DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 2, 1993
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
STATEMENT OF ATMS FOR SCHOOL EDUCATION ....................... 1
HONG KONG AND FINLAND REACH TEXTILES AGREEMENT ............... 2
FLOOD VICTIMS URGED TO APPLY FOR CASH RELIEF ................. 3
NEW GREEN MINIBUS SERVICE TN SHA TTN ......................... 3
NOMINATIONS INVITED FOR COMMONWEALTH YOUTH SERVICE AWARDS .. 3
ENVIRONMENT PUBLICATION ON SALE .............................. 4
CAR MARKS FETCH OVER $2 MILLION .............................. »>
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT’ EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS . 6
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 3, 1993
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
HONG KONG TO STAGE MAJOR PROMOTION IN EUROPE ................. 7
LAND REGISTRY TAKES OVER NT OWNERS (’OR POR AT IONS R EG I STR ATT ON 8
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 2, 1993
STATEMENT OF AIMS FOR
* * * »
SCHOOL EDUCATION *
THE EDUCATION AND MANPOWER BRANCH TODAY (SATURDAY) ANNOUNCED THE PUBLICATION OF A BILINGUAL BOOKLET ENTITLED ’’SCHOOL EDUCATION IN HONG KONG: A STATEMENT OF AIMS”.
THE BOOKLET IS INTENDED TO -
» PROVIDE ALL THOSE WORKING IN SCHOOL EDUCATION IN HONG KONG WITH A FRAMEWORK FOR PLANNING, CONDUCTING AND EVALUATING THEIR ACTIVITIES;
» GIVE PARENTS, STUDENTS, EMPLOYERS AND THE WIDER COMMUNITY A CONCISE AND COMPREHENSIVE DESCRIPTION OF WHAT OUR SCHOOLS ARE TRYING TO ACHIEVE; AND
♦ BE A FOCUS FOR PUBLIC DEBATE ABOUT OUR SCHOOLS AND THEIR ACHIEVEMENTS.
’’THE BOOKLET IS A REVISION OF THE DRAFT STATEMENT OF AIMS ISSUED BY THE EDUCATION COMMISSION FOR PUBLIC CONSULTATION IN OCTOBER 1992,” A SPOKESMAN FOR THE EDUCATION AND MANPOWER BRANCH EXPLAINED.
"DURING CONSULTATION ON THE DRAFT, THE COMMISSION RECEIVED COMMENTS FROM A WIDE RANGE OF EDUCATIONAL BODIES, COMMUNITY AND INTEREST GROUPS, AND INDIVIDUALS.
’’MOST WELCOMED THE DRAFT STATEMENT, AND BROADLY AGREED WITH THE APPROACH AND CONTENTS.
"THE COMMISSION REVISED THE STATEMENT OF AIMS IN THE LIGHT OF COMMENTS RECEIVED, AND RECOMMENDED IT TO THE GOVERNMENT FOR PUBLICATION AS A POLICY DOCUMENT."
THE STATEMENT OF AIMS COMPRISES A SET OF UNDERLYING PRINCIPLES; A SET OF AIMS RELATING TO THE PROVISION OF SCHOOL PLACES, AND TO THE PROCESSES AND OUTCOMES OF SCHOOL EDUCATION; AN EXPLANATION OF HOW THE BOOKLET CAN BE USED AND MONITORED BY SCHOOLS, THEIR SUPPORT SERVICES AND THE GOVERNMENT; AND A SERIES OF QUESTIONS ON THE EVALUATION OF EDUCATION POLICIES AND ACTIVITIES.
"MANY OF THOSE WHO COMMENTED ON THE DRAFT STATEMENT OF AIMS WANTED MORE DETAILS ABOUT MONITORING AND EVALUATION PROCEDURES," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
"THE REVISED BOOKLET HAS A GREATLY EXPANDED SECTION ON ’THE AIMS IN USE’.
"ALSO, THE BOARD OF EDUCATION HAS AGREED TO HELP IN DEVELOPING WAYS TO OBTAIN FEEDBACK ON HOW WELL SCHOOLS AND THEIR SUPPORT SERVICES ARE IMPLEMENTING THE AIMS," HE ADDED.
ONE WAY WILL BE TO SURVEY THE PERCEPTIONS OF THOSE MOST CLOSELY CONCERNED WITH SCHOOL EDUCATION, SUCH AS STUDENTS, TEACHERS, EMPLOYERS, AND INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER EDUCATION.
/THIS WILL .......
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 2, 1993
2
THIS WILL HELP EDUCATORS TO IDENTIFY AREAS OF STRENGTH AND WEAKNESS IN OUR SCHOOL EDUCATION PROGRAMME.
"AS A START, A NUMBER OF VOLUNTEER SCHOOLS WILL BE ASKED TO TAKE PART IN A PILOT PROGRAMME OF FEEDBACK SURVEYS OF SCHOOL LEAVERS IN THE 1993/94 SCHOOL YEAR," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
"WE PLAN TO ENCOURAGE ALL SCHOOLS TO START CONDUCTING SUCH SURVEYS IN THE FOLLOWING YEARS."
ARRANGEMENTS ARE BEING MADE TO DISTRIBUTE THE BOOKLET TO ALL SCHOOL PRINCIPALS AND TEACHERS, STUDENTS IN COLLEGES OF EDUCATION, SCHOOL MANAGERS, MEMBERS OF ADVISORY BODIES IN EDUCATION, AND OTHERS WORKING IN SCHOOL EDUCATION.
PARENTS, EMPLOYERS AND OTHER INTERESTED MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC CAN OBTAIN COPIES FROM ANY DISTRICT OFFICE OF THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION, OR FROM ANY DISTRICT EDUCATION OFFICE.
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HONG KONG AND FINLAND REACH TEXTILES AGREEMENT
♦ » » ♦ »
THE TRADE DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (SATURDAY) THAT HONG KONG AND FINLAND REACHED AN AD REFERENDUM AGREEMENT ON THE EXPORT OF CERTAIN TEXTILE PRODUCTS TO FINLAND.
THE DURATION OF THE AGREEMENT IS FOR A MAXIMUM OF TWO YEARS, FROM JANUARY 1 NEXT YEAR TO DECEMBER 31, 1995.
THE TERMS OF THE NEW AGREEMENT ARE LARGELY THE SAME AS THOSE IN THE EXISTING AGREEMENT, WHICH EXPIRES ON DECEMBER 31 THIS YEAR.
THOUGH THE NUMBER OF CATEGORIES SUBJECT TO QUOTA RESTRAINT REMAINS THE SAME, THERE ARE IMPROVEMENTS IN GROWTH RATES AND FLEXIBILITY PROVISIONS.
COMMENTING ON THE AGREEMENT FROM HELSINKI, ASSISTANT DIRECTOR-GENERAL OF TRADE AND LEADER OF THE HONG KONG DELEGATION, MS MARIA KWAN, SAID: "THIS AGREEMENT WILL PROVIDE IMPROVEMENTS IN MARKET ACCESS FOR HONG KONG TRADERS IN TEXTILE TRADE WITH FINLAND FOR THE NEXT TWO YEARS."
THE AGREEMENT WAS REACHED FOLLOWING CONSULTATIONS BETWEEN THE HONG KONG DELEGATION AND THE FINNISH DELEGATION ON SEPTEMBER 28-30, 1993.
THE CURRENT HONG KONG/FINLAND TEXTILES AGREEMENT COVERS FOUR QUOTA CATEGORIES AND FOUR EXPORT AUTHORISATION CATEGORIES. MORE THAN 70 PER CENT OF THE TOTAL EXPORTS OF TEXTILES AND CLOTHING FROM HONG KONG TO FINLAND LAST YEAR WERE COVERED BY THE CURRENT AGREEMENT.
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/3........
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 2, 1993
3
FLOOD VICTIMS URGED TO APPLY FOR CASH RELIEF *****
APPLICATION FORMS FOR EMERGENCY RELIEF UNDER THE GENERAL CHINESE CHARITIES FUND WILL BE AVAILABLE FROM THE NORTH DISTRICT OFFICE UNTIL 5 PM TODAY (SATURDAY).
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DISTRICT OFFICE URGED VICTIMS OF THE RECENT FLOODING WHO NEEDED CASH ASSISTANCE TO RETURN THE FORMS EITHER TODAY OR EARLY NEXT WEEK.
HE SAID THE NORTH DISTRICT OFFICE WOULD STAY OPEN TO PROCESS APPLICATIONS TOMORROW (SUNDAY) FROM 2 PM TO 5 PM.
VILLAGERS WHO ARE NOT CLEAR ABOUT THE APPLICATION PROCEDURES ARE WELCOME TO CONTACT THE NORTH DISTRICT OFFICE ON TEL 675 1606.
STAFF OF THE DISTRICT OFFICE HAVE BEGUN DISTRIBUTING THE EMERGENCY RELIEF FUND TO THE NEEDY FAMILIES YESTERDAY (FRIDAY).
ABOUT $1 MILLION HAS BEEN SET ASIDE FOR THE PURPOSE.
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NEW GREEN MINIBUS SERVICE IN SHA TIN
*****
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES THAT A NEW GREEN MINIBUS ROUTE 806M PLYING BETWEEN WONG TAI SIN MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY STATION AND FO TAN WILL START OPERATION ON MONDAY (OCTOBER 4).
IT WILL BE OPERATED FROM 7 AM TO 8 PM DAILY AT 12/25-MINUTE FREQUENCIES. THE FULL FARE IS $6.50 PER SINGLE JOURNEY WHILE THE SECTION FARE FROM LOK LAM ROAD TO FO TAN KCR STATION IS $3.
IT WILL TRAVEL VIA SHATIN PASS ROAD, CHOI HUNG ROAD, PO KONG VILLAGE ROAD, FUNG TAK ROAD, LUNG POON STREET, TAI HOM ROAD, TATE’S CAIRN TUNNEL, SHA TIN WAI ROAD, SIU LEK YUEN ROAD, TAI CHUNG KIU ROAD, FO TAN ROAD, SHAN MEI STREET, SIU WO ROAD, FO TAN ROAD, TSUNG TAU HA ROAD, LOK LAM ROAD, LOK SHUN PATH, LOK KING STREET, FO TAN ROAD, TAI CHUNG KIU ROAD, SIU LEI YUEN ROAD, TATE’S CAIRN TUNNEL, HAMMER HILL ROAD, ROUNDABOUT, HAMMER HILL ROAD, CHOI HUNG ROAD AND SHATIN PASS ROAD.
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NOMINATIONS INVITED FOR COMMONWEALTH YOUTH SERVICE AWARDS
*****
THE COMMONWEALTH YOUTH SERVICE AWARDS SCHEME FOR 1994 IS NOW OPEN FOR NOMINATIONS.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION (CNTA) TODAY (SATURDAY) SAID YOUTH ORGANISATIONS, TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS AND VOLUNTARY AGENCIES WERE INVITED TO MAKE NOMINATIONS FOR THE SCHEME.
/"WE HOPE ......
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 2, 1993
4
"WE HOPE TO SELECT TWO PROJECTS TO REPRESENT HONG KONG IN 1994.
"PROJECTS CARRIED OUT BY A SMALL GROUP OF YOUNG PEOPLE TO SERVE A COMMUNITY NEED AND SET AN EXAMPLE FOR OTHER LOCALITIES WILL BE CONSIDERED FAVOURABLE," HE SAID.
THE AWARDS SCHEME, SPONSORED BY THE COMMONWEALTH YOUTH PROGRAMME (CYP), WAS INTRODUCED IN 1985 TO COMMEMORATE THE INTERNATIONAL YOUTH YEAR.
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 1993/94, PRIORITY WILL BE GIVEN TO YOUTH GROUPS ACTIVE IN THE FIELD OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION, THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
YOUTH GROUPS IN HONG KONG HAVE WON THE AWARDS SEVERAL TIMES IN THE PAST. THE LATEST WAS IN 1992 BY THE CARITAS ABERDEEN COMMUNITY CENTRE’S LINNAM SERVICE PROJECT.
THE WINNING 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. I
THE PROJECTS SELECTED TO REPRESENT HONG KONG WILL BE ADJUDICATED BY THE INTERNATIONAL AWARDS PANEL OF THE CYP EARLY 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 BY DECEMBER 1 THIS YEAR.
ENQUIRIES ON THE SCHEME CAN BE MADE ON TEL 835 1736.
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ENVIRONMENT PUBLICATION ON SALE
*****
THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT TODAY (SATURDAY) PUBLISHED THE CHINESE VERSION OF THE "ENVIRONMENT HONG KONG 1993".
CONTAINING DIAGRAMS, TABLES OF TECHNICAL INFORMATION AS WELL AS PICTURES, THE 184-PAGE DOCUMENT COVERS A WIDE RANGE OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROGRAMMES CARRIED OUT BY THE GOVERNMENT LAST YEAR.
THEY INCLUDE SEWERAGE WORKS, NEW ARRANGEMENT AND FACILITIES FOR THE DISPOSAL OF SOLID WASTE AND THE COMPLETION OF THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE CHEMICAL WASTE TREATMENT PLANT.
/ON THE .......
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 2, 1993
5
ON THE LEGISLATION SIDE, 1992 SAW THE PHASED IMPLEMENTATION OF CHEMICAL WASTE REGULATIONS AND THE INTRODUCTION OF NEW REGULATIONS TO CONTROL NOISY CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT AS WELL AS PETROL AND LIGHT-DUTY DIESEL-ENGINED VEHICLES.
"THIS REPORT SHOULD PROVIDE THE PUBLIC A GENERAL OVERVIEW OF THE GOVERNMENT’S ENVIRONMENTAL PROGRAMMES, WHICH ARE AIMED AT MAKING HONG KONG A HEALTHIER AND MORE PLEASANT PLACE," A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID.
AT $30 A COPY, THE CHINESE VERSION OF THE REPORT IS NOW ON SALE AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, GROUND FLOOR, GENERAL POST OFFICE BUILDING, CONNAUGHT PLACE, CENTRAL. THE ENGLISH VERSION OF THE REPORT HAS ALREADY BEEN PUT UP FOR SALE IN AUGUST.
CAR MARKS FETCH OVER $2 MILLION * ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
FIFTY VEHICLE REGISTRATION MARKS WERE SOLD IN AN AUCTION THIS (SATURDAY) MORNING FOR A TOTAL OF $2,981,000 WHICH WILL GO TO THE GOVERNMENT LOTTERIES FUND FOR CHARITY AFTER DEDUCTION OF EXPENSES.
THE AUCTION, HELD AT THE LECTURE HALL OF THE SHEUNG WAN CIVIC CENTRE, SAW THE REGISTRATION MARK FP1 FETCH THE HIGHEST PRICE OF $750,000.
ANOTHER REGISTRATION MARK DL88 WAS SOLD AT THE SECOND HIGHEST PRICE OF $680,000 WHILE THE LOWEST PRICE WAS $2,000 FOR FG7662.
FOLLOWING ARE RESULTS OF THE AUCTION:
$ $ $ $
FJ1828 14,000 AA170 60,000 FJ1338 21,000 AA748 34,000
FK6899 4,000 FH1668 61,000 FK821 22,000 FJ1011 10,000
♦FS313 16,000 *2890 80,000 »FK7 90,000 *FP1 750,000
AC978 32,000 FH238 85,000 AV338 102,000 FK3228 42,000
FK1686 10,000 AA3222 44,000 FG7662 2,000 CK8322 8,000
FJ9288 20,000 FH8288 42,000 AU3338 42,000 FJ8631 4,000
FE332 12,000 FK668 102,000 FK1980 16,000 FK8768 15,000
»DL17 28,000 *FS11 90,000 ♦ DL88 680,000 ♦FN818 45,000
FK1688 68,000 HK2047 76,000 FK786 36,000 AU2389 21,000
FH832 12,000 FK3328 21,000 FJ6618 20,000 FK2340 12,000
FK369 40,000 FJ3345 5,000 ♦FJ3883 24,000 AL8300 21,000
FK265 5,000 FJ6368 15,000 FK8854 3,000 ♦FR525 5,000
FK723 10,000 FK9483 4,000
* SPECIAL VEHICLE REGISTRATION MARK (NOT TRANSFERABLE)
SUCCESSFUL BIDDERS WILL BE REQUIRED TO PAY BY CHEQUE IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE BIDDING.
/THE VEHICLE .......
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 2, 1993
6
THE VEHICLE REGISTRATION MARKS AUCTIONED WILL BE ASSIGNED ONLY TO VEHICLES REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF THE SUCCESSFUL BIDDER WITHIN 12 MONTHS OF THE DATE OF AUCTION.
TODAY’S SALE, THE 203RD ORGANISED BY THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT SINCE MAY 1973, BROUGHT THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF MONEY REALISED SO FAR TO $217,805,905.
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HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS
$ MILLION
OPENING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT 1,807
REVERSAL OF LAF NIL
BALANCE AFTER REVERSAL OF LAF 1,807
NET INJECTION/WITHDRAWAL TODAY NIL
EFFECT OF LAF TODAY -350
CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT 1,457
LAF RATE 2.00 BID/4.00 OFFER TWI 112.4 *+0.2* 2.10.93
0 - -
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 3, 1993
7
HONG KONG TO STAGE MAJOR PROMOTION IN EUROPE
*****
HONG KONG IS TO STAGE A MAJOR PROMOTION IN THREE EUROPEAN COUNTRIES IN NOVEMBER AS PART OF A CONTINUING PROGRAMME TO HIGHLIGHT THE ROLE OF HONG KONG AS AN INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS AND FINANCIAL CENTRE.
OUTLINING DETAILS OF THE PROMOTION TODAY, A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID IT WOULD INVOLVE BUSINESS SEMINARS, AN ARCHITECTURAL EXHIBITION, A FILM FESTIVAL AND GALA DINNERS IN THESE COUNTRIES.
"IT WILL BE THE BIGGEST PROMOTION HONG KONG HAS EVER STAGED IN CONTINENTAL EUROPE AND IS BEING HELD IN OUR FOREMOST TRADING PARTNERS IN THE REGION - GERMANY, FRANCE AND THE NETHERLANDS.
"IT IS IMPORTANT FOR HONG KONG TO ARRANGE REGULAR PROMOTIONS WITH ITS MAJOR TRADING PARTNERS. THERE NEEDS TO BE AN ON-GOING EFFORT TO HIGHLIGHT THE DYNAMISM OF HONG KONG, ITS FAVOURABLE INVESTMENT ENVIRONMENT AND ITS STRATEGIC LOCATION IN THE FAST-GROWING ASIA-PACIFIC REGION."
THE GOVERNOR, THE RT HON CHRISTOPHER PATTEN, WILL LEAD THE PROMOTION AND WILL DELIVER KEYNOTE SPEECHES. HE WILL ALSO MEET LEADING EUROPEAN BUSINESSMEN, MINISTERS AND GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS.
"IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE TRADE DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL, WE WILL BE STAGING ’HONG KONG MEANS BUSINESS’ SEMINARS IN FRANKFURT, AMSTERDAM AND PARIS. THESE SEMINARS WILL FEATURE SOME OF HONG KONG’S TOP BUSINESS PEOPLE," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
AS A BREAKAWAY SESSION OF THE BUSINESS SEMINAR, AN AIRPORT WORKSHOP WILL BE HELD IN ALL THREE CITIES. IT WILL FOCUS ON THE AIRPORT CORE PROGRAMME PROJECTS AND THE NEW AIRPORT AT CHEK LAP KOK.
THE CENTREPIECE OF THE GERMAN PROMOTION WILL BE THE STAGING OF AN EXHIBITION ON HONG KONG ARCHITECTURE, UNDER THE HEADING "THE AESTHETICS OF DENSITY", WHICH HAS BEEN CO-ORGANISED WITH THE PRESTIGIOUS DEUTSCHES ARCHITEKTUR-MUSEUM IN FRANKFURT.
IT WILL FEATURE MODELS AND DESIGN PLANS OF SOME OF HONG KONG’S OUTSTANDING BUILDINGS, SUCH AS HONG KONG COLISEUM, THE BANK OF CHINA BUILDING, THE HONGKONGBANK BUILDING AND CENTRAL PLAZA.
THE PARIS FILM FESTIVAL ARRANGED IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE LA CINEMATHEQUE FRANCAISE WILL FEATURE 20 OF HONG KONG’S TOP FILMS TRACING THE TERRITORY’S FILM INDUSTRY FROM THE EARLY 1980’S TO THE PRESENT.
ANOTHER HIGHLIGHT OF THE PARIS PROMOTION WILL BE THE FASHION SHOW STAGED BY THE TRADE DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL FEATURING THE LATEST CREATIONS FROM SOME OF HONG KONG’S TOP DESIGNERS.
IN THE NETHERLANDS, A GALA DINNER WILL BE HELD IN THE HAGUE AT WHICH THE ACADEMY FOR PERFORMING ARTS WILL STAGE A MUSICAL PERFORMANCE.
/"THESE ARE .......
8
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 3, 1993
"THESE ARE THE MAIN HIGHLIGHTS OF HONG KONG ’93 IN EUROPE WHICH HAS RECEIVED ENTHUSIASTIC SUPPORT FROM THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY AS WELL AS THE THREE HOST COUNTRIES.
"PRIVATE COMPANIES HAVE BEEN EXTREMELY SUPPORTIVE AND ARE PROVIDING INFORMATION MATERIAL, FILMS AND ARCHITECTURAL MODELS," THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
MAJOR SPONSORS FOR THE PROMOTION INCLUDE CATHAY PACIFIC AIRWAYS, CITIC PACIFIC LTD, HANG SENG BANK, INCHCAPE PACIFIC LTD, HUTCHISON WHAMPOA AND SINO GROUP.
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LAND REGISTRY TAKES OVER NT OWNERS CORPORATIONS REGISTRATION ♦ » » * *
THE EIGHT NEW TERRITORIES DISTRICT LAND REGISTRIES WILL, FROM TOMORROW (MONDAY), TAKE OVER THE REGISTRATION OF OWNERS CORPORATIONS IN THE NEW TERRITORIES FROM DISTRICT OFFICES AND THE DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE (KWAI TSING).
AT PRESENT, THE LAND REGISTRY IS ALREADY RESPONSIBLE FOR REGISTRATION OF OWNERS CORPORATIONS IN URBAN AREAS.
EACH OF THE DISTRICT LAND REGISTRIES WILL PROVIDE THE FOLLOWING SERVICES RELATING TO OWNERS CORPORATIONS:
* RECEIVING APPLICATIONS FOR THE FORMATION OF OWNERS CORPORATIONS UNDER THE BUILDING MANAGEMENT ORDINANCE;
* ISSUING CERTIFICATES OF REGISTRATION OF OWNERS CORPORATIONS;
* MAINTAINING A REGISTER OF OWNERS CORPORATIONS FOR PUBLIC SEARCH; AND
* FILING OF NOTICES OF CHANGE OF PARTICULARS OF OWNERS CORPORATIONS.
ENQUIRIES ABOUT OWNERS CORPORATIONS IN THE NEW TERRITORIES SHOULD BE MADE TO THE FOLLOWING TELEPHONE LINES:
DISTRICT TEL
YUEN LONG 475 0341
TUEN MUN 451 3162
TSUEN WAN 416 3505
ISLANDS 852 4225
SAI KUNG 792 4532
SHA TIN 606 5584
TAI PO 653 5859
NORTH 675 1645
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
MONDAY, OCTOBER 4, 1993
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
GOVT WILL DEFEND PRESS FREEDOM: GOVERNOR ..................... 1
GOVERNOR TO PRESENT POLICY ADDRESS ........................... 2
RETAIL SALES FIGURES FOR JULY RELEASED ....................... 3
WORKING GROUP ON MENTALLY HANDICAPPED PEOPLE GIVING EVIDENCE IN COURT ....................................................... 6
PROBE INTO SEA COLLISION INCIDENT ............................ 7
OPERATOR FINED FOR UNAUTHORISED DEVELOPMENT IN NT ............ 7
STUDENTS TO SEE THE WORLD OF WORK ............................ 8
LEARNING ENGLISH THROUGH "TEEN TIME" ......................... 9
GURKHAS TAKE UP EVEREST CHALLENGE ............................ 10
PENSIONERS’ WELFARE UNIT ON MOVE ............................. 11
WATER STORAGE FIGURE ......................................... 11
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS
12
MONDAY, OCTOBER 4, 1993
GOVT WILL DEFEND PRESS FREEDOM: GOVERNOR * * * » »
THE GOVERNOR, THE RT HON CHRISTOPHER PATTEN, TODAY (MONDAY) SAID THE GOVERNMENT AND HE HIMSELF WOULD DEFEND THE FREEDOM OF THE PRESS ”UP HILL AND DOWN DALE”.
”WE ARE TAKING WHAT PRACTICAL STEPS WE CAN TO HELP SHORE IT UP,” MR PATTEN SAID.
BUT ULTIMATELY, HE ADDED, THE DAY-TO-DAY CUSTODIANS OF PRESS FREEDOM ARE THE PRACTITIONERS THEMSELVES - THE REPORTERS, THE NEWS EDITORS, THE EDITORS, THE PROPRIETORS WHO WORK FOR AND OWN THE HONG KONG PRESS.
"WE IN GOVERNMENT CAN AND WILL DO OUR BIT. BUT WE RELY ON YOU TO DO YOURS.”
THE GOVERNOR WAS SPEAKING AT THE WORLD PRESS FREEDOM CONFERENCE.
HE SAID ALL THE PEOPLE IN HONG KONG NEEDED A FREE PRESS NOW MORE THAN EVER AS THE TERRITORY WAS PASSING THROUGH A UNIQUE PERIOD IN ITS HISTORY, A UNIQUE PERIOD IN WORLD HISTORY.
’’THERE ARE BOUND TO BE DIFFICULTIES IN THE RUN-UP TO THE TRANSFER OF SOVEREIGNTY.
’’THEY WILL MEAN - INDEED THEY ARE MEANING ALREADY - SPECIAL CHALLENGES AND SPECIAL RESPONSIBILITIES FOR THE HONG KONG PRESS.”
MR PATTEN SAID THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG HAD A RIGHT TO EXPECT THE PRESS TO:
SAID
* GIVE THEM THE NEWS, TRUE AND STRAIGHT, WITHOUT FEAR OR FAVOUR
♦ INVESTIGATE, ANALYSE AND EXPLAIN;
* KEEP NEWS TO THE NEWS PAGES, EDITORIALS TO THE EDITORIAL PAGES; AND
♦ ASK THE DIFFICULT QUESTIONS AND INSIST ON THE ANSWERS, FROM BOTH PARTIES TO AN ARGUMENT.
"IT WON’T ALWAYS BE EASY. IT WON'T ALWAYS BE COMFORTABLE,” HE
BUT MR PATTEN WAS CONFIDENT THAT THEY WOULD LIVE UP TO THESE CHALLENGES IN THE YEARS AHEAD BY DISPLAYING THE RELENTLESS SPIRIT OF ENQUIRY, THE DEDICATION, THE COURAGE, THE COMMITMENT TO THEIR PROFESSION AND THEIR PUBLIC FOR WHICH THEY WERE KNOWN.
’’’ONE COUNTRY, TWO SYSTEMS'. FOR OUR SYSTEM IN HONG KONG TO SURVIVE AND PROSPER, PROPRIETORS, EDITORS AND JOURNALISTS WILL HAVE TO DEMONSTRATE THAT THEY, TOO, BELIEVE PASSIONATELY IN THE VALUES OF AN OPEN SOCIETY.
I AM SURE THEY WILL NOT BETRAY THAT TRUST," HE SAID
- - 0 - -
MONDAY, OCTOBER 4, 1993
2 -
GOVERNOR TO PRESENT POLICY ADDRESS » t * * t
THE GOVERNOR, THE RT HON CHRISTOPHER PATTEN, WILL PRESENT HIS SECOND POLICY ADDRESS TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON WEDNESDAY (OCTOBER 6) WHEN HE OPENS THE 1993/94 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 RADIO TELEVISION HONG KONG CHANNELS 1 AND 5.
COPIES OF THE FULL TEXT OF THE GOVERNOR’S SPEECH IN ENGLISH AND CHINESE WILL BE AVAILABLE TO MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC FROM 4.30 PM THAT DAY AT ALL DISTRICT OFFICES, AND THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, GROUND FLOOR, GENERAL POST OFFICE BUILDING, CONNAUGHT PLACE, CENTRAL.
A SUMMARY OF THE SPEECH WILL BE AVAILABLE AS WELL.
THE SUMMARY WILL ALSO BE AVAILABLE AT SEVEN MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY STATIONS BETWEEN 4.30 PM AND 7 PM ON THAT DAY. THE STATIONS ARE CENTRAL, CAUSEWAY BAY, TAI KOO, TSIM SHA TSUI, MONG KOK, TSUEN WAN AND WONG TAI SIN.
IN THE EVENING, MR PATTEN WILL GIVE A BROADCAST ON RADIO AND TELEVISION ON THE MAIN AREAS OF HIS POLICY ADDRESS.
ATTENTION NEWS EDITORS:
A SPECIAL CLOSED-DOOR WORKING SESSION WILL BE ARRANGED ON WEDNESDAY (OCTOBER 6) IN THE GIS PRESS CONFERENCE ROOM ON THE FIFTH FLOOR OF BEACONSFIELD HOUSE TO ENABLE MEDIA MEMBERS TO WORK ON ADVANCE COPIES OF THE GOVERNOR’S POLICY ADDRESS. THE SESSION WILL START AT NOON UNTIL THE GOVERNOR FINISHES HIS SPEECH.
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES WORKING ON THE ADVANCE COPIES WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO LEAVE GIS PRESS CONFERENCE ROOM UNTIL THE GOVERNOR FINISHES 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 TELEPHONES WILL NOT BE ALLOWED DURING THE WORKING SESSION. SOUND FEED IS AVAILABLE INSIDE THE PRESS CONFERENCE ROOM.
LATER IN THE AFTERNOON, THE GOVERNOR WILL HOLD A PRESS CONFERENCE AT 4.30 PM AT THE MULTI-PURPOSE HALL, FIRST FLOOR, THE NEW ANNEXE OF CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, LOWER ALBERT ROAD.
YOUR REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO ATTEND THE PRESS CONFERENCE. MEDIA MEMBERS SHOULD ARRIVE BY 4 PM. REPRESENTATIVES OF TELEVISION AND RADIO STATIONS SHOULD ARRIVE EVEN EARLIER TO SET UP EQUIPMENT.
/3.........
MONDAY, OCTOBER 4, 1993
3 -
RETAIL SALES FIGURES FOR JULY RELEASED
*****
THE VALUE OF TOTAL RETAIL SALES IN JULY, ESTIMATED AT $15.8 BILLION, INCREASED 16% WHEN COMPARED WITH THE SAME MONTH LAST YEAR, ACCORDING TO STATISTICS RELEASED TODAY (MONDAY) BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
AFTER DISCOUNTING THE EFFECT OF PRICE CHANGES OVER THE SAME PERIOD, TOTAL RETAIL SALES ROSE BY 9% IN VOLUME TERMS.
THE INCREASE WAS MAINLY ATTRIBUTABLE TO GROWTH IN SPENDING ON CLOTHING AND FOOTWEAR, FUELS AND MOTOR VEHICLES, AS WELL AS SALES IN DEPARTMENT STORES.
SALES OF CLOTHING AND FOOTWEAR REGISTERED THE LARGEST INCREASE IN JULY 1993 COMPARED WITH A YEAR AGO, 36% IN VALUE AND 26% IN VOLUME.
CONSIDERABLE INCREASES WERE ALSO RECORDED FOR SALES OF FUELS, 19% IN VALUE AND 13% IN VOLUME; SALES OF MOTOR VEHICLES, 17% IN VALUE AND 7% IN VOLUME; AND SALES IN DEPARTMENT STORES, 17% IN VALUE AND 10% IN VOLUME.
SALES IN BOTH SUPERMARKETS AND OTHER FOODSTUFFS OUTLETS WENT UP MODERATELY BY 12% IN VALUE. IN VOLUME TERMS, THE INCREASES WERE 5% AND 6% RESPECTIVELY.
SALES OF JEWELLERY, WATCHES AND CLOCKS, AND VALUABLE GIFTS ROSE BY 8% IN VALUE, BUT DECREASED SLIGHTLY BY 1% IN VOLUME.
COMPARING THE FIRST SEVEN MONTHS OF THIS YEAR WITH THE SAME PERIOD LAST YEAR, TOTAL RETAIL SALES ROSE BY 13% IN VALUE AND 8% IN VOLUME.
COMPARED WITH JUNE 1993, AND BEARING IN MIND THAT THIS COMPARISON MAY BE AFFECTED BY SEASONAL FACTORS, TOTAL RETAIL SALES IN JULY 1993 INCREASED 8% BOTH IN VALUE AND IN VOLUME.
THE VOLUME OF RETAIL SALES IS DERIVED FROM THE VALUE OF RETAIL SALES AFTER ADJUSTING FOR PRICE CHANGES. THE RELEVANT COMPONENTS OF THE CONSUMER PRICE INDEX ARE USED AS DEFLATORS.
THE REPORT CONTAINING THE ANALYSIS OF THE JULY 1993 RESULTS IS NOW ON SALE AT $2 A COPY AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, GENERAL POST OFFICE BUILDING, CONNAUGHT PLACE, CENTRAL; AND AT THE PUBLICATIONS SECTION OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT, 19TH FLOOR, WANCHAI TOWER, WAN CHAI.
/ENQUIRIES ABOUT .......
MONDAY, OCTOBER 4, 1993
ENQUIRIES ABOUT THE SURVEY RESULTS MAY BE DIRECTED TO THE WHOLESALE AND RETAIL TRADE STATISTICS SECTION OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT ON TEL 802 1258.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
TABLE 1 PRESENTS THE REVISED TOTAL RETAIL SALES FIGURE FOR JUNE 1993 AND THE PROVISIONAL FIGURE FOR JULY 1993.
TABLE 2 SHOWS THE VALUE AND VOLUME INDICES OF RETAIL SALES IN JUNE AND JULY 1993 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 THE JULY 1993 RESULTS WITH THOSE FOR JUNE 1993 AND WITH THOSE FOR JULY 1992, AS WELL AS COMPARISONS OF RETAIL SALES IN THE PERIOD JANUARY TO JULY OF 1993 WITH THE SAME PERIOD IN 1992 ARE ALSO GIVEN.
/TABLE 1 : .......
MONDAY, OCTOBER 4, 1993
- 5 -
TABLE 1 : TOTAL RETAIL SALES
Total Retail Sales for July 1993 (Provisional Figure) = HKS15,767.0 million
for June 1993 (Revised Figure) « HK$14,665.9 million
TABLE 2 ; VALUE AND VOLUME INDICES OF RETAIL SALES FOR JUNE 1993 AND JULY 1993
(Monthly average of Oct. 89 - Sept. 90 3 100)
Item Index of Retai I Sales June 1993 July 1993 July compart June 1993 xl with 1993 July compart July 1993 xl with 1992 Jan-Jul. 1993 compared with',; Jan-Jul. 1992
(Revised figures) (Provisional figures) Points X Points % Points X
(A) FOR ALL RETAIL OUTLETS ♦17.8 +13.2
Value 156.2 167.9 ♦11.7 ♦7.5 +23.2 ♦16.1
Volume 128.9 138.6 ♦9.8 ♦7.6 ♦11.1 +8.7 ♦9.8 +8.2
(B) BY TYPE OF RETAIL OUTLET
Foodstuffs, alcoholic Value 122.0 128.1 ♦6.1 ♦5.0 ♦13.3 ♦11.6 +6.5 +5.6
drinks and tobacco Volume 94.1 102.0 ♦7.9 ♦8.4 ♦5.9 ♦6.1 ♦1.1 +1.2
(other than supermarkets)
Supermarkets 0 Value 146.9 145.1 -1.9 -1.3 ♦15.9 ♦12.3 ♦11.8 +9.3
Volume 112.3 110.2 -2.2 -1.9 ♦5.0 ♦4.7 ♦2.3 +2.2
Fuels Value 150.9 167.4 ♦16.5 ♦10.9 ♦26.2 ♦18.5 ♦11.3 +8.8
Volume 110.1 122.1 ♦12.0 ♦10.9 ♦14.0 ♦13.0 ♦3.4 +3.4
Clothing, footwear and Value 184.6 211.1 +26.5 +14.3 +55.7 ♦35.9 ♦45.8 +31.7
allied products Volume 138.3 162.4 ♦24.1 +17.4 ♦33.2 ♦25.7 +26.4 +21.5
Consumer durable goods * Value 183.2 183.3 ♦0.1 ♦0.1 ♦18.4 ♦11.2 ♦15.3 +9.8
Volume 158.9 157.1 -1.8 -1.1 ♦8.2 ♦5.5 ♦9.0 +6.4
- Motor vehicles Value 190.9 219.3 ♦28.4 ♦14.9 ♦31.5 +16.8 -1.0 -0.5
. and parts Volume 148.8 170.4 ♦21.6 ♦14.5 ♦11.2 ♦7.1 -11.7 -7.4
- Consumer durable Value 177.6 157.2 •20.4 -11.5 +9.0 ♦6.1 ♦27.1 +19.9
goods other than Volume 166.2 147.4 -18.8 -11.3 ♦6.1 ♦4.3 ♦24.0 +18.6
motor vehicles and parts
Department stores Value 129.7 156.1 ♦26.4 +20.4 +23.0 ♦17.3 ♦14.9 +11.9
Volume 100.5 124.2 ♦23.7 ♦23.6 +11.0 +9.7 ♦4.8 +4.5
Jewellery, watches Value 151.5 156.2 ♦4.8 ♦3.2 ♦11.7 ♦8.1 ♦17.1 +12.9
and clocks, and Volume 149.1 150.2 ♦1.2 +0.8 -0.8 -0.5 ♦17.5 +12.8
valuable gifts
Other consumer goods Value 170.9 192.5 ♦21.6 ♦12.6 +30.4 ♦18.8 ♦20.2 +14.6
not elsewhere Volume 140.4 159.1 +18.7 ♦13.3 +18.8 ♦13.4 +10.3 +8.5
classified
NOTES : 0 Not including supermarkets operating in department stores.
* This covers both "Motor vehicles and parts" and "Consumer durable goods other than motor vehicles and parts".
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/6........
MONDAY, OCTOBER 4, 1993
WORKING GROUP ON MENTALLY HANDICAPPED PEOPLE GIVING EVIDENCE IN COURT *****
THE JUDICIARY TODAY (MONDAY) ANNOUNCED THE TERMS OF REFERENCE AND MEMBERSHIP OF THE SPECIAL WORKING GROUP APPOINTED BY THE CHIEF JUSTICE, SIR TI LIANG YANG, TO LOOK INTO THE QUESTION OF MENTALLY HANDICAPPED PEOPLE GIVING EVIDENCE IN COURT.
CHAIRED BY MR JUSTICE MICHAEL WONG KIN-CHOW, A HIGH COURT JUDGE, THE TERMS OF REFERENCE OF THE SPECIAL WORKING GROUP ARE:
"TO EXAMINE THE WAYS AND MEANS BY WHICH MENTALLY HANDICAPPED PEOPLE GIVING EVIDENCE IN COURT MAY BE ASSISTED IN ORDER TO MINIMISE ANY TRAUMA THEY MAY SUFFER THEREBY."
THE WORKING GROUP COMPRISES SEVEN MEMBERS.
THEY ARE MR JOHN WOOD, DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC PROSECUTIONS OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL’S CHAMBERS; MR ALLAN CHOW, COMMISSIONER FOR REHABILITATION; MR ANTHONY CHAN, ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE (YOUTH & REHABILITATION); DR SYLVIA CHEN, A PSYCHIATRIST IN PRIVATE PRACTICE; MR FRED LI WAH-MING, A MEMBER OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL; AS WELL AS A BARRISTER AND A SOLICITOR, EACH TO BE RECOMMENDED RESPECTIVELY BY THE BAR ASSOCIATION AND LAW SOCIETY.
THE CHIEF JUSTICE, SIR TI LIANG YANG SAID:
"THE WORKING GROUP IS MEANT TO BE A SMALL GROUP OF EXPERTS AND PROFESSIONALS. ITS TASK IS TO IDENTIFY AND DEVISE SOME IMMEDIATE AND PRACTICAL SOLUTIONS TO REDUCE ANY POSSIBLE TRAUMA THAT THE MENTALLY HANDICAPPED MAY UNDERGO WHEN GIVING EVIDENCE IN CRIMINAL TRIALS."
"I EXPECT THE WORKING GROUP TO COME UP WITH ITS FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS IN A FEW MONTHS’ TIME SO THAT ANY IMPROVEMENT MEASURES THAT PROVE PRACTICABLE WITHIN THE ENVIRONMENT OF THE COURTS COULD BE PUT IN PLACE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE IN THIS EXERCISE."
SIR TI LIANG INDICATED THAT DURING THE COURSE OF ITS DELIBERATIONS, THE WORKING GROUP WOULD CONSULT THE VARIOUS CONCERNED GROUPS AND ASSOCIATIONS AND WOULD CAREFULLY CONSIDER THEIR VIEWS.
"WE WILL ALSO TAKE FULL ACCOUNT OF ALL PUBLIC COMMENTS ON THE MATTER," HE ADDED.
THE WORKING GROUP IS EXPECTED TO HOLD ITS FIRST MEETING SHORTLY.
- - 0 - -
MONDAY, OCTOBER 4, 1993
7 -
PROBE INTO SEA COLLISION INCIDENT *****
THE MARINE DEPARTMENT IS CONDUCTING AN INVESTIGATION INTO THE COLLISION OF A HONG KONG FISHING VESSEL AND A CHINESE PASSENGER FERRY OFF YAM O, LANTAU ISLAND, THIS (MONDAY) MORNING.
SHORTLY BEFORE 5 AM, THE VESSEL TRAFFIC CENTRE OF THE MARINE DEPARTMENT RECEIVED A REPORT THAT A FISHING VESSEL WITH SIX PERSONS ON BOARD SANK OFF YAM O AFTER COLLIDING WITH A PASSENGER FERRY, XING HU.
A SEARCH AND RESCUE OPERATION INVOLVING THE MARINE DEPARTMENT, POLICE, FIRE SERVICES AND THE ARMED FORCES WAS IMMEDIATELY LAUNCHED.
ABOUT 6.35 AM RESCUERS FOUND A MAN IN THE SEA. HE WAS SPED TO LADY TRENCH POLYCLINIC WHERE HE WAS CERTIFIED DEAD ON ARRIVAL.
SEARCHING FOR THE REMAINING FIVE MISSING PERSONS IS CONTINUING.
A POLLUTION CONTROL LAUNCH FROM THE MARINE DEPARTMENT IS AT THE SCENE TO CLEAN UP OIL SPILLS.
MEANWHILE, THE MARINE DEPARTMENT IS APPEALING TO ANYONE WHO MIGHT HAVE WITNESSED THE INCIDENT TO COME FORWARD.
ANYONE WITH INFORMATION ARE REQUESTED TO CONTACT THE INVESTIGATING SURVEYOR OF SHIPS, MR TSE SHIU-HUNG, ON TEL 852 4898.
---------0-----------
OPERATOR FINED FOR UNAUTHORISED DEVELOPMENT IN NT * * * * *
THE OPERATOR OF A CONTAINER TRAILER AND TRACTOR PARK IN SHA LING, NORTHERN DISTRICT WAS FINED $70,000 BY THE COURT LAST MONTH FOR NOT DISCONTINUING AN UNAUTHORISED DEVELOPMENT.
THE CONTAINER TRAILER AND TRACTOR PARK WAS FORMED FROM A PIECE OF FALLOW AGRICULTURAL LAND WITHOUT PLANNING PERMISSION.
THE USE OF THIS SITE WAS NOT PERMITTED UNDER THE FU TEI AU AND SHA LING INTERIM DEVELOPMENT PERMISSION AREA PLAN WHICH COVERS THE AREA.
THE DIRECTOR OF PLANNING HAD, UNDER THE TOWN PLANNING ORDINANCE, ISSUED AN ENFORCEMENT NOTICE REQUIRING THE OPERATOR TO DISCONTINUE THE UNAUTHORISED DEVELOPMENT OR TO OBTAIN PLANNING PERMISSION WITHIN THREE MONTHS.
AS THE NOTICE HAD NOT BEEN COMPLIED WITH, THE OPERATOR WAS CONVICTED AND FINED A TOTAL OF $70,000.
/IN THE ........
MONDAY OCTOBER 4, 1993
IN THE PAST FEW MONTHS, FINES RANGING FROM $10,000 TO $30,000 WERE ALSO IMPOSED ON SIX DEFENDENTS IN FOUR OTHER SIMILAR CASES.
THE SPOKESMAN REITERATED THAT LAND OWNERS AND OCCUPIERS WHO UNDERTAKE UNAUTHORISED DEVELOPMENT WITHIN A DEVELOPMENT PERMISSION AREA IN THE NEW TERRITORIES MAY FACE A MAXIMUM FINE OF $100,000.
A DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THE PLANNING DEPARTMENT WAS STEPPING UP ENFORCEMENT AND PROSECUTION ACTIONS IN AN EFFORT TO ALLEVIATE THE PROBLEMS CAUSED BY UNAUTHORISED LAND USE.
--------0 - -
STUDENTS TO SEE THE WORLD OF WORK
MORE THAN 1,000 STUDENTS WILL BE ABLE TO SEE FOR THEMSELVES THE REAL WORKING ENVIRONMENT IN THE PRIVATE AND PUBLIC SECTORS UNDER THE "VISITS TO WORK PLACES" PROGRAMME ORGANISED BY THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT’S CAREERS ADVISORY SERVICE (CAS).
UNDER THE PROGRAMME, THE FIRST GROUP OF 38 STUDENTS VISITED THE POLICE TRAINING SCHOOL (PTS) IN ABERDEEN TODAY (MONDAY) TO GAIN AN UNDERSTANDING OF THE WORK OF THE POLICE.
DURING THE VISIT, STUDENTS WERE TAKEN ON A GUIDED TOUR OF THE FACILITIES IN PTS AND WERE BRIEFED BY POLICE TRAINING OFFICERS ON VARIOUS FIELDS OF POLICE DUTIES, TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES, EMPLOYMENT TERMS AND CAREER PROSPECTS.
SENIOR LABOUR OFFICER, MRS CLARE SIU, SAID THE PROGRAMME AIMED AT HELPING FORM 3 TO FORM 7 STUDENTS TO GAIN A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF THE WORLD OF WORK SO THAT THEY COULD MAKE BETTER PLANS FOR THEIR FUTURE.
"WE HOPE THAT THROUGH THE VISITS TO VARIOUS ESTABLISHMENTS, STUDENTS CAN OBTAIN FIRST-HAND AND UP-TO-DATE INFORMATION ON DIFFERENT CAREERS," SHE SAID.
A TOTAL OF 33 VISITS HAVE BEEN ORGANISED FOR STUDENTS IN HUNG HOM, MONG KOK, KOWLOON CITY, KWUN TONG, YAU MA TEI, TSIM SHA TSUI, CENTRAL, WESTERN AND NORTHERN DISTRICTS FROM NOW TO DECEMBER.
HOTELS, BANKS, MASS MEDIA ORGANISATIONS, DEPARTMENT STORES, PUBLIC UTILITY COMPANIES, FACTORIES, TRAINING INSTITUTES AND GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS WILL BE VISITED.
NOTING THAT THESE VISITS WERE WELCOME BY BOTH STUDENTS AND CAREERS TEACHERS, MRS SIU SAID SOME 1,590 STUDENTS FROM 55 SCHOOLS HAD PARTICIPATED IN LAST YEAR’S PROGRAMME.
MORE VISITS WILL BE ARRANGED FOR STUDENTS IN OTHER DISTRICTS IN THE SECOND HALF OF THE CURRENT ACADEMIC YEAR IF SITUATION WARRANTS, SHE SAID.
/APART FROM .......
MONDAY, OCTOBER 4, 1993
APART FROM THIS RECURRENT CAREERS EDUCATION ACTIVITY, MRS SIU SAID THE CAS ORGANISED A VARIETY OF CAREERS FUNCTIONS, INCLUDING ANNUAL EXHIBITIONS, QUIZZES AND SEMINARS.
IT ALSO PROVIDES INFORMATION THROUGH ITS CAREERS INFORMATION CENTRES (CICS) TO HELP YOUNG PEOPLE CHOOSE A CAREER BEST SUITED TO THEIR TALENTS, INTEREST AND ABILITIES.
EACH CIC HAS A REFERENCE LIBRARY, AN AUDIO-VISUAL UNIT WITH SLIDE PRESENTATION, CASSETTE RECORDINGS AND VIDEO TAPES ON CAREERS, AS WELL AS A FREE ENQUIRY SERVICE FOR YOUNG PEOPLE SEEKING INFORMATION ON CAREERS AND TRAINING.
YOUNG PEOPLE SEEKING CAREERS INFORMATION ARE WELCOME TO VISIT THE CICS WHICH ARE LOCATED IN WAN CHAI AND MONG KOK.
- - 0 - -
LEARNING ENGLISH THROUGH "TEEN TIME
*****
A NEW ENGLISH RADIO PROGRAMME "TEEN TIME" JOINTLY PRODUCED BY THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT AND RADIO TELEVISION HONG KONG WILL BE AIRED MONDAY TO FRIDAY FROM 9 PM TO 9.30 PM.
"TEEN TIME” - AIMED AT PROMOTING LEARNING AND USING ENGLISH AMONG SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS - WILL MAKE ITS DEBUT AT 9 PM TONIGHT AFTER A LAUNCHING CEREMONY, TO BE OFFICIATED BY THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, MR DOMINIC S W WONG.
THE 30-MINUTE PROGRAMME WOULD BE PRODUCED FOR AND HANDLED BY YOUNG PEOPLE.
MR WONG SAID THE SIX-MONTH PROGRAMME WOULD PLACE EMPHASIS ON STUDENTS’ ACTIVE INVOLVEMENT. APART FROM BEING LISTENERS, THEY COULD TAKE PART AS REPORTERS AND SPEAKERS IN DISCUSSIONS AND INTERVIEWS AND AS CALLERS DURING PHONE-IN SESSIONS.
A NUMBER OF STUDENTS HAVE ALREADY BEEN RECRUITED AND TRAINED FOR THIS PURPOSE.
HE SAID STUDENTS WOULD NOT ONLY HAVE HANDS-ON EXPERIENCE IN THE PRODUCTION OF RADIO PROGRAMMES BUT THEY WOULD ALSO LEARN USEFUL TECHNIQUES OF BROADCASTING AND BE EXPOSED TO THE USE OF ENGLISH.
- - 0 - -
Z10
MONDAY, OCTOBER 4, 1993
- 10 -
GURKHAS TAKE UP EVEREST CHALLENGE ******
SIX MEMBERS OF THE BRIGADE OF GURKHAS WILL SET OUT FOR NEPAL ON THURSDAY (OCTOBER 7) TO PREPARE FOR THE FOURTH EVEREST MARATHON SCHEDULED FOR NOVEMBER 26.
GURKHAS FROM HONG KONG HAVE DONE WELL IN THE PREVIOUS THREE EVEREST MARATHONS WHICH HAVE BEEN HELD EVERY OTHER YEAR SINCE 1987.
IN 1989 THEY TOOK FIVE OF THE FIRST 10 PLACES, INCLUDING SECOND, THIRD AND FOURTH AND IN 1991 AGAIN CLAIMED THE MAJOR PLACINGS, ALTHOUGH OUTRIGHT VICTORY STILL ELUDES THEM.
THIS YEAR’S TEAM COMPRISES TWO BRITISH SOLDIERS ON ATTACHMENT TO THE BRIGADE OF GURKHAS AND FOUR GURKHAS.
THE RACE COURSE IS A STANDARD MARATHON DISTANCE BUT THE SCENERY EN ROUTE IS RATHER MORE THAN MOST MARATHONS CAN OFFER.
FROM THE START AT GORAK SHEP (17,000 FEET) AT THE FOOT OF THE WORLD’S HIGHEST MOUNTAIN, COMPETITORS FOLLOW MOUNTAIN TRAILS TO NAMCHE BAZAAR NEARLY 6,000 FEET LOWER.
A HIGH LEVEL OF FITNESS AND STAMINA IS ESSENTIAL FOR AN EVENT WHICH INVOLVES SUCH HAZARDS AS ALTITUDE SICKNESS, STOMACH CRAMPS AND KNEE STRAIN.
AND IT IS FOR THIS REASON THAT THE TEAM ARE LEAVING HONG KONG SIX WEEKS BEFORE THE RACE, SO THAT THEY CAN TRAIN PROPERLY AT ALTITUDE AND PREPARE THEMSELVES FOR PROBABLY THE MOST GRUELLING MARATHON IN THE WORLD.
THEIR PARTICIPATION IN THE 1993 EVENT HAS ONLY BEEN POSSIBLE, THANKS TO GENEROUS SPONSORSHIP FROM A NUMBER OF SPORTS EQUIPMENT SUPPLIERS, MOST NOTABLY REEBOK WHO HAVE KITTED THEM OUT WITH ALL THEIR TRAINING AND RUNNING GEAR, AND NIKKO (HK) LTD WHO HAVE PROVIDED RUCKSACKS AND OTHER ESSENTIAL EQUIPMENT.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
THERE WILL BE AN OPPORTUNITY TO MEET THE 1993 GURKHA EVEREST MARATHON TEAM AT HQ BRITISH FORCES, PRINCE OF WALES BARRACKS, CENTRAL AT 3 PM TOMORROW (TUESDAY) BEFORE THEY LEAVE FOR NEPAL.
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES SHOULD ARRIVE AT THE MAIN GATE, PRINCE OF WALES BARRACKS, BY 2.45 PM.
REPRESENTATIVES OF THE MAJOR SPONSORS WILL ALSO ATTEND.
/Il ........
MONDAY, OCTOBER 4, 1993
- 11 -
PENSIONERS’ WELFARE UNIT ON MOVE * * * t »
THE PENSIONERS’ WELFARE UNIT OF THE CIVIL SERVICE BRANCH WILL BE MOVED FROM ROOM 704 TO ROOM 1009A ON THE 10TH FLOOR OF THE CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, WEST WING, ICE HOUSE STREET, ON OCTOBER 7 (THURSDAY).
SET UP IN DECEMBER 1987, THE UNIT PROVIDES ENQUIRY SERVICE FOR RETIRED CIVIL SERVANTS AND DISSEMINATES INFORMATION OF INTEREST TO PENSIONERS.
THE UNIT ALSO PROVIDES PRE-RETIREMENT COUNSELLING AND ORGANISES SEMINARS ON PREPARATIONS FOR RETIREMENT AND THE BENEFITS PAYABLE ON RETIREMENT FROM SERVICE.
POST-RETIREMENT COUNSELLING REGARDING ARRANGEMENTS FOR PENSIONS PAYMENT, CONTRIBUTIONS TO DEPENDENT PENSIONS SCHEMES, TAX LIABILITY, MEDICAL AND DENTAL TREATMENT, AND ASSISTANCE IN HARDSHIP CASES, IS ALSO PROVIDED.
THE UNIT ALSO OFFERS ASSISTANCE TO PENSIONERS WHO ENCOUNTER DIFFICULTIES, INCLUDING MANAGING A PENSIONERS’ WELFARE FUND.
PENSIONERS, THEIR SURVIVING SPOUSE OR DEPENDENT CHILDREN MAY APPLY FOR ASSISTANCE FROM THE FUND IRRESPECTIVE OF THEIR PLACE OF RESIDENCE TO MEET MEDICAL OR FUNERAL EXPENSES OR EXPENSES ARISING FROM DISTRESS.
ASSISTANCE IS IN THE FORM OF ONE-OFF GRANT NOT MORE THAN $5,000.
--------0-----------
WATER STORAGE FIGURE t » » »
STORAGE IN HONG KONG’S RESERVOIRS AT 9 AM TODAY (MONDAY) STOOD AT 90.6 PER CENT OF CAPACITY OR 530.821 MILLION CUBIC METRES.
THIS TIME LAST YEAR THE RESERVOIRS CONTAINED 494.317 MILLION CUBIC METRES OF WATER, REPRESENTING 84.3 PER CENT OF CAPACITY.
------0-----------
/12........
MONDAY, OCTOBER 4, 1993
- 12 -
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS * * *
$ MILLION
OPENING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT 1,457
REVERSAL OF LAF +543
BALANCE AFTER REVERSAL OF LAF 2,000
NET INJECTION/WITHDRAWAL TODAY NIL
EFFECT OF LAF TODAY +200
CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT 2,200
LAF RATE 2.00 BID/4.00 OFFER TWI 112.5 *+0.1* 4.10.93
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND
EF BILLS EF NOTES/HONG KONG GOVERNMENT BONDS
TERMS YIELD TERM ISSUE COUPON PRICE YIELD
1 WEEK 2.90 PCT 13 MONTHS 2411 4.625 101.29 3.46
1 MONTH 2.88 PCT 16 MONTHS 2502 4.75 101.48 3.66
3 MONTHS 2.89 PCT 19 MONTHS 2505 3.75 99.77 3.93
6 MONTHS 3.05 PCT 22 MONTHS 2508 4.625 101.13 4.03
12 MONTHS 3.37 PCT
TOTAL TURNOVER OF BILLS AND BONDS - 8,075 MN
CLOSED 4 OCTOBER 1993
- - 0 - -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 5, 1993
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
CHIEF JUSTICE'S TERM OF OFFICE TO BE EXTENDED FOR TWO YEARS 1
NO BEDSPACE LODGERS WILL BE HOMELESS: SHA ................... 1
GOVT ENCOURAGES COMPETITION TN TELECOMS SECTOR .............. 2
GOVT DONATES $7M TO INDIA QUAKE VICTIMS ..................... 3
FUND RAT SING ACTIVITIES FOR OCTOBER ........................ 3
HK YOUTH CHINESE MUSIC FESTIVAL ............................. 5
CLOSURE OF UNAUTHORISED STRUCTURES SOUGHT ................... 6
221 VM'S RETURN HOME TODAY .................................. 7
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND TENDER RESULTS ........... 7
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS .
8
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 5, 1993
1
CHIEF JUSTICE'S TERM OF OFFICE TO BE EXTENDED FOR TWO YEARS *****
THE GOVERNMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (TUESDAY) THAT THE SERVICE OF THE CHIEF JUSTICE, SIR TI LIANG YANG, WILL BE EXTENDED FOR TWO YEARS WHEN HIS PRESENT TERM EXPIRES ON JUNE 29, 1994.
SIR TI LIANG WAS APPOINTED CHIEF JUSTICE OF HONG KONG ON MARCH 15, 1988.
"I AM VERY PLEASED TO REMAIN AS CHIEF JUSTICE FOR AN ADDITIONAL TWO YEARS AND I SHALL CONTINUE TO DO MY VERY BEST TO SERVE THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG,” SIR TI LIANG SAID.
SIR TI LIANG WAS BORN ON JUNE 30, 1929 IN SHANGHAI AND WAS EDUCATED AT SOOCHOW UNIVERSITY LAW SCHOOL, SHANGHAI, FROM 1946 TO 1949.
HE CONTINUED HIS EDUCATION IN HONG KONG UNIVERSITY AND UNIVERSITY COLLEGE, LONDON. HE OBTAINED HIS LL.B (HON) IN 1953 AND WAS CALLED TO THE BAR IN 1954.
SIR TI LIANG'S CAREER IN THE PUBLIC SERVICE BEGAN WITH HIS APPOINTMENT AS A MAGISTRATE IN 1956. HE WAS APPOINTED SENIOR MAGISTRATE IN 1963 AND PROMOTED TO DISTRICT JUDGE IN 1968. IN 1975, HE WAS ELEVATED TO THE HIGH COURT. IN 1980, HE WAS APPOINTED JUSTICE OF APPEAL, BECOMING VICE-PRESIDENT OF THAT COURT IN 1987.
SIR TI LIANG WAS AWARDED HON LL.D BY THE CHINESE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG IN 1984 AND BY HONG KONG POLYTECHNIC IN 1992. HE WAS MADE AN HON BENCHER, GRAY'S INN IN 1988. HE WAS FELLOW OF THE UNIVERSITY COLLEGE LONDON IN 1989 AND RECEIVED ORDER OF CHIVALRY, FIRST CLASS, IN BRUNEI IN 1990 (SPMB). HE WAS AWARDED HON DLITT BY THE HONG KONG UNIVERSITY IN 1991.
AMONGST OTHER OFFICES, HE IS THE PATRON OF THE CHARTERED INSTITUTE OF ARBITRATORS (HONG KONG BRANCH); PATRON OF THE SOCIETY FOR THE REHABILITATION OF OFFENDERS, HONG KONG; HON PRESIDENT OF THE SCOUT ASSOCIATION OF HONG KONG, SOCIETY AGAINST CHILD ABUSE, THE HONG KONG SOCIETY FOR THE AGED; AND CHAIRMAN OF THE HONG KONG UNIVERSITY COUNCIL. HE WAS CHAIRMAN OF THE UNIVERSITY AND POLYTECHNIC GRANTS COMMITTEE FROM 1981 TO 1984.
SIR TI LIANG IS MARRIED WITH TWO SONS.
------0-----
NO BEDSPACE LODGERS WILL BE HOMELESS: SHA
*****
THE SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS, MR MICHAEL SUEN, TODAY (TUESDAY) GAVE ASSURANCE THAT NO BEDSPACE LODGERS AFFECTED BY THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE BEDSPACE APARTMENTS BILL WOULD BE RENDERED HOMELESS.
MR SUEN SAID THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT (SWD) WOULD REHOUSE THOSE AGED 60 AND ABOVE OR THOSE WHO ARE DISABLED THROUGH COMPASSIONATE REHOUSING INTO PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES OR INTO ELDERLY AND OTHER WELFARE INSTITUTIONS.
/HE WAS .......
2
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 5, 1993
HE WAS SPEAKING AT A LUNCHEON MEETING OF THE CITY LIONS CLUB OF HONG KONG.
FOR THE PAST TWO YEARS, SWD HAS SUCCESSFULLY REHOUSED OVER 400 BEDSPACE OCCUPANTS. THE DEPARTMENT’S EFFORTS WOULD CONTINUE IN ACCORDANCE WITH ESTABLISHED POLICY AND PRACTICE.
HE SAID THOSE OUTSIDE SWD’S PURVIEW WILL BE ELIGIBLE FOR ADMISSION INTO THE SINGLETON HOSTELS OPERATED BY THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION.
HE NOTED THAT THE GENERAL CHINESE CHARITIES FUND HAD ALLOCATED $40 MILLION AND THE LAND DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION HAD PLEDGED A DONATION OF $20 MILLION TO THE SINGLETON HOSTEL PROGRAMME.
"WE HAVE BEEN ACQUIRING AND WILL CONTINUE TO ACQUIRE FLATS IN THE MORE POPULAR URBAN AREAS. THE RENTAL TO BE CHARGED WILL BE COMPARABLE TO THOSE IN EXISTING BEDSPACE APARTMENTS," HE SAID.
ON THE OCCUPANCY LEVEL IN BEDSPACE APARTMENT, MR SUEN SAID IT WAS INAPPROPRIATE FOR THE GOVERNMENT TO IMPOSE RIGID CONTROL THROUGH LEGISLATION, EXCEPT FOR SAFETY REASONS.
HE SAID IF THE OCCUPANCY LEVELS WERE REGULATED, THIS WOULD LIKELY AFFECT THE RENTAL FOR THE OCCUPANTS.
HE ADDED THAT IF THE EXISTING TENANTS COULD NOT AFFORD THE LEVEL OF INCREASE IN RENT, THEY MIGHT BE FORCED TO TURN TO EVEN LESS SATISFACTORY ACCOMMODATION.
MR SUEN REITERATED THAT THE MAIN OBJECTIVE OF THE BEDSPACE APARTMENTS BILL WAS TO ENSURE FIRE AND BUILDING SAFETY. HE EXPRESSED CONFIDENCE THAT THE LICENSING SCHEME WOULD SIGNIFICANTLY IMPROVE THE LIVING ENVIRONMENT FOR THOSE RESIDING IN THESE FLATS.
------0-------
GOVT ENCOURAGES COMPETITION IN TELECOMS SECTOR * * * * *
THE GOVERNMENT INTENDS TO LICENSE NEW FIXED NETWORK OPERATORS AS ONE OF THE INITIATIVES AIMED AT STIMULATING FURTHER GROWTH IN THE COMPETITIVE SUPPLY OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS SERVICES, THE SECRETARY FOR ECONOMIC SERVICES, MR GORDON SIU, SAID THIS (TUESDAY) MORNING.
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING OF THE XII CONFERENCE OF SOUTH EAST ASIA REGIONAL COMPUTER CONFEDERATION, MR SIU SAID THESE OPERATORS WOULD BE REQUIRED TO PROVIDE LOCAL NETWORK SERVICES WHICH WOULD OFFER CONSUMERS A WIDE CHOICE OF FACILITIES AND INNOVATIVE SERVICE OFFERINGS.
"INITIALLY, THE RANGE OF SERVICES WILL BE RESTRICTED TO FAX, DATA AND VALUE-ADDED SERVICES.
"BUT AFTER JUNE 1995, THE NEW NETWORK LICENSEES WILL BE ABLE TO COMPETE ON THE FULL RANGE OF LOCAL SERVICES, INCLUDING VOICE TELEPHONY," HE SAID.
/MR SIU ........
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 5, 1993
3
MR SIU ADDED THAT IN RECOGNISING THE IMPORTANCE OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS TO THE ECONOMY, THE GOVERNMENT ENCOURAGED COMPETITION AS A MEANS OF STIMULATING EFFICIENT GROWTH IN THIS SECTOR.
"FOR THIS REASON, WE INTEND TO DEVELOP A REGULATORY REGIME WHICH WILL GIVE THE NEW NETWORK LICENSEES THE BEST POSSIBLE CHANCE OF COMPETING SUCCESSFULLY IN THE TELECOMMUNICATIONS MARKETPLACE.
"THIS REGIME WILL BE ADMINISTERED AND, WHERE NECESSARY, FINE-TUNED BY OUR NEWLY ESTABLISHED OFFICE OF THE TELECOMMUNICATIONS AUTHORITY, AND WILL AlKTO ENCOURAGE IMAGINATIVE AND VISIONARY INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY APPLICATIONS TO OUR TELECOMMUNICATIONS ENVIRONMENT," HE SAID. \
MR SIU SAID THE GOVERNMENT FULLY RECOGNISED THE ADVANTAGES OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY APPLICATIONS.
"WE ARE NOW ENGAGED IN A $600 MILLION PROJECT DESIGNED TO LINK COMPUTER FACILITIES AND SYSTEMS IN GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS, IN ORDER TO IMPROVE THE EFFICIENCY BOTH OF OUR OWN INTERNAL SERVICES AND OF THE SERVICES WE PROVIDE TO THE PUBLIC.
"AMONG THOSE DEPARTMENTS WHICH HAVE STARTED IMPLEMENTING THEIR PARTS OF THE PROJECT ARE HOUSING, CUSTOMS AND EXCISE, IMMIGRATION AND INLAND REVENUE," HE SAID.
---------0-----------
GOVT DONATES $7M TO INDIA QUAKE VICTIMS *****
THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT HAS DECIDED TO DONATE $7 MILLION TO PROVIDE DISASTER RELIEF TO SURVIVORS OF THE RECENT EARTHQUAKE IN INDIA.
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (TUESDAY) THAT THE DECISION HAD BEEN MADE ON HUMANITARIAN GROUNDS.
THE DONATION IS EXPECTED TO PROVIDE NECESSARY RELIEF ITEMS FOR THE SURVIVORS OF THE EARTHQUAKE AND HELP THEM REBUILD THEIR HOMES.
THE DONATION WILL BE SENT TO THE INDIAN PRIME MINISTER’S NATIONAL RELIEF FUND THROUGH THE INDIAN COMMISSION IN HONG KONG.
- - 0 - -
FUND-RAISING ACTIVITIES FOR OCTOBER *****
FOURTEEN MORE ORGANISATIONS HAVE BEEN GRANTED PERMISSION TO RAISE FUNDS LATER THIS MONTH, A SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (TUESDAY).
THEY WILL SELL FLAGS, TOKENS OR SIMILIAR ITEMS, OR PLACE DONATION BOXES IN DESIGNATED PUBLIC AREAS.
/MEMBERS OF
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 5, 1993
4
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC CAN TELEPHONE THE DEPARTMENT’S HOTLINE 343 2255 OR THE HONG KONG COUNCIL OF SOCIAL SERVICE’S 866 8123 fN CASE OF ANY DOUBTS, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
HE APPEALED TO ORGANISERS TO TAKE PRECAUTIONS AGAINST FRAUD.
’’THEY SHOULD EXERCISE GREATER CARE IN MONITORING THEIR FUNDRAISING ACTIVITIES," HE ADDED.
THE SPOKESMAN ADVISED THEM TO PREPARE GUIDELINES FOR SELLERS, SETTING OUT THE PLACES AND THE TIMES FOR SELLING, AND THE COLLECTION POINTS FOR BAGS.
ORGANISERS SHOULD INFORM THE POLICE IN CASE OF LOSS OF PROPERTY, AND SEEK THEIR ASSISTANCE WHEN FRAUDULENT ACTS, SUCH AS TAMPERING OF COLLECTION BAGS OR MAKING UNAUTHORISED SELLING, ARE FOUND, HE SAID.
DETAILS OF PERMITS ALLOCATED FOR SELLING FLAGS AND FOR SUBSCRIBING IN PUBLIC ARE:
A) FLAGS
EVENT DATE
9.10.93
16.10.93
27.10.93 (WED)
30.10.93
ORGANISATION
THE CHESHIRE HOME, HONG KONG
HK SPORTS ASSOCIATION FOR THE MENTALLY HANDICAPPED
SOCIETY FOR THE PROMOTION OF HOSPICE CARE
HK TUBERCULOSIS CHEST & HEART DISEASE ASSOCIATION
B) PUBLIC SUBSCRIPTION
EVENT DATE
1.10.93
4.10.93-
6.10.93
2,9,16,23,30.10.93
3.10.93
ORGANISATION
SHATIN DISTRICT FUND-RAISING COMMITTEE FOR HOPE ENGINEERING SCHOOLS IN CHINA
LIFEWAY FOURSQUARE GOSPEL CHURCH
THE EXECUTIVE PASTOR OF JESUS CHRIST, THE NAME ABOVE EVERY NAME, ADMINISTRATOR, INC
/3.10.93 .......
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 5, 1993
5
3.10.93 10.10.93
31.10.93
3.10.93
HONG KONG CHURCH OF CHRIST
3.10.93 24.10.93
10.10.93 31.10.93
17.10.93
3.10.93
3.10.93
10.10.93
MOVEMENT AGAINST DISCRIMINATION
PEN PAPER EXPRESS CAMPAIGN ORGANISING COMMITTEE
HONG KONG PLAYGROUND ASSOCIATION
RELIEF AND POVERTY ALLEVIATION ACTION LTD
16.10.93 EDWARD KELLER LIMITED
17.10.93
30.10.93 WORLD VISION HONG KONG
31.10.93
------0--------
HK YOUTH CHINESE MUSIC FESTIVAL * t * * *
CHINESE MUSIC LOVERS WILL HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO ENJOY THE PERFORMANCES OF SOME 900 LOCAL MUSICIANS DURING THE 1993 HONG KONG YOUTH CHINESE MUSIC FESTIVAL TO BE HELD FROM OCTOBER 31 TO NOVEMBER 7.
FEATURING A SERIES OF CONCERTS, MASTER CLASSES, LECTURES AND DEMONSTRATIONS, THE EIGHT-DAY FESTIVAL IS AN ANNUAL EVENT ORGANISED BY THE MUSIC OFFICE OF THE RECREATION AND CULTURE BRANCH.
THE AIM IS TO IMPROVE THE STANDARD OF PERFORMANCE OF ITS TRAINEES AND STIMULATE GREATER PUBLIC INTEREST IN CHINESE MUSIC.
THE FESTIVAL WILL START WITH AN INTERFLOW CONCERT AT THE ACADEMIC COMMUNITY HALL AT 2 PM ON OCTOBER 31.
ABOUT 200 YOUNG MUSICIANS FROM FIVE AMATEUR CHINESE MUSIC ORGANISATIONS, ALONG WITH THE HONG KONG YOUTH CHINESE PLUCKED STRING ORCHESTRA AND THREE DISTRICT YOUTH CHINESE ORCHESTRAS OF THE MUSIC OFFICE, WILL GIVE PERFORMANCES.
CHINESE MUSICIANS, MR HU CHAM1NG, MR SUN WENYAN AND MR SUN FENGZHONG, WILL BE INVITED TO GIVE PERFORMANCES ON ’SHENG’ AND ’GUZHENG’ DURING THE INTERFLOW (X)NCERT.
THEY WILL ALSO GIVE LECTURES AND CONDUCT MASTER CLASSES ON ’SHENG’, ’ER-HU’ AND ’GUZHENG’.
ON NOVEMBER 2, THE THREE CHINESE MUSICIANS WILL GIVE MASTER CLASSES ON ’SHENG’, ’ER-HU’ AND ’GUZHENG’ AT THE SHA TIN, HONG KONG AND MONG KOK MUSIC CENTRES.
/ON NOVEMBER .......
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 5, 1993
6
ON NOVEMBER 4 THEY WILL GIVE MASTER CLASSES AT THE HONG KONG, TSUEN WAN AND KWUN TONG MUSIC CENTRES RESPECTIVELY.
A LECTURE ON "GUQIN" WILL BE GIVEN BY LOCAL GUEST MUSICIAN MR TONG KIN-WOON AT THE MONG KOK MUSIC CENTRE BETWEEN 7 PM AND 9 PM ON NOVEMBER 6.
THE SCHOOL CHINESE ORCHESTRA’S INTERFLOW CONCERT FEATURING OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCES BY MORE THAN 400 YOUNG MUSICIANS FROM 15 SCHOOLS WILL BE HELD AT THE ACADEMIC COMMUNITY HALL AT 2 PM ON NOVEMBER 7.
FREE TICKETS FOR THE INTERFLOW CONCERT ON OCTOBER 31 AND THE SCHOOL CHINESE ORCHESTRA’S INTERFLOW CONCERT CAN BE OBTAINED FROM THE HONG KONG MUSIC CENTRE. RESERVATION CAN BE MADE ON TELEPHONE 802 0657.
THE CLIMAX OF THE FESTIVAL WILL BE THE FINALE CONCERT TO BE HELD AT THE SAI WAN HO CIVIC CENTRE AT 8 PM ON NOVEMBER 5.
THE CONCERT WILL BE PERFORMED BY CHINESE GUEST MUSICIANS, THE HONG KONG YOUTH CHINESE ORCHESTRA AND THE MUSIC OFFICE INSTRUCTORS’ CHINESE MUSIC ENSEMBLE.
THE FESTIVAL IS SPONSORED BY YUET WAH COMPANY LTD.
TICKETS FOR THE FINALE CONCERT, AT $30 EACH, ARE NOW AVAILABLE AT ALL URBTIX OUTLETS. HALF-PRICE TICKETS ARE AVAILABLE FOR FULL-TIME STUDENTS AND SENIOR CITIZENS AGED 60 OR ABOVE.
ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE ON TEL 802 0657.
------0-------
CLOSURE OF UNAUTHORISED STRUCTURES SOUGHT
*****
THE BUILDING AUTHORITY IS SEEKING TO CLOSE TWO UNAUTHORISED STRUCTURES ON A BUILDING IN MONG KOK SO THAT THEY CAN BE DEMOLISHED WITHOUT CAUSING DANGER TO THE OCCUPIERS AND THE PUBLIC.
THE UNAUTHORISED STRUCTURES ARE APPENDAGES ON THE EXTERNAL WALL OF A RESIDENTIAL UNIT ON THE SIXTH FLOOR OF 17 CHEUNG WONG ROAD.
MEANWHILE, THE AUTHORITY ALSO SEEKS TO CLOSE THE UNAUTHORISED BUILDING WORKS ON THE GROUND AND MEZZANINE FLOORS OF 33 SHIP STREET IN WAN CHAI IN ORDER TO CARRY OUT REINSTATEMENT WORKS.
THE CLOSURE ORDER WILL BE LIFTED AS SOON AS THE REQUIRED WORKS ARE COMPLETED.
NOTICES OF INTENTION TO APPLY FOR CLOSURE ORDERS FROM THE HONG KONG DISTRICT COURT UNDER THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE ON DECEMBER 7 THIS YEAR WERE POSTED ON THE PREMISES TODAY (TUESDAY).
/7........
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 5, 1993
221 VM’S RETURN HOME TODAY
* * * * *
A GROUP OF 221 VIETNAMESE MIGRANTS TODAY (TUESDAY) RETURNED TO VIETNAM UNDER THE UNHCR’S VOLUNTARY REPATRIATION PROGRAMME.
COMPRISING 75 MEN, 58 WOMEN, 39 BOYS AND 49 GIRLS, THEY WERE THE 168TH BATCH TO GO BACK UNDER THE PROGRAMME.
THIS GROUP BROUGHT TO 6,839 THE TOTAL NUMBER OF VIETNAMESE MIGRANTS WHO HAVE RETURNED VOLUNTARILY THIS YEAR, AND TO 33,151 THE TOTAL NUMBER OF RETURNEES SINCE THE PROGRAMME STARTED IN MARCH 1989.
------0-------
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND
TENDER RESULTS
*****
TENDER DATE 5 OCTOBER 93 5 OCTOBER 93
PAPER ON OFFER EF BILLS EF BILLS
ISSUE NUMBER Q340 Y394
AMOUNT APPLIED HKD4,102 MN HKD2,020 MN
AMOUNT ALLOTTED HKDl,000 MN HKD300 MN
AVERAGE YIELD ACCEPTED 2.88 PCT 3.40 PCT
HIGHEST YIELD ACCEPTED 2.90 PCT 3.40 PCT
PRO RATA RATIO ABOUT 2 PCT ABOUT 41 PCT
AVERAGE TENDER YIELD 2.92 PCT 3.43 PCT
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND
TENDERS TO BE HELD IN THE
WEEK BEGINNING 11 OCTOBER
1993 -
TENDER DATE 12 OCTOBER 93 12 OCTOBER 93
PAPER ON OFFER EF BILLS EF BILLS
ISSUE NUMBER Q341 H375
ISSUE DATE 13 OCTOBER 93 13 OCTOBER 93
MATURITY DATE 12 JANUARY 94 13 APRIL 94
TENOR 91 DAYS 182 DAYS
AMOUNT ON OFFER HKD1,000 + 200 MN HKD400 + 80 MN
--------0-----------
/8.........
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 5, 1993
8
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND
MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS ***** $ MILLION
OPENING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT 2,200
REVERSAL OF LAF -200
BALANCE AFTER REVERSAL OF LAF 2,000
NET INJECTION/WITHDRAWAL TODAY NIL
EFFECT OF LAF TODAY -75
CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT 1,925
LAF RATE 2.00 BID/4.00 OFFER TWI 112.2 *-0.3* 5.10.93
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND
EF BILLS EF NOTES/HONG KONG GOVERNMENT BONDS
TERMS YIELD TERM ISSUE COUPON PRICE YIELD
1 WEEK 2.81 PCT 13 MONTHS 2411 4.625 101.33 3.42
1 MONTH 2.82 PCT 16 MONTHS 2502 4.75 101.55 3.60
3 MONTHS 2.88 PCT 19 MONTHS 2505 3.75 99.84 3.89
6 MONTHS 3.05 PCT 12 MONTHS 3.35 PCT TOTAL TURNOVER OF BILLS CLOSED OCTOBER 5, 1993 22 MONTHS AND BONDS - 2508 12,596 MN 4.625 101.24 3.97
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 6, 1993
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
SPECIAL PROVISIONS FOR DISABLED WITNESSES SHOULD BE CONSIDERED ................................................... 1
SHARES CLEARING SYSTEM WORKING WELL ............................ 3
SPECIAL MEASURES TO HELP BUSINESSES AFFECTED BY CLEARANCE ... 4
COMMUNITY ELECTRONIC TRADING SERVICE PLANNED FOR 1995 .......... 4
COMPENSATION FOR HMOCS OFFICERS ................................ 5
D OF E ON GOVERNOR'S ADDRESS ................................... 6
THREE KOWLOON SITES TO LET ..................................... 6
PUBLIC LIGHT BUS SERVICE FOR SANDY BAY ......................... 7
STUDENT COMPUTER TALENTS IN SOFTWARE CONTEST ................... 7
FRESH WATER CUT IN WAN CHAI .................................... 8
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS ..
9
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 6, 1993
1 SPECIAL PROVISIONS FOR DISABLED WITNESSES SHOULD BE CONSIDERED t * * * ♦
DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC PROSECUTIONS OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL’S CHAMBERS, MR JOHN WOOD, BELIEVED CONSIDERATION SHOULD BE GIVEN TO INTRODUCING CERTAIN PROVISIONS IN THE LAW OF ENGLAND INTO HONG KONG TO PROTECT CHILDREN AND THE MENTALLY DISABLED WHEN GIVING EVIDENCE IN COURT.
MR WOOD HAS RECENTLY BECOME A MEMBER OF A SPECIAL WORKING GROUP, APPOINTED BY THE CHIEF JUSTICE AND CHAIRED BY MR JUSTICE MICHAEL WONG KIN-CHOW, TO LOOK INTO THE QUESTION OF MENTALLY HANDICAPPED PEOPLE GIVING EVIDENCE IN COURT.
AT A LUNCHEON MEETING OF THE ROTARY CLUB OF KOWLOON GOLDEN MILE TODAY (WEDNESDAY), HE SAID HE UNDERSTOOD WELL THE RECENT CASE INVOLVING THE MILDLY RETARDED YOUNG LADY WHO MADE ALLEGATIONS OF RAPE HAD GENERATED A GREAT DEAL OF CRITICISM OF THE WAY IN WHICH IT WAS HANDLED.
"IN TRUTH THE VICTIM GAVE HER EVIDENCE WITH SOME DIFFICULTIES AND BECAME DISTRESSED UNDER CROSS-EXAMINATION.
"I AM NOT SURPRISED BECAUSE GIVING EVIDENCE IS NOT A PLEASANT EXPERIENCE - I MYSELF HAVE DONE SO ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS TO COURTS AND TRIBUNALS - AND FOR SOMEONE WHO IS NOT BLESSED WITH MENTAL NORMALITY IT MUST BE AN EVEN GREATER ORDEAL," HE SAID.
"THERE IS NOW PROVISION TN THE LAW OF ENGLAND FOR CHILDREN TO GIVE EVIDENCE FROM OUTSIDE THE COURTROOM THROUGH A LIVE VIDEO LINK AND IN ONE CASE THE COURT OF APPEAL IN ENGLAND APPROVED THE ERECTION OF A SCREEN TO PREVENT YOUNG CHILDREN SEEING OR BEING SEEN BY THE DEFENDANTS.
"THERE IS ANOTHER SECTION TN THE ENGLISH CRIMINAL JUSTICE ACT OF 1988 WHICH IS VERY RADICAL AND FAR REACHING AND IT ENABLES A COURT TO RECEIVE IN EVIDENCE A VIDEO TAPE OF AN INTERVIEW OR INTERVIEWS BETWEEN A CHILD WITNESS AND AN ADULT WHICH RELATES TO ANY MATTER RELEVANT TO THE PROCEEDINGS.
"BUT A JUDGE WILL NORMALLY NOT ALLOW THE INTRODUCTION OF THIS EVIDENCE UNLESS THE CHIU) IS AVAILABLE FOR CROSS-EXAMINATION," HE ADDED.
"AGAIN WE MIGHT PERHAPS CONSIDER WHETHER A PROVISION SUCH AS THIS SHOULD BE INTRODUCED INTO OUR LAW NOT ONLY FOR CHILDREN BUT ALSO PERSONS UNDER MENTAL DISABILITY," MR WOOD SAID.
HOWEVER, HE EMPHASISED THAT FAIRNESS IN A CRIMINAL TRIAL MUST RELATE TO THE DEFENDANT AS WELL AS TO WITNESSES.
"IF WE GO TOO FAR AND DENY A DEFENDANT A FAIR TRIAL, OUR SYSTEM OF JUSTICE WILL SOON FALL INTO DISREPUTE," HE SAID.
/MR WOOD
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 6, 1993
- 2 -
MR WOOD REMINDED HIS AUDIENCE THAT EVERY MEMBER OF THE PROSECUTIONS DIVISION IN THE ATTORNEY GENERAL’S CHAMBERS WAS CONSTANTLY IN THE SPOTLIGHT AND THEIR DECISIONS WERE MONITORED VERY CAREFULLY BY LEGISLATORS AND THE MEDIA.
’’ANY ONE DECISION OF MINE CAN LEAD TO SOMEONE SERVING MANY YEARS OF IMPRISONMENT, ON THE OTHER HANI), SOMEONE WHO HAS OFFENDED MAY NOT BE PROSECUTED.
’’NOT ONLY DO WE CONSIDER THE EVIDENCE BUT WE ALSO HAVE TO CONSIDER THE MERITS OF THE CASE AND THE OFFENDER.
”WE TRY NOT TO PROSECUTE THE ELDERLY, THE PHYSICALLY AND MENTALLY INFIRM OR CHILDREN BUT THERE ARE CASES WHICH ARE SO SERIOUS OR WHERE THE CRIMINAL CONDUCT HAS BEEN REPEATED THAT WE CONSIDER IT IS IN THE INTERESTS OF THE PUBLIC, AND FOR THE PROTECTION OF THE PUBLIC, THAT CRIMINAL PROCEEDINGS MUST BE TAKEN,” HE EXPLAINED.
MR WOOD ASSURED THE PUBLIC THAT IN EVERY CASE THE EVIDENCE WAS CAREFULLY ASSESSED AND WHERE THEY WERE TOLD A WITNESS OR WITNESSES SUFFER FROM DISABILITY THEY SCRUTINISED THEIR EVIDENCE VERY CAREFULLY.
"IT IS A HUGELY RESPONSIBLE TASK BUT WE HAPPILY ACCEPT IT AS AN IMPORTANT PART OF OUR JOB IN PLAYING OUR RLOE IN LAW ENFORCEMENT IN HONG KONG," HE SAID.
EARLIER IN HIS SPEECH, MR WOOD EXPLAINED THE WORKING RELATIONS BETWEEN THE ATTORNEY GENERAL’S CHAMBERS AND LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES.
"LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE INVESTIGATION OF CRIME, THE QUESTIONING OF SUSPECTS AND COLLECTION OF EVIDENCE, BUT THEIR FUNCTIONS IN THIS REGARD ARE NOT UNDER THE SUPERVISION OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL.
"HOWEVER THE ULTIMATE PURPOSE OF MOST INVESTIGATIONS IS THE PROSECUTION OF OFFENDERS IN COURT AND LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES REGULARLY OBTAIN ADVICE FROM THE PROSECUTIONS DIVISION OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL’S CHAMBERS DURING INVESTIGATIONS," MR WOOD SAID.
THE DECISION ON WHETHER OR NOT CRIMINAL PROCEEDINGS SHOULD TAKE PLACE REQUIRED YEARS OF EXPERIENCE TO ACQUIRE THE SKILLS AND THE CONFIDENCE.
THAT WAS WHY IN THE PROSECUTIONS DIVISION, ADVICE AS TO PROSECUTION MUST BE APPROVED BY A SENIOR OFFICER.
"WE NEVER LOSE SIGHT OF THE FACT THAT BY ADVISING A PROSECUTION WE ARE SETTING IN TRAIN A PROCESS WHICH COULD LEAD TO A PERSON LOSING HIS LIBERTY," MR WOOD CONCLUDED.
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/3.........
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 6, 1993
3
SHARES CLEARING SYSTEM WORKING WELL ♦ * * ♦ ♦
THE CENTRAL CLEARING AND SETTLEMENT SYSTEM HANDLES OVER ONE MILLION SHARE TRANSACTIONS VALUED AT ABOUT HK$100 BILLION A MONTH, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, MR HAMISH MACLEOD, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
HE WAS SPEAKING AT A RECEPTION TO CELEBRATE THE FOURTH ANNIVERSARY OF THE HONG KONG SECURITIES CLEARING COMPANY AND THE FIRST ANNIVERSARY OF THE FULL IMPLEMENTATION OF THE CENTRAL CLEARING AND SETTLEMENT SYSTEM.
MR MACLEOD NOTED THAT NEARLY ALL SHARES TRADED ON THE EXCHANGE WERE NOW SETTLED THROUGH THIS CENTRAL SYSTEM.
"THE SYSTEM’S DEPOSITORY NOW HOLDS OVER 70 BILLION SHARES WITH A MARKET VALUE OF NEARLY HK$300 BILLION.
"IT PROVIDED THE EFFICIENCY REQUIRED TO COPE WITH THE ROBUST TURNOVER OF ABOUT HK$4 BILLION A DAY IN THE FIRST EIGHT MONTHS OF 1993," HE SAID.
HE ADDED THAT THE SUCCESS OF THE SYSTEM HAD BEEN MATCHED BY THE FINANCIAL SUCCESS OF THE CLEARING COMPANY.
THE COMPANY WAS ABLE TO REPAY OVER HK$100 MILLION OF ITS DEVELOPMENT LOANS WHILE MAINTAINING AN OPERATING SURPLUS THIS YEAR.
MR MACLEOD SAID HE WAS PLEASED THAT THE COMPANY HAD SET FOR ITSELF NEW GOALS.
HE NOTED THAT THE COMPANY WOULD LOOK INTO NEW AREAS, INCLUDING A NEW SHARES REGISTRATION SYSTEM; DIRECT ACCESS BY INVESTORS TO THE SERVICE OF THE CENTRAL CLEARING SYSTEM; ENHANCING ITS SERVICE IN RESPONSE TO THE STOCK EXCHANGE’S DEVELOPMENT OF THE AUTOMATED ORDER MATCHING AND EXECUTION SYSTEM AND ASSISTING TN THE DEVELOPMENT OF A STOCK OPTIONS MARKET.
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY ALSO REITERATED THE GOVERNOR’S MESSAGE IN HIS POLICY ADDRESS THIS AFTERNOON THAT THE GOVERNMENT WAS FULLY COMMITTED TO BUILDING UP HONG KONG AS A MAJOR FINANCIAL CENTRE IN THE REGION.
/4 ........
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 6, 1993
SPECIAL MEASURES TO HELP BUSINESSES AFFECTED BY CLEARANCE
*****
THE LANDS DEPARTMENT HAS MADE SPECIAL ARRANGEMENTS IN ORDER TO HELP COMMERCIAL OPERATORS AFFECTED BY THE ’’SIX STREET CLEARANCE” IN MA TAU KOK TO RESOLVE DIFFICULTIES ARISING FROM THE CLEARANCE.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY) THAT AS A RESULT OF A SERIES OF MEETINGS WITH THE OPERATORS, THE DEPARTMENT RECOGNISED THAT THE NORMAL PRACTICE OF ASSESSING COMPENSATION AFTER CLOSURE OF BUSINESS COULD CREATE FINANCIAL HARDSHIP TO THE OPERATORS.
"IN RECOGNITION OF THIS PROBLEM, THE DEPARTMENT HAS AGREED TO MAKE COMPENSATION ASSESSMENTS BASED ON THE INFORMATION CURRENTLY AVAILABLE, INSTEAD OF MAKING THE ASSESSMENTS AFTER THE OPERATORS VACATE THEIR PREMISES. AND OFFERS OF COMPENSATION HAVE BEEN MADE TO THEM. "
THE SPOKESMAN SAID NEARLY 100 OFFERS TOTALLING $32 MILLION HAD BEEN MADE IN ADDITION TO THE EX-GRAT1A ALLOWANCE PREVIOUSLY OFFERED.
THE COMPENSATION BEING OFFERED INCLUDES REMOVAL ALLOWANCE, VALUE OF FURNITURE AND FITTINGS, PLANT AND MACHINERY AND VALUE OF TENANCY.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE OPERATORS COULD MAKE ADDITIONAL CLAIMS ON TOP OF THE OFFERS MADE TO THEM, BUT SUCH CLAIMS WOULD HAVE TO BE PROPERLY SUBSTANTIATED BY SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION.
---------0-----------
COMMUNITY ELECTRONIC TRADING SERVICE PLANNED FOR 1995 *****
THE COMMUNITY ELECTRONIC TRADING SERVICE (CETS) WILL BE LAUNCHED IN 1995 PENDING THE SUCCESSFUL COMPLETION OF A TESTING NEXT YEAR, THE SECRETARY FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY, MR T H CHAU, SAID THIS (WEDNESDAY) MORNING.
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING OF THE 16TH ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING OF THE FEDERATION OF ASEAN SHIPPERS’ COUNCIL, MR CHAU SAID THE TESTING, WHICH WOULD BEGIN BY THE MIDDLE OF 1994, WOULD INVOLVE THE GOVERNMENT, TRADELINK AND A SMALL NUMBER OF SELECTED TRADERS.
TRADELINK IS A CONSORTIUM FORMED BY 11 LEADING TRADE-RELATED ORGANISATIONS IN HONG KONG IN 1988. SINCE THEN, TRADELINK HAS BEEN ACTIVELY PROMOTING THE USE OF ELECTRONIC DATA INTERCHANGE (EDI) IN THE TERRITORY.
/MR CHAU .......
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 6, 1993
- 5 -
MR CHAU SAID AFTER CONDUCTING A SERIES OF JOINT STUDIES, THE GOVERNMENT DECIDED THAT TRADELINK SHOULD BECOME THE VEHICLE FOR FUNDING AND MANAGING CETS AND THE GOVERNMENT BECAME A SHAREHOLDER OF TRADELINK IN NOVEMBER 1992.
HE SAID THE INITIAL SERVICES OF HONG KONG’S CETS WOULD FOCUS ON OFFICIAL TRADE DOCUMENTS SUCH AS TEXTILES EXPORT LICENCES AND TRADE DECLARATIONS. > r. i ,,. ■, , . . . «
HOWEVER, HE ADDED, THERE WERE ALSO PLANS FOR CETS TO EXTEND EDI SERVICES TO COVER OTHER TRADE-RELATED TRANSACTIONS, SUCH AS PLACING PURCHASE ORDERS, INVOICES, BILLS OF LADING AND LETTERS OF CREDIT.
• j • < ■ • • ,
"WE ARE HOPING TO MAKE EARLY PROGRESS IN ARRIVING AT ARRANGEMENTS WHEREBY SOME OVERSEAS CUSTOMS AUTHORITIES CAN RECEIVE BY EDI DETAILS OF TEXTILES EXPORT LICENCES ISSUED IN HONG KONG,” HE SAID.
"THE SUCCESSFUL IMPLEMENTATION OF CETS WILL BRING HONG KONG IN LINE WITH AN EMERGING INTERNATIONAL TREND AND HELP TO MAINTAIN HONG KONG’S POSITION AS ONE OF THE LEADING TRADE CENTRES IN THE WORLD," HE ADDED.
------0-----------
COMPENSATION FOR HMOCS OFFICERS
IN RESPONSE TO PRESS ENQUIRIES ABOUT A GENERAL COMPENSATION SCHEME FOR OFFICERS OF HER MAJESTY’S OVERSEAS CIVIL SERVICE (HMOCS) IN HONG KONG, A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY) THE INTRODUCTION OF SUCH A SCHEME WAS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF HER MAJESTY’S GOVERNMENT (HMG) IN THE UNITED KINGDOM.
THE COMPENSATION SCHEME AND ANY STERLING PENSION SAFEGUARD WILL BE ENTIRELY FUNDED BY HMG AND IS APPLICABLE ONLY TO MEMBERS OF HMOCS, HE SAID.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID: "HMOCS OFFICERS HOLD THEIR APPOINTMENTS UNDER THE AUTHORITY OF HMG IN UK, NOT THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT. THEY MAY BE TRANSFERRED BY HMG FROM ONE TERRITORY TO ANOTHER.
"HMG HAS ACCEPTED CERTAIN*OBLIGATIONS TO ALL MEMBERS OF HMOCS AS SET OUT IN 1954 AND 1960 WHITE PAPERS AND AS FOLLOWED IN ALL OTHER 42 DEPENDENT TERRITORIES UPON A TRANSFER OF SOVEREIGNTY. THE PROPOSED ARRANGEMENTS FOR HMOCS OFFICERS IN HONG KONG ARE IN ACCORDANCE WITH HMOCS ARRANGEMENTS WORLDWIDE.
"GENERAL RIGHT TO RETIREMENT UNDER AN HMOCS COMPENSATION SCHEME IS ONE OF THESE OBLIGATIONS.”
THE SPOKESMAN NOTED THAT HMG WOULD BE DISCUSSING THESE PROPOSALS WITH THE HONG KONG HMOCS ASSOCIATION.
HE ADDED THAT HE UNDERSTOOD THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT WAS INFORMED OF THESE PROPOSED ARRANGEMENTS BY HMG IN MARCH 1992.
‘ | • r V.«.' f ■ ! . ; :
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/6.......
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 6, 1993
- 6 -
D OF E ON GOVERNOR’S ADDRESS
» * ♦ ♦ «
IN RESPONSE TO PRESS ENQUIRIES ON THE GOVERNOR’S POLICY ADDRESS TODAY, THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, MR DOMINIC S W WONG, SAID:
”1 AM VERY HAPPY THAT THE GOVERNOR HAS ANNOUNCED A SERIES OF MEASURES TO FURTHER IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF EDUCATION, LANGUAGE STANDARDS AND THE LEARNING ENVIRONMENT IN SCHOOLS.
"MY DEPARTMENT WILL DO OUR BEST TO ENSURE IMPLEMENTATION," HE SAID.
AN EXPLANATION OF THESE MEASURES WILL BE GIVEN AT A PRESS CONFERENCE SOON.
------0--------
THREE KOWLOON SITES TO LET
♦ » * * »
THE LANDS DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR THE SHORT-TERM TENANCIES OF THREE LOTS OF GOVERNMENT LAND IN KOWLOON.
THE FIRST LOT, LOCATED BETWEEN YAU TONG ROAD AND CHA KWO LING ROAD, HAS AN AREA OF ABOUT 8,400 SQUARE METRES FOR OPEN PARKING OF UNLICENSED MOTOR VEHICLES AND TENANT’S VEHICLES, AND STORAGE OF NON-DANGEROUS GOODS, EXCLUDING CONTAINERS.
THE TENANCY IS FOR THREE YEARS, RENEWABLE QUARTERLY AFTERWARDS.
THE SECOND LOT, AT TAI YIP STREET AND WAI YIP STREET, COVERS AN AREA OF ABOUT 8,000 SQUARE METRES.
IT IS INTENDED FOR USE AS A FEE-PAYING PARKING AREA FOR MOTOR VEHICLES, EXCLUDING CONTAINER VEHICLES WITH THEIR TRAILERS/CHASIS ATTACHED.
THE TENANCY IS ALSO FOR THREE YEARS, RENEWABLE QUARTERLY AFTERWARDS.
THE REMAINING LOT AT FUNG SHING STREET, HAVING AN AREA OF ABOUT 2,730 SQUARE METRES, IS FOR OPEN STORAGE OF TENANT’S GOODS AND UNLICENSED VEHICLES, EXCLUDING CONTAINERS.
IT CARRIES A TENANCY OF TWO YEARS, RENEWABLE QUARTERLY AFTERWARDS.
CLOSING DATE FOR SUBMISSION OF TENDERS IS NOON ON OCTOBER 22.
FORMS OF TENDER, TENDER NOTICES AND CONDITIONS MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE DISTRICT LANDS OFFICES, KOWLOON, 10TH FLOOR, YAU MA TEI CAR PARK BUILDING, 250 SHANGHAI STREET; AND THE LANDS DEPARTMENT, 14TH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, IN CENTRAL.
TENDER PLANS CAN ALSO BE INSPECTED AT THE OFFICES.
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/7......
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 6, 1993
7 -
PUBLIC LIGHT BUS SERVICE FOR SANDY BAY
* * * * *
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES THAT IN ORDER TO IMPROVE THE PUBLIC TRANSPORT SERVICES FOR SCENIC VILLAS AND SANDY BAY ROAD AREA, FROM FRIDAY (OCTOBER 8) HONG KONG ISLAND PUBLIC LIGHT BUS (SCHEDULED) ROUTE 10 WILL BE SPLITTED INTO THE FOLLOWING TWO SERVICES:
ROUTE 10
IT WILL OPERATE BETWEEN CAUSEWAY BAY (LOCKHART ROAD) AND SCENIC VILLAS/SANDY BAY.
THE HOURS OF OPERATION WILL BE FROM 6.30 AM TO 9 PM BETWEEN MONDAYS AND SATURDAYS; AND 7 AM TO 8 PM ON SUNDAYS AND PUBLIC HOLIDAYS.
THE FARE WILL BE $7 PER SINGLE JOURNEY.
ROUTE 10A
IT WILL SERVE BETWEEN CENTRAL (WELLINGTON STREET) AND SCENIC VILLAS/SANDY BAY.
THE HOURS OF OPERATION WILL BE FROM 8 AM TO 8 PM BETWEEN MONDAYS AND SATURDAYS. THERE WILL BE NO SERVICE ON SUNDAYS AND PUBLIC HOLIDAYS.
THE FARE WILL BE $5 PER SINGLE JOURNEY.
------0--------
STUDENT COMPUTER TALENTS IN SOFTWARE CONTEST
*****
SIX HONG KONG STUDENT COMPUTER WIZARDS TODAY (WEDNESDAY) COMPETED WITH 41 STUDENTS FROM 10 NEIGHBOURING COUNTRIES IN THE SOUTHEAST ASIAN REGIONAL COMPUTER CONFEDERATION (SEARCC) INTERNATIONAL SOFTWARE COMPETITION.
THE COMPETITION WAS A SPECIAL EVENT TO MARK THE OCCASION OF THE ANNUAL SEARCC CONFERENCE WITH HONG KONG AS THE HOST.
SINGAPORE CAME FIRST AND SECOND IN THE COMPETITION, AND SRI LANKA THIRD. HONG KONG’S TEAM A TOOK FOURTH PLACE AND TEAM B SIXTH.
SPEAKING AT THE PRIZE-PRESENTATION CEREMONY, THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, MR ROBERT LO SAID THE DEPARTMENT HAD DONE MUCH TO PROMOTE COMPUTER EDUCATION SINCE 1982.
/IT STARTED .......
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 6, 1993
- 8 -
IT STARTED A MODEST COMPUTER STUDIES SCHEME BY INTRODUCING COMPUTER STUDIES AS A SUBJECT FOR 2,500 SENIOR SECONDARY STUDENTS IN 30 SECONDARY SCHOOLS.
"SINCE THEN WE HAVE ADDED COMPUTER LITERACY AS A SUBJECT IN THE JUNIOR SECONDARY SCHOOL CURRICULUM, COMPUTER STUDIES AS AN ADVANCED LEVEL SUBJECT AND COMPUTER APPLICATIONS AS A SUBJECT AT ADVANCED SUPPLEMENTARY LEVEL, AND THE NUMBER OF SCHOOLS OFFERING THESE SUBJECTS HAS GROWN STEADILY.
"TODAY, OVER 150,000 STUDENTS IN SOME 350 SCHOOLS, OR ABOUT 38 PER CENT OF THE SECONDARY SCHOOL POPULATION IN THE PUBLIC SECTOR ARE TRYING THESE SUBJECTS," MR LO SAID.
HE SAID THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT WOULD CONTINUE TO FURTHER DEVELOP COMPUTER EDUCATION IN HONG KONG.
--------0-----------
FRESH WATER CUT IN WAN CHAI » » » » *
FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO SOME PREMISES IN WAN CHAI WILL GO OFF FROM 11 PM ON FRIDAY (OCTOBER 8) TO 6 AM THE NEXT DAY TO FACILITATE WASTE DETECTION WORK ON WATER MAINS.
THE SUSPENSION WILL AFFECT ALL THE PREMISES AT THE EVEN NUMBERS OF 38-66 GLOUCESTER ROAD, 23-115 JAFFE ROAD, 23-86 LOCKHART ROAD, THE ODD NUMBERS OF 71-75 HENNESSY ROAD, 15-23 LUARD ROAD, 15-21 FENWICK STREET, 6 ARSENAL STREET AND THE POLICE HEADQUARTERS AT ARSENAL STREET.
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/9 ........
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 6, 1993
- 9 -
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS *****
$ MILLION
OPENING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT 1,925
REVERSAL OF LAF + 75
BALANCE AFTER REVERSAL OF LAF 2,000
NET INJECTION/WITHDRAWAL TODAY NIL
EFFECT OF LAF TODAY NIL
CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT 2,000
LAF RATE 2 .00 BID/4.00 OFFER TWI 112.3 * +0.1* 6 .10.93
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND
EF BILLS EF NOTES/HONG KONG GOVERNMENT BONDS
TERMS YIELD TERM ISSUE COUPON PRICE YIELD
1 WEEK 2.86 PCT 13 MONTHS 2411 4.625 101.36 3.39
1 MONTH 2.85 PCT 16 MONTHS 2502 4.75 101.54 3.61
3 MONTHS 2.88 PCT 19 MONTHS 2505 3.75 99.86 3.88
6 MONTHS 3.04 PCT 22 MONTHS 2508 4.625 101.26 3.95
12 MONTHS 3.36 PCT
TOTAL TURNOVER OF BILLS AND BONDS - 8 ,609 MN
CLOSED 6 OCTOBER 1993
- - 0---------
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
SUPPLEMENT
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 6, 1993
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
GOVERNOR SETS OUT FIVE PRIORITIES FOR NEXT YEAR ................. 1
NO LET-UP IN HK'S ECONOMIC ADVANCE .............................. 2
NEW STANDARDS OF FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE FOR COMPANIES TO BE INTRODUCED ..................................................... 3
MORE PROTECTION TO CONSUMER'S RIGHTS PROPOSED ................... 4
MORE FUNDS FOR HK'S LAND TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM .................. 5
PORT AND AIRPORT PROJECTS VITAL TO HK'S FUTURE .................. 6
TASK FORCE TO CLEAN UP NEW TERRITORIES .......................... 8
TOUGHER MEASURES TO ENSURE INDUSTRIAL SAFETY ................... 10
MEASURES TO IMPROVE QUALITY IN EDUCATION OUTLINED .............. 11
BETTER PUBLIC HOUSING TARGET OVER NEXT THREE YEARS ............. 14
CUTTING THE QUEUES FOR MEDICAL TREATMENT ....................... 15
SUPPORT FOR NURSES ............................................. 16
OVT TO LAUNCH NEW HOSPICE PROGRAMME ........................... 16
MORE CHILDREN'S ALLOWANCES ..................................... 17
THE MENTALLY HANDICAPPED AT RISK ............................... 18
A SECURE OLD AGE NEEDED ........................................ 19
RETIREMENT INCOME PROPOSALS IN THE PIPELINE .................... 21
/NO LET-UP ...
NO LET-UP IN FIGHT AGAINST CRIME ............................... 22
CODES OF CONDUCT FOR BUSINESS TO PREVENT CORRUPTION ............ 23
PRESS FOR BETTER NATIONALITY DEAL FOR ETHNIC MINORITY AND EX-SERVICEMEN'S WIVES AND WIDOWS ............................. 24
DECISION TO JOIN CEDAW TO BE MADE NEXT YEAR .................... 25
A FULLER LIFE AHEAD ............................................ 25
PLEDGES PERFORMED: GOVERNOR .................................... 26
PENSION FUND TO BE SET UP ...................................... 26
GOVERNOR SPELLS OUT LOCALISATION PRINCIPLES .................... 27
COMMON CONDITIONS OF SERVICE PROPOSED .......................... 28
TRAINING FOR TRANSITION FULL STEAM AHEAD ....................... 29
MORE CO-OPERATION WITH CHINA ENVISAGED ......................... 30
RESOLVING OUTSTANDING ISSUES ON JLG AGENDA URGED ............... 32
FUNDS TO ENSURE LOCALISATION OF LAWS ON SCHEDULE ............... 33
GOVERNOR REVIEWS LEGCO-ADMINISTRATION TIES ..................... 35
GOVERNOR UPDATES CONSTITUTIONAL DEVELOPMENT .................... 35
ELECTION ACCORD POSSIBLE ....................................... 37
GOVERNOR WISHES TO SEE "ONE COUNTRY, TWO SYSTEMS" .............. 38
GOVERNOR GIVES BROADCAST ON POLICY ADDRESS ..................... 40
GOVERNOR'S PRESS CONFERENCE ON HIS POLICY ADDRESS .............. 42
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 6, 1993
- 1 -
GOVERNOR SETS OUT FIVE PRIORITIES FOR NEXT YEAR
*****
THE GOVERNOR, THE RT HON CHRISTOPHER PATTEN, OUTLINED FIVE PRIORITIES TO MEET RISING PUBLIC ASPIRATIONS IN THE COMING YEAR IN HIS POLICY ADDRESS DELIVERED TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL THIS AFTERNOON (WEDNESDAY).
IN HIS SECOND POLICY ADDRESS AS THE GOVERNOR OF HONG KONG, MR PATTEN NOTED THAT A BOLD START WAS MADE LAST YEAR TO ENABLE THE
FINANCIAL SECRETARY TO BUILD ON IT IN HIS BUDGET LAST MARCH.
"THIS YEAR, WE CAN AFFORD TO DO EVEN BETTER, SETTING NEW
STANDARDS TO MEET THE RISING ASPIRATIONS OF OUR PEOPLE," HE SAID.
MR PATTEN SAID HONG KONG COULD AFFORD BETTER NEW STANDARDS
BEACAUSE OF ITS PRUDENT FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT, CONTINUED ECONOMIC EXPANSION AND, ABOVE ALL, THE HARD WORK AND SUCCESS OF THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG.
THESE PRIORITIES ARE :
* FIRST, TO DO EVERYTHING HONG KONG CAN TO AGREE WITH CHINA ON FAIR, OPEN AND ACCEPTABLE ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE ELECTIONS IN 1994 AND 1995 AND, AT THE SAME TIME, TO WORK OUT NEW WAYS OF DEVELOPING HONG KONG’S RELATIONSHIP WITH CHINA AND ITS INSTITUTIONS AT THE PRACTICAL LEVEL;
* SECOND, TO ENSURE THAT HONG KONG’S ECONOMY REMAINS STRONGLY COMPETITIVE IN THE INTERNATIONAL MARKET-PLACE AND EVEN MORE ACCOUNTABLE TO ITS CUSTOMERS;
* THIRD, TO CONCENTRATE ON SPECIFIC IMPROVEMENTS IN OUR
SOCIAL SERVICE, EDUCATION AND HOUSING PROGRAMMES;
* FOURTH, TO DELIVER REAL IMPROVEMENTS IN OUR CARE OF THE
ELDERLY, A GROWING PROPORTION OF OUR POPULATION; AND
* FIFTH, TO TACKLE HEAD-ON THE RECENT UPSURGE IN THAT MOST CORROSIVE OF EVILS, CORRUPTION.
MR PATTEN POINTED OUT THAT IN HIS LAST POLICY ADDRESS, HE PUT FORWARD 103 SPECIFIC POLICY PROPOSALS AIMED AT IMPROVING THE QUALITY OF LIFE OF HONG KONG PEOPLE, OF WHICH, SOME WERE TO BE ACHIEVED IN THE LONGER TERM, BUT VIRTUALLY ALL OF THE COMMITMENTS HAD BEEN ACHIEVED OR WERE ON SCHEDULE TO ACHIEVE.
A DETAILED PROGRESS REPORT WAS ATTACHED TO THE PRINTED VERSION OF THE POLICY ADDRESS FOR MEMBERS AND THE COMMUNITY TO EXAMINE.
"THIS REPORT LISTS PROGRESS, ITEM BY ITEM. IT IS, I BELIEVE, AN IMPRESSIVE RECORD.
"BUT MEMBERS WILL NOT BE SURPRISED TO HEAR WE ARE NOT PERFECT. THERE HAVE BEEN SOME SERIOUS SHORTFALLS AS WELL - RELATIVELY FEW - BUT WE IDENTIFY THEM ALONGSIDE OUR SUCCESSES AND TRY TO EXPLAIN WHAT WE PROPOSE TO DO ABOUT THEM," HE SAID.
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/2........
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 6, 1993
- 2 -
NO LET-UP IN HE’S ECONOMIC ADVANCE * * * * *
THERE HAS BEEN NO LET-UP IN HONG KONG’S ECONOMIC ADVANCE, THE GOVERNOR, THE RT HON CHRISTOPHER PATTEN, SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL THIS AFTERNOON (WEDNESDAY).
IN REVIEWING THE GENERAL ECONOMY OF HONG KONG IN HIS POLICY ADDRESS, MR PATTEN NOTED THAT THE TERRITORY’S FINANCIAL POSITION TODAY IS SUFFICIENTLY HEALTHY TO ALLOW THE GOVERNMENT TO UNDERTAKE ADDITIONAL COMMITMENTS TO MUCH-NEEDED CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS TO SCHOOLS, HOSPITALS AND CLINICS.
’’FOR HONG KONG, NOTHING IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN GETTING THE ECONOMY RIGHT. I THINK THIS IS A POINT WELL UNDERSTOOD HERE.
’’FOR HONG KONG, WHILE IT IS TRUE THAT OUR WAY OF LIFE SUSTAINS OUR ECONOMY, IT IS EQUALLY TRUE THAT OUR ECONOMY SUPPORTS OUR WAY OF LIFE. IN SETTING OUT OUR POLICY GOALS, THE ECONOMY COMES FIRST. WE HAVE TO KEEP IT FIT AND HEALTHY,” HE SAID.
THE GOVERNOR POINTED OUT THAT THIS YEAR, HONG KONG WOULD OVERTAKE AUSTRALIA AND THE UK IN TERMS OF GDP PER HEAD, AND SHOULD DRAW LEVEL WITH CANADA NEXT YEAR.
REAL GDP GROWTH WILL LIKELY BE 5.5 PER CENT FOR THIS YEAR, UNDERPINNED BY THE CONTINUING STRENGTH OF EXPORTS, CONSUMER SPENDING AND CAPITAL INVESTMENT, HE SAID.
THE GOVERNOR NOTED THAT INFLATION, THOUGH STILL HIGH, HAD EASED AND WOULD LIKELY AVERAGE NINE PER CENT OR JUST UNDER FOR THE YEAR. THE ORIGINAL FORECAST WAS 9.5 PER CENT.
MEANWHILE, THE HANG SENG INDEX HAS ALSO SHRUGGED OFF SETBACKS TO REACH A SUCCESSION OF NEW RECORDS, HE SAID.
AT THE END OF SEPTEMBER, THE INDEX WAS NEARLY 40 PER CENT HIGHER THAN AT THE SAME TIME LAST SEPTEMBER, HE ADDED.
"IT IS PROBABLY THE BEST PERFORMING MAJOR STOCK MARKET IN THE WORLD,” HE SAID.
NEVERTHELESS, THERE ARE CAUSES FOR CONCERN ABROAD AND HONG KONG CANNOT BE COMPLACENT, THE GOVERNOR SAID.
”ON THE TRADE FRONT, THE QUESTION OF CHINA’S MFN STATUS WILL COME UP AGAIN NEXT SPRING TO DOG THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN OUR TWO MOST IMPORTANT TRADING PARTNERS.
”WE WILL CONTINUE TO FIGHT FOR UNCONDITIONAL RENEWAL, AS WE DID VIGOROUSLY - AND WITH CONSIDERABLE IMPACT - THIS YEAR.
"BUT OUR TASK MAY BE EVEN MORE FORMIDABLE NEXT TIME THAN IT WAS
HIS YEAR. ANOTHER WORRY IS THAT THE URUGUAY ROUND OF THE GATT NEGOTIATIONS MAY MISS YET ANOTHER DEADLINE, THUS FRUSTRATING OUR HOPES OF GREATER TRADE LIBERALISATION AND PLACING THE MULTILATERAL TRADING SYSTEM IN JEOPARDY,” THE GOVERNOR SAID.
/TURNING TO .......
i
4
WEDNESDAY,
OCTOBER 6, 1993
- 3 -
TURNING TO INFLATION, MR PATTEN NOTED THAT INFLATION IN CHINA HAD REACHED SERIOUS LEVELS BUT THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT HAD ACTED TO COUNTER THIS THREAT.
*
”1 APPLAUD THE WAY IN WHICH CHINA ACTED TO SLOW DOWN GROWTH WITHOUT TURNING BACK FROM ECONOMIC LIBERALISATION. IF IT CAN HOLD FAST TO ITS ECONOMIC PRINCIPLES IN TIMES OF DIFFICULTY, IT WILL WIN ALLIES AROUND THE WORLD, NOT LEAST IN SUPPORT OF ITS BID TO REJOIN THE GATT.
"WE HOPE THE MEASURES WILL SUCCEED. IF THEY DO, THE TERRITORY’S ECONOMY WILL BENEFIT CONSIDERABLY.
"CERTAINLY, INTERDEPENDENCE WITH THE ECONOMY OF SOUTHERN CHINA MEANS THAT WE ARE VULNERABLE TO PRICE PRESSURES IN CHINA BUT, FOR THE TIME BEING AT LEAST, OUR EXPORTS AND RE-EXPORTS RETAIN SIGNIFICANT COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGES.
"IT MAY NOT BE AN EASY YEAR FOR THE CHINESE ECONOMY - YET ANOTHER REASON FOR US TO BE PRUDENT IN OUR OWN ECONOMIC MANAGEMENT," THE OVERNOR SAID.
---------0-----------_
NEW STANDARDS OF FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE FOR COMPANIES TO BE INTRODUCED » ♦ ♦ » *
THE GOVERNMENT WILL ASK ALL COMPANIES WHICH PROVIDE ESSENTIAL UTILITY OR TRANSPORT SERVICES, INCLUDING THOSE WHICH ARE NOT PUBLICLY LISTED, TO ACCEPT NEW STANDARDS OF FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE TO THE PUBLIC THE GOVERNOR, THE RT HON CHRISTOPHER PATTEN, SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL THIS AFTERNOON (WEDNESDAY).
IN ADDITION TO STANDARD FINANCIAL STATEMENTS, SUCH AND LOSS ACCOUNT AND BALANCED SHEET, THESE WOULD INCLUDE OF SEPARATE INFORMATION ON THE FINANCIAL AND OPERATIONAL THE REGULATED PARTS OF THEIR BUSINESS, HE SAID.
AS A PROFIT
PUBLICATION
ACTIVITIES OF
ADDRESSING THE ISSUE OF FULLER DISCLOSURE IN HIS POLICY ADDRESS, MR PATTEN SAID: "WHERE MONOPOLIES ARE UNAVOIDABLE, THE GOVERNMENT HAS A DUTY TO ACT IN DEFENCE OF THE PUBLIC INTEREST THROUGH CONTROLS ON PROFITS OR PRICES.
IN THESE CIRCUMSTANCES, THE COMMUNITY IS ENTITLED TO INFORMATION IT NEEDS TO JUDGE WHETHER OR NOT THE REGULATORS PROPERLY PROTECTING ITS INTERESTS, AS THEY ARE SUPPOSED TO DO.
THE ARE
"AT PRESENT, THE TYPE OF FINANCIAL DATA PUBLICLY VARIES GREATLY SECTOR BY SECTOR, UTILITY BY UTILITY."
AVAILABLE
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/4.........
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 6, 1993
4
MORE PROTECTION TO CONSUMER'S RIGHTS PROPOSED
*****
THE GOVERNOR, THE RT HON CHRISTOPHER PATTEN, SAID TODA’i (WEDNESDAY) IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL THAT THE GOVERNMENT WOULD PROPOSE A PACKAGE OF BILLS TO FURTHER PROTECT CONSUMER’S RIGHTS AGAINST UNSCRUPULOUS BUSINESS BEHAVIOUR.
MR PATTEN SAID IN HIS POLICY ADDRESS THAT THE GOVERNMENT HAD A DUTY TO PROTECT CONSUMERS AGAINST THOSE UNSCRUPULOUS BUSINESSES WHICH PUT SHORT-TERM PROFITS AHEAD OF THE LEGITIMATE INTERESTS OF THEIR CUSTOMERS - NOT THE LEAST OF WHICH WAS SAFETY.
HE PUT FORWARD THREE PROPOSALS TO REDRESS THE BALANCE IN FAVOUR OF THE CONSUMER. THESE ARE :
* A PACKAGE OF THREE BILLS TO IMPOSE CLEAR OBLIGATIONS ON THE SUPPLIERS OF GOODS AND SERVICES TO ENSURE THAT THESE ARE SAFE, OF ACCEPTABLE QUALITY AND OPEN TO INSPECTION BY THE CUSTOMER;
* A FURTHER BILL TO ENABLE THE COURTS TO STRIKE DOWN AND REWRITE CONTRACT TERMS WHICH ARE MANIFESTLY UNFAIR TO CONSUMERS; AND
* A GRANT OF $11 MILLION TO THE CONSUMER COUNCIL TO ESTABLISH A CONSUMER REPRESENTATIVE ACTION FUND TO ENABLE THE COUNCIL TO ASSIST CONSUMERS IN INITIATING CLASS ACTIONS AGAINST A COMMON DEFENDANT AND TO COMMISSION LEGAL CONSULTANCIES ON THE OPERATION OF THE FUND AND OTHER CONSUMER-RELATED MATTERS.
THE GOVERNOR NOTED THAT THE GOVERNMENT HAD PROVIDED FUNDS FOR THE CONSUMER COUNCIL TO CONDUCT COMPETITION POLICY STUDIES SPECIFIC TO INDIVIDUAL INDUSTRIES FOLLOWED CONSULTATION WITH THE BUSINESS COUNCIL.
HE EXPECTED THE GOVERNMENT TO FOLLOW UP EACH MARKET STUDY BY PUBLISHING A DETAILED RESPONSE WITHIN SIX MONTHS OF ITS RELEASE.
HE ALSO PROPOSED TO PROVIDE AN ADDITIONAL $3.5 MILLION NEXT YEAR TO THE CONSUMER COUNCIL FOR THE EMPLOYMENT OF CONSULTANTS TO PROVIDE THE NECESSARY SUPPORT.
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/5........
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 6, 1993
- 5 -
MORE FUNDS FOR HK'S LAND TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM « » * « *
THE GOVERNMENT WILL SPEND NEARLY $9 BILLION ON ROAD CONSTRUCTION AND IMPROVEMENTS NEXT YEAR TO EASE HONG KONG’S TRAFFIC PROBLEMS, THE GOVERNOR, THE RT HON CHRISTOPHER PATTEN, SAID THIS (WEDNESDAY) AFTERNOON IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
MAJOR ITEMS WOULD INCLUDE THE WIDENING OF LUNG CHEUNG AND CHING CHEUNG ROADS, AND THE COMPLETION OF THE YUEN LONG SOUTHERN BY-PASS, IN ADDITION TO THE AIRPORT CORE PROGRAMME PROJECTS, HE SAID IN HIS POLICY ADDRESS.
BUILDING OF TING KAU BRIDGE WOULD ALSO BE STARTED, HE ADDED.
THE FUNDS TO BE SPENT THIS YEAR ON ROAD CONSTRUCTION AND IMPROVEMENTS WILL DOUBLE THE AMOUNT SPENT LAST YEAR.
THE GOVERNOR NOTED THAT THE NUMBER OF PRIVATE CARS HAD INCREASED BY 62 PER CENT OVER THE LAST FIVE YEARS.
"WE HAVE 270 VEHICLES FOR EVERY KILOMETRE OF ROAD, COMPARED TO 68 IN THE UK AND JUST 11 IN CHINA.
"IT IS A TRIBUTE TO OUR TRANSPORT SYSTEM - TO THE INDIVIDUAL DRIVER AS WELL AS THE POLICE AND THE TRAFFIC ENGINEERS - THAT ANYTHING MOVES AT ALL. IN FACT, OUR TRAFFIC IS MOVING RATHER FASTER NOW THAN IT DID IN THE MID-1980S.
"NEVERTHELESS, TRAFFIC DENSITIES AT HONG KONG’S LEVELS CAN BE EXTREMELY HARMFUL TO OUR ENVIRONMENT, OUR ECONOMY AND OUR WELL-BEING," HE SAID.
MR PATTEN SAID THE GOVERNMENT’S NUMBER ONE PRIORITY ON TRANSPORT WOULD BE TO KEEP TRAFFIC MOVING, TO MAKE THE ROAD SYSTEM AS USER-FRIENDLY AS POSSIBLE.
"THAT MEANS MAKING A DETERMINED EFFORT TO EASE THE STRAINS ON COMMUTERS AND COMMERCIAL VEHICLE DRIVERS WHO HAVE TO BRAVE THE NOTORIOUS BOTTLENECKS IN OUR ROAD NETWORK SIMPLY TO GET TO WORK.
"OVER THE NEXT FOUR YEARS, WE PROPOSE TO SPEND NEARLY $2 BILLION ON A PACKAGE OF IMPROVEMENTS," HE SAID.
THE GOVERNMENT WILL:
* CONSTRUCT NEW CLIMBING LANES ON THE TUEN MUN HIGHWAY;
* INTRODUCE SURVEILLANCE CAMERAS TO COVER THE ENTIRE LENGTH OF THE HIGHWAY AND THE CONTAINER PORT APPROACHES, FOR PROMPT MEASURES TO CLEAR BROKEN-DOWN VEHICLES BEFORE THEY CAUSE TRAFFIC SNARL-UPS;
* UPGRADE AND EXPAND THE COMPUTERISED AREA TRAFFIC CONTROL SYSTEMS IN KOWLOON AND THE NEW TERRITORIES TO COVER 550 JUNCTIONS. THIS SHOULD IMPROVE PEAK HOUR TRAFFIC SPEEDS BY AT LEAST 10 PER CENT IN THE WORST AFFECTED DISTRICTS;
/* RECONSTRUCT AND ........
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 6, 1993
* RECONSTRUCT AND UPGRADE MANY OF THE MOST HEAVILY USED LOCAL ROADS THROUGHOUT THE TERRITORY; AND
* INTRODUCE TOUGHER CONTROLS ON ROAD EXCAVATION, A MAJOR AND PARTICULARLY IRRITATING CAUSE OF ROAD CONGESTION.
ON CROSS-BORDER TRAFFIC, MR PATTEN SAID CAREFUL CONSIDERATION WAS BEING GIVEN TO A NEW RAILWAY LINK THROUGH THE WESTERN NEW TERRITORIES TO THE CONTAINER PORT.
HE POINTED OUT THAT THE MEMBER OF HEAVY AND MEDIUM GOODS VEHICLES WAS UP 70 PER CENT WHILE THE VOLUME OF TRAFFIC ENTERING HONG KONG FROM GUANGDONG WAS UP 90 PER CENT IN THE LAST FIVE YEARS.
BY 1997, THE TRAFFIC FLOW TO HONG KONG IS EXPECTED TO RISE BY A FURTHER 60 PER CENT, HE SAID.
"WE WILL NEED TO RELIEVE THE STRAIN OF CROSS-BORDER COMMERCIAL TRAFFIC ON OUR ROAD SYSTEM IN WAYS THAT PROMOTE OUR GROWING TRADE," HE SAID.
------0-----------
PORT AND AIRPORT PROJECTS VITAL TO HK’S FUTURE *****
THE GOVERNOR, THE RT HON CHRISTOPHER PATTEN, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY) IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL THAT HONG KONG WOULD FACE THE UNHAPPY PROSPECT OF DELAYS IN THE MODERNISATION OF ITS PORT AND AIRPORT FACILITIES UNLESS CO-OPERATION COULD BE SECURED FROM THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT OVER THE FINANCING OF THESE PROJECTS.
SPEAKING ON THE PORT AND AIRPORT PROJECTS IN HIS POLICY ADDRESS, THE GOVERNOR SAID THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD STILL DO EVERYTHING IT PRUDENTLY COULD TO TAKE THESE VITAL PROJECTS FORWARD AS FAR AS IT WAS ABLE WHILE WAITING FOR THE OUTCOME OF TALKS ON THESE PROJECTS WITH THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT.
"THE ALTERNATIVE WOULD BE EFFECTIVELY TO DELAY OR ABANDON PROJECTS WHICH ENCOUNTER OPPOSITION, AND I DO NOT BELIEVE THAT WOULD BE RIGHT OR ACCEPTABLE TO THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG,” HE SAID.
THE GOVERNOR MADE THREE POINTS IN REVIEWING THE PROGRESS OF THESE GREAT INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS WHICH WOULD CONTRIBUTE MUCH TO HONG KONG’S FUTURE.
"FIRST, WE HAVE DONE ALL WE CAN TO TAKE THESE ISSUES FORWARD. WE DO NOT LINK POLITICAL AND LIVELIHOOD ISSUES. FOR THE GOVERNMENT OF HONG KONG, THE FIRST PRIORITY IS, AND ALWAYS HAS BEEN, THE WELL-BEING OF THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG.
"SECOND, WHEN NEGOTIATORS REACH AGREEMENT ON THESE MATTERS, THEY ARE NOT DOING HONG KONG A FAVOUR. THEY ARE DOING THEIR JOB.
/"THIRD, IF ........
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 6, 1993
"THIRD, IF WE DO NOT MAKE THE PROGRESS THAT WE COULD AND SHOULD MAKE, IT WILL BE THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG AND CHINA, ESPECIALLY OUR NEIGHBOURS IN GUANGDONG, WHO SUFFER. I DO NOT WISH TO SEE THAT. THERE IS NO EXCUSE WHATSOEVER FOR PLAYING POLITICS WITH HONG KONG’S ECONOMIC PROSPECTS," HE SAID.
ON THE AIRPORT CORE PROGRAMME PROJECTS, THE GOVERNOR SAID THE GOVERNMENT HAD PRESSED AHEAD RESOLUTELY WITH THESE PROJECTS IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING WHILE CONTINUING TO SEEK AN OVERALL AGREEMENT WITH CHINA.
"AND WE ARE DOING VERY WELL. WORK ON THE AIRPORT CORE PROGRAMME (ACP) IS MOVING FORWARD IN RECORD TIME, WITH ALL THE CONTRACTS LET SO FAR WITHIN BUDGET AND PROGRESSING WELL. IN OTHER WORDS WE ARE PROCEEDING IN TYPICAL HONG KONG FASHION," HE SAID.
ON THE PRESENT SITUATION OF THE NEW AIRPORT PROJECT, HE SAID THE SITE PREPARATION CONTRACT FOR THE NEW AIRPORT - ONE OF THE BIGGEST CIVIL ENGINEERING PROJECTS IN THE WORLD - WAS WELL UNDER WAY. HONG KONG IS NOW HOME TO THE WORLD’S LARGEST DREDGING FLEET.
SINCE NOVEMBER LAST YEAR, ABOUT 250 HECTARES OF THE AIRPORT ISLAND HAVE BEEN FORMED - NEARLY THE SIZE OF KAI TAK AIRPORT (289 HECTARES).
ON GOVERNMENT WORKS, HE SAID 28 MAJOR GOVERNMENT CONTRACTS WITHIN THE ACP, WORTH ALMOST $30 BILLION, HAD ALREADY BEEN UNDER WAY, 81 PER CENT OF THE GOVERNMENT WORKS HAD NOW BEEN FUNDED, AND OF THIS FUNDING 70 PER CENT HAD NOW BEEN CONTRACTUALLY COMMITTED.
AMONGST THESE PROJECTS IS THE CONTRACT FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE TSING MA BRIDGE - THE WORLD’S LONGEST SUSPENSION BRIDGE CARRYING A RAILWAY AS WELL AS A ROAD.
ONE OF THE MAIN TOWERS FOR THIS BRIDGE IS CLOSE TO ITS FINAL 200 METRE HEIGHT - AS TALL AS A CENTRAL SKYSCRAPER.
ALL THE KEY CONTRACTS FOR THE NORTH LANTAU EXPRESSWAY, THE SECTIONS OF ROUTE 3 LINKING NORTH KOWLOON WITH THE LANTAU FIXED CROSSING, AND THE WEST KOWLOON EXPRESSWAY HAVE ALSO BEEN LET.
ON THE WESTERN HARBOUR CROSSING, HE SAID THE FRANCHISE FOR THE WESTERN HARBOUR CROSSING HAD BEEN GRANTED AND WORK ON CONSTRUCTING THE TUNNEL WAS UNDER WAY.
AS FOR THE AIRPORT RAILWAY, HE SAID DETAILED DESIGN, ROUTE PROTECTION AND OTHER ADVANCE WORKS WERE UNDER WAY, ALTHOUGH CONSTRUCTION OF THE AIRPORT RAILWAY WOULD NOT START UNTIL WE HAVE AN AGREEMENT ON ITS FINANCING.
• "WE HAVE TAKEN THE PRAGMATIC OPTION OF DOING WHAT WE CAN TO BUILD THE AIRPORT, AS I SAID LAST YEAR, ’NOT FOR BRITAIN, BUT FOR HONG KONG AND SOUTHERN CHINA’.
/"BUT THIS .......
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 6, 1993
- 8 -
"BUT THIS PRAGMATISM WILL NOT BUILD THE WHOLE AIRPORT CORE PROGRAMME. THE DATE IS NOT FAR OFF WHEN THE START OF SOME KEY AIRPORT CONTRACTS WILL BE HELD UP IF WE CANNOT SECURE THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT’S AGREEMENT ON FINANCING," MR PATTEN SAID.
ON THE PORT PROJECT, THE GOVERNOR SAID THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT’S FAILURE TO AGREE TO PROPOSALS FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF CONTAINER TERMINAL 9 (CT9) HAD BEEN CAUSING WORRYING DELAY TO ESSENTIAL PORT
EXPANSION.
' ’ UH
HE POINTED OUT THAT:
* THE PORT AND ITS RELATED BUSINESS GENERATE 15 PER CENT OF GDP AND JOBS FOR 350,000 PEOPLE.
* LAST YEAR, OUR PORT HANDLED 87 PER CENT OF OUR EXTERNAL TRADE - 100 MILLION TONNES OF CARGO, INCLUDING EIGHT MILLION CONTAINERS.
» IF CT9 IS DELAYED BY EVEN TWO YEARS, THE ECONOMIC LOSS TO HONG KONG WILL BE $20 BILLION IN THE DECADE AFTER 1997.
"THE PRESENT DELAY WILL HAMPER OUR ABILITY TO SERVICE THE EXPORT-LED GROWTH OF SOUTHERN CHINA AS FULLY AS WE WOULD WISH TO - AND AS CHINA HAS INDICATED IT WISHES US TO DO.
"SHIPS WILL BE TURNED AWAY, AND THEY MAY NOT RETURN TO USE OUR PORT. THE DELAY WILL ALSO LEAD TO LONGER TRAFFIC QUEUES AT OUR EXISTING PORT FACILITIES, AGGRAVATING CONGESTION THROUGHOUT THE REST OF THE TRANSPORT NETWORK AND DIRECTLY REDUCING THE QUALITY OF LIFE FOR THE PUBLIC AT LARGE.
"ONCE AGAIN, LET ME REASSURE THIS COUNCIL THAT WE WILL DO OUR LEVEL BEST TO MOVE THE DEVELOPMENT OF OUR NEW CONTAINER TERMINALS FORWARD," THE GOVERNOR SAID.
--------0----------
TASK FORCE TO CLEAN UP NEW TERRITORIES *****
THE GOVERNOR, THE RT HON CHRISTOPHER PATTEN, PROPOSED TODAY (WEDNESDAY) IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TO SET UP A TASK FORCE BRINGING TOGETHER A NUMBER OF GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS, WITH A COMMITMENT TO CLEAN UP THE NEW TERRITORIES OVER THE NEXT DECADE.
MR PATTEN SAID IN HIS POLICY ADDRESS SEVERAL BILLION DOLLARS WOULD BE REQUIRED, AND PROPOSALS ON HOW TO START THIS WORK DURING THE COMING YEAR WOULD BE PUT FORWARD TO LEGCO SHORTLY.
"IT WILL INVOLVE TOUGHER ENFORCEMENT ACTION AGAINST UNAUTHORISED LAND USE, MAKING AVAILABLE NEW SITES FOR STORAGE AND UNDERTAKING MAJOR IMPROVEMENT WORKS.
/"IN A .......
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 6, 1993
- 9
"IN A PLACE AS SMALL AND AS CROWDED AS HONG KONG, WE HAVE A DUTY TO MAKE THE BEST OF WHAT COUNTRYSIDE WE HAVE LEFT," THE GOVERNOR SAID.
MR PATTEN NOTED THAT EXISTING LEGISLATION HAD FAILED TO STOP THE HAPHAZARD CONVERSION OF FARM LAND INTO STORAGE AND DUMPING SITES.
"THIS HAS SERIOUSLY AFFECTED THE QUALITY OF LIFE FOR MANY IN THE NEW TERRITORIES THROUGH FLOODING, HEALTH HAZARDS AND ROAD CONGESTION," HE SAID.
MR PATTEN SAID THE GOVERNMENT WOULD SHORTLY PUBLISH THE SECOND REVIEW OF THE 1989 WHITE PAPER ON POLLUTION IN HONG KONG.
"IT IS A GOOD DOCUMENT. WE HAVE DONE A GOOD DEAL.
"BUT FOR ALL OUR ACHIEVEMENTS, THERE IS ONE THING WE HAVE NOT MANAGED TO DO AND THAT IS TO MOBILISE THE ENTHUSIASTIC SUPPORT OF OUR COMMUNITY BEHIND OUR EFFORTS TO CLEAN UP OUR ENVIRONMENT," HE SAID.
THE GOVERNOR PROPOSED TO ESTABLISH AN ENVIRONMENT AND CONSERVATION FUND FOR HONG KONG, WHICH WOULD BE SET UP WITH AN INITIAL CAPITAL INJECTION OF $50 MILLION.
THE FUND WILL HELP TO PAY FOR ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION AND RESEARCH.
"IT WILL ALSO ALLOW US TO GIVE WELCOME MATERIAL ASSISTANCE TO ’GREEN GROUPS’ UNDERTAKING WORTHWHILE ENVIRONMENTAL PROJECTS. SAVING THE ENVIRONMENT NEEDS EVERYONE’S COMMITMENT," HE SAID.
MR PATTEN POINTED OUT THAT MORE BUSINESS LEADERS NEEDED TO BE RECRUITED TO JOIN THE CAMPAIGN TO PROTECT THE ENVIRONMENT.
HE NOTED THAT MANY OF THEM HAD ALREADY INVOLVED AND THE WORK OF THE PRIVATE SECTOR COMMITTEE ON THE ENVIRONMENT WAS CLEAR EVIDENCE OF THIS-.
HE SAID BUSINESSES WOULD BE INVITED TO :
♦ CONDUCT ENVIRONMENTAL AND ENERGY EFFICIENCY AUDITS OF THEIR COMPANIES;
♦ APPOINT A "GREEN MANAGER" WITHIN EACH OF THEIR ORGANISATIONS TO PROMOTE ENVIRONMENTAL AWARENESS; AND
* WORK CLOSELY WITH THOSE BODIES - SUCH AS THE CENTRE OF ENVIRONMENTAL TECHNOLOGY, THE ENVIRONMENTAL CAMPAIGN COMMITTEE AND THE TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS - WHICH CAN HELP THEM TO BECOME MORE ENVIRONMENTALLY AWARE.
ALL GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS WILL APPOINT THEIR OWN "GREEN MANAGERS", HE SAID.
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/10........
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 6, 1993
- 10 -
TOUGHER MEASURES TO ENSURE INDUSTRIAL SAFETY
*****
THE GOVERNMENT WILL SOON PROPOSE A NUMBER OF MEASURES TO PROMOTE SAFETY AT WORK IN INDUSTRIAL ESTABLISHMENTS, THE GOVERNOR, THE RT HON CHRISTOPHER PATTEN, SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL THIS AFTERNOON (WEDNESDAY).
IN HIS POLICY ADDRESS, MR PATTEN SAID HONG KONG'S RECORD OF INDUSTRIAL SAFETY HAD BEEN UNACCEPTABLE.
HE NOTED THAT A WORKER'S CHANCES OF BEING INJURED AT WORK IN HONG KONG WERE SEVERAL TIMES HIGHER THAN THAT OF HIS OR HER COUNTERPARTS IN MOST OTHER DEVELOPED ECONOMIES.
IN THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY, EACH WORKER HAS A 30 PER CENT CHANCE OF BEING INJURED EVERY YEAR.
OF THE 65 PEOPLE KILLED IN INDUSTRIAL ACCIDENTS IN HONG KONG LAST YEAR, 48 WERE IN THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY.
’’THE HORRIFIC LIFT ACCIDENT IN JUNE AT A NORTH POINT CONSTRUCTION SITE BROUGHT HOME TO ME THE URGENT NEED TO REPLACE THE CULTURE OF CARELESSNESS WHICH LEADS TO ACCIDENTS WITH A CULTURE OF SAFETY.
"WE MUST TRY MUCH HARDER TO PREVENT ACCIDENTS LIKE THAT FROM HAPPENING AGAIN," THE GOVERNOR SAID.
MR PATTEN STRESSED THAT THE PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITY FOR PREVENTING ACCIDENTS LIED WITH EMPLOYERS, CONTRACTORS AND WORKERS.
"WE INTEND TO GET VERY TOUGH WITH THOSE, BOTH EMPLOYERS AND EMPLOYEES, WHO CONTINUE TO BELIEVE THAT THE LAWS TO PROMOTE SAFETY AT WORK DO NOT APPLY TO THEM," HE SAID.
MR PATTEN SAID THE GOVERNMENT WOULD PRESENT TO LEGCO PROPOSALS DESIGNED:
* TO MAKE THE EMPLOYMENT OF SAFETY OFFICERS COMPULSORY ON CONSTRUCTION SITES EMPLOYING 100 OR MORE PEOPLE;
* TO INCREASE SUBSTANTIALLY PENALTIES FOR BREACHING SAFETY-AT-WORK REGULATIONS;
* TO PROHIBIT UNTRAINED YOUNG PEOPLE FROM WORKING ON CONSTRUCTION SITES;
♦ TO INTRODUCE NEW REGULATIONS ON SUSPENDED WORKING PLATFORMS; AND
* TO INTRODUCE STRICTER CONTROLS ON THE MAINTENANCE OF PASSENGER HOISTS ON CONSTRUCTION SITES.
HE SAID THE GOVERNMENT WOULD BRING FORWARD PROPOSALS TO STRENGTHEN SAFETY ON CONSTRUCTION SITES IN PARTICULAR.
/CONTRACTORS WHO........
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 6, 1993
CONTRACTORS WHO FAIL TO MEET SAFETY STANDARDS WILL NOT BE AWARDED GOVERNMENT WORK, HE SAID.
AND THROUGH THE CONSTRUCTION ADVISORY BOARD, THE GOVERNMENT AND THE PRIVATE SECTOR ARE WORKING TOGETHER TO TRANSFORM SAFETY ATTITUDES THROUGHOUT THE WORKFORCE, HE ADDED.
ON RETRAINING OF THE WORKFORCE, MR PATTEN NOTED THAT THF EMPLOYEES’ RETRAINING FUND HAD HELPED TO PROVIDE NEW SKILLS FOR 4,000 TRAINEES.
HE POINTED OUT THAT THERE WERE SCOPE FOR EXPANDING THE COVERAGE OF THE FUND TO HELP THE VICTIMS OF INDUSTRIAL ACCIDENTS TO RETURN TO EMPLOYMENT, OFTEN IN DIFFERENT TRADES OR INDUSTRIES; AND THROUGH RETRAINING, ELDERLY AND DISABLED WORKERS TO BECOME PRODUCTIVE MEMBERS OF THE LABOUR FORCE.
- - 0 - -
MEASURES TO IMPROVE QUALITY IN EDUCATION OUTLINED
*****
THE GOVERNOR, THE RT HON CHRISTOPHER PATTEN, TODAY (WEDNESDAY) OUTLINED A NUMBER OF MEASURES TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY IN EDUCATION.
IN HIS ANNUAL ADDRESS TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, MR PATTEN SAID BY NEXT YEAR HONG KONG WOULD HAVE PROVIDED FIRST DEGREE PLACES FOR FOUR OUT OF FIVE OF OUR SIXTH-FORMERS WHO QUALIFY FOR ENTRY INTO TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS.
’’NOW WE NEED TO GO ONE BETTER. AS I SAID LAST YEAR, IT IS NOT JUST QUANTITY BUT QUALITY THAT COUNTS.
”WE NEED THE BEST POSSIBLE RESULTS FROM OUR EDUCATION SYSTEM,” THE GOVERNOR SAID.
TO :
HE SAID THE GOVERNMENT INTENDED TO SPEND AN EXTRA $354 MILLION,
* TO UPGRADE ABOUT 860 PRIMARY SCHOOL TEACHING POSTS TO GRADUATE LEVEL; AND
* TO EXPAND THE NUMBER OF GRADUATE TEACHERS IN OUR SECONDARY SCHOOLS BY AN ADDITIONAL 800 BY 1994.
’’BUT IT IS NO GOOD HAVING FIRST-CLASS TEACHERS TEACHING IN SECOND-RATE SCHOOL BUILDINGS.
”WE CANNOT EXPECT OUR CHILDREN TO PERFORM AT THEIR BEST IN NOISY AND UNCOMFORTABLE CLASSROOMS."
OVER THE LAST YEAR, THE GOVERNMENT HAD INSTALLED AIRCONDITIONERS IN 24 SCHOOLS UNDER THE NOISE ABATEMENT PROGRAMME - AND ANOTHER 2,300 CLASSROOMS WILL BE AIR-CONDITIONED THIS YEAR.
/"I HOPE
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 6, 1993
- 12 -
”T HOPE THAT WILL TAKE SOME OF THE HEAT OUT OF THE ISSUE, AND OUT OF THE CLASSROOM,” HE SAID.
’’BUT IT IS BECOMING OBVIOUS THAT WE NEED TO TACKLE THE LARGER PROBLEM OF OLDER SCHOOLS BUILT TO SPECIFICATIONS OF YESTERDAY RATHER THAN TODAY.”
MR PATTEN SAID THE LEGCO WOULD BE ASKED TO APPROVE THI ESTABLISHMENT OF A SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAMME, THE INITIAL STAGE OF WHICH WILL COST OVER $600 MILLION.
"ITS FIRST TARGET WILL BE TO MODERNISE 60 PRIMARY AND 50 SECONDARY SCHOOLS OVER THE NEXT TWO YEARS," HE ADDED.
"THIS IS AN IMPORTANT INVESTMENT IN PROVIDING OUR STUDENTS WITH THE PHYSICAL FACILITIES THEY NEED IN ORDER TO EXCEL."
THE GOVERNOR SAID THERE WERE THREE OTHER AREAS IN WHICH A SPECIAL EFFORT HAD TO BE MADE :
♦ FIRST, MUCH BETTER STANDARDS OF CHINESE (INCLUDING PUTONGHUA) BOTH IN RESPONSE TO OUR GROWING INTERDEPENDENCE WITH THE CHINESE ECONOMY AND IN PREPARATION FOR 1997;
* SECOND, HIGH STANDARDS OF ENGLISH TO MEET THE DEMANDS OF THE GLOBAL BUSINESS COMMUNITY AND TO MAINTAIN HONG KONG’S POSITION AS THE PREMIER ASIAN BUSINESS LOCATION; AND
* THIRD, COMPUTER LITERACY SO THAT OUR YOUNG WORKERS HAVE THE PRIMARY EMPLOYMENT QUALIFICATION OF THE NEXT CENTURY.
MR PATTEN PROPOSED THAT A LANGUAGE FUND SHOULD BE CREATED, WITH AN IMMEDIATE INITIAL ALLOCATION OF $300 MILLION, TO LAUNCH PROGRAMMES TO IMPROVE PROFICIENCY IN BOTH CHINESE AND ENGLISH.
THE FIRST STEP MUST BE TO UPGRADE THE SKILLS OF OUR LANGUAGE TEACHERS. THERE WILL BE NEW, INTENSIVE COURSES TO HELP THEM.
"WE WILL DEVELOP ADDITIONAL TEACHING MATERIALS TO SUPPORT THE TEACHER IN THE CLASSROOM," HE SAID.
"WE ALSO NEED TO IMPROVE THE LANGUAGE LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES FOR STUDENTS, NOT ONLY IN THE CLASSROOM BUT ALSO THROUGH EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES.
"WE WILL BE LOOKING FOR THE MOST UP-TO-DATE APPROACHES FOR ACHIEVING THIS GOAL."
MR PATTEN SAID COMPUTING SKILLS WOULD BE VITAL TO THE CONTINUED DEVELOPMENT OF HONG KONG AS AN INTERNATIONAL SERVICES CENTRE TN THE NEXT CENTURY.
CURRENTLY, THERE WERE FEWER THAN 5,000 COMPUTERS IN SCHOOLS, AND ONLY ABOUT ONE IN THREE OF THE SECONDARY STUDENTS PURSUES SOME SORT OF COMPUTER TRAINING.
/BOTH FIGURES .......
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 6, 1993
- 13 -
BOTH FIGURES WERE FAR TOO LOW, HE SAID.
"WE CANNOT BEGIN TO RAISE STANDARDS OF COMPUTER LITERACY UNTIL THE COMPUTER IS AS COMMON IN THE CLASSROOM AS A BLACKBOARD,” HE ADDED.
HE SAID THE NUMBER OF COMPUTERS IN SCHOOLS WOULD DOUBLE NEXT YEAR TO OVER 9,000, AT A COST OF $114 MILLION.
FOSTERING EXCELLENCE DOES NOT MEAN DISCARDING THE LESS GIFTED.
THE GOVERNOR NOTED THAT OVER THE NEXT THREE YEARS, EACH SCHOOL WITH A HIGH PROPORTION OF BAND 5 STUDENTS WOULD RECEIVE AN ADDITIONAL GRADUATE TEACHER TO ASSIST IN TEACHING THIS GROUP OF STUDENTS.
HE SAID THE GOVERNMENT WOULD ALSO SET UP A TEAM TO DEVELOP A SPECIAL CURRICULUM FOR THIS CATEGORY OF STUDENTS AND TO PRODUCE APPROPRIATE TEACHING AIDS.
-”IT IS ONLY FAIR THAT THESE STUDENTS SHOULD FIND A FULL OPPORTUNITY FOR DEVELOPING THEIR TALENTS THROUGHOUT THEIR SCHOOL CAREERS EVEN IF THEY LACK AN APTITUDE FOR EXAMINATIONS.”
ON PRE-SCHOOLING PROBLEMS, THE GOVERNOR SAID MORE THAN 85 PER CENT OF CHILDREN UNDER SIX NOW WENT TO KINDERGARTENS BEFORE JOINING PRIMARY SCHOOLS.
A GOOD KINDERGARTEN COULD LAY FIRM FOUNDATIONS FOR A CHILD’S FUTURE EDUCATION, HE SAID.
MR PATTEN SAID THE GOVERNMENT PROPOSED TO BRING FORWARD TO NEXT YEAR, FROM THE ORIGINAL 1997 TARGET DATE, THE SCHEDULED IMPROVEMENTS TO THE KINDERGARTEN FEE REMISSION SCHEME.
THE GOVERNMENT ALSO PROPOSES TO SPEND AN ADDITIONAL $42 MILLION OVER THE NEXT FOUR YEARS, SO THAT THOSE PARENTS WHO SEND THEIR CHILDREN TO KINDERGARTENS, BUT WHO FACE DIFFICULTIES IN AFFORDING THE FEES, WILL BE ABLE TO OBTAIN FURTHER FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE.
OVER THE NEXT FOUR YEARS, ABOUT 20,000 FAMILIES WILL BENEFIT FROM THIS MEASURE.
"THAT IS A WORTHWHILE INVESTMENT IN OUR. CHILDREN, AND AN EXCELLENT INVESTMENT IN HONG KONG’S FUTURE,” HE SAID.
- - 0----------
/14........
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 6, 1993
- 14
BETTER PUBLIC HOUSING TARGET OVER NEXT THREE YEARS *****
THE GOVERNOR, THE RT HON CHRISTOPHER PATTEN, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY) THAT THE GOVERNMENT MAY WELL BE ABLE TO DO BETTER THAN THE ORIGINAL TARGET OF PRODUCING PUBLIC HOUSING UNITS OVER THE NEXT THREE YEARS.
AND, HENCE, IT WILL OFFER FLATS TO ALL CURRENT TEMPORARY HOUSING AREA (THA) RESIDENTS BY 1997. BY 1996, THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD ALSO BE ABLE TO CLEAR THE THAS BUILT BEFORE 1984.
MR PATTEN, IN HIS SECOND ANNUAL ADDRESS TO THE LEGISLATIVE
COUNCIL, SAID THE HOUS I NG AUTHORITY HAD NOT ONLY MET, IT HAD ACTUALLY
BEATEN, THE TARGETS HE SET OUT IN LAST YEAR’S ADDRESS BY PRODUCING AN
AVERAGE OF 140 UNITS PER DAY AGAINST THE OBJECTIVE OF 100, AND BY
REHOUSING 12,000 THA RESIDENTS THIS YEAR.
TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF MANAGEMENT, HE SAID HE HAD ASKED THE NEW CHAIRMAN OF THE HOUSING AUTHORITY TO CONSIDER THE FOLLOWING PROPOSALS:
i IMPROVED COMMITMENTS TO PROMPT REPAIRS AND HIGHER STANDARDS OF MAINTENANCE;
♦ IMPROVED SECURITY MEASURES ON THE ESTATES; AND
* A LONG-TERM COMMITMENT TO HIGHER QUALITY HOUSING MANAGEMENT.
ON HOME OWNERSHIP, MR PATTEN SAID, THE FIRST PHASE OF THE INTERIM LOW-INTEREST HOUSING LOAN SCHEME FOR THE SANDWICH CLASS HAD BEEN LAUNCHED AND WENT WELL. IT WAS OVERSUBSCRIBED THREE-AND-A-HALF TIMES, A VERY GOOD START.
PLANNING IS IN HAND FOR THE PRODUCTION OF FLATS UNDER THE LONGER TERM SCHEME, TO BE READY FOR SALE IN 1995.
BUT HE SAID THE PRICE SPIRAL FOR PRIVATE RESIDENTIAL FLATS WAS STILL MAKING IT TOO EXPENSIVE FOR MANY FIRST-TIME BUYERS TO ENTER THE MARKET.
’’WE WILL CONTINUE TO DISCOURAGE SPECULATION.”
MR PATTEN SAID AN IMMEDIATE PRACTICAL MEASURE IS TO SPEED UP PROCESSING OF PRIVATE SECTOR HOUSING PROJECTS.
"WE INTEND TO GIVE ADDITIONAL STAFF TO THE LANDS DEPARTMENT IN THE COMING YEAR TO IMPROVE PROCESSING TIME FOR LEASE MODIFICATIONS AND LAND EXCHANGES."
THAT WAY, AN EXTRA 2,000 FLATS - ON TOP OF THE CURRENT 15,000 OR SO - SHOULD REACH THE MARKET EACH YEAR.
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/15........
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 6, 1993
- 15 -
CUTTING THE QUEUES FOR MEDICAL TREATMENT * * * * *
THE GOVERNMENT MUST MAKE A FURTHER ASSAULT ON ALL DELAYS AND QUEUING TIMES FOR MEDICAL TREATMENT, THE GOVERNOR, THE RT HON CHRISTOPHER PATTEN, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
DELIVERING HIS SECOND ANNUAL ADDRESS TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, MR PATTEN SAID AMONG OTHER IMPROVEMENTS, THE HOSPITAL AUTHORITY WOULD NEXT YEAR REDUCE AVERAGE WAITING TIMES FOR NON-URGENT EAR, NOSE AND THROAT SURGERY FROM FOUR MONTHS TO BELOW THREE MONTHS.
IT WILL REDUCE AVERAGE WAITING TIMES FOR A FIRST APPOINTMENT IN 80 PER CENT OF SPECIALIST OUT-PATIENT CLINICS FROM FOUR MONTHS TO LESS THAN THREE MONTHS; AND REDUCE AVERAGE QUEUING TIMES FOR A CONSULTATION AT TEN SPECIALIST CLINICS FROM 120 MINUTES TO UNDER 90 MINUTES, HE SAID.
THE GOVERNOR SAID FOR THE COMMUNITY AS A WHOLE, THE IMMEDIATE MEASURE OF THE QUALITY OF HOSPITAL SERVICE WAS WAITING TIMES, PARTICULARLY FOR SURGERY.
HE SAID PATIENTS WHO REQUIRED URGENT SURGERY OF COURSE GOT THE TREATMENT THEY NEEDED RIGHT AWAY.
’’THEY ARE NOT PUT ON A WAITING LIST. WAITING LISTS APPLY SOLELY TO ELECTIVE SURGERY.’’
MR PATTEN SAID ALL PUBLIC HOSPITALS WOULD BE ASKING PATIENTS WHAT THEY THINK OF THE SERVICES PROVIDED.
SOME ARE ALREADY DOING SO.
” 1 DO URGE PATIENTS TO LET HOSPITALS HAVE THEIR VIEWS. ONLY BY KNOWING WHAT YOU THINK CAN WE SERVE YOU BETTER.”
THE GOVERNMENT MUST NOW UPGRADE OUR SPECIALIST CLINICS AND HOSPITALS.
MR PATTEN SAID THE GOVERNMENT INTENDED TO SPEND :
* $287 MILLION OVER THE NEXT FOUR YEARS TO REFURBISH AND
EXPAND THE SPECIALIST CLINICS AT THE QUEEN ELIZABETH AND PRINCE OF WALES HOSPITALS. IN THE PROCESS, AVERAGE WAITING TIMES SHALL BE CUT FOR FIRST CONSULTATION BY AROUND 25 PER CENT.
* $565 MILLION OVER THE SAME PERIOD TO ESTABLISH A HOSPITAL
IMPROVEMENT PROGRAMME. THIS MONEY WILL HELP RENOVATE BUILDINGS, MODERNISE OPERATING THEATRES, EXTEND AIR-CONDITIONING AND IMPROVE SUPPORT FACILITIES, INITIALLY AT 13 HOSPITALS.
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/16........
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 6, 1993
16
SUPPORT FOR NURSES
*****
THE GOVERNOR, THE RT HON CHRISTOPHER PATTEN, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY) THE GOVERNMENT WAS DETERMINED TO ENHANCE THE PROFESSIONAL STATUS AND EXPERTISE OF NURSES SO AS TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF PATIENT CARE IN HOSPITALS.
IN HIS ANNUAL ADDRESS TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, MR PATTEN SAID THE GOVERNMENT WOULD :
* SPONSOR SELECTED INDIVIDUALS TO ATTEND DEGREE CONVERSION COURSES;
* OFFER NURSES ADDITIONAL TRAINING WITHIN THE HOSPITAL AUTHORITY AND THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH;
* PROVIDE MORE DEGREE PLACES TO ALLOW YOUNG PEOPLE TO TAKE UP NURSING QUALIFICATIONS AT THE TERTIARY LEVEL; AND
* CREATE ADDITIONAL SPECIALISED POSTS WITHIN BOTH THE HOSPITAL AUTHORITY AND THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH.
OVER THE PAST TWO YEARS, THE HOSPITAL AUTHORITY HAS BEEN ABLE TO PUT 1,100 EXTRA NURSES ON TO THE WARDS, AN INCREASE OF SEVEN PER CENT OVER 1991.
THE GOVERNMENT FORECAST THAT RECRUITMENT WOULD INCREASE FROM 1,845 IN 1992 TO 2,020 THIS YEAR.
"BUT MORE HOSPITAL BEDS MEAN THAT, IN ADDITION TO REPLACEMENTS FOR THOSE WHO LEAVE THE SERVICE, WE WILL NEED ANOTHER 500 NURSES EVERY YEAR FOR THE NEXT FOUR YEARS IF WE ARE TO KEEP UP WITH EVEN THE CURRENT RATIO OF NURSES TO PATIENTS."
HE SAID THE HOSPITAL AUTHORITY WAS CONFIDENT THAT IT WOULD BE ABLE TO ACHIEVE THIS TARGET.
------0-------
GOVT TO LAUNCH NEW HOSPICE PROGRAMME
*****
THE HOSPITAL AUTHORITY WILL NEXT YEAR PROVIDE HOSPICE CARE FOR 500 ADDITIONAL PATIENTS, HELPING TO RELIEVE PAIN AND TO CONTROL SYMPTOMS, AS WELL AS OFFERING PSYCHOLOGICAL, SPIRITUAL AND BEREAVEMENT SUPPORT.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE GOVERNOR, THE RT HON CHRISTOPHER PATTEN, TODAY (WEDNESDAY) WHEN DELIVERING HIS ANNUAL ADDRESS IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
/HE SAID .......
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 6, 1993
17 -
HE SAID HONG KONG WAS FORTUNATE THAT IT ALREADY HAD THE NUCLEUS OF A HOSPICE SERVICE, FOR WHICH THE COMMUNITY WAS INDEBTED TO THE DEDICATION OF VOLUNTEER DOCTORS, NURSES, OTHER PROFESSIONALS AND £ GENEROUS BENEFACTORS.
"WE WILL CONTINUE TO RELY ON THESE INSPIRING PEOPLE. BUT THEY ALSO NEED OUR HELP. THE TIME HAS NOW COME FOR THE GOVERNMENT TO SUPPORT THE RAPID EXPANSION OF THIS SERVICE."
ON THE CARE FOR THE CHRONICALLY ILL, THE GOVERNOR SAID SERVICES IN THIS AREA ARE RELATIVELY NEW IN HONG KONG AND HAVE BEEN LARGELY PIONEERED BY DEDICATED VOLUNTEERS FROM THE MEDICAL, NURSING AND SOCIAL WORK PROFESSIONS AND BY PATIENT-SUPPORT GROUPS.
"THEY DO A VERY GOOD JOB, AND THEY DESERVE OUR CONTINUING SUPPORT."
MR PATTEN PROPOSED TO ALLOCATE AN ADDITIONAL $32 MILLION NEXT YEAR TO :
♦ EXPAND RENAL DIALYSIS PROGRAMMES IN ORDER TO PROVIDE ADDITIONAL LIFE-SAVING SERVICES AND SUPPORT FOR AN EXTRA 135 KIDNEY PATIENTS; AND
* PROVIDE REHABILITATION SERVICES FOR 3,900 CHRONICALLY ILL PATIENTS, SIGNIFICANTLY IMPROVING THEIR QUALITY OF LIFE.
--------0----------
MORE CHILDREN’S ALLOWANCES *****
THE GOVERNOR, THE RT HON CHRISTOPHER PATTEN, TODAY (WEDNESDAY) ANNOUNCED A NEW SET OE SOCIAL SECURITY BENEFIT TO CHILDREN IN NEED.
IN HIS ANNUAL ADDRESS TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, MR PATTEN PROPOSED THAT, FROM APRIL NEXT YEAR, THE MONTHLY ALLOWANCE PAID TO THESE CHILDREN SHOULD BE RAISED BY $100.
THIS MEANS THAT A DISABLED CHILD WILL THEN RECEIVE $1,995 A MONTH, AN ABLE-BODIED CHILD $1,095.
IN ADDITION, A VERY BROAD RANGE OF GRANTS - FROM SCHOOL FEES TO MEAL COSTS, TRAVEL AND OTHER EXPENSES CAN BE TAILORED TO MEET THE NEEDS OF THE INDIVIDUAL CHILD.
HE ALSO SAID THE GOVERNMENT NOW SUPPLEMENTED EXISTING FAMILY SERVICES WITH A PACKAGE OF MEASURES COSTING $29 MILLION A YEAR.
/THESE MEASURES .......
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 6, 1993
- 18 -
THESE MEASURES INCLUDE:
* RECRUITING MORE STAFF TO ENABLE FAMILY SOCIAL WORKERS TO SPEND MORE TIME WITH EACH CLIENT;
* SUPPORTING PARENTS’ AND RELATIVES’ ’’RESOURCE CENTRES”;
* DEVELOPING PROGRAMMES FOR AUTISTIC CHILDREN IN SPECIAL CHILD CARE CENTRES; AND
* RELIEVING THE STRAIN ON PARENTS BY PROVIDING CENTRES WHERE DISABLED CHILDREN CAN BE LOOKED AFTER FOR SHORT PERIODS DURING THE DAY.
------0----------
THE MENTALLY HANDICAPPED AT RISK * * * * *
THE GOVERNMENT MUST RESPOND TO THE PROBLEMS OF DISABLED MEMBERS WITH SUPPORT AND COMPASSION, THE GOVERNOR, THE RT HON CHRISTOPHER PATTEN, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MR PATTEN, IN HIS ANNUAL ADDRESS TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, SAID MEETING THE NEEDS OF THE MENTALLY HANDICAPPED - AND THE MENTALLY ILL - COULD BE FRUSTRATED IF SOME SECTIONS OF THE COMMUNITY RESIST THE ESTABLISHMENT OF FACILITIES IN THEIR NEIGHBOURHOODS.
’’THE GOVERNMENT HAS A RESPONSIBILITY TO ENCOURAGE A CARING APPROACH THROUGH CONSULTATION EXERCISES AND EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMMES.”
OVER THE NEXT THREE YEARS, THE GOVERNMENT PROPOSES TO SPEND $20 MILLION ON PUBLIC EDUCATION ACTIVITIES IN THIS FIELD.
’’BUT WE HAVE AN EVEN GREATER RESPONSIBILITY TO LOOK AFTER OUR NEIGHBOURS’ CHILDREN WHO SUFFER FROM THESE DISABILITIES AND TO PROTECT THEM FROM PREJUDICE AND ABUSE.”
THIS YEAR, THE GOVERNMENT IS SPENDING $405 MILLION ON PROVIDING SERVICES FOR THEM.
NEXT YEAR, THE GOVERNMENT PROPOSES TO INCREASE RECURRENT SPENDING ON THE MENTALLY HANDICAPPED BY 23 PER CENT IN REAL TERMS.
MR PATTEN SAID THE TIME THAT MENTALLY HANDICAPPED PEOPLE HAVE TO WAIT FOR PLACES IN SHELTERED WORKSHOPS AND SPECIAL HOSTELS MUST BE REDUCED.
”WE CANNOT ACCEPT THE LENGTHY QUEUES FOR THESE FACILITIES BECAUSE OF THE ADDITIONAL BURDEN THEY IMPOSE ON THOSE CARING FOR THE MENTALLY HANDICAPPED.”
MOREOVER, IF THEY ARE GIVEN PROPER CARE AND TRAINING AT AN EARLY DATE, MENTALLY HANDICAPPED PEOPLE CAN OFTEN LEARN TO LIVE REASONABLY INDEPENDENT AND PRODUCTIVE LIVES.
/THIS YEAR, .......
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 6, 1993
19
THIS YEAR, THE WAITING TIME FOR ADMISSION TO HOSTELS FOR THE SEVERELY DISABLED HAD BEEN CUT BY 20 PER CENT.
’’THIS IS A GOOD START.”
THE GOVERNOR SAID THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE WOULD BE LOOKING FOR FURTHER PRACTICAL MEASURES TO REDUCE WAITING TIMES WHICH CAN BE TAKEN IN THE COMING YEAR.
THESE COULD INCLUDE MOBILISING COMMUNITY SUPPORT FOR EXPANSION OF SERVICES THROUGH NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANISATIONS AND THE PROMOTION OF OPEN OR SELF-EMPLOYMENT.
- - 0-----------
A SECURE OLD AGE NEEDED
*****
A SPECIAL WORKING GROUP WHICH WILL REPORT DIRECTLY TO THE GOVERNOR ON THE PROVISION OF MORE INTEGRATED CARE FOR THE ELDERLY WILL BE SET UP.
THIS WAS REVEALED BY THE GOVERNOR, THE RT HON CHRISTOPHER PATTEN IN HIS SECOND ANNUAL ADDRESS TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
HE SAID HE WANTED THE NEW WORKING GROUP TO LOOK AT TWO OTHER AREAS:
* WHETHER CURRENT LEVELS OF COMMUNITY SUPPORT SERVICES ARE SUFFICIENT; AND
* WHAT ELSE THE GOVERNMENT COULD DO TO ENABLE THE ELDERLY TO LEAD THEIR OWN LIVES AND TO REMAIN IN THE COMMUNITY, CLOSE TO FAMILY AND FRIENDS.
HE SAID APART FROM THIS WORKING GROUP, WORK HAD TO STARTED AT ONCE ON AN INTERIM BUT FAR-REACHING PROGRAMME TO TACKLE THE MOST SERIOUS SHORTFALLS IN EXISTING SERVICES.
IN MID-1997, NEARLY 11 PER CENT OF THE POPULATION WILL BE AGED 65 AND OVER, MEANING AN EXTRA 87,000 ELDERLY MEN AND WOMEN NEEDED TO BE LOOKED AFTER.
OF THEM, 44,000 MEN AND WOMEN WILL BE AGED 75 AND OVER MANY OF THEM VERY FRAIL OR UNABLE TO LIVE INDEPENDENTLY.
MR PATTEN SAID ADVANCES IN MEDICINE WOULD MAKE IT INCREASINGLY POSSIBLE TO PROLONG THE LIVES OF THE ELDERLY, EVEN AFTER SERIOUS ILLNESSES, BUT ONLY AT VERY CONSIDERABLE COST IN TERMS OF EXPENSIVE MEDICAL TECHNOLOGY AND HOSPITAL CARE.
HE REASSURED THE ELDERLY COMMUNITY THAT :
* THE PROVISION OF HOSPITAL FACILITIES FOR ACUTE GERIATRIC CASES HAS BEEN MADE AN URGENT PRIORITY; AND
/* BY 1997..........
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 6, 1993
- 20 -
♦ BY 1997, AN ADDITIONAL 461 ACUTE BEDS AND DAY PLACES FOR ELDERLY PATIENTS WILL BE PROVIDED TO MEET DEMAND IN FULL.
ALREADY THERE ARE 5,400 PEOPLE WAITING FOR INFIRMARY PLACES.
ON THE INFIRMARY SHORTFALL, THE GOVERNOR SAID BY 1997 THERE WOULD BE 7,800 ELDERLY PEOPLE REQUIRING SOME FORM OF RESIDENTIAL MEDICAL AND NURSING CARE.
’’BUT ON PRESENT PLANS, WE WILL HAVE ONLY 1,200 EXTRA BEDS TO COPE WITH THEM. THAT IS A PROBLEM THAT WILL GO FROM BAD TO WORSE UNLESS WE ACT DECISIVELY NOW.”
THE ANSWER, HE BELIEVES, IS TO DEVELOP AS RAPIDLY AS POSSIBLE A NETWORK OF NURSING HOMES WITH MEDICAL AND NURSING FACILITIES.
THESE HOMES COULD THEN CARE FOR ELDERLY PATIENTS WHO WOULD OTHERWISE HAVE TO REMAIN IN HOSPITAL OR IN AN INFIRMARY.
MR PATTEN SAID THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE WAS DRAWING UP PLANS FOR AN INITIAL SEVEN NURSING HOMES PROVIDING 1,400 BEDS AT A CAPITAL COST OF ABOUT $800 MILLION AND AN ANNUAL RECURRENT COST OF $150 MILLION.
’’WE PLAN TO HAVE THEM IN OPERATION BY 1997. HOW TO FILL THE REMAINING SHORTFALL WILL BE AN URGENT PRIORITY FOR THE NEW WORKING GROUP.”
NEXT YEAR, SPECIALIST MEDICAL TEAMS WILL PROVIDE HEALTH CARE, ASSESSMENT AND REHABILITATION SERVICES FOR A TOTAL OF 55,700 ELDERLY PEOPLE LIVING IN THE COMMUNITY.
THE GOVERNMENT HAD ALSO BACKED THE DEVELOPMENT OF HOME HELP TEAMS TO ASSIST OLD PEOPLE TO CONTINUE TO LEAD INDEPENDENT LIVES OR TO REMAIN WITH THEIR FAMILIES.
A TOTAL OF 6,500 ELDERLY PEOPLE WILL BENEFIT FROM THIS SERVICE NEXT YEAR.
THE GOVERNOR SAID HE HAD ASKED THE NEW CHAIRMAN OF THE HOUSING AUTHORITY TO SEE WHAT COULD BE DONE TO PROVIDE MORE ACCOMMODATION SPECIALLY DESIGNED TO MEET THE NEEDS OF THE ELDERLY AND THEIR FAMILIES.
HE HOPED THAT THE AUTHORITY COULD COME FORWARD RAPIDLY WITH SPECIFIC PROPOSALS:
♦ TO CLEAR THE BACKLOG OF AROUND 4,000 ELDERLY SINGLE PEOPLE ON THE WAITING LIST BY 1997;
♦ TO GIVE PRIORITY TO THE ELDERLY WHO APPLY FOR PUBLIC HOUSING FROM NOW ON; AND
» TO TACKLE URGENTLY THE MUCH LARGER PROBLEM OF SOME 27,000 ELDERLY MEN AND WOMEN WHO ARE NOT ON THE WAITING LIST AT ALL BUT WHO HAVE ALL BUT RESIGNED THEMSELVES TO SUB-STANDARD ACCOMMODATION.
/THERE WILL .......
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 6, 1993
21 -
THERE WILL ALSO BE SOME WHO REQUIRE A DEGREE OF INSTITUTIONAL CARE.
AN ADDITIONAL 800 CARE-AND-ATTENTION PLACES OVER AND ABOVE THE WHITE PAPER TARGETS ARE URGENTLY NEEDED.
HE SAID THE GOVERNMENT AIMED TO PROVIDE THESE OVER THE NEXT TWO YEARS.
------0--------
RETIREMENT INCOME PROPOSALS IN THE PIPELINE
*****
THE GOVERNMENT IS IN THE FINAL STAGES OF IDENTIFYING HOW TO RESPOND TO A POWERFUL SENTIMENT WITHIN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL AND AMONG THE COMMUNITY IN SUPPORT OF MORE COMPREHENSIVE ARRANGEMENTS TO COVER THE ENTIRE WORKFORCE.
“THE GOVERNOR, THE RT HON CHRISTOPHER PATTEN, SAID HE INTENDED TO ANNOUNCE THE PROPOSALS ON THE WAY FORWARD BEFORE THE END OF THE YEAR.
IN HIS SECOND ANNUAL ADDRESS TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, MR PATTEN SAID THIS WAS AN INTENSELY DIFFICULT ISSUE, ONE OF THE MOST DIFFICULT TO BE FACED IN THE NEXT FEW YEARS.
"IT GOES TO THE HEART OF OUR ATTITUDES TOWARDS SAVING AND INVESTMENT, AS WELL AS TO PROVISION FOR THE ELDERLY.”
CLEARLY, THE LEGCO WILL NEED TO BE SATISFIED WITH THE OUTCOME, AND WILL PLAY A KEY ROLE IN SHAPING IT, HE SAID.
”IT WILL TAKE TIME TO ESTABLISH A CONSENSUS IN THE COMMUNITY FOR THE RIGHT WAY FORWARD, BUT IN MY JUDGEMENT, WE WOULD BE WELL ADVISED TO TAKE OUR TIME AND GET THINGS RIGHT.”
AT PRESENT, SOME 850,000 EMPLOYEES, OR 30 PER CENT OF THE WORKFORCE, ARE ALREADY MEMBERS OF RETIREMENT SCHEMES PROVIDED BY THEIR EMPLOYERS.
A FURTHER 137,000 MEN AND WOMEN, OR FIVE PER CENT OF THE WORKFORCE, HOLD PENSIONABLE POSTS IN THE CIVIL SERVICE.
ALTOGETHER, 35 PER CENT OF THE WORKFORCE IS CURRENTLY COVERED BY SOME FORM OF PENSION OR PROVIDENT FUND ARRANGEMENT.
------0---------
/22 .......
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 6, 1993
- 22 -
NO LET-UP IN FIGHT AGAINST CRIME *****
THE GOVERNOR, THE RT HON CHRISTOPHER PATTEN, MADE IT CLEAR TODAY (WEDNESDAY) IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TO CONTINUE THE FIGHT AGAINST CRIME WITHOUT LET-UP.
SPEAKING ON LAW AND ORDER IN HIS POLICY ADDRESS, THE GOVERNOR SAID: "WE WILL CONTINUE TO FIGHT CRIME RY GIVING OUR POLICE OFFICERS THE LEGAL WEAPONS THEY NEED TO DEAL WITH ORGANISED CRIME AND BY PUTTING AS MANY POLICE AS WE CAN ON THE BEAT THROUGH OUR SUCCESSFUL RECRUITMENT PROGRAMME."
THE GOVERNOR NOTED THAT THE POLICE HAD RECRUITED A THOUSAND MORE POLICE OFFICERS SO FAR THIS YEAR.
ON ORGANISED CRIME, THE GOVERNOR SAID THE POLICE URGENTLY NEEDED THE POWERS CONTAINED IN THE ORGANISED AND SERIOUS CRIMES BILL ALREADY BEFORE THIS COUNCIL FOR 16 MONTHS.
"OF COURSE MEMBERS MUST SCRUTINISE THE BILL’S PROVISIONS FOR THEIR IMPACT ON THE RIGHTS OF THE INDIVIDUAL.
"BUT OUR POLICEMEN AND WOMEN ARE FACING A SERIOUS THREAT NOW. THEY NEED THE POWERS TO CRACK DOWN HARD ON CRIMINAL GANGS AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.
"I URGE THE COUNCIL TO PRESS ON SPEEDILY WITH YOUR WORK ON THIS BILL," HE SAID.
ON THE GENERAL CRIME SITUATION, THE GOVERNOR NOTED THAT HONG KONG HAD DONE PRETTY WELL COMPARED WITH OTHER LARGE CITIES.
HE POINTED OUT THAT KE\ (RIME RATES WERE ACTUALLY FALLING: VIOLENT CRIME WAS DOWN BY SIX PER CENT AND VEHICLE THEFT BY A QUARTER.
HE SAID THE REASONS FOR A DOWNWARD CRIME TREND WAS COMPLEX AND CLEARLY A BUOYANT ECONOMY WITH FULL EMPLOYMENT, COUPLED WITH SUBSIDISED HOUSING AND AN EFFECTIVE SOCIAL SERVICES SAFETY NET, ARE PART OF THE EXPLANATION.
"BUT A GREAT DEAL OF THE CREDIT MUST GO TO OUR EXCELLENT POLICE FORCE WHO, DAY IN DAY OUT, FIGHT THE CRIMINAL ON OUR STREETS.
"PROFESSIONAL, DISCIPLINED AND COURAGEOUS, THEY ARE ONE OF THE FINEST POLICE FORCES IN THE WORLD.
"1 PAY WARM TRIBUTE TO THEM ALL, AND TO ALL THE OTHER LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES WHO WORK ALONGSIDE THEM," THE GOVERNOR SAID.
---------0-----------
/23 .......
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 6, 1993
- 23 -
CODES OF CONDUCT FOR BUSINESS TO PREVENT CORRUPTION
*****
THE INDEPENDENT COMMISSION AGAINST CORRUPTION WILL LAUNCH A CAMPAIGN IN COOPERATION WITH THE MAJOR BUSINESS ASSOCIATIONS AND PROFESSIONAL BODIES TO DEFEND HONG KONG’S BUSINESS STANDARDS AGAINST CORRUPTION, THE GOVERNOR, THE RT HON CHRISTOPHER PATTEN, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY) IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
IN HIS POLICY ADDRESS, MR PATTEN SAID THE ICAC WOULD USE ITS EXPERIENCE 114 HELPING BUSINESSES TO DEVELOP VOLUNTARY CODES OF PRACTICE TO PREVENT BUSINESS MALPRACTICE.
AND TO BUILD ON THIS EXPERIENCE, THE GOVERNMENT HAD SET THE FOLLOWING TARGETS :
* THE ICAC WILL INVITE LISTED COMPANIES TO URGE THEIR OFFICERS AND STAFF TO CONDUCT FAIR AND OPEN DEALINGS WITH ALL CUSTOMERS, SUPPLIERS AND CONTRACTORS ACCORDING TO A CORPORATE CODE OF CONDUCT. THE CODE WILL IDENTIFY EFFECTIVE CHANNELS OF COMPLAINT FROM THE PUBLIC. IT IS HOPED THAT OTHER COMPANIES AND BUSINESSES WILL QUICKLY FOLLOW THEIR EXAMPLE.
* THE ICAC WILL THEN INVITE ALL FIRMS EMPLOYING 100 STAFF OR MORE TO ADOPT SIMILAR CODES OF CONDUCT TO ENHANCE THE INTEGRITY OF THEIR BUSINESS OPERATIONS.
* CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE AND SIMILAR ORGANISATIONS WILL BE ASKED TO URGE THEIR MEMBERS TO FOLLOW PROCEDURES WHICH MINIMISE THE OPPORTUNITIES FOR MALPRACTICE ACCORDING TO A CODE OF CONDUCT.
* THE BODIES WHICH REPRESENT LAWYERS, ACCOUNTANTS, ENGINEERS, SURVEYORS AND ALL THE OTHER PROFESSIONS VITAL TO OUR COMMERCIAL WELL-BEING WILL BE ASKED TO ENSURE THAT THEIR EXISTING CODES OF PERFORMANCE ALSO ENCOURAGE THEIR MEMBERS TO BE PRO-ACTIVE IN REPORTING CORRUPTION AND IN CLOSING LOOPHOLES WHICH ALLOW MALPRACTICE TO SURVIVE.
* LEGISLATION HAS RECENTLY BEEN INTRODUCED TO GIVE AUDITORS OF FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS PROTECTION IN REPORTING FRAUD AND OTHER IRREGULARITIES. THIS WILL BE EXTENDED TO THE AUDITORS OF ALL LISTED COMPANIES.
OPERATION-WISE, THE GOVERNOR SAID THE ICAC WOULD BE GIVEN THE RESOURCES NEXT YEAR TO SET UP ANOTHER INVESTIGATION GROUP WITH NEARLY 40 OFFICERS.
THE EXTRA RESOURCES WILL ALSO ENABLE THE ICAC TO RESPOND EFFECTIVELY TO COMPLAINTS DURING THE 1994 AND 1995 ELECTIONS.
IN ADDITION, ANOTHER 30 OFFICERS WILL BE REDEPLOYED TO FORM A SPECIAL WORKING GROUP TO ESTABLISH TIGHTER LINKS WITH THE PRIVATE SECTOR.
/THE GOVERNOR .......
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 6, 1993
THE GOVERNOR POINTED OUT THAT THE ICAC WOULD START ITS THIRD DECADE OPERATIONS IN 1994 AND ITS FIRST PRIORITY WOULD CONTINUE TO BE TO ENSURE THAT THE CIVIL SERVICE WOULD CONTINUE TO SET A CONSPICUOUS EXAMPLE TO THE REST OF THE COMMUNITY OF FREEDOM FROM MALPRACTICES OF ANY KIND.
DESPITE PAST SUCCESSES, THE GOVERNOR NOTED, HONG KONG HAD BECOME INCREASINGLY ALARMED ABOUT CORRUPTION OVER THE LAST YEAR.
IN THE FIRST EIGHT MONTHS OF 1993, THE ICAC RECORDED A 44 PER CENT RISE IN COMPLAINTS ABOUT CORRUPTION RECEIVED FROM THE PUBLIC OVER THE SAME PERIOD IN 1992.
THE INCREASE AFFECTED THE PRIVATE AS WELL AS THE PUBLIC SECTOR, HE SAID.
POINTING OUT THAT THE FIGHT AGAINST CORRUPTION WOULD BE A NEW CHALLENGE, THE GOVERNOR SAID: "IF WE ARE TO MAINTAIN HONG KONG’S REPUTATION AS A CITY IN WHICH PEOPLE CAN LIVE, WORK AND CARRY ON THEIR BUSINESS FREE FROM INTIMIDATION AND EXTORTION, WE HAVE TO DEAL RUTHLESSLY WITH CORRUPTION.
"THE VERY LOW LEVEL OF CORRUPTION THAT HONG KONG HAS ACHIEVED OVER THE LAST TWO DECADES HAS BEEN A MAJOR ASSET IN OUR DEVELOPMENT AS AN INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS CENTRE."
- - 0 - -
PRESS FOR BETTER NATIONALITY DEAL FOR ETHNIC MINORITY AND EX-SERVICEMEN’S WIVES AND WIDOWS *****
THE GOVERNOR, THE RT HON CHRISTOPHER PATTEN, WILL CONTINUE TO PRESS THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT AS STRONGLY AS HE CAN FOR A BETTER DEAL FOR HONG KONG’S ETHNIC MINORITIES AND FOR THE WIVES AND WIDOWS OF EX-SERVICEMEN ON THE NATIONALITY ISSUE.
THE ASSURANCE WAS MADE BY THE GOVERNOR IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY) WHEN HE DELIVERED HIS SECOND POLICY ADDRESS.
MR PATTEN NOTED THAT THE RESPONSE SO FAR FROM THE UK HAD NOT GONE AS FAR AS HONG KONG WOULD WANT.
- - 0 - -
/25
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 6, 1993
25 -
DECISION TO JOIN CEDAW TO BE MADE NEXT YEAR
*****
THE GOVERNOR, THE RT HON CHRISTOPHER PATTEN, TODAY (WEDNESDAY) SAID HE HOPED HE WOULD BE ABLE TO ANNOUNCE EARLY NEXT YEAR A DECISION ON WHETHER OR NOT HONG KONG SHOULD JOIN THE CONVENTION ON THE ELIMINATION OF ALL FORMS OF DISCRIMINATION AGAINST WOMEN (CEDAW).
DELIVERING HIS SECOND ANNUAL ADDRESS TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, MR PATTEN SAID FREEDOM FROM DISCRIMINATION WAS ONE OF THE CORNERSTONES OF HONG KONG’S OPEN SOCIETY.
’’BUT I KNOW THAT MANY PEOPLE BELIEVE THAT WE HAVE GIVEN INSUFFICIENT ATTENTION TO WHETHER HALF OF OUR POPULATION, HONG KONG’S WOMEN, ARE FAIRLY TREATED AND ADEQUATELY PROTECTED.”
THE GOVERNMENT ISSUED A GREEN PAPER ON WOMEN’S RIGHTS IN AUGUST TO ASCERTAIN THE VIEWS OF THE PUBLIC ON HOW TO PROMOTE EQUAL OPPORTUNITY AND END DISCRIMINATION.
FROM THE COMMENTS RECEIVED, HE SAID IT WAS CLEAR THAT THE BIG ISSUE FOR MANY PEOPLE IS WHETHER HONG KONG SHOULD JOIN CEDAW.
--------0-----------
A FULLER LIFE AHEAD *****
THE GOVERNMENT HAS DECIDED TO ESTABLISH A PROVISIONAL ARTS DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL EARLY NEXT YEAR TO PREPARE THE GROUND FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE FULL COUNCIL.
IT ALSO PROPOSES TO GIVE THE FULL COUNCIL A GENEROUS FINANCIAL START WITH A GRANT OF $100 MILLION.
ANNOUNCING THIS IN HIS ANNUAL ADDRESS TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY), THE GOVERNOR, THE RT HON CHR1STOHER PATTEN, SAID THE ADDITIONAL FUNDS WOULD PROVIDE SEED MONEY TO ENABLE THE COUNCIL TO MAKE AN IMPRESSIVE START.
THEY WILL ENABLE THE ESTABLISHMENT OF AN INDEPENDENTLY STAFFED AND MANAGED COUNCIL, SUPPORTING NEW ART FORMS AND ACTIVITIES.
"TO DO THE JOB EFFECTIVELY I WILL WISH TO APPOINT CAPABLE, COMMITTED MEMBERS TO THE COUNCIL, PEOPLE WHO REPRESENT A WIDE CROSSSECTION OF THE ARTS COMMUNITY, AND PERFORMERS AS WELL AS PATRONS.
"I AM PLEASED THAT SIR JOSEPH HOTUNG HAS AGREED TO SERVE AS CHAIRMAN OF THE PROVISIONAL ARTS DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL," HE SAID.
THE GOVERNOR ALSO SAID HONG KONG WAS DESPERATELY KEEN TO SEE ITS TEAMS AND ATHLETES TAKE ON AND BEAT THE WORLD’S BEST.
"I HOPE THE SPORTING COMMUNITY WILL RISE TO THIS CHALLENGE AND BRING HOME TO HONG KONG A CLUTCH OF OLYMPIC MEDALS IN 1996."
--------0-----------
/26........
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 6, 1993
26
PLEDGES PERFORMED: GOVERNOR
*****
THE CONCEPT OF PERFORMANCE PLEDGES AND THE SERVICE CULTURE HAS FOUND A READY AUDIENCE THROUGHOUT THE PUBLIC SECTOR AS A WHOLE, THE GOVERNOR, THE RT HON CHRISTOPHER PATTEN, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MR PATTEN SAID THE HOSPITAL AUTHORITY, THE MTR AND THE KCR HAD TAKEN THE LEAD IN THIS.
"FIVE OTHER STATUTORY BODIES HAVE PUBLISHED PLEDGES AT OUR INVITATION. OTHERS WILL FOLLOW.”
IN HIS ANNUAL ADDRESS TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, MR PATTEN SAID THE CIVIL SERVICE RESPONDED ENTHUSIASTICALLY TO THE CALL IN LAST YEAR’S ADDRESS FOR A NEW COMMITMENT TO SERVING THE COMMUNITY.
"WHEREVER I GO, THOSE CIVIL SERVANTS WHO WORK MOST DIRECTLY FOR THE PUBLIC TALK OF THE DIFFERENCE IT HAS MADE TO THEIR CLIENTS AND TO THEIR OWN JOB SATISFACTION."
» ALREADY SOME 30 OUT OF 50 GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS DIRECTLY SERVING THE PUBLIC HAVE PRODUCED PERFORMANCE PLEDGES. BY THE MIDDLE OF NEXT YEAR, ALL WILL HAVE DONE SO.
* SOME 20 DEPARTMENTS HAVE USER OR CUSTOMER LIAISON GROUPS ALREADY IN PLACE.
» OVER 4,400 GOVERNMENT FORMS HAVE BEEN REVIEWED; 800 HAVE BEEN ABOLISHED OR COMBINED; AND OVER 1,600 HAVE BEEN MADE MORE USER-FRIENDLY.
* OVER 30,000 CIVIL SERVANTS HAVE ATTENDED TRAINING COURSES ON THE NEW SERVICE CULTURE.
---------0-----------
PENSION FUND TO BE SET UP
* » » ♦ »
A PENSION RESERVE FUND FOR THE CIVIL SERVANTS WILL BE ESTABLISHED AND $7 BILLION WILL BE INJECTED INTO THE FUND OVER TWO YEARS, BEGINNING THIS YEAR.
THIS WAS REVEALED BY THE GOVERNOR, THE RT HON CHRISTOPHER PATTEN IN HIS ANNUAL ADDRESS TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
HE SAID THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT HAD INDICATED SUPPORT FOR THE GENERAL CONCEPT.
’’BUT WE WILL HAVE TO EXPLORE ITS VIEWS IN DETAIL. WE ALSO NEED TO CONSULT STAFF REPRESENTATIVES."
/THE FUND'S .......
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 6, 1993
- 27 -
THE FUND’S RESOURCES WOULD BE USED EXCLUSIVELY TO PAY PENSIONS IN THE UNLIKELY EVENT THAT THEY WOULD NOT BE COVERED FROM GENERAL REVENUE.
"I CANNOT MYSELF IMAGINE HONG KONG EVER FACING A FINANCIAL CRISIS OF THIS SORT.
’’BUT I BELIEVE THAT THE FUND WILL CONTRIBUTE TO THE CIVIL SERVICE’S CONFIDENCE IN ITS FUTURE.”
THE FUND WILL BE ESTABLISHED BY RESOLUTION OF THE LEGCO UNDER SECTION 29 OF THE PUBLIC FINANCE ORDINANCE.
MR PATTEN SAID MUCH WORK ON THE DETAIL STILL NEEDED TO BE DONE BEFORE PUTTING THE MATTER TO THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL AND THE LEGCO.
--------0-----------
GOVERNOR SPELLS OUT LOCALISATION PRINCIPLES
*****
THE GOVERNOR, THE RT HON CHRISTOPHER PATTEN, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY) IT IS HIS INTENTION TO HAVE IN PLACE A TEAM OF LOCAL PRINCIPAL OFFICIALS WHICH CAN MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE BASIC LAW IN GOOD TIME BEFORE THE CHANGE IN SOVEREIGNTY.
OVER THE LAST DECADE THE PROPORTION OF OVERSEAS OFFICERS IN DIRECTORATE RANKS IN THE CIVIL SERVICE AS A WHOLE HAS DECLINED FROM 55 PER CENT TO 35 PER CENT.
THE TREND TOWARDS LOCALISATION THEREFORE CONTINUES, MR PATTEN SAID.
’’BUT OF COURSE PROGRESS IS NEVER COMPLETELY EVEN.”
THERE ARE ALWAYS AREAS WHICH ARE AHEAD OF THE TREND AND THOSE WHICH ARE LAGGING BEHIND, FOR WHATEVER GOOD REASONS.
’’FROM TIME TO TIME WE HAVE TO TAKE SPECIAL MEASURES TO DEAL WITH PARTICULAR SITUATIONS," HE SAID.
THE LEGAL DEPARTMENT IS ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS, IT IS ONE OF THOSE WHICH MUST BE HEADED BY A QUALIFIED LOCAL PERSON IN 1997, HE SAID.
DESPITE THE GOVERNMENT’S BEST EFFORTS TO DATE, LOCALISATION HAS BEEN SLOWER THAN MANY WOULD LIKE.
ALTHOUGH SPECIAL MEASURES ALREADY BEING TAKEN, SUCH AS THE SO-CALLED "DOUBLE LADDER" AND "DEVELOPMENT POSTS" SCHEMES, ARE BEARING FRUIT, IT IS CLEARLY GOING TO TAKE TIME FOR THEM TO WORK THROUGH THE SYSTEM, HE SAID.
IN THE DEPARTMENT A POOL OF QUALIFIED LOCAL PEOPLE AT THE TIER IMMEDIATELY BELOW THE ATTORNEY GENERAL’S LEVEL ARE NEEDED TO PROVIDE FOR THE FUTURE.
/"THIS IS .......
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 6, 1993
- 28 -
"THIS IS NOT GOING TO HAPPEN UNLESS WE TAKE MORE POSITIVE ACTION. THEREFORE, WE WILL BE MAKING SPECIAL ARRANGEMENTS TO ENSURE THAT THREE OF THE FIVE LAW OFFICER POSTS WILL BE FILLED BY LOCAL PEOPLE BY THE END OF 1995."
TO PROVIDE A BETTER FOUNDATION FOR THE FUTURE, THE DEVELOPMENT POSTS SCHEME SHALL BE ENLARGED AND EXTENDED TO PROVIDE OPPORTUNITIES FOR LOCAL OFFICERS TO BE GROOMED AND TO ACT AT THE PRINCIPAL CROWN COUNSEL RANK.
THE LEGAL AID DEPARTMENT IS IN A SPECIAL CATEGORY. OVER 90 PER CENT OF ITS CLIENTS ARE CHINESE SPEAKING.
"WE THEREFORE AIM BY 1995 TO ENSURE THAT THE DIRECTOR AND TWO OF THE THREE DEPUTY DIRECTORS IN THE DEPARTMENT ARE PROFICIENT TN THE LANGUAGE.
"WE WILL ALSO WORK TO INCREASE THE PERCENTAGE OF OFFICERS IN THE OTHER DIRECTORATE RANKS OF THE DEPARTMENT WHO ARE ABLE TO COMMUNICATE WITH THEIR CLIENTS IN CHINESE," HE SAID.
MR PATTEN SAID THE DOMINANCE OF LOCAL PEOPLE IN THE MANAGEMENT OF PROGRAMMES AND SERVICES WAS ESSENTIAL.
"NEVERTHELESS, WE MUST NOT FORGET THAT HONG KONG IS AN INTERNATIONAL CITY IN WHICH OVERSEAS OFFICERS CONTINUE TO HAVE AN IMPORTANT PLACE, A FACT RECOGNISED BY THE JOINT DECLARATION AND THE BASIC LAW."
THOSE WHO CANNOT CONTINUE TO BE ACCOMMODATED MUST BE TREATED FAIRLY.
"WE SHALL NEED TO WORK WITH THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT ON THESE ISSUES AS 1997 APPROACHES," HE ADDED.
--------0 - -
COMMON CONDITIONS OF SERVICE PROPOSED
*****
THE GOVERNMENT PROPOSES THAT THOSE TAKING UP EMPLOYMENT WITH THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT SHOULD NOW DO SO ON COMMON TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF SERVICE.
CONSULTATION WITH GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS AND STAFF WILL BEGIN SOON.
"WE WILL ALSO NEED TO DISCUSS OUR PROPOSALS WITH THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT," THE GOVERNOR, THE RT HON CHRISTOPHER PATTEN, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
/IN HIS ........
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 6, 1993
29
IN HIS ANNUAL ADDRESS TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, MR PATTEN SAID THE EXISTENCE OF TWO SETS OF CONDITIONS FOR CIVIL SERVANTS, ONE ’’LOCAL”, THE OTHER ’’OVERSEAS” HAD HELPED FUEL THE LOCALISATION DEBATE.
"WE HAVE NARROWED THE DIFFERENCES AND INDEED REMOVED THEM ENTIRELY AT THE MOST SENIOR RANKS. WE NEED TO DO MORE.”
HE SAID THE HISTORICAL JUSTIFICATION FOR THE PRESENT SYSTEM HAD WORN VERY THIN IN THE LAST DECADE OF THE 20TH CENTURY.
--------0-----------
TRAINING FOR TRANSITION FULL STEAM AHEAD
*****
THE GOVERNMENT IS LOOKING FORWARD TO BUILDING UP MORE CONTACTS BETWEEN CHINESE AND HONG KONG GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS THROUGH WORK, VISITS AND TRAINING COURSES, THE GOVERNOR, THE RT HON CHRISTOPHER PATTEN SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MR PATTEN SAID A SMOOTH TRANSFER OF SOVEREIGNTY IN 1997 INVOLVED A MAJOR EFFORT TO PREPARE THE CIVIL SERVICE FOR TRANSITION.
THIS REQUIRES DEVELOPMENT OF THE KNOWLEDGE, UNDERSTANDING AND THE SKILLS REQUIRED TO WORK EFFECTIVELY WITH CHINA, HE ADDED.
"THE DEMAND FOR A MUCH DEEPER KNOWLEDGE OF CHINA AND ITS SYSTEMS EXISTS AT ALL LEVELS OF THE CIVIL SERVICE.”
TO FILL THIS NEED, THE CIVIL SERVICE TRAINING CENTRE WILL CONTINUE TO DEVELOP TRAINING PROGRAMMES FOR ALL CIVIL SERVANTS COVERING DIFFERENT ASPECTS OF CHINA’S POLITICAL AND ECONOMIC LIFE.
"LET ME EMPHASISE THE PRIORITY WHICH THE GOVERNMENT ATTACHES TO PREPARING THE CIVIL SERVICE FOR THE TRANSFER OF SOVEREIGNTY.
"WE MUST DO EVERYTHING NECESSARY TO SEE THAT THE MEN AND WOMEN IN OUR CIVIL SERVICE HAVE THE BACKGROUND AND EXPERTISE TO CONTINUE TO PROVIDE AN EFFECTIVE ADMINISTRATION FOR THIS TERRITORY AFTER 1997, AS LAID DOWN IN THE JOINT DECLARATION AND THE BASIC LAW."
HE SAID THE GOVERNMENT WOULD PROVIDE EVERY SUPPORT AND ENCOURAGEMENT FOR THE CIVIL SERVICE TO DO SO.
"WE LOOK FORWARD TO CO-OPERATING WITH THE CHINESE AUTHORITIES IN THIS PROCESS,” HE SAID.
SPECIALISED SHORT COURSES TO FAMILIARISE CIVIL SERVANTS WITH (HINA’S SYSTEMS AND CURRENT ISSUES ARE A STANDARD FEATURE OF THE GOVERNMENT’S TRAINING ACTIVITIES.
THE GOVERNMENT STARTED A HIGHLY SUCCESSFUL SPONSORED VISIT PROGRAMME IN 1987, INVOLVING EXCHANGE VISITS BETWEEN SENIOR CHINESE AND HONG KONG GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS.
/IN JULY .......
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 6, 1993
- 30 -
IN JULY OF THIS YEAR, THE CHINESE STUDIES COURSE BEGAN IN PEKING FOR SENIOR STAFF.
THE GOVERNOR SAID BY 1997, ALL ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICE AND DIRECTORATE-LEVEL OFFICERS SHOULD HAVE PARTICIPATED IN A FORMAL TRAINING COURSE OF SOME KIND RELATED TO THE TRANSITION.
_ _ 0----------
MORE CO-OPERATION WITH CHINA ENVISAGED *****
THE GOVERNMENT INTENDS TO DISCUSS WITH THE CHINESE AUTHORITIES IN THE MONTHS AHEAD PRACTICAL MEASURES TO DEVELOP CO-OPERATION IN THE MAIN AREAS OF IMPORTANCE TO WORKING RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE TWO SIDES, THE GOVERNOR, THE RT HON CHRISTOPHER PATTEN, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY) IN HIS POLICY ADDRESS AT THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
ONE OF THESE MAIN AREAS WOULD BE THE EXCHANGE OF INFORMATION ON MAJOR INFRASTRUCTURAL PROJECTS IN HONG KONG AND GUANGDONG, HE SAID.
THE OTHER MAIN AREAS ARE THE CREATION, WITH THE ADVICE AND SUPPORT OF THE INDUSTRY AND TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL, OF AN APPLIED RESEARCH CENTRE, DRAWING TOGETHER THE EXPERTISE OF LOCAL TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS AND OF THE CHINESE ACADEMY OF SCIENCES; MEASURES TO ENCOURAGE THE CROSS-BORDER FLOW OF A WIDER RANGE OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS SERVICES; AND THE PROPOSAL, STRONGLY SUPPORTED BY THE HONG KONG HAULAGE INDUSTRY, FOR THE OPENING OF A 24-HOUR BORDER CROSSING AT LOK MA CHAU.
THE GOVERNOR POINTED OUT THAT HONG KONG AND CHINA HAD A LONGSTANDING PARTNERSHIP AND SUCH RELATIONSHIP, IN MOST AREAS, WAS CONSTRUCTIVE AND BENEFICIAL TO BOTH SIDES.
”1 WANT TO EMPHASISE AGAIN THAT I AM CONFIDENT ABOUT HONG KONG’S FUTURE AS A GOOD PLACE IN WHICH TO RAISE A FAMILY OR MAKE A CAREER.
"PROVIDED THAT THE ’ONE COUNTRY, TWO SYSTEMS’ CONCEPT IS FULLY IMPLEMENTED AND RESPECTED, HONG KONG’S SPECIAL WAY OF LIFE IS BOUND TO FLOURISH FAR INTO THE NEXT CENTURY," HE SAID.
MR PATTEN POINTED OUT THAT THE LEVEL OF BUSINESS TIE WAS THE MOST OBVIOUS EXAMPLE OF THE SUCCESSFUL RELATIONSHIPS.
* HONG KONG’S ENTREPRENEURS LED THE WORLD’S BUSINESS INTO CHINA IN THE 1980S. THEY HAVE THE BIGGEST STAKE IN CHINA’S MODERNISATION, ACCOUNTING FOR ABOUT TWO-THIRDS OF EXTERNAL DIRECT INVESTMENT IN THE COUNTRY. THEY HAVE HELPED TO MAKE GUANGDONG PROBABLY THE FASTEST GROWING REGION IN THE WORLD.
* CHINA’S LEADING STATE ENTERPRISES HAVE LONG PLAYED A MAJOR ROLE TN BANKING, TRANSPORT, DISTRIBUTION AND OTHER KEY SECTORS OF THE HONG KONG ECONOMY. THEIR MORE RECENT INVESTMENTS IN AVIATION, TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND CONSTRUCTION HAVE GIVEN THEM AN ADDITIONAL STAKE TN HONG KONG’S PROSPERITY.
/* THE INTERNATIONAL ........
WEDNESDAY, OCiUtSbK O,
- 31 -
» THE INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS COMMUNITY HAS RESPONDED ENTHUSIASTICALLY TO THE WAY HONG KONG INSTITUTIONS SUCH AS OUR STOCK EXCHANGE ARE FORGING NEW AREAS OF PARTNERSHIP WITH THEIR CHINA COUNTERPARTS. SOME 672 INTERNATIONAL CORPORATIONS HAVE ESTABLISHED THEIR REGIONAL HEADQUARTERS HERE IN THE PAST FOUR YEARS.
ON THE GOVERNMENT SIDE, MR PATTEN NOTED THAT IN THE FIRST HALF OF THIS YEAR, SIX POLICY BRANCHES AND 38 DEPARTMENTS MADE A TOTAL OF 166 OFFICIAL VISITS TO THEIR CHINESE COUNTERPARTS. AND THE FLOW WAS IN BOTH DIRECTIONS.
OVER THE SAME PERIOD, 130 GROUPS INVOLVING ALMOST 1,000 CHINESE OFFICIALS CAME TO HONG KONG.
POLICY BRANCHES AND DEPARTMENTS HAVE DEVELOPED AN EXTENSIVE NETWORK OF DIRECT CONTACTS WITH THEIR CHINESE COUNTERPARTS AT THE WORKING LEVEL. CONTACT WITH CHINESE GOVERNMENT AGENCIES AND THEIR STAFF IS AN INCREASINGLY REGULAR FEATURE OF THEIR NORMAL WORKING DAY, HE SAID.
ON BANKING SUPERVISION, MR PATTEN SAID CO-OPERATION BETWEEN THE PEOPLE’S BANK AND HONG KONG’S MONETARY AUTHORITY COVERED BOTH SUPERVISION OF INSTITUTIONS AND EXCHANGE OF INFORMATION.
AS FOR INFRASTRUCTURAL PLANNING, CO-OPERATION STARTED WITH SHARED ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERNS, BUT THE RANGE OF CONTACTS HAD EXPANDED TO COVER WIDER PLANNING ISSUES, HE SAID.
ON CROSS-BORDER CRIME, MR PATTEN NOTED THAT CHINESE LIAISON OFFICERS HAD BEEN POSTED HERE TO WORK WITH THE HONG KONG POLICE.
AS FOR STAFF EXCHANGES, HONG KONG OFFERED TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES IN A RANGE OF SKILLS, FROM REGULATION OF FINANCIAL MARKETS TO AIRPORT MANAGEMENT, HE ADDED.
APART FROM THE LINK OF BUSINESSES AND GOVERNMENTS, MR PATTEN NOTED THAT AN ENORMOUS TIDE OF PEOPLE IN BOTH DIRECTIONS, HAD HELPED CREATE INCREASED CO-OPERATION AND UNDERSTANDING ON BOTH SIDES.
THE FOLLOWING PROJECTIONS FOR THIS YEAR SHOW HOW FAST THE FLOW IS GROWING:
* CROSS-BORDER FLOWS WILL REACH A NEW PEAK, WITH NEARLY FOUR CROSS-BORDER TRIPS FOR EVERY MAN, WOMAN AND CHILD IN THE TERRITORY.
* THE NUMBER OF MAINLAND VISITORS TO HONG KONG WILL REACH ONE MILLION.
♦ THE NUMBER OF PASSENGERS TO AND FROM CHINA PASSING THROUGH KAI TAK WILL BE OVER 2.5MILLION, A 60 PER CENT INCREASE OVER FIVE YEARS, AND REPRESENTING ONE IN SEVEN OF ALL PASSENGERS.
» ABOUT HALF OF HONG KONG EXTERNAL TELECOMMUNICATIONS TRAFFIC WILL BE WITH CHINA.
- - 0 - -
/32
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 6, 1993
- 32 -
RESOLVING OUTSTANDING ISSUES ON JLG AGENDA URGED
* ♦ » * *
HONG KONG HAS A RIGHT TO EXPECT THAT THE JOINT LIAISON GROUP (JLG) PERFORMS AND COMPLETES THE TASK SET FOR IT IN THE JOINT DECLARATION, THE GOVERNOR, THE RT HON CHRISTOPHER PATTEN, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY) IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
THERE IS NO SPECIFIC BRITISH INTEREST TO BE SERVED BY RESOLVING THE OUTSTANDING ISSUES ON THE JLG AGENDA, OTHER THAN AN AIM OF GOVERNING HONG KONG AS WELL AND AS COMPETENTLY AS POSSIBLE, HE SAID.
"BUT SETTLING THESE MATTERS WILL BE OF DIRECT BENEFIT TO THE HONG KONG SAR (SPECIAL ADMINISTRATIVE REGION) AND CHINA.
"FAILING TO DO SO WILL CREATE UNNECESSARY UNCERTAINTY AND CONFUSION ABOUT THE TRANSITION AND WILL CALL INTO DOUBT THE CONTINUATION OF HONG KONG’S VITAL LEGAL AND COMMERCIAL RELATIONS WITH THE OUTSIDE WORLD," THE GOVERNOR SAID.
NOTING THAT THE JLG’S WORK HAD ALMOST COME TO A HALT, MR PATTEN SAID: "IT IS, THEREFORE, ESSENTIAL THAT WE INJECT A NEW SENSE OF URGENCY INTO THE JLG."
THE GOVERNOR POINTED OUT THAT THE ISSUES INVOLVED WERE NOT GENERALLY POLITICAL, BUT ALMOST ALWAYS, TECHNICAL OR PRACTICAL MATTERS.
SOME OF THESE EXAMPLES ARE:
» THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT HAS PUT FORWARD PROPOSALS TO PRESERVE EXISTING ARRANGEMENTS FOR VISA-FREE TRAVEL OVERSEAS FOR HONG KONG PEOPLE AFTER 1997. EASE OF TRAVEL OVERSEAS IS A CONVENIENCE WHICH HONG KONG PEOPLE RIGHTLY ENJOY; IT ALSO FACILITATES TRADE AND TOURISM AND THUS MAKES AN IMPORTANT CONTRIBUTION TO HONG KONG’S PROSPERITY. IF AN AGREEMENT COULD NOT BE REACHED IN THE JLG, IT WOULD BE DIFFICULT TO SEE HOW THESE ARRANGEMENTS COULD SURVIVE 1997.
♦ THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT IS IN THE PROCESS OF NEGOTIATING A NETWORK OF AIR SERVICES AGREEMENTS BETWEEN HONG KONG AND KEY AVIATION PARTNERS WHICH WILL EXTEND BEYOND 1997. A NUMBER OF INITIALLED AGREEMENTS ARE NOW UNDER CONSIDERATION IN THE JLG. IF THIS PROGRAMME WAS UNABLE TO BE COMPLETED, THE EFFECTIVENESS OF HONG KONG’S EXISTING CIVIL AVIATION RELATIONSHIPS WILL BE CALLED INTO DOUBT AND HONG KONG'S REPUTATION AS A MAJOR CENTRE OF INTERNATIONAL CIVIL AVIATION WILL SUFFER.
* THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT IS NEGOTIATING AGREEMENTS WITH A NUMBER OF COUNTRIES TO ENABLE HONG KONG TO RETURN FUGITIVE CRIMINALS TO THEIR COUNTRY OF ORIGIN AND TO GET BACK CRIMINALS WHO FLEE FROM HONG KONG. THESE AGREEMENTS PLAY AN IMPORTANT ROLE IN THE FIGHT AGAINST INTERNATIONAL CRIME. IF THESE AGREEMENTS ARE TO REMAIN VALID AFTER 1997 THEY MUST BE CLEARED THROUGH THE JLG. IF THEY ARE NOT ALL IN PLACE BY 1997, THE ABILITY TO FIGHT INTERNATIONAL CRIME WILL BE IMPAIRED AND HONG KONG RISKS BECOMING A HAVEN FOR CRIMINALS.
/* JLG IS ........
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 6, 1993
- 33 -
* JLG IS CURRENTLY DISCUSSING WHO WILL BE ENTITLED TO ENJOY THE RIGHT OF ABODE IN THE TERRITORY AFTER 1997. THIS IS AN ISSUE OF VITAL CONCERN TO PEOPLE BOTH OF CHINESE AND NONCHINESE ORIGIN IN THIS COMMUNITY. IF THE JLG WERE TO FAIL TO REACH CLEAR-CUT CONCLUSIONS ON THIS IMPORTANT ISSUE, SOME MEMBERS OF THIS COMMUNITY WOULD FACE REAL UNCERTAINTY ABOUT THEIR FUTURE IN THE TERRITORY.
THE GOVERNOR POINTED OUT THAT THESE WERE JUST A FEW ILLUSTRATIVE EXAMPLES, AND THE FULL LIST OF OUTSTANDING JLG MATTERS WAS A DAUNTING ONE.
"BUT THERE IS NO ACCEPTABLE REASON WHY THE EXPERIENCED TEAMS ON BOTH SIDES SHOULD NOT BE ABLE TO DEAL QUICKLY AND EFFICIENTLY WITH THESE MATTERS.
"THEY OWE IT TO THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG TO ENSURE THAT THEIR AGENDA IS COMPLETED BY 1997,” THE GOVERNOR SAID.
------0----------
FUNDS TO ENSURE LOCALISATION OF LAWS ON SCHEDULE *****
ADDITIONAL FUNDS WILL BE ALLOCATED TO THE SPECIAL UNIT IN THE LEGAL DEPARTMENT TO ADVANCE WORK ON THE LOCALISATION OF HONG KONG LAWS TO BRING THEM INTO LINE WITH THE BASIC LAW AND TO ENSURE SUCH WORK REMAINS ON SCHEDULE, THE GOVERNOR, THE RT HON CHRISTOPHER PATTEN, SAID TODAY (WENDESDAY) IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
MR PATTEN SAID IN HIS POLICY ADDRESS THAT A LARGE NUMBER OF BILLS WOULD BE INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGCO IN THE NEXT THREE YEARS TO LOCALISE LEGISLATION.
IN THE 1993/94 LEGISLATIVE PROGRAMME, 10 OF THESE BILLS HAD BEEN INCLUDED.
"THERE IS A GREAT DEAL TO BE DONE, AND NOT MUCH TIME TO DO IT, IF WE ARE TO ENSURE THAT WE HAVE A COMPLETE SET OF LAWS CAPABLE OF CONTINUING BEYOND 1997.
"IF PROGRESS IN THE JLG DOES NOT SPEED UP SIGNIFICANTLY, THERE IS A HIGH RISK THAT THE WORK WILL NOT BE FINISHED BEFORE 1997, AND WE WILL THEN FACE A LEGAL VACUUM.
"IT WOULD BE IRRESPONSIBLE FOR US TO LET THAT HAPPEN, AND I AM DETERMINED THAT WE SHOULD DO EVERYTHING POSSIBLE TO KEEP TO OUR TARGET FOR THIS EXTREMELY IMPORTANT EXERCISE," THE GOVERNOR SAID.
IN A BID TO IMPROVE JUDICIAL EFFICIENCY, MR PATTEN SAID A JUDICIARY ADMINISTRATOR WOULD BE IN PLACE BY THE END OF THIS YEAR TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR PROMOTING A SERVICE-ORIENTED CULTURE WITHIN THE JUDICIAL SYSTEM.
/AT EACH .......
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 6, 1993
- 34 -
AT EACH LEVEL OF THE COURT SYSTEM, JUDICIAL LEADERS WOULD BE APPOINTED, AGAIN TASKED WITH PROMOTING EFFICIENCY.
IN ADDITION, THE CHIEF JUSTICE WOULD CHAIR A HIGH-LEVEL WORKING PARTY COMPRISING MEMBERS OF THE JUDICIARY, THE LEGAL PROFESSION AND THE PUBLIC THROUGH WHICH A THOROUGH REVIEW OF EXISTING ADMINISTRATIVE SYSTEMS WOULD BE CONDUCTED TO DETERMINE HOW AND WHERE IMPROVEMENTS COULD BE MADE.
ON THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A COURT OF FINAL APPEAL, MR PATTEN SAID LEGISLATION WOULD BE DRAFTED ON THE BASIS AGREED BY THE JLG IN 1991.
"IT WILL BE INCUMBENT ON THE ADMINISTRATION WHEN BRINGING THE BILL FORWARD TO CONVINCE BOTH YOU AND THE COMMUNITY THAT IT IS A SENSIBLE AND HONOURABLE AGREEMENT, ONE THAT IS CONSISTENT WITH THE RELEVANT PROVISIONS OF THE JOINT DECLARATION.
"THE ULTIMATE DECISION WILL REST WITH THIS COUNCIL.
"BUT NOTHING, I BELIEVE, WILL DO MORE TO BUILD TRUST AND CONFIDENCE IN OUR JUDICIAL SYSTEM THAN THE SMOOTH AND EFFECTIVE OPERATION OF A COURT OF FINAL APPEAL WELL IN ADVANCE OF 1997 - WITH THE FIRM GUARANTEE OF A LIFE BEYOND THAT YEAR," HE SAID.
