Recei’-rf3 VB on__________
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
TUESDAY, JUNE 1, 1993
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
INCREASE IN WATER RATES APPROVED ............................. 1
LEGCO MEMBER LOSES SEAT ...................................... 2
PAY ADJUSTMENT FOR CIVIL SERVANTS ............................ 2
MALTESE CARRIER IMPOUNDED .................................... 3
CS TO VISIT EUROPE ........................................... 4
FINANCIAL SECRETARY VISITS TOKYO ............................. 5
PRIMARY ONE CENTRAL ALLOCATION RESULTS OUT ON SATURDAY ....... 6
HK KEEN TO FOSTER ECONOMIC TIES WITH VIETNAM ................. 7
HK FULL OF OPPORTUNITIES FOR JAPANESE BUSINESSES ............. 9
SWD PROVIDES SERVICES TO BEDSPACE LODGERS .................... 10
SCHOOL MANAGEMENT EXHIBITION OPENS TOMORROW .................. 11
AUCTION OF LUCKY CAR REGISTRATION MARKS ...................... 12
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND TENDER RESULTS ............ 13
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS ..
14
TUESDAY, JUNE 1, 1993
INCREASE IN WATER RATES APPROVED
*****
THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL TODAY (TUESDAY) APPROVED AN INCREASE IN WATER RATES.
THE INCREASE, WHICH WAS MADE AFTER AN ANNUAL REVIEW OF WATER CHARGES, WILL COME INTO EFFECT ON AUGUST 1 THIS YEAR.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE WATER AUTHORITY SAID THE RATES FOR DOMESTIC CONSUMERS WOULD INCREASE BY 8.7 PER CENT AND THOSE FOR NON-DOMESTIC CONSUMERS BY 12.2 PER CENT.
’’THE REVISION IS AIMED AT REFLECTING MORE ACCURATELY THE HIGHER OPERATING COSTS MAINLY DUE TO INFLATION AND THE COSTS OF EXPANSION OF THE SUPPLY SYSTEMS IN THE NEXT FEW YEARS TO COPE WITH FUTURE DEMAND,” THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
UNDER THE NEW RATES, 17 PER CENT OF THE 1.7 MILLION DOMESTIC CONSUMERS WILL CONTINUE TO ENJOY FREE SUPPLY OF WATER, WHILE 64 PER CENT WILL PAY LESS THAN $2 MORE PER WEEK.
THE REMAINING 19 PER CENT WILL PAY $2 OR MORE PER WEEK. OF THIS GROUP, ABOUT FOUR PER CENT WILL HAVE TO PAY MORE THAN $5 EXTRA PER WEEK.
A COMPARISON OF THE WATER CHARGES FOR DOMESTIC CONSUMERS UNDER THE OLD AND NEW TARIFFS IS SHOWN BELOW:
CHARGES PER
CONSUMPTION IN UNITS FOUR-MONTH PERIOD
1 UNIT = 1 CUBIC METRE PRESENT ($) NEW ($)
13 AND BELOW
FREE
FREE
14-46 0 - 114.56 3.89 - 128.37
47 - 66 118.14 - 219.65 134.40 - 248.97
67 - 120 225.20 - 630.85 257.43 - 705.81
OVER 120 630.85 PLUS $7.78 705.81 PLUS
PER UNIT OVER $8.46 PER UNIT
OVER
THE SPOKESMAN POINTED OUT THAT THE PRESENT CHARGES FOR NON-DOMESTIC CONSUMERS WERE BELOW PRODUCTION COSTS.
THE HIGHER INCREASE IN THE RATE FOR THIS CATEGORY OF CONSUMERS IN COMPARISON WITH THE RATE FOR DOMESTIC CONSUMERS, IS AIMED AT BRINGING THE CHARGES CLOSER TO THE PRODUCTION COSTS, HE SAID.
"THE 12.2 PER CENT INCREASE FOR NON-DOMESTIC SUPPLIES IS UNLIKELY TO HAVE ANY SIGNIFICANT IMPACT ON BUSINESS OPERATIONS AS WATER CHARGES REPRESENT ONLY A SMALL PART OF THE OPERATING COSTS OF MOST FIRMS," THE SPOKESMAN NOTED.
/HE EXPLAINED; ........
TUESDAY, JUNE 1, 1993
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HE EXPLAINED: "FOR EXAMPLE, THE NEW RATE WILL INCREASE THE PRODUCTION COST OF THE BLEACH-DYEING INDUSTRY, WHICH IS THE LARGEST CONSUMER OF WATER, BY ABOUT 0.36 PER CENT AND THAT OF THE ENTIRE MANUFACTURING SECTOR BY ABOUT 0.02 PER CENT.
’’WATER CHARGES FOR OTHER SECTORS REPRESENT AN EVEN SMALLER PROPORTION OF THEIR TOTAL PRODUCTION COSTS.”
’’THEREFORE THE INCREASE IN THE CHARGES SHOULD NOT HAVE ANY SIGNIFICANT IMPACT ON THEIR OPERATIONS,” HE SAID.
THE CHARGES FOR CONNECTION AND OTHER MISCELLANEOUS SERVICES WILL ALSO BE INCREASED TO REFLECT THE RISE IN MATERIAL AND LABOUR COSTS. THE LAST INCREASES IN THESE CHARGES WERE MADE ON APRIL 1, 1991.
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LEGCO MEMBER LOSES SEAT *****
IN RESPONSE TO QUESTIONS RELATING TO LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLOR GILBERT LEUNG KAM-HO GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN CONFIRMED THAT UNDER THE
THE CONVICTION OF EARLIER TODAY, A LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
(ELECTORAL PROVISIONS) ORDINANCE MR LEUNG IS IMMEDIATELY DISQUALIFIED
AND LOSES HIS SEAT IN THE COUNCOL.
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PAY ADJUSTMENT FOR CIVIL SERVANTS ******
THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL HAS DECIDED ON A PAY OFFER OF 9.76 PER CENT FOR THE UPPER SALARY BAND OF THE NON-D1RECTORATE CIVIL SERVICE AND 10.66 PER CENT FOR THE MIDDLE AND LOWER BANDS, WITH EFFECT FROM APRIL 1, 1993.
DIRECTORATE STAFF ARE TO RECEIVE THE SAME PERCENTAGE INCREASE AS THE UPPER BAND OF THE NON-DI RECTORATE.
"THE OFFER FOR THE UPPER AND MIDDLE BANDS IS IN LINE WITH THE NET PAY TREND INDICATORS WHICH REFLECT THE AVERAGE SALARY INCREASES FOR PRIVATE SECTOR EMPLOYEES IN THE PERIOD APRIL 2, 1992 TO APRIL 1, 1993,” SECRETARY FOR THE CIVIL SERVICE, MRS ANSON CHAN, SAID.
"THE OFFER FOR THE LOWER BAND IS BROUGHT UP TO THE SAME LEVEL AS THE MIDDLE BAND, WHICH IS SLIGHTLY (0.12 PER CENT) HIGHER THAN THE RELEVANT PAY TREND INDICATOR.
"THE AIM IS TO AVOID WIDENING THE GAP BETWEEN THE SALARIES OF THE LOWER PAID STAFF AND THE SENIOR STAFF."
/MRS CHAN ........
TUESDAY, JUNE 1, 1993
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MRS CHAN SAID THE PROPOSED PAY ADJUSTMENT ENSURED THAT CIVIL SERVANTS WOULD ENJOY A REAL GROWTH IN SALARIES.
THE INFLATION RATE, AS MEASURED BY THE HANG SENG CONSUMER PRICE INDEX AND THE CONSUMER PRICE INDEX (A), AVERAGED 9.7 PER CENT AND 9.1 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY FOR 1992/93.
CIVIL SERVANTS WHOSE SALARIES EXCEED $28,530 PER MONTH ARE OFFERED AN INCREASE OF 9.76 PER CENT, WHILE THOSE EARNING BELOW $28,530 PER MONTH AN INCREASE OF 10.66 PER CENT.
THE PROPOSED PAY AWARD WILL COST AN ADDITIONAL $5.6 BILLION A YEAR, INCLUDING THE PROVISION FOR SUBVENTED ORGANISATIONS.
IN DECIDING ON THE SIZE OF THE PAY OFFER, MRS CHAN SAID THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL HAD TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT THE FINDINGS OF THE PAY TREND SURVEY, THE STAFF SIDE’S PAY CLAIMS, THE STATE OF THE ECONOMY AND THE BUDGETARY POSITION OF THE GOVERNMENT.
"THE PAY OFFER IS THE RESULT OF A CAREFUL BALANCE BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT’S RESPONSIBILITY TO CIVIL SERVANTS AS A GOOD EMPLOYER AND ITS WIDER RESPONSIBILITY TO THE COMMUNITY," SAID MRS CHAN.
THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL WILL MAKE A FINAL DECISION ON THE PAY ADJUSTMENT FOR THE CIVIL SERVICE FOLLOWING CONSULTATION WITH THE CENTRAL STAFF CONSULTATIVE COUNCILS.
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MALTESE CARRIER IMPOUNDED
*****
THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF MARINE, MR TAN DALE, THIS (TUESDAY) AFTERNOON IMPLEMENTED THE IMPOUNDING OF THE MALTESE-REGISTERED BULK CARRIER "C BLANCO”.
THE REASON BEING SHE WAS BELIEVED TO BE MAJORITY OWNED OR EFFECTIVELY CONTROLLED RY PERSONS CONNECTED WITH SERBIA AND MONTENEGRO AND HENCE WITHIN THE AMBIT OF THE UNITED NATIONS SECURITY COUNCIL RESOLUTION WHICH IMPOSED FURTHER SANCTIONS AGAINST SERBIA AND MONTENEGRO.
DELEGATED BY THE GOVERNOR, MR DALE BOARDED THE 17,191-TONNE CARRIER OFF GREEN ISLAND AT 2.15 PM TODAY TO NOTIFY THE MASTER THAT THE VESSEL WAS IMPOUNDED AND HANDED HIM A NOTICE TO THIS EFFECT.
THE VESSEL WAS DIRECTED TO WESTERN ANCHORAGE TO COMPLETE CERTAIN FORMALITIES AND WILL THEN BE SECURED TO BUOY A16 OFF SOUTHEAST TSING YI. THE VESSEL ARRIVED IN HONG KONG THIS AFTERNOON FROM FANG CHENG IN CHINA.
ON APRIL 17 THIS YEAR THE UNITED NATIONS SECURITY COUNCIL ADOPTED RESOLUTION 820 IMPOSING FURTHER SANCTIONS AGAINST SERBIA AND MONTENEGRO.
/CERTAIN PROVISIONS .......
TUESDAY, JUNE 1, 1993
4
CERTAIN PROVISIONS OF THE RESOLUTION HAVE BEEN EXTENDED TO HONG KONG BY A UNITED KINGDOM ORDER IN COUNCIL WHICH CAME INTO FORCE ON MAY 14 THIS YEAR.
THE ORDER PROVIDES FOR THE IMPOUNDING OF SHIPS, GOODS VEHICLES AND AIRCRAFT WHICH ARE MAJORITY OWNED OR EFFECTIVELY CONTROLLED BY PERSONS CONNECTED WITH SERBIA AND MONTENEGRO OR WHICH ARE DETERMINED TO HAVE BEEN OPERATED OR USED IN VIOLATION OF RELEVANT SECURITY COUNCIL RESOLUTIONS.
IT ALSO PROVIDES FOR THE FORFEITURE OF ANY SUCH SHIPS, VEHICLES, AIRCRAFT OR THEIR CARGO WHERE THEY HAVE BEEN DETERMINED TO BE IN VIOLATION OF THE RESOLUTIONS.
TN ADDITION, THE ORDER PROHIBITS THE ENTRY INTO THE TERRITORIAL SEA OF MONTENEGRO OF COMMERCIAL SHIPS WHICH ARE REGISTERED IN HONG KONG AND CERTAIN OTHER COMMERCIAL VESSELS.
MR DALE SAID: "THE GOVERNMENT WILL TAKE ALL NECESSARY MEASURES TO IMPLEMENT FULLY ITS OBLIGATIONS UNDER THE ORDER IN COUNCIL.”
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CS TO VISIT EUROPE
*****
THE CHIEF SECRETARY, SIR DAVID FORD, IS TO VISIT LONDON, BRUSSELS AND GENEVA IN EARLY JUNE.
HE WILL LEAVE HONG KONG ON JUNE 3 AND WILL FIRST SPEND SEVERAL DAYS IN LONDON WHERE HE WILL MEET THE FOREIGN OFFICE MINISTER AND OFFICIALS, MEMBERS OF THE HONG KONG COMMUNITY IN LONDON AND MEMBERS OF THE MEDIA.
SIR DAVID WILL BEGIN THE BRUSSELS LEG OF HIS VISIT ON JUNE 8, WHEN HE MEETS A GROUP OF BUSINESSMEN FROM SIX EUROPEAN COUNTRIES WITH BUSINESS LINKS IN HONG KONG.
THE FOLLOWING DAY, SIR DAVID WILL DELIVER A SPEECH TO THE BELGIUM-HONG KONG SOCIETY AND THE BELGIAN BANKERS’ ASSOCIATION ON HONG KONG BEFORE TRAVELLING TO GENEVA.
IN GENEVA, HE WILL HOST A LUNCHEON MEETING WITH A GROUP OF AMBASSADORS TO THE GATT (GENERAL AGREEMENT OF TARIFFS AND TRADE) AND WILL LATER MEET THE PRESIDENT OF THE WORLD ECONOMIC FORUM, PROFESSOR KLAUS SCHWAB, AND OTHER MEMBERS OF THE ORGANISATION.
THE CHIEF SECRETARY WILL ALSO GIVE A NUMBER OF MEDIA INTERVIEWS DURING HIS VISIT TO BOTH BRUSSELS AND GENEVA.
HE WILL THEN RETURN TO THE UK WHERE HE WILL TAKE A HOLIDAY FROM JUNE 12 TO JUNE 23.
THE CHIEF SECRETARY WILL ARRIVE BACK IN HONG KONG ON JUNE 26.
THE SECRETARY FOR THE CIVIL SERVICE, MRS ANSON CHAN, WILL ACT AS CHIEF SECRETARY DURING SIR DAVID’S ABSENCE.
