONG, REAFFIRMED THAT THE IMMEDIATE CAPITAL INJECTION OF $2.3 BILLION INTO THE LOTTERIES FUND AS ANNOUNCED BY THE GOVERNOR IN HIS POLICY ADDRESS WILL ENSURE ADEQUATE PROVISION FOR THE TIMELY IMPLEMENTATION OF ALL THE MAJOR SOCIAL WELFARE POLICIES SET OUT IN THE WHITE PAPER ON SOCIAL WELFARE FOR THE YEARS 1993/94 TO 1996/97.
REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY THE HON HUI YIN-FAT IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MEETING TODAY (WEDNESDAY), MRS WONG ASSURED MEMBERS THAT THIS ARRANGEMENT WOULD NOT PRECLUDE GOVERNMENT FROM ALLOCATING ADDITIONAL RESOURCES FOR IMPLEMENTING OTHER SOCIAL WELFARE POLICIES IN FUTURE.
THE GOVERNMENT WILL ALSO PROVIDE THE NECESSARY RESOURCES TO ENSURE THAT THE INTERIM TARGETS, AS OUTLINED IN THE WHITE PAPER, WILL BE IMPLEMENTED AS SCHEDULED.
"AS MENTIONED EARLIER, FUNDING HAS ALREADY BEEN SECURED FOR MEETING THE KEY TARGETS, NOT ONLY FOR THE YEAR 1995/96, BUT FOR THE PERIOD UP TO 1996/97," MRS WONG ADDED.
SUFFICIENT GENERAL WARD BEDS TO BE PROVIDED
*****
SUFFICIENT GENERAL WARD BEDS WOULD STILL HAVE TO BE PROVIDED TO MEET DEMAND EVEN THOUGH "B CLASS BEDS" WERE TO BE INTRODUCED.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, MRS ELIZABETH WONG, IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON HUI YIN-FAT IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
/MRS WONG ........
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 14, 1992
MRS WONG SAID PROVISION OF ”B CLASS BEDS” WAS BEING CONSIDERED AS ONE OF THE OPTIONS IN AN OVERALL REVIEW OF THE POLICY ON FEES AND WAIVER.
"PROPOSALS FROM THIS REVIEW WOULD BE PRESENTED AS OPTIONS IN A GREEN PAPER FOR PUBLIC CONSULTATION.
"IT IS EARLY DAYS YET TO PROVIDE DETAILS ON CHARGES TO BE ADOPTED," SHE SAID, ADDING THAT MUCH WOULD HAVE TO DEPEND ON PUBLIC COMMENTS AND ON THE OUTCOME OF A PILOT SCHEME, IF INTRODUCED.
HOWEVER, SHE ASSURED MEMBERS THAT UNDER THE HOSPITAL AUTHORITY ORDINANCE, "NO PERSON SHOULD BE PREVENTED, THROUGH LACK OF MEANS, FROM OBTAINING ADEQUATE MEDICAL TREATMENT".
-----o-----
CURRENT MONITORING SYSTEM ON RENTAL POLICIES WORKS WELL
*****
THE ACTING SECRETARY FOR PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS, MR BOWEN LEUNG, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY) IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL THAT THE CURRENT MONITORING SYSTEM ON RENTAL POLICIES OF THE HONG KONG HOUSING AUTHORITY HAD WORKED WELL, AND THERE WERE NO PLANS TO INTRODUCE ADDITIONAL LEGISLATIVE AND ADMINISTRATIVE MEASURES TO SET UP MONITORING MECHANISMS.
IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON MAN SAI-CHEONG, MR LEUNG SAID THERE WAS ADEQUATE AND EFFECTIVE MONITORING OF THE RENT POLICIES OF THE HOUSING AUTHORITY, THE LARGEST STATUTORY PUBLIC HOUSING AGENT IN HONG KONG, WHICH MANAGED OVER 642,000 RENTAL FLATS.
"OVER THE YEARS, THE AUTHORITY’S RENT POLICIES, RENT REVIEWS FOR EXISTING ESTATES AND RENT SETTING FOR NEW ESTATES HAVE BEEN CLEARLY EXPLAINED TO THE OMELCO STANDING PANEL ON HOUSING, DISTRICT BOARDS, THE MEDIA, INTEREST GROUPS AND THE TENANTS CONCERNED.
"ALL MAJOR CHANGES TO THE EXISTING RENT POLICIES ARE THOROUGHLY DEBATED WITHIN THE AUTHORITY WHOSE MEMBERSHIP COMPRISE MAINLY OF NON-OFFICIALS REPRESENTING A GOOD CROSS SECTION OF THE COMMUNITY," HE SAID.
HE ADDED THAT ALL IMPORTANT POLICY PROPOSALS WERE SUBJECT TO WIDE PUBLIC CONSULTATION AND THE APPROVAL OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL.
MR LEUNG SAID THE HONG KONG HOUSING SOCIETY WAS A MUCH SMALLER INDEPENDENT BODY INCORPORATED BY STATUTE AND MANAGING ABOUT 33,000 RENTAL FLATS, ITS ACTIVITIES, INCLUDING RENT POLICIES, WERE DETERMINED BY AN EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE.
MEMBERSHIP OF THIS COMMITTEE IS DRAWN FROM PROFESSIONALS AND BUSINESSMEN, AS WELL AS CIVIL SERVANTS, SERVING IN THEIR PERSONAL CAPACITY.
/HE SAID: ........
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 14, 1992
8
HE SAID: ’’THE DOMESTIC RENTS CHARGED BY THE SOCIETY ARE SET HAVING REGARD TO THEIR AFFORDABILITY TO THE TENANTS AND ARE BELOW MARKET RENT.
’’THEY ARE DESIGNED TO COVER THE CAPITAL AND RECURRENT EXPENDITURE OF THE ESTATE, TO CROSS-SUBSIDISE THE RENTAL UNITS FOR THE ELDERLY AND TO CONTRIBUTE TOWARD THE SOCIETY’S ON-GOING HOUSING PROJECTS.”
HE SAID OVER THE YEARS, THE RENTS HAD BEEN GENERALLY ACCEPTABLE TO ITS TENANTS.
MR LEUNG SAID THE SOCIETY WAS AN AUTONOMOUS BODY, OPERATING IN ACCORDANCE WITH ITS CONSTITUTION AND WOULD CONTINUE TO PROVIDE AFFORDABLE HOUSING TO THE COMMUNITY ON A NON-PROFIT-MAKING BASIS.
-----0------
SETTLEMENT OF SPOUSES OF FORMER SERVICEMEN IN UK
*****
ASSURANCES WERE GIVEN THAT THE WIVES AND WIDOWS OF FORMER SERVICEMEN WOULD BE ALLOWED TO SETTLE IN THE UNITED KINGDOM AT ANY TIME IN THE FUTURE.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, MR ALISTAIR ASPREY, IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY THE HON J D MCGREGOR, MR ASPREY SAID THE CONCERNS OF THE EX-SERVICEMEN AND THEIR WIVES AND WIDOWS WERE APPRECIATED.
"THE GRANT OF BRITISH CITIZENSHIP IS, HOWEVER, A MATTER FOR HMG TO DECIDE," MR ASPREY SAID.
THE IMMIGRATION AND NATIONALITY STATUS OF THE SPOUSES OF BRITISH CITIZENS AND FORMER SERVICEMEN WAS DEBATED IN THE BRITISH PARLIAMENT VERY FULLY DURING THE PASSAGE OF THE BRITISH NATIONALITY (HONG KONG) ACT 1990.
THE SECRETARY SAID PARLIAMENT DECIDED THAT THEY SHOULD NOT BE EXEMPT FROM THE RESIDENTIAL REQUIREMENTS PRESCRIBED BY THE BRITISH NATIONALITY ACT 1981.
--------0 -----------
/9 .........
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 14, 1992
9
NEW ANCHORAGE FOR DETAINED CRAFT
* * * * *
A NEW ANCHORAGE WILL BE ESTABLISHED IN SAI KUNG TO PROVIDE MOORING FACILITIES FOR DETAINED CRAFT.
THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, MR ALISTAIR ASPREY, SAID THIS IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON GILBERT LEUNG KAM-HO IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
"WE WILL, IN THE NEXT FEW MONTHS, ESTABLISH A NEW DETAINED CRAFT ANCHORAGE AT SHAM TUK, SAI KUNG WHICH WILL EVENTUALLY PROVIDE MOORING FACILITIES FOR 200 DETAINED CRAFT," HE SAID.
MR ASPREY SAID THIS NEW ESTABLISHMENT WOULD DO AWAY WITH THE NEED TO MOOR SUCH CRAFT AT POLICE PIERS OR AT BUOYS IN SCATTERED LOCATIONS.
AS AT THE END OF LAST MONTH, THERE WERE 79 DETAINED VESSELS MOORED ALONGSIDE MARINE POLICE PIERS OR TIED UP TO BUOYS, MOST OF THEM AT ABERDEEN, TAI LAM CHUNG, TUI MIN HOI, MA LIU SHUI AND SAI WAN HO.
"THE LENGTH OF TIME THESE VESSELS ARE DETAINED VARIES GREATLY DEPENDING ON THE NATURE OF THE CASE AND THE TIME TAKEN WITH ANY COURT PROCEEDING. AN AVERAGE PERIOD WOULD BE SIX TO 12 MONTHS,” MR ASPREY SAID.
ON WHETHER OR NOT A VESSEL WAS RETURNED TO THE OWNERS, MR ASPREY SAID THIS WAS UP TO THE COURT TO DECIDE.
IN THE EVENT THAT THE COURT DIRECTS ITS RETURN, THE PROCESS IS CARRIED OUT AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE, THOUGH DELAYS CAN OCCUR WHEN OWNERSHIP IS IN DISPUTE.
"IF THE VESSEL IS CONFISCATED BY ORDER OF THE COURT, IT IS EITHER RETAINED FOR USE BY THE GOVERNMENT, SOLD THROUGH THE GOVERNMENT SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT OR DESTROYED BY THE MARINE DEPARTMENT," HE ADDED.
MR ASPREY SAID THE NUMBER OF DETAINED VESSELS THAT WENT AGROUND IN PORT SHELTER IN THE LAST THREE YEARS WAS UNKNOWN AS SUCH STATISTICS WERE NOT KEPT.
AS TO THE POSSIBLE POLLUTION PROBLEMS CAUSED, THE SECRETARY SAID THE MAIN POTENTIAL POLLUTION PROBLEM IN SUCH CASES WOULD BE WATER POLLUTION FROM THE DISCHARGE OF OIL AND FUEL.
"ANY FUEL OR OIL SPILLS WOULD BE DEALT WITH IN THE USUAL MANNER BY THE POLLUTION CONTROL UNTIL OF THE MARINE DEPARTMENT," HE SAID.
-----o------
/10 ........
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 14, 1992
10
WORKING GROUP TO MONITOR PROGRESS OF TRIAL ROAD-OPENING CHARGING SCHEME ******
THE WORKING GROUP SET UP TO MONITOR THE PROGRESS OF THE TRIAL SCHEME TO CHARGE UTILITY COMPANIES LANE RENTAL FOR ROAD OPENINGS AND TO RESOLVE PROBLEMS HAS MET TWICE.
A REPORT WOULD BE PRODUCED, AND CONCLUSIONS DRAWN ON THE MERITS OF THE SCHEME IN ABOUT SIX MONTHS TIME.
IT WAS STATED BY THE SECRETARY FOR WORKS, MR JAMES BLAKE, IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON HENRY TANG IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MR BLAKE SAID A TOTAL OF 50 UTILITY WORKS HAD BEEN IDENTIFIED AS BEING SUITABLE AND HAD BEEN SELECTED FOR THE TRIAL, WHICH STARTED IN JULY.
SO FAR, ONE HAD BEEN COMPLETED, 31 WERE IN PROGRESS AND THE REMAINING WOULD START SOON.
HE SAID NO PROBLEM HAD BEEN ENCOUNTERED TO DATE.
-----o-----
FLEXIBLE USE OF GOVT LAND
*****
DISTRICT BOARDS ARE NORMALLY CONSULTED ON LAND USES WHICH AFFECT THE WELL-BEING OF PEOPLE IN THEIR DISTRICTS, PARTICULARLY IF THE PROPOSED USES ARE CONSIDERED TO HAVE SIGNIFICANT PLANNING, TRAFFIC, SOCIAL OR ENVIRONMENTAL IMPLICATIONS.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE ACTING SECRETARY FOR PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS, MR BOWEN LEUNG, IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON LEE WING-TAT IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
HOWEVER, AS SHORT-TERM USES ARE OF A TEMPORARY NATURE AND OFTEN SMALL IN SCALE, NOT EVERY PROPOSAL IS PRESENTED TO THE BOARDS, HE SAID.
"DISTRICT OFFICERS’ ADVICE IS, NEVERTHELESS, SOUGHT ON ALL PROPOSALS," MR LEUNG ADDED.
HE SAID GOVERNMENT LAND WHICH COULD NOT BE DEVELOPED IMMEDIATELY INTO THEIR PLANNED PERMANENT USES MIGHT BE MADE AVAILABLE FOR VARIOUS TEMPORARY USES IN THE SHORT TERM.
/"IF THE .......
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 14, 1992
11
"IF THE PLANNED PERMANENT USES ARE NOT LIKELY TO TAKE PLACE FOR MANY YEARS TO COME AND IF THERE ARE SUITABLE REPLACEMENT SITES, THE TOWN PLAN IS REVIEWED TO SEE WHETHER IT IS DESIRABLE FOR AND THE LAND CONCERNED TO BE REZONED FOR MORE URGENT USES WHICH CAN BE DEVELOPED EARLIER,” MR LEUNG SAID.
HE FURTHER EXPLAINED THAT TEMPORARY USES OF LAND INCLUDED TEMPORARY HOUSING AREAS, PUBLIC CAR PARKS, OPEN STORAGE AREAS, PLANT NURSERIES, WORKS AREA, AND SO ON.
--------0 -----------
LOCAL OFFICERS GIVEN NECESSARY EXPOSURE AND EXPERIENCE * * * * *
THE GOVERNMENT HAS BEEN PLANNING FOR MANY YEARS NOW TO ENSURE THAT LOCAL OFFICERS HAVE THE NECESSARY EXPOSURE AND EXPERIENCE TO TAKE OVER SENIOR POSTS IN THE CIVIL SERVICE.
REPLYING TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON FUNG KIN-KEE IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY), ACTING SECRETARY FOR THE CIVIL SERVICE, MR STUART HARBINSON, SAID THE RESULTS HAD ON THE WHOLE BEEN ENCOURAGING.
CITING EXAMPLES, HE SAID THE PERCENTAGE OF LOCAL DIRECTORATE OFFICERS HAD GROWN FROM 35 PER CENT TN 1982 TO 65 PER CENT IN 1992, AND THAT OF LOCAL POLICY SECRETARIES HAD INCREASED FROM 23 PER CENT TO 53 PER CENT DURING THE SAME PERIOD.
"IN PART THIS REFLECTS THE INCREMENTAL RESULTS OF OUR LONG STANDING LOCALISATION POLICY,” SAID MR HARBINSON.
"BUT WE HAVE NOT HESITATED TO TAKE ADDITIONAL MEASURES WHERE NECESSARY.
"ONE EXAMPLE IS THE INTRODUCTION TN 1986 OF THE GUIDELINE THAT OVERSEAS ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICERS SHOULD USUALLY RETIRE THREE YEARS EARLY, AT THE AGE OF 57."
FOR POSTS IDENTIFIED IN THE BASIC LAW TO BE FILLED ONLY BY CHINESE CITIZENS, MR HARBINSON SAID THEY WOULD CONTINUE TO BE FILLED PROGRESSIVELY BY TALENTED LOCAL OFFICERS.
HE EXPRESSED CONFIDENCE THAT THE GOVERNMENT COULD MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE BASIC LAW BOTH IN FULL AND IN GOOD TIME TO ALLOW THOSE SELECTED TO ACQUIRE SUFFICIENT EXPERIENCE BEFORE 1997.
--------0------------
/12 ........
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 14, 1992
12
COMPANIES PROVIDE DATA FOR PAY TREND SURVEY * * * * *
SIXTY-NINE COMPANIES PARTICIPATED IN THE 1991/92 PAY TREND SURVEY CARRIED OUT BY THE STANDING COMMISSION ON CIVIL SERVICE SALARIES AND CONDITIONS OF SERVICE, THE ACTING SECRETARY FOR THE CIVIL SERVICE, MR STUART HARBTNSON, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
HE SAID THESE COMPANIES WERE FROM THE MANUFACTURING, WHOLESALE AND RETAIL, FINANCE AND BUSINESS SERVICES, TRANSPORT AND COMMUNICATION, CONSTRUCTION AND ELECTRICAL INSTALLATIONS, AND ELECTRICITY AND GAS SECTORS.
AMONG THEM, 25 WERE SMALL ESTABLISHMENTS EMPLOYING BETWEEN 100 AND 499 WORKERS; 27 WERE MEDIUM-SIZED ESTABLISHMENTS EMPLOYING BETWEEN 500 AND 1,499 WORKERS; AND 17 WERE LARGE ESTABLISHMENTS WITH 1,500 STAFF OR MORE.
MR HARBINSON WAS REPLYING TO A QUESTION RAISED BY THE HON EDWARD HO.
--------0 -----------
AIR QUALITY IN TUNNELS CLOSELY MONITORED * * * *
ALL TUNNELS ARE INSPECTED REGULARLY AND RECORDS ARE SCRUTINISED TO ENSURE THAT AIR QUALITY IN THE TUNNELS IS MAINTAINED WITHIN THE APPROVED STANDARD.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT, MR MICHAEL LEUNG, IN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON STEVEN POON, IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MR LEUNG SAID LEVELS OF CARRON MONOXIDE WERE USED AS AN INDICATOR OF OVERALL AIR POLLUTION IN TUNNELS. CARBON MONOXIDE WAS MONITORED CONTINUOUSLY TN ALL TUNNELS, USING AUTOMATIC EQUIPMENT.
"IF CONCENTRATIONS RISE TO BETWEEN 50 AND 100 PARTS PER MILLION, WHICH IS WELL WITHIN THE STANDARD SET, AUDIBLE AND VISUAL ALARMS ARE AUTOMATICALLY ACTIVATED IN THE TUNNEL CONTROL ROOM.
"THE VENTILATION SYSTEM IS IMMEDIATELY ADJUSTED TO IMPROVE THE AIR QUALITY," HE SAID.
MR LEUNG SAID THE MAXIMUM LEVELS OF CARBON MONOXIDE ALLOWED WERE 250 PARTS PER MILLION DURING ANY 30-MINUTE PERIOD FOR THE CROSS HARBOUR TUNNEL, 125 PARTS PER MILLION AT ANY TIME FOR THE EASTERN HARBOUR CROSSING AND 150 PARTS PER MILLION FOR THE TATE’S CAIRN TUNNEL.
/"THE DIFFERENCES .......
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 14, 1992
13
"THE DIFFERENCES REFLECT CHANGES TN INTERNATIONAL PRACTICE OVER THE YEARS. IN FACT, CARBON MONOXIDE LEVELS IN ALL TUNNELS ARE ALWAYS KEPT WELL BELOW 125 PARTS PER MILLION," HE SAID.
MR LEUNG SAID TRAFFIC CONDITIONS WITHIN THE TUNNELS MONITORED CONTINUOUSLY BY STAFF USING CLOSED CIRCUIT TELEVISION.
WERE
"IN THE EVENT OF TRAFFIC CONGESTION OR VEHICLE BREAKDOWN, PARTICULAR ATTENTION IS PAID TO MAINTAINING AIR QUALITY.
"WHERE NECESSARY, EXTRA FANS ARE SWITCHED ON TO IMPROVE VENTILATION AND VEHICLES ARE STOPPED FROM ENTERING THE TUNNEL UNTIL THE TRAFFIC STARTS MOVING AGAIN," HE SAID.
-------0
536 VISITORS PROSECUTED FOR ILLEGALLY WORKING LAST YEAR *****
THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT PROSECUTED 536 VISITORS FOR WORKING IN THE TERRITORY ILLEGALLY LAST YEAR, THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, MR ALISTAIR ASPREY, INFORMED THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON TAM YIU-CHUNG, MR ASPREY SAID OF THESE, 521 CAME FROM CHINA, SEVEN FROM PAKISTAN, THREE FROM THE PHILIPPINES, THREE FROM AUSTRALIA, ONE FROM THAILAND AND ONE FROM INDIA.
HE SAID THE DEPARTMENT PROSECUTED SOME 410 SUCH VISITORS IN THE FIRST NINE MONTHS OF THIS YEAR.
"OF THESE, 366 CAME FROM CHINA, 15 FROM BANGLADESH, 14 FROM PAKISTAN, SEVEN FROM THAILAND, FIVE FROM INDIA, TWO FROM THE PHILIPPINES AND ONE FROM SINGAPORE," HE SAID.
HE SAID SENTENCES HAD RANGED FROM FINES OF BETWEEN $500 AND $2,000, SUSPENDED PRISON SENTENCES OF BETWEEN ONE AND THREE MONTHS, AND IMPRISONMENT FAR BETWEEN SEVEN DAYS AND TWO MONTHS.
HE ALSO SAID THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT PROSECUTED 271 EMPLOYERS FOR EMPLOYING VISITORS LAST YEAR AND ONE WAS ACQUITTED.
IN THE FIRST NINE MONTHS OF THIS YEAR, THE DEPARTMENT PROSECUTED 208 SUCH EMPLOYERS AND ALL WERE CONVICTED, THE SECRETARY SAID.
"SENTENCES HAVE INCLUDED FINES OF BETWEEN $1,000 AND $6,000; SUSPENDED PRISON SENTENCES OF BETWEEN ONE AND FOUR MONTHS; AND, IN ONE CASE, IMPRISONMENT FOR SIX WEEKS," HE ADDED.
---------0
/14 ........
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 14, 1992
14
LAW ON CAISSON WORK UNDER REVIEW
*****
THE FEASIBILITY OF BANNING HAND-DUG CAISSON OPERATIONS WILL NEED TO BE CAREFULLY CONSIDERED IN VIEW OF ITS IMPLICATIONS FOR THE LIVELIHOOD OF EXISTING CAISSON WORKERS AND FOR THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER, MR JOHN CHAN, IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON TIE CHI-YUEN IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MEETING TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MR CHAN POINTED OUT THAT THERE WERE OCCASIONS WHEN CAISSONS WERE THE SAFEST ENGINEERING SOLUTION, FOR EXAMPLE, ON NARROW OR STEEP SITES WHERE THE USE OF HEAVY PLANT WOULD BE DANGEROUS.
’’THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT IS REVIEWING THE RELEVANT STATUTORY PROVISIONS WITH A VIEW TO FURTHER IMPROVING THE STANDARDS OF SAFETY FOR WORKERS WORKING IN CAISSONS AND OTHER CONFINED SPACES,” HE SAID.
’’THE DEPARTMENT IS ALSO SEEKING VIEWS FROM RELEVANT GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS AS WELL AS EMPLOYERS AND EMPLOYEES ORGANISATIONS.”
MR CHAN SAID ACCIDENTS RELATING TO HAND-DUG CAISSON OPERATION BETWEEN 1987 AND 1991 TOTALLED 1,491.
THESE HAD RESULTED IN SEVEN DEATHS, OF WHICH THREE WERE DIRECTLY RELATED TO CAISSON WORK.
STATISTICS ALSO SHOWED THAT PNEUMOCONIOSIS IS A COMMON OCCUPATIONAL DISEASE CONTRACTED BY CAISSON WORKERS.
OF THE 252 PNEUMOCONIOTICS INCLUDING THOSE WHO HAD CONTRACTED SILICOSIS FOUND BETWEEN 1989 AND 1991, 90 HAD BEEN ENGAGED IN CAISSON WORK.
MR CHAN SAID CAISSON WORKERS WERE AT PRESENT PROTECTED FROM THE HAZARDS OF SILICA UNDER THE FACTORIES AND INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKING ORDINANCE AND ITS REGULATIONS.
THE LAW PRESCRIBES THE NECESSARY PRECAUTIONS WHICH MUST BE TAKEN TO SAFEGUARD PERSONS ENTERING OR REMAINING IN CONFINED SPACES SUCH AS CAISSONS, INCLUDING WEARING BREATHING APPARATUS OF AN APPROVED TYPE AND WEARING A SAFETY BELT ATTACHED TO A LIFELINE SO THAT HE MAY BE PULLED TO SAFETY IN CASE OF EMERGENCY.
A CONTRACTOR HAS ALSO TO TAKE ALL REASONABLE STEPS AS ARE NECESSARY TO PREVENT THE INHALATION OF DUST BY THE WORKMAN, EITHER BY PROVIDING ADEQUATE VENTILATION OR BY THE PROVISION AND USE OF SUITABLE RESPIRATORS OR OTHER EFFECTIVE MEANS.
”A SPECIAL ENFORCEMENT CAMPAIGN IS BEING CARRIED OUT BY FACTORIES INSPECTORS TO CHECK ON ALL CONSTRUCTION SITES WITH CAISSON WORK TO ENSURE THAT SAFETY REQUIREMENTS ARE COMPLIED WITH,” MR CHAN ADDED.
--------0
/15 ........
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 14, 1992
15
PILOT INFORMATION COMMUNAL SYSTEM A CONSIDERABLE SUCCESS *****
THE PILOT STATION INFORMATION COMMUNAL SYSTEM (SICS) IN THE WANCHAI POLICE DISTRICT HAS IMPROVED SIGNIFICANTLY THE EFFICIENCY AND ACCURACY OF INCIDENT REPORTING AND PROCESSING OF INFORMATION, THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, MR ALISTAIR ASPREY, INFORMED THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON JAMES T.O KUN-SUN, MR ASPREY SAID THE SYSTEM, IN PARTICULAR, HAD ACHIEVED:
* INSTANT RETRIEVAL OF UP-TO-DATE INFORMATION ON CRIME TRENDS, THUS PERMITTING MORE EFFECTIVE DEPLOYMENT OF MANPOWER;
* AUTOMATIC MATCHING OF PROPERTY ITEMS REPORTED LOST AND FOUND ANYWHERE IN THE TERRITORY;
* IMPROVED MANPOWER PLANNING AND CAREER DEVELOPMENT OF
OFFICERS ON THE BASIS OF UP-TO-DATE INFORMATION ON PERSONAL DETAILS, PREVIOUS POSTINGS, TRAINING RECEIVED AND SKILLS; AND
* SWIFT AND ACCURATE DISSEMINATION OF INTERNAL GUIDELINES AND INSTRUCTIONS.
IN VIEW OF THE SUCCESS OF THE PILOT SYSTEM, MR ASPREY SAID IT WAS INTENDED THAT, SUBJECT TO AVAILABILITY OF FUNDS, SICS SHOULD BE EXTENDED TO ALL POLICE DISTRICTS ON A PHASED BASIS, BETWEEN 1995 AND 1997.
’’SINCE THE POLICE ARE STILL REVIEWING THE PILOT SICS TO DEFINE MORE PRECISELY THE FULL SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS AND COMMUNICATION LINKS BETWEEN POLICE FORMATIONS, IT IS NOT POSSIBLE TO DETERMINE ACCURATELY AT THIS STAGE THE COST OF EXTENDING SICS THROUGHOUT THE TERRITORY,” HE ADDED.
THE SICS WAS DESIGNED TO REDUCE THE REPETITIVE ADMINISTRATIVE WORK WHICH POLICE OFFICERS UNDERTAKE IN RECORDING AND UPDATING CRIME DATA AND MANAGEMENT INFORMATION; AND HENCE TO ENABLE POLICE OFFICERS TO DEVOTE MORE TIME TO ACTIVE POLICE DUTIES.
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 14, 1992
16
NO PRIORITY TO FORMER ARMY EMPLOYEES TO CHANGE JOB
*****
THE GOVERNMENT DOES NOT HAVE ANY SPECIAL SCHEMES FOR GIVING PRIORITY ENTRANCE TO FORMER EMPLOYEES OF THE BRITISH FORCES FOR VACANCIES EITHER IN THE ROYAL HONG KONG BRITISH FORCES OR ELSEWHERE IN THE CIVIL SERVICE.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, MR ALISTAIR ASPREY, IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON MARVIN CHEUNG KINTUNG IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
’’THEY ARE WELCOME TO APPLY, AND TO COMPETE WITH OTHER APPLICANTS,” MR ASPREY SAID.
THE BRITISH FORCES IN HONG KONG EMPLOY SOME 3,800 HONG KONG RESIDENTS OF WHOM 1,500 ARE SERVING MEMBERS OF THE ROYAL NAVY AND THE ARMY. THE REMAINDER ARE CIVILIANS WHO PROVIDE SUPPORT SERVICES.
THE SECRETARY SAID THE HEADQUARTERS BRITISH FORCES, AS THEIR EMPLOYER, HAD ESTABLISHED A RESETTLEMENT TEAM TO ASSIST IN MANAGING THE RUNDOWN IN EMPLOYMENT OF THESE PEOPLE AND IN IDENTIFYING EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES FOR THEM WHEN THEY LEAVE.
HE SAID THE GOVERNMENT ASSISTS BY NOTIFYING HEADQUARTERS BRITISH FORCES OF VACANCIES IN THE CIVIL SERVICE.
------o-------
BILL TO BETTER PROTECT TRAVELLERS INTRODUCED *****
NO TRAVEL AGENT HAS ABSCONDED AND THE NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS AGAINST TRAVEL AGENTS HAS DROPPED SINCE 1988, THE SECRETARY FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY, MR T. H. CHAU, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MOVING THE SECOND READING OF TRAVEL AGENTS (AMENDMENT) BILL 1992, A BILL WHICH WOULD HELP CONSOLIDATE THESE EFFORTS, MR CHAU SAID THE GOVERNMENT HAD COME A LONG WAY SINCE THE DAYS WHEN SOME TRAVEL AGENTS DEFAULTED AND LEFT THOUSANDS OF HOLIDAY-MAKERS UNPROTECTED.
THE PURPOSE OF THE BILL IS TO IMPLEMENT A PACKAGE OF REFORMS WHICH WILL, ON THE ONE HAND, ENHANCE THE REGULATORY REGIME FOR THE OUTBOUND TRAVEL INDUSTRY AND, ON THE OTHER, OFFER INCREASED PROTECTION TO CONSUMERS.
A REVIEW OF THE REGULATORY REGIME FOR THE OUTBOUND TRAVEL INDUSTRY WAS COMPLETED LAST YEAR. AFTER MUCH NEGOTIATION AND CONSULTATION WITH CONCERNED PARTIES, A PACKAGE OF REFORMS, ENDORSED BY THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON TRAVEL AGENTS, WAS AGREED WITH THE TRAVEL INDUSTRY COUNCIL AND THE TRAVEL INDUSTRY COUNCIL RESERVE FUND LAST JUNE.
/SOME OF .......
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 14, 1992
17
SOME OF THESE REFORMS HAVE SINCE BEEN IMPLEMENTED.
OTHER FEATURES OF THE REFORM PACKAGE AWAITING ENACTMENT OF THIS BILL INCLUDED:
* A STATUTORY COMPENSATION FUND, TO BE CALLED THE TRAVEL INDUSTRY COMPENSATION FUND, WILL BE ESTABLISHED FOR OUTBOUND TRAVELLERS. IT WILL TAKE OVER THE ASSETS AND LIABILITIES OF THE TRAVEL INDUSTRY COUNCIL RESERVE FUND AND WILL BE MANAGED BY AN INDEPENDENT BOARD TO BE APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNOR;
» THE SPLITTING OF THE PRESENT LEVY ON OUTBOUND PACKAGE TOUR FARES INTO TWO DISCRETE LEVIES: A FUND LEVY AND A COUNCIL LEVY, BOTH TO BE PAID BY LICENSED TRAVEL AGENTS ON THE BASIS OF THE OUTBOUND PACKAGE TOUR FARES. THE FUND LEVY WILL GO TO THE NEW TRAVEL INDUSTRY COMPENSATION FUND FOR THE COMPENSATION OF TRAVELLERS, WHILE THE COUNCIL LEVY WILL GO TO THE TRAVEL INDUSTRY COUNCIL TO HELP FINANCE ITS SELF-REGULATORY EFFORTS.
’’WITH INCOME FROM THE COUNCIL LEVY, THE TRAVEL INDUSTRY COUNCIL WOULD HAVE A SECURE AND STABLE SOURCE OF FINANCE FOR THE FURTHER DEVELOPMENT OF A DURABLE SELF-REGULATORY STRUCTURE," MR CHAU SAID.
TO ENSURE THE PROPER USE OF THE COUNCIL LEVY, A SET OF RULES HAVE BEEN AGREED WITH THE TRAVEL INDUSTRY COUNCIL. THEY INCLUDE:
♦ THE TRAVEL INDUSTRY COUNCIL MAY ONLY RETAIN RESERVES UP TO A LIMIT;
* THE COUNCIL MUST SUBMIT ITS ANNUAL ESTIMATES TO THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY;
* THE COUNCIL WILL BE SUBJECT TO INDEPENDENT VALUE-FOR-MONEY AUDITS; AND
* THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY MAY REQUIRE THE COUNCIL TO CONTRIBUTE TOWARDS A CERTAIN PERCENTAGE OF ITS ANNUAL RECURRENT EXPENDITURE WITH INCOME FROM MEMBERSHIP FEES AND OTHER NON-LEVY SOURCES, INITIALLY PROPOSED TO BE SET AT 20 PER CENT.
THE BILL ALSO PROVIDES THAT THE RATES OF THE TWO LEVIES MAY BE SPECIFIED BY THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY FROM TIME TO TIME.
IF THIS BILL WAS ENACTED, THE SECRETARY SAID RECOMMENDATION WOULD BE PROPOSED TO THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY TO SET THE FUND LEVY AT 0.35 PER CENT AND THE COUNCIL LEVY AT 0.15 PER CENT.
DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.
-----o------
/18 ........
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 14, 1992
18
TOUGHER LICENSING CONDITIONS FOR * * * * *
AMUSEMENT GAME CENTRES
A NEW LICENSING SCHEME FOR AMUSEMENT GAME CENTRES WAS ANNOUNCED BY THE SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS, MR MICHAEL SUEN, IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL THIS (WEDNESDAY) AFTERNOON.
MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE AMUSEMENT GAME CENTRES BILL, MR SUEN SAID THIS WOULD ENABLE THE AUTHORITIES TO HAVE BETTER CONTROL OVER THEM.
THE NEED FOR THE NEW LEGISLATION, MR SUEN SAID, WAS BECAUSE THESE GAME CENTRES HAVE INCREASINGLY BEEN OPERATED IN A MANNER WHICH CONFLICTED WITH THE FORMER LICENSING CONDITIONS UNDER THE MISCELLANEOUS LICENCES ORDINANCE.
"CONSEQUENTLY, UNAPPROVED MACHINES AND GAMES OF INDECENT NATURE CAN BE FOUND IN MANY CENTRES, AGE LIMITS ARE ALSO IGNORED," HE NOTED.
THEREFORE, MR SUEN SAID, THERE WAS A NEED FOR MORE EFFECTIVE AND STRICTER CONTROL OVER AMUSEMENT GAME CENTRES, COUPLED WITH MUCH TIGHTER SUPERVISION OF LICENSEES OCCASIONED BY THE RAPID CHANGES IN GAMES MACHINE TECHNOLOGY AND THE INCREASING COMPLEXITY OF THE INDUSTRY.
FOR THIS REASON, IT WAS ALSO DECIDED TO SEPARATE THE AMUSEMENT GAME CENTRES LICENCES FROM THE MISCELLANEOUS LICENCES ORDINANCE, HE SAID.
MR SUEN SAID THE BILL WOULD EMPOWER THE COMMISSIONER FOR TELEVISION AND ENTERTAINMENT LICENSING (CTEL) TO IMPOSE LICENCE CONDITIONS.
ONE OF THE MOST SIGNIFICANT CONDITIONS IS THAT IT WILL BE AN OFFENCE TO INSTALL ANY GAMES WHICH HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED BY CTEL.
ANOTHER IMPORTANT STIPULATION IS THAT ENTRY TO ADULT CENTRES BE RESTRICTED TO PEOPLE AGED 16 AND ABOVE WHILE ENTRY TO CHILDREN CENTRES BE CONFINED TO THOSE UP TO THE AGE OF 16 ONLY.
"TO ENSURE THAT OPERATORS OBSERVE THE LICENCE CONDITIONS CONSCIENTIOUSLY, THE CTEL WILL BE EMPOWERED TO SUSPEND, REVOKE OR REFUSE TO RENEW A LICENCE UNDER SPECIFIED CIRCUMSTANCES IF LICENCE CONDITIONS ARE BREACHED," MR SUEN SAID.
AND, IN THIS CONNECTION, HE SAID, AN INDEPENDENT APPEAL BOARD, TO BE CHAIRED BY A PERSON QUALIFIED FOR APPOINTMENT AS A DISTRICT JUDGE, WILL BE SET UP TO CONSIDER APPEALS ARISING FROM ENFORCEMENT OF THE LEGISLATION.
MEANWHILE, THE TELEVISION AND ENTERTAINMENT LICENSING AUTHORITY WILL BE EXPANDED BY THE CREATION OF AN INSPECTION TEAM WHICH IS TASKED TO MONITOR AMUSEMENT GAME CENTRES.
MR SUEN SAID THE NEW STANDARDS WILL BE STRICTLY ENFORCED TO PROTECT PATRONS, LEGITIMATE OPERATORS AND THE PUBLIC ALIKE.
------0 ------
/19 ........
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 14, 1992
19
BUILDINGS POSING THREAT TO SAFETY BE GIVEN PRIORITY
*****
PRIORITY WILL BE GIVEN TO BUILDINGS THAT POSE A POTENTIAL THREAT TO SAFETY UNDER THE BUILDINGS (AMENDMENT) (NO.2) BILL 1992, THE ACTING SECRETARY FOR PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS, MR BOWEN LEUNG, SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE RESUMED DEBATE ON THE SECOND READING OF THE BILL, MR LEUNG SAID THE PARTICULAR CONCERN OF THE BUILDING AUTHORITY WOULD BE MADE KNOWN TO BUILDING OWNERS UNDER THE TERMS OF AN INVESTIGATION ORDER.
"CONCERN HAS BEEN EXPRESSED AT THE POTENTIALLY LARGE NUMBER OF BUILDINGS WHICH WILL BE AFFECTED BY THE BILL AND ITS EFFECT ON BUILDING OWNERS.
"I WOULD LIKE TO EMPHASISE THAT THE PROPOSED SECTION 26A WILL INITIALLY BE APPLIED SELECTIVELY TO COMPLEMENT THE ON-GOING SURVEY ACTIVITIES BY THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE OFFICE," MR LEUNG SAID.
DILAPIDATION WHICH ONLY AFFECTED THE APPEARANCE OF THE BUILDING WOULD THEREFORE NOT BE ON THE TOP HIS PRIORITY LIST, THE SECRETARY SAID.
"HOWEVER I SHOULD ADD THAT IT IS IN THE BUILDING OWNERS' INTEREST TO ENSURE THAT ANY DILAPIDATION IS ATTENDED TO PROMPTLY, LEST IT DETERIORATES TO STRUCTURAL DANGER," HE ADDED.
ON THE APPROPRIATE PUBLICITY TO FACILITATE THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE BILL, MR LEUNG SAID A FRESH PUBLICITY CAMPAIGN ON BUILDING SAFETY HAD BEEN LAUNCHED SINCE LAST MONTH.
A PRESS CONFERENCE WOULD ALSO BE HELD AFTER THE BILL WAS PASSED INTO LAW TO EXPLAIN ITS PROVISIONS FURTHER.
IN ADDITION, THE PROVISIONS OF THE BILL WILL BE INCLUDED IN THE INFORMATION PAMPHLETS PREPARED BY THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE OFFICE, WHICH COULD BE OBTAINED FROM DISTRICT OFFICES.
FINALLY, A NEW 24-HOUR "BUILDING SAFETY HOTLINE" HAD BEEN ESTABLISHED TO FURTHER IMPROVE THE ENQUIRY SERVICE AND DISSEMINATE INFORMATION TO THE PUBLIC, HE SAID.
AS REGARDS FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE, THE SECRETARY SAID THE PRIME RESPONSIBILITY' FOR ENSURING THI- PROPER MAINTENANCE AND REPAIR OF BUILDINGS LAY WITH THEIR OWNERS.
"NONETHELESS, THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE OFFICE WILL GIVE DUE REGARD TO THE ABILITY OF BUILDING OWNERS IN ORGANISING AND PAYING FOR THE PROFESSIONAL SERVICES REQUIRED.
"IN THE CASE OF ORDERS WHICH GO INTO DEFAULT, SYMPATHETIC CONSIDERATION WILL BE GIVEN TO REQUESTS FOR PAYMENT BY INSTALMENTS WHEN FINANCIAL HARDSHIP IS PROVEN," HE SAID.
/MOREOVER, MR .......
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 14, 1992
20
MOREOVER, MR LEUNG SAID THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE OFFICE WOULD PROVIDE AS MUCH ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANCE AS POSSIBLE TO BUILDING OWNERS TO CARRY OUT THE REQUIRED WORK.
FOR INSTANCE, AN EXPLANATORY LETTER WOULD ACCOMPANY THE ORDERS ISSUED.
THE SECRETARY SAID A LIST OF AUTHORISED PERSONS AND REGISTERED STRUCTURAL ENGINEERS, AS WELL AS A LIST OF REGISTERED CONTRACTORS WHO WERE PREPARED TO PROVIDE SERVICES IN RESPECT OF BUILDING SAFETY, WERE AVAILABLE FOR PUBLIC INSPECTION IN ALL DISTRICT OFFICES AS WELL AS THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE OFFICE.
IN ADDITION, THE ADMINISTRATION WAS DISCUSSING WITH THE RELEVANT PROFESSIONAL ORGANISATIONS ON WHETHER SAMPLE CONTRACTS AND A SCALE OF FEES COULD BE MADE AVAILABLE FOR THE REFERENCE OF BUILDING OWNERS, HE ADDED.
THE BILL WAS PASSED WITH AMENDMENTS.
--------o------------
WATERWORKS (AMENDMENT) BILL INTRODUCED * * * * *
THE WATERWORKS (AMENDMENT) BILL WHICH SEEKS TO BETTER SUPERVISE WATERWORKS WAS INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE BILL, THE SECRETARY FOR WORKS, MR JAMES BLAKE, SAID AMENDMENTS HAD BEEN MADE TO CERTAIN SECTIONS OF THE WATERWORKS ORDINANCE TO:
* MAKE IT CLEAR THAT THE CONSUMER AND THE AGENT ARE RESPONSIBLE NOT ONLY FOR "CUSTODY” BUT ALSO FOR THE MAINTENANCE AND REPAIR OF THESE IMPORTANT SERVICES;
* EMPOWER THE WATER AUTHORITY TO DISCONNECT THE SUPPLY IF THE CONSUMER FAILS TO MAKE ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE WATER AUTHORITY TO ENTER PREMISES OR CARRY OUT ANY REQUIRED FUNCTION;
* REQUIRE THE CONSUMER TO PAY ALL CHARGES IN CONNECTION WITH A METERED SUPPLY BUT DOES NOT EMPOWER THE WASTER AUTHORITY TO DEMAND CHARGES IN CONNECTION WITH THE COMMUNAL SERVICE; AND
* STATE THAT ANY PERSON WHO CONTRAVENES THE SECTION BY UNLAWFULLY TAKING WATER SHALL BE GUILTY OF AN OFFENCE. THE AMENDMENT PROVIDES THAT THE UNLAWFUL TAKING OF WATER SHALL NOT ONLY BE AN OFFENCE BUT THAT THAT PERSON SHALL ALSO BE LIABLE TO PAY A CHARGE FOR THE WATER SO TAKEN.
DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.
--------o-------------
/21 ........
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 14, 1992
- 21
OATHS AND DECLARATIONS (AMENDMENT) BILL 1992 INTRODUCED
*****
A BILL SEEKING TO MODERNISE THE WORDING OF THE OATH OF FIDELITY FOR EXECUTIVE COUNCILLORS WAS INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE BILL, THE CHIEF SECRETARY, SIR DAVID FORD, SAID THESE CHANGES FOLLOWED SIMILAR AMENDMENTS TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL OATH.
"THE OATH OF FIDELITY IS PRESCRIBED IN PART III OF THE SECOND SCHEDULED TO THE ORDINANCE AND CONTAINS REFERENCE TO 'THIS COLONY’ AND 'HER MAJESTY’S EXECUTIVE COUNCIL IN THIS COLONY’."
THE BILL REPEALS THE WORDS "HER MAJESTY'S" WORDS "THIS COLONY" WITH "HONG KONG".
AND REPLACES THE
HE ALSO SAID THE CHINESE TEXT WAS AMENDED ACCORDINGLY.
AT PRESENT, A PERSON APPOINTED TO THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL IS REQUIRED, UNDER SECTION 18 OF THE OATHS AND DECLARATIONS ORDINANCE, TO TAKE THE OATH OF FIDELITY AND EITHER THE OATH OF ALLEGIANCE OR THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL OATH AS SOON AS POSSIBLE AFTER HIS OR HER APPOINTMENT.
-----o------
MOTION ON ELECTION COMMITTEE PASSED IN LEGCO
*****
THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TONIGHT (WEDNESDAY) PASSED A MOTION MOVED BY THE HON J D MCGREGOR ON ELECTION COMMITTEE FOR THE 1995 ELECTIONS.
A TOTAL OF NINETEEN COUNCILLORS SPOKE FOR MORE THAN TWO HOURS IN THE DEBATE. THE SECRETARY FOR CONSTITUTIONAL AFFAIRS, MR MICHAEL SZE, SPOKE ON BEHALF OF THE GOVERNMENT.
TO EFFECT THE DEBATE, THE LEGCO HAS CARRIED A MOTION TO SUSPEND ITS STANDING ORDERS SO AS TO ENABLE MR MCGREGOR TO MOVE THE SUBSEQUENT MOTION. NINE COUNCILLORS SPOKE IN THE FIRST MOTION.
MEANWHILE, TWO BILLS WERE PASSED WITH AMENDMENTS. THEY WERE EMPLOYEES RETRAINING BILL AND BUILDING (AMENDMENT) (NO.2) BILL 1992.
FOUR WERE INTRODUCED FOR FIRST AND SECOND READINGS AND DEBATES ON THEM WERE ADJOURNED. THEY WERE: OATHS AND DECLARATIONS (AMENDMENT) BILL 1992, AMUSEMENT GAME CENTRES BILL, WATERWORKS (AMENDMENT) BILL 1992 AND TRAVEL AGENTS (AMENDMENT) BILL 1992.
/22 ........
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 14, 1992
22 TRANSCRIPT OF GOVERNOR’S ADDRESS IN EUROPE-EAST ASIAN ECONOMIC FORUM *****
“PROFESSOR, PRIME MINISTER, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, THERE IS AS YOU PROBABLY KNOW, A PROHIBITION IN THE AMERICAN CONSTITUTION AGAINST CRUEL AND UNUSUAL PUNISHMENTS. I’VE ALWAYS THOUGHT THAT AFTER DINNER SPEECHES MIGHT QUALIFY UNDER THAT HEADING. I’M CERTAIN THAT PRE-DINNER SPEECHES QUALIFY, SINCE THEY’RE BOTH UNUSUAL AND PARTICULARLY CRUEL. BUT I WILL TRY TO CURTAIL THE CRUELTY THIS EVENING, SO THAT YOU CAN THEN ENJOY HONG KONG’S CUISINE.
I WANT TO WELCOME YOU BUT I HOPE THAT YOU’LL EXCUSE ME IF, FOLLOWING WHAT YOU SAID, PROFESSOR, ABOUT NETWORKING POWER, I BEGIN BY PAYING A PARTICULARLY WARM WELCOME TO MY FRIEND AND FORMER COLLEAGUE, NORMAN TEBBIT, ONE OF YOUR CO-CHAIRMEN. NORMAN TEBBIT AND I HAVE LINKS WHICH ARE PARTICULARLY STRONG FOR THREE REASONS. FIRST OF ALL BECAUSE WHILE BEING IN THE SAME PARTY, WE HAVE OCCASIONALLY, ONLY VERY OCCASIONALLY, FOUND OURSELVES ON DIFFERENT SIDES OF THE ARGUMENT. AND SINCE I’M NOW GOVERNOR OF HONG KONG AND BEYOND MATTERS POLITICAL, I CAN ADMIT GRACIOUSLY THAT T HAVEN’T ALWAYS BEEN RIGHT.
SECONDLY, WE WERE BOTH CHAIRMEN OF THE CONSERVATIVE PARTY. THIRDLY, WE WERE BOTH CHAIRMEN OF THE CONSERVATIVE PARTY IN THE UNITED KINGDOM, RESPONSIBLE FOR SUCCESSFUL ELECTION CAMPAIGNS WHICH ALL THE EXPERTS TOLD US WE WOULD LOSE. SO I SUSPECT THAT NORMAN TEBBIT AND I TAKE THE SAME VIEW OF EXPERTS.
I’D LIKE TO WELCOME ALL OF YOU TO HONG KONG, A'S I’VE SAID ON A NUMBER OF OCCASIONS, ONE OF THE ECONOMIC WONDERS OF THE WORLD. TO WELCOME YOU BOTH BECAUSE YOU ARE SUCH A PRESTIGIOUS GATHERING, AND BECAUSE IT SEEMS TO ME, THAT WHAT HONG KONG REPRESENTS AND WHAT HONG KONG HAS ACHIEVED, AND THE REASONS FOR THAT ACHIEVEMENT AND SUCCESS, ARE VERY CLOSELY RELATED TO SOME OF THE ISSUES WHICH HAVE DOMINATED YOUR AGENDA OVER THE LAST MANY YEARS AT MEETINGS OF THE FORUM.
FIRST OF ALL, WE’VE BEEN SUCCESSFUL IN HONG KONG BECAUSE THE ENTREPRENEURIAL ABILITY AND SKILL AND NOUS OF THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG HAS BEEN GIVEN FREE REIN. IN OTHER WORDS, WE’VE PRACTISED WITH ENTHUSIASM, MARKET ECONOMICS IN THE CONTEXT OF PRUDENT FINANCIAL POLICIES. OUR ATTITUDE TO BUSINESS, TO INDUSTRY, TO COMMERCE, IS PERFECTLY SIMPLE: MINIMUM INTERFERENCE, MAXIMUM SUPPORT. WE’VE HAD LOW AND PREDICTABLE TAXES, THE BEST CONCEIVABLE INVESTMENT INCENTIVE. WE’VE KEPT THE GROWTH IN PUBLIC EXPENDITURE YEAR BY YEAR, BELOW THE INCREASE IN THE RATE OF GROWTH OF THE ECONOMY, AND THAT MEANS THAT NOW, ONE OF MY MAJOR POLITICAL AND ECONOMIC PROBLEMS IS WHAT TO DO ABOUT THE SCALE OF OUR SURPLUS. THIS IS NOT A PROBLEM WHICH COMMONLY FEATURES, I’M TOLD, ON THE AGENDA OF FINANCE MINISTERS IN EUROPE AND NORTH AMERICA. AND WE’VE PRACTISED WHAT WE’VE PREACHED, THIS HAS BEEN A VERY COMPETITIVE ECONOMY.
/SECONDLY, WE'VE ........
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 14, 1992
23
SECONDLY, WE’VE INVESTED IN WHAT - AS 1 RECALL FROM MY DAYS AS BRITAIN’S AID MINISTER, FROM WHAT DEVELOPMENT ECONOMISTS CALL "SOCIAL EQUITY PROGRAMMES" - WE’VE INVESTED ENORMOUSLY AND SUCCESSFULLY IN PUBLIC HOUSING, SO THAT THE QUALITY OF LIFE OF ORDINARY FAMILIES IN HONG KONG HAS IN MOST CASES BEEN TRANSFORMED IN THE LAST FEW YEARS. WE’VE INVESTED IN EDUCATION. MOST OF MY SENIOR CIVIL SERVANTS WERE AT UNIVERSITY WHEN ONLY A FEW HUNDRED YOUNG PEOPLE FROM HONG KONG WERE ABLE TO GO INTO TERTIARY EDUCATION. WE’RE NOW MOVING RAPIDLY TO A SITUATION IN WHICH ALMOST 1 IN 5 OF THE 17 TO 20 AGE GROUP WILL GO INTO TERTIARY EDUCATION. WE’VE INVESTED SUBSTANTIALLY IN HEALTH PROVISION, SO THAT NOW FOR EXAMPLE WE HAVE BETTER HEALTH INDICATORS THAN A LARGE NUMBER OF MEMBERS OF THE OECD, LOWER CHILD MORTALITY RATES THAN, DARE I SAY, THE UNITED STATES, AUSTRALIA AND THE UNITED KINGDOM. ALL THOSE CONSIDERABLE MARKS OF SOCIAL PROGRESS MADE POSSIBLE BECAUSE OF A SUCCESSFUL MARKET ECONOMY OPERATING IN A SOCIALLY RESPONSIBLE WAY.
THIRDLY, WE’VE HAD IN HONG KONG, POLITICAL STABILITY AND THE RULE OF LAW. FOR A GATHERING LIKE THIS, THOSE THINGS SPEAK FOR THEMSELVES. IT IS OF COURSE ONE OF MY TASKS, ONE OF MY RESPONSIBILITIES, TO CONVINCE OTHERS ABOUT THE CRUCIAL IMPORTANCE OF THE RULE OF LAW TO ECONOMIC WELL BEING. AND IT’S ALSO ONE OF MY TASKS TO CONVINCE OTHERS THAT RESPONDING TO PEOPLE’S MODEST BUT LEGITIMATE DEMANDS AND AMBITIONS FOR A RATHER GREATER SHARE IN SHAPING THEIR OWN DESTINY, IS A WAY OF SECURING GREATER POLITICAL STABILITY RATHER THAN UNDERMINING POLITICAL STABILITY.
AND FOURTH, AND RELATED IN PARTICULAR TO THE FIRST OF THOSE PROPOSITIONS, FOURTH, WE’VE BELIEVED AND ARGUED FOR, WHEREVER IT MATTERED, FREE TRADE. THIS IS AN EXAMPLE OF THE BENEFITS OF AN OPEN ECONOMY AND FREE TRADE, PROBABLY BETTER THAN ANY OTHER THAT ECONOMISTS COULD POINT TO. AS A RESULT OF FREE TRADE WE ARE NOW THE 10TH TRADING COMMUNITY IN THE WORLD. AS A RESULT OF OPEN MARKETS AND FREE TRADE, HONG KONG’S ECONOMY REPRESENTS ABOUT 18% OF THE GNP OF CHINA. AS A RESULT OF FREE TRADE, AS VICTOR WAS SAYING A FEW MOMENTS AGO, WE’VE BEEN ABLE TO PLAY - WITH THE OPENING UP OF THE ECONOMY OF CHINA, THAT MOST IMPORTANT AND EXCITING DEVELOPMENT OF THE LAST 20 YEARS - WE’VE BEEN ABLE TO PLAY A KEY ROLE IN THE ADVANCE OF THE ECONOMIES OF ASIA.
SO WHAT THREE CONCLUSIONS DO I DRAW FROM THAT? BINDING THEM ALL IS THAT WHEREVER THERE IS AN ARGUMENT ABOUT FREE TRADE OR PROTECTIONISM, YOU CAN EXPECT THE GOVERNOR OF HONG KONG AND THE GOVERNMENT OF HONG KONG TO BE ARGUING PASSIONATELY, FROM OUR OWN EXPERIENCE, FOR PULLING DOWN BARRIERS TO TRADE, FOR OPENING UP TRADE WHEREVER WE POSSIBLY CAN. FIRST THEN, WE WANT TO SEE A SUCCESSFUL COMPLETION OF THE URUGUAY GATT ROUND; ARGUABLY, IN DAYS WHEN WE’RE QUITE PROPERLY CONSCIOUS OF THE POVERTY AND DIFFICULTIES OF SO MANY PARTS OF THE WORLD, THE MOST IMPORTANT SINGLE THING THAT WE COULD DO TO IMPROVE THE WELL BEING OF EVERYONE IN THE WORLD.
/SECONDLY, YOU'LL .........
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 14, 1992
24
SECONDLY, YOU’LL FIND US ARGUING PASSIONATELY TO AVOID TRADE FRICTIONS AND TRADE WARS, NOT LEAST, IF 1 MAY SAY SO, BETWEEN THE UNITED STATES AND CHINA. I WAS AS DELIGHTED AS VICTOR AT THE SUCCESSFUL OUTCOME OF THE 301 TALKS. I HOPE THAT NEXT YEAR, FOR ONCE AND FOR ALL, WE CAN PUT BEHIND US THE ANNUAL ARGUMENTS ABOUT MFN, BECAUSE ALL OF US KNOW THAT FREE TRADE IS ON THE SIDE OF ECONOMIC PROGRESS, AND THAT TRADE WARS DESTROY GROWTH, DESTROY JOBS, PUT UP PRICES, AND ABORT PROGRESS - SOCIAL PROGRESS, POLITICAL PROGRESS, ECONOMIC PROGRESS.
AND THIRDLY, YOU CAN FIND US ALSO, I HOPE, ARGUING THE CASE FOR FREE TRADE IN EUROPE AS WELL. I BELIEVE VERY STRONGLY THAT THERE ARE MANY ISSUES IN EUROPE WHICH CAN BEST BE SERVED AT THE COMMUNITY LEVEL. I BELIEVE VERY STRONGLY THAT IT’S IMPERATIVE THAT WE COMPLETE THE SINGLE MARKET, THAT WE OPEN UP EUROPE TO CENTRAL AND EASTERN EUROPEAN COUNTRIES WHICH HAVE RECENTLY DISCOVERED DEMOCRACY THE MOST PAINFUL AND HARD WAY. BUT I DO THINK THAT THERE IS A DANGER IN EUROPE WHICH WE NEED TO BE AWARE OF, AND THE DANGER IS SIMPLY THIS: THE FEELING WHICH MANY POPULIST EUROPEAN POLITICIANS HAVE, THAT BECAUSE OF THE DIFFICULTIES OF COMPETITION, NOT LEAST FROM SUCCESSFUL ASIAN ECONOMIES, THE ONLY WAY THAT EUROPE CAN SAVE AND PROTECT ITS WELFARE SERVICES IS BY SHUTTING OUT COMPETITION FROM ASIA. IN MY VIEW THAT WOULD BE A CERTAIN ROUTE, IN EUROPE, NOT ONLY TO THE MEANEST, NASTIEST, PROTECTIONIST POLITICS, BUT ALSO TO UNDERMINING EUROPE’S STANDARD OF LIVING, AND ULTIMATELY UNDERMINING ITS WELFARE SERVICES AS WELL. PROTECTIONISM ISN’T JUSTIFIED, WHATEVER THE ARGUMENTS THAT ARE PUT FOR IT, AND WELFARE PROTECTIONISM IS NO MORE JUSTIFIED THAN ANY OTHER SORT.
IN COMMUNITY AFTER COMMUNITY IN ASIA - AND THIS IS ONE OF THEM, WHICH I’M LEARNING TO LOVE - WE’VE DEMONSTRATED THAT IT IS POSSIBLE TO BELIEVE IN OPEN MARKETS AND FREE TRADE, AND ON THE BACK OF THAT, TO IMPROVE THE COLLECTIVE COMMUNITY STANDARDS OF ORDINARY PEOPLE, TO INCREASE NOT ONLY THEIR INDIVIDUAL PROSPERITY BUT TO IMPROVE THEIR QUALITY OF LIFE AS WELL. I THINK THAT IF THERE IS ANY LESSON WHICH HONG KONG HAS FOR THE WORLD, IT’S THAT, AND IT’S THAT LESSON WHICH I’M VERY PROUD TO BE IN A POSITION TO PUT TO YOU THIS EVENING, ALBEIT AT THE EXPENSE OF YOUR FIRST COURSE.”
---------0------------
/25 ........
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 14, 1992
25
GOVERNOR WELL AWARE OF GENERAL MOOD
* * * * *
THE GOVERNOR, THE RT HON CHRISTOPHER PATTEN, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY) HE WAS VERY WELL AWARE THAT FEELINGS EXPRESSED TO HIM IN HONG KONG ABOUT THE PROPOSALS IN HIS POLICY ADDRESS HAD BEEN OVERWHELMINGLY FAVOURABLE.
SPEAKING TO REPORTERS AFTER A VISIT TO SOUTHERN DISTRICT, MR PATTEN SAID WHILE THERE HAD BEEN SOME PEOPLE WHO MADE CRITICISMS, THERE HADN’T BEEN MANY PEOPLE WHO OFFERED ALTERNATIVES.
"IN ANY DEBATE ABOUT THE FUTURE OF A COMMUNITY, IT’S IMPORTANT NOT JUST TO STRIKE POSES OR ATTITUDES; NOT JUST TO SHOUT SLOGANS BUT TO PUT FORWARD SENSIBLE, POSITIVE PROPOSALS. THAT’S WHAT I’VE DONE; THAT’S WHAT I THINK THE COMMUNITY EXPECTED OF ME AND I’LL LOOK FORWARD TO A RESPONSE IN DUE COURSE," HE SAID.
"MY RESOLVE IS TO DO WHAT IS IN THE BEST INTEREST OF THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG. THE PROPOSALS I PUT FORWARD LAST WEEK WERE MADE IN HONG KONG; THE PROPOSALS I PUT FORWARD REPRESENT MY BEST JUDGMENT OF THE BALANCE OF OPINION IN HONG KONG," HE ADDED.
COMMENTING ON HIS VISIT TO PEKING NEXT WEEK, THE GOVERNOR SAID HE WAS PARTICULARLY LOOKING FORWARD TO HIS FIRST MEETING WITH THE DIRECTOR OF THE HONG KONG AND MACAU AFFAIRS OFFICE OF CHINA’S STATE COUNCIL, MR LU PING.
"I THINK THAT IT WOULD BE WRONG TO THINK THAT ONE CAN ACCOMPLISH TOO MUCH IN A FIRST TRIP, BUT I’LL LOOK TO ESTABLISHING A PERSONAL RELATIONSHIP WITH MR LU PING AND HIS COLLEAGUES.
"I’LL LOOK FORWARD TO MY FIRST DISCUSSION ABOUT A NUMBER OF MATTERS WHICH ARE OF GREAT CONCERN TO HONG KONG, SUCH AS THE GREAT IMPORTANCE OF WORKING IN A MORE EFFECTIVE, CO-OPERATIVE WAY TO DEAL WITH CRIME AND SMUGGLING," MR PATTEN SAID.
"I’LL ALSO OF COURSE BE DISCUSSING THE PROPOSALS THAT I MADE IN MY LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL SPEECH LAST WEEK ABOUT THE 1995 ELECTIONS, AND I’LL LOOK FORWARD TO HEARING ANY PROPOSALS WHICH MR LU PING AND HIS COLLEAGUES HAVE TO MAKE," HE ADDED.
"MR LU PING IS A HIGHLY INTELLIGENT MAN Who KNOWS A GREAT DEAL ABOUT HONG KONG, AND I’M SURE THAT HE WILL WANT TO HAVE AN INTELLIGENT DISCUSSION AS WELL," HE SAID.
MR PATTEN SAID HIS VISITS TO THE DISTRICTS WERE A VERY IMPORTANT WAY OF KEEPING IN TOUCH WITH THE COMMUNITY, OF KEEPING IN TOUCH WITH DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS WHO DID SUCH AN IMPORTANT JOB.
"AND I AM ANXIOUS, AS I THINK YOU KNOW FROM MY POLICY SPEECH TO SHARE WITH THEM MORE OF THE BUSINESS OF GOVERNMENT. I THINK IT’S IMPORTANT THAT THEY SHOULD HAVE MORE SAY IN MATTERS THAT DIRECTLY AFFECT THEIR COMMUNITIES," HE SAID.
----0----
/26 ........
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 14, 1992
26 GOVERNOR VISITS SOUTHERN DISTRICT *****
THE GOVERNOR, THE RT HON CHRISTOPHER PATTEN, VISITED SOUTHERN DISTRICT THIS (WEDNESDAY) AFTERNOON, TOURING TWO PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES AND SEEING FOR HIMSELF THE LIVING ENVIRONMENT OF BOAT DWELLERS.
MR PATTEN WAS ACCOMPANIED BY THE ACTING REGIONAL SECRETARY FOR HONG KONG AND KOWLOON, MR PHILIP CHOK; SOUTHERN DISTRICT OFFICER, MRS ROSANNA URE AND SOUTHERN DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, MR HUI YUNG-CHUNG.
HE FIRST WENT TO WAH KWAI ESTATE, THE LATEST PUBLIC HOUSING DEVELOPMENT IN THE DISTRICT, AND MET A FAMILY THERE BEFORE TOURING A SOCIAL CENTRE FOR THE ELDERLY.
LATER, HE INSPECTED 13,OOO-PEOPLE SHEK PAI WAN ESTATE WHICH WAS BUILT IN THE LATE 60’S. THE GOVERNOR ALSO TOURED THE ST PETER’S PRIMARY SCHOOL.
MR PATTEN THEN VISITED A DWELLING BOAT FAMILY IN THE ABERDEEN TYPHOON SHELTER TO UNDERSTAND BETTER THEIR LIVING CONDITIONS.
BEFORE CONCLUDING HIS VISIT, THE GOVERNOR MET DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS AND OTHER PERSONALITIES IN A FLOATING RESTAURANT IN THE TYPHOON SHELTER.
------0 ------
GREEN GROUPS BRIEFED ON PROPOSALS TO CLEAN UP HK WATERS *****
MAJOR ENVIRONMENTAL GROUPS WERE BRIEFED TODAY (WEDNESDAY) BY DEPUTY SECRETARY FOR PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT AND PLANNING (ENVIRONMENT), MR TONY COOPER, ON THE NEW INITIATIVES TO CLEAN UP HONG KONG’S WATERS AND TO DEAL WITH SOLID WASTES ANNOUNCED BY THE GOVERNOR IN HIS POLICY ADDRESS LAST WEEK.
AT TODAY’S MEETING WITH REPRESENTATIVES OF THE FRIENDS OF THE EARTH, CONSERVANCY ASSOCIATION, WORLD WIDE FUND FOR NATURE AND THE GREEN POWER, MR COOPER EXPLAINED THE URGENCY TO EMBARK ON A SEWAGE STRATEGY PROGRAMME TO DEAL WITH THE HUGE VOLUME OF UNTREATED SEWAGE AND INDUSTRIAL WASTE DISCHARGED INTO THE HARBOUR WHICH AT PRESENT STOOD AT 1.5 MILLION CUBIC METRES EACH DAY.
THE PROGRAMME W]LL INVOLVE EXTENSIVE ENGINEERING WORKS TO COLLECT SEWAGE FOR TREATMENT BEFORE DISCHARGE THROUGH AN OCEANIC OUTFALL SYSTEM WHICH WILL SIGNIFICANTLY REDUCE THE POLLUTION IN THE HARBOUR AND GREATLY IMPROVE WATER QUALITY OF THE HARBOUR AND SWIMMING BEACHES.
THE GOVERNMENT WILL
THE STRATEGY TO GET OFF THE
CONTRIBUTE AT LEAST $3 BILLION GROUND QUICKLY.
TO ENABLE
/UNDER THE .......
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 14, 1992
27
UNDER THE ’’POLLUTERS PAY PRINCIPLE”, WIDELY ADOPTED IN MANY COUNTRIES, THE STRATEGY WILL ALSO REQUIRE CONTRIBUTION FROM THE PUBLIC. DETAILS OF THE CHARGING SCHEME ARE BEING WORKED OUT AND WILL BE ANNOUNCED TOWARDS THE END OF THIS YEAR. FOR PUBLIC CONSULTATION.
ON SOLID WASTE DISPOSAL, MR COOPER REITERATED THAT THE GOVERNMENT IS COMMITTED TO SPENDING $7.3 BILLION OVER THE NEXT FIVE YEARS ON BUILDING A CHEMICAL WASTE TREATMENT FACILITY ON TSING YI, THREE LARGE STRATEGIC LANDFILLS TN THE NEW TERRITORIES AND ASSOCIATED NETWORK OF REFUSE TRANSFER STATIONS.
ON TOP OF THIS, THE GOVERNMENT IS ALSO COMMITTED TO A LIVESTOCK WASTE CONTROL SCHEME TO CLEAN UP RIVERS AND STREAMS WHICH ARE BADLY POLLUTED BY LIVESTOCK WASTES.
’’THESE BROAD ENVIRONMENTAL PROGRAMMES WILL CONTRIBUTE TOWARDS A CLEANER AND GREENER ENVIRONMENT WHICH HONG KONG BADLY NEEDS TO SUSTAIN ITS PROSPERITY,” MR COOPER SAID.
-----o -----
HK HAS MUCH EXPERTISE ON HIGH-SPEED CRAFT
*****
THE DIRECTOR OF MARINE, MR TONY MILLER, TODAY (WEDNESDAY) SAID THE TERRITORY HAD MUCH EXPERIENCE TO OFFER IN REVISING THE INTERNATIONAL CODE ON DYNAMICALLY SUPPORTED CRAFT.
MR MILLER SAID: "WE PROBABLY HAVE THE LARGEST HIGH-SPEED CRAFT OPERATION ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD. WE HAVE HYDROFOILS, HOVERFERRIES, JETFOILS, HIGH-SPEED WATERJET CATAMARANS AND MONOHULLS PLYING SOME 35 ROUTES BETWEEN HONG KONG, MACAU, GUANGZHOU AND NUMEROUS SMALLER PORTS IN THE PEARL RIVER DELTA.”
ADDRESSING THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE FIRST INTERNATIONAL MARITIME ORGANISATION (IMO) INFORMAL MEETING OF THE WORKING GROUP ON REVISION OF THE DYNAMICALLY SUPPORTED CRAFT (DSC) CODE, MR MILLER STRESSED THE NEED FOR EARLY AGREEMENT ON A NEW INTERNATIONAL SAFETY CODE WHICH TOOK ACCOUNT OF CHANGES IN TECHNOLOGY.
MR MILLER SAID: "HONG KONG HAS AN ENVIABLE SAFETY RECORD. EVEN SO WE HAVE HAD TO LEARN FROM SOMETIMES PAINFUL EXPERIENCE.
’’THE DEMAND IS FOR BIGGER AND FASTER. IT MUST ALSO BE FOR SAFER. OURS IS THE WORLD’S BUSIEST PORT. WE HAVE A CLEAR INTEREST IN ENSURING SAFE DESIGN, SAFE CONSTRUCTION AND SAFE OPERATING PRACTICES.”
WELCOMING DELEGATES FROM SEVEN ADMINISTRATIONS, MR MILLER INVITED MEMBERS TO SPEND SOME TIME AWAY FROM THE TECHNICAL DISCUSSIONS SO THAT THEY COULD LEARN MORE ABOUT HONG KONG.
/MR MILLER ......
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 14, 1992
- 28
MR MILLER SAID: ’’THIS INFORMAL MEETING OF THE WORKING GROUP ON HIGH-SPEED CRAFT IS THE FIRST SUCH IMO MEETING TO BE HELD IN HONG KONG. WE ARE PROUD TO PLAY HOST TO SUCH A DISTINGUISHED GROUP OF EXPERTS. WE WELCOME YOU ALL TO HONG KONG AND LOOK FORWARD TO SHOWING YOU SOMETHING OF THE TERRITORY AND PORT OPERATIONS."
THE INFORMAL MEETING OF THE WORKING GROUP ON REVISION OF THE DSC CODE IS PART OF A SERIES OF TECHNICAL MEETINGS CONVENED BY THE IMO.
THE MEETING IS BEING ATTENDED BY 25 OVERSEAS DELEGATES REPRESENTING AUSTRALIA, CHINA, JAPAN, LIBERIA, MACAU, NORWAY AND SWEDEN. IT IS ALSO ATTENDED BY REPRESENTATIVES OF ALL THE COMPANIES CURRENTLY OPERATING HIGH-SPEED CRAFT IN THE DELTA REGION.
THE PRINCIPAL OBJECTIVE OF THIS INFORMAL MEETING IS TO FINALISE THE SAFETY STANDARDS RELATING TO THE FIRE PROTECTION ASPECTS OF THE CODE.
MEMBERS WILL ALSO PAY A VISIT TO CHINA AND MACAU AND WILL WITNESS A JOINT SEARCH AND RESCUE EXERCISE BY PARTICIPANTS FROM CHINA, MACAU AND HONG KONG INVOLVING RESCUE FROM A HIGH-SPEED VESSEL IN THE PEARL RIVER DELTA.
-----0------
SHIPOWNERS ASSOCIATION MEMBERS VISIT MARITIME RESCUE CO-ORDINATION CENTRE * * * * *
ELEVEN MEMBERS OF THE HONG KONG SHIPOWNERS ASSOCIATION THIS (WEDNESDAY) AFTERNOON HAD A FIRST-HAND LOOK AT THE "STATE-OF-THE-ART" GLOBAL MARITIME DISTRESS AND SAFETY SYSTEM (GMDSS) OF THE MARINE DEPARTMENT.
THEY WERE BRIEFED BY THE DIRECTOR OF MARINE, MR TONY MILLER.
HEADED BY THE CHAIRMAN OF THE HONG KONG SHIPOWNERS ASSOCIATION, MR PETER COWLING, THE GROUP VISITED THE MARINE DEPARTMENT’S MARITIME RESCUE CO-ORDINATION CENTRE WHICH IS MANNED 24 HOURS A DAY BY SPECIALLY TRAINED MARINE OFFICERS.
MR MILLER TOLD THE LOCAL SHIPOWNERS THAT THE MARINE DEPARTMENT IS THE MARITIME SEARCH AND RESCUE CO-ORDINATOR FOR ABOUT 400,000 SQUARE MILES OF THE SOUTH CHINA SEA NORTH OF LATITUDE 10 DEGREES NORTH AND WEST OF 120 DEGREES EAST, EXCLUDING THE IMMEDIATE COASTAL WATER OF NEIGHBOURING STATES.
"HONG KONG HAS DEVELOPED AN EXCELLENT REPUTATION IN THE FIELD OF MARITIME SEARCH AND RESCUE AND EARLIER THIS YEAR HAS COMPLETED THE FINAL STAGES IN IMPLEMENTING THE GMDSS WHICH IS PART OF THE INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION ON THE SAFETY OF LIFE AT SEA.
/"WE WERE .......
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 14, 1992
- 29
"WE WERE THE FIRST IN ASIA TO IMPLEMENT THE NAVTEX SERVICE, COVERING SOUTH CHINA SEA AND PROVIDING MARITIME SAFETY INFORMATION, METEOROLOGICAL INFORMATION AND A WARNING AND DISTRESS ALERTS.
"WE WERE ALSO THE FIRST TO COMMISSION A SATELLITE TRACKING STATION IN THE COSPAS-SARSAT PROGRAMME FOR DETECTING EMERGENCY POSITION INDICATOR RADIO BEACONS WITHIN A 4,000-KILOMETRE RADIUS," MR MILLER SAID.
THE GMDSS PROVIDE WORLDWIDE TWO-WAY RADIOCOMMUNICATIONS BETWEEN MERCHANT SHIPS AND SEARCH AND RESCUE AUTHORITIES ASHORE, MAKING RAPID ALERTING AND RESPONSE TO SHIPS IN DISTRESS POSSIBLE.
THIS IS ACHIEVED BY MEANS OF SATELLITE COMMUNICATIONS AND ADVANCED LAND-BASED AND SHIP-BORNE RADIOCOMMUNICATIONS EQUIPMENT, AND ALSO PROVIDES FOR THE DISSEMINATION OF SAFETY INFORMATION, INCLUDING NAVIGATION AND STORM WARNINGS, TO SHIPS AT SEA. DISTRESS SIGNALS ARE ACTIVATED MANUALLY, BUT WOULD ALSO BE TRANSMITTED AUTOMATICALLY FROM ANY SHIP WHICH SANK.
"THE RAPID ALERTING OF SEARCH AND RESCUE AUTHORITIES WILL FACILITATE MORE RAPID DEPLOYMENT OF RESCUE SERVICES AND THEREBY ENHANCE THE SAFETY OF LIFE AT SEA," MR MILLER SAID.
THE SHIPOWNERS ARE MR ANDREW CHEN OF GRAND SEATRADE SHIPPING AGENCIES LTD, MR CHEUNG KING-WA OF HONG KONG MING WAH SHIPPING CO LTD, MR ROBERT A. HO FAIRMONT SHIPPING (HK) LTD, MR STEVE HSU OF OAK STEAMSHIP CO LTD, MR A.T. RADICA OF ORIENT SHIP MANAGEMENT LTD, MR FRANK W.K. TSAO OF INTERNATIONAL MARITIME CARRIERS LTD, MR C.C. TUNG OF ISLAND NAVIGATION CORPORATION INTERNATIONAL LTD, MR FERNANDO FOK OF WAH KWONG & CO (HK) LTD, CAPTAIN W.A. CODRINGTON OF WORLDWIDE SHIPPING AGENCY LTD AND MR MICHAEL FARLIE OF HONG KONG SHIPOWNERS ASSOCIATION.
MR FARLIE SAID: "WE CAN BE JUSTIFIABLY PROUD OF THE MARITIME RESCUE CO-ORDINATION CENTRE OF THE MARINE DEPARTMENT.
"ITS EQUIPMENT IS THE VERY BEST AND ITS STAFF ARE TOP CALIBRE. THEY HAVE ALREADY EARNED A WELL DESERVED REPUTATION FOR SPEED AND EFFICIENCY IN SEVERAL READL LIFE OR DEATH SITUATIONS."
------0-------
GOVT OFFICIALS TO VISIT CHINA ******
MR DOMINIC S.W. WONG, DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, WILL BE VISITING PEKING AND SHANGHAI FROM OCTOBER 18 TO 27 AT THE INVITATION OF CHINA’S STATE EDUCATION COMMISSION. MR WONG WILL BE ACCOMPANIED BY SEVEN OTHER HONG KONG GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS.
THIS IS ONE OF A SERIES OF VISITS WHICH STARTED A FEW YEARS AGO FOR GENERAL FAMILIARISATION.
-----0------
/30 ........
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 14, 1992
30
NEW FOOTBRIDGE OPENS AT CAUSEWAY BAY
*****
A COVERED FOOTBRIDGE ACROSS HENNESSY ROAD WITH LANDINGS AT PERCIVAL STREET IS OPENED TODAY (WEDNESDAY) AS PART OF A TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT SCHEME IN CAUSEWAY BAY TO IMPROVE THE TRAFFIC AT THE JUNCTION OF THE TWO ROADS.
FOR CONVENIENCE AND COMFORT, ESCALATORS ARE PROVIDED FOR PEDESTRIANS TO GO UP TO THE MAIN DECK OF THE FOOTBRIDGE.
THE FOOTBRIDGE WILL SEPARATE PEDESTRIANS FROM VEHICLES AND THUS ALLOWING A SMOOTHER TRAFFIC FLOW ON BOTH HENNESSY ROAD AND PERCIVAL STREET.
WITH THE OPENING OF THE FOOTBRIDGE, VEHICLES WILL BE ALLOWED TO TURN LEFT FROM PERCIVAL STREET TO HENNESSY ROAD IN MID-NOVEMBER.
IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE FOOTBRIDGE, THE SECTIONS OF HENNESSY ROAD AND PERCIVAL STREET AT THE ROAD JUNCTION ARE ALSO RECONSTRUCTED.
THE OPENING CEREMONY WAS OFFICIATED BY LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLOR AND WANCHAI DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, MRS PEGGY LAM; THE CHAIRMAN OF THE TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT COMMITTEE OF WANCHAI DISTRICT BOARD, MR STEPHEN NG KAM-CHUN; WANCHAI DISTRICT OFFICER, MR PETER MANN; DIRECTOR OF SUN FOO KEE (CIVIL) LTD., MR FAN CHUN-WAH AND REGIONAL HIGHWAY ENGINEER/HONG KONG, MR WONG WAH-LUN.
NOMINATIONS INVITED FOR LAB ELECTION
*******
THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT IS INVITING NOMINATIONS FROM TRADE UNIONS AND EMPLOYERS’ ASSOCIATIONS FOR REPRESENTATIVES TO SIT ON THE LABOUR ADVISORY BOARD (LAB) FOR A NEW TERM OF OFFICE.
LETTERS WERE SENT TO ALL 477 REGISTERED TRADE UNIONS TODAY (WEDNESDAY) INVITING THEM TO NOMINATE CANDIDATES FOR ELECTION AS EMPLOYEES’ REPRESENTATIVES TO THE BOARD IN ITS NEXT SESSION FROM JANUARY 1, 1993 TO DECEMBER 31, 1994.
SEPARATELY, LETTERS WERE ALSO SENT TO FIVE MAJOR EMPLOYERS’ ASSOCIATIONS REQUESTING THEM TO NOMINATE THEIR REPRESENTATIVES.
"THE LAB COMPRISES 12 MEMBERS, SIX EACH ON EMPLOYEES’ AND EMPLOYERS’ SIDES, WITH THE COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR OR HER DEPUTY AS THE EX-OFFICIO CHAIRMAN," SAID THE BOARD’S SECRETARY, MRS TERESA LO.
"FIVE SEATS ON THE EMPLOYEES’ SIDE WILL BE FILLED BY ELECTION TO BE HELD ON DECEMBER 5 ON THE BASIS OF ONE UNION ONE VOTE," MRS LO SAID.
/’’ON THE
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 14, 1992
31
"ON THE EMPLOYERS’ SIDE, FIVE SEATS WILL BE FILLED BY A NOMINATED REPRESENTATIVE EACH FROM THE HONG KONG GENERAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, THE EMPLOYERS’ FEDERATION OF HONG KONG, THE FEDERATION OF HONG KONG INDUSTRIES, THE CHINESE MANUFACTURERS’ ASSOCIATION OF HONG KONG AND THE CHINESE GENERAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE," SHE ADDED.
"THE REMAINING EMPLOYERS’ AND EMPLOYEES’ REPRESENTATIVES WILL BE APPOINTED DIRECTLY BY THE GOVERNMENT," SHE WENT ON.
MRS LO SAID EACH REGISTERED TRADE UNION MIGHT NOMINATE UP TO FIVE CANDIDATES WHO MUST BE PAID-UP MEMBERS.
NOMINATION OF EMPLOYEES’ REPRESENTATIVES SHOULD BE MADE IN A SPECIFIED FORM TO REACH THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT BY NOVEMBER 7.
AS FOR NOMINATION OF EMPLOYERS’ REPRESENTATIVES, MRS LO SAID THE CLOSING DATE WAS DECEMBER 5.
THE LAB IS A TRIPARTITE CONSULTATIVE BODY WHICH ADVISES THE COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR ON LABOUR MATTERS INCLUDING LEGISLATION AND THE APPLICATION OF INTERNATIONAL LABOUR CONVENTIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS.
STARTING FROM THE NEW TERM, MEMBERS OF THE BOARD WILL BE ABLE TO PUT FORWARD SUGGESTIONS FOR INCLUSION IN THE AGENDA OF THE BOARD MEETINGS, SO AS TO ALLOW FREER EXCHANGES OF VIEWS IN THE LAB.
AN ALLOWANCE OF $4,000 PER TERM WILL ALSO BE GIVEN TO EACH MEMBER OF THE BOARD TO HELP MEET THEIR EXPENSES INCURRED ON ACTIVITIES RELATING TO LAB FUNCTIONS.
--------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 HING FAT STREET, NORTH POINT, HONG KONG.
THE SITE WITH AN AREA OF ABOUT 940 SQUARE METRES IS INTENDED FOR WORKS AREA AND/OR OPEN STORAGE (EXCLUDING DANGEROUS GOODS, AGGREGATE, SAND, CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS AND CONTAINERS) AND/OR FEE-PAYING PUBLIC VEHICLE PARK FOR THE PARKING OF MOTOR VEHICLES (EXCLUDING CONTAINER VEHICLES).
THE TENANCY IS FOR NINE MONTHS AND RENEWABLE MONTHLY THEREAFTER.
/CLOSING DATE .......
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 14, 1992
32
CLOSING DATE FOR SUBMISSION OF TENDERS IS NOON ON OCTOBER 30.
FORM OF TENDER, TENDER NOTICE AND CONDITIONS MAY BE OBTAINED FROM AND TENDER PLAN INSPECTED AT, THE DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE, HONG KONG EAST, 19TH FLOOR, SOUTHORN CENTRE, 130 HENNESSY ROAD, HONG KONG, 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.
------0 -------
FINANCE COMMITTEE TO MEET ON FRIDAY * * * * *
THE FINANCE COMMITTEE WILL HOLD A MEETING AT 2.30 PM ON FRIDAY (OCTOBER 16) IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL CHAMBER.
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC' ARE WELCOME TO OBSERVE THE PROCEEDINGS FROM THE CHAMBER’S PUBLIC GALLERY. THEY MAY RESERVE SEATS BY CALLING 869 9492.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
ADVANCE COPIES OF THE COMMITTEE’S PAPERS WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR THE MEDIA FROM 4 PM TOMORROW (THURSDAY) AT THE PRESS ROOM ON THE FIRST FLOOR IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL BUILDING. PLEASE NOTE THAT THE PAPERS WILL BE EMBARGOED FOR USE UNTIL THE MEETING ENDS.
------o--------
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS *****
$ MILLION
OPENING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT 1,500
REVERASL OF LAF NIL
BALANCE AFTER REVERSAL OF LAF 1,500
NET INJECTION/WITHDRAWAL TODAY NIL
EFFECT OF LAF TODAY NIL
CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT 1,500
LAF RATE 2.00 BID/4.00 OFFER TWI 110.6 *-0.2* 14.10.92
/HONG KONG .......
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 14, 1992
33
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND
EF BILLS HONG KONG GOVERNMENT BONDS
TERMS YIELD TERM ISSUE COUPON PRICE YIELD
1 WEEK 2.62 PCT 13 MONTHS 2311 6.25 103.05 3.41
1 MONTH 2.70 PCT 16 MONTHS 2402 5.50 102.55 3.56
3 MONTHS 2.78 PCT 19 MONTHS 2405 5.502 102.58 3.85
6 MONTHS 2.85 PCT 22 MONTHS 2408 4.375 100.68 4.03
12 MONTHS 3.33 PCT
TOTAL TURNOVER OF BILLS AND BONDS - 2,727 MN
CLOSED 14 OCTOBER 1992
--------0 -----------
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 15, 1992
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
A PLEDGE OF QUALITY PUBLIC SERVICE ................................. 1
MAJOR RECLAMATION PROJECTS OUTLINED ................................ 2
AMBIGUITIES OVER ISSUE AND TRADING OF WARRANTS TO BE CLARIFIED ..... 4
UNEMPLOYMENT AND UNDEREMPLOYMENT STATISTICS FOR JUNE - AUGUST 1992 5
SALE AND PURCHASE AGREEMENTS OF FLATS IN SEPTEMBER ................. 6
CONTRACT SIGNED FOR TRANSMISSION PIPELINES FOR CHINA WATER ......... 7
CONTRACT FOR TIN SHUI WAI INFRASTRUCTURAL WORKS AWARDED............. 8
SHOOTING INCIDENT INVOLVING SMUGGLING .............................. 9
MAJORITY OF REDUNDANT TUNNEL STAFF RE-EMPLOYED ..................... 10
CONSULTANCY SERVICES TO IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT ..................... 11
CAMPAIGN TO ENHANCE FACTORY SAFETY ................................. 11
EXHIBITION TO BOOST EMPLOYMENT OF THE DISABLED ..................... 12
SHAM SHUI PO DISTRICT FESTIVAL ..................................... 13
WAN CHAI FESTIVAL PHOTO AND CHINESE PAINTINGS DISPLAY .............. 14
WEATHER OF SEPTEMBER ............................................... 14
GRADING OF BEACH WATER QUALITY ..................................... 18
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS ......... 22
THURSDAY, 15 OCTOBER 1992
A PLEDGE OF QUALITY PUBLIC SERVICE
* * * *
THE PUBLIC ARE ENTITLED TO RECEIVE THE BEST SERVICE POSSIBLE FROM GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS, THE HEAD OF THE EFFICIENCY UNIT, MR ROBERT FOOTMAN, SAID TODAY (THURSDAY).
SPEAKING AT A PRESS CONFERENCE TO ELABORATE ON THE PERFORMANCE PLEDGES PROGRAMME ANNOUNCED BY THE GOVERNOR IN HIS POLICY SPEECH, MR FOOTMAN SAID THE PROGRAMME UNDERWROTE THE GOVERNMENT’S COMMITMENT TO OPENNESS, ACCOUNTABILITY AND GOOD STANDARDS OF SERVICE.
"UNDER THE PROGRAMME, ALL GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS WHICH PROVIDE SERVICES TO THE PUBLIC WILL, OVER TIME, PRODUCE PERFORMANCE PLEDGES TO THE PUBLIC WHICH SPELL OUT CLEARLY WHAT SERVICES ARE AVAILABLE AND WHAT STANDARDS HAVE BEEN SET, SO THAT MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC' WILL KNOW WHETHER SUCH STANDARDS HAVE BEEN ACHIEVED AND WHAT TO DO IF THEY ARE NOT," MR FOOTMAN SAID.
HE NOTED THAT THE GOVERNMENT HAD ALREADY DONE A GREAT DEAL TO PROVIDE THE COMMUNITY WITH GOOD PUBLIC SERVICES. THE PERFORMANCE PLEDGE INITIATIVE WOULD PROVIDE A SHARPER FOCUS AND STRONGER IMPETUS TO THESE EFFORTS.
HE SAID THAT THE PERFORMANCE PLEDGES WOULD ENABLE THE PUBLIC TO JUDGE FOR THEMSELVES, BASED ON CLEAR CRITERIA, HOW WELL THEY WERE BEING SERVED.
THE FIRST BATCH OF PERFORMANCE PLEDGES IOR A SELECTED NUMBER OF DEPARTMENTS AND AGENCIES WOULD BE PUBLISHED WITHIN THREE MONTHS. THE SCOPE OF THE PLEDGES WOULD INCLUDE:
- INLAND REVENUE, FIRE SERVICES AND TRADE - ACROSS THE RANGE OF ACTIVITIES FOR WHICH THE\ ARE THE LEAD DEPARTMENTS;
- TRANSPORT - VEHICLE AND DRIVING LICENCES, WHICH MAKE UP SOME 75 PER CENT OF THEIR FEE-PAYING TRANSACTIONS;
- IMMIGRATION - SERVICES PROVIDED AT CONTROL POINTS AND BIRTHS, DEATHS AND MARRIAGE REGISTRIES;
- HEALTH - SERVICES PROVIDED IN HOSPITAL AUTHORITY’S SPECIALIST (LINH’S AND THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH’S GENERAL OUT-PATIENT CLINICS;
- POLICE - SERVICES IN RESPONSE TO CALLS FOR EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE.
MR FOOTMAN SAID ACTION WAS IN HAND TO IDENTIFY THE SECOND BATCH OF DEPARTMENTS TO PARTICIPATE IN PERFORMANCE PLEDGES, WHICH WOULD BE A PERMANENT FEATURE OF THE PUBLIC SERVICE.
HE SAID PERFORMANCE PLEDGES INCORPORATED THE CONCEPT OF A "USER’S COMMITTEE", WHERE THESE COULD HELP MONITOR THE PLEDGES. THE COMMITTEES WOULD CONSIST MAINLY OF MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC AND COULD BE BASED ON EXISTING COMMITTEES.
/"THESE COMMITTEES .......
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 15, 1992
2
’’THESE COMMITTEES WILL HAVE AN IMPORTANT ROLE IN ENSURING THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE PROGRAMME,” HE SAID.
ANOTHER KEY FEATURE OF THE PROGRAMME IS TO INSTIL IN THE PUBLIC SERVICE A CULTURE WHICH REGARDS THE PUBLIC AS CLIENTS WITH RIGHTS.
DEPUTY SECRETARY FOR THE CIVIL SERVICE, MR W K LAM, WHO WAS ALSO PRESENT AT THE NEWS CONFERENCE, SAID THE CIVIL SERVICE BRANCH HAD COMMENCED WORK ON THE BASIC ELEMENTS OF THE NEW CLIENT-BASED CULTURE. THIS CULTURE SHOULD INFUSE EVERY AREA OF GOVERNMENT ACTIVITIES.
MR LAM SAID MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WERE ENTITLED TO EXPECT COURTEOUS AND HELPFUL SERVICE FROM CIVIL SERVANTS. CIVIL SERVANTS DEALING WITH THE PUBLIC WOULD BE REQUIRED TO IDENTIFY THEMSELVES BY NAME AND CORRESPONDENCE FROM THE PUBLIC WOULD RECEIVE AT LEAST AN INTERIM REPLY WITHIN 10 DAYS.
’’TRAINING COURSES WILL BE CONDUCTED TO HELP THE CIVIL SERVICE ESTABLISH NEW STANDARDS OF COURTESY AND HELPFULNESS. SERVICE ENVIRONMENT WILL ALSO BE REVIEWED TO ESTABLISH A PROGRAMME OF IMPROVEMENTS,” MR LAM SAID.
HE EMPHASISED THAT PUBLIC PARTICIPATION IN THE PROGRAMME WAS ESSENTIAL TO ITS SUCCESS, AND CALLED ON MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC TO PARTICIPATE BY PROVIDING FEEDBACK TO DEPARTMENTS AND SUGGESTING IMPROVEMENTS.
---------0-----------
MAJOR RECLAMATION PROJECTS OUTLINED it***
THE DIRECTOR OF TERRITORY DEVELOPMENT, MR CHOW CHE-KING, TODAY (THURSDAY) OUTLINED MAJOR URBAN RECLAMATION PROJECTS WHICH WOULD BE CARRIED OUT ALONG THE NORTHERN SHORE OF HONG KONG ISLAND IN THIS DECADE.
SPEAKING AT A LUNCHEON MEETING OF THE ROTARY CLUB OF HONG KONG NORTH, MR CHOW SAID THESE PROJECTS WERE AIMED AT REDUCING EXCESSIVE DENSITIES IN CONGESTED DISTRICTS AND RESTRUCTURING THE CITY FORM TO CREATE A BETTER PLACE IN WHICH TO LIVE AND WORK.
THEY INCLUDED THE CENTRAL XND WAN CHAI RECLAMATION, THE STU SAI WAN RECLAMATION, THE ALDRICH BAY RECLAMATION AND THE GREEN ISLAND RECLAMATION.
HE SAID THE CENTRAL AND WAN CHAI RECLAMATION EXTENDED ALONG THE WATERFRONT FROM SHEUNG WAN' EAS'I OF THE MACAU FERRY TERMINAL TO CAUSEWAY BAY NORTH OF VICTORIA PARK.
IT COVERS A TOTAL DEVELOPMENT AREA OF 169 HECTARES, OF WHICH 108 HECTARES ARE PROVIDED FOR VARIOUS LAND USES.
/HE SAID .......
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 15, 1992
3
HE SAID DEVELOPMENT ON THE RECLAIMED LAND WOULD INCLUDE THE EXPANSION OF THE CENTRAL BUSINESS DISTRICT NORTHWARD TO THE NEW WATERFRONT FOR A HIGH-PROFILE COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENT; A TRUNK ROAD LINKING THE FUTURE ROUTE 7 TO THE WEST WITH THE ISLAND EASTERN CORRIDOR TO THE EAST; A MASS TRANSIT LINE CONNECTING BOTH THE MTR ISLAND LINE AND ACROSS THE HARBOUR TO THE KOWLOON MTR LINE.
HE SAID ABOUT 21 HECTARES WOULD BE DEVOTED TO GOVERNMENT/INSTITUTIONAL USES PLUS ANOTHER 24 HECTARES RESERVED FOR LANDSCAPED OPEN SPACE DEVELOPMENT.
A CONTINUOUS PROMENADE WILL RUN ALL THE WAY ALONG THE NEW WATERFRONT TOGETHER WITH A LEISURE BASIN IN THE MIDDLE.
THESE WILL MEET THE MUCH-NEEDED DEMAND IN COMMUNITY FACILITIES AND IMPROVE THE EXISTING ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS IN THE ADJOINING CROWDED DISTRICT.
"ALTHOUGH HOUSING DEVELOPMENT IS NOT CONSIDERED A MAJOR REQUIREMENT IN THIS AREA, HOWEVER, SOME ATTRACTIVE RESIDENTIAL SITES FACING THE HARBOUR ARE ALLOWED FOR. A SMALL POPULATION UP TO 10,000 ONLY," HE SAID.
MR CHOW SAID THE PROJECTS WOULD BE DEVELOPED IN PHASES AND THAT THE TOTAL PROJECT COST WAS ESTIMATED TO BE OVER $20 BILLION AT CURRENT PRICES AND THE OVERALL PROGRAMME WOULD STRETCH OVER A 10-YEAR PERIOD INTO THE BEGINNING OF THE NEXT CENTURY.
ON THE SIU SAI WAN RECLAMATION, MR CHOW SAID THE SITE WAS ONE IN THE FIRST BATCH OF URBAN RECLAMATION SELECTED FOR HOUSING DEVELOPMENT.
THE 23 HECTARES OF RECLAIMED LAND WILL PROVIDE SITE FOR RESIDENTIAL, COMMERCIAL, OPEN SPACE AND GOVERNMENT/COMMUNITY USES.
HE ADDED THAT RECLAMATION OF THE AREA HAD BEEN COMPLETED AT THE; END OF’ LAST YEAR AND ONE MAJOR PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATE HAD BEEN DEVELOPED BY THE HOUSING AUTHORITY.
REFERRING TO THE ALDRICH BAY RECLAMATION, MR CHOW SAID IT COVERED ABOUT 19 HECTARES OF RECLAIMED LAND IN THE EXISTING TYPHOON SHELTER AND PROVIDED FOR RESIDENTIAL, OPEN SPACE AND OTHER USES TO IMPROVE COMMUNITY FACILITIES IN THE SHAU KEI WAN DISTRICT.
PUBLIC HOUSING WILL ACCOMMODATE THE BULK OF A POPULATION OF 23,000 PLANNED FOR THE AREA.
"THE OVERALL DEVELOPMENT IS EXPECTED TO COMPLETE AT THE END OF 1999," HE ADDED.
MR CHOW SAID ANOTHER MAJOR RECLAMATION WAS THE GREEN ISLAND RECLAMATION ON THE NORTH SIDE OF HONG KONG ISLAND ADJOINING KENNEDY TOWN.
"THIS PROPOSED GREEN ISLAND RECLAMATION IS TO BE FORMED BY RECLAIMING THE TRIANGULAR PORTION OF THE SEA ENCLOSED BY GREEN ISLAND AND THE NORTH-WESTERN SHORE OF HONG KONG ISLAND.
/"THE AREA .......
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 15, 1992
4
’’THE AREA IS APPROXIMATELY 187 HECTARES AND PROVIDES SITES FOR HOUSING AND OTHER COMMUNITY NEEDS, AS WELL AS LAND FOR EXTENSION OF TRANSPORT NETWORK THAT LINKS UP THE AREA WITH THE WESTERN HARBOUR CROSSING AND THE FUTURE STRATEGIC ROUTE LEADING TO THE PORT PENINSULA AND NORTH LANTAU,” HE SAID.
HE SAID 54 HECTARES OF THE RECLAIMED LAND WOULD BE USED FOR RESIDENTIAL PURPOSE FOR A POPULATION OF 110,000 WHILE ANOTHER 44 HECTARES WERE RESERVED FOR OPEN SPACES AND PARKS.
MEANWHILE, WHILE THE OVERALL PROGRAMME WAS NOT FINALISED, MR CHOW SAID AN INITIAL AREA AT BELCHER BAY WOULD BE RECLAIMED NEXT YEAR FOR CONSTRUCTION OF A DUAL CARRIAGEWAY TO LINK UP THE EXISTING UPGRADED CONNAUGHT ROAD WEST WITH SMITHFIELD IN KENNEDY TOWN.
THE COST FOR THE WHOLE PROJECT WAS IN THE ORDER OF $8 BILLION AT CURRENT PRICES.
’’THE IMPLEMENTATION PERIOD WILL LIKELY STRETCH BEYOND THE END OF THIS CENTURY,” HE ADDED.
MR CHOW SAID AFTER SEVERAL YEARS OF INTENSIVE PLANNING, THERE WOULD BE A LOT MORE DEVELOPMENT WORK GOING ON ALONG THE NORTHERN SHORE OF HONG KONG ISLAND IN THIS DECADE.
’’WITH THE CLOSE CO-OPERATION BETWEEN THE PRIVATE AND SECTORS IN THE PAST CONTNUING, WE, RESIDENTS OF HONG KONG, WITNESS GREATER PROSPERITY AND BETTER QUALITY OF LIFE IN THE TO COME AND REAP THE REWARDS OF OUR EFFORTS TODAY," HE SAID.
PUBLIC
W I LL DECADE
- - 0-----------
AMBIGUITIES OVER ISSUE AND
TRADING OF WARRANTS TO BE CLARIFIED
******
THE GOVERNMENT IS INTRODUCING A BILL WHICH SEEKS TO EXEMPT CERTAIN CONTRACTS FOR DIFFERENCES FROM THE APPLICATION OF THE GAMBLING ORDINANCE, THE SECRETARY FOR MONETARY AFFAIRS, MR DAVID NENDICK, SAID TODAY (THURSDAY).
THE GAMBLING (AMENDMENT) BILL 1992, TO BE GAZETTED TOMORROW, AIMS TO CLARIFY CERTAIN EXISTING LEGAL AMBIGUITIES RELATING TO THE ISSUE AND TRADING OF CERTAIN CONTRACTS FOR DIFFERENCES.
THE BILL PROPOSES TO DISAPPLY THE GAMBLING ORDINANCE TO ANY CONTRACTS FOR DIFFERENCES WHICH IS:
(A) LISTED ON THE STOCK EXCHANGE OF HONG KONG;
(B) ENTERED INTO AS THE RESULT OF AN ADVERTISEMENT, INVITATION OR DOCUMENT WHICH IS EXCLUDED FROM THE APPLICATION OF SECTION 4 (1) OF THE PROTECTION OF INVESTORS ORDINANCE;
(C) ENTERED INTO BY AN EXEMPT DEALER OR A DEALER REGISTERED UNDER SECURITIES ORDINANCE; OR
(D) ENTERED INTO ......
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 15, 1992
5
(D) ENTERED INTO BY A DEALER REGISTERED UNDER THE COMMODITIES TRADING ORDINANCE.
"THE PROPOSED MOVE IS A POSITIVE STEP TOWARDS DEVELOPING HONG KONG AS AN ATTRACTIVE MARKET FOR WARRANTS AND OTHER CONTRACTS FOR DIFFERENCES," MR NENDICK SAID.
CERTAIN CONTRACTS FOR DIFFERENCES, SUCH AS CURRENCY WARRANTS, COMMODITY WARRANTS, INDEX WARRANTS HAVE BECOME INCREASINGLY POPULAR IN THE EUROPEAN MARKETS IN THE PAST FEW YEARS.
"DESPITE THE CONSIDERABLE INVESTOR DEMAND POTENTIAL FOR THEM IN HONG KONG, THE DEVELOPMENT OF THIS MARKET HAS BEEN RATHER LIMITED IN THE TERRITORY," MR NENDICK SAID.
"ONE OF THE MAIN OBSTACLES IS THE LIMITATION IMPOSED BY THE GAMBLING ORDINANCE," HE NOTED.
"THESE TYPES OF WARRANTS HAVE CHARACTERISTICS OF GAMBLING WHICH COULD BRING THEM WITHIN THE DEFINITION AS DESCRIBED IN THE GAMBLING ORDINANCE,"
"THE ISSUE AND TRADING OF SUCH WARRANTS IN HONG KONG, OTHER THAN BY AUTHORISED INSTITUTIONS UNDER THE BANKING ORDINANCE, WHICH ARE EXEMPT FROM THE GAMBLING ORDINANCE, MAY BE A CRIMINAL OFFENCE," MR NENDICK SAID.
THE GAMBLING ORDINANCE MAY ALSO POSE A PROBLEM FOR TRANSACTIONS RELATING TO THOSE OTHER CONTRACTS FOR DIFFERENCES WHICH ARE ESSENTIALLY PRODUCTS SETTLED BY PAYMENT OF CASH DIFFERENCES, SUCH AS CASH-SETTLED OPTIONS ON SHARES OR OTHER SECURITIES.
"HOWEVER, WE SEE NO REASON WHY ISSUERS OTHER THAN AUTHORISED INSTITUTIONS SHOULD NOT BE ABLE TO ENTER INTO SUCH CONTRACTS FOR DIFFERENCES," MR NENDICK SAID.
THE SECURITIES AND FUTURES COMMISSION AND THE CAPITAL MARKETS ASSOC IATION'WERE CONSULTED ON THESE LEGISLATIVE AMENDMENTS.
THE BILL WILL BE INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON OCTOBER 28.
-----0-------
UNEMPLOYMENT AND UNDEREMPLOYMENT STATISTICS FOR JUNE - AUGUST 1992
*****
THE SEASONALLY ADJUSTED UNEMPLOYMENT RATE AND THE UNDEREMPLOYMENT RATE FOR JUNE - AUGUST 1992 WERE BOTH 2.0%, ACCORDING TO THE LATEST LABOUR FORCE STATISTICS RELEASED TODAY (THURSDAY) BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
THE PROVISIONAL SEASONALLY ADJUSTED UNEMPLOYMENT RATE AND THE PROVISIONAL UNDEREMPLOYMENT RATE FOR THE PERIOD JULY - SEPTEMBER 1992 WERE BOTH 1.9%.
/THE LATEST .......
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 15, 1992
6
THE LATEST FIGURES SUGGEST THAT THE LABOUR MARKET HAS CONTINUED TO TIGHTEN IN RECENT MONTHS, AS BOTH THE UNEMPLOYMENT RATE AND THE UNDEREMPLOYMENT RATE EDGED LOWER.
DURING THE PERIOD JUNE - AUGUST 1992, THE NUMBER OF UNEMPLOYED PERSONS, ADJUSTED FOR VARIATIONS IN THE NUMBER OF FIRST-TIME JOBSEEKERS, WAS ESTIMATED AT 54,600, WHILE THE NUMBER OF UNDEREMPLOYED PERSONS WAS ESTIMATED AT 56,800.
THE UNEMPLOYMENT AND UNDEREMPLOYMENT STATISTICS WERE OBTAINED FROM A CONTINUOUS GENERAL HOUSEHOLD SURVEY CONDUCTED BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
THE SURVEY FOR JUNE - AUGUST 1992 COVERED \ QUARTERLY SAMPLE OF SOME 11,800 HOUSEHOLDS OR 41,100 PERSONS, SELECTED SCIENTIFICALLY TO REPRESENT THE LAND-BASED CIVILIAN NON-INSTITUTIONAL POPULATION IN HONG KONG.
RELEVANT DATA WERE OBTAINED IN THE SURVEY BY INTERVIEWING EACH INDIVIDUAL MEMBER AGED 15 AND ABOVE IN THE HOUSEHOLDS SAMPLED.
IN THE SURVEY, THE DEFINITIONS USED IN MEASURING UNEMPLOYMENT AND UNDEREMPLOYMENT FOLLOW CLOSELY THOSE RECOMMENDED BY THE 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 SEPTEMBER 1992 WILL BE AVAILABLE FROM THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS SALES CENTRE, GROUND FLOOR, GENERAL POST OFFICE BUILDING, CONNAUGHT PLACE, CENTRAL AROUND DECEMBER 21 AT $15.50 PER COPY.
---------0-----------
SALE AND PURCHASE AGREEMENTS OF FLATS IN SEPTEMBER
*****
THE TOTAL NUMBER OF SALE AND PURCHASE AGREEMENTS OF FLATS REGISTERED IN THE LAND OFFICE IN SEPTEMBER DECREASED BY 6.8% COMPARED WITH THE PREVIOUS MONTH AND BY 25.6% COMPARED WITH SEPTEMBER LAST YEAR.
IN ALL, 11,745 SUCH AGREEMENTS WERE REGISTERED DURING THE MONTH. THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF THE CONSIDERATIONS INVOLVED WAS ABOUT $30.86 BILLION.
THESE FIGURES WERE INCLUDED IN THE MONTHLY STATISTICS ON PROPERTY TRANSACTIONS REGISTERED IN THE URBAN AND NEW TERRITORIES LAND REGISTRIES RELEASED TODAY (THURSDAY) BY THE REGISTRAR GENERAL.
THERE WERE SIX BUILDING MORTGAGES AND 14,946 OTHER MORTGAGES REGISTERED IN THE MONTH, COMPARED TO 10 AND 19,189 RESPECTIVELY IN SEPTEMBER, 1991.
/THE TOTAL ......
7
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 15, 1992
THE TOTAL AMOUNT SECURED UNDER NEW BUILDING MORTGAGES IN THE MONTH WAS ABOUT 0.53 BILLION COMPARED WITH ABOUT $0.92 BILLION IN SEPTEMBER, 1991.
THE TOTAL AMOUNT SECURED UNDER NEW MORTGAGES IN THE MONTH OTHER THAN BUILDING MORTGAGES DROPPED BY 17% FROM ABOUT $7.23 BILLION IN SEPTEMBER 1991 TO ABOUT $6.01 BILLION IN SEPTEMBER, 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 MORTGAGE’S RECEIPTS, INCREASED BY 13.9% FROM ABOUT $3.42 BILLION IN SEPTEMBER 1991 TO ABOUT $3.89 BILLION IN SEPTEMBER, 1992.
MEANWHILE, DETAILS OF LAND OFFICE CONSENTS GIVEN TO ENTER INTO AGREEMENTS FOR SALES AND PURCHASES OF UNCOMPLETED BUILDINGS WERE ALSO RELEASED.
LAST MONTH, FOUR SUCH CONSENTS WERE GRANTED INVOLVING 1,546 UNITS IN THE URBAN AREAS AND 2,995 UNITS IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.
--------0-----------
CONTRACT SIGNED FOR TRANSMISSION PIPELINES FOR CHINA WATER * * * * *
THE WATER SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT TODAY (THURSDAY) SIGNED A $337 MILLION CONTRACI FOR THE SUPPLY AND LAYING OF WATER TRANSMISSION PIPELINES BETWEEN THE PUMPING STATIONS AT MUK WU AND TAI PO TAU IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.
THIS IS THE SEVENTH IN A SERIES OF CONTRACTS FOR THE CHINA WATER SUPPLY PROJECT WHICH PROVIDES FOR STAGED EXPANSION OF FACILITIES TO RECEIVE AND TRANSFER ADDITIONAL WATER SUPPLY FROM CHINA.
ON COMPLETION OF THE EXPANSION, THE RECEPTION AND TRANSFER CAPACITY WILL BE INCREASED FROM THE EXISTING 620 MILLION CUBIC METRES PER YEAR TO 1,100 MILLION CUBIC METRES PER YEAR.
STAGE I OF THE PROJECT, MILLION, COVERS ALL THE MAJOR EARLY 1995.
AT AN ESTIMATED TOTAL COST OF $2,092
WORKS REQUIRED FOR COMMISSIONING BY
MUK WU IS THE FOREMOST POINT IN THE TERRITORY’S CHINA WATER RECEPTION AND TRANSFER SYSTEM WHERE WATER RECEIVED WILL BE TRANSFERRED ALONG THREE MAJOR ROUTES TO THE WESTERN, CENTRAL AND EASTERN PARTS OF THE TERRITORY.
THE CENTRAL ROUTE IS MADE UP OF LARGE DIAMETER PIPELINES THAT RUN FROM MUK WU TO TAI PO TAU, VIA SHEUNG SHUI AND FANLING.
THE CONTRACT INCLUDES THE SUPPLY AND LAYING OF 14.5 KILOMETRES OF STEEL PIPELINES, WHICH ARE WITH DIAMETERS OF 2.2 AND 2.4 METRES FOR THE ROUTE. ’
/THE PIPELINES .......
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 15, 1992
8
THE PIPELINES WILL RUN IN PARALLEL WITH THE EXISTING ONES TO AUGMENT THE TRANSFER OF CHINA WATER TO TAI PO TAU PUMPING STATION AND TO PLOVER COVE RESERVOIR BY FEEDING INTO THE EXISTING NAM CHUNG AQUEDUCT OFF A BRANCH AT RIVER INDUS.
WORKS ON THIS CONTRACT WILL TAKE ABOUT 24 MONTHS TO COMPLETE.
THE CONTRACT WAS SIGNED BY THE DIRECTOR OF WATER SUPPLIES, MR HU MAN-SHIU, ON BEHALF OF THE GOVERNMENT AND A REPRESENTATIVE OF THE GUANGDONG WATER CONSERVANCY AND HYDRO-POWER ENGINEERING DEVELOPMENT COMPANY LIMITED.
-----0------
CONTRACT FOR TIN SHUI WAI INFRASTRUCTURAL WORKS AWARDED
*****
THE TERRITORY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT TODAY (THURSDAY) SIGNED A $217.3 MILLION CONTRACT FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE TIN SHUI WAI WEST ACCESS.
THE CONTRACT WAS SIGNED BETWEEN THE PROJECT MANAGER OF THE DEPARTMENT’S NORTH WEST NEW TERRITORIES DEVELOPMENT OFFICE, MR BERNARD LAM, AND A REPRESENTATIVE OF SUNG FOO KEE (CIVIL) LIMITED, WHICH HAS BEEN AWARDED THE CONTRACT.
THE PROJECT IS PART OF THE CONTINUING DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME FOR THE NEW TOWN AND IS THE LAST MAJOR INFRASTRUCTURE CONTRACT FOR THE DEVELOPMENT.
THE SCOPE OF THE CONTRACT INCLUDES THE UPGRADING OF THE EXISTING HUNG TIN ROAD TO A DUAL TWO-LANE CARRIAGEWAY, FORMING A GRADE SEPARATED INTERCHANGE AT HUNG SHUI KIU.
IT ALSO INVOLVES EXTENDING HUNG TIN ROAD BY A FLYOVER ACROSS CASTLE PEAK ROAD TO CONNECT THE YUEN LONG - TUEN MUN EASTERN CORRIDOR THROUGH A TRUMPET INTERCHANGE AT TAI TO TSUEN.
CONSTRUCTION WORK WILL BEGIN NEXT WEEK AND WILL BE COMPLETED BY AUGUST 1995.
ON COMPLETION, THE PROJECT WILL PROVIDE A DIRECT LINK BETWEEN TIN SHUI WAI NEW TOWN AND THE YUEN LONG - TUEN MUN EASTERN CORRIDOR WHICH IS BEING BUILT BY THE HIGHWAYS DEPARTMENT AND IS SCHEDULED FOR COMPLETION NEXT SEPTEMBER.
--------0-----------
/9.........
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 15, 1992
9
SHOOTING INCIDENT INVOLVING SMUGGLING
*****
THE FOLLOWING STATEMENT WAS MADE BY LIEUTENANT COMMANDER DAVID CAREY, COMMANDING OFFICER OF HMS PEACOCK, AT A NEWS CONFERENCE TODAY (THURSDAY).
"AT 10.45 PM LAST NIGHT (WEDNESDAY) THE ROYAL NAVY PATROL CRAFT HMS PEACOCK WAS CONDUCTING A JOINT ANT I-SMUGGLING OPERATION WITH THE MARINE HARBOUR DIVISION OF THE ROYAL HONG KONG POLICE WHEN SHE OBSERVED A GROUP OF "TAI FEIS" CONFIGURED FOR SMUGGLING LOITERING SOUTH OF KAU YI CHAU. TWO FAST PURSUIT CRAFT (FPC’S) WERE LAUNCHED FROM PEACOCK TO INVESTIGATE AND ATTEMPT INTERCEPTION.
A ROYAL NAVY RATING FROM ONE OF THE FPC’S JUMPED ABOARD ONE OF THE TAI FEIS AS IT TRIED TO SPEED AWAY AND ATTEMPTED TO CUT THE FUEL SUPPLY TO THE 10-METRE VESSEL’S FIVE LARGE OUTBOARD ENGINES TO IMMOBILISE IT.
IN THE COURSE OF THIS ACTION HE WAS SUBJECTED TO A SERIES OF ATTACKS BY TWO OF THE FOUR MEN CREW WIELDING WEAPONS. KNIVES AND A 10-FOOT POLE WERE LATER RECOVERED AT THE SCENE. BY THIS TIME THE TAI FEI WAS MAKING 50-60 KNOTS HEADING SOUTH OUT OF THE HONG KONG WATERS.
DURING THE INCIDENT, THE RATING RECEIVED BRUISES AND LACERATIONS. HE FELT SO THREATENED THAT HE DREW HIS PEfSONAL WEAPON -A 9MM PISTOL - AND FIRED THREE SHOTS IN SELF DEFENCE AT HIS ASSAILANTS AS THE ATTACKS CONTINUED. AS A RESULT OF THIS ONE OF THE MEN RECEIVED A BULLET WOUND IN HIS ARM AND THE OTHER WAS WOUNDED IN THE LEG.
BOTH MEN JUMPED INTO THE SEA, WHILE THE REMAINING TWO ON THE TAI FEI WERE OVERPOWERED AND DETAINED. AFTER AN EXTENSIVE SEARCH BY ROYAL NAVY AND MARINE POLICE CRAFT, THE TWO MEN WERE LOCATED ON THE SHORE OF HEI LING CHAU.
THE FOUR MEN, ALL MAINLANDERS AT LEAST ONE OF WHOM CARRYING A LARGE SUM OF MONEY, WERE ARRESTED BY POLICE.
THE TWO INJURED CHINESE WERE TAKEN TO QUEEN MARY’S HOSPITAL SUFFERING FROM GUNSHOT WOUNDS. THE RN RATING WAS TREATED AT QUEEN ELIZABETH HOSPITAL FOR CUTS, BRUISES AND OTHER INJURIES.
ROYAL HONG KONG POLICE AND MILITARY INQUIRIES INTO THE INCIDENT ARE CONTINUING."
------0-----------
/10........
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 15, 1992
10
MAJORITY OF REDUNDANT TUNNEL STAFF RE-EMPLOYED
*****
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY (THURSDAY) THAT OF THE 311 OFFICERS AFFECTED BY THE CONTRACTING OUT OF THE MANAGEMENT AND OPERATION OF THE FOUR REMAINING GOVERNMENT TUNNELS, 162 HAVE BEEN REDEPLOYED TO OTHER GRADES IN VARIOUS GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS.
ONE HUNDRED AND THIRTY-TWO OF THEM HAVE ALREADY TAKEN UP THEIR NEW POSTS. THE REMAINING OFFICERS ARE EXPECTED TO TAKE UP THE OFFERS SHORTLY.
HE SAID THE MAJORITY OF THE TRANSPORT ASSISTANTS, WHO MADE UP THE LARGEST GROUP OF STAFF AFFECTED, HAVE TAKEN UP APPOINTMENTS AS CLERICAL ASSISTANTS AND OFFICE ASSISTANTS IN VARIOUS DEPARTMENTS.
A FAIR NUMBER HAVE JOINED THE URBAN SERVICES AND REGIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENTS AS FOREMEN AND THE REMAINING HAVE JOINED OTHER DEPARTMENTS IN VARIOUS CAPACITIES.
WORKMEN AFFECTED HAVE ALL BEEN REDEPLOYED TO OTHER DEPARTMENTS. MORE THAN HALF OF THE COOKS HAVE ALSO BEEN REDEPLOYED.
THE MAJORITY OF TRANSPORT CONTROLLERS HAVE OPTED FOR RETIREMENT.
A LARGE NUMBER OF THEM ARE EXPECTED TO JOIN THE TWO CONTRACTORS TAKING OVER THE OPERATION OF THE TUNNELS.
A SMALL NUMBER OF THESE OFFICERS WILL BE TRANSFERRED TO A NEW MONITORING TEAM IN THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT.
EFFORTS WILL CONTINUE TO BE MADE TO FIND SUITABLE POSTS FOR STAFF WHO HAVE INDICATED THEIR WISH TO BE REDEPLOYED BUT HAVE NOT YET BEEN OFFERED ANY APPOINTMENT.
’’ALTOGETHER, 122 OFFICERS IN THE VARIOUS GRADES HAVE OPTED FOR RETIREMENT. AS 162 OFFICERS HAVE ALREADY BEEN REDEPLOYED OR OFFERED APPOINTMENT, THE NUMBER OF OFFICERScTO BE MADE REDUNDANT WILL BE LESS THAN 30.
WITH OUR CONTINUING EFFORTS TO FIND JOBS FOR THESE STAFF, HOPEFULLY THE EVENTUAL NUMBER MAY BE FURTHER REDUCED,” THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
------0------------
/Il........
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 15, 1992
11
CONSULTANCY SERVICES TO IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT * * * * *
THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT TODAY (THURSDAY) AWARDED A HK$3.8 MILLION CONTRACT FOR THE PROVISION OF CONSULTANCY SERVICES FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE DEPARTMENT’S INFORMATION SYSTEMS STRATEGY.
THE CONTRACT WAS SIGNED BY THE DIRECTOR OF IMMIGRATION, MR LAURENCE M Y LEUNG, AND THE SENIOR PARTNER OF PRICE WATERHOUSE MANAGEMENT CONSULTANTS, MR DAVID JAMES HUMANN, AT A CEREMONY AT THE DEPARTMENT’S HEADQUARTERS.
AFTER SIGNING THE CONTRACT, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID THE CONSULTANCY WOULD BEGIN IN EARLY NEXT MONTH AND BE COMPLETED IN JUNE NEXT YEAR. THERE WOULD BE THREE ANNUAL REVIEWS, EACH LASTS FOR ABOUT FOUR WEEKS.
HE SAID THE MAIN TASKS OF THE CONSULTANTS WERE TO IDENTIFY OPPORTUNITIES OF IMPROVEMENT IN EFFICIENCY AND EFFECTIVENESS, TO ADVISE ON THE REDESIGN OF THE WORK PROCESSES AND PRACTICES, AND TO PROPOSE IMPLEMENTATION APPROACH TO TIE IN WITH THE DEVELOPMENT OF NEW COMPUTER SYSTEMS UNDER THE INFORMATION SYSTEMS STRATEGY.
HE ALSO SAID THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THESE NEW COMPUTER SYSTEMS COUPLED WITH STREAMLINED WORK PROCEDURES WOULD SPEED UP PROCESSING TIME AND ENHANCE THE MANPOWER PRODUCTIVITY.
"IT WILL ENABLE US TO FURTHER IMPROVE THE PROVISION OF SERVICES TO THE PUBLIC AND ALSO TO ACHIEVE A STAFF SAVING OF NOT LESS THAN 600 POSTS.
"THIS IS IN LINE WITH THE DIRECTIVES GIVEN BV THE GOVERNOR IN HIS POLICY SPEECH REGARDING A MORE EFFICIENT CIVIL SERVICE AND PERFORMANCES PLEDGES BY GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS", THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
- - 0 - -
CAMPAIGN TO ENHANCE FACTORY SAFETY
***♦•♦*
THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT TODAY (THURSDAY) LAUNCHED AN EXTENSIVE FIRE AND CHEMICAL SAFETY CAMPAIGN TO AROUSE FACTORY OWNERS’ ATTENTION TO THE IMPORTANCE OF PROVIDING A SAFE WORKING ENVIRONMENT.
''THE TWO-MONTH CAMPAIGN IS AIMED AT BRINGING DOWN THE NUMBER OF INDUSTRIAL ACCIDENTS INVOLVING FIRE AND CHEMICALS," DEPUTY CHIEF FACTORY INSPECTOR, MR KAN HON-SANG, SAID.
DURING THE CAMPAIGN, FACTORIES HOUSED IN POORLY MANAGED BUILDINGS AND THOSE INVOLVING WORK PROCESSES WITH HIGH FIRE HAZARDS AND THE USE OF INFLAMMABLE SUBSTANCES WILL BE SELECTED FOR INSPECTION.
/"FACTORY INSPECTORS
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 15, 1992
12
’’FACTORY INSPECTORS WILL EXPLAIN TO EMPLOYERS AND EMPLOYEES THEIR OBLIGATIONS UNDER THE FACTORIES AND INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS (FIRE PRECAUTIONS IN NOTIFIABLE WORKPLACES) AND (DANGEROUS SUBSTANCES) REGULATIONS AND HELP THEM IN COMPLYING WITH THE REQUIREMENTS.
IN ADDITION, FACTORY INSPECTORS WILL DISTRIBUTE TO FACTORY MANAGEMENT A SPECIALLY DESIGNED WARNING NOTICE ON SAFETY PRECAUTIONS TO BE TAKEN IN HANDLING DANGEROUS CHEMICALS.
"WE WILL URGE THE MANAGEMENT TO DISPLAY THE NOTICE PROMINENTLY IN THE WORKPLACE TO REMIND WORKERS OF THE NEED TO MAINTAIN GOOD VENTILATION AND TO WEAR PROTECTIVE CLOTHING," MR KAN SAID.
HE ALSO SAID THE CAMPAIGN INCLUDED A SPECIAL OPERATION ON SITES OF RENOVATION WORK.
"THE SPECIAL OPERATION HAS BEEN DESIGNED IN THE LIGHT OF TWO RECENT FIRES IN BUILDINGS UNDER RENOVATION," MR KAN SAID, ADDING THAT IN ONE CASE, TWO WORKERS WERE KILLED.
"OUR INSPECTORS WILL ENSURE THAT CONTRACTORS TAKE ALL NECESSARY SAFETY PRECAUTIONS, INCLUDING THE PROPER LABELLING OF THE CONTAINERS OF INFLAMMABLE SUBSTANCES AND DANGEROUS GOODS, AND THE PROVISION OF INFORMATION, TRAINING AND SUPERVISION OF THE WORKERS IN CARRYING OUT THESE SAFETY PRECAUTIONS," HE SAID.
WHILE THE CAMPAIGN IS EDUCATIONAL IN NATURE, FACTORY INSPECTORS WILL TAKE OUT PROSECUTION AGAINST EMPLOYERS WHO CHOOSE TO CUT CORNERS AND WHO PERSISTENTLY IGNORE THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE LAW.
HE SAID SOME 400 SUMMONSES WERE TAKEN OUT IN A SIMILAR EXERCISE LAST YEAR.
IN THE INTEREST OF THEIR SAFETY AND HEALTH, MR KAN CALLED ON ALL EMPLOYERS AND EMPLOYEES TO CLOSELY OBSERVE THE LAW AND WORK TOGETHER TO PUT THEIR HOUSE IN ORDER.
---------0-----------
o
EXHIBITION TO BOOST EMPLOYMENT OF THE DISABLED * * * *
THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT WILL HOLD A FOUR-DAY EXHIBITION FROM TOMORROW (FRIDAY) IN SHA TIN TO PROMOTE EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE DISABLED.
"THE EVENT AIMS TO ENHANCE PUBLIC AWARENESS OF THE WORKING ABILITIES OF DISABLED PERSONS AND TO ENCOURAGE EMPLOYERS TO ENGAGE MORE DISABLED WORKERS," SENIOR LABOUR OFFICER (SELECTIVE PLACEMENT) MR TANG KONG-KIN SAID TODAY (THURSDAY).
IN THE EXHIBITION , THE DEPARTMENT’S FREE PLACEMENT SERVICE TO DISABLED JOB-SEEKERS AND FREE RECRUITMENT SERVICE TO EMPLOYERS, ITS PROMOTIONAL ACTIVITIES AND FUTURE PLANS WILL BE DISPLAYED.
/ALSO ON .......
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 15, 1992
13
ALSO ON DISPLAY WILL BE PHOTOGRAPHS SHOWING DISABLED EMPLOYEES IN DIFFERENT JOBS.
LABOUR DEPARTMENT OFFICERS WILL BE ON HAND TO ANSWER ENQUIRIES AND TO DISTRIBUTE PAMPHLETS.
IN ADDITION, A QUIZ WILL BE HELD ON THE SPOT TO AROUSE VISITORS’ INTEREST IN THE EMPLOYMENT OF THE DISABLED.
PARTICIPANTS MAY WIN ATTRACTIVE PRIZES INCLUDING DISCMAN, DIGITAL DIARY, WALKMAN AND TEA SET.
THE EXHIBITION WILL REMAIN OPEN DAILY FROM 11 AM TO 6 PM UNTIL MONDAY (OCTOBER 19) AT LEVEL THREE OF THE NEW TOWN PLAZA. IT WILL BE HELD IN OTHER COMMERCIAL COMPLEXES OVER THE NEXT FEW MONTHS.
--------0-----------
SHAM SHUI PO DISTRICT FESTIVAL * * * *
THE SHAM SHUI PO DISTRICT FESTIVAL 1992 WILL BE HELD BETWEEN OCTOBER 26 AND NOVEMBER 22.
THE CHAIRMAN OF THE DISTRICT FESTIVAL CO-ORDINATING COMMITTEE, MR KWAN MING, SAID TODAY (THURSDAY) THAT THE FESTIVAL, COSTING $1.5 MILLION, WAS AIMED AT FOSTERING A SENSE OF BELONGING AMONG LOCAL RESIDENTS AS WELL AS ENCOURAGING THEM TO PARTICIPATE IN COMMUNITY AFFAIRS.
HE SAID A TOTAL OF 50 ACTIVITIES INCLUDING VARIETY SHOWS, CANTONESE OPERAS, CARNIVALS, PICNICS, CONCERTS AND A TERRITORY-WIDE SOCIAL DANCE COMPETITION HAD BEEN ARRANGED.
ADMISSION IS FREE FOR MOST OF THE PROGRAMMES.
A GRAND OPENING FOLLOWED BY A VARIETY SHOW WILL BE HELD ON OCTOBER 26 AT THE HONG KONG COLISEUM. »
FREE ADMISSION TICKETS ARE NOW AVAILABLE AT THE LAI KOK COMMUNITY CENTRE, LAI KOK ESTATE.
ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE ON TEL 720 4251.
THE SHAM SHUI PO DISTRICT FESTIVAL IS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE DISTRICT FESTIVAL CO-ORDINATING COMMITTEE AND THE DISTRICT OFFICE, WITH SPONSORSHIP FROM THE DISTRICT BOARD AND THE URBAN COUNCIL.
------0--------
/14........
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 15, 1992
WAN CHAI FESTIVAL PHOTO AND CHINESE PAINTINGS DISPLAY * * * * *
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE INVITED TO A PHOTOGRAPHY AND CHINESE PAINTINGS EXHIBITION WHICH WILL OPEN TOMORROW (FRIDAY), AND WALK AWAY WITH AUTOGRAPHED WORKS AS SOUVENIRS.
ORGANISED BY THE 1992 WAN CHAI FESTIVAL ORGANISING COMMITTEE, IT WILL ALSO BE OPEN ON SATURDAY FROM 10 AM TO 6 PM AT THE MUSEUM OF CHINESE HISTORICAL RELICS, CAUSEWAY CENTRE, 28 HARBOUR ROAD, WAN CHAI.
ON DISPLAY WILL BE SOME 300 PIECES OF WORKS BY SOME 50 PAINTERS AND CALLIGRAPHERS ON STILL LIFE, LANDSCAPE AND PORTRAITS. TWELVE OF THEM WILL IMPROVISE AT THE VENUE FOR ADMIRERS.
THE 16 WINNING ENTRIES OF A RECENT PHOTOGRAPHY COMPETITION ON THE THEME "TO LIVE AND WORK BETTER IN WAN CHAI" WILL ALSO BE SHOWN.
THE OPENING CEREMONY AND PRIZE PRESENTATION TO THE WINNERS WILL BE HELD AT 12.30 PM. WANCHAI DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, MRS PEGGY LAM; AND ASSISTANT WANCHAI DISTRICT OFFICER, MR TOM FONG; WILL BE THE OFFICIATING GUESTS.
THE EVENT IS CO-ORGANISED BY THE HONG KONG CHINESE YMCA PHOTOGRAPHY CLUB, WITH SPONSORSHIP FROM THE WHARF (HOLDINGS) LIMITED.
ATTENTION NEWS EDITORS:
YOUR REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER THE OPENING CEREMONY WHICH WILL START AT 12.30 PM TOMORROW (FRIDAY) ON 1ST FLOOR, MUSEUM OF CHINESE HISTORICAL RELICS, CAUSEWAY CENTRE, 28 HARBOUR ROAD, WAN CHAI .
- - 0 - -
WEATHER OF SEPTEMBER
******
LIKE AUGUST, SEPTEMBER WAS HOT AND SUNNY WITH RELATIVELY LITTLE RAIN.
THE WARM AND DRY ANOMALIES WERE AGAIN VERY MUCH LINKED TO THE PASSAGE OF TROPICAL CYCLONES OVER THE RYUKYUS AND TAIWAN.
THE MEAN DAILY MINIMUM TEMPERATURE OF 26.8 DEGREES FOR THE WHOLE MONTH WAS THE HIGHEST EVER ON RECORD FOR SEPTEMBER.
THE MEAN AIR TEMPERATURE OF 28.9 DEGREES AND THE MEAN DAILY MAXIMUM TEMPERATURE OF 31.4 DEGREES WERE SEPTEMBER’S SECOND AND FIFTH HIGHEST RESPECTIVELY.
/IN RESPECT
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 15, 1992
15
IN RESPECT OF ITS DAILY MEAN TEMPERATURE OF 31.1 DEGREES AND ITS MINIMUM TEMPERATURE OF 29.5 DEGREES, SEPTEMBER 1 MIGHT BE REGARDED AS THE HOTTEST SEPTEMBER DAY ON RECORD.
ONE SIGNIFICANT RAINY EPISODE OCCURRED DURING THE PERIOD WHEN THE REMNANT OF TYPHOON OMAR MOVED ACROSS GUANGDONG AND PASSED TO THE NORTH OF HONG KONG.
OVERALL, THE MONTH’S RAINFALL OF 63.1 MILLIMETRES WAS ONLY ABOUT 21 PER CENT OF THE SEPTEMBER NORMAL OF 299.7 MILLIMETRES.
IT WAS THE DRIEST SEPTEMBER SINCE 1966 AND THE FOURTH DRIEST SEPTEMBER ON RECORD.
TOTAL RAINFALL SINCE JANUARY 1 AMOUNTED TO 2,571.4 MILLIMETRES. WHEN COMPARED WITH THE PERIOD’S AVERAGE OF 2,007.1 MILLIMETRES, RAINFALL SO FAR IN 1992 WAS STILL ABOVE NORMAL BUT BY A REDUCED MARGIN OF 28 PER CENT.
THE HOT WEATHER ASSOCIATED WITH THE PASSAGE OF SEVERE TROPICAL STORM POLLY WAS CARRIED OVER FROM AUGUST INTO SEPTEMBER.
WEST TO NORTHWESTERLY WINDS BROUGHT DRY AIR OFF THE LAND AND MAINTAINED A SPELL OF FINE WEATHER DESPITE SOME HAZE ON SEPTEMBER 2 AND 3.
EVEN THOUGH POLLY HAD WEAKENED AND MOVED AWAY BY THEN, THE HEAT DID NOT RELENT AS TYPHOON OMAR SOON FOLLOWED AND MOVED TOWARDS TAIWAN.
TEMPERATURES AT THE ROYAL OBSERVATORY CLIMBED TO THE MONTH’S HIGHEST OF 33.5 DEGREES ON SEPTEMBER 4.
THE WEATHER TURNED CLOUDY ON SEPTEMBER 5 AS OMAR SWEPT ACROSS TAIWAN AND CAME NEARER. BUT STILL THE OPPRESSIVE HEAT LINGERED, CULMINATING IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF THUNDERSTORMS THAT EVENING.
MEANWHILE, THE WESTERLIES FRESHENED AND RAIN BECAME FREQUENT OVERNIGHT. AS THE REMNANT OF OMAR MOVED PAST Tp THE NORTH OF HONG KONG, WINDS TURNED SOUTHEASTERLY THE NEXT DAY BUT REMAINED FRESH AND GUSTY.
THERE WERE ALSO OCCASIONAL STRONG WJNbS OFFSHORE ON THE NIGHT OF SEPTEMBER 6. THE HEAVIEST DOWNPOUR OCCURRED IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.
OVER 120 MILLIMETRES OF RAINFALL WAS RECORDED TN THF YUEN LONG AREA ON THE MORNING OF SEPTEMBER 7 AND 23 CASES OF FLOODING WERE REPORTED.
WINDS SOON MODERATED DURING THE DAY BUT LIGHT RAIN PERSISTED TILL THE NEXT MORNING, ENDING WITH AN OUTBREAK OF THUNDERY SHOWERS NEAR MIDDAY.
THE SUN RE-APPEARED ON THE AFTERNOON OF SEPTEMBER 8 AND THE WEATHER STAYED FINE THE NEXT DAY APART FROM A FEW ODD SHOWERS.
/THE ARRIVAL .......
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 15, 1992
16
THE ARRIVAL OF AN EASTERLY AIRSTREAM BROUGHT CLOUDY PERIODS AND LIGHT RAIN ON THE LATTER PART OF SEPTEMBER 10 AND TRIGGERED OFF SOME THUNDERSTORMS AROUND MIDNIGHT.
FINE WEATHER RETURNED ON SEPTEMBER 11 AND PERSISTED FOR THE NEXT FOUR DAYS DESPITE SOME LIGHT RAIN PATCHES IN THE EARLY HOURS OF SEPTEMBER 12 AND 15.
A CONVERGENCE OF AIR FLOW IN THE VICINITY OF HONG KONG LED TO CLOUDIER WEATHER ON SEPTEMBER 16. SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS OCCURRED AROUND NOON TIME AND AGAIN NEAR MIDNIGHT.
A FRESH EASTERLY AIRSTREAM SOON BECAME ESTABLISHED DURING THE NIGHT AND THE WEATHER WAS A MIXTURE OF SUNSHINE AND CLOUDS FOR THE NEXT THREE DAYS.
TEMPERATURE DROPPED SLIGHTLY DURING THE PERIOD WITH MIDDAY AND MIDNIGHT BEING THE MOST PROBABLE TIMES FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF LIGHT SHOWERS.
MEANWHILE, CONDITIONS TURNED INCREASINGLY WINDY WITH STRONG EASTERLIES BLOWING OFFSHORE ON SEPTEMBER 18 AND 19 UNDER THE ENHANCED INFLUENCE OF AN AREA OF LOW PRESSURE OVER THE SOUTH CHINA SEA NEAR XISHA.
AFTER THE EASTERLIES SUBSIDED DURING THE DAY ON SEPTEMBER 20, SUNNY AND HOT WEATHER SET IN. AFFECTED BY THE OUTER CIRCULATION OF SEVERE TROPICAL STORM TED WHICH WAS LOCATED OVER THE LUZON STRAIT, WINDS IN HONG KONG TURNED NORTH TO NORTHWESTERLY ON SEPTEMBER 21.
AS IN THE CASE OF OMAR ON SEPTEMBER 4, TEMPERATURES AGAIN SOARED AND REACHED THE MONTH’S HIGHEST OF 33.5 DEGREES THAT DAY.
WITH TED TRACKING NORTHWARDS ACROSS EASTERN CHINA AND MOVING AWAY, LOCAL WINDS TURNED WESTERLY AND THEN EASTERLY ON SEPTEMBER 24. THE WEATHER REMAINED FINE APART FROM SOME HAZE THAT MORNING.
A SURGE OF THE NORTHEAST MONSOON CAME IN THE FORM OF A FRESH EASTERLY AIRSTREAM ON SEPTEMBER 26. THE DAYTIME MAXIMUM TEMPERATURES DROPPED BY FIVE DEGREES BETWEEN SEPTEMBER 25 AND 27.
V
EVEN THOUGH THERE WERE STILL LONG PERIODS OF SUNSHINE DURING THE DAY, SOME LIGHT RAIN PATCHES ALSO OCCURRED FROM TIME TO TIME AND WERE MOST FREQUENT FROM THE EVENING OF SEPTEMBER 26 TO THE NEXT MORNING.
A WEAK REPLENISHMENT OF THE NORTHEAST MONSOON BROUGHT A CLOUDIER DAY ON SEPTEMBER 29 BUT THIS PRODUCED NO LASTING EFFECTS ON THE MAINLY FINE AND HOT THEME WHICH PERSISTED TILL THE END OF THE MONTH.