TURNING TO PERSONAL FREEDOMS, MR PATTEN SAID CONFIDENCE IN THE FUTURE DEPENDS ON INDIVIDUALS BEING CONVINCED THAT 1997 WILL NOT MEAN AN UNDERMINING OF THE PERSONAL LIBERTIES WHICH THEY ENJOY AND WHICH ARE A VITAL INGREDIENT IN OUR SEPARATE SYSTEM, OUR SPECIAL WAY OF LIFE.
GETTING THE MECHANISMS, THE SYSTEMS, THE AGREEMENTS IN PLACE COULD NOT BE THE ONLY GOAL, HE SAID.
"NO LESS IMPORTANT IS THE TASK OF DEVELOPING CONFIDENCE AND COMMITMENT ABOUT THE LONG-TERM PROSPECTS OF HONG KONG AMONG THE COMMUNITY AT LARGE AND AMONG HONG KONG’S PARTNERS AROUND THE WORLD," HE SAID.
MR PATTEN POINTED OUT THAT BOTH THE JOINT DECLARATION AND THE BASIC LAW SOUGHT TO PROVIDE THE COMMUNITY WITH ASSURANCES ON THIS SCORE, BUT THERE WAS MORE THAT COULD BE DONE.
THE JOINT DECLARATION LAID DOWN THAT THE PROVISIONS OF THE TWO INTERNATIONAL COVENANTS, ON CIVIL AND POLITICAL RIGHTS AND ON ECONOMIC, SOCIAL AND CULTURAL RIGHTS AS APPLIED TO HONG KONG WOULD REMAIN IN FORCE AFTER 1997, HE SAID.
"BUT IT WOULD BE A VERY WELCOME STEP IF THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT WERE TO BECOME A SIGNATORY TO THESE TWO COVENANTS," THE GOVERNOR ADDED.
/35........
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 6, 1993
- 35 -
GOVERNOR REVIEWS LEGCO-ADM INISTRATI ON ’I'I ES
*****
MUCH HAS BEEN ACHIEVED TO STRENGTHEN THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE EXECUTIVE-LED GOVERNMENT AND ITS ACCOUNTABILITY TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
THE GOVERNOR, THE RT HON CHRISTOPHER PATTEN, TODAY (WEDNESDAY) SAID THESE INCLUDED:
* THE SEPARATION OF THE NON-OFFICIAL MEMBERSHIP OF THE EXECUTIVE AND LEGISLATIVE COUNCILS TO ENABLE EACH TO PLAY THEIR PROPER ROLES;
* A NEW EXCO WITHOUT REPRESENTATIVES OF POLITICAL PARTIES; AND
* AN ELECTED PRESIDENT OF THE LEGCO REPLACING THE GOVERNOR AS PRESIDENT.
MR PATTEN SAID HE HAD ATTENDED 10 QUESTION-AND-ANSWBR SESSIONS OF LEGCO.
IN HIS ANNUAL ADDRESS TO THE LEGCO, MR PATTEN SAID HE WAS GLAD TO SEE THAT A NEW LEGCO OFFICE WOULD SOON BE ESTABLISHED.
HE SAID HE REMAINED CONVINCED THAT SOME FORM OF MECHANISM WAS NEEDED WHERE THE ADMINISTRATION COULD DISCUSS WITH LEGCO MEMBERS THE HANDLING OF THE ADMINISTRATION’S LEGISLATURE AND FINANCIAL PROGRAMMES.
------0-------
GOVERNOR UPDATES CONSTITUTIONAL DEVELOPMENT
*****
THE GOVERNOR, THE RT HON CHRISTOPHER PATTEN, TODAY (WEDNESDAY) CONFIRMED THAT THE BRITISH SIDE DID TABLE REVISED ELECTION PROPOSALS TO THE CHINESE SIDE DURING SINO-BRITISH TALKS IN JULY AND AUGUST THIS YEAR.
THESE DIFFER, IN RESPECT OF THE ARRANGEMENTS FOR FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCIES AND THE ELECTION COMMITTEE, FROM THE PROPOSALS HE OFFERED IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL LAST YEAR.
"TN ALL OTHER RESPECTS THE PROPOSALS ARE THE SAME.
"THEY ARE PROPOSALS THAT WE WOULD BE PREPARED TO RECOMMEND TO THIS COUNCIL IF THEY FORMED PART OF A SATISFACTORY OVERALL AGREEMENT WHICH MUST, OF COURSE, INCLUDE ACCEPTABLE ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE ’THROUGH TRAIN’.”
IN HIS SECOND ANNUAL ADDRESS TO THE LEGCO, MR PATTEN SAID THE BRITISH SIDE HAD MADE TWO MAJOR MOVES IN AN ATTEMPT TO MEET CHINESE CONCERNS.
/FIRST, A ........
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 6, 1993
- 36 -
FIRST, A NEW PROPOSAL HAS BEEN DEVISED FOR THE NINE NEW FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCIES, BASED ON ORGANISATIONS AS THE CHINESE HAVE ARGUED, AND WITH A TOTAL ELIGIBLE ELECTORATE OF ABOUT A THIRD OF THAT IN HIS ORIGINAL PROPOSAL.
"WE CONTINUE TO INSIST THAT ELECTORS SHOULD VOTE INDIVIDUALLY, NOT CORPORATELY."
SECONDLY, THE BRITISH SIDE HAS TRIED TO MEET CHINA’S PREFERENCE FOR A FOUR-SECTOR ELECTION COMMITTEE OF THE KIND SET OUT IN THE BASIC LAW FOR THE POST-1997 ELECTION COMMITTEE.
"WE CONTINUE TO ARGUE THAT ALL MEMBERS OF THE ELECTION COMMITTEE SHOULD THEMSELVES BE ELECTED."
HE REITERATED THAT THESE WERE MAJOR MOVES THAT WERE NOT MADE LIGHTLY. NEITHER WERE THEY MERE NEGOTIATING PLOYS.
"THEY ARE EVIDENCE OF OUR SINCERITY, OUR FLEXIBILITY, AND OUR DETERMINATION TO MAKE A SUCCESS OF THESE TALKS."
BUT MR PATTEN SAID THE BRITISH SIDE’S ROOM FOR MANOEUVRE WAS LIMITED IF THEY WERE TO REMAIN, AS THEY MUST, TRUE TO THE PRINCIPLE THAT ELECTION ARRANGEMENTS IN HONG KONG SHOULD BE FAIR, OPEN AND ACCEPTABLE TO THE COMMUNITY.
IT IS NOT ABOUT THE PACE OF DEMOCRATIC DEVELOPMENT; THE PACE IS SET OUT IN THE BASIC LAW AND WILL NOT CHANGE UNLESS THE BASIC LAW ITSELF IS CHANGED.
IT IS ABOUT ENSURING THAT DEMOCRATIC DEVELOPMENT IS FAIR AND OPEN, HE SAID.
"IF WE ALLOW A SYSTEM TO DEVELOP IN WHICH ELECTIONS MAY BE COMPROMISED, WE INVITE CORRUPTION; WE ENDANGER THE RULE OF LAW, ON WHICH OUR SUCCESS DEPENDS; AND WE RISK LOSING MANY OF THE FREEDOMS THAT PROTECT OUR WAY OF LIFE AND WHICH BOTH THE JOINT DECLARATION AND THE BASIC LAW SEEK TO GUARANTEE.”
THE GOVERNOR SAID: "WE SHALL STICK TO OUR PRINCIPLES.
"WE SHALL ALSO CONTINUE TO SEEK FROM THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT AN AGREEMENT ON OBJECTIVE CRITERIA FOR THE 'THROUGH TRAIN’, SO THAT THOSE WHO MAY WANT TO RUN FOR ELECTION TO THIS COUNCIL AS WELL AS THOSE WHO VOTE FOR THEM IN 1995 KNOW BEFORE THEY DO SO WHAT THE RULES OF THE GAME WILL BE."
MR PATTEN SAID THE BRITISH SIDE BELIEVED STRONGLY THAT IT SHOULD BE POSSIBLE TO REACH AN AGREEMENT WITH THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT WHICH WAS FULLY COMPATIBLE WITH THE JOINT DECLARATION, ANY OTHER AGREEMENTS AND THE BASIC LAW, AND WHICH SATISFIED THE BRITISH SIDE’S PRINCIPLES AND CHINESE CONCERNS.
"BUT WE NOW HAVE ONLY WEEKS RATHER THAN MONTHS TO CONCLUDE THESE TALKS."
/THERE WILL .......
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 6, 1993
- 37 -
THERE WILL THEN BE A GREAT DEAL OF WORK TO DO TO ENSURE THAT ORDERLY ELECTIONS CAN BE HELD ON TIME, HE NOTED.
HE SAID:
"WE MUST TAKE THE VIEWS OF THIS COUNCIL, REFLECTING THE WIDER DEBATE IN THE COMMUNITY.
"WE MAY THEN NEED TO SET THE LAW DRAFTSMEN TO WORK ON DEVELOPING WHAT IS ALREADY COMPLEX DRAFT LEGISLATION.
"WE MUST LEAVE TIME FOR FULL CONSIDERATION OF DRAFT LEGISLATION BY THIS COUNCIL.
"AND WE MUST COMPLETE THE PROCESS BY JULY 1994 AT THE LATEST IF WE ARE TO HAVE TIME TO COMPLETE ALL THE NECESSARY FOLLOW-UP ACTION FOR THE ELECTIONS."
HE ALSO DESCRIBED AS UNWORKABLE PROPOSALS TO SEPARATE THE 1994
DISTRICT BOARD ELECTIONS FROM THE 1995 MUNICIPAL COUNCIL AND
LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ELECTIONS.
THE PROPOSALS AFFECTING BOTH SETS OF ELECTIONS ARE INTERRELATED. THEY NEED TO BE CONSIDERED AS A PACKAGE IN THE TALKS WITH
CHINA AND THEN IN THE LEGCO, HE EXPLAINED.
"THE CONCLUSION IS CLEAR.
"WE HAVE LITTLE TIME LEFT IN WHICH TO TAKE THE FIRST STEP OF SECURING AGREEMENT, IF WE CAN, WITH THE CHINESE SIDE," MR PATTEN SAID.
---------0-----------
ELECTION ACCORD POSSIBLE
*****
THE GOVERNOR, THE RT HON CHRISTOPHER PATTEN, SAID THE BRITISH SIDE WOULD GO ON WORKING AS HARD AS IT COULD FOR AN AGREEMENT ON HONG KONG’S CONSTITUTIONAL DEVELOPMENT.
MR PATTEN BELIEVES THAT IT SHOULD BE POSSIBLE TO REACH AN ACCORD THAT MEETS THE CONCERNS OF BOTH SIDES.
IN ORDER TO TRY TO WIN AGREEMENT, THE BRITISH SIDE HAS BEEN PREPARED TO MAKE SUBSTANTIAL MOVES IN THE TALKS WITH CHINA TO TAKE ACCOUNT OF CHINESE CONCERNS.
"I WILL LEAVE IT TO THE CHINESE SIDE TO SAY HOW FAR THEY HAVE BEEN PREPARED TO MOVE."
BUT HE ADDED THAT THE BRITISH SIDE WAS NOT PREPARED TO GIVE AWAY ITS PRINCIPLES IN ORDER TO SIGN A PIECE OF PAPER.
"WHAT WOULD THAT BE WORTH?
/"THE PEOPLE .......
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 6, 1993
- 38 -
’’THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG DESERVE A CREDIBLE LEGISLATURE, FAIRLY AND OPENLY ELECTED,” HE SAID.
"ANYTHING LESS THAN THAT WOULD SURELY UNDERMINE THE RULE OF LAW, AND THAT RULE OF LAW IS ESSENTIAL TO THE MAINTENANCE OF HONG KONG’S PROSPERITY AND FREEDOM.
"THE ARGUMENT FUSES TOGETHER WHAT IS RIGHT - WHAT IS MORAL, IF YOU LIKE - WITH WHAT IS EXPEDIENT," MR PATTEN SAID.
HONG KONG I.S A FREE SOCIETY GOVERNED UNDER THE LAW THAT WORKS. FREEDOM MUST BE FIRMLY ROOTED, AS IT IS - FOR EXAMPLE - IN THE JOINT DECLARATION, HE SAID.
"OTHERWISE HONG KONG WILL SPEND ITS FUTURE FOREVER LOOKING OVER ITS SHOULDER."
THE GOVERNOR SAID: "WE PASSIONATELY WANT HONG KONG TO HAVE THE BEST POSSIBLE RELATIONSHIP WITH CHINA BEFORE 1997 SO THAT IT CAN PROSPER AND GROW IN STRENGTH AS CHINA PROSPERS AND STRENGTHENS IN THE YEARS AHEAD.”
HE SAID THE CHINESE OFFICIALS HAD YET TO BE CONVINCED THAT HONG KONG’S EXTRAORDINARILY MODEST ASPIRATIONS FOR POLITICAL DEVELOPMENT ARE LEGITIMATE, THAT THEY DESERVE TO BE MET, THAT THEY ARE PART OF THE NATURAL EVOLUTION OF AN INCREASINGLY MATURE AND SOPHISTICATED SOCIETY, AND THAT THEY ARE, IN A SENSE, A CONDITION OF OUR CONTINUING SUCCESS AS A GREAT INTERNATIONAL TRADING COMMUNITY.
’’THESE ASPIRATIONS POSE NO THREAT TO CHINA NOW, NOR IN THE FUTURE. INDEED, THE CONCEPT OF ’ONE COUNTRY, TWO SYSTEMS’ SHOULD ACCOMMODATE THEM COMFORTABLY."
MR PATTEN SAID THE ARGUMENT WAS NOT ABOUT WHETHER TO ACCELERATE THE PACE OF DEMOCRACY IN HONG KONG.
THE ARGUMENT TURNS ON WHETHER THE AGREED STEPS TOWARDS DEMOCRACY WILL GIVE THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG A REAL OPPORTUNITY TO CHOOSE, AND ON WHETHER THOSE STEPS ARE CREDIBLE OR NOT, HE EXPLAINED.
--------0-----------
GOVERNOR WISHES TO SEE "ONE COUNTRY, TWO SYSTEMS” * * * * *
THE GOVERNOR, THE RT HON CHRISTOPHER PATTEN, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY) THAT HE WISHED TO SEE THE SUCCESSFUL IMPLEMENTATION OF THE ’’ONE COUNTRY, TWO SYSTEMS”.
"I MUST AND WILL STAND UP FOR OUR SYSTEM. THAT IS MY RESPONSIBILITY.”
BUT MR PATTEN ADDED THAT THE GOVERNMENT COULD ONLY DEFEND THAT SYSTEM, THAT WAY OF LIFE, WITH THE COMMUNITY’S SUPPORT.
/"AND I .......
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 6, 1993
- 39 -
"AND I SAY THIS TO ALL OF YOU. IF WE ARE NOT PREPARED TO STAND UP FOR HONG KONG’S WAY OF LIFE TODAY, WHAT CHANCE OF DOING SO TOMORROW?
"I SAY THAT WE CAN ONLY BE AS BOLD AS YOU. THAT IS NOT A SURRENDER OF LEADERSHIP. IT IS A STATEMENT OF FACT.
"WE CANNOT BE BOLDER THAN YOU BECAUSE LIBERTY STANDS IN THE HEART. WHEN IT SHRIVELS THERE, NOTHING CAN SAVE IT," HE SAID.
AND THERE IS ANOTHER REASON, HE SAID.
"WE DO NOT YET HAVE FULL DEMOCRACY HERE IN HONG KONG. BUT DEMOCRACY IS THE ROAD WHICH THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT HAS AGREED HONG KONG SHOULD FOLLOW."
MR PATTEN POINTED OUT THAT THE JOINT DECLARATION LAYS DOWN THAT "THE LEGISLATURE OF THE HONG KONG SPECIAL ADMINISTRATIVE REGION SHALL BE CONSTITUTED BY ELECTIONS".
IT ALSO PRESCRIBES THAT THE EXECUTIVE "SHALL BE ACCOUNTABLE TO THE LEGISLATURE".
"THERE CAN BE NO DOUBT, THEREFORE, THAT WE ARE DESTINED TO BE MOVING FIRMLY IN THE DIRECTION OF DEMOCRACY," MR PATTEN SAID.
THE GOVERNOR SAID THIS DEMOCRATIC GOAL MEANT THE GOVERNMENT COULD NOT CLAIM TO BE ANY STRONGER, ANY WISER, ANY MORE DETERMINED THAN THE COMMUNITY ITSELF.
"AND IN THE LAST RESORT, IT IS YOU - ABOVE ALL, YOU THE COMMUNITY’S LEGISLATURE, THE LEGISLATURE THAT AS THE JOINT DECLARATION SAYS, HOLDS THE EXECUTIVE ACCOUNTABLE - IT IS YOU WHO SET THE LIMITS TO THE GOVERNMENT’S POWER TO PROTECT AND STRENGTHEN OUR SYSTEM."
THE DEMOCRATIC IDEAL (CLEARLY ENSHRINED IN THE JOINT DECLARATION) MEANS THAT THE COMMUNITY, THROUGH ITS ELECTED LEGISLATURE, MAKES THE LAWS THAT GOVERN IT, HE SAID.
"YOU ARE BOTH THE RULERS AND THE RULED. THAT IS WHY DEMOCRACY IS BOTH A HIGH PRIVILEGE AND A HEAVY RESPONSIBILITY.
"I SAY ALL THIS BECAUSE I BELIEVE IT TO BE TRUE. AND I SAY IT AS WELL BECAUSE I AM GROWING TO LOVE HONG KONG AS YOU WHO HAVE CREATED IT FROM ROCK AND SCRUB LOVE HONG KONG.
"AND I WANT, AS YOU WANT, TO SEE HONG KONG AS IT CONFIDENTLY ENTERS THE NEXT MILLENNIUM UNDER CHINESE SOVEREIGNTY, A BLAZING BEACON OF GOOD FORTUNE, A DAZZLING EXAMPLE OF WHAT FREE MEN AND WOMEN, PUTTING ADVERSITY AND HARDSHIP BEHIND THEM - CAN TOGETHER ACHIEVE.
"THAT IS WHAT WE WANT. AND THAT IS WHAT WE CAN ACHIEVE. ALL WE REQUIRE IS TO KEEP OUR CONFIDENCE IN THE VALUES THAT BIND US INTO A THRIVING COMMUNITY.
"WITH THE COURAGE THAT HAS BROUGHT SUCCESS IN THE PAST, AND THE CONFIDENCE THAT SUCCESS HAS EARNED, EVERYTHING IS POSSIBLE.
"I BELIEVE THAT. AND I BELIEVE THAT YOU BELIEVE IT, TOO," THE GOVERNOR SAID.
-------0---------- /40 ............................................
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 6,
1993
- 40 -
GOVERNOR GIVES BROADCAST ON POLICY ADDRESS
********
FOLLOWING IS THE FULL TEXT OF THE GOVERNOR
CHRISTOPHER PATTEN’S BROADCAST ON HIS POLICY ADDRESS:
THE RT HON
THIS HAS BEEN A GOOD YEAR, A SUCCESSFUL YEAR, FOR HONG KONG, IN EVERY AREA EXCEPT ONE. I’LL COME TO THAT IN A MINUTE. BUT FIRST THERE’S THE GOOD NEWS.
OUR AMBITIONS REST ABOVE ALL ON THE STRENGTH OF OUR ECONOMY. OUR AMBITIONS FOR OUR OWN FAMILY’S WELL-BEING. AND OUR AMBITIONS FOR THE COMMUNITY AS A WHOLE.
ONCE AGAIN, DESPITE TOUGH INTERNATIONAL CONDITIONS, FLAT ECONOMIES IN EUROPE AND NORTH AMERICA, INFLATIONARY PROBLEMS IN CHINA, WE’VE DONE EXTREMELY WELL HERE IN HONG KONG. AT THE LAST BUDGET WE NOT ONLY REDUCED TAXES, BUT WERE ALSO ABLE TO PUT MORE MONEY INTO OUR RESERVES, AND TO INCREASE SPENDING ON THE THINGS THAT REALLY CONCERN US.
SO WE’VE HAD A GOOD YEAR TOO ON THE HEALTH, SOCIAL WELFARE AND EDUCATION FRONTS.
LAST YEAR I ANNOUNCED A FIVE-YEAR AGENDA FOR MEETING SOME OF OUR GOALS IN THESE AREAS. LIKE REDUCING CLASS SIZES AND DOING MORE FOR THE HANDICAPPED. LIKE RECRUITING MORE POLICE AND BUILDING MORE HOMES. WE’VE PUBLISHED TODAY A CHECK LIST ON THE PROGRESS MADE. IT’S A PRETTY GOOD STORY. AND I INTEND TO KEEP YOU WHOLLY INFORMED ABOUT HOW THINGS CONTINUE TO UNFOLD.
THANKS TO YOUR HARD WORK, THANKS IN OTHER WORDS TO OUR BOOMING ECONOMY, WE CAN PRUDENTLY AFFORD TO DO A BIT MORE THIS YEAR.
SO WE’RE ANNOUNCING BIG IMPROVEMENT PROGRAMMES FOR OUR HOSPITALS AND SCHOOLS. WE’RE PUTTING MORE MONEY INTO LANGUAGE AND COMPUTER TRAINING AT SCHOOLS, AND INTO DOING MORE TO HELP FAMILIES WITH CHILDREN OF KINDERGARTEN AGE. WE’RE ALSO DOING MORE TO RAISE TEACHING STANDARDS. WE’RE GOING TO RECRUIT MORE NURSES. I’M PUTTING SPECIAL EMPHASIS THIS YEAR ON THE NEED TO DEVELOP BETTER PROGRAMMES FOR OUR ELDERLY - PARTICULARLY IN HEALTH CARE AND HOUSING.
WE’RE RAISING ALLOWANCES FOR CHILDREN IN NEED. WE’RE DOING MORE FOR THE ENVIRONMENT - ESPECIALLY IN THE NEW TERRITORIES - AND FOR ARTS AND SPORT. WE’VE GOT - AND WE CERTAINLY NEED IT - A BIG ROAD CONSTRUCTION AND IMPROVEMENT PROGRAMME. AND WE’RE PUTTING MONEY ASIDE AS A SORT OF INSURANCE POLICY FOR CIVIL SERVICE PENSIONS; THEY’VE BEEN WORRIED ABOUT THEIR FUTURE, AND I WANT TO PUT THEIR MINDS AT REST.
ALL THIS HAS GONE WELL. BUT THERE’S BEEN ONE BIG SNAG. THE PROBLEM SEEMS TO COME DOWN TO HOW DETERMINED WE ARE TO SAFEGUARD OUR WONDERFUL AND SUCCESSFUL WAY OF LIFE HERE IN HONG KONG.
/UNDER THE .......
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 6, 1993
- 41 -
UNDER THE JOINT DECLARATION WHICH WE AGREED WITH CHINA, AND UNDER CHINA’S BASIC LAW FOR HONG KONG, THERE ARE TWO ABSOLUTELY FUNDAMENTAL POINTS. FIRST, THAT WE CAN KEEP OUR SYSTEM AFTER 1997. SECOND, THAT WE SHOULD MOVE STEADILY TOWARDS DEMOCRACY - NOT TOO FAST, BUT ALWAYS MAKING PROGRESS - AND THAT OUR LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL SHOULD BE AN ENTIRELY ELECTED BODY.
WHAT MAKES UP OUR SYSTEM?
WELL, OF COURSE, IT’S A FREE ECONOMY - WITH EVERYONE ABLE TO GET ON AND RUN THEIR OWN BUSINESSES. BUT ALL THAT WORKS WITHIN THE FRAMEWORK OF THE RULE OF LAW. TAKE THAT AWAY AND HONG KONG CEASES TO BE SPECIAL, CEASES TO BE DIFFERENT. FOR ONE THING, YOU GET CORRUPTION - WHICH IS ANYWAY A PROBLEM AND WHICH WE’RE TAKING NEW STEPS TO TACKLE - AND YOU DRIVE AWAY INVESTORS.
AN HONESTLY, OPENLY, FAIRLY ELECTED LEGISLATURE IS PART OF THE RULE OF LAW. IF YOU DON’T HAVE A LEVEL PLAYING FIELD FOR THE LEGCO ELECTIONS, WILL YOU HAVE A LEVEL PLAYING FIELD ANYWHERE ELSE?
WE’VE BEEN DISCUSSING THESE ISSUES WITH CHINA, AT OUR REQUEST, FOR MANY MONTHS. YOU’VE BEEN PATIENT, AND I GUESS OCCASIONALLY PRETTY FRUSTRATED BY THIS WHOLE ARGUMENT. IT’S NOW AN ARGUMENT ABOUT WHETHER WE SHOULD SPEED UP DEMOCRATISATION - THOUGH SOME PEOPLE THINK IT SHOULD BE. IT’S AN ARGUMENT ABOUT WHETHER OUR ELECTIONS ARE GOING TO BE FAIR, OR NOT.
I CAN IMAGINE YOU THINKING - "WHY, IF ELSEWHERE IN THE WORLD PEOPLE CAN RESOLVE THEIR SERIOUS DIFFERENCES, CAN’T BRITAIN AND OUR GOVERNMENT IN HONG KONG, AND CHINA, SORT OUT THIS QUESTION QUICKLY AND AMICABLY?"
I MUST SAY I AM SYMPATHETIC WITH THAT VIEW. EVERYTHING WE’VE SUGGESTED - NOT LEAST THE BIG CONCESSIONS WE’VE OFFERED - SITS PERFECTLY COMFORTABLY WITH THE JOINT DECLARATION, WITH THE BASIC LAW, WITH THE PROMISE OF HONG KONG PEOPLE RUNNING HONG KONG, WITH THE VISIONARY CONCEPT OF "ONE COUNTRY, TWO SYSTEMS". AND EVERYTHING WE’VE SAID ABOUT THE "THROUGH TRAIN" MAKES ABUNDANT SENSE, TOO.
WE NEED TO HAVE OBJECTIVE CRITERIA FOR THE "THROUGH TRAIN”, SO THAT THOSE WHO MAY WANT TO RUN FOR ELECTION TO LEGCO - AS WELL AS THOSE WHO VOTE FOR THEM IN 1995 - KNOW BEFOREHAND WHAT THE RULES OF THE GAME WILL BE.
SO I HOPE WE CAN REACH A SOLUTION. I DON’T THINK THAT WE IN HONG KONG ARE THE STUMBLING BLOCK, ANYMORE THAN WE ARE IN THE TALKS ON THE AIRPORT AND ON THE CONTAINER TERMINAL.
TIME, UNFORTUNATELY, IS TICKING AWAY. IF WE CAN’T REACH AN AGREEMENT SOON, WE’LL JUST HAVE TO TRY TO WORK THINGS OUT AS BEST WE CAN HERE IN HONG KONG.
BUT I WANT YOU TO BE CLEAR ABOUT THIS.
I MUST AND WILL STAND UP FOR OUR SYSTEM. BUT YOUR GOVERNMENT CAN’T BE BOLDER THAN YOU. WE CAN’T GO FURTHER THAN YOU THINK IS WISE. BUT I DON’T WANT TO GO LESS FAR EITHER.
/THIS IS........
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 6, 1993
42 -
THIS IS A GREAT COMMUNITY. IT’S BEEN THROUGH SOME TURBULENT TIMES IN THE LAST YEAR - BUT EVEN MORE TURBULENT TIMES IN THE PAST. BUT WE’VE THRIVED AND PROSPERED - A SOURCE OF WONDER TO THE WORLD -BECAUSE WE’VE BUILT ON VALUES THAT LAST AND BECAUSE WE BELIEVE IN OURSELVES.
IF WE HOLD ON TO THESE VALUES, AND KEEP OUR CONFIDENCE AND OUR NERVE, WE’LL GO ON DOING WELL BEFORE 1997 AND AFTER 1997, AN OPEN COMMUNITY, A DECENT COMMUNITY, A PROSPEROUS COMMUNITY, A COMMUNITY OF WHICH ALL OF YOU CAN BE PROUD.
---------0-----------
GOVERNOR’S PRESS CONFERENCE ON HIS POLICY ADDRESS
*****
GOVERNOR: I THINK I’VE SAID ENOUGH FOR ONE DAY, WHY DON’T I TURN THE OCCASION OVER TO YOU AND INVITE YOUR QUESTIONS. IF YOU COULD JUST SAY, I MEAN I KNOW WHO MOST OF YOU ARE OR WHO A LOT OF YOU ARE. IF YOU COULD JUST SAY BEFORE ASKING YOUR QUESTION WHO YOU ARE AND WHERE YOU COME FROM AND KEEP IT TO ONE QUESTION.
QUESTION: IN YOUR SPEECH YOU SAID THAT WE NOW HAVE ONLY WEEKS RATHER THAN MONTHS TO CONCLUDE THESE TALKS. DO YOU MEAN THAT AFTER YOU COME BACK FROM BRITAIN IN EARLY NOVEMBER, WE WILL KNOW THE RESULT, WHETHER WE HAVE AN AGREEMENT OR YOU WILL TABLE YOUR PROPOSAL TO LEGCO?
GOVERNOR: I’VE BEEN SCRUPULOUSLY CAREFUL OVER THE WEEKS AND MONTHS TO AVOID SETTING DEADLINES BECAUSE I DON’T THINK THAT’S VERY HELPFUL IN A NEGOTIATION LIKE THIS BUT IT DOESN’T MEAN THAT THERE ISN’T A MOMENT WHEN THE MUSIC HAS TO STOP AND AS YOU KNOW, IT SEEMS TO HAVE LEAKED OUT, I’M NOT QUITE SURE HOW. I’M GOING TO LONDON IN NOVEMBER FOR A CABINET COMMITTEE MEETING TO DISCUSS PROGRESS IN THE TALKS. I VERY MUCH HOPE THAT THE DISCUSSIONS THAT WE HAVE WITH CHINESE OFFICIALS DURING OCTOBER WILL ENABLE ME, AT THAT POINT WITH SIR ROBIN MCLAREN TO ANNOUNCE THAT PROGRESS HAS BEEN RAPID AND THAT WE’RE GETTING SOMEWHERE. OBVIOUSLY AT THAT POINT, THE BRITISH CABINET WILL HAVE TO REVIEW THE SITUATION IN THF. KNOWLEDGE, AS I SAID EARLIER, THAT THERE IS A DIFFICULT TIME SCALE FOR US. BECAUSE WITH THE BEST WILL IN THE WORLD, WE HAVE TO GET ON AND MAKE THE LEGISLATIVE AND ADMINISTRATIVE ARRANGEMENTS FOR 1994 AND 1995. SO, I’M GOING TO CONTINUE TO DUCK AND WEAVE AND NOT GIVE YOU A PRECISE ANSWER ABOUT DEADLINES BECAUSE I REPEAT, THAT IT’S NOT HELPFUL BUT EVERYONE KNOWS, INCLUDING PRESUMABLY CHINESE OFFICIALS, INCLUDING PRESUMABLY THE NCNA, THAT NEXT YEAR IS 1994.
QUESTION: MR PATTEN, YOU MENTIONED THAT IT HAS BEEN A YEAR OF SUCCESS IN EVERY AREA EXCEPT THE AREA FOR CLOSE UNDERSTANDING WITH THE CHINESE SIDE. DO YOU EXPECT THIS AREA WILL STILL BE A THORNY QUESTION IN THE COMING YEAR AND IF SO HOW ARE YOU GOING TO IMPROVE IT?
/GOVERNOR: IT ........
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 6, 1993
- 43 -
GOVERNOR: IT WON’T BE A THORNY AREA IF ALL PARTIES TO THIS GREAT ENDEAVOUR OF ATTEMPTING TO SECURE A SMOOTH AND PEACEFUL AND SUCCESSFUL TRANSITION WITH GREAT SINCERITY IMPLEMENT THE SPIRIT AND THE LETTER OF THE JOINT DECLARATION AS WE INTEND TO DO. IF THAT IS HOW EVERYBODY BEHAVES THEN IT WILL BE AN EXTREMELY SUCCESSFUL YEAR. I WANT TO MAKE ONE POINT WHICH I MAKE FAIRLY FREQUENTLY BUT IT DOESN’T MEAN THAT IT’S NECESSARILY BORING OR NECESSARILY INCORRECT. WHAT WE’RE ATTEMPTING TO DO WITH CHINA IS HISTORIC, IS UNIQUE. A SMOOTH AND PEACEFUL TRANSFER OF SOVEREIGNTY AND THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE CONCEPT OF "ONE COUNTRY, TWO SYSTEMS". IT’S NOT PERHAPS SURPRISING THAT THERE ARE DIFFICULTIES AND BUMPS AND PROBLEMS. I THINK WE’VE SHOWN EXEMPLARY PATIENCE AND CREATIVE IMAGINATION AND FLEXIBILITY IN TRYING TO DEAL WITH THESE PROBLEMS AND I HOPE THAT WE SEE SOME OF THOSE QUALITIES FROM CHINESE OFFICIALS AS WELL.
QUESTION: THE BRITISH SIDE HAVE TABLED A PROPOSAL WHICH EFFECTIVELY CUT THE VOTING POPULATION BY ONE THIRD. NOW WOULD YOU ADMIT THAT THE PROPOSAL BY THE BRITISH SIDE IS A CONCESSION MADE AND THEREBY NOT LIVING UP TO YOUR PROMISE OF MORE DEMOCRACY FOR HONG KONG AND WHAT IS THE MINIMUM NUMBER OF ELECTORATES THAT YOU FEEL CAN MAKE THE POLLS IMPOSSIBLE TO RIG?
GOVERNOR: WELL LET ME REPEAT AGAIN WHAT I SAID EARLIER. WE MADE IN JULY AND AUGUST AN IMPORTANT MOVE. IT WAS A CONDITIONAL MOVE. WE SAID THAT WE WERE PREPARED TO PUT FORWARD NEW PROPOSALS ON FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCIES AND ON THE ELECTION COMMITTEE WHICH WE WOULD BE PREPARED TO RECOMMEND TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL IF WE GOT AN OVERALL AGREEMENT THAT WAS ACCEPTABLE, INCLUDING AGREED OBJECTIVE CRITERIA FOR THE ’THROUGH TRAIN’. BUT, I REPEAT THAT THAT WAS A CONDITIONAL OFFER, AS YOU WOULD EXPECT. BOTH THE ELEMENTS IN OUR PROPOSAL, IN MY JUDGEMENT WOULD WHOLE MEET MY REQUIREMENT, THE COMMUNITY’S REQUIREMENT, THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT’S REQUIREMENT THAT THE ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE ELECTIONS SHOULD BE OPEN AND FAIR. WE ARE STILL ARGUING THAT THE ELECTION COMMITTEE SHOULD BE ELECTED NOT THAT IT SHOULD BE SOME ALTERNATIVE OPTION TO NOMINATION OF LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLORS. SECONDLY, WE ARE PROPOSING FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCIES WHICH REPRESENT SUBSTANTIAL AND IMPORTANT ELEMENTS IN THE COMMUNITY AND ARE SUFFICIENTLY LARGE, REPRESENTING IN TOTAL ABOUT A THIRD OF MY ORIGINAL PROPOSALS, AND SUFFICIENTLY LARGE TO ENSURE THAT THERE WOULD BE PROPER ELECTIONS IN THOSE FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCIES. WE ARE ALSO ARGUING AND EVENTS A FEW MONTHS AGO IN RELATION TO ONE LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLOR UNDERLINE THE IMPORTANCE OF THIS. WE ARE ALSO ARGUING THAT WE SHOULD MOVE CORPORATE TO INDIVIDUAL VOTING IN THE FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCIES. SO THAT’S THE POSITION WE ARE IN AT THE MOMENT. AND I CERTAINLY WOULDN’T HAVE AGREED TO US PUTTING FORWARD PROPOSALS AT THE NEGOTIATING TABLE WHICH DIDN’T MEET OUR BASIC PRINCIPLES. THE PROPOSALS THAT WE’VE PUT FORWARD DO. I THINK YOU’D BETTER, PERHAPS YOU WILL, ASK OUR CHINESE FRIENDS AND INTERLOCUTORS SOME TIME WHAT THEY FIND SO DIFFICULT ABOUT THE PROPOSALS THAT WE’VE ADVANCED. I DARESAY THAT WILL HAPPEN.
QUESTION: ... THAT THERE ARE ONLY WEEKS RATHER THAN MONTHS TO CONCLUDE THE TALKS AND YOU DID SAY THAT IT IS TIME FOR THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT TO MAKE SOME MOVES TO FACILITATE AN AGREEMENT. DO YOU AGREE THAT IS ACTUALLY TANTAMOUNT TO AN ULTIMATUM TO THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT? AND SECONDLY, GIVEN THE FAILURE IN THE MINISTERIAL MEETING LAST WEEK, ARE YOU STILL CONFIDENT THAT A FEW MORE ROUNDS OF TALKS WILL BRING ABOUT A BREAKTHROUGH?
/GOVERNOR: ON .........
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 6, 1993
44
GOVERNOR: ON THE FIRST QUESTION, IT IS NOT AN ULTIMATUM. I’VE AVOIDED ULTIMA’TA’ OR ’TUMS’ SCRUPULOUSLY. THE THREATS, THE HEAVY-HANDED ACCUSATIONS, HAVEN’T BEEN COMING FROM THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT OR THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT AND WE CERTAINLY HAVEN’T BEEN PUTTING ANY ULTIMATUMS. BUT ANYBODY WHO KNOWS WHAT THE LEGISLATIVE AND ADMINISTRATIVE ARRANGEMENTS ARE, KNOWS THAT WE CAN’T GO ON TALKING FOR EVER. I GUESS IT WOULD BE NICE IN A SORT OF MACAWBERISH WAY IF WE COULD, BUT WE CAN’T. THE ELECTORAL ARRANGEMENTS ARE COMPLICATED ENOUGH, IN ALL CONSCIENCE. WE HAVE TO GET THROUGH THE MAIN LEGISLATION. THE BOUNDARY ELECTION COMMISSION THEN HAS TO SIT, THEN HAS TO PUT FORWARD SUBSIDIARY LEGISLATION ON ISSUES LIKE THE FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCIES AND VOTER REGISTRATION IN THEM. THAT THEN HAS TO GO THROUGH THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. IT IS AN EXTREMELY LONG PROCESS AND YOU DON’T HAVE TO BE A CONSTITUTIONAL GENIUS TO KNOW THAT WHEN I SAID THAT WE HAVE GOT TO GET IT SORTED OUT BY NEXT JULY, I WAS ERRING ON THE SIDE OF NOT GIVING ENOUGH TIME. I WOULDN’T EXPECT LEGISLATORS TO QUEUE UP AFTER MY SPEECH TODAY AND SAY, ’’DON’T WORRY, WE’LL ONLY NEED A COUPLE OF SITTINGS OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TO AGREE ANY PROPOSALS THAT YOU BRING FORWARD." IT WILL TAKE QUITE A LOT OF TIME. SO, I AM JUST STATING WHAT I IMAGINE EVEN CHINESE OFFICIALS WHO MAY NOT HAVE A PERFECT KNOWLEDGE OF OUR LEGISLATIVE ARRANGEMENTS, MUST BY NOW HAVE COTTONED ON TO.
THE SECOND PART OF YOUR QUESTION?
QUESTION: GIVEN THE FAILURE OF THE MINISTERIAL MEETING IN NEW
YORK LAST WEEK, ARE YOU STILL CONFIDENT THAT A FEW MORE ROUNDS OF NEGOTIATIONS CAN BRING ABOUT A BREAKTHROUGH?
GOVERNOR: I AM A MAN OF BOUNDLESS OPTIMISM. I WOULDN’T BE
ENJOYING THE CHALLENGE OF THIS JOB SO MUCH IF I WASN’T. WE CAN GO ON HOPING. THOUGH I HAVE TO SAY THAT, AS THE WEEKS AND MONTHS TICK BY, HOPE BECOMES A LITTLE SHADOWED BY REALITY.
QUESTION: MR PATTEN, HONG KONG IS PARTICULARLY PRICKLY ABOUT
SECRET DEALS, AND COULDN’T YOU HAVE BEEN A LITTLE MORE FORTHCOMING ABOUT THE POLITICAL CHANGES THAT YOU’D MADE TO YOUR ELECTORAL PROPOSALS INSTEAD OF HAVING A SERIES OF SECONDHAND TO THE NEWSPAPER WONDERING IF IT WAS REALLY GOING ON, AND THEN WAIT UNTIL OCTOBER TO HAVE YOU TELL US THAT IN JULY AND AUGUST YOU HAD MADE CHANGES?
GOVERNOR: THE SIMPLE ANSWER TO YOUR QUESTION IS ’YES’, BUT, I THINK THAT THE COMMUNITY AS A WHOLE BELIEVES THAT WE HAVE TO DO EVERYTHING WE REASONABLY CAN TO SECURE AN AGREEMENT. I UNDERLINE ’REASONABLY’. I THINK THE COMMUNITY HAS BEEN MASSIVELY PATIENT WHILE THIS MARATHON HAS BEEN RUN IN SECRET. I THINK THE COMMUNITY ACCEPTS AND UNDERSTANDS THAT IT HAS TO BE DONE CONFIDENTIALLY BECAUSE OF, PARTICULARLY, CHINESE CONCERNS. I ACTUALLY THINK THAT THE COMMUNITY RECOGNISES THAT AT THE END OF THE DAY, I AM GOING TO HAVE TO STAND BEFORE THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, JUST AS BRITISH MINISTERS WILL HAVE TO STAND BEFORE THE PARLIAMENT AT WESTMINSTER, AND JUSTIFY AND ARGUE FOR WHATEVER HAS BEEN AGREED AT THE NEGOTIATING TABLE. SO, I THINK THE COMMUNITY RECOGNISES THAT THERE IS NOT GOING TO BE A SECRET DEAL BELOW THE BAIZE, UNDERNEATH THE BILLIARD-TABLE, WHICH WILL BE VISITED UPON THEM AND ABOUT WHICH THEY WILL HAVE NO SAY. I TRIED TO MAKE IT CLEAR TODAY THAT WHEN THE BUCK STOPS IN THESE CIRCUMSTANCES, THE WHOLE COMMUNITY WILL BE INVOLVED IN DRAWING THE LINE ON THE PAGE.
/QUESTION : TODAY ........
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 6, 1993
- 45 -
QUESTION : TODAY YOU MENTIONED A LESSON THAT YOU’VE LEARNT BY THE CHINESE AGREEING TO TALK AFTER YOU’D TABLED THE PROPOSALS IN LEGCO. WHAT EXACTLY WAS THAT LESSON?
GOVERNOR: I THINK I’D LEAVE IT TO YOU TO SPECULATE ABOUT THAT PARTICULAR RHETORICAL FLOURISH. I THINK IT IS SAID SOMETIMES BY SINOLOGISTS AND THOSE WHO ARE REALLY EXPERIENCED IN THESE MATTERS, THAT VERY OFTEN CHINESE NEGOTIATORS DON’T MOVE UNTIL THE VERY LAST MOMENT. WHETHER THAT WAS TRUE IN THE CASE OF THE BEGINNING OF TALKS EARLIER THIS SUMMER IS A MATTER OF OPINION.
QUESTION : I’VE GOT TWO QUESTIONS FOR YOU MR PATTEN. ONE, IF AFTER TWELVE ROUNDS OF NEGOTIATIONS YOU COULDN’T REACH AN AGREEMENT, WHY SHOULD YOU BE BOUND TO BE OPTIMISTIC THAT SOMETHING POSITIVE COULD TAKE PLACE IN THE NEXT FEW WEEKS...
GOVERNOR: BECAUSE I’M THAT SORT OF CHAP.
QUESTION : ... BUT IS THAT REALITY ?
GOVERNOR: I AGREE WITH YOU THAT I WOULD HAVE EXPECTED THAT A HUNDRED HOURS SHOULD HAVE BEEN SUFFICIENT FOR DEALING WITH A SET OF PROPOSALS WHICH ARE BY ANY DEFINITION EXTREMELY MODEST. THERE ARE A LOT OF LIBERALS, WITH A SMALL ’L’, IN HONG KONG WHO’VE WON A LOT OF ELECTIONS IN HONG KONG, WHO REGARD THE PROPOSALS THAT ARE AT THE CENTRE OF THIS ARGUMENT AS BEING, IN DEMOCRATIC TERMS, SLIM TO THE POINT OF EMACIATION. THEY MUST BE EVEN MORE SURPRISED THAN I AM THAT IT’S TAKEN SO LONG TO MAKE RELATIVELY MODEST PROGRESS. BUT I’LL GO ON HOPING AND PRAYING FOR SUCCESS UNTIL AFTER MIDNIGHT, BUT AFTER MIDNIGHT I'LL RECOGNISE THAT WE WILL HAVE TO GET UP IN THE MORNING AND GET ON WITH THINGS OURSELVES. YOU HAD A SECOND QUESTION?
QUESTION (THE TIMES): YES. UMM ...
GOVERNOR: JUST COME BACK TO IT NEXT YEAR.
QUESTION : YOU HAVE PROPOSED TO INJECT HK$7 BILLION INTO THE PENSION RESERVE FUND FOR THE CIVIL SERVICE BUT THE CHINESE REPRESENTATIVE OF JLG, MR GUO FENGMIN, CRITICISED THAT. THE CHINESE SIDE PROPOSED, I MEAN URGED THE BRITISH SIDE TO PROPOSE, I MEAN HAND IN A PROPOSAL FOR THE PENSION FUND BUT NO RESPONSE FROM THE BRITISH SIDE. SO, THAT’S YOU DELAY THE WORK, SO ACTUALLY WHAT’S GOING ON THERE?
/GOVERNOR: WELL..........
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 6, 1993
- 46 -
GOVERNOR: WELL, ARE YOU TELLING ME THAT AMBASSADOR GUO, THE DISTINGUISHED DIPLOMAT THAT HE IS, HAS ALREADY CRITICISED THE PROPOSAL TO PUT HK$7 BILLION INTO PARTIAL FUNDING OF CIVIL SERVICE PENSIONS -THAT’S REALLY QUICK OF THE MARK. I MEAN WHAT’S HE PROPOSING, SEVENTEEN, 70, 700. 7 TRILLION?
QUESTION : BUT THIS ISSUE IS ACROSS, I MEAN, ’97. HAVE YOU DISCUSSED THIS WITH THE CHINESE?
GOVERNOR: YES IT’S BEEN DISCUSSED IN THE JLG. WE MADE IT CLEAR THAT WE WOULD WANT TO CONSIDER IT AND COME BACK POSITIVELY TO OUR CHINESE INTERLOCUTORS ON THE SUBJECT. HERE WE ARE, WE’RE COMING BACK NOT ONLY POSITIVELY BUT WITH SEVEN BILLION GOOD, HONEST HONG KONG DOLLARS IN OUR BAG. SO, I WOULD HAVE THOUGHT THAT CHINESE HATS SHOULD BE IN THE AIR BUT WE WILL OF COURSE WANT TO DISCUSS THE DETAIL WITH CHINESE COLLEAGUES IN THE JLG. BUT I WOULD HAVE THOUGHT THEY WOULD REGARD THIS AS A VERY POSITIVE MOVE.
I HAVE TO SAY THAT THERE IS, OF COURSE, AS I SAID IN MY SPEECH, SOMETHING WHICH IS A LITTLE STRANGE ABOUT THE ARGUMENT. THE JOINT DECLARATION, THE BASIC LAW AS WELL AS ALL THE EXISTING LEGISLATION ARE ABSOLUTELY CLEAR THAT PENSIONS ARE A STATUTORY RIGHT, CIVIL SERVICE PENSIONS A STATUTORY RIGHT AND A STATUTORY CHARGE, THAT THEY’LL GO ON BEING PAID AFTER 1997. IT HAS THEREFORE SLIGHTLY SURPRISED ME THAT CHINESE OFFICIALS ARE SO CONCERNED THAT DESPITE THOSE UNDERTAKINGS, MONEY SHOULD BE PUT ON THE TABLE JUST IN CASE THOSE UNDERTAKINGS ARE BROKEN. BRITAIN WON’T BE HERE AFTER 1997, SO WE’RE NOT GOING TO BE BREAKING THE UNDERTAKINGS BUT SINCE WE’VE HAPPILY FOUND OURSELVES IN THE POSITION IN WHICH WE HAVE CAPACIOUS RESERVES, I’M PERFECTLY CONTENT TO SEE A PART OF THOSE RESERVES LOCKED UP IN PARTIAL FUNDING OF CIVIL SERVICE PENSIONS. I SUSPECT THAT THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OF THE SAR AFTER 1997 WON’T WANT TOO MUCH OF HER OR HIS RESERVES LOCKED UP IN CONDITIONAL COMPARTMENTS LIKE THAT.
QUESTION : STRICTLY OFF THE RECORD IN THIS CLOSED ROOM, DO YOU THINK YOU COULD TELL US WITHOUT THE DETAILS, IS IT TRUE THAT THE CHINESE HAVE MADE NO CONCESSIONS, NO CHANGES IN THEIR ORIGINAL PROPOSALS AT ALL? IS THEIR ARGUMENT EXACTLY AS IT WAS WHEN THIS ALL STARTED OR HAVE THEY MADE SOME CHANGES OF SOME KIND, EVEN IF WE’RE SUPPOSED TO ASK THEM WHAT THE DETAILS ARE?
GOVERNOR: I THINK THAT YOU WILL HAVE TO ASK CHINESE OFFICIALS WHAT THEIR CONSTRUCTIVE PROPOSALS HAVE BEEN DURING THESE TALKS. I’M NOT SURE HOW LONG THE ANSWER WILL BE BUT I THINK YOU’LL HAVE TO PUT THE QUESTION TO THEM.
QUESTION : IF THE CHINESE COME TO YOU WITH A LIST OF INDIVIDUALS AND SAY WE MIGHT BE WILLING TO DISCUSS ARRANGEMENTS BUT ONLY ON THE CONDITION THAT THESE INDIVIDUALS CANNOT SERVE PAST 1997, WOULD YOU CONSIDER THAT A NEGOTIABLE ITEM? POINT NUMBER ONE, AND SECONDLY, ASSUMING THERE IS NO AGREEMENT, WILL YOU BRING FORWARD TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL YOUR ORIGINAL PROPOSALS OR THE PROPOSALS AS YOU HAVE MODIFIED THEM IN TALKS WITH THE CHINESE?
/GOVERNOR: ON .........
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 6, 1993
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GOVERNOR: ON YOUR FIRST QUESTION, WHAT WE’RE ATTEMPTING TO SECURE ARE OBJECTIVE CRITERIA WHICH CAN BE AGREED. IT’S GOT NOTHING TO DO WITH INDIVIDUALS. IT WOULD BE ASTONISHING TO EVEN BEGIN DISCUSSING SUCH AN ISSUE. THAT HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH FAIR ELECTIONS TO A LEGISLATURE. IT HAS MORE IN COMMON WITH MORE DUBIOUS AND LESS DEFENSIBLE ACTIVITIES, SO WE WOULD CERTAINLY NOT DISCUSS MATTERS IN THAT WAY.
SECONDLY, THE SIXTY-FOUR THOUSAND DOLLAR QUESTION, I’M RELUCTANT, WHILE WE’RE STILL ATTEMPTING TO SECURE AGREEMENT IN TALKS, TO SPECULATE, EVEN IN WHAT JONATHAN MIRSKY RIGHTLY SAID, WITH THESE DISCRETE AND CONFIDENTIAL SURROUNDINGS, ON PRECISELY WHAT WE WILL DO IF THERE IS A FAILURE TO REACH AGREEMENT. WE WILL, OF COURSE, BE OBLIGED TO BRING LEGISLATIVE PROPOSALS TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL AND THERE IS ANY NUMBER OF OPTIONS WHICH YOU CAN SPECULATE ABOUT. WHAT I WILL BE TRYING TO DO IS TO GET THE BEST OF ARRANGEMENTS IN PLACE THROUGH THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL SO HONG KONG CAN HAVE FAIR ELECTIONS. BUT, WHILE I HAVE A VIEW ABOUT YOUR QUESTION, IT’S NOT A VIEW WHICH AT PRESENT I THINK WOULD BE JUDICIOUS FOR ME TO SHARE.
QUESTION: HOW IMPORTANT IS THE CONTINUING SUPPORT OF THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY IN RESPECT OF YOUR REFORMS? AND ARE YOU CONVINCED THAT YOU MAY FIND MANY SUPPORTERS?
GOVERNOR: WHAT MATTERS IS THE VIEWS OF THIS COMMUNITY. I’M NOT
SURPRISED THAT THERE IS SUCH GREAT INTERNATIONAL INTEREST IN HONG KONG, IN HONG KONG’S FUTURE AND DESTINY, BECAUSE THIS IS ONE OF THE GREATEST INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITIES IN THE WORLD, AND THAT IS WHY PEOPLE’S EYES ARE ON HONG KONG. IN EUROPE, IN NORTH AMERICA AND IN THE REGION, I THINK PEOPLE ARE ALSO INTERESTED IN WHAT HAPPENS IN HONG KONG BECAUSE PEOPLE THINK THAT HONG KONG REPRESENTS A SET OF VALUES, A SET OF PRINCIPLES, A WAY OF LIFE, ALL OF WHICH INCREASINGLY REPRESENT THE ASPIRATIONS OF THE MAJORITY OF HUMANITY. SO, PEOPLE ARE INTERESTED IN WHAT HAPPENS HERE. BUT WE HAVE TO WORK THESE MATTERS OUT BETWEEN BRITAIN AND CHINA, AND THE VIEWS OF HONG KONG AND THE CONFIDENCE AND THE COURAGE OF HONG KONG ARE, I GUESS, THE MOST IMPORTANT INGREDIENT IN THE WHOLE MIX.
QUESTION: MR GOVERNOR, I HAVE TWO QUESTIONS TO ASK YOU. THE
FIRST ONE: YOU MENTIONED IN YOUR POLICY SPEECH, THIS IS A VERY SUCCESSFUL AND A COMPETITIVE POLICY, AND YOU ALSO MENTIONED THAT THE BUSINESS COUNCIL IS QUITE CORPORATE IN A VERY PROPER WAY. BUT I’VE HEARD FROM THE OTHER STORY THAT THIS BUSINESS COUNCIL IS NOT WELL KNOWN IN A WORLD CASE TO ORGANISE SOMETHING LIKE THE COMPETITIVE POLICY. CAN YOU TELL ME THE PROS AND CONS OF THE PAST YEAR’S
PERFORMANCE OF THIS BUSINESS COUNCIL?
AND SECONDLY, COULD YOU TRY TO SAY EXACTLY WHAT KIND OF ADVICE YOU WILL BE GIVING TO THE PRIME MINISTER AND THE FOREIGN AFFAIRS MINISTER ON THE NEXT CABINET MEETING? WILL THIS MEETING BE THE LAST ONE BY THE END OF THIS YEAR?
GOVERNOR: ON THE SECOND QUESTION, FIRST. I THINK THAT BOTH THE
PRIME MINISTER AND THE FOREIGN SECRETARY WOULD EXPECT ME TO OFFER THEM
THE ADVICE I HAVE ON THE WAY FORWARD FIRST, RATHER THAN OFFER IT TO
YOU FIRST AND THEN COME ON TO THEM LATER ON.
/ON YOUR........
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 6, 1993
- 48 -
ON YOUR FIRST QUESTION, THE BUSINESS COUNCIL HAS BEEN AN EXTREMELY VALUABLE SOUNDING-BOARD FOR BUSINESS OPINION ABOUT HOW TO MAKE HONG KONG AN EVEN MORE COMPETITIVE ECONOMY. I HAVE VALUED MY EXCHANGES WITH THE BUSINESS COUNCIL OVER SUBJECTS LIKE INFLATION, THE LABOUR MARKET, EDUCATION; AND SOME OF THE PROPOSALS THAT I ANNOUNCED TODAY VERY MUCH REFLECTED THEIR VIEWS; THE ENVIRONMENT, IN WHICH THEY ARE TAKING AN INCREASING INTEREST. BUT I SUSPECT THAT IF YOU WANT THE BEST POSSIBLE COMMENT ON WHETHER WHAT I SAID TODAY ON COMPETITION POLICY REPRESENTED A SENSIBLE AND COHERENT WAY FORWARD, YOU SHOULD ASK THE CHAIRMAN OF THE CONSUMER COUNCIL, WHO I IMAGINE WILL BE EXTREMELY PLEASED BY THE ANNOUNCEMENTS THAT WE MADE THIS AFTERNOON.
QUESTION: YOU HAVE TOLD US IN YOUR SPEECH THAT THE ROOM FOR MANOEUVRE IS LIMITED AND YOU HAVE SAID THAT YOU HAVE MADE A CONDITIONAL OFFER TO THE CHINESE. SO, DOES IT MEAN THAT THE BRITISH SIDE WILL NOT MAKE ANY MORE CONCESSIONS IN THE TALKS? AND IF SO, HOW COULD YOU BE CONFIDENT THAT YOU CAN FIX THE CHINESE AGREEMENT ON THE THROUGH TRAIN ISSUE?
GOVERNOR: WELL, I DON’T WANT TO NEGOTIATE HERE. ALL I WILL SAY IS THAT WE HAVE SHOWN OUR SINCERITY AND FLEXIBILITY BECAUSE WE HAVE AT HEART THE INTERESTS OF THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG. WE WANT DECENT ELECTIONS. WE WANT, IF POSSIBLE, AN AGREEMENT WITH CHINA. I VERY MUCH HOPE THAT AT SOME STAGE, WE WILL HEAR EQUAL INDICATIONS OF SINCERITY AND FLEXIBILITY FROM THE CHINESE SIDE.
I FIND IT A HUGE PUZZLE TO UNDERSTAND WHY THERE IS ANY DIFFICULTY OR ARGUMENT ABOUT THE THROUGH TRAIN. CHINESE OFFICIALS ARE COMMITTED TO A LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL COMPOSED BY ELECTIONS IN 1995 AND IN THE YEARS SUBSEQUENT TO THAT. NOW, WHERE IN THE WORLD IS THE PATH TO DEMOCRACY, OUR ELECTIONS, POSITED ON THE ASSUMPTION THAT SOME PEOPLE ARE TOLD BEFORE THE ELECTION THAT THEY ARE GOING TO BE UNDESIRABLES? EVERYBODY HAS OBJECTIVE CRITERIA; WE HAVE OBJECTIVE CRITERIA NOW. YOU COULD GET ELECTED TO THIS LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL AND REFUSE TO TAKE THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL OATH OR REFUSE TO TAKE THE OATH OF ALLEGIANCE, AND YOU WOULDN’T BE ABLE TO TAKE YOUR SEAT IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. THAT IS OBJECTIVE CRITERIA. BUT WE DON’T SAY, "WELL, WE DON’T LIKE X, Y AND Z, BECAUSE WE DON’T LIKE THEIR OPINIONS, WE DON’T LIKE THEIR JUDGMENTS, WE DON’T LIKE THE CUT OF THEIR JIB, WE DON’T LIKE THEIR TAILOR." I MEAN, WHAT HAS THAT TO DO WITH OBJECTIVE CRITERIA? WHY CAN THERE BE AN ARGUMENT ABOUT SUCH A VERY SIMPLE MATTER? VERY SIMPLE FOR EVERYONE WHO SIGNED THE JOINT DECLARATION AND MEANT WHAT THEY SIGNED.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH INDEED.
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL.: 842 8777
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 7, 1993
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
GOVERNOR AT LEGCO QUESTION AND ANSWER SESSION ON HIS POLICY ADDRESS ....................................................... 1
GOVERNOR AT SHATIN PUBLIC MEETING .............................. 22
GOVT WELCOMES OVERHAUL OF SITE SAFETY MEASURES ................. 32
HEAVIER PENALTIES TO PROTECT WORKERS' SAFETY PROPOSED .......... 33
LABOUR COMMISSIONER TO MAKE REGULATIONS UNDER BOILERS AND PRESSURE ORDINANCE PROPOSED .................................. 34
DEMONSTRATION OF APEC TARIFF DATABASE .......................... 35
"GIVE" AND "TAKE" IN HK'S ENVIRONMENTAL PROGRAMMES ............. 36
BEACH WATER QUALITY GRADING .................................... 37
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS ..
41
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 7, 1993
GOVERNOR AT LEGCO QUESTION AND ANSWER SESSION ON HIS POLICY ADDRESS * * * » »
THE PRESIDENT: COUNCIL WILL NOW RESUME. THE GOVERNOR WILL MAKE A SHORT ADDRESS. THE QUESTION TIME THIS AFTERNOON WILL BE DEVOTED TO MATTERS ARISING FROM THE GOVERNOR’S POLICY ADDRESS.
THE GOVERNOR: THE GOVERNOR WILL MAKE AN EXTREMELY SHORT ADDRESS. T SPOKE FOR JUST OVER TWO HOURS YESTERDAY AND I THINK IT WOULD BE UNGENTLEMANLY OF ME TO SPEAK AT LENGTH THIS AFTERNOON. SO, I SUGGEST IF THE COUNCIL ARE SATISFIED, THAT WE PROCEED DIRECTLY TO QUESTIONS SO THE COUNCIL HAVE AS MUCH TIME AS POSSIBLE. IF THE COUNCIL IS SATISFIED WITH THAT, I HOPE THEY WILL FEEL THERE IS PLENTY IN THIS SPEECH ON WHICH THEY CAN ASK QUESTIONS.
THE PRESIDENT: MEMBERS MAY NOW PUT QUESTIONS TO THE GOVERNOR. A MEMBER WHO HAS ASKED A QUESTION MAY, FOR THE PURPOSE OF ELUCIDATION ONLY, ASK A SHORT FOLLOW-UP QUESTION.
MR ANDREW WONG (THROUGH INTERPRETER): DO I NEED TO STAND UP, MR PRESIDENT? MR CHAIRMAN, I THINK THE GOVERNOR’S POLICY ADDRESS IS BORING ON THE FIRST PART BUT QUITE SUBSTANTIAL, BUT THE LATTER PART IS QUITE SEDUCTIVE. WELL, MR GOVERNOR, DURING THE NEGOTIATIONS, HAVE YOU CONSIDERED AND HAVE YOU TRIED TO USE A THIRD CHANNEL TO CONDUCT NEGOTIATIONS? NOW WHAT I MEAN BY THAT IS THAT THE BRITISH SIDE WILL NOT INSIST ON YOUR ORIGINAL PACKAGE OR PROPOSAL AND WILL NOT INSIST ON SOME RIGID INTERPRETATION OF THE BASIC LAW. AND IF YOU HAVE NOT TRIED THIS, WHY DIDN’T YOU? IN FUTURE - NOW IN THE COMING WEEKS -NOW, YOU MENTIONED WEEKS YESTERDAY IN YOUR SPEECH, AND YOU SAID THAT THE TIME REMAINING WILL BE IN WEEKS, SO IN THE COMING WEEKS, WILL YOU BE PROPOSING THIS THIRD CHANNEL? WILL THIS BECOME THE ONLY CHANNEL THAT WILL LEAD US TO SUCCESSFUL TALKS? THANK YOU.
THE GOVERNOR: I ASSUME THAT IN CATEGORISING THAT QUESTION, I SHOULD REGARD IT AS SEDUCTIVE RATHER THAN BORING. I AM NOT ENTIRELY SURE WHAT THE HONOURABLE GENTLEMAN MEANS BY ’A THIRD CHANNEL’. I WAS NOT ABLE TO DETECT IN WHAT HE WAS SAYING, A DIFFERENT ARTIFACT FOR TRYING TO GET FROM WHERE WE ARE NOW TO WHERE HE AND I, AND I GUESS ALL OF US, WOULD LIKE US TO BE. WE HAVE, DURING THE NEGOTIATIONS, SHOWN, 1 THINK, ON OUR SIDE OF THE TABLE, CONSIDERABLE FLEXIBILITY AND CREATIVITY. I SET OUT, NOT TO UNIVERSAL APPROBATION, YESTERDAY, SOME OF THE THINGS WHICH THE BRITISH AND HONG KONG COLLEAGUES, HAD BEEN PREPARED TO DO AND SAY. IT IS OBVIOUSLY FOR CHINESE OFFICIALS TO SAY WHAT THEY HAVE BEEN PREPARED TO DO, AND I AM SURE THAT THEY WILL SAY THAT IN DUE COURSE. BUT I CAN ASSURE THE HONOURABLE MEMBER THAT WE HAVE LEFT NO STONE UNTURNED, SAVE THAT WE DON’T INTEND TO ABANDON OUR PRINCI ’’LES .
/MR ALFRED TSO .......
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 7, 1993
2
MR ALFRED TSO (THROUGH INTERPRETER): MR PRESIDENT, PLEASE ALLOW ME TO ASK THE GOVERNOR ON THE PENSION RESERVE FUND. NOW, EVERYBODY IN OUR COMMUNITY AGREES THAT IT IS VERY IMPORTANT TO BOOST THE MORALE OF OUR CIVIL SERVANTS. THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT IN MAINTAINING STABILITY AND PROSPERITY. ALTHOUGH YOU PROPOSE TO USE SEVEN BILLION DOLLARS TO SET UP THE PENSION RESERVE FUND, IT IS INDEED A VERY SMALL AMOUNT, AND I DON’T THINK IT IS VERY HELPFUL IN GIVING CONFIDENCE TO THE CIVIL SERVANTS AND IN GUARANTEEING THEIR PENSIONS. SO, CAN YOU LET US KNOW WHAT IS THE SUM OF PENSIONS THAT YOU OWE OUR CIVIL SERVANTS NOW, AND WHETHER YOU WILL HAVE A CONCRETE TIME FRAME IN WHICH YOU WILL INJECT MORE MONEY INTO THIS FUND SO THAT YOU CAN REALLY EASE THE MINDS OF TIIE CIVIL SERVANTS? THANK YOU.
THE GOVERNOR: FIRST OF ALL, I WOULD LIKE TO CONGRATULATE THE HONOURABLE MEMBER ON HIS ARRIVAL IN THIS LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. I AM SURE THAT HE WILL FIND IT AS ENTERTAINING AND CONSTRUCTIVE A WAY OF PASSING HIS HOURS AS HIS 59 COLLEAGUES DO.
I THINK THE HONOURABLE MEMBER AND I MUST HAVE VERY DIFFERENT IDEAS OF MAGNITUDE. TO REGARD SEVEN BILLION HONG KONG DOLLARS AS BEING RATHER A TRIVIAL SUM, DOES SEEM TO ME TO GIVE NEW MEANING TO THE CONCEPT OF TRIVIALITY. IF SEVEN BILLION IS TRIVIAL, I THINK MOST MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL WOULD LIKE TO BE TRIVIAL WITH THAT SORT OF MONEY. WHAT WE FACE - AND PERHAPS I CAN SET OUT THE POSITION IN SOME DETAIL - WHAT WE FACE IS A RATHER STRANGE DILEMMA AND REQUEST. THERE IS NO DOUBT WHATSOEVER THAT THE CONTINUING PAYMENT OF CIVIL SERVICE PENSIONS IS A STATUTORY RIGHT, IT IS PERFECTLY CLEAR IN THE LAW, AND A STATUTORY CHARGE ON OUR REVENUES. THERE IS EQUALLY NO DOUBT THAT WE HAVE PLENTY OF MONEY, YEAR ON YEAR, TO GO ON PAYING CIVIL SERVICE PENSIONS AS WE HAVE DONE OUT OF GENERAL REVENUE, REPRESENTING AT TOP, ABOUT FOUR OR FIVE PER CENT OF WHAT WE HAVE COMING IN. THERE IS EQUALLY NO DOUBT THAT THE JOINT DECLARATION AND THE BASIC LAW MAKE PERFECTLY PLAIN THE COMMITMENT OF A FUTURE SAR GOVERNMENT TO PAYING CIVIL SERVICE PENSIONS, AS THIS GOVERNMENT HAS DONE UNDER BRITISH SOVEREIGNTY. THAT IS AS PLAIN A COMMITMENT AS THE COMMITMENTS TO -WHAT SHALL I SAY? - FREEDOM OF SPEECH, FREEDOM OF ASSEMBLY, FREEDOM OF WORSHIP, AND ALL THOSE OTHER MATTERS. NOW, ON THOSE OTHER MATTERS, CHINESE OFFICIALS ARE NOT SAYING, "BUT WE MAY HAVE TO HAVE DOUBLEBANKING IN ORDER TO ENSURE THAT THIS PRINCIPLE IS STOOD BY FOR THE FUTURE". IN THE CASE OF CIVIL SERVICE PENSIONS, THEY HAVE TAKEN RATHER A DIFFERENT POINT OF VIEW.
MY OWN CONCERN, AND MY PRINCIPAL CONCERN, HAS BEEN TO SATISFY WHAT SOME MAY THINK IS A SLIGHTLY IRRATIONAL CONCERN AMONG CIVIL SERVANTS BUT IT IS A CONCERN WHICH NEVERTHELESS EXISTS, AND WHERE POSSIBLE, I WANT TO TRY TO DO ALL WE CAN TO SAFEGUARD AND PRESERVE CIVIL SERVICE MORALE DURING THIS VERY DIFFICULT PERIOD. SO, GIVEN THE FACT THAT THE BOOKS LOOK PARTICULARLY GOOD AT THE MOMENT, WE THOUGHT IT WAS SENSIBLE TO IDENTIFY A REASONABLE SUM OF MONEY TO SET ASIDE FOR PARTIAL FUNDING OF PENSIONS. AND I THINK THAT THE AMOUNT THAT WE HAVE SET ASIDE HAS SURPRISED SOME CIVIL SERVANTS, NOT BY ITS TRIVIALITY BUT BY ITS SCALE.
/WE WILL ......
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 7, 1993
3
WE WILL BE DISCUSSING THE PRECISE WAYS IN WHICH THE FUND SHOULD BE MANAGED WITH THE CIVIL SERVICE UNIONS, WITH THIS COUNCIL, WITH THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL, AND WITH CHINESE OFFICIALS AS WELL, BECAUSE THIS IS A BIG COMMITMENT FOR THE FUTURE. BUT I THINK IT IS AN IMAGINATIVE STEP, I THINK IT IS A PRUDENT STEP, AND I DON’T REGARD IT AS ANYTHING OTHER THAN A REASONABLE AND HANDSOME OFFER. BY THE HONG KONG TAXPAYER TO THOSE WHO SERVE THE HONG KONG TAXPAYER SO EXTRAORDINARILY WELL.
MR HUI YIN-FAT: THANK YOU, SIR. MR GOVERNOR, WE WELCOME YOUR PROMISE TO PROVIDE MORE NURSING AND CARE AND ATTENTION HOME PLACES FOR THE ELDERLY. BUT HOW ARE THESE PLACES TO BE PROVIDED, BY PRIVATE OPERATORS OR BY SUBVENTED WELFARE AGENCIES? DO YOU THINK THE PROVISION Oi-THESE ADDITIONAL PLACES MIGHT BE HAMPERED, FIRSTLY, BY THE INTRODUCTION OF LEGISLATION ON THE OPERATION OF SUCH HOMES NEXT YEAR, AND SECONDLY, BY THE SHORTAGE OF MANPOWER? IF SO, HOW ARE WE GOING TO OVERCOME THESE DIFFICULTIES?
THE GOVERNOR: THE SECOND POINT WHICH THE HONOURABLE MEMBER MADE IS ONE ON WHICH I KNOW THE COUNCIL WILL WISH TO BE SATISFIED WHEN THE ADMINISTRATION COMES FORWARD WITH LEGISLATION ON CARE AND ATTENTION HOMES IN THE NEXT FEW MONTHS BECAUSE WHILE THE WHOLE COUNCIL WISHES TO SEE THE BEST POSSIBLE STANDARDS OF CARE IN THESE HOMES, IT DOES NOT WANT TO SEE A RISE IN STANDARDS LEAD TO A SUBSTANTIAL FALL IN PLACES. SO WHAT WE NEED TO DO IS TO GO FOR THE BEST QUALITY, BUT DO SO IN A SENSIBLE AND FLEXIBLE WAY WHICH ENSURES THAT WE DO NOT LOSE A LARGE NUMBER OF PLACES AND SEE ELDERLY MEN AND WOMEN TURFED-OUT, AS IT WERE, ON TO THE STREET. WE ARE DETERMINED TO AVOID THAT AT ALL COSTS, WHILE AT THE SAME TIME RAISING STANDARDS OF CARE. 1 THINK WE WILL WANT TO PROVIDE THESE ADDITIONAL PLACES THROUGH ALL THE MEANS THAT ARE AVAILABLE AND WE WILL WANT TO DO SO AT THE SAME TIME AS WE IMPROVE SAFETY STANDARDS, AS WE IMPROVE STAFFING PROVISION, IN THE HOMES IN QUESTION. I DON’T, MYSELF, BELIEVE THE SORT OF OBLIGATIONS THAT WE ARE GOING TO PLACE ON THOSE PROVIDING CARE AND ATTENTION PLACES TN TERMS OF STAFF NUMBERS, COULD CONCEIVABLY BE REGARDED AS EXCESSIVELY ONEROUS, BUT THAT WILL BE A POINT WHICH THE COUNCIL HAVE TO DECIDE FOR ITSELF TN DUE COURSE.
MR LAU WAH SUM. MR GOVERNOR, THE HONG KONG PEOPLE ARE VERY CONCERNED ABOUT INFLATION ALTHOUGH IT TS TRUE THAT IT HAS FALLEN A BIT TN RECENT MONTHS BUI VERT FEW PARAGRAPHS IN YOUR POLICY ADDRESS WERE DEVOTED TO I HE QUESTION OF INFLATION SO DO YOU HAVE A GOOD SOLUTION TO THE PROBLEM? THANK YOU.
/THE GOVERNOR: .......
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 7, 1993
4
THE GOVERNOR: I AM DELIGHTED AT LEAST THAT WE ARE DISCUSSING THIS MATTER THIS YEAR WITH OUR INFLATION PREDICTIONS NOW RATHER LOWER FOR THE YEAR THAN THEY WERE AT THE BEGINNING OF THE YEAR IN HONG KONG, AS I SAID YESTERDAY. IT LOOKS AS THOUGH THE INFLATION FIGURES FOR THE YEAR WILL BE LOWER THAN WE WERE ANTICIPATING AND THAT’S THE RESULT OF A NUMBER OF FACTORS, SOME OF WHICH MAY HAVE MORE TO DO WITH THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT SOME OF WHICH ARE FORTUITOUS. I’VE SAID BEFORE THAT WE FIND OURSELVES FIGHTING INFLATION IN DIFFERENT CIRCUMSTANCES TO OTHER COMMUNITIES. FIRST OF ALL, WE ARE NOT IN A POSITION, AND THIS IS SOMETHING WHICH I WILL CONTINUE TO DEFEND, IN WHICH WE CAN USE MONETARY INSTRUMENTS IN THE WAY THAT SOME OTHER COMMUNITIES WOULD. SECONDLY, WE HAVE SUPPLY SIDE CONSTRAINTS BOTH IN RELATION TO LAND AND IN RELATION TO LABOUR WHICH ALSO AFFECT INFLATION HERE. THAT MAKES IT ALL THE MORE INCUMBENT UPON US THAT IN GOVERNMENT WE GIVE THE BEST POSSIBLE EXAMPLE BY CONDUCTING OUR FINANCIAL AFFAIRS AS PRUDENTLY AS POSSIBLE. SO EVEN THOUGH WE WERE ABLE TO ANNOUNCE YESTERDAY THE ENHANCEMENT OF A NUMBER OF PROGRAMMES ALBEIT $7 BILLION MAY NOT SEEM ENOUGH TO SOME HONOURABLE MEMBERS, THAT ENHANCEMENT WAS WITHIN OUR CUSTOMARY GUIDELINES, THAT IS, WE ARE NOT PREPARED TO ALLOW PUBLIC EXPENDITURE TO GROW BEYOND THE RATE OF GROWTH IN THE ECONOMY AS A WHOLE. I DON’T THINK THERE ARE MANY GOVERNMENTS AROUND THE WORLD WHO’VE BEEN ABLE HAND ON HEART TO COMMIT THEMSELVES TO THAT YEAR AFTER YEAR AND STICK TO IT. WE ALSO CONTINUE TO PURSUE IN GOVERNMENT A TOUGH EFFICIENCY DRIVE TO TRY TO MAKE CERTAIN THAT THE MONEY THAT WE SPEND ON BEHALF OF THE HONG KONG TAXPAYER IS AS WELL SPENT AS POSSIBLE. I AM SOMETIMES SURPRISED BY THE IMPLICATION THAT TO TRY TO BECOME MORE EFFICIENT IN GOVERNMENT WITH A RISING PUBLIC EXPENDITURE PROGRAMME IS TANTAMOUNT TO CUTS IN PUBLIC EXPENDITURE. WHAT WE’VE MADE PERFECTLY CLEAR IS THAT WHERE DEPARTMENTS ARE ABLE TO MAKE SAVINGS THROUGH GREATER EFFICIENCY THEY CAN DEPLOY THOSE REVENUES IN ORDER TO ENHANCE OTHER PROGRAMMES. THAT’S A VERY SENSIBLE PIECE OF HOUSEKEEPING AND ONE WE INTEND TO STICK TO. SO THE SECOND THING WE HAVE TO DO IS TO BE EFFICIENT WITH OUR OWN MONEY OR RATHER WITH THE TAXPAYERS MONEY.
THIRDLY, WE ARE DOING WHAT WE CAN IN THE LABOUR MARKET BOTH THROUGH THE LABOUR IMPORTATION SCHEME - 22,000 WORKERS HAVE COME IN UNDER THE LABOUR IMPORTATION SCHEME SO FAR WITH ANOTHER 3,000 TO COME - WE ARE ALSO, AS THE HONOURABLE MEMBER WILL KNOW EMBARKED ON AN AMBITIOUS PROGRAMME OF RE-TRAINING AND I MADE PROPOSALS YESTERDAY ABOUT HOW WE COULD CAST THE NET A LITTLE WIDER IN ORDER TO PROVIDE MORE RE-TRAINING FOR OTHERS IN ADDITION TO THOSE WHO LOSE THEIR JOBS BECAUSE OF INDUSTRIAL RESTRUCTURING OR SIMILAR ECONOMIC PROCESSES AND, FINALLY, WE HAVE TO DO WHAT WE CAN IN THE PROPERTY MARKET. WE SUPPORT - I SUPPORT - THE PRUDENT MEASURES WHICH BANKS HAVE TAKEN FOR GOOD FINANCIAL REASONS DETERMINED BY THEMSELVES TO PREVENT TOO MUCH OVERHEATING IN THE PROPERTY MARKET. I HOPE WE MADE A CONTRIBUTION YESTERDAY WHEN WE ANNOUNCED AN ADDITIONAL 120 CIVIL SERVANTS IN LAND DEPARTMENT TO EXPEDITE ISSUES LIKE LEASE MODIFICATION AND WE THINK THAT A RESULT OF THAT SHOULD BE THAT WE ARE ABLE TO INCREASE BY ABOUT 2,000 'IE NUMBER OF FLATS FOR HOME OWNERSHIP WHICH ARE COMPLETED NEXT YEAR AND THAT INCREASE IN DEMAND - IN SUPPLY RATHER - SHOULD I THINK HAVE SOME IMPACT - PERHAPS MARGINAL - BUT SOME IMPACT ON PROPERTY SPECULATION AND PROPERTY PRICES. SO WE HAVE TO GO ON WORKING RIGHT ACROSS THE BOARD. THE HONOURABLE MEMBER IS ENTIRELY CORRECT TO SAY THAT THE BATTLE AGAINST INFLATION HAS TO REMAIN A PRIORITY CONSIDERATION FOR US. THERE HAS JUST BEEN A WORLD BANK REPORT ON WHY THE EAST ASIAN ECONOMIES HAVE DONE SO MUCH BETTER THAN OTHER DEVELOPING ECONOMIES ELSEWHERE IN THE WORLD AND I THINK ONE OF THE LESSONS FROM THAT REPORT IS THE IMPORTANCE OF SENSIBLE AND PRUDENT MACRO-ECONOMIC POLICY AND ABOVE ALL, BEARING DOWN WHEREVER POSSIBLE WHENEVER POSSIBLE ON INFLATION.
/THE PRESIDENT: .......
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 7, 1993
- 5 -
THE PRESIDENT: MR STEVEN ... YOU ARE NOT ENTITLED TO IT I AM AFRAID UNLESS YOU WANT THAT AS A QUESTION BUT YOU ARE JUMPING THE QUEUE. MR STEPHEN POON.
MR STEPHEN POON: THANK YOU MR PRESIDENT. MR GOVERNOR, IN YOUR POLICY ADDRESS YOU TALK ABOUT THE AIRPORT BUT MOST OF THE THINGS MENTIONED ARE DONE BY THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT. YOU HAVEN’T SAID MUCH ABOUT HOW YOU CONDUCT NEGOTIATIONS WITH CHINA ON THE AIRPORT BUT WE HAVE SEEN REPORTS WHICH HAVE SAID THAT THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT HAS SUBMITTED A NEW PROPOSAL TO THE CHINESE AND ONE OF OUR MEMBERS SAID TO THE PRESS THAT IN NOVEMBER THERE WILL BE AN AGREEMENT AND WE HAVE HEARD REPORTS, FOR EXAMPLE, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY IN NEW YORK SAID THAT FINANCIAL ARRANGEMENTS SHOULDN’T BE A PROBLEM. MAYBE THE CHINESE ARE WAITING FOR A CHANCE TO GIVE ITS CONSENT. MR GOVERNOR, CAN YOU TELL US THIS. WHAT IS THE LATEST PROPOSAL FROM THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT REGARDING THIS? AND WHAT IS THE RESPONSE OF THE CHINESE? IS IT TRUE THAT VERY SOON THERE WILL BE AN AGREEMENT?
THE GOVERNOR: OBVIOUSLY THERE IS A MEMBER OF THIS LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL WHO KNOWS MORE ABOUT THE NEGOTIATIONS OVER THE AIRPORT THAN I DO BECAUSE I AM NOT AWARE OF AN IMMINENT AGREEMENT THOUGH I PRAY REGULARLY FOR ONE AND MY PRAYERS ARE OCCASIONALLY ANSWERED.
THE SITUATION ON THE AIRPORT IS FRUSTRATING FOR THE GOVERNMENT, FRUSTRATING FOR THE PUBLIC, FRUSTRATING FOR LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLORS PARTICULARLY THOSE LIKE THE HONOURABLE MEMBER WHO HAVE BEEN SO INVOLVED IN THE DETAILED DEBATES ABOUT THESE MATTERS AND WHO KNOW SO MUCH ABOUT THEM; CONCEIVABLY, WHO KNOWS, FRUSTRATING FOR SOME CHINESE OFFICIALS WHO WOULD LIKE TO SEE US GET ON WITH THINGS. IF I CAN SUMMARISE WHERE WE ARE: THE AIRPORT CORE PROJECTS AT A COST OF $164 BILLION ARE ROLLING FORWARD WITH THE SUPPORT AND UNDER THE ENQUIRING SCRUTINY OF THIS COUNCIL. WE’VE LET 33 CONTRACTS AT A COST OF $45 BILLION SO FAR. THEY ARE GOING FORWARD ON TIME WITHIN THE COSTS AGREED, WE STILL ALAS, EVEN THOUGH WE’VE NOW COMPLETED ABOUT A QUARTER OF THE PLATFORM AND ARE HOST OF THE LARGEST DREDGING FLEET IN THE WORLD, WE STILL HAVEN’T HIT THE JACKPOT IN FINDING AN OVERALL FINANCING SCHEME WHICH WILL SATISFY THE DEMANDS AND REQUESTS CHANGE THOUGH THEY MAY OF CHINESE OFFICIALS. WE HAVE TRIED MAXIMISING EQUITY INVESTMENT, WE’VE TRIED MAXIMISING BORROWING AND WE ARE NOW SOMEWHERE BETWEEN THE TWO AND I DON’T THINK IT WOULD BE UNDULY HELPFUL OF ME TO GET INTO TOO MUCH PRECISE DETAIL ABOUT WHERE EXACTLY WE STAND BECAUSE THAT MAY PROVOKE THE SORT OF REACTIONS WHICH NEITHER THE HONOURABLE MEMBER NOR I WOULD LIKE. I DON’T MIND PARTICULARLY ANYBODY KNOWING WHERE WE STAND BUT THERE ARE OTHER WHO ARE PARTY TO THESE NEGOTIATIONS WHO TAKE A RATHER DIFFERENT POINT OF VIEW. I HOPE WE CAN GET SOMEWHERE SOONER RATHER THAN LATER. I’VE GONE ON SAYING THE SAME THINGS I’D HAVE THOUGHT LONG ENOUGH FOR PEOPLE NOW TO BELIEVE THAT I MEAN IT WHEN I SAY THAT WE DON’T BELIEVE IT MAKES SENSE TO TRY TO TURN LIVELIHOOD ISSUES, ISSUES OF INFRASTRUCTURE INTO POLITICAL BARGAINING CHIPS, IF THAT IS BEING DONE, AND IT’S OCCASIONALLY SUGGESTED IT IS BEING. I REPEAT WHAT EVERYBODY IN THIS COUNCIL - AND I SHOULD THINK 99.9% OF PEOPLE IN HONG KONG AND GUANGDONG KNOW PERFECTLY WELL - HONG KONG IS GOING TO HAVE A NEW INTERNATIONA!, AIRPORT, IT’S GOING TO HAVE A NEW INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT AT CHEK LAP KOK, QUITE WHY ANYBODY SHOULD REGARD IT AS BEING IN THEIR INTERESTS THAT IT HAS THAT AIRPORT LATER RATHER THAN SOONER HEAVEN ALONE KNOWS.
/MR JAMES TIEN: .......
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 7, 1993
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MR JAMES TIEN: GOVERNOR, IN YOUR ADDRESS TO US YESTERDAY, YOU STRESSED HEAVILY ON OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH CHINA, OR YOUR (THE) IMPORTANCE OF THAT. HOWEVER, YOU ALSO HIGHLIGHTED TO US, ON THE NEGATIVE SIDE OF THAT RELATIONSHIP, YOU SEE THE PROBLEM WITH OUR AIRPORT RAILROAD, CT9, JLG’S WORK COMING TO A HALT. ON THE POSITIVE SIDE, YOU DID MENTION THINGS ABOUT THE BREADTH AND DEPTH OF OUR RELATIONSHIPS, OUR BUSINESS RELATIONSHIP WITH CHINA, AND OUR CIVIL SERVICE RELATIONSHIP WITH THEM. BUT PERSONALLY, GOVERNOR, I FEEL THE MOST IMPORTANT RELATIONSHIP WITH CHINA IS PROBABLY THAT OF YOU, SIR, GOVERNOR, AS THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OF HONG KONG. GOVERNOR, WILL YOU PLEASE TELL US, WHAT CAN YOU DO, OR WHAT WILL YOU DO, TO IMPROVE YOUR PERSONAL RELATIONSHIP WITH CHINA IN THE NEXT FEW YEARS TO ENSURE A SMOOTH TRANSITION FOR US AFTER 1997?
THE GOVERNOR; I HAVE NO DIFFICULTY HAVING A GOOD RELATIONSHIP WITH CHINA AND CHINESE OFFICIALS. IN A PREVIOUS INCARNATION I NEGOTIATED AT CONSIDERABLE LENGTH, WHAT I THINK WAS THE LARGEST CONCESSIONAL FINANCING AGREEMENT THAT THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT HAD EVER CONCLUDED WITH ANYBODY. I CONCLUDED THAT AGREEMENT, THAT NEGOTIATION, WITH CHINA. IT WAS PRETTY BRUISING, BUT AT THE END OF THE DAY WE ACHIEVED A SATISFACTORY SOLUTION, ALBEIT ONE WHICH SOMETIMES MADE ME FEEL AS THOUGH CHINA WAS GIVING THE UNITED KINGDOM THE MONEY RATHER THAN THE OTHER WAY ROUND. SO I HAVE NO DIFFICULTY IN ESTABLISHING A GOOD RELATIONSHIP WITH CHINESE OFFICIALS AND I WOULD VERY MUCH LIKE TO HAVE THAT. BUT IF THE ONLY WAY IN WHICH, AS IT WERE, THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OF HONG KONG CAN HAVE A GOOD RELATIONSHIP WITH CHINA AT THE MOMENT IS BY NOT STANDING UP FOR HONG KONG, THEN I DON’T THINK THAT THAT IS A PRICE WHICH THE COMMUNITY WOULD WISH ME TO PAY. I THINK THAT CHINESE OFFICIALS SHOULD RECOGNISE THAT IT IS IN HONG KONG’S INTEREST AND IN CHINA’S INTEREST, IN THE INTEREST OF ’’ONE COUNTRY TWO SYSTEMS”, TO HAVE A STRONG GOVERNMENT IN HONG KONG, TO HAVE A STRONG CHIEF EXECUTIVE WHO GIVES A STRONG LEAD, AND TO HAVE A GOVERNMENT WHICH STANDS UP FOR THE PRINCIPLES OF THE JOINT DECLARATION. AND THE FACT THAT THAT HAS PROVOKED A LITTLE MORE CONTROVERSY THAN I WOULD HAVE LIKED OVER THE LAST YEAR, DOES NOT MAKE ME DESPAIR OF THE MEDIUM AND LONGER TERM.
THE PAGES OF RECENT POLITICAL HISTORY ARE LITTERED WITH THE EXAMPLES OF LEADERS, OF POLITICIANS, OUTSIDE CHINA, WHO WERE DENOUNCED UP HILL AND DOWN DALE FOR LONG PERIODS BUT TRANSMOGRIFIED, THROUGH A PROCESS OF HISTORY, WITHOUT DROPPING THEIR PRINCIPLES, INTO WHAT I THINK IS CALLED ’OLD FRIENDS OF CHINA’. AND I SPEAK OF MY OPTIMISM FOR THE FUTURE, AND I SUPPOSE I SHOULD INCLUDE THAT IN IT BECAUSE I THINK IT WOULD BE GOOD FOR HONG KONG. BUT I REPEAT - I REPEAT AND I MEAN THESE WORDS VERY SINCERELY - I DO NOT BELIEVE THAT THE RIGHT WAY TO TRY TO CONSTRUCT A GOOD RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN HONG KONG AND CHINA IS BY FAILING TO STAND UP FOR HONG KONG.
/DR HUANG CHEN-YA ......
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 7, 1993
DR HUANG CHEN-YA (THROUGH INTERPRETER): FIRST OF ALL, I WOULD LIKE TO CONGRATULATE THE GOVERNOR ON HIS POLICY ADDRESS. THE ADDRESS WAS VERY ELOQUENT. UNFORTUNATELY, ON THE IMPORTANT ISSUES, THE POLICY ADDRESS DREW A BLANK. AND ON THE CONSTITUTIONAL DEVELOPMENTS, YOU HAVE BACK-PEDALLED ON HUMAN RIGHTS; THERE IS NO PROGRESS ON HUMAN RIGHTS. YOU HAVE NOT SAID ANYTHING CONCRETE. YOU HAVE ONLY SAID THAT THIS ISSUE WILL BE HANDED OVER TO THE SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS. LEGCO HAS ENDORSED THE IDEA OF A HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION BUT THERE IS SILENCE IN YOUR POLICY ADDRESS. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHETHER THE GOVERNOR THINKS THAT HUMAN RIGHTS ARE NOT IMPORTANT, OR IT IS NOT WORTH PAYING A GREATER PRICE OR GREATER EFFORTS, THAT IS WHY WE SHOULD NOT NEED SPECIFIC EFFORTS TO SAFEGUARD HUMAN RIGHTS?
THE GOVERNOR: WHEN I WAS LAST ANSWERING QUESTIONS IN THE COUNCIL, BEFORE WE ALL, OR MOST OF US, HAD A SUMMER HOLIDAY, I THINK I AM RIGHT IN SAYING THAT I HAD A QUESTION FROM THE HONOURABLE MEMBER MR TIEN ABOUT THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION, AND I RECOGNISE THAT THERE ARE DEMANDS ON, AS IT WERE, ALL SIDES OF THE COUNCIL FOR SUCH A DEVELOPMENT. I SAY, NOT IN ORDER TO PROVOKE UNREST BUT AS A REASONABLE PASSING OBSERVATION, THAT I THINK IT IS ODD TO ADVOCATE THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION AS, AS IT WERE, A POLICEMAN FOR THE BILL OF RIGHTS, AND AT THE SAME TIME TO CRITICISE THE GOVERNMENT FOR FOLLOWING THE BILL OF RIGHTS IN CASES OF THE EMPLOYMENT OF PUBLIC SERVANTS, BUT THAT MAY BE A SUBJECT WHICH COMES UP A LITTLE LATER.
I DON’T HAVE - AS I SAID WHEN I ANSWERED QUESTIONS FROM THE HONOURABLE MEMBER - 1 DON’T HAVE A CLOSED MIND ON THE QUESTION OF A HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION. AND IF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL CAN DEMONSTRATE TO THE ADMINISTRATION AND TO THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL THE POSITIVE ADVANTAGES WHICH WOULD FLOW FROM SUCH A DEVELOPMENT, I WILL BE VERY HAPPY TO LOOK AT THEM. I DO THINK WE NEED TO LOOK AT THE ISSUE OF HUMAN RIGHTS IN THE ROUND, AND TO DEFINE OUR TERMS A LITTLE. I REGARD A FUNDAMENTAL HUMAN RIGHT AS - A FAIRLY FUNDAMENTAL HUMAN RIGHT AS THE CERTAINTY THAT IF YOU TAKE PART IN AN ELECTORAL PROCESS IT IS GOING TO BE A FAIR ELECTORAL PROCESS, AND SO I THINK THAT THE TALKS THAT WE ARE HAVING ABOUT CONSTITUTIONAL DEVELOPMENT GO RIGHT TO THE HEART OF THE DEBATE ABOUT HUMAN RIGHTS. AND I THINK THIS COUNCIL, AN INDEPENDENT, NOT UNCRITICAL, COUNCIL LIKE THIS ONE, IS ONE OF THE BEST POSSIBLE GUARDIANS OF THE HUMAN RIGHTS OF THE CITIZENS, OF THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG.
ONE OTHER THING WHICH I SHOULD TOUCH ON. MANY PEOPLE, MANY PEOPLE IN THIS COUNCIL, MANY PEOPLE OUTSIDE THIS COUNCIL, ARE CONCERNED ABOUT THE HUMAN RIGHTS OF THAT FIFTY PER CENT OF OUR POPULATION WHO HOLD UP ’’HALF OF HEAVEN”, TO BORROW A PHRASE; WORRY ABOUT THE HUMAN RIGHTS OF THE WOMEN OF HONG KONG. AND THAT IS AN ISSUE WHICH WE WILL HAVE TO ADDRESS IN A WAY WHICH SATISFIES THIS COUNCIL WHEN WE RESPOND TO THE CONSULTATION PROCESS OVER THE GREEN PAPER, AND RESPOND IN PARTICULAR, TO THE DEMANDS FROM THIS COUNCIL AND THE DEMANDS FROM OUTSIDE THIS COUNCIL FOR HONG KONG TO ACCEDE TO CEDAW.
/MR JAMES TO .......
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 7, 1993
8
MR JAMES TO (THROUGH INTERPRETER): MR GOVERNOR, IN YOUR POLICY ADDRESS, IN THE BEGINNING YOU SAID THAT FOR THE CONSTITUTIONAL REFORMS PROPOSED LAST YEAR, THEY WERE IN LINE WITH THE BASIC LAW AND THE JOINT DECLARATION AND THEY GOT THE BLESSING FROM LEGCO AND MAJORITY SUPPORT FROM THE COMMUNITY. UNFORTUNATELY, IN YOUR POLICY ADDRESS NOW, YOU HAVE ADMITTED THAT THE BRITISH SIDE HAS MADE MAJOR CONCESSIONS IN THE TALKS, SO THAT FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCIES AND THE ELECTORAL COMMITTEE FOR THE COMPOSITION, THEY ARE NOW VASTLY DIFFERENT FROM YOUR ORIGINAL IDEA. MR GOVERNOR, YOU SAID THAT THE ELECTORAL PROCESS SHOULD BE OPEN, FAIR AND ACCEPTABLE TO THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG. WHY IS THAT YOU HAVE DONE THIS WHICH IS AGAINST PUBLIC OPINION? NOW, FOR YOUR AMENDMENTS THIS TIME, ON WHAT BASIS OF PUBLIC OPINION ARE THEY MADE? IF THERE IS NO AGREEMENT, WILL YOU PUT FORWARD YOUR ORIGINAL PROPOSALS WHICH HAVE BEEN WIDELY ACCEPTED, TO THIS COUNCIL?
THE GOVERNOR: I’D HOPED THAT I’D MADE IT CLEAR, NOT LEAST BY USING THE WORD "IF" TWICE, TN MY SPEECH YESTERDAY THAT THE CONCESSIONS WHICH THE BRITISH TEAM OFFERED IN JULY AND AUGUST IN THE TALKS IN PEKING WERE CONDITIONAL ON AN ACCEPTABLE OVERALL SETTLEMENT, INCLUDING ACCEPTABLE, AGREED, OBJECTIVE CRITERIA FOR THE THROUGH TRAIN. I WANT, IN CASE THERE WAS ANY DOUBT ABOUT THAT - AND SOME OF THE COMMENTS WHICH I HAVE HEARD OVER THE LAST 12-18 HOURS SUGGEST THAT SOME PEOPLE MUST HAVE THOUGHT I WAS WHISPERING MY 'IF' - I’D JUST LIKE TO MAKE IT CLEAR ONCE AGAIN THAT THE CONCESSIONS THAT WERE PUT FORWARD WERE UNDERSTANDABLY CONDITIONAL, AS YOU WOULD EXPECT IN NEGOTIATIONS SUCH AS THOSE THAT WE’RE ENGAGED IN. WHY DID WE OFFER, DURING THESE TALKS, ANY CHANGE, CONDITIONAL THOUGH IT MAY BE, FROM OUR ORIGINAL PROPOSALS? FOR A VERY SIMPLE REASON: WE WOULD LIKE, IF IT IS POSSIBLE, TO HAVE AGREED ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE '94 AND ’95 ELECTIONS, WITH THE MAXIMUM CHANCE RATHER THAN THE POSSIBLE CHANCE OF THEIR SURVIVAL THROUGH 1997 TO 1999. I THINK - UNLESS I HAVE JUDGED THE COMMUNITY HOPELESSLY WRONGLY - I THINK THE COMMUNITY WANTS FAIR AND OPEN AND ACCEPTABLE ARRANGEMENTS, AND IF POSSIBLE, WANTS THOSE ARRANGEMENTS TO BE ACCEPTABLE TO CHINA AS WELL AS BRITAIN AND HONG KONG. BUT IT MAY NOT BE POSSIBLE TO ARRIVE AT THAT HAPPY SITUATION.
TWO OTHER THINGS, IN THE COURSE OF WHICH I WILL ANSWER THE HONOURABLE MEMBER’S INTERESTING LAST QUESTION. FIRST OF ALL, WE WOULD NOT HAVE PUT FORWARD ANY PROPOSALS IN THE TALKS IN PEKING WHICH WE DID NOT THINK PROVIDED OPEN AND FAIR ARRANGEMENTS FOR ELECTIONS, AND I COULD DEFEND VERY STOUTLY, WITHIN THOSE PRINCIPLES, THE PROPOSALS THAT WE HAVE PUT CONDITIONALLY ON THE TABLE.
/FINALLY, THE ........
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 7, 1993
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FINALLY, THE HONOURABLE MEMBER ASKS ME WHAT WE WILL DO IF WE DON’T HAVE AN AGREEMENT WITH CHINA AT THE TALKS. I HOPE THE HONOURABLE MEMBER WILL REGARD IT AS SENSIBLE AND DIPLOMATIC RATHER THAN THE BEHAVIOUR OF A POLITICIAN, IF I SAY THAT 1 THINK IT WOULD BE WRONG OF ME TO ANNOUNCE, WHEN WE ARE STILL TRYING TO GET AN AGREEMENT IN THESE TALKS, WHAT WE WOULD DO IF AN AGREEMENT DIDN’T TRANSPIRE. BUT IF WE DIDN’T GET AN AGREEMENT, I WOULD OF COURSE HAVE TO TAKE ACCOUNT OF THE REACTIONS IN THE COMMUNITY TO THAT, AND I WOULD HAVE TO TAKE ACCOUNT OF THE PAST BEHAVIOUR AND PAST DEBATES IN TH! LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. AND I NOTE THAT THE PROPOSALS WHICH WE ORIGINALLY PUT FORWARD HAVE BEEN ENDORSED IN GENERAL AND IN PARTICULAR BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, ADMITTEDLY IN A GENERAL FORM RATHER THAN IN A SPECIFIC LEGISLATIVE FORM. AND 1 NOTE THAT NOT ONE, BUT VIRTUALLY EVERY OPINION POLL THERE HAS BEEN, HAS SUGGESTED SUBSTANTIAL PUBLIC SUPPORT. AND I NOTE THAT THE FIRST OPINION POLL AFTER MY ADDRESS YESTERDAY, SUGGESTED, I THINK, THAT SIXTY-EIGHT PER CENT OF THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG WERE, BROADLY SPEAKING, IN FAVOUR OF THE APPROACH THAT WE HAVE SUGGESTED, TO POLITICAL DEVELOPMENT, AND NINETEEN PER CENT WERE AGAINST. SIXTY-EIGHT TO NINETEEN, OR EVEN A RATHER SMALLER MAJORITY THAN THAT, SEEMS TO ME LIKE QUITE A BIG STEER, BUT WE WILL HAVE TO TAKE ACCOUNT OF THOSE ISSUES. WHAT I WILL WANT TO DO, WHAT THE GOVERNMENT WILL WANT TO DO, WHAT THE UNITED KINGDOM GOVERNMENT WILL WANT TO DO AT THE END OF THE DAY, IF WE CAN’T GET THAT AGREEMENT WHICH WE WOULD ALL LIKE TO GET, IS TO PUT IN PLACE THE ARRANGEMENTS WHICH ARE MOST ACCEPTABLE TO THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG AND THEREFORE TO THIS LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. THERE IS NO OTHER WAY WE CAN PROCEED. BUT I CAN ASSURE THE HONOURABLE MEMBER THAT WE WILL GIVE A FIRM AND CLEAR LEAD WHEN THOSE MATTERS COME BEFORE THE COUNCIL, IF THEY DO. I SAY AGAIN, WE HOPE THAT WE CAN GET AN AGREEMENT. BUT BEFORE VERY LONG, HOPE IS GOING TO DRAIN INTO THE SAND.
MR HOWARD YOUNG (THROUGH INTERPRETER): MR PRESIDENT, IN THE POLICY ADDRESS YESTERDAY THE GOVERNOR SAID ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF SINO-HONG KONG RELATIONSHIPS AND HE TALKED ABOUT SEVERAL ASPECTS, IN PARTICULAR TRANSPORT. THE CROSS-BORDER TRAFFIC ACTUALLY IS NOW BOOMING AND ROUTE THREE IS VERY IMPORTANT TO THAT. HOW COME, IN THE POLICY ADDRESS, I ONLY HEARD ABOUT THE TING KAU BRIDGE AND THAT THE ADMINISTRATION WILL BUILD THE TING KAU BRIDGE, WHILE IT DTD NOT SAY ANYTHING ABOUT THE ADMINISTRATION’S COMMITMENT TO EXPEDITING THE PROJECT OF ROUTE THREE? BECAUSE WITH TING KAU BRIDGE AND WITHOUT ROUTE THREE, IT WILL BE QUITE USELESS? IS IT BECAUSE THE ADMINISTRATION HAS NOT MADE UP ITS MIND YET?
THE GOVERNOR: NO, AND I THOUGHT I HAD SAID A LITTLE MORE ABOUT TRANSPORT THAN THE HONOURABLE MEMBER IS GIVING ME CREDIT FOR. BUT PERHAPS I CAN REMIND THE HONOURABLE MEMBER OF A NUMBER OF THE IMPROVEMENTS THAT WE ARE MAKING. AS WELL AS A MAJOR SECTION OF THE YUEN LONG HIGHWAY, AS WELL AS THE IMPROVEMENTS TO CASTLE PEAK ROAD AND TUEN MUN HIGHWAY, WE DID SAY THAT WE ARE BUILDING THE TING KAU BRIDGE. AND WE ARE INVITING, AS I THINK THE HONOURABLE MEMBER MAY KNOW, THE PRIVATE SECTOR TO BUILD THE COUNTRY PARK SECTION OF ROUTE THREE UNDER A THIRTY YEAR FRANCHISE ARRANGEMENT. WE WILL BE, OBVIOUSLY, CONSULTING THE CHINESE OFFICIALS ON THAT BEFORE ANY FRANCHISE IS FINALISED BUT I THINK THAT REPRESENTS A SENSIBLE WAY FORWARD.
/I WOULD .......
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 7, 1993
- 10 -
I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE ONE OTHER POINT ABOUT LINKS. FIRST OF ALL, I REGARD IT AS EXTREMELY IMPORTANT TO MOVE TOWARDS TWENTY-FOUR-HOUR OPENING ON THE BORDER AS SOON AS WE CAN, AND WE HAVE MADE PROPOSALS TN RELATION TO LOK MA CHAU WHICH I HOPE WILL FIND FAVOUR WITH CHINESE OFFICIALS.
SECONDLY, I FEEL VERY STRONGLY, MYSELF, THAT THE DEVELOPMENT OF HONG KONG’S RAILWAY INFRASTRUCTURE IS GOING TO PLAY AN EXTREMELY IMPORTANT PART IN THE FUTURE, NOT ONLY OF HONG KONG BUT THE FUTURE OF SOUTHERN CHINA. AND THE SOONER WE CAN GET INTO DISCUSSIONS ABOUT THE DEVELOPMENT OF A PROPER DEVELOPED RAILWAY NETWORK, THE BETTER. I THINK A DEDICATED FREIGHT LINE IS GOING TO BE ONE OF THE IMPORTANT CONSEQUENCES OF DEVELOPMENTS OF OUR CONTAINER PORT, AND I THINK WILL HELP, AMONG OTHER MATTERS, TO MOVE SOME FREIGHT WHICH IS AT PRESENT ON OUR ROADS, ON TO RAIL.
MR NGAI SHIU-KIT (THROUGH INTERPRETER): MR GOVERNOR, IN YOUR POLICY ADDRESS PARAGRAPH 183 YOU SAID, AND I QUOTE, "IF WE ARE NOT PREPARED TO STAND UP FOR HONG KONG’S WAY OF LIFE TODAY, WHAT CHANCE OF DOING SO TOMORROW" UNQUOTE. MR GOVERNOR, WHAT DO YOU MEAN BY THESE REMARKS? ARE YOU CASTING DOUBT ON THE CHINESE SIDE’S SINCERITY IN IMPLEMENTING THE JOINT DECLARATION? ARE YOU IMPLYING THE CHINESE SIDE DOES NOT HAVE THE SINCERITY TO GUARANTEE THAT OUR SPECIAL WAY OF LIFE WILL REMAIN UNCHANGED FOR 50 YEARS?
THE GOVERNOR: WELL, LET’S SAY IT’S PART OF MY RESPONSIBILITY TO DO ALL I CAN AS GOVERNOR, AS HEAD OF THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT BEFORE 1997 TO ENSURE THAT THE FIRMEST POSSIBLE FOUNDATIONS ARE LAID FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE JOINT DECLARATION AFTER 1997. I DON’T CAST DOUBT ON CHINESE INTENTIONS. SOMETIMES THE LANGUAGE OF ADVISORS TO CHINA CASTS DOUBTS ON THOSE INTENTIONS. I THINK SOME OF THE THINGS WHICH HAVE BEEN SAID BY MEMBERS OF THE SO-CALLED PWC (PRELIMINARY WORKING COMMITTEE FOR SAR PREPARATORY COMMITTEE) HAVE BEEN QUITE ASTONISHING AND I HOPE THEY DON’T REPRESENT THE THINKING OF MAINSTREAM CHINESE OFFICIALS. I THINK THAT IT’S ALSO THE CASE THAT SINCE AT THE HEART OF THE JOINT DECLARATION IS THE COMMITMENT TO A LEGISLATURE FORMED BY ELECTIONS AND AN EXECUTIVE ACCOUNTABLE TO THE LEGISLATURE, SOME OF THE DEBATES WE’VE HAD ABOUT OUR DETERMINATION TO ENSURE THAT THOSE ELECTIONS ARE FAIR DOES RAISE QUESTIONS ABOUT THE COMPREHENSION OF SOME PEOPLE ABOUT WHAT IT IS THAT HONG KONG’S WAY OF LIFE COMPRISES. SO I THINK THAT IT IS IMPORTANT FOR HONG KONG’S FUTURE TO STAND UP FOR HONG KONG’S WAY OF LIFE TODAY. I’VE LONG FELT THAT AND I WOULD BE SURPRISED IF MANY MEMBERS OF THIS COUNCIL DIDN’T FEEL IT AS WELL.
/MRS PEGGY LAM .......
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 7, 1993
11
MRS PEGGY LAM (THROUGH INTERPRETER): MR GOVERNOR, ORIGINALLY I HAD ANOTHER QUESTION FOR YOU BUT I HAVE READ THE LIST AND I UNDERSTAND THAT AS A FEMALE LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLOR IF I DIDN’T ASK 1H1S PARTICULAR QUESTION OTHER FEMALE COLLEAGUES MIGHT NOT HAVE THE CHANCE BECAUSE MS ANNA WU IS ABOUT TEN NAMES BEHIND ME SO I WOULD LIKE TO ASK THIS PARTICULAR QUESTION. MR GOVERNOR, IN YOUR POLICY ADDRESS IN PARAGRAPH 114 YOU MENTIONED ABOUT THE STATUS OF WOMEN AND ABOUT CEDAW (CONVENTION ON THE ELIMINATION OF ALL FORMS OF DISCRIMINATION AGAINST WOMEN), ABOUT WHETHER THIS SHOULD BE INTRODUCED INTO HONG KONG. MR GOVERNOR YOU SAID THAT YOU WERE POSITIVELY CONSIDERING THE VIEWS OF LEGCO AND THE PUBLIC ON THIS POINT BUT A LOT OF WOMEN’S RIGHTS ASSOCIATIONS HAVE SUGGESTED THAT A WOMEN’S COMMISSION SHOULD BE SET UP AND YOU’VE MENTIONED NOTHING ABOUT THIS. DOES THAT MEAN THAT MR GOVERNOR YOU DO NOT BELIEVE THAT IT IS NECESSARY FOR US TO HAVE SUCH A COMMISSION? IF NOT, THEN HOW WOULD YOU SUPPORT THE SETTING UP CF THIS WOMEN’S COMMISSION? THANK YOU.
THE GOVERNOR: I DON’T WANT TO GIVE THE GOVERNMENT’S DEFINITIVE REPLY TO THE CONSULTATION EXERCISE ON THE GREEN PAPER THIS AFTERNOON. AS I SAID YESTERDAY IN THE SAME PARAGRAPH, AND IF I CAN SAY IN PASSING, I THINK THE DECLARATION OF SISTERHOOD AT THE OUTSET OF THE HONOURABLE MEMBER’S QUESTION WAS IMPORTANT. I POINTED OUT YESTERDAY THAT WE WOULD HAVE TO RESPOND IN PARTICULAR TO THE ARGUMENTS WHICH HAVE BEEN LOUDLY AND FREQUENTLY EXPRESSED BY THIS COUNCIL AND HAVE BEEN EXPRESSED OUTSIDE FOR HONG KONG TO ACCEDE TO THE CONVENTION ON THE ELIMINATION OF ALL FORMS OF DISCRIMINATION AGAINST WOMEN OR CEDAW. LEGCO PASSED A MOTION ON THIS I THINK LAST DECEMBER. IT’S A CONVENTION WHICH ALREADY APPLIES TO THE UNITED KINGDOM AND TO CHINA, BOTH THE PRESENT AND THE FUTURE SOVEREIGN POWERS AND I DARE SAY THERE ARE GOING TO BE VERY MANY MEMBERS OF THIS COUNCIL WHO WILL SAY„ "WELL, IF IT APPLIES TO BRITAIN AND CHINA WHY CAN’T IT APPLY TO HONG KONG?" WITHOUT DOTTING I’S AND CROSSING T’S ANYMORE THAN THAT, I WOULD SAY THAT WE WILL HAVE TO TAKE ACCOUNT OF THOSE PERSUASIVE ARGUMENTS WHEN WE RESPOND TO THE COUNCIL IN THE NEW YEAR. I REGARD THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A WOMEN’S COMMISSION AS BEING A RATHER SEPARATE ISSUE JUST AS I REGARD THE QUESTION OF A HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION AS BEING A RATHER SEPARATE ISSUE TO THAT OF WHETHER YOU HAVE A BILL OF RIGHTS. MY POSITION ON A WOMEN’S COMMISSION IS RATHER SIMILAR TO MY POSITION ON A HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION. I AM NOT IN FAVOUR OF SETTING UP COMMISSIONS UNLESS THEY HAVE A GOOD PURPOSE, UNLESS THEY'VE GOT A PROPER AGENDA AND A PROPER ROLE TO PERFORM AND WE WILL HAVE TO CONSIDER THAT ARGUMENT WHEN WE ARE CONSIDERING THE RESPONSES TO OUR GREEN PAPER.
MR K K FUNG (THROUGH INTERPRETER): MR. PRESIDENT VIA YOU I WOULD LIKE TO ASK THE GOVERNOR A QUESTION. IN THE POLICY ADDRESS THE GOVERNOR
SEEMS TO HAVE PAID PARTICULAR ATTENTION TO THE CARE OF THE ELDERLY IN THE CHAPTERS ON A SECURE OLD AGE AND HE MENTIONED THAT THERE WILL BE HOUS I G AND SOME MORE ALLOWANCES FOR THE ELDERLY PEOPLE AND THERE WILL BE U RE WELFARE MEASURES FOR THEM. AND I THINK THAT I FIND THE CLEAREST DIRECTION HERE, AND I THINK THE DIRECTION HERE IS VERY CORRECT. BUT SO MANY DEPARTMENTS WILL BE IN CHARGE AND THIS GIVES US AN IMPRESSION THAT THERE IS NOT MUCH CO-ORDINATION. SO MR GOVERNOR ABOUT THE CARE OF THE ELDERLY I WONDER WHETHER THE ADMINISTRATION CAN CONSIDER A PARTICULAR INSTITUTION, FOR EXAMPLE, A CENTRAL COMMITTEE ON THE CARE OF THE ELDERLY WHICH IS DIRECTLY RESPONSIBLE TO THE ADMINISTRATION SO THAT IT CAN FORMULATE THE ELDERLY CARE POLICY AND SO THAT IT CAN EXECUTE THE POLICY. THANK YOU.
/THE GOVERNOR: .......
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 7, 1993
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THE GOVERNOR: THE HONOURABLE MEMBER IS SPOT ON. I THINK THE HONOURABLE MEMBER HAS IDENTIFIED ONE OF THE KEY PROBLEMS IN RESPONDING TO AN IMPORTANT SOCIAL ISSUE. I SPENT PART OF MY EARLY ADULTHOOD AS A CIVIL SERVANT TRYING TO CO-ORDINATE POLICY IN THE BRITISH CIVIL SERVICE ON SOCIAL WELFARE ISSUES WHICH SPANNED MORE THAN ONE DEPARTMENT AND IT CREATES DIFFICULTIES AND THE HONOURABLE MEMBER IS RIGHT IN SAYING THAT IT’S A PARTICULARLY ACUTE PROBLEM IN RELATION TO THE ELDERLY. ONE IS TALKING ABOUT FINANCIAL ISSUES, ONE IS TALKING ABOUT SOCIAL WELFARE ISSUES, ONE IS TALKING ABOUT HOUSING ISSUES, ONE’S TALKING ABOUT HEALTH ISSUES, OTHER ISSUES AS WELL. TRANSPORTATION, LAW AND ORDER, ALL THOSE COME INTO PLAY. SO, THE ADMINISTRATION HAS REACHED THE SAME CONCLUSION AS THE HONOURABLE MEMBER AND WE PROPOSE TO SET UP A WORKING PARTY WHICH WILL TRY TO PULL TOGETHER ALL THE THREADS AND ENSURE THAT WE HAVE A COHERENT AND COMPREHENSIVE POLICY ON THE ELDERLY. BUT I ALSO FEEL THAT WE CAN’T WAIT FOR THAT WORKING PARTY TO REPORT TO ME WHICH IT WILL DO BY NEXT AUGUST. I CAN ANNOUNCE I HOPE TO THE SATISFACTION OF THE CHAIRMAN, LIKELY CHAIRMAN OF THE COMMITTEE THIS AFTERNOON. WE CAN’T WAIT UNTIL NEXT AUGUST TO GET ON WITH THINGS WHICH IS WHY I ANNOUNCED YESTERDAY A SERIES OF OTHER STEPS THAT WE INTEND TO TAKE IN RELATION TO INFIRMARY PLACES, IN RELATION TO CARE AND ATTENTION PLACES, IN RELATION TO ACUTE BEDS, IN RELATION TO HOME HELPS AND IN RELATION TO THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A NETWORK OF NURSING HOMES AT CONSIDERABLE CAPITAL AS WELL AS RECURRENT COST BUT TO MEET A VERY IMPORTANT DEMAND. SO WE WILL GET AHEAD WITH THOSE ISSUES NOW, BUT THE HONOURABLE MEMBER IS ENTIRELY RIGHT TO SAY THAT WE NEED TO PULL ALL THESE POLICY THREADS TOGETHER. IF I CAN ADD ONE OTHER POINT BECAUSE IT’S AN AREA ABOUT WHICH THE HONOURABLE MEMBER KNOWS AS MUCH AS ANYBODY IN THIS COMMUNITY - IF I CAN ADD SOMETHING ON HOUSING. WE ARE PLANNING TO MORE THAN DOUBLE SHELTERED HOUSING UNITS FOR THE ELDERLY IN THE NEXT FIVE YEARS FROM 1900 TO ABOUT 4000 AND WE ARE DISCUSSING A NUMBER OF MATTERS WITH THE HOUSING AUTHORITY, NOT LEAST HOW IT CAN CLEAR THE BACKLOG OF 4000 ELDERLY SINGLE PEOPLE ON THE WAITING LIST BY 1997, AND HOW IT CAN BEST GIVE PRIORITY TO NEW ELDERLY APPLICANTS FOR PUBLIC HOUSING. THOSE ARE ALL, IN MY JUDGMENT, IMPORTANT STEPS THAT WE NEED TO TAKE.
LEE WING-TAT (THROUGH INTERPRETER): MR PRESIDENT, THIS YEAR, MR GOVERNOR, NOW YOU WERE DESCRIBED AS A ’’ONE ISSUE GOVERNOR”. I HOPE THAT THIS IS NOT TRUE TODAY, BECAUSE WE HAVE MANY ISSUES. TODAY, I WOULD LIKE TO ASK A QUESTION ON HOUSING. MR GOVERNOR, IN YOUR POLICY ADDRESS YOU TALKED ABOUT HOUSING BUT I AM QUITE DISAPPOINTED BECAUSE YOU TALKED ABOUT SOMETHING QUITE TRIVIAL, SOMETHING, REALLY, 1 DIDN’T EXPECT FROM A POLICY ADDRESS. WELL MR GOVERNOR, YOUR PREDECESSOR, IN 1987, ANNOUNCED A LONG TERM HOUSING STRATEGY AND IT IS A PUBLIC UNDERTAKING THAT BY 1997 ALL THE BACKLOG ABOUT (OF) PEOPLE ON THE WAITING-LIST WILL BE CLEARED. WE HAVE ABOUT 180,000 PEOPLE ON THE WAITING-LIST NOW. THE HOUSING AUTHORITY, AFTER ITS VERY STRINGENT SCREENING SCHEME, ABOUT 120,000 PEOPLE ARE STILL ON THE WAITING-LIST AND THE HOUSING AUTHORITY IS ONLY PRODUCI NG ABOUT 35,000 UNITS EVERY YEAR. ABOUT ONLY 14,000 WILL BE GIVEN TO THESE PEOPLE ON THE WAITING-LIST, SO BY ’97 THERE WILL BE STILL 60,000 PEOPLE WAITING FOR HOUSING. SO THIS POLICY IS REALLY A FAILURE BUT NOT ONE WORD WAS DEVOTED TO THIS STRATEGY. IS IT BECAUSE YOU DO NOT KNOW ABOUT THIS STRATEGY, OR IS IT BECAUSE YOU DO NOT WANT TO FACE THE FAILURE OF THIS STRATEGY? SO HOW WOULD YOU DEAL WITH THIS UNDERTAKING WHICH MAY FALL THROUGH? PLEASE LET US KNOW WHAT SOLUTIONS YOU HAVE IN MIND? THANK YOU.
/THE GOVERNOR: .......
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 7, 1993
13
THE GOVERNOR: FIRST OF ALL, IF I CAN DEAL WITH THE PREFACE TO THE HONOURABLE MEMBER’S QUESTION. THE HONOURABLE MEMBER WILL HAVE NOTICED, AT THE BACK OF MY SPEECH, A DETAILED PUBLIC PUBLISHED RECORD OF HOW WE HAVE DONE IN RELATION TO A HUGE AGENDA OF SOCIAL, ENVIRONMENTAL, EDUCATIONAL, ECONOMIC POLICY THAT WE PUT FORWARD LAST YEAR. NOT ONE ISSUE BUT OVER A HUNDRED ISSUES. IF WE HADN’T PUBLISHED THAT DETAILED BLOW-BY-BLOW ACCOUNT OF THE PROGRESS WE HAVE MADE, I DARESAY PEOPLE WOULD HAVE SAID THAT THE SPEECH LAST YEAR WAS JUST HOT AIR; WHAT HAPPENED TO IT? WELL, HERE IS WHAT HAPPENED TO IT. THIS YEAR, ANOTHER SPEECH, IN WHICH NINETY-FIVE PER CENT OF IT WAS ABOUT SOCIAL, EDUCATIONAL, ENVIRONMENTAL AND RELATED ISSUES. AGAIN, A LARGE NUMBER OF ISSUES, NOT JUST ONE. IT’S NOT ENTIRELY MY FAULT IF, WHEN I GO TO A HOUSING ESTATE AND AM GREETED BY OUR FRIENDLY COLLEAGUES FROM THE FOURTH ESTATE, THEY SAY, "BUT WHAT ABOUT THE TALKS, MR PATTEN?” IT’S NOT ENTIRELY MY FAULT IF, WHEN I GO TO A HOSPITAL FOR DENTISTRY, I COME OUT AND AREN’T ASKED ABOUT FILLINGS OR ABOUT PLAQUE, BUT ASKED ABOUT "THE TALKS, MR PATTEN?" IT’S NOT ENTIRELY MY FAULT IF, WHEN I GO TO A PRIMARY SCHOOL OR A KINDERGARTEN OR A TERTIARY EDUCATION INSTITUTION, THE SAME THING HAPPENS TO ME. I’LL ANSWER PEOPLE’S QUESTIONS ON ANYTHING BUT IT JUST SO HAPPENS THAT MOST OF THEM, WHATEVER I AM DOING, TEND TO BE ABOUT THE SAME RATHER WEARILY SHORT AGENDA.
THE HONOURABLE MEMBER ASKS ABOUT HOUSING POLICY IN PARTICULAR AND I WOULD ARGUE VERY STRONGLY, IT WAS UNFAIR TO SEE WHAT HAD HAPPENED IN THE HOUSING SECTOR AS REPRESENTING FAILURE, NOT LEAST WHEN WE HAVE ACTUALLY BEEN BUILDING 146 HOUSING UNITS A DAY AGAINST A TARGET OF JUST OVER 100. THAT SEEMS TO ME TO BE REASONABLY GOOD PROGRESS. WE’VE MADE GOOD PROGRESS IN RELATION TO CLEARING TEMPORARY HOUSING AREAS AND MEAN TO MAKE MUCH BETTER PROGRESS. WE’VE MADE GOOD PROGRESS IN INCREASING BY SIXTY PER CENT THE AMOUNT OF MONEY SPENT ON MAINTENANCE IN OUR HOUSING ESTATES. BUT, THE HONOURABLE MEMBER IS ENTIRELY RIGHT TO SAY THAT DESPITE THE COMMITMENT OF FORTY-THREE BILLION OVER THE NEXT FIVE YEARS BY THE HOUSING AUTHORITY FOR PUBLIC HOUSING, THERE REMAIN SERIOUS HOUSING ISSUES, SERIOUS HOUSING PROBLEMS TO ADDRESS, AND THEY DO REQUIRE, IN MY JUDGMENT, US TO LOOK ONCE AGAIN AT OUR HOUSING POLICIES IN HONG KONG. I THINK THAT IS SOMETHING WHICH THE HOUSING AUTHORITY ARE BEGINNING TO DO NOW, AND I WILL LOOK FORWARD TO HAVING A DIALOGUE WITH THEM ON THE ISSUE, BECAUSE I BELIEVE VERY STRONGLY THAT THERE IS ALMOST NO ISSUE MORE IMPORTANT TO HAPPY FAMILY LIFE THAN DECENT HOUSING, AND WE WANT TO GO ON DOING EVERYTHING WE CAN IN THIS COMMUNITY TO ENSURE THAT AS MANY PEOPLE AS POSSIBLE ARE PROPERLY HOUSED. THE HONOURABLE MEMBER IS ONE OF MANY IN THIS CHAMBER WHO I AM SURE SPENDS A HUGE AMOUNT OF TIME DEALING WITH HOUSING PROBLEMS FROM CONSTITUENTS, DEALING WITH PEOPLE WHO ARE WORRIED AND ANXIOUS ABOUT THEIR HOUSING, AND I AM NOT AT ALL SURPRISED THAT HE FEELS SO PASSIONATELY ABOUT THE SUBJECT.
LEE WING-TAT (THROUGH INTERPRETER): JUST A POINT FOR CLARIFICATION. MR GOVERNOR, YOU SAID THAT FOR THE HA, IT PRODUCES 146 Fl,ATS PER DAY. WHAT YEAR DOES THAT REFER TO AND HOW DO YOU ARRIVE AT THAT FIGURE?
THE GOVERNOR: I ARRIVE AT THAT FIGURE BY A PROCESS OF LONG-DIVISION, DIVIDING THE NUMBER OF UNITS WHICH HAVE BEEN COMPLETED SINCE I LAST ADDRESSED THIS COUNCIL, BY THE INORDINATE NUMBER OF DAYS, AND THE FIGURE THAT EMERGES FROM THAT ARITHMETICAL PROCESS IS 146. AT THIS POINT, I HAD BETTER CONFESS THAT I DID NOT DO THE MATHEMATICS.
/MR MICHAEL HO .......
THURSDAY, JCTOBER 7, 1993
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MR MICHAEL HO (THROUGH INTERPRETER): MR PRESIDENT, 1 WOULD LIKE TO TALK ABOUT MEDICAL AND HEALTH CARE POLICIES. YESTERDAY, IN THE POLICY ADDRESS, THE GOVERNOR DID NOT REALLY TALK ABOUT A REVIEW OF MEDICAL AND HEALTH POLICIES. ABOUT THE POLICY ADDRESS: YES, IT TALKS ABOUT FUNDING FOR THE CHRONICALLY-ILL, SO THAT WE CAN INCREASE RENAL-DIALYSIS AND IMPROVE HOSPICE CARE AND I AM GLAD TO SEE THAT NURSING IS MENTIONED. NEVERTHELESS, THERE IS NO POLICY DIRECTIVES HERE. OKAY, WE MAY HAVE FUNDING TO IMPROVE RENAL-DIALYSIS OR HOSPICE CARE. AFTER THAT, OBVIOUSLY, WE WON’T GET ANY POLICY INSTRUCTION TO GUIDE THE FURTHER IMPROVEMENTS OF THESE SERVICES SO THAT WE FURTHER PERFECT THESE SERVICES. MR GOVERNOR, WILL YOU INSTRUCT YOUR ADMINISTRATION TO CARRY OUT A COMPREHENSIVE POLICY REVIEW SO THAT FOR THESE SERVICES, IN FUTURE, THEY WILL NOT BE DELIVERED IN A PIECEMEAL FASHION? IN THIS WAY WE CAN HAVE A SUSTAINED POLICY DIRECTIVE.
YESTERDAY, YOU TALKED ABOUT NURSES AND YOU TALKED ABOUT PRIMARY SCHOOL TEACHERS. WHEN I DRAW COMPARISONS, I DISCOVER THAT YOU TALK ABOUT UPGRADING PRIMARY SCHOOL TEACHERS INTO GRADUATE TEACHERS. IT IS CLEARER THAN WHEN YOU TALK ABOUT NURSES. AND FOR PRIMARY SCHOOL TEACHERS, SPECIFIC FUNDING WAS MENTIONED, BUT NOT FOR NURSES. WHY IS THERE SUCH A VAST DIFFERENCE?
THE GOVERNOR: CAN I DEAL WITH THE SECOND POINT FIRST, BECAUSE I RECOGNISE THE HONOURABLE MEMBER’S CONCERN FOR THE NURSING PROFESSION AND HIS KNOWLEDGE ON THE SUBJECT AND THE WORK HE HAS DONE FOR THE NURSING PROFESSION, AND I SHARE HIS BELIEF THAT THE NURSING PROFESSION - AND THIS HAS BEEN THE CASE EVEN BEFORE FLORENCE NIGHTINGALE - IS AT THE HEART OF GOOD HEALTH CARE IN OUR COMMUNITY. WE ARE KEEN TO RECRUIT AND RETAIN MORE NURSES. I THINK I AM RIGHT IN SAYING THERE HAS BEEN A SEVEN PER CENT INCREASE IN THE NUMBER OF NURSES ON OUR HOSPITAL WARDS OVER THE PAST TWO YEARS, AN INCREASE OF ABOUT 1,100, AND NURSE RECRUITMENT HAS INCREASED FROM 1,845 TO 2,020. BUT IT IS NOT JUST, AS THE HONOURABLE MEMBER WOULD DOUBTLESS ARGUE, A QUESTION OF MORE NURSES, BUT OF ENSURING, FIRST OF ALL, THAT THROUGH THE MANAGEMENT OF WORK IN HOSPITALS, NURSES HAVE SOME OF THE JOBS TAKEN FROM THEM WHICH DO NOT REQUIRE THEIR PARTICULAR PROFESSIONAL SKILLS, AND THAT MEANS THAT THEY NEED MORE SUPPORT WITH SOME OF THE MORE BURDENSOME AND NON-SPECIALISED DUTIES.
SECONDLY, THE HONOURABLE MEMBER IS ENTIRELY RIGHT TO SAY THAT WE ALSO NEED TO DEVELOP NURSES’ QUALIFICATIONS, TO GIVE THEM MORE AND BETTER TRAINING, AND TO RAISE THEIR STANDARDS IN THAT WAY AND IN ORDER TO TRY TO MEET THOSE OBJECTIVES, WE HAVE GIVEN AN EXTRA 10 MILLION FOR NURSE TRAINING. THAT SHOULD PROVIDE ABOUT 160 EXTRA FIRST-YEAR FIRST-DEGREE PLACES FOR NURSES IN THE 1995-98 TRIENNIUM. WE WILL ALSO BE SPONSORING SELECTED NURSES ON DEGREE CONVERSION COURSES AND I HOPE THAT THOSE INITIATIVES WILL MEAN ENHANCED PROFESSIONAL STATUS AND JOB SATISFACTION FOR NURSES. THE HONOURABLE MEMBER IS RIGHT TO SAY THAT THAT MATTERS AS MUCH FOR NURSES AS IT DOES FOR TEACHERS.
/GOING THEN .......
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 7, 1993
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GOING THEN TO THE FIRST PART OF THE HONOURABLE MEMBER’S QUESTION. I DON’T ACCEPT THAT WE DON’T HAVE A SENSIBLE STRATEGY FOR THE HEALTH SERVICE AT PRESENT, THOUGH THE HONOURABLE MEMBER IS ENTIRELY RIGHT TO SAY THAT THE COMMUNITY IS GOING TO HAVE TO FACE SOME DIFFICULT AND IMPORTANT STRATEGIC DECISIONS ABOUT THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE HEALTH SERVICE IN THE NEXT FEW YEARS. BUT I SPOKE, YESTERDAY, OF OUR COMMITMENT TO CUTTING QUEUES, TO IMPROVING AMENITIES, TO IMPROVING CARE FOR THE CHRONICALLY-ILL, TO DEVELOPING OUR HOSPICE PROGRAMME, ABOUT WHICH I FEEL, MYSELF, EXTREMELY STRONGLY. ALL THOSE ARE MATTERS, AS WELL AS IMPROVING CARE FOR THE ELDERLY, WHICH FORM PART OF OUR DETERMINATION TO PROVIDE BETTER HEALTH CARE IN HONG KONG.
I SAY, JUST BRIEFLY, ONE FURTHER WORD. WE PUBLISHED, A FEW MONTHS AGO, AN EXTREMELY WELL-WRITTEN DOCUMENT ON THE FUTURE OF THE HEALTH SERVICE IN HONG KONG, WHICH ATTEMPTED TO DEAL, IN AN INTELLIGENT AND RATIONAL WAY - I THINK, SUCCESSFULLY - WITH SOME OF THE FUNDING ISSUES WHICH THE COMMUNITY IS GOING TO HAVE TO CONFRONT. LIKE OTHER DEVELOPED SUCCESSFUL COMMUNITIES, WE ARE GOING TO FACE PROBLEMS IN THE NEXT FEW YEARS. FIRST OF ALL, BECAUSE ADVANCES IN MEDICAL SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY CONSTANTLY INCREASE WHAT THE MEDICAL PROFESSION IS CAPABLE OF DOING AND INCREASE THE APPETITE OF PATIENTS, CUSTOMERS IF YOU LIKE, FOR GREATER HEALTH CARE. SECONDLY, FOR A NUMBER OF REASONS, INCLUDING THE EXPENSES OF MEDICAL TECHNOLOGY, INFLATION IN THE HEALTH SERVICE TENDS TO OUTSTRIP INFLATION OUTSIDE, SO THAT YOU HAVE TO SPEND MORE MONEY TO STAND STILL IN THE HEALTH SERVICE. THERE ARE ALSO ADDITIONAL COSTS, BECAUSE WE HAVE AN AGING POPULATION, AND IN PARTICULAR, AN AGING, AGING POPULATION - MORE VERY ELDERLY - AND THE ELDERLY WILL CONSUME, UNDERSTANDABLY, A GROWING PROPORTION OF HEALTH EXPENDITURE IN THE NEXT FEW YEARS.
SO FOR ALL THOSE REASONS, WE ARE GOING TO SEE THE HEALTH SERVICE COST A HIGHER PROPORTION OF OUR GNP, WE ARE GOING TO SEE MORE AND MORE SERIOUS PROBLEMS ARISING IN FUNDING THE LEVEL OF HEALTH PROVISION WE WANT. WE CAN’T DUCK THOSE QUESTIONS. WHAT WE HAVE TO DO IS TO TRY TO FACE UP TO THEM INTELLIGENTLY AS A COMMUNITY, AND I HOPE, NEVER LOSING SIGHT OF TWO THINGS. FIRST OF ALL, ANY CIVILISED COMMUNITY SHOULD ENSURE THAT PEOPLE CAN GET THE HEALTH CARE THEY NEED REGARDLESS OF THEIR PERSONAL RESOURCES. SECONDLY, IT IS NOT AT ODDS WITH THAT PRINCIPLE TO SAY THAT THE HEALTH SERVICE, LIKE EVERY OTHER PUBLIC SERVICE, SHOULD BE AS EFFICIENTLY RUN AS POSSIBLE. AND I AM BOUND TO SAY THAT I AM EXTREMELY IMPRESSED BY THE DEDICATION I FIND, IN, FOR EXAMPLE, MANAGERS OF OUR SERVICE, PARTICULARLY MANAGERS OF THE HOSPITAL AUTHORITY’S FACILITIES. I FIND EXTREMELY IMPRESSIVE THEIR DEDICATION TO DOING THE BEST FOR THEIR PATIENTS BY SPENDING THE MONEY WHICH IS GIVEN TO THEM IN THE MOST EFFECTIVE AND EFFICIENT FASHION.
/CONRAD LAM: .......
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 7, 1993
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CONRAD LAM: MR GOVERNOR, JUST NOW IN THE ANSWER, YOU GAVE THE IMPRESSION THAT ON THE ONE HAND YOU CARED ABOUT THE CHRONICALLY ILL, THE INFIRM AND THE AGED. YOU WANT TO STEP UP ASSISTANCE TOWARDS THEM BUT, ON THE OTHER HAND, YOU TALK ABOUT THE CONSULTATION DOCUMENTS TOWARDS BETTER HEALTH. YOU TALK ABOUT THE FUNDING PROBLEM. IT SEEMS YOU GIVE THE IMPRESSION THAT YOU WANT TO GET SOME MONEY OUT FROM THE PATIENTS IN ORDER TO DO SOMETHING MORE. MR GOVERNOR, WHEN YOU FORMULATE FUTURE MEDICAL AND CARE POLICIES, ESPECIALLY RELATING TO THE CHARGING POLICY, WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT PUBLIC OPINION? WILL YOU RESPECT PUBLIC OPINION?
THE GOVERNOR: VERY MUCH, AS I AM SURE THE HONOURABLE MEMBER WOULD IN MAKING DECISIONS ON A RANGE OF ISSUES PERHAPS EVEN CONCEIVABLY POLITICAL DEVELOPMENT AMONG OTHERS. BUT LET ME MAKE A SIMPLE POINT I HOPE NOT TOO PROVOCATIVELY. HONG KONG HAS PRODUCED OVER THE YEARS MANY MIRACLES BUT EVEN HONG KONG HAS NOT YET DISCOVERED MONEY-BEARING TREES AND IF WE WANT TO DEVELOP OUR HEALTH CARE FACILITIES, AS WE DO, IF WE WANT TO GIVE PEOPLE IN HONG KONG THE LEVEL OF SERVICE WHICH THEY DEMAND AND DESERVE, AND WE DO, IF WE WANT TO ENSURE THAT HEALTH INDICATORS IN HONG KONG CONTINUE TO IMPROVE AS THEY HAVE, AND WE DO, THEN THERE ARE COSTS. NOW, THERE ARE A NUMBER OF WAYS YOU CAN MEET THOSE COSTS. YOU CAN MEET THEM OUT OF GENERAL TAXATION. YOU CAN MEET THEM OUT OF FORMS OF INSURANCE. YOU CAN MEET THEM OUT OF DIFFERENT SORTS OF CHARGE. YOU CAN MEET THEM OUT OF DIFFERENT SORTS OF TARGETTED FEE. THERE IS A RANGE OF WAYS IN WHICH YOU CAN MEET HEALTH COSTS BUT YOU HAVE TO MEET THEM SOMEHOW AND WHAT WE HAVE TO DEVELOP AS A COMMUNITY IS THE FAIREST AND MOST EFFECTIVE WAY OF MEETING THEM WHICH COMMANDS, AS THE HONOURABLE MEMBER SUGGESTED, THE BROADEST CONSENSUS. IN MY EXPERIENCE, AND IT’S NO CRITICISM OF TAXPAYERS ANYWHERE, MOST PEOPLE MOST OF THE TIME WANT IMPROVED PUBLIC SERVICES, BUT THEY ARE RELUCTANT TO PAY MORE IN TAXES FOR THEM. IN HONG KONG, THANKS TO THE GROWTH RATE IN OUR ECONOMY OVER THE LAST FEW YEARS WE’VE BEEN ABLE TO ENJOY LOW TAXES, WHILE ENJOYING IMPROVED PUBLIC SERVICES. WHETHER THAT CAN CONTINUE INDEFINITELY NOT LEAST IN RELATION TO HEALTH CARE WAS THE ISSUE WHICH, QUITE PROPERLY, THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE AND OTHERS WERE KEEN FOR THE COMMUNITY TO DEBATE BECAUSE, LIKE THE ISSUE OF A CENTRAL PROVIDENT FUND, IT’S GOING TO BE AN ISSUE WHICH WILL DETERMINE WHAT THIS COMMUNITY IS LIKE IN TEN OR FIFTEEN OR TWENTY, OR TWENTY-FIVE YEARS TIME AND WE’VE GOT TO FACE UP TO IT NOW. THERE ARE ISSUES EVERYWHERE. MRS RODHAM CLINTON, AT THE MOMENT, IS WRESTLING WITH THESE PROBLEMS IN THE UNITED STATES WITH SO FAR GREAT SUCCESS IT SEEMS. WE’VE GOT TO FACE UP TO EXACTLY THE SAME PROBLEMS HERE AND I HOPE IN THE PROCESS AVOID MAKING SOME OF THE MISTAKES THAT HAVE BEEN MADE IN THE UNITED STATES AND, IF I MAY SAY SO, IN THE UNITED KINGDOM AS WELL.
MR ERIC LEE: MR GOVERNOR, IN YOUR POLICY ADDRESS, IN THE BEGINNING - IN THE BEGINNING PART, THE PEKING TALKS - YOU SAID THAT AFTER SIX MONTHS WE DEVELOPED THE TALKS AND IN THE BEGINNING WHEN LEGISLATIVE DEBATE WAS ABOUT TO START IN THIS COUNCIL AND SAY, PERHAPS THERE IS A LESSON IN THAT. WHAT’S THE MEANING OF THERE’S A LESSON IN THAT? DOES IT MEAN THAT IF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL DOES NOT PROCEED WITH THE SECOND READING OF THE BILL THEN THERE WON’T SPECIFIC PROGRESS IN THE PEKING TALKS?
/THE GOVERNOR: .......
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 7, 1993
17
THE GOVERNOR: SOME THROWAWAY LINE WHICH WASN’T MEANT TO HIT ANYBODY. A NUMBER OF PEOPLE, A NUMBER OF THE WISEST COMMENTATORS ON RELATIONS WITH THE PRC HAVE SOMETIMES SAID THAT YOU ONLY MAKE PROGRESS AT THE ELEVENTH HOUR OR THEY NORMALLY PUT IT EVEN MORE STRONGLY AND SAY YOU ONLY MAKE PROGRESS AT FIVE MINUTES TO MIDNIGHT AND THAT WAS A REFLECTION OF THAT PARTICULAR POINT OF VIEW, WHETHER OR NOT IT IS CORRECT, WE SHALL DISCOVER. I HOPE THAT CHINESE OFFICIALS WILL RECOGNISE THAT TIME DOES MARCH RELENTLESSLY ON. THAT WE CAN’T ALLOW OURSELVES TO GET INTO A POSITION WHERE WE CAN’T MAKE PROPER ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE 94 AND 95 ELECTIONS BECAUSE THE CALENDAR HAS MOVED PAST US. I HAVE TO SAY THAT I THINK WE ARE ALREADY CUTTING THINGS VERY FINE BECAUSE OF OUR DETERMINATION, IF WE CAN GET ONE, TO GET AN AGREEMENT. BUT THE WHOLE OF THIS COUNCIL WOULD, UNDER ORDINARY CIRCUMSTANCES, HAVE LIKED US TO HAVE HAD IN PLACE ALREADY MOST OF THESE ARRANGEMENTS, PARTICULARLY THE ARRANGEMENTS FOR DISTRICT BOARD AND MUNICIPAL COUNCIL ELECTIONS. I WISH WE ALREADY HAD THOSE ARRANGEMENTS IN PLACE SO THAT PEOPLE KNEW WHERE THEY STOOD. SO WE ARE DOWN TO WEEKS. I HOPE WHEN I BRING PROPOSALS TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL I CAN SAY WE’VE AGREED THESE PROPOSALS WITH CHINA, I CAN RECOMMEND THEM TO THE COUNCIL WITH GREAT ENTHUSIASM, I HOPE THE COUNCIL WILL ACCEPT THEM AS A WAY OF SECURING THE SMOOTHEST POSSIBLE TRANSITION. IF I CAN’T MAKE THAT SPEECH I WILL HAVE TO MAKE ANOTHER SPEECH IN WHICH 1 WILL INVITE THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TO FOLLOW THE LEAD I GIVE IT, BUT I WILL DEPEND, OF COURSE, ON BEING ABLE TO PERSUADE THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL THAT WHAT I AM PROPOSING IS IN THE BEST INTERESTS OF HONG KONG.
MR ERIC LEE: THIS IS A FOLLOW-UP QUESTION MR GOVERNOR. DURING FIRST READING, ACTUALLY WHEN THERE WAS SOME PROGRESS IN THE TALKS, THE CHINESE SIDE HAD SAID THROUGH DIFFERENT CHANNELS THAT IF WE HAVE A SECOND READING DEBATE IN THE LEGCO THEN THE TALKS WOULD HALT IMMEDIATELY. MR GOVERNOR, DO YOU THINK THIS IS SOME KIND OF POLITICAL GESTURE OR DO YOU THINK THAT THE CHINESE SIDE IS PERFECTLY SERIOUS ON THIS? DOES THAT MEAN THAT IF WE HAVE A DEBATE HERE THEY WILL STOP THE TALKS?
GOVERNOR: I HONESTLY COULDN’T TELL YOU. THERE HAVE BEEN THREATS AND THERE HAVE BEEN THINGS SAID OVER THE LAST YEAR WHICH HAPPILY HAVEN’T BEEN BORNE OUT BY EVENTS WHEN WE’VE GONE ON AND DONE WHAT WE BELIEVE IS RIGHT. I THINK IT IS MOST LIKELY THAT WE WILL ONLY BE DEBATING THESE MATTERS EITHER AFTER THERE’S AN AGREEMENT OR AFTER TALKS HAVE CONCLUDED BECAUSE WE CAN’T COME TO AN AGREEMENT, BUT IT MAY BE THAT THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL IN ITS WISDOM WILL DECIDE TO GO ON AND DEBATE THESE MATTERS ANYWAY. THIS IS AN INDEPENDENT COUNCIL AND I DON’T SEEK TO - I SEEK TO PERSUADE IT - BUT I DON’T SEEK TO HEAVY IT.
/FRED LI .......
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 7, 1993
18
FRED LI (THROUGH INTERPRETER): I WOULD LIKE TO ASK YOU A PRACTICAL QUESTION, NOTHING TO DO WITH POLITICS. WELL, YOU CAN PROUDLY TELL US THAT OUR GDP PER HEAD HAS GROWN TODAY, IT HAS ALREADY OVERTAKEN AUSTRALIA AND THE UK, IN THE COMING YEAR, WE SHOULD DRAW LEVEL WITH CANADA. AND YOU ALSO DECIDED THAT STARTING FROM 1ST APRIL NEXT YEAR, THERE WILL BE MORE CHILDREN’S ALLOWANCES AND $100 FOR CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL NEEDS, $100 PER MONTH. WE HAVE 23,000 SUCH CHILDREN RECEIVING THE ALLOWANCES. EVERY DAY THEY ARE RECEIVING $34 ONLY. THEY WILL GET $3.30 MORE WITH YOUR PACKAGE AND THEY CAN’T EVEN BUY A HAMBURGER WITH THAT. BUT WE ARE LIVING IN SUCH AN AFFLUENT SOCIETY, CAN WE REALLY ALLOW THESE CHILDREN TO ONLY RECEIVE SUCH A SMALL AMOUNT AS $34, AND THEY HAVE TO PAY FOR EVERYTHING WITH IT? NOW, YOU OF COURSE WANT THEM TO JOIN MORE EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES IN PARTIES WITH THEIR SCHOOLMATES. I DON’T THINK THEY CAN DO THAT WITH THE MONEY THAT THEY GET AND I HOPE THAT YOU WILL BE ABLE TO FURTHER INCREASE THE ALLOWANCES GIVEN TO THEM.
THE GOVERNOR: I HAVE FOUND MYSELF, IN THE LAST DAY OR TWO -AND THE SAME THING HAPPENED TO ME LAST YEAR, TO MY GREAT SURPRISE -ATTACKED FOR MY ALLEGEDLY INCIPIENT SOCIALISM FOR INCREASING SPENDING IN SOME AREAS. LAST YEAR, DIRECTOR LU PING ATTACKED ME AS A SOCIALIST, WHICH 1 TAKE IT AS A COMPLIMENT. ON THE OTHER HAND, THE HONOURABLE MEMBER AND SOME OTHERS SAY THAT I AM NOT SPENDING ENOUGH, I’M NOT BEING SOCIALIST ENOUGH. WHAT I AM TRYING TO BE IS RESPONSIBLE, BOTH SOCIALLY AND FISCALLY. AND WHEN ONE IS FACED WITH SOCIAL PROBLEMS, SUCH AS THOSE ABOUT WHICH THE HONOURABLE MEMBER KNOWS A GREAT DEAL, THE INSTINCT OF ANY OF US IS TO BE AS GENEROUS AS POSSIBLE, ALBEIT, IF YOU ARE IN GOVERNMENT, WITH OTHER PEOPLE’S MONEY. BUT YOU HAVE TO BE GENEROUS, AND IN MY VIEW, PRUDENT AT THE SAME TIME.
NOW, LAST YEAR WE DID MAKE A SIGNIFICANT INCREASE IN SOCIAL SECURITY PAYMENTS. WE MADE AN INCREASE WHICH FOR INDIVIDUALS WAS TEN PER CENT AHEAD OF THE RATE OF INFLATION, AND THAT CAME IN LAST SUMMER. FOR A FAMILY OF FOUR THE INCREASE AMOUNTED TO THIRTEEN PER CENT AHEAD OF INFLATION. THOSE WERE, I THINK, IMPORTANT STEPS FORWARD, ALBEIT NEVER ENOUGH. YOU SAID IT WASN’T A POLITICAL QUESTION; I’VE BEEN IN POLITICS LONG ENOUGH TO UNDERSTAND THAT ONE WILL NEVER BE REGARDED AS HAVING DONE ENOUGH IN THESE AREAS AND I UNDERSTAND WHY.
BUT I WOULD JUST LIKE TO MAKE ONE OTHER POINT IN RELATION TO THE CHILDREN AND THE ALLOWANCE THEY RECEIVE. THERE ARE, AS THE HONOURABLE GENTLEMAN SAID, ABOUT 23,000 - I THINK IT’S 22,900, TO BE PEDANTIC - WHO WILL BE IN RECEIPT OF THIS ALLOWANCE. I HAD A LONG SECTION, IN AN EARLIER DRAFT OF MY SPEECH YESTERDAY, IN WHICH I SET OUT ALL THE OTHER GRANTS WHICH THESE CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE WERE QUITE PROPERLY ENTITLED TO RECEIVE. IN THE INTERESTS OF MAKING MY SPEECH AS BRIEF AS POSSIBLE, I CUT THAT PARTICULAR SECTION OUT. BUT IT IS THE CASE THAT CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE WHO ARE ENTITLED TO THIS ALLOWANCE ARE ALSO ENTITLED TO ABOUT SEVEN HUNDRED DOLLARSWORTH OF GRANTS FOR A VARIETY OF DIFFERENT COURSES: FOR TRAVEL, FOR BOOKS, FOR SCHOOL-MEALS AND RELATED MATTERS. I WILL SEND HIM, IF THE HONOURABLE MEMBER WOULD FIND IT HELPFUL, THE BIT OF MY SPEECH WHICH I LEFT ON THE STUDY FLOOR ONE NIGHT ABOUT A WEEK AGO. SO IT IS NOT JUST THE BASIC ALLOWANCE OF, NOW, $1,095 OR RATHER MORE THAN THAT IF THEY ARE DISABLED, IT IS NOT JUST THAT BASIC ALLOWANCE WHICH ONE IS TALKING ABOUT, ONE IS ALSO TALKING ABOUT A LOT OF OTHER GRANTS AS WELL, WHICH I THINK ONE HAS TO TAKE INTO ACCOUNT.
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 7, 1993
19
I CAN SAY ONE LAST THING. IF WE ARE SERIOUSLY CONCERNED ABOUT THE WELFARE OF THE FAMILY, WE HAVE TO COME BACK TO THE SORT OF ISSUE THE HONOURABLE MEMBER HAS RAISED, AGAIN AND AGAIN AND AGAIN, AND HE IS QUITE RIGHT TO CHIDE ME FOR NOT DOING MORE. BUT I THINK IT WAS AN IMPORTANT AND USEFUL MOVE FORWARD AND I HOPE AS RESOURCES ALLOW, WE WILL BE ABLE TO MOVE FURTHER WITHOUT THE GOVERNOR OF HONG KONG EVER BEING CALLED A REAL SOCIALIST OR EVEN AN OLD FASHIONED TORY.
MR MAN SAI-CHEONG (THROUGH INTERPRETER): MR PRESIDENT, FREEDOM OF THE PRESS AND FREEDOM OF SPEECH ARE VERY IMPORTANT, THEY APE CORNERSTONES OF A DEMOCRATIC SOCIETY. IN PARAGRAPH 15, MR GOVERNOR, YOU SAID THAT IN AN OPEN SOCIETY WE WILL NOT KEEP UNNECESSARY SECRETS, AND THEN TN PARAGRAPH 113 YOU EMPHASISED THAT IT IS VERY IMPORTANT TO PROTECT PERSONAL FREEDOM AND LIBERTIES AND PRESS FREEDOM. IF THAT IS TRUE, HOW COME YOU ONLY TALK ABOUT DISCLOSING PUBLIC INFORMATION WITHOUT TELLING US WHETHER YOU HAVE NEW MEASURES TO PROTECT PRESS FREEDOM MORE? FOR EXAMPLE, TO RELEASE MORE INFORMATION ON GOVERNMENT INFORMATION. NOW, THERE ARE SEVEN ORDINANCES CURBING PRESS FREEDOM. WILL YOU RELAX OR REPEAL THESE LAWS TO WIN THE SUPPORT OF THE JOURNALISTS? THANK YOU.
THE GOVERNOR: AS A FORMER POLITICIAN, I’M SURE THE HONOURABLE MEMBER WILL KNOW THAT THE LAST THING I EVER SEEK TO DO IS TO WIN SUPPORT FROM JOURNALISTS. BUT THE HONOURABLE MEMBER MAKES AN IMPORTANT POINT. WE HAVE BEEN REVIEWING - WITH THE JOURNALISTS’ ASSOCIATION PUSHING US AND SPURRING US ON - WE HAVE BEEN REVIEWING THOSE LAWS, THOSE ORDINANCES IN HONG KONG, WHICH NOT JUST JOURNALISTS BUT MANY OTHERS OUTSIDE THE JOURNALIST PROFESSION BELIEVE MAY EITHER BE POTENTIALLY IN CONFLICT WITH THE BILL OF RIGHTS OR MAY BE ACTUALLY IN CONFLICT WITH THE BILL OF RIGHTS, OR MAY BE UNHELPFUL IN RELATION TO THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE JOINT DECLARATION IN THE FUTURE. WE’VE TRIED TO RESPOND TO THE JOURNALISTS’ ASSOCIATION AS CONSTRUCTIVELY AS POSSIBLE. THE JOURNALISTS’ ASSOCIATION WOULD LIKE US TO GO FURTHER AND WE’RE, 1 HOPE, IN A CONTINUING DIALOGUE WITH THE CHAIRMAN, THE CHAIR OF THE JOURNALISTS’ ASSOCIATION, AND OTHERS, ABOUT WHAT FURTHER THEY WOULD LIKE US TO DO. I THINK THE PROPOSALS WE HAVE PUT FORWARD SO FAR ARE SENSIBLE BUT I AM PERFECTLY PREPARED TO BE PERSUADED TO GO FURTHER.
WHERE THERE IS A GENUINE ISSUE OF PRINCIPLE WHICH SEPARATES SOME OF US, IS WHETHER WE SHOULD HAVE GENERAL DECLARATORY LEGISLATION ON THE STATUTE BOOK ABOUT FREEDOM OF INFORMATION. AND AS I THINK THE HONOURABLE MEMBER AND OTHER HONOURABLE MEMBERS WILL KNOW, I AM DUBIOUS ABOUT GENERAL DECLARATORY LEGISLATION, THOUGH 1 AM ENTHUSIASTICALLY IN FAVOUR OF OPENING UP GOVERNMENT IN SPECIFIC AREAS FOR SPECIFIC PURPOSES.
MR MAN SAI-CHEONG: ELUCIDATION ON THE LAST POINT. WHAT AREAS ARE YOU PREPARED TO OPEN UP IN THE GOVERNMENT? ARE YOU TALKING ONLY ABOUT IHE RIGHT-TO-KNOW IN ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS OR YOU SHOULD TRY TO PUSH IT FURTHER AS AN EXAMPLE FOR AN OPEN GOVERNMENT?
/THE GOVERNOR: .......
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 7, 1993
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THE GOVERNOR: YES, I AGREE THAT THE ONUS SHOULD BE ON GOVERNMENT TO DEMONSTRATE THAT IT NEEDS TO KEEP SOME MATTERS AS SECRET OR CONFIDENTIAL RATHER THAN THE OTHER WAY ROUND. BUT THERE ARE MATTERS WHICH WE’RE OPENING UP TO PUBLIC SCRUTINY AND WE’LL CONTINUE TO DO SO. A NUMBER OF THE DECISIONS THAT WE HAVE TAKEN OVER THE LAST YEAR OR SO HAVE MADE PUBLIC, INFORMATION WHICH HAS HITHERTO ALWAYS BEEN PRIVATE, BEGINNING JUST OVER A YEAR AGO WITH THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY’S DECISION TO ANNOUNCE THE AMOUNT OF MONEY IN OUR EXCHANGE FUND.
MR SAMUEL WONG: GOVERNOR, ON THE QUESTION OF LOCALISATION YOU’VE SAID A SPECIAL MEASURES HAVE BEEN TAKEN TO DEAL WITH PARTICULAR SITUATIONS AND YOU GAVE AS EXAMPLES THE LEGAL DEPARTMENT AND THE LEGAL AID DEPARTMENT. MY QUESTION IS, ARE THERE OTHER DEPARTMENTS IN WHICH SPECIAL MEASURES SHOULD ALSO BE TAKEN TO SPEED UP LOCALISATION?
GOVERNOR: YES, THERE ARE - I THINK I AM RIGHT IN SAYING 53 DEPARTMENTS ALTOGETHER, AND WHEN WE WERE LOOKING AT - I AM LOOKING FOR RAISED EYEBROWS OR SHAKES OF THE HEAD WHICH MIGHT SUGGEST THAT I AM RIGHT OR WRONG - THERE ARE JUST OVER FIFTY, I THINK THAT SHOULD COVER MOST EVENTUALITIES - DEPARTMENTS, AND I THINK IT’S GENERALLY RECOGNISED THAT THERE HAVE PROBABLY BEEN PROBLEMS IN SIX OR SEVEN. THERE ARE SOME DEPARTMENTS WHERE LOCALISATION IS VIRTUALLY COMPLETE. EDUCATION, HEALTH, INLAND REVENUE, IMMIGRATION - JUST TO NAME SOME -FIRE SERVICES. THERE ARE OTHERS, IN ADDITION TO THE LEGAL DEPARTMENT AND I THINK THE HONOURABLE MEMBER HAS A PROFESSIONAL KNOWLEDGE OF ONE OR TWO OF THOSE, WHERE ALMOST CERTAINLY, FOR REASONS OF PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT, THERE HAVE BEEN PROBLEMS AS WELL AND WE NEED TO PURSUE THOSE PROBLEMS THROUGH SENSIBLE PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT. I HOPE IT’S AN ISSUE THAT WE CAN AVOID AS FAR AS POSSIBLE AND POLITICISING BECAUSE I DON’T THINK IT WILL MAKE IT ANY EASIER TO SORT IT OUT. I THINK THE ADMINISTRATION HAS TO DEMONSTRATE, NOT JUST TO THIS COUNCIL, NOT JUST TO ITS OWN EMPLOYEES, BUT TO THE COMMUNITY AS A WHOLE, ITS TOTAL COMMITMENT TO PURSUE LOCALISATION IN A SENSIBLE WAY. THAT’S WHAT I WAS TRYING TO DO YESTERDAY. THAT’S WHAT I WILL CONTINUE TO TRY TO DO AND I KNOW THAT THE EXISTING CHIEF SECRETARY, THE CHIEF SECRETARY DESIGNATE, THE SECRETARY OF CIVIL SERVICE AT PRESENT AND THE SECRETARY OF CIVIL SERVANT-DESIGNATE ALL SHARE MY ENTHUSIASM ON THAT PARTICULAR POINT.
MR TANG SIU-TONG: THANK YOU MR CHAIRMAN. MR GOVERNOR, IN YOUR POLICY ADDRESS YESTERDAY, YOU TALKED ABOUT THE PROGRESS IN JLG (JOINT LIAISON GROUP). YOU SAID THERE’S NOT MUCH PROGRESS ON ISSUES SUCH AS CT9 (CONTAINER TERMINAL 9), THE ACP (AIRPORT CORE PROGRAMME) AND THE VISAS. MR GOVERNOR, I HAVE A QUESTION FOR YOU. WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THE REASONS FOR THIS LACK OF PROGRESS? AND HOW WOULD YOU PROPOSE TO SOLVE LIE PROBLEM? ABOUT THE ISSUES TALKED ABOUT BY JLG SOME OF THEM RELATED TO PEOPLE’S LIVELIHOOD AND DO YOU THINK LIVELIHOOD ISSUES ARE MORE IMPORTANT OR POLITICAL REFORMS?
/GOVERNOR: .......
- 21 -
THUKSDAX, UC1VDLK /,
GOVERNOR: I THINK THAT IF WE WERE TO ABANDON THE PRINCIPLES WHICH WE HAVE DISCUSSED SO FREQUENTLY ABOUT THE ELECTORAL PROCESS IT WOULD UNDERMINE THIS COUNCIL AND ITS ROLE, IT WOULD UNDERMINE THE NOTION OF AN EXECUTIVE ACCOUNTABLE TO THE LEGISLATURE, IT WOULD UNDERMINE THE RULE OF LAW AND WOULD THEREFORE INEVITABLY AND CERTAINLY AND MASSIVELY HAVE AN EFFECT ON THE STABILITY OF THIS COMMUNITY AND AN EFFECT ON ITS PROSPERITY AS WELL; AND I FEEL THOSE THINGS VERY STRONGLY. THE HONOURABLE MEMBER ASKS WHY WE DON’T MAKE MORE PROGRESS IN THE JLG, WHY WE HAVEN’T ALREADY HAD AN AGREEMENT ABOUT THE AIRPORT AND THE CONTAINER TERMINAL. I JUST SAY IN PASSING WHERE ELSE IN THE WORLD, WHERE ELSE IN THE WORLD, DO FOREIGN SECRETARIES, DO SENIOR MINISTERS AND OFFICIALS SIT DOWN AND SPEND THEIR TIME ARGUING ABOUT AIRPORTS AND CONTAINER TERMINALS? WHERE? AND WHY DO THEY DO IT? WHY DOES IT HAVE TO HAPPEN? DOES ANYBODY SERIOUSLY THINK THAT THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT, OR THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT IS TRYING TO SLOW UP PROGRESS ON THE AIRPORT? DOES ANYBODY SERIOUSLY THINK THAT IT’S IN THE INTERESTS OF THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT OR THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT TO SLOW UP PROGRESS ON THE CONTAINER TERMINAL? DOES ANYBODY THINK IT’S IN OUR INTERESTS NOT TO MAKE THE SORT OF PROGRESS WE WOULD LIKE WITH THE LOCALISATION OF LAWS, WITH INVESTMENT PROTECTION AND PROMOTION AGREEMENTS, WITH AIR SERVICE AGREEMENTS AND SO ON? THE PARADOX - THE PARADOX - IS THERE IS NO SPECIFIC BRITISH INTEREST IN SECURING AGREEMENT ON THESE MATTERS EXCEPT AS I SAID YESTERDAY, THAT WE WOULD LIKE - WHILE WE ARE SOVEREIGN IN HONG KONG - TO GOVERN HONG KONG AS DECENTLY AND COMPETENTLY AS POSSIBLE. WE WOULD LIKE TO LEAVE HONG KONG IN 1997 WITH A JOB AS WELL DONE AS WE CAN CONCEIVABLY DO IT. NOW, THAT’S IN A SENSE AN INTEREST BUT IT’S NOT THE SAME SORT OF INTEREST WHICH CHINA PRESUMABLY HAS IN WORKING 24-HOURS A DAY, SEVEN DAYS A WEEK, AS SHE SHOULD BE WISHING TO DO, FOR THE BETTERMENT OF THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG AND FOR THE LIVELIHOOD OF THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG. THAT SHOULD BE SOMETHING THAT WE ALL SHARE.
SO, I REPEAT - I REPEAT AS FIRMLY AS I CAN - THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT, THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT ARE NOT DRAGGING THEIR FEET IN THE JLG. DOES ANYBODY SERIOUSLY SUPPOSE THAT AMBASSADOR GALSWORTHY AND HIS TEAM DIDN’T WANT TO MAKE AS MUCH PROGRESS AS POSSIBLE? AMBASSADOR GALSWORTHY WAS A GREAT ORNITHOLOGIST BUT HE WOULD HAVE PREFERRED TO SPEND MORE TIME IN MEETINGS OF THE JLG THAN AT MAI PO, MUCH AS HE ENJOYED MAI PO. IT IS IMPORTANT FOR EVERYONE TO RECOGNISE THAT THESE MATTERS REQUIRE AGREEMENT ON BOTH SIDES OF THE TABLE. ON OUR SIDE OF THE TABLE WE ARE ANXIOUS TO REACH AGREEMENT AS RAPIDLY AND AS COMPREHENSIVELY AS POSSIBLE. I CAN’T SPEAK FOR WHAT THE VIEWS ARE ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE TABLE.
PRESIDENT: IN ACCORDANCE WITH STANDING ORDERS I NOW ADJOURN THE SITTING UNTIL WEDNESDAY, 13TH OCTOBER 1993.
--------0-----------
/22........
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 7, 1993
22 -
GOVERNOR AT SHAT IN PUBLIC MEETING *****
GOVERNOR: GOOD EVENING LADIES 4 GENTLEMEN, THANK YOU VERY MUCH INDEED FOR COMING THIS EVENING. LAST YEAR, WHEN I CAME TO SHATIN AFTER MY LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL SPEECH, I MADE TWO PROMISES. FIRST OF ALL, I SAID THAT I WOULD DO SOMETHING WHICH I HAD BEEN ADVISED TO DO BUT HADN’T YET DONE AND THAT WAS TO HAVE DINNER AT THE PIGEON
RESTAURANT IN SHATIN. WELL, THIS YEAR, TO CELEBRATE MY FIRST YEAR IN HONG KONG, I WENT WITH ALL. MY OFFICE STAFF TO THE PIGEON RESTAURANT AND WE HAD AN \WFUI LOL OF PIGEONS. SECONDLY, I’D PROMISED THAT I’D COME BACK AND HAVE ANOTHER PUBLIC MEETING THIS YEAR AND EVERY YEAR AFTER MY LEGISLATIVE ('OUNCIL SPEECH. SO HERE I AM AGAIN KEEPING LAST YEAR’S PROMISE AND IF I HADN’T HAVE DONE SO, EMILY LAU - WHO I THINK IS IN THE AUDIENCE SOMEWHERE - WOULD HAVE SCOLDED ME. THOSE OF YOU WHO CAME LAST YEAR WILL KNOW THAT THIS EVENING IS REALLY AN EVENING FOR YOU RATHER THAN ME. PEOPLE USE VERY GRAND WORDS WHEN THEY TALK ABOUT POLITICS AND GOVERNMENT. ONE OF THE PHRASES THEY USE IS THE EXECUTIVE, THE GOVERNMENT BEING ACCOUNTABLE TO THE LEGISLATURE. ONE OF THE THINGS THAT MEANS IS THAT THE EXECUTIVE LIKE ME SHOULD MAKE OURSELVES AVAILABLE TO ANSWER THE QUESTIONS OF YOU. NOW, BEFORE I ASK WHETHER ANY OF YOU WANT TO ASK A QUESTION AND IF NONE OF YOU DO, I GUESS WE CAN ALL GO HOME EARLY.
BEFORE I ASK FOR QUESTIONS, JUST LET ME MAKE A COUPLE OF COMMENTS VERY BRIEFLY ABOUT WHAT I SAID IN MY SPEECH TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL YESTERDAY. I SAID THEN, AND I THINK ALL OF US KNOW IT’S TRUE, THAT THE LAST YEAR HAS BEEN A VERY GOOD ONE FOR HONG KONG IN EVERY SENSE EXCEPT ONE. OUR ECONOMY HAS DONE EXTREMELY WELL ONCE AGAIN AND BECAUSE OUR ECONOMY HAS DONE WELL, WE’VE BEEN ABLE TO DO MORE FOR OUR HEALTH SERVICE, FOR SOCIAL WELFARE, FOR EDUCATION, FOR THE ENVIRONMENT AND FOR THE OTHER THINGS WE CARE ABOUT AS A COMMUNITY. LAST YEAR I SET OUT A WHOLE AGENDA OF THINGS WHICH I WANTED US TO DO OVER THE NEXT FIVE YEARS AND IN AN ANNEXE TO MY POLICY SPEECH THIS YEAR, WE’VE SET OUT IN DETA II THE PROGRESS WE’VE MADE ON ALL THOSE LIVELIHOOD ISSUES. NOW, BECAUSE OUR ECONOMY HAS GONE ON DOING WELL, BECAUSE YOU’VE WORKED SO HARD, BECAUSE OUR ECONOMY HAS CONTINUED TO EXPAND, WE’VE BEEN ABLE TO MAKE MORE COMMITMENTS THIS YEAR TO IMPROVE THE’ HEALTH SERVICE. TO GIVE MORE HELP TO THE ELDERLY, TO PUT MORE MONEY INTO OUR SCHOOLS, TO DO MANY OF THE OTHER THINGS WHICH YOU WANT TO DO AS HONG KONG BECOMES MORE PROSPEROUS AND MORE SUCCESSFUL. THE ONE SHADOW ACROSS OUR PATH HAS BEEN THE PROBLEMS IN OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH CHINA AND ABOVE ALL, THE PROBLEMS IN TRYING TO AGREE TO A SET OF FAIR ELECTORAL ARRANGEMENTS FOR 1994 AND 1995. WE BELIEVE THAT WE NEED IN HONG KONG A FAIR AND OPEN ELECTION SYSTEM IN ORDER TO PROTECT THE RULE OF LAW, IN ORDER TO HELP PROTECT OUR WAY OF LIFE, IN ORDER TO TRY TO ENSURE THAT ALL THE THINGS WHICH HAVE MADE HONG KONG SUCCESSFUL
CONTINUE INTO THE FUTURE.
SO, WE THINK THAT IN ORDER TO ENSURE THAT HONG KONG’S SYSTEM SURVIVES AND PROSPERS WE HAVE TO STAND UP FOR HONG KONG. I HOPE THE TALKS THAT WE ARE HAVING WITH CHINA AT THE MOMENT LEAD TO A SUCCESSFUL CONCLUSION BUT WHATEVER HAPPENS WE’LL GO ON STANDING UP FOR HONG KONG’S WAY OF LIFE. NOW, I’VE SAID ENOUGH, SO IT’S OVER TO YOU.
/CAN I .......
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 7, 1993
- 23 -
CAN I JUST SAY /X COUPLE OF THINGS WHICH I DARESAY MAY HAVE BEEN SAID BEFORE I ARRIVED. WE WANT TO GET IN AS MANY QUESTIONS TONIGHT AS POSSIBLE. SO, IT’S IN THE INTERESTS OF ALL OF YOU, AND PARTICULARLY IN THE INTERESTS OF THOSE WHO HAVEN’T YET BEEN ABIE TO ASK A QUESTION WHEN YOU ASK YOUR QUESTION, TO KEEP YOUR QUESTIONS SHORT. LET ME LET YOU INTO A SECRET AS WELL. SHORT QUESTIONS ARE MUCH MORE DIFFICULT TO ANSWER THAN LONG QUESTIONS. SO IF YOU REALLY WANT TO BE VERY KIND TO ME THIS EVENING, BUT VERY UNKIND TO ALL YOUR FRIENDS AND COLLEAGUES HERE, YOU ASK ME LONG QUESTIONS. WHAT I’LL DO, I’LL ASK FOR A SHOW OF HANDS, I’LL TRY TO ASK FOR QUESTIONERS FROM DIFFERENT PARTS OF THE AUDIENCE, I’LL CALL ABOUT THREE PEOPLE AT A TIME, AND YOU CAN TAKE IT IN - STAND IN A QUEUE AS IT WERE - AT THE MICROPHONES AROUND THE HALL. RIGHT, WHILE THE REST OF YOU ARE PUTTING YOUR HANDS UP, JUST IN ORDER TO GIVE HIM A BIT OF TIME, THERE’S A GENTLEMAN IN A WHEELCHAIR AT THE BACK OF THE HALL NEAR MICROPHONE NO.3. WHILE HE IS MANEUVERING HIMSELF OVER INTO POSITION I’LL THEN TAKE THE GENTLEMAN NEXT TO NO.l OVER THERE AND FOLLOWING THAT, I’LL TAKE THE LADY - SHE’S NEXT TO A GENTLEMAN WHO HAS GOT HIS RIGHT ARM UP - THE LADY WITH HER LEFT ARM UP AND IF YOU’D LIKE TO COME DOWN TO NO.4, IS THAT ALRIGHT? IT’S GOING TO BE THE GENTLEMAN AT THE BACK IN THE WHEELCHAIR, THEN NO.1, AND THEN THE LADY. SO FIRST OF ALL, NO.3.
QUESTION: MR PATTEN, THANK YOU FOR LETTING ME ASK THE FIRST QUESTION. I WAS HERE LAST YEAR, IN FACT, YOU MADE THREE PROMISES. THE THIRD ONE WAS TO HELP THE DISABLED PEOPLE TO GET ON PUBLIC TRANSPORT WHICH YOU HAVE DONE EXCELLENTLY AND THE PROBLEM HAS BEEN PRELIMINARILY SOLVED. THERE HAS BEEN A MEETING AMONG ALL THE PARTIES CONCERNED BUT NOW I HAVE ANOTHER QUESTION I WANT TO ASK. IT’S ABOUT EMPLOYMENT OF THE DISABLED. WHILE HONG KONG IS SO PROSPEROUS, THERE IS A SHOCKING FACT WHICH IS DISCLOSED TN THE REHABILITATION GREEN PAPER. ABOUT 49% OF THE DISABLED PEOPLE IN HONG KONG ARE UNEMPLOYED. IN THE GREEN PAPER MANY OPTIONS HAVE BEEN BROUGHT UP, FOR EXAMPLE, TAX CONCESSION, TO LEGISLATE, TO REQUIRE THE BUSINESSES TO EMPLOY A PROPORTION OF DISABLED PEOPLE AND TO SET UP A FUND FOR SELF-EMPLOYMENT. ALL THESE ARE GOOD OPTIONS, BUT NOT ANY ONE OF THEM HAS BEEN IMPLEMENTED. MAY I ASK YOU, MR PATTEN, TO MOTIVATE THE MATTER, TO CALL A MEETING AMONG THE DEPARTMENTS CONCERNED AND THE LARGE BUSINESSES, SUCH AS BANKS AND SUPERMARKETS AND THE ORGANISATIONS OF THE DISABLED PEOPLE SO THAT WE CAN SIT AROUND THE TABLE AND TALK ABOUT HOW TO HELP THIS GROUP OF PEOPLE WHO CANNOT SHARE THE FRUIT OF PROSPERITY OF HONG KONG.
GOVERNOR: FOLLOWING QUESTIONS THAT I WAS ASKED HERE AND ELSEWHERE LAST YEAR ABOUT THE PROBLEMS WHICH THE DISABLED FIND THEY HAVE TO COPE WITH IN PUBLIC TRANSPORT, WE HAD A MEETING BETWEEN ALL THE DISABLED GROUPS AND ALL THE PUBLIC TRANSPORT MANAGEMENT, FERRIES, BUSES AND TRAINS.
GOVERNOR: THAT WAS A VERY POSITIVE MEETING, WE AGREED A RANGE OF MEASURES WHICH THE TRANSPORT OPERATORS COULD TAKE IN ORDER TO IMPROVE CONDITIONS FOR THE DISABLED. WHAT I SAID AT THAT MEETING WAS THAT WE WOULD HAVE ANOTHER SUMMIT THIS YEAR TO REVIEW PROGRESS AND I CAN PROMISE YOU WE WILL CALL THAT MEETING A LITTLE LATER, SO THAT WE CAN SEE EXCTL WHAT HAS BEEN ACHIEVED OVER THE LAST YEAR.
/WE HAVE .......
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 7, 1993
24
WE HAVE TO BE JUST AS POSITIVE ABOUT EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES EOR DISABLED PEOPLE. AND IN DOING THAT, WE ARE NOT JUST BEING FAIR TO THE DISABLED, WE ARE DOING SOMETHING IMPORTANT FOR HONG KONG BECAUSE WE NEED THE SKILLS AND ABILITIES WHICH DISABLED PEOPLE CAN BRING TO OUR ECONOMY AND OUR COMMUNITY. SO I ANNOUNCED IN MY SPEECH YESTERDAY, THAT WE ARE INTENDING TO EXTEND THE RANGE OF OUR RETRAINING FUND SO THAT IT CAN HELP THE DISABLED TRAIN FOR JOBS, AS WELL AS HELP THOSE WHO HAVE LOST THEIR JOBS BECAUSE OF CHANGES, TECHNOLOGICALLY, IN THEIR FIRM, OR FOR OTHER REASONS.
BUT WE NEED TO LOOK, AS WELL, AT THE OTHER ISSUES RAISED IN THE GREEN PAPER ON REHABILITATION, INCLUDING SELFEMPLOYMENT, AND I CAN PROMISE YOU WE WILL DO SO IN THE COURSE OF THE NEXT FEW MONTHS AND HAVE A DISCUSSION ON THE OUTCOME OF THOSE TALKS IN GOVERNMENT WITH DISABLED GROUPS AGAIN.
QUESTION (IN ENGLISH): HONOURABLE GOVERNOR, EVERYONE HERE
EXPECTS THE FREEDOM OF SPEECH, THROUGH TRAIN AFTER 1997, BILL OF RIGHTS, IN THE BASIC LAW, CHAPTER 3, CONDITION 27, AND FREE ELECTIONS SEEM NOT TO BE PROTECTED AS WHAT WE EXPECT. WHAT
ADDITIONAL MEASURES CAN ACHIEVE THIS GOAL? AND SOME POLITICAL CRITICS AI.WAYS BELIEVE THAT BRITAIN SEEMS TO BE LEAVING SOME
POLITICAL SPACE SO THAT THEY ARE VERY KEEN ON THE INTERESTS OF
THE FREE ELECTIONS - I MEAN FOR THE 1994-5 ELECTIONS. WHAT HELP US TO DEFEND THIS. AND ALWAYS REMINDS ME THAT POLITICAL NEGOTIATIONS SHOULD BE ......... WANT TO MAKE IT SIMPLE, WHY
TECHNICALLY WE CANNOT SEPARATE 1994 AND 1995 ELECTIONS? CONCLUSIVELY, WE, ALL THE PEOPLE IN HONG KONG, APPRECIATE THE EXCELLENT MANAGEMENT OF THE BRITISH, ESPECIALLY THE PEOPLE, NATIVE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG ISLAND, NEW TERRITORIES AND KOWLOON PENINSULAR. THANK YOU.
GOVERNOR: CAN I TAKE THOSE AS TWO SEPARATE QUESTIONS, FIRST OF ALL, TO EXPLAIN THE PROBLEMS OF TIMING IN MAKING THE ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE 1994 AND ’95 ELECTIONS, AND SECONDLY, TO TRY TO ANSWER YOUR QUESTION ABOUT HOW WE CAN BEST GUARANTEE ALL THOSE VALUES WHICH HAVE MADE HONG KONG SUCH A MARVELLOUS PLACE TO LIVE, WHICH HAVE MADE HONG KONG AN OPEN AND SUCCESSFUL COMMUNITY.
FIRST, THE QUESTION OF THE TIMING OF LEGISLATION. AS I SAID TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL THIS AFTERNOON, WE’RE GETTING PRETTY TIGHT FOR TIME FOR THE ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE DISTRICT BOARD AND MUNICIPAL COUNCIL ELECTIONS, AS WELL AS FOR THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ELECTIONS. UNDER NORMAL CIRCUMSTANCES, WE WOULD HAVE WANTED TO HAVE ALL THE ARRANGEMENTS IN PLACE BY NOW FOR THE DISTRICT BOARD ELECTIONS, SO THAT CANDIDATES COULD BE GETTING TO KNOW THEIR WARDS, SO THAT PEOPLE COULD BE PREPARING FOR NEXT YEAR’S DISTRICT BOARD ELECTIONS.
THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ELECTION ARRANGEMENTS HAVE TO BE MADE LEGISLATIVELY BY NEXT JULY. THERE’S A LONG PROCESS BEFORE THAT: DRAFTING THE BILLS, GETTING THE BILLS DISCUSSED IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. AND AFTER WE HAVE DONE THAT, THE BOUNDARY AND ELECTION COMMISSION HAVE TO BRING FORWARD MORE LEGISLATION ON ISSUES LIKE THE VOTER REGISTRATION FOR THE FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCIES. SO WITH THE BEST WILL IN THE WORLD, TRY AS WE MIGHT, WE HAVEN’T GOT VERY MUCH MORE TIME. SO, I REPEAT, WE’RE NOT RUSHING ANY FENCES; WE’RE NOT ACTING IN A PRECIPITATED AND IN A TOO SPEEDY WAY. WE’RE ACTUALLY LEANING OVER BACKWARDS TO TRY TO GIVE MORE TIME FOR THESE DISCUSSIONS.
/OF COURSE, .......
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 7, 1993
- 25 -
OF COURSE, IF CHINESE OFFICIALS SAID TOMORROW, "WE WILL AGREE WITH YOU ABOUT THE DISTRICT BOARDS AND MUNICIPAL COUNCILS; WE WILL AGREE WITH YOU ABOUT THE VOTING-AGE; WE WILL AGREE WITH YOU ABOUT SINGLE-SEAT, SINGLE-VOTE FOR GEOGRAPHICAL ELECTIONS", SO THAT WE CAN THEN JUST CONCENTRATE ON THE OTHER MATTERS AFFECTING THE LEGCO ELECTIONS WHICH HAVE CONCERNED US IN THE PAST AND HAVE PRODUCED SO MANY WORDS FROM THE NEW CHINA NEWS AGENCY. IF THEY WERE TO SAY THAT, THEN WE WOULD ALL BE VERY GRATEFUL AND WE COULD GO AHEAD WITH THESE OTHER MATTERS.
GOVERNOR: NOW, WHAT ABOUT THOSE OTHER ISSUES YOU’VE MENTIONED? WELL, FREEDOM OF SPEECH IS GUARANTEED IN THE JOINT DECLARATION SIGNED BETWEEN BRITAIN AND CHINA. HONG KONG HAS WRITTEN INTO ITS BASIC LAW THE INTERNATIONAL COVENANT ON CIVIL AND POLITICAL RIGHTS. AGAIN, THAT GUARANTEES THE SORT OF FREEDOMS SET OUT IN THE BILL OF RIGHTS. AND THE JOINT DECLARATION MAKES IT PERFECTLY CLEAR THAT THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL HERE IN HONG KONG SHOULD BE COMPOSED OF PEOPLE ELECTED. IT DOESN’T SAY IT SHOULD BE COMPOSED OF PEOPLE FAIRLY ELECTED BUT THEN I DON’T IMAGINE ANYBODY SUPPOSES THAT ELECTIONS SHOULD BE UNFAIR. I HAVE TO ACT BEFORE 1997 WHILE I HAVE RESPONSIBILITY TO DEFEND ALL THOSE PRINCIPLES AND I THINK IF I DEFEND ALL THOSE PRINCIPLES BEFORE 1997 THEY ARE MUCH MORE LIKELY TO SURVIVE AFTER 1997.
QUESTION: MR PATTEN IN YOUR POLICY SPEECH WE ARE VERY DISAPPOINTED ON THE SECTION ON POLITICS BECAUSE YOU DID NOTHING TO RECTIFY THE FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCY ELECTION WHICH WE THINK HAVE VIOLATED HUMAN RIGHTS. I REPRESENT AN ORGANISATION "UNITED ANTS". WE HAVE WRITTEN YOU EARLIER ON TO POINT OUT THIS FACT BUT YOU REPLIED, IN YOUR REPLY YOU JUST TOLD US THAT YOU HAVE CONSULTED LEGAL ADVICE AND THAT THE FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCY ELECTION IS NOT A VIOLATION OF THE HUMAN RIGHTS, BUT YOU DID NOT DISCLOSE THE SOURCE OF YOUR LEGAL ADVICE. THEREFORE THERE IS NO WAY WE CAN CARRY ON WITH OUR DISCUSSION. AND THERE IS HUMAN RIGHTS ORDINANCE IN HONG KONG, BUT WE HAVE THIS KIND OF FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCY ELECTION WHICH IS A VIOLATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS. FURTHERMORE, WE DO NOT HAVE ANY JUDICIAL REVIEW, NO RECOURSE TO JUDICIAL REVIEW. CAN YOU GIVE US A SHORT ANSWER? WHO GAVE YOU THIS LEGAL ADVICE, SO THAT THE SOURCE OF YOUR LEGAL ADVICE CAN DISCUSS WITH PEOPLE OF THE LEGAL CIRCLE, SO THAT WE CAN HAVE A FAIR REPLY ON THIS ISSUE?
GOVERNOR: WE’VE HAD LEGAL ADVICE BOTH FROM GOVERNMENT LAWYERS AND FROM DISTINGUISHED LAWYERS OUTSIDE GOVERNMENT. FOR EXAMPLE, SOME WHO WERE MEMBERS OF OUR EXECUTIVE COUNCIL. BUT I WANT TO COME NOT JUST TO THE LEGAL POINTS WHICH I AM QUITE HAPPY TO WRITE TO YOU ABOUT IN GREATER DETAIL. I WANT TO COME TO THE CENTRAL POINT OF YOUR QUESTION. WE ARE, AS YOU KNOW, COMMITTED UNDER THE JOINT DECLARATION AND THE BASIC LAW TO A MIXED SYSTEM FOR CHOOSING OUR LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. AT THE NEXT LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ELECTIONS HALF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL WILL BE CHOSEN BY FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCIES, TEN WILL BE CHOSEN BY THE ELECTION COMMITTEE AND THE REST IN GEOGRAPHICAL CONSTITUENCIES LIKE THE ONE THAT EMILY REPRESENTS HERE.
/UNDER THE .......
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 7, 1993
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UNDER THE BASIC LAW, THE NUMBER OE LEGISLATORS WHO ARE DIRECTLY ELECTED FROM GEOGRAPHICAL CONSTITUENCIES STEADILY INCREASES AND THERE IS PROVISION IN THE BASIC LAW IN THE FUTURE FOR ALL MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TO BE DIRECTLY ELECTED IN THAT WAY. BUT FOR THE TIME BEING WE ARE BOUND INTO A SYSTEM IN WHICH A LARGE NUMBER OF MEMBERS ARE ELECTED FROM FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCIES. NOW, THERE ARE TWO PARTICULAR ANXIETIES WHICH PEOPLE - I DON’T KNOW WHETHER THEY ARE YOUR ANXIETIES - BUT THERE ARE TWO PARTICULAR ANXIETIES WHICH PEOPLE EXPRESS ABOUT THE FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCIES. FIRST, THEY SAY, THAT UNDER THE PRESENT SYSTEM, WHILE MOST PEOPLE JUST HAVE ONE VOTE, SOME PEOPLE HAVE TWO VOTES OR MORE VOTES BECAUSE OF THE FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCY SYSTEM. SECONDLY, IT’S ALSO ARGUED THAT SOME OF THE FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCIES ARE SO SMALL THAT UNFORTUNATELY THEY CAN LEAD TOO EASILY TO CORRUPT OR UNFAIR ELECTORAL PRACTICES. FOR THOSE REASONS, WE ARE DETERMINED TO ENSURE THAT THE FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCIES, WHILE RETAINING THE SPIRIT BEHIND THEM, ARE AS BROADLY DRAWN AS POSSIBLE AND INVOLVE AS MANY INDIVIDUALS AS POSSIBLE. SO WE ARE IN FAVOUR OF INDIVIDUALS VOTING IN FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCIES, NOT CORPORATE VOTING IN FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCIES. NOW, UNFORTUNATELY, THAT’S NOT GOING TO SATISFY YOU BECAUSE YOU DON’T LIKE THE SYSTEM OF FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCIES IN PRINCIPLE. I CAN’T DO ANYTHING ABOUT THAT. I HAVE TO WORK WITHIN THE TERMS OF THE JOINT DECLARATION AND THE BASIC LAW. BUT WHAT I CAN TRY TO DO IS TO ENSURE THAT THE FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCY OPERATE IN AS FAIR A WAY AS POSSIBLE AND THAT’S WHAT I AM DETERMINED TO ATTEMPT.
QUESTION: THANK YOU, MR PATTEN. AT THE BEGINNING OF THE FORUM, YOU TOLD US ABOUT THE TWO PROMISES YOU MADE LAST YEAR WHEN YOU CAME TO SHA TIN, AND YOU GAVE US AN IMPRESSION THAT YOUR BEHAVIOUR AND YOUR WORDS MATCHED. BUT IN YOUR POLICY SPEECH, I DON’T THINK YOU HAVE DONE SO. YOU HAVE TALKED ABOUT DEMOCRATIC PRINCIPLE AND YOU MENTIONED THAT THE EXECUTIVE SHOULD BE ACCOUNTABLE TO THE LEGISLATURE, BUT I DON’T THINK YOU HAVE IMPLEMENTED THIS IN FULL. FOR EXAMPLE, THE RICH HOUSEHOLD POLICY OF THE PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES, YOU DID NOT DO WHAT THE LEGCO MEMBERS AGREED ON, SO YOU HAVEN’T DONE ACCORDING TO LEGCO’S WISHES.
AND THE SECOND THING IS ON SINO-HONG KONG RELATIONS. YOUR PREDECESSORS HAVE BUILT UP QUITE A GOOD RELATIONSHIP WITH CHINA 1 DO NOT UNDERSTAND WHY THIS RELATIONSHIP HAS BECOME SO TENSE SINCE YOUR ARRIVAL. I DON’T THINK IT IS DUE TO A CHANGE OF THE CHINESE POLICY, IT WAS DUE TO A CHANGE OF THE BRITISH POLICY. AND YOU SAID IN YOUR POLICY SPEECH THAT YOU WISH TO IMPROVE SI NO-HONG KONG RELATIONS, BUT WHAT YOU DID, 1 DON’T THINK YOU HAVE SINCERITY.
GOVERNOR: LET ME START WITH DOUBLE-RENT POLICY WHICH YOU REFERRED TO, AND JUST SAY A WORD OR TWO ABOUT THE EXECUTIVE BEING ACCOUNTABLE TO THE LEGISLATURE, WHICH IS PERHAPS A CONCEPT BETTER UNDERSTOOD IN OUR SYSTEM THAN IN ONE OR TWO OTHER SYSTEMS CLOSE BY. WHAT YOU WERE SUGGESTING WAS THAT THE GOVERNMENT IN ANY SOCIETY SHOULD ALWAYS AGREE WITH AND ALWAYS DO WHATEVER THE LEGISLATURE SUGGESTS. THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL HAS VOTED, BY A SUBSTANTIAL MARGIN, TN FAVOUR OF THE GOVERNMENT’S PROPOSALS ON POLITICAL DEVELOPMENT. SO, UNDER YOUR ARGUMENT, WE SHOULDN’T TAKE ANY OTHER CONSIDERATIONS INTO ACCOUNT BUT WE SHOULD GO STRAIGHT AHEAD AND IMPLEMENT THE LEGISLATION WHICH WE ORIGINALLY PROPOSED FOR THE ELECTIONS IN 1994 AND 1995. PRESIDENT CLINTON HAS TO ACCOUNT TO HIS LEGISLATURE, BUT YOU WILL HAVE NOTICED HE DOESN’T ALWAYS AGREE WITH IT IN EVERY DETAIL.
/ON THE ........
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 7, 1993
- 27 -
ON THE HOUSING AUTHORITY’S DOUBLE-RENT POLICY, I HAVE TO SAY THAT I DON’T THINK IT IS UNREASONABLE THAT TENANTS WHO ARE MUCH BETTER OFF THAN OTHERS SHOULD SEE THAT REFLECTED IN THE RENT THEY PAY. IF YOU EARN, AS A HOUSEHOLD, THREE TIMES AS MUCH, WHICH IS THE STARTING POINT, THREE TIMES AS MUCH AS THE INCOME LEVELS FOR ALL HOUSING AUTHORITY TENANTS, IF YOU’VE BEEN A HOUSING AUTHORITY TENANT FOR OVER TEN YEARS, I DON’T THINK IT IS UNREASONABLE THAT SHOULD BE REFLECTED IN YOUR RENT, AND 1 THINK IT WOULD BE UNEQUAL IF IT WASN’T.
I’LL TURN TO RELATIONS WITH CHINA. THERE ARE SOME PEOPLE WITH A LOT LONGER MEMORIES THAN PERHAPS YOU AND ME, MEMORIES THAT GO BACK NOT JUST TEN YEARS BUT TWENTY OR THIRTY YEARS, AND THEY WILL REMEMBER PERIODS OF FAR GREATER TURBULENCE AND FAR GREATER DIFFICULTY THAN WE’VE BEEN THROUGH IN THE LAST YEAR. AND DESPITE THOSE DIFFICULTIES, HONG KONG HAS CONTINUED TO DO WELL, HAS CONTINUED TO PROSPER. WHY? BECAUSE OUR SYSTEM WORKS. THE LAST UNRESOLVED
ISSUE OF THE TRANSITION WAS THE QUESTION OF THE ELECTORAL ARRANGEMENTS FOR 1994 AND 1995. MAYBE ONE REASON WHY IT HADN’T ALREADY BEEN RESOLVED IS BECAUSE IT IS RATHER A DIFFICULT QUESTION. I’M NOT GOING TO ASK YOU TO LET US RESOLVE IT IN A WAY WHICH I THINK WOULD DAMAGE HONG KONG, BOTH TODAY AND IN THE FUTURE. PEOPLE TALK ABOUT POLITICAL TURMOIL OR POLITICAL INSTABILITY. WHERE IS THE TURMOIL OR THE
INSTABILITY IN HONG KONG? 1 CAN POINT TO THAT IN SOME OTHER PLACES IN THE REGION BUT IT DOESN’T HAPPEN HERE IN HONG KONG.
QUESTION: THANK YOU MR GOVERNOR. I AM GOING TO ASK A SHORT QUESTION WHICH YOU WILL FIND VERY DIFFICULT TO ANSWER.
GOVERNOR: THANKS FOR THE WARNING.
QUESTION: IF THERE IS NO DEAL WITH CHINA AND YOU ARE FORCED TO GO TO LEGCO ALONE, BEFORE YOU DO SO, I UNDERSTAND THAT YOU HAVE TWO PROPOSALS IN HANI). SO BEFORE YOU GO TO LEGCO ALONE, WOULD YOU OPEN A CONSULTATIVE MEETING LIKE THIS TO ASK OUR OPINION?
GOVERNOR: I THINK THAT IF THAT EMERGES WE WILL NEED NOT JUST ONE MEETING LIKE THIS BUT A LOT OF MEETINGS LIKE THIS. LET ME MAKE TO YOU A VERY SIMPLE POINT WHICH I MADE TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL YESTERDAY. IN MAKING DECISIONS ON THESE ISSUES WE ALL KNOW THAT WE ARE TALKING ABOUT MATTERS WHICH WILL AFFECT, AND CAN AFFECT FUNDAMENTALLY, THE FUTURE OF HONG KONG AND OF ALL THE FAMILIES WHO LIVE TN HONG KONG. SO I MAKE THIS POINT NOT \S AN ABDICATION OF LEADERSHIP BUT AS A SIMPLE STATEMENT OF A PRINCIPLE ON WHICH 1 HAVE TO STAND. I CAN’T GO FURTHER, THE GOVERNMENT CAN’T GO FURTHER THAN THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG WISH US TO GO. BUT NOR. CAN WE GO LESS FAR. WHEN I LEAVE ON THE 30TH OF JUNE 1997 I DON’T WANT PEOPLE TO SAY IF ONLY HE’D GONE FURTHER AND DONE WHAT WE AIL WANTED HOW MUCH BETTER THE FUTURE WOULD LOOK. OF COURSE, I HAVE TO GIVE A LEAD, OF COURSE 1 HAVE TO TELL YOU WHAT MY JUDGMENT IS ABOUT WHAT WOULD BE BEST FOR THE COMMUNITY, BUT AT THE END OF THE DAY, I CAN’T GO FURTHER THAN THE COMMUNITY WANTS TO GO. I SAY THAT ABSOLUTELY CLEARLY ON BEHALF ON MYSELF, ON BEHALF OF THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT AND ON BEHALF OF THE UNITED KINGDOM GOVERNMENT.
/QUESTION: .......
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 7, 1993
- 28 -
QUESTION: THANK YOU MR PATTEN. I WANT TO ASK TWO QUESTIONS BUT BEFORE I DO SO, I’D LIKE TO MAKE SOME COMMENTS. I APPRECIATE YOU. I APPRECIATE YOU BECAUSE YOU HAVE MADE SOME OF THE HONG KONG PEOPLE VERY UNHAPPY BUT YOU HAVE MADE MOST OF US VERY HAPPY, BECAUSE THOSE PEOPLE WHO ARE UNHAPPY, THEY ARE USED TO 'KOWTOWING’ TO THE NORTH AND NOW THEY ARE GOING TO DO SO. WHAT WE NEED IS A GOVERNOR WHO CAN SUPPORT US IN OUR FIGHT FOR DEMOCRACY. SINCE YOU CAME TO HONG KONG THERE HAVE BEEN A LOT OF CRITICISMS TO ATTACK THE GOVERNMENT, WHICH I THINK IS A GOOD THING.
MY FIRST QUESTION IS - I FULLY SUPPORT A FULL DIRECT ELECTION AND I ALSO SUPPORT A REFERENDUM FOR HONG KONG BUT WATCHING TV LAST NIGHT 1 CAN SEE THAT YOU WERE VERY FIRM, YOU WERE FIRMLY AGAINST A REFERENDUM. IS ’I HERE ANY OTHER WAY TO CHANGE YOUR MIND SO THAT THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG CAN EXPRESS THEIR VIEWS?
THE SECOND ONE IS A FOLLOW UP QUESTION ON ANOTHER QUESTION WHICH WAS ASKED EARLIER. IT WAS ABOUT THE FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCY ELECTION WHICH I AGREE IS A VIOLATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS. ACCORDING TO THE BARRISTERS ASSOCIATION THIS ELECTION VIOLATES HUMAN RIGHTS BUT YOU SAID 'NO’. MAY I ASK YOU WHO GAVE YOU THIS LEGAL OPINION?
GOVERNOR: ON YOUR FIRST QUESTION YOU ASKED HOW YOU MIGHT CHANGE
MY MIND. SOMETIMES THE BEST WAY TO CHANGE THE MIND OF A POLITICAL
LEADER IS TO FLATTER HIM. BUT EVEN THOUGH YOU WERE EXTREMELY KIND AND COURTEOUS IN THE FIRST REMARKS YOU MADE, I DON’T THINK I CAN CHANGE MY MIND THIS EVENING. I JUST HOPE - IF 1 CAN MAKE THIS OTHER POINT BEFORE ANSWERING SPECIFICALLY ABOUT A REFERENDUM. 1 JUST HOPE THAT ENOUGH PEOPLE REALISE HOW MANY PEOPLE THERE ARE LIKE YOU WHO THINK THAT THE PROPOSALS THAT WE PUT FORWARD LAST AUTUMN ARE FAR TOO MODEST. I JUST WISH PEOPLE WOULD SOMETIMES RECOGNISE THAT THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE IN HONG KONG WHO WOULD HAVE LIKED US TO HAVE GONE FURTHER, WHO’VE CONSISTENTLY VOTED FOR CANDIDATES IN ELECTIONS WHO WOULD HAVE GONE FURTHER THAN I WENT AND I HOPE THAT PEOPLE WILL GIVE THOSE LIKE YOU THE CREDIT FOR HAVING A LONG-TERM GOAL BUT BEING EXTREMELY RATIONAL AND MODERATE IN THE WAX YOU PURSUE IT. BUT AS LONG AS PEOPLE LIKE YOU BELIEVE IN YOUR HEARTS AS YOU DO, ONE DAY YOU WILL GET WHAT YOU WANT. NOW, YOU FLATTERED ME, I FLATTERED YOU.
NOW, REFERENDUMS. THE ISSUES THAT WE ARE TALKING ABOUT ARE OF COURSE EXCEPTIONALLY COMPLICATED AND VERY DIFFICULT IN SOME CIRCUMSTANCES TO GIVE A YES OR. A NO ANSWER TO. I CAN IMAGINE PEOPLE FOR EXAMPLE, LOOKING AT A SET OF PROPOSALS ABOUT FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCIES AND THE ELECTION COMMITTEE AND THE VOTING AGE AND THINKING WHEN THEY GOT INTO THE REFERENDUM BALLOT BOX, OR THE VOTING STATION RATHER, 'WELL I AGREE WITH THE GOVERNOR ABOUT THIS, NOT QUITE SURE ABOUT THAT, I THINK HE SHOULD MODIFY THE OTHER, HOW DO I VOTE?’ BUT EVEN MORE FUNDAMENTAL THAN THAT IT’S THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL WHICH HAS TO SHAPE THE LEGISLATION WHICH WILL PUT THESE ARRANGEMENTS IN PLACE AND I DON’T THINK THAT WE CAN DO OR SHOULD DO ANYTHING WHICH MAY MAKE SOME MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL THINK THAT THAT IS A RESPONSIBILITY WHICH ISN’T AT THE END OF THE DAY GOING TO BE ON THEIR SHOULDERS.
/ON THE ........
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 7, 1993
- 29 -
ON THE FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCIES THE ADVICE WHICH WE REST OUR CASE ON - AS LAWYERS SAY - IS THE ADVICE OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL AND HIS DEPARTMENT AND THE ADVICE OF TWO OF THE MOST DISTINGUISHED LAWYERS IN HONG KONG - TWO OF THE MOST DISTINGUISHED QCS WHO ARE ON MY EXECUTIVE COUNCIL - BUT I AGREE THAT THERE IS AT LEAST ONE OTHER AND MAYBE SEVERAL OTHER DISTINGUISHED LAWYERS WHO TAKE A DIFFERENT POINT OF VIEW. ALL I CAN SAY IS THAT I HAVE TAKEN THE ADVICE I HAVE BEEN GIVEN IN GOOD PART AND ATTEMPTED AS FAR AS I CAN TO PUT FORWARD PROPOSALS WHICH MAKE OUR FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCY SYSTEM AS FAIR AS IT POSSIBLY COULD BE.
NOW DOES ANYBODY HAVE QUESTION ON WHICH THEY’D LIKE TO ASK?
EDUCATION OR WELFARE
ISSUES
QUESTION: THANK YOU, MR PATTEN, I WANT TO ASK A QUESTION ON EDUCATION. SINCE 1989 THE GOVERNMENT HAS PURSUED A POLICY OF EXPANDING THE TERTIARY EDUCATION MAINLY ON THE NUMBER OF PLACES. IN YOUR POLICY ADDRESS YOU SAID THAT THERE WILL BE MORE TERTIARY PLACES TN 1997, AND JN 1997, 2,200 MORE TEACHERS WILL BE EMPLOYED. MAY I ASK YOU, DO YOU THINK THAT THE GOVERNMENT IS GOING TOO FAST? IT IS VERY EASY TO PUT DOWN STATISTICS BUT HAVE YOU CONSIDERED, WHAT ABOUT THE QUALITY OF THESE ADDITIONAL TEACHERS? WOULD YOU THINK, IN YOUR EXPANSION POLICY, YOU HAVE PAID ATTENTION TO QUANTITY AT THE EXPENSE OF QUALITY?
GOVERNOR: AN IMPORTANT POINT, AND I SPEAK AS A FORMER EDUCATION MINISTER IN THE UNITED KINGDOM, AND THE GRANDSON Ob' IWO HEAD TEACHERS. PEOPLE CAN MAKE GREAT SPEECHES ABOUT EDUCATION, ABOUT THE CURRICULUM; WE CAN IMPROVE THE CLASSROOMS, WE CAN PUT, AS WE ARE DOING, MORE COMPUTERS IN THE CLASSROOMS. WE CAN DO ALL THOSE THINGS, BUT THE MOST IMPORTANT SINGLE ELEMENT IN A GOOD EDUCATION IS THE QUALITY OF THE TEACHING PROFESSION. WE ALL KNOW THAT FROM OUR OWN EXPERIENCE: THE TEACHERS WHO MADE US EXCITED AND INTERESTED IN A SUBJECT, THE TEACHERS WHO COULD GET US TO WORK HARDER WITHOUT THREATENING US. SO LAST YEAR, AND INCREASINGLY THIS, WE HAVE TRIED TO PUT MORE EMPHASIS, NOT JUST ON QUANTITY BUT ON QUALITY. FOR EXAMPLE, WE’VE PUT FORWARD PROPOSALS THIS YEAR FOR SPENDING 354 MILLION OF YOUR HONG KONG DOLLARS ON GIVING MORE PRIMARY SCHOOL TEACHERS THE OPPORTUNITY TO UPGRADE THEIR SKILLS SO THAT THEY CAN BECOME GRADUATES, AND FOR HAVING MORE GRADUATES IN OUR SECONDARY SCHOOLS. WE’RE DEVELOPING MORE IN-SERVICE TRAINING COURSES FOR TEACHERS, FOR TEACHERS WHO ARE ALREADY WORKING IN THE CLASSROOM, TO TRY TO INCREASE THEIR SKILLS AND THEIR ABILITIES. WE’RE DOING THAT, PART ICULARLY, FOR EXAMPLE, IN THE AREAS OF LANGUAGE TEACHING, BOTH PUTONGHUA AND ENGLISH. SO WE ARE CONCERNED ABOUT THE QUALITY OF THE TEACHING PROFESSION BUT WE CAN’T ENTIRELY FORGET THE QUESTION OF QUANTITY AS WELL.
/MOST OF .......
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 7, 1993
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MOST OF MY SENIOR ADVISERS, MOST OF THE SENIOR MEMBERS OF THE HONG KONG CIVIL SERVICE NOW, WENT TO UNIVERSITY IN HONG KONG ABOUT THE SAME TIME THAT I WENT TO UNIVERSITY IN BRITAIN, AND WHEN THEY WENT TO UNIVERSITY, YOU COULD COUNT THE NUMBER OF STUDENTS, OF UNDERGRADUATES, IN HONG KONG, VIRTUALLY IN HUNDREDS. NOW, AS CHANCELLOR OF ALL THE TERTIARY EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS IN HONG KONG, I GO TO DEGREE AWARDING CEREMONIES AND THERE ARE SO MANY STUDENTS GETTING DEGREES THAT THEY HAVE TO STAND UP IN GREAT BLOCKS. I GO ROUND A BLOCK OF FLATS AND GO INTO PEOPLE’S HOMES AND I AM STRUCK BY HOW OFTEN - YOU MUST HAVE BEEN AS WELL - HOW OFTEN THERE’S A PICTURE OF A SON OR A GRAND-DAUGHTER, OR A BROTHER OR SISTER, WITH A CAP AND A GOWN. THAT’S A PROUD MOMENT FOR EVERY FAMILY, AND IT'S GOOD FOR HONG KONG. THE BETTER EDUCATED WE ARE, THE MORE COMPETITIVE WE WILL BE IN THE WORLD. AT THE MOMENT, FIFTEEN PER CENT OF THE AGE-GROUP 18-21 CAN GO ON TO TERTIARY EDUCATION. AT THE MOMENT, ABOUT FOUR OUT OF FIVE OF THOSE WHO ARE QUALIFIED CAN GO INTO TERTIARY EDUCATION. I WANT EVERYBODY WHO IS QUALIFIED TO BE ABLE TO GO ON TO TERTIARY EDUCATION, AND THEN I WANT TO TRY TO WORK TO GET MORE PEOPLE QUALIFIED TO GO ON TO TERTIARY EDUCATION BECAUSE AS INDIVIDUALS THEY DESERVE THAT, AND AS A SOCIETY, AS A COMMUNITY, WE NEED THAT.
QUESTION: MR PATTEN, MY QUESTION IS NOT TOO LONG AND IT’S NOT TOO SHORT.
GOVERNOR:
THAT SOUNDS OMINOUS.
QUESTION: MR PATTEN, I LEARNT FROM THE PRESS REPORT THAT YOU SAID: IF THERE IS NO DEAL BETWEEN CHINA AND BRITAIN, THEN YOU WILL GO IT ALONE TO THE LEGCO AND YOU WILL INTRODUCE YOUR CONSTITUTIONAL PACKAGE TO LEGCO AND GET IT INTO IMPLEMENTATION. YOU BELIEVE THAT CHINA WILL NOT OVERTHROW IT AFTER 1997. FOR THIS, I ADMIRE YOUR BOLDNESS AND YOUR DETERMINATION, BUT MAY I QUOTE YOU AND MAY I BRING UP AN EXAMPLE. FOR EXAMPLE, THERE IS A TENANT WHO BUILDS A WALL TO BLOCK THE DOOR, WITHOUT THE CONSENT OF THE OWNER, AND HE BELIEVES THAT WHEN THE OWNER TAKES OVER THE HOUSE AGAIN HE WILL NOT TEAR DOWN THE WALL. NOW, MAY I ASK YOU, IF THERE IS NO DEAL BETWEEN CHINA AND BRITAIN, BASED ON WHAT ARGUMENTS DO YOU HAVE CONFIDENCE THAT THEY WILL NOT TEAR DOWN THE WALL? IF THERE IS NO CHINESE AGREEMENT, YOUR CONSTITUTIONAL PACKAGE WILL NOT GO BEYOND 1997. THAT MEANS IT WILL ONLY SURVIVE FOR TWO YEARS. IN THIS CASE, WHAT GOOD WILL IT DO THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG? YOU HAVE ASKED THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG TO SUPPORT YOU ALL THE WAY, TO FIGHT FOR DEMOCRACY. MAY I ASK YOU, MR PATTEN, AFTER 1997, WHEN YOU ARE NO LONGER THE GOVERNOR OF HONG KONG, WILL YOU STAY IN HONG KONG AS AN ORDINARY CITIZEN TO JOIN IN OUR FIGHT FOR DEMOCRACY?
GOVERNOR: I’M NOT SURE HOW POPULAR THAT WOULD MAKE ME IN PEKING, WERE I TO DO SO. WHAT 1 SAID EARLIER WAS THAT IN HONG KONG, THE GOVERNMENT COULDN’T GO FURTHER THAN THE PEOPLE WISH IT TO GO. NOW, IN THE FIRST OPINION POLL THAT WAS DONE AFTER MS SPEECH YESTERDAY, THE FINDINGS WERE QUITE SIMILAR TO THOSE OF POLLS RIGHT ACROSS THE LAST YEAR. SIXTY-EIGHT PER CENT OF THOSE WHO WERE QUESTIONED SAID THEY SUPPORTED THE GOVERNMENT’S APPROACH ON POLITICAL DEVELOPMENT, NINETEEN PER CENT SAID THEY WERE AGAINST IT. THAT WAS QUITE A LARGE MAJORITY.
/BUT LET .......
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 7, 1993
31
BUT LET ME COME TO YOUR BUILDING ANALOGY, AND I’LL BE BRIEF BECAUSE I WANT TO FIT IN ONE LAST QUESTION IN A MOMENT. WHAT HAPPENS IF I’M THE LANDLORD TODAY AND THE LANDLORD THREE OR FOUR YEARS AHEAD SAYS TO ME, ’’YOU MUSTN’T BUILD A WALL USING THAT CEMENT BETWEEN THE BRICKS, YOU MUST BUILD A WALL WHICH HAS SAND BETWEEN THE BRICKS.”? WHAT DO I DO? DO I SAY, ’’ALRIGHT, I’LL BUILD A WALL WHICH I THINK WILL FALL DOWN”, OR DO I SAY, ”I’M GOING TO BUILD WHAT I THINK IS THE BEST WALL; I VERY MUCH HOPE YOU WILL KEEP IT, I VERY MUCH HOPE WE CAN AGREE THAT THAT IS THE BEST WALL, BUT IF, TN DUE COURSE, YOU THREATEN TO KNOCK IT DOWN, THERE IS NOT VERY MUCH I CAN DO ABOUT IT.”? A SENSIBLE LANDLORD BUILDS WALLS THAT ARE GOING TO STAND UP, NOT FALL DOWN.
GOVERNOR: HE’S PROMISED TO BE VERY BRIEF.
QUESTION: THANK YOU MR PATTEN. MY QUESTION IS ON POLITICS.
GOVERNOR: I THOUGHT WE WERE GOING TO HAVE LOTS OF QUESTIONS ABOUT
WELFARE AND EDUCATION AND HOUSING.
QUESTION: MR PATTEN YOU HAVE BEEN HERE FOR MORE THAN A YEAR. YOU
OFTEN SAY SOMETHING WHICH IS, IN HONG KONG, FOR THE 94/95 ELECTIONS, THE ARRANGEMENTS MUST BE FAIR, OPEN AND ACCEPTABLE TO THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG.
GOVERNOR: RIGHT, RIGHT.
QUESTION: BUT YESTERDAY, IN YOUR SECOND POLICY SPEECH, YOU ALSO
REPEATED THIS POINT. BUT IN YOUR TALKS WITH CHINA, I KNOW THAT YOU HAVE PROPOSED TO CREATE A FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCY FOR THE CIVIL SERVANTS. I UNDERSTAND THAT THERE IS NO SUCH PRACTICE IN THE WESTERN DEMOCRATIC COUNTRIES, INCLUDING BRITAIN. AS FAR AS I UNDERSTAND A LOT OF PEOPLE IN HONG KONG, AND A LOT OF ORGANISATIONS, INCLUDING A LOT OF CIVIL SERVANTS, THEY ARE FIRMLY AGAINST THIS PROPOSAL. SO WHAT ABOUT YOUR POINT OF BEING ACCEPTABLE TO THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG? SO I THINK YOU ARE CONTRADICTING YOURSELF.
GOVERNOR: WELL, FIRST OF ALL, IT’S VERY DIFFICULT TO THINK OF ANY OTHER SOCIETY WHICH HAS FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCIES, LET ALONE A FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCY FOR THE CIVIL SERVICE, OR DOCTORS OR TEACHERS OR ANY OTHER GROUP. I EXPECT YOU KNOW THAT CIVIL SERVANTS VOTE IN AT PRESENT EIGHT DIFFERENT FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCIES. THEY MAKE UP 12% OF THE ELECTORATE IN THOSE FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCIES. IN TWO FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCIES THEY MAKE UP MORE THAN 50% OF THE VOTE. SO, IF WE WERE TALKING ABOUT NEW FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCIES WITH CHINESE OFFICIALS - AND YOU WOULDN’T EXPECT ME TO BREAK CONFIDENTIALITY I AM SURE, OTHERWISE THE NCNA WOULD BE VERY CROSS - BUT IF WE WERE TALKING ABOUT A CIVIL SERVICE FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCY IT WOULDN’T BREACH SOME NEW PRINCIPLE. BUT YOU ARE ABSOLUTELY RIGHT THAT, AT THE END, WE WILL HAVE TO PUT FORWARD ARRANGEMENTS WHICH WE BELIEVE ARE ACCEPTABLE TO PEOPLE IN HONG KONG, ACCEPTABLE TO A RANGE OF PEOPLE FROM YOU TO THOSE OVER THERE WHO PUT UP A FORMIDABLE CASE AGAINST FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCIES AT ALL. YOU MENTIONED THOSE THREE WORDS - FAIRNESS, OPENNESS AND ACCEPTABILITY - I AM SOMETIMES AMUSED THAT THERE ARE SOME PEOPLE WHO THINK OR SEEM TO ARGUE THAT THERE’S SOMETHING STRANGE ABOUT WANTING ARRANGEMENTS THAT ARE FAIR AND OPEN AND ACCEPTABLE.
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 7, 1993
- 32 -
I MEAN, HOW MANY PEOPLE THINK WE SHOULD HAVE ARRANGEMENTS WHICH ARE UNFAIR, SECRETIVE AND UNACCEPTABLE? PERHAPS EVERYBODY WHO THINKS WE SHOULD HAVE ARRANGEMENTS THAT ARE UNFAIR, SECRETIVE AND UNACCEPTABLE WOULD LIKE TO PUT THEIR HAND UP. THERE’S ONE OVER THERE, CARRIED BY AN OVERWHELMING MAJORITY.
I REPEAT WHAT I SAID EARLIER. I HOPE THAT WE GET AN AGREEMENT IN THESE DISCUSSIONS, 1 HOPE WE CAN DO THAT SOONER RATHER THAN LATER. IF WE CAN’T, WE WILL HAVE TO DO WHAT WE THINK IS IN THE BEST INTERESTS OF HONG KONG WITH I HOPE YOUR SUPPORT AND UNDERSTANDING.
WE’VE OVERRUN BY FIFTEEN MINUTES. WE MUSTN’T BE UNFAIR TO THE HALL STAFF AND ANYWAY, I AM SURE THERE ARE SOME OF YOU HERE WHO WANT TO GO TO THE PIGEON RESTAURANT.