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TUESDAY, JUNE 1, 1993
5
FINANCIAL SECRETARY VISITS TOKYO
******
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, MR HAMISH MACLEOD, WILL LEAVE HONG KONG FOR A THREE-DAY DUTY VISIT TO TOKYO ON THURSDAY (JUNE 3).
THE PURPOSE OF HIS VISIT IS TO FOSTER HONG KONG’S ECONOMIC RELATIONS WITH JAPAN; PROMOTE HONG KONG’S ROLE AS A REGIONAL BUSINESS AND FINANCIAL CENTRE; AND TO UNDERLINE THE OPPORTUNITIES IN HONG KONG FOR JAPANESE FIRMS AND INVESTORS.
THIS WILL BE HIS FIRST OFFICIAL VISIT TO JAPAN SINCE BECOMING
FINANCIAL SECRETARY IN AUGUST 1991.
DURING THE VISIT, MR MACLEOD WILL BE MEETING SENIOR OFFICIALS IN VARIOUS MINISTRIES INCLUDING FINANCE, TRANSPORT AND CONSTRUCT ION. HE WILL ALSO VISIT THE BANK OF JAPAN.
MR MACLEOD WILL ALSO BE MEETING LEADING BUSINESS LEADERS, GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS AND POLITICIANS WHO ARE TAKING A KEEN INTEREST IN HONG KONG AT A DINNER HOSTED BY PRINCIPAL HONG KONG ECONOMIC AND TRADE REPRESENTATIVE, TOKYO, MR DAVID LAN.
HE WILL ADDRESS A LUNCHEON MEETING AT THE FOREIGN CORRESPONDENTS’ CLUB.
IN ADDITION, HE WILL VISIT THE HONG KONG ECONOMIC AND TRADE OFFICE IN TOKYO AND THE HONG KONG PAVILION AT THE TOKYO TOY SHOW ’93.
WHILE IN TOKYO, MR MACLEOD WILL GIVE INTERVIEWS WITH SEVERAL LEADING MEDIA ORGANISATIONS.
ACCOMPANYING THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY ON THE VISIT WILL BE HIS ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT, MR MATTHEW CHEUNG KIN-CHUNG.
DURING MR MACLEOD’S ABSENCE FROM HONG KONG, THE SECRETARY FOR FINANCIAL SERVICES, MR MICHAEL ('ARTLAND, WILL ACT AS FINANCIAL SECRETARY.
ON JUNE 19-26, MR MACLEOD WILL BE AWAY FROM HONG KONG FOR A DUTY VISIT TO LONDON. DURING HIS ABSENCE FOR THAT PERIOD, THE SECRETARY FOR THE TREASURY, MR DONALD TSANG, WILL ACT AS FINANCIAL SECRETARY.
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/6 ........
TUESDAY, JUNE 1, 1993
6
PRIMARY ONE CENTRAL ALLOCATION RESULTS OUT ON SATURDAY ♦ ♦ * * *
RESULTS OF THE CENTRAL ALLOCATION OF PRIMARY ONE PLACES .WILL BE RELEASED ON SATURDAY (JUNE 5).
ANNOUNCING THIS, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT SAID 17,752 OUT OF A TOTAL OF 26,940 CHILDREN REGISTERED FOR CENTRAL ALLOCATION WOULD BE ALLOCATED PLACES IN SCHOOLS OF THEIR PARENTS’ FIRST THREE CHOICES.
HE SAID PARENTS SHOULD RETURN TO THEIR OWN DISTRIBUTION-COLLECTION CENTRE ON SATURDAY OR SUNDAY (JUNE 6) FROM 9.30 AM TO 12.30 PM AND 1.30 PM TO 4.30 PM TO COLLECT AN ALLOCATION SLIP SHOWING THE NAME AND ADDRESS OF THE SCHOOL TO WHICH THEIR CHILD HAS BEEN ALLOCATED, TOGETHER WITH THE DATES FOR REGISTRATION AND GUIDANCE NOTES.
THEY SHOULD COMPLETE REGISTRATION FORMALITIES ON JUNE 9 OR 10.
REGISTRATION HOURS FOR AM SCHOOLS ARE FROM 9 AM TO NOON AND FOR PM SCHOOLS FROM 2 PM TO 5 PM. FOR WHOLE-DAY SCHOOLS, THE REGISTRATION HOURS ARE FROM 9 AM TO NOON AND FROM 2 PM TO 4 PM.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID PARENTS WHO FOR SOME PERSONAL REASONS COULD NOT REGISTER THEIR CHILD MUST CONTACT THE SCHOOL DIRECT OR THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT’S PRIMARY ONE ADMISSION UNIT BEFOREHAND FOR ALTERNATIVE ARRANGEMENTS.
’’PARENTS FAILING TO REGISTER THEIR CHILD ON SPECIFIED DATES WITHOUT MAKING PRIOR ARRANGEMENTS WOULD BE DEEMED TO HAVE GIVEN UP THE ALLOCATION,” HE SAID.
"UPON REGISTRATION, THE ALLOCATION SLIP SHOULD BE SURRENDERED TO THE SCHOOL AND PARENTS MUST NOTE THAT ALL PLACES ALLOCATED ARE FINAL AND NO RE-ALLOCATION IS POSSIBLE."
PARENTS WHO HAVE SPECIAL DIFFICULTIES, SUCH AS HAVING MOVED TO ANOTHER DISTRICT RESULTING IN THEIR SCHOOL BEING TOO FAR FROM THEIR NEW HOME, ARE ADVISED TO PERSONALLY CALL AT THE PRIMARY ONE ADMISSION UNIT AT 269 QUEEN’S ROAD EAST, WAN CHAI, TO SEEK HELP.
THEY SHOULD BRING ALONG THE ORIGINAL AND COPIES OF SUPPORTING DOCUMENTARY PROOF SUCH AS RENTAL RECEIPTS, RATES DEMAND NOTES, WATER AND ELECTRICITY BILLS BEARING THE NAME OF THE PARENT OR THE GUARDIAN OF THE CHILD.
"IF THEIR REQUEST IS JUSTIFIED, THE PRIMARY ONE ADMISSION UNIT WILL TRY THEIR BEST TO FIND ANOTHER PLACE FOR THEIR CHILD AT A SCHOOL NEARER TO THE NEW HOME," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
"SHOULD PARENTS FIND IT NECESSARY TO CHANGE SCHOOL AFTER REGISTRATION, THEY ARE ADVISED TO OBTAIN ASSURANCE OF ACCEPTANCE FROM ANOTHER SCHOOL BEFORE RETRIEVING THE ALLOCATION SLIP FROM THE ORIGINAL SCHOOL TO CANCEL THE ORIGINAL ALLOCATION."
/PARETNS OF .......
TUESDAY, JUNE 1, 1993
PARENTS OF CHILDREN WHO HAVE SECURED A DISCRETIONARY PLACE AND HAVE ALREADY REGISTERED WITH A SCHOOL LATE LAST YEAR NEED NOT REPEAT THE REGISTRATION FORMALITIES, HE ADDED.
PARENTS WHO WISH TO OBTAIN GENERAL INFORMATION REGARDING PRIMARY ONE ADMISSION PROCEDURES MAY DIAL 891 0088 FOR THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT’S 24-HOUR AUTOMATIC TELEPHONE ENQUIRY SERVICE.
THOSE WHO HAVE FURTHER ENQUIRIES ON THE PROCEDURES MAY CONTACT THE PRIMARY ONE ADMISSION UNIT ON TELEPHONE 572 4383. THIS ENQUIRY SERVICE WILL REMAIN OPEN FROM 9 AM TO 12.30 PM AND FROM 1.30 PM TO 4.30 PM ON BOTH SATURDAY AND SUNDAY (JUNE 5 AND 6).
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HK KEEN TO FOSTER ECONOMIC TIES WITH VIETNAM *****
THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OF VIETNAM AND THE INCREASING PROSPERITY OF ITS PEOPLE SHOULD INCREASE ITS TRADE AND INVESTMENT FLOWS TOWARDS HONG KONG, THE SECRETARY FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY, MR T H CHAU, SAID TODAY (TUESDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING OF A CONFERENCE TITLED "MANAGING DOI-MOI: A DIALOGUE BETWEEN VIETNAM’S GOVERNMENT AND FOREIGN INVESTORS", MR CHAU SAID VIETNAMESE BUSINESSMEN WERE BOUND TO WANT TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF HONG KONG’S STRATEGIC POSITION AS A MAJOR INTERNATIONAL TRADE, FINANCIAL AND BUSINESS CENTRE.
HE SAID HONG KONG WAS KEEN TO FOSTER CLOSER ECONOMIC TIES WITH VIETNAM, ADDING THAT BILATERAL TRADE BETWEEN VIETNAM AND HONG KONG HAD INCREASED BY ABOUT SIX TIMES IN THE PAST FIVE YEARS.
TOTAL TRADE BETWEEN HONG KONG AND VIETNAM REACHED HK$8.4 BILLION LAST YEAR, ALMOST DOUBLE THAT TN 1991.
HONG KONG’S EXPORTS TO VIETNAM HAVE ALSO RECORDED IMPRESSIVE GROWTH, AN INCREASE BY 150% IN 1992, AFTER A REMARKABLE INCREASE OF 180% IN 1991. <
HONG KONG’S TOTAL EXPORTS TO.VIETNAM REACHED HK$7.3 BILLION IN 1992.
HONG KONG HAS BECOME ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT TRADING PARTNERS OF VIETNAM, MR CHAU SAID.
IN 1991, HONG KONG RANKED AS THE SECOND LARGEST MARKET FOR VIETNAM’S EXPORTS, AND AS THE THIRD LARGEST SOURCE OF HER IMPORTS.
MR CHAU NOTED THAT SUCH ENCOURAGING DEVELOPMENTS WOULD NOT BE POSSIBLE WITHOUT THE TRADE LIBERALISATION POLICIES ADOPTED BY THE VIETNAMESE GOVERNMENT.
/"THEY HAVE .......
TUESDAY, JUNE 1, 1993
- 8 -
’’THEY HAVE LED TO THE INTRODUCT TON OF INTERNATIONALLY ACCEPTED PROCEDURES, PRIVATISATION OF FOREIGN TRADE ACTIVITIES, STREAMLINED PROCEDURES FOR IMPORT AND EXPORT LICENSING, AS WELL AS THE REVISION OF THE IMPORT TARIFF SCHEDULE AND THE REPLACEMENT OF IMPORT QUOTAS BY IMPORT TARIFFS.
HE POINTED OUT THAT SERVICE LINKS BETWEEN HONG KONG AND VIETNAM HAD ALSO INCREASED.
"TWO MAJOR BANKS IN HONG KONG HAVE ESTABLISHED REPRESENTATIVE OFFICES IN HO CHI MINH CITY AND ARE EXPECTED TO OPEN BRANCH OFFICES IN VIETNAM IN THE NEAR FUTURE.
"MULTINATIONAL COMPANIES HAVE ALSO SET UP OFFICES IN VIETNAM TO EXPLORE BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES THERE. VERY OFTEN, THESE OFFICES WORK CLOSELY AND ARE SUPPORTED BY THEIR REGIONAL HEADQUARTERS LOCATED IN HONG KONG," HE SAID.
TURNING TO THE INVESTMENT FRONT, MR CHAU NOTED THAT THE SINGLE MOST IMPORTANT MOVE MADE BY THE VIETNAMESE GOVERNMENT IN ENCOURAGING FOREIGN INVESTMENTS WAS THE ENACTMENT OF A LIBERALISED FOREIGN INVESTMENT LAW IN 1987 WHICH PROVIDED FOREIGN INVESTORS WITH A RANGE OF INCENTIVES AND A HIGH DEGREE OF FREEDOM IN THEIR OPERATIONS.
AS A RESULT, FOREIGN INVESTMENT IN VIETNAM HAS GROWN DRAMATICALLY IN THE PAST FEW YEARS AND REACHED THE LEVEL OF US$4.5 BILLION.
HONG KONG LEADS THE FOREIGN INVESTORS TABLE IN VIETNAM IN TERMS OF THE NUMBER OF PROJECTS, AND IS SECOND IN TERMS OF VALUE BEHIND TAIWAN, MR CHAU SAID.
"BY THE END OF 1992, OUR BUSINESSMEN HAVE INVESTED MORE THAN US$600 MILLION IN SOME 120 PROJECTS IN VIETNAM. THIS AMOUNTS TO ABOUT 13% OF VIETNAM’S TOTAL FOREIGN INVESTMENTS," HE SAID.
"HONG KONG COMPANIES ARE ALSO INTERESTED IN INFRASTRUCTURAL PROJECTS SUCH AS PORT AND AIRPORT DEVELOPMENTS IN VIETNAM, AS WELL AS THE LAYING OF SUBMARINE CABLE TO ENHANCE TELECOMMUNICATION LINKS BETWEEN VIETNAM, HONG KONG AND THAILAND," MR CHAU SAID.
DEVELOPMENT IN TOURISM AND AIR SERVICES HAD ALSO MADE IMPORTANT CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE ENHANCEMENT OF ECONOMIC LINKS BETWEEN HONG KONG AND VIETNAM, MR CHAU NOTED.
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/9 ........
TUESDAY, JUNE 1, 1993
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HK FULL OF OPPORTUNITIES FOR JAPANESE BUSINESSES * * * * *
A WIDE RANGE OF OPPORTUNITIES EXIST FOR JAPANESE BUSINESSES INTERESTED IN INVESTING IN HONG KONG, THE DIRECTOR-GENERAL OF INDUSTRY, MISS DENISE YUE, SAID TODAY (TUESDAY).
MISS YUE SAID JAPANESE INVESTORS COULD TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE DIVISION OF LABOUR BETWEEN CHINA AND HONG KONG IN LOCATING THE LOWER COST MASS PRODUCTION ACTIVITIES IN SOUTHERN CHINA AND THE MORE COMPLEX FRONT-END AND BACK-END SUPPORTING FUNCTIONS WHICH WERE DEPENDENT ON A GOOD INFRASTRUCTURE AND DEVELOPED SERVICES SECTOR IN HONG KONG.
SHE WAS SPEAKING AT AN INVESTMENT PROMOTION SEMINAR IN TOKYO.
"IN THIS CONNECTION, YOU MAY BE INTERESTED TO KNOW THAT THERE ARE MORE THAN 1,300 REGIONAL HEADQUARTERS AND OFFICES BASED IN HONG KONG, OF WHICH ABOUT ONE-FIFTH ARE FROM JAPAN," SHE TOLD PARTICIPANTS AT THE SEMINAR.