SEVEN TROPICAL CYCLONES OCCURRED IN SEPTEMBER BUT NONE AFFECTED THE SOUTH CHINA SEA.
MOST OF THE TROPICAL CYCLONES DEVELOPED FURTHER EAST TOWARDS THE CENTRAL NORTH PACIFIC AND TRACKED NORTHWARDS.
/THE THREE .......
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 15, 1992
- 17 -
THE THREE THAT DID MOVE TOWARDS THE ASIAN LAND MASS, NAMELY POLLY, OMAR AND TED, ONLY RESULTED IN SOME VERY HOT TEMPERATURES IN HONG KONG.
TAIWAN AND EASTERN CHINA BORE THE BRUNT OF THESE LANDFALLING TROPICAL CYCLONES.
NO AIRCRAFT WAS DIVERTED DURING THE MONTH AS A RESULT OF INCLEMENT WEATHER. DETAILS OF THE ISSUE/HOISTING AND CANCELLATION/LOWERING OF VARIOUS WARNINGS/SIGNALS TN THE MONTH OF SEPTEMBER ARE SUMMARISED IN TABLE 1.1 MONTHLY METEOROLOGICAL FIGURES AND DEPARTURES FROM NORMAL FOR SEPTEMBER 1992 ARE TABULATED IN TABLE 1.2.
TABLE 1.1 WARNINGS AND SIGNALS IN SEPTEMBER 1992
TYPE OF WARNING
EFFECTIVE DATE AND TIME
STRONG MONSOON SIGNALS SEP 18, 0430 —A SEP 18, 0800
SEP 18, 2120 — SEP 20, 0805
SEP 26 , 0800 — SEP 26, 1100
SEP 26, 2315 - SEP 27, 1245
FLOOD WARNINGS SEP 7 , 0515 — SEP 7, 0815
SEP 10, 2250 — SEP 11 , 0050
SEP 16, 2335 - SEP 17, 0200
THUNDERSTORM WARNINGS SEP 5, 2125 SEP 6, 0700
SEP 7 । 0145 - SEP 7, 0930
SEP 7 , 1636 — SEP 7 , 1836
SEP 8, 0^10 - SEP 8, 0710
SEP 8, 0810 - SEP 8, 1210
SEP 8, 14 20 - SEP 8, 1620
SEP 8, 2240 - SEP 9, 0540
SEP 10', 1525 — SEP 10, 1725
SEP 10, 2030 - SEP 11, 0600
SEP 11, 1255 - SEP 11, 1455
SEP 16 , 1 105 — SEP 16, 1500
SEP 16, 2205 — SEP 17 , 0705
SEP 17, 0835 - SEP 17 , 1135
/TTABLE 1.2 .......
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 15, 1992
18
TABLE 1.2 FIGURES AND DEPARTURES FROM NORMAL - SEPTEMBER 1992
TOTAL BRIGHT SUNSHINE 200.5 HOURS ; 18.8 HOURS ABOVE NORMAL
MEAN DAILY GLOBAL 15.91 MJ/SQM ; 0.58 MJ/SQM BELOW NORMAL
SOLAR RADIATION
TOTAL RAINFALL 63.1 MM ; 236.6 MM BELOW NORMAL
MEAN AMOUNT OF CLOUD 54% ; 9% LESS THAN NORMAL
MEAN RELATIVE HUMIDITY 75% ; 3% LOWER THAN NORMAL
MEAN DAILY MAXIMUM 31.4 DEGREES ; 1.1 DEGREES CELSIUS
AIR TEMPERATURE CELSIUS ABOVE NORMAL
MEAN AIR TEMPERATURE 28.9 DEGREES CELSIUS ; 1.3 DEGREES CELSIUS ABOVE NORMAL
MEAN DAILY MINIMUM 26.8 DEGREES ; 1.3 DEGREES CELSIUS
AIR TEMPERATURE CELSIUS ABOVE NORMAL
MEAN DEW POINT 23.9 DEGREES CELSIUS J 0.6 DEGREE CELSIUS ABOVE NORMAL
TOTAL EVAPORATION 134.8 MM ; 15.5 MM BELOW NORMAL
---------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 SAID /THE GRADINp WILL BE ANNOUNCED AT BIWEEKLY INTERVALS DURING THE BAT'HING 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 .......
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 15, 1992
19
THE GRADING OF SOME BEACHES MAY VARY DURING THE SUMMER. THIS REPRESENTS A NATURAL FLUCTUATION IN THE BACTERIOLOGICAL QUALITY OF BATHING WATERS IN MOST CASES, AS RAIN AND TIDES BRING MORE OR LESS POLLUTION TO THE BEACHES.
HOWEVER, THE GRADES GIVE A GOOD GENERAL PICTURE OF THE WATER QUALITY AT BATHING BEACHES AT THE TIME OF REPORTING AND FORM THE BEST AVAILABLE FORECAST FOR THE IMMEDIATE FUTURE.
"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 SPOKESMAN SAID.
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 THF EXPECTED HEALTH RISK IS MORE THAN 15 CASES OF MINOR ILLNESS PER 1,000 SWIMMERS.
THE DECISION WHETHER OR NOT TO CLOSE A BEACH TO SWIMMERS IS BASED ON A JUDGEMENT OF WHAT DEGREE OF POLLUTION IS ACCEPTABLE.
NORMALLY, THE CLOSURE OF A BEACH WOULD ONLY BE CONSIDERED BY THE URBAN COUNCIL OR REGIONAL COUNCIL IF A ”4" GRADE OCCURRED REPEATEDLY, SO THAT THE AVERAGE HEALTH RISK OVER THE BATHING SEASON EXCEEDED 15 CASES PER 1,000 SWIMMERS.
SIMILARLY, THE REOPENING OF A CLOSED BEACH WOULD ONLY BE CONSIDERED IF A "3" GRADE OR BETTER WERE CONSISTENTLY OBTAINED.
AT PRESENT, TWO BATHING BEACHES, NAMELY CASTLE PEAK AND OLD CAFETERIA, HAVE BEEN DECLARED UNSUITABLE FOR SWIMMING PURPOSES, BASED ON THE WATER QUALITY DURING PAST SEASONS.
THEY ARE POLLUTED BY FAECAL WASTES AND FAIL TO ACHIEVE CONSISTENTLY THE HONG KONG STANDARDS. THE PUBLIC ARE ADVISED NOT TO SWIM IN THE WATER AT THESE TWO BEACHES.
/IN ADDITION .......
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 15, 1992
- 20 -
IN ADDITION, ROCKY BAY BEACH HAS BEEN CLOSED FOR SWIMMING PURPOSES BY THE URBAN COUNCIL. THESE THREE BEACHES ARE IDENTIFIED BY AN ”X” IN THE FOLLOWING LIST.
THE GRADES ON THE BACTERIOLOGICAL WATER QUALITY OF VARIOUS BEACHES IN HONG KONG TODAY ARE LISTED BELOW :
PREVIOUS PRESENT
BEACH GRADING GRADING
(AS AT 1.10.92) (AS AT 15.10.92)
HONG KONG SOUTH
BIG WAVE BAY 1 1
CHUNG HOM KOK 1 1
DEEP WATER BAY 1 1
HAIRPIN 1 1
MIDDLE BAY 1 2
REPULSE BAY 1 1
SHEK 0 2 2
SOUTH BAY 1 1
ST. STEPHEN’S 1 2
TURTLE COVE 1 1
STANLEY MAIN 1 1
ROCKY BAY X X
TO TEI WAN* 1 1
TUEN MUN DISTRICT
OLD CAFETERIA X X
NEW CAFETERIA 2 2
CASTLE PEAK X X
KADOORIE 2 2
BUTTERFLY 2 2
SAI KUNG DISTRICT
CAMPERS 1 1
CLEAR WATER BAY 1ST BEACH 2 2
CLEAR WATER BAY 2ND BEACH 2 1
HAP MUN BAY 1 1
KIU TSUI 1 1
PAK SHA CHAU 1 1
SILVERSTRAND 2 2
TRIO (HEBE HAVEN) 1 1
/ISLANDS DISTRICT .......
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 15, 1992
- 21 -
ISLANDS DISTRICT
/
CHEUNG SHA UPPER CHEUNG SHA LOWER DISCOVERY BAY* HUNG SHING YEH KWUN YAM WAN TONG FUK LO SO SHING PUI O SILVERMINE BAY TUNG WAN, CHEUNG CHAU TUNG O*
I 2 2 1 1 1 I 1 2 1 1
1 1
2 1
1 1
I
X 1
1 1
TSUEN WAN DISTRICT
ANGLERS' APPROACH CASAM GEMINI HOI MEI WAN LIDO TING KAU
TUNG WAN, MA WAN
3 3
2
2 2
2 2
1
3
3
2
2
2
2
2
1
NOTE : ’X” THE BEACH HAS BEEN CLOSED FOR SWIMMING PURPOSES * NON-GAZETTED.BEACHES.
THE FOLLOWING BEACHES HAVE CHANGED GRADING ON THIS OCCASION
FROM
L0WER» SILVERMINE BAY AND CLEAR WATER BAY 2ND 2 TO 1 ; MIDDLE BAY AND ST. STEPHEN’S FROM ”1” TO ”2’'.
BEACH
THE CHANGES ARE WITHIN THE NORMAL RANGE OF BACTERIOLOGICAL WATER QUALITY OF THESE BEACHES.
FLUCTUATION
OF
THE
NOTE TO EDITORS:
FOR FURTHER ENQUIRIES, PLEASE CONTACT ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION OFFICER, MR DAVID L HALL,
ACTING PRINCIPAL ON TEL 835 1234.
--------0-----------
/22 .......
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 15,
1992
- 22 -
r HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS *****
$ MILLION
OPENING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT 1,500
REVERASL 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 TW1 11 HONG KONG GOVERNMENT 0.5 *-0. EXCHANGE 1* 15.10. FUND NIL 1,500 NIL + 500 2,000 92
EF BILLS HONG KONG GOVERNMENT BONDS
TERMS YIELD TERM ISSUE COUPON PRICE YIELD
1 WEEK 2.72 PCT 13 MONTHS 2311 6.25 103.03 3.43
1 MONTH 2.77 PCT - 16 MONTHS 2402 5.50 102.56 3.55
3 MONTHS 2.80 PCT 19 MONTHS 2 4 05 5.502 102.59 3.84
6 MONTHS 2.89 PCT 22 MONTHS 12 MONTHS 3.43 PCT TOTAL TURNOVER OF BILLS AND BONDS - CLOSED 15 OCTOBER 1992 2408 4.375 10,394 MN 100.68 4.03
--------0-----------
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES
BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL.: 842 8777
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 16, 1992
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
GOVERNOR'S PUBLIC MEETING AT CULTURAL CENTRE ................. 1
HK CAN WELL AFFORD SPENDING PLANS : FS ....................... 13
KAP SHUI MUN BRIDGE/MA WAN VIADUCT CONTRACT TO BE AWARDED ... 14
EMPLOYMENT, VACANCIES AND PAYROLL STATISTICS IN JUNE RELEASED 16
LDC DEVELOPMENT SCHEME PLAN APPROVED ......................... 20
COMMUNITY CHEST SETS TARGET AT $138 MILLION .................. 22
HK TO REMAIN AN OPEN, LOW-TAX ECONOMY ........................ 23
CONTRACT FOR SEWERAGE IMPROVEMENT WORKS SIGNED ............... 24
GOVT'S INITIATIVES TO TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT OUTLINED ........ 25
REGISTRATION OF DEPOSIT-TAKING CO REVOKED .................... 26
HOME-SCHOOL CO-OPERATION SOUGHT .............................. 26
RESUMPTION OF STREETS IN CENTRAL AND WAN CHAI ................ 27
JOINT EFFORTS TO TACKLE STUDENT SUICIDE ...................... 27
BETTER TRANSPORT FACILITIES FOR AIRPORT PASSENGERS ........... 29
SEMINAR ON MASS MEDIA INFLUENCE ON YOUTH ..................... 30
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS .. 31
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 16, 1992
GOVERNOR’S PUBLIC MEETING AT CULTURAL CENTRE
*****
GOVERNOR: MICHAEL, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, FIRST OF ALL, WELCOME TO THE FOURTH PUBLIC MEETING THAT I’VE HAD SINCE I MADE A SPEECH TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL JUST OVER A WEEK AGO. I HOPE YOU’VE ALL GOT THE RIGHT TICKETS. I AM NOT HERE TO PLAY THE ORGAN AND IF ANYBODY THINKS THIS IS THE OPENING OF THE FESTIVAL OF THE ASIAN ARTS THEY ARE IN FOR A SURPRISE. THE ONLY SURPRISE I’VE HAD OVER THE LAST WEEK OR SO IS THAT SOME PEOPLE SHOULD HAVE THOUGHT IT WAS A STRANGE THING TO HAVE PUBLIC MEETINGS LIKE THIS. IN MY SPEECH TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, WHAT I WAS TRYING TO DO WAS TO REFLECT THE THINGS THAT YOU’VE BEEN SAYING TO ME OVER THE LAST FEW MONTHS. WHAT I WAS DOING WAS TO TALK ABOUT YOUR FUTURE AND IT IS ENTIRELY RIGHT THAT YOU SHOULD HAVE THE CHANCE TO TALK TO ME YOURSELVES ABOUT THE AGENDA THAT I HAVE PUT FORWARD FOR THE FUTURE OF HONG KONG.
THERE IS ALSO, I THINK, A RATHER CURIOUS VIEW THAT GOVERNMENT IS SOMEHOW WEAKER IF THE GOVERNOR, OR OTHER MEMBERS OF THE GOVERNMENT, COME BEFORE YOU TO ANSWER YOUR QUESTIONS. I THINK GOVERNMENT IS STRONGER AND BETTER WHEN IT DOES THAT. STRONGER AND BETTER FOR THIS REASON: WHEN PEOPLE IN GOVERNMENT KNOW THAT THEY ARE GOING TO HAVE TO ANSWER QUESTIONS FROM MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ABOUT THE DECISIONS THEY TAKE, THEY THINK A LOT HARDER ABOUT THE DECISIONS AND TRY TO GET THE DECISIONS RIGHT. NOW, YOU KNOW, BECAUSE THEY’VE BEEN REPORTED A GREAT DEAL IN THE PAPERS AND ON THE RADIO AND TELEVISION, THE PROPOSALS THAT I PUT FORWARD IN MY SPEECH A WEEK AGO AND I WON’T GO THROUGH THEM ALL IN GREAT DETAIL THIS EVENING.
I HAVE FOUR AIMS, FOUR OBJECTIVES. FIRST OF ALL, TO ENSURE THAT HONG KONG REMAINS THE MOST BUSINESS-FRIENDLY CITY AND COMMUNITY IN ASIA SO THAT WE CAN CONTINUE TO BE STRONG ECONOMICALLY AND STRONG IN SOCIAL WAYS AS WELL. SECONDLY, I WANTED TO SHOW HOW WE CAN USE SOME OF THE COMMUNITY’S ECONOMIC STRENGTH, SOME OF THE STRENGTH WHICH YOU HAVE CREATED TO MEET SOME OF OUR SOCIAL OBJECTIVES IN EDUCATION, IN SOCIAL WELFARE, IN HOUSING, IN THE ENVIRONMENT AND ELSEWHERE. THIRDLY, I WANTED TO PUT FORWARD PROPOSALS ABOUT HOW WE COULD INCREASE YOUR ABILITY TO PARTICIPATE IN GOVERNMENT TO SHAPE YOUR OWN FUTURE IN A WAY WHICH IS WHOLLY CONSISTENT WITH HONG KONG’S CONSTITUTION BEFORE AND AFTER 1997. AND LAST, I WANTED TO TRY TO SHOW HOW WE COULD FIGHT TO SECURE HONG KONG’S WAY OF LIFE FOR THE INDEFINITE FUTURE, FOR AS LONG AS ANY OF US CAN IMAGINE, BECAUSE THIS IS A MARVELLOUS AND SUCCESSFUL COMMUNITY AND WE WANT TO ENSURE THAT IT STAYS THAT WAY.
THAT’S WHAT I TRIED TO DO IN MY SPEECH AND I AM SURE THAT’S WHAT YOU’LL WANT TO ASK ME ABOUT THIS EVENING. BUT JUST BEFORE YOU START PUNCHING THE AIR LIKE AN AMERICAN FOOTBALLER, CAN WE ALL AGREE ON TWO THINGS. FIRST OF ALL, PEOPLE WHO HAVEN’T ASKED QUESTIONS BEFORE SHOULD HAVE THE PRIORITY THIS EVENING. IS THAT AGREED? AND SECONDLY, EVERYONE ONLY ASKS ONE QUESTION. AGREED? BECAUSE YOU DO GET PEOPLE WHO COME UP TO THE MICROPHONE AND, AFTER 10 MINUTES THEY SAY, AND FOR MY 27TH QUESTION ------ SO, ON THAT BASIS WE’LL START. I’LL IDENTIFY TWO OR THREE PEOPLE AT DIFFERENT MICROPHONES AND LET’S SEE HOW MANY QUESTIONS WE CAN GET THROUGH BETWEEN NOW AND 7:15.
/QUESTION: .......
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 16, 1992
2
QUESTION: MK GOVERNOR, I ONLY HAVE ONE QUESTION BUT BEFORE I ASK MY QUESTION I WOULD LIKE TO EXPLAIN SOMETHING FIRST. I REPRESENT THE COSMETICS TRADE AND I WOULD LIKE TO EXPLAIN TO YOU THE DIFFICULTY THE COSMETICS AND PERFUMES TRADE IS FACING NOW. WE ARE VERY GLAD TO LEARN ABOUT YOUR FIVE YEAR PLAN, IT IS VERY CONSTRUCTIVE AND IT IS CONDUCIVE TO THE PROSPERITY AND STABILITY OF HONG KONG. AND THE MOST IMPORTANT THING OF ALL, THE LEADERSHIP IS VERY STRONG AND CLEAR. YOU HAVE ASSURED US MORE THAN ONCE THAT YOU WANT TO MAINTAIN ECONOMIC GROWTH, YOU WANT THE PEOPLE TO PRODUCE WEALTH AND TO MAINTAIN FAIR COMPETITION, BUT THE COSMETICS TRADE IS THE ONLY TRADE WHICH SUFFERS A VERY CRAZY 30% DUTY. IT IS A HINDRANCE TO TRADE AND IT STOPS THE CUSTOMERS FROM BUYING CHEAPER PRODUCTS, AND ESPECIALLY FOR TOURISTS, THEY CAN GET THINGS CHEAPER ELSEWHERE. AND IN OUR NEIGHBOURING COUNTRIES, THEY ARE LOWERING THE TAX. - WELL, I AM MORE THAN HALFWAY THROUGH, I HOPE YOU DON’T MIND.
WE ARE IN THE FRONT LINE OF THE RETAIL TRADE BUT BECAUSE OF THE GOVERNMENTAL INTERFERENCE THE PRICE HAS BEEN PUSHED HIGHER AND HIGHER.' THE DUTY ON COSMETICS AND PERFUMES MEANS ONLY VERY LITTLE TO THE TERRITORY REVENUE, BUT THEY MEAN A LOT TO US AND THEY CAUSE A LOT OF PAPERWORK, AND I AM SURE THAT THIS 30% DUTY IS FORMULATED BY SOME SHORT-SIGHTED OFFICIALS WHO DON’T KNOW HOW TO PRODUCE WEALTH. I’M SURE YOU ARE VERY BUSY AND I DON’T THINK YOU HAVE TIME TO BUY PERFUME TO GIVE TO YOUR WIFE AS PRESENTS. IF YOU GO SHOPPING SOMETIME I’M SURE YOU CAN FEEL THE IMPACT ON THE CONSUMERS. WELL, I HOPE YOU CAN DO SOMETHING TO HELP THIS TERRITORY TO BECOME A DUTY-FREE PORT AND A SHOPPER’S PARADISE. THANK YOU, MR GOVERNOR.
GOVERNOR: WHEN YOU SAID YOU WERE FROM THE COSMETICS AND PERFUME INDUSTRY AND WERE ASKING THE FIRST QUESTION, I THOUGHT PERHAPS YOU WERE GOING TO TRY TO TELL ME SOMETHING ABOUT MYSELF. YOU’RE QUITE RIGHT THAT I DON’T USE COSMETICS MYSELF - EXCEPT WHEN I SHAVE - OR EXCEPT WHEN I’M IN A TELEVISION STUDIO. BUT I RECOGNISE THAT IT’S AN IMPORTANT INDUSTRY. WHAT I WOULD LIKE TO SUGGEST - AND THIS WILL ENABLE US TO MOVE ON TO THE NEXT QUESTION VERY RAPIDLY - IF YOU WOULD LIKE, WITH REPRESENTATIVES OF THE INDUSTRY TO COME AND SEE ME SOMETIME TO TALK ABOUT THE PROBLEMS OF THE INDUSTRY, I’D BE DELIGHTED TO MEET YOU. A DEAL?
I JUST ADD THIS POINT. YOU FINISHED BY REFERRING TO THE IMPORTANCE OF RETAILING TO HONG KONG. THAT IS ABSOLUTELY RIGHT. WE ARE THE TOURIST CENTRE OF ASIA; MORE TOURISTS COMING HERE THAN ANYWHERE ELSE IN ASIA, AND ONE REASON WHY THEY COME IS TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF OUR SUPERB SHOPS.
GOVERNOR: IT’S JUST A LETTER FROM A GENTLEMAN WHO WAS VERY POLITE
THE OTHER EVENING. AND THAT PROVES THAT VIRTUE IS ITS OWN REWARD.
/QUESTION: ........
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 16, 1992
- 3
QUESTION: MR PATTEN, THE SOUTH CHINA MORNING POST SURVEY DATED THE 1ST SEPTEMBER THIS YEAR, HAS CONFIRMED THE LOW QUALITY OF SOME SCHOOL TEXTBOOKS. THE SECRETARY OF THE HONG KONG ASSOCIATION FOR CONTINUING EDUCATION ALSO EXPRESSED CONCERN OVER THE STANDARD OF LANGUAGE TEXTBOOKS. MANY TEXTBOOKS AND ASSESSMENT BOOKS WHICH WERE MORE POPULAR ASKED SILLY QUESTIONS AND DTD NOT HAVE UP TO DATE INFORMATION ON WORLD AFFAIRS AND SOCIAL ISSUES. BOTH THE CONSUMER COUNCIL AND THE HONG KONG PROFESSIONAL TEACHERS UNION HAVE ANNOUNCED MOVES TO RESTRICT UNSCRUPULOUS PUBLISHERS WHO PUSH UP PRICES AND PROMOTE SUB-STANDARD TEXTBOOKS. A PETITION FROM EIGHT TUEN MUN DISTRICT BOARD MEMBER OFFICERS AND CONCERNED GROUPS PROMPTED THE CONSUMER COUNCIL TO INITIATE A SURVEY WHICH WILL BE USED TO COMPILE AND PUBLISH A LIST OF DISHONEST PUBLISHERS. SO FAR NOTHING HAS HAPPENED.
A REVIEW OF THE GRAMMATICAL STANDARDS OF SOME ENGLISH TEXTBOOKS HAS DRIVEN LANGUAGE TEACHERS ALMOST TO THE BRINK OF DESPAIR. DR AMY CHUI BIK-MEI, A LECTURER AT THE DEPARTMENT OF CURRICULUM STUDIES OF THE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG SAID: "WE COULDN’T SEE WHAT THE EXERCISES IN A LOT OF THE BOOKS WANTED TO ACHIEVE IN TERMS OF TEACHING, AND THE BOOKS DON’T TEACH THE STUDENTS HOW THE LANGUAGE WORKS WITH FULL INFORMATION.” AN ENGLISH LANGUAGE TEACHER FROM KWUN TONG GOVERNMENT SECONDARY SCHOOL, MR LAU YUK-KEE, EXAMINED DRAFTS FOR FIVE BOOKS RECOMMENDED BY THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT FOR A MODERN ENGLISH COURSE AND HE FOUND ERRORS IN ALL THE BOOKS, WHICH HE SAID WOULD REFLECT AND SO REINFORCE COMMON ERRORS MADE BY HONG KONG SPEAKERS OF ENGLISH. THEY OCCUR IN THE BOOK RECOMMENDED BY THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT AND SO WILL BE ACCEPTED BY SOME TEACHERS AS CORRECT. I THINK IT WILL BE TOO MUCH IF I READ ALL OF THEM, I’M SORRY. AND I THANK YOU, LASTLY, FOR YOUR KINDNESS TO RECEIVE A COPY OF THIS NEWSPAPER FROM ME. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
GOVERNOR: JUST BEFORE ANSWERING, CAN I SAY THAT BOTH THE FIRST TWO QUESTIONS HAVE BEEN ON VERY IMPORTANT SUBJECTS, BUT PERHAPS, IF QUESTIONERS FROM NOW ON COULD BE A LITTLE BIT BRIEFER, WE’D BE ABLE TO GET IN MORE QUESTIONS.
ALL OF US, I’M SURE, SHARE YOUR COMMITMENT TO IMPROVING THE STANDARD AND QUALITY OF EDUCATION IN HONG KONG. WE KNOW THAT IS PARTLY A MATTER OF INCREASING THE NUMBER OF TEACHERS AND GIVING THEM MORE TIME TO GIVE TO THEIR PUPILS; BUT WE ALSO NEED TO MAKE CERTAIN THAT WE HAVE A SYLLABUS IN OUR SCHOOLS WHICH IS UP TODATE, THAT WE DEVELOP OUR CURRICULUM IN A SENSIBLE WAY AND THAT WE HAVE THE TEXTBOOKS AND OTHER MATERIAL TO SUPPORT THAT.
NOW, I KNOW THAT THE QUALITY OF ENGLISH IS AN EDUCATIONAL SUBJECT WHICH CONCERNS A LOT OF PEOPLE. IT CONCERNS OUR UNIVERSITIES AND POLYTECHNICS AND COLLEGES BECAUSE THEY ARE SOMETIMES WORRIED ABOUT THE STANDARD OF THOSE WHO ARE COMING INTO THEIR INSTITUTIONS, AND IT ALSO CONCERNS MANY BUSINESSMEN WHO ARE VERY CONCERNED THAT HONG KONG SHOULD REMAIN AN INTERNATIONAL, FINANCIAL AND COMMERCIAL CENTRE AND, IF IT'S TO DO THAT, WE NEED TO ENSURE THAT WE CAN USE ENGLISH FOR COMMERCIAL PURPOSES AS WELL AS CANTONESE AND MANDARIN. IT’S A SUBJECT THAT I’VE ALREADY DISCUSSED WITH THE UNIVERSITY AND POLYTECHNIC GRANTS COMMITTEE, AND IT’S A SUBJECT THAT I INTEND TO DISCUSS WITH MY BUSINESS COUNCIL AND, IN THE LIGHT OF THOSE DISCUSSIONS, I WILL CERTAINLY, AS YOU’VE SUGGESTED, TAKE UP WITH THE SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER, THE PARTICULAR POINTS YOU’VE RAISED ABOUT THE QUALITY OF CURRICULUM MATERIAL IN THE CLASSROOM.
/QUESTION: .......
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 16, 1992
QUESTION: MR GOVERNOR, IN YOUR POLICY SPEECH YOU HAVE A BIG
REHABILITATION PROGRAMME. YOU MENTIONED A LOT OF THINGS ABOUT SHELTER WORKSHOP AND ACTIVITY CENTRES, BUT YOU HAVE NOT MENTIONED ANYTHING ABOUT JOB TRAINING FOR THE DISABLED PEOPLE. IN THE LAST 10 YEARS, IT HAS BEEN PROVED THAT, WITH THE RIGHT CURRICULUM AND WITH THE RIGHT TRAINING, THE DISABLED PEOPLE CAN BE RE-INTEGRATED INTO THE SOCIETY. SOME OF THEM CAN WORK AS CLERKS IN THE OFFICE OR WORK AS MACHINE OPERATORS IN FACTORIES. AND, ANOTHER THING. WHY IS THERE NOTHING MENTIONED ABOUT JOB TRAINING IN YOUR POLICY SPEECH? DON’T YOU THINK IT IS VERY IMPORTANT? AND I WOULD LIKE ALSO TO ASK YOU TO BE CONCERNED ABOUT THE TEACHERS’ QUALIFICATION AT THE VOCATIONAL TRAINING SCHOOLS FOR THE DISABLED STUDENTS. FOR THESE TEACHERS, THE ENTRANCE REQUIREMENT WAS VERY LOW, SO HOW CAN THEY COPE WITH THE ECONOMIC RESTRUCTURING AND HOW CAN THEY COPE WITH THE TENDENCY OF HIGH TECHNOLOGY-ORIENTED ECONOMY0 I HAVE A LOT OF QUESTIONS TO ASK BUT, AS I HAVE PROMISED YOU TO ASK ONE ONLY, I WOULD LIKE TO ASK THE REST IN MY LETTER.
GOVERNOR: THANK YOU VERY MUCH. YOU ARE ENTIRELY RIGHT TO EXPRESS, WHICH I THINK IS A WIDELY HELD VIEW IN THE COMMUNITY, THAT AS A CIVILISED COMMUNITY, WITH A SUBSTANTIAL SOCIAL CONSCIENCE, WE SHOULD DO MORE TO ASSIST THE DISABLED. NOW, WHAT DOES THAT MEAN? IT’S NOT PATRONISING, IT CERTAINLY SHOULDN’T TREAT DISABLED PEOPLE AS THOUGH THEY DON’T HAVE CONSIDERABLE QUALITIES TO OFFER TO THE COMMUNITY. WHAT IT MEANS IS GIVING DISABLED PEOPLE THE CHANCE, THE OPPORTUNITY, TO DEVELOP TO THEIR FULL POTENTIAL. AND THAT, OF COURSE, MEANS ENSURING THAT THEY ARE TRAINED TO USE THE SKILLS THAT THEY HAVE. I DIDN’T MENTION TRAINING OF THE DISABLED SPECIFICALLY IN MY LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL SPEECH, BUT I DID REFER TO OUR UNDERTAKING TO MEET THE KEY TARGETS IN THE GREEN PAPER ON REHABILITATION WHICH, OF COURSE, TOUCHES ON TRAINING AMONG OTHER ISSUES. BUT I REPEAT - WE ARE DOING THE WHOLE COMMUNITY A GOOD TURN WHEN WE ENABLE THE DISABLED TO MAKE A FULL CONTRIBUTION TO COMMUNITY SERVICES, BECAUSE THIS, ABOVE ALL, IS A COMMUNITY WHICH NEEDS TO MAKE THE MOST OF ALL ITS TALENTS AND THAT VERY DEFINITELY INCLUDES THE TALENTS OF THOSE WHO HAVE A DISABILITY. AND I WILL SEND YOU A REPLY TO YOUR LETTER, LIKE ALL GOOD CIVIL SERVANTS, WITHIN TEN DAYS.
QUESTION: MR GOVERNOR, THIS IS THE FIRST TIME I CAME TO A QUESTION TIME WITH THE GOVERNOR. WELCOME TO HONG KONG. I CAME NOT TO ASK A QUESTION BUT TO EXPRESS HOW I FEEL ABOUT THE PREVIOUS THREE QUESTION TIMES. FOR THE FIRST TIME, I SAW ON TELEVISION THAT YOU COMPLAINED THAT PEOPLE WERE ASKING TOO LONG QUESTIONS AND ONLY 11 QUESTIONERS WERE ABLE TO BRING UP THEIR QUESTIONS. BUT I FOUND A LOT OF FAMILIAR FACES THERE. THEY BELONG TO THE THREE-TIER COUNCILS. I THINK IT IS VERY UNFAIR BECAUSE ALL OF THEM HAVE THEIR OWN CHANNEL TO EXPRESS THE OPINION TO YOU. WHY DO THEY HAVE TO OCCUPY THE ONLY TIME THAT WE HAVE TO COMMUNICATE WITH YOU DIRECTLY? ESPECIALLY I FOUND THAT A LADY WHO IS A DISTRICT BOARD MEMBER; SHE WENT TO THE GOVERNMENT HOUSE TO SEE YOU WITH HER GROUP AND, AT ONE OF THE QUESTION TIMES, SHE READ FROM A THICK PILE OF PAPERS JUST AS IF SHE WAS QUESTIONING THE CHAIRMAN OF HER OWN GROUP.
/AFTER I .......
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 16, 1992
5
AFTER I SAW SO MANY FAMILIAR FACES, I WENT TO MAKE A LITTLE INVESTIGATION AND I FOUND OUT THAT THE CNTA WAS GIVING OUT TICKETS TO THESE MEMBERS OF THE THREE-TIER COUNCILS. BUT IT IS VERY UNFAIR FOR US COMMON CITIZENS OF HONG KONG, WE HAVE TO QUEUE-UP, PRODUCE OUR ID CARDS, TO GET TWO TICKETS EACH. SO UNDER THESE CIRCUMSTANCES, I MIGHT AS WELL TELEPHONE MR LI OF ’HONG KONG IN THE NINETIES’, WHY DO I HAVE TO COME HERE? BUT THIS EVENING I STILL CAME HERE. MY MAIN OBJECTIVE IS TO GIVE YOU SUPPORT BECAUSE LAST TIME I HEARD THAT THERE WERE NOT TOO MANY PEOPLE AND THE PEOPLE WERE SAYING THAT THIS KIND OF QUESTION TIME IS LOSING ITS POPULARITY AND PEOPLE ARE NOT INTERESTED. SO I WANT TO COME HERE TO SUPPORT YOU. WELL, WHY THE VENUES ARE NOT FILLED-UP, I THINK THERE ARE TWO REASONS. BECAUSE SOME PEOPLE HAVE GOT THE TICKETS AND THEY DON’T COME. AND THE SECOND REASON IS, A LOT OF PEOPLE CAME BUT THEY DON’T HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO ASK QUESTIONS, SO WHY BOTHER? LASTLY, I WANT TO SAY THIS, JUST LIKE THE OTHER GENTLEMAN WHO TALKED ABOUT THE TEXTBOOKS, IT HAS BEEN SAID SO MANY, MANY TIMES BEFORE, THEY HAVE BECOME CLICHES, SO NEXT TIME YOU HOLD ANY SUCH FUNCTIONS THERE MUST BE RULES AND REGULATIONS. MEMBERS OF THE THREE-TIER COUNCILS MUST NOT BE ALLOWED TO ASK QUESTIONS. ORGANISATIONS AND GROUPS MUST NOT BE ALLOWED TO ASK QUESTIONS, AND NOBODY CAN GIVE YOU LETTERS OR PETITIONS.
GOVERNOR: I’LL TELL YOU HOW I THINK WE’LL HAVE TO DO THINGS IN THE FUTURE. WE’LL HAVE TO MAKE YOU THE CHAIRMAN. CAN I JUST MAKE TWO OR THREE THINGS ABSOLUTELY CLEAR. FIRST OF ALL, SO FAR AS THE GOVERNOR OF HONG KONG IS CONCERNED, THESE OCCASIONS ARE FOR YOU, THEY’RE FOR THE MEN AND WOMEN AND YOUNG PEOPLE OF HONG KONG. AND THEY’RE NOT JUST A GIMMICK; THEY’RE NOT JUST, AS SOMEBODY RATHER RUDELY SAID THE OTHER DAY, A SHOW; THEY’RE FROM NOW ON GOING TO BE PART OF THE WAY THAT HONG KONG IS GOVERNED. I’M GOING TO DO THEM, NOT JUST AFTER MY LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL SPEECH EVERY YEAR, BUT I’M GOING TO DO SOME DURING THE YEAR AS WELL, BECAUSE I THINK YOU HAVE A RIGHT TO ASK ME QUESTIONS.
SECONDLY, I’M SURE THE BILL OF RIGHTS WOULD TELL ME THAT MEMBERS OF DISTRICT BOARDS HAVE RIGHTS TOO. THERE’S A MEMBER OF A DISTRICT BOARD OVER THERE. TO BE PERFECTLY HONEST, WHEN I POINT INTO THE AUDIENCE TO ASK SOMEBODY TO ASK A QUESTION - I’LL LET YOU INTO A SECRET - FIRST OF ALL, I VERY RARELY KNOW WHO EXACTLY I’M POINTING AT. SECONDLY, VERY OFTEN THE PERSON I’M POINTING AT ISN’T THE PERSON WHICH IS UP ASKING THE QUESTION. AND OF COURSE YOU’RE RIGHT AS WELL, TO SAY THAT THERE’S NOT VERY MUCH POINT IN INDIVIDUAL GROUPS TRYING TO USE A QUESTION ON AN OCCASION LIKE THIS TO MAKE A DEMONSTRATION IN ORDER TO GET SOME PUBLICITY. BUT I DARESAY THAT DESPITE THE FACT THAT YOU AND OTHERS FEEL AS YOU DO, SOME PEOPLE WILL CONTINUE TO BEHAVE LIKE THAT AND AFTER ALL, IT’S A FREE SOCIETY, AND THAT MEANS THAT WE HAVE, WITHIN THE BOUNDS OF THE LAW, TO LET PEOPLE BEHAVE LIKE THAT AND DEAL WITH IT WITH AS MUCH GENEROSITY OF SPIRIT AS WE CAN MANAGE.
QUESTION: MR PATTEN, FIRST OF ALL, I DO NOT BELONG TO ANY GROUP AND I QUEUED UP TO GET MY TICKET. I WANT TO ASK QUESTIONS ON HOUSING, I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE YOUR OPINION. WELL, MY QUESTION IS DIVIDED INTO TWO PARTS, PLEASE BEAR WITH ME. IT’S A QUESTION ON THE HOME OWNERSHIP SCHEME. IT IS THE GOVERNMENT’S MEASURE TO FIGHT THE HIGH PROPERTY PRICES BUT WHY IS IT THAT THE PRICES OF THE HOME OWNERSHIP SCHEME ARE STILL LINKED WITH THE SO-CALLED MARKET PRICE?
/AND SECONDLY, ........
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 16, 1992
6
AND SECONDLY, ON PUBLIC HOUSING. I LIVE IN PUBLIC HOUSING MYSELF AND NOW THE GOVERNMENT WANTS TO SELL THESE HOUSING UNITS TO THE RESIDENTS, EVEN THOUGH THE SCHEME IS NOT VERY WELCOME. I WONDER WHY IS THERE THIS URGENCY, WHY DOES THE GOVERNMENT WANT TO DO THIS NOW? IF THE GOVERNOR IS SO CONFIDENT THAT IN THE LONG RUN, ALL THE RESIDENTS OF PUBLIC HOUSING WOULD OWN THEIR OWN HOMES, IS IT THAT BEFORE 1997, THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT IS DRAWING ON THE ASSETS OF THE SAR?
GOVERNOR: CAN I DEAL WITH THE SECOND QUESTION FIRST, BECAUSE
THERE IS A LACK OF LOGIC IN THE QUESTION, WHICH IS SURPRISING BECAUSE YOU WERE SO ARTICULATE IN WHAT YOU SAID. AND I SUSPECT THAT ONE OF YOUR JOKES WASN’T TRANSLATED. WHEN YOU SELL A HOUSING AUTHORITY FLAT TO ITS TENANTS YOU’RE NOT REDUCING THE STOCK OF ACCOMMODATION IN HONG KONG, BECAUSE IF THE TENANTS HAVEN’T BOUGHT THE ACCOMMODATION THEY WOULD HAVE GONE ON LIVING THERE ANYWAY. WHAT YOU’RE DOING IS CHANGING THEM FROM BEING TENANTS TO OWNER-OCCUPIERS, AND THE AMOUNT OF MONEY THEY PAY IN AS OWNER-OCCUPIERS, ALMOST CERTAINLY A GOOD DEAL MORE THAN THEY WERE PAYING IN RENT AS TENANTS, GOES INTO THE HOUSING AUTHORITY TO PRODUCE MORE HOMES FOR MORE PEOPLE. BUT WHILE IT IS EXTREMELY IMPORTANT TO GIVE AS MANY PEOPLE AS POSSIBLE THE OPPORTUNITY TO BECOME HOME OWNERS, AND THE EXPERTS TELL US THAT ABOUT SIX OUT OF 10 FAMILIES IN HONG KONG MAY HAVE PUT THEMSELVES INTO THE HOME OWNERSHIP CATEGORY BY 1997, IT IS ALSO EXTREMELY IMPORTANT THAT WE GO ON WITH A SUBSTANTIAL PUBLIC HOUSING PROGRAMME, AND THAT, I’M DETERMINED THAT WE SHOULD DO.
GOVERNOR: THE HOUSING ASSOCIATION AND THE HOUSING SOCIETY WILL BE
BUILDING ABOUT 107 - WHEN I SAY ABOUT - THAT’S THE AVERAGE FIGURE, 107 UNITS A DAY, EVERY DAY, FROM NOW UNTIL 1997. THAT’S ABOUT 40,000 UNITS A YEAR, THAT’S GETTING ON TO 200,000 UNITS OVER THE FIVE YEAR PERIOD. A LOT OF THOSE WILL BE FOR PEOPLE IN THE PUBLIC SECTOR AND SOME, OF COURSE, WILL BE FOR HOME OWNERSHIP.
AND, AS FOR YOUR FIRST QUESTION - THE ONE AFTER THE JOKE - AS FOR YOUR FIRST QUESTION, WHAT WE ARE TRYING TO DO, AS YOU KNOW, THROUGH THE HOME OWNERSHIP SCHEME, IS TO REDUCE THE PRICE OF HOME OWNERSHIP FOR MANY PEOPLE AND THE MOST SENSIBLE THING TO REDUCE IT FROM IS THE MARKET PRICE. IT’S VERY DIFFICULT TO SEE WHAT ELSE YOU COULD REDUCE IT FROM, BUT IF YOU’VE GOT A BETTER YARDSTICK, LET ME KNOW.
QUESTIONER: I DIDN’T SAY ANY INTRODUCTORY REMARKS SO MAY I SAY
SOMETHING MORE NOW? BECAUSE I DON’T THINK YOU UNDERSTOOD MY QUESTION.
GOVERNOR: ALRIGHT, BUT BE VERY BRIEF, VERY VERY BRIEF.
QUESTIONER: FOR THE HOME OWNERSHIP SCHEME, IF THE GOVERNMENT IS
COMMITTED TO SOLVE THE HOUSING PROBLEM OF THE PEOPLE, THEN THE WAY TO DO IT IS JUST TO SELL THE UNIT AT CONSTRUCTION COST. AND SECONDLY, ON PUBLIC HOUSING. THE PUBLIC HOUSING POLICY WAS LAID DOWN BY LORD MACLEHOSE MANY MANY YEARS AGO. THE GOVERNMENT HAS NEVER TRIED TO SELL ANY UNITS TO THE PEOPLE; SO, WHY AT THIS TIME, WHEN THERE ARE SO MANY SOCIAL PROBLEMS, THE GOVERNMENT INSISTS ON SELLING THESE UNITS TO THE RESIDENTS?
/QUESTION: .......
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 16, 1992
GOVERNOR: I ANSWERED YOUR SECOND QUESTION EARLIER WHEN I POINTED OUT THAT YOU ARE NOT REDUCING THE STOCK OF HOUSING IN HONG KONG BY SELLING SOME OF IT, BY SELLING SOME FLATS TO THE PEOPLE WHO LIVE IN THEM, BECAUSE THEY GO ON LIVING IN THEM EVEN IF THEY WERE TENANTS. ON THE FIRST POINT, THE LOWER YOU REDUCE THE PRICE FOR THE HOME OWNERSHIP SCHEME, THE FEWER THE NUMBER OF HOMES THAT YOU CAN ACTUALLY PROVIDE THROUGH IT, BECAUSE YOU WON’T BE GETTING AS MUCH BACK FROM THOSE WHO COME INTO THE SCHEME, BUT YOU ARE ENTIRELY RIGHT TO SAY THAT WE HAVE TO MAKE, FOR THOSE WHO WANT IT, THE LADDER INTO HOME OWNERSHIP AN EASIER ONE TO CLIMB WHILE, AT THE SAME TIME, PROVIDING A VERY LARGE PUBLIC HOUSING PROGRAMME FOR THOSE WHO NEED TO RENT.
QUESTION: I WOULD LIKE TO ASK A QUESTION ON TERTIARY COLLEGES. IT IS VERY GOOD THAT YOU WANT MORE PEOPLE TO HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO RECEIVE TERTIARY EDUCATION, BUT HAVE YOU CONSIDERED WHETHER THE RESOURCES OF HONG KONG CAN COPE WITH THE EXPANSION? FOR MY COLLEGE, THE CLASSROOMS ARE FILLED AND SOME OF THE STUDENTS DO NOT HAVE A SEAT. IT’S THE SAME FOR THE CANTEEN. IT’S ALWAYS FULL AND IT IS VERY DIFFICULT TO FIND A TABLE. I THOUGHT THIS ONLY HAPPENED IN MY COLLEGE BUT WHEN I TALKED TO MY FRIENDS, I FIND THAT THIS IS VERY COMMON FOR ALL THE TERTIARY COLLEGES. SO, WHEN YOU DESIGN YOUR TERTIARY EDUCATION BLUEPRINT, WILL YOU PAY ATTENTION TO THE FACT THAT THE RESOURCES SHOULD BE IN-KEEPING WITH THE EXPANSION RATE?
GOVERNOR: WE ARE, AS YOU SAID, EXPANDING TERTIARY EDUCATION VERY RAPIDLY. A LOT OF THE SENIOR CIVIL SERVANTS WHO ADVISE ME WERE HERE IN UNIVERSITY IN HONG KONG 20, 25 YEARS AGO, WHEN YOU COULD LITERALLY COUNT THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE GOING INTO TERTIARY EDUCATION HERE IN HUNDREDS. NOW, WE ARE TALKING ABOUT 14,000, 15,000 AND WE ARE MOVING TOWARDS A SITUATION IN WHICH ALMOST ONE IN FIVE OF THE 17 TO 20 YEAR OLD AGE GROUP WILL BE IN TERTIARY EDUCATION.
NOW, YOU’RE QUITE RIGHT TO SAY THAT THAT HAS CONSEQUENCES FOR THE BUILDINGS IN THE TERTIARY SECTOR AND THAT MEANS THAT WE HAVE TO GO ON WITH A LARGE CAPITAL INVESTMENT PROGRAMME, BUT I AM SURE YOU’D AGREE WITH ME THAT IF WE WERE TO SAY TO YOUNG PEOPLE WHO ARE QUALIFIED TO GO TO TERTIARY EDUCATION, 'I’M NOT SURE YOU CAN GO THIS YEAR BECAUSE THE CANTEENS ARE OVER-CROWDED,’ THEY’D GIVE US A PRETTY DUSTY REPLY. BUT I WILL TELL YOU WHAT I THINK IS AN EVEN MORE IMPORTANT RESULT OF THE EXPANSION OF TERTIARY EDUCATION AND, THAT IS, THAT WE HAVE - IT’S A REAL IMPERATIVE - WE HAVE TO INCREASE THE AMOUNT OF MONEY THAT WE PUT INTO RESEARCH AT UNIVERSITIES AND POLYTECHNICS.
NOW, THERE’S ONE SECRET THAT I’M GOING TO LET YOU INTO. I AM NOT JUST CHANCELLOR OF ONE COLLEGE OR UNIVERSITY IN HONG KONG. I AM CHANCELLOR OF ALL SEVEN UNIVERSITIES AND COLLEGES IN HONG KONG AND I HAVE A DIFFERENT GOWN AND A DIFFERENT MORTARBOARD FOR EACH ONE AND I HAVE, ONCE OR TWICE A YEAR, TO GO AND GIVE DEGREES TO YOUNG PEOPLE WHO ARE QUALIFYING FOR DOCTORATES OR MASTERS DEGREES. AND IN ORDER TO MAKE SURE THAT WE KEEP MORE OF THEM IN HONG KONG AND MAKE THE USE OF THEIR EDUCATION AND LEARNING, WE HAVE TO INCREASE, OVER THE NEXT FEW YEARS, QUITE SUBSTANTIALLY, THE AMOUNT OF MONEY THAT’S PUT INTO RESEARCH.
/QUESTION: ........
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 16, 1992
- 8
QUESTION: I’M SORRY, MR GOVERNOR, I’M WHEELCHAIR-BOUND AND I
CANNOT STAND UP TO ASK MY QUESTION. THERE ARE A LOT OF THINGS INVOLVED IN THE REHABILITATION PACKAGE, THEY ARE:
TRANSPORT
ACCESSIBILITY
EMPLOYMENT
GOVERNMENT POLICY
HOUSING
AND EDUCATION.
IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, A LOT OF ORDINANCES AND POLICIES WOULD BE PASSED WHICH ARE IN CONNECTION WITH THE WELFARE AND NEEDS OF THE DISABLED, BUT THERE IS NO REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DISABLED ON THE COUNCIL, SO IT MAKES IT VERY DIFFICULT TO REFLECT OUR VIEWS AND OUR NEEDS. THE MOST IMPORTANT THING IS TRANSPORT. AT THE MOMENT THERE IS NO PUBLIC TRANSPORT WHICH IS SUITABLE FOR THE DISABLED TO USE.
WE HAVE STRONGLY DEMANDED TO HAVE A FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCY FOR THE DISABLED BUT IN YOUR POLITICAL BLUEPRINT THIS HAS NOT BEEN MATERIALISED AND WE ARE EXTREMELY DISAPPOINTED. WHEN YOU ALLOCATE SEATS TO THE FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCIES, YOU SHOULD BALANCE THE INTERESTS OF DIFFERENT GROUPS. NOW, IN HONG KONG, MORE THAN 50% OF DISABLED PEOPLE ARE UNEMPLOYED. THEY ARE ALREADY DISCRIMINATED AGAINST, THEY ARE BEING EXPLOITED. NOW, BECAUSE THEY ARE OUT OF WORK THEY ARE NOT REPRESENTED IN ANY OF THE FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCIES, SO THIS IS DOUBLE DISCRIMINATION AND DOUBLE EXPLOITATION. NOW, THERE ARE ABOUT 270,000 DISABLED PEOPLE IN HONG KONG, AND INCLUDING THE AGENCIES AND THE PEOPLE WHO WORK FOR THEM THERE ARE ABOUT 570,000 PEOPLE. SO THESE PEOPLE ARE ALL DEPRIVED OF THEIR REPRESENTATION IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, SO HOW CAN THEY FIGHT FOR THEIR RIGHTS AND INTERESTS?
GOVERNOR: FIRST OF ALL, THE FIRST POINT YOU MADE ABOUT TRANSPORT IS ONE WHICH I KNOW IS STRONGLY FELT BY PEOPLE WHO ARE DISABLED AND THEIR REPRESENTATIVES IN THE AGENCIES. I HAD A QUESTION ON THIS ISSUE AT, I THINK MY SECOND PUBLIC MEETING, AND I SUGGESTED TO THE QUESTIONER ON THAT OCCASION THAT HE MIGHT LIKE TO COME WITH ME TO A MEETING WITH THE BUS COMPANIES AND THE RAILWAY COMPANIES TO DISCUSS FACILITIES FOR THE DISABLED, AND IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO COME AS WELL, I’D BE DELIGHTED TO HAVE YOU THERE.
SECONDLY, YOU REFERRED TO THE PROPOSALS I PUT FORWARD ON FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCIES. THERE ARE, AS YOU KNOW, AT PRESENT 21 FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCIES, AND MY PROPOSALS, WHICH I’LL DISCUSS WITH CHINA, AS WELL AS THE COMMUNITY, FOR THOSE CONSTITUENCIES, ARE THAT WE SHOULD, WHEREVER POSSIBLE, INCREASE THE MEMBERSHIP OF THE COMMITTEE BY ELIMINATING CORPORATE MEMBERSHIP AND INTRODUCING INDIVIDUAL MEMBERSHIP. AND THAT WILL, AMONG OTHERS, AFFECT THE CONSTITUENCY WHICH COVERS SOCIAL WORK WHERE FROM NOW ON, INDIVIDUAL SOCIAL WORKERS IN AGENCIES WILL BE ABLE TO VOTE.
/SECONDLY, WE .......
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 16, 1992
9
SECONDLY, WE WILL HAVE TO INTRODUCE, IN 1995, NINE NEW FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCIES IN ORDER TO CONFORM WITH THE BASIC LAW. I PROPOSED, FOR THOSE NINE NEW CONSTITUENCIES, THAT WE SHOULD DESIGN THEM IN SUCH A WAY THAT REPRESENTATIVES OF EVERY ECONOMIC FUNCTION, IN OTHER WORDS, EVERYONE WHO IS IN WORK, SHOULD HAVE A VOTE TO REPRESENT THEIR PLACE OF WORK. NOW, I THINK IT MIGHT BE DIFFICULT TO DESIGN A FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCY TO REPRESENT PEOPLE OTHER THAN AN ECONOMIC INTEREST GROUP. I THINK THAT MIGHT PLACE ME OUTSIDE THE BASIC LAW, FOR A START. BUT I WILL CERTAINLY CONSIDER YOUR PROPOSAL. IT MAY BE, FOR EXAMPLE, THAT ONE OF THE ECONOMIC FUNCTIONS AT PRESENT REPRESENTED BY MORE THAN ONE CONSTITUENCY, BY MORE THAN ONE VOTE AMONG THE FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCIES, WOULD LIKE TO SURRENDER THEIR SEAT TO THE DISABLED.
QUESTION: MR GOVERNOR, THANK YOU FOR GIVING US THIS OPPORTUNITY TO EXPRESS OUR VIEWS TO YOU DIRECTLY. AND I DO NOT AGREE WITH THE LADY WHO SAID SOMETHING ABOUT THE THREE-TIER COUNCILLORS OCCUPYING THE QUESTION TIME, BECAUSE THEY REPRESENT THE PEOPLE, AND THE DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS, THEY REPRESENT AT LEAST 30% OF PUBLIC OPINION, SO THEY SHOULD BE GIVEN AN OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK UP. IT WILL BE MORE UNMANAGEABLE IF MILLIONS OF PEOPLE COME HERE AND THEY TRY TO VOICE THEIR OWN OPINIONS. I WENT TO THE THREE PREVIOUS PUBLIC FORUMS BUT I DIDN’T SEE ANY COUNCILLORS STANDING UP AND ASKING THEIR QUESTION TO YOU, SO I THINK SHE’S WRONG HERE. SO MUCH FOR MY OPENING REMARKS AND I WANT TO ASK ONE VERY IMPORTANT QUESTION.
IN YOUR POLICY SPEECH, YOU SAID A LOT ABOUT YOUR HOUSING POLICY BUT I WANT TO SAY SOMETHING ABOUT THE SQUATTER HUTS IN THE URBAN AREA. THERE ARE NOW ABOUT 57,000 PEOPLE LIVING IN SQUATTER HUTS IN URBAN AREAS AND YOU SAID THAT YOU HOPE THAT ALL THESE SQUATTER AREAS CAN BE CLEARED IN MARCH 1996, BUT I THINK IT IS TOO LATE. IT WOULD BE BETTER IF YOU CAN DO THIS BEFORE 1995. THE REASON IS, MR GOVERNOR, YOU HAVE COME TO VISIT THE WONG TAI SIN SQUATTER AREA, BUT THE ’’PATTEN HURRICANE” HAD FAILED TO PUT OUT A FIRE WHICH GUTTED TAI HOM TSUEN - IT HAPPENED AFTER YOUR VISIT. AND THE FIRE BROKE OUT IN AN EMPTY HUT, SO YOU CAN SEE HOW DANGEROUS THE ENVIRONMENT WAS. THERE WAS THE DANGEROUS SLOPE AND THERE WAS THE FIRE BREAKING OUT FROM EMPTY HUTS, SO WOULD YOU CONSIDER ADVANCING YOUR PROGRAMME OF CLEARANCE?
GOVERNOR: FIRST OF ALL, THANK YOU VERY MUCH INDEED FOR COMING TO SOME OF THE PREVIOUS MEETINGS AS WELL AS TO THIS ONE, AND NEXT TIME, I PROMISE I’LL ASK YOU AT AN EARLIER MEETING.
I QUITE UNDERSTAND WHAT YOU SAY ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF RE-SETTLING PEOPLE WHO AT PRESENT LIVE IN SQUATTING ACCOMMODATION, AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. AND YOU’RE ALSO RIGHT TO SAY THAT WE WANT TO RESETTLE ALL URBAN SQUATTERS ON GOVERNMENT LAND BY MARCH 1996. I THINK YOU’LL BE AWARE OF THE FACT THAT SOMETIMES A PROBLEM IN RE-SETTLING PEOPLE LIVING IN THAT SORT OF ACCOMMODATION, IS THAT THEY DON’T WANT TO MOVE. THE FIRST SQUATTING AREA THAT I WENT TO, I WAS PRESENTED WITH A PETITION IN WHICH SOME PEOPLE SAID THAT THEY WANTED TO STAY RATHER THAN BE MOVED. SO WE DO HAVE TO SOMETIMES DEAL WITH RATHER BIGGER SOCIAL PROBLEMS THAN YOU MIGHT ANTICIPATE IN RE-SETTLING, BUT WE MUST PRESS AHEAD AS FAST AS POSSIBLE AND I AM VERY GRATEFUL TO YOU FOR DRAWING THAT MATTER TO MY ATTENTION, EVEN THOUGH IT TOOK YOU A LONG TIME TO ASK THE QUESTION.
/QUESTION: ........
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 16, 1992
10
QUESTION: THANK YOU, MR GOVERNOR, FOR GIVING US THIS PUBLIC FORUM TO CONSULT PUBLIC OPINION, THIS HAS NEVER BEEN DONE BEFORE AND IT REALLY CAN BE COMPARED TO THE COMET HALLEY WHICH APPEARS ONLY ONCE IN 150 YEARS TIME. I WANT TO ASK ONE QUESTION ON HUMAN RIGHTS. IF YOU DO NOT HAVE WATER-SUPPLY FOR ONE YEAR AND YOU HAVE TO GO TO VARIOUS GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS TO SORT OUT THE PROBLEM, AND FINALLY, YOU FIND THAT YOU HAVE TO RESORT TO CIVIL PROCEEDINGS IN ORDER TO GET WHAT YOU WANT, SO WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT THIS?
SECONDLY, I WANT TO SAY SOMETHING ABOUT THE NEEDS OF A MINORITY GROUP OF HONG KONG, THESE ARE THE FARMERS. THEY DON’T HAVE ANY INFORMATION; IT’S VERY DIFFICULT FOR THEM TO HAVE CLEAR AND UP TO DATE INFORMATION WHICH THEY NEED, TO BE IN TOUCH WITH SOCIETY. SO I WOULD LIKE TO SUGGEST THIS: CAN THE INFORMATION PROGRAMME SHOULD APPEAR WITH SUB-TITLES AT LEAST ONCE A WEEK INSTEAD OF ONCE A MONTH, SO I’M SURE THAT IN THIS WAY, THEY CAN HAVE MORE KNOWLEDGE ABOUT SOCIETY AND THEY CAN BE MORE USEFUL TO SOCIETY. I WANT TO SAY SOMETHING MORE.
GOVERNOR: WELL, WE WON’T BE ABLE TO GET ANOTHER QUESTION IN IF YOU DO, BECAUSE WE ARE ALREADY OVERRUNNING. CAN I ANSWER THESE TWO, ALL RIGHT?
FIRST OF ALL, YOU OBVIOUSLY GOT AN INDIVIDUAL, A PARTICULAR CASE IN MIND ABOUT THE WATER, AND IT MAY BE ONE AFFECTING YOU. IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO GET IN TOUCH WITH ONE OF THE STEWARDS AFTERWARDS AND FIND OUT WHERE TO WRITE TO ME ABOUT YOUR PERSONAL CASE, I’LL HAVE A LOOK AT IT WHEN YOU WRITE TO ME.
SECONDLY, YOU’RE OF COURSE RIGHT ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF THE FARMING COMMUNITY TO HONG KONG -- SORRY? HE SAID ’’DEAF”?
INTERPRETER: THEY SOUND THE SAME, ’’LUNG FU" AND ’’LUNG YAN”.
GOVERNOR: AH! YOU SEE HOW MUCH EASIER LIFE WOULD BE IF I SPOKE CANTONESE. BUT I JUST WANT TO PAY ONE TRIBUTE TO THOSE THREE BRILLIANT YOUNG WOMEN, THAT IS THE FIRST, EVEN TINY MISTAKE THAT THEY’VE MADE IN FOUR PUBLIC MEETINGS, UPTEEN RADIO AND TELEVISION PROGRAMMES, SO THEY ARE BRILLIANT, AND ACTUALLY, THEY DESERVE A ROUND OF APPLAUSE.
GOVERNOR: NOW, I WILL LET YOU INTO A SMALL SECRET, I WAS ABOUT TO TRY TO THINK OF AN ANSWER AS TO WHY THE FARMING COMMUNITY NEEDED MORE INFORMATION, AND I DON’T THINK IT WAS GOING TO BE A VERY CONVINCING ANSWER. I WILL PASS ON TO THE RTHK AND TO THE TELEVISION COMPANIES, THE POINT YOU’VE MADE ABOUT SERVICES FOR THE DEAF. IT’S AN EXTREMELY IMPORTANT POINT. TELEVISION, IN PARTICULAR, IS EXCEPTIONALLY IMPORTANT TO KEEPING DEAF PEOPLE IN TOUCH WITH WHAT IS HAPPENING IN THE COMMUNITY AND WE MUST SEE IF WE CAN FIND SOME WAY OF MEETING YOUR UNDERSTANDABLE CONCERN. IT’S A MUCH EASIER ANSWER TO GIVE THAN THE ONE I WAS ABOUT TO GIVE ABOUT FARMERS.
/QUESTION: .......
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 16, 1992
11
QUESTION: MR GOVERNOR, FIRST OF ALL, I WOULD LIKE TO GIVE YOU A PIECE OF MY OPINION, I HOPE YOU WON’T MIND. THE NEXT TIME YOU HOLD THIS KIND OF PUBLIC FORUM, YOU SHOULD BE MORE FAR SIGHTED AND LOOK AT THE UPPER DECK. I HAD TO CHANGE MY SEAT IN ORDER TO ATTRACT YOUR ATTENTION.
I AM CONCERNED ABOUT THE SOCIAL SECURITY SYSTEM AND I THINK THE AMOUNT OF SOCIAL ASSISTANCE IS STILL TOO LITTLE. I LIVE AT SHUN LEI CHUN AND I CAN SEE THAT A LOT OF ELDERLY PEOPLE THERE, THEY STILL HAVE TO COLLECT EMPTY CANS AND TO COLLECT THE EMPTY CARTON BOXES FROM THE STREETS TO HELP TO MAKE ENDS MEET. I THINK THEY SHOULD ENJOY SOCIAL SECURITY AND THIS SHOWS THAT THE PUBLIC ASSISTANCE THEY ARE GETTING IS NOT ENOUGH AND I HOPE YOU CAN PAY MORE ATTENTION TO THE WELFARE OF THESE ELDERLY AND THE DISABLED. 825 DOLLARS A MONTH IS NOT ENOUGH, THOUGH I MUST SAY THEY ARE NOT TOO LITTLE. SOME PEOPLE ARE TALKING ABOUT RAISING THE AMOUNT FROM 825 TO 1,900. I ALSO THINK THIS IS TOO MUCH, BUT WOULD YOU CONSIDER ADJUSTING THE AMOUNTS ACCORDING TO INFLATION EACH YEAR?
GOVERNOR: ABSOLUTELY. LET ME JUST TRY TO RESPOND BRIEFLY SO THAT WE CAN GET ANOTHER QUESTION IN. I THINK THERE IS CONCERN IN THE COMMUNITY ABOUT THE PUBLIC ASSISTANCE LEVELS AND I’VE TRIED TO ADJUST THEM IN ORDER TO PROVIDE MORE ASSISTANCE BOTH FOR FAMILY MEMBERS WHO AREN’T AT PRESENT RECEIVING A SUPPLEMENT, AND THEIR FIGURE WILL GO UP FROM BETWEEN 600 AND 620 TO 820 A MONTH AND, FOR INDIVIDUALS - PEOPLE LIVING ON THEIR OWN - FOR INDIVIDUALS, THE FIGURE WILL GO UP FROM 825 TO 950. THAT’S JUST THE FIRST POINT. BUT THOSE FIGURES ARE IN THIS YEAR’S PRICES. YOU’LL HAVE TO COUNT IN ADDITION, AN INCREASE FOR INFLATION THAT WILL BE PRODUCED NEXT MARCH. I TOTALLY AGREE WITH YOU - AND THIS IS AN ABSOLUTE AND UNSHAKEABLE COMMITMENT - WE MUST NOT ALLOW PAYMENTS LIKE THAT TO BE GNAWED AWAY BY INFLATION EVERY YEAR. WE MUST MAKE SURE THAT THEY ARE AT LEAST ADJUSTED TO TAKE ACCOUNT OF THE RISE IN PRICES. THAT IS, I THINK, A DUTY THAT WE OWE THOSE WHO, USUALLY THROUGH NO FAULT OF THEIR OWN, ARE IN NEED.
AND THE LAST POINT I MAKE IS THAT, EVEN THOUGH YOU WERE SITTING UP THERE, YOUR PERSONALITY WAS SO MAGNETIC THAT I FOUND YOU IN THE END. •
QUESTION: MR GOVERNOR, GOOD EVENING. I DIDN’T THINK I WOULD BE
GIVEN THIS CHANCE TO SPEAK TO YOU. I THOUGHT YOU HAVE DISCRIMINATION AGAINST FEMALES. BUT AT LAST I HAVE THIS CHANCE. AND, I WOULD LIKE TO CONGRATULATE YOU ON THESE PUBLIC FORUMS. I WANT YOU TO HOLD THEM MORE OFTEN. DON’T BE DISHEARTENED BECAUSE THE PLACE WAS HALF EMPTY LAST TIME. I WOULD COME EVEN IF I WAS THE ONLY ONE, I WOULD COME WITH ALL MY RESPECT AND I WOULD SPEAK TO YOU ONE-TO-ONE.
MR GOVERNOR, YOU ARE SO HARD WORKING AND YOU ARE SO CLOSE TO THE PEOPLE, WE ALL SUPPORT YOU. WHEN YOU GO BACK TO THE UK AND IF YOU RUN FOR THE PRIME MINISTER, THE 6 MILLION HONG KONG PEOPLE WILL NO DOUBT GIVE YOU OUR SUPPORT. IF YOU AGREE TO PAY FOR MY AIR PASSAGE, I WILL BE IN YOUR ELECTIONEERING TEAM.
/I WOULD .......
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 16, 1992
12
I WOULD LIKE TO SAY SOMETHING ON THE YOUTH PROBLEM. I THINK THE MEDIA IS EXERTING A LOT OF INFLUENCE ON THE YOUNG PEOPLE. NOWADAYS, IN SOME OF THE LOCAL NEWSPAPERS, EVEN THE VERY BIG NEWSPAPERS, THEY CARRY STORIES WITH VERY CRUDE, OR SOMETIMES NUDE ILLUSTRATIONS AND THE CONTENT IS VERY EROTIC. IF YOU UNDERSTAND CHINESE YOU WILL SEE WHAT I MEAN. SO, WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT THE YOUNG PEOPLE, AFTER THEY HAVE READ THIS, HOW CAN THEY HELP GOING ASTRAY?
SECONDLY, THE BEHAVIOUR OF KILLING, ARSONING ARE PORTRAYED AS HEROIC DEEDS IN TELEVISION AND MOVIES. SO THIS IS VERY MISLEADING TO THE YOUNG PEOPLE. I'M SURE THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD SPEND MORE ON EDUCATION. SUCH AS THE GOVERNMENT PLAYGROUND, THEY CAN BE OPENED TO THE YOUNG PEOPLE FOR THEM TO RIDE THEIR BICYCLES THERE, OR TO DO SOMETHING TO SPEND THEIR ENERGY. IF THE GOVERNMENT THINKS FIT, THEY MAY CHARGE AN ENTRANCE FEE. IT’S OKAY. AND THERE ARE SO MANY UNDESIRABLE MOVIES SHOWING NOW, I THINK THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD DO SOMETHING TO COUNTER THIS EFFECT. THE GOVERNMENT CAN PAY TO MAKE SOME ROMANCE AND FEATURE FILMS AND YOU CAN GIVE OUR TICKETS AND WE ARE SURE TO BRING OUR CHILDREN TO WATCH THESE FILMS. OF COURSE, THIS IS A DRAW ON THE GOVERNMENT RESOURCES, BUT IF YOU HAVE TO HIRE MORE POLICEMEN TO MAINTAIN LAW AND ORDER, THIS IS ALSO A DRAW ON THE GOVERNMENT RESOURCES. WHAT I HAVE SUGGESTED IS A PREVENTIVE MEASURE.
GOVERNOR: FIRST OF ALL, I THINK IF I STARTED GOING TO ONE-TO-ONE MEETINGS WITH YOU IN THE EVENINGS, MY WIFE MIGHT GET SUSPICIOUS, BUT THANK YOU VERY MUCH INDEED FOR YOUR SUPPORT. I THINK THE POINT YOU RAISE ABOUT THE THREAT TO FAMILY LIFE FROM PORNOGRAPHY, WHETHER IN MAGAZINES OR IN FILMS, IS A VERY REAL DANGER. AND IT IS A DANGER THAT WE HAVE TO TRY TO COPE WITH. OF COURSE, THE COMMISSION ON YOUTH PRODUCED SOME EXTREMELY INTERESTING AND IMPORTANT PROPOSALS ON YOUNG PEOPLE, ON ENSURING THAT THEY ARE BETTER EDUCATED AND I HOPE THAT WE CAN IMPLEMENT THEIR PROPOSALS IN THE YEARS AHEAD.
AND I’LL TELL SIR RUN RUN SHAW ABOUT THE FILMS.
QUESTION: MR GOVERNOR, I AM CONCERNED ABOUT THE POLITICAL SYSTEM. AS YOU ARE A POLITICIAN I’M SURE YOU’LL FIND MY QUESTION THE EASIER ONE IN THE WHOLE EVENING. AND I WOULD LIKE TO SAY SOMETHING ABOUT THE SINO-HONG KONG RELATIONS. TEN DAYS AFTER YOU DELIVERED YOUR POLICY SPEECH, WE CAN SEE FROM TV AND NEWSPAPERS WHAT THE REACTIONS FROM CHINA IS AND THE AIRPORT TALKS HAVE ALSO FAILED. YOU SAID THAT DEMOCRATISATION IS WHAT THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG WANT, BUT CHINA HAS A DIFFERENT INTERPRETATION TO DEMOCRACY. SO, THEY HAVE STRONGLY REFUSED TO ACCEPT YOUR PACKAGE AND I THINK SMOOTH TRANSITION IS ALL WE WANT AND GOOD RELATION BETWEEN CHINA AND HONG KONG IS VERY IMPORTANT. I AM AFRAID THAT THERE MIGHT BE MORE CONFLICTS IN THE FUTURE. SO, WHEN YOU GO TO PEKING, WILL YOU USE YOUR POLITICIAN’S SKILL TO TRY TO EXPLAIN TO PEKING THE KIND OF DEMOCRACY WE WANT?
/GOVERNOR: .......
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 16, 1992
13
GOVERNOR: EVER SINCE I’VE BEEN IN HONG KONG, I’VE ATTEMPTED TO LEARN FROM PEOPLE LIKE YOU WHAT SORT OF POLITICAL DEVELOPMENT YOU WANT IN THE NEXT FEW YEARS. I DON’T INVENT THE FACT THAT WE HAVE TO BRING FORWARD PROPOSALS ABOUT THE 1995 ELECTIONS, ABOUT THE ELECTION COMMITTEE, ABOUT THE FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCIES AND SO ON. THOSE ARE ISSUES THAT WE DO HAVE TO TACKLE. AND WHAT I THOUGHT AND WHAT I BELIEVE THAT PEOPLE IN HONG KONG WANT IS A MODEST INCREASE IN THE EXTENT TO WHICH THEY ARE ABLE TO PARTICIPATE IN GOVERNMENT; ACHIEVED IN A WAY WHICH IS CONSISTENT WITH THE BASIC LAW. WHAT THE SURVEYS OF PUBLIC OPINION SUGGEST IS THAT SOME PEOPLE THINK I SHOULD HAVE GONE FURTHER AND FASTER. AND ACCORDING TO THE SURVEYS, A MUCH, MUCH SMALLER GROUP THINK THAT I’VE GONE TOO FAR, BUT WHAT THEY ALSO SEEM TO SHOW - THOSE SURVEYS - IS THAT THE MAJORITY OF PEOPLE THINK THAT I’VE GOT IT ABOUT RIGHT, THINK THAT WHAT I’M PROPOSING IS A REASONABLE BALANCE. AND THAT IS WHAT I SHALL SAY WHEN I AM IN PEKING NEXT WEEK.
WHAT I WILL ALSO SAY IS THAT IT ISN’T ENOUGH FOR PEOPLE JUST TO CRITICISE MY PROPOSALS, ANY MORE THAN IT’S ENOUGH, FOR PEOPLE JUST TO SAY ’NO’ EVERY TIME WE PUT FORWARD A NEW PROPOSAL ABOUT THE AIRPORT. IF PEOPLE CRITICISE THEN THEY SHOULD SAY, OPENLY, WHAT ALTERNATIVE PROPOSALS THEY THINK WOULD BE BETTER. OF COURSE EVERYONE SENSIBLE WANTS A GOOD AND CLOSE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN HONG KONG AND CHINA. AS I SAID A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO, WHAT HURTS CHINA, HURTS HONG KONG AND WHAT IS GOOD FOR HONG KONG IS GOOD FOR CHINA. BUT A GOOD RELATIONSHIP INVOLVES BOTH PARTIES. I THINK YOU HAVE AN EXPRESSION IN CHINESE THAT YOU CAN’T CLAP WITH ONE HAND. IT DOESN’T MEAN THAT ALL THE UNDERSTANDING, ALL THE INTEREST, ALL THE EFFORT HAS TO BE IN ONE DIRECTION. IT NEEDS UNDERSTANDING FROM BOTH SIDES. I BELIEVE THAT THE PROPOSALS WHICH I’VE PUT FORWARD, WHICH WERE MADE IN HONG KONG, WHICH I THINK REFLECT THE VIEWS OF PEOPLE OF HONG KONG, WOULD BE GOOD FOR HONG KONG AND THEREFORE, AS I SAID EARLIER, GOOD FOR THE RELATIONSHIP WITH CHINA. AND THAT IS THE POINT THAT I SHALL MAKE AND THAT IS THE POINT WHICH I HOPE - WHATEVER THE WORDS THAT SOME PEOPLE USE - THAT IS THE POINT WHICH I HOPE YOU WILL SUPPORT.
-----o------
HK CAN WELL AFFORD SPENDING PLANS : FS
*****
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, MR HAMISH MACLEOD, TODAY (FRIDAY) REITERATED THAT HONG KONG COULD AFFORD THE SPENDING PLANS IN THE GOVERNOR’S POLICY ADDRESS.
THE SATISFACTORY RESOLUTION OF THE SECTION 301 TALKS BETWEEN CHINA AND THE UNITED STATES AND THE RENEWAL OF THE MOST-FAVOUREDNATION STATUS FOR CHINA AUGURED WELL FOR HONG KONG’S CONTINUING ECONOMIC SUCCESS, HE SAID.
"ALSO, THE UNEXPECTEDLY HEALTHY REVENUE POSITION WE EXPERIENCED IN THE LAST QUARTER OF 1991 - 92 HAS CONTINUED," HE TOLD THE ANNUAL LUNCHEON OF THE INLAND REVENUE BOARD OF REVIEW TODAY (FRIDAY).
"THIS WINDFALL FISCAL SURPLUS HAS GIVEN US EXTRA FREEDOM OF ACTION IN OUR SPENDING PLANS," HE ADDED.
/"COMBINED WITH .......
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 16, 1992
14
’’COMBINED WITH OUR NEW APPROACH IN RESOURCE ALLOCATION, THIS ENABLES THE GOVERNMENT TO TRANSLATE POLICY ASPIRATIONS INTO FIRM FINANCIAL COMMITMENTS IN A NUMBER OF KEY PROGRAMME AREAS FOR THE NEXT FOUR YEARS, WITHOUT BREACHING OUR PRUDENT EXPENDITURE GUIDELINES OR EATING INTO OUR FORECAST FISCAL RESERVES,” HE EXPLAINED.
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY MAINTAINED THAT ONE OF THE REASONS FOR THE GROWTH OF THE LOCAL ECONOMY AND IN REVENUE WAS ITS ’’STABLE, PREDICTABLE AND LOW-TAX SYSTEM.”
REFERRING TO THE OCCASIONAL CRITICISMS ON HONG KONG’S FAILURE TO OFFER "TAX BREAKS” TO BE FOUND ELSEWHERE, HE SAID: "THE FACT OF THE MATTER IS THAT WE DO NOT NEED THEM."
"A SIMPLE, STRAIGHT-FORWARD SYSTEM, WITH FEW PERMITTED DEDUCTIONS, ALLOWS US TO KEEP EFFECTIVE TAX RATES LOW, AS WELL AS MINIMISING THE COST OF COLLECTION."
MR MACLEOD NOTED THAT THE INLAND REVENUE BOARD OF REVIEW PLAYED AN IMPORTANT ROLE IN ENSURING THAT THE TAX SYSTEM WAS RELIABLE, EFFICIENT AND FAIR. HE CONGRATULATED CHAIRMAN MR BILL TURNBULL ON THE SMALL NUMBER OF OUTSTANDING CASES.
HE ADDED THAT THE WORK OF THE BOARD WAS COMPLEMENTED BY THE GOVERNMENT’S ONGOING EFFORTS TO TACKLE TAX AVOIDANCE AND EVASION.
HE NOTED THAT THE STAMP DUTY (AMENDMENT) ORDINANCE HAD BEEN USEFUL IN CURBING SPECULATION IN DOMESTIC PROPERTY, BY MAKING STAMP DUTY PAYABLE ON EACH AND EVERY SALE AND PURCHASE AGREEMENT.
"WE SHALL CONTINUE TO LOOK AT NEW WAYS TO TACKLE TAX AVOIDANCE SO THAT, WHILE OUR TAX RATES REMAIN LOW, TAXES WHICH ARE DUE ARE PAID IN FULL," HE ADDED.
-----0------
KAP SHUI MUN BRIDGE/MA WAN VIADUCT CONTRACT TO BE AWARDED *****
THE GOVERNMENT HAS DECIDED TO AWARD THE CONTRACT FOR DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION OF THE KAP SHUI MUN BRIDGE AND MA WAN VIADUCT ON THE LANTAU FIXED CROSSING TO KUMAGAI-MAEDA-YOKOGAWA-HITACHI JOINT VENTURE, SUBJECT TO THE FINALISATION OF CONTRACT DETAILS.
THE CENTRAL TENDER BOARD (CTB) HAS TODAY ACCEPTED THE JOINT VENTURE’S FIXED PRICE LUMP SUM TENDER, WHICH WAS SUBMITTED IN A MIXTURE OF HONG KONG DOLLARS AND JAPANESE YEN, AND IS EQUIVALENT TO HK$1.64 BILLION IN MONEY OF THE DAY AT CURRENT EXCHANGE RATES.
THE CONTRACT WILL BE FORMALLY AWARDED NEXT MONTH WHEN CONTRACT DOCUMENTS HAVE BEEN COMPLETED. THIS WILL BE ONE MONTH AHEAD OF SCHEDULE.
/THE KAP ........
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 16, 1992
15
THE KAP SHUT MUN BRIDGE AND MA WAN VIADUCT FORM A KEY PART OF THE LANTAU FIXED CROSSING, LINKING THE TSING MA SUSPENSION BRIDGE TO THE NORTH LANTAU EXPRESSWAY WITH COMBINED ROAD AND RAIL STRUCTURES. THEY WILL TAKE ABOUT FOUR-AND-A-HALF YEARS TO COMPLETE.
"THE KUMAGAI-MAEDA-YOKOGAWA-HITACHI JOINT VENTURE HAS SUBMITTED THE LOWEST BID RECEIVED FROM THREE TENDERERS FOR THIS IMPORTANT PART OF THE AIRPORT CORE PROGRAMME, AND IT IS THE CLEAR WINNER," SECRETARY FOR THE TREASURY AND CHAIRMAN OF THE CTB, MR K Y YEUNG, SAID TODAY.
"ITS TENDER PRICE OF $1.64 BILLION FOR DESIGNING AND CONSTRUCTING THE BRIDGE AND VIADUCT COMES WELL WITHIN THE GOVERNMENT’S ESTIMATE FOR THIS CONTRACT OF $1.81 BILLION (MARCH 1991 PRICES), WHICH IS PART OF THE PROJECT ESTIMATE APPROVED BY FINANCE COMMITTEE IN JULY 1991 .
"REMEMBER ALSO THAT THIS IS A FIXED-PRICE LUMP SUM CONTRACT WITH NO FUTURE ADJUSTMENT FOR INFLATION. WHEN YOU CONSIDER THAT OUR ORIGINAL ESTIMATE OF $1.81 BILLION WAS IN MARCH 1991 PRICES, THEN THE SAVINGS WE HAVE ACHIEVED ON THIS CONTRACT ARE ALL THE MORE REMARKABLE," MR YEUNG SAID.
MR YEUNG SAID: "THIS FOLLOWS THE TREND WHICH IS ALREADY APPARENT IN OTHER GOVERNMENT CONTRACTS ON THE AIRPORT CORE PROGRAMME. IT WILL BRING THE TOTAL NUMBER OF GOVERNMENT CONTRACTS ON THE ACP AWARDED BELOW ESTIMATE TO 17, WITH A VALUE OF NEARLY $19 BILLION.
"THAT IS A SIGNIFICANT ACHIEVEMENT IN TERMS OF PROGRAMME PLANNING AND IMPLEMENTATION, AND IT DEMONSTRATES THAT COMPETITIVE BIDDING ON A FIXED PRICE LUMP SUM BASIS IS VERY EFFECTIVE IN KEEPING THE COSTS OF THE ACP DOWN."
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID IT WAS DECIDED TO USE A DESIGN AND CONSTRUCT CONTRACT BECAUSE ALTERNATIVE DESIGNS AND CONSTRUCTION METHODS WERE AVAILABLE, AND BECAUSE THERE WAS SUFFICIENT TIME FOR TENDERERS TO PREPARE THEIR OWN DESIGNS.
"ON A DESIGN AND CONSTRUCT CONTRACT SUCH AS THIS, THE TENDERERS COMPETE BY PRODUCING DESIGNS THAT COMBINE THEIR SPECIALIST SKILLS AND THEIR SOURCES OF MATERIALS WITH THE NEED FOR THE LOWEST POSSIBLE VIABLE PRICE. THAT IS WHAT HAS HAPPENED HERE," SAID THE SPOKESMAN.
"ALL THREE TENDERERS PRODUCED DIFFERENT SOLUTIONS WITH VERY COMPETITIVE DESIGNS AND PRICES. THE DESIGNS VARIED IN THEIR USE OF CONCRETE AND STEEL FOR THE BRIDGE, AND IN THEIR DESIGN OF THE BRIDGE TOWERS AND STEEL STAYS.
"THEY ALSO VARIED, FOR EXAMPLE, IN THEIR CHOICE OF SPANS FOR THE KAP SHUI MUN BRIDGE, AND IN METHODS OF CONSTRUCTING BOX SECTIONS OF THE MA WAN VIADUCT WHICH WILL CARRY THE ENCLOSED RAILWAY AND LOWER ROADWAYS.
"THE KUMAGAI-MAEDA-YOKOGAWA-HITACHI JOINT VENTURE PRODUCED THE LOWEST BID WITH AN EXTREMELY ECONOMICAL DESIGN THAT FULLY MEETS OUR REQUIREMENTS," SAID THE SPOKESMAN.
/THE MA .......
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 16, 1992
16
THE MA WAN VIADUCT WILL CROSS THE ISLAND OF MA WAN BETWEEN THE TSING MA BRIDGE AND KAP SHUI MUN BRIDGE WITH A TOTAL LENGTH OF 502 METRES. THE GOVERNMENT STIPULATED THAT THIS STRUCTURE SHOULD BE BUILT IN CONCRETE.
THE KAP SHUI MUN BRIDGE WILL BE HONG KONG’S FIRST CABLE STAYED ROAD BRIDGE. IT WILL BE 820 METRES LONG, CROSSING THE CHANNEL BETWEEN THE ISLANDS OF MA WAN AND LANTAU.
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID A CABLE STAYED DESIGN IS REGARDED INTERNATIONALLY AS AN EXTREMELY COST-EFFECTIVE FORM OF STRUCTURE FOR SUCH A SPAN.
THE ADVANTAGE OF CABLE STAYED BRIDGES IS THAT THEY OFFER SUBSTANTIAL ECONOMIES IN THE USE OF MATERIALS FOR SPANS BETWEEN ABOUT 150 AND 500 METRES, COMPARED WITH SUSPENSION BRIDGES WHICH ARE NORMALLY ONLY CONSIDERED FOR SPANS ABOVE 500 METRES.
THE KUMAGAI-MAEDA-YOKOGAWA-HITACHI JOINT VENTURE’S DESIGN FOR THE BRIDGE COMPRISES CONCRETE MAIN SUPPORT TOWERS MORE THAN 150 METRES HIGH. FROM THESE TOWERS, CABLES WILL RADIATE DOWNWARDS TO SUPPORT THE MAIN CENTRAL 430-METRE SPAN, BUILT IN COMPOSITE STEEL AND CONCRETE.
THE MA WAN VIADUCT WILL HAVE LARGE PRESTRESSED CONCRETE BOX GIRDERS, WHICH WILL ACCOMMODATE THE ENCLOSED RAILWAY AND LOWER ROADWAY.
MEMBERS OF THE JOINT VENTURE ARE KUMAGAI GUMI (HK) OF HONG KONG AND THREE COMPANIES FROM JAPAN: MAEDA CORPORATION, YOKOGAWA BRIDGE CORPORATION, AND HITACHI ZOSEN CORPORATION.
THE SECOND LOWEST TENDER WAS SUBMITTED BY HONG KONG INTERNATIONAL CONSORTIUM, LED BY BOUYGUES SA AND DRAGAGES ET TRAVAUX PUBLICS OF FRANCE, FOR A PRESTRESSED CONCRETE CABLE STAYED BRIDGE. THE ANGLO-JAPANESE CONSTRUCTION JOINT VENTURE, WHICH IS NOW BUILDING THE ADJACENT TSING MA BRIDGE UNDER A CONTRACT AWARDED IN MAY, SUBMITTED TWO HIGHER TENDERS BASED ON SEPARATE CABLE STAYED ALL-STEEL AND ALL-CONCRETE DESIGNS.
-----0------
EMPLOYMENT, VACANCIES AND PAYROLL STATISTICS IN JUNE RELEASED * * * * *
IN JUNE 1992, 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 OVER A YEAR EARLIER, WHILE EMPLOYMENT IN THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR DECLINED FURTHER.
ACCORDING TO THE FIGURES RELEASED TODAY (FRIDAY) BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT, THE FALL IN MANUFACTURING EMPLOYMENT MAINLY REFLECTED THE CONTINUED STRUCTURAL CHANGE IN THE ECONOMY, IN CONNECTION WITH THE RELOCATION OF INDUSTRIAL PROCESSES TO CHINA.
/WHILE THE .......
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 16, 1992
17
WHILE THE TOTAL NUMBER OF VACANCIES IN ALL MAJOR SECTORS COMBINED DECREASED IN JUNE 1992 OVER A YEAR EARLIER, VACANCIES IN ALL MAJOR SERVICES SECTORS RECORDED INCREASES OF VARIOUS MAGNITUDE.
IN JUNE 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 ALL MAJOR SECTORS.
THERE WERE 587,300 PERSONS ENGAGED IN THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR IN JUNE 1992, REPRESENTATING A DECREASE OF 13.8% FROM JUNE 1991.
EMPLOYMENT IN THE WHOLESALE, RETAIL AND IMPORT/EXPORT TRADES, RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS SECTOR, AT 903,600 IN JUNE 1992, WAS 3.3% HIGHER THAN IN JUNE 1991.
EMPLOYMENT IN THE FINANCING, INSURANCE, REAL ESTATE AND BUSINESS SERVICES SECTOR, AT 305,400, WAS UP BY 7.7%.
EMPLOYMENT ON CONSTRUCTION SITES, AT 64,000, WAS 0.4% HIGHER THAN IN JUNE 1991.
THE EMPLOYMENT FIGURES FOR JUNE 1992 IN SELECTED MAJOR ECONOMIC SECTORS, WITH COMPARISONS WITH THE CORRESPONDING FIGURES FOR JUNE 1991 AND MARCH 1992, ARE AS FOLLOWS:
PERSONS ENGAGED (EMPLOYMENT) PERCENTAGE CHANGE
SELECTED MAJOR SECTORS OF THE ECONOMY JUN. 91 MAR. 92 JUN. 92 JUN. 92 JUN. OVER JUN. 92 OVER 91 MAR. 92
MANUFACTURING 681,100 605,200 587,300 -13.8 -3.0
CONSTRUCTION (MANUAL WORKERS ON CONSTRUCTION SITES ONLY) 63,800 62,100 64,000 + 0.4 + 3.1
WHOLESALE, RETAIL AND IMPORT/EXPORT TRADES, RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS 874,300 863,200 903,600 + 3.3 + 4.7
FINANCING, INSURANCE, REAL ESTATE, AND BUSINESS SERVICES 283,600 303,400 305,400 + 7.7 + 0.6
THE SURVEY EXCLUDED HAWKERS AND PERSONS WORKING AT RETAIL PITCHES BUT INCLUDED THOSE WORKING IN MARKET STALLS.
/THE STATISTICS .......
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 16, 1992
18
THE STATISTICS FOR SELECTED MAJOR SECTORS OF THE ECONOMY IN JUNE 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 DATA TOGETHER WITH A COMPARISON WITH THE CORRESPONDING FIGURES FOR JUNE 1991 AND MARCH 1992 ARE AS FOLLOWS :
NUMBER OF REPORTED VACANCIES PERCENTAGE CHANGE
SELECTED MAJOR SECTORS OF THE ECONOMY JUN. 91 MAR. 92 JUN. 92 JUN. 92 JUN. OVER 91 JUN. 92 OVER MAR. 92
MANUFACTURING 25,250 25,060 19,800 -21.6 -21.0
CONSTRUCTION (MANUAL WORKERS ON CONSTRUCTION SITES ONLY) 940 770 500 -47.5 -35.5
WHOLESALE, RETAIL AND IMPORT/EXPORT TRADES, RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS 24,910 35,340 28,130 + 12.9 -20.4
FINANCING, INSURANCE, REAL ESTATE, AND BUSINESS SERVICES 8,730 10,240 8,770 + 0.6 -14.3
THE TOTAL NUMBER OF REPORTED VACANCIES IN JUNE 1992, AT AROUND 75,780, WAS 4.8% LOWER THAN IN JUNE 1991. THE DECLINE WAS CONCENTRATED MAINLY ON CONSTRUCTION SITES AND THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR, WITH DECREASES OF 47.5%, AND 21.6% RESPECTIVELY.
VACANCIES IN ALL MAJOR SERVICES SECTORS, HOWEVER, CONTINUED TO INCREASE OVER A YEAR EARLIER.
IN THE WHOLESALE, RETAIL AND IMPORT/EXPORT TRADES, RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS SECTOR AND THE FINANCING, INSURANCE, REAL ESTATE AND BUSINESS SERVICES SECTOR, THE NUMBER OF VACANCIES INCREASED BY 12.9% AND 0.6% RESPECTIVELY.
COMPARING JUNE 1992 WITH MARCH 1992, THE NUMBER OF VACANCIES DECREASED IN ALL THE MAJOR SECTORS SURVEYED BUT THIS COMPARISON COULD BE AFFECTED BY SEASONAL FACTORS.
/THE JUNE ........
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 16, 1992
19
THE JUNE 1992 NOMINAL INDICES OF PAYROLL PER PERSON ENGAGED BY SELECTED MAJOR SECTOR AND THE CORRESPONDING REAL INDICES (AFTER ALLOWING FOR THE EFFECTS OF PRICE CHANGES) ARE GIVEN BELOW :
NOMINAL INDEX OF PAYROLL PER PERSON ENGAGED PERCENTAGE CHANGE
(MARCH 1991 = 100)
SELECTED MAJOR SECTORS OF THE ECONOMY JUN. 91 JUN. 92 JUN. 92 OVER JUN. 91
MANUFACTURING 104.9 117 .2 + 11.7
WHOLESALE, RETAIL AND IMPORT/EXPORT TRADES, RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS 103.2 113 .3 + 9.8
FINANCING, INSURANCE, REAL ESTATE AND BUSINESS SERVICES 101.4 115 .4 + 13.8
REAL PAYROLL PER (MARCH INDEX OF PERSON ENGAGED 1991 = 100) PERCENTAGE CHANGE
SELECTED MAJOR SECTORS OF THE ECONOMY JUN. 91 JUN. 92 JUN. 92 OVER JUN. 91
MANUFACTURING 102.4 104.7 + 2.2
WHOLESALE, RETAIL AND IMPORT/EXPORT TRADES, RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS 100.8 101.3 + 0.5
FINANCING, INSURANCE, REAL ESTATE AND BUSINESS SERVICES 99.0 103.1 + 4.1
/BETWEEN JUNE .......
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 16, 1992
20
BETWEEN JUNE 1991 AND JUNE 1992, AVERAGE EARNINGS IN ALL MAJOR SECTORS, AS MEASURED BY PAYROLL PER PERSON ENGAGED, RECORDED FURTHER INCREASES IN MONEY TERMS. AN INCREASE OF 11.7% 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 9.8%. FOR THE FINANCING, INSURANCE, REAL ESTATE AND BUSINESS SERVICES SECTOR, THE INCREASE WAS 13.8%.
AFTER ALLOWING FOR THE INCREASE IN CONSUMER PRICES BETWEEN JUNE 1991 AND JUNE 1992, THE REAL INDEX OF PAYROLL PER PERSON ENGAGED IN JUNE 1992, AS COMPARED WITH THAT IN JUNE 1991, INCREASED BY 2.2% FOR THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR, 0.5% FOR THE WHOLESALE, RETAIL AND IMPORT/EXPORT TRADES, RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS SECTOR, AND 4.1% FOR THE FINANCING, INSURANCE, REAL ESTATE AND BUSINESS SERVICES SECTOR.
DETAILED BREAKDOWNS OF THE ABOVE STATISTICS ARE AVAILABLE FROM THE QUARTERLY REPORT OF EMPLOYMENT, VACANCIES AND PAYROLL STATISTICS, JUNE 1992 AND THE QUARTERLY REPORT OF EMPLOYMENT AND VACANCIES AT CONSTRUCTION SITES, JUNE 1992.
THEY ARE NOW AVAILABLE AT HK514 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.
-----0------
LDC DEVELOPMENT SCHEME PLAN APPROVED
* * * *
THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL HAS RECENTLY APPROVED THE QUEEN STREET DEVELOPMENT SCHEME PLAN IN SHEUNG WAN, WHICH IS PREPARED BY THE LAND DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION (LDC) FOR THE PURPOSE OF URBAN RENEWAL.
THE PURPOSE OF THE PLAN IS TO PROVIDE A FRAMEWORK OF REDEVELOPMENT AND ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT FOR THE AREA BOUNDED BY QUEEN’S ROAD WEST, PAN KWAI LANE, KO SHING STREET AND BONHAM STRAND WEST IN SHEUNG WAN.
IT COVERS AN AREA OF ABOUT 0.95 HECTARES.
THE NOTICE WAS GAZETTED TODAY (FRIDAY).
THE AREA IS IN DILAPIDATED CONDITION AND EXISTING BUILDINGS WITHIN THE AREA ARE MAINLY PRE-WAR, THREE- TO FOUR-STOREY AND POST-WAR, SIX-STOREY TENEMENT BUILDINGS MAINLY UNDER COMMERCIAL AND RESIDENTIAL USES.
A SIGNIFICANT PORTION OF THE AREA IS GOVERNMENT LAND, PART OF WHICH IS USED AS TEMPORARY SITTING-OUT AREAS AND A TEMPORARY COOKED FOOD BAZAAR.
/IT COVERS .......
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 16, 1992
21
IT COVERS PART OF THE TRADITIONAL CHINESE HERBAL MEDICINE TRADING CENTRE IN SHEUNG WAN AND WESTERN DISTRICT.
SOME OF THE BUILDINGS ARE USED FOR STORAGE AND PROCESSING OF HERBAL MEDICINE. ACTIVITIES OF THIS TRADE, ESPECIALLY LOADING AND UNLOADING, HAVE BEEN CAUSING ENVIRONMENTAL AND CIRCULATION PROBLEMS.
FACTORS LIKE THE SMALL SIZE OF LOTS, FRAGMENTED OWNERSHIP AND THE LACK OF VEHICULAR ACCESS HAVE ALSO COMPLICATED THE REDEVELOPMENT PROCESS.
ACCORDING TO THE DEVELOPMENT SCHEME PLAN, THE AREA WILL BE DEVELOPED IN A COMPREHENSIVE MANNER TO IMPROVE THE ENVIRONMENT AND TO ENSURE MORE EFFICIENT USE OF LAND.
THE AREA BEING ZONED AS A COMPREHENSIVE DEVELOPMENT AREA WOULD PROVIDE PUBLIC OPEN SPACE OF ABOUT 1,200 SQUARE METRES AT THE EASTERN PART.
THE REMAINDER WILL MAINLY FOR COMMERCIAL/RESIDENTIAL USES WITH THE PROVISION OF GOVERNMENT, INSTITUTION AND COMMUNITY FACILITIES INCLUDING A CARE AND ATTENTION HOME, A MULTI-SERVICE CENTRE FOR THE ELDERLY, A HOSTEL FOR SINGLE PERSONS, A HOSTEL FOR THE MODERATTELY MENTALLY HANDICAPPED, A DAY NURSERY, A COOKED FOOD CEENTRE AND A PUBLIC TOILET.
THE MAJORITY OF THE SOCIAL WELFARE FACILITIES WOULD BE ACCOMMODATED IN A PURPOSE-DESIGNED BUILDING WITHIN THE AREA.
THE DEVELOPMENT SCHEME PLAN WAS EXHIBITED BY THE TOWN PLANNING BOARD FOR PUBLIC INSPECTION IN MARCH LAST YEAR.
PRIOR TO THE EXHIBITION, THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT BOARD WAS CONSULTED ON THE PLAN.
DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS HAD NO OBJECTION TO THE PLAN, RECOGNISING THAT COMPREHENSIVE REDEVELOPMENT WOULD PROVIDE THE MUCH-NEEDED GOVERNMENT, INSTITUTION AND COMMUNITY FACILITIES AND IMPROVEMENT TO THE GENERAL ENVIRONMENT.
AT PRESENT, LDC IS ACQUIRING AFFECTED PROPERTIES THROUGH NEGOTIATIONS WITH THE PROPERTY OWNERS.
SHOULD IT BE UNABLE TO ACQUIRE ALL THE AFFECTED PROPERTIES, THE CORPORATION MAY REQUEST THE SECRETARY FOR PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS TO RECOMMEND TO THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL THE RESUMPTION OF LAND UNDER THE CROWN LANDS RESUMPTION ORDINANCE.
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 16, 1992
22
COMMUNITY CHEST SETS TARGET AT $138 MILLION
******
MRS LAVENDER PATTEN SAID TODAY (FRIDAY) SHE IS CONFIDENT THAT THE HONG KONG COMMUNITY CAN BE COUNTED ON TO HELP THE COMMUNITY CHEST RAISE FUNDS FOR THE LESS FORTUNATE CITIZENS.
SPEAKING IN THE CAPACITY OF THE PRESIDENT OF THE COMMUNITY CHEST AT A PRESS CONFERENCE TO LAUNCH THE ORGANISATION’S 1992/93 FUNDRAISING CAMPAIGN, MRS PATTEN SAID THE TARGET WAS TO RAISE $138 MILLION, AN INCREASE OF 15 PER CENT OVER LAST YEAR’S.
SHE MADE IT CLEAR THAT ALL OF THE MONEY WOULD BE PASSED ON TO WELFARE AGENCIES.
"FOR MANY YEARS THE CHEST HAS STUCK TO THIS PRINCIPLE - THAT EVERY DOLLAR DONATED BY THE PUBLIC MUST GO DIRECTLY TO CHARITY WITHOUT DEDUCTION," SHE SAID.
DONATIONS TO THE CHEST WOULD END UP NEITHER IN THE CHEST’S BANK ACCOUNT NOR IN SOME AGENCY OFFICE, BUT IN HELPING A HONG KONG PERSON IN NEED, SHE SAID.
"WHAT WE ARE REALLY TALKING ABOUT IS HONG KONG PEOPLE IN NEED -A HANDICAPPED CHILD LEARNING TO WALK, A TEENAGER TRYING TO FORM HIS OWN VALUES, A YOUNG WIDOW STRUGGLING TO BRING UP HER CHILDREN ALONE, A DRUG ADDICT TRYING TO MAKE A NEW START, AN OLD PERSON WANTING TO FEEL USEFUL AND LOVED.".
SHE SAID FAMILY SERVICES WERE ONE OF THE CHEST’S MAIN FOCUSES OF FUNDING AND SHE SHOULD BE PARTICULARLY INTERESTED TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS AREA OF WORK.
"THE WELFARE OF FAMILIES IS VERY IMPORTANT TO ME, BOTH PERSONALLY AS A WIFE AND A MOTHER, AND ALSO PROFESSIONALLY.
"BEFORE COMING TO HONG KONG, I WORKED ON FAMILY LAW CASES IN BRITAIN, OFTEN DEALING WITH FAMILIES WHO FACED SPECIAL PROBLEMS AND CRISES, AND SO I KNOW HOW IMPORTANT IT IS TO ENSURE THAT FAMILIES ARE SUPPORTED AND HELPED TO OVERCOME THEIR DIFFICULTIES," MRS PATTEN ADDED.
MRS PATTEN SAID IT WAS A VERY SPECIAL HONOUR FOR HER TO BECOME PRESIDENT OF THE CHEST WHICH PLAYED A CENTRAL ROLE IN HONG KONG’S WELFARE SYSTEM.
--------o ---------
/23 ........
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 16, 1992
- 23
HK TO REMAIN AN OPEN, LOW-TAX ECONOMY
* * * * »
THE SECRETARY FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY, MR T H CHAU, SAID TODAY (FRIDAY) THAT HONG KONG WOULD REMAIN AN OPEN, LOW-TAX ECONOMY IN WHICH BUSINESSMEN HAD THE FREEDOM TO FOLLOW THEIR OWN SOUND COMMERCIAL SENSE, AND TO REAP THE BENEFITS OF THEIR GOOD DECISION.
SPEAKING AT THE NATIONAL CONVENTION OF THE HONG KONG JUNIOR CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, MR CHAU ELABORATED ON ASPECTS OF THE GOVERNMENT’S AGENDA RELATING TO BUSINESS AND THE BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT IN HONG KONG AS OUTLINED IN THE GOVERNOR’S POLICY ADDRESS.
THE GOVERNOR HAD STRONGLY RE-AFFIRMED THE GOVERNMENT’S LONGSTANDING COMMITMENT TO MAINTAINING A PRO-BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT IN HONG KONG - A POLICY OF "MINIMUM INTERFERENCE AND MAXIMUM SUPPORT", MR CHAU SAID.
IT MEANT THAT THE GOVERNMENT WOULD DO ALL IT COULD TO ENSURE THAT HONG KONG REMAINS COMPETITIVE AS AN EXPORTER TO THE WORLD’S MARKETS AND AS A PLACE TO DO BUSINESS, HE SAID.
NOTING THAT MR PATTEN HAD LAID DOWN A NUMBER OF KEY PRINCIPLES UNDERPINNING GOVERNMENT POLICY IN HIS SPEECH, MR CHAU SAID FIRST ON THE LIST WAS THAT HONG KONG MUST CONTINUE TO GENERATE THE ECONOMIC SUCCESS WHICH HAD BEEN THE FOUNDATION OF ITS ACHIEVEMENTS OVER THE PAST DECADES.
"IN TALKING ABOUT THE ECONOMY, THE GOVERNOR MADE TWO POINTS," HE SAID.
"THE FIRST IS THAT IT IS BUSINESSMEN - AND NOT POLITICIANS AND OFFICIALS - WHO MAKE THE BEST COMMERCIAL DECISIONS. IN OTHER WORDS, HONG KONG OWES ITS ECONOMIC STRENGTH TO THE DYNAMISM AND VIGOUR OF ITS ENTREPRENEURS.
"THE SECOND IS THAT IT IS ECONOMIC SUCCESS WHICH ENABLES US TO AFFORD THE STANDARDS OF PUBLIC SERVICE TO WHICH PEOPLE RIGHTLY ASPIRE," MR CHAU ADDED.
-----0------
/24 ........
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 16, 1992
24
CONTRACT FOR SEWERAGE IMPROVEMENT WORKS SIGNED
*****
THE DRAINAGE SERVICES DEPARTMENT TODAY (FRIDAY) AWARDED A $58.3 MILLION CONTRACT TO IMPROVE THE SEWERAGE FACILITIES AND SEWAGE DISPOSAL SYSTEM IN THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT ON HONG KONG ISLAND.
THE CONTRACT WAS SIGNED BY THE DEPARTMENT’S ASSISTANT DIRECTOR (PROJECTS AND DEVELOPMENT), MR CHUNG KWOK-LEUNG, AND REPRESENTATIVES OF SUNG FOO KEE (CIVIL) LIMITED.
WORKS UNDER THE CONTRACT ENTAIL THE CONSTRUCTION OF A TOTAL OF 5,800 METRES OF 225 MM TO 600 MM DIAMETER PIPE SEWERS AND THE ASSOCIATED MANHOLES, 750 METRES OF 100 MM TO 200 MM DIAMETER PUMPING MAINS AND THREE SECONDARY PUMPING STATIONS AT SHOUSON HILL, DEEP WATER BAY, REPULSE BAY, MIDDLE BAY AND SOUTH BAY.
"THE NEW SEWERS WILL COLLECT SEWAGE FROM THE BEACH FACILITIES AND UNSEWERED PROPERTIES AT THE AREAS, WHICH ARE PRESENTLY SERVED BY INADEQUATELY OPERATED AND MAINTAINED PRIVATE SEPTIC TANKS OR SEWAGE TREATMENT FACILITIES.
"THE SEWAGE WILL THEN BE PUMPED FROM REPULSE BAY TO SEWAGE TREATMENT PLANT AT ABERDEEN BY MEANS OF PUMPING MAINS FOR TREATMENT AND DISPOSAL," MR CHUNG SAID.
MEANWHILE, THE CONTRACT ALSO INCLUDES THE CONSTRUCTION OF A TOTAL OF 1,030 METRES OF 225 MM TO 300 MM DIAMETER PIPE SEWER AND THE ASSOCIATED MANHOLES, 930 METRES OF 100 MM TO 200 MM DIAMETER PUMPING MAINS AND FOUR SECONDARY PUMPING STATIONS AT CHUNG HOM KOK AND MA HANG VALLEY.
"THESE ARE FOR COLLECTING SEWAGE FROM BEACH FACILITIES AND UNSEWERED PROPERTIES AT CHUNG HOM KOK AND FROM THE NEW MA HANG DEVELOPMENT.
"THE COLLECTED SEWAGE WILL THEN BE PUMPED FROM MA HANG TO THE NEW SEWAGE TREATMENT PLANT AT STANLEY, NOW BEING CONSTRUCTED UNDER THE STANLEY AREAS SEWERAGE AND SEWAGE DISPOSAL PROJECT, FOR TREATMENT AND DISPOSAL," MR CHUNG SAID.
THE CONTRACT IS PART OF THE COMPREHENSIVE IMPROVEMENT TO SEWERAGE FACILITIES OF THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT SO AS TO PROTECT AND IMPROVE THE WATER QUALITY AT BATHING BEACHES.
WORKS FOR THE CONTRACT WILL BEGIN LATER THIS MONTH AND WILL BE COMPLETED IN TWO YEARS.
-----0.-----
725 ........
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 16,
1992
25
GOVT’S INITIATIVES TO TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMET OUTLINED
*****
THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR-GENERAL OF INDUSTRY, MR RICKY FUNG, TODAY (FRIDAY) OUTLINED SOME OF THE GOVERNMENT’S RECENT INITIATIVES TO HELP TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT IN HONG KONG.
SPEAKING AT THE ANNUAL SPEECH DAY OF THE CMA PREVOCATIONAL SCHOOL, MR FUNG SAID THE GOVERNMENT HAD RECENTLY SET UP AN INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGY CENTRE WHICH, WHEN OPERATIONAL IN 1994, WOULD PROVIDE SUITABLE ACOMMODATION AND SERVICES TO STIMULATE THE GROWTH OF NEW INNOVATIVE AND TECHNOLOGY-BASED FIRMS.
"IT WILL ASSIST THESE ’START-UP’ COMPANIES WITH PRODUCT DESIGN AND DEVELOPMENT, AND IT WILL FACILITATE THE TRANSFER OF TECHNOLOGIES RELEVANT TO HONG KONG’S INDUSTRIAL GROWTH," HE SAID.
AS A FURTHER INITIATIVE TO ENCOURAGE THE DEVELOPMENT OF TECHNOLOGY IN HONG KONG, HE SAID, THE INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT HAD COMMISSIONED A CONSULTANCY STUDY TO EXAMINE THE CASE FOR DEVELOPING A SCIENCE PARK IN HONG KONG.
"THE INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT IS ALSO CO-ORGANISING WITH THE CITY POLYTECHNIC OF HONG KONG A REGIONAL CONFERENCE ON SCIENCE PARKS IN DECEMBER," HE SAID.
MR FUNG SAID THE GOVERNMENT ALSO SAW THE DEVELOPMENT OF A LOCAL RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT (R & D) CAPABILITY AS CRUCIAL IF TECHNOLOGIES WERE GOING TO BE USEFULLY APPLIED IN HONG KONG’S OWN INDUSTRIAL ENVIRONMENT AND CIRCUMSTANCES.
HE SAID AN APPLIED R & D SCHEME WOULD BE INTRODUCED SHORTLY UNDER WHICH THE GOVERNMENT WOULD PROVIDE $200 MILLION TO COMPANIES IN THE FORM OF MATCHING INVESTMENTS IN R & D PROJECTS.
"THE OBJECT IS TO ENCOURAGE HIGHER LEVEL OF PRIVATE SECTOR INVESTMENT IN APPLIED R & D.
"WE ALSO HOPE TO IMPROVE THE R & D CAPABILITIES OF OUR UNIVERSITIES AND POLYTECHNICS AND HAVE INCREASED FUNDING FOR SUCH ACTIVITIES TO OVER $400 MILLION FOR THE COMING THREE YEARS," HE SAID.
NOTING THAT THE INCREASING SOPHISTICATION OF MANUFACTURING HAD HIGHLIGHTED THE IMPORTANCE OF INVESTMENT IN HUMAN CAPITAL, MR FUNG SAID THE GOVERNMENT EACH YEAR SPENT A CONSIDERABLE AMOUNT OF RESOURCES TO PROVIDE MANPOWER TRAINING THROUGH THE TERTIARY EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS, THE VOCATIONAL TRAINING COUNCIL AND OTHER INDUSTRIAL SUPPORT ORGANISATIONS.
"THE NUMBER OF FIRST YEAR FIRST DEGREE PLACES IN OUR TERTIARY EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS WILL INCREASE FROM THE CURRENT 10,000 TO 14,500 BY 1995, THUS CATERING FOR NEARLY 25 PER CENT OF THE YOUNG PEOPLE IN THE 17-20 AGE GROUP," HE SAID.
- - - - 0
/26 ........
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 16, 1992
26
REGISTRATION OF DEPOSIT-TAKING CO REVOKED
*****
THE COMMISSIONER OF BANKING ANNOUNCED TODAY (FRIDAY) THAT THE REGISTRATION OF UT FINANCE LIMITED AS A DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANY HAS BEEN REVOKED AT THE CLOSE OF BUSINESS ON OCTOBER 16, 1992 AT ITS OWN REQUEST UNDER SECTION 31 (2) OF THE BANKING ORDINANCE.
-----0------
HOME-SCHOOL CO-OPERATION SOUGHT
*****
PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT IN THE EDUCATION OF THEIR CHILDREN WILL BE PROMOTED THROUGH A COMMITTEE ON HOME-SCHOOL CO-OPERATION WHICH WILL BE SET UP EARLY NEXT YEAR, THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, MR DOMINIC S W WONG, SAID TODAY (FRIDAY).
MR WONG TOLD PARENTS ATTENDING THE JOINT GRADUATION CEREMONY OF LUNG KONG WORLD FEDERATION SCHOOLS THAT COMMUNICATION AND CO-OPERATION AMONG SCHOOLS, TEACHERS, STUDENTS AND PARENTS WERE IMPORTANT ELEMENTS IN THE GOVERNMENT’S PACKAGE OF MEASURES TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF EDUCATION.
"THE FIRST POLICY SPEECH BY THE GOVERNOR SHOWS THAT THE GOVERNMENT IS DETERMINED TO FURTHER IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF PRIMARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION, AND THE STANDARD OF TEACHER TRAINING,” HE SAID.
THE ANNOUNCED PACKAGE OF IMPROVEMENT FOR PRIMARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOLS, HE SAID, INCLUDED MORE TEACHERS, REDUCTION OF CLASS SIZE TO 35 PUPILS, AND WHOLE-DAY OPERATION IN NEW PRIMARY SCHOOLS.
IN FOUR YEARS’ TIME, MR WONG SAID, THE STUDENT-TEACHER RATIO WOULD BE REDUCED FROM 27 TO 24 IN PRIMARY SCHOOLS, AND FROM 22 TO 20 IN SECONDARY SCHOOLS.
THESE MEASURES WOULD REDUCE THE WORKLOAD OF TEACHERS WHO WOULD THEN BE ABLE TO DEVOTE GREATER ATTENTION TO INDIVIDUAL STUDENTS AND TO ENHANCE COMMUNICATION AND CO-OPERATION WITH PARENTS, HE ADDED.
-----o------
/27 ........
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 16, 1992
27
RESUMPTION OF STREETS IN CENTRAL AND WAN CHAI
*****
THE GOVERNMENT PROPOSES TO RESUME AND REPAIR SAM KA LANE, MAN HING LANE AND PART OF PAK TSZ LANE AND UN SHING LANE IN CENTRAL AND WESTERN AND CHI SHING LANE IN WAN CHAI.
THE LANES ARE ALL UNDER PRIVATE MULTIPLE OWNERSHIPS AND ARE NOT PROPERLY MANAGED OR MAINTAINED. SOME ARE PARTLY OCCUPIED BY STALLS OBSTRUCTING PEDESTRIAN MOVEMENT.
THE RESUMPTION WILL ENABLE THE GOVERNMENT TO REPAIR THE LANES FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE PUBLIC. WORK ON THE PROJECTS IS EXPECTED TO START IN JULY AND AUGUST NEXT YEAR.
NOTICES CONCERNING THE PROPOSED WORKS ARE GAZETTED TODAY (FRIDAY).
THE PLANS AND SCHEMES SHOWING THE PROPOSED WORKS AND LAND RESUMPTION CAN BE SEEN AT THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT OFFICE, PUBLIC ENQUIRY SERVICE CENTRE, GROUND FLOOR, HARBOUR BUILDING, 38 PIER ROAD, CENTRAL, HONG KONG.
PLANS FOR THE WORKS FOR CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT CAN ALSO BE SEEN AT THE DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE, HONG KONG WEST, SOUTHORN CENTRE, 19TH FLOOR, 130 HENNESSY ROAD, WAN CHAI.
PLANS FOR THE WORKS FOR CHI SHING LANE CAN ALSO BE SEEN AT THE WAN CHAI DISTRICT OFFICE, PUBLIC ENQUIRY SERVICE CENTRE, GROUND FLOOR, 2 O’BRIEN ROAD, WAN CHAI, HONG KONG.
ANY PERSON OBJECTING TO THE PROPOSAL MUST SEND HIS OBJECTION IN WRITING AND REACH THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES EAST WING, SECOND FLOOR, LOWER ALBERT ROAD, NOT LATER THAN DECEMBER 15 (TUESDAY).
---------o -------------
JOINT EFFORTS TO TACKLE STUDENT SUICIDE
* * * *
THE PROBLEM OF STUDENT SUICIDES CAN BEST BE TACKLED THROUGH JOINT EFFORTS OF SCHOOLS, PARENTS, THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT AND OTHER ORGANISATIONS, THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION (SERVICES), MRS GRACE YUNG, SAID TODAY (FRIDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE CONFERENCE ON SUICIDE PREVENTION FOR PRINCIPALS AND TEACHERS, MRS YUNG SAID INDIVIDUAL SCHOOLS WERE TRYING TO DEVELOP DIFFERENT PROGRAMMES ACCORDING TO THEIR STUDENTS’ NEEDS AS WELL AS THEIR OWN UNIQUE CONDITIONS.
/SHE EXPLAINED .......
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 16, 1992
28
SHE EXPLAINED THAT THOUGH THE MEANS MAY BE DIFFERENT, THE ENDS WOULD BE THE SAME:
* TO PROMOTE STUDENTS’ SENSE OF BELONGING TO THE SCHOOL AND THEIR SENSE OF ACHIEVEMENT; AND
» TO HELP STUDENTS WITH PROBLEMS AS WELL AS TO CREATE A PLEASING AND INVITING SCHOOL ENVIRONMENT IN WHICH STUDENTS ARE TO ENJOY THEIR STUDIES.
"IN PARTICULAR, MANY TEACHERS ARE ORGANISING PROGRAMMES TO STRENGTHEN STUDENTS’ COPING SKILLS AND TO HELP THEM DEVELOP A REALISTIC AND POSITIVE ATTITUDE TOWARDS LIFE," MRS YUNG SAID.
IN THE MEANTIME, SHE SAID, A LOT HAD ALSO BEEN DONE BY SCHOOLS TO FOSTER AMIABLE HOME-SCHOOL RELATIONS SO AS TO SOLICIT PARENTS’ CO-OPERATION AND SUPPORT IN THE EDUCATION OF THEIR CHILDREN.
"THROUGH ACTIVITIES LIKE PARENTS DAY AND TALKS, TEACHERS MADE THE BEST USE OF EVERY OPPORTUNITY TO INSTIL IN PARENTS THE IMPORTANCE OF GOOD PARENT-CHILD RELATIONSHIP AND THE NEED TO GIVE CARE AND SUPPORT TO THEIR CHILDREN TO HELP THEM FACE FRUSTRATIONS AND HANDLE STRESS POSITIVELY AND REALISTICALLY.
"I DO HOPE THAT SCHOOL HEADS AND TEACHERS WILL KEEP UP THIS GOOD WORK WITH PERSEVERANCE AND PATIENCE,” SHE SAID.
AT THE SAME TIME, THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT HAD PRODUCED A FULLCOLOUR EDUCATIONAL LEAFLET ON GOOD PARENTING WHICH WAS DISTRIBUTED TO PARENTS OF PRIMARY AND JUNIOR SECONDARY STUDENTS.
IN APRIL, A BOOKMARK WITH TELEPHONE HELPLINES PROVIDED BY A GROUP OF PROFESSIONALS FROM VARIOUS SECTORS WERE DISTRIBUTED TO ALL PRIMARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOLS.
BESIDES, TO ENCOURAGE OUR STUDENTS TO HAVE A POSITIVE ATTITUDE TOWARDS LIFE, A VIDEO TAPE ON A COMMUNITY YOUTH CLUB PROGRAMME WAS DISTRIBUTED TO ALL PRIMARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOLS WITH DISCUSSION GUIDELINES," MRS YUNG SAID.
"THE PROGRAMME IS ABOUT A STUDENT WHO, DESPITE SUFFERING FROM MUSCULAR DYSTROPHY, MANAGED TO FACE IMMENSE ADVERSITY WITH PERSEVERANCE AND STRONG WILL," SHE SAID.
MRS YUNG SAID THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT WOULD ALSO PRODUCE AN EDUCATIONAL FILM ON THE PHILOSOPHY OF LIFE FOR USE IN ETV LESSONS AND WILL BROADCAST AN ANNOUNCEMENT IN THE PUBLIC INTEREST AS WELL AS A SERIES OF TV PROGRAMMES WITH THE THEME ON GOOD AND RESPONSIBLE PARENTING.
MRS YUNG SAID WITH FINANCIAL SUPPORT FROM THE LI PO CHUN CHARITABLE TRUST FUND, THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT HAS INVITED AN EXPERT FROM THE U.S. IN THE FIELD OF SUICIDE PREVENTION TO CONDUCT A THREE-DAY WORKSHOP AND A HALF-DAY CONFERENCE ON SCHOOL SUICIDE PREVENTION.
/SHE SAID ........
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 16, 1992
29
SHE SAID THE MENTAL HEALTH EXPERT, MS DIANE RYERSON, HAS ALREADY CONDUCTED WORKSHOPS FOR GUIDANCE PERSONNEL INCLUDING LECTURERS OF THE FOUR COLLEGES OF EDUCATION AND THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION OF THE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG, SCHOOL SOCIAL WORKERS AS WELL AS STAFF OF THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT.
"IT IS HOPED THAT THIS GROUP OF WORKSHOP PARTICIPANTS CAN IN TURN BECOME TRAINERS AND HELP SCHOOLS TO DEVELOP THEIR OWN PROGRAMMES ON SUICIDE PREVENTION," MRS YUNG ADDED.
--------0 ---------
BETTER TRANSPORT FACILITIES FOR AIRPORT PASSENGERS * * * *
PASSENGERS TO AND FROM KAI TAK INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT WILL BE BETTER SERVED BY A NEW SPACIOUS AIRBUS TERMINUS FROM TOMORROW (SATURDAY).
A TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN TODAY (FRIDAY) SAID THIS WAS MADE POSSIBLE AS THE EXISTING AIRBUS TERMINUS WOULD BE RELOCATED TO THE SOUTH SIDE OF DAKOTA DRIVE, A MORE SPACIOUS AREA OPPOSITE THE PRESENT ONE.
THE AREA LEFT OVER WOULD BE CONVERTED INTO AN ADDITIONAL TAXI BOARDING AREA TO IMPROVE THE PRESENT TRAFFIC SITUATION AND TO CATER FOR MORE TAXI PASSENGERS.
IN ADDITION TO BEING MORE SPACIOUS, THE NEW AIRBUS TERMINUS IS LINKED TO THE AIRPORT ARRIVAL HALL BY A COVERED WALKWAY TO PROVIDE AN ALL-WEATHER COVERAGE.
AS A RESULT OF THE RELOCATION OF THE BUS TERMINUS, THE NEARSIDE LANE OF THE WESTBOUND DAKOTA DRIVE OUTSIDE THE BUILDING SERVICES COMPLEX OF THE AIRPORT WILL BE DESIGNATED AS A BUS LANE FROM 6.50 AM TOMORROW.
THE AIRBUS ROUTES TERMINATING AT THE TERMINUS INCLUDE: Al - LEAVING FOR TSIM SHA TSUI AT 15-MINUTE FREQUENCY AT $8; A2 - LEAVING FOR MACAU FERRY TERMINUS, CENTRAL AT 15/20-MINUTE FREQUENCY AT $12; AND A3 - TO CAUSEWAY BAY AT 15/20-MINUTE FREQUENCY AT $12 PER SINGLE JOURNEY.
- - - - 0 ---------------
/30 ........
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 16, 1992
30
SEMINAR ON MASS MEDIA INFLUENCE ON YOUTH
* » * * *
SOME 120 YOUTH WORKERS, EDUCATIONALISTS, PARENTS AND MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES WILL BE GIVEN AN OPPORTUNITY TO EXPRESS THEIR VIEWS ON THE INFLUENCE OF THE MASS MEDIA ON YOUTH AT A SEMINAR TOMORROW (SATURDAY).
THE HALF-DAY SEMINAR, ORGANISED BY THE COMMISSION ON YOUTH, IS TO EXAMINE THE FINDINGS OF A SURVEY CONDUCTED BY THE COMMISSION IN JUNE THIS YEAR.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE COMMISSION SAID THE FORUM IS ALSO AIMED AT SOLICITING VIEWS FROM DIFFERENT PARTIES.
"IT IS ALSO EXPECTED THAT THROUGH AN EXCHANGE OF VIEWS AND EXPERIENCE, MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES, PARENTS, FIELD WORKERS AND THE YOUNG PEOPLE THEMSELVES COULD HAVE A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF EACH OTHER’S STANDPOINTS," HE ADDED.
THE SEMINAR WILL BE OFFICIATED BY THE CHAIRMAN OF THE COMMISSION, MR ERIC LI. THE GUEST-OF-HONOUR WILL BE A MEMBER OF THE BROADCASTING AUTHORITY, MRS PAMELA CHAN WONG-SHUI.
OTHER GUESTS INCLUDE THE CHAIRMAN OF THE HONG KONG JOURNALISTS ASSOCIATION, MS DAISY LI; A PRODUCER OF RADIO AND TELEVISION HONG KONG, MS AMEN NG; A PRODUCER OF THE HONG KONG TELEVISION BROADCAST LTD., MR MARK LEUNG AND A MEMBER OF THE WORKING GROUP ON THE STUDY OF THE INFLUENCE OF MASS MEDIA ON YOUTH, DR JOSEPH CHAN MAN.
THE SEMINAR WILL BE DIVIDED INTO THREE PARTS: BRIEFINGS BY GUEST SPEAKERS, GROUP DISCUSSIONS AND A FEEDBACK SESSION TO BE CHAIRED BY PROFESSOR NELSON CHOW, THE CONVENOR OF THE WORKING GROUP.
ATTENTION NEWS EDITORS:
YOUR REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER THE SEMINAR TOMORROW (SATURDAY) IN THE ASSEMBLY HALL OF THE YOUNG MEN’S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION HEADQUARTERS, STH FLOOR, NORTH TOWER, 41 SALISBURY ROAD, TSIM SHA TSUI, KOWLOON.
THEY ARE REQUESTED TO ARRIVE BY 9.15 AM.
A WELCOMING SPEECH WILL BE DELIVERED BY THE CHAIRMAN OF THE COMMISSION, MR ERIC LI, AROUND 9.30 AM, TO BE FOLLOWED BY AN OPENING ADDRESS BY THE GUEST OF HONOUR, MRS PAMELA CHAN WONG-SHUI.
PRINCIPAL ASSISTANT SECRETARY (YOUTH), MISS SUSIE HO, WILL ALSO BE PRESENT TO BRIEF PARTICIPANTS ON THE BACKGROUND AND FINDINGS OF THE SURVEY.
------o---------
/31 ......
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 16, 1992
- 31
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS
* * * * *
$ MILLION
OPENING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT 2,000
REVERSAL OF LAF -500
BALANCE AFTER REVERSAL OF LAF 1,500
NET INJECTION/WITHDRAWAL TODAY NIL
EFFECT OF LAF TODAY +800
CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT 2,300
LAF RATE 2.00 BID/4.00 OFFER TWI 110.6 *+0.1* 16.10.92
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND
EF BILLS HONG KONG GOVERNMENT BONDS
TERMS YIELD TERM ISSUE COUPON PRICE YIELD
1 WEEK 2.77 PCT 13 MONTHS 2311 6.25 102.86 3.57
1 MONTH 2.80 PCT 16 MONTHS 2402 5.50 102.31 3.74
3 MONTHS 2.83 PCT 19 MONTHS 2405 5.502 102.36 3.99
6 MONTHS 2.95 PCT 22 MONTHS 2408 4.375 100.43 4. 17
12 ! MONTHS 3.48 PCT
TOTAL TURNOVER OF BILLS AND BONDS - 9,186MN
CLOSED 16 OCTOBER 1992
0
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL.: 842 8777
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 17, 1992
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
AIRPORT PROJECT COST-EFFECTIVE AND WITHIN BUDGET ............. 1
MORE TV CHOICES FOR HK VIEWERS ............................... 2
PLACES FOR THE DISABLED TO INCREASE .......................... 3
WORK SAFETY NEAR HIGH VOLTAGE OVERHEAD CABLES ................ 4
UK IMMERSION COURSE LAUDED ................................... 5
SOUTHERN DISTRICT FESTIVAL EXTRAVAGANZA ...................... 5
CIVIC EDUCATION DAY IN EASTERN ............................... 6
SEMINAR TO EXCHANGE VIEWS ON PERFORMING ARTS ASSESSMENT REPORT WRITING ................................................. 7
SALT WATER CUTS IN SOUTHEAST KOWLOON AND KENNEDY TOWN ........ 8
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS .. 8
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 17, 1992
AIRPORT PROJECT COST-EFFECTIVE AND WITHIN BUDGET
*****
THE CHIEF SECRETARY, SIR DAVID FORD, SAID TODAY (SATURDAY) THAT THE NEW AIRPORT PROJECT WAS COST-EFFECTIVE AND WITHIN BUDGET.
"WE HAVE LET SO FAR $19 BILLION WORTH OF CONTRACTS FOR THE AIRPORT PROJECT - ALL OF THEM BELOW ESTIMATE," SIR DAVID TOLD REPORTERS OUTSIDE THE CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES.
"WE HAVE ANOTHER $11 BILLION WORTH OF CONTRACTS WHICH HAVE COME IN, TENDERS WHICH HAVE COME IN , ALSO WITHIN ESTIMATE. SO THAT’S $30 BILLION WORTH OF CONTRACTS WHICH WE CAN LET ON THIS PROJECT WITHIN ESTIMATE," HE SAID.
THAT WAS A TREMENDOUS RECORD, HE STRESSED.
"AND IT IS TYPICAL OF WHAT WE’VE BEEN ABLE TO DO IN HONG KONG, FOR BUILDING INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS IN TIME AND WITHIN BUDGET," HE ADDED.
"AND FURTHERMORE, OUR ESTIMATE OF THE GOVERNMENT CONTRIBUTION TO THIS PROJECT MADE IN 1991, WAS THAT THE GOVERNMENT CONTRIBUTION WILL BE $59 BILLION, AND THAT HAS REMAINED CONSTANT THROUGHOUT THAT TIME. IT’S NOT GOING TO COST HONG KONG PEOPLE ANY MORE MONEY AT ALL.
"THAT FIGURE REMAINS CONSTANT. SO I THINK OUR RECORD IN TERMS OF COST-EFFECTIVENESS IS EXCELLENT AND INDEED SECOND TO NONE IN MANAGING PROJECTS OF THIS TYPE ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD," SIR DAVID SAID.
THE CHIEF SECRETARY SAID IT WAS NOT POSSIBLE TO SET A CEILING PRICE SIMPLY BECAUSE EVERYWHERE IN THE WORLD THERE WAS INFLATION WHICH IT WAS IMPOSSIBLE TO ESTIMATE.
AND OF COURSE INTEREST CHARGES WERE SOMETHING OVER WHICH HONG KONG HAD NO CONTROL OF EITHER, HE ADDED.
"AND SO IT IS UNREALISTIC TO SUGGEST THAT ONE CAN PUT A CEILING COST ON THE PROJECT AND BE ABSOLUTELY 100 PER CENT GUARANTEED THAT ONE’S GOING TO MEET THAT PRICE BECAUSE THERE ARE THINGS WHICH ARE OUTSIDE OUR CONTROL," HE SAID.
"BUT ALL THE MEASURES THAT WE ARE PUTTING IN HAND ARE DESIGNED TO ENSURE THAT WE KEEP THE COSTS DOWN AND THAT WE KEEP COSTS VERY TIGHTLY UNDER CONTROL," SIR DAVID SAID.
-----o------
/2 .........
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 17, 1992
2
MORE TV CHOICES FOR HK VIEWERS * * * * *
HONG KONG VIEWERS WOULD LIKELY BE ABLE TO ENJOY MORE TELEVISION PROGRAMME CHOICES BY OCTOBER NEXT YEAR IF THE PROPOSAL FROM WHARF CABLE FOR A SUBSCRIPTION TELEVISION SYSTEM WAS FOUND ACCEPTABLE, THE DEPUTY SECRETARY FOR RECREATION AND CULTURE, MRS RACHEL CARTLAND, SAID TODAY (SATURDAY).
SPEAKING AT A SEMINAR ORGANISED BY THE JUNIOR CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, MRS CARTLAND SAID THE BID WAS BEING EXAMINED VERY CAREFULLY BY A GROUP OF GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS WHO HAD BEEN WORKING TOGETHER ON BROADCASTING POLICY FOR SOME YEARS.
LED BY THE RECREATION AND CULTURE BRANCH, THE GROUP INCLUDES REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ECONOMIC SERVICES BRANCH, THE POST OFFICE, ATTORNEY GENERAL’S CHAMBERS, FINANCE BRANCH AND THE TREASURY.
THE GROUP IS ASSISTED BY INDEPENDENT CONSULTANTS, KPMG PEAT MARWICK IN ITS ASSESSMENT OF THE BID.
"THE BROADCASTING AUTHORITY HAS A CRUCIAL PART TO PLAY BECAUSE ITS NON-OFFICIAL MEMBERS REFLECT THE VOICE OF THE COMMUNITY AND THE AUTHORITY HAVING WORKED ON THESE ISSUES FOR SO LONG HAS BUILT UP ITS OWN EXPERTISE AND VALUABLE EXPERIENCE OF THE BROADCASTING FIELD IN HONG KONG," MRS CARTLAND SAID.
SHE SAID THE BROADCASTING AUTHORITY’S RECOMMENDATION ON THE BID WOULD BE PASSED TO THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL WHO WOULD MAKE THE FINAL DECISION BEFORE THE END OF THIS YEAR.
"IF THE DECISION IS AFFIRMATIVE, THERE WILL BE A PERIOD OF CONCENTRATED WORK ON A LICENCE, WHICH WE WOULD AIM TO ISSUE BEFORE THE END OF JANUARY 1993.
"THE WORK TO GET THE LICENCE OUT WOULD BE PARTICULARLY DEMANDING BECAUSE IT WILL REQUIRED BEFOREHAND EXTENSIVE AMENDMENT OF THE TELEVISION ORDINANCE TO PROVIDE THE NECESSARY AUTHORITY TO ISSUE A SUBSCRIPTION TV LICENCE", SHE ADDED.
MRS CARTLAND SAID THE BID WOULD BE ANALYSED FROM THE FINANCIAL, TECHNICAL AND PROGRAMMING POINT OF VIEW.
"WHEN WE LOOK AT FINANCIAL ASPECTS WE WILL BE CONSIDERING WHETHER THE BIDDER HAS DEMONSTRATED ADEQUATE FINANCIAL COMMITMENT TO SEE THROUGH A MAJOR PROJECT AND ONE WHICH WILL NOT BE IMMEDIATELY PROFITABLE."
SHE SAID THE GROUP WOULD ALSO BE LOOKING AT THE PROPOSED CHARGES TO THE CONSUMER TO ASSESS WHETHER THEY WERE FAIR AND REASONABLE YET ALSO SET AT A LEVEL ADEQUATE TO ENSURE CONTINUED VIABILITY OF THE BUSINESS OPERATION.
"WE SHALL NEED TO BE SATISFIED THAT THE TECHNOLOGY PROPOSED IS OF HIGH QUALITY AND SUITED TO HONG KONG CONDITIONS.
/"WE WILL ........
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 17, 1992
3
"WE WILL BE LOOKING FOR A SERVICE THAT REACHES AS MANY HOUSEHOLDS AS POSSIBLE WITHIN AS SHORT A TIME AS POSSIBLE," SAID MRS CARTLAND.
"WE WILL BE LOOKING AT THE PROGRAMMING PROPOSALS FROM THE POINT OF VIEW BOTH OF THEIR ATTRACTIVENESS TO THE LOCAL VIEWER AND THEIR REALISM BY WHICH I MEAN THEIR CHANCES OF BEING GENUINELY ACHIEVABLE.
"IF THE BID PROVES ACCEPTABLE IT IS LIKELY THAT BY NEXT OCTOBER THE HONG KONG VIEWER SHOULD HAVE MULTI-CHANNEL SUBSCRIPTION SERVICES PROVIDED THROUGH A NETWORK FIRST BASED THROUGH MICROWAVE AND THEN EVENTUALLY MOVING ON TO FIBRE OPTIC CABLE," SHE ADDED.
--------0------------
PLACES FOR THE DISABLED TO INCREASE *****
THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, TODAY (SATURDAY) SAID THE DEPARTMENT PLANS TO FOR THE DISABLED IN THE COMING FOUR YEARS.
MRS ROSE GOODSTADT, INCREASE 7,690 PLACES
MRS GOODSTADT, ADDRESSING THE EIGHTH ANNIVERSARY
NEW VOICE CLUB OF HONG KONG, POINTED OUT THAT COMPRISE 1,650 DAY ACTIVITY CENTRE PLACES, 2,110 PLACES AND 3,930 RESIDENTIAL PLACES.
THE
DINNER OF THE
PLACES WOULD
SHELTERED WORKSHOP
THE GOVERNOR, IN HIS POLICY ADDRESS, HAS CLEARLY COMMITTED AN ALLOCATION OF AN ADDITIONAL $2.3 BILLION FOR EXPANSION IMPROVEMENT OF SOCIAL WELFARE SERVICES FOR THE NEXT FOUR YEARS " SAID. ’
TO AND SHE
IN RESPECT OF REHABILITATION SERVICES, EXPENDITURE WOULD BE INCREASED TO $836 MILLION IN 1996/97 - REPRESENTING AN INCREASE OF 12 TIMES IN REAL TERMS FROM $12.7 MILLION IN 1976/77 OR 66 TIMES IN MONETARY TERMS, MRS GOODSTADT SAID.
"PRIORITY IN EXPANDING REHABILITATION SERVICES WILL CONTINUE. EXPENDITURE IN THIS AREA IS NOW 19 PER CENT OF TOTAL EXPENDITURE ON WELFARE SERVICES BUT WILL INCREASE TO 23 PER CENT BY 1996/97.
"WE MUST ALL WORK VERY HARD SO THAT THE INCREASE IN OUR FINANCIAL COMMITMENT WILL EQUAL AN INCREASE OF OUR UNDERSTANDING AND ACCEPTANCE," SHE SAID.
TURNING TO THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE NEW VOICE CLUB OF HONG KONG, MRS GOODSTADT SAID IT WAS A NON-PROFIT-MAKING VOLUNTARY ORGANISATION WITH THE AIM OF ENHANCING MUTUAL SUPPORT AMONG THE LARYNGECTOMEES, PATIENTS WHO HAD SURGICAL REMOVAL OF THE LARYNX.
"SELF-SUPPORTING GROUPS, SUCH AS THIS ONE LARYNGECTOMEES, IS IMPORTANT," SHE ADDED.
FORMED AMONG
/THEY WERE .......
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 17, 1992
4
THEY WERE THE ONES THAT UNDERSTOOD THEIR NEEDS BEST AND IT WAS FOR THEM TO TELL THE GOVERNMENT AND NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANISATIONS REQUIREMENTS IN THE REHABILITATION FIELD, SHE SAID.
’’THEY SHOULD HAVE A BIGGER CONTROL OVER WHAT SERVICES SHOULD BE PROVIDED AND HOW THEY ARE TO BE PROVIDED," MRS GOODSTADT ADDED.
-----0------
WORK SAFETY NEAR HIGH VOLTAGE OVERHEAD CABLES * * * * * * *
THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT TODAY (SATURDAY) REMINDED CONSTRUCTION SITE MANAGEMENT AND WORKERS TO TAKE EVERY PRECAUTION AGAINST RISKS CARRIED BY HIGH-VOLTAGE OVERHEAD ELECTRIC CABLES ON SITES.
THE REMINDER CAME IN THE WAKE OF A CASE IN WHICH A CONSTRUCTION WORKER WAS ELECTROCUTED WHEN THE JIB OF A MOBILE CRANE HE WAS OPERATING ON CAME TOO CLOSE TO A 33 KV OVERHEAD ELECTRIC CABLE.
"CONSTRUCTION SITE MANAGEMENT HAS A DUTY TO PREVENT ELECTRICAL DANGER, ESPECIALLY WHEN THERE ARE WORKERS OPERATING NEAR CABLES," DEPUTY CHIEF FACTORY INSPECTOR, MR KAN HON-SANG, SAID.