I’D LIKE TO THANK YOU ONCE AGAIN FOR COMING. I’D LIKE TO THANK YOU FOR YOUR QUESTIONS AND, ON YOUR BEHALF, I’D LIKE TO THANK THOSE WHO’VE REALLY BEEN WORKING HARD THIS EVENING - OUR INTERPRETERS. IT’S A VERY HARD JOB, THEY ARE WONDERFULLY ACCURATE AND - AT LEAST I HOPE THEY ARE, OTHERWISE I AM IN TROUBLE - AND I AM AFRAID I WORK THEM VERY HARD AT THIS TIME OF THE YEAR. THANK YOU VERY MUCH AGAIN FOR COMING AND I LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU IN THIS HALL AGAIN NEXT YEAR IF NOT BEFORE. THANK YOU.
--------0-----------
GOVT WELCOMES OVERHAUL OF SITE SAFETY MEASURES *****
IN RESPONSE TO PRESS ENQUIRIES ON A RECENT MOVE BY THE SUN HUNG KAI GROUP TO LAUNCH AN OVERHAUL OF SAFETY MEASURES IN THE 50-ODD WORKSITES UNDER ITS CONTROL THROUGHOUT THE TERRITORY, LABOUR DEPARTMENT’S CHIEF FACTORY INSPECTOR, MR CHAN TAT-KING, WELCOMED THE COMPANY’S DECISION WHICH SERVED TO PROTECT THE CONSTRUCTION WORKERS.
"THIS REFLECTED THE FAR-SIGHTEDNESS AND DETERMINATION OF THE TOP MANAGEMENT OF THE COMPANY IN FULFILLING ITS STATUTORY OBLIGATIONS TO UPBRING THE SAFETY STANDARD OF ALL THEIR CONSTRUCTION SITES TO ENSURE THE SAFETY OF THEIR WORKERS," MR CHAN SAID.
"THIS SELF-INITIATED MOVE IS UNPRECEDENTED AND SHOULD INDEED BE FOLLOWED BY OTHER MAJOR CONTRACTORS WHO ARE ALSO REQUIRED BY LAW TO PROVIDE HEALTHY AND SAFE WORKPLACES FOR THEIR WORKERS THROUGH A PLANNED SAFETY AUDIT.
CONTRACTORS WHO HAVE BEEN UPGRADING THE LEVEL OF SAFETY IN THEIR WORKPLACES SHOULD MAKE FURTHER EFFORTS TO ACHIEVE A BETTER STANDARD OF SAFETY, HE ADDED.
MR CHAN ALSO APPEALED TO HESITANT EMPLOYERS NOT TO DRAG THEIR FEET ANY LONGER IN LIVING UP TO THEIR STATUTORY RESPONSIBILITIES TO PROVIDE A SAFE AND HEALTHY WORKPLACE FOR THEIR EMPLOYEES.
/ON THE
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 7, 1993
33
ON THE OTHER HAND, EMPLOYEES SHOULD ADOPT A MORE POSITIVE AND ACTIVE ROLE TO CO-OPERATE WITH THEIR EMPLOYERS IN COMPLYING WITH THEIR STATUTORY DUTIES IN TAKING NECESSARY SAFETY PRECAUTIONS AND KEEPING THE WORKPLACE SAFE, MR CHAN SAID.
CONTRACTORS AND OWNERS WHO HAVE PROBLEMS IN SAFETY MANAGEMENT MAY EITHER APPROACH THE FACTORY INSPECTORATE DIVISION BRANCH OFFICES, THE INDUSTRIAL SAFETY TRAINING CENTRE, 13TH FLOOR, HARBOUR BUILDING, 38 PIER ROAD, CENTRAL, OR THE OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH COUNCIL FOR HELP.
--------0-----------
HEAVIER PENALTIES TO PROTECT WORKERS’ SAFETY PROPOSED
*******
THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT HAS PROPOSED TO INCREASE THE MAXIMUM PENALTIES FOR OFFENCES UNDER THE FACTORIES AND INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS (F&IU) ORDINANCE AND ITS SUBSIDIARY REGULATIONS TO BETTER PROTECT WORKERS’ SAFETY AND HEALTH.
THE FACTORIES AND INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS AMENDMENT BILL 1993 AND SUBSIDIARY AMENDMENT REGULATIONS 1993, WHICH OUTLINE THE PROPOSALS, HAVE BEEN ENDORSED BY THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL AND WILL BE GAZETTED TOMORROW (FRIDAY).
UNDER THE PROPOSALS, ALL OFFENCES RELATING TO THE ORDINANCE AND ITS SUBSIDIARY REGULATIONS WILL BE CLASSIFIED AS ’MINOR’, ’SERIOUS’ AND ’VERY SERIOUS’ DEPENDING ON THE DEGREE OF RISKS AND HAZARDS AS WELL AS THE POSSIBLE ADVERSE CONSEQUENCES.
THE PROPOSED MAXIMUM PENALTIES FOR EACH CATEGORY OF OFFENCES ARE $10,000 FOR MINOR OFFENCES, $50,000 FOR SERIOUS AND $200,000 WITH OR WITHOUT IMPRISONMENT FOR VERY SERIOUS OFFENCES.
ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR, MR MAK SAI-YIU, SAID IN GENERAL, "MINOR OFFENCES" ARE MAINLY TECHNICAL BREACHES OF STATUTORY PROCEDURAL REQUIREMENTS SUCH AS FAILURE TO KEEP RECORDS OR REGISTERS, ABSENCE OF STATUTORY WARNING NOTICES OR SIGNS, LACK OF FIRST AID EQUIPMENT.
"OFFENCES INVOLVING RELATIVELY SERIOUS BREACHES OF SAFETY REGULATIONS, BUT NOT NORMALLY CAUSING VERY SERIOUS BODILY HARM ARE CLASSIFIED AS 'SERIOUS OFFENCES’," HE SAID.
EXAMPLES ARE FAILURE TO MARK THE MAXIMUM SPEED OF ABRASIVE WHEELS AND POOR WORKPLACE LIGHTING.
ON THE OTHER HAND, OFFENCES INVOLVING BREACHES OF SAFETY REGULATIONS WHICH MAY CAUSE IMMINENT RISK OF FATALITY OR VERY SERIOUS BODILY INJURY ARE CLASSIFIED AS ’VERY SERIOUS OFFENCES’.
SUCH OFFENCES INCLUDE NEGLIGENCE OF GENERAL DUTIES PROVISIONS TO ENSURE WORKERS’ SAFETY AND HEALTH AT WORK, LACK OF PROTECTION TO PREVENT FALLING FROM HEIGHT, OUTBREAK OF EXPLOSION AND GRAVE FIRE HAZARDS.
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 7, 1993
- 34 -
ALSO INCLUDED IN THE BILL IS A PROPOSAL TO EMPOWER THE COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR TO ISSUE CODES OF PRACTICE UNDER THE F&IU ORDINANCE.
’’THE CODES OF PRACTICE, WRITTEN IN LAYMAN’S LANGUAGE, WILL SUPPLEMENT THE LEGAL PROVISIONS TO PROVIDE FOR PRECISE STANDARDS AND PRACTICAL GUIDANCE ON SPECIFIC REGULATIONS OR SUBJECTS,” MR MAK SAID.
HE SAID THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT HAD ISSUED CODES OF PRACTICE, BUT THEY DTD NOT HAVE ANY LEGAL STATUS.
’’FOLLOWING THE ENACTMENT OF THE BILL, FAILURE TO OBSERVE A PROVISION OF THE CODES OF PRACTICE ISSUED BY THE COMMISSIONER SHALL NOT BY ITSELF RENDER A PERSON LIABLE TO CRIMINAL PROCEEDINGS," MR MAK SAID.
"HOWEVER, IN ANY CRIMINAL PROCEEDINGS, THE COURT OR MAGISTRATE MAY TAKE INTO ACCOUNT ANY PROVISION OF A CODE OF PRACTICE WHICH APPEARS TO BE RELEVANT TO ANY LIABILITY IN QUESTION," HE ADDED.
MR MAK SAID THE BILL PROPOSED TO TRANSFER THE POWER TO AMEND THE FIRST, SECOND AND THIRD SCHEDULES FROM THE GOVERNOR TN COUNCIL TO THE COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR.
THESE SCHEDULES CONTAINED LISTS OF DANGEROUS TRADES, TRADES WHICH THE COMMISSIONER MAY PROHIBIT AND CONTROL THE EMPLOYMENT OF SPECIFIC GROUP OR GROUPS OF PERSONS, AND SPECIFIED STRUCTURES AND WORKS DELATING TO THE DEFINITION OF CONSTRUCTION WORK, HE SAID.
THE BILL, IF PASSED BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, WILL TAKE IMMEDIATE EFFECT, MR MAK ADDED.
0
LABOUR COMMISSIONER TO MAKE REGULATIONS UNDER BOILERS AND PRESSURE ORDINANCE PROPOSED *******
A PROPOSAL TO EMPOWER THE COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR TO MAKE REGULATIONS UNDER THE BOILERS AND PRESSURE VESSELS (BPV) ORDINANCE HAS BEEN ENDORSED BY THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL.
THE BOILERS AND PRESSURE VESSELS (AMENDMENT) BILL 1993, WHICH OUTLINI S THE PROPOSAL, WILL BE GAZETTED TOMORROW (FRIDAY).
UNDER THE PROPOSAL, THE POWER OF THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL TO PROVIDE BY REGULATION FOR THE SAFETY STANDARDS, NUMBERING OF BOILERS AND PRESSURE VESSELS, CONTROL OF THEIR OPERATION AND FEES WILL BE TRANSFERRED TO THE BOILERS AND PRESSURE VESSELS AUTHORITY, WHO AT PRESENT IS THE COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR.
/ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER .......
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 7, 1993
35 -
ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR, MR MAK SAI-YIU, SAID TODAY (THURSDAY):
"IN FACT, THE AUTHORITY IS ALREADY GIVEN THE POWER TO MAKE OTHER SUBSIDIARY LEGISLATION, NAMELY, TO PRESCRIBE THE FORM OF A CERTIFICATE OF FITNESS, A CERTIFICATE OF COMPETENCY AND OF ANY OTHER RELEVANT DOCUMENT UNDER SECTION 67 OF THE BPV ORDINANCE."
THE PROPOSAL, IF PASSED BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, WILL FACILITATE THE MAKING AND UPDATING OF SUBSIDIARY LEGISLATION OF A TECHNICAL NATURE IN FUTURE, HE ADDED.
------0--------
DEMONSTRATION OF APEC TARIFF DATABASE t * * * *
THE CUSTOMS AND EXCISE DEPARTMENT HAS ARRANGED A DEMONSTRATION SESSION Ob’ A TARIFF DATABASE SYSTEM CURRENTLY UNDER CONSIDERATION BY THE ASIA PACIFIC ECONOMIC COOPERATION (APEC) TOMORROW (FRIDAY) FOR TRADERS AND CIVIL SERVANTS.
THE TARIFF DATABASE HAS BEEN ENDORSED BY APEC SUBJECT TO A VIABILITY STUDY IN ALL 15 APEC MEMBER ECONOMIES. HONG KONG IS A MEMBER OF APEC.
IT IS AN ELECTRONIC NETWORK FOR THE PROVISION OF COMPUTERISED INFORMATION OF TARIFF SCHEDULES OF APEC MEMBERS BASED ON THE HARMONISED COMMODITY DESCRIPTION AND CODING SYSTEM.
SUBJECT TO THE VIABILITY STUDY, THE DATABASE WILL BE USED BY THE TRADE COMMUNITY, GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS OR OTHER PRIVATE SECTORS WITH AN INTEREST IN THE TARIFF STRUCTURES OF OTHER APEC MEMBER ECONOMIES.
THE DEMONSTRATION SESSION WILL BE HELD AT THE CONFERENCE ROOM, HONG KONG TRADE DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL, 39TH FLOOR, OFFICE TOWER, CONVENTION PLAZA, 1 HARBOUR ROAD, HONG KONG.
ATTENTION NEWS EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE DEMONSTRATION SESSION TOMORROW (FRIDAY) AT 2.30 PM.
FOR FURTHER ENQUIRIES, PLEASE CONTACT SENIOR INSPECTOR TSUI LOK-YEE, LINA ON TEL 852 3503.
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736 .......
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 7, 1993
36
"GIVE" AND "TAKE" IN UK’S ENVIRONMENTAL PROGRAMMES
*****
THE DIRECTOR OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION, DR STUART REED, TODAY (THURSDAY) URGED BUSINESSMEN TO CONTRIBUTE TO HONG KONG’S ENVIRONMENTAL PROGRAMMES IN RETURN FOR CHANCES TO SUPPLY GOODS AND SERVICES FOR THESE PROGRAMMES.
SPEAKING AT THE LUNCHEON MEETING OF AMCHAM’S ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE, DR REED SAID ONE OF THE WAYS TO GIVE IS TO "GREEN THE SUPPLY CHAIN" BY LEANING ON SUPPLIERS TO MINIMISE ANY UNDERSIRABLE ENVIRONMENTAL SIDE EFFECTS CREATED BY EACH STAGE OF THE SUPPLY CHAIN, INCLUDING ESPECIALLY THE PRODUCTION PROCESS ITSELF.
AS FAR AS HONG KONG IS CONCERNED, THE GARMENT AND ELECTRONICS INDUSTRIES ARE THE TWO M\.IOR TARGETS.
HE SAID HE WAS GLAD TO SEE THAT THERE WAS AN INCREASING TENDENCY AMONGST MAJOR COMPANIES WORLD-WIDE AND IN HONG KONG TO PUT PRESSURE ON THEIR SUPPLIERS TO MEET CERTAIN ENVIRONMENTAL STANDARDS.
"THIS PRESSURE CAN RANGE FROM A COMPLETE REFUSAL TO PURCHASE FROM PRODUCERS WHO DO NOT MEET CERTAIN BASIC ENVIRONMENTAL STANDARDS, TO OFFERING TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE ON REDUCING POLLUTION FROM THE PRODUCTION PROCESS," HE SAID.
WHILE NOTING THAT IT MIGHT BE COMMERCIALLY UNREALISTIC FOR SMALL COMPANIES TO EXERT SUCH DIRECT PRESSURE, DR. REED SAID: "IT SHOULD NEVERTHELESS BE POSSIBLE TO EXPRESS AN INTEREST, WHEN DEALING WITH FACTORY SUPPLIERS, IN WHAT POLLUTION CONTROL MEASURES THEY HAVE ADOPTED."
"OVER TIME, I AM SURE THIS WILL GENERATE AMONGST OUR FACTORY OWNERS A KEENER APPRECIATION OF THE NEED TO GIVE SOME CONSIDERATION TO THE EFFECT THAT THEIR ACTIVITIES ARE HAVING ON THE HEALTH AND WELLBEING OF THE COMMUNITY IN HONG KONG."
PRAISING AMCHAM FOR TAKING THE INITIATIVE IN SETTING UP AN ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE, DR REED SAID HE HOPED THE COMMITTEE WOULD WORK OUT SOME PRACTICAL MEASURES THAT INDIVIDUAL COMMERCIAL COMPANIES COULD ADOPT, WITH A VIEW TO "GREENING THE SUPPLY CHAIN".
HE URGED THE COMMITTEE TO PUT ITS "SPEAKERS PROGRAMME" HIGHER ON ITS PRIORITY LIST AS THIS WAS A VERY GOOD WAY FOR SENIOR MEMBERS OF THE AMERICAN BUSINESS COMMUNITY HERE TO DEMONSTRATE ENVIRONMENTAL LEADERSHIP.
WHILST BUSINESSMEN COULD EXPECT TO GAIN FROM INVOLVEMENT IN ENVIRONMENT PROGRAMMES, SUCH AS THOSE FOR SEWAGE AND WASTE DISPOSAL FACILITIES, THEY WOULD AT THE SAME TIME BE GIVING BECAUSE THE SUPPLY OF SERVICES AND EQUIPMENT IS AN ESSENTIAL REQUIREMENT FOR IMPLEMENTING THESE PROGRAMMES.
HF. SAID THE VARIOUS ENVIRONMENTAL INFRASTRUCTURE PROGRAMMES WOULD CREATE A VERY CONSIDERABLE DEMAND FOR THE SUPPLY OF SERVICES AND EQUIPMENT AND THIS DEMAND WOULD INCREASE FURTHER AS A RESULT OF EPD’S IMPROVED POLLUTION CONTROL ENFORCEMENT EFFORT.
/DR REED ......
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 7, 1993
- 37 -
DR REED SAID A TOTAL Ob' FIVE NEW LOCAL OFFICES HAD BEEN SET UP RECENTLY TO IMPROVE THE DEPARTMENT’S ENFORCEMENT ACTIVITIES UNDER THE VARIOUS POLLUTION CONTROL ORDINANCES.
THE CREATION OF THESE OFFICES WILL MEAN THAT EPD STAFF WILL BECOME MORE FAMILIAR WITH THE LOCAL SITUATION AND WITH THE ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERNS OF THE LOCAL COMMUNITY, AS WELL AS BEING MORE DIRECTLY ACCOUNTABLE TO THE COMMUNITY THAT THEY SERVE, HE SAID.
"ONE RESULT OF THIS IMPROVED ENFORCEMENT EFFORT WILL BE AN INCREASE IN DEMAND, FROM THOSE WHO ARE THE TARGET OF THIS ENFORCEMENT EFFORT, FOR ADVISORY SERVICES, DESIGN WORK ON POLLUTION CONTROL SYSTEMS AND THE SUPPLY OF THESE SYSTEMS," HE SAID.
BEACH WATER QUALITY GRADING
*****
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 GENERA), 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 WERE 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 WHICH HAS SOME DEGREE OF POLLUTION.
THE ESTIMATE IS BASED ON A VERY LARGE BODY OF STATISTICAL INFORMATION GATHERED IN HONG KONG IN RECENT BATHING SEASONS.
THE GRADING OF SOME BEACHES MAY VARY DURING THE SUMMER. THIS REPRESENTS A NATURAL FLUCTUATION IN THE BACTERIOLOGICAL QUALITY OF BATHING WATERS IN MOST CASES, AS RAIN AND TIDES BRING MORE OR LESS POLLUTION TO THE BEACHES.
HOWEVER, THE GRADES GIVE A GOOD GENERAL PICTURE OF THE WATER QUALITY AT BATHING BEACHES AT THE TIME OF REPORTING AND FORM THE BEST AVAILABLE FORECAST FOR THE IMMEDIATE FUTURE.
"BEACHES WITH HIGHLY DEVELOPED HINTERLANDS ARE LIKELY TO BE MORE POLLUTED THAN THE GRADES SUGGEST DURING AND AFTER HEAVY RAIN.
/"BATHERS SHOULD .......
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 7, 1993
38 -
"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 MILLILITRES AT EACH BEACH SO GRADED, AND THE EXPECTED RISK OF MINOR ILLNESS TO SWIMMERS IS UNDETECTABLE.
* GRADE "2" INDICATES THAT THE WATER QUALITY IS FAIR. THE E COLI COUNT IS NO MORE THAN 180 PER 100 MILLILITRES AT EACH P^ACH ^PADED, AND THE EXPECTED HEALTH RISK IS NO MORE THAN 10 CASES OF MINOR ILLNESS PER 1,000 SWIMMERS.
* GRADE "3" INDICATES THAT THE WATER QUALITY IS POOR. THE E COLI COUNT IS NO MORE THAN 610 PER 100 MILLILITRES AT EACH BEACH SO GRADED, AND THE EXPECTED HEALTH RISK 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 MILLILITRES AT EACH BEACH SO GRADED, AND THE EXPECTED HEALTH RISK IS MORE THAN 15 CASES OF MINOR ILLNESS PER 1,000 SWIMMERS.
THE DECISION WHETHER OR NOT TO CLOSE A BEACH TO SWIMMERS IS BASED ON A JUDGMENT OF WHAT DEGREE OF POLLUTION IS ACCEPTABLE.
NORMALLY, THE CLOSURE OF A BEACH WOULD ONLY BE CONSIDERED BY THE URBAN COUNCIL OR REGIONAL COUNCIL IF A GRADE "4" OCCURRED REPEATEDLY, SO THAT THE AVERAGE HEALTH RISK OVER THE BATHING SEASON EXCEEDED 15 CASES PER 1,000 SWIMMERS.
AT PRESENT, TWO BATHING BEACHES, CASTLE PEAK AND OLD CAFETERIA, HAVE BEEN DECLARED UNSUITABLE FOR SWIMMING, BASED ON THE WATER QUALITY DURING PAST SEASONS.
THEY ARE POLLUTED BY FAECAL WASTE. 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 .......
THURSDAY, 001 kER \ 1993
39
THE GRADES ON THE BACTERIOLOGICAL WATER QUALITY OF BEACHES IN HONG KONG TODAY ARE LISTED BELOW:
VARIOUS
BEACH
PREVIOUS GRADING
PRESENT
GRADING
(AS AT 23.9.93)
(AS AT 7.10.93)
HONG KONG SOUTH
BIG WAVE BAY 2 2
CHUNG HOM KOK 2 2
DEEP WATER BAY 2 2
HAIRPIN 2 1
MIDDLE BAY 1 1
REPULSE BAY 1 2
SHEK 0 2 2
SOUTH BAY 1 1
ST STEPHEN’S 1 1
TURTLE COVE 2 2
STANLEY MAIN 2 2
ROCKY BAY X X
TO TEI WAN* 1 1
TUEN MUN DISTRICT
OLD CAFETERIA X X
NEW CAFETERIA 3 3
CASTLE PEAK X X
KADOORIE 2 2
BUTTERFLY 4 3
SAI KUNG DISTRICT
CAMPERS 1 1
CLEAR WATER BAY 1ST BEACH 2 2
CLEAR WATER BAY 2ND BEACH 1 2
HAP MUN BAY 1 1
KIU TSUI 1 1
PAK SHA CHAU 1 1
STLVERSTRAND 1 2
THj » (HEBE HAVEN) 1 2
/ISLANDS DISTRICT
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 7, 1993
- 40 -
ISLANDS DISTRICT
CHEUNG SHA UPPER 1
CHEUNG SHA LOWER 2
DISCOVERY BAY* 2
HUNG SHING YEH 1
KWUN YAM WAN 1
TONG FUK 1
LO SO SHING 1
PUI O 2
SILVERMINE BAY 2
TUNG WAN, CHEUNG CHAU 1
TUNG O* 1
TSUEN WAN DISTRICT
ANGLERS’ 4
APPROACH 3
CASAM 3
GEMINI 2
HOI MEI WAN 2
LIDO 2
TING KAU 3
TUNG WAN, MA WAN 2
1
2
2
1
1
1
1
1
2
1
1
4
3
3
2
3
2 3
2
NOTE : ”X” THE BEACH HAS BEEN CLOSED FOR SWIMMING PURPOSES.
* NON-GAZETTED BEACHES.
THE FOLLOWING BEACHES HAVE CHANGED GRADING ON THIS OCCASION:
HAIRPIN AND PUI 0 FROM "2” TO "1", BUTTERFLY FROM ”4” TO ”3”; REPULSE BAY, CLEAR WATER BAY 2ND BEACH, SILVERSTRAND AND TRIO (HEBE HAVEN) FROM ”1” TO ”2"; HOI MEI WAN FROM ”2" TO "3”.
ALL OF THE CHANGES ARE WITHIN THE NORMAL RANGE OF FLUCTUATION OF THE BACTERIOLOGICAL WATER QUALITY OF THESE BEACHES.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
FOR FURTHER ENQUIRIES, PLEASE CONTACT MR K F TANG, ACTING PRINCIPAL ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION OFFICER OF EPD ON TEL 835 1234.
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/41 .......
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 7, 1993
- 41 -
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS *****
$ MILLION
OPENING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT 2,000 REVERSAL OF LAF NIL BALANCE AFTER REVERSAL OF LAF 2,000 NET INJECTION/WITHDRAWAL TODAY NIL EFFECT OF LAF TODAY -30 CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT 1,970
LAF RATE 2 .00 BID/4.00 OFFER TWI 112.3 »+0.0* 7.10.93 HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND
EF BILLS EF NOTES/HONG KONG GOVERNMENT BONDS
TERMS YIELD TERM ISSUE COUPON PRICE YIELD
1 WEEK 2.55 PCT 13 MONTHS 2411 4.625 101.47 3.29
1 MONTH 2.67 PCT 16 MONTHS 2502 4.75 101.70 3.48
3 MONTHS 2.76 PCT 19 MONTHS 2505 3.75 100.08 3.73
6 MONTHS 12 MONTHS 2.92 PCT 22 MONTHS 2508 4.625 101.46 3.84 3.20 PCT
TOTAL TURNOVER OF BILLS AND BONDS - 19,216 MN
CLOSED OCTOBER 7, 1993
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 8, 1993
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
GOVERNOR AT PUBLIC MEETING ...................................... 1
GOODLAD VISITS HK ............................................... u
CS RECOGNISES FIGHT CRIME EFFORTS .............................. 12
WORKING GROUP ON NEW ARTS BODY SET UP .......................... 13
BILL TO CONTROL RESIDENTIAL CARE HOMES FOR ELDERLY GAZETTED . 16
ANTI-DISCRIMINATION REPORT TO GO TO LEGCO ...................... 17
MARINE PARKS AND MARINE RESERVES TO BE SET UP IN HK ............ 17
HK TO HOST TRADING WORKSHOP .................................... 19
SCHEDULE 1 TO COMAC ORDINANCE AMENDED .......................... 20
TAIWANESE BANK GRANTED LICENCE ................................. 21
VOLUME AND PRICE MOVEMENTS OF EXTERNAL TRADE IN JULY 1993 ... 21
APPOINTMENT TO TRAVEL INDUSTRY COMPENSATION FUND MANAGEMENT BOARD ........................................................ 25
TENDERS INVITED FOR PIPE-LAYING WORKS .......................... 26
LAYING OF SUBMARINE CABLES IN ABERDEEN PROPOSED ................ 27
GREENLIGHT FOR SUBMARINE CABLE LAYING WORKS .................... 27
APPLICATION FOR GRANT REJECTED ................................. 28
269 VM'S RETURNED HOME TODAY ................................... 29
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS .. 29
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 8, 1993
GOVERNOR AT PUBLIC MEETING
*****
GOVERNOR: THIS IS YOUR EVENING, I’VE SPOKEN FOR TOO LONG ALREADY THIS WEEK. PERHAPS I CAN JUST REMIND YOU OF THE ONLY RULES OF ENGAGEMENT. WE WANT TO FIT IN AS MANY QUESTIONS AS POSSIBLE, SO IF QUESTIONERS COULD KEEP THEIR QUESTIONS AS BRIEF AS POSSIBLE AND NOT MAKE LONG STATEMENTS IT WOULD BE HELPFUL. I WILL ALSO LET YOU INTO A SECRET, IT IS MUCH MORE DIFFICULT WHEN YOU ARE ASKED SHORT QUESTIONS THAN WHEN YOU ARE ASKED LONG QUESTIONS. WHAT I WILL DO IS TO CALL ABOUT THREE QUESTIONERS AT A TIME AND INDICATE THE MICROPHONES FOR YOU AND THEN IF YOU COULD COME OUT AND WAIT PATIENTLY AT THE MICROPHONE, YOU WILL GET YOUR TURN VERY QUICKLY.
ONE LAST POINT, WE HAVE GOT TO BE OUT OF HERE AT 7.15 OTHERWISE WE BECOME PART OF THE NEXT PERFORMANCE. SO LET’S SEE HOW MANY QUESTIONS WE CAN GET THROUGH IN THE THE NEXT HOUR-AND-TWENTY-MINUTES. WOULD YOU LIKE TO RAISE YOUR HANDS, ANYBODY WHO WOULD LIKE TO ASK A QUESTION. RIGHT, IF WE START WITH THE LADY HERE. THERE IS THEN A GENTLEMAN IN A RED AND WHITE STRIPED SHIRT IN THE MIDDLE. IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO GO TO NUMBER SIX. AND THEN THERE IS A LADY HERE -IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO GO TO NUMBER FOUR. ALRIGHT? AND THEN THE GENTLEMAN IN THE GREEN SHIRT, IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO GO UP TO NUMBER SEVEN. NUMBER ONE.
QUESTION (THROUGH INTERPRETER): MR GOVERNOR, THANK YOU FOR GIVING ME THIS CHANCE TO SPEAK TO YOU. I THINK YOU ARE A VERY SMART PERSON BECAUSE YOU HAVE COME HERE FOR A LITTLE MORE THAN A YEAR AND YOU’VE ALREADY LEARNED A LOT ABOUT CHINESE CULTURE, AND YOU CAN QUOTE A VERY FAMOUS CHINESE VERSE FROM THE TANG DYNASTY, THAT IS: 'IF YOU WANT TO SEE BETTER, YOU HAVE TO CLIMB HIGHER’, ALTHOUGH I NEVER KNOW HOW HIGH I SHOULD CLIMB BECAUSE THERE ARE ALL HIGH-RISE BUILDINGS IN HONG KONG.
THERE IS ONE MORE POINT I WOULD LIKE TO ADVISE YOU. MAYBE IT IS BETTER FOR YOU TO LEARN CHINESE MUSIC TOO, AND THE MUSIC OFFICE IN HONG KONG, THEY ORGANISE A LOT OF GOOD COURSES. ALL THESE COURSES ARE IN POPULAR DEMAND AND THERE ARE A LOT OF PEOPLE WHO FAIL TO GET IN. YOU HAVE GIVEN A CONCERT IN GOVERNMENT HOUSE, SO 1 THOUGHT YOU WERE A MUSIC LOVER, BUT THEN I HEARD THAT YOU ARE GOING TO DISSOLVE THE MUSIC OFFICE. I THINK IT IS A GREAT PITY. AND IF YOU CAN GIVE THE CHILDREN OF HONG KONG A CHANCE TO LEARN MUSIC, IT WILL BE A VERY GOOD THING FOR THEM, AND FOR YOURSELF TOO. IF YOU CAN LEARN CHINESE MUSIC, THEN WHEN YOU GO BACK TO LONDON, YOU CAN INTRODUCE CHINESE MUSIC AND CHINESE CULTURE TO YOUR PEOPLE. I THINK THIS WILL DO GOOD FOR SINO-HK RELATIONS, SO AFTER THIS EVENING IS FINISHED, I HOPE YOU WON’T DISSOLVE THE MUSIC OFFICE.
GOVERNOR:
IS THAT YOUR QUESTION? GOOD.
/QUESTION........
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 8, 1893
- 2
QUESTION (THROUGH INTERPRETER): AND MY SECOND QUESTION IS: YOU TALKED ABOUT THE FREEDOM OF THE PRESS. I THINK IT IS THE RIGHT THING TO DO, TO SAFEGUARD THE FREEDOM OF THE PRESS IN HONG KONG, BUT YOU SHOULD ALSO TRY TO PROTECT THE RIGHTS OF THE JOURNALISTS. I THINK IN HONG KONG THE STATUS OF THE JOURNALIST IS NOT VERY RESPECTED. ALL THESE JOURNALISTS, I THINK, THEY HAVE A LOT OF GRIEVANCES IN THEIR WORK. FOR EXAMPLE, THEY HAVE TO GO OUT TO WORK, FOR EXAMPLE, DURING TYPHOONS, AND THEY HAVE TO COVER NEWS LIKE ROBBERIES, AND THEIR LIVES ARE IN DANGER. I THINK NOBODY KNOWS THEIR GRIEVANCES AND NOBODY INTERVIEWS THEM TO TRY TO UNDERSTAND THEIR GRIEVANCES. AND WHEN THEY INTERVIEW SOME BIG-SHOTS, THEY MIGHT BE COLD-SHOULDERED. SO THESE ARE ALL THEIR GRIEVANCES. AND FOR EXAMPLE, IF YOU LIKE TO LISTEN TO THE BIRD WHO SINGS IN THE CAGE, BUT IF THIS BIRD LIVES WITH HARASSMENT, DO YOU THINK IT CAN SING HAPPILY?
GOVERNOR: WELL, THERE ARE A LOT OF BIRDS OVER THERE, AND I THINK YOU WILL BE THE MOST POPULAR MEMBER OF THE AUDIENCE AS FAR AS THEY ARE CONCERNED. A FREE PRESS IS ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT PARTS OF A FREE AND OPEN SOCIETY. A FREE PRESS IS ONE OF THE WAYS THAT WE CAN ALL ASK QUESTIONS AND PREVENT, FOR EXAMPLE, CORRUPTION SEEPING INTO OUR SOCIETY. I ARGUED A FEW DAYS AGO THAT IT IS VERY IMPORTANT THAT JOURNALISTS AND EDITORS AND PROPRIETORS STAND UP FOR THE VALUES OF FREEDOM OF SPEECH AND A FREE PRESS. MANY JOURNALISTS HAVE PAID FOR THOSE VALUES WITH THEIR LIVES OR THEIR LIBERTY, SO THE JOURNALIST’S IS A PROFESSION WHICH WE SHOULD ALL HONOUR WHEN IT IS CARRIED OUT WITH INTEGRITY AND COMMITMENT. WE ALSO HAVE TO MAKE SURE THAT OUR OWN LAWS DON’T INHIBIT OR PREVENT THE ACTIVITIES OF A FREE PRESS, AND WE ARE REVIEWING OUR LAWS AT THE MOMENT TO TRY TO MAKE SURE THAT THAT DOES NOT HAPPEN.
I AGREE WITH YOU ON THE FIRST POINT YOU MADE ABOUT THE VALUE OF THE WORK THAT WAS DONE BY THE MUSIC OFFICE. THAT WORK ISN’T BEING CLOSED DOWN, IT IS BEING TRANSFERRED, AS I THINK YOU KNOW, TO THE ACADEMY OF PERFORMING ARTS. THAT ACADEMY DOES A WONDERFUL JOB AND ORGANISES THE PUBLIC CONCERTS THAT WE HOLD IN GOVERNMENT HOUSE, AND AT THOSE CONCERTS WE HAVE CHINESE MUSIC AS WELL AS WESTERN MUSIC, SO I AM STARTING TO LEARN ABOUT IT.
QUESTION (THROUGH INTERPRETER): MR GOVERNOR, MAY I ASK YOU, APART FROM YOUR CONCERNS WITH THE POLITICAL SYSTEM, SHOULD YOU PAY MORE ATTENTION TO THE EDUCATION SYSTEM BECAUSE THE PROBLEMS OF STUDENTS SUICIDE, THE UNDESIRABLE SOCIAL ATMOSPHERE AND THE YOUTH PROBLEMS ARE DETERIORATING AND THEY ARE HAVING A GREATER AND GREATER IMPACT ON THE SOCIETY. SO, APART FROM GIVING MORE FUNDING AND MORE TEACHERS, DO YOU THINK YOU SHOULD REVIEW THE EDUCATION SYSTEM WHICH WAS FORMULATED MORE THAN TEN YEARS AGO? DO YOU THINK IT STILL FITS THE MODERN DAY SOCIETY?
/GOVERNOR: .......
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 8, 1993
- 3 -
GOVERNOR: I DON’T THINK THAT WE NEED A FUNDAMENTAL REVIEW OF OUR EDUCATION SYSTEM, BUT I DO AGREE WITH YOU THAT WE NEED TO LOOK AT THE QUALITY OF OUR EDUCATION AND NOT JUST THE QUANTITY. SO, TO TAKE A PARTICULAR EXAMPLE, IT’S IMPORTANT FOR US TO HAVE MORE TEACHERS SO WE CAN BRING DOWN CLASS SIZES BUT IT’S ALSO IMPORTANT FOR US TO RAISE THE STANDARDS OF THE TEACHING PROFESSION WHICH IS WHY I ANNOUNCED EARLIER THIS WEEK THAT WE ARE GOING TO HAVE - WE ARE GOING TO SPEND MORE MONEY ON MORE GRADUATE TEACHERS. BUT WHAT WE’VE ALSO GOT TO REMEMBER IS THAT EDUCATION ISN’T JUST ABOUT CRAMMING FOR EXAMS. WE’VE GOT TO REMEMBER THOSE STUDENTS WHO AREN’T PARTICULARLY GOOD AT EXAMS BUT STILL NEED ALL THE HELP WE CAN GIVE THEM. SO WE ARE GIVING ALL THOSE SCHOOLS - THERE ARE WELL OVER NINETY OF THEM - WHICH LOOK AFTER THE NEEDS OF BAND FIVE STUDENTS - EXTRA TEACHERS AND EXTRA HELP. BUT THERE IS ONE OTHER POINT THAT I WOULD LIKE TO ADD. OF COURSE WE HAVE SOCIAL PROBLEMS HERE IN HONG KONG. THERE ARE SOME DRUG PROBLEMS, THERE IS CRIME BUT LESS THAN IN MOST SIMILAR CITIES. AND THERE IS CRIME BY YOUNG PEOPLE BUT AGAIN, NOT AS MUCH AS INCOMPARABLE COMMUNITIES. THE REASON I BELIEVE WHY WE HAVE FEWER PROBLEMS THAN MANY OTHER COMMUNITIES - AND IT IS SOMETHING WE HAVE TO HOLD ON TO -IS BECAUSE WE IN HONG KONG HAVE A STRONGER FAMILY STRUCTURE THAN MANY OTHER COMMUNITIES. SO WE HAVE TO DO EVERYTHING WE CAN IN OUR WELFARE AND OUR OTHER POLICIES TO GO ON SUPPORTING THE FAMILY.
QUESTION (THROUGH INTERPRETER): MR PATTEN, YOU ARE THE GOVERNOR OF HONG KONG, DO YOU KNOW WE HAVE A VERY FAMOUS JUDGE IN ANCIENT CHINA WHO’S NAME IS MR BAO? WHEN YOU RECEIVE ALL THESE MANY MANY PETITIONS FROM THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG, HAVE YOU GIVEN THEM ANY CONCLUSION IN A FAIR AND JUST MANNER? IN YOUR POLICY SPEECH YOU WROTE ’BEHIND THE FIGURES ARE STILL TOO MANY CRIMES, TOO MANY LIVES RISKED, TOO MANY INNOCENT VICTIMS. WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO ABOUT THIS?
YOU STILL HAVE FOUR MORE YEARS TO GO IN HONG KONG. WHAT ARE THOSE PROBLEMS OF HONG KONG THAT YOU ARE GOING TO SOLVE FOR THEM? WITHIN THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT, THAT IS THE CIVIL SERVICE, AND THE LAW ENFORCING AGENTS, WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO ABOUT THEIR EFFICIENCY, AND THEIR MORALE AND THEIR CORRUPTION PROBLEM?
MY LAST QUESTION TO YOU IS MR PATTEN, YOU ARE THE HUSBAND YOUR WIFE, YOU ARE THE FATHER OF YOUR DAUGHTER, WHAT ARE YOU GOING DO FOR WOMEN’S RIGHTS?
OF TO
GOVERNOR: I DON’T JUST HAVE ONE DAUGHTER. I HAVE THREE DAUGHTERS. SO, I HAVE FOUR PEOPLE, IN ADDITION TO YOU, WHO TELL ME I MUST DO MORE FOR WOMEN’S RIGHTS. IT’S AN EXTREMELY IMPORTANT ISSUE IN EVERY COMMUNITY. A VERY FAMOUS FIGURE OF THIS CENTURY WHO LIVED NOT FAR FROM HERE USED TO TALK ABOUT THOSE MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY WHO HELD UP HALF THE SKY. HE MEANT OF COURSE WOMEN, BUT WOMEN HAVEN’T, IN HISTORY, HAD THE SAME OPPORTUNITIES AND CHALLENGES AS MEN. IT CAN START RIGHT FROM THE BEGINNING OF LIFE, IT CAN START AT SCHOOL WHERE GIRLS HAVEN’T ALWAYS HAD THE SAME OPPORTUNITIES TO GET ON AS BOYS; AND IT PARTICULARLY AFFECTS EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES. WE PUBLISHED A GREEN PAPER, A DISCUSSION PAPER IN AUGUST ON THE ISSUE OF WOMEN’S RIGHTS. AND WE’VE ALREADY RECEIVED A LARGE NUMBER OF RESPONSES TO THAT. WE’LL BE ANSWERING ALL THOSE RESPONSES EARLY NEXT YEAR AND ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT DECISIONS WE WILL HAVE TO COME TO IS WHETHER HONG KONG SHOULD JOIN THE INTERNATIONAL COVENANT THAT BANS DISCRIMINATION AGAINST WOMEN. IT’S WHAT I THINK MOST OF THE WOMEN’S GROUPS IN HONG KONG WANT US TO DO.
/YOU ASKED .......
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 8, 1993
YOU ASKED TWO OTHER QUESTIONS WHICH I’LL RESPOND TO BRIEFLY. FIRST, ON CIVIL SERVANTS, WE HAVE ONE OF THE BEST CIVIL SERVICES IN THE WORLD. THEY ARE, I BELIEVE, AS DETERMINED TO FIGHT CORRUPTION AS THE REST OF THE COMMUNITY. WE’VE GIVEN THE COMMISSION AGAINST CORRUPTION MORE RESOURCES TO FIGHT CORRUPTION BOTH IN THE PUBLIC SERVICE AND IN THE BUSINESS WORLD. AND WE’VE TRIED TO MEET CIVIL SERVICE ANXIETIES ABOUT THE PAYMENT OF THEIR PENSIONS AFTER 1997 BY THE SCHEME THAT I ANNOUNCED ON WEDNESDAY, THE SETTING UP OF FUND AS A SORT OF INSURANCE POLICY FOR THEIR PENSIONS.
ON CRIME, WE HAVE, AS YOU SAID, TO WORK VERY HARD TO ENSURE THAT THE FALL IN VIOLENT CRIME THAT WE’VE SEEN OVER THE LAST YEAR CONTINUES. THERE ARE THREE CRUCIAL ELEMENTS IN TRYING TO BRING DOWN CRIME. FIRST OF ALL, WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT WE HAVE ENOUGH POLICE. WE ARE PUTTING ANOTHER 800 POLICE ON THE STREET AND WE’VE GOT TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY HAVE THE RIGHT LEGAL POWERS, WHICH IS WHY WE ARE TRYING TO GET THROUGH THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL AT THE MOMENT A BILL WHICH WILL HELP US FIGHT TRIADS AND ORGANISED CRIME.
AND FINALLY, ALL OF US HAVE TO GIVE OUR POLICE FORCE THE SUPPORT THEY DESERVE BECAUSE AS WE KNOW, THEY ARE ONE OF THE BRAVEST AND BEST POLICE FORCES IN THE WORLD.
QUESTION (THROUGH INTERPRETER): MR GOVERNOR, I RESPECT YOU VERY MUCH AND THIS IS ABOUT THE FIFTH TIME I SHOOK HANDS WITH YOU AND SEE YOU AND I AM VERY CONCERNED ABOUT YOUR HEALTH. ALL OF US CAN SEE THAT YOUR HAIR IS GETTING THINNER AND THINNER AND YOU ARE GREYING AND YOU HAVE DEVELOPED EYE-BAGS. SO, ALL OF THESE ARE EVIDENCE THAT THERE MUST BE SOMETHING WRONG WITH YOU AND YOU ARE SUFFERING FROM CORONARY DISEASE. THE REASON I CAME HERE IS TO GIVE YOU A PRESCRIPTION. YOU MAY NOT BE WILLING TO TAKE MY PRESCRIPTION BECAUSE I KNOW YOU ARE A VERY STUBBORN MAN AND YOU ONLY BELIEVE IN WESTERN MEDICINE BUT THE CHINESE MEDICINE HAS A LONG HISTORY AND THERE MUST BE SOMETHING GOOD IN IT. IF YOU ARE NOT SO STUBBORN AND YOU ARE WILLING TO TAKE MY PRESCRIPTION THEN I THINK IT WILL DO YOU GOOD. DO YOU WANT IT?
GOVERNOR: I’D LOVE IT AND PERHAPS WE CAN HAVE A WORD AFTERWARDS AND YOU CAN GIVE ME YOUR PRESCRIPTION.
QUESTION (THROUGH INTERPRETER): MY PRESCRIPTION IS A VERY FAMOUS CHINESE HERB. IT CAN CURE ALL.
GOVERNOR: MAY BE IT WILL ALSO ENABLE ME TO RUN THE 10,000 METRES VERY RAPIDLY. I MUST SAY, WHEN I HEARD YOUR VERY KIND REMARKS I STARTED TO FEEL SORRY FOR MYSELF. WHO IS THIS POOR BROKEN DOWN OLD FELLOW I THOUGHT. THANKS TO SOME VERY GOOD DOCTORS IN HONG KONG, AND THANKS TO THE FACT THAT I’VE LOST WEIGHT - THOUGH NOT ENOUGH - I AM NOW ABLE ON THE TESTS THAT I DO ON THE TREADMILL IN THE HOSPITAL TO GET TO THAT STAGE WHERE THEY’D ALLOW ME TO BECOME A FIREMAN. AND THE BAGS UNDER MY EYES ARE A PRODUCT OF HEREDITY, AS ONE OF MY DAUGHTERS REGULARLY GRUMBLES, BUT SHE WOULDN’T THANK ME IF I TOLD YOU WHICH ONE.
/GOVERNOR: .......
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 8, 1993
5 -
GOVERNOR: IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO COME TO NUMBER 2. AND HERE IS A GENTLEMAN WITH A BIG RED QUESTION-MARK HERE - IF HE WOULD LIKE TO COME TO NUMBER 1. AND THERE’S A GENTLEMAN HOLDING UP A COPY OF MY SPEECH IN HIS LEFT HAND, DO YOU WANT TO GO TO NUMBER 3? SO, IF WE START WITH THE LADY AT NUMBER 2, AND THEN NUMBER 1, AND THEN NUMBER 3, AND THEN THERE’S A GENTLEMAN IN A SUIT, AT THE BACK, PUTTING UP HIS LEFT-HAND WHO MIGHT LIKE TO GO TO NUMBER 7. THERE ARE THREE GENTLEMEN IN SUITS! YES, I MEANT THAT ONE. I THINK HE IS EITHER VERY FASHIONABLY DRESSED OR WEARING A CLERICAL COLLAR. RIGHT, NUMBER 2.
QUESTION (THROUGH INTERPRETER): MR GOVERNOR, IN YOUR LAST POLICY SPEECH YOU BROUGHT US A LOT OF NEW HOPE, BUT IN YOUR PRESENT POLICY SPEECH, IT SHOWS THAT YOU HAVE MADE A SUBSTANTIAL REVISION TO YOUR POLITICAL PACKAGE; YOU ARE WILLING TO SACRIFICE DEMOCRACY FOR THE THROUGH TRAIN. IF THE ELECTION IS NOT DEMOCRATIC, IT IS NOT VERY IMPORTANT WHETHER THERE IS A THROUGH TRAIN OR NOT. YOUR CONCESSION PLEASES NOBODY BECAUSE THE CHINESE SIDE IS STILL ATTACKING YOU SEVERELY THESE FEW DAYS. I WISH YOU WOULD STAND FIRM BY YOUR PRINCIPLES TO HOLD FAIR AND OPEN ELECTIONS FOR HONG KONG, AND TO HOLD A REFERENDUM FOR THE CONSIDERATION OF THE LEGCO MEMBERS. I DON’T THINK IT IS VERY DIFFICULT TO HOLD A REFERENDUM.
SECONDLY, I WISH YOU WOULD ABOLISH ALL THE UNFAIR PROVISIONS IN THE NEW TERRITORIES ORDINANCE, ESPECIALLY THOSE REGARDING WOMEN, SUCH AS: THE WOMEN HAVE NO HEREDITARY RIGHTS. I THINK THE MALE RESIDENTS SHOULD NOT ENJOY ANY PRIVILEGES.
MY LAST POINT IS, IN VIEW OF THE FREQUENT INCURSION OF THE CHINESE SECURITY BOATS INTO HONG KONG WATERS, IT SEEMS THAT THE HONG KONG POLICE ARE NOT DOING ANYTHING ABOUT THIS. IS IT THAT YOU CANNOT DO ANYTHING?
GOVERNOR: LET ME ANSWER THOSE QUESTIONS IN REVERSE ORDER. WE DO HAVE TO DEAL, FROM TIME TO TIME, WITH INCURSIONS INTO OUR WATERS, AND THEY ARE DEALT WITH BY OUR MARINE POLICE. I THINK THEY HAVE TO DEAL WITH THOSE INCURSIONS FIRMLY BUT DIPLOMATICALLY. AND I MUST SAY THIS, BECAUSE I AM ULTIMATELY RESPONSIBLE FOR THE WELFARE AND THE SAFETY OF OUR POLICE: WHILE WE ALL RECOGNISE THAT THEY HAVE TO TAKE RISKS AND RUN DANGERS EVERY DAY IN PURSUIT OF CRIMINALS, I WOULD NOT WANT THEM TO TAKE UNNECESSARY RISKS IN DEALING WITH INCURSIONS WHICH ARE VERY OFTEN THE RESULTS OF MISTAKES.
SECONDLY, IN REVERSE ORDER OR IN THE PROPER ORDER SINCE YOU ASKED THREE QUESTIONS, I’M SURE THAT WE WILL GET A LOT OF REPRESENTATIONS ABOUT THE NEW TERRITORIES ORDINANCE FROM WOMEN’S GROUPS AND FROM OTHERS IN RELATION TO THE GREEN PAPER WHICH I REFERRED TO WHEN I WAS ANSWERING THE EARLIER QUESTION. BUT THERE IS ONE PARTICULAR ASPECT OF THE PROBLEM WHICH I DON’T THINK WE CAN LEAVE FOR VERY MUCH LONGER: THE TRADITIONAL CUSTOMS AND LAWS OF THE INDIGENOUS PEOPLE OF THE NEW TERRITORIES HAVE NOW AFFECTED, AS THE HOUSING AUTHORITY POINTED OUT THE OTHER DAY, THE TENURE OF PEOPLE WHO HAVE MOVED INTO THE NEW TERRITORIES IN THE LAST FEW YEARS AND AREN’T INDIGENOUS TO THE NEW TERRITORIES. THAT HAS CAUSED A LOT OF ANXIETIES AND WORRIES AND I THINK WE ARE GOING TO HAVE TO ADDRESS THAT PARTICULAR PROBLEM WITH THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL SOON.
/NOW YOU .......
r
6 -
NOW YOU ASKED ABOUT POLITICAL DEVELOPMENT IN HONG KONG, THAT WAS YOUR FIRST QUESTION. NOW I WANT TO MAKE A NUMBER OF THINGS ABSOLUTELY CLEAR, AND NOT JUST BETWEEN YOU AND ME BUT IN FRONT OF EVERYBODY. WE ARE NOT GOING TO GIVE UP OUR PRINCIPLES. WE ARE NOT GOING TO GIVE UP THE PRINCIPLE THAT HONG KONG DESERVES AND WILL GET FAIR AND OPEN ELECTIONS. WE ARE NOT GOING TO GIVE UP THE PRINCIPLE THAT THE ARRANGEMENTS FOR THOSE ELECTIONS MUST BE ACCEPTABLE TO THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG. WE ARE NOT GOING TO GIVE UP THE PRINCIPLE THAT WE HAVE, BEFORE 1997, TO STAND UP FOR HONG KONG’S WAY OF LIFE, AND IF WE DO THAT, THE WAY OF LIFE OF HONG KONG IS MORE LIKELY TO SURVIVE FOR DECADES AND CENTURIES AFTER 1997.
WE ARE GENUINELY TRYING, IN THE TALKS THAT WE ARE HAVING WITH CHINA, TO FIND AN AGREEMENT WHICH WILL GIVE US FAIR AND OPEN AND ACCEPTABLE ELECTIONS, AND WHICH WILL SECURE THE SO-CALLED THROUGH TRAIN, SO THAT WE HAVE AS PEACEFUL AND SUCCESSFUL A TRANSITION AS POSSIBLE. IN ORDER TO TRY TO SECURE THAT, BECAUSE I THINK MOST PEOPLE IN HONG KONG WOULD LIKE US TO SECURE THAT OBJECTIVE, WE HAVE BEEN PREPARED TO PUT FORWARD NEW PROPOSALS, CONDITIONAL ON GETTING AN OVERALL ACCEPTABLE AGREEMENT. THOSE PROPOSALS WOULD, IN MY VIEW, PROVIDE FOR FAIR AND OPEN ELECTIONS. UNFORTUNATELY, THOSE PROPOSALS THAT WE’VE MADE STILL HAVEN’T SECURED THE BREAKTHROUGH WHICH I THINK THE WHOLE COMMUNITY WOULD LIKE TO SEE. WE WILL GO ON TRYING, PATIENTLY, CREATIVELY, FLEXIBLY, HONESTLY, SINCERELY - WHAT ELSE CAN I SAY? WE WILL TRY TO SECURE AN AGREEMENT, BUT IF YOU SPEND A LOT OF TIME KNOCKING ON WHAT YOU THINK IS A DOOR AND IT TURNS OUT TO BE A BRICK-WALL, THERE COMES A MOMENT WHEN YOU HAVE TO GO AWAY AND GET ON WITH LIFE AS BEST YOU CAN. SO WHETHER WE GET AN AGREEMENT OR WHETHER WE DON’T GET AN AGREEMENT, AT THE END OF THE DAY WE WILL HAVE TO GO TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL WITH OUR PROPOSALS, AND IT IS FOR THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ACTING FOR THE COMMUNITY, TO PASS THE LEGISLATION OR AMEND THE LEGISLATION. IT IS THEIR ROLE, AND I DON’T BELIEVE THAT IT WOULD BE RIGHT IN THOSE CIRCUMSTANCES TO HAVE A REFERENDUM WHICH WOULD I THINK PERHAPS ENCOURAGE SOME PEOPLE TO THINK THAT THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL DIDN’T HAVE THE FINAL RESPONSIBILITY FOR DETERMINING THESE MATTERS. SO, WE WILL BE SINCERE AND FLEXIBLE BUT WE ARE NOT GOING TO ABANDON OUR PRINCIPLES.
QUESTION (THROUGH INTERPRETER): MR PATTEN, I AM SURPRISED TO SEE THAT IN YOUR POLICY SPEECH THERE ARE SOME PLACES WHICH ARE IN VIOLATION OF THE BILL OF RIGHTS. THIS IS YOUR PUBLIC HOUSING SCHEME AND YOUR CROWN LANDS LAWS. I THINK IN YOUR PUBLIC HOUSING SCHEME YOU HAVEN’T DONE ANYTHING TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM AT THE ROOT. EVERYTHING YOU DO ARE JUST STOP GAP MEASURES AND I THINK THE WAY TO CURE THE WHOLE PROBLEM, YOU MUST DO SOMETHING ABOUT THE LAND AND YOU MUST DO SOMETHING ABOUT THE CROWN LAND ORDINANCE. IN THE CROWN LAND ORDINANCE CHAPTER 28 OF THE LAWS OF HONG KONG, IN WHICH IT WAS LAID DOWN THIS ORDINANCE. IN THE BILL OF RIGHTS IT WAS LAID DOWN THAT THE CROWN LAND ORDINANCE WILL NOT BE EFFECTIVE AFTER 8 OF JUNE 1991. I HAVE WRITTEN YOU ABOUT THIS AND I HAVE GOT A REPLY FROM THE SECRETARY FOR PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS AND HE AGREES TO INCLUDE MY POINT OF VIEW INTO THE REVIEW OF LANDS LAW. SO, WOULD YOU MAKE CORRECTION TO THIS CROWN LAND ORDINANCE WHICH VIOLATES THE BILL OF RIGHTS, TO GIVE BACK ALL THE LAND TO THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG?
/GOVERNOR: .......
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 8, 1993
GOVERNOR: WELL, CAN I SUGGEST THAT PERHAPS THE BEST WAY OF YOU AND I PURSUING THIS EXTREMELY IMPORTANT SUBJECT IS FOR YOU TO GIVE YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS TO ONE OF THE STEWARDS AND WE WILL GET IN TOUCH WITH YOU ABOUT WHAT IS AN IMPORTANT, BUT RATHER TECHNICAL LEGAL POINT. YOU OBVIOUSLY FEEL VERY STRONGLY ABOUT IT AND YOU ARE OBVIOUSLY VERY KNOWLEDGEABLE ABOUT IT BUT I THINK PROBABLY THE BEST THING FOR US TO DO WOULD BE TO PROCEED IN THAT WAY SO THAT WE CAN HAVE A PROPER EXCHANGE SO THAT I CAN SEND YOU A FULL DESCRIPTION OF THE GOVERNMENT’S POSITION AND ENSURE THAT YOUR POINT OF VIEW IS REVIEWED WHEN WE LOOK AT THE LANDS ORDINANCE.
QUESTION (THROUGH INTERPRETER): I HAVE TWO QUESTIONS, ONE LONG AND ONE SHORT.
GOVERNOR: NOT TOO LONG I HOPE.
QUESTIONER: PARAGRAPH 14 OF YOUR POLICY ADDRESS IS ABOUT CONSUMERS' RIGHTS. WHEN WE THINK ABOUT CONSUMERS’ RIGHTS WE WILL THINK ABOUT THE BAD ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES WE HAVE BOUGHT AND THE BAD SERVICES WE HAVE GOT. MR GOVERNOR, DO YOU KNOW THAT THE BIGGEST SALE IN HONG KONG IS THE SALE OF FLATS AND A LOT OF SMALL FLAT OWNERS ARE TREATED UNFAIRLY. FOR ONE TO BUY AN ELECTRIC COOKER HE ONLY HAS TO SPEND A FEW HUNDRED DOLLARS, BUT TO BUY A FLAT IT WILL COST HIM MILLIONS. SO I WOULD LIKE TO GIVE YOU SOME PRACTICAL OPINION IN THIS RESPECT. NOW WHEN THE SMALL OWNERS BUY THE UNCOMPLETED FLATS FROM THE DEVELOPER THEY HAVE TO GO TO THE LAWYER DESIGNATED BY THESE DEVELOPERS. THEY HAVE NO CHOICE, THE CONSUMER HAS NO CHOICE. AND THE MOST UNFAIR THING ABOUT THIS IS THAT THE SMALL OWNERS HAVE TO SHOULDER ALL THE LEGAL COSTS BUT NOT THE DEVELOPERS. DO YOU KNOW THIS? IN THE SECONDARY MARKET THE VENDOR AND THE PURCHASER, THEY ALL HAVE TO SHARE THE LEGAL COST BUT WHEN THEY BUY UNCOMPLETED FLATS FROM THE DEVELOPER THE CONSUMER HAS TO PAY EVERYTHING SO THIS IS AN UNFAIR DEAL. AND THE SECOND UNFAIR ASPECT IS THAT THE PUBLIC COVENANT OF THE FLAT ARE ALL FOR THE INTERESTS OF THE DEVELOPERS. THE SMALL OWNERS HAVE LITTLE CHOICE BECAUSE THEY HAVE TO BUY THEIR FLAT, AND THEY HAVE TO SIGN THESE UNFAIR CONTRACTS. THIS UNFAIR PUBLIC COVENANTS WILL LEAD TO A LOT OF PROBLEMS WHICH MAY ARISE IN THE FUTURE. IN THESE PUBLIC COVENANTS THE CONSUMERS HAVE TO USE THE MANAGEMENT COMPANIES, THE INSURANCE COMPANIES AND SOMETIMES THE FINANCIAL COMPANIES AS DESIGNATED BY THE DEVELOPER. THEY HAVE NO CHOICE AT ALL. WHEN YOU TALK ABOUT PROTECTION OF CONSUMERS’ RIGHTS AND YOU ARE REFERRING JUST TO ELECTRICAL COOKERS AND THINGS LIKE THAT, I DON’T THINK YOU ARE DOING ENOUGH.
SO I THINK YOU SHOULD HAVE A GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENT TO LAY DOWN GUIDANCE FOR HOW TO WRITE UP THESE MUTUAL COVENANTS. ALL THE PROVISIONS WHICH ARE UNFAIR TO CONSUMERS SHOULD BE DONE AWAY WITH. THANK YOU.
/GOVERNOR: .......
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 8, 1993
- 8
GOVERNOR: THAT’S AN IMPORTANT POINT. YOU’RE QUITE RIGHT TO SAY
THAT IN PARAGRAPH 14 OF MY SPEECH WE SET OUT A NUMBER OF THINGS WE WANT TO DO TO HELP THE CONSUMER AND WE REFERRED IN PARTICULAR TO FOUR IMPORTANT BILLS THAT WE ARE GOING TO INTRODUCE. ONE OF THE BILLS THAT WE INTEND TO INTRODUCE WILL ENABLE COURTS TO STRIKE DOWN AND RE-WRITE CONTRACT TERMS WHICH ARE PLAINLY UNFAIR TO CONSUMERS. WE ARE ALSO GOING TO PROVIDE THE CONSUMER COUNCIL, WHICH DOES A TREMENDOUS JOB ON BEHALF OF CONSUMERS WITH MORE MONEY SO THAT THEY CAN REPRESENT GROUPS OF CONSUMERS OVER PARTICULAR ISSUES WHICH CONCERN THEM. IN THE LIGHT OF THAT BILL, AND IN THE LIGHT OF THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THAT FUND TO HELP CONSUMERS I’LL TALK TO THE CHAIRMAN OF THE CONSUMER COUNCIL, ASK HIM WHAT HE THINKS ABOUT THE ARGUMENT YOU’VE PUT FORWARD AND LET YOU KNOW WHAT OUR CONCLUSIONS ARE, FOR EXAMPLE, WHETHER WE CAN INCLUDE THAT THE NEW CONSUMERS REPRESENTATIVE ACTION FUND SHOULD TAKE UP THE ISSUE THAT YOU’VE MENTIONED.
QUESTION: THANK YOU MR GOVERNOR. I WOULD LIKE TO ASK YOU TO TURN
AROUND AND LOOK AT THE PICTURE BEHIND YOU. IT IS DIFFERENT FROM THE ONE YOU HAD LAST YEAR, BECAUSE IN WEST KOWLOON WE HAVE MORE LAND FROM RECLAMATION. IT’S A PITY THAT IN YOUR POLICY SPEECH THE POLITICAL SYSTEM HAS SHRUNKEN. LAST YEAR, YOU WERE PREPARED TO ABOLISH ALL THE APPOINTED SEATS IN THE DISTRICT BOARD AND THE MUNICIPAL COUNCILS AND, ACTUALLY, THESE KIND OF BOLD MEASURES WERE FAR FROM ENOUGH BECAUSE THE EX-OFFICIO SEATS WERE STILL THERE SO, HAVE YOU DONE ENOUGH? BUT IN YOUR PRESENT POLICY ADDRESS I CAN SEE THAT YOU ARE QUITE POWERLESS TO DO ANYTHING MORE. IS IT BECAUSE OF THE CHINESE STRESS? SO I WOULD LIKE YOU TO GIVE YOU THIS FOR HONG KONG. (IN OWN VOICE) THAT IS THE ATTITUDE IN HONG KONG CONTEXT: ’’BLESSED ARE THOSE WHO ARE FIRM AND STOUT FOR THEY SHALL BRING FORTH DEMOCRACY FOR HONG KONG.”
GOVERNOR: WHAT A WONDERFUL QUESTION. I AM NOT GOING TO REPEAT
SOME OF THE THINGS THAT I SAID EARLIER IN RESPONSE TO THE QUESTION, THE VERY ELOQUENT QUESTION ASKED BY THE LADY FROM MICROPHONE NO.2. I THINK THOUGH THAT I’D JUST LIKE TO SAY THREE THINGS. FIRST OF ALL, WE REMAIN ABSOLUTELY COMMITTED TO THE POLICY THAT WE SET OUT, TO THE PROPOSALS THAT WE SET OUT LAST YEAR ON THE FUTURE OF DISTRICT BOARDS AND MUNICIPAL COUNCILS. I KNOW THAT THE POINT OF VIEW WHICH I AM ABOUT TO EXPRESS ISN’T SHARED BY EVERYBODY, BUT I DON’T KNOW HOW WE COULD JUSTIFY CONTINUING TO APPOINT MEMBERS TO DISTRICT BOARDS AND MUNICIPAL COUNCILS WHEN WE WILL NO LONGER BE APPOINTING THEM TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
SECONDLY, I’D LIKE TO OFFER ANOTHER BEATITUDE. IT GOES LIKE THIS. BLESSED ARE THOSE WHO TRY TO REACH AN HONOURABLE AGREEMENT. BUT I HAVE A THIRD POINT. WE WOULDN’T BE BLESSED IF WE REACHED AN AGREEMENT WHICH WAS DISHONOURABLE. I THINK WE WOULD BE CONDEMNED BY HISTORY AS WELL AS THIS COMMUNITY FOR HAVING ABANDONED OUR PRINCIPLES AND, I REPEAT, THAT IS NOT WHAT WE ARE GOING TO DO. OKAY?
CAN I JUST SAY THIS. IT’S NOW FIVE PAST SEVEN. WE MUST ASK VERY SHORT QUESTIONS, VERY SHORT QUESTIONS, BECAUSE OTHERWISE WE WON’T GET MANY MORE IN.
/QUESTION .......
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 8, 1993
- 9 -
QUESTION (THROUGH INTERPRETER): MR GOVERNOR YOU HAVE TALKED A LOT OF ABOUT THE PROTECTION OF CONSUMER RIGHTS RUT THERE ARE A LOT OF UNSCRUPULOUS MERCHANTS WHO CHEATED ON WEIGHTS BECAUSE A LOT OF PEOPLE DON’T HAVE A SCALE AT HOME. I HAVE A SCALE AT HOME, I KNOW A LOT OF THESE TRICKS AND I HAVE REPORTED THESE KINDS OF FRAUDS AND CHEATINGS TO THE CUSTOMS. BUT THERE IS NO ORDINANCE AND THERE IS NOTHING TO COMBAT THIS SERIOUSLY.
GOVERNOR: THE CHAIRMAN OF THE CONSUMER COUNCIL IS GOING TO BE VERY BUSY. HE IS A VERY GOOD MAN, PROFESSOR CHEN, AND I WILL TAKE UP THAT POINT WITH HIM AND, IF YOU GIVE US YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS, WE WILL GET IN TOUCH WITH YOU AND TELL YOU WHAT WE ARE GOING TO DO. BUT I AM VERY PLEASED THAT WE WON’T HAVE TO COME AROUND AND CHECK YOUR SCALES.
QUESTION: MR GOVERNOR, I AM VERY IMPRESSED BY YOUR ELOQUENCE, YOUR HIGH LEVEL OF ENERGY AND YOUR SENSE OF HUMOUR. BEING A CANADIAN CITIZEN I BRING GREETINGS TO YOU AND THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG FROM CANADA. I AGREE WITH YOU YOUR PROGRESSIVE MEASURES REGARDING EXCELLENCE IN EDUCATION BUT I HAVE TWO CONCERNS. EVEN EDUCATORS IN CANADA ARE ALSO AWARE OF THE FACT THAT THERE’S A HIGH RATE OF SUICIDE AMONG EVEN THE YOUNG SCHOOL CHILDREN IN HONG KONG AS WELL AS THE CRIME; THERE MAY BE SOME CRIMES AMONG SCHOOLS. HOW ARE YOU GOING TO HANDLE ALL THESE TWO ISSUES? AND 1 HOPE YOU WILL VISIT CANADA AGAIN, PARTICULARLY ONTARIO NEXT TIME. THANK YOU.
GOVERNOR: FIRST OF ALL, I WOULD LIKE TO SAY, THROUGH YOU, THAT WE ALL KNOW IN HONG KONG THAT CANADA IS ONE OF OUR BEST FRIENDS IN THE WORLD. MANY PEOPLE IN HONG KONG KNOW THAT VERY DIRECTLY BOTH AS A RESULT OF THE GREAT FESTIVAL WHICH CANADA HELD HERE A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO AND BECAUSE THEY'VE HAD AS ENJOYABLE A TRIP TO CANADA AS I HAD A FEW MONTHS BACK.
YOU RAISED A VERY IMPORTANT ISSUE - SUICIDES AMONG YOUNG PEOPLE. 1 THINK THAT THERE ARE A NUMBER OF THINGS WE HAVE TO DO AND, OF COURSE, AT THE CENTRE OF DEALING WITH THE PROBLEM IS THE PROVISION OF ENOUGH TEACHERS AND ENOUGH SOCIAL WORKERS AND WE ARE INCREASING THE NUMBERS OF BOTH. WE MADE COMMITMENTS ON BOTH THOSE ISSUES IN MY SPEECH LAST YEAR. IN THE BACK OF THE SPEECH THERE IS A SECTION WHICH SHOWS WHERE WE’VE GOT WITH ALL THOSE PLEDGES. THE ONES THAT WE’VE MANAGED TO ACHIEVE WHICH ARE MOST OF THEM SO FAR, AND THE AREAS WHERE WE’VE FAILED AS WELL, BECAUSE IT’S IMPORTANT THAT YOU SHOULD KNOW WHERE WE ARE NOT DOING AS WELL AS WE’D LIKE SO THAT WE CAN IMPROVE OUR PERFORMANCE. BUT IT IS IMPORTANT THAT WHILE WE ENCOURAGE OUR CHILDREN AT SCHOOL TO WORK AS HARD AS POSSIBLE, TO DO THEIR BEST, WE SHOULDN’T PUT SO MUCH PRESSURE ON THEM AS MAY LEAD SOME OF THEM TO THESE TERRIBLE ACTS OF SELF-DESTRUCTION.
NOW, WE HAVE LITERALLY TIME FOR ONE QUESTION, IF IT’S EXTREMELY SHORT.
/QUESTION .......
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 8, 1993
- 10 -
QUESTION (THROUGH INTERPRETER): THANK YOU MR GOVERNOR, MY QUESTION WILL BE SHORT. ACTUALLY 1 HAVE A PETITION AND I WOULD LIKE YOU TO REDRESS THE WRONG DONE TO US. YOU ARE A SUPPORTER OF THE ARTS AND YOU HAVE TALKED ABOUT HOW THE ACADEMY OF PERFORMING ARTS ORGANISED CONCERTS AT YOUR HOME. BUT DO YOU KNOW THAT THE ARTISTS ARE LIVING IN A VERY POOR - THE ARTISTS ARE VERY POOR - THEY HAVE NO STUDIOS AND IF THEY CANNOT SELL THEIR PAINTINGS THEY HAVE NOWHERE TO LIVE. AND IN THE ARTS DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL, WE HOPE THAT SOME OF THE ARTISTS CAN GET INTO THIS COUNCIL AND DO SOMETHING FOR THESE ARTISTS. BUT ACCORDING TO THE MEMBERSHIP LIST OF THE ARTS DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL RELEASED TODAY, THERE IS NOT ONE FROM THE CIRCLE OF VISUAL ART. SO WHY IS THIS LIKE THIS? OUT OF THE TWELVE MEMBERS, SIX WERE FROM THE ENTERTAINING BUSINESS. SO YOUR MEANING OF ARTS, IS IT EQUIVALENT TO ENTERTAINING BUSINESS? ARE YOU A TRUE SUPPORTER OF ARTS?
GOVERNOR: WELL, ONE THING I AM A TRUE SUPPORTER OF, I HOPE, IS NOT JUST THE ARTS BUT THE VISUAL ARTS. THANKS TO THE HELP OF THE URBAN COUNCIL WE ARE ABLE TO DISPLAY IN THE PUBLIC ROOMS IN GOVERNMENT HOUSE SOME OF THE BEST WORKS OF ART BY TODAY’S HONG KONG ARTISTS -YOUNG ARTISTS LIKE WONG HOI AND OLDER ARTISTS LIKE LEWIS CHAN. BUT I CAN PROMISE YOU THAT THE ARTS DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL WHICH WE’VE ESTABLISHED WILL TAKE THE ENCOURAGEMENT OF THE VISUAL ARTS AS ONE OF ITS MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES. AND THE CHAIRMAN OF THE COUNCIL WHOM WE’VE APPOINTED, SIR JOSEPH HOTUNG, IS ONE OF THE MOST GENEROUS PATRONS OF THE VISUAL ARTS ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD. HE HAS DONE A GREAT DEAL FOR CHINESE ARTS AND HE HAS DONE A GREAT DEAL FOR MUSEUMS.
NOW, WE’VE HAD QUESTIONS TONIGHT ON EVERYTHING FROM THE MUSIC OFFICE TO THE HEALTH SERVICE TO POLITICS AND WE’VE EVEN TOUCHED ON MY HAIR. NOW, HOW DO YOU SAY BAGS-UNDER-YOUR-EYES IN CANTONESE? YOU SEE, THEY’VE BEEN VERY CLEVER, THEY’VE WORKED VERY HARD, AND I’D LIKE US ALL TO THANK THEM VERY WARMLY FOR MAKING TONIGHT POSSIBLE.
BUT, ABOVE ALL, THANK YOU FOR COMING, THANK YOU FOR BEING SUCH AN INTERESTING AND POLITE AUDIENCE AND, IF I DON’T SEE YOU BEFORE, I WILL SEE YOU NEXT YEAR.
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 8, 1993
11
GOODLAD VISITS HK *****
THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS WITH SPECIAL RESPONSIBILITY FOR HONG KONG, MR ALASTAIR GOODLAD, WILL PAY A TWO-DAY VISIT TO HONG KONG STARTING NEXT MONDAY (OCTOBER 11).
DURING THE VISIT, MR GOODLAD WILL MEET WITH THE GOVERNOR, THE RT HON CHRISTOPHER PATTEN, EXECUTIVE AND LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLORS AND SENIOR GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS.
APART FROM ATTENDING A COMMUNITY LUNCH, THE MINISTER WILL VISIT A NUMBER OF EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS, THE WESTERN MARKET AND INSPECT THE MID-LEVELS ESCALATOR SYSTEM.
HE WILL ALSO OFFICIATE AT A GROUND-BREAKING CEREMONY FOR THE NEW BRITISH CONSULATE GENERAL AND BRITISH COUNCIL BUILDING AT THE FORMER COLVIN HOUSE SITE.
ATTENTION NEWS EDITORS:
ARRANGEMENTS HAVE BEEN MADE FOR THE MEDIA TO COVER THE ARRIVAL OF MR GOODLAD AND HIS VISIT TO CENTRAL AND WESTERN ON MONDAY (OCTOBER 11) .
MR GOODLAD WILL ARRIVE BY FLIGHT BA 31 (ETA 10.45 AM). MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES SHOULD ASSEMBLE AT THE PRESS ROOM ON THE GROUND FLOOR OF THE PASSENGER TERMINAL BUILDING BY 10 AM.
THEY SHOULD CONFIRM THE ARRIVAL TIME WITH THE AIRLINE. IN CASE OF ANY CHANGE, THEY SHOULD ASSEMBLE AT THE PRESS ROOM 45 MINUTES IN ADVANCE.
TO COVER THE MINISTER’S VISIT TO CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT, PRESS MEMBERS SHOULD ASSEMBLE AT THE KNOWLES BUILDING OF THE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG BY 3.30 PM. GOVERNMENT TRANSPORT WILL BE PROVIDED TO TAKE THE PRESS PARTY TO THE WESTERN MARKET AND THE MID-LEVELS ESCALATOR SITE.
---------0-----------
/12........
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 8, 1993
- 12 -
CS RECOGNISES FIGHT CRIME EFFORTS ♦ ♦ ♦ » *
THE GOVERNMENT WILL SOON MAKE A DECISION ON THE RECOMMENDATIONS MADE BY MR JUSTICE KEMPSTER AND THE FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE ON IMPROVEMENTS TO THE WITNESS PROTECTION PROGRAMME, THE CHIEF SECRETARY, SIR DAVID FORD, SAID THIS (FRIDAY) EVENING.
"WE HAVE ACCORDED HIGH PRIORITY TO A WITNESS PROTECTION PROGRAMME AND WILL PROVIDE THE NECESSARY RESOURCES TO IMPLEMENT THE RECOMMENDATIONS," STR DAVID SAID.
HE WAS SPEAKING AT A COCKTAIL RECEPTION OF DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEES (DFCC).
SIR DAVID SAID THE CRIME RATE, ALREADY LOW, WAS ACTUALLY FALLING.
"THIS YEAR VIOLENT CRIME IS DOWN SIX PER CENT. VEHICLE THEFT, A MAJOR CAUSE OF CONCERN LAST YEAR, IS DOWN BY A QUARTER."
HE PAID TRIBUTE TO THE POLICE WHO, WITH GREAT DEDICATION, COURAGE AND SELFLESSNESS CONTINUE THE FIGHT AGAINST CRIME.
HE SAID THE INTRODUCTION OF AN IMPROVED PAY PACKAGE AND THE ADOPTION OF A NEW RECRUITMENT STRATEGY HAD BEEN ABLE TO BRING THE POLICE UP TO FULL STRENGTH.
APART FROM POLICE’S EFFORTS, SIR DAVID SAID COMMUNITY SUPPORT WAS A KEY TO SUCCESS IN FIGHTING CRIME.
AS CHAIRMAN OF THE FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE FOR THE LAST SIX AND A HALF YEARS, SIR DAVID SAID HE HAD BEEN GREATLY IMPRESSED AND MUCH ENCOURAGED BY THE WORK DONE BY THE DFCC IN HELPING THE POLICE FIGHT CRIME AND IN ENHANCING PUBLIC AWARENESS OF CRIME PREVENTION.
HE SAID MAINTAINING LAW AND ORDER REMAINED ONE OF THE GOVERNMENT’S TOP PRIORITIES AND EFFECTIVE LAWS WERE NEEDED TO COMBAT CRIMINAL ACTIVITIES.
HE HOPED THAT THE ORGANISED AND SERIOUS CRIMES BILL WHICH IS BEING STUDIED BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL WOULD SOON BECOME LAW.
"SO THAT WE HAVE THE NECESSARY TOOLS TO TACKLE THE PROBLEM OF TRIADS AND ORGANISED CRIME," HE SAID.
THE OUTGOING CHIEF SECRETARY SAID HIS ASSOCIATION WITH THE FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE HAD BEEN ONE OF THE MOST CHALLENGING AND REWARDING.
"CHALLENGING BECAUSE IN A CROWDED CITY SUCH AS HONG KONG, THE NEED FOR OUR CITIZENS TO FEEL SAFE, AND TO HAVE CONFIDENCE IN THOSE WHO ENFORCE THE LAW, IS OF PARAMOUNT IMPORTANCE.
"REWARDING BECAUSE PUBLIC-SPIRITED CITIZENS LIKE YOURSELVES HAVE SHOWN THAT WE HAVE A COMMUNITY WHICH CARES ENOUGH TO WORK TOGETHER FOR THE COMMON GOOD."
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 8, 1993
- 13 -
WORKING GROUP ON NEW ARTS BODY SET UP *****
A PROVISIONAL HONG KONG ARTS DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL (HKADC) WILL BE ESTABLISHED WITH EFFECT FROM NEXT APRIL.
THE PROVISIONAL BODY IS TO PLAN AND PROMOTE THE BROAD DEVELOPMENT OF THE ARTS WITH A VIEW TO IMPROVING THE QUALITY OF LIFE OF THE COMMUNITY AS A WHOLE, PLACING PARTICULAR EMPHASIS ON THE PERFORMING, VISUAL AND LITERARY ARTS.
AS PART OF THIS WORK IT WILL ALSO TAKE OVER THE EXISTING FUNCTIONS FROM THE COUNCIL FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS (CFPA) WHICH WILL BE WOUND DOWN.
FROM APRIL 1995, A STATUTORY HKADC WILL BE ESTABLISHED TO TAKE OVER ALL OF THE POWERS, FUNCTIONS, STAFF, FUNDS AND OTHER RESOURCES OF THE PROVISIONAL BODY. THE STATUTORY BODY WILL OPERATE IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE ORDINANCE UNDER WHICH IT IS ESTABLISHED.
GIVING DETAILS OF THE PLAN AT A PRESS CONFERENCE TODAY (FRIDAY) THE SECRETARY FOR RECREATION AND CULTURE, MR JAMES SO, SAID WITH IMMEDIATE EFFECT, A WORKING GROUP CHARGED WITH PREPARING FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE HKADC HAS BEEN SET UP.
SIR JOSEPH HOTUNG AND MS CHRISTINE LOH WHO HAVE BEEN APPOINTED CHAIRMAN AND VICE-CHAIRMAN RESPECTIVELY OF THE WORKING GROUP, AND ITS MEMBERS WERE INTRODUCED TO THE MEDIA AT THE CONFERENCE.
MR SO SAID FOLLOWING THE CONSULTATION AFTER THE RELEASE OF AN ARTS POLICY REVIEW REPORT IN MARCH THIS YEAR, A CONSENSUS HAD EMERGED IN THE COMMUNITY THAT HONG KONG SHOULD HAVE A NEW STATUTORY BODY RESPONSIBLE FOR ARTS DEVELOPMENT.
THE GOVERNOR, IN HIS POLICY SPEECH ON WEDNESDAY, HAD ANNOUNCED THE DECISION TO MOVE FORWARD TOWARDS THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE NEW STATUTORY BODY AND, SUBJECT TO APPROVAL BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, TO PROVIDE A GRANT OF $100 MILLION IN THE NEXT FINANCIAL YEAR TO GIVE THE COUNCIL A GENEROUS FINANCIAL START.
THIS WILL BE IN ADDITION TO EXISTING RECURRENT FUNDING WHICH IS BEING SPENT ON THE ARTS.
THE MISSION OF HKADC IS TO:
* PLAN AND PROMOTE THE BROAD DEVELOPMENT AND APPRECIATION OF AND PARTICIPATION IN THE ARTS WITH A VIEW TO IMPROVING THE QUALITY OF LIFE OF THE WHOLE COMMUNITY, PLACING PARTICULAR EMPHASIS ON THE PERFORMING, VISUAL AND LITERARY ARTS;
* LIAISE AND WORK CLOSELY WITH THE GOVERNMENT AND EXISTING ORGANISATIONS SUCH AS THE URBAN AND REGIONAL COUNCILS, THE HONG KONG ACADEMY FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS, THE HONG KONG ARTS CENTRE AND OTHER INDEPENDENT BODIES INVOLVED IN THE PROMOTION AND DEVELOPMENT OF THE ARTS IN HONG KONG WHILE RESPECTING THEIR AUTONOMOUS POSITIONS;
/★ ENGAGE IN ........
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 8, 1993
- 14 -
* ENGAGE IN SUCH ACTIVITIES AS MAY BE NECESSARY TO ACHIEVE THESE GOALS; AND
t ENGAGE IN SUCH OTHER ACTIVITIES AS THE GOVERNOR MAY, AFTER CONSULTATION WITH THE COUNCIL, PERMIT OR ASSIGN TO IT.
MR SO SAID: "THE WORKING GROUP WILL BE TASKED WITH DRAWING UP THE RECOMMENDATIONS REGARDING THE MEMBERSHIP GUIDELINES, TERMS OF REFERENCE, FUNCTIONS, OBJECTIVES, STRUCTURE, STAFFING AND MODUS OPERANDI THAT THE PROVISIONAL BODY NEEDS TO ENABLE IT TO CARRY OUT ITS MISSION IN THE MOST APPROPRIATE MANNER. FOR HONG KONG."
"IT WILL TAKE INTO ACCOUNT THE VIEWS AND COMMENTS OF THE ARTS COMMUNITY AND OTHER INTERESTED PARTIES IN DRAWING UP ITS PLANS."
THIS WORKING GROUP WILL ALSO HAVE TO PREPARE FOR THE PROVISIONAL BODY TO TAKE OVER THE FUNDING AND ACTIVITIES OF THE COUNCIL FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS.
THE END OF THE 1993/94 FINANCIAL YEAR WOULD SEEM A SUITABLE POINT FOR THE TRANSITION FROM THE CFPA TO THE PROVISIONAL BODY, MR SO SAID.
THE WORKING GROUP SHOULD AIM TO COMPLETE ITS WORK AND TO GAIN THE RELEVANT GOVERNMENT APPROVALS SOMETIME NEXT YEAR.
THE PROVISIONAL BODY WILL THEN TAKE OVER THE FUNCTIONS OF ADVISING THE SECRETARY FOR RECREATION AND CULTURE ON THE SCOPE, MANAGEMENT AND EXPENDITURE OF THE RECURRENT FUNDS PREVIOUSLY ALLOCATED TO THE CFPA, THE FUNDS ALLOCATED FOR ARTS DEVELOPMENT UNDER THE SIR DAVID TRENCH FUND FOR RECREATION AND POSSIBLY OTHER PUBLIC TRUST FUNDS RELATED TO DEVELOPING AND PROMOTING THE ARTS.
IN ADDITION, IT WILL ALSO ADVISE THE SECRETARY FOR RECREATION AND CULTURE ON THE SCOPE, MANAGEMENT AND EXPENDITURE OF WHATEVER OTHER FUNDS ARE ALLOCATED FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE ARTS BY THE GOVERNMENT OR RAISED OR DONATED FROM OTHER SOURCES FOR THIS PURPOSE.
THE PROVISIONAL BODY WILL START WORK ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE ARTS, FINE TUNE THE PLANS DRAWN UP BY THE WORKING GROUP IN THE LIGHT OF EXPERIENCE AND HELP THE GOVERNMENT IN DRAFTING THE NECESSARY LEGISLATION TO ESTABLISH THE BODY ON A STATUTORY BASIS BY APRIL 1, 1995.
THE PROVISIONAL BODY WILL ALSO NEED TO START DRAWING UP STRATEGIC DEVELOPMENT AND FINANCIAL PLANS AND SETTING TARGETS AND YARDSTICKS TO MEASURE ITS PERFORMANCE AND THAT OF THE ARTS ORGANISATIONS AND INDIVIDUALS WITH WHICH IT WILL BE WORKING AND WHICH IT WILL BE SUPPORTING.
IN ADDITION, IT WILL NEED TO IMPLEMENT AN EFFECTIVE COMMITTEE STRUCTURE AND MODUS OPERANDI AS WELL AS RECRUITING THE STAFF NEEDED TO SUPPORT THE COUNCIL AND TO IMPLEMENT ITS DECISIONS.
ALL BEING WELL, THE STATUTORY HKADC WILL BE ESTABLISHED AND ITS CHAIRMAN AND MEMBERS APPOINTED, WITH EFFECT FROM APRIL 1, 1995.
/THIS BODY .......
- 15 -
rniuAi, U-.UVDC.K o, iyyj
THIS BODY WILL TAKE OVER ALL OF THE POWERS, FUNCTIONS, STAFF, FUNDS AND OTHER RESOURCES OF THE PROVISIONAL BODY.
IT WILL BE A WELL-CONSTITUTED, INDEPENDENT STATUTORY BODY WITH EXECUTIVE POWERS, PUBLIC AND PRIVATE FUNDING AND ITS OWN STAFF TO FURTHER DEVELOP THE ARTS IN THE 90’S AND BEYOND.
IT WILL OPERATE IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE ORDINANCE UNDER WHICH IT IS ESTABLISHED AND WILL BE ABLE TO DIRECTLY MANAGE ITS RESOURCES AND WILL NO LONGER NEED TO RELY ON THE SECRETARY FOR RECREATION AND CULTURE TO ACT AS ITS AGENT IN THIS REGARD.
IT WILL ALSO BE DIRECTLY ACCOUNTABLE TO THE COMMUNITY IT SERVES, THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, THE COMMISSIONER FOR ADMINISTRATIVE COMPLAINTS AND THE DIRECTOR OF AUDIT FOR THE MONEY IT SPENDS AND FOR THE ACTIONS IT TAKES.
THE FULL LIST OF MEMBERS APPOINTED TO THE WORKING GROUP IS AS FOLLOWS:
SIR JOSEPH HOTUNG, CHAIRMAN
MS CHRISTINE LOH KUNG-WAI, VICE-CHAIRMAN
DR CHAN WING-WAH
MR BENNY CHIA
MR VINCENT CHOW WING-SHING
MR DAVID G ELDON
MR ANGUS HAMISH FORSYTH DR LEUNG PING-KWAN MR LO KING-MAN, MBE, JP MR RICHARD TSANG MS YIP WING-SIE MR DANNY YUNG THE CHAIRMAN OF URBAN COUNCIL OR HIS REPRESENTATIVE THE CHAIRMAN OF REGIONAL COUNCIL OR HIS REPRESENTATIVE THE SECRETARY FOR RECREATION AND CULTURE OR HIS REPRESENTATIVE THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION OR HIS REPRESENTATIVE
MR SO PRAISED THE APPOINTMENT OF SIR JOSEPH AS CHAIRMAN OF THE WORKING GROUP AND SAID HIS ’’DEEP COMMITMENT TO AND KNOWLEDGE OF THE ARTS COMBINED WITH HIS BUSINESS ACUMEN AND STANDING IN THE LOCAL AND INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY WILL CERTAINLY CONTRIBUTE TO THE SUCCESS OF THE HKADC.”
HE SAID THE VICE-CHAIRMAN, MS CHRISTINE LOH, IS "KNOWLEDGEABLE AND WELL-CONNECTED IN THE ARTS COMMUNITY AND IS ALSO A STRONG ADVOCATE FOR THE FURTHER DEVELOPMENT OF THE ARTS BOTH INSIDE AND OUTSIDE THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. THE OTHER MEMBERS HAVE BEEN SELECTED ON THE BASIS OF THEIR EXPERIENCE AND RANGE OF SKILLS AND INTERESTS IN THE ARTS WORLD".
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/16........
16
BILL TO CONTROL RESIDENTIAL CARE HOMES FOR ELDERLY GAZETTED *****
THE RESIDENTIAL CARE HOMES (ELDERLY PERSONS) BILL PROVIDES FOR THE CONTROL OF RESIDENTIAL CARE HOMES FOR ELDERLY PERSONS THROUGH A LICENSING SYSTEM TO BE ADMINISTERED BY THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE HEALTH AND WELFARE BRANCH SAID TODAY (FRIDAY).
THE BILL, GAZETTED TODAY, WILL BE INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON NOVEMBER 3.
"ANY PREMISES AT WHICH MORE THAN FIVE PERSONS WHO HAVE ATTAINED THE AGE OF 60 YEARS ARE HABITUALLY RECEIVED FOR THE PURPOSES OF CARE WILL COME UNDER THIS BILL," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
IN OTHER WORDS, IT WILL APPLY TO ALL SUBVERTED, NON-PROFIT-MAKING, AND PRIVATE RESIDENTIAL CARE HOMES, HE ADDED.
THE BILL ALSO EMPOWERS THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE TO ISSUE OR RENEW A CERTIFICATE OF EXEMPTION TO AN EXISTING RESIDENTIAL CARE HOME UPON THE OPERATOR’S APPLICATION.
APPEALS AGAINST THE DECISIONS OF THE DIRECTOR COULD BE MADE TO AN APPEAL BOARD APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNOR.
ANY PERSON WHO OPERATES A RESIDENTIAL CARE HOME WITHOUT A LICENCE OR A CERTIFICATE OF EXEMPTION, OR OPERATES A RESIDENTIAL CARE HOME IN CONTRAVENTION OF THE CONDITIONS OF A LICENCE OR A CERTIFICATE OF EXEMPTION, PROVIDES FALSE INFORMATION IN AN APPLICATION, OR OBSTRUCTS INSPECTION, COMMITS AN OFFENCE.
ANY PERSON WHO COMMITS ANY OF THESE OFFENCES IS LIABLE TO A FINE OF $100,000 AND TO IMPRISONMENT FOR TWO YEARS AND TO A FINE OF $10,000 FOR EACH DAY DURING WHICH THE OFFENCE CONTINUES.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL COULD MAKE REGULATIONS FOR THE PURPOSES OF THE BILL.
TO ENSURE THE PROPER MANAGEMENT AND OPERATION OF DIFFERENT TYPES OF RESIDENTIAL CARE HOMES, THE DRAFT RESIDENTIAL CARE HOMES (ELDERLY PERSONS) REGULATION SPECIFIES REQUIREMENTS REGARDING THE REGISTRATION OF HEALTH WORKERS, THE DUTIES OF OPERATORS, THE DUTIES OF HOME MANAGERS, SPACE AND STAFFING, LOCATION AND DESIGN, AND SAFETY PRECAUTIONS FOR RESIDENTIAL CARE HOMES.
PROVISION IS MADE FOR APPEALS AND RELATED PROCEDURES IN THE DRAFT RESIDENTIAL CARE HOMES (ELDERLY PERSONS) (APPEAL BOARD) REGULATION, HE ADDED.
THE LEGISLATION WILL ENSURE THAT RESIDENTIAL CARE HOMES PROVIDE SERVICES OF A REASONABLE STANDARD ACCEPTABLE TO THE COMMUNITY OF HONG KONG.
"NEW HOMES WHICH CANNOT MEET THE LICENSING STANDARDS WILL BE PROHIBITED FROM ENTERING THE MARKET," HE SAID.
THE BOUGHT PLACE SCHEME WILL BE EXPANDED TO ACCOMMODATE ELDERLY PERSONS AFFECTED BY THE CONTROL SCHEME, THE SPOKESMAN NOTED.
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/17
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 8, 1993
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ANTI-DISCRIMINATION REPORT TO GO TO LEGCO
*****
THE TWELFTH PERIODIC REPORT ON HONG KONG UNDER THE INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION ON THE ELIMINATION OF ALL FORMS OF RACIAL DISCRIMINATION WILL BE TABLED IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL NEXT WEDNESDAY (OCTOBER 13).
THE REPORT COVERS THE LEGISLATIVE, JUDICIAL AND OTHER MEASURES THAT HAVE BEEN ADOPTED IN HONG KONG TO GIVE EFFECT TO THE PROVISIONS IN THE INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION ON THE ELIMINATION OF ALL FORMS OF RACIAL DISCRIMINATION.
THE AIM OF THE CONVENTION IS TO CO-ORDINATE AND STRENGTHEN INTERNATIONAL ACTION AGAINST RACIAL DISCRIMINATION IN ALL ITS FORMS AND MANIFESTATIONS IN ORDER TO PROMOTE UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN RACES.
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (FRIDAY) THE REPORT WAS SUBMITTED BY THE UNITED KINGDOM GOVERNMENT TO THE UNITED NATIONS IN OCTOBER 1992. AND IT WAS CONSIDERED BY THE COMMITTEE ON THE ELIMINATION OF RACIAL DISCRIMINATION ON AUGUST 9 AND 10, THIS YEAR.
UNDER ARTICLE 9 OF THE CONVENTION, STATES PARTIES ARE REQUIRED TO SUBMIT A REPORT EVERY TWO YEARS FOR CONSIDERATION BY THE COMMITTEE ON THE ELIMINATION OF RACIAL DISCRIMINATION.
COPIES OF THE REPORT IN CHINESE AND ENGLISH HAVE BEEN PLACED AT ALL PUBLIC LIBRARIES FOR PUBLIC INSPECTION AND FREE COPIES ARE ALSO AVAILABLE AT THE MARKETING OFFICE OF THE GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES, AT THE FRENCH MISSION BUILDING, 1 BATTERY PATH, CENTRAL, HONG KONG.
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MARINE PARKS AND MARINE RESERVES TO BE SET UP IN HK
*****
THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL HAD APPROVED IN PRINCIPLE THE ESTABLISHMENT OF MARINE PARKS AND MARINE RESERVES IN HONG KONG IN ORDER TO PROTECT AND MANAGE ECOLOGICALLY IMPORTANT MARINE ENVIRONMENTS.
ANNOUNCING THE DECISION AT A PRESS CONFERENCE TODAY (FRIDAY), AN ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES, MR FRANK LAU SAID:
"THE MAIN OBJECTIVE OF SETTING UP MARINE PARKS AND MARINE RESERVES IS TO PROTECT AND MANAGE UNSPOILT AREAS FOR THE PURPOSES OF CONSERVATION, EDUCATION AND RECREATION."
"IT IS THE GOVERNMENT’S POLICY TO CONSERVE AND ENHANCE THE NATURAL ENVIRONMENT BY PROTECTING EXISTING CONSERVATION AREAS AND HERITAGE FEATURES AND BY IDENTIFYING NEW AREAS FOR CONSERVATION, HE SAID.
/"MUCH HAS .......
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 8, 1993
- 18 -
’’MUCH HAS BEEN DONE ON LAND AND TN COUNTRY PARKS. CONSERVATION OF THE MARINE ENVIRONMENT IS OUR NEW AREA FOR ACTION," MR LAU SAID.
A MARINE PARK WOULD BE A RELATIVELY LARGE PIECE OF SEA AREA WHICH CAN BE SET ASIDE FOR CONSERVATION AND RECREATION PURPOSES.
A MARINE RESERVE WILL BE A RELATIVELY SMALLER PIECE OF SEA AREA BUT WITH HIGH CONSERVATION VALUE.
IT WOULD BE RESERVED MAINLY FOR CONSERVATION, SCIENTIFIC AND EDUCATIONAL STUDIES, HE ADDED.
IN THE FIRST PHASE OF DEVELOPMENT, HOI HA WAN AND YAN CHAU TONG ARE RECOMMENDED FOR DESIGNATION AS MARINE PARKS WHILE CAPE D’AGUILAR IS PROPOSED FOR DESIGNATION AS A MARINE RESERVE.
NEW LEGISLATION WILL BE PREPARED TO PROVIDE FOR THE DESIGNATION, MANAGEMENT AND DEVELOPMENT OF MARINE PARKS AND MARINE RESERVES.
IT IS HOPED THAT THE DRAFT BILL CAN BE INTRODUCED INTO LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL NEXT YEAR.
ON THE CONTROL OF ACTIVITIES IN THESE AREAS, MR LAU SAID:
"A MULTI-USE APPROACH WHICH ALLOWS EXISTING ACTIVITIES WITH LITTLE DETRIMENTAL EFFECT ON THE MARINE ENVIRONMENT TO CONTINUE WILL BE ADOPTED."
HE SAID DUE CONSIDERATION WOULD BE GIVEN TO MAINTAINING TRADITIONAL LIVELIHOOD AND VILLAGE RIGHTS OF LOCAL VILLAGERS AND FISHERMEN.
"IN GENERAL, PUBLIC ACCESS TO BOTH MARINE PARKS AND MARINE RESERVES WILL BE MAINTAINED."
EDUCATIONAL AND RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES SUCH AS NATURE STUDIES, DIVING AND UNDERWATER PHOTOGRAPHY WILL BE ENCOURAGED IN MARINE PARKS WHILE SCIENTIFIC STUDIES WILL BE ENCOURAGED IN MARINE RESERVES.
"THE DEGREE OF CONTROL WILL VARY WITH THE DEGREE OF THE POTENTIAL DAMAGE, BUT CONTROL WILL BE MORE STRINGENT IN MARINE RESERVES THAN IN MARINE PARKS."
FOR EXAMPLE, EXISTING FISHING ACTIVITIES WHICH ARE CONSIDERED SUSTAINABLE WILL BE ALLOWED TN MARINE PARKS AND CONTROLLED THROUGH A PERMIT SYSTEM, WHEREAS IN A MARINE RESERVE, ALL FISHING ACTIVITIES WILL BE PROHIBITED TO AVOID DISTURBANCE TO SCIENTIFIC STUDIES CONDUCTED WITHIN THAT AREA.
INCOMPATIBLE AND HARMFUL FISHING ACTIVITIES SUCH AS BOTTOM-TRAWLING AND UNDERWATER SPEARFISHING WILL BE BANNED IN BOTH OF THESE AREAS.
/EX-GRATIA ALLOWANCE .......
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 8, 1993
- 19 -
EX-GRATIA ALLOWANCE MAY BE GIVEN TO FISHERMEN AFFECTED BY THE LOSS OF FISHING GROUND RESULTING FROM THE DESIGNATION OF A MARINE RESERVE.
IN ADDITION, SHIPPING ACTIVITIES AND DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITIES WILL EITHER BE CONTROLLED OR PROHIBITED IN MARINE PARKS AND MARINE RESERVES.
MR LAU STRESSED THAT THE PROPOSAL WHEN FULLY IMPLEMENTED WOULD BRING LONG-TERM IMPROVEMENT TO THE MARINE ENVIRONMENT AND BENEFIT THE COMMUNITY AS A WHOLE.
”IT WILL PROTECT THE RICH AND DIVERSE COMMUNITIES OF OUR MARINE LIFE AND THE VARIETY OF LANDSCAPE OF HONG KONG’S SEASHORE AND COASTAL WATERS FOR THE ENJOYMENT OF THE PRESENT AND FUTURE GENERATIONS.
"TO FISHERMEN, THEY WILL ALSO BENEFIT FROM A BETTER FISH STOCK GENERATED FROM THESE AREAS.”
OTHER POTENTIAL SITES FOR DEVELOPMENT AS MARINE PARKS OR MARINE RESERVES INCLUDE SHELTER ISLAND, SOUTH LAMMA, SOUTH-WEST LANTAU AND PING CHAU.
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HK TO HOST TRADING WORKSHOP * * t * *
HONG KONG WILL HOST AN INFORMAL WORKSHOP ON "TRADING RELATIONSHIPS AND TRADE POLICIES" ON MONDAY (OCTOBER 11) AND TUESDAY.
THE WORKSHOP, ORGANISED BY THE ORGANISATION FOR ECONOMIC COOPERATION AND DEVELOPMENT (OECD), IS TO STRENGTHEN THE LINK WITH AND FOSTER UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN OECD AND THE DYNAMIC NON-MEMBER ECONOMIES (DNME’S).
ESTABLISHED IN 1961 AND COMPRISING 24 MEMBER COUNTRIES, OECD IS A FORUM FOR GOVERNMENTS TO EXCHANGE VIEWS, SHARE EXPERIENCES AND SEARCH FOR COMMON GROUNDS ON TRADE AND ECONOMIC ISSUES.
FROM 1989, OECD STARTED INFORMAL DIALOGUES WITH THE DYNAMIC ASIAN ECONOMIES (DAE’S) COMPRISING HONG KONG, KOREA, SINGAPORE, MALAYSIA, TAIWAN AND THAILAND IN RECOGNITION OF THE INCREASINGLY IMPORTANT ROLE THESE TERRITORIES PLAY TN THE WORLD ECONOMY.
HONG KONG HAS PARTICIPATED IN THESE DIALOGUES AND FOUND THEM USEFUL IN UNDERSTANDING THE POLICIES AND PRACTICES OF VARIOUS MARKET ECONOMIES.
THIS YEAR, THE DIALOGUE HAS BEEN EXTENDED TO INCLUDE FOUR LATIN AMERICAN COUNTRIES - ARGENTINA, BRAZIL, CHILE AND MEXICO. THESE COUNTRIES TOGETHER WITH THE DAE’S ARE COLLECTIVELY CALLED THE DYNAMIC NON-MEMBER ECONOMIES.
/MORE THAN .......
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 8, 1993
MORE THAN 50 SENIOR GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS AND ACADEMICS WILL ATTEND THE INFORMAL WORKSHOP IN THEIR PERSONAL CAPACITY.
THE HONG KONG CONTINGENT WILL CONSIST OF THE DEPUTY SECRETARY FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY, MRS REGINA IP; THE DEPUTY SECRETARY FOR PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS, MR A G COOPER, AND THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR-GENERAL OF TRADE, MR CHRISTOPHER JACKSON.
THE SECRETARY FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY, MR T H CHAU, WILL OPEN THE WORKSHOP ON MONDAY.
THE TWO CO-CHAIRMEN OF THE WORKSHOP - THE DIRECTOR-GENERAL OF TRADE, MR TONY MILLER AND CHAIRMAN OF OECD’S TRADE COMMITTEE, MR GEZA FEKETEKUTY - WILL BRIEF THE MEDIA AT THE CONCLUSION OF THE WORKSHOP ON TUESDAY.
ATTENTION NEWS EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE OPENING OF THE OECD WORKSHOP AT 9.45 AM ON MONDAY AND ATTEND THE MEDIA SESSION AT 6 PM ON TUESDAY.
BOTH WILL TAKE PLACE AT THE NATHAN ROOM, LOWER LOBBY, CONRAD HOTEL, PACIFIC PLACE.
- - 0
SCHEDULE 1 TO COMAC ORDINANCE AMENDED *****
THE MANAGEMENT SERVICES AGENCY (MSA) HAS BEEN INCLUDED IN THE LIST OF DEPARTMENTS AND ORGANISATIONS GOVERNED BY THE COMMISSIONER FOR ADMINISTRATIVE COMPLAINTS ORDINANCE UNDER AN AMENDMENT ORDER MADE BY THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL, A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID (TODAY).
EXPLAINING THE COMMISSIONER FOR ADMINISTRATIVE COMPLAINTS ORDINANCE (AMENDMENT OF SCHEDULE 1) (NO. 4) ORDER 1993 PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE TODAY, THE GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID AS A RESULT OF THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A PERMANENT EFFICIENCY UNIT (EU) WITH EFFECT FROM SEPTEMBER 1, 1993, AND OF THE MSA WHICH ASSUMED ALL THE EXECUTIVE FUNCTIONS OF THE MANAGEMENT SERVICES, IT WAS NECESSARY TO AMEND THE LIST TO ENABLE THE COMMISSIONER FOR ADMINISTRATIVE COMPLAINTS TO DEAL WITH COMPLAINTS RELATING TO THIS MSA, A NEW GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENT.
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FRIDAY, OCTOBER 8, 1993
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TAIWANESE BANK GRANTED LICENCE ♦ * t * *
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (FRIDAY) THAT THE BANK OF TAIWAN HAD BEEN GRANTED A BANKING LICENCE TO CONDUCT BUSINESS IN HONG KONG.
THE BANK OF TAIWAN IS THE SECOND LARGEST COMMERCIAL TAIWAN, AND RANKS 159TH IN THE WORLD IN TERMS OF CAPITAL.
BANK IN
BEFORE THE GRANT OF THE LICENCE, THE BANK HAS BEEN OPERATING A REPRESENTATIVE OFFICE SINCE 1992.
THE NEW BRANCH WILL ENABLE THE BANK TO OFFER A WIDER RANGE OF BANKING SERVICES TO ITS CUSTOMERS, WHO HAVE BUSINESS TRANSACTIONS IN TAIWAN, HONG KONG AND THE MAINLAND.
THE ENTRY OF BANK RAISES THE LICENSED BANKING POPULATION IN HONG KONG TO 170, OF WHICH 138 ARE INCORPORATED OUTSIDE THE TERRITORY.
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VOLUME AND PRICE MOVEMENTS OF EXTERNAL TRADE IN JULY 1993
*****
IN THE FIRST SEVEN MONTHS OF 1993, THE VOLUME OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS DECREASED BY 3.3% AS COMPARED WITH THE SAME PERIOD LAST YEAR, WHILE THAT OF RE-EXPORTS RECORDED A SIGNIFICANT INCREASE OF 23%, ACCORDING TO THE STATISTICS RELEASED TODAY (FRIDAY) BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
TAKING DOMESTIC EXPORTS AND RE-EXPORTS TOGETHER, THE VOLUME OF TOTAL EXPORTS INCREASED BY 16%. IMPORTS ALSO INCREASED BY 16% 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 REMAINED VIRTUALLY UNCHANGED. IMPORT PRICES DECREASED BY 0.8%.
PRICE CHANGES ARE REFLECTED BY CHANGES IN UNIT VALUE INDICES, WHICH ARE COMPILED BASED ON AVERAGE UNIT VALUES OR, FOR CERTAIN COMMODITIES, BASED ON SPECIFIC PRICE DATA.
THE TERMS OF TRADE INDEX, DEFINED AS THE RATIO OF TOTAL EXPORT PRICE INDEX TO IMPORT PRICE INDEX, INCREASED SLIGHTLY BY 0.7% IN THE FIRST SEVEN MONTHS OF 1993 AS COMPARED WITH THE SAME PERIOD LAST YEAR.
/TAKING JULY .......
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 8, 1993
- 22 -
TAKING JULY 1993 ALONE AND COMPARING WITH JULY 1992, THE VOLUME OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS DECREASED BY 0.5% WHILE THAT OF RE-EXPORTS INCREASED BY 26%. THE VOLUME OF TOTAL EXPORTS INCREASED BY 19%. THE VOLUME OF IMPORTS GREW BY 17%.
OVER THE SAME PERIOD OF COMPARISON, THE PRICES OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS INCREASED BY 0.6%, WHILE THOSE OF RE-EXPORTS REMAINED VIRTUALLY UNCHANGED. IMPORT PRICES DECREASED BY 0.8%.
THE CHANGES IN THE VALUE, UNIT VALUE AND VOLUME OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS BY PRINCIPAL COMMODITY GROUP ARE SHOWN IN TABLE 1.
COMPARING JULY 1993 WITH JULY 1992, SUBSTANTIAL INCREASES IN THE VOLUME OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS WERE RECORDED FOR TEXTILE FABRICS (+12%); METAL ORES AND SCRAP (+10%); AND METAL MANUFACTURES (+9.6%).
ON THE OTHER HAND, CONSIDERABLE DECREASES IN THE VOLUME OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS WERE RECORDED FOR FOOTWEAR (-59%); AND RADIOS OF ALL KINDS (-50%).
AS REGARDS DOMESTIC EXPORT PRICES, THE PRICE OF FOOTWEAR RECORDED AN INCREASE OF 4.6%.
ON THE OTHER HAND, DECREASES IN DOMESTIC EXPORT PRICES WERE RECORDED FOR RADIOS OF ALL KINDS (-7.1%); TEXTILE FABRICS (-7.0%); AND TEXTILE YARN AND THREAD (-5.8%).
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 6.1% IN JULY 1993 AS COMPARED WITH JULY 1992.
CONSIDERABLE INCREASES WERE RECORDED FOR THE IMPORT VOLUME OF SOYA BEAN OIL, PEANUT OIL, VEGETABLE OIL AND LARD; SUGAR; AND MEAT AND MEAT PREPARATIONS. ON THE OTHER HAND, DECREASES WERE RECORDED IN THE IMPORT VOLUME OF WHEAT AND FLOUR; AND ANIMALS OF THE BOVINE SPECIES.
OVER THE SAME PERIOD OF COMPARISON, THE IMPORT VOLUME OF CONSUMER GOODS INCREASED BY 25%.
COMMODITY ITEMS WITH CONSIDERABLE INCREASES IN IMPORT VOLUME INCLUDED PASSENGER MOTOR CARS; ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES; AND FOOTWEAR. HOWEVER, DECREASES IN IMPORT VOLUME WERE NOTED FOR CAMERAS, FLASHLIGHT APPARATUS AND SUPPLIES FOR PHOTOGRAPHY; AND TOBACCO MANUFACTURES.
THE IMPORT VOLUME OF RAW MATERIALS AND SEMI-MANUFACTURES INCREASED BY 15% IN JULY 1993 AS COMPARED WITH JULY 1992.
SIGNIFICANT INCREASES TN IMPORT VOLUME WERE NOTED FOR WOOD, LUMBER AND CORK; WOVEN FABRICS OF WOOL AND MIXTURES; AND THERMIONIC CATHODE VALVES AND TUBES, DIODES, TRANSISTORS AND ELECTRICAL MICROCIRCUITS. HOWEVER, CONSIDERABLE DECREASES WERE RECORDED IN THE IMPORT VOLUME OF RAW COTTON; MAN-MADE FIBRES; AND INEDIBLE ANIMAL AND VEGETABLE MATERIALS.
/IMPORTS OF .......
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 8, 1993
23
IMPORTS OF FUELS INCREASED BY 0.9% IN VOLUME IN JULY 1993 AS
COMPARED WITH JULY 1992.
AS REGARDS CAPITAL GOODS, THE IMPORT VOLUME INCREASED BY 8.1%. NOTABLE INCREASES WERE RECORDED FOR THE IMPORT VOLUME OF ELECTRICAL MACHINERY; AND TRANSPORT EQUIPMENT. THE IMPORT VOLUME OF OFFICE MACHINERY; AND CONSTRUCTION MACHINERY DECLINED.
COMPARING JULY 1993 WITH JULY 1992, THE IMPORT PRICES OF CAPITAL GOODS INCREASED BY 2.9%. THE IMPORT PRICES OF FUELS; RAW MATERIALS AND SEMI-MANUFACTURES; CONSUMER GOODS; AND FOODSTUFFS DECREASED BY 6.1%, 1.9%, 1.2% AND 1.0% RESPECTIVELY.
THE CHANGES IN THE VALUE, UNIT VALUE AND VOLUME OF RE-EXPORTS BY END-USE CATEGORY ARE SHOWN IN TABLE 3.
COMPARING JULY 1993 WITH JULY 1992, THE VOLUME OF RE-EXPORTS OF FUELS GREW SUBSTANTIALLY BY 120%. THAT OF RAW MATERIALS AND SEMIMANUFACTURES; CONSUMER GOODS; CAPITAL GOODS; AND FOODSTUFFS REGISTERED INCREASES OF 28%, 25%, 24% AND 12% RESPECTIVELY.
OVER THE SAME PERIOD OF COMPARISON, THE RE-EXPORT PRICE OF CAPITAL GOOD£ INCREASED BY 3.4%. ON THE OTHER HAND, THE RE-EXPORT PRICES OF FUELS; RAW MATERIALS AND SEMI-MANUFACTURES; AND FOODSTUFFS DECREASED BA 11%, 2.7% AND 0.8% RESPECTIVELY. THE RE-EXPORT PRICE OF CONSUMER GOODS WAS VIRTUALLY UNCHANGED.
DETAILS OF THE ABOVE STATISTICS ARE PUBLISHED IN THE JULY 1993 ISSUE OF THE "HONG KONG TRADE INDEX NUMBERS".
THE REPORT WILL BE AVAILABLE ON SALE AROUND OCTOBER 11 AT HK$8.5 A COPY AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, GROUND FLOOR, GENERAL POST OFFICE BUILDING, CONNAUGHT PLACE, CENTRAL; AND THE PUBLICATIONS SECTION OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT, 19TH FLOOR, WANCHA1 TOWER, 12 HARBOUR ROAD, WAN CHAI.
ENQUIRIES REGARDING REGULAR SUBSCRIPTION TO THIS REPORT MAY BE DIRECTED TO THE INFORMATION SERVICES DEPARTMENT AT FRENCH MISSION BUILDING, 1 BATTERY PATH, HONG KONG (TEL 842 8802) AND ENQUIRIES ON TRADE INDICES TO THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT (TEL 582 4918).
TABLE I : CHANGES IN DOMESTIC EXPORTS BY PRINCIPAL COMMODITY GROUP
COMPARING JUL 1993 COMPARING JAN-JUL 1993
WITH JUL 1992 WITH JAN-JUL 1992
COMMODITY GROUP
UNIT UNIT
VALUE VALUE VOLUME VALUE VALUE VOLUME
% % % % % %
CLOTHING -0.2 2.0 -2. 1 -6.7 2.5 -8.9
TEXTILE FABRICS 4.3 -7.0 12.0 -1.4 -3.6 2.4
/TEXTILE YARN .......
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 8, 1993
- 24 -
TEXTILE YARN AND THREAD -10.2 -5.8 -4.6 -11.4 -5.7 -6.1
TEXTILE MADE-UPS AND RELATED ARTICLES -18.3 -0.5 -17.8 -29.0 0.6 -29.4
RADIOS OF ALL KINDS -53.4 -7.1 -49.8 -34.0 -8.7 -27.7
ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS 1.6 2.0 -0.4 11.9 -1.2 13.2
FOOTWEAR -57.3 4.6 -59.1 -44.9 6.7 -48.3
METAL MANUFACTURES 9.1 -0.5 9.6 0.2 -2.6 2.9
METAL ORES AND SCRAP 7.3 -2.7 10.3 4.6 -2.6 7.3
WATCHES AND CLOCKS -8.6 0.5 -9.1 -13.5 0.6 -14.1
TRAVEL GOODS, HANDBAGS AND SIMILAR ARTICLES -8.0 -4.2 -4. 1 -24.9 -2.6 -23.1
DOMESTIC ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES -1.9 -1 .5 -0.4 -21.7 -3.0 -19.4
ALL COMMODITIES -0.1 0.6 -0.5 -3.0 0.3 -3.3
TABLE 2 : CHANGES IN IMPORTS BY END-USE CATEGORY
COMPARING JUL WITH JUL 1993 1992 COMPARING WITH JAN-JUL JAN-JUL 1993 1992
END-USE CATEGORY VALUE UNIT VALUE VOLUME VALUE UNIT VALUE VOLUME
% % % % % %
FOODSTUFFS 5. 1 -1.0 6.1 -2.7 -0.5 -2.2
CONSUMER GOODS 23.5 -1 .2 25.0 19.2 -0.5 19.8
RAW MATERIALS AND SEMI-MANUFACTURES 12.7 -1.9 14.8 7.3 -3.2 10.8
FUELS -5.3 -6.1 0.9 9.3 1.9 7.4
CAPITAL GOODS 11.2 2.9 8.1 25.5 3.2 21.6
ALL COMMODITIES 16.1 -0.8 17.1 14.7 -0.8 15.7
/TABLE 3 : .......
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 8, 1993
- 25 -
TABLE 3 : CHANGES IN RE-EXPORTS BY END-USE CATEGORY
END-USE CATEGORY COMPARING JUL 1993 WITH JUL 1992 COMPARING JAN-JUL 1993 WITH JAN-JUL 1992
VALUE % UNIT VALUE VOLUME VALUE % UNIT VALUE VOLUME
% % % %
FOODSTUFFS 10.6 i o 00 11.5 -2.1 -1.2 00 o 1
CONSUMER GOODS 25.8 0.4 25.4 20.9 0.5 20.3
RAW MATERIALS AND SEMI-MANUFACTURES 24.4 -2.7 27.9 15.4 -3.2 19.3
FUELS 88.8 -14.4 120.4 72.6 -1.5 75.1
CAPITAL GOODS 28.2 3.4 24.0 41.3 2.5 37.9
ALL COMMODITIES 25.8 -0.2 26.1 22.3 -0.3 22.6
--------0-----------
APPOINTMENT TO TRAVEL INDUSTRY COMPENSATION FUND MANAGEMENT BOARD
*****
THE GOVERNMENT TODAY (FRIDAY) ANNOUNCED THE COMMENCEMENT OF THE TRAVEL AGENTS (AMENDMENT) ORDINANCE 1993 ON OCTOBER 15, 1993 AND APPOINTMENTS MADE BY THE GOVERNOR TO THE TRAVEL INDUSTRY COMPENSATION FUND MANAGEMENT BOARD UNDER THE ORDINANCE.
THE TRAVEL INDUSTRY COMPENSATION FUND WILL TAKE OVER THE ASSETS AND LIABILITIES OF THE TRAVEL INDUSTRY COUNCIL RESERVE FUND.
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID ITS ESTABLISHMENT MARKED THE FULL IMPLEMENTATION OF THE REGULATORY REFORMS TO THE OUTBOUND TRAVEL INDUSTRY FOR THE BETTER PROTECTION OF OUTBOUND TRAVELLERS.
DR JAMES KUNG ZIANG-MIEN, HAS BEEN APPOINTED CHAIRMAN OF THE MANAGEMENT BOARD FOR A PERIOD OF ONE YEAR FROM OCTOBER 15, 1993 TO OCTOBER 14, 1994.
DR KUNG IS CURRENTLY THE CHAIRMAN OF THE TRAVEL INDUSTRY COUNCIL RESERVE FUND BOARD AND HAS MADE A SIGNIFICANT CONTRIBUTION TO THE BOARD SINCE ITS INCEPTION IN 1988. HE IS THE CHAIRMAN AND CHIEF MANAGER OF CHEKIANG FIRST BANK LTD.
/APPOINTED TO .......
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 8, 1993
- 26 -
APPOINTED TO THE MANAGEMENT BOARD AS MEMBERS FOR THE SAME PERIOD ARE: MRS PAMELA CHAN, CHIEF EXECUTIVE OF THE CONSUMER COUNCIL; MR COLIN CHAU, AUDIT PRINCIPAL OF COOPERS AND LYBRAND HONG KONG; MR FRANK CHEN, MANAGING DIRECTOR OF MEESPIERSON NV, A DUTCH MERCHANT BANK; MR SIMON HAU SUK-KEI, MANAGING DIRECTOR OF HONG KONG STUDENT TRAVEL LTD; MR ANTHONY HUNG, SOLICITOR; MR TAM KAI-ON, DIRECTOR AND DEPUTY GENERAL MANAGER OF WAH NAM TRAVEL SERVICE LTD; AND MR PATRICK YEUNG, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF WAH KAY THAI HOLDINGS LTD. BOTH MR HAU AND MR TAM ARE MEMBERS OF THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON TRAVEL AGENTS.
UNDER THE ORDINANCE, THE REGISTRAR OF TRAVEL AGENTS SHALL BE AN EX-OFFICIO MEMBER AND THE SECRETARY OF THE MANAGEMENT BOARD.
--------0-----------
TENDERS INVITED FOR PIPE-LAYING WORKS *****
THE WATER SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR LAYING 1,650 METRES OF A STEEL WATERMAIN FROM FORFAT ROAD TO SHEUNG SHING STREET AND CONNECTING THE EXISTING WATER SUPPLY SYSTEM WITHIN MA TAU WAI AREA.
THE WORK FORMS A MAJOR PART OF A PUBLIC WORKS PROGRAMME TO IMPROVE FRESH WATER TRANSFER FACILITIES IN KOWLOON EAST.
ON COMPLETION, THE WATERMAIN WILL ENABLE A TRANSFER OF 56,700 CUBIC METRES OF TREATED WATER A DAY FROM PAK KONG TREATMENT WORKS TO SUPPLEMENT THE SUPPLY TO THE EASTERN PART OF KOWLOON.
CONSTRUCTION WORKS WILL START IN DECEMBER AND TAKE 15 MONTHS TO COMPLETE.
FORMS OF TENDER AND FURTHER PARTICULARS MAY BE OBTAINED FROM
THE WATER SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT, IMMIGRATION TOWER, 44TH FLOOR, 7 GLOUCESTER ROAD, WAN CHAI, HONG KONG .
DEADLINE OF SUBMITTING TENDERS IS AT NOON ON OCTOBER 29.
- - 0---------
/27
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 8, 1993
I
27 -
LAYING OF SUBMARINE CABLES IN ABERDEEN PROPOSED
*****
THE GOVERNMENT HAS PROPOSED GRANTING A LICENCE TO HONG KONG ELECTRIC COMPANY FOR LAYING SUBMARINE CABLES IN ABERDEEN HARBOUR.
ABOUT 5,670 SQUARE METRES OF FORESHORE AND SEABED WILL BE AFFECTED BY THE FOUR-MONTH WORKS, WHICH ARE SCHEDULED TO START IN DECEMBER THIS YEAR.
THE EXTENT OF THE AREAS 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 INVOLVED MAY SUBMIT A WRITTEN OBJECTION TO THE DIRECTOR OF LANDS BEFORE DECEMBER 8.
THE NOTICE SHALL DESCRIBE THE INTEREST, RIGHT OR EASEMENT OF THE OBJECTOR AND THE MANNER IN WHICH HE WILL BE AFFECTED.
THE NOTICE TOGETHER WITH ITS RELATED PLAN CAN BE SEEN ON NOTICE BOARDS POSTED NEAR THE SITE.
THE PLAN CAN ALSO BE SEEN OR BOUGHT AT THE SURVEY AND MAPPING OFFICE, LANDS DEPARTMENT, 14TH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG.
THEY ARE ALSO ON DISPLAY AT:
* THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT OFFICE, GROUND FLOOR, HARBOUR BUILDING, 38 PIER ROAD, CENTRAL, HONG KONG;
* THE DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE, HONG KONG SOUTH, 20TH FLOOR, SOUTHORN CENTRE, 130 HENNESSY ROAD, WAN CHAI, HONG KONG;
AND
* THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OFFICE, SHOP 25, GROUND FLOOR, MEI FUNG COURT, ABERDEEN CENTRE, 7-11 NAM NING STREET, ABERDEEN, HONG KONG.
------0-------
GREENLIGHT FOR SUBMARINE CABLE LAYING WORKS
******
THE GOVERNMENT HAS AUTHORISED HONG KONG TELECOMMUNICATIONS LIMITED TO LAY AN OPTICAL FIBRE SUBMARINE CABLE BETWEEN PENG CHAU AND HEI LING CHAU IN ORDER TO IMPROVE THE TELEPHONE SERVICE ON BOTH ISLANDS.
ABOUT 25 HECTARES OF FORESHORE AND SEABED WILL BE AFFECTED BY THE WORKS, WHICH ARE SCHEDULED TO START THIS MONTH FOR COMPLETION IN JANUARY NEXT YEAR.
/THE EXTENT .......
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 8, 1993
- 28 -
’l. r• J .• X >* l \
THE EXTENT OF THE AREAS AFFECTED IS DESCRIBED IN AN AUTHORISATION NOTICE GAZETTED TODAY (FRIDAY).
ANY PERSON WHO CONSIDERS THAT HIS INTEREST, RIGHT OR EASEMENT IN OR OVER THE FORESHORE AND SEABED INVOLVED WILL BE AFFECTED BY THE WORKS MAY DELIVER A WRITTEN CLAIM FOR COMPENSATION TO THE DIRECTOR OF LANDS BEFORE OCTOBER 8, NEXT YEAR.
THE NOTICE TOGETHER WITH ITS RELATED PLAN CAN BE SEEN OR BOUGHT AT THE SURVEY AND MAPPING OFFICE, LANDS DEPARTMENT, 14TH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG.
THEY ARE ALSO ON DISPLAY AT:
* THE ISLANDS DISTRICT OFFICE, 20TH FLOOR, HARBOUR BUILDING, 38 PIER ROAD, CENTRAL, HONG KONG;
* THE MUI WO SUB-OFFICE, GROUND FLOOR, MUI WO GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 2 NGAN KWONG WAN ROAD, MUI WO, LANTAU ISLAND; AND
* THE CHEUNG CHAU SUB-OFFICE, GROUND FLOOR, 22 SAN HING STREET, CHEUNG CAU.
-----0------
APPLICATION FOR GRANT REJECTED
*****
AT ITS MEETING ON SEPTEMBER 29, THE COUNCIL FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS (CFPA) CONSIDERED AN APPLICATION BY THE CROSSOVER CULTURAL INSTITUTE FOR A PROJECT GRANT OF $2.4 MILLION FOR THE PUBLICATION OF THE CROSSOVER MAGAZINE FOR THE YEAR 1994.
HAVING GIVEN THE MATTER VERY SERIOUS AND CAREFUL CONSIDERATION, THE CFPA COULD NOT SUPPORT THE APPLICATION.
ALTHOUGH THE CFPA FULLY APPRECIATES THE EFFORTS OF THE CROSSOVER CULTURAL INSTITUTE IN PUBLISHING THE CROSSOVER MAGAZINE AND THE MERITS AND USEFULNESS OF THE MAGAZINE TO THE ARTS COMMUNITY, IT IS OF THE VIEW THAT ITS CURRENT POLICY ONLY ALLOWS IT TO PROVIDE FUNDING SUPPORT TO PUBLICATIONS, INCLUDING MAGAZINES, OF A ONE-OFF NATURE, SUCH AS COLLECTIONS OF THE "BEST PLAYS OF THE YEAR", WHICH DO NOT CARRY ANY INDEPENDENT EDITORIAL COMMENTS.
THE CROSSOVER MAGAZINE DOES NOT FALL WITHIN THIS POLICY AMBIT.
THE MAIN PRINCIPLE BEHIND THE COUNCIL’S POLICY IS THAT IT DOES NOT WISH TO GIVE THE IMPRESSION THAT IT IS USING PUBLIC FUNDS TO INFLUENCE THE EDITORIAL COMMENTS OF ANY PUBLICATIONS, WHICH ANY FUNDING SUPPORT OF THE NATURE REQUESTED WILL INEVITABLY IMPLY.
ANY SUCH IMPLICATIONS WILL NOT REFLECT WELL ON THE CROSSOVER MAGAZINE AND ON THE COUNCIL.
------0------------
/29 ........
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 8,
1993
- 29 -
269 VM’S RETURNED HOME TODAY
*****
A GROUP OF 269 VITENAMESE MIGRANTS TODAY (FRIDAY) RETURNED TO VIETNAM UNDER THE UNHCR’S VOLUNTARY REPATRIATION PROGRAMME.
COMPRISING 75 MEN, 84 WOMEN, 59 BOYS AND 51 GIRLS, THEY WERE THE 169TH BATCH TO GO BACK UNDER THE PROGRAMME.
THIS GROUP BROUGHT TO 7,108 THE TOTAL NUMBER OF VIETNAMESE MIGRANTS WHO HAVE RETURNED VOLUNTARILY THIS YEAR, AND TO 33,420 THE TOTAL NUMBER OF RETURNEES SINCE THE PROGRAMME STARTED IN MARCH 1989.
--------0------------
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS *****
$ MILLION
OPENING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT 1,970
*
REVERSAL OF LAF +30
BALANCE AFTER REVERSAL OF LAF 2,000
NET INJECTION/WITHDRAWAL TODAY NIL
EFFECT OF LAF TODAY +800
CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT 2,800
LAF RATE 2.00 BID/4.00 OFFER TWI 112.3 *+0.0* 8.10.93
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND
EF BILLS EF NOTES/HONG KONG GOVERNMENT BONDS
TERMS YIELD TERM ISSUE COUPON PRICE YIELD
1 WEEK 2.41 PCT 13 MONTHS 2411 4.625 101.53 3.22
1 MONTH 2.51 PCT 16 MONTHS 2502 4.75 101.81 3.39
3 MONTHS 2.64 PCT 19 MONTHS 2505 4.75 100.16 3.68
6 MONTHS 2.83 PCT 22 MONTHS 12 MONTHS 3.16 PCT 2508 4.625 101.55 3.78
TOTAL TURNOVER OF BILLS AND BONDS - 29,908 MN
CLOSED 8 OCTOBER 1993
--------0-----------
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 9, 1993
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
SEMINAR ON BETTER USE OF RESOURCES ............................. 1
EXTERIOR OF HELENA MAY DECLARED HISTORICAL BUILDING ............ 1
MAP OF HK IN ITS REGIONAL SETTING PUBLISHED .................... 2
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS .. 3
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 10, 1993
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
REGULATION OF RETIREMENT SCHEMES TAKES EFFECT .................. 4
SPECIAL CAMPAIGN AGAINST NOISE HAZARDS ......................... 6
UNAUTHORISED BUILDING WORKS ARE COSTLY ......................... 7
NEW ONE-DOLLAR, 50-CENT AND 20-CENT COINS ...................... 8
FRESH WATER CUT IN WESTERN DISTRICT ............................ 8
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 9, 1993
SEMINAR ON BETTER USE OF RESOURCES
*****
ABOUT 50 SENIOR GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS THIS (SATURDAY) MORNING ATTENDED A SEMINAR ON HOW TO MAKE BETTER USE OF RESOURCES IN FORMULATING AND IMPLEMENTING POLICIES WITHOUT ADVERSELY AFFECTING THE RESOURCES AND ENVIRONMENT OF OUR FUTURE GENERATIONS.
THE SEMINAR WAS ORGANISED BY THE PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS BRANCH WITH THE OBJECTIVE OF ENHANCING SENIOR GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS’ UNDERSTANDING OF THE IMPLICATIONS ON GOVERNMENT POLICIES OF AN EARTH SUMMIT AGREEMENT ON PROMOTING SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT.
THE SECRETARY FOR PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS, MR TONY EASON SAID: ’’THE AGREEMENT HAS WIDE IMPLICATIONS ON ALL POLICY AREAS INCLUDING TRADE, TRANSPORT, EDUCATION, ECONOMIC SERVICES AND HEALTH.
”AS OUR SOCIETY BECOMES MORE AFFLUENT, IT WILL PRODUCE MORE EFFLUENT. IT IS THEREFORE IMPORTANT FOR THE GOVERNMENT TO DEVELOP ITS POLICIES AND PROGRAMMES COMPATIBLE WITH THE EARTH SUMMIT AGREEMENT WHICH SEEKS TO STRIKE A BALANCE OF PROTECTING OUR ENVIRONMENT AND SUSTAINING OUR ECONOMY SO THAT WE AND OUR FUTURE GENERATIONS WILL CONTINUE TO ENJOY THE ENVIRONMENT.
MR EASON DESCRIBED TODAY’S SEMINAR AS VERY SUCCESSFUL AS IT HAD STIMULATED A LOT OF USEFUL AND CONSTRUCTIVE DISCUSSIONS AND WAS WELL-ATTENDED BY SENIOR GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS INCLUDING POLICY SECRETARIES AND HEADS OF DEPARTMENTS.
HE HOPED THAT THE SEMINAR WOULD GENERATE FURTHER DISCUSSIONS WITHIN THE GOVERNMENT AND ENCOURAGE SIMILAR DEBATE IN THE COMMUNITY ON THE SUBJECT OF SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT WHICH MEETS THE NEEDS OF THE PRESENT COMMUNITY WITHOUT COMPROMISING THE ABILITY OF FUTURE GENERATIONS TO MEET THEIR OWN NEEDS.
---------0-----------
EXTERIOR OF HELENA MAY DECLARED HISTORICAL BUILDING
*****
THE EXTERIOR OF THE MAIN BUILDING OF THE HELENA MAY AT 35 GARDEN ROAD HAS BEEN GAZETTED AS A HISTORICAL BUILDING UNDER THE ANTIQUITIES AND MONUMENTS ORDINANCE.
CONCEIVED BY LADY MAY, WIFE OF SIR HENRY MAY, GOVERNOR OF HONG KONG FROM 1912 TO 1919 AND CONSTRUCTED WITH DONATIONS FROM MR (LATER SIR) ELLIS KADOORIE AND MR HO KAM-TONG, A WELL-KNOWN PHJLANTHROPIST AND BROTHER OF SIR ROBERT HO TUNG, THE HELENA MAY BUILDING WAS FORMALLY OPENED BY LADY MAY IN SEPTEMBER 1916.
IT WAS THEN USED AS A HOSTEL FOR SINGLE WORKING WOMEN OF MODERATE MEANS AND OF EUROPEAN ORIGIN.
/DURING THE .......
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 9, 1993
- 2 -
DURING THE JAPANESE OCCUPATION, THE BUILDING WAS USED TO BILLET JAPANESE TROOPS AND STABLE HORSES.
AFTER THE WAR, AS SOON AS THE BUILDING WAS DE-REQUISITIONED IN DECEMBER 1946, IT OPENED AGAIN TO RECEIVE GUESTS, AND HAS CONTINUED TO FUNCTION IN ACCORDANCE WITH ITS ORIGINAL PURPOSE UP TO THE PRESENT TIME.
ARCHITECTURALLY, THE BUILDING IS IN THE STYLE OF LATE VICTORIAN OR EDWARDIAN CLASSICAL REVIVAL.
ITS FUNCTION AS A HOSTEL IS REFLECTED IN ITS ARCHITECTURE AND SCALE.
THE BUILDING IS THREE STOREYS HIGH AND HAS A BASEMENT.
ITS U-SHAPED PLAN, WITH ITS MAIN FACADE FACING GARDEN ROAD AND TWO SIDE-WINGS PROJECTING TOWARDS THE BACK, WAS PROBABLY ORIGINALLY SYMMETRICAL; THE PRESENT EXTENSIONS OF THE FIRST AND SECOND FLOORS WERE LATER ADDED TO THE BACK OF THE SOUTH WING.
THERE IS AN EXQUISITE ENTRANCE PORCH AT THE CENTRAL PORTION. THE SEGMENT-ARCH PEDIMENT OF THE PORCH, BEAUTIFULLY DECORATED, AND THE TWO COLUMNS IN THE "NEO-CLASSICAL" VERSION OF THE IONIC CAPITAL, FLANKING THE ENTRANCE STEPS ALL CONTRIBUTE TO THE BAROQUE-ROCOCO FLAVOUR OF THE BUILDING.
THE DECLARATION OF THE EXTERIOR OF THE MAIN BUILDING AS A HISTORICAL BUILDING HAS THE FULL SUPPORT OF THE HELENA MAY COUNCIL AND THE ANTIQUITIES ADVISORY BOARD.
IT IS THE THIRD BUILDING IN THE TERRITORY, THE EXTERIOR OF WHICH HAS BEEN DECLARED A MONUMENT.
THE OTHER TWO ARE THE OLD SUPREME COURT I NOW THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL BUILDING) AND THE MAIN BUILDING OF THE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG.
--------0-----------
MAP OF HK IN ITS REGIONAL SETTING PUBLISHED *****
A NEW MAP OF HONG KONG IN ITS REGIONAL SETTING IS NOW ON SALE.
PRODUCED BY THE SURVEY AND MAPPING OFFICE (SMO) OF THE LANDS DEPARTMENT, THE FULL COLOUR MAP COVERS HONG KONG, ZHUHAI, HUIDONG AND ZHU JIANG DELTA WITH CONTOURS AND A SCALE OF 1:300000.
IT SHOWS CITIES AND TOWNS IN THE REGION AND MAIN INFRASTRUCTURAL INSTALLATIONS, SUCH AS AIRPORTS AND POWER STATIONS. MAIN ROADS AND SECONDARY ROADS ARE SHOWN ON THE MAP, TOGETHER WITH ROADS AND RAILWAYS UNDER CONSTRUCTION.
/A SMO
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 9, 1993
- 3 -
A SMO SPOKESMAN SAID THE MAP WOULD PROVIDE USEFUL REFERENCE FOR TRAVELLERS TO ZHU .JIANG DELTA AND HU [YANG AND FOR INVESTORS WHO ARE INTERESTED TN THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE REGION.
COPIES OF THE MAP \RE AVAILABLE XT $25 I A< II AT THE MAP SALES OUTLETS Ol- THE SURVFX AND MAPPING OFFICE, THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE AND LEADING BOOKSHOPS.
---------0-----------
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MON EY MARKET Op ERAT!ONS ******
OPENING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT
REVERSAL OF LAF
BALANCE AFTER REVERSAI OF LAF
NET INJECTION/W1TIIDRAWAL TODAY
EFFECT OF LAF TODAY
CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT
LAF RATE 2.00 BID/ I.00 OFFER
$ MILLION
2,800
-800
2,000
NI L
-730
1,270
TWl 112.2 *-0.1* 9.10.93
--------0-----------
/4 ........
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 10, 1993
4
REGULATION OF RETIREMENT SCHEMES TAKES EFFECT t ♦ i * ♦
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, MR HAMISH MACLEOD, TONIGHT (SUNDAY) DESCRIBED THE COMMENCEMENT OF THE OCCUPATIONAL RETIREMENT SCHEMES ORDINANCE IN THE MIDDLE OF THIS MONTH AS ”A MILESTONE".
FOR THE FIRST TIME, ALL PRIVATE RETIREMENT SCHEMES WILL BE BROUGHT UNDER A REGULATORY FRAMEWORK IN RESPECT OF REGISTRATION, SOLVENCY AND OTHER MONITORING REQUIREMENTS.
MR MACLEOD WAS SPEAKING AT A DINNER TO MARK THE OPENING OF THE INTERNATIONAL PENSION FUND CONFERENCE.
HE NOTED THAI IN HONG KONG, MORE EMPLOYERS WERE OFFERING RETIREMENT BENEFIT PLANS TO EMPLOYEES TO ATTRACT AND RETAIN QUALITY STAFF.
HE POINTED OUT THAT AS AT JULY 1992, SOME 22,000 BUSINESS ESTABLISHMENTS PROVIDED SOME FORM OF RETIREMENT BENEFIT FOR THEIR STAFF, COVERING ONE-THIRD OF THE TOTAL WORKING POPULATION.
THERE WERE TREMENDOUS OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE FURTHER DEVELOPMENT OF THE PENSION INDUSTRY HERE, HE SAID.
FOR THE EMPLOYEES, THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE OCCUPATIONAL 1'1 I'lREMENT SCHEMES ORDINANCE WOULD ENSURE: THAT RETIREMENT BENEFITS PROMISED TO THEM WOULD BE PAID WHEN THEY WERE DUE, MR MACLEOD EXPLAINED.
FOR' THE PENSION INDUSTRY, HE ADDED, IT WOULD PROVIDE A HEALTHY I NV IRONMENJ' FOR FURTHER GROWTH.
III. SAID THE KEY ELEMENTS OF THE ORDINANCE WERE "ADEQUATE It WING" AND "Sl( UI? I TY OF SCHEME ASSETS".
TO ENSURE ADEQUATE FUNDING, THE EMPLOYER WOULD BE REQUIRED TO MAKE CONTRIBUTIONS IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE TERMS OF THE SCHEME AND ENSURE THAT THE SCHEME WAS SOLVENT.
"II- THERE IS A SHORTFALL, IT MUST BE MADE GOOD WITHIN THE FIVE-YEAR GRACE PERIOD FROM COMMENCEMENT OF THE ORDINANCE," HE SAID.
TO ENHANCE THE SECURITY OF SC HEME ASSETS, THE MANAGEMENT OF THE SCHEME AND ITS ASSETS WOULD HAVE TO BE UNDERTAKEN BY AN INDEPENDENT PARTY, HE NOTED.
’’EXCEPT IN (I RTAIN SPECIAL CASES, SCHEMES REGISTERED UNDER THE ORDINANCE SHOULD EITHER BE GOVERNED BY A TRUST OR REGULATED BY AN INSURANCE ARRANGEMENT," HE SAID.
HE ADDED THAI ALL EXISTING SCHEMES WOULD HAVE TO BE REGISTERED WITH Till REGISTRAR OF OCCUPATIONAL RETIREMENT SCHEMES WITHIN TWO YEARS OF THE COMMENCEMEN’I OF THE ORDINANCE.
”AEE NEW SCHEMES MUST ALSO BE REGISTERED.
/’•EXEMPTION COULD.........
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 10, 1993
- 5 -
'’EXEMPTION COULD BE GRANTED EOR OFFSHORE SCHEMES SUPERVISED BY A RECOGNISED OVERSEAS AUTHORITY, OR SCHEMES BASICALLY SERVING NON-HONG KONG RESIDENTS,” HE SAID.
MR MACLEOD BELIEVED THAT THE ORDINANCE ALSO OFFERED A HEALTHY AND STABLE ENVIRONMENT FOR THE GROWTH OF THE PENSION INDUSTRY.
’’BETTER SECURITY FOR SCHEME ASSETS WILL PROVIDE INCENTIVE FOR THE VOLUNTARY ESTABLISHMENT OF RETIREMENT SCHEMES IN HONG KONG,” HE SAID.
MORE NEW SCHEMES WILL BE ESTABLISHED AS HONG KONG FACES AN INCREASINGLY SOPHISTICATED LABOUR MARKET.
EMPLOYERS WILL HAVE TO ESTABLISH VOLUNTARY SCHEMES IN ORDER TO REMAIN COMPETITIVE IN THE LABOUR MARKET, HE ADDED.
HE POINTED OUT THAT THE EXTENT OF UNDER-FUNDING AMONG EXISTING RETIREMENT SCHEMES, THOUGH UNKNOWN, WAS ESTIMATED AT BETWEEN $5 TO $10 BILLION.
FUNDING REQUIREMENT OF THE ORDINANCE, TOGETHER WITH DEMAND FOR NEW SCHEMES, WOULD RESULT IN MORE ASSETS BEING ABSORBED INTO THE POOL OF PENSION FUNDS, HE SAID, ADDING THAT THIS WAS ESTIMATED AT $100 BILLION ACCORDING TO PRIVATE SECTOR RESEARCH.
IN LINE WITH OUR MINIMUM INTERVENTION APPROACH IN REGULATING OUR FINANCIAL MARKET, THE ORDINANCE WOULD ENABLE MANAGERS TO OPERATE WITH MINIMUM GOVERNMENT INTERFERENCE BUT WITH RELIANCE ON PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATION, HE SAID.
FOR EXAMPLE, THEY ARE REQUIRED TO KEEP PROPER BOOKS AND RECORDS OF TRANSACTIONS, TO HAVE AN ANNUAL AUDIT AND TO DISCLOSE ESSENTIAL INFORMATION TO SCHEME MEMBERS, HE ADDED.
RESTRICTIONS WERE FEW, EXCEPT TO REQUIRE THAT NOT MORE THAN 10 PER CENT OF THE SCHEME ASSETS COULD BE INVESTED IN THE EMPLOYER’S BUSINESS, HE ADDED.
THE SCHEME ASSETS WERE ALSO PROHIBITED FROM BEING RE-INVESTED INTO THE EMPLOYER’S BUSINESS BY WAY OF LOAN AND THE EMPLOYER MUST TAKE PRUDENT MEANSURES TO PROTECT EMPLOYEES’ INTEREST, HE SAID.
HE SAID A UNIQUE FEATURE OF THE ORDINANCE WAS TO ALLOW RETIREMENT SCHEMES TO BE SET UP OUTSIDE HONG KONG.
’’THESE WILL BE SUBJECT TO OVERSEAS JURISDICTION,” HE SAID.
HE ADDED THAT AS THERE WAS NO TERRITORIAL LIMITATION ON THE SCHEME’S DOMICILE AND LOCATION OF ITS ASSETS, SCHEME ADMINISTRATORS AND INVESTMENT MANAGERS COULD CAST A WIDE NET FOR PROFITABLE INVESTMENT.
’’SUCH A REGULATORY FRAMEWORK, COMBINED WITH HONG KONG’S STATUS AS AN INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL CENTRE, 1 AM CONFIDENT OF THE EXCELLENT PROSPECT FOR GROWTH IN THE PENSIONS INDUSTRY IN THE YEARS AHEAD,” HE ADDED.
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/6 ........
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 10, 1993
- 6 -
SPECIAL CAMPAIGN AGAINST NOISE HAZARDS * * * * *
THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT WILL CONDUCT A TWO-MONTH SPECIAL CAMPAIGN TOMORROW (MONDAY) TO ENHANCE THE AWARENESS OF OWNERS OF INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS ON NOISE HAZARDS AND THE IMPORTANCE OF PROTECTING WORKERS AGAINST SUCH HAZARDS.
DURING THE TERRITORY-WIDE CAMPAIGN, FACTORY INSPECTORS WILL FOCUS THEIR ATTENTION ON SEVEN MAJOR NOISY INDUSTRIES.
THESE INDUSTRIES INCLUDE SHIP BUILDING AND REPAIRING, TEXTILE, CONSTRUCTION, METAL PRODUCTS, PAPER AND PAPER PRODUCTS, WOOD PRODUCTS AND WOODEN FURNITURES, AS WELL AS WATCHES AND CLOCKS.
THE DEPUTY CHIEF FACTORY INSPECTOR, MR KAN HON-SANG, SAID TODAY (SUNDAY) DURING INSPECTIONS, OWNERS WOULD BE ADVISED OF THEIR STATUTORY OBLIGATION TO CONDUCT NOISE LEVEL ASSESSMENTS AND ADOPT NECESSARY MEASURES TO MINIMISE NOISE HAZARDS TO SAFEGUARD WORKERS.
UNDER THE FACTORIES AND INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS (NOISE AT WORK) REGULATION WHICH CAME INTO EFFECT IN JULY THIS YEAR, OWNERS OF ALL INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS ARE REQUIRED TO IMPLEMENT MEASURES TO PROTECT WORKERS AGAINST NOISE HAZARDS, MR KAN SAID.
THESE MEASURES INCLUDE APPOINTING OF COMPETENT PERSONS TO CONDUCT NOISE ASSESSMENTS AND DEMARCATE AREAS AFFECTED BY EXCESSIVE NOISE AS EAR PROTECTION ZONES WITHIN WHICH OWNERS MUST PROVIDE AND EMPLOYEES MUST WEAR SUITABLE APPROVED EAR PROTECTORS.
WHERE DEMARCATION IS IMPRACTICABLE, FOR EXAMPLE ON A CONSTRUCTION SITE WHERE NOISY MACHINES ARE BEING MOVED AROUND QUITE FREQUENTLY, THE REGULATION REQUIRES OWNERS TO LABEL THE NOISY MACHINES INDICATING THE DISTANCE WITHIN WHICH EAR PROTECTORS MUST BE WORN.
OWNERS ARE ALSO REQUIRED TO MAINTAIN MACHINES PROPERLY AND IMPLEMENT CONTROL MEASURES TO REDUCE NOISE LEVEL.
IN ADDITION, EMPLOYEES SHOULD BE PROVIDED WITH ADEQUATE INFORMATION, INSTRUCTION AND TRAINING ABOUT THE POTENTIAL HAZARDS, AND PRECAUTIONARY MEASURES TO BE ADOPTED, MR KAN ADDED.
ON THE OTHER HAND, MR KAN SAID EMPLOYEES MUST CO-OPERATE WITH EMPLOYERS IN USING THE SUITABLE APPROVED EAR PROTECTORS PROVIDED TO THEM AND REPORT ANY DEFECTS IN THE MACHINE TO THE PROPRIETOR.
"VIGOROUS ENFORCEMENT ACTIONS, INCLUDING PROSECUTIONS, WILL BE TAKEN OUT, WITHOUT HESITATION, AGAINST BLATANT OFFENDERS WHO CHOOSE TO TURN A BLIND BYE TO THE REQUIRED SAFETY MEASURES," MR KAN SAID.
OWNERS WHO CONTRAVENE THE PROVISIONS OF THE REGULATION WILL BE LIABLE TO A MAXIMUM FINE OF $30,000 WHILE EMPLOYEES WILL FACE A MAXIMUM FINE OF $10,000.
/7........
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 10, 1993
- 7 -
INAUTHORISED BUILDING WORKS ARE COSTLY * * * * *
THE BUILDINGS DEPARTMENT TODAY (SUNDAY) REITERATED THAT ANYONE WHO CARRIED OUT BUILDING WORKS WITHOUT PERMISSION MIGHT FACE HEFTY FINES, INCLUDING A DAILY FINE FOR EACH DAY WHEN THE OFFENCE WAS .COMM 1 TTED.
THE REMINDER CAME SHORTLY AFTER A RECENT COURT CASE IN WHICH A COMPANY WAS FINED A TOTAL OF $61,690 FOR FAILING TO DEMOLISH AN ILLEGAL STRUCTURE ON THE ROOF OF A BUILDING IN TO K.WA WAN.
THE CASE CAME TO LIGHT ON FEBRUARY 4, 1991, WHEN BUILDINGS DEPARTMENT STAFF, ACTING ON A COMPLAINT, INSPECTED THE ROOF OF 3, WING KWONG STREET.
THEY DISCOVERED THAT CERTAIN UNAUTHORISED BUILDING WORKS WERE BEING CARRIED OUT THERE.
THE COURT HEARD THAI' A DEMOLITION ORDER WAS ISSUED BY THE BUILDINGS DEPARTMENT ON JUIO 15, 1991 REQUIRING THE OWNER, THE NICE FORTUNE DEVELOPMENT LIMITED, TO REMOVE THE UNAUTHOR I SEI) WORKS AND REINSTATE THE AFFECTED PARTS OF THE BUILDING WITHIN 27 DAYS.
THE DEPENDENT WAS TAKEN TO COURT AFTER SUBSEQUENT INSPECTIONS REVEALED THAT THE STATUTORY ORDER HAD NOT BEEN COMPILED WITH.
HE WAS CONVICTED AND FINED $42,100 AT SAN PO KONG MAGISTRACY ON JANUARY 13 LAST YEAR. THE FINE INCLUDED A DAILY FINE OF $200 FOR 152 DAYS, FROM THE EXPIRY DATE OF THF DEMOLITION ORDER TO THE DATE OF CONVICTION.
THE COMPANY LODGED AN APPEAL TO THE HIGH COURT AGAINST THE CONVICTION BUT IT WAS DISMISSED ON JUNE 26 LAST YEAR DUE TO THE APPELLANT’S ABSENCE AT THE HEARING.
THE DEFENDENT WAS TAKEN TO COURT AGAIN AFTER FURTHER INSPECTIONS REVEALED THAT THE UNAUTHORISED BUILDING WORKS WERE STILL INTACT.
HE PLEADED GUILTY AT SAN PO KONG MAGISTRACY ON JULY 23 THIS YEAR AND WAS FINED $9,000 PLUS A DAILY FINE TOTALLING $10,290 FOR 343 DAYS .
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/8.........
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 10, 1993
NEW ONE-DOLLAR, 50-CENT AND 20-CENT COINS *****
NEWLY DESIGNED ONE-DOLLAR, 50-CENT AND 20-CENT COINS WILL BE PUT INTO CIRCULATION FROM TOMORROW (MONDAY).
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THIS WAS PART OF THE PHASED PROGRAMME TO REPLACE AND WITHDRAW FROM CIRCULATION EXISTING COINS BEARING REFERENCES WHICH WILL BECOME INAPPROPRIATE TO THE STATUS OF HONG KONG AS A SPECIAL ADMINISTRATIVE REGION (SAR) OF THE PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA.
LIKE THE NEW $5 AND $2 COINS INTRODUCED ON JANUARY 1 THIS YEAR, THE DESIGNS FEATURE A BAUHINIA FLOWER AND "HONG KONG" IN CHINESE CHARACTERS AND ENGLISH ON THE OBVERSE.
THE REVERSE FEATURES THE DENOMINATION IN CHINESE CHARACTERS AND ENGLISH WITH A LARGE ARABIC NUMERAL IN THE CENTRE AND THE YEAR OF ISSUE IMMEDIATELY BELOW IT.
THE FINAL COINS IN THE SERIES, THE 10-CENT COIN AND THE NEW $10 COIN, ARE LIKELY TO BE INTRODUCED NEXT YEAR.
- - 0 - -
FRESH WATER CUT IN WESTERN DISTRICT *****
FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO SOME PREMISES IN THE WESTERN DISTRICT WILL GO OFF FROM 11 PM ON TUESDAY (OCTOBER 12) TO 6 AM THE FOLLOWING DAY TO FACILITATE WASTE DETECTION WORK ON WATERMAINS.
THE SUSPENSION WILL AFFECT ALL THE PREMISES AT 158A-188 CONNAUGHT ROAD WEST; 200, 426, 428 AND ODD NUMBERS OF 271-375 DES VOEUX ROAD WEST; ODD NUMBERS OF 443-453 QUEEN’S ROAD WEST; EVEN NUMBERS OF 4-16 HILL ROAD; 8-8A WHITTY STREET; 6-7 CHIU KWONG STREET; KA ON STREET; FUNG MUT ROAD AND THE WESTERN POLICE STATION.
- - 0 - -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
MONDAY, OCTOBER 11, 1993
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
STATEMENT ON PENSION FUND .................................... 1
GOODLAD IN HK ................................................ 1
PLEDGE TO PURSUE TRANSPORT IMPROVEMENT VIGOROUSLY ............ 2
MID-LEVELS ESCALATORS ........................................ 3
BIG SUPPORT FOR GOVERNMENT: POLL FINDS ....................... 4
BOOST TO JUDICIARY ADMINISTRATION ............................ 5
HK - BEST EXAMPLE IN URUGUAY TALKS ........................... 8
LAND AND BUILDING ADVISORY COMMITTEE ......................... 9
LATEST CONTAINER THROUGHPUT FIGURES RELEASED ................. 10
SWAC ENDORSES STREET SLEEPERS' REPORT ........................ 11
TWO LOTS BY AUCTION .......................................... 13
REALIGNMENT OF ON RAMP TO KWAI CHUNG ROAD .................... 14
FRESH WATER CUT IN SHAM SHUI PO............................... 14
WATER STORAGE FIGURE ......................................... 15
LEGCO TO MEET ON WEDNESDAY ................................... 15
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS .
16
MONDAY, OCTOBER 11, 1993
1
STATEMENT ON PENSION FUND
*****
IN ANSWER TO PRESS ENQUIRIES, A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN THIS (MONDAY) EVENING CONFIRMED THAT THE PROPOSED $7 BILLION CIVIL SERVICE PENSION RESERVE FUND WOULD BE IN ADDITION TO THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT’S COMMITMENTS UNDER THE AIRPORT MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING.
- - 0 - -
GOODLAD IN HK
*****
THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS WITH SPECIAL RESPONSIBILITY FOR HONG KONG, MR ALASTAIR GOODLAD ARRIVED HONG KONG TODAY (MONDAY) FOR A TWO-DAY VISIT.
AFTER ATTENDING A COMMUNITY LUNCH HOSTED BY THE SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS, MR MICHAEL SUEN, MR GOODLAD WAS GIVEN A BRIEFING ON EDUCATION BY THE SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER, MR MICHAEL LEUNG.
LATER IN THE AFTERNOON, HE VISITED THE EBENEZER SCHOOL FOR THE BLIND IN POK FU LAM BEFORE GOING TO SEE LATEST DEVELOPMENTS IN CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT.
HE FIRST VISITED THE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG WHERE HE TOURED AROUND THE LIBRARY AND THE WASTEWATER TREATMENT LABORATORY AND MET WITH A NUMBER OF STUDENTS.
ACCOMPANIED BY CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT OFFICER, MR HERMAN CHO, MR GOODLAD WENT ON TO VISIT THE WESTERN MARKET WHERE HE WAS BRIEFED ON THE HISTORY AND WORK OF THE LAND DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION.
HE THEN INSPECTED THE MID-LEVELS ESCALATORS AND RODE ALONG THE SECTION LEADING UP TO CAINE ROAD.
- - 0 - -
MONDAY, OCTOBER 11, 1993
- 2 -
PLEDGE TO PURSUE TRANSPORT IMPROVEMENT VIGOROUSLY
*****
THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT, MR HAIDER BARMA, TODAY PLEDGED THAT THE EXTENSIVE ROAD CONSTRUCTION AND IMPROVEMENT PROGRAMME ANNOUNCED BY THE GOVERNOR IN HIS ANNUAL ADDRESS WILL BE PURSUED VIGOROUSLY.
"IT IS OUR AIM TO BUILD AN ADDITIONAL 90 KILOMETRES OF ROAD BY 1997. HONG KONG WILL THEN HAVE A 1,650 KM-ROAD NETWORK.”
APART FROM ROAD PROJECTS INCLUDED IN THE AIRPORT CORE PROGRAMME, WORK WILL START NEXT YEAR ON THE TING KAU BRIDGE ($3.5 BILLION), THE CLIMBING LANES ON TUEN MUN HIGHWAY ($985 MILLION), THE WESTERN KOWLOON CORRIDOR ($423 MILLION) AND THE WIDENING OF LUNG CHEUNG AND CHING CHEUNG ROADS ($1.04 BILLION).
ON THE TING KAU BRIDGE, MR BARMA SAID: ”WE WILL LATER THIS WEEK INVITE CONTRACTORS TO APPLY IN A PREQUALIFICATION EXERCISE FOR TENDERING FOR THE DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION OF THE BRIDGE.”
”OUR AIM IS TO COMPLETE THE BRIDGE BY L997 UNDER THE PUBLIC WORKS PROGRAMME. THE BRIDGE IS TOTALLY FUNDED BY THE GOVERNMENT,” HE SAID.
THE BRIDGE WILL PROVIDE A FAST LINK WITH URBAN KOWLOON VIA THE TSING YI SECTION OF ROUTE 3 AND WITH LANTAU VIA THE LANTAU FIXED CROSSING.
IT WILL ALSO LINK WITH THE TAI LAM TUNNEL AND YUEN LONG APPROACH ROAD WHICH WILL FORM THE COUNTRY PARK SECTION OF ROUTE 3 THAT WILL RELIEVE CONGESTION ON TUEN MUN HIGHWAY, IMPROVE TRAFFIC FLOW BETWEEN THE BORDER AND THE CONTAINER PORT AND SUPPORT FURTHER DEVELOPMENT OF THE NORTHWEST NT.
MR BARMA SAID: ”IT IS OUR INTENTION TO PRIVATISE THE BUILDING AND OPERATION OF THE TUNNEL AND APPROACH ROAD OF THE COUNTRY PARK SECTION OF ROUTE 3 UNDER A BOT (BUILD, OPERATE AND TRANSFER) FRANCHISE. THE TRANSPORT PANEL OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL WILL BE FULLY CONSULTED.”
ON THE $2 BILLION ROAD IMPROVEMENT PACKAGE ANNOUNCED BY THE GOVERNOR, MR BARMA SAID: ”WE WILL SPEND $775 MILLION ON RECONSTRUCTING AND UPGRADING ABOUT 20 ROADS OVER THE NEXT FIVE YEARS.
"WE ARE ALSO IN THE PROCESS OF UPGRADING THE AREA TRAFFIC CONTROL SYSTEM IN KOWLOON WITH EXTENSION TO TSUEN WAN BY 1995 AND TO SHA TIN BY 1998.”
WITH THE UPGRADING, JOURNEY TIMES IN THE BUSIEST AREAS WILL BE SHORTENED BY ABOUT 10 PER CENT.
HE SAID WORK WAS ALSO IN HAND TO PUT IN PLACE A $80 MILLION SYSTEM TO ALLOW INCIDENTS ON TUEN MUN HIGHWAY TO BE DETECTED AND HANDLED MORE QUICKLY.
/THIS WILL .......
MONDAY, OCTOBER 11, 1993
- 3 -
THIS WILL INCLUDE THE INSTALLATION OF 16 SURVEILLANCE CAMERAS AND 10 ELECTRONIC DISPLAY BOARDS ALONG THE HIGHWAY AND THE PROVISION OF A BETTER VEHICLE TOWING SERVICE.
ON ROAD EXCAVATION AS A CAUSE OF TRAFFIC CONGESTION, MR BARMA SAID: "AN INTER-DEPARTMENTAL GROUP IS ACTIVELY CONSIDERING VARIOUS MEASURES TO CUT DOWN TRAFFIC DELAY AND DISRUPTION CAUSED BY ROAD EXCAVATION.”
THE OPTIONS UNDER CONSIDERATION INCLUDE THE DECKING OF OPEN TRENCHES WHEN WORK IS NOT BEING CARRIED OUT, TIGHTER CONTROL OVER EMERGENCY ROAD EXCAVATIONS, PENALTY CHARGES ON DELAYED WORKS, IMPROVED CO-ORDINATION WITH UTILITY COMPANIES AND THE USE OF SPECIALIST UTILITY CONTRACTORS WELL VERSED IN THE LATEST ROAD EXCAVATION TECHNOLOGY.
ON THE INCREASE IN CROSS-BORDER VEHICULAR TRAFFIC, MR BARMA SAID: "WE HAVE REACHED AGREEMENT WITH THE CHINESE SIDE TO OPEN TWO MORE LANES AT LOK MA CHAU ON FEBRUARY 1, 1994. THIS WILL INCREASE THE CAPACITY TO HANDLE CROSS-BORDER TRAFFIC BY 2,700 VEHICLES A DAY."
HE SAID THE GOVERNMENT HAD ALSO PUT FORWARD PROPOSALS TO THE CHINESE SIDE TO OPEN THE LOK MA CHAU BORDER-CROSSING ROUND-THE-CLOCK.
"THIS WILL HELP SPREAD THE TRAFFIC FLOW AND RELIEVE CONGESTION DURING PEAK HOURS," HE ADDED.
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MID-LEVELS ESCALATORS
*****
IN RESPONSE TO PRESS ENQUIRIES, A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THE ESCALATOR SYSTEM BETWEEN THE CENTRAL AND MID-LEVELS WILL START ITS TRIAL PERIOD FROM 6 AM ON FRIDAY (OCTOBER 15) AND NOT TODAY AS REPORTED IN AN ENGLISH NEWSPAPER.
DURING THIS TRIAL PERIOD, PEOPLE MAY MAKE USE OF THE ESCALATORS WHICH WILL OPERATE BETWEEN 6 AM AND 10 PM DAILY UNDER A TIDAL FLOW SCHEME CARRYING PEDESTRIANS DOWNHILL FROM 6 AM TO 10 AM AND UPHILL FROM 10 AM TO 10 PM.
THE SYSTEM WILL BE SWITCHED OFF FOR THE REMAINING HOURS OF THE DAY WHEN PEDESTRIAN TRAFFIC IS EXPECTED TO BE LOW. DETAILS OF THE SYSTEM’S OPERATION AND ITS FULL OPENING WILL BE ANNOUNCED LATER THIS WEEK.
REFERRING TO OTHER POINTS IN THE PRESS REPORT, THE SPOKESMAN SAID IT WAS NEITHER TRUE NOR FAIR TO SUGGEST THAT THE COST OF THE SCHEME HAD GONE UP MORE THAN SIX TIMES OF THE ORIGINAL ESTIMATE AND THE OPENING DATE WAS NINE MONTHS BEHIND SCHEDULE.
CONSTRUCTION OF THE SYSTEM BEGAN IN FEBRUARY 1991 AFTER THE FINANCE COMMITTEE APPROVED $204.6 MILLION (AT DECEMBER 1990 PRICES) FOR THE PROJECT.
/"DUE TO .......
MONDAY, OCTOBER 11, 1993
4
"DUE TO INFLATION AND PRICE FLUCTUATION DURING THE CONSTRUCTION PERIOD, WE ARE NOW IN THE PROCESS OF SEEKING A SUPPLEMENTARY PROVISION FROM THE FINANCE COMMITTEE.
"THE ADDITIONAL SUM IS NOWHERE NEAR $270 MILLION REPORTED IN THE PRESS REPORT, AND THE PROCESS IS IN LINE WITH THE STANDARD ARRANGEMENT TO ALLOW PRICE ADJUSTMENTS IN PUBLIC WORKS PROJECTS NOT AWARDED ON FIXED COST BASIS.
"IT IS REGRETTABLE THAT THE PRESS REPORT USED THE $44 MILLION ROUGH ESTIMATE (AT 1987 PRICES) MADE IN THE PRELIMINARY INVESTIGATION AS THE BASIS OF CALCULATING THE ACTUAL COST.
"THE SCOPE OF THE PROJECT HAS SINCE THEN BEEN MUCH ENLARGED WITH THE PROVISION OF ADDITIONAL ESCALATORS AND LONGER ELEVATED SECTION TO ENHANCE THE ATTRACTIVENESS AND SAFETY OF THE SCHEME."
ON THE LENGTH OF THE CONSTRUCTION PERIOD, THE SPOKESMAN SAID: "WHILE THE CONTRACTOR IS REQUIRED TO COMPLETE THE SYSTEM WITHIN 24 MONTHS, THIS, IN NO WAY, MEANS THAT THE SYSTEM SHOULD BE READY FOR PUBLIC USE IN FEBRUARY 1993 BECAUSE THE CONTRACTOR IS ENTITLED TO A LONGER CONSTRUCTION PERIOD DUE TO INCLEMENT WEATHER, DIFFICULT SITE CONDITION AND PRESENCE OF UNCHARTED UNDERGROUND UTILITIES WHICH THEY HAVE ENCOUNTERED."
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BIG SUPPORT FOR GOVERNMENT: POLL FINDS
*****
IN A SURVEY CONDUCTED BY THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION (CNTA) IN SEPTEMBER, 50 PER CENT OF THE RESPONDENTS EXPRESSED SATISFACTION WITH THE GOVERNMENT’S OVERALL PERFORMANCE.
A CNTA SPOKESMAN SAID THIS WAS THE SAME APPROVAL RATING AS IN THE PREVIOUS SURVEY IN JULY.
THE "HONG KONG FUTURE" ISSUE CONTINUED TO TOP THE LIST OF PROBLEMS MENTIONED BY RESPONDENTS AT 45 PER CENT. UP FIVE PER CENT COMPARED WITH THE JULY POLL, BUT STILL WELL BELOW THE 64 PER CENT RESPONSE IN MARCH THIS YEAR.
ON THE "HONG KONG FUTURE" ISSUE, 22 PER CENT BELIEVED THE GOVERNMENT HAD HANDLED IT WELL - UP FROM 20 PER CENT IN JULY.
AT THE SAME TIME, FOUR-FIFTHS SAID THE GOVERNMENT HAD EXERTED EFFORT IN SOLVING THE PROBLEM - THE SAME AS IN THE JULY POLL.
RESPONDENTS WHO MENTIONED "CRIME-RELATED" PROBLEMS INCREASED FROM 11 PER CENT IN JULY TO 19 PER CENT IN SEPTEMBER. EIGHTEEN PER CENT EXPRESSED SIMILAR CONCERN IN SEPTEMBER LAST YEAR.
/A GOVERNMENT
MONDAY, OCTOBER 11, 1993
- 5
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THE TSIM SHA TSUI BANK ROBBERY AND THE MURDER OF AN AUXILIARY POLICEMAN IN SEPTEMBER WERE PROBABLY THE MAIN FACTORS BEHIND THE INCREASE IN CONCERN OVER CRIME IN THE LATEST POLL.
CONFIDENCE THAT HONG KONG WOULD REMAIN PROSPEROUS AND STABLE SHOWED A DECLINE FROM 65 PER CENT IN JULY TO 61 PER CENT IN SEPTEMBER. THE RATING FLUCTUATED FROM 60 PER CENT IN MARCH TO 65 PER CENT IN JULY.
THE SEPTEMBER SURVEY WAS THE 48TH IN THE SERIES OF REGULAR TELEPHONE POLLS CONDUCTED BY CNTA ON A BI-MONTHLY BASIS. IT INVOLVED TELEPHONE INTERVIEWS WITH 1,515 PEOPLE BETWEEN SEPTEMBER 13 AND 17.
--------0------------
BOOST TO JUDICIARY ADMINISTRATION
THE CHIEF JUSTICE, SIR TI LIANG YANG, STRESSED TODAY (MONDAY) THAT HE WAS FULLY COMMITTED TO STREAMLINING THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE JUDICIARY.
"THE RULE OF LAW, AND ITS ADMINISTRATION BY A STRONG, EFFICIENT, INDEPENDENT AND CREDIBLE JUDICIARY, IS A KEYSTONE OF HONG KONG’S STABILITY AND PROSPERITY AND THE BEST GUARANTEE OF OUR FUTURE.
"I SHALL CONTINUE TO DO WHAT I CAN TO ENSURE THAT OUR JUDICIARY IS FAIR, FEARLESS AND EFFICIENT.
"I SHALL ENSURE THAT OUR JUDICIAL SYSTEM IS ADEQUATE TO MEET CHANGING DEMANDS, RISING PUBLIC EXPECTATIONS FOR EFFICIENCY, AND HONG KONG’S RAPID DEVELOPMENT AS AN INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS CENTRE", SIR TI LIANG TOLD A MEET-THE-MEDIA SESSION THIS AFTERNOON.
AS PART OF AN OVERALL EFFORT TO BRING A MODERN MANAGEMENT AND SERVICE-ORIENTED CULTURE INTO THE JUDICIARY, THE CHIEF JUSTICE HAS APPOINTED A HIGH-LEVEL WORKING PARTY UNDER HIS CHAIRMANSHIP TO CONDUCT A COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW OF THE ADMINISTRATIVE SYSTEMS OF THE JUDICIARY AND TO MAKE PROPOSALS FOR IMPROVEMENT.
THE FORMATION OF THE WORKING PARTY ON JUDICIARY ADMINISTRATION (WPJA) WAS UNVEILED IN THE GOVERNOR’S POLICY ADDRESS LAST WEDNESDAY. THE WPJA WILL HOLD ITS FIRST MEETING SHORTLY.
THE WORKING PARTY COMPRISES AS ITS MEMBERS MR JUSTICE PATRICK CHAN SIU-OI, A HIGH COURT JUDGE; MR MOSES CHENG MO-CHI, A LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MEMBER; DR VICTOR FUNG KWOK-KING, CHAIRMAN, HONG KONG TRADE DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL AND A JUDICIAL SERVICE COMMISSION MEMBER; MS AUDREY EU, A PRACTISING BARRISTER AND A QUEEN’S COUNSEL; MR NICHOLAS BENNETT, A PRACTISING SOLICITOR; AS WELL AS MR NICHOLAS NG WING-FUI, DIRECTOR OF ADMINISTRATION.
/AN ACTING .......
MONDAY, OCTOBER 11, 1993
- 6
AN ACTING ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER STAFF GRADE B, AND FORMER ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT TO THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, MR MATTHEW CHEUNG KIN-CHUNG, HAS BEEN APPOINTED SECRETARY TO THE WORKING PARTY.
"IN SETTING UP THE WORKING PARTY, MY PRIME AIM IS TO IDENTIFY PRIORITY AREAS, AND FORMULATE PROPOSALS, FOR EARLY IMPROVEMENT TO THE <- ADMINISTRATION OF THE JUDICIARY", SIR TI LIANG SAID.
"AMONGST THESE AREAS ARE THE APPLICATION OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY TO THE OPERATION OF THE JUDICIARY, REDUCTION IN COURT WAITING TIMES, SECRETARIAL SUPPORT FOR JUDGES, AND THE USE OF CHINESE LANGUAGE IN COURT," HE ADDED.
THE CHIEF JUSTICE SAID THE WORKING PARTY WOULD ALSO SERVE TO MAP OUT A BROAD STRATEGY OF NEW INITIATIVES FOR THE NEW JUDICIARY ADMINISTRATOR, WHO IS EXPECTED TO BE IN PLACE BY THE END OF THE YEAR.
THE NEW JUDICIARY ADMINISTRATOR - AT A RANK EQUIVALENT TO A POLICY SECRETARY OR HIGH COURT JUDGE - WILL SERVE AS THE ADMINISTRATIVE HEAD AND CONTROLLING OFFICER OF THE JUDICIARY AND HELP THE CHIEF JUSTICE IN THE OVERALL ADMINISTRATION OF THE JUDICIARY. RECRUITMENT FOR THE POST IS WELL IN HAND.
THE CHIEF JUSTICE ALSO ANNOUNCED TODAY THE SETTING UP OF THREE COURT USERS COMMITTEES TO ADVISE HIM ON MATTERS OF CONCERN TO USERS OF THE COURTS.
THE COMMITTEES WILL LOOK AT ALL MATTERS OF PRACTICE AND PROCEDURE; THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE COURTS, INCLUDING LISTING AND THE USE OF TECHNOLOGY; AS WELL AS THE FACILITIES PROVIDED IN COURT BUILDINGS.
THE THREE COMMITTEES ARE: THE CRIMINAL COURT USERS COMMITTEE; THE CIVIL COURT USERS COMMITTEE; AND THE TRIBUNAL COURT USERS COMMITTEE.
THESE COMMITTEES SHOULD PROVIDE A USEFUL FORUM FOR DISCUSSING PRACTICAL ISSUES AND A HELPFUL SOURCE OF IDEAS AND SUGGESTIONS FOR THE BETTER ADMINISTRATION OF THE COURTS AND TRIBUNALS, SIR TI LIANG SAJD.
FOR THE FIRST TIME, THE COMMITTEES HAVE INVITED MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WHO DO NOT BELONG TO THE LEGAL PROFESSIONS TO PARTICIPATE.
THE CRIMINAL COURT USERS COMMITTEE IS CHAIRED BY A VICE-PRESIDENT OF THE COURT OF APPEAL, MR JUSTICE SILKE.
ITS MEMBERS COMPRISE JUDGE LONGLEY, A DISTRICT JUDGE; MISS BETTY KWAN KA-CHING, A PRINCIPAL MAGISTRATE; MR I G CROSS, QC, DEPUTY CROWN PROSECUTOR; MRS D M PITCHARD, ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF LEGAL AID; MR CHING Y WONG OF THE BAR ASSOCIATION; MR LOUIS FUNG OF THE LAW SOCIETY; MISS GRACE S WONG OF THE DUTY LAWYER SERVICE; AND MR CHAU CHAM-SON.
THE CIVIL COURT USERS COMMITTEE IS CHAIRED BY A JUSTICE OF APPEAL, MR JUSTICE BOKHARY.
/ITS MEMBERS .......
MONDAY, OCTOBER 11, 1993
ITS MEMBERS ARE: JUDGE WILSON, A DISTRICT JUDGE; MR PATRICK HAMLIN, DEPUTY CROWN SOLICITOR; MR M K TURNBULL, DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF LEGAL AID; MR GEOFFREY T L MA, QC, OF THE BAR ASSOCIATION; MR TIMOTHY C PARKES OF THE LAW SOCIETY; AND MR LEE JARK-PUI.
THE TRIBUNAL COURT USERS COMMITTEE IS CHAIRED BY THE CHIE1 MAGISTRATE, MR G P MUTTRIE. ITS MEMBERS ARE: MR TIMOTHY LEE, A PRESIDING OFFICER OF THE LABOUR TRIBUNAL; MR HON TAM-CHUN, AN ADJUDICATOR OF THE SMALL CLAIMS TRIBUNAL; MR K K LAI, REGISTRAR OF THE LABOUR TRIBUNAL; MR H M HASSAN, REGISTRAR OF THE SMALL CLAIMS TRIBUNAL; MR YEUNG PO-KWAN; MR FREDERICK YU SAK-KWONG; AND MR JEROME YEUNG YIU-TIN.
THE SETTING UP OF THE COURT USERS COMMITTEES FLOWS FROM THE RECOMMENDATION OF AN INTERNAL WORKING GROUP CHAIRED BY MR JUSTICE LITTON, A JUSTICE OF APPEAL.
THE WORKING GROUP WAS APPOINTED BY THE CHIEF JUSTICE IN JUNE THIS YEAR TO CONSIDER THE VARIOUS PROPOSALS BY THE LEGAL PROFESSIONS ON HOW THE COURT USERS COMMITTEE SHOULD BEST BE FORMED.
AT TODAY’S MEET-THE-MEDIA SESSION, THE CHIEF JUSTICE ALSO EXPRESSED HIS DETERMINATION TO EXPLORE ALL POSSIBLE WAYS AND MEANS TO SPEED UP THE PROCESS OF APPOINTING MORE LOCAL LAWYERS TO THE JUDICIARY.
HE SAID WHEREAS ONLY 32 PERCENT OF ALL JUDICIAL OFFICERS WERE LOCAL IN 1988 WHEN HE BECAME THE CHIEF JUSTICE, THE PROPORTION HAD NOW INCREASED TO 43 PERCENT.
"BY 1997, I EXPECT AT LEAST HALF OF ALL OUR JUDICIAL OFFICERS WILL BE LOCAL. I AM CONFIDENT OF ACHIEVING THIS TARGET," HE ADDED.
SIR TI LIANG POINTED OUT THAT THE NUMBER OF LOCALS JOINING THE BENCH HAD ACCELERATED RECENTLY.
"OF THE 29 JUDICIAL APPOINTMENTS MADE SINCE JANUARY 1992, 23 ARE LOCAL OFFICERS. THIS AMOUNTS TO 80 PERCENT. I CAN ASSURE YOU THAT THIS TREND WILL GATHER FURTHER MOMENTUM IN THE NEXT FEW YEARS," HE EMPHASISED.
THE CHIEF JUSTICE CALLED ON LOCAL LAWYERS TO JOIN THE BENCH, NOTING THAT THE JUDICIARY "DOES OFFER A CHALLENGING AND MEANINGFUL CAREER."
"THE PRESERVATION AND DEVELOPMENT OF HONG KONG’S JUDICIAL SYSTEM IS VERY MUCH, AND IN TIME WILL BE ENTIRELY, IN THE HANDS OF LOCAL LAWYERS.
"WITHOUT THEM, WE SHALL BE WITHOUT A CREDIBLE JUDICIARY," HE SAID.
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78 .....
MONDAY, OCTOBER 11, 1993
- 8 -
HK - BEST EXAMPLE IN URUGUAY TALKS
*****
HONG KONG IS THE BEST POSSIBLE EXAMPLE FOR OTHERS TO FOLLOW AND TO EMULATE IN THE URUGUAY ROUND NEGOTIATIONS, THE SECRETARY FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY, MR T H CHAU, SAID THIS (MONDAY) MORNING.
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING OF AN INFORMAL WORKSHOP ORGANISED BY THE ORGANISATION FOR ECONOMIC COOPERATION AND DEVELOPMENT (OECD), MR CHAU SAID HONG KONG WAS THE WORLD’S PUREST PRACTITIONER OF THE GATT’S FUNDAMENTAL PRINCIPLES.
"WE HAVE NO IMPORT TARIFFS, NO BARRIERS TO TRADE AND A TOTALLY OPEN ECONOMY," HE SAID.
MR CHAU SAID IT WAS IRONIC, AND PERHAPS TRAGIC, THAT, AT A MOMENT WHEN AT LAST THE URUGUAY ROUND SEEMED POISED FOR A SUCCESSFUL CONCLUSION BECAUSE "WE WERE FACING WHAT ALL OF US BELIEVED TO BE A GENUINE DEADLINE, WE WERE ALSO ON THE VERGE OF THE FINAL COLLAPSE OF THE ROUND.”
THE REASON IS VERY SIMPLE.
"IN THE 20 MONTHS OR SO SINCE THE SO-CALLED DRAFT FINAL ACT WAS CRAFTED IN GENEVA, THE ONLY REAL NEGOTIATIONS THAT HAVE TAKEN PLACE HAVE BEEN MAINLY ON ONE SINGLE SUBJECT - ALBEIT AN IMPORTANT ONE -AND MAINLY BETWEEN TWO PLAYERS - ALBEIT TWO MAJOR ONES - AND OUTSIDE GENEVA."
"NOW THAT THE ACTION IS BACK IN GENEVA AND WE ARE FACED WITH A REAL DEADLINE, OTHER ISSUES - EQUALLY IMPORTANT AND EQUALLY DIFFICULT, AND OTHER PLAYERS - EQUALLY RELEVANT ALTHOUGH SMALLER - ARE COMING TO THE FORE.
"IN SUCH A SITUATION, IF WE WANT THE ROUND TO SUCCEED, WE MUST ALL STICK TO THE DRAFT FINAL ACT AND REFRAIN FROM RE-OPENING ANY PARTS OF IT. OTHERWISE, IT WILL SURELY UNRAVEL," HE SAID.
MR CHAU URGED THE MAJOR PLAYERS TO SHOW THE LEADERSHIP THAT WAS EXPECTED AND REQUIRED OF THEM IF THE ROUND WAS TO SUCCEED.
"THEY MUST SET A GOOD EXAMPLE BY NOT SEEKING TO RE-OPEN THE DRAFT FINAL ACT.
"THEY MUST ALSO GIVE THE DEVELOPING COUNTRIES AN INCENTIVE TO ACCEPT GREATER GATT DISCIPLINE AND NEW OBLIGATIONS IN SERVICES AND INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS.
"THEY CAN DO SO BY MAKING MORE GENEROUS CUTS IN TARIFFS FOR ITEMS OF INTEREST TO DEVELOPING COUNTRIES AND THEY SHOULD NOT DEMAND FULL RECIPROCITY IN OTHER AREAS," HE SAID.
MR CHAU ADDED THAT THE MAJOR PLAYERS MUST PROVIDE THE NECESSARY LEADERSHIP.
"ALL OF US MUST SUMMON UP THE NECESSARY POLITICAL WILL AND MAKE OUR BEST POSSIBLE EFFORT TO CONCLUDE THE ROUND," HE SAID.
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/9.........
MONDAY, OCTOBER 11, 1993
- 9 -
LAND AND BUILDING ADVISORY COMMITTEE *****
THE LAND AND BUILDING ADVISORY COMMITTEE (LBAC) TODAY (MONDAY) DISCUSSED THE REPORT ON THE PROPERTY MARKET FOR THE FIRST NINE MONTHS OF THIS YEAR.
LBAC, CHAIRED BY MR CHENG HON-KWAN, NOTED THAT THE RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY MARKET REMAINED RELATIVELY QUIET IN JANUARY AND FEBRUARY, CONTINUING THE TREND OF THE LATTER PART OF LAST YEAR.
THE MARKET REVIVED IN MARCH AND THE TREND CONTINUED IN THE SECOND QUARTER OF THE YEAR.
IT IS BELIEVED THE BUOYANCY IS DUE TO IMPROVED MARKET SENTIMENTS.
THE MARKET GENERALLY REMAINED ACTIVE IN JULY AND AUGUST UNTIL LATE AUGUST WHEN SOME BANKS ANNOUNCED ADDITIONAL ANTI-SPECULATIVE MEASURES. THESE HAVE HAD A DAMPENING EFFECT ON THE MARKET.
THE OFFICE SECTOR OF THE MARKET REMAINED ACTIVE DURING THE REPORTING PERIOD.
HOWEVER, RECENT REPORTS INDICATED A SOFTENING IN THE OFFICE INVESTMENT MARKET DUE TO CHINA’S ECONOMIC AUSTERITY MEASURES AND TIGHTER LOCAL LENDING POLICIES.
OFFICE RENTALS FOR CENTRAL GRADE A ACCOMMODATION CONTINUE TO RISE DUE TO LIMITED SUPPLY.
HOWEVER, FOR OTHER OFFICE ACCOMMODATION, PLENTIFUL SUPPLY HAS LIMITED RENTAL INCREASES.
THE RETAIL MARKET HAS ALSO REMAINED ACTIVE. HOWEVER, WITH VACANCY RATES EXPECTED TO RISE IN THE FORSEEABLE FUTURE, THIS WILL CONSTRAIN INCREASES IN RENTALS AND CAPITAL VALUES.
THE DEMAND FOR INDUSTRIAL/GODOWN ACCOMMODATION REMAINED STRONG, IN PARTICULAR FOR MODERN PREMISES IN POPULAR URBAN LOCATIONS.
THE INDUSTRIAL SECTOR IS EXPECTED TO REMAIN FIRM FOR URBAN SITES. SUPPLY WILL CONTINUE TO BE GOOD IN THE PERIPHERAL NEW TERRITORIES DEVELOPMENTS.
THE AUCTION RESULTS DURING THE REPORTING PERIOD EXCEEDED EXPECTATIONS IN MOST INSTANCES AND REFLECTED THE UNDERLYING STRENGTH OF THE MARKET.
LOOKING AHEAD, THE PROPERTY MARKET AS A WHOLE IS ANTICIPATED TO REMAIN STRONG, DESPITE DEVELOPMENTS ON THE POLITICAL FRONT AND THE BANKING SECTOR’S MEASURES TO CURB RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY SPECULATION.
THE MEETING ALSO NOTED THAT THE TERRITORIAL DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY WHICH WAS COMPLETED IN 1984 TO PROVIDE A TERRITORIAL LAND USE, TRANSPORT PLANNING FRAMEWORK WOULD BE REVIEWED TO INCORPORATE VARIOUS CHANGES IN PLANNING.
/THE GOVERNMENT
MONDAY, OCTOBER 11, 1993
- 10 -
THE GOVERNMENT ON SEPTEMBER 30 THIS YEAR ANNOUNCED THE TERRITORIAL DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY REVIEW FOR PUBLIC CONSULTATION. THE PUBLIC IS INVITED TO WRITE IN COMMENTS BEFORE THE END OF DECEMBER. THE REVIEW IS EXPECTED TO BE COMPLETED BY MID NEXT YEAR.
THE WORKING GROUP OF LBAC FORMED TO CONSIDER PROPOSALS ON DEVELOPMENT PROCESSING MECHANISMS MADE ITS RECOMMENDATIONS TO LBAC TODAY.
THE COMMITTEE WAS IN SUPPORT OF THE RECOMMENDATIONS TO REFER TO THE TOWN PLANNING BOARD FOR CONSIDERATION PROPOSALS REGARDING LAND ACQUISITION IN PRIVATELY-LED COMPREHENSIVE DEVELOPMENT AREAS (CDA) AND REGULAR REVIEW OF THE CDA ZONINGS.
LBAC ALSO ENDORSED THE ISSUANCE OF PRACTICE NOTES TO GUIDE THE PREPARATION AND PROCESSING OF SUBMISSIONS OF MASTER LAYOUT PLANS AND SUBMISSIONS UNDER THE DESIGN, DISPOSITION AND HEIGHT CLAUSE REQUIRED UNDER LEASE CONDITIONS.
IT ALSO ENDORSED THE INTRODUCTION OF AN APPROPRIATE TIME LIMIT TO SPEED UP THE PROCESSING OF SUBMISSIONS.
IT ALSO CONSIDERED THE PROPOSAL TO DISALLOW BY LEGISLATION THE USE OF HAND-DUG CAISSONS EXCEPT IN SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES. IT AGREED THAT THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD FURTHER CONSULT THE RELEVANT PROFESSIONAL BODIES AND ASSOCIATIONS BEFORE TAKING THE PROPOSAL FORWARD.
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LATEST CONTAINER THROUGHPUT FIGURES RELEASED
*****
HONG KONG'S AVERAGE OVERALL CONTAINER THROUGHPUT FOR THE FIRST SEVEN MONTHS OF THIS YEAR OVER THE SAME PERIOD LAST YEAR HAS LEVELLED OFF AT ABOUT 17%; THE PERCENTAGE IN JULY WAS 16.8%, THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF MARINE, MR IAN DALE SAID TODAY (MONDAY).
ANNOUNCING THE LATEST CONTAINER THROUGHPUT FIGURES, MR -DALE SAID:
"HONG KONG HANDLED 5,029,583 TEUS (TWENTY-FOOT EQUIVALENT UNITS) IN THE FIRST SEVEN MONTHS OF THIS YEAR, COMPARED TO 4,305,393 DURING THE SAME PERIOD LAST YEAR.
KWAI CHUNG SHOWED AN INCREASE OF 13.7%, STREAM HANDLING 17.1% AND RIVER TRADE 54.8%.
COMMENTING ON T^E LATEST THROUGHPUT FIGURES, MR DALE SAID:
"IT IS GOOD NEWS THAT OUR GROWTH RATE IS REMAINING STEADY AND GENERALLY IN LINE WITH FORECASTS. THE UNDERLYING DEMANDS OF THE TRADE ARE STRONG. THIS WILL CONTINUE IN THE MONTHS AHEAD."
/THE FOLLOWING
MONDAY, OCTOBER 11, 1993
- 11 -
THE FOLLOWING IS STATISTICS IN TEUS: THE TABLE FOR THE COMPARATIVE CONTAINER
FIRST SEVEN MONTHS OF ’92 FIRST SEVEN MONTHS OF *93 PERCENTAGES INCREASE
KWAI CHUNG CONTAINER TERMINALS 2,748,797 3,125,797 + 13.7%
STREAM AND ELSEWHERE 1,358,383 1,590,438 + 17.1%
RIVER TRADE 207,815 321,679 + 54.8%
TOTAL 4,305,393 5,029,583 + 16.8%
NOTE: TO AVOID DOUBLE 9,602 IN 1992 AND VESSELS CONTRACTED COUNTING, FIGURES ARE ADJUSTED 8,331 IN 1993 BEING TEUS HANDLED TO WORK IN THE STREAM. DOWNWARDS BY BY TERMINAL
HONG KONG IS THE BUSIEST CONTAINER A RECORD OF 7.97 MILLION TEUS LAST YEAR. PORT IN THE WORLD, HANDLING
IT IS ALSO ONE OF THE BUSIEST IN TERMS OF VESSEL ARRIVALS AND
CARGO AND PASSENGER THROUGHPUT.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
FOR ENQUIRIES, PLEASE CALL INFORMATION AND PUBLIC RELATIONS SECTION ON TEL 852 4423 AND 852 4425 DURING OFFICE HOURS OR 9493 8262 OUTSIDE OFFICE HOURS.
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SWAC ENDORSES STREET SLEEPERS* REPORT ♦ * * * *
THE SOCIAL WELFARE ADVISORY COMMITTEE (SWAC) AT ITS MEETING TODAY (MONDAY) ENDORSED THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE WORKING GROUP ON STREET SLEEPERS.
MEMBERS AGREED THAT THE PROBLEM OF STREET SLEEPERS WAS NOT TOO SERIOUS WHEN COMPARED WITH OTHER BIG CITIES.
THEY NOTED THE MAIN APPROACH TO HELP THEM SHOULD BE PERSONAL CONTACT AND COUNSELLING.
/THESE SHOULD .......
MONDAY, OCTOBER 11, 1993-
- 12 -
THESE SHOULD BE STRENGTHENED AND THE PUBLIC SHOULD BE TAUGHT TO ACCEPT ’’REHABILITATED" STREET SLEEPERS INTO THEIR COMMUNITY.
MEMBERS ALSO NOTED THAT LEGISLATIVE MEASURES WERE NOT AN EFFECTIVE MEANS TO DEAL WITH THE PROBLEM AND THERE WAS NO NEED TO INTRODUCE NEW LEGISLATION.
SWAC CHAIRMAN MR ERIC LI SAID THE GOVERNMENT WAS TAKING ACTIVE ACTION TO LEGALISE THE STANDARD OF PROVISIONS FOR BEDSPACE LODGERS AND THIS MIGHT HAVE AN IMPACT ON THE PROBLEM OF STREET-SLEEPING IF LODGERS WERE DISPLACED.
HE EXPECTED CONTINUOUS EFFORTS IN CO-ORDINATION BETWEEN GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS IN COPING WITH THE DISPLACEMENT PROBLEM.
MEMBERS ALSO FOUND THAT OPTION A LISTED IN THE CONSULTATION DOCUMENT ’’TOWARDS BETTER HEALTH’’ WHICH RECOMMENDED A PERCENTAGE SUBSIDY APPROACH WORTHY OF CONSIDERATION.
UNDER THE PERCENTAGE SUBSIDY APPROACH, THE OPERATING COST OF EACH TYPE OF HOSPITAL WOULD BE SUBSIDISED TO THE SAME PERCENTAGE. TO INCREASE PATIENT AWARENESS, THE OPERATING COST AND SUBSIDY WOULD BE PRINTED ON EACH PATIENT’S BILL.
MR LI SAID THE PUBLIC SHOULD HAVE THE RIGHT TO KNOW THE COSTS OF THE SERVICES THEY WERE RECEIVING.
HE ALSO NOTED THAT THIS APPROACH WOULD ENABLE DIFFERENT TYPES OF HOSPITAL SERVICES, FOR EXAMPLE, INFIRMARIES, TO LEVY A LOWER LEVEL OF CHARGES THAN THE PRESENT STANDARD CHARGE BECAUSE OF THEIR DIFFERENT COST STRUCTURE AND PROVISIONS WHEN COMPARED WITH A GENERAL HOSPITAL.
’’HOWEVER, THERE ARE SIGNIFICANT CONCERNS THAT HAVE TO BE FULLY ADDRESSED BEFORE THE PROPOSAL IS CONSIDERED FEASIBLE," HE ADDED.
MR LI NAMED THE TWO MAJOR CONCERNS AS RISE IN MEDICAL COSTS AT A PACE FASTER THAN INFLATION AND THE LACK OF DETAIL IN THE DOCUMENT WHEN DESCRIBING THE SCOPE OF THE WAIVER SYSTEM IN THE LIGHT OF RISING CHARGES.
"THE RISE IN CHARGES OUGHT TO BE PLANNED IN ADVANCE WITH A CAPPING SYSTEM AND THE SCOPE OF THE MEDICAL WAIVER SYSTEM SHOULD ALSO GRADUALLY BE EXTENDED TO DEAL WITH GENUINE HARDSHIP CASES.
"OTHERWISE SOME PEOPLE WHO CAN MERELY AFFORD TO PAY THE PRESENT LEVEL OF FEE WILL FIND IT DIFFICULT TO COPE WITH THE INCREASED FEE IF THEY ARE NOT BROUGHT INTO THE WAIVER SYSTEM," MR LI SAID.
HE SAID SWAC DID NOT FAVOUR THE ITEMISED FEE CHARGING SYSTEM ON FINANCIAL GROUNDS ALONE BECAUSE IT WAS TOO OPEN-ENDED.
"THOSE WHO ARE MOST IN NEED SUCH AS THE CHRONICALLY ILL AND THE DISABLED WILL BE HIT HARDEST," HE NOTED.
HE SAID SWAC ONLY SUPPORTED "THE USE OF ACCIDENT AND EMERGENCY SERVICE" UNDER THE ITEMISED CHARGING OF OPTION B IN THE "TOWARDS BETTER HEALTH" DOCUMENT WHICH RECOMMENDED A TARGET GROUP APPROACH.
/ITEMISED CHARGING .......
13
ITEMISED CHARGING ENTAILS IMPOSING A FEE ON CERTAIN PROCEDURES THAT ARE NOW INCLUDED IN THE FLAT FEE CHARGED.
"THE CHARGE WILL HELP TO RELIEVE THE HOSPITAL AUTHORITY OF SOME BURDEN IMPOSED BY THOSE PEOPLE WHO SEEK TO ABUSE THE ACCIDENT AND EMERGENCY SERVICE IF IT IS PROVIDED FREE OF CHARGE," HE NOTED.
SWAC DID NOT SUPPORT OPTIONS C AND E. THEY RESPECTIVELY RECOMMEND A CO-ORDINATED VOLUNTARY INSURANCE APPROACH AND THE PRIORITISATION OF THE TREATMENT.
MR LI SAID SWAC WOULD GIVE FURTHER CONSIDERATION IF OPTION D WAS MODIFIED WHEREBY THE HOSPITAL AUTHORITY WOULD BE ASKED TO RUN A VOLUNTARY AND NON-PROFIT-MAKING SCHEME COVERING THE COSTS TO THE PUBLIC ON THE USE OF ITS SERVICES.
"IT IS CONCEIVED THAT WITHOUT A PROFIT ELEMENT AND WITH EFFORTS OF PUBLIC EDUCATION THE GENERAL PUBLIC MAY BE ATTRACTED TO IT," HE SAID.
- - 0 - -
TWO LOTS BY AUCTION * * * * *
TWO GOVERNMENT LOTS WILL BE OFFERED FOR SALE AT A PUBLIC AUCTION ON WEDNESDAY (OCTOBER 13).
THE FIRST LOT IS LOCATED AT AREA 11 AT THE JUNCTION OF ON SUM STREET AND ON YIU STREET, SHA TIN.
WITH AN AREA OF ABOUT 4,200 SQUARE METRES, IT IS INTENDED FOR INDUSTRIAL AND/OR GODOWN (EXCLUDING DANGEROUS GOODS GODOWN) PURPOSES.
THE OTHER LOT IS LOCATED IN TAK YIP STREET, TUNG TAU INDUSTRIAL AREA, YUEN LONG, WITH AN AREA OF ABOUT 3,555 SQUARE METRES.
IT IS INTENDED FOR INDUSTRIAL AND/OR GODOWN (EXCLUDING OFFENSIVE TRADE) PURPOSES, WITH THE FIRST FLOOR TO BE USED FOR REPAIRING MOTOR VEHICLES ONLY.
THE AUCTION WILL START AT 2.30 PM IN THE CONCERT HALL OF THE HONG KONG CULTURAL CENTRE, TSIM SHA TSUI.
ATTENTION NEWS EDITORS:
YOUR REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER THE AUCTION.
A PRESS AREA WILL BE DESIGNATED. PHOTOGRAPHERS ARE ADVISED TO BRING ALONG TELEPHOTO LENSES.
- - 0 - -
/14
MONDAY, OCTOBER 11, 1993
- 14 -
REALIGNMENT OF ON RAMP TO KWAI CHUNG ROAD *****
THE GOVERNMENT PROPOSES TO REALIGN ABOUT 200 METRES OF THE EXISTING ROAD ON RAMP TO KWAI CHUNG ROAD.
THE REALIGNMENT OF THE EXISTING ON RAMP IS TO FACILITATE THE DEVIATION OF THE EXISTING MTRC TSUEN WAN UP LINE, ASSOCIATED WITH ADVANCE WORKS OF THE AIRPORT RAILWAY, WHICH IS NEAR ROUTE 3 KWAI CHUNG VIADUCT CURRENTLY UNDER CONSTRUCTION.
THE PROPOSED WORKS INCLUDE REALIGNMENT OF AN ELEVATED SECTION OF THE PROPOSED ROUTE 3 LAI KING INTERCHANGE RAMP F JOINING THE TSUEN WAN BYPASS AND KWAI CHUNG ROAD NORTHBOUND; ASSOCIATED DRAINAGE WORKS; LANDSCAPING WORKS AND REPROVISIONING OF FOOTWAYS.
CONSTRUCTION OF THIS REALIGNMENT WORKS IS SCHEDULED TO START EARLY NEXT YEAR AND TO COMPLETE BY MID-1995.
THE PLAN AND SCHEME MAY BE SEEN AT:
* THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT OFFICE, PUBLIC ENQUIRY SERVICE CENTRE, GROUND FLOOR, HARBOUR BUILDING, 38 PIER ROAD, CENTRAL, HONG KONG;
* KWAI TSING DISTRICT OFFICE, SECOND FLOOR, KWAI HING GOVERNMENT OFFICES BUILDING, 166-174, HING FONG ROAD, KWAI CHUNG, NEW TERRITORIES; AND;
* DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE, KWAI TSING, 10TH FLOOR, TSUEN WAN STATION MULTI-STOREY CARPARK BUILDINGS, 174-208 CASTLE PEAK ROAD, TSUEN WAN, NEW TERRITORIES.
ANY PERSON WHO WISHES TO OBJECT TO THE WORKS OR THE USE, OR BOTH, IS REQUIRED TO ADDRESS HIS OBJECTION IN WRITING TO THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, EAST WING, SECOND FLOOR, LOWER ALBERT ROAD, HONG KONG NO LATER THAN DECEMBER 7 DESCRIBING HIS INTEREST AND THE MANNER IN WHICH HE ALLEGES HE WILL BE AFFECTED BY THE WORKS OF THE USE.
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FRESH WATER CUT IN SHAM SHUI PO *****
FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO SOME PREMISES IN SHAM SHUI PO WILL GO OFF FROM 11 PM ON WEDNESDAY (OCTOBER 13) TO 6 AM THE FOLLOWING DAY TO FACILITATE WASTE DETECTION WORK ON WATERMAINS.
THE SUSPENSION WILL AFFECT ALL THE PREMISES BOUNDED BY CHEUNG WAH STREET, PO ON ROAD, CHEUNG FAT STREET AND CASTLE PEAK ROAD.
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/15
MONDAY, OCTOBER 11, 1993
- 15 -
WATER STORAGE FIGURE * * * * »
STORAGE IN HONG KONG'S RESERVOIRS AT 9 AM TODAY (MONDAY) STOOD AT 89.1 PER CENT OF CAPACITY OR 522.342 MILLION CUBIC METRES.
THIS TIME LAST YEAR THE RESERVOIRS CONTAINED 488.920 MILLION CUBIC METRES OF WATER, REPRESENTING 83.4 PER CENT OF CAPACITY.
0
LEGCO TO MEET ON WEDNESDAY
*****
MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL WILL ASK A TOTAL OF 19 QUESTIONS AND CONSIDER TWO BILLS AT THE COUNCIL'S MEETING ON WEDNESDAY (OCTOBER 13).
THE TWO BILLS ARE FACTORIES AND INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS (AMENDMENT) BILL 1993 AND BOILERS AND PRESSURE VESSELS (AMENDMENT) BILL 1993.
THEY WILL BE INTRODUCED FOR FIRST AND SECOND READINGS.
THERE WILL BE FOUR MOTIONS.
THE MOTION ON CONSULTATION DOCUMENT ON MEDICAL FEES, CHARGES, WAIVERS AND INSURANCE WILL BE MOVED BY DR THE HON K C LAM AND THE MOTION ON SUCCESSION RIGHTS IN THE NEW TERRITORIES WILL BE MOVED BY REV THE HON FUNG CHI-WOOD.
THE HON ANDREW WONG WILL MOVE A MOTION THAT THE HON MRS ELSIE TU BE ELECTED THE PRESIDENT’S DEPUTY OF THE COUNCIL AND THE HON ELSIE TU WILL MOVE A MOTION TO AMENED THE STANDING ORDERS OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE WELCOME TO OBSERVE THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE MEETING FROM THE PUBLIC GALLERIES. THEY MAY MAKE RESERVATIONS BY CALLING 869 9492.
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/16 .......
MONDAY, OCTOBER 11, 1993
- 16 -
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS » ♦ * * *
$ MILLION
OPENING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT REVERSAL OF LAF BALANCE AFTER REVERSAL OF LAF NET INJECTION/WITHDRAWAL TODAY EFFECT OF LAF TODAY CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT LAF RATE 2.00 BID/4.00 OFFER TWI 112.2 1,270 + 730 2,000 NIL -740 1,260 »+0.0* 11.10.93
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE EF BILLS EF NOTES/HONG KONG TERMS YIELD TERM ISSUE 1 WEEK 2.41 PCT 13 MONTHS 2411 1 MONTH 2.53 PCT 16 MONTHS 2502 3 MONTHS 2.65 PCT 19 MONTHS 2505 6 MONTHS 2.81 PCT 22 MONTHS 2508 12 MONTHS 3.13 PCT TOTAL TURNOVER OF BILLS AND BONDS - 12,774 MN CLOSED OCTOBER 11, 1993 FUND GOVERNMENT BONDS COUPON PRICE 4.625 101.56 4.75 101.84 3.75 100.24 4.625 101.64 YIELD 3.19 3.36 3.63 3.73
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 12, 1993
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
A BIG DEAL TO REACH AGREEMENT IN TALKS .......................... 1
DATE FIXED FOR 14TH ROUND OF ELECTION TALKS ..................... 2
NEW INITIATIVES TO CREATE A BETTER ENVIRONMENT .................. 2
GOVT PROMOTES ENVIRONMENTAL AWARENESS ........................... 3
FOOD TESTED TO ENSURE PUBLIC HYGIENE ............................ 5
CONSULTATION STARTS ON CONSUMER PROTECTION BILLS ................ 6
AIR QUALITY REPORT FOR SEPTEMBER ................................ 7
HK'S EXTERNAL TRADE STATISTICS FOR AUGUST ....................... 9
ADEQUATE FIRE PROVISION IMPORTANT TO NEW TOWN DEVELOPMENT ... 17
GOOb STANDARDS OF ENGLISH NEEDED ............................... 17
AUCTION OF LUCKY CAR MARKS ..................................... 18
ORDERLY REPATRIATION PROGRAMME ................................. 19
RATES FOR LAST QUARTER OF THE YEAR ........................... 19
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND TENDER RESULTS ............ 21
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS .. 22
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 12, 1993
1
A BIG DEAL TO REACH AGREEMENT IN TALKS
*****
THE GOVERNOR, THE RT HON CHRISTOPHER PATTEN SAID TODAY (TUESDAY) THAT IT MATTERED THAT THERE WAS AN AGREEMENT, BUT NOT ANY AGREEMENT, IN THE SINO-BRITISH TALKS ON ELECTORAL ARRANGEMENTS FOR 1994/95.
SPEAKING TO REPORTERS AFTER THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL MEETING, THE GOVERNOR SAID: "WE WANT A GOOD AGREEMENT, AND THAT’S WHAT WE’RE WORKING SO HARD ABOUT AND THAT’S WHAT WE’RE WORKING SO CONSTRUCTIVELY FOR. "
"I THINK IT WOULD BE A BIG DEAL IF WE DIDN’T REACH AN AGREEMENT IN THE TALKS," HE SAID.
"I THINK EVERYBODY IN HONG KONG THINKS IT WOULD BE A BIG DEAL IF WE DIDN’T REACH AN AGREEMENT IN THE TALKS.
'"THAT’S WHY WE ARE TRYING ON OUR SIDE SO VERY HARD TO REACH AN AGREEMENT BECAUSE WE THINK THAT IT’S A BIG DEAL TO REACH AGREEMENT ABOUT THE SMOOTH POLITICAL DEVELOPMENT OF HONG KONG.
"SO WE’LL GO ON TRYING AS HARD AS WE CAN TO ACHIEVE A BIG DEAL BECAUSE I THINK THAT’S WHAT IT WOULD BE.
ASKED TO COMMENT ON THE RECENT ACCUSATION ON HIM FOR CREATING OBSTACLES, THE GOVERNOR NOTED THAT ALL THE OPINION POLLS AND ALL THE ANECDOTAL EVIDENCE OF THINGS ONE HEARD SUGGESTED THAT PEOPLE IN HONG KONG HAD CONSIDERABLE CONFIDENCE AND SELF-CONFIDENCE ABOUT THE FUTURE.
"SO I HOPE WE CAN PUSH THESE SORTS OF CRITICISMS TO ONE SIDE AND STICK TO THE ARGUMENT AND THE ARGUMENT IS THAT WE WANT FAIR ELECTIONS HERE IN HONG KONG IN ORDER TO PRESERVE THE RULE OF LAW, IN ^LLK R. PREVENT CORRUPTION SIPPING INTO OUR OWN COMMUNITY."
WHEN ASKED WHY THE BRITISH DID NOT AGREE TO SEPARATE THE 1994 AND 1995 ELECTIONS, THE GOVERNOR EXPLAINED THAT AT THE MOMENT, THINGS WERE BEING CUT VERY FINE AS IT WAS.
"YOU WOULDN’T ACHIEVE ANYTHING AT ALL BY TRYING TO SEPARATE THE DB (DISTRICT BOARD) ELECTIONS AND THE MC (MUNICIPAL COUNCIL) ELECTIONS FROM THE LEGCO (LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL) ELECTIONS.
"WHAT WE HAVE TO DO IS TO HAVE OUR LEGISLATION FOR THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ELECTIONS IN PLACE BY THE END OF JULY," HE SAID.
/2 ........
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 12, 1993
2
DATE FIXED FOR 14TH ROUND OF ELECTION TALKS * * ♦ * *
’’THE BRITISH SIDE AND THE CHINESE SIDE HAVE AGREED THAT THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT REPRESENTATIVE, SIR ROBIN MCLAREN, BRITISH AMBASSADOR TO CHINA, AND THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT REPRESENTATIVE, MR JIANG ENZHU, VICE FOREIGN MINISTER OF THE PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF CHINA, WILL HOLD THEIR FOURTEENTH ROUND OF TALKS IN BEIJING ON 20 AND 21 OCTOBER 1993 ON THE ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE 1994/95 ELECTIONS IN HONG KONG IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE SINO-BRITISH JOINT DECLARATION, THE PRINCIPLE OF CONVERGENCE WITH THE BASIC LAW AND THE RELEVANT AGREEMENTS AND UNDERSTANDINGS REACHED BETWEEN BRITAIN AND CHINA.”
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NEW INITIATIVES TO CREATE A BETTER ENVIRONMENT
* * * I ♦
THE SECRETARY FOR PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS, MR TONY EASON SAID THE ENVIRONMENTAL INITIATIVES ANNOUNCED BY THE GOVERNOR IN HIS POLICY ADDRESS WOULD PROVIDE NEW IMPETUS TO THE GOVERNMENT’S CONTINUING EFFORTS TO CREATE A BETTER AND CLEANER ENVIRONMENT IN HONG KONG.
MR EASON SAID: ’’THE INITIATIVES WILL ENABLE US TO TURN OUR ATTENTION FROM PROVIDING BADLY-NEEDED INFRASTRUCTURAL FACILITIES FOR WASTE DISPOSAL AND SEWAGE TREATMENT TO POLLUTION PREVENTION AND ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION.
"ONE OF OUR MAIN OBJECTIVES IN THE YEAR AHEAD IS TO BUILD A PARTNERSHIP AMONG THE GOVERNMENT, BUSINESS AND THE COMMUNITY TO CLEAN UP THE ENVIRONMENT.”
THE ESTABLISHMENT OF AN ENVIRONMENT AND CONSERVATION FUND WITH AN INITIAL CAPITAL INJECTION OF $50 MILLION FROM THE GOVERNMENT WILL HELP STRENGTHEN ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION AND RESEARCH.
"THE FUND WILL ENABLE US TO MAKE A HEADSTART IN IMPROVING THE EXISTING ARRANGEMENT FOR FINANCING ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND EDUCATION.”
IT WILL BE USED TO SUPPORT THE ACTIVITIES OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL CAMPAIGN COMMITTEE, THE ENERGY EFFICIENCY ADVISORY COMMITTEE AND WORTHWHILE PROJECTS OF COMMUNITY AND GREEN GROUPS.
ON THE PROPOSAL TO ESTABLISH A TASK FORCE TO CLEAN UP THE COUNTRYSIDE, MR EASON SAID: "THE APPROACH WOULD ENABLE US TO POOL OUR RESOURCES TO DEAL WITH THE PROLIFERATION OF UNDESIRABLE LAND USES IN THE NEW TERRITORIES WHERE PLOTS OF AGRICULTURAL LAND WERE CONVERTED INTO OPEN STORAGE FOR CONTAINER BOXES, CONSTRUCTION MACHINERY AND CAR DUMPS."
/TO DEAL .......
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 12, 1993
- 3 -
TO DEAL WITH THE PROBLEM, A MULTI-DISCIPLINARY TEAM OF LAND, PLANNING AND ENGINEERING STAFF WILL SOON BE SET UP. IT WILL BE HEADED BY A DIRECTORATE OFFICER OF THE LANDS DEPARTMENT.
THE TASK FORCE WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR IDENTIFYING AREAS WHERE TOUGHER ENFORCEMENT ACTION IS REQUIRED, UNDERTAKING IN-SITU IMPROVEMENT WORKS, AND FINDING NEW SITES FOR RELOCATING SOME OF THE EXISTING OPEN STORAGE AREAS ESTABLISHED BEFORE THE ENACTMENT OF THE TOWN PLANNING (AMENDMENT) ORDINANCE IN 1991.
THE WORK OF THE TASK FORCE WILL BE MONITORED BY A COMMITTEE WITH REPRESENTATIVES FROM INTERESTED PARTIES.
IT IS ESTIMATED THAT AT PRESENT ABOUT 550 HECTARES OF AGRICULTURAL LAND WERE CONVERTED INTO OPEN STORAGE AREAS BEFORE THE ENACTMENT OF THE AMENDMENT ORDINANCE IN 1991.
ANOTHER 150 HECTARES OF LAND WERE CONVERTED AFTER THE 1991 ENACTMENT DATE. THEY ARE CONSIDERED AS ’’UNAUTHORISED DEVELOPMENT” WHERE ENFORCEMENT ACTION WILL BE REQUIRED.
INITIALLY, THE TASK FORCE WILL DEAL WITH THE PROBLEM IN NORTHWEST NT WHERE THE PROLIFERATION OF UNAUTHORISED DEVELOPMENT IS MORE SERIOUS.
ON THE GREEN MANAGERS SCHEME, MR EASON SAID: ’’THE SCHEME IS AN EXTENSION OF THE CURRENT GREEN HOUSEKEEPING EXERCISE TO SOLICIT SUPPORT FROM GOVERNMENT OFFICES AND BUSINESS IN OUR CAMPAIGNS TO REDUCE ENERGY CONSUMPTION AND TO ENCOURAGE WASTE RECYCLING.
"BY URGING THESE ORGANISATIONS TO APPOINT THEIR OWN GREEN MANAGERS, WE HOPE THAT THE ENVIRONMENTAL WORK BEING UNDERTAKEN WITHIN AN ORGANISATION WILL BE BETTER CO-ORDINATED AND PROPERLY SUSTAINED.”
THE GOVERNMENT WILL SET A GOOD EXAMPLE BY APPOINTING GREEN MANAGERS IN ALL PARTS OF THE ADMINISTRATION.
"WE WILL ALSO BRING TO THE ATTENTION OF BUSINESS HOW THEY WILL BENEFIT FROM THE SCHEME AS GOOD GREEN HOUSEKEEPING WILL CUT COST AND INCREASE PRODUCTIVITY," MR EASON SAID.
-----------------0-------- GOVT PROMOTES ENVIRONMENTAL AWARENESS ♦ ♦ t ♦ *
THE GOVERNMENT WILL CONTINUE TO DO ITS BEST TO PROMOTE AWARENESS OF THE IMPACT OF BUILDINGS ON THE ENVIRONMENT, THE SECRETARY FOR PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS, MR TONY EASON, SAID TODAY (TUESDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING OF THE SYMPOSIUM ON ENVIRONMENTFRIENDLY BUILDINGS, MR EASON SAID SUCH IMPACT COULD BE MINIMISED THROUGH PROMOTION OF ENERGY EFFICIENCY, CONSTRUCTION WASTE MANAGEMENT AND CHOICE OF CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS.
/ON ENERGY .......
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 12, 1993
ON ENERGY EFFICIENCY, HE SAID THE GOVERNMENT HAD STARTED A NUMBER OF PILOT ENERGY MANAGEMENT PROGRAMMES, INCLUDING THE APPOINTMENT OF ENERGY MANAGERS AND ENERGY AUDITING FOR REVENUE TOWER AND IMMIGRATION TOWER.
"THE RESULTS OF THESE SCHEMES WILL BE USED TO GUIDE US IN EXTENDING THEM TO OTHER PARTS OF THE GOVERNMENT," HE SAID.
MR EASON SAID THE ENERGY EFFICIENCY ADVISORY COMMITTEE HAD IDENTIFIED COMMERCIAL BUILDINGS AS A MAJOR AREA FOR ACTION.
ADVISORY NOTES ON GOOD HOUSEKEEPING PRACTICES HAD BEEN PREPARED AND DISTRIBUTED TO ALERT THESE BUILDINGS’ USERS AND MANAGERS TO THE HUGE POTENTIAL FOR ENERGY SAVING THROUGH SIMPLE NO-COST MEASURES, HE SAID.
SIMILAR NOTES ON ENERGY AUDITING WERE BEING PREPARED AND THE COMMITTEE WAS LOOKING INTO THE LAYING DOWN OF COMPREHENSIVE BUILDING ENERGY CODES.
TO PROMOTE THE DESIGN OF ENERGY EFFICIENT BUILDINGS, THE COMMITTEE WOULD LAUNCH AN AWARD SCHEME IN EARLY 1994, HE ADDED.