ALTERNATIVELY, MISS YUE SAID, JAPANESE BUSINESSES MIGHT WISH TO MAKE THE MOST OF HONG KONG’S EFFICIENT INFRASTRUCTURE, HIGH QUALITY HUMAN RESOURCES, EXCELLENT FINANCIAL AND BANKING SERVICES AND STRONG INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS PROTECTION BY INVESTING IN HIGH VALUE-ADDED AND HIGH-TECH INDUSTRIES WHICH WERE SKILL AND CAPITAL INTENSIVE.
"IN ADDITION, BECAUSE OF ITS STRATEGIC LOCATION IN THE ASIA-PACIFIC REGION AND ITS ROLE AS THE GATEWAY TO (’HINA, HONG KONG IS INCREASINGLY BECOMING A POPULAR LOCATION FOR INTERNATIONAL INDUSTRIAL CO-OPERATION.
"FOR EXAMPLE, LAST YEAR WE SAW THE OPENING OF A US$130 MILLION POLYSTYRENE JOINT VENTURE PLANT BETWEEN CHINESE, KOREAN AND ITALIAN INTERESTS IN ONE OF OUR INDUSTRIAL ESTATES," SHE SAID.
A JAPANESE FIRM, DAIDO CONCRETE (HONG KONG) LTD, HAD RECENTLY CONCLUDED A DEAL WITH A SINGAPOREAN COMPANY FOR THE JOINT PRODUCTION OF PRE-CAST CONCRETE PANELS FOR BUILDINGS IN HONG KONG, SHE ADDED.
MISS YUE SAID THERE WAS ALREADY A VERY HIGH LEVEL OF JAPANESE INVESTMENT IN HONG KONG.
"IT HAS CONTRIBUTED SIGNIFICANTLY TO, AND IN RETURN FROM, THE ECONOMIC PROGRESS OF HONG KONG.
"THE MOMENTUM OF HONG KONG’S ECONOMIC PROGRESS EXTENDED INTO THE NEXT CENTURY, AND I AM SURE THAT JAPANESE WILL NOT OVERLOOK THE ABUNDANT OPPORTUNITIES," SHE SAID.
BENEFITED
WILL BE INVESTORS
MISS YUE SAID HONG KONG HAI) LONG BEEN A FAVOURABLE LOCATION FOR OVERSEAS INVESTORS.
/SHE SAID .......
TUESDAY, JUNE 1, 1993
SHE SAID HONG KONG’S ATTRACTIONS INCLUDED THE GOVERNMENT’S PROBUSINESS POLICIES AND ENVIRONMENT, EQUAL TREATMENT GIVEN TO FOREIGN INVESTORS IN THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR, NO FOREIGN EXCHANGE CONTROL AND NO ARTIFICIAL BARRIERS TO TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER.
OTHER ATTRACTIONS WERE HONG KONG’S PROTECTION OF INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS, A SKILLED LABOUR FORCE, LANI) PROVIDED IN SPECIAL INDUSTRIAL ESTATES TO CATER FOR HIGH-TECH INDUSTRIES, THE EXISTENCE OF A WHOLE RANGE OF ORGANISATIONS TO HELP MANUFACTURERS UPGRADE THEIR TECHNOLOGY AND HONG KONG’S UNIQUE POSTION AS THE GATEWAY TO CHINA.
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SWD PROVIDES SERVICES TO BEDSPACE LODGERS ******
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE SOCI AL WELFARE DEPARTMENT TODAY (TUESDAY) APPEALED TO BEDSPACE LODGERS TO MAKE THE BEST USE OF SERVICES CATERED FOR THEM BY THE DEPARTMENT.
’’THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THOSE BEDSPACE LODGERS WHO ARE AGED, DISABLED OR WITH POOR HEALTH,” THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
SERVICES PROVIDED BY THE DEPARTMENT INCLUDE HALF-YEARLY VISITS TO BEDSPACE APARTMENT.
THESE VISITS AIMS TO UPDATE THE REGISTRATION OF NERDY CLIENTS AND OFFER THEM WELFARE SERVICES; FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE, FOR EXAMPLE PUBLIC ASSISTANCE, SPECIAL NEEDS ALLOWANCE AND CHARITABLE TRUST FUNDS; HOUS I NG ASSISTANCE SUCH AS COMPASSIONATE REHOUSING AND REFERRAL TO AGED HOMES AND SO ON, AND COUNSELLING SERVICE.
THE BEDSPACE APARTMENT BILL, WHICH IS SCHEDULED FOR FIRST READING IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TOMORROW, AIMS TO TACKLE THE D1SPLACEMENT PROBLEMS WITH THE INTRODUCTION OF A LICENSING SCHEME.
THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT HAS ALSO SET UP URBAN HOSTELS TO PROVIDE SHORT-TERM ACCOMMODATI ON FOR THOSE AGED AND DISABLED BEDSPACE LODGERS, HAVING CONSIDERED THAT SOME BEDSPACE; LODGERS REFUSE INSTITUTIONAL OR COMPASSIONATE REHOUSING ARRANGEMENT BECAUSE OF THEIR LOCALITY ATTACHMENT, AND PRESENT MODE OF LIVING.
ALL THESE URBAN HOSTELS ARE MANAGED BY NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANISATIONS EITHER ON SUBVENTION OR SELF-FINANCING BASIS.
( ASEWORKERS OF THE SOI I Al WELFARE DEPARTMENT OR NONGOVERNMENTAL ORGANISATIONS WILL CONTINUE TO WORK OUT LONG-TERM WELFARE PLAN INCLUDING LONG-TERM ACCOMMODATI ON ARRANGEMENT FOR THE HOSTEL RESIDENTS ACCORDING TO THEIR INDIVIDUAL NEEDS, HE SAID.
THE SPOKESMAN S’l'RESSED THAT STAFF OF THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT WOULD CONTINUE TO LOCATE BEDSPACE LODGERS AND OFFER THEM APPROPRIATE WELFARE SERVICES INCLUDING HOUSING ARRANGEMENT.
/ALL AGED
TUESDAY, JUNE 1, 1993
- 11 -
ALL AGED AND DISABLED BEDSPACE LODGERS CAN APPROACH THE FAMILY SERVICES CENTRES OF THE DEPARTMENT FOR HELP.
FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE CAN ALSO BE ARRANGED FOR UNEMPLOYED, ABLE-BODIED BEDSPACE LODGERS BY SOCIAL SECURITY FIELD UNITS, THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
ENQUIRIES FOR WELFARE SERVICES CAN BE MADE TO THE DEPARTMENT ON TEL 343 2255.
---------0------------
SCHOOL MANAGEMENT EXHIBITION OPENS TOMORROW *****
A TWO-DAY EXHIBITION ON THE SCHOOL MANAGEMENT INITIATIVE (SMI) SCHEME WILL BE HELD AT THE CITY HALL EXHIBITION HALL TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY) AND ON THURSDAY.
THE EXHIBITION, TARGETED AT TEACHERS, PARENTS AND THE PUBLIC, IS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE 34 SCHOOLS PARTICPATING IN THE SCHEME AND THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT.
THERE WILL BE DISPLAY BOARDS, VIDEO SHOWS AND RESOURCE MATERIALS DISPLAY SHOWING THE CHANGES BROUGHT ABOUT BY SMI TO SCHOOLS IN THE COURSE OF ADAPTING TO THE NEW MANAGEMENT FRAMEWORK IN THE PAST TWO YEARS.
TWENTY-ONE AIDED SECONDARY SCHOOLS FIRST JOINED THE SMI SCHEME IN 1991. ANOTHER 13 SECONDARY SCHOOLS PARTICIPATED LAST YEAR.
THE SCHEME WILL BE EXTENDED TO GOVERNMENT AND AIDED PRIMARY SCHOOLS IN SEPTEMBER AND IT WILL BE FURTHER EXTENDED TO SPECIAL SCHOOLS IN SEPTEMBER NEXT YEAR.
THE EXHIBITION IS OPEN FROM 10.30 AM TO 7.30 PM ON WEDNESDAY AND FROM 9.30 AM TO 7 PM THE FOLLOWING DAY.
ADMISSION IS FREE AND MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE WELCOME TO VISIT THE EXHIBITION.
ATTENTION NEWS EDITORS:
THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, MR DOMINIC S W WONG, WILL OFFICIATE AT THE OPENING OF THE SCHOOL MANAGEMENT INITIATIVE (SMI) EXHIBITION AT THE CITY HALL EXHIBITION HALL AT 10.15 AM TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY).
YOUR REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER THE EVENT.
/12 .......
TUESDAY, JUNE 1, 1993
- 12
AUCTION OF LUCKY CAR REGISTRATION MARKS
*****
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT WILL HOLD ANOTHER AUCTION OF LUCKY VEHICLE REGISTRATION MARKS ON SATURDAY (JUNE 5) AT 9.30 AM AT THE CITY HALL RECITAL HALL.
A TOTAL OF 50 LUCKY VEHICLE REGISTRATION MARKS WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR BIDDING. THEY ARE:
FE6663 FF2228 FF369 FE8280
FF938 FE997 FE248 FF6893
FK36 *DD555 *FK2 ♦ FM8
FE3288 FF7 33 FF3888 DD355
AC1321 CX261 AB901 FE9388
FF8001 FE325 FE237 BB115
FC8777 FF2188 CL667 FE9226
AW400 ♦FJ8888 *2628 ♦FM800
FE889 FC3471 FF704 CW1220
FF8038 FE3648 FE1239 FF6663
FF8986 FE665 ♦AH747 FE2317
CC480 FE6369 FE1678 ♦FL678
BG8599 FF7397
* SPECIAL VEHICLE REGISTRATION MARK (NOT TRANSFERABLE)
SUCCESSFUL BIDDERS MUST PAY BY CHEQUE IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE BIDDING.
A TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN REMINDED BIDDERS THAT THE VEHICLE REGISTRATION MARK WOULD BE ASSIGNED ONLY TO A VEHICLE REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF THE SUCCESSFUL BIDDER WITHIN 12 MONTHS OF THE AUCTION.
THE CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION MUST BE PRODUCED IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE AUCTION IF THE VEHICLE REGISTRATION MARK IS TO BE REGISTERED UNDER THE NAME OF BODY CORPORATE.
PROCEEDS OF THE AUCTION, AFTER DEDUCTION OF EXPENSES, WILL AS USUAL GO TO THE GOVERNMENT LOTTERIES FUND.
THE COMING AUCTION WILL BE THE 195TH ORGANISED BY THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT SINCE MAY 1973.
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/13 .......
TUESDAY, JUNE 1, 1993
- 13 -
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE EUND TENDER RESULTS *****
TENDER DATE 1 JUNE 93
PAPER ON OFFER EF BILLS
ISSUE NUMBER Q322
AMOUNT APPLIED HKD4.665 MN
AMOUNT ALLOTTED HKD1,000 MN
AVERAGE YIELD ACCEPTED 3.12 PCT
HIGHEST YIELD ACCEPTED 3.13 PCT
PRO RATA RATIO ABOUT 45 PCT
AVERAGE TENDER YIELD 3.17 PCT
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND
TENDERS TO BE HELD IN THE WEEK BEGINNING 7 JUNE 1993 -
TENDER DATE 8 JUNE 93 8 JUNE 93
PAPER ON OFFER EF BILLS EF BILLS
ISSUE NUMBER Q323 H366
ISSUE DATE 9 JUNE 93 9 JUNE 93
MATURITY DATE 8 SEPT 93 8 DEC 93
TENDOR 91 DAYS 182 DAYS
AMOUNT ON OFFER HKD I ,000 + 200 MN HKD400 + 80 MN *
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/14 .......
TUESDAY, JUNE 1, 1993
- 14
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS * * * * *
$ MILLION
OPENING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT 1,925
REVERSAL OF LAF +875
BALANCE AFTER REVERSL OF LAF 2,800
NET INJECTION/WITHDRAWAL TODAY NIL
EFFECT OF LAF TODAY -424
CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT 2,376
LAF RATE 2.00 BID/4.00 OFFER TWI 111.6 t-0.1* 1.6.1993
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND
EF TERMS BILLS EF NOTES/HONG KONG GOVERNMENT BONDS
YIELD TERM ISSUE COUPON PRICE YIELD
1 WEEK 2.90 PCT 15 MONTHS 2408 4.375 100.80 3.72
1 MONTH 2.95 PCT 18 MONTHS 24 1 1 4.625 101.11 3.87
3 MONTHS 3.10 PCT 21 MONTHS 2502 4.75 101.18 4.06
6 MONTHS 3.30 PCT 24 MONTHS 2505 3.75 99.18 4.23
12 MONTHS 3.59 PCT
TOTAL TURNOVER OF BILLS AND BONDS - 17,344 MN
CLOSED 1 JUNE 1993
- - 0 - -
Received by PRO „ -1 JUN BK
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
WEDNESDAY. JUNE 2, 1993
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
GOVERNOR HOPES ELECTION TALKS OUTCOME ACCEPTED TO HK ......... 1
SPECIAL TEAM TO INVESTIGATE HOIST ACCIDENT ................... 2
CONTRACT AWARD FOR ROUTE 3 RAMBLER CHANNEL BRIDGE ............ 2
ASIA'S FIRST CHEMCIAL WASTE TREATMENT CENTRE OPENS ........... 3
LEGISLATION FOR STRICTER CONTROL OF CHEMICAL WASTE ........... 5
EUROPEAN COMMUNITY HOLDS GREAT POTENTIAL FOR HK EXPORT ....... 6
EXCO MEMBERS VISIT PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICES .................... 8
THREE SITES TO LET ........................................... 9
CLOSURE OF UNAUTHORISED STRUCTURE SOUGHT ..................... 9
HOLIDAY CLOSURE OF POST OFFICES .............................. 10
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS ..
10
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 2, 1993
GOVERNOR HOPES ELECTION TALKS OUTCOME ACCEPTED TO HK
* » » * *
THE GOVERNOR, THE RT HON CHRISTOPHER PATTEN, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY) HE VERY MUCH HOPED THAT AFTER THE TALKS ON THE 1994/95 ELECTORAL ARRANGEMENTS HAD BEEN PURSUED PATIENTLY AND CONSTRUCTIVELY, THERE WOULD BE A SETTLEMENT WHICH WOULD BE FULLY DEBATED IN HONG KONG AND ACCEPTED TO HONG KONG.