"A SAFE CLEARANCE SHOULD BE MAINTAINED BETWEEN A LIVE CABLE AND A MOBILE CRANE," MR KAN SAID.
IN ADDITION, A SIGNALLER SHOULD BE EMPLOYED TO OBSERVE THE MOVEMENTS OF THE CRANE AND ITS JIB.
"UNDER THE CONSTRUCTION SITES (SAFETY) REGULATIONS, CONTRACTORS MUST PROVIDE ADEQUATE AND SUITABLY PLACED BARRIERS OR OTHER MEANS TO PREVENT ELECTRICALLY-CHARGED OVERHEAD CABLES OR APPARATUS FROM BEING A SOURCE OF DANGER TO WORKERS," MR KAN SAID.
"FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH THE REGULATIONS WILL RENDER THE CONTRACTOR LIABLE TO A MAXIMUM FINE OF $50,000," HE ADDED.
MR KAN SAID A LEAFLET HIGHLIGHTING PRECAUTIONS NECESSARY ON WORK DONE NEAR HIGH-VOLTAGE OVERHEAD CABLES IS AVAILABLE AT THE BRANCH OFFICES OF THE FACTORY INSPECTORATE.
THE SAFETY LEAFLET IS JOINTLY PREPARED BY CHINA LIGHT & POWER COMPANY LIMITED, ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT, TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT AND THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT.
ENQUIRIES MAY BE MADE TO THE FACTORY INSPECTORATE ON TEL 815 0678.
--------0-----------
/5 ........
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 17, 1992
UK IMMERSION COURSE LAUDED *****
THE UNITED KINGDOM IMMERSION AND ATTACHMENT PROGRAMMES STRENGTHEN TEACHER TRAINEES AND COLLEGES OF EDUCATION LECTURERS IN THE FIELD OF ENGLISH LANGUAGE TEACHING, THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, MR DOMINIC WONG, SAID TODAY (SATURDAY).
STUDENTS WOULD ALSO BENEFIT FROM THE IMPROVED QUALITY OF TEACHING, MR WONG SAID.
SPEAKING AT A WELCOME BACK RECEPTION HOSTED BY THE BRITISH COUNCIL, HE SAID UNDER THE IMMERSION PROGRAMME, 100 TEACHER TRAINEES FROM THE COLLEGES WERE PROVIDED WITH A UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEND SIX WEEKS IN THE UNITED KINGDOM WHERE THEY COULD STRENGTHEN THEIR ENGLISH LANGUAGE SKILLS BY BEING IMMERSED IN THE BRITISH CULTURAL ENVIRONMENT.
’’THE ATTACHMENT PROGRAMME ALSO PROVIDED OUR COLLEGE OF EDUCATION LECTURERS WITH THE WONDERFUL OPPORTUNITY OF SPENDING TWO WEEKS IN THE UNITED KINGDOM SO THAT THEY COULD EXAMINE THE LATEST METHODS IN ENGLISH LANGUAGE TEACHING. VISIT SCHOOLS AND EXCHANGE IDEAS AND EXPERIENCES WITH THEIR COUNTERPARTS," HE SAID.
MR WONG THANKED THE BRITISH COUNCIL FOR MAKING THE TWO SCHEMES POSSIBLE.
"THE GOVERNMENT AND I ARE VERY GRATEFUL TO THE BRITISH COUNCIL FOR ITS GENEROUS SPONSORSHIP. THE BRITISH COUNCIL’S INVOLVEMENT REAFFIRMS ITS KEEN INTEREST IN THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE TEACHING OF YOUNG PEOPLE IN HONG KONG," HE SAID, HOPING THAT THESE MEANINGFUL PROGRAMMES WOULD CONTINUE IN FUTURE YEARS.
-----0------
SOUTHERN DISTRICT FESTIVAL EXTRAVAGANZA
*****
THE ONE-MONTH SOUTHERN DISTRICT FESTIVAL WILL START ON OCTOBER 24 WITH A STAR-STUDDED EXTRAVAGANZA AT THE SOCCER PITCHES OF THE ABERDEEN SPORTS GROUND, WONG CHUK HANG.
ANNOUNCING THIS AT A PRESS CONFERENCE TODAY (SATURDAY), THE CHAIRMAN OF THE ORGANISING COMMITTEE, MRS SO CHAU YIM-PING, SAID THE OPENING CEREMONY CUM VARIETY SHOW FOR THE TRIENNIAL EVENT WOULD FEATURE TOP SINGERS MR AARON KWOK, MISS SALLY YEH, THE BEYOND AND YU KU LEI LIN.
A JOINT PRESENTATION WITH RADIO TWO OF RADIO TELEVISION HONG KONG, THE SHOW WILL ALSO FEATURE A STRONG LINE-UP OF RADIO ARTISTES, INCLUDING MISS CANDY CHEA, MISS HO KA-LAI, MISS SERINA HA AND MR CUSON LAW.
/THERE WILL .......
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 17, 1992
6
THERE WILL BE 29 PROGRAMMES UP UNTIL NOVEMBER 29.
THESE INCLUDED FROM CARNIVALS, CONCERTS, SEA TOURS, SEMINARS AND HEALTH TALKS TO CIVIC EDUCATION EXHIBITIONS, A FIGHT CRIME CAMP AND VARIOUS SPORTS EVENTS.
MRS SO ALSO TOOK THE OPPORTUNITY TO THANK THE SPONSORS FOR THEIR GENEROUS DONATIONS WITHOUT WHICH THE FESTIVAL WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN POSSIBLE.
SHE ALSO EXPRESSED HER DEEP APPRECIATION FOR THE VALUABLE ASSISTANCE FROM THE DISTRICT OFFICE AND OTHER GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS, AND FOR THE HARD WORK OF THE MEMBERS OF THE ORGANISING COMMITTEE.
MEANWHILE, THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OFFICER, MRS ROSANNA URE, DESCRIBED THE DISTRICT FESTIVAL AS A LARGE-SCALE COMMUNITY BUILDING ACTIVITY WHICH WOULD STRENGTHEN TIES AMONG LOCAL RESIDENTS AS WELL AS PROMOTE HARMONY IN THE DISTRICT.
"WE HOPE THAT THROUGH ACTIVE PARTICIPATION, RESIDENTS WILL BETTER UNDERSTAND DISTRICT AFFAIRS AND, AT THE SAME TIME, FOSTER A STRONG SENSE OF BELONGING," SHE ADDED.
SHARING THE DISTRICT OFFICER’S VIEW, THE DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, MR HUI YUNG-CHUNG, PLEDGED THE BOARD’S FULL SUPPORT FOR THE FESTIVAL.
HE ALSO PRAISED THE WIDE VARIETY OF PROGRAMMES IN THE FESTIVAL, SAYING THAT THEY WERE DESIGNED TO CATER FOR THE DIFFERENT INTERESTS OF LOCAL RESIDENTS.
TODAY’S PRESS CONFERENCE WAS FOLLOWED BY A PUBLICITY BUS TOUR DURING WHICH INFORMATION LEAFLETS AND SOUVENIRS WERE DISTRIBUTED TO RESIDENTS IN VARIOUS PARTS OF THE DISTRICT.
ADMISSION TICKETS AND APPLICATION FORMS FOR FESTIVAL PROGRAMMES ARE NOW AVAILABLE AT THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OFFICE ON THE GROUND FLOOR OF MEI FUNG COURT, ABERDEEN CENTRE AS WELL AS AT ITS SUBOFFICE AT NO. 14 WONG MA KOK ROAD, FIRST FLOOR, STANLEY.
ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE ON TEL 552 0598.
-----0--------
CIVIC EDUCATION DAY IN EASTERN * * * * *
YOUNG PEOPLE FROM ALL DISTRICTS ARE WELCOME TO JOIN THEIR COUNTERPARTS IN EASTERN TO CELEBRATE THE AREA’S CIVIC EDUCATION DAY AT VICTORIA PARK TOMORROW (SUNDAY).
ORGANISED BY THE EASTERN DISTRICT BOARD WITH ASSISTANCE FROM THE DISTRICT OFFICE, THE ANNUAL EVENT FEATURES A COLOURING CONTEST, QUIZZES, SINGING PERFORMANCES AND A ROVING EXHIBITION FOCUSSING ON THE "RULE OF LAW".
/THERE WILL .......
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 17, 1992
THERE WILL ALSO BE 12 GAME STALLS WITH PRIZES.
EASTERN DISTRICT OFFICER, MR STEVE BARCLAY AND THE EASTERN DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, MR SHUM CHOI-SANG, WILL OFFICIATE AT THE OPENING CEREMONY AT 2.30 PM.
ATTENTION NEWS EDITORS:
YOUR REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER THE EASTERN DISTRICT CIVIC EDUCATION DAY WHICH WILL BEGIN AT 2.30 PM TOMORROW (SUNDAY) AT FOOTBALL PITCH NOS. 4 TO 6 AT VICTORIA PARK.
SEMINAR TO EXCHANGE VIEWS ON PERFORMING ARTS ASSESSMENT REPORT WRITING *****
THE COUNCIL FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS (CFPA) TODAY (SATURDAY) HELD A SEMINAR FOR ITS MEMBERS AND ASSESSORS OF A REPORT WRITING SCHEME TO DISCUSS SUGGESTIONS AND COMMENTS MADE IN AN OPINION SURVEY ON THE SCHEME CONDUCTED IN OCTOBER LAST YEAR.
THE REPORT WRITING SCHEME WAS FIRST LAUNCHED IN MARCH 1984.
MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL AND ITS COMMITTEES AND ASSESORS, WHO ARE INTERESTED AND INFORMED IN PARTICULAR DISCIPLINE OF PERFORMING ARTS, ARE INVITED TO WRITE ASSESSMENT REPORTS ON LOCAL PERFORMANCES.
THESE ASSESSMENTS HAVE BEEN USEFUL TO THE COUNCIL IN ITS CONSIDERATION OF GRANT APPLICATIONS FROM PERFOMING GROUPS.
SPEAKING AT THE SEMINAR, THE CHAIRMAN OF CFPA, PROFESSOR WANG GUNGWU, SAID THE SCHEME SERVED A USEFUL PURPOSE BOTH FOR THE COUNCIL IN DECIDING FUND ALLOCATION AND FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS GROUPS IN REVIEWING THEIR FUTURE ACTIVITIES.
THERE ARE AT PRESENT 133 ASSESSORS APPOINTED BY THE COUNCIL.
THEY COMPRISE MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL AND ITS COMMITTEE AS WELL AS DISTINGUISHED INDIVIDUALS SPECIALISED IN PARTICULAR DISCIPLINE OF THE PERFORMING ARTS SUCH AS DANCE, DRAMA, MUSIC AND CHINESE OPERA. THESE ASSESSORS ARE SERVING ON A VOLUNTARY BASIS.
THE SEMINAR WAS ATTENDED BY THE ACTING SECRETARY FOR RECREATION AND CULTURE, MR PAUL LEUNG, AND SOME 50 PARTICIPANTS. CONSTRUCTIVE AND VALUABLE COMMENTS WERE MADE DURING THE DISCUSSION.
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 17, 1992
8
SALT WATER CUTS IN SOUTHEAST KOWLOON AND KENNEDY TOWN *****
SALT WATER SUPPLY TO SOME PREMISES IN SOUTHEAST KOWLOON WILL GO OFF FROM 9 AM ON MONDAY (OCTOBER 19) TO 9 AM THE FOLLOWING DAY TO FACILITATE CONNECTION WORK ON WATER MAINS.
THE SUSPENSION WILL AFFECT ALL PREMISES IN HUNG HOM, TO KWA WAN, KOWLOON CITY, LOK FU, WANG TAU HOM, KOWLOON TONG, TUNG TAU, CHUK YUEN, WONG TAI SIN, TSZ WAN SHAN, SAN PO KONG, KAI TAK, CHOI HUNG, HAMMER HILL AS WELL AS THOSE BOUNDED BY ARGYLE STREET, WATERLOO ROAD AND PEACE AVENUE.
MEANWHILE, SOME PREMISES IN KENNEDY TOWN WILL NOT GET FLUSHING WATER SUPPLY FROM 10 AM TO 2 PM ON TUESDAY (OCTOBER 20) TO ALLOW FOR MAINTENANCE WORK ON WATERMAINS.
ALL PREMISES AT SANDS STREET, KENNEDY TOWN NEW PRAYA, CATCHICK STREET, CADOGAN STREET, FORBES STREET, DAVIS STREET, SAI NING STREET, SMITHFIELD, BELCHER’S STREET, KA WAI MAN ROAD, KWUN LUNG LAU AND SAI WAN ESTATE WILL BE AFFECTED BY THE CUT.
------o - - - -
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS *****
$ MILLION
OPENING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT 2,300
REVERSAL OF LAF -800
BALANCE AFTER REVERSAL OF LAF 1,500
NET INJECTION/WITHDRAWAL TODAY NIL
EFFECT OF LAF TODAY -105
CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT 1,395
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, OCTOBER 18, 1992
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
MORE HOSTEL FOR BEDSPACE TENANTS ................................... 1
CREDIT UNIONS CONTRIBUTE MUCH TO COMMUNITY ......................... 2
ROAD WORKS FOR WEST KOWLOON RECLAMATION LINK ....................... 3
EMPLOYEES MUST BE INSURED .......................................... 4
SCHOLARSHIPS SCHEME TO RECEIVE MORE FUNDS .......................... 4
40 NEW BUILDING PLANS APPROVED IN AUGUST ........................... 6
SCHOOLS INVITED TO JOIN DANCE FESTIVAL ............................. 6
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 18, 1992
MORE HOSTEL FOR BEDSPACE TENANTS * » * *
A NEWLY FURNISHED SINGLETON HOSTEL IN CASTLE PEAK ROAD, SHAM SHUI PO, IS NOW OPEN WITH ACCOMMODATION FOR 24 TENANTS OF BEDSPACE APARTMENTS.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION SAID TODAY (SUNDAY) THAT SO FAR SEVEN SINGLETON HOSTELS HAVE BEEN SET UP UNDER THE DEPARTMENT’S PROGRAMME OF PROVISION OF SINGLETON HOSTELS FOR BEDSPACE APARTMENTS LODGERS.
APART FROM THE NEW SHAM SHUI PO HOSTEL, THREE OTHERS, INCLUDING ONE FOR WOMEN, ARE LOCATED AT KWUN TONG GARDEN ESTATE, NGAU TAU KOK. THE REMAINING THREE ARE SITUATED IN KWUN CHUNG STREET IN YAU MA TEI, IVY STREET IN TAI KOK TSUI AND LOCKHART ROAD IN WAN CHAI.
MANAGED BY THE AGENCY FOR VOLUNTEER SERVICE, THE HOSTELS CAN ACCOMMODATE A TOTAL OF 164 PEOPLE.
APPLICATIONS ARE BEING INVITED FOR TENANCY IN THESE SEVEN HOSTELS, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
THROUGH THE DONATION OF THE CHINESE TEMPLES COMMITTEE AND ASSISTANCE FROM THE TUNG WAH GROUP OF HOSPITALS AND THE HOUSING SOCIETY, THESE HOSTELS ARE EQUIPPED WITH BUNK-BEDS, WARDROBE AND DRAWERS, STORAGE CABINETS AND ELECTRIC FANS.
THERE ARE ALSO COMMUNAL LIVING AND DINING SPACE, KITCHENS, WASHROOMS, SHOWER CUBICLES WITH HOT AND COLD WATER SUPPLY.
THE MONTHLY RENTAL IS $380, INCLUDING WATER, ELECTRICITY AND MISCELLANEOUS FEES.
APPLICANTS MUST BE SINGLE MEN OR WOMEN AGED UNDER 60 AND LODGERS OF EXISTING BEDSPACE APARTMENTS.
THEY ARE REQUESTED TO APPLY IN PERSON TO THE HOUSING SERVICE OFFICE OF THE AGENCY FOR VOLUNTEER SERVICE, GROUND FLOOR, TAK NGA HOUSE, 197 LOCKHART ROAD, WAN CHAI. APPLICATION FORMS ARE AVAILABLE AT DISTRICT OFFICES.
ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE ON TEL 598 4729.
- - 0 - -
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 18, 1992
- 2
CREDIT UNIONS CONTRIBUTE MUCH TO COMMUNITY
*****
CREDIT UNIONS HAVE MADE SIGNIFICANT CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE LOCAL COMMUNITY, BOTH SOCIALLY AND ECONOMICALLY, THE DIRECTOR OF AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES, DR LAWRENCE LEE, SAID TODAY (SUNDAY).
DR LEE SAID THIS WHEN ADDRESSING THE ANNIVERSARY BANQUET OF THE INTERNATIONAL CREDIT UNION DAY IN THE TERRITORY.
AS REGISTRAR OF HONG KONG’S CREDIT UNIONS, DR LEE SAID HE WAS VERY PROUD TO WITNESS THE CONTINUING STRENGTH OF THE MOVEMENT SINCE ITS INCEPTION IN 1964.
’’THERE ARE NOW 67 CREDIT UNIONS SERVING NEARLY 40,000 MEMBERS REPRESENTING A WIDE CROSS SECTION OF THE COMMUNITY AND HAVING A TOTAL COMBINED SAVINGS OF SOME $269 MILLION.
THE SAVINGS HAD BEEN PROFITABLY EMPLOYED BY CREDIT UNIONS TO GRANT LOANS AT LOW INTEREST RATES TO NEEDY MEMBERS, HE SAID.
EACH YEAR, DR LEE STRESSED, THE CELEBRATION OF THE INTERNATIONAL CREDIT UNION DAY WAS A SPECIAL OCCASION TO CALL ATTENTION TO, BOTH WITHIN AND OUTSIDE THE CREDIT UNION MOVEMENT, THE IMPACT OF THESE FINANCIAL ORGANISATIONS ON THE LIFE OF THEIR MEMBERS NOT ONLY IN HONG KONG BUT ALSO MILLIONS OF PEOPLE IN OTHER PARTS OF THE WORLD.
’’THIS ALSO ENABLES PEOPLE TO HONOUR THE ACHIEVEMENTS OF MANY PIONEERS WHO FOUNDED CREDIT UNIONS AND OF THEIR SERVICE GROUPS OVER THE PAST 150 YEARS.
’’TODAY, IT IS A GOOD TIME TO PAY TRIBUTE TO ALL THOSE WHO HAVE HELPED IN ONE WAY OR THE OTHER IN ORGANISING NEW CREDIT UNIONS OR IN SUSTAINING AND DEVELOPING EXISTING UNIONS.”
DR LEE ALSO SAID CREDIT UNIONS IN HONG KONG COULD NOT HAVE GIVEN SUCH ECONOMIC HELP TO THEIR MEMBERS IF IT WERE NOT FOR THE SPECIAL DEDICATION OF SOME 1,000 VOLUNTEERS WHO HAD BEEN SERVING THE UNIONS’ BOARD OF DIRECTORS, SUPERVISORY COMMITTEES, CREDIT COMMITTEES AND EDUCATION COMMITTEES.
HOWEVER, HE BELIEVED THE REAL STRENGTH AND LASTING SUCCESS MUST COME, NOT ONLY FROM THE VOLUNTEERS, BUT ALSO FROM THE MEMBERS OF CREDIT UNIONS.
A CREDIT UNION WAS A SELF HELP ORGANISATION, AND EACH OF ITS MEMBERS MUST BE PREPARED TO OFFER HIS OR HER SERVICES WHEN BEING ELECTED OR CALLED UPON TO DO SO, HE SAID.
’’THIS MEANS THAT EACH MEMBER MUST LEARN TO ACQUIRE AN INDEPTH UNDERSTANDING OF THE VALUES AND VIRTUES OF THE CREDIT UNION CONCEPT, THE REGISTERED BY-LAWS, THE CREDIT UNIONS ORDINANCE AND THE BENEFITS OF BELONGING TO A CO-OPERATIVE MOVEMENT ESTABLISHED AND PRACTISED WORLDWIDE,” HE ADDED.
---------0-----------
/3 ........
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 18, 1992
3
ROAD WORKS FOR WEST KOWLOON RECLAMATION LINK *****
THE TERRITORY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT IS PLANNING THE CONSTRUCTION OF A NETWORK OF ROADS LINKING THE CHEUNG SHA WAN AREA WITH THE REPROVISIONED WATERFRONT FACILITIES ON THE NEW WEST KOWLOON RECLAMATION.
THE PROPOSED WORKS INVOLVE THE EXTENSION OF TONKIN STREET (ROAD D5) AND HING WAH STREET (ROAD D4) TO CONNECT WITH FLYOVERS TRAVERSING THE FUTURE AIRPORT RAIL LINK AND THE WEST KOWLOON EXPRESSWAY; CONSTRUCTION OF ROAD D16 TO PROVIDE ACCESS TO THE NEW CHEUNG SHA WAN SHIPYARDS VIA HING WAH STREET EXTENSION (ROAD D4 ) ; CONSTRUCTION OF ROAD CP3 WHICH PROVIDES A CONNECTION VIA CONTAINER TERMINAL 8 AREA TO THE WEST KOWLOON EXPRESSWAY AND THE WEST KOWLOON RECLAMATION.
WORKS ASSOCIATED WITH THE ROADWORKS ALSO INCLUDE THE CONSTRUCTION OF FOOTPATHS AND PLANTING AREAS WITHIN THE ROADSIDE VERGES; SIGNALISED AT GRADE PEDESTRIAN CROSSINGS AND ANCILLARY DRAINAGE WORKS.
A PLAN SHOWING THE PROPOSED WORKS CAN BE SEEN AT:
* THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT OFFICE, PUBLIC ENQUIRY SERVICES CENTRE, GROUND FLOOR, HARBOUR BUILDING, 38 PIER ROAD, CENTRAL, HONG KONG;
* THE DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE, KOWLOON WEST, 10TH FLOOR, YAU MA TEI CAR PARK BUILDING, 250 SHANGHAI STREET, KOWLOON AND
* THE SHAM SHUI PO DISTRICT OFFICE, SIXTH FLOOR, WEST COAST INTERNATIONAL BUILDING, 290 UN CHAU STREET, SHAM SHUI PO, KOWLOON.
MEANWHILE, THE DEPARTMENT IS PLANNING AS PART OF THE WEST KOWLOON RECLAMATION PROJECT THE CONSTRUCTION OF A ROAD (CP2) LINKING THE MEI FOO ROUNDABOUT ON ROUTE 3 WITH THE CONTAINER PORT ROAD.
WORKS ASSOCIATED WITH THE ROADWORKS INCLUDE THE CONSTRUCTION OF FOOTPATHS; ANCILLARY DRAINAGE WORKS; ROUNDABOUT MODIFICATION AT THE CONNECTION WITH CONTAINER PORT ROAD; AND THE INSTALLATION OF STREET FURNITURE, STREET LIGHTS AND SIGNS.
A PLAN SHOWING THE PROPOSED WORKS CAN BE SEEN AT:
* THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT OFFICE, PUBLIC ENQUIRY SERVICE CENTRE, GROUND FLOOR, HARBOUR BUILDING, 38 PIER ROAD, CENTRAL, HONG KONG;
* THE DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE, KWAI TSING, TSUEN WAN STATION MULTI-STOREY CARPARK BUILDING, 10TH FLOOR, 174-208 CASTLE PEAK ROAD, TSUEN WAN, NEW TERRITORIES AND
* THE KWAI TSING DISTRICT OFFICE, PUBLIC ENQUIRY SERVICE CENTRE, SECOND FLOOR, KWAI HING GOVERNMENT OFFICES BUILDING, 166-174 HING FONG ROAD, KWAI CHUNG, NEW TERRITORIES.
/DURING THE.......'.
4
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 18, 1992
DURING THE CONSTRUCTION PERIOD, APPROPRIATE TRAFFIC AND PEDESTRIAN ACCESSES WILL BE MAINTAINED SO THAT ANY INCONVENIENCE TO THE PUBLIC WILL BE MINIMISED.
THE WORKS HAVE BEEN DESIGNED AND CONSTRUCTION WILL BE SUPERVISED BY MOTT MACDONALD HONG KONG LIMITED, CONSULTING ENGINEERS, ON BEHALF OF THE TERRITORY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT.
NOTICES CONCERNING THE PROPOSED WORKS WERE PUBLISHED IN THE LATEST ISSUE OF THE GOVERNMENT GAZETTE.
ANY PERSON OBJECTING TO EITHER PROPOSAL MUST SEND HIS OBJECTION IN WRITING TO THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT ON OR BEFORE DECEMBER 15.
------0--------
EMPLOYEES MUST BE INSURED »»****
THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT TODAY (SUNDAY) REMINDED ALL EMPLOYERS TO TAKE OUT INSURANCE POLICIES FOR THEIR EMPLOYEES UNDER THE EMPLOYEES’ COMPENSATION ORDINANCE.
THE REMINDER FOLLOWED A RECENT CASE AT THE TSUEN WAN MAGISTRACY IN WHICH THE PROSPEROUS KNITTING GARMENT FACTORY IN KWAI CHUNG WAS FINED $5,000 FOR FAILING TO TAKE OUT A POLICY OF INSURANCE FOR 16 WORKERS.
"ALL EMPLOYERS ARE REQUIRED TO TAKE OUT INSURANCE POLICIES TO COVER THEIR FULL LIABILITIES UNDER THE EMPLOYEES’ COMPENSATION ORDINANCE AND UNDER COMMON LAW," SAID SENIOR LABOUR OFFICER (PROSECUTIONS) MR JOHN SUNG.
"AN EMPLOYER SHOULD ALSO DISPLAY PROMINENTLY IN THE WORKPLACE A NOTICE SHOWING THE NAME OF THE INSURER AND OTHER NECESSARY DETAILS OF THE INSURANCE POLICY," MR SUNG ADDED.
"FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH THE PROVISIONS MAY RESULT ON SUMMARY CONVICTION TO A MAXIMUM FINE OF $20,000 AND IMPRISONMENT FOR ONE YEAR," HE WARNED.
--------0-----------
SCHOLARSHIPS SCHEME TO RECEIVE MORE FUNDS * * * * *
THE GOVERNMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (SUNDAY) THAT, FOLLOWING A RECENT REVIEW, THE UK GOVERNMENT AND THE ROYAL HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB (RHKJC) HAVE AGREED TO INCREASE THE ANNUAL FUNDING FOR THE UK/HK SCHOLARSHIPS SCHEME BY 200,000 POUNDS STERLING TO ENABLE NINE ADDITIONAL NEW AWARDS TO BE MADE EACH YEAR FROM 1993-94 TO 1995-96.
AT PRESENT, THE UK GOVERNMENT AND THE RHKJC EACH CONTRIBUTES 125,000 POUND STERLING ANNUALLY TO FUND THE SCHEME.
/OF THE ........
5
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 18, 1992
OF THE UK SIDE OF THE FUNDING, 40,000 POUNDS STERLING ARE CONTRIBUTED BY THE FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE SCHOLARSHIPS AND AWARDS SCHEME WHILE 85,000 POUNDS STERLING COME FROM THE INTEREST OF THE LATE SIR SHIU-KIN TANG’S BEQUEST OF 1 MILLION POUNDS STERLING DONATED TO THE UK GOVERNMENT FOR SCHOLARSHIPS AND MEDICAL RESEARCH.
THE HONG KONG SIDE OF THE FUNDING IS ENTIRELY DONATED BY THE ROYAL HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB.
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THE ANNUAL COMMITMENT OF 250,000 POUNDS STERLING IS BECOMING INADEQUATE AS THE SCHEME HAS TO SUPPORT BOTH NEW AWARDEES AS WELL AS STUDENTS WHO HAVE RECEIVED AWARDS IN PREVIOUS YEARS.
"AS THE CUMULATIVE EXPENDITURE ON STUDENTS CURRENTLY STUDYING UNDER THE SCHEME IS EXPECTED TO EXHAUST THE ANNUAL COMMITMENT AFTER 1992-93, THE ANNUAL COMMITMENT OF 250,000 POUNDS STERLING WOULD ONLY BE SUFFICIENT TO SUPPORT RENEWAL OF CURRENT SCHOLARSHIPS AND WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO FINANCE A REASONABLE NUMBER OF NEW AWARDS IF THERE WERE NO FURTHER INJECTION OF FUNDS," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
"THE UK GOVERNMENT AND THE RHKJC HAVE THEREFORE AGREED TO INCREASE THE ANNUAL DONATION BY 200,000 POUNDS STERLING FOR THE 1993-94, 1994-95 AND 1995-96 ACADEMIC YEARS TO ENABLE NINE NEW SCHOLARSHIPS TO BE AWARDED EACH YEAR."
THE SPOKESMAN ADDED THAT THE PROVISION OF ADDITIONAL FUNDS REPRESENTS THE CONTINUED COMMITMENT BY THE SPONSORS TO PROVIDE FIRST-RATE EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE BEST STUDENTS OF HONG KONG.
THE UK/HK SCHOLARSHIPS SCHEME WAS ESTABLISHED JOINTLY BY THE UK AND THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENTS IN 1988.
IT SUPPORTS STUDENTS TO STUDY IN THE UK AT UNDERGRADUATE OR GRADUATE LEVEL. AWARDS MADE UNDER THE SCHEME COVER TUITION FEES, LIVING EXPENSES AND RETURN PASSAGES INCURRED BY THE STUDENTS.
THE SCHEME AIMS AT PREPARING THE AWARDEES TO RENDER THEIR SERVICE TO THE COMMUNITY AND TO CONTRIBUTE TO THE FUTURE OF HONG KONG.
"EACH STUDENT RECEIVES ABOUT 12,800 POUNDS STERLING A YEAR (AT 1992 PRICES) AND IS REQUIRED TO RETURN TO WORK IN HONG KONG AFTER COMPLETION OF HIS STUDY," THE SPOKESMAN NOTED.
"THE ANNUAL SELECTION EXERCISE IS CONDUCTED BY THE UK/HK SCHOLARSHIPS COMMITTEE UNDER THE CHAIRMANSHIP OF MR PAUL CHENG MING-FUN.
"HE TOOK OVER IN APRIL THIS YEAR FROM MR HENRY LITTON WHO CHAIRED THE COMMITTEE SINCE ITS INCEPTION IN 1988," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
IN THE PAST FIVE YEARS, A TOTAL OF 44 AWARDS HAVE BEEN MADE.
SO FAR 10 STUDENTS HAVE COMPLETED THEIR SPONSORED STUDIES AND SEVEN HAVE RETURNED TO HONG KONG. THE REMAINING THREE ARE PURSUING FURTHER STUDIES.
------0----------
/6.........
6 - SUNDAY, OCTOBER 18, 1992
40 NEW BUILDING PLANS APPROVED IN AUGUST *****
THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE OFFICE OF THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT APPROVED 40 NEW BUILDING PLANS IN AUGUST.
OF THESE, 21 WERE FOR HONG KONG, 10 FOR KOWLOON AND NINE FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES.
THE APPROVED PLANS INCLUDED 19 FOR APARTMENT, APARTMENT/COMMERCIAL AND RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENTS, 10 FOR COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENTS AND TWO FOR FACTORY AND INDUSTRIAL PURPOSES.
DURING THE MONTH, THE OFFICE GAVE CONSENT FOR WORK TO START ON 37 PROJECTS, INVOLVING 259,058 SQUARE METRES OF USABLE DOMESTIC FLOOR AREA AND 50,684 SQUARE METRES OF USABLE NON-DOMESTIC FLOOR AREA.
THE TOTAL DECLARED COST OF NEW BUILDINGS COMPLETED DURING THE MONTH WAS ABOUT $1,552 MILLION.
USABLE FLOOR AREAS FOR DOMESTIC AND NON-DOMESTIC USES WERE ABOUT 123,494 SQUARE METRES AND ABOUT 87,180 SQUARE METRES RESPECTIVELY.
IN AUGUST, THE OFFICE ISSUED 30 OCCUPATION PERMITS, 11 FOR HONG KONG ISLAND, FIVE FOR KOWLOON, AND 14 FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES.
IN ADDITION, 31 DEMOLITION CONSENTS AFFECTING 64 BUILDINGS WERE ISSUED.
THE OFFICE’S CONTROL AND ENFORCEMENT DIVISION RECEIVED 552 COMPLAINTS ON ILLEGAL BUILDING WORKS, CARRIED OUT 1,606 INSPECTIONS AND ISSUED 1,449 REMOVAL ORDERS.
THE DANGEROUS BUILDINGS SECTION INSPECTED 690 BUILDINGS AND OBTAINED ONE EMERGENCY CLOSURE ORDER.
--------0-----------
SCHOOLS INVITED TO JOIN DANCE FESTIVAL
*****
ALL PRIMARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOLS INCLUDING SPECIAL SCHOOLS ARE BEING INVITED TO PARTICIPATE IN THE 29TH SCHOOLS DANCE FESTIVAL.
TRE ANNUAL FESTIVAL, JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT AND THE HONG KONG SCHOOLS SPORTS COUNCIL, WILL BE HELD FROM JANUARY 6 TO 19 NEXT YEAR.
THE STUDENTS TAKING PART WILL BE DIVIDED INTO LOWER PRIMARY (P.l TO P.3); UPPER PRIMARY (P.4 TO P.6); SECONDARY (SECONDARY 1 AND ABOVE); AND SPECIAL SCHOOLS.
DANCES COMPRISE WESTERN FOLK, NATIONAL, CHINESE, ORIENTAL AND MODERN.
TROPHIES AND CERTIFICATES WILL BE PRESENTED TO WINNERS.
IN ADDITION, AWARDS WILL BE PRESENTED TO ONE PRIMARY AND ONE SECONDARY SCHOOL JUDGED TO HAVE MADE THE GREATEST PROGRESS IN THE PAST THREE CONSECUTIVE FESTIVALS (INCLUDING THIS YEAR’S).
- - 0 - -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
MONDAY, OCTOBER 19, 1992
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
CULTURAL EXCHANGES STRENGTHEN LINKS WITH CANADA .................... 1
ORDERS, EMPLOYMENT AND PER CAPITA EARNINGS FIGURES FOR AUGUST ...... 2
SECRETARY FOR SECURITY INSPECTS BORDER AREA ........................ 6
FURTHER CLARIFICATION ON RENT DECONTROL............................. 6
FEE RISES FOR MARINE STORE AND MASSAGE ESTABLISHMENTS LICENCES ..... 9
COMMUNICATION KEY TO HAPPY MARRIAGE ................................ $
CIVIC EDUCATION COMMITTEE TO PROMOTE HUMAN RIGHTS .................. 10
CORRECTIONAL SERVICES DELEGATION VISITS GUANGDONG .................. 12
FRESH WATER CUTS IN YAU MA TEI AND KWUN TONG........................ 12
WATER STORAGE FIGURE ............................................... 12
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS.......... 13
MONDAY, OCTOBER 19,
1992
CULTURAL EXCHANGES STRENGTHEN LINKS WITH CANADA * * * * *
INCREASING BILATERAL EXCHANGES ON MANY FRONTS WILL FORM THE FOUNDATION FOR CONTINUED FRIENDSHIP AND CO-OPERATION BETWEEN HONG KONG AND CANADA, THE ACTING CHIEF SECRETARY, MR BARRIE WIGGHAM, SAID IN MONTREAL ON SUNDAY.
SPEAKING AT A GALA DINNER CELEBRATING THE SUCCESS OF FESTIVAL HONG KONG ’92 IN QUEBEC’S LARGEST CITY, MR WIGGHAM SAID HONG KONG WAS PROUD OF ITS CLOSE ASSOCIATION WITH CANADA AND WOULD CONTINUE TO BUILD ON ITS HISTORIC LINKS.
"TO FURTHER CEMENT THE RELATIONSHIPS, WE HAVE RECENTLY EMBARKED ON A NUMBER OF IMPORTANT EXCHANGES," HE SAID.
OUTLINING THE EXCHANGES, HE SAID THE TWO GOVERNMENTS HAD SIGNED MEMORANDA OF UNDERSTANDING ON CO-OPERATION IN ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AND FILM PRODUCTION.
UNIVERSITIES IN BOTH PLACES HAVE SIGNED AGREEMENTS TO DEVELOP FURTHER EXCHANGES. A CIVIL SERVICE EXCHANGE SCHEME HAS BEEN ESTABLISHED.
LEGISLATORS FROM HONG KONG WERE RECENTLY ABLE TO MEET THEIR COUNTERPARTS IN OTTAWA FOR A USEFUL EXCHANGE OF VIEWS, HE ADDED.
MR WIGGHAM BELIEVED THESE ACTIVITIES CLEARLY DEMONSTRATED THE FRUITFUL DEVELOPMENT OF THE RELATIONSHIP.
"I AM CONFIDENT THAT OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH CANADA WILL DEEPEN, AND OUR SIGNIFICANCE TO EACH OTHER WILL SIMILARLY INCREASE, AS IMPROVED COMMUNICATIONS MAKE THE WORLD -- AND THE PACIFIC REGION IN PARTICULAR -- A SMALLER PLACE.
"THE OMENS ARE EXCELLENT FOR BOTH OF US IN THIS RELATIONSHIP, AND I KNOW YOU WILL FIND THAT OUR VALUE AS A BUSINESS AND CULTURAL PARTNER WILL GROW EVEN MORE AS WE MOVE INTO THE NEXT PHASE OF OUR DEVELOPMENT AS A SPECIAL ADMINISTRATIVE REGION OF CHINA," HE SAID.
MR WIGGHAM WILL FLY TO OTTAWA ON MONDAY FOR A BUSY PROGRAMME, WHICH WILL INCLUDE CALLS ON CANADIAN OFFICIALS AND THE BRITISH HIGH COMMISSIONER.
HE WILL DELIVER A KEYNOTE SPEECH AT A BUSINESS LUNCHEON.
IN THE EVENING, HE WILL ENJOY A PERFORMANCE BY THE HONG KONG ACADEMY OF PERFORMING ARTS.
ON TUESDAY, HE WILL FLY TO VANCOUVER FOR A SERIES OF EVENTS TO MARK THE CLOSE OF THE MONTH-LONG FESTIVAL.
--------0-----------
/2 ........
MONDAY, OCTOBER 19, 1992
2
ORDERS, EMPLOYMENT AND PER CAPITA EARNINGS FIGURES FOR AUGUST ******
THE VOLUME OF ORDERS-ON-HAND FOR THE 200 LARGEST MANUFACTURERS INCREASED BY 1% IN AUGUST OVER THE SAME MONTH LAST YEAR, ACCORDING TO A MONTHLY SURVEY CONDUCTED BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
ORDERS POSITION IN THE FABRICATED METAL PRODUCTS AND THE ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC PRODUCTS INDUSTRIES IMPROVED MODERATELY OVER A YEAR AGO.
ON THE OTHER HAND, ORDERS IN THE TEXTILES AND PLASTIC PRODUCTS INDUSTRIES DECLINED.
COMPARED WITH THE PRECEDING MONTH, ORDERS FOR THE MANUFACTURERS SURVEYED DECREASED BY 1%.
ORDERS IN THE PLASTIC PRODUCTS INDUSTRY DECREASED SIGNIFICANTLY. SLIGHT DECREASES WERE ALSO REPORTED IN THE TEXTILES AND FABRICATED METAL PRODUCTS INDUSTRIES.
MEANWHILE, THE WEARING APPAREL AND THE ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC PRODUCTS INDUSTRIES SHOWED LITTLE CHANGE IN ORDERS.
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 NUMBER OF PERSONS ENGAGED BY THE 200 LARGEST MANUFACTURERS DECREASED BY 11% IN AUGUST 1992 WHEN COMPARED WITH THE SAME MONTH LAST YEAR. THE DECLINE IN MANUFACTURING EMPLOYMENT REFLECTS THE CONTINUING RELOCATION OF PRODUCTION PROCESSES TO SOUTH CHINA.
COMPARED WITH THE PRECEDING MONTH, THE TOTAL NUMBER OF PERSONS ENGAGED BY THE SURVEYED MANUFACTURERS DECREASED BY 2%.
PER CAPITA EARNINGS IN THE MANUFACTURING COMPANIES SURVEYED INCREASED BY 15% IN MONEY TERMS IN AUGUST 1992 OVER THE SAME MONTH LAST YEAR.
COMPARED WITH THE PRECEDING MONTH, PER CAPITA EARNINGS INCREASED BY 1%.
THE TOTAL NUMBER OF PERSONS ENGAGED IN THE CONSTRUCTION COMPANIES SURVEYED DECREASED MODERATELY IN AUGUST 1992 WHEN COMPARED WITH THE SAME MONTH LAST YEAR, BUT REMAINED STABLE WHEN COMPARED WITH THE PRECEDING MONTH.
PER CAPITA EARNINGS IN THE CONSTRUCTION COMPANIES SURVEYED INCREASED SIGNIFICANTLY IN AUGUST 1992 OVER THE SAME MONTH LAST YEAR, BUT DECREASED SLIGHTLY WHEN COMPARED WITH THE PRECEDING MONTH.
IT SHOULD BE NOTED THAT FIGURES FOR THIS INDUSTRY COVERED COMPANY EMPLOYEES ONLY; SITE WORKERS EMPLOYED BY LABOUR-ONLY SUBCONTRACTORS WERE NOT INCLUDED.
THE TOTAL NUMBER OF PERSONS ENGAGED IN THE SERVICE COMPANIES SURVEYED INCREASED SLIGHTLY IN AUGUST 1992 OVER THE SAME MONTH LAST YEAR, BUT SHOWED LITTLE CHANGE OVER THE PRECEDING MONTH.
/PER CAPITA .......
MONDAY, OCTOBER 19, 1992
3
PER CAPITA EARNINGS IN THE SERVICE COMPANIES SURVEYED INCREASED SIGNIFICANTLY OVER THE SAME MONTH LAST YEAR AND SLIGHTLY OVER THE PRECEDING MONTH.
THE SURVEY COVERED A PANEL OF THE 200 LARGEST MANUFACTURERS AND THE 50 LARGEST COMPANIES IN THE CONSTRUCTION AND SERVICE SECTORS, CHOSEN BY REFERENCE TO THEIR EMPLOYMENT SIZES IN SEPTEMBER 1986.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT POINTED OUT THAT AS THE SURVEY SAMPLE COVERED ONLY LARGE COMPANIES, THE SURVEY RESULTS MIGHT NOT BE REPRESENTATIVE OF THE GENERAL SITUATION OF THE MANUFACTURING, CONSTRUCTION AND THE SERVICE SECTORS.
NEVERTHELESS, THE SURVEY RESULTS SHOULD BE ABLE TO PROVIDE A USEFUL INDICATION OF THE DIRECTION OF CHANGE FOR MAKING A QUICK ASSESSMENT OF SHORT-TERM DEVELOPMENTS IN THOSE SECTORS, HE SAID.
THE SURVEY REPORT FOR AUGUST 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 I, 12 HARBOUR ROAD, WAN CHAI, AT $4.50 A COPY.
ENQUIRIES ABOUT THE SURVEY RESULTS MAY BE MADE OF THE INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION STATISTICS SECTION OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT ON TEL 805 6441.
THE PERCENTAGE CHANGES IN ORDERS-ON-HAND, EMPLOYMENT AND PER CAPITA EARNINGS ARE SHOWN IN THE FOLLOWING THREE TABLES:
TABLE 1 : ORDERS-ON-HAND IN MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES
ORDERS-ON-HAND
AS AT THE END OF AUGUST 1992 CHANGE WHEN COMPARED WITH
INDUSTRY JULY 1992 AUG. 1991
(MONTHS) (%) (%)
ALL MANUFACTURERS SURVEYED 4.40 -1 + 1
WEARING APPAREL 4.77 ♦ ♦
TEXTILES 2.11 -3 -10
PLASTIC PRODUCTS 2.56 -16 -5
FABRICATED METAL 4.52 -1 + 8
PRODUCTS ELECTRICAL AND 5.66 * + 6
ELECTRONIC PRODUCTS OTHERS 3.94 -1 -3
* CHANGES WITHIN +/- 0.5%
/TABLE 2 .......
MONDAY, OCTOBER 19, 1992
4
TABLE 2 : EMPLOYMENT
PERSONS ENGAGED
AS AT THE END OF AUGUST 1992
INDUSTRY/SERVICES CHANGE WHEN COMPARED WITH '
JULY 92 AUG 91
(%) (%)
ALL MANUFACTURERS SURVEYED -2 -11
FOOD AND DRINKS * + 1
WEARING APPAREL -1 -15
TEXTILES -4 -13
PLASTIC PRODUCTS -8 -9
FABRICATED METAL * -15
PRODUCTS -17
ELECTRICAL AND -2
ELECTRONIC PRODUCTS
OTHERS ♦ -1
CONSTRUCTION # * -6
— t —
SERVICES * + 1
— — —
BANKS * -2
HOTELS * + 1
PUBLIC UTILITIES + 1 + 2
OTHERS * + 3
* CHANGES WITHIN +/- 0.5%
# PERSONS ENGAGED COVERED COMPANY EMPl.OYEFS ONLY; SITE WORKERS EMPLOYED BY LABOUR-ONLY SUB-CONTRACTORS WERE NOT INCLUDED.
/TABLE 3 .......
MONDAY, OCTOBER 19, 1992
5
TABLE 3 : PER CAPITA EARNINGS
NOTE : BECAUSE OF THE POSSIBLE INCLUSION OF IRREGULAR PAYMENTS (E.G. BACKPAY OR SPECIAL BONUS), "PER CAPITA EARNINGS" FOR A GIVEN MONTH MAY BE SUBJECT TO RATHER VOLATILE FLUCTUATIONS FROM TIME TO TIME. THEREFORE, IT IS PARTICULARLY ADVISABLE, IN STUDYING PER CAPITA EARNINGS STATISTICS, NOT TO TAKE A GIVEN MONTH'S DATA IN ISOLATION, BUT TO MAKE REFERENCE TO DATA OVER A LONGER PERIOD.
PER CAPITA EARNINGS
INDUSTRY/SERVICES AVERAGE AS TN AUGUST 92 CHANGE WHEN COMPARED WITH
JULY 92 AUG 91
(HK$) (%) (%)
ALL MANUFACTURERS SURVEYED 7,934 +1 + 15
FOOD AND DRINKS 8,212 + 1 + 8
WEARING APPAREL 5,902 + 1 + 9
TEXTILES 7,329 + 6 + 15
PLASTIC PRODUCTS 7,797 + 3 + 20
FABRICATED METAL PRODUCTS 7,877 + 2 + 16
ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC PRODUCTS 8,279 ♦ + 16
OTHERS 9,931 ♦ + 16
CONSTRUCTION # 10,766 -3 + 12
SERVICES 13,131 + 3 + 13
BANKS 11,533 * + 11
HOTELS 7,951 -11 + 10
PUBLIC UTILITIES 12,959 -1 + 14
OTHERS 15,861 + 13 + 14
* CHANGES WITHIN +/- 0.5%
# PER CAPITA EARNINGS COVERED COMPANY EMPLOYEES ONLY; SITE WORKERS EMPLOYED BY LABOUR-ONLY SUB-CONTRACTORS WERE 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-----------
/6 ........
MONDAY, OCTOBER 19, 1992
6 -
SECRETARY FOR SECURITY INSPECTS BORDER AREA
*****
THE POLICE HAVE BEEN CARRYING OUT THEIR BORDER PATROL DUTIES EFFECTIVELY AND EFFICIENTLY SINCE THEY TOOK OVER THE WORK FROM THE ARMY ABOUT SIX MONTHS AGO, THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, MR ALISTAIR ASPREY, SAID.
HE MADE THE REMARK AFTER INSPECTING THE SECURITY FACILITIES AND ANTI-ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT ACTIONS IN THE BORDER AREA AND TIN SHUI WAI THIS MORNING.
THE VISIT WAS PART OF A REGULAR SERIES BY MR ASPREY TO THE DISCIPLINED SERVICES.
’’THE TERRAIN OF TIN SHUI WAI IS SUCH THAT IT PROVIDES LOTS OF HIDING PLACE FOR ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT (II) WORKERS, WHO CAN ALSO EASILY SPOT ANY APPROACHING POLICE,” MR ASPREY SAID.
DESPITE THIS, THE POLICE MANAGED TO ARREST MORE THAN 1,200 II WORKERS IN TIN SHUI WAI OVER THE PAST FIVE MONTHS, HE NOTED.
HE ADDED THAT POLICE VIGILANCE AGAINST II WORKERS AT TIN SHUI WAI WOULD CONTINUE.
MR ASPREY ALSO WENT TO LAU FAU SHAN TO SEE HOW THE CONTROL MEASURES ON FISHERMEN FROM CHINA WERE WORKING.
UNDER THE CONTROL MEASURES, WHICH WERE IMPLEMENTED IN AUGUST THIS YEAR, UP TO 50 FISHING BOATS A DAY FROM CHINA ARE ALLOWED TO COME TO LAU FAU SHAN TO SELL THEIR FISHING PRODUCE.
THE NEW MEASURES ENABLE THE POLICE TO BETTER CONTROL THE ACTIVITIES OF THESE MAINLAND FISHERMEN WHILE THEY ARE IN LAU FAU SHAN.
------0-------
FURTHER CLARIFICATION ON RENT DECONTROL
*****
THE ONLY MATERIAL CHANGE TO PART II OF THE LANDLORD AND TENANT (CONSOLIDATION) (AMENDMENT) BILL IS THE PROPOSAL TO INCREASE THE CURRENT ANNUAL FIVE PERCENTAGE POINTS RISE IN MINIMUM RENT TO SEVEN-AND-A-HALF PERCENTAGE POINTS.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE COMMISSIONER OF RATING AND VALUATION, MR BARRY WOODROFFE, THIS (MONDAY) MORNING WHEN HE MET A LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL AD HOC GROUP TO ELABORATE ON THE PROPOSED CHANGES TO THE BILL.
HE POINTED OUT THAT 86 PER CENT OF FLATS CONTROLLED UNDER THE SECTION WERE BUILT BEFORE 1970.
MR WOODROFFE ASSURED THE MEMBERS THAT WHEN DETERMINING PREVAILING MARKET RENTS, THE AGE OF THE PROPERTY WOULD BE TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT AND GENERALLY WOULD BE DERIVED FROM MARKET RENTS OF FLATS IN THE SAME BUILDING OR IN SIMILAR BUILDINGS NEARBY.
MONDAY, OCTOBER 19, 1992
7
AND HE WAS OF THE OPINION THAT THE SLIGHTLY FASTER RATE OF INCREASE IN PART II RENTS WHICH WILL OCCUR IF THE BILL IS ENACTED WILL NOT AFFECT GENERAL MARKET RENTAL VALUES.
FURTHERMORE, TENANTS WILL RETAIN THEIR SECURITY OF TENURE ALTHOUGH THE RENTS WILL BE INCREASED TO THE LEVEL CURRENTLY BEING OBTAINED FOR OTHER SIMILAR FLATS ALREADY SUBJECT TO PART IV Ob' THE ORDINANCE.
TURNING TO A SURVEY RECENTLY CONDUCTED BY HIS DEPARTMENT, MR WOODROFFE REITERATED THAT IT WAS COMPREHENSIVE.
"QUESTIONAIRES WERE SENT OUT TO ALL PART II CASES AND 18,590 REPLIES WERE ANALYSED.
”A RANDOM SAMPLE TEST WAS ALSO CARRIED OUT ON NON-RESPONSE CASES WHICH REINFORCED OUR VIEWS THAT THE POLL WAS ROBUST AND RELIABLE,” HE ADDED.
THE SURVEY, HE SAID, INDICATED THAT THE NUMBER OF PART II TENANCIES HAD DROPPED SINCE THE PREVIOUS FIGURES RELEASED IN OCTOBER LAST YEAR.
LATEST FIGURES SHOW THAT THERE ARE AT PRESENT ONLY 32,414 PART II FLATS WITH 48,500 HOUSEHOLDS ACCOMMODATING ABOUT 144,000 PEOPLE.
AND THE AVERAGE CONTROLLED RENTS FOR THESE PREMISES IS $3,344 AS AGAINST THE AVERAGE MARKET VALUE OF $5,330.
AS FOR BED-SPACE TENANTS PROTECTED BY PART II, MR WOODROFFE SAID THEY NUMBERED ONLY 2,100 AND WERE PAYING AN AVERAGE RENT OF $279 AGAINST THE PREVAILING RENT OF $412.
THE NUMBER OF BEDROOMS/CUBICLES PROTECTED BY PART II IS ABOUT 10,000 FOR WHICH THE AVERAGE RENT WAS $874 ALTHOUGH THE PREVAILING RENT WAS $1,128.
AS FAR AS THESE TENANCIES ARE CONCERNED, MR WOODROFFE BELIEVED THAT THE INCREASES IN 1993 - $81 FOR BED SPACES AND $241 FOR BEDROOMS/ CUBICLES - WOULD HAVE LITTLE OR NO EFFECT ON THE TENANTS.
THIS IS BECAUSE THE RENT INCREASE WILL GENERALLY BE THE SAME EVEN IF THE BILL IS NOT PASSED, MR WOODROFFE POINTED OUT.
IN 1994, EVEN IF THE BILL IS ENACTED, THE INCREASE FOR BED SPACES WILL BE $118 INSTEAD OF $83 A MONTH OR JUST $35 EXTRA.
’’THIS CONTRASTS WITH THE FINDINGS OF THE SURVEYS BY CONCERNED GROUPS WHICH INDICATED A FAR WIDER DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE CURRENT CONTROLLED RENTS AND MARKET RENTS.
"ANOTHER SIGNIFICANT POINT ESTABLISHED IS THAT BED-SPACE TENANTS CURRENTLY PAY ON AVERAGE ONLY 7.3 PER CENT OF THEIR INCOME ON RENT WHICH MAY RISE TO ABOUT 9.4 PER CENT IN 1993.
/"THIS COMPARES .......
MONDAY, OCTOBER 19, 1992
8
"THIS COMPARES TO RATIOS OF 21.3 PER CENT AND 30 PER CENT FOR 1993 IN THE INTEREST GROUP SURVEYS,” MR WOODROFFE SAID.
MR WOODROFFE BELIEVED THAT THE MAIN DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THE FINDINGS OF HIS DEPARTMENT’S SURVEY AND THOSE CONDUCTED BY THE CONCERNED GROUPS MAY HAVE BEEN DUE TO CONFUSION AS TO WHETHER TENANCIES IN OLDER BUILDINGS WERE SUBJECT TO PART II CONTROL.
"EVEN IF A BUILDING IS OLD, A NEW LETTING ON OR AFTER JUNE 10, 1983 WOULD NOT BE SUBJECT TO PART II.
"THIS CONFUSION MAY HAVE GIVEN AN INFLATED PICTURE OF THE NUMBER OF PART II TENANCIES IN SUBDIVIDED PREMISES.
"SECONDLY, THE AREAS SELECTED MAY HAVE TENDED TO BE UNREPRESENTATIVE OF THE OVERALL SITUATION AND AGAIN MAY HAVE GIVEN AN EXAGGERATED COUNT FOR THE NUMBER OF SUB-LETTINGS WHEN APPLYING THE FINDINGS TO THE OVERALL PICTURE," MR WOODROFFE EXPLAINED.
NONETHELESS, MR WOODROFFE ACCEPTED THAT THERE WOULD BE CERTAIN PERSONS WHO NEED ASSISTANCE.
"BUT THIS IS FOR GOVERNMENT TO PROVIDE RATHER THAN LANDLORDS. IN FACT, PUBLIC ASSISTANCE OF $825 A MONTH FOR A SINGLE PERSON IS AVAILABLE TO THOSE IN NEED AS WELL AS A RENT ALLOWANCE OF UP TO $743 PER MONTH."
HE SAID THE GOVERNOR HAD PROPOSED THAT ALLOWANCES UNDER THE PUBLIC ASSISTANCE SCHEME BE REVISED UPWARDS IN THE NEAR FUTURE.
ADDITIONALLY, THE HOUSING AUTHORITY WILL ALSO PLAY ITS ROLE.
FOR, ALTHOUGH MOST OF THE 2,500 RENTAL FLATS IT WILL BUILD EACH YEAR OVER THE NEXT FIVE YEARS FOR SINGLE PERSONS WILL GO TO THE PEOPLE DISPLACED BY ESTATE REDEVELOPMENT, ABOUT 500 TO 1,000 WILL BE MADE AVAILABLE TO TENANTS IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR EACH YEAR.
MR WOODROFFE AGAIN STRESSED THAT THE DELAY IN DEALING WITH THE BILL HAD UNFORTUNATELY RESULTED IN A NUMBER OF TENANTS RECEIVING LESS COMPENSATION THAN THEY WOULD OTHERWISE HAVE HAD IF LEGISLATION HAD BEEN ENACTED WITHIN THE ORIGINAL TIMETABLE.
"IT SHOULD BE REMEMBERED THAT THE PROPOSALS FOR REVISED AND ENHANCED COMPENSATION UPON REDEVELOPMENT WILL APPLY TO BOTH PART II AND IV," HE SAID.
------0--------
/9.........
MONDAY, OCTOBER 19, 1992
- 9 -
FEE RISES FOR MARINE STORE AND * * *
MASSAGE ESTABLISHMENTS LICENCES » *
LICENSEES OF MARINE STORES AND MASSAGE ESTABLISHMENTS HAVE TO PAY MORE FOR THEIR LICENCES WITH EFFECT FROM OCTOBER 16.
THE FEES FOR THE ISSUE AND RENEWAL OF A MARINE STORES DEALER LICENCE HAVE BEEN INCREASED FROM $825 TO $1,200 A YEAR AND THAT FOR A MASSAGE ESTABLISHMENT LICENCE FROM $3,320 TO $5,000.
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THE FEES WERE SET TO RECOVER ADMINISTRATIVE COSTS AND TAKE ACCOUNT OF INCREASED COSTS SINCE THE FEES WERE LAST REVISED IN 1988.
THE MARINE STORES (AMENDMENT) REGULATION 1992 AND MASSAGE ESTABLISHMENTS (AMENDMENT) REGULATION 1992, WHICH SEEK TO INCREASE THE FEES FOR THESE LICENCES, WERE GAZETTED LAST FRIDAY.
------0-------
COMMUNICATION KEY TO HAPPY MARRIAGE
*****
MRS PATTEN SAID TODAY (MONDAY) THAT VOLUNTARY AGENCIES DID A VITAL JOB TO HELP PROVIDE THE CEMENT THAT WAS ESSENTIAL TO REBUILD MARRIAGES RUNNING INTO TROUBLE.
SPEAKING AT AN ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING OF THE MARRIAGE AND PERSONAL COUNSELLING SERVICE, SHE SAID THE CEMENT WAS COMMUNICATION.
"BY ENCOURAGING COUPLES TO COMMUNICATE - WITH YOU WITH THEMSELVES, WITH EACH OTHER - YOU REALLY CAN AND DO HAVE A DECISIVE INFLUENCE ON THOUSANDS OF FAMILIES, AND TENS OF THOUSANDS OF CHILDREN.
OFTEN IT INVOLVES HARD CHOICES; OFTEN IT MEANS GREATER SENSITIVITY AND UNDERSTANDING; OFTEN IT MEANS WORKING OUT COMPROMISES.
"YOU ARE THE CATALYST THAT PROMPTS THESE THINGS TO HAPPEN." CUD CATH
NOTING THAT DIVORCE CASES IN HONG KONG WERE RISING BY ABOUT 500 EVERY YEAR, MRS PATTEN SAID THE FIRST TASK MUST BE ONE OF PREVENTION RATHER THAN CURE.
SHE SUGGESTED THE FOLLOWING THREE THINGS TO DO:
* EDUCATE YOUNG PEOPLE ABOUT WHAT TO EXPECT FROM A MARRIAGE;
* EXPLAIN THAT MARRIAGE IS ABOUT MORE THAN JUST SEXUAL AND ROMANTIC LOVE, BUT ABOUT A LIFETIME BUILT ON A SOLID FOUNDATION OF ENDURING PARTNERSHIP AND FRIENDSHIP; AND
* EXPLAIN THE DIFFICULTIES LIKELY TO EMERGE IN MARRIAGE, HOW TO AVOID THEM AND HOW TO RESOLVE THEM.
/EXPLAINING THAT .......
MONDAY, OCTOBER 19, 1992
10
EXPLAINING THAT SHE HAD BOTH A PERSONAL AND A PROFESSIONAL INTEREST IN THE SUBJECT, MRS PATTEN SAID AS A FORMER BARRISTER IN BRITAIN SPECIALISING IN FAMILY LAW, SHE HAD SEEN FIRST-HAND A SORRY TALE OF MARRIAGES THAT WERE FALLING APART.
SHE ADDED THAT SHE HAD BEEN FORTUNATE TO BE VERY HAPPILY MARRIED FOR 21 YEARS DESPITE THE STRESSES AND STRAINS THAT POLITICAL LIFE INEVITABLY IMPOSED.
TURNING TO CASES WHERE MARRIAGES WENT WRONG, MRS PATTEN DID NOT CONSIDER THAT MAKING DIVORCE MORE DIFFICULT WAS OF ANY GREAT PRACTICAL BENEFIT WHEN IT CAME TO DETERMINING WHETHER COUPLES STAYED TOGETHER OR SPLIT APART.
SHE SAID HOWEVER, THERE WAS A CASE FOR PROVIDING TWO THINGS:
* A ’COOLING OFF’ PERIOD TO ENABLE COUPLES TO AGREE ON WHAT HAPPENS TO THEIR CHILDREN BEFORE A DIVORCE IS FINALISED; AND
* MEDIATION SERVICES TO ENABLE COUPLES TO COME TO AGREEMENTS WITHOUT THE DISASTROUS, DESTRUCTIVE EXPERIENCE OF A COURT CASE.
SHE SAID AS A FAMILY LAWYER, SHE ALWAYS CONSIDERED IT HER FIRST DUTY TO TRY AND GET THE PARTIES TO SETTLE IN THE INTERESTS OF THE CHILDREN.
DESCRIBING THAT DIVORCE WAS NEVER AN EASY OPTION, SHE SAID: "DIVORCE BRINGS FINANCIAL AND EMOTIONAL TURMOIL IN ITS WAKE; HOUSING PROBLEMS; INSECURITY FOR THE CHILDREN AND LONELINESS FOR THE SINGLE PARENT."
"HOW MUCH BETTER, THEN, TO TRY AND KEEP THE MARRIAGE TOGETHER THAN TO ALLOW ANY OF THIS TO HAPPEN," SHE SAID.
--------0----------
CIVIC EDUCATION COMMITTEE TO PROMOTE HUMAN RIGHTS
» * » * *
THE COMMITTEE ON THE PROMOTION OF CIVIC EDUCATION (CPCE) WILL TAKE ON THE RESPONSIBILITY OF PROMOTING HUMAN RIGHTS EDUCATION IN THE NEXT TWO YEARS.
THIS IS ON TOP OF ITS PRESENT WORK FOCUS ON PROMOTING THE RULE OF LAW, CHAIRMAN OF THE COMMITTEE, DR DANIEL TSE, SAID AT A PRESS CONFERENCE TODAY (MONDAY).
TEACHERS, JOURNALISTS AND FRONT-LINE WORKERS WILL BE CALLED IN TO HELP.
THE COMMITTEE, DR TSE SAID, IS TO PLAY THE ROLE OF A FACILITATOR IN SPREADING THE MESSAGES AND GUIDELINES TO TEACHERS, NEWS REPORTERS AND FRONT-LINE COMMUNITY WORKERS. THEY WILL IN TURN HELP SPREAD THE MESSAGE WIDELY ACROSS ALL SECTORS OF THE COMMUNITY.
/DR TSE .......
MONDAY, OCTOBER 19, 1992
11
DR TSE SAID THE RULE OF LAW WAS THE BEDROCK OF HONG KONG’S WAY OF LIFE, GUARANTEEING FAIR AND EQUITABLE TREATMENT FOR EVERYONE.
TO PUT THESE SAFEGUARDS IN PLACE, THE GOVERNMENT HAD
PROMULGATED THE BILL OF RIGHTS IN JUNE 1991, HE SAID.
IN VIEW OF THE IMPORTANCE THE BILL COULD HAVE ON THE PEOPLE OF
HONG KONG, DR TSE POINTED OUT THAT THE CHIEF SECRETARY, SIR DAVID
FORD, HAD STATED IN THE SECOND READING OF THE BILL LAST YEAR THAT IT WAS PARAMOUNT TO PROMOTE HUMAN RIGHTS EDUCATION IN ORDER TO HAVE A SOLID BASE FOR ITS IMPLEMENTATION.
TURNING TO TWO RECENT SURVEYS RELATING TO CIVIC MATTERS, DR TSE SAID THE FINDINGS INDICATED THAT THE PUBLIC, IN PARTICULAR THE YOUTH, GENERALLY DID NOT KNOW MUCH ABOUT LAWS THAT MAY AFFECT THEM.
TO COUNTER THIS, THE COMMITTEE HAS DESIGNED SETS OF PROGRAMMES FOR DIFFERENT GROUPS OF PEOPLE.
THESE INCLUDE A HUMAN RIGHTS TEACHING KIT FOR SCHOOL TEACHERS AND SOCIAL WORKERS; A SEMINAR ON COURT REPORTING FOR JOURNALISTS THIS SATURDAY (OCTOBER 24); WEEKLY NEWSPAPER COLUMNS ON THE CONCEPTS OF HUMAN RIGHTS AND THE RULE OF LAW, AND A TERRITORY-WIDE CIVIC EDUCATION DAY IN SHA TIN ON NOVEMBER 29.
ANOTHER SPEAKER, CONVENOR OF THE HUMAN RIGHTS EDUCATION SUB-COMMITTEE, MR WILLIAM TSUI, BRIEFED THE MEDIA ON HIS SUB-COMMITTEE’S ROLE, OBJECTIVES AND FUTURE PLANS. THE SUB-COMMITTEE WAS SET UP IN MAY.
HE SAID: "THE SUB-COMMITTEE, BESIDES CARRYING OUT ITS OWN FUNCTIONS, WILL SUPPORT AND CO-ORDINATE ANY ACTIVITIES THAT ENCOURAGE AND ASSIST COMMUNITY GROUPS TO ORGANISE HUMAN RIGHTS PROGRAMMES."
THE CPCE HAS SOLICITED SUPPORT FROM THE ROYAL HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB IN PUTTING UP MORE FUNDS FOR THE CIVIC EDUCATION COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION SCHEME.
MOREOVER, AT DISTRICT LEVELS, THE CENTRAL COMMITTEE WILL OFFER HELP TO THE 19 DISTRICT CIVIC EDUCATION BODIES TO HOLD ACTIVITIES THAT PUBLICISE HUMAN RIGHTS, HE ADDED.
WITH A VIEW TO SHARING EXPERIENCES AND IMPROVING COMMUNICATION AMONG THE DISTRICT BODIES AND OTHER INTERESTED GROUPS, HIS WORKING GROUP INTENDS TO INVITE RELEVANT ORGANISATIONS TO PARTICIPATE IN TWO SPECIAL HUMAN RIGHTS SEMINARS EARLY NEXT YEAR.
IN THE LONG RUN, THE SUB-COMMITTEE HOPES TO DISCUSS AND STUDY CERTAIN HUMAN RIGHTS TOPICS, THE OUTCOME OF WHICH WILL BE COMPILED FOR REFERENCES FOR THE CPCE AND MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC, HE SAID.
---------0 - -
/12 ........
MONDAY, OCTOBER 19, 1992
- 12 -
CORRECTIONAL SERVICES DELEGATION VISITS GUANGDONG
* * * * *
A CORRECTIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT DELEGATION TODAY (MONDAY) LEFT HONG KONG FOR A SIX-DAY VISIT TO GUANGDONG.
THE EIGHT-MEMBER WORKING-LEVEL DELEGATION WAS LED BY SENIOR SUPERINTENDENT YU KAM-FAI.
THEY WILL MEET OFFICIALS OF THE GUANGDONG PROVINCIAL JUSTICE AUTHORITY AND THE PROVINCIAL REFORMATORY SERVICES BUREAU.
THEY WOULD ALSO VISIT A REFORMATORY FOR YOUNG OFFENDERS, A PRISON, A POLICE SUBSTATION AND A COURT TO SEE THE LEGAL PROCEEDINGS.
THE DELEGATION WILL RETURN TO HONG KONG ON SATURDAY.
-----0-------
FRESH WATER CUTS IN YAU MA TEI AND KWUN TONG
*****
FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO SOME PREMISES IN YAU MA TEI AND KWUN TONG WILL GO OFF FROM 11 PM ON WEDNESDAY (OCTOBER 21) TO 6 AM THE FOLLOWING DAY TO FACILITATE WASTE DETECTION WORK ON WATER MAINS.
THE SUSPENSION WILL AFFECT ALL PREMISES BOUNDED BY KANSU STREET, CANTON ROAD, SAIGON STREET, FERRY STREET, MAN CHEONG STREET AND MAN WUI STREET IN YAU MA TEI.
ALL RESIDENTS IN SHUN LEE ESTATE, SHUN CHI COURT AND SHUN LEE ESTATE TEMPORARY HOUSING AREA IN KWUN TONG WILL ALSO BE AFFECTED BY THE FRESH WATER CUT.
---------0-----------
WATER STORAGE FIGURE ♦ * * »
STORAGE IN HONG KONG’S RESERVOIRS AT 9 AM TODAY (MONDAY) STOOD AT 82.3 PER CENT OF CAPACITY OR 482.069 MILLION CUBIC METRES.
THIS TIME LAST YEAR THE RESERVOIRS CONTAINED 278.707 MILLION CUBIC METRES OF WATER, REPRESENTING 47.6 PER CENT OF CAPACITY.
---------0-----------
/13 .......
MONDAY, OCTOBER 19, 1992
13
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS *****
$ MILLION
OPENING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT 1,395
REVERASL OF LAF + 105
BALANCE AFTER REVERSAL OF LAF 1,500
NET INJECTION/WITHDRAWAL TODAY NIL
EFFECT OF LAF TODAY +300
CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT 1,800
LAF RATE 2.00 BID/4.00 OFFER TWI 110.8 »+0.1* 19.10.92
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND
EF BILLS HONG KONG GOVERNMENT BONDS
TERMS YIELD TERM ISSUE COUPON PRICE YIELD
1 WEEK 2.78 PCT 13 MONTHS 2311 6.25 102.87 3.55
1 MONTH 2.82 PCT 16 MONTHS 2402 5.50 102.35 3.70
3 MONTHS 2.85 PCT 19 MONTHS 2405 5.502 102.39 3.96
6 MONTHS 2.95 PCT 22 MONTHS 2408 4.375 100.45 4.16
12 MONTHS 3.46 PCT
TOTAL TURNOVER OF BILLS AND BONDS - 8,018 MN
CLOSED 19 OCTOBER 1992
------0--------
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 20, 1992
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
JOIN HANDS TO SECURE HK : GOVERNOR...................................... 1
ANOTHER AIRPORT CORE PROGRAMME CONTRACT AWARDED ........................ 2
GOVT TO SPEND $78BN ON NON-ACP WORKS PROJECTS .......................... 2
A BOOMING HK WILL CONTINUE BEYOND 1997 ................................. 4
TWO-DAY LEGCO DEBATE ON GOVERNOR'S POLICY ADDRESS ...................... 5
PUBLIC TO BE CONSULTED ON SCIENTIFICALLY ASSISTED HUMAN REPRODUCTION .. 6
SAI KUNG NATURE EDUCATION CENTRE TO GET NEW CAFETERIA .................. 6
ANTI-POLLUTION PROSECUTION CASES IN SEPTEMBER .......................... 7
KWAI TSING SPORTS FESTIVAL STARTS ON SUNDAY ............................ 13
AUCTION OF LUCKY VEHICLE REGISTRATION MARKS ............................ 14
239 VMS RETURNED TODAY ................................................. 15
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND TENDER RESULTS ...................... 15
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS
16
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 20, 1992
JOIN HANDS TO SECURE HK : GOVERNOR *******
IT IS IMPORTANT THAT ALL OF US IN BRITAIN, IN CHINA AND IN HONG KONG, JOIN HANDS TO SECURE THE BEST POSSIBLE FUTURE FOR HONG KONG, THE GOVERNOR, THE RT HON CHRISTOPHER PATTEN, SAID TODAY (TUESDAY).
SPEAKING TO REPORTERS AT THE AIRPORT BEFORE LEAVING FOR AN OFFICIAL VISIT TO PEKING, MR PATTEN SAID: "THE MOST IMPORTANT TO WORK FOR IS THE BEGINNING OF A GOOD RELATIONSHIP WITH THOSE WHO’LL BE SHARING THE JOB OF TRYING TO SECURE AS SMOOTH A TRANSITION AS POSSIBLE.”
"A NUMBER OF OFFICIALS WILL BE WORKING WITH ME ON THESE MATTERS AND I WANT TO GET TO KNOW THEM AS WELL AS POSSIBLE.
"A GREAT DEAL WILL DEPEND ON OUR RELATIONSHIP AND I’M LOOKING FORWARD TO THE FIRST OF WHAT I IMAGINE WILL BE MANY MEETINGS WITH SENIOR CHINESE OFFICIALS.
"WE WILL HAVE, OVER THE NEXT FIVE YEARS, SOME DIFFICULT AND IMPORTANT PROBLEMS TO SOLVE. I’M SURE THE BEST WAY OF TACKLING THOSE PROBLEMS IS IN A CALM AND QUIET, AND SERIOUS AND DIGNIFIED WAY.
"I’M SURE THAT IS THE BEST WAY OF SECURING WHAT IS OUR JOINT OBJECTIVE; THAT IS THE WELL-BEING, THE PROSPERITY, THE STABILITY AND THE WAY OF LIFE OF HONG KONG. IT’S A LONG JOURNEY FROM HERE TO 1997, BUT I REGARD THIS AS A VERY IMPORTANT FIRST STEP AND IT'S ONE TO WHICH I’M LOOKING FORWARD," HE SAID.
COMMENTING ON THE AIRPORT, MR PATTEN SAID: "I DON’T TAKE ANY NEW PROPOSALS WITH ME. BUT WE HAVE MADE PROPOSALS FROM TIME TO TIME WHICH WE HAVE BELIEVED MET THE POINTS THAT WERE BEING PUT TO US BY CHINESE OFFICIALS. I VERY MUCH HOPE THAT IN DUE COURSE WE CAN MAKE PROGRESS, BUT I’LL BE INTERESTED IN WHETHER CHINESE OFFICIALS HAVE NEW PROPOSALS TO MAKE."
ON POLITICAL DEVELOPMENT, HE SAID: "I PUT FORWARD PROPOSALS, AS I’M BOUND TO DO, FOR THE 1995 ELECTIONS. IF ANYONE ELSE HAS PROPOSALS TO PUT FORWARD I’LL BE VERY INTERESTED IN CONSIDERING THEM AND I’M SURE THAT THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG WOULD BE INTERESTED IN THEM AS WELL.
THE GOVERNOR SAID HE WOULD BE DISCUSSING HIS VISIT TO CHINA WITH THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL AND ALSO BRIEF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
--------0 - -
/2 ........
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 20, 1992
ANOTHER AIRPORT CORE PROGRAMME CONTRACT AWARDED
*****
THE GOVERNMENT HAS AWARDED A $28.3 MILLION CONTRACT TO A HONG KONG COMPANY, KIN SHING CONSTRUCTION COMPANY, TO UNDERTAKE WORKS FOR THE EXTENSION AND WIDENING OF TUNG CHAU STREET IN SHAM SHUI PO.
THE CONTRACT IS PART OF THE WEST KOWLOON RECLAMATION PROJECT UNDER THE AIRPORT CORE PROGRAMME (ACP).
THE AWARD WAS APPROVED BY THE CENTRAL TENDER BOARD LAST FRIDAY (OCTOBER 16), BRINGING THE TOTAL NUMBER OF GOVERNMENT CONTRACTS AWARDED ON THE ACP TO 18, WITH A TOTAL VALUE OF OVER $19 BILLION.
ALL THESE 18 CONTRACTS WERE AWARDED WITHIN THE PROJECT ESTIMATES, SAID A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN TODAY (TUESDAY).
"THAT IS A TREMENDOUS RECORD, AND IT IS TYPICAL OF WHAT WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO DO IN HONG KONG, FOR BUILDING INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS IN TIME AND WITHIN BUDGET," HE SAID.
THE TUNG CHAU STREET EXTENSION WORKS MAINLY INCLUDES THE EXTENSION OF THE EXISTING TUNG CHAU STREET FROM ITS JUNCTION WITH TONKIN STREET TO LAI CHI KOK ROAD, AND TO WIDEN THIS SECTION OF THE STREET TO A TWO-LANE DUAL CARRIAGEWAY.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE EXTENDED AND IMPROVED TUNG CHAU STREET WOULD PROVIDE ACCESS TO THE NEW CHEUNG SHA WAN WHOLESALE MARKET ON NEWLY RECLAIMED LAND ON THE WEST KOWLOON COAST, AND BE OPENED BY THE LATER PART OF NEXT YEAR.
"WORKS WILL START BEFORE THE END OF THIS MONTH AND BE COMPLETED BY THE LATER PART OF 1993," HE SAID.
- - 0 - -
GOVT TO SPEND $78BN ON NON-ACP WORKS PROJECTS *****
THE GOVERNMENT PLANS TO SPEND OVER THE NEXT FIVE YEARS $78 BILLION ON NON-ACP PUBLIC WORKS PROJECTS AS PART OF ITS FIRM COMMITMENT TO INVEST VIGOROUSLY IN HONG KONG’S ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL INFRASTRUCTURE.
AMPLIFYING FURTHER ON THE GOVERNMENT SPENDING IN THE PUBLIC WORKS PROGRAMMES OUTLINED IN THE GOVERNOR’S POLICY ADDRESS TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, THE SECRETARY FOR WORKS, MR JAMES BLAKE, SAID TODAY (TUESDAY) THE EXPENDITURE FOR 1992/93 - 1996/97 REPRESENTED A 44% GROWTH IN REAL TERMS OVER THE SPENDING ON PUBLIC WORKS PROGRAMME IN THE PAST FIVE YEARS.
/HE SAID:
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 20, 1992
3 -
HE SAID: "OF THE $78 BILLION, $12.5 BILLION WILL BE SPENT ON PORT WORKS, $13 BILLION ON WORKS ON LAND FORMATION AND FLOOD CONTROL, $13 BILLION ON ENVIRONMENTAL WORKS, $9 BILLION ON HEALTH AND WELFARE, $8 BILLION ON TRANSPORT, $8 BILLION ON EDUCATION AND $14.5 BILLION ON OTHER WORKS.
"DURING THE SAME FIVE-YEARS PERIOD, THE HOUSING AUTHORITY IS EXPECTED TO SPEND $41 BILLION, THE URBAN COUNCIL $4 BILLION AND THE REGIONAL COUNCIL $4 BILLION ON OTHER CAPITAL WORKS PROJECTS.
"THIS WILL BRING THE TOTAL CAPITAL WORKS SPENDING IN THE PUBLIC SECTOR TO $127 BILLION, EXCLUDING THE GOVERNMENT’S CONTRIBUTION TO THE AGP PROGRAMME," HE SAID.
MR BLAKE SAID OVER 2,100 ITEMS, EACH IN EXCESS OF $10 MILLION, HAD BEEN INCLUDED IN THE PUBLIC WORKS PROGRAMME.
"WORK STARTED LAST AUGUST TO RECLAIM 19 HECTARES OF LAND AT ALDRICH BAY IN SHAU KEI WAN FOR RESIDENTIAL AND COMMUNITY USES.
"A NEW STAGE OF ENGINEERING WORKS WILL COMMENCE IN TSEUNG KWAN O IN DECEMBER THIS YEAR. ON FULL COMPLETION, IT WILL YIELD 69 HECTARES OF LAND FOR PUBLIC HOUSING AND COMMUNITY FACILITIES.
"WE WILL ALSO START RECLAIMING BELCHER BAY IN KENNEDY TOWN IN JANUARY 1993. THE INITIAL PHASE OF THE RECLAMATION WILL PRODUCE ABOUT 10 HECTARES OF LAND FOR THE WESTERN HARBOUR CROSSING," MR BLAKE SAID.
OTHER MAJOR PROJECTS DUE TO BEGIN BEFORE THE END OF 1993 INCLUDE A $1.1 BILLION SCHEME TO WIDEN AND REALIGN RIVER CHANNELS IN NORTHWEST NEW TERRITORIES TO PREVENT FLOODING TO LOW-LYING AREAS, A $1.8 BILLION PROJECT TO DEVELOP A LARGE WASTE DISPOSAL LANDFILL IN NORTHEAST NT WHICH HAS AN OPERATING LIFE OF 18 YEARS AND THE CONSTRUCTION OF FIVE MORE AIRCRAFT PARKING BAYS AT KAI TAK AIRPORT, A SPECIAL SCHOOL FOR MILDLY MENTALLY HANDICAPPED CHILDREN AT TIN SHUI WAI AND A DUPLICATE TSING YI SOUTH BRIDGE.
MR BLAKE ALSO SAID GOOD PROGRESS HAD BEEN MADE IN A SERIES OF MANAGEMENT REVIEWS OF THE DEPARTMENTS UNDER THE WORKS BRANCH.
HE SAID: "REVIEWS OF THE ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT (ASD) AND TERRITORY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT (TDD) ARE EXPECTED TO COMPLETE THIS YEAR.
"THE ASD REVIEW HAS CONCLUDED THAT THE DEPARTMENT IS MORE PRODUCTIVE THAN BEFORE AND SEVERAL OPTIONS ON HOW TO MAKE FURTHER IMPROVEMENTS ARE BEING EXAMINED.
"THE TDD REVIEW HAS PRODUCED PROPOSALS TO STREAMLINE THE DEPARTMENT, AND EXPENDITURE SAVING HAS BEEN IDENTIFIED.
ON ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT (EMSD), MR BLAKE SAID THE SCHEME INTRODUCED LAST APRIL TO CHARGE OTHER GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS FOR THE USE OF ITS VEHICLE WORKSHOPS WAS VERY SUCCESSFUL.
/"IT IS .......
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 20, 1992
"IT IS ENCOURAGING TO SEE THAT THE SCHEME IN ITS FIRST FIVE MONTHS OF OPERATION RESULTED IN A $4.7 MILLION SAVING IN VEHICLE MAINTENANCE EXPENDITURE BY CLIENT DEPARTMENTS.
"IT IS PLANNED TO EXTEND THE CHARGING POLICY INTO OTHER AREAS, WITH FURTHER EMSD FUNCTIONS PROGRAMMED FOR A MORE COMMERCIAL APPROACH AS FROM NEXT APRIL," MR BLAKE SAID.
MR BLAKE ALSO DISCLOSED THAT MANAGEMENT REVIEWS FOR WATER SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT AND CIVIL ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT WILL START IN THE NEAR FUTURE.
--------0-----------
A BOOMING HK WILL CONTINUE BEYOND 1997 *****
WITH LESS THAN FIVE YEARS REMAINING UNTIL ITS REVERSION TO CHINA, HONG KONG IS THRIVING ON A BOOMING ECONOMY AND FIRM GUARANTEES THAT THE KEYS TO ITS SUCCESS WILL CONTINUE UNDER CHINESE SOVEREIGHTY, THE ACTING CHIEF SECRETARY, MR BARRIE WIGGHAM, SAID IN OTTAWA TODAY (MONDAY).
SPEAKING AT A BUSINESS SEMINAR LUNCHEON IN THE CANADIAN CAPITAL, MR WIGGHAM SAID THE FULL EXTENT OF THE AUTONOMY WHICH HONG KONG WOULD ENJOY AFTER 1997 WAS NOT ALWAYS FULLY APPRECIATED.
THE JOINT DECLARATION IS "AN EXTRAORDINARY AGREEMENT, BOTH IN ITS BREADTH OF VISION AND IN ITS DETAIL," MR WIGGHAM TOLD AN AUDIENCE OF BUSINESSMEN AND GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS.
"BY PROVIDING HONG KONG WITH COMPREHENSIVE GUARANTEES THAT THE FEATURES WHICH HAVE LED TO ITS SUCCESS WILL CONTINUE UNCHANGED UNDER CHINESE SOVEREIGHTY, IT WILL BRING INTO REALITY DENG XIAOPING’S CONCEPT OF ’ONE COUNTRY, TWO SYSTEM.’" HE SAID.
FURTHERMORE, THESE AND OTHER GUARANTEES HAD ALSO BEEN REFLECTED IN THE BASIC LAW.
HONG KONG IN ITS PRESENT FORM WAS FAR TOO IMPORTANT TO CHINA AND TO CHINA’S CONTINUING DRIVE TOWARDS MODERNISATION TO RISK ANY CHANGE WHICH COULD HAVE A DAMAGING EFFECT.
CONCEDING THAT "IT WAS ALWAYS INEVITABLE THAT THERE WOULD BE SOME DISAGREEMENTS" BETWEEN BRITAIN AND CHINA OVER WHAT WAS BEST FOR HONG KONG DURING THE TRANSITION PERIOD, HE CAUTIONED OBSERVERS AGAINST OVER-EMPHASISING THESE DIFFERENCES.
"TO FOCUS ON AREAS WHERE WE HAVE NOT YET REACHED AGREEMENT WITH THE CHINESE IS TO OVERLOOK THE FACT THAT WE HAVE HAD A CLOSE AND FRUITFUL WORKING RELATIONSHIP WITH THE CHINESE ON IMPLEMENTING THE JOINT DECLARATION FOR SEVEN YEARS, DURING WHICH TIME MANY SIGNIFICANT AGREEMENTS HAVE BEEN REACHED.
/"OF COURSE, .......
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 20, 1992
"OF COURSE, THERE HAVE BEEN STRAINS, BUT WE DO SEEM IN THE END TO BE ABLE TO REACH AGREEMENT ON EVEN THE MOST DIFFICULT SUBJECTS,” HE SAID.
MR WIGGHAM ALSO HIGHLIGHTED THE ENORMOUS GROWTH IN ECONOMIC RELATIONS BETWEEN HONG KONG AND CHINA, AND THE GROWING INTERDEPENDENCE OF THE ECONOMIES OF HONG KONG AND SOUTHERN CHINA.
’’THOSE OF US WORKING IN THE GOVERNMENT DO NOT SEE 1997 AS A HORIZON, AND WE ARE PLANNING SO THAT HONG KONG'S SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT WILL CONTINUE WELL BEYOND THAT DATE," HE SAID.
AFTER THE LUNCHEON, MR WIGGHAM CALLED ON THE BRITISH HIGH COMMISSIONER IN OTTAWA, SIR NICHOLAS BAYNE, AND IN THE EVENING ATENDED A PERFORMANCE OF "HONG KONG HEARTBEAT" BY STUDENTS OF THE HONG KONG ACADEMY FOR PERFORMING ARTS, AT THE NATIONAL ARTS OPERA CENTRE.
IN A SPEECH TO GUESTS AT A RECEPTION AFTER THE PERFORMANCE, MR WIGGHAM WARMLY APPLAUDED THE ACADEMY’S YOUNG CULTURAL AMBASSADORS FOR DELIGHTING THE AUDIENCE WITH THEIR TALENTS AND PROFESSIONALISM.
HE RECALLED THAT, AS A FORMER SECRETARY FOR RECREATION AND CULTURE, HE HAD BEEN CLOSELY INVOLVED IN FOUNDING THE ACADEMY FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS.
"AFTER WATCHING THE PERFORMANCE TONIGHT, I MUST SAY I AM VERY PROUD OF THESE YOUNG ARTISTS, AND THE ACADEMY’S TEACHING STAFF, FOR THE HIGH STANDARDS THEY HAVE ACHIEVED," HE SAID. "I’M PROUD TO HAVE PLAYED A PART IN IT."
- - 0 - -
TWO-DAY LEGCO DEBATE ON GOVERNOR’S POLICY ADDRESS
★ * * ★ ★
FIFTY-ONE MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ARE TO SPEAK IN THE DEBATE ON A MOTION OF THANKS FOR THE GOVERNOR’S POLICY ADDRESS AT A TWO-DAY MEETING FROM TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY).
THE CHIEF SECRETARY WILL MOVE A MOTION ON THE SUSPENSION OF THE COUNCIL’S STANDING ORDERS TO ENABLE THE GOVERNOR TO BRIEF MEMBERS ABOUT HIS CURRENT VISIT TO CHINA AT A SITTING OF THE COUNCIL ON SATURDAY (OCTOBER 24).
THE MOTION WILL ALSO ENABLE THE GOVERNOR TO INVITE AND ANSWER
QUESTIONS FROM MEMBERS ON MATTERS ARISING FROM THE VISIT.
AT TOMORROW’S MEETING, MEMBERS WILL ASK A TOTAL OF 20 QUESTIONS WHICH WILL BE ANSWERED BY OFFICIALS IN WRITING.
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE WELCOME TO OBSERVE THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE MEETING FROM THE PUBLIC GALLERY.
THEY MAY RESERVE SEATS BY CALLING 869 9492.
- - 0 - -
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 20, 1992
PUBLIC TO BE CONSULTED ON SCIENTIFICALLY ASSISTED HUMAN REPRODUCTION *****
THE FINAL REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON SCIENTIFICALLY ASSISTED HUMAN REPRODUCTION (SAHR), TOGETHER WITH A CONSULTATION PAPER, WILL BE PUBLISHED FOR PUBLIC CONSULTATION LATER THIS YEAR.
THE REPORT CONCLUDES THE WORK OF THE COMMITTEE WHICH WAS APPOINTED BY THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE TO CONSIDER THE SOCIAL, MORAL, ETHICAL AND LEGAL ISSUES ARISING FROM THE LOCAL DEVELOPMENTS IN SCIENTIFICALLY ASSISTED HUMAN REPRODUCTION, AND TO ADVISE THE GOVERNMENT ON HOW TO ADDRESS THE ISSUES.
IN ITS FINAL REPORT SUBMITTED TO THE GOVERNMENT EARLIER, THE COMMITTEE PRESENTED, IN LAYMAN LANGUAGE, VIEWS FROM DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVES AND 22 RECOMMENDATIONS.
"THE GOVERNMENT CONSIDERS THAT PUBLIC VIEWS MUST BE ASSESSED BEFORE TAKING THE RECOMMENDATIONS ANY FURTHER," A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (TUESDAY).
"IN THE LIGHT OF PUBLIC VIEWS EXPRESSED DURING THE CONSULTATION PERIOD, WE WILL FORMULATE POLICY PROPOSALS FOR THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL’S CONSIDERATION," HE ADDED.
- - 0 - -
SAI KUNG NATURE EDUCATION CENTRE TO GET NEW CAFETERIA *****
A CAFETERIA WILL SOON BE ADDED TO THE LIONS NATURE EDUCATION CENTRE IN TSIU HANG, SAI KUNG TO PROVIDE VISITORS WITH A COMFORTABLE RESTING PLACE AND LIGHT REFRESHMENT.
CONSTRUCTION WORKS STARTED AFTER THE DIRECTOR OF AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES, DR LAWRENCE LEE, PERFORMED A GROUND-BREAKING CEREMONY FOR THE PROJECT THIS (TUESDAY) MORNING.
SPEAKING DURING THE CEREMONY, DR LEE SAID THE CAFETERIA, TO BE CONVERTED FROM THE OLD BARRACKS AND STORES IN THE CENTRE, WOULD BE BUILT WITH FUNDS DONATED BY THE LIONS CLUBS INTERNATIONAL.
WHILE EXPRESSING GRATITUDE TO THE CLUBS FOR THEIR CONTRIBUTION, HE COMMENDED THE ASSOCIATION FOR CO-OPERATING CLOSELY WITH THE DEPARTMENT IN PROMOTING NATURE CONSERVATION AND EDUCATION IN RECENT YEARS.
"IN ADDITION TO SUPPORTING OUR ANNUAL TREE PLANTING ACTIVITIES IN THE PAST FEW YEARS, THE LIONS DONATED TO THE GOVERNMENT THE EXHIBITION HALLS OF THE LIONS NATURE EDUCATION CENTRE LAST YEAR," HE SAID.
/THE NEW
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 20, 1992
THE NEW CAFETERIA WILL BE LET AT A NOMINAL FEE TO THE HONG KONG SOCIETY FOR THE DEAF FOR MANAGEMENT.
"HOPEFULLY, THIS WOULD HELP FURTHER INTEGRATE THE LESS FORTUNATE MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC INTO THE COMMUNITY," DR LEE SAID.
THE CAFETERIA, WHICH IS EXPECTED TO COST ABOUT $2 MILLION, WILL TAKE SIX MONTHS TO COMPLETE.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT SAID THE CAFETERIA WAS MUCH NEEDED BY VISITORS TO THE CENTRE, ESPECIALLY DURING SUNDAYS AND PUBLIC HOLIDAYS.
SINCE ITS OPENING IN JUNE LAST YEAR, MORE THAN 424,000 PEOPLE HAVE VISITED THE CENTRE.
THE SPOKESMAN NOTED THAT THE CENTRE HAD BECOME A POPULAR PLACE FOR PROMOTING NATURE EDUCATION, FIELD STUDIES AND PROVIDING LIVE EXHIBITS FOR SCHOOLS, ORGANISATIONS AND THE PUBLIC.
"THE CENTRE’S LIVING SPECIMENS AND STATIC DISPLAYS WILL ALSO HELP VISITORS UNDERSTAND AND APPRECIATE HONG KONG’S WILDLIFE, VEGETATION AND NATURAL RESOURCES AND THE EVOLUTION OF THE PRIMARY INDUSTRIES IN THE TERRITORY.
"IT IS HOPED THAT VISITORS WILL BE PROMPTED TO SHOW A MORE POSITIVE ATTITUDE TOWARDS ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION," HE ADDED.
ALSO OFFICIATING AT THE CEREMONY WERE THE LIONS CLUBS INTERNATIONAL’S PRESIDENT, MR ROHIT MEHTA AND THE DISTRICT GOVERNOR OF ITS DISTRICT 303, MR STEPHEN CHOW.
MR MEHTA ALSO PRESENTED TO DR LEE A MEDAL OF DISTINCTION, THE HIGHEST HONOUR AWARDED BY THE CLUBS TO NON-LIONS.
--------0-----------
ANTI-POLLUTION PROSECUTION CASES IN SEPTEMBER
*****
THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT TODAY (TUESDAY) RELEASED A LIST OF COMPANIES THAT HAVE BEEN FOUND GUILTY IN THE COURTS DURING SEPTEMBER OF BREACHING ANTI-POLLUTION LEGISLATION CURRENTLY ENFORCED BY THE DEPARTMENT.
SIMILAR ANNOUNCEMENTS WILL BE MADE MONTHLY.
THE LEGAL PROCEEDINGS COULD BE VERY TIME CONSUMING AND AS A RESULT THERE WAS SOMETIMES A LENGTHY TIME GAP BETWEEN THE DATE OF THE OFFENCE AND THE CONVICTION DATE.
FOLLOWING IS THE LIST OF PROSECUTION CASES AND THE ASSOCIATED FINES IMPOSED BY THE COURTS DURING SEPTEMBER:
/NAME (COMPANY/ ........
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 20, 1992
- 8 -
NAME (COMPANY/ PERSON) ADDRESS DATE OF OFFENCE NATURE OF OFFENCE RECORD OF FINES($) OFFENCE COURT
1 .HIT COLLECTION LTD QUEEN'S RD WEST, SHEK TONG TSUI 23.3.91- 12.4.91 APCO : UNAUTHORISED INSTALLATION OR ALTERATION OF FURNACES 1,000 1ST WESTERN
2.IMPERIAL HOTEL (MANAGEMENT) LTD NATHAN RD, TSIM SHA TSUI 25.7.91- 27.1.92 APCO : " 900 1ST SOUTH KOWLOON
3.FORTUNE SOURCE LTD WORLD FINANCE CENTRE, TSIM SHA TSUI 26.7.gill.10.91 APCO : " 1,500 2ND EASTERN
4.TAI HING ROAST SHOP SHAU KEI WAN MAIN ST. EAST SHAU KEI WAN 10.9.91- 16.9.91 APCO : 2,000 1ST it
5.GOLD EARNEST LTD JAFFE RD, WANCHAI 13.10.91- 27.10.91 APCO : " 1,500 1ST it
6.MAPLE LEAF SEA FOOD RESTAURANT NATHAN RD, YA MA TEI 8.11.91- 7.1.92 APCO : " 5,000 1ST SOUTH KOWLOON
7.NICE FUTURE LTD WONG CHUK HANG ROAD, 18.11.91- 4.12.91 APCO : " 1,000 1ST WESTERN
8.HUNG TOO CANTEEN CENTRE LAM HING ST, KOWLOON BAY 6.12.91- 28.2.92 APCO : " 900 1ST KWUN TONG
9.EVERDE-VELOP CO LTD (LICENSEE) SAI LAU KOK RD, TSUEN WAN 6.1.92 DASO : 1,000 DUMPING OF ABOUT 750 CUBIC METRES OF DREDGED MARINE MUD AT SEA SOUTHEAST OF NAM KWO CHAU NOT IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE LICENCE CONDITION 2ND EASTERN
/10. MR. WAN .........
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 20, 1992
9
10.MR. WAN YUNG-SHU (BARGE SAILOR) ABERDEEN MAIN RD, ABERDEEN 6.1.92 DASO : 2,500 DUMPING OF ABOUT 750 CUBIC METRES OF DREDGED MARINE MUD AT SEA SOUTHEAST OF NAM KWO CHAU NOT IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE LICENCE CONDITION 1ST EASTERN
11.TIN FUNG LAUNDRY PING CHE, FANLING 19.2.92 WPCO : 10,000 1ST DISCHARGED FOR EACH POLLUTING OF THE TWO MATTER INTO SUMMONSES THE DEEP BAY WATER CONTROL ZONE FANLING
12.FANTA (CFC) CONSTRUCTION CO LTD (SHIPPING CONTRACTOR) HOI BUN RD, KWUN TONG 3.3.92 DASO : 5,000 PERMIT DUMPING OF ABOUT 750 CUBIC METRES OF EXCAVATED MATERIAL AT SEA SOUTH OF CHEUNG CHAU WITHOUT A LICENCE 1ST EASTERN
13.LEUNG TAI SHING (TUG BOAT MASTER) it 3.3.92 DASO : 5,000 DUMPING OF ABOUT 750 CUBIC METRES OF EXCAVATED MATERIAL AT SEA SOUTH OF CHEUNG CHAU WITHOUT A LICENCE 1ST EASTERN
14.CHEUNG HO (BARGE SAILOR) MAIN ST, AP LEI CHAU 3.3.92 DASO : " 5,000 2ND n
15.BO FAT LAUNDRY CO LTD FUI YIU KOK ST, TSUEN WAN 6.3.92 APCO : 15,000 EXCESSIVE DARK SMOKE EMISSION 2ND TSUEN WAN
16.THE PRECAST PILING & ENGINEERING CO LTD SEYMOUR TERRACE, MID-LEVELS 9.3.92 NCO ! 3,000 CARRY OUT PERCUSSIVE PILING NOT IN ACCORDANCE 1ST WESTERN
WITH THE CONDITIONS IN A PERMIT
/I7. CHEUNG .......
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 20, 1992
10
17.CHEUNG HUNG-YAU SEYMOUR TERRACE, MID-LEVELS 9.3.92 NCO : CARRY OUT PERCUSSIVE PILING NOT IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS IN A PERMIT 3,000 1ST WESTERN
18.GOLDEN FUND PRINTING & DYEING FTY LTD YIP SHING ST, KWAI CHUNG 2.4.92 APCO : EXCESSIVE DARK SMOKE EMISSION 3,500 1ST TSUEN WAN
19.UNION DYEING WORKS LTD KWAN TEI PAK TSUEN, FANLING 8.4.92 WPCO : DISCHARGED POLLUTING MATTER INTO THE DEEP BAY WATER CONTROL ZONE 30,000 2ND FANLING
20.SUN LUEN BEAN CURD FACTORY KAM SHEUNG RD, YUEN LONG 10.4.92 WPCO : 5,000 1ST H
21.FAT KEE BEAN CURD FACTORY KWU TUNG 10.4.92 VILLAGE, SHEUNG SHUI WPCO : 5,000 1ST it
22.WAH HING DYEING FACTORY LTD FUNG KAT HEUNG, YUEN LONG 16.4.92 WPCO : 25,000 2ND ii
23.REALTY WEAVING & DYEING WORKS LTD KAM SHEUNG RD, KAM TIN 16.4.92 WPCO : 20,000 2ND ii
24.FUSUN WASHING & BLEACHING CO LTD TAI YIP ST, KWUN TONG 22.4.92 APCO : EXCESSIVE DARK SMOKE EMISSION 2,000 1ST KWUN TONG
25.SHAMROCK RESTAURANT LTD NATHAN RD, YAU MA TEI 24.4.92 NCO : FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENT IN A NOISE ABATEMENT NOTICE 10,000 2ND SOUTH KOWLOON
26.TAT LEE CONSTRUCTION CO LTD AREA 57, TUEN MUN 26.4.92 NCO : CARRY OUT CONSTRUCTION WORK WITHOUT 10,000 1ST TUEN MUN
A VALID CNP
/27. NG
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 20, 1992
27.NG SAI-MAN AREA 57, TUEN MUN 26.4.92 NCO : CARRY OUT CONSTRUCTION WORK WITHOUT A VALID CNP 10,000 1ST TUEN MUN
28.THAI CHONG DYEING & FINISHING FTY LTD TEXACO RD, TSUEN WAN 28.4.92 APCO : EXCESSIVE DARK SMOKE EMISSION 3,500 1ST TSUEN WAN
29.TANG WING-LAN NAM KOK RD, KOWLOON CITY 30.4.92 NCO : FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENT IN A NOISE ABATEMENT NOTICE 15,000 1ST SAN PO KONG
30.GOOD AIM ASSOCIATION LTD MODY RD, TSIM SHA TSUI 1.5.92 NCO : 25,000 2ND SOUTH KOWLOON
31.KA FAT DYEING FTY WING HONG ST, SHAM SHUI PO 4.5.92 APCO : EXCESSIVE DARK SMOKE EMISSION 5,000 1ST NORTH KOWLOON
32.CANADA SPRINGFIELD (HK) LTD CHIK CHUEN ST, TAI WAI 5.5.92 APCO : 9,000 USING PROHIBITED FUEL IN THE TERRITORY 4 TH SHA TIN
33.WAY KING ENTERPRISE CO LTD SHAN TUNG ST, YAU MA TEI 11.5.92 APCO : EXCESSIVE DARK SMOKE EMISSION 3,500 1ST SOUTH KOWLOON
34.HERAEUS LTD WAI YIP ST, KWUN TONG 13.5.92 APCO : " 20,000 5TH KWUN TONG
35.SUN FAT ROASTED MEAT PORTLAND ST YAU MA TEI 14.5.92 APCO : " 12,000 2ND SOUTH KOWLOON
36.MONGKOK HSIN KUANG RESTAURANT LTD NATHAN RD, MONG KOK 15.5.92 NCO : FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENT IN A NOISE ABATEMENT NOTICE 12,000 2ND NORTH KOWLOON
/37. LUEN .........
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 20, 1992
- 12 -
37.LUEN HING DYEING FTY LTD PUN SHAN ST , TSUEN WAN 18.5.92 APCO : EXCESSIVE DARK SMOKE EMISSION 6,000 1ST TSUEN WAN
38.WINNING DYEING FTY LTD HUNG TO RD, KWUN TONG 19.5.92 APCO : EXCESSIVE DARK SMOKE EMISSION 2,000 1ST KWUN TONG
39.CHING MEI MEI FINISHING WORKS LTD SHA TSUI RD, TSUEN WAN 22.5.92 APCO : 5,000 1ST TSUEN WAN
40.WAH RICH INDUSTRIES LTD TONG YAN SAN TSUEN, YUEN LONG 29.5.92 WPCO : DISCHARGED POLLUTING MATTER INTO THE DEEP BAY WATER CONTROL ZONE 10,000 2ND FANLING
41.CHEONG FAT DYEING FTY LTD FUI YIU KOK ST, TSUEN WAN 4.6.92 APCO : EXCESSIVE DARK SMOKE EMISSION 5,500 1ST TSUEN WAN
42.SOUTH CHINA BLEACHING & DYEING FACTORY LTD QUEEN’S RD CENTRALi CENTRAL 12.6.92 । APCO : 3,000 1ST KWUN TONG
43.DRAGON ISLAND RESTAURANT LTD FUK LO TSUN RD, KOWLOON CITY 6.7.92 APCO : FAILURE TO TAKE MEASURE TO ELIMINATE UNNECESSARY AIR POLLUTANT 5,000 1ST SAN PO KONG
44.MAINLAND METALS & MINERALS LTD HARBOUR RD, WAN CHAI 15.7.92 APCO : FAILURE TO ABATE AN AIR POLLUTANT NUISANCE (GENERAL) 1,000 1ST FANLING
45.WO HING RESTAURANT WONG NAI CHUNG RD, WAN CHAI 23.7.92 APCO : EXCESSIVE DARK SMOKE EMISSION 3,000 1ST EASTERN
/46. HANG ..........
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 20, 1992
- 13 -
46.HANG MAIN RD, 27.7.92 APCO : ”
HEUNG CAKE YUEN LONG SHOP CO LTD
15,000 3RD FANLING
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
NOTE TO EDITORS:
ENQUIRIES ON SPECIFIC CASES CAN BE DIRECTED TO THE FOLLOWING PRINCIPAL ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION OFFICERS :
APCO : MR FRANKLIN CHUNG TEL 594 6200
NCO : MR STEVEN HO TEL 594 6500
WPCO : CASE 11,19 DR ELLEN CHAN TEL 650 6955
20,21,22,23
AND 40
DASO : MR PATRICK LEI TEL 755 3553
GENERAL ENQUIRIES SHOULD BE DIRECTED TO THE DEPARTMENT’S MEDIA RELATIONS SECTION.
--------0-----------
KWAI TSING SPORTS FESTIVAL STARTS ON SUNDAY
* * * * *
RESIDENTS OF KWAI TSING ARE INVITED TO PARTICIPATE ON A LOCAL SPORTS FESTIVAL WHICH WILL BE HELD FROM SUNDAY (OCTOBER 25) TO NOVEMBER 14.
SPEAKING AT A PRESS CONFERENCE TODAY (TUESDAY), THE CHAIRMAN OF THE KWAI TSING SPORTS FESTIVAL *92 ORGANISING COMMITTEE, MR LAM SAI-HUNG, SAID THERE WOULD BE PROGRAMMES A RANGE OF AQUATIC AND ATHLETIC EVENTS, DEMONSTRATIONS, AND AN ARCHERY GALA.
’’THE HIGHLIGHT OF THE FESTIVAL WILL BE A WOMEN’S SOCCER INVITATION MATCH BETWEEN THE PHILLIPINES WOMEN NATIONAL TEAM AND THE KWAI TSING WOMEN SOCCER TEAM ON TEH EVENING OF NOVEMBER 9 ON THE KWAI CHUNG SPORTS GROUND,” HE SAID.
"IN ADDITON, SPECTATORS WILL BE TREATED TO GYMNASTIC AND SWIMMING PERFORMANCE BY TEAMS FROM CHINA,” HE ADDED.
SPONSORED BY THE KWAI TSING DISTRICT BOARD AND THE REGIONAL COUNCIL, THE THREE-WEEK FESTIVAL IS EXPECTED TO ATTRACT MORE THAN 3,000 PARTICIPANTS.
/14 .......
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 20, 1992
- 14 -
AUCTION OF LUCKY VEHICLE REGISTRATION MARKS
*****
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT WILL HOLD ANOTHER AUCTION OF LUCKY VEHICLE REGISTRATION MARKS ON SATURDAY (OCTOBER 24) AT 9.30 AM AT THE CITY HALL RECITAL HALL.
A TOTAL OF 40 LUCKY VEHICLE REGISTRATION MARKS WILL BE
AVAILABLE FOR BIDDING. THEY ARE •
EY6066 EX280 EZ913 EZ704
EZ7787 *7960 *FC1 AZ7650
EY6623 EY917 CK1280 EY332
♦FA100 EZ9139 EZ968 ♦FC2332
EZ630 ♦FC818 ♦FC1221 EZ9832
CS917 EZ301 EZ330 EY819
EZ1218 EY160 EY1238 EY8807
♦ FA18 *DD900 ♦ER7788 ♦FC1414
EZ512 EU911 CC9837 EZ918
EY8968 EY1231 EY2388 EY6388
♦ 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 INCORPARATION 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 CONDUCT THEREOF, WILL AS USUAL GO TO THE GOVERNMENT LOTTERIES FUND.
IT WILL BE THE 181ST AUCTION OF THIS KIND ORGANISED BY THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT SINCE MAY 1973.
---------0-----------
/15........
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 20, 1992
- 15 -
239 VMS RETURNED TODAY
* » » ♦ *
A GROUP OF 239 VIETNAMESE MIGRANTS TODAY (TUESDAY) RETURNED TO VIETNAM UNDER THE UNHCR’S VOLUNTARY REPATRIATION PROGRAMME.
COMPRISING 85 MEN, 59 WOMEN, 51 BOYS AND 44 GIRLS, THEY WERE THE 128TH BATCH TO GO BACK UNDER THE PROGRAMME.
THIS GROUP BROUGHT TO 9,548 THE TOTAL NUMBER OF VIETNAMESE MIGRANTS WHO HAVE RETURNED VOLUNTARILY THIS YEAR, AND TO 23,427 THE TOTAL NUMBER OF RETURNEES SINCE THE PROGRAMME STARTED IN MARCH 1989.
------0-------
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND TENDER RESULTS
*****
TENDER DATE 20 OCT 92
PAPER ON OFFER EF BILLS
ISSUE NUMBER Q243
AMOUNT APPLIED HKD 1,835 MN
AMOUNT ALLOTTED HKD 800 MN
AVERAGE YIELD ACCEPTED 2.98 PCT
HIGHEST YIELD ACCEPTED 3.05 PCT
PRO RATA RATIO ABOUT 47 PCT
AVERAGE TENDER YIELD 3.05 PCT
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND
TENDERS TO BE HELD IN THE WEEK BEGINNING 26 OCTOBER 1992 -
TENDER DATE 27 OCT 92 27 OCT 92
PAPER ON OFFER EF BILLS EF BILLS
ISSUE NUMBER Q244 H276
ISSUE DATE 28 OCT 92 28 OCT 92
MATURITY DATE 27 JAN 93 28 APR 93
TENOR 91 DAYS 182 DAYS
AMOUNT ON OFFER HKD 800+160 MN HKD 300+60 MN
--------0---------
/16 ........
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 20, 1992
- 16
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS *****
$ MILLION
OPENING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT 1,800
REVERSAL OF LAF -300
BALANCE AFTER REVERSAL OF LAF 1,500
NET INJECTION/WITHDRAWAL TODAY NIL
EFFECT OF LAF TODAY NIL
CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT 1,500
LAF RATE 2.00 BID/4.00 OFFER TWI 111.1 *+0.3» 20.10.92
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND EF BILLS HONG KONG GOVERNMENT BONDS
TERMS YIELD TERM ISSUE COUPON PRICE YIELD
1 WEEK 2.82 PCT 13 MONTHS 2311 6.25 102.48 3.91
1 MONTH 2.98 PCT 16 MONTHS 2402 5.50 101.78 4.14
3 MONTHS 3.13 PCT 19 MONTHS 2405 5.502 101.79 4.36
6 MONTHS 3.26 PCT 22 MONTHS 2408 4.375 99.84 4.51
12 MONTHS 3.75 PCT
TOTAL TURNOVER OF BILLS AND BONDS - 5,246MN
CLOSED 20 OCTOBER 1992
---------0 - -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER
CONTENTS
LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MEETING:
GOVERNOR TO BRIEF LEGCO ON CHINA VISIT ......................
CHINA-TAIWAN LINKS BRING NEW TRADE OPPORTUNITIES ............
MORE PARKING SPACES FOR HEAVY GOODS VEHICLES ................
GOVT WILL NOT ALLOW HK BE USED BY OUTSIDERS FOR POLITICAL PURPOSES ....................................................
MEASURES BEING TAKEN TO DEAL WITH UNREGISTERED SCHOOLS ....
WAYS TO AWARD CONTAINER TERMINAL DEVELOPMENT RIGHTS UNDER STUDY .......................................................
ADEQUATE INFORMATION SHOULD BE DISCLOSED TO PROPERTY BUYERS
ALTERNATIVES TO PRINTED TELEPHONE DIRECTORIES WILL BE CONSIDERED ..................................................
NO PLANS TO SCRAP ABSENCE RULES FOR WELFARE RECIPIENTS ....
AMPLE EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES FOR MEDICAL AND SOCIAL WORK GRADUATES ...................................................
STEERING GROUPS TO MONITOR PROGRESS OF COMPANY INSPECTIONS
REVIEW GROUP ON URBAN RENEWAL SOON TO COMPLETE FIRST TASK .
TSEUNG KWAN O INDUSTRIAL ESTATE TO OFFER SITES IN 1994 ....
MEASURES TO IMPROVE COMMUNITY CENTRE SECURITY ...............
NO CASUAL LINK BETWEEN SCHOOL BAG WEIGHT AND SPINAL DEFORMITIES .................................................
IMPROVEMENTS TO JOINT STUDENT ADMISSION SYSTEM UNDER WAY ..
MORE FUNDS FOR FAMILY SUPPORT SERVICES ...................
/TWENTY-SEVEN
21, 1992
PAGE NO.
1
1
3
3
4
5
5
6
6
7
8
9
9
10
11
12
13
*
TWENTY-SEVEN CO-OPERATIVE BUILDING SOCIETIES DISSOLVED .... 14
SUBVENTION TO ESF USED TO MEET TEACHER SALARIES .............. 14
TRADE LICENSING PROCEDURES SIMPLIFIED WITHOUT SACRIFICING CONTROL ...................................................... 15
DEMOLITION WORK IN WING ON STREET TO COMPLETE IN THREE WEEKS 17
INITIAL ASSESSMENT OF EXTRA AIR SERVICES OVER CHINESE NEW YEAR AGREED .................................................. 18
EYES OPEN TO HK FASHIONS AND ARTS .............................. 19
YOUTHS PLAY A MAJOR ROLE IN BUILDING FOR TOMORROW .............. 20
TWO LAND LOTS TO LET BY TENDER ................................. 20
PEARL RIVER SEARCH AND RESCUE EXERCISE A SUCCESS ............... 21
EXHIBITION ON BUILDING SAFETY .................................. 22
SEMINAR ON CULTURAL CHARACTERISTICS OF PRE-HISTORIC CHINESE PETROGLYPHS OF HUMAN - VISAGED DIVINITIES .................... 22
SALT WATER CUT IN KOWLOON EAST ................................. 23
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS .. 23
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 21, 1992
1 GOVERNOR TO BRIEF LEGCO ON CHINA VISIT * * » * *
THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY) PASSED A MOTION TO ENABLE THE GOVERNOR TO BRIEF MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL ABOUT HIS VISIT TO CHINA AND TO ANSWER THEIR QUESTIONS AT A SITTING ON SATURDAY (OCTOBER 24) .
THE GOVERNOR SAID AT THE SITTING OF THE COUNCIL ON OCTOBER 8 THAT HE WOULD LIKE TO MEET MEMBERS AS SOON AS POSSIBLE AFTER HIS RETURN FROM CHINA TO BRIEF THEM ABOUT HIS VISIT AND TO ANSWER THEIR QUESTIONS.
MOVING THE MOTION TO SUSPEND STANDING ORDERS 11 AND 12, THE ACTING CHIEF SECRETARY, THE HON HAMISH MACLEOD, SAID THE GOVERNOR, AS PRESIDENT OF THE COUNCIL, HAD NOW APPOINTED OCTOBER 24 FOR A SITTING FOR THIS PURPOSE.
"WE ARE NOW CONSIDERING THE NECESSARY AMENDMENTS TO THE STANDING ORDERS OF THIS COUNCIL SO AS TO ENABLE THE GOVERNOR TO ADDRESS THIS COUNCIL AND TO ANSWER QUESTIONS FROM MEMBERS TO AVOID THE NEED TO SUSPEND STANDING ORDERS EVERY TIME WE HAVE A SITTING FOR SUCH PURPOSE," HE SAID.
-----o------
CHINA-TAIWAN LINKS BRING * * *
NEW TRADE OPPORTUNITIES * *
THE ESTABLISHMENT OF DIRECT ECONOMIC LINKS BETWEEN CHINA AND TAIWAN SHOULD STIMULATE NEW TRADING OPPORTUNITIES IN THE REGION IN THE LONGER TERM, THE ACTING SECRETARY FOR ECONOMIC SERVICES, MRS ELIZABETH BOSHER, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON HENRY TANG IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, MRS BOSHER SAID TOGETHER WITH A GENERALLY MORE PROSPEROUS SOUTH CHINA, THIS SHOULD BRING MORE BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES FOR HONG KONG.
IN THE SHORT TERM, IT IS LIKELY TO LEAD TO A SLOW-DOWN IN THE GROWTH RATE OF ACTIVITIES.
HOWEVER, SHE SAID GIVEN THAT ANY CHANGE WAS UNLIKELY TO HAPPEN OVERNIGHT, THERE WOULD BE TIME FOR HONG KONG TO MAKE ADJUSTMENTS TO ANY SHORT-TERM ADVERSE IMPACTS.
IN THE FIELD OF TRADE, HONG KONG SERVES BOTH AS AN ENTREPOT FOR INDIRECT TRADE BETWEEN CHINA AND TAIWAN AND AS A TRANSHIPMENT CENTRE FOR GOODS SOURCED FROM OR DESTINED FOR CHINA AND TAIWAN.
/LAST YEAR, .......
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 21, 1992
2
LAST YEAR, INDIRECT TRADE PASSING THROUGH HONG KONG AMOUNTED TO HK$45 BILLION OR SOME 8.4% OF HONG KONG’S TOTAL RE-EXPORTS.
ABOUT ONE-QUARTER OR 4 MILLION TONNES OF THE TRANSHIPMENT CARGO HANDLED BY HONG KONG INVOLVED CHINA AS EITHER THE SOURCE OR THE DESTINATION, WHILE THE FIGURE FOR TAIWAN WAS 7 % OR 1.2 MILLION TONNES.
IF DIRECT LINKS ARE ESTABLISHED, PART OF THE EXISTING ENTREPOT TRADE PASSING THROUGH HONG KONG IS LIKELY TO BE CHANNELLED DIRECTLY TO CHINESE PORTS, MRS BOSHER SAID.
FURTHER, A PROPORTION OF CHINA-RELATED TRANSHIPMENT CARGO IS LIKELY TO BE DIVERTED AWAY FROM HONG KONG TO PORTS IN TAIWAN WHICH CURRENTLY HAVE A COMPARATIVE COST ADVANTAGE, SHE ADDED.
"THESE TWO DEVELOPMENTS WOULD PROBABLY HAVE THE EFFECT OF SLOWING DOWN GROWTH IN PORT THROUGHPUT IN THE SHORT TO MEDIUM TERM.
"HOWEVER, GIVEN HONG KONG’S POSITION AS A LEADING CENTRE FOR FINANCIAL, TRADE-RELATED AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS SERVICES, IT IS LIKELY TO REMAIN ATTRACTIVE AS A TRANSPORTATION HUB," SHE SAID.
AS REGARDS TOURISM AND AIR LINKS, SHE SAID HONG KONG WAS AN IMPORTANT GATEWAY FOR TAIWANESE TRAVELLING TO CHINA.
OF THE SOME 1.3 MILLION TAIWANESE WHO VISITED HONG KONG LAST YEAR, SOME 450,000 WENT ON INTO CHINA AFTER THEIR STAY IN HONG KONG.
"THE DEVELOPMENT OF DIRECT AIR LINKS WILL UNDOUBTEDLY RESULT IN SOME OF THOSE 450,000 TAKING DIRECT FLIGHTS FROM TAIWAN TO CHINA," SHE SAID.
ON THE OTHER HAND, MRS BOSHER SAID HONG KONG’S ATTRACTION TO TAIWANESE VISITORS AS A TOURIST AND BUSINESS DESTINATION IN ITS OWN RIGHT CONTINUED TO INCREASES.
"IN THE LONGER TERM, THEREFORE, IT IS LIKELY THAT A SHORT TERM LOSS IN TRANSFER TRAFFIC WOULD BE OFFSET BY CONTINUING REAL GROWTH IN THE NUMBER OF VISITORS DESTINED FOR HONG KONG," SHE SAID.
ON MAIL TRAFFIC, SHE SAID THE ESTABLISHMENT OF DIRECT LINKS WAS EXPECTED TO HAVE ONLY MINIMAL IMPACT.
-----o------
/3 ........
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 21, 1992
3
MORE PARKING SPACES FOR HEAVY GOODS VEHICLES
*****
ABOUT 2,000 PARKING SPACES FOR HEAVY GOODS VEHICLES WILL BE PROVIDED IN TSUEN WAN, KWAI CHUNG AND TSING YI IN THE COMING YEAR, THE SECRETARY FOR PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS, MR TONY EASON, INFORMED THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON LEE WING-TAT, MR EASON SAID THREE SITES COVERING 6.7 HECTARES HAD JUST BEEN OR WOULD SOON BE LET ON SHORT-TERM TENANCY.
THESE SITES WILL PROVIDE 750 PARKING SPACES AND OTHER SITES ARE UNDER PLANNING, HE ADDED.
"ADDITIONAL PARKING SPACES WILL ALSO BE MADE AVAILABLE THROUGH TRANSPORT MANAGEMENT MEASURES," HE SAID.
ON PARKING FACILITIES AT CONTAINER TERMINALS 8 AND 9, MR EASON SAID 52 HECTARES OF BACK-UP LAND WOULD BE AVAILABLE THERE OVER THE NEXT FIVE YEARS.
THIS WILL INCLUDE LAND DESIGNATED FOR HEAVY GOODS VEHICLE PARKING.
"LAND RESERVED FOR OTHER CONTAINER-RELATED USES MAY BE ALLOCATED TO PROVIDE ADDITIONAL PARKING, IF NECESSARY," HE SAID.
CITING AN EXAMPLE, HE SAID ABOUT 14 HECTARES OF INDUSTRIAL LAND NEXT TO CONTAINER TERMINAL 9, WHICH WOULD BE AVAILABLE IN 1996, MIGHT BE USED FOR THE PURPOSE BEFORE INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT BEGAN.
IN ADDITION, CONTAINER TERMINAL OPERATORS HAVE BEEN ENCOURAGED TO PROVIDE SPACES WITHIN THE TERMINALS FOR OVERNIGHT PARKING.
ONE OPERATOR HAS ALREADY AGREED TO DESIGNATE ABOUT 300 SPACES FOR THIS PURPOSE, MR EASON SAID.
------0-------
GOVT WILL NOT ALLOW HK BE USED BY OUTSIDERS FOR POLITICAL PURPOSES ******
THE GOVERNMENT’S POSITION IS THAT IT WILL NOT ALLOW HONG KONG TO BE USED BY OUTSIDERS FOR THEIR OWN POLITICAL PURPOSES.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, MR ALISTAIR ASPREY, IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY DR THE HON CONRAD LAM IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MR ASPREY SAID IF ALLOWING A PARTICULAR INDIVIDUAL TO ENTER THE TERRITORY WOULD NOT BE IN THE INTERESTS OF HONG KONG, THE DIRECTOR OF IMMIGRATION MIGHT EXERCISE HIS AUTHORITY TO REFUSE THAT PERSON PERMISSION TO LAND.
/HONG KONG .......
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 21, 1992
HONG KONG PERMANENT RESIDENTS HAVE THE RIGHT OF ABODE AND THE RIGHT TO LAND IN THE TERRITORY, HE SAID.
THEREFORE, MR ASPREY ADDED THAT HONG KONG PERMANENT RESIDENTS MIGHT NOT BE REFUSED ENTRY.
"BUT ALL PERSONS SEEKING ENTRY MUST PROVIDE EVIDENCE OF THEIR IDENTITY AND STATUS (I.E. NATIONALITY, PERMANENT RESIDENCY, AND SO ON) BEFORE BEING ADMITTED," THE SECRETARY SAID.
--------0
MEASURES BEING TAKEN TO DEAL WITH UNREGISTERED SCHOOLS *****
THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT HAS STEPPED UP INSPECTIONS OF SUSPECTED PREMISES FOLLOWING A 75 PER CENT INCREASE IN THE NUMBER OF SUSPECTED UNREGISTERED SCHOOLS, THE SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER, MR JOHN CHAN, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON MRS SELINA CHOW, MR CHAN SAID A TOTAL OF 113 INSPECTIONS OF 49 PREMISES WERE MADE THIS YEAR COMPARED WITH 14 INSPECTIONS OF 11 PREMISES LAST YEAR.
THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT IS REVIEWING THE EDUCATION ORDINANCE TO SEE WHETHER THE EXISTING PROVISIONS ARE SUFFICIENT TO ENABLE PRUDENTIAL CONTROL OVER THE ACTIVITIES OF PRIVATE EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS, INCLUDING IN PARTICULAR PRIVATE TUTORIAL CENTRES, HE SAID.
UNDER THE EXISTING ORDINANCE, THE PENALTIES FOR FAILING TO REGISTER A SCHOOL ARE A FINE OF $25,000 AND IMPRISONMENT FOR TWO YEARS.
"THESE ARE CONSIDERED TO BE SUFFICIENT," MR CHAN SAID.
THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT IS ESTABLISHING ARRANGEMENTS WITH THE CONSUMER COUNCIL WITH A VIEW TO DISCLOSING THE NAMES AND ADDRESSES OF PURPORTED EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS THAT ARE FOUND NOT TO HAVE BEEN REGISTERED AS SCHOOLS, HE SAID.
IN ADDITION, THE DEPARTMENT AND ITS DISTRICT EDUCATION OFFICES KEEP A LIST OF ALL REGISTERED SCHOOLS WHICH ARE AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC EITHER IN PERSON OR BY TELEPHONE.
--------0
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 21, 1992
5
WAYS TO AWARD CONTAINER TERMINAL DEVELOPMENT RIGHTS UNDER STUDY *****
THE GOVERNMENT IS EXAMINING THE MOST APPROPRIATE METHOD FOR THE DISPOSAL OF THE DEVELOPMENT RIGHTS FOR CONTAINER TERMINAL NUMBER 9, THE ACTING SECRETARY FOR ECONOMIC SERVICES, MRS ELIZABETH BOSHER, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON LI WAH-MING IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, MRS BOSHER SAID A DECISION WOULD BE REACHED IN TIME FOR DEVELOPMENT RIGHTS TO BE GRANTED BY EARLY NEXT YEAR.
SHE SAID THE PREFERRED APPROACH WOULD BE DETERMINED IN THE LIGHT OF CAREFUL ASSESSMENT OF HOW BEST TO ENSURE TIMELY COMPLETION OF THE TERMINAL, OPTIMUM EFFICIENCY IN THE THROUGHPUT OF CONTAINERS AND THE NEED FOR COMPETITION IN THE PORT.
"AS NO CONCLUSION HAS YET BEEN REACHED, IT WOULD NOT BE APPROPRIATE FOR ME TO SPECULATE ON WHICH METHOD OF DISPOSAL MAY BE SELECTED OR THE REVENUE WHICH MIGHT BE GENERATED,” SHE SAID.
--------0 ----------
ADEQUATE INFORMATION SHOULD BE DISCLOSED TO PROPERTY BUYERS
*****
THE ADMINISTRATION SEES THE NEED TO PROVIDE PROSPECTIVE PROPERTY BUYERS WITH ADEQUATE INFORMATION ON FLATS THEY WISH TO BUY, THE SECRETARY FOR PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS, MR TONY EASON, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY DR THE HON HUANG CHEN-YA, MR EASON SAID THE REGISTRAR GENERAL (LAND OFFICER) ALREADY OPERATED A CONSENT SCHEME REQUIRING THE DISCLOSURE OF INFORMATION IN THE SALE OF MANY UNCOMPLETED FLATS COMING ONTO THE MARKET.
HE SAID THE ADMINISTRATION WAS ALSO EXAMINING, IN CONSULTATION WITH THE CONSUMER COUNCIL, THE POSSIBILITY OF IMPROVING THE POSITION THROUGH LEGISLATION.
"I UNDERSTAND THE LAW REFORM COMMISSION INTENDS TO CONDUCT A SIMILAR STUDY ON THE SUBJECT AND WILL ENSURE THAT THE COMMISSION IS PROVIDED WITH INFORMATION WHICH WILL ASSIST IT," HE ADDED.
DURING THE ADJOURNMENT DEBATE ON ESTATE AGENTS IN MAY, MR EASON CONFIRMED THAT, LOOKING BEYOND THE TRADE’S OWN CURRENT IDEAS ON SELFREGULATION, THE ADMINISTRATION WOULD BE EXAMINING POSSIBLE REGULATORY CONTROLS TO SUIT HONG KONG’S SITUATION.
"SINCE THEN, WE HAVE HELD DISCUSSIONS WITH TRADE REPRESENTATIVES AND THE CONSUMER COUNCIL AND THE LATTER HAS AGREED TO PRESENT PROPOSALS ON THE MATTER FOR THE ADMINISTRATION TO CONSIDER.
"WE WILL STUDY THESE WHEN THEY ARE READY," MR EASON SAID.
------0--------
/6 ......
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 21, 1992
6
ALTERNATIVES TO PRINTED TELEPHONE DIRECTORIES WILL BE CONSIDERED *****
THE GOVERNMENT WOULD BE PREPARED TO CONSIDER SYMPATHETICALLY PROPOSALS FROM THE HONG KONG TELEPHONE COMPANY FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF COST-EFFECTIVE, CUSTOMER-ORIENTED ALTERNATIVES TO REDUCE FURTHER THE DEMAND FOR PRINTED TELEPHONE DIRECTORIES.
THIS WAS STATED TODAY (WEDNESDAY) BY THE ACTING SECRETARY FOR ECONOMIC SERVICES, MRS ELIZABETH BOSHER, IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY DR THE HON SAMUEL WONG IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
"WHILST AS AN ELEMENT IN OVERALL ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY GOVERNMENT ENCOURAGES THE COMMUNITY TO REDUCE USE OF AND, WHERE PRACTICAL, TO RECYCLE PAPER, IT IS NOT PRESENT POLICY TO TARGET SPECIFIC PUBLICATIONS ISSUED BY PRIVATE COMPANIES," MRS BOSHER SAID.
THE GOVERNMENT DOES NOT MAINTAIN RECORDS OF THE NUMBER OF TELEPHONE DIRECTORIES PRINTED OR DISTRIBUTED BY THE HONG KONG TELEPHONE COMPANY LTD.
"HOWEVER, WE UNDERSTAND THAT DEMAND FOR PRINTED TELEPHONE DIRECTORIES IS ON THE DECLINE,” SHE SAID.
MRS BOSHER SAID TELEPHONE DIRECTORIES HAD LONG BEEN AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE PUBLIC TELEPHONIC SERVICE PROVIDED BY HONG KONG TELEPHONE COMPANY UNDER ITS EXCLUSIVE FRANCHISE.
TO PRESS THE COMPANY TO CEASE PROVIDING DIRECTORIES WOULD IN THE GOVERNMENT’S VIEW BE INCOMPATIBLE WITH THE OVERALL TELECOMS POLICY OBJECTIVE OF ENSURING THAT THE WIDEST POSSIBLE RANGE OF SERVICES CONTINUE TO BE AVAILABLE TO THE COMMUNITY AT REASONABLE COST, MRS BOSHER ADDED.
--------0------------
NO PLANS TO SCRAP ABSENCE RULES FOR WELFARE RECIPIENTS *****
THE NEW 180 DAYS OF PERMITTED ABSENCE FOR SOCIAL SECURITY RECIPIENTS WOULD ALLOW ELDERLY PEOPLE TO SPEND MORE TIME WITH RELATIVES AND FRIENDS OUTSIDE HONG KONG, THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, MRS ELIZABETH WONG, SAID.
HOWEVER, IF THE ABSENCE RULE WAS TO BE ABOLISHED, ANY ELDERLY PERSON WHO FULFILS THE ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA WOULD RECEIVE SOCIAL SECURITY PAYMENTS FOR THE REST OF HIS LIFE EVEN IF HE IS SETTLED PERMANENTLY ELSEWHERE, SHE SAID.
"THIS WOULD CREATE A TREMENDOUS FINANCIAL BURDEN TO TAXPAYERS IN HONG KONG," SHE SAID.
IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON CHIM PUI-CHUNG IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY), MRS WONG SAID SOCIAL SECURITY SCHEMES IN HONG KONG WERE NON-CONTRIBUTORY AND WERE FINANCED BY TAXPAYERS’ MONEY.
/"AS SUCH..........
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 21, 1992
7
"AS SUCH, THEY ARE ONLY INTENDED FOR THOSE IN THE COMMUNITY WHO ARE IN NEED OF FINANCIAL OR MATERIAL ASSISTANCE," SHE SAID.
IT WILL ALSO BE IMPRACTICABLE TO LIFT THE ABSENCE RULE ALTOGETHER IF AN ELDERLY PERSON IS ON PUBLIC ASSISTANCE, AS HIS ELIGIBILITY HAS TO BE REVIEWED FROM TIME TO TIME.
MRS WONG ALSO DISMISSED THE SUGGESTION OF PAYING THE SOCIAL SECURITY ALLOWANCES IN THE FORM OF AN ANNUAL LUMP SUM OWING TO PRACTICAL DIFFICULTIES.
"FOR INSTANCE, THERE IS THE POSSIBILITY OF OVERPAYMENT SHOULD THE RECIPIENTS’ ELIGIBILITY CHANGE DURING THE YEAR," SHE SAID.
"RECIPIENTS MIGHT ALSO SUFFER IF THEY EXHAUST THE LUMP SUM EARLY IN THE YEAR."
MRS WONG SAID THE GOVERNMENT HAD NO PLANS AT PRESENT TO SUBVENT HONG KONG WELFARE AGENCIES TO OPERATE HOMES FOR THE AGED IN CHINA FOR HONG KONG RESIDENTS.
--------0----------
AMPLE EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES FOR MEDICAL
AND SOCIAL WORK GRADUATES
*****
THE SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER, MR JOHN CHAN, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY) THAT THERE ARE AMPLE EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES FOR GRADUATES IN MEDICINE, SOCIAL WORK AND VARIOUS PARAMEDICAL STUDIES.
IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY DR THE HON CONRAD LAM KUI-SHING, MR CHAN SAID:
"HAVING REGARD TO THE MAJOR IMPROVEMENTS TO THE SOCIAL WELFARE AND HEALTH CARE SERVICES ANNOUNCED IN THE GOVERNOR’S POLICY ADDRESS ON 7 OCTOBER 1992, WE ANTICIPATE THAT THERE WILL BE A REQUIREMENT FOR ABOUT 1,270 MEDICAL, 3,100 SOCIAL WORK AND 1,250 PARA MEDICAL GRADUATES AND DIPLOMATES BETWEEN NOW AND 1996/97 TO MEET SERVICE NEEDS AND PROJECTED WASTAGE IN THE PUBLIC SECTOR."
HE SAID THE ADMINISTRATION REGULARLY REVIEWS AND UPDATES ITS FORECASTS OF REQUIREMENTS TO TAKE ACCOUNT OF CHANGED CIRCUMSTANCES AND THE AVAILABILITY OF FUNDS IN THE PUBLIC SECTOR.
IT ALSO MAINTAINS REGULAR LIAISON WITH THE UNIVERSITY AND POLYTECHNIC GRANTS COMMITTEE REGARDING THE PUBLIC SECTOR’S MANPOWER REQUIREMENTS FOR THESE PROFESSIONAL GROUPS.
AT PRESENT, THE HOSPITAL AUTHORITY AND THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH ARE REVIEWING THE REQUIREMENTS FOR HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONALS.
THE ADVICE OF THE HEALTH AND MEDICAL DEVELOPMENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE WILL BE SOUGHT ON THE FINDINGS WHEN AVAILABLE.
/IN ADDITION, .......
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 21, 1992
8
IN ADDITION, THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON SOCIAL WORK TRAINING AND MANPOWER PLANNING CONDUCTS REGULAR REVIEWS OF REQUIREMENTS FOR SOCIAL WORKERS.
"THE OUTCOME OF THESE STUDIES SHOULD PROVIDE USEFUL REFERENCE FOR ACCURATE PLANNING FOR MANPOWER TRAINING IN THESE PROFESSIONS," MR CHAN ADDED.
------0-------
STEERING GROUPS TO MONITOR PROGRESS OF COMPANY INSPECTIONS *****
STEERING GROUPS HAVE BEEN SET UP TO MONITOR PROGRESS OF THE INSPECTIONS AS WELL AS THE WORK OF THE INSPECTORS IN THE TWO ON-GOING INVESTIGATIONS CONDUCTED UNDER SECTIONS 142 AND 143 OF THE COMPANIES ORDINANCE.
THE INSPECTIONS ARE OF THE AFFAIRS OF ALLIED GROUP LIMITED AND RELATED COMPANIES, AND OF THE WORLD TRADE CENTRE GROUP LIMITED AND TOMSON PACIFIC LIMITED.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE SECRETARY FOR MONETARY AFFAIRS, MR DAVID NENDICK, IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON EMILY LAU IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
"IN EACH CASE THE STEERING GROUP, WHICH IS CHAIRED BY ONE OF MY DEPUTIES, COMPRISES EXPERIENCED OFFICERS WITH A KNOWLEDGE OF COMPANY AFFAIRS FROM THE LEGAL DEPARTMENT, THE SECURITIES AND FUTURES COMMISSION AND THE MONETARY AFFAIRS BRANCH," MR NENDICK SAID.
THE GROUPS MEET REGULARLY TO RECEIVE AND REVIEW PROGRESS REPORTS FROM THE RESPECTIVE INSPECTORS AND CONSIDER WITH THE INSPECTORS THE MOST COST-EFFECTIVE AND EFFICIENT WAY OF PROCEEDING WITH THE INSPECTIONS.
THE SECRETARY SAID FOR THOSE INSPECTIONS CONDUCTED UNDER THE TWO SECTIONS OF THE ORDINANCE, THE ADMINISTRATION MAINTAINED DIRECT CONTACT WITH THE INSPECTORS TO ENSURE THAT EACH INSPECTION WAS CARRIED OUT AS SMOOTHLY AND AS EFFECTIVELY AS POSSIBLE.
IN ADDITION TO THE TWO CASES CURRENTLY UNDER INVESTIGATION, EIGHT OTHER INSPECTIONS HAD BEEN CONDUCTED OVER THE PAST 10 YEARS UNDER THE ORDINANCE. ONE OF THESE CASES INVOLVED EIGHT COMPANIES.
"IT SHOULD BE NOTED THAT ONE OBJECTIVE OF SUCH INSPECTIONS IS TO INVESTIGATE SPECIFIC COMPLAINTS OR SERIOUS PROBLEMS PERCEIVED TO EXIST IN LISTED COMPANIES," HE SAID.
THE EFFICACY OF SUCH INSPECTIONS CANNOT SOLELY BE JUDGED BY THE NUMBER OF ADVERSE FINDINGS AND SUBSEQUENT SANCTIONS IMPOSED, HE SAID.
"AN INSPECTION CAN THEREFORE IN SOME INSTANCES BE CONSIDERED AS HAVING BEEN SATISFACTORILY CONCLUDED EVEN IF IT ESTABLISHES THAT THERE HAS BEEN NO ABUSE OF FIDUCIARY DUTY OR THAT A PARTICULAR COMPLAINT IS NOT SUBSTANTIATED,” HE SAID.
0
/9 .........
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 21, 1992
9
REVIEW GROUP ON URBAN RENEWAL SOON TO COMPLETE FIRST TASK ******
A REVIEW GROUP TO EXAMINE THE URBAN RENEWAL PROCESS WITH PARTICULAR REGARD TO THE ROLE OF THE LAND DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION WILL COMPLETE ITS INITIAL TASK BY THE END OF THIS YEAR.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE SECRETARY FOR PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS, MR TONY EASON, IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON JAMES TO KUN-SUN IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MR EASON SAID THE REVIEW GROUP, LED BY THE PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS BRANCH AND INCLUDING REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE DEPARTMENTS INVOLVED AND THE CORPORATION, WAS SET UP IN JULY.
THE POSITION OF OWNERS AND OCCUPIERS, INCLUDING TENANTS, AFFECTED BY REDEVELOPMENT SCHEMES WAS BEING CONSIDERED IN THE REVIEW, HE SAID.