ON PROMOTING THE USE OF ENVIRONMENT-FRIENDLY ALTERNATIVES TO TRADITIONAL CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS, THE GOVERNMENT HAD REQUIRED BIDDERS FOR GOVERNMENT CONTRACTS SINCE MARCH THIS YEAR TO PROPOSE ALTERNATIVES TO HARDWOOD FOR SITE HOARDING, FALSE WORK AND SHORING OF TRENCHES AND PITS.
A TECHNICAL CIRCULAR ON THE USE OF PULVERISED FUEL ASH (PFA) IN STRUCTURAL CONCRETE HAD ALSO BEEN ISSUED TO ENCOURAGE ENGINEERS, ARCHITECTS AND CONSULTANTS TO CONSIDER THE USE OF PFA AS A CEMENT REPLACEMENT MATERIAL.
MR EASON NOTED THE INDISCRIMINATE DUMPING OF CONSTRUCTION WASTE AT LANDFILLS WAS A MAIN ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERN.
MUCH OF THIS WASTE COULD BE USED AS FILL MATERIAL FOR RECLAMATION IF PROPERLY SORTED, HE SAID, ADDING THAT DISPOSING ALL OF IT AT LANDFILLS WAS A WASTE OF LANDFILL RESOURCES AND WOULD CONTRIBUTE TO THE SHORTAGE OF LANDFILL CAPACITY.
TO ENCOURAGE PROPER SORTING AND RECYCLING, THE GOVERNMENT HAD RELAXED THE CRITERIA FOR ACCEPTING CONSTRUCTION WASTE AT PUBLIC DUMPS AND WOULD PROVIDE MORE DUMPING SITES.
THE GOVERNMENT WAS STUDYING THE FEASIBILITY OF ESTABLISHING A PRIVATELY OPERATED INTERMEDIATE SORTING SITE TO HELP WASTE PRODUCERS WHO HAD DIFFICULTY IN ON-SITE WASTE SORTING.
CHARGES WOULD ALSO BE INTRODUCED FOR THE DISPOSAL OF PRIVATELY COLLECTED WASTE AT LANDFILLS AS AN ECONOMIC INCENTIVE FOR WASTE PRODUCERS TO MINIMISE WASTE AND INVEST TN SORTING PROCEDURES.
- - 0-----------
/5........
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 12, 1993
- 5 -
FOOD TESTED TO ENSURE PUBLIC HYGIENE
*****
THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH CONDUCTS A FOOD SURVEILLANCE PROGRAMME AND TAKES FOOD SAMPLES FOR TEST REGULARLY TO ENSURE THAT FOOD SUPPLIED TO THE COMMUNITY IS WHOLESOME, UNADULTERATED, UNCONTAMINATED, PROPERLY LABELLED AND OF NUTRITIOUS QUALITY.
IN THE SECOND QUARTER OF THIS YEAR, THE HYGIENE DIVISION OF THE DEPARTMENT HAS TAKEN 6,774 FOOD SAMPLES FOR CHEMICAL ANALYSIS.
TEST REPORTS REVEALED THAT 6,708 SAMPLES WERE SATISFACTORY WHILE 66 OR 0.97 PER CENT WERE UNSATISFACTORY.
THE RESULTS OF BACTERIOLOGICAL EXAMINATION SHOWED THAT OUT OF THE 2,589 SAMPLES TAKEN, 2,479 WERE SATISFACTORY WHILE 110 OR 4.2 PER CENT WERE UNSATISFACTORY.
MAJORITY OF THE UNSATISFACTORY CASES INCLUDED HIGH BACTERIAL COUNT IN SHELLFISH, FISH FOR EATEN RAW AND MEAT PRODUCTS.
OTHERS ’ WERE MAINLY SEAFOOD CONTAINING HIGHER LEVEL OF HEAVY METAL AND FOOD CONTAINING NON-PERM1TTED FOOD ADDITIVES.
THE UNSATISFACTORY EXAMINATION RESULTS FOR MEAT AND MEAT PRODUCTS WERE ATTRIBUTED MAINLY TO IMPROPER HANDLING AND STORAGE OF THESV FOODS IN RI TAIL OUTLETS.
FOLLOWING SOME REPORTED FOOD POISONING CASES DUE TO CONSUMPTION OF CORAL FISH, SAMPLES WERE TAKEN FOR BIOTOX IN TEST BUT NEGATIVE RESULTS WERE FOUND SO FAR.
THE DIVISION CARRIED OUT 45 PROSECUTIONS AND ISSUED 41 WARNING LETTERS.
ON THE CHECKING OF LABELS FOR PREPACKAGED FOOD, THE DIVISION CHECKED 3,452 LABELS, ISSUED 51 WARNING LETTERS AND EXECUTED SEVEN PROSECUTIONS.
IN THE SAME PERIOD, THE DIVISION INSPECTED 1,690,678 KILOGRAMS OF IMPORTED MEAT AND 2,986,950 KILOGRAMS OF IMPORTED POULTRY IN 1,019 INSPECTIONS.
DURING THE MONTHS, A TOTAL OF 300,195 KILOGRAMS OF FOOD WERE FOUND UNFIT FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION AND DESTROYED.
FIFTY INCIDENTS OF FOOD POISONING WERE REPORTED DURING THE PERIOD WITH 297 PERSONS AFFECTED.
INVESTIGATIONS SHOWED THAT 33 WERE DOMESTIC OUTBREAKS AND 14 WERE FOOD-PREMISES OUTBREAKS.
THE PLACE OF CONSUMPTION OF ANOTHER TWO INCIDENTS WAS UNKNOWN WHILE THE LAST CASE WAS AN IMPORTED ONE.
THE CONTRIBUTING FACTORS WERE PESTICIDE CONTAMINATED VEGETABI.ES, CONTAMINATION OF FOOD BY FOOD-HANDLER, IMPROPER STORAGE AND INADEQUATE COOKING.
/6 ........
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 12, 1993
6
CONSULTATION STARTS ON CONSUMER PROTECTION BILLS
*****
THE GOVERNMENT HAS STARTED ITS CONSULTATION ON THREE BILLS ON CONSUMER PROTECTION AND IT HOPES THAT COMMENTS WILL BE RECEIVED FROM RELEVANT ORGANISATIONS BY EARLY DECEMBER, THE SECRETARY FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY, MR T H CHAU, SAID TODAY (TUESDAY).
HE WAS SPEAKING AT A MEET-THE-MEDIA SESSION TO DETAIL THE PROPOSALS ON CONSUMER PROTECTION IN THE GOVERNOR’S POLICY ADDRESS.
MR CHAU SAID THE GOVERNMENT INTENDED TO INTRODUCE THE BILLS TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL IN THE SECOND QUARTER OF NEXT YEAR.
CONSULTATION PAPERS ON THE SALE OF GOODS (AMENDMENT) BILL, THE SUPPLY OF SERVICES (IMPLIED TERMS) BILL AND THE UNCONSCIONABLE CONTRACTS BILL WERE SENT OUT LAST SATURDAY TO PROFESSIONAL BODIES, TRADE AND INDUSTRIAL ASSOCIATONS AND CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE, IMPORTERS AND EXPORTERS, PUBLIC UTILITIES AND TRANSPORT COMPANIES, FOR COMMENT.
MR CHAU ADDED THAT THE GOVERNMENT HAD ALREADY COMPLETED CONSULTATION ON ANOTHER PIECE OF CONSUMER PROTECTION LEGISLATION, THE CONSUMER GOODS SAFETY BILL, AND WAS NOW FINALISING THE DRAFT FOR INTRODUCTION TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL BY THE END OF THIS YEAR.
"UPON ENACTMENT, THESE BILLS TOGETHER WILL HELP ENHANCE THE PROTECTION OF CONSUMERS BY REDRESSING THE DISPARITY IN ECONOMIC STRENGTH AND RESOURCES BETWEEN THE INDIVIDUAL CONSUMER AND THE BIG SELLER," MR CHAU SAID.
HE EXPLAINED THAT THE OBJECTIVE OF THE CONSUMER GOODS SAFETY BILL WAS TO IMPOSE A DUTY ON SUPPLIERS OF CONSUMER GOODS TO ENSURE THAT THE GOODS THEY SUPPLIED IN HONG KONG WERE SAFE.
"THE SALE OF GOODS (AMENDMENT) BILL SEEKS TO STIPULATE CLEARLY THAT A SELLER OF GOODS HAS THE DUTY TO ENSURE THAT THE GOODS HE SOLD ARE OF MERCHANTABLE QUALITY AND THAT A BUYER HAS THE RIGHT TO REJECT DEFECTIVE GOODS UNLESS HE HAD HAD A REASONABLE OPPORTUNITY TO EXAMINE THE GOODS,” HE SAID.
THE SUPPLY OF SERVICES (IMPLIED TERMS) BILL WOULD REQUIRE A SUPPLIER OF SERVICES TO CARRY OUT HIS SERVICE WITH REASONABLE CARE AND SKILL AND WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME, HE NOTED.
THE FOURTH BILL, THE UNCONSCIONABLE CONTRACTS BILL, SEEKS TO EMPOWER THE COURT TO STRIKE DOWN AND REWRITE UNCONSCIONABLE TERMS IN CONSUMER CONTRACTS FOR SALE OF GOODS AND SUPPLY OF SERVICES, HE SAID.
IN ADDITION TO THESE LEGISLATIVE INITIATIVES, MR CHAU SAID THE GOVERNMENT WAS GOING TO ALLOCATE $10 MILLION TO THE CONSUMER COUNCIL TO ENABLE IT TO ESTABLISH A CONSUMER REPRESENTATIVE ACTION FUND.
IN THIS CONNECTION, $1 MILLION WILL BE GIVEN TO THE COUNCIL TO COMMISSION LEGAL CONSULTANCIES TO DRAW UP THE MODE OF OPERATION OF THE FUND AND TO STUDY OTHER RELATED CONSUMER MATTERS.
FURTHERMORE, THE COUNCIL WOULD BE PROVIDED WITH AN ADDITIONAL $3.5 MILLION FOR IT TO CONTINUE WITH ITS SECTOR-SPECIFIC STUDIES IN COMPETITION, HE ADDED.
- - 0
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 12, 1993
- 7 -
AIR QUALITY REPORT FOR SEPTEMBER
* ♦ * » »
THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT (EPD) TODAY (TUESDAY) RELEASED AIR QUALITY INFORMATION FOR SEPTEMBER.
AN EPD SPOKESMAN SAID THE PURPOSE OF THE ANNOUNCEMENT WAS TO KEEP THE PUBLIC INFORMED OF THE AIR QUALITY LEVELS IN THE TERRITORY AND TO EXPLAIN THE MEASUREMENTS.
THE ANNOUNCEMENT NORMALLY CONTAINS MONITORING RESULTS OBTAINED AT ITS MONG KOK, CENTRAL/WESTERN AND KWAI CHUNG MONITORING STATIONS.
THESE LOCATIONS ARE TYPICAL OF THREE OF THE IMPORTANT LAND USE TYPES FOUND IN THE TERRITORY:
* LOCATIONS CLOSE TO ROAD TRAFFIC IN BUILT-UP URBAN DISTRICTS,
* COMBINED COMMERCIAL AND RESIDENTIAL DISTRICTS, AND
* DISTRICTS CLOSE TO INDUSTRIAL AREAS.
THE REPORTED AIR POLLUTANTS INCLUDE SULPHUR DIOXIDE (SO2), NITROGEN DIOXIDE (NO2), RESPIRABLE SUSPENDED PARTICULATES (RSP) AND TOTAL SUSPENDED PARTICULATES (TSP).
THE GASEOUS POLLUTANTS ARE MONITORED CONTINUOUSLY WHILE PARTICLE SAMPLES ARE COLLECTED FOR 24 HOURS, ONCE EVERY SIX DAYS.
THIS MONTH, THE MEASURED CONCENTRATIONS SHOWED SOME INTERESTING VARIATIONS.
DURING THE FIRST FEW DAYS OF THE MONTH, AIR WAS DRIFTING IN FROM THE NORTH BUT THE WINDSPEEDS WERE LOW. THERE WAS LITTLE RAIN AND PLENTY OF SUNSHINE. THESE CONDITIONS CAUSED POLLUTANT CONCENTRATIONS TO INCREASE AT ALL SITES.
ON SEPTEMBER 1, TSP LEVELS IN MONG KOK WERE ABOUT 80 PER CENT OF THE 260 UG/M3 24-HOUR AIR QUALITY OBJECTIVE.
ON SEPTEMBER 3 AND 4, THE 24-HOUR NO2 LEVELS AT THE STREET-LEVEL SITE IN MONG KOK HAD EXCEEDED THE 24-HOUR AQO OF 150 UG/M3.
THE AIR QUALITY OBJECTIVES ALLOW ONE EXCEEDANCE OF THE 24-HOUR LIMIT PER YEAR, THERE HAVE BEEN FOUR THIS YEAR INCLUDING THE TWO REPORTED HERE.
FROM A ROOFTOP MEASUREMENT SITE IN CENTRAL/WESTERN, NO2 LEVELS ALMOST REACHED THE 24-HOUR AQO VALUE ON SEPTEMBER 3.
THERE WAS ALSO A PEAK IN POLLUTANT CONCENTRATIONS BETWEEN SEPTEMBER 11 AND 15, AGAIN MOSTLY THE RESULT OF LOW WINDSPEEDS ALLOWING LOCALLY EMITTED POLLUTANTS TO ACCUMULATE.
/IN MONG .......
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 12, 1993
- 8 -
IN MONG KOK, TSP CONCENTRATION ALMOST REACHED THE 24-HOUR LIMIT ON SEPTEMBER 13 AND NO2 LEVELS ALMOST REACHED THE 24-HOUR AQO LIMIT ON SEPTEMBER 14.
LOW WINDSPEEDS ON SEPTEMBER 28 AND 29 ALSO ALLOWED POLLUTANT CONCENTRATIONS TO RISE. LEVELS IN MONG KOK WERE CLOSE TO THE 24-HOUR LIMIT ON SEPTEMBER 28.
SEPTEMBER SAW THE PASSAGE OF TWO TYPHOONS; "BECKY" ON SEPTEMBER 17 AND "DOT" BETWEEN SEPTEMBER 24 AND 26.
ON SEPTEMBER 17, POLLUTANT CONCENTRATIONS DIPPED AT ALL SITES AS BECKY’ BROUGHT IN CLEANER AIR AND THE RAIN WASHED OUT SOME OF THE POLLUTANTS. THE EFFECT WAS SIMILAR DURING THE PASSAGE OF 'DOT' BUT NOT SO MARKED.
THE REASON FOR THIS WITH REGARDS TO NO2 CONCENTRATIONS IS THOUGHT TO BE BECAUSE THERE WAS STILL SIGNIFICANT TRAFFIC DURING MUCH OF THE STORM PASSAGE.
FINALLY, IN MONG KOK, SO2 CONCENTRATIONS FOR THE MONTH WERE ABOUT HALF THE LEVELS DURING THE SAME MONTH LAST YEAR.
THE FOUR POLLUTANTS DISCUSSED HAVE DIFFERENT ORIGINS. SO2 MOSTLY ORIGINATES FROM THE COMBUSTION OF SULPHUR CONTAINING FOSSIL FUELS.
NO2 IS FORMED EITHER DIRECTLY DURING COMBUSTION OR, BY THE ATMOSPHERIC OXIDATION OF NITRIC OXIDE (NO) WHICH IS ALSO PRODUCED DURING COMBUSTION.
VEHICLE EXHAUST IS A MAJOR SOURCE OF NO AND NO2. VEHICLE EXHAUST IS ALSO A MAJOR SOURCE OF AIRBORNE PARTICLES. OTHER SOURCES INCLUDE INDUSTRY, FURNACES AND BOILERS, CONSTRUCTION ACTIVITIES, THE SEA AND SOIL DUST.
EPD CURRENTLY MONITORS AIR QUALITY CONTINUOUSLY AT EIGHT STATIONS, INCLUDING THE THREE MENTIONED ABOVE. SHORT-TERM MEASUREMENT CAMPAIGNS ARE ALSO UNDERTAKEN AS AND WHERE THE NEED ARISES.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
FURTHER ENQUIRY CAN BE DIRECTED TO PRINCIPAL ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION OFFICER, MR RAYMOND LEUNG ON TEL 594 6401.
- - 0-----------
/9 ........
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 12, 1993
- 9 -
HK’S EXTERNAL TRADE STATISTICS FOR AUGUST
« * t » *
THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT TODAY (TUESDAY) RELEASED DETAILED STATISTICS ON EXTERNAL TRADE WITH BREAKDOWN BY COUNTRY/TERRITORY AND COMMODITY FOR AUGUST1993.
THE VALUE OF RE-EXPORTS IN AUGUST 1993, AT $72,903 MILLION, SHOWED AN INCREASE OF 20% OVER AUGUST 1992, WHEREAS THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS AT $ 19,627MILLION DECREASED BY 5.8%.
OVER THE SAME PERIOD, INCREASES WERE RECORDED IN THE VALUE OF RE-EXPORTS TO MOST OF THE MAJOR DESTINATIONS : CHINA (+35%), SINGAPORE (+28%), CANADA (+27%), GERMANY (+23%),\THE UNITED STATES (+22%), THE REPUBLIC OF KOREA (+19%), FRANCE (+17%),\THE UNITED KINGDOM (+16%) AND JAPAN (+11%). \
HOWEVER, THE VALUE OF RE-EXPORTS TO TAIWAN DECREASED BY 17%.
THE CHANGES IN THE VALUE OF HONG KONG’S RE-EXPORTS TO THE 10 MAJOR DESTINATIONS ARE SHOWN IN TABLE 1.
THE VALUE OF RE-EXPORTS IN THE FIRST EIGHT MONTHS OF 1993 WAS $525,195 MILLION, BEING 22% HIGHER THAN THAT IN THE SAME PERIOD IN 1992.
COMPARING THE FIRST EIGHT MONTHS OF 1993 WITH THE SAME PERIOD IN 1992, INCREASES WERE RECORDED IN THE VALUE OF RE-EXPORTS TO MOST OF THE MAJOR DESTINATIONS : CHINA (+36%), SINGAPORE (+27%), GERMANY (+23%), THE UNITED STATES (+23%), THE UNITED KINGDOM (+22%), FRANCE (+20%), JAPAN (+16%), CANADA (+15%) AND THE REPUBLIC OF KOREA (+9.0%).
HOWEVER, THE VALUE OF RE-EXPORTS TO TAIWAN DECREASED BY 17%.
TABLE 2 SHOWS THE CHANGES IN THE VALUE OF RE-EXPORTS OF THE 10 MAJOR COMMODITY DIVISIONS.
COMPARING THE FIRST EIGHT MONTHS OF 1993 WITH THE SAME PERIOD IN 1992, INCREASES WERE RECORDED IN THE VALUE OF RE-EXPORTS OF ALL MAJOR COMMODITY DIVISIONS.
MORE NOTABLE INCREASES WERE REGISTERED FOR ROAD VEHICLES (BY $13,624 MILLION OR 149%); TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND SOUND RECORDING AND REPRODUCING APPARATUS AND EQUIPMENT (BY $10,531 MILLION OR 32%); ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES, AND ELECTRICAL PARTS THEREOF (BY $10,111 MILLION OR 31%); FOOTWEAR (BY $8,911 MILLION OR 40%); MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES CONSISTING OF MAINLY BABY CARRIAGES, TOYS, GAMES AND SPORTING GOODS (BY $8,806 MILLION OR 15%); CLOTHING (BY $7,234 MILLION OR 15%); AND TEXTILES (BY $1,553 MILLION OR 3.5%).
THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS IN AUGUST 1993, AT $19,627 MILLION, FELL BY 5.8% OVER AUGUST 1992.
/DECREASES WERE .......
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 12, 1993
10
DECREASES WERE RECORDED TN THE VALUE OE DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO JAPAN (-17%), THE UNITED KINGDOM (-12%), GERMANY (-12%), THE UNITED STATES (-7.5%), CANADA (-5.9%), FRANCE (-4.8%) AND TAIWAN (-0.7%). BUT INCREASES OF 3.1%, 2.7% AND 1.6% IN VALUE WERE RECORDED FOR THOSE TO THE NETHERLANDS, SINGAPORE AND CHINA RESPECTIVELY.
THE CHANGES IN THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO THE 10 MAJOR DESTINATIONS ARE SHOWN IN TABLE 3.
COMPARING THE FIRST EIGHT MONTHS OF 1993 WITH THE SAME PERIOD
IN 1992, THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO SINGAPORE AND CHINA INCREASED BY 12% AND 6.6% RESPECTIVELY.
HOWEVER, DECREASES WERE RECORDED IN THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO OTHER MAJOR DESTINATIONS : THE UNITED KINGDOM (-14%), JAPAN (-12%), FRANCE (-11%), THE UNITED STATES (-8.2%), CANADA (-7.8%), TAIWAN (-7.0%), GERMANY (-6.4%) AND THE NETHERLANDS (-5.5%).
FOR ALL DESTINATIONS TAKEN TOGETHER, THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS IN THE FIRST EIGHT MONTHS OF 1993, AT $144,178 MILLION, DECREASED BY 3.3% OVER THE SAME PERIOD IN 1992.
TABLE 4 SHOWS THE CHANGES IN THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS OF THE 10 MAJOR COMMODITY DIVISIONS.
COMPARING THE FIRST EIGHT MONTHS OF 1993 WITH THE SAME PERIOD IN 1992, INCREASES IN THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS WERE REGISTERED FOR ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES, AND ELECTRICAL PARTS THEREOF (BY $1,954 MILLION OR 15%); TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND SOUND RECORDING AND REPRODUCING APPARATUS AND EQUIPMENT (BY $836 MILLION OR 10%); AND MACHINERY SPECIALIZED FOR PARTICULAR INDUSTRIES (BY $320 MILLION OR 15%).
OVER THE SAME PERIOD, DECREASES IN THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS WERE RECORDED FOR CLOTHING (BY $3,064 MILLION OR 6.4%); OFFICE MACHINES AND AUTOMATIC DATA PROCESSING MACHINES (BY $1,745 MILLION OR 13%); PHOTOGRAPHIC APPARATUS, EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES, OPTICAL GOODS, WATCHES AND CLOCKS (BY $1,676 MILLION OR 14%); AND MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES CONSISTING OF MAINLY JEWELLERY, GOLDSMITHS’ AND SILVERSMITHS’ WARES (BY $1,409 MILLION OR 9.7%).
THE VALUE OF IMPORTS IN AUGUST 1993 WAS $93,034 MILLION, INCREASING BY 17% OVER THAT IN AUGUST 1992.
THE CHANGES IN THE VALUE OF IMPORTS FROM THE 10 MAJOR SUPPLIERS ARE SHOWN IN TABLE 5.
COMPARING AUGUST 1993 WITH AUGUST 1992, INCREASES WERE RECORDED IN THE VALUE OF IMPORTS FROM ALL THE MAJOR SUPPLIERS : SINGAPORE (+38%), MALAYSIA (+31%), THE REPUBLIC OF KOREA (+22%), THE UNITED KINGDOM (+22%), ITALY (+20%), CHINA (.+18%), THE UNITED STATES (+18%), GERMANY (+14%), TAIWAN (+12%) AND JAPAN (+11%).
COMPARING THE FIRST EIGHT MONTHS OF 1993 WITH THE SAME PERIOD IN 1992, THE VALUE OF IMPORTS FROM ALL THE MAJOR SUPPLIERS INCREASED : MALAYSIA (+26%), SINGAPORE (+22%), GERMANY (+21%), ITALY (+20%), THE UNITED STATES (+20%), JAPAN (+15%), CHINA (+14%), TAIWAN (+11%), THE REPUBLIC OF KOREA (+10%) AND THE UNITED KINGDOM (+10%).
/THE VALUE .......
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 12, 1993
THE VALUE OF IMPORTS IN THE FIRST EIGHT MONTHS OF 1993 WAS $698,451 MILLION, AN INCREASE OF 15% OVER THE SAME PERIOD IN 1992.
TABLE 6 SHOWS THE CHANGES IN THE VALUE OF IMPORTS OF THE 10 MAJOR COMMODITY DIVISIONS.
COMPARING THE FIRST EIGHT MONTHS OF 1993 WITH THE SAME PERIOD IN 1992, INCREASES WERE RECORDED IN THE VALUE OF IMPORTS OF MOST MAJOR COMMODITY DIVISIONS.
MORE NOTABLE INCREASES WERE REGISTERED FOR ROAD VEHICLES (BY $20,260 MILLION OR 112%); ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES, AND ELECTRICAL PARTS THEREOF (BY $13,998 MILLION OR 24%); TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND SOUND RECORDING AND REPRODUCING APPARATUS AND EQUIPMENT (BY $10,737 MILLION OR 23%); FOOTWEAR (BY $7,608 MILLION OR 38%); CLOTHING (BY $6,458 MILLION OR 13%); AND MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES CONSISTING OF MAINLY BABY CARRIAGES, TOYS, GAMES AND SPORTING GOODS (BY $6,334 MILLION OR 14%).
OVER THE SAME PERIOD, A DECREASE IN THE VALUE OF IMPORTS WAS RECORDED FOR TEXTILES (BY $1,862 MILLION OR 2.8%).
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 VOLUME AND PRICE MOVEMENTS OF EXTERNAL TRADE FOR AUGUST 1993 WILL BE RELEASED IN EARLY NOVEMBER.
DETAILED TRADE STATISTICS ANALYSED BY COMMODITY AND BY COUNTRY/TERRITORY ARE PUBLISHED IN TRADE STATISTICS REPORTS.
THE AUGUST 1993 ISSUE OF THE "HONG KONG EXTERNAL TRADE" WITH DETAILED ANALYSES ON THE PERFORMANCE OF HONG KONG’S EXTERNAL TRADE IN AUGUST 1993 WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR SALE AT $68.50 A COPY AROUND 18 OCTOBER 1993.
THE REPORT CAN BE PURCHASED AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS 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, 12 HARBOUR ROAD, WAN CHAI.
ENQUIRIES REGARDING REGULAR SUBSCRIPTION TO THIS REPORT MAY BE DIRECTED TO THE INFORMATION SERVICES DEPARTMENT AT FRENCH MISSION BUILDING, 1 BATTERY PATH, HONG KONG (TEL NO. 842 8802) AND ENQUIRIES ON TRADE STATISTICS TO THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT (TEL NO. 582 4915).
/TABLE 1 : .......
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 12, 1993
12
TABLE 1 : RE-EXPORTS TO THE 10 MAJOR DESTINATIONS
DESTINATION AUG 1993 (HKD MN.) AUG 93 OVER AUG 92 (% CHANGE) JAN-AUG 1993 (HKD MN.) JAN-AUG 93 OVER JAN-AUG 92 (% CHANGE)
CHINA 23,226 + 35.2 178,201 + 36.2
UNITED STATES 17,990 + 21.8 113,782 + 22.9
JAPAN 3,903 + 10.8 26,623 + 16.0
GERMANY 3,431 + 23.1 25,394 + 23.4
UNITED KINGDOM 2,336 + 15.8 14,920 + 22.3
TAIWAN 1,737 - 17.2 14,452 - 17.2
SINGAPORE 1,332 + 27.5 10,981 + 26.6
REPUBLIC OF KOREA 1,221 + 18.8 9,824 + 9.0
FRANCE 1,111 + 16.7 8,554 + 20.0
CANADA 1,266 + 26.7 8,333 + 15.5
TABLE 2 : RE-EXPORTS OF THE 10 MAJOR COMMODITY DIVISIONS
COMMODITY DIVISION AUG 1993 (HKD MN.) AUG 93 OVER AUG 92 (% CHANGE) JAN-AUG 1993 (HKD MN.) JAN-AUG 93 OVER JAN-AUG 92 (% CHANGE)
MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES (MAINLY BABY CARRIAGES, TOYS, GAMES AND SPORTING GOODS) 11,346 + 16.6 67,885 + 14.9
ARTICLES OF APPAREL AND CLOTHING ACCESSORIES 8,662 + 12.1 56,598 + 14.7
/TEXTILE YARN.........
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 12, 1993
- 13 -
TEXTILE YARN, FABRICS, MADE-UP ARTICLES AND RELATED PRODUCTS 5,713 + 3.3 45,552 + 3.5
TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND SOUND RECORDING AND REPRODUCING APPARATUS AND EQUIPMENT 6,189 + 29.6 43,571 + 31.9
ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES, AND ELECTRICAL PARTS THEREOF 6,037 + 29.8 42,893 + 30.8
FOOTWEAR 4,537 + 31.5 31,344 + 39.7
PHOTOGRAPHIC APPARATUS, EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES, OPTICAL GOODS, WATCHES AND CLOCKS 3,112 + 30.0 22,987 + 22.0
ROAD VEHICLES 2,859 + 87.9 22,767 +149.0
OFFICE MACHINES AND AUTOMATIC DATA PROCESSING MACHINES 2,352 + 31.0 17,673 + 33.1
TRAVEL GOODS, HANDBAGS AND SIMILAR CONTAINERS 2,447 + 19.6 17,565 + 11.9
TABLE 3 : DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO THE 10 MAJOR DESTINATIONS
DESTINATION AUG 1993 (HKD MN.) AUG 93 OVER AUG 92 (% CHANGE) JAN-AUG 1993 (HKD MN.) JAN-AUG 93 OVER JAN-AUG 92 (% CHANGE)
CHINA 5,444 + 1.6 41,997 + 6.6
UNITED STATES 5,540 - 7.5 36,847 - 8.2
GERMANY 1,292 - 11.9 9,322 - 6.4
SINGAPORE 940 + 2.7 7,337 + 12.2
UNITED KINGDOM 1,052 - 12.1 6,942 - 14.2
/JAPAN .......
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 12, 1993
14
JAPAN 824 - 17.4 6,451 -11.7
TAIWAN 507 - 0.7 3,839 - 7.0
CANADA 460 - 5.9 3,115 - 7.8
NETHERLANDS 397 + 3.1 3,036 - 5.5
FRANCE 262 - 4.8 1,841 - 11.2
TABLE 4 : DOMESTIC EXPORTS OF THE 10 MAJOR COMMODITY DIVISIONS
COMMODITY DIVISION AUG 1993 (HKD MN.) AUG 93 OVER AUG 92 (% CHANGE) JAN-AUG 1993 (HKD MN.) JAN-AUG 93 OVER JAN-AUG 92 (% CHANGE)
ARTICLES OF APPAREL AND CLOTHING ACCESSORIES 7,200 — 5.0 44,682 — 6.4
ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES, AND ELECTRICAL PARTS THEREOF 1,862 + 3.4 14,631 + 15.4
MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES (MAINLY JEWELLERY, GOLDSMITHS’ AND SILVERSMITHS’WARES) 1,806 3.2 13,090 9.7
OFFICE MACHINES AND AUTOMATIC DATA PROCESSING MACHINES 1,231 — 26.9 11,230 - 13.5
TEXTILE YARN, FABRICS, MADE-UP ARTICLES AND RELATED PRODUCTS 1,246 — 11.7 10,841 - 4.1
PHOTOGRAPHIC APPARATUS, EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES, OPTICAL GOODS, WATCHES AND CLOCKS 1,306 — 17.1 10,459 * 13.8
TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND SOUND RECORDING AND REPRODUCING APPARATUS AND EQUIPMENT 1,123 + 7.6 9,087 + 10.1
/MANUFACTURES OF .......
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 12, 1993
15
MANUFACTURES OF METALS 395 - 1.9 3,046 - 4.8
MACHINERY SPECIALIZED FOR PARTICULAR INDUSTRIES 304 + 13.2 2,413 + 15.3
PLASTICS IN PRIMARY FORMS 277 - 0.5 2,331 + 1.2
TABLE 5 : IMPORTS FROM THE 10 MAJOR SUPPLIERS
SUPPLIER AUG 1993 (HKD MN.) AUG 93 OVER AUG 92 (% CHANGE) JAN-AUG 1993 (HKD MN.) JAN-AUG 93 OVER JAN-AUG 92 (% CHANGE)
CHINA 36,971 + 18.2 255,094 + 13.6
JAPAN 14,481 + 11.5 119,620 + 15.1
TAIWAN 8,010 + 12.1 61,651 + 10.5
UNITED STATES 7,441 + 17.9 53,077 + 20.0
REPUBLIC OF KOREA 3,987 + 22.4 32,183 + 10.5
SINGAPORE 3,955 + 38.4 30,289 + 22.0
GERMANY 2,022 + 14.4 16,694 + 21.3
UNITED KINGDOM 1,889 + 22.2 13,812 + 10.2
ITALY 1,780 + 20.2 11,419 + 20.2
MALAYSIA 1,366 + 30.8 10,323 + 26.0
/TABLE 6 : .......
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 12, 1933
- 16 -
TABLE 6 : IMPORTS OF THE 10 MAJOR COMMODITY DIVISIONS
COMMODITY DIVISION AUG 1993 (HKD MN.) AUG 93 OVER AUG 92 (% CHANGE) JAN-AUG 1993 (HKD MN.) JAN-AUG 93 OVER JAN-AUG 92 (% CHANGE'
ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES, AND ELECTRICAL PARTS THEREOF 10,124 + 29.6 73,440 + 23.5
TEXTILE YARN, FABRICS, MADE-UP ARTICLES AND RELATED PRODUCTS 7,767 - 0.8 65,547 - 2.8
TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND SOUND RECORDING AND REPRODUCING APPARATUS AND EQUIPMENT 8,834 + 44.1 57,131 + 23.1
ARTICLES OF APPAREL AND CLOTHING ACCESSORIES 8,437 + 7.9 56,631 + 12.9
MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES (MAINLY BABY CARRIAGES, TOYS, GAMES AND SPORTING GOODS) 7,850 + 20.8 51,470 + 14.0
ROAD VEHICLES 4,111 + 53.6 38,378 4-111.8
PHOTOGRAPHIC APPARATUS, EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES, OPTICAL GOODS, WATCHES AND CLOCKS 3,853 + 7.9 31,196 + 6.1
FOOTWEAR 4,111 + 43.1 27,510 + 38.2
OFFICE MACHINES AND AUTOMATIC DATA PROCESSING MACHINES 2,868 + 5.6 23,024 + 5.8
GENERAL INDUSTRIAL MACHINERY AND EQUIPMENT, AND MACHINE PARTS 2,461 + 2.6 22,759 + 18.6
--------0------------
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 12, 1993
- 17 -
ADEQUATE FIRE PROVISION IMPORTANT TO NEW TOWN DEVELOPMENT *****
ADEQUATE FIRE AND EMERGENCY PROVISION IS CRUCIAL TO ANY NEW TOWN DEVELOPMENT, THE DIRECTOR OF FIRE SERVICES, MR LAM CHEK-YUEN, SAID TODAY (TUESDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF MA ON SHAN FIRE STATION, AMBULANCE DEPOT AND AMBULANCE TRAINING SCHOOL, MR LAM POINTED OUT THAT THE BUSTLING TOWNSHIP OF MA ON SHAN, WITH A POPULATION OF 120,000 HAD AN AVERAGE OF 50 FIRE CALLS AND 955 AMBULANCE CALLS EACH MONTH.
4', “THE NEW FIRE STATION AND AMBULANCE DEPOT WILL GREATLY ENHANCE OUR ABILITY TO PROTECT THE LIVES AND PROPERTY OF THE LOCAL RESIDENTS,” HE SAID.
■? K.
HE ADDED THAT FOUR FIRE APPLIANCES AND EIGHT AMBULANCES COULD QUICKLY BE DESPATCHED TO ATTEND FIRES AND EMERGENCY CALLS IN THE AREA.
TURNING TO THE AMBULANCE TRAINING SCHOOL, HE SAID THE LONG-AWAITED INSTITUTION PROVIDED AN ’’EXCELLENT ENVIRONMENT” FOR TRAINEES TO LEARN THE NECESSARY SKILLS AND PROFESSIONAL KNOWLEDGE TO BECOME FIRST-CLASS AMBULANCE PERSONNEL.
THE SCHOOL, BUILT AT A COST OF $48.6 MILLION, OCCUPIES THE TOP FOUR FLOORS OF A SIX-STOREY BUILDING.
IT HAS FIVE CLASSROOMS, FOUR SYNDICATE ROOMS, A LIBRARY, A GYMNASIUM, BARRACKS AND A 102-SEAT LECTURE HALL.
SEVENTEEN AMBULANCE PERSONNEL WHO HAD COMPLETED THEIR PARAMEDIC TRAINING IN THE SCHOOL WERE DEPLOYED TO MAN THREE PARAMEDIC AMBULANCES ON A TRIAL BASIS.
ANOTHER 24 WILL RECEIVE SUCH TRAINING AT THE END OF THIS MONTH AND THAT THE EVENTUAL AIM IS TO TRAIN ENOUGH STAFF TO MAN 33 PARAMEDIC AMBULANCES, MR LAM SAID.
HE THANKED ALL THOSE WHO HAD CONTRIBUTED TO THE PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT OF THE PROJECTS FOR BRINGING THEM TO FRUITION IN THE 125TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE HONG KONG FIRE SERVICES.
------0--------
GOOD STANDARDS OF ENGLISH NEEDED *****
HONG KONG NEEDS GOOD STANDARDS OF ENGLISH IN ORDER TO MEET THE DEMANDS OF THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY AND TO MAINTAIN ITS POSITION AS A LEADING BUSINESS CENTRE IN ASIA, THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, MR DOMINIC S W WONG SAID TODAY (TUESDAY).
IN THIS RESPECT, MR WONG SAID, THE BRITISH COUNCIL HAS BEEN WORKING CLOSELY WITH THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT TO IMPROVE THE STANDARD OF ENGLISH LANGUAGE TEACHING IN HONG KONG.
/UNDER THE .......
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 12, 1993
- 18 -
UNDER THE UNITED KINGDOM IMMERSION PROGRAMME, 62 TEACHER TRAINEES FROM THE FOUR COLLEGES OF EDUCATION THIS SUMMER ATTENDED A SIX-WEEK LANGUAGE IMMERSION COURSE.
NINETEEN LECTURERS FROM THE COLLEGES OF EDUCATION ATTENDED A FOUR-WEEK DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME OR A THREE-WEEK INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY IN EDUCATION PROGRAMME IN THE UNITED KINGDOM.
A WELCOME BACK RECEPTION WAS HELD FOR THE PARTICIPANTS, HOSTED BY THE BRITISH COUNCIL AND ATTENDED ALSO BY THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS WITH SPECIAL RESPONSIBILITY FOR HONG KONG, MR ALASTAIR GOODLAD.
ON THE PROGRAMME, MR WONG SAID: "I AM SURE THAT OUR STUDENTS WILL, IN DUE COURSE, BENEFIT FROM THE IMPROVED QUALITY OF ENGLISH LANGUAGE TEACHING.
"WE ALL KNOW THAT HONG KONG IS AN IMPORTANT COMMERCIAL, INDUSTRIAL AND FINANCIAL CENTRE IN THE WORLD. WE MUST BRING UP OUR YOUNG PEOPLE TO BE COMPETENT IN BOTH CHINESE AND ENGLISH."
CHINESE LANGUAGE SKILLS WERE AN OBVIOUS REQUIREMENT OWING TO THE CHANGING POLITICAL CIRCUMSTANCES AND THE GROWING INTERDEPENDENCE WITH CHINESE ECONOMY, MR WONG SAID.
ENGLISH LANGUAGE TOO, FOR THE REASON THAT IT IS A GLOBAL LANGUAGE OF BUSINESS AND SCIENCE, AND WILL REMAIN SO AFTER 1997, HE ADDED.
--------0 - -
AUCTION OF LUCKY CAR MARKS
*****
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT WILL HOLD ANOTHER AUCTION OF LUCKY VEHICLE REGISTRATION MARKS ON SATURDAY (OCTOBER 16) AT 9.30 AM AT THE LECTURE HALL, SHEUNG WAN CIVIC CENTRE, FIFTH FLOOR, URBAN COUNCIL SHEUNG WAN COMPLEX AT 345 QUEEN’S ROAD CENTRAL, HONG KONG.
A TOTAL OF 50 LUCKY VEHICLE REGISTRATION MARKS WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR BIDDING. THEY ARE:
FK9968 FK218
FL127 CL211
♦FJ6886 ♦ 3188
AV8001 FK1622
FK109 AB748
FL3332 FK338
FJ1128 FJ9663
♦ FK11 ♦ EE17
FJ1618 FK2282
FL203 FL135
XX3375 FK3129
AF1963 FK7770
FL702 FK5386
FH833 FK663
FJ3318 AU3332
♦ FP9 ♦ FH1
AS165 FK630
FK911 AH3222
FJ9969 FL1386
FK2202 FK365
♦DL888 ♦FN777
FK6863 BW962
FJ7239 FK1132
♦ CM21 FK524
HK5857 ♦FS500
» SPECIAL VEHICLE REGISTRATION MARK (NOT TRANSFERABLE)
/SUCCESSFUL BIDDERS .......
lUtb^UAI , LL, £730
SUCCESSFUL BIDDERS MUST PAY BY CHEQUE IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE BIDDING.
A TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN REMINDED BIDDERS THAT THE VEHICLE REGISTRATION MARK WOULD BE ASSIGNED ONLY TO A VEHICLE REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF THE SUCCESSFUL BIDDER WITHIN 12 MONTHS OF THE AUCTION.
THE CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION MUST BE PRODUCED IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE AUCTION IF THE VEHICLE REGISTRATION MARK IS TO BE REGISTERED UNDER THE NAME OF BODY CORPORATE.
PROCEEDS OF THE AUCTION, AFTER DEDUCTION OF EXPENSES INCURRED, WILL AS USUAL GO TO THE GOVERNMENT LOTTERIES FUND.
THE COMING AUCTION WILL BE THE 204TH ORGANISED BY THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT SINCE MAY 1973.
- - 0 - -
ORDERLY REPATRIATION PROGRAMME
*****
FIFTY-FIVE VIETNAMESE MIGRANTS RETURNED TO VIETNAM TODAY (TUESDAY) ON THE 14TH FLIGHT UNDER THE ORDERLY REPATRIATION PROGRAMME, BRINGING THE TOTAL NUMBER OF RETURNEES ON THESE FLIGHTS TO 735.
THE GROUP COMRPISES 26 MEN, 15 WOMEN, 10 BOYS AND 4 GIRLS FROM THE HIGH ISLAND, NEI KWU CHAU AND CHI MA WAN (UPPER) DETENTION CENTRES.
MOST OF THE 55 RETURNEES ARRIVED IN HONG KONG IN 1988 AND 1989, AND HAVE ALL BEEN SCREENED OUT AS NON-REFUGEES.
- - 0 - -
RATES FOR LAST QUARTER OF THE YEAR *****
RATEPAYERS ARE REMINDED THAT RATES FOR THE FOURTH QUARTER ARE DUE AND PAYABLE ON OR BEFORE OCTOBER 30.
PAYMENT MAY BE MADE BY POST ADDRESSED TO THE DIRECTOR OF ACCOUNTING SERVICES, P O BOX 8000, G P O, HONG KONG OR IN PERSON AT ANY OF THE FOLLOWING OFFICES:
* THE TREASURY HEADQUARTERS COLLECTION AND PAYMENT OFFICE, IMMIGRATION TOWER, FIRST FLOOR, 7 GLOUCESTER ROAD, WAN CHAI, HONG KONG;
* THE CENTRAL SUB-TREASURY, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES (WEST WING), SECOND FLOOR, 11 ICE HOUSE STREET, HONG KONG;
/* THE NORTH
20
» THE NORTH POINT SUB-TREASURY, MAX SHARE CENTRE, FIRST FLOOR, 373 KING’S ROAD, HONG KONG;
* THE SAI WAN HO SUB-TREASURY, EASTERN LAW COURTS BUILDING, GROUND FLOOR, 29 TAI ON STREET, SAI WAN HO, HONG KONG;
» THE YAU MA TEI SUB-TREASURY, KOWLOON GOVERNMENT OFFICES, FOURTH FLOOR, 405 NATHAN ROAD, KOWLOON;
» THE KOWLOON CITY SUB-TREASURY, MAN SANG COMMERCIAL BUILDING, FIRST FLOOR, 348-352 PRINCE EDWARD ROAD, KOWLOON;
* THE DISTRICT OFFICE AT SAI KUNG, SHA TIN, TAI PO, NORTH, YUEN LONG, TUEN MUN, TSUEN WAN OR KWAI TSING.
DEMAND NOTES FOR THE FOURTH QUARTER 1993 HAVE BEEN ISSUED.
RATEPAYERS WHO HAVE NOT RECEIVED THEIR DEMAND NOTES SHOULD BRING ALONG RATES DEMAND NOTES FOR ANY PREVIOUS QUARTER TO ANY OF THE TREASURY COLLECTION OFFICES LISTED ABOVE, AND DUPLICATE RATES DEMAND NOTES WILL BE ISSUED TO THEM.
PAYMENT CAN THEN BE MADE AT ANY OF THESE OFFICES. IF THE RATEPAYERS CANNOT PRODUCE RATES DEMAND NOTES FOR ANY PREVIOUS QUARTER, THEY SHOULD INQUIRE AT THE TREASURY RATES SECTION, IMMIGRATION TOWER, 30TH FLOOR, 7 GLOUCESTER ROAD, HONG KONG.
NON-RECEIPT OF THE DEMAND NOTE DOES NOT ALTER THE REQUIREMENT THAT THE RATES MUST BE PAID BY NOON ON OCTOBER 30, UNLESS SO PAID, RATEPAYERS MAY BE SUBJECT TO A SURCHARGE OF 5 PER CENT. A FURTHER SURCHARGE OF 10 PER CENT MAY BE LEVIED ON THE OUTSTANDING AMOUNT (INCLUDING THE 5 PER CENT SURCHARGE) WHICH REMAIN UNPAID SIX MONTHS AFTER THE DUE DATE.
RATEPAYERS WHO HAVE SUBMITTED A VALID DIRECT DEBIT AUTHORISATION SHOULD NOTE THAT PAYMENT SHOULD STILL BE MADE BY POST OR IN PERSON AS STIPULATED IN THE DEMAND NOTE UNLESS THE WORDING 'PAYMENT TO BE MADE BY AUTOPAY’ IS SHOWN IN THE DEMAND NOTE.
IN THAT CASE THEIR PAYMENT OF RATES WILL BE MADE BY DIRECT DEBIT TO THEIR BANK ACCOUNTS ON OCTOBER 30. RATEPAYERS SHOULD ENSURE THAT THEIR BANK ACCOUNTS CONTAIN THE NECESSARY FUNDS ON THAT DATE.
RATES ARE PAYABLE ON VACANT PROPERTIES BUT ARE REFUNDABLE. HOWEVER, NO REFUNDS WILL BE MADE IN THE CASE OF A VACANT TENEMENT LAST USED OR INTENDED TO BE USED WHOLLY OR PRIMARILY FOR DOMESTIC PURPOSE OR FOR THE PARKING OF VEHICLES (UNLESS VACANT BY REASON OF AN ORDER OF THE GOVERNMENT).
TO AVOID THE POSSIBLE INCONVENIENCE OF QUEUEING, RATEPAYERS ARE URGED TO SETTLE PAYMENT BY POST USING CHEQUES OR CASHIER ORDERS, OR CALL AT THE OFFICES EARLY.
HOWEVER, THE MOST CONVENIENT METHOD FOR PAYMENT OF RATES IS AUTOPAY.
APPLICATIONS FOR AUTOPAY ARE OBTAINABLE FROM TREASURY COLLECTION OFFICES, DISTRICT OFFICES AND ALL MAJOR BANKS IN HONG KONG OR BY TELEPHONING 829 5019.
--------0-----------
/21 .......
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 12, 1993
21 -
HONG KONG
TENDER DATE
PAPER ON OFFER
ISSUE NUMBER
AMOUNT APPLIED
AMOUNT ALLOTTED
AVERAGE YIELD ACCEPTED
HIGHEST YIELD ACCEPTED
PRO RATA RATIO
AVERAGE TENDER YIELD
GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE TENDER RESULTS *****
12 OCTOBER 93
EF BILLS
Q341
HKD2,690 MN
HKD1.000 MN
2.69 PCT
2.71 PCT
ABOUT 33 PCT
2.72 PCT
HONG KONG
TENDERS TO BE HELD IN THE
GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND
WEEK BEGINNING 18 OCTOBER
FUND
12 OCTOBER 93 EF BILLS
H375 HKD1,78O MN HKD400 MN 2.84 PCT 2.85 PCT ABOUT 100 PCT 2.88 PCT
1993 -
TENDER DATE
PAPER ON OFFER
ISSUE NUMBER
ISSUE DATE
MATURITY DATE
TENOR
AMOUNT ON OFFER
19 OCTOBER 93
EF BILLS
Q342
20 OCTOBER 93
19 JANUARY 94
91 DAYS
HKDl,000 + 200 MN
------0------------
/22........
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 12, 1993
- 22
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS
♦ * * ♦ * $ MILLION
OPENING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT REVERSAL OF LAF BALANCE AFTER REVERSAL OF LAF NET INJECTION/WITHDRAWAL TODAY EFFECT OF LAF TODAY CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT 1,260 ’ +740 2,000 NIL + 435 2,435
LAF RATE 2.00 BID/4. HONG 00 OFFER TWI 112.2 KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE *+0.0t 12.10.93 FUND
EF BILLS EF NOTES/HONG KONG GOVERNMENT BONDS
TERMS YIELD TERM ISSUE COUPON PRICE YIELD
1 WEEK 2.44 PCT 13 MONTHS 2411 4.625 101.58 3.17
1 MONTH 2.52 PCT 16 MONTHS 2502 4.75 101.86 3.35
3 MONTHS 2.66 PCT 19 MONTHS 2505 3.75 100.26 3.61
6 MONTHS 2.81 PCT 22 MONTHS 12 MONTHS 3.10 PCT TOTAL TURNOVER OF BILLS AND BONDS 2508 - 8,597 MN 4.625 101.66 3.72
CLOSED OCTOBER 12, 1993
- - 0 - -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 13, 1993
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
OPEN, HONEST AND FREE TRADING SYSTEMS NEEDED: GOVERNOR ....... 1
AGENDA TO FIND FAIR AND OPEN ELECTIONS ....................... 2
GOVERNOR TOURS SHAM SHUI PO .................................. 3
ESCALATOR SYSTEM OPENS TO PUBLIC USE ......................... 3
TWO GOVT LOTS SOLD FOR $445 MILLION .......................... 6
INT’L DAY FOR NATURAL DISASTER REDUCTION ..................... 6
UNIVERSITY TITLE FOR POLYTECHNIC, HK POLYTECHNIC AND BAPTIST COLLEGE ....................................................... 8
GOVT STUDY ON ELECTRONICS INDUSTRY READY BY YEAR END ......... 8
WORLD STANDARDS DAY TOMORROW ................................. 9
REPATRIATION OF ECVII’S BY AIR ............................... 11
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS
12
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 13, 1993
OPEN, HONEST AND FREE TRADING SYSTEMS NEEDED: GOVERNOR *****
SUSTAINED ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DEPENDS ON OPEN MARKETS AND A RULE OF LAW, INSTEAD OF PROTECTIONISM AND THE LAW OF THE JUNGLE, THE GOVERNOR, THE RT HON CHRISTOPHER PATTEN, SAID TONIGHT (WEDNESDAY).
MR PATTEN ARGUED THAT PROTECTION AND SUBSIDY DID NOT JUST BREED INEFFICIENCY, THEY ALSO HELPED BREED CORRUPTION.
HE WARNED THAT PROTECTIONISM DID NO GOOD TO EUROPE.
"EUROPE MUST BE IDEOLOGICALLY FREE TRADING - THIS IS THE REAL CRUSADE FOR THE NEXT CENTURY," HE SAID.
SPEAKING AT THE EUROPE/EAST ASIA OPENING DINNER OF THE WORLD ECONOMIC FORUM, THE GOVERNOR CAUTIONED THAT IF EUROPE DID NOT TAKE UP THIS COURSE, IT WOULD MULTIPLY ITS PROBLEMS IN DEALING WITH THOSE FROM OUTSIDE EUROPE'S GATE.
"BEHIND BARRIERS OF REGULATION AND TARIFF, EUROPE WOULD NEITHER REINVIGORATE ITS COMPETITIVENESS, REVIVE THE QUALITY OF ITS PRODUCTS NOR BUY TIME TO REDUCE SOCIAL OVERHEADS."
TAKE AWAY THE STIMULUS OF COMPETITION, MR PATTEN SAID EUROPE WOULD BECOME "PLUMP, SLY AND INCOMPETENT".
HE HOPES THAT EUROPE, BOTH WEST AND EAST, CAN USE ITS GREATER EXPERIENCE OF REGIONAL CO-OPERATION TO GIVE A LEAD TO THE WORLD ON TRADE AND ON THE ENVIRONMENT.
HE SAID THE ONLY WAY TO GET SUSTAINED GROWTH AND TO DEAL CONTINUOUSLY AND PEACEFULLY WITH THE PROBLEMS NOW AND IN THE FUTURE IS "HONEST AND FREE MULTILATERAL TRADING SYSTEMS".
MR PATTEN IS LOOKING FORWARD TO A SUCCESSFUL CONCLUSION OF THE URUGUAY ROUND IN DECEMBER.
"THE CONSEQUENCES IF WE DON'T ARE APPALLING TO CONTEMPLATE, THE PROSPECTS IF WE DO ARE FAR MORE PLEASING - REDUCED ECONOMIC DISTORTIONS, AND STEADY AND SUSTAINED OPPORTUNITIES FOR GROWTH AS MARKETS OPEN UP."
HE SAID NOT JUST HONG KONG, BUT ASIA AS A WHOLE WAS RIDING THE FUTURE’S WAVE.
"COUNTRY AFTER COUNTRY IN THIS REGION IS NOW OUTPACING THE WORLD. MARKET ECONOMICS ARE SPREADING SUNSHINE THROUGHOUT THIS PART OF THE WORLD," THE GOVERNOR SAID.
---------0-----------
/2........
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 13, 1993
- 2 -
AGENDA TO FIND FAIR AND OPEN ELECTIONS *****
THE BRITISH TEAM WILL CONCENTRATE ON AGENDA WHICH IS WHAT CAN BE DONE TO FIND ELECTORAL ARRANGEMENTS THAT WILL BE FAIR, OPEN AND ACCEPTABLE, THE GOVERNOR, THE RT HON CHRISTOPHER PATTEN, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
RESPONDING TO PRESS QUESTIONS ABOUT RECENT CRITICISM FROM CHINESE OFFICIALS AFTER VISITING THE SHAM SHUI PO DISTRICT, THE GOVERNOR SAID: "I THINK IT IS FAR MORE IMPORTANT TO LOOK FOR POSITIVE AND CONSTRUCTIVE WAYS OF FINDING A SOLUTION RATHER THAN JUST TO CRITICISE US."
ASKED ABOUT OBJECTIVE CRITERIA FOR THE THROUGH TRAIN CONCEPT, HE SAID : "WHAT WE ACTUALLY WANT IS TO MAKE SURE THAT THE RULES OF THE GAME ARE CLEAR BEFORE 1995, NOT ONLY FOR WOULD-BE LEGISLATORS BUT ALSO FOR THOSE WHO ARE GOING TO VOTE FOR THEM.
"IT REALLY WOULD BE IMPOSSIBLE FOR THE ELECTORATE IN 1995 WHEN THEY CAST THEIR BALLOT, NOT TO KNOW WHETHER THE PERSON THEY WERE VOTING FOR WOULD BE ABLE TO TRAVEL THROUGH TO 1999."
ON QUESTION ABOUT SEPARATING DISTRICT BOARD AND MUNICIPAL COUNCIL ELECTIONS, THE GOVERNOR SAID : "THE IMPORTANT THING WHICH EVERYBODY HAS GOT TO RECOGNISE IS THAT TIME IS NOW EXTREMELY SHORT.
"WE ARE ACTUALLY CUTTING THINGS EXTREMELY FINE. WE HAVE TO HAVE IN PLACE, BY NEXT JULY, THE LEGISLATION FOR THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ELECTIONS.
"SO TO TALK ABOUT SEPARATING THE DISTRICT BOARDS AND MUNICIPAL COUNCILS, IT WOULD BE WELCOME IF IT WAS DONE IN THE WAY I SUGGESTED AND WE COULD GET ON WITH THOSE THINGS AND WOULDN’T HAVE TO TALK ABOUT THEM ENDLESSLY.
"BUT EVEN IF THAT WAS ACCEPTED, WE HAVE STILL GOT VERY LITTLE TIME TO DEAL WITH THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ISSUES.
"SO IN MY VIEW, I WOULD LIKE TO SEE THOSE MATTERS WHICH SHOULD BE NON-CONTROVERSIAL PUT ON ONE SIDE BY THE CHINESE AUTHORITIES."
--------0-----------
/3.........
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 13, 1993
3
GOVERNOR TOURS SHAM SHUI PO *****
THE GOVERNOR, THE RT HON CHRISTOPHER PATTEN, TOURED SHAM SHUI PO THIS (WEDNESDAY) AFTERNOON TO UPDATE HIMSELF WITH LOCAL CONDITION AND DEVELOPMENTS.
HIS FIRST STOP WAS THE ROYAL HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB CENTRE FOR THE BLIND AT NAM CHEONG STREET. HE WAS BRIEFED THERE ON THE OPERATION OF AN EYE CARE CLINIC AND SAW THE COMPUTERISED PRODUCTION OF AN ASSORTMENT OF BOOKS INTO BRAILLE.
AFTERWARDS, HE VISITED APLIU STREET, WHICH IS WELL-KNOWN FOR ITS CONCENTRATION OF SHOPS SELLING SECOND-HAND HI-FIS, RELATED ACCESSORIES AND OTHER ELECTRONIC AND ELECTRICAL PRODUCTS.
MR PATTEN THEN WENT TO SEE AN URBAN COUNCIL MARKET COMPLEX UNDER CONSTRUCTION AT THE JUNCTION OF KI LUNG STREET AND PEI HO STREET.
HE WAS ALSO BRIEFED BY LABOUR DEPARTMENT STAFF ON ASPECTS OF INDUSTRIAL SAFETY AT CONSTRUCTION SITE.
BEFORE CONCLUDING THE VISIT, HE MET DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS, URBAN COUNCILLORS AND LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLORS AT A RECEPTION AT THE NAM CHEONG DISTRICT COMMUNITY CENTRE.
THE GOVERNOR WAS ACCOMPANIED BY THE REGIONAL SECRETARY FOR HONG KONG AND KOWLOON, MISS CHRISTINE CHOW AND THE SHAM SHUI PO DISTRICT OFFICER, MS LINDA LAI.
- - 0 - -
ESCALATOR SYSTEM OPENS TO PUBLIC USE
*****
THE CENTRAL MID-LEVELS ESCALATORS WILL BE OPENED FOR TRIAL USE BY THE PUBLIC STARTING 6 AM ON FRIDAY (OCTOBER 15).
AN OFFICIAL OPENING CEREMONY WILL BE HELD LATER.
THE SYSTEM STARTS AT TWO FOOTBRIDGES OVER DES VOEUX ROAD CENTRAL, PASSING THROUGH THE CENTRAL MARKET, COCHRANE STREET, HOLLYWOOD ROAD, SHELLEY STREET, PEEL STREET THEN TERMINATING AT CONDUIT ROAD.
ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER FOR TRANSPORT, MR ERNEST LEE, SAID DUE TO SPACE CONSTRAINTS, THERE IS INSUFFICIENT ROOM TO BUILD TWO SETS OF ESCALATORS FOR UPHILL AND DOWNHILL MOVEMENTS.
THUS, A TIDAL FLOW SCHEME IS OPERATED. THE ESCALATORS WILL GO DOWNHILL TO CENTRAL FROM 6 AM TO 10 AM AND THEREAFTER UPHILL UNTIL 10 PM.
/THE SYSTEM
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 13, 1993
4
THE SYSTEM WILL BE SWITCHED OFF DURING THE REMAINING PERIOD OF THE DAY WHEN THE VOLUME OF PEDESTRIAN TRAFFIC IS LIGHT. DURING THIS PERIOD IT MAY BE USED AS AN ORDINARY STAIR WALKWAY.
HE SAID IN ORDER TO ENSURE THAT THE PUBLIC USE THE ESCALATORS IN THE PROPER AND SAFE MANNER, SOME PUBLICITY ITEMS BEARING MAINLY THE SAFETY GUIDELINES HAVE BEEN PRODUCED.
THESE ITEMS INCLUDE POSTERS SHOWING ROUTING, USERS' GUIDELINES, AND POCKET CALENDARS.
THEY WILL BE AVAILABLE FROM THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT’S HONG KONG LICENSING OFFICE, THE PUBLIC ENQUIRY CENTRE OF THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT OFFICE AT HARBOUR BUILDING, ^ND THE HANG SENG BANK HEADQUARTERS AND THREE OF ITS BRANCHES IN CENTRAL.
IN ADDITION, THESE ITEMS HAVE BEEN SENT TO 127 SCHOOLS, 178 MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES, 490 OWNERS INCORPORATIONS AND SHOPS AND OFFICES IN 200 COMMERCIAL BUILDINGS IN THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT FOR WIDESPREAD CIRCULATION SO THAT THE SAFETY MESSAGE CAN REACH AS MANY POTENTIAL USERS OF THE SYSTEM AS POSSIBLE.
MR LEE EMPHASISED THAT FOR THE CONVENIENCE AND SAFETY OF ALL CONCERNED, IT IS ABSOLUTELY ESSENTIAL THAT COMMUTERS STRICTLY OBSERVE THE SAFETY GUIDELINES WHICH ARE EASY TO ABIDE.
THESE INCLUDE:
* HOLD THE HANDRAIL, STAND ON THE RIGHT FACING THE DIRECTION OF TRAVEL AND KEEP YOUR FEET AWAY FROM THE SIDES;
» DO NOT OBSTRUCT THE ENTRY/EXIT POINTS;
* DO NOT WALK AGAINST THE FLOW. DO NOT PLAY ON THE SYSTEM. DO NOT STAY ON A STATIONARY ESCALATOR/TRAVELATOR;
* CHILDREN MUST BE ACCOMPANIED BY AN ADULT WHEN USING THE SYSTEM;
* BULKY OR HEAVY LOADS INCLUDING GOODS, HANDCARTS AND CYCLES ARE NOT PERMITTED ON THE ESCALATORS/TRAVELATORS. PETS MUST BE CARRIED;
* DO NOT ACTIVATE THE EMERGENCY SWITCH EXCEPT IN AN EMERGENCY;
* FOLLOW THE INSTRUCTIONS OF THE OPERATOR IN CHARGE OF THE SYSTEM.
THE SYSTEM WILL BE UNDER SURVEILLANCE DURING OPERATING HOURS BY FOUR ATTENDANTS ON THE SCENE AND BY ONE CONTROLLER IN THE CONTROL ROOM AT CAINE ROAD THROUGH A CCTV SYSTEM. A PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEM IS ALSO AVAILABLE FOR DIRECTING PEDESTRIAN MOVEMENTS AND ISSUING SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS WHEN REQUIRED.
BOTH THE CCTV AND PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEMS ARE CONNECTED TO THE POLICE CONTROL CENTRE AT ARSENAL STREET.
/THE POLICE .......
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 13, 1993
5
THE POLICE CAN MONITOR THE SITUATION ON THE ESCALATOR SYSTEM THROUGH THE CCTV SYSTEM AND ADDRESS THE PUBLIC THROUGH THE PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEM WHEN NECESSARY.
OUTSIDE THE OPERATING HOURS, WATCHMEN WILL BE DEPLOYED TO PREVENT VANDALISM.
THE SYSTEM CROSSES MOST OF THE ROAD JUNCTIONS VIA FOOTBRIDGES. GRADE-SEPARATED ROAD CROSSING FACILITIES WILL BE PROVIDED .FOR PEDESTRIANS EXCEPT AT STAUNTON STREET, ELGIN STREET AND MOSQUE STREET WHEN THE VOLUME OF VEHICULAR TRAFFIC IS SMALL.
ZEBRA CROSSINGS ARE PROVIDED AT THESE AT-GRADE JUNCTIONS TO ENHANCE SAFETY.
THE TRAFFIC SITUATIONS WILL BE CLOSELY MONITORED BY TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT AFTER OPENING.
THE USAGE OF THE SYSTEM WILL BE MONITORED. TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT WILL CONDUCT STUDIES BEFORE AND AFTER THE OPERATION TO COUNT THE FLOWS OF CARS AND PEDESTRIANS WITHIN THE CATCHMENT AREA OF THE SYSTEM.
"IT IS ANTICIPATED THAT THE LEVEL OF PUBLIC TRANSPORT WILL NOT BE MATERIALLY AFFECTED BY THE OPENING OF THE CENTRAL-MID-LEVELS ESCALATORS AS THIS IS EXPECTED TO HELP RELIEVE THE PRESENT SUPPRESSED DEMAND ON PUBLIC TRANSPORT SERVICES," MR LEE SAID.
ON THE DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION OF THE SYSTEM, SENIOR ENGINEER OF THE HIGHWAYS DEPARTMENT, MR MA LEE-TAK, SAID THE SYSTEM COMPRISED MECHANISED REVERSIBLE ONE-WAY ESCALATORS AND TRAVELATORS WITH WALKWAYS ALONGSIDE THE WHOLE ROUTE.
THE ROUTE MEASURES ABOUT 800 METRES IN LENGTH AND CLIMBS ABOUT 135 METRES IN HEIGHT. THERE ARE A TOTAL OF 20 ESCALATORS AND THREE TRAVELATORS.
APART' FROM THE THREE AT-GRADE ROAD CROSSINGS AT STAUNTON STREET, ELGIN STREET AND MOSQUE STREET, THE ROUTE IS COVERED WITH TRANSPARENT POLYCARBONATE ROOFING SO THAT ADEQUATE DAYLIGHTING IS MAINTAINED ALONG THE ROUTE AND THE NARROW STREETS IT TRAVERSES.
LANDSCAPING WORKS AND QUALITY FINISHES MATCHING THE SURROUNDING ENVIRONMENT ARE PROVIDED ALONG THE WHOLE ROUTE.
CONSTRUCTION OF THE SYSTEM BEGAN IN FEBRUARY 1991 AFTER THE FINANCE COMMITTEE APPROVED $204.6 MILLION (AT DECEMBER 1990 PRICES) FOR THE PROJECT. WORK HAS BEEN SUBSTANTIALLY COMPLETED.
"DUE TO INFLATION AND PRICE FLUCTUATION PERIOD, WE ARE NOW IN THE PROCESS OF SEEKING A FROM THE FINANCE COMMITTEE," MR MA SAID.
DURING THE CONSTRUCTION SUPPLEMENTARY PROVISION
THE ADDITIONAL SUM IS NOWHERE NEAR $270 MILLION AS REPORTED IN A PRESS REPORT AND THE PROCESS IS IN LINE WITH THE STANDARD ARRANGEMENT TO ALLOW PRICE ADJUSTMENTS IN PUBLIC WORKS PROJECTS NOT AWARDED ON FIXED COST BASIS, MR MA ADDED.
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/6 ........
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 13, 1993
TWO GOVT LOTS SOLD FOR $445 MILLION ******
TWO LOTS OF GOVERNMENT LAND WERE SOLD FOR A TOTAL OF $445 MILLION AT THE PUBLIC LAND AUCTION HELD BY THE LANDS DEPARTMENT THIS (WEDNESDAY) AFTERNOON.
THE FIRST LOT, LOCATED AT AREA 11 AT THE JUNCTION OF ON SUM STREET AND ON YIU STREET, SHA TIN WAS BOUGHT BY JACO LIMITED AT $395 MILLION. BIDDING OPENED AT $320 MILLION.
WITH AN AREA OF ABOUT 4,200 SQUARE METRES, IT IS INTENDED FOR INDUSTRIAL AND/OR GODOWN (EXCLUDING DANGEROUS GQODS GODOWN) PURPOSES.
THE DEVELOPER HAS TO COMPLETE A GROSS FLOOR AREA OF NOT LESS THAN 23,940 SQUARE METRES BEFORE DECEMBER 31, 1997.
THE SECOND LOT IN TAK YIP STREET, TUNG TAU INDUSTRIAL AREA, YUEN LONG, WITH AN AREA OF ABOUT 3,555 SQUARE METRES WAS SOLD TO BETTERISE COMPANY LIMITED AT $50 MILLION, WITH BIDDING OPENING AT $40 MILLION.
IT IS INTENDED FOR INDUSTRIAL AND/OR GODOWN (EXCLUDING OFFENSIVE TRADE) PURPOSES, WITH THE FIRST FLOOR TO BE USED FOR REPAIRING MOTOR VEHICLES ONLY.
THE DEVELOPER HAS TO COMPLETE A GROSS FLOOR AREA OF NOT LESS THAN 17,064 SQUARE METRES BEFORE DECEMBER 31, 1996.
THE AUCTION WAS HELD IN THE CONCERT HALL OF THE HONG KONG CULTURAL CENTRE, TSIM SHA TSUI, AND CONDUCTED BY GOVERNMENT LAND AGENT, MR ROGER HARDING.
- - 0 - -
INT’L DAY FOR NATURAL DISASTER REDUCTION * * * » »
SOCIETY AS A WHOLE NEEDS TO BE PREPARED AND ABLE TO ACT RESPONSIBLY AND INTELLIGENTLY TO A DISASTER AS THAT COULD MAKE THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A TRAGEDY AND TRAGEDY AVERTED, THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, MR ALISTAIR ASPREY, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING OF AN EXHIBITION AND A SEMINAR TO MARK THE INTERNATIONAL DAY FOR NATURAL DISASTER REDUCTION, MR ASPREY SAID THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT HAD COMPREHENSIVE PLANS FOR COPING WITH NATURAL DISASTERS.
AND DESPITE THE REGULAR RECURRENCE OF SEVERE WEATHER, THE EXTENT OF DAMAGE CAUSED WAS BECOMING INCREASINGLY LIMITED.
/HE NOTED
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 13, 1993
HE NOTED, HOWEVER, THAT NO PREPARATIONS OR PLANS COULD BE PERFECT NOR COULD THEY BE EXPECTED TO FORESEE AND COPE WITH ALL EVENTUALITIES.
"BUT WE ARE CONSTANTLY SEEKING IMPROVEMENT.
"IF AND WHEN EXPERIENCE SHOWS THAT SOME PART OF OUR PLANS NEED TO BE IMPROVED, THE GOVERNMENT WILL TAKE IMMEDIATE STEPS TO MAKE THE CHANGES THAT ARE NECESSARY."
THE RAINSTORM WARNING SYSTEM, INTRODUCED IN THE AFTERMATH OF THE SEVERE RAINSTORM IN MAY LAST YEAR, IS A CASE IN POINT, HE ADDED.
MR ASPREY STRESSED THAT TO MAKE ANY DISASTER REDUCTION PLAN EFFECTIVE, VIGILANCE AND PLANNING ON THE PART OF THE GOVERNMENT ALONE WERE NOT SUFFICIENT AND THE PUBLIC ALSO HAD AN IMPORTANT ROLE TO PLAY.
HE HOPED THAT THE EXHIBITION AND SEMINAR WOULD INSTIL AWARENESS IN THE COMMUNITY, AND SO CONTRIBUTE TO OUR GOVERNMENT’S CONSTANT EFFORTS TO REDUCE THE EFFECTS OF NATURAL DISASTERS IN HONG KONG.
ALSO OFFICIATING AT THE OPENING TODAY WERE THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, MR DOMINIC WONG AND DIRECTOR OF THE ROYAL OBSERVATORY, MR PATRICK SHAM.
MR SHAM SAID THE PRIME CONSIDERATION IN ISSUING ANY WARNING WAS ALWAYS THE SAFEGUARDING OF HUMAN LIVES AND LIVELIHOOD - A PRINCIPLE OF PRIORITY THAT SHOULD NEVER BE ALTERED.
HE POINTED OUT THAT THERE FIRST NEEDED TO BE AN EFFECTIVE AND EFFICIENT WARNING SYSTEM TO REDUCE THE IMPACT OF ANY NATURAL HAZARD AND TO AVOID A WEATHER-RELATED DISASTER.
OVER THE YEARS, THE WARNING SYSTEMS OPERATED BY THE ROYAL OBSERVATORY FOR THE TROPICAL CYCLONES AND HEAVY RAINSTORMS HAVE UNDERGONE SOME CHANGES AND IMRPOVEMENTS HAVE BEEN INTRODUCED.
"THESE CHANGES ARE AIMED AT ENSURING PUBLIC UNDERSTANDING OF THE WARNINGS AND THEIR TIMELY RECEIPT," HE SAID.
THE EXHIBITION AND THE SEMINAR WERE JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT AND THE ROYAL OBSERVATORY. THE LATTER WAS ATTENDED BY SOME 80 SCHOOL PRINCIPALS AND TEACHERS.
AT THE SEMINAR, PRINCIPAL ASSISTANT SECRETARY FOR SECURITY MR FRANKIE. LUI TALKED ABOUT CO-ORDINATION OF EMERGENCY WORK DURING NATURAL DISASTERS WHILE MR W M LEUNG OF ROYAL OBSERVATORY AND MR M L I,AU OF EDUCATION DEPARTMENT SPOKE ON FORECAST AND WARNINGS OF TROPICAL CYCLONES AND RAINSTORMS AND LIAISON WITH SCHOOLS DURING DISASTERS.
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/8 ........
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 13, 1993
- 8 -
UNIVERSITY TITLE FOR POLYTECHNIC, HK POLYTECHNIC AND BAPTIST COLLEGE *****
THE UNIVERSITY AND POLYTECHNIC GRANTS COMMITTEE (UPGC) SUPPORTS IN PRINCIPLE PROPOSALS BY THE HONG KONG POLYTECHNIC, THE CITY POLYTECHNIC OF HONG KONG AND THE HONG KONG BAPTIST COLLEGE TO CHANGE TO UNIVERSITY TITLES.
UPGC CHAIRMAN, MR ANTONY K C LEUNG, AT A PRESS CONFERENCE TODAY (WEDNESDAY) SAID UPGC HAD FORMALLY NOTIFIED THE THREE INSTITUTIONS OF ITS DECISION TO GRANT THEM SELF-ACCREDITATION STATUS AND TO SUPPORT IN PRINCIPLE A CHANGE TO UNIVERSITY TITLE AS PROPOSED BY THE INSTITUTIONS EARLIER.
THE RECOMMENDATION OF GRANTING SELF-ACCREDITATION STATUS TO THE THREE INSTITUTIONS WITHOUT CONDITIONS WAS ENDORSED BY THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL IN JULY.
AT THE SEPTEMBER 1993 MEETING, THE UPGC EXAMINED THE ISSUE FURTHER, INCLUDING THE TRANSITIONAL ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE TRANSFER OF RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE VALIDATION OF THEIR DEGREE COURSES, AGREED BETWEEN INSTITUTIONS AND THE HONG KONG COUNCIL FOR ACADEMIC ACCREDITATION.
”UPGC HAS AGREED THAT THE THREE INSTITUTIONS SHOULD ASSUME RESPONSIBILITY FOR SELF-ACCREDITATION WITH IMMEDIATE EFFECT," MR LEUNG SAID.
THE THREE INSTITUTIONS HAVE BEEN INVITED TO SUBMIT DETAILED PROPOSALS TO ENABLE UPGC TO MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS REGARDING THEIR APPLICATION FOR UNIVERSITY TITLE TO THE GOVERNMENT.
THE INSTITUTIONS’ SUBMISSIONS ARE EXPECTED TO INCLUDE THE PROPOSED NEW TITLE FOR THE INSTITUTION AS WELL AS DETAILS OF CHANGES TN THE ORGANISATIONAL STRUCTURE OF THE INSTITUTION.
UPGC WILL CONSIDER THESE PROPOSALS AT ITS NEXT MEETING IN JANUARY NEXT YEAR AND SUBMIT RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE GOVERNMENT AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.
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GOVT STUDY ON ELECTRONICS
* »
INDUSTRY READY BY YEAR END * * *
A GOVERNMENT-COMMISSIONED CONSULTANCY STUDY TO IDENTIFY WAYS TO ENHANCE THE GROWTH AND COMPETITIVENESS OF HONG KONG’S ELECTRONICS INDUSTRY WILL BE COMPLETED BY THE END OF THIS YEAR, THE SECRETARY FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY, MR T H CHAU, SAID THIS (WEDNESDAY) MORNING.
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING OF THE 13TH HONG KONG ELECTRONICS FAIR, MR CHAU SAID HE EXPECTED THE STUDY WOULD PROVIDE USEFUL INFORMATION AND SUGGESTIONS TO MANUFACTURERS.
/MR CHAU
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 13, 1993
9 -
MR CHAU SAID THE CONSULTANCY STUDY, WHICH WAS PART OF A SERIES OF STUDIES ON INDIVIDUAL INDUSTRIES CONDUCTED ON A REGULAR BASIS, WAS ONE OF THE GOVERNMENT’S INITIATIVES IN SUPPORTING FURTHER INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT IN HONG KONG.
IN ADDITION, FUNDS WILL SOON BE MADE AVAILABLE THROUGH THE INDUSTRY AND TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL TO FINANCE INDUSTRIAL SUPPORT PROJECTS, HE SAID.
MR CHAU SAID THE ELECTRONICS INDUSTRY WAS VERY IMPORTANT TO THE LOCAL ECONOMY.
"IT IS THE SECOND LARGEST EXPORT. EARNER AMONG OUR MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES, AND EMPLOYS 60,000 WORKERS. IN 1992, IT ACCOUNTED FOR 26 PER CENT OF OUR TOTAL DOMESTIC EXPORTS," HE SAID.
MR CHAU SAID THE ELECTRONICS INDUSTRY STILL HAD ROOM TO GROW, WHICH WAS PARTLY DUE TO THE VERY STRONG DEMAND FOR ELECTRONIC PRODUCTS IN CHINA.
IN THE FIRST HALF OF THIS YEAR, CHINA OVERTOOK THE UNITED STATES TO BECOME THE LEADING MARKET FOR HONG KONG’S ELECTRONIC PRODUCTS.
"DURING THAT TIME, CHINA IMPORTED $26 BILLION WORTH OF ELECTRONIC PRODUCTS FROM HONG KONG, A BIG JUMP OF 41 PER CENT FROM THE SAME PERIOD LAST YEAR," HE SAID.
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WORLD STANDARDS DAY TOMORROW
******
HONG KONG WILL BE JOINING MANY COUNTRIES AROUND THE WORLD TOMORROW (THURSDAY) IN RECOGNISING THE 24TH WORLD STANDARDS DAY WHICH MARKS ANOTHER MILESTONE IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF INTERNATIONAL STANDARDISATION.
THE WORLD STANDARDS DAY IS CELEBRATED AROUND THE WORLD EACH YEAR ON OCTOBER 14 IN ALL MEMBER COUNTRIES OF THE INTERNATIONAL ORGANISATION FOR STANDARDISATION (ISO) AND THE INTERNATIONAL ELECTROTECHNICAL COMMISSION (IEC).
"THIS DAY IS AN ANNUAL FOCAL POINT FOR PAYING TRIBUTE TO THE COLLABORATIVE EFFORTS OF THOUSANDS OF EXPERTS WHO PREPARE THE STANDARDS," THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR-GENERAL OF INDUSTRY, MR RICKY FUNG, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
THIS YEAR THE ISO AND IEC HAVE CHOSEN 'INFORMATION MANAGEMENT -FASTER AND BETTER WITH GLOBAL STANDARDS’ AS THE THEME.
THE EVENT IS ORGANISED BY THE ISO AND IEC WHICH HAVE BEEN ACTIVE IN DEVELOPING INTERNATIONAL PRODUCT STANDARDS AND TN WORKING TOWARDS COMPATIBILITY OF SYSTEMS WORLDWIDE FOR THE BENEFIT OF BOTH MANUFACTURERS AND CONSUMERS.
/HONG KONG .......
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 13, 1993
- 10 -
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 WAS THUS CRUCIAL TO HONG KONG’S DEVELOPMENT, HE ADDED.
TO PROMOTE STANDARDISATION AND THE AWARENESS OF QUALITY IN HONG KONG, THE PRODUCT STANDARDS INFORMATION BUREAU OF THE INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT WAS ESTABLISHED IN 1986 WITH ONE OF THE MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES OF COLLECTING, COLLATING AND DISSEMINATING INFORMATION ON STANDARDS REQUIREMENTS IN HONG KONG’S OVERSEAS MARKETS 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.
DIRECT ON-LINE COMPUTER LINKS WITH OVERSEAS STANDARDS INSTITUTIONS HAVE BEEN SET UP SINCE 1989 IN ORDER TO GAIN MOST UPDATED INFORMATION ON OVERSEAS STANDARDS.
A COMPUTER-ASSISTED INFORMATION RETRIEVAL SYSTEM HAS ALSO BEEN INSTALLED SINCE 1991.
IN ADDITION, THE BUREAU OPERATES 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 USERS OF STANDARDS.
THE SALES AGENCY SERVICE HAS BECOME MORE AND MORE WELL-RECEIVED BY THE TRADE. FOR INSTANCE, THE VOLUME OF SALES HAS INCREASED 10 PER CENT DURING APRIL TO SEPTEMBER 1993 AS AGAINST THE CORRESPONDING PERIOD OF LAST YEAR.
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 ALSO BEEN WELL-RECEIVED BY LOCAL MANUFACTURERS AND EXPORTERS WITH THE NUMBER OF ENQUIRIES HANDLED INCREASED FROM 60 IN 1986 TO 1,170 IN 1992.
TO HELP THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR 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 .......
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 13, 1993
11
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.
THE HONG KONG QUALITY ASSURANCE AGENCY HAS ALSO BEEN SET UP TO MANAGE A VOLUNTARY SCHEME FOR THE CERTIFICATION OF BUSINESSES, BASED ON THE ISO 9000 QUALITY MANAGEMENT STANDARDS.
SO FAR, OVER 80 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.
APART FROM HELPING THE LOCAL INDUSTRY TO MEET VARIOUS OVERSEAS PRODUCT STANDARDS AND CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS, THE GOVERNMENT IS ALSO CONSCIOUS OF THE SAFETY OF GOODS IMPORTED OR LOCALLY MADE FOR LOCAL CONSUMPTION, MR FUNG SAID.
THERE ARE, FOR INSTANCE, 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.
"ANOTHER EXAMPLE IS THE TOYS AND CHILDREN’S PRODUCTS SAFETY ORDINANCE WHICH WAS BROUGHT INTO EFFECT IN JULY THIS YEAR," HE SAID.
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REPATRIATION OF ECVII’S BY AIR
******
A TOTAL OF 114 EX-CHINA VIETNAMESE ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS (ECVII’S) WERE REPATRIATED TO HAINAN TODAY (WEDNESDAY) ON TWO FLIGHTS AT THE START OF A THREE-DAY REPATRIATION EXERCISE BY AIR.
THE TWO GROUPS COMPRISED 63 MEN, 34 WOMEN, 11 BOYS AND SIX GIRLS.
FOUR MORE FLIGHTS HAVE BEEN ARRANGED FOR THE FOLLOWING TWO DAYS TO REPATRIATE SOME 220 ECVII’S TO HAINAN.
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/12........
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 13, 1993
- 12 -
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND
MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS ***** $ MILLION
OPENING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT 2,435
REVERSAL OF LAF -435
BALANCE AFTER REVERSAL OF LAF 2,000
NET INJECTION/WITHDRAWAL TODAY +1,000
EFFECT OF LAF TODAY -1,281
CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT 1,719
LAF RATE 2.00 BID/4.00 OFFER TWI 112.1 »-0.1» 13.10.93
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND
EF BILLS EF NOTES/HONG KONG GOVERNMENT BONDS
TERMS YIELD TERM ISSUE COUPON PRICE YIELD
1 WEEK 2.35 PCT 13 MONTHS 2411 4.625 101.57 3.17
1 MONTH 2.52 PCT 16 MONTHS 2502 4.75 101.84 3.36
3 MONTHS 2.66 PCT 19 MONTHS 2505 3.75 100.26 3.61
6 12 MONTHS : MONTHS 2.82 3.11 PCT PCT 22 MONTHS 2508 4.625 101.66 3.72
TOTAL TURNOVER OF BILLS AND BONDS - 16,121 MN
CLOSED OCTOBER 13, 1993
- - 0 - -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
SUPPLEMENT
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 13, 1993
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL:
BILL SOON ON PROPERTY INHERITANCE: SHA....................... 1
HEALTH CARE REFORM - A CHANGE FOR THE BETTER ................ 2
MAJORITY OF HK LAWS NEED ADAPTATION ......................... 4
GOVT DETERMINES TO SAFEGUARD INVESTING PUBLIC'S INTERESTS ... 5
DECISION SOON ON ANTI-DISCRIMINATION LAW .................... 5
INTERIM LOCALISATION POLICY A CORRECT DECISION .............. 7
MORE HUMAN RIGHTS REPORTS ON HK TO COME ..................... 8
GOVERNMENT'S POLICY FOR EQUAL DEVELOPMENT OF LAND USE ....... 8
MEASURES TO CURB CRIMES AGAINST TENANTS ..................... 9
NO CHANGE TO MEDICAL FEE STRUCTURE ......................... 10
ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION CONVENTIONS RATIFIED BY UK ...... 10
FUNDS APPROVED FOR PUBLIC WORKS PROJECTS REMAIN UNUSED ..... 11
KARAOKE LOUNGES SUBJECT TO FIRE SAFETY REQUIREMENT ......... 11
NO SPECIFIC REGULATION ON AUTOMATIC TELLER MACHINES ........ 12
NEED TO EDUCATE PUBLIC ON USE OF CHINESE HERBS ............. 13
GAMBLING RESTRICTIONS APPLY TO SHIPS WITHIN HK WATERS ...... 13
RENTS FOR PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES ARE LOWER THAN COST ....... 14
/CONDITIONS OF ......
CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT FOR ACADEMIC STAFF IN TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS ................................................. 15
CRITERIA FOR OPERATING A SCHOOL ................................ 15
FILIPINO DRIVERS IN HONG KONG .................................. 17
PENALTIES FOR INDUSTRIAL SAFETY OFFENCES TO GO UP .............. 17
MORE POWER FOR LABOUR CHIEF PROPOSED ........................... 18
LEGCO ASKS GOVT TO HEED FULL PUBLIC VIEW ON MEDICAL PAPER ...
19
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 13, 1993
BILL SOON ON PROPERTY INHERITANCE: SHA *****
SUBJECT TO THE ADVICE OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL, A NEW BILL TO Exempt all land, other than rural land, from the application of part II OF THE new TERRITORIES ORDINANCE (NTO) will soon be introduced into THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
SPEAKING ON BEHALF OF THE GOVERNMENT IN TfiE MOTION DEBATE ON SUCCESSION RIGHTS IN THE NEW TERRITORIES IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY), THE SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS, MR MICHAEL SUEN, SAID IT WAS INTENDED THAT THE NEW LEGISLATION WOULD HAVE RETROSPECTIVE EFFECT TO REMOVE ANY DOUBT IN EXISTING TITLES BECAUSE OF PREVIOUS TRANSACTIONS RELATING TO INHERITANCE.
"I SHALL BE URGING FOR THE FULL SUPPORT OF HONOURABLE MEMBERS ON THE NEW BILL," HE SAID.
HE SAID THE ADMINISTRATION WAS WELL AWARE OF THE CONCERN EXPRESSED RECENTLY OVER THIS ISSUE, AND THE GOVERNMENT HAD BEEN ACTIVELY PURSUING MEASURES TO ALLAY PUBLIC ANXIETY AND TO ADDRESS ANY POTENTIAL PROBLEM WHICH PROPERTY OWNERS IN THE NEW TERRITORIES MAY FACE.
"WE HAVE ALREADY IMPLEMENTED ADMINISTRATIVE MEASURES WITH EFFECT FROM JUNE THIS YEAR TO EXEMPT ALL NEW GRANTS OF LAND IN THE NEW TERRITORIES FROM THE APPLICATION OF THE NTO, EXCEPT FOR RURAL LAND GRANTED TO INDIGENOUS VILLAGERS UNDER THE SMALL HOUSE POLICY OR LAND OWNED BY CUSTOMARY LAND TRUSTS ESTABLISHED BY CLANS AND FAMILIES IN THE NEW TERRITORIES," HE ADDED.
AN INTER-DEPARTMENTAL WORKING GROUP HAS ALSO BEEN SET UP RECENTLY TO GIVE ACTIVE CONSIDERATION TO EXCLUDING ALL NON-RURAL LAND FROM PART II OF THE NTO THROUGH LEGISLATIVE MEANS, MR SUEN SAID.
HE TOLD THE COUNCIL THAT THE GROUP HAD COME TO THE CONCLUSION THAT THERE WAS NO PROVISION UNDER EXISTING LEGISLATION FOR GOVERNMENT TO USE ADMINISTRATIVE MEANS TO GRANT EXEMPTION UNDER THE NTO TO LAND ALREADY ASSIGNED AS UNDIVIDED SHARES TO INDIVIDUAL OWNERS, UNLESS ALL OF THEM JOIN TOGETHER TO APPLY.
MR SUEN SAID CUSTOMS OF THE NEW TERRITORIES, LIKE THOSE EVERYWHERE ELSE, HAVE EVOLVED AND CHANGED OVER THE YEARS. THIS IS NORMAL IN ANY COMMUNITY.
"WE WILL NEED THE WHOLE-HEARTED SUPPORT OF THE COMMUNITY AT LARGE BEFORE CONTEMPLATING ANY MEASURES TO CHANGE THESE CUSTOMS.
"TONIGHT THIS COUNCIL HAS COME OUT WITH A LOUD AND CLEAR MESSAGE. I HAVE LISTENED VERY CAREFULLY TO THE VIEWS EXPRESSED BY HONOURABLE MEMBERS.
"I HOPE THAT TONIGHT’S DEBATE WILL ENCOURAGE MORE PEOPLE TO COME FORWARD WITH THEIR OWN VIEWS ON THIS VERY IMPORTANT SUBJECT BEFORE THE END OF THE CONSULTATION PERIOD FOR THE GREEN PAPER ON EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR WOMEN AND MEN," HE SAID.
/MR SUEN .......
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 13, 1993
2
MR SUEN STRESSED THAT THE CATALYST FOR CHANGE MUST BE EDUCATION.
"WE BELIEVE THAT STEPPING UP PUBLIC EDUCATION, AS WE ARE DOING, WILL CULTIVATE A BALANCED ATTITUDE TOWARDS THE ROLE OF WOMEN AND MEN IN SOCIETY.
"IN THIS REGARD, THE PUBLICATION OF THE GREEN PAPER AND TODAY’S MOTION DEBATE ARE MOVES IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION," HE CONCLUDED.
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HEALTH CARE REFORM - A * * *
CHANGE FOR THE BETTER * *
ALTHOUGH HONG KONG HAS A GOOD HEALTH CARE SYSTEM WITH A "NO TURN AWAY" POLICY, THERE IS A NEED TO REFORM THE STRUCTURE SO AS TO MAKE IT BETTER.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, MRS ELIZABETH WONG, WHEN REPLYING TO COMMENTS BY LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLORS DURING THE MOTION DEBATE ON THE CONSULTATION DOCUMENT "TOWARDS BETTER HEALTH" IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TO THIS (WEDNESDAY) EVENING.
MRS WONG EXPLAINED THAT THE REASON FOR THE HEALTHCARE REFORM WAS SIMPLE.
SHE SAID: "ANY RESPONSIBLE AND CARING GOVERNMENT CANNOT BLIND ITSELF TO ESCALATING MEDICAL COSTS, THE NEEDS OF AN AGING POPULATION, THE CHANGING ASPIRATIONS OF THE COMMUNITY, AND NOT REACT.
"WE IN HONG KONG ARE MORE FORTUNATE IN THAT WE HAVE THE CHANCE TO DIAGNOSE OUR SYMPTOMS EARLY AND ACT TO PREVENT THEM FROM GETTING WORSE. IT IS NOT RADICAL SURGERY, BUT PREVENTIVE MEDICINE.
"THIS IS PRECISELY WHAT WE HAVE ATTEMPTED TO DO IN PUTTING FORWARD POSSIBLE OPTIONS FOR CHANGE."
THUS, SHE STRESSED, THE CONSULTATION DOCUMENT WAS NOT ABOUT FEE INCREASE BUT ABOUT STRUCTURAL CHANGE.
MRS WONG BELIEVED THAT CHANGE TO THE HEALTH CARE SYSTEM MUST HAVE THE SUPPORT OF THE COMMUNITY AND PARTICIPATION FROM POLITICIANS, PROVIDERS, PROFESSIONALS AND THE PUBLIC.
IT MUST ALSO BE A GRADUAL, STEP-BY-STEP PROCESS OF IMPLEMENTATION AND EVALUATION.
"I ASK THAT WE FACE UP TO THE NEED FOR CHANGE. I ASK THAT WE HAVE THE COURAGE TO BE PART OF THE PROCESS," SHE SAID.
"OUR SYSTEM IS NOT SO MUCH ONE WHICH IS PEGGED TO COSTS. IT IS A SYSTEM WHICH IS PEGGED TO THE HEARTS AND MINDS OF THE PEOPLE," SHE ADDED.
SINCE THE PUBLICATION OF THE CONSULTATION DOCUMENT, MORE THAN 300 REPRESENTATIONS HAVE BEEN RECEIVED.
/STAFF OF .......
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STAFF OF THE HEALTH AND WELFARE BRANCH ALSO MET HUNDREDS OF COMMUNITY LEADERS AND ASSOCIATION REPRESENTATIVES; CONSULTED ALL DISTRICT BOARDS; AND HEARD THE VOICES OF THOUSANDS AT PUBLIC FORUMS ORGANISED BY DIFFERENT POLITICAL PARTIES AND PATIENTS’ REPRESENTATIVES.
THE CONSULTATION DOCUMENT ALSO RECEIVED THE SUPPORT OF DR CHARLES BENNETT, THE WORLD-RENOWNED HEALTH ECONOMIST SPECIALLY ASSIGNED BY THE WORLD-HEALTH ORGANISATION TO EVALUATE HONG KONG’S HEALTH CARE REFORM OPTIONS, WHO OPINED THAT ’’CHANGES IN HONG KONG, AS IN ALL COUNTRIES, WILL TAKE TIME; HOWEVER, THE PROCESS IS HEADED IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION; AND HONG KONG OFFERS LESSONS FOR POLICY-MAKERS WHO ARE WORKING TO IMPROVE HEALTH CARE TN OTHER COUNTRIES”.
TURNING TO THE SPECIFIC OPTIONS IN THE DOCUMENT, MRS WONG NOTED THAT:
* THERE HAVE BEEN CLARION CALLS FOR THE MAINTENANCE OF THE EXISTING HEALTH CARE SYSTEM;
* THERE IS FEAR THAT THE INTRODUCTION OF ITEMISED CHARGES WOULD LEAD TO PATIENTS BEING DENTED ACCESS TO MEDICAL CARE; AND
♦ THERE HAS BEEN A STRONG BODY OF SUPPORT FOR SEMI-PRIVATE ROOMS IN PUBLIC HOSPITALS AND THE CO-ORDINATED VOLUNTARY INSURANCE APPROACH.
ON ITEMISED CHARGES, THE SECRETARY BELIEVED THAT THE FEAR WAS BASED ON IGNORANCE AND SPREAD BY CONVENIENT CARPING.
THE STANDARDISATION OF ITEMISED CHARGES WILL ENSURE CONSUMER PROTECTION AND TRANSPARENCY TN THE SYSTEM, SHE SAID.
SHE HOPES THROUGH CLEAR DEMARCATION OF ITEMISED CHARGES TO STANDARDISE THE EXISTING PLETHORA OF DIFFERENT CHARGES IMPOSED BY DIFFERENT PUBLIC HOSPITALS.
SHE ALSO HOPES TO REDUCE UNCERTAINTY AND ANXIETY OF PATIENTS.
MRS WONG REITERATED THE SAFETY NET UNDER THE GOVERNMENT’S ”NO TURN AWAY” POLICY WHICH ENSURED THAT NO ONE WAS DENIED ADEQUATE ""DICAL TREATMENT THROUGH LACK OF MEANS.
’’THIS IS TN THE LAW,” SHE STATED. "THIS IS OUR POLICY. THIS WILL REMAIN OUR POLICY.”
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WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 13, 1993
MAJORITY OF HK LAWS NEED ADAPTATION *****
THE MAJORITY OF THE 587 ORDINANCES ON THE HONG KONG STATUE BOOK WOULD REQUIRE ADAPTATION IN VARYING DEGREES.
THIS IS TO ENSURE THEIR CONSISTENCY WITH BOTH THE LANGUAGE AND THE SUSTANTIVE PROVISIONS OF THE BASIC LAW, THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, MR JEREMY MATHEWS, SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL toDAY (WEDNESDAY).
IN REPLY TO A QUESTION RAISED BY THE HON EMILY LAU WAI-HING, MR MATHEWS TOLD LEGISLATORS THAT HIS DEPARTMENT HAD AN ADAPTATION OF LAWS PROGRAMME TO AMEND THE HONG KONG ORDINANCES THAT WOULD BE INCONSISTENT WITH THE BASIC LAW.
"UNDER THIS PROGRAMME, AN INITIAL REVIEW OF ALL THE ORDINANCES BY THE RESPECTIVE POLICY BRANCHES IS FIRST CARRIED OUT, FOLLOWED BY DETAILED STUDY AND ANALYSIS BY THE LOCALISATION AND ADAPTATION OF LAWS UNIT OF MY CHAMBERS."
PROPOSALS FOR THE ADAPTATION OF INDIVIDUAL ORDINANCES ARE THEN DRAWN UP AND DISCUSSED WITH THE CHINESE SIDE IN THE JOINT LIAISON GROUP.
"THE PROPOSALS WILL FORM THE SCHEDULES OF A NUMBER OF BILLS FOR ENACTMENT BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL IN THE NEXT THREE YEARS TO TAKE EFFECT FROM JULY 1, 1997," SAID MR MATHEWS.
WHEN ASKED WHETHER THE GOVERNMENT HAD ANY PROBLEM IN THE INTERPRETATION OF THE RELEVANT PROVISIONS IN THE BASIC LAW, MR MATHEWS SAID UNDER ITS PROVISIONS, THE BASIC LAW WOULD BE INTERPRETED BY THE COURTS OF THE HONG KONG SPECIAL ADMINISTRATIVE REGION, OR IN CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES BY THE STANDING COMMITTEE OF CHINA’S NATIONAL PEOPLE’S CONGRESS.
HE ADMITTED THAT IN PREPARING THE REQUIRED ADAPTATIONS OF HONG KONG LAWS TO ACHIEVE CONSISTENCY WITH THE BASIC LAW, THE GOVERNMENT HAD TO TAKE A VIEW ON THE MEANING OF CERTAIN OF ITS PROVISIONS.
"TO ENSURE THAT OUR VIEW COINCIDES WITH THAT OF THE CHINESE SIDE WE HAVE UNDERTAKEN TO CONSULT THEM."
CLEARLY, IF AGREEMENT CAN BE REACHED WITH THE CHINESE SIDE ON THE ADAPTATION OF HONG KONG’S LAWS FOR COMPATIBILITY WITH THE BASIC LAW, THAT WOULD BE THE BEST MEANS OF ENSURING THAT NONE OF OUR LAWS WILL BE DECLARED TO BE IN CONTRAVENTION WITH THE BASIC LAW BY THE STANDING COMMITTEE OF THE NATIONAL PEOPLE’S CONGRESS UNDER ARTICLE 160 OF THE BASIC LAW," HE SAID.
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WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 13, 1993
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GOVT DETERMINES TO SAFEGUARD INVESTING PUBLIC’S INTERESTS ♦ * * * *
THE PROBE INTO THE ALLIED GROUP OF COMPANIES DEMONSTRATES THE ADMINISTRATION’S DETERMINATION TO SAFEGUARD THE INTERESTS OF THE INVESTING PUBLIC AND TO FOSTER THE INTEGRITY AND REPUTATION OF THE MARKET.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE SECRETARY FOR FINANCIAL SERVICES, MR M D CARTLAND, IN A REPLY TO A QUESTION BY DR THE HON*HUANG CHEN-YA IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MR CARTLAND SAID THE INVESTIGATION HAD GONE WELL BEYOND THE PRODUCTION OF ’’JUST A REPORT”.
’’THE REPORT HAS ELICITED A POSITIVE REACTION FROM BOTH THE LOCAL AND OVERSEAS MEDIA AND HAS IN TURN GENERATED A HIGHER LEVEL OF PUBLIC AWARENESS REGARDING CORPORATE GOVERNANCE,” HE ADDED.
THE INSPECTOR’S REPORT WAS SUBMITTED TO THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY ON AUGUST 28 AND A SUBSTANTIAL PART OF THE REPORT WAS MADE PUBLIC ON SEPTEMBER 18.
IT WAS THEN REFERRED TO THE LAW ENFOREMENT AND REGULATORY BODIES, AS WELL AS THE 27 COMPANIES INVOLVED IN THE INVESTIGATION FOR FURTHER ACTION.
"IT IS NOW FOR THEM TO DECIDE WHAT ACTIONS TO TAKE WITHIN THEIR RESPECTIVE AREAS OF AUTHORITY AND TO PURSUE THOSE ACTION ACCORDINGLY,” HE SAID.
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DECISION SOON ON ANTI-DISCRIMINATION LAW
*****
THE GOVERNMENT IS DETERMINED TO DO WHAT CAN PRACTICALLY BE DONE TO ERADICATE DISCRIMINATION AGAINST THE DISABLED AND TO ACHIEVE INTEGRATION AND EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR THEM, THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, MRS ELIZABETH WONG, SAID.
IT WILL ALSO CONTINUE TO PROCEED WITH THOSE REHABILITATION PROJECTS FOR THE DISABLED WHICH HAVE MET WITH LOCAL OBJECTION AS WELL AS TO BRING CONCERNED RESIDENTS ROUND TO ACCEPTING THOSE PROJECTS, SHE ADDED.
REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY DR THE HON CONRAD LAM IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY), MRS WONG SAID RECENT OBJECTION BY LOCAL RESIDENTS TO THE SETTING UP OF REHABILITATION FACILITIES IN CERTAIN DISTRICTS MANIFESTED CLEARLY THAT DISCRIMINATION WAS A REAL PROBLEM, ALBEIT A LOCALISED ONE.
"PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES HAVE THE RIGHT TO BENEFIT FROM REHABILITATION SERVICES," SHE STRESSED.
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WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 13, 1993
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"I WOULD LIKE TO PAY TRIBUTE TO THEM AND TO THEIR ADVOCATES WHO HAVE ACTED WITH DIGNITY AND RESTRAINT IN THE FACE OF SUCH DISCRIMINATION."
MRS WONG RECALLED THAT THERE HAD BEEN CALLS EARLIER THIS YEAR FOR THE ENACTMENT OF ANTI-DISCRIMINATION LEGISLATION TO PROTECT THE RIGHTS OF PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES.
THE RECENT INCIDENT IN WHICH A PARENTS RESOURCE CENTRE IN TUNG TAU ESTATE WAS VANDALISED IS CLEARLY UNACCEPTABLE AND CALLS FOR A RETHINK ON THE WAY FOWARD.
SHE NOTED THAT THE MOST PRESSING PROBLEM THE GOVERNMENT WAS FACING WAS DIRECT DISCRIMINATION IN THE FORM OF OVERT PREJUDICE, WHICH IN SOME CASES HAD TAKEN THE FORM OF PHYSICAL HARASSMENT.
"TO TACKLE THIS PARTICULAR PROBLEM, I HOPE TO AIM AT EARLY NEXT YEAR FOR A DECISION TO BE REACHED ON ANTI-DISCRIMINATION LEGISLATION AND THE SCOPE IT SHOULD TAKE TO BEST SUIT LOCAL NEEDS AND CIRCUMSTANCES," MRS WONG SAID.
SHE CALLED FOR THE FIRM SUPPORT FROM THE PUBLIC AT LARGE TO ELIMINATE EFFECTIVELY DISCRIMINATION AGAINST PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES.
ON PUBLIC EDUCATION ON REHABILITATION, MRS WONG NOTED THAT THE GOVERNMENT WOULD SPEND $31 MILLION BETWEEN NOW AND 1998/97.
THE PUBLIC EDUCATION ACTIVITIES, WHICH WILL FOCUS ON THE SPECIAL NEEDS OF EX-MENTALLY ILL AND MENTALLY HANDICAPPED PERSONS, ARE TARGETED AT DISTRICT RESIDENTS.
THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC EDUCATION IN REHABILITATION HAS ALSO ‘ PUT IN PLACE A COMPREHENSIVE SYSTEM FOR MONITORING THE PROGRESS AND EVALUATING THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THESE ACTIVITIES.
IN ADDITION, THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT HAS OVER THE YEARS ATTACHED IMPORTANCE TO IMBUING YOUNG PEOPLE WITH PROPER UNDERSTANDING ABOUT AND ATTITUDES TOWARDS PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES.
TOPICS RELATING TO PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES HAVE BEEN INCLUDED IN THE EXISTING CURRICULUM AT BOTH PRIMARY AND SECONDARY LEVELS.
THE DEPARTMENT WILL ALSO INTRODUCE A NEW SUBJECT, "GENERAL STUDIES", IN PRIMARY SCHOOLS IN SEPTEMBER 1996 COVERING SUCH TOPICS AS THE NATURE, NEEDS, RIGHTS AND POTENTIAL CONTRIBUTION OF PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES.
AS A MORE IMMEDIATE MEASURE, A NEW EDUCATION TELEVISION SPECIAL PROGRAMME PROMOTING THE ACCEPTANCE OF THE DISABLED IS BEING PREPARED FOR TRANSMISSION IN NEXT MARCH.
SCHOOLS ARE FURTHER ENCOURAGED TO ORGANISE VARIOUS EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES, INCLUDING THE SISTER SCHOOLS SCHEME AND COMMUNITY YOUTH CLUB, TO ENHANCE STUDENTS’ UNDERSTANDING ABOUT PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES. 4
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/7........
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 13, 1993
INTERIM LOCALISATION POLICY A CORRECT DECISION
*****
THE REACTION TO THE INTERIM ARRANGEMENTS WHEREBY CIVIL SERVANTS SERVING ON OVERSEAS CONDITIONS WHO ARE PERMANENT RESIDENTS OF HONG KONG SHOULD BE ALLOWED TO TRANSFER TO LOCAL TERMS HAS BEEN OUT OF PROPORTION TO THEIR LIKELY EFFECT.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE SECRETARY FOR THE CIVIL SERVICE, MRS ANSON CHAN, WHEN REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY THE HON HENRY TANG IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MRS CHAN SAID THE BEST WAYS TO HEAL THE DIVISIONS WITHIN THE CIVIL SERVICE CAUSED BY THE INTRODUCTION OF THE REVISED POLICY WERE:
* TO CONTINUE TO IMPLEMENT THE LOCALISATION POLICY VIGOROUSLY, BUT FAIRLY;
* TO DEVISE A NEW PACKAGE FOR CIVIL SERVICE EMPLOYMENT WHICH REMOVES THE DISTINCTION BETWEEN LOCAL AND OVERSEAS CONDITIONS OF SERVICE; AND
* TO WORK TOWARDS A LONGER TERM SOLUTION IN CONSULTATION WITH
INTERESTED PARTIES.
"THESE ARE THE DIRECTIONS IN WHICH THE GOVERNMENT IS MOVING," SHE SAID. "IN OTHER WORDS WE SHOULD LOOK TO THE FUTURE AND NOT TO THE PAST."
ASKED WHY THE RELEVANT STAFF ASSOCIATIONS AND THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL WERE NOT CONSULTED BEFORE THE PROMULGATION OF THE REVISED LOCALISATION POLICY, MRS CHAN EXPLAINED THAT THE VIEWS AND THE POSITIONS OF THE PARTIES CONCERNED HAD BEEN MADE KNOWN TO THE GOVERNMENT.
"IF WE HAD PROCEEDED TO FORMAL CONSULTATION THIS COULD ONLY HAVE BEEN ACCOMPLISHED BY INTRODUCING A MORATORIUM ON A SIGNIFICANT PART OF THE LOCALISATION POLICY," MRS CHAN SAID.
"IT WOULD SIMPLY NOT HAVE BEEN PRACTICABLE TO CONTINUE TO ENFORCE THE OLD POLICY ONCE THE GOVERNMENT HAD TAKEN A VIEW, IN PUBLIC, THAT IT WAS DEFECTIVE.
"WE DID NOT FAVOUR THE MORATORIUM ROUTE BECAUSE IT WOULD HAVE MEANT, EFFECTIVELY, A POLICY VACUUM.
"A BETTER APPROACH WAS TO INTRODUCE AN INTERIM POLICY PENDING FULL CONSULTATION ON LONGER TERM ARRANGEMTNS. WE STILL BELIEVE THIS WAS THE CORRECT DECISION," SHE STATED.
MRS CHAN ALSO POINTED OUT THAT INDEPENDENT LEGAL ADVICE OBTAINED BOTH LOCALLY AND OVERSEAS STRONGLY SUGGESTED THAT THE PREVIOUS LOCALISATION POLICY IN SO FAR AS IT APPLIED TO PERMANENT RESIDENTS OF HONG KONG WAS NOT COMPATIBLE WITH THE BILL OF RIGHTS.
"IT WOULD HAVE BEEN IRRESPONSIBLE TO IGNORE THE ADVICE AND TO CONTINUE TO IMPLEMENT A POLICY WHICH WE BELIEVED TO BE DEFECTIVE," SHE ADDED.
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WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 13, 1993
- 8 -
MORE HUMAN RIGHTS REPORTS ON HK TO COME ¥ * * ♦ ♦
FIVE REPORTS ON HONG KONG WHICH ARE MADE TO THE UNITED NATIONS HUMAN RIGHTS COMMITTEE WILL BE DUE BETWEEN NOW AND JUNE 30, 1997.
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT WILL KEEP THE PRACTICE OF TABLING SUCH REPORTS IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE ACTING SECRETARY FOR CONSTITUTIONAL AFFAIRS, MR C M LEUNG, IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON SIMON IP SIK-ON, IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
THE REPORTS DUE ARE:
* FOURTH PERIODIC REPORT UNDER THE INTERNATIONAL CONVENANT ON CIVIL AND POLITICAL RIGHTS (DUE JUNE 1994);
* THIRD PERIODIC REPORT UNDER THE INTERNATIONAL CONVENANT ON ECONOMIC, SOCIAL AND CULTURAL RIGHTS (DUE JUNE 1994);
* THIRTEENTH AND FOURTEENTH PERIODIC REPORTS UNDER THE INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION ON THE ELIMINATION OF ALL FORMS OF RACIAL DISCRIMINATION (DUE APRIL 1994 AND APRIL 1996 RESPECTIVELY); AND
» INITIAL REPORT UNDER THE CONVENTION AGAINST TORTURE AND OTHER CRUEL, INHUMAN OR DEGRADING TREATMENT OR PUNISHMENT (DUE JANUARY 1994)
MR SZE SAID THE PRACTICE OF TABLING THESE REPORTS IN THE LEGCO WAS STARTED WITH THE THIRD PERIODIC REPORT UNDER THE INTERNATIONAL CONVENANT OR CIVIL AND POLITICAL RIGHTS.
MOREOVER, THE UNITED KINGDOM GOVERNMENT HAS SUBMITTED THE REPORTS ON HONG KONG TO THE UNITED NATIONS HUMAN RIGHTS COMMITTEE UNDER THE INTERNATIONAL CONVENANT ON CIVIL AND POLITICAL RIGHTS IN THE LAST FIVE YEARS.
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GOVERNMENT’S POLICY FOR EQUAL DEVELOPMENT OF LAND USE
*****
IT IS THE GOVERNMENT’S POLICY TO PROVIDE AN ADEQUATE SUPPLY OF LAND FOR ALL TYPES OF DEVELOPMENT AS FAR AS POSSIBLE, THE SECRETARY FOR PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS, MR TONY EASON, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY DR THE HON SAMUEL WONG PING-WAI IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, MR EASON SAID:
/"IN PREPARING .......
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 13, 1993
9
"IN PREPARING OUTLINE ZONING PLANS TO REPLACE THE DEVELOPMENT PERMISSION AREA PLANS, THE GOVERNMENT WILL INDEED TAKE ACCOUNT OF DEMAND FOR HOUSING, AS WELL AS THE PROVISION OF INFRASTRUCTURE, ACCESSIBILITY AND ENVIRONMENTAL, TRAFFIC AND OTHER PLANNING CONSIDERATIONS, IN ZONING LAND FOR RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT."
HE SAID THE PLANNING DEPARTMENT RECEIVED 572 PLANNING APPLICATIONS FOR RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENTS BETWEEN AUGUST 1990 AND SEPTEMBER 1993 IN AREAS COVERED BY INTERIM DEVELOPMENT PERMISSION AREA PLANS AND DEVELOPMENT PERMISSION AREA PLANS.
MOST OF THE APPLICATIONS WERE FOR SMALL HOUSE DEVELOPMENT INVOLVING SOME TWO MILLION SQUARE METRES OF GROSS FLOOR AREA, HE SAID.
MR EASON NOTED THAT AT THE BEGINNING OF SEPTEMBER THIS YEAR, 275 OUT OF THE 572 APPLICATIONS WERE APPROVED, INVOLVING A TOTAL GROSS FLOOR AREA OF 124,380 SQUARE METRES.
THERE WERE 247 REJECTED APPLICATIONS AND 50 WITHDRAWN, HE SAID.
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MEASURES TO CURB CRIMES AGAINST TENANTS *****
THE POLICE, WITH EFFECT FROM JANUARY 1, NEXT YEAR, WILL MAINTAIN SEPARATE STATISTICS FOR OFFENCES AGAINST LANDLORD AND TENANTS (CONSOLIDATION) ORDINANCE.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, MR ALISTAIR ASPREY, TODAY (WEDNESDAY) IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON STEVEN POON KWOK-LIM IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
TO PREVENT SUCH CRIMES AND TO PROTECT THE TENANTS CONCERNED, PAMPHLETS ARE DISTRIBUTED THROUGH DISTRICT OFFICES AND RATING AND VALUATION DEPARTMENT OFFICES TO HIGHLIGHT THE FACT THAT TO INTERFERE WITH A TENANT’S RIGHT TO REMAIN IN OCCUPATION OF RENTED PREMISES ARE CRIMINAL OFFENCES WHICH ARE LIABLE TO HEAVY PENALTIES.
MR ASPREY SAID: "ON RECEIVING COMPLAINTS OF CRIMINAL OFFENCES, INCLUDING THOSE ARISING FORM LANDLORD TENANT DISPUTES OR REPOSSESSION OF PREMISES, THE POLICE WILL CONDUCT THE NECESSARY INVESTIGATIONS."
WHERE APPROPRIATE, CHARGES WILL BE BROUGHT AGAINST THOSE HAVING COMMITTED CRIMINAL OFFENCES.
HE SAID THE POLICE ALSO HAD CLOSE LIAISON WITH THE RATING AND VALUATION DEPARTMENT AND HAD ESTABLISHED PROCEDURES TO DEAL WITH TENANCY DISPUTE MATTERS.
"IF THERE IS NO EVIDENCE OF ANY OFFENCE, THE POLICE WILL REFER THE CASE TO THE RATING AND VALUATION DEPARTMENT TO SETTLE THE DISPUTE BY MEDIATION", ASPRAY ADDED.
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/10
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 13, 1993
10
NO CHANGE TO MEDICAL FEE STRUCTURE * » » » *
THERE IS LITTLE JUSTIFICATION TO CHANGE THE PRESENT FEE CHARGING POLICY FOR SERVICES AT PUBLIC HOSPITALS AND CLINICS WITHOUT A THOROUGH OVERHAUL, THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, MRS ELIZABETH WONG, INFORMED THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
"AS THE EXISTING FEE STRUCTURE OF OUR MEDICAL SYSTEM IS ONE OF THE KEY ISSUES WHICH WE WILL ADDRESS IN THE CONTEXT OF THE CONSULTATION DOCUMENT ’TOWARDS BETTER HEALTH’, WE WILL ASSESS THE NEED FOR CHANGE IN THE CONSULTATION EXERCISE," SHE SAID.
IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY DR THE HON LEONG CHE-HUNG, MRS WONG SAID THE PRESENT FEE CHARGING POLICY RECOGNISED DIRECT FAMILY TIES AS A MAJOR FACTOR IN DETERMINING THE ELIGIBILITY FOR SUBSIDISED MEDICAL TREATMENT.
AT PRESENT, THE SPOUSE OF A HOLDER OF HONG KONG IDENTITY CARD WHO COULD PRODUCE A MARRIAGE CERTIFICATE ISSUED BY A COMPETENT AUTHORITY WAS CHARGED FEES ON THE BASIS OF AN ENTITLED PERSON.
THIS APPLIES WITHOUT DISCRIMINATION TO ALL FOREIGN NATIONALS MARRIED TO HONG KONG RESIDENTS.
THOSE WHO DO NOT SATISFY THIS CRITERION ARE CLASSIFIED AS NONENTITLED PERSONS AND ARE REQUIRED TO PAY THE FULL COSTS OF THEIR MEDICAL TREATMENT.
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ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION CONVENTIONS RATIFIED BY UK
» » « » »
THE UNITED KINGDOM IS A CONTRACTING PARTY TO A NUMBER OF INTERNATIONAL CONVENTIONS AND AGREEMENTS ON ENVIRONMENT CONSERVATION AND ITS RATIFICATION FOR THEM HAS BEEN EXTENDED TO HONG KONG.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE SECRETARY FOR PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS, MR TONY EASON, TODAY (WEDNESDAY) IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON MAN SAI-CHEONG IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
THESE AGREEMENTS AND CONVENTIONS ARE THE CONVENTION ON THE CONSERVATION OF MIGRATORY SPECIES OF WILD ANIMALS (BONN CONVENTION), THE CONVENTION ON WETLANDS OF INTERNATIONAL IMPORTANCE ESPECIALLY AS WATERFOWL HABITAT (RAMSAR CONVENTION), THE CONVENTION ON INTERNATIONAL TRADE IN ENDANGERED SPECIES OF WILD FAUNA AND FLORA, THE MONTREAL PROTOCOL ON SUBSTANCES THAT DEPLETE THE OZONE LAYER AND THE LONDON CONVENTION.
MR EASON SAID BRITAIN DID NOT MAKE ANY PLEDGE ON BEHALF OF HONG KONG FOR THE FULFILMENT OF COMMITMENTS IN FUTURE AT THE EARTH SUMMIT.
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 13, 1993
FUNDS APPROVED FOR PUBLIC WORKS PROJECTS REMAIN UNUSED
* * * t t
THERE ARE 13 PUBLIC WORKS PROJECTS WHERE FUNDS APPROVED BY THE FINANCE COMMITTEE IN THE PAST FIVE YEARS REMAIN YET UNUSED.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE SECRETARY FOR THE TREASURY, MR DONALD TSANG, IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON CHEUNG MAN-KWONG IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
HE SAID THE FUNDS REMAINED UNUSED ON PROJECTS BECAUSE:
♦ LAND RESUMPTION HAD TAKEN LONGER THAN* ANTICIPATED ON TWO PROJECTS;
* THREE PROJECTS HAD BEEN ENTRUSTED TO OTHER AGENCIES TO CARRY OUT AND PAYMENT WAS ONLY MADE WHEN THE WORK HAD BEEN COMPLETED TO THE GOVERNMENT’S SATISFACTION;
♦ FOUR PROJECTS WERE BUILD-OPERATE-TRANSFER WHERE STAGED PAYMENTS WERE MADE AGAINST SPECIFIED CONTRACT MILESTONES. THE FIRST PAYMENT WAS TYPICALLY ONLY MADE NINE TO EIGHTEEN MONTHS AFTER CONSTRUCTION STARTED;
♦ TWO PROJECTS WERE AWAITING RESOLUTION BETWEEN THE CHINESE AND BRITISH GOVERNMENTS; AND
* TWO PROJECTS HAD BEEN FUNDED FROM OTHER SOURCES.
HE ALSO SAID THERE SHOULD BE NO NEED TO RE-APPLY TO THE FINANCE COMMITTEE FOR EXTRA FUNDS. FUNDS REMAINED UNUSED WITHIN A PUBLIC WORKS PROJECT WERE NORMALLY RE-ALLOCATED TO FUND NEW PROJECTS AS PART OF THE GOVERNMENT’S ANNUAL RESOURCE ALLOCATION EXERCISE, SUBJECT TO THE FINANCE COMMITTEE’S APPROVAL.
ON THE DELIVERY OF PROJECTS, MR DONALD TSANG SAID THE SECRETARY FOR WORKS HAD BEEN MADE RESPONSIBLE FOR CHAIRING THE PUBLIC WORKS PROGRESS COMMITTEE TO MONITOR PROGRESS ON PUBLIC WORKS PROJECTS AND TO INTRODUCE REMEDIAL ACTION IF NECESSARY.
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KARAOKE LOUNGES SUBJECT TO FIRE SAFETY REQUIREMENT ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
AN INTER-DEPARTMENTAL WORKING GROUP HAS BEEN SET UP TO STUDY OPTIONS FOR THE REGULATION OF KARAOKE LOUNGES.
THIS WAS STATED BY SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, MR ALISTAIR ASPREY, IN A REPLY TO DR THE HON TANG SIU-TONG IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
AMONG OTHER THINGS, A LICENSING SYSTEM WILL BE CONSIDERED, TO TACKLE THE PROBLEM OF UNDERAGE GIRLS WORKING IN KARAOKE ESTABLISHMENTS, AND TO PRESCRIBE HYGIENE, FIRE AND BUILDING SAFETY REQUIREMENTS, HE SAID.
/ALL PREMISES
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 13, 1993
- 12 -
ALL PREMISES ARE SUBJECT TO FIRE SAFETY REQUIREMENTS UNDER THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE AND THE FIRE SERVICES ORDINANCE.
"THIS IS THE CASE WITH ALL KARAOKE LOUNGES, EVEN THOUGH THEY ARE NOT SUBJECT TO ANY SPECIAL FIRE SAFETY REQUIREMENTS," HE ADDED.
THE GOVERNMENT ESTIMATED THAT AS AT THE END OF SEPTEMBER THIS YEAR, 727 ESTABLISHMENT OFFERING KARAOKE ENTERTAINMENT WERE IN OPERATION.
OF THESE, 495 ARE OPERATED AS CLUBS OR. LICENSED AS PLACES PROVIDING FOOD OR LIQUOR, WHILE THE REMAINING 232 ARE OPERATING ONLY ON THE BASIS OF A BUSINESS REGISTRATION CERTIFICATE IN BOTH RESIDENTIAL OR COMMERCIAL PREMISES.
HE SAID THERE WERE NO INDICATIONS THAT LICENSED KARAOKE ESTABLISHMENTS WERE FAILING TO COMPLY WITH FIRE SAFETY STANDARDS, OR THAT THEY POSED A GREATER FIRE RISK THAN OTHER PREMISES OR ESTABLISHMENTS.
IN 1991, THERE WAS NO MAJOR FIRE IN A KARAOKE ESTABLISHMENT. IN 1992, THERE WAS ONE MAJOR FIRE IN A KARAOKE ESTABLISHMENT. THERE HAS BEEN ONE SO FAR THIS YEAR.
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NO SPECIFIC REGULATION ON AUTOMATIC TELLER MACHINES ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
THERE IS NO SPECIFIC INDUSTRY-WIDE REGULATION ON THE FUNCTIONING AND MAINTENANCE OF AUTOMATIC TELLER MACHINES (ATMS), BUT INCIDENTS OF ERROR ARE FEW.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE SECRETARY FOR FINANCIAL SERVICES, MR M D CARTLAND, IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON HUANG CHEN-YA IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MR CARTLAND SAID INDIVIDUAL BANKS HAD THEIR OWN INTERNAL REGULATIONS TO PREVENT ATMS’ MECHANICAL FAILURE OR TAMPERING, AS IT WAS IN THEIR INTEREST TO ENSURE ITS RELIABILITY AND INTEGRITY.
CUSTOMER IN DISPUTE WITH A BANK OVER ATM TRANSACTIONS MAY APPROACH THE CONSUMER COUNCIL OR SEEK REDRESS THROUGH THE COURTS, HE ADDED.
HE SAID THE ATMS AND THE PROTECTION METHODS EMPLOYED IN HONG KONG WERE IN LINE WITH THOSE ADOPTED BY OTHER LEADING FINANCIAL CENTRES.
STANDARD SAFETY FEATURES INCLUDE THE USE OF ENCRYPTED PERSONAL IDENTIFICATION NUMBERS, ENCRYPTION OF SENSITIVE TRANSACTION DATA AND OTHER AUDIT MEASURES.
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/13 .......
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 13, 1993
- 13 -
NEED TO EDUCATE PUBLIC ON USE OF CHINESE HERBS
♦ * t t t
THE GOVERNMENT WILL CONTINUE THE PRACTICE OF RELEASING THE NAMES OF THE CHINESE HERBS WHICH HAVE CAUSED POISONING, THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, MRS ELIZABETH WONG, SAID.
TN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON HOWARD YOUNG IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY), MRS WONG SAID THE GOVERNMENT RECOGNISED THAT THERE WAS A NEED TO EDUCATE THE PUBLIC ON THE SAFE AND PROPER USE OF CHINESE HERBS.
’’THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, THROUGH ITS HEALTH EDUCATION PROGRAMMES, PROVIDES INFORMATION TO THE PUBLIC ON THE TOXIC EFFECT OF POTENT HERBS AND ON HOW THEY SHOULD BE HANDLED,” SHE NOTED.
OVER THE PAST THREE YEARS, THERE HAVE BEEN 23 REPORTED CASES OF POISONING INVOLVING THE USE OF CHINESE HERBS.
OF THESE CASES, 22 WERE CAUSED BY THE IMPROPER USE OF CHUANWU AND CAOWU DUE TO OVERDOSAGE, INCOMPLETE CURING OF THE HERBS OR FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH INSTRUCTIONS ON PREPARATION.
THE REMAINING CASE WAS CAUSED BY THE MISTAKEN USE OF NAOYANGHUA INSTEAD OF L1NGXIAOHUA.
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GAMBLING RESTRICTIONS APPLY TO SHIPS WITHIN HK WATERS ♦ ♦ * t t
CURRENT RESTRICTIONS ON GAMBLING APPLY TO ACTIVITIES WHICH TAKE PLACE ON BOARD SHIPS PLYING WITHIN HONG KONG WATERS, THE SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS, MR MICHAEL SUEN, INFORMED THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
IN HIS WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON CHIM PUI-CHUNG, MR SUEN SAID THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE TO SUGGEST THAT UNLAWFUL GAMBLING ACTIVITIES WERE TAKING PLACE ON BOARD VESSELS WITHIN THE PORT.
HOWEVER, MR SUEN SAID THERE WERE PARTICULAR DIFFICULTIES WITH RESPECT TO HONG KONG’S EXTRA TERRITORIAL JURISDICTION OVER ACTIVITIES WHICH TOOK PLACE ON BOARD VESSELS CARYING PASSENGERS FROM HONG KONG TO THE HIGH SEAS.
HE POINTED OUT THAT IT WAS NOT THE GOVERNMENT POLICY TO ATTEMPT TO CONTROL GAMBLING ACTIVITIES OUTSIDE HONG KONG.
HOWEVER, IN Illi' CASE OF VESSELS WHICH ARE BASED IN HONG KONG, THE GOVERNMENT’S FIRST PRIORITY IS TO ENSURE THE SAFETY OF ALL THE CREW AND PASSENGERS ABOARD.
THE RECENT FIRE ON THE PANAMA-REGISTERED SHIP "NEW ORIENT PRINCESS" SERVED TO SHOW THAT THE GOVERNMENT WAS CORRECT TN TAKING STEPS TO CONTROL FIRE \MD MARINE SAFETY STANDARDS OF THESE VESSELS.
/HE SAID .......
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 13, 1993
14
HE SAID THE GOVERNMENT WOULD CONTINUE TO TAKE FIRM ACTION TO ENSURE THAT FOREIGN PASSENGER SHIPS BASED IN HONG KONG AND ENGAGED ON EXCURSION VOYAGES WOULD MEET THE SAME SAFETY STANDARD AS APPLIED TO LOCAL REGISTERED VESSELS.
IN THIS CONNECTION, EVEN THE TWO VESSELS CARRYING PASSENGERS FROM HONG KONG FOR GAMBLING ACTIVITIES ON THE HIGH SEAS HAVE BEEN INSPECTED AND PASSED THE EXAMINATION, HE SAID.
MEANTIME, MR SUEN ALSO ASSURED COUNCILLORS THAT LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES WOULD CONTINUE TO MONITOR THE ACTIVITIES OF ALL SHIPS USING THE PORT, INCLUDING THOSE ON EXCURSION VOYAGES. „
AND NO DISTINCTION WILL BE MADE BETWEEN VESSELS OPERATING EXCURSION VOYAGES TO THE OPEN SEA AND THOSE PLYING BETWEEN HONG KONG AND NEARBY PORTS.
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RENTS FOR PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES ARE LOWER THAN COST *****
’’COST RENT" HAS NO DIRECT BEARING ON THE RENTS SET FOR THE HOUSING AUTHORITY'S ESTATES WHICH TAKE INTO ACCOUNT SUCH FACTORS AS TENANTS’ AFFORDABILITY, COMPARATIVE ESTATE VALUES, INFLATION, GENERAL HOUSEHOLD INCOME TRENDS, MANAGEMENT AND MAINTENANCE EXPENDITURE AND RATES.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE SECRETARY FOR PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS, MR TONY EASON, TODAY (WEDNESDAY) IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON TAM YIU-CHUNG IN THE LEGISTRAT1VE COUNCIL.
MR EASON SAID THEORETICALLY RENTS WOULD HAVE TO BE SET TO RECOVER THE AMORTISED CAPITAL COST AND OPERATING EXPENSES IN PROVISION OF PUBLIC RENTAL HOUSING, BUT IN PRACTICE, THE RENTS CHARGED WERE LOWER THAN THE COST RENT FIGURES, WHICH WERE USED AS REFERENCE.
HE EXPLAINED THAT THE COST RENT FIGURES FOR NEWLY COMPLETED ESTATES WERE DERIVED FROM TENDER PRICES FOR INDIVIDUAL BUILDING PROJECTS AND THEIR PROVISIONAL RATEABLE VALUES, AND THEREFORE THE COST RENT FIGURES FOR NEW ESTATES, ESTATES IN URBAN AREA AND THE NEW TERRITORIES WERE DIFFERENT.
CONCERNING THE METHODOLOGY AND FACTORS TAKEN INTO
CONSIDERATION, MR EASON NOTED THAT THE CAPITAL COST COMPRISED BUILDING COST, FEES, OVERHEADS, AS WELL AS INTEREST CHARGES DURING CONSTRUCTION.
"THE CAPITAL COST IS DEPRECIATED, ON A STRAIGHT LINE BASTS, OVER THE EXPECTED LIFE-SPAN OF THE BUILDING OVER 40 YEARS WITH INTEREST AT 5%. ADDED TO THIS ARE THE OPERATING EXPENSES MADE UP OF MANAGEMENT, MAINTENANCE CHARGES AND PROVISIONAL RATES ETC.
’’THE IWO COMPONENTS PUT TOGETHER BECOME THE ANNUAL COST NEEDED TO PRODUCE AND UPKEEP A BATCH OF ESTATES, WHICH IS THEN TRANSLATED INTO AN AVERAGE MONTHLY COST RENT FOR COMPARISON PURPOSE IN RENT SETTING EXERCISE," HE SAID.
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/15
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 13, 1993
15
CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT FOR ACADEMIC STAFF IN TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS * * * * *
ACADEMIC STAFF IN THE NINE TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS IN HONG KONG ARE APPOINTED ON THE BASIS OF THEIR ACADEMIC STRENGTH AND EXPERTISE, PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS, TEACHING AND RESEARCH EXPERIENCE, PERSONAL QUALITIES AND, FOR CERTAIN DISCIPLINES, INTERNATIONAL LINKS.
SOME INSTITUTIONS GIVE PRIORITY TO LOCAL CANDIDATES WHERE SUCH CANDIDATES SATISFY THE INSTITUTION’S APPOINTMENT REQUIREMENTS EQUALLY WELL AS THOSE FROM OVERSEAS.
OTHERS RECRUIT THEIR ACADEMIC STAFF ON AN INTERNATIONAL BASIS WITH NO REGARD TO SUCH OTHER ATTRIBUTES AS RACE, NATIONALITY, OR PLACE OF ORIGIN.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER, MR MICHAEL LEUNG, IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON LI WARMING IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
FOR 1993/94, THE NUMBER OF LOCAL AND OVERSEAS ACADEMIC STAFF EMPLOYED BY THE NINE TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS TOTALLED 2,463 AND 1,221 RESPECTIVELY.
MR LEUNG SAID THE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN LOCAL AND OVERSEAS TERMS WERE MAINLY IN ELIGIBILITY FOR PASSAGE AND BAGGAGE ALLOWANCES, HOUSING BENEFITS AND OVERSEAS EDUCATION ALLOWANCE.
"THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF SERVICE FOR THESE INSTITUTIONS’ OVERSEAS STAFF MUST BE KEPT SIMILAR TO THOSE OFFERED TO EXPATRIATE STAFF IN THE CIVIL SERVICE," HE ADDED.
MR LEUNG NOTED THAT THE OPEN LEARNING INSTITUTE WAS REVIEWING ITS TOTAL REMUNERATION PACKAGE WITH A VIEW TO INTRODUCING A NEW PACKAGE WITH COMMON TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF SERVICE FOR LOCAL AND OVERSEAS STAFF.
------0--------
CRITERIA FOR OPERATING A SCHOOL
******
AN ORGANISATION MAKING AN APPLICATION TO OPERATE A SCHOOL UNDER THE CODES OF AID MUST BE A NON-PROFIT-MAKING ENTITY, HAVING OBTAINED TAX EXEMPTION UNDER THE INLAND REVENUE ORDINANCE.
IN ADDITION, IT MUST BE INCORPORATED UNDER THE COMPANIES ORDINANCE. ITS MEMORANDUM AND ARTICLES OF ASSOCIATION MUST CONTAIN STANDARD CLAUSES SPECIFIED BY THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT, SUCH AS PRUDENTIAL CONTROL AND THE APPOINTMENT OF THE SCHOOL MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE.
/THIS WAS .......
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 13, 1993
- 16
THIS WAS STATED BY THE SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER, MR MICHAEL LEUNG, IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY DR THE HON PHILIP WONG IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MR LEUNG SAID THE GOVERNMENT, WHEN CONSIDERING SUCH AN APPLICATION, TOOK INTO ACCOUNT A NUMBER OF FACTORS:
* WHETHER THE ALLOCATION WOULD RESULT IN QUALITY EDUCATION BEING PROVIDED;
* WHETHER THE ALLOCATION WOULD HELP IN THE SMOOTH IMPLEMENTATION OF APPROVED POLICIES; AND
* WHETHER THE ALLOCATION WOULD PROVIDE A WIDER RANGE OF CHOICES FOR PARENTS.
"TO ENSURE PROPER MANAGEMENT AND EFFICIENT OPERATION," MR LEUNG EXPLAINED, "A NEW SCHOOL WOULD ONLY BE ALLOCATED TO AN ORGANISATION WITH EXPERIENCE IN EDUCATION, PROVEN COMPETENCE, RELIABILITY AND A SOUND FINANCIAL FOOTING.
"UNDER NORMAL CIRCUMSTANCES, A NEW SCHOOL WOULD BE ALLOCATED TO A NEW ORGANISATION, OR TO AN EXISTING SPONSORING BODY WHICH IS NOT ALREADY OPERATING ANOTHER SCHOOL AT THE SAME LEVEL IN THE SAME DISTRICT."
THE REPUTATION AND POPULARITY OF THE APPLICANTS WILL BE TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT, HE ADDED.
IN THE CASE OF REPROVISIONING SCHOOLS IN AREAS OF DECLINING DEMAND TO AREAS OF RISING DEMAND, THE CLAIMS OF EXISTING SCHOOL OPERATORS WOULD BE CONSIDERED.
WHEN ALL OTHER FACTORS ARE EQUAL, THE SECRETARY NOTED, THE GOVERNMENT WILL THEN CONSIDER THE LENGTH OF TIME FOR WHICH THE APPLICATIONS HAVE BEEN OUTSTANDING.
AS AT SEPTEMBER 30 THIS YEAR, 134 AND 77 ORGANISATIONS HAVE APPLIED FOR THE ALLOCATION OF PRIMARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOLS RESPECTIVELY.
OF THE TOTAL, 136 APPLICATIONS WERE SUBMITTED MORE THAN FIVE YEARS AGO, 72 BETWEEN ONE AND FIVE YEARS, AND THE REMAINING THREE WERE SUBMITTED IN THE PAST YEAR.
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WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 13, 1993
17 -
FILIPINO DRIVERS IN HONG KONG
* ♦ » » *
TWO MALE PERSONS FROM THE PHILIPPINES HAVE BEEN ADMITTED INTO HONG KONG UNDER THE IMPORTATION OF LABOUR SCHEME FOR EMPLOYMENT AS DRIVERS OVER THE PAST TWO YEARS.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT, MR HAIDER BARMA, TODAY (WEDNESDAY) IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY DR THE HON SAMUEL WONG IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
MR BARMA SAID THEY WERE REQUIRED TO TAKE DRIVING TESTS CONDUCTED BY THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT UNDER THE ROAD TRAFFIC (DRIVING LICENCES) REGULATIONS.
THEY BOTH PASSED THE TESTS AND WERE ISSUED WITH A DRIVING LICENCE BEFORE TAKING UP EMPLOYMENT.
MR BARMA SAID THE SAME REQUIREMENT WOULD APPLY TO FILIPINOS COMING TO HONG KONG FOR FUTURE EMPLOYMENT AS DRIVERS UNDER THE IMPORTATION OF LABOUR SCHEME TN FUTURE.
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PENALTIES FOR INDUSTRIAL SAFETY OFFENCES TO GO UP ♦ * ♦ » *
THE GOVERNMENT PROPOSES TO RAISE SUBSTANTIALLY THE PENALTIES FOR OFFENCES UNDER THE FACTORIES AND INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS ORDINANCE IN ORDER TO MAINTAIN AND INCREASE THEIR DETERRENT EFFECT.
THE SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER, MR MICHAEL LEUNG, SAID THE CURRENT MAXIMUM FINES FOR THE OFFENCES, RANGING FROM $5,000 TO $50,000 PLUS 12 MONTHS' IMPRISONMENT, WERE CONSIDERED GENERALLY TOO LOW AS MOST OF THE MAXIMUM FINES HAD NOT BEEN REVISED SINCE 1981.
HE WAS MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE FACTORIES AND INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS (AMENDMENT) BILL 1993 IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
UNDER THE BILL, THE NEW MAXIMUM FINE IS $10,000 FOR MINOR OFFENCES, $50,000 FOR SERIOUS OFFENCES, AND $200,000 WITH OR WITHOUT IMPRISONMENT FOR VERY SERIOUS OFFENCES.
MR LEUNG EXPLAINED THAT "MINOR OFFENCES" WERE MAINLY TECHNICAL BREACHES OF STATUTORY PROCEDURAL REQUIREMENTS SUCH AS FAILURE TO KEEP RECORDS OF REGISTERS, ABSENCE OF STATUTORY WARNING NOTICES OR SIGNS.
"SERIOUS OFFENCES" INVOLVE RELATIVELY SERIOUS BREACHES OF SAFETY REGULATIONS, BUT NORMALLY NOT CAUSING VERY SERIOUS BODILY HARM. THESE INCLUDE FAILURE TO MARK THE MAXIMUM SPEED OF ABRASIVE WHEELS OR POOR WORKPLACE LIGHTING.
/"VERY SERIOUS .......
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 13, 1993
- 18 -
’’VERY SERIOUS OFFENCES” ARE THOSE WHICH MAY CAUSE IMMINENT RISK OF FATALITY OR VERY SERIOUS BODILY INJURY SUCH AS LACK OF PROTECTION TO PREVENT FALLING FROM HEIGHT, OUTBREAK OF EXPLOSION AND GRAVE FIRE HAZARDS.
THE BILL ALSO PROPOSED TO EMPOWER THE COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR TO ISSUE CODES OF PRACTICE.
MR LEUNG SAID: ’’THE CURRENT SAFETY AND HEALTH REGULATIONS PROVIDE FOR SAFETY REQUIREMENTS BUT MAY NOT CONTAIN SUFFICIENT DETAILS ON PROCEDURES AND STANDARDS FOR EMPLOYERS AND WORKERS TO FOLLOW.”
TO SUPPLEMENT THE LEGAL PROVISIONS, IT IS DESIRABLE TO PREPARE CODES OF PRACTICE, WRITTEN IN LAYMAN'S LANGUAGE, ON SPECIFIC REGULATIONS OR SUBJECTS TO PROVIDE FOR PRECISE STANDARDS AND PRACTICAL GUIDANCE.
’’FAILURE TO OBSERVE A PROVISION OF THE CODES OF PRACTICE SHALL NOT BY ITSELF RENDER A PERSON LIABLE TO CRIMINAL PROCEEDINGS, BUT IN ANY CRIMINAL PROCEEDINGS, THE COURT OR MAGISTRATE MAY TAKE INTO ACCOUNT ANY PROVISION OF A CODE OF PRACTICE WHICH APPEARS TO BE RELEVANT TO ANY LIABILITY IN QUESTION,” HE ADDED.
DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.
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MORE POWER FOR LABOUR CHIEF PROPOSED *****
A BILL THAT SEEKS TO EMPOWER THE COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR TO MAKE REGULATIONS UNDER THE BOILERS AND PRESSURE VESSELS ORDINANCE WAS INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE BOILERS AND PRESSURE VESSELS (AMENDMENT) BILL 1993, THE SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER, MR MICHAEL LEUNG, SAID UNDER THE BILL, THE POWER OF THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL TO MAKE REGULATIONS RELATING TO THE SAFETY STANDARDS, NUMBERING OF BOILERS AND PRESSURE VESSELS, CONTROL OF THEIR OPERATION AND FEES WOULD BE TRANSFERRED TO THE BOILERS AND PRESSURE VESSELS AUTHORITY WHO IS AT PRESENT THE COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR.
THE AUTHORITY IS ALREADY GIVEN THE POWER TO MAKE OTHER SUBSIDIARY LEGISLATION UNDER THE EXISTING ORDINANCE, NAMELY, TO PRESCRIBE THE FORM OF A CERTIFICATE OF FITNESS AND A CERTIFICATE OF COMPETENCY AND OF ANY OTHER RELEVANT DOCUMENT, MR LEUNG SAID.
’’THE BILL, IF APPROVED, WOULD REDUCE THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL’S WORKLOAD IN MAKING SUBSIDIARY LEGISLATION OF A TECHNICAL NATURE,” HE ADDED.
DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.
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/19........
WENDESDAY, OCTOBER 13, 1993
- 19 -
LEGCO ASKS GOVT TO HEED FULL PUBLIC VIEW ON MEDICAL PAPER
* ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TONIGHT (WEDNESDAY) PASSED A MOTION URGING THE GOVERNMENT TO TAKE INTO CONSIDERATION THE FULL VIEWS EXPRESSED BY THE COMMUNITY ON THE ’’CONSULTATION DOCUMENT ON MEDICAL FEES, CHARGES, WAIVERS AND INSURANCE”.
TWENTY-SIX MEMBERS SPOKE IN THE FOUR-HOUR DEBATE, MOVED BY DR THE HON LAM KUT-CHUN. THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, MRS ELIZABETH WONG, SPOKE ON BEHALF OF THE GOVERNMENT.
ANOTHER MOTION MOVED BY REV THE HON FUNG CH I-WOOD URGING THE GOVERNMENT TO PROCEED EXPEDITIOUSLY WITH THE RELEVANT LAW REFORMS IN THE SUCCESSION RIGHTS IN THE NEW TERRITORIES WAS ALSO PASSED.
A TOTAL OF 23 MEMBERS SPOKE FOR MORE THAN THREE HOURS TN THE MOTION DEBATE. THE SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS, MR MICHAEL SUEN, REPLIED FOR THE GOVERNMENT.
ANOTHER MOTION MOVED BY THE HON ELSIE TU TO AMEND LEGCO’S STANDING ORDERS UNDER THE HONG KONG ROYAL INSTRUCTIONS 1917 TO 1992 WAS ALSO PASSED.
MRS TU WAS ELECTED THE LEGCO PRESIDENT’S DEPUTY.
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 14, 1993
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
GOVERNOR SPEAKS TO PRESS AFTER MEETING LIBERAL PARTY ........ 1 HONG KONG TO STAYPUT IN WORLD TRADE FOREFRONT: CS ........... 3 HONG KONG IS STILL WORLD’S TOP CONTAINER PORT ............... 3 HK NEEDS MORE INTERNATIONAL SCHOOLS: CS ..................... 4 FORMATION OF HAB PROVIDES FOCAL POINT FOR HUMAN RIGHTS ...... !> REGULATION COMMENCES FOR RETIREMENT SCHEMES ................. 6 TOP POSTS IN AGC OPEN TO LOCAL CANDIDATES ................... 8 SEWERAGE CONTRACT ON WEST KOWLOON RECLAMATION AWARDED ....... 9 MORE HELP TO LIVESTOCK FARMERS .............................. 1° STIFFER PENALTY AGAINST FLY-TIPPING ......................... 11 REPATRIATION OF ECVIT'S BY AIR .............................. 11 SAFETY RULES FOR ELECTRICAL PRODUCTS UNDERWAY ............... 12 ROAD RESURFACING WORKS TO REDUCE TRAFFIC NOISE .............. 13 AIDS FIGURES FOR THIRD QUARTER RELEASED ..................... 13 EMPLOYMENT, VACANCIES AND PAYROLL STATISTICS FOR JUNE
RELEASED ................................................... 14 COUNCIL CHAIRMEN VISITS COLLEGES OF EDUCATION ............... 18 TOC COMMITTEE MEETS TOMORROW ................................ 19 FINANCE COMMITTEE MEETING ................................... 20 HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS . 20
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 14, 1993
1
GOVERNOR SPEAKS TO PRESS AFTER MEETING LIBERAL PARTY
*****
GOVERNOR : I HAD A VERY INTERESTING MEETING WITH ALLEN LEE AND RONALD ARCULLI. I WAS PLEASED THAT THEY’D TAKEN THE TROUBLE SO QUICKLY AFTER THEIR VISIT TO PEKING TO COME AND TO TELL ME ABOUT THE DISCUSSIONS THEY HAD AND ABOUT THEIR PERCEPTIONS OF THE CHINESE POSITION. I WANT TO MAKE ONE THING ABSOLUTELY PLAIN THAT WE WANT AN AGREEMENT. WE ARE WORKING EXTREMELY HARD TO HAVE AN AGREEMENT BECAUSE AS I SAID THE OTHER DAY, IN OUR JUDGMENT, AN AGREEMENT WOULD BE A BIG DEAL. NOW, IF IT’S THE CHINESE POSITION THAT IN ORDER TO HELP CONCENTRATE ATTENTION ON THE VERY BIG ISSUES, THEY’D BE HAPPY TO AGREE WITH US NOW ON SOME ISSUES WHICH SHOULD BE ABSOLUTELY STRAIGHT-FORWARD LIKE THE VOTING AGE, LIKE THE VOTING METHOD, LIKE THE DISTRICT BOARDS/ MUNICIPAL COUNCILS ELECTIONS. IT IS THEIR POSITION NOW IF THEY AGREE WITH US ON THOSE THINGS SO WE CAN CONCENTRATE ON OTHER MATTERS, THEN I HOPE THAT POINT WILL BE PUT VERY CLEARLY AT THE BEGINNING OF THE NEXT ROUND OF TALKS. BUT OBVIOUSLY WE WILL HAVE TO WAIT AND SEE WHAT THEY SAY IN THE NEGOTIATING ROOM BECAUSE THAT POINT HASN’T BEEN PUT TO US YET. WE HAD 13 ROUNDS OF TALKS, I THINK, GETTING ON FOR 120 HOURS. ALL THE ISSUES HAD BEEN DISCUSSED AT VERY CONSIDERABLE LENGTH AND UNFORTUNATELY, NO AGREEMENT YET, NOT EVEN AN AGREEMENT, AS I’VE SAID BEFORE, ON THE VOTING AGE. IT SHOULDN’T BE TOO MUCH OF A PROBLEM BUT IF CHINESE NEGOTIATORS ARE NOW HAPPY TO AGREE WITH US ON A NUMBER OF THOSE MATTERS, AND THEN FINE. ONE OTHER ISSUE THAT I’D JUST LIKE TO MAKE ABSOLUTELY CLEAR, OUR NEGOTIATORS, OUR TEAM, WORK VERY HARD. THEY GO UP TO PEKING ONCE A WEEK OR ONCE A FORTNIGHT AND WORK VERY HARD WHEN THEY ARE THERE. I AM SURE THAT THEY’D BE PREPARED TO WORK EVEN HARDER IF THE CHINESE TEAM WANTED TO JOIN THEM IN THAT ENDEAVOUR. I AM SURE IF THE CHINESE SIDE SAID ’’LOOK, BECAUSE OF THE TIME PRESSURE WHICH WE UNDERSTAND, WE’LL WORK NIGHT AND DAY OVER THE NEXT DAYS, OVER THE NEXT WEEKS”, I AM SURE THAT OUR NEGOTIATORS WOULD BE HAPPY TO RESPOND THEMSELVES. THE TROUBLE IS WE ALREADY HAD A LOT OF TALKING AND WE STILL HAVEN’T REACHED AN AGREEMENT. BUT FOR OUR SIDE, WE’RE STILL TRYING, WE’RE STILL TRYING VERY HARD.
QUESTION : (INAUDIBLE)
GOVERNOR : WHAT WE ARE PREPARED TO DO, AS I SAID YESTERDAY, IS TO ACCEPT ANY PROPOSAL FROM THE CHINESE SIDE, TO AGREE WITH US ON THE DISTRICT BOARD ELECTIONS OR THE MUNICIPAL COUNCIL ELECTIONS. BUT I AM AFRAID THAT IT IS A BIT OF A RED HERRING IF YOU ARE SUGGESTING THAT DE-COUPLING, TO USE THE TERM OF ART, WOULD SUDDENLY BUY US MORE TIME. THE TRUTH OF THE MATTER IS WE DON’T HAVE VERY MUCH MORE TIME. THE DISTRICT BOARD ELECTIONS AREN’T REALLY THE PROBLEM. MOST OF THE ISSUES RELATING TO THE DISTRICT BOARD ELECTIONS ARE ALREADY COVERED BY THE DISTRICT BOARD ORDINANCE. THERE ARE SOME THINGS WHICH CREATE A PROBLEM AS FAR AS DISTRICT BOARD ELECTIONS ARE CONCERNED, LIKE THE VOTING AGE BUT THE BIGGEST PROBLEM, THE BIGGEST DIFFICULTY THAT WE HAVE IS OVER THE ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ELECTIONS THAT WE’VE GOT TO GET LEGISLATION ON THOSE THROUGH BY NEXT JULY FOR THE REASONS THAT WE’VE EXPLAINED. WE ARE NOT TRYING TO RUSH ANY FENCES. WHAT WE’RE DOING, IF ANYTHING, IS TAKING RISKS ON THE OTHER SIDE. BUT, WE’VE GOT TO GET THAT THROUGH BY JULY SO THAT THE BOUNDARY AND ELECTION COMMISSION CAN START WORK ON THE SUBSIDARY LEGISLATION ON ISSUES LIKE DRAWING UP THE VOTER REGISTER FOR THE FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCIES IN THE AUTUMN OF NEXT YEAR. SO IT’S THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ELECTIONS WHICH IMPOSE THE REAL TIME PRESSURES AND TO THAT EXTENT, ARGUMENTS ABOUT THE DISTRICT BOARDS ARE SLIGHTLY IRRELEVANT.
/QUESTION .......
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 14, 1993
2
QUESTION: IINAUDIBLE)
GOVERNOR: IE THE CHINESE SAID 1'0 US: WE’RE HAPPY ABOUT THE DISTRH'I BOARD AND MUNICIPAL COUNCILS ELECTIONS ARRANGEMENTS, WE’RE HAPPY ABOUT THE GEOGRAPHICAL CONSTITUENCY ELECTION METHODS, WE’RE HAPPY ABOUT THE VOTING AGE", WE’LL SAY TERRIFIC; WE CAN GET AHEAD AND START WORK ON THAT. BUT IT WOULDN’T BUY US VERY MUCH MORE TIME FOR OTHER MATTERS. IT WOULD ENABLE OUR NEGOTIATORS TO SPEND ALL THEIR TIME AT THE NEGOTIATING TABLE CONCENTRATING ON '(’HOSE FEW OTHER MATTERS THAT WILL BE I.EFT, BUT I'I WOULDN”) MAKE VERY MUCH TIME FOR THE DIFFERENCE TO THE TIME PRESSURES THAT ARE ON US AS FAR AS THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ELECTIONS ARE CONCERNED. SO I’M NOT SAYING THAT THERE IS AN EASY ANSWER IN DE-C0UPL1NG, I WISH THERE WAS BUT THERE ISN’T. WHAT I AM SAYING IS THAT WE CAN CERTAINLY FOCUS OUR ATTENTION ON OTHER MATTERS lb CHINESE OFFICIALS WOULD AGREE WITH US ON THINGS WHICH THE WHOLE COMMUNITY, THINGS SHOULD BE PRETTY STRAIGHT FORWARD. OK.
QUESTION : < I NAUD 1BLE)
GOVERNOR: I’M NOT THREATENING ANYTHING. WHAT I AM DOING, WHICH I THINK CHINESE OFFICIALS QUITE CANDIDLY UNDERSTAND, IS POINTING OUT THE REAL PRESSURES ON US TO GET IN PLACE LEGISLATION FOR THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ELECTIONS. IF YOU PUT TOGETHER NOT ONLY THE LEGISLATION THAT WE NEED FOR THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ELECTIONS BUT ALL THE SUBS I DARY LEGISLATION AS WELL, ALL THE ADMINISTRATIVE GUIDELINES AND SO ON THAT HAVE TO BE IN PLACE, YOl ARE TALKING ABOUT 48 DIFFERENT PIECES OF WORK THAT HAVE TO BE DONE BY THE LAWYERS, THINGS THAT HAVE TO BE DONE AND THINGS THAT HAVE IN MOST CASES TO GO TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNC IL AND BE AGREED. IT’S VERY COMPLICATED BECAUSE THE ELECTION SYSTEM WE’VE GOT IS VERY COMPLICATED, NOT JUST AS HAPPEN IN MOST OTHER COMMUNITIES. GEOGRAPHICAL CONSTITUENCIES WITH FIRST PAST THE POST VOTING OR PR SYSTEM, THE GEOGRAPHICAL CONST I TUENC'I ES , FUNCTIONAL CONST ITUENCJES, NEW FUNCTIONAL CONST ITUENC'IES BEING CREATED, AND AN ELECTION COMMITTEE, IT’S AN INCREDIBLY COMPLICATED BUSINESS. AND BECAUSE OF THAT WE DON’T HAVE ALL THE TIME IN THE WORLD. I WISH WE DID BUT ALAS, WE DON’T. SO AS I’VE SAID IF THE CHINESE WANT TO AGREE WITH US NOW ON THE SIMPLE THINGS, THEY HAVEN’T UNFORTUNATELY DONE SO FOR THE LAST 13 ROUNDS THEN WE’LL BE VERY HAPPY TO RECEIVE A CALL, I’M SURE SIR ROBIN MCLAREN WILL BE VERY HAPPY’ TO GET THAT MESSAGE IN THE NEXT ROUND OF TALKS. BUT DE-COUPLING IS, TO GO BACK TO THE PHASE I USED EARLIER, ALAS, A RED HERRING.
0----------
/3.........
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 14, 1993
3
HONG KONG TO STAYPUT IN WORLD TRADE FOREFRONT: CS
*****
HONG KONG IS AND WILL BE IN THE FOREFRONT OF WORLD TRADE, NOW AND INTO THE FUTURE, THE CHIEF SECRETARY, SIR DAVID FORD, SAID TODAY (THURSDAY).
"I BELIEVE OUR INHERENT STRENGTHS ARE THERE AND ARE THERE FOR THE FUTURE," SIR DAVID SAID.
ABOVE ALL HE BELIEVES THAT HONG KONG PEOPLE WITH THEIR RESILIENCE AND THEIR ENTREPRENEURIAL SKILLS WILL HAVE THE ABILITY TO KEEP HONG KONG THAT WAY.
HE WAS SPEAKING AT THE EUROPE/EAST ASIA ECONOMIC FORUM LUNCHEON, CO-HOSTED BY HIM AND THE HONG KONG TRADE DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL CHAIRMAN, DR VICTOR FUNG.
SIR DAVID SAID THE STRENGTH OF HONG KONG WOULD CONTINUE BEYOND 1997 .
"THERE IS A TREMENDOUS MUTUAL BENEFIT IN HONG KONG AND CHINA CONTINUING TO HAVE A GOOD RELATIONSHIP LONG INTO THE FUTURE," HE SAID.
TO DATE, HONG KONG AND CHINA ARE EACH OTHER’S LARGEST TRADING PARTNERS AND INVESTORS. HONG KONG IS THE BIGGEST INVESTOR IN CHINA WITH 75 PER CENT OF ALL JOINT VENTURES HAVING A HONG KONG CONTENT.
LAST YEAR, CHINA BECAME THE LARGEST INVESTOR IN HONG KONG.
\
"SO THERE IS A TREMENDOUS MUTUAL ADVANTAGE IN CONTINUING THIS RELATIONSHIP," SIR DAVID SAID.
HE SAID THE GROWING INTERNATIONAL CONFIDENCE IN HONG KONG WAS ALSO A CONTRIBUTING FACTOR TO ITS SUCCESS.
-----------------------0------- HONG KONG IS STILL WORLD’S TOP CONTAINER PORT *****
HONG KONG HAS RETAINED ITS LEAD AS THE WORLD’S BUSIEST CONTAINER PORT.
IT HAS ONCE AGAIN LEAPT HEAD OF ITS NEAREST RIVAL, SINGAPORE, THANKS TO RECORD THROUGHPUT IN JULY.
COMMENTING ON THE JULY FIGURES RELEASED BY THE MARINE DEPARTMENT EARLIER THIS WEEK, THE SECRETARY OF THE PORT DEVELOPMENT BOARD, TONY CLARK, SAID:
"HONG KONG’S CONTAINER THROUGHPUT IN JULY WAS THE HIGHEST ANY PORT, ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD, HAS EVER ACHIEVED IN A SINGLE MONTH."
A TOTAL OF 849,000 20-FOOT EQUIVALENT UNITS (TEUS) WERE HANDLED DURING JULY. THAT BROUGHT HONG KONG’S TOTAL FOR THE FIRST SEVEN MONTHS OF THE YEAR TO 5,030,000. THIS WAS SLIGHTLY AHEAD OF THE SINGAPORE FIGURE OF 5,014,000 IN THE SAME PERIOD.
/"GIVEN OUR .......
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 14, 1993
4
’’GIVEN OUR TRADITIONAL STRENGTH TOWARDS THE END OF THE YEAR, I EXPECT HONG KONG WILL REMAIN NUMBER ONE,” MR CLARK ADDED.
"EVEN THE DOUBLE COUNTING OF TRANSSHIPMENT BOXES, OF WHICH SINGAPORE HAS A FAR HIGHER LEVEL THAN HONG KONG, IS UNLIKELY TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE."
HONG KONG’S TOTAL THROUGHPUT FOR THIS YEAR IS EXPECTED TO BE 17 PER CENT MORE THAN LAST YEAR’S FIGURE AND TOTAL MORE THAN NINE MILLION TEUS.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT BERNARD LONG ON TEL 529 2798 OR FAX 528 5998 DURING OFFICE HOURS, OR 551 1415 (HOME).
- - 0 - -
HK NEEDS MORE INTERNATIONAL SCHOOLS: CS * * * * ♦
THE GOVERNMENT HAS RECOGNISED THE GROWING NEED FOR
INTERNATIONAL SCHOOLING AND ENCOURAGED ITS GROWTH, THE CHIEF
SECRETARY, SIR DAVID FORD, SAID TODAY (THURSDAY).
"ALL THE SIGNS ARE THAT AS HONG KONG CONTINUES TO FLOURISH AND GROW INTO THE NEXT CENTURY WE ARE GOING TO CONTINUE TO NEED MORE INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL PLACES," SIR DAVID SAID.
HE WAS DELIVERING A SPEECH AT THE OFFICIAL OPENING OF THE NEW BUILDING FOR THE GERMAN SWISS INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL.
THE CHIEF SECRETARY SAID THE INCREASING DEMAND FOR THESE SCHOOL PLACES IN THE PAST FEW YEARS WAS MAINLY DUE TO AN INCREASING NUMBER OF EXPATRIATES COMING TO WORK AND LIVE IN HONG KONG, IN ADDITION WITH THE RETURN OF LOCAL EMIGRANTS FROM OVERSEAS.
"IT IS IMPORTANT THAT GROWTH KEEPS PACE WITH DEMAND," HE SAID.
SIR DAVID POINTED OUT THAT THE DEVELOPMENT OF INTERNATIONAL SCHOOLS NEEDED A CLOSE PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN GOVERNMENTS AND SCHOOLS.
AT PRESENT, THERE WERE MORE THAN 16,000 SUBVENTED AND OVER
5,500 NON-SUBVENTED INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL PLACES IN HONG KONG.
IN THE NEXT FEW YEARS, AN ADDITIONAL 3,600 SUBVENTED PLACES
WILL BE PROVIDED, REPRESENTING A 20 PER CENT INCREASE OVER THE
EXISTING CAPACITY.
- - 0 - -
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 14, 1993
- 5 -
FORMATION OF HAB PROVIDES FOCAL POINT FOR HUMAN RIGHTS
* * * * »
A NEW HOME AFFAIRS BRANCH WILL COME INTO BEING ON OCTOBER 15 (FRIDAY) THROUGH THE REDEPLOYMENT OF EXISTING POSTS FROM THE HEADQUARTERS OF THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION (CNTA).
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (THURSDAY) THAT AS ANNOUNCED BY THE GOVERNOR IN HIS POLICY ADDRESS, THE SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS WILL TAKE ON ADDITIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES IN ORDER TO PROVIDE A SYSTEMATIC, CO-ORDINATED APPROACH TO DEAL WITH INCREASINGLY IMPORTANT POLICY ISSUES CONCERNING THE RIGHTS OF THE INDIVIDUAL.
“TO PUT THIS ARRANGEMENT IN PLACE, THE NEW BRANCH WILL BE TAKING OVER A NUMBER OF POLICY SUBJECTS FROM OTHER SECRETARIAT BRANCHES AS WELL AS NEW ISSUES.
’’THESE INCLUDE HUMAN RIGHTS, INFORMATION POLICIES, SOCIAL AND FAMILY LAWS, ADVISORY BOARDS AND COMMITTEES AND RELATIONS WITH THE MUNICIPAL COUNCILS,” THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
IN ADDITION TO THESE SUBJECT AREAS, THE HOME AFFAIRS BRANCH WILL CONTINUE TO BE RESPONSIBLE FOR ITS CONVENTIONAL POLICY ISSUES SUCH AS THE DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION SCHEME, COMMUNITY BUILDING, GAMBLING, GUESTHOUSE AND HOTEL LICENSING, TRADITIONAL AND RURAL MATTERS, DATA PROTECTION, SUCCESSION AND INHERITANCE, AND YOUTH AND WOMEN MATTERS.
THE SPOKESMAN NOTED THAT THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE BRANCH WAS THE FIRST PART OF A PROCESS TO STREAMLINE THE STRUCTURE OF THE EXISTING CNTA SO AS TO IMPROVE ITS OPERATION AND EFFICIENCY TO CATER FOR PRESENT DAY NEEDS.
IT IS INTENDED THAT THE NEXT STAGE WOULD INVOLVE THE SETTING UP OF AN EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT BY AMALGAMATING THE TWO REGIONAL HEADQUARTERS SUBJECT TO OBTAINING THE NECESSARY APPROVALS.
THE KEY AIMS ARE TO STRENGTHEN THE MANAGEMENT OF DISTRICT AFFAIRS AND TO ENHANCE THE GOVERNMENT’S RESPONSIVENESS TO THE VIEWS AND NEEDS OF THE COMMUNITY AT DISTRICT LEVEL.
DETAILED PROPOSALS ON THE RE-ORGANISATION OF CNTA ARE BEING FINALISED. THE NECESSARY APPROVALS FOR THESE PROPOSALS WILL BE SOUGHT IN THE NEAR FUTURE.
FOR THE TIME BEING, THE TWO REGIONAL HEADQUARTERS AND THE DISTRICT OFFICES WILL CONTINUE TO OPERATE UNDER THE OVERALL SUPERVISION OF THE SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS.
---------0-----------
/6 .......
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 14, 1993
- 6 -
REGULATION COMMENCES FOR RETIREMENT SCHEMES
* * * * »
ALL PRIVATE SECTOR RETIREMENT SCHEMES ARE REQUIRED TO BE REGISTERED WITH A NEWLY-APPOINTED REGISTRAR WITH THE COMMENCEMENT OF THE OCCUPATIONAL RETIREMENT SCHEMES ORDINANCE TOMORROW (FRIDAY).
SPEAKING AT A PRESS CONFERENCE TODAY (THURSDAY), THE SECRETARY FOR FINANCIAL SERVICES, MR MICHAEL CARTLAND, SAID: "UNDER THE ORDINANCE, A REGISTRATION SYSTEM WILL BE SET UP FOR VOLUNTARILY ESTABLISHED OCCUPATIONAL RETIREMENT SCHEMES.
"IT WILL ENSURE THAT SUCH SCHEMES ARE PROPERLY REGULATED AND PROVIDE MUCH GREATER CERTAINTY THAT FINANCIAL BENEFITS WILL BE PAID WHEN THEY FALL DUE."
THE ORDINANCE APPLIES TO ALL SCHEMES OPERATED IN OR FROM HONG KONG.
IT STIPULATES MAJOR SAFEGUARDS TO ENHANCE THE SECURITY OF SUCH SCHEMES, INCLUDING THE SEPARATION OF SCHEME ASSETS FROM OTHER EMPLOYER ASSETS, ADEQUATE FUNDING OF THE SCHEMES, REGULAR INDEPENDENT AUDITS AND ACTUARIAL REVIEWS, DISCLOSURE OF INFORMATION TO SCHEME MEMBERS, INDEPENDENT TRUSTEESHIP AND RESTRICTIONS ON INVESTMENTS.
EMPLOYERS WHO HAVE ESTABLISHED OCCUPATIONAL RETIREMENT SCHEMES THAT FALL WITHIN THE AMBIT OF THE ORDINANCE ARE REQUIRED TO REGISTER THE SCHEME WITHIN A TRANSITIONAL PERIOD OF TWO YEARS AFTER THE ORDINANCE COMMENCES.
NEW SCHEMES WHICH ARE SET UP DURING THE TRANSITIONAL PERIOD MUST ALSO APPLY FOR REGISTRATION BEFORE THIS TWO-YEAR PERIOD EXPIRES ON OCTOBER 14, 1995.
ANY EMPLOYER WHO INTENDS TO SET UP A NEW SCHEME AFTER THIS TRANSITIONAL PERIOD MUST APPLY FOR REGISTRATION OF THE SCHEME WITHIN THREE MONTHS OF ENTERING INTO A CONTRACT WITH EMPLOYEES TO PROVIDE A RETIREMENT SCHEME.
IT IS AN OFFENCE UNDER THE ORDINANCE FOR AN EMPLOYER TO OPERATE AN OCCUPATIONAL RETIREMENT SCHEME WITHOUT THE NECESSARY REGISTRATION OR EXEMPTION.
OFFENDERS MAY BE SUBJECT TO HEAVY FINE AND IMPRISONMENT FOR TWO YEARS.
MR CARTLAND SAID THAT ENHANCING RETIREMENT PROTECTION BY REGULATING AND PROMOTING VOLUNTARY RETIREMENT SCHEMES HAD BEEN THE ESTABLISHED POLICY INTENT OF THE GOVERNMENT.
AT PRESENT, ABOUT 35 PER CENT OF ALL EMPLOYEES ARE ALREADY COVERED BY SOME FORM OF PENSION OR PROVIDENT FUND ARRANGEMENT.
WHILE THE MAJORITY OF LARGE CORPORATIONS IN HONG KONG HAVE SET UP SOME FORM OF RETIREMENT PROTECTION FOR EMPLOYEES, ONLY ABOUT 10 PER CENT OF SMALLER TO MEDIUM-SIZED COMPANIES, EMPLOYING FEWER THAN 50 PEOPLE, HAVE ESTABLISHED SCHEMES SO FAR.
/"WE WANT........
7
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 14, 1993
"WE WANT TO EMPHASISE TO ALL EMPLOYERS IN HONG KONG THAT THE ORDINANCE HAS BEEN DESIGNED TO BENEFIT EVERYBODY.
"BY CREATING A MORE SECURE ENVIRONMENT FOR THE OPERATION OF RETIREMENT SCHEMES, THE ORDINANCE SHOULD HELP TO ENCOURAGE THE ESTABLISHMENT OF MORE SCHEMES IN HONG KONG,” MR CARTLAND SAID.
"ESTABLISHING RETIREMENT SCHEME IS BENEFICIAL TO EMPLOYERS AS TAX RELIEF IS AVAILABLE UNDER THE INLAND REVENUE ORDINANCE.
"IT IS AN ALTERNATIVE TO LONG SERV ICE/SE.VERANCE PAYMENTS AND ABOVE ALL, EMPLOYERS WHO OFFER RETIREMENT SCHEMES WILL BE ABLE TO ATTRACT AND RETAIN QUALITY EMPLOYEES,” HE SAID.
"AT THE SAME TIME, GOVERNMENT BELIEVES IT IS ESSENTIAL TO ENSURE THAT PARTICIPANTS IN RETIREMENT SCHEMES - THE EMPLOYEES - HAVE MAXIMUM POSSIBLE PROTECTION FOR THEIR CONTRIBUTIONS. THIS IS THE OBJECTIVE OF THE ORDINANCE.
"THE ORDINANCE SHOULD ALSO HELP TO RAISE AWARENESS OF THE IMPORTANCE OF RETIREMENT PLANNING AND TO ENCOURAGE EMPLOYERS WHO DO NOT AT PRESENT PROVIDE RETIREMENT SCHEMES TO CONSIDER IMPLEMENTING THEM FOR THEIR WORKFORCE," HE SAID.
"THE PROCESS IS UNCOMPLICATED AND SMALLER COMPANIES CAN PARTICIPATE IN POOLED SCHEMES WHICH ALLOW FOR RETIREMENT FUND PROVISION WITH THE MINIMUM OF ADMINISTRATION," HE ADDED.
"HONG KONG IS KNOWN INTERNATIONALLY FOR ITS STRONG ECONOMY, THRIVING BUSINESS CLIMATE, SOUND LEGAL AND ACCOUNTING INFRASTRUCTURE AND MINIMAL GOVERNMENTAL INTERVENTION IN BUSINESS ACTIVITY.
"WE WILL ENSURE THAT THE BEST OF THESE ELEMENTS SHAPE THE DEVELOPMENT OF OVERALL RETIREMENT PROTECTION POLICY.
"THE ORDINANCE MEANS THAT A FINANCIALLY SECURE AND HAPPY OLD AGE IS WITHIN REACH OF EVERYONE WHO CONTRIBUTES TO AN OCCUPATIONAL RETIREMENT SCHEME," HE ADDED.
COMMISSIONER FOR INSURANCE AND REGISTRAR OF OCCUPATIONAL RETIREMENT SCHEMES, MR STEPHEN IP, SAID:
"THE ORDINANCE WILL COME INTO OPERATION WITH IMMEDIATE EFFECT AND MY COLLEAGUES AND I LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH INDIVIDUAL EMPLOYERS, ADMINISTRATORS, PROFESSIONAL BODIES AND ALL OTHER INTERESTED PARTIES IN MAKING THE ORDINANCE A SUCCESS.
"ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE TO THE NEW OFFICE OF THE REGISTRAR OF
OCCUPATIONAL RETIREMENT SCHEMES ON TEL 867 1612.
"FOR THE FIRST TIME IN HONG KONG, OCCUPATIONAL RETIREMENT SCHMES, WHICH HAVE PREVIOUSLY BEEN UNREGULATED, WILL BE BROUGHT UNDER STATUTORY CONTROL.
"ALTHOUGH THE LEVEL OF CONTRIBUTIONS TO A SCHEME WILL REMAIN AT THE DISCRETION OF EMPLOYERS AND EMPLOYEES, THE ORDINANCE REQUIRES ALL SCHEMES TO BE SEPARATELY AND ADEQUATELY FUNDED, INDEPENDENTLY AUDITED AND TRANSPARENT.
/"FULL DISCLOSURE .......
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 14, 1993
8
"FULL DISCLOSURE OF INFORMATION REGARDING A SCHEME AND ITS ASSETS MUST BE MADE AVAILABLE TO ALL SCHEME MEMBERS," HE ADDED.
"WE HAVE TRIED TO SIMPLIFY THE REGISTRATION PROCEDURE AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE AND WILL BE PLEASED TO PROVIDE WHATEVER ASSISTANCE IS REQUIRED.
"WE ASK FOR SUPPORT, AND PATIENCE IN THE EARLY STAGES, FROM THE GROUPS WHO WILL BENEFIT FROM THE ORDINANCE.
"THIS IS AN IMPORTANT INITIATIVE AND ONE WHICH WILL MAKE A SIGNIFICANT CONTRIBUTION TO THE HONG KONG COMMUNITY," MR IP CONCLUDED.
------0-------
TOP POSTS IN AGC OPEN TO LOCAL CANDIDATES * * * * *
THE LEGAL DEPARTMENT WILL ADVERTISE THE POSTS OF SOLICITOR GENERAL AND DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC PROSECUTIONS TOMORROW (FRIDAY) IN LEADING LOCAL NEWSPAPERS.
ONLY APPLICATIONS FROM LOCAL CANDIDATES WILL BE CONSIDERED AND THE APPLICANTS’ ABILITY TO SPEAK, READ AND WRITE CHINESE WILL BE AN ASSET.
"WE ARE LOOKING FOR SENIOR AND WELL-RESPECTED LAWYERS FROM THE PRIVATE SECTOR OF HIGH CALIBRE TO FILL THESE TWO VERY IMPORTANT LEGAL POSTS.
"THIS IS A MAJOR STEP THE LEGAL DEPARTMENT IS TAKING WITH THE AIM OF FILLING ALL PRINCIPAL OFFICIAL POSTS, INCLUDING THAT OF ATTORNEY GENERAL, WITH LOCAL OFFICERS WHO CAN MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE BASIC LAW BEFORE 1997," A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID.
THE GOVERNOR, IN HIS RECENT POLICY ADDRESS, HAD CALLED FOR A POOL OF QUALIFIED LOCAL PEOPLE AT THE TIER IMMEDIATELY BELOW THE ATTORNEY GENERAL’S LEVEL TO PROVIDE FOR THE FUTURE.
THE GOVERNOR GAVE AN ASSURANCE TO LEGISLATORS THAT THREE OF THE FIVE LAW OFFICER POSTS WOULD BE FILLED BY LOCAL PEOPLE BY THE END OF 1995.
THE SOLICITOR GENERAL AND THE DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC PROSECUTIONS ARE TWO OF THE FIVE LAW OFFICERS IN THE LEGAL DEPARTMENT. THEY ARE THE HEAD OF THE LEGAL POLICY DIVISION AND THE HEAD OF THE PROSECUTIONS DIVISION RESPECTIVELY.
THE OTHER THREE LAW OFFICERS ARE LAW DRAFTSMAN, LAW OFFICER (INTERNATIONAL LAW) AND CROWN SOLICITOR.
THE TWO POSTS ADVERTISED ARE RANKED AT DL6 LEVEL OF THE DIRECTORATE PAY SCALE WITH A REMUNERATION OF $117,400 PER MONTH. THE PACKAGE INCLUDES HOUSING BENEFITS, ANNUAL LEAVE WITH PASSAGES, AND OTHER BENEFITS COMMENSURATE WITH A POSITION OF SUCH SENIORITY.
/SUCCESSFUL CANDIDATES .......
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 14, 1993
9
SUCCESSFUL CANDIDATES WILL BE APPOINTED ON PROBATION TO THE PERMANENT AND PENSIONABLE ESTABLISHMENT, OR ON AGREEMENT FOR THREE YEARS, WHICH IS RENEWABLE AT GOVERNMENT DISCRETION, WITH A GRATUITY OF 25 PERCENT OF THE GROSS BASIC SALARY PAID ON SATISFACTORY COMPLETION OF THE AGREEMENT.
APPLICATIONS HAVE TO REACH THE SECRETARY OF THE PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION NO LATER THAN NOVEMBER 6.
THE SUCCESSFUL CANDIDATE FOR THE SOLICITOR GENERAL POST WOULD BE EXPECTED TO ASSUME DUTY AS SOON AS POSSIBLE WHILE THE SUCCESSFUL APPLICANT FOR THE POST OF THE DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC PROSECUTIONS IS EXPECTED TO TAKE UP OFFICE IN SUMMER NEXT YEAR.
THESE TWO POSTS ARE ALSO OPEN TO IN-SERVICE GOVERNMENT LAWYERS.
CIRCULARS TO INVITE APPLICATIONS HAVE BEEN ISSUED TO ALL PRINCIPAL CROWN COUNSEL IN THE LEGAL DEPARTMENT AND SENIOR OFFICERS AT RANKS EQUIIVALENT TO DL3 AND ABOVE IN LEGAL/JUDICIAL GROUP OF DEPARTMENTS.
-----0------
SEWERAGE CONTRACT ON WEST KOWLOON RECLAMATION AWARDED
*****
THE CENTRAL TENDER BOARD HAS APPROVED A FURTHER CONTRACT UNDER THE AIRPORT CORE PROGRAMME (ACP) IN ORDER TO IMPROVE THE SEWERAGE SYSTEM IN THE WEST KOWLOON HINTERLAND.
THE CONTRACT OF SEWERAGE NETWORK PACKAGE 1, PART OF THE WEST KOWLOON RECLAMATION PROJECT, HAS BEEN AWARDED TO SUNG FOO KEE (CIVIL) LIMITED AT A VALUE OF $219 MILLION.
THE WORKS WILL MAINLY INVOLVE THE CONSTRUCTION OF A TOTAL OF 1.4 KILOMETRES LONG TRUCK SEWERS IN THE NEWLY RECLAIMED LAND OFF YAU MA TEI AND TWO SEWERAGE PUMPING STATIONS IN MONG KOK AND CHEUNG SHA WAN.
’’WHEN COMPLETED, THE SEWERAGE SYSTEM WILL SERVE THE NEW DEVELOPMENT ON WEST KOWLOON RECLAMATION AS WELL AS RELIEVING THE EXISTING OVERLOADED SEWERAGE SYSTEM IN THE HINTERLAND OF WEST KOWLOON,” SAID A SPOKESMAN FOR THE NEW AIRPORT PROJECTS CO-ORDINATION OFFICE TODAY (THURSDAY).
’’THE SYSTEM WILL ALSO BRING ABOUT AN IMPROVEMENT IN THE WATER QUALITY IN THE HARBOUR OFF WEST KOWLOON, AS POLLUTED STORM WATER IN THE EXISTING DRAINAGE SYSTEM WILL BE DIVERTED TO THE NEW SEWERAGE SYSTEM,” SAID THE SPOKESMAN.
CONSTRUCTION WORK WILL START LATER THIS MONTH FOR COMPLETION IN LATE 1995.
/THE AWARD .......
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 14, 1993
10
THE AWARD OF THIS CONTRACT BRINGS THE TOTAL NUMBER OF ACP CONSTRUCTION CONTRACTS AWARDED BY THE GOVERNMENT TO 29, WITH A TOTAL VALUE OF OVER $30 BILLION.
TOGETHER WITH THE FOUR MAJOR CONSTRUCTION CONTRACTS, VALUED AT $9.7 BILLION, AWARDED BY THE PROVISIONAL AIRPORT AUTHORITY, AND THE $5.7 BILLION CONSTRUCTION CONTRACT AWARDED BY THE WESTERN HARBOUR TUNNEL COMPANY LIMITED, THE TOTAL VALUE OF CONSTRUCTION CONTRACTS AWARDED FOR THE ACP, ALL WITHIN BUDGET, IS AROUND $45.4 BILLION.
-----0-------
MORE HELP TO LIVESTOCK FARMERS
*****
THE GOVERNOR TN COUNCIL HAS APPROVED A REVISED LIVESTOCK WASTE CONTROL SCHEME WHICH WILL PROVIDE MORE ASSISTANCE TO LIVESTOCK FARMERS IN MEETING THE ENVIRONMENTAL REQUIREMENT OF A LICENSING SYSTEM.
THE LICENSING SYSTEM WAS FORMULATED AFTER EXTENSIVE CONSULTATION WITH REPRESENTATIVES OF LIVESTOCK FARMERS AND THE ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION ADVISORY COMMITTEE.
THE REVISED SCHEME AIMS TO STEP UP CONTROL OVER LIVESTOCK FARMS AND TO REDUCE POLLUTION CAUSED BY LIVESTOCK WASTE TO RIVERS AND STREAMS THAT POSES HEALTH HAZARDS.
UNDER THE REVISED SCHEME, THE LEVEL OF CAPITAL GRANT FOR SETTING UP WASTE TREATMENT FACILITIES WILL BE SIGNIFICANTLY INCREASED TO REFLECT THE MARKET COST OF INSTALLING THESE FACILITIES.
SUBJECT TO FUNDING APPROVAL BY THE FINANCE COMMITTEE, THE CAPITAL GRANT WILL BE INCREASED FROM $120 TO $225 A SQUARE METER FOR INSTALLING FACILITIES FOR TREATING PIG, CHICKEN, DUCK AND GOOSE WASTE.
FARMERS, WHO HAVE OBTAINED A CAPITAL GRANT, CAN RETAIN WITHIN ONE YEAR THE OPTION TO AN EX-GRATIA ALLOWANCE PAYABLE TO THOSE WHO CHOOSE TO CEASE THEIR BUSINESS. THE CASH PAYMENT WILL BE EQUIVALENT TO THE BALANCE BETWEEN THE EX-GRATIA ALLOWANCE AND THE CAPITAL GRANT.
TO ENABLE FARMERS TO GAIN EXPERIENCE IN OPERATING THEIR NEW TREATMENT FACILITIES EFFECTIVELY, THEY WILL BE ALLOWED TO MEET THE ULTIMATE WASTE DISCHARGE STANDARD IN THREE PHASES.
THESE WILL BE OVER A THREE-YEAR PERIOD FROM THE DATE A LICENCE IS ISSUED BY THE DIRECTOR OF AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES WHO MUST BE SATISFIED THAT A PROPER WASTE TREATMENT SYSTEM IS IN PLACE AND OTHER LICENSING CONDITIONS ARE MET.
IN TECHNICAL TERMS, FARMERS WILL BE REQUIRED TO MEET INITIALLY THE BOD (BIOCHEMICAL OXYGEN DEMAND): SSD (SUSPENDED SOLIDS DISCHARGE) STANDARD OF 250:250. THE STANDARD WILL BE RAISED TO 100:100 AND ULTIMATELY TO 50:50 TN TWO SUBSEQUENT PHASES.
TO AVOID INCOMPATIBLE LAND USE, THE REVISED SCHEME WILL EXPAND THE EXISTING PROHIBITION AREAS WHERE SETTING UP OF NEW LIVESTOCK FARMS AND RE-START OF FARMS ALREADY CLOSED WILL NOT BE PERMITTED.
/EXISTING LIVESTOCK .......
11
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 14, 1993
EXISTING LIVESTOCK FARMS LOCATED WITHIN THE EXPANDED PARTS OF THE PRESENT PROHIBITION AREAS WILL BE ALLOWED TO CONTINUE THEIR OPERATION UNDER A SEPARATE LICENSING TIMETABLE TO BE ANNOUNCED LATER.
TO FACILITATE THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE REVISED SCHEME, AMENDMENTS WILL BE MADE TO THE WASTE DISPOSAL ORDINANCE AND THE PUBLIC HEALTH (ANIMALS AND BIRDS) ORDINANCE. THE AMENDING LEGISLATION WILL BE INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON OCTOBER 27 FOR FIRST READING.
A PAMPHLETE EXPLAINING DETAILS OF THE CONTROL SCHEME AND LICENSING PROCEDURES WILL BE DISTRIBUTED TO FARMERS.
--------0-----------
STIFFER PENALTY AGAINST FLY-TIPPING *****
THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL HAS APPROVED THAT THE WASTE DISPOSAL ORDINANCE SHOULD BE AMENDED TO PROVIDE STIFFER PENALTY AGAINST IMPROPER DEPOSITING OF LARGE QUANTITY OF WASTE, KNOWN AS FLY-TIPPING.
IT IS PROPOSED THAT THE PENALTY SHOULD BE RAISED TO A MAXIMUM FINE OF $200,000 AND SIX MONTH IMPRISONMENT FOR THE FIRST OFFENCE; AND $500,000 AND SIX MONTH IMPRISONMENT FOR SUBSEQUENT OFFENCES.
IN ADDITION, A DAILY FINE OF UP TO $10,000 MAY BE IMPOSED FOR CONTINUING OFFENCE.
THE STIFFER PENALTY PROPOSED IS IN LINE WITH OTHER ENVIRONMENTAL OFFENCES OF A SIMILAR NATURE. IT WILL PROVIDE A MORE EFFECTIVE DETERRENT AGAINST FLY-TIPPING. SUCH ACTIVITIES MAY INCREASE AFTER THE INTRODUCTION OF A CHARGING SCHEME FOR THE DISPOSAL OF PRIVATELY COLLECTED WASTE AT LANDFILLS.
THE AMENDMENT BILL EMBODYING THE NEW PROVISIONS WILL BE INTRODUCED TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL LATER THIS MONTH.
LITTERING OF SMALL QUANTITY OF REFUSE WILL NOT BE SUBJECT TO THE NEW FLY-TIPPING PROVISIONS.
SUCH OFFENCES WILL CONTINUE TO BE DEALT WITH UNDER THE PUBLIC CLEANSING AND PREVENTION OF NUISANCE BY-LAWS WHICH CARRY A MAXIMUM FINE OF $10,000 AND SIX MONTH IMPRISONMENT.
------0--------
REPATRIATION OF ECVII’S BY AIR
* * * * *
A TOTAL OF 113 EX-CHINA VIETNAMESE ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS (ECVII’S) WERE REPATRIATED TO HAINAN TODAY (THURSDAY) ON TWO FLIGHTS ON THE SECOND DAY OF A THREE-DAY REPATRIATION EXERCISE BY AIR.
THE TWO GROUPS COMPRISED 58 MEN, 34 WOMEN, 12 BOYS AND NINE
THERE WILL BE TWO MORE FLIGHTS TOMORROW TO REPARIATE ABOUT 110 ECVII’S TO HAINAN.
---------0-----------
/12........
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 14, 1993
12 -
SAFETY RULES FOR ELECTRICAL PRODUCTS UNDERWAY
*****
THE GOVERNMENT IS WORKING ON A NEW SET OF REGULATIONS PRESCRIBING GENERAL SAFETY REQUIREMENTS FOR DOMESTIC ELECTRICAL PRODUCTS FOR SALE OR USE IN HONG KONG, THE SECRETARY FOR ECONOMIC SERVICES, MR GORDON SIU, SAID THIS (THURSDAY) MORNING.
SPEAKING AT THE SEVENTH FEDERATION OF ASIAN AND PACIFIC ELECTRICAL CONTRACTOR ASSOCIATIONS REGIONAL CONFERENCE, MR SIU SAID THE ELECTRICAL PRODUCTS (SAFETY) REGULATIONS WOULD ALSO PRESCRIBE SPECIFIC SAFETY REQUIREMENTS FOR SOME TYPES OF PRODUCT.
”WE HAVE STARTED WORK ON THIS AND ARE STUDYING CAREFULLY THE IMPLEMENTATION AND ENFORCEMENT ISSUES ASSOCIATED WITH THE ENACTMENT OF THE NEW REQULATIONS,” HE SAID.
MR SIU SAID THE GOVERNMENT ATTACHED GREAT IMPORTANCE TO CONSUMER AND INDUSTRIAL SAFETY.
BUT HE ADDED THAT LAWS AND RULES PROVIDED ONLY A REQULATORY FRAMEWORK AND IT WAS FOR SENIOR MANAGEMENT TO BUILD ON THIS WITH AN ATTITUDE TO BUSINESS WHICH EMPHASISED QUALITY AND PUT THE SAFETY OF THE CONSUMER FIRST.
ELECTRIAL CONTRACTORS, AS MUCH AS ANYBODY, MUST BE RESPONSIVE TO PUBLIC CONCERNS ABOUT ENERGY CONSERVATION, ENERGY EFFICIENCY AND PRODUCT SAFETY.
’’CLOSE CO-OPERATION BETWEEN YOURSELVES, BUILDING CONTRACTORS AND MANUFACTURERS OF ELECTRICAL PRODUCTS IS ESSENTIAL IF THE COMMUNITY’S BROADER OBJECTIVES ARE TO BE REALISED,” HE SAID.
MR SIU NOTED THAT THE HOUSING AUTHORITY, THE LARGEST PROPERTY DEVELOPER IN HONG KONG, NOW REQUIRIED ITS ELECTRICAL CONTRACTORS’ QUALITY MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS TO BE CERTIFIED TO ISO 9000 STANDARDS.
"WE EXPECT MOST OF HONG KONG’S MAJOR ELECTRICAL CONTRACTORS TO BY CERTIFIED TO THESE STANDARDS BY THE END OF 1994.
"THIS WILL GO A LONG WAY TOWARDS ENSURING THE PROVISION OF QUALITY SERVICES TO THE CONSUMER," HE SAID.
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/13 .......
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 14, 1993
13
ROAD RESURFACING WORKS TO REDUCE TRAFFIC NOISE
*****
THE HIGHWAYS DEPARTMENT IS GOING TO LAY NOISE REDUCING SURFACING MATERIAL TO FOUR SECTIONS OF ROADS IN KOWLOON AND THE NEW TERRITORIES LATER THIS YEAR TO REDUCE THE IMPACT OF TRAFFIC NOISE ON NEARBY RESIDENTS.
THESE ROAD SECTIONS ARE AT TUEN MUN ROAD NEAR ON TING ESTATE; PRINCESS MARGARET ROAD FLYOVER; PRINCE EDWARD ROAD EAST NEAR CHOI HUNG ESTATE; AND KWUN TONG ROAD NEAR PING SHEK .ESTATE AND KAI YIP ESTATE.
RESURFACING WORKS ARE EXPECTED TO BE COMPLETED BY DECEMBER NEXT YEAR.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID A TRIAL WAS CARRIED OUT IN 1987 ON A SECTION OF THE ISLAND EASTERN CORRIDOR NEAR CITY GARDEN.
THE RESULT PROVED THAT THE APPLICATION OF NOISE REDUCING SURFACING MATERIAL WAS VERY EFFECTIVE IN REDUCING TRAFFIC NOISE ON LEVEL ROADS WITH FREE FLOWING TRAFFIC. A REDUCTION OF ABOUT FIVE DECIBELS WAS ACHIEVED.
’’SUBSEQUENTLY, THE DEPARTMENT CREATED A PUBLIC WORKS PROGRAMME IN 1989 TO APPLY NOISE REDUCING SURFACING MATERIAL TO 14 ROAD SECTIONS THROUGHOUT THE TERRITORY AFFECTING ABOUT 10,600 HOUSEHOLDS,” HE SAID.
UNTIL NOW, 10 PROJECTS HAVE BEEN COMPLETED AT A COST OF ABOUT $22 MILLION. THESE INCLUDED SECTIONS ON THE ISLAND EASTERN CORRIDOR, THE WEST KOWLOON CORRIDOR, LUNG CHEUNG ROAD (WONG TAI SIN), TAI PO ROAD NEAR WO CHE ESTATE AND EAST KOWLOON WAY,” HE ADDED.
------0--------
AIDS FIGURES FOR THIRD QUARTER RELEASED *****
A CULMINATIVE TOTAL OF 403 PERSONS WERE FOUND TO BE POSITIVE FOR THE HIV ANTIBODY TEST IN HONG KONG BY THE END OF SEPTEMBER, ACCORDING TO FIGURES RELEASED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH TODAY (THURSDAY).
AMONG THE 22 PERSONS FOUND TO BE HIV-INFECTED DURING THE THIRD QUARTER THIS YEAR, 19 GOT THE INFECTION SEXUALLY, WITH 13 OF THEM BEING HETEROSEXUALS.
FIVE AIDS CASES WERE REPORTED DURING THIS QUARTER.
THE TOTAL NUMBER OF CONFIRMED AIDS CASES IS 91 WITH 60 DEATHS. THE 31 OTHERS ARE EITHER UNDER COUNSELLING OR HAVE LEFT THE TERRITORY.
OF THE 403 PERSONS INFECTED, 294 GOT THE INFECTION SEXUALLY, NINE WERE INTRAVENOUS DRUG USERS, AND 65 GOT THE INFECTION THROUGH CONTAMINATED BLOOD OR BLOOD PRODUCTS BEFORE 1985 WHEN HIV ANTIBODY TEST AND SAFE HEAT-TREATED CLOTTING CONCENTRATES WERE NOT AVAILABLE.
/FOR THE ........
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 14, 1993
14
FOR THE REMAINING 35, THE INFORMATION AVAILABLE WAS INADEQUATE FOR CLASSIFICATION.
UNDER THE HIV SURVEILLANCE PROGRAMME WHICH STARTED IN 1985, A TOTAL OF 285,767 BLOOD SPECIMENS HAVE BEEN TESTED FOR THE HIV ANTIBODY.
THE HONG KONG RED CROSS BLOOD TRANSFUSION SERVICE HAVE ALSO SCREENED ALL BLOOD DONORS FOR HIV INFECTION.
UP TO SEPTEMBER THIS YEAR, 1,311,012 UNITS OF BLOOD HAVE BEEN TESTED AND 29 DONORS WERE FOUND POSITIVE.
------0--------
EMPLOYMENT, VACANCIES
AND PAYROLL STATISTICS FOR JUNE RELEASED
♦ * * * *
THERE WAS CONTINUED GROWTH IN EMPLOYMENT IN THE WHOLESALE, RETAIL AND IMPORT/EXPORT TRADES, RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS SECTOR AND THE FINANCING, INSURANCE, REAL ESTATE AND BUSINESS SERVICES SECTOR, COMPARING JUNE 1993 WITH JUNE 1992, ACCORDING TO THE FIGURES RELEASED TODAY (THURSDAY) BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
BUT EMPLOYMENT IN THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR AND ON CONSTRUCTION SITES DECLINED FURTHER.
THE FALL IN MANUFACTURING EMPLOYMENT MAINLY REFLECTED THE CONTINUING STRUCTURAL CHANGE IN THE ECONOMY, IN CONNECTION WITH THE RELOCATION OF INDUSTRIAL PROCESSES TO CHINA.
VACANCIES IN SOME MAJOR SERVICES SECTORS RECORDED INCREASES OF VARIOUS MAGNITUDES IN JUNE 1993 OVER A YEAR EARLIER. ON THE OTHER HAND, VACANCIES IN THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR AND ON CONSTRUCTION SITES FELL FURTHER.
EARNINGS OF PERSONS ENGAGED IN ALL MAJOR SECTORS CONTINUED TO SHOW FURTHER INCREASES IN MONEY TERMS IN JUNE 1993. AFTER ADJUSTING FOR INFLATION, THERE WAS STILL AN INCREASE IN REAL TERMS OF EARNINGS OF PERSONS ENGAGED FOR MOST SECTORS.
THERE WERE 522,000 PERSONS ENGAGED IN THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR IN JUNE 1993, REPRESENTING A DECREASE OF 11.1% FROM JUNE 1992.
EMPLOYMENT IN THE WHOLESALE, RETAIL AND IMPORT/EXPORT TRADES, RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS SECTOR, AT 932,700 IN JUNE 1993, WAS 3.2% HIGHER THAN IN JUNE 1992.
EMPLOYMENT IN THE FINANCING, INSURANCE, REAL ESTATE AND BUSINESS SERVICES SECTOR, AT 327,200, WAS UP BY 7.2%.
EMPLOYMENT ON CONSTRUCTION SITES, AT 56,900, WAS 11.1% LOWER THAN IN JUNE 1992.
/THE EMPLOYMENT .......
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 14, 1993
15
THE EMPLOYMENT FIGURES FOR JUNE 1993 IN SELECTED MAJOR ECONOMIC SECTORS, WITH COMPARISON WITH THE CORRESPONDING FIGURES FOR JUNE 1992 AND MARCH 1993, ARE AS FOLLOWS:-
PERSONS ENGAGED
(EMPLOYMENT) PERCENTAGE CHANGE
SELECTED MAJOR
SECTOR OF THE ECONOMY JUN. 92 MAR. 93 JUN. 93 JUN. 93 OVER JUN. 92 JUN. 93 OVER MAR. 93
MANUFACTURING 587,300 531,900 522,000 -11.1 -1.9
CONSTRUCTION (MANUAL WORKERS ON CONSTRUCTION SITES ONLY) 64,000 60,000 56,900 -11.1 -5.2
WHOLESALE, RETAIL AND IMPORT/EXPORT TRADES, RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS 903,600 911,300 932,700 + 3.2 + 2.3
FINANCING, 305,400 313,900 327,200 + 7.2 + 4.3
INSURANCE, REAL ESTATE AND BUSINESS SERVICES
THE STATISTICS FOR SELECTED MAJOR SECTORS OF THE ECONOMY IN JUNE 1993 WERE DERIVED FROM THE QUARTERLY SURVEY OF EMPLOYMENT, VACANCIES AND PAYROLL AND THE QUARTERLY EMPLOYMENT SURVEY OF CONSTRUCTION SITES CONDUCTED BY THE DEPARTMENT.
THE SURVEY ON THE RETAIL TRADE EXCLUDED HAWKERS AND PERSONS WORKING AT RETAIL PITCHES BUT INCLUDED THOSE WORKING IN MARKET STALLS.
THE TWO SURVEYS MENTIONED ABOVE ALSO PROVIDE THE VACANCY STATISTICS FOR SELECTED MAJOR SECTORS. THE VACANCY DATA TOGETHER WITH COMPARISON WITH THE CORRESPONDING FIGURES FOR JUNE 1992 AND MARCH 1993 ARE AS FOLLOWS:
/NUMBER OF .......
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 14, 1993
16
NUMBER OF REPORTED VACANIES PERCENTAGE CHANGE
SELECTED MAJOR SECTOR OF THE ECONOMY JUN. 92 MAR. 93 JUN. 93 JUN..93 OVER JUN. 92 JUN. 93 OVER MAR. 93
MANUFACTURING 19,800 18,490 14,760 -25.5 -20.2
CONSTRUCTION (MANUAL WORKERS ON CONSTRUCTION SITES ONLY) 500 420 490 -0.4 + 18.5
WHOLESALE, RETAIL AND IMPORT\EXPORT TRADES, RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS 28,130 35,720 27,240 -3.2 -23.7
FINACTNG, INSURANCE, REAL ESTATE AND BUSINESS SERVICES 8,770 11,010 10,540 + 20.1 -4.3
VACANCIES IN SOME MAJOR SERVICES SECTORS CONTINUED TO INCREASE IN JUNE 1993 OVER A YEAR EARLIER.
IN THE FINANCING, INSURANCE, REAL ESTATE AND BUSINESS SERVICES SECTOR, THE NUMBER OF VACANCIES INCREASED BY 20.1%.
HOWEVER, VACANCIES IN THE WHOLESALE, RETAIL AND IMPORT/EXPORT TRADES, RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS SECTOR AND TN THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR FELL BY 3.2% AND 25.5% RESPECTIVELY.
VACANCIES ON CONSTRUCTION SITES RECORDED A MARGINAL DECLINE OF 0.4% TN JUNE 1993 OVER A YEAR EARLIER.
THE JUNE 1993 NOMINAL INDICES OF PAYROLL PER PERSON ENGAGED IN SELECTED MAJOR SECTORS AND THE CORRESPONDING REAL INDICES (AFTER ALLOWING FOR THE EFFECTS OF PRICE CHANGES) ARE GIVEN BELOW:
/NOMINAL INDEX .......
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 14, 1993
17
NOMINAL INDEX OF PAYROLL PER PERSON ENGAGED
(MARCH 1991 = 100) PERCENTAGE CHANGE
SELECTED MAJOR SECTOR OF THE ECONOMY JUN. 92 JUN. 93 JUN. 93 OVER JUN. 92
MANUFACTURING 117.2 135.5 + 15.6
WHOLESALE, RETAIL AND IMPORT/EXPORT TRADES, RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS 113.3 127.5 + 12.5
FINANCING, INSURANCE, REAL ESTATE AND BUSINESS SERVICES 115.4 131.8 + 14.2
REAL INDEX PAYROLL PER (MARCH 1991 OF PERSON ENGAGED = 100) PERCENTAGE CHANGE
SELECTED MAJOR SECTOR OF THE ECONOMY JUN. 92 JUN. 93 JUN. 93 OVER JUN. 92
MANUFACTURING 104.7 111.5 + 6.5
WHOLESALE, RETAIL AND IMPORT/EXPORT TRADES, RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS 101 .3 104.9 + 3.6
FINANCING, INSURANCE, REAL ESTATE AND BUSINESS SERVICES 103.1 108.5 + 5.2
BETWEEN JUNE 1992 AND JUNE 1993, AVERAGE EARNINGS TN ALL MAJOR SECTORS, AS MEASURED BY PAYROLL PER PERSON ENGAGED, RECORDED FURTHER SIGNIFICANT INCREASES TN MONEY TERMS.
AN INCREASE OF 15.6% WAS REGISTERED TN THE NOMINAL INDEX FOR THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR.
FOR THE WHOLESALE, RETAIL AND IMPORT/EXPORT TRADES, RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS SECTOR, THE INCREASE WAS 12.5% FOR THE FINANCING, INSURANCE, REAL ESTATE AND BUSINESS SERVICES SECTOR, THE INCREASE WAS 14.2%
/AFTER DISCOUNTING .......
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 14, 1993
18
AFTER DISCOUNTING FOR INCREASES IN CONSUMER PRICES BETWEEN JUNE 1992 AND JUNE 1993, THE REAL INDEX OF PAYROLL PER PERSON ENGAGED IN JUNE 1993, AS COMPARED WITH THAT IN JUNE 1992, INCREASED BY 6.5% FOR THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR, 3.6% FOR THE WHOLESALE, RETAIL AND IMPORT/EXPORT TRADES, RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS SECTOR, AND 5.2% 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 1993 AND THE QUARTERLY REPORT OF EMPLOYMENT AND VACANCIES AT CONSTRUCTION SITES, JUNE 1993.
THEY ARE NOW AVAILABLE AT $17 A COP) AND $10.5 A COPY RESPECTIVELY AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, GROUND FLOOR, GENERAL POST OFFICE BUILDING, CONNAUGHT PLACE, HONG KONG AND AT THE PUBLICATIONS SECTION OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT ON THE I9TH FLOOR, WANCHA1 TOWER, 12 HARBOUR ROAD, WAN CHAI, HONG KONG.
- - 0 - -
COUNCIL CHAIRMEN VISITS COLLEGES OF EDUCATION * » * * t
THE CHAIRMEN OF THE HONG KONG INSTITUTE OF EDUCATION PROVISIONAL GOVERNING COUNCIL (PGC) AND ITS WORKING GROUPS HAVE JUST COMPLETED THEIR FIRST ROUND OF VISITS TO THE FOUR COLLEGES OF EDUCATION AND THE INSTITUTE OF LANGUAGE IN EDUCATION (ILF,).
"THE PURPOSE OF THE VISITS WAS TO ESTABLISH A CHANNEL OF COMMUNICATION WITH COLLEGE STAFF AND TO ENABLE THEM TO BETTER UNDERSTAND THE COUNCIL’S PLANS FOR THE FUTURE," SAID MR SIMON IP, THE COUNCIL CHAIRMAN.
"THE VISITS ALSO PROVIDED A VALUABLE OPPORTUNITY FOR MEMBERS TO EXCHANGE VIEWS WITH THE COLLEGE/ILE REPRESENTATIVES ON THE MISSION FOR HIE HONG KONG INSTITUTE OF EDUCATION (HK1ED) AND THE PRACTICAL ARRANGEMENTS RELATING TO THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE INSTITUTE," HE ADDED.
APART FROM MR IP, OTHER MEMBERS TAKING PART IN THE VISITS INCLUDED PROFESSOR LEE NGOK, CHAIRMAN OF THE ADMINISTRATION, ACADEMIC DEVELOPMENT AND CAMPUS DEVELOPMENT WORKING GROUPS; MR PETER LEE, CHAIRMAN OF THE FINANCE WORKING GROUP; DR THOMAS LEUNG, CHAIRMAN OF THE STAFF MATTERS WORKING GROUP; AND MR LUCAS CHAN, A SENIOR ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT.
THE PARTY FIRST VISITED THE NORTHCOTE COLLEGE OF EDUCATION, THE INSTITUTE OF LANGUAGE IN EDUCATION AND THE HONG KONG TECHNICAL TEACHERS’ COLLEGE ON MONDAY (OCTOBER II).
TODAY, THEY CALLED ON THE SIR ROBERT BLACK COLLEGE OF EDUCATION AND THE GRANTHAM COLLEGE OF EDUCATION.
DURING THE VISITS, THEY MET THE PRINCIPALS, VICE-PRINCIPALS AND STAFF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE RESPECTIVE COLLEGES.
/IN RESPONSE
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 14, 1993
19
IN RESPONSE To STAFF’S CONCERN ABOUT THE TRANSITIONAL ARRANGEMENTS FOR CIVIL SERVANTS WORKING IN THE COLLEGES AND THE ILE, MR IP SAID THE PGC HAI) PROPOSED THAT ALL SERVING ACADEMIC STAFF WOULD BE SECONDED TO THE HKIED UPON ITS ESTABLISHMENT IN SEPTEMBER NEXT YEAR.
"TO MINIMISE DISRUPTION TO EXISTING SERVICES, SERVING NONACADEMIC STAFF WOULD ALSO BE SECONDED TO THE HKIED. THOSE WHO DO NOT JOIN THE HKIED WOULD REVERT TO THE CIVIL. SERVICE AS SOON AS PRACTICABLE,” HE ADDED.
IN ADDITION TO COLLEGE VISITS, OPEN FORUMS WILL BE ORGANISED IN FUTURE TO ENABLE PGC MEMBERS AND ALL COLLEGE STAFF TO EXCHANGE VIEWS.
ON THE PERSONNEL SIDE, THE CHAIRMAN SAID THE SELECTION BOARD HAD JUST COMPLETED THE SELECTION OF THE DIRECTOR OF HKIED AND WAS AWAITING THE GOVERNMENT’S APPROVAL ON ITS RECOMMENDATION.
AN ANNOUNCEMENT ON THE DIRECTOR’S APPOINTMENT WILL BE MADE SHORTLY.
THE PROVISIONAL GOVERNING COUNCIL WAS SET UP IN FEBRUARY THIS YEAR TO PREPARE FOR THE FORMAL ESTABLISHMENT OF THE HKIED WHICH WAS RECOMMENDED BY THE EDUCATION COMMISSION IN ITS REPORT NO. 5.
THE OVERALL MISSION OF THE HKIED IS TO BECOME THE CENTRE OF EXCELLENCE IN TEACHER EDUCATION AND CONTINUOUS PROFESSIONAL TRAINING IN HONG KONG.
THE INSTITUTE WILL INITIALLY FOCUS ON THE UPGRADING OF COURSES AT HIE PRE-DEGREE LEVEL, BUT WILL CONTINUE TO STRENGTHEN ITS ACADEMIC QUALITY SO THAT IT CAN PROVIDE DEGREE PROGRAMMES IN SOME AREAS AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.
- - 0 - -
TOC COMMITTEE MEETS TOMORROW *****
THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON THE IMPLEMENTATION OF TARGET ORIENTED CURRICULUM WILL MEET TOMORROW (FRIDAY) AFTER WHICH THE CHAIRMAN, MR ANDREW SO, WILL MEET THE PRESS.
AMONG THE ITEMS TO BE DISCUSSED IS THE IMPLEMENTATION SCHEDLUE.
YOUR REPRESENTATIVES WISHING TO COVER THE PRESS SESSION ARE REQUESTED TO ASSEMBLE AT THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT'S INFORMATION AND PUBLIC RELATIONS SECTION IN ROOM 1645, WU CHUNG HOUSE, 213 QUEEN’S ROAD EAST, WAN (’HAI, AT 4.30 PM TOMORROW.
- - 0 - -
/20
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 14, 1993
- 20 -
FINANCE COMMITTEE MEETING * * * ♦ ♦
THE FINANCE COMMITTEE WILL HOLD A MEETING AT 2.30 PM TOMORROW (FRIDAY) AT THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL CHAMBER.
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE WELCOME TO OBSERVE THE PROCEEDINGS FROM THE PUBLIC GALLERY. THEY MAY RESERVE SEATS BY CALLING 869 9492.
ATTENTION NEWS EDITORS:
YOUR REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING.
ADVANCE COPIES OF THE PAPERS FOR THE MEETING WILL BE AVAILABLE FROM 2.30 PM TODAY (THURSDAY) IN THE PRESS ROOM OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL BUILDING, JACKSON ROAD, CENTRAL. PLEASE NOTE THAT THE CONTENT OF THE PAPERS ARE NOT FOR USE UNTIL THE MEETING IS OVER.
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HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS *****
$ MILLION
OPENING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT
REVERSAL OF LAF
BALANCE AFTER REVERSAL OF LAF
NET INJFCTION/WITHDRAWAL TODAY
EFFECT OF LAF TODAY
CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT
LAF RATE 2.00 B1D/4.00 OFFER
1,719
+1,281
3,000
NIL
NIL
3,000
TWI 112.3 *+0.2* 14.10.93
/HONG KONG .......
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 14, 1993
- 21 -
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND
EF BILLS EF NOTES/HONG KONG GOVERNMENT BONDS
TERMS YIELD TERM ISSUE COUPON PRICE YIELD
1 WEEK 2.45 PCT 13 MONTHS 2411 4.625 101.59 3.15
1 MONTH 2.47 PCT 16 MONTHS 2502 4.75 101.84 3.36
3 MONTHS 2.64 PCT 19 MONTHS 2505 3.75 100.27 3.60
6 MONTHS 2.76 PCT 22 MONTHS 2508 4.625 101.67 3.71
12 MONTHS 3.08 PCT
TOTAL TURNOVER OF BILLS AND BONDS - 17,142 MN
CLOSED OCTOBER 14, 1993
------0--------
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 15, 1993
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
GOVERNOR AT A PUBLIC MEETING ON HIS POLICY ADDRESS AT HKU .. 1
GOVERNOR CANCELS VISIT TO EUROPE ......................... 10
SALES OF OVERSEAS TRUST BANK COMPLETED ................... 10
CODE OF PRACTICE FOR SUBSCRIPTION TV ENDORSED ............ 11
CHINA MARKET OPENS FOR NEW CHALLENGES .................... 12
AMS LAUNCHES PERFORMANCE PLEDGES ......................... 13
FCC STUDY OF RECIDIVISM RELEASED ......................... 14
PROPOSED PUBLIC GOLF COURSE TN KAU SAI CHAU .............. 14
TENDERS INVITED FOR PORT WORKS MAINTENANCE ............... 15
UNEMPLOYMENT AND UNDEREMPLOYMENT STATISTICS FOR JUNE -AUGUST ................................................... 16
LEVY PERCENTAGES UNDER THE TRAVEL AGENTS (AMENDMENT) ORDINANCE ................................................ 17
AGC OFFERS TRAINING GROUND TO LOCAL LAW GRADUATES ........ 17
GOVT TO INTRODUCE ELECTRICAL PRODUCT SAFETY RULES ........ 18
PUBLIC URGED TO PREVENT HILL FIRES ....................... 19
FIRE PREVENTION DRIVE .................................... 21
SAFETY ON NGONG PING ROAD GREATLY ENHANCED ............... 21
GOVT ACQUIRES ENVIRONMENTAL-FRIENDLY VAN ................. 22
NATURALISATION FOR BRITISH NATIONALITY SELECTION SCHEME APPLICANTS ............................................... 23
SECRETARY FOR WORKS VISITS HARBOUR HYDRAULIC LABORATORY .... 24
TIDE GAUGE HOUSE TO BE BUILT IN LANTAU ................... 24
/FIRE SERVICES ......
CONTENTS
PAGE NO.
FIRE SERVICES COMMEMORATIVE SOUVENIR COVERS ON SALE ............ 25
AMENDMENT TO DRAFT DPA PLAN ANNOUNCED .......................... 25
SMITHFIELD EXTENSION PROPOSED .................................. 26
PREQUALIFICATJON EXERCISE FOR TING KAU BRIDGE .................. 27
BRIDGE RECONSTRUCTION PROPOSED ................................. 27
REPATRIATION OF ECVII’S BY AIR ................................. 28
266 VM’S WENT HOME TODAY ....................................... 28
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS .
29
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 15, 1993
- 1 -
GOVERNOR AT A PUBLIC MEETING ON HIS POLICY ADDRESS AT HKU * * » » »
GOVERNOR: GOOD EVENING LADIES AND GENTLEMEN. THANK YOU VERY MUCH INDEED FOR COMING THIS EVENING. THE LAST TIME 1 WAS IN THIS HALL WAS TO HEAR A LECTURE WHICH SOME OF YOU MAY HAVE ATTENDED BY SENIOR MINISTER LEE KUAN YEW. IT WAS AN OCCASION ON WHICH HE MADE HIS VIEWS UNEQUIVOCALLY CLEAR ON DEMOCRACY IN HONG KONG AND RELATED ISSUES AND I SAID AT THE END OF THAT MEETING THAT I LOOKED FORWARD IN DUE COURSE AFTER 1997 TO THE OPPORTUNITY OF MAKING MY VIEWS CLEAR ON DEMOCRACY IN SINGAPORE. BUT TONIGHT I DON’T WANT TO MAKE A SPEECH. TONIGHT IS YOUR OPPORTUNITY TO ASK ME QUESTIONS ABOUT WHAT I SAID IN MY SPEECH TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL THIS YEAR, OR ANY OTHER MATTERS.
WHEN WE TALK ABOUT ACCOUNTABLE GOVERNMENT. ONE OF THE WAYS IN WHICH GOVERNMENT MAKES ITSELF ACCOUNTABLE IS BY ANSWERING QUESTIONS FROM THE PUBLIC AND, IF YOU KNOW THAT YOU’VE GOT TO ANSWER QUESTIONS FROM THF. PUBLIC ABOUT THE DECISIONS YOU MAKE, YOU SPEND A LOT LONGER TRYING TO GET THE DECISIONS RIGHT.
THE FORM THIS EVENING, 1 THINK YOU KNOW. WE’VE GOT ABOUT AN HOUR AND A QUARTER AND I’LL (ALL QUESTIONS IN GROUPS OF THREE AND WE’LL SEE HOW MANY QUESTIONS WE CAN GET THROUGH DURING THE COURSE OF THE EVENING. ACTUALLY GROUPS OF FOUR BECAUSE 1 CAN SEE THERE’S A MICROPHONE STAND UP IN THE GALLERY. THE ONE THING I WOULD ASK ALL QUESTIONERS, ON BEHALF OF THOSE WHO ARE NOT ASKING QUESTIONS, OR WHO WOULD LIKE TO ASK QUESTIONS, IS TO KEEP THE QUESTIONS SHORT. QUITE APART FROM ANYTHING ELSE, I’LL LET YOU INTO A SECRET: SHORT QUESTIONS ARE MUCH MORE DIFFICULT TO ANSWER THAN LONG QUESTIONS. ANYWAY, IF YOU’D LIKE TO BEGIN IN THE TIME-HONOURED FASHION, ANYBODY WHO WANTS TO ASK A QUESTION PUT YOUR HAND UP, AND IF NOBODY WANTS TO ASK A QUESTION WE CAN ALL GO HOME EARLY. ALL RIGHT, HANDS UP. THERE’S A LADY WHO'S VERY ENERGETICALLY PUTTING HER HAND UP HERE, IF SHE’D LIKE TO GO TO MICROPHONE NUMBER ONE, THEN OVER THERE THERE’S A GENTLEMAN WITH GLASSES - IF YOU’D LIKE TO GO ROUND TO NUMBER TWO. THERE’S A GENTLEMAN AT THE BACK ALSO WITH GLASSES WITH HIS LEFT HAND IN THE AIR, IF YOU’D LIKE TO GO TO MICROPHONE THREE AND, IF THE ORIENTAL DAILY NEWS WOULD ALLOW, SOMEBODY UP IN THE GALLERY MAY WANT TO ASK A QUESTION AT NUMBER FOUR. ANYBODY IN THE GALLERY WANT TO ASK A QUESTION? ANYBODY APART FROM THE ORIENTAL DAILY NEWS? MR. PATTEN. WHY HAVE THEY CLEANED THE STREET THREE TIMES BEFORE YOU CAME TODAY? NOBODY AT NUMBER FOUR FOR A BIT. NUMBER ONE - QUESTION?