SPEAKING TO REPORTERS AFTER OPENING THE GOVERNMENT’S CHEMICAL WASTE TREATMENT CENTRE ON TSING YI ISLAND, MR PATTEN SAID: "THAT’S MY ASPIRATION AND THAT’S MR GOODLAD’S AS WELL."
ASKED TO COMMENT ON MR GOODLAD’S REMARKS LAST NIGHT AFTER HIS MEETING WITH LEGCO, THE GOVERNOR SAID IT WAS A RESTATEMENT OF WHAT HAD BEEN SAID ON A NUMBER OF OCCASIONS.
"THERE ARE TWO POINTS THAT I THINK EVERYBODY IS AWARE OF," MR PATTEN SAID.
"FIRST AS I’VE SAID ON A NUMBER OF OCCASIONS AND THE BRITISH MINISTER HAS SAID ON A NUMBER OF OCCASIONS, I CAN’T CONCEIVE THE CIRCUMSTANCES IN WHICH WE WOULD ACCEPT A SETTLEMENT THAT WE DIDN’T THINK WAS ACCEPTABLE TO HONG KONG AND WE DIDN’T THINK WAS ACCEPTABLE TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL REPRESENTING THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG.
"SECONDLY, ANY AGREEMENT THAT WE REACH WITH CHINA WILL HAVE TO BE TRANSLATED INTO LEGISLATION IN ORDER TO SET IN PLACE THE ELECTORAL ARRANGEMENTS FOR 1994/95 AND THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL WILL OF COURSE HAVE A FULL OPPORTUNITY OF DEBATING THAT LEGISLATION LINE BY LINE."
"I THINK WHAT MR GOODLAD WAS TALKING ABOUT WAS A HYPOTHETICAL SITUATION," HE ADDED.
"BUT AS I’VE SAID ALREADY, I CAN’T IMAGINE THAT WE WOULD WANT TO PUT TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL PROPOSALS THAT WE DIDN’T THINK THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL WOULD ACCEPT.
"BUT THE POSITION UNDER THE CONSTITUTIONAL ARRANGEMENTS IN HONG KONG IS ENTIRELY CLEAR WHEN IT COMES TO LEGISLATION. I THINK LEGISLATORS THEMSELVES WOULD BE AWARE OF THE CONSEQUENCES."
-----o------
/2 .........
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 2, 1993
SPECIAL TEAM TO INVESTIGATE HOIST ACCIDENT
*****
THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT HAS SET UP A SPECIAL TEAM OF FACTORY INSPECTORS TO INVESTIGATE THE CAUSE OF THE INDUSTRIAL ACCIDENT IN NORTH POINT TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
SPEAKING TO REPORTERS AT THE SCENE THIS EVENING, THE ACTING CHIEF FACTORY INSPECTOR, MR KAN HON-SANG, SAID THAT THE TEAM WILL LOOK INTO VARIOUS ASPECTS CONCERNING THE OPERATION AND USE OF THE PASSENGER HOIST.
HE SAID THAT THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT’S FACTORY INSPECTORS WILL LAUNCH A SPECIAL CAMPAIGN FROM TOMORROW (THURSDAY) TO INSPECT PASSENGER HOISTS ON CONSTRUCTION SITES THROUGHOUT THE TERRITORY.
”OUR OFFICERS WILL FOCUS THEIR INSPECTIONS ON SAFETY MEASURES BEING TAKEN BY CONSTRUCTION CONTRACTORS.
’’THEY INCLUDE PERIODIC TESTS AND EXAMINATIONS OF HOISTS BY COMPETENT EXAMINERS, WEEKLY INSPECTIONS BY COMPETENT PERSONS, EFFECTIVE AND EFFICIENT ARRESTING DEVICE IN CASE OF OVER-SPEEDING AND THE DISPLAY OF WARNING NOTICES INDICATING THE NUMBER OF PASSENGERS ALLOWED.
’’UNDER THE FACTORIES AND INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS ORDINANCE, ALL CONTRACTORS SHOULD EXERCISE STRICT AND DILIGENT SUPERVISION TO ENSURE THAT SAFETY MEASURES ON PASSENGER HOISTS ARE TAKEN,’’ HE ADDED.
HE ALSO APPEALED TO CONSTRUCTION SITES WORKERS TO OBSERVE SAFETY RULES WHILE USING PASSENGER HOISTS.
MR KAN SAID THAT PROSECUTIONS WILL BE TAKEN AGAINST CONTRACTORS VIOLATING SAFETY LAWS.
CONTRACT AWARD FOR ROUTE 3 RAMBLER CHANNEL BRIDGE * * » ♦ »
THE CENTRAL TENDER BOARD HAS ACCEPTED A $670 MILLION TENDER SUBMITTED BY DRAGAGES/BACHY SOLETANCHE GROUP/PENTA OCEAN JOINT VENTURE FOR CONSTRUCTION OF THE ROUTE 3 RAMBLER CHANNEL BRIDGE.
THE ROUTE 3 RAMBLER CHANNEL BRIDGE CONTRACT IS A MAJOR ELEMENT IN THE HIGHWAYS NETWORK OF THE AIRPORT CORE PROGRAMME (ACP) LINKING TUNG CHUNG NEW TOWN AND THE AIRPORT AT CHEK LAP KOK TO KOWLOON AND CENTRAL DISTRICT IN HONG KONG.
ROUTE 3 IS PLANNED AS A MAJOR NORTH-SOUTH HIGHWAY LINKING THE BORDER AND NORTHWEST NEW TERRITORIES WITH WEST KOWLOON VIA TSING YI.
/THE RAMBLER
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 2, 1993
- 3 -
THE RAMBLER CHANNEL BRIDGE IS ONE OF THE THREE SECTIONS OF THE PART OF ROUTE 3 WHICH FALLS WITHIN THE ACP.
CONTRACTS FOR THE OTHER TWO SECTIONS, CHEUNG CHING TUNNEL AND KWAI CHUNG VIADUCT, WERE AWARDED RESPECTIVELY IN FEBRUARY AND APRIL THIS YEAR, CONSTRUCTION OF THESE TWO SECTIONS IS NOW UNDER WAY.
THE RAMBLER CHANNEL BRIDGE CONTRACT COMPRISES THE CONSTRUCTION OF A 0.5-KILOMETRE-LONG BRIDGE OVER THE RAMBLER CHANNEL, TOGETHER WITH A 0.6-KILOMETRE VIADUCT.
THE WHOLE SECTION WILL BE A DUAL THREE-LANE EXPRESSWAY LINKING CHEUNG CHING TUNNEL AND KWAI CHUNG VIADUCT.
TENDERS WERE RECEIVED FROM SEVEN PREQUALIFIED TENDERERS AND THE FRENCH/JAPANESE JOINT VENTURE BETWEEN DRAGAGES ET TRAVAUX PUBLICS, BACHY SOLETANCHE GROUP AND PENTA OCEAN CONSTRUCTION CO LTD SUBMITTED THE LOWEST PRICED BID OF $670 MILLION.
CONSTRUCTION WORK WILL START LATER THIS MONTH AND IS EXPECTED TO BE COMPLETED IN THE FIRST HALF OF 1996.
THE AWARD OF THE RAMBLER CHANNEL BRIDGE CONTRACT BRINGS THE TOTAL NUMBER OF GOVERNMENT-FUNDED CONTRACTS AWARDED ON THE ACP TO 22, WITH A TOTAL VALUE OF ABOUT $25 BILLION.
ALL 22 CONTRACTS WERE AWARDED WITHIN BUDGET AND ARE ON SCHEDULE FOR COMPLETION ON TIME.
------0-------
ASIA’S FIRST CHEMICAL WASTE TREATMENT CENTRE OPENS ♦ * * t ♦ t
THE GOVERNOR, THE RT HON CHRISTOPHER PATTEN, TODAY (WEDNESDAY), OPENED THE $1,300 MILLION CHEMICAL WASTE TREATMENT CENTRE, THE FIRST INTEGRATED CHEMICAL WASTE TREATMENT FACILITY BUILT IN HONG KONG OR IN THE ASIA-PACIFIC REGION.
THE CENTRE, BUILT BY ENVTROPACE LIMITED FOR THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT, IS A MAJOR PROJECT UNDER THE GOVERNMENT’S 10-YEAR PLAN TO TACKLE POLLUTION AS LAID DOWN IN THE 1989 POLICY WHITE PAPER, "POLLUTION IN HONG KONG -- A TIME TO ACT".
THE TREATMENT CENTRE WILL PROVIDE A MUCH-NEEDED DISPOSAL FACILITY FOR THE ESTIMATED 100,000 TONNES OF CHEMICAL WASTE GENERATED IN HONG KONG EACH YEAR.
IN THE PAST, MOST OF THE WASTE, COMING FROM SOME 9,000 WASTE PRODUCERS, WAS DISPOSED OF BY ENVIRONMENTALLY UNACCEPTABLE MEANS.
THE CENTRE, LOCATED ON SOUTH TSING YI, COMPRISES NINE SEPARATE PROCESSES, INCLUDING AN OIL/WATER SEPARATION SYSTEM, VARIOUS PHYSICAL/CHEMICAL TREATMENT SYSTEMS, AND A HIGH TEMPERATURE INCINERATION SYSTEM.
/’’THE CHEMICAL.......
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 2, 1993
"THE CHEMICAL WASTE TREATMENT CENTRE MARKS AN IMPORTANT STEP IN THE FIGHT TO CLEAN UP HONG KONG’S ENVIRONMENT," DIRECTOR OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION, DR STUART REED, SAID.
"IT PROVIDES FACILITIES FOR THE SAFE AND ENVIRONMENTALLY SOUND DISPOSAL OF CHEMICAL WASTE IN THE TERRITORY AND WILL SERVE AS HONG KONG’S DESIGNATED FACILITY UNDER THE MARPOL CONVENTION WHICH PREVENTS POLLUTION AT SEA," HE SAID.
"IT WILL ALSO MAKE IT POSSIBLE FOR CHEMICAL WASTE PRODUCERS TO COMPLY WITH THE NEW CHEMICAL WASTE REGULATION," HE ADDED.
THE CHEMICAL WASTE REGULATION, WHICH BECAME FULLY EFFECTIVE ON MAY 3, REQUIRES PRODUCERS OF CHEMICAL WASTE TO REGISTER WITH THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT AND PROPERLY DISPOSE OF THEIR WASTE.
THE REGULATION WAS ENACTED TO STOP THE WIDESPREAD MALPRACTICE OF DUMPING UNTREATED CHEMICAL WASTE INTO THE TERRITORY’S SEWERS AND SURFACE WATERS AND THEREBY IMPROVE THE WATER QUALITY IN VICTORIA HARBOUR.
"WITH THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE CHEMICAL WASTE REGULATION AND THE OPENING OF THE TREATMENT CENTRE, WE ARE NOW IN A MUCH BETTER POSITION IN TERMS OF REVITALISING OUR FRAGRANT HARBOUR," DR REED SAID.
THE PROJECT HAS BEEN DEVELOPED UNDER A DESIGN, BUILD AND OPERATE CONTRACT ARRANGEMENT WHEREBY THE CONTRACTOR IS RESPONSIBLE FOR ALL ASPECTS OF THE FACILITY AND HAS A 15-YEAR OPERATION COMMITMENT WHICH MUST BE PERFORMED TO THE DEPARTMENT’S STRINGENT REQUIREMENTS.
THE CONTRACT WAS AWARDED TO ENVTROPACE LIMITED IN NOVEMBER 1990. ENVIROPACE IS A JOINT VENTURE COMPANY COMPRISING PACIFIC WASTE MANAGEMENT LIMITED (PART OF WASTE MANAGEMENT INTERNATIONAL, PLC BASED IN LONDON, UK), CITIC PACIFIC LIMITED AND KIN CHING BESSER LIMITED.
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OF WASTE MANAGEMENT INTERNATIONAL PLC MR ED FALKMAN, SAID: "THE CHEMICAL WASTE TREATMENT CENTRE IS AN EXCELLENT EXAMPLE OF HOW THE WASTE MANAGEMENT GROUP IS USING ITS ADVANCED TECHNOLOGIES TO SOLVE TOUGH ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEMS."
"WE ARE COMMITTED TO WORKING WITH GOVERNMENTS AND INDUSTRIES THROUGHOUT ASIA TO MEET THE ENVIRONMENTAL CHALLENGES- FACING THE REGION," HE ADDED.
THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE CENTRE WAS COMPLETED ON SCHEDULE IN DECEMBER 1992 AND WAS FORMALLY ACCEPTED BY THE DEPARTMENT ON APRIL 13 AFTER A COMPREHENSIVE PERFORMANCE TEST.
WHEN THE FACILITY IS AT FULL CAPACITY, ENVIROPACE WILL EMPLOY OVER 300 PEOPLE, MANY OF THEM SPECIALLY TRAINED PROFESSIONALS.
COMPUTER SYSTEMS WILL MONITOR EVERY ASPECT OF THE TREATMENT CENTRE’S OPERATION.
IN ADDITION, THE DEPARTMENT’S STAFF WILL BE STATIONED AT THE CENTRE TO MONITOR ITS OPERATION REGULARLY.
/TN ADDITION .......
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 2, 1993
5
IN ADDITION TO OPERATING THE FACILITY, ENVIROPACB WILL PROVIDE A FULL RANGE OF WASTE COLLECTION AND TRANSPORT SERVICES FOR CHEMICAL WASTE PRODUCERS.
COLLECTION SERVICES WILL BE PROVIDED BY A FLEET OF SPECIALLY DESIGNED LORRIES AND TANKERS, AND A PURPOSE-BUILT MARPOL COLLECTION BARGE.
INCOMING AND TREATED WASTE WILL BE TESTED AND MONITORED IN A STATE-OF-THE ART LABORATORY.
CHEMICAL WASTE TO BE TREATED WILL INCLUDE ACIDS AND ALKALIS; SOLVENTS; CYANIDES AND SULFIDES; HEAVY-METAL-BEARING WASTE; WASTE LUBRICANTS; AND MARPOL WASTE FROM SHIPS USING HONG KONG’S PORT FACILITIES.
WATER, HEAT ENERGY, AND COPPER OXIDE WILL BE RECOVERED IN THE PROCESS OF TREATING THE WASTE.