FOLLOWING ITS INITIAL TASK, IT WOULD THEN REVIEW OTHER ASPECTS OF THE REDEVELOPMENT PROCESS, INCLUDING ACTIVITIES IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR, HE ADDED.
--------0 -----------
TSEUNG KWAN O INDUSTRIAL ESTATE TO OFFER SITES IN 1994 * * * * *
THE FIRST FULLY-SERVICED SITES AT HONG KONG’S THIRD INDUSTRIAL ESTATE IN TSEUNG KWAN 0 ARE EXPECTED TO BECOME AVAILABLE IN THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1994, THE SECRETARY FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY, MR CHAU TAK-HAY, INFORMED THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON GILBERT LEUNG KAM-HO, MR CHAU SAID THE NEW INDUSTRIAL ESTATE WAS, LIKE THE EXISTING TWO ESTATES IN TAI PO AND YUEN LONG, INTENDED TO ACCOMMODATE A WIDE RANGE OF INDUSTRIES.
AS THE ESTATE HAS DEEP SEA ACCESS, JETTIES AND PIPE PATHS HAVE BEEN PLANNED TO ACCOMMODATE INDUSTRIES REQUIRING THESE FACILITIES, HE SAID.
MR CHAU SAID THE HONG KONG INDUSTRIAL ESTATES CORPORATION INTENDED TO ADOPT THE SAME BROAD CRITERIA FOR THE SELECTION OF LESSEES AS HAD BEEN ADOPTED FOR THE TAI PO AND YUEN LONG ESTATES.
’’THE CORPORATION HAS ALREADY INVITED APPLICATIONS AND A DEPOSIT HAS BEEN RECEIVED FROM ONE COMPANY FOR A SITE.
ON TRANSPORT FACILITIES FOR THE NEW INDUSTRIAL ESTATE, MR CHAU SAID THE TSEUNG KWAN O ROAD TUNNEL LINKED THE NEW TOWN TO EAST KOWLOON, AND A DUAL CARRIAGEWAY JOINED THE NEW TOWN AND THE INDUSTRIAL ESTATE.
/’’ADDITIONAL HIGHWAY..........
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 21, 1992
10
"ADDITIONAL HIGHWAY CAPACITY WILL BE PROVIDED BY THE PLANNED WEST COAST ROAD FROM KWUN TONG TO TSEUNG KWAN O AND BY THE PROVISION OF A BRIDGE ACROSS TSEUNG KWAN O WHICH WILL ALLOW INDUSTRIAL TRAFFIC TO BE DIVERTED FROM THE TOWN CENTRE," HE SAID.
TURNING TO MEASURES TO ENCOURAGE DEMAND FOR INDUSTRIAL ESTATE SITES, MR CHAU SAID THE INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT PUBLICISED THE ESTATES TO OVERSEAS MANUFACTURERS THROUGH ITS INWARD INVESTMENT PROMOTION PROGRAMME.
HE ADDED THAT THE HONG KONG INDUSTRIAL ESTATES CORPORATION HAD SOUGHT TO ENCOURAGE DEMAND FOR SITES AT THE YUEN LONG INDUSTRIAL ESTATE BY ADVERTISING IN INDUSTRIAL AND TRADE JOURNALS LOCALLY AND OVERSEAS AND THROUGH PARTICIPATION BY ITS STAFF IN OVERSEAS CONFERENCES.
SEVENTY HECTARES AND 44 HECTARES OF LAND HAVE BEEN GRANTED IN THE TAI PO AND YUEN LONG INDUSTRIAL ESTATES RESPECTIVELY.
WHILE TWO HECTARES REMAIN TO BE GRANTED AT TAI PO WHICH ARE UNDER A RIGHT OF FIRST REFUSAL TO AN EXISTING GRANTEE, 22 HECTARES REMAIN TO BE GRANTED AT YUEN LONG, OF WHICH FOUR ARE UNDER RIGHT OF FIRST REFUSAL BY EXISTING GRANTEES.
-----0-----
MEASURES TO IMPROVE COMMUNITY CENTRE SECURITY
*****
THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION (CNTA) HAS INTRODUCED A NUMBER OF MEASURES TO IMPROVE SECURITY IN COMMUNITY CENTRES, THE SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS, MR MICHAEL SUEN, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON HUI YIN-FAT IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, MR SUEN SAID FOLLOWING THE WITHDRAWAL OF ON-SITE STAFF, CNTA CONDUCTED A REVIEW OF SECURITY IN COMMUNITY FACILITIES IN CONSULTATION WITH NON-GOVERNMENT ORGANISATIONS AND THE HONG KONG COUNCIL OF SOCIAL SERVICES.
"THE REVIEW IDENTIFIED A NUMBER OF MEASURES WHICH COULD BE INTRODUCED IN SOME OR ALL COMMUNITY CENTRES TO IMPROVE SECURITY," HE SAID.
THESE INCLUDE THE INSTALLATION OF ROLLER SHUTTERS AT MAIN ENTRANCES AND REAR EXITS, FITTING HEAVY-DUTY LOCKS ON ALL MAIN GATES, FITTING SECURITY BARS ON WINDOWS AS WELL AS INSTALLING ANTI-CLIMB SPIKES AND COILED BARBED WIRES.
"THESE MEASURES ARE BEING PROGRESSIVELY INTRODUCED IN FACILITIES WHICH ARE PARTICULARLY VULNERABLE TO VANDALISM OR BURGLARIES," MR SUEN SAID.
/BUT HE .......
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 21, 1992
- 11
BUT HE POINTED OUT THAT THE SECURITY OF PUBLIC PREMISES WAS ALWAYS RATHER DIFFICULT TO MAINTAIN.
"IT IS A COMPROMISE BETWEEN ALLOWING FREE AND UNRESTRICTED ACCESS TO THE PUBLIC, WHICH INCREASES THE RISK OF VANDALISM AND OTHER PROBLEMS, AND BEING TOO RESTRICTIVE.
"I BELIEVE WE HAVE ACHIEVED A REASONABLE BALANCE WHICH ALLOWS RELATIVELY FREE ACCESS WHERE REQUIRED, BUT WITH ADEQUATE SAFEGUARDS TO PROTECT THE PREMISES, USERS AND TENANTS ALIKE.
"AS A FURTHER STEP, COMMUNITY CENTRE TENANTS HAVE BEEN URGED TO CO-OPERATE BY TAKING REASONABLE PRECAUTIONS THEMSELVES TO ENSURE THE SECURITY OF THESE PREMISES," HE SAID.
------o ------
NO CASUAL LINK BETWEEN SCHOOL BAG WEIGHT AND SPINAL DEFORMITIES *****
NO CAUSAL RELATIONSHIP WAS FOUND BETWEEN THE WEIGHT OF SCHOOL BAGS AND SPINAL DEFORMITIES, ACCORDING TO A RESEARCH REPORT JOINTLY PUBLISHED BY THE HONG KONG SOCIETY FOR CHILD HEALTH AND DEVELOPMENT, THE DEPARTMENT OF ORTHOPAEDIC SURGERY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG AND THE DUCHESS OF KENT HOSPITAL IN MAY 1988.
IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON ERIC LI IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY), THE SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER, MR JOHN CHAN, SAID THE RESEARCH WAS BASED ON A SAMPLE WHERE THE AVERAGE WEIGHT OF SCHOOL BAGS WAS 4.6 KILOGRAMS.
ANOTHER SURVEY CONDUCTED BY THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT IN 1987 REVEALED THAT SCHOOL BAGS CARRIED BY PRIMARY SCHOOL PUPILS WEIGHED 3.4 KILOGRAMS ON AVERAGE AND THAT THIS WEIGHT INCLUDED TEXTBOOKS, WORKBOOKS, WATER-BOTTLES AND PENCIL CASES.
MR CHAN SAID THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT ISSUED GUIDELINES TO SCHOOLS AT REGULAR INTERVALS SUGGESTING PRACTICAL WAYS TO REDUCE THE WEIGHT OF SCHOOL BAGS.
FOR EXAMPLE, PARENTS AND PUPILS ARE REMINDED TO PACK THE MINIMUM OF TEXTBOOKS.
TEACHERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO DESIGN THEIR TIME-TABLE IN SUCH A WAY AS TO AVOID PUPILS HAVING TO BRING TOO MANY TEXTBOOKS AND WORKBOOKS ON ANY PARTICULAR DAY.
SCHOOLS ARE URGED TO PROVIDE ITEMS SUCH AS DICTIONARIES AND STATIONERY FOR COMMON USE.
"THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT CONSIDERS THAT ITS ADVICE TO SCHOOLS TO MINIMISE THE WEIGHT OF SCHOOL BAGS IS SUFFICIENT," MR CHAN SAID.
"LOCKERS ARE NOT ESSENTIAL FOR PRIMARY SCHOOLS AS THEY ARE COSTLY TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN AND REQUIRE CLOSE SUPERVISION IN THEIR USE," HE ADDED.
------0 ------
/12 ........
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 21, 1992
12
IMPROVEMENTS TO JOINT STUDENT ADMISSION SYSTEM UNDER WAY
******
THE JOINT UNIVERSITY AND POLYTECHNIC ADMISSION SYSTEM (JUPAS) HAS ON THE WHOLE ACHIEVED THE DESIRED OBJECTIVE OF GIVING STUDENTS MORE CHOICE OF PROGRAMME AND MORE COMPLETE INFORMATION ON WHICH TO BASE THEIR CHOICE.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER, MR JOHN CHAN, IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON MRS SELINA CHOW IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
IT HAS ALSO ELIMINATED THE PROBLEM OF WASTAGE OF PLACES RESULTING FROM MULTIPLE ENROLMENTS, HE ADDED.
MR CHAN SAID STEPS WERE BEING TAKEN TO IMPROVE THE EXISTING ADMISSION PROCEDURES IN THE LIGHT OF WORKING EXPERIENCE THIS YEAR.
"WITH THE CHINESE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG CHANGING OVER TO POST-SECONDARY 7 ENTRY IN 1994, THE JUPAS SYSTEM WILL BE GREATLY SIMPLIFIED," HE NOTED.
"IT WILL OPERATE ON A ONE-YEAR CYCLE, USING AN ITERATIVE COMPUTER PROGRAMME TO MATCH STUDENTS AND PROGRAMMES WITH A VIEW TO GIVING EACH STUDENT THE OFFER BEST SUITED TO HIM OR HER.
"STUDENTS WILL NOT BE REQUIRED TO MAKE THEIR CHOICES OF STUDY PROGRAMMES UNTIL NOVEMBER OF THEIR YEAR IN SECONDARY 7.
"THE WHOLE ADMISSION PROCEDURE WILL BE COMPLETED IN AUGUST OF THE FOLLOWING YEAR, LEAVING AMPLE TIME FOR STUDENTS TO TAKE PART IN ORIENTATION PROGRAMMES AND OTHER PRE-TERM ACTIVITIES."
UNDER THE EXISTING SYSTEM, SOME STUDENTS ARE ADMITTED AT THE END OF SECONDARY 6 TO THE FOUR-YEAR DEGREE PROGRAMMES OF THE CHINESE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG, WHILE SOME OTHERS RECEIVE CONDITIONAL OFFERS OF PLACES ON DEGREE PROGRAMMES OFFERED BY THE OTHER FUNDED BY THE UNIVERSITY AND POLYTECHNIC GRANTS COMMITTEE TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS.
STUDENTS WHO RAVE RECEIVED SUCH CONDITIONAL OFFERS AND WHO SATISFY THE ACADEMIC REQUIREMENTS ARE GIVEN THE OPTION TO ACCEPT OR REJECT THE OFFERS AT THE END OF SECONDARY 7.
"THIS IS FOLLOWED BY TWO FURTHER ROUNDS OF OFFERS WHICH ARE MADE ON THE BASIS OF APPLICANTS' ACADEMIC RESULTS AND COURSE PREFERENCES," MR CHAN SAID.
"A THIRD ROUND OF OFFERS IS THEN MADE BY INDIVIDUAL INSTITUTIONS DIRECT TO REMAINING APPLICANTS IF PLACES ARE STILL AVAILABLE."
MR CHAN ADMITTED THAT SOME CONFUSION HAD ARISEN UNDER THE PRESENT SYSTEM LARGELY BECAUSE MANY STUDENTS WHO HAD NOT RECEIVED CONDITIONAL OFFERS AT THE END OF SECONDARY 6 CHOSE TO APPROACH THE INSTITUTIONS DIRECT AND, IN THE PROCESS, SOMETIMES GAINED THE WRONG IMPRESSION THAT THEY HAD BEEN GIVEN PLACES.
/ANOTHER COMMON .......
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 21, 1992
13
ANOTHER COMMON MISUNDERSTANDING IS DUE TO THE BELIEF OF STUDENTS THAT ADMISSION IS SOLELY DEPENDENT ON THE GRADES ACHIEVED IN THE CERTIFICATE OF EDUCATION AND ADVANCED LEVEL EXAMINATIONS,
IN ACTUAL PRACTICE, NO CANDIDATES CAN BE ADMITTED DIRECT BY A TERTIARY INSTITUTION OUTSIDE THE JUPAS SYSTEM UNTIL THE FINAL STAGE AND THAT ADMISSION DEPENDS NOT ONLY ON EXAMINATION RESULTS BUT ALSO ON OTHER FACTORS SUCH AS PERFORMANCE AT INTERVIEWS, THE RESULTS OF APTITUDE TESTS AND SCHOOL REPORTS,
-----o------
MORE FUNDS FOR FAMILY SUPPORT SERVICES
*****
SOME $50 MILLION WILL BE MADE AVAILABLE IN 1993/94 TO STRENGTHEN THE RANGE OF SUPPORT SERVICES AND FACILITIES TO CATER FOR FAMILY NEEDS.
THESE INCLUDE THE PROVISION OF MORE CHILD CARE CENTRES, FOSTER CARE HOMES, SMALL GROUP HOMES, HOME HELP TEAMS, FAMILY CASEWORK AND FAMILY LIFE EDUCATION.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, MRS ELIZABETH WONG, IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO THE HON LI WAH-MING IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MRS WONG SAID: "IN DEVELOPING THESE SUPPORT SERVICES, ADJUSTMENTS HAVE BEEN, AND WILL CONTINUE TO BE, MADE IN RESPONSE TO POPULATION CHANGES AND THE CONDITIONS OF INDIVIDUAL DISTRICTS.
"THE PLANNING RATIOS FOR VARIOUS TYPES OF SERVICES ARE APPLIED FLEXIBLY HAVING REGARD TO THE DEMOGRAPHIC CHARACTERISTICS AND THE EXISTING FACILITIES OF INDIVIDUAL DISTRICTS."
AT PRESENT, CLOSE LIAISON AND CO-ORDINATION AMONG CONCERNED GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS ARE MAINTAINED THROUGH DISTRICT SERVICE CO-ORDINATING COMMITTEES, INTER-DEPARTMENTAL COMMITTEES AND WORKING GROUPS.
"THESE ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE STRENGTHENED, IF NECESSARY, TO ENSURE A SMOOTH AND COST-EFFECTIVE DELIVERY OF SERVICES," MRS WONG SAID.
-----0------
/14 ........
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 21, 1992
14
TWENTY-SEVEN CO-OPERATIVE BUILDING SOCIETIES DISSOLVED *****
TWENTY-SEVEN SOCIETIES UNDER THE CIVIL SERVANT CO-OPERATIVE BUILDING SCHEME HAVE BEEN DISSOLVED RESULTING IN THE TITLES OF 459 FLATS BEING TRANSFERRED TO INDIVIDUAL MEMBERS.
OF THESE FLATS, 66 HAVE BEEN SOLD IN THE OPEN MARKET FOLLOWING PAYMENT OF A LAND PREMIUM TO REMOVE THE ALIENATION RESTRICTION IN THE TITLE.
AND SO FAR ONLY ONE APPLICATION FOR REDEVELOPMENT OF ONE SITE INVOLVING 20 FLATS HAS BEEN RECEIVED BY THE DIRECTOR OF BUILDINGS AND LANDS.
IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON J D MCGREGOR IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY), ACTING SECRETARY FOR THE CIVIL SERVICE, MR STUART HARBINSON, EXPLAINED THAT THE MODIFICATION PREMIUM WAS DETERMINED ON THE STANDARD BASIS OF THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN PRESENT MARKET VALUE AND THE ASSESSED MARKET VALUE OF THE SITE AS A RESULT OF MODIFICATION TO THE PERMITTED DEVELOPMENT POTENTIAL.
’’SINCE THE SOLE APPLICATION FOR REDEVELOPMENT IS STILL BEING POSSESSED, IT IS NOT POSSIBLE TO PROVIDE DETAILS ON THE AMOUNT OF PREMIUM AND AVERAGE RATE PER SQUARE METER AT THIS STAGE,” HE ADDED.
MR HARBINSON ALSO SAID SINCE THE INTRODUCTION OF THE CO-OPERATIVE BUILDING SOCIETY SCHEME IN 1952, 238 SOCIETIES HAD BEEN FORMED PROVIDING A TOTAL OF 5,702 FLATS.
------0-------
SUBVENTION TO ESF USED TO MEET TEACHER SALARIES
*****
THE PAYMENT MADE TO THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE AND SECRETARY OF THE ENGLISH SCHOOLS FOUNDATION (ESF) IS MET BY THE FOUNDATION ITSELF, THE SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER, MR JOHN CHAN, SAID.
HE SAID THE PAYMENT WAS MADE AS A SETTLEMENT BETWEEN THE ESF AND ONE OF ITS EMPLOYEES AND THE REASONS FOR THE LEVEL OF PAYOUT WERE ALREADY ANNOUNCED BY THE CHAIRMAN OF THE FOUNDATION ON SEPTEMBER 16.
IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON EMILY LAU WAI-HING IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY), MR CHAN EXPLAINED THAT IT HAD BEEN A LONG ESTABLISHED ARRANGEMENT FOR THE GOVERNMENT SUBVENTION TO THE ESF TO GO TOWARDS MEETING TEACHER SALARIES ONLY.
’’CENTRAL ADMINISTRATION EXPENSES, INCLUDING THE PAYMENT MADE TO THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE AND SECRETARY REFERRED TO IN THE QUESTION, ARE MET BY THE FOUNDATION ITSELF,” HE SAID.
MR CHAN ADDED THAT ALTHOUGH THE ESF WAS A STATUTORY BODY WHICH REGULATED ITSELF, THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT EXAMINED ITS ANNUAL AUDITED ACCOUNTS TO ENSURE THAT THE GOVERNMENT SUBSIDY WAS PROPERLY SPENT.
-----0-------
/15 ........
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 21, 1992
15
TRADE LICENSING PROCEDURES SIMPLIFIED WITHOUT SACRIFICING CONTROL *****
AFTER A RECENT REVIEW ON LICENSING PROCEDURES, THE TRADE DEPARTMENT FOUND THAT IT COULD ACTUALLY SERVE ITS CLIENTS BETTER BY ASKING LESS OF THEM.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE DIRECTOR-GENERAL OF TRADE, MR DONALD TSANG, AT A LUNCHEON MEETING OF THE HONG KONG EXPORTERS’ ASSOCIATION TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MR TSANG SAID A CAREFUL LOOK HAD BEEN TAKEN IN ALL AREAS OF LICENSING ACTIVITY IN WHICH THE TRADE DEPARTMENT WAS INVOLVED AND THE CONCLUSION WAS THAT THE DEPARTMENT COULD SIMPLIFY THE LICENSING PROCEDURES IN SOME AREAS WITHOUT SACRIFICING EFFECTIVE CONTROL.
"WE ARE NOW DRAWING UP DETAILED PLANS TO DO AWAY WITH SEVERAL CATEGORIES OF LICENCES IN SO FAR AS THIS WILL NOT COMPROMISE HONG KONG’S STATUS AS A LEADING AND MATURE TRADING CENTRE OF THE WORLD," HE SAID.
MR TSANG REVEALED THAT THE DEPARTMENT WAS NOW PUTTING THE FINAL TOUCHES TO A NEW CONTROL SYSTEM FOR LICENSING TEXTILE IMPORTS AND EXPORTS TO NON-RESTRAINED MARKETS.
HE EMPHASISED THE WORD "NON-RESTRAINED" AND ADDED THAT THE LICENSING PROCEDURES AND THE CONTROLS FOR DOMESTIC TEXTILE EXPORT TO THE RESTRAINED MARKETS WOULD REMAIN UNCHANGED, AS FULL CONTROL THROUGH LICENSING COULD NOT DISPENSED WITH, IN ORDER TO SAFEGUARD HONG KONG’S INTERESTS AND TO MEET ITS OBLIGATIONS UNDER VARIOUS BILATERAL TEXTILES AGREEMENTS.
HE SAID THE NEW SYSTEM WOULD PROVIDE FOR THE REGISTRATION OF IMPORTERS AND EXPORTERS, AS WELL AS FOR SHIPPERS AND FORWARDERS.
"THOSE REGISTERED WILL NOT BE REQUIRED TO APPLY FOR INDIVIDUAL LICENCES TO COVER CONSIGNMENT. WHAT THEY NEED IS TO KEEP PROPER BOOKS AND RECORDS.
"THIS REQUIREMENT GOES NO FURTHER THAN IS REQUIRED IN THE NORMAL COURSE OF BUSINESS.
"A REGISTERED TRADER WILL ALSO BE REQUIRED TO DECLARE THE DETAILS OF EACH CONSIGNMENT IN A SPECIFIED FORMAT TO THE DEPARTMENT.
"THE DECLARATION WILL BE LODGED WITH THE SHIPPER BEFORE SHIPMENT AND WILL PROVIDE THE STATISTICAL DATA WE NEED. NO LICENSING WILL BE REQUIRED,." MR TSANG EXPLAINED.
HE ASSURED TRADERS THAT THE INFORMATION REQUIRED TO FILL IN THE DECLARATION FORM WOULD BE NO MORE THAN WHAT WAS REQUIRED FOR INCLUSION IN AN IMPORT OR EXPORT LICENCE APPLICATION.
THE PRESENT SYSTEM OF GRANTING IMPORT AND EXPORT LICENCES FOR TEXTILES GOODS GOING TO NON-RESTRAINED MARKETS WOULD BE ABOLISHED.
/THE PRESENT .......
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 21, 1992
16
THE PRESENT PRACTICE OF EXEMPTING TEXTILES AND GARMENTS FROM LICENSING IN RESPECT OF THOSE TRANSHIPPED THROUGH HONG KONG WOULD ALSO DISCONTINUE.
"WE ANTICIPATE SUBSTANTIAL COST AND TIME SAVING FOR IMPORTERS AND EXPORTERS. THERE WILL NO LONGER BE LONG QUEUES FOR THESE LICENCES IN THE TRADE DEPARTMENT. NOR WILL THERE BE A NEED TO COME TO THE TRADE DEPARTMENT FOR EVERY CONSIGNMENT," MR TSANG SAID.
"AT THIS TIME OF LABOUR SHORTAGE IN HONG KONG I HOPE THIS WILL COME AS WELCOME NEWS," HE ADDED.
AS TEXTILES AND GARMENTS WERE STILL HONG KONG’S LARGEST EXPORT, SOME 3.6 MILLION TEXTILES LICENCES INVOLVING IMPORT, ALL RE-EXPORT AND EXPORT TO NON-RESTRAINED MARKETS WERE ISSUED EVERY YEAR.
MR TSANG REMINDED TRADERS THAT IT WAS THE GOVERNMENT’S OBLIGATIONS TO EXERCISE EFFECTIVE CONTROL OVER TRADE IN CERTAIN RESTRAINED COMMODITIES, MAINLY TEXTILES AND GARMENTS, UNDER THE INTERNATIONAL TRADE AGREEMENTS TO WHICH HONG KONG WAS A PARTY.
"WE HAVE NO INTENTION OF LESSENING OUR EFFORT TO STAMP OUT ILLICIT TRANSHIPMENT OF GOODS THROUGH HONG KONG. AS YOU KNOW, WE ARE PUTTING IN PLACE ADDITIONAL MEASURES TO ENHANCE OUR CONTROL IN THIS RESPECT.
"ALTHOUGH INDIVIDUAL LICENCES MAY NO LONGER BE REQUIRED UNDER THE NEW SYSTEM FOR TEXTILE PRODUCTS DESTINED FOR NON-RESTRAINED COUNTRIES, CHECKS ON SHIPMENTS WILL BE STEPPED UP BY OUR CUSTOMS COLLEAGUES. THIS WILL BE IN ADDITION TO THE PHYSICAL CHECKS CONDUCTED ON ENTRY OR EXIT POINTS.
"WE DO NOT INTEND TO BE LENIENT TO THOSE WHO DELIBERATELY FLOUT OUR CONTROL MEASURES AND BRING OUR SYSTEM TO DISREPUTE IN THE INTERNATIONAL TRADING COMMUNITY," MR TSANG SAID.
HE SAID HE SHOULD HAVE NO HESITATION IN SUSPENDING THE REGISTRATION OF ANY REPEATED OFFENDER AND THUS DISQUALIFYING HIM FROM PARTICIPATING IN THE SIMPLIFIED LICENSING SCHEME.
"I MAY EVEN CONSIDER DENYING HIM OF OTHER LICENSING FACILITIES," HE SAID.
AS FOR NON-TEXTILES LICENCES, MR TSANG SAID THE GOVERNMENT WAS LOOKING INTO THE POSSIBILITY OF INTRODUCING A ONE-STOP UNIT FOR HANDLING SPECIAL IMPORT OR EXPORT LICENCES REQUIRED FOR HEALTH OR PUBLIC SAFETY REASONS.
AT PRESENT, AN APPLICANT FOR THIS KIND OF LICENCE WAS REQUIRED TO APPROACH MORE THAN ONE GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENT.
"MORE DETAILS OF THE RATIONALISED SYSTEM WILL BE ANNOUNCED LATER, AS I SAID, WE CANNOT SACRIFICE CONTROL.
"FOR THIS REASON THERE WILL BE CHANGES IN LAW TO PROVIDE FOR PROPER CONTROLS UNDER THE SIMPLIFIED PROCEDURES I HAVE PROPOSED.
/"INSTRUCTIONS FOR .......
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 21, 1992
17
"INSTRUCTIONS FOR THESE LEGISLATIVE CHANGES ARE BEING DRAFTED. WE HOPE TO BE ABLE TO INTRODUCE THE NEW SIMPLIFIED SYSTEM NEXT YEAR, ONCE LEGAL AUTHORITIES HAVE BEEN GRANTED," MR TSANG SAID.
HE ALSO INFORMED HIS AUDIENCE THAT THESE CHANGES HAD THE FULL SUPPORT OF THE TEXTILES ADVISORY BOARD.
------o-------
DEMOLITION WORK IN WING ON STREET TO COMPLETE IN THREE WEEKS ******
EMERGENCY DEMOLITION WORK BEING CARRIED OUT ON PRE-WAR BUILDINGS IN WING ON STREET IN CENTRAL WHICH COLLAPSED ON SUNDAY WILL BE COMPLETED WITHIN THREE WEEKS.
OCCUPANTS OF AFFECTED PREMISES NOT IN THE IMMEDIATE VICINITY OF THE COLLAPSED BUILDINGS HAVE BEEN ALLOWED TO RETURN TO THEIR PROPERTY. A DECISION WILL BE MADE ON PERMITTING THE REMAINING OCCUPANTS TO RETURN WHEN DEMOLITION WORK IS FURTHER ADVANCED.
THIS WAS STATED TODAY (WEDNESDAY) BY A SPOKESMAN FOR THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE OFFICE (BOO) OF THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT.
MEANWHILE, AN INVESTIGATION IS BEING CARRIED OUT TO ESTABLISH THE CAUSES LEADING TO THE COLLAPSE OF THE BUILDING, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
HE APPEALED FOR EYE-WITNESSES TO THE COLLAPSE OR ANY PERSON WITH KNOWLEDGE OF EVENTS PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT TO CONTACT THE BOO ON TEL 525 1743.
THE BUILDINGS, PART OF A TERRACE OF STRUCTURALLY DEPENDENT BUILDINGS COMPRISING NOS 22-30, WERE VACANT. THEY WERE CLOSED AS A RESULT OF A FIRE AT NO. 30 LAST YEAR PENDING DEMOLITION.
THE BUILDINGS ARE SITUATED IN THE AREA BOUNDED BY QUEEN’S ROAD CENTRAL, DES VOEUX ROAD CENTRAL AND JUBILEE STREET TO BE REDEVELOPED BY THE LAND DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION.
THE BOO IS TO CARRY OUT A REVIEW OF THE CONDITION OF THE PROPERTIES IN THE AREA AND EXAMINE THE PROCEDURE GOVERNING THE STATUTORY DEMOLITION OF PRIVATELY OWNED BUILDINGS WITH A VIEW TO REDUCING THE INTERVAL BETWEEN CLOSURE AND CLEARANCE, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
--------0
/18 ........
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 21, 1992
18
INITIAL ASSESSMENT OF EXTRA AIR SERVICES OVER CHINESE NEW YEAR AGREED *****
THE HONG KONG AIRPORT SCHEDULE CO-ORDINATOR HAS ASSESSED THAT OVER THE COMING CHINESE NEW YEAR PERIOD, ONLY AROUND 360 APPLICATIONS TO RUN EXTRA SERVICES BY AIRLINES AT THE HONG KONG INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT OUT OF A TOTAL OF 794 APPLICATIONS COULD BE ACCOMMODATED.
THIS FOLLOWED A NUMBER OF MEETINGS BETWEEN THE SCHEDULE CO-ORDINATOR AND AIRLINE REPRESENTATIVES WHO HAVE APPROACHED THE PROBLEM IN A SPIRIT OF CO-OPERATION WITH THE AIM OF AVOIDING INCONVENIENCE TO THE PUBLIC.
A CIVIL AVIATION DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN TODAY (WEDNESDAY) SAID THE SHORTAGE OF CAPACITY AT KAI TAK WAS DUE TO THE INCREASE IN REGULAR SCHEDULED SERVICES.
"DURING LAST CHINESE NEW YEAR, THERE WERE AROUND 4,400 REGULAR SERVICES," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
"THE NUMBER FOR THE COMING CHINESE NEW YEAR PERIOD IS 4,900 OR AN INCREASE OF 12 PER CENT."
HE EXPLAINED THAT THIS HAD GREATLY REDUCED THE UNUSED CAPACITY AVAILABLE FOR EXTRA SERVICES, SUCH AS AD HOC CHARTER OPERATIONS.
AS A RESULT, ONLY AROUND 360 APPLICATIONS COULD BE INITIALLY ALLOCATED WITH SLOTS TO OPERATE EXTRA SERVICES DURING JANUARY 19 TO FEBRUARY 1, 1993 WHEN THE CHINESE NEW YEAR PERIOD FALLS.
THE SPOKESMAN ADDED THAT THE SCHEDULE CO-ORDINATION PROCESS, UNDER WHICH CAPACITY IS ALLOCATED, IS CARRIED OUT BY THE HONG KONG SCHEDULE CO-ORDINATOR ON THE AUTHORITY OF THE CIVIL AVIATION DEPARTMENT, FOLLOWING AS FAR AS IS PRACTICABLE INTERNATIONALLY ACCEPTED PRACTICES.
"SUBJECT TO THE PARAMOUNT CONSIDERATION OF SAFETY, THE BASIC AIM OF THE POLICY IS TO MAKE FAIR AND OPTIMAL USE OF RUNWAY CAPACITY," HE SAID.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE DEPARTMENT WAS PLEASED TO SEE THAT ALL AIRLINES CONCERNED HAVE WORKED TOGETHER TO MINIMISE THE EFFECTS OF THE PROBLEM CAUSED BY THE SHORTAGE OF CAPACITY.
THE SYSTEM HAS SOME FLEXIBILITY IN THAT AIRLINES MAY NEGOTIATE EXCHANGE OF ALLOCATED CAPACITY FOLLOWING THE INITIAL ALLOCATION, HE ADDED.
_-.-0-----
/19 ........
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 21, 1992
19
EYES OPEN TO HK FASHIONS AND ARTS
*****
A SPECTACULAR AND COLOURFUL GALA PRESENTATION OF HONG KONG FASHIONS BEGAN AFTER THE EYES OF A "LION" WERE OPENED AT A DEPARTMENT STORE IN VANCOUVER YESTERDAY (TUESDAY) NIGHT.
HUNDREDS OF GUESTS WERE ABLE TO SEE TOP CANADIAN MODELS PRESENTING A WIDE VARIETY OF STYLES CREATED BY HONG KONG’S NEW GENERATION OF DESIGN TALENT AND PRODUCED BY HONG KONG’S GARMENT MANUFACTURERS.
THE FASHION SHOW WAS ONE OF THE MAIN EVENTS OF FESTIVAL HONG KONG ’92 IN CANADA WHICH AIMED AT STRENGTHENING CULTURAL AND BUSINESS LINKS BETWEEN HONG KONG AND CANADA.
SPEAKING BEFORE OFFICIATING AT THE EYE-DOTTING CEREMONY, ACTING CHIEF SECRETARY, MR BARRIE WIGGHAM, SAID THE TRADE BETWEEN HONG KONG AND CANADA WOULD CONTINUE TO GROW, AND CONSUMERS IN BOTH PLACES WOULD BE ABLE TO ENJOY THE FRUITS OF THIS CLOSE PARTNERSHIP.
"THIS IS NO SHORT-TERM AFFAIR EITHER," HE SAID. "WHEN HONG KONG BECOMES A SPECIAL ADMINISTRATIVE ZONE OF CHINA IN LESS THAN FIVE YEARS’ TIME, IT WILL REMAIN A FREE MARKET ECONOMY, WITH ITS CAPITALIST SYSTEM AND LIFE STYLE GUARANTEED FOR 50 YEARS, AND AS ANXIOUS AS EVER TO DO BUSINESS WITH ITS FRIENDS AROUND THE PACIFIC RIM.”
EARLIER, MR WIGGHAM VISITED VANCOUVER ART GALLERY WHERE HE WAS INVITED TO DOT THE EYES OF A DRAGON TO MARK THE OPENING OF AN EXHIBITION OF INK PAINTINGS FEATURING 49 PIECES OF CONTEMPORARY WORKS FROM THE HONG KONG MUSEUM OF ART.
PRESENT AT THE OPENING CEREMONY WERE MR DAVID LAM, LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR OF BRITISH COLUMBIA, MRS BECKIE HARCOURT, WIFE OF PREMIER OF BRITISH COLUMBIA, MR JAMES SO, SECRETARY FOR RECREATION AND CULTURE, DR RONALD LEUNG, URBAN COUNCIL CHAIRMAN AND CHEUNG YAN-LUNG, REGIONAL COUNCIL CHAIRMAN.
-----0------
/20 ........
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 21, 1992
20
YOUTHS PLAY A MAJOR ROLE IN BUILDING FOR TOMORROW
*****
A PROPOSAL BY THE GOVERNOR TO LOWER THE VOTING AGE TO 18 SHOWS HIS PERSONAL CONFIDENCE THAT OUR YOUNG PEOPLE CAN PLAY A MAJOR PART IN SHAPING HONG KONG’S FUTURE, THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MRS ROSE GOODSTADT, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MRS GOODSTADT WAS ADDRESSING THE OPENING CEREMONY OF TSUEN WAN AND KWAI TSING OUTREACHING SOCIAL WORK TEAM OF THE HONG KONG PLAYGROUND ASSOCIATION.
"OUR YOUTHS WILL HAVE A FULL VOICE IN CHOOSING THE MEN AND WOMEN WHO MAKE OUR LAWS AND CONTROL OUR FINANCES IN LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL," SHE SAID.
MRS GOODSTADT SAID THIS REFLECTED THE GOVERNOR’S DETERMINATION TO GIVE YOUNG PEOPLE GREATER PARTICIPATION IN COMMUNITY LIFE.
"WE ARE PUTTING HIGH PRIORITY IN DEVELOPING YOUNG PEOPLE’S POTENTIAL TO THE FULL AS THE CONTINUED ECONOMIC PROSPERITY OF HONG KONG DEPENDS ON THEIR CONTRIBUTION," SHE ADDED.
OUTREACH SOCIAL WORK HELPED YOUNG PEOPLE WITH PERSONAL AND FAMILY PROBLEMS AND FOR MANY, PROFESSIONAL GUIDANCE WAS NECESSARY TO PREVENT THEM FROM FALLING FOUL OF THE LAW, SHE SAID.
SHE POINTED OUT THAT 11 NEW CHILDREN AND YOUTH CENTRES WOULD BE OPENED NEXT YEAR.
"EXPENDITURE ON YOUTH SERVICES WILL INCREASE FROM THE CURRENT $477 MILLION TO AN ESTIMATED $545 MILLION IN 1996/97, REPRESENTING AN INCREASE OF 14 PER CENT IN REAL GROWTH IN THE NEXT FOUR YEARS," SHE ADDED.
"SCHOOL SOCIAL WORK WILL CONTINUE TO BE IMPROVED, TO MEET THE TARGET OF ONE TO 2,000 MANNING RATIO AS STATED IN THE WHITE PAPER ON SOCIAL WELFARE," MRS GOODSTADT SAID.
-----0------
TWO LAND LOTS TO LET BY TENDER
*****
THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR THE SHORT-TERM TENANCY ON TWO PIECES OF GOVERNMENT LAND.
THE FIRST SITE, WITH AN AREA OF 4,700 SQUARE METRES, IS LOCATED BETWEEN PAK WAN STREET AND PAK TIN STREET, KOWLOON.
IT IS INTENDED FOR FEE-PAYING PARKING AREA FOR PRIVATE CARS, LIGHT VANS AND COACHES (EXCLUDING GOODS VEHICLES AND CONTAINER VEHICLES WITH THEIR CHASSIS/TRAILERS ATTACHED) CURRENTLY LICENSED UNDER THE ROAD TRAFFIC ORDINANCE.
/THE TENANCY .
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 21, 1992
21
THE TENANCY IS FOR THREE YEARS AND QUARTERLY AFTERWARDS.
THE OTHER SITE IS AT ON LOK MUN STREET, ON LOK TSUEN, FANLING, NEW TERRITORIES.
WITH AN AREA OF ABOUT 2,204 SQUARE METRES, THE SITE IS FOR OPEN STORAGE AND LOADING AND UNLOADING OF TENANT’S GOODS INCLUDING CONTAINERS ON TRAILERS, VEHICLES AND/OR CONSTRUCTION PLANT AND EQUIPMENT BUT PROHIBITING STUFFING AND DE-STUFFING OF CONTAINERS.
THE TENANCY IS FOR TWO YEARS AND QUARTERLY AFTERWARDS.
CLOSING DATE FOR SUBMITTING TENDERS IS NOON ON NOVEMBER 6.
FORMS OF TENDERS, TENDER NOTICES AND CONDITIONS MAY BE OBTAINED FROM AND TENDER PLANS INSPECTED AT THE DISTRICT LANDS OFFICES, KOWLOON, 10TH FLOOR, YAU MA TEI CAR PARK BUILDING, 250 SHANGHAI STREET, KOWLOON AND THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT, 14TH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG.
AS FOR THE SITE IN THE NEW TERRITORIES, FORMS OF TENDER AND CONDITIONS MAY ALSO BE OBTAINED FROM AND TENDER PLANS INSPECTED AT THE DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE, NORTH, SIXTH FLOOR, NORTH DISTRICT GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 3 PIK FUNG ROAD, FANLING, NEW TERRITORIES.
-----0------
PEARL RIVER SEARCH AND RESCUE EXERCISE A SUCCESS *****
THE 1992 PEARL RIVER SEARCH AND RESCUE EXERCISE CO-ORDINATED BY THE MARINE DEPARTMENT IS A SUCCESS AND HAS ACCOMPLISHED ITS OBJECTIVES IN TESTING CHANNELS OF COMMUNICATIONS AND RESCUE TECHNIQUES BETWEEN CHINA, MACAU AND HONG KONG.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF MARINE, MR IAN DALE, TODAY (WEDNESDAY) AFTER A WASH-UP MEETING ATTENDED BY 20 REPRESENTATIVES FROM ALL AGENCIES WHO TOOK PART IN THE EXERCISE.
’’THE EXERCISE WAS OF GREAT VALUE IN TESTING CHANNELS OF COMMUNICATIONS, RESPONSE TIME BY AGENCIES, AND PERSONNEL AND CRAFT INVOLVED IN THE EVACUATION OF ‘SURVIVORS’.
’’THE ONLY PROBLEM ENCOUNTERED DURING THE EXERCISE WAS THE BREAKDOWN OF ONE OF THE RADIO CHANNELS ON THE ’ON SCENE’ COMMANDER’S LAUNCH. THIS DELAYED THE TRANSMISSION OF SOME INSTRUCTIONS AND MESSAGES.
’’THIS LED TO THE INITIAL CONFUSION ON THE ARRIVAL OF THE ROYAL HONG KONG AUXILIARY AIR FORCE RESCUE HELICOPTER BUT WAS QUICKLY RECTIFIED,” MR DALE SAID.
-----0------
/22 ........
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 21, 1992
22
EXHIBITION ON BUILDING SAFETY *****
A TWO-DAY EXHIBITION ON BUILDING SAFETY WILL BE HELD AT HENNESSY CENTRE IN CAUSEWAY BAY FROM TOMORROW (THURSDAY).
THE EXHIBITION IS PART OF A BUILDING SAFETY CAMPAIGN LAUNCHED LAST MONTH BY THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE OFFICE (BOO) OF THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT.
THE CAMPAIGN ADOPTS AN EDUCATIONAL APPROACH IN REMINDING PROPERTY OWNERS THAT IT IS THEIR RESPONSIBILITY TO MAINTAIN THEIR PROPERTY IN GOOD CONDITION AT ALL TIMES.
THE TWO-DAY EXHIBITION WILL BE HELD IN THE ENTRANCE HALL ON THE GROUND FLOOR OF HENNESSY CENTRE AT 500 HENNESSY ROAD IN CAUSEWAY BAY, HONG KONG.
IT WILL BE OPEN BETWEEN 10 AM AND 8 PM.
OFFICERS OF BOO WILL BE ON HAND TO HELP VISITORS ON MATTERS RELATING TO BUILDING SAFETY AND MAINTENANCE.
IN ADDITION, A 24-HOUR ENQUIRY HOTLINE (848 2222) ON BUILDING SAFETY MATTERS HAS BEEN INSTALLED.
--------o------------
SEMINAR ON CULTURAL CHARACTERISTICS OF PRE-HISTORIC CHINESE PETROGLYPHS OF HUMAN - VISAGED DIVINITIES *****
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WHO ARE INTERESTED IN ANCIENT ROCK CARVINGS ARE INVITED TO A SEMINAR TO BE HELD AT 2.30 PM IN THE LECTURE HALL OF THE ANTIQUITIES AND MONUMENTS OFFICE (AMO) AT 136 NATHAN ROAD, TSIM SHA TSUI, KOWLOON THIS SATURDAY (OCTOBER 24).
JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE AMO AND THE JOINT PUBLISHING (HONG KONG) CO LTD, THE SEMINAR WILL BE CONDUCTED IN PUTONGHUA BY PROFESSOR SONG YAOLIANG OF THE EAST CHINA NORMAL UNIVERSITY OF SHANGHAI.
PROFESSOR SONG HAS DEVOTED A GREAT DEAL OF RESEARCH IN CHINESE PETROGLYPHS IN RECENT YEARS AND HAS TRAVELLED EXTENSIVELY TO PETROGLYPHS SITES IN CHINA.
PROFESSOR SONG WILL SPEAK ON THE DISTRIBUTION OF PETROGLYPHS IN CHINA, THEIR TYPES AND THE RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN THEIR PATTERNS WITH THOSE OF THE INSCRIPTIONS ON BONE OR TORTOISE SHELLS OF THE SHANG DYNASTY (16-11TH CENTURY B.C.).
/HE WILL .......
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 21, 1992
23
HE WILL ALSO COMPARE PREHISTORIC CHINESE PETROGLYPHS WITH THOSE FOUND IN RUSSIA AND THE UNITED STATES.
THERE ARE GROUPS OF ANCIENT ROCK CARVINGS SCATTERED ALONG THE COASTLINE OF HONG KONG AND ITS OUTLYING ISLANDS.
ANCIENT ROCK CARVINGS IN HONG KONG ARE BASICALLY GEOMETRIC IN PATTERN, WITH HINT HERE AND THERE OF HUMAN OR ANIMAL IMAGES.
IT IS DIFFICULT TO ESTABLISH WHEN, WHY, HOW AND BY WHOM THE CARVINGS WERE MADE.
PROFESSOR SONG’S LECTURE MIGHT SHED SOME LIGHTS ON THE ORIGINS OF THESE ROCK CARVINGS.
ADMISSION TO THE SEMINAR IS FREE OF CHARGE. FOR RESERVATION PLEASE CALL 721 2326 OR 523 0105.
--------0-----------
SALT WATER CUT IN KOWLOON EAST
* * * *
SALT WATER SUPPLY TO ALL PREMISES IN KOWLOON FROM 10 AM ON FRIDAY (OCTOBER 23) TO 10 AM THE FACILITATE CONNECTION WORK ON WATER MAINS.
THE SUSPENSION WILL AFFECT ALL PREMISES KOWLOON BAY, NGAU TAU KOK, KWUN TONG, SAU MAU PING, KWO LING.
EAST WILL GO OFF FOLLOWING DAY TO
IN SAN PO KONG, LAM TIN AND CHA
-----0------
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS * * * * *
$ MILLION
OPENING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT 1,500
REVERASL OF LAF NIL
BALANCE AFTER REVERSAL OF LAF 1,500
NET INJECTION/WITHDRAWAL TODAY NIL
EFFECT OF LAF TODAY +1,200
CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT 2,700
LAF RATE 2.00 BID/4.00 OFFER TWI 111.5 *+0.4* 21.10.92
/HONG KONG .......
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 21, 1992
24
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND
EF BILLS HONG KONG GOVERNMENT BONDS
TERMS YIELD TERM ISSUE COUPON PRICE YIELD
1 WEEK 2.78 PCT 13 MONTHS 2311 6.25 102.33 4.05
1 MONTH 3.03 PCT 16 MONTHS 2402 5.50 101.45 4.40
3 MONTHS 3.32 PCT 19 MONTHS 24 05 5.502 101.47 4.57
6 MONTHS 3.46 PCT 22 MONTHS 2408 4.375 99.52 4.70
12 MONTHS 3.99 PCT
TOTAL TURNOVER OF BILLS AND BONDS - 16,055 MN
CLOSED 21 OCTOBER 1992
0
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 22, 1992
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
MONETARY AUTHORITY LAW GOES TO LEGCO IN NOVEMBER .................... 1
HK'S POLITICAL DEVELOPMENT OUTLINED.................................. 2
HK'S INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT KEY TO ECONOMIC GROWTH .............. 4
HK FESTIVAL IN CANADA A GREAT SUCCESS ............................... 6
BARRIE WIGGHAM SPENDS A BUSY DAY IN VANCOUVER ....................... 7
TRAVEL AGENT LICENSING FEES TO BE REVISED ........................... 7
51 LEGCO MEMBERS DEBATE POLICY ADDRESS .............................. 9
SEMINAR ON COURT REPORTING FOR JOURNALISTS .......................... 9
SUSTAINED EFFORTS TO PROTECT COUNTRYSIDE ............................ 10
PROMISING FUTURE FOR LEATHER GOODS TRADE ............................ 11
MORE IMPORTANT ROLE FOR KAIFONG ASSOCIATIONS ........................ 12
CAUSEWAY BAY ARTS CARNIVAL .......................................... 13
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS .......... 14
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 22, 1992
1
MONETARY AUTHORITY LAW GOES
TO LEGCO IN NOVEMBER
» * t * »
A BILL AMENDING THE EXCHANGE FUND ORDINANCE WILL BE PUT BEFORE
THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON NOVEMBER 4 TO PROVIDE FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE MONETARY AUTHORITY, THE SECRETARY FOR MONETARY AFFAIRS, MR DAVID NENDICK, SAID TODAY (THURSDAY).
THE BILL WILL ALSO PROVIDE FOR AN EXTENSION TO THE USE OF THE EXCHANGE FUND FOR THE SECONDARY PURPOSE OF MAINTAINING THE STABILITY AND INTEGRITY OF THE MONETARY AND FINANCIAL SYSTEMS.
SPEAKING AT A PRESS CONFERENCE, MR NENDICK SAID AS THE GOVERNOR ANNOUNCED IN HIS ADDRESS TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON OCTOBER 7, THE GOVERNMENT HAD DECIDED THAT THE TIME HAD COME TO ESTABLISH A HONG KONG MONETARY AUTHORITY (HKMA) WITHIN THE FRAMEWORK OF THE EXECUTIVE-LED GOVERNMENT.
"THE OFFICE OF THE EXCHANGE FUND AND THE OFFICE OF THE COMMISSIONER OF BANKING WILL BE BROUGHT TOGETHER TO FORM A NEW HONG KONG MONETARY AUTHORITY.
"THE NEW ORGANISATION WILL HAVE THE NECESSARY FLEXIBILITY TO DEPLOY STAFF AND OTHER RESOURCES WITHOUT BEING SUBJECT TO THE CONSTRAINTS OF RESOURCE ALLOCATION AND PERSONNEL PROCEDURES APPLICABLE TO OTHER GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS," MR NENDICK SAID.
"THIS WILL ENHANCE OUR ABILITY TO IMPLEMENT AND ACHIEVE OUR MONETARY POLICY OBJECTIVE OF MAINTAINING EXCHANGE RATE STABILITY," HE ADDED.
"THE NEW ARRANGEMENTS WILL ALSO HELP MAINTAIN THE DEGREE OF PROFESSIONALISM AND CONTINUITY NECESSARY TO COMMAND THE CONFIDENCE OF THE PUBLIC AND THE INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL COMMUNITY," HE SAID.
THE HKMA WOULD BE HEADED BY A CHIEF EXECUTIVE AND BE ACCOUNTABLE TO THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY.
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY WILL REMAIN AS CONTROLLER OF THE EXCHANGE FUND AND RETAIN HIS STATUTORY POWERS UNDER THE EXCHANGE FUND ORDINANCE.
THE POWERS OF THE COMMISSIONER OF BANKING UNDER THE BANKING AND OTHER ORDINANCES WILL BE VESTED IN THE MONETARY AUTHORITY.
INITIALLY THE HKMA WILL BE STAFFED MAINLY BY CIVIL SERVANTS ON SECONDMENT WITHOUT ANY CHANGE TO THEIR PAY AND CONDITIONS OF SERVICE.
HOWEVER, THE HKMA WOULD BE ABLE TO EMPLOY STAFF ON TERMS DIFFERENT FROM THOSE OF THE CIVIL SERVICE IN ORDER TO ATTRACT AND RETAIN HIGH CALIBRE STAFF WITH THE RIGHT EXPERIENCE.
TO GIVE STATUTORY EFFECT TO THE NEW ARRANGEMENTS, THE EXCHANGE FUND (AMENDMENT) BILL 1992 WILL BE INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON NOVEMBER 4.
/"THE INCLUSION .......
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 22, 1992
2
’’THE INCLUSION OF THE SECONDARY PURPOSE OF THE FUND DOES NOT MEAN THAT THE GOVERNMENT WOULD BAIL OUT INDIVIDUAL BANKS WHENEVER THEY RUN INTO FINANCIAL DIFFICULTIES,” MR NENDICK SAID.
"EACH CASE WILL CONTINUE TO BE LOOKED AT ON ITS OWN MERITS AND THE FUND WILL ONLY BE USED TO DEAL WITH PROBLEMS AFFECTING THE STABILITY AND INTEGRITY OF THE ENTIRE SYSTEM AS A WHOLE,” HE SAID.
THE SECONDARY PURPOSE WILL BE SUBORDINATE TO THE PRIMARY PURPOSE OF MAINTAINING EXCHANGE RATE STABILITY. SHOULD THERE BE ANY CONFLICT, THE PRIMARY PURPOSE WOULD PREVAIL," MR NENDICK STRESSED.
TO REFLECT THE WIDER AMBIT OF THE FUND AND THE INCREASED RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE EXCHANGE FUND ADVISORY COMMITTEE, WHICH ADVISES THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY ON MATTERS RELATING TO THE CONTROL OF THE EXCHANGE FUND, THE GOVERNMENT WILL SUITABLY EXPAND THE COMMITTEE’S MEMBERSHIP TO INCLUDE ADDITIONAL DISTINGUISHED MEMBERS OF THE FINANCIAL AND RELATED FIELDS.
"THE EXPANDED COMMITTEE WOULD FUNCTION VERY MUCH LIKE A MANAGEMENT BOARD AND IT WOULD MEET MORE FREQUENTLY THAN IS PRESENTLY THE CASE," MR NENDICK SAID.
BANKING ADVISORY COMMITTEE AND DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES ADVISORY COMMITTEE WILL CONTINUE TO PLAY AN ADVISORY ROLE IN MATTERS RELATING TO THE BANKING ORDINANCE AND BANKING SUPERVISION ISSUES.
THE MONETARY AFFAIRS BRANCH, INCLUDING THE FINANCIAL SERVICES DIVISION AND THE SPECIAL UNIT DEALING WITH SECURITIES AND FUTURES MARKETS, WOULD BE RENAMED ON THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE HKMA.
-------- 0 - -------
HK’S POLITICAL DEVELOPMENT OUTLINED *****
THE SIGNING OF THE JOINT DECLARATION IN 1984 INTRODUCED THE NEED FOR SIGNIFICANT DEVELOPMENT OF HONG KONG’S POLITICAL STRUCTURE DURING THE TRANSITION PERIOD, THE ACTING CHIEF SECRETARY, MR BARRIE WIGGHAM, SAID IN VANCOUVER ON WEDNESDAY (OCTOBER 21).
SPEAKING ON "HONG KONG: OUR NEXT FIVE YEARS" AT A BUSINESS LUNCH IN VANCOUVER, MR WIGGHAM TOLD AN AUDIENCE OF 500 REPRESENTATIVES OF THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY THAT FOR MANY HISTORICAL REASONS THERE HAD BEEN LIMITS ON DEMOCRATIC REPRESENTATION IN HONG KONG IN THE PAST.
HE SAID THE JOINT DECLARATION AND THE BASIC LAW SET OUT A FUTURE FOR THE TERRITORY IN WHICH THE LEGISLATURE WOULD BE FULLY AND DEMOCRATICALLY ELECTED.
"THE ISSUE IS NOT WHETHER DEMOCRACY WILL ARRIVE BUT THE PACE AT WHICH IT IS INTRODUCED," MR WIGGHAM SAID.
/HE EMPHASISED
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 22, 1992
3
HE EMPHASISED THAT THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT AND THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT HAD NO DOUBT OF THE BENEFITS OF GREATER DEMOCRACY IN HONG KONG, AND THE COMMUNITY TOO WANTED MORE DEMOCRACY.
HE SAID THEY SHARED THE VIEW ADOPTED IN MOST OF THE WORLD THAT IT WAS THE BEST FOUNDATION FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE AND INDIVIDUAL LIBERTY, AND IT WAS ALSO ESSENTIAL TO PROSPERITY.
"WE ALL KNOW THAT THE RULE OF LAW SUPPORTED BY DEMOCRATIC INSTITUTIONS IS AS ESSENTIAL TO INVESTORS AS TO THE MAN IN THE STREET.
"FOR ALL THESE REASONS, WE ARE CURRENTLY PRESSING CHINA TO AGREE TO MORE DIRECTLY ELECTED SEATS IN THE LEGISLATURE," MR WIGGHAM SAID.
HOWEVER, HE SAID THE COMMUNITY ALSO UNDERSTOOD THAT CONSTITUTIONAL DEVELOPMENT WAS CONSTRAINED BY THE AGREEMENTS REACHED WITH CHINA AND BY THE PUBLIC’S DESIRE FOR A SMOOTH TRANSITION ACROSS "THE 1997 WATERSHED".
"SOME PEOPLE, INCLUDING MANY OUTSIDE HONG KONG, WISH US TO BE MORE HEROIC AND JETTISON THE AGREEMENTS WITH CHINA WHICH PROTECT HONG KONG’S FUTURE.
"THOSE WHO LIVE IN HONG KONG DEMAND A MORE SOPHISTICATED APPROACH IN WHICH WE ACT IN WAYS CONSISTENT WITH THE BASIC LAW BUT NEVERTHELESS MAKE THE MOST OF THE OPPORTUNITIES IT OFFERS," HE SAID.
ON THE NEXT ELECTIONS IN 1995, MR WIGGHAM SAID THE INITIATIVES PROPOSED BY THE GOVERNOR WOULD BE DISCUSSED WITH CHINA AND WITH THE LEGISLATURE, WHICH MUST ULTIMATELY DECIDE ON WHETHER TO ACCEPT THEM.
"IF THE PROPOSALS ARE ACCEPTED, HONG KONG WILL HAVE A POLITICAL SYSTEM IN WHICH THE LEGISLATURE AND LOCAL AUTHORITIES BECOME TRULY REPRESENTATIVE," HE SAID.
LOOKING BEYOND 1997, MR WIGGHAM SAID ONE COULD SEE THE PRINCIPLE OF "ONE CHINA, TWO SYSTEMS" WORKING IN PRACTICE WITH SUCCESS, STABILITY AND PROSPERITY FOR HONG KONG AND CHINA.
IN THAT FUTURE HONG KONG AND VANCOUVER, WHICH WERE LOCATED ON OPPOSITE SIDES OF THE PACIFIC, WOULD SHARE SPECIAL TIES. THEY WOULD BOTH BENEFIT FROM AND CONTRIBUTE TO THE PACIFIC’S ECONOMIC REVOLUTION.
"WE IN HONG KONG ARE NOT YET AS PROSPEROUS AS YOU, BUT BY 1997 OUR PER CAPITA GDP WILL BE AS HIGH AS THAT OF ITALY OR HOLLAND TODAY," HE SAID.
EARLIER IN HIS SPEECH, MR WIGGHAM SET OUT THE MAIN ELEMENTS OF THE GOVERNOR’S POLICY ADDRESS AND EXPLAINED WHY HONG KONG HAD SUCH A BRIGHT FUTURE DESPITE THE INEVITABLE UNCERTAINTIES CREATED BY THE CHANGE IN SOVEREIGNTY IN 1997.
--------0-----------
/4 ........
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 22, 1992
4
HK’S INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT KEY TO ECONOMIC GROWTH
*****
THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT IS DETERMINED TO TAKE AN ACTIVE LEAD IN AREAS WHERE ITS INVOLVEMENT IS NECESSARY TO PROMOTE FURTHER INVESTMENT AND GROWTH, THE DIRECTOR OF THE NEW AIRPORT PROJECTS CO-ORDINATION OFFICE, MR RAFAEL HUI, SAID IN VANCOUVER, CANADA, YESTERDAY (WEDNESDAY).
"ONE OF THESE AREAS IS INFRASTRUCTURE. HERE THE GOVERNMENT HAS ALWAYS TAKEN A LEADING PART IN DEVELOPING LAND RECLAMATIONS, ROADS, RAILWAYS, PORT FACILITIES AND SO ON," HE SAID.
MR HUI WAS ADDRESSING A BUSINESS SEMINAR ORGANISED BY THE HONG KONG TRADE DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL IN VANCOUVER AS PART OF THE FESTIVAL HONG KONG ’92.
IN HIS SPEECH ON "OPPORTUNITIES FOR INFRASTRUCTURAL DEVELOPMENTS IN HONG KONG", MR HUI ALSO OUTLINED PROGRESS ON THE AIRPORT CORE PROGRAMME (ACP).
"OVER THE PAST 10 YEARS, FOR EXAMPLE, THE GOVERNMENT’S EXPENDITURE ON PUBLIC WORKS HAS, ON AVERAGE, TAKEN UP ABOUT 20 PER CENT OF TOTAL ANNUAL GOVERNMENT EXPENDITURE, OR THREE TO FOUR PER CENT OF THE GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT (GDP).
"IN 1992/93, THE EXPENDITURE IS EXPECTED TO REACH HKS28.2 BILLION, REPRESENTING 23.3 PER CENT OF THE ESTIMATED GOVERNMENT EXPENDITURE OR 2.9 PER CENT OF THE ESTIMATED GDP.
"IT IS ENVISAGED THAT THE INVESTMENT LEVEL WILL GROW FURTHER IN THE NEXT 10 YEARS WITH THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE AIRPORT CORE PROJECTS," HE SAID.
MR HUI STRESSED THAT SUCH HEAVY INFRASTRUCTURE INVESTMENT WAS ESSENTIAL TO THE LONG-TERM ECONOMIC WELL-BEING OF HONG KONG.
"WITHOUT IT, ECONOMIC GROWTH WILL SLOW DOWN AND BUSINESSES WILL DECLINE OR MOVE ELSEWHERE. THAT IN TURN WILL AFFECT THE GOVERNMENT’S REVENUES AND THEREFORE ITS ABILITY TO PROVIDE SOCIAL SERVICES IN A SOCIETY WHICH EXPECTS THE GOVERNMENT TO CARE,” HE SAID.
AS INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS ARE SO LARGE, IT IS OFTEN NECESSARY FOR THE GOVERNMENT TO TAKE A LEAD, MR HUI SAID.
"BUT THE PRIVATE SECTOR ALSO PLAYS A VERY IMPORTANT ROLE, AS YOU WOULD EXPECT IN A PLACE WHICH THRIVES ON BUSINESS,” HE SAID.
TAKING SOME OF HONG KONG’S MAJOR INFRASTRUCTURAL DEVELOPMENTS AS EXAMPLES, MR HUI SAID THESE DEMONSTRATED BOTH THE LEAD GIVEN BY THE GOVERNMENT AND THE OPPORTUNITIES THAT THIS OPENED UP FOR THE PRIVATE SECTOR.
/THESE DEVELOPMENTS .......
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 22, 1992 5
THESE DEVELOPMENTS INCLUDED THE CONTAINER PORT WHICH ANNUALLY VIED WITH SINGAPORE FOR THE CROWN OF BEING THE WORLD’S LARGEST, THE ROAD TUNNELS THAT TOOK HIGHWAYS THROUGH THE MANY HILLS OF HONG KONG, THREE RAILWAY SYSTEMS OPERATED BY TWO PUBLIC CORPORATIONS WHOLLY OWNED BY THE GOVERNMENT BUT RUN ON PRUDENT COMMERCIAL PRINCIPLES, AND THE EIGHT NEW TOWN DEVELOPMENTS WHICH WOULD UTIMATELY HOUSE 3.3 MILLION PEOPLE.
LOOKING TO THE FUTURE, MR HUI SAID APART FROM THE ACP, A NUMBER OF IMPORTANT INFRASTRUCTURAL DEVELOPMENTS WOULD ALSO BE TAKING PLACE IN THE COMING YEARS.
THESE INCLUDED THE THREE TERMINALS AT THE CONTAINER PORT, A HK$14 BILLION HIGHWAY CALLED ROUTE 3 WHICH WOULD EXTEND NORTHWARDS TO OPEN UP THE NORTHWESTERN NEW TERRITORIES THROUGH TO THE CHINESE BORDER AND A NEW MAJOR 10-YEAR SEWAGE STRATEGY COSTING HK$17.8 BILLION TO TACKLE WATER POLLUTION.
ALSO INCLUDED WAS A SOLID WASTE DISPOSAL PROGRAMME COSTING A TOTAL CAPITAL INVESTMENT OF HK$4.8 BILLION PLUS AN ANNUAL OPERATION COST OF HKS660 MILLION.
TURNING TO THE ACP, MR HUI SAID THE PROGRAMME CONSISTED OF 10 INFRASTRUCTURAL PROJECTS COSTING AN ESTIMATED HK$112 BILLION AT 1991 PRICES, ALL TO BE BUILT IN FIVE YEARS FROM 1992.
SEVEN OF THE 10 PROJECTS WOULD BE FUNDED BY THE GOVERNMENT AS PUBLIC WORKS PROJECTS, WHILE THE REMAINING THREE - THE NEW AIRPORT, THE AIRPORT RAILWAY AND THE WESTERN HARBOUR CROSSING - WERE BEING OPENED TO PRIVATE SECTOR INVESTMENT IN VARYING WAYS.
MR HUI SAID OF THE 61 GOVERNMENT-FUNDED CONTRACTS IN THE ACP, 18 COSTING MORE THAN HK$19 BILLION HAD BEEN LET, ALL AT PRICES BELOW PROJECT ESTIMATES.
"ONE MORE GOVERNMENT WORKS CONTRACT IS EXPECTED TO BE LET BY THE END OF 1992 AND, JUDGING BY THE TENDERS RECEIVED, THE CONTRACT PRICE IS AGAIN EXPECTED TO BE WITHIN PROJECT ESTIMATES.
"THESE 19 CONTRACTS REPRESENT ABOUT 50 PER CENT OF THE TOTAL VALUE OF GOVERNMENT-FUNDED WORKS CONTRACTS IN THE ACP, OR ABOUT 32 PER CENT OF THE TOTAL COST OF GOVERNMENT-FUNDED PROJECTS IN THE ACP," HE SAID.
MR HUI STRESSED THAT THERE WOULD BE PLENTY OF OPPORTUNITIES FOR CANADIAN COMPANIES TO BE INVOLVED IN HONG KONG’S INFRASTRUCTURAL DEVELOPMENTS IN THE YEARS TO COME.
"I DO ENCOURAGE YOU TO CONTINUE TO COMPETE BECAUSE WE WELCOME ALL THE INTERNATIONAL EXPERTISE WE CAN GET AND WE OPERATE ON AN OPEN AND LEVEL-PLAYING FIELD," HE SAID.
------0-------
/6 ........
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 22, 1992
- 6
HK FESTIVAL IN CANADA A GREAT SUCCESS *****
THE MONTH-LONG FESTIVAL HONG KONG *92 IN CANADA, THE LARGEST OVERSEAS PROMOTION EVER LAUNCHED BY THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT, HAS BEEN WELL RECEIVED THROUGHOUT THE CANADIAN COMMUNITY.
IN PARTICULAR, VANCOUVER CITY MAYOR GORDON CAMPBELL HAS DECLARED OCTOBER "HONG KONG MONTH" IN VANCOUVER.
AT A SPECIAL DINNER TO THANK THE WORKERS, SUPPORTERS AND SPONSORS, SECRETARY FOR RECREATION AND CULTURE AND CHAIRMAN OF FESTIVAL HONG KONG ’92, MR JAMES SO, SAID HE WAS OVERWHELMED BY THE WARM AND ENTHUSIASTIC RESPONSE OF THE LOCAL COMMUNITIES AT ALL LEVELS TO THE FESTIVAL.
THE FESTIVAL HAS BEEN A GREAT SUCCESS IN BUILDING BRIDGES BETWEEN OUR TWO COMMUNITIES AND IN STRENGTHENING TIES AND IMPROVING UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN HONG KONG AND CANADA," HE SAID.
HE HOPED THAT PEOPLE IN HONG KONG AND CANADA WOULD CONTINUE TO WORK ON THESE TIES AND RELATIONSHIPS TO ENSURE THAT THE BENEFITS OF THE FESTIVAL WOULD BE LASTING.
AMONG SENIOR GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS PRESENT AT THE DINNER WERE CANADA'S SECRETARY OF STATE FOR EXTERNAL AFFAIRS, MS BARBARA MCDOUGALL, AND HONG KONG’S ACTING CHIEF SECRETARY, MR BARRIE WIGGHAM.
ON WEDNESDAY, FESTIVAL ACTIVITIES CONTINUED. ON THE BUSINESS FRONT, MORE THAN 450 MEMBERS OF THE LOCAL BUSINESS COMMUNITY IN THE MORNING JOINED A PANEL OF DISTINGUISHED HONG KONG AND CANADIAN BUSINESS LEADERS TO EXPLORE BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES IN HONG KONG.
IN THE AFTERNOON, REPRESENTATIVES FROM CANADIAN COMPANIES WHICH WERE LOOKING TO ENTER THE COMPETITIVE ASIAN MARKET ATTENDED A WORKSHOP ON HONG KONG’S NEW AIRPORT AND RELATED PROJECTS WHICH DEMANDED ARCHITECTURE, ENGINEERING, CONSTRUCTION, MATERIALS SUPPLY, ELECTRONICS, TELECOMMUNICATIONS, CONSULTING AND MANAGEMENT EXPERTISE.
ON THE CULTURAL FRONT, AN URBAN COUNCIL DELEGATION LED BY CHAIRMAN DR RONALD LEUNG HELD A MEETING WITH VANCOUVER CITY COUNCILLORS TO EXCHANGE VIEWS ON MATTERS OF MUTUAL INTEREST SUCH AS CITY PLANNING, HERITAGE PRESERVATION AND WASTE MANAGEMENT.
BEFORE THE MEETING, DR LEUNG PRESENTED TO THE VANCOUVER PUBLIC LIBRARY ON BEHALF OF THE COUNCIL A LARGE REPRODUCTION OF AN HISTORICAL PAINTING ON HONG KONG HARBOUR, WHICH WAS RECEIVED BY VANCOUVER CITY MAYOR GORDON CAMPBELL.
EARLIER, A REGIONAL COUNCIL DELEGATION LED BY CHAIRMAN MR CHEUNG YAN-LUNG TOURED AN EXHIBITION OF "THE ART OF CHINESE THEATRE" BEING HELD AT VANCOUVER MUSEUM.
THE EXHIBITION PICTURES, MANUSCRIPTS,
FEATURED DISPLAYS OF COSTUMES AND MODELS.
PHOTOGRAPH,
HISTORICAL
- - 0---------
/7.........
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 22, 1992
7
BARRIE WIGGHAM SPENDS A BUSY DAY IN VANCOUVER
* * * * *
THE ACTING CHIEF SECRETARY, MR BARRIE WIGGHAM, HAD A BUSY DAY ON WEDNESDAY IN VANCOUVER, ATTENDING VARIOUS FESTIVAL HONG KONG ’92 ACTIVITIES.
IN THE MORNING, MR WIGGHAM, ACCOMPANIED BY SECRETARY FOR RECREATION AND CULTURE, MR JAMES SO, VISITED GRAY BEVERAGE INC, WHICH IS CANADA'S LARGEST PRIVATELY OWNED SOFT-DRINK MANUFACTURER AND DISTRIBUTOR.
HE TOURED THE FACILITIES AND WAS BRIEFED ON THE OPERATION OF THE MANUFACTURING PLANT BY THE OWNER, MR DAVID HO, WHO IS A FORMER HONG KONG RESIDENT.
MR WIGGHAM GAVE A KEYNOTE ADDRESS ON RECENT DEVELOPMENTS IN HONG KONG AND THE OUTLOOK FOR THE NEXT FIVE YEARS AT A LUNCHEON MEETING WHICH WAS ATTENDED BY MORE THAN 450 MEMBERS OF THE LOCAL BUSINESS COMMUNITY.
IN THE AFTERNOON, HE VISITED A "HAKKA ARCHITECTURE" EXHIBITION BEING HELD AT THE MUSEUM OF ANTHROPOLOGY, UNIVERSITY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA.
HE LATER OFFICIATED AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF HANG SENG BANK'S CHINESE COINS AND CURRENCIES EXHIBITION AT THE ASIAN CENTRE OF THE UNIVERSITY.
HE THEN ATTENDED A "THANK-YOU" DINNER FOR FESTIVAL ORGANISERS, SPONSORS AND VOLUNTEERS, DURING WHICH HE PRESENTED RECOGNITION SOUVENIR TO REPRESENTATIVES OF THE FEDERAL AND CITY GOVERNMENTS, ORGANISING COMMITTEE CHAIRMEN AND CO-ORGANISERS.
MR WIGGHAM IS DUE TO LEAVE VANCOUVER ON THURSDAY AFTERNOON FOR HONG KONG.
--------0-----------
TRAVEL AGENT LICENSING FEES TO BE REVISED
*****
THE TRAVEL AGENTS' LICENSING AND RELATED FEES WILL BE REVISED WITH EFFECT FROM JANUARY 1 NEXT YEAR, A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (THURSDAY).
THE REVISED FEES ARE SUMMARISED AS FOLLOWS:
LAST
NEW RATE REVISED ON EXISTING
* APPLICATION FOR A LICENCE $520 1.2.91 $400
/* A LICENCE .......
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 22, 1992
8
* A LICENCE OR THE RENEWAL OF A LICENCE (FOR EACH MONTH OF THE TERM) $400 1.2.91 $310
* AMENDING A LICENCE
- FOR AN ADDITIONAL ADDRESS, FOR EACH NEW PREMISES $550 1.1.90 $400
- OTHERWISE $130 1.1.90 $90
* ISSUING A DUPLICATE OF A LICENCE $760 1.1.90 $560
* INSPECTING THE REGISTER OR ANY PART THEREOF $30 1.1.90 $20
* ISSUING OR SUPPLYING A COPY OF OR EXTRACT FROM ANY ENTRY IN THE REGISTER $30 1.1.90 $20
* CERTIFYING A COPY OF OR $70 1.1.90 $50
EXTRACT FROM ANY ENTRY IN THE REGISTER
"MOST OF THESE FEES HAVE NOT BEEN ADJUSTED FOR MORE THAN TWO YEARS IN VIEW OF THE MORATORIUM ON FEE INCREASES, WHICH EXPIRED EARLIER THIS YEAR," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
"THEY ARE SUBJECT TO REGULAR REVIEW AND THE REVISED RATES ARE SET TO RECOVER INCREASED COSTS IN PROVIDING THE SERVICE," HE ADDED.
REVENUE FROM THE REVISED FEES WILL RECOVER ABOUT 70 PER CENT OF THE TOTAL OPERATING COSTS OF THE REGISTRY OF TRAVEL AGENTS.
THE REMAINING 30 PER CENT ARE INCURRED FOR THE PERFORMANCE OF OTHER NON-LICENSING FUNCTIONS WHICH ARE ALSO FOR THE PROTECTION OF THE PUBLIC.
ON THE ADVICE OF THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON TRAVEL AGENTS, THE COMMENCEMENT DATE HAS BEEN DEFERRED FROM OCTOBER 1 TO
JANUARY 1, 1993 TO ALLOW SUFFICIENT ADVANCE NOTICE FOR THE TRAVEL
AGENTS TO ADJUST.
THE REVISED FEES ARE SET OUT IN THE TRAVEL AGENTS (AMENDMENT) REGULATION 1992 TO BE GAZETTED ON NEXT FRIDAY (OCTOBER 30).
---------0-----------
/9 ........
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 22, 1992
51 LEGCO MEMBERS DEBATE POLICY ADDRESS
A TOTAL OF 51 MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL SPOKE IN A DEBATE ON THE GOVERNOR'S POLICY ADDRESS AT A TWO-DAY MEETING OF THE COUNCIL WHICH ENDED TODAY (THURSDAY).
TWENTY-THREE OF THEM SPOKE YESTERDAY AND 28 TODAY ON A MOTION MOVED BY THE HON MRS ELSIE TU. THE MOTION READ: "THAT THIS COUNCIL THANKS THE GOVERNOR FOR HIS ADDRESS.”
GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS WILL REPLY TO THE POINTS RAISED WHEN THE DEBATE RESUMES NEXT WEDNESDAY (OCTOBER 28).
- - 0 - -
SEMINAR ON COURT REPORTING FOR JOURNALISTS
*****
NEWS REPORTERS, EDITORS AND JOURNALISM STUDENTS ARE WELCOME TO PARTICIPATE IN A TWO-HOUR SEMINAR ON COURT REPORTING THIS SATURDAY (OCTOBER 24) MORNING AT THE CONFERENCE ROOM, NEW ANNEXE, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE COMMITTEE ON THE PROMOTION OF CIVIC EDUCATION (CPCE), ORGANISER OF THE EVENT, SAID TODAY (THURSDAY): "THE SEMINAR AIMS TO PROVIDE BOTH PRACTICAL AND THEORETICAL GUIDELINES TO JOURNALISTS IN REPORTING COURT CASES."
"BECAUSE OF THE IMMENSE INFLUENCE THE MASS MEDIA HAS ON THE PUBLIC, FAIR AND ACCURATE COURT CASE REPORTS WILL HELP AROUSE PEOPLE’S AWARENESS OF THE IMPORTANCE OF THE RULE OF LAW.
"IT IS ALSO HOPED THAT THE REPORTERS COULD BE ENCOURAGED TO GIVE MORE COVERAGE OF COURT CASES IN THE TERRITORY," HE ADDED.
THREE CPCE MEMBERS, ALL WITH LEGAL BACKGROUND, WILL SPEAK ON TOPICS SUCH AS CONTEMPT OF COURT, DEFAMATION AND COURT PROCEEDINGS.
THEY ARE CONVENOR OF THE AD HOC COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC EDUCATION OF THE RULE OF LAW, MR WALTER CHAN; A HONG KONG UNIVERSITY LECTURER IN LAW, MR JOHANNES CHAN; AND A CO-OPTED MEMBER OF THE AD HOC COMMITTEE, MR LUDWIG NG.
LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLOR MR SIMON IP WILL OFFICIATE AT THE OPENING CEREMONY AT 10 AM. DIRECTOR OF INFORMATION SERVICES, MRS IRENE YAU, WILL PRESENT SOUVENIRS TO MR IP AND HONG KONG JOURNALIST ASSOCIATION.
- - 0 - -
/10
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 22, 1992
10 -
THE CPCE HAS SET THE PROMOTION OF THE RULE OF LAW AS ONE OF ITS WORK THEMES FOR THE CURRENT YEAR. THE OTHER WILL BE ON HUMAN RIGHTS.
ATTENTION NEWS EDITORS:
YOUR REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER THE SEMINAR WHICH BEGINS AT 10 AM AT THE CONFERENCE ROOM, FIRST FLOOR, NEW ANNEXE, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, LOWER ALBERT ROAD, HONG KONG.
---------0-----------
SUSTAINED EFFORTS TO PROTECT COUNTRYSIDE
*****
THE GOVERNMENT WILL CONTINUE ITS EFFORT IN PLANTING AND MANAGING TREES IN THE COUNTRYSIDE FOR THE ENJOYMENT OF RESIDENTS AND FUTURE GENERATION.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT’S SENIOR CONSERVATION OFFICER, MR MARTIN LEUNG, WHEN HE ADDRESSED A LUNCHEON OF THE Y’S MEN’S CLUB OF HONG KONG TODAY (THURSDAY).
NOTING THAT TREE MANAGEMENT WAS AN IMPORTANT PART IN COUNTRYSIDE CONSERVATION, MR LEUNG CALLED ON COMMUNITY ORGANISATIONS AND MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC TO CONTINUE THEIR SUPPORT FOR THE GOVERNMENT’S TREE PLANTING AND CARING ACTIVITIES.
OVER THE PAST 35 YEARS, VARIOUS ANNUAL ACTIVITIES HAVE BEEN ORGANISED BY THE DEPARTMENT TO INVOLVE THE GENERAL PUBLIC IN TREE PLANTING WORK. LAST YEAR, MORE THAN 22,000 RESIDENTS PARTICIPATED IN THE ACTIVITIES.
"LET US JOIN HANDS TO MAKE OUR COUNTRYSIDE GREEN, BEAUTIFUL AND PRODUCTIVE SO AS TO MEET THE OBJECTIVES OF THE WORLD CONSERVATION STRATEGY," HE SAID.
ON GOVERNMENT’S EFFORT IN AFFORESTATION, MR LEUNG POINTED OUT THAT IT STARTED IN THE NEW TERRITORIES ABOUT THE TURN OF THE CENTURY TO PROTECT THE HILLSIDES, AND TO PROVIDE FUEL AND SMALL TIMBER FOR LOCAL RESIDENTS.
THIS RESULTED IN A GOOD TREE COVER BY 1940. HOWEVER, THE FORESTRY WORK WAS WASTED DURING A WAR BETWEEN 1940 AND 1945, WHEN THE DEMAND FOR FIREWOOD LED TO WIDESPREAD CUTTING OF TREES AND STRIPPING OF HILLS.
"SHORTLY AFTER THE SECOND WORLD WAR, REAFFORESTATION BY BROADCASTING OF PINE SEEDS WAS CARRIED OUT TO REVEGETATE THE BARREN HILLS.
/’•STRICT PROTECTION
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 22, 1992
11
"STRICT PROTECTION WAS INSTITUTED TO STOP ILLEGAL WOODCUTTING SO THAT TREES COULD REGENERATE NATURALLY," HE SAID.
THE YEAR 1953 SAW THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL APPROVE A NEW FORESTRY POLICY ENABLING AFFORESTATION AND AMENITY PLANTING TO BE STEPPED UP TO PROTECT WATER CATCHMENT AREAS AND IMPROVE ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY.
IN THE FOLLOWING YEARS, FOREST PLANTATIONS EXPANDED RAPIDLY. MOST OF THE WATER CATCHMENT AREAS AND HILL SLOPES OF THE TERRITORY WERE AFFORESTED. THE MAJOR TREE SPECIES PLANTED WERE ACACIA, BRISBANE BOX AND SLASH PINE.
MR LEUNG SAID THE RAPID INCREASE IN POPULATION IN THE EARLY 1950’S HAD PROMPTED THE GOVERNMENT TO INTRODUCE THE POLICY OF DEVELOPING AND MANAGING THE COUNTRYSIDE FOR CONSERVATION AND RECREATION ABOUT 10 YEARS LATER.
SINCE THE 1970’S, GREATER EMPHASIS HAD BEEN PLACED ON PLANTING FOR NATURE CONSERVATION AND AMENITY PURPOSES.
"MORE INDIGENOUS TREE SPECIES, INCLUDING SCHIMA, MACHILAS AND OAK, WERE USED IN MASSIVE PLANTING.
"RARE TREES, SUCH AS KOTELEERIA, NATIVE CAMELLIAS AND BALD CYPRESS WERE ALSO PLANTED TO REPLENISH THEIR LIMITED STOCK IN THE WILD, THEREBY HELPING TO IMPROVE THE NATURALNESS AND SPECIES DIVERSITY OF THE PLANTATIONS," HE SAID.
SINCE THE ESTABLISHMENT OF COUNTRY PARKS IN 1976, THE WOODLANDS AND SCENIC HILLS HAVE ASSUMED A NEW AND IMPORTANT ROLE AS A PRIME RECREATIONAL AND RESTING PLACE FOR THE URBAN POPULATION.
"PLANTATION IN COUNTRY PARKS ARE NOW MANAGED FOR THE PURPOSES OF MAINTAINING THE WATER CATCHMENTS IN GOOD PHYSICAL CONDITION, PROVIDING RECREATIONAL AND EDUCATIONAL FACILITIES FOR URBAN DWELLERS AND OFFERING NATURAL HABITATS FOR NUMEROUS WILD PLANTS AND ANIMALS," HE ADDED.
------0----------
PROMISING FUTURE FOR LEATHER GOODS TRADE
*****
THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR-GENERAL OF TRADE, MR JOHN TSANG, SAID TODAY (THURSDAY) THAT HONG KONG’S LEATHER GOODS TRADE HAD AN EXTREMELY GOOD POTENTIAL TO EXPAND FURTHER IN FUTURE YEARS.
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE HONG KONG INTERNATIONAL FOOTWEAR AND LEATHER GOODS FAIR 1992, HE TOLD AN AUDIENCE OF INTERNATIONAL TRADERS THAT HONG KONG’S LEATHER PRODUCTS, IN PARTICULAR LEATHER GARMENTS, HAD SUCCESSFULLY PENETRATED A NUMBER OF NEW AND TRADITIONALLY DIFFICULT MARKETS, INCLUDING JAPAN.
/"AS YOU .......
THRUSDAY, OCTOBER 22, 1992
12
"AS YOU KNOW, HONG KONG IS WELL KNOWN FOR ITS ABILITY TO ADAPT TO THE CHANGING FASHION TRENDS.
"WE HAVE IN RECENT YEARS ACQUIRED A FINE REPUTATION FOR DESIGNING AND PRODUCING QUALITY FINISHED LEATHER PRODUCTS.
"OUR TOTAL EXPORT OF SOME $20 BILLION IN 1991 IS THE MOST FITTING TESTIMONY OF OUR SUCCESS," HE SAID.
TURNING TO FOOTWEAR INDUSTRY IN HONG KONG, MR TSANG SAID A LARGE NUMBER OF ESTABLISHMENTS HAD SHIFTED THEIR PRODUCTION BASE ACROSS THE BORDER TO THE NORTH, AND AT THE SAME TIME, INCREASED THEIR PRODUCTION CAPABILITY SIGNIFICANTLY.
"AS A RESULT, HONG KONG HAS EMERGED AS AN IMPORTANT ENTREPOT FOR FOOTWEAR WITH A TOTAL EXPORT VALUE OF SOME $24 BILLION," HE SAID.
HE REMINDED VISITORS TO THE TRADE FAIR THAT HONG KONG, WITH ITS POPULATION OF SIX MILLION AND ANOTHER SIX MILLION OF TOURISTS VISITING THE TERRITORY EACH YEAR, WAS INDEED A POTENT MARKET FOR QUALITY AND WELL-DESIGNED SHOES OF THE WORLD.
THE FOUR-DAY TRADE FAIR, HELD AT THE HONG KONG CONVENTION AND EXHIBITION CENTRE, HAS ATTRACTED 350 EXHIBITORS FROM SOME 21 COUNTRIES TO PARTICIPATE.
MORE THAN 12,000 VISITORS FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD ARE EXPECTED TO TAKE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO CONSOLIDATE OLD BUSINESS CONTACTS AND EXPLORING NEW ONES.
------0--------
MORE IMPORTANT ROLE FOR KAIFONG ASSOCIATIONS * * * * *
KAIFONG ASSOCIATIONS WILL PLAY A MORE IMPORTANT ROLE IN THE PROMOTION OF DISTRICT AFFAIRS IN THE DAYS AHEAD, THE REGIONAL SECRETARY FOR HONG KONG AND KOWLOON, MR PAUL WONG, SAID THIS EVENING (THURSDAY).
SPEAKING AT A DINNER RECEPTION TO CELEBRATE THE 43RD KAIFONG ASSOCIATION FESTIVAL, MR WONG SAID NOWADAYS KAIFONG ASSOCIATIONS NOT ONLY PROMOTED THE WELL-BEING OF THE PEOPLE, BUT ALSO HELPED IN COMMUNITY BUILDING, FOSTERING A SENSE OF BELONGING AMONG RESIDENTS AND REFLECTING THE VIEWS OF THE RESIDENTS TO THE GOVERNMENT.
HE POINTED OUT THAT THE GOVERNOR HAD PROPOSED IN HIS POLICY ADDRESS AN INCREASE IN THE POWER AND THE BUDGETS OF THE DISTRICT BOARDS.
THIS ALSO MEANT A MORE "DECISIVE ROLE" FOR KAIFONG ASSOCIATIONS IN DISTRICT MATTERS BECAUSE OF THEIR CLOSE RELATIONSHIP WITH THE ADVISORY BODIES, HE SAID.
/ADDITIONALLY, THE .......
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 22, 1992
13
ADDITIONALLY, THE PROPOSED EXPANSION OF FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCY SEATS WOULD RESULT IN A SUBSTANTIAL INCREASE IN THE NUMBER OF VOTERS. THIS WOULD FURTHER STRENGTHEN THE STATUS OF KAIFONG ASSOCIATIONS BECAUSE OF THEIR CLOSE CONTACTS WITH THE PUBLIC, HE ADDED.
MR WONG ALSO EXPRESSED CONFIDENCE THAT KAIFONG ASSOCIATIONS WOULD CONTINUE THEIR CLOSE CO-OPERATION WITH THE DISTRICT BOARDS IN REFLECTING PUBLIC VIEWS AND ENCOURAGING MORE VOTERS TO CAST THEIR BALLOTS.
- - 0 - -
CAUSEWAY BAY ARTS CARNIVAL * * * * *
A MIX OF WESTERN AND ORIENTAL CULTURAL PERFORMANCES WILL BE LINED UP AT AN ARTS CARNIVAL IN CAUSEWAY BAY CENTRAL AREA ON SUNDAY (OCTOBER 25).
ORGANISED BY THE WAN CHAI FESTIVAL ORGANISING COMMITTEE OF THE DISTRICT BOARD, THE CARNIVAL WILL BE HELD FROM NOON TO 5.30 PM.
AT THE SECTION OF PATERSON STREET BETWEEN KINGSTON STREET AND GREAT GEORGE STREET, FRINGE CLUB ARTISTS WILL PERFORM STILTS-WALKING, A CLOWN MIME SHOW AND A "MASK THEATRE".
SEVERAL PERFORMING GROUPS WILL PRESENT GOLDEN OLDIES MUSIC, CHINESE MUSIC AND WESTERN FOLK DANCES. POP SINGERS WILL ALSO GIVE RENDITIONS OF POP-CHART HITS.
BOTH RESIDENTS AND HOLIDAY SHOPPERS ARE WELCOME TO JOIN THE CARNIVAL, ADMISSION TO WHICH IS FREE.
SPONSORED BY THE DISTRICT BOARD, THE CARNIVAL IS CO-ORGANISED BY THE CAUSEWAY BAY CENTRAL AREA COMMITTEE WITH HELP FROM THE WAN CHAI DISTRICT OFFICE.
ENQUIRIES ON THE CARNIVAL CAN BE MADE ON 835 2003.
ATTENTION NEWS EDITORS:
YOUR REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER THE CAUSEWAY BAY CENTRAL ARTS CARNIVAL TO BE HELD FROM 12.15 PM TO 5.30 PM ON SUNDAY (OCTOBER 25) AT PATERSON STREET (BETWEEN KINGSTON STREET AND GREAT GEORGE STREET), CAUSEWAY BAY.
- - 0 - -
/14
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 22, 1992
14
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS *****
$ MILLION
OPENING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT 2,700
REVERSAL OF LAF -1,200
BALANCE AFTER REVERSAL OF LAF 1,500
NET INJECTION/WITHDRAWAL TODAY NIL
EFFECT OF LAF TODAY +280
CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT 1,780
LAF RATE 2.00 BID/4.00 OFFER TWI 111.5 *+0.0» 22.10.92
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND
EF BILLS HONG KONG GOVERNMENT BONDS
TERMS YIELD TERM ISSUE COUPON PRICE YIELD
1 WEEK 2.81 PCT 13 MONTHS 2311 6.25 102.34 4.04
1 MONTH 3.19 PCT 16 MONTHS 2402 5.50 101.53 4.34
3 MONTHS 3.30 PCT 19 MONTHS 2405 5.502 101.57 4.50
6 MONTHS 3.50 PCT 22 MONTHS 2408 4.375 99.67 4.61
12 ! MONTHS 3.94 PCT
TOTAL TURNOVER OF BILLS AND BONDS - 14,466 MN
CLOSED 22 OCTOBER 1992
------0-------
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 23, 1992
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
SPEECH BY THE GOVERNOR, THE RT HON CHRISTOPHER PATTEN, AT THE FREEDOM FORUM DINNER HELD IN THE REGENT HOTEL TODAY (FRIDAY) .... 1
OBLIGATION TO KEEP WORK ON AIRPORT GOING: GOVERNOR ................ 8
TRANSCRIPT OF THE GOVERNOR'S PRESS CONFERENCE HELD IN BEIJING TODAY (FRIDAY) ...................................................... 9
GOVT-LEGCO COMMITTED A FORUM FOR DISCUSSIONS ...................... 15
ANOTHER AIRPORT CORE PROGRAMME CONTRACT AWARDED ................... 16
RETIREMENT PROTECTION PROPOSALS ANNOUNCED ......................... 16
TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT SYSTEM FOR NEW AIRPORT LAND LINK ............... 19
DIRECTOR OF MARINE ORDERS INQUIRY INTO SHIP COLLISION ............. 20
BANKING LICENCE GRANTED TO HYAKUJUSHI BANK ........................ 20
RECLAMATION AND LANDFILLING WORKS AT NIM WAN ...................... 21
DIRECTOR OF TERRITORY DEVELOPMENT LEAVES FOR SPANISH CONFERENCE ... 21
OBJECTIVES OF METHADONE TREATMENT PROGRAMME EXPLAINED ............. 22
NEW SEWAGE PIPELINE IN TOLO HARBOUR ............................... 24
GOVT REVISES CONTRIBUTION TO TAVA SCHEME .......................... 24
FORESTS AND COUNTRYSIDE ORDINANCE TO BE UPDATED ................... 25
NEW CHARGES AT AIRPORT CAR PARKS .................................. 26
PROPOSED ROAD CLOSURE IN TIN WAN ESTATE ........................... 27
YUK YAT STREET EXTENSION PROPOSED ................................. 27
HANDOVER OF NEW POLICE LAUNCH ..................................... 28
273 VMS GO HOME ................................................... 29
GOVERNOR TO BRIEF LEGCO ON CHINA VISIT ............................ 29
TENDERS INVITED FOR CAR PARKING MANAGEMENT SYSTEM ................. 29
CIVIL AID SERVICES TO OPEN TSEUNG KWAN O OFFICES .................. 30
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS ........ 30
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 23, 1992
1
SPEECH BY THE GOVERNOR, THE RT HON CHRISTOPHER PATTEN, AT THE FREEDOM FORUM DINNER HELD IN THE REGENT HOTEL TODAY (FRIDAY) *****
CHAIRMAN, THAT’S THE FIRST TIME I’VE BEEN TALLER THAN MY PREDECESSOR FOR MANY YEARS. THANK YOU VERY MUCH INDEED.
I WAS IMMENSELY GRATEFUL TO YOU FOR DESCRIBING ME AS THE MAIN NEWS STORY OF THE WEEK. NORMALLY, THAT ACCOLADE GOES TO MY DAUGHTERS. I WAS ALSO GRATEFUL TO YOU FOR REFERRING TO MY PAST, AND IN PARTICULAR TO THE ACCIDENTAL WAY THAT I GOT INTO POLITICS VIA THE CAMPAIGN OF JOHN LINDSAY IN 1965, IN NEW YORK, WHICH SAVED ME FROM THE BBC, OR THE BBC FROM ME. I ALWAYS REMEMBER THAT MY MAIN JOB IN THAT CAMPAIGN WAS TO COVER THE CONSERVATIVE - THOUGH I SAY VERY QUICKLY, IT’S NOT THE SAME AS A BRITISH CONSERVATIVE - THE CONSERVATIVE CANDIDATE IN NEW YORK, MR WILLIAM BUCKLEY. AND BUCKLEY OFFERED, I THINK, DURING THAT CAMPAIGN, ALMOST THE BEST ADVICE I’VE EVER HEARD FOR A WINNER TN AN ELECTION. ASKED, DURING THE CAMPAIGN, WHAT HE WOULD DO, IMPROBABLY, IF HE WERE TO WIN AND BECOME MAYOR OF NEW YORK, HE REPLIED, QUICK AS A FLASH: "I’D DEMAND A RECOUNT." ANYWAY, THAT WAS MY INTRODUCTION TO POLITICS, AND I GUESS INDIRECTLY, IS WHY I STAND IN FRONT OF YOU THIS EVENING.
I WAS ALSO VERY GRATEFUL FOR THE TRIBUTES THAT YOU READ OUT, PARTICULARLY THE TRIBUTE FROM THE NEW CHINA NEWS AGENCY. I HAVE TO SAY THAT THE DAY THAT SOMETHING FROM THE NEW CHINA NEWS AGENCY ABOUT ME SOUNDS FLATTERING, WILL BE THE DAY WHEN I START TO WORRY A LITTLE BIT. BUT MAYBE THINGS WILL GET BETTER AND MAYBE THINGS WILL IMPROVE, AND MAYBE ONE DAY I’LL ENJOY AN ENCOMIUM FRpM THAT BASTION OF A FREE PRESS.
IF ANY OF YOU HAVE READ THE NEWSPAPERS, OR WATCHED THE TELEVISION OR LISTENED TO THE RADIO IN THE LAST FEW DAYS, YOU MAY HAVE NOTICED THAT I’VE BEEN IN PEKING. MY MAIN PURPOSE IN PEKING WAS TO SET OUT FOR CHINESE OFFICIALS, AND TO DISCUSS WITH CHINESE OFFICIALS, MY PROPOSALS FOR SAFEGUARDING THE PROSPERITY, THE STABILITY, THE WAY OF LIFE, THE HUMAN RIGHTS, OF HONG KONG, BOTH BEFORE AND AFTER 1997.
HONG KONG IS OFTEN SPOKEN OF IN INTENSELY MATERIALISTIC TERMS, AND MAYBE THAT’S NOT ALTOGETHER SURPRISING. HONG KONG IS ONE OF THE GREATEST, ONE OF THE MOST SPECTACULAR, ECONOMIC SUCCESS STORIES IN THE LAST CENTURY. THIS IS A COMMUNITY WHICH HAS PULLED ITSELF UP BY ITS OWN BOOTSTRAPS IN THE LAST 40 OR 50 YEARS, SO THAT TODAY, IN TERMS OF TRADE WITH THE REST OF THE WORLD, THIS IS THE TENTH MOST IMPORTANT COMMUNITY GOING. IF WE CAST OURSELVES FORWARD TO 1997, THEN WE SEE OURSELVES OVERTAKING LARGE NUMBERS OF THE OECD, BOTH IN TERMS OF OUR INCOME PER HEAD AND IN TERMS OF OUR TRADING COMPETITIVENESS. >.
IT’S A COMMUNITY WHICH WILL HAVE A KEY ROLE IN THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OF ASIA IN GENERAL, AND CHINA IN PARTICULAR. I DON’T THINK IT’S AN EXAGGERATION TO SEE HONG KONG PLAYING, IN RELATION TO THE CHINESE CENTURY, THE SAME SORT OF ROLE THAT NEW YORK PLAYED IN RELATION TO THE AMERICAN CENTURY. 1 THINK WE HAVE THAT SORT OF ROLE AS A TRIGGER OF ECONOMIC GROWTH IN THE SURROUNDING AREAS.
/AS AN ........
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 23, 1992
2
AS AN ECONOMIC SUCCESS STORY, WE’VE PRODUCED SUBSTANTIAL, RESOURCES WHICH HAVE ENABLED US ALSO TO TRANSFORM THE PROSPECTS OF THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG LN SOCIAL TERMS. WE’VE SEEN A REVOLUTION IN THE CONDITION OF PEOPLE’S HOUSING. WE’VE SEEN A REVOLUTION IN THE EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES WHICH ARE AVAILABLE FOR THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG. MOST OF MY SENIOR OFFICIALS IN THEIR MID TO LATE 40'S, WERE AT UNIVERSITY AT A TIME WHEN ONLY A FEW HUNDRED YOUNG PEOPLE IN HONG KONG WENT TO UNIVERSITY. NOW, WE’RE TALKING ABOUT 14,000 OR 15,000 A YEAR, A SITUATION IN WHICH GETTING ON FOR ONE IN FIVE OF 17-20 YEAR-OLDS WILL BE IN HIGHER EDUCATION. WE’VE SEEN A TRANSFORMATION IN OUR HEALTH INDICATORS, SO NOW THE CHILD MORTALITY RATES IN HONG KONG ARE LOWER THAN IN THE UNITED KINGDOM, LOWER THAN IN AUSTRALIA, SUBSTANTIALLY LOWER THAN IN THE UNITED STATES. WE’VE SEEN A TREMENDOUS INVESTMENT IN INFRASTRUCTURE, AN INVESTMENT WHICH IS GOING TO CONTINUE - WHATEVER THE NOISES OFF. AND WE’VE STARTED TO SEE A GREAT INVESTMENT IN CLEANING-UP OUR ENVIRONMENT AS WELL. AND ALL THAT WILL HAPPEN DESPITE THE POLITICAL BALLYHOO. NONE OF THAT NOISE IS GOING TO MAKE THIS COMMUNITY, OR ITS GOVERNMENT, INERT.
SO HONG KONG IS AN ECONOMIC AND A SOCIAL SUCCESS; AND IT’S SOMETHING ELSE AS WELL. HONG KONG IS AN OPEN SOCIETY, IT’S A TOLERANT SOCIETY, IT’S A FREE SOCIETY, AND THE CONTINUANCE OF THAT OPENNESS, THAT TOLERANCE AND THAT FREEDOM, ARE GUARANTEED IN THE JOINT DECLARATION SIGNED BETWEEN THE UNITED KINGDOM AND CHINA.
DO THOSE QUALITIES, DO THOSE VALUES OF FREEDOM AND TOLERANCE AND' OPENNESS, STAND APART FROM HONG KONG’S ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL SUCCESS? THE ANSWER IS OBVIOUSLY, NO. CERTAINLY, HONG KONG’S STABILITY AND PROSPERITY HELP TO SUSTAIN OUR WAY OF LIFE, THAT’S ABUNDANTLY TRUE. BUT IT’S ALSO TRUE THAT OUR WAY OF LIFE HELPS TO SUSTAIN OUR PROSPERITY AND OUR STABILITY. AND THOSE WHO DON’T UNDERSTAND THAT, DON’T UNDERSTAND HONG KONG.
I THINK THE GREATEST OF MODERN POLITICAL PHILOSOPHERS IS KARL POPPER, WHOSE TWO VOLUME WORK, ’THE OPEN SOCIETY’, IS CERTAINLY THE MOST IMPORTANT BOOK IN MY LIFE. AND HE WROTE, WITH THAT IMMENSE CLARITY WHICH HAS MADE HIM SUCH A GREAT EDUCATOR OF POLITICIANS OVER THE YEARS: "WE MUST PLAN FOR FREEDOM AND NOT JUST FOR SECURITY, IF FOR NO OTHER REASON THAT ONLY FREEDOM CAN MAKE SECURITY SECURE." IF POPPER HAD BEEN GOVERNOR OF HONG KONG - A POST WHICH HE MIGHT HAVE TURNED DOWN - BUT IF HE HAD BEEN GOVERNOR OF HONG KONG, HE MIGHT HAVE SAID: "WE MUST PLAN TO PRESERVE OUR WAY OF LIFE AND NOT JUST OUR PROSPERITY, FOR IT IS OUR WAY OF LIFE WHICH WILL MAKE PROSPERITY SECURE."
/AN IMPORTANT .......
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 23, 1992
AN IMPORTANT PART OF OUR WAY OF LIFE IS FREEDOM OF THE PRESS. THAT, I THINK, IS ONE OF THE JEWELS IN OUR CROWN. IT’S SOMETHING THAT SETS HONG KONG APART FROM MANY OTHER COMMUNITIES IN ASIA. IT’S SOMETHING THAT SETS HONG KONG APART FROM MANY OTHER COMMUNITIES IN EUROPE AND THE REST OF THE WORLD. WE HAVE 70 DAILY NEWSPAPERS, WE HAVE 600 MAGAZINES, THREE TV-STATIONS, THREE RADIOSTATIONS. WE HAVE A PRESS, A MEDIA, WHICH IS DIVERSE, WHICH IS VIGOROUS, AND WHICH IS FREE. FREE TO REPORT, FREE TO COMMENT, FREE TO CRITICISE, FREE, FOR EXAMPLE, TO CRITICISE THE GOVERNOR. THIS WEEK, ONE OF THE - I DON’T THINK THIS IS AN OUTLANDISH TRIBUTE - THIS WEEK ONE OF THE PRO-PEKING NEWSPAPERS IN HONG KONG PUBLISHED, DOUBTLESS BY PUBLIC DEMAND, A SPECIAL PULL-OUT SUPPLEMENT REPRINTING ALL ITS MOST VIGOROUS ATTACKS ON THE GOVERNOR’S DEMOCRATIC SYMPATHIES. WHAT IS MY REACTION TO THAT? T’LL TELL YOU MY REACTION TO THAT: THREE CHEERS FOR A FREE PRESS’ I’M SURE - OR I HOPE I’M SURE - THAT THE NEWSPAPER IN QUESTION WOULD BE THERE FIGHTING IN THE LAST DITCH FOR THE RIGHT OF OTHERS TO EXPRESS WHATEVER VIEWS THEY LIKE IN DUE COURSE, FOR EXAMPLE, AFTER 1997.
ONE REASON FOR TAKING THAT VIEW IS THAT A FREE PRESS MAKES GOVERNMENT BETTER AND THEREFORE, IN A SENSE, STRONGER. IT HELPS TO ENSURE THAT GOVERNMENT RETAINS ITS MORAL AUTHORITY. TOM STOPPARD, WHO HAS ARGUED SO ELOQUENTLY FOR THE FREEDOM OF THE PRESS IN CENTRAL AND EASTERN EUROPE, PARTICULARLY IN CZECHOSLOVAKIA, PUT THE POINT VERY WELL: NO MATTER HOW IMPERFECT THINGS ARE, IF YOU HAVE A FREE PRESS, EVERYTHING IS CORRECTABLE, AND WITHOUT IT, EVERYTHING IS CONCEALABLE. AND A FREE PRESS MAKES A COMMUNITY STRONGER AND HEALTHIER. WHAT IT GIVES US IS DIVERSITY IN UNITY. PRECISELY, BECAUSE WE CAN EXPRESS EVERY POINT OF VIEW, WE ARE MORE STABLE, MORE UNITED, MORE SECURE. I REGARD A FREE PRESS AS A SIGN OF STRENGTH, NOT A SIGN OF WEAKNESS.
OF COURSE IT’S DESIRABLE THAT FREEDOMS ARE EXERCISED WITH RESTRAINT. I’M A PECULIAR ENGLISH BEAST, AN OLD FASHIONED ENGLISH TORY WHOSE FAVOURITE POLITICAL WRITER WAS EDMUND BURKE, WHO MADE THAT POINT ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF EXERCISING FREEDOMS WITH PERSONAL RESTRAINT. THAT’S THE DIFFERENCE, IF YOU LIKE, BETWEEN LIBERTY AND LICENCE. SOMETIMES, YOU KNOW AND I KNOW, THAT JOURNALISTS IN NEWSPAPERS, IN TELEVISION STATIONS, IN RADIO STATIONS, GO TOO FAR; GO TOO FAR IN INVADING PEOPLE’S PRIVACY, GO TOO FAR IN SENSATIONALISING EVENTS. BUT IN MY JUDGMENT, IT’S NOT THE JOB OF POLITICAL LEADERS TO TRY TO STOP THEM, AND I WANT TO UNDERLINE THAT. I THINK ALL THAT IS PART OF THE PRICE WE PAY FOR A FREE PRESS AND A FREE SOCIETY. BUT A FREE PRESS, ITSELF, SHOULD ARGUE THE CASE FOR RAISING STANDARDS, NOT DESCENDING INTO THE GUTTER. I THINK, AND I WANT TO MAKE THE POINT VERY STRONGLY, THAT THAT IS A JOB FOR THE JOURNALIST’S PROFESSION, NOT A JOB FOR POLITICIANS.
/FORTUNATELY, THAT ........
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 23, 1992
FORTUNATELY, THAT QUESTION OF STANDARDS - AND I DON’T JUST SAY THAT BECAUSE I AM GOVERNOR OF HONG KONG - IS NOT AN ISSUE IN THIS COMMUNITY. NOT AN ISSUE IN THE SAME WAY THAT IT HAS BEEN, I THINK, IN THE UNITED STATES, NOT AN ISSUE IN THE SAME WAY THAT IT HAS BEEN IN THE UNITED KINGDOM. BUT AN ISSUE THAT WE DO HAVE IN HONG KONG, IN COMMON WITH THE UNITED STATES AND THE UNITED KINGDOM, IS THE QUESTION OF WHETHER WE SHOULD INTRODUCE HERE, FREEDOM OF INFORMATION LEGISLATION, AND IT’S A SUBJECT ON WHICH THERE IS A BOISTEROUS AND WHOLLY LEGITIMATE DEBATE. I’M BOUND TO SAY THAT I HAVE DOUBTS ABOUT THE VALUE OF DECLARATORY LEGISLATION, THOUGH I WAS, IN THE UNITED KINGDOM, THE MINISTER WHO PUT INTO LAW PEOPLE’S RIGHTS TO INFORMATION ABOUT ENVIRONMENTAL STANDARDS AND ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY. I THINK GENERAL DECLARATORY LEGISLATION SOMETIMES HAS THE OPPOSITE EFFECT OF WHAT WAS INTENDED. BUT I AM PREPARED, IN HONG KONG, TO LOOK AT THE ISSUE AGAIN, TO LOOK AT THE ISSUE WITH MY EXECUTIVE COUNCIL WHICH HAS ON IT A COUPLE OF THE BEST AND MOST DISTINGUISHED LAWYERS IN THIS COMMUNITY, AND I ALSO WANT US TO REVIEW THE LAWS WHICH OUR JOURNALISTS’ ASSOCIATION HERE IN HONG KONG, THINKS MIGHT BE IN BREACH OF OUR RECENT BILL OF RIGHTS.
I GUESS THAT THE PURPOSE OF THIS EVENING’S DINNER IS TO CELEBRATE THE VALUES REPRESENTED BY A FREE PRESS, AND I’M DELIGHTED TO BE WITH YOU HERE TO DO EXACTLY THAT. AND I’M DELIGHTED, AS WELL, TO BE ABLE TO POINT TO THE VITALITY OF OUR FREE PRESS IN HONG KONG. POLITICAL LEADERS IN A FREE SOCIETY ARE BOUND TO YOU IN THE PRESS BY AN UMBILICAL CORD, SO WE SHOULDN’T GRUMBLE WHEN YOU SCOURGE US FOR OUR FAILINGS, OR EVEN SCOURGE US FOR WHAT WE THINK ARE OUR VIRTUES. AFTER ALL, WE ARE ALL OF US IN PUBLIC LIFE A LITTLE LIKE MAE WEST. "IT’S BETTER", SHE SAID, "TO BE LOOKED OVER THAN TO BE OVERLOOKED." I DON’T THINK THERE’S A BETTER MOTTO FOR A POLITICAL LEADER IN A FREE SOCIETY. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
QUESTION: GOVERNOR, SOME OF OUR PARTY CAME THIS MORNING FROM BEIJING AND DURING OUR STAY THERE WE HEARD NOT AN IMPOLITE WORD UNTIL YOUR NAME WAS MENTIONED. I SUPPOSE THAT WAS NOT SURPRISING BUT ON RETURNING HERE - WE STAY HERE ONLY A FEW HOURS, AS YOU KNOW - WE HEARD QUITE A DIFFERENT REACTION WHEN YOUR NAME WAS MENTIONED. WE’VE HEARD TWO THINGS IN THESE LAST COUPLE OF HOURS. ON THE ONE HAND, THERE ARE PEOPLE WHO EXPRESS THEIR GREAT ADMIRATION AND SUPPORT FOR YOU, AND I WAS NOT SURPRISED BY THAT. 1 WAS SURPRISED BY THOSE WHO HAVE SAID IN THESE LAST FEW HOURS: DOES HIS GOVERNMENT REALLY MEANT IT? WHY DID HIS GOVERNMENT WAIT SO LONG? WILL HIS GOVERNMENT STAY THE COURSE? WILL THEY PUSH FOR THESE DEMOCRATIC VALUES? I PUT THOSE QUESTIONS TO YOU, NOT BECAUSE HAVING READ ABOUT YOU AND LISTENED TO YOU TONIGHT I DOUBT THEM, OR THE ANSWER TO YOU, BUT I PUT THEM TO YOU SO THAT YOU MIGHT HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO RESPOND TO THOSE WHO HAVE RAISED THEM.
/GOVERNOR: I’LL ........
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 23, 1992
5
GOVERNOR: I’LL TELL YOU WHAT’S GOING TO DECIDE THAT ISSUE IN THE NEXT WEEKS AND MONTHS. IT’S NOT THE GOVERNOR OF HONG KONG, WHOSE VIEWS ARE AS THEY HAVE BEEN EXPRESSED. I DON’T WISH TO PASS-THE-BUCK BUT IT’S GOING TO BE AN ISSUE WHICH IS DECIDED BY THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG, AND BY THEIR REPRESENTATIVES IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. I’VE GOT NO DOUBT THAT THE PROPOSALS I HAVE PUT FORWARD REPRESENT A MODEST AND SENSIBLE INCREASE IN THE ABILITY OF THE PEOPLE OF THIS ASTONISHINGLY SOPHISTICATED AND SUCCESSFUL COMMUNITY TO RUN THEIR OWN AFFAIRS. A LOT OF PEOPLE WILL CRITICISE ME - INDEED, I CAN SEE AT LEAST ONE OF THEM HERE THIS EVENING - FOR NOT GOING FURTHER. NOT MANY PEOPLE WILL CRITICISE ME FOR HAVING GONE TOO FAR. BUT IN THE NEXT FEW WEEKS AND MONTHS THERE WILL BE A LOT OF WHAT THE ’SOUTH CHINA MORNING POST’ HAS CALLED "BACKGROUND MUSIC". EXAMPLE: NOTHING I’VE SAID IS ENCOURAGING SOCIAL TURMOIL OR INCITING POLITICAL INSTABILITY. WHAT SOME PEOPLE MAY BE TRYING TO DO IN THE NEXT FEW WEEKS AND MONTHS IS PRECISELY THAT.
BUT I THINK THAT THE PEOPLE OF THIS COMMUNITY ARE VERY CALM AND VERY THOUGHTFUL AND VERY RELAXED ABOUT THESE ISSUES. I THINK THEY DO RECOGNISE THAT THEY’RE ENTITLED TO BE TREATED AS GROWN UP. I THINK THEY DO RECOGNISE THAT THEY’RE ENTITLED TO THE SAME RESPECT IN CONDUCTING THEIR OWN AFFAIRS IN GOVERNMENT THAT THEY GET IN CONDUCTING THEIR OWN AFFAIRS IN THE MARKET PLACE. AND I THEREFORE THINK THAT SOME OF THE OLD FASHIONED NOISES AND TACTICS THAT WE’LL GET OFF-STAGE WON’T MAKE ALL THAT MUCH DIFFERENCE IN THE NEXT FEW WEEKS AND MONTHS, AND THAT PEOPLE WILL TAKE DECISIONS ABOUT THEIR OWN FUTURE IN PERHAPS A MORE RELAXED AND THOUGHTFUL WAY THAN MIGHT HAVE HAPPENED A FEW YEARS BACK.
I THINK IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO BE IN HONG KONG FOR MORE THAN ABOUT FIVE MINUTES WITHOUT BEING INTENSELY OPTIMISTIC ABOUT THE HUMAN CONDITION, AND INTENSELY OPTIMISTIC ABOUT WHAT A COMMUNITY CAN DO WHEN IT SETS ITS MIND TO PARTICULAR OBJECTIVES. AND I THINK THAT IS SOMETHING THAT PEOPLE IN HONG KONG UNDERSTAND, AND I THINK, ACTUALLY, IT’S SOMETHING THAT PEOPLE BEYOND HONG KONG UNDERSTAND AS WELL. I DON’T WANT TO FIND MYSELF GOING BEYOND WHAT THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG WANT TO ACHIEVE FOR THEMSELVES. I THINK, IF ANYTHING, I’M LAGGING SLIGHTLY BEHIND.
JOHN QUINN: GOVERNOR, YOU HAVE BEEN QUOTED AS AGREEING WITH WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE THAT, "SWEET ARE THE USES OF ADVERSITY". IN THE WAKE OF YOUR TRIP TO BEIJING, CAN YOU TELL US WHAT WE CAN EXPECT NEXT, AND WHEN, IN THIS WHOLE PROCESS?
GOVERNOR: WELL, MAYBE YOU SHOULD HAVE INVITED THE DIRECTOR OF THE NEW CHINA NEWS AGENCY IN HONG KONG THIS EVENING TO GIVE A SPEECH ON THE FREE PRESS, TO TELL YOU WHAT WE CAN EXPECT NEXT. LET ME TELL YOU WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT FROM THE GOVERNOR OF HONG KONG. I’VE SAID THAT I’M VERY HAPPY TO GO ON DISCUSSING THE PROPOSALS THAT I’VE PUT FORWARD ABOUT POLITICAL DEVELOPMENT, BUT THAT IT’S EASIER TO DISCUSS PROPOSALS WITH PEOPLE WHO DON’T JUST CRITICISE BUT WITH PEOPLE WHO WILL PUT ALTERNATIVES FORWARD.
/A FRIEND .......
6
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 23, 1992
A FRIEND OF MINE WAS SAYING TO ME THE OTHER DAY THAT HE WAS ONCE STOPPED BY THE POLICE AND HE DIDN’T HAVE THE FAINTEST IDEA WHY THEY’D STOPPED HIM WHEN HE WAS DRIVING HOME AT NIGHT. AND HE PUT DOWN THE WINDOW AND THE POLICEMAN LOOKED IN AND HE SAID TO THE POLICEMAN, "WHAT’S WRONG?", AND THE POLICEMAN SAID, "YOU MUST KNOW, WE STOPPED YOU." AND THE GOVERNOR OF HONG KONG FEELS, OCCASIONALLY, A BIT LIKE THAT. HE PUTS FORWARD PROPOSALS ON FINANCING AIRPORTS, ON POLITICAL DEVELOPMENT, AND ONE GROUP OF PEOPLE SAY, "THAT'S NO GOOD, YOU CAN’T DO THAT." AND THE GOVERNOR, WHO’S A VERY INNOCENT, GENIAL FELLOW, SAYS, "WELL, WHAT DO YOU WANT ME TO DO?", AND THEY SAY, "YOU MUST KNOW WHERE YOU’VE GONE WRONG. GO AWAY AND COME BACK WITH SOMETHING ELSE." THAT’S NO WAY TO CO-OPERATE, THAT’S NO WAY TO DEMONSTRATE - WHAT’S THE PHRASE? - PUBLIC SINCERITY. WE’VE ACTUALLY GOT, IF WE ARE GOING TO HAVE A SERIOUS DIALOGUE ABOUT HONG KONG’S FUTURE, TO BE ABLE TO LOOK AT ALTERNATIVES.
IN GOOD FAITH, I TRIED TO FIND WHAT I BELIEVE TO BE A POINT OF BALANCE IN THE COMMUNITY. NOT GOING NEARLY AS FAR AS SOME WANTED, GOING MAYBE A LITTLE FURTHER THAN SOME OTHERS WANTED, BUT IF I’VE GOT IT WRONG, IT’S NOT ENOUGH TO SAY, "YOU KNOW WHAT YOU’VE DONE WRONG." PEOPLE ACTUALLY HAVE TO PUT FORWARD AN ALTERNATIVE AND MAYBE, MAYBE THE NEXT STEP, IS THAT PEOPLE WILL PUT FORWARD AN ALTERNATIVE - OR MAYBE NOT.
QUESTION: GOVERNOR, THE PRESS HERE HAS DESCRIBED YOUR STYLE AS QUITE DIFFERENT THAN YOUR PREDECESSOR. WOULD YOU PLEASE TELL US HOW YOUR STYLE AND YOUR APPROACH MIGHT HAVE AN IMPACT ON YOUR TERM HERE AS GOVERNOR, AND IN PARTICULAR ON THE RELATIONSHIPS WITH CHINA?
GOVERNOR: I DON’T THINK ONE SHOULD PERSONALISE THESE THINGS TOO MUCH. I’VE BEEN LONG ENOUGH IN POLITICS, AND I’VE LOST ENOUGH ELECTIONS, TO KNOW THAT ONE SHOULDN’T PUT TOO MUCH EMPHASIS ON INDIVIDUALS OR ON STYLE OVER SUBSTANCE. BUT MAYBE SOMETIMES STYLE AND SUBSTANCE SORT OF COME TOGETHER AND INFUSE ONE ANOTHER, AND I THINK CONCEIVABLY THAT’S TRUE WHEN YOU TALK ABOUT WHAT LIES AT THE HEART OF A DEMOCRATIC GOVERNMENT, THAT IS, THE NOTION OF ACCOUNTABILITY. I FEEL VERY STRONGLY THAT I HAVE TO DEMONSTRATE THAT I AM ACCOUNTABLE TO THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG. AND ONE REASON WHY I HAVE TO DO THAT PARTICULARLY STRONGLY, IS THAT I HAVE NO DEMOCRATIC LEGITIMACY OF MY OWN. I WAS APPOINTED, I WASN’T ELECTED. I DEAL WITH POLITICIANS IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL WHO WERE ELECTED. I DEAL WITH POLITICIANS IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL WHO ARE THERE BECAUSE OF YEARS OF COMMUNITY SERVICE. SO I HAVE TO ESTABLISH MY OWN MORAL AUTHORITY AND LEGITIMACY AS WELL, AND I THINK I CAN ONLY DO THAT BY SHOWING THAT I’M ACCOUNTABLE; AND THAT MAY HAVE AN AFFECT ON MY STYLE.
THE ONLY THING I WOULD ADD IS THAT, ARGUABLY, THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OF THE SAR GOVERNMENT, AFTER 1997, WILL HAVE GREATER DEMOCRATIC LEGITIMACY THAN ME. BUT I HOPE THAT WON’T MEAN THAT HE DOESN’T, OR SHE DOESN’T, FEEL THE NECESSITY OF DEMONSTRATING ACCOUNTABILITY - BOTH ACCOUNTABILITY TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL AND ACCOUNTABILITY TO THE PUBLIC. AND ALL THOSE THINGS ARE MUCH MORE IMPORTANT THAN WHETHER YOU WEAR A COLONIAL HAT WITH FEATHERS ON THE TOP OR DO SOME OF THE OTHER THINGS WHICH HAVE BEEN TRADITIONAL FOR GOVERNORS OF THIS DEPENDENT TERRITORY AND OTHERS. AT ROOT, I AM A POLITICIAN, AND THAT’S A VERY VULGAR THING, AS YOU KNOW. THOUGH I BELIEVE THAT POLITICS, AS JOHN BUCHAN SAID, IS AN HONOURABLE ADVENTURE.
/QUESTION: NiR .......
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 23, 1992
QUESTION: MR PATTON, I REFER TO THE FIRST PERSON WHO CENTRED YOUR QUESTION - I DIDN’T CATCH YOUR ANSWER. I THINK THE QUESTION WAS: WILL BRITAIN BE PREPARED TO SACRIFICE DEMOCRACY FOR HONG KONG IN RETURN FOR GOOD RELATIONS WITH CHINA?
GOVERNOR: WELL, I IMAGINE WHAT THE PRIME MINISTER OR FOREIGN SECRETARY WOULD SAY, WERE THEY HERE, IS THAT THEY HOPED THEY COULD SEE BOTH THE PROMOTION OF GREATER DEMOCRACY IN HONG KONG AND GOOD RELATIONS WITH CHINA. YOU’LL HAVE NOTICED THAT THE PRIME MINISTER, YESTERDAY, MADE A STATEMENT IN THE HOUSE OF COMMONS WHICH WAS STRONGLY SUPPORTIVE OF WHAT I’VE BEEN DOING AND THE POLICIES THAT I’VE BEEN PUTTING FORWARD. I DON’T THINK THAT ANYONE WILL BE ABLE TO SLIP A PIECE OF TISSUE-PAPER BETWEEN THE GOVERNOR OF HONG KONG AND HIS FRIENDS AND FORMER COLLEAGUES IN THE CABINET OF THE UNITED KINGDOM. I THINK IT WOULD BE FOOLHARDY OF ANYBODY TO TRY TO DO SO. BUT WHAT I AM MORE CONCERNED ABOUT IS ATTEMPTS TO SLIP TISSUE-PAPER BETWEEN ME AND THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG, BUT I DON’T BELIEVE THAT ON THESE MATTERS THERE IS EVEN A MILLI-OUNCE OF DIFFERENCE BETWEEN MY VIEWS AND THE VIEWS OF THE GOVERNMENT OF THE UNITED KINGDOM.
SPEAKER: GOVERNOR, YOU BEGAN EARLY THIS DAY, IN BEIJING. WE’RE SO GRATEFUL THAT YOU WOULD COME AND SHARE WITH US TONIGHT. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
ON BEHALF OF THE FREEDOM FORUM TRUSTEES, I AM PLEASED TO PRESENT TO YOU THIS CRYSTAL GLOBE. THIS GLOBE DOES TWO OR THREE THINGS AT ONE TIME: ONE, IT’S A PERFECT WAY FOR OUR TRUSTEES TO END OUR SIX-NATION TOUR, TO REINFORCE FREE PRESS, FREE SPEECH AND FREE SPIRIT. IT ALSO HELPS US IN THE UNITED STATES, AT A TIME WHEN WE’RE TRYING TO DECIDE WHETHER TO LOOK INWARD OR OUTWARD, TO LOOK OUTWARD AND TO ASIA AND TO HONG KONG. AND THEN FINALLY, PERHAPS, WITH YOUR BOLD LOOK AT THE FUTURE, PERHAPS THIS MIGHT BE A CRYSTAL-BALL AS WELL. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
GOVERNOR: THANK YOU VERY MUCH INDEED FOR THAT GIFT. IT COMES, WITH YOUR REMARKS ABOUT A SOCIETY AND A COUNTRY ABOUT WHICH I FEEL MORE PASSIONATELY THAN ANY OTHER. ONE OF THE CONSEQUENCES OF THE SCHOLARSHIP WHICH I WAS LUCKY ENOUGH TO HAVE WHEN I WAS A YOUNG MAN, IS THAT I HAVE GROWN UP A FIRM AND COMMITTED AMERICOPHILE. I HOPE THAT YOU’LL REMEMBER THAT WHEN FROM TIME TO TIME OVER THE NEXT YEARS, YOU READ ABOUT ME LOBBYING ENERGETICALLY IN THE UNITED STATES IN FAVOUR OF FREE TRADE, OPEN TRADE - WHICH FRANKLY, MATTERS MORE TO THIS COMMUNITY, ARGUABLY, THAN ALMOST ANY OTHER ISSUE. SO WHEN I’M DOING THAT AND OCCASIONALLY SEEMING RATHER DEMOTIC, JUST REMEMBER THAT THE WORDS ARE COMING FROM SOMEBODY WHO HAS AN UNQUALIFIED ADMIRATION OF THE UNITED STATES AND THE VALUES THAT YOU'VE REPRESENTED FOR THE LAST 200 YEARS.
- - 0 - -
/8 ........
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 23, 1992
8
OBLIGATION TO KEEP WORK ON
AIRPORT GOING: GOVERNOR
******
THE GOVERNOR, THE RT HON CHRISTOPHER PATTEN SAID TODAY (FRIDAY) THAT HIS OBLIGATION WAS TO DO WHAT HE COULD TO KEEP WORK GOING ON THE NEW AIRPORT PROJECT.
SPEAKING TO REPORTERS ON HIS RETURN FROM AN OFFICIAL VISIT TO PEKING, MR PATTEN SAID: "THAT’S WHAT I THINK CHINA WOULD EXPECT OF ME AND IT’S CERTAINLY WHAT HONG KONG WOULD EXPECT OF ME. PEOPLE IN HONG KONG KNOW VERY WELL THAT THERE WILL BE AN AIRPORT, THAT IT WILL BE A VERY GOOD AIRPORT WHEN IT’S COMPLETED."
ASKED ABOUT COMMENTS THAT CHINA WOULD NOT ALLOW AIRCRAFT TO FLY OVER IT’S AIRSPACE IF HONG KONG WENT AHEAD WITH THE AIRPORT PROJECT WITHOUT CHINESE APPROVAL, THE GOVERNOR SAID: "I THINK IT WOULD BE VERY DIFFICULT TO COMPLETE THE PROJECT AS RAPIDLY AS WE WOULD LIKE UNLESS WE DID SO AS PART OF AN OVERALL AGREEMENT WITH CHINA AND CHINESE OFFICIALS."
"SO I’M NOT SURE THAT THE QUESTION OF CHINESE AIRSPACE ACTUALLY COMES INTO MATTERS. I THINK IT’S SOMEWHAT ACADEMIC," HE SAID.
"IF OTHER PEOPLE, AND I’LL HAVE TO GO ON SAYING THIS, HAVE ALTERNATIVE PROPOSALS FOR FUNDING THE AIRPORT BETTER, IT WOULD BE VERY HELPFUL TO US ALL; VERY HELPFUL TO EVERYONE IN HONG KONG FOR THEM TO PUT THOSE IDEAS FORWARD," HE ADDED.
"I THINK THAT PEOPLE IN HONG KONG WOULD BE VERY SURPRISED IF ALL THAT WE WERE TO HEAR WAS CRITICISM AND NOT ALTERNATIVE PROPOSALS ON THE AIRPORT OR MUCH MORE IMPORTANT, POLITICAL DEVELOPMENT," MR PATTEN SAID.
"I HAVEN’T INVENTED THE FACT THAT I HAVE TO BRING FORWARD ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE 1995 ELECTIONS. I HAVE TO DO THAT," HE SAID.
"IF PEOPLE DON’T LIKE MY PROPOSALS I THINK PEOPLE IN HONG KONG WOULD EXPECT THEM TO PUT FORWARD THEIR OWN PROPOSALS, THEIR OWN ALTERNATIVES. ANYWAY WE’LL HAVE TO CONSIDER THESE QUESTIONS IN A CALM AND SENSIBLE WAY AND GO ON SHOWING THAT PEOPLE IN HONG KONG ARE WHOLLY CAPABLE OF DISCUSSING THESE MATTERS RATIONALLY AND INTELLIGENTLY IN A RESTRAINED AND RESPONSIBLE WAY," HE ADDED.
/9 ........
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 23, 1992
9
TRANSCRIPT OF THE GOVERNOR’S PRESS CONFERENCE HELD IN BEIJING TODAY (FRIDAY) *****
I’VE GOT A STATEMENT TO READ AND THEN I’M HAPPY TO ANSWER ONE OR TWO QUESTIONS. BUT I’M BRIEFING THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL AND THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TOMORROW AND THAT'S WHERE I’LL OBVIOUSLY HAVE A MORE POINTED OPPORTUNITY OF ANSWERING QUESTIONS.
I WOULD LIKE TO THANK MY HOSTS, PARTICULARLY THE HONG KONG AND MACAU OFFICE, FOR LOOKING AFTER US SO WELL THIS WEEK, AND FOR MAKING ALL THE NECESSARY ARRANGEMENTS. I’D PARTICULARLY LIKE TO THANK DIRECTOR LU FOR HIS COURTESY. I’M EXTREMELY PLEASED TO HAVE MET HIM AT LAST. WE SHALL HAVE A GREAT DEAL TO DO WITH EACH OTHER OVER THE NEXT FIVE YEARS.
WE’VE SPENT A GOOD DEAL OF TIME TOGETHER THIS WEEK; HE KNOWS ME BETTER AND I KNOW HIM BETTER, AND I THINK WE UNDERSTAND EACH OTHER’S POSITIONS BETTER, AS WELL. IT’S HARDLY A STATE SECRET THAT WE DID NOT SEE EYE TO EYE ON EVERYTHING, BUT I RATHER DOUBT THAT ANYONE THOUGHT THAT WE WOULD. WE’VE BEEN IN MEETINGS WITH MINISTERS AND SENIOR OFFICIALS FOR SOME 10 HOURS; WE’VE DISCUSSED A NUMBER OF ISSUES ON THE HONG KONG AGENDA, AS WELL, OF COURSE, AS MY PROPOSALS FOR POLITICAL DEVELOPMENT IN HONG KONG.
LET ME START WITH THE ISSUES ON WHICH I THINK WE’VE MADE SOME PROGRESS. BOTH SIDES AGREED ON THE IMPORTANCE OF A SMOOTH TRANSITION AND MAXIMUM CONTINUITY FOR HONG KONG’S EXCELLENT CIVIL SERVICE. IN ORDER TO STRENGTHEN CIVIL SERVANTS’ UNDERSTANDING OF CHINA, I PROPOSED THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A TRAINING COURSE IN PEKING AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. IT WILL, I HOPE, PROVIDE LANGUAGE TRAINING IN MANDARIN AND HELP PARTICIPANTS TO ESTABLISH CONTACT AND GET A BROAD UNDERSTANDING OF CHINA. DIRECTOR LU HAS ACCEPTED THIS SUGGESTION IN PRINCIPLE. THE TWO SIDES WILL BE DISCUSSING HOW TO GET THE COURSE UP AND RUNNING AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE. OUR AIM IS THAT ALL LEVEL OF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICERS TAKE PART IN IT BY THE 30TH JUNE 1997.
WE DISCUSSED A NUMBER OF SECURITY ISSUES, INCLUDING CROSS-BORDER CRIME AND SMUGGLING. IN ORDER TO STRENGTHEN OUR JOINT EFFORTS TO COMBAT SMUGGLING AND RELATED SECURITY ISSUES, I HAVE PROPOSED:
(1) CO-ORDINATED OPERATIONS AGAINST SMUGGLING,
(2) BETTER COMMUNICATION AND SHARING OF INTELLIGENCE BETWEEN SECURITY FORCES,
(3) SUSTAINED ACTION BY GUANGDONG, IN CONCERT WITH HONG KONG, AGAINST SMUGGLING, AND
(4) EARLY AGREEMENT ON THE ADMINISTRATIVE BOUNDARY BETWEEN HONG KONG AND GUANGDONG WATERS, WHICH CAN THEN BE CLEARLY MARKED WITH BUOYS, SO AS TO REDUCE THE INCIDENCE OF INADVERTENT INCURSION.
/WE DISCUSSED
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 23, 1992
10
WE DISCUSSED A NUMBER OF ISSUES ON THE AGENDA OF THE JLG, INCLUDING AIR SERVICE AGREEMENTS, DEFENCE LANDS, AND RIGHT OF ABODE. WE BOTH HOPED THAT THE JOINT LIAISON GROUP WOULD CONTINUE THE GOOD PROGRESS MADE IN THE LATEST JLG TALKS IN LONDON.
NOW TO ISSUES ON WHICH WE HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO CLOSE THE GAP BETWEEN US. ON THE AIRPORT: I MADE IT CLEAR THAT MY LEGACY TO HONG KONG WOULD NOT BE JUDGED BY WHETHER I LEFT IT WITH A NEW AIRPORT. SUCCESS OR FAILURE IN 1997 WILL NOT BE JUDGED BY WHETHER I FLY OUT OF A NEW AIRPORT BUT BY WHETHER HONG KONG’S WAY OF LIFE IS INTACT AND SRT TO CONTINUE TO BE INTACT. WF, HAVE, AS YOU KNOW, PUT FORWARD PROPOSALS ON THE AIRPORT THAT COVER A SPECTRUM OF POSSIBLE WAYS OF FUNDING IT, THE LATEST ONE BASED ON CHINESE PROPOSALS, BUT WE HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO HIT ON THE FORMULA THAT THE CHINESE SIDE WILL ENDORSE. NOTHING NEW EMERGED FROM OUR TALKS THIS WEEK. I MADE IT PLAIN THAT THERE WAS A LIMIT TO THE NUMBER OF IDEAS WE COULD COME UP WITH, ALTHOUGH WE WOULD BE WILLING TO DISCUSS ANY THE CHINESE MIGHT HAVE. AN AGREEMENT WITH CHINA WOULD UNDOUBTEDLY BE THE BEST WAY FORWARD, OTHERWISE WE SHALL JUST HAVE TO BUILD AS MUCH AS WE CAN. BUT LET ME REPEAT, THIS AIRPORT WILL BE BUILT, NOT BECAUSE IT SERVES BRITISH INTERESTS IN ANY WAY, BUT BECAUSE HONG KONG NEEDS IT AND HONG KONG WILL GET IT.
THE BULK OF OUR DISCUSSION HAS BEEN ON MY PROPOSALS FOR POLITICAL DEVELOPMENT IN HONG KONG. I REITERATED THAT MY PROPOSALS WERE MADE IN HONG KONG AFTER 12 WEEKS OF CONSULTATIONS RIGHT ACROSS THE COMMUNITY. I BELIEVE THEY HAVE THE SUPPORT OF MOST PEOPLE IN HONG KONG. I BELIEVE THEY MEET THE ASPIRATIONS OF THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG FOR A MODEST - A MODEST - INCREASE IN DEMOCRACY, AS WELL AS MAXIMUM CONTINUITY AND A SMOOTH TRANSITION. DETAILED ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE 1995 ELECTION HAVE TO BE PUT IN PLACE WELL BEFORE THEN. THEY ARE NOT TO BE FOUND IN THE BASIC LAW. THE PROPOSALS I HAVE PUT FORWARD ARE FULLY CONSISTENT WITH THE BASIC LAW.
WE HAD SOME VIGOROUS DISCUSSIONS; MAJOR DIFFERENCES REMAIN BETWEEN US. THE DIFFERENCES HAVE NOT WIDENED THIS WEEK AND NOR, FRANKLY, CAN I SAY THEY HAVE NARROWED. I MADE IT PLAIN THAT I AM ENTIRELY HAPPY TO DISCUSS MY PROPOSALS AT ANY TIME, WITH ANYONE, ANYWHERE. I WOULD WELCOME IT IF THOSE WHO’VE CRITICISED MY PROPOSALS CAME UP WITH ALTERNATIVES. ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE 1995 ELECTION MUST BE OPEN, FAIR AND HONEST, AND COMMAND THE CONFIDENCE OF THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG.
WE AGREED THAT OUR CONSULTATIONS WOULD CONTINUE IN THE JOINT LIAISON GROUP. CONSULTATIONS MEANS CONSULTATIONS, HOWEVER. AT THE END OF THE DAY, TIME IS NOT ON OUR SIDE, LEGISLATION HAS TO BE PUT BEFORE LEGCO IN THE NEW YEAR.
SCM POST: WHILE CHINA HAS YET TO COME UP WITH SWEEPING PROPOSALS
REGARDING THE AIRPORT PROJECT, SWIRE GROUP’S CHAIRMAN, PETER SUTCH HAS COME UP WITH AN IDEA THAT A PRIVATE SECTOR CONSORTIUM (INDISTINCT). DO YOU THINK IT'S A VIABLE ALTERNATIVE THAT HE’S SUGGESTED?
/GOVERNOR: WELL ........
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 23, 1992
11
GOVERNOR: WELL, ANYTHING THAT MR SUTCH SAYS, IS BOUND TO HAVE BEEN CAREFULLY THOUGHT ABOUT. HE IS ONE OF THE MOST DISTINGUISHED BUSINESS LEADERS IN HONG KONG AND I WOULD BE VERY HAPPY TO TALK TO HIM OR ANY OTHER BUSINESS LEADERS, ABOUT ANY PROPOSALS THEY MIGHT HAVE FOR FINANCING AND CONSTRUCTING THE AIRPORT. SO IF MR SUTCH OR OTHERS WANT TO COME AND SEE ME TO TALK ABOUT THAT PARTICULAR ISSUE, I’LL BE DELIGHTED TO MEET THEM.
HK ECONOMIC TIMES: THE CHINESE SIDE HAVE INDICATED THAT IN 1987 WHEN TIMOTHY RENTON WAS VISITING CHINA, BOTH SIDES HAD REACHED A COMPROMISE SETTLEMENT ON THE CONSTITUTION - HONG KONG’S CONSTITUTION - ELECTIONS FOR INSTANCE - DIRECT ELECTIONS. WHICH TAKES THE SECOND POINT AND THE CHINESE SIDE ALLEGED THAT YOUR PROPOSALS HAVE DEPARTED FROM THAT TYPE OF COMMITMENT. WOULD YOU DENY THAT THAT IS TRUE?
GOVERNOR: WELL, I HAVE TO TELL YOU THAT WHATEVER MAY HAVE BEEN SAID TO YOU IN CORRIDORS OR BARS, NOBODY, IN OVER 10 HOURS OF DISCUSSIONS, HAS MENTIONED THE NAME OF TIMOTHY RENTON TO ME. IF YOU TAKE, FOR EXAMPLE, THE ISSUE OF THE ELECTION COMMITTEE FOR 1995, THE ONE THING THAT IS 'ABSOLUTELY CLEAR ABOUT THE BASIC LAW -- NO, LET ME RE-PHRASE THAT -- ONE OF THE THINGS THAT IS ABSOLUTELY CLEAR ABOUT THE BASIC LAW IS THAT IT DOESN’T SPECIFY THE COMPOSITION OF THE ELECTION COMMITTEE FOR 1995. YOU ONLY HAVE TO LOOK IN THE BASIC LAW TO SEE THAT’S ABSOLUTELY PLAIN. SO THE GOVERNOR OF HONG KONG HAS THE RESPONSIBILITY FOR PUTTING FORWARD PROPOSALS ABOUT THE COMPOSITION OF THE LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE, HIMSELF -- THE COMPOSITION OF THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE, HIMSELF -- THE ELECTION COMMITTEE, HIMSELF -- I’LL GET IT RIGHT IN A MOMENT. THE ELECTION COMMITTEE - THE FOURTH TIME! AND IF ANYBODY HAS ANY PROPOSALS, THEMSELVES, TO PUT FORWARD ON THAT, I’D BE DELIGHTED TO HEAR THEM. BUT EVEN THOUGH TIMOTHY RENTON IS AN OLD ACQUAINTANCE OF MINE, HIS NAME WAS NOT, ALAS, MENTIONED DURING OUR DISCUSSIONS THIS WEEK.