/QUESTION .......
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 15, 1993
2
QUESTION: MR. PATTEN, I’M THE RESIDENT REP OF PEOPLE WHO LIVE ALONE IN THE TEMPORARY HOUSING AREA IN SHEUNG SHUI AND TIN SAM IN THE NEW TERRITORIES. WE ARE DELIGHTED TO KNOW THAT IN YOUR ADDRESS THIS YEAR YOU STATED THAT THE GOVERNMENT WILL BE ABLE’TO OFFER FLATS TO ALL CURRENT TEMPORARY HOUSING AREA RESIDENTS BY 1997. HOWEVER, ACCORDING TO THE FIGURES WHICH THE HONG KONG HOUSING AUTHORITY GIVE US, BY 1995/96 SESSION THE TOTAL NUMBER OF NEWLY BUILT SELF-CONTAINED FLATS IN THE NORTH DISTRICT WILL BE ONLY 488. THIS IS FAR FROM MEETING THE DEMAND. MR. GOVERNOR, WE ARE SURE YOU UNDERSTAND THE FEELINGS OF PEOPLE LIVING IN POOR, SHABBY, UNBEARABLE CONDITIONS YEAR IN, YEAR OUT, SUFFERING THE EXTREME HEAT AND THE EXTREME COLD. BEING OFFERED PERMANENT ACCOMMODATION IS OUR LONG-AWAITED HOPE. WE HAVE TALKED TO THE RELEVANT GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS BUT ONLY AN INCONCLUSIVE ANSWER WAS GIVEN TO US. WE HAVE NOW REACHED A POINT THAT WE NEED TO PRESENT OUR REQUEST TO YOU AND YOUR TOP EXECUTIVES IN THE HOUSING AUTHORITY. WE HAVE THREE SPECIFIC URGENT REQUESTS. ONE: WE WOULD LIKE TO BE ASSURED THAT THERE WILL BE ENOUGH SELF-CONTAINED FLATS FOR US WHO LIVE ALONE BY THE TIME THE SHEUNG SHUI TEMPORARY HOUSING AREA IS PULLED DOWN. TWO: WE EARNESTLY REQUEST OUR FUTURE FLATS TO BE IN OR AROUND THE SHEUNG SHUI AREA. THREE: PLEASE INCREASE THE NUMBER OF SELF-CONTAINED FLATS IN THE HOUSING PLAN FOR THE WHOLE OF HONG KONG. THANK YOU.
GOVERNOR: THANK YOU VERY MUCH. I’VE VISITED NOW THREE OR FOUR TEMPORARY HOUSING AREAS AND IN TWO OF THEM, IN PARTICULAR, SAW EXTREMELY HAD HOUSING CONDITIONS. WE ALL KNOW THE REASON FOR TEMPORARY HOUSING AREAS. THEY’VE HAD TO HELP DEAL WITH SOME OF THE VERY DIFFICULT SOCIAL PROBLEMS IN HONG KONG, WITH OUR POPULATION INCREASING SO RAPIDLY, AND WITH MANY PEOPLE COMING FROM ELSEWHERE TO LIVE HERE. THERE ARE ALSO THOSE WHO’VE BEEN LIVING IN SQUATTER AREAS. BUT I’VE BEEN DETERMINED TO SPEED UP THE TEMPORARY HOUSING AREA CLEARANCE PROGRAMME. 5,600 HOUSEHOLDS ARE GOING TO BE REHOUSED IN 1993/94, THAT’S 1 THINK ABOUT 14,000 PEOPLE. ABOUT 18,000 PEOPLE LIVING IN 6,000 HOUSEHOLDS ARE DUE TO BE REHOUSED NEXT YEAR. AS YOU SAID, OUR AIM IS TO BE ABLE TO OFFER EVERYONE WHO IS LIVING IN A TEMPORARY HOUSING AREA AT THE MOMENT, TO OFFER THEM A FLAT BY 1997. BUT I ALSO WANT, IF WE POSSIBLY CAN, TO CONCENTRATE OUR EFFORTS INITIALLY ON CLEARING THE OLDEST OF THE TEMPORARY HOUSING AREAS WHERE USUALLY THE CONDITIONS ARE WORST. SO WE’RE PLANNING, FOR EXAMPLE, TO CLEAR ALL THE TEMPORARY HOUSING AREA ACCOMMODATION WHICH WAS BUILT BEFORE 1984, BY 1996. YOUR OWN QUESTION RAISES IN PARTICULARLY SHARP FORM TWO OF THE PROBLEMS WE HAVE IN DEALING WITH TEMPORARY HOUSING AREAS. FIRST OF ALL PEOPLE, VERY OFTEN, WHEN THEY ARE MOVED FROM A TEMPORARY HOUSING AREA HOME, KANT TO BE MOVED TO SOMEWHERE IN THE IMMEDIATE VICINITY AND INEVITABLY THAT’S SOMETIMES DIFFICULT. SECONDLY, WHAT I THINK WE’RE ALL DISCOVERING, AND THE HOUSING AUTHORITY IS DISCOVERING, IS THAT THERE ARE DIFFERENT SORTS OF ACCOMMODATION WHICH PEOPLE REQUIRE ACCORDING TO THEIR FAMILY SIZE. SO, WHILE CONTINUING TO BUILD AS MUCH ACCOMMODATION AS WE POSSIBLY CAN FOR PEOPLE IN HOUSING NEED, WE NEED TO BE A LITTLE MORE FLEXIBLE IN THE WAY WE PROVIDE ACCOMMODATION, FOR EXAMPLE, GIVING MORE ATTENTION TO THE PROBLEMS OF THE SINGLE ELDERLY. YOU RAISED PARTICULAR PROBLEMS IN THE NORTH DISTRICT. I’LL SPEAK TO ROSANNA WONG, THE CHAIRMAN OF THE HOUSING AUTHORITY, ABOUT THE SPECIFIC POINTS THAT YOU RAISED WITH ME AND GET IN TOUCH WITH YOU ABOUT THEM LATER. NUMBER TWO?
/QUESTION (THROUGH) ......
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 15, 1993
3
QUESTION (THROUGH INTERPRETER): MR GOVERNOR, MY FIRST QUESTION IS: IN MID-AUGUST THERE WAS A SURVEY CONDUCTED BY AN ENGLISH NEWSPAPER AND THE FINDING WAS ABOUT 65 PER CENT OF THOSE INTERVIEWED SUPPORT FULL DIRECT ELECTIONS FOR THE '95 LEGCO. MR GOVERNOR, WHY DON’T YOU GO ALONG WITH PUBLIC OPINION AND HOLD A FULL AND DIRECT ELECTION FOR THE ’95 LEGCO?
MY SECOND QUESTION IS: LAST TIME WHEN YOU HAD THIS 'QUESTION TIME WITH THE GOVERNOR’ YOU SAID IF ' THERE WAS NO DEAL BETWEEN CHINA AND BRITAIN YOU MIGHT NEED TO HOLD AN EVEN LARGER CONSULTATIVE MEETING TO ASK FOR THE PEOPLE’S OPINIONS. IN THIS CASE, WHY DON’T YOU JUST HOLD A REFERENDUM?
MY THIRD QUESTION IS: I READ IN THE NEWSPAPER THAT CHINA AGREED TO SPLIT THE '9'1 AND ’95 ELECTIONS INTO TWO ISSUES. MAY I ASK YOU ONE QUESTION: IF THERE IS AN AGREEMENT REGARDING THE ’94 DISTRICT BOARD ELECTIONS BUT THERE IS NO AGREEMENT REGARDING THE ’95 LEGCO ELECTION, WHAT WILL YOU DO? THANK YOU, MR GOVERNOR.
GOVERNOR: THANK YOU VERY MUCH. FIRST OF ALL, I THINK YOUR QUESTION AND THE FACT THAT YOUR QUESTION IS ONE WHICH IS EXPRESSED BY SO MANY PEOPLE IN HONG KONG, IS AN INDICATION THAT THE PROPOSALS THAT I HAVE PUT FORWARD AND THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT HAVE PUT FORWARD ARE HARDLY RADICAL. 1 HAVE CONSTANTLY BEEN INTERESTED SINCE I HAVE BEEN IN THIS JOB, BY THE MODERATE WAY IN WHICH PEOPLE LIKE YOU AND OTHERS IN HONG KONG EXPRESS THE WHOLLY UNDERSTANDABLE ASPIRATION TO HAVE A GREATER SHARE IN DETERMINING YOUR OWN DESTINY. SO WHY, WHY WHEN THERE IS PRESSURE FROM YOU AND OTHERS FOR A TOTALLY DIRECTLY ELECTED LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL IN 1995, AM I NOT ARGUING FOR THAT AT THE NEGOTIATING TABLE? I’LL TELL YOU WHY, THOUGH YOU WOULDN’T NECESSARILY BELIEVE IT IF YOU LISTENED TOO MUCH TO THE NCNA. FAR FROM BEING THE TRIPLE VIOLATOR, WHAT I AM ACTUALLY DOING IS NEGOTIATING WITHIN THE AGREEMENTS THAT HAVE ALREADY BEEN REACHED BETWEEN BRITAIN AND CHINA, MOST- PARTICULARLY THE JOINT DECLARATION. WHAT THE JOINT DECLARATION PROMISES THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG IS A LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MADE UP BY ELECTION, AND IT FURTHER PROMISES THEM AN EXECUTIVE WHICH IS ACCOUNTABLE TO THE LEGISLATURE.
NOW I WILL MAKE A CONFESSION. THE JOINT DECLARATION DOES NOT SAY THE ELECTIONS SHOULD BE FAIR, BUT I DON’T THINK THE PEOPLE WHO SIGNED THE JOINT DECLARATION THOUGHT THAT THEY WERE SIGNING A DECLARATION IN FAVOUR OF UNFAIR ELECTIONS. SO THE ARGUMENT BETWEEN OUR NEGOTIATORS AND CHINA’S ISN’T - THOUGH UNDERSTANDABLY YOU THINK IT SHOULD BE - ABOUT PRESSING FORWARD THE PACE OF DEMOCRATISATTON, THE ARGUMENT IS ABOUT WHETHER THE AGREED STEPS TOWARDS DEMOCRACY SHOULD BE FAIR OR UNFAIR.
/YOU SECONDLY .......
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 15, 1993
YOU SECONDLY ASKED, WHY, IN ADDITION TO HAVING LARGER CONSULTATIVE MEETINGS - IF THERE IS A BREAKDOWN IN THE TALKS, OR IF THERE ISN’T A BREAKDOWN IN THE TALKS - YOU SAID, WHY, IN ADDITION TO THAT, DON’T YOU HAVE A REFERENDUM? WELL YOU HAVE IN FRONT OF YOU A VERY RARE POLITICAL LEADER. I MUST BE ONE OF THE FEW POLITICAL LEADERS WHO ARGUES AGAINST A REFERENDUM, EVEN THOUGH I THINK WE WOULD WIN A REFERENDUM HANDS DOWN. THAT, AFTER ALL, AS YOU WERE SUGGESTING, IS WHAT THE OPINION POLLS TELL US. WE DO HAVE TO CONSULT THE COMMUNITY. WE CAN’T, AS I HAVE SAID BEFORE, GO FURTHER THAN THE COMMUNITY WANTS NOR CAN WE GO LESS FAR THAN THE COMMUNITY WANTS. BUT THE RIGHT WAY FOR US TO DO THAT AND THE ONLY WAY IN WHICH WE CAN SHAPE EXTREMELY DIFFICULT LEGISLATION IS THROUGH THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. AND I DON’T WANT TO DO ANYTHING WHICH WILL TAKE AWAY THE RESPONSIBILITY FROM THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL OR ENCOURAGE SOME LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLORS TO THINK THAT THAT IS OTHER THAN THEIR RESPONSIBILITY TO BE CARRIED THROUGH HONOURABLE AND HONESTLY.
THIRD - DOING THE SPLITS. I AM SOMETIMES SURPRISED THAT I CAN SAY THE SAME THING DAY AFTER DAY AND SUDDENLY I SAY THE SAME THING AND IT GETS A CURIOUS HEADLINE TN SOME PLACES. BUT THAT IS FREEDOM OF THE PRESS AND POLITICIANS SHOULD NOT GRUMBLE ABOUT THE NEWSPAPERS OR THE TELEVISION ANY MORE THAN FARMERS SHOULD GRUMBLE ABOUT THE WEATHER. LET ME SAY TODAY WHAT I SAID ON WEDNESDAY, IN FRONT OF SOME OF THOSE VERY DISTINGUISHED JOURNALISTS IN THE GALLERY WHO FOLLOW ME ROUND FROM DAY TO DAY AND CAN ANSWER SOME OF THE QUESTIONS BEFORE THEY HAVE PUT THEM - AND I. GAVE THE SAME ANSWER YESTERDAY THAT SOME OF THE FRIENDS WHO HAD BEEN THERE ON WEDNESDAY WEREN’T AROUND YESTERDAY, SO THE STORE CAME OUT A LITTLE DIFFERENTLY. THE QUESTION OF SPLITTING THE DISTRICT BOARD ELECTIONS, THE MUNICIPAL COUNCIL ELECTIONS AND OTHER FAIRLY STRAIGHTFORWARD MATTERS FROM THE MORE. COMPLICATED ISSUES IS LARGELY IRRELEVANT TO THE QUESTION OF HOW LITTLE TIME WE HAVE LEFT TO REACH AGREEMENT ON THE WHOLE PACKAGE. BUT 1 WOULD LIKE TO SPEND THE TIME WE HAVE GOT LEFT IN THE MOST CONSTRUCTIVE AND USEFUL WAY.
WE HAVE HAD 13 ROUNDS OF TALKS. I’M TOLD THAT WE HAVE HAD ABOUT 120 HOURS OF TALKS. GIVEN THAT HE RESTED ON THE SEVENTH DAY, THAT IS ABOUT THE SAME AMOUNT OF TIME THAT IT TOOK THE ALMIGHTY TO CREATE THE EARTH. BUT WE STILL HAVEN’T GOT AN AGREEMENT. NOW THERE ARE SOME ISSUES WHICH ARE VERY STRAIGHTFORWARD. THE QUESTION OF THE ELECTIONS TO THE DISTRICT BOARDS AND MUNICIPAL COUNCILS WHICH IS BARELY TOUCHED ON BY THE JOINT DECLARATION OR THE BASIC LAW - THERE’S ONE FOR YOU. THEN THERE IS THE QUESTION OF THE VOTING METHOD FOR GEOGRAPHICAL CONSTITUENCIES ON WHICH THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL HAS MADE ITS VIEWS PERFECTLY CLEAR. AND THIRDLY, THERE IS THE QUESTION OF THE VOTING AGE IN HONG KONG. IT IS IB IN BRITAIN. IT IS 18 IN CHINA. SO WHY DO WE HAVE TO ARGUE ABOUT WHETHER OR NOT IT SHOULD BE 18 IN HONG KONG?
/NOW YOU .......
5
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 15, 1993
NOW YOU KNOW WHAT A REASONABLE MAN I AM, AND OUR TEAM NEGOTIATING IN THESE TALKS HAS OF COURSE APPROPRIATE REPRESENTATION FROM THE ALUMNI OF HONG KONG U (UNIVERSITY), SO OUR TEAM IS BY DEFINITION VERY REASONABLE AS WELL. AND I HAVE SAID VERY CLEARLY THAT IF THE CHINESE NEGOTIATORS, NEXT TIME OUR NEGOTIATING TEAMS MEET, NEXT WEEK, SAY, "OF COURSE WE CAN SET ASIDE AS AGREED THE DISTRICT BOARD AND MUNICIPAL COUNCILS, THE VOTING METHOD AND THE VOTING AGE", IF THEY SAY WE CAN SET ASIDE THOSE MATTERS AS AGREED, I WOULD BE DELIGHTED! WE COULD PUT THAT IN THE BAG. AND THEN WE COULD CONCENTRATE ON THE REALLY CONTROVERSIAL ISSUES, LIKE THE THROUGH TRAIN. SO ALL OF US WILL BEGIN THE 14TH ROUND WITH A SPRING IN OUR STEPS IF MR JIANG ENZHU FROM THE CHINESE SIDE CONFIRMS, AT THE BEGINNING .OF THE NEXT ROUND OF TALKS, WHICH I HOPE SHOULD BE FAIRLY STRAIGHTFORWARD, THAT THOSE EASY MATTERS ARE ALL SETTLED NOW.
LASTLY: BUT EVEN IF HE DOES THAT, WE HAVE STILL GOT SOME DIFFICULT ISSUES TO TACKLE AND WE DON’T HAVE MUCH TIME LEFT. AND THAT IS NOT A PROVOCATIVE REMARK ON MY PART, IT IS A DESCRIPTION OF REALITY.
QUESTION (THROUGH INTERPRETER): MR. GOVERNOR, YOU JUST SAID THAT YOU WERE A VERY REASONABLE MAN, BUT I THINK IN SOME WAYS YOU CONTRADICT YOURSELF. IN YOUR LAST POLICY ADDRESS YOU TOLD US THAT THE FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCY ELECTION FOR ’95 WILL BE BASED ON AN ELECTORATE OF MORE THAN TWO MILLION VOTERS, AND YOU TOLD US THAT THIS IS A FAIR, OPEN PRINCIPLE WHICH IS ACCEPTABLE TO THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG. BUT THIS YEAR YOU TOLD US THAT THERE IS A CHANGE IN THE BRITISH STANCE AND THE ELECTORATE WILL BE LESS THAN YOUR ORIGINAL PROPOSAL BY TWO THIRDS, AND YOU STILL TOLD US THAT THIS IS ALSO FAIR, OPEN AND ACCEPTABLE TO THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG. NOW, THIS IS MY QUESTION. MR GOVERNOR. ACTUALLY, DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEA WHAT KIND OF ELECTION WILL BE ACCEPTABLE TO THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG? HAVE YOU SERIOUSLY CONSIDERED THE OPINION OF HONG KONG, SUCH AS THE HOLDING OF A REFERENDUM, RATHER THAN LEAVING THE MATTER TO THE LEGISLATURE WHICH YOU HINTED THAT IS NOT FAIR, NOT OPEN AND NOT ACCEPTABLE TO THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG? I AM SORRY . . .
QUESTION (THROUGH INTERPRETER): I MEAN THE LEGISLATURE WHICH IS NOT OPEN, NOT FAIR AND NOT ACCEPTABLE ENOUGH TO THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG.
GOVERNOR: OK, I THINK I’VE GOT THE DRIFT. I THINK THAT PEOPLE IN HONG KONG WANT TWO THINGS. I THINK FIRST OF ALL THEY WANT DECENT ELECTION ARRANGEMENTS, BECAUSE THEY RECOGNISE THAT AN INDEPENDENT LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, PROPERLY ELECTED, IS AN IMPORTANT CENTRAL PART OF THE RULE OF LAW. SECOND, I THINK THAT THEY WANT, IF IT IS POSSIBLE TO ACHIEVE IT, A SMOOTH TRANSITION THROUGH 1997, WITH AN AGREEMENT BETWEEN BRITAIN AND THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT AND CHINA ABOUT THE ELECTORAL ARRANGEMENTS AND OTHER MATTERS. I DON’T THINK THAT THEY BELIEVE WE SHOULD SACRIFICE OUR PRINCIPLES FOR AN AGREEMENT BUT THEY DO WANT US TO WORK AS HARD AS POSSIBLE FOR AN AGREEMENT. LAST AUTUMN, IN 1992, I PUT FORWARD PROPOSALS, UNDERLINE PROPOSALS, FOR DISCUSSION WITH THE COMMUNITY AND WITH CHINA ABOUT OUR ELECTIONS IN 1994/95. THEY INCLUDED, AS YOU SAID, A SENSIBLE PROPOSAL FOR THE FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCIES, WHICH HAS BEEN SUPPORTED IN OPINION POLL AFTER OPINION POLL, WHICH WOULD HAVE ENSURED THAT EVERY MEMBER OF THE WORKING POPULATION WAS ABLE TO CAST A VOTE IN A FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCY, THAT IS IT WOULD HAVE INCREASED THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE VOTING IN FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCIES TO ABOUT 2.7 MILLION.
/NOW UNFORTUNATELY ......
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FRIDAY, OCTOBER 15, 1993
NOW UNFORTUNATELY, DISCUSSION ON THOSE PROPOSALS DIDN’T START FOR SEVERAL MONTHS. THAT WASN’T BECAUSE OF \ LACK OF SINCERITY ON OUR PART. WE WOULD HAVE LIKED TO HAVE STARTED DISCUSSIONS THERE AND THEN. I THINK, TO PUT IT POLITELY, THE NEW CHINA NEWS AGENCY HAD TO GET ONE OR TWO THINGS OFF THEIR CHEST TO START WITH. BUT DISCUSSIONS STARTED AND WE’VE TRIED, THROUGHOUT THOSE DISCUSSIONS, TO FIND WAYS IN WHICH WE CAN REACH AGREEMENT, AND THAT HAS MEANT THAT WE HAVE PUT FORWARD CONDITIONAL CONCESSIONS, WHICH WE STILL BELIEVE, AS PART OF AN OVERALL PACKAGE, WOULD PROVIDE FAIR AND OPEN ELECTIONS. THOSE CONDITIONAL CONCESSIONS INCLUDED A NEW PROPOSAL ON THE FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCIES. IT WOULD HAVE REDUCED THE ELECTORATE, AS YOU SAID, FROM THE PROPOSED 2.7 MILLION BY ABOUT TWO THIRDS. I BELIEVE THAT WOULD STILL GIVE US FAIR AND OPEN ELECTIONS TO THE FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCIES. I’VE SEEN SOME OTHER IDEAS ON FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCIES WHICH WOULDN’T GIVE US FAIR AND OPEN ELECTIONS. WHETHER OR NOT THOSE PROPOSALS WOULD BE ACCEPTABLE WOULD, I THINK, DEPEND ON THE OVERALL SHAPE OF AN AGREEMENT, AND ACCEPTABILITY WOULD BE TESTED IN THE COMMUNITY AND IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. I DON’T THINK THE COMMUNITY WOULD UNDERSTAND, I DON’T THINK THE COMMUNITY WOULD ACCEPT IT, IF WE HAD GONE TO THE NEGOTIATIONS, IF WE HAD SAT DOWN AT THE TABLE AND REFUSED TO BUDGE AN INCH. BUT I DON’T THINK THE COMMUNITY WOULD FORGIVE ME, OR WOULD FORGIVE THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT OR THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT, IF DURING THOSE NEGOTIATIONS WE GAVE AWAY ALL OUR PRINCIPLES. SO THAT’S WHERE WE ARE AT THE MOMENT, NEGOTIATING IN SINCERITY AND IN GOOD FAITH, TRYING TO FIND A DECENT BASIS FOR FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCY ELECTIONS, BUT WE DO, I CAN ASSURE YOU, HAVE A BOTTOM LINE AND, IF ANYBODY DISBELIEVES US WHEN I SAY THAT, I HOPE THEY WON’T DISBELIEVE US FOR TOO LONG.
QUESTION: DEAR MR GOVERNOR, MY QUESTION IS RELATED TO YOUR RESPONSE TO AN EARLIER QUESTION, QUESTION NUMBER TWO, AND I BELIEVE QUESTIONER NUMBER THREE RAISED THE POINT, BUT I FEEL THAT AN ANSWER HAS YET TO BE GIVEN BY YOU. THE QUESTION IS, YOU MENTIONED EARLIER THAT YOU ARE AGAINST A REFERENDUM TO DECIDE WHETHER THERE SHOULD BE DIRECT ELECTIONS TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL IN HONG KONG AND THE REASON BEING THAT YOU DO NOT WANT TO TAKE THE RESPONSIBILITY AWAY FROM the Legislative council.
NOW MY QUESTION IS: THE PRESENT LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL IS NOT DIRECTLY ELECTED, IT DOESN’T FULFIL - IF I MAY QUOTE QUESTIONER NUMBER THREE - IT DOESN’T REALLY FULFIL THE VERY CRITERIA THAT YOU, YOURSELF, HAVE BEEN REPEATING ALL THE TIME. SO UNDER THE CIRCUMSTANCES, HOW CAN YOU AND HOW CAN WE AS CITIZENS OF HONG KONG BE CONFIDENT, BE SURE, THAT THE PRESENT LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL WILL TRULY REFLECT AND REPRESENT THE VIEWS OF THE COMMUNITY?
GOVERNOR: FIRST, THERE IS A STORY ABOUT SOMEBODY TRAVELLING IN IRELAND AND THEY GET LOST AND THEY STOP TO ASK THE WAY, AND THE OLD MAN THEY ASK TO TELL THEM THE WAY REPLIES: ’’WELL, I WOULDN’T START FROM HERR.” THE FIRST THING I HAVE TO SAY IS THAT I HAVE TO START FROM HERE.
SECOND, THERE WAS ONCE A BRITISH PRIME MINISTER WHO WAS DESCRIBED BY A COLLEAGUE AS THE BEST PRIME MINISTER WE’VE GOT, WHICH A LOT OF PEOPLE THOUGHT WAS AN INSULT BUT IT WAS MEANT TO BE A REALISTIC DESCRIPTION.
/NOW I .......
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 15, 1993
7
NOW I HAVE TO START WHERE I AM AND OUR LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL IS NOT ONLY THE BEST ONE WE’VE GOT, IT’S THE ONLY ONE WE’VE GOT.
I SAID, IN RESPONSE TO THE EARLIER QUESTION, THAT IT IS NOT USUAL, WHEN POLITICIANS THINK THEY WOULD WIN A REFERENDUM FOR THEM TO BE AGAINST A REFERENDUM. AND GIVEN THAT 1 SAY THAT 1 DON’T WANT TO GO EITHER FURTHER OR LESS FAR THAN THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG, IT MIGHT STRIKE YOU AS DOUBLY CURIOUS THAT I DON’T WANT TO HAVE A REFERENDUM. BUT EVEN IF WE HAD A REFERENDUM, IT WOULD BE FOR THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TO MAKE DECISIONS ON LEGISLATION AFTER THAT REFERENDUM. THE QUESTION THAT YOU WOULD PUT TO A REFERENDUM WOULD BE AN EXTREMELY COMPLICATED ONE. THE GENTLEMAN WHO ASKED A QUESTION EARLIER MIGHT BE
IN FAVOUR OF WHAT WE WERE PROPOSING ON FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCIES BUT LESS IN FAVOUR OF WHAT WE WERE PROPOSING ON THE ELECTION COMMITTEE. THOSE ARE ISSUES WHICH ULTIMATELY ARE GOING TO HAVE TO BE DECIDED BY
THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. IT IS NOT AN ELECTED LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, THOUGH MANY OF ITS MEMBERS ARE DIRECTLY ELECTED, AND IT IS WORTH
BEARING IN MIND THAT THE OVERWHELMING MAJORITY OF THOSE WHO ARE
DIRECTLY ELECTED THINK J SHOULD HAVE GONE FURTHER, NOT THAT I AM GOING
TOO FAR.
THIS, THE
BUT I’M SURE THAT AT THE END OF THE DAY, IF IT COMES TO LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, WHETHER THE MEMBERS ARE ELECTED OR
APPOINTED, WILL WANT TO DO THEIR BEST FOR HONG KONG AND WILL WANT TO TAKE INTO ACCOUNT THE VIEWS OF THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG WHEN THEY MAKE
THEIR DECISIONS.
QUESTION (THROUGH INTERPRETER}: FOR YOU.
MR PATTFN, I HAVE THREE QUESTIONS
GOVERNOR: KEEP THEM NICE AND SHORT OTHERWISE NUMBER THREE WON’T
HAVE A CHANCE FOR ANY OF HIS QUESTIONS.
QUESTION (THROUGH INTERPRETER): NOW MY FIRST QUESTION IS ABOUT THE FLOODING OF THE NEW TERRITORIES. THIS IS A LONG STANDING PROBLEM. THE FLOODING OF THE NEW TERRITORIES AND THE SILTING OF THE SHENZHEN RIVER IS A LONG STANDING PROBLEM BUT THERE IS NOTHING ABOUT THIS IN YOUR POLICY ADDRESS. DO YOU THINK THE GOVERNMENT HAS NEGLECTED THIS VERY IMPORTANT PROBLEM?
THE SECOND QUESTION IS: IN YOUR POLICY SPEECH YOU TOLD US THAT YOU WILL OPEN THE LOK MA CHAU BORDER FOR TWENTY-FOUR HOURS, BUT IF YOU CANNOT SECURE THE CHINESE AGREEMENTS ON THIS ISSUE, WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO AND HOW ARE YOU GOING TO BE ANSWERABLE TO THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG?
MY THIRD QUESTION IS ON MEDICAL CARE. IT IS ESTIMATED THAT BY 1997 THERE WILL BE A VERY GRAVE PROBLEM OF AGING POPULATION IN HONG KONG AND THE HOSPITAL SERVICES WILL BE USED MOSTLY BY THE ELDERLY PEOPLE. BUT DURING THE LEGCO DEBATE MOST OF THE LEGCO MEMBERS ARE STILL IN FAVOUR OF LINKING THE MEDICAL FEES TO COSTS, SO DO YOU MEAN THAT THE ELDERLY PEOPLE HAVE TO BUY THE VERY EXPENSIVE INSURANCE WHICH THEY CAN HARDLY AFFORD, IN ORDER TO PROTECT THEIR LIVES?
/GOVERNOR .......
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 15, 1993
8
GOVERNOR: TN REVERSE ORDER. YOU ARE QUITE RIGHT THAT AN INCREASING PROPORTION OF HEALTH COSTS ARE GOING TO BE DIRECTED TOWARDS CARING FOR THE ELDERLY BECAUSE WE HAVE AN AGING POPULATION WITH MORE VERY OLD PEOPLE AS WELL. THE GOOD NEWS IN HONG KONG IS THAT WE LIVE LONGER THAN MOST OTHER COMMUNITIES, INCLUDING THE UNITED KINGDOM - I HOPE THAT COVERS GOVERNORS TOO - BUT IT COSTS MONEY. I ANNOUNCED IN MY LEGCO SPEECH THAT BY 1997 WE WILL PROVIDE AN EXTRA 161 ACUTE-BEDS AND DAY-PLACES FOR ELDERLY PATIENTS, 1,200 MORE INFIRMARY BEDS, 1,400 MORE NURSING HOME PLACES, AND MORE SPECIALIST MEDICAL CARE AND SPECIALIST TEAMS FOR THE ELDERLY.
AND TO ANSWER YOUR QUESTION ON FUNDING, I DO NOT BELIEVE THAT ANYBODY SHOULD BE DENIED PROPER MEDICAL CARE, PROPER HEALTH FACILITIES, BECAUSE THEY DON”! HAVE ENOUGH MONEY IN THEIR POCKET. OF COURSE THERE ARE SERIOUS FINANCIAL ISSUES FOR US TO TACKLE IN HEALTH CARE. THERE IS A VERY SERIOUS DEBATE WHICH THE COMMUNITY WILL HAVE TO HAVE, BUI' THE PRINCIPLE WHICH WE MUST NOT LOSE SIGHT OF IS THAT NO CIVILISED COMMUNITY DENIES HEALTH CARE TO PEOPLE BECAUSE THEY DON’T HAVE ENOUGH MONEY.
YOUR SECOND QUESTION. WE WANT TO OPEN THE BORDER AT LOK MA CHAU FOR TWENTY-FOUR HOURS A DAY. IT IS IMPORTANT FOR TRANSPORTATION. IT IS JUST A START, WE WILL HAVE TO HAVE MORE EXTENSIVE TWENTY-FOUR-HOUR OPENING BEFORE LONG. YOU’RE QUITE RIGHT THAT IF WE PROVIDE HIE FACILITIES ON OUR SIDE OF THE BORDER BUT THE CHINESE AUTHORITIES AREN’T PREPARED TO PROVIDE THE FACILITIES ON THEIR SIDE 01 Till BORDER, WE WON’T BE ABLE TO OPEN IT FOR TWENTY-FOUR HOURS. THAT IS A QUESTION FOR THE CHINESE AUTHORITIES BUT TRAFFIC JAMS AND HOLD-UPS AT THF BORDER DAMAGE CHINA’S ECONOMS AS WELL AS OURS.
YOU ARE RIGHT TO SAY THAT FLOODING IN THE NEW TERRITORIES IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM. THERE ARE A NUMBER OF REASONS FOR IT, INCLUDING FOR EXAMPLE ILLEGAL DUMPING OF DEAD CARS. THE SAD FACT THAT IN PARTS OF THE NEW TERRITORIES THE MAIN CROP SEEMS THESE DAYS TO BE CONTAINERS. BUT THE MAIN REASON IS BECAUSE OF INADEQUATE FLOOD CONTROL MEASURES AND DRAINAGE ON THE SHENZHEN RIVER. IT HAS BEEN DEBATED BETWEEN US AND THE SHENZHEN AUTHORITIES FOR MANY YEARS. IT WAS CONFIRMED TO ME WHEN I WENT UP TO SEE THE FLOODING THE OTHER DAY THAT NOW, AT LAST, THE DESIGN WORK AND THE PLANNING FOR FLOODPREVENTION MEASURES IS WELL ADVANCED. IT IS EXPENSIVE WORK - I’M SPEAKING OFF THE FOP OF MY HEAD BUT I THINK THE FIGURE FOR THE TOTAL COST IS $1.6 BILLION - BUT THE SOONER WE CAN START WORK ON IT THE BETTER BECAUSE THERE ARE MANY VILLAGERS WHO HAVE TO LIVE TN INTOLERABLE CONDITIONS WHENEVER THERE IS FLOODING.
QUESTION (THROUGH INTERPRETER): MR. PATTEN, I AM A FIRST YEAR STUDENT OF THE SOCIAL SCIENCE FACULTY, LINGNAN COLLEGE. IN YOUR POLICY’ ADDRESS I AM VERY HAPPY TO LEARN THAT YOU ARE GOING TO SPEND 32 MILLION DOLLARS ON MEDICAL AND HEALTH CARE BUT I WONDER WHY IS THERE SUCH A FEI STRUCTURE, A NEW FEE STRUCTURE PROPOSED, WHICH IS BASED ON COST, BUT THIS IS NOT MENTIONED IN YOUR POLICY SPEECH. SO, DO YOU THINK THAI PEOPLE HAVE '1’0 PAY MORE FOR PROPER MEDICAL (’ARE?
/MY SECOND .......
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 15, 1993
9
MV SECOND QUESTION IS ON THE MENTALLY RETARDED PEOPLE, AND I AM ALSO VERY HAPPY TO LEARN THAT YOU ARE GOING TO SPEND 410 MILLION DOLLARS ON THE WELFARE OF THE MENTALLY RETARDED PEOPLE. BUT, OBVIOUSLY, THEY ARE NOT LOOKED AFTER IN OUR JUDICIAL SYSTEM. RECENTLY THERE HAVE BEEN A FEW CASES IN WHICH SLIGHTLY MENTALLY RETARDED WOMEN WERE RAPED AND INDECENTLY ASSAULTED BUT THEIR CASES WERE ACQUITTED BY THE COURT BECAUSE THE WITNESSES WERE FOUND TO BE UNDER EXTREME DISTRESS. MR. PATTEN, DO YOU THINK WE SHOULD SET UP A SPECIAL COURT TO LOOK AFTER THESE MENTALLY RETARDED PEOPLE, AND CAN YOU TELL ME WHY SOME OF THE PEOPLE IN THE JUDICIAL CIRCLE SAY THAT THERE IS NO SUCH NECESSITY?
GOVERNOR: ON THE SECOND POINT FIRST, I THINK THAT PARTICULAR ISSUE HAS CAUSED A GOOD DEAL OF ANXIETY IN THE COMMUNITY, AS HAS THE SAD, THE UNFORTUNATE DIFFICULTY IN SOME NEIGHBOURHOODS OF ESTABLISHING GOOD FACILITIES FOR THE HANDICAPPED. THE LEGAL PROFESSION ARE AMONG THOSE WHO ARE CONCERNED ABOUT THE IMPLICATION OF THE RECENT COURT CASE AND 1 UNDERSTAND THAT THEY HAVE SET UP A WORKING PARTY TO LOOK INTO THOSE IMPLICATIONS AND TO SEE WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE ABOUT THEM.
YOUR FIRST QUESTION. WE’RE SPENDING A BIT MORE THAN YOU WERE SUGGESTING ON HEALTH CARE. WE’RE SPENDING IN RECURRENT TERMS THIS YEAR I THINK 13.7 BILLION HONG KONG DOLLARS. THAT’S NINE PERCENT MORE THAN LAST YEAR, AND WE’RE PROPOSING TO SPEND ANOTHER 950 MILLION IN RECURRENT SPENDING NEXT YEAR. NOW, J DON’T WANT TO PRE-EMPT THE DEBATE ABOUT FUNDING HEALTH CARE IN HONG KONG. AT THE MOMENT WE PAY FOR OUR HEALTH SERVICE IN THREE WAYS: THROUGH OUR TAXES, THROUGH PRIVATE HEALTH INSURANCE AND THROUGH CHARGES OR FEES. WHAT WE HAVE TO DECIDE, AS A COMMUNITY, IS WHAT THE RIGHT BALANCE BETWEEN THOSE THREE IS. IF, AT THE END OF THE DAY, THE COMMUNITY CONCLUDES THAT WE SHOULDN’T PUSH UP CHARGES BY VERY MUCH MORE, THEN WE'LL HAVE TO PAY FOR INCREASED COSTS THROUGH EITHER HIGHER TAXES OR THROUGH MORE HEALTH INSURANCE. UNLESS WE STRIKE OIL IN HONG KONG, OR UNLESS WE FIND GOLD, THOSE ARE THE ONLY OPTIONS. BUT I SUSPECT IT WILL BE A DEBATE WHICH WILL CONTINUE FOR MANY YEARS AHEAD, CONCEIVABLY EVEN BEYOND THE 30TH JUNE 1997 WHEN THE 28TH AND LAST BRITISH GOVERNOR SADLY DEPARTS.
QUESTION (THROUGH INTERPRETER): MR. PATTEN, MY FRIENDS AND I THINK THAT YOU HAVEN’T ANSWERED MY SECOND QUESTION. WE WANT TO KNOW WHETHER YOU ARE FOR THE SETTING UP OF A SPECIAL COURT FOR THE MENTALLY RETARDED PEOPLE AND ALSO THE MAJORITY OF THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG ARE AGAINST A MEDICAL FEE STRUCTURE BASED ON COST.
GOVERNOR: ON THE SECOND POINT, THAT’S A POINT WHICH I'M SURE YOU’LL ARGUE IN THE COMMUNITY AND MAY CONCEIVABLY IN THE FUTURE ARGUE IF YOU BECOME A MEMBER OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. ON THE FIRST POINT, I AM SURE, AS I SAID EARLIER, THAT THE CASE THAI YOU RAISED HAS SUBSTANTIAL AND WORRYING IMPLICATIONS, BUT I AM NOT A LAWYER MYSELF AND I WOULD LIKE TO HEAR WHAT THE LAWYERS HAVE TO SAY BEFORE I COME TO ANY JUDGEMENT.
THANK 1OU VERY MUCH INDEED FOR COMING THIS EVENING. I WOULD LIKE THOUGH PRINCIPALLY TO THANK NOT YOU, BECAUSE THAT WOULD BE DISGRACEFUL FLATTERY, I'D LIKE PRINCIPALLY TO THANK THOSE WHO'VE BEEN INTERPRETING YOU AND INTERPRETING ME THIS EVENING. THEY’VE DONE AN OUTSTANDING JOB, THEY’LL BE - SEE HOW HUMBLE THEY ARE. THEY WON'T BE REQUIRED AFTER 30TH JUNE 1997 BECAUSE, WHEN THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OF THE SAR COMES TO MEETINGS LIKE THIS, SHE OR HE, I HOPE I GOT THAT THE RIGHT WAY ROUND, WILI BE ABLE TO ANSWER YOUR QUESTIONS AS, ALAS, I CAN’T IN BOTH CANTONESE AND ENGLISH. BUT BEFORE THEY BECOME REDUNDANT, LET’S GIVE THE INTERPRETERS A CLAP.
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/10 .....
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FRIDAY, OCTOBER 15, 1993
GOVERNOR CANCELS VISIT TO EUROPE
* I * * *
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAJI) TODAY (FRIDAY) THAT THE GOVERNOR, THE RT HON CHR1SIOPHER FATTEN, HAD DECIDED TO RETURN TO HONG KONG IMMEDIATELY AFTER HIS VISIT TO LONDON ON NOVEMBER 8 TO 13 AND WOULD NOT BE VISITING EUROPE THE FOLLOWING WEEK AS ORIGINALLY PLANNED.
THF SPOKESMAN SAID THE GOVERNOR HAD ASKED THE CHIEF SECRETARY (DESIGNATE), MRS ANSON CHAN, TO TRAVEL TO EUROPE TO LEAD A MAJOR HONG KONG PROMOTION IN GERMANY, FRANCE AND THE NETHERLANDS FROM NOVEMBER 14 TO 19.
’’DURING HIS VISIT TO LONDON, MR PATTEN WILL BE HOLDING DISCUSSIONS WITH THE PRIME MINISTER AND THE FOREIGN SECRETARY ON THE LATEST SITUATION IN THE TALKS WITH THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT ON ELECTORAL ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE 1994/95 ELECTIONS,” THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
’’THE GOVERNOR HAS MADE IT CLEAR THAT WE HAVE ONLY WEEKS REMAINING BEFORE IMPORTANT DECISIONS HAVE TO BE MADE ON THE ARRANGEMENT FOR THE 1994/95 ELECTIONS. HE THEREFORE WISHES TO RETURN TO HONG KONG FOLLOWihu nio DISCUSSION IN LONDON."
THE SPOKESMAN AUDI I) THAT THE GOVERNOR ATTACHED GREAT IMPORTANCE TO THE HONG KONG PROMOTION WHICH IS BEING PLANNED FOR FRANKFURT, PARIS, AMSTERDAM \ND THE HAGUE WHICH WILL PROVIDE EUROPEAN POLITICAL LEADERS AND BUSINESSMEN WITH A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF WHAT IS HAPPENING IN HONG KONG, ENHANCE HONG KONG-EUROPE LINKS, AND EMPHASISES OPPORTUNITIES FOR EUROPE ON BUSINESS IN HONG KONG.
’’THE GOVERNOR IS DELIGHTED THAT MRS CHAN, OUR FIRST LOCAL CHIEF SECRETARY, WILL CARR} THE HONG KONG MESSAGE TO SUCH IMPORTANT INTERNATIONAL AUD IENCES,” THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
HE ADDED THAT MRS CHAN WOULD BE LEAVING FOR THE UNITED KINGDOM AT THE END OF NEXT WEEK WHERE SHE WOULD HAVE A SERIES OF MEETINGS WITH GOVERNMENT AND BUS I NESS LEADERS .
HEADING THE LIST OF APPOINTMENTS IS A MEETING WITH THE FOREIGN SECRETARY, MR DOUGLAS HURD.
MRS CHAN WILL REMAIN IN LONDON AFTER THIS ROUND OF MEETINGS TO JOIN THE GOVERNOR JN HIS DISCUSSIONS WITH MINISTERS AND OFFICIALS BEFORE FLYING TO FRANK Fl RT TO LEAD THE HONG KONG PROMOTION IN EUROPE.
----------------0-------- SALES OF OVERSEAS TRUST BANK COMPLETED
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN ANNOUNCED TODAY (FRIDAY) THAT THE SALE OF THE OVERSEAS TRUST BANK (OTB) HAS BEEN COMPLETED.
THE GOVERNMENT SIGNED A CONDITIONAL AGREEMENT WITH GUOCO GROUP LTD. ON JULY 31, THIS YEAR TO SELL THE ENTIRE SHARE CAPITAL OF THE OTB.
ALL CONDITIONS HAVING BEEN SATISFIED, THE TRANSACTION HAS BEEN COMPLETED ON SCHEDULE TODAY. THE TOTAL CONSIDERATION FOR THE SALE IS $4,457 BILLION.
/"THE CONSIDERATION
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 15, 1993
11
’’THE CONSIDERATION IS MORE THAN THE NOMINAL AMOUNT OF THE $4
BILLION WE INJECTED IN 1985", THE GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID.
"HOWEVER, THIS DOES NOT AMOUNT TO A PROFIT IN REAL TERMS TAKING INTO ACCOUNT THE COST OF OUR CAPITAL OUTLAY OVER THE PAST EIGHT YEARS.
"WE DID NOT IN ANY CASE EXPECT TO MAKE A PROFIT OUT OF THE
RESCUE EXERCISE," HE ADDED.
THE GOVERNMENT RESCUED OTB IN JUNE 1985 USING THE EXCHANGE FUND IN ORDER TO MAINTAIN THE STABILITY OF THE BANKING SECTOR AND THE EXCHANGE RATE OF THE HONG KONG DOLLAR.
- - 0 -
CODE OF PRACTICE FOR SUBSCRIPTION TV ENDORSED *****
THE BROADCASTING AUTHORITY ENDORSED A CODE OF PRACTICE ON CUSTOMER SERVICE DRAWN UP BY WHARF CABLE LTD IN PREPARATION FOR THE LAUNCH OF ITS SUBSCRIPTION TELEVISION SERVICE AT THE END OF THE MONTH.
THE CODE OF PRACTICE, WHICH WILL BE DISTRIBUTED TO THE PUBLIC, WILL ENSURE. THAT REQUESTS FOR THE SERVICE AND ANY MAINTENANCE REQUIREMENTS WILL BE DEALT WITH PROMPTLY BY THE LICENSEE.
THE AUTHORITY FEELS STRONGLY THAT CONSUMERS’ INTERESTS SHOULD BE SAFEGUARDED, PARTICULARLY IN THE SUBSCRIPTION TELEVISION BUSINESS WHERE THE LICENSEE WILL HAVE MANY DEALINGS DIRECTLY WITH THE PUBLIC.
IN APPROVING THE CODE THE BA DECIDED TO REVIEW IT AFTER SIX MONTHS IN THE LIGHT OF EXPERIENCE.
THE AUTHORITY ALSO CONSIDERED SOME COMPLAINTS ABOUT TELEVISION PROGRAMMES, AMONG THEM THE TELEVISION PROGRAMME "HONG KONG CRIMINAL ARCHIVES II", SHOWN ON ATV HOME BETWEEN 7 PM AND 7.55 PM.
THE AUTHORITY RECOGNISED THAT THE SERIES CONTAINED DRAMATISED RECONSTRUCTIONS OF REAL-LIFE EVENTS THAT COULD BE REGARDED AS FACTUAL AND INFORMATIVE.
NEVERTHELESS, THE AUTHORITY FELT THAT THE SERIES, UNLIKE MANY OTHER CONVENTIONAL DOCUMENTARIES SHOWN AT DIFFERENT TIMES, WAS, AS A WHOLE, NOT SUITABLE FOR BROADCAST DURING FAMILY VIEWING HOURS BECAUSE THE SUBJECT MATTER REVOLVED AROUND NOTORIOUS MURDER CASES AND INVOLVED THE DEPICTION OF VIOLENCE AND MURDER.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE AUTHORITY SAID THE AUTHORITY FELT STRONGLY THAT THE FAMILY VIEWING HOUR POLICY SHOULD BE STRICTLY ADHERED TO.
"MATERIAL BROADCAST IN FAMILY VIEWING HOURS SHOULD NOT BE UNSUITABLE FOR CHILDREN OR REQUIRE ANY PARENTAL GUIDANCE," HE ADDED.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID SOME SCENES SHOWING THE RAPE AND MURDER OF A YOUNG COUPLE AND THE TORTURING OF A WOMAN WITH ELECTRIC SHOCKS WERE CONSIDERED TO BE PARTICULARLY OBJECTIONABLE AND WHOLLY INAPPROPRIATE FOR BROADCAST TN THE EARLY EVENING.
/AFTER CAREFUL
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 15, 1993
12
AFTER CAREFUL DELIBERATION, THE AUTHORITY DECIDED TO IMPOSE FINANCIAL PENALTIES ON ATV TOTALLING $160,000 AND TO ISSUE WARNINGS AND ADVICE TO THE STATION.
THE AUTHORITY ALSO STRONGLY ADVISED TVB TO OBSERVE MORE CLOSELY THE PROVISIONS IN THE TELEVISION PROGRAMME STANDARDS RELATING TO THE PROTECTION OF CHILDREN AND THE FAMILY VIEWING POLICY IN CONNECTION WITH THE VIOLENCE SEQUENCES IN THE DRAMA SERIES ’’GAMBLING ON LIFE” WHICH WAS BROADCAST ON TVB JADE BETWEEN 7.25 PM AND 8.30 PM.
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CHINA MARKET OPENS FOR NEW CHALLENGES ♦ * * * ♦
THE OPENING OF THE CHINA MARKET NOT ONLY PROVIDES MANUFACTURERS IN HONG KONG WITH OPPORTUNITIES BUT ALSO BRINGS THEM NEW CHALLENGES, THE DIRECTOR-GENERAL OF INDUSTRY, MISS DENISE YUE, SAID TONIGHT (FRIDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE INAUGURAL CEREMONY OF THE HONG KONG PLASTICS MACHINERY ASSOCIATION, MISS YUE SAID WITH THE MOVING OF LABOUR-INTENSIVE OPERATIONS TO THE NORTH, THERE WAS AN INCREASING DEMAND FOR MANAGEMENT TALENTS IN THE LOCAL MANUFACTURING SECTOR.
MOREOVER, MANY MANUFACTURERS HAVE REALISED THE IMPORTANCE OF PRODUCT AND MARKET DEVELOPMENT IN ADDITION TO INCREASING PRODUCTION.
"THEREFORE, MANPOWER TRAINING, TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER, MARKET DEVELOPMENT AND PRODUCT DESIGN ARE ALL NEW CHALLENGES FACED BY LOCAL MA NU FACTUR E RS, "SHE SAID.
ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE PLASTICS MACHINERY INDUSTRY, MISS YUE SAID THE INDUSTRY HAD BEEN PLAYING A SUPPORTING ROLE TO MANY OTHER INDUSTRIES IN HONG KONG.
TODAY, PLASTICS HAVE BEEN WIDELY USED IN DIFFERENT KINDS OF PRODUCTS INCLUDING ELECTRONIC PRODUCTS, HOUSEHOLD GOODS AND STATIONERY, AND EVEN SOME HI-TECH PRODUCTS SUCH AS WIRELESS PHONES AND FAX MACHINES.
"THE FLEXIBLE SUPPORT RENDERED BY THE PLASTICS MACHINERY MANUFACTURERS IS AN INDISPENSABLE ELEMENT BEHIND THE SUCCESSFUL MANUFACTURE OF ALL THESE PRODUCTS,” SHE SAID.
APART FROM MEETING DOMESTIC DEMANDS, MISS YUE SAID THE PLASTICS MACHINERY INDUSTRY HAD ALSO DEVELOPED INTO A MAJOR EXPORTING INDUSTRY OCCUPYING A VITAL POSITION TN THE INTERNATIONAL MARKET.
IN THE PAST THREE YEARS, THE NUMBER OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS OF INJECTION MOULDING MACHINES WAS INCREASED FROM 9,100 IN 1990 TO 12,000 IN 1992, AN INCREASE OF ABOUT 30 PER CENT.
EXPORTS OF OTHER TYPES OF PLASTICS MACHINES ALSO EXPERIENCED AN APPRECIABLE GROWTH, SHE SAID.
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/13........
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 15, 1993
13
AMS LAUNCHES PERFORMANCE PLEDGES
******
THE LAUNCHING OF THE AUXILIARY MEDICAL SERVICES’ PERFORMANCE PLEDGE PROGRAMME MARKS A MILESTONE IN FURTHER ENHANCING ITS EFFICIENCY OF SERVICE TO THE PUBLIC, THE GOVERNOR, THE RT HON CHRISTOPHER PATTEN, SAID TODAY (FRIDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE ANNUAL AUXILIARY MEDICAL SERVICES (AMS) MESS FUNCTION, MR PATTEN SAID ITS ONGOING PARTICIPATION IN MEDICAL EMERGENCIES AND DISASTER OPERATIONS WERE SPECIALLY IMPORTANT FOR THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG.
THE GOVERNOR SAID IT WAS MOST REASSURING TO LEARN THAT AN EMERGENCY RESPONSE TASK FORCE (ERTF) HAD BEEN ESTABLISHED AND HAD SUCCESSFULLY RESPONDED THE CALLS FOR EMERGENCY DUTIES.
NOTING THAT AMS PLAYED A VERY IMPORTANT ROLE IN MEDICAL DEFENCE, MR PATTEN SAID THE CITIZENS OF HONG KONG SHOULD BE PROUD OF HAVING SUCH AN EFFICIENT AND EFFECTIVE AUXILIARY MEDICAL SERVICES.
ALSO SPEAKING AT THE FUNCTION, AMS COMMISSIONER DR S H LEE SAID: "WE PLEDGE TO REPORT AT A SCENE OF DISASTER WHENEVER BEING CALLED UPON TO RENDER SUPPLEMENTARY PARAMEDIC CARE.
"WE ALSO PLEDGE TO AUGMENT THE FIRE SERVICES AMBULANCE DEPOTS IN FIRST AID COVERAGE AND ADDITIONAL AMBULANCE MANNING WITHIN 30 TO 45 MINUTES AFTER THE HOISTING OF TYPHOON SIGNAL NO. 8 OR ABOVE." DR LEE SAID.
HE SAID AMS PLAYED AN ACTIVE ROLE TN PROVIDING FIRST AID AND AMBULANCE SERVICES TN COUNTRY PARKS AND AT MAJOR PUBLIC FUNCTIONS.
APART FROM BEING IN FULL READINESS TO PERFORM EMERGENCY ROLES AND FUNCTIONS, AMS MEMBERS ALSO HELPED IN THE OPERATION OF CLINICS IN VIETNAMESE MIGRANTS DETENTION CENTRES, METHADONE CLINICS, LIFE GUARD DUTIES AND AMBULANCE SERVICES.
DR LEE NOTED THAT MORE THAN 617,000 MAN-HOURS WERE SPENT ON SUCH ACTIVITIES LAST YEAR.
ON EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT, DR LEE SAID AMS WAS MINDFUL OF THE NEED TO MODERNISE THE OPERATION OF THE SERVICES SO AS TO MAINTAIN ITS EFFICIENCY AND QUALITY.
HE SAID 390 AMS MEMBERS HAD RECEIVED INTENSIFIED TRAINING IN EMERGENCY MEDICINE AFTER THE SETTING UP OF THE ERTF IN SEPTEMBER LAST YEAR.
DR LEE SAID AMS WOULD ALSO HOST AN EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT SYMPOSIUM NEXT MONTH TO ENABLE EXPERTS FROM VARIOUS ORGANISATIONS AND GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS TO EXCHANGE THEIR EXPERIENCE AND KNOWLEDGE IN THE AREA OF DISASTER MANAGEMENT.
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/14 ........
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 15, 1993
14
FCC STUDY OF RECIDIVISM RELEASED * * * * *
FINDINGS OF A LONG-TERM STUDY OF RECIDIVISM AMONG YOUNG OFFENDERS WERE RELEASED BY THE FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE (FCC) TODAY (FRIDAY).
THE STUDY, STARTED IN 1987, WAS CONDUCTED JOINTLY BY THE CORRECTIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT (CSD) AND SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT (SWD).
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE FCC SAID THE STUDY WAS TO COLLECT AND TO ANALYSE DATA ON FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH RECIDIVISM AMONG YOUNG OFFENDERS WITH A VIEW TO REFINING REHABILITATION PROGRAMME FOR THEM.
THE SPOKESMAN POINTED OUT THAT THE STUDY COVERED A TOTAL OF 1,559 MALE YOUNG OFFENDERS WHO WERE CONVICTED OF A CRIME AND WERE ADMITTED TO AN INSTITUTION OPERATED BY THE CSD, OR PLACED UNDER PROBATION, OR IN BOYS’ HOMES RUN BY THE SWD DURING JUNE 1987 TO JUNE 1988.
THE FINDINGS OF THE STUDY ON DIFFERENT GROUPS OF OFFENDERS REVEAL SOME SIMILARITIES IN THE BACKGROUND OF THE RECIDIVISTS. THESE INCLUDE ADVERSE PEER INFLUENCE, POOR ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE, AND BEHAVIOURAL PROBLEMS AT VERY YOUNG AGE.
’’THIS STUDY EMBRACED ONLY YOUTHS WHO HAVE BEEN CONVICTED, IT IS NOT POSSIBLE TO DRAW ANY CONCLUSION ON WHETHER THE CHARACTERISTICS EXHIBITED BY THESE YOUNG OFFENDERS ARE SIGNIFICANTLY DIFFERENT FROM THOSE OF OTHER YOUNGSTERS IN THE SAME AGE GROUP.”
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PROPOSED PUBLIC GOLF COURSE IN KAU SAI CHAU
*****
IN JUST OVER TWO YEARS HONG KONG WILL SEE ITS FIRST INTERNATIONAL STANDARD PUBLIC GOLF CENTRE.
THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL HAS APPROVED IN PRINCIPLE A GOVERNMENT PROPOSAL FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF A PUBLIC GOLF CENTRE WITH TWO 18-HOLE COURSES IN KAU SAI CHAU, AN ISLAND TO THE EAST OF SAI KUNG TOWN.
A POTENTIAL SITE MEASURING 112 HECTARES HAS BEEN IDENTIFIED IN THE NORTHERN PART OF THE ISLAND AS SUITABLE FOR DEVELOPMENT INTO A PUBLIC GOLF CENTRE.
THE LAND IS NOT USED FOR ANY SPECIFIC PURPOSE AT PRESENT AND IS AVAILABLE FOR THE PROJECT.
THE PROPOSED PROJECT REPRESENTS A MAJOR EFFORT BY THE GOVERNMENT TO PROMOTE AND DEVELOP GOLF AS A POPULAR SPORT.
INTEREST IN GOLF HAS GROWN IN RECENT YEARS.
/THE HONG .......
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 15, 1993
15
THE HONG KONG GOLF ASSOCIATION HAS FORMULATED A FOUR-YEAR PLAN WITH JUNIOR DEVELOPMENT AS ONE OF THE MAJOR FEATURES.
THE ASSOCIATION HOPES TO SEE SOME 50,000 GOLFERS EMERGING IN THE NEXT FOUR YEARS.
HOWEVER, UP TO NOW THE PUBLIC HAVE BEEN DISCOURAGED FROM TAKING UP THE SPORT BECAUSE OF THE LACK OF PUBLIC FACILITIES.
THE SECRETARY FOR RECREATION AND CULTURE, MR JAMES SO, SAID "IN RESPONSE TO THE GOVERNMENT’S REQUEST AND ECHOING THE GOVERNMENT’S BID TO PROMOTE GOLF TO THE GENERAL COMMUNITY, THE ROYAL HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB HAS AGREED, IN PRINCIPLE, TO TAKE THE PROPOSED GOLF CENTRE ON AS ITS NEXT MAJOR CHARITABLE PROJECT.
A MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT AND THE CLUB WILL BE DRAWN UP SHORTLY BUT THE JOCKEY CLUB WILL MEET ALL THE COSTS IN CONNECTION WITH THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE GOLF CENTRE.
IN ADDITION, THE JOCKEY CLUB WILL ALSO MANAGE THE CENTRE INITIALLY ON BEHALF OF THE GOVERNMENT, AT THE JOCKEY CLUB’S EXPENSE, UNTIL THE CENTRE IS RUNNING SUCCESSFULLY WHEN IT MAY BE HANDED OVER TO AN ALTERNATIVE MANAGEMENT BODY.
"THE GOLF CENTRE WILL REMAIN A GOVERNMENT UNDERTAKING WITH THE RECREATION AND CULTURE BRANCH BEING RESPONSIBLE FOR IT,” MR SO ADDED.
THE PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT AT KAU SAI CHAU WILL BE SUBJECT TO SATISFACTORY FINDINGS FROM ENVIRONMENTAL AND TRANSPORTATION IMPACT ASSESSMENTS AND OTHER NECESSARY STUDIES, AND THE IMPLEMENTATION OF ANY RECOMMENDED MEASURES, TO ENSURE THAT THE PROJECT IS IN LINE WITH GOVERNMENT STANDARDS.
"IN PARTICULAR, STAGE I OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT TO DETERMINE THE ENVIRONMENTAL ACCEPTABILITY OF THE PROJECT MUST BE COMPLETED AND SHOW POSITIVE RESULTS BEFORE THE PROJECT CAN BE AUTHORISED TO GO AHEAD,” MR SO SAID.
IT IS HOPED THAT CONSTRUCTION WOULD START EARLY NEXT YEAR AND TAKE ABOUT TWO YEARS TO COMPLETE.
------0-------
TENDERS INVITED FOR PORT WORKS MAINTENANCE *****
THE CIVIL ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT (CED) IS INVITING TENDERS FOR THE MAINTENANCE AND REPAIRS TO SEAWALLS, PIERS AND OTHER PORT WORKS FOR THE YEAR 1994/95.
THE WORKS INCLUDE DREDGING AND MAINTENANCE AND REPAIR OF SEAWALLS, PIERS AND OTHER MARINE STRUCTURES, TOGETHER WITH CONSTRUCTION OF NEW MINOR MARINE WORKS.
THE PORT WORKS DIVISION OF THE CIVIL ENGINEERING OFFICE OF CED WILL DESIGN AND SUPERVISE THE WORKS.
/THE CONTRACT........
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 15, 1993
16
THE CONTRACT PERIOD COVERS 24 MONTHS STARTING FROM JANUARY NEXT YEAR.
CLOSING DATE FOR SUBMISSION OF TENDERS IS NOON ON NOVEMBER 5.
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, HO MAN TIN, KOWLOON.
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UNEMPLOYMENT AND UNDEREMPLOYMENT
STATISTICS FOR JUNE - AUGUST
THE SEASONALLY ADJUSTED UNEMPLOYMENT RATE FOR JUNE - AUGUST 1993 WAS 2%, AND THE UNDEREMPLOYMENT RATE WAS 1.5%, ACCORDING TO THE LATEST LABOUR FORCE STATISTICS RELEASED TODAY (FRIDAY) BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
THE PROVISIONAL SEASONALLY ADJUSTED UNEMPLOYMENT RATE FOR THE PERIOD JULY - SEPTEMBER 1993 WAS 2%, WHILE THE PROVISIONAL UNDEREMPLOYMENT RATE WAS 1.3%.
THE LATEST FIGURES SUGGEST THAT THE LABOUR MARKET HAS TIGHTENED SLIGHTLY FURTHER IN RECENT MONTHS.
DURING THE PERIOD JUNE - AUGUST 1993, THE NUMBER OF UNEMPLOYED PERSONS, ADJUSTED FOR VARIATIONS IN THE NUMBER OF FIRST-TIME JOBSEEKERS, WAS ESTIMATED AT 58,400, WHILE THE NUMBER OF UNDEREMPLOYED PERSONS WAS ESTIMATED AT 42,100.
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 1993 COVERED A QUARTERLY SAMPLE OF SOME 11,900 HOUSEHOLDS OR 41,200 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 1993 WILL BE AVAILABLE FROM THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, GROUND FLOOR, GENERAL POST OFFICE BUILDING, CONNAUGHT PLACE, CENTRAL BY END OF DECEMBER AT $23.50 A COPY.
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/17........
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 15, 1993
- 17 -
LEVY PERCENTAGES UNDER THE TRAVEL AGENTS (AMENDMENT) ORDINANCE **»»»»»»
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN ANNOUNCED TODAY (FRIDAY) THAT UNDER THE TRAVEL AGENTS (AMENDMENT) ORDINANCE 1993, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY HAS SPECIFIED BY NOTICE IN THE GAZETTE THAT THE FUND LEVY SHOULD BE SET AT 0.35% AND THE COUNCIL LEVY AT 0.15%.
THE TRAVEL INDUSTRY COUNCIL OF HONG KONG (TIC) COLLECTS FROM LICENSED TRAVEL AGENTS A 0.5% LEVY ON ALL OUTBOUND PACKAGE TOUR FARES, ON BEHALF OF ITS SUBSIDIARY COMPANY, THE TRAVEL INDUSTRY COUNCIL RESERVE FUND (TICRF).
IN RETURN, TIC RECEIVES FROM TICRF PART OF THE REVENUE COLLECTED TO FINANCE ITS OPERATIONS.
THE ORDINANCE TAKES EFFECT FROM TODAY. TICRF IS THUS REPLACE]) BY A NEW STATUTORY FUND, THE TRAVEL INDUSTRY COMPENSATION FUND.
UNDER THE ORDINANCE, THE 0.5% LEW IS SPLIT INTO TWO DISCRETE LEVIES: A FUND LEVY AND A COUNCIL LEVY, BOTH TO BE PAID BY LICENSED TRAVEL AGENTS ON THE BASIS OF OUTBOL ND PACKAGE TOUR FARES. THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY MAY SPECIE’S THE PERCENTAGES GF THESE TWO LEVIES FROM TIME TO TIME.
THE PERCENTAGES NOW SPECIFIED REFLECT CLOSELY THE ALLOCATION OF LEVY MONIES BY TICRF TO TIC OVER THE PAST FEW YEARS.
THE 0.35% FUND LEVY WILL GO TO THE NEW TRAVEL INDUSTRY COMPENSATION FUND FOR THE COMPENSATION OF AGGRIEVED TRAVELLERS UPON DEFAULT OF TRAVEL AGENTS, WHILE THE 0.15% COUNCIL LEVY WILL GO TO TIC TO HELP FINANCE ITS SELF-REGULATORY EFFORTS, INCLUDING COLLECTION OF THE LEVIES.
INCOME FROM THE 0.15% COUNCIL LEVY WILL BE USED TO FINANCE 80% OF TIC' RECURRENT EXPENDITURE.
’’WITH THIS SECURED SOURCE OF INCOME, TIC WILL BE IN A BETTER POSITION TO DEVELOP FURTHER A DURABLE SELF-REGULATORY REGIME FOR THE OUTBOUND TRAVEL INDUSTRY,” THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
------0--------
AGC OFFERS TRAINING GROUND TO LOCAL LAW GRADUATES
* ♦ » ♦ »
THE LEGAL DEPARTMENT IS NOW INVITING APPLICANTS ORDINARILY LIVED IN HONG KONG TO FILL TRAINEE VACANCIES UNDER THE LEGAL TRAINEE SCHEME (LTS) FROM AUGUST 1 NEXT YEAR.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID THE LEGAL DEPARTMENT WAS FULLY COMMITTED TO A PROGRAMME OF LOCALISATION, THEREFORE THE QUOTA FOR THE LTS HAD BEEN EXPANDED TO FIVE PLACES IN THE BARRISTER STREAM AND FIVE IN THE SOLICITOR STREAM IN 1994.
THIS IS TO GIVE MORE LEGAL TRAINEES A CHANCE TO ACQUIRE EXPERIENCE IN VARIOUS TYPES OF LEGAL WORK UNDERTAKEN BY GOVERNMENT LAWYERS, HE SAID.
/THE LTS .......
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 15, 1993
18
THE LTS IS INTENDED TO PROVIDE PRACTICAL TRAINING IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE LAW SOCIETY OF THE HONG KONG OR THE HONG KONG BAR ASSOCIATION FOR LEGAL GRADUATES OF LOCAL UNIVERSITY AND POLYTECHNICS AS WELL AS GOVERNMENT OFFICERS SERVING IN LEGAL/JUD)Cl AL GROUP OF DEPARTMENTS WHO HOLD QUALIFICATIONS RECOGNISED FOR TRAINING PURPOSES.
MORE THAN 100 APPLICANTS HAD TO FIGHT FOR FIVE PLACES WHEN IT WAS FIRST INTRODUCED IN FEBRUARY THIS YEAR, HE SAID.
ALTHOUGH NO OBLIGATION IS PLACED ON LEGAL TRAINEES TO JOIN THE LEGAL DEPARTMENT ON COMPLETION OF TRAINING, NOR IS THE LEGAL DEPARTMENT OBLIGED TO OFFER APPOINTMENT TO THEM, THE LTS PROVIDES A CONSTANT POOL OF HIGH QUALITY YOUNG LOCAL LAWYERS WHICH IS MUCH-NEEDED IN THE SPEEDING UP OF THE LOCALISATION PROGRAMME OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL’S CHAMBERS (AGC).
TRAINEE SOLICITORS WILL JOIN THE LTS FOR A PERIOD OF TWO YEARS.
THE TWO-YEAR PROGRAMME WILL COMPRISE ATTACHMENTS TO THE AGC’S CIVIL DIVISION AND PROSECUTIONS DIVISION, PRIVATE LAW FIRM AND THE LEGAL/JUD1CIAL GROUP OF GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS ACCORDING TO THE PREFERENCE OF THE INDIVIDUAL TRAINEE.
MEANWHILE, TRAINEE BARRISTERS WILL JOIN THE LTS FOR ONE YEAR AND WILL UNDERGO A 12-MONTH PUPILLAGE PROGRAMME COMPRISING ATTACHMENTS TO THE AGC’S CIVIL DIVISION AND PROSECUTIONS DIVISION, A JUDGE’S MARSHAL AND A PRACTISING BARRISTER IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR.
LEGAL TRAINEES WILL RECEIVE A MONTHLY HONORARIUM OF $2.3,965 IN THE FIRST 12 MONTHS AND $25,090 IN THE SECOND 12 MONTHS.
CANDIDATES SHOULD APPLY IN WRITING WITH A COMPLETED APPLICATION FORM (GF 340) TO THE SENIOR TRAINING OFFICER, LEGAL DEPARTMENT, QUEENSWAY GOVERNMENT OFFICES, QUEENSWAY, HONG KONG BY OCTOBER 30.
AN ACADEMIC REFERENCE IS REQUIRED FOR THOSE WHO ARE NOT SERVING OFFICERS AND SHOULD BE SENT DIRECT FROM THE DEPARTMENT OR FACULTY OF LAW TO THE SAME ADDRESS BEFORE THE DEADLINE.
FOR ENQUIRIES CALL 867 2173.
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GOVT TO INTRODUCE ELECTRICAL PRODUCT SAFETY RULES *****
IN RESPONSE TO COMMENTS MADE BY THE CONSUMER COUNCIL, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY (FRIDAY) THAT A SECOND ROUND OF CONSULTATION WITH THE INDUSTRY ON THE GOVERNMENT’S PROPOSALS TO INTRODUCE REGULATIONS ON SAFETY OF ELECTRICAL PRODUCTS WOULD START BY THE END OF THE YEAR.
THE SPOKESMAN ADDED THAT THE SUBSEQUENT EVALUATION OF COMMENTS, LAW DRAFTING AND FINAL DECISION-MAKING SHOULD BE COMPLETED IN TIME TO ENABLE THE NEW REGULATIONS TO BE GAZETTED BY MID-1995.
/THE OBJECTIVE ......
19
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 15, 1993
THE OBJECTIVE OF THE REGULATIONS IS TO ENHANCE PUBLIC SAFETY IN THE USE OF DOMESTIC APPLIANCES BY:
* INTRODUCING SAFETY REQUIREMENTS;
» IMPOSING A STATUTORY DUTY ON MANUFACTURERS, IMPORTERS AND SUPPLIERS IN ENSURING ADHERENCE TO THE PRESCRIBED SAFETY REQUIREMENTS; AND
* PROHIBITING THE SALE, HIRE OR USE OF ANY UNSAFE ELECTRICAL PRODUCTS.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE CONTROLS WOULD COVER ALL DOMESTIC ELECTRICAL PRODUCTS MANUFACTURED LOCALLY OR OVERSEAS, IMPORTED OR ON SALE IN HONG KONG.
IN FUTURE ALL SUCH PRODUCTS WILL HAVE TO BE DESIGNED AND MANUFACTURED WITH ADEQUATE SAFEGUARDS AGAINST ELECTRIC SHOCK AND OVERHEATING.
THEY MUST NOT BE MADE OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS AND MUST BE ACCOMPANIED BY ADEQUATE INFORMATION ON PROPER USE.
SOME COMMONLY USED ELECTRICAL PRODUCTS, LIKE PLUGS AND PLUG ADAPTERS, WILL, IN ADDITION, BE SUBJECT TO SPECIAL SAFETY REQUIREMENTS.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE GOVERNMENT SHARED THE DEEP CONCERN OF THE CONSUMER COUNCIL THAT MANY PLUGS ON SALE LOCALLY ARE UNABLE TO PASS SAFETY TESTS.
"IN VIEW OF THIS, THE GOVERNMENT IS LOOKING INTO THE FEASIBILITY OF STIPULATING SPECIFIC SAFETY STANDARDS FOR PLUGS AND PLUG ADAPTERS BEFORE THE MAIN REGULATIONS COME INTO EFFECT,” HE SAID.
------0-------
PUBLIC URGED TO PREVENT HILL FIRES
* * * t t
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE TODAY (FRIDAY) URGED TO HELP PROTECT NATURAL RESOURCES AND SCENIC COUNTRYSIDE BY PREVENTING HILL FIRES.
THE APPEAL WAS MADE BY THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT’S (AFD) COUNTRY PARKS PROTECTION OFFICER MR CHAN PING-KWONG AT THE LAUNCHING OF THIS YEAR’S COUNTRYSIDE FIRE PREVENTION DRIVE AT THE TAT LAM COUNTRY PARK.
MR CHAN POINTED OUT THAT 221 HILL FIRES OCCURRED IN COUNTRY PARKS AND ITS VICINITY IN THE LAST DRY SEASON, DAMAGING SOME 193,000 TREES ON 2,700 HECTARES OF LAND.
HE SAID ALTHOUGH THE NUMBER OF HILL FIRES WERE NOT PARTICULARLY HIGHER THAN PREVIOUS YEARS, A LOT OF THESE FIRES COULD BE AVOIDED IF THE PUBLIC TOOK MORE PRECAUTIONARY MEASURES.
/"DESTRUCTION CAUSED .......
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 15, 1993
20
’’DESTRUCTION CAUSED BY HILL- FIRES WILL NOT ONLY AFFECT COUNTRYSIDE VEGETATION, IT WILL ALSO DAMAGE LANDSCAPE QUALITY, WILDLIFE HABITAT AND SOIL STABILITY,” HE ADDED.
A FEW SIMPLE MEASURES WHICH CAN REDUCE HILL FIRES ARE:
* COUNTRY PARK VISITORS SHOULD ONLY LIGHT FIRE IN DESIGNATED BARBECUE SITES:
* PUBLIC SHOULD NOT DISCARD BURNING CIGARETTE ENDS IN THE COUNTRYSIDE:
* VILLAGERS SHOULD BE CAREFUL WHEN BURNING OFF WEEDS AND RUBBISH ON FARMLAND NEAR THE HILLSIDES: AND
* GRAVE-WORSHIPPERS SHOULD LIGHT JOSS PAPER IN CONTAINERS AND NEVER LEAVE BURNING JOSS STICKS AND PAPER UNATTENDED.
ON THE GOVERNMENT’S EFFORT TO PREVENT HILL FIRES, MR CHAN SAID AFD WOULD HAVE FIRE FIGHTING TEAMS IN FORCE DURING THE DRY SEASON.
THEY WILL MONITOR ANY OUTBREAK OF FIRE FROM 10 FIRE LOOKOUTS SO THAT ACTION CAN BE TAKEN TO SAVE THE COUNTRYSIDE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.
OTHER DEPARTMENTS THAT WILL PROVIDE SUPPORT INCLUDE FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT, CIVIL AID SERVICES AND THE GOVERNMENT FLYING SERVICE.
AT TODAY’S FUNCTION, THE GOVERNMENT FLYING SERVICE DISPLAYED A NEWLY PURCHASED HELICOPTER WHICH COULD LIFT A BUCKET FOUR TIMES THE SIZE OF EXISTING ONES TO HELP IN WATER BOMBING TASK. THIS WAS FOLLOWED BY A HILL FIRE FIGHTING DEMONSTRATION AT A SITE TN LIN FA SHAN.
ON THIS YEAR’S COUNTRYSIDE FIRE PREVENTION DRIVE, MR CHAN SAID A NUMBER OF PUBLICITY PROGRAMMES AND EXHIBITIONS WOULD BE PREPARED BY THE AFD.
THE INFORMATION SERVICES DEPARTMENT WOULD ALSO PRODUCE NEW POSTERS AND PUBLICITY MATERIALS TO SPREAD THE COUNTRYSIDE FIRE PREVENTION MESSAGE.
MR CHAN ALSO TOOK THE OPPORTUNITY TO REMIND GRAVE-SWEEPERS TO TAKE PRECAUTIONARY MEASURES WHEN BURNING JOSS STICKS AND PAPERS DURING THE FORTHCOMING CHUNG YEUNG FESTIVAL.
”AN^ PERSON WHO CAUSES HILL FIRES AND DAMAGE TO OUR VALUABLE COUNTRYSIDE IS LIABLE TO A MAXIMUM FINE OF $5,000 AND ONE YEAR’S IMPRISONMENT,” HE SAID.
THERE WERE FIVE PROSECUTIONS AGAINST THE ILLEGAL USE OF FIRES IN COUNTRY PARKS TN THE PAST 12 MONTHS AND OFFENDERS WERE FINED UP TO $1,000.
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/21 ........
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 15, 1993
21
FIRE PREVENTION DRIVE *****
THE FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT’S NEW TERRITORIES COMMAND WILL
LAUNCH A FIRE PREVENTION CAMPAIGN ON SUNDAY (OCTOBER 17).
THE EVENT, WHICH FORMS PART OF A PROGRAMME TO COMMEMORATE THE DEPARTMENT’S 125TH ANNIVERSARY, WILL BE HELD AT LEVEL 3, NEW TOWN PLAZA, PHASE I, SHA TIN BETWEEN 10 AM AND 5 PM.
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WILL BE ABLE TO VIEW SOME OF THE EQUIPMENT USED BY FIRE SERVICES STAFF IN FIRE-FIGHTING AND RESCUE OPERATIONS, INCLUDING HOLMATRO RESCUE TOOLS, THERMAL IMAGING CAMERA, SURVIVAL DETECTOR AND DEFIBRILLATOR.
IN ADDITION, THERE WILL BE A DISPLAY OF FIRE PREVENTION
INFORMATION AND HISTORICAL PHOTOGRAPHS ON FIRE SERVICES.
THE CHIEF FIRE OFFICER (NEW TERRITORIES), MR TSANG KWONG-YU, WILL OFFICIATE AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF CAMPAIGN AT 10.30 AM.
- - 0 - -
SAFETY ON NGONG PING ROAD GREATLY ENHANCED ♦ * * * *
SAFETY ON NGONG PING ROAD ON LANTAU ISLAND HAS BEEN TREMENDOUSLY ENHANCED AFTER THE RECENT COMPLETION OF IMPROVEMENT WORKS THERE.
SPEAKING AT A CEREMONY TODAY (FRIDAY) TO MARK THE COMPLETION OF THE IMPROVEMENT WORKS TO NGONG PING ROAD, THE REGIONAL HIGHWAY ENGINEER (NEW TERRITORIES), MR CHEUNG TAI-YAN, SAID THE FORMER CONDITION OF THE ROAD WAS FAR FROM SATISFACTORY.
IT WAS DUE TO THE DIFFICULT TERRAIN AND SEVERAL NARROW SECTIONS OF THE ROAD THAT COULD ONLY ALLOW ONE-LANE TWO-WAY TRAFFIC, HE SAID.
IN ORDER TO IMPROVE ROAD SAFETY AND TO COPE WITH THE ANTICIPATED INCREASE IN PEDESTRIAN AND VEHICULAR TRAFFIC GENERATED BY THE COMPLETION OF THE BIG BUDDHA AT PO LIN MONASTERY, THE GOVERNMENT DECIDED TO IMPROVE NGONG PING ROAD TO ALL TWO-LANE TWO-WAY TRAFFIC.
THE ISLANDS DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, MR DANIEL LAM; THE SUPERINTENDENT OF PO LIN MONASTERY, REV SIK CHI-WAI; THE DIRECTOR OF HIGHWAYS, MR KWEI SEE-KAN; AND THE DISTRICT OFFICER (ISLANDS), MR CHRISTOPHER WONG; JOINTLY UNVEILED A COMMEMORATIVE PLAQUE.
THE IMPROVEMENT WORKS STARTED IN MAY 1991.
IT INCLUDED THE REALIGNMENT AND WIDENING OF NGONG PING ROAD AND A SECTION OF SHAM WAT ROAD TO A STANDARD 7.3-METER WIDE TWO-LANE CARRIAGEWAY FOR A TOTAL LENGTH OF 2.6 KILOMETRES; CONSTRUCTION OF FOOTWAYS OF BETWEEN 1.5 METRES AND THREE METRES ALONG THE CARRIAGEWAY, ROADSIDE BUS BAYS; A TAXI STAND AND A CAR PARK.
/A NEW
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 15, 1993
22
A NEW BUS TERMINUS AND COACH PARK AT NGONG PING HAS ALSO BEEN CONSTRUCTED UNDER A SEPARATE PROJECT.
THE $65-MILLION PROJECT ALSO COVERED THE CONSTRUCTION OF RETAINING WALLS, EMBANKMENTS, DRAINAGE WORKS AND A 90-METER LONG ROAD BRIDGE OVER A VALLEY.
MR CHEUNG SAID TO IMPROVE THE SAFETY OF ROAD USERS, TRAFFIC AIDS, PROPER ROAD LIGHTINGS, EMERGENCY TELEPHONES, PEDESTRIAN RAILINGS AND SAFETY FENCES HAVE BEEN INSTALLED.
IN ADDITION, THE 180-DEGREE HAIR PIN ' BEND ON THE ROAD HAS ALSO BEEN WIDENED TO IMPROVE THE VISIBILITY OF TWO-WAY TRAFFIC AND THE GRADIENT OF THE STEEPEST SECTION OF THE ROAD HAS BEEN REDUCED TO 1:8 FROM 1:5.
"SINCE THE CARRIAGEWAY IS A TOURIST ROUTE PASSING THROUGH THE LANTAU COUNTRY PARK AND LEADING TO PO LIN MONASTERY, CAREFUL CONSIDERATION WAS GIVEN AT THE DESIGN STAGE TO INCORPORATE LANDSCAPE WORKS INTO THE PROJECT AND TO INTEGRATE IT WITH THE SURROUNDING ENVIRONMENT," MR CHEUNG ADDED.
FOLLOWING THE COMPLETION OF THE ROADWORKS LAST MONTH, THE PREVIOUS PROHIBITION ON THIS ROAD HAS BEEN RELAXED TO ALLOW CARS TO ENTER NGONG PING ROAD FROM MONDAYS TO SATURDAY MORNINGS.
BUT TO REGULATE THE TRAFFIC FLOW ON POPULAR DAYS, SHAM WAT ROAD AND NGONG PING ROAD HAVE BEEN DESIGNATED A BAN ZONE ON SATURDAY AFTERNOONS, SUNDAYS AND PUBLIC HOLIDAYS, FOR ALL VEHICLES EXCEPT TAXIS, BUSES AND THOSE WITH PERMITS ISSUED BY THE COMMISSIONER FOR TRANSPORT.
NGONG PING ROAD WAS BUILT IN THE EARLY 1960’S AS A JEEP TRACK BY LOCALS WITH SMALL-SCALE IMPROVEMENTS AFTERWARDS.
------0-------
GOVT ACQUIRES ENVIRONMENTAL-FRIENDLY VAN
*****
THE SECRETARY FOR PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS, MR TONY EASON TODAY (FRIDAY) TOOK DELIVERY OF THE FIRST GOVERNMENT ELECTRIC VEHICLE - AN ENVIRONMENTAL-FRIENDLY GOODS VAN THAT CAUSES NO EMISSION AND RUNS QUIETLY ON THE ROAD.
AT A CEREMONY TO MARK THE HANDING OVER OF THE VEHICLE BY THE LOCAL AGENTS OF THE FRENCH MANUFACTURER, MR EASON TEST-DROVE THE WHITE VAN, CHARACTERISED BY A GREEN LOGO WITH "ELECTRIC VEHICLE" IN CHINESE AND ENGLISH PAINTED ON IT.
MR EASON SAID THE VAN WAS THE FIRST OF TWO ELECTRIC VEHICLES ORDERED BY THE GOVERNMENT ON THE RECOMMENDATION OF AN INTERDEPARTMENTAL WORKING GROUP TO EXAMINE THE FEASIBILITY OF WIDER USE OF ELECTRIC VEHICLES IN HONG KONG.
"WITH THIS VEHICLE, WE ARE NOW ABLE TO LAUNCH A TRIAL SCHEME FOR INTRODUCING ELECTRIC VEHICLES IN THE GOVERNMENT FLEET WHICH HAS BEEN ENDORSED BY THE ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION ADVISORY COMMITTEE.
/"THE GOVERNMENT ......
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 15, 1993
- 23 -
’’THE GOVERNMENT IS EXAMINING A NUMBER OF OPTIONS TO REDUCE THE LEVEL OF AIR POLLUTION CAUSED BY CAR EMISSION AND THE USE OF ELECTRIC CARS IS A POSSIBLE ANSWER, PARTICULARLY IN A DENSE TRAFFIC ENVIRONMENT IN HONG KONG,” MR EASON SAID.
THE VEHICLE WILL BE USED INITIALLY BY THE GOVERNMENT LAND TRANSPORT AGENCY.
THE SECOND ELECTRIC VAN IS EXPECTED TO ARRIVE IN THE NEXT FEW WEEKS FOR USE BY THE ENVIRONMENT PROTECTION DEPARTMENT.
--------0 - -
NATURALISATION FOR BRITISH NATIONALITY SELECTION SCHEME APPLICANTS * * * * ♦
THE GOVERNMENT TODAY (FRIDAY) REMINDED NON-BRITISH NATIONALS WHO WISH TO APPLY FOR BRITISH CITIZENSHIP IN THE FINAL PHASE OF THE BRITISH NATIONALITY SELECTION SCHEME TO APPLY FOR NATURALISATION AS BRITISH DEPENDENT TERRITORIES CITIZENS ON OR BEFORE NOVEMBER 13, THIS YEAR.
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THE FINAL PHASE OF THE BRITISH NATIONALITY SELECTION SCHEME WOULD BE OPEN FOR APPLICATION FROM JANUARY 3 TO MARCH NEXT YEAR.
TO BE ELIGIBLE TO APPLY, NON-BRITISH NATIONALS SUCH AS HOLDERS OF CERTIFICATES OF IDENTITY MUST FIRST APPLY FOR NATURALISATION AS BRITISH DEPENDENT TERRITORIES CITIZENS.
IN A DIRECTION ISSUED TO THE GOVERNOR OF HONG KONG, THE SECRETARY OF STATE HAD ANNOUNCED NOVEMBER 13, AS THE CUT-OFF DATE FOR NATURALISATION FOR NON-BRITISH NATIONALS WHO WISH TO APPLY UNDER THIS SCHEME.
"THIS CUT-OFF DATE, HOWEVER, WILL NOT AFFECT PERSONS WHO ARE NOT INTERESTED IN THE SCHEME; NOR DOES IT AFFECT PERSONS WHO ARE ALREADY BRITISH DEPENDENT TERRITORIES CITIZENS OR BRITISH NATIONALS (OVERSEAS) ” HE STRESSED.
THE PUBLIC MAY CALL 824 6111 FOR ENQUIRIES.
A GENERAL GUIDE TO THE FINAL PHASE OF BRITISH NATIONALITY SELECTION SCHEME, WHICH GIVES DETAILS OF THE REVISED POINTS SYSTEM AND APPLICATION PROCEDURES, IS AVAILABLE AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, GROUND FLOOR, GENERAL POST OFFICE BUILDING, CONNAUGHT PLACE, CENTRAL: ALL DISTRICT OFFICES AND IMMIGRATION OFFICES FREE OF CHARGE.
------0------------
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 15, 1993
24
SECRETARY FOR WORKS VISITS HARBOUR HYDRAULIC LABORATORY *****
THE SECRETARY FOR WORKS, MR JAMES BLAKE, TODAY (FRIDAY) VISITED THE HARBOUR. HYDRAULIC LABORATORY OF THE CIVIL ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT AND WAS BRIEFED ON HOW A MODEL OF THE HONG KONG HARBOUR IS USED TO ASSESS THE EFFECTS OF COASTAL DEVELOPMENT ON TIDAL REGIME.
MR BLAKE WAS SHOWN HOW ENGINEERS USED A SOPHISTICATED SYSTEM TO SIMULATE TIDAL CURRENT AND TO MEASURE EFFECTS OF HOW COASTAL CHANGES, SUCH AS RECLAMATIONS AFFECT THE FLOW OF TIDES.
THE $10 MILLION MODEL AND LABORATORY WAS ESTABLISHED TO PROVIDE ESSENTIAL DATA ON HOW RECLAMATION PROJECTS AFFECT WAVE MOVEMENT, TIDAL FLOW AND WATER QUALITY.
MR BLAKE ALSO VISITED THE TUEN MUN PORT DEVELOPMENT OFFICE OF THE TERRITORY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT TO FIND OUT THE PROGRESS OF VARIOUS PORT DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS IN THE DISTRICT. A
------o-------
TIDE GAUGE HOUSE TO BE BUILT IN LANTAU
*****
THE GOVERNMENT IS TO CONSTRUCT A PLATFORM ADJACENT TO THE SHEK P1K PIER AT TUNG WAN ON LANTAU ISLAND TO ACCOMMODATE A NEW TIDE GAUGE HOUSE.
THE WORKS WILL BEGIN LATER THIS YEAR FOR COMPLETION IN MID NEXT YEAR.
THE EXTENT OF THE AREA OF FORESHORE AND SEABED AFFECTED BY THE WORKS IS DESCRIBED IN A NOTICE OF AUTHORISATION GAZETTED TODAY (FRIDAY).
ANY PERSON WHO CONSIDERS THAT HIS INTEREST, RIGHT OR EASEMENT IN OR OVER THE FORESHORE AND SEABED INVOLVED WILL BE AFFECTED BY THE WORKS MAY DELIVER TO THE DIRECTOR OF LANDS A WRITTEN CLAIM FOR COMPENSATION BEFORE OCTOBER. 15, NEXT YEAR.
THE NOTICE, TOGETHER WITH ITS RELATED PLAN, CAN BE SEEN AT THE LANDS DEPARTMENT SURVEY AND MAPPING OFFICE, 14TII FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, CENTRAL, AND AT THE ISLANDS DISTRICT OFFICE, 20TH FLOOR, HARBOUR BUILDING, 38 PIER ROAD, CENTRAL.
THE PLAN CAN BE PURCHASED FROM THE SURVEY AND MAPPING OFFICE.
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/25........
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 15, 1993
25
FIRE SERVICES COMMEMORATIVE SOUVENIR ('OVERS ON SALE » * » » *
A SPECIAL SOUVENIR COVER TO COMMEMORATE THE 125TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE FIRE SRVICES DEPARTMENT WILL BE ON SALE AT THREE DESIGNATED POST OFFICES FROM OCTOBER 20 - 26, EXCEPT OCT 23 AND 24 WHICH ARE PUBLIC HOLIDAY AND SUNDAY RESPECTIVELY.
THE SOUVENIR COVER, DESIGNED BY STAFF OF THE DEPARTMENT, CARRIES DRAWINGS OF TWO FIRE ENGINES, AN AMBULANCE AND A FIRE BOAT, AND A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE DEPARTMENT WHICH DATES BACK TO 1868.
THESE SOUVENIR COVERS WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR SALE AT $1 EACH AT THE PUBLIC HALL OF THE GENERAL POST OFFICE, TSIM SHA TSUI POST OFFICE AND SHATIN CENTRAL POST OFFICE.
HANDBACK SERVICES FOR THE STAMPING OF A SPECIAL POSTMARK ON THE SOUVENIR COVERS WILL BE AVAILABLE ON OCTOBER 27 AT THE FOLLOWING SIX PHILATELIC POST OFFICES - GENERAL POST OFFICE, BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, PEAK, TSIM SHA TSUI, GRANVILLE ROAD AND SHATIN CENTRAL.
"PHILATELISTS WISHING TO HAVE THIS SERVICE SHOULD PRESENT THE COVER AFFIXED WITH AT LEAST 80-CENT STAMP AT ANY OF THE ABOVE PHILATELIC POST OFFICES," A FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID.
- - 0 - -
AMENDMENT TO DRAFT DPA PLAN ANNOUNCED t i t ♦ ♦
THE TOWN PLANNING BOARD ANNOUNCED TODAY (FRIDAY) AN AMENDMENT TO THE DRAFT TSENG LAN SHOE DEVELOPMENT PERMISSION AREA (DPA) PLAN.
THE AMENDMENT IS TO REZONE AN AREA NORTH OF PO LAM ROAD NEAR THE SUNNYSIDE SCHOOL FOR THE MENTALLY HANDICAPPED STUDENTS FROM *GREEN BELT’ TO ’GOVERNMENT/INSTI TUT ION/COMMUNITY’ IN ORDER TO FACILITATE REDEVELOPMENT OF THE SCHOOL.
THE AMENDED PLAN IS WAILABLE FOR INSPECTION AT THE FOLLOWING OFFICES UNTIL NOVEMBER 5:
* SAI KUNG DISTRICT OFFICE, GROUND FLOOR, SAI KUNG GOVERNMENT OFFICES BUILDING, 34 CHAN MAN STREET, SAI KUNG, NEW TERRITORIES;
♦ PLANNING DEPARTMENT, IGTH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG; AND
♦ SAI KUNG & TSEUNG KWAN O DISTRICT PLANNING OFFICE, SUITE 1209, 12TH FLOOR, CHINACHEM GOLDEN PLAZA, 77 MODY ROAD, TSIM SHA TSUI EAST, KOWLOON.
/ANY PERSON
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 15, 1993
26
ANY PERSON XFFFCTED BY THE AMENDMENT MAY SUBMIT OBJECTIONS IN WRITING TO THE SECRETARY OF THE TOWN PLANNING BOARD, C/O PLANNING DEPARTMENT, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG ON OR BEFORE NOVEMBER 5.
COPIES OF THE AMENDED PLAN ARE AVAILABLE XT THE SURVEY AND MAPPING OFFICE, LANDS DEPARTMENT, 11’1’11 FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG AND KOWLOON MAP SALES SECTION, 382 NATHAN ROAD, KOWLOON.
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SMITHFIELD EXTENSION PROPOSED
*****
THE GOVERNMENT PROPOSES TO EXTEND SMITHFIELD TO LINK UP WITH POK FU LAM ROAD TO IMPROVE TRAFFIC CONDITIONS IN THE AREA.
THE PROPOSED WORK WILL INCLUDE CONSTRUCTING A DISTRIBUTOR ROAD WHICH CARRIES TWO-WAY TRAFFIC FROM SMITHFIELD TO POK FU LAM ROAD, A VEHICULAR AND A PEDESTRIAN
DISTRICT
EXISTING
UNDERPASS
ACROSS POK FU LAM ROAD, AND AN ELEVATED ROAD TO LINK MOUNT DAVIS ROAD
AND POK FU LAM ROAD.
THE WORK IS TO IMPROVE TRAFFIC CONDITIONS IN THE WESTERN DISTRICT AND TO CATER FOR THE EXPECTED INCREASE IN TRAFFIC THROUGH WESTERN DISTRICT UPON OPENING OF THE WESTERN HARBOUR CROSSING.
THE SMITHFIELD EXTENSION IS SCHEDULED
TIME AS BELCHER BAY RECLAMATION AND ROCKHILL
TO COMPLETE AT THE SAME STREET IMPROVEMENT WORKS.
A PLAN SHOWING THE PROPOSED WORKS CAN BE SEEN DURING NORMAL WORKING HOURS AT:
* THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT OFFICE, PUBLIC ENQUIRE SERVICE CENTRE, GROUND FLOOR, HARBOUR BUILDING, 38 PIER ROAD, CENTRAL, HONG KONG;
* THE DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE, HONG KONG WEST, 19TH FLOOR, SOUTHORN CENTRE, 130 HENNESSY ROAD, WAN CHAT, HONG KONG.
ANY PERSON WHO WISHES TO OBJECT TO THE WORKS OR THE USE, OR BOTH, IS REQUIRED TO ADDRESS HIS OBJECTION IN WRITING TO THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT NOT LATER THAN DECEMBER 14.
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/27........
IRIDW, O( TOBER 15, 1993
27
PREQI AL I I I C AT I ON EXERCISE FOR TING KAU BRIDGE ♦ * * * *
THE GOVERNMENT TS INVITING APPLICATIONS FROM CONTRACTORS FOR PREQUALIFICATION IN TENDERING FOR THE DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION OF THE TING KAU BRIDGE AND APPROACH VIADUCT.
A NOTICE OF THE PREQUALIFICATION EXERCISE WAS GAZETTED TODAY (FRIDAY).
CONSTRUCTION OF THE TING KAU BRIDGE AND APPROACH VIADUCT WILL BE TOTALLY FUNDED BY THE GOVERNMENT. THE BRIDGE WILL PROVIDE LINKS WITH THE TUEN MUN HIGHWAY, THE TSING YI SECTION OF ROUTE 3 AND THE LANTAU FIXED CROSSING.
PROVISIONS FOR. A CONNECTION TO THE PROPOSED TAI LAM TUNNEL OF THE COUNTRY PARK SECTION OF ROUTE 3 WILL ALSO BE MADE.
UPON COMPLETION, THE BRIDGE WILL PROVIDE EASY ACCESS FROM THE NORTH WEST NEW TERRITORIES TO URBAN KOWLOON AND LANTAU.
THE WORKS WILL INVOLVE THE DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION OF A HIGH LEVEL BRIDGE AND A VIADUCT ACROSS THE RAMBLER CHANNEL WITH A TOTAL LENGTH OF ABOUT 1,775 METRES.
TWO ELEVATED SLIP ROADS WILL ALSO BE CONSTRUCTED TO PROVIDE CONNECTIONS TO TUEN MUN HIGHWAY, AND AN INTERCHANGE WITH TSING MA BRIDGE.
APPROVED CONTRACTORS FOR PUBLIC WORKS AND OVERSEAS CONTRACTORS ARE INVITED TO APPLY FOR. THE PREQUALIFICATION. APPLICATION FORMS CAN BE OBTAINED FROM THE PROJECT DI RECTOR/LANTAU FIXED CROSSING, HIGHWAYS DEPARTMENT, 15TH FLOOR HARBOUR CENTRE, 25 HARBOUR ROAD, WAN CHAI.
APPLICATIONS FOR THE PREQUALIFI CAT ION MUST BE SUBMITTED BY NOON ON THURSDAY, NOVEMBER II.
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BRIDGE RECONSTRUCTION PROPOSED
*****
THE TERRITORY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT’S TSUEN WAN DEVELOPMENT OFFICE HAS PROPOSED TO RECONSTRUCT THE VEHICULAR BRIDGE IN CHUEN LUNG.
THE PROJECT COMPRISES THE CONSTRUCTION OF A REINFORCED CONCRETE BRIDGE ACROSS A STREAM IN CHUFN LUNG AS WELL AS ASSOCIATED ROAD AND EARTH WORKS IN THE APPROACH ARFAS.
THE WORKS ARE SCHEDULED TO BEGIN IN MID NEXT YEAR FOR COMPLETION IN 12 MONTHS.
A NOTICE OF THE PROPOSED WORKS WAS GAZETTED TODAY (FRIDAY).
A PLAN SHOWING THE PROPOSED WORKS CAN BE SEEN DURING OFFICE HOURS AT:
/THE PUBLIC
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 15, 1993
28
* THE PUBLIC ENQUIRY SERVICE CENTRE, CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT OFFICE, GROUND FLOOR, HARBOUR BUILDING, 38 PIER ROAD, CENTRAL, HONG KONG;
t TSUEN WAN DISTRICT OFFICE AND TSUEN WAN DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE, FIRST AND 10TH FLOOR RESPECTIVELY, TSUEN WAN MTR STATION MULTI-STOREY CARPARK BUILDING, 174-208 CASTLE PEAK ROAD, TSUEN WAN.
ANY PERSON OBJECTING TO THE PROPOSAL SHOULD WRITE TO THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT AT THE CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, EAST WING, SECOND FLOOR, LOWER ALBERT ROAD, CENTRAL, NO LATER THAN DECEMBER 14 DESCRIBING HIS INTEREST AND THE MANNER IN WHICH HE WILL BE AFFECTED BY THE PROPOSAL.
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REPATRIATION OF ECVII’S BY AIR ♦ * * ♦ *
A TOTAL OF 110 EX-CHINA VIETNAMESE ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS (ECVII’S) WERE REPATRIATED TO HAINAN TODAY (THURSDAY) ON TWO FLIGHTS ON THE LAST DAY OF A THREE-DAY REPATRIATION EXERCISE BY AIR.
THE TWO GROUPS COMPRISED 45 MEN, 22 WOMEN, 32 BOYS AND 11 GIRLS.
------0--------
266 VM’S WENT HOME TODAY ♦ * * * ♦
A GROUP OF 266 VIETNAMESE MIGRANTS TODAY (FRIDAY) RETURNED TO VIETNAM UNDER THE UNHCR’S VOLUNTARY REPATRIATION PROGRAMME.
COMPRISING 111 MEN, 61 WOMEN, 49 BOYS AND 45 GIRLS, THEY WERE THE 170TH BATCH TO GO BACK UNDER THE PROGRAMME.
THIS GROUP BROUGHT TO 7,374 THE TOTAL NUMBER OF VIETNAMESE MIGRANTS WHO HAVE RETURNED VOLUNTARILY THIS YEAR, AND TO 33,686 THE TOTAL NUMBER OF RETURNEES SINCE THE PROGRAMME STARTED IN MARCH 1989.
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/29 .......
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 15,
1993
29
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS ***** $ MILLION
OPENING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT 3,000
REVERSAL OF LAF NIL
BALANCE AFTER REVERSAL OF LAF 3,000
NET INJECTION/W1THDRAWAL TODAY NIL
EFFECT OF LAF TODAY -590
CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT 2,410
LAF RATE 2.00 BID/4.00 OFFER TWI 112.5 *+0.2* 15.10.93
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND
EF BILLS EF NOTES/HONG KONG GOVERNMENT BONDS
TERMS YIELD TERM ISSUE COUPON PRICE YIELD
1 WEEK 2.64 PCT 13 MONTHS 2411 4.625 101.61 3.12
1 MONTH 2.54 PCT 16 MONTHS 2502 4.75 101.89 3.31
3 MONTHS 2.64 PCT 19 MONTHS 2505 3.75 100.33 3.56
6 MONTHS 2.73 PCT 12 MONTHS 3.08 PCT 22 MONTHS 2508 4.625 101.74 3.67
TOTAL TURNOVER OF BILLS AND BONDS - 18,283 MN
CLOSED 15 OCTOBER 1993
--------0----------
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 16, 1993
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
AND NORWAY REACHED TEXTILES AGREEMENT ....................... 1
CU TO TRIGGER CONTINUING SUCCESS OF HJK AND SOUTHERN CHINA ... 1
LUCKY CAR REGISTRATION MARKS SALE BY AUCTION.................... 2
CIVIL SERVICE WALK FOR CHARITY ................................. 3
WEATHER OF SEPTEMBER ........................................... 4
CHUNG YEUNG HOLIDAY REMINDER ................................... 7
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS
8
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 16, 1993
- 1 -
HK AND NORWAY REACHED TEXTILES AGREEMENT ♦ * * * *
THE TRADE DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (SATURDAY) THAT FOLLOWING CONSULTATIONS WITH THE NORWEGIAN DELEGATION IN OSLO EARLIER THIS WEEK, AN AGREEMENT WAS REACHED AD REFERENDUM BETWEEN HONG KONG AND NORWAY YESTERDAY FOR AN EXTENSION OF THE HONG KONG/NORWAY TEXTILES AGREEMENT.
THE CURRENT AGREEMENT, WHICH EXPIRES ON DECEMBER 31, THIS YEAR WILL BE EXTENDED FOR A MAXIMUM OF TWO YEARS UNTIL DECEMBER 31, 1995.
ALTHOUGH THE NUMBER OF CATEGORIES SUBJECT TO QUOTA RESTRAINT REMAINS THE SAME, THERE ARE IMPROVEMENTS IN GROWTH RATES, FLEXIBILITY PROVISIONS AND UPLIFTS.
COMMENTING ON THE OUTCOME OF THE CONSULTATIONS FROM OSLO, ASSISTANT DIRECTOR-GENERAL OF TRADE AND LEADER OF THE HONG KONG DELEGATION MS MARIA KWAN, SAID:
’’THE NEW AGREEMENT SHOULD IMPROVE OPPORTUNITIES FOR ACCESS TO THE NORWEGIAN MARKET FOR HONG KONG TRADERS.”
THE CURRENT HONG KONG/NORWAY TEXTILES AGREEMENT COVERS THREE QUOTA CATEGORIES AND ONE SURVEILLANCE ITEM.
ABOUT 38 PER CENT OF THE TOTAL EXPORTS OF TEXTILES AND CLOTHING FROM HONG KONG TO NORWAY LAST YEAR WERE COVERED BY THE CURRENT AGREEMENT.
DETAILS OF THE ADMINISTRATIVE ARRANGEMENT WILL BE NOTIFIED TO THE TRADE IN DUE COURSE.
--------0-----------
CU TO TRIGGER CONTINUING SUCCESS OF HK AND SOUTHERN CHINA *****
THE CHINESE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG, WHICH HAS ALREADY ESTABLISHED A REGIONAL AND GLOBAL REPUTATION FOR SCHOLARSHIP, WILL UNDOUBTEDLY BE ONE OF THE TRIGGERS FOR THE CONTINUING SUCCESS OF THE TERRITORY.
ADDRESSING THE UNIVERSITY'S 30TH ANNIVERSARY BANQUET TONIGHT (SATURDAY), MRS PATTEN SAID IT WOULD ALSO TRIGGER THE CONTINUING ADVANCE OF SOUTHERN CHINA.
MRS PATTEN SAID THE UNIVERSITY HAD BEEN PLAYING IMPORTANT ROLES IN THE HONG KONG COMMUNITY.
”SO YOU'LL BE PLAYING A PART IN MAKING HONG KONG AND THE REGION MORE AND MORE PROSPEROUS, BECAUSE WE ALL KNOW THAT IN THE FUTURE, THE WEALTH OF A COMMUNITY IS GOING TO DEPEND EVEN MORE ON ITS KNOWLEDGE AND ITS SKILLS.
/"BUT YOU .......
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 16, 1993
2
’’BUT YOU WILL ALSO BE PLAYING A PART IN PRESERVING HONG KONG’S VALUES AND RAISING THE CIVILISED QUALITY OF ITS LIFE,’’ SHE ADDED.
SHE NOTED THAT HONG KONG HAD BEEN MAKING RECORDS IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF UNIVERSITY EDUCATION.
WHEN THE CHINESE UNIVERSITY STARTED 30 YEARS AGO, THERE WERE ONLY AROUND 1,000 YOUNG PEOPLE STARTING AT UNIVERSITY EACH YEAR -ABOUT TWO PER CENT OF THE YOUNG PEOPLE IN THE POPULATION.
NOW THERE ARE 12,500 FIRST YEAR PLACES FOR 15 PER CENT OF THE YOUNG PEOPLE OF HONG KONG AND SOON THERE WILL BE ANOTHER 2,000 PLACES.
SHE BELIEVED THAT UNIVERSITY STUDENTS HAD BEEN A CENTRAL PART OF THIS IMPRESSIVE RECORD AS THEY HAD NOTCHED UP MANY SUCCESSES AND PROVIDED A LADDER UP WHICH THOUSANDS OF YOUNG HONG KONGERS COULD CLIMB.
---------0-----------
LUCKY CAR REGISTRATION MARKS SALE BY AUCTION
» * » * *
FIFTY VEHICLE REGISTRATION MARKS WERE PUT UP FOR AUCTION THIS (SATURDAY) MORNING FOR A TOTAL OF $1,726,000 WHICH WILL GO TO THE GOVERNMENT LOTTERIES FUND FOR CHARITY PURPOSES AFTER DEDUCTION OF EXPENSES INCURRED IN THE CONDUCT THEREOF.
THE AUCTION, HELD AT THE LECTURE HALL OF THE SHEUNG WAN CIVIC CENTRE, SAW THE REGISTRATION MARK DL888 FETCH THE HIGHEST PRICE OF $420,000.
ANOTHER REGISTRATION MARK 3188 WAS SOLD AT THE SECOND HIGHEST PRICE OF $210,000 WHILE THE LOWEST PRICE WAS $1,000 EACH FOR FK3129, FK524.
FOLLOWING ARE THE RESULTS OF TODAY’S AUCTION:
$ $ $ $
FK9968 8,000 FK218 23,000 FH833 35,000 FK663 47,000
FL127 4,000 CL211 14,000 FJ3318 8,000 AU3332 25,000
♦FJ6886 14,000 *3188 210,000 »FP9 80,000 *FH1 200,000
AV8001 18,000 FK1622 6,000 AS165 12,000 FK630 6,000
FK109 10,000 AB748 14,000 FK911 42,000 AH3222 21,000
FL3332 28,000 FK338 46,000 FJ9969 2,000 FL1386 19,000
FJ1128 12,000 FJ9663 2,000 FK2202 14,000 FK365 10,000
»FK11 50,000 *EE17 64,000 ♦DL888 420,000 ♦FN777 40,000
FJ1618 6,000 FK2282 9,000 FK6863 12,000 BW962 8,000
FL203 16,000 FL135 8,000 FJ7239 2,000 FK1132 8,000
XX3375 26,000 FK3129 1,000 ♦CM21 42,000 FK524 1,000
AF1963 8,000 FK7770 10,000 HK5857 30,000 ♦FS500 24,000
FL702 10,000 FK5386 WITHDRAWN
* SPECIAL VEHICLE REGISTRATION MARK (NOT TRANSFERABLE)
/SUCCESSFUL BIDDERS .......
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 16, 1993
- 3 -
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 204TH ORGANISED BY THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT SINCE MAY 1973, BROUGHT THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF MONEY REALISED SO FAR TO 219,531,905.
THERE WAS NO BIDDER FOR FK5386. THIS VEHICLE REGISTRATION MARK WILL BE ASSIGNED TO THE ORIGINAL APPLICANT.
--------0-----------
CIVIL SERVICE WALK FOR CHARITY *****
ABOUT 10,000 CIVIL SERVANTS AND THEIR FAMILIES WILL TAKE PART IN THE FIRST-EVER CIVIL SERVICE WALK FOR CHARITY AROUND THE SHING MUN RIVER TOMORROW (SUNDAY) TO COMMEMORATE THE 25TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE COMMUNITY CHEST.
MORE THAN 80 TEAMS FROM POLICY BRANCHES AND DEPARTMENTS WILL ASSEMBLE AT THE STARTING POINT AT SHA TIN CENTRAL PARK ON SUNDAY, LED BY THE CHIEF SECRETARY, SIR DAVID FORD, POLICY SECRETARIES AND HEADS OF DEPARTMENTS.
THE GOVERNOR, THE RT HON CHRISTOPHER PATTEN, WILL KICK OFF THE WALK AT 9 AM, WITH A LION DANCE TEAM FROM THE FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT LEADING THE WAY.
THE SECRETARY FOR THE CIVIL SERVICE, MRS ANSON CHAN, SAID SHE WAS VERY PLEASED WITH THE WARM RESPONSE FROM COLLEAGUES TO THIS CHARITABLE FUNCTION.
"THOUSANDS HAVE DECIDED TO TAKE PART IN THE WALK AND MANY MORE HAVE CONTRIBUTED BY SPONSORING OTHERS,” SHE NOTED.
"WE HAVE ALSO RECEIVED AN ENTHUSIASTIC RESPONSE FROM VARIOUS SPONSORS OUTSIDE THE SERVICE. WE THANK THEM ALL ON BEHALF OF THE COMMUNITY CHEST.
"AS CIVIL SERVANTS, WE WORK HARD FOR THE WELL-BEING OF THE COMMUNITY. WE ALSO WISH TO SHOW OUR CONCERN FOR THE NEEDY IN THE COMMUNITY AS CITIZENS OF HONG KONG," MRS CHAN ADDED.
THE EVENT IS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE COMMUNITY CHEST AND RELEVANT GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS.
---------0------------
/4.........
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 16, 1993
4 WEATHER OF SEPTEMBER ♦ * ♦ ♦ ♦
THREE TROPICAL CYCLONES, ABE, BECKY AND DOT, AFFECTED HONG KONG WITHIN A FORTNIGHT IN SEPTEMBER.
THE CLOSE PASSAGES OF BECKY AND DOT, IN PARTICULAR, BROUGHT STORMY WEATHER, NECESSITATING THE HOISTING OF THE NO. 8 GALE OR STORM SIGNALS ON SEPTEMBER 17 AND 26 RESPECTIVELY.
INCLUDING THE PASSAGES OF KORYN AND TASHA EARLIER IN THE SEASON, THE NO. 8 SIGNALS HAD ALREADY BEEN HOISTED FOUR TIMES THIS YEAR, JUST ONE TIME SHORT OF THE RECORD SET TN 1961.
THE FAST-MOVING BECKY THIS YEAR WREAKED HAVOC OVER THE SOUTH CHINA COASTAL WATERS WHERE A NUMBER OF SHIPS AND VESSELS WERE CAUGHT IN DIFFICULTIES WITH TRAGIC LOSS OF LIVES.
DOT WAS SLOW-MOVING AND BROUGHT DAYS OF TORRENTIAL RAIN TO HONG KONG, CULMINATING IN EXTENSIVE FLOODING OVER THE NORTHERN PART OF THE NEW TERRITORIES ON SEPTEMBER 26 AND 27.
THE 223.9 MILLIMETRES OF RAINFALL RECORDED ON SEPTEMBER 26 WAS THE THIRD HIGHEST DAILY AMOUNT IN SEPTEMBER ON RECORD. WITH A MONTHLY RAINFALL OF 655.9 MILLIMETRES, MORE THAN TWICE THE NORMAL OF 299.7 MILLIMETRES, SEPTEMBER 1993 BECAME THE FIFTH WETTEST SEPTEMBER ON RECORD.
TOTAL RAINFALL SINCE JANUARY 1 AMOUNTED TO 2,095.8 MILLIMETRES, FOUR PER CENT ABOVE THE NORMAL OF 2,007.1 MILLIMETRES FOR THE SAME PERIOD.
AFTER SOME SHOWERS EARLY ON SEPTEMBER I, X LONG, FINE SPELL LASTED TILL SEPTEMBER 12, EXCEPT FOR SOME LIGHT SHOWERS ON SEPTEMBER 4. UNDER CALM CONDITIONS THAT DAY, EXTENSIVE HAZE FORMED IN THE MORNING WITH RANGES OF VISIBILITY OF LESS THAN 5,000 METRES INSIDE THE HARBOUR. HOWEVER, THE HAZE DISPERSED AS WINDS TURNED EASTERLY IN THE AFTERNOON.
WHEN ABE ENTERED THE SOUTH CHINA SEA AS A SEVERE TROPICAL STORM ON 12 SEPTEMBER, LOCAL WEATHER REMAINED GENERALLY FINE. CLOUDINESS INCREASED IN THE AFTERNOON.
THE OUTERMOST RAINBANDS OF ABE BEGAN TO AFFECT THE TERRITORY THE NEXT DAY. SQUALLY HEAVY SHOWERS WERE PARTICULARLY FREQUENT IN THE AFTERNOON ON SEPTEMBER 13.
AS ABE MOVED INLAND AND DISSIPATED ON SEPTEMBER 14, SHOWERS EASED OFF AND THE WEATHER BRIGHTENED UP LATER TN THE DAY. PERIODS OF SUNSHINE OCCURRED OVER THE NEXT COUPLE OF DAYS.
MEANWHILE, BECKY DEVELOPED INTO A TROPICAL STORM AND CROSSED THE LUZON STRAIT ON SEPTEMBER 16. MOVING RAPIDLY, IT RAMPAGED ACROSS THE NORTHERN PART OF THE SOUTH CHINA SEA.
/WINDS OFFSHORE .......
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 16, 1993
5 -
WINDS OFFSHORE INCREASED TO GALE FORCE ON THE MORNING OF SEPTEMBER 17 AND THE WEATHER DETERIORATED RAPIDLY WITH HEAVY SQUALLY SHOWERS AND STORMY WEATHER OCCURRING THROUGHOUT THE DAY.
AFTER BECKY MADE LANDFALL AND DISSIPATED OVER WESTERN GUANGDONG ON SEPTEMBER 18, SHOWERS GRADUALLY DECREASED AND THE WEATHER IMPROVED PROGRESSIVELY. IT WAS SUNNY AND FINE ON SEPTEMBER 20 AND 21. THE HOTTEST DAY OF THE MONTH OCCURRED ON SEPTEMBER 21 WHEN TEMPERATURES ROSE TO A MAXIMUM OF 32.1 DEGREES.
AS TROPICAL DEPRESSION DOT DRIFTED ACROSS THE NORTHERN PART OF THE SOUTH CHINA SEA, IT BECAME SLOW-MOVING OVER THE WATERS EAST OF HAINAN ISLAND. WEATHER IN HONG KONG BECAME UNSETTLED ON SEPTEMBER 23.
EASTERLY WINDS FRESHENED OFFSHORE WITH ALMOST CONTINUOUS RAIN. STRENGTHENING NORTHEAST MONSOON PROMPTED THE HOISTING OF THE STRONG MONSOON SIGNAL ON SEPTEMBER 24. AS DOT INTENSIFIED EXPLOSIVELY TO A TYPHOON ON SEPTEMBER 25, WINDS ALONG THE SOUTH CHINA COAST WERE FURTHER ENHANCED.
AT THE SAME TIME, DOT TURNED NORTHEASTWARDS TOWARDS THE COAST OF WESTERN GUANGDONG, MOVING CLOSER TO HONG KONG. THE STRONG MONSOON SIGNAL WAS REPLACED BY THE NO. 3 STRONG WIND SIGNAL THAT AFTERNOON, BYPASSING THE NO. 1 STANDBY SIGNAL, TN A SEQUENCE OF SIGNAL CHANGES SIMILAR TO WHAT OCCURRED IN 1973.
LOCAL WEATHER DETERIORATED WITH MORE HEAVY RAIN. ON SEPTEMBER 26 WHEN TYPHOON DOT WAS CLOSEST, TORRENTIAL RAIN WAS ALMOST CONTINUOUS. FROM SEPTEMBER 23 TO 27, NEARLY 500 MILLIMETRES OF RAINFALL WERE RECORDED AT THE ROYAL OBSERVATORY.
PROLONGED HEAVY RAIN ALSO NECESSITATED THE ISSUANCE OF BOTH THE FLOOD AND LANDSLIP WARNINGS.
BY THE MORNING OF SEPTEMBER 27, THE NORTHERN PART OF THE NEW TERRITORIES WAS COMPLETELY INUNDATED WITH FLOOD WATER AS DEEP AS 7 METRES IN SONE PLACES. THE LOWEST TEMPERATURE IN THE MONTH WAS 22.6 DEGREES, RECORDED THAT MORNING IN HEAVY RAIN.
THE WEATHER IMPROVED ON SEPTEMBER 27 AS TYPHOON DOT LANDED AND WEAKENED OVER WESTERN GUANGDONG. WINDS SUBSIDED AND RAIN CEASED DURING THE DAY. APART FROM SOME ISOLATED SHOWERS, GENERALLY FINE WEATHER PREVAILED TILL THE ENI) OF SEPTEMBER.
SEVEN TROPICAL CYCLONES OCCURRED OVER THE WESTERN NORTH PACIFIC AND THE SOUTH CHINA SEA IN SEPTEMBER 1993.
AS A RESULT OF INCLEMENT WEATHER, 30 AIRCRAFT WERE DIVERTED FROM HONG KONG DURING THE MONTH.
DETAILS ON THE ISSUANCE/HOISTI NG AND CANCELLATTON/LOWERING OF VARIOUS WARNINGS/SIGNALS IN THE MONTH ARE SUMMARISED IN TABLE 1.1. MONTHLY METEOROLOGICAL FIGURES AND DEPARTURES FROM NORMAL FOR SEPTEMBER 1993 ARE TABULATED IN TABLE 1.2.
/TABLE 1.1 ........
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 16, 1993
6 -
TABLE 1.1 WARNINGS AND SIGNALS IN SEPTEMBER 1993
WARNINGS / SIGNALS
EFFECTIVE DATE AND TIME
TROPICAL CYCLONE WARNING SIGNALS
NAME OF T.C. SIGNAL NO.
ABE 1 SEP 12, 0950 - SEP 14 , 0750
BECKY 1 SEP 16, 0930 - SEP 16, 2230
3 SEP 16. 2230 - SEP 17, 0250
8 NE SEP 17, 0250 - SEP 17, 0730
8 SE SEP 17, 0730 - SEP 17, 1510
3 SEP 17, 1510 - SEP 17, 1700
DOT 3 SEP 25, 1615 - SEP 26, 0915
8 SE SEP 26, 0915 - SEP 26, 1600
3 SEP 26, 1600 - SEP 26, 1800
STRONG MONSOON SIGNAL
LANDSLIP WARNING
SEP 24, 0735 - SEP 25, 1615
SEP 25, 1450 - SEP 27, 1230
FLOOD WARNINGS SEP 14, 2245 - SEP 14, 2350
SEP 17, 0645 - SEP 17, 1500
SEP 25, 1225 - SEP 25, 2005
SEP 26, 0515 - SEP 27, 0530
SEP 27, 0640 - SEP 27, 1005
THUNDERSTORM WARNINGS SEP 14 , 19 30 - SEP 15, 0745
SEP 16, 1715 - SEP 16, 2315
SEP 18, 0635 - SEP 18, 0835
SEP 18, 1 540 - SEP 18, 1740
SEP 23, 114 5 - SEP 23, 1600
SEP 23, 2300 - SEP 24 , 0630
SEP 26, 1335 - SEP 27, 0600
SEP 27 , 0830 - SEP 27, 1030
SEP 30, 1 500 - SEP 30, 1630
/TABLE 1.2 .......
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 16, 1993
TABLE 1.2
FIGURES AND DEPARTURES
FROM NORMAL -- SEPTEMBER 1993
TOTAL BRI (JUT SUNSHINI-
MEAN DAILY GLOBAL SOLAR RADIATION
TOTAL RAINFALL
MEAN CLOUD AMOUNT
MEAN RELATIVE HUMIDITY
MEAN DAILY MAXIMUM TEMPERATURE
MEAN AIR TEMPERATURE
MEAN DAILY MINIMUM TEMPERATURE
MEAN DEW POINT
TOTAL EVAPORATION
172.8 HOURS ;
8.9 hours below normal
13.80 MJ/SQM ;
2.G9 MJ/SQM BELOW NORMAL
655.9 MM ;
356.2 MM ABOVE NORMAL
59 % ; I % BELOW NORMAL
79 % ; 1 % ABOVE NORMAL
30.0 DEGREES CELSIUS ;
0.3 DEGREES CELSIUS BELOW NORMAL
27.5 DEGREES CELSIUS ;
0.1 DEGREES CELSIUS BELOW NORMAL
25.7 DEGREES CELSIUS ;
0.2 DEGREES CELSIUS ABOVE NORMAL
23.5 DEGREES CELSIUS ;
0.2 DEGREES CELSIUS ABOVE NORMAL
106.3 MM ; 4 1.0 MM BELOW NORMAL
---------0-----------
CHUNG YEUNG HOLIDAY REMINDER *******
THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT TODAY (SATURDAY) REMINDED EMPLOYERS THAT OCTOBER 23 (SATURDAY), THE CHUNG YEUNG FESTIVAL DAY, IS ONE OF THE 11 STATUTORY HOLIDAYS.
UNDER THE EMPLOYMENT ORDINANCE, ALL EMPLOYEES IRRESPECTIVE OF THEIR WAGE LEVELS ARE ENTITLED TO THE HOLIDAY AND MUST BE PAID FOR THE DAV OFF IF THEY HAVE WORKED CONTINUOUSLY FOR AN EMPLOYER FOR THREE MONTHS IMMEDIATELY PRECEDING THE STATUTORY HOLIDAY.
HOLIDAY PAY SHOULD BE EQUIVALENT TO AN EMPLOYEE’S EARNINGS ON A FULL WORKING DAY AND SHOULD INCLUDE BASIC WAGES AS WELL AS ALLOWANCES THAT CAN BE EXPRESSED IN MONEY TERMS SUCH AS MEALS AND COST OF LIVING ALLOWANCES.
WHERE THE EARNINGS VARY FROM DAY TO DAY, HOLIDAY PAY SHOULD BE THE AVERAGE DAILY EARNINGS DURING EVERY COMPLETE WAGE PERIOD, WHICH COULD RE BETWEEN 28 DAYS AND 31 DAYS. PRECEDING THE HOLIDAY.
/IF AN .......
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 16, 1993
- 8 -
IF AN EMPLOYEE IS REQUIRED TO WORK ON A STATUTORY HOLIDAY, HE MUST BE GIVEN AN ALTERNATIVE DAY OFF WITHIN 60 DAYS REFORE OR AFTER THAT DAY.
ENQUIRIES ABOUT STATUTORY HOLIDAYS MAY BE MADE AT THE GENERAL ENQUIRY TELEPHONE SERVICE OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT ON 717 1771.
--------0-----------
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS * * * * *
OPENING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT
REVERSAL Oh LAF
BALANCE AFTER REVERSAL OF LAF
NET I NJE( T1ON/WI I'HDR AWAL TODAY
EFFECT OF LAF TODAY
CLOSING BALANIE IN THE ACCOUNT
LAF RATE 2.00 BID/4.00 OFFER TWT
$ MILLION
2,410
+ 120
2,530
NIL
-1 , 250
1 , 280
112.6 *+0.1* 16.10.93
0 - -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 17, 1993
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
FOREIGN AFFAIRS COMMITTEE DELEGATION TOURS ACP WORK SITES ... 1
MAINTENANCE OF INSIDE PLUMBING ................................. 1
PUBLIC AWARENESS OF FIRE PREVENTION NEEDED ..................... 2
CIVIL EDUCATION MESSAGES SPREAD ACROSS KOWLOON CITY ............ 3
INSPECTION CAMPAIGN TO ENHANCE FIRE AND CHEMICAL SAFETY ........ 4
ELVIS STAMP PRODUCTS ON SALE ................................... 5
WORKSHOP TO PROMOTE "GREEN" FARMING METHODS .................... 6
PENSIONERS' WELFARE UNIT ON MOVE ............................... 7
EARLY WELFARE PAYMENT .......................................... 7
FRESH AND SALT WATER CUT
8
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 17, 1993
FOREIGN AFFAIRS COMMITTEE IH-LEGATIOL TOURS ACT' WORK SITES t t ♦ ♦ ♦
\ GROUP ob NINE MEMBERS OF THE FOREIGN AFFAIRS COMMITTEE (FAC) ob THE BRITISH PARLIAMENT WERE BRI LI ED TODAY (SUNDAY) ON THE LATEST DEVELOPMENTS ON THE AIRPORT CORI- PROGRAMME (.ACPI PROJECTS.
DURING A FOUR-HOUR BOAT TOUR, THE MEMBERS SAW PROGRESS ON PROJECTS SUCH AS lllb WEST KOWLOON RECLAMATION, Till. IS I NG MA AND KAP SHUT MUN BRIDGES, lllb’ NORTH I.ANI'AU EXPRESSWAY, lllb TUNG CHUNG NEW TOWN RECLAMATION AND lllb AIRPORT SITE Al (HEW LAI KOK..
THEY WERE ADDRESSED BY lllb DIRECTOR Ob THE NEW YIRPORT PROJECTS CO-ORDINATION ObbICI (NAPCO), MR BILIA LAM ON THE OVERALL PROGRESS OF THE ACP.
lllb. MEMBERS ALSO V ISITED CHEW LAP WOK FOR A « LOSE-UP VIEW OF THE WORKS THERE.
THEY WERE BRIEFED ON THE PROGRESS OF NEW YIRPORT WORKS ON THE ISLAND BY THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Ob THE PROVISIONAL AIRPORT AUTHORITY, DR HENRY TOWNSEND.
------0--------
MAINTENANCE OF INSIDE PLUMBING ♦ * * t ♦
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE WATER SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT TODAY (SUNDAY) ADVISED WATER CONSUMERS TO PAY MORE ATTENTION TO THE MAINTENANCE OF THEIR INTERNAL PLUMBING IN ORDER TO ALLEVIATE THE PROBLEM OF DISCOLORED WATER.
HE POINTED OUT THAT CORROSION OF PLUMBING FACILITIES INSIDE BUILDINGS WAS ONE OF THE MAIN CAUSES OF- DISCOLOURATION.
’’CONSUMERS WITH DISCOLORED WATER PROBLEM SHOULD EMPLOY LICENSED PLUMBERS TO CHECK THE PIPEWORK SYSTEM WITHIN THEIR PREMISES AND TO REPLACE THE CORRODED PIPES IF NECESSARY," HF SAID.
ACCORDING TO THE WATERWORKS ORDINANCE, \ REGISTERED CONSUMER IS RESPONSIBLE FOK’ THb MAINTENANCE OF HIS INTERNAL PLUMBING FACILITIES WHICH INCLUDE ALL THE WATER PIPES AND FITTINGS WITHIN HIS LOT OR BUILDING BOUNDARY.
IF Till PROBLEM ORIGINATED FROM TRE COMMUNAL PART OF THE PLUMBING FACILITIES OF BUILDINGS, INCLUDING PUMPS, WATER TANKS AND COMMON WATER PIPES, THE RESPONSIBILITY OF MAINTENANCE WILL LIE WITH 'THE BUILDINGS’ REGISTERED AGENTS.
HE EXPLAINED: "IN MOST CASES, INCLUDING HOUSING ESTATES, HIE REGISTERED AGENTS ARE THE OFFICES OR THE INCORPORATED OWNERS OF BUILDINGS."
GOVERNMENT PUBLIC ESTATE MANAGEMENT
/THE SPOKESMAN .......
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 17, 1993
- 2 -
THE SPOKESMAN NOTED THAT APART FROM DISCOLOURED WATER, MANY OTHER COMMON WATER SUPPLY PROBLEMS MIGHT ALSO HAVE BEEN CAUSED BY THE LACK OF PROPER MAINTENANCE OF INTERNAL PLUMBING FACILITIES BY CONSUMERS OR AGENTS.
"FOR EXAMPLE, POORLY MAINTAINED WATER PUMPS OFTEN LEAD TO DISRUPTION OF SUPPLY, WHILE CORROSION OF WATER PIPES MAY CAUSE CHOKAGE. THEREFORE, REGULAR CHECKING OF AN INTERNAL PLUMBING SYSTEM CAN IDENTIFY SMALL DEFECTS BEFORE THE SITUATION DETERIORATES,” HE ADDED.
HE REITERATED THAT THE WATER SUPPLY DEPARTMENT WOULD HELP WITH ANY PROBLEM CONCERNING WATER QUALITY AND WOULD TAKE WATER SAMPLES FOR TESTING WHERE NECESSARY.
THOSE WITH PROBLEMS MAY CALL THE TECHNICAL FAULT COMPLAINT HOTLINES RI 1 0788 FOR HONG KONG AND OUTLYING ISLANDS, 396 0210 FOR KOWLOON AND 396 0210 FOR NEW TERRITORIES.
---------0-----------
PUBLIC AWARENESS OF FIRE PREVENTION NEEDED ♦ * * ♦ *
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE URGED TO PAY MORE ATTENTION TO FIRE SAFETY SO AS TO REDUCE ANY LOSS OF LIVES AND DAMAGE TO PROPERTIES IN FIRES.
THE APPEAL CAME FROM THE CHIEF FIRE OFFICER (NEW TERRITORIES), MR TSANG KWONG-YU, AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF A FIRE PREVENTION CAMPAIGN ORGANISED BY THE FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT’S NEW TERRITORIES COMMAND IN SHA TIN TODAY (SUNDAY).
HE SAID OVER 60 PER CENT OF THE TOTAL NUMBER OF REPORTED FIRE WERE CAUSED BY HUMAN NEGLIGENCE, SUCH AS CARELESSNESS IN DISPOSING SMOKING MATERIALS, UNATTENDING TO LIGHTED STOVES AND NEGLECTING WORK AND HOME SAFETY.
HE SAID FIREMEN HAD FIRE PROTECTION DUTIES TO PERFORM. THESE ARE: TO APPROVE BUILDING PLANS AND FIRE SERVICE INSTALLATIONS, TO GIVE FIRE SAFETY ADVICE ON NEW PROJECTS, TO INSPECT MEANS OF ESCAPE IN BUILDINGS, STORAGE OF DANGEROUS GOODS AND FIRE INSTALLATIONS IN ALL PREMISES.
"TO MINIMISE DESTRUCTION BROUGHT ABOUT BY FIRE, THE FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT NEEDS THE FULL CO-OPERATION OF THE PUBLIC," HE STRESSED.
MR TSANG ADDED THAT THE DEPARTMENT WOULD CONTINUOUSLY ACQUIRE THE MOS'! SOPHISTICATED FIRE APPLIANCES, EQUIPMENT AND TOOLS TO MEET HIE EVER GROWING DEMAND OF INCREASING POPULATION, AND COMMERCIAL AND INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENTS.
/THE CAMPAIGN .......
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 17, 1993
- 3
THE CAMPAIGN IS ONE OF THE COMMEMORATIVE TO MARK THE DEPARTMENT’S 125TH ANNIVERSARY.
ACTJ V ITIES ORGANISED
ON DISPLAY TODAY WERE INFORMATION ON FIRE PROTECTION EQUIPMENT AND HISTORICAL FIRE SERVICES PHOTOGRAPHS.
RESCUE
------0--------
CIVIC EDUCATION MESSAGES SPREAD ACROSS KOWLOON CITY
* * * * *
THE TASK OF PROMOTING CIVIC EDUCATION PLAYS AN IMPORTANT ROLE IN HELPING HONG KONG PEOPLE TO KEEP PACE WITH THE TERRITORY’S POLITICAL DEVELOPMENTS.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE CHAIRMAN OF THE COMMITTEE ON THE PROMOTION OF CIVIC EDUCATION, DR DANIEL TSE CHI-WAI, AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT CIVIC EDUCATION DAY TODAY (SUNDAY).
DR TSE SAID HE WAS GLAD THAT THE DISTRICT HAD HELPED PROMOTE THE TWO MAIN THEMES SET BY THE COMMITTEE THIS YEAR - THE SPIRIT OF RULE OF LAW AND HUMAN RIGHTS EDUCATION.
THE RULE OF LAW IS AN IMPORTANT FACTOR IN SECURING THE STABILITY AND PROSPERITY OF THE TERRITORY.
ITS SPIRIT LIES IN THE FACT THAT EVERYONE IN THE SOCIETY IS PROTECTED UNDER THE LAW AND ACTS ACCORDING.
’’AND THE PURSUIT FOR JUSTICE AND FAIRNESS IS THE MAIN THEME FOR HUMAN RIGHTS,” DR TSE SAID.
THEREFORE, THE RULE OF LAW AND HUMAN RIGHTS ARE CLOSELY RELATED BECAUSE HUMAN RIGHTS NEED TO BE ASSERTED BY LAW AND ITS IMPLEMENTATION RELIED ON A SOUND SYSTEM OF LEGISLATION, HE ADDED.
OVER 5,000 RESIDENTS TOOK PART IN TODAY’S ACTIVITY WHICH FEATURED A HUMAN RIGHTS EXHIBITION, GAME STALLS AND QUIZZES ON CIVIC EDUCATION.
YOUNGSTERS ALSO JOIN HANDS TO COMPLETE A LARGE DRAWING ON THE TOPIC OF CIVIC EDUCATION AND A PUBLICITY BUS ALSO TRAVELLED AROUND THE DISTRICT TO SPREAD CIVIC EDUCATION MESSAGES.
THE CIVIC EDUCATION DAY IS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT CIVIC EDUCATION CAMPAIGN ORGANISING COMMITTEE, THE DISTRICT BOARD AND THE DISTRICT OFFICE.
A NUMBER OF ACTIVITIES, INCLUDING FILM SHOWS, A SLOGAN COMPETITION AND AN INTER-SCHOOL DEBATE, WILL BE HELD IN THE DISTRICT TO PROMOTE THE CAUSE.
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/4 ........
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 17, 1993
4
INSPECTION CAMPAIGN TO ENHANCE FIRE AND CHEMICAL SAFETY »*«**♦♦
THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT WILL LAUNCH AN EXTENSIVE FIRE AND CHEMICAL SAFETY CAMPAIGN TOMORROW (MONDAY) TO AROUSE THE ATTENTION OF BOTH THE FACTORY OWNERS AND WORKERS ON THE IMPORTANCE OF PREVENTING FIRE HAZARDS AND SAFE HANDLING OF DANGEROUS CHEMICALS.
THE TWO-MONTH CAMPAIGN IS ALSO AIMED AT BRINGING DOWN THE NUMBER OF INDUSTRIAL ACCIDENTS INVOLVING FIRE AND CHEMICALS, DEPUTY CHIEF FACTORY INSPECTOR, MR KAN HON-SANG SAID TODAY (SUNDAY).
MR KAN EXPLAINED THIS KIND OF CAMPAIGNS HAD BEEN PROVED TO BE EFFECTIVE IN MINIMISING FIRE AND CHEMICAL RISKS IN INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS, PARTICULARLY DURING THE APPROACHING DRY SEASON.
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 WILL EXPLAIN TO EMPLOYERS AND EMPLOYEES THEIR OBLIGATIONS UNDER THE FACTORIES AND INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS (FIRE PRECAUTIONS IN NOTIFIABLE WORKPLACES) REGULATION AND THE FACTORIES AND INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS (DANGEROUS SUBSTANCES) REGULATION AND HELP THEM IN COMPLYING WITH THE REQUIREMENTS, HE ADDED.
MR KAN SAID UNDER THE FACTORIES AND INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS (FIRE PRECAUTIONS IN NOTIFIABLE WORKPLACES) REGULATION, OWNERS OF INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS WERE REQUIRED TO MAINTAIN ALL ROUTES OF ESCAPE SUCH AS DOORWAYS, PASSAGEWAYS AND STAIRCASES IN GOOD CONDITION AND FREE FROM OBSTRUCTION.
"EXIT DOORS SHOULD BE CONSTRUCTED TO OPEN OUTWARD AND MAINTAINED UNLOCKED OR UNFASTENED AT ALL TIMES TO FACILITATE SPEEDY ESCAPE OF WORKERS IN CASE OF FIRE," HE SAID.
IN ADDITION, INFLAMMABLE SUBSTANCES SHOULD BE PROPERLY USED AND STORED.
IN PLACES WHERE SMOKING IS PROHIBITED, OWNERS ARE REQUIRED TO DISPLAY PROHIBITION NOTICES CONSPICUOUSLY AND ENSURE THAT NO PERSON SMOKES IN THE AREA," HE ADDED.
WITH REGARD TO THE HANDLING OF DANGEROUS CHEMICALS, MR KAN POINTED OUT THAT THE FACTORIES AND INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS (DANGEROUS SUBSTANCES) REGULATION REQUIRED THE CONTAINERS OF THESE SUBSTANCES TO BE PROPERLY LABELLED TO INDICATE ANY RISK INHERENT IN THE SUBSTANCES AND THE SAFETY PRECAUTIONS REQUIRED IN RESPECT OF THE SUBSTANCES.
EMPLOYERS SHOULD ALSO PROVIDE SAFETY INFORMATION, TRAINING, INSTRUCTIONS, SUPERVISION AND PROTECTIVE CLOTHING TO THE EMPLOYEES WHO WORK WITH DANGEROUS CHEMICALS, MR KAN SAID.
HE SAID FACTORY INSPECTORS WOULD DISTRIBUTE TO FACTORY MANAGEMENT A SPECIALLY DESIGNED WARNING NOTICE ON SAFETY PRECAUTIONS TO BE TAKEN IN HANDLING DANGEROUS CHEMICALS.
/THE MANAGEMENT .......
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 17, 1993
- 5 -
THE MANAGEMENT WILL BE URGED TO DISPLAY THE NOTICE PROMINENTLY IN THE WORKPLACE TO REMIND WORKERS OE THE NEED TO MAINTAIN GOOD VENTILATION AND TO WEAR PROTECTIVE CLOTHING.
ON THE OTHER HAND, EMPLOYEES WILL ALSO BE VDVISED TO CO-OPERATE WITH THEIR EMPLOYERS IN ADOPTING AND FOLLOWING SAFETY MEASURES, HE ADDED.
MR KAN REMINDED OWNERS AND EMPLOYEES THAT FACTORY INSPECTORS WOULD CARRY OUT VIGOROUS ENFORCEMENT ACTIONS AGAINST OFFENDERS WHO IGNORED THEIR STATUTORY OBLIGATIONS TO ENHANCE FIRE AND CHEMICAL SAFETY.
OWNERS WHO CONTRAVENE THE PROVISIONS OE THE FACTORIES AND INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS (FIRE PRECAUTIONS IN NOTIFIABLE WORKPLACES) REGULATION WILL BE LIABLE TO A MAXIMUM FINE OF $30,000 AND SIX MONTHS’ IMPRISONMENT.
THOSE WHO FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE PROVISIONS OF THE FACTORIES AND INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS (DANGEROUS SUBSTANCES) REGULATION WILL BE SUBJECT TO A MAXIMUM FINE OF $30,000.
EMPLOYEES WHO CONTRAVENE THE PROVISIONS OF THE TWO REGULATIONS WILL FACE A MAXIMUM FINE OF $10,000.
IN THE INTEREST OF THEIR OWN SAFETY AND HEALTH, MR KAN CALLED ON ALL EMPLOYERS AND EMPLOYEES TO CLOSELY OBSERVE THE LAW AND WORK TOGETHER TO KEEP THE WORKPLACE SAFE.
------0------------
ELVIS STAMP PRODUCTS ON SALE ♦ * ♦ ♦ ♦
THE ACTING POSTMASTER GENERAL MRS DORIS HO, ANNOUNCED TODAY (SUNDAY) THAT THREE PRODUCTS OF THE ELVIS STAMP ISSUED BY THE UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICES WOULD BE AVAILABLE AT THE PHILATELIC COUNTER OF THE GENERAL POST OFFICE AS FROM OCTOBER 26.
THESE PRODUCTS INCLUDE THE ELVIS COMMEMORATIVE ALBUM, THE FIRST DAY CEREMONY PROGRAMME AND SHEETS OF 10 ELVIS STAMPS.
THE COMMEMORAT IVE ALBUM CONSISTS OF A SPECIALLY DESIGNED JACKET CONTAINING A ROOK WITH FULL COLOUR ILLUSTRATIONS OF THE LIFE OF ELVIS PRESLEY AND A POSTER WITH AN ELVIS STAMP CANCELLED WITH THE FIRST DAV SPECIAL POSTMARK.
THE FIRST DAV CEREMONY PROGRAMME CONTAINS THE STORY BEHIND THE ELVIS STAMP AND LISTS THE CEREMONIES HELD RY THE UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICES TO LAUNCH THE STAMP.
SPECIAL PAPER JACKET IS PROVIDED FOR THE SHEETS OF MINT ELVIS STAMP AND THE STAMP PRODUCTS HAVE BEEN II I GHIA POPULAR INTERNATIONALLY.
/THE PRODUCTS .......
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 17, 1993
6
THE PRODUCTS WILL HE AVAILABLE AT THEIR EACE VALUE: THE COMMEMORATIVE ALBUM AT $156, THE FIRST DAY CEREMONY PROGRAMME AT $46.50 AND THE MINT STAMP AT $90.50 EACH SHEET.
BECAUSE OF THE LIMITED QUANTITIES AVAILABLE, THERE WILL BE A RESTRICTION OF NOT MORE THAN TWO ALBUMS AND TWO CEREMONY PROGRAMMES PER CUSTOMER QUEUING ON OCTOBER 26.
FOR ADVANCE INFORMATION OF THE PUBLIC, THE PRODUCTS WILL BE DISPLAYED AT THE PHILATELIC COUNTER, GENERAL .-POST OFFICE AS FROM OCTOBER 20.
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WORKSHOP TO PROMOTE "GREEN" FARMING METHODS
*****
HONG KONG FARMERS ARE EXPECTED ’1'0 BECOME MORE ENVIRONMENTALLY CONSCIOUS AFTER THE COMPLETION OF A WORKSHOP ORGANISED BY THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT (AFD) AND THE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG’S KADOORIE AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH CENTRE (KARO.
THE ONE-WEEK WORKSHOP, TO BE HELD FROM TOMORROW (MONDAY) AT THE KARC AT LAM KAM ROAD, SHEK KONG, WILL BE ATTENDED BY MORE THAN 100 PARTICIPANTS COMPRISING FARMERS, FARM MANAGERS, POST-SECONDARY STUDENTS AND TEACHING STAFF.
AN AFD SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (SUNDAY) THAT THE AIM OF THE WORKSHOP WAS TO PROMOTE THE USE OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL-FRIENDLY METHODS IN VEGETABLE PRODUCTION AMONG LOCAL FARMERS.
APART FROM PEOPLE IN THE TRADE, POST-SECONDARY STUDENTS AND RESEARCHERS AS WELL AS TEACHING STAFF MAY ALSO PRACTISE MODERN FARMING TECHNIQUES DURING THE WORKSHOP.
”WE HOPE THAT THROUGH THE COURSE THE LATEST DEVELOPMENT OF VARIOUS ENVIRONMENTAL-FRIENDLY FARMING METHODS, WHICH DO NOT INVOLVE THE USE OF PESTICIDES, (’AN BE EXAMINED AND PROMOTED,” HE SAID.
TWO ACADEMICS FROM THE SOUTH CHINA AGRICULTURAL UNIVERSITY OF GUANGZHOU HAVE BEEN INVITED TO CONDUCT THE WORKSHOP. THEY ARE THE PROFESSOR IN ENTOMOLOGY, MR LIANG GUANGWEN AND ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR IN PLANT PATHOLOGY, MISS GAO QIAOWAN.
TWO AGRICULTURAL OFFICERS FROM AFD’S PLANT PROTECTION SECTION, MISS WENDY KO AND MR CLIVE LAU, WILL ALSO TALK ON THE SUBJECT IN RELATION TO THE TERRITORY’S SITUATION.
TOPICS TO BE COVERED INCLUDE: CHINA’S ENVJRONMENTAL-FRIENDLY VEGETABLE PRODUCTION METHODS, THE FORECASTING AND MONITORING OF PESTS OCCURRENCE ON BOTH LEAFY AND FRUIT VEGETABLES AND 'HIE INTEGRATED PEST MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS AS WELL AS THE IDENTIFICATION OF' PEST I( IDE RESIDUE AND SO ON.
THERE: WILL ALSO BE GROUP DISCUSSIONS AND PRACTICAL SESSIONS.
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/7........
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 17, 1993
- 7 -
PENSIONERS’ WELFARE UNIT ON MOVE
*****
THE PENSIONERS’ WELFARE UNIT OF THE CIVIL SERVICE BRANCH HAS MOVED FROM ROOM 704 TO ROOM 1009A ON THE 10TH FLOOR OF THE CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, WEST WING, ICE HOUSE STREET, ON OCTOBER 7 (THURSDAY).
SET UP IN DECEMBER 1987, THE UNIT PROVIDES ENQUIRY SERVICE FOR RETIRED CIVIL SERVANTS AND DISSEMINATES INFORMATION OF INTEREST TO PENSIONERS.
THE UNIT ALSO PROVIDES PRE-RETIREMENT COUNSELLING AND ORGANISES SEMINARS ON PREPARATIONS FOR RETIREMENT AND THE BENEFITS PAYABLE ON RETIREMENT FROM SERVICE.
POST-RETIREMENT COUNSELLING REGARDING ARRANGEMENTS FOR PENSIONS PAYMENT, CONTRIBUTIONS TO DEPENDENT PENSIONS SCHEMES, TAX LIABILITY, MEDICAL AND DENTAL TREATMENT, AND ASSISTANCE IN HARDSHIP CASES, IS ALSO PROVIDED.
THE UNIT ALSO OFFERS ASSISTANCE TO PENSIONERS WHO ENCOUNTER DIFFICULTIES, INCLUDING MANAGING A PENSIONERS’ WELFARE FUND.
PENSIONERS, THEIR SURVIVING SPOUSE OR DEPENDENT CHILDREN MAY APPLY FOR ASSISTANCE FROM THE FUND IRRESPECTIVE OF THEIR PLACE OF RESIDENCE TO MEET MEDICAL OR FUNERAL EXPENSES OR EXPENSES ARISING FROM DISTRESS.
ASSISTANCE IS IN THE FORM OF A ONE-OFF GRANT NOT MORE THAN $5,000.
---------0----------
EARLY WELFARE PAYMENT *****
RECIPIENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE SOCIAL SECURITY ASSISTANCE AND SOCIAL SECURITY ALLOWANCE HOLDING CASH ORDER COUPONS MAY RECEIVE THEIR WELFARE PAYMENT EARLIER IF THEIR PAYDAY FALLS ON THE COMING CHUNG YEUNG HOLIDAYS.
A SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN TODAY (SUNDAY) SAID PAYMENT SCHEDULED ON OCTOBER 23 AND 24 WOULD BE ADVANCED TO OCTOBER 21 AND 22 RESPECTIVELY.
ARRANGEMENTS HAD BEEN MADE FOR RECIPIENTS TO COLLECT THEIR PAYMENTS AT THE DESIGNATED POST OFFICES AND TREASURY SUB-OFFICES, HE SAID.
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/8 ........
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 17, 1993
- 8 -
FRESH AND SALT WATER CUT ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO SOME PREMISES IN SAI EUNG WILL GO OFF FROM 11 PM ON TUESDAY (OCTOBER 19) TO 6 AM THE FOLLOWING DAY TO FACILITATE WASTE DETECTION WORK ON WATERMAINS.
THE SUSPENSION WILL AFFECT ALL THE PREMISES LOCATED BETWEEN PIK UK TSUEN AND PINE VILLAS AT CLEAR WATER BAY ROAD, INCLUDING TAI PO TSAI SAN TSUEN, TAI PO TSAI SHEUNG TSUEN AND TA KWU LING SAN TSUEN.
MEANWHILE, OWING TO CONNECTION WORK ON WATERMAINS, SOME PREMISES IN TS1M SHA TSUI AND EAST KOWLOON WILL ‘ALSO BE CUT FROM 9.30 AM TO 4 PM ON TUESDAY AND FROM 10 AM ON TUESDAY TO 10 AM THE NEXT DAY RESPECTIVELY.
THE AFFECTED PREMISES IN TSIM SHA TSUI \RE LOCATED AT CANTON ROAD, AUSTIN ROAD, GRANVILLE ROAD AND SALISBURY ROAD.
IN EAST KOWLOON, THE AFFECTED AREAS INCLUDE SAN PO KONG, KOWLOON BAY, CHOI HUNG, PING SHEK, ('HOI WAN, SHUN LEE, SHUN ON, SHUN TIN, SAU MAU PING, LAM TIN, NGAU TAI’ KOK, KWI N TONG AND CHA KWO LING.
- - 0 - -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
MONDAY, OCTOBER 18, 1993
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
HK RANKS 7TH IN WORLD STOCK MARKETS ............................. 1
MONETARY STABILITY - PRE-REQUISITE FOR HK'S PROSPERITY .......... 2
CONTRACT FOR SEWERAGE IMPROVEMENT WORKS SIGNED .................. 3
WORKING GROUP ON REGULATION OF REAL ESTATE AGENTS ............... 3
PROPER OFFICE SETTING ENSURES EMPLOYEES' HEALTH ................. 4
BN(O) PHASED REGISTRATION PROGRAMME PHASE I REMINDER ............ 5
TENDER FOR FIRST ISSUE OF 3-YEAR EXCHANGE FUND NOTES TO BE HELD ON OCTOBER 25 ............................................ 7
ORDERS-ON-HAND OF MANUFACTURERS IN AUGUST ....................... 8
FIRST DAY COVERS FOR NEW STAMPS ................................ 9
NO CLINIC SERVICE ON CHUNG YEUNG FESTIVAL ..................... 10
NO POSTAL SERVICE ON CHUNG YEUNG HOLIDAY ...................... 10
FRESH WATER CUT IN CAUSEWAY BAY ................................ 10
WATER STORAGE FIGURE ........................................... 11
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS ..
11
MONDAY, OCTOBER 18, 1993
HK RANKS 7TH IN WORLD STOCK MARKETS » » ♦ » t
HONG KONG IS NOW THE SEVENTH LARGEST STOCK MARKET IN THE WORLD IN TERMS OF MARKET CAPITALISATION, RISING FROM THE 10TH PLACE IT OCCUPIED A FEW YEARS AGO, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, MR HAMISH MACLEOD SAID THIS (MONDAY) EVENING.
THIS TREND WOULD NO DOUBT CONTINUE, HE SAID AT THE COCKTAIL RECEPTION TO MARK THE SEVENTH ANNIVERSARY OF THE HONG KONG STOCK EXCHANGE.
OUTLINING THE ACHIEVEMENTS OF THE STOCK EXCHANGE, MR MACLEOD NOTED THAT THE NUMBER OF LISTED COMPANIES WAS 455 AT THE END OF LAST MONTH AND THE DAILY TURNOVER AVERAGED NEARLY $4 BILLION FOR THE FIRST NINE MONTHS OF THIS YEAR.
HANG SENG INDEX ALSO SET REPEATED RECORDS RECENTLY, HE ADDED.
HE RECALLED THAT IN 1987, THE EXCHANGE HAD ONLY 266 LISTED COMPANIES AND RAISED ABOUT $24 BILLION IN CAPITAL. TRADING AT THE TIME AVERAGED $1.5 BILLION A DAY.
BY THE END OF LAST YEAR, THE NUMBER OF LISTED COMPANIES ROSE TO 374 AND THE CAPITAL RAISED JUMPED SIGNIFICANTLY TO OVER $100 BILLION. MARKET TURNOVER ALSO SAW A MARKED INCREASE TO $2.8 BILLION A DAY.
HE HOPES THAT THE EXCHANGE WOULD CONTINUE WITH ITS ENTHUSIASM IN "FURTHER DEVELOPING OUR MARKET TO MAINTAIN OUR COMPETITIVENESS".
HE UNDERSTANDS THAT THE EXCHANGE WOULD BEGIN OPERATION OF THE AUTO-MATCHING SYSTEM AND INTRODUCE REGULATED SHORT-SELLING IN THE NEAR FUTURE.
THE EXCHANGE ALSO PLANS TO INTRODUCE STOCK OPTIONS WHICH WOULD PUT US ON PAR WITH OTHER LEADING FINANCIAL CENTRES, HE SAID.
"THIS WILL ATTRACT FURTHER INVESTORS’ INTERESTS AND OFFER NEW OPPORTUNITIES TO THE BROKERAGE COMMUNITY," HE ADDED.
ON DEALING COSTS, HE SAID THE GOVERNMENT HAD DONE ITS PART THROUGH SUCCESSIVE REDUCTIONS IN STAMP DUTY TO SUPPORT MARKET DEVELOPMENTS.
THE REDUCTION OF TRANSACTION LEVY AND THE RECENT SUSPENSION OF THE SPECIAL LEVY HAD HELPED THE PROCESS, HE ADDED.
"OVER TIME, THE CENTRAL CLEARING AND SETTLEMENT SYSTEM WILL CONTINUE TO REDUCE DEALING COSTS."
MR MACLEOD POINTED OUT THAT ANOTHER IMPORTANT DEVELOPMENT WAS THE LISTING OF CHINESE STATE ENTERPRISES.
SINCE JULY THIS YEAR, THERE HAD BEEN FOUR SUCCESSFUL LISTING AND MORE WERE IN THE PIPELINE, HE SAID.
"AGAIN, THIS IS THE RESULT OF THE EFFORTS OF AND CO-OPERATION OF THE EXCHANGE AND THE SECURITIES AND FUTURES COMMISSION,” HE SAID.
/THE FINANCIAL .......
MONDAY, OCTOBER 18, 1993
2
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY SAID HE WAS HAPPY TO LEARN THAT, AS A RECOGNITION OF ITS STATUS IN THE INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL CIRCLE, THE EXCHANGE HAD BEEN INVITED TO JOIN THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE OF THE FIBV (FEDERATION INTERNATIONALE DES BOURSES DE VALEURS) WITH EFFECT FROM JANUARY NEXT YEAR.
"I AM SURE THIS WILL HELP HONG KONG TO RAISE ITS PROFILE INTERNATIONALLY,” HE ADDED.
MR MACLEOD BELIEVED THAT THE DRAMATIC REFORM TO THE EXCHANGE AFTER THE 1987 CRASH HAD PLAYED A VERY IMPORTANT ROLE IN MAKING OUR MARKET A SUCCESS.
’’THESE CHANGES HAVE HELPED SHAPE AN EFFICIENT, EFFECTIVE, FAIR AND OPEN INVESTMENT ENVIRONMENT THAT HOLDS THE CONFIDENCE OF INVESTORS,” HE SAID.
”1 HOPE THE BROKERAGE COMMUNITY WOULD ALSO DO ITS PART IN OFFERING A COMPETITIVE COMMISSION PACKAGE FOR THE INVESTORS,” HE SAID.
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MONETARY STABILITY - PRE-REQUISITE FOR HK’S PROSPERITY
*****
IT IS THE GOVERNMENT’S MONETARY OBJECTIVE TO ENSURE A STABLE EXCHANGE RATE AND SOLID PUBLIC CONFIDENCE IN THE CURRENCY, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, MR HAMISH MACLEOD, SAID TODAY (MONDAY).
’’ANOTHER OBJECTIVE IS TO ENSURE THE STABILITY AND INTEGRITY OF OUR MONETARY SYSTEM THROUGH IMPROVEMENTS TO THE REGULATORY FRAMEWORK,” HE SAID.
MR MACLEOD MADE SUCH REMARKS WHEN OPENING OF A SEMINAR ON MONETARY MANAGEMENT ORGANISED BY THE HONG KONG MONETARY AUTHORITY.
HE NOTED THAT SO FAR WE HAD BEEN ABLE TO MEET THESE OBJECTIVES.
HE ALSO SAID THE LINKED EXCHANGE RATE SYSTEM, ADOPTED BY HONG KONG SINCE OCTOBER 17, 1983, HAD SERVED HONG KONG WELL AND THE GOVERNMENT REMAINED COMMITTED TO MAINTAINING THIS LINK.
ON THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE HONG KONG MONETARY AUTHORITY, HE SAID HE WAS GLAD THAT THE AUTHORITY HAD RECEIVED WARM WELCOME FROM THE FINANCIAL COMMUNITY IN HONG KONG AND ABROAD, AND ALSO THE INTERNATIONAL BANKING FRATERNITY.
TURNING TO THE OUTLOOK OF HONG KONG’S ECONOMY, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY SAID THE GOVERNMENT WOULD CONTINUE WITH ITS MASSIVE NEW INVESTMENT TO ADD TO THE ALREADY EXCELLENT INFRASTRUCTURE.
HE ALSO NOTED THAT HONG KONG WOULD BENEFIT FROM AN EXCELLENT COMMUNICATION NETWORK WITH THE REST OF THE WORLD, NOTING THAT THE INTRODUCTION OF MORE COMPETITION INTO THE INDUSTRY WOULD LEAD TO BETTER SERVICE.
ABOVE ALL, HE SAID, THE GOVERNMENT WOULD CONTINUE WITH ITS POLICY OF MINIMUM GOVERNMENT INTERFERENCE AND MAXIMUM SUPPORT.
/"HONG KONG .......
MONDAY, OCTOBER 18, 1993
3
"HONG KONG REMAINS COMMITTED TO FREE TRADE, FREE ENTERPRISE AND FREE MARKETS.
"WE ARE ALSO COMMITTED TO A STABLE, LOW AND PREDICTABLE TAX SYSTEM," HE ADDED.
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CONTRACT FOR SEWERAGE IMPROVEMENT WORKS SIGNED
*****
THE DRAINAGE SERVICES DEPARTMENT TODAY (MONDAY) SIGNED A $18.9 MILLION WORKS CONTRACT TO PROVIDE IMPROVEMENT WORKS FOR THE EXISTING SEWERAGE SYSTEM IN YUEN LONG.
THE CONTRACT WAS SIGNED BY THE DEPARTMENT’S ASSISTANT DIRECTOR (PROJECTS AND DEVELOPMENT), MR SIH NAM-SEN, AND REPRESENTATIVES OF THE CONTRACTOR, SHUN HING CONSTRUCTION COMPANY LIMITED.
THE WORKS INVOLVE THE REPLACEMENT OF ABOUT 780 METRES OF DEFECTIVE VITRIFIED AND CONCRETE SEWERS, RELINING OF ABOUT 2 KILOMETRES OF LESS DEFECTIVE SEWERS AND CLEARING OF ABOUT 3.7 KILOMETRES OF HEAVILY SILTED SEWERS.
THE CONTRACT ALSO INCLUDE THE SURVEY OF ABOUT 2 KILOMETRES OF EXISTING SEWERS BY CLOSE CIRCUIT TELEVISION, REPAIR AND REPLACEMENT OF THE ASSOCIATED EXISTING MANHOLES AND OTHER ASSOCIATED ANCILLARY WORKS.
MR SIH SAID THE OBJECTIVE OF THE WORKS WAS TO IMPROVE THE EFFICIENCY OF THE EXIST SEWERAGE SYSTEM IN COLLECTING AND CONVEYING FOUL WATER FROM YUEN LONG TOWN, INCLUDING YUEN LONG INDUSTRIAL ESTATE AND TUNG TAU INDUSTRIAL AREA, TO THE YUEN LONG SEWAGE TREATMENT PLANT.
THE WORKS WILL BEGIN ON OCTOBER 28 FOR COMPLETION IN 18 MONTHS.
-----0-------
WORKING GROUP ON REGULATION OF REAL ESTATE AGENTS
*****
THE GOVERNMENT HAS DECIDED TO SET UP A WORKING GROUP WITH REPRESENTATION FROM INTERESTED PARTIES TO STUDY THE OPERATION OF REAL ESTATE AGENTS IN HONG KONG AND TO MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS ON A REGULATORY FRAMEWORK.
THE DECISION WAS MADE AFTER THE GOVERNMENT CONSULTED THE INDUSTRY, TAKING INTO ACCOUNT PUBLIC OPINION AND A LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MOTION LAST JUNE URGING THE GOVERNMENT TO INTRODUCE LEGISLATION TO REGULATE THE OPERATION OF REAL ESTATE AGENTS THROUGH A LICENSING SYSTEM.
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID: "AS A SHORT-TERM GOAL THE WORKING GROUP WILL DRAW UP PROPOSALS TO SOLVE ANY PROBLEMS IDENTIFIED IN ITS STUDY WITH THE CO-OPERATION OF THE INDUSTRY.
/"IN THE ........
MONDAY, OCTOBER 18, 1993
4
"IN THE LONGER TERM, IT WILL FORMULATE RECOMMENDATIONS ON A REGULATORY SYSTEM WITH LEGISLATIVE BACKING TO ENSURE AN ACCEPTABLE LEVEL OF PERFORMANCE IN THE INDUSTRY."
THE WORKING GROUP WILL ALSO STUDY THE RESOURCE AND ENFORCEMENT IMPLICATIONS OF A REGULATORY SYSTEM.
THE WORKING GROUP WILL BE CHAIRED BY THE DEPUTY SECRETARY (SPECIAL DUTIES) FOR PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS, MR LEO KWAN WITH THE PRINCIPAL ASSISTANT SECRETARY (SPECIAL DUTIES) MR WILLIAM SHIU AS SECRETARY.
MEMBERSHIP WILL INCLUDE REPRESENTATIVES OF THE INDUSTRY, PROFESSIONAL BODIES CONCERNED AND THE CONSUMER COUNCIL.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID IN THE PROCESS OF FORMULATING A REGULATORY SYSTEM, EFFORTS WOULD BE MADE TO ENSURE THAT THE RECOMMENDATIONS WOULD BEST SUIT HONG KONG’S OWN CIRCUMSTANCES.
"WE NEED TO WORK OUT A SYSTEM TO ENSURE STANDARDS BUT NOT MAKE THE PUBLIC SUFFER FROM A LIMITED SUPPLY OF QUALIFIED PERSONNEL."
THE WORKING GROUP WILL BE FORMALLY FORMED AND CONVENE ITS FIRST MEETING IN NOVEMBER.
------0-------
PROPER OFFICE SETTING ENSURES EMPLOYEES’ HEALTH
*****
PROPER OFFICE SETTING IS ESSENTIAL NOT ONLY IN ENSURING EMPLOYEES’ HEALTH, IT IS ALSO AN IMPORTANT ELEMENT IN IMPROVING THEIR WORKING EFFICIENCY, LABOUR DEPARTMENT’S OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH CONSULTANT, DR CHAN SIK-YUEN, SAID TODAY (MONDAY).
AT A PRESS CONFERENCE TO ANNOUNCE DETAILS OF THE "OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH IN OFFICE ENVIRONMENT" EXHIBITION, DR CHAN SAID OFFICE ENVIRONMENT WAS COMMONLY PERCEIVED AS A SAFE WORKING PLACE FREE OF HEALTH HAZARDS.
IN FACT, THE HEALTH OF EMPLOYEES WILL BE AFFECTED BY MANY FACTORS IN THE OFFICE ENVIRONMENT, SUCH AS LIGHTING, FURNITURE AND VENTILATION, DR CHAN SAID.
TAKING FURNITURE AS AN EXAMPLE, DR CHAN SAID FITNESS OF FURNITURE, ESPECIALLY CHAIRS AND TABLES, IS VERY IMPORTANT IN ENSURING PHYSICAL COMFORT OF THE USERS.
"UNFITTED CHAIRS AND TABLES WILL CAUSE PAINS AND ACHES TO THE USERS’ BACK, SHOULDERS AND NECK," HE SAID.
MEANWHILE, INAPPROPRIATE LIGHTING ARRANGEMENT MAY CAUSE EYESTRESS OR DROWSINESS TO THE EMPLOYEES OR EVEN DAMAGE THEIR EYE SIGHTS.
VENTILATION IS ALSO IMPORTANT TO AN EMPLOYEE’S HEALTH.
"THIS IS BECAUSE A GOOD VENTILATION SYSTEM CAN FILTER OUT POLLUTANTS, BODY ODOUR AND MANY UNWANTED CHEMICALS THAT MAY BE PRESENT IN THE OFFICE ENVIRONMENT. THE WORKERS’ HEALTH AND WELFARE WILL THEN BE PROTECTED," HE ADDED.
/DR CHAN .......
5
MONDAY, OCTOBER 18, 1993
DR CHAN STRONGLY URGED EMPLOYERS TO RECOGNISE THE IMPORTANCE OF PROVIDING A HEALTHY WORKING ENVIRONMENT, INCLUDING THE PROVISION OF EASILY ADJUSTABLE FURNITURE, SUITABLE LIGHTING AND PROPER VENTILATION, TO THEIR STAFF.
"THIS KIND OF INVESTMENT WILL BE A PROFITABLE INVESTMENT BECAUSE WHEN EMPLOYEES ARE PROTECTED FROM HEALTH HAZARDS, SICK LEAVES DUE TO ACHES AND PAINS, AND OTHER VAGUE COMPLAINTS WILL BE MINIMISED," DR CHAN SAID.
ON THE OTHER HAND, A HEALTHY AND COMFORTABLE OFFICE ENVIRONMENT CAN ALSO ENHANCE WORKERS’ CONCENTRATION ON THEIR WORK WITH OBVIOUS RESULTS OF IMPROVING THEIR EFFICIENCY AS WELL AS PRODUCTIVITY.
HE SAID THIS WAS ALSO ONE OF THE REASONS THAT THEY ORGANISD THE EXHIBITION.
THE EXHIBITION, ORGANISED JOINTLY BY THE OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH DIVISION OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT AND THE OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH COUNCIL, WILL BE HELD BETWEEN OCTOBER 21 AND 27 ON THE GROUND FLOOR OF THE NEW WORLD PLAZA, TSIM SHA TSUI.
"THROUGH PHOTOGRAPHS, DISPLAYS, VIDEO SHOWS AND A FULL-SIZE DEMONSTRATION OF A TYPICAL OFFICE WORK STATIONS, WE HOPE VISITORS CAN GAIN A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF SOME OF THE HEALTH HAZARDS RELATED TO POOR OFFICE ENVIRONMENT AND THE BENEFITS OF HAVING A HEALTHY WORKING ENVIRONMENT," DR CHAN SAID.
THERE WILL ALSO BE DEMONSTRATIONS OF SIMPLE RELAXATION EXERCISES SUITABLE FOR OFFICE WORKERS AND A COMPUTER QUIZ TO AROUSE VISITORS’ INTERESTS.
"WE HOPE EMPLOYERS CAN TAKE NOTE OF OUR RECOMMENDATIONS AND PUT THEM INTO PRACTICE IN THEIR OFFICES WHILE EMPLOYEES CAN CONVEY OUR MESSAGES TO THEIR EMPLOYERS FOR THEIR OWN BENEFITS," HE ADDED.
THE EXHIBITION WILL BE OPEN TO THE PUBLIC FREE OF CHARGE FROM 1 PM TO 7 PM ON OCTOBER 21 AND FROM 10 AM TO 7 PM BETWEEN OCTOBER 22 AND 26.
THE EXHIBITION WILL END AT 2 PM ON OCTOBER 27.
------0-------
BN(O) PHASED REGISTRATION PROGRAMME
PHASE I REMINDER
*****
THE FINAL DATE FOR HONG KONG BRITISH DEPENDENT TERRITORIES CITIZENS (BDTC’S) BORN IN 1967, 1968, 1969, 1970 AND 1971 TO APPLY FOR BRITISH NATIONAL (OVERSEAS) (BN(O)) PASSPORTS WILL BE OCTOBER 30, THIS YEAR, AN IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (MONDAY).
THE SPOKESMAN SAID HONG KONG BDTC’S (SUCH AS PERSONS BORN, NATURALISED OR REGISTERED IN HONG KONG) MUST OBTAIN A BN(O) PASSPORT IF THEY WISH TO CONTINUE TO TRAVEL ON BRITISH PASSPORTS BEYOND 1997.
/AS AMENDED .......
MONDAY, OCTOBER 18, 1993
6
AS AMENDED BY THE HONG KONG (BRITISH NATIONALITY) (AMENDMENT) ORDER 1993, THE SECOND SCHEDULE TO THE HONG KONG (BRITISH NATIONALITY) ORDER 1986 IMPOSES CUT-OFF DATES FOR BN(O) PASSPORT APPLICATIONS ACCORDING TO AGE GROUPS.
THOSE BORN BETWEEN 1967 AND 1971 WHO BELONG TO THE FIRST PHASE MUST SUBMIT THEIR APPLICATIONS ON OR BEFORE OCTOBER 30.
FURTHER PUBLICITY WILL BE MADE IN RESPECT OF BDTC'S BORN IN OTHER YEARS SO THAT THEY MAY SUBMIT THEIR APPLICATIONS BY PHASES ACCORDING TO THEIR AGE GROUPS.
THEY ARE OF COURSE FREE TO SUBMIT THEIR APPLICATIONS NOW.
’’HOWEVER, IN VIEW OF THE VERY LARGE NUMBER OF APPLICATIONS WE ARE RECEIVING EACH DAY, EXCEPT THOSE WHO ARE IN NEED OF URGENT TRAVEL, PRIORITY WILL HAVE TO BE GIVEN TO THOSE WHO ARE WITHIN THE CURRENT PHASE,” HE SAID.
PERSONS WHO DO NOT COMPLY WITH THE RELEVANT CUT-OFF DATES WILL NOT BF ABLE TO TRAVEL ON BRITISH PASSPORTS BEYOND 1997.
AN APPLICATION MADE AFTER THE FINAL DATE WILL ONLY BE ACCEPTED IF THE APPLICANT CAN SHOW THAT THERE ARE SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES WHICH JUSTIFY HIS LATE APPLICATION.
THE GOVERNMENT WILL SET UP AN APPEALS ADVISORY COMMITTEE TO ADVISE THE GOVERNOR ON THOSE LATE APPLICATIONS WHICH HAVE BEEN REJECTED BY THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT.
THE SPOKESMAN EMPHASISED THAT THOSE WHO ALREADY HAD A BN(O) PASSPORT, EITHER THE CONVENTIONAL HARD-COVER TYPE OR THE BURGUNDY RED MACHINE READABLE TYPE, NEED NOT APPLY AGAIN.
APPLICATIONS FOR BN(O) PASSPORTS MAY BE SUBMITTED TO THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT EITHER BY POST OR IN PERSON.
APPLICANTS MAY ALSO DEPOSIT THEIR APPLICATIONS INTO THE DROP-IN BOXES INSTALLED AT THE IMMIGRATION HEADQUARTERS OR AT ANY IMMIGRATION BRANCH OFFICES THROUGHOUT THE TERRITORY.
APPLICATION FORMS ARE AVAILABLE AT ALL IMMIGRATION OFFICES AND DISTRICT OFFICES.
FOR MORE INFORMATION, MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC MAY TELEPHONE 824 1177 (ENGLISH) OR 824 1717 (CHINESE).
- - 0----------
/7........
MONDAY, OCTOBER 18, 1993
TENDER FOR FIRST ISSUE OF 3-YEAR EXCHANGE FUND NOTES TO BE HELD ON OCTOBER 25 t t * t t
THE HONG KONG MONETARY AUTHORITY ANNOUNCES THAT THE TENDER FOR THE FIRST ISSUE OF THREE-YEAR EXCHANGE FUND NOTES WILL BE HELD ON MONDAY, OCTOBER 25, 1993 FOR SETTLEMENT ON TUESDAY, OCTOBER 26, 1993.
THE TWO-YEAR EXCHANGE FUND NOTES PROGRAMME, WHICH WILL REPLACE THE GOVERNMENT BONDS AS THEY MATURE, HAS BEEN WARMLY WELCOMED BY THE FINANCIAL COMMUNITY.
TO MEET MARKET DEMAND AND FACILITATE MARKET DEVELOPMENT, THE MONETARY AUTHORITY HAS DECIDED TO EXTEND THE MATURITY OF THE EXCHANGE FUND NOTES TO THE THREE-YEAR AREA.
SIMILAR TO THE TWO-YEAR EXCHANGE FUND NOTES PROGRAMME, AN AMOUNT OF HK$500 MILLION THREE-YEAR EXCHANGE FUND NOTES WILL BE ISSUED ON A QUARTERLY BASIS. ANOTHER HK$100 MILLION FOR EACH ISSUE WILL BE HELD AS RESERVE BY THE HONG KONG MONETARY AUTHORITY FOR SUPPLY TO MARKET MAKERS IN THE SECONDARY MARKET.
THE NOTES WILL MATURE ON OCTOBER 28, 1996 AND WILL CARRY
INTEREST AT THE RATE OF 4.2 PER CENT PER ANNUM PAYABLE SEMI-ANNUALLY IN ARREARS.
TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF THE ISSUE ARE DESCRIBED FULLY IN THE INFORMATION MEMORANDUM.
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WHO WISH TO TENDER FOR THE NOTES MAY DO SO THROUGH ANY OF THE MARKET MAKERS OR RECOGNISED DEALERS ON THE PUBLISHED LIST WHICH CAN BE OBTAINED FROM THE HONG KONG MONETARY AUTHORITY ON 30TH FLOOR, 3 GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG (OR TELEPHONE 878 8150). EACH TENDER MUST BE FOR AN AMOUNT OF HK$50,000 OR INTEGRAL* MULTIPLES THEREOF.
TENDER INFORMATION FOR FIRST ISSUE OF THREE-YEAR EXCHANGE FUND NOTES:
ISSUE NUMBER : 3610
TENDER DATE AND TIME : MONDAY, OCTOBER 25, 1993, 9.30 AM
TO 10.30 AM
ISSUE AND SETTLEMENT DATE : TUESDAY, OCTOBER 26, 1993
AMOUNT ON OFFER : HKD 500 MILLION PLUS AN
ADDITIONAL HKD 100 MILLION AS RESERVE STOCK FOR THE MONETARY AUTHORITY
MATURITY : THREE YEAR
MATURITY DATE : OCTOBER 28, 1996
INTEREST RATE : 4.2 PER CENT PER ANNUM PAYABLE
SEMI-ANNUALLY IN ARREARS
/INTEREST PAYMENT .......
MONDAY, OCTOBER 18, 1993
8
INTEREST PAYMENT DATES • APRIL 26, 1994, APRIL 26, 1995, OCTOBER 26, OCTOBER 26, 1994 1995
APRIL 26, 1996, OCTOBER 28, 1996
TENDER AMOUNT
OTHER DETAILS
: EACH TENDER MUST BE FOR AN AMOUNT OF HKD 50,000 OR INTEGRAL MULTIPLES THEREOF. MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WHO WISH TO TENDER FOR THE NOTES MAY APPROACH MARKET MAKERS OR RECOGNISED DEALERS ON THE PUBLISHED LIST
: PLEASE SEE INFORMATION MEMORANDUM PUBLISHED OR APPROACH MARKET MAKERS OR RECOGNISED DEALERS
ORDERS-ON-HAND OF MANUFACTURERS IN AUGUST
*****
THE VOLUME OF ORDERS-ON-HAND FOR THE 200 LARGEST MANUFACTURERS DECREASED SLIGHTLY BY 1% IN AUGUST THIS YEAR OVER A YEAR EARLIER, ACCORDING TO A MONTHLY SURVEY CONDUCTED BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
THE VOLUME OF ORDERS-ON-HAND IS MEASURED IN TERMS OF THE NUMBER OF MONTHS THAT MANUFACTURERS WILL REQUIRE TO COMPLETE THE ORDERS OUTSTANDING AS AT THE END OF THE REFERENCE MONTH.
COMPARED WITH THE SAME MONTH LAST YEAR, ORDERS IN THE TEXTILES AND THE WEARING APPAREL INDUSTRIES DECREASED MODERATELY BY 6% AND 5% RESPECTIVELY.
ORDERS POSITION SHOWED LITTLE CHANGE IN THE FABRICATED METAL PRODUCTS INDUSTRY.
ON THE OTHER HAND, APPRECIABLE INCREASES WERE RECORDED IN THE PLASTIC PRODUCTS AND THE ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC PRODUCTS INDUSTRIES, BY 13% AND 4% RESPECTIVELY.
COMPARED WITH THE PRECEDING MONTH, ORDERS FOR ALL THE MANUFACTURERS SURVEYED REMAINED VIRTUALLY UNCHANGED.
ORDERS POSITION IN THE PLASTIC PRODUCTS INDUSTRY DECREASED SIGNIFICANTLY BY 12% OVER THE PRECEDING MONTH. THE WEARING APPAREL AND THE TEXTILES INDUSTRIES BOTH REGISTERED A DECREASE OF 1%.
ON THE OTHER HAND, ORDERS IN THE ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC PRODUCTS INDUSTRY REPORTED LITTLE CHANGE. A SLIGHT INCREASE WAS RECORDED IN THE FABRICATED METAL PRODUCTS INDUSTRY, BY 3%.
THE MONTHLY SURVEY OF ORDERS-ON-HAND COVERS A PANEL OF THE 200 LARGEST MANUFACTURERS CHOSEN BY REFERENCE TO THEIR EMPLOYMENT SIZES IN SEPTEMBER 1986.
/A SPOKESMAN .......
MONDAY, OCTOBER 18, 1993
9
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT POINTED OUT THAT AS THE SURVEY SAMPLE COVERED ONLY THE LARGE COMPANIES, THE SURVEY RESULTS MIGHT NOT BE FULLY REPRESENTATIVE OF THE GENERAL SITUATION OF THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR.
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 THIS SECTOR.
THE SURVEY REPORT FOR AUGUST 1993 AT $5.50 A COPY, IS NOW ON SALE AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, GROUND FLOOR, GENERAL POST OFFICE BUILDING, CONNAUGHT PLACE, CENTRAL AND AT THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT PUBLICATIONS SECTION, 19TH FLOOR, WANCHAI TOWER, 12 HARBOUR ROAD, WAN CHAI.
ENQUIRIES ABOUT THE SURVEY RESULTS MAY BE MADE TO THE INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION STATISTICS SECTION OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT ON TEL 805 6441.
THE FOLLOWING TABLE SHOWS THE PERCENTAGE CHANGES IN ORDERS-ON-HAND: ,
ORDERS-ON-HAND IN MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES
AS INDUSTRY AT THE END OF AUGUST 1993 CHANGE WHEN JULY 1993 COMPARED WITH AUGUST 1992
’(MONTHS) <%) (%)
ALL MANUFACTURERS SURVEYED 4.36 * -1
— - —
WEARING APPAREL 4.53 -1 -5
TEXTILES 1.99 -1 -6
PLASTIC PRODUCTS 2.90 -12 + 13
FABRICATED METAL PRODUCTS 4.53 + 3 ♦
ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC
PRODUCTS 5.86 * + 4
OTHERS 3.80 -1 -4
* CHANGES WITHIN +/-0.5% ----------------------------------0------- FIRST DAY COVERS FOR NEW STAMPS *****
THE POSTMASTER GENERAL, MR M PAGLIARI, ANNOUNCED TODAY (MONDAY) THAT FIRST DAY COVERS WILL BE RELEASED TO MATCH THE FOUR NEW DENOMINATION DEFINITIVE STAMPS WHICH WILL BE ISSUED ON NOVEMBER 1.
IN ADDITION, NEW COIL STAMPS AT DENOMINATIONS OF $1, $1.20,
$1.90 AND $2.40 WILL ALSO BE RELEASED AT POST OFFICES WHICH ARE EQUIPPED WITH THE ELECTRONIC STAMP VENDING MACHINES.
/THE FIRST .......
MONDAY, OCTOBER 18, 1993
10
THE FIRST DAY COVER IS SPECIALLY DESIGNED TO MEET PHILATELIC INTERESTS IN THE FOUR NEW DENOMINATION DEFINITIVE STAMPS - 20 CENTS, $1.30, $1.90 AND $2.40.
IT WILL BE AVAILABLE AT $1 EAcA AT ALL POST OFFICES EXCEPT THE AIRPORT POST OFFICE AS FROM OCTOBER 28.
ADVANCE ORDER FOR SERVICED FIRST DAY COVERS WILL BE AVAILABLE FROM OCTOBER 28 TO 30.
CUSTOMERS SHOULD NOTE THAT THE NEW COIL STAMPS ARE ONLY AVAILABLE AT POST OFFICES WHICH HAVE BEEN EQUIPPED WITH THE NEW ELECTRONIC STAM^ VENDING MACHINES.
REQUEST FOR THE PURCHASE OF THESE COIL STAMPS IN REELS COULD BE MADE AT THE SIX PHILATELIC OFFICES.
ON NOVEMBER 1, HAND-BACK DATESTAMPING SERVICE WILL BE PROVIDED AT ALL POST OFFICES, EXCEPT THE AIRPORT POST OFFICE, FOR OFFICIAL FIRST DAY COVERS OR PRIVATELY MADE COVERS BEARING AN INDICATION OF THE OCCASION.
------0-------
NO CLINIC SERVICE ON CHUNG YEUNG FESTIVAL
*****
THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH TODAY (MONDAY) ANNOUNCED THAT THERE WILL BE NO GENERAL OUT-PATIENT CLINIC SERVICE ON OCTOBER 23 (SATURDAY) WHICH IS THE CHUNG YEUNG FESTIVAL.
--------0-----------
NO POSTAL SERVICE ON CHUNG YEUNG HOLIDAY *****
THE POSTMASTER GENERAL, MR M PAGLIARI, THAT THERE WOULD BE NO DELIVERY ON OCTOBER 23 ALL POST OFFICES WILL BE CLOSED ON THAT DAY.
ANNOUNCED TODAY (MONDAY) (CHUNG YEUNG FESTIVAL).
---------0-----------
FRESH WATER CUT IN CAUSEWAY BAY *****
AND HAPPY 6 AM THE
STREET,TIRVINGPSTREET,WKESWICKESTREET ?^EppSES AT 64-90 YEE W0 YUN PING ROAD, SUNNING ROAD1 wn ’ 1 PENNINGTON STREET, 1-14 AVENUE, 91-140 LEIGHTON ROAD HAVEN STRFFt’ R°AD’ 2-30 HYSAN PATH, CAROLINE HILL ROAD AND 2 STADIUM R°AD’ COTTON
- - 0 - -
/Il........
MONDAY, OCTOBER 18, 1993
- 11 -
WATER STORAGE FIGURE
* * ♦ *
STORAGE IN HONG KONG’S RESERVOIRS AT 9 AM TODAY (MONDAY) STOOD AT 89.3 PER CENT OF CAPACITY OR 523.339 MILLION CUBIC METRES.
THIS TIME LAST YEAR THE RESERVOIRS CONTAINED 482.809 MILLION CUBIC METRES OF WATER, REPRESENTING 82.4 PER CENT OF CAPACITY.
------0--------
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS
* ♦ * * * $ MILLION
OPENING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT REVERSAL OF LAF BALANCE AFTER REVERSAL OF LAF NET INJECTION/WITHDRAWAL TODAY EFFECT OF LAF TODAY CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT 1,280 +1,720 3,000 NIL -490 2,510
LAF RATE 2.00 BID/4.1 HONG 00 OFFER TWI KONG GOVERNMENT 112.7 EXCHANGE »+0H» FUND 18.10.93
EF BILLS EF NOTES/HONG KONG GOVERNMENT BONDS
TERMS YIELD TERM ISSUE COUPON PRICE YIELD
1 WEEK 2.53 PCT 13 MONTHS 2411 4.625 101.65 3.08
1 MONTH 2.54 PCT 16 MONTHS 2502 4.75 101.97 3.24
3 MONTHS 2.61 PCT 19 MONTHS 2505 3.75 100.47 3.47
6 MONTHS 12 MONTHS 2.72 PCT 3.04 PCT 22 MONTHS 2508 4.625 101.90 3.57
TOTAL TURNOVER OF BILLS AND BONDS - 11,995 MN
CLOSED OCTOBER 18, 1993
- - 0 - -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 19, 1993
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
HK NEEDS ROBUST MONETARY MECHANISM TN TRANSITION ............ 1
LAND REGISTRATION FIGURES FOR SEPTEMBER ..................... 2
CONSTRUCTION OUTPUT STATISTICS FOR 2ND QUARTER .............. 5
FEES FOR DEGREE AND SUB-DEGREE COURSES ...................... 6
ANTI-POLLUTION PROSECUTION FIGURE RELEASED .................. 7
OUTSTANDING EDUCATORS SOUGHT ................................ 15
FOREIGN WORKERS TO BE TOLD OF THEIR RIGHTS .................. 16
320 VM'S RETURNED HOME TODAY ................................ 17
TWO-DAY LEGCO DEBATE ON GOVERNOR'S POLICY ADDRESS .......... 17
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND TENDER RESULTS .......... 17
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS . 18
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 19, 1993
1
HK NEEDS ROBUST MONETARY MECHANISM IN TRANSITION *****
HONG KONG IS IN POLITICAL TRANSITION AND IT NEEDS A MONETARY SYSTEM AND A MECHANISM FOR MONETARY MANAGEMENT THAT ARE ADEQUATELY ROBUST TO ENABLE IT TO MEET THE CHALLENGES IN THE YEARS AHEAD.
THIS WAS STATED BY CHIEF EXECUTIVE, HONG KONG MONETARY AUTHORITY (HKMA), MR JOSEPH YAM, TODAY (TUESDAY) AT A SEMINAR ON MONETARY MANAGEMENT.
MR YAM IS HEARTENED BY THE SUPPORT GIVEN TO HONG KONG’S LINKED EXCHANGE RATE SYSTEM BY LEADING EXPERTS ADDRESSING THE TWO-DAY SEMINAR ORGANISED BY THE HKMA.
THEY INCLUDED NOBEL LAUREATE PROFESSOR MILTON FRIEDMAN; MR CHEN YUAN, DEPUTY GOVERNOR, PEOPLE BANK OF CHINA; PROFESSOR CHARLES GOODHART FROM THE LONDON SCHOOL OF ECONOMICS AND POLITICAL SCIENCE; MR DAVID PERETZ, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AT THE IMF AND THE WORLD BANK, AND MR ANTHONY LATTER FROM THE BANK OF ENGLAND.
CONCERNING THE OBJECTIVE OF MONETARY POLICY, THE SEMINAR GENERALLY CONVERGED ON THREE POINTS, MR YAM OBSERVED.
’’FIRST IS THAT STABILITY OF THE CURRENCY SHOULD BE THE PRIME OBJECTIVE OF MONETARY POLICY.
’’SECOND IS THE NEED TO ENSURE THAT THE OBJECTIVE IS CLEARLY DEFINED AND CONSISTENTLY ADHERED TO.
’’THIRD IS THE NEED TO HAVE A SINGLE RATHER THAN MULTIPLE POLICY OBJECTIVES.”
HONG KONG’S MONETARY POLICY HAS A HIGH DEGREE OF CREDIBILITY BECAUSE IT MEETS ALL THE ABOVE CRITERIA, REDUCES UNCERTAINTY IN A RAPIDLY CHANGING ENVIRONMENT, AND FACILITATES HONG KONG’S STRUCTURAL ADJUSTMENT IN THE DYNAMIC YEARS AHEAD, MR YAM POINTED OUT.
IN COMMENDING THE SUCCESS OF HONG KONG’S MONETARY AND FINANCIAL POLICY, DEPUTY GOVERNOR CHEN YUAN SAID CHINA WAS ALSO REFORMING ITS MACRO-ECONOMIC AND MONETARY SYSTEMS AND THAT THERE WOULD BE A CONTINUATION OF THE EXCHANGE AND CO-OPERATION BETWEEN THE TWO ECONOMIES IN THE FIELD OF FINANCE AND BANKING.
"THE PEOPLE’S BANK OF CHINA WILL FURTHER STRENGTHEN AND DEVELOP OUR LINKS AND CO-OPERATION WITH THE MONETARY AUTHORITY UNDER THE GOVERNMENT OF THE SPECIAL ADMINISTRATIVE REGION, AND WILL NOT TAKE THE PLACE OF THE HONG KONG MONETARY AUTHROITY," MR CHEN ADDED.
ON THE ISSUE OF CHARGES LEVIED BY BANKS FOR THE HANDLING OF CASH DEPOSITS, MR YAM CONFIRMED THAT THE MATTER HAD BEEN CONSIDERED BY THE EXCHANGE FUND ADVISORY COMMITTEE CHAIRED BY THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY AND THAT DISCUSSIONS WERE IN PROGRESS WITH THE NOTE-ISSUING BANKS ON A PROPOSAL TO RESOLVE THE MATTER.
/THE PROPOSAL .......
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 19, 1993
2
THE PROPOSAL SHOULD OBVIATE THE NEED FOR CASH HANDLING CHARGES LEVIED ON BANK CUSTOMERS AND WOULD NOT AFFECT THE LINKED EXCHANGE SYSTEM•
IN CONCLUSION, MR YAM NOTED THAT THE SEMINAR ON MONETARY MANAGEMENT HAD BEEN VERY VALUABLE IN PROVIDING EXPERT VIEWS AND INSIGHT AND THAT SIMILAR SEMINARS WILL BE ORGANISED REGULARLY IN FUTUURE, AND SOME OF THEM WILL BE OF AN INTERNATIONAL NATURE.
------0--------
LAND REGISTRATION FIGURES FOR SEPTEMBER *****
THE TOTAL NUMBER OF SALE AND PURCHASE AGREEMENTS OF BUILDING UNITS, MAINLY FLATS, RECEIVED BY THE LAND REGISTRY FOR REGISTRATION LAST MONTH DECREASED BY 38.6 PER CENT COMPARED WITH THE TOTAL OF THE PREVIOUS MONTH, AND BY 23.2 PER CENT COMPARED WITH SEPTEMBER LAST YEAR.
IN ALL, 9,025 SUCH AGREEMENTS WERE RECEIVED FOR REGISTRATION LAST MONTH. THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF THE CONSIDERATIONS INVOLVED WAS $24.63 BILLION.
THESE FIGURES ARE INCLUDED IN THE MONTHLY STATISTICS RELEASED TODAY (TUESDAY) BY THE LAND REGISTRAR ON PROPERTY TRANSACTIONS RECEIVED FOR REGISTRATION IN THE URBAN AND NEW TERRITORIES LAND REGISTRIES.
A TABLE SHOWING THE RELEVANT STATISTICS FOR AUGUST THIS YEAR AND FOR AUGUST LAST YEAR WAS ALSO RELEASED.
THERE WERE FIVE BUILDING MORTGAGES AND 22,050 OTHER MORTGAGES RECEIVED FOR REGISTRATION LAST MONTH, COMPARED WITH SIX AND* 14,946 RESPECTIVELY IN SEPTEMBER LAST YEAR.
MOST OF THE OTHER MORTGAGES WERE MORTGAGES OF ASSIGNMENTS OF UNITS IN RESPECT OF SEVERAL NEW DEVELOPMENTS IN TUEN MUN, TSEUNG KWAN O, TIN SHUI WAI AND MA ON SHAN IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.
THE TOTAL AMOUNT SECURED UNDER NEW BUILDING MORTGAGES IN THE MONTH WAS $0.13 BILLION COMPARED WITH $0.53 BILLION IN SEPTEMBER LAST YEAR.
THE TOTAL AMOUNT SECURED UNDER NEW MORTGAGES OTHER THAN BUILDING MORTGAGES ROSE BY 120 PER CENT, FROM $6.01 BILLION IN SEPTEMBER LAST YEAR TO $13.21 BILLION IN SEPTEMBER THIS YEAR.
THIS LARGE INCREASE WAS DUE TO A RISE IN THE NUMBER OF MORTGAGES SUBMITTED FOR REGISTRATION IN THE MONTH, SOME OF WHICH INVOLVED HUGE LOANS.
REPAYMENTS UNDER MORTGAGES OF ALL KINDS, AS EVIDENCED BY DISCHARGES AND MORTGAGEE’S RECEIPTS, DECREASED BY 26.5 PER CENT, FROM $3.89 BILLION IN SEPTEMBER LAST YEAR TO $2.86 BILLION IN SEPTEMBER THIS YEAR.
/THE LAND .......
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 19, 1993
THE LAND REGISTRY
Ccnsolidated bfcnthly Statistics in respect of deeds received for reqistraticn in the Urban and New Territories District Land Registries
Month : Septaber 1993
Item Nature of Deeds Number of Deeds received for registration Consideration ($)
Urban New Territories Total Urban New Territories Total
1. Agreements for Sale and 5,090 3,935 9,025
Purchase of Building tbits ( 5,219 ) ( 4,021 ) ( 9,240 ) 16,276,719,633.40 8,350,580,690.73 24,627,300,324.13
2. Agreements for Sale and 33 285 318 3,525,640,000.00 976,349,435.72 4,501,989,435.72
Purchase of Land
Sub-total (1) + (2) 5,123 4,220 9,343 19,802,359,633.40 9,326,930,126.45 29,129,289,759.85
3. Assignments of Building tbits 10,588 12,329 22,917
( 10,779 ) ( 12,804 ) ( 23,583 ) 26,115,906,624.40 16,336,732,717.05 42,452,639,341.45
4. Assignments of Land 33 655 688 7,517,959,200.00 2,194,738,810.16 9,712,698,010.16
Sub-total (3) ♦ (4) 10,621 12,984 23,605 33,633,865,824.40 18,531,471,527.21 52,165,337,351.61
5. Building Mortgages/Building 4 1 5 133,500,000.00 500,000.00 134,000,000.00
Legal Charges
6. Other Mxtgages/Legal Charges 9,979 12,071 22,050 7,457,021,746.67 5,753,567,172.94 13,210,588,919.61
Sub-total (5) + (6) 9,983 12,072 22,055 7,590,521,746.67 5,754,067,172.94 13,344,588,919.61
7 7 d 717 11 T7A 886,293,697.63 2,857,772,115.54
8. Leases/Tenancy Agreements 380 4/ /Xu 151 11,Z/O 531 1,9/1,4/0,41/.91
9. Bodusicn Orders 0 0 0
10. Others 2,994 2,884 5,878
Total 36,164 37,024 73,188 62,998,225,622.38 34,498,762,524.23 97,4%,988,146.61
Note : Figures in brackets denote mirber of units involved
/THE LAND
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 19, 1993
THE LAND REGISTRY
Com van sod of Monthly Statistics
Month : September 1993
Item 1993 September 1993 August 1992 September September 1993 Increase (♦) or Decrease (-) as compared with
August 1993 September 1992
No. or Consideration Percentage No. or Consideration Percentage
1. Agreements for Sales and Purchase of Building Units (a) No. 9,025 14.689 11,745 5,664 — 38.6 — 2,720 — 23.2
(b) Consideration $24,627,300,324.13 $37,567,516,740.37 $30,858,754,097.64 - $12,940,216,416.24 - 34.4 r $6,231,453,773.51 - 20.2
2. Agreements for Salo and Purchase of Land (a) No. 318 369 429 — 51 13.8 — 111 — 25.9
(b) Consideration $4,501,989,435.72 $4,134,639,634.80 $4,166,041,512.50 $367,349,800.92 ♦ 8.9 ♦ $335,947,923.22 ♦ 8.1
Sub-total ofl!)(2) (a) No. 9,343 15,058 12,174 5,715 — 38.0 2.831 - 23.3
(b) Consideration $29,129,289,759.85 $41,702,156,375.17 $35,024,795,610.14 - $12,572,866,615.32 - 30.1 - $5,895,505,850.29 - 16.8
3. Assignments of Building Units (a) No. 22,917 14.788 14,803 + 8,129 ♦ 55.0 + 8,114 + 54.8
(b) Consideration $42,452,639,341.45 $39,093,500,724.22 $30,457,146,776.36 + $3,359,138,617.23 + 8.6 + $11,995,492,565.09 + 39.4
4. Assignments of Land (a) No. 688 663 983 ♦ 25 ♦ 3.8 — 295 - 30.0
(b) Consideration $9,712,698,010.16 $6,596,316,504.10 $4,887,708,749.62 ♦ $3,116,381,506.06 + 47.2 + $4,824,989,260.54 * 98.7
Sub-total of P) + (4) (a) No. 23,605 15.451 15,786 + 8,154 + 52.8 + 7,819 49.5
(b) Consideration $52,165,337,351.61 $45,689,817,228.32 $35,344,855,525.98 + $6,475,520,123.29 + 14.2 + $16,820,481,825.63 + 47.6
5. Building Mortgages/Building Legal Charges (a) No. 5 11 6 - 6 - 54.5 - 1 - 16.7
(b) Consideration $134,000,000.00 $2,247,700,000.00 $534,200,000.00 - $2,113,700,000.00 - 94.0 - $400,200,000.00 - 74.9
6. Other Mortgagcs/Legal Charges (a) No. 22,050 16.416 14,946 + 5.634 + 34.3 7,104 + 47.5
(b) Consideration $13,210,588,919.61 $6,883,008,707.56 $6,006,046,066.31 + $6,327,580,212.05 + 91.9 $7,204,542,853.30 + 120.0
Sub-total of.(5)_+_($) (a) No. 22,055 16,427 14,952 + 5,628 ♦ 34.3 + 7,103 ♦ 47.5
(b) Co aside radon $13,344,588,919.61 $9,130,708,707.56 $6,540,246,066.31 ♦ S4.2I3.88C,212.05 ♦ 46.: $6,804,342,853.30 ♦ 104.0
7. Reed pts/ Dxschar gcs/Reieases (a) No. 11,776 10.919 12.284 + 857 ♦ 7.8 - 508 - 4.1
(b) Consideration $2,857,772,115.54 $3,841,307,048.21 $3,888,881,258.24 - $983,534.932.67 - 25.6 - $1,031,109.142.'’O - 26.5 !
I
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TUESDAY, OCTOBER 19, 1993
5
CONSTRUCTION OUTPUT STATISTICS FOR 2ND QUARTER *****
THE GROSS VALUE OF CONSTRUCTION WORK PERFORMED BY MAIN CONTRACTORS, INCLUDING GENERAL AND SPECIAL TRADE CONTRACTORS, AMOUNTED TO $18.1 BILLION IN THE SECOND QUARTER OF 1993, WHICH WAS 11.1% HIGHER THAN THE FIGURE A YEAR AGO.
THIS IS ACCORDING TO THE RESULTS OF THE QUARTERLY SURVEY OF CONSTRUCTION OUTPUT RELEASED TODAY (TUESDAY) BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
THE INCREASE WAS LARGELY DUE TO MORE ACTIVE CONSTRUCTION WORK AT PUBLIC SECTOR SITES AND A SIGNIFICANT GROWTH OF WORK PERFORMED BY SPECIAL TRADE CONTRACTORS AT LOCATIONS OTHER THAN CONSTRUCTION SITES.
COMPARED WITH THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1993, THE GROSS VALUE OF CONSTRUCTION WORK PERFORMED BY MAIN CONTRACTORS IN THE SECOND QUARTER INCREASED BY 6.3%.
THE GROSS VALUE OF CONSTRUCTION WORK PERFORMED AT PRIVATE SECTOR SITES TOTALLED $6.9 BILLION BEING 8.9% AND 6.5% LOWER THAN IN THE SECOND QUARTER OF 1992 AND THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1993 RESPECTIVELY. THE DECREASES INDICATED THAT PRIVATE SECTOR CONSTRUCTION ACTIVITIES REMAINED SLACK.
THE GROSS VALUE OF CONSTRUCTION WORK PERFORMED AT PUBLIC SECTOR SITES WAS $6 BILLTON, REPRESENTING INCREASES OF 48.6% AND 24.6% OVER THE SECOND QUARTER OF 1992 AND THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1993 RESPECTIVELY.
THE INCREASES WERE MAINLY DUE TO A FURTHER PICK UP OF ACTIVITIES ON A NUMBER OF MAJOR INFRASTRUCTURAL PROJECTS.
THE GROSS VALUE OF CONSTRUCTION WORK PERFORMED BY GENERAL CONTRACTORS AT LOCATIONS OTHER THAN CONSTRUCTION SITES WAS $3.4 BILLION, WHICH WAS 1.3% AND 2.4% HIGHER THAN IN THE SECOND QUARTER OF 1992 AND THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1993 RESPECTIVELY. THIS INCLUDED MINOR NEW CONSTRUCTION AND RENOVATION WORKS AT ERECTED BUILDINGS AND STRUCTURES.
THE GROSS VALUE OF CONSTRUCTION WORK PERFORMED BY SPECIAL TRADE CONTRACTORS AT LOCATIONS OTHER THAN CONSTRUCTION SITES, COMPRISING MAINLY ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL FITTING WORK, TOTALLED $1.8 BILLION, REPRESENTING 35.4% AND 19.9% HIGHER THAN IN THE SECOND QUARTER OF 1992 AND THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1993 RESPECTIVELY.
ANALYSED BY END-USE, RESIDENTIAL BUILDING PROJECTS (INCLUDING COMBINED RESIDENTIAL / NON-RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS) CONTINUED TO ACCOUNT FOR THE GREATEST PORTION OF THE GROSS VALUE OF CONSTRUCTION WORK PERFORMED AT CONSTRUCTION SITES.
THE GROSS VALUE OF CONSTRUCTION WORK PERFORMED IN THESE PROJECTS WAS $4.7 BILLION, WHICH INCREASED SLIGHTLY BY 0.1% WHEN COMPARED WITH THE SECOND QUARTER OF 1992 BUT DROPPED BY 3.9% WHEN COMPARED WITH THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1993.
TRANSPORT PROJECTS CONTINUED TO FORM THE SECOND LARGEST CATEGORY OF CONSTRUCTION SITE WORK. THE GROSS VALUE OF CONSTRUCTION WORK PERFORMED FOR SUCH PROJECTS WAS $3.4 BILLION.
/THIS WAS ........
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 19, 1993
6
THIS WAS 149.7% AND 44.2% HIGHER THAN IN THE SECOND QUARTER OF 1992 AND THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1993 RESPECTIVELY. THE TREMENDOUS INCREASE WAS MAINLY ATTRIBUTABLE TO A NUMBER OF MAJOR INFRASTRUCTURAL PROJECTS.
COMMERCIAL BUILDING PROJECTS CONSTITUTED THE THIRD LARGEST CATEGORY OF CONSTRUCTION SITE WORK.
THE GROSS VALUE OF CONSTRUCTION WORK PERFORMED FOR SUCH PROJECTS TOTALLED $1.7 BILLION, WHICH WAS 16.4% AND 1.7% LOWER THAN IN THE SECOND QUARTER OF 1992 AND THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1993 RESPECTIVELY.
OWING TO THE WIDESPREAD SUB-CONTRACTING PRACTICES IN THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY, A CONSTRUCTION ESTABLISHMENT CAN BE A MAIN CONTRACTOR FOR ONE CONTRACT AND A SUB-CONTRACTOR FOR ANOTHER CONTRACT AT THE SAME TIME.
THE GROSS VALUE OF CONSTRUCTION WORK PERFORMED BY MAIN CONTRACTORS, INCLUDING BOTH GENERAL AND SPECIAL TRADE CONTRACTORS, COVERS ONLY THOSE PROJECTS IN WHICH THE CONSTRUCTION ESTABLISHMENT TAKES THE ROLE OF A MAIN CONTRACTOR, BUT NOT PROJECTS IN WHICH IT TAKES ONLY THE ROLE OF A SUB-CONTRACTOR. HOWEVER, SUB-CONTRACTORS’ CONTRIBUTION TO PROJECTS SHOULD HAVE BEEN INCLUDED IN THE GROSS VALUE OF CONSTRUCTION WORK PERFORMED BY THE MAIN CONTRACTORS FOR WHOM THEY WORKED.
MORE DETAILED STATISTICS ON CONSTRUCTION OUTPUT ARE GIVEN IN THE "REPORT ON THE QUARTERLY SURVEY OF CONSTRUCTION OUTPUT, 2ND QUARTER 1993”.
THE REPORT IS NOW ON SALE AT $5 A COPY AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, GROUND FLOOR, GENERAL POST OFFICE BUILDING, CONNAUGHT PLACE, AND AT THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT PUBLICATIONS SECTION, WANCHAI TOWER, 19TH FLOOR, 12 HARBOUR ROAD, WAN CHAI. REGULAR SUBSCRIPTION MAY ALSO BE ARRANGED.
ENQUIRIES ABOUT THE SURVEY MAY BE DIRECTED TO THE BUILDING, CONSTRUCTION AND REAL ESTATE STATISTICS SECTION OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT ON TEL 839 3265.
FEES FOR DEGREE AND SUB-DEGREE COURSES ♦ * * t t ♦
THE GOVERNMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (TUESDAY) THE FEES FOR DEGREE AND SUB-DEGREE COURSES IN INSTITUTIONS FUNDED BY THE UNIVERSITY AND POLYTECHNIC GRANTS COMMITTEE FOR THE 1994/95 ACADEMIC YEAR.
THE NEW FEE FOR DEGREE COURSES WILL BE $24,000 AND THAT FOR SUB-DEGREE COURSES WILL BE $18,000.
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THE ADJUSTMENT FOLLOWED A POLICY DECISION IN JANUARY 1991 TO INCREASE GRADUALLY THE COST RECOVERY RATE OF DEGREE COURSES TO REACH 18 PER CENT BY THE END OF THE 1995-98 TRIENNIUM AND THAT THE FEE FOR SUB-DEGREE COURSES SHOULD BE 75 PER CENT OF THAT FOR DEGREE COURSES.
/“THE OBJECTIVE .......
7
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 19, 1993
’’THE OBJECTIVE IS TO STRIKE A REASONABLE BALANCE BETWEEN STUDENTS AND THE COMMUNITY IN SHARING THE COSTS OF TERTIARY EDUCATION,” THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
"WE ARE SEEKING MORE CONTRIBUTION FROM THOSE WHO CAN AFFORD TO PAY.
"IT IS ESTIMATED THAT THE NEW FEES FOR 94/95 REPRESENT 13.46 PER CENT COST RECOVERY RATE," HE ADDED.
THE INDICATIVE FEES FOR THE THREE SUBSEQUENT ACADEMIC YEARS 1995-98 ARE AS FOLLOWS -
ESTIMATED
INDICATIVE FEE (DEGREE) INDICATIVE FEE (SUB-DEGREE) COST RECOVERY RATE
1995/96 $31,030 $23,270 16 PER CENT
1996/97 $36,050 $27,040 17 PER CENT
1997/98 $41,710 $31,280 18 PER CENT
THE INCREASE IN FEES SHOULD NOT CAUSE HARDSHIP TO NEEDY STUDENTS AS CORRESPONDING ADJUSTMENT IN STUDENT FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE WILL BE MADE.
IN ADDITION, IMPROVEMENTS TO THE LOCAL STUDENT FINANCE SCHEME HAVE BEEN INTRODUCED AS FROM 1993/94 WHICH HAVE ALREADY BEEN ANNOUNCED EARLIER THIS YEAR.
THESE IMPROVEMENTS ARE EXPECTED TO RESULT IN AN ADDITIONAL EXPENDITURE OF $7.5 MILLION IN GRANTS IN 1993/94.
THE SPOKESMAN REITERATED THAT IT WAS THE GOVERNMENT POLICY THAT NO STUDENT SHOULD BE DENIED ACCESS TO HIGHER EDUCATION BECAUSE OF LACK OF MEANS.
------0-------
ANTI-POLLUTION PROSECUTION FIGURE RELEASED
*****
THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT (EPD) TODAY (TUESDAY) RELEASED A LIST OF COMPANIES THAT HAVE BEEN FOUND GUILTY IN THE COURTS, IN SEPTEMBER OF BREACHING ANTI-POLLUTION LEGISLATION ENFORCED BY THE DEPARTMENT.
SIMILAR ANNOUNCEMENTS WILL BE MADE REGULARLY ON A MONTHLY BASIS.
THE LEGAL PROCEEDINGS COULD BE VERY TIME-CONSUMING AND AS A RESULT THERE WAS SOMETIMES A LENGTHY TIME GAP BETWEEN THE DATE OF THE OFFENCE AND THE CONVICTION DATE.
/THE FOLLOWING .......
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 19, 1993
THE
8
FOLLOWING IS THE LIST OF PROSECUTION CASES AND THE
ASSOCIATED
FINES IMPOSED BY THE
COURTS IN SEPTEMBER THIS YEAR:
NAME (COMPANY/ PERSON) ADDRESS DATE OF OFFENCE NATURE OF OFFENCE FINES($) RECORD OF OFFENCE COURT
1.UNICON IND. LTD HENNESSY RD, WAN CHAI 21.2.92- 27.3.92 APCO : UNAUTHORISED INSTALLATION OR ALTERATION * OF FURNACES 2,000 1ST FANLING
2.FINE VIEW ENTERPRISES LTD CHO YUEN ST, YAU TONG 23.3.92- 16.9.92 BAY APCO : " 3,000 1ST EASTERN
3.TAI FONG TEXTILE FINISHING WORK LTD HOI BUN RD, KWUN TONG 24.6.92- 25.3.93 APCO : 1,000 1ST KWUN TONG
4.INCORPORATED OWNERS OF SEA VIEW VILLA (LOT 768) SEA VIEW VILLA SAI KUNG 28.10.92 WPCO : 16,000 DISCHARGED POLLUTING MATTER IN THE PORT SHELTER WATER CONTROL ZONE 3RD ii
5. (LOT 762) ft •i WPCO : 12,000 3RD ii
6. " (LOT 760) ft if WPCO : 12,000 3RD ti
7.M.C. PACKAGING (HONG KONG) LTD DAI FU ST TAI PO , 4.11.92-7.12.92 APCO : UNAUTHORISED INSTALLATION OR ALTERATION OF FURNACES 2,000 1ST SHA TIN
8.CHUI PING-CHEUNG KWAN TEI NORTH VILLAGE, FANLING 19.11.92 WPCO : 15,000 DISCHARGED POLLUTING MATTER IN THE DEEP BAY WATER CONTROL ZONE 1ST FANLING
/9.DRAGAGES .......
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 19, 1993
9
9.DRAGAGES ET TRAVAUX PUBLICS (HK) LTD EASTERN HOSPITAL RD, SO KON PO 5.1.93 NCO : 1,200 CARRY OUT CONSTRUCTION WORK NOT IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF A PERMIT 4TH EASTERN
10.FAR EAST POLYFOAM LTD PING CHE, TA KWU LING 14.1.93 APCO : 4,500 EXCESSIVE DARK SMOKE EMISSION 1ST FANLING
11.GEOWORKS CONTRACTORS (HK) LTD -LICENSEE CANTON RD, YAU MA TEI 15.2.93 DASO : 5,000 DUMPING OF ABOUT 750 CUBIC METRES OF CONTAMINATED MARINE MUD AT SEA EAST OF SHA CHAU NOT IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE LICENCE CONDITIONS 5TH EASTERN
12.HANISON CASTLE 23.2.93 DASO : 5,000 1ST »•
CONSTRUCTION PEAK RD, PERMIT DUMPING
ENGINEERING TSUEN WAN OF ABOUT 750
CO LTD - CUBIC METRES OF
LICENSEE MUD AT SEA NEAR DISCOVERY BAY NOT IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE LICENCE CONDITIONS
13.HON YICK MARINE ENGINEERING CO LTD CARNARVON PLAZA, TSIM SHA TSUI 23.2.93 DASO : 5,000 DUMPING OF ABOUT 750 CUBIC METRES OF MUD AT SEA NEAR DISCOVERY BAY NOT IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE LICENCE CONDITIONS 7TH
14.CHEUNG JORDAN RD. 23.2.93 DASO : ” 5,000 1ST H
CHI-HUNG
TUG BOAT MASTER
15.KWOK KAU- WAN TSUI
KAN BARGE OPERATOR
ESTATE, CHAT WAN
23.2.93 DASO :
5,000 1ST
/16.WAN .......
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 19, 1993
- 10 -
16.WAN HIN AND CO LTD WONG CHUK HANG RD, WONG CHUK HANG 9.3.93 NCO : 4,000 1ST WESTERN
USE PRODUCTS
DID NOT COMPLY
WITH THE
REQUIREMENT OF
SECTION 17(1)
17.LEUNG KAI-HUNG WONG CHUK HANG RD, WONG CHUK HANG 9.3.93 NCO : 2,000 CAUSE TO BE USED PRODUCTS DID NOT COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENT OF SECTION 17(1) 1ST WESTERN
18.JONWONG LTD TREND PLAZA, TUEN MUN 11.3.93 WPCO : 15,000 DISCHARGED POLLUTING MATTER IN NORTH WESTERN WATER CONTROL ZONE 1ST TUEN MUN
19.WONG YIU-CHUNG AS HOI FU SEAFOOD RESTAURANT TAK CHING COURT, TUEN MUN 16.3.93 WPCO : ” 10,000 1ST tt
20.PHILIPP HOLZMANN AKTIENGE-SELLSCHAFT-LICENSEE HENNESSY RD, WAN CHAI 16.3.93 DASO : 3,000 PERMIT DUMPING OF ABOUT 750 CUBIC METRES OF MUD AT SEA NEAR SOUTH OF CHEUNG CHAU NOT IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE LICENCE CONDITIONS 1ST EASTERN
21.SUPREME CONTRACTORS LTD DUNDAS ST, MONG KOK 16.3.93 DASO : 3,000 DUMPING OF ABOUT 750 CUBIC METRES OF MUD AT SEA NEAR SOUTH OF CHEUNG CHAU NOT IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE LICENCE CONDITIONS 1ST »»
22.PHILIPP .......