ENVIROPACB WILL ALSO OFFER SUPPORT SERVICES DESIGNED TO HELP WASTE PRODUCERS UNDERSTAND THE CHEMICAL WASTE REGULATION AND TO SAFELY HANDLE THEIR CHEMICAL WASTE.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:
RONNIE TONG ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT TEL 835 1607
ROXANA YUNG ENVTROPACE LIMITED TEL 420 6600
------0-------
LEGISLATION FOR STRICTER CONTROL OF CHEMICAL WASTE
*****
THE GOVERNMENT WILL STRICTLY ENFORCE ’’CRADLE TO GRAVE” LEGISLATION TO CONTROL THE COLLECTION, THE TRANSPORTATION AND THE DISPOSAL OF CHEMICAL WASTE, THE GOVERNOR, THE RT HON CHRISTOPHER PATTEN, SAID.
"AND I CAN ASSURE YOU THAT IT WILL BE," HE SAID.
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING OF THE CHEMCIAL WASTE TREATMENT CENTRE ON TSING YI TODAY (WEDNESDAY), MR PATTEN SAID THAT THE CENTRE HAD BEEN BUILT TO HELP THOSE WHO PRODUCED WASTE TO DISPOSE OF IT CLEANLY AND PROPERLY.
/THIS MEANS ........
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 2, 1993
6
THIS MEANS THAT THE MYRIAD OF SMALL FACTORY OWNERS, WHO PLAY A VITAL PART IN OUR ECONOMY, WILL NOT HAVE TO SPEND A FORTUNE IN INSTALLING THEIR OWN WASTE TREATMENT FACILITIES.
"WE ALSO BELIEVE THAT BY INVESTING IN CLEAN TECHNOLOGY AND STREAMLINING THEIR PRODUCTION TECHNIQUES, COMPANIES CAN SAVE MONEY ON RAW MATERIALS AND SAVE MOENY ON WASTE DISPOSAL.
"THIS WILL HELP THEM BECOME EVEN MORE COMPETITIVE,” HE SAID.
MR PATTEN BELIEVED THAT THIS CENTRE COULD HELP DEMONSTRATE THAT TECHNOLOGY COULD PROVIDE THE ANSWERS TO SOME OF THE PROBLEMS WHICH THE PREVIOUS GENERATION OF TECHNOLOGY HELPED TO PRODUCE.
NOTING THAT THIS PROJECT WAS AN EXCELLENT EXAMPLE OF THE PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT AND THE PRIVATE SECTOR TO IMPROVE THE ENVIRONMENT, HE SAID: "THAT’S WHAT WE ARE DOING, BRINGING THE PRIVATE SECTOR AND GOVERNMENT TOGETHER, SHOWING THAT TECHNOLOGY PROPERLY APPLIED CAN HELP TO MAKE OUR WORLD CLEANER, OUR WATERS CLEANER, OUR WORLD SAFER, AS WELL AS GREENER FOR US AND OUR CHILDREN TO LIVE IN."
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EUROPEAN COMMUNITY HOLDS GREAT POTENTIAL FOR HK EXPORT
*****
THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITY CONSTITUTES A MARKET OF GREAT POTENTIAL WHICH HONG KONG EXPORTERS SHOULD DEVOTE MORE EFFORTS IN DEVELOPING, PARTICULARLY WITH THE ADVENT OF THE SINGLE EUROPEAN MARKET, THE SECRETARY FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY, MR T H CHAU, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
HE WAS OFFICIATING AT A SEMINAR ON "EXPORTING TO THE SINGLE EUROPEAN MARKET" ORGANISED JOINTLY BY THE HONG KONG TRADE DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL, THE TRADE DEPARTMENT AND THE INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT.
HE NOTED THAT THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITY WAS HONG KONG’S THIRD LARGEST TRADING PARTNER AND AS AN EXPORT MARKET, IT RANKED THIRD AFTER CHINA AND THE U.S..
"FOR EXPORTERS, THE SINGLE MARKET PROGRAMME HAS BROUGHT ABOUT THE ABOLITION OF THE CONTROLS ON GOODS CROSSING THE BORDERS BETWEEN MEMBER STATES AND THE HARMONISATION OF CERTAIN PRODUCT STANDARDS.
"THESE PROVIDE OPPORTUNITIES FOR PAN-EUROPEAN MANUFACTURING AND DISTRIBUTION,” MR CHAU SAID.
"AT THE SAME TIME, OF COURSE, THEY MAY FACE INCREASING COMPETITION WITHIN THE COMMUNITY AS SUCH BENEFITS ARE EQUALLY AVAILABLE TO COMMUNITY PRODUCERS AND OTHER THIRD COUNTRY SUPPLIERS," HE ADDED.
APART FROM THE SINGLE MARKET PROGRAMME, OF GREATEST INTEREST TO HONG KONG WAS THE INTRODUCTION OF COMMUNITY QUOTAS FOR TEXTILES WHICH HELPED IMPROVE FLEXIBILITY IN ACCESS.
/"HONG KONG .......
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 2, 1993
"HONG KONG TRADERS’ ABILITY TO DEVELOP NEW MARKETS AMONG SMALLER MEMBER STATES OF THE COMMUNITY IS ENHANCED," MR CHAU SAID.
OTHER TRADE-FACILITATING MEASURES ADOPTED INCLUDED BINDING TARIFF RULINGS FOR THE WHOLE COMMUNITY, AND INCREASED FLEXIBILITY IN PREFERENTIAL ACCESS UNDER THE COMMUNITY’S GENERALISED SCHEME OF PREFERENCES.
MR CHAU BELIEVED THAT THE RETENTION BY THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITY OF THE CAPACITY TO INTRODUCE REGIONAL MEASURES AND THE PROPOSALS TO COMMUNITARISE CERTAIN NATIONAL QUOTAS FOR CHINA AND OTHER STATETRADING COUNTRIES SHOULD NOT PREVENT TRADERS FROM FINDING NICHES OF OPPORTUNITIES TO THEIR BENEFIT.
HE FURTHER NOTED THAT THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC AREA COULD FURTHER INCREASE THE SCOPE OF ECONOMIES OF SCALE IN PRODUCTION.
THE EUROPEAN FREE TRADE ASSOCIATION (EFTA) COUNTRIES CONCERNED WERE COMMITTED TO APPLYING ALMOST ALL EUROPEAN COMMUNITY LEGISLATION WITH REGARD TO TECHNICAL REGULATION, PRODUCT STANDARDS, TESTING AND CERTIFICATION.
IN THE MEDIUM TERM, MR CHAU SAID, THE ACCESSION OF AUSTRIA, SWEDEN, FINLAND AND NORWAY TO THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITY WAS CURRENTLY BEING NEGOTIATED.
"WITH THE ACCESSION OF THESE COUNTRIES, A SINGLE MARKET OF OVER 370 MILLION PEOPLE WILL BE CREATED," HE SAID.
THE REALIGNMENT OF THE DIFFERENT TRADE REGIMES MIGHT HOWEVER BRING ABOUT PLUSES AND MINUSES IN DIFFERENT AREAS AS THE EFTA COUNTRIES CONCERNED GENERALLY HAD HIGHER IMPORT TARIFFS BUT THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITY HAD A MUCH MORE RESTRICTIVE TEXTILES REGIME, HE ADDED.
"IN THE LONGER TERM, THERE ARE A NUMBER OF CENTRAL AND EASTERN EUROPEAN COUNTRIES EAGERLY WAITING TO JOIN THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITY.
"ALTHOUGH THEIR ACCESSION IS AS YET UNCERTAIN AND LIKELY TO BE SOME WAY OFF, THE CONSIDERABLE POTENTIAL FOR EVEN FURTHER ENLARGEMENT OF THE SINGLE EUROPEAN MARKET SHOULD BE BORNE IN MIND," HE SAID.
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/8 ........
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 2, 1993
- 8
EXCO MEMBERS VISIT PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICES *****
A GROUP OF EXECUTIVE COUNCILLORS TODAY (WEDNESDAY) VISITED THE LAM TIN POLYCLINIC IN KWUN TONG TO SEE FOR THEMSELVES VARIOUS PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICES RUN BY THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH,
THEY WERE MET ON ARRIVAL BY THE DIRECTOR OF HEALTH, DR S H LEE, AND OTHER SENIOR MEDICAL STAFF.
THE PARTY, COMPRISING BARONESS DUNN, MS ROSANNA WONG AND MR ANDREW LI, FIRST VISITED THE GENERAL OUT-PATIENT CLINIC WHERE THEY WERE BRIEFED ON PRIMARY MEDICAL CARE SERVICES AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC.
THEY WERE SHOWN IMPROVEMENT MEASURES UNDER THE 'PERFORMANCE PLEDGE’ PROGRAMME. THESE INCLUDED STANDARDISED INDIVIDUAL MEDICAL RECORD, LABELLING OF ALL DISPENSED MEDICINE BY COMPUTER, PATIENT ASSISTANCE COUNTER AND HEALTH EDUCATION MATERIALS.
THEN THEY PROCEEDED TO THE MATERNAL AND CHILD HEALTH CENTRE WHERE THEY LEARNT ABOUT THE VARIOUS FAMILY HEALTH SERVICES DELIVERED TO MOTHERS AND CHILDREN UNDER THE AGE OF FIVE.
THE COUNCILLORS WERE THEN TAKEN ON A TOUR OF THE SCHOOL DENTAL CLINIC WHERE THEY WERE TOLD ABOUT THE SCHOOL DENTAL CARE SERVICES GIVEN TO STUDENTS OF PRIMARY ONE TO SIX.
THIS WAS FOLLOWED BY A VISIT TO THE PUBLIC HEALTH NURSING SCHOOL - THE ONLY SCHOOL IN HONG KONG WHICH PROVIDED PUBLIC HEALTH NURSING TRAINING.
NINE-MONTH FULL-TIME DIPLOMA STUDIES ON PUBLIC HEALTH NURSING AND OTHER PART-TIME COURSES ARE ORGANISED FOR REGISTERED NURSES.
THE MEMBERS WERE ALSO BRIEFED ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE DISTRICT HEALTH SYSTEM WHICH EMPHASISED COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION AND INTERSECTORAL COLLABORATION.
THEY WERE TOLD THAT A WELL WOMAN CLINIC, SITUATED ON THE FOURTH FLOOR OF THE POLYCLINIC, WAS EXPECTED TO START FULL OPERATION EARLY NEXT YEAR.
THE NEW SERVICE AIMS AT PROVIDING A PACKAGED SERVICE COMPRISING PHYSICAL CHECK-UP INCLUDING GYNAECOLOGICAL EXAMINATION, HEALTH SCREENING AIMED AT DETECTING DISEASES PREVALENT IN WOMEN, AND HEALTH EDUCATION AND COUNSELLING.
THIS IS THE FIRST IN A SERIES OF SIMILAR VISITS BRING ORGANISED FOR MEMBERS OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL, ACCORDING TO THE PRESS SECRETARY (MEMBERS).
THE PURPOSE IS FOR MEMBERS TO GAIN FIRST-HAND INFORMATION ABOUT NEW PROJECTS AND TO SEE FOR THEMSELVES LATEST DEVELOPMENT IN VARIOUS TYPES OF SERVICE.
"MEMBERS BELIEVE THAT SUCH VISITS WILL HELP THEM IN THEIR WORK OF ADVISING THE GOVERNOR ON POLICY MATTERS," SHE SAID.
-..-0----
/9.........
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 2, 1993
- 9
THREE SITES TO LET ♦ » * * »
THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR THE SHORT-TERM TENANCY OF THREE PIECES OF GOVERNMENT LAND.
THE FIRST LOT, IN AREA 14, SAI TSO WAN ROAD, TSING YI, HAS AN AREA OF ABOUT 27,500 SQUARE METRES FOR USE AS A PUBLIC FEE-PAYING CAR PARK FOR CONTAINER TRACTORS AND TRAILERS. THE TENANCY IS FOR ONE YEAR, RENEWABLE QUARTERLY AFTERWARDS.
THE SECOND LOT, OCCUPYING AREA 16 AND PARTLY AREA 13 IN TSEUNG KWAN O, SAI KUNG, HAS AN AREA OF ABOUT 22,700 SQUARE METRES FOR PARKING OF CONTAINER VEHICLES. THE TENANCY IS FOR ONE YEAR, RENEWABLE QUARTERLY AFTERWARDS.
THE THIRD LOT IN AREA 2, TSING LUK STREET, TSING YI, HAS AN AREA OF ABOUT 610 SQUARE METRES FOR LANDSCAPE GARDENING, PLANT NURSERY AND/OR COMMERCIAL GARDENING, INCLUDING GROWING GARDEN PRODUCTS, STORAGE AND SALE OF POTTED PLANTS AND OTHER ANCILLARY GARDEN PRODUCTS.
THE TENANCY IS FOR THREE YEARS, RENEWABLE QUARTERLY AFTERWARDS.
CLOSING DATE FOR SUBMISSION OF TENDERS IS NOON ON JUNE 18.
TENDER FORMS, TENDER NOTICE AND CONDITIONS MAY BE OBTAINED FROM KWAI TSING DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE; SAI KUNG DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE; THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT, 14TH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD; AND THE DISTRICT LANDS OFFICES KOWLOON, 10TH FLOOR, YAU MA TEI CARPARK BUILDING, 250 SHANGHAI STREET, KOWLOON.
TENDER PLANS CAN BE INSPECTED AT THESE OFFICES.
------0-------
CLOSURE OF UNAUTHORISED STRUCTURE SOUGHT
» » * * t
THE BUILDING AUTHORITY IS SEEKING TO CLOSE AN UNAUTHORISED STRUCTURE AT A BUILDING IN KWAI CHUNG SO THAT IT CAN BE DEMOLISHED WITHOUT CAUSING DANGER TO THE OCCUPIERS AND THE PUBLIC.
THE UNAUTHORISED SINGLE-STOREY STRUCTURE USED FOR RESIDENTIAL PURPOSES HAS BEEN ERECTED ON THE FLAT ROOF ON THE THIRD FLOOR OF KWAI SING CENTRE AT 3 WO YIP HOP ROAD AND 412-416 CASTLE PEAK ROAD.