QUESTIONER:
BUT HASN’T HE GIVEN ANY COMMITMENT?
GOVERNOR:
NO
QUESTION: SO FAR ALL THE ... (INDISTINCT) CHINESE SIDE (INDISTINCT) ... CALL IT A DAY ... GO AHEAD ON BOTH THE AIRPORT AND YOUR PROPOSALS ... (INDISTINCT).
GOVERNOR: NOBODY - LET IT BE SAID - DURING MY DISCUSSIONS THIS WEEK HAS CALLED ME NAMES. I HAVE BEEN CALLED A VARIETY OF NAMES BY SOME OF THE REPRESENTATIVES OF THE FREE-PRESS - UNDERLINED "THE FREE-PRESS" - IN HONG KONG. SOME HAVE CALLED ME A DICTATOR, OR IMPLIED THAT I’M A DICTATOR; SOME HAVE IMPLIED THAT I’M TRYING TO WEAKEN STRONG EXECUTIVE-LED GOVERNMENT. 1 THINK IT’S DIFFICULT TO BE BOTH AT THE SAME TIME BUT EASIER FOR JOURNALISTS TO CLAIM THAT I’M BOTH AT THE SAME TIME. I DON’T THINK THERE’S ANY POINT IN RESPONDING TO NAME-CALLING.
/WHAT I'M .......
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 23, 1992
12
WHAT I'M HAPPY TO RESPOND TO ARE PROPOSALS, AND I VERY MUCH HOPE THAT DURING THE COURSE OF CONTINUING DISCUSSION, WE CAN SEE SOME PROPOSALS PUT FORWARD RATHER THAN JUST CRITICISMS. I REPEAT THAT THE GOVERNOR OF HONG KONG IS OBLIGED TO PUT FORWARD PROPOSALS FOR THE 1995 ELECTIONS ON THE NINE NEW FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCIES, ON THE VOTING METHOD FOR DIRECTLY ELECTED SEATS, ON THE ELECTION COMMITTEE - I GOT IT RIGHT THIS TIME. THE GOVERNOR HAS TO PUT FORWARD PROPOSALS ON THOSE THINGS BECAUSE THOSE ARRANGEMENTS AREN’T AT PRESENT MADE. IF ANYONE, I REPEAT, HAS OTHER PROPOSALS, LET THEM MAKE THEM.
QUESTION: DID YOU COME AWAY FROM YOUR TALK THIS WEEK CONCERNING THE POSSIBILITY OF OPPOSITION THAT CHINA IS NOW.............AVOID BEING CRITICAL... WHATEVER (INAUDIBLE)
GOVERNOR: HONG KONG OBSERVES A VERY CONSIDERABLE POLITICAL STABILITY AND SOCIAL STABILITY IN HONG KONG WHICH IN FACT IS CONTINUING.
QUESTION: (INAUDIBLE)
GOVERNOR: THE JOINT DECLARATION MAKES IT ABSOLUTELY CLEAR THAT WE SHOULD BE COMMITTED TOGETHER FOR ORDERLY7 AND GRADUAL PROGRESS AND THAT’S EXACTLY WHAT I’M SUGGESTING. I AM NOT SUGGESTING SOME HELTER-SKELTER PROGRESS. I’VE ACTUALLY PROPOSED A DIFFERENT ROUTE TO THE INTRODUCTION OF DIRECTLY ELECTED - TO THE INTRODUCTION OF AN ADDITIONAL NUMBER OF DIRECTLY ELECTED SEATS. SO NOBODY, I THINK, CAN SUGGEST THE MODEST PROPOSALS THAT I’VE PUT FORWARD, WHICH ARE BEING CRITICISED BY MANY PEOPLE FOR NOT GOING FAR ENOUGH, AS BEING DISORDERLY OR TOO RAPID. THEY ARE WHOLLY IN LINE WITH THE PROVISIONS OF THE JOINT DECLARATION.
WHAT IS ALSO TRUE ABOUT THE JOINT DECLARATION IS WE ARE COMMITTED, QUITE PROPERLY, TO CONSULTING ONE ANOTHER MUCH MORE AS WE MOVE TOWARDS 1997 TO WORKING MORE SUCCESSFULLY TOGETHER AS WE WORK TOWARDS 1997 AND I VERY MUCH HOPE THAT WE’LL BE ABLE TO DO THAT. IN ORDER TO DO THAT SUCCESSFULLY IT’S NOT ENOUGH JUST TO MAKE CRITICISMS. PEOPLE HAVE TO PUT OTHER PROPOSALS ON THE TABLE.
QUESTION: HAVE YOU BEEN EXPECTING THAT RESPONSE FROM CHINA....(INAUDIBLE).
GOVERNOR: WELL, I DON'T READ AS EXTENSIVELY THE PAPERS WHICH HAVE CRITICISED ME IN HONG KONG AS PERHAPS I SHOULD, BUT I WAS AWARE THAT CERTAIN CRITICISMS WERE BEING MADE, THOUGH I WASN’T ENTIRELY SURPRISED AT THE ARGUMENTS THAT I’VE BEEN EXCHANGING OR DEALING WITH THIS WEEK; BUT I CAN’T SAY THAT ANYTHING NEW FEATURED IN OUR DISCUSSION; I’M NOT SURE THAT ANYTHING, ANY NEW ARGUMENTS CAME FORWARD TO SURPRISE OR CONCERN ME, BUT I LOOK FORWARD TO DISCUSSIONS CONTINUING AND I HOPE THAT THEY LEAD TO A SATISFACTORY7 CONCLUSION.
QUESTION:
YOU SEEM A BIT FED UP THOUGH.
/GOVERNOR: I'M ........
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 23, 1992
- 13
GOVERNOR: I’M NOT REMOTELY FED UP. I’VE JUST BEEN GOING AROUND THE FORBIDDEN CITY, I’VE HAD A TERRIFIC MORNING.
QUESTION: WE ARE ACTING ON PROPOSALS FOR A DIFFERENT ROUTE IF CRITICISED BY MR ZHOU NAN FOR OPEN CHALLENGE TO THE SINO-BRITISH RELATIONS.
GOVERNOR: I’M NOT CHALLENGING ANYONE. I’M TRYING TO UNDERTAKE MY RESPONSIBILITIES AS GOVERNOR OF HONG KONG TO SEE THAT ITS INSTITUTION PROVIDES A STRONG EXECUTIVE- LED GOVERNMENT, WHICH IS PROPERLY ACCOUNTED TO A MORE BROADLY-BASED LEGISLATURE. THAT IS WHAT I’M OBLIGED TO DO, THAT IS WHAT I’M OBLIGED TO DO UNDER THE JOINT DECLARATION AND THAT’S WHAT I’M OBLIGED TO DO IN ORDER TO ENSURE A SMOOTH TRANSITION. IT ISN’T CHALLENGING THE STABILITY OF HONG KONG TO PUT FORWARD PROPOSALS WHICH PLAINLY CARRY THE SUPPORT OF A VERY LARGE SECTION OF OPINION IN HONG KONG.
QUESTION: SIGNING THE TREATY THEY’D NEVER AGREED TO, HOW WILL YOU KNOW WHAT THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG WANT YOU TO DO? THERE IS NO REAL RESPONSE IN HONG KONG?
GOVERNOR: I THINK THAT THERE HAS BEEN A GOOD DEAL OF EVIDENCE OVER THE LAST WEEKS, EVEN FROM OPINION POLLS THOUGH I HAVE NOT ENDURED BY PAST THE MOST SLAVISH ADMIRER OF OPINION POLLS, THAT THERE IS A LOT OF SUPPORT FOR WHAT I’VE PUT FORWARD, BUT WHAT WILL HAPPEN NEXT YEAR IS THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL WILL HAVE TO TAKE A DECISION ON THE LEGISLATION WHICH IS EVENTUALLY PUT BEFORE THEM AND THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL REPRESENTS THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG.
QUESTION: CHINESE... HAS REPEATEDLY SAID THAT...RIGHT TO AFTER
1997 (INAUDIBLE)
GOVERNOR: I THINK THAT THE HONG KONG PEOPLE HAVE MADE A SPECTACULAR SUCCESS OF EVERYTHING THEY’VE DONE. I THINK WHATEVER PROPOSAL ARE EVENTUALLY PUT TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, AND AGREED BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL WILL FORM THE BASIS OF GOVERNMENT AND THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL FROM 1995 ONWARDS. I’M SURE THAT THEY WILL WORK SUCCESSFULLY AND IT ISN’T MY EXPERIENCE THAT PEOPLE EVER WANT TO CHANGE THINGS THAT WORK SUCCESSFULLY, BUT YOU WERE RIGHT IN YOUR ANALYSIS OF WHERE THE RIGHT TO MAKE CHANGES AFTER 1997 LIE; BUT, I REPEAT, I DO NOT BELIEVE THAT IT’S COMMONLY THE PRACTICE TO CHANGE THINGS THAT WORK WELL. PEOPLE IN HONG KONG ARE PERFECTLY CAPABLE OF TAKING A GREATER SHARE IN MANAGING THEIR OWN AFFAIRS IN A WAY WHICH IS RESPONSIBLE, MATURE, RESTRAINED WITH STRENGTH, SENSIBLE.
QUESTION: YOU SAY THAT....(INAUDIBLE)
GOVERNOR: I HOPE THAT EVERYONE WHO CRITICISES WILL RECOGNISE THAT IT’S NOT JUST ENOUGH TO CRITICISE. THAT, WHAT THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG EXPECT IS TO HAVE ALTERNATIVE PROPOSALS PUT FORWARD AND THAT GOES FOR EVERYONE WHO HAS CRITICISED.
/QUESTION: I .......
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 23, 1992
14
QUESTION: I NOTICE THAT... TO BUILD THE AIRPORT.. WITHOUT CHINA. . .WHERE WILL THE MONEY COME FROM.....?
GOVERNOR: THE MONEY WILL HAVE TO BE AGREED BY THE FINANCE COMMITTEE OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL AND WE WOULD DO AS MUCH AS WE CAN BUT I REPEAT, IT’S IN MY JUDGEMENT, A SECOND BEST OPTION, BUT I AM UNDER AN OBLIGATION TO DO AS MUCH AS I CAN TO COMPLETE THE PROJECT AND THAT’S WHAT THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG EXPECT OF ME AND THAT’S WHAT I WILL DO, BUT I WILL HAVE PLENTY OF OPPORTUNITIES, I’M SURE, FOR EXPLORING OTHER OR ADDITIONAL WAYS FORWARD.
QUESTION: (INAUDIBLE)
GOVERNOR: I CAN’T BELIEVE THAT ANYBODY WOULD BE THAT FOOLISH AS TO REGARD THAT SENSIBLE POLICY. IT’S CONCEIVABLY THE SORT OF THING WHICH SOME JOURNALISTS WRITE, BUT I DON’T HONESTLY THINK THAT IT IS A POLICY THAT WE WOULD EXPECT FROM SENSIBLE, GROWN UP PEOPLE.
QUESTION: CHINESE SIDE............(INAUDIBLE)
GOVERNOR: I THINK WE BOTH AGREE THAT IT’S SENSIBLE TO GO ON TALKING AND I REPEAT WHAT I’VE SAID ALREADY, THAT IT WILL BE EASIER TO GO ON TALKING AND, IF RATHER THAN JUST FACING CRITICISM WE CAN SEE SOME ALTERNATIVE PROPOSALS.
QUESTION: (INAUDIBLE)
GOVERNOR: I SAID EARLIER THAT I BELIEVE THAT ANYTHING THAT WORKS, AND WORKS WELL FOR HONG KONG, WILL SURVIVE THROUGH 1997 AND BEYOND; AND I HAVE NO DOUBT AT ALL THAT THE GOVERNING INSTITUTION OF HONG KONG WORKING WELL WILL SURVIVE BEYOND 1997. I DON’T RECALL EXCEPT YOUR PREMISE BECAUSE IT WILL BE DISCOURTEOUS OF ME TO DO SO.
QUESTION: AFTER YOUR VISIT.... DO YOU THINK IT’S A GOOD IDEA TO HOLD A REFERENDUM ON........(INAUDIBLE).
GOVERNOR: IT’S NOT ON MY AGENDA. IT WAS SUGGESTED BY, I THINK A MEMBER OF THE CRC IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL WHEN I FIRST ANSWERED QUESTIONS THERE. THE CRC AND OTHERS MAY CONTINUE TO PRESS ME TO HOLD A REFERENDUM, BUT MY PRESENT INTENTIONS ARE, IN DUE COURSE, TO PUT LEGISLATION IN FRONT OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. I’VE HEARD QUITE A LOT OF ARGUMENT EXPRESSED AGAINST THE IDEA OF HOLDING A REFERENDUM AND, BY AND LARGE, I THINK IT’S FOR THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TO MAKE UP ITS MIND WHEN LEGISLATIVE PROPOSALS COME BEFORE IT.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH INDEED.
- - 0----------
/15........
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 23, 1992
15
GOVT-LEGCO COMMITTED A FORUM FOR DISCUSSIONS
*****
THE IDEA OF THE GOVERNMENT-LEGCO COMMITTEE WAS TO PROVIDE A FORUM WHICH WOULD ENABLE THE GOVERNMENT TO DISCUSS WITH MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, THE BUSINESS OF THE COUNCIL, THE PRIORITIES FOR LEGISLATION, UP-COMING MOTIONS, AND TO ANSWER QUESTIONS, THE DEPUTY TO THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID FORD, SAID TODAY (FRIDAY).
SPEAKING TO REPORTERS AFTER A DISCUSSION WITH MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON THE SUBJECT, SIR DAVID SAID:
"I SAID THAT WE WERE FAIRLY RELAXED ABOUT THE NUMBERS THAT MIGHT BE ON THE COMMITTEE, AND I THINK MEMBERS FELT THAT IT WAS GOING TO BE VERY DIFFICULT FOR THEM TO SELECT MEMBERSHIP OF THIS COMMITTEE FROM WITHIN THEIR OWN NUMBERS; THERE WAS A FEELING THAT SOME PEOPLE WOULD BE LEFT OUT."
"I MADE THE POINT THAT IT WOULD NOT BE IN ANY WAY A SUPER LEGCO; IT WOULD NOT BE A MINI EXCO; THAT IT WOULD HAVE NO CONSTITUTIONAL POSITION; IT WAS SIMPLY AN INFORMAL GATHERING IN WHICH MEMBERS COULD EXCHANGE VIEWS ABOUT GOVERNMENT BUSINESS," HE SAID.
"I’VE HEARD THE VIEWS OF MEMBERS AND I’VE NOW AGREED THAT I WILL TAKE BACK THOSE VIEWS AND DISCUSS THEM WITH THE GOVERNOR AND WE’LL DECIDE WHERE TO GO FROM HERE," HE ADDED.
SIR DAVID SAID IF MEMBERS FELT THAT THERE SHOULD BE A FEW MORE MEMBERS THE GOVERNMENT WOULD BE HAPPY TO CONSIDER IT.
"I THINK IF MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL DO NOT WISH TO PURSUE THIS IDEA OR IF THEY FIND IT TOO DIFFICULT, THEN CLEARLY WE WOULD NOT GO TO THE WALL ON THIS PROPOSAL.
"IT IS NOT A MATTER OF PRINCIPLE FOR US, IT’S SIMPLY A CONVENIENT FORUM WHICH WE THOUGHT MEMBERS WOULD APPRECIATE OF HAVING THE OPPORTUNITY OF DISCUSSING THE GOVERNMENT’S PROGRAMME WITH THE ADMINISTRATION. BUT IF MEMBERS FIND IT IS TOO DIFFICULT TO MANAGE THEN OBVIOUSLY WE WOULD NOT WISH TO GO AHEAD WITH IT," HE SAID.
--------0-----------
/16........
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 23, 1992
16
ANOTHER AIRPORT CORE PROGRAMME CONTRACT AWARDED
*****
THE GOVERNMENT HAS AWARDED A $205.3 MILLION CONTRACT TO FRANKI-AOKI JOINT VENTURE TO RELOCATE THE HONG KONG FERRY SHIPYARD FACILITY FROM ITS EXISTING SITE AT TAI KOK TSUI TO A NEW SITE NAMED NGAU KOK WAN ON THE NORTHERN SHORE OF TSING YI ISLAND.
THE RELOCATION OF THE SHIPYARD IS REQUIRED TO MAKE WAY FOR THE WEST KOWLOON RECLAMATION, ONE OF THE 10 KEY PROJECTS UNDER THE AIRPORT CORE PROGRAMME (ACP).
THE WORKS WILL INCLUDE THE CONSTRUCTION OF A FULLY OPERATIONAL SHIPYARD, WHICH WILL BE EQUIPPED WITH A SHIPLIFT AND SHIP TRANSFER SYSTEM, TOGETHER WITH ANCILLARY BUILDINGS SUCH AS OFFICES, TRANSFORMER ROOM AND CONTROL ROOM.
THE CENTRAL TENDER BOARD YESTERDAY (THURSDAY) APPROVED THE AWARD OF THE FIXED PRICE LUMP SUM CONTRACT TO THE HONG KONG - JAPANESE CONSORTIUM, WHICH SUBMITTED THE LOWEST TENDER, AFTER CONSIDERING SIX BIDS WHICH RANGED FROM $205.3 MILLION TO $267.1 MILLION.
THIS BRINGS THE TOTAL NUMBER OF GOVERNMENT-FUNDED CONTRACTS AWARDED ON THE ACP TO 19, WITH A TOTAL VALUE OF OVER $19 BILLION, SAID A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN.
’’ALL 19 CONTRACTS WERE AWARDED WITHIN THE GOVERNMENT’S ESTIMATES,” HE SAID.
WORKS WILL START IN MID NOVEMBER AND IS EXPECTED TO BE COMPLETED IN ABOUT 16 MONTHS.
------0-------
RETIREMENT PROTECTION PROPOSALS ANNOUNCED
*****
A CONSULTATION PAPER CONTAINING PROPOSALS FOR A COMMUNITY-WIDE RETIREMENT PROTECTION SYSTEM HAS BEEN PUBLISHED FOR THREE MONTHS’ PUBLIC CONSULTATION.
OUTLINING THE MAJOR RECOMMENDATIONS AT A PRESS CONFERENCE TODAY (FRIDAY), THE SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER, MR JOHN CHAN, EMPHASISED THAT THE PROPOSALS WERE BEING PUT FORWARD FOR PUBLIC COMMENT ONLY AT THIS STAGE, AND AS YET NO DECISIONS HAD BEEN TAKEN.
THE CONSULTATION PAPER WAS PREPARED BY THE INTER-DEPARTMENTAL WORKING GROUP ON RETIREMENT PROTECTION.
HE SAID THE NEW SYSTEM WAS DESIGNED TO PROTECT THE LIVELIHOOD OF ALL FULL-TIME EMPLOYEES AFTER RETIREMENT.
"IT IS NOT A CENTRAL PROVIDENT FUND, BUT IS RATHER A SYSTEM UNDER WHICH PRIVATE INDIVIDUAL RETIREMENT SCHEMES ARE OPERATED BY BANKS, TRUSTEES, INSURANCE COMPANIES OR INDIVIDUAL EMPLOYERS, AS IS THE CASE AT PRESENT," MR CHAN SAID.
/"WHAT WE .......
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 23, 1992
17
"WHAT WE ARE RECOMMENDING IS THAT ALL EMPLOYEES IN FULL-TIME EMPLOYMENT UNDER THE AGE OF 65 SHOULD BE REQUIRED TO PARTICIPATE IN A RETIREMENT PROTECTION SCHEME UNLESS THEY ARE SPECIFICALLY EXEMPTED.
"EMPLOYEES AGED 65 AND ABOVE, AND THEIR EMPLOYERS, COULD PARTICIPATE ON A VOLUNTARY BASIS.
"THOSE EXEMPTED WOULD INCLUDE EMPLOYEES ALREADY COVERED BY APPROVED, EXISTING SCHEMES AS LONG AS THESE OFFER BENEFITS AT LEAST EQUAL TO THOSE UNDER THE PROPOSED NEW SYSTEM."
NON-RESIDENTS WHO ARE WORKING TEMPORARILY IN HONG KONG ARE ALSO REQUIRED TO PARTICIPATE IN THE RETIREMENT PROTECTION SYSTEM IF THEY ARE NOT ALREADY COVERED BY SIMILAR SCHEMES IN THEIR HOME COUNTRIES.
SUCH WORKERS WILL BE ABLE TO WITHDRAW THEIR ACCRUED RETIREMENT BENEFITS UPON THEIR PERMANENT DEPARTURE FROM HONG KONG.
AS REGARDS THE MINIMUM LEVEL OF CONTRIBUTION, THE WORKING GROUP RECOMMENDED THAT IT SHOULD BE SET AT 10 PER CENT OF BASIC SALARY.
THIS LEVEL OF CONTRIBUTION IS NECESSARY IF THE SYSTEM IS TO PRODUCE A LEVEL OF RETIREMENT BENEFIT THAT WOULD ENABLE THE RETIREE TO MAINTAIN A REASONABLE STANDARD OF LIVING, MR CHAN NOTED.
HE ADDED THAT A FIGURE HIGHER THAN THAT CAN BE ARRANGED BY AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE EMPLOYER AND HIS EMPLOYEES.
MR CHAN SAID THE CONTRIBUTION MAY BE PAID EITHER BY THE EMPLOYER ALONE, OR PARTLY BY THE EMPLOYER AND PARTLY BY THE EMPLOYEE.
"WHERE AN EMPLOYEE’S CONTRIBUTION IS REQUIRED, THEN THIS SHOULD NOT EXCEED FIVE PER CENT OF HIS SALARY, OR FIVE PER CENT OF $15,000, WHICHEVER IS THE LESS," HE ADDED.
IN THE CASE AN EMPLOYEE CHANGES JOB, THE WORKING GROUP RECOMMENDED THAT THE BENEFITS ARISING FROM THE MINIMUM LEVEL OF CONTRIBUTION MUST BE TRANSFERRED TO HIS NEW EMPLOYER, OR REMAIN FROZEN IN THE PREVIOUS EMPLOYER’S SCHEME, OR BE LOCKED IN A SEPARATE ACCOUNT INDEPENDENT OF BOTH EMPLOYERS.
"WITHDRAWAL OF BENEFITS EACH TIME AN EMPLOYEE CHANGES JOB WILL DEFEAT THE PURPOSE OF A RETIREMENT PROTECTION SYSTEM," MR CHAN SAID.
THE WORKING GROUP ALSO CONSIDERED THAT BENEFITS ARISING FROM THE STATUTORY MINIMUM CONTRIBUTION SHOULD NOT NORMALLY BE PAID OUT BEFORE THE AGE OF 65, EXCEPT IN SPECIFIC CASES.
HOWEVER, IF AN EMPLOYEE PARTICIPATES IN AN EXISTING OR NEW SCHEME WHICH ALLOWS FOR RETIREMENT BELOW THE AGE OF 65, HE SHOULD BE ABLE TO WITHDRAW, AT THAT EARLIEST AGE, THAT PART OF HIS RETIREMENT BENEFITS WHICH EXCEED THE BENEFITS DERIVED FROM THE MANDATORY MINIMUM CONTRIBUTION IN RESPECT OF SERVICE AFTER THE IMPLEMENTATION DATE OF THE SYSTEM.
/THE PAYMENT
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 23, 1992
18
THE PAYMENT OF RETIREMENT BENEFITS COULD BE IN THE FORM OF EITHER A LUMP-SUM, A MONTHLY PENSION, OR A COMBINATION OF BOTH.
TURNING TO THE QUESTION OF SECURITY OF RETIREMENT BENEFITS, MR CHAN SAID THE WORKING GROUP CONSIDERED THAT THE GENERAL AREAS OF CONCERN REGARDING THE ISSUE WOULD BE DEALT WITH BY THE OCCUPATIONAL RETIREMENT SCHEMES BILL.
"HOWEVER, AS AN ADDITIONAL SAFEGUARD, WE ARE RECOMMENDING THAT APPROPRIATE CRITERIA SHOULD BE LAID DOWN FOR INDIVIDUALS WISHING TO BECOME TRUSTEES," HE SAID.
"THERE HAVE BEEN SUGGESTIONS THAT THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD PROVIDE A FINANCIAL GUARANTEE TO COVER ANY LOSSES WHICH MAY BE CAUSED TO BENEFICIARIES BY THE FAILURE OF RETIREMENT SCHEMES.
"THE WORKING GROUP DOES NOT SUPPORT THIS. PROVIDING A GUARANTEE WOULD REQUIRE THE GOVERNMENT TO TAKE ON AN IMMENSE CONTINGENT LIABILITY, WHICH WOULD NOT BE PRACTICABLE.
"IN ADDITION, IF A GOVERNMENT GUARANTEE WAS PROVIDED, IT COULD ENCOURAGE AGGRESSIVE OR UNSCRUPULOUS FUND MANAGEMENT."
THE WORKING GROUP ALSO REJECTED SUGGESTIONS THAT PUBLIC FUNDS SHOULD BE USED TO AUGMENT BENEFITS PAYABLE UNDER THE PROPOSED RETIREMENT PROTECTION SYSTEM.
"THE GOVERNMENT IS ALREADY PROVIDING A PUBLIC ASSISTANCE SCHEME, A SPECIAL NEEDS ALLOWANCE SCHEME AS WELL AS OTHER BENEFITS SUCH AS COMMUNITY SUPPORT AND RESIDENTIAL SERVICES FOR THE ELDERLY.
SUBJECT TO THE APPROVAL OF FUNDS BY THE FINANCE COMMITTEE OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, A PACKAGE OF IMPROVEMENTS WILL BE MADE TO THE PUBLIC ASSISTANCE SCHEME, WHICH WILL BE RENAMED THE COMPREHENSIVE SOCIAL SECURITY ASSISTANCE SCHEME, FROM JULY 1 NEXT YEAR.
"THESE BENEFITS WILL REMAIN IN PLACE EVEN AFTER THE RETIREMENT PROTECTION SYSTEM HAS BEEN INTRODUCED, AND AS THEY ARE PROVIDED THROUGH GENERAL REVENUE AT MINIMAL OR NO COST, THEY MUST BE TAKEN INTO CONSIDERATION," MR CHAN STRESSED.
APART FROM THE CONSULTATION PAPER ENTITLED "A COMMUNITY-WIDE RETIREMENT PROTECTION SYSTEM", THE GOVERNMENT HAS ALSO PREPARED A SIMPLE GUIDE WHICH CONTAINS ALL THE MAIN RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE WORKING GROUP.
COPIES OF THE CONSULTATION PAPER AND THE SIMPLE GUIDE ARE AVAILABLE AT THE DISTRICT OFFICES OF THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION, BRANCH OFFICES OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT AND POST OFFICES.
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE INVITED TO SEND THEIR VIEWS IN WRITING TO THE PRINCIPAL ASSISTANT SECRETARY (SD), EDUCATION AND MANPOWER BRANCH, 12TH FLOOR, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, WEST WING, HONG KONG, ON OR BEFORE JANUARY 31 NEXT YEAR.
--------0-----------
/19 ........
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 23, 1992
19
TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT SYSTEM FOR NEW AIRPORT LAND LINK
*****
THE LANTAU FIXED CROSSING, WHICH WILL BE ONE OF THE WORLD’S LONGEST SUSPENSION BRIDGES, WILL BE EQUIPPED WITH A COMPREHENSIVE TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT SYSTEM.
SUITABLE CONTRACTORS ARE INVITED TO APPLY FOR PREQUALIFICATION TO TENDER FOR THE SUPPLY AND INSTALLATION OF THE TRAFFIC CONTROL AND SURVEILLANCE SYSTEM AT THE LANTAU FIXED CROSSING (LFC) AND PART OF ROUTE 3 AT TSING YI AND KWAI CHUNG.
THE GOVERNMENT ENGINEER OF PORT AND AIRPORT DEVELOPMENT BRANCH OF THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT, MR KAM CHAN-YIU, SAID TODAY (FRIDAY) THAT IT WAS THE GOVERNMENT’S INTENTION TO PROVIDE FAST AND CONVENIENT ACCESS TO NORTH LANTAU.
’’HOWEVER, IT IS EQUALLY IMPORTANT TO ENSURE THAT ADEQUATE FACILITIES ARE PROVIDED FOR THE PROPER MANAGEMENT OF THESE ROADS,” HE ADDED.
WORKS FOR THE CONTRACT WOULD INVOLVED THE PROVISION OF TRAFFIC SIGNS AND LANE SIGNALS AND ITS COMPUTERISED CONTROL FOR THE BETTERMENT OF TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT AS WELL AS THE INSTALLATION OF AUTOMATIC INCIDENT DETECTION AND CLOSED CIRCUIT TELEVISION SURVEILLANCE FOR TRAFFIC MONITORING AND INCIDENT DETECTION.
OTHER FACILITIES SUCH AS RADIO COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS, EMERGENCY TELEPHONES, PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEM TOGETHER WITH ALL NECESSARY SUPPORTING FACILITIES WILL ALSO BE PROVIDED UNDER THE CONTRACT.
THERE ARE 10 PROJECTS UNDER THE AIRPORT CORE PROGRAMME (ACP).
THE LFC AND ROUTE 3 ARE TWO OF THE SEVEN ACP PROJECTS FUNDED BY THE GOVERNMENT AS PUBLIC WORKS PROJECTS.
THE OTHER THREE ACP PROJECTS - THE NEW AIRPORT AT CHEK LAP KOK, THE AIRPORT RAILWAY AND THE WESTERN HARBOUR CROSSING - ARE OPENED TO PRIVATE SECTOR INVESTMENT IN VARYING WAYS.
MR KAM SAID THE TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT SYSTEM FOR THE LFC AND PART OF ROUTE 3 WOULD COVER A TOTAL OF 16.7 KILOMETRES OF ROADWAY, BRIDGES AND TUNNEL WHICH FORMED THE IMPORTANT LAND LINK TO THE NEW AIRPORT.
A NOTICE OF PREQUALIFICATION INVITATION WAS GAZETTED TODAY (FRIDAY).
PREQUALIFICATION DOCUMENTS ARE OBTAINABLE FROM THE HIGHWAYS DEPARTMENT’S CONSULTING ENGINEERS AT 38TH FLOOR, METROPLAZA TOWER 1, 223 HING FONG ROAD, KWAI FONG. ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE ON TEL 428 8866.
PREQUALIFICATION APPLICATIONS MUST BE SUBMITTED BEFORE NOON ON NOVEMBER 27 (FRIDAY).
FOLLOWING THE PREQUALIFICATION EXERCISE, THE HIGHWAYS DEPARTMENT WILL INVITE TENDERS FROM THE PREQUALIFIED TENDERERS IN MARCH NEXT YEAR.
--------0----------
/20 ........
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 23, 1992
DIRECTOR OF MARINE ORDERS INQUIRY INTO SHIP COLLISION
*****
THE DIRECTOR OF MARINE, MR TONY MILLER, TODAY (FRIDAY) APPOINTED A NAUTICAL SURVEYOR TO CARRY OUT A PILOTAGE PRELIMINARY INQUIRY INTO THE COLLISION INVOLVING THE GERMAN CONTAINER SHIP "DSR ATLANTIC" AND THE TAIWANESE CONTAINER SHIP "UNI-HUMANITY" HALF A MILE SOUTHEAST OF TSING YI ISLAND.
THE SURVEYOR IS CAPTAIN CHEUNG TAI-KEE.
THE PURPOSE OF THE INQUIRY IS TO ESTABISH THE CAUSE OF THE ACCIDENT SO THAT THE PILOTAGE AUTHORITY WHO IS THE DIRECTOR OF MARINE, CAN DECIDE WHETHER A BOARD OF INVESTIGATION SHOULD BE CONVENED.
A REPORT ON THE INQUIRY WILL BE SUBMITTED TO THE PILOTAGE AUTHORITY IN TWO MONTHS.
THE COLLISION OCCURRED AT ABOUT 9.30 PM YESTERDAY (THURSDAY) BETWEEN THE PILOTED 34,200-TONNE "DSR ATLANTIC" WHICH WAS HEADING FOR THE KWAI CHUNG CONTAINER TERMINAL AND THE PILOTED 12,200-TONNE "UNI-HUMANITY".
THE LATTER WAS DEPARTING HONG KONG FROM A BUOY SOUTH OF STONECUTTERS ISLAND. NO INJURY WAS REPORTED.
THE "DSR ATLANTIC" LATER CONTINUED TO PROCEED TO THE CONTAINER TERMINAL AND THE "UNI-HUMANITY" WAS TOWED TO WESTERN ANCHORAGE NORTH OF KAU YI CHAU.
- - 0 - -
BANKING LICENCE GRANTED TO HYAKUJUSHI BANK
*****
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (FRIDAY) THAT THE HYAKUJUSHI BANK LTD HAD BEEN GRANTED A BANKING LICENCE TO CONDUCT BUSINESS IN HONG KONG.
THE HYAKUJUSHI BANK LTD IS THE 44TH LARGEST BANK IN JAPAN, AND RANKS 244TH IN THE WORLD IN TERMS OF CAPITAL.
PRIOR TO THE GRANTING OF THE BANKING LICENCE, THE BANK OPERATED A REPRESENTATIVE OFFICE AND A DEPOSIT-TAKING SUBSIDIARY 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 HYAKUJUSHI BANK IS THE THIRD BANKING LICENCE GRANTED IN 1992.
THERE ARE NOW 162 LICENSED BANKS IN HONG KONG, OF WHICH 132 ARE INCORPORATED OUTSIDE THE TERRITORY.
- - 0 - -
/21
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 23, 1992
21
RECLAMATION AND LANDFILLING WORKS AT NIM WAN
*****
THE GOVERNMENT INTENDS TO CARRY OUT RECLAMATION AND LANDFILLING WITHIN AN AREA OF ABOUT 44.40 HECTARES OF FORESHORE AND SEA-BED AT NIM WAN, TUEN MUN TO PROVIDE LAND FOR THE INSTALLATION OF SOLID WASTE DISPOSAL FACILITIES FOR WEST NEW TERRITORIES (WENT) LANDFILL, PHASE II.
THE EXTENT OF THE AREA AFFECTED WAS DESCRIBED IN A NOTICE OF AUTHORISATION GAZETTED TODAY (FRIDAY).
THE WORKS WILL START AT THE END OF THIS YEAR.
THE NOTICE, IN BOTH ENGLISH AND CHINESE, TOGETHER WITH ITS RELATED PLAN CAN BE SEEN AT THE SURVEY AND MAPPING OFFICE, BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT, 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.
ANY PERSON WHO CONSIDERS THAT HIS INTEREST, RIGHT OR EASEMENT IN OR OVER THE FORESHORE AND SEA-BED INVOLVED WILL BE INJURIOUSLY AFFECTED BY THIS UNDERTAKING MAY DELIVER TO THE DIRECTOR OF BUILDINGS AND LANDS A WRITTEN CLAIM FOR COMPENSATION ON OR BEFORE OCTOBER 22 NEXT YEAR.
HE SHOULD STATE IN HIS SUBMISSION THE SUM OF MONEY WHICH HE IS WILLING TO ACCEPT IN FULL AND FINAL SETTLEMENT OF HIS CLAIM AND SHOULD SUBMIT SUCH PARTICULARS WHICH HE POSSESSES TO SUBSTANTIATE HIS CLAIM.
--------------------------------0------- DIRECTOR OF TERRITORY DEVELOPMENT LEAVES FOR SPANISH CONFERENCE *****
THE DIRECTOR OF TERRITORY DEVELOPMENT, MR CHOW CHE-KING, WILL LEAVE FOR MADRID, SPAIN THIS (FRIDAY) EVENING TO ATTEND THE 16TH ANNUAL CONFERENCE OF THE INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION FOR THE DEVELOPMENT AND MANAGEMENT OF EXISTING AND NEW TOWNS.
MR CHOW WILL PRESENT A PAPER ENTITLED "INFRASTRUCTURE PLANNING FOR NEW TOWNS IN HONG KONG" AT THE CONFERENCE WHICH RUNS FROM SUNDAY (OCTOBER 25) TO THURSDAY (OCTOBER 29).
MORE THAN 40 PROFESSIONALS INVOLVED IN NEW TOWN DEVELOPMENTS FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD WILL ATTEND THE CONFERENCE.
THE NEXT ANNUAL CONFERENCE WILL BE HELD IN HONG KONG NEXT YEAR.
---------0 - -
/22 .......
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 23, 1992
- 22 -
OBJECTIVES OF METHADONE TREATMENT PROGRAMME EXPLAINED *****
THE METHADONE PROGRAMME IS THE LARGEST AND MOST POPULAR TREATMENT INSTITUTION IN HONG KONG.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE COMMISSIONER FOR NARCOTICS, MR KEN WOODHOUSE, AT THE LUNCHEON MEETING OF THE ROTARY CLUB OF ADMIRALTY TODAY (FRIDAY).
HE SAID IN 1991, THE TOTAL NUMBER OF ADMISSIONS TO ALL OF OUR TREATMENT INSTITUTIONS WAS OVER 14,000; THE METHADONE PROGRAMME ACCOUNTED FOR NEARLY 10,000, OR 70 %, OF THE TOTAL NUMBER OF ADMISSIONS.
THE USE OF METHADONE FOR THE TREATMENT OF DRUG ADDICTS ON AN OUT-PATIENT BASIS STARTED IN HONG KONG IN LATE 1972.
SINCE THEN, THE PROGRAMME HAS BEEN EXPANDED TO COPE WITH INCREASES IN DEMAND, MAKING IT THE LARGEST OF THE TREATMENT PROGRAMMES IN HONG KONG.
THERE ARE NOW 25 METHADONE CLINICS IN HONG KONG, FOUR ON HONG KONG ISLAND, 13 IN KOWLOON AND EIGHT IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.
THE PROGRAMME HAS BEEN IN EXISTENCE FOR NEARLY 20 YEARS, BUT IT IS STILL WIDELY MISUNDERSTOOD AND NOT GENERALLY SEEN FOR THE SUCCESS THAT IT IS, MR WOODHOUSE SAID.
THE MAIN OBJECTIVES OF METHADONE TREATMENT IS TO PROVIDE DRUG ADDICTS WITH A READILY ACCESSIBLE, LEGAL, MEDICALLY SAFE AND EFFECTIVE ALTERNATIVE TO CONTINUE ILLICIT SELF-ADMINISTRATION OF HEROIN.
MR WOODHOUSE ALSO EXPLAINED THAT METHADONE PERMITS PATIENTS TO WORK AND TO ACHIEVE SOME SORT OF SOCIAL STABILITY AS A CONTRIBUTING MEMBER OF THE COMMUNITY.
IT IS PARTICULARLY USEFUL BECAUSE IT ENABLES THOSE SUFFERING FROM DRUG DEPENDENCY TO BE EMPLOYED GAINFULLY AND THUS REGAIN A RELATIVELY NORMAL LIFE FOR THEMSELVES AND THEIR FAMILIES; IN FACT, ABOUT 65% OF THE PATIENTS ATTENDING METHADONE CLINICS ARE GAINFULLY EMPLOYED, HE SAID.
ALL THE 25 METHADONE CLINICS ARE IN OPERATION SEVEN DAYS A WEEK THROUGHOUT THE YEAR AND, DURING TYPHOON, 12 CLINICS REMAIN OPEN TO PROVIDE EMERGENCY TREATMENT.
MR WOODHOUSE SAID THE OBJECTIVE WAS TO ENSURE THAT, AT ALL TIMES, PATIENTS HAD RECOURSE TO METHADONE TREATMENT AND WERE NOT FORCED BACK ONTO DRUGS.
PATIENTS ATTENDING THE METHADONE TREATMENT PROGRAMME MAY OPT FOR EITHER DETOXIFICATION OR MAINTENANCE TREATMENT, ALTHOUGH THE MAJORITY CHOOSE THE LATTER.
/THESE SHOULD .......
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 23, 1992
23
THESE SHOULD NOT BE LOOKED ON AS MUTUALLY BECAUSE, IN PRACTICE, PATIENTS VARY FROM ONE MODE OTHER, DEPENDING ON THEIR DEGREE OF MOTIVATION.
EXCLUSIVE OPTIONS, OF TREATMENT TO THE
MEDICAL STAFF IN THE METHADONE CLINICS ADMINISTER THE APPROPRIATE DOSAGE OF METHADONE ACCORDING TO THE PATIENT’S CONDITIONS.
THIS VARIES BETWEEN ABOUT FIVE AND 100 MILLIGRAMMES. METHADONE IS ADMINISTERED IN A LINCTUS, OR SYRUP, WHICH, UNTIL RECENTLY, WAS ORANGE-COLOURED. WE HAVE RECENTLY CHANGED THE COLOUR TO GREEN.
SOCIAL WORKERS AT THE CLINICS HELP PATIENTS BY PROVIDING COUNSELLING AND REFERRAL SERVICES FOR APPROPRIATE LEVELS OF SOCIAL ASSISTANCE. >
THE PATIENTS’ CONDITION IS CLOSELY MONITORED AND PATIENTS WHO DEMONSTRATE THEIR DETERMINATION TO SHED THEIR DRUG ADDICTION ARE ENCOURAGED TO JOIN IN-PATIENT DETOXIFICATION PROGRAMMES.
"BY PROVIDING PATIENTS WITH A LEGAL, READILY AVAILABLE ALTERNATIVE TO HEROIN, THE METHADONE TREATMENT CENTRES HELP REDUCE THE DEMAND FOR DRUGS," HE ADDED.
IN RECENT YEARS, THE METHADONE TREATMENT PROGRAMME HAS ALSO PROVED TO HAVE PLAYED A MAJOR ROLE IN CONTROLLING THE SPREAD OF AIDS AMONG THE INTRAVENOUS DRUG POPULATION.
WHILE THERE HAS BEEN AN EXPLOSION OF AIDS AMONG DRUG ABUSING POPULATION IN ALL OTHER PARTS OF THE WORLD, THE PROPORTION OF AIDS VICTIMS AMONG DRUG ABUSERS IN HONG KONG IS VERY LOW, MR WOODHOUSE SAID.
OUT OF THE 310 CONFIRMED AIDS OR HIV POSITIVE CASES IN HONG KONG, ONLY SIX ARE DRUG ABUSERS.
MR WOODHOUSE POINTED OUT THAT THE TOTAL COST OF OUR METHADONE TREATMENT PROGRAMME IS ABOUT $21 MILLION PER ANNUM; WHEN COMPARED TO THE CONSEQUENCES OF DRUG ADDICTION TO THE COMMUNITY THE COST OF TREATMENT IS INSIGNIFICANT.
"HONG KONG HAS BEEN PRAISED INTERNATIONALLY FOR ITS COMPREHENSIVE, AND PRAGMATIC APPROACH TO TREATMENT SERVICES.
"WHILE THE GOVERNMENT IS DETERMINED TO MAINTAIN THESE SERVICES FOR THOSE WHO SUFFER FROM DRUG DEPENDENCY, THEIR SUCCESSFUL OPERATION WILL INEVITABLY BE BOOSTED BY THE SUPPORT AND UNDERSTANDING OF THE COMMUNITY," HE SAID.
--------0-----------
/24 ........
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 23, 1992
- 24
NEW SEWAGE PIPELINE IN TOLO HARBOUR *****
THE DRAINAGE SERVICES DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF A SUBMARINE PIPELINE FOR THE TOLO HARBOUR EFFLUENT EXPORT SCHEME.
f THE SCHEME IS PART OF THE TOLO HARBOUR ACTION PLAN WHICH IS AIMED AT REDUCING POLLUTION CAUSED BY RED TIDES IN THE HARBOUR.
WORKS WILL INCLUDE THE CONSTRUCTION OF A SIX-KILOMETRE-LONG WELDED STEEL SUBMARINE PIPELINE AND AN ASSOCIATED WELDED STEEL PIPELINE ON TAI PO AND SHA TIN RECLAMATIONS.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT TODAY (FRIDAY) SAID: ’’WHEN CONSTRUCTION WORKS ARE COMPLETED, A PUMPING STATION WILL PUMP TREATED SEWAGE EFFLUENT FROM TAI PO SEWAGE TREATMENT WORKS THROUGH THE SUBMARINE PIPELINE TO SHA TIN SEWAGE TREATMENT WORKS.
’’THE COMBINED TREATED SEWAGE FROM SHA TIN AND TAI PO WILL THEN BE PUMPED THROUGH A TWIN PUMPING MAIN AND THEN GRAVITATE THROUGH A 7.4-KILOMETRE-LONG TUNNEL TO KAI TAK NULLAH AND FINALLY DISCHARGED TO VICTORIA HARBOUR."
CONSTRUCTION WORKS ARE EXPECTED TO BEGIN IN JANUARY NEXT YEAR AND WILL BE COMPLETED BY JANUARY 1995.
TENDER FORMS AND FURTHER PARTICULARS MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE CONSULTANT ENGINEERS OF THE PROJECT, BALFOURS-HASWELL, 10TH FLOOR, 1 KOWLOON PARK DRIVE, TSIM SHA TSUI, KOWLOON.
TENDER OFFER WILL CLOSE AT NOON ON DECEMBER 4.
------0-------
GOVT REVISES CONTRIBUTION TO TAVA SCHEME
*****
THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL HAS APPROVED A PROPOSAL FOR REVISING THE GOVERNMENT’S CONTRIBUTION TO THE TRAFFIC ACCIDENT VICTIMS ASSISTANCE (TAVA) SCHEME FROM ONE-THIRD TO ONE-FIFTH OF ITS COST WITH EFFECT FROM OCTOBER 21 THIS YEAR.
THE SCHEME AIMS TO PROVIDE SPEEDY FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO TRAFFIC ACCIDENT VICTIMS OR THEIR SURVIVING DEPENDANTS REGARDLESS OF THEIR MEANS OR THE FAULT ELEMENT IN THE ACCIDENT.
IT IS FINANCED FROM THREE SOURCES: VEHICLE OWNERS, DRIVERS AND THE GOVERNMENT.
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THE GOVERNMENT’S CONTRIBUTION WAS FOR COVERING PEDESTRIAN NEGLIGENCE IN TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS.
SINCE THE INTRODUCTION OF THE SCHEME IN 1979, THE GOVERNMENT HAS BEEN CONTRIBUTING ONE-THIRD OF ITS COST AS IT WAS ESTIMATED THAT SOME 30-35 PER CENT OF TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS FROM 1973 TO 1977 HAD BEEN CAUSED BY PEDESTRIAN NEGLIGENCE.
/"RECENT TRAFFIC .......
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 23, 1992
25
"RECENT TRAFFIC ACCIDENT STATISTICS, HOWEVER, SHOW THAT FROM 1978 TO 1990, THE PERCENTAGE OF ACCIDENTS CAUSED BY PEDESTRIAN NEGLIGENCE RANGED FROM 20.3 PER CENT TO 25.7 PER CENT ONLY," THE SPOKESMAN NOTED.
"AS THE PERCENTAGE OF ACCIDENTS CAUSED BY PEDESTRIAN NEGLIGENCE HAS BEEN CONSIDERABLY LOWER THAN THE EARLIER FIGURES OF 30-35 PER CENT, WE CONSIDER THAT THERE IS A CASE TO REVISE THE CONTRIBUTION FROM GENERAL REVENUE TO THE SCHEME TO REFLECT MORE ACCURATELY THE PEDESTRIANS’ PART IN CAUSING TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS."
THE SPOKESMAN ADDED THAT THE SAVINGS ACHIEVED WOULD BE USED TO IMPROVE SOCIAL WELFARE SERVICES AND THAT THE REVISION WOULD NOT AFFECT THE LEVEL OF PAYMENT TO TRAFFIC ACCIDENT VICTIMS.
------0-------
FORESTS AND COUNTRYSIDE ORDINANCE TO BE UPDATED *****
THE GOVERNMENT PROPOSES TO AMEND SOME PROVISIONS OF THE FORESTS AND COUNTRYSIDE ORDINANCE TO BRING THEM IN LINE WITH THE PRESENT SOCIO-ECONOMIC CIRCUMSTANCES.
THE FORESTS AND COUNTRYSIDE (AMENDMENT) BILL 1992 WHICH SEEKS TO INTRODUCE THE CHANGES HAS BEEN GAZETTED TODAY (FRIDAY).
ONE OF THE MAJOR CHANGES PROPOSED IS THE REMOVAL OF COLLECTIVE LIABILITY IMPOSED ON INHABITANTS OF ANY VILLAGE OR AREA COMMITTING AN OFFENCE OF FELLING, CUTTING, BURNING, DAMAGING OR DESTROYING TREES ON GOVERNMENT LANDS.
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID SUCH A FORM OF COLLECTIVE LIABILITY WAS UNDESIRABLE UNDER THE PRESENT SOCIAL CIRCUMSTANCES AND SHOULD THEREFORE BE ABOLISHED.
INSTEAD, THE BILL SUGGESTS THE ADDITION OF A NEW PROVISION TO SPELL OUT MORE CLEARLY THE ACTS PROHIBITED IN FORESTS AND PLANTATIONS, MAKING IT AN OFFENCE TO FELL, CUT, BURN OR DESTROY ANY TREE OR GROWING PLANT.
HOWEVER, FOR EDUCATION AND RESEARCH PURPOSES, ACTS SUCH AS CUTTING GRASS AND REMOVING TURF OR EARTH ARE SOMETIMES REQUIRED.
THE BILL THEREFORE PROPOSES THAT THE DIRECTOR OF AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES BE EMPOWERED TO ISSUE SPECIAL PERMITS FOR SUCH ACTIVITIES.
TO ENHANCE ENFORCEMENT OF THE LEGISLATION, THE BILL SEEKS TO REPEAL THE PROVISION ON POWER OF ARREST AND SUBSTITUTES IT WITH MORE DETAILED PROVISIONS ABOUT POWERS OF INSPECTION, SEARCH, ARREST AND SEIZURE BY AUTHORISED OFFICERS.
ON THE LEVEL OF FINES, THE MAXIMUM FINE FOR THE OFFENCE, WHICH WAS LAST REVISED IN 1948, WILL BE RAISED FROM $2,000 TO $25,000.
/A MAXIMUM .......
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 23, 1992
26 -
A MAXIMUM FINE OF $10,000 WILL ALSO BE INTRODUCED FOR THE OFFENCE OF ASSAULTING, RESISTING OR OBSTRUCTING ANY AUTHORISED OFFICER IN THE EXECUTION OF HIS DUTY UNDER THE ORDINANCE.
THE BILL WILL BE INTRODUCED TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON NOVEMBER 4.
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WHO WISH TO COMMENT ON THE AMENDMENTS CAN SEND IN THEIR VIEWS TO THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT ON 12TH FLOOR, CANTON ROAD GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 393 CANTON ROAD.
- - 0----------
NEW CHARGES AT AIRPORT CAR PARKS *****
A k/EtV SCALE OF FEES WILL BE INTRODUCED AT SOME OF THE PUBLIC CAR PARKS AND SPECIAL CAR PARKS AT KAI TAK AIRPORT FROM NOVEMBER 1, 1992, A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (FRIDAY).
THE RATE FOR THE FIRST TWO HOURS OF PARKING AT THE PASSENGER TERMINAL MULTI-STOREY CAR PARK AND THE CARGO TERMINAL CAR PARK WILL BE ADJUSTED FROM $12 TO $13 PER HOUR.
"TO DISCOURAGE LONG-TERM PARKING AT THESE TWO CAR PARKS WHICH ARE OFTEN OVER-SUBSCRIBED, THE PARKING FEES FROM THE THIRD HOUR ONWARD WILL BE DOUBLED I.E. $26 PER HOUR," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
THE HOURLY RATE AT THE CONCORDE ROAD CAR PARK, WHICH MAINLY PROVIDES PARKING FOR AIRPORT TENANTS AND THEIR VISITORS, REMAINS UNCHANGED AT $12.
THE MONTHLY PARKING FEES OF THE SPECIAL CAR PARK SPACES RESERVED FOR AIRPORT TENANTS AND EMPLOYEES AT ALL THREE CAR PARKS WILL BE INCREASED FROM $1,200 TO $1,250 FOR A PRIVATE CAR AND FROM $1,600 TO $1,650 FOR A COMMERCIAL VEHICLE.
"AIRPORT CAR PARKING CHARGES ARE MAINTAINED AT A COMPARABLE LEVEL TO CAR PARKS AT OTHER PRIME LOCATIONS IN HONG KONG.
"THIS DISCOURAGES CASUAL PARKING BY NON-AIRPORT USERS SO THAT GENUINE AIRPORT USERS, PARTICULAR MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC, WILL„ PARKING SPACES AVAILABLE TO THEM WHEN THEY VISIT KAI TAK, Tl
SPOKESMAN SAID.
------0 - -
/27........
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 23, 1992
27
PROPOSED ROAD CLOSURE IN TIN WAN ESTATE *****
THE GOVERNMENT PROPOSES TO CLOSE TIN WAN NEW STREET PERMANENTLY FOR THE REDEVELOPMENT OF TIN WAN ESTATE.
A NOTICE CONCERNING THE PROPOSED WORK IS GAZETTED TODAY (FRIDAY).
THE PLAN AND SCHEME CAN BE SEEN BY MEMBERS AT:
* CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT OFFICE, PUBLIC ENQUIRY SERVICE CENTRE, GROUND FLOOR, HARBOUR BUILDING, 38 PIER ROAD, CENTRAL, HONG KONG;
* THE DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE, HONG KONG SOUTH, SOUTHRON CENTRE, 20TH FLOOR, 130 HENNESSY ROAD, WAN CHAI, HONG KONG; AND
* THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OFFICE, SHOP 25, GROUND & SECOND FLOOR, MEI FUNG COURT, ABERDEEN, HONG KONG.
ANY PERSON OBJECTING TO THE PROPOSAL MUST SEND HIS OBJECTION IN WRITING TO REACH THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT NOT LATER THAN DECEMBER 22, THIS YEAR.
THE REDEVELOPMENT OF TIN WAN ESTATE IS EXPECTED TO BE COMPLETED IN 1995/96. IT WILL EVENTUALLY PROVIDE 2,724 RENTAL AND 700 HOME OWNERSHIP SCHEME FLATS FOR ABOUT 12,750 PEOPLE.
------U-------
YUK YAT STREET EXTENSION PROPOSED
*****
THE GOVERNMENT PROPOSES TO CONSTRUCT YUK YAT STREET EXTENSION LINKING THE EXISTING BAILEY STREET AND CHI KIANG STREET TO EASE TRAFFIC ON TO KWA WAN ROAD AND TO IMPROVE TRAFFIC CIRCULATION IN HUNG HOM NORTH.
THE WORKS COMPRISE THE CONSTRUCTION OF 240 METRES OF YUK YAT STREET EXTENSION AND ASSOCIATED FOOTPATHS, RECONSTRUCTION OF PART OF CHI KIANG STREET AND YUK YAT STREET, AND CLOSURE OF PART OF THE EXISTING CARRIAGEWAY AND FOOTPATH OF BAILEY STREET, SUNG ON STREET, YUK YAT STREET AND CHI KIANG STREET.
A NOTICE CONCERNING THE PROPOSED WORKS IS GAZETTED TODAY (FRIDAY).
THE PLANS AND SCHEME OF THE PROPOSED WORKS CAN BE SEEN AT:
* CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT OFFICE, PUBLIC ENQUIRY SERVICE CENTRE, GROUND FLOOR, HARBOUR BUILDING, 38 PIER ROAD, CENTRAL;
* KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT OFFICE, FIRST FLOOR, 141-143 KAU PUI LUNG ROAD, KOWLOON CITY; AND
/* DISTRICT LANDS .......
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 23, 1992
28
* DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE/KOWLOON WEST, 10TH FLOOR, YAU MA TEI CARPARK BUILDING, 250 SHANGHAI STREET, YAU MA TEI.
ANY PERSON OBJECTING TO THE PROPOSAL MUST SEND HIS OBJECTION IN WRITING TO REACH THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT NO LATER THAN DECEMBER 22 THIS YEAR.
------0-------
HANDOVER OF NEW POLICE LAUNCH * * * * *
THE GOVERNMENT IS FULLY CONFIDENT THAT THE NEW POLICE LAUNCH PL 51 WOULD MEET THE COMMAND AND PATROL NEEDS OF TODAY’S MARINE POLICE.
THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF MARINE (GOVERNMENT FLEET), MR PETER CRISP, SAID THIS TODAY (FRIDAY) DURING A HANDOVER SIGNING CEREMONY ON BOARD THE FIRST OF SIX MARINE POLICE COMMAND/PATROL LAUNCHES AT THE GOVERNMENT DOCKYARD IN CANTON ROAD, KOWLOON.
THE CEREMONY WAS OFFICIATED BY MR KEN CAPORN, PROJECT MANAGER OF THE AUSTRALIAN SHIPBUILDING INDUSTRIES (WA) PTY. LTD (ASI), WHICH WAS AWARDED A $301 MILLION CONTRACT FOR THE BUILDING OF THE SIX LAUNCHES.
ALSO PRESENT WAS THE CHIEF STAFF OFFICER (ADMINISTRATION AND SUPPORT) OF THE MARINE POLICE, MR JOHN PETTENGELL.
MR CRISP SAID: "WE ARE CONFIDENT BECAUSE WE CARRIED OUT A WORLDWIDE MARKET SEARCH TO FIND THE MOST SUITABLE VESSEL.
"WE INVESTIGATED PATROL BOATS IN SERVICE IN NORTH AMERICA, EUROPE, THE MIDDLE EAST, SOUTHEAST ASIA, AUSTRALIA AND THE SOUTH PACIFIC AS WELL AS SURVEYING THE LOCAL MARKET.
"BUT AFTER OUR EVALUATION WE CONCLUDED THAT ASI WOULD GIVE US THE BEST BOAT AND THE BEST VALUE-FOR-MONEY."
AFTER HER SEA TRIALS IN FREMANTLE, WESTERN AUSTRALIA, PL 51 SAILED TO HONG KONG UNDER HER OWN STEAM IN LATE SEPTEMBER.
MR CRISP SAID THE LAUNCH, THE FIRST TO BE DELIVERED, WAS THREE MONTHS AHEAD OF SCHEDULE. HER FIVE SISTER SHIPS WILL BE DELIVERED AND COMMISSIONED AT A RATE OF ONE A MONTH FROM EARLY NEXT YEAR.
"BY THE MIDDLE OF NEXT YEAR, ALL SIX WILL BE IN SERVICE WITH THE MARINE POLICE REGION.
"WE ARE SURE THAT THE SIX NEW FAST PATROL LAUNCHES WHICH HAVE A DIVISIONAL COMMAND CAPABILITY WILL BE EXTREMELY VALUABLE IN THE FIGHT AGAINST CRIME IN HONG KONG WATERS."
- - 0 - -
/29........
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 23, 1992
- 29 -
273 VMS GO HOME * * * *
A GROUP OF 273 VIETNAMESE MIGRANTS TODAY (FRIDAY) RETURNED TO VIETNAM UNDER THE UNHCR’S VOLUNTARY REPATRIATION PROGRAMME.
COMPRISING 112 MEN, 68 WOMEN, 42 BOYS AND 51 GIRLS, THEY WERE THE 129TH BATCH TO GO BACK UNDER THE PROGRAMME.
THE GROUP BROUGHT TO 9,821 THE TOTAL NUMBER OF VIETNAMESE MIGRANTS WHO HAVE RETURNED VOLUNTARILY THIS YEAR, AND TO 23,700 THE TOTAL NUMBER OF RETURNEES SINCE THE PROGRAMME STARTED IN MARCH 1989.
,------o-------
GOVERNOR TO BRIEF LEGCO ON CHINA VISIT
*****
THE GOVERNOR, THE RT HON CHRISTOPHER PATTEN, WILL BRIEF MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON HIS VISIT TO CHINA AT A SITTING OF THE COUNCIL AT 10.30 AM TOMORROW (SATURDAY).
HE WILL ALSO INVITE AND ANSWER QUESTIONS FROM MEMBERS ON MATTERS ARISING FROM THE VISIT.
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE WELCOME TO OBSERVE THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE MEETING FROM THE PUBLIC GALLERY OF THE LEGCO CHAMBER.
THEY MAY RESERVE SEATS BY CALLING 869 9492.
------0-------
TENDERS INVITED FOR CAR PARKING MANAGEMENT SYSTEM *****
THE ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR THE DESIGN, SUPPLY AND INSTALLATION OF A CAR PARKING AND TICKETING MANAGEMENT SYSTEM FOR PHASE 1 OF THE CHEUNG SHA WAN WHOLESALE MARKET.
THE SYSTEM WILL INCLUDE SIX INGRESS BOOTHS WITH MAGNETIC CARD DISPENSERS, FOUR EGRESS BOOTHS WITH AUTOMATIC CARD RECEIVERS AND 12 ASSOCIATED COMPUTER SYSTEMS.
TENDER FORMS AND FURTHER PARTICULARS MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE DEPARTMENT’S CONTRACT SECTION, ROOM 811, EIGHTH FLOOR, 98 CAROLINE HILL ROAD, CAUSEWAY BAY, HONG KONG.
TENDERS SHOULD BE PLACED IN THE PUBLIC WORKS TENDER BOX AT THE LIFT LOBBY ON 34TH FLOOR, QUEENSWAY GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 66 QUEENSWAY, HONG KONG, BEFORE NOON ON NOVEMBER 20.
- - 0---------
/30 .......
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 23, 1992
30
CIVIL AID SERVICES TO OPEN TSEUNG KWAN O OFFICES
* * * * *
THE CIVIL AID SERVICES (CAS) WILL OPEN ITS DIVISIONAL HEADQUARTERS AND CADET UNIT HEADQUARTERS AT THE KING LAM ESTATE COMMUNITY CENTRE IN TSEUNG KWAN 0 ON SUNDAY (OCTOBER 25).
THE NEW OFFICES WILL HELP CAS ADULT AND CADET MEMBERS SERVE THE GROWING POPULATION IN THE AREA.
THE CHAIRMAN OF SAI KUNG DISTRICT BOARD, MR WILLIAM WAN HON-CHEUNG, WILL OFFICIATE AT A CEREMONY AT 11 AM ON SUNDAY TO MARK THE OPENING OF THE OFFICES.
AFTER THE CEREMONY, CAS MEMBERS WILL PRESENT A BAND PERFORMANCE AND A LION DANCE AS WELL AS DEMONSTRATE BICYCLE-RIDING AND RESCUE SKILLS.
A COUNTER WILL BE SET UP ON THE DAY TO RECRUIT VOLUNTEERS TO JOIN CAS.
------0-------
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND
MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS
*****
$ MILLION
OPENING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT 1,780
REVERSAL OF LAF -280
BALANCE AFTER REVERSAL OF LAF 1,500
NET INJECTION/WITHDRAWAL TODAY NIL
EFFECT OF LAF TODAY NIL
CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT 1,500
LAF RATE 2.00 BID/4.00 OFFER TWI 111.1 *-0.4* 23.10.92
/HONG KONG .......
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 23, 1992
31
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND
EF BILLS
TERMS YIELD TERM
1 WEEK 3.41 PCT 13 MONTHS
1 MONTH 3.31 PCT 16 MONTHS
3 MONTHS 3.33 PCT 19 MONTHS
6 MONTHS 3.44 PCT > 22 MONTHS
12 MONTHS 4.04 PCT
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EfoNDS
ISSUE COUPON PRICE YIELD
2311 6.25 102.28 4.08
2402 5.50 101.50 4.35
2405 5.502 101.56 4.50
2408 4.375 99.66 4.62
TOTAL TURNOVER OF BILLS AND BONDS
CLOSED 23 OCTOBER 1992
- 10,602 MN
---------0---------
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 24, 1992
* CONTENTS PAGE NO.
SPEECH BY GOVERNOR AT LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MEETING TODAY ......... 1
56 CAUGHT IN OPERATION AGAINST ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS .............. 15
NOMINATIONS INVITED FOR COMMONWEALTH YOUTH SERVICE AWARDS ... 16
FOREIGN WORKERS TOLD OF THEIR RIGHTS ........................... 17
LUCKY VEHICLE REGISTRATION MARKS SALE BY AUCTION ............... 18
REGIONAL SECRETARY PRAISES ORGANISERS OF DISTRICT FESTIVAL .. 19
STUDENTS LEARN BETTER THROUGH TTRA ............................. 20
CASH AID TO DEPENDENTS OF TRAFFIC ACCIDENT VICTIM .............. 21
CIVIC EDUCATION CARNIVAL IN KOWLOON CITY ....................... 21
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS .. 22
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 24, 1992
SPEECH BY GOVERNOR AT LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MEETING TODAY
*****
GOVERNOR: I AM VERY GRATEFUL TO HONOURABLE MEMBERS FOR THIS OPPORTUNITY TO BRIEF THE COUNCIL ON MY VISIT TO PEKING FROM THE 20TH TO THE 23RD OF OCTOBER. THIS COUNCIL IS ENTITLED TO A PROMPT AND EARLY BRIEFING AFTER MY MAJOR VISITS ABROAD. IT’S A PRACTICE THAT HAS ITS CHRISTENING TODAY, BUT A PRACTICE WHICH I PLAN TO CONTINUE IN THE FUTURE.
I HELD, IN ALL, SOME TEN HOURS OF TALKS ON TRE 21ST AND 22ND OF OCTOBER WITH CHINESE OFFICIALS WITH MY HOST DIRECTOR LU PING, WITH VICE FOREIGN MINISTER JIANG ENZHU AND VICE MINISTER OF FOREIGN TRADE WANG WENDONG AND LASTLY, WITH FOREIGN MINISTER QIAN QICHEN. VICE MINISTER WANG AND I AGREED ON THE EXCELLENCE OF THE TRADE AND ECONOMIC RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN HONG KONG AND CHINA. HONG KONG, AS YOU KNOW, NOW ACCOUNTS FOR OVER 60% OF TOTAL FOREIGN INVESTMENT IN CHINA AND 36% OF CHINA’S WORLDWIDE TRADE. CHINA ACCOUNTS FOR 32% OF OUR WORLDWIDE TRADE. DESPITE THE MAGNITUDE OF OUR TRADE IT IS IN OUR ECONOMIC RELATIONS THAT WE HAVE FEWEST PROBLEMS. INDEED, I EMPHASISED THAT I INTENDED TO LOBBY HARD AGAINST ANY MOVES IN FUTURE TO REMOVE MFN STATUS FOR CHINA AS WILL THE UNITED KINGDOM GOVERNMENT. THAT IS IMPORTANT FOR HONG KONG AND IT IS IMPORTANT FOR CHINA.
WITH VICE MINISTER JIANG I DISCUSSED JLG ISSUES AND SECURITY MATTERS, AS WELL AS MY CONSTITUTIONAL PROPOSALS. THE MAIN MATTERS COVERED ON THE JLG AGENDA WERE DEFENCE LANDS, AIR SERVICE AGREEMENTS AND RIGHT OF ABODE. NO NEW AGREEMENTS WERE REACHED BUT BOTH SIDES EXPRESSED THE HOPE THAT THE JOINT LIAISON GROUP WOULD MAINTAIN THE GOOD RATE OF PROGRESS ACHIEVED AT THE LAST MEETING IN SEPTEMBER.
THIS COUNCIL ATTACHES, AND VERY UNDERSTANDABLY SO, PARTICULAR IMPORTANCE TO TACKLING CROSS-BORDER CRIME. SO DO I. THAT IS WHY I PUT FORWARD FOUR PROPOSALS IN PEKING TO IMPROVE CO-OPERATION ON SECURITY MATTERS BETWEEN HONG KONG AND GUANGDONG. THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT HAVE UNDERTAKEN TO CONSIDER THEM. I PROPOSED, FIRST, COORDINATED OPERATIONS AGAINST SMUGGLING. THERE HAVE BEEN A FEW SUCH OPERATIONS IN THE PAST, WE NEED MORE IN FUTURE.
SECOND, BETTER COMMUNICATION AND SHARING OF INTELLIGENCE BETWEEN THE SECURITY FORCES ON EITHER SIDE OF THE BORDER. IN PARTICULAR, I EMPHASISED THE NEED FOR THE CHINESE SIDE TO INFORM US WHEN THEY SUSPECTED THAT SHIPS SETTING OUT FROM HONG KONG WERE ENGAGED IN SMUGGLING. WE ARE COMMITTED TO CO-OPERATE TOGETHER TO BEAT SMUGGLING, BUT EQUALLY, WE ARE ENTITLED TO BE CLEAR THAT LEGITIMATE TRADE IS NOT BEING ILLEGALLY INTERFERED WITH.
THIRD, SUSTAINED ACTION BY GUANGDONG TN CONCERT WITH HONG KONG AGAINST SMUGGLING. PERIODIC CRACKDOWNS ARE NOT ENOUGH. AND, FOURTH, EARLY AGREEMENT ON THE ADMINISTRATIVE BOUNDARY BETWEEN HONG KONG AND GUANGDONG WATERS. THIS COULD THEN BE MARKED WITH BUOYS SO AS TO REDUCE THE INCIDENTS OF INADVERTENT INCURSIONS.
/WITH DIRECTOR .......
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 24, 1992
- 2 -
WITH DIRECTOR LU, J COVERED CONSTITUTIONAL ISSUES AND THE AIRPORT; AND ALSO PROPOSED THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A TRAINING COURSE IN PEKING FOR LOCAL ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICERS. THIS MIGHT LAST FOR EIGHT TO TEN WEEKS. OUR AIM IS TO PUT ALL LOCAL ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICERS THROUGH IT BEFORE THE 30TH OF JUNE 1997. AS WELL AS IMPROVING PROFICIENCY IN MANDARIN THE COURSE WOULD PROMOTE A BROADER UNDERSTANDING OF CHINA FOR THOSE WHO GO ON IT. THIS PROPOSAL WAS ACCEPTED IN PRINCIPLE. THE SECRETARY FOR THE CIVIL SERVICE WILL VISIT PEKING AS SOON AS POSSIBLE TO DISCUSS DETAILED ARRANGEMENTS.
ON THE AIRPORT, I MADE CLEAR THAT BY FAR THE BEST OUTCOME WOULD BE AN AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE TWO SIDES; BUT I ALSO MADE PLAIN THAT IF AGREEMENT CANNOT BE REACHED BEFORE THE END OF NOVEMBER, WHEN THE AIRPORT PLATFORM TENDER WILL EXPIRE, WE WILL HAVE TO DECIDE HOW BEST TO BUILD AS MUCH OF THE AIRPORT AS WE CAN PENDING, I HOPE, A MEETING OF MINDS. IN RECENT MONTHS, WE HAVE PUT FORWARD PROPOSALS WHICH COVER A SPECTRUM OF POSSIBILITIES. I REMAIN CONVINCED THAT IF WE DISCUSSED THESE ISSUES ON THEIR MERITS, WE COULD REACH AGREEMENT IN HOURS. WE AGREED THAT DETAILED DISCUSSIONS SHOULD BE LEFT TO THE AIRPORT COMMITTEE.
NATURALLY, IT WAS CONSTITUTIONAL ISSUES THAT TOOK UP THE BULK OF MY DISCUSSIONS. I FIRMLY BELIEVE THAT MY PROPOSALS WOULD PROMOTE, NOT UNDERMINE, POLITICAL STABILITY TN HONG KONG. I MADE THAT POINT IN TERMS TO OUR CHINESE COLLEAGUES. MY PROPOSALS COMMAND, I BELIEVE, THE BROAD SUPPORT OF MOST PEOPLE IN HONG KONG. I HAD BEEN TOLD THAT CHINA WOULD NOT AGREE TO INCREASE THE NUMBER OF DIRECTLY ELECTED SEATS FOR THE FIRST SAR LEGISLATURE. SO, WHILE WE WILL CONTINUE TO PRESS THE CASE FOR MORE DIRECTLY ELECTED SEATS WITH VIGOUR, I HAVE PRODUCED PROPOSALS WHICH ARE WHOLLY CONSISTENT WITH THE BASIC LAW. THE CHINESE DISAGREED WITH THIS STRONGLY DURING MY VISIT, BUT I STILL HAVE TO HEAR A CONVINCING ARGUMENT THAT ANYTHING I HAVE PUT FORWARD IS NOT IN CONFORMITY WITH THE BASIC LAW. I EMPHASISED THAT IF THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT DID NOT LIKE MY PROPOSALS IT REALLY WAS INCUMBENT ON THEM TO PUT FORWARD ALTERNATIVES. I WOULD CONSIDER THEM SERIOUSLY. 1 SAID THAT THE GOVERNMENT WOULD NEED TO PUT LEGISLATION TO THIS COUNCIL TN THE NEW YEAR. ULTIMATELY, AS HONOURABLE MEMBERS KNOW, THIS WILL BE A MATTER FOR THIS LEGISLATURE TO CONSIDER. THE ARRANGEMENTS EMBODIED TN ANY LEGISLATION PUT BEFORE THIS COUNCIL WOULD HAVE TO BE OPEN AND FAIR AND COMMAND THE CONFIDENCE OF PEOPLE IN HONG KONG.
I WAS ADVISED BY A NUMBER OF EXPERIENCED NEGOTIATORS THAT THE PRINCIPLE RESPONSE TO MY VISIT WOULD COME ONCE I HAD LEFT PEKING. AND SO IT HAS PROVED. I WANT TO COMMENT BRIEFLY, AND DIPLOMATICALLY, ON WHAT HAS BEEN SAID.
FIRST, THE AIRPORT. THE AIRPORT, AS HONOURABLE MEMBERS WILL KNOW, CONSISTS OF A NUMBER OF DIFFERENT PROJECTS. SO FAR, IN THE ABSENCE OF OVERALL AGREEMENT WITH CHINA, WE HAVE LET 17 PROJECTS AT A TOTAL COST OF ABOUT $19 BILLION, $3 BILLION BELOW THE ESTIMATED PRICE. IN OTHER WORDS, WE ARE MOVING FORWARD AS BEST WE CAN TO CONSTRUCT THE AIRPORT WHICH EVERYONE KNOWS WE WILL GET. THAT IS HOW J AM SURE THAT WE SHOULD BEHAVE.
/I AM.........
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 24, 1992
3 -
I AM ALSO SURE THAT THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT WOULD EXPECT THE GOVERNMENT OF HONG KONG TO DO ALL THAT WE CAN TO IMPLEMENT OUR COMMITMENTS UNDER THE MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING DESPITE THE UNHAPPY FACT THAT OUR PREVIOUS SPIRIT OF CO-OPERATION HAS NOT SO FAR DELIVERED AN OVERALL AGREEMENT.
SECONDLY, LET ME TURN AGAIN TO POLITICAL ISSUES. I REPEAT THAT THE PROPOSALS I HAVE MADE, WHICH ARE MY BEST JUDGEMENT ON THE POINT OF BALANCE IN HONG KONG THINKING ON THIS IMPORTANT ISSUE, DO NOT BREACH EITHER THE JOINT DECLARATION, THE BASIC LAW, OR ANY PREVIOUS DISCUSSIONS BETWEEN THE PRESENT SOVEREIGN POWER AND THE FUTURE SOVEREIGN POWER. HONOURABLE MEMBERS WILL RECALL THAT THE MAIN DISAGREEMENT BETWEEN BRITAIN AND CHINA TWO YEARS AGO WAS OVER THE NUMBER OF DIRECTLY ELECTED SEATS. BUT WHAT OF THE ELECTION COMMITTEE AND FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCIES? THE BASIC LAW IS EXPLICIT THAT THE ELECTION COMMITTEE PROVIDED FOR IN THE BASIC LAW FOR 1999 WILL NOT BE THE SAME AS THE ELECTION COMMITTEE FOR THE FIRST SAR LEGISLATURE. A DIFFERENT COMPOSITION IS EXPLICITLY FORESEEN. TO ADOPT THE 1999 COMPOSITION FOR THE LEGISLATURE SPANNING THE TRANSITION WOULD, THEREFORE, BE CONTRARY TO THE BASIC LAW. SO I FIND THE ARGUMENT PUT BY PEKING OFFICIALS THAT THE ANSWER LIES IN THE BASIC LAW SOMEWHAT DIFFICULT TO FOLLOW.
NEXT, ON FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCIES, MY PROPOSALS ARE DIRECTLY IN LINE WITH THE CONCEPTS SET OUT IN THE 1987 GREEN PAPER AND THE 1988 WHITE PAPER. THEY MADE CLEAR THAT FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCIES SHOULD BE SUBSTANTIAL AND OF IMPORTANCE IN THE COMMUNITY, AND THAT IS A DIRECT QUOTE. MY PROPOSALS DO NOT AMOUNT TO ADDITIONAL DIRECT GEOGRAPHICAL ELECTIONS. IF THEY DID, I WOULD HAVE INCLUDED SOME GROUPS OF ELIGIBLE VOTERS WHOM SOME MEMBERS HAVE URGED ME TO INCLUDE. FOR EXAMPLE, STUDENTS, HOUSEWIVES AND PENSIONERS.
LET ME REPEAT ONE SIMPLE POINT YET AGAIN. NOWHERE IN THE BASIC LAW ARE WE TOLD WHAT SHOULD BE THE COMPOSITION OF THE ELECTION COMMITTEE FOR THE FIRST SAR LEGISLATURE. NOWHERE ARE WE TOLD HOW THE NEW FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCIES SHOULD BE DEVISED. NOWHERE ARE WE TOLD WHAT THE VOTING SYSTEM FOR DIRECTLY ELECTED SEATS SHOULD BE. I HAVE PUT FORWARD MY OWN PROPOSALS; A SERIOUS DISCUSSION AND DEBATE DEMANDS THAT MY CRITICS SHOULD PUT FORWARD THEIRS.
AS HONOURABLE MEMBERS WILL HAVE NOTED, AT THE END OF OUR DISCUSSIONS IN PEKING, MAJOR DIFFERENCES REMAIN BETWEEN US ON THESE QUESTIONS. THESE DIFFERENCES HAVE NOT WIDENED THIS WEEK BUT NOR, FRANKLY, HAVE THEY NARROWED. I’VE SAID REPEATEDLY THAT I AM WILLING Tb DISCUSS THESE MATTERS AT ANY TIME, ANYWHERE, WITH ANYONE. I REPEAT THAT PLEDGE TO HONOURABLE MEMBERS TODAY; AND WE HAVE AGREED THAT DISCUSSIONS SHOULD CONTINUE BETWEEN OUR TWO SIDES IN THE JOINT LIAISON GROUP. I HOPE THOSE DISCUSSIONS BEAR FRUIT, BUT THEY ARE NOT DISCUSSIONS THAT CAN GO ON FOREVER WITHOUT BEARING FRUIT.
IT’S CONCEIVABLE THAT ONE OR TWO HONOURABLE MEMBERS MAY WISH TO ASK A QUESTION AND I’LL TRY TO FIT IN AS MANY AS I CAN IN THE NEXT FORTY MINUTES. PERHAPS, STARTING WITH ALLEN LEE.
/MR ALLEN LEE: .......
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 24, 1992
MR Allen LEE! GOVERNOR, MM LU RING tN Mig PftfiSB CONFERENCE. yesterday, in BEIJING, REFERRED SEVERAL TIMES TO THE EXCHANGE OF letters between the Chinese fore ion min ister and the foreign SECRETARY, MR DOUGLAS HURD, WITH REGARD TO THE UNDERSTANDING AND AGREEMENT REACHED ON MATTERS SUCH AB THE ELECTION COMMITTEE AND OTHER aspects of the election, will you make those letters available to MEMBERS OF THIS COUNCIL?
GOVERNOR! CLEARLY, IF THE CHINESE SIDE AND THE BRITISH SIDE WISH TO MAKE THOSE LETTERS AVAILABLE, THEN I WOULD HAVE NO OBJECTION WHATSOEVER. IT WAS A POINT THAT WE DISCUSSED AT SOME LENGTH DURING OUR DISCUSSIONS AROUND THE TABLE, AND LET ME TAKE UP ONE OF THE POINTS WHICH WAS THE SUBJECT OF SOME DISCUSSION; THE COMPOSITION OF THE ELECTION COMMITTEE. I REPEAT WHAT I SAID IN MY STATEMENT, THAT WHAT Is ABUNDANTLY PLAIN IS THAT THE ELECTION COMMITTER PRESCRIBED IN THE BASIC LAW FOR THE FIRST SAR LEGISLATURE SHOULD NOT BE THE SAME AS THAT PRESCRIBED FOR THE SECOND. IT THEREFORE PUZZLES ME WHEN 1 HEAR REFERENCES TO AGREEMENTS ON THAT PARTICULAR ISSUE BECAUSE THE POINT IS EXPLICITLY PLAIN, I THINK HONOURABLE MEMBERS WILL AGREE, IN ANNEX II TO THE BASIC LAW.
I DON'T BELIEVE, EITHER, THAT ANYTHING WHICH HAS BEEN DISCUSSED IN THE PAST ABOUT FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCIES, ENTITLES ANYONE TO SAY THAT UNDERTAKINGS REACHED BETWEEN THE SOVEREIGN POWERS HAVE BEEN BREACHED. BUT 1 REPEAT THAT IF BOTH SIDES AGREE TO PUBLICISING PAST CORRESPONDENCE, THEN IT WOULD NOT TROUBLE THE GOVERNOR OF HONG KONG ONE BIT.
MR MARTIN LEE (IN CANTONESE): MR GOVERNOR, BEFORE I ASK A QUESTION, I WOULD LIKE TO CLEARLY STATE THE VIEW OF THE UNITED DEMOCRATS. THE UDHK SUPPORTS THE POLITICAL PACKAGE, BECAUSE THE UDHK SUPPORTS MORE DEMOCRACY, ALTHOUGH WE ARE STILL SOMEWHAT UNHAPPY WITH SOME PARTS OF YOUR PACKAGE - WE WILL FIGHT ON FOR THAT.
NOW, I HAVE A QUESTION. NOW WE HAVE A TENSE ATMOSPHERE, WILL THE GOVERNMENT CONSIDER A REFERENDUM IN HONG KONG, SO THAT THE HONG KONG PEOPLE CAN MAKE A DECISION FOR THEMSELVES FOR THE FUTURE? pO WE HAVE ANY THEORETICAL PROBLEMS FOR NOT CARRYING OUT ANY PHILOSOPHICAL REASONS OR CONSTITUTIONAL REASONS FOR NOT.CARRYING OUT THE REFERENDUM?
/GOVERNOR: .......
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 24, 1992
5
GOVERNOR: I REALISE THAT THE ARGUMENT FOR A REFERENDUM
HAS BEEN PUT, AND IS BEING PUT, BY A NUMBER OF MEMBERS OF THIS COUNCIL. IT WAS PUT TO ME ONLY A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO, AFTER MY LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ADDRESS, BY A DISTINGUISHED MEMBER OF THE CRC. I THINK IT’S BEEN PUT MORE RECENTLY BY MEMBERS OF THE CRC, THOUGH I THINK THERE MAY BE SOME DISAGREEMENT ABOUT WHETHER OR NOT IT’S STILL REGARDED AS THE MOST APPROPRIATE APPROACH. I. KNOW THAT OTHER MEMBERS HAVE PUT THE ARGUMENT FOR A REFERENDUM AS WELL. 1 HAVE TO SAY TO HONOURABLE MEMBERS THAT IT’S NOT AT PRESENT ON MY AGENDA. ONE OF MY CONCERNS ABOUT THIS WHOLE DEBATE IS THAT WE SHOULD ALL BE CLEAR WHERE WE STAND. NOTHING WHATSOEVER CAN, AT THE END OF THE DAY, ABSOLVE HONOURABLE MEMBERS OF THIS COUNCIL FROM THE RESPONSIBILITY OF TAKING A VIEW ON THE FUTURE POLITICAL DEVELOPMENT OF HONG KONG. THAT IS WHAT HONOURABLE MEMBERS OF THIS LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL WILL HAVE TO DO, WHATEVER THE FIREWORKS THAT STREAK ACROSS THE HEAVENS, WHATEVER THE NOISES ELSEWHERE, AND WHATEVER THE PRESSURES FOR OR AGAINST REFERENDA. SO I REPEAT, IT IS NOT AT PRESENT IN MY PLANS, AND EVEN IF IT WERE, WHICH IT ISN’T, 1T COULDN’T ABSOLVE HONOURABLE MEMBERS FROM MAKING THEIR OWN MINDS UP.
MR LEE WING-TAT (IN CANTONESE): MR GOVERNOR, AFTER YOUR POLITICAL PACKAGE HAS COME OUT, MANY OPINION POLLS IN HONG KONG SHOW THAT MANY PEOPLE SUPPORT YOUR PACKAGE. AS OUR CHAIRMAN SAID, THE UDHK MAINLY SUPPORTS YOUR PACKAGE, BUT ABOUT YOUR PACKAGE, CLEARLY, IT IS TOTALLY DIFFERENT FROM THE VIEWS OF BEIJING. LAST TIME THE SECRETARY FOR CONSTITUTIONAL AFFAIRS TALKED TO ME SAYING THAT THIS IS A PROPOSAL, IT CAN BE AMENDED. NOW, BY WHAT MEANS CAN YOU CONTINUALLY ASSESS THE PUBLIC OPINION IN HONG KONG, SO THAT THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED IN THE FINAL LEGISLATION STAGE? THAT IS, WILL YOU BE TRYING TO PLEASE THE CHINESE, SO THAT YOU AMEND THE PACKAGE, SO THAT YOUR VIEWS WILL AUTOMATICALLY BE DIFFERENT FROM THOSE OF THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG? BECAUSE NOW, YOUR PERSONAL CHARISMA CAN ATTRACT PEOPLE, BUT IF YOU BACKTRACK MANY PEOPLE WILL BE DISAPPOINTED. WHAT IS YOUR VIEW?
GOVERNOR: MY VIEW IS THAT I OWE THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG,
AS DO THE HONOURABLE MEMBERS OF THIS COUNCIL, MY BEST JUDGMENT, AND ALL OF US HAVE NOW AND IN THE FUTURE, TO MAKE A JUDGMENT ON WHAT IS THE BEST WAY FORWARD FOR HONG KONG. BUT LET ME ADD TWO POINTS WHICH I THINK ARE IMPORTANT. I THINK THAT ANY GOVERNING INSTITUTIONS WHICH ARE WORKING EFFECTIVELY WILL SURVIVE AND PROSPER. WHAT I DON’T BELIEVE IS THAT GOVERNING INSTITUTIONS WHICH ARE NOT OPEN, WHICH ARE NOT REGARDED AS HAVING BEEN FAIRLY CONSTITUTED, AND WHICH ARE NOT ACCEPTABLE TO THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG, WILL SURVIVE. AND THAT IS AN EXTREMELY IMPORTANT POINT FOR EVERYONE TO RECOGNISE WHEN THEY CONSIDER THE ISSUE OF POLITICAL STABILITY.
/I MAKE .......
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 24, 1992
6
I MAKE ONE FURTHER POINT, THIS MORNING, WHICH I WILL MAKE AGAIN AND AGAIN. THE NOTION THAT THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG, WHO OPERATE AS SUCCESSFULLY AS ANYONE IN THE WORLD IN EVERY MARKET KNOWN TO MAN AND WOMAN, AREN'T SUFFICIENTLY RESPONSIBLE AND SOPHISTICATED TO MANAGE A MODEST INCREASE IN THE AMOUNT THAT THEY CAN PARTICIPATE IN PUBLIC AFFAIRS, IN MY VIEW SHOWS AN ASTONISHING VIEW OF THEIR APTITUDE AND CAPACITY. SO I HOPE THAT IT WILL BE RECOGNISED THAT THE PROPOSALS THAT I HAVE PUT FORWARD, HAVE BEEN CRITICISED FOR NOT GOING FAR ENOUGH, CRITICISED IN HONG KONG AND CRITICISED BEYOND, CRITICISED IN PART BECAUSE OTHERS, AND MANY IN THIS COMMUNITY, HAVE A VERY, VERY HIGH VIEW OF WHAT PEOPLE OF HONG KONG CAN BE CAPABLE OF, AND THAT VIEW OF THEIR CAPACITY IS SHARED BY THE GOVERNOR OF THIS TERRITORY.
MR CHEUNG MAN-KWONG (IN CANTONESE): THANK YOU, MR GOVERNOR. I HAVE A QUESTION RELATED TO THAT ASKED BY MR ALLEN LEE. YOU SAY THAT THE CHINESE, IF THEY DO NOT DISAGREE THEN YOU CAN DIVULGE THE CORRESPONDENCE IN THE PAST ABOUT 1995, BUT I HAVE A QUESTION: IN THE PAST, FOR BRITAIN AND CHINA, HAVE THEY REACHED ANY AGREEMENT ABOUT 1995 ELECTIONS? IS THERE ANY SUCH SECRET AGREEMENT? IF, YES, THEN IS IT TRUE THAT THE PRESENT CONSULTATION IS MEANINGLESS? IF THERE IS NO SUCH PAST AGREEMENT AND IF THE PRESENT CONSULTATION GETS WIDE SUPPORT IN HONG KONG, WILL YOU USE A REFERENDUM TO DECIDE THE FUTURE POLITICAL PACKAGE?
GOVERNOR: WELL, I’VE GIVEN MY VIEWS AS CANDIDLY AS I CAN ON A REFERENDUM AND I DON’T WANT TO GO ON REPEATING THE SAME ARGUMENTS. THERE WAS NO SECRET AGREEMENT ABOUT THE 1995 ELECTIONS, BUT THERE WAS A VERY PUBLIC DISAGREEMENT. THERE WAS A PUBLIC DISAGREEMENT ABOUT THE NUMBER OF DIRECTLY ELECTED SEATS PROPOSED FOR 1995, OR RATHER FOR THE FIRST LEGISLATURE OF THE SAR. IT’S NOT A MATTER OF CONFIDENTIAL EXCHANGES THAT THE UNITED KINGDOM GOVERNMENT HAS FOR THE LAST YEARS, THE LAST TWO YEARS, PRESSED FOR A FASTER PACE OF DEMOCRATISATION. IT’S NOT A MATTER OF CONFIDENTIAL EXCHANGES THAT THE UNITED KINGDOM GOVERNMENT HAS DURING THAT PERIOD, PRESSED FOR AN INCREASE IN THE NUMBER OF DIRECTLY ELECTED SEATS, THAT IS WELL KNOWN TO EVERYONE. IT’S BEEN ARGUED FOR IN THE HOUSE OF COMMONS AT WESTMINSTER, IT’S BEEN ARGUED FOR IN MEETINGS BETWEEN THE FOREIGN MINISTERS OF THE UNITED KINGDOM AND CHINA, IT’S BEEN ARGUED FOR ELSEWHERE.
ARGUED THAT SUCH WOULD NECESSITATE DIFFERENT APPROACH APPROACH WHICH A REASONS, REGARD AS DEMOCRACY IN HONG MATTER OF PUBLIC ELECTIONS.
IT WAS PRECISELY BECAUSE CHINESE OFFICIALS A PROPOSAL WOULD VIOLATE THE BASIC LAW, OR RATHER A RE-DRAFT I NG OF THE BASIC LAW, THAT I SUGGESTED A TO THE QUESTION OF THE 1995 ELECTIONS. A DIFFERENT NUMBER OF HONOURABLE MEMBERS, FOR UNDERSTANDABLE AN INSUFFICIENT RESPONSE TO THE DEMANDS FOR GREATER KONG. SO I JUST WANT TO BE CLEAR WHAT HAS BEEN A - PUBLIC - DISAGREEMENT IN THE PAST ON THE 1995
/AND ONE .......
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 24, 1992
AND ONE MORE THING: THE GOVERNOR OF HONG KONG HAS NOT INVENTED THE FACT THAT WE NEED TO PUT FORWARD PROPOSALS ON THE ELECTION COMMITTEE. THE GOVERNOR OF HONG KONG HAS NOT INVENTED THE FACT THAT WE NEED TO PUT FORWARD PROPOSALS ON FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCIES. NOR HAVE I INVENTED THE FACT THAT I HAVE TO PROPOSE, FOR EXAMPLE, ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE VOTING METHOD FOR 1995. THOSE ARE OBLIGATIONS ON ME. AND IF THERE ARE THOSE WHO DON’T AGREE WITH WHAT I SAY, THEY REALLY MUST PUT FORWARD THEIR ALTERNATIVES, OTHERWISE, I HAVE TO SAY, IT’S EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO HAVE A RATIONAL DISCUSSION.
MR TAM YIU-CHUNG (IN CANTONESE): MR GOVERNOR, IN ANSWERING MR ALLEN LEE’S AND MR CHEUNG MAN-KWONG’S QUESTIONS ABOUT WHETHER THERE WERE AGREEMENTS BETWEEN CHINA AND BRITAIN, I THINK YOUR ANSWER WAS NOT SATISFACTORY, AND YOU DIDN’T SAY CLEARLY ABOUT THE CONTENTS OF THE SINO-BRITISH AGREEMENT. YESTERDAY, MR LU IN HIS PRESS CONFERENCE, MR LU SAID CLEARLY THAT THERE WERE FILES AND RECORDS TO BE CHECKED AND IT WAS IN BLACK AND WHITE THAT BRITISH-CHINESE NEGOTIATIONS WERE ABOUT THE FIRST LEGISLATURE. HE SAID THAT THERE WAS SUCH AN AGREEMENT. NOW, THE CHINESE ARE EXPRESSING A TOUGH STANCE ABOUT YOUR PROPOSAL. DO YOU AGREE THAT IT IS BECAUSE, IN DIPLOMATIC TERMS, THE BRITISH SIDE HAVE BREACHED FAITH?
GOVERNOR:
NO.
MS. CHRISTINE LOH: ... TO THE AGREEMENT. EVEN IF THOSE
AGREEMENTS WERE TO SHOW THAT THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT HAD COMPROMISED THE PROMISE TO HONG KONG PEOPLE OF HONG KONG PEOPLE RULING HONG KONG AND A HIGH DEGREE OF AUTONOMY, WOULD YOU AND THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT NOW BE PREPARED TO GIVE US BACK THAT PROMISE?
GOVERNOR: WELL, SINCE I DON’T ACCEPT THE PREMISE, IT’S DIFFICULT TO ANSWER THE QUESTION, EXCEPT TO REPEAT WHAT I HAVE SAID ALREADY. I AM OBLIGED TO PUT FORWARD PROPOSALS FOR THE 1995 ELECTIONS. AND ON ALL THE AREAS WHERE I HAVE PUT FORWARD PROPOSALS, THE BASIC LAW IS SILENT. SINCE IT IS SILENT, THE GOVERNOR OF HONG KONG, AND IN DUE COURSE THIS LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, IS OBLIGED TO SPEAK. IT ISN’T ENOUGH FOR ANYONE TO SAY, "GO TO THE BASIC LAW AND SEE WHAT TO DO ABOUT THE ELECTION COMMITTEE." WHERE, IN THE BASIC LAW, DO I FIND WHAT TO DO ABOUT THE LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE, SINCE ANNEX II MAKES IT PERFECTLY PLAIN THAT THE ELECTION COMMITTEE FOR THE FIRST SAR LEGISLATURE SHOULD BE DIFFERENT FROM THE ONE FROM 1999? WHERE IN THE BASIC LAW_ DOES IT TELL ME WHAT TO DO ABOUT THE NINE NEW FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCIES? LET ANYBODY SHOW ME WHERE IT SAYS IN THE BASIC LAW. WHERE DOES IT SAY IN THE BASIC LAW, WHAT 1 SHOULD DO ABOUT THE VOTING METHOD?
MS. CHRISTINE LOH: THE BASIC LAW.
... DOCUMENT THAT LU PING HAS ALLUDED TO - NOT
/GOVERNOR: .......
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 24, 1992
8
GOVERNOR: I REPEAT, THERE ARE NO AGREEMENTS THAT BIND THE HANDS OF EITHER PARTY. THE MAIN DISAGREEMENT WAS ABOUT THE NUMBER OF DIRECTLY ELECTED SEATS. IF ONE LOOKS, FOR EXAMPLE, AT PAST DEBATES ABOUT FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCIES, WHAT IS ABSOLUTELY CLEAR IS THAT BRITAIN ACCEPTED AGAIN AND AGAIN THAT FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCIES REPRESENTED AN INDIRECT WAY OF ELECTION. I ACCEPT THAT FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCIES ARE AN INDIRECT WAY OF ELECTION, AN INDIRECT WAY IN WHICH SUBSTANTIAL GROUPS REPRESENTATIVE OF THE WHOLE OF HONG KONG SOCIETY CAN BE REPRESENTED IN THIS LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. THAT IS NOT A DIRECT ELECTION, AND THAT’S WHY I’VE PUT FORWARD THE PROPOSALS I HAVE FOR 1995.
I WANT TO SEE US BROADENING THE BASE OF THIS LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL IN A WAY WHICH CAN AND SHOULD SURVIVE. THAT’S WHY I’VE PUT FORWARD THE PROPOSALS I HAVE, AND THAT’S WHY, UNTIL SOMEBODY SUGGESTS A BETTER SET OF PROPOSALS, I REMAIN WHOLLY WEDDED TO MINE. BUT I ALSO, BECAUSE I’M SUCH A REASONABLE FELLOW, LIKE EVERYONE IN THIS LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, THAT’S WHY I’M VERY HAPPY TO RECEIVE OTHER PROPOSALS FROM ANYONE.
MR VINCENT CHENG: THANK YOU MR GOVERNOR. YOU SAID A MOMENT AGO THAT YOU WILL BE TABLING FOR US LEGISLATION FOR OUR DISCUSSION AND ENDORSEMENT AND, AT THE SAME TIME, YOU ALSO TALK ABOUT CONTINUED DISCUSSION WITH THE CHINESE AUTHORITIES. MY QUESTION IS, IF WE DO ACCEPT YOUR PROPOSALS, WHEN NEW YEAR COMES, WILL YOU CONTINUE IN YOUR NEGOTIATION WITH THE CHINESE AND, IF THAT’S SO, THEN WE MAY BE PRESENTED WITH OTHER PROPOSALS LATER ON.
GOVERNOR: I THINK THE WHOLE COUNCIL KNOWS THAT WE CAN’T CARRY ON THESE DISCUSSIONS UNTIL THE CRACK OF* DOOM. WE DO ACTUALLY HAVE TO PUT FORWARD PROPOSALS FOR THIS COUNCIL IN THE EARLY PART OF NEXT YEAR, BECAUSE OTHERWISE, WE WON’T HAVE ARRANGEMENTS IN PLACE FOR THE 1994 AND 1995 ELECTION. THOUGH THERE ARE DISAGREEMENTS BETWEEN CHINESE OFFICIALS AND THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT ON THIS PARTICULAR MATTER, ON THEIR GENERAL ISSUES, THERE IS I THINK NO DISAGREEMENT ON THAT PARTICULAR MATTER. I THINK IT IS RECOGNISED BY OFFICIALS OF THE PRC THAT WE DO HAVE IN THE EARLY PART OF NEXT YEAR TO START THE PROCESS OF LEGISLATION. SO FAR AS 1 AM CONCERNED, DISCUSSIONS CAN GO ON UNTIL THEN, BUT AT THAT POINT, THIS LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL WILL HAVE TO TAKE A VIEW AND THE HONOURABLE MEMBER IS ENTIRELY RIGHT TO IMPLY THAT IT WOULD BE PREPOSTEROUS TO ASK THIS COUNCIL TO TAKE A VIEW ON A SET OF PROPOSALS WHICH ONE THEN CHANGED HALFWAY THROUGH THE LEGISLATIVE PROCESS OR AFTER THE LEGISLATION HAD BEEN PASSED. SO, THE MOMENT OF DECISION FOR THIS COUNCIL WILL COME IN THE EARLY PART OF NEXT YEAR. AND WHEN I PUT PROPOSALS TO THE COUNCIL, THEY WILL HAVE TO TAKE ACCOUNT OF ALL THAT HAS BEEN SAID TO ME BY HONG KONG OPINION AND BY OTHERS, THEY WILL HAVE TO TAKE ACCOUNT OF WHAT THIS LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL HAS SAID TO ME, AND I NOTED THE DEBATE IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL A FEW DAYS AGO, AND THEY WILL HAVE TO TAKE ACCOUNT OF COURSE OF ANY ALTERNATIVE PROPOSALS THAT 1 RECEIVE FROM CHINESE’ OFFICIALS; BUT I HAVEN’T RECEIVED ANY ALTERNATIVE PROPOSALS THUS FAR.
MR TIK CHI-YUEN: THANK YOU MR GOVERNOR. YOU TALK ABOUT CONSTITUTIONAL POLITICAL REFORMS AND YOU THINK THAT YOU HAVE GOT THE RIGHT POINT OF BALANCE. NOW, YOU HAVE RECEIVED VERY STRONG OBJECTION FROM THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT. HAS THAT AFFECTED YOUR VIEW AS TO THE POINT OF BALANCE. MAY I ALSO ASK WHAT ARE THE CRITERIA THAT GOVERN YOUR PROPOSALS PUT FORWARD SO FAR?
/GOVERNOR: .......
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 24, 1992
- 9
GOVERNOR: I DON’T THINK THAT ANYTHING THAT I HEARD IN PEKING DURING DISCUSSIONS WHICH WERE RIGOROUS, FAIRLY FORCEFUL, BUT ALWAYS ENTIRELY COURTEOUS - I DON’T THINK THAT ANYTHING THAT I HEARD IN PEKING CHANGED MY VIEW ABOUT WHAT PEOPLE IN HONG KONG HAVE BEEN SAYING FOR THE LAST THREE OR FOUR MONTHS TO ME AND LONGER TO MEMBERS OF THIS COUNCIL. PERHAPS I SHOULDN’T HAVE BEEN SURPRISED THAT THERE APPEARED TO BE A DIFFERENCE OF OPINION BETWEEN SOME PEKING OFFICIALS AND MOST OF THE VIEWS EXPRESSED TO ME IN HONG KONG, BUT THERE IT IS.
SORRY, THE SECOND POINT OF THE HONOURABLE MEMBER’S QUESTION?
TIK CHI-YUEN: I HOPE YOU CAN TELL US, NOW YOU ARE PROPOSING CERTAIN POLITICAL REFORMS, WHAT ARE THE CRITERIA THAT MIGHT MAKE YOU CHANGE SUCH PROPOSALS?
GOVERNOR: I WOULD, IF 1 WAS TO CHANGE MY MIND, WISH TO BE CONVINCED THAT ALTERNATIVE PROPOSALS WERE BETTER. BUT IT’S NOT A VERY EASY WAY OF CONSULTING OR CO-OPERATING TO FIND THAT PROPOSALS DON’T GET COUNTERED BY ALTERNATIVE PROPOSALS BUT GET COUNTERED BY THE ARGUMENTS OF A CUL-DE-SAC, OR THE ARGUMENTS OF A WALL. IN ANY SPIRIT OF CO-OPERATION I THINK IT’S INCUMBENT ON THOSE WHO WISH TO CO-OPERATE TO PUT FORWARD ALTERNATIVES SO THAT THEY CAN BE PROPERLY DISCUSSED AND DEBATED. 1 HAVE SAID AGAIN AND AGAIN THAT THE PRINCIPLES, THE MOST IMPORTANT PRINCIPLES, FOR ME ARE THAT THE ARRANGEMENTS FOR 1995 SHOULD BE OPEN, SHOULD BE FAIR AND SHOULD BE ACCEPTABLE TO THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG. THOSE DON’T SEEM TO ME TO BE PARTICULARLY OUTLANDISH PRINCIPLES. 1 WOULD LIKE TO HEAR AS PASSIONATE SPEECH MADE IN FAVOUR OF NOT BEING OPEN, OF BEING GROSSLY UNFAIR AND OF PUTTING FORWARD PROPOSALS WHICH THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG DISLIKED. ANYBODY WHO’D LIKE TO MAKE A SPEECH ALONG THOSE LINES, THEY WILL NEED A SILVER TONGUE.
MR YEUNG-SUM: MAY 1 ASK YOU A QUESTION? BECAUSE YOUR PREDECESSOR HAS MADE US WARY OF POLICY ADDRESSES. NOW YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT TAKING UP THE CONSTITUTIONAL PACKAGE WITH BEIJING AGAIN. WILL YOU, BECAUSE YOU WANT TO KEEP A GOOD RELATIONSHIP WITH BEIJING, GO BACK ON OUR DEMAND ON DEMOCRACY?
GOVERNOR: I AM, AS I AM SURE THE HONOURABLE GENTLEMAN WILL KNOW, A MAN OF ALMOST LIMITLESS RATIONALITY AND IT WOULD BE UNFAIR AND UNREASONABLE OF ME TO SAY THAT I AM NOT PREPARED TO GO ON DISCUSSING MY PROPOSALS AS LONG AS ANYONE WISHES TO DISCUSS THEM. THAT IS THE POSITION I AM IN. IT WOULD BE IRRESPONSIBLE OF ME NOT TO SAY THAT AGAIN AND AGAIN AND AGAIN. IT WOULD BE IRRESPONSIBLE OF ME NOT TO BELIEVE THAT AND I DO BELIEVE IT WITH EVERY FIBRE OF MY BEING. BUT -AND THE HONOURABLE MEMBER WILL FORGIVE ME - THERE IS A LIMIT TO THE NUMBER OF TIMES THAT I CAN SAY A DISCUSSION, CONSULTATION REQUIRES SOMETHING TO COME FROM THE OTHER SIDE. THERE IS, I UNDERSTAND, A WELL KNOWN SAYING ABOUT THE DIFFICULTY OF CLAPPING WITH ONE HAND. I AM A TENNIS PLAYER. PLAYING TENNIS ON MY OWN IS A FAIRLY FRUITLESS OCCUPATION. UNLESS THE BALL COMES BACK OVER THE NET, IT’S RATHER DIFFICULT TO HAVE A CO-OPERATIVE GAME. AND WHAT WE ARE TALKING ABOUT HERE ISN’T A GAME, WHAT WE ARE TALKING ABOUT IS THE PROSPERITY, THE STABILITY AND THE WAY OF LIFE OF HONG KONG. THAT PROSPERITY, THAT STABILITY, THAT WAY OF LIFE ARE NOT THREATENED OR CHALLENGED BY THE GOVERNOR OF HONG KONG.
/MRS MIRIAM LAU: .......
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 24, 1992
10 -
MRS MIRIAM LAU: YOU JUST MENTIONED CO-OPERATION. IN YOUR ASSESSMENT, WHAT IMPACT WILL THE ABSENCE OF CHINESE CO-OPERATION HAVE ON THE OTHER IMPORTANT HONG KONG ISSUES DURING THE REMAINING PERIOD OF TRANSITION? AND COULD YOU TELL US WHAT ISSUES WE MUST RESOLVE WITH THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT BEFORE 1997? AND HOW MANY OF THESE ISSUES THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT CAN LEGITIMATELY SAY YES OR NO?
GOVERNOR: CHINESE OFFICIALS HAVE REPEATEDLY STATED THAT THERE CAN BE NO LINKAGE BETWEEN ONE ISSUE AND ANOTHER. FOR EXAMPLE, THEY HAVE SAID OVER AND OVER AND OVER AGAIN THAT THERE IS NO LINKAGE BETWEEN THE AIRPORT AND QUESTIONS OF POLITICAL DEVELOPMENT. SO 1 TAKE IT THAT WE CAN BELIEVE WHAT THOSE OFFICIALS SAY AND I TAKE IT THAT WE CAN DEAL WITH ISSUES AS WE SHOULD ON THEIR MERITS. I HAVE SAID BEFORE THAT, IN MY JUDGMENT, THINGS SURVIVE AND PROSPER WHEN THEY WORK, WHATEVER THE RHETORIC OF ONE PARTY OR ANOTHER MIGHT SUGGEST; AND I’M SURE THAT THE PROPOSALS WHICH THIS LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL EVENTUALLY ENDORSES WILL BE PROPOSALS THAT THIS COUNCIL WILL BE ABLE TO MAKE WORK AND THAT THIS COMMUNITY WILL BE ABLE TO MAKE WORK. AND THAT THOSE WHO ARE PRAGMATIC AND THAT THOSE WHO ARE REALISTIC AND THOSE WHO HAVE THE BEST INTERESTS OF HONG KONG AT HEART WOULD NOT, THEREFORE, WISH TO DISRUPT THOSE PROPOSALS. 1 DON’T THINK THIS COUNCIL IS LIKELY TO REACH THE WRONG DECISION ABOUT THAT.
MR MAN SAI-CHEONG: AIRPORT. DO YOU HAVE AIRPORT? DO YOU FEEL EMOTIONAL OR, DO YOU POSSIBILITY OF HONG KONG
MR GOVERNOR, MR LU PING TALKED ABOUT THE ANY SPECIFIC RESPONSE TO HIS TALK ON THE THAT HE SAID THIS BECAUSE HE WAS GETTING THINK THAT HIS VIEWPOINT HAS NEGATED THE BUILDING THE AIRPORT ON ITS OWN?
GOVERNOR: ONE OF MY AMBITIONS IN LIFE IS TO CONTAIN ARGUMENTS RATHER THAN ALLOW THEM TO SPREAD TOO WIDE; AND I ANSWER YOUR QUESTION IN THAT SPIRIT. I HAVE BEEN PUZZLED BY SOME THINGS THAT HAVE BEEN SAID ABOUT THE AIRPORT, PUZZLED NOT ONLY BY ONE OR TWO THINGS THAT HAVE BEEN SAID ABOUT THE AIRPORT IN THE LAST COUPLE OF DAYS BUT IN THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS. THE POSITION IS ABSOLUTELY CLEAR AS I SAID IN MY STATEMENT. WE HAVE SO FAR AGREED AND STARTED WORK ON 17 OF THE PROJECTS WHICH TOGETHER MAKE UP THE AIRPORT PROJECT AS A WHOLE AND THAT HAS INVOLVED A COMMITMENT OF WHICH THIS COUNCIL IS AWARE OF ABOUT HK$18 BILLION. IT’S A VERY SUBSTANTIAL COMMITMENT. WE’LL HAVE TO GO ON ADDING, AS IT WERE, BRICK ON BRICK AS WE CAN. AND AT EVERY STAGE, WHEN WE PUT ONE BRICK ON ANOTHER, WE WILL HAVE TO COME TO THIS LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL AND ASK FOR THE APPROVAL OF THIS LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL FOR THE FINANCING OF INDIVIDUAL MEASURES AND WE’LL ALSO HAVE TO EXPLAIN 'TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL AT EACH STAGE HOW WE SEE THINGS BEING TAKEN FORWARD. THAT’S HOW I INTEND TO PROCEED IN THE FUTURE. WE’LL SHORTLY BE DISCUSSING THIS MATTER IN THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL AND THEN SHARING OUR THOUGHTS WITH THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. THERE IS, OF COURSE, AN ELEMENT OF UNREALITY IN SOME OF THESE DISCUSSIONS BECAUSE EVERYBODY KNOWS THAT WE WILL HAVE AN AIRPORT AND A GOOD AIRPORT. EVERYBODY KNOWS THAT THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT WOULD LIKE TO ACHIEVE THAT SOONER RATHER THAN LATER, EVERYONE KNOWS THAT IF IT’S LATER, IT’S INEVITABLY GOING TO BE MORE COSTLY AND THAT THE FUTURE SAR GOVERNMENT WON’T ENJOY THE ECONOMIC BENEFITS AS SOON AS IT WOULD LIKE OF A SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETED AIRPORT. I COULD SAY MORE, BUT I’M BECOMING IMMENSELY DIPLOMATIC.
/DR LEONG CHE-HUNG:
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 24, 1992
DR LEONG CHE-HUNG: FOR THE LAST FEW WEEKS SINCE YOUR POLICY ADDRESS PEOPLE IN HONG KONG IN GENERAL ARE VERY STRONGLY BEHIND YOUR PROPOSED CONSTITUTIONAL DEVELOPMENT. BUT, NOW THAT CHINA HAS MADE ITS VERY VERY STRONG STAND AGAINST IT, ARE YOU WORRIED THAT SOME OF YOUR PREVIOUS SUPPORTERS WOULD BE CHANGING THEIR STANCE? AND IF SO, HOW ARE YOU GOING TO ASSESS THE SITUATION?
GOVERNOR: I HAVE A CONSIDERABLE RESPECT FOR PEOPLE’S INTELLIGENCE AND A CONSIDERABLE RESPECT FOR PEOPLE’S SENSE OF PREVAILING REALITY. I’M NOT AT ALL SURPRISED BY SOME OF WHAT ONE OF OUR NEWSPAPERS HAS CALLED THE BACKGROUND MUSIC TO THESE DISCUSSIONS AND HONOURABLE MEMBERS WILL BE MORE FAMILIAR WITH SOME OF THE BACKGROUND MUSIC THAN EVEN I AM; AND MAYBE THE BACKGROUND MUSIC WILL BE LOUDER, MAYBE IT WILL BE SOFTER OVER THE COMING WEEKS. NO BACKGROUND MUSIC FROM THE GOVERNOR, NO ATTEMPTS BY THE GOVERNOR TO CREATE POLITICAL INSTABILITY AND I’M SURE NOBODY ELSE WOULD WISH TO TRY TO CREATE POLITICAL INSTABILITY. I THINK IF WE ALL KEEP CALM, IF WE ALL KEEP TO REASONABLE DEBATE AND DISCUSSION, IF WE ALL TRY TO APPLY OUR BEST JUDGMENT TO WHAT IS IN THE BEST INTERESTS OF HONG KONG, WE’LL GET THE RIGHT SOLUTION; AND I DON’T THINK THAT ANYBODY SHOULD UNDERESTIMATE THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG WHEN THEY TRY TO ARRIVE AT THEIR OWN PERSONAL JUDGMENTS.
DR HUANG CHEN-YA: MR GOVERNOR, YOU TALK ABOUT CONVERGENCE WITH THE BASIC LAW BUT MR LU PING YESTERDAY, AFTER MEETING YOU, GAVE A PRESS CONFERENCE AND HE ISSUED STATEMENTS. AS THE CHINESE SAY, NOW HE HAS REVEALED HIS ULTIMATE INTENTION. IT SEEMS THAT HIS IDEA OF INTERPRETATION OF THE BASIC LAW IS DIFFERENT FROM OURS. FOR EXAMPLE, HE TALKED ABOUT FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCIES, AND HE TALKED ABOUT THE ELECTIONS THERE AND IT SEEMS THAT THE CONCEPT IS DIFFERENT FROM OURS. IF WE UNDERSTAND HIM CORRECTLY, NOW THE LAWYERS IN HONG KONG HAVE ONE-MAN ONE-VOTE AND MEDICAL DOCTORS HAVE ONE-MAN ONE-VOTE AND THE NURSES HAVE ONE-MAN ONE-VOTE TO SELECT REPRESENTATIVES. ACCORDING TO HIM, THIS IS AGAINST THE BASIC LAW AND HAS TO BE CHANGED. SO, IT SEEMS THAT HE IS GIVING NEW INTERPRETATION. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW YOUR VIEW. WILL YOU ASK BEIJING TO EXPLAIN IN DETAIL TO HONG KONG ABOUT HOW THEY INTERPRET THE BASIC LAW SO THAT WE KNOW WHAT WE ARE TRYING TO DO IN TERMS OF CONVERGENCE, AND WHAT IS THE MEANING OF THROUGH TRAIN? IS IT GOING TO HELL OR GOING TO HEAVEN?
/GOVERNOR: .......
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 24, 1992
12
GOVERNOR: WELL, I VERY MUCH HOPE THAT FROM WHEREVER TRAINS START THEY ARRIVE AT AGREEABLE DESTINATIONS, WITH AS MANY PEOPLE ON BOARD AS POSSIBLE, WITH AS MUCH FREIGHT AS POSSIBLE, AND ON TIME - AND THAT’S THE END OF THAT RAILWAY METAPHOR. I WOULD LIKE TO CONCENTRATE ON MY PROPOSALS FOR BOTH EXISTING AND NEW FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCIES. WE ALL KNOW WHAT THE TEXTS SAY. WE ALL KNOW THAT THE TEXTS TELL US THAT FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCIES REPRESENT, OR SHOULD REPRESENT SUBSTANTIAL INTERESTS. WE ALL KNOW THAT THERE HAS BEEN SOME CRITICISM ABOUT THE EXTENT TO WHICH SOME EXISTING FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCIES REALLY REPRESENT SUBSTANTIAL INTERESTS; AND I TRIED TO ADDRESS THAT PARTICULAR POINT IN MY PROPOSALS, NOT I THINK TO THE TOTAL SATISFACTION OF MEMBERS OF THIS LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL BUT I’M SURE IT’S A MATTER WHICH THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL WILL SPEND SOME TIME DEBATING AT SOME POINT NEXT YEAR. I ALSO PUT FORWARD PROPOSALS WHICH SEEMED TO ME TO REFLECT EVERYTHING THAT HAD BEEN WRITTEN OR SAID, WHETHER IN PUBLIC OR IN PRIVATE ABOUT FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCIES; I TRIED TO REFLECT THAT IN THE PROPOSALS I PUT FOR THE NINE NEW FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCIES. IF ANYONE, HOWEVER DISTINGUISHED, IS ATTEMPTING OR WOULD LIKE TO PUT FORWARD NEW INTERPRETATIONS OF WHAT A FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCY SHOULD BE, AND IN THE LIGHT OF THAT INTERPRETATION TO SAY WHAT FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCIES WE SHOULD ACTUALLY CHOOSE FOR 1995, I AM SURE THE WHOLE COMMUNITY WILL BE INTERESTED IN HEARING THAT, INCLUDING DOCTORS AND ENGINEERS AND NURSES AND OTHERS.
MR LAU WAH-SUM (IN CANTONESE): ... FAIL TO REACH AGREEMENT WITH THE CHINESE ON THE CONSTITUTIONAL REFORM PACKAGE, WILL YOU CHOOSE TO GO IT ALONE IN 1995, DISREGARDING CONVERGENCE WITH THE POLITICAL SYSTEM IN 1997?
GOVERNOR: I’VE SAID IN MY' STATEMENT, AS I SAID TO THE DISTINGUISHED FOREIGN MINISTER OF CHINA, AS I SAID TO DIRECTOR LU, THAT I WAS VERY HAPPY TO CONTINUE DISCUSSIONS, AND I IMAGINE DISCUSSIONS WILL CONTINUE IN THE JOINT LIAISON GROUP. SO I THINK, NOT LEAST BEFORE WE’VE HAD THE OPPORTUNITY' OF STUDYING ANY COUNTER PROPOSALS BY PRC OFFICIALS, I THINK IT WOULD BE PREMATURE TO MAKE ASSUMPTIONS ABOUT BREAKDOWNS, SUCH AS THE HONOURABLE MEMBER SUGGESTS WE SHOULD BE MAKING. I HAVEN'T BROKEN DOWN, DESPITE A PUNCTURE IN MY CAR. I DON'T THINK THAT DISCUSSIONS HAVE BROKEN DOWN. I NEVER THINK THAT IT’S SENSIBLE FOR POLITICAL LEADERS TO TRY TO CLOSE ALL THE DOORS AND CLOSE ALL THE WINDOWS. SO I REMAIN OPEN TO DISCUSSION, I REMAIN OPEN TO HEARING OTHER PROPOSALS.
I HOPE HONOURABLE MEMBERS WILL TAKE THE POINT I’VE MADE, THAT WE REALLY DO HAVE TO HEAR SOME ALTERNATIVES. IT WOULD HAVE BEEN NICE IF THAT HAI) BEEN THE WAY WE’D CONDUCTED BUSINESS ON THEXAIRPORT. I THINK IT’S IMPERATIVE THAT THAT IS HOW WE SHOULD CONDUCT BUSINESS ON THE POLITICAL DEVELOPMENT OF THIS COMMUNITY.
MR ERIC LI KA-CHEUNG (IN CANTONESE): MR GOVERNOR, YOU MADE IT VERY’ CLEAR A MOMENT AGO THAT YOU HOPED THAT, AT THE JLG, DISCUSSION WILL CONTINUE AND THAT YOU ARE MOST WILLING TO ALLOW DISCUSSION TO GO ON, BUT I WOULD LIKE TO ASK WHETHER THIS IS RECIPROCATED BY THE CHINESE SIDE? AND THEN REGARDING THE JLG, WHETHER IT’S THE MEETING ITSELF OR THE AGENDA, IT’S ALL HELD IN-CAMERA, AND UNLESS IT IS AGREED TO BY THE CHINESE, IT WON’T BE MADE PUBLIC. SO WILL THERE BE MEASURES OR SPECIAL MEASURES PUT IN PLACE SO THAT WE, ALL THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG, ARE FULLY CONFIDENT THAT THERE WILL NOT BE ANY TRADING-OFF OR MAKING OF SECRET DEALS?
/GOVERNOR: .......
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 24, 1992
- 13 -
GOVERNOR: KEEN AS I AM ON OPEN GOVERNMENT, I THINK IF I WERE TO SUGGEST THAT THE MEETINGS OF THE JLG TOOK PLACE UNDER THE TELEVISION CAMERAS, THERE WOULD BE SOME POLITE SURPRISE AROUND THE COMMUNITY AND SOME OBJECTION, BUT I FIND MYSELF, OCCASIONALLY AT PRESENT, CRITICISED FOR HAVING BEEN TOO OPEN ABOUT OUR DISCUSSIONS. DESPITE THE FACT THAT I KNOW THIS COUNCIL HAS ARGUED FROM TIME TO TIME THAT WE SHOULD BE OPEN WITH THE COMMUNITY BEFORE WE GO AND NEGOTIATE WITH THE PRC, I’VE FOUND ONE OR TWO HONOURABLE MEMBERS, IN THE DEBATE EARLIER THIS WEEK, WERE CRITICISING ME FOR TRYING TO BE OPEN WITH THE COMMUNITY. I THINK IT’S TERRIBLE FOR POLITICAL STABILITY, TO TRY TO WRAP EVERYTHING IN TOTAL SECRECY WHEN ONE IS TALKING ABOUT THINGS ON WHICH EVERYBODY IS TALKING. ONE KNOWS PERFECTLY WELL WHAT HAPPENS, GREAT BUBBLES OF SPECULATION, THE MOST SPECTACULARLY IMAGINATIVE EXEGESIS OF EVERY COMMA, EVERY PUNCTUATION MARK, IN THE GOVERNOR’S EVERY PRESS CONFERENCE AT AN AIRPORT. THAT’S NO WAY TO BEHAVE IN A SOPHISTICATED COMMUNITY LIKE THIS. BUT SOME DISCUSSIONS SHOULD TAKE PLACE IN CONFIDENCE, EVEN IF ONE MAKES THE PROPOSALS THAT ONE IS PUTTING IN THOSE DISCUSSIONS PUBLIC.
CHINESE OFFICIALS HAVE AGAIN AND AGAIN AND AGAIN MADE A DISTINCTION BETWEEN THE CONFIDENTIALITY OF DISCUSSIONS AND PUBLICISING THE PROPOSALS THEY PUT FORWARD. SO I DON’T THINK IT’S REASONABLE TO ARGUE THAT THE GOVERNOR OF HONG KONG IS SOMEHOW, ON THIS OCCASION, CHANGING THE RULES OF THE GAME. AS FOR DISCUSSIONS IN THE JLG OR ANYWHERE ELSE, THE POINT AT WHICH HONOURABLE MEMBERS WILL HAVE TO JUDGE WHETHER WE’VE BEHAVED HONESTLY AND HONOURABLY, IS THE POINT AT WHICH WE PUT DISCUSSIONS TO THIS LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. AND I REPEAT, ANY PROPOSALS WHICH ARE PUT TO THIS COUNCIL ON THE 1995 ELECTIONS, WILL, IN THE JUDGMENT OF THE GOVERNOR OF HONG KONG, BE OPEN, FAIR AND ACCEPTABLE TO THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG.
MISS EMILY LAU: GOVERNOR, HAVING EXPERIENCED FIRST-HAND THE WAY
THAT COMMUNIST CHINESE OFFICIALS BEHAVE, CAN YOU TELL US, AS A REPRESENTATIVE OF HER MAJESTY’S GOVERNMENT RUNNING THIS COLONY, AND AS A STAUNCH CATHOLIC, THAT THE HANDOVER OF SEVERAL MILLION BRITISH CITIZENS TO CHINESE COMMUNIST RULE IN 1997, IS MORALLY DEFENSIBLE AND AN HONOURABLE THING?
GOVERNOR: WELL, THAT CERTAINLY LIVENED UP THE
PROCEEDINGS! I WANT TO SAY THIS, WITHOUT ANY RESERVATION, TO THIS LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. I BELIEVE THAT THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT IS COMMITTED TO HONOURING THE UNDERTAKINGS GIVEN SO EXPLICITLY IN THE JOINT DECLARATION ABOUT THE PROSPERITY, STABILITY AND WAY OF LIFE OF HONG KONG. BUT I WANT TO ADD THIS, WHICH I HAVE SAID TO CHINESE OFFICIALS IN PRIVATE, AND I SAY TO THIS COUNCIL IN PUBLIC: I THINK
THE GOVERNOR OF HONG KONG HAS FAR GREATER CREDIBILITY IN' GIVING THE COMMUNITY THOSE REASSURANCES IF THE COMMUNITY BELIEVES THAT THE GOVERNOR OF HONG KONG WILL STAND UP FOR HONG KONG. I FEEL THAT VERY, VERY STRONGLY. THOSE REASSURANCES WILL NEED TO BE GIVEN AGAIN AND AGAIN AND AGAIN AS WE GET CLOSER TO 1997, AND WHEN THE GOVERNOR OF HONG KONG GIVES THEM, THIS GOVERNOR OF HONG KONG WILL, I HOPE, BE ABLE TO DO SO AS SOMEBODY WHO HAS BATTLED FOR THE BEST INTERESTS OF THIS DEPENDENT TERRITORY.
/MR LAM KUI-CHUN: ........
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 24, 1992
14
MR LAM KUI-CHUN: SIR, IN CONSIDERING THE WAY FORWARD, IN VIEW OF THE FAILURE TO REACH AN AGREEMENT WITH THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT ON YOUR CONSTITUTIONAL REFORM PACKAGE, WOULD THE MORALE AND THE STABILITY OF THE CIVIL SERVICE BE ONE OF THE KEY FACTORS IN YOUR DELIBERATION, AND HOW DO YOU THINK THE CIVIL SERVICE WOULD BE AFFECTED IF MR LU PROCEEDS AS STATED, WITH FORMATION OF SAR GOVERNMENT LEGISLATURE AND JUDICIARY BEFORE 1997?
GOVERNOR: LET ME TRY TO RESPOND AS POSITIVELY AS POSSIBLE TO THAT QUESTION AND NOT GO BACK OVER SOME OF THE GROUND WHICH I’VE TRAVERSED ALREADY, ABOUT THE EFFECTIVENESS OF INSTITUTIONS BEING THE MAIN DETERMINANT IN THEIR SURVIVAL. I BELIEVE THAT THE OFFICIALS OF THE PRC, INCLUDING SOMEONE AS KNOWLEDGEABLE ABOUT THE AFFAIRS OF HONG KONG AS DIRECTOR LU, WANT HONG KONG, BEFORE AND AFTER 1997, TO BE WELL GOVERNED, AND WISH THAT GOVERNMENT TO BE CONDUCTED BY THE BEST PEOPLE AVAILABLE. ONE OF THE THINGS FOR WHICH I AM PERSONALLY GRATEFUL IS THE REASSURANCES WHICH DIRECTOR LU HAS GIVEN AGAIN AND AGAIN TO THE EXCELLENT CIVIL SERVICE IN HONG KONG, THAT THEY WILL BE ASSURED A SMOOTH TRANSITION THROUGH 1997. DIRECTOR LU HAS SAID THAT IN PUBLIC, OTHER OFFICIALS HAVE SAID THAT IN PUBLIC, AND I BELIEVE THEM.
MR JIMMY MCGREGOR: GOVERNOR, FIRST OF ALL I SHOULD LIKE TO SAY THAT THE HONG KONG DEMOCRATIC FOUNDATION SUPPORTS YOU FULLY AND IN GENERAL - THERE MAY BE SOME ARGUMENT WITH SOME OF THE SMALLER POINTS IN DETAIL. AS A VERY SENIOR OFFICIAL WITH LONG EXPERIENCE OF NEGOTIATION IN GOVERNMENT IN THE UK, YOU ARE AWARE THAT YOU HAVE BEGUN A PROCESS OF NEGOTIATION WITH CHINA, THAT THIS NEGOTIATION HAS BEEN GOING ON A VERY LONG TIME AND YOU ARE NOW AT A CRITICAL PART OF IT. ON THE ISSUE OF THE AIRPORT, SEPARATELY FROM THE ISSUE OF DEMOCRATIC REFORM IN HONG KONG, DO YOU HAVE AN AGEND/\ IN TERMS OF TIME? IS THERE A POINT AT WHICH YOU MUST COME TO A CONCLUSION ON THE AIRPORT ON THE ONE HAND - FURTHER WORK ON THE AIRPORT - WITHOUT FURTHER CHINESE INPUT, OR, AND IN THE TERMS OF THE DEMOCRATIC DEVELOPMENT OF HONG KONG, IS THERE A POINT BEYOND WHICH YOU CANNOT GO BEFORE YOU MUST MAKE DECISIONS? WHAT ARE THESE POINTS, PLEASE?
GOVERNOR: FIRST OF ALL, SO FAR AS THE TONE AND FEEL OF THE NEGOTIATIONS IS CONCERNED, THESE WEREN’T THE FIRST NEGOTIATIONS THAT I’VE HAD WITH CHINESE OFFICIALS, THOUGH THEY WERE THE MOST IMPORTANT. I HAVE TO TELL THIS COUNCIL THAT IN COMPARISON WITH SOME OF THE NEGOTIATIONS THAT I’VE CONDUCTED IN THE PAST, IN THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITY, THESE WERE CARRIED OUT IN A RATIONAL AND CALM AND DIGNIFIED AND NON-ACRIMONIOUS FASHION, HOWEVER STRONGLY VIEWS WERE FELT ON BOTH SIDES. AND I THINK THAT’S PARTLY A REFLECTION ON THE QUALITY OF THE OFFICIALS WITH WHOM I WAS TALKING.
x ON THE AIRPORT, I DON’T BELIEVE THAT IT’S FAIR TO SAY, AND I NEVER HAVE BELIEVED THAT IT’S FAIR TO SAY, THAT WE FACE ONE DEADLINE. WHAT IS TRUE IS, FIRST OF ALL, THAT INCOMPARABLY THE BEST OPTION IS AN AGREEMENT WITH CHINA WHICH GIVES US AN OVERALL PACKAGE. WE ALL KNOW THAT. BUT IF WE CAN’T REACH THAT AGREEMENT, WHICH WOULD GIVE US THE AIRPORT SOONER RATHER THAN LATER, THEN WE HAVE TO CONTINUE DOING WHAT WE’VE STARTED DOING ALREADY, WHICH IS ALL WE CAN, DAY BY DAY, WEEK BY WEEK, MONTH BY MONTH. AND THAT INVOLVES ONE FACING UP TO A SUCCESSION OF DECISIONS. THE NEXT DECISIONS, AS I SAID EARLIER, WILL COME TOWARDS THE END OF NOVEMBER WHEN THE VALIDITY OF THE TENDER ON THE AIRPORT PLATFORM FALLS DUE, AND WE’LL HAVE, ABOUT THAT STAGE, TO TAKE A DECISION WITH THIS COUNCIL, ABOUT HOW TO PROCEED ON THE AIRPORT PLATFORM. WE’LL HAVE A SERIES OF FURTHER DECISIONS ALONG THE ROAD.
/I THINK,
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 24, 1992
15 -
I THINK, DURING THE NEXT FEW MONTHS, THIS COUNCIL WILL WANT TO KNOW HOW WE SEE THE WAY FORWARD IF WE’RE NOT GOING TO HAVE AN OVERALL AGREEMENT, AND I’M SURE THIS COUNCIL WILL WANT US TO PROCEED IN A WAY WHICH ALWAYS HAS THE DOOR OPEN TO A TOTAL AGREEMENT, TO A TOTAL PACKAGE, BECAUSE EVERYBODY KNOWS THAT THAT’S THE BEST WAY FORWARD. BUT I DON’T, MYSELF, BELIEVE THAT IT’S ADVISABLE TO SEEK OUT DEADLINES, TO SEEK OUT WHERE YOU CAN THROW SWITCHES AND PULL PLUGS, UNLESS IT’S ABSOLUTELY ESSENTIAL.
WHERE WE HAVE MORE DIFFICULTY IS IN THE QUESTION OF POLITICAL DEVELOPMENT AND THE ARRANGEMENT FOR THE 1994 DISTRICT BOARD ELECTIONS AND MUNICIPAL COUNCIL ELECTIONS, AND THE 1995 LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ELECTIONS. ON THOSE MATTERS, WE CAN’T SIMPLY MARK TIME UNTIL THE END OF 1993 OR THE END OF 1994 OR HALFWAY THROUGH 1995, WE DO HAVE TO TAKE DECISIONS IN ORDER TO GET THE ARRANGEMENTS IN PLACE - AND I’D BETTER NOT QUOTE THEM - BUT AS SENIOR CHINESE OFFICIALS HAVE ACCEPTED, THIS COUNCIL WILL HAVE TO TAKE A VIEW, QUITE EARLY IN 1993, ON THESE MATTERS. IT’S NOT FORCING THE PACE. I DON’T HAVE, AS I THINK THE COUNCIL WILL KNOW, A REPUTATION AS A CONFRONTATIONAL POLITICIAN. I USED TO BE DESCRIBED - A BADGE I WORE WITH HONOUR - AS AN "ARCH-WET". I AM SOMEBODY WHO LOOKS, WHENEVER POSSIBLE, FOR AGREEMENT, BUT TO COIN A PHRASE, AGREEMENT ON A PRINCIPLED POSITION.
I’M MUCH OBLIGED TO THIS COUNCIL. IN ACCORDANCE WITH STANDING ORDERS I NOW ADJOURN THE COUNCIL UNTIL 2.30 PM ON WEDNESDAY, 28TH OCTOBER 1992.
-----0------
56 CAUGHT IN OPERATION AGAINST ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS
*****
A TERRITORY-WIDE ANTI-ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION OPERATION JOINTLY MOUNTED BY THE POLICE, THE LABOUR AND IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENTS RECENTLY HAS RESULTED IN THE ARRESTS OF 56 PERSONS.
THE OPERATION WAS PART OF THE GOVERNMENT’S CONTINUOUS EFFORT TO FLUSH OUT ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS.
OF THE ARRESTED PERSONS, 16 WERE ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS CAUGHT AT THE BOEDER. THEY HAVE BEEN SENT TO SAN UK LING FOR REPATRIATION.
THE REMAINING 40 HAVE BEEN REFERRED TO THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT AND THE POLICE FOR FURTHER INVESTIGATION. THOSE FOUND TO BE ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS WILL BE REPATRIATED.
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN REITERATED TODAY (SATURDAY) THAT THERE WAS NO QUESTION OF ANY AMNESTY FOR ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS.
"OUR LATEST OPERATION SHOULD DRIVE HOME THE POINT THAT THERE WILL BE NO CHANGE TO THIS POLICY. ANYONE FOOLISH ENOUGH TO BELIEVE OTHERWISE IS ONLY CHEATING HIMSELF," HE SAID.
/THE SPOKESMAN .......
I
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 24, 1992
- 16
THE SPOKESMAN SAID APART FROM CONTINUOUS CHECKS THROUGOUT THE TERRITORY, THERE WAS NO LET-UP IN ANTI-ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION EFFORTS AT THE BORDER.
"A HIGH STATE OF VIGILANCE WILL CONTINUE TO BE MAINTAINED BY THE POLICE AND THE SECURITY FORCES BOTH AT THE LAND AND SEA BODERS," HE SAID.
DURING THE JOINT OPERATION, WHICH BEGAN AT 5 PM ON OCTOBER 22 AND ENDED AT 5 AM YESTERDAY, THE POLICE HAD STEPPED UP THEIR IDENTIFICATION SPOT CHECKS IN PUBLIC PLACES AND CARRIED OUT CHECKS AT SUSPICIOUS LOCATIONS THROUGHOUT THE TERRITORY.
AS A RESULT, A TOTAL OF 7,179 PERSONS, 152 VEHICLES AND THREE VESSELS WERE STOPPED FOR IDENTIFICATION CHECKS.
ON THE LABOUR FRONT, INSPECTORS OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT VISITED 2,763 ESTABLISHMENTS TO WEED OUT ANY ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS WHO MAY BE WORKING, AND TO CHECK THAT EMPLOYERS FULFIL THEIR LEGAL OBLIGATION OF KEEPING PROPER RECORDS OF THEIR EMPLOYEES.
A TOTAL OF 11,257 EMPLOYEES HAD THEIR PROOF OF IDENTITY CHECKED DURING THE OPERATION.
FIFTEEN ESTABLISHMENTS WERE FOUND NOT ABLE TO PROVIDE FOR INSPECTION A RECORD OF EMPLOYEES.
THE SPOKESMAN REMINDED EMPLOYERS THAT THEY COULD BE FINED UP TO $50,000 AND JAILED FOR UP TO A YEAR IF THEY WERE FOUND TO BE EMPLOYING ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS.
------0-------
NOMINATIONS INVITED FOR COMMONWEALTH YOUTH SERVICE AWARDS * * * * *
THE COMMONWEALTH YOUTH SERVICE AWARDS SCHEME FOR 1993 IS NOW OPEN FOR NOMINATIONS.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION (CNTA) SAID TODAY (SATURDAY) THAT YOUTH ORGANISATIONS, TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS AND VOLUNTARY AGENCIES WERE INVITED TO MAKE NOMINATIONS FOR THE SCHEME.
"WE HOPE TO SELECT TWO PROJECTS TO REPRESENT HONG KONG IN 1993.
"PROJECTS CARRIED OUT BY A SMALL GROUP OF YOUNG PEOPLE TO SERVE A COMMUNITY NEED AND PROVIDE A MODEL TO OTHER LOCALITIES WILL BE CONSIDERED FAVOURABLE," HE SAID.
THE AWARDS SCHEME, SPONSORED BY THE COMMONWEALTH YOUTH PROGRAMME (CYP), WAS CREATED IN 1985 TO COMMEMORATE THE INTERNATIONAL YOUTH YEAR.
/IT IS .......
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 24, 1992
- 17 -
IT IS ALSO MEANT TO RECOGNISE ACHIEVEMENTS OF SMALL YOUTH GROUPS AND INSPIRE YOUNG PEOPLE TO WORK TOGETHER.
"ANOTHER OBJECTIVE IS TO FOSTER CO-OPERATION AND EXCHANGE OF IDEAS AND EXPERIENCE AMONG YOUNG PEOPLE," HE SAID.
FOR 1992/93, PRIORITY WILL BE PLACED ON YOUTH GROUPS ACTIVE IN THE FIGHT AGAINST AIDS, THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
YOUTH GROUPS IN HONG KONG HAVE WON THE AWARDS SEVERAL TIMES IN THE PAST. THIS YEAR THE AWARD WENT TO THE LINNAM SERVICE PROJECT RUN BY THE CARITAS ABERDEEN COMMUNITY CENTRE.
THE WINNING PROJECT TEAM WILL BE GRANTED 1,000 POUNDS STERLING TO ENABLE THEM TO FURTHER THEIR WORK. EACH MEMBER OF THE TEAM WILL BE GIVEN MEDALLIONS AND CERTIFICATES.
THE PROJECTS SELECTED TO REPRESENT HONG KONG WILL BE ADJUDICATED BY THE INTERNATIONAL AWARDS PANEL OF THE COMMONWEALTH YOUTH PROGRAMME IN MAY NEXT YEAR.
THE PANEL WILL SELECT UP TO FIVE PROJECTS FROM AMONG ALL THE NOMINATIONS MADE BY COMMONWEALTH COUNTRIES.