11
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 19, 1993
22.PHILIPP HENNESSY
HOLZMANN RD,
AKTIENGE- WAN CHAI
SELLSCHAFT -
LICENSEE
18.3.93
DASO : 5,000
PERMIT DUMPING OF ABOUT 750 CUBIC METRES OF MUD AT SEA NORTH OF TSING YI NOT IN COMLIANCE WITH THE LICENCE CONDITIONS
2ND
23.SUPREME DUNDAS ST, 18.3.93
CONTRACTORS LTD MONG KOK
DASO : 5,000 2ND
DUMPING OF ABOUT 750 CUBIC METRES OF MUD AT SEA NORTH OF TSING YI NOT IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE LICENCE CONDITIONS
EASTERN
24.CHAN WAI-KIT, TUG BOAT MASTER SAN HING 18.3.93 BACK ST, CHEUNG CHAU DASO : 5,000 1ST ii
25.LAI AH-CHOI , SAILOR SHAU KEI WAN MAIN STREET EAST 18.3.93 1 DASO : 5,000 1ST ii
26.CHUNG KONG-WAH AS ALFOLKS INN RESTAURANT KAM WAH GARDEN SHOPPING CENTRE, TUEN MUN 18.3.93 WPCO : 10,000 DISCHARGED POLLUTING MATTER IN NORTH WESTERN WATER CONTROL ZONE 1ST TUEN MUN
27.YUE SUN WEAVING AND DYEING LTD PUN SHAN ST, TSUEN WAN 24.3.93 APCO : EXCESSIVE DARK SMOKE EMISSION 3,500 1ST TSUEN WAN
28.DOUBLE CROWN LAUNDRY LTD TSING YI IND. CENTRE TSING YI 31.3.93 APCO : 3,000 1ST •i
29.YAU SANG ELECTROPLATE FACTORY LTD WAN YIP ST EAST, YUEN LONG 2.4.93 WPCO : 10,000 DISCHARGED POLLUTING MATTER IN DEEP BAY WATER CONTROL ZONE 2ND FANLING
30.MONEY DEVELOPMENT LTD CASTLE PEAK RD, SHAM SHUI PO 14.4.93- 5.5.93 APCO : UNAUTHORISED INSTALLATION OR ALTERATION OF FURNACES 2,200 1ST SOUTH KOWLOON
/31.NAM .......
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 19, 1993
12
31.NAM HING FUNG KAT 16.4.93 WPCO : 10,000 3RD FANLING
CIRCUIT HEUNG, DISCHARGED
BOARD YUEN LONG POLLUTING MATTER
COMPANY LTD IN DEEP BAY
WATER CONTROL
ZONE
32.MOK KAM- PAT HEUNG, 16.4.93 WPCO : 30,000 3RD FANLING
CHEUNG AS YUEN LONG DISCHARGED
FAN AH BEAN POLLUTING MATTER
CURD CO IN DEEP BAY WATER CONTROL ZONE
33.HUNG FUNG PO YIP ST, 26.4.93 WPCO : 15,000 1ST ii
SIZING AND DYEING FACTORY LTD YUEN LONG
34.CHAN KWOK-FUNG KAI MAN PATH, TUEN MUN 28.4.93 NCO : FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENT IN A NOISE ABATEMENT NOTICE 8,000 1ST TUEN MUN
35.WONG WAN- PAT HEUNG, 7.5.93 WPCO : 20,000 3RD FANLING
YU AS HOP YUEN LONG HING BEANCURD DISCHARGED POLLUTING MATTER IN DEEP BAY WATER CONTROL ZONE
36.NU LIFE INTERNATIONAL LTD PLAYING FIELD RD, MONG KOK 10.5.93 NCO : FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENT IN A NOISE ABATEMENT NOTICE 7,000 1ST NORTH KOWLOON
37.POON KING-PUI AS SUN KEE CHONG FUNG KAT HEUNG, YUEN LONG 11.5.93 WPCO : 10,000 DISCHARGED POLLUTING MATTER IN DEEP BAY 1ST FANLING
WATER CONTROL ZONE
/38.SENG .......
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 19, 1993
13
38.SENG CHAN KAM TIN, 11.5.93 WPCO : 15,000 DISCHARGED POLLUTING MATTER IN DEEP BAY WATER CONTROL ZONE 1ST FANLING
TANNERY LTD YUEN LONG
39.RAINBOW BRIDGE RESTAURANT LTD KAM MEN MANSION, TUEN MUN 12.5.93 NCO : 8,000 FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENT IN A NOISE ABATEMENT NOTICE 1ST TUEN MUN
40.YUE SAME DEVELOPMENT LTD KAM TIN, YUEN LONG 14.5.93 WPCO : 20,000 DISCHARGED POLLUTING MATTER IN DEEP BAY WATER CONTORL ZONE 2ND FANLING
41.LINKWISE SANDWASHING FTY LTD CHEUNG TAT RD, TSING YI 17.5.93 APCO : 3,500 EXCESSIVE DARK SMOKE EMISSION 1ST TSUEN WAN
42.GUANG LEE PILING ENGINEERING CO LTD WAI CHING ST, YAU MA TEI 21.5.93 APCO : 5,000 FAILURE TO ABATE AN AIR POLLUTANT NUISANCE (GENERAL) 7TH it
43.GOLDEN BUSH INVESTMENTS LTD SHUI CHE KWUN ST, YUEN LONG 21.5.93 NCO : FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENT IN A NOTICE ABATEMENT NOTICE 20,000 1ST FANLING
44.CHAN YUE-PO KING’S RD, NORTH POINT 26.5.93 NCO : 3,000 2ND EASTERN
45.BESTGARY LTD SAI YEUNG CHOI STREET SOUTH, MONG KOK 27.5.93 APCO : EXCESSIVE DARK SMOKE EMISSION 8,000 2ND TSUEN WAN
/46.KOWLOON .......
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 19, 1993
14
46.KOWLOON FISH MEAL FTY LTD LAU FAU SHAN, YUEN LONG 2.6.93 WPCO : 15,000 DISCHARGED POLLUTING MATTER IN DEEP BAY WATER CONTROL ZONE 2ND FANLING
47.TIU YUEN SOY & FOODSTUFF FTY PEI HO ST, SHAM SHUI PO 21.6.93 APCO : 4,500 EXCESSIVE DARK' SMOKE EMISSION 1ST FANLING
48.WONDERFUL CHAI WAN 28.6.93 APCO : 20,000 5TH TSUEN WAN
HONOUR LTD KOK ST, TSUEN WAN
49.HIP SHING LAUNDRY FTY WING KEI RD, KWAI CHUNG 30.6.93 APCO : ” 13,000 2ND ti
50.HOP FAT CHIK CHUEN 1.7.93 APCO : 5,000 1ST SHA TIN
RESTAURANT ST, USING PROHIBITED
TAI WAI FUEL IN THE
TERRITORY
51.ENFUL PRINCE 15.7.93 APCO : 10,000 3RD SAN PO
INVESTMENTS EDWARD RD EXCESSIVE DARK KONG
LTD WEST, SMOKE EMISSION
KOWLOON CITY
52.EMPIRE QUEEN’S 28.7.93 APCO : 1 ,000 3RD EASTERN
LEADER RD EAST, FAILURE TO
ENTERPRISES WAN CHAI COMPLY WITH A
LTD COURT ORDER ON PROHIBITING THE USE OF FURNACES, ETC
NOTE :
APCO : AIR POLLUTION CONTROL ORDINANCE
NCO : NOISE CONTROL ORDINANCE
WPCO : WATER POLLUTION CONTROL ORDINANCE
DASO : DUMPING AT SEA ACT 1974 (OVERSEAS TERRITORIES) ORDER 1975
/ENQUIRIES ON .......
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 19, 1993
15
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 4,5 AND 6 MR R C ROOTHAM TEL 755 2200
CASE 8 MR PATRICK LEI TEL 685 1133
CASE 18,19,26,29,31,32,33,
35,37,38,40 AND 46 MR MURRAY LUO TEL 415 9211
DASO : MR PAUL HOLMES TEL 755 3553
HOWEVER, ENQUIRIES ON GENERAL ISSUES SHOULD BE DIRECTED TO THE
DEPARTMENT’S MEDIA RELATIONS SECTION.
---------0-----------
OUTSTANDING EDUCATORS SOUGHT
*****
. I" , . •
NOMINATIONS FOR THE HONG KONG OUTSTANDING EDUCATORS AWARD ARE NOW BEING SOUGHT FROM STUDENTS, PARENTS, TEACHERS AND THOSE IN THE EDUCATIONAL FIELD.
"THE AWARD IS A MEANINGFUL ACTIVITY TO GIVE DUE RECOGNITION TO THOSE WHO CONTRIBUTED TOWARDS EDUCATION AND PROMOTE THE EXCHANGE OF VIEWS AMONG PEOPLE IN THE EDUCATION SECTOR," A SPOKESMAN FOR THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY (TUESDAY).
MORE THAN 200 NOMINATION FORMS WERE RETURNED LAST YEAR. THIS SHOWED THAT THE PUBLIC HAD RECOGNISED THE CONTRIBUTION OF MANY EDUCATORS.
THIS YEAR’S HONG KONG OUTSTANDING EDUCATORS AWARD CONSISTS OF FOUR PRIZES FOR SPECIAL CONTRIBUTION; PEDAGOGICAL ACHIEVEMENT; LOVE AND CARING; AND LONG SERVICE.
THERE IS NO LIMITATION ON THE NUMBER OF NOMINATIONS WHICH CAN BE ON INDIVIDUAL OR GROUP BASIS.
NOMINATIONS WILL BE CLOSED ON JANUARY 17, NEXT YEAR.
THE OUTSTANDING EDUCATORS AWARD, ORGANISED BY MING PAO, IS SPONSORED BY THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT AND VARIOUS EDUCATIONAL BODIES.
NOMINATION FORMS ARE NOW AVAILABLE FROM ALL SCHOOLS, DISTRICT EDUCATION OFFICES AND OFFICES OF THE CO-SPONSORS.
--------0-----------
/16........
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 19, 1993
16
FOREIGN WORKERS TO BE TOLD OF THEIR RIGHTS
* * » * «
SIX BRIEFING SESSIONS WILL BE ORGANISED BY THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT IN THE COMING TWO MONTHS TO HELP FOREIGN WORKERS FAMILIARISE WITH THE RELEVANT ORDINANCES, REQUIREMENTS AND CONTRACTUAL LIABILITIES WHILE WORKING IN HONG KONG.
SENIOR LABOUR OFFICER (LABOUR RELATIONS), MR MAN TAK-WAH, SAID TODAY (TUESDAY) THE SESSIONS WERE PREPARED AS MORE FOREIGN WORKERS HAD ARRIVED UNDER THE CURRENT GENERAL LABOUR IMPORTATION SCHEME.
DURING THE BRIEFING SESSIONS, LABOUR OFFICERS WOULD EXPLAIN TO THE WORKERS THEIR STATUTORY RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS UNDER THE EMPLOYMENT ORDINANCE AND THE TERMS OF THE STANDARD CONTRACT.
THEY WILL ALSO BE TOLD OF THE GENERAL LABOUR MANAGEMENT PRACTICES IN HONG KONG AS WELL AS CHANNELS FOR FURTHER ENQUIRIES AND COMPLAINTS ABOUT THEIR TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT AND CONDITION OF STAY, MR MAN ADDED.
HE NOTED THAT A HANDY INFORMATION CARD WITH COMPLAINT HOTLINE NUMBERS, AND COPIES OF AN INFORMATION LEAFLET ENTITLED ’’WHAT AN IMPORTED WORKER SHOULD KNOW” AND PRINTED IN SIMPLIFIED CHINESE CHARACTERS, WILL BE DISTRIBUTED TO WORKERS AT THE BRIEFING SESSIONS.
COPIES OF THE ’’CONCISE GUIDE TO THE EMPLOYMENT ORDINANCE” WILL ALSO BE GIVEN.
NOTING THAT THE SESSIONS ARE CONDUCTED IN BOTH uANTONESE AND PUTONGHUA, AND NO PRIOR ENROLMENT IS NECESSARY, MR MAN SAID: "WE HOPE FOREIGN WORKERS COULD ATTEND THE EARLIEST POSSIBLE SESSION UPON THEIR ARRIVAL FOR THEIR OWN BENEFIT."
EMPLOYERS SHOULD MAKE SUITABLE ARRANGEMENTS TO RELEASE THEIR WORKERS TO ATTEND THE BRIEFING SESSIONS, HE STRESSED.
THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT IS OPERATING A 24-HOUR HOTLINE (815 2200) FOR FOREIGN WORKERS TO MAKE ENQUIRIES OR COMPLAINTS.
ALL INFORMATION GIVEN WILL BE KEPT STRICTLY CONFIDENTIAL, HE SAID.
DETAILS OF THE BRIEFING SESSIONS ARE AS FOLLOWS:
DATE TIME VENUE
OCTOBER 28 (THURSDAY) 2.30 3.30 PM & PM HENRY G LEONG YAU MA TEI COMMUNITY CENTRE, 60 PUBLIC SQUARE STREET, YAU MA TEI
NOVEMBER 12 (FRIDAY) 10 AM 11 AM & 1 SAI WAN HO CIVIC CENTRE, 111 SHAU KEI WAN ROAD
NOVEMBER 24 (WEDNESDAY) 2.30 3.30 PM & PM HENRY G LEONG YAU MA TEI COMMUNITY CENTRE, 60 PUBLIC SQUARE STREET, YAU MA TEI
ENQUIRIES ON THE BRIEFING SESSIONS CAN BE MADE ON TEL 852 3513.
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 19, 1993
17
320 VM’S RETURNED HOME TODAY
*****
A GROUP OF 320 VIETNAMESE MIGRANTS TODAY (TUESDAY) RETURNED TO VIETNAM UNDER THE UNHCR’S VOLUNTARY REPATRIATION PROGRAMME.
COMPRISING 130 MEN, 84 WOMEN, 53 BOYS AND 53 GIRLS, THEY WERE THE 171ST BATCH TO GO BACK UNDER THE PROGRAMME.
THIS GROUP BROUGHT TO 7,694 THE TOTAL NUMBER OF VIETNAMESE MIGRANTS WHO HAVE RETURNED VOLUNTARILY THIS YEAR, AND TO 34,006 THE TOTAL NUMBER OF RETURNEES SINCE THE PROGRAMME STARTED IN MARCH 1989.
---------0-----------
TWO-DAY LEGCO DEBATE ON GOVERNOR’S POLICY ADDRESS
*****
FIFTY-SIX 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).
AT THE MEETING, MEMBERS WILL ASK A TOTAL OF 20 QUESTIONS, TO BE ANSWERED BY OFFICIALS IN WRITING.
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE WELCOME TO OBSERVE THE T OCEEDINGS OF THE MEETING FROM THE PUBLIC GALLERY.
THEY MAY RESERVE SEATS BY CALLING 869 9492.
HONG KONG
TENDER DATE
PAPER ON OFFER
ISSUE NUMBER
AMOUNT APPLIED
AMOUNT ALLOTTED
AVERAGE YIELD ACCEPTED
HIGHEST YIELD ACCEPTED
PRO RATA RATIO
AVERAGE TENDER YIELD
-----0--------
GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND TENDER RESULTS
*****
19 OCTOBER 93
EF BILLS
Q342
HKD4.790 MN
HKDl,000 MN
2.65 PCT
2.65 PCT
ABOUT 50 PCT
2.67 PCT
/HONG KONG .......
18
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 19, 1993
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND
TENDERS TO BE HELD IN THE WEEK BEGINNING 25 OCTOBER 1993 -
TENDER DATE 25 OCTOBER 93 26 OCTOBER 93 26 OCTOBER 93
PAPER ON OFFER EF NOTES EF BILLS EF BILLS
ISSUE NUMBER 3610 Q343 H376
ISSUE DATE 26 OCTOBER 93 27 OCTOBER 93 27 OCTOBER 93
MATURITY DATE 28 OCTOBER 96 26 JANUARY 94 27 APRIL 94
TENOR 3 YEARS 91 DAYS 182 DAYS
AMOUNT ON OFFER HKD500+100 MN HKD1,000+200MN HKD400+80MN
COUPON 4.20 PCT
0
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS » * * * »
$ MILLION
OPENING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT 2,510
REVERSAL OF LAF +490
BALANCE AFTER REVERSAL OF LAF 3,000
NET INJECTION/WITHDRAWAL TODAY NIL
EFFECT OF LAF TODAY -1,065
CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT 1,935
LAF RATE 2.00 BID/4.00 OFFER TWI 112.8 »+0.1» 19.10.1993
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND
EF BILLS EF NOTES/HONG KONG GOVERNMENT BONDS
TERMS YIELD TERM ISSUE COUPON PRICE YIELD
1 WEEK 2.63 PCT 13 MONTHS 2411 4.625 101.66 3.07
1 MONTH 2.57 PCT 16 MONTHS 2502 4.75 102.03 3.19
3 MONTHS 2.62 PCT 19 MONTHS 2505 3.75 100.60 3.38
6 MONTHS 2.72 PCT 22 MONTHS 2508 4.625 102.03 3.50
12 MONTHS 3.04 PCT
TOTAL TURNOVER OF BILLS AND BONDS - 14,446 MN
CLOSED 19 OCTOBER 1993
- - 0 - -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 20, 1993
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
BOUNDARY AND ELECTION COMMISSION (AMENDMENT) BILL 1993........ 1
EXTENSION NOT RELATED TO TIME LEFT FOR TALKS: GOVERNOR ....... 2
GOVERNOR SEES REHAB SERVICES ................................. 2
LOCALISATION POLICY BROADLY SUCCESSFUL: CS ................... 4
CALL TO WASH VEGETABLES THOROUGHLY ........................... 5
HEALTH CARE UNDER EXAMINATION ................................ 5
CIVIL SERVICE OFFERS A CAREER FOR LIFE ....................... 7
GOVT SOCIAL WORK ASSISTANTS ASKED TO STAY COOL ............... 8
STUDY ON AMORTISATION OF NON-CONFORMING EXISTING USES ........ 8
GOVT DETERMINES TO CURB RHINO TRADE .......................... 9
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS
11
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 20, 1993
1
BOUNDARY AND ELECTION COMMISSION (AMENDMENT) BILL 1993 ♦ ♦ » * ♦
THE GOVERNMENT HAS PROPOSED TO EXTEND THE STATUTORY TIMETABLE FROM DECEMBER 31, 1993 TO APRIL 30, 1994 FOR THE BOUNDARY AND ELECTION COMMISSION (BEC) TO SUBMIT ITS RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE GOVERNOR ON CONSTITUENCY BOUNDARIES FOR THE 1995 MUNICIPAL COUNCIL ELECTIONS.
THE PROPOSAL IS CONTAINED IN THE BOUNDARY AND ELECTION COMMISSION (AMENDMENT) BILL 1993 WHICH WILL BE PUBLISHED IN THE GOVERNMENT GAZETTE THIS FRIDAY (OCTOBER 22) AND IS SCHEDULED TO BE INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON OCTOBER 27.
THE BEC IS AN INDEPENDENT BODY CHARGED WITH THE RESPONSIBILITY OF DEMARCATING GEOGRAPHICAL CONSTITUENCY BOUNDARIES IN CONSULTATION WITH THE PUBLIC. ITS WORK IS GOVERNED BY A STRICT STATUTORY TIMETABLE.
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID UNDER THE BOUNDARY AND ELECTION COMMISSION ORDINANCE, THE COMMISSION’S RECOMMENDATIONS MUST BE BASED ON THE NUMBER OF ELECTED MUNICIPAL COUNCIL SEATS CURRENTLY PROVIDED FOR IN LAW.
HOWEVER, THE COMPOSITION OF THE MUNICIPAL COUNCILS WAS ONE OF THE ISSUES RELATING TO THE 1994/95 ELECTORAL ARRANGEMENTS WHICH ARE BEING DISCUSSED BETWEEN THE BRITISH AND THE CHINESE GOVERNMENTS.
THE LENGTH OF TIME TAKEN TO COMPLETE THE TALKS HAD ALREADY MADE IT IMPOSSIBLE FOR THE BEC TO MEET ITS ORIGINAL SCHEDULE OF DECEMBER 31, 1993 IF THERE WERE TO BE CHANGES TO THE NUMBER OF MUNICIPAL COUNCIL CONSTITUENCIES.
IT WAS THEREFORE NECESSARY TO EXTEND THE BEC’S SUBMISSION TIMETABLE IF ABORTIVE WORK WAS TO BE AVOIDED.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID: "THE NEW SUBMISSION DATE OF APRIL 30, 1994 TAKES ACCOUNT OF THE NEED TO COMPLETE ALL STATUTORY AND ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURES FOR SETTING THE MUNICIPAL COUNCIL CONSTITUENCIES BEFORE THE END OF THE CURRENT LEGCO SESSION IN JULY 1994 .
"UNDER THE LAW, THESE CONSTITUENCIES MUST BE SHOWN IN THE FINAL VOTER REGISTER TO BE PUBLISHED BEFORE AUGUST 8, 1994."
THE SPOKESMAN ADDED: "THE NEW TIMETABLE IS VERY TIGHT. THE BEC CANNOT START WORK ON THE MUNICIPAL COUNCIL CONSTITUENCIES UNTIL THE TALKS HAVE BEEN COMPLETED AND LEGISLATION HAS SUBSEQUENTLY BEEN ENACTED SPECIFYING THE NUMBER OF ELECTED SEATS.
"ONLY THEN CAN THE BEC CARRY OUT ITS WORK WHICH INCLUDES TECHNICAL ASSESSMENT, THE FRAMING OF PROVISIONAL RECOMMENDATIONS, AND A 30-DAY PUBLIC CONSULTATION EXERCISE BEFORE PREPARING ITS FINAL RECOMMENDATIONS."
/THE SPOKESMAN .....
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 20, 1993
2
THE SPOKESMAN EMPHASISED THAT THE PROPOSED EXTENSION WOULD NOT PROVIDE ADDITIONAL TIME FOR THE SINO-BRITISH TALKS ON ELECTORAL ARRANGEMENTS FOR 1994/95.
’’NOTHING IN THE PRESENT PROPOSAL ALTERS THE FACT THAT THERE ARE ONLY WEEKS REMAINING IN WHICH TO CONCLUDE AN OVERALL AGREEMENT IN THE TALKS, INCLUDING A DECISION ON THE NUMBER OF ELECTED MUNICIPAL COUNCIL SEATS IN THE 1995 ELECTIONS,” THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
- - 0 - -
EXTENSION NOT RELATED TO TIME LEFT FOR TALKS
*****
THE PROPOSED EXTENSION OF TIMETABLE FOR THE BOUNDARY AND ELECTION COMMISSION TO SUBMIT ITS RECOMMENDATION HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH THE TIME LEFT FOR THE SINO-BRITISH TALKS ON 94/95 ELECTION ARRANGEMENTS, THE GOVERNOR, THE RT HON CHRISTOPHER PATTEN, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
”WE HAD TO EXTEND THE PERIOD DURING WHICH SUBMISSIONS ARE MADE BECAUSE WE HAVE BEEN TALKING FOR SO LONG ON RELATED ISSUES. SO THAT HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH THE OVERALL QUESTION OF HOW LONG WE HAVE GOT FOR THE TALKS.”
RESPONDING TO PRESS QUESTIONS ABOUT THE TALKS AFTER HIS VISIT TO THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT’S ABERDEEN REHABILITATION CENTRE, THE GOVERNOR SAID HE THOUGHT IT WAS RIGHT IN ORDER TO TRY TO GIVE THE TALKS THE BEST POSSIBLE CHANCE OF SUCCESS, TO MAKE OFFERS CONDITIONALLY ON AN ACCEPTABLE OUTCOME TO THE TALKS.
’’WE’VE DONE A GREAT DEAL. WE’VE OFFERED CONDITIONAL CONCESSIONS NOT BECAUSE WE BELIEVED OUR ORIGINAL PROPOSALS WERE OTHER THAN VERY GOOD,” HE SAID.
ON A QUESTION ON THE RECENT PUBLIC OPINION POLL, THE GOVERNOR SAID: ”WHAT THE OPINION POLLS HAVE SHOWN STEADILY OVER THE LAST MONTHS IS THAT PEOPLE THINK THAT THE PROPOSALS ON ELECTIONS THAT WE’VE MADE, THAT WE’VE PUT FORWARD, ARE EXTREMELY MODEST, ARE EXTREMELY MODERATE.
’’THEY REPRESENT CONSIDERABLE CONCESSIONS FROM OUR POINT OF VIEW. AND I THINK PEOPLE WOULD BE SURPRISED IF THOSE DIDN’T FORM STEPPING STONES TO A SATISFACTORY AGREEMENT.”
- - 0 - -
GOVERNOR SEES REHAB SERVICES
*****
THE GOVERNOR, THE RT HON CHRISTOPHER PATTEN, TODAY (WEDNESDAY) SAW FOR HIMSELF THE REHABILITATION SERVICES FOR THE INFIRMED, THE MENTALLY HANDICAPPED AND THE ELDERLY IN HONG KONG BY VISITING THREE HEALTH AND WELFARE INSTITUTIONS ON THE HONG KONG ISLAND.
THE THREE INSTITUTIONS WERE THE TUNG WAH HOSPITAL, THE BUDDHIST LI KA SHING CARE AND ATTENTION HOME FOR THE ELDERLY AND THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT’S ABERDEEN REHABILITATION CENTRE.
/GREETED ON
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 20, 1993
3
GREETED ON ARRIVAL AT THE TUNG WAH HOSPITAL BY THE CHAIRMAN O THE HOSPITAL’S GOVERNING COMMITTEE, MR JACKIE WONG SEE-SUM, THE GOVERNOR FIRST VISITED THE STROKE REHABILITATION UNIT WHICH NOT ONL\ PROVIDES SERVICES FOR IN-PATIENTS BUT ALSO OFFERS DAY REHABILITATION PROGRAMME FOR POST-STROKE PATIENTS.
MR PATTEN THEN TOURED THE CARDIAC REHABILITATION UNIT, NEWLY SET UP FOR THE HOSPITAL’S CARDIAC REHABILITATION PROGRAMME WHICH STARTED ON OCTOBER 1 .
THE OBJECTIVE OF THE PROGRAMME IS TO RESTORE A PERSON WITH HEART DISEASE TO HIS OPTIMAL PHYSIOLOGICAL, PSYCHOSOCIAL, VOCATIONAL AND EDUCATIONAL STATUS.
THE MAINTENANCE OF FUNCTIONAL CAPACITY THROUGH EXERCISE CONDITIONING TO PROMOTE INDEPENDENT LIVING OF PATIENTS IS AN IMPORTANT PART OF THE PROGRAMME.
MR PATTEN NEXT CALLED ON THE BUDDHIST LI KA SHING CARE AND ATTENTION HOME FOR THE ELDERLY WHICH HOUSES 250 ELDERLY PEOPLE WHO, FOR HEALTH OR OTHER REASONS, ARE UNABLE TO LOOK AFTER THEMSELVES AND WHO HAVE NO RELATIVES OR FRIENDS TO HELP THEM.
ACCOMPANIED BY THE ACTING DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MRS LOUISE WONG, THE GOVERNOR WAS TAKEN ON A TOUR OF THE HOME’S PHYSIOTHERAPY AND RECREATION ROOMS AND DORMITORIES WHERE HE MET AND CHATTED WITH SOME OF THE ELDERLY RESIDENTS.
THE LAST STOP WAS THE SWD’S REHABILITATION CENTRE.
THE CENTRE HAS A TOTAL CAPACITY OF 143 DAY PLACES AND 172 RESIDENTIAL PLACES FOR THE DISABLED AGED 16 AND OVER TO HELP THEM DEVELOP THEIR PHYSICAL, MENTAL AND SOCIAL CAPABILITIES IN ORDER TO HELP THEIR INTEGRATION IN THE COMMUNITY.
MR PATTEN TOURED THE CENTRE’S SHELTERED WORKSHOP AND SAW A GROUP OF LOW MODERATE AND SEVERELY MENTALLY HANDICAPPED RESIDENTS BEING TRAINED TN LOCOMOTIVE AND SIMPLE WORK SKILLS.
BEFORE CONCLUDING HIS VISIT, THE GOVERNOR JOINED A GROUP OF MILD AND MODERATE MENTALLY RETARDED RESIDENTS IN A BIRTHDAY PARTY AT THE CENTRE’S MULTI-PURPOSE ACTIVITY ROOM.
MR PATTEN WAS ACCOMPANIED THROUGHOUT THE VISIT BY THE DEPUTY SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELARE, MISS JACQUELINE WILLIS.
--------0-----------
/4 ........
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 20, 1993
4
LOCALISATION POLICY BROADLY SUCCESSFUL: CS
* t ♦ t ♦
THE GOVERNMENT WILL WITHIN A WEEK PUBLISH A CONSULTATION DOCUMENT ON HOW TO END THE DISTINCTION BETWEEN "LOCAL” AND OVERSEAS OFFICERS IN THE CIVIL SERVICE, THE CHIEF SECRETARY, SIR DAVID FORD, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
THE DOCUMENT WILL ALSO PROPOSES A COMMON SET OF TERMS FOR ALL CIVIL SERVANTS.
SIR DAVID WAS SPEAKING AT A LUNCHEON HELD BY THE AUSTRALIAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.
THE LOCALISATION POLICY, ACCORDING TO THE CHIEF SECRETARY, IS LONG STANDING AND HAS BEEN BROADLY SUCCESSFUL.
SIR DAVID BELIEVES THAT THE PROFESSIONALISM, SKILL AND ADAPTABILITY OF THE CIVIL SERVICE IS ONE OF THE VITAL ELEMENTS OF THE CONTINUITY THROUGH 1997 AND BEYOND.
HE SAID CONTINUITY OF THE HONG KONG SYSTEM WAS IMPORTANT FOR THE TERRITORY, NOW AND IN THE FUTURE.
"HONG KONG’S FUTURE MUST BE BASED ON ITS PAST IF IT IS TO SURVIVE, PROSPER AND CONTRIBUTE MIGHTILY TO CHINA’S OWN DEVELOPMENT," HE SAID.
HE STRESSED THAT THE RULE OF LAW, AN OPEN, FAIR AND ACCOUNTABLE GOVERNMENT WERE JUST AS IMPORTANT TO CONTINUING BUSINESS SUCCESS AS THEY WERE TO THE COMMUNITY AT LARGE.
"AND I MUST SAY I SOMETIMES FEEL VERY SAD THAT SOME PEOPLE IN THE COMMUNITY CONTINUE TO PLAY DOWN THE IMPORTANCE OF THOSE PRINCIPLES ON WHICH THE VERY FABRIC OF OUR SUCCESS HAS BEEN BUILT.
"THEY ARE WORTH FIGHTING FOR NOW. THEY WILL BE WORTH FIGHTING FOR IN THE FUTURE," HE SAID.
ASKED BY REPORTERS TO FURTHER ELABORATE ON "CONTINUITY" AFTER THE LUNCHEON, SIR DAVID SAID THE BRITISH TEAM WAS TRYING TO REACH AGREEMENT WITH THE CHINESE IN ORDER TO PROVIDE THAT CONTINUITY.
"WE ARE TRYING TO SEEK AGREEMENT TO ARRANGEMENTS WHICH WILL CONTINUE THROUGH 1997. BUT OF COURSE IT CAN’T BE CONTINUITY AT ANY PRICE," HE SAID.
"WE DO HAVE OUR PRINCIPLES AND THOSE PRINCIPLES ARE IMPORTANT TO US AND THEY ARE IMPORTANT TO THE FUTURE OF HONG KONG AS WELL."
SO IT’S GOT TO BE THAT BALANCE IN THE FINAL ANALYSIS, THAT DIFFICULT JUDGEMENT, TO BE MADE OVER THE NEXT FEW WEEKS AND MONTHS, HE SAID.
- - 0 - -
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 20, 1993
5
CALL TO WASH VEGETABLES THOROUGHLY * * * * *
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE TODAY (WEDNESDAY) URGED TO WASH AND BLANCH VEGETBLES AND CHINESE FLOWERING CABBAGE (CHOI SUM) THOROUGHLY BEFORE COOKING.
THE APPEAL WAS MADE BY THE ACTING ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF HEALTH (HYGIENE), DR T H LEUNG, FOLLOWING CONFIRMATION OF EIGHT CASES OF FOOD POISONING RELATED TO PESTICIDE-CONTAMINATED CHOI SUM.
DR LEUNG SAID THE DEPARTMENT HAD STEPPED UP CHECKING AND SAMPLING AT THE BORDER CHECKPOINTS AND RETAIL OUTLETS.
HE SAID FOOD INSPECTORS AT MAN KAM TO BORDER CHECKPOINT YESTERDAY (TUESDAY) INTERCEPTED TWO LORRIES OF VEGETABLES COMING FROM SUSPECTED FARMS.
THE VEGETABLES SEIZED, CONSISTING MAINLY OF CHOI SUM AND WHITE CABBAGE WEIGED 3,500 KILOGRAMS, WERE SUBSEQUENTLY DESTROYED.
DR LEUNG SAID THE CHINESE AUTHORITIES HAD BEEN INFORMED OF THE SITUATION FOR THEIR NECESSARY ACTION.
THE RECENT OUTBREAKS AFFECTED 21 PERSONS FROM EIGHT FAMILIES, WITH 14 OF THEM TREATED AND DISCHARGED WHILE SEVEN WERE STILL IN HOSPITAL.
TO PREVENT FOOD POISONING BY PESTICIDE-CONTAMINATED VEGETABLES, MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE ADVISED TO TAKE THE FOLLOWING PRECAUTIONARY MEASURES:
* DON’T BUY VEGETABLES WITH AN OBVIOUS STRANGE SMELL;
* WASH WELL BEFORE COOKING;
* DIP VEGETABLES INTO CLEAN WATER FOR SOME TIME TO ALLOW PESTICIDES TO LEACH OUT;
♦ BLANCH IN BOILING WATER AND POUR AWAY THE WATER USED FOR BLANCHING AS IT MAY CONTAIN DISSOLVED PESTICIDES; AND
* COOK THOROUGHLY BEFORE CONSUMPTION.
- - 0 - -
HEALTH CARE UNDER EXAMINATION *****
THE GOVERNMENT NEEDS TO EXAMINE A NUMBER OF AREAS OF GREAT IMPORTANCE IN THE HEALTH CARE SYSTEM NOW THAT THE CONSULTATION PERIOD FOR THE REFORM OPTIONS IN THE DOCUMENT ’’TOWARDS BETTER HEALTH" IS OVER.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, MRS ELIZABETH WONG, TODAY (WEDNESDAY) WHEN SPEAKING AT THE SYMPOSIUM ON MANAGING HEALTH CARE WITH QUALITY.
MRS WONG SAID THE TASK BEFORE THE GOVERNMENT WAS IMPORTANT.
/”WE PROPOSE
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 20, 1993
6
"WE PROPOSE TO LOOK MORE CLOSELY AT COST CONTROL," SHE SAID. "WE NEED TO HAVE A CORRECT DATABASE AND MECHANISM FOR EFFECTING COST CONTROL WHILST AT THE SAME TIME DELIVERING HIGH-TECH QUALITY CARE."
SHE ADDED THAT THE HOSPITAL AUTHORITY WAS INITIATING AN INFRASTRUCTURE TO ENSURE THE QUALITY AND COST-EFFECTIVENESS OF HOSPITAL SERVICES.
THE SECRETARY ALSO SAID THE GOVERNMENT NEEDED TO LOOK AT THE MECHANISM FOR BRIDGING THE PRIMARY WITH SECONDARY AND TERTIARY CARE, AND FOR BRINGING ABOUT A CLOSER INTERFACE BETWEEN THE PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SECTORS TO REDUCE COST TO THE CONSUMER.
TO PROVIDE PATIENTS WITH A GREATER DEGREE OF CHOICE, THE GOVERNMENT NEEDS TO INTRODUCE A NEW TYPE OF SEMI-PRIVATE ROOMS IN PUBLIC HOSPITAL, INITIALLY ON A PILOT SCHEME BASIS.
THIS WILL ENABLE THE GOVERNMENT TO SEE HOW BEST IT CAN MANAGE COMPETITION AND GIVE PRIVACY, CONVENIENCE AND COMFORT TO PATIENTS.
"ANOTHER WAY TO PROMOTE GREATER PATIENT CHOICE IS THROUGH THE DEVELOPMENT OF MEDICAL INSURANCE," MRS WONG SAID.
"WE SEE THE NEED, VIA A CO-ORDINATED VOLUNTARY INSURANCE APPROACH SO THAT MEDICAL INSURANCE SCHEMES WHOSE COVERAGE INCLUDES THE PUBLIC SECTOR COULD BE SUBJECT TO APPROVAL BY A DESIGNATED BODY, WHICH COULD PROVIDE CONSUMER PROTECTION BY ENSURING THAT THE INSURANCE COVERAGE IS ADEQUATE FOR ITS INTENDED PURPOSE," SHE SAID.
"WE NEED TO LOOK AT HOW BEST TO SERVE THE COMMUNITY BY PROMOTING AND ENSURING QUALITY CARE BY THOSE WHO PRACTISE ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE," THE SECRETARY SAID.
BUT SHE STRESSED THAT PAYING ATTENTION TO THE NEEDS OF PATIENTS AS INDIVIDUALS MEANT MORE THAN JUST GIVING THEM GREATER CHOICE.
"IT REQUIRES THE DEVELOPMENT OF A PATIENT-ORIENTED CULTURE OF SERVICE," SHE SAID.
"THIS MEANS CREATING AN ATMOSPHERE THAT IS FRIENDLY, CARING AND SENSITIVE TO THE FEELINGS AND NEEDS OF THE PATIENT," SHE ADDED.
"THIS CAN ONLY BE ACHIEVED THROUGH AN ATTITUDE CHANGE AMONG HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONALS AND AN APPRECIATION THAT THEIRS IS A SERVICE INDUSTRY AS WELL AS ONE REQUIRING MEDICAL EXPERTISE," MRS WONG SAID.
ACCORDING TO MRS WONG, BOTH THE HOSPITAL AUTHORITY AND THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH ARE COMMITTED TO A RANGE OF IMPROVEMENTS TO MAKE PUBLIC SECTOR SERVICES AND FACILITIES MORE USER-FRIENDLY.
THESE INCLUDE THE PROMULGATION OF PATIENTS’ CHARTERS BY THE TWO ORGANISATIONS AND THE PUBLICATION OF A PAMPHLET ENTITLED "PATIENTS’ RIGHTS" BY THE HONG KONG MEDICAL ASSOCIATION.
ON COST CONTROL, THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH HAS BEEN CONDUCTING REGULAR REVIEWS OF ITS EXISTING SERVICES AND CARRYING OUT VALUE-FOR-MONEY STUDIES WITH A VIEW TO OPTIMISING THE USE OF RESOURCES.
"THESE HAVE RESULTED IN MAKING THE SERVICES MORE RESPONSIVE TO THE CHANGING NEEDS OF THE COMMUNITY," MRS WONG SAID.
--------0-----------
/7........
7
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 20, 1993
CIVIL SERVICE OFFERS A CAREER FOR LIFE
*****
IT IS ESSENTIAL FOR THE GOVERNMENT TO RECRUIT AND RETAIN HIGH CALIBRE CANDIDATES TO THE CIVIL SERVICE TO MEET THE CHALLENGES AHEAD, THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, MRS ELIZABETH WONG, SAID.
THEY ARE NEEDED IN THE CIVIL SERVICE TO HELP MODERNISE ITS MANAGEMENT SYSTEM, STREAMLINE OPERATIONS, PROMOTE THE USE OF AUTOMATION AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY, AND PROVIDE TRAINING FOR STAFF, MRS WONG ADDED.
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE 1993 CIVIL SERVICE CAREERS EXHIBITION AT THE HONG KONG BAPTIST COLLEGE TODAY (WEDNESDAY), MRS WONG EXPLAINED WHY ONE SHOULD THINK OF JOINING THE CIVIL SERVICE.
SHE SAID: "POLITICALLY, WE ARE IN A TRANSITION PERIOD TO BECOME A SPECIAL ADMINISTRATIVE REGION OF CHINA IN 1997 WITH A SYSTEM OF GOVERNMENT WHICH PRESERVES OUR ECONOMIC AND LEGAL SYSTEM AND OUR WAY OF LIFE AFTER 1997.
"ECONOMICALLY, WE ARE FAST BECOMING A SERVICE-ORIENTED ECONOMY AND AN INTERNATIONAL CENTRE OF TRADE AND FINANCE.
"AND SOCIALLY, THE GOVERNMENT IS SEEKING TO IMPLEMENT AMBITIOUS PROGRAMMES IN EDUCATION, HEALTH AND SOCIAL SERVICES, ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AND OTHER FIELDS TO MEET THE RISING EXPECTATIONS OF THE COMMUNITY.
THUS, IT IS ESSENTIAL TO RECRUIT AND RETAIN HIGH CALIBRE CANDIDATES TO THE CIVIL SERVICE - PEOPLE WITH VISION AND COMMITMENT TO HONG KONG, SHE SAID.
MRS WONG POINTED OUT THAT A GOOD CIVIL SERVANT MUST HAVE DRIVE AND DETERMINATION, SOUND JUDGEMENT, COURAGE AND PERSEVERANCE.
GONE WERE THE DAYS WHEN A CIVIL SERVANT COULD SIT COMFORTABLY IN THE OFFICE/IVORY TOWER AND EXPECT THINGS TO BE DONE SMOOTHLY.
HE MUST BE SENSITIVE AND RESPONSIVE TO THE NEEDS AND FEELINGS OF THE MAN-IN-THE-STREET, AND BE INNOVATIVE AND DYNAMIC IN PROBLEM SOLVING.
AS THE LARGEST EMPLOYER IN HONG KONG, MRS WONG SAID THE CIVIL SERVICE OFFERED ATTRACTIVE SALARY, FRINGE BENEFITS AS WELL AS SECURITY OF TENURE.
THE POSITION OF CIVIL SERVANTS IS ALSO SAFEGUARDED BY THE JOINT DECLARATION AND THE BASIC LAW UNDER WHICH CIVIL SERVANTS MAY REMAIN IN EMPLOYMENT AND CONTINUE THEIR SERVICE WITH PAY, ALLOWANCES, BENEFITS AND CONDITIONS OF SERVICE NO LESS FAVOURABLE THAN BEFORE.
HOWEVER, SHE POINTED OUT THAT THE CIVIL SERVICE OFFERED NOT JUST A JOB BUT A CAREER FOR LIFE.
"MOST IMPORTANT OF ALL, PERHAPS, IS THAT A CAREER IN THE CIVIL SERVICE IS A VERY POSITIVE WAY OF SERVING THE COMMUNITY AT A VERY CRUCIAL TIME IN HONG KONG," SHE ADDED.
------0-------
/8 ........
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 20, 1993
8
GOVT SOCIAL WORK ASSISTANTS ASKED TO STAY COOL * * * * *
IN RESPONSE TO PRESS ENQUIRIES ON THE INDUSTRIAL ACTION TO BE STAGED BY THE SOCIAL WORK ASSISTANT (SWA) BRANCH OF THE HONG KONG CHINESE CIVIL SERVANTS’ ASSOCIATION FROM OCTOBER 25 TO 27, THE ACTING DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MR ALFRED CHUI WING-MAN, ASSURED THE PUBLIC THAT SERVICES OF THE DEPARTMENT WOULD BE MAINTAINED.
HE SAID THE DEPARTMENT HAD ALREADY MET TWO OF THEIR THREE REQUESTS. THESE ARE IMPROVING THEIR PROMOTION PROSPECTS AND TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES.
ON THEIR REQUEST FOR A SALARY STRUCTURE REVIEW, MR CHUI SAID THE DEPARTMENT HAD EARLIER PUT THE CASE TO THE ADMINISTRATION FOR CONSIDERATION.
THE ADMINISTRATION HAD EXAMINED THE CASE AND ADVISED THAT THERE WERE INSUFFICIENT JUSTIFICATIONS.
HE ADDED THAT IN THE MEETING WITH REPRESENTATIVES OF THE SWA BRANCH TODAY (WEDNESDAY), BOTH SIDES AGREED TO FORM A TASK GROUP TO IDENTIFY NEW GROUNDS FOR A RE-SUBMISSION OF THE SWA BRANCH’S REQUEST, TO SUBSTANTIATE THE CASE.
"IT IS REGRETTABLE THAT THE SWA BRANCH SHOULD DECIDE TO STAGE A SIT-IN NEXT WEEK DESPITE WE HAVE ALREADY REACHED AN AGREEMENT TO CONTINUE DISCUSSION THROUGH THE TASK GROUP," MR CHUI SAID.
HE APPEALED TO STAFF IN THE SWA GRADE TO ACT WITH PATIENCE AND GOOD SENSE.
HE ALSO URGED THEM, AS SOCIAL WORKERS, THAT THEY SHOULD PUT PUBLIC INTEREST FIRST, AND NOT TO TAKE ANY DISRUPTIVE ACTION, WHICH WOULD NOT BE CONDUCIVE TO FURTHERING THEIR CAUSE.
HE URGED THEM TO CONTINUE WORKING WITH THE DEPARTMENT TO FIND A SOLUTION TO THE ISSUE.
------0-------
STUDY ON AMORTISATION OF NON-CONFORMING EXISTING USES *****
THE DIRECTOR OF PLANNING, DR PETER PUN, HAS SIGNED A $1,260,000 AGREEMENT WITH A CONSULTANCY FIRM TO CARRY OUT A FIVE-MONTH STUDY ON AMORTISATION OF NON-CONFORMING EXISTING USES.
IN THE CONSULTATIVE DOCUMENT ON THE COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW OF THE TOWN PLANNING ORDINANCE PUBLISHED IN JULY 1991, IT WAS PROPOSED THAT THE CONCEPT OF AMORTISATION SHOULD BE USED SELECTIVELY TO ELIMINATE NON-CONFORMING EXISTING USES WHICH ARE CAUSING HEALTH, SAFETY, ENVIRONMENTAL OR SOCIAL PROBLEMS.
THE STUDY IS PART OF THE WORK ON THE COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW OF THE TOWN PLANNING ORDINANCE.
UNDER THE ORDINANCE, NON-CONFORMING EXISTING USES ARE PERMITTED TO CONTINUE UNTIL REDEVELOPMENT.
/"BY AMORTISATION .......
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER ZU,
9
"BY AMORTISATION, WE MEAN COMPULSORY TERMINATION, WITHOUT COMPENSATION, OF A NON-CONFORMING EXISTING USE BY THE END OF A SPECIFIED PERIOD.
"THE SPECIFIED PERIOD SHOULD BE LONG ENOUGH FOR THE OWNER/OPERATOR TO RECOUP HIS INVESTMENT AND PREPARE FOR A CHANGE," THE SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
THE CONCEPT OF AMORTISATION, IF ADOPTED IN THE NEW PLANNING LEGISLATION, WOULD EMPOWER THE GOVERNMENT TO REGULATE AND REMOVE THE PROBLEMATIC NON-CONFORMING USES.
THE STUDY WILL INVESTIGATE THE TECHNICALITIES OF APPLYING AMORTISATION IN HONG KONG AND FORMULATE PRACTICABLE METHODS FOR DETERMINING THE AMORTISATION PERIODS.
THE CONCEPT OF AMORTISATION HAS BEEN PRACTISED IN SOME OTHER COUNTRIES, PARTICULARLY IN THE USA. THE STUDY TEAM WILL HAVE AN INTERNATIONAL EXPERT PANEL TO ADVISE ON HOW OVERSEAS EXPERIENCE COULD BE RELEVANT TO HONG KONG.
------0-------
GOVT DETERMINES TO CURB RHINO TRADE
*****
THE GOVERNMENT IS DETERMINED TO CURB ILLEGAL RHINO TRADE IN THE TERRITORY, ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES, MR FRANK LAU SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
HE POINTED OUT THAT IN SUPPORT OF THE CITES CONVENTION FOR THE PROTECTION OF ENDANGERED SPECIES, HONG KONG HAS ONE OF THE STRICTEST LEGISLATIONS IN THE ASIAN REGION BANNING THE RHINO TRADE.
"UNDER THE ANIMALS AND PLANTS (PROTECTION OF ENDANGERED SPECIES) ORDINANCE, THE IMPORT, EXPORT, POSSESSION AND LOCAL SALE OF RHINO HORN AND RHINO PRODUCTS INCLUDING MEDICINE CLAIMING TO CONTAIN RHINO INGREDIENTS ARE PROHIBITED IN HONG KONG."
HE SAID THE BAN ON IMPORT WAS INTRODUCED IN 1979 AND WAS SUBSEQUENTLY EXTENDED TO COVER LOCAL SALE IN 1988 AND MEDICINAL PRODUCTS CLAIMING TO CONTAIN RHINO INGREDIENTS IN 1989.
THE LEGISLATION ALSO APPLIES TO THE TRANSIT OF THESE PRODUCTS IN THE TERRITORY.
HE REMINDED MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC THAT OFFENDER WOULD BE LIABLE TO A MAXIMUM PENALTY OF $25,000 ON FIRST CONVICTION, AND A MAXIMUM PENALTY OF $50,000 AND IMPRISONMENT OF SIX MONTHS ON SUBSEQUENT CONVICTIONS.
"THE AFD, TOGETHER WITH THE CUSTOMS AND EXCISE DEPARTMENT, ARE DETERMINED TO CRACK DOWN ANY SUCH ILLEGAL ACTIVITIES," MR LAU SAID.
APART FROM ROUTINE CHECKS CONDUCTED BY POINTS OF ENTRY, THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES CARRIED OUT SURPRISE CHECKS AT MEDICINAL SHOPS.
CUSTOMS OFFICERS AT DEPARTMENT HAD ALSO
/OVER 1,000 ........
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 20, 1993
10
OVER 1,000 SUCH CHECKS HAD BEEN CARRIED OUT IN THE FIRST THREE QUARTERS OF THIS YEAR.
AS A RESULT, 34 SMALL PACKETS OF CHINESE MEDICINE CLAIMING TO CONTAIN RHINO PRODUCTS WERE SEIZED AND FOUR SMALL VIALS OF MEDICINES CLAIMING TO CONTAIN RHINO INGREDIENTS WERE SEIZED. PROSECUTION OF THE TWO CASES INVOLVED WERE IN PROGRESS.
ACTING ON INFORMATION, THE DEPARTMENT ALSO SEIZED TWO RHINO HORNS AND 76 BOXES OF CHINESE MEDICINE CLAIMING TO CONTAIN RHINO PRODUCTS FROM THREE SHOPS THIS MORNING.
IN REPONSE TO RECENT REPORTS OF ILLEGAL RHINO TRADE IN THE ASIA REGION AND IN HONG KONG, THE DEPARTMENT WILL MEET WITH REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL INVESTIGATION AGENCY TOMORROW TO DISCUSS THE PROBLEM.
"WE WILL TRY OUR BEST TO CO-OPERATE WITH THE AGENCY AND FOLLOW UP ON INFORMATION PROVIDED BY THEM. ENFORCEMENT ACTION AGAINST SUCH ILLEGAL TRADE WILL BE STEPPED UP,” MR LAU SAID.
HE ADDED THAT THE DEPARTMENT WOULD ALSO REVIEW THE GOVERNMENT ENFORCEMENT METHODS WITH A VIEW TO ACHIEVING BETTER RESULTS.
MR LAU APPEALED TO MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC NOT TO USE OR PURCHASE MEDICINE CLAIMED TO CONTAIN RHINO PRODUCT SO AS TO PROTECT THESE ENDANGERED SPECIES.
THERE MIGHT ALSO BE A CHANCE THAT THESE PRODUCTS DID NOT CONTAIN RHINO INGREDIENTS.
HE ALSO URGED ANYONE WHO HAD ANY INFORMATION ON ILLEGAL RHINO TRADE TO PROVIDE SUCH INFORMATION TO THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT OR THE CUSTOMS AND EXCISE DEPARTMENT SO THAT APPROPRIATE ACTION COULD BE TAKEN IMMEDIATELY TO CURB THESE ILLEGAL ACTIVITIES.
ON THE ENFORCEMENT OF THE ANIMALS AND PLANTS (PROTECTION OF ENDANGERED SPECIES) ORDINANCE IN GENERAL, MR LAU SAID 181 SEIZURES HAD BEEN MADE AND 100 PROSECUTIONS HAD BEEN CONDUCTED IN THE FIRST THREE QUARTERS OF THIS YEAR.
--------0-----------
/Il .......
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 20, 1993
11
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND
MONEY MARKET ♦ * *
OPERATIONS ♦ *
$ MILLION
OPENING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT
1,935
REVERSAL OF LAF
+1,065
BALANCE AFTER REVERSAL OF LAF
3,000
NET INJECTION/WITHDRAWAL TODAY
NIL
EFFECT OF LAF TODAY
+ 960
CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT
3,960
LAF RATE
2.00 BID/4.00 OFFER
TWI 112.8 *+0.0»
20.10.93
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND
EF BILLS EF NOTES/HONG KONG GOVERNMENT BONDS
TERMS YIELD TERM ISSUE COUPON PRICE YIELD
1 WEEK 2.59 PCT 13 MONTHS 2411 4.625 101.63 3.09
1 MONTH 2.55 PCT 16 MONTHS 2502 4.75 101.94 3.26
3 MONTHS 2.63 PCT 19 MONTHS 2505 3.75 100.42 3.50
6 MONTHS 2.76 PCT 22 MONTHS 2508 4.625 101.81 3.62
12 MONTHS 3.06 PCT
TOTAL TURNOVER OF BILLS AND BONDS - 13,858MN
CLOSED 20 OCTOBER 1993
- - 0
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
SUPPLEMENT
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 20, 1993
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL:
CONSOLIDATED EFFORT ON LOCALISATION AND ADAPTATION OF LAWS .. 1
NO FORMAL PROPOSAL FROM CHINESE ON NINGDINGYANG BRIDGE .......... 2
CLARIFICATION SOUGHT ON REPORTERS' CASE ......................... 3
TYPHOON SURCHARGE FOR TAXI BEING CONSIDERED ..................... 3
MEASURES TO REMOVE MISCONCEPTIONS TOWARDS EX-MENTALLY ILL ... 4
FAIR COMPETITION NOT AFFECTED BY NATIONALITY REQUIREMENT .... 5
GOVT DOES NOT REGULATE NEWSPAPERS' PRICE ........................ 6
REVIEW OF GOVT SERVICES' FEES AND CHARGES UNDERWAY .............. 7
MONITORING POLICY OF BANKS AND DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES ......... 7
DEVELOPERS DECIDE WHEN TO SELL NEW FLATS ....................... 8
PRESENT SYSTEM TO ENHANCE HA TRANSPARENCY WORKS WELL ........... 9
PROCEDURE FOR BNO RENEWAL REMAINS UNCHANGED .................... 9
NO PLAN TO ADD MORE MARRIAGE REGISTRIES ........................ 10
MEASURES TO ALLEVIATE AIRPORT CONGESTION ....................... 10
DISCUSSION UNDERWAY FOR HK TO HOST 1997 MEETINGS ............... 11
MEASURES TO STRENGTHEN MORALE OF HOSPITAL STAFF ................ 11
MORE S6 STUDENTS IN PREVOCATIONAL SCHOOLS ...................... 12
DOMESTIC HELPERS FROM CHINA NOT PERMITTED ...................... 13
USE OF NYLON ROPES UNDER CONTROL ............................... 13
GENERAL POLICY ON RURAL SCHOOLS EXPLAINED ...................... 14
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 20, 1993
CONSOLIDATED EFFORT ON LOCALISATION AND ADAPTATION OF LAWS
*****
THE UNITED KINGDOM REPRESENTATIVE OF THE JOINT LIAISON GROUP (JLG), THE CONSTITUTIONAL AFFAIRS BRANCH AND THE ATTORNEY GENERAL’S CHAMBERS HAVE ALL BEEN WORKING TO FACILITATE LOCALISATION AND ADAPTATION OF HONG KONG LAWS.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, MR JEREMY MATHEWS, IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON TAM YIU-CHUNG, MR MATHEWS SAID IN HIS CHAMBERS A LOCALISATION AND ADAPTATION OF LAWS UNIT HAD BEEN FORMED IN THE LAW DRAFTING DIVISION.
THE UNIT IS TO CARRY OUT LEGAL RESEARCH ON THE LOCALISATION AND ADAPTATION OF HONG KONG LAWS, TO PROVIDE POLICY BRANCHES WITH LEGAL ADVICE ON BOTH PROGRAMMES, TO PREPARE RELATED CONSULTATION PAPERS AND TO HELP IN THE DRAFTING OF RELEVANT LEGISLATION.
ON SPECIALISED ASPECTS OF THE WORK, OTHER DIVISIONS OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL’S CHAMBERS ALSO PROVIDE LEGAL ADVICE WHEN REQUIRED.
’’THE ACTUAL DRAFTING OF LOCALISATION AND ADAPTATION BILLS IS DONE BY COUNSEL IN THE LAW DRAFTING DIVISION, IN BOTH ENGLISH AND CHINESE.
"A STEERING GROUP CONSISTING OF ALL THE LAW OFFICERS SUPERVISES THE WORK,” MR MATHEWS EXPLAINED.
THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF OVERALL PLANNING OF BOTH THE LOCALISATION AND ADAPTATION PROGRAMMES AND LIAISON WITH POLICY BRANCHES FALL ON THE SHOULDERS OF THE CONSTITUTIONAL AFFAIRS BRANCH.
THE CONSULTATION WORK WITH THE CHINESE SIDE ON BOTH PROGRAMMES IS CARRIED OUT IN THE JLG HEADED ON THE BRITISH SIDE BY THE JLG UNITED KINGDOM REPRESENTATIVE WITH LEGAL ADVICE FROM THE LAW OFFICER (INTERNATIONAL LAW) AS REQUIRED.
MR MATHEWS ALSO SAID OF THE 300 OR SO UNITED KINGDOM ENACTMENTS CURRENTLY APPLY IN HONG KONG, 30 HAVE ALREADY BEEN LOCALISED.
"WE HAVE IDENTIFIED 80 AS NOT REQUIRING LOCALISATION AND IT IS PROPOSED THAT THEY SHOULD BE ALLOWED TO LAPSE. PROPOSALS FOR DEALING WITH 80 MORE ARE UNDER CONSIDERATION IN THE JOINT LIAISON GROUP.
"WE ARE CONTINUING OUR STUDY OF THE REMAINING ENACTMENTS," HE SAID.
/ON THE ........
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 20, 1993
- 2 -
ON THE ADAPTATION OF LAWS EXERCISE, THE GOVERNMENT HAS ALMOST COMPLETED THE INITIAL REVIEW OF ALL HONG KONG ORDINANCES AND HAS STARTED THE PROCESS OF MAKING DETAILED PROPOSALS TO THE CHINESE SIDE.
PROPOSALS FOR THE ADAPTATION OF 10 ORDINANCES HAVE BEEN HANDED OVER, MR MATHEWS SAID.
THE WORK ON BOTH PROGRAMMES MUST BF. COMPLETED BEFORE JULY 1 , 1997, BUT WE WOULD LIKE IF POSSIBLE TO HAVE IT COMPLETED WELL BEFORE THEN SO AS TO ENSURE A SMOOTH TRANSITION, HE ADDED.
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NO FORMAL PROPOSAL FROM CHINESE ON NINGDINGYANG BRIDGE
*****
THE GOVERNMENT HAS SO FAR RECEIVED NO FORMAL PROPOSAL FROM THE CHINESE AUTHORITIES REGARDING THE NINGDINGYANG BRIDGE PROJECT, ALTHOUGH SOME LIMITED INFORMATION HAS BEEN RECEIVED THROUGH A NUMBER OF TNFORMAL CHANNELS.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE SECRETARY FOR PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS, MR TONY EASON, IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY DR THE HON TANG SIU-TONG IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MR EASON SAID UNTIL THE STATUS OF THE PROJECT WAS CLEARLY ESTABLISHED AND MORE DETAILS WERE AVAILABLE, IT WOULD BE DIFFICULT TO INITIATE STUDIES IN HONG KONG TO EXAMINE THE IMPLICATIONS OF THE PROJECT IN STRATEGIC AND LOCAL PLANNING TERMS.
"IT IS NOT AT PRESENT POSSIBLE, THEREFORE, TO SAY WHETHER OR HOW THE PROJECT MIGHT TIE IN WITH OTHER MAJOR INFRASTRUCTURAL PROJECTS ALREADY UNDER PLANNING OR CONSTRUCTION.
"AS THE PROJECTS WOULD HAVE A MAJOR IMPACT ON HONG KONG’S INFRASTRUCTURE AND DEVELOPMENT, COMPREHENSIVE STUDIES, APPLICATION OF THE NORMAL STATUTORY PLANNING PROCESSES AND FULL CONSULTATION WOULD BE NECESSARY BEFORE ANY FIRM DECISIONS COULD BE MADE," HE SAID.
- - 0--------
/3 ........
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 20, 1993
- 3 -
CLARIFICATION SOUGHT ON REPORTER’S CASE
*****
THE BRITISH EMBASSY IN PEKING HAS, AT THE REQUEST OF THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT, ASKED THE CHINESE AUTHORITIES TO CLARIFY THE OFFENCES WITH WHICH THE MING PAO REPORTER, MR XI YANG, IS BEING CHARGED.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS, MR MICHAEL SUEN, IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL THIS (WEDNESDAY) AFTERNOON.
IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON EMILY LAU WAI-HING, MR SUEN SAID THE EMBASSY AND THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT HAD ALSO URGED THE CHINESE AUTHORITIES TO ALLOW MR XI TO RECEIVE VISITS FROM HIS MING PAO COLLEAGUES AT MING PAO, FROM ANY LAWYER HE APPOINTS TO REPRESENT HIM, AND FROM HIS FAMILY MEMBER.
"IN ADDITION, WE HAVE DRAWN THE ATTENTION OF THE CHINESE AUTHORITIES TO THE WIDER CONCERNS RAISED IN HONG KONG BY THIS CASE, IN PARTICULAR THE DIFFICULTIES FACED BY HONG KONG JOURNALISTS OPERATING TN CHINA IN UNDERSTANDING WHAT IS LEGAL AND WHAT IS NOT."
--------0 - -
TYPHOON SURCHARGE FOR TAXI BEING CONSIDERED
*****
THE GOVERNMENT IS AWARE OF PUBLIC CONCERN ABOUT OVERCHARGING BY TAXI DRIVERS, IN PARTICULAR DURING TYPHOONS, AND IS EXAMINING VARIOUS OPTIONS TO TACKLE THE PROBLEM, THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT, MR HAIDER BARMA, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON LAU CHIN-SHEK, MR BARMA SAID OPTIONS UNDER EXAMINATION INCLUDED THE PROPOSAL PUT FORWARD BY SOME TAXI ASSOCIATIONS FOR A SURCHARGE TO BE IMPOSED WHEN TYPHOON SIGNAL NUMBER EIGHT OR HIGHER IS HOISTED.
THE LEVEL AND FORM OF THE PROPOSED SURCHARGE, FOR EXAMPLE, A FLAT OR DISTANCE-RELATED CHARGE, ITS RELATIONSHIP TO OTHER SURCHARGE, THE QUESTION OF ENFORCEMENT AND IMPLEMENTATION AS WELL AS PUBLIC ACCEPTABILITY ARE ALL ASPECTS THAT HAVE TO BE EXAMINED.
THE ADVICE OF THE TRANSPORT ADVISORY COMMITTEE WILL THEN HAVE TO BE SOUGHT ON THE RECOMMENDED COURSE OF ACTION, MR BARMA ADDED.
THERE WERE 494 ACTIONABLE COMPLAINTS RECEIVED BY THE TRANSPORT COMPLAINTS UNIT AND THE POLICE AGAINST OVERCHARGING BY TAXI DRIVERS AND 52 PROSECUTIONS IN THE FIRST EIGHT MONTHS THIS YEAR.
MR BARM/A SAID THE POLICE WERE RESPONSIBLE FOR TAKING ACTION AGAINST TAXI MALPRACTICES UNDER ROAD TRAFFIC ORDINANCE AND ENFORCEMENT ACTION HAD BEEN INTENSIFIED OVER THE PAST FEW MONTHS FOLLOWING RECENT REPORTS OF INCREASE IN THE NUMBER OF MALPRACTICES BY TAXI DRIVERS.
/"SINCE SEPTEMBER .......
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 20, 1993
’’SINCE SEPTEMBER 1 THIS YEAR, A TOTAL OF 38 OPERATIONS HAVE BEEN MOUNTED, RESULTING IN 275 PROSECUTIONS. SUCH INTENSIFIED ENFORCEMENT WILL CONTINUE.”
IN ADDITION, MR BARMA SAID A BILL FOR THE COMPULSORY DISPLAY OF TAXI DRIVER IDENTITY PLATES HAD BEEN UNDER EXAMINATION SINCE JANUARY THIS YEAR BY A BILLS COMMITTEE OF LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
"SHOULD APPROPRIATE LEGISLATION BE ENACTED, THERE SHOULD BE MORE DISCIPLINE IN THE TAXI TRADE AND RESULT IN LESS MALPRACTICES.
"MORE IMPORTANTLY, THE NEW REQUIREMENTS WILL ASSIST IN THE IDENTIFICATION AND, HENCE, PROSECUTION OF OFFENDING TAXI DRIVERS," HE SAID.
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MEASURES TO REMOVE MISCONCEPTIONS TOWARDS EX-MENTALLY ILL *****
THE DAY ACTIVITIES CENTRE FOR DISCHARGED MENTAL PATIENTS IN LAGUNA CITY IS EXPECTED TO BE OPEN FOR USE EARLY NEXT YEAR.
PHASED ADMISSION IS BEING PLANNED SO THAT STAFF CAN PROVIDE ADEQUATE TIME AND GUIDANCE TO TRAINEES TO FACILITATE THEIR ADJUSTMENT TO THE ENVIRONMENT AND THE TRAINING PROGRAMMES.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, MRS ELIZABETH WONG, IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON LI WARMING IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MRS WONG SAID SHE DID NOT BELIEVE THAT THE ATTENDEES WOULD CAUSE NUISANCE TO THE RESIDENTS.
NEVERTHELESS, SHE SAID, THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT HAD BEEN WORKING CLOSELY WITH THE OPERATING AGENCY TO IDENTIFY MEASURES TO MINIMISE RESIDENTS’ WORRIES AND ACHIEVE A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF THE CLIENTS OF THE CENTRE.
"THE CENTRE WILL BE STAFFED TO PROVIDE ADEQUATE SUPERVISION AND TRAINING TO ITS CLIENTS."
THE DESIGN AND THE FACILITIES OF THE CENTRE INCLUDING, FOR EXAMPLE, THE INSTALLATION OF AN ALARM SYSTEM AT FIRE EXITS, WILL FACILITATE THE MONITORING OF MOVEMENTS IN AND OUT OF THE CENTRE, SHE ADDED.
THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT, IN CONJUNCTION WITH NONGOVERNMENTAL ORGANISATIONS AND DISTRICT ORGANISATIONS HAVE STRENGTHENED, AND WILL CONTINUE TO STRENGTHEN, PUBLIC EDUCATION ON REHABILITATION IN KWUN TONG DISTRICT.
/TO REMOVE .......
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 20, 1993
- 5 -
TO REMOVE RESIDENTS’ MISCONCEPTIONS TOWARDS THE SERVICES PROVIDED BY THE CENTRE AND ITS CLIENTS, COPIES OF THE MONTHLY NEWSLETTER CONTAINING INFORMATION ON REHABILITATION POLICY AND SERVICES FOR EX-MENTALLY ILL PERSONS, ARE BEING DISTRIBUTED TO EVERY HOUSEHOLD OF LAGUNA CITY.
”WE HIGHLIGHT THE FACT THAT THE CENTRE WILL ONLY ADMIT CLIENTS WHO HAVE SUBSTANTIALLY RECOVERED FROM THEIR ILLNESS AND WHO HAVE NO RECORD OF VIOLENCE,” MRS WONG SAID.
VISITS FOR MEMBERS OF THE AREA COMMITTEES AND MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES IN KWUN TONG TO REHABILITATION INSTITUTIONS FOR EX-MENTALLY ILL PERSONS WILL ALSO BE ORGANISED BY THE DEPARTMENT IN COLLABORATION WITH THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT BOARD IN THE COMING MONTHS.
TO STRENGTHEN THE EXISTING CHANNELS OF COMMUNICATIONS BETWEEN GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS AND RESIDENTS IN LAGUNA CITY, THE SECRETARY NOTED THAT A FLAT OWNER OF THE LAGUNA CITY WOULD BE INVITED TO JOIN THE MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE OF THE NEIGHBOURHOOD COMMUNITY CENTRE IN WHICH THE ACTIVITY CENTRE IS HOUSED.
"OUR DOOR FOR FURTHER DIALOGUE WITH RESIDENTS CONTINUES TO REMAIN OPEN,” MRS WONG SAID.
"WE ARE KEEN TO MEET WITH THEM IN A SINCERE AND CONSTRUCTIVE MANNER AND WORK OUT WAYS TO REMOVE THEIR CONCERNS ABOUT THE REHABILITATION FACILITY.”
---------0-----------
FAIR COMPETITION NOT AFFECTED BY NATIONALITY REQUIREMENT ♦ * * ♦ ♦
THE REQUIREMENT FOR THE MAJORITY OF THE DIRECTORS OF PUBLIC BODIES TO BE COMMONWEALTH CITIZENS DOES NOT AFFECT FAIR COMPETITION.
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 PHILIP WONG IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
AT PRESENT SUCH REQUIREMENT STANDS IN THREE ORDINANCES RELATING TO PUBLIC BODIES: THE PUBLIC BUS SERVICES ORDINANCE (CAP 230), THE FERRY SERVICES ORDINANCE (CAP 104) AND THE CROSS-HARBOUR TUNNEL ORDINANCE (CAP 203).
’’THIS REQUIREMENT WILL NO LONGER BE APPROPRIATE AFTER 30 JUNE 1997 AND ITS REMOVAL FROM THESE THREE ORDINANCES HAS THEREFORE BEEN IDENTIFIED AS ONE OF THE TASKS TO BE UNDERTAKEN IN THE ADAPTATION OF LAWS EXERCISE," HE SAID.
BOTH THE PUBLIC BUS SERVICES ORDINANCE AND THE FERRY SERVICES ORDINANCE EMPOWER THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL TO WAIVE THIS REQUIREMENT.
/"AFTER OBTAINING ......
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 20, 1993
- 6
"AFTER OBTAINING SUCH A WAIVER, WE HAVE WRITTEN INTO THE NEW FRANCHISES OF CHINA MOTOR BUS AND CITYBUS LIMITED WHICH TOOK EFFECT ON 1 SEPTEMBER 1993 A CLAUSE TO THE EFFECT THAT A MAJORITY OF THE DIRECTORS OF THE FRANCHISEE SHALL BE ORDINARILY RESIDENT IN HONG KONG IRRESPECTIVE OF THEIR NATIONALITY."
THE NEW FRANCHISE OF NEW LANTAO BUS WHICH WILL TAKE EFFECT ON
1 APRIL 1995 ALSO CONTAINS A SIMILAR CLAUSE, HE ADDED.
---------0-----------
GOVT DOES NOT REGULATE NEWSPAPERS’ PRICE
♦ ♦ * ♦ ♦
THE GOVERNMENT DOES NOT REGULATE THE PRICE OF NEWSPAPERS, THE SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS, MR MICHAEL SUEN, INFORMED THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON LAU CHIN-SHEK, HE AFFIRMED THAT EXCEPT WHERE SOCIAL CONSIDERATIONS WERE OVER-RIDING, THE PRICES OF COMMODITIES WERE BEST LEFT TO MARKET FORCES WITH MINIMAL GOVERNMENT INTERVENTION.
ACCORDINGLY, HE SAID THERE WERE NO PLANS TO DEVELOP A MECHANISM TO MONITOR OR CONTROL NEWSPAPER PRICE INCREASES.
HE SAID THE GOVERNMENT ALLOWED NEWS ORGANISATIONS THE GREATEST POSSIBLE FLEXIBILITY IN CONDUCTING THEIR ACTIVITIES.
"THE ONLY ORDINANCE THAT IS DIRECTLY RELEVANT TO THIS MEDIUM IS THE REGISTRATION OF LOCAL NEWSPAPER ORDINANCE, THE PURPOSE OF WHICH IS TO ENSURE THAT EVERY NEWSPAPER IS PROPERLY REGISTERED, WITH THEIR PROPRIETOR, PRINTER, PUBLISHER, AND EDITOR CLEARLY IDENTIFIED."
HE ADVISED MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC TO APPROACH THE CONSUMER COUNCIL IF THEY HAD ANY COMPLAINTS RELATING TO THE PRICES OF NEWSPAPERS.
---------0-----------
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 20, 1993
REVIEW OF GOVT SERVICES’ FEES AND CHARGES UNDERWAY *****
THE REVIEW BY A WORKING GROUP OF THE CRITERIA FOR SETTING FEES AND CHARGES AND PROFIT LEVEL OF GOVERNMENT SERVICES WILL BE COMPLETED WITHIN THE CURRENT FINANCIAL YEAR, THE ACTING SECRETARY FOR THE TREASURY, MR KWONG KI-CHI, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
IN HIS WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON POON KWOK-LIM TN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL (LEGCO), MR KWONG SAID THE LEGCO WOULD BE CONSULTED BEFORE ANY CHANGES TO THE PRESENT CHARGING POLICY IN RELATION TO GOVERNMENT UTILTIES ARE TO BE IMPLEMENTED.
THE WORKING PARTY WAS SET UP EARLIER THIS YEAR. IT IS CHAIRED BY THE SECRETARY FOR THE TREASURY AND COMPRISED OF REPRESENTATIVES FROM FIVE GOVERNMENT UTILITIES: THE MARINE FERRY TERMINALS, THE HONG KONG INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT, POST OFFICE, THE WATERWORKS AND THE GOVERNMENT TUNNELS.
FOLLOWING SOME PRELIMINARY DISCUSSIONS, THE WORKING PARTY HAS IDENTIFIED THE SPECIFIC QUESTIONS TO BE ADDRESSED IN THE REVIEW. IT IS NOW EXAMINING THESE ISSUES IN RELATION TO THE PARTICULAR CIRCUMSTANCES PERTAINING TO EACH GOVERNMENT UTILITY.
A CRUCIAL PART OF THE REVIEW IS TO CONSIDER THE RELATIVE MERITS OF DIFFERENT METHODS COMMONLY USED FOR CALCULATING RETURNS ON INVESTMENTS AND THE TARGET RATES OF RETURN NORMALLY ADOPTED, BE IT IN THE PRIVATE OR PUBLIC SECTOR, MR KWONG SAID.
HE SAID THE DIVERSE NATURE OF THE FIVE GOVERNMENT UTILITIES HAD MADE THIS PART OF THE REVIEW A HIGHLY COMPLEX TASK.
--------0-----------
MONITORING POLICY OF BANKS AND DEPOSIT TAKING COMPANIES
*****
THE BANKS AND DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES WILL CONTINUE TO ADHERE TO A 25 PER-CENT UNIFORM MINIMUM LIQUIDITY RATIO.
AND HONG KONG MONETARY AUTHORITY (HKMA) WILL NOT IMPOSE RESTRICTIONS ON THE MATURITY MISMATCHING OF INSTITUTIONS’ ASSETS AND LIABILITIES.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE SECRETARY FOR FINANCIAL SERVICES, MR MICHAEI CARTLAND, IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY DR THE HON HUANG CHEN-VA, IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
THE REGULATORY AUTHORITY - HKMA - WILL ASSESS THE INTERNAL GUIDELINES OF THESE INSTITUTIONS AND ACTUAL MISMATCHES OF INSTITUTIONS ON A CASE-BY-CASE BASIS.
/IT WILL .......
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 20, 1993
- 8 -
IT WILL CONSIDER THE CIRCUMSTANCES OF INDIVIDUAL INSTITUTIONS AND OTHER RELEVANT FACTORS, INCLUDING:
* THE INSTITUTION’S STOCK OF LIQUID ASSETS AND THEIR QUALITY,
♦ THE VOLATILITY AND DIVERSITY OF DEPOSITS,
* THE AVAILABILITY AND RELIABILITY OF UNDRAWN STANDBY FACILITIES AND;
* THE ABILITY AND WILLINGNESS OF THE PARENT OR HEAD OFFICE TO PROVIDE LIQUIDITY.
THE HKMA WILL USE PEER GROUP COMPARISONS IN ITS ASSESSMENT TO ENSURE FAIR AND EQUITABLE TREATMENT AND IDENTIFY INSTITUTIONS WHOSE POLICIES ARE OUT OF LINE WITH THEIR PEERS CARRYING ON A SIMILAR LINE OF BUSINESS.
HE NOTED THAT THE HKMA WOULD TAKE MATURITY MISMATCH ANALYSIS TO ASSESS THE ADEQUACY OF LIQUIDITY OF INDIVIDUAL INSTITUTIONS.
--------0-----------
DEVELOPERS DECIDE WHEN TO SELL NEW FLATS ♦ ♦ ♦ * ♦
IT IS AN ESSENTIAL FEATURE OF THE NORMAL OPERATION OF A ' MARKET THAT DEVELOPERS ARE FREE TO DECIDE WHEN TO SELL UNITS IN COMPLETED BUILDINGS, 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 SAMUEL WONG, MR EASON SAID DEVELOPERS MIGHT WISH TO RENT COMPLETED UNITS INSTEAD OF SELLING THEM, FOR INSTANCE, DEPENDING ON THE MARKET CONDITION.
HE SAID A DEVELOPER WHO KEPT COMPLETED UNITS UNSOLD OR EMPTY WOULD LOSE POTENTIAL INCOME FROM THE SALE OR RENTAL OF SUCH UNITS.
’’GIVEN THE COSTS INVOLVED IN FINANCIAL CHARGES, SITE MANAGEMENT, PROFESSIONAL FEE ETC, IT SEEMS UNLIKELY THAT A DEVELOPER WOULD DELAY THE COMPLETION OF A PROJECT SIMPLY TO AVOID RATE PAYMENTS.”
IT ALSO SEEMS UNLIKELY THAT /X DEVELOPER WOULD DEFER THE COMPLETION OF A BUILDING PROJECT TO SPECULATE ON THE PROPERTY MARKET GIVEN THE COSTS INVOLVED IN SUCH DEFERRAL, HE SAID.
- -0---------
/9 ........
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 20, 1993
- 9 -
PRESENT SYSTEM TO ENHANCE HA TRANSPARENCY WORKS WELL *****
THE PRESENT SYSTEM PROVIDING FOR ACCOUNTABILITY AND TRANSPARENCY WHILE MAINTAINING EFFICIENCY OF THE HOSPITAL AUTHORITY’S EXECUTIVE RESPONSIBILITIES WORKS WELL AND SHOULD BE ALLOWED TO CONTINUE.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, MRS ELIZABETH WONG, IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY DR THE HON CONRAD LAM IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MRS WONG SAID SINCE 1990, THE HOSPITAL AUTHORITY HAD SET UP THREE REGIONAL ADVISORY COMMITTEES TO PROVIDE FORUMS FOR DISCUSSION ON THE REGIONAL PLANNING AND PROVISION OF HOSPITAL SERVICES.
IT HAS ALSO SET UP 31 HOSPITAL GOVERNING COMMITTEES RESPONSIBLE FOR OVERSEEING THE MANAGEMENT OF INDIVIDUAL HOSPITALS.
’’ALL THESE BOARDS AND COMMITTEES ARE SERVED BY MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC, IN PARTICULAR THOSE INVOLVED IN COMMUNITY AND DISTRICT ORGANISATIONS, TO PROVIDE A DIRECT VENUE FOR PARTICIPATION AND PARTNERSHIP,” MRS WONG SAID.
IN ADDITION, THE DIRECTOR OF AUDIT MAY CONDUCT EXAMINATIONS ON THE ECONOMY AND EFFICIENCY WITH WHICH THE AUTHORITY HAS EXPENDED RESOURCES IN DISCHARGING ITS STATUTORY FUNCTIONS.
THE SECRETARY ASSURED THE COUNCIL THAT SHE WOULD EXPLORE WITH THE HOSPITAL AUTHORITY FURTHER WAYS TO ENHANCE TRANSPARENCY.
--------0-----------
PROCEDURE FOR BNO RENEWAL REMAINS UNCHANGED
*****
THE PROCEDURE FOR THE RENEWAL OF BRITISH NATIONAL (OVERSEAS) (BN(O)) PASSPORTS AFTER 1997, WILL BE THE SAME AS AT PRESENT.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, MR ALISTAIR ASPREY IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON CHIM PUI-CHUNG, IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
HE SAID BN(O) PASSPORTS MAY BE RENEWED AFTER THE CHANGE OF FLAG BY THE BRITISH CONSULATE GENERAL IN HONG KONG, OR BY ANY BRITISH PASSPORT ISSUING OFFICE OVERSEAS.
---------0-----------
/io........
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 20, 1993
- 10 -
NO PLAN TO ADD MORE MARRIAGE REGISTRIES ♦ * * * *
THE GOVERNMENT HAS NO PLAN TO INCREASE THE NUMBER OF MARRIAGE REGISTRIES AND TO PRIVATISE THE SERVICE, THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, MR ALISTAIR ASPREY, SAID.
IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON TIMOTHY HA WING-HO IN THE LEGISTLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY), MR ASPREY SAID THE EXISTING FACILITIES COULD COPE WITH DEMAND.
’’THE PROBLEM OF INSUFFICIENT TIME SLOTS EXISTS FOR LESS THAN 10 DAYS IN THE YEAR."
HE SAID EXTENDING REGISTRIES’ OFFICE HOURS WAS A VIABLE WAY TO MEET EXCESS DEMAND ON PARTICULAR DAYS, BUT PEOPLE DID NOT LIKE EARLY MORNINGS OR LATE AFTERNOONS FOR THE CEREMONY.
HE ALSO POINTED OUT THAT PROLONGED QUEUING WAS UNNECESSARY AS THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT COULD COPE WITH THE NUMBER OF COUPLES WISHING TO BE MARRIED.
HE SAID THE 11 CIVIL MARRIAGE REGISTRIES PROVIDED AN EFFICIENT SERVICE AT REASONABLE COST, ADDING THAT THERE WERE SOME 220 PLACES OF WORSHIP OF DIFFERENT RELIGIONS LICENSED FOR THE CELEBRATION OF MARRIAGE.
--------0-----------
MEASURES TO ALLEVIATE AIRPORT CONGESTION
*****
THE GOVERNMENT IS TAKING MEASURES TO ALLEVIATE THE CONGESTION OF TRANSFER PASSENGERS AT THE RESTRICTED AREA OF KAI TAK AIRPORT, THE SECRETARY FOR ECONOMIC SERVICES, MR GORDON SIU, SAID.
IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON TAM YIU-CHUNG IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY), MR SIU SAID THE CIVIL AVIATION DEPARTMENT HAD STARTED A PROGRAMME TO EXPAND THE DEPARTURE LOUNGE IN THE RESTRICTED AREA.
THE PROGRAMME INCLUDES THE WIDENING OF DEPARTURE PIERS TOWARDS THE LANDSIDE AND THE RE-LOCATION OF SOME AIRLINE ACCOMMODATION. AN ADDITIONAL 2,200 SQUARE METRES OF SPACE WILL BE AVAILABLE BY NOVEMBER NEXT YEAR.
HE ADDED THAT THE IMMIGRATION SERVICE AT THE AIRPORT ALSO ALLOWED TRANSFER PASSENGERS UNABLE TO MAKE AN IMMEDIATE ONWARD CONNECTION TO LEAVE THE AIRPORT TEMPORARILY UNDER A GUARANTEE FROM THE AIRLINES WHICH BROUGHT THEM TO HONG KONG.
/MR SIU ........
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 20, 1993
11
MR SIU SAID CONGESTION AT THE RESTRICTED AREA OF AIRPORT WAS MAINLY ATTRIBUTABLE TO THE INCREASE IN THROUGHPUT AT THE AIRPORT, PARTICULARLY THE GROWTH IN PASSENGER TRAFFIC.
KAI TAK
PASSENGER TRANSFER
FROM 1987 TO AUGUST 31 THIS YEAR, THE TOTAL PASSENGER TRAFFIC HAD INCREASED FROM 12 MILLION TO ALMOST 24 MILLION, AND FROM 1.5 MILLION TO 5.5 MILLION IN THE NUMBER OF TRANSFER PASSENGERS.
---------0-----------
DISCUSSION UNDERWAY FOR HK TO HOST 1997 MEETINGS
******
THE GOVERNMENT IS DISCUSSING WITH THE WORLD BANK AND THE INTERNATIONAL MONETARY FUND THE ARRANGEMENTS REGARDING THE ISSUE OF FORMAL INVITATION LETTERS TO INVITE THE TWO ORGANISATIONS TO HOLD THEIR 1997 ANNUAL MEETINGS IN HONG KONG.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE SECRETARY FOR FINANCIAL SERVICES, MR MICHAEL CARTLAND, IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY DR THE HON DAVID K P LI IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
IT IS HOPED THAT THE MATTER WILL BE RESOLVED BY THE END OF THIS
YEAR, MR CARTLAND SAID.
---------0-----------
MEASURES TO STRENGTHEN MORALE OF HOSPITAL STAFF
*****
THE RATE OF APPLICATIONS FOR TRANSFER BY NURSING STAFF OF THE CASTLE PEAK HOSPITAL IS COMPARABLE WITH THOSE OF OTHER PUBLIC HOSPITALS, THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, MRS ELIZABETH WONG, SAID.
A MAJORITY OF THESE APPLICATIONS ARE RELATED TO PERSONAL REASONS SUCH AS TRAVELLING DISTANCE TO WORK, INTENTION TO SEEK FURTHER EDUCATION AND ASPIRATIONS FOR GREATER CAREER EXPOSURE, SHE NOTED.
IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY DR THE HON CONRAD LAM IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY), MRS WONG OUTLINED A NUMBER OF MEASURES BEING TAKEN TO STRENGTHEN THE MORALE OF THE STAFF WORKING IN CASTLE PEAK HOSPITAL.
THESE INCLUDE:
» CONDUCT REGULAR OPINION SURVEYS TO GAUGE THE SENTIMENTS OF STAFF AND TO FOCUS ATTENTION ON POSSIBLE AREAS OF IMPROVEMENT;
» DOUBLE THE BUDGET FOR STAFF TRAINING FROM $280,000 IN 1992/93 TO $500,000 IN 1993/94;
/★ REDUCE OVERCROWDING .......
12
WEDNESDAY, UC1VBEK ZU, 1330
* REDUCE OVERCROWDING SIGNIFICANTLY THROUGH THE COMPLETE ELIMINATION OF CAMP BEDS AND THE PHASED DECANTATION OF 487 PATIENTS TO OTHER HOSPITALS; AND
* ORGANISE WELFARE OR RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES BY THE STAFF SOCIAL CLUB.
MRS WONG ALSO NOTED THAT A TOTAL OF 13 MINOR PROJECTS WERE IN PROGRESS TO IMPROVE THE HOSPITAL ENVIRONMENT FOR PATIENTS AND STAFF.
IN THE LONGER TERM, THE HOSPITAL WILL BE REDEVELOPED, AT A COST OF $500 MILLION, FOR COMPLETION BY 1997, SHE ADDED.
------0--------
MORE S6 STUDENTS IN PREVOCATIONAL SCHOOLS * * * * ♦
A TOTAL OF 275 SECONDARY FIVE STUDENTS OF PREVOCATIONAL SCHOOLS CONTINUE THEIR STUDIES IN SECONDARY SIX IN THE SAME SCHOOLS IN 1993/94 COMPARED TO 263 IN 1992/93, THE ACTING SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER, MR W K LAM, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON TIK CHI-YUEN, MR LAM SAID THESE FIGURES REPRESENTED 9.84 PER CENT AND 11.71 PER CENT OF THE RELEVANT ENROLMENT RESPECTIVELY.
HE ALSO TOLD MEMBERS THAT OF THE 570 SECONDARY SIX PLACES IN PREVOCATIONAL SCHOOLS IN 1993/94, 526 WERE ALLOCATED UNDER STAGES I TO IV OF THE ADMISSION PROCEDURE ON THE BASIS OF ACADEMIC MERIT AND SCHOOL SELECTION.
THE REMAINING 44 PLACES WERE ALLOCATED CENTRALLY TO 43 STUDENTS UNDER STAGE V.
IN 1992/93, ALL THE 420 AVAILABLE PLACES HAD BEEN ALLOCATED BEFORE THE CENTRAL ALLOCATION STAGE WAS ACTIVATED.
ON THE NUMBER OF SECONDARY SIX STUDENTS IN PREVOCATIONAL SCHOOLS WHO DID NOT OBTAIN PASSES IN CHINESE OR ENGLISH IN THE HONG KONG CERTIFICATE OF EDUCATION EXAMINATION (HKCEE), MR LAM SAID IN 1993/94, 85 (16%) DID NOT OBTAIN A PASS IN CHINESE LANGUAGE, 91 (17.1%) DID NOT OBTAIN A PASS IN ENGLISH LANGUAGE AND 22 (4.1%) DID NOT OBTAIN PASSES IN BOTH CHINESE LANGUAGE AND ENGLISH LANGUAGE.
THE CORRESPONDING FIGURES FOR 1992/93 WERE 51 (12.3%), 65 (15.7%) AND 12 (2.9%).
THERE WERE ALSO 24 (5.8%) SECONDARY SIX STUDENTS WHO LEFT SCHOOL IN 1992/93 BECAUSE THEY DID NOT OBTAIN A PASS IN EITHER CHINESE LANGUAGE OR ENGLISH LANGUAGE OR BOTH AFTER RESITTING THE HKCEE IN 1993 .
THE NUMBER OF STUDENTS TO RESIT THE 1994 HKCEE IS NOT YET AVAILABLE.
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/13........
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 20, 1993
- 13 -
DOMESTIC HELPERS FROM CHINA NOT PERMITTED
♦ ♦ « * »
ENTRY OF DOMESTIC HELPERS FROM CHINA IS NOT PERMITTED AND THE GOVERNMENT HAS NO PLAN TO CHANGE THE POLICY.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, MR ALISTAIR ASPREY, IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON CHIM PUI CHUNG IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MR ASPREY SAID THERE WOULD BE DIFFICULTIES TO MAINTAIN EFFECTIVE IMMIGRATION CONTROL IF DOMESTIC HELPERS FROM CHINA WERE PERMITTED TO ENTER. THE DIFFICULTIES ARE:
* DOMESTIC HELPERS FROM CHINA COULD BECOME HONG KONG PERMANENT RESIDENTS AFTER SEVEN YEARS OF ORDINARY RESIDENCE HERE;
» PEOPLE MIGHT ABUSE THE SITUATION BY, FOR EXAMPLE, BRINGING IN FAMILY MEMBERS FROM CHINA BY REPRESENTING THEM AS DOMESTIC HELPERS;
* WORKERS MIGHT OVERSTAY OR TAKE ON OTHER JOBS; AND
♦ A WRONG SIGNAL TO WOULD-BE ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS, AND RESULT IN AN INFLUX OF ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS.
THE POLICY ON FOREIGN DOMESTIC HELPERS, INCLUDING THE POSSIBILITY OF PERMITTING ENTRY OF DOMESTIC HELPERS FROM CHINA, WAS REVIEWED REGULARLY, MR ASPREY SAID.
------0--------
USE OF NYLON ROPES UNDER CONTROL
* ♦ * * ♦
THERE WAS ONE FATAL ACCIDENT INVOLVING NYLON ROPES IN A CONSTRUCTION SITE IN THE PAST THREE YEARS, THE ACTING SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER, MR W K LAM, SAID.
IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY DR THE HON HUANG CHEN-YA IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY), MR LAM SAID THE SAFE USE OF ROPES MADE OF SYNTHETIC FIBRES SUCH AS NYLON AS A COMPONENT OF A LIFTING GEAR IN AN INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKING WAS GOVERNED BY THE FACTORIES AND INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS (LIFTING APPLIANCES AND LIFTING GEAR) REGULATIONS.
’’THE CONTROL ON LIFTING APPLIANCES AND LIFTING GEARS HAS JUST BEEN TIGHTENED IN JULY THIS YEAR. IT WILL BE REVIEWED IN 12 MONTHS’ TIME,” SAID MR LAM.
UNDER THE REGULATIONS, THE OWNER OF THE ROPE IS REQUIRED TO ENSURE THAT:
/* IT IS .........
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 20, 1993
- 14 -
* IT IS OF ADEQUATE STRENGTH AND FREE FROM PATENT DEFECT;
* STEPS ARE TAKEN FOR ITS SAFE USE; AND
* IT IS EXAMINED BY A COMPETENT EXAMINER EVERY SIX MONTHS.
THE COMPETENT EXAMINER SHOULD BE A REGISTERED PROFESSIONAL ENGINEER REGISTERED UNDER THE ENGINEERS REGISTRATION ORDINANCE.
---------0-----------
GENERAL POLICY ON RURAL SCHOOLS EXPLAINED
*****
A NEW CENTRAL PRIMARY SCHOOL TO REPLACE FIVE SMALL VILLAGE SCHOOLS IN SAI KUNG IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN OPERATION IN SEPTEMBER 1995, THE ACTING SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER, MR W K LAM, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY DR THE HON TANG SIU-TONG IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, MR LAM SAID THIS WAS IN LINE WITH THE GENERAL POLICY ON RURAL SCHOOLS, WHICH SOUGHT TO REPLACE THOSE RURAL SCHOOL OPERATING LESS THAN SIX CLASSES BY LARGER SCHOOLS SERVING A WIDER CATCHMENT AREA.
SINCE THE INTRODUCTION OF THE RURAL SCHOOL POLICY' IN 1981, THREE CENTRAL PRIMARY SCHOOLS HAVE BEEN BUILT - THE SAI KUNG CENTRAL PRIMARY SCHOOL, SHA TAU KOK CENTRAL PRIMARY SCHOOL AND HANG HAU CENTRAL SHING HANG FONG MEMORIAL PRIMARY SCHOOL.
MR LAM NOTED THAT THERE WERE 127 RURAL SCHOOLS IN THE NEW TERRITORIES IN 1993/94, COMPARED TO 134 IN 1992/93. THE ENROLMENTS ARE 15,560 AND 17,953 RESPECTIVELY.
THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT HAS ADVISED 10 RURAL SCHOOLS THAT THEY SHOULD NOT ADMIT PRIMARY ONE CLASSES IN SEPTEMBER THIS YEAR.
IN ADDITION, 23 RURAL SCHOOLS MAY BE CLOSED DOWN IN THE NEXT THREE YEARS - SEVEN EACH IN 1994/95 AND 1995/96, AND NINE IN 1996/97.
UPON CLOSURE OF A RURAL SCHOOL, THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT WILL CONSIDER WHETHER THE VACATED PREMISES CAN BE USED FOR EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES, SUCH AS A SPECIAL SCHOOL OR A TEACHING CENTRE.
"THE PREMISES WILL BE MADE AVAILABLE TO THE RELEVANT DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE FOR DISPOSAL IF THEY' ARE CONSIDERED UNSUITABLE FOR ANY EDUCATIONAL USE," SAID MR LAM.
AT PRESENT, SOME OF THE FORMER RURAL SCHOOL PREMISES ARE BEING USED AS OFFICES OF VILLAGE COMMITTEES, SOCIAL AND RECREATION CENTRES FOR VILLAGERS OR ACTIVITY CENTRES FOR SCOUTS.
------0----------
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 21, 1993
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
CREDIBLE LEGISLATURE FUNDAMENTAL FOR HK: GOVERNOR ......... 1
MORE VEGETABLES INTERCEPTED ............................... 2
VIEWS TO BE SOUGHT ON DISTRICT BOARD ELECTORAL BOUNDARIES ... 2
15TH ROUND OF ELECTION TALKS SCHEDULED .................... 5
CONSUMER PRICE INDICES FOR SEPTEMBER ...................... 6
WORKING ENVIRONMENT IMPORTANT TO EMPLOYEES’ HEALTH ....... 12
ARTS DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL WORKING GROUP GOES FULL STEAM AHEAD 13
EDUCATION COMMISSION SETS UP WORKING GROUPS .............. 14
EMPLOYMENT OF DISABLED URGED ............................. 15
TOGETHER WE DEVELOP OUR ABILITIES ........................ 16
HK CUSTOMS RETURNS LOST CARS TO U.S. CUSTOMS ............. 18
LAST REPORT ON BEACH WATER QUALITY GRADING THIS YEAR ..... 19
CLOSURE OF UNAUTHORISED STRUCTURE SOUGHT ................. 22
56 LEGCO MEMBERS DEBATED POLICY ADDRESS .................. 22
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS
23
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 21, 1993
1
CREDIBLE LEGISLATURE FUNDAMENTAL FOR HK: GOVERNOR *****
A CREDIBLE LEGISLATURE IS FUNDAMENTAL TO THE CONTINUATION OF THE RULE OF LAW AND THE WAY OF LIFE OF HONG KONG, THE GOVERNOR, THE RT. HON. CHRISTOPHER PATTEN, SAID TODAY (THURSDAY).
"NOT A WHOLLY DIRECTLY ELECTED LEGISLATURE, NOT NECESSARILY A LEGISLATURE MODELLED PRECISELY ON THE WESTMINSTER MODEL.
"BUT A LEGISLATURE TO WHICH THE ELECTIONS ARE CLEAN, NOT COMPROMISED; ELECTIONS IN WHICH PEOPLE HAVE A GENUINE CHOICE," HE SAID.
HE WAS ADDRESSING A JOINT LUNCHEON BY THE FRENCH, GERMAN AND DUTCH BUSINESS ASSOCIATIONS.
MR PATTEN SAID IF ELECTIONS WERE NOT OPEN AND FAIR, IF THE ELECTIONS TO THE LEGISLATURE WERE COMPROMISED, IF ELECTIONS WERE ARRANGED IN A MANNER WHICH WOULD TILT THE RESULT IN ONE DIRECTION OR ANOTHER, AND IF THE PEOPLE OF A GENUINE FREE CHOICE WERE DEPRIVED OF AT THE BALLOT BOX, THEN:
"YOU SET OFF A PROCESS THAT COULD ULTIMATELY UNRAVEL THE ENTIRE RULE OF LAW IN HONG KONG."
IF HONG KONG IS TO CONTINUE TO BE THE ATTRACTIVE LOCATION FOR INTERNATIONAL INVESTORS AS WELL AS A DECENT PLACE TO LIVE IN, IT MUST HAVE VIGOROUS, HEALTHY INSTITUTIONS AS THE JOINT DECLARATION ENVISAGED.
"AND THAT MEANS A VIGOROUS - DARE I SAY IT, OCCASIONALLY TIRESOME - LEGISLATURE, IT MEANS A SOUND, CLEAN GOVERNMENT, AND IT MEANS A FREE, INQUISITIVE PRESS," HE ADDED.
HE POINTED OUT THAT ALL THESE THINGS STOOD TOGETHER. THEY WERE THE THINGS THAT HAD HELPED TO MAKE THIS PLACE A SERIOUSLY SUCCESSFUL BUSINESS LOCATION.
ON THE WORLD TRADING ORDER, MR PATTEN SAID HONG KONG LIVED BY THE GATT RULES. HONG KONG AS MUCH AS ANYONE HAD A VITAL INTEREST IN A SUCCESSFUL CONCLUSION TO THE URUGUAY ROUND.
HE DESCRIBED AS SPECIOUS THE ARGUMENT THAT THE ONLY WAY TO SAFEGUARD EUROPEAN SOCIAL MARKET ECONOMIES WAS TO APPLY A BIT OF PROTECTION.
NOTING THAT THE ARGUMENT WOULD DO EUROPE ABSOLUTELY NO GOOD, MR PATTEN SAID EUROPE ABOVE ALL SHOULD BE IDEOLOGICALLY FREE TRADING IN THE YEARS AHEAD.
HE HOPES THAT EUROPE AND ASIA CAN WORK TOGETHER TO LEARN FROM ONE ANOTHER.
------0-------
/2 ........
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 21, 1993
2
MORE VEGETABLES INTERCEPTED
*****
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH’S FOOD INSPECTORS AT MAN KAM TO BORDER CHECKPOINT YESTERDAY (WEDNESDAY) INTERCEPTED A LORRY OF VEGETABLES COMING FROM A SUSPECTED FARM, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE VEGETABLES SEIZED, CONSISTING OF CHINESE FLOWERING CABBAGE (CHOI SUM), CHINESE WHITE CABBAGE AND CHINESE KALE WEIGHED 3,000 KILOGRAMS, WERE DESTROYED TODAY.
THE SPOKESMAN URGED MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC TO TAKE THE FOLLOWING PRECAUTIONARY MEASURES TO PREVENT FOOD POISONING BY PESTICIDE-CONTAMINATED VEGETABLES:
* DON’T BUY VEGETABLES WITH AN OBVIOUS STRANGE SMELL;
* WASH WELL BEFORE COOKING;
* DIP VEGETABLES INTO CLEAN WATER FOR SOME TIME TO ALLOW PESTICIDES TO LEACH OUT;
* BLANCH IN BOILING WATER AND POUR AWAY THE WATER USED FOR BLANCHING AS IT MAY CONTAIN DISSOLVED PESTICIDES; AND
* COOK THOROUGHLY BEFORE CONSUMPTION.
----0 -T - - -
VIEWS TO BE SOUGHT ON DISTRICT BOARD ELECTORAL BOUNDARIES *****
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE INVITED TO GIVE THEIR VIEWS ON THE PROVISIONAL CONSTITUENCY BOUNDARIES DRAWN UP BY THE BOUNDARY AND ELECTION COMMISSION FOR THE DISTRICT BOARD ELECTIONS NEXT YEAR.
ANNOUNCING DETAILS OF A PUBLIC CONSULTATION EXERCISE ON ITS RECOMMENDATIONS TODAY (THURSDAY), THE CHAIRMAN OF THE COMMISSION, MR JUSTICE WOO KWOK-HING, SAID REPRESENTATIONS SHOULD BE SENT TO THE COMMISSION SECRETARIAT BETWEEN OCTOBER 29 AND NOVEMBER 27.
’’THE COMMISSION WILL REPORT TO THE GOVERNOR BY THE END OF THE YEAR AFTER THE CONCLUSION OF THE CONSULTATION EXERCISE,” MR JUSTICE WOO SAID.
A NOTICE OF THE ARRANGEMENTS FOR PUBLIC CONSULTATION WILL BE GAZETTED NEXT FRIDAY (OCTOBER 29).
THE THREE-MEMBER COMMISSION WAS ESTABLISHED IN JULY THIS YEAR TO TAKE CHARGE OF ELECTORAL MATTERS INCLUDING THE DELINEATION OF GEOGRAPHICAL CONSTITUENCY BOUNDARIES.
THE OTHER TWO MEMBERS OF THE COMMISSION ARE MR ROBERT GEORGE KOTEWALL QC AND PROFESSOR LEUNG CHI-KEUNG.
"THIS IS THE FIRST TIME IN HONG KONG THAT A POPULATION QUOTA IS APPLIED IN THE DEMARCATION OF ELECTORAL BOUNDARIES," MR JUSTICE WOO SAID.
/•'WHILST THIS..........
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 21, 1993
3
’’WHILST THIS IS THE MOST IMPORTANT CONSIDERATION TAKEN BY THE COMMISSION, DUE REGARD HAS ALSO TO BE MADE TO OTHER CONSIDERATIONS AS APPROPRIATE, SUCH AS COMMUNITY IDENTITIES, LOCAL TIES AND THE PHYSICAL FEATURES, ACCESSIBILITY AND DEVELOPMENT OF THE AREAS CONCERNED.
’’IN MANY CASES, THIS MEANS HAVING TO STRIKE A FINE BALANCE OF ALL THE RELEVANT FACTORS.’’
IN DRAWING UP ITS RECOMMENDATIONS, MR JUSTICE WOO SAID THE NUMBER OF CONSTITUENCIES IN EACH DISTRICT WAS DETERMINED BY REFERENCE TO THE PROJECTED DISTRICT POPULATION FOR NEXT YEAR AND THE POPULATION QUOTA.
’’THE CONSTITUENCY BOUNDARIES IN EACH DISTRICT ARE THEN DEMARCATED AND THE CIRCUMSTANCES EXAMINED IN DETAIL TO ASCERTAIN THE NUMBER OF CONSTITUENCIES JUSTIFIED FOR THE DISTRICT.”
MAPS SHOWING THE DELINEATION OF THE PROPOSED CONSTITUENCY AREAS AND THE DESCRIPTION TABLES OF THEIR BOUNDARIES WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR PUBLIC INSPECTION FROM OCTOBER 29 AT OVER 400 LOCATIONS IN THE TERRITORY. THEY ARE:
(1) REGISTRATION AND ELECTORAL OFFICE ON THE 10TH FLOOR IN
HARBOUR CENTRE AT 25 HARBOUR ROAD, WAN CHAI;
(2) THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION HEADQUARTERS AT SOUTHORN CENTRE, 130 HENNESSY ROAD; DISTRICT OFFICES AND SUB-OFFICES;
(3) ESTATE OFFICES OF ALL PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES;
(4) ALL URBAN COUNCIL AND REGIONAL COUNCIL PUBLIC LIBRARIES;
(5) ALL POST OFFICES; AND
(6) THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS SALES CENTRE ON THE GROUND FLOOR IN FRENCH MISSION BUILDING AT 1 BATTERY PATH, CENTRAL.
WRITTEN REPRESENTATIONS WITH NAME AND ADDRESS SUPPLIED SHOULD BE SENT ON OR BEFORE SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 27 TO THE BOUNDARY AND ELECTION COMMISSION SECRETARIAT ON THE 10TH FLOOR IN HARBOUR CENTRE AT 25 HARBOUR ROAD, WAN CHAI, HONG KONG.
MR JUSTICE WOO EXPLAINED THAT THE BOUNDARY AND ELECTION COMMISSION ORDINANCE ALLOWED ONLY 30 DAYS FOR REPRESENTATIONS AND THAT SUBMISSIONS RECEIVED AFTER NOVEMBER 27 WOULD NOT BE CONSIDERED.
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC MAY ALSO MAKE THEIR VIEWS KNOWN TO THE COMMISSION DURING TWO PUBLIC MEETINGS TO BE HELD IN THE CULTURAL ACTIVITIES HALL ON THE SECOND FLOOR OF SHA TIN TOWN HALL AT 1 YUEN WO ROAD, SHA TIN ON NOVEMBER 23 AND 24.
/THE MEETING .......
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 21, 1993
4
THE MEETING SCHEDULES WILL BE AS FOLLOWS
DATE: TUESDAY NOVEMBER 23 URBAN DISTRICTS
TIME
9.15 AM TO 9.45 AM CENTRAL & WESTERN
9.45 AM TO 10.15 AM WAN CHAI
10.15 AM TO 10.45 AM EASTERN
11 AM TO 11.30 AM SOUTHERN
11.30 AM TO NOON YAU TSIM MONG
NOON TO 1 PM GENERAL ASPECTS
2 PM TO 2.30 PM SHAM SHUI PO
2.30 PM TO 3 PM KOWLOON CITY
3 PM TO 3.30 PM WONG TAI SIN
3.30 PM TO 4 PM KWUN TONG
4.15 PM TO 5.45 PM GENERAL ASPECTS
/DATE .......
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 21, 1993
5
DATE: WEDNESDAY NOVEMBER 24 NEW TERRITORIES DISTRICTS
TIME
9.15 AM TO 9.45 AM TSUEN WAN
9.45 AM TO 10.15 AM TUEN MUN
10.15 AM TO 10.45 AM YUEN LONG
11 AM TO 11.30 AM NORTH
11.30 AM TO NOON TAI PO
NOON TO 1 PM GENERAL ASPECTS
2 PM TO 2.30 PM SAI KUNG
2.30 PM TO 3 PM SHA TIN
3 PM TO 3.30 PM KWAI TSING
3.30 PM TO 4 PM ISLANDS
4.15 PM TO 5.45 PM GENERAL ASPECTS
ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE WITH THE BOUNDARY AND ELECTION COMMISSION
SECRETARIAT ON TEL 827 7144.
--------0-----------
15TH ROUND OF ELECTION TALKS SCHEDULED * * * * *
’’THE BRITISH SIDE AND THE CHINESE SIDE HAVE AGREED THAT THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT REPRESENTATIVE, SIR ROBIN MCLAREN, BRITISH AMBASSADOR TO CHINA, AND THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT REPRESENTATIVE, MR JIANG ENZHU, VICE FOREIGN MINISTER OF THE PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF CHINA, WILL HOLD THEIR FIFTEENTH ROUND OF TALKS IN BEIJING ON 27 AND 28 OCTOBER 1993 ON THE ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE 1994/95 ELECTIONS IN HONG KONG IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE SINO-BRITISH JOINT DECLARATION, THE PRINCIPLE OF CONVERGENCE WITH THE BASIC LAW AND THE RELEVANT AGREEMENTS AND UNDERSTANDINGS REACHED BETWEEN BRITAIN AND CHINA.”
- - 0-----------
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 21, 1993
6
CONSUMER PRICE INDICES FOR SEPTEMBER *****
THE CONSUMER PRICE INDEX (A) IN SEPTEMBER WAS 7.9% HIGHER THAN IN THE SAME MONTH LAST YEAR, ACCORDING TO FIGURES RELEASED TODAY (THURSDAY) BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THIS WAS APPRECIABLY LOWER THAN THE CORRESPONDING INCREASE OF 8.5% IN AUGUST AND WAS THE LOWEST SINCE APRIL THIS YEAR.
’’THE SLOWER INCREASE IN THE CPI (A) IN SEPTEMBER THAN IN AUGUST WAS MAINLY DUE TO MORE MODERATE RISE IN THE PRICES OF FRESH VEGETABLES AND IN RENT FOR HOUSING. THE RATES OF INCREASE IN THE PRICES OF MANY OTHER COMPONENTS IN THE CPI REMAINED GENERALLY STABLE,” THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
HOWEVER, THERE WERE INDICATIONS THAT, AFFECTED BY THE TYPHOON IN LATE SEPTEMBER, THE PRICES OF FRESH VEGETABLES HAD SURGED SIGNIFICANTLY IN EARLY OCTOBER.
"TAKING THE FIRST NINE MONTHS TOGETHER, THE YEAR-ON-YEAR RATE OF INCREASE IN THE CPI(A) AVERAGED AT 8.4%, AND WAS A FRACTION OF A PERCENTAGE POINT LOWER THAN THE REVISED FORECAST INFLATION RATE OF 9.0% FOR 1993 AS A WHOLE," HE SAID.
THE CPI(B) AND THE HANG SENG CPI WERE HIGHER BY 8.1% AND 9.2% RESPECTIVELY IN SEPTEMBER THAN IN THE SAME MONTH LAST YEAR. THE CORRESPONDING INCREASES IN AUGUST WERE 8.5% AND 9.2%.
THE COMPOSITE CPI, WHICH IS COMPILED BASED ON THE COMBINED EXPENDITURE PATTERN OF HOUSEHOLDS COVERED BY THE THREE CPIS, SHOWED AN INCREASE OF 8.3% IN SEPTEMBER OVER THE SAME MONTH LAST YEAR. THIS WAS SLOWER THAN THE CORRESPONDING INCREASE OF 8.7% IN AUGUST.
COMPARING SEPTEMBER 1993 WITH SEPTEMBER 1992, RELATIVELY SLOWER INCREASES IN PRICES WERE RECORDED FOR DURABLE GOODS (2.6% IN BOTH CPI(A) AND CPI(B)); FOOD EXCLUDING MEALS AT RESTAURANTS (3.6% IN THE CPI(A) AND 3.9% IN THE CPI(B)); FUEL AND LIGHT (3.9% IN BOTH CPI’S); MISCELLANEOUS GOODS (6.9% IN THE CPI(A) AND 6.4% IN THE CPI(B)); AND CLOTHING AND FOOTWEAR (7.2% IN BOTH CPI’S).
ON THE OTHER HAND, RELATIVELY FASTER INCREASES IN PRICES WERE RECORDED FOR HOUSING (11.5% IN BOTH CPI(A) AND CPI(B)); ALCOHOLIC DRINKS AND TOBACCO (10.7% IN THE CPI(A) AND 9.5% IN THE CPI(B)); AND MISCELLANEOUS SERVICES (9.9% AND 9.6%).
AS FOR MEALS AT RESTAURANTS AND TRANSPORT, THEIR CORRESPONDING INCREASES WERE 8.3% AND 8.6% IN THE CPI(A) AND 8.3% AND 7.8% IN THE CPI(B).
COMPARING SEPTEMBER 1993 WITH AUGUST 1993, THE CPI(A) AND CPI(B) INCREASED BY 1.6% AND 1.3% RESPECTIVELY. HOWEVER, THIS COMPARISON COULD HAVE BEEN AFFECTED BY SEASONAL FACTORS.
/FOR THE .......
THURSDAY, OCTOBE’5 2.1, 1993
7
FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDING SEPTEMBER 1993, THE CPI(A) WAS, ON AVERAGE, HIGHER BY 8.2% THAN IN THE THREE MONTHS ENDING SEPTEMBER 1992. THE CORRESPONDING INCREASE FOR THE CPI(B) WAS 8.4%.
FOR THE PERIOD FROM JANUARY TO SEPTEMBER 1993, THE CPI(A) AND CPI(B) WERE, ON AVERAGE, HIGHER BY 8.4% AND 8.8% RESPECTIVELY THAN IN THE CORRESPONDING PERIOD IN 1992.
FOR THE 12 MONTHS ENDING SEPTEMBER 1993, THE CPI(A) AND CPI(B) WERE, ON AVERAGE, HIGHER BY 8.7% AND 9.0% RESPECTIVELY THAN IN THE PRECEDING 12-MONTH PERIOD.
SEASONALLY ADJUSTED SERIES ARE ALSO AVAILABLE FOR THE CPI’S. THE DESEASONALISED CPI(A) AND CPI(B) INCREASED AT AN AVERAGE RATE OF 0.5% AND 0.6% RESPECTIVELY PER MONTH DURING THE THREE MONTHS ENDING SEPTEMBER 1993.
THE CONSUMER PRICE INDEX REPORT
MORE DETAILS ARE GIVEN IN THE ’’CONSUMER PRICE INDEX REPORT” FOR SEPTEMBER 1993, WHICH IS AVAILABLE AT $ 12 A COPY FROM:
* THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, GENERAL POST OFFICE BUILDING, GROUND FLOOR, CONNAUGHT PLACE, HONG KONG; AND
* THE PUBLICATIONS SECTION OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT, 19TH FLOOR, WANCHAI TOWER, 12 HARBOUR ROAD, WAN CHAI, HONG KONG.
FOR LOCAL AND OVERSEAS MAILINGS, CONTACT SHOULD BE MADE WITH THE INFORMATION SERVICES DEPARTMENT, FRENCH MISSION BUILDING, 1 BATTERY PATH, HONG KONG.
FOR ENQUIRIES ABOUT THE INDICES, PLEASE TELEPHONE THE CONSUMER PRICE INDEX SECTION OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT ON 805 6403. DETAILS REGARDING THE HANG SENG CPI ARE CONTAINED IN THE HANG SENG CPI REPORT ISSUED BY THE ECONOMIC RESEARCH DEPARTMENT OF HANG SENG BANK LTD.
/TABLE 1 ......
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 21, 1993
8
Table 1 Consumer Price Indices and Rates ot Increase for September 1993
(Oct. 89 - Sep. 90 = 100)
CPI(A) CPI(B) Hana Sena CPI Ccmnosite CPI
CCmponent Index for Sep 93 % change over Sep 92 Index for Sep 93 % chanae over Sep 92 Index for Sep 93 % chanae over Sep 92 Index for Sep 93 %chanae over Sep 92
Food 134.9 +6.0 136.2 -6.5 135.7 -7.5 135.5 +6.5
Meals bought away fran heme 142.7 -8.3 142.8 -8.3 140.0 -9.4 142.1 -8.5
Food, excludina meals bought away frem heme 127.0 -3.6 127.1 -3.9 128.5 -4.2 127.3 +3.8
Housing 152.0 -11.5 152.1 -11.5 153.9 -13.6 152.6 -12.2
Fuel and liaht 121.0 -3.9 120.3 -3.9 120.0 +3.8 120.5 -3.9
Alcoholic drinks and tobacco 179.1 -10.7 168.7 -9.5 164.0 -8.7 173.3 -10.0
Clothina and footwear 126.6 -7.2 127.9 -7.2 136.0 -8.4 130.3.. -7.6
IXirable goods 109.9 +2.6 109.4 -2.6 114.1 -3.2 110.9 -2.7 .
Miscellaneous goods 124.2 +6.9 122.5 -6.4 121.5 +6.1 122.8 +6.5
Transport 137.3 -8.6 136.2 -7.8 136.0 +6.5 136.6 +7.7
Miscellaneous services 149.0 -9.9 144.7 +9.6 137.3 +8.5 143.8 +9.3
.All items 138.4 -7.9 138.3 -8.1 139.2 -9.2 138.6 -8.3
Hie 1989/90-based consirrer price indices are based on the expenditure patterns derived firm the 1989/90 Household Expenditure Survey. The CPI (A) is based on the expenditure pattern of about 50% of urban households in Hong Kona, which had an averaae monthly expenditure of S2.500-S9.999 in 1989/90. The CPI(B) is based on the expenditure pattern of the next 30% of urban households, which had an averaae monthly expenditure of SI0,000-517,499 in the sane period. Ihe Hana Sena CPI is based on the expenditure pattern ot the next 10% ot urban households, which had an averaae monthly expenditure of S17,500-537,499 in 1989/90.
Xhereas the CPI (A). CPI(B) and Hana Sena CPI are based on the expenditure patterns of araips of households with different magnitudes of household expenditure, the Ccmposite CPI is ccritDiJed based on the expenditure pattern of all these households taken toaether. Ihus, while the CPI (A), CPI (B) and Hana Sena CPI show the impact of consider pnce chanaes on different groups of households, the Carposite CPI shews the impact of consumer price chanaes on the household sector generally.
/TABLE 2 .......
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 21, 1993
9
Table 2 Consumer Price Indices tor January 1991 - September 1993 (Oct. 39 - Sen. 90 = 100)
Year/month
CPI(A)
CPI (B) Hang Sena CPI Composite CPI
1991 January 108.3 108.4 108.6 108.4
February 110.3 110.1 110.2 110.2
March 111.9 111.1 110. 1 111.3
April 113.9 113.0 112.0 113.1
May- 114.0 113.6 113.4 113.7
June 114.6 114.1 113.9 114.2
July 115.4 114.8 113.9 114.8
Auaust 116.0 115.3 114.6 115.4
September 116.8 116.1 115.8 116.3
October 117.2 116.8 117.4 117.1
November 117.7 117.6 118.7 117.9
December 118.1 118.3 118.5 118.3
1992 January 119.7 119.3 119.4 119.5
February- 121.8 121.2 121.0 121.4
March 122.5 121.9 121.8 122.1
April 124.0 123.4 122.9 123.5
May- 124.0 123.8 124.2 124.0
June 125.3 125.1 125.2 125.2
Julv 125.5 125.4 125.4 125.4
Auaust 125.6 125.9 125.8 125.8
September 128.3 127.9 127.5 128.0
October 128.4 128.4 128.6 128.5
November 128.5 129.0 129.9 129.0
December 129.3 129.8 130.0 129.7
1993 January- 131.8 131.6 131.5 131.7
February 132.4 132.2 132.0 132.2
March 132.0 132.2 133.1 132.4
April 133.5 133.9 134.5 133.9
May- 13 4.5 134.8 136.3 135.1
June 136.0 135.9 137.1 136.3
Julv 135.3 136.1 136.° 136.2
Auaust 136.3 136.6 137.4 136.7
Septimber J 38. 1 138.3 139.2 I 3 8 . b
/CHART 1 .......
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 21, 1993
10
Chart 1 Year-on-year Rates of Increase in CPI(A)
Chart 2 Year-on-year Rates of Increase in CPI(B)
Sep Dec 1991
Mar Jun Sep 1992
Mar Jun 1993
Sop
/CHART 3 .......
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 21, 1993
11
Chart 3 Year-on-year Rates of Increase in Hang Seng CPI
Chart 4 Year-on-year Rates of Increase in Composite CPI
/12
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 21, 1993
12
WORKING ENVIRONMENT IMPORTANT TO EMPLOYEES’ HEALTH *****
THE WORKING ENVIRONMENT IS IMPORTANT TO AND WILL DIRECTLY AFFECT EMPLOYEES’ HEALTH AND EFFICIENCY IN ANY KIND OF TRADE, THE COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR, MRS KATHERINE FOK, SAID THIS (THURSDAY) MORNING.
IN THE WELCOMING REMARKS DELIVERED AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE ’’OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH IN OFFICE ENVIRONMENT” EXHIBITION, MRS FOK SAID: "EMPLOYERS AND EMPLOYEES IN THE INDUSTRIAL SECTOR ARE USED TO PAY SPECIAL ATTENTION TO THE OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY IN FACTORIES AND WORKPLACES."
"THE QUESTION OF OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH IN OFFICE ENVIRONMENT IS GENERALLY BEING NEGLECTED," SHE SAID.
"IN FACT, THERE ARE VARIOUS FACTORS IN THE OFFICE ENVIRONMENT, WHICH IF NOT PROPERLY HANDLED, WILL AFFECT THE HEALTH OF THE EMPLOYEES AND THEIR WORKING EFFICIENCY," SHE ADDED.
NOTING THAT THIS WAS THE REASON WHY THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT AND THE OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH COUNCIL HAVE CHOSEN SUCH THEME AND JOINTLY ORGANISED THE EXHIBITION, MRS FOK SAID:
"THE EXHIBITION IS AIMED AT AROUSING PUBLIC AWARENESS ON THE POTENTIAL HEALTH HAZARDS IN OFFICE ENVIRONMENT AND PROVIDING INFORMATION ON HOW TO MAINTAIN A HEALTHY WORKING ENVIRONMENT AND IMPROVE WORKING EFFICIENCY."
OTHER OFFICIATING GUESTS INCLUDE LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLOR, DR LEONG CHE-HUNG; THE ACTING DIRECTOR OF HEALTH, DR MARGARET CHAN AND THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH COUNCIL, MR YIP YUK-LUN.
THE EXHIBITION WHICH IS BEING HELD ON THE GROUND FLOOR OF THE NEW WORLD PLAZA, TSIM SHA TSUI, WILL BE OPEN TO THE PUBLIC FREE OF CHARGE FROM 1 PM TO 7 PM TODAY, FROM 10 AM TO 7 PM BETWEEN OCTOBER 22 AND 26, AND END AT 2 PM ON OCTOBER 27.
AT THE EXHIBITION, VISITORS CAN GAIN A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF SOME OF THE HEALTH HAZARDS RELATING TO POOR OFFICE ENVIRONMENT AND THE BENEFITS OF HAVING A HEALTHY WORKING ENVIRONMENT THROUGH PHOTOGRAPHS, DISPLAYS, VIDEO SHOWS AND A FULL-SIZE DEMONSTRATION OF A TYPICAL OFFICE WORK STATION.
THERE WILL ALSO BE DEMONSTRATIONS OF SIMPLE RELAXATION EXERCISES SUITABLE FOR OFFICE WORKERS TO TRY OUT IN THEIR OWN OFFICE ENVIRONMENT.
ANOTHER ATTRACTION IS A COMPUTER QUIZ GAME TO ENHANCE VISITORS’ UNDERSTANDING ON A HEALTHY OFFICE ENVIRONMENT.
/13 .......
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 21, 1993
- 13 -
ARTS DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL WORKING GROUP GOES FULL STEAM AHEAD *******
THE HONG KONG ARTS DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL WORKING GROUP IS MOVING QUICKLY TO GET ON WITH ITS TASK TOWARDS THE SETTING UP OF A STATUTORY COUNCIL TO PLAN AND PROMOTE THE BROAD DEVELOPMENT AND APPRECIATION OF AND PARTICIPATION IN THE ARTS.
THIS IS WITH A VIEW TO IMPROVING THE QUALITY OF LIFE OF THE WHOLE COMMUNITY, PLACING PARTICULAR EMPHASIS ON THE PERFORMING, VISUAL AND LITERARY ARTS.
THE WORKING GROUP IS TASKED WITH DRAWING UP RECOMMENDATIONS REGARDING THE MEMBERSHIP GUIDELINES, TERMS OF REFERENCE, FUNCTIONS, OBJECTIVES, STRUCTURE, STAFFING AND MODUS OPERANDI THAT THE HONG KONG ARTS DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL WILL NEED TO ENABLE IT TO CARRY OUT ITS MISSION IN THE MOST APPROPRIATE MANNER FOR HONG KONG.
THE WORKING GROUP WILL TAKE INTO ACCOUNT THE VIEWS AND COMMENTS OF THE ARTS COMMUNITY AND OTHER INTERESTED PARTIES IN DRAWING UP ITS PLANS.
THE WORKING GROUP WILL ALSO HAVE TO PREPARE FOR THE HONG KONG ARTS DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL TO TAKE OVER THE FUNDING AND ACTIVITIES OF THE COUNCIL FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS.
THE WORKING GROUP HAS ALREADY HELD TWO MEETINGS SINCE ITS INAUGURATION ON OCTOBER 8, CHAIRMAN OF THE WORKING GROUP, SIR JOSEPH HOTUNG SAID.
TO HELP THE WORKING GROUP GET ON WITH ITS WORK, FIVE COMMITTEES HAVE BEEN ESTABLISHED.
THESE ARE THE POLICY COMMITTEE, MANAGEMENT AND FINANCE COMMITTEE, TRANSITIONAL ARRANGEMENTS COMMITTEE, LEGISLATION COMMITTEE AND COMMUNITY LIAISON COMMITTEE.
MORE COMMITTEES MIGHT BE REQUIRED LATER TO LOOK AT OTHER IMPORTANT MATTERS SUCH AS EDUCATION AND INDIVIDUAL ART FORMS AFTER THE BROAD POLICY OBJECTIVES HAVE BEEN WORKED OUT, SIR JOSEPH SAID.
THE TERMS OF REFERENCE FOR THE COMMITTEES ARE BEING DRAWN UP.
WHILE MEMBERSHIP OF THESE COMMITTEES COMPRISES ARTS PRACTITIONERS AND ADMINISTRATORS AS WELL AS OTHERS, OTHER MEMBERS OF THE WORKING GROUP CAN JOIN THESE COMMITTEES AS OBSERVERS AND ADDITIONAL EXPERTS FROM THE ARTS COMMUNITY WILL ALSO BE INVITED TO PARTICIPATE AS AND WHEN THEIR ADVICE IS REQUIRED.
"WE ARE ALSO SEEKING TO CONSULT, INFORMALLY OR FORMALLY, WITH THE ARTS COMMUNITY ABOUT RELEVANT MATTERS PERTAINING TO THE MISSION OF THE ARTS DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL," SIR JOSEPH SAID.
THE COMMUNITY LIAISON COMMITTEE HAD BEEN SET UP TO FACILITATE THIS PROCESS, HE ADDED.
/IT WOULD .......
14
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 21, 1993
IT WOULD MEET SHORTLY TO CONSIDER THE BEST WAYS OF LIAISING WITH THE ARTS COMMUNITY AND THE PUBLIC AT LARGE.
TO SERVICE THE SECRETARIAT OF THE WORKING GROUP, THE POSTS OF EXECUTIVE SECRETARY AND SUPPORTING STAFF HAVE BEEN ALREADY ADVERTISED.
IT IS HOPED THAT PEOPLE WHO ARE KNOWLEDGEABLE ABOUT AND INTERESTED IN THE ARTS IN HONG KONG WILL APPLY TO TAKE UP THESE MEANINGFUL AND CHALLENGING JOBS.
ONE OR TWO ADDITIONAL POSTS WILL ALSO BE ADVERTISED AS THE WORKING GROUP TAKES ON AN INCREASING WORKLOAD.
INTERESTED PARTIES SHOULD APPLY TO THE SECRETARIAT OF THE WORKING GROUP, WHICH IS CURRENTLY BEING STAFFED ON A TEMPORARY BASIS BY MEMBERS OF THE RECREATION AND CULTURE BRANCH.
THE WORKING GROUP HAS ALREADY ESTABLISHED ITS OWN OFFICE. THE TELEPHONE NUMBER OF THE OFFICE IS 594 6668 AND THE FAX NUMBER IS 519 9301. ITS ADDRESS IS ROOM 4004, 40TH FLOOR, REVENUE TOWER, 5 GLOUCESTER ROAD, WAN CHAI, HONG KONG.
THE WORKING GROUP WILL BE HAPPY TO RECEIVE COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC WHO MAY WISH TO PROVIDE THEIR VIEWS ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE ARTS TO THE WORKING GROUP.
TO FACILITATE ITS WORK THE WORKING GROUP HAS BEEN GIVEN A FULL SET OF THE COMMENTS AND VIEWS SUBMITTED EARLIER DURING THE CONSULTATION PERIOD AFTER THE RELEASE OF THE ARTS POLICY REVIEW REPORT FROM WHICH EMERGED A CONSENSUS FOR THE SETTING UP OF AN ARTS COUNCIL TO PROMOTE THE ARTS.
”WE ARE TRYING TO MEET A TIGHT TIMETABLE AS THE WORKING GROUP AIMS TO COMPLETE ITS WORK AND TO GAIN THE RELEVANT GOVERNMENT APPROVALS EARLY NEXT YEAR TO ENABLE THE SETTING UP OF THE PROVISIONAL HONG KONG ARTS DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL.
THE PROVISIONAL BODY WILL THEN START WORK ON PROMOTION AND DEVELOPMENT OF THE ARTS AND WORK TOWARDS THE SUBSEQUENT ESTABLISHMENT OF THE STATUTORY BODY IN EARLY 1995,” SIR JOSEPH SAID.
------0--------
EDUCATION COMMISSION SETS UP WORKING GROUPS *****
THE EDUCATION COMMISSION HAS SET UP THREE WORKING GROUPS TO CONDUCT STUDIES ON EDUCATIONAL STANDARDS, LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY, AND SCHOOL FUNDING.
THE GROUPS HAVE ALREADY HELD INITIAL MEETINGS AND THEY WILL AIM TO SUBMIT DRAFT REPORTS TO THE COMMISSION BY THE END OF MAY NEXT YEAR.
EACH WORKING GROUP IS CHAIRED BY A MEMBER OF THE COMMISSION, AND INCLUDES FOUR COMMISSION MEMBERS AS WELL AS THE CHAIRMAN OF THE COMMISSION, PROFESSOR ROSIE YOUNG.
/"IN ADDITION .......
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 21, 1993
15
"IN ADDITION, EACH GROUP HAS CO-OPTED THREE OR FOUR PEOPLE FROM OUTSIDE THE COMMISSION TO CONTRIBUTE THEIR IDEAS AND EXPERIENCE TO THE STUDIES," A SPOKESMAN FOR THE COMMISSION SAID TODAY (THURSDAY).
"THE COMMISSION WANTS EACH STUDY TO DRAW AS FULLY AS POSSIBLE ON LOCAL EXPERTISE AND RESEARCH.
"THE SECRETARY OF THE COMMISSION HAS THEREFORE WRITTEN TO ALL LOCAL TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS, SEEKING THEIR HELP IN IDENTIFYING RELEVANT RESEARCH PROJECTS AND PROVIDING NAMES OF ACADEMIC EXPERTS WHO MIGHT BE ABLE TO PROVIDE EVIDENCE FOR THE STUDIES," HE ADDED.
EDUCATORS AND OTHER MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE ALSO INVITED TO SUBMIT VIEWS AND SUGGESTIONS TO THE WORKING GROUPS.
THEY SHOULD WRITE TO THE SECRETARY, EDUCATION COMMISSION, 38TH FLOOR, EXCHANGE SQUARE TOWER IT, 8 CONNAUGHT PLACE, HONG KONG.
------0--------
EMPLOYMENT OF DISABLED URGED
*****
THE GOVERNMENT WILL ACTIVELY PROMOTE OPEN EMPLOYMENT AND SELF-EMPLOYMENT FOR DISABLED PERSONS TO HELP THEM DEVELOP THEIR POTENTIALS, IMPROVE LIVING STANDARD AND INTEGRATE INTO THE COMMUNITY, THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, MRS ELIZABETH WONG, SAID TODAY (THURSDAY).
THIS WILL ALSO HELP THE COMMUNITY UNDERSTAND MORE CORRECTLY THE POTENTIALS OF THE DISABLED AND SAVE PLACES FOR REHABILITATION SERVICES FOR OTHER DISABLED PERSONS QUEUING ON THE REGISTER.
SPEAKING AT THE PRESENTATION OF SOUVENIRS CEREMONY ORGANISED BY THE SELECTIVE PLACEMENT DIVISION OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT, MRS WONG URGED EMPLOYERS TO SUPPORT THE REHABILITATION POLICIES OF THE GOVERNMENT AND GIVE A CHANCE TO DISABLED PERSONS TO PROVE THEIR WORKING ABILITIES.
"TO INTEGRATE DISABLED PERSONS INTO OUR COMMUNITY THROUGH GAINFUL EMPLOYMENT RELIES ON THE CO-OPERATION OF DIFFERENT PARTIES CONCERNED," SHE SAID.
FIRST OF ALL, EMPLOYERS, COLLEAGUES AND FAMILY MEMBERS HAVE TO GIVE THEM OPPORTUNITY AND SUPPORT, ESPECIALLY IN HELPING THEM TO ADJUST TO THE NEW WORKING ENVIRONMENT.
SECONDLY, DISABLED PERSONS THEMSELVES HAVE TO STRIVE HARD AND EQUIP THEMSELVES IN EDUCATIONAL ATTAINMENTS, TECHNICAL SKILLS AND INTERPERSONAL RELATIONSHIP.
AT THE SAME TIME, GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS AND REHABILITATION AGENCIES HAVE TO SECURE ADEQUATE RESOURCES TO PROVIDE CO-ORDINATED SERVICES ON VOCATIONAL TRAINING, COUNSELLING AND EMPLOYMENT ASSISTANCE SO THAT THE NFEDS OF DISABLED PERSONS CAN BE WELL TAKEN CARE OF, SHE ADDED.
/TO OVERCOME ......
16
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 21, 1993
TO OVERCOME THE RESISTANCE OF SOME LOCAL RESIDENTS TO REHABILITATION SERVICES IN CERTAIN DISTRICTS, MRS WONG SAID THE GOVERNMENT WAS REINFORCING THE EFFORTS IN PUBLIC EDUCATION.
BETWEEN NOW AND 1996/97, WE SHALL BE MAKING USE OF $31 MILLION FOR PUBLIC EDUCATION ON REHABILITATION, SHE SAID.
THIS SHOWS THE GOVERNMENT’S DETERMINATION TO ELIMINATE DISCRIMINATION AGAINST DISABLED PERSONS IN THE COMMUNITY, SHE ADDED.
"WE HOPE THAT BY MEANS OF DIFFERENT PROMOTIONAL CHANNELS, MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC CAN CULTIVATE AN ATTITUDE OF UNDERSTANDING AND ACCEPTANCE TOWARDS DISABLED PERSONS IN OUR COMMUNITY," SHE SAID.
THE AIM OF THE GOVERNMENT AND THE REHABILITATION AGENCIES FOR UTILISING COMMUNITY RESOURCES TO PROVIDE REHABILITATION SERVICES IS 70 ENABLE THE DISABLED TO LIVE A DIGNIFIED AND RICH LIFE, AS THEIR ABLE-BODIED COUNTERPARTS, MRS WONG SAID.
TOGETHER WE DEVELOP OUR ABILITIES
*******
DISABLED PERSONS SHOULD TREASURE THEIR EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES, EXCEL IN WORK PERFORMANCE AND WORK FOR THE GROWTH OF THE COMMUNITY.
THEY SHOULD WORK TOGETHER WITH THEIR ABLE-BODIED COUNTERPARTS TO ACHIEVE THE GOAL "TOGETHER WE DEVELOP OUR ABILITIES".
THIS WAS STATED BY THE COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR, MRS KATHERINE FOK, TODAY (THURSDAY) IN THE WELCOMING REMARKS AT THE PRESENTATION OF SOUVENIRS CEREMONY 1993 FOR EMPLOYERS OF DISABLED PERSONS AND OUTSTANDING DISABLED EMPLOYEES.
MRS FOK SAID THE EMPLOYERS WHO WERE COMMENDED HAD BEEN SELECTED FROM MORE THAN 600 EMPLOYING ESTABLISHMENTS.
"ALL OF THEM HAVE ADOPTED AN OPEN-MINDED ATTITUDE IN EMPLOYING DISABLED PERSONS, INCLUDING THE TOTALLY BLIND, THE SPASTIC, THE MENTALLY RESTORED AND THE WHEEL-CHAIR BOUND," SHE SAID.
SOME OF THEM HAVE ALSO PROVIDED A GOOD LEVEL OF SUPPORT TO THEIR DISABLED EMPLOYEES WITHIN THEIR COMPANIES.
"BY USING VARIOUS MEANS TO BOOST THEIR EMPLOYEES’ CONFIDENCE AT WORK, THESE EMPLOYERS HAVE CONTRIBUTED POSITIVELY TO INTEGRATING THE DISABLED, THROUGH WORK, INTO THE COMMUNITY,” MRS FOK ADDED.
THE LABOUR COMMISSIONER ALSO CONGRATULATED THE WINNERS OF THIS YEAR’S OUTSTANDING DISABLED EMPLOYEES AWARD AND APPEALED TO OTHER DISABLED PERSONS TO FOLLOW THEIR EXAMPLES.
ORGANISED BY THE SELECTIVE PLACEMENT DIVISION (SPD) OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT, THE CEREMONY IS AIMED AT PAYING TRIBUTE TO EMPLOYERS WHO HAVE EMPLOYED A HIGH PERCENTAGE OF DISABLED PERSONS COMPARED TO THEIR TOTAL WORKFORCE OR HAVE EMPLOYED PERSONS WITH SEVERE DISABILITY, AND THOSE WHO HAVE MADE SPECIAL EFFORTS TO ACCOMMODATE SUCH WORKERS DURING THE PAST YEAR.
/IT ALSO .......
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 21, 1993
17
IT ALSO AIMED AT RECOGNISING DISABLED EMPLOYEES NOMINATED BY THEIR EMPLOYERS FOR THEIR OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE AT WORK.
THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, MRS ELIZABETH WONG ALSO PRESENTED THE OUTSTANDING DISABLED EMPLOYEES AWARDS (ODEA) TO 15 EMPLOYEES FOR THEIR EXEMPLARY WORK PERFORMANCE AND SOUVENIRS TO THEIR NOMINATING EMPLOYERS.
THE ODEA WINNERS WERE:
* MR CHAN CHI-CHUNG OF THE REPULSE BAY COMPANY LTD;
* MR CHAN MUN-KUEN OF THE WING ON DEPARTMENT STORES (HONG KONG) LTD;
* MR KENNETH CHANG KIN-FAI OF THE AMERICAN INTERNATIONAL ASSURANCE CO (BERMUDA) LTD;
» MS LOLITTA HO SUET-MUI OF TRADE DEPARTMENT;
* MR LAM WING-CHUEN OF THE WING ON DEPARTMENT STORES (HONG KONG) LTD;
* MR LAU KUI-WAH OF THE OMNI PRINCE HOTEL HONG KONG;
* MR LAU SHUT-MAN OF THE ROYAL HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB;
* MR RAYMOND LEUNG CHEUK-WING OF SECRETARIES LTD;
* MISS LEUNG HING-LING OF TIM FUNG STEAM LAUNDRY CO LTD;
* MR JACKY LEUNG KAM-WING OF KWAI SHING SCHOOL;
* MR LI PAUL-WAH OF HONG KONG POST OFFICE;
* MISS MA YUK-YI OF THE SUCCESS CHART INDUSTRIES LTD;
* MR MUI YUNG-CHIAO OF THE ROCHESTER POLYBAG MANUFACTURING CO LTD;
* MR NG YIU-TIM OF THE HONG KONG TELECOMMUNICATIONS LTD; AND
* MR YUEN WAI-TO OF WAI YUEN TONG MED. CO LTD.
MEANWHILE, 16 EMPLOYERS RECEIVED SOUVENIR PLAQUES FROM MRS FOK FOR THEIR EFFORTS AND OPEN-MINDED ATTITUDE IN EMPLOYING DISABLED WORKERS THROUGH THE SPD SERVICE BETWEEN JULY 1992 AND JUNE THIS YEAR.
OF THESE EMPLOYERS, SOME OF THEM HAVE EMPLOYED PERSONS WITH SEVERE DISABILITIES SUCH AS TOTALLY BLIND, WHEEL-CHAIR BOUND, THE SPASTICS AND THE EX-MENTALLY ILL.
SOME EMPLOYERS ALSO MADE SPECIAL EFFORTS IN ACCOMMODATING DISABLED EMPLOYEES INCLUDING THE PROVISION OF EMPLOYMENT AIDS, ADJUSTMENTS MADE TO OFFICE ACCOMMODATION, JOB RESTRUCTURING, STAFF REDEPLOYMENT, SPECIAL TIME ALLOWANCE GIVEN FOR MEDICAL TREATMENT AND PERSONAL ENCOURAGEMENT.
/THESE EMPLOYERS
- 18 - THURSDAY, OCTOBER 21, 1993 ,
THESE EMPLOYERS WERE:
ASIA PRODUCTION;
EDUCATION DEPARTMENT;
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT;
FAIRWOOD HOLDINGS LTD;
FAST DELIVERY SERVICES COMPANY; |
HONG KONG FACTORY FOR THE BLIND;
f
JOYFUL SERVICES LTD;
LAB SERVICES;
MANAGEMENT SOCIETY FOR HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS;
MICROWARE USA LTD;
OCEAN EMPIRE INTERNATIONAL LTD;
01 SEE SHOES COMPANY;
STANDARD CHARTERED BANK;
TAI PAN BREAD & CAKES CO LTD;
TC TECHNOLOGY LTD; AND
THE WING ON DEPARTMENT STORES (HONG KONG) LTD.
------0--------
•>
HK CUSTOMS RETURNS LOST CARS TO U.S. CUSTOMS !
* * * * *
HONG KONG CUSTOMS TODAY (THURSDAY) HANDED BACK 12 LEFT-HAND DRIVE CARS SEIZED IN JULY TO THE U.S. CUSTOMS REPRESENTATIVES IN KONG FOR SUBSEQUENT RETURN TO THEIR OWNERS IN THE USA.
ACTIN0 0N A Tlp-°li'fr BY THE U.S. CUSTOMS SERVICE, HONG CUSTOMS FOUND 12 LEFT-HAND DRIVE CARS INSIDE SIX CONTAINERS AT CHUNG CONTAINER TERMINAL ON JULY 22.
THE VEHICLES, BEING SHIPPED FROM NEW YORK AND MANIFESTED AS MIXED METAL SCRAPS, WERE INTENDED FOR SMUGGLING TO CHINA.
ASSISTED BY THE OFFICE OF THE U.S. CUSTOMS REPRESENTATIVES IN HONG KONG, THE CARS WERE THEN CONFIRMED TO HAVE BEEN REPORTED STOLEN IN THE USA, MAINLY FROM PHILADELPHIA.
THE HEAD OF CUSTOMS PROSECUTION, INTELLIGENCE AND 1NVESTIGA1ION BUREAU, MR CHIK WAH-WAI, COMMENTED THAT THE OCCASION HAD SUCCESSFULLY REFLECTED THE IMPORTANCE OF CO-OPERATION BETWEEN HONG KONG AND U.S. CUSTOMS IN COMBATING SMUGGLING ACTIVITIES.
y
’HONG KONG CUSTOMS WILL CONTINUE TO STRENGTHEN THE MUTUAL f
CO-OPERATIVE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE TWO ADMINISTRATIONS BY EXCHANGE OF INTELLIGENCES AND JOINT OPERATIONS,” HE ADDED.
------- 0------ /
HONG
KONG
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 21, 1993
- 19 -
LAST REPORT ON BEACH WATER QUALITY GRADING THIS YEAR ******
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.
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 WERE 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 WHICH HAS SOME DEGREE OF POLLUTION.
THE ESTIMATE IS BASED ON A VERY LARGE BODY OF STATISTICAL INFORMATION GATHERED TN 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 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 MILLILITRES AT EACH BEACH SO GRADED, AND THE EXPECTED RISK OF MINOR ILLNESS TO SWIMMERS IS UNDETECTABLE.
* GRADE "2" INDICATES THAT THE WATER QUALITY IS FAIR. THE E COLI COUNT IS NO MORE THAN 180 PER 100 MILLILITRES AT EACH BEACH SO GRADED, AND THE EXPECTED HEALTH RISK IS NO MORE THAN 10 CASES OF MINOR ILLNESS PER 1,000 SWIMMERS.
♦ GRADE "3" INDICATES THAT THE WATER QUALITY IS POOR. THE E COLI COUNT IS NO MORE THAN 610 PER 100 MILLILITRES AT EACH BEACH SO GRADED, AND THE EXPECTED HEALTH RISK IS NO MORE THAN 15 CASES OF MINOR ILLNESS PER 1,000 SWIMMERS.
/♦GRADE "4"
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 21, 1993
20
* GRADE ”4” INDICATES THAT THE WATER QUALITY IS VERY POOR. THE E COLI COUNT IS MORE THAN 610 PER 100 MILLILITRES AT EACH BEACH SO GRADED, AND THE EXPECTED HEALTH RISK IS MORE THAN 15 CASES OF MINOR ILLNESS PER 1,000 SWIMMERS.
THE DECISION ON WHETHER OR NOT TO CLOSE A BEACH TO SWIMMERS IS BASED ON A JUDGEMENT OF WHAT DEGREE OF POLLUTION IS ACCEPTABLE.
NORMALLY, THE CLOSURE OF A BEACH WOULD ONLY BE CONSIDERED BY THE URBAN COUNCIL OR REGIONAL COUNCIL IF A GRADE ”4" OCCURRED REPEATEDLY, SO THAT THE AVERAGE HEALTH RISK OVER THE BATHING SEASON EXCEEDED 15 CASES PER 1,000 SWIMMERS.
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. 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 ARE LISTED BELOW:
PREVIOUS PRESENT
BEACH GRADING GRADING
(AS AT 7.10.93) (AS AT 21.10.93)
HONG KONG SOUTH
BIG WAVE BAY 2 2
CHUNG HOM KOK 2 2
DEEP WATER BAY 2 2
HAIRPIN 1 1
MIDDLE BAY 1 1
REPULSE BAY 2 1
SHEK O 2 2
SOUTH BAY 1 1
ST. STEPHEN'S 1 1
TURTLE COVE 2 1
STANLEY MAIN 2 1
ROCKY BAY X X
TO TEI WAN* 1 1
TUEN MUN DISTRICT
OLD CAFETERIA X
NEW CAFETERIA 3
CASTLE PEAK X
KADOORIE 2
BUTTERFLY 3
X 2 X 2 3
/SAI KUNG ........
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 21, 1993
21
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) 2 2
ISLANDS DISTRICT
CHEUNG SHA UPPER 1 1
CHEUNG SHA LOWER 2 2
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 2 2
TUNG WAN, CHEUNG CHAU 1 1
TUNG 0* 1 1
TSUEN WAN DISTRICT
ANGLERS’ 4 3
APPROACH 3 3
CASAM 3 3
GEMINI 2 3
HOI MEI WAN 3 2
LIDO 2 2
TING KAU 3 3
TUNG WAN, MA WAN 2 2
NOTE : ”X” THE BEACH HAS BEEN CLOSED FOR SWIMMING PURPOSES. » NON-GAZETTED BEACHES
THE FOLLOWING BEACHES HAVE CHANGED GRADING ON THIS OCCASION:
REPULSE BAY, TURTLE COVE, STANLEY MAIN AND CLEAR WATER BAY 2ND BEACH FROM ”2” TO ”1”; HOI MEI WAN AND NEW CAFETERIA FROM ”3” TO "2"; ANGLERS’ FROM ”4” TO "3"; GEMINI FROM ”2" TO ”3".
ALL OF THE CHANGES ARE WITHIN THE NORMAL RANGE OF FLUCTUATION OF THE BACTERIOLOGICAL WATER QUALITY OF THESE BEACHES.
THIS IS THE LAST REPORT ON BEACH WATER QUALITY GRADINGS THIS YEAR, AS THE BATHING SEASON WILL COME TO AN END BY LATE OCTOBER.
/AN ANNUAL .......
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 21, 1993
22
AN ANNUAL REVIEW ON THE WATER QUALITY OF VARIOUS BATHING BEACHES IN THIS BATHING SEASON WILL BE PREPARED BY EPD BY THE END OF THIS YEAR.
FOR FURTHER ENQUIRIES, PLEASE CONTACT PRINCIPAL ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION OFFICER OF EPD DR M J BROOM ON TEL 835 1234.
------0-------
CLOSURE OF UNAUTHORISED STRUCTURE SOUGHT
*****
THE BUILDING AUTHORITY IS SEEKING TO CLOSE AN UNAUTHORISED STRUCTURE IN SHAM SHUI PO SO THAT IT CAN BE DEMOLISHED WITHOUT CAUSING DANGER TO THE OCCUPIERS AND THE PUBLIC.
THE UNAUTHORISED SINGLE-STOREY STRUCTURE, ERECTED ON A VACANT SITE AT 252 YU CHAU STREET, IS BEING USED FOR STORAGE OF WASTE PAPER.
NOTICE OF INTENTION TO APPLY FOR A CLOSURE ORDER FROM THE HONG KONG DISTRICT COURT UNDER THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE ON DECEMBER 16 WAS POSTED ON THE PREMISES TODAY (THURSDAY).
DEMOLITION OF THE UNAUTHORISED STRUCTURE WILL START AS SOON AS THE CLOSURE ORDER IS ISSUED.
----- 0-------
56 LEGCO MEMBERS DEBATED POLICY ADDRESS
*****
A TOTAL OF 56 MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL SPOKE IN A TWO-DAY DEBATE ON A MOTION OF THANKS FOR THE GOVERNOR’S POLICY ADDRESS WHICH ENDED TODAY (THURSDAY).
GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS WILL REPLY TO THE POINTS RAISED WHEN THE DEBATE RESUMES NEXT WEDNESDAY (OCTOBER 27).
------0-------
/23........
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 21, 1993
23
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS ***** $ MILLION
OPENING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT 3,960
REVERSAL OF LAF -960
BALANCE AFTER REVERSAL OF LAF 3,000
NET INJECTION/WITHDRAWAL TODAY NIL
EFFECT OF LAF TODAY NIL
CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT 3,000
LAF RATE 2.00 BID/4.00 OFFER TWI 112.8 *+0.0* 21.10.93
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND
EF BILLS EF NOTES/HONG KONG GOVERNMENT BONDS
TERMS YIELD TERM ISSUE COUPON PRICE YIELD
1 WEEK 2.91 PCT 13 MONTHS 2411 4.625 101.59 3.13
1 MONTH 2.82 PCT 16 MONTHS 2502 4.75 101.89 3.30
3 MONTHS 2.71 PCT 19 MONTHS 2505 3.75 100.40 3.52
6 12 MONTHS : MONTHS 2.81 3.08 PCT PCT 22 MONTHS 2508 4.625 101.82 3.61
TOTAL TURNOVER OF BILLS AND BONDS - 18,016 MN
CLOSED 21 OCTOBER 1993
------0-------
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 22, 1993
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
DISCUSSIONS ALL ABOUT RULE OF LAW: GOVERNOR .................. 1
MRS ANSON CHAN TO VISIT UK AND EUROPE ........................ 1
EXPERT TALKS ON DEFENCE AND PUBLIC ORDER ..................... 2
WORKFORCE URGED TO JOIN RETIREMENT SCHEMES ................... 3
EIGHT MORE OCCUPATIONAL DISEASES ON THE LIST ................. 5
SHA TIN DISTRICT BOARD BY-ELECTION ON DECEMBER 5 ............. 6
REHABILITATION MEASURES OF SHEK 0 QUARRY APPROVED ............ 7
NEW DIRECTORS APPOINTED ...................................... 8
OVERSEAS TRUST BANK (ACQUISITION) (AMENDMENT) BILL ........... 9
GREENLIGHT ON DRAFT OUTLINE ZONING PLANS ..................... 10
"SIX STREETS" COMMERCIAL OPERATORS ELIGIBLE FOR FURTHER CLAIMS ........................................................ 11
318 VM'S RETURNED HOME TODAY ................................. 12
FOOTBRIDGE EXTENSION AND LAY-BY AT GLOUCESTER ROAD ........... 12
CLOSURE OF UNAUTHORISED STRUCTURES SOUGHT .................... 13
FIRE PREVENTION EXHIBITION IN CENTRAL ........................ 13
TENDERS INVITED FOR SEWAGE TREATMENT IMPROVEMENT WORKS ....... 14
REVISED FEES FOR FIRE CERTIFICATES AND FIRE REPORTS .......... 14
ADVICE ON QUEEN'S PIER ....................................... 15
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS .. 15
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 22, 1993
DISCUSSIONS ALL ABOUT RULE OF LAW, GOVERNOR
*****
ONE WAY IN WHICH HONG KONG WILL BE SPECTACULARLY SUCCESSFUL IS THAT WE MAKE SURE THAT WE STAND UP FOR THE RULE OF LAW, THE GOVERNOR, THE RT HON CHRISTOPHER PATTEN, SAID THIS (FRIDAY) EVENING.
"THAT IS WHAT REALLY THE DISCUSSION WE ARE HAVING WITH OUR CHINESE COLLEAGUES IS ALL ABOUT," HE SAID.
RESPONDING TO PRESS QUESTIONS AFTER OFFICIATING AT AN AWARD PRESENTATION, THE GOVERNOR SAID: "ALL OF US IN HONG KONG WANT AN AGREEMENT IF WE CAN POSSIBLE ACHIEVE ONE.
"TO BORROW A PHRASE THAT WAS USED A FEW WEEKS AGO, WE CERTAINLY THINK THAT IT WOULD BE A BIG DEAL IF WE DON’T GET AN AGREEMENT."
ASKED TO COMMENT ON THE REMARKS MADE BY A SENIOR CHINESE OFFICIAL THIS MORNING THAT THE ECONOMY WOULD BE SERIOUSLY AFFECTED IN THE EVENT OF A NO-DEAL SCENARIO, MR PATTEN SAID:"I THINK WE SHOULD PUT THAT ON ONE SIDE AND CONCENTRATE WITH THE SINCERITY AND CREATIVITY ON TRYING TO FIND A WAY FORWARD AND TRYING TO FIND A BREAKTHROUGH."
"INCHING FORWARD IS NO LONGER ENOUGH," HE ADDED.
MRS ANSON CHAN TO VISIT UK AND EUROPE *****
THE CHIEF SECRETARY-DESIGNATE, MRS ANSON CHAN, WILL LEAVE HONG KONG TOMORROW (SATURDAY) FOR AN OFFICIAL VISIT TO THE UNITED KINGDOM AND EUROPE.
MRS CHAN WILL BEGIN A ROUND OF OFFICIAL ENGAGEMENTS IN LONDON NEXT WEEK WITH A SERIES OF MEETINGS WITH MINISTERS AND BRITISH AND HONG KONG GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS.
THESE WILL INCLUDE A MEETING WITH THE FOREIGN SECRETARY, MR DOUGLAS HURD, AND A WORKING LUNCH WITH THE MINISTER OF STATE WITH SPECIAL RESPONSIBILITIES FOR HONG KONG AT THE FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE, MR ALASTAIR GOODLAD.
AMONG FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE OFFICIALS SHE WILL MEET ARE THE DEPUTY UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE, SIR JOHN COLES, AND THE HEAD OF THE HONG KONG DEPARTMENT, MR PETER RICKETTS.
OTHER APPOINTMENTS ON HER SCHEDULE INCLUDE A MEETING WITH THE GOVERNOR OF THE BANK OF ENGLAND, MR EDDIE GEORGE, AND THE CHIEF ECONOMIC ADVISER TO THE FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE, MR SIMON BROADBENT.
/MRS CHAN .......
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 22, 1993
2
MRS CHAN WILL ALSO VISIT THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT OFFICE AND HONG KONG TOURIST ASSOCIATION OFFICE IN LONDON. SHE WILL BE GUEST OF HONOUR AT A LUNCH HOSTED BY THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE OF THE HONG KONG ASSOCIATION.
THE HONG KONG COMMISSIONER IN LONDON, MR JOHN YAXLEY, WILL ALSO HOST A RECEPTION FOR MRS CHAN WHERE SHE WILL MEET MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT AND BUSINESS AND COMMUNITY LEADERS WHO TAKE A CLOSE INTEREST IN HONG KONG.
MRS CHAN JOINS THE GOVERNOR, THE RT HON CHRISTOPHER PATTEN, DURING HIS VISIT TO LONDON FROM NOVEMBER 8 TO 13.
FOLLOWING THAT, MRS CHAN WILL LEAVE FOR EUROPE, WHERE SHE WILL SPEARHEAD A HONG KONG PROMOTION IN GERMANY, FRANCE AND THE NETHERLANDS FROM NOVEMBER 14 TO 19.
MRS CHAN WILL BE THE KEYNOTE SPEAKER AT HONG KONG BUSINESS CONFERENCES IN FRANKFURT, AMSTERDAM AND PARIS. SHE WILL ALSO OFFICIALLY OPEN A HONG KONG ARCHITECTURAL EXHIBITION IN FRANKFURT AND A HONG KONG FILM FESTIVAL IN PARIS.
MRS CHAN WILL BE GUEST OF HONOUR AT GALA DINNERS IN PARIS, WHICH WILL BE ACCOMPANIED BY A HONG KONG FASHION SPECTACULAR STAGED BY THE TRADE DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL, AND IN THE HAGUE WHICH WILL FEATURE A SPECIAL CULTURAL PERFORMANCE ARRANGED BY THE ACADEMY FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS. SHE WILL ALSO MEET SENIOR REPRESENTATIVES OF THE GOVERNMENTS IN EACH OF THE THREE COUNTRIES.
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID: "THIS VISIT WILL ENABLE MRS CHAN TO MEET A WIDE RANGE OF LEADING FIGURES WHO ARE CLOSELY INVOLVED WITH HONG KONG POLITICAL AND COMMERCIAL ISSUES.
"IN ADDITION, THE EUROPE PROMOTION WILL GIVE MRS CHAN THE OPPORTUNITY TO CARRY THE HONG KONG MESSAGE TO WIDER AND INFLUENTIAL AUDIENCES.
"THIS WILL HAVE A POSITIVE BENEFIT ON EUROPEAN PERCEPTIONS OF HONG KONG IN THREE LEADING EUROPEAN COUNTRIES, AND STRENGTHEN TIES BETWEEN EUROPE AND HONG KONG."
THE SPOKESMAN SAID MRS CHAN WAS SCHEDULED TO ARRIVE BACK IN HONG KONG ON NOVEMBER 21 BEFORE TAKING OVER FROM SIR DAVID FORD, WHO RETIRES AS CHIEF SECRETARY ON NOVEMBER 29.
--------0----------
EXPERT TALKS ON DEFENCE AND PUBLIC ORDER t * ♦ * *
A THIRTEENTH ROUND OF TALKS BETWEEN EXPERTS OF THE BRITISH AND CHINESE SIDES OF THE JOINT LIAISON GROUP TO DISCUSS MATTERS RELATING TO HONG KONG’S FUTURE DEFENCE AND PUBLIC ORDER WILL BE HELD IN HONG KONG ON 27 AND 29 OCTOBER. THE BRITISH TEAM WILL BE LED BY BRITISH REPRESENTATIVE MR ALAN PAUL. THE CHINESE TEAM WILL BE LED BY CHINESE REPRESENTATIVE MR LUO JIAHUAN. THEY WILL BE ASSISTED BY EXPERTS FROM THE TWO SIDES.
--------0-----------
/3.........
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 22, 1993
3 -
WORKFORCE URGED TO JOIN RETIREMENT SCHEMES
*****
ALL EMPLOYERS AND EMPLOYEES SHOULD REALISE THAT THE SOONER THAT THEY START CONTRIBUTING TO A REGISTERED RETIREMENT SCHEME THE BETTER WILL BE THEIR PROVISION FOR A HAPPY AND SECURE OLD AGE, THE SECRETARY FOR FINANCIAL SERVICES, MR MICHAEL CARTLAND SAID TODAY (FRIDAY).
HE WAS SPEAKING ON HONG KONG’S INSURANCE INDUSTRY AND THE PENSION FUND INDUSTRY AT A LUNCHEON OF THE AMERICAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.
HE NOTED THAT A VERY IMPORTANT PIECE OF LEGISLATION - THE OCCUPATIONAL RETIREMENT SCHEMES ORDINANCE - TOOK EFFECT ON OCTOBER 15, REQUIRING ALL RETIREMENT SCHEMES OPERATING IN HONG KONG TO GET REGISTERED.
"THEY MUST BE GOVERNED BY A TRUST OR REGULATED BY AN INSURANCE ARRANGEMENT AND MUST CONFORM WITH FOUR ESSENTIAL CRITERIA," HE SAID.
"THESE CRITERIA ARE FIRST, SECURITY OF ASSETS BY REQUIRING THEIR SEPARATION FROM THE ASSETS OF THE EMPLOYER AND THEIR MANAGEMENT BY AN INDEPENDENT PARTY; SECOND, ADEQUATE FUNDING; THIRD, REGULAR INDEPENDENT AUDITS AND ACTURIAL REVIEWS; AND FOURTH, DISCLOSURE OF INFORMATION TO SCHEME MEMBERS," HE EXPLAINED.
THE ORDINANCE ALSO REQUIRES AT LEAST ONE TRUSTEE TO BE INDEPENDENT OF THE EMPLOYER AND LIMITS SCHEME INVESTMENT IN THE SECURITIES OF AN EMPLOYER OR HIS ASSOCIATES TO NOT MORE THAN 10 PER CENT OF A SCHEME’S ASSETS.
"THE ORDINANCE, WHICH WILL BE ADMINISTERED BY A REGISTRAR AND A TEAM OF DEDICATED STAFF, WILL GO A LONG WAY TOWARDS ENSURING THAT MEMBERS OF RETIREMENT SCHEMES WILL RECEIVE THEIR ENTITLEMENTS WHEN THEY FALL DUE," HE SAID.
THIS OBJECTIVE HAD BEEN REINFORCED BY AN AMENDMENT TO THE INSURANCE COMPANIES ORDINANCE REQUIRING INSURERS TO KEEP ASSETS BACKING LIABILITIES TO RETIREMENT SCHEMES SEPARATE AND DISTINCT FROM ASSETS BACKING OTHER INSURANCE LIABILITIES, HE NOTED.
HE SAID RETIREMENT SCHEMES ALSO PRESENTED CONSIDERABLE OPPORTUNITIES FOR SCHEME ADMINISTRATORS, NAMELY INSURERS, TRUST COMPANIES AND FUND MANAGERS.
AT PRESENT, HE SAID, 35 PER CENT OF HONG KONG’S WORKFORCE WAS ALREADY COVERED BY SOME FORM OF PENSION OR PROVIDENT FUND ARRANGEMENT AND THE PERCENTAGE CONTINUED TO RISE SIGNIFICANTLY.
HE POINTED OUT THAT THE ORDINANCE WOULD ENABLE SMALLER COMPANIES TO PARTICIPATE IN POOLING AGREEMENTS THROUGH WHICH INSURERS AND TRUSTEES COULD POOL THE FUNDS AND THE ADMINISTRATIVE DUTIES ATTACHING TO INDIVIDUAL SCHEMES THEREBY SIMPLIFYING PROCEDURES FOR EMPLOYERS, ENSURING A BETTER SPREAD OF PENSION FUND INVESTMENT AND REDUCING THE ADMINISTRATIVE COSTS OF EACH SCHEME.
/"THERE IS .......
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 22, 1993
’’THERE IS NOTHING NEW ABOUT POOLING ARRANGEMENTS BUT IT IS THE TASK OF GOVERNMENT AND SCHEME ADMINISTRATORS TO PROMOTE SUCH ARRANGMENTS AND ENSURE THAT THEY ARE PROPERLY MANAGED,” HE SAID.
MR CARTLAND ALSO SAID EMPLOYERS WHO ESTAB ISHED RETIREMENT SCHEMES FOR THEIR EMPLOYEES WOULD BE BETTER POSITIONED TO ATTRACT AND RETAIN ABLE AND MOTIVATED STAFF.
’’THEY WILL ENJOY TAX RELIEF ON THEIR SCHEME CONTRIBUTIONS AND WILL BE ABLE TO OFFSET SCHEME BENEFIT PAYMENTS AGAINST STATUTORY LONG SERVICE PAYMENTS UNDER THE EMPLOYMENT ORDINANCE.
’’SHORTAGE OF LABOUR. IN HONG KONG MAKES FOR A HIGHLY MOBILE AND COMPETITIVE JOB MARKET. OFFERING RETIREMENT BENEFITS NOT ONLY IMPROVES AN EMPLOYER’S COMPETITIVE EDGE BUT ALSO SERVES TO DISCOURAGE INDISCRIMINATE JOB-HOPPING,” HE ADDED.
HE STRESSED THAT REGARDLESS WHAT THE GOVERNMENT’S DECISION ON THE ISSUE OF CENTRAL PROVIDENT FUND MIGHT BE, THE OBLIGATIONS ARISING FROM EXISTING SCHEMES WOULD NOT AND COULD NOT BE OVERTURNED OR UNDERMINED.
HE ALSO ARGUED THAT EMPLOYERS SHOULD NOT WAIT TO SEE WHAT DIRECTION THE GOVERNMENT WOULD BE TAKING BEFORE DECIDING WHETHER TO ESTABLISH A SCHEME FOR THEIR EMPLOYEES.
ALTHOUGH THE GOVERNOR INTENDED TO ANNOUNCE PROPOSALS ON THE WAY FORWARD BEFORE THE END OF THE YEAR, IT WAS BY NO MEANS CERTAIN THAT ANY MORE COMPREHENSIVE ARRANGEMENTS WOULD BE INTRODUCED, HE SAID.
’’EVEN IF THEY WERE, IT WOULD BE SOME YEARS AFTER THAT BEFORE ANY SUCH ARRANGEMENTS COULD BE IMPLEMENTED AND ENTITLEMENTS STARTED TO ACCRUE.
IN THE MEANTIME, EMPLOYEES SHOULD BE SAVING FOR THEIR RETIREMENT. THERE IS NOTHING TO BE GAINED BY DELAY.
"TO MAXIMISE EVENTUAL BENEFITS, EMPLOYEES SHOULD START CONTRIBUTING SOONER RATHER THAN LATER.
’’AND THE ONLY AVENUE PRESENTLY AVAILABLE FOR THEM TO DO SO IS BY JOINING A REGISTERED OCCUPATIONAL RETIREMENT SCHEME,” HE SAID.
ON THE INSURANCE INDUSTRY, MR CARTLAND NOTED THAT HONG KONG’S OPEN ECONOMY HAD PROMPTED 228 INSURERS TO BECOME REGISTERED HERE -THE LARGEST NUMBER PER CAPITA AMONG DEVELOPED INSURANCE MARKETS.
"IN SEEKING TO MAKE CERTAIN THAT POLICY HOLDERS’ INTERESTS ARE PROTECTED, WE HAVE TRADITIONALLY RELIED, AND CONTINUE TO RELY, UPON SELF-REGULATION BY INSURERS TEMPERED BY LEGISLATION WHICH ENABLES GOVERNMENT TO INTERVENE ON BEHALF OF POLICY HOLDERS, BUT ONLY WHEN NECESSARY,” HE SAID.
"TO ENHANCE OUR PRUDENTIAL SUPERVISION WE HAVE THIS YEAR ENACTED LEGISLATION REQUIRING AUDITORS AND ACTUARIES TO WARN THE INSURANCE AUTHORITY WELL IN ADVANCE OF ANY DIFFICULTIES THAT MAY AFFECT AN INSURER, IN PARTICULAR WHEN ITS OVERSEAS OFFICES ARE SUBJECT TO INSOLVENCY PROCEEDINGS OR UNDER SUSPICION OF FRAUD.
/FURTHER PROPOSALS .......
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 22, 1993
- 5 -
FURTHER PROPOSALS TO IMPROVE THIS EARLY WARNING SYSTEM ARE BEING DEVELOPED, HE ADDED.
THE GOVERNMENT HAD ALSO INTRODUCED A PROPOSAL TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL WHICH WOULD GO A LONG WAY TO MAKE SURE THAT THE INSURER SHOULD HAVE, AT ALL TIMES, ASSETS SUFFICIENT TO MEET HIS LIABILITIES TO POLICY HOLDERS, HE SAID.
”WE WILL REQUIRE GENERAL INSURERS TO MAINTAIN IN HONG KONG ASSETS OF A VALUE SUFFICIENT TO MEET HONG KONG POLICY HOLDERS’ CLAIMS AND INTRODUCE REGULATIONS SPECIFYING HOW AN INSURER’S ASSETS ARE TO BE VALUED,” HE EXPLAINED.
APART FROM THE GOVERNMENT’S INITATIVES TO IMPROVE PRUDENTIAL SUPERVISION, HE SAID, THE INSURANCE INDUSTRY HAD REINFORCED ITS SYSTEM OF SELF-REGULATION BY SETTING UP IN 1990 AN INDEPDENDENT AND IMPARTIAL INSURANCE CLAIMS COMPLAINTS BUREAU AND, FROM JANUARY THIS YEAR, REQUIRING INSURANCE BROKERS TO BE AUTHORISED AND AGENTS TO BE REGISTERED AND FOR BOTH TO CONFORM WITH PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS.
HE ADDED THAT THE GOVERNMENT PROPOSED TO GIVE STATUTORY BACKING, WITH PENALTIES FOR NON-COMPLIANCE, TO THE INDUSTRY’S SYSTEM OF CONTROL OVER ITS AGENTS AND BROKERS.
- - 0----------
EIGHT MORE OCCUPATIONAL DISEASES ON THE LIST
*****
THE GOVERNMENT HAS DECIDED TO INCLUDE EIGHT MORE OCCUPATIONAL DISEASES TN THE SECOND SCHEDULE TO THE EMPLOYEES’ COMPENSATION ORDINANCE TO PROVIDE FURTHER PROTECTION FOR WORKERS.
AMENDMENTS TO THE SECOND SCHEDULE ARE PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE TODAY (FRIDAY) AND WILL TAKE IMMEDIATE EFFECT.
THE EIGHT OCCUPATIONAL DISEASES ADDED TO THE SECOND SCHEDULE TO THE ORDINANCE ARE AS FOLLOWS:
* TUBERCULOSIS;
* VIRAL HEPATITIS;
* INFECTION BY STREPTOCOCCUS SUIS;
* AVIAN CHALMYDIOSTS;
* LOCALISED NEW GROWTH OF THE SKIN, PAPILLOMATOUS OR KERATOTIC;
* OCCUPATIONAL VITILIGO;
♦ BYSSINOSIS; AND
* OCCUPATIONAL ASTHMA.
/THE AMENDMENTS .......
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 22, 1993
- 6 -
THE AMENDMENTS TO THE SECOND SCHEDULE ALSO ADD METHYL-N-BUTYL KETONE AS A CHEMICAL AGENT CAUSING PERIPHERAL POLY-NEUROPATHY.
THE AMENDMENTS APPLY TO EMPLOYEES CONTRACTING THE RELEVANT DISEASES IN OCCUPATIONS INVOLVING CLOSE AND FREQUENT CONTACTS WITH SOURCES OF SUCH DISEASES.
A LABOUR DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THE NEWLY-ADDED OCCUPATIONAL DISEASES BRING TO 44 THE TOTAL NUMBER OF SUCH DISEASES SPECIFIED IN THE SECOND SCHEDULE TO THE ORDINANCE.
"SOME OF THESE DISEASES ARE QUITE COMMON BUT IN THIS CONTEXT, WE ARE REFERRING TO OCCUPATIONAL DISEASES, NAMELY, AN EMPLOYEE WILL BE ENTITLED TO COMPENSATION FOR INCAPACITY OR DEATH IF HE HAS CONTRACTED SUCH DISEASES DUE TO THE NATURE OF TRADE, INDUSTRY OR PROCESS ASSOCIATED WITH THOSE DISEASES AND WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED PERIOD OF EMPLOYMENT IMMEDIATELY PRECEDING SUCH INCAPACITY OR DEATH," THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
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SHA TIN DISTRICT BOARD BY-ELECTION ON DECEMBER 5
*****
THE SHA TIN DISTRICT BOARD BY-ELECTION WILL BE HELD ON SUNDAY, DECEMBER 5 TO FILL A SEAT IN THE WONG UK CONSTITUENCY.
A DECLARATION OF VACATION OF OFFICE BY MR GEORGE WONG FUK-WAH HAD BEEN MADE BY THE SHA TIN DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN AND GAZETTED TODAY (FRIDAY).
NOMINATIONS WILL BE CALLED BETWEEN NOVEMBER 1 AND 15. NOMINATION FORMS WOULD BE AVAILABLE FROM TUESDAY (OCTOBER 26) AT ALL DISTRICT OFFICES AND THE REGISTRATION AND ELECTORAL OFFICE, HARBOUR CENTRE, 10TH FLOOR, 25 HARBOUR ROAD, WAN CHAI.
CANDIDATES MUST BE REGISTERED ELECTORS AND HAVE BEEN ORDINARILY RESIDENT IN HONG KONG FOR THE 10 YEARS IMMEDIATELY PRECEDING NOMINATION.
A CANDIDATE CAN BE A RESIDENT ANYWHERE TN HONG KONG, BUT HIS NOMINATION PAPER MAY ONLY BE SUBSCRIBED BY REGISTERED ELECTORS IN THE WONG UK CONSTITUENCY.
EACH NOMINATION REQUIRES 10 SUBSCRIBERS AND EACH SUBSCRIBER MAY GIVE SUPPORT TO ONLY ONE CANDIDATE.
THE WONG UK CONSTITUENCY, COMPRISING MAINLY YUEN CHAU KOK AND BELAIR GARDENS, HAS A REGISTERED ELECTORATE OF 6,015.
THE BY-ELECTION WOULD BE HELD UNLESS THE SEAT WAS UNCONTESTED.
ENQUIRIES MAY BE MADE TO THE REGISTRATION AND ELECTORAL OFFICE ON TEL 827 1122.
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n
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 22, 1993
7
REHABILITATION MEASURES OF SHEK O QUARRY APPROVED
*****
THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL HAS APPROVED TWO MEASURES WHICH ARE REQUIRED FOR IMPLEMENTING A PROGRAMME TO REHABILITATE THE UNSIGHTLY FACE OF THE SHEK O QUARRY.
THE MEASURES, WHICH WERE NOTIFIED TN THE GAZETTE TODAY (FRIDAY), ARE TO REALIGN A SECTION OF SHEK O ROAD AND TO REMAP THE SHEK O COUNTRY PARK BOUNDARY TO RELEASE ABOUT NINE HECTARES OF LAND FOR THE REHABILITATION PROGRAMME.
THE REPLACEMENT MAP OF THE COUNTRY PARK WITH DETAILED NEW BOUNDARY IS AVAILABLE FOR INSPECTION AT THE LAND REGISTRY AND FOR SALE AT THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT.
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID UNDER THE REHABILITATION PROGRAMME, THE FACE OF SHEK O QUARRY WOULD BE BLENDED WITH THE SURROUNDING SCENIC ENVIRONMENT, AND THE QUARRY FLOOR WOULD BE DEVELOPED INTO A MARINE COVE FOR PUBLIC RECREATIONAL USE.
THE REHABILITATION WORK WOULD BE CARRIED OUT BY THE QUARRY OPERATOR UNDER THE SUPERVISION OF THE CIVIL ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT.
TO PROVIDE SPACE FOR CUTTING BACK THE STEEP QUARRY FACE TO A MORE GENTLE SLOPE, IT WOULD BE NECESSARY TO DIVERT A SECTION OF SHEK O ROAD WHICH IS AT PRESENT VERY CLOSE TO THE TOP OF THE QUARRY FACE.
THE REHABILITATION WORKS WOULD AFFECT NINE HECTARES OF LAND WITHIN THE SHEK O COUNTRY PARK.
’’THE REALIGNMENT WILL REMOVE A HAIRPIN BEND AT SHEK 0 ROAD, AND THIS WILL SIGNIFICANTLY IMPROVE THE SAFETY OF THE ROAD,” THE SPOKESMAN NOTED.
THE REGRADING WORK, THE SPOKESMAN CONTINUED, WOULD BE FOLLOWED BY EXTENSIVE TREE PLANNING FOR SOIL EROSION CONTROL AND LANDSCAPING.
THE REVEGETATION WOULD BE COMPATIBLE WITH THE SURROUNDING NATURAL ENVIRONMENT AND LONG-TERM RECREATIONAL USE.
ON COMPLETION OF THE REHABILITATION PROGRAMME, CONSIDERATION WOULD BE GIVEN TO EXTENDING THE COUNTRY PARK AREA TO COVER THE ENTIRE REHABILITATED QUARRY SLOPE.
THE REHABILITATION PROGRAMME ALSO ALLOWS FOR THE CASTING OF PRECAST TUNNEL UNITS FOR THE WESTERN HARBOUR CROSSING TO BE UNDERTAKEN IN A BASIN TO BE EXCAVATED IN THE QUARRY FLOOR OUTSIDE THE SHEK O COUNTRY PARK.
ONCE CASTING OPERATIONS STOP, THE CASTING BASIN WILL BE FORMED INTO A NATURAL-LOOKING MARINE COVE, AND THE AREA WILL BE SUITABLE FOR LOW INTENSITY RECREATIONAL USE, SUCH AS WATER SPORTS CENTRE.
/THE SPOKESMAN .......
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 22, 1993
- 8 -
THE SPOKESMAN POINTED OUT THAT THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS OF THE REHABILITATION PROGRAMME HAD BEEN STUDIED AND AS A RESULT STRICT ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS WOULD BE IMPOSED ON WORKS TO ENSURE THAT THE PROGRAMME, WHICH IS PART OF THE GOVERNMENT’S EFFORTS TO CLEAN UP AND GREEN THE TERRITORY, WOULD BE CARRIED OUT WITH MINIMAL ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT.
FOLLOWING COMPLETION OF THE ROAD RE-ALIGNMENT, WITHIN THE FIRST THREE YEARS, THE OLD SECTION OF SHEK 0 ROAD ADJACENT TO THE QUARRY WILL BE CLOSED UP TO THE JUNCTION WITH CAPE D’AGUILAR ROAD.
ACCESS TO CAPE D’AGUILAR WILL NOT HOWEVER BE AFFECTED.
WORK WILL THEN START ON THE LAYING BACK OF THE EXISTING QUARRY FACE AND A PROGRESSIVE PROGRAMME OF PLANTING AND OTHER RESTORATION WORK.
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NEW DIRECTORS APPOINTED
*****
THE GOVERNMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (FRIDAY) THAT MR KENNETH CHAN YAT-SUN HAS BEEN APPOINTED TO SUCCEED MR P J CORSER AS DIRECTOR OF ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES.
MR CORSER RETIRED FROM THE CIVIL SERVICE ON SEPTEMBER 18, THIS YEAR.
IT WAS ALSO ANNOUNCED THAT MR R D POPE HAS BEEN APPOINTED AS DIRECTOR OF LANDS ON THE FORMATION OF THE LANDS DEPARTMENT ON AUGUST 1, THIS YEAR.
THE FOLLOWING ARE BRIEF BIOGRAPHICAL NOTES'ON THESE OFFICERS:
MR KENNETH CHAN YAT-SUN
MR CHAN, AGED 53, JOINED THE GOVERNMENT AS A MAINTENANCE SURVEYOR IN AUGUST 1971.
HE WAS PROMOTED TO GOVERNMENT MAINTENANCE SURVEYOR IN APRIL 1986 AND TO DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES IN JULY 1991.
CHAN ACTED AS DIRECTOR OF ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES ON PREVIOUS OCCASIONS.
MR P J CORSER, ISO
MR CORSER, AGED 57, JOINED THE CIVIL SERVICE AS A BUILDING SURVEYOR IN APRIL 1962.
/HE WAS .......
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 22, 1993
HE WAS PROMOTED TO DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES IN APRIL 1986 AND TO DIRECTOR IN JULY 1991.
ON HIS RETIREMENT, MR CORSER HAD COMPLETED 31 YEARS OF SERVICE WITH THE GOVERNMENT.
MR R D POPE
MR POPE, AGED 47, JOINED THE CIVIL SERVICE AS AN ESTATE SURVEYOR IN FEBRUARY 1970.
HE WAS PROMOTED TO GOVERNMENT LAND AGENT TN SEPTEMBER 1982 AND TO PRINCIPAL GOVERNMENT LAND AGENT IN JUNE 1987.
0 - -
OVERSEAS TRUST BANK (ACQUISITION) (AMENDMENT) BILL
*****
THE OVERSEAS TRUST BANK (ACQUISITION) (AMENDMENT) BILL 1993 IS PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE TODAY (FRIDAY) AND WILL BE INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON OCTOBER 27, 1993.
THE MAIN PURPOSE OF THE BILL IS TO REPEAL PROVISIONS OF THE OVERSEAS TRUST BANK (ACQUISITION) ORDINANCE AND SUBSIDIARY LEGISLATION MADE UNDER IT WHICH HAVE BECOME UNNECESSARY OR INAPPROPRIATE FOLLOWING THE SALE OF THE OVERSEAS TRUST BANK BY THE GOVERNMENT.
THESE INCLUDE PROVISIONS WHICH ARE SPENT AND OTHERS RELATING TO THE MANAGEMENT AND CONTROL OF THE BANK BY THE GOVERNMENT.
’’OVERSEAS TRUST BANK IS NO LONGER A GOVERNMENT-OWNED BANK. WE NEED TO AMEND THE ORDINANCE TO PUT IT BACK ON THE SAME FOOTING AS OTHER BANKS TN THE PRIVATE SECTOR,” A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID.
OVERSEAS TRUST BANK WAS TAKEN OVER BY THE GOVERNMENT IN JUNE 1985. IT WAS THE LAST GOVERNMENT-OWNED BANK RETURNED TO THE PRIVATE SECTOR. THE SALE MARKED THE END OF GOVERNMENT’S EFFORT IN RESCUING BANKS IN THE 1980’S.
IN THE 1980’S, THE EXCHANGE FUND WAS INVOLVED TN THE RESCUE OF SEVEN BANKS, EITHER BY DIRECT GOVERNMENT ACQUISITION OR BY PROVISION OF ASSISTANCE IN ACQUISITION BY THIRD PARTIES.
’’ALTHOUGH IN THE CASE OF OTB WE HAVE AGREED WITH THE PURCHASER AS PART AND PARCEL OF THE TRANSACTION TO DISCLOSE THE TOTAL CONSIDERATION OF THE SALE, WE ARE STILL BOUND BY CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATIONS NOT TO DISCLOSE THE DETAILS OF THE INDIVIDUAL CASES," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
"NEVERTHELESS, WE HAVE ADVISED THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL OF THE LATEST ESTIMATE OF THE TOTAL NET COSTS OF THE SEVEN RESCUES. THIS AMOUNTED TO $3.8 BILLION."
/TO PUT
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 22, 1993
- 10 -
TO PUT THIS FIGURE INTO PERSPECTIVE, IT IS ABOUT 3.6 PER CENT OF THE ACCUMULATED EARNING AND 1.3 PER CENT OF THE TOTAL ASSETS OF THE EXCHANGE FUND AS AT THE END OF 1992.
"WE CONSIDER THAT THE COST INCURRED IN THESE RESCUE OPERATIONS WERE MODEST AND REPRESENTED MONEY WELL SPENT TO HELP ENSURE THE STABILITY OF HONG KONG’S BANKING SECTOR AND THE MONETARY SYSTEM DURING A CRITICAL PERIOD," HE ADDED.
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GREENLIGHT ON DRAFT OUTLINE ZONING PLANS
*****
THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL HAS APPROVED THE DRAFT OUTLINE ZONING PLANS FOR MID-LEVELS WEST AND TSUEN WAN.
BOTH PLANS WERE AMENDED AND PUBLISHED FOR PUBLIC INSPECTION IN 1990.
THE MID-LEVELS WEST OZP WAS AMENDED TO INCORPORATE A PLOT RATIO RESTRICTION OF FIVE IN THE ’RESIDENTIAL (GROUP B)’ ZONE.
THE TSUEN WAN OZP WAS AMENDED TO INCORPORATE A PLOT RATIO RESTRICTION OF 9.5 IN THE ’INDUSTRIAL’ ZONE AS WELL AS TO REZONE AN AREA IN THE TSUEN WAN TOWN CENTRE TO ’COMPREHENSIVE DEVELOPMENT AREA’ (CDA).
’’THE PURPOSE OF IMPOSING A PLOT RATIO CONTROL TN BOTH AREAS IS TO ADDRESS THE PROBLEMS OF TRAFFIC CONGESTION AND INADEQUATE INFRASTRUCTURAL CAPACITY,” SAID A SPOKESMAN OF THE TOWN PLANNING BOARD.
THE PLOT RATIO RESTRICTION IMPOSED ON THE MID-LEVELS WEST OZP IS AN IMPORTANT PART OF THE EFFORTS MADE BY THE GOVERNMENT IN IMPROVING THE TRAFFIC CONDITION IN THE AREA.
THE RESTRICTION WILL IMPROVE ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS AND PREVENT OVERLOADING THE SEWERAGE NETWORK IN THE AREA.
THE PLOT RATIO RESTRICTION IN TSUEN WAN, ON THE OTHER HAND, IS TO RESTRAIN THE LEVEL OF INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT IN ORDER TO CONTAIN THE GROWTH OF INDUSTRIAL VEHICULAR TRAFFIC IN THAT AREA TO A MORE REASONABLE LEVEL.
IT WILL ALSO HELP PREVENT FURTHER DEGRADATION OF THE ENVIRONMENT OF THE INDUSTRIAL AREA AS WELL AS AVOID OVERLOADING THE WATER SUPPLY AND SEWERAGE SYSTEMS IN THE AREA.
THE ’CDA’ ZONE FOR THE FOUR SEASON ESTATE AREA ON THE TSUEN WAN OZP PROVIDES A BASIS FOR A COMPREHENSIVE REDEVELOPMENT WHICH WOULD IMPROVE THE TSUEN WAN TOWN CENTRE SIGNIFICANTLY.
/BOTH THE .......
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 22, 1993
BOTH THE APPROVED OZP’S SERVE TO ESTABLISH A STATUTORY LAND USE FRAMEWORK TO CONTROL DEVELOPMENT AND REDEVELOPMENT WITHIN THE AREAS.
THE MID-LEVELS WEST OZP IS AVAILABLE FOR PUBLIC INSPECTION FOR A WEEK AT:
* THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT OFFICE, GROUND FLOOR,
HARBOUR BUILDING, 38 PIER ROAD, CENTRAL;
* THE HONG KONG DISTRICT PLANNING OFFICE, 11TH FLOOR,
LEIGHTON CENTRE, 77 LEIGHTON ROAD; AND
* THE PLANNING DEPARTMENT, 16TH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG.
THE TSUEN WAN OZP IS AVAILABLE FOR A WEEK AT:
♦ THE TSUEN WAN DISTRICT OFFICE, FIRST FLOOR, TSUEN WAN STATION MULTI-STOREY CARPARK BUILDING, 171-208 CASTLE PEAK ROAD, TSUEN WAN, NEW TERRITORIES;
* THE TSUEN WAN DISTRICT PLANNING OFFICE, 27TH FLOOR, TSUEN WAN GOVERNMENT OFFICE, 38, SAI LAU KOK ROAD, TSUEN WAN; AND
* THE PLANNING DEPARTMENT, 16TH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD.
COPIES OF THE APPROVED PLANS ARE AVAILABLE FOR SALE AT THE SURVEY AND MAPPING OFFICE, LANDS DEPARTMENT, 11TH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD AND KOWLOON MAP SALES SECTION, 382 NATHAN ROAD, KOWLOON.
---------0-----------
’’SIX STREETS” COMMERCIAL OPERATORS ELIGIBLE FOR FURTHER CLAIMS *****
THE LANDS DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (FRIDAY) THAT COMMERCIAL OPERATORS AFFECTED BY THE HONG KONG HOUS I NG SOCIETY’S REDEVELOPMENT PROJECT IN MA TAU KOK WHO HAD PREVIOUSLY ACCEPTED THE GOVERNMENT’S EARLIER OFFER OF EX-GRATIA REMOVAL ALLOWANCE IN FULL AND FINAL SETTLEMENT OF ALL CLAIMS WOULD BE ELIGIBLE FOR FURTHER CLAIMS FOR COMPENSATION UNDER THE CROWN LANDS RESUMPTION ORDINANCE.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE DECISION TO ACCEPT FURTHER CLAIMS HAD BEEN TAKEN TO ENSURE THAT ALL COMMERCIAL OPERATORS AFFECTED BY CLEARANCE WOULD RECEIVE THE SAME FAIR TREATMENT.
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/12........
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 22, 1993
12 -
318 VM’S RETURNED HOME TODAY
*****
A GROUP OF 318 VIETNAMESE MIGRANTS TODAY (FRIDAY) RETURNED TO VIETNAM UNDER THE UNHCR’S VOLUNTARY REPATRIATION PROGRAMME.
COMPRISING 122 MEN, 79 WOMEN, 61 BOYS AND 56 GIRLS, THEY WERE THE 172ND BATCH TO GO BACK UNDER THE PROGRAMME.
THIS GROUP BROUGHT TO 8,012 THE TOTAL NUMBER OF VIETNAMESE MIGRANTS WHO HAVE RETURNED VOLUNTARILY THIS YEAR, AND TO 34,324 THE TOTAL NUMBER OF RETURNEES SINCE THE PROGRAMME STARTED IN MARCH 1989.
-----0-------
FOOTBRIDGE EXTENSION AND LAY-BY AT GLOUCESTER ROAD
*****
THE GOVERNMENT PROPOSES TO IMPROVE THE EXISTING FOOTBRIDGE AT THE JUNCTION OF GLOUCESTER ROAD AND LUARD ROAD.
THE PROPOSED IMPROVEMENT WILL INCLUDE PROVISION OF A FOOTBRIDGE EXTENSION ACROSS GLOUCESTER ROAD WESTBOUND SERVICE ROAD AND A LAY-BY IN FRONT OF LUK KWOK HOTEL TO FACILITATE PEDESTRIAN MOVEMENT AT THE LOCATION.
A NOTICE OF THE PROPOSED WORKS WAS GAZETTED TODAY (FRIDAY).
THE PLAN AND SCHEME 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, HONG KONG WEST, 19TH FLOOR, SOUTHORN CENTRE, 130 HENNESSY ROAD, WAN CHAI, HONG KONG; AND
* THE WAN CHAI DISTRICT OFFICE, PUBLIC ENQUIRY SERVICE CENTRE, GROUND FLOOR, 2 O’BRIEN ROAD, WAN CHAI, HONG KONG.
ANY PERSON OBJECTING TO THE WORKS OR THE USE, OR BOTH, MUST SEND HIS OBJECTION IN WRITING TO THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, EAST WING, SECOND FLOOR, LOWER ALBERT ROAD, CENTRAL, NO LATER THAN DECEMBER 21, DESCRIBING HIS INTEREST AND THE MANNER IN WHICH HE ALLEGES HE WILL BE AFFECTED BY THE PROPOSAL.
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/13........
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 22, 1993
- 13 -
CLOSURE OF UNAUTHORISED STRUCTURES SOUGHT
*****
THE BUILDING AUTHORITY IS SEEKING TO CLOSE TWO UNAUTHORISED STRUCTURES AT A BUILDING IN YAU MA TEI SO THAT THEY CAN BE DEMOLISHED WITHOUT CAUSING DANGER TO THE OCCUPIERS AND THE PUBLIC.
THE UNAUTHORISED SINGLE-STOREY STRUCTURES, ERECTED ON THE ROOF OF 200 TEMPLE STREET, ARE USED FOR DWELLING.
NOTICE OF INTENTION TO APPLY FOR A CLOSURE ORDER FROM THE HONG KONG DISTRICT COURT UNDER THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE ON JANUARY 13, 1994 WAS POSTED ON THE PREMISES TODAY (FRIDAY).
DEMOLITION WORK OF THE UNAUTHORISED STRUCTURES IS EXPECTED TO START AS SOON AS THE CLOSURE ORDER IS ISSUED.
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FIRE PREVENTION EXHIBITION IN CENTRAL
*****
A FIRE PREVENTION EXHIBITION TO PROMOTE FIRE SAFETY WILL BE STAGED AT THE EDINBURGH PLACE IN CENTRAL ON SUNDAY (OCTOBER 24) AFTERNOON BY THE FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT’S HONG KONG COMMAND.
THE EVENT IS PART OF A COMMEMORATIVE PROGRAMME TO MARK THE DEPARTMENT’S 125TH ANNIVERSARY.
ALSO ON DISPLAY WILL BE SOME HISTORICAL PHOTOGRAPHS OF THE FIRE SERVICES.
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC VISITING THE EXHIBITION CAN ALSO TAKE A CLOSER LOOK AT SOME OF THE FIRE ENGINES, AMBULANCE, AMBULANCE-AID MOTORCYCLE AND FIRE BOAT AS WELL AS SPECIAL EQUIPMENT FOR FIRE-FIGHTING AND RESCUE.
THE CHIEF FIRE OFFICER (HONG HONG), MR CHAN HOI, WILL OFFICIATE AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE EXHIBITION AT 2 PM.
ATTENTION NEWS EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE EXHIBITION.
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/14 ........
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 22, 1993
14
TENDERS INVITED FOR SEWAGE TREATMENT IMPROVMENT WORKS
*****
THE DRAINAGE SERVICES DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR STAGES I AND II IMPROVEMENT WORKS FOR THE TAI PO SEWAGE TREATMENT PLANT.
THE WORKS INVOLVE THE CONSTRICTION OF A CONTROL AND STORAGE HOUSE, AS WELL AS MODIFICATION AND REFURBISHMENT OF SOME OF THE EXISTING TREATMENT INSTALLATIONS, SUCH AS THE INLET WORKS, AERATION TANKS AND PIPEWORKS.
THE PROJECT IS SCHEDULED TO BEGIN IN FEBRUARY NEXT YEAR FOR COMPLETION IN 29 MONTHS.
TENDER FORMS AND FURTHER PARTICULARS CAN BE OBTAINED FROM THE NEW WORKS DIVISION, DRAINAGE SERVICES DEPARTMENT, 44TH FLOOR, REVENUE TOWER, 5 GLOUCESTER ROAD, WAN CHAI.
THE CLOSING DATE FOR THE TENDERS IS NOON ON NOVEMBER 12.
-----0--------
REVISED FEES FOR FIRE CERTIFICATES AND FIRE REPORTS
*****
THE GOVERNMENT TODAY (FRIDAY) ANNOUNCED REVISED FEES CHARGED BY THE FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT FOR THE ISSUE OF FIRE CERTIFICATES AND FIRE REPORTS.
THE FEE REVISION, WHICH WILL COME INTO EFFECT ON NOVEMBER 25, IS PROVIDED FOR IN THE FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT (REPORTS AND CERTIFICATES) (AMENDMENT) REGULATION 1993 GAZETTED TODAY.
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN EXPLAINED THAT THE FEES FOR THE ISSUE OF FIRE CERTIFICATES AND REPORTS HAD BEEN REVISED TO REFLECT THE INCREASE IN COSTS SINCE THEIR LAST REVIEWS.
THE FEES FOR FIRE CERTIFICATES WERE LAST REVIEWED IN 1987 WHILE THAT FOR FIRE REPORT LAST YEAR.
DETAILS OF THE REVISION ARE AS FOLLOWS:
EXISTING FEE NEW FEE
* CERTIFICATE REQUIRED FOR $135 $257
COMPLIANCE WITH THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE
* CERTIFICATE REQUIRED FOR $135 $257
COMPLIANCE WITH ANY OF THE PROVISIONS OF ANY OTHER ENACTMENT
♦ REPORT ON FIRE OR OTHER $150 $165
CALAMITY ATTENDED BY THE FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT
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/15......
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 22, 1993
- 15 -
ADVICE ON QUEEN’S PIER
*****
SMALL CRAFT OWNERS AND OPERATORS ARE ADVISED TO USE SETS OF LANDING STEPS OTHER THAN THE NORTH-EASTERN SET AT QUEEN’S PIER IN CENTRAL BETWEEN 1 PM AND 5 PM ON SUNDAY (OCTOBER 24).
THE SET OF STEPS HAS BEEN RESERVED FOR THE BERTHING OF FIRE BOAT NO.6 TO TIE IN WITH A CEREMONY TO LAUNCH A FIRE PREVENTION EXHIBITION, A MARINE DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID.
THOSE TAKING PART IN THE EXHIBITION WILL BOARD AND TOUR THE FIRE BOAT DURING THAT PERIOD, HE ADDED.
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND
MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS $ MILLION
* * t *
OPENING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT REVERSAL OF LAF BALANCE AFTER REVERSAL OF LAF NET INJECTION/WITHDRAWAL TODAY EFFECT OF LAF TODAY CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT LAF RATE 2.00 BID/4.00 OFFER TWI 113.0 »+0.2* 3,000 NIL 3,000 NIL -625 2,375 22.10.93
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND EF BILLS EF NOTES/HONG KONG GOVERNMENT BONDS TERMS YIELD TERM ISSUE COUPON PRICE YIELD 1 WEEK 2.96 PCT 13 MONTHS 2411 4.625 101.52 3.19 1 MONTH 2.84 PCT 16 MONTHS 2502 4.75 101.80 3.37 3 MONTHS 2.77 PCT 19 MONTHS 2505 3.75 100.25 3.62 6 MONTHS 2.88 PCT 22 MONTHS 2508 4.625 101.66 3.71 12 MONTHS 3.12 PCT TOTAL TURNOVER OF BILLS AND BONDS - 13,110 MN CLOSED 22 OCTOBER 1993
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 23, 1993
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT EARNS WORLD'S RESPECT ................. 1
RECORD NUMBER OF STUDENTS TO COMPETE IN CAREERS QUIZ ........... 1
FIRING PRACTICE IN NOVEMBER .................................. 2
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 24, 1993
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
A STRONG LEGAL SYSTEM NEEDS COMMUNITY SUPPORT ............... 3
DANGEROUS OPENINGS ON SITES MUST BE COVERED ................. 4
AUTOMATED DRUG HOTLINE WELL-RECEIVED ........................... 5
CYC TO ASSEMBLE WORLD'S LARGEST POSTER ......................... 6
NEW CHAIRMAN APPOINTED TO COUNTRY PARKS BOARD .................. 7
TA KWU LING CLINIC OPENS ....................................... 7
METER READING SURVEY OF LANTAU TAXIS ........................... 8
YAU TSIM LAUNCHES ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN ........... 8
KWUN TONG TO HOLD BUILDING MANAGEMENT COURSES .................. 9
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 23, 1993
FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT EARNS WORLD’S RESPECT
*******
’’EVERYONE WHO VISITS HONG KONG FIRE SERVICES COMES AWAY WITH A TREMENDOUS ADMIRATION AND RESPECT FOR A BRIGADE WHICH TODAY IS NOT ONLY ONE OF THE LARGEST IN THE WORLD, BUT ALSO ONE OF THE MOST EFFICIENT.”
THIS IS THE OPENING REMARKS MADE BY MR NORMAN ANDERSON, THE EDITOR OF A WORLDWIDE FIRE JOURNAL ’’FIRE INTERNATIONAL”, IN A SPECIAL SUPPLEMENT TO MARK THE 125TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT. A
THE 32-PAGE PUBLICATION FEATURES THE VARIOUS ASPECTS OF THE DEPARTMENT FROM ITS STRUCTURE, DEVELOPMENT, LEGISLATION, MOBILISATION AND COMMUNICATION, TRAINING, AMBULANCE SERVICE TO FIRE-FIGHTING AND RESCUE AT THE AIRPORT AND AT SEA, HIGH-RISE FIRE PROTECTION AND RISKS FACED BY FIRE-FIGHTERS.
THE ARTICLES ARE SUPPLEMENTED BY PHOTOGRAPHS.
THE SUPPLEMENT ALSO CONTAINS MESSAGES OF CONGRADULATION FROM SEVERAL OVERSEAS FIRE BRIGADES AND ORGANISATIONS.
’’THE SPECIAL ISSUE IS INTENDED TO GIVE THOSE WHO HAVE NOT BEEN TO HONG KONG AN INSIGHT INTO WHAT IS HAPPENING THERE,” HE WRITES.
’’MORE THAN THAT, IT IS A TRIBUTE TO A BRIGADE WHICH CAN, AND HAS, GIVEN FREELY OF ITS EXPERTISE - IN, FOR EXAMPLE, HIGH-RISE FIREFIGHTING - TO THE REST OF THE WORLD,” HE SAYS.
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RECORD NUMBER OF STUDENTS TO COMPETE IN CAREERS QUIZ
*******
A RECORD NUMBER OF 136,500 STUDENTS FROM 283 SECONDARY SCHOOLS WILL TAKE PART IN THE CAREERS QUIZ '94 ORGANISED BY THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT FROM NOVEMBER 1 TO 8.
THE QUIZ IS DESIGNED FOR FORM 3 TO FORM 5 STUDENTS.
PARTICIPANTS WILL HAVE TO ANSWER 50 MULTIPLE-CHOICE QUESTIONS RELATING TO INFORMATION ON CAREERS, TECHNICAL AND VOCATIONAL TRAINING, AND LOCAL EMPLOYMENT LEGISLATION.
SENIOR LABOUR OFFICER, MRS CLARE SIU, SAID TODAY (SATURDAY) THE EVENT AIMED TO AROUSE STUDENTS’ AWARENESS OF THE IMPORTANCE OF CHOOSING SUITABLE CAREERS AND TO ENCOURAGE THEM TO LOOK FOR UP-TO-DATE INFORMATION ON CAREERS AND FURTHER TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES.
"THE FAVOURABLE RESPONSE TO THE QUIZ REFLECTS THE IMPORTANCE SCHOOLS AND STUDENTS ATTACHED TO CAREER EDUCATION," SHE ADDED.
/THE QUIZ
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 23, 1993
2
THE QUIZ IS AN ASSOCIATED ACTIVITY OF THE EDUCATION AND CAREERS EXPO ’94 ORGANISED JOINTLY BY THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT AND THE HONG KONG TRADE DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL FROM FEBRUARY 24 TO 27 NEXT YEAR.
THE EXPOSITION WILL BE HELD AT THE HONG KONG CONVENTION AND EXHIBITION CENTRE AND WILL FEATURE PRESENTATIONS FROM A WIDE RANGE OF TRADES, SERVICES, PROFESSIONS AND HIGHER EDUCATION AVENUES.
WINNERS OF THE QUIZ WILL BE AWARDED ATTRACTIVE PRIZES, INCLUDING CAMERAS, CAMERA BAGS AND BALL PENS, ALL SPONSORED BY JEBSEN & CO LTD.
THE ANSWER SHEETS OF THE QUIZ WILL BE PROCESSED BY THE INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY SERVICES DEPARTMENT.
------0-----------
FIRING PRACTICE IN NOVEMBER
*****
FIRING PRACTICE WILL TAKE PLACE AT THE HA TSUEN - CASTLE PEAK RANGE ON 22 DAYS NEXT MONTH (NOVEMBER).
MEMBERS OF 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 1 (MONDAY) 8.30 AM - 5 PM
NOVEMBER 2 (TUESDAY) 8.30 AM - 5 PM
NOVEMBER 3 (WEDNESDAY) 8.30 AM — 5 PM
NOVEMBER 4 (THURSDAY) 8.30 AM - 5 PM
NOVEMBER 5 (FRIDAY) 8.30 AM — 5 PM
NOVEMBER 8 (MONDAY) 8.30 AM - 11 .59 PM
NOVEMBER 9 (TUESDAY) 0.01 AM - 11 .59 PM
NOVEMBER 10 (WEDNESDAY) 0.01 AM — 5. 30 PM
NOVEMBER 11 (THURSDAY) 8.30 AM — 5 PM
NOVEMBER 12 (FRIDAY) 8.30 AM - 5 PM
NOVEMBER 15 (MONDAY) 8.30 AM - 5 PM
NOVEMBER 16 (TUESDAY) 8.30 AM - 5 PM
NOVEMBER 17 (WEDNESDAY) 8.30 AM - 5 PM
NOVEMBER 18 (THURSDAY) 8.30 AM - 5 PM
NOVEMBER 19 (FRIDAY) 8.30 AM - 5 PM
NOVEMBER 22 (MONDAY) 8.30 AM — 5 PM
NOVEMBER 23 (TUESDAY) 8.30 AM - 5 PM
NOVEMBER 24 (WEDNESDAY) 8.30 AM - 5 PM
NOVEMBER 25 (THURSDAY) 8.30 AM — 5 PM
NOVEMBER 26 (FRIDAY) 8.30 AM — 5 PM
NOVEMBER 29 (MONDAY) 8.30 AM — 5 PM
NOVEMBER 30 (TUESDAY) 8.30 AM - 5 PM
- - 0----------
/3 ........
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 24, 1993
3
A STRONG LEGAL SYSTEM NEEDS COMMUNITY SUPPORT
*****
OUR LAW SHOULD DRAW ITS STRENGTH NOT ONLY FROM JUDGES AND LAWYERS, BUT ALSO FROM THE COMMUNITY IT SERVED, THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, MR JEREMY MATHEWS, SAID TODAY (SUNDAY).
MR MATHEWS BELIEVES A COMMUNITY WHICH UNDERSTANDS AND APPRECIATES THE VALUES OF THE LAW AND THE LEGAL SYSTEM WILL ABIDE BY THE LAW AND CAN DEFEND THAT LAW AND ITS INSTITUTIONS.
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF ’LAW WEEK’, MR MATHEWS PAID TRIBUTE TO THE LAW SOCIETY FOR ORGANISING SUCH A ’MEANINGFUL AND VALUABLE’ EVENT TO HEIGHTEN PUBLIC AWARENESS OF THE BENEFITS OF LAW TO SOCIETY.
”IT ENABLES ALL MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC, THROUGH THEIR PARTICIPATION IN THE ACTIVITIES ORGANISED BY LAW WEEK, TO DEVELOP A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF THE LAW, THE LEGAL PROFESSION AND THE LEGAL SYSTEM.
’’THIS WILL, IN TURN, STRENGTHEN THE LEGAL SYSTEM AND HELP TO ENTRENCH THE RULE OF LAW,” HE SAID.
MR MATHEWS SAID HE WAS PROUD OF THE FACT THAT THE RULE OF LAW WAS WELL ESTABLISHED IN HONG KONG; THE JUDICIARY WAS INDEPENDENT AND FAIR.
THAT PEOPLE SEEKING JUSTICE HAVE ACCESS TO LEGAL ASSISTANCE AND TO THE COURTS AND THE LEGAL PROFESSION PROVIDES QUALITY AND EFFICIENT SERVICES IN ALL ASPECTS OF THE LAW.
FOR THE CONTINUANCE OF THE LEGAL SYSTEM AFTER 1997, THE JOINT DECLARATION AND THE BASIC LAW CONTAIN MANY SPECIFIC GUARANTEES, AND THESE GUARANTEES PROVIDE A SOUND BASIS FOR CONFIDENCE IN THE FUTURE LEGAL SYSTEM IN HONG KONG.
TO MAKE THE LEGAL SYSTEM AND LAWS MORE ACCESSIBLE AND LESS DAUNTING TO THE COMMUNITY, MR MATHEWS SAID THE GOVERNMENT WAS DOING ITS PART BY PRODUCING CHINESE TEXTS FOR ALL THE LAWS OF HONG KONG.
AND THE JUDICIARY IS CONSIDERING WAYS IN WHICH GREATER USE MAY BE MADE OF THE CHINESE LANGUAGE IN PROCEEDINGS IN ALL COURTS.
/4 .........
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 24, 1993
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.
E MAN CONSTRUCTION COMPANY LIMITED WAS RECENTLY GIVEN A HEAVY FINE OF $40,000 BY A SHA TIN MAGISTRATE FOR FAILING TO PROVIDE SUITABLE GUARD-RAILS TO THE FLOOR EDGE.
THE COMPANY WAS ALSO FINED ANOTHER $40,000 FOR FAILING TO PROVIDE SUITABLE GUARD-RAILS OR A FIXED COVERING TO A LIFT SHAFT OPENING.
’’THE OFFENCES WERE DETECTED BY OUR FACTORY INSPECTORS DURING A ROUTINE INSPECTION AT A SHA TIN CONSTRUCTION SITE EARLIER THIS YEAR,” LABOUR DEPARTMENT’S CHIEF FACTORY INSPECTOR, MR CHAN TAT-KING, SAID TODAY (SUNDAY).
HE SAID DURING THE INSPECTION, THE FLOOR EDGE ON THE FIRST FLOOR OF THE HOSPITAL BUILDING UNDER CONSTRUCTION AND THE LIFT SHAFT OPENING ON THE FOURTH FLOOR OF THE STAFF QUARTER BUILDING UNDER CONSTRUCTION WERE FOUND NEITHER PROTECTED BY GUARD-RAILS NOR A COVERING.
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.
ANY CONTRACTOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE PROVISIONS WILL BE LIABLE TO A MAXIMUM FINE OF $50,000 AND TO IMPRISONMENT FOR 12 MONTHS, HE ADDED.
MR CHAN REMINDED CONTRACTORS AND WORKERS THAT FALL OF PERSONS FROM A HEIGHT WAS A COMMON CAUSE OF ACCIDENTS IN CONSTRUCTION SITES WHICH OFTEN RESULTED IN SERIOUS INJURIES OR EVEN DEATHS.
HE URGED CONTRACTORS AND EMPLOYERS TO TAKE EVERY PRECAUTION TO ENSURE WORKERS’ SAFETY AND HEALTH.
HE ALSO CALLED ON WORKERS TO REPORT ANY IRREGULARITIES, WHICH MIGHT PRESENT A HAZARD TO THEMSELVES WHILST AT WORK, EITHER TO THEIR SAFETY OFFICER ON SITE OR TO THE FACTORY INSPECTORATE DIVISION OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT ON TEL 815 0678.
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/5.........
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 24, 1993
5
AUTOMATED DRUG HOTLINE WELL-RECEIVED
*****
THE AUTONATION OF THE DRUG ABUSE TELEPHONE ENQUIRY SERVICE HOTLINE (DATES) HAS MADE IT MORE ACCESSIBLE TO MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC TO SEEK ADVICE AND INFORMATION ON DRUG-RELATED ISSUES, INCLUDING TREATMENT AND REHABILITATION FACILITIES FROM THE HOTLINE SET UP BY THE NARCOTICS DIV ISON.
THE HOTLINE (366 8822) HAS BEEN AUTOMATED SINCE FEBRUARY 5 THIS YEAR WITH THE INTRODUCTION OF A VOICE MESSAGING SYSTEM (VMS).
SINCE THE AUTOMATION, THE NUMBER OF CALLERS AVERAGED SOME 1,100 A DAY.
"IT IS HOPED THAT JUST WITH A PRESS OF THE BUTTON, MORE PEOPLE COULD BE INFORMED ABOUT THE HARMFUL EFFECTS OF DRUG ABUSE WHENEVER THEY WANT," A SPOKESMAN FOR THE NARCOTICS DIVISION SAID TODAY (SUNDAY).
AT PRESENT, THE DATES HOTLINE HAS A TOTAL OF EIGHT TELEPHONE LINES TO ALLOW MORE MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC TO LISTEN TO PRE-RECORDED MESSAGES IN CANTONESE ON 12 TYPES OF COMMON SUBSTANCES OF ABUSE AND TO GAIN ACCESS TO INFORMATION ON DRUG TREATMENT AND REHABILITATION FACILITIES.
THE VOICE MENU OF THE HOTLINE WILL TELL THE CALLERS TO PICK THE PRE-RECORDED MESSAGE THEY WANT BY PRESSING A SUITABLE NUMBER BUTTON. THE CODES FOR THE 12 TYPES OF COMMON SUBSTANCE OF ABUSE ARE AS FOLLOWS:
CODE SUBSTANCE OF ABUSE
1 HEROIN
2 CANNABIS
3 LSD
4 TRANQUILLIZERS
5 BARBITURATES
6 MANDRAX
7 AMPHETAMINES
8 COCAINE
91 ORGANIC SOLVENTS
/92 .......
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 24, 1993
- 6 -
92 NICOTINE/TOBACCO
93 ALCOHOL
94 COUGH MEDICINES
BY PRESSING THE DIGIT ”0” DURING OFFICE HOURS, CALLERS WILL BE CONNECTED TO THE OPERATOR WHO WILL ADVICE THEM ON THOSE DRUG TREATMENT AND REHABILITATION SERVICES THEY WANT TO KNOW.
- - 0-----------
CYC TO ASSEMBLE WORLD’S LARGEST POSTER *****
HONG KONG WILL UPSTAGE JAPAN IN THE GUINNESS BOOK OF RECORDS ON TUESDAY (OCTOBER 26) WHEN ABOUT 1,500 COMMUNITY YOUTH CLUB (CYC) MEMBERS ASSEMBLE THE WORLD’S LARGEST POSTER AT VICTORIA PARK.
JAPAN CURRENTLY HOLDS THE RECORD OF A POSTER MEASURING 20,000 SQUARE METRES.
THE CYC RECORD-BREAKING EVENT, WHICH AIMS TO CELEBRATE ITS 15TH ANNIVERSARY, WILL BE A POSTER MEASURING 21,936 SQUARE METRES.
MOST PARTS OF THE POSTER WILL BE ASSEMBLED BY THE CYC MEMBERS LEAVING THE FI NAI. SEGMENTS TO BE COMPLETED BY THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, MR DOMINIC S W WONG; THE GOVERNOR OF THE LIONS CLUB INTERNATIONAL DISTRICT 303, MR CHENG WAI-CHUEN; AND THE CHAIRMAN OF THE URBAN COUNCIL, DR RONALD LEUNG DING-BONG.
ATTENTION NEWS EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE EVENT, STARTING AT 9 AM ON THAT DAY.
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 24, 1993
NEW CHAIRMAN APPOINTED TO COUNTRY PARKS BOARD ********
DEAN OF THE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG’S FACULTY OF SCIENCE, DR I J HODGKISS, HAS RECENTLY BEEN APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNOR AS THE NEW CHAIRMAN OF THE COUNTRY PARKS BOARD, REPLACING MR CARLOS CHEUNG HON-KAU.
AN AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT (AFD) SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (SUNDAY) THAT DR HODGKISS WOULD SERVE A TWO-YEAR TERM OF CHAIRMANSHIP UNTIL AUGUST 15, 1995.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID FOUR NEW MEMBERS HAD ALSO BEEN APPOINTED TO THE BOARD FOR A TERM OF TWO YEARS. THEY ARE MR LEUNG MAN-WAI, MAN SAI-CHEONG, MRS MEI NG AND MR TANG PUI-TAT.
THE INCUMBENT MEMBERS RE-APPOINTED TO THE BOARD INCLUDE HOWARD YOUNG HOW-WAH, DR JIM CHI-YUNG, DR CHIU SEIN-TUCK, MR HUI CHUN-FUI, DR TAM WING-KUN, MR FUNG SHIU-WING AND PROFESSOR BRIAN MORTON.
THE BOARD’S TERMS OF REFERENCE ARE TO ADVISE THE COUNTRY PARKS AUTHORITY ON POLICIES AND PROGRAMMES ON THE TERRITORY’S COUNTRY PARKS AND SPECIAL AREAS.
THE BOARD HAS GOVERNMENT REPRESENTATIVES FROM VARIOUS DEPARTMENTS INCLUDING AFD, WATER SUPPLIES, LANDS, PLANNING, EDUCATION, CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION AND REGIONAL SERVICES, AS WELL AS THE RECREATION AND CULTURE BRANCH.
MEANWHILE, DR JIM AND DR TAM HAD BEEN ELECTED AS CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD’S PLANNING AND MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE AS WELL AS THE PUBLIC RELATIONS COMMITTEE RESPECTIVELY AT RECENT MEETINGS.
------0----------
TA KWU LING CLINIC OPENS
*****
THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH TODAY (SUNDAY) ANNOUNCED THAT THE NEW TA KWU LING CLINIC IN THE NEW TERRITORIES WILL COME INTO OPERATION ON NOVEMBER 2.
TA KWU LING CLINIC IS LOCATED ON THE GROUND FLOOR OF TA KWU LING RURAL CENTRE BUILDING.
IT WILL PROVIDE GENERAL OUT-PATIENT SERVICE FROM 2.30 PM TO 4 PM EVERY TUESDAY AND FROM 9.30 AM TO 11 AM EVERY THURSDAY.
MEANWHILE, THE SERVICE OF THE TRAVELLING DISPENSARY AT ST JOSEPH’S CLINIC IN TA KWU LING WILL BE SUSPENDED FROM NOVEMBER 2.
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/8 ........
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 24, 1993
METER READING SURVEY OF LANTAU TAXIS *******
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT WILL CONDUCT A TAXI METER READING SURVEY ON LANTAU TAXIS STARTING FROM TUESDAY (OCTOBER 26).
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY (SUNDAY) THE SURVEY WAS TO COLLECT INFORMATION ON THE OPERATION CHARACTERISTICS OF LANTAU TAXIS AFTER THE OPENING UP OF NGONG PING ROAD.
ALL TAXI OWNERS ARE REQUESTED TO PRESENT THEIR TAXIS ON FOUR OCCASIONS AT THE MUI WO FERRY CONCOURSE METER READING CENTRE BETWEEN 9.30 AM AND 12.30 PM OR BETWEEN 1.30 PM AND 3.30 PM ON OCTOBER 26, NOVEMBER 2, 9 AND 16.