NOTICE OF INTENTION TO APPLY FOR A CLOSURE ORDER FROM THE HONG KONG DISTRICT COURT UNDER THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE ON JULY 2 WAS POSTED ON THE PREMISES TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
IT IS EXPECTED THAT DEMOLITION WILL START AS SOON AS THE CLOSURE ORDER IS ISSUED.
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/10.........
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 2, 1993
- 10 -
HOLIDAY CLOSURE OF POST OFFICES *****
THE ACTING POSTMASTER GENERAL, MRS DORIS HO, ANNOUNCED TODAY (WEDNESDAY) THAT DURING THE FORTHCOMING PUBLIC HOLIDAYS TO CELEBRATE THE BIRTHDAY OF THE QUEEN AND THE TUEN NG FESTIVAL, ALL POST OFFICES WOULD BE CLOSED.
A SPECIAL MAIL DELIVERY WOULD HOWEVER BE PROVIDED ON JUNE 12 (THE BIRTHDAY OF THE QUEEN). NO DELIVERY WOULD BE MADE ON JUNE 14 AND 24.
------0--------
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND
MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS » ♦ ♦ * t • $ 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 2,376 + 424 2,800 NIL -1,006 1,794
LAF RATE 2.00 BID/4.00 OFFER TWI 111.6 HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE »+0.0* 2.6.93 FUND
EF BILLS EF NOTES/HONG KONG GOVERNMENT BONDS
TERMS YIELD TERM ISSUE COUPON PRICE YIELD
1 WEEK 2.83 PCT 15 MONTHS 2408 4.375 100.78 3.74
1 MONTH 2.84 PCT 18 MONTHS 2411 4.625 101.08 3.89
3 MONTHS 3.06 PCT 21 MONTHS 2502 4.75 101.16 4.08
6 MONTHS 12 MONTHS 3.29 PCT 24 MONTHS 2505 3.59 PCT 3.75 99.15 4.25
TOTAL TURNOVER OF BILLS AND BONDS - 13,313 MN
CLOSED JUNE 2, 1993 ---------------------------------0 -------
Received by PRO o.-7 JUN 19S3
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
SUPPLEMENT
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 2, 1993
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL:
THIRD UNIVERSITY HELPS SUSTAIN ECONOMIC GROWTH ................... 1
HA CONTINUES TO IMPROVE ESTATE MANAGEMENT SERVICE ................ 3
FS IN MOTION DEBATE .............................................. 4
BILLS INTRODUCED TO MAKE BOC A NOTE-ISSUER ..................... 8
LICENSING SCHEME FOR BEDSPACE APARTMENTS ......................... 8
PROPOSALS TO STREAMLINE EMPLOYMENT LAW .......................... 10
INLAND REVENUE (AMENDMENT) (NO. 4) BILL 93 ...................... 11
BANK CHARGES ARE COMMERCIAL DECISIONS ........................... 12
THAILAND FACTORY FIRE TRAGEDY UNLIKELY TO HAPPEN TN HK .......... 12
POLICY ON PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATE CLINICS UNDER REGULAR RFVTFW 13
HA TO HAVE RESOURCES TO RUN AMBULANCE SERVICE ................... 13
MEASURES TAKEN TO REDUCE AIRPORT PROJECT INDUSTRIAL ACCIDENTS 14
/CHINESE CHILDREN
CHINESE CHILDREN TO BE SETTLED BY STAGES ....................... 15
MORE FUNDS FOR RESEARCH ACTIVITIES ............................. 15
NO COMPLAINTS RECEIVED ON PUBLISHING LIBEL ..................... 16
ABSENCE LIMIT FOR NATURALISATION WAIVABLE ...................... 17
SUSPENDED PARTICLES IN WATER SUPPLY TO LAGUNA CITY EXPLAINED 17
USE OF PFA CONCRETE ENCOURAGED FOR GOVT WORKS .................. 18
POLICE TO MINIMISE CRIME REPORTING TIME ........................ 19
GOVT EXAMINES STUDY ON LNG TERMINAL............................ 20
LANDFILLS INVESTIGATED FOR RESTORATION PLANNING ............... 21
PLOT RATIO RESTRICTION FOR RESIDENTIAL ZONE TN MID-LEVELS ... 22
NO PLAN TO LIFT BORDER CURFEW RESTRICTION ...................... 22
LEGCO DEBATES TWO MOTIONS FOR FOUR HOURS ....................... 23
RULES ON POST-RETIREMENT EMPLOYMENT EXPLAINED .................. 23
TRANSPORT CONCESSIONS FOR DISABLED AND ELDERL.Y ................ 24
COMMITTEE SUPPORTS BEIJING’S OLYMPIC GAMES BID ................. 25
MARKET BEHAVIOUR PROPERLY MONITORED
25
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 2, 1993
1
THIRD UNIVERSITY HELPS SUSTAIN ECONOMIC GROWTH
*****
INVESTING IN THE FUTURE CAN BE AN EXPENSIVE BUSINESS BUT HONG KONG NEEDS INSTITUTIONS LIKE THE UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY IF IT IS TO REMAIN A PROSPEROUS AND DYNAMIC COMMUNITY.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE CHIEF SECRETARY, THE HON SIR DAVID FORD AS HE TABLED BEFORE THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL THE GOVERNMENT MINUTE IN RESPONSE TO A PUBLIC ACCOUNTS COMMITTEE’S REPORT ON THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE UNIVERSITY.
"HONG KONG’S ECONOMY IS UNDERGOING MAJOR STRUCTURAL CHANGES, WITH A CONTINUING SHIFT FROM ASSEMBLY MANUFACTURING TO THE KNOWLEDGE-INTENSIVE INDUSTRIES AND HIGH VALUE-ADDED PRODUCTION.
"BECAUSE OF THE UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY, HONG KONG IS NOW BETTER EQUIPPED TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THESE CHANGES, AND TO SUSTAIN ITS ECONOMIC GROWTH IN THE 1990’S AND BEYOND," HE SAID.
SIR DAVID SAID THE ADMINISTRATION HAD LEARNT SOME LESSONS FROM THE PROJECT AND IT WAS GRATEFUL TO THE PUBLIC ACCOUNTS COMMITTEE.
BUT, HE SAID NOTHING SHOULD DETRACT FROM WHAT HAD BEEN ACHIEVED: A MODERN, HIGH-TECHNOLOGY AND RESEARCH-ORIENTATED UNIVERSITY, COMPLETED THREE YEARS EARLIER THAN ORIGINALLY PLANNED, AND WITHIN A BUDGET APPROVED BY THE FINANCE COMMITTEE.
THE UNIVERSITY IS ALSO STAFFED BY SOME OF THE BEST MINDS IN ASIA, AND WHICH WILL BENEFIT HONG KONG FOR MANY YEARS TO COME.
ACCEPTING THE COMMITTEE’S RECOMMENDATIONS, SIR DAVID SAID: "IN PARTICULAR, WE AGREE THAT THERE IS A NEED TO ENSURE TIGHTER CONTROL OF JOINT PROJECTS UNDERTAKEN BY THE GOVERNMENT AND OUTSIDE ORGANISATIONS."
BUT, IN THE CASE OF THE NEW UNIVERSITY, IT WAS ACCEPTED THAT SOME FLEXIBILITIES IN THE NORMAL SYSTEM OF GOVERNMENT CONTROL WAS NECESSARY IF IT WAS TO BE COMPLETED IN TIME TO ADMIT ITS FIRST STUDENTS IN 1991.
"IT WAS THE CONSCIOUS DECISION OF ALL CONCERNED, INCLUDING THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL, THAT THE PROJECT SHOULD BE ENTRUSTED TO THE JOCKEY CLUB TO ENSURE ITS SPEEDY COMPLETION.
"A MUCH GREATER DEGREE OF CONTROL WOULD HAVE BEEN POSSIBLE IF THE PROJECT HAD BEEN CONSTRUCTED IN THE NORMAL WAY THROUGH THE PUBLIC WORKS PROGRAMME."
BUT IN THAT CASE IT IS UNLIKELY THAT THE PROJECT COULD HAVE BEEN COMPLETED ON TIME, HE SAID.
"THAT WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN IN HONG KONG’S INTERESTS," SIR DAVID SAID.
ON THE CONCERN OVER THE INCREASE IN THE ESTIMATE FOR THE PROJECT, HE SAID THIS WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN AN ISSUE IF THE ORIGINAL ESTIMATE APPROVED BY THE FINANCE COMMITTEE IN MAY 1988 HAD BEEN PREPARED ON THE BASIS OF A DETAILED DESIGN.
/"BUT IT .......
2
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 2, 1993
"BUT IT WAS NOT. RATHER, IT WAS BASED ON A VERY PRELIMINARY DESIGN, WHICH DID NOT TAKE ACCOUNT OF THE PARTICULAR REQUIREMENTS OF A SPECIALIST UNIVERSITY, AND WHICH WAS DRAWN UP WITHOUT THE BENEFIT OF ACADEMIC INPUT."
IT WAS ALWAYS LIKELY THEREFORE THAT IT WOULD BE NECESSARY TO INCREASE THAT ESTIMATE ONCE THE DETAILED DESIGN HAD BEEN COMPLETED, THE CHIEF SECRETARY SAID.
POINTING OUT THAT INFLATION WAS ALSO TO BLAME FOR THE ESTIMATE INCREASE, HE SAID: "IF THE COST OF A PROJECT IS APPROVED AT THE PRICES PREVAILING AT A PARTICULAR DATE, IT WILL NORMALLY HAVE TO BE INCREASED AS A RESULT OF PRICE INCREASES DURING THE CONSTRUCTION PERIOD.
"THERE IS NOTHING UNUSUAL IN THIS; WHAT IS UNUSUAL IS THE HIGH RATE AT WHICH BUILDING COSTS INCREASED DURING THE PLANNING AND CONSTRUCTION OF THE PROJECT.
THE BUILDING SERVICES INDEX ROSE BY 120 PER CENT BETWEEN THE FOURTH QUARTER OF 1987 AND THE SECOND QUARTER OF 1990.
ON JUNE 1, 1990, THE FINANCE COMMITTEE WAS INFORMED THAT THE ESTIMATE OF THE BUILDING COST HAD RISEN BY $1,928 MILLION COMPARED WITH THE ESTIMATE SUBMITTED IN MAY 1988.
OF THIS, $1,208 MILLION WAS DUE TO INCREASES IN BUILDING COSTS. THE REMAINING $720 MILLION WAS DUE TO THE INADEQUACIES OF THE ORIGINAL ESTIMATE.
THE CHIEF SECRETARY SAID THE ADMINISTRATION WAS AWARE FROM THE START OF THE NEED TO SET A COST CEILING FOR THE PROJECT.
BUT ARRIVING AT A FIGURE THAT WAS A FIRM AND RELIABLE ESTIMATE WAS MADE DIFFICULT BY THE FACT THAT THE DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION HAD TO PROCEED IN PARALLEL IN ORDER TO KEEP THE PROJECT ON SCHEDULE, HE SAID.
COST ESTIMATES WERE CONTINUOUSLY CHANGING, AND IT WAS NOT UNTIL SHORTLY BEFORE JUNE 1990 THAT ALL THE PARTIES CONCERNED WERE ABLE TO REACH AGREEMENT ON A MORE REALISTIC PROJECT ESTIMATE, HE SAID.
THE CHIEF SECRETARY SAID A MORE IMPORTANT QUESTION WAS WHETHER THE PUBLIC RECEIVED VALUE FOR MONEY.
THE UNIVERSITY WAS GENERALLY BUILT IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE NORMS AND STANDARDS RECOMMENDED BY THE UNIVERSITY AND POLYTECHNICS GRANTS COMMITTEE.
THESE STANDARDS TOOK ACCOUNT OF THE SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS OF A UNIVERSITY DEVOTED EXCLUSIVELY TO SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY.
THERE WERE ALSO A NUMBER OF NON-STANDARD FACILITIES.
"I AM PLEASED THAT THE PUBLIC ACCOUNTS COMMITTEE HAS ACCEPTED THAT THERE WERE GOOD REASONS FOR THESE FACILITIES," HE SAID.
"ANY ASSESSMENT OF COST-EFFECTIVENESS MUST INCLUDE THE BENEFITS AS WELL AS THE COSTS,” HE SAID.
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/3 ........
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 2, 1993
3
HA CONTINUES TO IMPROVE ESTATE MANAGEMENT SERVICE * * * * »
THE HOUSING AUTHORITY WILL TAKE VIEWS EXPRESSED BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MEMBERS INTO ACCOUNT WHERE THESE ARE CONSTRUCTIVE IN ITS CONTINUING IMPROVEMENT TO ESTATE MANAGEMENT SERVICES.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE SECRETARY FOR PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS, MR TONY EASON, IN A MOTION DEBATE ON THE HOUSING AUTHORITY’S ESTATE MANAGEMENT SERVICE IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MR EASON SAID THE AUTHORITY’S ESTATE MANAGEMENT OBJECTIVE WAS TO PROVIDE GREATER CUSTOMER SATISFACTION BY ANTICIPATING PROBLEMS BEFORE THEY OCCUR, INTRODUCING IMPROVEMENTS WHEREVER POSSIBLE, AND ATTENDING TO COMPLAINTS PROMPTLY.
OVER THE PAST THREE YEARS, THE AUTHORITY’S RENTAL STOCK HAS INCREASED BY 3% TO 640,000 FLATS AND ITS FLATS UNDER THE HOME OWNERSHIP SCHEME AND PRIVATE SECTOR PARTICIPATION SCHEME BY 39% TO 159,000 FLATS.
"CONSIDERABLE RESOURCES HAVE BEEN DEVOTED TO PROVIDING AN ESTATE MANAGEMENT SERVICE TO MATCH THIS GROWTH," MR EASON SAID.
SUCH SERVICE SOUGHT TO BE BOTH PRO-ACTIVE AND RESPONSIVE AND WAS BORNE OUT BY THE IMPROVEMENTS THE AUTHORITY HAD INTRODUCED OVER THE YEARS, HE SAID.
ON MAINTENANCE, MR EASON SAID THE AUTHORITY’S COMPREHENSIVE REPAIR PROGRAMME COVERING 400 BLOCKS IN 53 OLDER ESTATES WAS MAKING GOOD PROGRESS.
OTHER BUILDING SERVICES IMPROVEMENT INCLUDE A LIFT MODERNISATION PROGRAMME, UPGRADING ELECTRICAL INSTALLATIONS IN OLDER BLOCKS AND A REWIRING PROGRAMME TO COPE WITH GREATER USE OF ELECTRICITY.