NOMINATIONS, TO BE SUPPORTED BY PROJECT DESCRIPTIONS, SHOULD REACH THE YOUTH DIVISION, CNTA, 31ST FLOOR, SOUTHORN CENTRE, 130 HENNESSY ROAD, WAN CHAI ON OR BEFORE DECEMBER 15 THIS YEAR.
ENQUIRIES ON THE SCHEME CAN BE MADE ON TEL 835 1371.
------0--------
FOREIGN WORKERS TOLD OF THEIR RIGHTS
* * * * *
MORE THAN 450 FOREIGN WORKERS SO FAR HAVE BEEN TOLD OF THEIR STATUTORY RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS DURING BRIEFING SESSIONS ORGANISED BY THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT.
’’THE BRIEFING SESSIONS ARE LINED UP AS FOREIGN WORKERS HAVE BEGUN TO ARRIVE UNDER THE CURRENT GENERAL LABOUR IMPORTATION SCHEME,” SENIOR LABOUR OFFICER, MRS JENNY CHAN, SAID TODAY (SATURDAY).
f/oTING THAT THE SESSIONS ARE CONDUCTED IN BOTH CANTONESE AND PUTONGHUA, AND NO PRIOR ENROLMENT IS NECESSARY, MRS CHAN SAID: ’’FOREIGN WORKERS ARE REQUIRED TO ATTEND THE EARLIEST POSSIBLE SESSION UPON THEIR ARRIVAL.”
’’EMPLOYERS SHOULD MAKE SUITABLE ARRANGEMENTS FOR WORKERS TO ATTEND,” SHE SAID.
MRS CHAN POINTED OUT THAT DURING THESE SESSIONS, LABOUR OFFICERS EXPLAIN TO THE WORKERS THEIR RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES UNDER THE EMPLOYMENT ORDINANCE AND THE TERMS OF THE STANDARD CONTRACT.
/"THEY ARE .......
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 24, 1992
18
"THEY ARE ALSO TOLD OF THE GENERAL LABOUR MANAGEMENT PRACTICES IN HONG KONG AS WELL AS CHANNELS FOR FURTHER ENQUIRIES AND COMPLAINTS REGARDING DOUBTS ABOUT THEIR TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT AND CONDITION OF STAY," MRS CHAN SAID, ADDING THAT A HANDY INFORMATION CARD WITH COMPLAINTS HOTLINE NUMBERS ARE GIVEN AWAY AS WELL.
SHE SAID COPIES OF AN INFORMATION LEAFLET ENTITLED "WHAT AN IMPORTED WORKER SHOULD KNOW" AND PRINTED TN SIMPLIFIED CHINESE CHARACTERS, ARE DISTRIBUTED TO WORKERS AT THEIR POINTS OF ENTRY.
"DURING VISITS BY LABOUR INSPECTORS TO THEIR WORKPLACES OR DORMITORIES, FOREIGN WORKERS ARE GIVEN A COPY OF THE STANDARD CONTRACT," MRS CHAN SAID.
"IN ADDITION, THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT HOTLINE (815 2200) FOR FOREIGN WORKERS COMPLAINTS," SHE SAID.
"ALL INFORMATION GIVEN TO US IS KEPT MRS CHAN ADDED.
IS OPERATING A 24-HOUR
TO MAKE ENQUIRIES OR
STRICTLY CONFIDENTIAL,"
ENQUIRIES ON THE BRIEFING SESSIONS CAN MADE ON TEL 852 3506.
-----0------
LUCKY VEHICLE REGISTRATION MARKS SALE BY AUCTION
*****
FORTY VEHICLE REGISTRATION MARKS WERE PUT UP FOR AUCTION THIS (SATURDAY) MORNING FOR A TOTAL OF $2,167,000 WHICH WILL GO TO THE GOVERNMENT LOTTERIES FUND FOR CHARITY PURPOSES AFTER DEDUCTION OF EXPENSES INCURRED IN THE CONDUCT THEREOF.
THE AUCTION, HELD AT REGISTRATION MARK FC1 FETCH
THE RECITAL HALL OF THE CITY HALL, THE HIGHEST PRICE OF $530,000.
SAW THE
ANOTHER REGISTRATION MARK FAI 8 WAS SOLD AT THE SECOND HIGHEST PRICE OF $280,000 WHILE THE LOWEST PRICE WAS $2,000 *EACH FOR CS917 AND EZ704.
FOLLOWING ARE THE RESULTS OF TODAY’S AUCTION:
$ $ $ $
EY6066 / 8,000 EX280 35,000 EZ913 23,000 EZ704 2,000
EZ7787 12,000 *7960 121,000 *FC1 53,000 AZ7650 WITHDRAWN
EY6623 14,000 EY917 3,000 CK1280 15,000 EY332 62,000
*FA100 110,000 EZ9139 5,000 EZ968 28,000 ♦FC2332 30,000
EZ630 8,000 *FC818 130,000 *FC1221 25,000 EZ9832 18,000
CS917 2,000 EZ301 10,000 EZ330 11,000 EY819 18,000
EZ1218 12,000 EY160 21,000 EY1238 38,000 EY8807 8,000
*FA18 280,000 *DD900 150,000 *ER7788 65,000 *FC1414 5,000
EZ512 5,000 EU911 80,000 CC9837 4,000 EZ918 16,000
EY8968 9,000 EY1231 8,000 EY2388 140,000 EY6388 105,000
* SPECIAL VEHICLE REGISTRATION MARK (NOT TRANSFERABLE)
/SUCCESSFUL BIDDERS
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 24, 1992
- 19
SUCCESSFUL BIDDERS WERE REQUIRED TO PAY BY CHEQUE IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE BIDDING.
THE VEHICLE REGISTRATION MARKS AUCTIONED WILL BE ASSIGNED ONLY TO VEHICLES REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF THE SUCCESSFUL BIDDERS WITHIN 12 MONTHS OF THE DATE OF AUCTION.
TODAY’S SALE, THE 181ST AUCTION ORGANISED BY THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT SINCE MAY 1973, BROUGHT THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF MONEY REALISED SO FAR TO $149,581,905.
THERE IS NO BIDDER FOR AZ7650 AND THIS REGISTRATION MARK WILL BE ASSIGNED TO THE ORIGINAL APPLICANT.
------0-------
REGIONAL SECRETARY PRAISES ORGANISERS OF DISTRICT FESTIVAL * * * * *
THE REGIONAL SECRETARY FOR HONG KONG AND KOWLOON, MR PAUL WONG KAM-CHIU, TODAY (SATURDAY) PAID TRIBUTE TO THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT BOARD, THE DISTRICT’S SEVEN AREA COMMITTEES AND LOCAL ORGANISATIONS FOR THEIR UNFAILING EFFORTS IN MAKING AVAILABLE MANY DIFFERENT RECREATIONAL AND CULTURAL PROGRAMMES FOR LOCAL RESIDENTS.
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY AND VARIETY SHOW OF THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT FESTIVAL, MR WONG SAID THESE HAD NOT ONLY BRIGHTENED UP LOCAL PEOPLE’S LIVES BUT ALSO STRENGTHENED THEIR SENSE OF BELONGING AND ENHANCE THEIR KNOWLEDGE ABOUT DISTRICT AFFAIRS.
HE ADDED THAT THE ONE-MONTH DISTRICT FESTIVAL WAS DESIGNED TO SERVE EXACTLY THESE PURPOSES.
TURNING TO THE RAPID DEVELOPMENT IN THE DISTRICT, THE REGIONAL SECRETARY SAID THE NEW PUBLIC HOUSING PROJECTS IN KELLET BAY, TIN WAN AND MA HANG WOULD PROVIDE RESIDENTS WITH A BETTER LIVING ENVIRONMENT AND IMPROVE THEIR QUALITY OF LIFE.
HE ALSO POINTED OUT THAT THE GOVERNMENT HAS INITIATED MANY PROJECTS TO BETTER TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT FACILITIES, WATER QUALITY AS WELL AUGMENTING RECREATIONAL VENUES.
THESE INCLUDE THE SECOND AP LEI CHAU BRIDGE, THE NEW ACCESS ROAD TO THE WONG CHUK HANG AREA, MAJOR SEWERAGE WORKS FOR THE DISTRICT’S POPULAR BEACHES AS WELL AS THE URBAN COUNCIL’S ABERDEEN PROMENADE।PROJECT.
MEANWHILE, THE CHAIRPERSON OF THE DISTRICT FESTIVAL ORGANISING COMMITTEE, MRS SO CHAU YIM-PING, SAID THE FESTIVAL WILL. RUN UNTIL NOVEMBER 29 WITH A HOST OF ACTIVITIES FOR LOCAL RESIDENTS.
THESE INCLUDED PICNICS, SEA TOURS, SPORTS EVENTS, FAMILY CAMPS, CARNIVALS, CONCERTS, SEMINARS, HEALTH DISCUSSIONS, AND COMPETITIONS.
SHE CALLED ON RESIDENTS TO ACTIVELY TAKE PART IN THESE PROGRAMMES, WHICH WERE MADE POSSIBLE WITH A DONATION OF MORE THAN $1 MILLION FROM ENTHUSIASTIC SPONSORS, INCLUDING THE DISTRICT BOARD AND THE URBAN COUNCIL.
/OTHER GUESTS .......
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 24, 1992
- 20
OTHER GUESTS AT THE OPENING CEREMONY INCLUDED THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, MR HUI YUNG-CHUNG AND THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OFFICER, MRS ROSANNA URE.
THE CEREMONY WAS FOLLOWED BY A STAR-STUDDED EXTRAVAGANZA WHICH FEATURED TOP SINGERS MR AARON KWOK, MISS SALLEY YEN, BEYOND AND YU KU LEI LIN.
A NUMBER OF POPULAR DISC JOCKEYS ALSO APPEARED AT THE SHOW WHICH WAS CO-ORGANISED BY RTHK’S RADIO TWO CHANNEL AND THE DISTRICT OFFICE.
INFORMATION ON OTHER FESTIVAL PROGRAMMES IS AVAILABLE AT THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OFFICE ON THE GROUND FLOOR OF MEI FUNG COURT, ABERDEEN CENTRE AND ITS SUB-OFFICE AT NO. 14, WONG MA KOK ROAD, FIRST FLOOR, STANLEY.
ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE ON TEL 552 0598.
--------0-----------
STUDENTS LEARN BETTER THROUGH TTRA * * * *
THE TARGETS AND TARGET-RELATED ASSESSMENT (TTRA) SCHEME IS A NEW SYSTEM IN WHICH STUDENTS WILL LEARN AT THEIR OWN INDIVIDUAL PACE AND LEVEL INSTEAD OF COLLECTIVELY, PARENTS WERE TOLD TODAY (SATURDAY).
THEY WERE ALSO TOLD AT A BRIEFING SESSION FOR MEMBERS OF PARENTS-TEACHER ASSOCIATIONS THAT PROGRESS WOULD BE ASSESSED INDIVIDUALLY INSTEAD OF BEING ASSESSED BY COMPARISON WITH THEIR SCHOOLMATES.
"TEACHERS AND PARENTS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH A FULLER AND MORE RELIABLE PICTURE OF THE CHILDREN’S CAPABILITIES, PROGRESS AND ATTAINMENTS,” THE SENIOR ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION (DEVELOPMENT), MR WONG SIK-WAH, SAID WHEN WELCOMING THE PARTICIPANTS.
HE STRESSED THAT THE TTRA SCHEME WOULD HAVE A POSITIVE EFFECT ON STUDENTS, PARENTS AND TEACHERS.
"PARENTS WILL SEE MORE CLEARLY HOW THEIR CHILDREN ARE PROGRESSING IN THE TASKS THEY HAVE BEEN ASSIGNED, AND THE SPECIFIC AREAS WHERE THEIR CHILDREN NEED IMPROVEMENT INSTEAD OF PAYING TOO MUCH ATTENTION ON WHAT MARKS AND POSITION THEY CAN OBTAIN IN THE CLASS," MR WONG EXPLAINED.
FOR TEACHERS, TTRA WOULD ENABLE THEM TO ADJUST THEIR TEACHING METHODS AND MATERIALS ACCORDING TO EACH INDIVIDUAL STUDENT'S LEARNING CAPABILITY, HE ADDED.
TWENTY PRIMARY SCHOOL ARE NOW TRYING OUT THE TTRA SCHEME ON CHINESE, ENGLISH AND MATHEMATICS SUBJECTS BEFORE UNIVERSAL USE IN ALL PRIMARY 4 CLASSES NEXT MAY.
THE SCHEME WILL BE INTRODUCED PROGRESSIVELY TO SECONDARY 3 BY SEPTEMBER 1997.
/21 .......
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 24, 1992
- 21 -
CASH AID TO DEPENDENTS OF TRAFFIC ACCIDENT VICTIM
*****
THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT TODAY (SATURDAY) APPROVED $59,030 FROM THE TRAFFIC ACCIDENT VICTIMS ASSISTANCE (TAVA) FUND TO THE DEPENDENTS OF A HAWKER KILLED IN A TRAFFIC ACCIDENT ON SEPTEMBER 8 THIS YEAR.
THE 56-YEAR-OLD MAN, WHO WAS KNOCKED DOWN BY A VEHICLE AT SHAN TUNG STREET IN MONG KOK, WAS SURVIVED BY HIS WIFE AND FOUR 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 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, 213 QUEEN’S ROAD EAST, WAN CHAI OR ON TEL 892 5526.
---------o-----------
CIVIC EDUCATION CARNIVAL IN KOWLOON CITY
*****
KOWLOON CITY RESIDENTS ARE INVITED TO SHARE THE FUN OF THE CIVIC EDUCATION CARNIVAL TOMORROW (SUNDAY) AFTERNOON.
THE EVENT, AIMED AT PROMOTING CIVIC EDUCATION, RULE OF LAW AND PUBLIC PARTICIPATION IN COMMUNITY AFFAIRS, WILL BE HELD AT THE ARGYLE STREET FOOTBALL GROUND BETWEEN 2 PM AND 5.30 PM.
IT WILL FEATURE GAME STALLS, EXHIBITION, LION DANCE AND PERFORMANCES BY LOCAL RESIDENTS AND POPULAR SINGERS.
MOREOVER, A PUBLICITY BUS WILL TOUR THE DISTRICT TO SPREAD CIVIC EDUCATION MESSAGES.
THE CARNIVAL IS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT BOARD, KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT OFFICE AND KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT CIVIC EDUCATION CAMPAIGN CO-ORDINATION COMMITTEE.
/THE CHAIRMAN ......
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 24, 1992
- 22 -
THE CHAIRMAN OF THE COMMITTEE ON THE PROMOTION OF CIVIC EDUCATION, DR DANIEL TSE; KOWLOON DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, MR WONG SIK-KONG; AND KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT OFFICER, MR WILLIAM YAP; WILL OFFICIATE AT THE OPENING CEREMONY.
ATTENTION NEWS EDITORS:
YOUR REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER THE CARNIVAL WHICH WILL BE HELD AT THE ARGYLE STREET FOOTBALL GROUND, KOWLOON CITY, BEGINNING AT 2 PM TOMORROW.
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS
* * * * *
$ MILLION
OPENING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT 1,500
REVERSAL OF LAF NIL
BALANCE AFTER REVERSAL OF LAF 1,500
NET INJECTION/WITHDRAWAL TODAY NIL
EFFECT OF LAF TODAY ”120
CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT 1,380
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, OCTOBER 25, 1992
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
RAT PREVENTION CAMPAIGN STARTS NEXT MONTH .......................... 1
PUBLIC REMINDED ONLY TO EMPLOY REGISTERED ELECTRICAL CONTRACTORS ... 2
MACHINERY SAFETY CAMPAIGN A SUCCESS ................................
SAI KUNG ARTS FESTIVAL BEGINS ...................................... 3
MOST IMPROVED STUDENTS AWARD SCHEME INVITES NOMINATIONS ............ 4
JOCKEY CLUB HELPS REHABUS DIAL-A-RIDE SCHEME .......................
RECORD NUMBER OF STUDENTS TO COMPETE IN CAREERS QUIZ ...............
MINIBUS NIGHT SERVICES FOR TSEUNG KWAN O RESIDENTS ................. 6
EXHIBITION OF STUDENT'S CREATIVE WORK INVITES PARTICIPANTS ......... 7
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 25, 1992
1
RAT PREVENTION CAMPAIGN STARTS NEXT MONTH *****
THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH WILL BE LAUNCHING A TERRITORY-WIDE RAT PREVENTION EDUCATION CAMPAIGN IN THE NEXT TWO MONTHS TO REMIND THE PUBLIC OF THE IMPORTANCE OF A CLEAN AND HYGIENIC ENVIRONMENT.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY (SUNDAY) THAT THE CAMPAIGN, BEARING THE THEME "CLEAN FLATS, NO RATS", WAS ORGANISED UNDER THE AUSPICES OF THE URBAN COUNCIL AND THE REGIONAL COUNCIL.
THE SPOKESMAN CALLED FOR THE PUBLIC’S FULL SUPPORT AND COOPERATION IN CARRYING OUT RODENT CONTROL MEASURES, POINTING OUT THAT RATS CAN DAMAGE HOME FURNITURE AND FITTINGS.
"RATS ARE NOT ONLY CARRIERS OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES SUCH AS PLAQUE AND TYPHUS, THEY ALSO INDIRECTLY TRANSMIT GASTRO-INTESTINAL DISEASES INCLUDING FOOD POISONING," HE ADDED.
DURING THE CAMPAIGN PERIOD, PRINTED EDUCATIONAL HANDOUTS ON RAT PREVENTION SUCH AS POSTERS, ADVISORY LETTERS AND LEAFLETS WILL BE DISTRIBUTED TO BUILDING MANAGEMENT OFFICES, FOOD PREMISES, HOUSING ESTATES AND SCHOOLS.
A ROUND-THE-CLOCK TELEPHONE SERVICE (723 0013) WILL ALSO BE IN OPERATION TO PROVIDE THE PUBLIC A PRE-RECORDED MESSAGES IN CANTONESE ON RAT PREVENTION.
AS FOR THE ADVICE OR ASSISTANCE ON RAT PREVENTION, THIS CAN BE OBTAINED FROM THE DISTRICT PEST CONTROL UNITS OF THE URBAN SERVICES AND REGIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENTS.
MEANWHILE, THE SPOKESMAN NOTED THAT THE FUNDAMENTAL METHOD IN RODENT CONTROL WAS TO IMPROVE THE ENVIRONMENTAL SANITATION IN WHICH RATS WOULD BE DEPRIVED OF HARBOURAGES AND FOOD SUPPLIES.
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE ALSO ADVISED TO TAKE HEED OF THE FOLLOWING PRECAUTIONARY MEASURES TO PREVENT RAT INFESTATION:
* KEEP BUILDINGS IN GOOD REPAIR. SEAL OFF HOLES AND CREVICES ON CEILINGS, WALLS AND FLOORS;
* KEEP PREMISES AND COMMON PARTS OF BUILDING CLEAN AND FREE FROM DISUSED FURNITURE AND JUNK;
* STORE ALL FOOD PROPERLY IN COVERED CONTAINERS; AND
* PUT REFUSE AND FOOD WASTE IN A TIGHTLY COVERED DUSTBIN, EMPTY THE DUSTBIN AT LEAST ONCE A DAY.
--------0 - -
/2 ........
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 25, 1992
2
PUBLIC REMINDED ONLY TO EMPLOY REGISTERED ELECTRICAL CONTRACTORS *****
r
THE DIRECTOR OF ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL SERVICES, MR KWOK ‘ PING-KI, TODAY (SUNDAY) REMINDED MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC THAT SINCE JUNE 1 THIS YEAR, THEY COULD ONLY EMPLOY REGISTERED ELECTRICAL CONTRACTORS TO CARRY OUT ELECTRICAL WORKS.
THIS WOULD ENSURE THAT THE ELECTRICAL WIRING INSTALLATIONS ARE PROPERLY INSTALLED, MAINTAINED, AND IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE SAFETY REQUIREMENTS, MR KWOK SAID.
MR KWOK MADE THE REMARKS WHEN OFFICIATING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE "SAFE USE OF ELECTRICITY CARNIVAL" AT KOWLOON PARK.
THE CARNIVAL WAS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE HONG KONG AND KOWLOON ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING AND APPLIANCES TRADE WORKERS UNION AND THE OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH COUNCIL.
MR KWOK EXPRESSED HIS REGRETS THAT ACCIDENTS OCCURRED DUE TO NEGLIGENCE OR CARELESSNESS IN THE USE OF ELECTRICITY RESULTING IN LOSS OF PROPERTY, SERIOUS INJURY OR EVEN DEATHS.
SO FAR THIS YEAR, THERE HAD BEEN 12 CASES OF ELECTROCUTION, MR KWOK ADDED.
"IN ADDITION, OTHER REPORTED INCIDENTS INCLUDED 17 CASES OF ELECTRIC BURN AND TWO CASES OF FIRE DUE TO LEAKAGE OF ELECTRICITY," HE SAID.
HE STRESSED THAT WHILE PEOPLE ENJOYED ALL THE BENEFITS AND CONVENIENCE THAT COULD BE PROVIDED BY USING ELECTRICITY, THEY SHOULD NOT OVERLOOK ALL SAFETY PRECAUTIONS REQUIRED IN ITS APPLICATION AND USAGES.
SINCE THE ELECTRICITY ORDINANCE WAS ENACTED IN NOVEMBER 1990, THE ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT (EMSD) HAD REGISTERED ABOUT 45,000 ELECTRICAL WORKERS AND 5,500 ELECTRICAL CONTRACTORS, HE SAID.
HE SAID IN A RECENT CASE, A CONSUMER WHO EMPLOYED A NONREGISTERED CONTRACTOR TO CARRY OUT ELECTRICAL WORK IN HER HOME HAD NEARLY ALL THE ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES DAMAGED DUE TO BAD WORKMANSHIP.
HE SAID MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC COULD EASILY IDENTIFY THOSE REGISTERED ELECTRICAL CONTRACTORS BECAUSE ACCORDING TO THE LAW, A REGISTERED ELECTRICAL CONTRACTOR SHOULD DISPLAY PROMINENTLY AT HIS PLACE OF BUSINESS A CERTIFICATE OF REGISTRATION ISSUED BY EMSD.
"IN CARRYING OUT ELECTRICAL WORK FOR OUR ELECTRICAL INSTALLATION, THE REGISTERED ELECTRICAL CONTRACTOR AND HIS REGISTERED ELECTRICAL WORKER WILL HAVE TO COMPLY WITH THE SAFETY REQUIREMENTS LAID DOWN IN THE LEGISLATION. ,
I
"IN PARTICULAR, AFTER COMPLETION OF THE WORK, THE CONTRACTOR AND WORKERS ARE REQUIRED TO ISSUE A WORK COMPLETION CERTIFICATE DECLARING THAT THE INSTALLATION COMPLIES WITH THE LEGISLATION AND IS IN SAFE WORKING ORDER," HE SAID.
--------0-----------
/3 ........
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 25, 1992
3
MACHINERY SAFETY CAMPAIGN A SUCCESS
*******
FACTORY INSPECTORS TOOK OUT 398 SUMMONSES AGAINST FACTORY OWNERS DURING A TWO-MONTH CAMPAIGN ON MACHINERY SAFETY.
THEY ALSO VISITED 11,705 WORKPLACES TO EXPLAIN TO EMPLOYERS AND WORKERS THE IMPORTANCE OF GUARDING THE DANGEROUS PARTS OF MACHINES EFFECTIVELY.
"WE TOOK THE OPPORTUNITY TO REMIND PROPRIETORS OF THEIR STATUTORY OBLIGATIONS TO HAVE MACHINE GUARDS PROPERLY MAINTAINED AND TO PROVIDE SUITABLE SUPERVISION AND TRAINING FOR MACHINE OPERATORS," DEPUTY CHIEF FACTORY INSPECTOR, MR KAN HON-SANG, SAID.
"WORKERS WERE URGED TO CO-OPERATE WITH EMPLOYERS IN TAKING ALL NECESSARY SAFETY PRECAUTIONS," MR KAN ADDED.
HE NOTED THAT WHILE MACHINERY ACCIDENTS HAD BEEN ON THE DECLINE IN THE PAST FEW YEARS, THERE WERE SOME 6,000 SUCH ACCIDENTS LAST YEAR, WHICH ACCOUNTED FOR ABOUT ONE-EIGHTH OF THE TOTAL NUMBER OF INDUSTRIAL ACCIDENTS.
"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 ADDED.
MR KAN CAUTIONED THAT ALTHOUGH THE MACHINERY SAFETY
CAMPAIGN ENDED IN AUGUST, FACTORY INSPECTORS WERE KEEPING UP THEIR VIGILANCE ON THE SAFE OPERATION OF MACHINES AND WOULD TAKE
OUT PROSECUTION AGAINST OFFENDING OWNERS.
------0-------
SAI KUNG ARTS FESTIVAL BEGINS
* * * * *
CULTURAL AND ARTS PROGRAMMES ARE ESSENTIAL TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF A BALANCED COMMUNITY, THE REGIONAL SECRETARY FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES, MR ALBERT LAM, SAID TODAY (SUNDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE THIRD SAI KUNG ARTS FESTIVAL, MR LAM ADDED THAT IT WOULD FURTHER ENHANCE THE RESIDENTS’ QUALITY OF LIFE.
THE FESTIVAL WILL LAST UNTIL NOVEMBER 8. PROGRAMMES WILL INCLUDE PERFORMANCES BY THE DISTRICT’S CHILDREN CHOIR, SCHOOLS AND LOCAL ORGANISATIONS, TRADITIONAL CHINESE DANCES, PUPPET AND SILHOUETTE SHOWS BY TWO VISITING TROUPES FROM CHINA’S HUNAN PROVINCE.
ANOTHER SPECIAL PROGRAMME WILL BE THE CANTONESE OPERA PERFORMED BY PROMINENT TV STARS, MISS LISA WONG MING-CHUEN AND MR LAW KA-YING.
/THIS YEAR’S .......
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 25, 1992
4
THIS YEAR’S FESTIVAL IS SPONSORED BY THE REGIONAL COUNCIL, THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT BOARD AND SOME PRIVATE COMPANIES, AT A COST OF $700,000.
TICKETS AT $2 TO $150 ARE NOW AVAILABLE AND ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE ON TEL 792 9512 OR 792 2441.
--------0------------
MOST IMPROVED STUDENTS AWARD SCHEME INVITES NOMINATIONS
*****
HARD WORKING AND BEST PERFORMED SECONDARY 2 AND 3 STUDENTS WILL HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO WIN THIS YEAR’S SING TAO MOST IMPROVED AWARDS.
SCHOOL PRINCIPALS ARE INVITED TO NOMINATE THEIR OUTSTANDING STUDENTS WHO HAVE ATTAINED THE BEST ALL-ROUND IMPROVEMENT IN PERFORMANCE OVER THE PAST SCHOOL YEAR.
THE ANNUAL EVENT, OPENS TO ALL TYPES OF SECONDARY SCHOOLS INCLUDING GOVERNMENT, AIDED, PRIVATE AND SPECIAL SCHOOLS, IS AIMED AT ENCOURAGING JUNIOR SECONDARY STUDENTS TO DEVELOP FULLY THEIR INDIVIDUAL POTENTIAL.
AWARDEES WILL EACH BE PRESENTED WITH A $500 CASH PRIZE.
THE NUMBER OF AWARDS WILL BE LIMITED TO TWO FOR EACH PARTICIPATING SCHOOL.
COMPLETED NOMINATION FORMS SHOULD REACH THE CAREERS AND GUIDANCE SERVICES SECTION, EDUCATION DEPARTMENT ON OR BEFORE NOVEMBER 20, 1992.
ALL NOMINEES ARE JUDGED BY THEIR ACADEMIC AND CONDUCT IMPROVEMENTS AS WELL AS ENTHUSIASM IN PARTICIPATING IN EXTRA-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES.
THE SCHEME IS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE SING TAO FOUNDATION AND THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT, AND IS SPONSORED BY THE FOUNDATION.
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 25, 1992
5
JOCKEY CLUB HELPS REHABUS DIAL-A-RIDE SCHEME
* * * * *
TO ENABLE THE CONTINUATION OF A SPECIAL PERSONALISED TRANSPORT SERVICE TO TAKE THE DISABLED PERSONS TO CLINICS, SHOPS, SPORTS AND LEISURE ACTIVITIES AT A REASONABLE FARE SO AS TO HELP THEM INTEGRATE INTO THE COMMUNITY, THE ROYAL HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB HAS IN THE PAST TWO YEARS BEEN PROVIDING $1,305 MILLION FOR THE OPERATION OF THE REHABUS FULL-DAY DIAL-A-RIDE SCHEME.
IN THE COMING 12 MONTHS FROM NEXT MONTH TO OCTOBER 31, NEXT YEAR, THE ROYAL HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB HAS AGAIN ALLOCATED A GRANT OF $1.3 MILLION FOR THE EXTENSION OF THE SCHEME.
THE FULL-DAY DIAL-A-RIDE SERVICE IS OPERATED BY THE HONG KONG SOCIETY FOR REHABILITATION THROUGHOUT THE YEAR BETWEEN 7 AM AND 10.30 PM WITH FOUR 12-SEATER REHABUSES.
BETWEEN 8.30 AM AND 4.30 PM WHEN THE DEMAND IS AT ITS PEAK, TWO ADDITIONAL REHABUSES WILL BE DEPLOYED TO STRENGTHEN THE DIAL-A-RIDE SERVICES.
THE BASIC CHARGING RATES FOR EACH JOURNEY ARE $1.5 PER KILOMETRE PLUS $30 PER HOUR FOR GROUP FARES (THREE OR MORE DISABLED PERSONS), AND $1 PER KILOMETRE PLUS $20 PER HOUR FOR INDIVIDUAL FARES (TWO OR LESS DISABLED PERSONS).
CURRENTLY, THE HONG KONG SOCIETY FOR REHABILITATION (HKSR) IS OPERATING 34 SCHEDULED ROUTES TO PROVIDE TRANSPORT SERVICES TO DISABLED PERSONS WHO NEED TO TRAVEL TO THEIR WORKING, STUDYING OR MEDICAL TREATMENT PLACES.
THE JOCKEY CLUB HAS IN THE PAST ALSO DONATED 11 REHABUSES FOR THIS SERVICE.
ENQUIRIES AND ADVANCE BOOKINGS FOR THE DIAL-A-RIDE SERVICE MAY BE MADE TO HKSR ON TEL 817 8154 DURING OFFICE HOURS.
------0--------
RECORD NUMBER OF STUDENTS TO COMPETE IN CAREERS QUIZ * * * » *
A RECORD NUMBER OF 136,220 STUDENTS FROM 285 SECONDARY SCHOOLS WILL TAKE PART IN THE CAREERS QUIZ ’93 ORGANISED BY THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT FROM NOVEMBER 2 TO 10.
THE QUIZ IS DESIGNED FOR STUDENTS IN FORMS THREE TO FIVE. PARTICIPANTS WILL HAVE TO ANSWER 50 MULTIPLE-CHOICE QUESTIONS ON CAREERS, TECHNICAL AND VOCATIONAL TRAINING, AND LABOUR LAW.
"THE EVENT AIMS TO AROUSE STUDENTS’ AWARENESS OF THE IMPORTANCE OF CHOOSING SUITABLE CAREERS AND TO ENCOURAGE THEM TO LOOK FOR FIRSTHAND INFORMATION ON CAREERS AND FURTHER TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES," SENIOR LABOUR OFFICER MRS CLARE SIU SAID TODA'S (SUNDAY).
/"THE FAVOURABLE .......
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 25, 1992
’’THE FAVOURABLE RESPONSE TO THE QUIZ REFLECTS THE GREAT IMPORTANCE SCHOOLS AND STUDENTS ATTACHED TO CAREER EDUCATION,” SHE ADDED.
THE QUIZ IS A PRELUDE TO THE EDUCATION AND CAREERS EXPO ’93 JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT AND THE HONG KONG TRADE DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL FROM FEBRUARY 18 TO 21 NEXT YEAR.
THE EXPOSITION WILL BE HELD AT THE HONG KONG CONVENTION AND EXHIBITION CENTRE. VISITORS WILL BE INTRODUCED TO A WIDE RANGE OF TRADES, GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS, PROFESSIONAL BODIES AND EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTES.
WINNERS OF THE QUIZ WILL BE AWARDED ATTRACTIVE PRIZES, INCLUDING PERSONAL COMPUTERS, LANGUAGE SETS AND CALCULATORS, ALL SPONSORED BY PHILIPS HONG KONG LIMITED.
THE ANSWER SHEETS OF THE QUIZ WILL BE PROCESSED BY THE INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY SERVICES DEPARTMENT.
- - 0 - -
MINIBUS NIGHT SERVICES FOR TSEUNG KWAN O RESIDENTS
*****
A NEW GREEN MINIBUS ROUTE NO. 19S PROVIDING NIGHT SERVICES FOR TSEUNG KWAN 0 RESIDENTS WILL COME INTO SERVICE NEXT TUESDAY (OCTOBER 27), THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (SUNDAY).
THE MINIBUS WILL RUN BETWEEN HANG HAU (NORTH) AND CAUSEWAY BAY VIA PO LAM ROAD AND EASTERN HARBOUR CROSSING.
IT WILL BE OPERATED BETWEEN MIDNIGHT AND 5.30 AM DAILY FROM BOTH HANG HAU AND CAUSEWAY BAY AT 20 TO 23-MINUTE FREQUENCIES.
THE FULL FARE WILL BE $10. SECTION FARES WILL BE CHARGED AT $3 AND $5 AFTER LEAVING ISLAND EASTERN CORRIDOR ON THE WAY TO CAUSEWAY BAY AND AFTER EASTERN HARBOUR CROSSING TO HANG HAU RESPECTIVELY.
- - 0 - -
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 25, ±992
EXHIBITION OF STUDENT’S CREATIVE WORK INVITES PARTICIPANTS
*****
SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS ARE INVITED TO JOIN THE 1992-93 EXHIBITION OF SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS’ CREATIVE WORK.
THE EXHIBITION IS DIVIDED INTO TWO CATEGORIES: ART AND DESIGN WORK, AND NEEDLEWORK/DRESS PROJECTS AND FASHION FOLIOS.
FOR THE ART AND DESIGN WORK CATEGORY, EACH SCHOOL CAN ONLY SUBMIT NOT MORE THAN 10 ENTRIES FOR THEIR STUDENTS IN SECONDARY 1 TO 6.
THERE IS NO RESTRICTION IN THE NUMBER OF ENTRIES IN THE NEEDLEWORK/DRESS PROJECTS AND FASHION FOLIOS FOR STUDENTS IN SECONDARY 1 TO 5.
THE EXHIBITION OF THE STUDENTS’ CREATIVE WORK WILL BE HELD AT THE CULTURAL CRAFTS CENTRE DURING THE LUNAR NEW YEAR HOLIDAYS BETWEEN JANUARY 26 AND FEBRUARY 13, NEXT YEAR.
LAST YEAR, ABOUT 600 ENTRIES FROM 150 SCHOOLS WERE SUBMITTED, COMPRISING 400 ON ART AND DESIGN AND 200 ON NEEDLEWORK/DRESS PROJECTS AND FASHION FOLIOS.
THE DEADLINE FOR PARTICIPATING SCHOOLS TO SUBMIT THEIR ENTRY FORMS IS NOVEMBER 20.
FURTHER INFORMATION AND ENQUIRIES MAY BE MADE TO THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT’S ART SECTION ON TEL 880 5420 OR HOME ECONOMICS SECTION ON TEL 562 1009.
--------0-----------
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
MONDAY, OCTOBER 26, 1992
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
PROVISIONAL TRADE FIGURES FOR SEPTEMBER 1992 .......................... 1
LOCAL SHIPPING LAW TO REPLACE UK LEGISLATION .......................... 3
LIFE IMPROVED FOLLOWING DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION SCHEME ................ 5
CONSULTATION ON CURRICULUM GUIDES ..................................... 6
12 OFFICIALS TO SPEAK IN RESUMED DEBATE ............................... 6
OUT-PATIENT DEPARTMENT OF HOSPITAL TO BE RELOCATED .................... 7
YOUTH ORCHESTRA RECRUITS NEW VIOLISTS ................................. 7
INFORMATION REWARD PAYMENT TO BE DOUBLED .............................. 8
FIRING PRACTICE IN NOVEMBER ....................................... 9
WATER STORAGE FIGURE ................................................ 10'
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS ........... 10
MONDAY, OCTOBER 26, 1992
1
PROVISIONAL TRADE FIGURES FOR SEPTEMBER 1992
*****
IN SEPTEMBER 1992, RE-EXPORTS RECORDED A FURTHER SHARP INCREASE, WHILE DOMESTIC EXPORTS CONTINUED TO REVIVE. IMPORTS ALSO SHOWED A MARKED GROWTH.
THESE ARE SHOWN IN THE PROVISIONAL TRADE FIGURES RELEASED TODAY (MONDAY) BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
THE VALUE OF RE-EXPORTS ROSE BY $14,229 MILLION OR 28.4% OVER A YEAR EARLIER TO $64,360 MILLION IN SEPTEMBER 1992.
THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS ALSO INCREASED, BY $603 MILLION OR 2.9% TO $21,129 MILLION.
TAKING RE-EXPORTS AND DOMESTIC EXPORTS TOGETHER, THE VALUE OF TOTAL EXPORTS IN SEPTEMBER GREW BY $14,832 MILLION OR 21.0% OVER A YEAR EARLIER TO $85,489 MILLION.
MEANWHILE, THE VALUE OF IMPORTS INCREASED BY $15,999 MILLION OR 23.9% TO $82,952 MILLION.
AS THE VALUE OF TOTAL EXPORTS WAS LARGER THAN THAT OF TOTAL IMPORTS, A VISIBLE TRADE SURPLUS OF $2,537 MILLION, EQUIVALENT TO 3.1% OF THE VALUE OF IMPORTS, WAS RECORDED IN SEPTEMBER 1992.
THIS COMPARED WITH A SURPLUS OF $3,704 MILLION, EQUIVALENT TO 5.5% OF THE VALUE OF IMPORTS, RECORDED IN SEPTEMBER 1991.
IN THE FIRST NINE MONTHS OF 1992, THE VALUE OF RE-EXPORTS INCREASED BY $116,361 MILLION OR 30.7% OVER A YEAR EARLIER TO $495,317 MILLION.
THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS AMOUNTED TO $170,284 MILLION, $3,291 MILLION OR 2.0% HIGHER THAN IN THE FIRST NINE MONTHS OF 1991.
TAKING RE-EXPORTS AND DOMESTIC EXPORTS TOGETHER, THE VALUE OF TOTAL EXPORTS, AT $665,601 MILLION IN THE FIRST NINE MONTHS OF 1992, WAS $119,652 MILLION OR 21.9% HIGHER THAN A YEAR EARLIER.
THE VALUE OF IMPORTS INCREASED BY $127,924 MILLION OR 22.8% TO $689,935 MILLION.
A VISIBLE TRADE DEFICIT OF $24,334 MILLION, EQUIVALENT TO 3.5% OF THE VALUE OF IMPORTS, WAS RECORDED IN THE FIRST NINE MONTHS OF 1992.
THIS COMPARED WITH A DEFICIT OF $16,062 MILLION, EQUIVALENT TO 2.9% OF THE VALUE OF IMPORTS, RECORDED IN THE SAME PERIOD LAST YEAR.
COMMENTING ON THE SEPTEMBER TRADE FIGURES, A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THE DEPRECIATION OF THE HONG KONG DOLLAR IN LINE WITH THE U.S. DOLLAR SINCE MID-APRIL MIGHT HAVE HELPED THE EXPORT PERFORMANCE.
/WHILE RE-EXPORTS .......
MONDAY, OCTOBER 26, 1992
2
WHILE RE-EXPORTS REMAINED ROBUST, DOMESTIC EXPORTS PICKED UP TO REGISTER POSITIVE GROWTH FOR FOUR CONSECUTIVE MONTHS.
THE SUSTAINED INCREASE IN IMPORTS RETAINED FOR LOCAL USE, BY 12.4% IN VALUE TERMS IN THE FIRST NINE MONTHS OF 1992 OVER A YEAR EARLIER, WAS CONSISTENT WITH THE BUOYANT DOMESTIC DEMAND.
THE FOLLOWING TABLE PRESENTS THE PROVISIONAL TRADE FIGURES FOR SEPTEMBER 1992:
$21,129 MILLION
$64,360 MILLION
$85,489 MILLION
$82,952 MILLION
$2,537 MILLION
MERCHANDISE: DOMESTIC EXPORTS :
RE-EXPORTS :
TOTAL EXPORTS :
IMPORTS :
TRADE BALANCE :
(IN SURPLUS)
COMPARATIVE FIGURES JUL 91 TO SEP 91 HK$ MN. INCREASE
LATEST 3 MONTHS JUL 92 TO SEP 92 HK$ MN.
HK$ MN. %
DOMESTIC EXPORTS 63,342 62,068 1,274 2.1
RE-EXPORTS 186,086 145,843 40,243 27.6
TOTAL EXPORTS 249,428 207,911 41,517 20.0
IMPORTS 247,289 202,790 44,499 21.9
TRADE BALANCE 2,139 5,121 -2,982
SEPTEMBER SEPTEMBER INCREASE
SAME MONTH LAST YEAR 1992 1991
HK$ MN. HK$ MN. HK$ MN. %
DOMESTIC EXPORTS 21,129 20,526 603 2.9
(% OF TOTAL EXPORTS) (24.7%) (29.1%)
RE-EXPORTS 64,360 50,131 14,229 28.4
TOTAL EXPORTS 85,489 70,657 14,832 21.0
IMPORTS 82,952 66,953 15,999 23.9
TRADE BALANCE 2,537 3,704 -1,167
SEPTEMBER AUGUST INCREASE
LAST MONTH 1992 1992
HK$ MN. HK$ MN. HK$ MN. %
DOMESTIC EXPORTS 21,129 20,834 295 1.4
(% OF TOTAL EXPORTS) (24.7%) (25.5%)
RE-EXPORTS 64,360 60,943 3,417 5.6
TOTAL EXPORTS 85,489 81,777 3,712 4.5
IMPORTS 82,952 79,371 3,581 4.5
TRADE BALANCE 2,537 2,406 131
/CALENDAR YEAR .......
MONDAY, OCTOBER 26, 1992
3
JAN-SEP JAN-SEP INCR EASE
CALENDAR YEAR TO-DATE 1992 1991
HK$ MN. HK$ MN. HK$ MN. %
DOMESTIC EXPORTS 170,284 166,993 3,291 2.0
(% OF TOTAL EXPORTS) (25.6%) (30.6%)
RE-EXPORTS 495,317 378,956 116,361 30.7
TOTAL EXPORTS 665,601 545,949 119,652 21.9
IMPORTS 689,935 562,011 127,924 22.8
TRADE BALANCE -24,334 -16,062 -8,272
OCT 91 TO OCT 90 TO INCR EASE
LAST 12 MONTHS SEP 92 SEP 91
HK$ MN. HK$ MN. HK$ MN. %
DOMESTIC EXPORTS 234,336 231,269 3,067 1.3
RE-EXPORTS 651,202 500,261 150,941 30.2
TOTAL EXPORTS 885,538 731,530 154,008 21.1
IMPORTS 906,906 748,673 158,233 21.1
TRADE BALANCE -21,368 -17,143 -4,225
-----0------
LOCAL SHIPPING LAW TO REPLACE UK LEGISLATION
*****
FOUR MERCHANT SHIPPING ORDINANCES TO REPLACE UNITED KINGDOM LEGISLATION HAD BEEN PASSED WHILE THE LOCALISATION OF MANY OF THE UK MERCHANT SHIPPING REGULATIONS RELATING TO SAFETY HAD BEEN ACHIEVED, THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, MR JEREMY MATHEWS, SAID TODAY (MONDAY).
IN AN OPENING ADDRESS TO THE CONFERENCE OF THE MARITIME LAW ASSOCIATION OF AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND, MR MATHEWS SAID MERCHANT SHIPPING HAD BEEN GIVEN PRIORITY BECAUSE OF ITS IMPORTANCE TO THE TERRITORY IN THE EXERCISE TO LOCALISE ENGLISH STATUTES CURRENTLY APPLIED TO HONG KONG.
HE SAID A BILL WAS BEING DRAFTED TO LOCALISE THE LAWS RELATING TO THE 1974 ATHENS CONVENTION ON THE CARRIAGE OF PASSENGERS AND THEIR LUGGAGE, AND THE 1976 LONDON CONVENTION ON LIMITATION OF LIABILITY FOR MARITIME CLAIMS.
ANOTHER BILL WAS BEING DRAFTED TO REGULATE THE EMPLOYMENT AND CONDITIONS OF WORK FOR SEAFARERS.
MR MATHEWS TOLD THE CONFERENCE THAT WORK WAS ALSO UNDERWAY TO LOCALISE THE LAW IN OTHER IMPORTANT AREAS SUCH AS CIVIL AVIATION, ARBITRATION IN INTERNATIONAL INVESTMENT DISPUTES, CARRIAGE BY SEA, AND DUMPING AT SEA.
LOCALISATION WOULD ALSO PROCEED IN RESPECT OF LEGISLATION REQUIRED TO GIVE EFFECT TO INTERNATIONAL AGREEMENTS MADE BY THE UK WHICH APPLIED TO HONG KONG, SUCH AS TREATIES FOR THE SURRENDER OF FUGITIVE OFFENDERS.
/"IT IS .......
MONDAY, OCTOBER 26, 1992
4
"IT IS AN ENORMOUS TASK BUT, I CAN ASSURE YOU, IT WILL BE DONE BEFORE 1997," HE SAID.
MR MATHEWS SAID THE LAWS OF HONG KONG WERE BEING REVIEWED AND, IF NECESSARY, AMENDMENTS WOULD BE MADE AT A SUITABLE TIME TO ENSURE THEIR COMPATIBILITY WITH THE BASIC LAW.
THIS ADAPTATION OF LAWS EXERCISE WOULD COVER, FOR EXAMPLE, REFERENCES TO "THE CROWN" WHICH APPEARED IN THE LAWS OF HONG KONG.
ON THE BILINGUAL LAW PROGRAMME, MR MATHEWS SAID SINCE APRIL 1989 ALL NEW PRINCIPAL ORDINANCES HAD BEEN ENACTED IN BOTH ENGLISH AND CHINESE.
WORK WAS IN HAND TO TRANSLATE INTO CHINESE 21,000 PAGES OF EXISTING ORDINANCES WHICH WERE ENACTED ONLY IN ENGLISH.
"OUR TARGET IS TO HAVE FINAL CHINESE DRAFTS OF EXISTING LEGISLATION READY FOR CONSIDERATION BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL BY THE END OF 1995," HE SAID.
ON THE 220 MULTILATERAL TREATIES NOW BEING EXTENDED TO HONG KONG BY THE UNITED KINGDOM, MR MATHEWS SAID:
"WE ARE DISCUSSING WITH THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT HOW THESE TREATIES CAN CONTINUE TO APPLY TO THE HONG KONG SPECIAL ADMINISTRATIVE REGION AFTER 1997, EVEN THOSE TO WHICH CHINA IS NOT CURRENTLY A PARTY.
"WE ARE HAVING SOME SUCCESS IN THIS IMPORTANT AND LARGE TASK, HAVING AGREED SO FAR THAT THE INTERNATIONAL RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS ARISING OUT OF OVER 100 TREATIES WILL CONTINUE IN FORCE IN THE SAR AFTER 1997."
HONG KONG HAS NEGOTIATED EXTRADITION TREATIES WITH SUCH COUNTRIES AS THE NETHERLANDS, AUSTRALIA, AND CANADA. TREATIES WITH OTHER STATES WOULD BE NEGOTIATED OVER THE NEXT FEW YEARS.
MR MATHEWS POINTED OUT THAT HONG KONG’S LEGAL SYSTEM HAD STRONG FOUNDATIONS WHICH WOULD CONTINUE PAST 1997, WITH LAWYERS AND JUDGES TRAINED IN THE COMMON LAW, AND AN INDEPENDENT JUDICIARY, AND WITH THE LAW BEING FAMILIAR AND ACCESSIBLE.
- - 0----------
MONDAY, OCTOBER 26, 1992
- 5 -
LIFE IMPROVED FOLLOWING DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION SCHEME *****
THE QUALITY OF LIFE IN SHAM SHUI PO HAS IMPROVED TREMENDOUSLY SINCE THE IMPLEMENTATION OF DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION IN 1982, THE REGIONAL SECRETARY FOR HONG KONG AND KOWLOON, MR PAUL WONG, SAID THIS (MONDAY) EVENING.
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY CUM VARIETY SHOW OF THE SHAM SHUI PO DISTRICT FESTIVAL, MR WONG SAID THROUGH DISCUSSIONS IN THE SHAM SHUI PO DISTRICT BOARD AND THE CO-ORDINATION OF THE DISTRICT MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE, VARIOUS LOCAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMMES WERE ABLE TO BE CARRIED OUT SMOOTHLY.
MR WONG SAID THE DISTRICT EXPERIENCED MANY CHANGES IN THE PAST DECADE.
FOR EXAMPLE, HE SAID, THE ILLEGAL STRUCTURES IN NAM CHEONG STREET AND HING WAH STREET WERE REMOVED WHILE THE SHAM SHUI PO SPORTS GROUND AND A NUMBER OF PARKS WERE BUILT.
"UNDER THE REDEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME, MANY OLD PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES WERE REPLACED BY NEW BUILDINGS. THROUGH THE SUPPORT AND ENCOURAGEMENT FROM VARIOUS SECTORS, MORE CULTURAL AND RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES WERE ORGANISED."
LOOKING TO THE FUTURE, MR WONG SAID A NUMBER OF MAJOR DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS WOULD BE CARRIED OUT IN SHAM SHUI PO.
THE WEST KOWLOON RECLAMATION WILL PROVIDE SOME 200 HECTARES OF RECLAIMED LAND AND THE WEST KOWLOON EXPRESSWAY WILL LINK THE DISTRICT WITH THE NEW AIRPORT.
THE CONTAINER TERMINAL NO. 8 WILL BE COMPLETED NEXT YEAR WHILE THE SHAM SHUI PO MARKET WILL SOON BE REDEVELOPED.
OTHER OFFICIATING GUESTS INCLUDED THE SHAM SHUI PO DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, MR RAYMOND CHOY; SHAM SHUI PO DISTRICT OFFICER, MR ALAN FUNG; AND LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLORS, MR JAMES TO AND MR FREDERICK FUNG.
THE CEREMONY WAS FOLLOWED BY A VARIETY SHOW PERFORMED BY POPULAR SINGERS AND DISC JOCKEYS.
THE SHAM SHUI PO DISTRICT FESTIVAL WILL LAST FOR FOUR WEEKS. IT INCLUDED VARIETY SHOWS, CANTONESE OPERAS, CARNIVALS, PICNICS, CONCERTS AND A TERRITORY-WIDE SOCIAL DANCE COMPETITION.
PAMPHLETS ON VARIOUS PROGRAMMES ARE AVAILABLE AT THE SHAM SHUI PO DISTRICT OFFICE AND ITS SUB-OFFICES.
THE SHAM SHUI PO DISTRICT FESTIVAL IS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE DISTRICT FESTIVAL CO-ORDINATING COMMITTEE AND THE SHAM SHUI PO DISTRICT OFFICE, WITH SPONSORSHIP FROM THE SHAM SHUI PO DISTRICT BOARD AND THE URBAN COUNCIL.
/6.........
MONDAY, OCTOBER 26, 1992
6
CONSULTATION ON CURRICULUM GUIDES
* » * *
THE CHAIRMAN OF THE CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL, MR ANDREW SO KWOK-WING, SAID AT A PRESS SESSION TODAY (MONDAY) THAT A CURRICULUM GUIDE FOR EACH LEVEL OF EDUCATION WOULD VERY SOON BE RELEASED TO SCHOOLS FOR CONSULTATION.
SINCE ITS ESTABLISHMENT, THE COUNCIL HAS UNDERTAKEN A WIDE RANGE OF TASKS AND ACTIVITIES THROUGH ITS CO-ORDINATING COMMITTEES AND SUBJECT COMMITTEES.
ONE OF THE MAJOR ACTIVITIES HAS BEEN THE PREPARATION OF A CURRICULUM GUIDE FOR EACH LEVEL OF EDUCATION - KINDERGARTEN, PRIMARY, SECONDARY 1 TO 5 AND THE SIXTH FORM.
IN THE PREPARATION OF THE DRAFT CURRICULUM GUIDES, THE CO-ORDINATING COMMITTEES HAVE REVIEWED THE CURRICULUM AT ALL LEVELS OF THE EDUCATION SYSTEM.
"THE CURRICULUM GUIDES SET OUT THE COUNCIL’S VIEWS ON THE AIMS OF CURRICULA," HE SAID.
THE COUNCIL, HE ADDED, HOPED THAT THESE GUIDES WOULD PROVIDE A GENERALLY DESIRABLE DIRECTION FOR THE PREPARATION OF DETAILED SYLLABUSES AND TEACHING GUIDES AND WOULD ALSO HELP SCHOOLS TO DESIGN CURRICULA SUITED TO THEIR INDIVIDUAL NEEDS.
"FURTHER CURRICULUM GUIDES FOR SPECIAL EDUCATION ARE BEING PREPARED AND WILL BE PRESENTED TO SCHOOLS FOR CONSULTATION AS SOON AS THEY ARE READY," MR SO SAID.
NOTING THAT THE EDUCATION COMMISSION HAD RECENTLY PUBLISHED A STATEMENT OF AIMS FOR SCHOOL EDUCATION, MR SO SAID SCHOOLS WOULD FIND IT VERY HELPFUL TO HAVE NOT ONLY A BROAD SET OF OVERALL AIMS FOR EDUCATION, BUT ALSO A MORE DETAILED GUIDE TO THE CURRICULUM AND ITS AIMS.
THE COMMISSION’S STATEMENT AND THE COUNCIL’S GUIDES SERVE DIFFERENT, BUT COMPLEMENTARY, PURPOSES, HE ADDED.
------0--------
12 OFFICIALS TO SPEAK IN RESUMED DEBATE
» * * * *
TWELVE GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS WILL SPEAK IN THE RESUMED DEBATE ON THE GOVERNOR’S POLICY ADDRESS IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON WEDNESDAY.
THEY WILL REPLY TO POINTS RAISED BY OTHER MEMBERS LAST WEEK ON VARIOUS AREAS OF THE GOVERNOR’S ADDRESS.
MEANWHILE, MEMBERS WILL ASK A TOTAL OF 17 QUESTIONS AND CONSIDER TWO BILLS. THEY ARE GAMBLING (AMENDMENT) BILL 1992 AND MERCHANT SHIPPING (SAFETY) (AMENDMENT) BILL 1992. BOTH WILL BE INTRODUCED FOR FIRST AND SECOND READINGS.
/IN ADDITION
MONDAY, OCTOBER 26, 1992
7
IN ADDITION, THE CHIEF SECRETARY WILL MOVE A MOTION UNDER THE CRIMINAL PROCEDURE 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-----------
OUT-PATIENT DEPARTMENT OF HOSPITAL TO BE RELOCATED
*****
THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH TODAY (MONDAY) ANNOUNCED THAT THE TANG SHIU KIN HOSPITAL GENERAL OUT-PATIENT CLINIC WILL BE RELOCATED TO THE VIOLET PEEL HEALTH CENTRE, FIRST FLOOR, SOUTHORN CENTRE, 130 HENNESSY ROAD, WAN CHAI FROM NEXT MONDAY (NOVEMBER 2).
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID THE LAST DAY AND EVENING OUT-PATIENT SERVICES PROVIDED BY THE TANG SHIU KIN HOSPITAL GENERAL OUT-PATIENT CLINIC WILL BE ON OCTOBER 31 (SATURDAY) AND OCTOBER 30 (FRIDAY) RESPECTIVELY.
------0-------
YOUTH ORCHESTRA RECRUITS NEW VIOLISTS
* * * * *
THE HONG KONG YOUTH SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA OF THE MUSIC OFFICE IS RECRUITING NEW VIOLISTS FOR 1992/93.
THE ORCHESTRA WAS FORMED IN 1978 WITH THE AIM OF PROVIDING TRAINEES WITH ORCHESTRAL TRAINING.
OVER THE YEARS, THE ORCHESTRA HELD REGULAR CONCERTS IN HONG KONG AND GAVE PERFORMANCE OVERSEAS, INCLUDING AUSTRALIA, CYPRUS, FRANCE, ISRAEL, CHINA, THE UNITED KINGDOM AND SINGAPORE.
APPLICANTS SHOULD BE UNDER 25 YEARS OF AGE AND HAVE ATTAINED GRADE VII OR ABOVE IN THE ROYAL SCHOOLS OF MUSIC EXAMINATION, OR EQUIVALENT.
THEY SHOULD HAVE KEEN INTEREST IN PARTICIPATING IN ORCHESTRAL PLAYING AND TRAINING ACTIVITIES.
THE DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS IS NOVEMBER 7, QUALIFIED APPLICANTS WILL BE INVITED TO ATTEND AN AUDITION AT A LATER STAGE.
APPLICATION FORMS ARE NOW AVAILABLE AT HONG KONG MUSIC CENTRES OF THE MUSIC OFFICE. COMPLETED FORMS SHOULD BE RETURNED TO THE HONG KONG MUSIC CENTRE, NINTH FLOOR, HONG KONG ARTS CENTRE, 2 HARBOUR ROAD, HONG KONG.
ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE ON TEL 802 0657.
---------0---------
Z8.........
MONDAY, OCTOBER 26, 1992
8
INFORMATION REWARD PAYMENT TO BE DOUBLED
*****
WITH EFFECT FROM SUNDAY (NOVEMBER 1), THE CUSTOMS AND EXCISE DEPARTMENT WILL RAISE THE MAXIMUM PAYMENT OF REWARD FROM $10,000 TO $20,000 FOR INFORMATION LEADING TO SUCCESSFUL PROSECUTION OF TEXTILE-ORIGIN FRAUD OFFENCES.
THE EXISTING SCALE OF PAYMENT IS 10 PERCENT OF THE FINE IMPOSED BY THE COURT OR A MAXIMUM OF $10,000 IN EACH CASE, WHICHEVER IS THE LESS.
ANNOUNCING THE INCREASE TODAY (MONDAY), A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID THE MOVE SHOWS THE DETERMINATION OF THE DEPARTMENT TO COMBAT ILLEGAL TEXTILE TRANSHIPMENTS BY ENCOURAGING MORE INFORMERS TO COME FORWARD WITH INFORMATION TO HELP IDENTIFY OFFENDING SHIPMENTS.
"APART FROM THE MONETARY INCREASE, THE SCOPE OF THE REWARD SCHEME WILL BE EXPANDED TO COVER TEXTILE SHIPMENTS TO QUOTA-FREE MARKETS.
"THIS MEANS THE SCHEME WILL COVER TEXTILE GOODS PASSING THROUGH HONG KONG AND A NON-RESTRAINED THIRD COUNTRY OR TERRITORY PRIOR TO THEIR ENTRY TO THE ULTIMATE DESTINATION.
"AT PRESENT, REWARDS ARE ONLY GIVEN TO ORIGIN FRAUD CASES INVOLVING TEXTILES TO RESTRAINED MARKETS," HE SAID.
FOR THE PURPOSE OF THE REWARD SCHEME, THE CUSTOMS AND EXCISE DEPARTMENT OPERATES A 24-HOUR TELEPHONE HOT-LINE 804 2388 TO RECEIVE INFORMATION.
"INFORMERS MAY CHOOSE TO WRITE TO GPO BOX 1166. INFORMATION WILL BE TREATED IN STRICT CONFIDENCE," THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
--------0-----------
/9.........
MONDAY, OCTOBER 26, 1992
9
FIRING PRACTICE IN NOVEMBER * » ♦ » *
FIRING PRACTICE WILL TAKE PLACE AT THE HA TSUEN - CASTLE PEAK RANGE ON 21 DAYS NEXT MONTH (NOVEMBER).
THE PUBLIC ARE ADVISED NOT TO ENTER THE AREA WHEN RED FLAGS ARE HOISTED.
FOLLOWING ARE THE DATES AND TIMES FOR THE FIRING PRACTICE:
DATE TIME
NOVEMBER 2 (MONDAY) 8.30 AM - 5 PM
NOVEMBER 3 (TUESDAY) 8.30 AM - 5 PM
NOVEMBER 4 (WEDNESDAY) 8.30 AM - 6 PM
NOVEMBER 5 (THURSDAY) 8.30 AM - 6 PM
NOVEMBER 6 (FRIDAY) 8.30 AM - 6 PM
NOVEMBER 9 (MONDAY) 8.30 AM - 5 PM
NOVEMBER 10 (TUESDAY) 8.30 AM - 5 PM
NOVEMBER 11 (WEDNESDAY) 8.30 AM - 5 PM
NOVEMBER 12 (THURSDAY) 8.30 AM - 5 PM
NOVEMBER 13 (FRIDAY) 8.30 AM - 5 PM
NOVEMBER 16 (MONDAY) 8.30 AM - 5 PM
NOVEMBER 17 (TUESDAY) 8.30 AM - 5 PM
NOVEMBER 18 (WEDNESDAY) 8.30 AM - 5 PM
NOVEMBER 19 (THURSDAY) 8.30 AM - 6 PM
NOVEMBER 20 (FRIDAY) 8.30 AM - 5 PM
NOVEMBER 23 (MONDAY) 8.30 AM - 5 PM
NOVEMBER 24 (TUESDAY) 8.30 AM - 5 PM
NOVEMBER 25 (WEDNESDAY) 8.30 AM - 5 PM
NOVEMBER 26 (THURSDAY) 8.30 AM - 6 PM
NOVEMBER 27 (FRIDAY) 8.30 AM - 5 PM
NOVEMBER 30 (MONDAY) 8.30 AM - 5 PM
--------0------------
/io........
MONDAY, OCTOBER 26, 1992
10
WATER STORAGE FIGURE
*****
STORAGE IN HONG KONG’S RESERVOIRS AT 9 AM TODAY (MONDAY) STOOD AT 81.1 PER CENT OF CAPACITY OR 475.498 MILLION CUBIC METRES.
THIS TIME LAST YEAR THE RESERVOIRS CONTAINED 279.424 MILLION CUBIC METRES OF WATER, REPRESENTING 47.7 PER CENT OF CAPACITY.
------0-------
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS *****
$ MILLION
OPENING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT 1,380
REVERSAL OF LAF +120
BALANCE AFTER REVERSAL OF LAF 1,500
NET INJECTION/WITHDRAWAL TODAY NIL
EFFECT OF LAF TODAY +1,000
CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT 2,500
LAF RATE 2.00 BID/4.00 OFFER TWI 111.5 »+0.1* 26.10.92
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND
EF BILLS HONG KONG GOVERNMENT BONDS
TERMS YIELD TERM ISSUE COUPON PRICE YIELD
1 WEEK 3.53 PCT 13 MONTHS 2311 6.25 101.86 4.48
1 MONTH 3.46 PCT 16 MONTHS 2402 5.50 101.03 4.73
3 MONTHS 3.51 PCT 19 MONTHS 2405 5.502 101.03 4.86
6 MONTHS 3.69 PCT 22 MONTHS 2408 4.375 99.09 4.96
12 MONTHS 4.39 PCT
TOTAL TURNOVER OF BILLS AND BONDS - 8,650 MN
CLOSED 26 OCTOBER 1992
------0----------
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 27, 1992
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
CONSUMER PRICE INDICES FOR SEPTEMBER ......................... 1
FS COMMENTS ON CONSUMER PRICE INDICES ........................ 7
GOVERNOR CONGRATULATES PARALYMPIC ATHLETES ................... 9
NEW DIRECTOR OF LEGAL AID APPOINTED .......................... 9
SEVEN MORE HIV INFECTED CASES CONFIRMED ...................... 10
DOWNS SYNDROME BOY OFFERED ADOPTIVE HOME IN U.S............... 12
UNIFIED SALARY SCALE FOR HOME HELPERS ........................ 13
VALUE ADDED DATA AND FAX SERVICES EXTENDED TO AUSTRALIA ...... 14
SURVEY ON TIMBER INDUSTRY PLANNED ............................ 15
STUDY TOUR ON FISHERIES ...................................... 15
FRESH WATER CUT IN SAI KUNG .................................. 16
UNAUTHORISED BUILDING WORKS TO BE CLOSED ..................... 16
198 VMS RETURNED TODAY ....................................... 17
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND TENDER RESULTS ............ 17
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS .. 18
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 27, 1992
CONSUMER PRICE INDICES FOR SEPTEMBER * * * * *
THE CONSUMER PRICE INDEX (A) IN SEPTEMBER 1992 WAS 9.9% HIGHER THAN IN SEPTEMBER 1991, ACCORDING TO THE FIGURES RELEASED TODAY (TUESDAY) BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
THIS WAS HIGHER THAN THE FIGURE OF 8.3% IN THE PRECEDING MONTH.
THE CPI(B) AND THE HANG SENG CPI WERE BOTH HIGHER BY 10.2% IN SEPTEMBER 1992 THAN IN SEPTEMBER LAST YEAR. THE CORRESPONDING INCREASES IN AUGUST 1992 WERE 9.1% AND 9.8%.
THE COMPOSITE CPI, WHICH WAS COMPILED BASED ON THE COMBINED EXPENDITURE PATTERN OF HOUSEHOLDS COVERED BY THE THREE CPIS, SHOWED AN INCREASE OF 10.1% IN SEPTEMBER 1992 OVER THE SAME MONTH IN 1991. THE CORRESPONDING INCREASE IN AUGUST 1992 WAS 9.0%.
THE HIGHER YEAR-ON-YEAR RATES OF INCREASE IN THE CPIS IN SEPTEMBER THAN IN AUGUST THIS YEAR WERE MAINLY DUE TO A SHARP INCREASE IN THE PRICES OF FRESH VEGETABLES AND HIGHER RENT FOR SOME PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES AND PRIVATE HOUSING UNITS.
MOREOVER, SEPTEMBER 1991 WAS A RELATIVELY LOW BASE FOR COMPARISON.
COMPARING SEPTEMBER 1992 WITH SEPTEMBER 1991, RELATIVELY SLOWER INCREASES IN PRICES WERE RECORDED FOR DURABLE GOODS (2.3% IN THE CPI(A) AND 2.4% IN THE CPI(B)); TRANSPORT (6.5% AND 7.0%); FUEL AND LIGHT (7.0% AND 6.8%); FOOD (EXCLUDING MEALS AT RESTAURANTS) (7.1% AND 6.8%); AND MISCELLANEOUS GOODS (7.4% AND 7.0%).
ON THE OTHER HAND, RELATIVELY FASTER INCREASES IN PRICES WERE RECORDED FOR CLOTHING AND FOOTWEAR (10.0% IN THE CPI(A) AND 10.1% IN THE CPI(B)); MEALS AT RESTAURANTS (10.4% IN BOTH CPIS); ALCOHOLIC DRINKS AND TOBACCO (11.5% IN BOTH CPIS); SERVICES (12.1% IN THE CPI(A) AND 10.8% IN THE CPI(B)); AND HOUSING (14.6% AND 15.0%).
COMPARING SEPTEMBER 1992 WITH AUGUST 1992, THE CPI(A) INCREASED BY 2.2% WHILE THE CPI(B) AND THE HANG SENG CPI INCREASED BY 1.6% AND 1.3% RESPECTIVELY. THIS COMPARISON WAS, HOWEVER, AFFECTED BY SEASONAL FACTORS.
THE INCREASES WERE LARGELY DUE TO A SIGNIFICANT RISE IN THE PRICES OF FRESH VEGETABLES, HIGHER RENT FOR SOME PUBLIC AND PRIVATE HOUSING UNITS, AND THE ANNUAL INCREASE IN SCHOOL FEES.
FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDING SEPTEMBER 1992, THE CPI(A) WAS, ON AVERAGE, HIGHER BY 9.0% THAN IN THE SAME PERIOD LAST YEAR. THE CORRESPONDING FIGURE FOR THE CPI(B) WAS 9.5%.
/FOR THE
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 27, 1992
2
FOR THE PERIOD FROM JANUARY TO SEPTEMBER 1992, THE CPI(A) AND THE CPI(B) WERE, ON AVERAGE, HIGHER BY 9.4% AND 9.6% RESPECTIVELY THAN IN THE CORRESPONDING PERIOD IN 1991.
FOR THE 12 MONTHS ENDING SEPTEMBER 1992, THE CPI(A) AND THE CPI(B) WERE, ON AVERAGE, HIGHER BY 9.7% AND 9.8% RESPECTIVELY THAN IN THE PRECEDING TWELVE-MONTH PERIOD.
SEASONALLY ADJUSTED SERIES ARE ALSO AVAILABLE FOR THE INDICES.
THE DESEASONALISED CPI(A) AND CPI(B) BOTH INCREASED AT AN AVERAGE RATE OF 0.7% PER MONTH DURING THE THREE MONTHS ENDING SEPTEMBER 1992.
THE CONSUMER PRICE INDEX REPORT
MORE DETAILS ARE GIVEN IN THE "CONSUMER PRICE INDEX REPORT" FOR SEPTEMBER 1992, WHICH IS AVAILABLE AT $9 A COPY FROM THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS SALES CENTRE, GENERAL POST OFFICE BUILDING, GROUND FLOOR, CONNAUGHT PLACE, HONG KONG; OR FROM 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.
FOR ENQUIRIES ABOUT THE INDICES, PLEASE TELEPHONE THE CONSUMER PRICE INDEX SECTION OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT ON TEL 805 6403.
DETAILS REGARDING THE HANG SENG CPI ARE CONTAINED IN THE HANG SENG CPI REPORT ISSUED BY THE ECONOMIC RESEARCH DEPARTMENT OF HANG SENG BANK LTD.
/Table 1 .......
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 27, 1992
Table 1 Consumer Price Indices and Rates of Increase for September 1992
(Oct. 89 - Sep. 90 = 100)
Component. CPI(A) CPT(B) Hang Seng CPI Composi te CPI
Index for Sen 9° % change over Sen 91 Index for Sep 92 % change over Sep 91 Index for Sep 92 % change over Sep 91 Index for Sep 92 % change over Sen 91
Food 1 27.2 +8.8 127.8 +8.9 126.3 +10.0 127.3 +9.1
Meals bought away from home 131 .8 +10.4 131.8 +10.4 128.0 +11.9 131 .0 +10.7
Food, excluding meals bought away from home 122.6 +7.1 122.3 +6.8 123.3 +6.9 122.6 +7.0
Housing 136.3 +14.6 136.4 +15.0 135.5 +11.8 136.1 +13.9
Fuel and light 116.4 +7.0 115.8 +6.8 115.6 +6.3 116.0 +6.8
Alcoholic drinks and tobacco 161.8 +11.5 154.2 +11.5 150.9 +11.9 157.6 +11.5
Clothing and footwear 118.1 +10.0 119.3 +10.1 125.5 + 13.9 121.1 +11.4
Durable goods 107.1 +2.3 106.7 +2.4 110.6 +4.5 108.0 +3.0
Miscellaneous goods 116.2 +7.4 115.1 +7.0 114.4 +6.3 115.3 +6.9
Transport. 126.4 +6.5 12.6.4 +7.0 127.7 +7.3 126.7 +6.9
Services 135.6 +12.1 132.1 +10.8 126.5 +10.0 131.5 + 11.0
All items 128.3 +9.9 127.9 +10.2 127.5 +10.2 128.0 +10.1
The 1989/90-based consumer price indices are based on the expenditure patterns derived from the 1989/90 Household Expenditure Survey. The CPI(A) is based on the expenditure pattern of about 50% of urban households in Hong Kong, which had an average monthly expenditure of $2,500-$9,999 a month in 1989/90. The CPI(B) is based on the expenditure pattern of the next 30% of urban households, which had an average monthly expenditure of $10,000-$17,499 in the same period. The Hang Seng CPI is based on the expenditure pattern of the next 10% of urban households, which had an average monthly expenditure of $17,500-337,499 in 1989/90.
Whereas the CPT(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 .......
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 27, 1992
4
Table 2 Indices for October 1990 - September 1992
(Oct. 89 - Sep. 90 = 100)
Year/month CPT(A) CPT(B) Hang Senq 1 CPT Composite ।
1990 October November 105.8 106.5 105.9 106.7 106.7 107.8 106.1 106.9
December 107.4 107.6 108.1 10/./
1991 January February March 108.3 110.3 111.9 108.4 110.1 111.1 108.6 110.2 110.7 108.4 110.2 111 .3 113.1 113.7 114.2 114.8 115.4 116.3 117.1 117.9 118.3
April May June July August September October November December 113.9 114.0 114.6 115.4 116.0 116.8 117.2 117.7 118.1 113.0. 113.6 114.1 114.8 115.3 116.1 116.8 117.6 118.3 112.0 113.4 113.9 113.9 114.6 115.8 117.4 118.7 118.5
1992 January February March April May June July August September 119.7 121.8 122.5 124.0 124.0 125.3 125.5 125.6 128.3 119.3 121.2 121.9 123.4 123.8 125.1 125.4 125.9 127.9 119.4 121 .0 121.8 122.9 124.2 125.2 125.4 125.8 127.5 119.5 121.4 122.1 123.5 124.0 125.2 125.4 125.8 128.0
CPT
/Chart 1
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 27, 1992
Chart 1 Year-on-year Rates of Increase in CPI(A)
Chart 2 Year-on-year Rates of Increase in CPI(B)
/Chart 3 .......
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 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
--------0-----------
/7 .........
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 27, 1992
7
FS COMMENTS ON CONSUMER PRICE INDICES *****
COMMENTING ON THE CONSUMER PRICE INDICES FOR SEPTEMBER, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, MR HAMISH MACLEOD, SAID TODAY (TUESDAY):
"SPECIAL FACTORS AFFECTING YEAR-ON-YEAR COMPARISONS OF VEGETABLE PRICES, PLUS INCREASES IN PUBLIC HOUSING RENTS, DISTORTED THE FIGURES LAST MONTH.
"THIS RELAPSE IN OUR INFLATION FIGURES IS CERTAINLY DISAPPOINTING, BUT WE ARE STILL ON TARGET FOR OUR 9.5% FORECAST OF THE AVERAGE ANNUAL RATE OF INFLATION FOR THE WHOLE YEAR.
"WE MUST NOT BE TOO DISPIRITED BY ONE MONTH’S FIGURES, AND THE ISSUE OF INFLATION MUST ALSO BE SEEN IN THE CONTEXT OF OUR CONTINUED STRONG ECONOMIC GROWTH WHICH WAS UNDERLINED BY THE GOOD TRADE FIGURES RELEASED YESTERDAY.
"COMPARED WITH MUCH OF THE REST OF THE WORLD, WE HAVE A WELL-BALANCED AND PROSPEROUS ECONOMY WITH FULL EMPLOYMENT AND STRONG ECONOMIC GROWTH," MR MACLEOD SAID.
"OUR EFFORTS AGAINST INFLATION WILL OF COURSE CONTINUE," MR MACLEOD ADDED.
"THE GOVERNOR ANNOUNCED A MIDDLE INCOME HOUSING SCHEME IN HIS LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ADDRESS, WHICH WILL HELP PROTECT THE MIDDLE CLASS AGAINST THE IMPACT OF PROPERTY PRICE INCREASES, AND THERE ARE ALSO SIGNS THAT SPECULATION ON DOMESTIC PROPERTY HAS EASED.
"LAST MONTH’S RELAPSE SHOULD BE SEEN AGAINST THIS MORE HOPEFUL BACKGROUND," HE SAID.
GOVERNMENT STUDIES SHOW THAT THE UNUSUALLY SHARP RISES IN VEGETABLE PRICES, TOGETHER WITH INCREASES IN SOME PUBLIC HOUSING RENTS, WERE THE MAIN FACTORS CONTRIBUTING TO UPWARD MOVEMENTS LAST MONTH (SEPTEMBER) IN YEAR-ON-YEAR CONSUMER PRICE INDICES.
CONSUMER PRICE INDICES RELEASED TODAY SHOW THAT THE CPI(A) IN SEPTEMBER WAS 9.9% HIGHER THAN A YEAR EARLIER. CORRESPONDING YEAR-ON-YEAR INCREASES WERE 8.3% IN AUGUST, 8.8% IN JULY AND 9.3% IN JUNE.
THE GOVERNMENT ECONOMIST, MR K Y TANG, SAID: "TAKING THE FIRST NINE MONTHS OF 1992 TOGETHER, THE AVERAGE YEAR-ON-YEAR INCREASE IN THE CPI(A) WAS 9.4%, WHICH IS CLOSE TO OUR FORECAST OF AN AVERAGE OF 9.5% FOR THE WHOLE OF THIS YEAR.
"THE CPI FIGURES FOR SEPTEMBER, COMPARED WITH THE SAME MONTH LAST YEAR, HAVE BEEN HEAVILY DISTORTED BY FACTORS AFFECTING THE DEMAND, SUPPLY, AND HENCE THE PRICES OF VEGETABLES.
/"BASIC FOODSTUFFS ........
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 27, 1992
8
’’BASIC FOODSTUFFS HAVE A HEAVY WEIGHTING IN THE CPI(A), AND WE ESTIMATE THAT VEGETABLE PRICES ACCOUNT FOR NEARLY 1 PERCENTAGE POINT OF THE 1.6 PERCENTAGE POINT DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE YEAR-ON-YEAR INFLATION RATES OF 9.9% IN SEPTEMBER AND 8.3% IN AUGUST.
’’NOW HOWEVER VEGETABLE PRICES HAVE FALLEN THIS MONTH AND, ALTHOUGH IT IS TOO EARLY TO PRODUCE FIRM ESTIMATES, WE EXPECT THIS MONTH’S INFLATION RATE TO BE LOWER,” HE SAID.
MR TANG EXPLAINED THAT VEGETABLE PRICES ROSE SHARPLY LAST MONTH BECAUSE STRONG DEMAND FOR THE MID-AUTUMN FESTIVAL COINCIDED WITH REDUCED SUPPLIES.
MOREOVER, THE SIZE OF THE INCREASE WAS DISTORTED IN COMPARISON WITH SEPTEMBER LAST YEAR WHEN PRICES WERE UNUSUALLY LOW FOR THE TIME OF YEAR: THEY HAD JUST DROPPED SHARPLY FROM THE HIGH PRICES IN AUGUST, CAUSED BY SEVERE FLOODING IN CHINA, HE ADDED.
"NORMALLY VEGETABLE PRICES TEND TO PEAK IN SEPTEMBER, SO YEAR ON YEAR WE CAN COMPARE LIKE WITH LIKE," MR TANG SAID.
"THIS YEAR OUR SEPTEMBER INFLATION FIGURE IS DISTORTED BECAUSE WE ARE COMPARING THIS YEAR’S PEAK VEGETABLE PRICES WITH A POST-PEAK FALL LAST YEAR," HE SAID.
EXPLAINING THE OTHER MAIN FACTOR AFFECTING THE INDICES, MR TANG SAID: "INCREASES IN SOME PUBLIC HOUSING RENTS LAST MONTH ADD ANOTHER 0.3% OF A PERCENTAGE POINT TO THE INCREASE IN THE CPI(A)."
THERE WAS LITTLE CHANGE BETWEEN AUGUST AND SEPTEMBER FOR OTHER CPI(A) COMPONENTS SUCH AS RESTAURANT MEALS, FUEL AND LIGHT, ALCOHOLIC DRINKS AND TOBACCO, CLOTHING AND FOOTWEAR, DURABLE GOODS, AND TRANSPORT AND SERVICES.
"THUS IT IS CLEAR THAT THE RELAPSE LAST MONTH WAS CONCENTRATED IN A FEW ITEMS AND WAS NOT WIDESPREAD," MR TANG SAID.
MR TANG ADDED THAT THE RELAPSE WAS LESS EVIDENT IN THE OTHER TWO PRICE INDICES - CPI(B) AND HANG SENG CPI - WHICH GIVE A LOWER WEIGHTING TO BASIC FOODSTUFFS AND RENTS.
THE YEAR-ON-YEAR INCREASE WAS 10.2% IN THE CPI(B), COMPARED WITH 9.1% IN AUGUST. IN THE HANG SENG CPI IT WAS ALSO 10.2%, COMPARED WITH 9.8% IN AUGUST.
--------0-----------
/9 ......r.
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 27, 1992
9
GOVERNOR CONGRATULATES PARALYMPIC ATHLETES
*****
THE GOVERNOR, THE RT HON CHRISTOPHER PATTEN, TONIGHT (TUESDAY) HOSTED A RECEPTION IN THE GOVERNMENT HOUSE FOR THE HONG KONG DELEGATION TO THE NINTH PARALYMPIC GAMES HELD IN BARCELONA IN SEPTEMBER.
ACCOMPANIED BY THE SECRETARY FOR RECREATION AND CULTURE, MR JAMES SO, THE GOVERNOR GREETED EACH OF THE PARALYMPIC ATHLETES WHO HAD DISPLAYED AN EXTRAORDINARY PERFORMANCE IN BARCELONA.
THEY WON THREE GOLD, FOUR SILVER AND FOUR BRONZE MEDALS IN TABLE-TENNIS, FENCING AND ATHLETIC EVENTS.
THIS IS THE HIGHEST ACHIEVEMENT IN SPORTS MADE BY HONG KONG DISABLED ATHLETES.
OTHER GUESTS ATTENDING THE RECEPTION INCLUDED MEMBERS AND OFFICIALS OF THE HONG KONG SPORTS ASSOCIATION FOR THE PHYSICALLY DISABLED, THE HONG KONG SPORTS INSTITUTE BOARD AND THE SPORTS DEVELOPMENT BOARD.
--------o-----------
NEW DIRECTOR OF LEGAL AID APPOINTED *****
THE GOVERNMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (TUESDAY) THAT LADY PAULINE CHEUNG CHENG PO-LIN HAS BEEN APPOINTED TO SUCCEED MR PATRICK MOSS AS DIRECTOR OF LEGAL AID WITH EFFECT FROM NOVEMBER 16 THIS YEAR.
MR MOSS WILL PROCEED ON LEAVE ON THAT DATE ON COMPLETION OF HIS SERVICE WITH THE GOVERNMENT.
LADY CHEUNG, AGED 56, IS AT PRESENT THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF LEGAL AID RESPONSIBLE FOR POLICY, ADMINISTRATION AND LEGAL SUPPORT SERVICES.
SHE WAS FIRST APPOINTED IN 1968 TO THE POST OF ASSISTANT REGISTRAR, SUPREME COURT (LEGAL AID), AND PROMOTED TO HER PRESENT RANK IN NOVEMBER 1984.
LADY CHEUNG HAS ACTED AS DIRECTOR OF LEGAL AID ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS.
-----o------
/10 ........
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 27, 1992
10
SEVEN MORE HIV INFECTED CASES CONFIRMED *****
SEVEN MORE PERSONS INCLUDING A WOMAN WERE FOUND TO BE POSITIVE FOR THE HIV ANTIBODY TEST LAST MONTH (SEPTEMBER), BRINGING THE NUMBER OF HIV INFECTED PERSONS IN HONG KONG TO 317.
REVIEWING THE LATEST AIDS SITUATION AT A MONTHLY MEDIA MEETING THIS (TUESDAY) AFTERNOON, THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH’S CONSULTANT PHYSICIAN (SPECIAL PREVENTIVE PROGRAMME), DR S S LEE, SAID ONE OF THE NEW HIV INFECTED BATCH HAD ALSO BEEN CONFIRMED AS AIDS PATIENT DURING THE MONTH.
IN ADDITION, ONE PERSON WHO HAD RECENTLY BEEN HIV INFECTED DIED IN THE SAME MONTH.
THIS BRINGS TO 69 CONFIRMED AIDS CASES WITH 44 DEATHS. THE 25 OTHERS ARE EITHER UNDER COUNSELLING AND TREATMENT OR HAVE LEFT THE TERRITORY.
OF THE 317 HIV INFECTED, 61 WERE HAEMOPHILIACS, 217 ACQUIRED THE INFECTION SEXUALLY, SIX WERE DRUG ABUSERS, AND THREE ACQUIRED THE INFECTION THROUGH BLOOD TRANSFUSION BEFORE 1985 WHEN HIV ANTIBODY TEST WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
FOR THE REMAINING 30, THE INFORMATION AVAILABLE WAS INADEQUATE FOR CLASSIFICATION.
UNDER THE HIV SURVEILLANCE PROGRAMME WHICH STARTED IN 1985, A TOTAL OF 248,901 BLOOD SPECIMENS HAVE BEEN TESTED FOR THE HIV ANTIBODY.
THE HONG KONG RED CROSS BLOOD TRANSFUSION SERVICE HAS ALSO SCREENED ALL BLOOD DONORS FOR AIDS.
UP TO LAST MONTH, 1,140,474 UNITS OF BLOOD HAD BEEN TESTED AND 26 DONORS WERE FOUND POSITIVE.
TURNING TO THE TELEPHONE COUNSELLING SERVICE (780 2211) BEING PROVIDED BY THE AIDS COUNSELLING AND HEALTH EDUCATION SERVICE SINCE NOVEMBER 1985, DR LEE SAID IT PLAYED A SIGNIFICANT ROLE IN PROMOTING AIDS EDUCATION.
MANNED BY EXPERIENCED NURSE-COUNSELLORS, MORE THAN 90,000 CALLS HAVE SO FAR BEEN MADE TO THE SERVICE WITH AN AVERAGE OF SOME 1,000 CALLS FOR EACH MONTH.
"THE NUMBER OF CALLS RECEIVED SO FAR THIS YEAR HAS SHOWN A STEADY INCREASE COMPARED WITH THAT OF THE PAST THREE YEARS," HE ADDED.
711 ........
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 27, 1992
11
AIDS Virus (HIV) Antibody Testing
Virus Unit t, Department of Health
& 4) ml fa i Referrals from Public Apr 85-Aug 92 _ Sep 92 No. +ve t Total
NO. tested* No. +ve No. tested* No. ested* No-+ve
hospitals and clinics 31620 131 474 5 32094 136
Referrals from private practitioners 1929 62 12 2 1941 64
AXMW Attendances at social hygiene clinics 203060 54 2565 0 205625 54
i fa Haemophiliacs, Referrals from Family Planning Association 629 61 2 0 631 61
6959 1 76 0 7035 1
243 0 0 0 243 0
Health care personnel 1295 0 37 0 1332 0
TOTAL 245735 309 3166 7 .248901 316
■ & & % a ^✓9 -■
* 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-Aug 9’2 Sep 92 Total
No. No. . No. No. No. No.
tested +ve tested +ve tested +ve
1125709 26 14765 0 1140474 26
Department of Health October 1992
--------0------------
/12 ........
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 27, 1992
12
DOWNS SYNDROME BOY OFFERED ADOPTIVE HOME IN U.S.
*****
LITTLE AH-CHI TURNED A NEW PAGE IN HIS LIFE TODAY (TUESDAY) WHEN HIS PROSPECTIVE ADOPTIVE PARENTS CAME TO MEET HIM FROM THEIR DISTANT HOMELAND IN THE UNITED STATES.
THE FOUR-YEAR-OLD BOY WAS FOUND SUFFERING FROM DOWNS SYNDROME AT BIRTH. HE WAS THEN MADE A WARD OF THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE.
AT A PARTY TO BID FAREWELL TO AH-CHI THIS AFTERNOON, CHIEF SOCIAL WORK OFFICER (FAMILY AND CHILD CARE SERVICES) OF THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT, MRS KATHERINE SHIN YEUNG KWAN-MAN, SAID HE WOULD BENEFIT UNDER THE CONSISTENT LOVE, CARE AND NURTURE OF AN ADOPTIVE FAMILY.
"HIS PROSPECTIVE ADOPTIVE PARENTS THE BRANDTS ARE CHILD-LOVING. BOTH BEING FAMILY PHYSICIANS, THEY ARE WELL AWARE OF THE SPECIAL NEEDS OF A DOWNS SYNDROME CHILD," SHE SAID.
THE ADOPTIVE MOTHER SAID SHE WOULD TAKE AN EXTENDED LEAVE FROM WORK WHEN AH-CHI ARRIVED HOME, ADDING THAT SHE HAD ALSO PLANNED TO REDUCE HER WORKING HOURS TO GIVE BETTER CARE TO AH-CHI AND HER OTHER CHILDREN.
WHEN AH-CHI WAS A FEW MONTHS OLD, HIS NATURAL PARENTS RELINQUISHED THEIR RIGHTS AND HE WAS PUT UNDER THE CARE OF THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT.
THE ADOPTION UNIT OF THE DEPARTMENT LATER BEGAN LOOKING FOR PROSPECTIVE ADOPTERS FOR AH-CHI BOTH LOCALLY AND OVERSEAS.
AT THE AGE OF TWO, THE CHILD WAS TRANSFERRED TO THE WEE CARE CENTRE OF "MOTHER’S CHOICE" WHERE HE WAS BROUGHT UP IN A FAMILY-LIKE SETTING.
THE VISION BEHIND THE WEE CARE CENTRE IS TO SERVE CHILDREN AWAITING REUNION WITH THEIR BIOLOGICAL FAMILY OR ADOPTION PLACEMENT.
ITS MAIN OBJECTIVE IS TO PROVIDE A HOME-LIKE ENVIRONMENT THAT GIVES EACH CHILD PERSONALISED CARE TO MEET HIS OR HER INDIVIDUAL EMOTIONAL AND PHYSICAL NEEDS. AH-CHI, FOR EXAMPLE, MADE SIGNIFICANT PROGRESS UNDER THE CENTRE’S CARE.
EARLY THIS YEAR THE AMERICAN COUPLE SHOWED INTEREST IN ADOPTING AH-CHI. AFTER A THOROUGH HOME STUDY INVESTIGATION, THE FAMILY HAS BEEN FOUND TO BE SUITABLE IN EVERY WAY FOR BRINGING UP THE CHILD.
THEIR APPLICATION WAS THEN RECOMMENDED TO THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT IN HONG KONG THROUGH THE INTERNATIONAL SOCIAL SERVICE. PLACEMENT WAS LATER APPROVED.
/AH-CHI WOULD ........
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 27, 1992
13
AH-CHI WOULD HAVE TO STAY WITH BRANDT FAMILY FOR A PERIOD BEFORE AN ADOPTION ORDER COULD BE GRANTED BY THE COURT. THIS HELPS TO ENSURE THAT HE IS WELL SETTLED WITH THE FAMILY, AND THAT ADOPTION WOULD BE IN HIS BEST INTERESTS.
MRS SHIN SAID CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL NEEDS IN HONG KONG GENERALLY DID NOT RECEIVE PROPER ATTENTION.
RARELY WOULD ADOPTIVE PARENTS EXPRESS A WISH TO TAKE CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL NEEDS, SHE SAID, ADDING THAT MANY OF THEM HAD TO STAY INDEFINITELY IN INSTITUTIONS.
"THUS ADOPTIONS OF SPECIAL NEEDS CHILDREN FROM HONG KONG MOSTLY HAVE HAD TO BE ARRANGED OVERSEAS," SHE NOTED.
THE ADOPTION UNIT GENERALLY KEEPS A CLOSE LIAISON WITH VOLUNTARY AGENCIES LIKE THE INTERNATIONAL SOCIAL SERVICE ON ARRANGEMENTS OF ADOPTION OF LOCAL CHILDREN BY OVERSEAS FAMILIES.
THE LATTER SERVES AS A MEDIUM FOR RECOMMENDING SUITABLE FAMILIES TO THE FORMER, AND ARRANGES ESCORT OF THE CHILD TO JOIN THE PROSPECTIVE ADOPTERS.
MRS SHIN SAID "SPECIAL NEEDS" CHILDREN WITHOUT PARENTS WERE DOUBLY VULNERABLE. RECENTLY THE DEPARTMENT HAD NOTED THAT MORE ADOPTIVE PARENTS IN HONG KONG WERE WILLING TO CONSIDER TAKING THESE CHILDREN.
"NEVERTHELESS, AT PRESENT WE STILL HAVE 23 ’SPECIAL NEEDS’ CHILDREN AND ONE OTHER NORMAL AND HEALTHY CHILD AWAITING FOR ADOPTION," SHE SAID.
SHE URGED COUPLES WHO WERE INTERESTED TO BECOME PROSPECTIVE ADOPTERS TO CALL ON THE ADOPTION UNIT OF THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT.
ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE ON 852 3107.
-----0------
UNIFIED SALARY SCALE FOR HOME HELPERS *****
THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT CONSIDERED THAT A UNIFIED SALARY
SCALE FOR HOME HELPERS SHOULD BE INTRODUCED SUBJECT TO THE AVAILABILITY OF FUNDS, IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE SOCIAL WELFARE ADVISORY COMMITTEE.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT CONFIRMED THAT THE DEPARTMENT HAD ALREADY PUT IN A BID FOR FUNDS ALLOCATION IN 1993/94 FOR THE PURPOSE.
"WE HOPE TO IMPLEMENT THE NEW SALARY SCALE FOR HOME HELPERS NEXT FINANCIAL YEAR," HE SAID.
/HOME HELP .
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 27, 1992
14
HOME HELP SERVICE HELPS INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES WHO ARE NOT CAPABLE OF LOOKING AFTER THEMSELVES OR MAINTAINING THE NORMAL FUNCTIONING OF THEIR HOUSEHOLDS.
THERE ARE 15 NON-GOVERNMENTAL WELFARE ORGANISATIONS WITH A TOTAL OF 64 TEAMS PROVIDING HOME HELP SERVICE. ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE ON THE DEPARTMENT'S HOTLINE 343 2255.
THE SPOKESMAN EXPLAINED THAT HOME HELP SERVICE CATERED FOR THREE MAJOR CLIENT GROUPS, NAMELY, THE ELDERLY, THE DISABLED AND FAMILIES WITH SOCIAL NEEDS.
"SERVICES CURRENTLY OFFERED BY HOME HELP TEAMS INCLUDE GENERAL PERSONAL CARE, MEAL SERVICE, ESCORT SERVICE, HOME MANAGEMENT, PURCHASE AND DELIVERY OF DAILY NECESSITIES, LAUNDRY SERVICE AND OTHER SERVICES," HE SAID.
"ONE OF THE OBJECTIVES IS TO SUPPORT AND STRENGTHEN A FAMILY TO PREVENT FAMILY DISRUPTION OR BREAKDOWN.
"IT ALSO AIMS TO PROVIDE A COMMUNITY CARE SERVICE TO INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES IN NEED," HE SAID.
SINCE LAST YEAR, THE HOME HELP SERVICE HAS BEEN EXTENDED TO SATURDAY AFTERNOONS, SUNDAYS, PUBLIC HOLIDAYS AND DURING TYPHOONS, HE ADDED.
-----o------
VALUE ADDED DATA AND FAX SERVICES EXTENDED TO AUSTRALIA *****
VALUE ADDED DATA AND FACSIMILE SERVICES BETWEEN HONG KONG AND AUSTRALIA MAY NOW BE PROVIDED USING INTERNATIONAL PRIVATE LEASED CIRCUITS (IPLCS), A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN ANNOUNCED TODAY (TUESDAY).
THIS FOLLOWS DISCUSSIONS WITH TELECOMMUNICATIONS OFFICIALS OF THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORT AND COMMUNICATIONS IN AUSTRALIA.
"THE SERVICES INVOLVED WILL BE PROVIDED ON IPLCS LEASED AT THE NORMAL FLAT RATES FROM HONG KONG TELECOM INTERNATIONAL LTD AT THE HONG KONG END AND FROM AUSTRALIAN INTERNATIONAL CARRIERS AT THE AUSTRALIAN END," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
"WE HAVE MADE SIMILAR ARRANGEMENTS WITH THE UNITED STATES, THE UNITED KINGDOM AND JAPAN LAST YEAR, AND THE SCOPE OF SERVICES PERMITTED BETWEEN HONG KONG AND AUSTRALIA WILL BE EXACTLY THE SAME AS THOSE COVERED IN THE U.S., UK AND JAPAN ARRANGEMENTS," HE SAID.
ENQUIRIES ABOUT THE SCOPE OF SERVICES COVERED BY THE ARRANGEMENT AND THE LICENSING PROCEDURES APPLICABLE IN HONG KONG SHOULD BE DIRECTED TO THE TELECOMMUNICATIONS BRANCH, HONG KONG POST OFFICE, FIFTH FLOOR, SINCERE BUILDING, 173 DES VOEUX ROAD, CENTRAL, HONG KONG.
-----o------
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 27,
1992
15
SURVEY ON TIMBER INDUSTRY PLANNED * * * *
INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT OFFICIALS MET THIS (TUESDAY) MORNING WITH A LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MEMBER, MR CHAN WAI-YIP, AND THE CHAIRMAN AND REPRESENTATIVES OF THE HONG KONG AND KOWLOON TIMBER MERCHANTS ASSOCIATION.
AT THE MEETING, THE INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT INFORMED THE ASSOCIATION REPRESENTATIVES THAT THE DEPARTMENT PLANNED TO CARRY OUT A QUESTIONNAIRE SURVEY TO GATHER MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THEIR INDUSTRY.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID THE SURVEY WOULD HELP THE DEPARTMENT ESTABLISH THE IMPORTANCE OF THEIR INDUSTRY TO HONG KONG.
’’THE ASSOCIATION HAS ASSURED US OF THEIR FULL CO-OPERATION IN THE SURVEY," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
"THE RESULTS OF THE SURVEY WILL ASSIST IN THE PLANNING OF FUTURE LAND USE BY GOVERNMENT," HE ADDED.
------0--------
STUDY TOUR ON FISHERIES *****
A 17-MEMBER DELEGATION FROM LOCAL FISHING COMMUNITY WILL DEPART THIS THURSDAY (OCTOBER 29) FOR SINGAPORE AND NORTHEAST AUSTRALIA TO STUDY THEIR MODERN FISHING, PROCESSING TECHNOLOGY AND MARKETING SYSTEMS.
TO MARK THE DELEGATION’S DEPARTURE, THE DIRECTOR OF AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES, DR LAWRENCE LEE, PRESENTED A BANNER TO A REPRESENTATIVE, MR CHENG FOR-YAU, AT A CEREMONY AT THE DEPARTMENT’S HEADQUARTERS TODAY (TUESDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE CEREMONY, DR LEE SAID THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT AND THE FISH MARKETING ORGANISATION HAD ARRANGED 10 SIMILAR OVERSEAS STUDY TOURS TO OTHER PARTS OF THE WORLD SINCE 1981 .
COUNTRIES VISITED BY PREVIOUS STUDY GROUPS INCLUDED THE UNITED KINGDOM, NORWAY, DENMARK, THE NETHERLANDS, GERMANY, AUSTRALIA, JAPAN, SOUTH KOREA, SINGAPORE, CHINA AND THE UNITED STATES.
DR LEE WAS PLEASED TO NOTE THAT RESPONSE TO EACH OF THESE TOURS HAD BEEN ENCOURAGING AND THAT THE VISITS DID BENEFIT THE TERRITORY’S FISHERIES DEVELOPMENT.
THIS YEAR, DR LEE SAID, THE 12-DAY TOUR TO SINGAPORE AND QUEENSLAND IN NORTHEAST AUSTRALIA HAS BEEN ARRANGED WITH THE HELP OF THE RESPECTIVE GOVERNMENT OFFICES IN HONG KONG.
/THE GROUP .......
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 27, 1992
16
THE GROUP WILL VISIT WHOLESALE FISH MARKETS, SEAFOOD PROCESSORS, FISHERMEN’S ORGANISATIONS AND GOVERNMENT INSTITUTES IN THESE TWO COUNTRIES.
IT WILL ALSO VISIT A LARGE-SCALE EXHIBITION - THE FISHASIA ’92, IN SINGAPORE.
DR LEE HOPED THAT GROUP MEMBERS WOULD MAKE FULL USE OF THIS OPPORTUNITY TO GAIN UP-TO-DATE KNOWLEDGE AND SHARE THEIR EXPERIENCE WITH OTHER FISHERMEN TO FURTHER DEVELOP THE LOCAL FISHING INDUSTRY.
--------o----------
FRESH WATER CUT IN SAI KUNG ♦ * * *
FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO SOME PREM1SE.S IN SAI KUNG WILL GO OFF FROM 10 PM ON THURSDAY (OCTOBER 29) TO 6 AM THE FOLLOWING DAY TO FACILITATE CONNECTION WORK ON WATER MAINS.
THE SUSPENSION WILL AFFECT ALL PREMISES AT A SECTION OF CLEAR WATER BAY ROAD BETWEEN PIK UK AND SHAW’S STUDIO, INCLUDING PIK UK TSUEN, TA KU LING SAN TSUEN, AIR HOUSE, PIK SHUI SAN TSUEN, CHUK KOK TSUEN AND TAI PO TSAI TSUEN.
-----o------
UNAUTHORISED BUILDING WORKS TO BE CLOSED
*****
THE BUILDING AUTHORITY IS SEEKING TO CLOSE THE UNAUTHORISED BUILDING WORKS AT A BUILDING IN WAN CHAI SO THAT THEY CAN BE DEMOLISHED WITHOUT DANGER TO THE OCCUPANTS AND THE PUBLIC.
THE UNAUTHORISED WORKS ARE LOCATED ON FLAT A OF THE 14TH FLOOR AND THE ROOF OVER FLAT B OF THE 13TH FLOOR OF NO. 8-10 MORRISON HILL
NOTICE OF INTENTION TO APPLY FOR A CLOSURE ORDER UNDER THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE FROM THE HONG KONG DISTRICT COURT ON FEBRUARY 9 1993, WAS POSTED ON THE PREMISES TODAY (TUESDAY).
DEMOLITION WORKS ARE EXPECTED TO START AS SOON AS THE CLOSURE ORDER IS ISSUED.
-----0------
/17 ........
♦
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 27, 1992
17
198 VMS RETURNED TODAY
*****
A GROUP OF 198 VIETNAMESE MIGRANTS TODAY (TUESDAY) RETURNED TO VIETNAM UNDER THE UNHCR’S VOLUNTARY REPATRIATION PROGRAMME.
COMPRISING 96 MEN, 41 WOMEN, 33 BOYS AND 28 GIRLS, THEY WERE THE 130TH BATCH TO GO BACK UNDER THE PROGRAMME.
THIS GROUP BROUGHT TO 9,918 THE TOTAL NUMBER OF VIETNAMESE MIGRANTS WHO HAVE RETURNED VOLUNTARILY THIS YEAR, AND TO 23,898 THE TOTAL NUMBER OF RETURNEES SINCE THE PROGRAMME STARTED IN MARCH 1989.
-----0 ------
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND
TENDER RESULTS
*****
TENDER DATE 27 OCT 92 27 OCT 92
PAPER ON OFFER EF BILLS EF BILLS
ISSUE NUMBER Q244 H276
AMOUNT APPLIED HKD 1,545 MN HKD 780 MN
AMOUNT ALLOTTED HKD 800 MN HKD 300 MN
AVERAGE YIELD ACCEPTED 3.55 PCT 3.58 PCT
HIGHEST YIELD ACCEPTED 3.62 PCT 3.60 PCT
PRO RATA RATIO ABOUT 50 PCT ABOUT 53 PCT
AVERAGE TENDER YIELD 3.61 PCT 3.64 PCT
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND TENDERS TO BE HELD IN THE WEEK BEGINNING 2 NOVEMBER 1992 -
TENDER DATE 3 NOV 92 3 NOV 92
PAPER ON OFFER EF BILLS EF BILLS
ISSUE NUMBER Q245 Y296
ISSUE DATE 4 NOV 92 4 NOV 92
MATURITY DATE 3 FEB 93 3 NOV 93
TENOR 91 DAYS 364 DAYS
AMOUNT ON OFFER HKD 800+160 MN HKD 200+60 MN
--------0 ----------
/18 ........
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 27, 1992
18
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS *****
$ MILLION
OPENING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT 2,500
REVERASL OF LAF -1,000
BALANCE AFTER REVERSAL OF LAF 1,500
NET INJECTION/WITHDRAWAL TODAY NIL
EFFECT OF LAF TODAY +500
CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT 2,000
LAF RATE 2.00 BID/4.00 OFFER TWI 111.8 *+0.3* 27.10.92
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND
EF BILLS HONG KONG GOVERNMENT BONDS
TERMS YIELD TERM ISSUE COUPON PRICE YIELD
1 WEEK 3.56 PCT 13 MONTHS 2311 6.25 102.16 4.19
1 MONTH 3.54 PCT 16 MONTHS 2402 5.50 101.26 4.54
3 MONTHS 3.56 PCT 19 MONTHS 2405 5.502 101.26 4.71
6 MONTHS 3.58 PCT 22 MONTHS 2408 4.375 99.30 4.84
12 MONTHS 4.17 PCT
TOTAL TURNOVER OF BILLS AND BONDS - 11,328 MN
CLOSED 27 OCTOBER 1992
0
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 28, 1992
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MEETING: CONSTITUTIONAL PACKAGE IS NOT TO CONFRONT CHINA: CS ............... 1
GOOD PROGRESS IN REVIEW OF FREEDOM OF INFORMATION: CS ............ 5
FS EXPLAINS FUNDING STRATEGY ..................................... 6
PUBLIC WORKS PROGRAMME OUTLINED .................................. 8
SUFFICIENT TALENTED LOCAL OFFICERS AVAILABLE TO ENSURE SMOOTH
TRANSITION ..................................................... U
POLITICAL EVOLUTION OF DISTRICT BOARDS NECESSARY: SHA .......... 13
COMMITMENTS TO HOUSING AND ENVIRONMENT REAFFAIRMED ............. 15
SIGNIFICANT INCREASE IN EDUCATION SPENDING ..................... 17
STI ELABORATES ON COMPETITION POLICY ........................... 20
SMUGGLING AND JUVENILE CRIME REMAIN A MAJOR CONCERN ............ 22
MEASURES TO TACKLE CONGESTION IN NORTHWEST NEW TERRITORIES ..... 24
ANXIETY ABOUT FUNDING FOR SOCIAL SECURITY SCHEME ALLAYED ....... 26
GOVT COMMITTED TO PROMOTING ARTS AND CULTURE ................... 29
MOTION UNDER CRIMINAL PROCEDURE ORDINANCE MOVED ................ 31
DIFFICULTIES IN ACTION AGAINST VICE IN MASSAGE PARLOURS EXPLAINED 32
BILL TO ENSURE SAFETY OF LIFE AT SEA ........................... 32
GAMBLING (AMENDMENT) BILL 1992 ................................. 34
CONSIDERATIONS FOR A REFERENDUM EXPLAINED ...................... 34
COMPOSITION OF FUTURE LEGCO .................................... 35
TALKS ON CEMENT PLANT RELOCATION UNDER WAY ..................... 35
MEASURES TO MEET TRANSPORT NEEDS IN MID-LEVELS ................. 36
ELIGIBILITY FOR SMALL HOUSES TO FEMALE VILLAGERS BEING CONSIDERED 36 HAND LANGUAGE INTERPRETATION SERVICE ADEQUATE ................... 37
MARINE PARK LAW IN THE PIPELINE ................................ 38
COMMITTEE SET UP TO STUDY TECHNOLOGY INFORMATION DATABASES ..... 39
UPGC RECOMMENDS REVISED ENROLMENT TARGETS ...................... 39
PROFESSIONS TO HANDLE PUBLIC COMPLAINTS ........................ 40
NO PLAN TO BROADCAST PROGRAMMES BY PUBLIC IN SUBSCRIPTION TV .... 41
MOTION OF THANKS PASSED ......................................... 41
/NO SECRET ......
CONTENTS
PAGE NO
NO SECRET DEAL ON POLITICAL DEVELOPMENT: GOVERNOR ..................... 42
GOVERNOR VISITS TSUEN WAN ............................................. 43
GOVERNOR'S BUSINESS COUNCIL MEETS ..................................... 43
REVIEW OF GOVERNMENT INFORMATION MACHINERY ............................ 44
NEW FRANCHISE FOR CMB APPROVED ........................................ 44
ABOLITION OF CAPITAL PUNISHMENT ....................................... 46
FEES RISE FOR LAWYERS IN CRIMINAL LEGAL AID CASES ..................... 47
RESEARCH ON JUVENILE CRIMES LAUNCHED .................................. 48
GOVT LOTS TO LET BY TENDER ............................................ 48
QUALITY OF EDUCATION TO CONTINUE AFTER '97 ............................ 49
UNAUTHORISED BUILDING WORKS IN KWUN TONG TO CLOSE ..................... 50
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS ............ 51
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 28, 1992
1
CONSTITUTIONAL PACKAGE IS NOT TO CONFRONT CHINA: CS
*****
NO PART OF THE GOVERNMENT’S STRATEGY IN FORMULATING THE CONSTITUTIONAL PACKAGE IS TO STIR UP CONFRONTATION WITH CHINA, THE CHIEF SECRETARY, THE HON SIR DAVID FORD, SAID.
INDEED, THE PRINCIPLES AND COURSE THE GOVERNMENT HAS ADOPTED QUITE DELIBERATELY AIMS TO AVOID SUCH CONFRONTATION.
THIS WAS STATED BY SIR DAVID WHEN WINDING UP THE RESUMED DEBATE ON THE MOTION OF THANKS FOR THE GOVERNOR’S POLICY ADDRESS IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
"HAD WE BEEN BENT ON SUCH A CONFRONTATIONAL COURSE WE MIGHT HAVE TAKEN THE ADVICE OF SOME PEOPLE HERE AND ELSEWHERE AND FORGED AHEAD WITH PROPOSALS WHICH BROUGHT ABOUT A GREATER DEGREE OF DEMOCRACY IN HONG KONG ON THE ONE HAND BUT WERE CONTRARY TO THE BASIC LAW ON THE OTHER," HE SAID.
"WE DID NOT PURSUE SUCH A COURSE,” HE SAID.
SIR DAVID STRESSED THAT THE PROPOSALS WERE DESIGNED TO ENSURE THAT THEY FELL CLEARLY WITHIN THE TERMS OF THE BASIC LAW AND COULD PROVIDE CONTINUITY THROUGH 1997.
THE CHIEF SECRETARY ALSO SAID THESE CONSTITUTIONAL PROPOSALS WERE NOT AS HAD BEEN DESCRIBED BY SOME PEOPLE A BLUEPRINT FOR "A GLORIOUS BRITISH WITHDRAWAL FROM HONG KONG".
THEY WERE NOT DESIGNED TO "FURTHER THE POLITICAL CAREER OF THE GOVERNOR".
THEY HAD ALSO NOT BEEN "DRAWN UP BY THE BRITISH CABINET TO ENSURE CONTINUING BRITISH INFLUENCE AFTER 1997".
"SUCH SUGGESTIONS ARE NOT ONLY ABSURD BUT THEY' SEEK IN RATHER A CHEAP POLITICAL WAY TO DENIGRATE THE MOTIVES OF AN HONEST AND STRAIGHTFORWARD GOVERNOR WHOSE SOLE INTEREST, AS HE HAS MADE CLEAR, IS TO DO HIS VERY BEST FOR THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG," SIR DAVID SAID.
ON THE FORMULATION OF THESE CONSTITUTIONAL PROPOSALS, SIR DAVID SAID THEY REFLECTED THE RESULTS OF MANY HOURS OF CONSULTATION WHICH THE GOVERNOR HELD WITH THE PEOPLE OF THE TERRITORY.
"THEY TAKE ACCOUNT OF THE WISHES AND ASPIRATIONS OF PEOPLE FROM DIFFERENT SECTORS OF THIS COMMUNITY AND FROM PEOPLE AND ORGANISATIONS HOLDING DIFFERENT VIEWPOINTS, INCLUDING OF COURSE, MEMBERS OF THIS COUNCIL.”
THESE PROPOSALS ALSO REPRESENT THE COLLECTIVE WISDOM OF THIS ADMINISTRATION, HE SAID.
"THEY WERE REACHED AFTER MANY HOURS OF DISCUSSION IN THE GOVERNMENT OVER MANY WEEKS, ALL OF THEM INVOLVING SENIOR MEMBERS OF THIS ADMINISTRATION INCLUDING LOCAL SENIOR OFFICERS WHOSE LONG-TERM FUTURE LIES IN HONG KONG.
/"THEY REPRESENT .......
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 28, 1992
2
"THEY REPRESENT OUR BEST EFFORTS TO BRING FORWARD PROPOSALS ON THIS VITALLY IMPORTANT SUBJECT TAKING ACCOUNT OF ALL THE VIEWS EXPRESSED TO US," SIR DAVID SAID.
ON SOME CONTROVERSY OVER THE QUESTION AS TO WHETHER A "SECRET DEAL" WAS MADE BETWEEN THE BRITISH AND CHINESE GOVERNMENTS ABOUT THE ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE 1995 ELECTIONS, THE CHIEF SECRETARY SAID THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT HAD JUST RELEASED ALL THE RELEVANT EXCHANGES BETWEEN THE TWO SIDES ON THIS ISSUE.
HE ALSO STRESSED THAT NOTHING COULD TAKE AWAY FROM LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MEMBERS THEIR CONSTITUTIONAL DUTY TO TAKE A VIEW ON THE LEGISLATION WHICH WAS PUT BEFORE THEM AND TO DECIDE WHETHER OR NOT IT SHOULD GO FORWARD.
"NO MEMBERS OF THIS COUNCIL WHETHER HE OR SHE BE ELECTED OR APPOINTED OR INDIRECTLY ELECTED CAN SHIRK THAT RESPONSIBILITY.
"IT WOULD BE A SAD DAY INDEED FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF DEMOCRATIC INSTITUTIONS IN HONG KONG IF MEMBERS TRIED TO OPT OUT," HE SAID.
HE SAID UNDER THE PROPOSED PACKAGE, THE URBAN COUNCIL WOULD HAVE TAKEN NEARLY 22 YEARS TO DEVELOP FROM PARTIAL TO FULLY ELECTED MEMBERSHIP. THE DISTRICT BOARDS, WOULD HAVE TAKEN 12 YEARS FROM THEIR INCEPTION TO BECOME FULLY ELECTED BODIES.
"HOW MEMBERS WILL EVER SUGGESTED THAT THE CURRENT PROPOSALS ON THE MUNICIPAL COUNCILS OR DISTRICT BOARDS CAN BE REGARDED AS A HEADLONG RUSH TOWARDS DEMOCRACY," SIR DAVID SAID.
HE ALSO SAID THE PROPOSAL FOR THE ELECTION COMMITTEE WAS IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PRINCIPLES OF DEMOCRACY AND OPENNESS DESCRIBED IN THE BASIC LAW.
"I FIND IT VERY DIFFICULT TO UNDERSTAND THE CRITICISM OF IT. IT IS, AFTER ALL, A NATURAL DEVELOPMENT OF THE ARRANGEMENTS WHICH APPLIED UP UNTIL 1991 WHEN 12 MEMBERS OF THIS COUNCIL WERE ELECTED BY DISTRICT BOARDS AND THE TWO MUNICIPAL COUNCILS," HE SAID.
ON A PROPOSAL TO HAVE HALF OF THE 100 TO 200-MEMBER ELECTION COMMITTEE NOMINATED BY THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT AND HALF BY THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT, SIR DAVID ASKED:
"HOW DOES SUCH A PROPOSAL SQUARE WITH THE PRINCIPLES OF OPENNESS AND DEMOCRACY?
"ARE MEMBERS REALLY SUGGESTING THAT THE CONSTITUTION OF THE ELECTION COMMITTEE SHOULD BE DESIGNED, OR TO PUT A LESS POLITE DESCRIPTION, RIGGED, TO ENSURE THAT PRE-SELECTED PEOPLE CAN HAVE THEIR CANDIDATURE RUBBER-STAMPED BY SUCH A COMMITTEE?
"IS THAT WHAT A SLOWER PACE OF DEMOCRACY' WOULD ENTAIL?"
ON CRITICISM ON FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCY PROPOSALS, SIR DAVID SAID HE HAD THREE POINTS TO MAKE.
/FIRST, THE ........
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 28, 1992
3
FIRST, THE PROPOSAL SEEKS TO REMOVE SUCH CRITICISMS BY BROADENING PUBLIC PARTICIPATION WHILE PRESERVING THE 21 FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCIES IN RECOGNITION OF THEIR IMPORTANT CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL AND TO THE COMMUNITY.
"THE OVERALL EFFECT SHOULD THEREFORE BE A FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCY SYSTEM WHICH EMERGES STRONGER, MORE REPRESENTATIVE, AND CERTAINLY MORE CREDIBLE."
SECONDLY, THE OBJECTIVE OF THE FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCY SYSTEM HAS ALWAYS BEEN TO INCLUDE THE WIDEST POSSIBLE RANGE OF DIFFERENT SOCIAL, ECONOMIC AND PROFESSIONAL SECTORS WHICH ARE ESSENTIAL TO THE COMMUNITY’S PROSPERITY AND CONFIDENCE.
THE PROPOSED NINE NEW FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCIES FULLY MEET THIS OBJECTIVE.
THEY ARE ALSO ENTIRELY CONSISTENT WITH THE FOUR GUIDELINES FOR THE SELECTION OF FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCIES LAID DOWN IN THE 1988 POLITICAL WHITE PAPER, HE SAID.
"SO WHAT ARE WE DOING? WE ARE BUILDING ON EXISTING SYSTEMS; WE ARE NOT INTRODUCING RADICAL CHANGES," HE SAID.
THIRDLY, THE PROPOSAL IS NOT A SURROGATE FOR MORE TERRITORY BASED DIRECTLY ELECTED SEATS ANY MORE THAN THE PRESENT EDUCATION CONSTITUENCY IS.
THE ELECTORATE, THOUGH CONSIDERABLY EXPANDED, WILL BE RESTRICTED TO THOSE WHO ARE ECONOMICALLY ACTIVE, HE SAID.
"THEY WILL NOT HAVE A GEOGRAPHICAL BASED CONSTITUENCY. HOUSEWIVES, STUDENTS, RETIRED PERSONS ETC WILL BE EXCLUDED."
IN PRACTICE, HE SAID THIS MEANT THAT OVER A MILLION OUT OF A TOTAL OF 3.7 MILLION PEOPLE WHO WERE ELIGIBLE TO VOTE IN GEOGRAPHICAL CONSTITUENCY ELECTIONS WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO VOTE IN FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCY ELECTIONS.
THE CHIEF SECRETARY STRESSED THAT THE GUIDING PRINCIPLE OF THE GOVERNMENT IN DEALING WITH MATTERS OF GREAT IMPORTANCE TO HONG KONG AND YET MIGHT AFFECT RELATIONSHIP WITH CHINA MUST BE TO DO WHAT IT BELIEVED TO BE RIGHT IN THE OVERALL INTEREST OF THE HONG KONG PEOPLE.
THAT IN TURN WILL INVOLVE TAKING INTO ACCOUNT THE OPINIONS OF THIS COMMUNITY EXPRESSED IN A NUMBER OF WAYS, HE SAID.
THESE ARE THROUGH THE EXTENSIVE NETWORK OF FORMAL AND INFORMAL CONTACTS WITH THE COMMUNITY, VIEWS EXPRESSED IN THE COUNCIL, IN THE MEDIA THROUGHOUT OPINION POLLS AND SO ON.
"AND, OF COURSE, IN COMING TO DECISIONS WE MUST TAKE INTO ACCOUNT THE IMPACT OF THOSE DECISIONS UPON OUR FRIENDS ACROSS THE BORDER," HE SAID.
/"THAT INDEED .......
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 28, 1992
"THAT INDEED IS THE WAY WE HAVE OPERATED IN THE PAST.”
HE SAID IT HAD LED TO SOME DIFFICULT DECISIONS OVER SUCH ISSUES AS THE BILL OF RIGHTS AND THE BRITISH NATIONALITY SCHEME WHERE THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT RESOLUTELY OPPOSED WHAT THE GOVERNMENT WAS DOING.
"BUT, I REPEAT, OUR DECISIONS SHOULD BE JUDGED BY WHETHER THEY ARE IN THE BEST OVERALL INTEREST OF THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG," THE CHIEF SECRETARY SAID.
THAT PRINCIPLE ALSO APPLIES TO THE PROPOSALS FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE POLITICAL SYSTEM PUT FORWARD BY THE GOVERNOR IN HIS ANNUAL ADDRESS, HE SAID.
"IT REMAINS OUR WISH TO REACH AN UNDERSTANDING WITH THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT ON THIS ISSUE AS WE DO WITH ALL OTHER ISSUES, AND WE WILL CERTAINLY BE WORKING HARD TO TRY TO REACH SUCH AN UNDERSTANDING.
"WE VERY MUCH HOPE THAT IF THE CHINESE SIDE CONTINUES TO OBJECT TO OUR PROPOSALS THEY WILL PUT FORWARD PROPOSALS OF THEIR OWN," HE SAID.
HE ALSO SAID THE DESIRABILITY OF MAINTAINING A GOOD RELATIONSHIP WITH CHINA WAS WELL RECOGNISED BY THE ADMINISTRATION.
"IT HAS ALWAYS BEEN A MAJOR FACTOR IN OUR POLICY MAKING. IT IS EVEN MORE IMPORTANT NOW AS WE MOVE TOWARDS 1997 WHEN CHINA WILL RESUME SOVEREIGNTY OVER HONG KONG."
"HONG KONG PEOPLE, WHOSE FUTURE CAN BE INFLUENCED GREATLY BY CHINA, OF COURSE RECOGNISE THE IMPORTANCE OF THAT RELATIONSHIP AND WILL SHARE OUR CONCERN WHEN THE RELATIONSHIP IS UNDER STRAIN," HE SAID.
BUT HONG KONG’S RELATIONSHIP WITH CHINA IS NOT FREE-STANDING ENTITY OF ITS OWN, HE ADDED.
"IT IS NOT A BENCH-MARK AGAINST WHICH OUR ACTIONS ALONE MUST BE JUDGED," HE SAID.
HE SAID THE RELATIONSHIP ITSELF WAS A PRODUCT OF ACTIONS AND DECISIONS TAKEN BY BOTH SIDES.
"THERE WILL BE TIMES WHEN IT IS UNDER STRAIN BECAUSE ONE SIDE OR THE OTHER TAKES DECISIONS WHICH ARE IN ITS OWN BEST INTERESTS BUT ARE NOT WELCOME BY THE OTHER," SIR DAVID SAID.
IT SURELY FOLLOWS THAT THE FURTHERANCE OF A GOOD RELATIONSHIP DOES NOT NECESSARILY MEAN THAT BOTH SIDES CAN AGREE ON ALL ISSUES AT ALL TIMES, HE ADDED.
’ ---------------------------0-------
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 28, 1992
5
GOOD PROGRESS IN REVIEW OE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION: CS
*****
THE GOVERNMENT IS LOOKING AGAIN AT WHAT MAY BE DONE TO IMPROVE PUBLIC ACCESS TO OFFICIAL INFORMATION AND TO REINFORCE PRESS FREEDOMS, THE CHIEF SECRETARY, THE HON SIR DAVID FORD, SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
"WHILE WE ARE REVIEWING THESE MATTERS WITH AN OPEN MIND, I MUST SAY, WE REMAIN SCEPTICAL ABOUT THE VALUE OF GENERAL DECLARATORY FREEDOM OF INFORMATION LEGISLATION. I AM GLAD TO SAY THAT WE ARE MAKING GOOD PROGRESS IN THE REVIEW," HE SAID, WHEN WINDING UP THE RESUMED DEBATE ON THE MOTION OF THANKS FOR THE GOVERNOR’S POLIO ADDRESS.
SIR DAVID SAID HE HOPED TO BE ABLE TO SEEK THE ADVICE OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL SOON ON SPECIFIC MEASURES TO ENHANCE PUBLIC ACCESS TO OFFICIAL INFORMATION AND ON PROPOSALS TO AMEND LAWS WHICH MIGHT BE A THREAT TO THE FREEDOM OF THE PRESS.
TO MAINTAIN A STRONG AND INDEPENDENT JUDICIARY, THE CHIEF SECRETARY SAID THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE JUDICIARY NEEDED TO BE STRENGTHENED.
MORE, LAWYERS OF THE HIGHEST CALIBRE AND INTEGRITY SHOULD BE ATTRACTED TO THE BENCH.
HE SAID STEADY PROGRESS WAS BEING MADE TO RECRUIT LOCAL LAWYERS TO THE JUDICIARY AS MAGISTRATES BUT THE SITUATION WAS MUCH LESS SATISFACTORY IN THE DISTRICT COURT AND THE SUPREME COURT.
"THERE IS NO EASY SOLUTION TO THIS PROBLEM AND WE NEED TO EXPLORE MEASURES TO SPEED UP THE PACE OF LOCALISATION AT THESE LEVELS. AND THIS WE WILL DO," HE SAID.
SIR DAVID ALSO SAID GOOD PROGRESS WAS ALSO BEING MADE IN A REVIEW OF A PROPOSAL FOR AN INDEPENDENT AUTHORITY TO BE ESTABLISHED FOR ADMINISTERING LEGAL AID.
"WE ARE LOOKING AGAIN AT THIS PROPOSAL IN THE CONTEXT OF THE CURRENT INTER-DEPARTMENTAL REVIEW OF THE LAW, POLICY, PRACTICE AND PROCEDURE GOVERNING THE PROVISION OF LEGAL AID," HE SAID.
THE REVIEW WILL BE COMPLETED BY EARLY NEXT YEAR AND AT THAT STAGE THE VIEWS OF THE PUBLIC WILL BE SOUGHT AFTER THE WORKING GROUP HAS FINALISED ITS RECOMMENDATIONS, HE SAID.
- 0----------
/6.........
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 28, 1992
6
FS EXPLAINS FUNDING STRATEGY
*****
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON HAMISH MACLEOD, TODAY (WEDNESDAY) ASSURED THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL THAT THE VARIOUS PROPOSALS TO INCREASE SERVICES FOR THE COMMUNITY OUTLINED IN THE GOVERNOR’S POLICY ADDRESS WERE AFFORDABLE.
REPLYING TO MEMBERS’ COMMENTS ON THE POLICY ADDRESS, HE SAID THE STRONG ECONOMIC GROWTH IN PARTICULAR HAD ENABLED THE GOVERNMENT TO PLAN WITH CONFIDENCE FOR PUBLIC SECTOR SPENDING TO INCREASE IN REAL TERMS BY FIVE PER CENT A YEAR.
IN ADDITION, HE SAID, THE GOVERNMENT HAD ALSO SEIZED THE OPPORTUNITY POSED BY THE PROSPECT OF A "WINDFALL" SURPLUS OF AT LEAST $6 BILLION TO ADVANCE FUNDING IN SOME KEY AREAS, NOTABLY SOCIAL WELFARE AND THE ENVIRONMENT.
"OUR MEDIUM RANGE FORECAST IS BASED ON AN INCREASE OF FIVE PER CENT IN EXPENDITURE AND SHOWS THAT IN CASH FLOW TERMS THESE PROPOSALS ARE CLEARLY AFFORDABLE WITHOUT ANY MAJOR CHANGES IN TAX OR OTHER REVENUE, AND WILL STILL LEAVE AN ADEQUATE CUSHION IN THE FORM OF OUR RESERVES," HE SAID.
HOWEVER, HE REAFFIRMED THAT THE GOVERNMENT WAS AS COMMITTED AS EVER TO KEEPING PUBLIC EXPENDITURE GROWTH IN LINE WITH GROWTH IN THE ECONOMY.
MR MACLEOD REFUTED THE CLAIM THAT THERE WAS NOTHING NEW IN THE SPENDING PROPOSALS.
"WHAT WE HAVE NOW DONE - WHICH IS NEW - IS TO UNAMBIGUOUSLY COMMIT FUNDS FOR THE KEY POLICY AREAS NAMED IN THE ADDRESS.
"BUT WE HAVE ALSO GONE FURTHER THAN THIS, MOST NOTABLY IN THE AREA OF REHABILITATION, WHERE WE HAVE SUBSTANTIALLY ADVANCED THE TIMING FOR ACHIEVING KEY TARGETS," HE SAID.
HE ALSO CLARIFIED THAT THE FIGURES IN THE POLICY ADDRESS CONCERNING THE INCREASE IN SPENDING OVER THE PERIOD ON SOCIAL SERVICES WOULD BE AN INCREASE IN REAL TERMS.
REFERRING TO SOME MEMBERS’ COMMENTS THAT THE GOVERNOR’S SPEECH WAS NOTHING BUT A SHOPPING LIST OF ITEMS ON WHICH TO SPEND MONEY AND LACKING IN STRATEGY, HE SAID: "WHAT DISTINGUISHES THE SPEECH, SO FAR AS SPENDING PROPOSALS ARE CONCERNED, IS PRECISELY THAT IT TAKES A LONG VIEW ON MAJOR POLICIES, THAT IT LOOKS BEYOND THE NEXT FINANCIAL YEAR OVER THE WHOLE PERIOD TO 1997."
HE POINTED OUT THAT THE MAJOR PROPOSALS STEMMED FROM DETAILED CONSIDERATION AND ADVICE AND DISCUSSIONS CARRIED OUT IN ADVISORY COMMITTEES AND CONTAINED ALSO IN GREEN PAPERS AND WHITE PAPERS.
THE PRIORITIES REFLECTED IN THE SPEECH WERE BASED ON THOSE WHICH EMERGED FROM THE CONSULTATION EXERCISE WHICH HE CARRIED OUT IN JULY THIS YEAR WITH LEGCO MEMBERS ON EXPENDITURE PROPOSALS FOR THE NEXT BUDGET, MR MACLEOD ADDED.
/TURNING TO........
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 28, 1992
7
TURNING TO THE PROBLEM OF INFLATION, HE SAID THE MAIN UNDERLYING CAUSE OF INFLATION WAS THE STRONG DEMAND STEMMING FROM ECONOMIC GROWTH BOTH IN HONG KONG AND IN SOUTHERN CHINA, AGAINST A LIMITED SUPPLY OF RESOURCES AND THAT THE GOVERNMENT WOULD CONTINUE TO TAKE STEPS TO CONTAIN AS FAR AS POSSIBLE THESE INFLATIONARY PRESSURES.
HE NOTED THAT THE GOVERNMENT WAS PRESENTLY TACKLING INFLATION ON VARIOUS FRONTS, INCLUDING KEEPING A TIGHT REIN ON PUBLIC EXPENDITURE, SEEKING TO IMPROVE EFFICIENCY AND ENHANCE PRODUCTIVITY IN THE PUBLIC SECTOR, INCREASING THE SUPPLY OF LABOUR THROUGH AN EXPANDED RETRAINING PROGRAMME AND BY IMPORTING FOREIGN WORKERS ON A SELECTIVE BASIS AND INVESTING SUBSTANTIALLY IN EDUCATION TO RAISE THE PRODUCTIVITY OF THE WORK FORCE IN THE LONGER TERM.
FURTHERMORE, HE SAID, THE SERIES OF MEASURES TAKEN BY THE GOVERNMENT TO DISCOURAGE SPECULATION IN RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY HAD HAD A NOTICEABLE CALMING EFFECT ON THE MARKET.
OTHER ANTI-INFLATIONARY MEASURES INCLUDED THE NEW MIDDLEINCOME HOUSING SCHEME FOR THE SANDWICH CLASS AND A REAL INCREASE IN THE SOCIAL SECURITY PAYMENTS ANNOUNCED IN THE POLICY ADDRESS, HE SAID.
"BUT I WILL NOT CLAIM THAT SUCH MEASURES WILL PRODUCE A DRAMATIC REDUCTION IN INFLATION. I BELIEVE OUR FORECAST OF 9.5 PER CENT FOR THE YEAR TO BE REALISTIC," HE SAID.
HE THEN REITERATED THE GOVERNMENT’S FIRM COMMITMENT TO THE EXISTING LINKED RATE.
STRESSING THAT THE LINKED RATE WAS NOT THE CAUSE OF INFLATION, HE SAID: "A LINK TO SOME OTHER CURRENCY, OR BASKET OF CURRENCIES, WOULD STILL RESTRICT OUR FREEDOM TO USE THE INTEREST RATE WEAPON.
"AND THE NOTION OF FLOATING IS NOT, I BELIEVE, TAKEN AS A SERIOUS OPTION."
ON THE NEW HONG KONG MONETARY AUTHORITY, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY SAID HE WAS ENCOURAGED BY THE GENERALLY POSITIVE REMARKS AND MADE IT CLEAR THAT THE AUTHORITY WOULD REMAIN FIRMLY UNDER HIS CONTROL.
TURNING TO THE CONCERN EXPRESSED OVER THE FAST GROWING PROPERTY MARKET IN CHINA, MR MACLEOD SAID HE WELCOMED THE INITIATIVE TAKEN BY THE CONSUMER COUNCIL IN PUBLISHING GUIDELINES TO HELP THOSE INTERESTED IN BUYING SUCH PROPERTY.
ON THE AIRPORT CORE PROJECTS, HE STRESSED THAT A SENSIBLE AND VIABLE AGREEMENT WITH CHINA WAS STILL "OUR FIRST PRIORITY".
HE ASKED PEOPLE WHO URGED THE GOVERNMENT TO BE MORE COST CONSCIOUS OR COST EFFECTIVE ON THE AIRPORT AND AIRPORT RAILWAY TO TAKE HEART FROM THE FACT THAT "WE HAD $19 BILLION WORTH OF CONTRACTS ON TIME AND BELOW BUDGET".
/"WE MUST .......
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 28, 1992
8
„„„„ "WE MUST ALSO REMEMBER HOW THIS ALL FITS INTO THF FIITirPF FROM ?h"™BST°o/?«E Son™' A1BP0ET CORE PR0JECTS ARE N"T ISOLATED
"without efficient air, sea and TRANSPORT FACILITIES, HONG KONG WOULD NOT WORLD TRADING ECONOMIES. WE MUST REMEMBER FORWARD ON THE AIRPORT.
OTHER COMMUNICATION REMAIN AT THE FOREFRONT THIS WHEN WE CHART OUR
’'THERE IS A VISION OF THE FUTURE HERE SIGHT OF IT,” HE SAID.
AND
OF
WAY
AND WE MUST NOT LOSE
HIS PLEDcJ\o°M™Rrp?N™T™L FINANCIAL SECRETARY SAID HE WOULD HONOUR MEFTTNO t p?™? THE LAST BUDGET DEBATE AND THAT HE WOULD BE i ELTING THEM IN EIGHT SEPARATE GROUPS OVER THE NEXT FORTNIGHT TO HFAR THEIR VIEWS ON THE REVENUE PROPOSALS FOR THE NEXT BUDGET
------0-----------
PUBLIC WORKS PROGRAMME OUTLINED * * * * *
THE GOVERNMENT WILL SPEND $78 BILLION ON PUBLIC WORKS PROGRAMME INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS, AT MARCH 1992 PRICES, IN ADDITION TO $43 BILLION AT MARCH 1991 PRICES WHICH IS BEING SPENT ON SEVEN AIRPORT CORE PROJECTS (ACP) DURING THE FIVE YEARS’ PERIOD 1992/93 TO 1996/97.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE SECRETARY FOR WORKS, MR JAMES BLAKE, IN THE RESUMED DEBATE ON THE MOTION OF THANKS FOR THE GOVERNOR’S POLICY ADDRESS IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
HE SAID THE PROJECTED SPENDING ON NON-ACP WORKS OF $78 BILLION REPRESENTED A 44% GROWTH IN REAL TERMS OVER SPENDING ON PUBLIC WORKS DURING THE PAST FIVE YEARS.
IT ALSO REPRESENTS ABOUT THREE QUARTERS OF GOVERNMENT’S FORECAST OF TOTAL CAPITAL WORKS EXPENDITURE OVER THE NEXT FIVE YEARS, MR BLAKE SAID.
"WE SHALL CONTINUE TO BUILD FOR THE FUTURE," THE SECRETARY SAID.
"WE SHALL INCREASE OUR LAND ASSETS BY RECLAMATION, IMPROVE OUR DRAINAGE SYSTEM AND SEWAGE SERVICES, UPGRADE OUR PORT FACILITIES AND TRANSPORT NETWORK, AND PROVIDE MORE HEALTH, EDUCATION AND COMMUNITY FACILITIES.
"OUR INVESTMENTS IN OUR ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL INFRASTRUCTURE WILL ENHANCE THE COMPETITIVENESS OF OUR ECONOMY AND IMPROVE OUR QUALITY OF LIFE," HE SAID.
THERE ARE AT PRESENT OVER 2,000 ITEMS IN THE PUBLIC WORKS PROGRAMME (EXCLUDING THOSE OF $10 MILLION OR LESS IN CONTRACT VALUE) ALL OF THEM AT DIFFERENT STAGES OF PLANNING, INVESTIGATION AND CONSTRUCTION.
/THE LIST .......
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 28, 1992
- 9 -
THE LIST OF NEW PROJECTS FOR LAND FORMATION, ENVIRONMENT, INFRASTRUCTURE AND COMMUNITY FACILITIES WHICH HAVE EITHER STARTED OR WHICH ARE PROGRAMMED TO START CONSTRUCTION DURING THE NEXT THREE YEARS, INCLUDES A $444 MILLION SCHEME TO RECLAIM 19 HECTARES OF LAND IN ALDRICH BAY, SHAU KEI WAN FOR RESIDENTIAL AND COMMUNITY USES.
IT ALSO INCLUDES A $1.8 BILLION PROJECT TO DEVELOP A LARGE WASTE DISPOSAL LANDFILL IN NORTHEAST NEW TERRITORIES, A $1 BILLION PROJECT TO UPGRADE LUNG CHEUNG ROAD AND CHING CHEUNG ROAD, A DUPLICATE TSING YI SOUTH BRIDGE AT $785 MILLION, A $2.7 BILLION PROJECT TO PROVIDE THE NECESSARY BACK-UP AREA AND INFRASTRUCTURE FOR CT 9 PORT DEVELOPMENT IN SOUTHEAST TSING YI, AND A NEW CONVALESCENT/INFIRMARY HOSPITAL AT TAI PO AT $682 MILLION.
ON NEW TOWN PROGRAMME, WHICH WAS FORMALLY STARTED IN 1972, AND IS CELEBRATING ITS 20TH ANNIVERSARY THIS YEAR.
HONG KONG NOW HAS EIGHT NEW TOWNS, WITH A TOTAL POPULATION OF 2.3 MILLION. BY THE YEAR 2000, THE POPULATION OF THE NEW TOWNS IS EXPECTED TO REACH ALMOST 3 MILLION, WHICH WILL BE ABOUT HALF OF THE EXPECTED POPULATION OF HONG KONG AT THAT TIME, MR BLAKE SAID.
"DEVELOPMENT OF THE FIRST GENERATION NEW TOWNS, TSUEN WAN, SHA TIN AND TUEN MUN, IS SUBSTANTIALLY COMPLETE. IT IS EXPECTED THAT SHA TIN WILL TAKE OVER FROM KWUN TONG AND EASTERN TO BECOME THE MOST POPULATED DISTRICT IN THE TERRITORY BY THE YEAR 2000," HE SAID.
DEVELOPMENT OF THE SECOND GENERATION NEW TOWNS, TAI PO, FANLING/SHEUNG SHUT AND YUEN LONG, HAVE PASSED THEIR HALF-WAY MARK AND ARE CONTINUING.
THE THIRD GENERATION NEW TOWNS, TSEUNG KWAN O AND TIN SHUI WAI, WHICH BEGAN THEIR DEVELOPMENT ONLY IN THE SECOND HALF OF EIGHTIES ARE ALREADY SUCCESS STORIES IN THEIR OWN RIGHT.
"THE GOVERNMENT, INCLUDING THE HOUSING AUTHORITY AND THE URBAN AND REGIONAL COUNCILS, WILL HAVE INVESTED SOME $240 BILLION IN THE.NEW TOWN PROGRAMME, OVER A 40 YEAR PERIOD FROM 1972 ONWARDS," HE SAID.
DURING THIS SAME PERIOD DEVELOPMENT WILL BEGIN FOR THE NINTH NEW TOWN WHICH IS PLANNED FOR THE TUNG CHUNG - TAI HO AREA ON NORTH LANTAU.
INITIALLY, THE SECRETARY SAID, IT WILL PROVIDE AIRPORT SUPPORT TOWN FACILITIES, BUT IS PLANNED FOR INCREMENTAL EXPANSION TO REACH A POPULATION OF 200,000 BY THE YEAR 2011.