HE ADDED THAT ACTIVE PARTICIPATION IN THE SURVEY WAS ESSENTIAL IN HELPING THE DEPARTMENT TO ASSESS THE OPERATING CONDITIONS OF LANTAU TAXI TRADE. THE INFORMATION COLLECTED WILL BE USED ONLY FOR STATISTICAL ANALYSIS.
- - 0 - -
YAU TSIM LAUNCHES ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN
*****
A MESSAGE OF CLEANING YOUR COMMUNITY WILL BE SPREAD ACROSS YAU TSIM DISTRICT AFTER THE LAUNCHING OF AN ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN THIS (SUNDAY) AFTERNOON.
ORGANISED BY THE YAU TSIM DISTRICT BOARD, THE CAMPAIGN AIMS TO EDUCATE THE RESIDENTS ABOUT BUILDING A BETTER LIVING ENVIRONMENT IN THE COMMUNITY.
THE OPENING CEREMONY AND VARIETY SHOW, HELD AT THE URBAN COUNCIL CENTENARY GARDEN, TSIM SHA TSUI EAST, HAVE ATTRACTED HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE.
HIGHLIGHTS OF THE PROGRAMME INCLUDED THE PERFORMANCES BY POPULAR SINGERS AND GAME STALLS.
THE CAMPAIGN, WHICH WILL LAST UNTIL JANUARY NEXT YEAR, INCLUDE CLEARANCE OF ABANDONED SIGNBOARDS, BUILDING CLEANLINESS AND MARKET STALL CLEANLINESS COMPETITIONS, AN EXHIBITION ON ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT AND A COLOURING COMPETITION FOR THE CHILDREN.
- - 0 - -
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 24, 1993
- 9 -
KWUN TONG TO HOLD BUILDING MANAGEMENT COURSES *****
A SERIES OF FREE TRAINING COURSES, SEMINAR AND EXHIBITION ON BUILDING MANAGEMENT WILL BE HELD FOR RESIDENTS AND PROPERTY MANAGERS IN KWUN TONG NEXT MONTH.
CO-ORGANISED BY THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT OFFICE AND THE HOUSING COMMITTEE OF THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT BOARD, THESE ACTIVITIES ARE AIMED AT ENHANCING THEIR UNDERSTANDING ON EFFECTIVE BUILDING MANAGEMENT.
A TOTAL OF FOUR TRAINING COURSES WILL BE HELD RESPECTIVELY ON NOVEMBER 19 (FRIDAY), 22 (MONDAY), 23 (TUESDAY) AND 26 (FRIDAY) AT THE DISTRICT OFFICE CONFERENCE ROOM, THIRD FLOOR, KWUN TONG DISTRICT BRANCH OFFICES BUILDING, 6 TUNG YAN STREET, KWUN TONG.
TOPICS INCLUDE UNAUTHORISED BUILDING WORKS ON EXTERNAL WALLS, MAINTENANCE AND REPAIR OF ELECTRICAL INSTALLATION, SERVICE AND INSTALLATION OF CABLE TV AND SLOPE MAINTENANCE IN PRIVATE BUILDING.
CERTIFICATES WILL BE GIVEN TO PARTICIPANTS WHO HAVE ATTENDED AT LEAST 50 PER CENT OF THE COURSES. THE DEADLINE FOR ENROLMENT IS NOVEMBER 9.
FOLLOWING THE TRAINING COURSES WILL BE A BUILDING MANAGEMENT SEMINAR CUM EXHIBITION WHICH WILL BE HELD ON NOVEMBER 27 AT THE LOK WAH ESTATE COMMUNITY CENTRE, KWUN TONG.
PROFESSIONALS AND THE CHAIRMAN OF AN OWNERS’ CORPORATION WILL SPEAK ON THE GENERAL ASPECTS OF THE BUILDING MANAGEMENT ORDINANCE, THE ROLE OF OWNERS’ CORPORATIONS IN THE MANAGEMENT OF PRIVATE BUILDING AND THE PROCEDURE IN THE PROCUREMENT OF SUPPLIES, GOODS AND SERVICES.
DEADLINE FOR APPLICATION WILL BE ON NOVEMBER 17.
OFFICE-BEARERS AND MANAGEMENT STAFF OF OWNERS’ CORPORATIONS AND MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES, AND OWNERS OF PRIVATE BUILDINGS ARE WELCOME.
APPLICATION FORMS OF THE TRAINING COURSES AND THE SEMINAR ARE NOW AVAILABLE AT THE PUBLIC ENQUIRY SERVICE CENTRE OF THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT OFFICE.
THOSE INTERESTED CAN ALSO CONTACT THEIR CORRESPONDING ORGANISATIONS ON BUILDING MANAGEMENT OR TEL 341 6315 EXT. 26 OR 40 FOR FURTHER INFORMATION.
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
MONDAY/ OCTOBER 25/ 1993
CONTENTS PAGE NO,
NEW TERMS OF APPOINTMENT AND CONDITIONS OF SERVICE PUBLISHED FOR CONSULTATION .............................................. 1
WORK ON LOCALISATION AND ADAPTATION OF LAWS NEED A PUSH ......... 3
MOST SWAS ACT SENSIBLY: DSW ..................................... 5
REVISED GUIDELINES FOR COMPOSITE INDUSTRIAL-OFFICE BUILDINGS 5
RESIDENTIAL MORTGAGE SURVEY RESULTS FOR SEPTEMBER ............... 6
•WIN-WIN’ WAYS PROPOSED FOR INDUSTRIES .......................... 7
RECOMMENDATIONS ON HK’S LABOUR RELATIONS SYSTEM ................. 9
JUDICIAL EFFICIENCY THINK-TANK MEETS ........................... 11
LAB ENDORSES REVISION OF LICENCE FEE OF EMPLOYMENT AGENCIES . 12
RED LIGHT CAMERA SCHEME SUPPORTED .............................. 13
YOUTH STRING MUSIC FESTIVAL STARTS IN NOVEMBER ................. 14
GOVERNOR AT FIRE SERVICES 125TH ANNIVERSARY REVIEW ............. 15
LEGCO TO MEET ON WEDNESDAY ..................................... 16
CYC TO ASSEMBLE WORLD’S LARGEST POSTER ......................... 16
FRESH WATER CUT IN SHAM SHUI PO ................................ 17
WATER STORAGE FIGURE ........................................... 17
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND TENDER RESULTS .............. 18
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS
18
MONDAY, OCTOBER 25, 1993
- 1 -
NEW TERMS OF APPOINTMENT AND CONDITIONS OF SERVICE PUBLISHED FOR CONSULTATION *****
A CONSULTATIVE DOCUMENT ON FUTURE ARRANGEMENTS FOR CIVIL SERVICE TERMS OF APPOINTMENT AND CONDITIONS OF SERVICE WAS PUBLISHED TODAY (MONDAY).
THE PROPOSED ARRANGEMENTS ARE AIMED AT REMOVING DIFFERENCES IN LOCAL AND OVERSEAS CONDITIONS OF SERVICE SO THAT ALL FUTURE APPOINTEES TO THE CIVIL SERVICE WILL BE SUBJECT TO A COMMON SET OF TERMS.
THE PROPOSALS PROVIDE A BASIS FOR DISCUSSING THE LONG-TERM SOLUTION WHICH THE GOVERNMENT UNDERTOOK TO PURSUE WHEN IT INTRODUCED THE INTERIM MEASURE OF ALLOWING QUALIFIED OVERSEAS CONTRACT OFFICERS TO TRANSFER TO LOCAL TERMS LAST JULY.
EXPLAINING THE NEED FOR CHANGE, ACTING SECRETARY FOR THE CIVIL SERVICE, MR STUART HARBINSON, SAID OVERSEAS TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF SERVICE WERE ORIGINALLY DESIGNED TO ATTRACT OFFICERS FROM ABROAD WHO POSSESSED THE SPECIFIC SKILLS AND EXPERTISE NOT AVAILABLE LOCALLY, AND TO REDUCE THE LEVEL OF INCONVENIENCE SUFFERED BY THOSE OFFICERS IN BEING DISLOCATED FROM THEIR HOME ENVIRONMENT.
"HOWEVER, WITH THE PASSAGE OF TIME, OVERSEAS CONDITIONS OF SERVICE HAVE BECOME LESS NECESSARY FOR THE PURPOSE OF RECRUITING AND RETAINING STAFF OF A SUITABLE CALIBRE,” HE SAID.
"IT IS THEREFORE PROPOSED THAT ONE SET OF NEW TERMS AND CONDITIONS BE INTRODUCED FOR GENERAL APPLICATION."
UNDER THE NEW ARRANGEMENTS, FUTURE RECRUITS WILL NORMALLY BE APPOINTED ON NEW PERMANENT AND PENSIONABLE (P & P) TERMS.
NEW AGREEMENT TERMS WILL BE OFFERED ONLY IF THERE IS A SERVICE NEED TO ACQUIRE SPECIAL EXPERTISE FOR A FIXED DURATION OR WHERE THE NEW P & P TERMS FAIL TO ATTRACT SUITABLE CANDIDATES. , SUCH TERMS WILL BE OFFERED ONLY FOR A SPECIFIC PERIOD.
MR HARBINSON SAID: "THE NEW TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF SERVICE WILL ONLY BE APPLIED TO OFFICERS RECRUITED AFTER THE IMPLEMENTATION DATE, WHICH IS NOT YET FIXED.
"SERVING P & P OFFICERS WILL RETAIN THEIR ENTITLEMENT TO EXISTING BENEFITS UNLESS THEY CHOOSE TO TRANSFER TO THE NEW TERMS AND CONDITIONS.
"SERVING OFFICERS ON AGREEMENT TERMS MAY BE OFFERED FURTHER EMPLOYMENT ON NEW P & P TERMS OR NEW AGREEMENT TERMS IF THEY MEET THE SPECIFIED CRITERIA," HE ADDED.
HE POINTED OUT THAT PROFICIENCY IN THE CHINESE LANGUAGE HAD BEEN PROPOSED AS A CONDITION FOR ALL FUTURE APPOINTMENTS TO P & P TERMS, BUT FOR APPOINTMENTS ON AGREEMENT TERMS, THIS WOULD BE A REQUIREMENT ONLY IF SUCH SKILL WAS NECESSARY FOR THE JOB.
/MR HARBINSON
MONDAY, OCTOBER 25, 1993
2
MR HARBINSON STRESSED THAT THE GOVERNMENT REMAINED FIRMLY COMMITTED TO A POLICY OF LOCALISATION, AND WOULD CONTINUE TO GIVE PREFERENCE TO LOCAL CANDIDATES FOR APPOINTMENT TO THE SERVICE.
"AN OFFICER WHO DOES NOT QUALIFY AS A LOCAL WILL NOT BE REAPPOINTED ON NEW AGREEMENT TERMS UNLESS NO OTHER LOCAL PERSON IS AVAILABLE TO REPLACE HIM," HE SAID.
HOWEVER, HE WARNED THAT IN ORDER TO CARRY THE LOCALISATION POLICY INTO THE FUTURE, THERE HAD TO BE A POSITIVE DEFINITION OF WHO QUALIFIES AS A "LOCAL".
EXISTING CIVIL SERVICE REGULATIONS CONTAIN NO SUCH DEFINITION.
"WE ARE NOW INVITING INTERESTED PARTIES TO GIVE THEIR VIEWS ON HOW A ’LOCAL’ SHOULD BE DEFINED, TAKING INTO ACCOUNT THE NEED TO CONVERGE WITH THE BASIC LAW AND COMPLY WITH THE LAWS OF HONG KONG," SAID MR HARBINSON.
THE GOVERNMENT SUGGESTED TWO OPTIONS AS TO WHAT FORM THE NEW CONDITIONS OF SERVICE SHOULD TAKE.
THE MORE EXPEDIENT APPROACH WAS A STRAIGHTFORWARD ADOPTION OF THE CURRENT LOCAL TERMS, BUT A MORE SYSTEMATIC APPROACH WOULD BE TO USE THE EXISTING LOCAL TERMS AS A BASIS, INTRODUCING FLEXIBILITY AND MODIFICATIONS WHERE APPROPRIATE.
THESE OPTIONS WERE PUT FORWARD TO STIMULATE DEBATE AND OTHER VARIATIONS COULD BE CONSIDERED.
THE CONSULTATIVE DOCUMENT FOCUSED ON AREAS SUCH AS LEAVE, LEAVE TRAVEL, HOUSING AND EDUCATION ASSISTANCE, WHEREAS AT PRESENT, THERE ARE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN LOCAL AND OVERSEAS CONDITIONS.
NO ATTEMPT HAS BEEN MADE TO INTRODUCE ADDITIONAL BENEFITS WHICH WILL CONTINUE TO BE CONSIDERED IN THE NORMAL COURSE WHERE CIRCUMSTANCES EXIST TO JUSTIFY THEM.
z
MR HARBINSON POINTED OUT THAT THE GOVERNMENT DID NOT HAVE FIXED VIEWS ON THE VARIOUS ASPECTS COVERED IN THE CONSULTATIVE DOCUMENT.
"THIS IS A GENUINE CONSULTATION EXERCISE," HE SAID. "WE SEE THIS AS A BIG OPPORTUNITY TO GET OUR POLICY INTO GOOD SHAPE FOR THE FUTURE, AND WE MUST TAKE IT."
HE URGED ALL INTERESTED PARTIES TO GIVE THEIR VIEWS WHICH WOULD BE DULY CONSIDERED.
MR HARBINSON ALSO CONFIRMED THAT THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT’S VIEWS WOULD BE SOUGHT BEFORE ANY FINAL DECISIONS WERE REACHED.
COMMENTS ON THE DOCUMENT SHOULD BE SENT BEFORE DECEMBER 31 THIS YEAR TO: SECRETARY FOR THE CIVIL SERVICE, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES (WEST WING), 10TH FLOOR, LOWER ALBERT ROAD, HONG KONG.
/3........
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MONDAY, OCTOBER 25, 1993
3
WORK ON LOCALISATION AND ADAPTATION OF LAWS
NEED A PUSH *****
THE GOVERNMENT KNOWS WELL THERE IS A GREAT DEAL TO BE DONE IN ITS PROGRAMMES ON LOCALISATION AND ADAPTATION OF LAWS, AND IS PUSHING AHEAD WITH THE WORK, MR JAMES HANRATTY, ACTING LAW OFFICER (INTERNATIONAL LAW) OF THE LEGAL DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY (MONDAY).
MR HANRATTY TOLD A ROTARY CLUB LUNCHEON THAT HE BELIEVED, IN HIS CAPACITY AS ONE OF THE LEGAL ADVISERS TO THE BRITISH SIDE OF THE JOINT LIAISON GROUP (JLG), THAT THE WORK WOULD BE COMPLETED IN A TIMELY FASHION.
"AS THE GOVERNOR SAID IN HIS RECENT ADDRESS TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, IF PROGRESS IN THE JLG DID NOT SPEED UP SIGNIFICANTLY, THERE WAS A HIGH RISK THAT THE WORK WOULD NOT BE FINISHED BEFORE 1997, AND WE WOULD THEN FACE A LEGAL VACUUM.
"IT WOULD BE IRRESPONSIBLE FOR THE BRITISH SIDE TO LET THAT HAPPEN AND THEY ARE DETERMINED THAT THEY WILL DO EVERYTHING POSSIBLE TO KEEP TO THEIR TARGETS," MR HANRATTY SAID.
ON LOCALISATION OF LAWS, MR HANRATTY ADMITTED THAT LEGISLATIVE TIME WAS SHORT. APART FROM THE REMAINDER OF THE CURRENT SESSION, ONLY TWO FULL LEGISLATIVE SESSIONS REMAIN BEFORE 1998.
"THERE ARE AT LEAST 29 LOCALISING BILLS STILL TO BE ENACTED," HE SAID.
OF THE ORIGINALLY IDENTIFIED 300 UK ENACTMENTS WHICH HAVE BEEN APPLIED TO HONG KONG, 30 HAVE BEEN LOCALISED DEALING WITH ADMIRALTY JURISDICTION, MERCHANT SHIPPING AND MARINE POLLUTION.
EIGHTY HAVE BEEN IDENTIFIED AS NOT REQUIRING TO BE LOCALISED, THEY WILL THEREFORE LAPSE; 80 ARE COVERED BY 13 CONSULTATION PAPERS HANDED TO THE CHINESE SIDE. FIFTY WILL BE COVERED BY CONSULTATION PAPERS YET TO BE HANDED TO THE CHINESE SIDE; AND 60 REMAIN TO BE STUDIED BUT SOME WILL PROBABLY BE ALLOWED TO LAPSE. ,
ON ADAPTATION OF LAWS, MR HANRATTY DID NOT DENY THE FACT THAT IF THE PROCESS WERE NOT TO BE COMPLETED, A LEGAL VACUUM WOULD RESULT.
"OBVIOUSLY THIS WOULD BE DAMAGING TO COMMERCIAL AND PERSONAL INTERESTS IN THE HONG KONG SAR (SPECIAL ADMINISTRATIVE REGION).
"TO CITE JUST A FEW EXAMPLES, THE RIGHT OF ABODE IN HONG KONG WOULD BE UNCERTAIN, POSTAGE STAMPS COULD NOT BE ISSUED, THE BASIS ON WHICH LAND IS LEASED WOULD BE UNCLEAR, VALIDITY OF SOME MARRIAGES OR ADOPTIONS MIGHT BE OPEN TO QUESTION AND GAPS WOULD APPEAR IN THE CRIMINAL LAW," HE SAID.
MR HANRATTY FOREWARNED THAT A SERIES OF BILLS WOULD NEED TO BE INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL STARTING EARLT NEXT YEAR.
"EACH BILL WILL HAVE A NUMBER OF SCHEDULES CONTAINING THE TEXTUAL AMENDMENTS TO THE VARIOUS ORDINANCES.
/"THE AIM
MONDAY, OCTOBER 25, 1993
4
’’THE AIM WILL BE FOR BILLS TO BE ENACTED BEFORE 1997 BUT TO COME INTO FORCE ONLY ON 1 JULY 1997.
"THIS PROGRAMME HAS BEEN EXPLAINED TO THE CHINESE SIDE IN THE JLG.
"MUCH OF THE WORK IS ROUTINE, FOR EXAMPLE, ADAPTING TERMINOLOGY SUCH AS ’THE GOVERNOR’.’’
BUT THERE ARE MORE COMPLEX MATTERS SUCH AS RELATING TO CROWN LAND, CROWN PROCEEDINGS, NATIONALITY AND RIGHT OF ABODE WHICH WILL REQUIRE CAREFUL CONSIDERATION BEFORE THEY ARE ADAPTED, HE SAID.
TURNING TO THE WORK OF THE JLG SUB-GROUP ON INTERNATIONAL RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS, MR HANRATTY SAID SO FAR THE TWO SIDES HAD REACHED AGREEMENT, IN PRINCIPLE, ON THE CONTINUED APPLICATION OF ABOUT HALF THE SOME 200 MULTI-LATERAL TREATIES CONCERNED.
THESE INCLUDED 29 AGREEMENTS ESTABLISHING INTERNATIONAL ORGANISATIONS IN WHICH HONG KONG PARTICIPATES, FOR EXAMPLE, THE ASIAN DEVELOPMENT BANK, THE ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COMMISSION FOR ASIA AND THE PACIFIC (ESCAP) AND THE INTERNATIONAL MARITIME ORGANISATION.
THERE ARE STILL ABOUT 100 TREATIES LEFT FOR DISCUSSION.
HE EMPHASISED THAT THE JOINT DECLARATION WAS AN INTERNATIONAL TREATY.
UNDER IT AND REPEATED IN ARTICLE 8 OF THE BASIC LAW STATES:
"THE LAWS PREVIOUSLY IN FORCE IN HONG KONG THAT IS, THE COMMON LAW, RULES OF EQUITY, ORDINANCES, SUBORDINATE LEGISLATION AND CUSTOMARY LAW SHALL BE MAINTAINED, EXCEPT FOR ANY THAT CONTRAVENE THE BASIC LAW AND SUBJECT TO ANY AMENDMENT BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE HONG KONG SPECIAL ADMINISTRATIVE REGION (HKSAR).
"SO, OF COURSE, IT WILL BE OPEN TO LEGCO TO ALTER THOSE LAWS PROVIDED THAT THEY DO NOT CONTRAVENE THE BASIC LAW.
"THIS IS WHY IT IS SO -IMPORTANT THAT LEGCO CONTINUES TO BE REPRESENTATIVE OF THE WIDE COMMUNITY OF HONG KONG," MR HANRATTY SAID.
UNDER ANNEX III OF THE BASIC LAW, LAWS OF THE PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF CHINA (PRC), WHICH WILL APPLY TO HONG KONG AFTER 1997, ARE LIMITED TO A FEW DISTINCT CATEGORIES ONLY REFLECTING THE CHANGE OF SOVEREIGNTY AFTER 1997, FOR EXAMPLE, RESOLUTIONS ON THE FLAG -LAWS ON THE TERRITORIAL SEA AND REGULATIONS ON PRIVILEGES AND IMMUNITIES FOR DIPLOMATS.
MR HANRATTY SAID THAT AFTER 1997 HE LOOKED FORWARD TO ONE COUNTRY TWO SYSTEMS WORKING WELL IN PRACTICE WITH A LOCAL LEGISLATURE RESPONDING TO HONG KONG’S NEEDS AND AN INDEPENDENT JUDICIARY AND LEGAL PROFESSION SAFEGUARDING THE LEGITIMATE INTERESTS OF COMPANIES AND INDIVIDUALS.
"IN THIS WAY HONG KONG WILL CONTINUE TO ATTRACT BUSINESS, FOREIGN INVESTMENT AND PROFESSIONAL PEOPLE FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD SO THAT THIS SPECTACULAR AND BRILLIANTLY SUCCESSFUL CITY WILL CONTINUE TO PROSPER WELL INTO THE NEXT CENTURY," HE SAID.
------0-------
/5......
MONDAY, OCTOBER 25, 1993
- 5 -
MOST SWAS ACT SENSIBLY: DSW
*****
THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MR IAN STRACHAN, SAID TODAY (MONDAY) THAT HE WAS PLEASED TO NOTE THAT OVER TWO-THIRDS OF THE SOCIAL WELFARE ASSISTANT (SWA) GRADE STAFF HAD ACTED SENSIBLY BY NOT TAKING ANY SIT-IN ACTION AT A TIME WHEN TALKS WITH THE MANAGEMENT OVER THEIR PAY STRUCTURE REVIEW WERE STILL CONTINUING.
AT A MEETING LAST WEDNESDAY, IT WAS AGREED THAT A TASK GROUP WOULD BE SET UP TO EXAMINE THE SWA BRANCH’S REQUEST FOR A REVIEW OF THEIR SALARY STRUCTURE.
"IT IS REGRETTABLE THAT THE SWA BRANCH SHOULD TAKE SIT-IN ACTION TODAY," MR STRACHAN SAID.
"IT IS ENCOURAGING TO NOTE THAT SERVICES OF THE DEPARTMENT HAVE BEEN MAINTAINED AND THAT MOST SWAS REALISE THAT AS SOCIAL WORKERS THEY SHOULD PUT THE PUBLIC’S INTEREST FIRST AND NOT TO TAKE ANY DISRUPTIVE ACTION IN PARTICULAR WHILE DISCUSSIONS ARE STILL GOING ON," HE ADDED.
COMMENDING STAFF FOR THEIR PATIENCE AND PROFESSIONAL ETHICS, MR STRACHAN SAID: "IT IS IN THE INTERESTS OF OUR STAFF AND THE PUBLIC WE SERVE THAT THIS ISSUE BE RESOLVED SATISFACTORILY.
"TO CONTINUE OUR DISCUSSIONS THROUGH THE TASK GROUP WILL CERTAINLY PROVE TO BE MORE FRUITFUL THAN TAKING ANY ACTION WHICH WILL AFFECT THE QUALITY OF OUR SERVICES."
MR STRACHAN SAID THE PURPOSE OF SETTING UP A TASK GROUP WAS TO HELP THE SWA BRANCH TO IDENTIFY NEW GROUNDS FOR A RE-SUBMISSION OF THEIR REQUEST FOR A REVIEW OF THEIR SALARY STRUCTURE TO THE CENTRAL GOVERNMENT.
THE NEXT MEETING BETWEEN THE DEPARTMENT AND THE SWA BRANCH HAS ALREADY BEEN SCHEDULED FOR THIS THURSDAY.
MR STRACHAN URGED THE SWAS WHO HAD TAKEN SIT-IN ACTION TO ,ACT MORE CALMLY AND RETURN TO NEGOTIATIONS.
- - 0-----------
REVISED GUIDELINES FOR COMPOSITE INDUSTRIAL-OFFICE BUILDINGS *****
THE TOWN PLANNING BOARD HAS ENDORSED THE REVISION TO THE ’’GUIDELINES FOR APPLICATION FOR COMPOSITE INDUSTRIAL-OFFICE BUILDINGS IN INDUSTRIAL ZONE UNDER SECTION 16 OF THE TOWN PLANNING ORDINANCE", A SPOKESMAN FOR THE BOARD SAID TODAY (MONDAY).
COMPOSITE INDUSTRIAL-OFFICE BUILDINGS ARE DUAL PURPOSE BUILDINGS IN WHICH EVERY UNIT CAN BE USED FLEXIBLY FOR BOTH INDUSTRIAL AND OFFICE PURPOSES.
/THE PRESENT .......
MONDAY, OCTOBER 25, 1993
6
THE PRESENT REVISION HAS DELETED THE FIXED PERCENTAGE OF 75% ON ALL ANCILLARY OFFICES UNDER THE LEASE CONDITIONS.
THE PERCENTAGE WAS IMPOSED FOR PREMIUM CALCULATION IN CONNECTION WITH LEASE MODIFICATION UPON APPROVAL OF AN APPLICATION FOR INDUSTRIAL-OFFICE BUILDINGS BY THE BOARD. THE USE OF OVER 75% OF THE SPACE FOR ANCILLARY OFFICES WOULD BE SUBJECT TO FURTHER MODIFICATION AT A PREMIUM.
"AS THE 75% BENCHMARK MAY CAUSE CONFUSION TO DEVELOPERS AND POTENTIAL OCCUPIERS OF THESE BUILDINGS, THE BOARD DECIDED TO DELETE IT FROM THE GUIDELINES, " THE SPOKESMAN EXPLAINED.
THE LANDS DEPARTMENT WILL, FROM NOW ON, RELY ON MARKET EVIDENCE IN ASSESSING THE PREMIUM BY TAKING INTO ACCOUNT THE OPTIMUM INDUSTRIAL-OFFICE MIX IN ANY GIVEN LOCATION.
IN OTHER WORDS, THERE WILL VIRTUALLY BE NO RESTRICTION ON THE AMOUNT OF SPACE USED FOR ANCILLARY OFFICES IN INDUSTRIAL-OFFICE BUILDINGS WITHIN THE SAME INDUSTRIAL AREA.
THE GUIDELINES WERE PROMULGATED IN EARLY 1990 AND WERE LAST REVISED BY THE BOARD IN JULY LAST YEAR.
COPIES OF THE REVISED VERSION ARE AVAILABLE AT PLANNING DEPARTMENT, 16TH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG.
- - 0 - -
RESIDENTIAL MORTGAGE SURVEY RESULTS FOR SEPTEMBER
*****
THE GROWTH RATE OF RESIDENTIAL MORTGAGE LOANS HAS DECLINED SIGNIFICANTLY IN SEPTEMBER, ACCORDING TO THE RESULTS OF THE LATEST MONTHLY SURVEY CONDUCTED BY THE HONG KONG MONETARY AUTHORITY (HKMA) .
THE LATEST FIGURES SHOWED THAT THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF OUTSTANDING LENDING BY THE 28 AUTHORISED INSTITUTIONS IN THE SURVEY ROSE BY 0.8 PER CENT IN SEPTEMBER (2.5 PER CENT IN AUGUST) FROM $198.4 BILLION TO $200.1 BILLION. THE GROWTH RATE IS BELOW THE MONTHLY AVERAGE OF 1.3 PER CENT OVER THE PAST 12 MONTHS.
"THE SLOWER GROWTH RATE CONFIRMS OUR EXPECTATION OF LAST MONTH AND DEMONSTRATES THE IMPACT OF THE RECENT TIGHTENING MEASURES ADOPTED BY BANKS," THE DEPUTY CHIEF EXECUTIVE (BANKING) OF THE HKMA, MR DAVID CARSE, SAID TODAY (MONDAY).
THE ANNUALISED RATE OF GROWTH IN LENDING OVER THE LAST THREE MONTHS HAS FALLEN TO 26.1 PER CENT COMPARED WITH 34 PER CENT IN THE THREE-MONTH PERIOD TO AUGUST THIS YEAR.
"IT IS STILL SIGNIFICANTLY ABOVE THE ANNUALISED GROWTH RATE OF 15.5 PER CENT RECORDED IN THE SAME PERIOD OF LAST YEAR," MR CARSE NOTED.
/NEW LOANS
MONDAY, OCTOBER 25, 1993
NEW LOANS APPROVED BUT NOT YET DRAWN ALSO SHOWED A SIGNIFICANT REDUCTION IN TERMS OF BOTH NUMBERS (FROM 3,260 TO 2,186) AND VALUE (FROM $4.3 BILLION TO $2.9 BILLION).
’’JUDGING FROM THESE FIGURES, I EXPECT TO SEE A FURTHER SLOWDOWN IN LENDING NEXT MONTH,” MR CARSE SAID.
MR CARSE NOTED HOWEVER THAT A NUMBER OF INDIVIDUAL INSTITUTIONS CONTINUED TO RECORD MUCH HIGHER THAN AVERAGE RATES OF GROWTH IN THEIR LENDING. HE URGED SUCH INSTITUTIONS TO CAREFULLY REVIEW THEIR LENDING CRITERIA.
AS REGARDS LENDING FOR THE PURCHASE OF PROPERTIES IN CHINA, THE LATEST FIGURES SHOWED THAT SUCH LEDNING ROSE BY 1.6 PER CENT IN SEPTEMBER, RISING FROM $3.08 BILLION TO $3.13 BILLION. ABOUT TWO-THIRDS OF THE INCREASE WAS ATTRIBUTABLE TO LOANS FOR THE PURCHASE OF RESIDENTIAL PROPERTIES.
AFTER A SHARP INCREASE IN AUGUST, NEW LOAN APPROVALS FELL IN SEPTEMBER, FROM $270 MILLION TO $184 MILLION.
-----0------
‘WIN-WIN’ WAYS PROPOSED FOR INDUSTRIES
*****
THE GOVERNMENT-COMMISSIONED CONSULTANTS HAVE PROPOSED AN IMMEDIATE ACTION PACKAGE AND A LONGER TERM SUPPORT STRATEGY TO HELP INDUSTRY REMAIN COMPETITIVE WHILE COMPLYING WITH NEW ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROLS.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR-GENERAL OF INDUSTRY, MR GAVIN URE, WHEN SPEAKING AT THE HONG KONG MANAGEMENT ASSOCIATION ANNUAL CONFERENCE ON SUPPORT TO INDUSTRY ON ENVIRONMEMTAL MATTERS TODAY (MONDAY).
MR URE SAID THE IMMEDIATE ACTION PACKAGE FOCUSSED ON IMPROVING ACCESS TO INFORMATION REQUIRED FOR COMPLIANCE, PROVIDING TECHNICAL SUPPORT, ADDRESSING THE NEED FOR NEW LAND AND PREMISES AND IMPROVING ACCESS TO POLLUTION CONTROL EQUIPMENT.
THE LONGER TERM SUPPORT STRATEGY EMPHASISED THE NEED FOR RESEARCH INTO POLLUTION CONTROL PROCESSES AND TECHNOLOGIES BY THE TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS, HE NOTED.
THE $12 MILLION CONSULTANCY STUDY, COMMISSIONED BY THE INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT IN MARCH LAST YEAR, AIMED TO ASSESS THE IMPACT OF EXISTING AND PROPOSED ENVIRONMENTAL LEGISLATION ON HONG KONG’S MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES.
IT ALSO CONSIDERED THE LEVEL OF SUPPORT AVAILABLE TO INDUSTRY AND ASSESSED HOW THE SUPPORT NEEDED TO BE ENHANCED OR IMPROVED TO HELP INDUSTRY REMAIN COMPETITIVE WHILE COMPLYING WITH NEW ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROLS.
/MR URE ........
MONDAY, OCTOBER 25, 1993
- 8 -
MR URE SAID THE STUDY FOUND THAT THERE WAS MUCH POTENTIAL FOR MANUFACTURERS TO COMPLY WITH ENVIRONMENTAL LEGISLATION THROUGH INDUSTRIAL UPGRADING.
"IT IDENTIFIED WAYS FORWARD WHICH CAN CREATE ’WIN-WIN’ SITUATIONS.
’’THERE CAN BE BENEFITS FROM CHANGING PROCESSES TO MINIMISING WASTES AND SAVING MATERIALS; THERE CAN BE PRODUCTION EFFICIENCY GAINS; THERE ARE OPPORTUNITIES TO PROFIT FROM CHANGING CONSUMER PREFERENCES; AND THERE IS A WHOLE MARKET IN ENVIRONMENTAL TECHNOLOGY FOR FIRMS TO COMPETE IN,’’ HE SAID.
MR URE POINTED OUT THAT HONG KONG WAS PRESENTED WITH THE OPPORTUNITY TO SUPPORT COMPLIANCE WITH ENVIRONMENTAL LEGISLATION WHILE ALSO PROMOTING A LONGER TERM INDUSTRIAL FUTURE.
’’THE ISSUE IS NOT SIMPLY ONE OF COMPLIANCE, BUT OF SUPPORTING THE DEVELOPMENT OF A COMPETITIVE HIGH VALUE-ADDED MANUFACTURING SECTOR IN HONG KONG,” HE ADDED.
ON THE SUPPORT MECHANISMS, MR URE SAID THE STUDY FOUND THAT THERE WAS A NEED TO IMPROVE THE ACCESSIBILITY OF INFORMATION ON THE NATURE AND DETAILS OF CONTROLS AND WHAT STEPS FACTORY OPERATORS COULD TAKE TO COMPLY.
"AS A FIRST STEP, WE WILL BE PLANNING TO SET UP AN ’ENVIRONMENTAL HOTLINE’ WHICH PEOPLE CAN USE AS A FIRST POINT OF ACCESS.
"WE HOPE THAT EVENTUALLY THIS CAN BE LINKED UP TO THE DIFFERENT CENTRES OF EXPERTISE THAT EXIST THROUGHOUT HONG KONG, PARTICULARLY IN OUR TERTIARY EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS."
THE STUDY ALSO RECOMMENDED THAT INFORMATION AND ASSISTANCE BE TAKEN OUT PRO-ACTIVELY INTO THE INDUSTRIAL COMMUNITY.
"THIS WILL INVOLVE A SERIES OF SEMINARS AND FACTORY VISITS TO ENCOURAGE MANUFACTURERS TO TAKE EARLY STEPS TO COMPLY WITH ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROLS," MR URE SAID.
ANOTHER IMPORTANT ASPECT IS THE DEVELOPMENT OF TECHNOLOGIES FOR THE CONTROL AND PREVENTION OF POLLUTION SUITABLE FOR HONG KONG’S FLATTED FACTORY ENVIRONMENT.
NOTING THAT MUCH VALUABLE WORK HAD ALREADY BEEN DONE TO DEVELOP RECYCLING METHODS IN HONG KONG SUITABLE FOR THE TERRITORY’S FACTORIES, MR URE SAID THIS WORK HAD TO BE FURTHER ENCOURAGED.
MR URE SAID THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE RECOMMENDATIONS WOULD BE ENTRUSTED TO THE PEOPLE WHO HAD THE EXPERTISE TO BEST PROVIDE THE DIFFERENT SERVICES.
"AS THE GOVERNOR POINTED OUT IN HIS POLICY ADDRESS EARLIER THIS MONTH, WE WILL BE INVITING BUSINESSES TO WORK CLOSELY WITH SUCH BODIES AS THE CENTRE FOR ENVIRONMENTAL TECHNOLOGY, THE HONG KONG PRODUCTIVITY COUNCIL AND THE TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS.
"OUR AIM IS TO HELP HONG KONG’S MANUFACTURERS TO BECOME NOT ONLY MORE ENVIRONMENTALLY AWARE BUT ALSO TO FIND CONTINUED PROSPERITY AS THEY BECOME SO," HE SAID.
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/9........
MONDAY, OCTOBER 25, 1993
9 -
RECOMMENDATIONS ON HK’S LABOUR RELATIONS SYSTEM
*****
MEMBERS OF THE LABOUR ADVISORY BOARD (LAB) WERE TODAY (MONDAY) BRIEFED ON THE OUTCOME OF THE REVIEW ON THE LABOUR RELATIONS SYSTEM IN HONG KONG AND THE RECOMMENDATIONS ARISING FROM THE REVIEW.
THE RECOMMENDATIONS AIM TO IMPROVE THE PRESENT DISPUTE SETTLEMENT PROCEDURE AND TO OFFER FURTHER PROTECTION TO EMPLOYEES’ RIGHTS.
SPEAKING TO MEMBERS OF THE NEWS MEDIA AFTER THE LAB MEETING, THE BOARD CHAIRMAN WHO IS ALSO THE COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR, MRS KATHERINE FOK, SAID THE REVIEW WAS LAUNCHED AFTER THE GOVERNOR HAD ASKED THE SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER TO CONSIDER WHAT LESSONS MIGHT BE LEARNED FROM THE CATHAY PACIFIC AIRWAYS LABOUR DISPUTE WHICH OCCURRED IN JANUARY THIS YEAR.
MRS FOK SAID: "THE EDUCATION AND MANPOWER BRANCH AND THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT HAD LOOKED INTO A WIDE RANGE OF ISSUES RELATING TO THE LABOUR RELATIONS SYSTEM IN THE TERRITORY."
"THESE INCLUDE PROCEDURES FOR SETTLING DISPUTES, PROTECTION AGAINST UNFAIR DISMISSAL, COLLECTIVE BARGAINING, RIGHT TO STRIKE, AND PROTECTION OF EMPLOYEES AGAINST ANTI-UNION DISCRIMINATION."
AT THE MEETING, MEMBERS WERE TOLD THAT AS A RESULT OF THE REVIEW, A NUMBER OF RECOMMENDATIONS HAD BEEN MADE TO IMPROVE THE PRESENT DISPUTE SETTLEMENT PROCEDURE SO THAT THE GENERALLY HARMONIOUS STATE OF LABOUR RELATIONS MIGHT BE FURTHER STRENGTHENED, AND TO PROVIDE BETTER PROTECTION TO THE RIGHTS AND BENEFITS OF EMPLOYEES.
ON PROCEDURES FOR SETTLING DISPUTES, THE COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR NOTED THAT THE EXISTING DISPUTE SETTLEMENT PROCEDURES HAVE ON THE WHOLE BEEN WORKING EFFECTIVELY. BUT THERE IS ROOM TO MAKE THEM MORE FLEXIBLE AND EASIER TO APPLY WHEN NEEDED.
IN THIS REGARD, IT IS SUGGESTED THAT THE COMMISSIONER, FOR LABOUR MAY, WHEN SHE CONSIDERS IT NECESSARY, SUBMIT A REPORT OF A LABOUR DISPUTE TO THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL UPON RECEIPT OF A REPORT BY A CONCILIATION OFFICER WITHOUT GOING THROUGH THE APPOINTMENT OF A SPECIAL CONCILIATION OFFICER AS REQUIRED UNDER THE PRESENT SYSTEM.
"THIS PROPOSAL AIMS AT PUTTING GREATER PRESSURE ON THE DISPUTING PARTIES, WHERE IT IS IN THE INTERESTS OF ALL PARTIES TO DO SO, TO COME TO AN EARLY SETTLEMENT THROUGH ORDINARY CONCILIATION," MRS FOK EXPLAINED.
MRS FOK SAID THE GOVERNMENT ALSO PROPOSED TO ESTABLISH A MEDIATION PROCEDURE UNDER THE LABOUR RELATIONS ORDINANCE IN WHICH THE COMMISSIONER COULD APPOINT A MEDIATOR FROM A LIST OF NEUTRAL PERSONS TO MEDIATE IN DISPUTES.
"UNDER THIS PROPOSAL, THE COMMISSIONER IS EMPOWERED TO REFER A LABOUR DISPUTE TO MEDIATION BY A MEDIATOR WITHOUT SEEKING THE PRIOR CONSENT FROM THE PARTIES CONCERNED.
/"THE MERIT
MONDAY, OCTOBER 25, 1993
- 10 -
"THE MERIT OF THE MEDIATION PROCEDURE IS THAT THE MEDIATOR, BY VIRTUE OF HIS STATUS, MAY HAVE GREATER INFLUENCE ON THE PARTIES THAN A CONCILIATOR. FURTHERMORE, THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE MEDIATOR, WHICH CAN BE MADE PUBLIC, WILL EXERT PRESSURE ON BOTH PARTIES TO COMPLY," SHE SAID.
ON THE ISSUE OF PROTECTION AGAINST UNFAIR DISMISSAL, MRS FOK SAID THE GOVERNMENT, AFTER THOROUGH CONSIDERATIONS, WAS OF THE VIEW THAT THE INTRODUCTION OF UNFAIR DISMISSAL LEGISLATION IN HONG KONG WAS INAPPROPRIATE.
"THE PROVISION OF LONG SERVICE PAYMENTS UNDER THE EMPLOYMENT ORDINANCE IS A PRACTICAL ALTERNATIVE TO UNFAIR DISMISSAL LEGISLATION AS IT PROVIDES MONETARY COMPENSATION TO A DISMISSED EMPLOYEE UPON TERMINATION OF HIS EMPLOYMENT.”
IN ORDER TO ENHANCE THE PROTECTION OF EMPLOYEES ON STRIKE, THE COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR SAID THE GOVERNMENT PROPOSED THAT AN EMPLOYEE’S ELIGIBILITY TO SEVERANCE PAYMENT AND LONG SERVICE PAYMENT SHOULD BE RETAINED IF HE IS SUMMARILY DISMISSED FOR REFUSAL TO WORK DURING A STRIKE PERIOD.
"SUCH PROTECTION WILL BE PROVIDED ONLY WHEN THE STRIKING EMPLOYEES HAVE GIVEN NOT LESS THAN SEVEN DAYS’ WRITTEN NOTICE TO THEIR EMPLOYERS INDICATING THEIR INTENTION TO STRIKE.
"THE SEVEN-DAY PERIOD WILL ENABLE BOTH PARTIES TO CALM DOWN AND TO HASTEN DIRECT NEGOTIATION AND WILL ALSO GIVE THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT TIME TO CONCILIATE IN THE DISPUTE," MRS FOK ADDED.
TURNING TO THE PROTECTION AGAINST ANTI-UNION DISCRIMINATION, SHE SAID A PROPOSAL HAD BEEN MADE TO ENHANCE THE PROTECTION AND TO OVERCOME THE TECHNICAL DIFFICULTY OF ESTABLISHING IN COURT THE EMPLOYER’S INTENTION TO DISCRIMINATE.
"IN THE PROPOSAL, IF ANY EMPLOYEE IS DISMISSED ON GROUNDS OF UNION MEMBERSHIP OR ACTIVITIES, HE MAY MAKE A CLAIM FOR COMPENSATION TO THE LABOUR TRIBUNAL, AND THE BURDEN OF PROVING THAT THE DISMISSAL IS NOT DISCRIMINATORY SHOULD REST WITH THE EMPLOYER. '
"EMPLOYERS FAILING TO DISCHARGE THE BURDEN OF PROOF WILL BE LIABLE TO PAY A COMPENSATION TO THE EMPLOYEES," MRS FOK SAID.
ON THE QUESTION OF COLLECTIVE BARGAINING, MRS FOK SAID AFTER REVIEWING THE STATE OF DEVELOPMENT OF TRADE UNIONS AND THE OVERALL LABOUR RELATIONS SITUATION IN THE TERRITORY, THE GOVERNMENT CONSIDERED IT MORE ADVISABLE TO CONTINUE THE CURRENT POLICY OF ENCOURAGING VOLUNTARY COLLECTIVE BARGAINING.
"IN FACT, THIS POLICY HAS BEEN WORKING WELL SO FAR AS CAN BE SEEN FROM OUR RECORD OF HARMONIOUS LABOUR RELATIONS."
MRS FOK SAID LAB MEMBERS WERE ALSO BRIEFED THAT THE LAB’S COMMITTEE ON LABOUR RELATIONS, WHICH COMPRISED VERY EXPERIENCED REPRESENTATIVES FROM EMPLOYEES AND EMPLOYERS, WOULD BE CONSULTED ON ALL PROPOSALS.
/"VIEWS TO .......
MONDAY, OCTOBER 25, 1993
11
’’VIEWS TO BE EXPRESSED BY THIS PARTICULAR COMMITTEE WILL BE SERIOUSLY CONSIDERED BEFORE THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT PUTS FORWARD DETAILED RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE LAB AND MEMBERS OF THE LEGCO PANEL ON MANPOWER FOR CONSIDERATION,” THE LABOUR COMMISSIONER ADDED.
THE LABOUR RELATIONS COMMITTEE IS ESTABLISHED TO ADVISE, AMONG OTHER THINGS, ON LEGISLATIVE PROPOSALS ON EMPLOYMENT CONDITIONS AND LABOUR RELATIONS, AND TO REVIEW EXISTING LEGISLATION.
- - 0 - -
JUDICIAL EFFICIENCY THINK-TANK MEETS
*****
THE WORKING PARTY ON JUDICIARY ADMINISTRATION - THE HIGH-LEVEL ADVISORY GROUP CHAIRED BY THE CHIEF JUSTICE, SIR TI LIANG YANG, TO STREAMLINE THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE JUDICIARY - MET FOR THE FIRST TIME THIS (MONDAY) AFTERNOON.
"WE HAD A USEFUL AND STIMULATING SESSION ON THE WAY FORWARD. WE ALSO HAD A PRELIMINARY DISCUSSION ON THE PRIORITY AREAS FOR EARLY IMPROVEMENT," SIR TI LIANG SAID AFTER THE MEETING.
"SPECIFICALLY, THE WORKING PARTY RECOGNISED THE PRESSING NEED TO EXPLORE EVERY WAYS AND MEANS TO REDUCE THE LONG WAITING TIME FOR CASES TO COME ON FOR TRIAL. THIS IS SOMETHING HIGH ON OUR AGENDA," HE ADDED.
THE CHIEF JUSTICE POINTED OUT THAT THERE WAS A GENERAL FEELING WITHIN THE WORKING PARTY THAT TO COME TO GRIPS WITH THIS COMPLEX PROBLEM, A CONCERTED EFFORT AND MUTUAL UNDERSTANDING OF ALL CONCERNED WOULD BE NEEDED.
"THIS WOULD ENTAIL THE JOINT AND FULL CO-OPERATION OF NOT ONLY THE JUDGE AND THE OFFICER SETTING DOWN CASES FOR TRIAL AND ESTIMATING THE LENGTH OF TRIALS, BUT ALSO THE LAWYER WHO HAS THE CONDUCT OF THE CASE AND THE PARTIES CONCERNED," SIR TI LIANG SAID.
SIR TI LIANG ADDED THAT THE WORKING PARTY SAW AS ITS OTHER PRIORITY AREAS:
* THE APPLICATION OF MODERN TECHNOLOGY AND COMPUTERISATION TO THE WORK OF THE JUDICIARY.
♦ A REVIEW OF THE ADMINISTRATIVE STRUCTURE AND SUPPORT SERVICES IN ANTICIPATION OF THE APPOINTMENT OF THE NEW JUDICIARY ADMINISTRATOR.
THE WORKING PARTY COMPRISES AS ITS MEMBERS MR JUSTICE PATRICK CHAN OF THE HIGH COURT; MR MOSES CHENG, A MEMBER OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL; DR VICTOR FUNG, CHAIRMAN OF HONG KONG TRADE DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL; MS AUDREY EU, QC, A PRACTISING BARRISTER RECOMMENDED BY THE BAR ASSOCIATION; MR NICHOLAS BENNETT, A PRACTISING SOLICITOR RECOMMENDED BY THE LAW SOCIETY; AND MR NICHOLAS NG, DIRECTOR OF ADMINISTRATION.
ITS SECRETARY IS MR MATTHEW CHEUNG, AN ACTING ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER STAFF GRADE B.
- - 0 - -
/12
MONDAY, OCTOBER 25, 1993
- 12 -
LAB ENDORSES REVISION OF LICENCE FEE OF EMPLOYMENT AGENCIES *****
THE LABOUR ADVISORY BOARD TODAY (MONDAY) ENDORSED A PROPOSAL TO REVISE THE LICENCE FEE OF EMPLOYMENT AGENCIES UNDER THE EMPLOYMENT AGENCY REGULATIONS.
AT THE BOARD MEETING CHAIRED BY THE COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR, MRS KATHERINE FOK, MEMBERS AGREED THAT THE FEE FOR ISSUE OR RENEWAL OF AN EMPLOYMENT AGENCY LICENCE BE REVISED FROM $800 TO $1,000 WHILE THE FEE FOR ISSUE OF A DUPLICATE LICENCE FOR OPERATING A BRANCH OFFICE FROM $160 TO $200.
IN ANOTHER PROPOSAL, THE MEMBERS AGREED TO REVISE THE CEILING OF BURIAL EXPENSES UNDER THE EMPLOYEES’ COMPENSATION ORDINANCE (ECO) AND FUNERAL EXPENSES UNDER THE PNEUMOCONIOSIS (COMPENSATION) ORDINANCE (PCO) FROM $10,000 TO $12,000.
THEY SUPPORTED A PROPOSAL TO ADJUST MEDICAL EXPENSES SPECIFIED IN THE THIRD SCHEDULE OF THE ECO AND THE SECOND SCHEDULE OF THE PCO FROM $90 TO $120 A DAY.
A PROPOSAL TO REVISE THE MINIMUM LEVELS OF COMPENSATION UNDER VARIOUS SECTIONS OF THE ECO WAS ALSO ENDORSED AT THE MEETING.
THE BOARD THEN NOTED AN INFORMATION PAPER ON A REPORT ON HONG KONG’S PARTICIPATION IN THE 80TH SESSION OF THE INTERNATIONAL LABOUR CONFERENCE HELD IN GENEVA IN JUNE THIS YEAR.
A PROPOSAL PUT FORWARD BY TWO REPRESENTATIVES OF EMPLOYEES WAS ALSO NOTED AT THE MEETING.
THEY PROPOSED TO REVISE THE PENALTY LEVELS FOR CONTRAVENING THE PROVISIONS CONCERNING PROHIBITION AGAINST TERMINATION OF CONTRACT OF SERVICE OF EMPLOYEES DURING THEIR INCAPACITY UNDER THE EMPLOYEES’ COMPENSATION ORDINANCE AND AGAINST TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT OF A FEMALE EMPLOYEE WHO HAS GIVEN NOTICE TO HER EMPLOYER REGARDING HER PREGNANCY UNDER THE EMPLOYMENT ORDINANCE. '
THE MEMBERS WERE TOLD THAT THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT HAD BEEN CONDUCTING A COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW ON VARIOUS PENALTY PROVISIONS IN BOTH THE EMPLOYMENT ORDINANCE AND THE EMPLOYEES’ COMPENSATION ORDINANCE.
AT THE SAME MEETING, MEMBERS WERE BRIEFED ON THE OUTCOME OF THE REVIEW ON THE LABOUR RELATIONS SYSTEM IN HONG KONG AND THE RECOMMENDATIONS ARISING FROM THE REVIEW TO IMPROVE THE PRESENT DISPUTE SETTLEMENT PROCEDURE AND TO OFFER FURTHER PROTECTION TO EMPLOYEES’ RIGHTS.
THEY WERE INFORMED THAT THE REVIEW WAS LAUNCHED AFTER THE GOVERNOR HAD ASKED THE SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER TO CONSIDER WHAT LESSONS MIGHT BE LEARNED FROM THE CATHAY PACIFIC AIRWAYS LABOUR DISPUTE WHICH OCCURRED IN JANUARY THIS YEAR.
THE CHAIRMAN TOLD MEMBERS THAT LAB’S COMMITTEE ON LABOUR RELATIONS WOULD BE CONSULTED ON ALL PROPOSALS SOON.
------0-------
/13......
MONDAY, OCTOBER 25, 1993
- 13 -
RED LIGHT CAMERA SCHEME SUPPORTED *****
THE RESULTS OF A PUBLIC OPINION SURVEY CARRIED OUT IN JULY SHOWS THAT THE RED LIGHT CAMERA SCHEME IS WELL SUPPORTED, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (MONDAY).
THE RED LIGHT CAMERA SCHEME WAS COMMISSIONED IN JANUARY THIS YEAR AS A PILOT SCHEME.
THE OBJECTIVE OF THE SCHEME IS TO TEST THE RED LIGHT CAMERA SYSTEM AS A MEANS OF DETERRING RED LIGHT VIOLATIONS AND REDUCING ACCIDENTS DUE TO RED LIGHT VIOLATIONS.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID A TOTAL OF 943 COMPLETED QUESTIONNAIRES HAD BEEN COLLECTED DURING THE SURVEY.
THE RESULT SHOWS THAT ABOUT 84 PER CENT OF THE RETURNS ARE IN FAVOUR OF THE RED LIGHT CAMERA SCHEME.
AMONG THOSE WHO SUPPORTED THE SCHEME, 55 PER CENT SAID THE SCHEME COULD REDUCE ACCIDENTS AND IMPROVE SIGNAL COMPLIANCE.
ALL THE RESPONDENTS FAVOUR THE SYSTEM BE EXPANDED TO COVER MORE JUNCTIONS.
HE SAID VIDEO SURVEYS HAD BEEN CARRIED OUT AT THE CAMERA SITES TO DETERMINE THE FREQUENCY OF RED LIGHT VIOLATIONS BEFORE AND AFTER THE INSTALLATION OF THE RED LIGHT CAMERAS.
RESULTS OF THE SURVEYS SHOW AN AVERAGE REDUCTION OF 67 PER CENT IN THE RATE OF RED LIGHT VIOLATIONS.
"WITH REGARD TO ACCIDENTS, IT IS STILL TOO EARLY TO CONDUCT ANY ANALYSIS WHICH CAN PRODUCE STATISTICALLY RELIABLE RESULTS," HE SAID.
HOWEVER, IT IS RELEVANT TO NOTE THAT AN AVERAGE OF FIVE CASES OF RIGHT-ANGLE COLLISION ACCIDENTS WAS RECORDED IN 1992 AT ' EACH CAMERA SITE WHICH WERE SUSPECTED TO BE DUE TO RED LIGHT VIOLATIONS.
UP TO JUNE THIS YEAR, AN AVERAGE OF ONLY ONE RIGHT-ANGLE COLLISION ACCIDENT HAS BEEN RECORDED AT THE RED LIGHT CAMERA SITES AFTER THE INSTALLATION OF THE RED LIGHT CAMERAS, HE ADDED.
MEANWHILE, THE POLICE, USING THE RED LIGHT CAMERA, HAVE IDENTIFIED A TOTAL OF 1,029 PROSECUTIONS ON RED LIGHT VIOLATIONS AT THE RED LIGHT CAMERA SITES UP TO SEPTEMBER 30 WITH 771 FIXED PENALTY TICKETS ISSUED. THE REMAINING 255 PROSECUTIONS ARE STILL BEING PROCESSED.
SO FAR, ONLY THREE OFFENDERS HAD PLEADED NOT GUILTY BUT WAS SUBSEQUENTLY FOUND GUILTY BY THE COURT.
HE SAID THIS WAS A VERY GOOD PROOF OF THE INDISPUTABLE EVIDENCE OF RED LIGHT VIOLATION OFFENCES PROVIDED BY THE PHOTOGRAPHS TAKEN BY THE RED LIGHT CAMERAS.
/THE SPOKESMAN .......
MONDAY, OCTOBER 25, 1993
- 14 -
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THESE PRELIMINARY RESULTS PROVED THAT THE RED LIGHT CAMERA SYSTEM HAD BEEN VERY EFFECTIVE IN DETERRING RED LIGHT VIOLATIONS.
"EVEN THOUGH IT IS TOO EARLY TO SAY WHETHER IT HAS BROUGHT ANY REAL IMPROVEMENT IN ROAD SAFETY, THERE ARE ALREADY SOME SIGNS OF REACHING THIS GOAL," HE SAID.
PLAN IS ALSO IN HAND TO EXPAND THE SYSTEM TO COVER MORE JUNCTIONS SUBJECT TO THE ALLOCATION OF FUNDS. EXPANSION WILL BE IMPLEMENTED IN STAGES AS SOON AS POSSIBLE, HE ADDED.
YOUTH STRING MUSIC FESTIVAL STARTS IN NOVEMBER
*****
A TOTAL OF 900 YOUNG STRING MUSIC PLAYERS WILL HAVE THE CHANCE TO GET TOGETHER TO FOSTER THEIR MUSICAL TALENTS AND DEVELOP THEIR POTENTIAL IN THE 1993 HONG KONG YOUTH STRING MUSIC FESTIVAL TO BE HELD FROM NOVEMBER 20 TO 28.
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WILL BE ENTERTAINED WITH A SERIES OF CONCERTS, LECTURES AND MASTER CLASSES DURING THE NINE-DAY FESTIVAL ORGANISED BY THE MUSIC OFFICE OF THE RECREATION AND CULTURE BRANCH.
TWO RENOWNED MUSICIANS, AMERICAN CELLIST MR TIMOTHY LANDAUER AND RUSSIAN VIOLINIST MR EDWARD GRACH, HAVE BEEN INVITED TO PERFORM AND CONDUCT MASTER CLASSES DURING THE PERIOD.
THE FESTIVAL WILL KICK OFF WITH A VIOLIN SOLO CONTEST AT THE SHA TIN TOWN HALL ON NOVEMBER 20. A NUMBER OF STRING ENSEMBLES FROM PRIMARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOLS WILL COMPETE FOR THE CHAMPIONSHIP.
STRING MUSIC LOVERS SHOULD NOT MISS THE STRING INTERFLOW CONCERT IN WHICH 600 TEENAGE MUSICIANS FROM 11 SCHOOLS WILL PERFORM A NUMBER OF FAMOUS CLASSICAL PIECES AT THE ACADEMIC COMMUNITY HALL ON NOVEMBER 21 AT 2 PM.
THE AMERICAN CELLIST, MR TIMOTHY LANDAUER, WILL CONDUCT MASTER CLASSES ON "CELLO" FROM NOVEMBER 22 TO 25 AT THE SHA TIN, MONG KOK, TSUEN WAN AND HONG KONG MUSIC CENTRE RESPECTIVELY AT 4.30 PM.
AT THE SAME TIME, MASTER CLASSES ON "VIOLIN" WILL BE CONDUCTED BY MR EDWARD GRACH AT THE TSUEN WAN, HONG KONG, SHA TIN AND MONG KOK MUSIC CENTRES.
IN ADDITION, THERE WILL BE A CHAMBER CONCERT HELD AT THE HONG KONG CULTURAL CENTRE ON NOVEMBER 26 AT 8 PM.
THE CLIMAX OF THE FESTIVAL WILL BE MARKED BY THE CONCERTO CONCERT AT THE HONG KONG ACADEMY FOR PERFORMING ARTS AT 3 PM ON NOVEMBER 28.
/TAKING PART .......
MONDAY, OCTOBER 25, 1993
15
TAKING PART IN THE CONCERT WILL BE THE TWO GUEST MUSICIANS AND THE HONG KONG YOUTH SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA (HKYSO).
THE HKYSO WAS FORMED IN 1978 TO PROVIDE ORCHESTRAL TRAINING FOR YOUNG INSTRUMENTALISTS IN HONG KONG.
OVER THE YEARS THE ORCHESTRA HAS HELD REGULAR CONCERTS IN HONG KONG AND PERFORMED WITH MANY INTERNATIONALLY RENOWNED MUSICIANS AND CONDUCTORS.
PIECES TO BE PERFORMED IN THE CONCERTO CONCERT INCLUDE DVORAK’S CONCERTO IN B MINOR FOR VIOLONCELLO AND ORCHESTRA, OP. 104 AND TCHAIKOVSKY’S CONCERTO IN D MAJOR FOR VIOLIN AND ORCHESTRA, OP 35.
TICKETS FOR THE CHAMBER CONCERT AT $40 EACH AND FOR THE CONCERTO CONCERT AT $30 AND $50 EACH ARE NOW AVAILABLE AT ALL URBTIX OUTLETS. HALF-PRICE TICKETS ARE ALSO AVAILABLE FOR FULL-TIME STUDENTS AND SENIOR CITIZENS AGED 60 OR ABOVE.
ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE ON TEL 734 9009 OR 606 5753.
------0------------
GOVERNOR AT FIRE SERVICES 125TH ANNIVERSARY REVIEW
*****
THE GOVERNOR, THE RT HON CHRISTOPHER PATTEN, WILL TAKE THE SALUTE AT THE REVIEW OF FIRE SERVICES PERSONNEL AND APPLIANCES AT THE SHA TIN FIRE STATION COMPLEX ON WEDNESDAY (OCTOBER 27), STARTING AT 3 PM.
THE REVIEW IS THE HIGHLIGHT OF A SERIES OF COMMEMORATIVE ACTIVITIES TO MARK THE 125TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT.
ON PARADE WILL BE SOME 180 FIRE AND AMBULANCE MEMBERS FROM SIX COMMANDS AND 12 DIFFERENT KINDS OF APPLIANCES, INCLUDING FIRE ENGINES, LIGHT RESCUE VEHICLE, AMBULANCE, AMBULANCE-AID MOTORCYCLE, MQBILE COMMAND UNIT AND MOBILE CASUALTY TREATMENT CENTRE.
ABOUT 500 GUESTS FROM GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS, LOCAL ORANISATIONS, CHINESE AND OVERSEAS FIRE BRIGADES, AND FORMER DIRECTORS AND CHIEF FIRE OFFICERS OF THE FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT WILL ATTEND THE FUNCTION.
ATTENTION NEWS EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE REVIEW OF FIRE SERVICES PERSONNEL AND APPLIANCES AT SHA TIN FIRE STATION (28 YUEM WOO ROAD, SHA TIN, WHICH IS ADJACENT TO HONG KONG SPORTS INSTITUTE) AT 3 PM ON WEDNESDAY.
/AS THERE .......
MONDAY, OCTOBER 25, 1993
16
AS THERE WILL BE NO PARKING SPACES IN THE FIRE STATION, MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE ADVISED TO MAKE USE OF THE DEPARTMENT COACH MADE AVAILABLE FOR THE PRESS. THE COACH WILL LEAVE THE FIRE SERVICES HEADQUARTERS BUILDING AT 1 HONG CHONG ROAD, TSIM SHA TSUI EAST, KOWLOON, AT 1.45 PM.
TO FACILITATE PRESS PHOTOGRAPHERS, THERE WILL BE TWO FIXED POSITIONS FOR THEM - ONE ON THE GROUND NEAR THE ENTRANCE TO THE COMPLEX AND THE OTHER ON THE ROOFTOP OF A TWO-STOREY AMBULANCE DEPOT OPPOSITE TO THE DAIS.
- - 0 - -
LEGCO TO MEET ON WEDNESDAY * * * * *
MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL WILL ASK 11 QUESTIONS AND CONSIDER SIX BILLS AT THE COUNCIL’S MEETING ON WEDNESDAY (OCTOBER 27).
THE IMMIGRATION (AMENDMENT) (NO.2) BILL 1993, THE WASTE DISPOSAL (AMENDMENT) BILL 1993, THE PUBLIC HEALTH (ANIMALS AND BIRDS) (AMENDMENT) BILL 1993, THE OVERSEAS TRUST BANK (ACQUISITION) (AMENDMENT) BILL 1993 AND THE BOUNDARY AND ELECTION COMMISSION (AMENDMENT) BILL 1993 WILL BE INTRODUCED FOR FIRST AND SECOND READINGS. DEBATES ON THEM ARE DUE TO BE ADJOURNED.
DEBATE ON THE FOREIGN CORPORATIONS BILL WILL BE RESUMED. IT IS DUE TO GO THROUGH THE COMMITTEE STAGE AND BE GIVEN A THIRD READING.
THE HON MRS ELSIE TU WILL MOVE A MOTION THAT THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL THANKS THE GOVERNOR FOR HIS POLICY ADDRESS.
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE WELCOME TO OBSERVE THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE MEETING FROM THE PUBLIC GALLERY. THEY MAY MAKE RESERVATION BY CALLING 869 9492. ,
- - 0 - -
CYC TO ASSEMBLE WORLD’S LARGEST POSTER *****
HONG KONG WILL UPSTAGE JAPAN IN THE GUINNESS BOOK OF RECORDS TOMORROW (TUESDAY) WHEN ABOUT 1,500 COMMUNITY YOUTH CLUB (CYC) MEMBERS ASSEMBLE THE WORLD’S LARGEST POSTER AT VICTORIA PARK.
JAPAN CURRENTLY HOLDS THE RECORD OF A POSTER MEASURING 20,000 SQUARE METRES.
THE CYC RECORD-BREAKING EVENT AIMS TO CELEBRATE ITS 15TH ANNIVERSARY, WILL BE A POSTER MEASURING 21,936 SQUARE METRES.
/MOST PARTS
MONDAY, OCTOBER 25, 1993
MOST PARTS OF THE POSTER WILL BE ASSEMBLED BY THE CYC MEMBERS LEAVING THE FINAL SEGMENTS TO BE COMPLETED BY THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, MR DOMINIC W S WONG; THE GOVERNOR OF THE LIONS CLUB INTERNATIONAL DISTRICT 303, MR CHENG WAI-CHUEN; AND THE CHAIRMAN OF THE URBAN COUNCIL, DR RONALD LEUNG DING-BONG.
ATTENTION NEWS EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE EVENT, STARTING FROM 9 AM TOMORROW.
- - 0 - -
FRESH WATER CUT IN SHAM SHUI PO *****
FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO SOME PREMISES IN SHAM SHUI PO WILL GO OFF FROM 11 PM ON WEDNESDAY (OCTOBER 27) TO 6 AM THE FOLLOWING DAY TO FACILITATE WASTE DETECTION WORK ON WATERMAINS.
THE SUSPENSION WILL AFFECT ALL THE PREMISES BOUNDED BY CHEUNG SHA WAN ROAD, NAM CHEONG STREET, FUK WING STREET AND KWEILIN STREET.
- - 0 - -
WATER STORAGE FIGURE * » » ♦ ♦
STORAGE IN HONG KONG’S RESERVOIRS AT 9 AM TODAY (MONDAY) STOOD AT 88.9 PER CENT OF CAPACITY OR 521.016 MILLION CUBIC METRES.
THIS TIME LAST YEAR THE RESERVOIRS CONTAINED 476.319 MILLION CUBIC METRES OF WATER, REPRESENTING 81.3 PER CENT OF CAPACITY.
- - 0 - -
/18
MONDAY, OCTOBER 25, 1993
- 18 -
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND TENDER RESULTS * t ♦ ♦ *
TENDER DATE 25 OCT 93
PAPER ON OFFER EF NOTES
ISSUE NUMBER 3610
AMOUNT APPLIED HK$2,975 MN
AMOUNT ALLOTTED HK$500 MN
AVERAGE PRICE ACCEPTED 100.07
LOWEST PRICE ACCEPTED 100.05
PRO RATA RATIO ABOUT 4%
AVERAGE TENDER PRICE 99.97
--------0-----------
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS * » » * *
$ MILLION
OPENING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT 2,375
REVERSAL OF LAF +625
BALANCE AFTER REVERSAL OF LAF 3,000
NET INJECTION/WITHDRAWAL TODAY NIL
EFFECT OF LAF TODAY +920
CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT 3,920
LAF RATE 2.00 BID/4.00 OFFER TWI 113.1 »+0.1* 25.10.93
/HONG KONG.........
MONDAY, OCTOBER 25, 1993
- 19
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND
EF BILLS EF NOTES/HONG KONG GOVERNMENT BONDS
TERMS YIELD TERM ISSUE COUPON PRICE YIELD
1 WEEK 3.05 PCT 13 MONTHS 2411 4.625 101.51 3.19
1 MONTH 2.85 PCT 16 MONTHS 2502 4.75 101.78 3.37
3 MONTHS 2.79 PCT 19 MONTHS 2505 3.75 100.28 3.60
6 MONTHS 2.87 PCT 22 MONTHS 2508 4.625 101.69 3.68
12 MONTHS 3.14 PCT
TOTAL TURNOVER OF BILLS AND BONDS - 10.965MN
CLOSED 25 OCTOBER 1993
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 26, 1993
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
CONTRACT FOR FINAL SECTION OF WEST KOWLOON CORRIDOR SIGNED .. 1
APPOINTMENT OF DIRECTORS FOR HIGHWAYS AND ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL SERVICES ....................................... 2
TWO MORE HK CITIZENS TRANSFERRED BACK FROM THAILAND TO SERVE SENTENCES ................................................ 3
MORE TRANSPORT COMPLAINTS IN SECOND QUARTER OF 1993 ...... 3
TAC CONSIDERS FARE INCREASES FOR TRAMS AND LANTAU TAXIS .. 4
HK ATTENDS WORLD CONFERENCES ON SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT .. 6
BOOST IN R & D ACTIVITY WITNESSED ........................ 7
RAT PREVENTION CAMPAIGN STARTS NEXT MONTH ................ 8
SMOOTH TRAFFIC ON LION ROCK TUNNEL ROAD .................. 9
SUSPECTED RHINO PRODUCTS SEIZED .......................... 10
MORE SERVICES FOR SENIOR CITIZENS ........................ 11
LABOUR COMMISSIONER’S 1992 REPORT PUBLISHED IN A NEW FORMAT . 11
CYC POSTER ENTERS GUINNESS BOOK OF RECORDS ............... 12
FIRST DIRECTOR OF HK INSTITUTE OF EDUCATION APPOINTED .... 13
WSD TO IMPROVE CUSTOMER SERVICE .......................... 14
53 INMATES PASS PUBLIC EXAMS ............................. 15
C'WEALTH ESSAY WINNERS RECEIVE PRIZES .................... 16
FRESH WATER CUT IN YUEN LONG ............................. 16
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND TENDER RESULTS ........ 17
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS
18
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 26, 1993
1
CONTRACT FOR FINAL SECTION OF WEST KOWLOON CORRIDOR SIGNED *****
CONSTRUCTION WORKS FOR THE FINAL SECTION OF THE WEST KOWLOON CORRIDOR ARE SCHEDULED TO START EARLY NEXT MONTH FOLLOWING THE SIGNING OF THE CONTRACT TODAY (TUESDAY).
THE J399-MILLION CONTRACT, SIGNED BY THE DIRECTOR OF HIGHWAYS, MR KWEI SEE-KAN, AND REPRESENTATIVES OF THE CONTRACTOR, STIPULATED THAT THE CONTRACTOR HAS 34 MONTHS TO COMPLETE THE WORKS.
SENIOR ENGINEER OF THE HIGHWAYS/KOWLOON REGION, MR DAVID Y K LEUNG, SAID THE WORKS UNDER THIS CONTRACT TITLED WEST KOWLOON CORRIDOR - YA MA TEI SECTION, PHASE II AND ASSOCIATED FOOTBRIDGES AND SUBWAY SYSTEMS MAINLY COMPRISED TWO PARTS.
THE FIRST PART INVOLVES THE CONSTRUCTION OF A TWO-LANE UPRAMP ABOUT 400 METRES LONG ALONG CHERRY STREET CONNECTING THE FERRY STREET NORTHBOUND CARRIAGEWAY TO THE EXISTING NORTHBOUND ELEVATED ROAD AT TAI KOK TSUI ROAD.
THE SECOND PART INVOLVES THE DEMOLITION OF PART OF THE EXISTING GASCOIGNE ROAD FLYOVER, AND CONSTRUCTION OF A DUAL TWO-LANE EXTENSION TO THE FLYOVER ABOUT 650 METRES LONG OVER WATERLOO ROAD TO JOIN FERRY STREET AT GROUND LEVEL NEAR THE JUNCTION WITH DUNDAS STREET.
TWO EXISTING PEDESTRIAN SUBWAYS ARE TO BE DEMOLISHED AND TO BE REPLACED BY TWO NEW FOOTBRIDGES AND A NEW SUBWAY ACROSS FERRY STREET AT WATERLOO ROAD, DUNDAS STREET AND PROSPEROUS GARDEN RESPECTIVELY.
THESE NEW PEDESTRIAN CROSSING FACILITIES ARE INTENDED TO SERVE THE FUTURE DEVELOPMENT IN THE WEST KOWLOON RECLAMATION AREA.
MR LEUNG SAID IN ORDER TO REDUCE THE NOISE IMPACT ON THE NEARBY BUILDINGS, THREE-METRE HIGH NOISE BARRIERS WOULD BE ERECTED ALONG SOME SECTIONS OF THE ELEVATED ROADS AND NOISE REDUCING SURFACING WOULD BE LAID ALONG THE WHOLE CORRIDOR.
HE ADDED THAT VERY DETAILED PLANNING WAS CARRIED OUT IN ORDER TO MINIMISE DISRUPTION TO TRAFFIC DURING CONSTRUCTION.
TWO TEMPORARY STEEL RAMPS WOULD BE BUILT BEFORE THE PARTIAL DEMOLITION OF THE EXISTING GASCOIGNE ROAD FLYOVER.
IN ADDITION, A 35-METRE WIDE STRIP OF LAND FORMED FROM THE WEST KOWLOON RECLAMATION ALONG THE SEAWALL OF THE EXISTING YAU MA TEI TYPHOON SHELTER WOULD ALSO BE USED FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF A TEMPORARY CARRIAGEWAY FOR THE NORTHBOUND TRAFFIC ALONG FERRY STREET.
WORKS ON PHASE I OF THE WEST KOWLOON CORRIDOR YAU MA TEI SECTION STARTED IN JUNE LAST YEAR AND ARE SCHEDULED FOR COMPLETION TOWARDS THE END OF NEXT YEAR.
PHASE I CONSISTS OF A 700-METRE LONG, 8.39-METRE WIDE TWO-LANE SOUTHBOUND ELEVATED ROAD ALONG TONG MI ROAD AND FERRY STREET BETWEEN BUTE STREET AND SOY STREET.
/ON COMPLETION........
2
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 26, 1993
ON COMPLETION OF THE FINAL YAU MA TEI SECTION, THE WEST KOWLOON CORRIDOR WILL PROVIDE A FREE FLOW ROUTE BETWEEN THE GASCOIGNE ROAD FLYOVER AND MEI FOO.
THE ROUTE IS ALSO CONSIDERED AS VERY ESSENTIAL TO COPE WITH THE TRAFFIC ASSOCIATED WITH THE WEST KOWLOON EXPRESSWAY AND THE WESTERN HARBOUR CROSSING WHICH ARE SCHEDULED FOR COMPLETION TOWARDS THE END OF 1996 AND EARLY 1997 RESPECTIVELY.
------0-------
APPOINTMENT OF DIRECTORS FOR HIGHWAYS AND ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL SERVICES * ♦ ♦ t *
THE GOVERNMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (TUESDAY) THAT MR KWOK PING-KEI, DIRECTOR OF ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL SERVICES, AND MR KWEI SEE-KAN, DIRECTOR OF HIGHWAYS, WILL RETIRE ON NOVEMBER 5 AND DECEMBER 3 THIS YEAR RESPECTIVELY.
MR KWOK WILL BE SUCCEEDED BY MR H B PHILLIPSON WHILE MR KWEI WILL BE SUCCEEDED BY MR KWONG HON-SANG.
THE FOLLOWING ARE BRIEF BIOGRAPHICAL NOTES ON THESE OFFICERS:
MR KWOK PING-KI
MR KWOK, AGED 59, JOINED THE CIVIL SERVICE AS AN ASSISTANT ELECTRICAL ENGINEER IN NOVEMBER 1959. HE WAS PROMOTED TO DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL SERVICES IN MARCH 1990 AND TO DIRECTOR OF ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL SERVICES IN FEBRUARY 1993. ON HIS RETIREMENT, MR KWOK WILL HAVE COMPLETED 34 YEARS OF SERVICE WITH THE GOVERNMENT.
MR H B PHILLIPSON
MR PHILLIPSON, AGED 52, JOINED THE CIVIL SERVICE AS AN ENGINEER IN FEBRUARY 1977. HE WAS APPOINTED AS PRINCIPAL ASSISTANT SECRETARY (WORKS) IN DECEMBER 1985 AND TO THE POST OF DEPUTY SECRETARY (WORKS POLICY) IN THE WORKS BRANCH OF GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT IN NOVEMBER 1990.
MR KWEI SEE-KAN, ISO
MR KWEI, AGED 59, JOINED THE CIVIL SERVICE AS AN APPRENTICE ENGINEER IN JUNE 1957. HE WAS PROMOTED TO PRINCIPAL GOVERNMENT ENGINEER IN NOVEMBER 1982 AND TO DIRECTOR OF HIGHWAYS IN OCTOBER 1989. ON HIS RETIREMENT, MR KWEI WILL HAVE COMPLETED 36 YEARS OF SERVICE WITH THE GOVERNMENT.
MR KWONG HON-SANG
MR KWONG, AGED 55, JOINED THE CIVIL SERVICE AS AN APPRENTICE ENGINEER IN SEPTEMBER 1963. HE WAS PROMOTED TO GOVERNMENT ENGINEER IN MARCH 1988 AND TO PRINCIPAL GOVERNMENT ENGINEER IN JANUARY 1992.
---------0-----------
/3 .......
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 26, 1993
3
TWO MORE HK CITIZENS TRANSFERRED BACK FROM THAILAND TO SERVE SENTENCES
* * * * *
TWO MORE HONG KONG CITIZENS WERE TRANSFERRED BACK FROM THAILAND TO HONG KONG TONIGHT (TUESDAY) TO SERVE THE REMAINDER OF THEIR SENTENCES.
THE TRANSFER WAS CONDUCTED BY CORRECTIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT OFFICERS.
ANNOUNCING THIS TONIGHT (TUESDAY), A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THIS WAS THE SECOND BATCH OF HONG KONG CITIZENS SERVING SENTENCES OF IMPRISONMENT IN FOREIGN COUNTRIES WHO WERE RETURNED TO HONG KONG TO SERVE THE REMAINDER OF THEIR SENTENCES.
THE FIRST BATCH OF THREE WAS RETURNED FROM THAILAND TO HONG KONG IN MAY THIS YEAR.
THE SPOKESMAN EXPLAINED THAT THE TRANSFER WAS CONDUCTED IN ACCORDANCE WITH A BILATERAL AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE BRITISH AND THE THAI GOVERNMENTS (WHICH HAS BEEN EXTENDED TO HONG KONG) ON THE TRANSFER OF OFFENDERS AND ON CO-OPERATION IN THE ENFORCEMENT OF PENAL SENTENCES.
THE AIM OF THE AGREEMENT IS TO HELP THE SUCCESSFUL REHABILITATION AND REINTEGRATION OF OFFENDERS INTO SOCIETY BY GIVING THEM THE OPPORTUNITY TO SERVE THEIR SENTENCES WITHIN THEIR OWN SOCIETY.
AT PRESENT, 50 HONG KONG CITIZENS SERVING SENTENCES OF IMPRISONMENT IN THAILAND HAVE APPLIED FOR TRANSFER BACK TO HONG KONG.
IT IS EXPECTED THAT THE THIRD BATCH OF FOUR WILL BE RETURNED BY JANUARY NEXT YEAR. MORE WILL FOLLOW.
- - 0 -
MORE TRANSPORT COMPLAINTS IN SECOND QUARTER OF 1993 *****
THE NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS/SUGGESTIONS RECEIVED BY THE TRANSPORT COMPLAINTS UNIT (TCU) FOR THE PERIOD APRIL 1 TO JUNE 30 INCREASED BY 18% TO 3,056 AS COMPARED WITH 2,587 IN THE PREVIOUS QUARTER.
THE INCREASE WAS MAINLY DUE TO MORE COMPLAINTS AGAINST CHINA MOTOR BUS SERVICES (+30% FROM 172 TO 223 CASES); KOWLOON MOTOR BUS SERVICES (+38% FROM 218 TO 301 CASES); FERRY SERVICES (+187% FROM 15 TO 43 CASES); GREEN MINIBUS SERVICES (+46% FROM 101 TO 147 CASES)* TRAFFIC CONDITIONS (+17% FROM 459 TO 539 CASES); TAXI MALPRACTICES (+12% FROM 603 TO 676 CASES) AND ENFORCEMENT ACTION (+21% FROM 487 TO 591 CASES).
ABOUT HALF OF THE COMPLAINTS ABOUT FERRY SERVICES WERE RELATED TO SERVICES BETWEEN TUEN MUN AND THE URBAN AREAS.
'THE TRANSPORT
4
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 26, 1993
THE TRANSPORT ADVISORY COMMITTEE NOTED THAT HONG KONG AND YAUMATEI FERRY COMMISSIONED TWO CATAMARANS FOR THE TUEN MUM - CENTRAL ROUTE ON SEPTEMBER 30 AND INTENDED TO INTRODUCE IN THE NEAR FUTURE A HOVERFERRY SERVICE BETWEEN TUEN MUN AND WAN CHAI FOR A SIX-MONTH TRIAL PERIOD.
THE COMMITTEE A1SO NOTED THAT THE NEW CATAMARAN SERVICE BETWEEN TUEN MUN AND CENTRAL HAD BEEN POPULAR.
DURING THE PERIOD UNDER REVIEW, THE INCREASE IN THE NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS AGAINST GREEN MINIBUS SERVICES WAS LARGELY RELATED TO THE INADEQUACY OF SUCH SERVICES.
------0-------
TAC CONSIDERS FARE INCREASES FOR TRAMS AND LANTAU TAXIS *****
THE TRANSPORT ADVISORY COMMITTEE (TAC) TODAY (TUESDAY) DISCUSSED FARE INCREASE APPLICATIONS FROM THE HONG KONG TRAMWAY LIMITED (HKT) AND THE LANTAU TAXI ASSOCIATION.
THE COMMITTEE ALSO CONSIDERED A PROPOSAL BY THE POLICE TO REVISE CHARGES FOR TOWING AND STORAGE OF VEHICLES.
MEMBERS WERE INFORMED OF A STRATEGY FOR TAKING FORWARD THE CONSTRUCTION OF ROUTE 3 COUNTRY PARK SECTION.
ON THE TRAM FARE APPLICATION, THE COMMITTEE NOTED THAT HKT APPLIED FOR A 20 CENTS INCREASE TO $1.20 FOR ADULT FARE AND 10 CENTS INCREASE TO 60 CENTS FOR CHILD FARE TO COVER HIGHER OPERATING COST AND TO FURTHER IMPROVE SERVICES. HKT HAD NOT APPLIED FOR FARE INCREASES FOR MORE THAN 3 YEARS.
THE PROPOSED 20% FARE INCREASE IS SIGNIFICANTLY LOWER THAN THE ESTIMATED 36.4% RISE IN INFLATION RATE BETWEEN THE DATE OF THE LAST REVISION IN AUGUST 1990 AND THE EXPECTED DATE OF THE INCREASE IN DECEMBER 1993.
THIS HAS BEEN MADE POSSIBLE BY HKT’S SUCCESS IN INTRODUCING A NUMBER OF COST-SAVING MEASURES TO KEEP THE RISE IN OPERATING COST TO 15% DURING THIS PERIOD.
THE COMMITTEE NOTED THAT THE COMPANY WAS PREPARED TO INTRODUCE A HALF-FARE CONCESSIONARY SCHEME FOR ELDERLY PASSENGERS AGED 65 AND ABOVE ON A FULL-DAY BASIS WITH EFFECT FROM THE DATE OF THE FARE INCREASE.
TRAMS ATTRACT MORE ELDERLY PASSENGERS THAN OTHER PUBLIC TRANSPORT MODES. TO ASSIST HKT IN MEETING THE COST OF THE CONCESSIONARY SCHEME, THE GOVERNMENT WILL CONSIDER WAIVING THE RENT ON HKT’S EASTERN DEPOT WHICH WILL AMOUNT TO $2 MILLION IN 1994.
ON SERVICE IMPROVEMENT, THE COMPANY HAS RECENTLY COMMENCED A LARGE SCALE PROGRAMME TO REFURBISH TRAM SHELTERS BY INSTALLING WEATHER-PROOF SHIELDS.
THIS FOLLOWED THE COMPLETION OF A REFURBISHMENT PROGRAMME UNDER WHICH ALL TRAMS WERE REBODIED AND WOODEN SEATS ON THE UPPER-DECK REPLACED BY MORE COMFORTABLE MOULDED PLASTIC ONES.
/IN AN .......
5
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 26, 1993
IN AN EFFORT TO FURTHER REDUCE ELECTRICITY AND OTHER OPERATION COSTS, HKT HAS PROPOSED TO REPLACE THE PRESENT MANUAL CONTROL SYSTEM ON TRAMS WITH A NEW SPEED CONTROL SYSTEM. HKT’S FARE INCREASE APPLICATION WAS ENDORSED BY TAC.
ON THE FARE INCREASE APPLICATION BY THE LANTAU TAXI ASSOCIATION, THE COMMITTEE NOTED THAT THE ASSOCIATION HAD ASKED FOR A 25% INCREASE TO COVER HIGHER OPERATING COST SINCE LAST REVISION IN NOVEMBER 1992.
HAVING CONSIDERED THE FOUR GUIDING PRINCIPLES FOR A FARE INCREASE, NAMELY FINANCIAL VIABILITY OF THE TRADE, FARE DIFFERENTIAL WITH OTHER PUBLIC TRANSPORT MODES, AVAILABILITY OF SERVICE AND PUBLIC ACCEPTABILITY, TAC RECOMMENDED A 12.5% INCREASE WITH EFFECT FROM JANUARY 1994. TAC’S RECOMMENDED INCREASE WOULD ENABLE LANTAU TAXI OPERATORS TO GENERALLY RESTORE THEIR REAL INCOME TO THE LEVEL IN NOVEMBER 1992.
THE EXISTING AND NEW FARES RECOMMENDED BY TAC ARE AS FOLLOWS:
EXISTING FARES RECOMMENDED NEW FARES
FLAGFALL FOR FIRST 2 KM $8.0 $9.0
FARE FOR EVERY SUBSEQUENT 0.2 KM $0.8 $0.9
WAITING TIME CHARGE FOR EVERY 1 MINUTE $0.8 $0.9
ADDITIONAL FARE FOR EACH ARTICLE OF BAGGAGE, ANIMAL, OR BIRD $3.0 $4.0
ADDITIONAL FARE FOR EVERY HIRING ARRANGED THROUGH TELEPHONE BOOKING $3.0 $5.0
TAC’S RECOMMENDATIONS ON THE TWO FARE INCREASE APPLICATIONS WILL BE SUBMITTED TO EXCO FOR APPROVAL.
ON THE PROPOSAL TO REVISE THE VEHICLE TOWING AND STORAGE FEES, THE COMMITTEE NOTED THAT THE CURRENT RATE OF $110 PER TOW AND $35 PER DAY OF STORAGE HAD NOT BEEN REVISED FOR A DECADE.
THE LOW CHARGES DEFEAT THE AIM OF DETERRING DRIVERS FROM PARKING ILLEGALLY OR RESULT IN ABUSING THE USE OF POLICE MANPOWER TO TOW BROKEN-DOWN VEHICLES AWAY.
IN ORDER TO RESTORE THE DETERRENT EFFECT AND TO MAKE POLICE TOWING FEES MORE COMPATIBLE WITH THE MARKET RATES, TAC ENDORSED A PROPOSAL THAT A SLIDING FEE SCALE, BASED ON GROSS VEHICLE WEIGHT SHOULD BE ADOPTED. THE PROPOSED FEES WILL BE $350 FOR VEHICLES UNDER 5.5 TONS, $930 FOR 5.5-24 TONS AND $1,280 FOR OVER 24 TONS. THE NEW RATES WILL COME INTO EFFECT AS SOON AS THEY ARE APPROVED BY THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL AND THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
/THE NEW........
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 26, 1993
6
THE NEW STORAGE CHARGE WILL BE $245 PER DAY.
MEMBERS WERE ALSO INFORMED OF THE STRATEGY FOR TAKING FORWARD THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE COUNTRY PARK SECTION OF ROUTE-3.
THE COMMITTEE NOTED THAT THE GOVERNMENT INTENDED TO INVITE TENDERS FOR THE PROPOSED BUILD-OPERATE-TRANSFER FRANCHISE BY THE END OF THIS YEAR.
------0-------
HK ATTENDS WORLD CONFERENCES ON SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT *****
THE GOVERNMENT IS CONSIDERING BUILDING ENVIRONMENTALLY BASED PARTNERSHIPS WITH DISTRICT BOARDS AND OTHER DISTRICT-BASED ORGANISATIONS TO HELP PURSUE THE SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT WITHOUT COMPROMISING THE ENVIRONMENT, AS AGREED IN THE EARTH SUMMIT CONFERENCE IN RIO DE JANERIO LAST YEAR.
THIS WAS STARTED BY THE DEPUTY SECRETARY FOR PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS, MR TONY COOPER, WHO RECENTLY REPRESENTED HONG KONG IN TWO INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCES ON SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT AND FOLLOW-UP TO THE EARTH SUMMIT.
MR COOPER SAID: "DELEGATES FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD WERE BROUGHT TOGETHER AT A MANCHESTER CONFERENCE IN THE UK LATE LAST MONTH TO DISCUSS WAYS TO TURN THE EARTH SUMMIT BLUEPRINT ON SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT - AGENDA 21 - INTO AN ACTION PLAN.
"I WAS IMPRESSED BY THE EXPERIENCE OF SEVERAL PARTICIPANTS AT MANCHESTER, AND WITH THE VARIOUS INITIATIVES BY LOCAL ORGANISATIONS IN THE UK, IN BOTH THE PRIVATE AND PUBLIC SECTORS, WHO ARE GETTING MORE INVOLVED IN ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES."
FOR EXAMPLE, MR COOPER SAID "DECLARATIONS OF SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT" HAD BEEN MADE BY SOME LOCAL GOVERNMENT AUTHORITIES AND GUIDELINES FOR IMPLEMENTING SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMMES HAD BEEN DEVELOPED.
"SOME OF THEIR PROGRAMMES REFLECT ENVIRONMENTAL PROGRAMMES THAT HAVE ALSO STARTED IN HONG KONG - THOSE CARRIED OUT BY US AND THE ENVIRONMENTAL CAMPAIGN COMMITTEE FOR EXAMPLE.
"WE WOULD NOW EXAMINE THE UK EXPERIENCES IN MORE DETAIL TO SEE WHETHER IT IS POSSIBLE TO LAUNCH A TRIAL PARTNERSHIPS IN A DISTRICT IN HONG KONG," HE SAID.
MR COOPER ADDED THAT SUCH A PROJECT WOULD REFLECT THE INVITATION IN THE GOVERNOR’S LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ADDRESS FOR BUSINESS TO GET MORE INVOLVED IN ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES.
MR COOPER ALSO REPRESENTED HONG KONG AT AN ESCAP MEETING AT THE UN CENTRE IN BANGKOK EARLY THIS MONTH TO DISCUSS THE ASPECTS TO BE EXAMINED IN A REGIONAL REPORT ON FOLLOW-UP TO THE EARTH SUMMIT.
AT THE BANGKOK MEETING, HONG KONG WAS CITED AS A GOOD EXAMPLE OF DEALING WITH FLOODS AND LANDSLIPS WHICH ARE MAJOR ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEMS IN SOME ESCAP COUNTRIES.
/AND LAST .......
7
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 26, 1993
AND LAST WEEK, MR COOPER ATTENDED AN OECD CONFERENCE IN HONG KONG WHERE TRADE DELEGATES FROM AROUND THE WORLD HAD GATHERED TO CONSIDER TRADE ISSUES INVOLVING THE DYNAMIC NON-MEMBER ECONOMICS.
DURING ONE OF THE AGENDA ITEMS - ON TRADE AND THE ENVIRONMENT -MR COOPER SPOKE ON THE NEED TO BUILD "SUSTAINABILITY" INTO TRADING POLICIES.
HE PROPOSED THAT NATIONAL ECONOMISTS RE-EXAMINE THE VALUE OF EXPORTS AND RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT SO THAT THEIR TRADE FIGURES ALSO TAKE INTO ACCOUNT THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT OF THE EXPORTS, BY SAY, SUBTRACTING VALUES FOR DESERTIFICATION AND GLOBAL WARMING.
- - 0 - -
BOOST IN R & D ACTIVITY WITNESSED *****
HONG KONG’S APPLIED RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT (R & D) ACTIVITY HAS RECEIVED A BOOST WITH THE LAUNCHING OF THE APPLIED R & D SCHEME IN FEBRUARY THIS YEAR.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR-GENERAL OF INDUSTRY, MR RAYMOND YOUNG, WHEN ADDRESSING A GROUP OF INDUSTRIALISTS AND BUSINESSMEN AT THE HONG KONG CITY POLYTECHNIC INDUSTRIAL CLUB LUNCHEON MEETING TODAY (TUESDAY).
MR YOUNG SAID THE SCHEME, WHICH HAD RECEIVED $200 MILLION FROM THE GOVERNMENT AS UP-FRONT CAPITAL, WAS DESIGNED TO INCREASE THE CURRENTLY LIMITED VOLUME OF APPLIED R & D ACTIVITY IN HONG KONG.
"THE ULTIMATE GOAL IS TO IMPROVE THE TECHNOLOGICAL CAPABILITY AND HENCE THE COMPETITIVENESS OF LOCAL INDUSTRY, THEREBY HELPING TO SUSTAIN HONG KONG’S ECONOMIC GROWTH," HE SAID.
HE NOTED THAT THE SCHEME HAD SO FAR RECEIVED 15 APPLICATIONS AND OVER 200 SERIOUS ENQUIRIES.
THE NATURE OF THE APPLICATIONS RANGES FROM COMPUTER SOFTWARE, ELECTRONICS CONSUMER PRODUCTS, ENVIRONMENTAL FRIENDLY PRODUCTS TO MACHINERY, SECURITY SYSTEMS AND TELEPHONE DEVICES.
GOOD PROGRESS HAS BEEN MADE BY THE HONG KONG APPLIED R & D FUND COMPANY LIMITED TO PROCESS THE APPLICATIONS AND THE COMPANY HAS ALREADY APPROVED ONE OF THEM.
"ANOTHER THREE ARE NOW IN THE PIPELINE AND WE HOPE THAT APPROVAL CAN BE GRANTED IN THE NEAR FUTURE," HE SAID.
MR YOUNG SAID ALL COMPANIES INCORPORATED UNDER THE COMPANIES ORDINANCE OR STATUTORY BODIES SET UP UNDER THE LAWS OF HONG KONG WHICH UNDERTOOK R & D LOCALLY WERE ELIGIBLE FOR THE SCHEME.
PROJECT PROPOSALS SUBMITTED BY THE COMPANIES WILL BE ASSESED IN TERMS OF THEIR TECHNOLOGICAL MERIT AND POTENTIAL FOR COMMERCIAL EXPLOITATION.
/"APPROVED FUNDS
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 26, 1993
8
’’APPROVED FUNDS MAY MEET UP TO HALF OF THE PROJECT COST AND WILL BE DISBURSED TO THE SUCCESSFUL APPLICANTS BY INSTALMENTS AT AGREED INTERVALS ON A REIMBURSEMENT BASIS,” HE SAID.
APPLICATION FORMS FOR THE SCHEME CAN BE OBTAINED FROM THE HONG KONG APPLIED R & D FUND COMPANY LIMITED AT ROOM 1445, 14TH FLOOR, OCEAN CENTRE, 5 CANTON ROAD, KOWLOON.
COMPLETED FORMS CAN BE RETURNED BY POST OR BY HAND TO THE COMPANY. ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE ON TEL 737 2206.
------0-------
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 (TUESDAY) THAT THE CAMPAIGN, BEARING THE THEME "CLEAN FLATS, NO RATS", WAS ORGANISED WITH THE SPONSORSHIP OF THE URBAN COUNCIL AND REGIONAL COUNCIL.
THE SPOKESMAN CALLED FOR FULL PUBLIC SUPPORT AND CO-OPERATION 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 PLAGUE AND TYPHUS, THEY ALSO INDIRECTLY TRANSMIT 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 24-HOUR HOTLINE (723 0013) WILL ALSO BE IN OPERATION TO PROVIDE THE PUBLIC A PRE-RECORDED MESSAGE 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 THE PREMISES CLEAN. STORE ALL FOOD PROPERLY AND PUT ALL REFUSE AND FOOD REMNANTS INTO A PROPER DUSTBIN SO AS TO LEAVE NO FOOD FOR RATS;
* SEAL OFF ANY HOLES ON CEILINGS, WALLS AND FLOORS. INSPECT REGULARLY THE BOTTOM AND BACK OF BULKY FURNITURE AND CONCEALED PLACES SO AS TO ELIMINATE BREEDING PLACES FOR RATS PROMPTLY;
/♦KEEP DRAIN .......
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 26, 1993
9
* KEEP DRAIN GRATINGS IN GOOD REPAIR AND RENDER ALL VENTILATION OPENINGS RAT-PROOF; AND
* AFFIX METAL PLATES TO THE LOWER PART OF WOODEN DOORS TO KEEP AWAY RATS.
------0--------
SMOOTH TRAFFIC ON LION ROCK TUNNEL ROAD
*****
NO MAJOR TRAFFIC DIFFICULTIES WERE OBSERVED AT THE LION ROCK TUNNEL ROAD EVEN THOUGH VERY HIGH TRAFFIC FLOWS THERE WERE WITNESSED, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY (TUESDAY).
HE SAID TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT MEASURES WERE IMPLEMENTED TO HELP THE LION ROCK TUNNEL ROAD RECONSTRUCTION.
THESE MEASURES INCLUDE A TIDAL FLOW SYSTEM AT THE LION ROCK TUNNEL ROAD BETWEEN HUNG MUI KUK INTERCHANGE AND SHA TIN ROAD, REDUCTION OF THE SPEED LIMIT FROM 70 KILOMETRES AN HOUR TO 50 AND TRAFFIC DIVERSIONS.
UNDER THE TIDAL FLOW SYSTEM, THERE ARE TWO TRAFFIC LANES SOUTHBOUND TO KOWLOON AND ONE TRAFFIC LANE NORTHBOUND TO THE NEW TERRITORIES BETWEEN 6 AM AND 4 PM.
THE DIRECTION OF THE MIDDLE LANE WILL BE REVERSED FROM 4 PM GIVING TWO LANES FOR NEW TERRITORIES-BOUND TRAFFIC PLUS ONE LANE FOR KOWLOON-BOUND TRAFFIC UNTIL MIDNIGHT.
THERE IS ONLY ONE TRAFFIC LANE IN EITHER DIRECTION. BETWEEN MIDNIGHT AND 6 AM. THIS ARRANGEMENT IS IN FORCE DAILY EXCEPT SATURDAYS AND DAYTIME HORSE RACING DAYS.
ON SATURDAYS AND DAYTIME HORSE RACING DAYS, THE REVERSION OF THE MIDDLE LANE IS ADVANCED TO 11.30 AM.
"PUBLICITY OF ALTERNATIVE ROUTES TO MOTORISTS ASKING THEM TO TRAVEL BETWEEN SHA TIN AND KOWLOON AND THEIR KIND CO-OPERATION ARE THE MAIN FACTORS CONTRIBUTING TO THE RELATIVELY SMOOTH TRAFFIC FLOW THERE," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
ON TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS ON RACING DAYS, THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE EARLY REVERSAL OF THE TIDAL FLOW ARRANGEMENTS BEFORE DAYTIME RACE MEETINGS WAS TO MEET THE MAJOR TRAFFIC FLOWS WITHOUT ADVERSELY AFFECTING THE GENERAL COMMUTERS.
"HOWEVER, AS NORTHBOUND TRAFFIC IS HEAVIER IN EARLY EVENINGS, IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO REVERSE THE TIDAL FLOW TO CATER FOR THE MOTORING PUNTERS AT THE END OF RACE MEETINGS AT THE EXPENSE OF THE GENERAL COMMUTERS," HE SAID.
THIS VIEW IS GENERALLY SUPPORTED BY MEMBERS OF THE SHA TIN DISTRICT TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT COMMITTEE, HE ADDED.
------0-------
/10......
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 26,
1993
10
SUSPECTED RHINO PRODUCTS SEIZED
*****
THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT HAD SEIZED A NUMBER OF SUSPECTED RHINO PRODUCTS AND MEDICINE CLAIMING TO CONTAIN RHINO INGREDIENTS IN A SERIES OF OPERATION CONDUCTED LAST WEEK.
ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES (CONSERVATION AND COUNTRY PARKS), MR FRANK LAU, TODAY (TUESDAY) SAID ACTING ON INFORMATION, THE DEPARTMENT OBTAINED WARRANTS TO SEARCH 58 CHINESE MEDICINAL SHOPS IN DIFFERENT PARTS OF THE TERRITORY SINCE LAST WEDNESDAY (OCT 20).
AS A RESULT, TWO PIECES AND TWO SCRAPS OF RHINO HORN, A NUMBER OF SUSPECTED RHINO HIDE WEIGHING 4 KILOGRAM, AND MORE THAN 1,000 SMALL PACKETS OF MEDICINE CLAIMING TO CONTAIN RHINO INGREDIENTS WERE SEIZED FROM 29 SHOPS.
THE VALUE OF THE SEIZED GOODS IS ESTIMATED TO BE ABOUT $120,000. PROSECUTION WILL BE CARRIED OUT AT A LATER STAGE.
MR LAU SAID THE ENFORCEMENT ACTION AGAINST ILLEGAL TRADE IN RHINO PRODUCTS HAD BEEN STEPPED UP IN HONG KONG FOLLOWING RECENT REPORTS OF SUCH ACTIVITIES IN THE ASIAN REGION AND DISCUSSION WITH REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL INVESTIGATION AGENCY.
HE REMINDED THE PUBLIC THAT NOT ONLY THE IMPORT, EXPORT AND LOCAL SALE OF RHINO HORNS INCLUDING MEDICINE CLAIMING TO CONTAIN RHINO INGREDIENTS WERE PROHIBITED IN HONG KONG, POSSESSION OF ANY SUCH PRODUCT WAS ALSO ILLEGAL.
’’APART FROM BEING ILLEGAL, MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC SHOULD ALSO REFRAIN FROM USING OR BUYING RHINO PRODUCTS BECAUSE OF THE NEED TO PROTECT THESE ENDANGERED SPECIES.
’’BESIDES, THERE IS A HIGH CHANCE THAT THE PUBLIC MAY ONLY PURCHASE SOME FAKED GOODS. IN FACT, DURING OUR OPERATIONS, A NUMBER OF FAKED PRODUCTS WERE FOUND.”
HE REITERATED THE GOVERNMENT’S COMMITMENT TO COMBAT THE ILLICIT RHINO PRODUCT TRADE IN HONG KONG AND THAT THE ENFORCEMENT MOMENTUM WOULD BE MAINTAINED.
HE URGED ANYONE WHO HAD ANY INFORMATION ON ILLEGAL RHINO TRADE TO REPORT OR PROVIDE SUCH INFORMATION TO THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT OR CUSTOMS AND EXCISE DEPARTMENT SO THAT IMMEDIATE ACTION CAN BE TAKEN TO CURB THESE ILLEGAL ACTIVITIES.
HE STRESSED THAT UNDER THE ANIMALS AND PLANTS (PROTECTION OF ENDANGERED SPECIES) ORDINANCE, OFFENDERS WOULD BE LIABLE TO A MAXIMUM PENALTY OF $25,000 ON FIRST CONVICTION AND $50,000 AND IMPRISONMENT OF SIX MONTHS ON SUBSEQUENT CONVICTIONS.
------0-------
/Il .......
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 26, 1993
11
MORE SERVICES FOR SENIOR CITIZENS ♦ * ♦ » ♦
TO COPE WITH THE GROWING NUMBERS OF OLD PEOPLE, A NETWORK COMPRISING SEVEN NURSING HOMES PROVIDING 1,400 BEDS AND AN ADDITIONAL 800 CARE-AND-ATTENTION PLACES WILL BE PROVIDED TO TAKE CARE OF THOSE IN FRAIL HEALTH.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MR IAN STRACHAN WHEN OFFICIATING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE SALVATION ARMY TAK TIN HOME FOR THE ELDERLY, KWUN TONG TODAY (TUESDAY).
MR STRACHAN ALSO SAID A SPECIAL WORKING GROUP WOULD BE SET UP TO LOOK AT FURTHER MEANS TO PROVIDE INTEGRATED CARE FOR THE ELDERLY AND WHETHER CURRENT LEVELS OF COMMUNITY SUPPORT SERVICES ARE SUFFICIENT.
"I AM SURE SERVICES FOR THE ELDERLY WILL BE IMPROVED MARKEDLY IN THE COMING FEW YEARS," HE ASSURED.
LAST YEAR, THE GOVERNOR PLEDGED TO ACHIEVE THE KEY TARGETS OF THE SOCIAL WELFARE WHITE PAPER BY PROVIDING, AMONG OTHERS, AN ADDITIONAL 44 HOME-HELP TEAMS, 5,000 CARE-AND-ATTENTION PLACES, 70 SOCIAL CENTRES, 20 DAY CARE CENTRES AND 14 MULTI-SERVICE CENTRES FOR THE ELDERLY BY 1997.
IN HIS POLICY ADDRESS DELIVERED EARLIER THIS MONTH, THE GOVERNOR ADVOCATED THAT PEOPLE HAVE A RIGHT TO A DIGNIFIED AND COMFORTABLE OLD AGE.
"THE GOVERNMENT MUST TAKE INITIATIVE TO IMPLEMENT A FAR-REACHING PROGRAMME TO IMPROVE THE WELL-BEING OF THE ELDERLY," MR STRACHAN SAID.
------0-------
LABOUR COMMISSIONER’S 1992 REPORT PUBLISHED IN A NEW FORMAT t ♦ » t ♦
THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT HAS RECENTLY PUBLISHED THE REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR 1992 IN A NEW FORMAT WITH EXPANDED COVERAGE.
THE LABOUR COMMISSIONER, MRS KATHERINE FOK, SAID IN THE "FOREWORD" OF HER REPORT THAT THE CURRENT ISSUE PRESENTED INFORMATION ON THE LABOUR MARKET AS A WHOLE AND RELEVANT TOPICS SUCH AS LABOUR FORCE PARTICIPATION.
"BY DOING SO, WE AIM TO PUT LABOUR ISSUES IN A WIDER PERSPECTIVE AGAINST THE OVERALL ECONOMY AND LABOUR SCENE OF HONG KONG, WHICH ARE CURRENTLY UNDERGOING A TRANSITION PERIOD," SHE SAID.
MRS FOK NOTED THAT 1992 HAD BEEN AN EVENTFUL YEAR ON THE LABOUR FRONT WHICH SAW THE INTRODUCTION OF NO LESS THAN 17 PIECES OF NEW OR AMENDED LEGISLATION IN THE FOUR MAJOR AREAS OF CONCERN TO THE DEPARTMENT - LABOUR RELATIONS, SAFETY AND HEALTH AT WORK, EMPLOYMENT AND PROTECTION OF EMPLOYEES’ RIGHTS AND BENEFITS.
/"WE LOOK ........
12
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 26, 1993
"WE LOOK FORWARD TO INCREASING SUPPORT FROM EMPLOYERS AND WORKERS IN THE PROMOTION AND MAINTENANCE OF GOOD LABOUR RELATIONS AND IMPROVEMENT ON WORK SAFETY AND HEALTH," MRS FOK ADDED.
THE ANNUAL REPORT CONTAINS FOUR MAIN CHAPTERS WHICH INCLUDE AN OVERVIEW, THE LABOUR SCENE IN HONG KONG, LABOUR LEGISLATION AND INTERNATIONAL LABOUR AFFAIRS, AND LABOUR ADMINISTRATION IN HONG KONG.
DETAILS OF THE LEGISLATIVE ENACTMENTS AND NEW ADMINISTRATIVE MEASURES ARE GIVEN IN THE FOLLOWING CHAPTERS.
CHAPTERS 3 AND 4 OF THE REPORT DESCRIBE THE INCREASING EFFORTS MADE BY THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT TO GIVE BETTER PROTECTION, EDUCATION AND SERVICE TO WORKERS IN ITS FOUR MAIN AREAS OF WORK.
IT ALSO CONTAINS 32 CHARTS AND TABLES WITH STATISTICS RELATING TO THE LABOUR SCENE IN THE TERRITORY.
COPIES ARE DISTRIBUTED BY THE DEPARTMENT’S INFORMATION AND PUBLIC RELATIONS DIVISION (IPRD) TO GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS, LOCAL STATUTORY BOARDS AND COMMITTEES, CONSULATES/LOCAL REPRESENTATIVES OF OVERSEAS COUNTRIES, TRADE UNIONS AND OTHER ASSOCIATIONS, EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTES, LIBRARIES, AND OVERSEAS CONTACTS.
SOME COPIES OF THE PUBLICATION ARE NOW AVAILABLE FOR COLLECTION BY MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC AT THE IPRD, 16TH FLOOR, HARBOUR BUILDING AT 38 PIER ROAD, CENTRAL, DURING OFFICE HOURS.
------0-------
CYC POSTER ENTERS GUINNESS * ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
BOOK OF RECORDS
HONG KONG HAS UPSTAGED JAPAN IN THE GUINNESS BOOK OF RECORDS TODAY WHEN ABOUT 1,500 COMMUNITY YOUTH CLUB (CYC) MEMBERS ASSEMBLED A POSTER MEASURING 21,936 SQUARE METRES AT VICTORIA PARK, CAUSEWAY BAY.
THE POSTER COVERED THE SIX FOOTBALL PITCHES AT VICTORIA PARK.
THE PREVIOUS WORLD RECORD FOR THE LARGEST POSTER HELD BY JAPAN WAS 20,000 SQUARE METRES.
THE FINAL SEGMENTS OF THE POSTER WERE ASSEMBLED BY THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, MR DOMINIC S W WONG; THE CHAIRMAN OF THE URBAN COUNCIL, DR RONALD LEUNG DING-BONG; THE GOVERNOR OF THE LIONS CLUBS INTERNATIONAL DISTRICT 303, MR CHENG WAI-CHUEN; AND OTHER GUESTS.
THE OFFICIAL PARTY ALSO PLAYED THE ROLE OF WITNESSES TO CERTIFY THE COMPLETION OF THE POSTER, A GUINNESS BOOK OF RECORDS REQUIREMENT.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT SAID THE POSTER WAS MADE UP OF 310 X 84 UNITS, EACH ABOUT IM X 0.8M IN SIZE.
ON THE RECORD-BREAKING EVENT, THE SPOKESMAN SAID: "THE EDUCATIONAL VALUE IN PRODUCING THIS POSTER IS TO ENCOURAGE AND REINFORCE THE CONCEPT OF CONCERN AND RESPECT FOR PARENTS, GRANDPARENTS, TEACHERS, AND THE ELDERLY."
/THE POSTER .......
13
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 26, 1993
THE POSTER DEPICTED THE 1994 INTERNATIONAL YEAR FOR FAMILY, A THEME CHOSEN TO HIGHLIGHT THE UNIVERSAL FAMILY CONCEPT.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE POSTER WOULD BE CONVERTED INTO ABOUT 300,000 CARDS TO BE SENT BY CYC MEMBERS TO PARENTS, TEACHERS AND THE ELDERLY AS A GESTURE OF LOVE AND CONCERN.
SOPHISTICATED METHODS, COURTESY OF TECHNICAL OFFICERS OF THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT, WERE USED TO SURVEY THE ACTUAL DIMENSION OF THE POSTER.
THE COST OF THIS PROJECT WAS ABOUT $310,000 WHICH WAS DONATED BY THE LIONS CLUBS INTERNATIONAL DISTRICT 303.
------0-------
FIRST DIRECTOR OF HK INSTITUTE OF EDUCATION APPOINTED
THE PROVISIONAL GOVERNING COUNCIL (PGC) FOR THE HONG KONG INSTITUTE OF EDUCATION (HKIED) ANNOUNCED TODAY (TUESDAY) THE APPOINTMENT OF PROFESSOR LEUNG CHI KEUNG AS THE DIRECTOR (DESIGNATE) OF THE INSTITUTE.
P'ROFESSOR LEUNG HAS BEEN THE DEAN OF THE FACULTY OF ARTS FOR FIVE-AND-A-HALF YEARS UNTIL JULY THIS YEAR AND IS CURRENTLY THE HEAD OF THE DEPARTMENT OF GEOGRAPHY AND GEOLOGY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG.
HE IS EXPECTED TO TAKE UP HIS APPOINTMENT EARLY NEXT YEAR.
ANNOUNCING THE APPOINTMENT AT A PRESS CONFERENCE THIS MORNING, THE CHAIRMAN OF THE PGC, MR SIMON IP, SAID THE SELECTION BOARD, ASSISTED BY EXTERNAL EXPERTS ON TEACHER EDUCATION AND OBSERVED BY THE PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION, WAS IMPRESSED THAT PROFESSOR LEUNG MET THE DEMANDING REQUIREMENTS FOR THE POST.
"PROFESSOR LEUNG IS A SENIOR ACADEMIC OF INTERNATIONAL STANDING, A VERY EXPERIENCED ADMINISTRATOR AND SOMEONE WHO KNOWS THE LOCAL SCENE WELL," HE SAID.
"THE COUNCIL IS CONFIDENT THAT HE WOULD BE ABLE TO GET THE HKIED OFF TO A GOOD START AND HELP THE HKIED TOWARDS ACCOMPLISHING ITS MISSION."
PROFESSOR LEUNG GRADUATED FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG AND OBTAINED HIS DOCTORAL DEGREE FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO, USA.
HE HAS BEEN LECTURING AT THE DEPARTMENT OF GEOGRAPHY AND GEOLOGY OF HKU SINCE 1973. HE HAS ALSO BEEN THE DEAN OF THE FACULTY OF ARTS OF THE UNIVERSITY SINCE 1988.
PROFESSOR LEUNG ENJOYS A HIGH ACADEMIC STANDING BOTH LOCALLY AND INTERNATIONALLY.
IN RECENT YEARS, HE HAS BEEN ACTIVELY INVOLVED IN COMMUNITY SERVICE. HE IS THE CHAIRMAN OF THE TRANSPORT ADVISORY COMMITTEE; AND A MEMBER OF THE TOWN PLANNING BOARD AND OF THE BOUNDARY AND ELECTION COMMISSION.
/"HIS EXPERIENCE ......
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 26, 1993
14
"HIS EXPERIENCE IN TERTIARY EDUCATION AND KNOWLEDGE ABOUT THE GOVERNMENT MACHINERY WOULD FACILITATE THE WHOLE EXERCISE OF UPGRADING TEACHER EDUCATION AS ENVISAGED IN THE EDUCATION COMMISSION REPORT NO. 5,” MR IP SAID.
PROFESSOR LEUNG TOLD REPORTERS AT THE PRESS CONFERENCE THAT HE WAS HAPPY TO TAKE UP THIS VERY CHALLENGING JOB.
"IT IS CHALLENGING BECAUSE THE DIRECTOR WILL HAVE TO STEER THE RIGHT COURSE FOR THE INSTITUTE SO THAT IT WOULD BECOME A CENTRE OF EXCELLENCE IN TEACHER EDUCATION AND CONTINUING PROFESSIONAL TRAINING IN HONG KONG," HE SAID.
"TO ACHIEVE THIS MISSION, IT WOULD BE IMPORTANT TO PLAN CAREFULLY YET IMAGINATIVELY TO ENSURE A SMOOTH TRANSITION AND TO PROVIDE A GOOD BASIS FOR FUTURE DEVELOPMENT."
HE LOOKED FORWARD TO PARTICIPATING IN THE PLANNING OF THE NEW INSTITUTE AND MEETING STAFF TO DISCUSS THE PRACTICAL ARRANGEMENTS.
------0-------
WSD TO IMPROVE CUSTOMER SERVICE
♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ »
THE SERVICE ENVIRONMENT OF THE SEVEN CUSTOMER ENQUIRY CENTRES OF THE WATER SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT WILL BE IMPROVED UNDER A PROGRAMME OF IMPROVEMENT WORKS.
THE CUSTOMER ENQUIRY CENTRE ON THE FIFTH FLOOR, KWAI HING GOVERNMENT OFFTCFS, 166-174 HING FONG ROAD, KWAI CHUNG, WILL FIRST BE TEMPORARILY CLOSED FOR RENOVATION FOR SEVEN WEEKS STARTING FROM NOVEMBER 1.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY (TUESDAY) THAT THE CENTRE WOULD BE REOPENED IN LATE DECEMBER THIS YEAR ON COMPLETION OF RENOVATION WORKS.
WORKS FOR THE OTHER CUSTOMER ENQUIRY CENTRES WILL BE CARRIED OUT IN PHASES, STARTING EARLY NEXT YEAR.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID PUBLIC ENQUIRIES COULD BE MADE ON THE DEPARTMENT’S TELEPHONE ENQUIRY HOTLINE, 824 5000.
OR THEY MAY CHOOSE TO VISIT ANY OF THE FOLLOWING CUSTOMER ENQUIRY CENTRES:
* WANCHAI CUSTOMER ENQUIRY CENTRE FIRST FLOOR, IMMIGRATION TOWER 7 GLOUCESTER ROAD WAN CHAI
♦ SHAUKEIWAN CUSTOMER ENQUIRY CENTRE GROUND FLOOR, PERFECT MOUNT GARDENS PO MAN STREET SHAU KEI WAN
/*KWUN TONG .......
15
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 26, 1993
* KWUN TONG CUSTOMER ENQUIRY CENTRE SECOND FLOOR, NGAU TAU KOK GOVERNMENT OFFICES 21 ON WAH STREET NGAU TAU KOK
* MONGKOK CUSTOMER ENQUIRY CENTRE GROUND FLOOR, 128 SAI YEE STREET MONG KOK
* SHATIN CUSTOMER ENQUIRY CENTRE FIRST FLOOR, KCR HOUSE SHATIN STATION SHA TIN; AND
* TAI PO CUSTOMER ENQUIRY CENTRE FOURTH FLOOR, TAI PO GOVERNMENT OFFICES BUILDING TING KOK ROAD TAI PO MARKET ---------------------------0-------
53 INMATES PASS PUBLIC EXAMS
*****
FIFTY-THREE INMATES FROM THE PIK UK CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTION, CAPE COLLINSON CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTION, LAI KING TRAINING CENTRE AND LAI SUN CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTION WILL RECEIVE CERTIFICATES ON FRIDAY (OCTOBER 29) FOR PASSING VARIOUS PUBLIC EXAMINATIONS.
THEY OBTAINED A TOTAL OF 23 DISTINCTIONS, 40 CREDITS AND 90 PASSES IN THE HONG KONG CERTIFICATE OF EDUCATION EXAMINATION, OPEN LEARNING INSTITUTE, LONDON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE & INDUSTRY, CITY AND GUILDS AND PITMAN EXAMINATIONS.
THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT OFFICER, MR PARRISH NG, WILL PRESENT CERTIFICATES TO INMATES AT THE CEREMONY TO BE HELD AT THE PIK UK CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTION.
SINCE 1979, 2,803 YOUNG INMATES HAD SAT FOR A TOTAL OF 3,675 PAPERS IN VARIOUS PUBLIC EXAMINATIONS.
AS A RESULT, THEY ACHEIVED 774 DISTINCTIONS, 361 CREDITS AND 1,817 PASSES. THE AVERAGE PASS RATE IS 80.32 PER CENT.
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE CERTIFICATE PRESENTATION CEREMONY WHICH WILL BE HELD AT THE PIK UK CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTION (PUCI), CLEARWATER BAY ROAD, SAI KUNG, AT 3 PM ON FRIDAY.
SOME INMATES WHO SAT FOR THE EXAMINATIONS WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR INTERVIEWS.
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES WHO WISH TO COVER THE CEREMONY ARE REQUESTED TO REGISTER WITH THE INFORMATION UNIT OF THE CORRECTIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT ON TEL 582 5118 BEFORE 5 PM ON THURSDAY.
/TRANSPORT WILL .......
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 26, 1993
16
TRANSPORT WILL BE PROVIDED. MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES WHO WISH TO MAKE USE OF THE SERVICE SHOULD ASSEMBLE AT THE GROUND FLOOR, WANCHAI TOWER, 12 HARBOUR ROAD, WAN CHAI, BEFORE 2 PM.
FOR THOSE WHO WISH TO USE THEIR OWN TRANSPORT ARE REQUESTED TO ASSEMBLE IN FRONT OF THE BARRIER GATE OF PUCI BEFORE 2.45 PM.
-------------------0-------- C’WEALTH ESSAY WINNERS RECEIVE PRIZES * » * * *
THE ROYAL COMMONWEALTH SOCIETY ESSAY COMPETITION ATTRACTED 159 STUDENTS FROM 27 SCHOOLS, THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, MR ROBERT LO, SAID TODAY (TUESDAY).
THE 159 STUDENTS COMPETED WITH SOME 5,600 FROM 1,150 SCHOOLS IN 52 COUNTRIES AND TERRITORIES.
MR LO SAID APART FROM PROMOTING THEIR KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING OF THE COMMONWEALTH, IT ALSO ENCOURAGED THEM TO SHARE THEIR EXPERIENCES AND IDEAS THROUGH THE MEDIUM OF ENGLISH.
’’ALTHOUGH ENGLISH IS A SECOND LANGUAGE TO MOST OF OUR STUDENTS, THEY HAVE WON MANY MERITORIOUS AWARDS OVER THE YEARS,’’ HE SAID.
MR LO WAS SPEAKING AT THE PRESENTATION OF PRIZES TO WINNERS OF THE HONG KONG CONTEST OF THE ESSAY COMPETITION, INCLUDING MERITORIOUS AWARDS FOR ACHIEVEMENTS IN THE INTERNATIONAL SECTION.
THE LOCAL COMPETITION IS ORGANISED BY THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT AND SPONSORED BY THE ROYAL COMMONWEALTH SOCIETY IN HONG KONG AND THE HONG KONG GENERAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.
------0-------
FRESH WATER CUT IN YUEN LONG
* * » » *
FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO SOME PREMISES IN YUEN LONG WILL GO OFF FROM 11 PM ON THURSDAY (OCTOBER 28) TO 6 AM THE FOLLOWING DAY TO FACILITATE WASTE DETECTION WORK ON WATERMAINS.
THE SUSPENSION WILL AFFECT ALL THE PREMISES AT THE YUEN LONG SECTION OF CASTLE PEAK ROAD, TAI TONG ROAD, KAU YUK ROAD AND CHUNG SING PATH.
--------0-----------
/17........
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 26,
1993
- 17 -
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND
TENDER RESULTS *****
TENDER DATE 26 OCT 93 26 OCT 93
PAPER ON OFFER EF BILLS EF BILLS
ISSUE NUMBER Q343 H376
AMOUNT APPLIED HK$2,780 MN HK$2,620 MN
AMOUNT ALLOTTED HK$l,000 MN HK$400 MN
AVERAGE YIELD ACCEPTED 2.75 PCT 2.86 PCT
HIGHEST YIELD ACCEPTED 2.77 PCT 2.87 PCT
PRO RATA RATIO ABOUT 17 PCT ABOUT 60 PCT
AVERAGE TENDER YIELD 2.78 PCT 2.90 PCT
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND
TENDERS TO BE HELD IN THE WEEK BEGINNING 1 NOVEMBER 1993 -
TENDER DATE 2 NOV 93 2 NOV 93
PAPER ON OFFER EF BILLS EF BILLS
ISSUE NUMBER Q344 Y395
ISSUE DATE 3 NOV 93 3 NOV 93
MATURITY DATE 2 FEB 94 2 NOV 94
TENOR 91 DAYS 364 DAYS
AMOUNT ON OFFER HK$1,000 + 200 MN HKS300 + 90 MN
--------0-----------
/18........
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 26, 1993
- 18 -
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND
MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS MILLION
» * » * * $
OPENING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT REVERSAL OF LAF BALANCE AFTER REVERSAL OF LAF NET INJECTION/WITHDRAWAL TODAY EFFECT OF LAF TODAY CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT LAF RATE 2.00 BID/4.00 OFFER TWI 113.2 »+0.1* 26 3,920 -920 3,000 NIL -20 2,980 .10.93
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND EF BILLS EF NOTES/HONG KONG GOVERNMENT BONDS TERMS YIELD TERM ISSUE COUPON PRICE 1 WEEK 2.99 PCT 13 MONTHS 2411 4.625 101.51 1 MONTH 2.76 PCT 16 MONTHS 2502 4.75 101.81 3 MONTHS 2.73 PCT 19 MONTHS 2505 3.75 100.28 6 MONTHS 2.83 PCT 22 MONTHS 2508 4.625 101.67 12 MONTHS 3.10 PCT 36 MONTHS 3610 4.20 100.18 TOTAL TURNOVER OF BILLS AND BONDS - 31,746 MN CLOSED 26 OCTOBER 1993 YIELD 3.19 3.35 3.60 3.69 4.18
- - 0 - -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 27, 1993
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
GOVERNOR PRAISES FSD FOR 125 YEARS OF SERVICE ................... 1
GOVT APPOINTMENTS TO STOCK EXCHANGE COUNCIL ...................... 1
LIGHTS, CAMERA, HONG KONG ........................................ o
•••••••••••••••■••a £>
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS . 3
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 27, 1993
GOVERNOR PRAISES FSD FOR 125 YEARS OF SERVICE
» * » * »
THE GOVERNOR, THE RT HON CHRISTOPHER PATTEN, TODAY (WEDNESDAY) PRAISES THE WORK OF THE FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT FOR THE PROFESSIONAL, SKILFUL AND COURAGEOUS MANNER IN WHICH ITS OFFICERS PROVIDE FIREFIGHTING SERVICE AND MEET VARIOUS CHALLENGES.
TAKING SALUTE AT THE HONG KONG FIRE SERVICES 125TH ANNIVERSARY REVIEW, MR PATTEN SAID IT WAS A SERVICE WITH A WORLDWIDE REPUTATION FOR THE EXCELLENCE OF ITS PERFORMANCE.
HE SAID THE DEPARTMENT HAD MODEST BEGINNINGS AS A FIRE BRIGADE OF 66 OFFICERS AND 100 VOLUNTEERS IN 1868 SERVING A COMMUNITY OF LESS THAN 60,000 PEOPLE.
THE SERVICE IS NOW COMPLETELY LOCALISED AND HAS MORE THAN 8,000 MEN AND WOMEN, OPERATING MORE THAN 95 FIRE STATIONS AND AMBULANCE DEPOTS.
WITH LATEST TECHINIQUES AND EQUIPMENT, THE DEPARTMENT IS PROVIDING PROMPT AND EFFECTIVE FIRE-FIGHTING AND RESCUE SERVICES IN VARIOUS DANGEROUS AND DEMANDING SITUATIONS IN THE TERRITORY, HE SAID.
’’TECHNIQUES AND EQUIPMENT ARE CONSTANTLY UPDATED. NEW FIRE STATIONS ARE BUILT TO SERVE NEW COMMUNITIES,” HE ADDED.
HE ALSO NOTED THAT STAFF CHANGES HAD BEEN TAKING PLACE, WITH WOMEN BEING RECRUITED AND TRAINED NOW AS FIRE OFFICERS.
CONGRATULATING THE DEPARTMENT ON ITS ANNIVERSARY, THE GOVERNOR SAID: ’’THE WHOLE COMMUNITY CAN LOOK TO YOU WITH GRATITUDE FOR THE PAST AND WITH CONFIDENCE FOR THE FUTURE."
------0-------
GOVT APPOINTMENTS TO STOCK EXCHANGE COUNCIL
» » * » *
THE SECRETARY FOR FINANCIAL SERVICES, MR MICHAEL CARTLAND, ANNOUNCED TODAY (WEDNESDAY) THAT THE GOVERNOR HAD RE-APPOINTED MR THOMAS CHEN TSENG-TAO TO THE COUNCIL OF THE STOCK EXCHANGE OF HONG KONG LTD (SEHK).
"THE GOVERNOR HAS ALSO APPOINTED MR JOHN CHAN CHO-CHAK," MR CARTLAND SAID. MR CHAN WILL REPLACE MR ALEX WU SHU-CHIH WHO HAS TENDERED HIS RESIGNATION FROM THE COUNCIL.
THE STRUCTURE OF THE STOCK EXCHANGE RULING COUNCIL WAS SUBSTANTIALLY REVAMPED IN LATE 1991 TO PROVIDE A BROADER REPRESENTATION FOR VARIOUS SECTORS OF THE SECURITIES INDUSTRY.
IT NOW INCLUDES, INTER ALIA, 11 INDEPENDENT MEMBERS, TWO OF WHOM ARE APPOINTEES CHOSEN BY THE GOVERNOR WHILE THE REST ARE SELECTED AND APPOINTED BY THE OTHER MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL.
THE TERMS OF THE TWO EXISTING GOVERNMENT APPOINTEES WILL EXPIRE ON DECEMBER 31, THIS YEAR.
/MR ALEX .......
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 27, 1993
2
MR ALEX WU HAS RECENTLY GIVEN NOTICE TO RESIGN FROM THE COUNCIL DUE TO PERSONAL REASONS.
THIS WILL TAKE EFFECT AFTER THE CONCLUSION OF THE FORTHCOMING ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING OF THE SEHK SCHEDULED FOR OCTOBER 29, DURING WHICH THE ELECTION OF NEW COUNCIL MEMBERS WILL TAKE PLACE.
"AFTER CONSIDERING HIS EXPERIENCE IN BOTH THE PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SECTORS, THE GOVERNOR HAS DECIDED THAT MR JOHN CHAN WILL BE A SUITABLE CANDIDATE TO TAKE UP THE IMPENDING VACANCY," MR CARTLAND ADDED.
MR CHAN HAS BEEN APPOINTED FOR THE PERIOD FROM OCTOBER 30, THIS YEAR TO THE CONCLUSION OF THE SEHK ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING IN 1995, THAT IS ABOUT TWO YEARS.
ON THE OTHER HAND, MR THOMAS CHEN HAS AGREED TO SERVE ANOTHER TERM ON THE COUNCIL AND IS ACCORDINGLY RE-APPOINTED UP TO THE CONCLUSION OF THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING OF SEHK NEXT YEAR.
"I WOULD LIKE TO THANK MR ALEX WU FOR HIS CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE SEHK AND THE SECURITIES INDUSTRY IN GENERAL IN THE PAST FEW YEARS. THE FACT THAT THE STOCK EXCHANGE IS NOW RUNNING SO WELL OWES MUCH TO HIS EFFORTS," MR CARTLAND SAID.
- - 0 - -
LIGHTS, CAMERA, HONG KONG
*****
FRENCH FILM AFICIONADOS WILL GAIN AN UNUSUAL CHANCE TO APPRECIATE SOME OF THE WIDE OUTPUT FROM HONG KONG - THE WORLD’S THIRD LARGEST MAKER OF MOVIES - WHEN 20 EXAMPLES OF THE TERRITORY’S PROLIFIC PRODUCTION GO ON SHOW FOR THREE WEEKS IN PARIS FROM NOVEMBER 17.
CHOSEN BY HONG KONG’S MOTION PICTURE INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION AND LA CINEMATHEQUE FRANCAISE, THE 20 OFFERINGS INCLUDE SAMPLES OF EVERY STYLE FROM THE SWEATY REALISM OF CAGEMAN TO THE ACTION DRAMA OF POLICE STORY AND THE FRENZIED COMEDY OF ALL’S WELL. ENDS WELL.
THE FESTIVAL IS CO-ORDINATED BY THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT AS PART OF A MAJOR PROMOTION IN.FRANCE, GERMANY AND THE NETHERLANDS. IT IS SPONSORED BY SIX MAJOR HONG KONG FIRMS: CATHAY PACIFIC, CITIC PACIFIC, HANG SENG BANK, HUTCHISON WHAMPOA, INCHAPE PACIFIC AND SINO GROUP.
IT WILL OPEN IN THE SALLE DE LA CINEMATHEQUE, PALAIS DE CHAILLOT, WITH CRIME STORY, THE NEW VEHICLE FOR ACTION MAN MR JACKIE CHAN’S AWESOME ARRAY OF PHYSICAL FEATS.
MR CHAN SAID HE DID HIS OWN STUNTS BECAUSE HE WOULD NOT WANT TO CLAIM THE CREDIT IF SOMEONE ELSE UNDERTOOK THE WORK AND THE DANGER.
IN HIS 1985 POLICE STORY PRECURSOR TO CRIME STORY - ALSO ON THE FESTIVAL PROGRAMME - MR CHAN CLIMAXED A RANGE OF STUNTS WITH A THREE-STOREY SLIDE DOWN A HEAVY CABLE AS ELECTRIC LIGHTS BURST ALL AROUND HIM.
/THE IMAGE
3
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER Z/,
THE IMAGE SO CAPTURED THE PUBLIC IMAGINATION THAT IT HAS BEEN USED IN AN EFFECTIVE AIDS EDUCATION CAMPAIGN WITH MR CHAN TELLING HIS YOUNG FANS THAT, IN LIFE AS IN THE MOVIES, THEY SHOULD TAKE ALL THE SAFETY PRECAUTIONS POSSIBLE.
THE NEWLY COMPLETED CRIME STORY WAS HIGHLY RATED BY THE CINEMATHEQUE SELECTION TEAM AND, AS WITH MOST OF THE FESTIVAL FILMS, HAS BEEN SUBTITLED IN FRENCH.
MR CHAN AND HIS FELLOW STARS MISS MAGGIE CHEUNG, MISS JOEY WANG AND MISS ROSAMUND KWAN WILL FLY TO PARIS FOR THE FESTIVAL’S OPENING.
THE ORGANISERS HAVE CHOSEN A PROGRAMME DESIGNED TO APPEAL TO THE LARGE AND KNOWLEDGEABLE FRENCH FILM AUDIENCE. ALL THAT REMAINS IS FOR THEM TO ENJOY IT.
_ _ _ _ 0-----
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND
MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS
* * * ♦ »
$ MILLION
OPENING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT 2,980
REVERSAL OF LAF +20
BALANCE AFTER REVERSAL OF LAF 3,000
NET INJECTION/WITHDRAWAL TODAY NIL
EFFECT OF LAF TODAY -730
CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT 2,270
LAF RATE 2.00 BID/4.00 OFFER TWI 113.2 t+0.0« 27.10.93
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND
EF BILLS EF NOTES/HONG KONG GOVERNMENT BONDS
TERMS YIELD TERM ISSUE COUPON PRICE YIELD
1 WEEK 3.03 PCT 13 MONTHS 2411 4.625 101.55 3.15
1 MONTH 2.80 PCT 16 MONTHS 2502 4.75 101.82 3.34
3 MONTHS 2.74 PCT 19 MONTHS 2505 3.75 100.32 3.57
6 MONTHS 2.83 PCT 22 MONTHS 2508 4.625 101.71 3.67
12 MONTHS 3.09 PCT TOTAL TURNOVER OF BILLS CLOSED 27 OCTOBER 1993 36 MONTHS AND BONDS - 3610 4.20 15,328MN 100.18 4.18
--------0-----------
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
SUPPLEMENT
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 27, 1993
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL;
CS DISAPPOINTED BY LEGISLATORS' SPEECHES ........................ 1
ECONOMY IS HK’S FIRST PRIORITY: CS .............................. 1
GOVT - SMALL BUT DOING BIG THINGS: CS ........................... 3
FAIR, OPEN AND ACCOUNTABLE LEGISLATURE VITAL TO HK: CS .......... 4
INFLATION NOT AFFECTING HK’S COMPETITIVENESS: FS ................ 4
AGREEMENT URGENTLY NEEDED IF AIRPORT IS TO STAY ON COURSE ... 6
ECONOMIC SUCCESS TO BE SHARED BY ALL: FS ........................ 7
ALL HUMAN RIGHTS ISSUES UNDER ONE POLICY SECRETARY: SHA ......... 7
NEW PORT PROJECTS FORGING AHEAD: SES .......................... 10
LEGCO BE CONSULTED ON NEW STANDARDS OF FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE . 12
PENSION FUND COST NO EXTRA EXPENDITURE: SCS .................... 13
HK IS A SAFE CITY TO LIVE IN: S FOR S .......................... 15
STI: INDUSTRIAL POLICY TO GIVE HELP, NOT DIRECTIONS ............ 17
ALL POSSIBLE OPTIONS FOR RETIREMENT PROTECTION UNDER CONSIDERATION ................................................. 18
AGC SETS NEW TARGETS FOR LOCALISATION .......................... 20
SUPPLY OF FLATS TO INCREASE .................................... 22
WORK ON TING KAU BRIDGE TO BEGIN NEXT YEAR ..................... 24
GOVT DETERMINED TO MAKE ARTS A WAY OF LIFE ..................... 25
/13 SECRETARIES .......
BILL TO EXTEND SUBMISSION DATE FOR BOUNDARY AND ELECTION COMMISSION ................................................... 26
BETTER CONTROL OVER LIVESTOCK WASTE ............................ 27
OTB BACK TO PRIVATE SECTOR ..................................... 28
MORE ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS FROM CHINA RECORDED .................... 29
TAX EXEMPTION FOR OCCUPATIONAL RETIREMENT SCHEMES .............. 30
HA TO APPOINT ASBESTOS ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE ................ 30
BUDGET FOR VII'S STATUS CLAIMS ................................. 31
NO SURVEY AMONG CIVIL SERVANTS OF INFORMATION LEGISLATION ... 32
AVERAGE UNIT COST FOR EDUCATING HK STUDENTS .................... 32
$4 MILLION CASH RELIEF FOR FLOOD VICTIMS ....................... 33
RETRAINING FUND FOR ACCIDENT VICTIMS, ELDERLY AND DISABLED .. 33
SERVICES AVAILABLE TO BATTERED SPOUSES ......................... 34
HK GOVT OFFICE IN LONDON SETS FOR RESTRUCTURING ................ 35
DISQUALIFICATION OF INTELLECTUALLY IMPAIRED COMPANY DIRECTORS .................................................... 36
PUBLICITY STRENGTHENED TO DISCOURAGE MONKEY FEEDING ............ 37
13 SECRETARIES SPOKE IN POLICY ADDRESS DEBATE .................. 38
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 27, 1993
1
CS DISAPPOINTED BY LEGISLATORS’ SPEECHES
*****
THE CHIEF SECRETARY, SIR DAVID FORD, SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY) THAT HE WAS DISAPPOINTED AFTER HEARING SPEECHES BY LEGISLATORS ON THE GOVERNOR’S ANNUAL ADDRESS.
"I AM SAD TO SAY THAT THE OVERALL IMPRESSION WE HAVE AFTER LISTENING TO MEMBERS SPEECHES IS ONE OF DISAPPOINTMENT.
"DISAPPOINTMENT WITH THE VERY NEGATIVE, DOWN BEAT, TONE OF MANY OF THE SPEECHES.
"DISAPPOINTMENT WITH THE LACK OF CONSTRUCTIVE SUGGESTIONS.
"DISAPPOINTMENT ABOVE ALL WITH THE PESSIMISTIC VIEW OF HONG KONG WHICH MEMBERS SEEMED TO HOLD ON SO MANY ASPECTS OF LIFE HERE," SIR DAVID SAID IN THE DEBATE ON THE MOTION OF THANKS ON THE GOVERNOR’S ADDRESS.
HE ADDED THAT IT WAS DIFFICULT, HAVING LISTENED TO THE DEBATE, TO RECOGNISE THE PICTURE OF HONG KONG PAINTED BY MEMBERS.
HE SAID THE VERY NEGATIVE VIEWS PUT FORWARD BY MEMBERS WERE NOT GENERALLY SHARED BY THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG.
"BUT SURELY IN ANY DEBATE SUCH AS THIS WE OWE IT TO THE COMMUNITY TO ASSESS PROGRESS IN THE ROUND, TO RECOGNISE SUCCESSES AS WELL AS SHORTCOMINGS, TO PRESENT A CONSIDERED BALANCED JUDGEMENT ON THE ISSUES OF THE DAY AND NOT JUST INDULGE IN PARTY POLITICAL POINT SCORING.
SIR DAVID SAID THE GOVERNOR’S ADDRESS LAID OUT IN VERY CLEAR AND PRECISE TERMS PLANS TO BUILD ON HONG KONG’S SUCCESS.
CERTAINLY HE DID NOT DWELL ON THE SUCCESSES OF THE PAST.
"IT WAS A SPEECH WHICH SPELT OUT THE ACTION FOR OUR VISION OF THE FUTURE. A FUTURE WHICH STRETCHES WELL BEYOND 1997," HE SAID.
"SO A VISITOR FROM OUTER SPACE DESCENDING ON CENTRAL LAST THURSDAY MORNING, SCANNING THE MARVEL OF THIS METROPOLIS, AND READING A HEADLINE WHICH ACCUSED THE GOVERNOR OF THROWING 'A HANDFUL OF CRUMBS TO A FLOCK OF PIGEONS’ MUST HAVE WONDERED WHAT TO MAKE IT ALL.
"I DARE SAY HE REGARDED IT AS A CLOSE ENCOUNTER OF A CURIOUS KIND," SIR DAVID SAID.
- _ 0 - -
ECONOMY IS HK’S FIRST PRIORITY: CS
*****
THE CHIEF SECRETARY, THE HON SIR DAVID FORD, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY) IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL THAT HONG KONG MADE NO APOLOGY FOR MAKING THE ECONOMY ITS FIRST PRIORITY.
IN HIS REPONSE TO MEMBERS’ QUERIES ON THE GOVERNOR’S POLICY ADDRESS, SIR DAVID NOTED THAT A STRONG ECONOMY MEANS STRONG GOVERNMENT FINANCES.
/"IT MEANS
2
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 27, 1993
"IT MEANS WE HAVE THE ABILITY TO MEET PUBLIC ASPIRATIONS TO CREATE A SOCIETY WITH A HIGH AND IMPROVING LEVEL AND QUALITY OF PUBLIC SERVICES," HE SAID.
ON HONG KONG’S STAND IN THE ECONOMY, SIR DAVID SAID: "WE REMAIN ABSOLUTELY COMMITTED TO FREE TRADE AND FREE MARKET PRINCIPLES THAT SUSTAIN OUR SUCCESS; WE ARE WEDDED TO POLICIES OF LOW TAXATION; OF TYING GROWTH IN PUBLIC EXPEDITURE TO THE GROWTH OF THE ECONOMY; AND ABOVE ALL WE BELIEVE IN LEAVING BUSINESS DECISIONS TO BUSINESSMEN.
"WE STICK WITH THESE PRINCIPLES AND POLICIES NOT ONLY BECAUSE THEY HAVE PROVEN TO BE THE RIGHT ONES, BUT BECAUSE THEY REPRESENT OUR FUTURE AS ENSHRINED IN THE JOINT DECLARATION," HE SAID.
SIR DAVID NOTED THAT SEVERAL MEMBERS SEEMED TO WANT THE GOVERNMENT TO INTERVENE IN THE ECONOMY, TO INTERVENE IN BUSINESS DECISION-MAKING AND INTERVENE IN THE MARKET PLACE.
"WE ARE NOT FRANKLY ATTRACTED BY THE IDEA OF DETAILED MANAGEMENT OF OUR ECONOMY COMPRISING A STRATEGY AND CONCRETE MEASURES.
"CERTAINLY WE WILL NOT BE LURED INTO TRYING TO PLAN OUR ECONOMY, A PATH WHICH HAS LED TO THE DOWNFALL OF OTHER SO-CALLED WESTERN SOCIETIES," HE SAID.
TURNING TO WELFARE, SIR DAVID NOTED THAT HONG KONG IS NOT A WELFARE STATE, BUT IT IS A SOCIETY WHICH WORKS HARD TO ENSURE THE WELFARE OF ITS CITIZENS.
HE POINTED OUT THAT HONG KONG HAD A HEALTH CARE SYSTEM THAT IS VERY CHEAP AT THE POINT OF USE, A COMPREHENSIVE SOCIAL SECURITY NET AND A PUBLIC HOUSING PROGRAMME TO HOUSE OVER 46 PER CENT OF ITS PEOPLE.
HONG KONG WAS ABLE TO CONTINUE TO EXPAND SOCIAL SERVICES BECAUSE IT CREATED GROWTH IN THE ECONOMY, IN THE WEALTH OF THE COMMUNITY, IN THE FINANCIAL AND HUMAN RESOURCES IN THE PUBLIC AND VOLUNTARY SECTORS, HE SAID.
"AND BECAUSE OF THIS GROWTH WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO PLOUGH BACK THE WEALTH CREATED BY COMMUNITY INTO SERVICES FOR THE COMMUNITY.
"WE ARE COMMITTED TO GROWTH. THAT IS ANOTHER WINNING FORMULA WE DO NOT INTEND TO CHANGE," HE SAID.
ON SOCIAL SERVICES, SIR DAVID POINTED OUT THAT THE GOVERNMENT’S GOAL IN THE PAST WAS SIMPLY TO MEET THE PUBLIC DEMAND FOR SERVICES BUT THE CHALLENGE WAS TWOFOLD TODAY.
"FIRST, TO ENSURE THAT ALL OUR SERVICES MEET MODERN STANDARDS. QUALITY AS WELL AS QUANTITY MUST BE OUR OBJECTIVE.
"SECOND, TO ENSURE THAT SPECIAL GROUPS GET A TARGETED SERVICE. THE SPECIAL NEEDS OF SOME OF OUR SICK AND ELDERLY ARE NOT LUXURIES. THEY ARE BASIC REQUIREMENTS FOR A TOLERABLE LIFE. WE HAVE NOT FORGOTTEN THEM AND WE WILL NOT FORGET THEM," HE SAID.
SIR DAVID SAID THE GOVERNOR HAD ANNOUNCED NO LESS THAN 27 NEW INITIATIVES TO ADDRESS THE PROBLEMS OF THE FAMILY, THE ELDERLY AND THE SICK.
/THEY DEALT .......
3
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 27, 1993
THEY DEALT WITH THE NEEDS OF THE SMALL AS WELL AS LARGE CONSTITUENCIES: THE CHRONICALLY AND TERMINALLY ILL, THE MENTALLY HANDICAPPED, THE PEOPLE WHO WERE TOO READILY FORGOTTEN.
ON HEALTH CARE, SIR DAVID SAID THE GOVERNMENT WAS MAKING A DETERMINED EFFORT TO IMPROVE QUALITY AND TO CATER FOR THOSE WHO NEEDED SPECIAL CARE.
ALTHOUGH THERE ARE MORE TO BE DONE AND MANY OBJECTIVES TO BE MET, SIR DAVID SAID THEY WOULD BE MET WITHOUT SACRIFICING THE PRINCIPLES, THAT NOBODY SHOULD BE DENIED ACCESS TO HEALTH CARE FOR LACK OF MEANS AND THAT NOBODY SHOULD HAVE TO WAIT FOR ESSENTIAL TREATMENT.
’’WITH SO MANY HEALTH CARE SYSTEMS AROUND THE WORLD UNDER HUGE PRESSURE, IF NOT BREAKING DOWN, WE MUST AND WILL LEARN THE LESSONS OF ELSEWHERE.
”WE WILL KEEP OUR SYSTEM COMPREHENSIVE AND CARING,’’ HE SAID.
DESPITE THE RANGE OF SOCIAL SERVICES, SIR DAVID SAID HONG KONG PEOPLE STILL HAVE A LEGITIMATE ANXIETY ABOUT THE FUNDING OF THEIR OLD AGE.
HE NOTED THAT MANY GROUPS IN THE COMMUNITY SAW THE ONLY WAY TO ADDRESS THESE ANXIETIES WAS THE INTRODUCTION OF A PROVIDENT FUND AND THE GOVERNMENT WOULD SOON MAKE PROPOSALS FOR THE WAY FORWARD.
”1 CAN ASSURE YOU WE ARE CONSCIOUS OF OUR DUTY TO COME FORWARD WITH PROPOSALS THAT ARE CLEAR, THAT PROVIDE REAL, NOT ILLUSORY BENEFITS FOR WORKERS BEYOND WHAT THEY CAN EXPECT TO RECEIVE FROM SOCIAL SECURITY, AND THAT MEET ANXIETIES ABOUT THE SECURITY OF CONTRIBUTIONS,’’ HE SAID.
------0--------
GOVT - SMALL BUT DOING BIG THINGS: CS ♦ * * * ♦
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT IS A SMALL GOVERNMENT THAT DOES BIG THINGS, THE CHIEF SECRETARY, SIR DAVID FORD, SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL THIS (WEDNESDAY) AFTERNOON.
SIR DAVID SAID THE NEXT FEW YEARS WOULD MAKE DEMANDS ON THE PUBLIC SERVICE.
EVEN GREATER
THEY HAVE NEW PROGRAMMES TO IMPLEMENT, BIGGER PROBLEMS TO WITH, HE SAID.
BUT I HAVE NO DOUBT THAT THE PUBLIC CAN BE SURE THAT THE AND WOMEN IN THE CIVIL SERVICE AND THE DISCIPLINED SERVICES WILL TO THE CHALLENGE OF THE FUTURE," SIR DAVID SAID.
DEAL
MEN RISE
HE SAID THEY NEEDED THE SUPPORT OF THE LEGCO AND OF THE
"FOR OUR PART, WE HAVE MADE ARRANGEMENTS TO TRAIN THEM FOR THE TRANSITION; WE ARE DEVELOPING PLANS FOR A PENSION RESERVE FUND; AND WE HAVE ACCELERATED THE LOCALISATION PROGRAMME," HE SAID.
/OVER THE .......
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 27, 1993
4
OVER THE LAST YEAR, THE CIVIL SERVICE HAD BEEN UNDER GREAT PRESSURE BUT HAD WON THROUGH, HE SAID, ADDING THAT THEY HAD EMBRACED PERFORMANCE PLEDGES ENTHUSIASTICALLY BECAUSE THEY CARED ABOUT THE SERVICE THEY PROVIDED.
SIR DAVID SAID THEY HAD IMPLEMENTED ALMOST ALL THE 103 INITIATIVES IN LAST YEAR’S POLICY ADDRESS QUICKLY AND EFFICIENTLY.
’’AND ALL THIS WHILST KEEPING THE SIZE OF THE PUBLIC SECTOR WELL UNDER CONTROL,” HE SAID.
SIR DAVID SAID IN HIS TERM AS CHIEF SECRETARY, THE GOVERNMENT BUDGET HAD INCREASED BY 56 PER CENT IN REAL TERMS. THE PUBLIC SERVICE HAS GROWN BY ONLY 6.6 PER CENT IN THE SAME PERIOD.
--------0------------
FAIR, OPEN AND ACCOUNTABLE LEGISLATURE VITAL TO HK: CS *****
HONG KONG NEEDS A LEGISLATURE THAT HAS BEEN FAIRLY AND OPENLY ELECTED AS WELL AS IS CLEARLY ACCOUNTABLE TO THE PEOPLE IT REPRESENTS, THE CHIEF SECRETARY, SIR DAVID FORD, SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
"BECAUSE UNLESS WE HAVE SUCH A LEGISLATURE IT WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO CARRY OUT ITS RESPONSIBILITIES WITHOUT FEAR OR FAVOUR, IT WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO MONITOR THE GOVERNMENT EFFECTIVELY," SIR DAVID SAID.
HE ALSO REMINDED THOSE IN THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY WHO BELIEVE THAT THE COMPOSITION OF THE LEGCO HAS NO SIGNIFICANCE IN GUARANTEEING THE FUTURE OF HONG KONG AS A BUSINESS AND FINANCIAL CENTRE:
"THE VERY FABRIC OF HONG KONG’S BUSINESS SUCCESS DEPENDS UPON THE FAIRNESS AND OPENNESS OF OUR SYSTEMS, AND THE RULE OF LAW AND THOSE IN TURN DEPEND UPON A LEGISLATURE FAIRLY AND OPENLY ELECTED WHICH ENJOYS THE CONFIDENCE AND RESPECT OF OUR COMMUNITY," HE SAID.
HE ALSO SAID ALTHOUGH CONCRETE STEPS WERE DETAILED BY THE GOVERNOR IN HIS ANNUAL ADDRESS THREE WEEKS AGO, THE GAP BETWEEN THE BRITISH AND CHINESE SIDES ON THE FUTURE ELECTION ARRANGEMENTS HAS YET TO CLOSE.
"BUT EVEN AT THIS LATE HOUR, ALL OUR EFFORTS ARE GEARED TO ACHIEVING AGREEMENT," HE SAID.
------0-------
INFLATION NOT AFFECTING HK’S COMPETITIVENESS
*****
HONG KONG’S COMPETITIVENESS HAS SO FAR NOT BEEN AFFECTED BY INFLATION, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON HAMISH MACLEOD, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY) IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
SPEAKING IN THE POLICY DEBATE, MR MACLEOD AGREED WITH MEMBERS THAT THE CURRENT RATE OF INFLATION AT NEARLY EIGHT PER CENT WAS STILL HIGH.
/HE SAID ......
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 27, 1993
5
HE SAID HONG KONG’S INFLATION WAS CAUSED PRIMARILY BY ROBUST ECONOMIC GROWTH OVER A LONG PERIOD OF TIME, IN AN ECONOMY WITH LIMITED LOCAL RESOURCES.
"WE REMAIN COMPETITIVE PARTLY BECAUSE WE DO NOT IMPORT INFLATION. THE PRICE OF RETAINED IMPORTS HAS SHOWN A DECLINING TREND OVER THE PAST TWO YEARS.
"IN ADDITION, PRODUCTIVITY CONTINUES TO IMPROVE. MOST OF ALL, WE BENEFIT FROM OUR INDUSTRIAL CO-OPERATION WITH CHINA," HE SAID.
REPLYING TO SOME MEMBERS’ REFERENCE TO THE SINGAPORE EXPERIENCE OF LOWER INFLATION RATE, MR MACLEOD SAID SINGAPORE HAD SUPPORTED A MUCH MORE AMBITIOUS AND FLEXIBLE LABOUR IMPORTATION SCHEME THAN HONG KONG.
HE POINTED OUT THAT THE SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER HAD EARLIER EXPLAINED THE DEDICATE BALANCE HONG KONG AIMED FOR IN ITS LABOUR IMPORTATION SCHEMES BETWEEN THE NEEDS OF THE ECONOMY AND THE NEED TO PROTECT WORKERS’ INTERESTS.
MR MACLEOD NOTED THAT THE OTHER SIDE OF INFLATION IS RAPID GROWTH WITH FULL EMPLOYMENT, BUT HE BELIEVED THAT HONG KONG WOULD NOT PREFER LOW INFLATION AT THE COST OF ECONOMIC STAGNATION AND HIGH UNEMPLOYMENT.
HE ALSO POINTED OUT THAT ANOTHER ASPECT OF HONG KONG’S RESOURCE PROBLEM WAS LAND.
"PROPERTY PRICES ARE HIGH MAINLY BECAUSE DEMAND IS STRONG WHILE LAND IS SCARCE. THE GOVERNMENT INVESTS HEAVILY IN THE PRODUCTION OF SUFFICIENT NEW LAND.
"THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT TOO HAS BEEN SYMPATHETIC IN AGREEING TO THE SALE OF LAND EXCEEDING THE 50 HECTARE ANNUAL LIMIT.
"THE SUPPLY WOULD BE FURTHER IMPROVED IF ADDITIONAL LAND ASSOCIATED WITH THE NEW AIRPORT AND AIRPORT RAILWAY COULD ALSO BE AGREED AND COME ON STREAM AT ANY EARLY DATE," NE SAID.
ON THE ELECTION ISSUE, MR MACLEOD SAID HE WOULD LIKE TO MAKE VERY CLEAR HIS OWN CONVICTION.
"IF WE ARE TO SUCCEED IN PRESERVING HONG KONG’S WAY OF LIFE — CHARACTERISED AMONG OTHER THINGS BY AN HONEST ADMINISTRATION AND THE RULE OF LAW -- THEN ONE OF THE KEY REQUIREMENTS IS TO HAVE A LEGISLATURE WHICH IS GENUINELY ROOTED IN THE COMMUNITY, ELECTED IN AN HONEST MANNER, AND SO ABLE TO EFFECTIVELY MONITOR AND QUESTION THE EXECUTIVE, WHICH IS AFTER ALL REQUIRED TO BE ACCOUNTABLE TO THE LEGISLATURE.
"AND IT IS ESSENTIAL TO PRESERVE OUR WAY OF LIFE, OUR SYSTEM, IF HONG KONG IS TO CONTINUE TO PROSPER.
"THE COMMITMENT TO TWO SYSTEMS REALLY DOES MATTER," HE SAID.
/ON MEMBERS’ ........
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 27, 1993
6
ON MEMBERS’ CALL TO INTRODUCE CAPITAL GAINS TAX TO TACKLE PROPERTY SPECULATION, MR MACLEOD SAID HONG KONG HAD TO REMAIN COMMITTED TO A SIMPLE AND LOW TAX SYSTEM WHICH HAD PROVED VERY SUCCESSFUL OVER A VERY LONG PERIOD OF TIME IN CREATING A FAVOURABLE CLIMATE FOR BUSINESS GROWTH.
"IT IS MORE IMPORTANT TO MAINTAIN THIS WELL-TRIED SYSTEM THAN TO EMBARK ON NEW TAXES WHICH MAY RISK SENDING QUITE THE WRONG MESSAGE TO LOCAL AND OVERSEAS INVESTORS."
ON PRIVATISATION, MR MACLEOD SAID HE TOOK A POSITIVE VIEW OF THE MERITS OF PUTTING APPROPRIATE PARTS OF GOVERNMENT ONTO A MORE COMMERCIAL BASIS.
"THE FACT THAT THE MOST VISIBLE MOVES RECENTLY HAVE BEEN IN THE NEW AREA OF ESTABLISHING TRADING FUNDS DOES NOT MEAN THAT WE HAVE FORGOTTEN THE NEED TO REVIEW FROM TIME TO TIME OTHER POSSIBLE CANDIDATES FOR MORE AMBITIOUS CHANGES.
’’BUT WE NEED TO CHOOSE THE TIMING AND THE CANDIDATES
CAREFULLY."
AS FOR CALLS TO REDUCE THE GOVERNMENT’S SHARE OF LOTTERY PROCEEDS IN FAVOUR OF THE LOTTERIES FUND, MR MACLEOD SAID THE NEW INITIATIVES IN THE GOVERNOR’S POLICY ADDRESS TO IMPROVE WELFARE SERVICES MIGHT RESULT IN ADDITIONAL DEMANDS ON THE RESOURCES OF THE LOTTERIES FUND MAKING IT A GOOD CASE FOR THE ADMINISTRATION TO REVIEW ITS POSITION ON THE ISSUE.
HE ADDED THAT HE WOULD ANNOUNCE THE REVIEW IN NEXT YEAR’S BUDGET SPEECH.
- - 0 - -
AGREEMENT URGENTLY NEEDED IF AIRPORT IS TO STAY ON COURSE ♦ ****»
HONG KONG CANNOT PERFORM MIRACLES AND CONTINUES TO MAKE PROGRESS ON THE AIRPORT IN PARTICULAR IN THE ABSENCE OF AN AGREEMENT WITH THE CHINESE SIDE, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON HAMISH MACLEOD, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY) IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
IN RESPONSE TO COMMENTS BY MEMBERS ON THE POLICY ADDRESS, MR MACLEOD SAID GOOD PROGRESS HAD BEEN MADE IN THE NEW AIRPORT PROJECT.
BUT HE NOTED THAT THE GOVERNOR MADE THE POINT IN HIS POLICY SPEECH THAT "THE DATE IS NOT FAR OFF WHEN THE START OF SOME KEY AIRPORT CONTRACTS WILL BE HELD UP IF WE CANNOT SECURE THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT’S AGREEMENT ON FINANCING".
MR MACLEOD SAID: "WE SHOULD NOT BE IN ANY DOUBT ABOUT THAT. IT IS NOT A THREAT; IT IS A STATEMENT OF FACT.
"OUR INGENUITY IS NOW BEING TESTED BECAUSE KEY FRANCHISES AND CONTRACTS NEED TO BE LET VERY SOON BY THE PROVISIONAL AIRPORT AUTHORITY.
"I MUST MAKE IT CLEAR THAT TIME IS NOT ON OUR SIDE IF WE ARE TO STAY ON COURSE."
_ _ 0 - -
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 27, 1993
1
ECONOMIC SUCCESS TO BE SHARED BY ALL: FS
*****
THE ADMINISTRATION HAS CONTINUED TO CREATE THE CONDITIONS FOR ECONOMIC SUCCESS, AND TO ENSURE THAT THE BENFITS ARE PASSED ONTO THE WHOLE COMMUNITY, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON HAMISH MACLEOD, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY) IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
SPEAKING AT THE POLICY DEBATE ON THE GOVERNOR’S POLICY ADDRESS, MR MACLEOD SAID THE ADMINISTRATION HAD ALSO PROVIDED STABILITY AND PREDICABILITY FOR THE CURRENCY THROUGH THE LINK WITH THE U.S. DOLLAR AND FOR INVESTMENT THROUGH A CLEAR COMMITMENT TO A LOW AND SIMPLE TAX SYSTEM.
HE ALSO NOTED THAT HONG KONG HAD INVESTED HEAVILY IN INFRASTRUCTURE; DEVELOPED A CLOSE ECONOMIC RELATIONSHIP WITH CHINA, THE MOST NOTABLE RECENT DEVELOPMENT BEING THE LISTING OF CHINESE COMPANIES ON THE STOCK MARKET; MADE A MAJOR EFFORT TO PROMOTE FREE, UNMANAGED WORLD TRADE AND A SUCCESSFUL OUTCOME TO THE URUGUAY ROUND AND HAVE A PRACTICAL AND SUCCESSFUL INDUSTRIAL POLICY.
”IT IS TO THE CREDIT OF THE BUSINESS AND PROFESSIONAL COMMUNITY THAT THEY HAVE BEEN TAKEN FULL ADVANTAGE OF THIS FAVOURABLE ENVIRONMENT, AND OF THE OPPORTUNITIES POSED BY THE ECONOMIC GROWTH OF CHINA, AND INDEED, OF MOST OF THIS REGION.
’’THEIR SUCCESS HAS ENABLE US TO ACHIEVE GOOD ECONOMIC GROWTH, FULL EMPLOYMENT AND RISING REAL WAGES,” MR MACLEOD SAID.
-----0-------
ALL HUMAN RIGHTS ISSUES UNDER ONE POLICY SECRETARY; SHA
*****
ALL ISSUES RELATING TO HUMAN RIGHTS, INCLUDING THE PROTECTION OF PERSONAL DATA, FREEDOM OF INFORMATION AND PRESS FREEDOM WILL, FOR THE FIRST TIME, COME UNDER ONE SINGLE POLICY SECRETARY, THE SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS, MR MICHAEL SUEN TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL THIS (WEDNESDAY) AFTERNOON.
THIS DECISION, WHICH WAS ANNOUNCED BY THE GOVERNOR IN HIS OCTOBER 6 POLICY ADDRESS, WILL MEAN AN IMPORTANT PRACTICAL STEP TO STREAMLINE THE DECISION-MAKING PROCESS, HE SAID.
AND MR SUEN STRESSED THAT THESE WERE SUBJECTS CONCERNED WITH ’’THE FUNDAMENTAL VALUES OF OUR COMMUNITY - VALUES THAT UNDERPIN OUR WAY OF LIFE."
"THE MORE ENTRENCHED THESE ARE, THE BETTER THE ASSURANCE THAT OUR WAY OF LIFE WILL BE SUSTAINED FAR INTO THE FUTURE," HE SAID.
ON THE GOVERNMENT PLANS TO TACKLE THE VARIOUS IMPORTANT ISSUES, MR SUEN DREW ATTENTION TO THE GREEN PAPER ON EQUAL > OPPORTUNITIES FOR WOMEN AND MEN.
"JUDGING FROM THE ENTHUSIASTIC RESPONSE THAT WE ARE RECEIVING FROM THE VARIOUS INTEREST GROUPS, I AM CONFIDENT THAT WE WILL BE ABLE TO FIND THE POINT OF BALANCE IN OUR COMMUNITY ON THE IMPORTANT MATTERS COVERED BY THE GREEN PAPER, INCLUDING THE NECESSARY MEASURES TO SAFEGUARD WOMEN’S RIGHTS."
/ON THE.........
8
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 27, 1993
ON THE QUESTION OF HONG KONG ACCEDING TO THE CONVENTION ON THE ELIMINATION OF ALL FORMS OF DISCRIMINATION AGAINST WOMEN, MR SUEN SAID THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL WOULD CONSIDER IT EARLY NEXT YEAR AFTER THE EXPIRY OF THE CONSULTATION PERIOD.
ANOTHER IMPORTANT HUMAN RIGHTS ISSUE, HE SAID, WAS THE QUESTION OF COMPATIBILITY OF LOCAL LAWS WITH THE BILL OF RIGHTS ORDINANCE.
IN THIS CONNECTION, HE SAID A REVIEW BY POLICY SECRETARIES OF LEGISLATION UNDER THEIR PURVIEW HAD RESULTED IN THE DRAWING UP OF A PROGRAMME OF LEGISLATIVE AMENDMENTS TO BRING THE LAWS IN LINE WITH THE ORDINANCE.
THIRTEEN SUCH AMENDMENT BILLS HAVE, SO FAR, BEEN ENACTED AND ANOTHER EIGHT ARE IN THE PIPELINE.
A SEPARATE EXERCISE HAS ALSO BEEN CARRIED OUT TO IDENTIFY LEGISLATIVE PROVISIONS WHICH IMPACT ON FREEDOM OF INFORMATION.
"AS A RESULT OF THAT EXERCISE, SEVEN LEGISLATIVE PROVISIONS WERE IDENTIFIED FOR REPEAL OR AMENDMENT, AS AND WHEN THE LEGISLATIVE PROGRAMME ALLOWS.
"WORK ON THIS HAD BEGUN AND I WILL BE MONITORING PROGRESS CLOSELY," HE POINTED OUT.
MR SUEN ADDED THAT NEW ADMINISTRATIVE MEASURES HAD BEEN PUT IN PLACE TO GIVE THE PUBLIC MUCH GREATER ACCESS TO INFORMATION HELD BY THE GOVERNMENT.
PRIVATE INDIVIDUALS, FOR EXAMPLE, CAN NOW CHECK PERSONAL INFORMATION THEY HAVE PROVIDED TO THE GOVERNMENT.
IN ADDITION, ACCESS BY THE PUBLIC UNDER THE 30-YEAR RULE TO GOVERNMENT RECORDS HELD BY THE GOVERNMENT RECORDS OFFICE HAS, SUBJECT TO CERTAIN NECESSARY SAFEGUARDS, BEEN EXTENDED TO COVER CLASSIFIED AS WELL AS UNCLASSIFIED RECORDS.
"I WELL APPRECIATE THE CONCERNS OF MEMBERS AND OTHERS THAT UNDERLIE THE CALLS FOR US TO GO FURTHER WITH RESPECT TO ACCESS TO INFORMATION.
"I WILL SERIOUSLY CONSIDER WHAT ADDITIONAL MEASURES CAN BE TAKEN IN PURSUANCE OF THE GENERAL AIM OF GREATER OPENNESS."
TURNING TO DATA PROTECTION, MR SUEN NOTED THAT THERE WAS GROWING AWARENESS AND CONCERN IN THE COMMUNITY ABOUT THE THREAT POSED TO THE INDIVIDUAL’S RIGHT TO PRIVACY BY THE EVER INCREASING QUANTITIES OF PERSONAL DATA THAT WERE BEING COLLECTED, STORED AND TRANSFERRED BETWEEN DIFFERENT ORGANISATIONS, BOTH PUBLIC AND PRIVATE.
"I AM ALSO MINDFUL OF THE GROWING TREND OF COUNTRIES INTRODUCING RESTRICTIONS ON THE TRANSFER OF DATA TO PLACES THAT ARE CONSIDERED NOT TO HAVE AN ACCEPTABLE REGULATORY REGIME FOR THE PROTECTION OF PERSONAL DATA.
"THIS REQUIRES SERIOUS TREATMENT BECAUSE OF ITS POTENTIAL TO IMPEDE THE CONDUCT OF INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS BY ANY COMPANY WITH A BASE IN HONG KONG."
/HOWEVER, MR ........
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 27, 1993
9
HOWEVER, MR SUEN SAID THE ADMINISTRATION WAS ALREADY RESPONDING TO THESE CONCERNS BY EMBARKING ON PREPARATORY WORK FOR THE DRAFTING OF LEGISLATION WHICH WOULD PROVIDE FOR A STATUTORY SYSTEM OF CONTROL OVER PERSONAL DATA COLLECTION, STORAGE AND TRANSFER.
THIS WORK, HE SAID, WAS TAKING PLACE IN PARALLEL WITH THE LAW REFORM COMMISSION’S OWN EXAMINATION OF THE LAW IN THIS AREA.
THIS IS EXPECTED TO BE COMPLETED BY THE MIDDLE OF NEXT YEAR FOLLOWING WHICH THE GOVERNMENT AIMS TO TABLE A BILL DURING THE 1994/95 LEGISLATIVE SESSION.
RETURNING TO THE REASONS FOR TAKING UP OVERALL RESPONSIBILITY FOR HUMAN RIGHTS RELATED SUBJECTS, MR SUEN SAID IT WAS NOT AN ISOLATED DEVELOPMENT.
"IT FORMS PART OF AN OVERALL PLAN TO STREAMLINE THE ORGANISATION AND TO RATIONALISE THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION (CNTA).
FOR, AS MR SUEN POINTED OUT, VARIOUS DEVELOPMENTS OVER A NUMBER OF YEARS HAD TRANSFORMED CNTA INTO A PART OF THE GOVERNMENT STRUCTURE QUITE UNLIKE ANY OTHER - FUNCTIONING BOTH AS A POLICY BRANCH AND AS A DEPARTMENT.
THIS, HE SAID, HAD RESULTED IN A BLURRING BETWEEN POLICY AND OPERATIONAL FUNCTIONS, A LACK OF CLARITY IN THE LINES OF RESPONSIBILITY AND A DEGREE OF UNNECESSARY DUPLICATION OF FUNCTIONS AND EFFORT.
FOR THESE REASONS, AN INTERNAL ORGANISATION AND MANAGEMENT REVIEW HAS RECOMMENDED THAT CNTA BE TURNED INTO A CONVENTIONAL POLICY BRANCH, THE HOME AFFAIRS BRANCH, AND AN EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT, THE HOME AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT.
THE BRANCH, MR SUEN SAID, HAD ALREADY COME INTO BEING ON OCTOBER 15 USING EXISTING RESOURCES, SO THAT NEW RESPONSIBILITIES WERE TAKEN ON WITHOUT DELAY.
’’ALTHOUGH WE ARE TAKING ON ADDITIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES, MEMBERS CAN REST ASSURED THAT WE WILL CONTINUE TO APPLY OURSELVES DILIGENTLY TO THE SUBJECTS THAT WE HAVE TRADITIONALLY BEEN HANDLING.
’’THE HOME AFFAIRS BRANCH WILL, OF COURSE, CONTINUE TO GIVE HIGH PRIORITY TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION.
’’OVER THE PAST FEW YEARS, WE HAVE SEEN AN EXPANSION IN THE ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE DISTRICT BOARDS.”
IN THIS CONTEXT, MR SUEN GAVE HIS ASSURANCE THAT THIS EXPANSION WOULD CONTINUE IN STEP WITH THE COMMUNITY’S DESIRE TO HAVE A GREATER SAY IN DECISIONS THAT AFFECT THEIR DAILY LIVES.
WHICH IS WHY, MR SUEN SAID, ONE OF THE KEY CONSIDERATIONS IN DECIDING ON THE APPROPRIATE STRUCTURE FOR THE NEW HOME AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT WAS HOW BEST TO FACILITATE THE DISTRICT BOARDS TO TACKLE DISTRICT PROBLEMS VIGOROUSLY, PROMPTLY AND EFFECTIVELY.
”WE PLAN TO ACHIEVE THIS AIM BY, INTER ALIA, PROVIDING A MORE SENIOR PRESENCE ON THE GROUND,” HE SAID.
/"WE ARE .......
10
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 27, 1993
"WE ARE ALSO CONSCIOUS OF THE NEED FOR GOVERNMENT TO BE PLACED IN THE BEST POSSIBLE POSITION TO GET ITS MESSAGE ACROSS AT THE DISTRICT LEVEL.
"FINALLY, WE WILL BE TAKING INTO ACCOUNT THE FACT THAT THERE ARE LOCAL ISSUES THAT CUT ACROSS DISTRICT BOUNDARIES AND REQUIRE A BROADER-BASED RESPONSE AND LIAISON CAPABILITY THAN CAN BE PROVIDED BY INDIVIDUAL DISTRICT OFFICERS.
IN CONCLUSION, MR SUEN STRESSED THAT ONCE THE PROPOSALS HAVE BEEN FINALISED, THE ENTIRE CNTA RE-ORGANISATION PACKAGE WILL BE SUBMITTED TO THE FINANCE COMMITTEE OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL FOR CONSIDERATION.
------0-------
NEW PORT PROJECTS FORGING AHEAD: SES *****
ALTHOUGH ISSUES CONCERNING THE START OF WORK ON CONTAINER TERMINAL 9 HAVE NOT BEEN RESOLVED, THE GOVERNMENT IS FORGING AHEAD WITH THE PLANNING OF CT10 AND BEYOND ON THE NEW LANTAU PORT PENINSULA, THE SECRETARY FOR ECONOMIC SERVICES, MR GORDON SIU, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY) IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
DETAILED DESIGN AND PLANNING OF THE NECESSARY ROAD LINKS AND BACK-UP AREAS IS ALREADY UNDERWAY AND PRELIMINARY DESIGN WORK ON CT10 AND CT11 IS IN HAND, HE ADDED.
IN RESPONSE TO MEMBERS’ QUESTIONS ON THE GOVERNOR’S ADDRESS, MR SIU NOTED THAT THE FIRST BERTH OF CT8 WAS IN PLACE EARLIER THIS YEAR, AND THE PROJECT WOULD BE COMPLETED ON SCHEDULE IN 1995 TO MEET GROWING DEMAND FOR PORT FACILITIES IN HONG KONG.
AS FOR THE SUGGESTION OF SOME MEMBERS THAT CT9 SHOULD BE BUILT ON LANTAU INSTEAD OF TSING YI, HE SAID HONG KONG WOULD NEED SUBSTANTIAL CONTAINER CAPACITY OVER AND ABOVE CT1-8 WELL BEFORE THE FIRST OF THE LANTAU TERMINALS COULD BE BROUGHT INTO USE.
"IF WE FAIL TO DO THIS CONGESTION IN THE PORT AND ON THE ROADS LEADING INTO KWAI CHUNG CAN ONLY GET WORSE," HE SAID.
MR SIU POINTED OUT THAT EXTENSIVE BACK-UP AREA WOULD BE PROVIDED ADJACENT TO CT9 TO PROVIDE A RESOURCE FOR THE WHOLE OF THE KWAI CHUNG PORT.
"IT WILL PROVIDE MUCH-NEEDED ADDITIONAL SPACE NOT ONLY FOR CARGO HANDLING, BUT ALSO FOR NEW ROADS, FOR PARKING OF VEHICLES AND FOR STACKING OF CONTAINERS.
"IT WILL HELP ALLEVIATE PRESSURE ELSEWHERE AND SAVE MANY A WASTEFUL JOURNEY BY THOSE CONTAINER VEHICLES NOW OBLIGED TO TRAVEL TO DISTANT SITES MILES AWAY FROM KWAI CHUNG SIMPLY TO PARK OR SHORE CONTAINERS.
"IT WILL PROVIDE FOR BETTER ROAD CIRCULATION; FOR RELOCATION OF THE BUSINEST ROAD LINKS FURTHER AWAY FROM RESIDENTIAL AREAS AND, MOST IMPORTANTLY, ENABLE US TO GET ON WITH DUPLICATING THE TSING YI SOUTH BRIDGE, THUS IMPROVING ACCESS TO THE ISLAND.
/NONE OF .......
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 27, 1993
11
"NONE OF THESE BENEFITS CAN BE REALISED UNLESS CT9 GOES AHEAD, AS PLANNED, ON TSING YI. WE WILL THEREFORE CONTINUE TO WORK TOWARDS GETTING CT9 FROM CONCEPT AND DESIGN THROUGH TO REALITY," MR SIU SAID.
TURNING TO THE NEW AIRPORT, MR SIU SAID CONFIDENTIALITY HAD TO BE PRESERVED FOR THE TALKS WITH THE CHINESE SIDE OF THE AIRPORT COMMITTEE TO PROVIDE THE BEST ENVIRONMENT FOR MAKING PROGRESS, BUT ADDED THAT THERE COULD BE NO SECRET DEAL BECAUSE THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL HAD TO APPROVE THE FINANCIAL ARRANGEMENTS ON WHATEVER FINANCIAL PLAN WHICH WAS EVENTUALLY AGREED.
HE ADDED THAT THE AIRPORT BILL WOULD TAKE INTO ACCOUNT THE VIEWS OF THE CHINESE SIDE WHEN IT WAS BEING DRAFTED AS REQUIRED BY THE MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING.
HE ASSURED MEMBERS THAT THEY WOULD HAVE ADEQUATE TIME TO CONSIDER THE BILL WHEN IT WAS INTRODUCED TO THE COUNCIL.
AS FOR THE PROGRESS OF THE NEW AIRPORT, MR SIU SAID SITE PREPARATION WORK AT CHEK LAP KOK WAS PROCEEDING WELL AS 320 HECTARES OR OVER 25 PER CENT OF THE WHOLE SITE HAD ALREADY BEEN FORMED.
THE PROVISIONAL AIRPORT AUTHORITY WAS ALSO WELL ADVANCED IN ITS DESIGN WORK FOR THE PASSENGER TERMINAL AND IN ITS DISCUSSIONS WITH THOSE INTERESTED IN INVESTING IN KEY FACILITIES TO BE PRIVATELY FUNDED SUCH AS THOSE FOR AIR CARGO AND AVIATION FUEL.
TAKING THE AIRPORT CORE PROGRAMME AS A WHOLE, CONTRACTS WORTH SOME $45 BILLION HAD BEEN AWARDED — ALL WITHIN BUDGET ESTIMATES --OVER THE PAST TWO YEARS BY THE GOVERNMENT, THE PROVISIONAL AIRPORT AUTHORITY AND THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE WESTERN HARBOUR CROSSING, HE SAID.
MR SIU SAID THE PORT AND AIRPORT INFRASTRUCTURE THAT HONG KONG WAS PLANNING AND BUILDING WOULD NOT JUST SERVE HONG KONG BUT ALSO SOUTHERN CHINA.
HE ADDED THAT PLANNING FOR MAJOR INFRASTRUCTURAL PROJECTS WERE NOT CARRIED OUT IN ISOLATION BUT TAKING INTO ACCOUNT NEEDS AND VIEWS FROM THOSE IN SOUTHERN CHINA.
"AS WE TAKE FORWARD OUR PLANS FOR THE PORT, THE NEW AIRPORT AND OTHER KEY ECONOMIC INFRASTRUCTURE, WE KEEP IN THE FOREFRONT OF OUR MINDS THE NEED TO ENSURE THAT THE FUTURE HONG KONG SPECIAL ADMINISTRATIVE REGION WILL CONTINUE TO PLAY ITS PART AS THE GATEWAY TO SOUTHERN CHINA, PROVIDING AN EFFICIENT CONDUIT FOR AN EVER-LASTING FLOW OF GOODS, SERVICES AND PEOPLE BETWEEN CHINA AND THE REST OF THE WORLD," MR SIU SAID.
/12 ........
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 27, 1993
12
LEGCO BE CONSULTED ON NEW STANDARDS OF FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE *****
THE SECRETARY FOR ECONOMIC SERVICES, MR GORDON SIU, TODAY (WEDNESDAY) ASSURED MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL THAT THEY WOULD BE CONSULTED FURTHER ON THE GENERAL PRINCIPLES ON THE NEW STANDARDS OF FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE TO ENSURE TRANSPARENCY AND AN ADEQUATE DEGREE OF PUBLIC ACCOUNTABILITY OF PUBLIC ULTILITIES AND TRANSPORT COMPANIES.
IN HIS REPLY TO MEMBERS’ QUESTIONS ON THE GOVERNOR’S POLICY ADDRESS, MR SIU SAID IT WOULD BE NECESSARY FOR THE GOVERNMENT TO DISCUSS AND AGREE SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS WITH EACH OF THE COMPANIES CONCERNED.
"OUR INTENTIONS ON FULLER DISCLOSURE SHOULD BE SEEN AS PART AND PARCEL OF AN ON-GOING EFFORT BY THE ADMINISTRATION TO STRENGTHEN AND IMPROVE OUR MONITORING OF PUBLIC UTILITIES.
"AS A RESULT OF PREVIOUS INITIATIVES, MOST UTILITIES HAVE NOW MADE PUBLIC PERFORMANCE PLEDGES AND ESTABLISHED CUSTOMER LIAISON GROUPS.
"MY IMPRESSION IS THAT THE GENERAL PUBLIC WELCOME, AND MAKE FULL USE, OF THESE FACILITIES," HE SAID.
MR SIU SAID THE GOVERNMENT HAD TAKEN THE OPPORTUNITY OF NEGOTIATIONS LEADING UP TO RENEWAL OF THE SCHEME OF CONTROL AGREEMENTS WITH THE TWO POWER COMPANIES TO WRITE IN MORE STRINGENT REQUIREMENTS IN RESPECT OF TECHNICAL AND FINANCIAL AUDITS AND THE MONITORING OF PROCUREMENT PROCEDURES AND AFFILIATED COMPANY TRANSACTIONS.
REQUIREMENTS FOR PUBLIC DISCLOSURE HAD ALSO BEEN INCORPORATED INTO THE TERMS OF NEW FRANCHISE AGREEMENTS WITH CITYBUS AND THE NEW LANTAO BUS COMPANY, HE ADDED.
TURNING TO TELECOMMUNICATIONS, MR SIU SAID THE GOVERNMENT HAD BOLSTERED ITS ABILITY ’ TO REGULATE INCREASINGLY COMPETITIVE TELECOMMUNICATIONS MARKET BY THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE OFFICE OF THE TELECOMMUNICATIONS AUTHORITY (OFTA).
AMENDMENTS TO THE TELEPHONE ORDINANCE ENACTED EARLIER THIS YEAR PROVIDED THE OFTA WITH IMPORTANT NEW POWERS TO OVERSEE THE INTERCONNECTION OF COMPETING NETWORKS AND ADMINISTER HONG KONG’S NEW NUMBERING PLAN.
HIGH ON THE OFTA’S AGENDA WOULD BE THE NEED TO PROTECT CONSUMERS’ INTERESTS WHERE NECESSARY THROUGH THE REGULATION OF CHARGES AND SERVICE STANDARDS OF DOMINANT CARRIERS, HE SAID.
- - 0----------
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 27, 1993
13
PENSION FUND COST NO EXTRA EXPENDITURE ♦ » » * *
THE ACTING SECRETARY FOR THE CIVIL SERVICE, MR STUART HARBINSON, REITERATED TODAY (WEDNESDAY) THAT NO ADDITIONAL EXPENDITURE WAS INVOLVED IN THE PROPOSED CIVIL SERVICE PENSION RESERVE FUND.
SPEAKING AT THE RESUMED DEBATE ON THE MOTION OF THANKS IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, MR HARBINSON SAID CIVIL SERVICE PENSIONS FORMED PART OF THE GOVERNMENT’S RECURRENT OPERATING EXPENDITURE AND WERE PAID OUT OF GENERAL REVENUE.
"THE PENSION RESERVE FUND COULD ONLY BE USED IN THE ALMOST INCONCEIVABLE EVENT THAT THERE WAS AN INSUFFICIENCY OF RECURRENT REVENUE TO MEET THE STATUTORY PENSION CHARGES," HE SAID.
MOREOVER, INDIVIDUAL CIVIL SERVANTS WILL NOT GET A DOLLAR MORE THAN THEY ARE ALREADY ENTITLED TO JUST BECAUSE OF THE EXISTENCE OF A PENSION RESERVE FUND.
HE POINTED OUT THAT THE COST OF CIVIL SERVICE PENSIONS AS A PERCENTAGE OF THE GOVERNMENT’S ANNUAL OPERATING EXPENDITURE WAS FORECAST TO REMAIN AT ITS CURRENT LEVEL OF BETWEEN FOUR AND FIVE PER CENT FOR THE NEXT 10 YEARS.
"NOR IS ANY SUDDEN JUMP ANTICIPATED THEREAFTER," HE SAID.
"INDEED IN THE VERY LONG TERM THE PERCENTAGE SHOULD DECLINE SLIGHTLY," HE ADDED.
MR HARBINSON SAID THE GOVERNMENT PROPOSED TO ESTABLISH A $7 BILLION PENSION RESERVE FUND IN RECOGNITION OF THE FACT THAT THERE WAS A MAJOR PSYCHOLOGICAL CONCERN WITHIN THE CIVIL SERVICE ON THIS ISSUE.
TO BE ESTABLISHED BY RESOLUTION OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL UNDER THE PUBLIC FINANCE ORDINANCE, IT WOULD BE A STATUTORY FUND SET UP UNDER THE AUTHORITY OF THE COUNCIL WHICH COULD ONLY BE CHANGED BY A FURTHER RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL.
MR HARBINSON ADDED THAT THE CENTRAL STAFF CONSULTATIVE COUNCILS AND THE CHINESE SIDE IN THE JOINT LIAISON GROUP WOULD BE CONSULTED ON THE ISSUE.
ON THE QUESTION OF LOCALISATION OF THE CIVIL SERVICE, MR HARBINSON SAID OF THE SOME 22 SENIOR POSTS, 11 WERE, OR WOULD BE SHORTLY, FILLED BY LOCAL OFFICERS WHO WERE POTENTIALLY QUALIFIED IN TERMS OF THE QUALIFICATIONS SET OUT IN THE BASIC LAW.
HE ADDED THAT IN THE ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICE THERE WERE ALREADY A LARGE NUMBER OF HIGHLY COMPETENT AND EXPERIENCED LOCAL OFFICERS AT THE LEVELS IMMEDIATELY BELOW THE FUTURE PRINCIPAL OFFICIALS LEVEL, WHO WOULD BE IN A POSITION TO MOVE UP IN THE NEXT COUPLE OF YEARS.
"THE GOVERNMENT ATTACHES GREAT IMPORTANCE TO CONTINUITY AND SUCCESSION AT THESE SENIOR LEVELS OF THE ADMINISTRATION AND WILL HAVE SUITABLE CANDIDATES IN PLACE IN GOOD TIME BEFORE THE TRANSFER IN SOVEREIGNTY."
/MR HARBINSON .......
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 27, 1993
14
MR HARBINSON REASSURED THE COUNCIL THAT THERE HAD BEEN NO CHANGE TO THE LONG ESTABLISHED LOCALISATION POLICY IN WHICH LOCAL CANDIDATES WERE GIVEN PREFERENCE FOR CIVIL SERVICE APPOINTMENTS.
"THE ONLY CHANGE HAS BEEN THE NEED TO ENSURE THAT ALL CANDIDATES WHO CAN ESTABLISH PERMANENT RESIDENT STATUS ARE TREATED EQUALLY INSOFAR AS ELIGIBILITY FOR EMPLOYMENT IN THE CIVIL SERVICE IS CONCERNED, AS REQUIRED BY THE BILL OF RIGHTS."
"THIS IS A VERY IMPORTANT DISTINCTION," HE SAID.
ON THE CONSULTATIVE DOCUMENT ON CIVIL SERVICE TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF SERVICE, MR HARBINSON SAID THERE HAD BEEN NO DEFINITION OF THE TERM "LOCAL" SO FAR.
HE POINTED OUT THAT REACHING AGREEMENT ON WHO WAS "LOCAL" WAS IMPORTANT AS IT WOULD PROVIDE A FIRM FOUNDATION FOR THE FUTURE.
HE ADDED THAT THERE WOULD ALSO HAVE TO BE APPROPRIATE CONSULTATION WITH THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT.
TURNING TO THE PERFORMANCE PLEDGES PROGRAMME, THE ACTING SECRETARY SAID IT WAS ENCOURAGING TO NOTE THAT SOME FAVOURABLE COMMENT HAD BEEN PASSED ON IT.
"WE ARE ALSO NOW ENCOURAGING DEPARTMENTS TO UNDERTAKE CRITICAL REVIEWS OF THEIR SERVICES AND STRUCTURES," HE SAID.
IN THIS CONNECTION, CIVIL SERVICE BRANCH IS ALSO EXAMINING HOW HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT FUNCTIONS CAN BE BOTH IMPROVED AND DELEGATED TO DEPARTMENTS SO AS TO BRING SIGNIFICANT IMPROVEMENTS IN THE SPEED AT WHICH HEADS OF DEPARTMENT, AS LINE MANAGERS, ARE ABLE TO RECRUIT, MANAGE, INCENTIVISE AND TRAIN STAFF.
REBUTTING MISCONCEPTIONS ABOUT THE PROVISIONS OF THE HUMAN RESOURCES NECESSARY TO IMPLEMENT AGREED POLICY PROPOSALS, MR HARBINSON SAID THERE WAS NO ZERO GROWTH POLICY FOR THE CIVIL SERVICE.
"ADDITIONAL STAFF HAVE BEEN AND WILL CONTINUE TO BE PROVIDED TO MEET COMMITMENTS TN ACCORDANCE WITH AGREED PRIORITIES."
ON POST-RETIREMENT EMPLOYMENT OUTSIDE THE CIVIL SERVICE, MR HARBINSON SAID THE GOVERNMENT WAS WELL AWARE OF THE IMPORTANCE OF MAINTAINING THE TRADITIONS OF CIVIL SERVICE NEUTRALITY AND INTEGRITY.
HE ASSURED THE COUNCIL THAT THE GOVERNMENT WOULD TAKE ALL POSSIBLE CARE TO SEE THAT NO UNFAIR ADVANTAGE WAS GAINED, OR IMPROPRIETY AROSE, AS A RESULT OF POST-RETIREMENT EMPLOYMENT.
/15........
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 27, 1993
15
HK IS A SAFE CITY TO LIVE IN: S FOR S
*****
HONG KONG REMAINS A VERY SAFE CITY, IN COMPARISON NOT ONLY WITH CITIES IN EUROPE AND NORTH AMERICA, BUT ALSO WITH ITS NEIGHBOURS IN THE REGION, THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, MR ALISTAIR ASPREY, SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MR ASPREY SAID THE CURRENT CRIME RATE WAS NOT ONLY WELL BELOW THE LEVEL OF CRIME BETWEEN 1989 AND 1991, IT WAS MORE THAN 10 PER CENT LOWER THAN IT WAS 10 YEARS AGO.
THE RATE OF VIOLENT CRIME IS SIMILARLY WELL BELOW WHAT IT WAS 10 YEARS AGO, HE SAID, AT THE MOTION OF THANKS DEBATE.
IN PARTICULAR, THE POLICE HAVE ACHIEVED A SHARP REDUCTION IN RECENT YEARS IN THE NUMBER OF ARMED ROBBERIES AND THE NUMBER OF CAR THEFTS.
"THESE ARE REAL IMPROVEMENTS," HE SAID.
MR ASPREY SAID THEY WERE A RESULT OF AN INCREASED POLICE PRESENCE ON THE STREETS AND BETTER CROSS-BORDER CO-OPERATION ON CRIME.
"BOTH HAVE PRODUCED ENCOURAGING RESULTS," HE SAID.
THE SECRETARY SAID THE POLICE WAS AT PRESENT UP TO ITS FULL ESTABLISHMENT FOR THE FIRST TIME IN 10 YEARS.
IN THE FIRST NINE MONTHS OF THIS YEAR, THE POLICE RECRUITED SOME 1,100 JUNIOR POLICE OFFICERS, AS AGAINST 700 WHO LEFT THE FORCE; WASTAGE IS ABOUT 30 PER CENT LOWER THAN IN LAST YEAR.
BUT THERE REMAIN AREAS OF CONCERN. ONE OF THESE IS JUVENILE CRIME.
THE JUVENILE OFFENDER RATE INCREASED SLIGHTLY IN THE FIRST NINE MONTHS OF THIS YEAR.
MR ASPREY SAID A WORKING GROUP UNDER THE FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE HAD PROPOSED MEASURES TO TACKLE THE PROBLEM OF TRIAD INFLUENCE IN SCHOOLS. .
THESE MEASURES INCLUDE INCREASING THE POLICE PRESENCE NEAR SCHOOLS BEFORE AND AFTER SCHOOL HOURS AND IMPROVING LIAISON BETWEEN THE POLICE, TEACHERS, PARENTS AND SCHOOL SOCIAL WORKERS.
THE WORKING GROUP HAS JUST SUBMITTED ITS FINAL REPORT TO THE FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE, HE SAID.
ANOTHER AREA OF CONCERN IS SUBSTANCE ABUSE BY YOUNGSTERS.
IN THE FIRST HALF OF LAST YEAR, THE CENTRAL REGISTRY OF DRUG ABUSE RECEIVED REPORTS ON 923 DRUG ABUSERS AGED UNDER 21.
IN THE FIRST HALF OF THIS YEAR, A TOTAL OF 1,614 YOUNG DRUG ABUSERS WERE REPORTED.
HOWEVER, HE NOTED THAT THE NUMBER OF YOUNG DRUG ABUSERS REPORTED IN THE FIRST HALF OF THIS YEAR REPRESENTED JUST 0.2 PER CENT OF THE HONG KONG POPULATION AGED BETWEEN 11 AND 20.
/ONLY A .......
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 27, 1993
16
’’ONLY A VERY SMALL MINORITY OF OUR YOUNG PEOPLE ARE INVOLVED WITH DRUGS,” HE SAID.
MR ASPREY SAID ENFORCEMENT ACTION HAD BEEN STEPPED UP. THERE WERE 5,631 ARRESTS FOR NARCOTICS OFFENCES IN THE FIRST HALF OF THIS YEAR, COMPARED TO 3,995 IN THE CORRESPONDING PERIOD LAST YEAR, AN INCREASE OF 42 PER CENT.
PREVENTIVE EDUCATION HAS ALSO BEEN BOOSTED.
ON COMPLAINTS AGAINST THE POLICE, THE SECRETARY SAID THE GOVERNMENT HAD BEEN DEVELOPING PROPOSALS TO IMPROVE THE EXISTING ARRANGEMENTS FOR MONITORING INVESTIGATIONS INTO COMPLAINTS AGAINST THE POLICE.
"WE INTEND TO INTRODUCE LEGISLATION TO MAKE THE POLICE COMPLAINTS COMMITTEE A STATUTORY BODY, WITH A CLEARLY DEFINED ROLE AND DUTIES.”
HE SAID THE GOVERNMENT WAS ALSO CONSIDERING THE APPOINTMENT OF LAY OBSERVERS, DRAWN FROM MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC, TO SIT IN ON ANY PART OF THE COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION PROCESS, AND REPORT THEIR OBSERVATIONS TO THE POLICE COMPLAINTS COMMITTEE.
"WE ARE ALSO PROPOSING TO ENABLE THE POLICE COMPLAINTS COMMITTEE TO INTERVIEW WITNESSES IN COMPLAINT CASES," HE SAID.
HE ALSO SAID THE GOVERNMENT WANTED TO SIMPLIFY FOR THE PUBLIC THE REPORTING OF CRIME.
THE POLICE ARE TAKING STEPS TO IMPROVE THE ENVIRONMENT IN REPORT ROOMS, BY PROVIDING INTERVIEW ROOMS FOR MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC TO REPORT CRIME.
THEY ARE ALSO DEVELOPING A NEW COMPUTER SYSTEM, WHICH WILL BE INSTALLED IN ALL POLICE STATIONS, SO THAT, IN FUTURE, CRIME REPORTING PROCEDURES WILL BE FURTHER SIMPLIFIED AND REPORTING TIME FURTHER REDUCED.
THE SECRETARY SAID THEY HAD EXAMINED THE RECOMMENDATIONS ON WITNESS PROTECTION MADE BY THE FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE AND BY MR JUSTICE KEMPSTER’S COMMISSION OF INQUIRY.
if/
"WE INTEND TO SEEK THE VIEWS OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL ON THIS IMPORTANT ISSUE BEFORE THE END OF THIS YEAR, AND TO INTRODUCE IMPROVEMENTS EARLY NEXT YEAR," HE SAID.
ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION REMAINS A MAJOR PROBLEM.
HE SAID NEW DETERRENTS AGAINST THE EMPLOYMENT OF ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS HAD BEEN INTRODUCED IN THE PAST YEAR.
BOTH THE GOVERNMENT AND THE HOUSING AUTHORITY PENALISE CONTRACTORS CONVICTED OF EMPLOYING ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS, BY SUSPENDING THEM FROM TENDERING; AND SENTENCES OF IMPRISONMENT HAVE BEEN IMPOSED ON EMPLOYERS OF ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS.
THERE IS SOME INDICATION THAT THESE MEASURES ARE BEGINNING TO STEM THE FLOW OF ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS.
/"BUT IT .......
17
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 27, 1993
"BUT IT IS EARLY DAYS, AND THE LEVEL OF ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION IS STILL WORRYINGLY HIGH," HE SAID.
ON IMMIGRATION, HE SAID 70 MORE IMMIGRATION STAFF WOULD BE ADDED AT LOWU IN THE NEXT FINANCIAL YEAR.
THE GOVERNMENT IS ALSO INTENDING TO CREATE A TASK FORCE, WHICH WILL BE A MOBILE TEAM TO BE DEPLOYED TO CONTROL POINTS DURING PERIODS OF PEAK DEMAND, AS WELL AS DOING INVESTIGATION WORK ON NORMAL DAYS.
FOR THE MEDIUM TO LONG TERM, THE GOVERNMENT IS INVESTING IN MODERN TECHNOLOGY TO ELIMINATE THE NEED FOR AN EVER INCREASING NUMBER OF IMMIGRATION STAFF AT CONTROL POINTS.
TOWARDS THE END OF NEXT YEAR, THE GOVERNMENT WILL INTRODUCE OPTICAL CHARACTER READERS WHICH WILL ENABLE HONG KONG IDENTITY CARD HOLDERS AND, ALL MACHINE READABLE TRAVEL DOCUMENT HOLDERS, TO PASS THROUGH THE CONTROL POINTS IN MUCH LESS TIME THAN AT PRESENT.
THE GOVERNMENT IS ALSO STUDYING THE POSSIBILITY OF INTRODUCING SMART CARDS, WHICH COULD REMOVE THE NEED FOR ALL COUNTERS TO BE MANNED BY IMMIGRATION OFFICERS.
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STI: INDUSTRIAL POLICY TO GIVE HELP, NOT DIRECTIONS *****
THE GOVERNMENT DO NOT SET SPECIFIC GOALS OR DIRECTIONS IN ITS INDUSTRIAL POLICY, THE SECRETARY FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY, MR T H CHAU SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY) IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
RESPONDING TO THE CALL FOR A COMPREHENSIVE INDUSTRIAL POLICY BY SOME LEGCO MEMBERS AT THE DEBATE ON THE MOTION OF THANKS TO THE GOVERNOR’S ANNUAL ADDRESS, MR CHAU SAID: "OUR INDUSTRIAL POLICY PLACES EMPHASIS ON FACILITATING AND SUPPORTING INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT, NOT CHOOSING ITS DIRECTION.
"IT COULD ALSO BE DESCRIBED AS HELPING INDUSTRIALISTS TO HELP THEMSELVES."
HE ADDED THAT INDUSTRIALISTS IN HONG KONG WERE IN FACT PROVIDED WITH MANY OPPORTUNITIES TO HELP THEMSELVES, SUCH AS THE APPLIED RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT SCHEME.
A PROPOSAL IS ALSO BEING MADE TO PROVIDE THE INDUSTRY AND TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL WITH A BUDGET OF MORE THAN $900 MILLION OVER THE NEXT FOUR YEARS TO SUPPORT FURTHER INDUSTRIAL AND TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENT.
MR CHAU SAID THE GOVERNMENT ADOPTED THE SAME APPROACH OF HELPING INDUSTRY TO HELP ITSELF REGARDING POLLUTION CONTROL MEASURES.
THE HONG KONG PRODUCTIVITY COUNCIL AND THE CENTRE FOR ENVIRONMENTAL TECHNOLOGY HAVE ALREADY OFFERED ACCESS TO POLLUTION CONTROL TECHNOLOGY AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE.
NOTING THE GROWING ROLE OF THE SERVICE SECTOR IN THE ECONOMY, MR CHAU SAID THE SECTOR HAD REACHED ITS PRESENT HEALTHY STATE BY RESPONDING TO THE NEEDS OF ITS CUSTOMERS, NOT BY FOLLOWING A GOVERNMENT BLUEPRINT.
/ON LEGISLATIVE .......
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 27, 1993
18
ON LEGISLATIVE PROPOSALS TO ENHANCE CONSUMER GOODS SAFETY AND CONSUMERS’ RIGHTS, HE SAID: "A BILL THAT SEEKS TO ENHANCE CONSUMER GOODS SAFETY IS BEING FINALISED FOR INTRODUCTION INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL BY THE END OF THIS YEAR."
AS PROPOSED IN THE CONSULTATIVE DOCUMENT, HE SAID THAT THE COMMISSIONER OF CUSTOMS AND EXCISE WAS TO ENFORCE THE LEGISLATION BY CONDUCTING SPOT CHECKS IN ADDITION TO ACTING ON COMPLAINTS.
THREE BILLS ON THE SUPPLY OF GOODS AND SERVICES SEEKING TO PROTECT CONSUMERS’ RIGHTS HAVE ALSO BEEN RELEASED FOR CONSULTATION.
--------0-----------
ALL POSSIBLE OPTIONS FOR RETIREMENT PROTECTION UNDER CONSIDERATION *****
THE SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER, MR MICHAEL LEUNG, REASSURED THAT THE GOVERNMENT WAS CONSIDERING ALL POSSIBLE OPTIONS FOR RETIREMENT PROTECTION IN ACCORDANCE WITH ITS DECLARED TIME-TABLE.
HE REFUTED ACCUSATIONS THAT THE GOVERNMENT WAS STALLING ON THIS SUBJECT; POINTING OUT THAT THE ISSUES INVOLVED WERE HIGHLY COMPLEX AND DIFFICULT.
SPEAKING DURING THE DEBATE ON THE MOTION OF THANKS IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY), MR LEUNG NOTED THAT THE PUBLIC MIGHT NOT BE ENTIRELY CLEAR ABOUT THE IMPLICATIONS OF A CENTRAL PROVIDENT FUND (CPF).
FIRST, HE SAID, A CPF WAS NOT SOME KIND OF GOLDMINE FOR WORKERS AS HAD BEEN PRESENTED. IT IS A SYSTEM OF DEDUCTIONS FROM SALARY THROUGHOUT A WORKING LIFE PLUS A CONTRIBUTION FROM EMPLOYERS IN ORDER TO FUND OLD AGE.
"SCHEMES ELSEWHERE TEND TO HAVE CERTAIN FEATURES THAT OUR WORKERS MIGHT NOT REGARD AS DESIRABLE.
"DEDUCTIONS ARE ENFORCED MONTH IN, MONTH OUT. RATES OF RETURN ARE FAR FROM SPECTACULAR BECAUSE THE FUND MUST BE INVESTED WITH THE GREATEST PRUDENCE."
FURTHERMORE, EMPLOYERS ALSO APPEAR TO SEE ADVANTAGES FOR THEMSELVES, WITH SOME SUGGESTING THAT WORKERS WILL BE MORE CLOSELY BOUND TO THEIR COMPANIES.
"THEY CAN THINK AGAIN. WE HAVE NO INTENTION OF INTRODUCING ANY SCHEME THAT WOULD PENALISE A WORKER FOR CHANGING JOBS," MR LEUNG STATED.
ON INDUSTRIAL SAFETY, MR LEUNG SHARED MEMBERS’ CONCERN THAT MORE MUST BE DONE TO TACKLE THE POOR RECORD IN THIS AREA.
APART FROM A SERIES OF LEGISLATIVE PROPOSALS IN THE COMING MONTHS AIMED AT RAISING SAFETY STANDARDS IN CONSTRUCTION SITES, THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT WILL UNDERTAKE A SPECIAL REVIEW ON THE OPERATION OF THE FACTORY INSPECTORATE TO FURTHER STRENGTHEN ITS EFFICIENCY AND EFFECTIVENESS.
/"MORE POSTS .......
19
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 27, 1993
"MORE POSTS WILL BE CREATED AND ADDITIONAL OFFICERS DEPLOYED TO TACKLE PRIORITY AREAS," HE STRESSED.
AS REGARDS IMPORTATION OF LABOUR, THE SECRETARY NOTED THAT THE GENERAL LABOUR IMPORTATION SCHEME WHICH HAD BEEN IN OPERATION FOR SEVERAL YEARS, HAD HELPED TO ALLEVIATE THE ACUTE LABOUR SHORTAGE IN HONG KONG.
CONTRARY TO SOME CRITICISM, THERE IS NO EVIDENCE TO SHOW THAT LOCAL WORKERS’ INTERESTS HAVE BEEN AFFECTED AS A RESULT.
ALTHOUGH THERE HAVE BEEN SO FAR ONLY A FEW ALLEGATIONS, OF DISPLACEMENT BY IMPORTED WORKERS, MR LEUNG SAID THE GOVERNMENT WOULD CONTINUE TO BE VIGILANT IN MONITORING THE SCHEME AND SAFEGUARDING WORKERS’ INTERESTS.
TURNING TO EDUCATION, MR LEUNG SAID THAT FOLLOWING THE SUCCESS OF THE COMPREHENSIVE AND COHERENT PLAN TO ENHANCE THE QUALITY OF SCHOOL EDUCATION SINCE 1990, THE GOVERNMENT WAS INJECTING ADDITIONAL FUNDS AND PROPOSING ADDITIONAL MEASURES TO SUPPLEMENT THAT PLAN.
HE ALSO REFUTED ALLEGATIONS THAT EXPENDITURE ON EDUCATION, AS A PERCENTAGE OF GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT (GDP) WAS TOO LOW.
'"FIRST, AT THREE PER CENT OF GDP, HONG KONG COMPARES FAVOURABLY WITH SINGAPORE AND SOUTH KOREA.
"SECONDLY, AT 20.8 PER CENT, SPENDING ON EDUCATION CONSTITUTES THE SINGLE LARGEST ITEM OF GOVERNMENT RECURRENT EXPENDITURE.
"SUCH AN OBSERVATION THEREFORE REFLECTS MORE ON THE SIZE OF OUR PUBLIC SECTOR THAN ON THE PRIORITY WE GIVE TO EDUCATION."
ON IMPROVEMENT TO KINDERGARTEN EDUCATION, MR LEUNG SAID THE GOVERNMENT HAD ALREADY CONTRIBUTED SIGNIFICANTLY OVER THE LAST FEW YEARS TO INCREASE FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO PARENTS.
THE EARLY IMPROVEMENT TO THE FEE REMISSION SCHEME IN 1994 AS PROPOSED IN THE GOVERNOR’S POLICY ADDRESS WILL MEAN A 12-FOLD INCREASE IN GOVERNMENT’S FUNDING SINCE THE SCHEME WAS FIRST IMPLEMENTED IN 1990.
MR LEUNG SAID: "IN PRACTICAL TERMS, A TYPICAL FAMILY OF FOUR WILL BE ELIGIBLE FOR FEE REMISSION IN 1994 IF THEIR FAMILY INCOME DOES NOT EXCEED $12,000 PER MONTH, COMPARED TO $4,300 IN 1990.
"SUCH INCREASED ASSISTANCE TO NEEDY FAMILIES TO AFFORD REASONABLE FEES WILL IN TURN HELP IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF EDUCATION."
PARALLELED WITH THE INTRODUCTION OF FEE REMISSION, MANY MORE TRAINED TEACHERS HAVE BEEN EMPLOYED, TEACHERS’ PAY HAS BEEN IMPROVED, AND WASTAGE OF TRAINED TEACHERS HAS DECLINED.
MR LEUNG STRESSED THAT A WORKING PARTY WAS NOW EXAMINING THE ISSUES IN DETAIL TO SEE WHAT MORE SHOULD AND COULD BE DONE.
CAREFUL ANALYSIS OF DIFFERENT OPTIONS WILL BE NEEDED BEFORE A DECISION IS MADE, HE ADDED.
/REPLYING TO .......
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 27, 1993
20
REPLYING TO SPECIFIC POINTS RAISED BY SOME MEMBERS ON TERTIARY EDUCATION, THE SECRETARY STATED THAT THE GOVERNMENT WAS WELL ON TRACK IN ACHIEVING ITS TARGETS OF PROVIDING, BY 1994/95, ENOUGH FIRST-YEAR-FIRST-DEGREE PLACES FOR 18 PER CENT OF STUDENTS IN THE RELEVANT AGE GROUP, PLUS SUB-DEGREE PLACES FOR ANOTHER SIX PER CENT.
HE ASSURED THAT THE GOVERNMENT HAD INVESTED AND WERE INVESTING HEAVILY IN TERTIARY EDUCATION.
MR LEUNG ALSO ELABORATED ON THE PROPOSALS IN THE GOVERNOR’S ADDRESS WHICH INVOLVED SUBSTITUTING NON-GRADUATE TEACHERS IN PRIMARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOLS BY DEGREE HOLDERS.
"IN PRIMARY SCHOOLS, THE GRADUATE TEACHERS WILL COME MAINLY FROM THE EXISTING STOCK OF TEACHERS WHO HAVE ACQUIRED OR WILL BE ACQUIRING GRADUATE QUALIFICATIONS IN EDUCATION.
"FOR SECONDARY SCHOOLS, GRADUATE TEACHERS WILL REPLACE NONGRADUATE TEACHERS THROUGH NATURAL WASTAGE.
"WHILE NOT ALL NEW GRADUATE TEACHERS MAY BE TRAINED IN TEACHING, SALARY INDUCEMENTS AND AVAILABILITY OF TRAINING CAPACITY SHOULD ENABLE THEM TO UNDERGO SUCH TRAINING IN TIME."
MR LEUNG WAS CONFIDENT THAT THE REFORMS IN THE EDUCATION COMMISSION REPORT NO. 5, TOGETHER WITH THE EXPANDED OUTPUT FROM THE TERTIARY SECTOR, WOULD RESULT IN MORE GRADUATES TAKING UP TEACHING AS A PROFESSION.
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AGC SETS NEW TARGETS FOR LOCALISATION
*****
THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, MR JEREMY MATHEWS, TOLD LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLORS TODAY (WEDNESDAY) THAT HE EXPECTED THE PRECENTAGE OF LOCAL DIRECTORATE OFFICERS IN THE LEGAL DEPARTMENT COULD RISE FROM 20 PERCENT TO ABOUT 50 PERCENT BY THE END OF 1995.
IN RESPONSE TO THE HON SIMON IP’S CALL FOR NEW TARGETS TO BE ESTABLISHED IN RESPECT OF THE LOCALISATION OF THE LEGAL DEPARTMENT, MR MATHEWS SAID IN THE MOTION OF THANKS IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL THAT HE HOPED THE OVERALL PERCENTAGE OF LOCAL CROWN COUNSEL IN HIS DEPARTMENT WOULD BE ABOUT 60 PERCENT IN TWO YEARS.
HE EXPLAINED TO COUNCILLORS THE DIFFICULTIES THE DEPARTMENT ENCOUNTERED IN SETTING LOCALISATION TARGETS.
"THESE INCLUDE THE DIFFICULTY IN ASSESSING WASTAGE RATES AMONG EXPATRIATE AND LOCAL COUNSEL, THE PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS OF THE RECENTLY ANNOUNCED CHANGES IN THE GOVERNMENT’S LOCALISATION POLICY, AND THE FACT THAT ALL PROMOTIONS ARE DETERMINED ON THE BASIS OF MERIT AND ABILITY.
"FACED WITH THESE UNCERTAINTIES, ANY FORECAST FIGURE MUST BE HEAVILY QUALIFIED," HE SAID.
/MR MATHEWS .......
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 27, 1993
21
MR MATHEWS ALSO EMPHASISED THAT THE PROJECTIONS HE MADE ALSO ASSUMED THAT IN THE RELATIVELY SHORT SPACE OF THE NEXT TWO YEARS, AT LEAST 50 SUITABLY QUALIFIED AND EXPERIENCED LOCAL OFFICERS WOULD JOIN THE LEGAL DEPARTMENT.
"IN THE LIGHT OF OUR CURRENT AND PAST EXPERIENCE, THAT WILL PRESENT A MAJOR CHALLENGE," HE SAID.
HE ASKED COUNCILLORS NOT TO DOUBT HIS COMMITMENT TO THE LOCALISATION OF THE LEGAL DEPARTMENT.
HE BELIEVED THE MEASURES THAT HAD BEEN TAKEN, AND THAT WERE PROPOSED, WOULD BE EFFECTIVE.
THIS IS EVIDENT FROM THE EVER INCREASING NUMBER OF LOCAL COUNSEL AT MORE SENIOR LEVELS, FROM THE DROP IN THE WASTE RATE OF LOCAL COUNSEL, AND FROM THE LARGE RESPONSE TO OUR RECENT LOCAL RECRUITMENT EXERCISES, HE SAID.
TALKING ABOUT FURTHER MEASURES TAKEN BY THE DEPARTMENT TO ACHIEVE THE LOCALISATION TARGETS, MR MATHEWS SAID HE PROPOSED THAT THE DEVELOPMENT POSTS SCHEME, DESIGNED FOR SENIOR CROWN COUNSEL TO IMPROVE THEIR PROSPECTS OF PROMOTION TO THE DIRECTORATE, SHOULD CONTINUE IN BEING, BUT WITH 20 RATHER THAN 18 POSTS.
EACH OF WHICH SHOULD BE CAPABLE OF BEING REFILLED WHEN IT WAS VACATED BY A PARTICULAR DEVELOPEE.
HE FURTHER PROPOSED THAT A NEW SCHEME SHOULD BE INTRODUCED TO ENABLE SELECTED LOCAL COUNSEL AT THE DIRECTORATE RANK OF DEPUTY PRINCIPAL CROWN COUNSEL TO ACT AS DEPUTY LAW OFFICER TO GIVE THEM EARLY EXPOSURE TO THE WORK AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THESE VERY SENIOR POSTS .
AS FOR THE LEGAL TRAINEE SCHEME, WHICH WAS INTRODUCED LAST YEAR AND ENABLED LOCAL MEN AND WOMEN WHO HAD COMPLETED THEIR LEGAL STUDIES IN THE TERRITORY’S EXCELLENT TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS TO RECEIVE THEIR PRACTICAL LEGAL TRAINING IN LEGAL DEPARTMENT, AND THEREAFTER TO MAKE THEIR CAREERS WITH THE DEPARTMENT, MR MATHEWS PROPOSED TO INCREASE THE NUMBER OF RECRUITS FROM 10 TO 15.
"THE COMBINED EFFECT OF THESE SPECIAL MEASURES WILL PROVIDE LOCAL COUNSEL AT ALL LEVELS, FROM LEGAL TRAINEE TO DIRECTORATE OFFICER, WITH OPPORTUNITIES FOR SPECIAL TRAINING AND PROMOTION THAT ARE TO BE ENVIED.
"I AM CONFIDENT THAT THESE MEASURES WILL ENSURE THAT, IN FUTURE, VACANCIES IN MY DEPARTMENT CAN BE FILLED BY SUITABLY QUALIFIED LOCAL LAWYERS, EITHER FROM WITHIN OR OUTSIDE THE DEPARTMENT.
"THIS CONFIDENCE IS REINFORCED BY THE RESPONSE TO A LOCAL RECRUITMENT EXERCISE CONDUCTED IN JANUARY THIS YEAR AND ANOTHER CURRENTLY IN PROGRESS, WHICH IS FAR IN EXCESS OF ANY RESPONSE THAT WE HAVE HAD TO SIMILAR EXERCISES IN THE PAST," MR MATHEWS SAID.
TURNING TO THE TOPIC OF JUDICIAL EFFICIENCY, MR MATHEWS REASSURED COUNCILLORS THAT THE GOVERNMENT ATTACHED GREAT IMPORTANCE TO THE EFFICIENT OPERATION OF THE JUDICIAL SYSTEM.
/THE CHIEF ......
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 27, 1993
22
THE CHIEF JUSTICE IS COMMITTED TO FOSTERING A MODERN MANAGEMENT APPROACH AND A SERVICE-ORIENTED CULTURE.