MR EASON SAID THERE WAS NO INDICATION THAT THE GENERAL LAW AND ORDER SITUATION IN PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES WAS DETERIORATING ALTHOUGH THERE WERE INCIDENTS OF CRIME WHICH WERE RIGHTLY OF CONCERN TO THE LOCAL RESIDENTS AND THE COMMUNITY AT LARGE.
THE HOUSING AUTHORITY IS PREPARED TO ENDORSE THE PROVISION OF ADDITIONAL SECURITY INSTALLATIONS ON A "USER PAYS" PRINCIPLE.
A PILOT SCHEME AND AN INDEPENDENT SURVEY WILL BE CONDUCTED BY THE AUTHORITY TO GAUGE TENANTS’ VIEWS ON POSSIBLE MEASURES AND THEIR WILLINGNESS TO PAY FOR THEM.
"WE EXPECT TO HAVE THE SURVEY RESULTS READY IN ABOUT THREE TO FOUR MONTHS," HE SAID.
MR EASON SAID SUBSTANTIAL IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONTROL OF INDISCRIMINATE PARKING IN ESTATES WERE EXPECTED WHEN A NEW SET OF BYLAWS WAS TO BE INTRODUCED LATER THIS YEAR.
ON HAWKERS AND MARKETS WHICH IS NOT AN AREA EASY TO MANAGE IN EITHER PRIVATE OR PUBLIC PLACES IN HONG KONG, MR EASON SAID THE AUTHORITY HAD ADOPTED A NEW SET OF DESIGN GUIDELINES TO MINIMISE PROBLEMS OF ENCROACHMENT AND TO CREATE A BETTER SHOPPING ENVIRONMENT.
/THE AUTHORITY'S .......
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 2, 1993
4
THE AUTHORITY’S RECENT EXPERIMENT TO PRIVATISE THE MANAGEMENT OF A WHOLE MARKET BY A SINGLE OPERATOR HAD PROVED SUCCESSFUL AND SUITABLE PREMISES WOULD BE MADE AVAILABLE FOR THIS ARRANGEMENT, HE SAID.
MR EASON SAID ALTHOUGH SOME OLDER BUILDINGS RIPE FOR REDEVELOPMENT MIGHT LOOK A LITTLE WORN, THE GENERAL STANDARD OF CLEANLINESS INSIDE THE ESTATE HAD REMAINED BASICALLY SATISFACTORY.
"THIS IS DUE IN NO SMALL MEASURE TO IMPROVED MONITORING OF CONTRACTORS’ PERFORMANCE THROUGH A NEW POINTS SYSTEM, LESS BLATANT LITTERING THROUGH CIVIC EDUCATION AND GENERALLY A GREATER CONCERN FOR THE ENVIRONMENT AMONG RESIDENTS," HE SAID.
MR EASON SAID THE MAINTENANCE OF GOOD CONDITIONS AND SUCCESSFUL MANAGEMENT IN HOUSING ESTATES, WHETHER PUBLIC OR PRIVATE, REQUIRED A LONG-TERM COMMITMENT BY RESIDENTS AND STAFF.
"THIS MEANS PERMANENT VIGILANCE, PARTNERSHIP AND ONGOING VIEWS.
"I AM SURE THAT THE HOUSING AUTHORITY WILL TAKE MEMBERS’ VIEWS INTO ACCOUNT WHERE THESE ARE CONSTRUCTIVE IN ITS CONTINUING EFFORTS TO IMPROVE ITS ESTATE MANAGEMENT SERVICES AND TO UNDERTAKE SYSTEMATIC REVIEWS OF INDIVIDUAL ASPECTS OF ITS RESPONSIBILITIES ON A REGULAR BASIS AS NECESSARY AS IT HAS UP TO NOW."
SIMILARLY, THE NEED FOR CONSULTATION WILL ALSO NO DOUBT BE CONSIDERED, DEPENDING ON THE SUBJECT.
"GIVEN ITS TRACK RECORD OF BEING OPEN AND RECEPTIVE, HOWEVER, I AM SURE IT WILL NOT LIGHTLY DENY THE PUBLIC OF THE OPPORTUNITY TO COMMENT ON MATTERS OF CONCERN," HE SAID.
- - 0
FS IN MOTION DEBATE *****
THE FOLLOWING IS THE SPEECH BY THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON HAMISH MACLEOD, IN THE MOTION DEBATE ON "DISPARITY BETWEEN THE RICH AND THE POOR IN HONG KONG" IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TONIGHT (WEDNESDAY):
MR PRESIDENT,
IT WOULD BE ALL TOO EASY TO GO ALONG WITH MR K K FUNG’S MOTION. MANY WILL INTERPRET IT LOOSELY, AS SAYING WE SHOULD HELP THE POOR BECOME BETTER-OFF; AND WHO WOULD LIKE TO DISAGREE WITH THAT?
/IF THAT
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 2, 1993
5
IF THAT WERE ALL THE MOTION MEANT, I WOULD BE HAPPY TO AGREE WITH IT. WE IN THE ADMINISTRATION YIELD TO NOBODY IN OUR CONCERN FOR THE VULNERABLE, FOR THOSE AT RISK. THE WHOLE HISTORY OF THIS ADMINISTRATION BEARS WITNESS TO OUR CONCERN FOR THE WELL-BEING OF THE ORDINARY CITIZEN OF HONG KONG. AND OUR CONVICTION THAT A CARING GOVERNMENT MUST PROVIDE A SAFETY NET FOR THOSE WHO NEED IT. WE ALL KNOW THAT ESSENTIAL SERVICES SUCH AS EDUCATION, MEDICAL AND HEALTH CARE AND SOCIAL WELFARE ARE AVAILABLE TO ALL, EVEN IF THEY CANNOT AFFORD TO PAY FEES. I BELIEVE THAT THE MEASURES OUTLINED IN THE GOVERNOR’S SPEECH LAST OCTOBER, AND IN MY RECENT BUDGET, PROVIDE AMPLE EVIDENCE THAT WE CONTINUE TO BE COMMITTED TO HELP THE VULNERABLE.
MR FUNG ALSO MENTIONED TAX POLICIES. WE IN THIS ADMINISTRATION ALSO YIELD TO NOBODY IN OUR DETERMINATION TO KEEP TAXES AT A REASONABLE LEVEL, AND TO RELIEVE THEIR PRESSURE ON THE LESS WELL-OFF. THIS IS AGAIN EVIDENT FROM THE MAJOR TAX CONCESSIONS IN THE LAST BUDGET. AND FROM THE FACT THAT ABOUT HALF THE POPULATION PAYS NO SALARIES TAX WHATSOEVER.
BUT MR FUNG GOES FURTHER THAN THIS, AND WHILE I ADMIRE HIS ELOQUENCE AND SINCERITY, THIS IS WHERE WE MUST PART COMPANY. THE THRUST OF HIS ARGUMENT IS THAT IT IS WRONG FOR THERE TO BE A SIGNIFICANT DIFFERENCE IN PEOPLE’S INCOMES - THAT’S WHAT THE WORDS ’’DISPARITY BETWEEN RICH AND POOR” MEAN - AND THAT WE SHOULD USE TAX AND SOCIAL POLICIES TO REDUCE THIS DIFFERENCE. I HAVE TO SAY THAT TO FOLLOW MR FUNG DOWN THIS PATH WOULD BE A MAJOR BREAK WITH THE PHILOSOPHY THAT HAS HITHERTO SERVED HONG KONG SO WELL. AND I BELIEVE IT WOULD BE A WRONG PATH TO FOLLOW. LET ME EXPLAIN WHY.
ONE OF THE GREAT STRENGTHS OF HONG KONG HAS BEEN - AND IS -THAT WE ARE GENERALLY MOTIVATED NOT BY ENVY BUT BY A DESIRE FOR SELFIMPROVEMENT - WHEN WE SEE A SUCCESSFUL MAN, WE SEEK TO EMULATE HIM, NOT TO DRAG HIM DOWN. AND CONTRARY TO WHAT MR FUNG SAYS I BELIEVE YOU ALL KNOW THAT WE HAVE ACHIEVED GREAT SOCIAL MOBILITY IN HONG KONG -THERE ARE GOOD EXAMPLES OF IT INDEED TN THIS CHAMBER.
THAT HEALTHY ATTITUDE THAT I HAVE JUST DESCRIBED HAS BEEN FOSTERED BY CLEAR AND CONSISTENT GOVERNMENT POLICIES, WHICH HAVE THE GENERAL SUPPORT OF THE PUBLIC, RICH AND POOR -
POLICIES TO ENSURE MERIT CAN FIND ITS WAY TO THE TOP, THAT TALENTS CAN BE FULLY DEVELOPED THROUGH SUBSIDIZED EDUCATION;
POLICIES TO PROVIDE INCENTIVE FOR HARD WORK BY A LOW TAX SYSTEM;
POLICIES TO PROVIDE A SAFETY NET FOR THOSE WHO NEED HELP, THROUGH OUR SOCIAL SPENDING ON HOUSING, ON WELFARE, ON HEALTH AND ON HOSPITALS - AND IT IS WORTH RECALLING THAT WE ARE CONTINUALLY UPGRADING OUR EFFORTS HERE. I REFER FOR EXAMPLE TO THE SANDWICH CLASS HOUSING SCHEME, AND TO THE MAJOR IMPROVEMENT IN SOCIAL SECURITY BENEFITS WITH EFFECT FROM 1ST JULY THIS YEAR.
/BUT MR .......
6
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 2, 1993
, BUT MR FUNG BELIEVES WE SHOULD GO MUCH FURTHER. LET ME DEAL
FIRST WITH TAX POLICY. I DO NOT BELIEVE THAT WE SHOULD INCREASE TAXES UNLESS THIS IS NECESSARY FOR REVENUE PURPOSES - AND GENERALLY SPEAKING WE HAVE IN RECENT TIMES BEEN IN THE FORTUNATE POSITION THAT MAJOR INCREASES IN REVENUE THROUGH TAX INCREASES HAVE NOT BEEN NEEDED.
BUT THE LOGIC OF MR FUNG’S POSITION IS THAT REGARDLESS OF OUR REVENUE NEEDS, WE SHOULD RAISE TAXES ON THE BETTER-OFF, SO AS TO REDUCE THEIR NET INCOME. REDUCING TAXES FOR THE LESS WELL-OFF DOESN’T REALLY ARISE, BECAUSE AS I HAVE ALREADY POINTED OUT, ABOUT HALF THE EMPLOYED POPULATION ALREADY PAYS ZERO SALARIES TAX.
BUT WHAT WOULD BE ACHIEVED BY SUCH A POLICY, OTHER THAN MAKING RATIOS OF INCOME DIFFERENTIALS LOOK BETTER? HIGHER TAXES ON THE RICH, OR ON COMPANIES, WOULD ACT AS A DISINCENTIVE TO INVESTMENT, TO EFFORT AND AMBITION, AND TO GROWTH. THE LESS WELL-OFF WOULD NOT BENEFIT -QUITE THE REVERSE; WITH LOWER GROWTH COMES NOT ONLY LOWER REVENUE BUT MORE IMPORTANTLY LOWER EMPLOYMENT AND A SLOWER INCREASE IN OUR STANDARD OF LIVING. SIMILARLY, MR Y- F HUI’S SUGGESTION OF A MINIMUM WAGE WOULD HARM, NOT HELP, THE LOW-PAID WORKERS WHO COULD RISK UNEMPLOYMENT AS A RESULT.
SO LET ME MAKE IT VERY CLEAR. IT HAS NOT BEEN - AND IS NOT -ONE OF THIS ADMINISTRATION’S AIMS TO SEEK TO LEVEL OFF INCOME DIFFERENTIALS. NOR I BELIEVE IS IT AN AIM THE COMMUNITY AT LARGE SUPPORTS.
BUT I WOULD GO FURTHER - I BELIEVE THAT FOCUSSING ON INCOMES, ON MEASURES OF INCOME DIFFERENTIALS LIKE THE GINI COEFFICIENT IS UNHELPFUL AND HAS LED SOME DOWN THE WRONG PATH.
LET ME FOCUS ON THE GINI COEFFICIENT. THERE HAS BEEN MUCH LOOSE TALK IN HONG KONG ABOUT THE GINI COEFFICIENT. I DO NOT THINK THIS CONCEPT IS VERY HELPFUL WHEN IT COMES TO ASSESSING HONG KONG’S । EXPERIENCE OF SUBSTANTIAL REAL GROWTH IN INCOMES FOR ALL, BUT EVEN
, BIGGER REWARDS FOR THE MOST ENTERPRISING AND TALENTED MEMBERS OF OUR
I COMMUNITY.
। THE GINI COEFFICIENT HAS SEVERAL DRAWBACKS. A NUMBER OF MEMBERS
i HAVE POINTED THEM OUT. FIRST, IT IS AN ACADEMIC ABSTRACTION.
| SECONDLY, AS GENERALLY USED BY OUR CRITICS, IT IGNORES THE SUBSTANTIAL
"TRANSFER INCOMES" CURRENTLY PROVIDED FOR A VERY SIGNIFICANT PART OF OUR COMMUNITY. THIRDLY, IT PRESENTS, THEREFORE, A DISTORTED PICTURE
I OF THE REAL LIVING STANDARDS OF THE FAMILIES CONCERNED.
| LET ME BE MORE SPECIFIC. AS EMPLOYED BY OUR CRITICS', THE GINI
| COEFFICIENT IGNORES THE VERY REAL CONTRIBUTION OF BOTH SUBSIDIZED
। PUBLIC HOUSING AND OF SOCIAL SECURITY TO RAISING LIVING STANDARDS. IF
| THESE WERE TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT, THE EXTENT OF INCOME INEQUALITY WOULD BE LESS THAN HAS BEEN ALLEGED.