MEANWHILE, MR BLAKE SAID WORK ON ALL PROJECTS FUNDED FROM THE GOVERNMENT’S CAPITAL WORKS RESERVE FUND AS PART OF THE AIRPORT CORE PROGRAMME IS PROGRESSING WELL.
/"WE ARE .......
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 28, 1992
10
"WE ARE CREATING NEW ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITIES FOR URBAN DEVELOPMENT AND PORT EXPANSION, AND ARE THUS MAKING A MAJOR LONG TERM INVESTMENT IN THE ECONOMIC FUTURE OF THE TERRITORY AS A CENTRE OF BUSINESS, TRADE AND FINANCE IN THE PEARL RIVER DELTA REGION,” HE SAID.
SEVEN MAJOR CONTRACTS ARE ALREADY UNDERWAY TO CONSTRUCT THE WEST KOWLOON RECLAMATION, ADDING WELL OVER 300 HECTARES OF VALUABLE SPACE TO THE LAND AVAILABLE TN PRESENT DAY KOWLOON.
HE SAID THE RECLAMATION WOULD PROVIDE LAND FOR THE WEST KOWLOON EXPRESSWAY, AIRPORT RAILWAY, AND NORTHERN LANDFALL OF THE WEST HARBOUR CROSSING, AS WELL AS PROVIDING OPPORTUNITIES FOR MAJOR IMPROVEMENTS TO THE URBAN FACILITIES AVAILABLE IN WEST KOWLOON, ESPECIALLY THE SEWAGE AND SURFACE DRAINAGE SYSTEM.
WORK ON THE TSING MA BRIDGE IS PROGRESSING WELL AND THE CONTRACT FOR THE KAP SHUI MUN BRIDGE AND MA WAN VIADUCT WILL START NEXT MONTH.
TENDERS FOR THE LAST OF THE THREE CONTRACTS THAT WILL COMPLETE THE NORTH LANTAU EXPRESSWAY WILL BE INVITED EARLY NEXT YEAR, HE SAID.
SITE FORMATION IS UNDER WAY FOR PHASE I OF THE NEW TOWN DEVELOPMENT AT TUNG CHUNG, TENDERS FOR THE TWO OF THE THREE CONTRACTS FOR THE ACP PART OF ROUTE 3 HAVE BEEN INVITED, AND TENDERS FOR THE FIRST PHASE OF THE CENTRAL RECLAMATION HAVE BEEN RECEIVED AND EVALUATED.
MR BLAKE SAID THE KAP SHUI MUN FORMAL AWARD NEXT MONTH, WOULD BRING TO 18 THE NUMBER OF ACP CONSTRUCTION CONTRACTS AWARDED AND TO BE DIRECTLY FUNDED FROM THE CAPITAL WORKS RESERVE FUND.
THESE CONTRACTS HAVE BEEN PLACED FOR THE MOST PART ON FIXED PRICE LUMP SUM TERMS, AND TOTAL ALMOST $19 BILLION, A FIGURE WHICH REPRESENTS ABOUT 1/3 OF THE ESTIMATED CAPITAL WORKS EXPENDITURE BUDGETED BY THE GOVERNMENT UNDER THE ACP.
’’THE FACT THAT WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO MAKE THESE AWARDS WITHIN OUR BUDGETED ESTIMATES, PAYS TRIBUTE TO THE PRUDENT FINANCIAL PLANNING AND STRINGENT CONTROLS THAT HAVE BEEN PLACED OVER SCOPE DEVELOPMENT.
"IT IS ALSO A SIGN OF THE STIFF COMPETITION WE ARE SEEING FROM LOCAL AND OVERSEAS COMPANIES SEEKING TO PARTICIPATE IN THE ACP PROJECTS IMPLEMENTATION," HE ADDED.
/Il .......
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 28, 1992
11 -
SUFFICIENT TALENTED LOCAL OFFICERS AVAILABLE TO ENSURE SMOOTH TRANSITION *****
THE SECRETARY FOR THE CIVIL SERVICE, MR BARRIE WIGGHAM, EXPRESSED CONFIDENCE THAT SUFFICIENT AND TALENTED LOCAL OFFICERS WOULD BE AVAILABLE TO FILL THOSE POSTS SPECIFIED IN THE BASIC LAW.
"WE WILL HAVE QUALIFIED LOCAL OFFICERS WHO CAN MEET THE NATIONALITY AND RIGHT OF ABODE PROVISIONS IN PLACE IN GOOD TIME - THAT IS WELL BEFORE 1997 - SO AS TO ENSURE CONTINUITY AND A SMOOTH TRANSITION IN THE MOST SENIOR RANKS OF OUR CIVIL SERVICE," HE STATED.
"IN MANAGEMENT TERMS, THIS WILL INVOLVE ENSURING THAT WE HAVE A RESERVOIR OF LOCAL TALENT AT SENIOR LEVELS UPON WHICH TO DRAW IN FUTURE TO FILL POSTS AT THE PRINCIPAL OFFICIAL LEVEL."
SPEAKING DURING THE RESUMED DEBATE ON THE MOTION OF THANKS FOR THE GOVERNOR’S POLICY ADDRESS IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY), MR WIGGHAM TOOK THE OPPORTUNITY TO CLARIFY THE CONFUSION THAT HAD CREPT IN OVER WHICH POSTS WERE COVERED BY BASIC LAW REFERENCES TO PRINCIPAL OFFICIALS.
HE SAID WHEN THE BASIC LAW REFERRED TO SECRETARIES AND DEPUTY SECRETARIES OF DEPARTMENTS, IT WAS TALKING SPECIFICALLY ABOUT THE THREE MOST SENIOR POSTS - CHIEF SECRETARY, FINANCIAL SECRETARY AND ATTORNEY GENERAL TOGETHER WITH THEIR DEPUTIES, IF ANY.
LIKEWISE WHAT THE BASIC LAW CALLS DIRECTORS OF BUREAUX ARE IN FACT POLICY SECRETARIES; BUT THEIR DEPUTIES ARE NOT CAUGHT IN THE LIST OF POSTS WITH A NATIONALITY QUALIFICATION.
"I MAKE THE POINT AS I SAY IN PART TO CLEAR AWAY CONFUSION; IN PART TO EMPHASISE THE RELATIVELY SMALL NUMBER OF POSTS WHICH ARE SUBJECT TO THE RESTRICTIONS STIPULATED IN THE BASIC LAW," SAID MR WIGGHAM.
"IF THE RELEVANT BASIC LAW PROVISION WERE IN FORCE TODAY, ON A STRICT INTERPRETATION, THE RESTRICTION WOULD PROBABLY ONLY AFFECT 22 POSTS . "
TURNING TO LOCALISATION IN THE CIVIL SERVICE, MR WIGGHAM REPORTED THAT A NUMBER OF DEPARTMENTS WERE COMPLETELY LOCALISED.
IN THE DIRECTORATE OVERALL, 63 PER CENT OF POSTS ARE FILLED BY LOCAL OFFICERS WHILE OVER HALF HEAD OF DEPARTMENT AND SECRETARY POSTS ARE ALSO FILLED BY LOCAL OFFICERS.
SPECIAL MEASURES HAVE BEEN INTRODUCED IN THE LEGAL DEPARTMENT TO ADVANCE LOCALISATION AND ENSURE A STEADY SUPPLY OF QUALIFIED LOCAL OFFICERS FOR SENIOR POSTS IN FUTURE.
CITING EXAMPLES, MR WIGGHAM SAID LOCAL NON-DTRECTORATE OFFICERS IN THE DEPARTMENT WOULD BE GIVEN ADVANCED PROMOTION AND BETTER CAREER PROSPECTS UNDER THE "DOUBLE LADDER” SCHEME; WHILST THE DEVELOPMENT POSTS SCHEME WOULD FACILITATE THE LOCALISATION OF THE DIRECTORATE BY PROVIDING LOCAL SENIOR CROWN COUNSEL WITH MANAGEMENT TRAINING AND CAREER EXPOSURE OPPORTUNITIES TO ENHANCE THEIR PROMOTION PROSPECTS.
HE ALSO
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 28, 1992
12
HE ALSO SPOKE OE PERFORMANCE PLEDGES WHICH HE DESCRIBED AS A "NATURAL STEP IN THE CONTINUING PROCESS OF BRINGING ABOUT IMPROVEMENTS TO OUR SERVICE TO THE PUBLIC".
"IT BRINGS INTO THE OPEN THE INTERNAL MANAGEMENT STANDARDS THAT MOST DEPARTMENTS HAVE ALREADY SET TO MONITOR THEIR OWN OUTPUT; IT INTRODUCES MORE EFFICIENT MEANS FOR THE PUBLIC TO MONITOR PERFORMANCE; AND IT AIMS IN THE PROCESS TO BRING ABOUT FURTHER IMPROVEMENT IN OUR DEPARTMENT-CLIENT RELATIONSHIP.
"WE ARE DETERMINED TO MAKE THIS SCHEME A PERMANENT FEATURE OF THE PUBLIC SERVICE."
THE GOVERNMENT WILL ADOPT A STEADY PACE AND IMPLEMENT THE EXERCISE IN PHASES, HE NOTED, ADDING THAT ALL DEPARTMENTS PROVIDING SERVICES TO THE PUBLIC SHOULD HAVE BEEN SUBJECT TO THE REFORMS IN ABOUT TWO YEARS.
THE GOVERNMENT WILL ALSO LIAISE WITH THOSE STATUTORY AUTHORITIES PROVIDING PUBLIC SERVICE WITH A VIEW TO ENSURING THAT THOSE PARTS OF THE PUBLIC SERVICE UNDER THEIR SCRUTINY ALSO ADOPT THE SAME PRINCIPLES AND PRACTICES AS FAR AS PRACTICABLE.
SOME MEMBERS HAD EXPRESSED CONCERN THAT THE ANNUAL CIVIL SERVICE PAY ADJUSTMENT GAVE CIVIL SERVANTS AN EDGE OVER THE PRIVATE SECTOR WHICH, IN TURN, WAS CONSIDERED TO HAVE A NEGATIVE EFFECT ON THE ECONOMY.
MR WIGGHAM, HOWEVER, DID NOT AGREE. HE STRESSED THAT WHILE THE ADJUSTMENT COULD SERVE AS A REFERENCE FOR SOME EMPLOYERS, THE ULTIMATE DETERMINANTS OF PRIVATE SECTOR PAY WERE SUPPLY AND DEMAND IN THE LABOUR MARKET.
"THERE IS NO DIRECT CAUSAL RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE ANNUAL PAY ADJUSTMENT FOR CIVIL SERVANTS AND INFLATION AS SUCH, BUT THERE IS CLEARLY A PSYCHOLOGICAL EFFECT," HE SAID.
"IT IS ALSO MISLEADING TO COMPARE THE CIVIL SERVICE PAY ADJUSTMENT WITH ONLY THE GENERAL INCREASE FOR PRIVATE SECTOR EMPLOYEES WHILST EXCLUDING MERIT PAY.
"THE FACT OF THE MATTER IS THAT CIVIL SERVICE SALARIES ARE NOT DIRECTLY RELATED TO PERFORMANCE, WHEREAS MERIT PAY IS INCREASINGLY GIVEN MORE WEIGHT AND ACCOUNTS FOR A LARGER SHARE OF THE ANNUAL PAY ADJUSTMENT IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR.
"OVERALL, HOWEVER, CIVIL SERVICE PAY ADJUSTMENTS, INCLUDING BOTH GENERAL INCREASE AND ANNUAL INCREMENT, ARE COMPARABLE TO THE GENERAL INCREASE PLUS MERIT PAY IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR, EVEN THOUGH INDIVIDUALLY SOME CIVIL SERVANTS MAY BE BETTER OFF AND OTHERS MAY LOSE OUT UNDER THE PRESENT METHODOLOGY."
ON THE FUNDING ARRANGEMENTS FOR CIVIL SERVICE PENSIONS, MR WIGGHAM REAFFIRMED THAT THE JOINT DECLARATION AND THE BASIC LAW BOTH CONTAINED ASSURANCES ABOUT THE FUTURE PAYMENT OF PENSIONS.
/"I SHOULD .......
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 28, 1992
13
"I SHOULD EMPHASISE THEREFORE THAT IN OUR VIEW PENSIONS ARE SECURE," HE STATED.
NEVERTHELESS, MR WIGGHAM SAID IN RESPONSE TO STAFF REQUESTS, THE GOVERNMENT HAD UNDERTAKEN A STUDY OF POSSIBLE ADDITIONAL SAFEGUARD MEASURES FOR THE FUTURE.
"SEVERAL OPTIONS HAVE BEEN EXAMINED INCLUDING THE OPTION OF A PROVIDENT FUND SCHEME FOR FUTURE SERVICE.
"WE SHALL BE LOOKING FURTHER AT THIS PARTICULAR IDEA IN THE CONTEXT OF TERRITORY-WIDE COMPULSORY PRIVATE SECTOR RETIREMENT SCHEMES," HE ADDED.
- - 0 - -
POLITICAL EVOLUTION OF DISTRICT BOARDS NECESSARY: SHA
*****
HONG KONG HAS NOW REACHED A POINT WHERE THE NEXT STAGE OF EVOLUTION OF THE DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION SCHEME HAS TO BE CONSIDERED IN THE CONTEXT OF THE OVERALL POLITICAL DEVELOPMENT IN THE TERRITORY, THE SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS, MR MICHAEL SUEN, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL THIS (WEDNESDAY) AFTERNOON.
SPEAKING AT THE RESUMED DEBATE ON THE MOTION OF THANKS FOR THE GOVERNOR’S POLICY ADDRESS, MR SUEN SAID THIS WAS THE REASON WHY THE GOVERNOR HAD OUTLINED A NUMBER OF MEASURES TO STRENGTHEN DISTRICT BOARDS’ PARTICIPATION IN LOCAL AFFAIRS.
AND, IN THIS REGARD, MR SUEN EMPHASISED THAT THE PROPOSAL TO ABOLISH APPOINTED MEMBERSHIP ON THESE BOARDS "IS IN NO WAY INTENDED TO BELITTLE THEIR WORK".
"IT MERELY RECOGNISES THAT THE NEXT STEP IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF DISTRICT BOARDS MUST BE CONSISTENT WITH THE OVERALL TREND TOWARDS A MORE REPRESENTATIVE POLITICAL STRUCTURE."
ACKNOWLEDGING THE IMPORTANT ROLE PLAYED BY APPOINTED MEMBERS, MR SUEN HOPED THAT WITH THE CREATION OF ADDITIONAL CONSTITUENCIES -FROM 274 DIRECTLY ELECTED SEATS TO ABOUT 340 - THIS WOULD ENCOURAGE SOME OF THOSE MEMBERS TO SEEK A FURTHER TERM OF OFFICE IN 1994 THROUGH CONTESTING ELECTIONS.
AS FOR THE GOVERNMENT’S DECISION TO RETAIN EX-OFFICIO MEMBERS IN THE NEW TERRITORIES DISTRICT BOARDS, MR SUEN SAID THIS WAS CONSISTENT WITH THE EVOLUTIONARY NATURE OF THE GOVERNMENT’S PROPOSALS.
THESE MEMBERS, HE SAID, WERE AN IMPORTANT LINK BETWEEN THE INDIGENOUS NEW TERRITORIES RESIDENTS AND THE GOVERNMENT, AS WELL AS BETWEEN VILLAGERS AND THE NEW RESIDENTS NOW LIVING IN THE AREA.
ALTHOUGH THEIR NUMBERS WERE SMALL AND THEY HAVE ALL BEEN ELECTED, MR SUEN SAID THEIR MEMBERSHIP ON DISTRICT BOARDS WILL BE SUBJECT TO REVIEW IN DUE COURSE.
/EARLIER, IN
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 28, 1992
14
EARLIER, IN FOCUSING ON THE ROLE AND FUNCTIONS OF DBS, MR SUEN SAID IT WAS THE GOVERNMENT’S AIM TO INCREASE THEIR EFFECTIVENESS AND CAPABILITY IN DEALING WITH STREET MANAGEMENT PROBLEMS AND OTHER LOCAL ISSUES.
HE SAID DISTRICT BOARDS WERE BETTER PLACED TO ARRIVE AT A JUDGEMENT ON THE BEST WAY TO RESOLVE THE CONFLICTING DEMANDS IN THE INTERESTS OF THEIR OWN COMMUNITY THAN IS THE CENTRAL GOVERNMENT.
IN THIS CONNECTION, HE SAID GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS WILL ALSO PLAY THEIR PART BY BECOMING MORE SENSITIVE AND RESPONSIVE TO DISTRICT NEEDS.
"DEPARTMENTS WILL HAVE TO WORK CLOSELY WITH EACH OTHER AND THE DISTRICT BOARDS TO WORK OUT COMPREHENSIVE ACTION PLANS TO TACKLE DISTRICT PROBLEMS ON A CO-ORDINATED BASIS."
PRIORITIES WILL ALSO HAVE TO BE AGREED WITH THE DISTRICT BOARDS WITH THESE DEPARTMENTS BECOMING MORE ACCOUNTABLE TO THE ADVISORY BODIES ON THE IMPLEMENTATION OF SUCH ACTION PLANS, HE SAID.
FURTHERMORE, REGULAR REPORTS WILL BE SUBMITTED TO THE BOARDS TO ENABLE THEM TO MONITOR PROGRESS CLOSELY.
AS THE WORK OF DISTRICT BOARDS IS OFTEN HAMPERED BY INADEQUATE FUNDS, MR SUEN SAID SUBJECT TO THE NECESSARY APPROVAL, FUNDS AVAILABLE TO THEM WILL BE SUBSTANTIALLY INCREASED FROM $51 MILLION THIS YEAR TO $100 MILLION IN 1994-95.
"WITH MORE FINANCIAL RESOURCES AT THEIR DISPOSAL, DISTRICT BOARDS WILL BE BETTER ABLE TO HELP FUND DESERVING COMMUNITY BUILDING ACTIVITIES SUCH AS CIVIC EDUCATION PROJECTS, COMMUNITY AWARENESS SCHEMES, VOLUNTARY SERVICES FOR THE NEEDY AND CELEBRATION OF TRADITIONAL FESTIVALS."
TO FURTHER ENHANCE THE ROLE OF DISTRICT BOARDS, MR SUEN SAID THEY WOULD BE GIVEN THE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE MANAGEMENT OF COMMUNITY HALLS AND CENTRES.
AND IN ADDITION TO BOARDS AND COMMITTEES, SUCH AS SCHOOL LIAISON COMMITTEES AND THE CIVIC EDUCATION COMMITTEES, DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMEN WILL ALSO BE CONSULTED ON APPOINTMENTS TO DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEES AND THE BOARDS WILL THEMSELVES FORM NOT LESS THAN HALF OF THE MEMBERS OF THESE DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEES.
AS TO THE COMPOSITION OF A DISTRICT BOARD, MR SUEN BELIEVED THE OPTIMUM NUMBER FOR EFFICIENCY OF OPERATION SHOULD BE BETWEEN 15 TO 30 MEMBERS.
THE POPULATION SIZE ON THE BASIS OF SINGLE SEAT CONSTITUENCIES, HE SAID, SHOULD NOT BE UNDULY SMALL.
"WE BELIEVE THAT CONSTITUENCIES EACH WITH A POPULATION OF ABOUT 17,000 PEOPLE ARE AS LOW AS WE CAN GO.”
/FIRST, HOWEVER ........
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 28, 1992
15
FIRST, HOWEVER, MR SUEN SAID HE WOULD DISCUSS THE PROPOSED CHANGES WITH THE DISTRICT BOARDS.
"OVER THE NEXT TWO MONTHS, I SHALL BE MEETING THE 19 DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMEN TO EXPLAIN TO THEM THE CASE FOR INTRODUCING CHANGES TO THE PRESENT ARRANGEMENTS AND THE UNDERLYING PRINCIPLES TO USE IN EVALUATING THE COMPARATIVE MERITS OF THE DIFFERENT OPTIONS IN ORDER TO ACHIEVE THE BEST ARRANGEMENT FOR THE FUTURE.
"THIS WILL PAVE THE WAY FOR 19 MORE MEETINGS WITH INDIVIDUAL DISTRICT BOARDS WHEN WE WILL GO INTO THE DETAILED ARRANGEMENTS PROPOSED FOR EACH OF THEM."
MR SUEN SAID HE WAS KEEN TO HEAR THEIR VIEWS AND SUGGESTIONS FOR ENHANCING THE STATUS, THE INFLUENCE AND THE EFFECTIVENESS OF DISTRICT BOARDS.
TURNING TO YOUTH MATTERS, MR SUEN SAID THE GOVERNMENT WAS WORKING HARD TO ENCOURAGE YOUNG PEOPLE TO TAKE AN INTEREST IN THEIR COMMUNITY AND TO PARTICIPATE ACTIVELY IN SOCIETY.
HE ALSO SAID THE COMMISSION ON YOUTH WAS ABOUT TO FINALISE ITS CHARTER FOR YOUTH.
THE CHARTER, HE SAID, WOULD CONTAIN PRINCIPLES AND IDEALS FOR YOUTH DEVELOPMENT WHICH IN TURN WOULD BE OF GREAT VALUE TO THOSE RESPONSIBLE FOR REVIEWING AND FORMULATING YOUTH SERVICES.
COMMITMENTS TO HOUSING AND ENVIRONMENT REAFFAIRMED
*****
GOVERNMENT’S STRONG COMMITMENTS TO SUBSIDISED HOUSING AND ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT WERE REAFFIRMED TODAY (WEDNESDAY) BY THE SECRETARY FOR PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS, MR TONY EASON.
IN REPLY TO POINTS RAISED IN THE MOTION DEBATE ON THE GOVERNOR’S ADDRESS TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, MR EASON SAID THE ADMINISTRATION’S COMMITMENT TO THE PUBLIC HOUSING PROGRAMME IS AS STRONG AS EVER.
THE HOUSING AUTHORITY WILL BE SPENDING OVER $40 BILLION IN THE NEXT FIVE YEARS IN CAPITAL EXPENDITURE TO PROVIDE MORE HOMES.
NEW PRODUCTION OF NEARLY 200,000 FLATS IN THE PERIOD WILL RESULT IN NEW HOMES FOR ABOUT 650,000 PEOPLE.
ON TOP OF THIS, THE HOUSING AUTHORITY ALSO PLANS TO REHOUSE 113,500 MORE FAMILIES THROUGH PUBLIC HOUSING REDEVELOPMENT AND FROM TEMPORARY HOUSING AREAS AND SQUATTER AREAS.
MR EASON NOTED THAT THE NUMBER OF HOUSEHOLDS LIVING IN "OVERCROWDED" CONDITIONS IN PUBLIC HOUSING HAD DECREASED FROM ABOUT 29 PER CENT IN 1982 TO 5 PER CENT IN 1992.
/ON THE ........
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 28, 1992
16
ON THE SANDWICH CLASS HOUSING SCHEME, MR EASON SAID WHILE THE SCHEME WOULD BE KEPT UNDER REVIEW, THE PRESENT TARGET OF 5,000 UNITS PER YEAR WAS ABOUT RIGHT.
HE SAID THERE WAS A NEED TO STRIKE A BALANCE SO THAT THE SCHEME WOULD NOT AFFECT THE PUBLIC HOUSING PROGRAMME OR THE SUPPLY OF LAND REQUIRED FOR OTHER PURPOSES.
HE NOTED THAT THE INTERIM SCHEME IS DESIGNED TO ACHIEVE A "FAST START” FOR THOSE WHO WISH TO ENTER INTO HOME OWNERSHIP EARLY WITHOUT WAITING FOR THE COMPLETION OF THE PURPOSE-DESIGNED FLATS.
THE INTERIM SCHEME INVOLVES MODEST NUMBERS SINCE THE PURCHASE OF TOO LARGE A NUMBER OF FLATS FROM THE MARKET COULD REDUCE SUPPLY BY TOO MUCH AND CAUSE DISTORTIONS.
WITH REGARD TO SUGGESTIONS FROM SOME QUARTERS FOR FISCAL MEASURES SUCH AS CAPITAL GAINS TAX AND TAX EXEMPTIONS FOR MORTGAGE PAYMENTS, MR EASON SAID THESE MEASURES WOULD RUN CONTRARY TO HONG KONG’S SIMPLE NON-DISCRIMINATORY AND LOW TAX SYSTEM.
THEY WOULD NOT BRING DOWN PROPERTY PRICES, BUT COULD INSTEAD ENCOURAGE GREATER DEMAND IN THE MARKET AND FURTHER INFLATE PROPERTY PRICES.
TURNING TO THE SEWAGE STRATEGY, MR EASON SAID APART FROM GOVERNMENT’S FIRM COMMITMENT TO THE HIGH PRIORITY PROGRAMME TO PROVIDE SEWAGE SERVICES TO THE MAIN URBAN AREA, PLANNING IS ALSO IN HAND FOR THE SUBSEQUENT PHASES.
THESE INCLUDE PRELIMINARY DESIGN WORK FOR THE LONG OCEANIC OUTFALL FOR THE DISPOSAL OF TREATED WASTE WATER.
"CONSULTATIONS WITH THE CHINESE AUTHORITIES ON TECHNICAL ASPECTS OF THE OCEANIC DISPOSAL ARRANGEMENTS AND JOINT SURVEYS TO DETERMINE THE ALIGNMENT OF THE OUTFALL ARE ALSO UNDER WAY," MR EASON SAID.
HE ALSO ANNOUNCED THAT THE PUBLIC WILL BE CONSULTED BEFORE THE
END OF THIS YEAR ON CHARGING FOR THE SEWAGE SERVICES BEFORE THE
CHARGES ARE FINALISED AND INTRODUCED.
ON TOP OF THE SEWAGE STRATEGY, MAJOR SEWERAGE SCHEMES NOW IN
HAND INCLUDE THE $1.1 BILLION SEWERAGE AND DISPOSAL SCHEME IN THE
NORTHWEST NEW TERRITORIES, THE $930 MILLION TOLO HARBOUR EFFLUENT EXPORT SCHEME AND THE $840 TSEUNG KWAN O SEWAGE TREATMENT AND DISPOSAL SCHEME.
HE ALSO REVEALED THAT THE WATER POLLUTION CONTROL ORDINANCE WOULD BE AMENDED TO REQUIRE BUILDINGS TO BE CONNECTED TO THE NEW PUBLIC SEWERS AND TO IMPOSE TIGHTER CONTROLS ON THE OPERATION OF PRIVATE WASTE-WATER TREATMENT FACILITIES.
WITH REGARD TO AIR POLLUTION, MR EASON SAID FURTHER MEASURES TO TACKLE THE PROBLEM OF VEHICLE EXHAUSTS WOULD BE EXPLORED AND THE ENVIRONMEMTAL POLLUTION ADVIORY COMMITTEE WOULD BE CONSULTED ON THE ISSUE AGAIN NEXT YEAR.
/HE ALSO .......
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 28, 1992
17
HE ALSO DISCLOSED THAT A WORKING GROUP HAS RECENTLY BEEN SET UP TO PRODUCE SOME THINKING ON THE POSSIBLE ROLE OF ELECTRIC VEHICLES IN HONG KONG FROM BOTH A POLLUTION AND AN ENERGY EFFICIENCY POINT OF VIEW .
OTHER MEASURES TO DEAL WITH NOISE POLLUTION INCLUDE A PROGRAMME TO PROVIDE 25 MORE SCHOOLS WITH DOUBLE-GLAZING AND AIR-CONDITIONING IN 1992/93 AND THE RESURFACING OF EIGHT MORE SECTIONS OF ROADS IN KOWLOON AND NEW TERRITORIES WITH A QUIET ROAD MIXTURE.
MR EASON DISCLOSED THAT THE PENALTIES UNDER ENVIRONMENTAL ORDINANCES ARE BEING INCREASED TO BRING THEM UP TO DATE AND TO REFLECT MORE ACCURATELY THE COST OF DEALING WITH ENVIRONMENTAL ABUSE.
THE ROAD TRAFFIC ORDINANCE WILL ALSO BE AMENDED TO EMPOWER THE COMMISSIONER FOR TRANSPORT TO IMPLEMENT TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT SCHEMES ON ENVIRONMENTAL GROUNDS.
ON THE CONSERVATION SIDE, ACTION IS IN HAND TO ESTABLISH THE FIRST MARINE PARKS AND RESERVES IN HONG KONG.
THE ADMINISTRATION IS ALSO CONSIDERING THE DETAILS OF THE RIO CONVENTION ON BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY AND ITS APPLICATION TO HK.
WITH REGARD TO TOWN PLANNING, THE CONCLUSIONS DRAWN FROM THE CONSULTATION EXERCISE ON THE REVIEW OF THE TOWN PLANNING ORDINANCE WOULD BE SET OUT IN THE FORM OF A WHITE BILL TO BE PUBLISHED IN MID-1993.
HE ALSO SAID THE TERRITORIAL DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY IS BEING UPDATED TO TAKE INTO ACCOUNT PORT AND AIRPORT DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY, METROPLAN AND RECENT INFRASTRUCTURAL DEVELOPMENTS IN HONG KONG AND IN SOUTHERN CHINA.
"PARTICULAR ATTENTION WILL BE GIVEN TO INDUSTRIAL LAND AND STORAGE AREA REQUIREMENTS AND THE NEED FOR PORT EXPANSION AND STRATEGIC TRANSPORT REQUIREMENTS," HE SAID.
------0--------
SIGNIFICANT INCREASE IN EDUCATION SPENDING
*****
THE OVERALL RECURRENT EXPENDITURE IN EDUCATION WILL RISE BY 15.8 PER CENT IN REAL TERMS BETWEEN NOW AND 1996/97, THE SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER, MR JOHN CHAN, SAID.
COUPLED WITH THE FORECAST DECLINE IN THE STUDENT POPULATION, THIS TRANSLATES INTO AN INCREASE IN THE AVERAGE SPENDING PER STUDENT OF 24 PER CENT, HE SAID.
"WHILE THIS WILL NOT SATISFY EVERYONE'S ASPIRATIONS, THE RATE OF PROGRESS IS SIGNIFICANT BY ANY STANDARDS, AND CERTAINLY NO LESS THAN THE FORECAST RATE OF REAL ECONOMIC GROWTH."
/SPEAKING DURING
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 28, 1992
18
SPEAKING DURING THE DEBATE ON THE MOTION OF THANKS FOR THE GOVERNOR'S POLICY ADDRESS IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY), MR CHAN OUTLINED VARIOUS CHANGES THAT WOULD BE MADE TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF EDUCATION.
TO UPGRADE THE COLLEGE OF EDUCATION AND IDENTIFY THE ADMINISTRATIVE AND ACADEMIC TASKS WHICH MUST NOW BE DONE, THE I' ^VISIONAL GOVERNING COUNCIL WILL WORK TOWARDS THE GOAL OF CREATING . INSTITUTE OF EDUCATION BY OCTOBER 1994.
MEANWHILE, MR CHAN SAID, INTERIM IMPROVEMENTS WILL BE MADE IN COLLEGES, SUCH AS UPGRADING THE STAFF, LIBRARIES AND EQUIPMENT, AND IMPROVING THE PROMOTION RATIO FOR THE BASIC LECTURER RANK.
HE ALSO NOTED THAT THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON TEACHER EDUCATION AND QUALIFICATIONS RECOMMENDED IN EDUCATION COMMISSION REPORT NO. 5 (ECR 5) WOULD BE SET UP AS EARLY AS POSSIBLE IN 1993.
THIS COMMITTEE WILL, AS A PRIORITY TASK, DEVELOP AN ASSESSMENT i .CHANISM FOR HOLDERS OF NON-STANDARD TEACHING QUALIFICATIONS.
"THIS WILL HELP US IDENTIFY A LARGER POOL OF POTENTIAL TEACHERS ■ > ENABLE THOSE WHO DEMONSTRATE THEIR COMPETENCE THROUGH OPEN TESTS T. BE APPOINTED AS QUALIFIED TEACHERS," MR CHAN SAID.
HE ADDED THAT SOME OF THE 780 NEW TEACHING POSTS TO BE CREATED NEXT YEAR WOULD BE FILLED THROUGH THIS NEW MECHANISM.
HOWEVER HE WAS QUICK TO ADDRESS SOME MEMBERS’ WORRY THAT ALTTY WOULD BE LOWERED BY ADDING TOO MANY NEW TEACHERS TO THE SCHOOLS TOO QUICKLY.
"THE WHOLE THRUST OF THE ECR 5 STRATEGY IS TO ENABLE SCHOOLS TO PROVIDE A HIGHER QUALITY SERVICE," HE SAID.
"IN THE LONGER TERM, THIS HIGHER QUALITY WILL EMERGE FROM THE GREATER ATTRACTION OF TEACHING AS A CAREER, A REVITALISED TEACHER EDUCATION PROGRAMME, AND ENCOURAGEMENT FOR TEACHERS TO UPGRADE THEIR QUALIFICATIONS THROUGHOUT THEIR CAREER.
"IN THE SHORT TERM, SCHOOLS SHOULD BE ABLE TO FILL THEIR NEW POSTS WITH COMPETENT TEACHERS, INCLUDING SOME EXPERIENCED TEACHERS DEFERRING THEIR RETIREMENT BY A YEAR OR TWO, AND SOME HOLDERS OF NONSTANDARD QUALIFICATIONS WHO HAVE PROVED THEIR SUITABILITY TO TEACH."
AS FOR KINDERGARTEN EDUCATION, MR CHAN SAID THE EXISTING POLICY WAS TO ENABLE ALL TO HAVE ACCESS TO KINDERGARTEN, BY PROVIDING FEE REMISSION TO THOSE WHO NEED IT AND BY SUBSIDISING, TO THE TUNE OF $113 MILLION THIS YEAR, THE RENT AND RATES OF NON-PROFIT MAKING KINDERGARTEN.
HE SAID THE MAIN CONCERN AT THIS LEVEL OF EDUCATION WAS TO RAISE THE QUALITY OF TEACHERS.
/TO HELP .......
WEDNESDAY,OCTOBER 28, 1992
- 19 -
TO HELP PARENTS MEET THE HIGHER FEES THAT AROSE FROM EMPLOYMENT OF TRAINED TEACHERS, FUNDING TO FEE REMISSION WILL BE INCREASED BY 145 PER CENT OVER THE NEXT FIVE YEARS, FROM $26 MILLION THIS YEAR TO $63 MILLION IN 1996/97.
MR CHAN SAID: "THE KINDERGARTEN FEE REMISSION SCHEME WILL BY THEN BE FULLY ALIGNED WITH THE POINTS SYSTEM FOR SENIOR SECONDARY FEE REMISSION.
"WITH THIS SUBSTANTIALLY INCREASED SUPPORT FOR FAMILIES WHO NEED HELP WITH KINDERGARTEN FEES, WE SHALL BE IN A POSITION TO CONSIDER LEGISLATING FOR A MINIMUM PROPORTION OF TRAINED STAFF IN EACH KINDERGARTEN."
THIS WILL INCREASE THE DEMAND FOR TRAINED TEACHERS AND LEAD TO IMPROVED SALARIES, WHICH IN TURN, MOTIVATE MORE YOUNG PEOPLE TO UNDERGO TRAINING AS QUALIFIED KINDERGARTEN TEACHERS, HE ADDED.
ON THE ABOLITION OF FLOTATION CLASSES, MR CHAN SAID NEW SCHOOLS BUILT SINCE 1990 HAVE ENOUGH CLASSROOMS TO PROVIDE A BASE FOR ALL CLASSES AT OR BELOW SECONDARY 5.
THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT WILL DISCUSS WITH EXISTING SCHOOLS WITH A VIEW TO IDENTIFYING SUITABLE SOLUTIONS.
FOR FLOTATION AT SECONDARY 6 AND 7, HE SAID THE ANTICIPATED DECLINE IN SECONDARY SCHOOL ENROLMENT IN THE LATTER HALF OF THE 1990’S SHOULD OFFER PROSPECTS FOR IMPROVEMENT.
HOWEVER, HE POINTED OUT THAT SPLIT CLASSES AND SMALL GROUP TEACHING WAS VERY MUCH A FACT OF LIFE AND FLOTATION DID HELP ACCLIMATISE STUDENTS FOR TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS WHICH DO NOT AS A RULE PROVIDE SPECIFIC CLASSROOMS.
HE NOTED THAT OF THE EXISTING 1,460 FLOATING CLASSES, 1,100 ARE IN SECONDARY 6 AND 7 AND SOME 360 ARE AT SECONDARY 5 OR BELOW.
MR CHAN ALSO SPOKE OF VARIOUS CHANGES IN THE SCHOOL MANAGEMENT FRAMEWORK TO BE CARRIED OUT IN 1993 IN ORDER TO MAXIMISE THE BENEFIT OF THE IMPROVED TEACHER/STUDENT RATIOS, INCLUDING THE SETTING UP OF A COMMITTEE ON HOME-SCHOOL CO-OPERATION AND THE DEVELOPMENT OF A SYSTEMATIC, SCHOOL-BASED INDUCTION PROGRAMME FOR NEW TEACHERS.
TURNING TO EMPLOYMENT-RELATED MATTERS, THE SECRETARY NOTED THAT THE CALL FOR A GREAT EXPANSION OF RETRAINING PROGRAMME FOR WORKERS WAS WELL-MEANT BUT HAVE BEEN FOUNDED ON A MISREADING OF THE STATISTICS.
ACCORDING TO THE LATEST MANPOWER FORECAST RELEASED IN DECEMBER 1991, IT WAS PROJECTED THAT BY 1996, THE WORKFORCE WOULD INCLUDE 84,600 WORKERS WITH JUNIOR SECONDARY EDUCATION OR BELOW BUT OCCUPYING POSTS REQUIRING A HIGHER EDUCATIONAL QUALIFICATION.
THIS FIGURE REFERS TO PEOPLE WHO ARE ALREADY IN EMPLOYMENT AND DOES NOT EQUATE WITH THE REQUIREMENT FOR RETRAINING, HE SAID, NOTING THAT THE 1991 CENSUS SHOWED THAT 33,600 PEOPLE WITH JUNIOR SECONDARY EDUCATION OR BELOW WERE WORKING AS "MANAGERS AND ADMINISTRATORS".
/THE EMPLOYEES
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 28, 1992
20
THE EMPLOYEES RETRAINING SCHEME IS TARGETED AT THOSE WORKERS WHO HAVE DISPLACED FROM THEIR JOBS BECAUSE THEIR SKILLS HAVE BECOME REDUNDANT AS A RESULT OF STRUCTURAL CHANGES IN THE ECONOMY, AND WHO NEED SPECIAL ASSISTANCE TO ACQUIRE NEW SKILLS IN ORDER TO FIND NEW EMPLOYMENT, HE SAID.
THE PRELIMINARY RESULTS OF A SPECIAL SURVEY CONDUCTED RECENTLY TO QUANTIFY THE SIZE OF THIS TARGET GROUP INDICATED THAT SOME 31,000 WORKERS HAD BEEN DISPLACED FROM THEIR JOBS DURING THE 12-MONTH PERIOD ENDING JUNE THIS YEAR BECAUSE THEIR FORMER EMPLOYERS’ BUSINESSES HAD CLOSED DOWN OR MOVED ELSEWHERE OR BECAUSE THEIR JOBS HAD BEEN MADE REDUNDANT.
HOWEVER, THE MAJORITY OF THESE WORKERS HAD MANAGED TO SECURE NEW EMPLOYMENT WITHIN THREE MONTHS. ONLY ABOUT 10,000 OF THEM HAD REMAINED UNEMPLOYED FOR THREE MONTHS OR LONGER.
IT IS RIGHT THAT WE SHOULD FOCUS ON THIS GROUP AT PRESENT AND REVIEW THE DEMAND REGULARLY, HE SAID.
MR CHAN ALSO NOTED A NUMBER OF BILLS DEALING WITH LABOUR MATTERS WHICH WOULD BE INTRODUCED IN THE COUNCIL’S CURRENT SESSION, INCLUDING DRAFT LEGISLATION TO INSTITUTE A COMPENSATION SCHEME FOR NOISE-INDUCED HEARING LOSS AND TO INCREASE THE LEVEL OF EX-GRATIA PAYMENT.
- - 0--------
STI ELABORATES ON COMPETITION POLICY
******
THE SECRETARY FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY, MR T H CHAU, TODAY (WEDNESDAY) EXPANDED ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF A COMPREHENSIVE COMPETITION POLICY AND THF ROLE OF THE GOVERNOR’S BUSINESS COUNCIL.
SPEAKING AT THE RESUMED DEBATE ON THE GOVERNOR'S POLICY ADDRESS IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, MR CHAU SAID ENHANCING COMPETITION AND PROVIDING MORE PROTECTION TO CONSUMERS DID NOT NECESSARILY HAD TO BE AT THE EXPENSE OF INHIBITING COMMERCIAL AND BUSINESS GROWTH.
CITING EXAMPLES IN THE TELECOMMUNICATIONS SECTOR, HE SAID THE GOVERNMENT HAD RECENTLY INVITED APPLICATIONS FOR ADDITIONAL LOCAL FIXED TELECOMS NETWORK LICENCES.
HONG KONG SERVICES FRANCHISE
THE LICENCES ARE TO BE ISSUED IN COMPETITION WITH THAT OF --------------------------------------------- » m » AND
TELEPHONE COMPANY, INITIALLY TO PROVIDE DATA AND THEN, BEYOND THE EXPIRY OF THE TELEPHONE
OVER LOCAL FIXED NETWORK VOICE TELEPHONY IN 1995,
THE
FAX
COMPANY’S
TO COVER
THIS SECTOR AS WELL, HE ADDED.
IN THE AREA OF PUBLIC TRANSPORT, HE SAID A NEW BUS FRANCHISE FOR A PACKAGE OF 2G ROUTES ON HONG KONG ISLAND HAD RECENTLY BEEN AWARDED TO A NEW OPERATOR THROUGH COMPETITIVE TENDER.
/"THE GOVERNMENT .......
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 28, 1992
21
"THE GOVERNMENT WILL CONTINUE TO BUILD ON THESE INITIATIVES WHILE DEVELOPING A COMPREHENSIVE COMPETITION POLICY," MR CHAU SAID.
HE SAID AT THE PRESENT FORMATIVE STAGE, THE GOVERNMENT WOULD BE CONSIDERING A WHOLE RANGE OF ISSUES, INCLUDING FOR EXAMPLE, WHAT COMPETITION POLICY WAS BEST SUITED TO HONG KONG’S CIRCUMSTANCES.
MR CHAU ASSURED THE COUNCIL THAT IN THE COURSE OF DELIBERATION, THE GOVERNMENT WOULD TAKE INTO ACCOUNT THE VIEWS OF MEMBERS AND WOULD CONSULT OTHER RELEVANT ORGANISATIONS, SUCH AS THE CONSUMER COUNCIL, IN ADDITION TO THE GOVERNOR’S BUSINESS COUNCIL.
TURNING TO THE REPRESENTATION OF THE GOVERNOR’S BUSINESS COUNCIL, HE SAID IT WOULD ACT AS AN ADDITIONAL SOURCE OF EXPERT ADVICE FROM THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY.
"THE ABSENCE OF NON-BUSINESS SECTORS ON THE COUNCIL DOES NOT MEAN THAT THEIR VIEWS ARE UNIMPORTANT OR WILL BE IGNORED.
"QUITE THE REVERSE. THE GOVERNMENT WILL CONTINUE TO SEEK THE VIEWS OF THESE SECTORS AND CONSULT OTHER ADVISORY BODIES WHEN A POLICY OR PROPOSAL AFFECTS THEIR SPECIFIC INTEREST," HE SAID.
THE MANY ADVISORY BODIES WITH MULTI-SECTOR REPRESENTATION ALREADY PROVIDE THE ADMINISTRATION AND THE GOVERNOR WITH VALUABLE ADVICE, HE SAID.
"THEY WILL CONTINUE TO DO SO. THERE IS NO INTENTION AT ALL TO SIDESTEP THIS EXISTING NETWORK OF CONSULTATION," HE ADDED.
ON CONCERN ABOUT THE LACK OF REPRESENTATIVES OF SMALL BUSINESSES ON THE COUNCIL, MR CHAU ASSURED MEMBERS THAT THE GOVERNOR’S MIND WAS OPEN ON THIS.
"THERE IS NO REASON WHY THE COMPOSITION AND MEMBERSHIP OF THE COUNCIL SHOULD NOT EVOLVE OVER TIME TO REFLECT CHANGING CIRCUMSTANCES AND NEEDS," HE ADDED.
TURNING TO THE INDUSTRIAL POLICY, MR CHAU SAID THE ADMINISTRATION WAS COMMITTED TO ALLOWING THE FREE PLAY OF MARKET FORCES AND TO TAKE FULL ADVANTAGE OF THE OPPORTUNITIES WHICH THE OPENING UP OF CHINA HAD PRESENTED.
"THAT SAID, WE ARE COMMITTED TO SUPPORT INDUSTRY’S OWN EFFORTS TO IMPROVE ITS QUALITY, ITS EFFICIENCY, AND ITS DEVELOPMENT AND USE OF TECHNOLOGY," HE SAID.
IN ADDITION TO MAINTAINING A FAVOURABLE CLIMATE FOR BUSINESS AS A WHOLE, THE GOVERNMENT HAS INVESTED HEAVILY IN PROJECTS WHICH ARE SPECIFICALLY TARGETED AT SUPPORTING INDUSTRIAL UPGRADING.
EXAMPLES ARE THE DEVELOPMENT OF A THIRD INDUSTRIAL ESTATE AT TSEUNG KWAN O, THE WIDE RANGE OF SERVICES PROVIDED BY THE HONG KONG PRODUCTIVITY COUNCIL, THE CONSTRUCTION OF A NEW INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGY CENTRE, AN ALLOCATION OF $200 MILLION FOR INVESTMENT IN APPLIED RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT IN INDUSTRY AND THE INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT’S INWARD INVESTMENT PROGRAMME.
/ALSO, HE ........
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 28, 1992
22
ALSO, HE SAID THE INDUSTRY AND TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL WILL ADVISE THE GOVERNMENT ON HOW ITS SUPPORT CAN BE MOST EFFECTIVELY CHANNELLED, AND ON WHAT ADDITIONAL RESOURCES SHOULD BE CONSIDERED.
"THE FACT THAT WE HAVE INSTITUTED PROGRAMMES WHICH ARE SPECIALLY DESIGNED TO SUPPORT INDUSTRY IS A RECOGNITION OF THE IMPORTANCE WHICH WE ATTACH TO THIS VITAL ECONOMIC SECTOR.
"AND I WOULD ADD THAT OUR THINKING ON HOW AND TO WHAT EXTENT WE SHOULD SUPPORT INDUSTRY IS BY NO MEANS STATIC," HE SAID.
------0--------
SMUGGLING AND JUVENILE CRIME REMAIN A MAJOR CONCERN
*****
SMUGGLING AND JUVENILE CRIME REMAIN TWO AREAS OF MAJOR CONCERN AGAINST A BACKGROUND OF A SIX PER CENT DROP IN OVERALL CRIME, THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, MR ALISTAIR ASPREY, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
SPEAKING DURING THE RESUMED DEBATE ON THE MOTION OF THANKS, MR ASPREY SAID SEVERAL FACTORS HAD CONTRIBUTED TO THE DROP IN OVERALL CRIME RATE.
THESE ARE INCREASED POLICE DEPLOYMENT ON THE STREETS, INCREASED CO-OPERATION WITH CHINA TO TACKLE THE PROBLEM OF CROSS-BORDER CRIME AND CHANGES IN LEGISLATION IN RESPONSE TO CHANGES IN THE PATTERN AND NATURE OF CRIME.
HE SAID JUVENILE CRIME RATE HAD IN FACT DROPPED BY EIGHT PER CENT IN THE FIRST THREE QUARTERS OF THIS YEAR WHEN COMPARED WITH THE SAME PERIOD LAST YEAR.
BUT WHAT WAS WORRYING WAS THAT YOUNGSTERS WERE INCREASINGLY BECOMING INVOLVED IN MORE SERIOUS OFFENCES, SUCH AS BURGLARIES, ROBBERIES AND UNLAWFUL SOCIETY OFFENCES, HE ADDED.
ALTHOUGH THERE WAS NO ORGANISED TRIAD CAMPAIGN TO ENTER SCHOOLS TO RECRUIT STUDENTS, SOME SCHOOLS DID SUFFER FROM TRIAD AND OTHER GANG ACTIVITIES, HE NOTED.
"TO TACKLE THIS PROBLEM, THE POLICE WILL MAINTAIN A PRESENCE AROUND SCHOOLS DURING SCHOOL HOURS, AND STEPS ARE BEING TAKEN TO REINFORCE AND CO-ORDINATE BETTER SUPPORT GIVEN BY A NUMBER OF DEPARTMENTS TO SCHOOLS WITH TRIAD AND GANG PROBLEMS," HE SAID.
ON THE SUBSTANTIAL INCREASES IN SMUGGLING OFFENCES AND THE RELATED PROBLEM OF CAR THEFT, MR ASPREY SAID THE PRESENT SCALE OF THE PROBLEM AND THE BLATANT FLOUTING OF THE LAW CALL FOR INCREASED PENALTIES.
"THE PRESENT MAXIMUM PENALTIES FOR THE MAIN SMUGGLING OFFENCES ARE A FINE OF $500,000 AND IMPRISONMENT FOR TWO YEARS ON SUMMARY CONVICTION.
/"I WILL .......
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 28, 1992
23
"I WILL BE PROPOSING THAT THESE OFFENCES BE MADE TRIABLE ON INDICTMENT, WITH PENALTIES INCREASED TO A MAXIMUM FINE OF $2 MILLION AND SEVEN YEARS’ IMPRISONMENT,” HE SAID.
HE WOULD ALSO BE PROPOSING FURTHER CONTROLS ON THE OPERATION AND DESIGN OF ’’CHUNG FEI" SPEEDBOATS, ALONG THE LINES OF THE CONTROLS INTRODUCED LAST YEAR ON "TAI FEIS”, WHICH EFFECTIVELY REDUCED THEIR NUMBER AND THEIR OPERATION ON HONG KONG.
ANOTHER PROPOSAL TO DETER CAR THEFT WHICH HE INTENDED TO BRING FORWARD WAS TO INCREASE THE MAXIMUM PENALTY FOR THE OFFENCE FROM THREE YEARS’ TO SEVEN YEARS’ IMPRISONMENT.
HE SAID NEW LEGISLATIVE MEASURES WERE IMPORTANT BUT WERE NOT THE ONLY WEAPON TO COMBAT SMUGGLING. VIGOROUS ENFORCEMENT ACTION WAS ALSO REQUIRED, TOGETHER WITH EFFECTIVE CROSS-BORDER CO-OPERATION.
HONG KONG AND CHINA HAD A COMMON INTEREST IN THIS PROBLEM AND THERE HAD BEEN GOOD CO-OPERATION BETWEEN THE TWO SIDES IN THE PAST YEAR, NOT ONLY AGAINST SMUGGLING BUT AGAINST CROSS-BORDER CRIME GENERALLY, HE NOTED.
"BUT THERE IS SCOPE FOR GREATER CO-OPERATION, AND THE POLICE ARE DISCUSSING WITH THEIR CHINESE COUNTERPARTS THE MOUNTING OF FURTHER CO-ORDINATED OPERATIONS AGAINST SMUGGLING.”
ON ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION, MR ASPREY SAID THE SEEKING THE CO-OPERATION OF WORKERS AND EMPLOYERS’ TACKLE THIS PROBLEM.
AUTHORITIES WERE
ORGANISATIONS TO
"WE ARE ALSO DISCUSSING WITH THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY MEASURES TO IMPROVE THE MANAGEMENT AND SECURITY OF CONSTRUCTION SITES, SO AS TO MAKE IT MORE DIFFICULT FOR ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS TO WORK THERE.
"WE ARE ALSO WORKING ON IMPROVED PUBLICITY, TO EXPLAIN TO WOULD-BE ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS IN CHINA THE RISKS AND PENALTIES THEY FACE IF THEY TRY TO ENTER HONG KONG," HE SAID.
TURNING TO THE POLICE FORCE, MR ASPREY SAID POLICE RECRUITMENT HAD PICKED UP GREATLY SINCE THE ANNOUNCEMENT IN MAY THIS YEAR OF MEASURES TO IMPROVE THE RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION OF JUNIOR POLICE OFFICERS.
THE POLICE FORCE HAD ALSO CIVILIANISED A NUMBER OF NON-OPERATIONAL POSTS AND TO TRANSFER CERTAIN NON-CONSTABULARY DUTIES TO OTHER DEPARTMENTS.
"I CAN ALSO NOW CONFIDENTLY PREDICT THE CLOSURE OF THE SEK KONG DETENTION CENTRE IN THE NEXT FEW MONTHS, AND THE CONSEQUENT TRANSFER OF POLICE MANPOWER FROM VIETNAMESE CENTRE DUTIES BACK TO NORMAL POLICE WORK," HE SAID.
THE NET EFFECT OF ALL THESE MEASURES WILL BE A CONTINUING INCREASE OVER THE COMING MONTHS IN THE NUMBER OF POLICE OFFICERS DEPLOYED ON THE STREETS.
/HE SAID .......
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 28, 1992
24
HE SAID THE POLICE FORCE WAS ALSO FINALISING PROPOSALS FOR FURTHER COMPUTERISATION OF ITS CRIME INVESTIGATION AND ADMINISTRATIVE AND SUPPORT SYSTEMS.
THESE SHOULD RESULT IN CONSIDERABLE SAVINGS IN MANPOWER, IMPROVED OPERATIONAL EFFICIENCY, AND A BETTER SERVICE TO THE PUBLIC.
ON THE PROBLEM OF VIETNAMESE MIGRANTS, MR ASPREY SAID HE VIEWED WITH RELIEF THE ABSENCE OF ANY REFERENCE TO THE VIETNAMESE MIGRANTS IN THE GOVERNOR’S POLICY ADDRESS.
HE NOTED THAT A YEAR AGO, THE VIETNAMESE POPULATION IN THE CENTRES STOOD AT OVER 64,000. TODAY IT WAS ABOUT 48,000.
’’ALTHOUGH WE HAVE A LONG WAY TO GO TO RESOLVE THE PROBLEM, I BELIEVE THAT WE SHOULD BE ABLE TO SUSTAIN IN FUTURE AT LEAST THE SAME STEADY REDUCTION IN POPULATION THAT WE HAVE SEEN OVER THE PAST 12 MONTHS,” HE SAID.
- - 0 - -
MEASURES TO TACKLE CONGESTION IN NORTHWEST NEW TERRITORIES
*****
THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT, MR MICHAEL LEUNG, TODAY (WEDNESDAY) OUTLINED A SERIES OF MEASURES TO DEAL WITH TRAFFIC CONGESTION IN THE NORTHWEST NEW TERRITORIES.
SPEAKING AT THE RESUMED DEBATE ON THE MOTION OF THANKS FOR THE GOVERNOR’S ADDRESS IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, MR LEUNG SAID A WORKING GROUP COMPRISING REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ADMINISTRATION AND RELEVANT DISTRICT BOARDS IS BEING SET UP TO EXPLORE WHAT CAN BE DONE TO MANAGE ROAD SPACE BETTER AND TO IMPROVE PUBLIC TRANSPORT IN THE NORTHWEST NEW TERRITORIES.
THE GROUP WILL CONSIDER THE BETTER SCHEDULING OF ROAD MAINTENANCE PROGRAMMES SO AS TO MINIMISE TRAFFIC DISRUPTION.
OTHER MATTERS TO BE CONSIDERED INCLUDE THE PROS AND CONS OF INTRODUCING BUS-ONLY LANES AND OTHER MANAGEMENT MEASURES TO FACILITATE PUBLIC TRANSPORT MOVEMENTS DURING PEAK HOURS.
THE WORKING GROUP IS EXPECTED TO SUBMIT THE FIRST REPORT TO THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT WITHIN THREE MONTHS OF ITS ESTABLISHMENT.
MR LEUNG ALSO DISCLOSED THAT DISCUSSIONS ARE NOW TAKING PLACE WITH ALL FERRY OPERATORS ON HOW BEST TO OPEN UP MORE FERRY SERVICES TO TUEN MUN, PARTICULARLY DURING PEAK HOURS.
"WE BELIEVE THAT THERE IS SCOPE TO INTRODUCE MORE HEALTHY COMPETITION BY BRINGING IN NEW OPERATORS AND ADDING NEW ROUTES TO SERVE THE EXPANDING POPULATION OF THE NORTHWEST NEW TERRITORIES,” MR LEUNG SAID.
/IN THE
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 28, 1992
25
IN THE LONGER TERM, MR LEUNG SAID THE SOLUTION TO ROAD CONGESTION IN THE NORTHWEST NEW TERRITORIES LAY IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE COUNTRY PARK SECTION OF ROUTE 3.
PRELIMINARY DESIGNS OF THIS $10 BILLION PROJECT ARE IN HAND AND A REPORT IS EXPECTED FROM THE FINANCIAL CONSULTANTS NEXT MONTH ON HOW BEST THE PROJECT COULD BE FINANCED BY THE PRIVATE SECTOR SO THAT IT COULD BE BUILT AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.
ON PEAK HOUR CONGESTION OF THE LIGHT RAIL TRANSIT SYSTEM (LRT), MR LEUNG SAID A REVIEW IS IN HAND TO CONSIDER HOW BEST TO RELAX EXISTING RULES IN THE TRANSIT SERVICE AREA.
RESULTS OF THE REVIEW WILL BE RELEASED EARLY NEXT YEAR FOR PUBLIC DISCUSSION.
OTHER MEASURES TO IMPROVE TRAFFIC FLOW IN THE NORTHWEST NEW TERRITORIES INCLUDE A $2.7 BILLION ROAD CONSTRUCTION PROGRAMME, AN EXTENSION OF THE LRT TO TIN SHUI WAI, AND AN EXTENSIVE ROAD IMPROVEMENT PROGRAMME WHICH INCLUDES PLANS FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF CLIMBING LANES IN THE UPHILL SECTION OF THE TUEN MUN HIGHWAY AND THE WIDENING OF SECTIONS OF CASTLE PEAK ROAD.
ON LONG-TERM TRANSPORT PLANNING, MR LEUNG SAID A CONSULTANTS REPORT ON RAIL DEVELOPMENT SHOULD BE AVAILABLE BY THE END OF THIS YEAR.
THE REPORT WILL COVER RAIL LINKS TO THE NORTHWEST NEW TERRITORIES AND OTHER AREAS INCLUDING TSEUNG KWAN 0.
MR LEUNG STRESSED THAT THE GOVERNMENT HAS NOT COMMITTED TO BUILDING AN MTR EXTENSION TO TSEUNG KWAN 0 UNTIL AN OVERALL VIEW IS TAKEN ON ITS VIABILITY AND ITS RELATIVE PRIORITY COMPARED WITH OTHER RAIL. DEVELOPMENT SCHEMES.
ALSO BY EARLY NEXT YEAR, A FREIGHT TRANSPORT STUDY WILL BE FINALISED. THE STUDY WILL RECOMMEND A POSSIBLE FREIGHT RAIL LINE TO THE CONTAINER PORT AND MEASURES TO ORGANISE THE TRUCKING INDUSTRY MORE EFFICIENTLY.
REVIEWING TRANSPORT DEVELOPMENT, MR LEUNG SAID HONG KONG CAN JUSTIFIABLY BE PROUD OF ITS RECORD.
"OVER THE PAST 10 YEARS, WE HAVE BUILT THREE MTR LINES, ONE LIGHT RAIL SYSTEM, SIX TUNNELS AND OVER 350 KILOMETRES OF ROAD.
"WE HAVE ADDED 120 BUS ROUTES, 70 RESIDENTIAL COACH SERVICES AND 150 GREEN MINIBUS SERVICES.”
IN ADDITION, THE KCRC HAS INVESTED $5.8 BILLION IN UPGRADING ITS SYSTEM AND ROLLING STOCK AND THE MTRC HAVE SPENT $15 BILLION, MR LEUNG SAID.
"BUT NO CITY IN THE WORLD CAN EVER REMOVE TRAFFIC CONGESTION COMPLETELY.
/"INDEED, TRAFFIC .......
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 28, 1992
26
"INDEED, TRAFFIC CONGESTION CAN BE REGARDED AS A SIGN OF A DYNAMIC AND GROWING ECONOMY.
"NEW ROADS WILL SOON BECOME FULL BECAUSE OF RELEASED SUPPRESSED DEMANDS.
"WE CAN NEVER BUILD OURSELVES OUT OF CONGESTION. THE SIMPLE TRUTH IS THAT TRAFFIC CONGESTION HERE AND ANYWHERE ELSE IN THE WORLD CAN ONLY BE CONTAINED AND MANAGED, NOT ELIMINATED,” MR LEUNG SAID.
------0--------
ANXIETY ABOUT FUNDING FOR SOCIAL SECURITY SCHEME ALLAYED
« » » * *
THE INJECTION INTO THE LOTTERIES FUND OF $2.3 BILLION TO MEET THE RECURRENT SPENDING ON NEW WELFARE SERVICES OVER THE NEXT FOUR YEARS IS MADE POSSIBLE BY THE GOOD REVENUE SITUATION THAT HONG KONG HAS ENJOYED IN THE RECENT PAST.
WHEN THIS INJECTION OF FUNDING IS EXHAUSTED, THE GOVERNMENT WILL BE ABLE TO ABSORB ITS COMMITMENTS INTO THE GENERAL REVENUE ACCOUNT.
THIS ASSURANCE WAS GIVEN BY THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, MRS ELIZABETH WONG, DURING THE RESUMED DEBATE ON THE MOTION OF THANKS IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
SOME LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLORS HAD CRITICISED THIS INJECTION OF NEW MONEY AS MERELY SETTLING OLD DEBTS, OR AT BEST OLD WINE IN NEW BOTTLE.
HOWEVER, MRS WONG REJECTED THIS CRITICISM, POINTING OUT THAT "WHETHER IT IS OLD WINE IN NEW BOTTLE OR NEW WINE IN OLD BOTTLE, THE BOTTLE IS NOT AT ISSUE HERE".
"WHAT MATTERS SURELY IS THE WINE," SHE CONTENDED. "IT IS THE BENEFITS TO THE PEOPLE THAT WE SHOULD BE CONCERNED WITH.
"THESE BENEFITS ARE NEW. THESE BENEFITS ARE ACHIEVEABLE. THIS IS THE POINT OF FOCUS."
SHE RECALLED THAT AT THE TIME OF THE PUBLICATION OF THE WHITE PAPER ON SOCIAL WELFARE AND THE GREEN PAPER ON REHABILITATION, THE MAIN CONCERN WAS THE LACK OF GOVERNMENT FINANCIAL COMMITMENT.
"NOW WE HAVE GOVERNMENT’S COMMITMENT AND WE SHOULD GET ON WITH THE WORK," SHE ADDED.
MRS WONG ALSO ADDRESSED SOME OF THE MAIN ISSUES RAISED BY MEMBERS IN THE COUNCIL EARLIER.
ON PUBLIC ASSISTANCE, SHE SAID THE SCHEME HAD DEVELOPED ON THE CONCEPT OF NEED TO ENSURE THAT THE CLIENTS’ STANDARD OF LIVING DID NOT LAG TOO FAR BEHIND THAT OF THE GENERAL POPULATION.
/IN FACT .......
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 28, 1992
27
IN FACT, SINCE THE SCHEME WAS FIRST INTRODUCED IN 1971, THE RATES HAVE BEEN ADJUSTED 14 TIMES ACCORDING TO THE MOVEMENT OF THE PUBLIC ASSISTANCE INDEX OF PRICES (PAIP) - FROM $70 PER PERSON PER MONTH IN THAT YEAR TO $825 THIS YEAR.
THIS REPRESENTS AN INCREASE OF 1,079 PER CENT AS COMPARED WITH THE PAIP WHICH HAS INCREASED ONLY BY 508 PER CENT BETWEEN 1971 AND 1992.
"IN OTHER WORDS, THE REAL INCREASE IN THE RATES EXCEEDS INFLATION RATE FOR PUBLIC ASSISTANCE RECIPIENTS," SHE SAID.
TO FURTHER IMPROVE THE LEVEL OF BENEFITS, A COMPREHENSIVE SOCIAL SECURITY ASSISTANCE SCHEME CONSISTING OF STANDARD RATES AND SPECIAL SUBSIDIES TO MEET INDIVIDUAL NEEDS OF RECIPIENTS WILL BE INTRODUCED ON JULY 1 NEXT YEAR.
MRS WONG TOLD THE COUNCIL THAT THE PUBLIC ASSISTANCE RATES WOULD BE ADJUSTED TWICE NEXT YEAR - FIRST, AN INCREASE IN APRIL UNDER PAIP FOR INFLATION AND SECONDLY, IN JULY TO IMPLEMENT REAL IMPROVEMENTS BROUGHT ABOUT BY THE COMPREHENSIVE SOCIAL SECURITY ASSISTANCE SCHEME ON TOP OF THE APRIL ADJUSTMENT.
AS REGARDS CALLS TO PERMIT OLD AGE ALLOWANCE AND DISABILITY ALLOWANCE RECIPIENTS TO CONTINUE RECEIVING THE ALLOWANCE WHILST THEY ARE ABSENT FROM HONG KONG, MRS WONG REITERATED THAT THE ALLOWANCE WAS MEANT FOR PERSONS ORDINARILY RESIDENT IN HONG KONG AND NOT HONG KONG PEOPLE WHO RESIDE PERMANENTLY OUTSIDE OF HONG KONG.
SHE SAID: "WE ARE NOW RELAXING THE ABSENCE RULE TO 180 DAYS. THIS IS A RATIONAL CUT-OFF POINT.
"IF WE ARE TO ABOLISH THE ABSENCE RULE COMPLETELY, ANY PERSON WHO FULFILS THE ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA WOULD RECEIVE THE ALLOWANCE FOR THE REST OF HIS LIFE EVEN IF HE IS SETTLED PERMANENTLY ELSEWHERE.
"THIS WOULD BE AN OPEN-ENDED COMMITMENT AND OPEN AT BOTH ENDS, THAT IS TO SAY BOTH IN TERMS OF THE NUMBER OF FUTURE APPLICATIONS AND THE DURATION OF INDIVIDUAL PAYMENT.
"THIS WOULD BE A TREMENDOUS BURDEN ON THOSE WHO REMAIN IN HONG KONG."
SHE ADDED THAT TO COMPLETELY RELAX THE ABSENCE RULE WOULD COST AT LEAST AN ADDITIONAL $300 MILLION A YEAR AT 1992-93 PRICES BASED ON-PRESENT QUALIFYING RESIDENCE REQUIREMENTS.
ON THE PROVISION OF YOUTH SERVICES, MRS WONG SAID THE REAL GROWTH IN THIS AREA WOULD BE INCREASED BY 10 PER CENT FROM THE PRESENT $477 MILLION TO $527 MILLION NEXT YEAR.
THERE WILL BE 18 ADDITIONAL SCHOOL SOCIAL WORKERS AND FOUR ADDITIONAL OUTREACHING SOCIAL WORK TEAMS IN 1993-94 ALONE. THE WHITE PAPER TARGET OF ONE SCHOOL SOCIAL WORKER TO 2,000 STUDENTS WILL BE ACHIEVED BY 1995-96 AND THE FULL WHITE PAPER TARGET OF 30 OUTREACHING SOCIAL WORK TEAMS BY 1994-95.
/AGREEING THAT .......
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 28, 1992
- 28 -
AGREEING THAT HONG KONG NEEDS A HOLISTIC APPROACH TO YOUTH SERVICES, MRS WONG CALLED ON TEACHERS, SOCIAL WORKERS AND PARENTS TO WORK TOGETHER TO EXPLORE WAYS TO ENABLE SCHOOL SOCIAL WORKERS TO FUNCTION AS PART OF THE SOCIAL TEAM.
IN THE AREA OF REHABILITATION, MRS WONG POINTED OUT THAT THE PROPOSED EXPENDITURE ON SOCIAL REHABILITATION ALONE WOULD INCREASE IN REAL TERMS BY 73 PER CENT - FROM 1992-93 REVISED ESTIMATES OF $483 MILLION TO $836 MILLION IN 1996-97.
SHE ASSURED MEMBERS THAT THE GOVERNMENT HAD UNDERTAKEN TO MEET TARGETS IN DAY AND RESIDENTIAL SERVICES FOR DISABLED PERSONS BY 1996-97, WELL BEFORE THE 10 YEARS AS ENVISAGED IN THE GREEN PAPER ON REHABILITATION.
A NUMBER OF ESSENTIAL IMPROVEMENT MEASURES WILL ALSO BE PUT IN PLACE. THESE INCLUDE THE EXPANSION OF SCHEDULED REHABUS ROUTES, AFTERCARE SERVICE FOR FORMER MENTAL PATIENTS, ADDITIONAL INTEGRATED PROGRAMME UNITS FOR DISABLED CHILDREN, AND ADDITIONAL RESOURCE TEACHERS FOR AUTISTIC CHILDREN.
TURNING TO HOSPITAL AND HEALTH SERVICES, MRS WONG SAID EXPENDITURE ON HOSPITAL AND HEALTH SERVICES THIS YEAR STOOD AT $12.5 BILLION. THIS WILL BE INCREASED TO $15.3 BILLION BY 1997.
THE MANY MEASURES THE GOVERNMENT HAS BEEN TAKING IN RECENT YEARS TO HELP RECRUIT AND RETAIN MORE NURSES ARE ALSO BEGINNING TO SHOW ENCOURAGING RESULTS: THE WASTAGE RATE OF NURSES IS REDUCED FROM OVER 13 PER CENT PREVIOUSLY TO 10 PER CENT NOW, AND THERE HAS BEEN A STEADY PATTERN OF HONG KONG NURSES RETURNING FROM OVERSEAS.
"WE WILL FURTHER RE-DEFINE AND RE-ALIGN THEIR DUTIES AND TAKE ALL NECESSARY STEPS TO ENSURE THAT WE DO NOT HAVE A SHORTAGE OF NURSING," SHE SAID.
AS REGARDS IMPROVEMENT TO HOSPITAL MANAGEMENT, MRS WONG REPORTED THAT THE HOSPITAL AUTHORITY WAS CONFIDENT TO BRING INTO OPERATION ALL THE 950 HOSPITAL BEDS COMING ON STREAM NEXT YEAR.
SHE NOTED THAT THE AUTHORITY HAD ALREADY SUCCEEDED IN ELIMINATING CAMP BEDS FROM TWO MAJOR HOSPITALS AHEAD OF SCHEDULE AND DEVISED NEW PROCEDURES FOR DRUG ADMINISTRATION.
IT IS NOW NETWORKING SERVICES TO ELIMINATE DUPLICATION, SETTING UP A PATIENT-RELATIONS SYSTEM TO RESPOND BETTER TO PATIENT NEEDS AND REDEPLOYING RESOURCES TO ENHANCE THE LEVEL AND QUALITY OF HOSPITAL SERVICES.
FINALLY, ON THE QUESTION OF MEDICAL POLICY, MRS WONG SAID THE GOVERNMENT HAD INTRODUCED MAJOR HOSPITAL REFORMS, REVIEWED THE PRIMARY HEALTH CARE SYSTEM AND ESTABLISHED THE ACADEMY OF MEDICINE.
"WE ARE NOW IN THE THROES OF PREPARING A GREEN PAPER ON OPTIONS FOR OUR FUTURE FEES AND WAIVER STRATEGY," SHE SAID.
/"OUR AIM .......
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 28, 1992
29
"OUR AIM IS FOR BETTER PATIENT CARE: TO ACHIEVE HIGHER QUALITY OF SERVICE, TO EFFECT BETTER COST-CONTAINMENT AND TO PROVIDE GREATER CHOICE AND COMFORT FOR OUR PATIENTS.
"ALL THESE ENDEAVOURS ARE UNDERTAKEN AGAINST THE BACKGROUND OF OUR TIME HONOURED POLICY THAT NO PERSON SHOULD BE PREVENTED, THROUGH LACK OF MEANS, FROM OBTAINING ADEQUATE MEDICAL TREATMENT.
"THIS IS OUR POLICY: THIS REMAINS OUR PLEDGE," MRS WONG
STATED.
- - 0 - -
GOVT COMMITTED TO PROMOTING ARTS AND CULTURE
*****
THE GOVERNMENT WAS FULLY COMMITTED TO PROMOTING CULTURE AND MAKING HONG KONG A CULTURAL CENTRE OF ASIA, THE SECRETARY FOR RECREATION AND CULTURE, MR JAMES SO, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
SPEAKING DURING THE RESUMED DEBATE ON THE GOVERNOR’S POLICY ADDRESS IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, MR SO SAID THE GOVERNMENT’S POLICY IN DEVELOPING CULTURE AND THE ARTS WAS TO PROVIDE THE NECESSARY INFRASTRUCTURE FOR THE ARTS TO DEVELOP, AND TO FORGE A SOCIAL ENVIRONMENT THAT WAS CONDUCIVE TO THE FLOURISHING OF THE ARTS.
"THIS POLICY HAS WORKED WELL, AND IN THE PAST 10 YEARS WE HAVE SEEN HONG KONG’S CULTURAL SCENE BLOSSOMING OUT IN A MOST COLOURFUL AND DIVERSED MANNER," HE SAID.
"HONG KONG IS NO LONGER A ’CULTURAL DESERT’. INDEED, IT HAS BECOME THE CULTURAL CENTRE OF ASIA, BLENDING AND OFFERING THE BEST OF EAST/WEST CULTURE.
"THIS ACHIEVEMENT IS HIGHLY REMARKABLE BY ANY STANDARD AND IT CLEARLY DEMONSTRATES THE GOVERNMENT’S DETERMINATION AND COMMITMENT TO NURTURE, PROMOTE AND DEVELOP CULTURE AND THE ARTS IN HONG KONG," HE ADDED.
HE EXPLAINED THAT ALTHOUGH GOVERNMENT FUNDS ALLOCATED TO THE COUNCIL FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS (CFPA) HAD BEEN FROZEN AT $35.14 MILLION IN THE LAST TWO YEARS, IT ONLY FOLLOWED A PERIOD OF RAPID GROWTH.
IN 1985/86, THE CFPA WAS ONLY ALLOCATED $15 MILLION. THIS WAS INCREASED TO $35.14 MILLION IN 1990/91, AN INCREASE OF OVER 230 PER CENT IN FIVE YEARS.
THIS WAS IN SPITE OF THE URBAN COUNCIL TAKING OVER THE FUNDING OF THE HONG KONG PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA FROM THE CFPA IN 1989, THUS RELEASING SOME $10 MILLION FROM CFPA’S FUNDS TO FINANCE NEW ACTIVITIES.
HOWEVER, MR SO SAID HE WOULD TRY HIS BEST TO OBTAIN A MODEST INCREASE IN THE FUNDS TO BE ALLOCATED TO THE CFPA IN THE NEXT FINANCIAL YEAR TO HELP NURTURE NEW AND BUDDING ARTS GROUPS.
/HE SAID
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 28, 1992
- 30 -
HE SAID APART FROM THE ALLOCATION OF FUNDS TO THE CFPA, SUPPORT TO THE ARTS HAD BEEN PROVIDED BY THE TWO MUNICIPAL COUNCILS.
IN 1990/91, THE MUNICIPAL COUNCILS SPENT $430 MILLION ON THE PRESENTATION OF ARTS PROGRAMMES AND FINANCIAL SUPPORT FOR THE VARIOUS PROFESSIONAL, SEMI-PROFESSIONAL AND AMATEUR PERFORMING GROUPS.
"THIS WAS RAISED TO $509 MILLION IN 1991/92 AND FURTHER INCREASED TO $539 MILLION IN 1992/93.”
HE ADDED THAT CORPORATE AND INDIVIDUAL SPONSORSHIP OF THE ARTS HAD INCREASED SIGNIFICANTLY IN THE LAST TWO YEARS.
THE CFPA HAD SUCCEEDED IN ATTRACTING OVER $3.86 MILLION WORTH OF SPONSORSHIP FOR NEW AND BUDDING PERFORMING GROUPS THROUGH THE MATCHING GRANT SCHEME IN THE LAST TWO YEARS.
MR SO SAID: "ALL THESE ARE IN LINE WITH OUR POLICY TO DEVELOP A CONSTRUCTIVE PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT, THE MUNICIPAL COUNCILS AND THE COMMUNITY TO PROMOTE CULTURE AND THE ARTS IN HONG KONG."
HE SAID THE GOVERNMENT WAS INTERESTED IN PROMOTING HONG KONG’S CULTURAL IMAGE ABROAD.
THE RECENT SUCCESS OF FESTIVAL HONG KONG ’92 IN CANADA WAS CLEAR INDICATION OF THE GOVERNMENT’S EFFORTS IN THIS REGARD, HE ADDED.
A TOTAL OF SEVEN PERFORMING TROUPES, COVERING DANCE, DRAMA AND MUSIC, WITH A CONTINGENT OF SOME 300 PERFORMERS AND ARTISTS, TOOK PART IN THE MULTI-FACETED FESTIVAL THROUGHOUT THIS MONTH IN CANADA.
MR SO TOLD THE COUNCIL THAT THE RECREATION AND CULTURE BRANCH WAS CURRENTLY CONDUCTING A REVIEW OF THE PRESENT ARTS POLICY IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE EDUCATION, URBAN SERVICES AND REGIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENTS AND IN CONSULTATION WITH THE CFPA.
"AT THE SAME TIME, I WOULD LIKE TO TAKE A CRITICAL LOOK AT THE ROLE OF THE CFPA TO SEE IF IT IS ADVISABLE TO REMODEL IT INTO AN ARTS COUNCIL OR AN ARTS DEVELOPMENT BOARD,” HE SAID.
HE SAID THE ARTS POLICY WOULD EVOLVE WITH SUITABLE INPUT FROM THE ARTS COMMUNITY AND ALL THOSE INVOLVED IN PROMOTING AND DEVELOPING CULTURE AND THE ARTS IN HONG KONG.
---------0-----------
/31 ........
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 28, 1992
- 31 -
MOTION UNDER CRIMINAL PROCEDURE ORDINANCE MOVED
*****
THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY) MOVED A MOTION UNDER CRIMINAL PROCEDURE ORDINANCE TO INCREASE THE MAXIMUM FEES PAYABLE TO COUNSEL AND SOLICITORS ENGAGED BY THE DIRECTOR OF LEGAL AID TO ACT FOR LEGALLY AIDED PERSONS IN CRIMINAL CASES.
MOVING THE MOTION, THE CHIEF SECRETARY, SIR DAVID FORD, SAID THE INCREASES WERE CONSIDERED NECESSARY BECAUSE OF INFLATION AND THE DIFFICULTY THE GOVERNMENT HAD EXPERIENCED IN ENGAGING THE SERVICES OF PRIVATE PRACTITIONERS IN LEGALLY AIDED CASES, PARTICULARLY IN THE MAGISTRACIES AND THE DISTRICT COURTS.
THESE FEES WERE LAST REVISED IN APRIL LAST YEAR. I
ON OCTOBER 16 THE FINANCE COMMITTE GAVE APPROVAL FOR THE FEE INCREASES TO BE IMPLEMENTED IN TWO STAGES: WITH EFFECT FROM NOVEMBER 1, 1992 AND APRIL 1, 1994.
THE FIRST STAGE OF THE INCREASES, AS PROVIDED FOR UNDER THE LEGAL AID IN CRIMINAL CASES (AMENDMENT) (NO. 2) RULES 1992, WILL HAVE THE EFFECT OF INCREASING PRESENT FEE LEVELS BY A RANGE OF BETWEEN 12.5% AND 50%.
"UNDER SECTION 9A OF THE CRIMINAL PROCEDURE ORDINANCE, THE CHIEF JUSTICE MAY, WITH THE APROVAL OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, MAKE RULES PRESCRIBING THE SCALE OF FEES AND COSTS WHICH SHALL BE PAID TO SOLICITORS OR COUNSEL ACTING FOR A LEGALLY AIDED PERSON," THE CHIEF SECRETARY SAID.
HE SAID THfe PROPOSED FEE INCREASES HAD THE SUPPORT OF THE LEGAL PROFESSION WHICH HAD BEEN CONSULTED ON THE PROPOSALS.
THE REVISED FEES WOULD ENABLE THE DIRECTOR OF LEGAL AID TO ENGAGE COUNSEL OF APPROPRIATE EXPERIENCE IN CRIMINAL CASES, HE SAID.
i
THE ATTORNEY GENERAL ALSO USES THE SAME FEES TO ENGAGE COUNSEL TO APPEAR IN COURT FOR THE CROWN, THE CHIEF SECRETARY ADDED.
---------0-----------
/32 .......
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 28, 1992
- 32 -
DIFFICULTIES IN* .ACTION AGAINST VICE
IN MASSAGE PARLOURS EXPLAINED
*****
THE MAJOR DIFFICULTY ENCOUNTERED BY THE POLICE IN TAKING ACTION AGAINST VICE IN MASSAGE ESTABLISHMENTS LIES IN PROVING THAT THE OPERATORS ARE KNOWINGLY INVOLVED IN SUCH ACTIVITIES, THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, MR ALISTAIR ASPREY, SAID.
IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON JAMES TO KUN-SUN IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY), MR ASPREY SAID WHEN SEXUAL SERVICES WERE PROVIDED IN THESE ESTABLISHMENTS, THE ARRANGEMENT WAS INVARIABLY MADE DIRECTLY BETWEEN THE CUSTOMER AND THE MASSEUSE, WITHOUT ANY OBVfOUS INVOLVEMENT ON THE PART OF THE OPERATORS OR MANAGEMENT.
. • • f .
"IT IS THEREFORE NOT EASY TO' PROSECUTE SUCCESSFULLY THE OPERATORS OF MASSAGE PARLOURS FOR A BREACH OF LICENSING CONDITIONS OR FOR KEEPING A VICE ESTABLISHMENT," HE SAID.
THERE ARE CURRENTLY 175 LICENSED MASSAGE ESTABLISHMENTS OPERATING IN HONG KONG. IN THE PAST FIVE YEARS, 20 LICENCES WERE REVOKED OR NOT RENEWED BECAUSE THE PREMISES WERE OPERATING AS VICE ESTABLISHMENTS.
MR ASPREY SAID: "WE DO NOT HAVE AN ACCURATE RECORD OF THE NUMBER OF UNLICENSED MASSAGE ESTABLISHMENTS. HOWEVER, THE SCALE OF THE PROBLEM IS INDICATED BY POLICE ESTIMATES THAT THERE ARE SOME 80 UNLICENSED MASSAGE ESTABLISHMENTS IN MONG KOK, WHERE MOST SUCH PREMISES ARE LOCATED.
"THE MAJORITY OF THE UNLICENSED MASSAGE PARLOURS ARE INVOLVED IN VICE ACTIVITIES."
MR ASPREY INFORMED tHE COUNCIL THAT THERE WERE NO PLANS AT PRESENT TO INCREASE THE MAXIMUM PENALTY OR TO PROVIDE FOR CLOSURE ORDERS.
"HOWEVER, WE WILL KEEP UNDER REVIEW THE NEED FOR CHANGES TO THE LAW," HE ADDED.
--------0-----------
BILL TO ENSURE SAFETY OF LIFE AT SEA *****
A BILL THAT AIMED TO PROVIDE THE DIRECTOR OF MARINE WITH NECESSARY ADDITIONAL POWERS TO ENSURE SAFETY OF LIFE AT SEA WAS INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MOVING TH|E SECOND READING OF THE MERCHANT SHIPPING (SAFETY) (AMENDMENT) BILL 1992, THE SECRETARY FOR ECONOMIC SERVICES, MRS ANSON CHAN, SAID THE FIRST POWER RELATED TO THE SURVEY OF FOREIGN REGISTERED PASSENGER SHIPS, OPERATING FROM HONG KONG, WHICH DID NOT CALL AT ANY OTHER PORT.
/FOREIGN REGISTERED
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 28, 1992
33
/
FOREIGN REGISTERED PASSENGER SHIPS BASED IN HONG KONG WHICH PROCEED ON SHORT VOYAGES WITHOUT CALLING AT ANOTHER PORT POSSESS VALID SAFETY CERTIFICATES ISSUED UNDER THE INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION FOR THE SAFETY OF LIFE AT SEA (SOLAS).
HOWEVER, THE ADMINISTRATION CONSIDERS THAT THE SAFETY’ OF THESE SHIPS NEEDED TO BE FURTHER GUARANTEED FOR A NUMBER OF REASONS, MRS CHAN SAID.
FIRST, THESE SHIPS ARE REMOTE FROM THE CONTROL OF THEIR FLAG STATE ADMINISTRATIONS, WHO MAY NOT BE WELL PLACED TO ENSURE THAT SAFETY STANDARDS ARE MAINTAINED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONVENTION, MRS CHAN EXPLAINED.
SECONDLY, SUCH SHIPS IN EFFECT OPERATE ON A LOCAL BASIS AND CARRY LARGE NUMBERS OF HONG KONG PASSENGERS WHO NATURALLY LOOK TO THE GOVERNMENT TO TAKE A POSITIVE ROLE IN ENSURING THEIR SAFETY.
SHE SAID ONE FURTHER COMPLICATION WAS THAT CERTIFICATES ISSUED UNDER SOLAS WERE ONLY VALID FOR INTERNATIONAL VOYAGES, I.E., VOYAGES FROM ONE PORT TO ANOTHER.
"IT IS DOUBTFUL WHETHER SUCH CERTIFICATES WHEN USED IN RESPECT OF NON-INTERNATIONAL VOYAGES ARE VALID," THE SECRETARY SAID.
THIS UNCERTAINTY IS NOT HELPED BY THE EXISTING LEGISLATION, WHICH DOES NOT DISTINGUISH BETWEEN SHIPS ENGAGED ON INTERNATIONAL AND NON-INTERNATIONAL VOYAGES, MRS CHAN NOTED.
MRS CHAN SAID THE FIRST AIM OF THE BILL THUS WAS TO REMOVE THE LEGAL UNCERTAINTIES BY CLEARLY PROVIDING THE DIRECTOR OF MARINE WITH SPECIFIC POWERS TO CONDUCT SAFETY SURVEYS ON FOREIGN REGISTERED VESSELS ENGAGED IN NON-INTERNATIONAL VOYAGES FROM HONG KONG.
THE SECOND AIM OF THE BILL WAS TO EMPOWER THE DIRECTOR OF MARINE TO REQUIRE THE PRODUCTION OF CERTIFICATES OR DOCUMENTARY EVIDENCE OF CARGO SHIPS TO ENSURE THAT THEY COMPLIED WITH EQUIVALENT SAFETY STANDARDS BEFORE PROCEEDING TO SEA.
UNDER EXISTING LEGISLATION SUCH VESSELS ARE NOT REQUIRED TO PROVIDE ANY EVIDENCE OF SAFETY BEFORE CLEARING HONG KONG.
DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.
--------0-----------
/34 ........
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 28, 1992
- 34 -
GAMBLING (AMENDMENT) BILL 1992 *****
A BILL SEEKING TO^EXEMPT CERTAIN CONTRACTS FOR DIFFERENCES FROM THE APPLICATION OF THE GAMBLING ORDINANCE WAS INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE GAMBLING (AMENDMENT) BILL 1992 THE SECRETARY FOR MONETARY AFFAIRS, MR DAVID NENDICK, SAID THE BILL* WAS A POSITIVE STEP TOWARDS DEVELOPING HONG KONG AS AN ATTRACTIVE MARKET FOR WARRANTS AND OTHER CONTRACTS FOR DIFFERENCES.
THE SECRETARY SAID THE BILL ALSO AIMED TO CLARIFY CERTAIN EXISTING LEGAL AMBIGUITIES RELATING TO THOSE OTHER CONTRACTS FOR DIFFERENCES WHICH WERE PRODUCTS SETTLED BY PAYMENT OF CASH DIFFERENCES, SUCH AS CASH SETTLED OPTIONS ON SHARES OR OTHER SECURITIES.
HE SAID THE BILL WAS PROPOSED TO DISAPPLY THE GAMBLING ORDINANCE TO CONTRACTS FOR DIFFERENCES WHICH WERE:
* LISTED ON THE STOCK EXCHANGE OF HONG KONG;
ENTERED INTO AS THE RESULT OF AN ADVERTISEMNET, INVITATION OR DOCUMENT WHICH IS EXCLUDED FROM THE APPLICATION OF SECTION 4 (1) OF THE PROTECTION OF INVESTORS ORDINANCE;
* ENTERED INTO BY AN EXEMPT DEALER OR A DEALER REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ORDINANCE; OR
* ENTERED INTO BY A DEALER REGISTERED UNDER THE COMMODIFIES TRADING ORDINANCE.
DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.
CONSIDERATIONS FOR A REFERENDUM EXPLAINED
*****
HOLDING A REFERENDUM IN NUMBER OF CONSIDERATIONS, MR MICHAEL SZE, SAID
THE TECHNICAL DIFFICULTIES IN KONG WILL VERY MUCH DEPEND ON A SECRETARY FOR CONSTITUTIONAL AFFAIRS,
HONG
THE
TODAY
(WEDNESDAY).
QUESTION BY THE HON HENRY TANG SZE SAID THESE INCLUDED WHETHER BE ENACTED TO PROVIDE FOR THE
TO BE ASKED; WHETHER THE VOTING ADVISORY; THE FRANCHISE; AND THE
IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, MR A LEGISLATION WOULD NEED TO REFERENDUM; WHAT QUESTIONS WERE RESULTS WERE TO BE BINDING OR
POLLING ARRANGEMENT.
/ON THE
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 28, 1992
35
ON THE TIME AND TOTAL MR SZE SAID IT WAS DIFFICULT
EXPENDITURE REQUIRED TO GIVE ESTIMATES.
FOR A
REFERENDUM,
HE SAID A MEANINGFUL ESTIMATE WOULD THERE WERE SPECIFIC PROPOSALS ON THE VARIOUS ABOVE.
BE POSSIBLE ONLY WHEN CONSIDERATIONS MENTIONED
MR SZE ADDED THAT THE QUESTION OF HOW VOTERS WERE T -REGISTERED BEFORE A REFERENDUM COULD BE LOOKED INTO ONLY AFTER A DECISION HAD BEEN MADE ON THE FRANCHISE.
- - 0----------
COMPOSITION OF FUTURE LEGCO
*****
THE GOVERNMENT HAS NOT TAKEN A VIEW FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF ARTICLE 67 OF THE BASIC SOME COMPLICATED QUESTIONS TO WHICH THE ANSWERS
THE MOMENT AS REGARDS LAW, WHICH INVOLVES ARE NOT YET AVAILABLE.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE SECRETARY MR MICHAEL SZE, IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A I,AU IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY
FOR CONSTITUTIONAL AFFAIRS, QUESTION BY THE HON EMILY (WEDNESDAY).
ARTICLE 67 OF THE BASIC LAW STATES THAT PERMANENT RESIDENTS OF THE HONG KONG SPECIAL ADMINISTRATIVE REGION WHO ARE NOT OF CHINESE v-TT NA TTY OR WHO HAVE THE RIGHT OF ABODE IN FOREIGN COUNTRIES MAY S bJ 2c?ED ^MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNC1L OF THE REGION PROVIDED THAT THE PROPORTION OF SUCH MEMBERS DOES NOT EXCEED 20 PER CENT OF THE TOTAL MEMBERSHIP OF THE COUNCIL.
’’FOR EXAMPLE, A CHINESE NATIONAL MEMBERS ARE AWARE,
ONE SUCH QUESTION RELATES TO THE DEFINITION OF UNDER THE CHINESE NATIONALITY LAW WHICH, AS IS A MATTER BEING DISCUSSED BETWEEN US AND
THE CHINESE SIDE,” MR SZE SAID.
’’UNTIL WE ARE CLEAR ON THESE IT WOULD BE PREMATURE FOR US TO SAY
IMPORTANT AND COMPLICATED ISSUES
ANY MORE
ABOUT THIS PARTICULAR
PROVISION OF THE BASIC LAW,” HE SAID.
---------------------0------- TALKS ON CEMENT PLANT RELOCATION UNDER WAY *****
NEGOTIATIONS WITH THE OWNERS ARE BEING CONDUCTED WITH A VIEW TO RELOCATING THE KENNEDY TOWN CEMENT PLANT AND AN ALTERNATIVE SITE IS BEING SOUGHT, THE SECRETARY FOR. PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS, MR TONY EASON, INFORMED THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY DR THE HON YEUNG SUM, MR EASON SAID THE ABOVE PROCESS WAS EXPECTED TO TAKE ANOTHER THREE MONTHS OR SO AND THEREAFTER IT SHOULD BE POSSIBLE TO DETERMINE WHEN RELOCATION COULD BE COMPLETED.
THE ADMINISTRATION RECOGNISE THE INCOMPATIBILITY OF THE KENNEDY TOWN CEMENT PLANT WITH ITS SURROUNDING ENVIRONMENT, HE ADDED.
- - 0----------
/36 .......
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 28, 1992
- 36 -
MEASURES TO MEET TRANSPORT NEEDS IN MID-LEVELS
*****
THE HILLSIDE ESCALATOR PROJECT CONNECTING THE MID-LEVELS AND THE CENTRAL BUSINESS DISTRICT WILL HELP RELIEVE PRESSURE ON THE ROAD SYSTEM IN THE MID-LEVELS, ON COMPLETION IN MID-1993.
THIS WAS 'STATED TODAY (WEDNESDAY) BY THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT, MR MICHAEL LEUNG, IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY DR THE HON YEUNG SUM IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
MR LEUNG SAID IT WAS FORECAST THAT THE ESCALATOR SYSTEM WOULD CARRY 26,000 PERSONS EACH WORKING DAY WHEN IT OPENED.
TO COPE WITH THE GROWTH IN TRAFFIC IN THE MID-LEVELS AREA, MR LEUNG SAID A TRANSPORT STUDY COMPLETED IN 1989 HAD RECOMMENDED THE INTRODUCTION OF 27 ROAD IMPROVEMENT AND TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT SCHEMES.
"FOUR OF THESE SCHEMES HAVE BEEN COMPLETED, ANOTHER 17 ARE AT VARIOUS STAGES OF PLANNING AND IMPLEMENTATION IN THE PUBLIC WORKS PROGRAMME, AND SIX, MAINLY ROAD WIDENING SCHEMES, WILL BE UNDERTAKEN .N CONJUNCTION WITH THE REDEVELOPMENT OF ADJACENT LOTS," HE SAID.
NOTWITHSTANDING THESE IMPROVEMENTS, IT REMAINS CLEAR THAT NRESTRICTED REDEVELOPMENT OF THE MID-LEVELS WILL OVERBURDEN THE LOCAL ROAD NETWORK AND CANNOT BE TOLERATED," MR LEUNG SAID.
IN VIEW OF THIS, A PLOT RATIO RESTRICTION ON RESIDENTIAL (GROUP ti, AREAS WAS INTRODUCED IN 1990 UNDER THE DRAFT MID-LEVELS WEST OUTLINE ZONING PLAN TO REDUCE BY ABOUT 15 PER CENT THE MAXIMUM LEVEL OF REDEVELOPMENT PERMITTED IN THE AREA.
"THE LONGER TERM STRATEGY OF IMPOSING RESTRAINT ON REDEVELOPMENT COMBINED WITH SHORT-AND MEDIUM-TERM IMPROVEMENTS TO THE ROAD NETWORK SHOULD FORM AN EFFECTIVE PACKAGE TO RELIEVE TRAFFIC CONGESTION IN THE MID-LEVEL AREA," MR LEUNG ADDED.
ELIGIBILITY FOR SMALL HOUSES TO FEMALE VILLAGERS BEING CONSIDERED
*****
ANY PROPOSAL TO EXTEND THE ELIGIBILITY FOR SMALL HOUSES TO FEMALE VILLAGERS WOULD NEED BE EXAMINED IN THE CONTEXT OF NEW TERRITORIES CUSTOMS AND TRADITIONS.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE SECRETARY FOR PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT AND ,.ANDS, MR TONY EASON, IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON GILBERT LEUNG IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
HE SAID IT WOULD ALSO HAVE SIGNIFICANT RESOURCE IMPLICATIONS IN TERMS OF BOTH LAND AND GOVERNMENT STAFF WHICH WOULD HAVE TO BE CAREFULLY EXAMINED.
/THE SECRETARY
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 28, 1992
37
THE SECRETARY SAID SOME CONSIDERATION, HOWEVER, HAD BEEN GIVEN TO THESE MATTERS BUT FIRM CONCLUSIONS HAD YET TO BE REACHED.
MR EASON SAID UNDER THE TRADITIONAL CUSTOMS AND PRACTICES OF THE NEW TERRITORIES INDIGENOUS COMMUNITY, PROPERTY WAS INHERITED THROUGH THE MALE LINE.
HE SAID THE SMALL HOUSE POLICY, WHICH WAS AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE ADMINISTRATION’S OVERALL POLICY OF RESPECTING THESE CUSTOMS AND PRACTICES, REFLECTED THIS.
MR EASON SAID MALE INDIGENOUS VILLAGERS OF RECOGNISED VILLAGES IN THE NEW TERRITORIES REACHING THE AGE OF .18 WERE ELIGIBLE TO APPLY FOR AND, SUBJECT TO THE FULFILMENT OF ESTABLISHED CRITERIA, WERE GRANTED EITHER A FREE BUILDING LICENCE IN RESPECT OF LAND OWNED BY THEM OR A SUITABLE SITE ON GOVERNMENT LAND AT CONCESSIONARY PREMIUM ON WHICH THEY COULD BUILD A VILLAGE HOUSE.
- - 0 - -
HAND LANGUAGE INTERPRETATION SERVICE ADEQUATE *****
IN VIEW OF THE PRESENT AND ESTIMATED FUTURE WORKLOAD, CREATION OF PERMANENT HAND LANGUAGE INTERPRETER POSTS IN THE POLICE FORCE AND THE JUDICIARY IS UNJUSTIFIED, THE SECRETARY FOR THE CIVIL SERVICE, MR BARRIE WIGGHAM, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
"HOWEVER, IF AND WHEN THE NEED FOR SUCH INTERPRETATION SERVICE INCREASES SIGNIFICANTLY DUE TO UNFORESEEABLE CIRCUMSTANCES, THE HONG KONG i SOCIETY FOR THE DEAF MAY BE REQUESTED TO PROVIDE MORE ASSISTANCE,” MR WIGGHAM SAID.
IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY DR THE HON HUANG CHEN-YA IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY), MR WIGGHAM SAID HAND LANGUAGE INTERPRETATION FOR DEAF AND DUMB PERSONS INVOLVED IN CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION AND JUDICIAL PROCEEDINGS WAS PROVIDED BY COMPETENT FREELANCE INTERPRETERS.
A REGISTRY OF THESE INTERPRETERS IS KEPT BY THE POLICE AND THE JUDICIARY.
OF THE FIVE INTERPRETERS ON THE CURRENT REGISTER, TWO ARE SPECIALLY ASSIGNED BY THE HONG KONG SOCIETY FOR THE DEAF FOR COURT AND POLICE WORK.
IN THE PAST 12 MONTHS, HAND LANGUAGE INTERPRETATION WAS REQUIRED IN COURT ON 65 OCCASIONS. NO RECORDS OF CALL OUT WERE MAINTAINED BY THE POLICE BUT THE REQUIREMENT FOR SUCH SERVICES WAS RARE.
MR WIGGHAM NOTED THAT OVERALL, BOTH THE POLICE AND THE JUDICIARY CONSIDERED THE PROVISION OF INTERPRETATION SERVICE WAS PROMPT AND ADEQUATE.
- - 0 - -
/38
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 28, 1992
38
MARINE PARK LAW IN THE PIPELINE * * * *
THE STATUTORY DESIGNATION, MANAGEMENT AND DEVELOPMENT OF MARINE PARKS AND MARINE RESERVES, AND THE CONTROL OF ACTIVITIES IN THESE AREAS, WILL BE PROVIDED FOR IN NEW LEGISLATION WHICH SHOULD BE READY IN ABOUT A YEAR.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE SECRETARY FOR PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS, MR TONY EASON, IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
REFERRING TO, HOI HA WAN IN SAI KUNG, HE SAID IT HAD BEEN DESIGNATED AS A SITE^OF SPECIAL SCIENTIFIC INTEREST SINCE 1989.
"TO FURTHER PROTECT AND PRESERVE THE AREA, THE COUNTRY PARKS BOARD HAS RECOMMENDED IT SHOULD BE DESIGNATED AS A MARINE PARK," HE ADDED.
IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON GILBERT LEUNG KAM-HO, MR EASON SAID THERE WAS NO RECORD OF ILLEGAL DUMPING THERE IN THE PAST THREE YEARS.
HOWEVER, THERE WAS ONE SUCH CASE NEAR LAI CHI CHONG LAST YEAR. THE OFFENDER WAS BROUGHT TO THE DISTRICT COURT AND FINED $50,000 PLUS A COURT CHARGE.
MR EASON SAID THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT (EPD) UPDATED THE MARINE DUMPING ACTION PLAN REGULARLY TO ENSURE THERE WAS A CONCERTED EFFORT BY ALL THE ENFORCEMENT DEPARTMENTS AGAINST ILLEGAL DUMPING ACTIVITIES IN HONG KONG WATERS.
"UNDER THE ACTION PLAN ANY PARTY, WHETHER IT IS A DUMPING LICENSEE, A CONTRACTOR, OR A DUMPING CONTRACTOR, FOUND ENGAGING IN ILLEGAL MARINE DUMPING WILL BE PROSECUTED.
"THE HEAVY FINES WHICH THE DISTRICT COURT CAN IMPOSE ON REPEATED OFFENDERS, AS COMPARED WITH THE MAXIMUM FINE OF $5,000 THAT CAN BE IMPOSED BY THE MAGISTRATES COURT, IS HAVING A GREATER DETERRENT EFFECT ON ILLEGAL DUMPING.
"EPD WILL CONTINUE TO BRING SUCH CASES TO THE DISTRICT COURT," HE SAID.
WITH EFFECT FROM JANUARY NEXT YEAR, ALL DUMPING BARGES MUST BE EQUIPPED WITH AUTOMATIC SELF-MONITORING DEVICES, MR EASON SAID.
"THESE DEVICES PROVIDE AN ACCURATE RECORD OF THE POSITIONS OF SUCH BARGES, AS WELL AS ANY LOADING AND DUMPING OPERATION, USING SATELLITE SIGNALS 24 HOURS A DAY.
"THIS WILL ENABLE EPD TO KEEP A CLOSE SURVEILLANCE ON ALL MARINE DUMPING ACTIVITIES IN A MORE COST-EFFECTIVE AND LESS LABOUR INTENSIVE WAY," HE SAID.
---------0-----------
/39 .......
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 28, 1992
39
COMMITTEE SET UP TO STUDY TECHNOLOGY INFORMATION DATABASES
*****
AN AD HOC COMMITTEE ON TECHNOLOGY INFORMATION DATABASES HAS BEEN ESTABLISHED UNDER THE AUSPICES OF THE INDUSTRY AND TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL (ITDC) TO ASSESS WHETHER HONG KONG NEEDS TO DEVELOP AN INFORMATION DATABASE OF ITS OWN TECHNOLOGIES,
THIS WAS STATED BY THE SECRETARY FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY, MR T.H. CHAU, IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY DR THE HON HUANG CHEN-YA IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
THIS AD HOC COMMITTEE HAS BEEN TASKED TO IDENTIFY THE TYPES OF TECHNOLOGY INFORMATION DATABASES THAT WOULD BE USEFUL TO HONG KONG, AND TO ADVISE ON THE MEANS FOR PROMOTING THEIR DEVELOPMENT AND USE.
MR CHAU SAID IT WOULD COMPLETE ITS WORK SHORTLY AND WOULD THEREAFTER REPORT ITS FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE ITDC.
THE SECRETARY SAID THE GOVERNMENT WAS CONSCIOUS OF THE IMPORTANCE OF TECHNOLOGY INFORMATION TO INDUSTRIAL RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT.
SINCE DATABASES REGARDING OVERSEAS INSTITUTIONS AND PROFESSIONALS IN SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNOLOGICAL RESEARCH ALREADY EXISTED IN ELECTRONIC OR PRINTED FORMS WHICH WERE EASILY ACCESSIBLE BY LOCAL INDUSTRIALISTS, IT WOULD NOT BE COST-EFFECTIVE FOR THE GOVERNMENT TO DUPLICATE SUCH DATABASES, HE ADDED.
------0-------
UPGC RECOMMENDS REVISED ENROLMENT TARGETS
*****
THE UNIVERSITY AND POLYTECHNIC GRANTS COMMITTEE (UPGC) HAS RECENTLY SUBMITTED TO THE GOVERNMENT ITS RECOMMENDATIONS ON REVISED STUDENT NUMBERS AND ADJUSTMENTS TO GRANTS MADE TO THE TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS.
BASED ON THE UPGC’S RECOMMENDATIONS, THE ENROLMENT TARGETS FOR FIRST DEGREE COURSES WILL BE 11,007 FOR THE SCHOOL YEAR 1992-93; 12,520 FOR 1993-94; AND 14,500 FOR 1994-95.
IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON TIK CHI-YUEN IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY), SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER, MR JOHN CHAN, SAID THE RECOMMENDATIONS WERE MADE IN RESPONSE TO THE GOVERNMENT’S DECISION TO REVISE THE PLANNING TARGET OF FIRST YEAR, FIRST DEGREE PLACES FROM 15,000 TO 14,500 BY 1994-95.
”ON THE BASIS OF THE UPGC’S RECOMMENDED STUDENT NUMBERS, IT IS ESTIMATED THAT A TOTAL OF $509 MILLION WOULD BE RETURNED ’IO THE GOVERNMENT FROM THE $18,200 MILLION APPROVED RECURRENT FUNDING FOR THE UPGC-FUNDED SECTOR FOR THE 1992-95 TRIENNIUM,” SAID MR CHAN.
HE SAID THESE ’’SAVINGS” HAD ALREADY BEEN TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT IN THE RESOURCE ALLOCATION EXERCISE THIS YEAR.
/THIS COULD .......
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 28, 1992
40
THIS COULD BE NOTED FROM THE GOVERNOR’S POLICY ADDRESS THAT THE SCHOOL SECTOR WOULD BE GETTING ADDITIONAL RESOURCES AMOUNTING TO $1.5 BILLION DURING THE PERIOD 1993-94 TO 1996-97.
THE SECRETARY SAID IT WAS NOT KNOWN WHAT COURSES WOULD BE AFFECTED BY THE REVISION IN THE PLANNING TARGETS AS THE INSTITUTIONS HAD YET TO BE OFFICIALLY INFORMED OF THE UPGC’S DECISIONS ON THEIR REVISED ACADEMIC DEVELOPMENT PLANS.
"IN GENERAL, THE REVISED STUDENT NUMBER TARGETS WILL BE ACHIEVED BY THE INSTITUTIONS BY SPREADING THE REDUCTION IN THEIR INTAKE NUMBERS OVER MOST OR ALL ACADEMIC DEPARTMENTS.
’’ALTERNATIVELY THEY CAN DEFER THE INTRODUCTION OF SOME NEW 'CURSES UNTIL LATER IN THE CURRECT TRIENNIUM OR, IN A FEW CASES, BEYOND THE END OF THE CURRENT TRIENNIUM,” MR CHAN ADDED.
--------0-----------
PROFESSIONS TO HANDLE PUBLIC COMPLAINTS
*****
THE GOVERNMENT SHALL DISCUSS WITH THE VARIOUS PROFESSIONAL BODIES WHETHER THERE ARE ANY PROBLEMS WITH THEIR PRESENT SYSTEM IN DEALING wffrH COMPLAINTS FROM MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC AND WHETHER ANY IMPROVEMENTS ARE NECESSARY.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE CHIEF SECRETARY, THE HON SIR DAVID FORD, IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON LEE WING-TAT IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
THE ARRANGEMENTS FOR HANDLING COMPLAINTS LODGED BY MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC AGAINST MEMBERS OF PROFESSIONS VARY FROM PROFESSION TO PROFESSION AND ARE LARGELY A MATTER FOR THE REGISTRATION BOARD OR COUNCIL OF THE RELEVANT PROFESSION.
"GENERALLY SPEAKING, THE GOVERNMENT BELIEVE THAT IT SHOULD BE UP TO THE PROFESSIONS TO DECIDE HOW COMPLAINTS AGAINST THEIR MEMBERS BY THE PUBLIC SHOULD BE HANDLED.
"THE REGISTRATION BOARD OR COUNCIL OF THE VARIOUS PROFESSIONS SHOULD BE IN THE BEST POSITION TO MONITOR COMPLAINTS ABOUT PROFESSIONAL MISCONDUCT FROM THE PUBLIC, AND JUDGE WHAT SORT OF ARRANGEMENTS WOULD INSPIRE THE GREATEST CONFIDENCE IN THE PROFESSION’S ABILITY TO DEAL WITH SUCH COMPLAINTS.
SOME PROFESSIONS REGULARLY REVIEW THESE ARRANGEMENTS, SIR DAVID SAID.
------0----------
/41 .......
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 28, 1992
41
NO PLAN TO BROADCAST PROGRAMMES BY PUBLIC IN SUBSCRIPTION TV *****
THERE IS NO PLAN TO USE ANY OF THE CHANNELS WHICH THE SUBSCRIPTION TELEVISION LICENSEE MAY BE REQUIRED TO MAKE AVAILABLE TO THE GOVERNMENT FOR BROADCASTING FREE-OF-CHARGE PROGRAMMES PRODUCED BY THE GENERAL PUBLIC, THE SECRETARY FOR RECREATION AND CULTURE, MR JAMES SO, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON LAU CHIN-SHEK, MR SO SAID IN FACT THE GOVERNMENT’S MAKING USE OF ANY DEDICATED CHANNEL DID NOT AT PRESENT FIGURE IN THE GOVERNMENT’S PRIORITIES FOR SUBSCRIPTION TELEVISION.
"WHILE CHANNEL CAPACITY IS LIMITED BY MICROWAVE SPECTRUM FREQUENCY SCARCITY, THE GOVERNMENT IS MORE CONCERNED THAT THE LICENSEE SHOULD HAVE THE UTMOST FREEDOM ITSELF TO ESTABLISH ITS SUBSCRIBER REVENUE BASE," MR SO SAID.
MR SO ADDED THAT THE GOVERNMENT, THEREFORE, WAS UNLIKELY TO TAKE UP ANY CHANNEL FOR ITS OWN PURPOSES IN THE EARLY STAGES OF SUBSCRIPTION TELEVISION IN HONG KONG.
"THE MATTER WILL BE REVIEWED AS AND WHEN THE SUBSCRIPTION TV LICENSEE INTRODUCES A CABLE NETWORK THEREBY GREATLY INCREASING THE CHANNEL CAPACITY OF THE SERVICE," HE SAID.
---------0-----------
MOTION OF THANKS PASSED
THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY) PASSED A MOTION AT ITS MEETING THANKING THE GOVERNOR FOR HIS ANNUAL POLICY ADDRESS MADE ON OCTOBER 7.
FIFTY-ONE MEMBERS SPOKE ON THE MOTION LAST WEDNESDAY AND THURSDAY. TWELVE GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS REPLIED TODAY TO THE POINTS THEY HAD RAISED.
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON HAMISH MACLEOD, LED THE OFFICIAL REPLIES. THE CONCLUDING SPEECH WAS MADE BY THE CHIEF SECRETARY, THE HON SIR DAVID FORD.
ANOTHER MOTION PROPOSED BY SIR DAVID UNDER THE CRIMINAL PROCEDURE ORDINANCE WAS ALSO PASSED.
AT THE MEETING, THE GAMBLING (AMENDMENT) BILL 1992 AND MERCHANT SHIPPING (SAFETY) (AMENDMENT) BILL 1992 WERE INTRODUCED FOR FIRST AND SECOND READINGS. DEBATES ON THE BILLS WERE ADJOURNED.
--------0----------
/42 ........
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 28, 1992
42 -
NO SECRET DEAL ON POLITICAL DEVELOPMENT: GOVERNOR ******
EXCHANGES BETWEEN THE CHINESE AND UNITED KINGDOM FOREIGN MINISTERS IN 1990 MAKE ABUNDANTLY PLAIN THAT THERE WAS NO SECRET DEAL ON THE FUTURE POLITICAL DEVELOPMENT OF HONG KONG, THE GOVERNOR, THE RT HON CHRISTOPHER PATTEN, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
SPEAKING TO REPORTERS AFTER A DISTRICT VISIT TO TSUEN WAN, MR PATTEN SAID: "NO SECRET, BECAUSE YOU WILL SEE FROM THE PAPERS, THAT ALL THE EXCHANGES BETWEEN THE BRITISH AND CHINESE FOREIGN MINISTERS WERE SEEN BY THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL OF HONG KONG AND DISCUSSED BY THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL OF HONG KONG.
"NO DEAL, HENCE THE FACT THAT THE BASIC LAW IS SILENT ON THE ISSUES WHICH I HAD TO ADDRESS IN MY LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL SPEECH.
"NOW THAT THOSE DOCUMENTS ARE PUBLISHED, I HOPE THAT WE CAN GET BACK TO THE REAL ISSUE WHICH IS THIS: IF PEOPLE HAVE AN ALTERNATIVE TO THE PROPOSALS THAT I HAVE PUT FORWARD THEY SHOULD SAY CLEARLY WHAT IT IS SO THAT THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG AND THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL OF HONG KONG CAN DISCUSS MATTERS CALMLY AND RATIONALLY AND INTELLIGENTLY.
"THAT IN MY JUDGMENT IS THE WAY FORWARD; THAT IN MY JUDGMENT IS THE WAY TO ENSURE THAT WE HAVE THE STABILITY AND PROSPERITY OF HONG KONG THAT ALL OF US WANT."
"I HAVE TO MAKE IT ABSOLUTELY PLAIN THAT DURING THE MEETINGS THAT I HAD LAST WEEK IN PEKING, AT NO POINT WHATSOEVER DID I SAY THAT THE DOCUMENTS SHOULD NOT BE PUBLISHED," MR PATTEN SAID.
"INDEED, I MADE IT CLEAR ON AT LEAST TWO OCCASIONS THAT I WAS PERFECTLY HAPPY TO SEE THE DOCUMENTS PUBLISHED PROVIDED THE FOREIGN MINISTRIES OF CHINA AND THE UNITED KINGDOM ALSO AGREED. I HAD NO DIFFICULTY IN COMING TO THAT DECISION BECAUSE I DON’T BELIEVE THAT ANYBODY SHOULD WANT TO HIDE FROM THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG THE DEBATES ABOUT THEIR FUTURE," HE ADDED.
IN REPLY TO A QUESTION, THE GOVERNOR SAID THAT IN VIEW OF THE ALLEGATIONS THAT WERE MADE, THERE WAS NO CHOICE BUT FOR HIM TO MAKE THE DOCUMENTS PUBLIC.
"BECAUSE I DON’T WANT ANYBODY IN HONG KONG TO THINK THAT DEALS ARE BEING DONE BEHIND THEIR BACK. THAT, I REPEAT, IS WHY I HAVE BEEN OPEN AND HONEST WITH THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG ABOUT HOW I SEE ABOUT THEIR POLITICAL FUTURE.
"I THINK ONE THING ELSE COMES OUT OF THE DOCUMENTS WHEN YOU READ THEM. AND THAT IS HOW THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT AT THE TIME FELT IT NECESSARY AND PROPERLY NECESSARY, TO RESPOND TO THE PRESSURE OF THE COMMUNITY, IN THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL AND IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL FOR A FASTER PACE OF DEMOCRATISATION.
"THE DEBATE WHICH TOOK PLACE IN 1990 WAS BETWEEN THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT ASKING FOR A FASTER PACE OF DEMOCRATISATION AND CHINESE OFFICIALS SAYING THAT THEY DIDN’T THINK THERE WAS A CASE FOR A FASTER PACE OF DEMOCRATISATION. THAT’S WHAT THE ARGUMENT WAS ABOUT IN 1990. I HOPE WE CAN NOW PUT THAT BEHIND US," HE SAID.
--------0----------
/43 .............................................
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 28, 1992
43
GOVERNOR VISITS TSUEN WAN
* * * *
THE GOVERNOR, THE RT HON CHRISTOPHER PATTEN, THIS (WEDNESDAY) AFTERNOON VISITED TSUEN WAN - THE FIRST NEW TOWN OF HONG KONG.
MR PATTEN BEGAN HIS VISIT BY WALKING IN CHUNG ON STREET WHERE LOCAL COMMERCIAL AND SHOPPING CENTRES ARE SITUATED.
HE THEN WENT TO TAI UK WAI VILLAGE, WHICH WAS BUILT BY THE GOVERNMENT IN THE 1950’5 TO REHOUSE VILLAGERS AFFECTED BY THE CONSTRUCTION OF TAI LAM CHUNG RESERVOIR.
THERE HE VISITED A FAMILY WHO WAS AMONG THE FIRST GROUP OF VILLAGERS RESETTLED TO THE VILLAGE IN 1956.
MR PATTEN THEN LEFT FOR THE TSUEN KING CHILDREN AND YOUTH CENTRE, A 1,600-MEMBER SOCIAL SERVICES ESTABLISHMENT UNDER THE HONG KONG FEDERATION OF YOUTH GROUPS.
ON A ROOFTOP IN RIVIERA GARDENS, A PRIVATE RESIDENTIAL ESTATE, MR PATTEN HAD A PANORAMIC VIEW OF TSUEN WAN TOWN AND WAS BRIEFED BY TSUEN WAN DISTRICT OFFICER, MR RAYMOND YOUNG, ON LAND USE AND PLANNED DEVELOPMENTS IN THE AREA.
BEFORE CONCLUDING HIS VISIT, MR PATTEN ATTENDED A COMMUNITY RECEPTION WHERE HE MET AND DISCUSSED LOCAL AFFAIRS WITH DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS AND COMMUNITY LEADERS.
MR PATTEN WAS ACCOMPANIED BY THE REGIONAL SECRETARY OF THE NEW TERRITORIES, MR ALBERT LAM AND MR YOUNG.
------0--------
GOVERNOR’S BUSINESS COUNCIL MEETS * * * *
THE GOVERNOR, THE RT HON CHRISTOPER PATTEN, THIS (WEDNESDAY) MORNING CHAIRED THE INAUGURAL MEETING OF HIS BUSINESS COUNCIL AT GOVERNMENT HOUSE.
SIXTEEN BUSINESS LEADERS AND THREE SENIOR GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS ATTENDED THE MEETING.
"THE GOVERNOR HAD A VALUABLE DISCUSSION WITH HIS BUSINESS COUNCIL," INFORMATION CO-ORDINATOR, MR MIKE HANSON, SAID.
THE GOVERNOR HAD SAID IN HIS POLICY ADDRESS TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL THAT HE WOULD ASK THE BUSINESS COUNCIL TO PUT THE DEVELOPMENT OF COMPETITION POLICY IN HONG KONG AT THE TOP OF ITS AGENDA.
"SO IT WAS APPROPRIATE THAT THE COUNCIL SHOULD HAVE A FULL DISCUSSION OF THIS IMPORTANT ISSUE AT ITS FIRST MEETING," MR HANSON SAID.
INFLATION WAS THE OTHER KEY ISSUE TACKLED DURING THE MEETING.
------0--------
/44 .....
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 28, 1992
44
REVIEW OF GOVERNMENT INFORMATION MACHINERY
*****
THE GOVERNMENT HAS COMMISSIONED A HONG KONG MANAGEMENT CONSULTANT FIRM TO CONDUCT A REVIEW OF THE ROLES, RESPONSIBILITIES AND ORGANISATION OF ALL AGENCIES INVOLVED IN THE PROVISION OF OFFICIAL INFORMATION.
THE REVIEW, INITIATED BY THE CHIEF SECRETARY, SIR DAVID FORD, WILL BE CARRIED OUT BY COOPERS & LYBRAND, AND WILL LAST SIX WEEKS.
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY) THAT AS HONG KONG WAS ENTERING ONE OF THE MOST SIGNIFICANT PERIODS IN HISTORY, THERE WAS A NEED FOR THE GOVERNMENT TO BE MORE ACCOUNTABLE AND RESPONSIVE TO CHANGING CIRCUMSTANCES.
THE REVIEW WILL FURTHER DEVELOP CO-ORDINATION IN THE PRESENTATION OF POLICIES, DEFINE MORE CLEARLY THE OVERALL REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DISSEMINATION OF INFORMATION, BOTH LOCALLY AND OVERSEAS; AND IMPROVE LIAISON WITH THE COMMUNITY.
THE REVIEW TEAM WILL COVER:
. THE GOVERNOR’S PRIVATE OFFICE;
. THE INFORMATION WING AND THE PUBLIC AFFAIRS ADVISER OF THE CHIEF SECRETARY’S OFFICE;
. THE INFORMATION SERVICES DEPARTMENT;
. THE ROLE OF DISRICT OFFICES IN THE DISSEMINATION AND COLLECTION OF COMMUNITY INFORMATION; AND
. THE INFORMATION ROLE OF HONG KONG’S OVERSEAS ECONOMIC AND TRADE OFFICES.
AT THE END OF THE REVIEW, THE CONSULTANTS WILL DEVELOP RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE FUTURE PLANNING, ORGANISATION AND MANAGEMENT OF THE GOVERNMENT’S VARIOUS INFORMATION FUNCTIONS, AND PUT FORWARD PROPOSALS FOR THEIR IMPLEMENTATION.
— — — — u — — — —
NEW FRANCHISE FOR CMB APPROVED
*****
THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL HAS APPROVED A NEW FRANCHISE FOR THE CHINA MOTOR BUS COMPANY.
THE TWO-YEAR FRANCHISE STARTS ON SEPTEMBER 1, 1993 AND COVERS A NETWORK OF 90 ROUTES.
ALL THE ESSENTIAL FRANCHISE TERMS PREVIOUSLY LAID DOWN BY THE COUNCIL HAVE BEEN ACCEPTED BY CMB. THEY INCLUDE:.
(A) REDUCTION ......
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 28, 1992
45
(A) REDUCTION OF CMB’S CURRENT NETWORK BY 26 ROUTES;
(B) DISCONTINUATION OF CMB’S PROFIT CONTROL SCHEME UPON ITS EXPIRY IN AUGUST 1993; AND
(C) THE INCLUSION OF ADDITIONAL FRANCHISE CONDITIONS TO STRENGTHEN MONITORING.
IN LINE WITH GOVERNMENT’S POLICY TO PROMOTE HEALTHY COMPETITION, THE 26 BUS ROUTES TAKEN AWAY FROM CMB HAVE RECENTLY BEEN AWARDED TO CITYBUS LIMITED THROUGH COMPETITIVE OPEN TENDER.
THE NEW FRANCHISE INCLUDES THE FOLLOWING ADDITIONAL CONDITIONS DESIGNED TO STRENGTHEN THE MONITORING OF CMB’S OPERATIONS, TO EASE TRANSITION AND TO CATER FOR THE FUTURE EXISTENCE OF TWO MAIN BUS OPERATORS ON HONG KONG ISLAND :
(A) MANDATORY ESTABLISHMENT OF PASSENGER LIAISON GROUPS TO INTERACT DIRECTLY WITH THE PUBLIC FOR THE PURPOSE OF ASSESSING AND IMPROVING SERVICE STANDARDS;
(B) A DIRECT COMPUTER LINK GIVING GOVERNMENT INSTANT ACCESS TO UP-TO-DATE INFORMATION PERTAINING TO BUS OPERATIONS;
(C) THE APPOINTMENT OF AN INDEPENDENT TRUSTEE TO MANAGE PENSION FUNDS AS WELL AS A REQUIREMENT TO OBTAIN PROFESSIONAL ACTUARIAL ADVICE ON THE LEVEL OF CONTINGENCY AND PENSION PROVISIONS;
(D) A CLAUSE REQUIRING CMB TO DISCLOSE ITS ASSETS AND TO OBTAIN GOVERNMENT CONSENT BEFORE THE DISPOSAL OF ANY SUCH ASSETS;
(E) A PROVISION WHICH PLACES IT BEYOND DOUBT THAT, UPON THE EXPIRY OF THE PROFIT CONTROL SCHEME ON AUGUST 31, 1993, ANY SURPLUS IN THE DEVELOPMENT FUND SHOULD BE APPLIED TO OFFSET UPWARD PRESSURE ON FARES; AND
(F) A PROVISION WHICH EMPOWERS THE GOVERNMENT TO DIRECT CMB TO SHARE THE USE OF BUS STOPS, TERMINI AND ANCILLARY FACILITIES WITH ANOTHER OPERATOR.
THE RETIREMENT OF ABOUT 200 OLD BUSES IN SEPTEMBER 1993 IS EXPECTED TO REDUCE THE AVERAGE AGE OF CMB’S FLEET, WITH BENEFICIAL EFFECT ON EFFICIENCY AND SERVICE STANDARDS.
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID LEGISLATIVE AMENDMENTS DESIGNED TO STRENGTHEN THE PENALTY PROVISIONS IN THE PUBLIC BUS SERVICES ORDINANCE ARE UNDER ACTIVE CONSIDERATION.
THESE AMENDMENTS WILL ALLOW THE FINANCIAL PENALTIES NOW PRESCRIBED IN THE ORDINANCE AGAINST UNSATISFACTORY SERVICE TO BE APPLIED ON A ROUTE-BY-ROUTE BASIS, THEREBY ENHANCING THEIR DETERRENCE.
THE AMENDMENTS WILL ALSO MAKE IT CLEAR THAT THE FINANCIAL PENALTIES, IF IMPOSED, COULD NOT BE PASSED ON TO PASSENGERS THROUGH HIGHER FARES.
------0-------
/46 ........
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 28, 1992
- 46 -
ABOLITION OF CAPITAL PUNISHMENT * * » * *
DRAFT LEGISLATION TO ABOLISH THE DEATH PENALTY AND REPLACE IT WITH LIFE IMPRISONMENT WILL BE INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL NEXT MONTH, THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, MR ALISTAIR ASPREY, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
THE CRIMES (AMENDMENT) BILL 1992 SEEKS TO GIVE EFFECT TO THE MOTION APPROVED BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL IN JUNE LAST YEAR THAT THE DEATH PENALTY SHOULD BE REMOVED FROM THE STATUTE BOOK.
THE BILL WILL BE GAZETTED THIS FRIDAY AND BE INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON NOVEMBER 11.
ELABORATING ON HIS ANNOUNCEMENT IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON THE PROPOSED LEGISLATION TO ABOLISH THE DEATH PENALTY, MR ASPREY SAID AT PRESENT, CAPITAL PUNISHMENT WAS THE MANDATORY PENALTY FOR MURDER UNDER THE OFFENCES AGAINST THE PERSON ORDINANCE AND FOR TREASON AND PIRACY WITH VIOLENCE UNDER THE CRIMES ORDINANCE.
THE DEATH PENALTY MAY ALSO BE PROVIDED FOR BY THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL AS THE PUNISHMENT FOR OFFENCES UNDER THE EMERGENCY REGULATIONS.
THE BILL HAS THE EFFECT OF ABOLISHING CAPITAL PUNISHMENT AS THE SENTENCE FOR ANY OFFENCE.
IN ITS PLACE, IT IS PROPOSED THAT LIFE IMPRISONMENT SHOULD BE THE MANDATORY SENTENCE FOR MURDER, TREASON AND PIRACY WITH VIOLENCE AND THAT MANDATORY LIFE IMPRISONMENT WILL BE THE MAXIMUM SENTENCE THAT MAY BE PROVIDED FOR BY THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL UNDER THE EMERGENCY REGULATIONS.
LIFE SENTENCES WILL BE REVIEWED BY THE BOARD OF REVIEW INITIALLY AFTER FIVE YEARS AND SUBSEQUENTLY EVERY TWO YEARS, UNLESS THE GOVERNOR DIRECTS THAT A CASE SHOULD BE REVIEWED EARLIER AFTER HAVING CONSIDERED THE TRIAL JUDGE’S REPORT.
"LIFE IMPRISONMENT WILL INDEED MEAN IMPRISONMENT FOR LIFE UNLESS A PRISONER IS ABLE TO CONVINCE THE BOARD OF REVIEW OF LONG TERM PRISON SENTENCES AND ULTIMATELY CONVINCE THE GOVERNOR THAT THE SENTENCE SHOULD AT SOME STAGE BE REDUCED TO A DETERMINATE PERIOD DUE TO CHANGED CIRCUMSTANCES AFTER A LONG PERIOD HAS BEEN SERVED IN JAIL," MR ASPREY SAID.
HE SAID IT WAS NECESSARY TO PROVIDE A STRONG DETERRENT TO POTENTIAL KILLERS AND TO ENSURE THAT THOSE WHO NEVERTHELESS COMMITTED MURDER WERE PUNISHED EFFECTIVELY AND PREVENTED FROM COMMITTING AN OFFENCE AGAIN BY IMPRISONMENT.
IN CASES WHERE A SENTENCE OF LIFE IMPRISONMENT IS IMPOSED, THE GOVERNOR WILL CALL ON THE TRIAL JUDGE TO GIVE HIM A WRITTEN REPORT INDICATING ANY SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS OR MITIGATING CIRCUMSTANCES AND, WHERE APPROPRIATE, WHAT IN HIS VIEW SHOULD BE THE MINIMUM TERM OF IMPRISONMENT TO BE SERVED.
/THIS IS .......
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 28, 1992
47 -
THIS IS CURRENTLY THE PRACTICE WITH REGARD TO SENTENCES OF CAPITAL PUNISHMENT.
"IT IS IMPORTANT THAT THE VIEWS OF THE TRIAL JUDGE BE RECORDED FOR THE ATTENTION OF THOSE WHO SUBSEQUENTLY CONSIDER WHETHER THE FIXING OF A DETERMINATE SENTENCE OR RELEASE MAY BE APPROPRIATE," MR ASPREY SAID.
THE BILL ALSO PROVIDES FOR THE REMOVAL OF REFERENCES TO THE DEATH PENALTY IN OTHER LEGISLATION WHERE THEY APPEAR.
HE SAID THAT ONCE THE BILL BECAME LAW, ALL THOSE WHO WERE UNDER THE DEATH PENALTY WOULD HAVE THEIR SENTENCES COMMUTED TO LIFE IMPRISONMENT. CURRENTLY THERE ARE 32 UNDER SENTENCE OF DEATH.
------0--------
FEES RISE FOR LAWYERS IN CRIMINAL LEGAL AID CASES *****
THE GOVERNMENT TODAY (WEDNESDAY) ANNOUNCED INCREASES IN FEES FOR LAWYERS IN PRIVATE PRACTICE WHO ARE ENGAGED IN LEGAL AID CRIMINAL CASES.
THE LEGAL AID IN CRIMINAL CASES (AMENDMENT) (NO. 2) RULES 1992, WHICH GIVE EFFECT TO INCREASES IN MAXIMUM FEES FOR LAWYERS IN PRIVATE PRACTICE ENGAGED BY THE DIRECTOR OF LEGAL AID IN CRIMINAL CASES, WERE APPROVED BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY.
THE INCREASES WILL TAKE EFFECT ON NOVEMBER 1.
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THE NEW FEES WOULD ENABLE THE DIRECTOR OF LEGAL AID TO ENGAGE LAWYERS OF APPROPRIATE EXPERIENCE IN CRIMINAL CASES.
"THE ATTORNEY GENERAL ALSO USES THE SAME SCALE OF FEES TO ENGAGE LAWYERS IN PRIVATE PRACTICE TO APPEAR FOR THE CROWN IN COURT IN CRIMINAL CASES. THIS IS DESIGNED TO ENSURE THAT BOTH THE DEFENCE AND THE PROSECUTION ARE REPRESENTED BY LAWYERS OF BROADLY SIMILAR EXPERIENCE," HE EXPLAINED.
THE INCREASES WILL BE IMPLEMENTED IN TWO STAGES, ON NOVEMBER 1, 1992 AND APRIL 1, 1994 RESPECTIVELY. AT THE FIRST STAGE, THE INCREASES IN MAXIMUM FEES WILL RANGE FROM 12.5 PER CENT TO 50 PER CENT.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID A REVISION OF FEES FOR DUTY LAWYERS SERVING THE DUTY LAWYER SCHEME WOULD ALSO TAKE EFFECT ON NOVEMBER 1.
THE DAILY FEE WILL BE INCREASED FROM $3,150 TO $4,000 WHILE THE FEE FOR EACH HALF DAY WILL BE INCREASED FROM $1,575 TO $2,000, HE SAID.
/IN VIEW .......
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 28, 1992
- 48 -
IN VIEW OF THE FACT THAT DUTY LAWYERS HAVE BEEN HANDLING A LARGER NUMBER OF COMPLEX CASES SINCE THE EXPANSION OF THE DUTY LAWYER SCHEME IN OCTOBER 1991, A PRE-TRIAL PREPARATION FEE OF $500 PER HOUR WILL ALSO BE INTRODUCED ON THE SAME DAY.
’’THIS FEE IS MAINLY FOR CONFERENCES WHICH ON AVERAGE MAY TAKE ONE OR TWO HOURS PER CASE,” THE SPOKESMAN EXPLAINED.
HE ADDED THAT THE MAXIMUM FEES FOR COUNSEL ENGAGED IN CRIMINAL LEGAL AID CASES AND THE DUTY LAWYER FEES WOULD BOTH BE REVIEWED EVERY TWO YEARS.
--------0-----------
RESEARCH ON JUVENILE CRIMES LAUNCHED * * * * *
THE FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE HAS COMMISSIONED A 16-MONTH RESEARCH TO LOOK INTO THE SOCIAL CAUSES OF CRIMES COMMITTED BY YOUNGSTERS AND TO MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS ON GOVERNMENT POLICIES AFFECTING YOUTH.
THE RESEARCH IS FINANCED BY A $200,000 DONATION FROM THE ROYAL HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB.
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THE RESEARCH, TO BE CONDUCTED BY THE RESEARCH TEAM OF THE SOCIAL SCIENCES RESEARCH CENTRE OF THE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG, WOULD ALSO STUDY RECIDIVISM AMONG YOUNG OFFENDERS.
THE STANDING COMMITTEE ON YOUNG OFFENDERS UNDER THE FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE COMMISSIONED THE RESEARCH BECAUSE CRIME INVOLVING JUVENILES IS STILL A CAUSE FOR CONCERN.
THE RESEARCH STARTED LAST MONTH AND IS EXPECTED TO BE COMPLETED BY THE END OF NEXT YEAR.
--------0-----------
GOVT LOTS TO LET BY TENDER * * * *
THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR THE SHORT-TERM TENANCY ON FOUR PIECES OF GOVERNMENT LAND.
THE FIRST SITE IS LOCATED IN AREA 2, TSING YI ISLAND, NEW TERRITORIES.
WITH AN AREA OF ABOUT 4,025 SQUARE METRES, THE SITE IS INTENDED FOR A PUBLIC FEE-PAYING CAR PARK FOR PARKING OF MOTOR VEHICLES (EXCLUDING CONTAINER TRACTORS AND TRAILERS).
THE TENANCY IS FOR TWO YEARS AND QUARTERLY THEREAFTER.
/THE SECOND........
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 28, 1992
49
THE SECOND SITE IS LOCATED IN AREA IOC, KWAI CHUNG, NEW TERRITORIES.
IT HAS AN AREA OF ABOUT 2,070 SQUARE METRES AND IS EARMARKED FOR PARKING OF PRIVATE CARS AND GOODS VEHICLES ONLY (EXCLUDING CONTAINER TRACTORS AND TRAILERS).
THE TENANCY IS FOR THREE YEARS AND RENEWABLE QUARTERLY THEREAFTER.
THE THIRD SITE IS LOCATED IN AREA 46A, TUEN MUN, NEW TERRITORIES.
WITH AN AREA OF ABOUT 9,200 SQUARE METRES, THE SITE IS FOR OPEN STORAGE PURPOSES EXCLUDING STORAGE OF CONTAINERS, CONTAINER TRACTORS AND TRAILERS.
THE TENANCY IS ALSO FOR THREE YEARS AND QUARTERLY THEREAFTER.
THE REMAINING SITE IS LOCATED AT HOI CHAK STREET, QUARRY BAY, HONG KONG.
(T HAS AN AREA OF ABOUT 600 SQUARE METRES, AND IS INTENDED FOR STORAGE OF TENANT’S GOODS (EXCLUDING CONTAINERS, CONTAINER VEHICLES AND TRAILERS) AND/OR WASTE PAPER COLLECTING AND SORTING AND/OR PUBLIC FEE-PAYING VEHICLE PARK FOR LICENSED MOTOR VEHICLES (EXCLUDING CONTAINER VEHICLES AND TRAILERS).
THE TENANCY IS FOR 18 MONTHS AND QUARTERLY THEREAFTER.
CLOSING DATE FOR SUBMISSION OF TENDERS IS NOON, NOVEMBER 13.
FORMS OF TENDER, TENDER NOTICES AND CONDITIONS MAY BE OBTAINED FROM AND TENDER PLANS INSPECTED AT THE DISTRICT LANDS OFFICES, KWAI TSING AND TUEN MUN; 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.
FOR THE SITE IN QUARRY BAY, THE PLAN AND NOTICE CAN ALSO BE .NSPECTED AT THE DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE, HONG KONG EAST, 19TH FLOOR, sOUTHORN CENTRE, 130 HENNESSY ROAD, HONG KONG.
------0--------
QUALITY OF EDUCATION TO CONTINUE AFTER '97
*****
HONG KONG WILL BECOME A SPECIAL ADMINISTRATIVE REGION OF CHINA IN LESS THAN FIVE YEARS’ TIME, AND UNDER THE TERMS OF THE SINO-BRITISH JOINT DECLARATION AND THE BASIC LAW, THE TERRITORY WILL HAVE A HIGH DEGREE OF AUTONOMY.
THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, MR DOMINIC S W WONG, SAID HONG KONG’S SYSTEMS AND LIFESTYLE WOULD REMAIN BASICALLY UNCHANGED AND THAT THIS WOULD INCLUDE EDUCATION.
/"A VARIETY
50
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 28, 1992
"A VARIETY OF ORGANISATIONS PROVIDING DIFFERENT TYPES OF BROAD EDUCATION WILL CONTINUE TO BE ALLOWED IN HONG KONG, INCLUDING COURSES IN RELIGION," HE SAID AT THE ANNUAL SPEECH DAY OF ST PAUL’S CONVENT SCHOOL.
EDUCATION TODAY, HE SAID, ACCOUNTED FOR 17 PER CENT OF THE GOVERNMENT’S ANNUAL EXPENDITURE WHICH:
* INSURES FREE AND COMPULSORY EDUCATION UP TO SECONDARY 3;
* PROVIDES AMPLE OPPORTUNITIES FOR SENIOR SECONDARY EDUCATION AND FOR TRAINING AT TECHNICAL INSTITUTES;
* ENABLES THE TARGET FOR SECONDARY 6 AND 7 PLACES TO BE REACHED; AND
* INCREASES TERTIARY EDUCATION OPPORTUNITIES SUBSTANTIALLY, SO THAT BY 1994 AT LEAST 18 PER CENT OF YOUNG PEOPLE OF THE APPROPRIATE AGE COULD ENTER TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS FOR FIRST DEGREE COURSES.
"OUR PRIORITIES IN THE NEXT FEW YEARS WILL BE TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF EDUCATION IN SCHOOLS, TO STRENGTHEN TEACHER EDUCATION AND TO INCREASE RESEARCH OPPORTUNITIES AT TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS AS ALREADY ANNOUNCE’’ BY THE GOVERNOR RECENTLY," HE SAID.
MORE TEACHERS WOULD BE PROVIDED TO PRIMARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOLS , CLASS SIZE WOULD BE REDUCED TO 35 STARTING WITH PRIMARY 1, AND NEW PRIMARY SCHOOLS WOULD OPERATE ON A WHOLE-DAY BASIS, HE ADDED.
THESE MEASURES, MR WONG SAID, WOULD HAVE THE EFFECT OF REDUCING TEACHERS’ WORKLOAD, ENSURING BETTER CLASS PREPARATION AND ENABLING GREATER ATTENTION TO INDIVIDUAL STUDENTS.