"WE EXPECT THE JUDICIARY ADMINISTRATOR, ONCE IN POST BY THE END OF THIS YEAR, WILL PLAY A KEY ROLE IN ASSISTING THE CHIEF JUSTICE TO MODERNISE THE MANAGEMENT OF THE JUDICIARY,” HE SAID.
ON THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE COURT OF FINAL APPEAL, MR MATHEWS SAID THE GOVERNMENT WAS DRAFTING THE LEGISLATION ON THE BASIS OF THE AGREEMENT REACHED AT THE JOINT LIAISON GROUP IN 1991 TO ENSURE THAT THE COURT OF FINAL APPEAL WOULD HAVE THE FIRM GUARANTEE OF A LIFE BEYOND 1997.
’’THE PREPARATION OF THE LEGISLATION IS A COMPLICATED TASK AND WILL TAKE TIME. HOWEVER, IT REMAINS OUR AIM TO ESTABLISH THE COURT OF FINAL APPEAL AS EARLY AS POSSIBLE.
"WE FIRMLY BELIEVE THAT IT IS IN THE INTEREST OF HONG KONG TO HAVE THE COURT FIRMLY ESTABLISHED WELL BEFORE 1997, IN ORDER FOR IT TO PROVIDE CONTINUITY BEYOND THAT YEAR," SAID.
IN REACTION TO COUNCILLORS’ CONCERN ABOUT CORRUPTION, MR MATHEWS GAVE AN ASSURANCE THAT THE ADMINISTRATION WOULD CONTINUE ITS WAR AGAINST CORRUPTION AND WOULD PLEDGE WHATEVER RESOURCES WERE NECESSARY TO ENSURE AN UNREMITTING ATTACK ON THIS EVIL.
HE TOLD MEMBERS THAT A START HAD BEEN MADE AND MORE WOULD FOLLOW.
THE COMMUNITY RELATIONS DEPARTMENT OF THE ICAC HAD RECENTLY PRODUCED A PREVENTIVE EDUCATION PACKAGE ENTITLED "CHINA TRADE AND PREVENTION OF BRIBERY ORDINANCE" TO PROVIDE ADVICE TO HONG KONG BUSINESSMEN ON HOW TO COPE WITH THE PROBLEMS OF CORRUPTION THAT COULD ARISE INTHE COURSE OF CHINA TRADE; IN PARTICULAR WHAT CONSTITUTED AN OFFENCE UNDER THE ANTI-CORRUPTION LEGISLATION OF HONG KONG.
THE PACKAGE WAS LAUNCHED IN LATE SEPTEMBER, WAS BEING DISTRIBUTED AND HAD BEEN FAVOURABLY RECEIVED.
"WE SHALL NOT SLACKEN IN OUR EFFORTS TO STAMP OUT CORRUPTION WHEREEVER IT IS FOUND AND NO MATTER WHO IS INVOLVED. AS THE GOVERNOR SAID WE WILL GIVE NO QUARTER TO CORRUPTION," HE SAID.
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SUPPLY OF FLATS TO INCREASE
♦ t t ♦ *
SUPPLY OF PRIVATE RESIDENTIAL FLATS IS EXPECTED TO INCREASE FURTHER TO AN ANNUAL AVERAGE OF 35,000 FLATS IN THE COMING YEARS, THE SECRETARY FOR PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS, MR TONY EASON SAID.
SPEAKING AT THE DEBATE ON THE MOTION OF THANKS TO THE GOVERNOR’S ANNUAL ADDRESS TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, MR EASON SAID THERE HAD BEEN A STEADY INCREASE IN THE SUPPLY OF PRIVATE RESIDENTIAL FLATS OVER THE LAST 10 YEARS.
IT INCREASED FROM AN ANNUAL AVERAGE OF 28,000 FLATS DURING THE FIRST FIVE-YEAR PERIOD TO 32,000 IN THE LAST FIVE YEARS.
/ON THE .......
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 27, 1993
23
ON THE PUBLIC HOUSING PROGRAMME, MR EASON SAID THE GOVERNMENT ALLOCATED ALMOST 50 HECTARES OF ADDITIONAL LAND IN JUNE THIS YEAR TO MEET A SHORTFALL OF THAT ORDER IDENTIFIED BY THE HOUSING AUTHORITY.
"AS A NEW PRIORITY, THE GOVERNMENT WILL IDENTIFY SUITABLE SITES IN THE URBAN AREA TO HELP THE HOUSING AUTHORITY TACKLE THE HOUSING PROBLEMS OF THE ELDERLY.
"THE GOVERNMENT’S AIM IS TO ENSURE THAT LAND SUPPLY IN BOTH THE PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SECTORS IS MAINTAINED AT A HIGH LEVEL," MR EASON SAID.
IT IS EXPECTED THAT ABOUT 236 HECTARES OF LAND WILL BE MADE AVAILABLE FOR PRIVATE AND PUBLIC RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT IN THE NEXT FIVE YEARS.
MR EASON DISPELLED A MISCONCEPTION BY A LEGCO MEMBER THAT THE 50-HECTARE ANNUAL LAND GRANT LIMIT IN THE JOINT DECLARATION HAS CONSTRAINED THE SUPPLY OF LAND FOR HOUSING.
HE SAID THE LAND COMMISSION HAD GENERALLY BEEN SENSITIVE TO THE NEED FOR LAND TO MEET DEMAND IN THE VARIOUS SECTORS AND THE LAND DISPOSAL PROGRAMME AGREED EACH YEAR HAD SO FAR EXCEEDED THE 50 HECTARE LIMIT.
IT RANGED FROM 58.4 HECTARES IN 1985/86 TO 164.3 HECTARES LAST YEAR, AND 127.8 HECTARES THIS YEAR.
ON FLOOD CONTROL MR EASON SAID APART FROM A COMPREHENSIVE PROGRAMME TO REDUCE FLOOD RISKS IN LOW-LYING AREAS, THE GOVERNMENT IS LOOKING INTO WAYS AND MEANS OF IMPROVING FLOOD FORECASTING AND WARNING CAPABILITIES.
PREPARATORY WORK IS WELL IN HAND FOR THE SHENZHEN RIVER REGULATION PROJECT TO BE UNDERTAKEN JOINTLY WITH THE SHENZHEN AUTHORITIES. THIS INCLUDES LAND SURVEY, SITE INVESTIGATION AND ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT.
SUBJECT TO AVAILABILITY OF FUNDS, CONSTRUCTION WORK ON THE PROJECT IS LIKELY TO BEGIN IN EARLY 1995.
ON AIR POLLUTION CAUSED BY CAR EMISSION, MR EASON SAID THE EMISSION STANDARDS FOR PETROL VEHICLES IN HK WERE AMONG THE HIGHEST IN THE WORLD.
THE GOVERNMENT IS EXAMINING SEVERAL OPTIONS TO ABATE AIR POLLUTION FROM DIESEL VEHICLES.
THESE INCLUDE ENCOURAGING A SWITCH FROM DIESEL ENGINES TO PETROL ENGINES FOR SMALLER VEHICLES; ADOPTING MORE STRINGENT EMISSION STANDARDS FOR LARGER DIESEL VEHICLES; USING LESS POLLUTING DIESEL FUELS, INTRODUCING ELECTRIC VEHICLES AND ENCOURAGING GREATER USE OF OFF-ROAD TRANSPORTATION.
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WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 27, 1993
24
WORK ON TING KAU BRIDGE TO BEGIN NEXT YEAR
*****
THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE $3.5 BILLION TING KAU BRIDGE TO BE TOTALLY FUNDED BY THE GOVERNMENT IS EXPECTED TO START BY NEXT SEPTEMBER WITH COMPLETION IN MID 1997.
THIS WAS STATED TODAY (WEDNESDAY) BY THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT, MR HAIDER BARMA IN THE DEBATE ON THE MOTION OF THANKS TO THE GOVERNOR’S ANNUAL ADDRESS TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
MR BARMA SAID BIDS WOULD BE INVITED FROM THE PRIVATE SECTOR BY THE END OF THIS YEAR FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE REMAINING SECTION OF ROUTE 3 COUNTRY PARK SECTION, FROM AU TAU TO TING KAU, UNDER A FRANCHISE ARRANGEMENT.
IT WAS HOPED THAT THE FRANCHISE WOULD BE AWARDED BY THE END OF NEXT YEAR.
"GIVEN THE MAGNITUDE OF THE PROJECT AND ITS COMPLEXITY, THERE SEEMS LITTLE PROSPECT OF IT BEING COMPLETED BEFORE 1998 EVEN IF THE GOVERNMENT WERE TO BUILD THE ROAD ITSELF," HE ADDED.
IN REPLY TO A CALL BY SOME LEGCO MEMBERS FOR GREATER USE OF PUBLIC TRANSPORT, MR BARMA SAID THE GOVERNMENT WORKED VERY CLOSELY WITH THE PUBLIC TRANSPORT OPERATORS TO ACHIEVE THIS GOAL.
HE NOTED THAT IN 1994/95 THE FRANCHISED BUS COMPANIES WILL SPEND NO LESS THAN $430 MILLION TO UPGRADE AND EXPAND BUS SERVICES.
ACTION IS ALSO IN HAND TO PROVIDE BETTER FERRY SERVICES IN THE WESTERN PART OF HONG KONG.
THIS INCLUDES THE RECENT INTRODUCTION OF NEW HIGH-SPEED CATAMARANS ON THE TUEN MUN - CENTRAL ROUTE AND OF TWO NEW ROUTES FROM TUEN MUN TO WAN CHAI AND TSIM SHA TSUI RESPECTIVELY.
"WE ARE ALSO EXAMINING THE POSSIBLE INTRODUCTION OF ADDITIONAL FERRY SERVICES BETWEEN TUEN MUN/TSUEN WAN/TSING YI AND THE URBAN CENTRES," MR BARMA ADDED. 1t' 5 4 •'
ON THE GROWTH OF CAR OWNERSHIP, MR BARMA NOTED HONG KONG NOW HAS ABOUT 495,000 VEHICLES.
"THE CURRENT RATE OF GROWTH CANNOT BE SUSTAINED INDEFINITELY WITHOUT THERE BEING A MAJOR ADVERSE IMPACT ON BOTH ROAD CONDITIONS AND ON THE ENVIRONMENT."
HE UNDERTOOK TO CONSIDER AFRESH THE OPTIONS FOR REDUCING THE RATE OF GROWTH TO A LEVEL THE ROAD SYSTEM CAN ACCOMMODATE.
MR BARMA SAID: "WHILE THERE HAS BEEN SUCCESS IN MAINTAINING AVERAGE TRAFFIC SPEEDS IN HONG KONG THROUGH A VIGOROUS ROAD BUILDING PROGRAMME AND GOOD TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT OVER THE YEARS, IF WE ARE TO KEEP HONG KONG MOVING INTO THE 21ST CENTURY, THE COMMUNITY MAY WELL HAVE TO FACE HARD, UNPOPULAR CHOICES."
/25........
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 27, 1993
- 25 -
GOVT DETERMINED TO MAKE ARTS A WAY OF LIFE
* * ♦ ♦ *
THE GOVERNMENT IS DETERMINED TO MAKE ARTS NOT ONLY THE PRESERVE OF THE ARTS PRACTITIONERS AND THE WELL-TO-DO BUT ALSO INCREASINGLY TO HAVE IT ACCEPTED AS A WAY OF LIFE FOR THE PUBLIC AT LARGE, THE SECRETARY FOR RECREATION AND CULTURE, MR JAMES SO, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE RESUMED DEBATE ON THE MOTION OF THANKS IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, MR SO SAID HE BELIEVED THIS WAS WHAT THE COMMUNITY WANTED.
HE TOLD THE COUNCIL THAT THE GOVERNMENT HAD WASTED NO TIME IN GETTING TO WORK ON THE SETTING UP OF THE PROVISIONAL ARTS DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL ANNOUNCED IN THE GOVERNOR’S POLICY ADDRESS.
A WORKING GROUP WAS APPOINTED ON OCTOBER 8 UNDER THE CHAIRMANSHIP OF SIR JOSEPH HOTUNG TO PREPARE FOR THE FORMATION OF THE PROVISIONAL COUNCIL.
"SO FAR, THE WORKING GROUP HAS HELD TWO MEETINGS AND HAS SET UP FIVE SPECIALIST COMMITTEES ON POLICY, LEGISLATION, MANAGEMENT AND FINANCE, TRANSITIONAL ARRANGEMENTS, AND COMMUNITY LIAISON TO GET ON WITH THE TASK," HE SAID.
"THE WORKING GROUP HAS ALSO TAKEN STEPS TO SET UP ITS OWN SECRETARIAT BY ADVERTISING TO RECRUIT AN EXECUTIVE SECRETARY AND SUPPORTING STAFF," HE ADDED.
THE SECRETARY NOTED THAT DURING THE DEBATE, A FEW MEMBERS HAD PROPOSED FOR THE FUTURE ARTS DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL (ADC) TO HAVE A BROAD BASE REPRESENTATION, MADE UP PRIMARILY OF PROFESSIONAL ARTS PRACTITIONERS, WITH INDEPENDENT POLICY MAKING POWER.
HE SAID HE GENERALLY SHARES THESE VIEWS AND IS SURE THAT THE WORKING GROUP WILL TAKE THEM ON BOARD WHEN DRAWING UP RECOMMENDATIONS ON MEMBERSHIP GUIDELINES FOR THE FUTURE ADC AND ITS TERMS OF REFERENCE.
REFERRING TO CRITICISM THAT THE VISUAL ART IS NOT DIRECTLY REPRESENTED IN THE WORKING GROUP, MR SO SAID A PRACTISING VISUAL ARTIST WOULD SOON JOIN THE GROUP.
ON THE QUESTION OF FUNDING, THE SECRETARY NOTED ONE MEMBER’S REQUEST FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THE REMIT OF THE $100 MILLION GRANT PROPOSED BY THE GOVERNOR.
MORE INFORMATION ON THE REMIT OF THIS GRANT WILL BE SPELT OUT WHEN THE FINANCE COMMITTEE OF THIS COUNCIL IS APPROACHED TO APPROVE THE ALLOCATION OF THIS MONEY, MR SO SAID.
"IN THE MEANTIME, I SHALL HAVE TO CONSULT THE WORKING GROUP FOR ITS VIEWS ON HOW THIS GRANT SHOULD BEST BE USED TO PROMOTE AND DEVELOP THE ARTS IN THE YEARS AHEAD," HE ADDED.
MR SO ALSO SAID HE CONSIDERED IT ESSENTIAL FOR THE MUNICIPAL COUNCILS AND THE COMMUNITY AT LARGE TO CONTINUE TO FINANCIALLY SUPPORT THE ARTS.
/TURNING TO .......
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 27, 1993
26
TURNING TO THE ISSUE OF BROADCASTING, MR SO SAID WITH THE LAUNCH OF THE FIRST SUBSCRIPTION TV SERVICE ON OCTOBER 31, THE GOVERNMENT’S OVERALL POLICY OBJECTIVE OF ENABLING HONG KONG PEOPLE TO HAVE THE WIDEST POSSIBLE CHOICE OF QUALITY TELEVISION SERVICES AT AN AFFORDABLE COST IS BEING REALISED.
!#
"BY THE END OF THIS DECADE, UPON FULL EXPANSION OF THE WHARF CABLE TV SYSTEM, VIEWERS WILL HAVE SOME 40 TO 50 CHANNELS TO CHOOSE FROM,” MR SO SAID.
HE TOLD THE COUNCIL THAT THE GOVERNMENT IS CURRENTLY REVIEWING ITS LICENSING POLICY ON SATELLITE TV SERVICE WITH A VIEW TO RELAXING THE EXISTING FRAMEWORK TO ENABLE MORE OVERSEAS, INTERNATIONAL SATELLITE TV OPERATORS TO ORIGINATE THEIR SERVICES FROM HONG KONG.
"I HOPE TO PUT PROPOSALS TO THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL AND TO THIS COUNCIL EARLY NEXT YEAR,” MR SO SAID.
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BILL TO EXTEND SUBMISSION DATE FOR BOUNDARY AND ELECTION COMMISSION * * * * ♦
*
THE GOVERNMENT TODAY (WEDNESDAY) INTRODUCED A BILL INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TO EXTEND THE LATEST DATE BY WHICH THE BOUNDARY AND ELECTION COMMISSION IS TO SUBMIT TO THE GOVERNOR RECOMMENDATIONS ON THE MUNICIPAL COUNCIL CONSTITUENCY BOUNDARIES FOR THE 1995 MUNICIPAL COUNCIL ELECTIONS.
MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE BOUNDARY AND ELECTION COMMISSION (AMENDMENT) BILL 1993, THE ACTING SECRETARY FOR CONSTITUTIONAL AFFAIRS, MR C M LEUNG, SAID CLAUSE 2 OF THE BILL SHOULD BE AMENDED TO EXTEND THE SUBMISSION DATE FROM DECEMBER 31, 1993 TO
APRIL 30, NEXT YEAR.
UNDER THE EXISTING LEGISLATIVE PROVISIONS, THE BOUNDARY AND ELECTION COMMISSION IS REQUIRED TO SUBMIT TO THE GOVERNOR RECOMMENDATIONS ON THE 1995 MUNICIPAL COUNCIL CONSTITUENCY BOUNDARIES BY DECEMBER 31, THIS YEAR.
BEFORE DOING SO THE COMMISSION IS ALSO REQUIRED BY LAW TO PRODUCE PROVISIONAL RECOMMENDATIONS FOR PUBLIC CONSULTATION FOR 30 DAYS.
/THE COMMISSION .......
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 27, 1993
27
THE COMMISSION MUST, AS REQUIRED BY LAW, WORK ACCORDING TO THE NUMBER OF ELECTED MUNICIPAL COUNCIL SEATS AS CURRENTLY PROVIDED FOR IN THE URBAN COUNCIL ORDINANCE AND THE REGIONAL COUNCIL ORDINANCE, IN DRAWING UP ITS RECOMMENDATIONS.
BUT THE COMPOSITION OF THE TWO MUNICIPAL COUNCILS IS AMONG THE ISSUES RELATING TO THE 1994/95 ELECTORAL ARRANGEMENTS WHICH ARE NOW BEING DISCUSSED BETWEEN THE BRITISH AND THE CHINESE GOVERNMENTS.
"CLEARLY, THEREFORE, IF THE COMMISSION IS TO PREPARE RECOMMENDATIONS AND TO PROCEED WITH PUBLIC CONSULTATION ON THE BASIS OF THE EXISTING NUMBER OF ELECTED MUNICIPAL COUNCIL SEATS, IT COULD WELL BE WASTING TIME AND RESOURCES NOT ONLY OF THE COMMISSION BUT ALSO THE PUBLIC ON ABSORTIVE WORK IF A DECISION IS LATER MADE TO CHANGE THE NUMBER OF SUCH SEATS," HE SAID.
THAT WAS THE REASON WHY THE GOVERNMENT PROPOSED TO EXTEND THE LATEST DATE TO APRIL 30, NEXT YEAR BY WHICH THE COMMISSION IS TO SUBMIT ITS RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE GOVERNOR.
"WITH THIS NEW DATE, THE COMMISSION WILL BE ABLE TO AWAIT DECISIONS AND, IF NECESSARY, NEW LEGISLATION ON THE NUMBER OF ELECTED MUNICIPAL COUNCIL SEATS AS FROM 1995 BEFORE STARTING WORK ON ITS RECOMMENDATIONS ON CONSTITUENCY BOUNDARIES," HE SAID.
"IN PROPOSING APRIL 30, 1994 AS THE LATEST SUBMISSION DATE, WE HAVE HAD REGARD TO THE PRACTICAL NEED TO COMPLETE, BEFORE THIS COUNCIL GOES INTO RECESS IN JULY 1994, ALL THE STATUTORY AND ADMINISTRATIVE STEPS FOR SETTING THE MUNICIPAL COUNCIL CONSTITUENCY BOUNDARIES SO THAT THE FINAL VOTER REGISTER COULD BE PUBLISHED BEFORE EARLY AUGUST 1994 AS REQUIRED BY LAW," HE SAID.
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BETTER CONTROL OVER LIVESTOCK WASTE *****
THE AMENDMENTS TO THE WASTE DISPOSAL ORDINANCE AND THE PUBLIC HEALTH (ANIMALS & BIRDS) ORDINANCE WILL ENABLE THE GOVERNMENT TO HAVE BETTER CONTROL OVER ANIMAL WASTE FROM LIVESTOCK FARMS, THE SECRETARY FOR PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS, MR TONY EASON, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MOVING THE BILLS FOR THEIR SECOND READINGS, MR EASON SAID THE AMENDMENTS WERE ALL IMPORTANT COMPONENTS OF THE GOVERNMENT’S REVISED SCHEME ON LIVESTOCK WASTE CONTROL.
THE WASTE DISPOSAL (AMENDMENT) BILL PROVIDES THE POWER FOR THE DIRECTOR FOR ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION IN SETTING UP LIVESTOCK RESTRICTION AREAS AND GIVING DIRECTIONS TO PREVENT POLLUTION ARISING FROM LIVESTOCK WASTE.
THE PUBLIC HEALTH (ANIMALS AND BIRDS) (AMENDMENT) BILL 1993 WILL PROVIDE FOR THE DIRECTOR OF AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES WITH THE POWER TO LICENSE LIVESTOCK KEEPING.
MR EASON SAID THE REVISED LIVESTOCK WASTE CONTROL SCHEME HAD BEEN DEVISED AFTER CAREFUL DELIBERATION AND EXTENSIVE CONSULTATION, IN PARTICULAR, WITH LIVESTOCK FARMERS.
/"CONSULTATIONS HAVE .......
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 27, 1993
28
"CONSULTATIONS HAVE BEEN HELD WITH FARMERS REPRESENTATIVES ON THE LIVESTOCK WASTE DISPOSAL CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEE, THE LIVESTOCK SUB-COMMITTEE OF THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES, AND VARIOUS LIVESTOCK TRADE ASSOCIATIONS.
"THEIR VIEWS HAVE BEEN CAREFULLY CONSIDERED AND THE REVISED SCHEME HAS BEEN ADJUSTED TO REFLECT THESE VIEWS AS FAR AS POSSIBLE, HAVING REGARD TO THE NEED TO STRIKE A BALANCE WITH THE WIDER INTEREST OF THE COMMUNITY AND THE URGENT NEED TO PROTECT THE ENVIRONMENT."
FOR EXAMPLE, MR EASON SAID, FARMERS WOULD BE GIVEN THREE YEARS AFTER LICENSING TO ACHIEVE THE DESIRED STANDARD.
IN ADDITION, HE SAID, IT IS PROPOSED THAT THE RATE OF CAPITAL GRANT WILL BE INCREASED TO COVER UP TO HALF THE MARKET COST OF INSTALLING WASTE TREATMENT SYSTEM.
MR EASON SAID MOST FARMER REPRESENTATIVES HAD ACCEPTED THE PRINCIPLES OF THE LICENSING SYSTEM AND WERE GENERALLY RECEPTIVE TO THE REVISIONS MADE TO THE SCHEME.
THE ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION ADVISORY COMMITTEE HAS BEEN CONSULTED AND HAS GIVEN ITS SUPPORT TO THE PROPOSALS AND THE RELATED LEGISLATION, HE SAID.
MR EASON SAID THE OPPORTUNITY WAS ALSO BEING TAKEN TO AMEND THE WASTE DISPOSAL ORDINANCE TO PROVIDE FOR INCREASED PENALTY ON ILLEGAL DISPOSAL OF LARGE QUANTITIES OF WASTE COMMONLY KNOWN AS "FLY-TIPPING".
THE BILL WILL MAKE FLY-TIPPING AN OFFENCE UNDER THE ORDINANCE AND WILL CARRY A MAXIMUM FINE OF $200,000 AND SIX MONTHS IMPRISONMENT FOR THE FIRST OFFENCE, $500,000 AND SIX MONTHS IMPRISONMENT FOR SUBSEQUENT OFFENCES, AND A DAILY FINE OF UP TO $10,000 FOR CONTINUING OFFENCES, HE SAID.
- - 0-----------
OTB BACK TO PRIVATE SECTOR
*****
THE GOVERNMENT TODAY (WEDNESDAY) INTRODUCED A BILL INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TO AMEND THE OVERSEAS TRUST BANK (ACQUISITION) ORDINANCE SO AS TO PUT THE BANK ON THE SAME FOOTING AS OTHER BANKS IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR.
MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE OVERSEAS TRUST BANK (ACQUISITION) (AMENDMENT) BILL 1993, THE SECRETARY FOR FINANCIAL SERVICES, MR MICHAEL CARTLAND, SAID THE BILL WOULD REPEAL A NUMBER OF PROVISIONS RELATING TO THE MANAGEMENT AND CONTROL OF THE OVERSEAS TRUST BANK WHICH ARE NO LONGER APPROPRIATE.
BUT SOME EXISTING PROVISIONS OF THE ORDINANCE ARE NECESSARY TO BE LEFT INTACT, SUCH AS THOSE PROVISIONS THAT ALLOW COMPENSATION TO BE MADE. THESE PROVISIONS ARE NOT TIME-BARRED AND IT IS TN THE PUBLIC INTEREST TO DO SO, MR CARTLAND SAID.
/UNDER CERTAIN .......
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 27, 1993
29
UNDER CERTAIN PROVISIONS, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY CAN DIRECT THE DISCLAIMATION OF CERTAIN TRANSACTIONS BY THE BANK BECAUSE THE PURCHASER OF THE BANK WAS GIVEN A LIMITED NUMBER OF WARRANTIES BY THE GOVERNMENT WHICH MIGHT BE RELATED TO LIABILITIES INCURRED BY THE BANK BEFORE ITS ACQUISITION BY THE GOVERNMENT.
DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.
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MORE ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS FROM CHINA RECORDED *****
THE PROBLEM OF ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION FROM CHINA IS LIKELY TO CONTINUE IN THE FORESEEABLE FUTURE, THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, MR ALASTAIR ASPREY, SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE IMMIGRATION (AMENDMENT) (NO.2) BILL 1993, MR ASPREY SAID THE OVERALL FIGURE FOR THIS YEAR WERE STILL OVER 10% UP ON THE SAME PERIOD LAST YEAR.
"ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION FROM CHINA REMAINS A SERIOUS PROBLEM," HE SAID.
IT IS THEREFORE NECESSARY TO RETAIN PART VIIA AS A STRONG SANCTION AGAINST THE 'SNAKEHEADS" WHO ENGAGE IN THIS ILLICIT TRADE, HE ADDED.
"WE PROPOSE, HOWEVER, TO MODERATE THE HEAVY PENALTIES WHICH WERE FELT NECESSARY FOR THE EMERGENCY SITUATION WHICH WE FACED AT THE TIME OF ENACTMENT IN 1979."
THE GOVERNMENT PROPOSES TO REDUCE THE MAXIMUM TERM OF IMPRISONMENT FROM LIFE TO 14 YEARS. BUT THE MAXIMUM FINE REMAINS AT $5 MILLION.
A NUMBER OF OTHER AMENDMENTS ARE ALSO MADE IN THE BILL:
* AMENDMENT OF SECTION 19, TO CLARIFY THAT UNDESIRABLE ALIEN VISITORS AND TRANSITEES ARE REMOVABLE FROM HONG KONG;
* AMENDMENT OF SECTIONS 20, 54, 55, TO TRANSFER AUTHORITY TO MAKE AND RESCIND DEPORTATION ORDERS FROM THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL TO THE GOVERNOR;
* AMENDMENT OF SECTION 40, TO INCREASE THE MAXIMUM FINE, FROM $1,000 TO $10,000, FOR AIRLINES CARRYING PASSENGERS WITHOUT PROPER DOCUMENTATION TO HONG KONG;
* AMENDMENT OF SECTION 53C, TO EMPOWER THE IMMIGRATION TRIBUNAL TO DISMISS REPEATED APPEALS AGAINST REMOVAL ORDERS WITHOUT A HEARING; AND
* AMENDMENT OF SECTION 63A, TO EXTEND THE USE OF EVIDENCE BY CERTIFICATE IN CASES OF PROSECUTION OF SITE CONTROLLERS.
DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.
/30 ......
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 27, 1993
30
TAX EXEMPTION FOR OCCUPATIONAL RETIREMENT SCHEMES *****
AS A MATTER OF POLICY, AN APPROVED RETIREMENT SCHEME IS NOT SUBJECT TO TAX ON PROFITS FROM THE INVESTMENT OF ITS ASSETS.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE SECRETARY FOR THE TREASURY, MR DONALD TSANG, IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON MARVIN CHEUNG IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
HE ADDED THAT THE INLAND REVENUE (AMENDMENT)(NO. 4) BILL 1993, WHICH HAD RECENTLY BEEN INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGCO, SOUGHT TO PROVIDE THAT A RECOGNISED OCCUPATIONAL RETIREMENT SCHEME WOULD BE REGARDED AS AN APPROVED RETIREMENT SCHEME FOR THE PURPOSE OF DETERMINING ITS TAX LIABILITY.
"WITH THIS PROPOSED AMENDMENT, IT WOULD BE SUFFICIENTLY CLEAR IN LAW THAT RECOGNISED OCCUPATIONAL RETIREMENT SCHEMES WHICH ARE ESTABLISHED UNDER STATUTORY CONTROL TO RECEIVE, HOLD AND MANAGE FUNDS EARMARKED FOR THE PROVISION OF EMPLOYEES’ BENEFITS ARE NOT LIABLE TO PROFITS TAX."
IT IS THUS NOT NECESSARY TO PROVIDE FOR THIS SEPARATELY AND SPECIFICALLY IN THE INLAND REVENUE ORDINANCE, MR TSANG SAID.
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HA TO APPOINT ASBESTOS ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE ft ft ft ft ft
THE HOSPITAL AUTHORITY IS EMPOWERED UNDER THE AIR POLLUTION CONTROL (AMENDMENT) ORDINANCE 1993, WHICH CAME INTO OPERATION ON AUGUST 6 THIS YEAR, TO APPOINT AN ASBESTOS ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE.
AND ALSO TO IDENTIFY SUITABLE COMMITTEE MEMBERS, THE SECRETARY FOR PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS, MR TONY EASON, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON MAN SAI-CHEONG, MR EASON SAID APPOINTMENT FORMALITIES WERE BEING FINALISED AND THE DRAFTING INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE ASSOCIATED ASBESTOS ADMINISTRATION REGULATIONS WERE BEING PREPARED.
THE AMENDED ORDINANCE DOES NOT CALL FOR THE REMOVAL OF ASBESTOS FROM PUBLIC HOSPITALS BUT REQUIRES AN INVESTIGATION FOR ASBESTOS TO BE CONDUCTED FOR SPECIFIED PREMISES AND A MANAGEMENT PLAN TO BE PREPARED, MR EASON SAID.
THE GOVERNMENT HAS STARTED A COMPREHENSIVE SURVEY OF ASBESTOS IN ALL PUBLIC HOSPITALS TO RECORD THE PRESENCE OF ANY ASBESTOS AND ASSESS THE POSSIBLE HAZARD, AND PRIORITIES FOR THE NECESSARY ABATEMENT WORK WOULD BE ESTABLISHED.
"MANY GOVERNMENT AND PRIVATE ASBESTOS REMOVAL PROJECTS HAVE ALREADY TAKEN PLACE AND THIS INDICATES THAT THE POOL OF TECHNICAL EXPERTISE AVAILABLE IS SUFFICIENT," MR EASON SAID.
/HE SAID .......
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 27, 1993
31
HE SAID THE HONG KONG OCCUPATION SAFETY AND HEALTH COUNCIL AND THE HONG KONG POLYTECHNIC, WITH ASSISTANCE OF THE GOVERNMENT, WERE RUNNING TRAINING COURSES FOR ASBESTOS ABATEMENT WORK STAFF AND ASBESTOS CONSULTANTS.
IN ADDITION, DRAFT CODES OF PRACTICE FOR PROFESSIONALS AND WORKERS CONCERNED WITH ASBESTOS pEMQVAL ANP SAFETY ARE BEING PREPARED AND WILL BE SUBMITTED TO THE ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION ADVISORY COMMITTEE SHORTLY, HE SAID.
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BUDGET FOR VII*S STATUS CLAIMS *****
FIVE SOLICITOR FIRMS AND 17 PRIVATE BARRISTERS HAVE BEEN ENGAGED ON CLAIMS FOR REFUGEE STATUS BY ILLEGAL VIETNAMESE IMMIGRANTS SINCE 1990/91.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE CHIEF SECRETARY, SIR DAVID FORD, IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON MRS ELSIE TU IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
AS THE LEGAL AID DEPARTMENT DOES NOT MAKE ANY DISTINCTION BETWEEN "RESIDENT” AND "NON-RESIDENT" PRACTITIONERS, NO RECORDS ARE KEPT FOR SUCH CATEGORISATION AND THEIR RELATIVE COSTS TO THE PUBLIC PURSE, SIR DAVID SAID.
ON THE PROPORTION OF THE DEPARTMENT’S BUDGET USED TO PAY PRIVATE LAWYERS AND THE AMOUNT SPENT ON SUCH CLAIMS, HE GAVE THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION:
APPROVED PROVISION FOR THE LEGAL AID DEPARTMENT PAYMENT TO PRIVATE LAWYERS FOR LITIGATION/ LEGAL REPRESENTATION EXPENSES ON CLAIMS FOR REFUGEE STATUS BY ILLEGAL VIETNAMESE IMMIGRANTS PERCENTAGE OF DEPARTMENT’S PROVISION FOR PAYMENT TO PRIVATE LAWYERS PERCENTAGE OF PAYMENT TO PRIVATE LAWYERS ON REFUGEE STATUS CLAIMS
($M) ($M) ($M)
1990/91 190.49 98.37 2.16 51.64% 2.20%
1991/92 225.20 113.32 4.93 50.32% 4.35%
1992/93 256.77 131.14 11.35 51.07% 8.65%
1993/94 259.50 (129.75)* 77.11* 1.14* 59.43%* 1.48%*
» V' •
* PART-YEAR FIGURE FROM 1.4.93 TO 30.9.93
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32
NO SURVEY AMONG CIVIL SERVANTS OF INFORMATION LEGISLATION *****
THE GOVERNMENT HAS NOT CONDUCTED ANY SURVEY AMONG CIVIL SERVANTS TO ASCERTAIN THEIR VIEWS ON THE INTRODUCTION OF LEGISLATION ON ACCESS TO INFORMATION, THE SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS, MR MICHAEL SUEN, INFORMED THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL THIS (WEDNESDAY) AFTERNOON.
REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY THE HON CHRISTINE LOH KUNG-WAI, MR SUEN SAID THE GOVERNMENT DID NOT HAVE ANY PLANS TO CONDUCT A SURVEY ON THE TOPIC.
"HOWEVER, WERE WE TO DO SO, WE WOULD NOT SINGLE OUT CIVIL SERVANTS FOR PARTICULAR CONSIDERATION, AS THIS ISSUE IS ONE OF COMMUNITY-WIDE INTEREST AND CONCERN," MR SUEN SAID.
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AVERAGE UNIT COST FOR EDUCATING HK STUDENTS
*****
DIRECT COMPARISON OF THE AVERAGE COST FOR PROVIDING EDUCATION FOR EACH STUDENT AMONG THE TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS FUNDED BY THE UNIVERSITY AND POLYTECHNIC GRANTS COMMITTEE (UPGC) IS PARTICULARLY DIFFICULT, THE SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER, MR MICHAEL LEUNG, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
THIS IS BECAUSE THE INSTITUTIONS ARE DIFFERENT IN THE RANGE OF FACULTIES/DEPARTMENTS/SUBJECTS; MIX OF LEVELS OF STUDIES INCLUDING SUB-DEGREE, UNDERGRADUATE, TAUGHT POSTGRADUATE AND RESEARCH POSTGRADUATE; STAGE OF DEVELOPMENT; STAFFING COSTS AND STAFFING STRUCTURE.
IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON HENRY TANG IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, MR LEUNG GAVE THE AVERAGE UNIT COSTS FOR PROVIDING EDUCATION FOR EACH STUDENT AT THE HONG KONG UNIVERSITY (HKU), CHINESE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG (CUHK), HONG KONG POLYTECHNIC (HKP), CITY POLYTECHNIC OF HONG KONG (CPHK), HONG KONG BAPTIST COLLEGE (HKBC), HONG KONG UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY (HKUST) AND LINGNAN COLLEGE IN 1991/92 WERE $168,397, $128,051, $83,966, $115,139, $94,520, $442,855 AND $74,076 RESPECTIVELY.
HE EXPLAINED THAT HKUST’S UNIT COST WAS CONSIDERABLY HIGHER THAN THE OTHER INSTITUTIONS BECAUSE OF THE SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF FRONT-END LOADING REQUIRED FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE UNIVERSITY VIS-A-VIS THE STUDENT INTAKE WHICH WAS BELOW THE PLANNED CAPABILITY.
"THE UNIT COST PER STUDENT WILL GRADUALLY DECREASE AS THE UNIVERSITY BUILDS UP ITS STUDENT POPULATION,” HE ADDED.
AS THE HKUST AND LINGNAN COLLEGE ONLY BECAME UPGC-FUNDED INSTITUTIONS IN 1991/92, THE AVERAGE UNIT COSTS BEFORE THIS ACADEMIC YEAR WERE NOT AVAILABLE.
AS FOR THE OTHER INSTITUTIONS, THE FIGURES FOR HKU, CUHK, HKP, CPHK AND HKBC IN 1990/91 WERE $130,562, $104,319, $67,958, $83,880 AND $76,111 RESPECTIVELY WHILE THOSE FOR 1989/90 WERE $119,954, $95,955, $64,420, $84,809 AND $70,170 RESPECTIVELY.
/FOR SECONDARY .......
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 27, 1993
33
FOR SECONDARY STUDENTS, THE AVERAGE UNIT COSTS IN 1992/93 FOR GOVERNMENT, AIDED AND ENGLISH SCHOOLS FOUNDATION (ESF) SCHOOLS WERE $24,338, $15,521 AND $19,791 RESPECTIVELY.
THE FIGURES FOR THESE SCHOOLS IN 1991/92 AND 1990/91 (IN BRACKETS) WERE $22,207 ($19,654), $13,964 ($12,396) AND $18,445 ($16,590) RESPECTIVELY.
AS REGARDS DIRECT SUBSIDY TO INTERNATIONAL SECONDARY SCHOOLS, MR LEUNG SAID IT WAS BASED ON THE AVERAGE UNIT COST OF AN AIDED SCHOOL PLACE AND WAS ADJUSTED IN ACCORDANCE WITH ACTUAL FEES CHARGED, I.E. THE HIGHER THE FEE THE LOWER THE SUBSIDY.
THE AVERAGE UNIT COSTS FOR THESE SCHOOLS IN 1992/93 AND 1991/92 WERE $3,813 AND $3,424 RESPECTIVELY.
THE AVERAGE UNIT COSTS FOR PROVIDING EDUCATION FOR EACH PRIMARY STUDENT IN 1992/93 WERE $13,613, $10,229 AND $12,367 RESPECTIVELY FOR GOVERNMENT, AIDED AND ESF SCHOOLS.
THE FIGURES FOR 1991/92 AND 1990/91 (IN BRACKETS) WERE $12,399 ($10,902), $9,084 ($8,034) AND $11,125 ($9,844) RESPECTIVELY.
------0--------
$4 MILLION CASH RELIEF FOR FLOOD VICTIMS *****
THE GOVERNMENT HAVE SO FAR THIS YEAR OFFERED $4.16 MILLION CASH RELIEF TO FLOOD VICTIMS, THE SECRETARY FOR PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS, MR TONY EASON, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON TIK CHI-YUEN, MR EASON SAID THERE WERE 899 FLOODING CASES ON RECORD SO FAR THIS YEAR AND THE GOVERNMENT WAS SPENDING $68 MILLION FOR CLEARANCE AND MAINTENANCE OF DRAINS IN THE CURRENT FINANCIAL YEAR.
------0--------
RETRAINING FUND FOR ACCIDENT VICTIMS, ELDERLY AND DISABLED ♦ * ♦ ♦ ♦
THE EMPLOYEES RETRAINING BOARD HAS DECIDED TO EARMARK $10 MILLION INITIALLY FOR THE RETRAINING OF INDUSTRIAL ACCIDENTS VICTIMS, ELDERLY AND DISABLED WORKERS, THE SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER, MR MICHAEL LEUNG, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON HENRY TANG, MR LEUNG SAID THE BOARD WOULD LIAISE WITH RELEVANT GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS, RELATED ORGANISATIONS AND EMPLOYER ASSOCIATIONS TO ENSURE THAT THE TRAINING PROVIDED WOULD MEET THE ASPIRATIONS AND SPECIAL NEEDS OF THESE GROUPS, TAKING ACCOUNT OF THE EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES OPEN TO THEM.
"THE PROPOSAL WILL HAVE NO IMPACT ON THE TRAINING OF THE UNEMPLOYED AND UNDEREMPLOYED,” HE ADDED.
/MR LEUNG .......
34
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 27, 1993
MR LEUNG ALSO NOTED THAT THE EMPLOYEES RETRAINING FUND HAD A BALANCE OF ABOUT $433 MILLION AS AT THE END OF SEPTEMBER THIS YEAR.
GIVEN THE HEALTHY BALANCE OF THE FUND, HE SAID, NO ADDITIONAL FUNDS WILL BE REQUIRED.
-----0-------
SERVICES AVAILABLE TO BATTERED SPOUSES
*****
A RANGE OF SERVICES, INCLUDING MEDICAL, COUNSELLING, FINANCIAL AND HOUSING ASSISTANCE, OFFERED TO VICTIMS OF SPOUSE BATTERING ARE AVAILABLE TO BOTH MEN AND WOMEN, THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, MRS ELIZABETH WONG, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON LAU WONG-FAT IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, MRS WONG SAID THESE SERVICES WERE OFFERED AT THE FAMILY SERVICES CENTRES OF THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT (SWD) AND NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANISATIONS (NGOS).
ACCORDING TO POLICE STATISTICS, THERE WERE 178, 181 AND 173 SPOUSE BATTERING CASES IN 1991, LAST YEAR AND THE FIRST NINE MONTHS OF THIS YEAR RESPECTIVELY.
OF THESE, 30 CASES IN 1991, 31 CASES LAST YEAR AND 28 CASES THIS YEAR WERE CASES IN WHICH MEN WERE THE VICTIMS.
THE SECRETARY POINTED OUT THAT 609 CASES OF SPOUSE BATTERING WERE HANDLED BY THE SWD IN THE PAST THREE YEARS, OF WHICH ONLY 18 CASES WERE CASES IN WHICH THE VICTIMS WERE MEN.
"THE PERCENTAGE IS MUCH SMALLER THAN THAT REPORTED TO THE POLICE, INDICATING THAT BATTERED MEN ARE LESS READY TO BRING OUT THE PROBLEM AND SEEK ASSISTANCE," MRS WONG SAID.
ON ASSISTANCE OFFERED TO BATTERED SPOUSES, THERE ARE AT PRESENT 30 FAMILY SERVICES CENTRES RUN BY THE SWD AND 23 RUN BY NGOS.
COUNSELLING AND ADVICE ARE RENDERED TO HELP THEM COPE WITH STRESS AND EMOTIONAL PROBLEMS.
THESE CENTRES ALSO OFFER HELP IN ARRANGING TEMPORARY SHELTER, FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE, LEGAL ADVICE AND CHILDCARE ARRANGEMENTS.
A HOTLINE SERVICE IS AVAILABLE FOR PERSONS WHO REQUIRE IMMEDIATE COUNSELLING AND ADVICE ON FAMILY PROBLEMS.
FOR THOSE WHO ARE IN NEED OF SHELTER, THERE ARE NINE TEMPORARY SHELTERS AND HOSTELS FOR SINGLE PERSONS RUN BY NGOS WITH A TOTAL CAPACITY OF 296 PLACES.
FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE UNDER THE COMPREHENSIVE SOCIAL SECURITY ASSISTANCE SCHEME OR FROM ONE OF THE CHARITABLE FUNDS MAY BE ARRANGED FOR BATTERED SPOUSES WHO ARE IN FINANCIAL NEED.
CONDITIONAL TENANCY IN PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES CAN ALSO BE ARRANGED UNDER THE COMPASSIONATE REHOUSING CATEGORY FOR BATTERED SPOUSES WHO MEET THE ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA.
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/35 .......
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 27,
1993
35
HK GOVT OFFICE IN LONDON SETS FOR RESTRUCTURING *****
THE SIZE OF THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT OFFICE IN LONDON WILL BE REDUCED, ACCORDING TO THE COMMISSIONER, LONDON’S PROPOSAL.
IT WILL BE RE-ORGANISED INTO AN ECONOMIC AND TRADE OFFICE AFTER 1997.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE SECRETARY FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY, MR T H CHAU, IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON EMILY LAU WAI-HING, MR CHAU SAID THE PROPOSED RESTRUCTURING OF THE LONDON OFFICE WOULD CONSIST OF THREE STAGES.
IN THE FIRST STAGE (1994/95), THERE ARE PLANS TO MOVE THE RESPONSIBILITY FOR APPOINTMENTS FROM THE LONDON OFFICE TO THE CIVIL SERVICE BRANCH AND DELETE EIGHT POSTS IN LONDON OFFICE.
THE HONG KONG-BASED OFFICERS CONCERNED WOULD RETURN TO HONG KONG AT THE END OF THEIR CURRENT POSTINGS. THE LOCALLY-EMPLOYED STAFF WOULD BE EITHER REDEPLOYED WITHIN THE OFFICE OR BE INVITED TO APPLY FOR VOLUNTARY REDUNDANCY.
IN THE SECOND STAGE (1995/96), THE COMMUNITY SERVICES DIVISION AND THE STUDENT AFFAIRS DIVISION WOULD BE RESTRUCTURED AND STREAMLINED.
IN THE THIRD STAGE (1996/97), THE PARLIAMENTARY LIAISON DIVISION WOULD BE RESTRUCTURED AND STREAMLINED.
MR CHAU SAID THE ADMINISTRATION WOULD REVIEW THE COMMISSIONER’S PROPOSALS FOR 1995/96 AND 1996/97 NEARER THE RESPECTIVE TIME-FRAMES IN THE CONTEXT OF THE ANNUAL DRAFT ESTIMATES.
THE COMMISSIONER, LONDON HAD NOT SUBMITTED ANY SPECIFIC PROPOSALS REGARDING THE FUTURE OF THE GRAFTON STREET OFFICE OR THE COMMISSIONER’S RESIDENCE AT COWLEY STREET.
THE ADMINISTRATION IS COMMITTED TO A LEASE FOR THE GRAFTON STREET OFFICE UP TO JUNE 2004. THE COMMISSIONER IS CURRENTLY LOOKING INTO THE FEASIBILITY OF SHARING THE OFFICE WITH OTHER HONG KONG-BASED ORGANISATIONS WITH OFFICES IN LONDON, HE SAID.
THE LEASEHOLD ON THE COMMISSIONER’S OFFICIAL RESIDENCE AT COWLEY STREET WAS BOUGHT IN 1978 FOR 75 YEARS, AND IS OWNED BY THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT UNTIL 2053. MR CHAU EXPLAINED.
NO PARTICULAR PROBLEMS HAVE ARISEN IN IMPLEMENTING THE COMMISSIONER’S PROPOSALS, HE ADDED.
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/36 ........
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 27, 1993
- 36 -
DISQUALIFICATION OF INTELLECTUALLY IMPAIRED COMPANY DIRECTORS * ♦ * » »
CONSIDERATION HAS BEEN GIVEN TO WHETHER ADDITIONAL PROVISIONS MAY BE INSERTED INTO THE COMPANIES (AMENDMENT) (NO.3) BILL, CONCERNING THE DISQUALIFICATION OF COMPANY DIRECTORS.
THE BILL IS NOW BEING EXAMINED BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL AND ADVICE OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL’S CHAMBERS HAS ALSO BEEN SOUGHT.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE SECRETARY FOR FINANCIAL SERVICES, MR M D CARTLAND, IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY DR THE HON HUANG CHEN-YA IN THE LEGCO TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
’’THERE WOULD BE DIFFICULTIES INHERENT IN FORMULATING GOOD WORKABLE STATUTORY PROVISIONS FOR THE DISQUALIFICATION OF DIRECTORS ON THE GROUNDS OF INTELLECTUAL IMPAIRMENT," MR CARTLAND SAID.
THE EXISTING PROVISIONS RELATING TO DISQUALIFICATION AND THE NEW PROVISIONS PROPOSED IN THE BILL PROVIDE FOR DISQUALIFICATION FROM HOLDING DIRECTORSHIPS OF ALL COMPANIES ON SPECIFIC GROUNDS SUCH AS MISCONDUCT AND INVOLVEMENT IN FRAUD.
INTRODUCING DISQUALIFICATION ON THE GROUNDS OF INTELLECTUAL IMPAIRMENT WOULD CHANGE THIS CONCEPT.
"OUTRIGHT DISQUALIFICATION IN THIS CASE MIGHT NOT BE APPROPRIATE AS THE PERSON AFFECTED MIGHT BE CAPABLE OF UNDERTAKING A DIRECTORSHIP OF A COMPANY WHICH CONDUCTS VERY SIMPLE AND STRAIGHTFORWARD BUSINESS, ALTHOUGH PROBABLY NOT A COMPANY WHICH ENGAGES IN DIVERSE AND COMPLEX BUSINESS.
"THIS IS COMPLICATED BY THE FACT THAT THERE IS NO OBJECTIVE COMMON MINIMUM STANDARD OF PERFORMANCE WHICH MUST BE ATTAINED BY ALL DIRECTORS."
DIFFERENT STANDARDS MAY BE ACCEPTABLE FROM DIFFERENT DIRECTORS, DEPENDING ON THE INDIVIDUAL’S KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE, HE EXPLAINED.
HE ADDED THAT THE ADMINISTRATION WAS NOT AWARE OF ANY COMPANIES-RELATED LEGISLATION IN OTHER COUNTRIES THAT ATTEMPTS TO DEAL SPECIFICALLY WITH THE ISSUE OF MENTAL INCAPACITY IN DIRECTORS.
ACCORDING TO MR CARTLAND, ONE POSSIBLE APPROACH WOULD BE TO EXAMINE WHAT COULD BE DONE THROUGH THE MEDIUM OF COMPANIES’ ARTICLES OF ASSOCIATION.
THE STANDARD ARTICLES OF ASSOCIATION CONTAINED IN TABLE A IN PART 1 OF THE FIRST SCHEDULE OF THE COMPANIES ORDINANCE (CAP. 32) ALREADY PROVIDES, UNDER ARTICLE 90(D), THAT THE OFFICE OF A DIRECTOR SHALL BE VACATED IF THE DIRECTOR, INTER ALIA, "BECOMES OF UNSOUND MIND".
ALTHOUGH IT IS NOT A MANDATORY REQUIREMENT UPON COMPANIES TO ADOPT THE STANDARD SET OF ARTICLES, MANY HONG KONG COMPANIES DO EITHER ADOPT THESE IN THEIR ENTIRETY OR FOLLOW THEM VERY CLOSELY.
/MR CARTLAND .......
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 27, 1993
37
MR CARTLAND SAID THE STANDING COMMITTEE ON THE COMPANY LAW REFORM (SCCLR) CAME TO THE VIEW THAT TABLE A, GENERALLY, WAS IN NEED OF REVIEW AND DECIDED TO ESTABLISH A WORKING GROUP TO UNDERTAKE THE TASK.
IN THE CONTEXT OF A REVIEW OF TABLE A, THE SCCLR WILL BE ASKED TO CONSIDER WHETHER ARTICLE 90(D) COULD BE STRENGTHENED TO SPELL OUT MORE PRECISELY PROCEDURES TO DETERMINE WHETHER A DIRECTOR HAS BECOME MENTALLY UNFIT TO CONTINUE IN OFFICE, AND ALSO TO CONSIDER WHETHER CERTAIN OF THE STANDARD ARTICLES COULD BE MADE MANDATORY FOR ALL COMPANIES.
THE ADMINISTRATION WILL ASK THE SCCLR TO EXAMINE WHETHER THE EXISTING PROVISIONS IN THE PRIMARY LEGISLATION FOR THE REMOVAL OF A DIRECTOR ARE ADEQUATE OR NEED TO BE STRENGTHENED.
"THE ADMINISTRATION DOES NOT CONSIDER THAT THERE IS AN IMMEDIATE NEED TO INTRODUCE MEASURES OF A TEMPORARY OR STOPGAP NATURE TO DEAL SPECIFICALLY WITH POSSIBLE INSTANCES OF DIRECTORS WHOSE MENTAL STATE MAY BE IN QUESTION," HE ADDED.
"IT IS OF COURSE ALWAYS OPEN TO SHAREHOLDERS TO SEEK INDEPENDENT LEGAL ADVICE ON THEIR POSITION. DIRECTORS OWE FIDUCIARY AND COMMON LAW DUTIES OF CARE TO THE COMPANY AND MUST AT ALL TIMES ACT IN THE BEST INTERESTS OF THE COMPANY.
"IF ANY SHAREHOLDER FEELS THAT DIRECTORS ARE ACTING IN BREACH OF THOSE DUTIES, HE CAN ULTIMATELY TAKE LEGAL ACTION TO PROTECT HIS INTERESTS," HE CONTINUED.
- - 0 - -
PUBLICITY STRENGTHENED TO DISCOURAGE MONKEY FEEDING
*****
TO RESTRAIN THE GROWTH OF MONKEYS IN THE VICINITY OF KOWLOON AND SHING MUN RESERVOIRS, THE GOVERNMENT HAS LAUNCHED VARIOUS PUBLICITY PROGRAMMES TO EDUCATE THE PUBLIC, ESPECIALLY VISITORS AND MORNING WALKERS, NOT TO FEED THEM.
IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON LEE WING-TAT IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY), THE SECRETARY FOR PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS, MR TONY EASON SAID THE PUBLICITY PROGRAMMES INCLUDED LEAFLETS, NOTICES, EDUCATION DISPLAYS AND MEDIA ADVERTISEMENTS.
AT PRESENT, MR EASON SAID, THE ESTIMATED NUMBER OF MONKEYS IN THE VICINITY WAS ABOUT 750 AND THE ANNUAL GROWTH RATE WAS ABOUT 10 PER CENT.
HE SAID THERE WERE THREE REPORTS OF PEOPLE BEING SCRATCHED BY MONKEYS LAST YEAR.
MR EASON SAID PROHIBITION OF MONKEY FEEDING COULD BE INTRODUCED THROUGH AMENDMENTS TO THE WILD ANIMALS PROTECTION ORDINANCE, BUT NO DECISION HAD BEEN REACHED TO PURSUE THIS COURSE OF ACTION.
- - 0 - -
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 27, 1993
“1
- 38 -
13 SECRETARIES SPOKE IN POLICY ADDRESS DEBATE
* * ♦ » »
A TOTAL OF 13 SECRETARIES SPOKE THE RESUMED DEBATE ON THE MOTION OF THANKS TO THE GOVERNOR’S ADDRESS IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY) WHICH LASTED FOR ALMOST THREE HOURS.
THE MOTION WAS MOVED BY THE HON ELSIE TU.
THE COUNCIL ALSO PASSED THE FOREIGN CORPORATIONS BILL WITHOUT
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 28, 1993
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
SERIOUS DISCUSSIONS IN 15TH ROUND OF TALKS ...................... 1
EXPERT TALKS ON DEFENCE AND PUBLIC ORDER ........................ 1
PROMOTION EFFORTS ATTRACT APPLAUSE .............................. 1
FS STARTS CONSULTATION ON REVENUE PROPOSALS ..................... 2
CHINA'S RE-ENTRY INTO GATT WILL BENEFIT HONG KONG: STI .......... 3
SPEL TO ASSUME HOUSING ROLE ..................................... 4
SUSPENSION OF "OPPOSITE RUNWAY" MODE OF OPERATION AT KAI TAK 5
CITIZENS ASKED TO HELP IMPROVE ENVIRONMENT ...................... 7
SITING OF PHI CAREFULLY PLANNED ................................. 8
GOVT FULLY BACKS UPGRADING OF INDUSTRIES ........................ 9
SITE FORMATION WORKS FOR TUNG CHUNG RESERVOIR STARTS ........... 10
TRANSFER OF STATUTORY POWERS TO SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT ........ 11
DOOR TO NEGOTIATIONS STILL OPEN ................................ 11
PROVISIONAL FIGURES OF EXTERNAL TRADE FOR SEPTEMBER ............ 12
CONTRACT FOR ENVIRONMENTAL AUDITS AWARDED ...................... 15
CSD NEW LAUNCH 'SEAWARD' COMES INTO SERVICE .................... 15
HEALTH EXHIBITION ON HOME SAFETY ............................... 16
53 INMATES PASS PUBLIC EXAMS .................................. 17
BOE MEMBERS VISIT UNITED WORLD COLLEGE ......................... 17
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS
18
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 28, 1993
1
SERIOUS DISCUSSIONS IN 15TH ROUND OF TALKS
* * * * *
THE GOVERNOR, THE RT HON CHRISTOPHER PATTEN, THIS (THURSDAY) EVENING DESCRIBED THE 15TH ROUND OF TALKS ON ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE 1994/95 ELECTIONS HELD IN BEIJING AS ’’SERIOUS” AND ’’TOUGH”.
SPEAKING TO REPORTERS BEFORE ATTENDING THE HONG KONG SOCIETY OF ACCOUNTANTS’ 20TH ANNIVERSARY BALL, MR PATTEN SAID: ”WE HAD SERIOUS DISCUSSIONS TODAY ABOUT MATTERS OF SUBSTANCE.
’’THERE’S A LOT TO TALK ABOUT BUT THIS HAS BEEN A TOUGH BUT SERIOUS DAY’S TALKING.”
------0-------
EXPERT TALKS ON DEFENCE AND PUBLIC ORDER
*****
THE SECOND DAY OF THE 13 TB ROUND OF TALKS BETWEEN EXPERTS OF THE BRITISH AND CHINESE SIDES OF THE JOINT LIAISON GROUP ON MATTERS RELATING TO HONG KONG’S FUTURE DEFENCE AND PUBLIC ORDER WILL BE HELD TOMORROW (FRIDAY) AT 28 KENNEDY ROAD AT 2 PM.
------0-------
PROMOTION EFFORTS ATTRACT APPLAUSE
*****
THE GOVERNOR, THE RT HON CHRISTOPHER PATTEN, LAST NIGHT PRESENTED CERTIFICATES OF APPRECIATION TO FIRMS AND INDIVIDUALS INVOLVED IN PREPARING HONG KONG’S BIGGEST PROMOTION IN EUROPE.
THE SERIES OF CULTURAL EVENTS AND BUSINESS SEMINARS WILL START IN FRANKFURT ON NOVEMBER 14 THEN GO TO THE HAGUE ON NOVEMBER 16 AND PARIS THE FOLLOWING DAY.
AT A CEREMONY HELD IN GOVERNMENT HOUSE, MR PATTEN SAID THE RANGE OF BUSINESS AND CULTURAL ACTIVITIES COVERED ON THE TOUR SHOWED THE RICHNESS OF TALENT THAT HONG KONG ENJOYED.
CHIEF SECRETARY-DESIGNATE MRS ANSON CHAN, WHO TAKES UP HER APPOINTMENT ON NOVEMBER 29, WILL LEAD THE PROMOTION TEAM AND WILL OUTLINE HONG KONG’S MANY ATTRACTIONS TO POLITICAL AND BUSINESS LEADERS IN FRANCE, GERMANY AND THE NETHERLANDS.
THE CONSULS-GENERAL OF THOSE THREE COUNTRIES WERE AMONG THE 17 AWARD RECIPIENTS, WHO INCLUDED REPRESENTATIVES OF THE SIX CORPORATE SPONSORS - CATHAY PACIFIC AIRWAYS, CITIC PACIFIC, HANG SENG BANK, HUTCHISON WHAMPOA, INCHCAPE PACIFIC AND THE SINO GROUP - WHICH BETWEEN THEM PROVIDED ABOUT TWO-THIRDS OF THE BUDGET FOR THE HONG KONG ’93 EUROPEAN PROMOTION.
MAJOR ACTIVITIES DURING THE PROMOTION INCLUDE A FILM FESTIVAL IN PARIS, AN ARCHITECTURE EXHIBITION IN FRANKFURT AND A CULTURAL PRESENTATION IN THE HAGUE.
/IT RECOGNITION .......
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 28, 1993
2
IN RECOGNITION OF THEIR CONTRIBUTIONS TO THESE EVENTS, MR PATTEN PRESENTED CERTIFICATES TO REPRESENTATIVES OF THE HK MOTION PICTURE INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION, THE HONG KONG INSTITUTE OF ARCHITECTS, THE ACADEMY OF PERFORMING ARTS AND THE HONG KONG TRADE DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL.
MR PATTEN ALSO PRESENTED CERTIFICATES TO FILM STARS JACKIE CHAN, MAGGIE CHEUNG, ROSAMUND KWAN AND JOEY WANG, ALL OF WHOM WILL ATTEND THE OPENING NIGHT OF THE FILM FESTIVAL IN PARIS ON NOVEMBER 17.
JACKIE CHAN’S LATEST MOVIE CRIME STORY HAS BEEN SELECTED TO OPEN THE THREE-WEEK FESTIVAL.
AN APPRECIATIVE GATHERING OF ABOUT 60 SPECIAL GUESTS APPLAUDED RECIPIENTS AS THEY STEPPED UP TO COLLECT THEIR AWARDS.
THANKING THEM FOR THEIR EFFORTS, MR PATTEN SAID THE MISSION WAS EXTREMELY IMPORTANT TO HONG KONG AND WOULD LET MRS CHAN DEMONSTRATE TO EUROPEAN AUDIENCES THE QUALITIES THAT HAD LED TO HER RECENT APPOINTMENT AS CHIEF SECRETARY-DESIGNATE.
--------0-----------
FS STARTS CONSULTATION ON REVENUE PROPOSALS *****
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, MR HAMISH MACLEOD, TODAY (THURSDAY) STARTED CONSULTATION WITH LEGISLATIVE COUMCIL MEMBERS FOR THEIR VIEWS ON THE REVENUE ASPECTS OF THE 1994/95 BUDGET.
HE MET LEGISLATORS FROM THE LIBERAL PARTY AND THE UNITED DEMOCRATS OF HONG KONG THIS (THURSDAY) MORNING.
MR MACLEOD WILL BE MEETING OTHER MEMBERS IN GROUPS AT SEVEN SEPARATE SESSIONS OVER THE NEXT FORTNIGHT.
"I HAD VERY USEFUL DISCUSSIONS WITH MEMBERS ON THE PRIORITIES FOR SPENDING IN TERMS OF BROAD POLICY AREAS IN JULY AND AM LOOKING FORWARD TO THE CURRENT ROUND OF CONSULTATION ON THE REVENUE ASPECTS.
"I AM SURE THESE DISCUSSIONS WILL BE EQUALLY CONSTRUCTIVE AND WILL BE A GREAT HELP TO ME IN SHAPING THE REVENUE PROPOSALS FOR NEXT YEAR’S BUDGET," HE SAID.
SPEAKING TO THE MEDIA AFTER THIS MORNING’S CONSULTATION SESSIONS, MR MACLEOD SAID IN THE NEXT YEAR’S BUDGET, HE WOULD GIVE A MEDIUM RANGE FORECAST UP TO 1997/98.
HE EXPLAINED THAT WHILE THE BUDGET ITSELF AND THE ANNUAL ESTIMATES DEALT WITH A PARTICULAR YEAR, THE MEDIUM RANGE FORECAST CONTAINED AT THE BACK OF A BUDGET WAS MERELY A FORECAST.
"THE FORECAST DOES NOT PRETEND TO TAKE INTO ACCOUNT FUTURE BUDGET DECISIONS AND ALSO BECAUSE IT IS BASED ON AN AVERAGE GROWTH ASSUMPTION WHICH IS A FIVE PER CENT GDP GROWTH.
"AND OBVIOUSLY IN REAL LIFE, THINGS DO NOT WORK OUT EXACTLY ACCORDING TO THE AVERAGE," HE SAID.
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/3......
[Missing 2 pages in the original document]
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 28, 1993
- 5 -
SUSPENSION OF "OPPOSITE RUNWAY" MODE OF OPERATION AT KAI TAK *****
THE DIRECTOR OF CIVIL AVIATION, MR PETER LOK KUNG-NAM, ANNOUNCED TODAY (THURSDAY) THAT THE "OPPOSITE RUNWAY" MODE OF OPERATION AT KAI TAK AIRPORT WILL BE SUSPENDED FROM TOMORROW (FRIDAY) ON FLIGHT SAFETY GROUNDS.
THE DECISION FOLLOWS AN INDEPENDENT SAFETY AUDIT OF KAI TAK’S TRAFFIC CONTROL SYSTEM WHICH CONCLUDED THAT THE "OPPOSITE RUNWAY" MODE NOW POSED "A DEFINITE HAZARD TO FLIGHT SAFETY" AND RECOMMENDED THAT IT BE WITHDRAWN AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.
UNDER THIS MODE, WHICH IS OPERATED BETWEEN 9 PM AND MIDNIGHT AND 6.30 AM AND 7 AM EACH DAY, PLANES LAND AT AND TAKE OFF FROM KAI TAK VIA THE LEI YUE MUN GAP IN ORDER TO REDUCE NOISE TO NORTH KOWLOON RESIDENTS UNLESS WIND OR WEATHER CONDITIONS DO NOT SO PERMIT.
AIRCRAFT ARE ARRANGED TO TAKE OFF AND LAND IN ALTERNATE BATCHES, WITH THE LAST AIRCRAFT IN THE DEPARTING BATCH PASSING BELOW THE FIRST AIRCRAFT OF THE INCOMING BATCH AT A SEPARATION OF 2,000 FEET IN ALTITUDE. THE INTERNATIONAL CIVIL AVIATION ORGANISATION’S MINIMUM REQUIREMENT IN TERMS OF SEPARATION OF AIRCRAFT IS 1,000 FEET.
THE AUDIT OF THE AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL PROCEDURES, CARRIED OUT BY THE UK CIVIL AVIATION AUTHORITY AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL INSPECTORATE, WAS COMMISSIONED BY THE DIRECTOR OF CIVIL AVIATION FOLLOWING THREE INCIDENTS INVOLVING A LOSS OF SEPARATION BETWEEN AIRCRAFT IN THE FIRST SIX MONTHS OF THIS YEAR.
THIS COMPARES WITH AN AVERAGE OF NIL TO TWO SIMILAR INCIDENTS IN THE PREVIOUS 15 YEARS.
"ALTHOUGH THESE INCIDENTS ONLY INVOLVED A REDUCTION IN THE SAFETY BUFFER AREA BETWEEN AIRCRAFT, AND NONE OF THEM WAS CLOSE ENOUGH TO CAUSE ANY REAL DANGER, THE AUDIT WAS COMMISSIONED TO IDENTIFY AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE WHAT THE PROBLEMS WERE AND WHAT REMEDIAL MEASURES COULD BE IMPLEMENTED," A SPOKESMAN FOR THE CIVIL AVIATION DEPARTMENT SAID.
THE SPOKESMAN POINTED OUT THAT ALTHOUGH THE THREE INCIDENTS WHICH OCCURRED IN THE FIRST HALF OF THIS YEAR HAD ALL TAKEN PLACE WHEN THE RUNWAY WAS BEING OPERATED NORMALLY - I.E. OUTSIDE THE PERIOD OF THE "OPPOSITE RUNWAY" MODE OF OPERATION - THE SUSPENSION OF THIS MODE OF OPERATION WAS NECESSARY AS IT WAS A COMPLEX PROCEDURE WHICH WOULD OTHERWISE EXERT ADDITIONAL PRESSURE ON THE AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL SYSTEM.
ALTHOUGH THE FINAL REPORT IS STILL UNDER PREPARATION, THE INSPECTORS HAVE PROVIDED, IN ADVANCE, THE KEY FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS. THEY HAVE COMMENTED FAVOURABLY ON THE COMPETENCE AND TECHNICAL EXPERTISE OF OUR AIR TRAFFIC CONTROLLERS BUT NOTED THAT THE SYSTEM IS UNDER INCREASING PRESSURE.
FACTORS WHICH THE INSPECTORS THOUGHT MIGHT BE CONTRIBUTING TO THE INCREASED INCIDENTS INCLUDE:
* AN INCREASE TN THE NUMBER OF AIRCRAFT MOVEMENTS PER ANNUM AT KAI TAK AIRPORT FROM 54,300 TO 131,000 IN THE LAST 10 YEARS;
/*A LARGE .......
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 28, 1993
6
♦ A LARGE GROWTH IN AIR TRAFFIC INTO AND THROUGH CHINA WHICH REQUIRES MORE INTENSE AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL COORDINATION;
♦ A 130 PER CENT INCREASE IN THE NUMBER OF OVERFLIGHTS WITHIN HONG KONG’S FLIGHT INFORMATION REGION IN THE PAST FIVE YEARS WHICH COMPETE FOR AIRSPACE SLOTS AGAINST AIRCRAFT MOVEMENTS AT KAI TAK; AND
♦ DURING THE ’’OPPOSITE RUNWAY” MODE THE NEED TO PRECISELY ALTERNATE ARRIVING AND DEPARTING BATCHES OF AIRCRAFT
MOVEMENTS, WHILE HAVING TO MATCH SLOT AVAILABILITY AND TO MAINTAIN, AS FAR AS POSSIBLE, THE INTEGRITY OF THE
MIDNIGHT CLOSURE OF THE AIRPORT.
"UNDER THE CIRCUMSTANCES AND GIVEN THE STRENGTH OF THE INSPECTORS’ OPINION, THE DIRECTOR OF CIVIL AVIATION CONSIDERED HE HAS NO OPTION BUT TO SUSPEND THE ’OPPOSITE RUNWAY’ MODE OF OPERATION UNTIL A FULL EVALUATION OF THE CURRENT AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL SYSTEM AND PROCEDURES HAS BEEN COMPLETED,” THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
IN THE MEANTIME, THE DIRECTOR OF CIVIL AVIATION IS TAKING IMMEDIATE STEPS TO ENHANCE AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL PROCEDURES AND IMPROVE MANNING LEVELS WHERE NECESSARY.
’’ADDITIONAL MEASURES WILL BE IMPLEMENTED FOLLOWING MORE DETAILED RECOMMENDATIONS FROM THE INSPECTORS,” THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
AT PRESENT THERE ARE SOME 250,000 RESIDENTS LIVING UNDER THE FLIGHT PATH IN NORTH KOWLOON, WHO MAY BE AFFECTED BY INCREASED NOISE NUISANCE FROM AIRCRAFT FOLLOWING THE SUSPENSION OF THE "OPPOSITE RUNWAY" MODE.
THE SPOKESMAN POINTED OUT THAT IN 1992, THERE WAS AN AVERAGE OF 44 LANDINGS PER WEEK OR SIX PER DAY COMING OVER NORTH KOWLOON AS A RESULT OF WIND OR WEATHER PROBLEMS AFTER 9 PM. STATISTICALLY THIS REPRESENTED ABOUT 40 PER CENT OF THE FLIGHTS.
’’THE SUSPENSION OF THE ’OPPOSITE RUNWAY* MODE, WILL MEAN THAT SOME 113 LANDINGS PER WEEK OR 16 PER DAY WHICH PREVIOUSLY CAME IN OVER THE SEA THROUGH LEI YUE MUN WILL BE DIVERTED TO THE ’NORMAL’ APPROACH OVER NORTH KOWLOON.
"ON THE OTHER HAND, THE RE-ROUTING OF LANDINGS VIA NORTH KOWLOON WILL LEAD TO A REDUCTION IN THE FREQUENCY TN NOISE DISTURBANCE TO RESIDENTS IN HONG KONG EAST AND KOWLOON EAST, ALTHOUGH NOISE LEVELS THERE ARE GENERALLY LOWER.
”IN ORDER TO DETERMINE WHAT MEASURES CAN BE TAKEN TO MITIGATE, AS FAR AS PRACTICABLE, THE ADVERSE IMPACT ON NORTH KOWLOON RESIDENTS, A TASK-FORCE HAS BEEN ESTABLISHED CONSISTING OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ECONOMIC SERVICES BRANCH; PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS BRANCH; CIVIL AVIATION DEPARTMENT AND ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT, WITH A VIEW TO WORKING OUT EARLY RECOMMENDATIONS,” HE SAID.
THE SPOKESMAN STRESSED THAT THE LIMIT TO THE NUMBER OF FLIGHTS WHICH MAY BE PROGRAMMED BETWEEN 9 PM AND MIDNIGHT AND BETWEEN 6.30 AM AND 7 AM, I.E. 18 PER HOUR WILL NOT BE INCREASED IN THE PROCESS.
/"THERE IS .......
7
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 28, 1993
’’THERE IS ALSO NO INTENTION TO RELAX THE MIDNIGHT CLOSURE OF THE AIRPORT,” HE SAID.
THE CURRENT RESTRICTIONS ON AIRCRAFT MOVEMENTS ARE IMPLEMENTED UNDER THE CIVIL AVIATION (AIRCRAFT NOISE) (LIMITATION ON LANDING OR TAKING OFF OF AIRCRAFT) NOTICE MADE IN 1989.
TO IMPLEMENT A WITHDRAWAL OF THE ’’OPPOSITE RUNWAY” MODE OF OPERATION THE DIRECTOR OF CIVIL AVIATION WILL ISSUE A NEW NOTICE TO BE PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE ON FRIDAY, OCTOBER 29, 1993.
THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL HAS BEEN INFORMED ABOUT THE DIRECTOR’S DECISION. THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL PANEL ON ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS AND ECONOMIC SERVICES AND PUBLIC UTILITIES, AND THE HONG KONG EAST, KOWLOON CITY, WONG TAI SIN AND KWUN TONG DISTRICT BOARDS ARE ALSO BEING BRIEFED ON THE ISSUE. AN INFORMATION NOTE HAS ALSO BEEN ISSUED TO THE ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION ADVISORY COMMITTEE.
------0-------
CITIZENS ASKED TO HELP IMPROVE ENVIRONMENT
*****
THE DIRECTOR OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION, DR STUART REED, TODAY (THURSDAY) URGED MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY TO HELP PUT THE ENVIRONMENT BACK ON THE RIGHT TRACK.
SPEAKING AT THE LUNCHEON MEETING OF THE Y’S MEN’S CLUB OF HONG KONG AND DRAWING ON THE CLUB’S MOTTO ”TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE DUTY THAT ACCOMPANIES EVERY RIGHT”, DR REED SAID WHILE IT WAS EVERYONE’S RIGHT TO HAVE A HEALTHY, PLEASANT AND SUSTAINABLE ENVIRONMENT, IT WAS ALSO THEIR DUTY TO CONTRIBUTE TO A GOOD ENVIRONMENT.
OFTEN THIS CONTRIBUTION WOULD DEPEND ON THE DAY-TO-DAY OCCUPATION OF THOSE CONCERNED, WHO MAY HAVE A DIFFERENT ANGLE ON THE ENVIRONMENT AND WOULD THEREFORE NEED TO TAILOR THEIR OWN CONTRIBUTION ACCORDINGLY.
CITING EXAMPLES, DR REED SAID PROFESSIONALS SUCH AS ARCHITECTS AND ENGINEERS BORE A HEAVY RESPONSIBILITY TO ENSURE THAT THE ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS OF THEIR ACTIVITIES WERE REDUCED TO ACCEPTABLE LEVELS THROUGH GOOD DESIGN AND CONTROL OF THE CONSTRUCTION PROCESS.
REAL ESTATE DEVELOPERS, HE SAID, COULD CONTRIBUTE BY REQUIRING THAT CONSTRUCTION CONTRACTS FOR THEIR PROJECTS INCLUDED, FOR EXAMPLE, PROVISIONS FOR RESPONSIBLE SEPARATION OF CONSTRUCTION AND DEMOLITION WASTE SO THAT SCARCE LANDFILL SPACE WAS NOT USED UP UNNECESSARILY.
PERSONNEL MANAGERS WERE URGED TO CONTRIBUTE BY ENSURING THAT STAFF IN THEIR ORGANISATIONS RECEIVED SOME SORT OF TRAINING ON THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPLICATIONS OF THEIR WORK AND HELP IN DEVELOPING ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY PROGRAMMES.
EMPHASISING THE NEED TO ADDRESS THE THREATS TO THE ENVIRONMENT, DR REED SAID THE BOTTOM-LINE WAS NONE OTHER THAN THE SURVIVAL OF THE HUMAN RACE, CITING THE UNFORSEEN THREATS POSED BY CHEMICALS, SUCH AS CFC’S, CARBON DIOXIDE AND METHANE TO THE EARTH’S ATMOSPHERE.
/IT WAS .......
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 28, 1993
8
IT WAS EVIDENT THAT ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION WAS NOT JUST AN OPTION TO PROVIDE DAINTY LIVING FOR THE COMMUNITY, BUT A FUNDAMENTAL NECESSITY FOR PUBLIC HEALTH AND FOR THE FUTURE, HE SAID.
"ANOTHER GOOD REASON FOR STRIVING FOR A HEALTHY AND PLEASANT ENVIRONMENT IN HONG KONG IS TO SAFEGUARD HONG KONG’S PROSPERITY," HE SAID, NOTING THAT THE TERRITORY IS PRESENTLY THE REGIONAL BASE FOR A LARGE NUMBER OF MULTINATIONAL COMPANIES AS WELL AS AN ATTRACTIVE DESTINATION FOR SEVERAL MILLION TOURISTS EACH YEAR.
"WE NEED ALSO TO ENSURE THAT THERE IS ADEQUATE ENVIRONMENTAL INFRASTRUCTURE FOR OUR MANUFACTURING INDUSTRY IN TERMS OF WASTE DISPOSAL FACILITIES, ESPECIALLY FOR HAZARDOUS CHEMICALS AS WELL AS WASTE WATER DISPOSAL.
"SO THAT OUR INDUSTRIES CAN EXPAND AND OVERSEAS INDUSTRIES, WHO NOW ROUTINELY CHECK THE ADEQUACY OF ENVIRONMENTAL FACILITIES OF A POTENTIAL HOST COUNTRY, WILL BE PREPARED TO LOCATE HERE."
NOTING THAT THE ENVIRONMENT HAD MOVED QUITE QUICKLY UP THE GOVERNMENT’S PRIORITY LISTS IN RECENT YEARS, DR REED SAID A VERY IMPORTANT THING THE GOVERNMENT HAD DONE OVER THE PAST 15 YEARS WAS TO RECRUIT, TRAIN AND EQUIP A SUBSTANTIAL BODY OF HIGHLY COMPETENT ENVIRONMENTAL PROFESSIONALS AND TECHNICIANS.
THESE PEOPLE, HE SAID, HAD BEEN RESPONSIBLE FOR FORMULATING COMPREHENSIVE LEGISLATION TO COVER AIR AND WATER POLLUTION, NOISE, WASTE DISPOSAL AND PROTECTION OF THE OZONE LAYER.
"WE HAVE RECENTLY TAKEN STEPS TO IMPROVE THE EFFICIENCY AND EFFECTIVENESS OF THE WAY THIS LEGISLATION IS ENFORCED BY CREATING A TOTAL OF FIVE LOCAL CONTROL OFFICES,” HE SAID.
"ANOTHER IMPORTANT ACTIVITY IS PLANNING AGAINST POLLUTION, WHERE WE SEEK, THROUGH INTERVENTION IN THE PLANNING PROCESS, TO PREVENT THE CREATION OF NEW ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEMS," HE SAID.
ALL THESE WERE ESSENTIAL PROGRAMMES BUT THEY WOULD NOT SUCCEED BY THEMSELVES, HE SAID, ADDING THAT "THE CONTRIBUTION FROM A WELL-INFORMED AND ENVIRONMENTALLY MOTIVATED PUBLIC IS VITAL TO ACHIEVING THE RESULTS WE ALL HAVE A "RIGHT" TO EXPECT."
---------0-----------
SITING OF PHI CAREFULLY PLANNED *****
THE SITING OF POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS INSTALLATIONS AND THE LAND USE IN THEIR VICINITY ARE CAREFULLY PLANNED, THE SECRETARY FOR PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS, MR TONY EASON, SAID TODAY (THURSDAY).
ADDRESSING A CONFERENCE ON RISK AND SAFETY MANAGEMENT IN THE GAS INDUSTRY, MR EASON SAID THE GOVERNMENT FULLY APPRECIATED AND RECOGNISED THAT THE INDIVIDUAL’S AS WELL THE COMMUNITY’S PERCEPTION OF RISK ASSOCIATED WITH THE GAS INDUSTRY AND POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS INSTALLATION WAS VALID AND RELEVANT.
HE SAID THE GOVERNMENT, HAVING TAKEN FULL ACCOUNT OF RISK POTENTIAL, HAD DEVELOPED AND ADOPTED A SET OF RISK GUIDELINES EMBRACING THE CONCEPTS OF INDIVIDUAL AND SOCIETAL RISKS.
/"A CO-ORDINATING .......
9
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 28, 1993
”A CO-ORDINATING COMMITTEE ON LAND-USE PLANNING AND CONTROL RELATING TO POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS INSTALLATIONS HAS BEEN SET UP SINCE 1986 TO OVERSEE THIS SUBJECT AND ASSESS THE DEMAND FOR NEW SITES.
"QUANTITATIVE ASSESSMENT OF OFF-SITE RISK LEVELS OF BOTH EXISTING AND FUTURE PHI’S IS NOW FULLY INTEGRATED INTO THE GOVERNMENT’S LAND-USE PLANNING AND DECISION-MAKING PROCESS FOR THE SITING OF PHI’S AND THE LAND USE TN THEIR VICINITY," HE SAID.
IN ADDITION TO COMPREHENSIVE AND CAREFULLY PLANNING, MR EASON SAID IT WAS ALSO IMPORTANT TO DEVISE AND IMPLEMENT COST-EFFECTIVE RISK REDUCTION STRATEGIES, INCLUDING THE REDUCTION OF HAZARDOUS INVENTORIES AND PROVISION OF PLANT SAFETY SYSTEMS.
HE SAID HONG KONG’S EXPERIENCE HAD SHOWN, WITH A DEGREE OF SUCCESS, HOW TO DEVELOP MEASURES TO SUIT ITS CIRCUMSTANCES ON THE ONE HAND, AND TO BALANCE THE REQUIREMENTS OF INDUSTRY AND THE INTERESTS OF THE COMMUNITY ON THE OTHER.
HE SAID GIVEN THE LIMITED SUPPLY OF READILY DEVELOPABLE LAND AND SPECTACULAR CONCENTRATION OF POPULATION IN HONG KONG, CAREFUL AND PROPER LAND-USE PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT CONTROL WERE CRUCIAL.
"THE DEVELOPMENT PRESSURES FROM THE COMMUNITY FOR IMPROVED ACCOMMODATION, RECREATION AND A PLEASANT ENVIRONMENT ON THE ONE HAND, AND THE DEMANDS FOR ALL SORTS OF INFRASTRUCTURAL AND INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENTS WHICH ARE CRITICAL TO THE ECONOMIC GROWTH OF HONG KONG ON THE OTHER, ARE EVER INCREASING.
"THERE ARE OFTEN COMPETING CLAIMS ON THE LIMITED LAND AVAILABLE. THIS IS PARTICULARLY TRUE FOR SPECIAL PROJECTS, INCLUDING THOSE RELATING TO THE GAS INDUSTRY AND OTHER POTENTIAL HAZARDOUS INSTALLATIONS.
------0-------
GOVT FULLY BACKS UPGRADING OF INDUSTRIES ♦ * * ♦ ♦
THE GOVERNMENT IS COMMITTED TO UPGRADING HONG KONG’S INDUSTRIES BY PROVIDING MAXIMUM SUPPORT TO DEVELOP THE NECESSARY INFRASTRUCTURE AND SERVICES FOR MANUFACTURERS, THE DIRECTOR-GENERAL OF INDUSTRY, MISS DENISE YUE, SAID TONIGHT (THURSDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE DINNER MEETING OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE CHINESE MANUFACTURERS’ ASSOCIATION OF HONG KONG, MISS YUE SAID SUBJECT TO THE APPROVAL OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, THE GOVERNMENT WOULD GRANT AN EXTRA $150 MILLION TO $200 MILLION EACH YEAR FROM NEXT YEAR ONWARDS TO SUPPORT WORTHWHILE INDUSTRIAL PROJECTS.
TO RAISE THE TECHNOLOGICAL LEVEL OF HONG KONG’S INDUSTRIES, THE GOVERNMENT HAD AT THE BEGINNING OF THIS YEAR SET UP A $200 MILLION APPLIED RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT (R & D) SCHEME TO ENCOURAGE MANUFACTURERS TO UNDERTAKE MORE TECHNOLOGY-ORIENTED APPLIED R & D WORK.
THE GOVERNMENT HOPES THAT BY PROVIDING FUNDING SUPPORT IN THE FORM OF LOAN PROVISION OR EQUITY PARTICIPATION, LOCAL MANUFACTURERS CAN DEVELOP AND HAVE ACCESS TO THE LATEST TECHNOLOGY, THEREBY ENHANCING THE COMPETITIVENESS OF HONG KONG’S PRODUCTS OVERSEAS, MISS YUE SAID.
/SHE NOTED .......
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 28, 1993
10
SHE NOTED THAT ANOTHER INITIATIVE OF THE GOVERNMENT WAS THE SETTING UP OF THE HONG KONG INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGY CENTRE, EXPECTED TO BE FULLY OPERATIONAL EARLY NEXT YEAR.
BUILT AT A COST OF $250 MILLION, THE CENTRE AIMED MAINLY TO PROVIDE INCUBATION SERVICES TO TECHNOLOGY-BASED FIRMS AND TO PROMOTE TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER, TECHNOLOGICAL RESEARCH AND APPLICATION OF RESEARCH RESULTS.
’’SUCH EFFORTS ARE FURTHER BOOSTED BY THE INVESTMENT PROMOTION DIVISION OF THE INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT WHICH ENCOURAGES OVERSEAS INVESTMENTS IN HONG KONG’S MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES AND RELATED SUPPORT SERVICES WITH A VIEW TO IMPORT INNOVATIVE TECHNOLOGIES AND PRODUCTION METHODS TO THE TERRITORY,” MISS YUE SAID.
SHE POINTED OUT THAT IN RECENT YEARS, THE INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT, THE HONG KONG PRODUCTIVITY COUNCIL, THE HONG KONG DESIGN INNOVATION COMPANY LIMITED AND OTHER PUBLIC ORGANISATIONS HAD PROVIDED VARIOUS PROFESSIONAL SERVICES TO HELP MANUFACTURERS TO INCREASE PRODUCTIVITY AND UPGRADE DESIGN.
AS FOR THE QUALITY OF PRODUCTS, THE LABORATORY ACCREDITATION SCHEME, THE PRODUCT STANDARDS INFORMATION BUREAU AND THE STANDARDS AND CALIBRATION LABORATORY OF THE INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT AS WELL AS THE HONG KONG QUALITY ASSURANCE AGENCY HAVE ALSO PROVIDED A VARIETY OF SERVICES TO HELP MANUFACTURERS MEET THE INCREASINGLY STRINGENT REQUIREMENTS OF INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS, SHE SAID.
ON MANPOWER TRAINING, MISS YUE SAID THE GOVERNMENT HAD SINCE LAST YEAR GRANTED A TOTAL OF $105 MILLION TO THE VOCATIONAL TRAINING COUNCIL FOR IMPLEMENTING A NEW TECHNOLOGY TRAINING SCHEME TO HELP MANUFACTURERS TO PROVIDE TRAINING ON NEW TECHNOLOGIES TO THEIR EMPLOYEES.
’’IN ADDITION, AN EMPLOYEES RE-TRAINING SCHEME WAS ALSO INTRODUCED TO HELP WORKERS COPE WITH THE STRUCTURAL CHANGES IN THE LOCAL INDUSTRY BY LEARNING NEW SKILLS OR ENHANCING THEIR EXISTING SKILLS," SHE ADDED.
------0-------
SITE FORMATION WORKS FOR TUNG CHUNG RESERVOIR STARTS . * t * * ♦
SITE FORMATION WORK FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF A SERVOIR AT TUNG CHUNG, AS PART OF THE AIRPORT CORE PROGRAMME (ACP), WILL START SOON.
THIS FOLLOWS THE CENTRAL TENDER BOARD’S DECISION TODAY (THURSDAY) TO AWARD THE TUNG CHUNG FRESH WATER SERVICE RESERVOIR -SITE FORMATION WORKS CONTRACT TO CHUN WO CONSTRUCTION & ENGINEERING COMPANY LIMITED OF HONG KONG AT A PRICE OF $84.95 MILLION.
AS PART OF THE NORTH LANTAU WATER SUPPLY PROJECT, THE NEW RESERVOIR WILL PROVIDE A PERMANENT FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO TUNG CHUNG NEW TOWN, THE NEW AIRPORT AT CHEK LAP KOK, AND OTHER PROPOSED DEVELOPMENTS IN NORTH LANTAU.
THE CONTRACT WILL PROVIDE SITE FORMATION FOR THE TUNG CHUNG FRESH WATER SERVICE RESERVOIR, DRAINAGE WORKS, LANDSCAPING, AND AN ALL-WEATHER ACCESS ROAD LEADING TO THE SERVICE RESERVOIR SITE, AND ASSOCIATED GEOTECHNICAL AND STRUCTURAL WORKS.
/CONSTRUCTION WILL .......
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 28, 1993
11
CONSTRUCTION WILL START EARLY NEXT MONTH AND WILL BE COMPLETED IN AUGUST NEXT YEAR.
TENDERS WERE RECEIVED FROM EIGHT TENDERERS AND CHUN WO CONSTRUCTION & ENGINEERING COMPANY SUBMITTED THE LOWEST TENDER.
THE AWARD OF THIS CONTRACT BRINGS THE TOTAL NUMBER OF ACP CONSTRUCTION CONTRACTS AWARDED BY THE GOVERNMENT TO 30, WITH A TOTAL VALUE OF MORE THAN $30 BILLION.
TOGETHER WITH THE FOUR CONSTRUCTION CONTRACTS, VALUED AT $9.7 BILLION, AWARDED BY THE PROVISIONAL AIRPORT AUTHORITY, AND THE $5.7 BILLION CONSTRUCTION CONTRACT AWARDED BY THE WESTERN HARBOUR TUNNEL COMPANY LIMITED, THE TOTAL VALUE OF CONSTRUCTION CONTRACTS AWARDED FOR THE ACP, ALL WITHIN BUDGET, IS ABOUT $45.5 BILLION.
------0-------
TRANSFER OF STATUTORY POWERS TO SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT
* * * * *
THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL HAS AGREED THAT BILLS BE INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL PROPOSING TO TRANSFER ITS POWERS TO MAKE REGULATIONS CONCERNING ROUTINE FIXED PENALTY MATTERS, SUCH AS PAYMENT PROCEDURES AND AMENDMENTS TO FIXED PENALTY FORMS, TO THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT.
THE PROPOSED AMENDMENTS ARE CONTAINED IN THE FIXED PENALTY (TRAFFIC CONTRAVENTIONS) (AMENDMENT) (NO. 2) BILL 1993 AND THE FIXED PENALTY (CRIMINAL PROCEEDINGS) (AMENDMENT) BILL 1993 TO BE GAZETTED TOMORROW (FRIDAY).
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID: "REGULATIONS MADE BY THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT UNDER THESE AMENDMENT BILLS WILL CONTINUE TO BE SUBSIDIARY LEGISLATION WHICH CAN BE AMENDED BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL."
THE AMENDMENT BILLS WILL BE INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL FOR FIRST READING ON NOVEMBER 10.
------0-------
DOOR TO NEGOTIATIONS STILL OPEN *****
A SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN TODAY (THURSDAY) REGRETTED THAT THE SOCIAL WORK ASSISTANT (SWA) BRANCH REPRESENTATIVES SHOULD WALK OUT DURING THEIR MEETING WITH THE DEPARTMENT OVER THEIR LEVEL OF PAY.
HE STRESSED THAT THE DOOR TO NEGOTIATIONS IS STILL OPEN AND HE ADVISED STAFF TO ACT CALMLY AND PLACE CUSTOMERS’ INTERESTS FIRST.
"THE RIGHT APPROACH IS TO SIT DOWN AND TALK RATHER THAN TO ENGAGE IN CONFRONTATION TACTICS," HE ADDED.
THE DEPARTMENT HAD AGREED EARLIER TO SET UP A TASK GROUP TO HELP THE SWA BRANCH IDENTIFY NEW GROUNDS AND JUSTIFICATIONS FOR THEIR PROPOSAL FOR SALARY STRUCTURE REVIEW AND FOR ITS RE-SUBMISSION TO THE CENTRAL GOVERNMENT.
/"THE MEETING .......
12
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 28, 1993
"THE MEETING HELD TODAY IS TO EXAMINE WHETHER THERE IS A CASE FOR THEM TO TAKE THE ISSUE FORWARD. INDISPUTABLE LOGIC HAS TO BE PRODUCED BEFORE WE CAN DO THAT," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE DEPARTMENT HAD URGED THE SWA BRANCH REPRESENTATIVES AT TODAY’S MEETING TO BE PATIENT AND HOPES THAT ANOTHER MEETING COULD BE ARRANGED SOON.
-----0-1-----
PROVISIONAL FIGURES OF EXTERNAL TRADE FOR SEPTEMBER
*****
IN SEPTEMBER, RE-EXPORTS SHOWED A SIGNIFICANT GROWTH, THOUGH AT A LESS RAPID PACE THAN IN THE PREVIOUS MONTHS.
DOMESTIC EXPORTS CONTINUED TO BE SLACK. IMPORTS ALSO SHOWED A SLOWER INCREASE.
THESE ARE SHOWN IN THE PROVISIONAL FIGURES OF EXTERNAL TRADE RELEASED TODAY (THURSDAY) BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
THE VALUE OF RE-EXPORTS IN SEPTEMBER ROSE BY $10,838 MILLION OR 17% OVER A YEAR EARLIER TO $75,198 MILLION.
THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS DECREASED BY $1,673 MILLION OR 7.9% TO $19,456 MILLION.
TAKING RE-EXPORTS AND DOMESTIC EXPORTS TOGETHER, THE VALUE OF TOTAL EXPORTS IN SEPTEMBER GREW BY $9,165 MILLION OR 11% OVER A YEAR EARLIER TO $94,655 MILLION.
OVER THE SAME PERIOD, THE VALUE OF IMPORTS INCREASED BY $9,102 MILLION OR 11% TO $92,055 MILLION.
AS THE VALUE OF TOTAL EXPORTS WAS GREATER THAN THAT OF TOTAL IMPORTS, A VISIBLE TRADE SURPLUS OF $2,600 MILLION, EQUIVALENT TO 2.8% OF THE VALUE OF IMPORTS, WAS RECORDED IN SEPTEMBER.
THIS COMPARED WITH A SURPLUS OF $2,537 MILLION, EQUIVALENT TO 3.1% OF THE VALUE OF IMPORTS, RECORDED IN SEPTEMBER 1992.
IN THE FIRST NINE MONTHS OF 1993, THE VALUE OF RE-EXPORTS AMOUNTED TO $600,393 MILLION, WHICH WAS $105,076 MILLION OR 21% HIGHER THAN A YEAR EARLIER.
THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS, AT $163,635 MILLION, WAS $6,650 MILLION OR 3.9% LOWER THAN THAT IN THE SAME PERIOD LAST YEAR.
TAKING RE-EXPORTS AND DOMESTIC EXPORTS TOGETHER, THE VALUE OF TOTAL EXPORTS IN THE FIRST NINE MONTHS OF 1993, AT $764,028 MILLION, WAS $98,426 MILLION OR 15% HIGHER THAN A YEAR EARLIER.
THE VALUE OF IMPORTS INCREASED BY $100,570 MILLION OR 15% TO $790,505 MILLION.
A TRADE DEFICIT OF $26,477 MILLION, EQUIVALENT TO 3.3% OF THE VALUE OF IMPORTS, WAS RECORDED IN THE FIRST NINE MONTHS OF 1993.
/THIS COMPARED ......
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 28, 1993
13
THIS COMPARED WITH A TRADE DEFICIT OF $24,333 MILLION, EQUIVALENT TO 3.5% OF THE VALUE OF IMPORTS, RECORDED A YEAR EARLIER.
COMMENTING ON THE LATEST TRADE FIGURES, A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THE RELATIVELY LESS RAPID GROWTH IN RE-EXPORTS IN SEPTEMBER THAN IN JULY AND AUGUST OCCURRED IN RESPECT OF RE-EXPORTS TO BOTH THE MAJOR OVERSEAS MARKETS AND THE CHINA MARKET.
BUT THE OVERALL GROWTH RATE OF RE-EXPORTS IN SEPTEMBER, AT 17%, WAS STILL ROBUST.
FOR A SIMILAR MODULATION FACTOR IN RESPECT OF THE MARKETS, BUT ALSO IN THE LIGHT OF THE ON-GOING STRUCTURAL SHIFT IN THE COMPOSITION OF HONG KONG’S EXPORTS TOWARDS RE-EXPORTS, THE PERFORMANCE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS WAS SLUGGISH.
THE SHARE OF RE-EXPORTS IN THE VALUE OF TOTAL EXPORTS THUS ROSE FURTHER, FROM 74% IN THE FIRST NINE MONTHS OF 1992 TO 79% IN THE FIRST NINE MONTHS OF 1993. OVER THE SAME PERIOD, THE VALUE OF RETAINED IMPORTS GREW BY 5.9%.
A MORE DETAILED ANALYSIS OF HONG KONG’S EXTERNAL TRADE IN SEPTEMBER 1993, BY COMMODITY AND COUNTRY, WILL BE RELEASED IN MID NEXT MONTH.
/PRIVISIONAL FIGURES .......
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 28, 1993
14
PROVISIONAL FIGURES OF EXTERNAL
TRADE FOR SEPTEMBER 1993
MERCHANDISE: Domes tic Exports ports Exports Ls balance S19,456 million $75,198 mil lion $94,655 million $92,055 million
Re-ex|
Total
Imporl
Trade ♦$2,600 million
COMPARATIVE FIGURES Jul 93 to Jul 92 to Change
Latest 3 months Sep 93 Sep 92
HK$ Mn. HKS Mn. HKS Mn. X
Domestic Exports 60,453 63,343 -2,890 -4.6
(X of Total Exports) (21.2X) (25.4X)
Re-exports 224,604 186,086 *38,519 +20.7
Total Exports 285,057 249,428 +35,628 +14.3
Imports 283,779 247,289 +36,491 +14.8
Trade balance 1,278 2,140 -862
September September Change
Same month last year 1993 1992
HKS Mn. HKS Mn. HKS Mn. X
Domestic Exports 19,456 (20.6X) 21,129 -1,673 -7.9
(X of Total Exports) (24.7X)
Re-exports 75,198 64,360 +10,838 +16.8
Total Exports 94,655 85,489 +9,165 +10.7
Imports 92,055 82,952 +9,102 +11.0
Trade balance 2,600 2,537 + 63
September August Change
Last month 1993 1993
HKS Mn. HKS Mn. HKS Mn. X
Domestic Exports 19,456 (20.6X) 19,627 (21.2X) -171 -0.9
(X of Total Exports)
Re-exports 75,198 72,903 +2,296 +3.1
Total Exports 94,655 92,530 +2,125 +2.3
Imports 92,055 93,034 -979 -1.1
Trade balance 2,600 -504 +3,104
Jan-Sep Jan-Sep Change
Calendar year to-date 1993 1992
HKS Mn. HKS Mn. HKS Mn. X
Domestic Exports 163,635 170,284 -6,650 -3.9
(X of Total Exports) (21.4X) (25.6X)
Re-exports 600,393 495,317 +105,076 +21.2
Total Exports 764,028 665,602 ♦98,426 +14.8
Imports 790,505 689,935 +100,570 +14.6
Trade balance -26,477 -24,333 -2,144
Oct 92 to Oct 91 to Change
Last 12 months Sep 93 Sep 92
HKS Mn. HKS Mn. HKS Mn. X
Domestic Exports 227,474 234,336 । -6,863 -2.9
(X of Total Exports) (22.2X) (26.5X)
Re-exports 795,905 651,202 ♦144,703 +22.2
Total Exports 1,023,379 885,538 ♦137,841 +15.6
Imports 1,055,865 906,906 ♦148,960 +16.4
Trade balance -32,486 -21,367 -11,119
28 October 1993
CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT -------o-----------
/15........
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 28, 1993
15
CONTRACT FOR ENVIRONMENTAL AUDITS AWARDED
*****
THE GOVERNMENT TODAY (THURSDAY) AWARDED A CONSULTANCY CONTRACT TO UNDERTAKE ENVIRONMENTAL AUDITS ON TWO GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS TO HELP IDENTIFY THE BEST APPROACH FOR DEPARTMENTS TO OPERATE IN A MORE ENVIRONMENTAL FRIENDLY WAY.
THE PILOT SCHEME WILL EVALUATE THE ENVIRONMENTAL PERFORMANCE OF THE PLANNING DEPARTMENT AND THE ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT AT 18 LOCATIONS OVER A PERIOD OF 10 MONTHS.
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID AN ENVIRONMENTAL AUDIT WAS A TOOL TO ASSESS ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION MEASURES AND PROVIDE ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT INFORMATION TO ALL LEVELS OF MANAGEMENT.
"IT WILL ALSO RAISE ENVIRONMENTAL AWARENESS AMONG STAFF, RESULT IN LESS USE OF RESOURCES SUCH AS ENERGY AND ASSIST THE DEPARTMENTS TO SET UP ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS FOR SUBSEQUENT REVIEW."
THE SPOKESMAN SAID: "IT IS HOPED THAT RESULTS OF THESE TWO PILOT AUDITS WILL ASSIST US IN DETERMINING HOW TO EXTEND THE SCHEME PROGRESSIVELY WITHIN THE GOVERNMENT."
THE $1.64 MILLION CONTRACT WAS AWARDED TO ERM HONG KONG, AN ENVIRONMENTAL CONSULTANCY.
------0-------
CSD NEW LAUNCH ’SEAWARD’ COMES INTO SERVICE
*****
A NEW DEPARTMENTAL LAUNCH ’SEAWARD’ OF THE CORRECTIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT (CSD) WILL BE COMMISSIONED AND START ITS SERVICE ON TUESDAY (NOVEMBER 2).
COSTING $8.56 MILLION, THE NEW LAUNCH IS BUILT MAINLY FOR TRANSPORTING PRISONERS TO AND FROM CSD INSTITUTIONS ON OUTLYING ISLANDS. IT CAN CARRY UP TO 60 PERSONS AND HAS FACILITIES FOR 40 PRISONERS.
’SEAWARD’ WILL REPLACE THE OLD ’PHOENIX’ WHICH HAS A CAPACITY OF ONLY 23 PRISONERS. THE LATTER WILL BE HANDED BACK TO THE MARINE DEPARTMENT FOR DISPOSAL AFTER 19 YEARS’ OF SERVICE.
THE LAUNCH WAS EQUIPPED WITH A RADAR SYSTEM WHICH MAKE NAVIGATION SAFER DURING BAD WEATHER.
THE COMMISSIONING CEREMONY WILL BE OFFICIATED BY THE COMMISSIONER OF CORRECTIONAL SERVICES, MR ERIC MCCOSH, ON NEXT TUESDAY (NOVEMBER 2) AT HEI LING CHAU PIER AT 1.30 PM.
ATTENTION NEWS EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE COMMISSIONING CEREMONY OF THE ’SEAWARD’ WHICH WILL BE HELD AT HEI LING CHAU PIER AT 1.30 PM ON NEXT TUESDAY (NOVEMBER 2).
/TRANSPORT WILL .......
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 28, 1993
16
TRANSPORT WILL BE PROVIDED. A VESSEL, THE ’MARINER’, WILL TAKE GUESTS AND THE PRESS TO HEI LING CHAU, LEAVING QUEEN’S PIER AT 11.15 AM SHARP.
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES WHO WISH TO MAKE USE OF THE SERVICE ARE REQUESTED TO REGISTER WITH THE INFORMATION UNIT OF THE CORRECTIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT ON TEL 582 5118 BEFORE NOON ON SATURDAY (OCTOBER 30) .
WHILE ON THE ISLAND, MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES WILL ALSO BE INVITED TO VISIT THE NEW HEI LING CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTION WHICH NOW BEING CONVERTED FROM A DETENTION CENTRE FOR VIETNAMESE MIGRANTS INTO A PENAL INSTITUTION.
- - 0 - -
HEALTH EXHIBITION ON HOME SAFETY * * * * *
A THREE-DAY HEALTH EXHIBITION TO ENHANCE PUBLIC AWARENESS OF HOME SAFETY AND INJURY PREVENTION WILL BEGIN TOMORROW (FRIDAY) AT THE QUEENSWAY EXHIBITION HALL, QUEENSWAY.
THE EXHIBITION, ENTITLED "TREASURE LIFE, PREVENT INJURY", IS ORGANISED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH’S CENTRAL HEALTH EDUCATION UNIT.
IT IS AIMED AT PROMOTING AWARENESS OF HEALTH AND SAFETY WHICH ARE INSEPARABLE CONCERNS, AND AT DRIVING HOME MESSAGES OF ACCIDENT PREVENTION.
THE EMPHASIS IS ON CAUSES OF ACCIDENTS AMONG CHILDREN, TEENAGERS AND THE ELDERLY, AND HOW THESE ACCIDENTS CAN BE PREVENTED.
THERE WILL BE DISPLAYS OF DIAGRAMS AND CHARTS ON A WIDE VARIETY OF TOPICS SUCH AS HOME SAFETY FOR THE ELDERLY, PREVENTION OF ELECTROCUTION AND PREVENTION OF INJURY IN SPORTS.
IN ADDITION, THERE WILL BE AN AUDIO-VISUAL SHOW, BOOTH GAMES AND A DISPLAY OF THE WINNING ENTRIES IN TWO RECENTLY HELD ESSAY CONTEST AND POSTER DESIGN COMPETITION.
THE EXHIBITION WILL BE OPEN TO THE PUBLIC FROM NOON TO 6.30 PM ON FRIDAY AND FROM 10 AM TO 6.30 PM DURING THE WEEKEND.
STAFF FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH WILL BE ON HAND TO GIVE ADVICE AND ANSWER ENQUIRIES.
FREE EDUCATION AND INFORMATION LEAFLETS WILL BE DISTRIBUTED.
- 0 -
/17
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 28, 1993
- 17 -
53 INMATES PASS PUBLIC EXAMS
*****
FIFTY-THREE INMATES FROM THE PIK UK CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTION, CAPE COLLINSON CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTION, LAI KING TRAINING CENTRE AND LAI SUN CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTION WILL RECEIVE CERTIFICATES TOMORROW (FRIDAY) FOR PASSING VARIOUS PUBLIC EXAMINATIONS.
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE CERTIFICATE PRESENTATION CEREMONY WHICH WILL BE HELD AT THE PIK UK CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTION (PUCI), CLEARWATER BAY ROAD, SAI KUNG, AT 3 PM ON FRIDAY.
SOME INMATES WHO SAT FOR THE EXAMINATIONS WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR INTERVIEWS.
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES WHO WISH TO COVER THE CEREMONY ARE REQUESTED TO REGISTER WITH THE INFORMATION UNIT OF THE CORRECTIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT ON TEL 582 5118 BEFORE 5 PM TODAY.
TRANSPORT WILL BE PROVIDED. MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES WHO WISH TO MAKE USE OF THE SERVICE SHOULD ASSEMBLE AT THE GROUND FLOOR, WANCHAI TOWER, 12 HARBOUR ROAD, WAN CHAI, BEFORE 2 PM.
FOR 'THOSE WHO WISH TO USE THEIR OWN TRANSPORT ARE REQUESTED TO ASSEMBLE IN FRONT OF THE BARRIER GATE OF PUCI BEFORE 2.45 PM.
------0-------
BOE MEMBERS VISIT UNITED WORLD COLLEGE
*****
EIGHT BOARD OF EDUCATION MEMBERS, LED BY ITS CHAIRMAN, MR ANDREW SO KWOK-WING, VISITED LI PO CHUN UNITED WORLD COLLEGE OF HONG KONG IN SHA TIN TODAY (THURSDAY).
THE OTHER MEMBERS WERE MISS BOW SUI-MAY, MS SANSAN CHING TEH-CHI, MR MICHAEL HONG MAN-HOI, MR HERMAN HU SHAO-MING, MRS GRACE HUI WONG KING-MAN, MRS MINNIE LAI WEI KIT-LIN, MR PUN TIN-CHI AND MR LUKE YIP JING-PING.
THE GROUP WAS BRIEFED ON ARRIVAL BY THE PRINCIPAL, DR DAVID WILKINSON, ON THE BACKGROUND OF UNITED WORLD COLLEGES.
LI PO CHUN UNITED WORLD COLLEGE STARTED OPERATION IN SEPTEMBER LAST YEAR AND IS NOW ONE OF THE EIGHT UNITED WORLD COLLEGES IN THE WORLD.
THE COLLEGE OFFERS THE FINAL TWO YEARS OF SECONDARY EDUCATION FOR STUDENTS TO DEVELOP THEIR PERSONALITY THROUGH AN EDUCATION WHICH THEY CANNOT BE ACHIEVED IN THE CLASSROOM ALONE.
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/18........
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 28, 1993
18
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS *****
$ MILLION
OPENING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT 2,270
REVERSAL OF LAF +730
BALANCE AFTER REVERSAL OF LAF 3,000
NET INJECTION/WITHDRAWAL TODAY NIL
EFFECT OF LAF TODAY -20
CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT 2,980
LAF RATE 2.00 BID/4.00 OFFER TWI 113.2 *+0.0* 28.10.93
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND
EF BILLS EF NOTES/HONG KONG GOVERNMENT BONDS
TERMS YIELD TERM ISSUE COUPON PRICE YIELD
1 WEEK 2.77 PCT 13 MONTHS 2411 4.625 101.48 3.21
1 MONTH 2.74 PCT 16 MONTHS 2502 4.75 101.73 3.41
3 MONTHS 2.73 PCT 19 MONTHS 2505 3.75 100.15 3.68
6 MONTHS 2.83 PCT 22 MONTHS 2508 4.625 101.51 3.78
12 MONTHS 3.13 PCT TOTAL TURNOVER OF BILLS CLOSED 28 OCTOBER 1993 36 MONTHS AND BONDS - 3610 15,896 4.20 MN 99.95 4.26
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 29, 1993
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
PUBLIC SECTOR REFORM KICKS OFF WELL: CS .................. 1
SELECTION OF SUBSCRIPTION TV AND ATV/TVB PROGRAMMES ...... 2
FURTHER CONTROL ON COMMUNICABLE DISEASES PROPOSED ........ 3
CJ URGES WIDER USE OF CHINESE IN MAGISTRATES' COURTS ..... 4
LICENSING SYSTEM TO IMPROVE SECURITY SERVICES ............ 5
IMPORTANCE OF TAKING SAFETY MEASURES ..................... 7
RECORD NUMBER OF VM'S RETURNED ........................... 8
DSD LAUNCHES PERFORMANCE PLEDGES ......................... 9
TELA COMMISSIONS SURVEY ON FILM CLASSIFICATION STANDARDS .... 10
CALL TO PREVENT INJURY AT HOME ........................... 11
$92 MILLION DRAINAGE MAINTENANCE CONTRACT SIGNED ......... 12
HK'S FURNITURE AND LIGHTING INDUSTRIES: COMPETITIVE AND PROSPEROUS ................................................ 13
APPOINTMENT TO ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON TRAVEL AGENTS ....... 14
APPEAL BOARD FOR AMUSEMENT GAME CENTRES .................. 14
CONTRACT SIGNED FOR SOFTWARE DEVELOPMENT ................. 15
GUANGDONG DELEGATION VISITS EPD .......................... 16
RECONSTRUCTION OF BAKER COURT AND NEARBY REAR LANES ...... 17
GMB OPERATORS SELECTION PROCEDURES OUTLINED .............. 18
OPERATION OF NEW GMB ROUTES INVITED ...................... 19
PUBLIC CARGO WORKING AREAS FEE TO BE REVISED ............. 20
VILLAGE IMPROVEMENT WORKS FOR PUI 0 PROPOSED ............. 21
TENDERS INVITED FOR WATER IMPROVEMENT WORKS .............. 21
NEW POSTAL FEES AND CHARGES FROM NOVEMBER 1 REMINDED ..... 22
STRIKE DELAYS SERVICE .................................... 23
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS ..
23
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 29, 1993
1
PUBLIC SECTOR REFORM KICKS OFF WELL: CS
* * * * ♦
THE CHIEF SECRETARY, SIR DAVID FORD, SAID TODAY (FRIDAY) THAT A PROGRAMME OF PUBLIC SECTOR REFORM LAUNCHED SINCE MAY LAST YEAR HAD HELPED TO ACHIEVE A BETTER SERVICE TO THE COMMUNITY.
"OF COURSE, THERE IS MUCH MORE TO BE DONE AND WE MUST RETAIN ENTHUSIASM TO SEE THE PROGRAMME THROUGH,” SIR DAVID SAID.
HE WAS SPEAKING ON "PUBLIC SECTOR REFORM: WHERE THE IRON RICE BOWL MEETS THE BOTTOM LINE" AT A LUNCHEON HOSTED BY THE ROTARY CLUB OF KOWLOON NORTH.
AN EFFICIENCY UNIT WAS SET UP IN SIR DAVID’S OFFICE IN MAY LAST YEAR WITH A REMIT TO DEVISE AND PROMOTE A PROGRAMME OF PUBLIC SECTOR REFORM.
THE UNIT HAS BEEN WORKING WITH THE 14 BRANCHES IN THE GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT AND THE 70-ODD DEPARTMENTS ON INITIATIVES UNDER TWO MAIN HEADINGS - IMPROVING THE MANAGEMENT FRAMEWORK AND INTRODUCING PERFORMANCE PLEDGES.
"WE ARE TRYING TO GIVE YOU, THE PUBLIC, A BIGGER BANG FOR YOUR BUCK," SIR DAVID SAID.
HE SAID POLICY SECRETARIES WERE BEING GIVEN THE NECESSARY AUTHORITY AND RESPONSIBILITY TO MANAGE THEIR BUSINESSES TO PRODUCE RESULTS ON TIME AND WITHIN BUDGET.
THROUGH A SYSTEM OF PROGRAMME MANAGEMENT THE CIVIL SERVICE IS INCREASING THE EMPHASIS ON PERFORMANCE MEASUREMENT, QUALITY OF SERVICE, VALUE FOR MONEY AND ACCOUNTABILITY, HE ADDED.
"THE CIVIL SERVICE IS, OF COURSE, THE LARGEST SERVICE-PROVIDER HERE IN HONG KONG. OUR SERVICES ARE USED BY EVERY SINGLE ONE OF THE SIX MILLION PEOPLE WHO LIVE IN HONG KONG," HE SAID.
SIR DAVID SAID THE 30 PERFORMANCE PLEDGES ALREADY MADE BY DEPARTMENTS HAD SIGNIFICANTLY AND IMMEDIATELY INCREASED TRANSPARENCY AND ACCOUNTABILITY TN THE PUBLIC SECTOR.
CUSTOMER LIAISON GROUPS ARE BEING INTRODUCED INTO CERTAIN DEPARTMENTS SUCH AS THE WATER SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT AND THE POST OFFICE TO EFFECTIVELY CHANNEL CUSTOMERS’ INPUT INTO THE DEPARTMENT’S WORK.
"THE CUSTOMER LIAISON GROUP IS A NEW CONCEPT IN GOVERNMENT. IT IS TOO EARLY TO ASSESS HOW IT IS WORKING, BUT I AM PLEASED THAT INITIAL FEEDBACK IS THAT DEPARTMENTS AND CUSTOMERS ALIKE FOUND THEM REALLY HELPFUL."
THE CHIEF SECRETARY ALSO SAID CUSTOMER SURVEYS WERE USED MORE OFTEN THAN BEFORE. "IT’S EARLY DAYS, BUT INITIAL RESULTS ARE ENCOURAGING."
/SIR DAVID .......
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 29, 1993
- 2 -
SIR DAVID BELIEVES THAT "OUR SERVING THE COMMUNITY THEME” HAS PROVIDED A FRAMEWORK AGAINST WHICH TO JUDGE CIVIL SERVICE’S EFFORTS AND TO JUDGE WHAT CHANGES MAY BE REQUIRED IN ITS MANAGEMENT PRACTICES.
"IN THE ABSENCE OF A BOTTOM LINE TO DRIVE OUR PERFORMANCE IT HAS GIVEN DEPARTMENTS, AND INCREASINGLY IT SHOULD GIVE INDIVIDUAL CIVIL SERVANTS, A CLEAR SENSE OF DIRECTION AND PURPOSE AS THEY DEVELOP THEIR OWN MANY INITIATIVES," HE SAID.
SIR DAVID SAID HONG KONG WAS INDEED WELL SERVED BY ITS CIVIL SERVICE.
"WE HAVE EMBRACED TECHNOLOGY TO PROMOTE AN EFFICIENT, QUALITY SERVICE TO THE PUBLIC."
THE GOVERNMENT PLANS TO SPEND OVER HALF A BILLION DOLLARS THIS YEAR ON COMPUTER PROJECTS. OVER THE NEXT FOUR YEARS MAJOR PROJECTS WILL BE IMPLEMENTED IN THE EDUCATION, POLICE, INLAND REVENUE AND IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENTS.
"WE, THE GOVERNMENT, ARE A LARGE ORGANISATION - EASILY THE BIGGEST EMPLOYER IN HONG KONG - BUT WE ARE BY NO MEANS CUMBERSOME.
"I SAY WITH ALL MODESTY THAT WE COULD NOT HAVE ACHIEVED EVERYTHING WE HAVE IN HONG KONG IF WE HAD NOT HAD A GOVERNMENT WHICH WAS QUICK ON ITS FEET."
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SELECTION OF SUBSCRIPTION TV AND ATV/TVB PROGRAMMES
*****
WITH THE PLANNED LAUNCH OF THE SUBSCRIPTION TELEVISION SERVICE ON OCTOBER 31, THE TELECOMMUNICATIONS AUTHORITY HAS APPROVED AN INTERCONNECTION ARRANGEMENT BETWEEN THE SUBSCRIPTION TELEVISION NETWORK AND THE COMMUNAL AERIAL BROADCAST DISTRIBUTION SYSTEMS IN BUILDINGS.
THIS ARRANGEMENT- ENABLES BOTH OFF-AIR AND SUBSCRIPTION TELEVISION BROADCASTS TO BE DELIVERED TO CONSUMERS FROM THE EXISTING WALL SOCKETS ALREADY INSTALLED IN THEIR HOMES.
IN THE APPROVED ARRANGEMENT, THE EXISTING FOUR OFF-AIR TELEVISION BROADCASTS FROM ATV AND TVB WILL CONTINUE TO BE DELIVERED DIRECTLY TO VIEWERS’ TELEVISION SETS.
IN ADDITION THEY WILL BE AVAILABLE THROUGH THE FIRST FOUR CHANNELS OF THE DECODERS OF THE SUBSCRIPTION TELEVISION SERVICE.
THIS MEANS VIEWERS TAKING THE SUBSCRIPTION TELEVISION SERVICE WILL HAVE THE CHOICE OF SELECTING THE ATV/TVB TELEVISION BROADCASTS THROUGH THE CHANNEL SELECTOR OF THE TELEVISION SET AS USUAL OR THEY MAY SELECT THE ATV/TVB PROGRAMMES USING THE CONTROL UNIT OF THE DECODER SUPPLIED BY WHARF CABLE.
/VIEWERS WHO .......
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 29, 1993
3
VIEWERS WHO DO NOT TAKE THE SUBSCRIPTION TELEVISION SERVICE WILL NOT BE AFFECTED. THEY WILL CONTINUE TO SELECT THE ATV/TVB BROADCASTS USING THE CHANNEL SELECTORS OF THEIR TELEVISION SETS.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE OFFICE OF THE TELECOMMUNICATIONS AUTHORITY SAID: ’’THE INTERCONNECTION ARRANGEMENT WILL MEAN THAT THE SUBSCRIPTION TELEVISION SERVICE CAN BE PROVIDED TO CONSUMERS IN THE SHORTEST TIME AND WITHOUT THE INCONVENIENCE OF HAVING TO INSTALL SEPERATE ENTRY CABLES INTO THEIR HOMES.”
THE ARRANGEMENT ENABLES VIEWERS TO SELECT EITHER ATV/TVB BROADCASTS OR THE SUBSCRIPTION CHANNELS USING THE SAME REMOTE CONTROL OF THE DECODER AND OFFERS ADDITIONAL CONVENIENCE TO THE CONSUMERS.
AS VIEWERS NORMALLY PROGRAMME THE ATV/TVB BROADCASTS IN CHANNELS 1 TO 4 ON THEIR TELEVISION SETS, WHARF CABLE IS REQUIRED TO RESERVE CHANNELS 1 TO 4 ON THE DECODERS FOR THE OFF-AIR BROADCASTS, SO THAT THE CHANNEL NUMBERS WILL BE THE SAME ON THE TELEVISION SETS AND WHARF CABLE’S DECODERS. THIS WILL AVOID CONFUSION TO THE VIEWERS, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
’’THE ARRANGEMENT IS FLEXIBLE AND ALLOWS CONSUMERS TO CHOOSE HOW THEY SELECT TELEVISION PROGRAMMES.”
’’WHARF CABLE WILL CONCLUDE INDIVIDUAL INTERCONNECTION AGREEMENTS WITH THE BUILDING OWNERS INCORPORATIONS OR MANAGEMENT BASED ON THE APPROVED ARRANGEMENT,” THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
IF THE MAJORITY OF THE TENANTS IN A BUILDING FIND THAT THEY PREFER NOT TO HAVE THE ATV/TVB BROADCASTS SELECTABLE FROM THE DECODERS OF THE SUBSCRIPTION TELEVISION SERVICE, THEY CAN REQUEST THROUGH THE BUILDING OWNERS INCORPORATION OR MANAGEMENT TO HAVE THE OPTION OF SELECTING THE ATV/TVB BROADCASTS REMOVED FROM THE DECODERS.
IN SUCH A CASE, ONLY THE EXISTING CAPABILITY OF SELECTING THE ATV/TVB BROADCASTS THROUGH THE SELECTORS OF THE TELEVISION SETS WILL REMAIN FOR THAT BUILDING.
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FURTHER CONTROL ON COMMUNICABLE DISEASES PROPOSED
*****
THE QUARANTINE AND PREVENTION OF DISEASE (AMENDMENT) BILL 1993 WHICH AIMS TO IMPROVE THE SURVEILLANCE AND CONTROL OF COMMUNICABLE DISEASES, IS GAZETTED TODAY (FRIDAY).
THE BILL PROPOSES:
* TO REVISE THE DEFINITION OF QUARANTINABLE DISEASE TO INCLUDE ONLY THREE DISEASES, NAMELY CHOLERA, PLAGUE AND YELLOW FEVER;
/* TO REVISE ........
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 29, 1993
* TO REVISE THE LIST OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES TO INCLUDE 26 DISEASES ALTOGETHER;
* TO INCREASE THE AMOUNT OF FINES BY FIVE TIMES UNDER THE PRINCIPAL ORDINANCE;
* TO EMPOWER THE DIRECTOR OF HEALTH TO AMEND NOTIFICATION OF DISEASE FORMS PRESCRIBED BY THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL; AND
* TO EMPOWER THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE TO VARY THE FEES PRESCRIBED BY THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL.
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THE QUARANTINE AND PREVENTION OF DISEASE ORDINANCE AND ITS SUBSIDIARY LEGISLATION ALREADY PROVIDED A LEGISLATIVE FRAMEWORK FOR THE PREVENTION OF COMMUNICABLE DISEASES.
"APART FROM BRINGING THE LEGISLATION IN LINE WITH INTERNATIONAL HEALTH REGULATIONS, THE MEASURES PROPOSED IN THE BILL WILL FURTHER STRENGTHEN THE CONTROL OF COMMUNICABLE DISEASES," HE ADDED.
THE BILL WILL BE INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL FOR FIRST AND SECOND READING ON NOVEMBER 10.
- - 0 - -
CJ URGES WIDER USE OF CHINESE IN MAGISTRATES’ COURTS
*****
AS THE NUMBER OF CHINESE-SPEAKING MAGISTRATES GROWS AND HAS NOW REACHED 53 PER CENT, AND AS THERE ARE MORE CHINESE-SPEAKING SOLICITORS AND BARRISTERS, THE WIDER USE OF CHINESE IN THE MAGISTRATES’ COURTS IS FEASIBLE GIVEN THE WILL.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE CHIEF JUSTICE, SIR TI LIANG YANG, TODAY (FRIDAY).
ADDRESSING THE ANNUAL DINNER OF THE DUTY LAWYER SERVICE, SIR TI LIANG SAID THE FRAMEWORK FOR THE USE OF CHINESE IN THE MAGISTRATES’ COURTS WAS ALREADY WELL IN PLACE.
"THE USE OF CHINESE IS DICTATED BY THE NUMBER OF MAGISTRATES AND LAWYERS WHO ARE ABLE AND WILLING TO USE THE LANGUAGE," HE NOTED.
"HOWEVER, THE MERE FACT THAT A PERSON IS OF CHINESE RACE DOES NOT MEAN THAT HE IS ABLE TO SPEAK CHINESE.
"THE MERE FACT THAT HE IS ABLE TO USE CHINESE IN HIS DAILY LIFE DOES NOT MEAN HE IS ABLE TO USE CHINESE IN HIS LEGAL OR JUDICIAL WORK," HE ADDED.
THE CHIEF JUSTICE STRESSED THAT THERE WERE DIFFICULTIES TO OVERCOME.
/PART OF
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 29, 1993
5
PART OF THE DIFFICULTIES ARE CONCERNED WITH ATTITUDES, WITH OUR MENTAL APPROACH, AND WHETHER THERE IS A WILL.
THE OTHER DIFFICULTIES ARE RELATED TO THE WAY LAWYERS WERE TRAINED, USUALLY IN THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE, SO THEY ARE ACCUSTOMED TO THINK AND PONDER IN THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE, USING ENGLISH TERMINOLOGY AND THE ENGLISH WAY OF PUTTING A SENTENCE OR QUESTION TOGETHER, HE EXPLAINED.
EARLIER, SIR TI LIANG POINTED OUT THAT BY ARTICLE 9 OF THE BASIC LAW, IN ADDITION TO THE CHINESE LANGUAGE, ENGLISH MAY ALSO BE USED AS AN OFFICIAL LANGUAGE BY THE EXECUTIVE AUTHORITIES, LEGISLATURE AND JUDICIARY OF THE HONG KONG SPECIAL ADMINISTRATIVE REGION.
ACCORDING TO A STRICT INTERPRETATION, THEN, CHINESE SHOULD BE THE PREDOMINANT LANGUAGE OF THE COURTS AFTER JULY 1, 1997, AND ENGLISH BE THE ADDITIONAL LANGUAGE.
"IT IS, HOWEVER, MY PERSONAL UNDERSTANDING THAT CHINA IS SYMPATHETIC TO OUR PRACTICAL LIMITATIONS, AND REALISE THAT THE EXPANSION OF THE USE OF THE CHINESE LANGUAGE MUST BE GRADUAL AND WITHIN THE PARAMETERS OF JUSTICE TO ALL PARTIES," HE SAID.
TURNING TO THE USE OF CHINESE IN OTHER LEVELS OF COURTS, THE CHIEF JUSTICE SAID THE WORKING PARTY ON THE USE OF CHINESE IN THE DISTRICT COURT, CHAIRED BY MR JUSTICE PATRICK CHAN, WAS EXPECTED TO COMPLETE ITS REPORT SHORTLY.
MR JUSTICE LITTON OF THE COURT OF APPEAL WAS CURRENTLY LOOKING AT THE WHOLE QUESTION GLOBALLY.
WHILE HOPING TO SEE SOME USEFUL SUGGESTIONS FROM MR JUSTICE LITTON’S REPORT BEFORE TOO LONG, SIR TI LIANG SAID THERE WAS ALSO THE NEED TO LOOK AT THE OFFICIAL LANGUAGE ORDINANCE TO BRING ITS PROVISIONS WITHIN ARTICLE 9 OF THE BASIC LAW.
"IT WILL THEN BE UP TO THE JUDGES AND MAGISTRATES AND THE LAWYERS TO DO WHAT THEY CAN TO GIVE THE ARTICLE PRACTICAL EFFECT," HE SAID.
------0--------
LICENSING SYSTEM TO IMPROVE SECURITY SERVICES *****
THE ADMINISTRATION IS INTRODUCING LEGISLATION TO REGULATE THE SECURITY INDUSTRY THROUGH A TWO-LEVEL LICENSING SYSTEM.
UNDER THE SECURITY AND GUARDING SERVICES BILL GAZETTED TODAY (FRIDAY), COMPANIES PROVIDING SECURITY SERVICES WILL BE REQUIRED TO APPLY FOR A LICENCE AND INDIVIDUAL SECURITY PERSONNEL WILL BE REQUIRED TO APPLY FOR A PERMIT.
/THE SECURITY .......
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 29, 1993
6
THE SECURITY AND GUARDING SERVICES BILL STIPULATES THAT IT IS AN OFFENCE FOR:
* A PERSON TO ENGAGE IN SECURITY WORK WITHOUT A VALID PERMIT;
* A COMPANY TO SUPPLY SECURITY PERSONNEL WHO DO NOT HAVE VALID PERMITS;
* A COMPANY TO PROVIDE SECURITY WORK WITHOUT A VALID LICENCE;
* A PERSON TO REQUIRE ANOTHER PERSON, WHO DOES NOT HAVE A VALID PERMIT, TO DO SECURITY WORK FOR HIM; AND
* A PERSON TO EMPLOY AN INDIVIDUAL TO DO SECURITY WORK, EITHER FOR HIM OR FOR ANOTHER PERSON, WITHOUT INFORMING THE COMMISSIONER OF POLICE WITHIN 14 DAYS OF COMMENCEMENT OF THE
EMPLOYMENT.
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN POINTED OUT THAT THE AIM OF THE BILL WAS TO PROMOTE HIGHER STANDARDS OF SECURITY AND GUARDING SERVICES.
"FOLLOWING THE INTRODUCTION OF THE NEW LICENSING SYSTEM, THE WATCHMEN ORDINANCE, WHICH WAS ENACTED IN 1956 AND HAS BECOME OBSOLETE, WILL BE REPEALED," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
THE BILL DEFINES SECURITY WORK AS:
* THE GUARDING OF ANY PROPERTY;
* PREVENTING OR DETECTING THE OCCURRENCE OF ANY OFFENCE;
* INSTALLING, MAINTAINING OR REPAIRING A SECURITY DEVICE; AND
* DESIGNING FOR ANY PARTICULAR PREMISES OR PLACE A SYSTEM INCORPORATING A SECURITY DEVICE.
THE APPLICATION AND RENEWAL OF PERMITS FOR SECURITY PERSONNEL SHOULD BE MADE TO THE COMMISSIONER OF POLICE.
THE APPLICATION AND RENEWAL OF LICENCES FOR SECURITY COMPANIES SHOULD BE MADE TO THE SECURITY AND GUARDING SERVICES INDUSTRY AUTHORITY, WHICH IS TO BE ESTABLISHED UNDER THE BILL.
THE SECURITY AND GUARDING SERVICES INDUSTRY AUTHORITY WILL ALSO SPECIFY THE CRITERIA AND CONDITIONS FOR ISSUING PERMITS TO SECURITY PERSONNEL.
IT WILL COMPRISE A CHAIRMAN APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNOR, A REPRESENTATIVE OF THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY AND THREE OTHER PERSONS APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNOR.
AN APPEAL BOARD WILL BE SET UP TO CONSIDER AND DETERMINE APPEALS AGAINST DECISIONS ARISING FROM THE PROVISIONS OF THE BILL.
THE BOARD WILL COMPRISE A CHAIRMAN AND NOT LESS THAN TWO PERSONS APPOINTED FROM A PANEL OF SUITABLE PERSONS APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNOR.
/CURRENTLY, THE ........
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 29, 1993
7
CURRENTLY, THE WATCHMEN ORDINANCE REQUIRES SECURITY COMPANIES TO OBTAIN WRITTEN CONSENT FROM THE COMMISSIONER OF POLICE BEFORE THEY CAN OPERATE.
THE BILL PROPOSES THAT A 12-MONTH GRACE PERIOD BE GIVEN TO EXISTING SECURITY COMPANIES TO APPLY FOR A LICENCE UNDER THE NEW LEGISLATION.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE EXISTING WATCHMEN’S PERMITS ISSUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE WATCHMEN ORDINANCE, SHOULD INITIALLY BE REGARDED AS VALID PERMITS FOLLOWING THE ENACTMENT OF THE BILL.
THE SECURITY AND GUARDING SERVICES INDUSTRY AUTHORITY WILL THEN INFORM THE PERMIT HOLDERS TO APPLY FOR A NEW PERMIT.
THE BILL PROPOSES A FINE OF $100,000 AND IMPRISONMENT FOR TWO
YEARS FOR AN OFFENCE COMMITTED BY A COMPANY PROVIDING SECURITY WORK WITHOUT A VALID LICENCE.
THE PENALTY FOR CONTRAVENTION OF OTHER OFFENCES IS A FINE OF $10,000 AND IMPRISONMENT FOR THREE MONTHS.
AT PRESENT, THERE ARE ABOUT 130,000 REGISTERED WATCHMEN AND 92 COMPANIES INVOLVED IN THE SUPPLY OF WATCHMEN AND ABOUT 136 COMPANIES INVOLVED IN INSTALLING AND MAINTAINING BURGLAR ALARMS.
THE BILL IS SCHEDULED TO BE INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON NOVEMBER 10.
- - 0 - -
IMPORTANCE OF TAKING SAFETY MEASURES *****
THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT’S CHIEF FACTORY INSPECTOR CHAN TAT-KING TODAY (FRIDAY) REMINDED WORKERS THE IMPORTANCE OF TAKING SAFETY MEASURES WHILE WORKING AT HEIGHT.
’’TAKING A SIMPLE MEASURE, SUCH AS WEARING A SUITABLE SAFETY BELT WITH THE LANYARD HOOKED TO AN INDEPENDENT LIFE-LINE, WORKERS CAN PROTECT THEMSELVES FROM RECEIVING SERIOUS OR EVEN FATAL INJURIES CAUSED BY FALLING FROM HEIGHT,” MR CHAN SAID.
THE CHIEF FACTORY INSPECTOR SAID AN ACCIDENT WHICH OCCURRED IN CAUSEWAY BAY THIS (FRIDAY) MORNING WAS A VIVID EXAMPLE OF HOW TWO WORKERS ESCAPED FROM FALL WHILE WORKING IN A GONDOLA HANGING OUTSIDE THE UPPER FLOORS OF A BUILDING.
HE SAID ACCORDING TO INITIAL INFORMATION, THE GONDOLA SUDDENLY TILTED DOWN BUT NOT THE TWO WORKERS BECAUSE BOTH WERE WEARING SAFETY BELTS WHICH ATTACHED TO AN INDEPENDENT LIFE-LINE. THEY WERE LATER RESCUED BY FIREMEN.
MR CHAN SAID THE FACTORY INSPECTORATE DIVISION WAS INVESTIGATING CAUSES OF THE ACCIDENT.
/THERE ARE
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 29, 1993
8
THERE ARE STATUTORY SAFETY REQUIREMENTS GOVERNING THE USE AND MAINTENANCE OF LIFTING APPLIANCES, INCLUDING GONDOLAS, HE SAID.
"ALL CONTRACTORS SHOULD STRICTLY OBSERVE THE SAFETY RULES WHEN THEY USE GONDOLAS IN THEIR PROJECTS.”
HE SAID THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT WAS IN THE PROCESS OF BRINGING IN A MORE SPECIFIC PIECE OF LEGISLATION TO IMPROVE THE SAFE USE AND MAINTENANCE OF ALL SUSPENDED WORKING PLATFORMS, INCLUDING GONDOLAS.
MR CHAN ALSO APPEALED TO ALL WORKERS TO SERIOUSLY OBSERVE SAFETY MEASURES WHEN THEY NEED TO WORK AT HEIGHT. CONTRACTORS SHOULD ALSO EXERCISE PROPER SUPERVISION WHEN THE JOB IS IN PROGRESS.
"A SIMPLE PRECAUTIONARY MEASURE WILL HELP A WORKER SAVE HIS OWN LIFE,” HE SAID.
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RECORD NUMBER OF VM’S RETURNED * * * * ♦
A RECORD NUMBER OF 1,662 VIETNAMESE MIGRANTS (VM’S) HAVE RETURNED TO VIETNAM THIS MONTH UNDER THE UNITED NATIONS VOLUNTARY REPATRIATION PROGRAMME.
A GROUP OF 268 VM9S RETURNED TO VIETNAM TODAY (FRIDAY), BRINGING TO 34,592, THE TOTAL NUMBER OF VM’S WHO HAVE RETURNED VOLUNTARILY SINCE THE LAUNCH OF THE PROGRAMME IN MARCH 1989.
THE TOTAL NUMBER OF RETURNEES NOW EXCEEDS THE NUMBER OF VM'S REMAINING IN THE CAMPS.
THE REFUGEE CO-ORDINATOR, MR BRIAN BRESNIHAN WELCOMED THE SIGNIFICANT UPTURN IN THE VOLUNTARY REPATRIATION PROGRAMME.
”IT IS INDEED GOOD NEWS. AFTER A POOR START, THE VOLUNTARY REPATRIATION PROGRAMME HAS’PICKED UP AND IT LOOKS AS IF ABOUT 12,000 VM’S WILL RETURN HOME THIS YEAR,” MR BRESNIHAN SAID.
NOTING THAT ONLY 55 VM’S HAD ARRIVED IN HONG KONG THIS YEAR, MR BRESNIHAN SAID IF THE CURRENT ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE TRENDS CONTINUEDK, THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD BE IN A POSITION TO CLOSE ALL CAMPS IN EARLY 1'996.
THE VIETNAMESE MIGRANT POPULATION IN HONG KONG CAMPS NOW STANDS AT 33,344, THE LOWEST FIGURE SINCE MAY 1989.
THE GROUP REPATRIATED TODAY COMPRISED 89 MEN, 66 WOMEN, 61 BOYS AND 52 GIRLS, THEY WERE THE 173TH BATCH TO BE RETURNED UNDER THE PROGRAMME.
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/9.........
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 29, 1993
9
DSD LAUNCHES PERFORMANCE PLEDGES *****
THE DRAINAGE SERVICES DEPARTMENT (DSD) TODAY (FRIDAY) LAUNCHED ITS PERFORMANCE PLEDGES FOR CLEARING BLOCKED DRAINS AND PROCESSING DRAINAGE CONNECTION APPLICATIONS.
ANNOUNCING DETAILS OF THE PLEDGES, THE DIRECTOR OF DRAINAGE SERVICES, MR SIU CHUEN, SAID HIS DEPARTMENT WAS COMMITTED TO PROVIDE EFFICIENT AND COURTEOUS SERVICE TO THE PUBLIC.
ON CLEARING BLOCKED DRAINS, MR SIU STRESSED THAT URGENT CASES WOULD BE HANDLED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE, AND DURING OFFICE HOURS ON-SITE INVESTIGATION WOULD BE CARRIED OUT WITHIN ONE HOUR AFTER RECEIVING A COMPLAINT.
WHEN A COMPLAINT IS RECEIVED BETWEEN 8 AM AND NOON, INVESTIGATION WILL BE CARRIED OUT ON SITE WITHIN THE SAME DAY.
FOR COMPLAINTS RECEIVED AFTER NOON, ON-SITE INVESTIGATION WOULD BE CARRIED OUT BEFORE NOON THE NEXT DAY, HE ADDED.
HOWEVER, MR SIU POINTED OUT THAT BECAUSE OF THE REMOTENESS OF SOME SITES, A LONGER RESPONSE TIME WOULD BE NEEDED FOR RURAL AREAS IN THE NEW TERRITORIES AND OUTLYING ISLANDS.
IN GENERAL, RECTIFYING ACTION WILL BE CARRIED OUT IMMEDIATELY AFTER INVESTIGATION WORK EXCEPT WHERE HEAVY PLANT HAS TO BE MOBILISED OR WHERE SITE CONSTRAINTS RENDER IT IMPOSSIBLE TO PROCEED IMMEDIATELY, HE SAID.
MR SIU NOTED THAT THREE TELEPHONE HOTLINES HAD BEEN INSTALLED IN DSD TO RECEIVE COMPLAINTS OF BLOCKED DRAINAGE FROM THE PUBLIC BETWEEN 8 AM AND 10 PM.
THE TELEPHONE NUMBERS ARE 805 6344 FOR REPORTING CASES ON HONG KONG AND OUTLYING ISLANDS, 300 2637 FOR KOWLOON, AND 300 1444 FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES.
FOR OTHER TIMES ’ BETWEEN 10 PM AND 8 AM THE NEXT DAY, MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC CAN REPORT CASES TO ANOTHER HOTLINE 300 1447.
REGARDING DRAINAGE CONNECTION APPLICATIONS FROM PRIVATE DEVELOPERS, MR SIU STRESSED THAT DSD WOULD STRIVE TO PROCESS THE REQUESTS PROMPTLY.
UPON RECEIPT OF AN APPLICATION ON OUR STANDARD FORM DSD25, A DEMAND NOTE FOR THE COST OF THE DRAINAGE WORKS WILL BE ISSUED WITHIN 10 WORKING DAYS, HE NOTED.
MR SIU SAID HE WOULD MONITOR THE ACHIEVEMENT OF THOSE PERFORMANCE STANDARDS AND PUBLISH THE RESULTS ANNUALLY.
/HE URGED .......
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 29, 1993
- 10 -
HE URGED THE PUBLIC TO GIVE COMMENTS OR SUGGESTIONS ON THE WAY IN WHICH THESE SERVICES WERE HANDLED BY WRITING TO HIM TO THE 43RD FLOOR, REVENUE TOWER, 5 GLOUCESTER ROAD, WAN CHAI.
MR SIU ALSO NOTED THAT DESPITE BEST EFFORTS THERE WOULD BE OCCASIONS WHEN THE SERVICE WAS UNABLE TO MATCH THE STANDARDS SET.
"IN SUCH CASES, THE PUBLIC ARE ENTITLED TO A FULL AND PROMPT EXPLANATION.
"ALL COMPLAINTS, WHETHER WRITTEN OR ORAL, WILL BE DEALT WITH EXPEDITIOUSLY WITH AT LEAST AN INTERIM REPLY GIVEN WITHIN 10 DAYS," HE SAID.
ANYONE WHO FEELS THAT THEIR CASES HAVE NOT BEEN DEALT WITH ADEQUATELY, SHOULD WRITE TO THE DIRECTOR OF DRAINAGE SERVICES.
MEANWHILE, BILINGUAL LEAFLETS LISTING THE PERFORMANCE PLEDGES HAVE BEEN PUBLISHED AND ARE AVAILABLE FOR THE PUBLIC AT ALL DISTRICT OFFICES.
ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE ON TEL 877 0660 DURING OFFICE HOURS.
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TELA COMMISSIONS SURVEY ON FILM CLASSIFICATION STANDARDS
*****
THE TELEVISION AND ENTERTAINMENT LICENSING AUTHORITY (TELA) WILL CONDUCT A PUBLIC OPINION SURVEY ON FILM CLASSIFICATION STANDARDS.
AN INDEPENDENT SURVEY COMPANY SELECTED THROUGH TENDER HAS BEEN COMMISSIONED TO CONDUCT THE SURVEY.
TECHNICAL ADVICE WILL BE PROVIDED BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
THE SURVEY WILL COVER A SAMPLE OF OVER 500 RESPONDENTS.
A SPOKESMAN FOR TELA SAID: "THE SAMPLE WILL BE BALANCED AND REPRESENTATIVE IN RESPECT OF AGE, EDUCATION, OCCUPATION, RESIDENCE AND CINEMA-GOING HABITS, WITH RESPONDENTS AGED 13 TO 60 TO BE COVERED IN THE SURVEY."
IN THE SURVEY, RESPONDENTS WILL BE ASKED TO VIEW A SERIES OF SELECTED FILM EXCERPTS IN A CINEMA SETTING AND TO RESPOND BY COMPLETING A QUESTIONNAIRE, THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
THE RESPONDENTS’ OPINIONS ON FILM CLASSIFICATION STANDARDS ABOUT SEX, VIOLENCE, HORROR, OBJECTIONABLE LANGUAGE, OFFENSIVE BEHAVIOR, TRIAD DEPICTION AND THEMES WILL BE SOUGHT. THEIR VIEWS ABOUT THE OPERATION OF THE THREE-TIER FILM CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM WILL ALSO BE COLLECTED.
/THE SPOKESMAN .......
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 29, 1993
- 11 -
THE SPOKESMAN SAID: "IN VIEW OF THE GROWING CONCERN ABOUT THE PUBLIC DISPLAY OF INDECENT FILM POSTERS AND THE UNDESIRABLE IMPACT ON YOUNGSTERS, RESPONDENTS WILL ALSO BE ASKED TO WHETHER A PRE-CENSORSHIP SYSTEM SHOULD BE IMPOSED ON CATEGORY THREE FILM POSTERS."
THE FILM INDUSTRY WILL BE CONSULTED IN CONDUCTING THE SURVEY.
THE SURVEY IS EXPECTED TO BE COMPLETED WITHIN FOUR MONTHS, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
PUBLIC OPINION SURVEYS ARE CONDUCTED BY TELA FROM TIME TO TIME TO COLLECT VIEWS ON FILM CLASSIFICATION STANDARDS TO ENSURE THAT THEY REFLECT THE CONTEMPORARY PUBLIC ATTITUDES AND ARE ACCEPTABLE TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC.
THE LAST SUCH SURVEY WAS CONDUCTED IN 1991.
------0----------
CALL TO PREVENT INJURY AT HOME
*****
THERE IS NO ROOM FOR COMPLACENCY IN ACCIDENT PREVENTION AND MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC SHOULD MAKE THEIR HOME A SAFE PLACE TO LIVE IN.
THIS CALL WAS MADE TODAY (FRIDAY) BY URBAN COUNCILLOR PROFESSOR LEUNG PING-CHUNG AT THE OPENING OF THE "TREASURE LIFE, PREVENT INJURY" EXHIBITION AT THE QUEENSWAY EXHIBITION HALL.
PROFESSOR LEUNG SAID MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC SHOULD PLAY AN ACTIVE ROLE IN PROTECTING THEIR OWN HEALTH BY PREVENTING ACCIDENTS.
HE SAID: "ACCIDENTS MAY CAUSE PERMANENT DISABILITY OR DEATH AND WILL ALWAYS HAPPEN IF PRECAUTIONARY SAFETY MEASURES ARE NEGLECTED."
PROFESSOR LEUNG URGED THE PUBLIC TO BE MINDFUL OF MAKING THE HOME A SAFE PLACE FOR CHILDREN AND THE ELDERLY WHO WERE MOST VULNERABLE TO ACCIDENTS.
ALSO SPEAKING AT THE CEREMONY, THE ACTING DIRECTOR OF HEALTH, DR MARGARET CHAN, SAID INJURY AND POISONING WAS THE NUMBER ONE KILLER FOR CHILDREN UNDER 14 IN HONG KONG LAST YEAR.
DR CHAN SAID 80 CHILDREN UNDER 14 DIED BECAUSE OF INJURY AND POISONING LAST YEAR.
DR CHAN SAID: "FOR THE WHOLE LOCAL POPULATION, INJURY AND POISONING IS THE FIFTH LEADING CAUSE OF DEATH, ACCOUNTING FOR 1,693 DEATHS IN 1992."
"IN FACT, MOST OF THE INJURY AND POISONING CASES WERE ACCIDENTS WHICH COULD BE PREVENTED IF PRECAUTIONARY MEASURES WERE TAKEN," SHE SAID.
/DR CHAN .......
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 29, 1993
- 12 -
DR CHAN STRESSED: ’’THERE IS TRUTH IN THE OLD SAYING THAT PREVENTION IS BETTER THAN CURE.”
NOTING THAT THE WORLD HEALTH ORGANISATION HAD SET ACCIDENT PREVENTION AS THE THEME OF THIS YEAR’S WORLD HEALTH DAY, DR CHAN FELT THAT THE EXHIBITION WAS A MEANINGFUL PROJECT IN PROMOTING ACCIDENT PREVENTION.
THE EXHIBITION, ORGANISED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH’S CENTRAL EDUCATION UNIT, WILL BE OPEN TO THE PUBLIC FROM 10 AM TO 6.30 PM DURING THE WEEKEND.
THERE WILL BE STATIC DISPLAYS ON A WIDE VARIETY OF TOPICS SUCH AS HOME SAFETY FOR THE ELDERLY, PREVENTION OF ELECTROCUTION AND PREVENTION OF INJURY IN SPORTS.
IN ADDITION, THERE WILL BE AUDIO-VISUAL SHOW, BOOTH GAMES AND DISPLAY OF THE WINNING ENTRIES IN TWO RECENTLY HELD ESSAY CONTEST AND POSTER DESIGN COMPETITION.
HEALTH PERSONNEL FROM THE DEPARTMENT WILL BE THERE TO GIVE ADVICE AND ANSWER ENQUIRIES.
FREE EDUCATION AND INFORMATION LEAFLETS WILL BE DISTRIBUTED TO VISITORS.
--------Q-----------
$92 MILLION DRAINAGE MAINTENANCE CONTRACT SIGNED ♦ ♦ * ♦ ♦
THE DRAINAGE SERVICES DEPARTMENT TODAY (FRIDAY) SIGNED A $92 MILLION CONTRACT FOR DRAINAGE MAINTENANCE AND IMPROVEMENT WORKS ON HONG KONG ISLAND AND OUTLYING ISLANDS.
THE THREE-YEAR-CONTRACT WAS SIGNED BY THE DEPARTMENT’S ASSISTANCE DIRECTOR (OPERATIONS AND MAINTENANCE), MR CHE PING-DOON, AND A REPRESENTATIVE OF THE CONTRACTOR, SHUN YUEN CONSTRUTION COMPANY LIMITED.
THE WORKS INCLUDE THE MAINTENANCE AND IMPROVEMENT OF ALL EXISTING PUBLIC SEWERAGE AND STORMWATER DRAINAGE SYSTEMS, AS WELL AS THE CONSTRUCTION OF MINOR SEWERS AND DRAINS.
THE CONTRACT WILL RUN FROM NOVEMBER THIS YEAR TO MARCH 1996.
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/13........
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 29, 1993
13
HK’S FURNITURE AND LIGHTING INDUSTRIES: COMPETITIVE AND PROSPEROUS ♦ * * * ♦
BY INVESTING IN PRODUCTION TECHNOLOGY AND IN MAKING USE OF LOWER LABOUR COSTS FOR MORE LABOUR INTENSIVE MANUFACTURING OPERATIONS, THE LOCAL FURNITURE AND LIGHTING MANUFACTURERS HAVE SUCCESSFULLY MAINTAINED THE COMPETITIVE EDGE, CUT PRODUCTION COST AND IMPROVED QUALITY.
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE 10TH HONG KONG INTERNATIONAL FURNITURE AND LIGHTING FAIR, THE DIRECTOR-GENERAL OF TRADE, MR TONY MILLER TODAY (FRIDAY) ATTRIBUTED THE ACTIVE IMPROVEMENT TO THE GROWING DEMAND FOR HIGH QUALITY PRODUCTS AND INCREASINGLY INTENSE COMPETITION.
ALTHOUGH HONG KONG’S FURNITURE AND LIGHTING INDUSTRIES WERE RELATIVELY SMALL COMPARED TO OUR MAJOR INDUSTRIES, SUCH AS TEXTILES, GARMENTS AND ELECTRONICS, MR MILLER NOTED THAT HONG KONG HAD WITNESSED A FAST-EXPANDING DEMAND FOR HIGH QUALITY FURNITURE AND LIGHTING PRODUCTS.
’’HONG KONG IS BECOMING AN AFFLUENT SOCIETY.
"AS THE STANDARD OF LIVING OF THE POPULATION CONTINUES TO IMPROVE, FAMILIES ARE PAYING GREATER ATTENTION TO INTERIOR DESIGN AND ARE WILLING TO SPEND A GREATER PORTION OF THEIR DISPOSABLE INCOME ON BEAUTIFYING THEIR HOUSEHOLDS, ’’ HE SAID.
"IN RECENT YEARS, WE HAVE SEEN MORE AND MORE TASTEFUL AND WELL-DESIGNED FURNITURE AND LIGHTING PRODUCTS IN THE MARKET CATERING FOR LOCAL LIVING CONDITIONS," HE SAID.
FIGURES ALSO REFLECT THE GROWING DEMAND AND COMPETITION: BETWEEN 1987 AND 1992, HONG KONG’S IMPORTS OF ALL FURNITURE INCREASED BY 160 PER CENT TO SOME $5 BILLION, WHILE THE GROSS OUTPUT OF THE FURNITURE INDUSTRY ALSO ROSE TO ONE-AND-A-QUARTER BILLION DOLLARS IN 1991 .
"HONG KONG PRODUCES FURNITURE IN BOTH WESTERN AND ASIAN STYLES," MR MILLER SAID.
"ABOUT TWO-THIRDS OF THE MANUFACTURED PRODUCTS ARE SOLD LOCALLY, WITH THE REMAINDER EXPORTED OVERSEAS, MAINLY TO THE USA, CHINA AND JAPAN, " HE ADDED.
ON LIGHTING EQUIPMENT, HONG KONG’S IMPORTS ALSO INCREASED DURING THE PERIOD FROM 1987 TO 1992.
OVERALL IMPORTS WERE VALUED AT FOUR-AND-A-QUARTER BILLION DOLLARS, AN INCREASE OF 350 PER CENT. THE GROSS OUTPUT OF THE LOCAL LIGHTING INDUSTRY ALSO GREW TO SOME $300 MILLION IN 1991.
MR MILLER PRAISED THE FAIR FOR PROVIDING AN EXCELLENT FORUM FOR LOCAL AND OVERSEAS MANUFACTURERS TO EXHIBIT THEIR LATEST PRODUCTS, EXCHANGE IDEAS ON THE DESIGN AND MANUFACTURE OF THE PRODUCTS, AND EXPLORE POTENTIAL FOR FURTHER BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT, BOTH LOCALLY AND INTERNATIONALLY.
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/14 .......
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 29, 1993
14
APPOINTMENT TO ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON TRAVEL AGENTS
*****
THE GOVERNMENT ANNOUNCED IN TODAY’S (FRIDAY) GAZETTE APPOINTMENTS TO THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON TRAVEL AGENTS (ACTA).
MR TANG KWAI-NANG HAS BEEN RE-APPOINTED CHAIRMAN OF ACTA FOR A PERIOD OF ONE YEAR FROM NOVEMBER 1 TO OCTOBER 31 NEXT YEAR.
ALL THE OTHER EXISTING NON-OFFICIAL MEMBERS HAVE BEEN REAPPOINTED FOR THE SAME PERIOD.
THEY ARE MRS PAMELA CHAN, MR HAROLD WU, MR BENTON LAU KWOK-KIU, MR ROBERT KWAN CHIU-YIN, MR JAMES LU, MR HOWARD YOUNG, MR SIMON HAU SUK-KEI, MR DICKSON PANG KAM-FAI, MR WILLIAM WAN HON-CHEUNG, MR TAM KAI-ON AND DR KENNETH LEUNG WAI-YIN.
"ACTA MEMBERS, WITH THEIR EXPERIENCE AND STANDING IN THEIR RESPECTIVE FIELDS, HAVE PLAYED A VALUABLE ROLE IN DEVELOPING THE REGULATORY REFORM PACKAGE FOR THE OUTBOUND TRAVEL INDUSTRY NOW EMBODIED IN THE TRAVEL AGENTS (AMENDMENT) ORDINANCE 1993 WHICH CAME INTO OPERATION ON OCTOBER 15, THIS YEAR," A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID.
THEIR RE-APPOINTMENT WILL PROVIDE CONTINUITY FOR ACTA TO SEE THROUGH THE REFORM PROCESS, HE ADDED.
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APPEAL BOARD FOR AMUSEMENT GAME CENTRES *****
REGULATIONS GOVERNING THE OPERATION OF AN APPEAL BOARD TO DEAL WITH CASES CONCERNING AMUSEMENT GAME CENTRES WILL BE GAZETTED NEXT FRIDAY (NOVEMBER 5), A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN ANNOUNCED TODAY (FRIDAY).
HE EXPLAINED THAT THE AMUSEMENT GAME CENTRES ORDINANCE, WHICH WILL COME INTO EFFECT ON DECEMBER I, THIS YEAR, WILL PROVIDE FOR APPEALS AGAINST DECISIONS TAKEN BY THE COMMISSIONER FOR TELEVISION AND ENTERTAINMENT LICENSING AND FOR SUCH APPEALS TO BE CONSIDERED BY THIS NEW BOARD.
AT PRESENT APPEALS ARE CONSIDERED ONLY BY THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL.
THE BOARD WILL COMPRISE A CHAIRMAN AND NOT LESS THAN TWO MEMBERS.
THE AMUSEMENT GAME CENTRES (APPEAL BOARD) REGULATION SETS OUT THE MAIN PROCEDURES TO BE FOLLOWED BY THE BOARD WHEN CONSIDERING APPEALS.
THE HEARING OF APPEALS WILL BE CONDUCTED IN PUBLIC UNLESS UNDER SPECIAL ORDER FROM THE CHAIRMAN.
/"BOTH THE .
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 29, 1993
15
"BOTH THE APPELLANT AND THE COMMISSIONER MAY BE REPRESENTED BY A BARRISTER OR SOLICITOR," THE SPOKESMAN SAID,
"IF THE APPELLANT FAILS TO SERVE A COPY OF THE NOTICE OF APPEAL ON THE COMMISSIONER OR TO FURNISH PARTICULARS, THE APPEAL BOARD MAY DISMISS THE APPEAL," HE ADDED.
IN A RELATED DEVELOPMENT, THE AMUSEMENT GAME CENTRES (FEES) REGULATION WHICH SETS OUT THE NEW LICENCE FEES FOR GAME MACHINES OR AMUSEMENT DEVICES WILL ALSO BE GAZETTED NEXT FRIDAY.
"THE NEW FEES WILL BE $920 PER MACHINE OR DEVICE," SAID THE SPOKESMAN.
HE SAID THE OLD FEES HAD NOT BEEN ADJUSTED SINCE 1981.
THERE WILL BE A CHARGE OF $535 FOR EACH APPLICATION FOR GRANT OF LICENCE, TRANSFER OF LICENCE AND AMENDMENT OF THE CONDITIONS OR PARTICULARS OF A LICENCE AT THE REQUEST OF A LICENSEE.
’’THE GOVERNMENT INCURS COSTS IN PROCESSING APPLICATIONS IRRESPECTIVE OF WHETHER THEY ARE APPROVED OR NOT, THE NEW CHARGE HAS BEEN SET TO RECOVER IN FULL THESE COSTS," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
- - 0-----------
CONTRACT SIGNED FOR SOFTWARE DEVELOPMENT
*****
A $2.7 MILLION CONTRACT SIGNED TODAY (FRIDAY) BETWEEN THE HONG KONG APPLIED R & D FUND COMPANY LIMITED AND A LOCAL COMPANY TO DEVELOP A COMPUTER SOFTWARE PACKAGE SHOWS THE GOVERNMENT’S EFFORTS IN PROMOTING APPLIED RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT (R & D) ACTIVITIES IN HONG KONG.
SPEAKING AT THE CONTRACT SIGNING CEREMONY, THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR-GENERAL OF INDUSTRY, MR RICKY FUNG, SAID THIS FIRST CONTRACT WAS ONLY A START, ADDING THAT GOOD PROGRESS HAD BEEN MADE ON THE ASSESSMENT OF APPLICATIONS FOR FUNDING SUPPORT UNDER THE $200 MILLION APPLIED R & D SCHEME.
"AT PRESENT, APART FROM THE APPLICATION WHICH IS THE SUBJECT OF THIS CEREMONY, FOUR APPLICATIONS ARE IN THE FINAL STAGE OF ASSESSMENT AND LEGAL DOCUMENTS FOR THE EXTENSION OF FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO A COUPLE OF PROJECTS ARE BEING DRAFTED," HE SAID.
HE URGED THOSE INDIVIDUALS OR COMPANIES WITH BRIGHT IDEAS FOR APPLIED R & D TO LOSE NO TIME AND SUBMIT THEIR APPLICATIONS IF THEY WOULD LIKE TO SECURE AN ADDITIONAL SOURCE OF FINANCING FOR THEIR PROJECTS.
ALSO SPEAKING AT THE CEREMONY WAS THE CHAIRMAN OF THE HONG KONG APPLIED R & D FUND COMPANY LIMITED, MR CHENG HON-KWAN.
/COMMENTING ON .......
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 29, 1993
- 16 -
COMMENTING ON THE FIRST SUCCESSFUL PROJECT TO RECEIVE FUNDING SUPPORT UNDER THE APPLIED R & D SCHEME, MR CHENG SAID:
’’THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS CONSIDERS THE PROJECT WORTH SUPPORTING BECAUSE IT IS THE FIRST COMPUTER-AIDED DESIGN APPLICATION SOFTWARE TO BE DEVELOPED LOCALLY AND WITH THE NEEDS OF LOCAL USERS IN MIND.
’’BESIDES, IT WILL ALSO HELP TO FURTHER TECHNOLOGICAL ADVANCEMENT IN HONG KONG.”
HE SAID THE PROJECT WAS BEING DEVELOPED FROM AN ALREADY EXTENSIVE KNOWLEDGE BASE BUILT UP UNDER THE ’’MANUFACTURING APPLICATION SOFTWARE”, DEVELOPED BY THE LOCAL ACADEMIA UNDER THE SPONSORSHIP OF THE INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT IN 1987.
"THIS PROJECT IS THUS A MILESTONE IN THE TRIPARTITE EFFORTS AMONG GOVERNMENT, ACADEMIA AND INDUSTRY IN COMMERCIALISING ACADEMIC RESEARCH RESULTS," MR CHENG SAID.
UNDER THE AGREEMENT SIGNED THIS AFTERNOON, THE HONG KONG APPLIED R & D FUND COMPANY WILL LEND $2.7 MILLION OVER THE NEXT 14 MONTHS TO THE COMPANY AT PRIME INTEREST RATE FOR DEVELOPING THE COMPUTER PROJECT.
THE MANAGING DIRECTOR OF THE COMPANY, MR EDWIN LEE, SAID: "THE RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT OF HIGH-TECH INDUSTRY USUALLY INVOLVE MORE RISK.
"THE GOVERNMENT’S COMMITMENT IS THEREFORE A BOOSTER TO HELP HONG KONG TO BE COMPETITIVE WITH ITS NEIGHBOURING COUNTRIES BY ENCOURAGING MORE COMPANIES TO INVEST, IN THE LONG TERM, IN TECHNOLOGY-ORIENTED PROJECTS."
--------0 _ - _ „
GUANGDONG DELEGATION VISITS EPD
*****
A 12-MEMBER DELEGATION FROM ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION OFFICES IN GUANGDONG PROVINCE TODAY (FRIDAY) CONCLUDED A FOUR-DAY PROGRAMME OF BRIEFINGS AND VISITS TO SEE THE WORK OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT AND TO EXCHANGE EXPERIENCES WITH ITS STAFF.
LED BY THE DIRECTOR OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION BUREAU OF GUANGDONG PROVINCE, QIANG BINGHUAN, THE DELEGATION WAS BRIEFED ON VARIOUS ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS, INCLUDING THE WASTE DISPOSAL STRATEGY AND THE OPERATION OF LOCAL CONTROL OFFICES.
THE GROUP ALSO VISITED DIFFERENT FACILITIES, INCLUDING THE DEPARTMENT’S LABORATORIES, THE ISLAND EAST REFUSE TRANSFER STATION AND THE TSING YI CHEMICAL WASTE TREATMENT CENTRE.
/"THE VISIT .......
FRIDAY, OCTOBER
17
"THE VISIT IS PART OF A SERIES WHICH HAVE BEEN TAKING PLACE IN THE PAST FEW YEARS TO FACILITATE EXCHANGES OF VIEWS BETWEEN THE TWO SIDES ON ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES THAT ARE OF MUTUAL INTEREST," A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID.
DURING THE VISIT, EPD OFFICIALS WERE ALSO BRIEFED BY THE DELEGATION ON POLLUTION CONTROL PRACTICES IN GUANGDONG PROVINCE.
- 0---------
RECONSTRUCTION OF BAKER COURT AND NEARBY REAR LANES *****
THE GOVERNMENT PROPOSES TO RECONSTRUCT BAKER COURT AND THE NEARBY REAR LANES IN HUNG HOM.
THE PROJECT COMPRISES THE RECONSTRUCTION OF THE EXISTING FOOTWAYS AND NEARBY REAR LANES, CONVERSION OF PART OF THE EXISTING FOOTWAY ALONG BAKER COURT INTO A CARRIAGEWAY AND IMPROVEMENT OF THE ASSOCIATED DRAINAGE/UNDERGROUND SERVICES.
AT PRESENT BAKER COURT AND THE NEARBY REAR LANES ARE NOT PROPERLY MAINTAINED AND MANAGED BECAUSE THEY ARE UNDER MULTIPLE SUBDIVIDED OWNERSHIP.
AS A RESULT, THEY ARE GENERALLY IN POOR CONDITION, THUS GIVING RISE TO ENVIRONMENTAL AND ACCESS PROBLEMS.
IT IS THEREFORE NECESSARY, IN THE PUBLIC INTEREST, TO RESUME . THE PRIVATE STREET AND NEARBY REAR LANES TO ENSURE THEIR PROPER MAINTENANCE AND USE.
THE IMPROVEMENT WORK IS PROGRAMMED TO START IN FEBRUARY 1995 AND WILL TAKE ABOUT FIVE MONTHS TO COMPLETE.
A NOTICE ON THE PROPOSED WORKS IS GAZETTED TODAY (FRIDAY).
THE PLAN AND SCHEME CAN BE SEEN AT THE FOLLOWING GOVERNMENT OFFICES DURING OFFICE HOURS:
* CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT OFFICE, PUBLIC ENQUIRY SERVICE I CENTRE, GROUND FLOOR, HARBOUR BUILDING, 38 PIER ROAD,
CENTRAL, HONG KONG;
* DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE, KOWLOON WEST, YAU MA TEI CAR PARK BUILDING, 10TH FLOOR, 250 SHANGHAI STREET, KOWLOON; AND
* KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT OFFICE, PUBLIC ENQUIRY SERVICE CENTRE, GROUND FLOOR, 141-143 KAU PUI LUNG ROAD, KOWLOON.
ANY PERSON WISHING TO OBJECT TO THE PROPOSAL MUST SEND HIS OBJECTION IN WRITING TO THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT AT THE CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, EAST WING, SECOND FLOOR, LOWER ALBERT ROAD, HONG KONG SO AS TO REACH THE OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY NO LATER THAN DECEMBER 28, THIS YEAR, DESCRIBING HIS INTEREST AND THE MANNER IN WHICH HE ALLEGES HE WILL BE AFFECTED BY THE WORKS OR THE USE.
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/18......
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 29,
1993
- 18 -
GMB OPERATORS SELECTION PROCEDURES OUTLINED
» » » » ♦
IT IS THE GOVERNMENT’S POLICY TO GRADUALLY CONVERT RED MINIBUSES (RMB) TO GREEN MINIBUSES (GMB) AS FAR AS PRACTICABLE, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY (FRIDAY).
UP TO MID-OCTOBER, A TOTAL OF 1,591 RMBS HAVE BEEN CONVERTED INTO GMBS SERVING ON 231 ROUTES, REPRESENTING 37 PER CENT OF THE PUBLIC LIGHT BUS FLEET.
’‘NEW GMB ROUTES ARE PLANNED BY THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT TAKING ACCOUNT OF NEW TRANSPORT INFRASTRUCTURES, NEW HOUSING DEVELOPMENTS, PUBLIC SUGGESTIONS, PROPOSALS FROM THE PLB TRADE AND SUGGESTIONS FROM THE DISTRICT BOARDS,” THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
THE PURPOSE OF NEW GMB SERVICES IS TO FULFIL ONE OR MORE OF THE FOLLOWING FUNCTIONS:
» TO SERVE AREAS WHICH ARE INACCESSIBLE TO FRANCHISED BUSES DUE TO SUCH FACTORS AS ROAD CONDITION OR TOPOGRAPHY;
♦ TO MEET DEMAND IN AREAS WHERE THE PROVISION OF NEW/ADDITIONAL BUS SERVICES IS NOT JUSTIFIED;
» TO REPLACE LOSS-MAKING BUS ROUTES;
* TO SERVE AREAS WHERE THERE ARE DEMANDS FOR HIGHER QUALITY TRANSPORT OR WHERE A GMB ROUTE BEST SUITS THE DEMAND; AND
* TO REPLACE SERVICES FOR THE RURAL AREAS, WHICH USED TO BE PROVIDED BY THE LOCAL USING GOODS VEHICLES WITH SPECIAL PERMITS.
"THE AIM OF THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT IS TO CONDUCT AT LEAST ONE GMB SELECTION EXERCISE A YEAR AND INTRODUCE AS MANY GMB ROUTES AS POSSIBLE EACH TIME," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
APPLICATIONS FOR OPERATING GMB SERVICES ARE CONSIDERED BY A GREEN MINIBUS OPERATORS’ SELECTION BOARD.
THE BOARD COMPRISES REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE TRANSPORT BRANCH, TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT, CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION, ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT, AN OFFICIAL MEMBER OF THE TRANSPORT ADVISORY COMMITTEE AND A REPRESENTATIVE OF THE INDEPENDENT COMMISSION AGAINST CORRUPTION.
THE BOARD IS RESPONSIBLE FOR SELECTING THE MOST SUITABLE APPLICANT FOR EACH ROUTE PACKAGE THE OPERATION OF WHICH IS INVITED THROUGH A NOTICE IN THE GAZETTE.
ALL APPLICATIONS RECEIVED WILL BE CAREFULLY EVALUATED UNDER A POINT SYSTEM WHICH INCLUDED SUCH ASSESSMENT FACTORS AS THE APPLICANT’S OPERATING EXPERIENCE AND RECORD IN GMB OR RMB OPERATION, HIS FINANCIAL RESOURCES FOR THE SERVICE AND THE QUALITY OF HIS PROPOSED VEHICLES FOR DEPLOYMENT IN THE SERVICE.
/APPEAL CASES .......
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 29, 1993
19
APPEAL CASES LODGED BY APPLICANTS WHO FAILED IN THE INITIAL APPLICATION WILL BE CAREFULLY CONSIDERED BY THE BOARD.
IT REQUIRES CONSIDERABLE TIME AND EFFORT TO COMPLETE ALL THE NECESSARY PROCEDURES FOR EACH GMB EXPANSION EXERCISE STARTING FROM THE INITIAL PROCESS OF ROUTE PLANNING AND CONSULTATION TO THE FINAL PROCESS OF SELECTION OF APPLICANTS.
THE WHOLE PROCESS WOULD NORMALLY TAKE ABOUT 10 MONTHS TO COMPLETE.
THE SPOKESMAN ADDED THAT IN PLANNING NEW GMB ROUTES, IT WAS NECESSARY TO AVOID DUPLICATION WITH AN EXISTING FRANCHISED BUS ROUTE OR GMB ROUTE AS FAR AS POSSIBLE SO AS TO PREVENT OR MINIMISE OVER-PROVISION OR UNNECESSARY COMPETITION OF TRANSPORT SERVICES.
”IT IS NECESSARY TO PRESENT ALL THE PROPOSED GMB ROUTES SO DEVELOPED TO THE RELEVANT TRANSPORT OPERATORS AND THE RELEVANT DISTRICT BOARDS FOR CONSULTATION AND COMMENTS.”
THIS PUBLIC CONSULTATION PROCESS, WHICH USUALLY TAKES OVER THREE MONTHS TO COMPLETE, PROVIDES USEFUL OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT TO EXPLAIN THE ROUTE PROPOSALS TO THE RELEVANT PARTIES AND TO FINALISE THE NEW ROUTES FOR GAZETTING THROUGH MODIFICATIONS, OR EVEN WITHDRAWAL OF THE ORIGINAL PROPOSED NEW ROUTES.
ALTHOUGH THE OBJECTIVE OF THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT IS TO IDENTIFY AS MANY NEW GMB ROUTES AS POSSIBLE BASED ON THE PLANNING GUIDELINES, THE ACTUAL NUMBER OF NEW GMB ROUTES AND VEHICLES TO BE INTRODUCED EACH YEAR IS SUBJECT TO THE AVAILABILITY OF SUITABLE NEW ROUTES, WHICH SHOULD BE SUFFICIENTLY ATTRACTIVE TO THE OPERATORS WITHOUT SIGNIFICANTLY DUPLICATING THE EXISTING FRANCHISED BUS AND GMB ROUTES, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
---------0------------
OPERATION OF NEW GMB ROUTES INVITED
***** 1 »'• i ' L
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT IS INVITING APPLICATIONS FOR OPERATING 16 NEW GREEN MINIBUS ROUTES IN DIFFERENT PARTS OF THE TERRITORY, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (FRIDAY).
THE NEW ROUTES ARE IN CENTRAL, POK FU LAM, SHAU KEI WAN AND NORTH POINT ON HONG KONG ISLAND; WONG TAI SIN, YAU MA TEI, TSIM SHA TSUI, KWUN TONG, AND KOWLOON CITY IN KOWLOON; AND TAI PO, YUEN LONG, AND SAI KUNG IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.
’’THERE WLL BE ONE ALL-NIGHT SERVICE ROUTE RUNNING BETWEEN TIN SHUI ESTATE (TIN SHUI WAI) AND YUEN LONG (EAST)”, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
DETAILS OF THESE ROUTES ARE PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE TODAY (FRIDAY). '
/APPLICATION FORMS .......
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 29, 1993
20 -
APPLICATION FORMS ARE AVAILABLE AT:
* TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT HEADQUARTERS, 41ST FLOOR, IMMIGRATION TOWER, 7 GLOUCESTER ROAD, WAN CHAI, HONG KONG;
* TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT KOWLOON AND NEW TERRITORIES REGIONAL OFFICES, SEVENTH FLOOR, MONGKOK GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 30 LUEN WAN STREET, KOWLOON;
* HONG KONG LICENSING OFFICE, GROUND FLOOR, 2, MURRAY ROAD, HONG KONG;
* KWUN TONG LICENSING OFFICE, FIFTH FLOOR, KOWLOON EAST GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 12, LEI YUE MUN ROAD, KOWLOON;
* SHA TIN LICENSING OFFICE, FIFTH FLOOR, KCR HOUSE, SHA TIN STATION, SHA TIN, N.T.
APPLICATION MUST BE MADE ON THE APPLICATION FORM ENTITLED "APPLICATION FOR PASSENGER SERVICE LICENCE IN RESPECT OF THE PACKAGES OF PUBLIC LIGHT BUS (SCHEDULED) ROUTES GAZETTED IN OCTOBER 1993".
COMPLETED APPLICATION FORMS MUST BE RETURNED BY REGISTERED MAIL TO REACH THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT HEADQUARTERS AT 41ST FLOOR, IMMIGRATION TOWER, 7, GLOUCESTER ROAD, WAN CHAI, HONG KONG ON OR BEFORE NOVEMBER 29 THIS YEAR.
APPLICATIONS BY ANY OTHER MEANS OR LATE APPLICATIONS WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED.
---------0-----------
PUBLIC CARGO WORKING AREAS FEE TO BE REVISED
*****
FEES FOR THE USE OF THE PUBLIC CARGO WORKING AREAS UNDER THE MANAGEMENT OF THE MARINE DEPARTMENT WILL BE REVISED FROM NEXT THURSDAY (NOVEMBER 4), A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (FRIDAY).
THE PORT CONTROL (CARGO WORKING AREAS) (AMENDMENT) (NO.2) REGULATION 1993, WHICH PROVIDES DETAILS OF THE NEW FEES, IS PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE TODAY.
"THE INCREASES, EQUATE ABOUT 10 PER CENT ON EXISTING FEES, HAVE TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT THE INCREASE IN THE ADMINISTRATIVE AND OPERATING COSTS SINCE THE LAST FEE REVISION LAST YEAR," THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
ATTENTION NEWS EDITORS:
FOR FURTHER ENQUIRIES, PLEASE CONTACT THE INFORMATION AND PUBLIC RELATIONS SECTION OF THE MARINE DEPARTMENT ON TEL 852 4423/ 852 4425 DURING OFFICE HOURS OR 9493 8262 AFTER OFFICE HOURS.
------0------------
/21 ........
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 29, 1993
21
VILLAGE IMPROVEMENT WORKS FOR PUI 0 PROPOSED
♦ * * * *
THE TERRITORY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT’S SOUTH WEST NEW TERRITORIES DEVELOPMENT OFFICE HAS PROPOSED IMPLEMENTING SOME VILLAGE IMPROVEMENT WORKS AT PUI O, LANTAU UNDER THE RURAL PLANNING AND IMPROVEMENT STRATEGY PROGRAMME.
THE WORKS COMPRISE CONSTRUCTION OF TWO CAR PARKS, RECONSTRUCTION OF THE FOOTPATH ALONG SOUTH LANTAU ROAD, AND BUILDING OF ASSOCIATED AMENITY AREAS AND DRAINS.
THE PROJECT IS AIMED AT DISCOURAGING ILLEGAL PARKING IN THE AREA SO AS TO RESTORE THE ENVIRONMENT AND ENHANCE THE ROLE OF PUI O AS A POPULAR RECREATIONAL AREA IN SOUTH LANTAU.
THE WORKS ARE SCHEDULED TO BEGIN IN APRIL NEXT YEAR FOR COMPLETION IN 12 MONTHS.
A NOTICE OF THE PROPOSED WORKS WAS GAZETTED TODAY (FRIDAY).
THE PLAN OF THE PROPOSED WORKS IS AVAILABLE FOR PUBLIC INSPECTION AT THE PUBLIC ENQUIRY SERVICES CENTRE OF THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT OFFICE, THE ISLANDS DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE, THE ISLANDS DISTRICT OFFICE AND THE MUI WO SUB-OFFICE OF THE ISLANDS DISTRICT OFFICE.
ANY PERSON WISHING TO OBJECT TO THE PROPOSAL SHOULD WRITE TO THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, EAST WING, SECOND FLOOR, LOWER ALBERT ROAD, HONG KONG, NO LATER THAN DECEMBER 28, 1993, DESCRIBING HIS INTEREST AND MANNER IN WHICH HE WILL BE AFFECTED.
----------------: - 0 - --------------------------------
TENDERS INVITED FOR WATER IMPROVEMENT WORKS * * * * *
THE WATER SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE YAU KOM TAU NO. 2 FRESH WATER SERVICE RESERVOIR AND THE ASSOCIATED MAINLAYING.
THE WORKS, WHICH FORM PART OF A PROJECT FOR ADDITIONAL TREATMENT AND TRANSFER FACILITIES AT YAU KOM TAU IN TSUEN WAN, INCLUDE CONSTRUCTION OF A SERVICE RESERVOIR WITH A CAPACITY OF 53,000 CUBIC METRES AND ANCILLARY WORKS AND LAYING OF 1,100 METRES OF FRESH WATERMAIN.
THE WORKS ARE PLANNED TO START IN JANUARY NEXT YEAR FOR COMPLETION IN 25 MONTHS.
/ON COMPLETION, .......
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 29, 1993
- 22 -
ON COMPLETION, THE STORAGE AND DISTRIBUTION CAPACITY OF THE WATER SUPPLY SYSTEM FOR TSUEN WAN WILL BE IMPROVED.
CLOSING DATE FOR SUBMISSION OF TENDERS IS NOON ON NOVEMBER 19.
FORMS OF TENDER AND FURTHER PARTICULARS MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE WATER SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT, 44TH FLOOR, IMMIGRATION TOWER, 7 GLOUCESTER ROAD, WAN CHAI.
------0-------
NEW POSTAL FEES AND CHARGES FROM NOVEMBER 1 REMINDED
* * * * *
THE POSTMASTER GENERAL, MR M PAGLIARI, REMINDED THE PUBLIC TODAY (FRIDAY) THAT NEW POSTAL FEES AND CHARGES WOULD COME INTO EFFECT ON MONDAY, NOVEMBER 1.
THESE INCLUDED:
* THE BASIC RATES FOR LOCAL LETTERS WOULD INCREASE FROM 80 CENTS TO $1, AND FOR PRINTED PAPERS FROM 70 CENTS TO 90 CENTS;
* THE BASIC SURFACE LETTER AND PRINTED PAPER RATES TO CHINA, TAIWAN AND MACAU WOULD BE $1.20 AND $1 RESPECTIVELY, WHILE THOSE TO OTHER COUNTRIES WOULD BE $2 AND $1.80 RESPECTIVELY;
* THE MINIMUM AIR MAIL RATES FOR ZONE 1 AND ZONE 2 WOULD BE $1.90 AND $2.40 RESPECTIVELY;
* AEROGRAMMES WOULD COST $1.90 EACH, AND
* REGISTRATION FEE WOULD BE $11.
DETAILS OF OTHER REVISED POSTAL CHARGES CAN BE OBTAINED AT BRANCH POST OFFICES OR BY TELEPHONING THE POST OFFICE ENQUIRY BUREAU ON 9221 2222.
MR PAGLIARI SAID THE PURPOSE OF THE REVISION WAS TO RESTORE THE REAL VALUE OF POSTAGE CHARGES WHICH HAD NOT BEEN INCREASED SINCE THE LAST POSTAGE RATE ADJUSTMENT IN 1991 APRIL.
THE AVERAGE INCREASE FOR THE PRINCIPAL POSTAGE RATES WOULD BE 20 PER CENT WHICH WAS BELOW THE INFLATION RATE FOR THE PAST TWO-AND-A-HALF YEARS.
THE POSTAGE RATES REVISION WOULD HAVE MINIMAL EFFECT ON INFLATION GIVEN THAT POSTAGE CONSTITUTED ONLY A SMALL PROPORTION OF OVERALL CONSUMER EXPENDITURE.
--------0-----------
/23.........
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 29,
1993
23 -
STRIKE DELAYS SERVICE *****
THE POSTMASTER GENERAL, MR M PAGL1ARI, ANNOUNCED TODAY (FRIDAY) THAT DUE TO THE STRIKE BY AIR FRANCE PERSONNEL AND THE PREVAILING CONDITIONS AT MAJOR AIRPORTS IN FRANCE, ALL AIRMAIL SERVICES TO AND FROM FRANCE WOULD BE SUBJECT TO DELAY.
------0--------
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS *****
OPENING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT
REVERSAL OF LAF
BALANCE AFTER REVERSAL OF LAF
NET INJECTION/WITHDRAWAL TODAY
EFFECT OF LAF TODAY
CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT
LAF RATE 2.00 BID/4.00 OFFER
$ MILLION
2,980
+ 20
3,000
NIL
+ 400
3,400
TWI 113.2 *+0.0* 29.10.93
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND
EF BILLS EF NOTES/HONG KONG GOVERNMENT BONDS
TERMS YIELD TERM ISSUE COUPON PRICE YIELD
1 WEEK 3.00 PCT 13 MONTHS 2411 4.625 101.45 3.24
1 MONTH 2.82 PCT 16 MONTHS 2502 4.75 101.72 3.41
3 MONTHS 2.77 PCT 19 MONTHS 2505 3.75 100.13 3.70
6 MONTHS 2.87 PCT 22 MONTHS 2508 4.625 101.48 3.80
12 : MONTHS 3.18 PCT 36 MONTHS 3610 4.20 99.83 4.31
TOTAL TURNOVER OF BILLS AND BONDS - 17,338 MN
CLOSED 29 OCTOBER 1993
--------0-----------
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 30, 1993
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
TOP AUDIENCE FOR ’’HONG KONG WORKS” CONFERENCE ............... 1
APPOINTMENT TO ADVISORY COMMITTEE TO SECURITIES AND FUTURES COMMISSION .................................................... 2
WSD CUSTOMER LIAISON GROUP VISITS WATER TREATMENT WORKS ...... 3
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS .. 4
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 31, 1993
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
CABINET COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS FINAL STAGE OF TALKS ............ 5
HK NEEDS COMMITTED YOUNG PEOPLE: GOVERNOR .................... 6
HK NEEDS NEW VISIONS TO LEAD IN COMMUNICATIONS ............... 6
NO COMPLACENCY FOR CREDIT UNION ACHIEVEMENTS ................. 7
JOINT EFFORT TO PROMOTE MENTAL HEALTH ........................ 8
61 NEW BUILDING PLANS APPROVED IN AUGUST ..................... 9
GRAND PROCESSION TO HERALD TUEN MUN FESTIVAL ................. 10
FUND-RAISING ACTIVITIES FOR NOVEMBER ......................... 11
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 30, 1993
TOP AUDIENCE FOR "HONG KONG WORKS" CONFERENCE *****
INTEREST IN THE "HONG KONG WORKS" CONFERENCE IN LONDON ON NOVEMBER 10 IS RUNNING HIGH WITH SOME 460 DELEGATES HAVING REGISTERED AND MORE ARE EXPECTED TO NEXT WEEK.
THEY COMPRISE SOME OF BRITAIN’S TOP DECISION-MAKERS AND EXECUTIVES IN TRADE, INDUSTRY AND COMMERCE. OVER 60 REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE MEDIA ARE ALSO EXPECTED TO ATTEND.
"HONG KONG WORKS", IS A MAJOR ONE-DAY CONFERENCE ORGANISED BY THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT IN ASSOCIATION WITH THE INSTITUTE OF DIRECTORS (IOD). IT WILL TAKE PLACE IN CENTRAL LONDON.
THE CONFERENCE WILL BE OPENED BY THE PRIME MINISTER, MR JOHN MAJOR. ALSO SPEAKING WILL BE THE GOVERNOR, THE RT HON CHRISTOPHER PATTEN.
THE CONFERENCE, WHICH WILL BE CHAIRED BY LORD YOUNG, EXECUTIVE CHAIRMAN OF CABLE & WIRELESS AND PRESIDENT OF THE IOD, WILL HIGHLIGHT THE INCREASING STRATEGIC IMPORTANCE OF HONG KONG AS THE INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS CENTRE IN THE ASIA-PACIFIC REGION.
THE OTHER SPEAKERS ARE BARONESS DUNN, SENIOR MEMBER OF HONG KONG’S EXECUTIVE COUNCIL AND DIRECTOR, JOHN SWIRE & SONS (HK), SIR WILLIAM PURVES, GROUP CHAIRMAN HSBC HOLDINGS, DR VICTOR K K FUNG, CHAIRMAN, HONG KONG TRADE DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL AND MR PETER WOO, CHAIRMAN, WHARF (HOLDINGS).
THEY WILL ADDRESS THE CONFERENCE DURING THE PLENARY SESSION IN THE MORNING. MR PATTEN WILL GIVE A LUNCH TIME ADDRESS.
THE SUBJECTS TO BE COVERED DURING THE MORNING SESSION ARE:
* FINANCIAL AND BUSINESS SERVICES FOR ASIA (SIR WILLIAM
PURVES)
* HONG KONG: HOW WILL IT REMAIN THE INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS CENTRE IN EAST ASIA? (BARONESS DUNN)
* HONG KONG AND THE DEVELOPMENT OF CHINA (PETER WOO)
* HOW BRITISH COMPANIES CAN USE HONG KONG FOR IMPROVED TRADING OPPORTUNITIES IN ASIA (DR VICTOR FUNG).
IN THE AFTERNOON SESSION DELEGATES WILL BE ENCOURAGED TO CONTRIBUTE TO DISCUSSION AND DEBATES ON KEY BUSINESS ISSUES.
THESE BREAK-OUT SESSIONS ARE BEING HELD TO ALLOW INTERACTIVE DISCUSSIONS. DELEGATES WILL BE ABLE TO SELECT WHICH SESSION TO ATTEND IN ADVANCE OF THE CONFERENCE.
THE CHOICES ARE:
* HONG KONG AND SOUTH CHINA SPONSORED BY HONG KONG TELECOMMUNICATIONS;
/* HONG KONG
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 30, 1993
2
* HONG KONG: THE REGIONAL TRADING CENTRE SPONSORED BY JARDINE MATHESON;
* THE SERVICE SECTOR AND REAL ESTATE SPONSORED BY THE SWIRE GROUP; AND
* PROPERTY AND INFRASTRUCTURE SPONSORED BY THE WHARF (HOLDINGS).
BUSINESS LEADERS WITH CURRENT HANDS-ON EXPERIENCE IN THE RELEVANT FIELDS WILL GUIDE THESE DISCUSSIONS.
THE HONG KONG COMISSIONER, MR JOHN YAXLEY SAID: "HONG KONG IS NOW THE WORLD’S 10TH LARGEST TRADING ENTITY. ITS PER CAPITA GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT EXCEEDS THAT OF COUNTRIES SUCH AS GREECE, IRELAND AND PORTUGAL.
"BY ANY MEASURE, HONG KONG IS ONE OF THE WORLD’S MOST SUCCESSFUL ECONOMIES.
"BRITISH COMPANIES HAVE PLAYED AN IMPORTANT PART IN BUILDING HONG KONG’S SUCCESS. BUT THERE IS ALWAYS ROOM FOR MORE AND THE GROWTH OF NEW OPPORTUNITIES SUGGESTS THAT THERE SHOULD BE MORE."
HE SAID THIS ONE-DAY PROGRAMME WAS SPECIALLY DESIGNED BOTH TO ALLOW TOP DECISION-MAKERS TO UPDATE THEIR STRATEGIC OVERVIEW OF THE TERRITORY AND EXECUTIVES TO GET DOWN TO DETAILS.
--------0-----------
APPOINTMENT TO ADVISORY COMMITTEE TO SECURITIES AND FUTURES COMMISSION *****
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY HAS BEEN PLEASED TO APPOINT DR ALEX WU SHU-CHIH AS A MEMBER OF THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE (AC) TO THE SECURITIES AND FUTURES COMMISSION (SFC) FROM NOVEMBER 1 THIS YEAR TO MAY 31, 1995, THE SECRETARY FOR FINANCIAL SERVICES, MR MICHAEL
CARTLAND ANNOUNCED TODAY (SATURDAY).
THE APPOINTMENT WAS MADE BY THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY ACTING UNDER DELEGATED AUTHORITY FROM THE GOVERNOR IN RESPECT OF SECTION 10 OF THE SFC ORDINANCE.
UNDER THE ORDINANCE, THE AC SHOULD HAVE NOT LESS THAN EIGHT AND NOT MORE THAN 12 NON-SFC MEMBERS.
IN JUNE THIS YEAR, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY APPOINTED EIGHT SERVING AND THREE NEW MEMBERS TO THE AC.
THE APPOINTMENT OF DR WU BRINGS THE NUMBER OF AC MEMBERS UP TO THE MAXIMUM ALLOWED.
/APART FROM .......
SATURDAY, OCTOPER 30, 1993
3
APART FROM THESE 12 MEMBERS, THE AC ALSO CONSISTS OF TWO EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS APPOINTED BY THE SFC WHILE THE CHAIRMAN OF THE SFC PRESIDES AT AC MEETINGS.
"THE NON-SFC MEMBERS ARE DRAWN FROM A CROSS-SECTION OF THE SECURITIES AND FUTURES INDUSTRIES AS WELL AS PROFESSIONAL PERSONS TO ADVISE THE SFC ON MATTERS OF POLICY AND MARKET DEVELOPMENT," MR CARTLAND SAID.
DR WU WAS A GOVERNMENT APPOINTEE TO THE COUNCIL OF THE STOCK EXCHANGE OF HONG KONG LTD AND HAS SERVED AS VICE-CHAIRMAN FOR THE PAST TWO YEARS.
HE STEPPED DOWN FROM THE COUNCI I. AFTER THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING HELD ON OCTOBER 29, THIS YEAR.
--------0-----------
WSD CUSTOMER LIAISON GROUP VISITS WATER TREATMENT WORKS *****
MEMBERS OF THE CUSTOMER LIAISON GROUP OF THE WATER SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT WERE TAKEN ON A GUIDED TOUR OF THE SHATIN TREATMENT WORKS TODAY (SATURDAY) TO FAMILIARISE THEMSELVES WITH THE STRINGENT WATER TREATMENT PROCESS THAT ENSURES COMPLIANCE WITH THE STANDARDS SET BY THE WORLD HEALTH ORGANISATION.
THE TOUR WAS FOLLOWED BY THE GROUP’S SECOND MEETING CHAIRED BY THE ACTING DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF WATER SUPPLIES, MR KO CHAN-GOCK.
AFTER BEING BRIEFED ON THE SUBJECT OF DISCOLOURATION OF WATER, THE MEMBERS RAISED A NUMBER OF CONSTRUCTIVE SUGGESTIONS AND COMMENTS FOR DISCUSSION WITH SENIOR OFFICIALS OF THE DEPARTMENT.
THE DISCUSSION ENHANCED THE UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN THE
DEPARTMENT AND ITS GROUP MEMBERS ON THE ISSUE.
THE MEETING CONCLUDED WITH A DINNER HOSTED BY MR KO AND ATTENDED BY THE ACTING DIRECTOR OF WATER SUPPLIES, MR WU YU-NGONG.
---------0----------
/4 ........
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 30, 1993
4
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS
*
OPENING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT
REVERSAL OF LAF
BALANCE AFTER REVERSAL OF LAF
NET INJECTION/WITHDRAWAL TODAY
EFFECT OF LAF TODAY
CLOSING BALANCE TN THE ACCOUNT
LAF RATE 2.00 BID/4.00 OFFER
* * * * *
$ MILLION
3,400
-400
3,000
NIL
+ 20
3,020
TWI 113.3 *+0.1* 30.10.93
- - 0 - -
/5.........
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 31, 1993
5
CABINET COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS FINAL STAGE OF TALKS *****
THE GOVERNOR, THE RT HON CHRISTOPHER PATTEN, THIS (SUNDAY) AFTERNOON SAID HE DID NOT THINK ANYBODY SHOULD EXPECT ANYTHING FINAL FROM THE FORTHCOMING CABINET COMMITTEE MEETING EXCEPT FOR AN AGREEMENT ON HOW TO BRING WHAT IS INEVITABLY THE FINAL STAGE OF THE NEGOTIATIONS TO A SUCCESSFUL CONCLUSION.
SPEAKING TO REPORTERS AFTER OFFICIATING AT THE OPENING OF THE WHARF CABLE, MR PATTEN SAID: ”WE WILL BE GOING TO LONDON IN ABOUT A WEEK'S TIME FOR THE MEETING OF THE CABINET COMMITTEE WHICH WILL REVIEW THE PROGRESS THAT HAS BEEN MADE IN 15 ROUNDS OF TALKS.
’’WE'LL BE DISCUSSING IN THAT CABINET COMMITTEE HOW TO HANDLE
MATTERS IN WHAT MUST BE THE FINAL STAGES OF NEGOTIATIONS.”
THE GOVERNOR SAID HE VERY MUCH HOPED THAT THOSE NEGOTIATIONS WOULD LEAD TO A SUCCESSFUL CONCLUSION.
”WE HAVE MADE SUBSTANTIAL CONCESSIONS AND WE ARE LOOKING FOR SOME MOVEMENTS FROM OUR CHINESE COLLEAGUES AS WELL,” MR PATTEN SAID.
IF IT IS NOT POSSIBLE TO REACH A SUCCESSFUL CONCLUSION, THE GOVERNOR SAID: ”WE WILL BE SAD ABOUT IT. WE WILL HAVE TO GET ON AND DO THINGS AS BEST AS WE CAN OURSELVES.”
ON AN EARLIER OCCASION, MR PATTEN SAID THE FORTHCOMING CABINET COMMITTEE MEETING WOULD BE TAKING STOCK OF THE PROGRESS MADE IN 15 ROUNDS OF TALKS AND WOULD AGREE ON THE STRATEGY AND TACTICS FOR THE FINAL STAGES OF THE DISCUSSIONS.
SPEAKING TO REPORTERS AFTER ATTENDING THE SCOUT RALLY AT MONG KOK STADIUM, MR PATTEN SAID: ”WE WILL BE TAKING STOCK OF HOW FAR THE DISCUSSIONS HAVE GONE, AWARE OF THE FACT THAT UNFORTUNATELY, WE DON'T HAVE A LIMITLESS AMOUNT OF TIME.
"WE WILL BE ATTEMPTING IN DETERMINING OUR STRATEGY TO FIND WAYS IN WHICH WE CAN BRING THE DISCUSSIONS TO A SATISFACTORY CONCLUSION.”
STRESSING THAT THE BRITISH SIDE WOULD LIKE AN AGREEMENT, THE GOVERNOR SAID: "WE ARE WORKING FOR AN AGREEMENT BUT, OF COURSE, WE WANT A GOOD AGREEMENT."
HE SAID IT WAS COMMON OF BOTH SIDES THAT TIME WAS NOT LIMITLESS.
”WE DO HAVE TO GET ON BUT IT IS OBVIOUSLY IMPORTANT TN THOSE CIRCUMSTANCES TO HAVE A THOROUGH REVIEW OF WHERE WE STAND AT THIS MOMENT AND TRY IN THE LAST STAGES TO MAKE SURE THAT THE STORY HAS A HAPPY ENDING,” MR PATTEN SAID.
”IF IT DOESN’T HAVE AN IMMEDIATE HAPPY ENDING, WE’LL HAVE TO TRY TO MAKE SURE HERE IN HONG KONG THAT WE COULD PUT TOGETHER AS GOOD A STORY AS POSSIBLE.”
---------0-----------
/6.........
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 31, 1993
6
HK NEEDS COMMITTED YOUNG PEOPLE: GOVERNOR * * * * *
HONG KONG NEEDS A GENERATION OF PERSEVERING AND DYNAMIC YOUNG PEOPLE WITH A STRONG SENSE OF RESPONSIBILITY TO LEAD ITS PEOPLE THROUGH THE CHALLENGES AHEAD, THE GOVERNOR, THE RT HON CHRISTOPHER PATTEN SAID TODAY (SUNDAY).
TAKING SALUTE AT THIS YEAR’S SCOUT RALLY TODAY (SUNDAY), MR PATTEN PRAISES THE SCOUTS FOR THEIR ACHIEVEMENTS, ENTHUSIASM AND DEDICATION:
’’SCOUTS, THE EXPERTS IN ORIENTEERING, ARE WELL-PLACED TO DO YOUR DUTY TO THE TERRITORY AND TO HELP OTHERS.
”BY SERVING THE COMMUNITY IN THE SPIRIT OF THE SCOUT LAW AND PROMISE, YOU WILL SET A GOOD EXAMPLE FOR OTHER YOUNG PEOPLE TO FOLLOW,” MR PATTEN SAID.
HE SAID A VERY BASIC TRAINING FOR SCOUTS WAS ORIENTEERING: FINDING ONE’S WAY ACROSS ROUGH COUNTRY BY MAP AND COMPASS.
”1 BELIEVE ORIENTEERING IS MORE THAN A MATTER OF MAP READING;
IT IS A TEST OF ONE’S CHARACTER, DETERMINATION, COURAGE AND RESILIENCE.”
MR PATTEN ALSO SETS HIS EYES ON A NEW ERA OF SCOUTING TN HONG KONG.
”1 AM DELIGHTED THAT THE NEW HONG KONG SCOUT CENTRE AT AUSTIN ROAD IS NOW READY FOR OCCUPATION, AND THAT THE BADEN-POWELL INTERNATIONAL HOUSE STARTED TO RECEIVE ITS FIRST GUESTS THIS MONTH.”
HE SAID THE COMPLETION OF THIS MAGNIFICENT BUILDING AFTER YEARS OF HARD WORK AND DEDICATION MARKS THE BEGINNING OF A NEW ERA OF SCOUTING TN HONG KONG.
"IT PROVIDES YOU WITH MODERN FACILITIES TO FURTHER THE SPIRIT OF SCOUTING AND TO BETTER SERVE OUR YOUNG PEOPLE,” HE SAID.
HK NEEDS NEW VISIONS TO LEAD IN COMMUNICATIONS
*****
THE GOVERNOR, THE RT HON CHRISTOPHER PATTEN, SAID HONG KONG NEEDED NEW VISIONS TO CARRY IT INTO THE NEXT CENTURY AS A LEADER IN THE COMMUNICATIONS AGE.
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE WHARF CABLE STATION TODAY (SUNDAY), MR PATTEN SAID: "IT IS GOOD TO SEE HONG KONG EMBRACING A TECHNOLOGY THAT CAN BRING NEW CHOICES AND OPPORTUNITIES TO THE COMMUNITY."
/HE WAS .......
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 31, 1993
HE WAS IMPRESSED BY THE MODE OF TRANSMISSION OF CABLE TV - A SINGLE STRAND OF OPTIC FIBRE WAS CAPABLE OF CARRYING A THOUSAND TIMES AS MUCH INFORMATION AS ALL RADIO FREQUENCIES PUT TOGETHER.
THE WHARF CABLE COMPANY WILL BEGIN ITS OPERATIONS WITH EIGHT CHANNELS. IT IS ALREADY PLANNING TO MORE THAN DOUBLE THE NUMBER OF CHANNELS THEY CARRY BEFORE THE END OF THE DECADE.
’’AND THERE IS TALK OF 500 CHANNELS BEING POSSIBLE ON FIBRE OPTIC SYSTEMS,” THE GOVERNOR SAID.
MR PATTEN SAFD TALENT HAD TO BE UNITED WITH TECHNOLOGY TO PRODUCE PROGRAMMES THAT WOULD ENTERTAIN, EDUCATE, INFORM AND INTEREST THE COMMUNITY.
”1 HOPE THAT BY PROVIDING GREATER INCENTIVE AND OPPORTUNITY FOR HONG KONG’S ARTISTS AND DIRECTORS, TECHNICIANS AND DESIGNERS TO DEVELOP AND DISPLAY THEIR SKILLS, IT CAN HELP TO STIMULATE A NEW GROWTH INDUSTRY FOR HONG KONG,” HE ADDED.
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NO COMPLACENCY FOR CREDIT UNION ACHIEVEMENTS
*****
THERE IS NO REASON FOR COMPLACENCY FOR THE ACHIEVEMENTS OF THE TERRITORY’S CREDIT UNION MOVEMENT, DIRECTOR OF AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES, DR LAWRENCE LEE SAID TODAY (SUNDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE CELEBRATIONS OF THIS YEAR’S INTERNATIONAL CREDIT UNION DAY, DR LEE SAID THE LOCAL CREDIT UNION MOVEMENT HAD DEVELOPED GRADUALLY DESPITE HAVING A MODEST START.
DR LEE SAID AT THE END OF MARCH THIS YEAR, THERE WERE 68 CREDIT UNIONS WITH A TOTAL MEMBERSHIP OF 43,800 AND SAVING DEPOSITS OF $369 MILLION. THE COMBINED RESERVE FUND STOOD AT ABOUT $19 MILLION.
AS REGISTRAR OF CREDIT UNIONS IN HONG KONG, HE WAS PLEASED TO NOTE THAT STAFF OF HIS DEPARTMENT AND THE CREDIT UNION LEAGUE OF HONG KONG (CULHK) HAD BEEN WORKING CLOSELY SINCE THE MOVEMENT’S INCEPTION.
THE COMMON OBJECTIVE OF THE WORKING PARTNERSHIP WAS TO ENSURE IHAT CREDIT UNIONS WERE OPERATED AND MANAGED WITH A HIGH DEGREE OF INANCIAL SAFETY, SOUNDNESS AND PRUDENCE, HE SAID.
TURNING TO THIS YEAR’S INTERNATIONAL CREDIT UNION DAY, THE REGISTRAR SAID THE THEME WAS THE "POWER OF PARTNERSHIP", WHICH UNDERLINED THE IMPORTANCE OF ADHERING TO THE PRINCIPLES OF MUTUAL AND SELF-HELP AND OF CO-OPERATION AMONG ORGANISATIONS AT LOCAL, NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL LEVELS.
HOWEVER, DR LEE SHARED THE SAME CONCERN WITH CULHK OVER THE INCREASING NUMBER OF CREDIT UNIONS, NOW TOTALLING 22, WHICH HAD BECOME INACTIVE.
/"ACTION IS .......
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 31, 1993
8
"ACTION IS BEING TAKEN TO AMEND THE CREDIT UNIONS ORDINANCE SO THAT INACTIVE CREDIT UNIONS CAN BE WOUND UP MORE EXPEDIOUSLY AND WITH FEWER LEGAL COMPLICATIONS," HE SAID.
ON THE PROTECTION OF CREDIT UNIONS AND MEMBERS’ SAVINGS, DR LEE URGED THOSE UNIONS WITH GROWTH RATE EXCEEDING MANAGEMENT CAPABILITY TO REVIEW MEASURES WITHIN THE CONSTRAINTS IMPOSED BY THEIR FINANCIAL AND MANPOWER RESOURCES.
"IN ADDITION TO ARRANGING SUFFICIENT BONDING, LIFE SAVINGS AND LOAN PROTECTION INSURANCES, CREDIT UNIONS SHOULD ALSO SERIOUSLY CONSIDER THE NEED FOR AND ADVANTAGES OF SECURING PAID PROFESSIONALS TO CARRY OUT THE REQUIRED EXECUTIVE DUTIES WHILST RETAINING THEIR POLICY-MAKING, CONTROLLING AND STATUTORY FUNCTIONS."
IN A RAPIDLY CHANGING CITY LIKE HONG KONG, HE SAID, IT WAS CRUCIAL THAT PRUDENTIAL MANAGEMENT IN THE BUSINESS AND FINANCES OF THE MORE SOPHISTICATED CREDIT UNIONS BE MAINTAINED.
NEVERTHELESS, DR LEE HAD NO DOUBT THAT THE CONTROL OF MOST CREDIT UNIONS IN HONG KONG WAS WELL WITHIN THE MANAGEMENT CAPABILITY OF THEIR BOARDS AND COMMITTERS.
AT TODAY’S CELEBRATIONS, DR LEE ALSO PRESENTED OUTSTANDING AND LONG SERVICE CERTIFICATES TO CREDIT UNION LEADERS AND MEMBERS IN RECOGNITION OF THEIR CONTRIBUTION TO THE MOVEMENT.
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JOINT EFFORT TO PROMOTE MENTAL HEALTH *****
THE GOVERNMENT, THE HOSPITAL AUTHORITY AND LEADING NONGOVERNMENTAL ORGANISATIONS IN THE MENTAL HEALTH FIELD WILL JOIN HANDS TO LAUNCH A MENTAL HEALTH WEEK IN NOVEMBER.
MORE THAN 60 PUBLIC EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITIES WILL BE ORGANISED THROUGHOUT THE TERRITORY TO AROUSE PUBLIC AWARENESS OF THE IMPORTANCE OF MENTAL HEALTH AND TO PROMOTE COMMUNITY ACCEPTANCE OF EX-MENTALLY ILL PERSONS.
THE MENTAL HEALTH WEEK WILL BE OFFICIALLY KICKED OFF AT THE LANDMARK IN CENTRAL ON NOVEMBER 8 BY EXECUTIVE COUNCILLOR, PROFESSOR FELICE LIEH-MAK; THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, MRS ELIZABETH V.ONG; THE DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS, HOSPITAL AUTHORITY, DR E K YEOH; AND THE CHAIRMAN OF THE REHABILITATION DEVELOPMENT CO-ORDINATING COMMITTEE, DR RAYMOND WU.
MRS WONG SAID BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF MENTAL HEALTH MATTERS WAS CRUCIAL TO EVERYONE.
"THE COMING NOVEMBER OFFERS AN EXCELLENT OPPORTUNITY FOR THE GENERAL PUBLIC TO LEARN MORE ABOUT MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES.
/"BY DE-MYSTIFYING .
SUNDAY, OCTOPER 31, 1993
9
"BY DE-MYSTIFYJ NG THE STIGMA ASSOCIATED WITH MENTAL ILLNESS, WE HOPE TO CULTIVATE A POSITIVE PUBLIC ATTITUDE TOWARDS DISCHARGED MENTAL PATIENTS.
"COMMUNITY SUPPORT IS INDISPENSABLE FOR ACHIEVING INTEGRATION AND EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR THESE PEOPLE," SHE SAID.
NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANISATIONS TAKING PART IN ORGANISING VARIOUS ACTIVITIES INCLUDE THE MENTAL HEALTH ASSOCIATION OF HONG KONG, BAPTIST 01 KWAN SOCIAL SERVICE AND NEW LIFE PSYCHIATRIC REHABILITATION ASSOCIATION.
HIGHLIGHTS OF THE WEEK INCLUDE A SEMINAR ON "CARE FOR THE MENTALLY ILL - HELPING HANDS ACROSS THE COMMUNITY" TO BE OPENED BY MRS PATTEN AT THE HONG KONG SCIENCE MUSEUM, AND OPEN DAYS AT THE KWAI CHUNG HOSPITAL AND THE CASTLE PEAK HOSPITAL.
AT THE DISTRICT LEVEL, THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT, TOGETHER WITH NON-GOVERNNENTAL ORGANISATIONS AND DISTRICT BODIES, WILL ORGANISE A SERIES OF EXHIBITIONS, TALKS AND FUN DAYS.
COPIES OF A PAMPHLET CONTAINING DETAILS OF ACTIVITIES DURING THE MENTAL HEALTH WEEK ARE NOW AVAILABLE FREE-OF-CHARGE AT DISTRICT OFFICES OF THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION, SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT, PUBLIC HOSPITALS AND CLINICS.
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61 NEW BUILDING PLANS APPROVED IN AUGUST
*****
THE BUILDINGS DEPARTMENT APPROVED 61 NEW BUILDING PLANS IN AUGUST THIS YEAR.
OF THESE, 20 WERE FOR HONG KONG, 12 FOR KOWLOON AND 29 FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES.
THE APPROVED . PLANS INCLUDED 21 FOR APARTMENT, APARTMENT/COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENTS, 1'1 FOR COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENTS AND 16 FOR FACTORY AND INDUSTRIAL PURPOSES.
IN THE MONTH, CONSENTS WERE GIVEN FOR WORK TO START ON 24 PROJECTS, INVOLVING 21,297 SQUARE METRES OF USABLE DOMESTIC FLOOR AREA AND 29,696 SQUARE METRES OF USABLE NON-DOMESTIC FLOOR AREA.
THE TOTAL DECLARED COST OF NEW BUILDINGS COMPLETED WAS ABOUT $1,870 MILLION.
USABLE FLOOR AREAS OF THE BUILDINGS FOR DOMESTIC AND NON-DOMESTIC USES WERE 64,686 SQUARE METRES AND 46,378 SQUARE METRES RESPECTIVELY.
IN AUGUST, THE DEPARTMENT ISSUED 22 OCCUPATION PERMITS - 11 FOR HONG KONG ISLAND, THREE FOR KOWLOON, AND EIGHT FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES.
/IN ADDITION.........
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 31, 1993
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IN ADDITION, 31 DEMOLITION CONSENTS INVOLVING 68 BUILDINGS WERE ISSUED.
THE DEPARTMENT’S CONTROL AND ENFORCEMENT DIVISION RECEIVED 742 COMPLAINTS OF UNAUTHORISED BUILDING WORKS, CARRIED OUT 1,451 INSPECTIONS AND ISSUED 267 REMOVAL ORDERS IN RESPECT OF UNAUTHORISED BUILDING WORKS.
THE DANGEROUS BUILDINGS SECTION OF THE DEPARTMENT INSPECTED 726 BUILDINGS AND OBTAINED FOUR EMERGENCY CLOSURE ORDERS.
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GRAND PROCESSION TO HERALD TUEN MUN FESTIVAL *****
A GRAND PROCESSION FEATURING LION DANCES, PERFORMANCES BY SILVER BANDS AND A PARADE OF EIGHT DECORATED VEHICLES, INCLUDING POLICE CARRIERS AND FIRE ENGINES, WILL BE HELD TOMORROW (MONDAY) NIGHT TO HERALD THE MONTH-LONG TUEN MUN FESTIVAL 93.
INVOLVING 2,000 PEOPLE, THE TWO-HOUR SPECTACULAR WILL START AT 7 PM FROM THE SPORTS GROUND AT TUEN MUN RURAL COMMITTEE ROAD AND MAKE ITS WAY THROUGH TSUN WAN ROAD TO TUEN MUN TANG SHIU KIN SPORTS GROUND.
THE SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS, MR MICHAEL SUEN, WILL OFFICIATE AT THE OPENING CEREMONY WHICH WILL BE HELD AT THE TANG SHIU KIN SPORTS GROUND IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE PARADE.
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC CAN VIEW THE PROCESSION AT HOME AS IT WILL BE BROADCAST LIVE BY THE TELEVISION BROADCAST IN ITS "ENJOY YOURSELVES TONIGHT" SPECIAL AT 8.30 PM.
WITH THE AIM OF ENCOURAGING RESIDENTS TO TAKE PART IN COMMUNITY AFFAIRS AND TO STRENGTHEN THEIR SENSE OF BELONGING, TUEN MUN FESTIVAL 93 WILL PROVIDE THEM WITH MANIFOLD ACTIVITIES THROUGHOUT NOVEMBER.
THESE WILL RANGE FROM RECREATIONAL AND CULTURAL ACTIVITIES TO SPORTS EVENTS AND CIVIC EDUCATION FUNCTIONS.
ATTENTION NEWS EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE GRAND PROCESSION AND THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE TUEN MUN FESTIVAL 93 TOMORROW (MONDAY) NIGHT.
THE PROCESSION WILL LEAVE THE SPORTS GROUND AT THE TUEN MUN RURAL COMMITTEE ROAD AT 7 PM, WHILE THE OPENING CEREMONY, OFFICIATED BY THE SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS, MR MICHAEL SUEN, WILL BE HELD AT THE TUEN MUN TANG SHIU KIN SPORTS GROUND AROUND 9 PM.
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/II .....
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 31, 1993
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FUND-RAISING ACTIVITIES FOR NOVEMBER
* * * * *
A TOTAL OF 10 ORGANISATIONS HAVE BEEN GRANTED PERMISSION TO RAISE FUNDS NEXT MONTH, A SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (SUNDAY).
THESE ORGANISATIONS WILL EITHER SELL FLAGS, TOKEN OR SIMILIAR ITEMS, OR PLACE DONATION BOXED IN DESIGNATED PUBLIC AREAS.
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC CAN TELEPHONE THE DEPARTMENT ON HOTLINE 343 2255 OR THE HONG KONG COUNCIL OF SOCIAL SERVICE ON TEL 866 8123 IN CASE OF ANY DOUBTS, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
THE SPOKESMAN APPEALED TO ORGANISERS TO ADOPT PRECAUTIONARY MEASURES AGAINST ANY POSSIBLE FRAUD.
’’SELLERS SHOULD DISPLAY THE PERMIT OR CARRY COPIES OF THE PERMIT FOR INSPECTION UPON REQUEST IF THE FUND-RAISING IS MOBILE,” HE ADDED.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE DEPARTMENT ALSO ADVISED THEM TO PREPARE GUIDELINES FOR SELLERS, SETTING OUT THE PLACES AND THE TIME FOR SELLING, AND THE COLLECTION POINTS FOR BAGS.
ORGANISERS SHOULD INFORM THE POLICE IN CASE OF LOSS OF PROPERTY, AND SEEK THEIR ASSISTANCE WHEN FRAUDULENT ACTS, SUCH AS TAMPERING OF COLLECTION BAGS OR MAKING UNAUTHORISED SELLING, ARE FOUND, HE SAID.
PERMITS ALLOCATED FOR SELLING FLAGS AND FOR SUBSCRIBING IN PUBLIC ARE AS FOLLOWS: (A) FOR FLAGS
EVENT DATE PERMITTEE
6.11.93 HK ASSOCIATION FOR THE MENTALLY HANDICAPPED
13. 11.93 THE ROYAL BRITISH LEGION
20.11.93 HK FEDERATION OF HANDICAPPED YOUTH
27.11.93 THE SALVATION ARMY
/(B) FOR PUBLIC ........
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 31, 1993
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(B) FOR PUBLIC SUBSCRIPTION
EVENT DATE
PERMITTEE
6.11.93
13.11.93
20.11.93
27.11.93
LIFEWAY FOURSQUARE GOSPEL CHURCH
7.11.93
14.11.93
HONG KONG CHURCH OF CHRIST
11.11.93
12.11.93
13.11.93
14.11.93
WATCH TOWER BIBLE & TRACT SOCIETY
13.11.93
14.11.93
21. 11.93
LAND OF VIRTUE CENTRE LTD
20.11.93
21.11.93
WORLD VISION OF HONG KONG
14.11.93
BAUHINIA ASSOCIATION
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