"TEACHER EDUCATION WILL BE STRENGTHENED THROUGH THE EVENTUAL UPGRADING OF THE EXISTING FIVE TEACHER TRAINING COLLEGES, TRAINING FOR ADVANCED TEACHER CERTIFICATES AND IN DUE COURSE OFFERING BACHELOR OF EDUCATION DEGREE COURSES, THUS PAVING THE WAY FOR GRADUATE TEACHERS IN PRIMARY SCHOOLS," MR WONG SAID.
"IN THE MEANTIME, INTERIM IMPROVEMENTS WILL BE INTRODUCED TO UPGRADE STANDARDS AT THESE COLLEGES. I AM CERTAIN THAT ALL THESE MEASURES WILL FURTHER IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF TEACHERS AND WILL BE ABLE TO ATTRACT MORE SCHOOL LEAVERS INTO THE TEACHING PROFESSION," HE ADDED.
- - 0 - -
UNAUTHORISED BUILDING WORKS IN KWUN TONG TO CLOSE
* * * * »
THE BUILDING AUTHORITY IS SEEKING TO CLOSE THE UNAUTHORISED BUILDING WORKS AT A BUILDING IN KWUN TONG SO THAT THEY CAN BE DEMOLISHED WITHOUT CAUSING DANGER TO THE OCCUPIERS AND THE PUBLIC.
THE UNAUTHORISED STRUCTURES ARE LOCATED AT THE ROOF OVER UNITS F3, Q3 AND T3, 13TH FLOOR, BLOCK 3, KWUN TONG INDUSTRIAL CENTRE, 448-458 KWUN TONG ROAD.
/NOTICE OF
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 28, 1992
51
NOTICES OF INTENTION TO APPLY FOR THREE CLOSURE ORDERS UNDER THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE FROM THE HONG KONG DISTRICT COURT ON DECEMBER 16 WAS POSTED ON THE PREMISES TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
DEMOLITION WORKS ARE EXPECTED TO START AS SOON AS THE CLOSURE ORDERS ARE ISSUED.
---------0-----------
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS *****
$ MILLION
OPENING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT 2,000
REVERSAL OF LAF -500
BALANCE AFTER REVERSAL OF LAF 1,500
NET INJECTION/WITHDRAWAL TODAY NIL
EFFECT OF LAF TODAY +700
CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT 2,200
LAF RATE 2.00 BID/4.00 OFFER TWI 111.7 »-0.1* 28.10.92
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND
EF BILLS HONG KONG GOVERNMENT BONDS
TERMS YIELD TERM ISSUE COUPON PRICE YIELD
1 WEEK 3.65 PCT 13 MONTHS 2311 6.25 102.40 3.95
1 MONTH 3.53 PCT 16 MONTHS 2402 5.50 101.50 4.35
3 MONTHS 3.53 PCT 19 MONTHS 2405 5.502 101.50 4.54
6 MONTHS 3.53 PCT 22 MONTHS 2408 4.375 99.54 4.69
12 MONTHS 3.95 PCT
TOTAL TURNOVER OF BILLS AND BONDS - 7,757 MN
CLOSED 28 OCTOBER 1992
- - 0----------
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 29, 1992
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
GOVERNOR MAKES FIRST VISIT TO MACAU ................................ 1
TRANSCRIPT OF INTERVIEW WITH CHIEF SECRETARY, SIR DAVID FORD, BY RTHK TODAY (THURSDAY) ............................................... 2
FS STARTS CONSULTATION ON REVENUE PROPOSALS ........................ 5
MONETARY STATISTICS FOR SEPTEMBER .................................. 5
PUBLIC VIEWS SOUGHT ON TAXI POLICY ................................. 10
PUBLICATION OF 1991 POPULATION CENSUS GRAPHIC GUIDE ................ 12
SPECIAL "GREETING" STAMPS TO BE ISSUED ............................. 13
DISTRICT OFFICE RECRUITS COMMUNITY ORGANISERS ...................... 14
NEW OVERNIGHT MINIBUS ROUTE ........................................ 15
ENTRIES TO TRANSLATION CONTEST CLOSES NEXT MONDAY .................. 15
GRADING OF BEACH WATER QUALITY ..................................... 16
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS ......... 20
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 29, 1992
GOVERNOR MAKES FIRST VISIT TO MACAU *****
THE RT HON CHRISTOPHER PATTEN WILL PAY HIS FIRST OFFICIAL VISIT TO MACAU AS THE GOVERNOR OF HONG KONG TOMORROW (FRIDAY) AT THE INVITATION OF THE MACAU GOVERNMENT.
HE WILL BE ACCOMPANIED BY HIS PRIVATE SECRETARY, MR RICHARD HOARE, AND HIS AIDE-DE-CAMP, SUPERINTENDENT FILIPE DE OLIVEIRA.
THE GOVERNOR WILL BEGIN HIS TRIP BY VISITING THE RESIDENCE OF SANTA SANCHA WHERE HE WILL ATTEND A LUNCH HOSTED BY THE GOVERNOR OF MACAU, GENERAL ROCHA VIEIRA.
AFTER LUNCH, MR PATTEN WILL VISIT TAIPA ISLAND TO SEE THE SITE OF THE NEW AIRPORT AND THE MACAU TAIPA NEW BRIDGE, AS WELL AS THE MACAU INCINERATION PLANT WHICH CAME INTO OPERATION LAST MONTH. LATER THAT DAY, HE WILL HAVE A MEETING WITH GENERAL VIEIRA.
IN THE EVENING, THE GOVERNOR WILL SEE AN OPERA "THE BARBER OF SEVILLE” AT FORTALEZA DO MONTE.
ATTENTION NEWS EDITORS:
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES WISHING TO COVER MR PATTEN’S VISIT TO MACAU SHOULD TAKE NOTE OF THE FOLLOWING PRESS ARRANGEMENTS:
(1) ARRIVAL IN MACAU
MR PATTEN WILL ARRIVE BY HELICOPTER AT THE CAR PARK OF MANDARIN ORIENTAL HOTEL IN MACAU AT 12.50 PM. HE WILL BE GREETED ON ARRIVAL BY THE GOVERNOR OF MACAU, GENERAL VIEIRA. THERE WILL BE A FIXED PRESS POSITION IN THE FIRST-LEVEL CAR PARK OVERLOOKING THE LANDING POINT. PRESS MEMBERS SHOULD ARRIVE AT THE CAR PARK ENTRANCE OF MANDARIN ORIENTAL HOTEL AT AVENIDA AMIZADE NO LATER THAN 12.40 PM.
(2) VISIT TO AIRPORT SITE
MR PATTEN WILL VISIT THE MACAU AIRPORT SITE AT ABOUT 4 PM. PRESS MEMBERS SHOULD ASSEMBLE OUTSIDE THE CAR PARK ENTRANCE OF MANDARIN ORIENTAL HOTEL BY 3.30 PM. TRANSPORT WILL BE AVAILABLE.
/(3) MEETING
T’.JRSDAi", OCTOBER 29, 1992
2
(3) MEETING WITH THE GOVERNOR OF MACAU
MR PATTEN WILL MEET THE GOVERNOR OF MACAU AT THE GOVERNMENT PALACE AT 5.15 PM. THERE WILL BE A BRIEF PHOTOCALL BEFORE THE MEETING STARTS . TRANSPORT WILL BE AVAILABLE TO TAKE THE PRESS FROM THE AIRPORT SITE TO THE GOVERNMENT PALACE.
(4) MEET THE MEDIA
AFTER THE MEETING, BOTH GENERAL VIEIRA AND MR PATTEN WILL MEET THE MEDIA AT 6 PM IN THE GOVERNMENT PALACE AND WILL ANSWER QUESTIONS ON MR PATTEN’S VISIT TO MACAU.
(5) OPERA AT FORTALEZA DO MONTE
MR PATTEN AND GENERAL VIEIRA WILL ARRIVE AT FORTALEZA DO MONTE AT 8 PM TO SEE AN OPERA "THE BARBER OF SEVILLE". A LIMITED NUMBER OF SEATS WILL BE AVAILABLE TO THE MEDIA. TICKETS CAN BE OBTAINED FROM THE MACAU PRESS OFFICE ON A FIRST-COME, FIRST-SERVED BASIS. PLEASE NOTE THAT PHOTOGRAPHY WILL NOT BE PERMITTED DURING THE PERFORMANCE.
--------0-----------
TRANSCRIPT OF INTERVIEW WITH CHIEF SECRETARY, SIR DAVID FORD, BY RTHK TODAY (THURSDAY) t * * * »
QUESTION: WHAT IS YOUR REACTION TO THE LATEST DEVELOPMENT IN
THE DISPUTE OVER POLITICAL DEVELOPMENT?
SIR DAVID: WELL, I THINK THE TIME HAS COME WHEN WE SHOULD MOVE ON.
I DO NOT SEE THAT THERE IS GOING TO BE MUCH POINT IN ARGUING OVER INDIVIDUAL SENTENCES IN DOCUMENTS WHICH WERE RELEASED YESTERDAY. I THINK IT’S WELL TO REMEMBER THAT TN PUTTING FORWARD THE PROPOSALS FOR THE 1995 ELECTIONS MR PATTEN MADE SEVEN PROPOSALS; PROPOSALS FOR A BOUNDARY COMMISSION, THE VOTING AGE, THE VOTING SYSTEM FOR THE REORGANISATION OF THE DISTRICT BOARDS AND MUNICIPAL COUNCILS, PROPOSALS TO GIVE THEM MORE POWER AND AUTHORITY, A PROPOSAL FOR THE ELECTION COMMITTEE AND PROPOSALS FOR THE FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCIES FOR THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. ALL THOSE CONSTITUTE A TOTAL PACKAGE FOR THE 1995 ELECTIONS. AND OF THOSE 7 PROPOSALS, 6 OF THEM HAVE NO MENTION WHATSOEVER IN THE DOCUMENTS WHICH WERE PUBLISHED YESTERDAY. CLEARLY NO ONE IS SUGGESTING THERE’S BEEN ANY AGREEMENT OVER THOSE PROPOSALS.
/ON THE ........
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 29, 1992
3 -
ON THE SEVENTH ONE, THE ELECTION COMMITTEE, WE FIND IT VERY DIFFICULT TO UNDERSTAND WHY THE CHINESE SIDE IS ARGUING THAT THERE HAS BEEN AN AGREEMENT ON THE ELECTION COMMITTEE, FOR TWO REASONS. FIRSTLY, THAT ELECTION COMMITTEE HAS BEEN EXCLUDED SPECIFICALLY FROM THE BASIC LAW. IF THERE HAD BEEN AN AGREEMENT, WHY ARE PROVISIONS OF THAT AGREEMENT NOT INCLUDED IN THE BASIC LAW RATHER THAN THE ELECTION COMMITTEE BEING DELIBERATELY EXCLUDED.
AND, INCIDENTALLY, IT’S NO ARGUMENT TO SAY THAT THE REASON FOR THAT IS THAT THE ELECTION COMMITTEE WILL BE FORMED BEFORE 1997, BECAUSE OF COURSE, THERE ARE DETAILED PROVISIONS IN THE BASIC LAW FOR THE PREPARATORY COMMITTEE WHICH IS FORMED IN 1996 AND THE SELECTION COMMITTEE WHICH WILL BE FORMED TO ELECT THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE IN 1997.
SECONDLY, IF THERE’S BEEN THIS SO-CALLED AGREEMENT, WHY ARE CHINESE SIDE STILL DISCUSSING THE QUESTION OF THE COMPOSITION OF THE ELECTION COMMITTEE. NOW, HONG KONG MACAU AFFAIRS OFFICE PEOPLE HAVE BEEN DISCUSSING WITH VISITORS, MEMBERS OF POLITICAL PARTIES WHO VISITED PEKING, VARIOUS PROPOSALS FOR THE COMPOSITION OF THAT ELECTION COMMITTEE. THOSE DISCUSSIONS HAVE BEEN REPORTED IN THE PRESS. I REFERRED TO SOME OF THEM IN MY SPEECH YESTERDAY. ONE OF THE PROPOSALS IS THAT THERE SHOULD BE AN ELECTION COMMITTEE COMPRISING 1-200 PEOPLE OF WHOM HALF WOULD BE NOMINATED BY THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT AND HALF WOULD BE NOMINATED BY THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT. WE CERTAINLY DO NOT BELIEVE THAT SUCH A PROPOSAL WOULD MEET OUR REQUIREMENTS TO HAVE A FREE AND OPEN SYSTEM WHICH WOULD BE ACCEPTABLE TO THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG. CLEARLY, THE HONG KONG MACAU AFFAIRS OFFICE, BY CONTINUING TO DISCUSS IN SUCH BROAD TERMS THE ELECTION COMMITTEE MAKE IT VERY CLEAR THAT THEY DO NOT BELIEVE THAT THERE IS ANY AGREEMENT ON THIS SUBJECT.
NEVERTHELESS, I THINK THE TIME HAS COME WHEN WE MUST MOVE THINGS FORWARD. AS MR PATTEN HAS SAID, WE STAND READY TO CONSIDER ANY PROPOSALS WHICH ARE FAIR AND OPEN AND WOULD HAVE THE SUPPORT OF THE PEOPLE HERE IN HONG KONG; AND I KNOW IT’S THE INTENTION OF MR GALSWORTHY, WHEN AMBASSADOR GUO RETURNS TO HONG KONG IN THE NEXT DAY OR SO, TO APPROACH HIM AND TO ASK THE CHINESE SIDE HOW THEY THINK MATTERS CAN BE TAKEN FURTHER FORWARD IN THE JOINT LIAISON GROUP.
QUESTION: HOW DO YOU THINK MATTERS SHOULD BE TAKEN FURTHER FORWARD?
SIR DAVID: WELL, CLEARLY WE WOULD LIKE TO SEE SOME PROPOSALS FROM THE CHINESE SIDE. PROPOSALS WHICH MEET THE PRINCIPLES WHICH HAVE BEEN LAID DOWN BY MR PATTEN AND, AS MR PATTEN HAS MADE VERY CLEAR, HE WOULD BE HAPPY TO DISCUSS ANY SUCH PROPOSALS WITH THE CHINESE SIDE.
QUESTION: BUT LU PING HAS SAID THAT THE CHINESE DON’T INTEND TO PUT FORWARD ANY PROPOSALS; THAT THEY CONSIDER THAT THINGS ARE ALREADY SORTED OUT IN THE BASIC LAW. DOESN’T THAT LEAVE YOU IN A QUANDARY?
/SIR DAVID .......
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 29, 1992
4
SIR DAVID: WELL, IT’S VERY DIFFICULT TO UNDERSTAND THAT POSITION. I’VE MADE THE POINT VERY CLEARLY THAT THE ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE 1995 ELECTIONS NEED TO BE VERY COMPREHENSIVE. WE HAVE PUT FORWARD 7 PROPOSALS. WHERE IN THE BASIC LAW CAN ANYONE POINT TO THE PROPOSALS FOR A BOUNDARY COMMISSION, FOR VOTING AGE, FOR A VOTING SYSTEM, FOR THE RE-ORGANISATION OF THE DISTRICT BOARDS, FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCIES, OR INDEED, THE ELECTION COMMITTEE. WE CAN FIND NO SOLUTION TO THE QUESTION OF HOW THOSE ARRANGEMENTS SHOULD BE MADE IN THE BASIC LAW. CLEARLY, THEY NEED TO BE DISCUSSED. INDEED, IN THE PUBLICATION OF THE LETTERS YESTERDAY, THERE IS A REFERENCE TO THE FACT THAT THE DETAILED ARRANGEMENTS WILL HAVE TO BE DISCUSSED. WE FIND IT VERY DIFFICULT TO UNDERSTAND THE SITUATION IN WHICH THE CHINESE SIDE ARE SAYING NOW THAT THERE IS NO NEED TO PUT FORWARD PROPOSALS. WE CLEARLY BELIEVE THERE IS SUCH A NEED.
QUESTION: BUT THE CHINESE SEEM TO BE SAYING THAT DOUGLAS HURD HAS AGREED, IN PRINCIPLE, ON THE ELECTION COMMITTEE. INDEED, THEY ARE LIKELY TO POINT TO A PROPOSED FORMULA WHICH WAS PUT FORWARD BY THE BRITISH FOR THE ELECTION COMMITTEE WHICH SEEMS TO BE MUCH CLOSER TO THE BASIC LAW THAN WHAT MR PATTEN IS NOW PUTTING FORWARD. DO YOU THINK CHINA, THEREFORE, HAS A CASE THAT POSSIBLY MR PATTEN IS DEPARTING FROM THE SPIRIT OF PAST UNDERSTANDING?
SIR DAVID: IF CHINA BELIEVES THERE IS AN UNDERSTANDING ON THIS MATTER, THEN IT WILL BE VERY INTERESTING TO HEAR FROM THE CHINESE SIDE WHAT THE DETAILED PROPOSAL IS ON WHICH THERE HAS BEEN AGREEMENT. CERTAINLY WE DO NOT BELIEVE THERE IS SUCH AN AGREEMENT AND WE HAVE NO INDICATION FROM THE BASIC LAW OR FROM ANYWHERE ELSE WHERE IT MIGHT BE; BUT CLEARLY IF THERE IS A PROPOSAI, WHICH WILL MEET THE PRINCIPLES WHICH MR PATTEN HAS LAID DOWN, THEN WE WOULD BE HAPPY TO DISCUSS IT.
QUESTION: DO YOU FEAR THE CONSEQUENCES OF A PROLONGED STAND-OFF ON THIS, INSOFAR AS IT MIGHT HARM HONG KONG ECONOMICALLY?
SIR DAVID: I HOPE THAT ANY DISAGREEMENTS THAT WE ARE HAVING WITH CHINA OVER THIS SUBJECT WOULD NOT SPILL OVER INTO ANY OTHER AREAS. IT WOULD BE VERY SAD INDEED IF THE CHINESE SIDE ALLOWED THE RELATIONSHIP ON ECONOMIC AND TRADE MATTERS TO BE AFFECTED BY THIS POLITICAL DISCUSSION. I SAID IN MY SPEECH YESTERDAY THAT WE DO VALUE A GOOD RELATIONSHIP WITH CHINA AND WE ARE CERTAINLY NOT DOING ANYTHING TO TRY TO DAMAGE THAT RELATIONSHIP AT ALL IN ANY WAY. AND I DO NOT BELIEVE THAT THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG WOULD APPRECIATE ANYTHING WHICH WAS DONE BY THE CHINESE SIDE WHICH AFFECTED THE LONG TERM STABILITY AND PROSPERITY OF THIS COMMUNITY.
QUESTION: OKAY, THANKS A LOT.
/5........
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 29, 1992
- 5 -
FS STARTS CONSULTATION ON REVENUE PROPOSALS
*****
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, MR HAMISH MACLEOD, HAS STARTED HIS ROUND OF CONSULTATIONS TODAY (THURSDAY) WITH MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TO HEAR THEIR VIEWS ON REVENUE PROPOSALS FOR THE 1993/94 BUDGET.
HE HAS MET THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MEMBERS OF MEETING POINT THIS AFTERNOON.
HE WILL BE MEETING MEMBERS BY GROUPS AT SEVEN OTHER SEPARATE SESSIONS OVER THE NEXT FORTNIGHT.
MR MACLEOD SAID: ”1 HAD VERY USEFUL DISCUSSIONS WITH MEMBERS IN JULY ON PRIORITIES FOR RECURRENT SPENDING IN TERMS OF BROAD POLICY AREAS.
"THE SENTIMENTS EXPRESSED BY LEGCO MEMBERS DURING THIS CONSULTATION EXERCISE HAVE BEEN REFLECTED IN THE AMBITIOUS PROGRAMMES OUTLINED IN THE GOVERNOR’S RECENT POLICY ADDRESS.
"I LOOK FORWARD TO THE FORTHCOMING ROUND OF CONSULTATIONS AND TO SEEKING MEMBERS’ VIEWS ON THE REVENUE ASPECTS. I AM SURE THAT THEY WILL PROVE EQUALLY USEFUL IN HELPING ME SHAPE THE PROPOSALS FOR NEXT YF?AR’S BUDGET.”
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY SAID HE WOULD BE TAKING THE OPPORTUNITY OF THE FORTHCOMING CONSULTATION TO HEAR LEGCO MEMBERS’ VIEWS ON PRIORITIES FOR PUBLIC WORKS SPENDING.
---------0-----------
MONETARY STATISTICS FOR SEPTEMBER
*****
HONG KONG DOLLAR DEPOSITS WITH AUTHORISED INSTITUTIONS RECORDED A STRONG INCREASE DURING SEPTEMBER, ACCORDING TO STATISTICS PUBLISHED TODAY (THURSDAY) 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 SEPTEMBER.
DEPOSITS
HONG ADJUSTED TO INCREASES OF
WITH AUTHORISED INSTITUTIONS, ROSE BY 2.8% IN SEPTEMBER FOLLOWING AND AUGUST RESPECTIVELY.
KONG DOLLAR DEPOSITS INCLUDE SWAP DEPOSITS, 0.6% AND 1.0% IN JULY
/AMONG THESE .......
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 29, 1992
6
AMONG THESE DEPOSITS, DEMAND DEPOSITS GREW BY 26.4%, UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF A NUMBER OF SHARE FLOTATION EXERCISES. SAVINGS DEPOSITS DECREASED BY 1.5% WHILE TIME DEPOSITS INCREASED BY 0.4%. YEAR-ON-YEAR, TOTAL HONG KONG DOLLAR DEPOSITS REGISTERED AN INCREASE OF 17.1%.
FOREIGN CURRENCY DEPOSITS WITH AUTHORISED INSTITUTIONS INCREASED BY 1.5% IN SEPTEMBER, AFTER A DECREASE OF 0.6% IN JULY AND AN INCREASE OF 1.3% IN AUGUST.
OF THESE DEPOSITS, U.S. DOLLAR DEPOSITS INCREASED BY 5.8% WHILE NON-U.S. DOLLAR DEPOSITS DECREASED BY 1.8%. YEAR-ON-YEAR, TOTAL FOREIGN CURRENCY DEPOSITS INCREASED BY 11.0%.
DURING SEPTEMBER, DEPOSITS OF ALL CURRENCIES WITH LICENSED BANKS GREW BY 2.3% WHILE DEPOSITS WITH RESTRICTED LICENCE BANKS AND DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES DROPPED BY 3.0% AND 1.7% RESPECTIVELY.
YEAR-ON-YEAR, DEPOSITS WITH LICENSED BANKS GREW BY 15.3% WHILE DEPOSITS WITH RESTRICTED LICENCE BANKS AND DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES DECLINED BY 12.0% AND 23.0% RESPECTIVELY.
MONEY SUPPLY
HK$M1, HK$M2 AND HK$M3 INCREASED BY 16.9%, 2.7% AND 2.7% RESPECTIVELY IN SEPTEMBER. THEIR CORRESPONDING GROWTH RATES IN AUGUST WERE -3.2%, 1.1% AND 1.1% RESPECTIVELY. YEAR-ON-YEAR, THESE MONETARY AGGREGATES INCREASED BY 37.8%, 18.5% AND 17.0% RESPECTIVELY.
TOTAL Ml, M2 AND M3 INCREASED BY 14.5%, 2.2% AND 2.0% IN SEPTEMBER RESPECTIVELY. THEIR CORRESPONDING GROWTH RATES IN AUGUST WERE -2.7%, 1.2% AND 1.2% RESPECTIVELY. YEAR-ON-YEAR, THESE MONETARY AGGREGATES GREW BY 31.5%, 15.3% AND 13.7% RESPECTIVELY.
LOANS AND ADVANCES
TOTAL OUTSTANDING LOANS AND ADVANCES EXTENDED BY AUTHORISED INSTITUTIONS INCREASED BY 2.5% IN SEPTEMBER FOLLOWING INCREASES OF 1.0% AND 2.4% IN JULY AND AUGUST RESPECTIVELY.
AMONG THE TOTAL OUTSTANDING LOANS, THOSE DENOMINATED IN HONG KONG DOLLAR INCREASED BY 2.1% WHILE THOSE DENOMINATED IN FOREIGN CURRENCY INCREASED BY 2.7%. COMPARED WITH A YEAR EARLIER, THESE LOANS INCREASED BY 17.1% AND 27.4% RESPECTIVELY.
LOANS TO FINANCE VISIBLE TRADE OF HONG KONG DECREASED BY 1.9% IN SEPTEMBER, AFTER AN INCREASE OF 0.9% IN JULY AND A DECREASE OF 0.1% IN AUGUST. YEAR-ON-YEAR, SUCH LOANS GREW BY 8.4%.
OTHER LOANS FOR USE IN HONG KONG INCREASED BY 2.3% IN SEPTEMBER, FOLLOWING INCREASES OF 0.6% AND 0.9% IN JULY AND AUGUST RESPECTIVELY. YEAR-ON-YEAR, THESE LOANS INCREASED BY 16.7%.
LOANS FOR USE OUTSIDE HONG KONG INCREASED BY 3.0% IN SEPTEMBER, AFTER INCREASES OF 1.5% AND 3.7% IN JULY AND AUGUST. YEAR-ON-YEAR, THESE LOANS GREW BY 31.4%.
/LOANS TO .......
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 29, 1992
7
LOANS TO FINANCE TRADE NOT TOUCHING HONG KONG DECREASED BY 1.8% DURING SEPTEMBER, AFTER A DECREASE OF 23.0% IN JULY AND AN INCREASE OF 1.2% IN AUGUST. YEAR-ON-YEAR, THESE LOANS DECREASED BY 6.2%.
QUARTERLY ANALYSIS OF LOANS AND ADVANCES FOR
USE IN HONG KONG BY SECTOR
DURING THE THIRD QUARTER OF 1992, TOTAL LOANS FOR USE IN HONG KONG (EXCLUDING THOSE FOR TRADE FINANCING) INCREASED BY 3.8%.
OF THESE, LOANS FOR USE IN MANUFACTURING INCREASED BY 0.4%, FOLLOWING INCREASES OF 4.5% AND 5.2% IN THE FIRST AND SECOND QUARTER OF 1992 RESPECTIVELY. YEAR-ON-YEAR, THESE LOANS GREW BY 10.3%.
LOANS TO BUILDING, CONSTRUCTION AND PROPERTY DEVELOPMENT AND INVESTMENT SECTOR ROSE BY 2.1% DURING THE THIRD QUARTER, FOLLOWING INCREASES OF 1.5% AND 4.0% DURING THE PREVIOUS TWO QUARTERS. YEAR-ON-YEAR, THESE LOANS GREW BY 11.6%.
LOANS TO WHOLESALE AND RETAIL TRADE DECREASED BY 0.8% DURING THE THIRD QUARTER, COMPARED WITH INCREASES OF 3.8% AND 4.8% DURING THE PRECEDING TWO QUARTERS. YEAR-ON-YEAR, THESE LOANS INCREASED BY 9.6%.
LOANS TO FINANCIAL CONCERNS (EXCLUDING AUTHORISED INSTITUTIONS) ROSE BY 9.2% THIS QUARTER, FOLLOWING INCREASES OF 3.8% AND 0.9% DURING THE FIRST AND SECOND QUARTER OF 1992 RESPECTIVELY. YEAR-ON-YEAR, THESE COANS INCREASED BY 21.6%.
LOANS TO INDIVIDUALS FOR THE PURCHASE OF RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY (OTHER THAN FLATS IN THE HOME OWNERSHIP SCHEME) GREW BY 3.5% THIS QUARTER, FOLLOWING INCREASES OF 3.2% AND 5.3% IN THE PRECEDING TWO QUARTERS. YEAR-ON-YEAR, THESE LOANS GREW BY 18.4%.
NUMBER OF REPORTING INSTITUTIONS
THE NUMBER OF REPORTING LICENSED BANKS AND RESTRICTED LICENCE BANKS REMAINED UNCHANGED AT 159 AND 54 RESPECTIVELY WHILE THAT OF DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES DECREASED BY ONE TO 148.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
TABLE 1 SETS OUT SUMMARY FIGURES FOR SEPTEMBER 1992 AND COMPARISONS WITH EARLIER MONTHS. TABLE 2 PRESENTS FIGURES FROM THE QUARTERLY ANALYSIS OF LOANS AND ADVANCES FOR USE IN HONG KONG BY SECTOR.
/TABLE 1 .......
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 29, 1992
8
TABLE 1 : MONETARY STATISTICS - SEPTEMBER 1992
(HKSmn)
Money Supply Sep 1992 Earlier months (% change to Sep 1992)
Aug 1992 Jun 1992 Sep 1991
Ml -HKS 149,595 128,021 ( 16.9 ) 131,773 ( 13.5 ) 108,539 ( 37.8 )
Foreign currency 15,830 16,469 ( -3.9 ) 16,110 ( -1.7 ) 17,221 ( -8.1 )
Total 165,425 144,490 ( 14.5 ) 147,883 ( 11.9 ) 125,761 ( 31.5 )
M2 - HKS* 719,965 700,939 ( 2.7 ) 687,849 ( 4.7 ) 607,616 ( 18.5 )
Foreign currency* 780,254 766,853 ( 1.7 ) 758,935 ( 2.8 ) 693,450 ( 12.5 )
Total 1,500,219 1,467,792 ( 2.2 ) 1,446,784 ( 3.7 ) 1,301,066 ( 15.3 )
M3 - HKS* 742,406 723,214 ( 2.7 ) 710,209 ( 4.5 ) 634,385 ( 17.0 )
Foreign currency* 815,111 803,141 ( 1.5 ) 798,774 ( 2.0 ) 736,043 ( 10.7 )
Total 1,557,518 1,526,355 ( 2.0 ) 1,508,984 ( 3.2 ) 1,370,428 ( 13.7 )
Notes and coins in circulation 56,299 56,287 ( 0.0 ) 52,500 ( 7.2 ) 46,638 ( 20.7 )
of which held by public 48,957 48,403 ( 1.1 ) 45,729 ( 7.1 ) 40,257 ( 21.6 )
Total Deposits
Total Demand deposits 116,468 96,088 ( 21.2 ) 102,154 ( 14.0 ) 85,504 ( 36.2 )
Total Savings deposits 351,317 349,928 ( 0.4 ) 342,803 ( 2.5 ) 281,731 ( 24.7 )
Total Time deposits with licensed banks 967,129 957,085 ( 1.0 ) 939,854 ( 2.9 ) 877,155 ( 10.3 )
Total Time depots with restricted licence banks 35,543 36,650 ( -3.0 ) 38,909 ( -8.7 ) 40,395 ( -12.0 )
Total Time deposits with deposit-taking companies 19,754 20,088 ( -1.7 ) 20,702 ( -4.6 ) 25,668 ( -23.0 )
HKS deposits* 679,547 661,075 ( 2.8 ) 650,990 ( 4.4 ) 580,212 ( 17.1 )
USS deposits* 367,338 347,278 ( 5.8 ) 333,728 ( 10.1 ) 297,719 ( 23.4 )
Other foreign currency deposits* 443,326 451,486 ( -1.8 ) 459,703 ( -3.6 ) 432,522 ( 2.5 )
All deposits 1,490,211 1,459,839 ( 2.1 ) 1,444,421 ( 3.2 ) 1,310,453 ( 13.7 )
Foreign currency swap deposits 51,317 49,009 ( 4.7 ) 45,181 ( 13.6 ) 45,008 ( 14.0 )
Total Loans and advances
To finance H K.’s visible trade 89,173 90,878 ( -1.9 ) 90,153 ( -1.1 ) 82,297 ( 8.4 )
To finance merchandising trade not touching H.K. 11,126 11,333 ( -1.8 ) 14,545 ( -23.5 ) 11,866 ( -6 2 )
Other loans for use in H.K. 912,534 892,222 ( 2.3 ) 878,951 ( 3.8 ) 782,172 ( 16.7 )
Other loans for use outside H.K. 1,471.180 1,427,802 ( 3.0 ) 1,356,673 ( 8.4 ) 1,119,381 ( 31.4 )
Other loans where the place of use is not known 37.440 38,150 ( -1.9 ) 37,566 ( -0.3 ) 39,016 ( -4 0 )
Loans in HKS 809,135 792,500 ( 2.1 ) 781,524 ( 3.5 ) 690,896 ( 17.1 )
Loans in foreign currencies 1,712,319 1,667,885 ( 2.7 ) 1,596,365 ( 7.3 ) 1,343,836 ( 27.4 )
Total loans and advances 2,521,453 2.460,384 ( 2.5 ) 2,377,889 ( 6.0 ) 2,034,732 ( 23.9 )
♦ Adjusted for foreign currency swap deposits, dollar foreign currency swap deposits.
Starting from April 1991, swap deposits can further be broken down into US dollar and non-US
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 .......
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 29, 1992
- 9
TABLE 2 : QUARTERLY ANALYSIS OF LOANS FOR USE IN HONG KONG BY SECTOR - SEPTEMBER 1992
Sectors Sep 1992 Earlier quarters Sep 1991
Jun 1992 (% change to Sep 1992) Mar 1992
Manufacturing 60,183 59,943 ( 0.4 ) 56,989 ( 5.6 ) 54,559 ( 10.3 )
Transport and transport equipment 54,894 54,300 ( 1.1 ) 51,415 ( 6.8 ) 48,562 ( 13.0 )
Building, construction, property development and investment 135,421 132,620 ( 2.1 ) 127,556 ( 6.2 ) 121,366 ( 11.6 )
Wholesale and retail trade 86,826 87,553 ( -0.8 ) 83,551 ( 3.9 ) 79,203 ( 9.6 )
Financial concerns * 130,181 119,187 ( 9.2 ) 118,108 ( 10.2 ) 107,042 ( 21.6 )
Individuals:
to purchase flats in the Home Ownership Scheme and Private Sector Participation Scheme 20,400 19,988 ( 2.1 ) 20,052 ( 17 ) 15,394 ( 32.5 )
to purchase other residential property 200,465 193,676 ( 3.5 ) 183,996 ( 9.0 ) 169,267 ( 18.4 )
other purposes 83,446 80,284 ( 3.9 ) 78,793 ( 5.9 ) 70,699 ( 18.0 )
Others 140,718 131,400 ( 7.1 ) 123,802 ( 13.7 ) 116,080 ( 21.2 )
Total 912,534 878,951 ( 3.8 ) 844,262 ( 81 ) 782,172 ( 16.7 )
♦ This excludes funds advanced to authorized institutions.
/10........
---------0-----------
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 29, 1992
- 10 -
PUBLIC VIEWS SOUGHT ON TAXI POLICY *****
THE TRANSPORT ADVISORY COMMITTEE (TAC) WILL LAUNCH A FOUR-MONTH CONSULTATION EXERCISE TOMORROW (FRIDAY) ON A NUMBER OF MEASURES IDENTIFIED FOR FURTHER CONSIDERATION IN ITS REVIEW OF THE TAXI POLICY.
SPEAKING AT A PRESS CONFERENCE TODAY, THE CHAIRMAN OF THE TAC, PROFESSOR LEUNG CHI-KEUNG, CALLED ON THE PUBLIC, IN PARTICULAR THE TAXI TRADE, TO GIVE THEIR VIEWS BY FEBRUARY 28 NEXT YEAR ON A CONSULTATIVE PAPER WHICH COVERS THREE MAIN ASPECTS OF THE TAXI POLICY, NAMELY THE LICENSING SYSTEM, FARE POLICY AND QUALITY OF SERVICE.
PROFESSOR LEUNG STRESSED THAT NEITHER TAC NOR GOVERNMENT HAS TAKEN A VIEW ON THE CONSULTATIVE DOCUMENT WHICH SEEKS TO PRESENT THE VARIOUS SUGGESTIONS PUT FORWARD TO THE TAC WORKING GROUP ON TAXI POLICY REVIEW.
HE SAID: “VIEWS EXPRESSED DURING THE CONSULTATION EXERCISE WILL BE CONSIDERED CAREFULLY BEFORE THE TAC MAKES FIRM RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE GOVERNMENT.
“IT IS IMPORTANT THAT ANY CHANGES WE PROPOSE SHOULD BE MADE IN THE BEST OF PUBLIC INTEREST, TAKING INTO ACCOUNT THE VIEWS OF ALL PARTIES CONCERNED,” PROFESSOR LEUNG SAID.
ON THE LICENSING SYSTEM, VIEWS ARE NOW SOUGHT ON THE FOLLOWING SUGGESTIONS:
* REPEAL THE QUOTA ON TAXI LICENCES AND ISSUE TAXI LICENCES FLEXIBLY WITHOUT A TIME FRAME;
♦ ALLOW EACH TENDERER TO APPLY FOR ONE LICENCE ONLY TO PREVENT MONOPOLY OF TAXI LICENCES;
♦ REQUIRE TENDERERS TO PRODUCE DOCUMENTARY PROOF OF FINANCIAL ARRANGEMENTS TO DISCOURAGE SPECULATIVE BIDS;
* INTRODUCE NEW TYPES OF LICENCES WITH RESTRICTED VALIDITY PERIODS AND TRANSFERABILITY;
♦ ALLOW INSTALMENT PAYMENT OF A LICENCE PREMIUM TO MAKF OWNERSHIP MORE AFFORDABLE TO TAXI DRIVERS; AND
♦ ESTABLISH FORMAL PROCEDURES FOR THE EXECUTION OF LICENCF TRANSFER.
ON FARE POLICY AND STRUCTURE, THE PUBLIC ARE ASKED TO COMMENT ON THE FOLLOWING SUGGESTIONS:
* REAFFIRM THE EXISTING POLICY OF MAINTAINING A FARE DIFFERENTIAL BETWEEN TAXIS AND OTHER FORMS OF TRANSPORT;
* CONFIRM THE EXISTING YARDSTICK FOR ASSESSING FARF INCREASE APPLICATIONS;
/* USE THE .......
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 29, 1992
11
* USE THE FLAGFALL CHARGE AS A MEANS TO REGULATE THE DEMAND FOR SHORT TRIPS IF NECESSARY;
* ADJUST WAITING TIME CHARGES TO DISCOURAGE THE USE OF TAXIS TO CONGESTED AREAS IF NECESSARY;
* RECTIFY PROBLEMS OF BAGGAGE AND RADIO-CALL SURCHARGES; AND
t LIMIT THE TYPES OF SURCHARGES TO A MINIMUM.
ON QUALITY OF TAXI SERVICE, VIEWS ARE SOUGHT ON THE FOLLOWING SUGGESTIONS:
* SIMPLIFY COMPLAINT PROCEDURES INCLUDING MAKING COMPLAINT FORMS AVAILABLE IN PUBLIC PLACES;
* REQUIRE TAXI DRIVERS TO ISSUE FARE RECEIPTS TO DETER OVERCHARGING;
* INTRODUCE A DEMERIT POINTS SYSTEM AGAINST MALPRACTICES FOR BOTH TAXI DRIVERS AND OPERATORS;
* PROMOTE BETTER UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN THE TAXI TRADE AND THE PUBLIC OF THEIR RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES THROUGH FORUMS AND SEMINARS AND A TAXI SERVICE GUIDE;
* REQUIRE TAXI DRIVERS TO UNDERGO WRITTEN TESTS AT REGULAR INTERVALS ON THEIR KNOWLEDGE OF LOCATIONS, ROUTES AND TAXI REGULATIONS;
♦ REQUIRE TAXI DRIVERS TO UNDERGO COMPULSORY PERIODIC MEDICAL EXAMINATIONS TO ENSURE ROAD SAFETY;
» CONSIDER EXEMPTING TAXIS FROM CERTAIN RESTRICTED ZONES TO GIVE THEM GREATER OPERATIONAL FLEXIBILITY; AND
* ENCOURAGE TAXI OPERATORS/DRIVERS TO FORM ORGANISATIONS TO PROMOTE THEIR PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS AND ENHANCE COMMUNICATION WITH THE PUBLIC AND THE GOVERNMENT.
THE CONSULTATIVE DOCUMENT AND A LEAFLET CONTAINING THE SALIENT POINTS ON THE TAXI POLICY REVIEW WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR COLLECTION TOMORROW AT ALL DISTRICT OFFICES AND LICENSING OFFICES/PUBLIC VEHICLES SECTION OF THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT.
DURING THE CONSULTATION PERIOD, POSTERS WILL BE DISPLAYED AND ANNOUNCEMENTS IN THE PUBLIC INTEREST WILL BE SCREENED ON TV TO URGE THE PUBLIC TO GIVE THEIR VIEWS.
VIEWS SHOULD BE FORWARDED IN WRITING TO THE SECRETARY, TRANSPORT ADVISORY COMMITTEE, SECOND FLOOR, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES (EAST WING). THERE IS ALSO A TAC HOTLINE (882 4411) FOR MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WHO WISH TO EXPRESS THEIR OPINIONS VERBALLY.
- - 0----------
/12 .......
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 29, 1992
12
PUBLICATION OF 1991 POPULATION CENSUS GRAPHIC GUIDE
*****
FINAL RESULTS OF THE 1991 POPULATION CENSUS IN GRAPHIC FORM ARE RELEASED TODAY (THURSDAY) IN THE REPORT "HONG KONG 1991 POPULATION CENSUS: GRAPHIC GUIDE".
THE REPORT, PUBLISHED BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT, CONTAINS 29 CHARTS SHOWING THE DEMOGRAPHIC AND SOCIO-ECONOMIC CHARACTERISTICS OF THE POPULATION IN HONG KONG.
THE REPORT COMMUNICATES IN GRAPHIC FORM INFORMATION IN A SIMPLE, VIVID MANNER FOR EASY GRASP OF ESSENTIAL FEATURES OF SUCH INFORMATION.
A GOOD AMOUNT OF INFORMATION HAS BEEN COLLECTED IN THE CENSUS.
IN ORDER THAT THE STATISTICS CAN BE MADE AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC AS SOON AS POSSIBLE, THE DEPARTMENT ISSUES VARIOUS REPORTS IN STAGES.
THE SIMPLER, MORE SUMMARISED DATA WERE DISSEMINATED IN THE "SUMMARY RESULTS" AND SEVERAL OTHER PUBLICATIONS IN OCTOBER 1991.
THE PUBLICATION "BASIC TABLES" CONTAINS MORE DETAILED INFORMATION AND WAS RELEASED IN MAY 1992.
THE "MAIN TABLES” WHICH PROVIDES CROSS-TABULATIONS COVERING POPULATION, HOUSEHOLDS AND LIVING QUARTERS IN THE WHOLE TERRITORY WAS RELEASED IN AUGUST 1992.
IN-DEPTH ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION OF THE CENSUS RESULTS WILL BE AVAILABLE IN THE "MAIN REPORT" TO BE RELEASED AT THE END OF THIS YEAR.
THE REPORT "GRAPHIC GUIDE", WHICH IS IN BILINGUAL FORM, IS NOW ON SALE AT $14 PER COPY.
PURCHASES MAY BE MADE AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS SALES CENTRE, GROUND FLOOR, GENERAL POST OFFICE BUILDING, CONNAUGHT PLACE, CENTRAL, HONG KONG, AND THE PUBLICATIONS OFFICE OF CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT ON 19TH FLOOR, WANCHAT TOWER I, 12 HARBOUR ROAD, WAN CHAI, HONG KONG.
--------0-----------
/13 ........
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 29, 1992
- 13 -
SPECIAL "GREETING" STAMPS TO BE ISSUED
*****
THE POSTMASTER GENERAL, MR M. PAGLIARI, ANNOUNCED TODAY (THURSDAY) THAT A SET OF SPECIAL "GREETING" STAMPS WILL BE ISSUED ON NOVEMBER 19.
THERE WILL BE FOUR DENOMINATIONS: 80 CENTS, $1.80, $2.30 AND $5. TWELVE ATTRACTIVE SELF-ADHESIVE GREETINGS LABELS WILL ALSO BE ISSUED IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE STAMPS.
A STAMP BOOKLET CONTAINING SIX 80 CENTS STAMPS, TWO EACH OF THE $1.80, $2.30 AND $5 STAMPS AND TWO SHEETS OF 12 GREETINGS LABELS WILL ALSO BE AVAILABLE AT $24 EACH.
THE STAMPS WERE DESIGNED BY MR COLIN TILLYER AND PRINTED BY LEIGH-MARDON PTY LTD OF AUSTRALIA.
THE STAMPS WILL BE DISPLAYED FOR ADVANCE INFORMATION OF THF PUBLIC AT THE GENERAL POST OFFICE, TSIM SHA TSUI POST OFFICE AND SKA TIN CENTRAL POST OFFICE AS FROM NOVEMBER 5.
OFFICIAL FIRST DAY COVERS WILL BE PLACED ON SALE AT ALL POST OFFICES, EXCEPT THE AIRPORT POST OFFICE, AS FROM NOVEMBER 5 AT $1 EACH.
A SHEET OF 12 GREETINGS LABELS WILL BE GIVEN OUT FREE WITH THE PURCHASE OF ONE FIRST DAY COVER.
ADVANCE ORDERS FOR SERVICED FIRST DAY COVERS WILL BE ACCEPTED FROM NOVEMBER 5 TO 11. THE MINIMUM NUMBER OF COVERS PER ORDER IS FIVE.
A RESTRICTION OF FIVE STAMP BOOKLETS AND FIVE SHEETS OF STAMPS OF EACH DENOMINATION PER CUSTOMER QUEUING WILL BE IMPOSED ON THE FIRST DAY OF ISSUE.
FOR THE CONVENIENCE OF CUSTOMERS, FIRST DAY COVERS PRE-AFFIXED WITH A SET OF STAMPS AND CANCELLED WITH THE FIRST DAY OF ISSUE POSTMARK WILL BE AVAILABLE AT $12.90 EACH AT THE FOLLOWING 27 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 .......
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 29, 1992
14
KOWLOON
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
A HAND-BACK SERVICE WILL BE GIVEN TO ALL OFFICIAL AND PRIVATELY MADE COVERS BEARING THE ’’FIRST DAY” INDICATION ON NOVEMBER 19 AT ALL POST OFFICES EXCEPT THE AIRPORT POST OFFICE.
’’THIS IS THE FIRST TIME THAT HONG KONG POST OFFICE HAS ISSUED GREETINGS STAMPS. THEY ARE EXPECTED TO BE POPULAR, ESPECIALLY DURING THE CHRISTMAS PERIOD,” MR PAGLIARI SAID.
------0--------
DISTRICT OFFICE RECRUITS COMMUNITY ORGANISERS
*****
THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OFFICE IS RECRUITING PART-TIME COMMUNITY ORGANISERS (CO) AND ASSISTANT COMMUNITY ORGANISERS (ACO).
APPLICANTS FOR THE CO POST SHOULD BE FORM FIVE GRADUATES, AGED 18 OR ABOVE AND HAVE SOME WORKING EXPERIENCE. THEY SHOULD ALSO BE ABLE TO SPEAK FLUENT CANTONESE AND WRITE GOOD CHINESE OR ENGLISH.
THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE ACO POST ARE SIMILAR TO THAT FOR 1HE CO EXCEPT THAT THE EDUCATION STANDARD IS SET AT FORM THREE AND ABOVE.
BOTH COS AND ACOS WILL BE TASKED WITH HELPING RESIDENTS FORM MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES OR OWNERS’ CORPORATIONS AND RUN THE RESIDENTS ORGANISATIONS.
THEY WILL ALSO BE INVOLVED IN ORGANISING COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES AND UNDERTAKING MANAGEMENT DUTIES FOR COMMUNITY CENTRES IN THE DISTRICT.
/THEY ARE .......
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 29, 1992
- 15 -
THEY ARE REQUIRED TO WORK IRREGULAR HOURS, MOSTLY IN THE AFTERNOONS AND EVENINGS, AND ON SATURDAYS, SUNDAYS AND PUBLIC HOLIDAYS, COVERING ABOUT 100 HOURS EACH MONTH.
THE HOURLY PAY FOR COS IS $22 AND THAT FOR ACOS $18.
APPLICATION FORMS FOR THE TWO POSTS ARE AVAILABLE FROM THE DISTRICT OFFICE AND ITS SUB-OFFICE. THE DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS IS BY THE CLOSE OF BUSINESS ON NOVEMBER 6.
TELEPHONE ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE ON 552 1006.
---------0-----------
NEW OVERNIGHT MINIBUS ROUTE
* * * *
A NEW PUBLIC LIGHT BUS PLYING BETWEEN TSIM SHA TSUI AND WAN CHAI WILL COME INTO SERVICE FROM 12.01 AM ON SATURDAY (OCTOBER 31).
THE CROSS-HARBOUR SCHEDULED ROUTE NO. 46 WILL OPERATE OVERNIGHT
BETWEEN MIDNIGHT AND 5 AM DAILY. THE FARE WILL BE $10 PER SINGLE JOURNEY.
--------0-----------
ENTRIES TO TRANSLATION CONTEST CLOSES NEXT MONDAY * * * * *
CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT RESIDENTS AND STUDENTS WISHING TO TAKE PART IN AN ANNUAL TRANSLATION COMPETITION ARE REMINDED TO SUBMIT THEIR APPLICATIONS BY NEXT MONDAY (NOVEMBER 2).
NOW TN ITS THIRD YEAR, THE CONTEST IS ORGANISED BY THE DISTRICT OFFICE, THE CHINESE DEPARTMENT OF UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG, THE MID-LEVELS WEST AREA COMMITTEE AND THE DISTRICT’S SCHOOL HEADS COUNCIL AND ASSOCIATION OF ARTS AND CULTURE, WITH SPONSORSHIP FROM THE DISTRICT BOARD.
THE CONTEST WILL BE DIVIDED INTO TWO SECTIONS: ONE IS OPEN TO RESIDENTS, WORKING PEOPLE AND POST-SECONDARY STUDENTS AND THE OTHER FOR THOSE STUDYING IN FORMS FOUR TO SEVEN.
CONTESTANTS IN BOTH SECTIONS ARE REQUIRED TO UNDERTAKE RENDERINGS FROM ENGLISH TO CHINESE AND VICE VERS,A AT THE LOK YEW HALL OF UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG ON NOVEMBER 14.
THEIR WORKS WILL BE ADJUDICATED BY A PANEL OF LECTURERS FROM THE UNIVERSITY.
/THE FIRST .......
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 29, 1992
16
THE FIRST THREE WINNERS, PLUS THOSE RECEIVING HONOURABLE MENTIONS, WILL EACH BE AWARDED A TROPHY AND A BOOK COUPON.
ENTRY FORMS ARE NOW AVAILABLE AT THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT OFFICE ON THE GROUND FLOOR OF HARBOUR BUILDING, 38 PIER ROAD, CENTRAL.
ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE ON TEL 852 3499 AND 852 3486.
- - 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.
THIS IS THE LAST REPORT ON BEACH WATER QUALITY GRADINGS IN 1992, AS THE BATHING SEASON WILL COME TO AN END BY LATE OCTOBER.
AN ANNUAL REVIEW ON THE WATER QUALITY OF VARIOUS BATHING BEACHES IN THE BATHING SEASON OF 1992 WILL BE PREPARED BY EPD BY THE END OF THIS YEAR.
THE PURPOSE OF THE GRADING SYSTEM IS TO INFORM SWIMMERS AND THE GENERAL PUBLIC ABOUT THE STATE OF BACTERIOLOGICAL POLLUTION AT VARIOUS BEACHES.
AN EPD SPOKESMAN SAID THE GRADING WILL BE ANNOUNCED AT BIWEEKLY INTERVALS DURING THE BATHING SEASON, TO COINCIDE WITH THE FREQUENCY AT WHICH BEACH WATERS ARE USUALLY SAMPLED.
THE GRADING IS BASED ON THE MOST RECENT E.COLI DATA OBTAINED BY 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 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, OCTOBER 29, 1992
- 17 -
"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 SPOKESMAN SAID.
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 PURPOSES, BASED ON THE WATER QUALITY DURING PAST SEASONS.
THEY ARE POLLUTED BY FAECAL WASTES AND FAIL TO ACHIEVE CONSISTENTLY THE HONG KONG STANDARDS. THE PUBLIC ARE ADVISED NOT TO SWIM IN THE WATER AT THESE TWO BEACHES.
IN ADDITION, ROCKY BAY BEACH HAS BEEN CLOSED FOR SWIMMING PURPOSES BY THE URBAN COUNCIL. THESE THREE BEACHES ARE IDENTIFIED BY AN "X" IN THE FOLLOWING LIST.
/THE GRADES .......
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 29, 1992
- 18 -
THE GRADES ON THE BACTERIOLOGICAL WATER QUALITY OF VARIOUS BEACHES IN HONG KONG TODAY ARE LISTED BELOW :
BEACH
PREVIOUS GRADING
PRESENT GRADING
(AS AT 15.10.92)
(AS AT 29.10.92)
HONG KONG SOUTH
BIG WAVE BAY CHUNG HOM KOK DEEP WATER BAY HAIRPIN MIDDLE BAY REPULSE BAY SHEK 0 SOUTH BAY ST. STEPHEN’S TURTLE COVE STANLEY MAIN ROCKY BAY TO TEI WAN*
1 1
1 1
2 1
2 1
2 1
1 X
1
1 1
1 1
1 1
2 1
2 1
1 X
1
TUEN MUN DISTRICT
OLD CAFETERIA X
NEW CAFETERIA 2
CASTLE PEAK X
KADOORIE 2
BUTTERFLY 2
X 2
X 2
2
SAI KUNG DISTRICT
CAMPERS 1
CLEAR WATER BAY 1ST BEACH 2
CLEAR WATER BAY 2ND BEACH 1
HAP MUN BAY 1
KIU TSUI 1
PAK SHA CHAU 1
SILVERSTRAND 2
TRIO (HEBE HAVEN) 1
1 1
1 1
1 1
2 1
/ISLANDS DISTRICT .......
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 29, 1992
19 -
ISLANDS DISTRICT
CHEUNG SHA UPPER 1 1
CHEUNG SHA LOWER 1 1
DISCOVERY BAY* 2 2
HUNG SHING YEH 1 1
KWUN YAM WAN 1 1
TONG FUK 1 1
LO SO SHING 1 1
PUI 0 1 1
SILVERMINE BAY 1 1
TUNG WAN, CHEUNG CHAU 1 1
TUNG 0* 1 1
TSUEN WAN DISTRICT
ANGLERS’ 3 3
APPROACH 3 2
CASAM 2 1
GEMINI 2 2
HOI MEI WAN 2 2
LIDO 2 2
TING KAU 2 2
TUNG WAN, MA WAN 1 1
NOTE : "X" THE BEACH HAS BEEN CLOSED FOR SWIMMING PURPOSES.
* NON-GAZETTED BEACHES.
THE FOLLOWING BEACHES HAVE CHANGED GRADING
MIDDLE BAY, CLEAR WATER BAY 1ST BEACH AND "1"; APPROACH FROM "3" TO ”2".
THE CHANGES ARE WITHIN THE NORMAL RANGE OF BACTERIOLOGICAL WATER QUALITY OF THESE BEACHES.
ON THIS OCCASION:
CASAM FROM "2" TO
FLUCTUATION OF THE
NOTE TO EDITORS:
FOR FURTHER ENQUIRIES, PLEASE CONTACT MR DAVID L. HALL, ACTING PRINCIPAL ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION OFFICER, ON TEL 835 1234.
--------0-----------
/20........
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 29, 1992
- 20 -
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS *****
$ MILLION
OPENING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT 2,200
REVERSAL OF LAF -700
BALANCE AFTER REVERSAL OF LAF 1,500
NET INJECTION/WITHDRAWAL TODAY NIL
EFFECT OF LAF TODAY -20
CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT 1,480
LAF RATE 2.00 BID/4.00 OFFER TWI 112.0 *+0.3« 29.10.92
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND
EF BILLS HONG KONG GOVERNMENT BONDS
TERMS YIELD TERM ISSUE COUPON PRICE YIELD
1 WEEK 3.67 PCT 13 MONTHS 2311 6.25 102.56 3.78
1 MONTH 3.33 PCT 16 MONTHS 2402 5.50 101.75 4.14
3 MONTHS 3.24 PCT 19 MONTHS 2405 5.502 101.75 4.37
6 MONTHS 3.32 PCT 22 MONTHS 2408 4.375 99.77 4.56
12 MONTHS 3.76 PCT
TOTAL TURNOVER OF BILLS AND BONDS - 10,625 MN
CLOSED 29 OCTOBER 1992
- - 0 - -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 30, 1992
CONTENTS PAGE NO...
GOVERNOR IN MACAU ............................................... 1
NEW MEANS TEST FOR LEGAL AID .................................... 2
ELECTRICITY VOLTAGES TO BE UPGRADED ............................. 3
GOVT TO BOOST RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT FOR INDUSTRY ............. 4
FEES FOR DANGEROUS GOODS SERVICES REVISED ....................... 5
APPOINTMENTS TO TRAVEL AGENTS ADVISORY COMMITTEE ................ 6
LORD WILSON HERITAGE TRUST BILL GAZETTED ........................ 6
SHIPPING AND CARGO STATISTICS FOR OCEAN GOING VESSELS FOR SECOND QUARTER OF 1992 ......................................... 7
EDUCATION AND TRAINING CENTRE FOR FAMILY MEDICINE OPENS ........ 10
SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT COMMITTED TO ACHIEVING TARGETS .... 11
CONSULTATION PERIOD FOR AIMS OF EDUCATION EXTENDED ............. 12
MORE FUNDS FOR SOCIAL WELFARE SERVICES ......................... 13
NEW TRAVEL ARRANGEMENTS BETWEEN HK AND POLAND .................. 13
TWO SITES UP FOR AUCTION ....................................... 14
ADVICE ON QUEEN'S PIER ......................................... 14
TENDERS FOR BELCHER BAY WORKS INVITED .......................... 15
NT RECREATION BUS TO RESUME SERVICES ........................... 15
TENDERS INVITED FOR PUMPING STATION WORKS ...................... 16
LAND TO BE RESUMED FOR PUMPING STATION ......................... 16
SEMINAR ON RETIREMENT PROTECTION SYSTEM ........................ 17
CAMPAIGN TO PROMOTE FIRE PREVENTION ............................ 17
YOUTH CHINESE MUSIC FESTIVAL STARTS NEXT MONTH ................. 18
HAPPY VALLEY DAY FOR ELDERLY AND HANDICAPPED ................... 19
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS .. 20
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 30, 1992
1 / GOVERNOR TN MACAO * * * *
FOLLOWING IS THE TRANSCRIPT OF THE GOVERNOR, THE RT HON CHRISTOPHER PATTEN, AND THE MACAU GOVERNOR, GENERAL ROCHA VEIERA, SPEAK TO THE PRESS AFTER MR PATTEN’S TOUR OF MACAU:
MR PATTEN:
GOVERNOR, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN. I’D JUST LIKE TO SAY THAT I’VE VERY MUCH ENJOYED MY FIRST OFFICIAL VISIT TO MACAU AND I WOULD LIKE TO EXPRESS MY GRATITUDE TO YOU GOVERNOR FOR YOUR HOSPITALITY ON THIS OCCASION. WE ARE, HONG KONG AND MACAU, GOOD AND CLOSE NEIGHBOURS WITH AN EXTREMELY GOOD RELATIONSHIP AND MUCH TO CO-OPERATE ABOUT IN THE COMING YEARS. I THINK THAT WE BOTH SHARE THE SAME CONVICTION THAT WE SHOULD HAVE, PERSONALLY AS WELL AS BETWEEN OUR GOVERNMENTS, A RELATIONSHIP WHICH IS CLOSE AND CANDID AND I’VE BEEN DELIGHTED TO BE ABLE TO START IN THAT SPIRIT, GOVERNOR, TODAY. SO I SHALL LOOK FORWARD TO FUTURE REGULAR CONTACTS WITH YOU AND WITH YOUR COLLEAGUES IN GOVERNMENT AND I HOPE THAT I’LL BE ABLE TO COME BACK TO MACAU BOTH OFFICIALLY AND UNOFFICIALLY ON MANY OCCASIONS BETWEEN NOW AND JUNE 30, 1997. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
QUESTION^ DO YOU THINK MACAU HAS THE SAME SITUATION AS HONG KONG IN REGARD TO THE POLITICAL SITUATION?
MR PATTEN:
NOWHERE, NO TWO PLACES ARE EXACTLY THE SAME. BUT I THINK THAT THE GOVERNOR AND I BOTH SHARE THE AMBITION TO GOVERN THE TERRITORIES FOR WHICH WE ARE RESPONSIBLE AS COMPETENTLY AND HONOURABLY AS POSSIBLE WHILE THE RESPONSIBILITIES REMAIN TO US. SO I THINK TO THAT EXTENT WF SHARE THINGS TN COMMON. BUT OBVIOUSLY THERE ARE DIFFERENCES. THE NEW AIRPORTS ARE IMPORTANT TO BOTH TERRITORIES. THEY ARE OF DIFFERENT SIZE AND I THINK WOULD HAVE DIFFERENT CAPACITIES. I DON’T SEE THEM IN ANY WAY AS BEING RIVALS. I THINK IT’S ABUNDANTLY TRUE THAT THE PROSPERITY AND SUCCESS OF MACAU ARE IMPORTANT TO HONG KONG AND THE PROSPERITY AND SUCCESS OF HONG KONG ARE IMPORTANT TO MACAU.
QUESTION: GOVERNOR, DO YOU THINK YOUR PRESENCE HERE IS SEEN FROM
THE CHINESE POINT OF VIEW AS A BAD INFLUENCE ON US?
MR PATTEN:
I’M SURE THAT CHINESE OFFICIALS WOULD REGARD MY VISIT TO MACAU AS BEING AN IMPORTANT DEVELOPMENT OF THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN OUR TERRITORIES AND IF CHINESE OFFICIALS ARE INTERESTED IN MY TRAVEL PLANS 1 HOPE THAT’S THE CONCLUSION WHICH THEY COME TO.
(QUESTION PUT TO GOVERNOR OF MACAU. ANSWERED TN PORTUGUESE)
QUESTION: (PUT IN PORTUGUESE WITH NO TRANSLATION TO MEDIA)
/MR PATTEN: ........
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 30, 1992
2
MR PATTEN:
HOW LONG WOULD YOU LIKE ME TO ANSWER THE QUESTION FOR. I’M AFRAID YOUR QUESTION IS BASED ON A FAULTY PREMISE. BUT LET ME ANSWER IT IN THE MOST UP-TO-DATE POSSIBLE WAY. THE JOINT DECLARATION COMMITS
US TO WORK FOR THE STEADY DEVELOPMENT OF DEMOCRACY AND DEMOCRATIC INSITUTITIONS IN HONG KONG. THAT IS WHAT WE’RE OBLIGED TO DO BY THE JOINT DECLARATION; THAT IS WHAT WE’RE OBLIGED TO DO IN ORDER, FOR EXAMPLE, TO CONVERGE WITH THE BASIC LAW. IT WASN’T THE GOVERNOR OF HONG KONG WHO MADE UP THE FACT THAT WE HAVE TO PUT FORWARD SPECIFIC
PROPOSALS FOR THE 1995 ELECTIONS ON ISSUES WHERE THE BASIC LAW IS SILENT. I HAVE TO PUT FORWARD PROPOSALS ON THE VOTING METHOD FOR DIRECTLY ELECTED SEATS; I HAVE TO PUT FORWARD PROPOSALS ON THE COMPOSITION OF THE ELECTION COMMITTEE; J HAVE TO PUT FORWARD PROPOSALS ON THE COMPOSITION OF THE NEW FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCIES. SO UNDER THE
EXISTING TEXT, TEXTS WHICH ARE SILENT ON THOSE SPECIFIC MATTERS, THE GOVERNOR OF HONG KONG HAS TO SUGGEST WAYS IN WHICH THE 1995 ELECTIONS
SHOULD BE CONDUCTED. I’VE SAID BEFORE, AND I SAY AGAIN, THAT IF OTHERS HAVE ALTERNATIVE PROPOSALS WHICH THEY WISH TO PUT FORWARD I WOULD BE DELIGHTED TO HEAR WHAT THEY ARE. HONG KONG IS IN A DIFFERENT SITUATION TO OTHER TERRITORIES FOR WHICH THE UNITED KINGDOM HAS HAD
RESPONSIBILITY. IT IS IN A DIFFERNT SITUATION, AND THIS IS A POSITION TN WHICH PORTUGAL HAS FOUND ITSELF AS WELL, IT’S IN A DIFFERENT SITUATION BECAUSE IT IS NOT A DEPENDENT TERRITORY WHICH IS GOING TO BECOME INDEPENDENT. THAT IS NOT HAPPENING AND IT’S NOT HAPPENING BECAUSE OF HISTORY, BECAUSE OF GEOGRAPHY AND BECAUSE OF INTERNATIONAL AGREEMENTS. THEREFORE, WHAT HAS HAPPENED TO TERRITORIES FOR WHICH WE WERE RESPONSIBLE ELSEWHERE; TERRITORIES LIKE SINGAPORE, MALAYSIA, DARE
I MENTION CANADA, AUSTRALIA, NEW ZEALAND AND SO ON. THAT IS NOT A PROCESS WHICH IS BEING UNDERTAKEN IN THE SAME WAY IN HONG KONG. BUT
I REPEAT THAT UNDER THE JOINT DECLARART1ON AND UNDER THE BASIC LAW,
WE HAVE TO PROPOSE WAYS IN WHICH DEMOCRACY IS BROADENED IN HONG KONG
AND THAT’S WHAT I’VE DONE.
THANK YOU.
----0----
NEW MEANS TEST FOR LEGAL AID * * * * *
THE LEGAL AID DEPARTMENT HAS RECENTLY RELAXED THE SO THAT MORE APPLICANTS ARE NOW ELIGIBLE FOR LEGAL AID.
MEANS TEST
IN THE PAST, THE MAXIMUM DISPOSABLE MONTHLY INCOME THAT A PERSON IS ALLOWED IN ORDER TO RECEIVE LEGAL AID WAS $2,200 AND THE MAXIMUM DISPOSABLE CAPITAL ASSETS AMOUNTED TO $15,000.
UNDER THE NEW MEANS TEST, THE ELIGIBILITY IS DETERMINED ON THE BASIS OF THE FINANCIAL RESOURCES OF AN APPLICANT RATHER THAN, AS IN THE PAST, ON DISPOSABLE INCOME AND DISPOSABLE CAPITAL.
TO QUALIFY FOR LEGAL All) ON MEANS, AN APPLICANT’S FINANCIAL RESOURCES MUST NOT EXCEED $120,000.
/THE FINANCIAL .......
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 30, 1992
THE FINANCIAL RESOURCES ARE AN APPLICANT’S ANNUAL DISPOSABLE INCOME PLUS HIS DISPOSABLE CAPITAL.
THERE ARE ALSO ADJUSTMENTS IN THE CALCULATION OF DEDUCTIONS, INCLUDING THE NEW RULE THAT THE TOTAL VALUE OF THE APPLICANT’S OWNER-OCCUPIED DWELLING SHALL BE DISREGARDED.
THE NEW MEANS TEST IS ALSO EXTENDED TO COVER THE SUPPLEMENTARY LEGAL AID SCHEME.
FOR AN APPLICANT TO QUALIFY UNDER THIS SCHEME HIS FINANCIAL RESOURCES MUST EXCEED $120,000 BUT NOT EXCEED $280,000.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE LEGAL AID DEPARTMENT SAID IF MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE NOT SURE WHETHER THEY ARE ELIGIBLE UNDER THE NEW MEANS TEST, THEY CAN MAKE ENQUIRIES ON TEL 867 3030 OR 399 2288.
OR, THEY CAN CALL IN PERSON AT THE DEPARTMENT. THE ADDRESSES ARE THE 24TH FLOOR OF QUEENSWAY GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 66 QUEENSWAY, HONG KONG AND THE THIRD FLOOR OF MONGKOK GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 30 LUEN WAN STREET, MONG KOK, KOWLOON.
"THE STAFF THERE WILL BE HAPPY TO HELP AND TO ANSWER ANY ENQUIRIES FROM THE PUBLIC," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
"WITH THE RECENT ACHIEVEMENT IN ECONOMIC PERFORMANCE IN HONG KONG, IT IS THE GOVERNMENT POLICY TO FURTHER EXTEND THE LEGAL AID SCHEME TO COVER MORE PEOPLE WHO ARE GENUINELY IN NEED."
OF COURSE, ONE HAS TO SHOW THAT HE HAS A REASONABLE CLAIM OR A REASONABLE DEFENCE WHICH JUSTIFIES TAKING SOME ACTION IN LAW, HE ADDED.
------o - - - -
' ELECTRICITY VOLTAGES TO BE UPGRADED * * * * *
THE ELECTRICITY SUPPLY (AMENDMENT) REGULATION 1992 WAS PUBLISHED IN THE GOVERNMENT GAZETTE TODAY (FRIDAY).
THE NEW REGULATION REQUIRES, WITH EFFECT FROM DECEMBER 3 THIS YEAR, ELECTRICITY TO BE SUPPLIED AT 220 VOLTS OR 380 VOLTS, AS NECESSARY, TO ALL NEW ELECTRICIAL INSTALLATIONS AND PROGRESSIVELY TO EXISTING ELECTRICIAL INSTALLATIONS.
THE GOVERNMENT ANNOUNCED IN MAY 1990 THAT THE ELECTRICITY SUPPLY VOLTAGES IN HONG KONG WOULD BE UPGRADED FROM THE EXISTING 200 VOLTS AND 346 VOLTS TO 220 VOLTS AND 380 VOLTS RESPECTIVELY.
"THIS IS TO BRING HONG KONG’S SUPPLY VOLTAGES IN LINE WITH THOSE MOST WIDELY USED INTERNATIONALLY," A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID.
"THE INITIAL PHASE OF THE UPGRADING STARTED IN AUGUST 1990 IN GOVERNMENT BUILDINGS. THIS HAS GONE SMOOTHLY," HE SAID.
/THE NEW ........
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 30, 1992
- 4
THE NEW REGULATION WILL FACILITATE THE START OF THE MAIN PHASE OF THE UPGRADING EXERCISE WHICH WILL INVOLVE COMMERCIAL AND INDUSTRIAL ACTIVITIES AND RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS THROUGHOUT HONG KONG.
IMPLEMENTATION WILL BE CARRIED OUT AREA BY AREA OVER THE NEXT FOUR YEARS AS ELECTRICAL SWITCHBOARDS AND SUBSTATIONS COME UP FOR REGULAR MAINTENANCE.
THE UPGRADING PROGRAMME WILL PROCEED AS APPROVED BY THE DIRECTOR OF ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL SERVICES HAVING REGARD TO THE ADVICE OF THE SUPPLY VOLTAGE ADVISORY COMMITTEE.
A PUBLICITY CAMPAIGN TO EXPLAIN THE MERITS OF THE UPGRADING AND DISPEL ANY UNDUE WORRIES AMONG ELECTRICITY CONSUMERS WILL BE LAUNCHED IN DECEMBER BEFORE THE UPGRADING PROGRAMME BEGINS.
------o--------
GOVT TO BOOST RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT FOR INDUSTRY
*****
THE GOVERNMENT IS HELPING TO BUILD UP THE RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT CAPABILITY IN THE TERTIARY EDUCATION SECTOR TO BETTER EQUIP HONG KONG’S INDUSTRY TO MEET THE CHALLENGE OF NEW TECHNOLOGY AND COMPETITION, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, MR HAMISH MACLEOD, SAID TODAY (FRIDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE NEW INDUSTRIAL CENTRE OF THE HONG KONG POLYTECHNIC, MR MACLEOD SAID THE GOVERNMENT WAS AT THE SAME TIME PROVIDING INCENTIVES FOR THE PRIVATE SECTOR TO BOOST ITS OWN RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT EFFORT.
"THE GOVERNOR, IN HIS POLICY ADDRESS TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL EARLIER THIS MONTH, HAS ANNOUNCED THAT FUNDS EARMARKED FOR RESEARCH IN THE UNIVERSITIES AND POLYTECHNICS WOULD RISE BY OVER 20 PER CENT IN REAL TERMS OVER THE NEXT TWO YEARS, FROM $122 MILLION THIS YEAR TO $1PO MILLION IN 1994/95 - AND THAT THE NEED FOR FURTHER INCREASES BEYOND 1994/95 WOULD BE GIVEN SYMPATHETIC CONSIDERATION," HE SAID.
EARLIER THIS YEAR, A SUM OF $200 MILLION WAS COMMITTED FOR A SCHEME UNDER WHICH THE GOVERNMENT WOULD MATCH PRIVATE SECTOR INVESTMENT IN WORTHWHILE APPLIED RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS.
MR MACLEOD SAID THIS BOOST IN FUNDING FOR RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT TN BOTH THE PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SECTORS SHOULD HELP INCREASE THE POOL OF RESEARCH TALENT AND EXPERTISE ALREADY AVAILABLE IN HONG KONG.
IT SHOULD ALSO HELP INCREASE THE PROSPECTS FOR COLLABORATION BETWEEN THE TWO SECTORS TO HELP HONG KONG’S INDUSTRY STAY COMPETITIVE, HE ADDED.
"FOR THE FUTURE, WE WILL BE LOOKING TO THE NEW INDUSTRY AND TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL - WHICH I AM CHAIRING DURING ITS FORMATIVE MONTHS - TO ADVISE ON WHAT FURTHER STEPS THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD TAKE TO MEET OUR OBJECTIVE OF MINIMUM INTERVENTION BUT MAXIMUM SUPPORT FOR OUR INDUSTRIES," HE SAID.
------0-------
/5 .....
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 30, 1992
5
FEES FOR DANGEROUS GOODS SERVICES REVISED
*****
FEES FOR SERVICES SET OUT IN FOUR REGULATIONS RELATED TO MINING AND THE MANUFACTURE, STORAGE, CONVEYANCE AND USAGE OF DANGEROUS GOODS AND EXPLOSIVES HAVE BEEN REVISED WITH EFFECT FROM TODAY (FRIDAY).
THE FOUR REGULATIONS ARE THE DANGEROUS GOODS (GENERAL) (AMENDMENT) REGULATION 1992, MINING (GENERAL) (AMENDMENT) REGULATION 1992, MINES (SAFETY) (AMENDMENT) REGULATION 1992 AND DANGEROUS GOODS (GOVERNMENT EXPLOSIVES DEPOTS) (AMENDMENT) REGULATION 1992.
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THE REVISED FEES WERE TO BRING THEM IN LINE WITH THE RISING ADMINISTRATIVE COSTS FOR THE PAST YEARS.
"FEES FOR THE REGULATION OF DANGEROUS GOODS, INCLUDING EXPLOSIVES, BLASTING AND MINING WERE UNABLE TO COVER THE INCREASED OPERATING COSTS SINCE THEY WERE LAST REVISED," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
HE POINTED OUT THAT THE FEES FOR ISSUING A LICENCE FOR MANUFACTURING, CONVEYING OR STORING DANGEROUS GOODS (OTHER THAN EXPLOSIVES) WERE LAST REVISED IN 1983.
OTHER FEES, SUCH AS THOSE RELATED TO THE PROSPECTING FOR AND THE MINING OF MINERALS, HAVE NOT BEEN REVISED SINCE 1954 WHEN THEY WERE INTRODUCED.
HE EXPECTED THAT THE NEW FEES WOULD HAVE MINIMAL EFFECT ON THE INDUSTRY AS THE COSTS OF DANGEROUS GOODS AND EXPLOSIVES FORMED ONLY A SMALL PORTION OF ITS TOTAL OPERATION COSTS.
THE OLD AND NEW FEES FOR SOME OF THE SERVICES SET OUT IN THE FOUR REGULATIONS ARE:
OLD ($) NEW ($)
LICENCE FOR DANGEROUS STORING CATEGORY 5 GOODS 130 - 3,900 170 - 4 ,950
LICENCE FOR DANGEROUS LIQUEFIED STORING CATEGORY 2 GOODS (OTHER THAN PETROLEUM GAS) 235 - 1,175 300 - 1 ,500
CERTIFICATE FOR MINE BLASTING 580 645
STORAGE OF 1 EXPLOSIVES PER 50 KILOGRAMS 117 126.5
DELIVERY OF EXPLOSIVE NOT EXCEEDING 50 KILOGRAMS (INCLUDING REMOVAL PERMIT) 1,520 1 ,685
PERMIT FOR DISCHARGE OF EXPLOSIVES 17,000 18 ,830
/THE SPOKESMAN .......
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 30, 1992
6
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE DANGEROUS GOODS STANDING COMMITTEE WHICH HAS REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE PRIVATE SECTOR, INCLUDING THOSE FROM THE CHEMICAL, SHIPPING, PETROLEUM AND GODOWN INDUSTRIES AND THE FEDERATION OF HONG KONG INDUSTRIES, HAD BEEN CONSULTED ON THE REVISION,
DETAILS OF THE NEW FEES WERE GAZETTED TODAY.
-----o------
' APPOINTMENTS TO TRAVEL AGENTS ADVISORY COMMITTEE *****
THE CHAIRMAN OF THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON TRAVEL AGENTS (ACTA), MR TANG KWAI-NANG, HAS BEEN REAPPOINTED FOR A PERIOD OF ONE YEAR FROM NOVEMBER 1, 1992 TO OCTOBER 31, 1993, A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (FRIDAY).
ALL THE OTHER NON-OFFICIAL MEMBERS HAVE BEEN RE-APPOINTED FOR THE SAME PERIOD.
THEY ARE MRS PAMELA CHAN, MR SIMON HAU SUK-KEI, MR ROBERT KWAN CHIU-YIN, MR BENTON LAU KWOK-KIU, MR JAMES LU, MR PANG KAM-FAI, MR WAN HON-CHEUNG, MR HAROLD T WU, AND MR HOWARD YOUNG.
"THE ABOVE MEMBERS HAVE MADE VALUABLE CONTRIBUTIONS IN FORMULATING THE REFORM PACKAGE FOR THE REGULATION OF THE OUTBOUND TRAVEL INDUSTRY," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
"NEWLY APPOINTED TO ACTA AS MEMBERS ARE DR KENNETH LEUNG WAI-YIN, LECTURER AT THE DEPARTMENT OF JOURNALISM AND COMMUNICATION OF THE CHINESE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG AND MR TAM KAI-ON, A DIRECTOR OF THE TRAVEL INDUSTRY COUNCIL BOARD AND DIRECTOR AND DEPUTY GENERAL MANAGER OF WAH NAM TRAVEL SERVICE LTD," HE SAID.
THEIR APPOINTMENT IS ALSO FOR A PERIOD OF ONE YEAR FROM NOVEMBER 1, 1992.
-----o------
LORD WILSON HERITAGE TRUST BILL GAZETTED t ♦ ♦ * *
A BILL THAT PROVIDES FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE LORD WILSON HERITAGE TRUST IN HONG KONG WAS APPROVED BY THE GOVERNOR-IN-COUNCIL AND GAZETTED TODAY (FRIDAY).
THE LORD WILSON HERITAGE TRUST BILL WILL BE INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON NOVEMBER 11 AND IS EXPECTED TO BE ENACTED BY THE END OF THE YEAR.
/THE HERITAGE .......
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 30, 1992
THE HERITAGE TRUST, THE FIRST OF ITS KIND IN HONG KONG, WILL MARK THE TENURE OF LORD WILSON AS GOVERNOR OF HONG KONG AND PROVIDE A MEANS BY WHICH THE COMMUNITY CAN PARTICIPATE IN THE PRESERVATION OF HONG KONG’S HERITAGE.
THE TRUST, TO BE FUNDED ENTIRELY BY DONATIONS, HAS SO FAR RECEIVED $26 MILLION.
AN ADDITIONAL $17 MILLION HAS BEEN PLEDGED, OF WHICH $15 MILLION IS FROM THE ROYAL HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB.
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE INVITED TO CONTRIBUTE TO THE TRUST. DONATIONS WILL BE RECEIVED ON THE HONG KONG BANK ACCOUNT NO. HK-600660641 .
A BOARD OF TRUSTEES AND A COUNCIL OF THE TRUST WILL BE APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNOR AFTER THE LEGISLATION HAS BEEN ENACTED.
THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES WILL BE CHAIRED BY BARONESS DUNN.
ENQUIRIES ABOUT DETAILS OF THE HERITAGE TRUST CAN BE MADE TO THE EXECUTIVE SECRETARY OF THE ANTIQUITIES AND MONUMENTS OFFICE AT 136 NATHAN ROAD, TSIM SHA TSUI, KOWLOON OR ON TEL 721 2326.
-----0.-----
r
SHIPPING AND CARGO STATISTICS FOR OCEAN-GOING VESSELS FOR SECOND QUARTER OF 1992
*****
IN THE SECOND QUARTER OF 1992, 6,268 SHIPS WITH A TOTAL CAPACITY OF 33 MILLION NET REGISTERED TONS (NRT) ARRIVED HONG KONG, REPRESENTING AN INCREASE OF 847 (OR 16%) IN NUMBER AND OF 3 MILLION NRT (OR 10%) IN CAPACITY OVER THE SECOND QUARTER OF 1991.
THIS INFORMATION IS CONTAINED IN THE "HONG KONG SHIPPING STATISTICS REPORT, APRIL - JUNE 1992" PUBLISHED TODAY (FRIDAY) BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
IN THE SECOND QUARTER OF 1992, THE TOTAL TONNAGE OF CARGO DISCHARGED IN HONG KONG FROM INCOMING SHIPS WAS 14.6 MILLION TONNES, REPRESENTING AN INCREASE OF 8% OVER. THE SECOND QUARTER OF 1991.
ANALYSING INCOMING SHIPS BY SHIP TYPE, MAJOR INCREASES WERE RECORDED IN THE NUMBER OF SEMI-CONTAINER VESSELS (+307) AND CONTAINER VESSELS (+301); WHILE A MAJOR DECREASE WAS RECORDED IN THE NUMBER OF OIL TANKERS (-53) .
ANALYSING INCOMING SHIPS BY FLAG OF VESSELS, MAJOR INCREASES WERE RECORDED IN THE NUMBER OF SHIPS REGISTERED TN PANAMA (+212), CHINA (+148) AND LIBERIA (+101).
THE NUMBER OF INCOMING SHIPS WITH A CAPACITY OF LESS THAN 10,000 DEADWEIGHT TONS INCREASED BY 563 WHILE THE NUMBER OF THOSE WITH A LARGER CAPACITY INCREASED BY 284.
/IN THE ........
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 30, 1992
8
IN THE SECOND QUARTER OF 1992, THERE WERE 6,226 OUTGOING SHIPS WITH A TOTAL CAPACITY OF 32.8 MILLION NRT, REPRESENTING AN INCREASE OF 830 (OR 15%) IN NUMBER AND OF 3.1 MILLION NRT (OR 10%) IN CAPACITY OVER THE SECOND QUARTER OF 1991.
THE TOTAL TONNAGE OF CARGO LOADED ONTO OUTGOING SHIPS WAS 6.1 MILLION TONNES, REPRESENTING AN INCREASE OF 1%.
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 70% OF THE DEPARTING SHIPS STAYED IN HONG KONG FOR LESS THAN 2 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, 66% WAS EXPORTS (INCLUDING DOMESTIC EXPORTS AND RE-EXPORTS) AND 34% WAS TRANSHIPMENT CARGO.
THE MAJOR COUNTRIES OF LOADING FOR SEABORNE IMPORTS WERE SINGAPORE (WHICH ACCOUNTED FOR 16% IN TONNAGE TERMS), JAPAN (14%), CHINA (11%), AUSTRALIA (10%), TAIWAN (10%), THE USA (9%) AND THE REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA (6%); WHILE THE MAJOR COUNTRIES OF DISCHARGE FOR SEABORNE EXPORTS WERE THE USA (WHICH ACCOUNTED FOR 23% IN TONNAGE TERMS), CHINA (16%), TAIWAN (12%), JAPAN (5%), THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY (4%), SINGAPORE (4%) AND THE NETHERLANDS (3%).
TRANSHIPMENT CARGO WAS MAINLY LOADED IN CHINA (32%), TAIWAN (14%) AND THE USA (13%), AND WAS MAINLY DISCHARGED IN CHINA (20%) AND THE USA (15%).
COMPARING THE SECOND QUARTER OF 1992 WITH THE SECOND QUARTER OF 1991, MAJOR INCREASES IN TONNAGE WERE NOTED FOR SEABORNE IMPORTS FROM INDONESIA (+28%), THE USA (+23%), AUSTRALIA (+19%), SINGAPORE (+15%) AND JAPAN (+13%); WHILE MAJOR DECREASES IN TONNAGE WERE NOTED FOR SEABORNE IMPORTS FROM THE REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA (-18%) AND THAILAND (-10%) .
AS A WHOLE, THE TOTAL TONNAGE OF SEABORNE IMPORTS ROSE BY 9%.
AMONG THE PRINCIPAL COMMODITIES, MAJOR INCREASES IN TONNAGE WERE RECORDED FOR SEABORNE IMPORTS OF ARTIFICIAL RESINS AND PLASTIC MATERIALS (+37%), MACHINERY (+36%), PAPER, PAPERBOARD AND ARTICLES THEREOF (+21%), COAL, COKE AND BRIQUETTES (+11%) AND PETROLEUM, PETROLEUM PRODUCTS AND RELATED MATERIALS (+9%).
COMPARING THE SECOND QUARTER OF 1992 WITH THE SECOND QUARTER OF 1991, THE TOTAL TONNAGE OF SEABORNE EXPORTS (DOMESTIC EXPORTS PLUS REEXPORTS) INCREASED BY 4%.
MAJOR INCREASES IN TONNAGE WERE RECORDED FOR SEABORNE EXPORTS TO MACAU (+46%), THE NETHERLANDS (+30%) AND THE USA (+28%); WHILE MAJOR DECREASES WERE RECORDED FOR SEABORNE EXPORTS TO SINGAPORE (-10%) AND TAIWAN (-10%).
AMONG THE PRINCIPAL COMMODITIES, MAJOR INCREASES IN TONNAGE WERE NOTED FOR SEABORNE EXPORTS OF FOOTWEAR (+26%), TOYS (+21%), OTHER MANUFACTURED ARTICLES (+19%) AND ARTICLES OF APPAREL AND CLOTHING ACCESSORIES (+18%); WHILE A MAJOR DECREASE WAS NOTED FOR SEABORNE EXPORTS OF PETROLEUM, PETROLEUM PRODUCTS AND RELATED MATERIALS (-11%).
/OF THE ........
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 30, 1992
9
OF THE CARGO DISCHARGED FROM INCOMING SHIPS, INCLUDING SEABORNE IMPORTS AND INWARD TRANSHIPMENT, 46% 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 SECOND QUARTER OF 1992 ROSE BY 23% OVER THE SECOND QUARTER OF 1991.
IN TERMS OF TONNAGE, CONTAINERISED CARGO ACCOUNTED FOR 39% OF SEABORNE IMPORTS.
IN PARTICULAR, CONTAINERISED CARGO ACCOUNTED FOR A LARGE PROPORTION OF SEABORNE IMPORTS FROM THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY (95%), THE NETHERLANDS (90%) AND TAIWAN (85%).
AMONG THE PRINCIPAL COMMODITIES, CONTAINERISED CARGO ACCOUNTED FOR, IN TONNAGE TERMS, 100% OF SEABORNE IMPORTS OF ARTIFICIAL RESINS AND PLASTIC MATERIALS, 97% OF PAPER, PAPERBOARD AND ARTICLES THEREOF, 93% OF TEXTILE YARN, FABRICS, MADE-UP ARTICLES AND RELATED PRODUCTS, AND 92% OF OTHER MANUFACTURED GOODS CLASSIFIED CHIEFLY BY MATERIAL.
THE TOTAL TONNAGE OF CONTAINERISED SEABORNE EXPORTS IN THE SECOND QUARTER OF 1992 ROSE BY 10% OVER THE SECOND QUARTER OF 1991.
FOR SEABORNE EXPORTS, CONTAINERISED CARGO ACCOUNTED FOR 74% IN TERMS OF TONNAGE. IN PARTICULAR, CONTAINERIZED CARGO ACCOUNTED FOR ALL SEABORNE EXPORTS TO THE USA, THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY, THE UNITED KINGDOM; AND ALMOST ALL TO THE NETHERLANDS AND JAPAN.
SEABORNE EXPORTS OF SOME PRINCIPAL COMMODITIES WERE ALL OR NEARLY ALL CONTAINERISED.
THESE INCLUDED TOYS; ARTICLES OF APPAREL AND CLOTHING ACCESSORIES; OTHER MANUFACTURED ARTICLES; 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 AUTHORIZED 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 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.
MORE DETAILS ON SHIPPING AND CARGO STATISTICS OF OCEAN-GOING VESSELS FOR THE SECOND QUARTER OF 1992 ARE CONTAINED IN THE 'HONG KONG SHIPPING STATISTICS REPORT, APRIL - JUNE 1992’.
/THIS REPORT .......
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 30, 1992
10
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 $36.50 PER COPY.
ENQUIRIES ON STATISTICS CONTAINED IN THE REPORT MAY BE DIRECTED TO THE TRADE SURVEYS AND SHIPPING STATISTICS SECTION OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT ON TEL 582 1887.
--------o -----------
EDUCATION AND TRAINING CENTRE FOR FAMILY MEDICINE OPENS
*****
THE SETTING UP OF THE EDUCATION AND TRAINING CENTRE FOR FAMILY MEDICINE MARKS A CHANGE THAT WILL HAVE IMPORTANT IMPLICATIONS FOR THE DELIVERY OF PRIMARY HEALTH CARE TO HONG KONG PEOPLE TO MEET WITH THE RAPIDLY CHANGING HEALTH CARE SCENE IN THE PAST FEW YEARS.
THIS WAS STATED TODAY (FRIDAY) BY PROFESSOR DAVID TODD AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE CENTRE OF THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH.
PROFESSOR TODD SAID THE CENTRE WAS A SIGNIFICANT MILESTONE IN THE FURTHER DEVELOPMENT OF FAMILY MEDICINE IN HONG KONG.
"IT IS IN KEEPING WITH THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE HONG KONG ACADEMY OF MEDICINE PREPARATORY COMMITTEE TO ESTABLISH POSTGRADUATE MEDICINE/HEALTH CENTRES FOR DOCTORS AND OTHER HEALTH PROFESSIONALS IN LARGE OUT-PATIENTS’ POLYCLINICS," HF SAID.
HE WAS PLEASED TO LEARN THAT THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH HAD IN LESS THAN TWO YEARS' TIME SET UI’ THE CENTRE AND STARTED THE MUCH-NEEDED TRAINING PROGRAMME.
"THIS CENTRE NOT ONLY DEMONSTRATES THE DEPARTMENT’S COMMITMENT TO IMPROVING THE QUALITY OF SERVICE AT GENERAL OUT-PATIENT CLINICS BUT ALSO THE RECOGNITION OF THE NEED TO BUILD UP A POOL OF QUALITY FAMILY PHYSICIANS TO ACHIEVE THIS," PROFESSOR TODD SAID.
HE POINTED OUT THAT TRAINING AND EDUCATION IN MEDICINE WOULD TAKE ON A NEW SENSE OF DIRECTION WITH THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THF ACADEMY OF MEDICINE.
HE HOPED SUCH CENTRES WOULD REINFORCE LINKS AND NETWORK WITH THE ACADEMY COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES TO FACILITATE EXCHANGE OF SCIENTIFIC AND PROFESSIONAL KNOWLEDGE AS WELL AS TO COMPLEMENT ONE ANOTHER AND TO CONTRIBUTE TOWARDS THE IMPROVEMENT OF QUALITY FAMILY MEDICINE.
ON COMPLETION OF THE TRAINING, THE DOCTORS WILL HAVE THE KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS REQUIRED FOR PROVIDING HIGH QUALITY, COMPREHENSIVE AND CO-ORDINATED CARE TO INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES IN THEIR COMMUNITY SETTING, WITH PARTICULAR EMPHASIS ON ILLNESS PREVENTION AND HEALTH PROMOTION.
/ALSO SPEAKING .......
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 30, 1992
11
ALSO SPEAKING AT THE CEREMONY, THE DIRECTOR OF HEALTH, DR S H LEE, SAID THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH HAD BEEN COMMITTED SINCE ITS ESTABLISHMENT TO IMPROVING THE QUALITY OF THE GENERAL OUT-PATIENT CLINIC SERVICES, TO DEVELOPING FAMILY MEDICINE, AND TO IMPROVING THE KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS OF DOCTORS IN THESE CLINICS.
"THIS CENTRE WILL PROVIDE THE MUCH-NEEDED COMMUNITY-BASED TRAINING FACILITIES FOR DOCTORS IN FAMILY MEDICINE BUT FURTHER TO THIS, HOSPITAL-BASED TRAINING PROGRAMME IS NECESSARY," DR LEE SAID.
HE THUS LOOKED FORWARD TO A CONTINUED CO-OPERATION AND SUPPORT FROM OTHER MEDICAL, HEALTH AND ACADEMIC INSTITUTIONS TO DEVELOP EDUCATIONAL AND TRAINING PROGRAMMES IN FAMILY MEDICINE.
DR LEE SAID THE PHILOSOPHY OF FAMILY MEDICINE WHICH FOCUSED ON THE WHOLE PERSON AND THE FAMILY IN HEALTH AND ILLNESS MET THE DEPARTMENT’S AIMS TO PROVIDE TO THE PUBLIC PROMOTIVE, PREVENTIVE, CURATIVE AND REHABILITATIVE SERVICES.
"WITH THE APPROPRIATE TRAINING OF DOCTORS IN FAMILY MEDICINE, OUR CLINICS WOULD BE ABLE TO TAKE ON A GREATER ROLE IN PROVIDING PRIMARY MEDICAL CARE WHICH IN THE END WILL RESULT IN BETTER USE OF EXISTING SPECIALIST FACILITIES," HE SAID.
DR LEE WAS CONFIDENT THAT THIS WOULD BE A MORE COST-EFFECTIVE WAY OF DELIVERING SERVICES TO PATIENTS WITHOUT SACRIFICING THE QUALITY OF CARE.
THE NEWLY OPENED EDUCATION AND TRAINING CENTRE FOR FAMILY MEDICINE IS AMONG THE MANY RECOMMENDATIONS CONTAINED IN THE REPORT OF THE WORKING PARTY ON PRIMARY HEALTH CARE.
IT IS SITUATED ON THE SECOND FLOOR OF THE NGAU TAU KOK JOCKEY CLUB CLINIC.
-----0_-----
' X SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT COMMITTED TO ACHIEVING TARGETS
*****
THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT HAS FULL CONFIDENCE IN IMPLEMENTING THE 150 NEW PROJECTS IN 1993/94 ON TIME TO PROVIDE AN ADDITIONAL 5,400 DAY AND RESIDENTIAL PLACES FOR PEOPLE IN NEED, THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MRS ROSE GOODSTADT, SAID TODAY (FRIDAY).
ADDRESSING THE OPENING OF THE SOCIETY OF HOMES FOR THE HANDICAPPED HING WAH DAY CENTRE, SHE SAID THE DEPARTMENT HAD BEEN PROMISED $180 MILLION FOR THE EXPANSION AND WOULD WORK CLOSELY WITH NON-GOVERNMENT VOLUNTARY AGENCIES TO ENSURE THAT THE PROJECTS COULD MEET THE SPECIAL NEEDS OF DIFFERENT CLIENTS.
"TO MEET THE TARGETS SET OUT IN THE SOCIAL WELFARE WHITE PAPER AND THE REHABILITATION GREEN PAPER, $2.3 BILLION IS BEING INJECTED INTO THE LOTTERIES FUND. THIS WILL ENSURE THE WORK WILL NOT BE HELD UP BECAUSE OF LACK OF FINANCIAL RESOURCES," SHE SAID.
/SHE NOTED .......
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 30, 1992
12
SHE NOTED THAT AN ADDITIONAL 200 DEGREE GRADUATES AND 150 DIPLOMA GRADUATES AS WELL AS NURSING STAFF AND THERAPISTS WOULD BE RECRUITED AND TRAINED BY THE DEPARTMENT AND THE AGENCIES TO COPE WITH THE EXPANSION.
SHE DESCRIBED THE GOVERNOR’S RECENT ANNOUNCEMENT TO ACHIEVE ALL KEY TARGETS OUTLINED IN THE WHITE PAPER AND GREEN PAPER AS A BIG BOOST IN THE WELFARE FIELD.
NOTING THAT THE TARGETS WERE NOT STATIC, SHE SAID: "AS POPULATION STRUCTURE CHANGES AND HEALTH CARE IMPROVES, ESTIMATED DEMAND FOR SERVICES MAY NEED TO BE REVISED."
TARGETS WILL BE MONITORED AND KEPT UNDER REVIEW TO ENSURE THAT THEY ARE FLEXIBLE ENOUGH TO ADJUST TO NEW CIRCUMSTANCES AND THE CHANGING NEEDS OF THE VARIOUS GROUPS OF CLIENTS, SHE SAID.
URGING THE COMMUNITY TO GET INVOLVED IN WELFARE SERVICES, SHE SAID A LARGE NUMBER OF VOLUNTEERS WERE NEEDED IN ADDITION TO FULL-TIME PROFESSIONAL STAFF TN ORDER TO PROVIDE GOOD SERVICES.
"VOLUNTEERS WILL PROVIDE INDIVIDUAL ATTENTION AND HELP CLIENTS INTEGRATE INTO SOCIETY, ESCORTING THEM TO VISIT PLACES OF INTEREST, GO TO OUTINGS AND SHOPPING," SHE SAID.
------0-------
CONSULTATION PERIOD FOR AIMS OF EDUCATION EXTENDED
*****
THE CONSULTATION PERIOD FOR THE "DRAFT STATEMENT OF AIMS ON SCHOOL EDUCATION TN HONG KONG" WILL BE EXTENDED BY SIX WEEKS UNTIL DECEMBER 31, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE EDUCATION COMMISSION ANNOUNCED TODAY (FRIDAY).
THE CONSULTATION WAS ORIGINALLY SCHEDULED TO END ON NOVEMBER 16.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE EXTENSION WAS MADE IN RESPONSE TO REQUESTS FROM TWO ORGANISATIONS - THE HONG KONG COUNCIL OF SOCIAL SERVICE AND THE PROFESSIONAL TEACHERS’ UNION - FOR MORE TIME TO CONSULT THEIR MEMBERS.
THE DOCUMENT ARISES FROM A PROPOSAL IN THE EDUCATION COMMISSION’S FOURTH REPORT PUBLISHED IN NOVEMBER 1990 THAT THE BASIC AIMS OF EDUCATION AT ALL LEVELS SHOULD BE LAID DOWN AND KEPT UNDER REVIEW.
"IT IS AN IMPORTANT DOCUMENT, WHICH WILL HAVE A LONG-TERM IMPACT ON THE EDUCATION SYSTEM," HE SAID.
"THE COMMISSION THEREFORE WANTS IT TO BE WIDELY DISCUSSED BY THE COMMUNITY BEFORE IT IS FINALISED."
COMMENTS TN WRITING SHOULD BE SENT TO THE SECRETARY, EDUCATION COMMISSION, 12TH FLOOR, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, WEST WING, LOWER ALBERT ROAD, HONG KONG OR BY FAX (NO. 868 5916) ON OR BEFORE DECEMBER 31.
------0--------
/13 .....
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 30, 1992
13
MORE FUNDS FOR SOCIAL WELFARE SERVICES * * * * *
THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MRS ROSE GOODSTADT, TODAY (FRIDAY) SAID SPENDING ON SOCIAL WELFARE FOR THE COMING FINANCIAL YEAR WOULD BE $7.44 BILLION, AN INCREASE OF 9.3 PER CENT IN REAL TERMS AS COMPARED WITH $6.81 BILLTON IN THE CURRENT YEAR.
SHE WAS ADDRESSING AN INAUGURATION CEREMONY OF THE WOMEN’S WELFARE CLUB OF EASTERN DISTRICT, HONG KONG.
THERE WOULD BE A SIGNIFICANT INCREASE IN FUNDS FOR ELDERLY SERVICES, WHICH ACCOUNTED FOR A 19.1 PER CENT RISE IN REAL TERMS OVER THE CURRENT YEAR, MRS GOODSTADT SAID.
"THE FUNDS FOR FAMILY WELFARE SERVICES WILL GO UP BY 11.2 PER CENT IN REAL TERMS,” SHE ADDED.
SHE POINTED OUT THAT FAMILY AND CHILD-CARE SERVICES WOULD BE FURTHER IMPROVED WITH THE PROVISION OF ADDITIONAL 2,000 PLACES, INCLUDING 160 FOSTER CARE PLACES AND 192 SMALL GROUP HOME PLACES.
"THE IMPROVEMENT WILL ENABLE MORE CHILDREN BE PLACED UNDER NON-INSTITUTIONAL CARE, WHICH THE DEPARTMENT HAS LONG AIMED AT," MRS GOODSTADT SAID.
SHE ADDED THAT THE DEPARTMENT HAD BEEN LAUNCHING A SERIES OF PUBLICITY CAMPAIGNS TO RECRUIT MORE FOSTER PARENTS TO MEET WITH THE RISE OF FOSTER CARE PLACES.
-----o------
( NEW TRAVEL ARRANGEMENTS BETWEEN HK AND POLAND
*****
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (FRIDAY) THAT WITH EFFECT FROM NOVEMBER 1, 1992:
* HONG KONG BRITISH DEPENDENT TERRITORIES CITIZEN PASSPORT HOLDERS AND BRITISH NATIONAL (OVERSEAS) PASSPORT HOLDERS WHO ARE NOW PERMITTED TO VISIT POLAND WITHOUT VISAS FOR A PERIOD NOT EXCEEDING SEVEN DAYS WILL BE EXTENDED TO FOURTEEN DAYS; AND
* SIMILAR ARRANGEMENT WILL BE MADE FOR POLISH PASSPORT HOLDERS VISITING HONG KONG ON A RECIPROCAL BASIS.
THESE ARRANGEMENTS ARE INTENDED TO FACILITATE TRAVEL BETWEEN THE TWO TERRITORIES, THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
-----o------
/14 ........
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 30, 1992
14
TWO SITES UP FOR AUCTION * * * * *
THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT WILL PUT UP TWO LOTS OF GOVERNMENT LAND FOR PUBLIC AUCTION NEXT MONTH.
THE AUCTION WILL BE HELI) IN THE THEATRE OF THE HONG KONG CITY HALL AT 2.30 PM ON NOVEMBER 27.
THE FIRST SITE AT MUI WO FERRY PIER ROAD, MUI WO, LANTAU ISLAND HAS AN AREA OF ABOUT 741 SQUARE METRES. IT IS INTENDED FOR NON-INDUSTRIAL (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 DECEMBER 31, 1995.
THE OTHER SITE IS AT 35-42 ROSE STREET, YAU YAT TSUEN, KOWLOON.
IT HAS AN AREA OF ABOUT 1,312 SQUARE METRES AND IS EARMARKED FOR PRIVATE RESIDENTIAL PURPOSES.
THE BUILDING COVENANT STIPULATES THAT A GROSS FLOOR AREA OF NOT LESS THAN 1,650 SQUARE METRES HAS TO BE COMPLETED WITHIN SUCH TIME LIMIT AS LAID DOWN BY THE DIRECTOR OF BUILDINGS AND LANDS UPON REDEVELOPMENT.
FULL PARTICULARS AND CONDITIONS OF SALE MAY BE OBTAINED FROM AND SALE PLANS INSPECTED AT THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT, 14TH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG AND THE DISTRICT LANDS OFFICES KOWLOON, YAU MA TEI CAR PARK BUILDING, 1OTH FLOOR, 250 SHANGHAI STREET, KOWLOON.
CONDITIONS OF SALE WILL ALSO BE AVAILABLE AT THE DISTRICT LANDS OFFICES OF SHA TIN, TUEN MUN, YUEN LONG, TSUEN WAN, KWAI TSING, TAI PO, NORTH, SAI KUNG AND ISLANDS.
----0------
ADVICE ON QUEEN'S PIER
*****
SMALL CRAFT OWNERS AND OPERATORS ARE ADVISED NOT TO USE THE NORTHEASTERN SET OF LANDING STEPS AT QUEEN’S PIER BETWEEN 1 PM AND 5 PM ON SUNDAY (NOVEMBER 1).
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE MARINE DEPARTMENT SAID THE SET OF STEPS WOULD BE RESERVED FOR THE BERTHING OF A FIREBOAT TO TIE IN WITH A CEREMONY TO LAUNCH THE 1992/93 FIRE PREVENTION CAMPAIGN.
THOSE TAKING PART IN THE CEREMONY WILL BOARD AND TOUR THE VESSEL DURING THE PERIOD, HE ADDED.
--------0 -----------
715 ........
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 30, 1992
15
TENDERS FOR BELCHER BAY WORKS INVITED
*****
THE GOVERNMENT IS INVITING TENDERS EOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF NEW RECLAMATION AND ASSOCIATED ROADWORKS AT BELCHER BAY.
THE PROJECT CONSISTS OF A NEW RECLAMATION AT BELCHER BAY AND A DUAL CARRIAGEWAY WITH FOOTWAYS ON BOTH SIDES ACROSS THE NEW RECLAMATION WITH CONNECTIONS TO CONNAUGHT ROAD WEST, SAI CHEUNG STREET, SANDS STREET AND SMITHFIELD.
THE WORKS ALSO INCLUDE THE CONSTRUCTION OF A PUBLIC CARGO WORKING AREA ALONG THE NEW SEAFRONT AND ASSOCIATED ROADS AND DRAINAGE WORKS.
WHEN COMPLETED, A DUAL CARRIAGEWAY LINK BETWEEN CONNAUGHT ROAD WEST IN SAI YING PUN AND SMITHFIELD IN KENNEDY TOWN WILL BE PROVIDED.
IT WILL THUS IMPROVE THE GENERAL TRAFFIC CONDITION IN KENNEDY TOWN AND PROVIDE, IN COMBINATION WITH THE FUTURE SMITHFIELD EXTENSION, AN ADDITIONAL CORRIDOR IN THE WESTERN DISTRICT FOR THROUGH TRAFFIC TRAVELLING BETWEEN CONNAUGHT ROAD WEST AND POKFULAM ROAD.
WORKS WILL START IN FEBRUARY NEXT YEAR AND COMPLETE IN SEPTEMBER 1996.
A NOTICE TO INVITE TENDERS WAS GAZETTED TODAY (FRIDAY). TENDERS MUST BE SUBMITTED BEFORE NOON ON NOVEMBER 27, THIS YEAR.
---------0
NT RECREATION BUS TO RESUME SERVICES
* * * *
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (FRIDAY) THAT NEW TERRITORIES AIR-CONDITIONED RECREATION BUS ROUTE NO. 291R SERVING COMMUTERS TO THE CLEAR WATER BAY COUNTRY PARK WILL BE RE-INTRODUCED FROM SUNDAY (NOVEMBER 1).
THE ROUTE RUNS BETWEEN TAI AU MUN AND TAI HANG TUN VIA CLEAR WATER BAY ROAD. IT WILL BE OPERATIONAL ON SUNDAYS AND PUBLIC HOLIDAYS ONLY, BETWEEN 9 AM AND 6 PM AT 15/45-MINUTE INTERVALS.
THE FARE IS $2 PER SINGLE JOURNEY. SERVICES MAY BE SUSPENDED AT SHORT NOTICE IF WEATHER IS POOR.
-----0------
/16 ........
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 30, 1992
16
TENDERS INVITED FOR PUMPING STATION WORKS
*****
THE DRAINAGE SERVICES DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR IMPROVEMENT WORKS AT CHING CHUNG KOON FLOOD WATER PUMPING STATION IN TUEN MUN.
THE WORKS INCLUDE THE CONSTRUCTION OF A BUILDING TO HOUSE A STANDBY DIESEL GENERATOR WHICH WILL PROVIDE BACKUP ELECTRICAL POWER TO THE FLOOD WATER PUMPING STATION IN CASE OF POWER FAILURE DURING HEAVY RAINSTORM.
THE CONTRACT ALSO INVOLVES THE PROVISION OF A VEHICULAR ACCESS AND THE ASSOCIATED FOUNDATION AND DRAINAGE WORKS.
WORKS WILL BEGIN IN JANUARY NEXT YEAR AND WILL BE COMPLETED IN 11 MONTHS.
TENDER FORMS AND FURTHER PARTICULARS MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE OFFICE OF CHIEF ENGINEER, NEW WORKS DIVISION, DRAINAGE SERVICES DEPARTMENT, 4 4TH FLOOR, WAN CHAI TOWER. Ill, 5 GLOUCESTER ROAD, HONG KONG.
TENDER APPLICATIONS SHOULD BE ADDRESSED TO THE CHAIRMAN, PUBLIC WORKS TENDER BOARD, AND MUST BE PLACED IN THE TENDER BOX AT THE LIFT LOBBY ON THE 34TH FLOOR, QUEENSWAY GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 66 QUEENSWAY, HONG KONG BEFORE NOON ON NOVEMBER 20.
LAND TO BE RESUMED FOR PUMPING STATION
*****
THE GOVERNMENT IS TO RESUME LAND IN YUEN LONG FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE AU TAU ’B’ PUMPING STATION AND ITS RELATED AQUEDUCT.
THE WORKS HAVE BEEN SCHEDULED TO START EARLY NEXT YEAR AND TO BE COMPLETED BY THE ENI) OF 1 994.
THE RESUMPTION WILL INVOLVE 71 LOTS OF AGRICULTURAL LAND WITH A TOTAL AREA OF 19,925 SQUARE METRES.
THE LAND WILL BE REVERTED TO THE GOVERNMENT ON THE EXPIRY OF THREE MONTHS FROM THE DATE OF POSTING OF NOTICES ON THE LOTS.
DETAILS OF THE RESUMPTION HAVE BEEN GAZETTED TODAY (FRIDAY).
-----0------
/17 ........
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 30, 1992
17
SEMINAR ON RETIREMENT PROTECTION SYSTEM ♦ **♦♦♦ if
MORE THAN 250 EMPLOYERS, MANAGERS AND TRADE UNION LEADERS WERE BRIEFED AT A SEMINAR TODAY (FRIDAY) ON PROPOSALS UNDER THE RECENTLY ANNOUNCED COMMUNITY-WIDF. RETIREMENT PROTECTION SYSTEM.
"THE SEMINAR WAS ORGANISED BY THE LABOUR RELATIONS PROMOTION UNIT OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT TO HELP THE GENERAL PUBLIC, ESPECIALLY THOSE AT THE MANAGEMENT LEVEL, BETTER UNDERSTAND THE MAIN ELEMENTS OF THE PROPOSALS.
"WE HAVE INVITED EXPERTS TO LOOK AT THE VARIOUS ASPECTS OF THE PROPOSED SYSTEM. A REPRESENTATIVE OF THE HONG KONG FEDERATION OF INSURERS ALSO SPOKE ON THE FINANCIAL AND TECHNICAL ASPECTS OF RETIREMENT PROTECTION SCHEMES," CHIEF LABOUR OFFICER, MR JAMES YEUNG, SAID.
"IN ADDITION, A REPRESENTATIVE OF THE HONG KONG SOCIAL SECURITY SOCIETY GAVE VIEWS ON THE DEVELOPMENT AND THE FUTURE OF RETIREMENT PROTECTION IN HONG KONG," HE ADDED.
A DISCUSSION SESSION WAS ARRANGED FOR PARTICIPANTS TO RAISE QUESTIONS AND EXCHANGE VIEWS.
"THEIR COMMENTS WILL CONTRIBUTE TO A SOUND SYSTEM OF RETIREMENT PROTECTION FOR ALL EMPLOYEES," MR YEUNG SAID.
HE POINTED OUT THAT A SIMILAR SEMINAR, TO BE HELD NEXT MONTH FOR ABOUT 250 PARTICIPANTS, HAD BEEN FULLY SUBSCRIBED.
A PUBLICITY BOOKLET ENTITLED "A SIMPLE GUIDE TO A COMMUNITY-WIDE RETIREMENT PROTECTION SYSTEM" IS AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC AT LABOUR DEPARTMENT OFFICES.
"WE HOPE THE PUBLIC WILL STUDY THE BOOKLET CAREFULLY AND SEND THEIR VIEWS TO THE EDUCATION XND MANPOWER BRANCH BEFORE THE CONSULTATION PERIOD ENDS ON JANUARY 31 NEXT YEAR," HE SAID.
--------o ---------
CAMPAIGN TO PROMOTE FIRE PREVENTION *****
THE DIRECTOR OF FIRE SERVICES, MR LAM CHEK-YUEN, WILL LAUNCH AN ANNUAL FIRE PREVENTION CAMPAIGN AT 1.50 PM ON SUNDAY (NOVEMBER 1) AT EDINBURGH PLACE IN CENTRAL.
THE CAMPAIGN WILL TARGET AT FIRES CAUSED BY NEGLIGENCE AND CARELESSNESS.
IN ADDITION TO A RESCUE DEMONSTRATION BY FIREMEN, THERE WILL BF. A BAND MARCH, A LION DANCE, A DRAMA BY TELEVISION ARTISTES AND AN EXHIBITION.
/AFTER THE .......
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 30, 1992
18
AFTER THE OPENING CEREMONY, MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE WELCOMED TO SEE VARIOUS TYPES OF FIRE APPLIANCES AND VISIT THE FIREBOAT "ALEXANDER GRANTHAM" WHICH WILL BE BERTHED ALONGSIDE THE QUEEN’S PIER.
ATTENTION NEWS EDITORS:
YOUR REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER THE FIRE PREVENTION CAMPAIGN LAUNCHING CEREMONY WHICH WILL BE HELD AT EDINBURGH PLACE ON SUNDAY (NOVEMBER 1), STARTING AT 1.50 PM.
-----o------
YOUTH CHINESE MUSIC FESTIVAL STARTS NEXT MONTH
*****
CHINESE MUSIC LOVERS WILL HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO ENJOY THE PERFORMANCES OF SOME 1,000 LOCAL AND CHINESE MUSICIANS DURING THE 1992 HONG KONG YOUTH CHINESE MUSIC FESTIVAL TO BE HELD FROM NOVEMBER 22 TO 29.
FEATURING A SERIES OF CONCERTS, MASTER CLASSES, LECTURES AND DEMONSTRATIONS, THE EIGHT-DAY FESTIVAL IS ORGANISED EVERY YEAR BY THE MUSIC OFFICE WITH THE OBJECTIVE OF IMPROVING THE STANDARD OF PERFORMANCE AND STIMULATING GREATER PUBLIC INTEREST IN CHINESE MUSIC.
THE FESTIVAL WILL START WITH AN INTERFLOW CONCERT GIVEN BY ABOUT 500 YOUNG MUSICIANS FROM 13 SCHOOLS, THE HONG KONG YOUTH CHINESE PLUCKED STRING ORCHESTRA AND THE DISTRICT YOUTH CHINESE ORCHESTRA OF THE MUSIC OFFICE AT THE ACADEMIC HALL AT 2 PM ON NOVEMBER 22.
THE URBAN COUNCIL AND THE MUSIC OFFICE WILL JOINTLY ORGANISE A CHINESE CD CONCERT AT 7.30 PM ON NOVEMBER 23 AT THE HONG KONG CULTURAL CENTRE.
A LECTURE ON "CHINESE FOLK MUSIC" WILL BE GIVEN BY MUSIC EDUCATOR MR LIU NIAN-GU AT THE YAU MA TEI MUSH' CENTRE AT 7.30 PM ON NOVEMBER 27.
THE SCHOOL CHINESE ORCHESTRA’S INTERFLOW CONCERT FEATURING OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCES BY MORE THAN 300 YOUNG MUSICIANS FROM 11 SCHOOLS WILL BE HELD AT LOK SIN TONG YU KAN HING SCHOOL AT 2 PM ON NOVEMBER 28.
THREE GUEST MUSICIANS FROM CHINA, MR ZHAN YONG-MING (DIZI), MR CHEN JUN (ER-HU) AND MS SUN WN-YAN (GUZHENG) WILL BE INVITED TO GIVE DEMONSTRATION PERFORMANCES AND LECTURES AS WELL AS CONDUCT MASTER CLASSES AT THE MUSIC OFFICE’S MUSH CENTRES DURING THE FESTIVAL PERIOD.
THE CLIMAX OF THE FESTIVAL WILL BE THE FINALE CONCERT TO BE HELD AT SAI WAN HO CIVIC CENTRE AT 8 PM ON NOVEMBER 29.
/THE CONCERT .......
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 30, 1992
19
THE CONCERT WILL BE PERFORMED BY CHINESE GUEST MUSICIANS, THE HONG KONG YOUTH CHINESE ORCHESTRA AND THE MUSIC OFFICE INSTRUCTORS’ CHINESE MUSIC ENSEMBLE.
PIECES TO BE PRESENTED WILL INCLUDE "THE LANTERN FESTIVAL", "SONG OF FISHERMEN IN THE EAST SEA" AND "AUTUMN MOON IN HAN PALACE".
THE FESTIVAL IS SPONSORED BY YUET WAH COMPANY LTD.
TICKETS FOR THE FINALE CONCERT, AT $35 EACH, ARE NOW AVAILABLE AT ALL URBTIX OUTLETS. ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE ON TEL 795 5761 OR 734 9009.
-----0------
HAPPY VALLEY DAY FOR ELDERLY AND HANDICAPPED *****
LOCAL RESIDENTS ARE WELCOME TO SHARE THE FUN OF THE HAPPY VALLEY DAY CUM GAMES DAY FOR THE ELDERLY AND HANDICAPPED AT THE PUBLIC GRANDSTAND OF THE RACECOURSE FROM 1 PM TO 5.30 PM ON SUNDAY (NOVEMBER 1) .
AS PART OF AN ONGOING WAN CHAI FESTIVAL, THE EVENT IS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE FESTIVAL’S ORGANISING COMMITTEE AND HAPPY VALLEY AREA COMMITTEE, WITH THE ASSISTANCE OF THE DISTRICT OFFICE AND THE HONG KONG CHILDREN AND YOUTH SERVICES.
MORE THAN 10,000 PEOPLE ARE EXPECTED TO JOIN THE EVENT AND BE TREATED TO CANTO-POP SONGS, JUGGLING, CLOWN MAGIC AND OTHER DANCING PERFORMANCES.
THEY CAN ALSO TAKE PHOTOGRAPHS WITH SEVERAL CLASSIC CARS ON SHOW AT THE VENUE.
APART FROM A GRAND LUCKY DRAW, THERE WILL ALSO BE STALLS ON PALM-READING, SKETCHING, "CRYSTAL FLOWERS" MAKING AND CHINESE HANDICRAFTS.
FREE TICKETS WILL BE DISTRIBUTED AT THE ENTRANCE ON WONG NAI CHUNG ROAD NEAR THE HONG KONG SANATORIUM AND HOSPITAL.
FURTHER ENQUIRIES ON THE PROGRAMME CAN BE MADE ON TEL 835 2002.
ATTENTION NEWS EDITORS:
YOUR REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER. THEY CAN USE THE RACECOURSE ENTRANCE AT WONG NAI CHUNG ROAD NEAR THE HONG KONG SANATORIUM AND HOSPITAL.
--------0-----------
/20 ........
FRIDAY, OCTOBER .30, 1992
20
\i HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND
1 MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS
*****
$ MILLION
OPENING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT 1,480
REVERSAL OF LAF +20
BALANCE AFTER REVERSAL OF LAF 1,500
NET INJECTION/WITHDRAWAL TODAY NIL
EFFECT OF LAF TODAY +1,174
CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT 2,674
LAF RATE 2.00 BID/4.00 OFFER TWI 112.0 *+0.0* 30.10.92
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND
EF BILLS HONG KONG GOVERNMENT BONDS
TERMS YIELD TERM ISSUE COUPON PRICE YIELD
1 WEEK 3.4 5 PCT 13 MONTHS 2311 6.25 102.52 3.80
1 MONTH 3.25 PCT 16 MONTHS 2402 5.50 101.70 4 .17
3 MONTHS 3.21 PCT 19 MONTHS 2405 5.502 101.70 4.40
6 MONTHS 3.32 PCT 22 MONTHS 2408 4.375 99.75 4.57
12 MONTHS 3.76 PCT
TOTAL TURNOVER OF BILLS AND BONDS - 15,890 MN
CLOSED 30 OCTOBER 1992
0
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
»
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 31, 1992
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
NEW SOCIAL SECURITY PACKAGE IN PLACE NEXT JULY ....................... 1
MORE TO ENJOY KINDERGARTEN FEE REMISSION ............................. 2
RESIDENTS URGED TO KEEP COUNTRY PARKS CLEAN .......................... 3
CONTRACTOR FINED FOR NOT LABELLING CHEMICALS ......................... 4
TWO NEW MEMBERS JOIN COUNTRY PARKS BOARD ............................. 5
LOCKHART ROAD CARNIVAL ............................................... 5
FIGHT CRIME CARNIVAL IN SHAM SHUI PO ................................. 6
STUDENTS SPURRED TO CONTRIBUTE TO SOCIETY ............................ 7
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS ........... 7
1
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 31, 1992
NEW SOCIAL SECURITY PACKAGE IN
*****
PLACE NEXT JULY
A COMPREHENSIVE SOCIAL SECURITY ASSISTANCE SCHEME WILL BE IMPLEMENTED IN JULY NEXT YEAR TO REPLACE THE EXISTING PUBLIC ASSISTANCE SCHEME, SUBJECT TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL’S APPROVAL OF FUNDS.
A SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (SATURDAY) THAT THE NEW SCHEME WOULD ENSURE THAT THOSE IN NEED WOULD RECEIVE MORE ASSISTANCE, AS ANNOUNCED BY THE GOVERNOR IN HIS POLICY SPEECH ON OCTOBER 7.
AT PRESENT, AN ELDERLY PERSON LIVING ALONE RECEIVES $1,238 A MONTH IN BASIC RATE AND OLD AGE SUPPLEMENT.
THE PROPOSED IMPROVEMENT WILL LEAD TO HIS ENTITLEMENT OF A STANDARD RATE OF $1,420 A MONTH.
WHEN OTHER PAYMENTS SUCH AS RENT AND SPECIAL GRANTS ARE INCLUDED, HIS TOTAL BENEFIT WILL BE ABOUT $1,900 A MONTH. THIS IS MORE THAN ONE-THIRD OF A MANUFACTURING WORKER’S WAGE.
EXISTING CASES SHOW THAT THE AVERAGE PAYMENT FOR A SINGLE ELDERLY PERSON IS NOW $1,700 A MONTH AND ABOUT 25 PER CENT OF SUCH CASES RECEIVE MORE THAN $1,900 A MONTH.
FOR A FAMILY OF FOUR, THE NEW RATES PLUS RENT AND OTHER ADDITIONAL GRANTS WILL PROVIDE A MONTHLY INCOME OF $5,510, ABOUT THE SAME AS THE AVERAGE MANUFACTURING WORKERS’ WAGES.
"THERE WILL BE TWO INCREASES TO PUBLIC ASSISTANCE PAYMENTS NEXT YEAR. IN ADDITION TO THE REAL INCREASE OF 15 PER CENT, THE PAYMENT RATES WILL ALSO BE REVISED UPWARDS IN APRIL TO TAKE ACCOUNT OF INFLATION," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
"FOR THE ELDERLY OR DISABLED WHO DO NOT MEET THE CRITERIA OF THE MEANS-TESTED COMPREHENSIVE SOCIAL SECURITY ASSISTANCE SCHEME, WE WILL CONTINUE TO PROVIDE BENEFITS (N THE FORM OF A NON-MEANS-TESTED SOCIAL SECURITY ALLOWANCE. THEIR LEVEL OF- BENEFITS WILL ALSO BE ADJUSTED ACCORDING TO INFLATION NEXT APRIL," HE ADDED.
WITH EFFECT FROM JULY 1 NEXT YEAR, THE CURRENT RULE, ALLOWING 45 DAYS ABSENCE FROM THE TERRITORY FOR PUBLIC ASSISTANCE RECIPIENTS AND 119 DAYS ABSENCE FOR SOCIAL NEEDS ALLOWANCE RECIPIENTS BEFORE BENEFITS ARE SUSPENDED, WILL ALSO BE RELAXED TO 180 DAYS FOR ALL OLD AGE ALLOWANCE AND DISABILITY ALLOWANCE AS WELL AS ELDERLY AND DISABLED PUBLIC ASSISTANCE RECIPIENTS AND 60 DAYS FOR OTHER PUBLIC ASSISTANCE RECIPIENTS.
THE RELAXATION WILL BENEFIT THE ELDERLY WHO WISH TO SPEND MORE TIME WITH THEIR RELATIVES TN CHINA OR ELSEWHERE.
/'"THERE WILL..........
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 31, 1992
2
’’THERE WILL BE CONSIDERABLE ADMINISTRATIVE PREPARATIONS TO BE DONE BY THE DEPARTMENT IN THE COMING FEW MONTHS. MORE DETAILS ABOUT THE NEW SOCIAL SECURITY PACKAGE WILL BE ANNOUNCED NEARER THE TIME OF IMPLEMENTATION.
’’DUE ADJUSTMENT TO THE LEVEL OF BENEFITS WILL BE MADE AUTOMATICALLY FOR EXISTING RECIPIENTS,” HE SAID.
-----0-------
MORE TO ENJOY KINDERGARTEN FEE REMISSION
*****
THE NUMBER OF CHILDREN BENEFITING FROM THE KINDERGARTEN FEE REMISSION SCHEME WILL INCREASE FROM THE CURRENT FIVE PER CENT TO 11 PER CENT OVER THE NEXT FIVE YEARS, THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, MR DOMINIC S W WONG, SAID TODAY (SATURDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE 25TH ANNIVERSARY THANKSGIVING DAY OF THE HONG KONG CHRISTIAN KINDERGARTEN TEACHERS’ ASSOCIATION, MR WONG SAID THESE CHILDREN WILL ENJOY FULL OR HALF FEE REMISSION BASED ON THE POINTS SYSTEM USED FOR THE SENIOR SECONDARY FEE REMISSION SCHEME.
IN TERMS OF NUMBER, HE SAID OVER 10,000 CHILDREN WERE NOW ENJOYING THE SCHEME.
MR WONG SAID THE CURRICULUM, SCHOOL ENVIRONMENT, FACILITIES AND TEACHER QUALITY WERE THjE MAJOR FACTORS AFFECTING THE QUALITY OF PRE-PRIMARY EDUCATION.
THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT HAS IMPLEMENTED SEVERAL MEASURES SINCE 1990 TO ENHANCE QUALITY. THESE INCLUDE:
♦ PEGGING CLASS SIZE AT NOT MORE THAN 30 FOR HALF-DAY CLASSES AND NOT MORE THAN 20 FOR WHOLE-DAY7 OR NURSERY CLASSES;
* SETTING A RECOMMENDED SALARY SCALE FOR KINDERGARTEN TEACHERS WHO HAVE RECEIVED TRAINING;
* ALLOWING KINDERGARTENS TO INCREASE FEES IN ORDER TO MEET IMPROVED SALARIES OF TEACHERS;
* IMPLEMENTING THE FEE REMISSION SCHEME;
* PROVIDING INCENTIVE TRAINING COURSES FOR ASSISTANT KINDERGARTEN TEACHERS; AND
* ESTABLISHING A WORKING GROUP TO MONITOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF KINDERGARTEN EDUCATION.
WITH THE INTRODUCTION OF THE IMPROVED FEE REMISSION SCHEME, THE GOVERNMENT WILL BE IN A POSITION TO CONSIDER LEGISLATING FOR A MINIMUM PROPORTION OF TRAINED TEACHERS IN EACH KINDERGARTEN, MR WONG SAID.
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 31, 1992
3
RESIDENTS URGED TO KEEP COUNTRY PARKS CLEAN
*****
COUNTRY PARK VISITORS ARE URGED TODAY (SATURDAY) TO KEEP THE AREAS CLEAN BY PROPERLY DISPOSING OF REFUSE AFTER BARBECUING AND PICNICKING.
THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT’S SENIOR COUNTRY PARKS OFFICER, MR LAI CHING-WAI, MADE THE APPEAL AS HE REVIEWED THE LITTERING PROBLEM IN COUNTRY PARKS.
MR LAI POINTED OUT THAT THE SITUATION WAS AT ITS WORST OVER WEEKENDS AND PUBLIC HOLIDAYS WHEN THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE VISITED THE COUNTRY PARKS.
"ON MONDAYS AND THE DAYS AFTER PUBLIC HOLIDAYS, MANY BARBECUE SITES ARE COVERED BY LARGE AMOUNT OF LITTER, PLASTIC BAGS, FOOD RESIDUES AND BARBECUE FORKS.
"NOT ONLY DO
PARKS BUT ALSO CREATE
THEY RUIN THE OUTLOOK OF THE HYGIENE PROBLEMS,” HE SAID.
BEAUTIFUL COUNTRY
MR LAI WAS PARTICULARLY CONCERNED OVER THE ATTITUDES OF MANY VISITORS WHO DO NOT BOTHER EVEN TO THROW THE REFUSE INTO NEARBY LITTER BINS OR STOCKADES.
"THE SIMPLES!’ THING TO DO IS TO PITCH IN. BETTER STILL, THEY CAN CREATE LESS REFUSE BY TAKING HOME REUSABLE ITEMS SUCH AS BARBECUE FORKS," HE SAID.
ABOUT 3,650 TONNES OF LITTER WERE LEFT IN COUNTRY PARKS EACH YEAR. IN ADDITION, SOME 700,000 ABANDONED BARBECUE FORKS WERE COLLECTED IN COUNTRY PARKS BY THE DEPARTMENT’S STAFF LAST YEAR.
THESE STAFF COULD HAVE BEEN BETTER DEPLOYED TO OTHER USEFUL DUTIES IN IMPROVING THE COUNTRY PARKS IF VISITORS WERE MORE CIVIC CONSCIOUS, MR LAI SAID.
"THE DEPARTMENT WILL CONTINUE LAW ENFORCEMENT ACTION TO DETER PEOPLE FROM LITTERING," HE SAID.
ANY PERSON FOUND LITTERING AT COUNTRY PARKS COULD FACE A MAXIMUM FINE OF $2,000 AND THREE MONTHS’ IMPRISONMENT UPON CONVICTION.
SOME 775 PEOPLE WERE FINED A TOTAL AMOUNT OF $262,150 FOR THE LITTERING OFFENCE UNDER THE COUNTRY PARKS AND SPECIAL AREAS REGULATIONS TN THE PAST 12 MONTHS.
MR LAI SAID MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC COULD TAKE FURTHER STEPS TO HELP KEEP THE COUNTRY PARKS CLEAN BY TAKING PART IN AN VOLUNTARY LITTER COLLECTION OPERATION HELD REGULARLY BY THE DEPARTMENT.
ANY INDIVIDUAL OR ORGANISATION WHO IS INTERESTED IN THE WORK CAN GET DETAILS FROM THE DEPARTMENT ON 733 2121.
-----0-----------
/4.........
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 31, 1992
CONTRACTOR FINED FOR NOT LABELLING CHEMICALS
THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT TODAY (SATURDAY) REMINDED FACTORY PROPRIETORS OF THEIR STATUTORY DUTY TO TAKE ALL NECESSARY MEASURES TO ENSURE THE SAFETY OF WORKERS HANDLING DANGEROUS CHEMICALS.
THE REMINDER WAS GIVEN FOLLOWING A CASE IN WHICH THE E. ON ENGINEERING LTD IN CENTRAL WAS FINED $10,000 ON TWO SUMMONSES FORFAILING TO LABEL CHEMICAL CONTAINERS PROPERLY.
IN ADDITION, THE CONTRACTOR WAS FINED $3,000 FOR FAILING TO PROVIDE EMPLOYEES WITH ADEQUATE INFORMATION ON SAFETY PRECAUTIONS IN HANDLING INFLAMMABLE AND TOXIC SUBSTANCES.
IN THE CASE, A FIRE BROKE OUT IN A RESTAURANT UNDER DECORATION, KILLING ONE WORKER AND INJURING ANOTHER.
UNDER THE FACTORIES AND INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS (DANGEROUS SUBSTANCES) REGULATIONS, ALL PROPRIETORS ARE REQUIRED TO CLASSIFY AND LABEL COMMONLY-USED, DANGEROUS SUBSTANCES WHICH MAY BE TOXIC, INFLAMMABLE, OXIDISING, EXPLOSIVE, CORROSIVE, IRRITANT OR HARMFUL.
"PROPRIETORS SHOULD PROVIDE WORKERS WITH ADEQUATE INFORMATION ON THE HAZARDS AND NECESSARY PRECAUTIONS TN THE HANDLING OF DANGEROUS SUBSTANCES," CHIEF FACTORY INSPECTOR, MR CHAN TAT-KING, EXPLAINED.
"THEY SHOULD ALSO PROVIDE SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS, TRAINING AND SUITABLE PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT FOR EMPLOYEES WHO MAY BE EXPOSED TO SUCH SUBSTANCES," HE ADDED.
HE ALSO ASKED PROPRIETORS TO EXERCISE ADEQUATE SUPERVISION TO ENSURE THAT THE SAFETY PRECAUTIONS WERE CARRIED OUT.
MR CHAN ADVISED PROPRIETORS THAT IT WAS THEIR OBLIGATION TO PROVIDE A SAFE WORKING ENVIRONMENT AND TO PROTECT EMPLOYEES FROMCHEMICAL HAZARDS.
"THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT WILL SPARE NO EFFORT TO TAKE OUT PROSECUTION AGAINST EMPLOYERS WHO CHOOSE TO CUT CORNERS AND IGNORE THE REQUIREMENTS UNDER THE REGULATIONS," HE SAID.
"THEY ARE LIABLE TO A MAXIMUM FINE OF $30,000," HE ADDED.
- - 0 - -
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 31, 1992
- 5 -
TWO NEW MEMBERS JOIN COUNTRY PARKS BOARD
*****
THE GOVERNOR HAS APPOINTED MR FUNG SHIU-WING AND PROFESSOR BRIAN MORTON TO THE COUNTRY PARKS BOARD FOR THE PERIOD FROM OCTOBER 21 THIS YEAR TO AUGUST 15 NEXT YEAR.
MR FUNG IS THE CHAIRMAN OF THE CONSERVANCY ASSOCIATION WHILE PROFESSOR MORTON IS THE DIRECTOR OF THE SWIRE MARINE LABORATORY, UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG.
THE APPOINTMENTS WERE ANNOUNCED IN THE GOVERNMENT GAZETTE PUBLISHED YESTERDAY (FRIDAY).
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT SAID THE BOARD WAS A STATUTORY BODY APPOINTED UNDER THE COUNTRY PARKS ORDINANCE TO ADVISE THE COUNTRY PARKS AUTHORITY ON THE POLICY AND PROGRAMMES IN RESPECT OF COUNTRY PARKS AND SPECIAL AREAS.
THE COUNTRY PARKS BOARD IS NOW CHAIRED BY MR CARLOS CHEUNG HON-KAU. OTHER NON-GOVERNMENT MEMBERS ARE MR HOWARD YOUNG HOW-WAH, DR CHIU SF.IN-TUCK, DR I J HODGKISS, MR HUI CHUN-FUI , MR GEORGE TAN, DR JIM CHI-YUNG, DR PANG HOK-TUEN AND DR TAM WING-KUN.
THE BOARD IS ALSO SERVED BY REPRESENTATIVES FROM A NUMBER OF GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS AND POLICY BRANCHES.
-------G-------
LOCKHART ROAD CARNIVAL
* * * * *
A "MARDI-GRAS"-STYLE CARNIVAL WILL BE HELD IN LOCKHART ROAD, WAN CHAI NEXT SUNDAY (NOVEMBER 8).
JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE WAN CHAI FESTIVAL ORGANISING COMMITTEE, THE WAN CHAI TENANTS ASSOCIATION AND TWO AREA COMMITTEES, THE CELEBRATIONS WILL BE HELD FROM NOON TO 7 PM AT THE SECTION BETWEEN FLEMING ROAD AND LUARD ROAD.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE WAN CHAI DISTRICT OFFICE SAID TODAY (SATURDAY): "THE CARNIVAL, WITH THE THEME ’WAN CHAI UNMASKED’, WILL PROVIDE A CHANCE FOR THE PUBLIC TO SEE FOR THEMSELVES THE UNIQUE MIX OF CHARACTERS, HISTORY AND NEW DEVELOPMENTS IN THE DISTRICT."
THE EVENT, NOW IN ITS SECOND YEAR, IS TO PROMOTE THE IMAGE OF A GREENER, CLEANER AND PROGRESSIVE DISTRICT FOLLOWING A VIGOROUS TWO-YEAR TREE-PLANTING CAMPAIGN, HE ADDED.
THE PROGRAMMES WILL INCLUDE STAGE PERFORMANCES, STREET PARADES, GAME STALLS AND COMPETITIONS.
TAKING TO THE STREETS WILL BE TROUPES OF ACROBATS, JUGGLERS, MIMES, MAGICIANS, MORRIS AND BELLY DANCERS, AND MASK THEATRE ACTORS.
/A TOTAL ......
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 31, 1992
6
A TOTAL OF 47 GAMES, ARTS, FOOD AND BEVERAGE STALLS WILL ALSO BE SET UP ALONG THE PAVEMENTS.
ADMISSION IS FREE. ENQUIRIES ON THE PROGRAMMES CAN BE MADE ON TEL 835 1990 OR 866 9847 (ENGLISH).
ATTENTION NEWS EDITORS:
YOUR REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER THE CARNIVAL.
------0--------
FIGHT CRIME CARNIVAL IN SHAM SHUI PO * * * * *
TEN CIVIC-MINDED RESIDENTS WILL BE PRESENTED WITH GOOD CITIZEN AWARDS AT A CARNIVAL AT THE MAPLE STREET PLAYGROUND IN SHAM SHUI PO TOMORROW (SUNDAY).
THE CARNIVAL IS ORGANISED BY THE SHAM SHUI PO DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE TO ENCOURAGE RESIDENTS TO JOIN HANDS TO COMBAT CRIME.
THERE WILL BE AN EXHIBITION ON CRIME PREVENTION AND A SHOW BY POLICE DOGS. THE CARNIVAL WILL START AT 2 PM.
OFFICIATING GUESTS WILL BE THE POLICE REGIONAL COMMANDER (KOWLOON WEST), MR LEE LAM-CHUAN; SHAM SHUI PO DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, MR RAYMOND CHOY; DISTRICT OFFICER, MR ALAN FUNG; AND THE SHAM SHUI PO DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN, MR FAN KAM-PING.
ATTENTION NEWS EDITORS:
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER THE FIGHT CRIME CARNIVAL WHICH WILL BEGIN,AT 2 PM TOMORROW (SUNDAY) AT THE MAPLE STREET PLAYGROUND IN SHAM SHUI PO.
--------0-----------
/7........
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 31, 1992
7
STUDENTS SPURRED TO CONTRIBUTE TO SOCIETY * * * * *
STUDENTS CAN CONTRIBUTE TOWARDS ENSURING HONG KONG’S ^TURE PROSPERITY THROUGH APPLYING THEIR KNOWLEDGE LEARNT AI SCHOOL, SENIO EDUCATION OFFICER (SOUTH), DR CHAH WINO-CHEUNO, SAID TODAY (SATURDAY).
ADDRESSING THE STUDENTS AT
THE GRADUATION CEREMONY OF THE SKH
SAID:
’’WHATEVER PROFESSION YOU WILL
LUI MING CHOI SECONDARY SCHOOL, HE SAID: .....--------
ENTER INTO, YOU SHOULD WORK HARD TO FACE THE MANY CHALLENGES THAT
YOU
MAY ENCOUNTER IN YOUR CAREER.
"STUDENTS SHOULD TRY THEIR BEST IN UTILISING THEIR POTENTIAL FOR THE WELFARE OF THE PUBLIC," HE SAID.
IF ALL MEMBERS OF SOCIETY CONTRIBUTED THEIR PART IN SHOWING CONCERN FOR OTHERS, THEY WOULD GAIN RESPECT FROM OTHERS AND THEIR ROLE IN SOCIETY WOULD BE RECOGNISED, DR CHAN SAID.
--------o-----------
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS *****
$ MILLION
OPENING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT 2,674
REVERSAL OF LAF +1,450
BALANCE AFTER REVERSL OF LAF 4,124 *
NET INJECTION/WITHDRAWAL TODAY NIL
EFFECT OF LAF TODAY -1,800
CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT 2,324
* LAF TO BE REVERSED ON 2/11 -2,624 MN
LAF RATE 2.00 BID/4.00 OFFER
--------0-----------