I*
OTHER FACTORS MAKE SUCH INDICES CRUDE AT BEST. LET ME GIVE A FURTHER EXAMPLE. IN LINE WITH THE STRUCTURAL TRANSFORMATION OF THE HONG KONG ECONOMY, THERE HAS BEEN A DISTINCT UPGRADING OF THE OCCUPATION MIX, WITH FASTER PAY INCREASE FOR JOBS IN THE PROFESSIONAL, MANAGERIAL, SUPERVISORY AND TECHNICAL LEVELS, AS AGAINST JOBS REQUIRING LITTLE SKILLS. THIS IS A BENEFICIAL DEVELOPMENT AND THE INCREASED INCOME DIVERSITY IS PARTLY A CONSEQUENCE OF IT. HENCE, MR FUNG SHOULD NOT BE SURPRISED IF WAGES GO UP AT DIFFERENT RATES IN DIFFERENT SECTORS - IT WOULD BE WORRYING IF THAT IS NOT THE CASE - IT WOULD BE THAT WE WOULD HAVE AN INFLEXIBLE LABOUR MARKET AND ECONOMY.
/IN ANY .......
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 2, 1993
7
IN ANY CASE, HONG KONG HAS LITTLE TO BE ASHAMED OF WHEN IT COMES TO INTERNATIONAL COMPARISONS OF INCOME DISTRIBUTION. ANOTHER MEMBER HAS MENTIONED THE FIGURE FOR HONG KONG IS, FOR EXAMPLE, COMPARABLE WITH SINGAPORE AND THE UNITED KINGDOM. AND OF COURSE, IN THE PAST DECADE, HOUSEHOLD INCOMES IN HONG KONG HAVE REGISTERED MARKED INCREASES EVEN FOR THE LOWER INCOME BRACKETS. THE STANDARD OF LIVING HAS INCREASED ACROSS THE BOARD.
LET ME REPEAT IN THIS CONTEXT THE QUESTION I POSED EARLIER. SUPPOSE I ACCEPTED THE MESSAGE OF THIS MOTION AND LEVIED HIGHER TAXES ON THE MOST ENTERPRISING AND TALENTED MEMBERS OF OUR COMMUNITY, WHAT WOULD BE THE RESULT? WE WOULD DEPRESS THE REWARDS OF GROWTH AND SO TAKE A STEP TOWARDS THE EQUALIZATIONS OF INCOMES AT LOWER LEVELS OF PROSPERITY FOR ALL SECTORS OF THE COMMUNITY. AND EVEN THEN OUR CRITICS WOULD SEE NO IMPROVEMENT BECAUSE THEY REFUSE TO TAKE INTO ACCOUNT THE REDISTRIBUTIVE EFFECTS OF TAXES AND PUBLIC EXPENDITURE -OF THE VERY SOCIAL POLICIES MENTIONED IN THE MOTION. SO THEY WOULD STILL COMPLAIN - AND PERHAPS WOULD CONTINUE TO DO SO UNTIL AN EQUALITY OF MISERY WAS ACHIEVED.
I’D LIKE TO MAKE ONE OTHER, RATHER SENSITIVE POINT. WE HAVE MANY SOCIAL POLICIES DESIGNED PRECISELY TO HELP THE LESS WELL-OFF, THE VULNERABLE. I BELIEVE IT IS IMPORTANT TO ENSURE THAT THOSE POLICIES ARE NOT WEAKENED SO AS TO MAKE THEM LESS SELECTIVE, HENCE PROVIDING LESS ASSISTANCE THAN WOULD OTHERWISE HAVE BEEN AVAILABLE.
LEST THAT IS TOO THEORETICAL, LET ME CITE AS AN EXAMPLE HOUSING POLICY. I BELIEVE MR FUNG WAS ON THE SIDE OF THOSE RESISTING THE DOUBLE RENT POLICY. YET THE RESULT OF SUCH WELL-INTENTIONED CAMPAIGNS IS PRECISELY TO WEAKEN THE EFFECTIVENESS OF OUR HUGE SUBSIDIZED HOUSING PROGRAMME IN HELPING THOSE MOST IN NEED. WE HAVE IN OUR PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES A SITUATION IN WHICH RELATIVELY WELL-OFF FAMILIES CAN CONTINUE TO PAY A HEAVILY SUBSIDIZED RENT. AND CAN EVEN GET PRIORITY OVER POORER PEOPLE IN PRIVATE HOUSING WHEN IT COMES TO APPLYING FOR HOME OWNERSHIP SCHEME FLATS - EVEN IF THOSE RELATIVELY WELL-OFF FAMILIES ALREADY OWN A FLAT (OR FLATS) ELSEWHERE IN HONG KONG. AT THE SAME TIME THAT THE BETTER-OFF ENJOY SUCH PRIVILEGES, ORDINARY FAMILIES HAVE TO WAIT THEIR TURN PATIENTLY OR IMPATIENTLY FOR PUBLIC HOUSING WHILE PAYING HIGH RENT FOR PRIVATE ACCOMMODATION -SOMETIMES TO LANDLORDS IN PUBLIC HOUSING. I WOULD SUGGEST THAT WE NEED TO LOOK AGAIN AT SOME OF OUR SOCIAL POLICIES - NOT AS MR FUNG SUGGESTS TO ALTER INCOME DISTRIBUTION - BUT TO TRY TO ENSURE THOSE WHO BENEFIT ARE THOSE MOST IN NEED, WHICH IS A DIFFERENT POINT.'
TO CONCLUDE, MR PRESIDENT, I BELIEVE WE SHOULD CONTINUE DOWN THE PATH OF GENUINE CONCERN FOR THOSE IN NEED, AND ACTION TO ASSIST THEM; COUPLED WITH A DETERMINATION TO PROVIDE EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES SO THAT THOSE WITH MERIT CAN MAKE THEIR WAY TO THE TOP WHATEVER THEIR FAMILY INCOME. MEMBERS WILL HAVE GATHERED FROM MY REMARKS THAT THE OFFICIAL MEMBERS WILL OPPOSE THE ORIGINAL MOTION, BUT WILL SUPPORT THE AMENDMENT.
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WEDNESDAY, JUNE 2, 1993
8
BILLS INTRODUCED TO MAKE BOC A NOTE-ISSUER *****
TWO BILLS PROPOSING TO ENABLE THE BANK OF CHINA TO BECOME THE THIRD NOTE-ISSUING BANK IN HONG KONG WERE INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
THEY ARE BANK NOTES ISSUE (AMENDMENT) BILL 1993 AND EXCHANGE FUND (AMENDMENT) BILL 1993.
MOVING THE SECOND READINGS OF THE BILLS, THE SECRETARY FOR FINANCIAL SERVICES, MR MICHAEL CARTLAND, SAID THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL HAD APPROVED IN PRINCIPLE ON JANUARY 12 FOR THE BANK TO START ISSUING BANK NOTES FROM MAY NEXT YEAR.
UNDER PRESENT LEGISLATION, HONGKONG AND SHANGHAI BANKING CORPORATION LIMITED AND THE STANDARD CHARTERED BANK ARE THE TWO NOTEISSUING BANKS IN HONG KONG.
IN 1991, THE BANK OF CHINA APPROACHED THE ADMINISTRATION EXPRESSING AN INTEREST IN BECOMING A NOTE-ISSUER.
"AFTER A SERIES OF DISCUSSIONS WITH THE BANK, THE ADMINISTRATION WAS SATISFIED THAT THE BANK OF CHINA WAS PREPARED AND ABLE TO MEET THE TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS OF BECOMING A NOTE-ISSUING BANK," HE SAID.
"MOREOVER THE ADMINISTRATION CONSIDERED THAT HONG KONG COULD ACCOMMODATE AN ADDITIONAL NOTE-ISSUING BANK WITHOUT CAUSING CONFUSION IN THE CURRENCY," MR CARTLAND ADDED.
DEBATES ON THE BILLS WERE ADJOURNED.
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LICENSING SCHEME FOR BEDSPACE APARTMENTS
*****
THE BEDSPACE APARTMENTS BILL WILL PROVIDE FOR A LICENSING SCHEME TO REGULATE THE FIRE AND BUILDING SAFETY OF BEDSPACE APARTMENTS, THE SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS, MR MICHAEL SUEN, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL THIS (WEDNESDAY) AFTERNOON.
MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE BILL, HE SAID THE LICENSING SCHEME FOLLOWED A RECOMMENDATION BY THE CORONER’S COURT IN 1991 AFTER ITS INQUIRY INTO THE DEATHS OF SEVEN PEOPLE IN A SHAM SHUI PO BEDSPACE APARTMENT FIRE IN DECEMBER 1990.
MR SUEN FIRST DEFINED A BEDSPACE APARTMENT AS A FLAT WHICH CONTAINS 12 OR MORE BEDSPACES FOR RENTAL PURPOSES.
HE SAID ONCE THE LICENSING SCHEME WAS IMPLEMENTED, ANY APPLICATION FOR EXEMPTION FOR ANY PERIOD NOT EXCEEDING TWO YEARS WOULD BE GRANTED BY THE RELEVANT AUTHORITY.
HOWEVER, MR SUEN ASSURED COUNCILLORS THAT DURING THOSE FIRST TWO YEARS, ALL EXISTING BEDSPACE APARTMENTS, WHICH SHOULD THEN BE OPERATING UNDER CERTIFICATES OF EXEMPTION, WOULD BE INSPECTED.
/"AFTER THESE .......
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 2, 1993
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’’AFTER THESE INSPECTIONS THE AUTHORITY WILL ADVISE THE OPERATORS ON THE IMPROVEMENT WORKS REQUIRED FOR LICENSING PURPOSES.
’’APPLICANTS FOR LICENCES WILL HAVE TO SATISFY THE AUTHORITY THAT THEIR BEDSPACE APARTMENTS HAVE COMPILED WITH THE SAFETY REQUIREMENTS SPECIFIED IN THE LEGISLATION,” HE SAID.
IN THIS CONNECTION, PRACTICAL GUIDANCE FOR COMPLIANCE WITH SUCH REQUIREMENTS WILL BE PROVIDED IN A CODE OF PRACTICE DEVISED BY THE AUTHORITY AND PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE.
MR SUEN STRESSED THAT A BEDSPACE APARTMENT WOULD BE RE-INSPECTED TO ENSURE THAT THE SAFETY STANDARDS HAD BEEN MAINTAINED BEFORE A LICENCE WAS RENEWED.
MEANWHILE, THE BILL WILL EMPOWER THE AUTHORITY TO DIRECT THAT REMEDIAL WORKS BE CARRIED OUT IN ANY BEDSPACE APARTMENT.
FURTHERMORE, THE DISTRICT COURT WILL ALSO BE EMPOWERED TO ORDER ANY SUCH PREMISES TO BE CLOSED OR TO CEASE TO BE USED AS BEDSPACE APARTMENT, IF THERE IS ANY DANGER OR RISK OF DANGER TO OCCUPIERS.
MR SUEN SAID ANY APPEALS ARISING FROM THE ENFORCEMENT OF THE LEGISLATION WOULD BE DETERMINED BY AN APPEAL BOARD APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNOR.
THE APPEAL BOARD WILL BE CHAIRED BY A PERSON WHO IS QUALIFIED FOR APPOINTMENT AS A DISTRICT JUDGE, HE ADDED.
ON THE IMPLICATIONS OF THE LICENSING REQUIREMENTS, MR SUEN SAID SOME BEDSPACE APARTMENTS WOULD HAVE TO REDUCE THE NUMBER OF BEDSPACES AND IT WAS ESTIMATED THAT ABOUT 400 BEDSPACES WOULD GO.
HOWEVER, HE GAVE HIS ASSURANCE THAT STEPS HAD ALREADY BEEN TAKEN TO MAKE AVAILABLE ALTERNATIVE HOUSING TO THOSE WHO WOULD BE DISPLACED.
’’SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT WILL ASSIST THOSE AFFECTED LODGERS AGED 60 AND ABOVE AS WELL AS THE DISABLED THROUGH COMPASSIONATE REHOUSING, RESIDENTIAL CARE FACILITIES FOR THE ELDERLY OR HOSTELS FOR SINGLE PERSONS.
’’THOSE AFFECTED LODGERS WHO DO NOT FALL WITHIN THE ABOVE CATEGORIES WILL BE ELIGIBLE FOR APPLICATION FOR ADMISSION INTO THE SINGLETON HOSTELS ESTABLISHED BY THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION,” HE SAID.
DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.
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/10........
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 2, 1993
- 10 -
PROPOSALS TO STREAMLINE EMPLOYMENT LAW ******
THE GOVERNMENT HAS PROPOSED TO SIMPLIFY THE MEDICAL CERTIFICATION PROCEDURES FOR EMPLOYEES WHO INTEND TO RESIGN AND CLAIM LONG SERVICE PAYMENT ON GROUNDS OF ILL HEALTH.
AT PRESENT, AN EMPLOYEE MUST BE CERTIFIED BY A MEDICAL PRACTITIONER PRACTISING IN A GOVERNMENT, GOVERNMENT SUBVENTED OR PUBLIC HOSPITAL AS "PERMANENTLY UNFIT" FOR THE TYPE OF WORK HE IS PERFORMING.
EXPERIENCE SHOWS THAT SOME EMPLOYEES HAVE MET WITH DELAY AND DIFFICULTIES IN OBTAINING SUCH MEDICAL CERTIFICATES.
"TO SIMPLIFY THE PRESENT CERTIFICATION PROCEDURES, WE PROPOSE TO ALLOW ANY MEDICAL PRACTITIONER REGISTERED UNDER THE MEDICAL REGISTRATION ORDINANCE TO ISSUE THE CERTIFICATE," SAID MR MICHAEL LEUNG, SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER, WHEN MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE EMPLOYMENT (AMENDMENT) BILL 1993 IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
"WE ALSO PROPOSE THAT IF THE EMPLOYER IS NOT SATISFIED WITH THE MEDICAL ASSESSMENT MADE BY THE EMPLOYEE, HE MAY, AT HIS OWN EXPENSE, APPOINT ANOTHER MEDICAL PRACTITIONER TO REASSESS THE EMPLOYEE’S MEDICAL CONDITIONS.
"SHOULD THE MEDICAL OPINIONS OF THE TWO ASSESSMENTS BE IN CONFLICT, THE CASE MAY BE REFERRED TO THE COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR FOR DETERMINATION," HE ADDED.
ANOTHER PROPOSAL IN THE AMENDMENT BILL RELATES TO THE LAY-OFF PROVISIONS.
CURRENTLY, AN EMPLOYEE IS DEEMED TO BE LAID OFF IF THE TOTAL NUMBER OF DAYS ON WHICH WORK IS NOT PROVIDED FOR HIM EXCEEDS EITHER HALF OF THE TOTAL NUMBER OF NORMAL WORKING DAYS IN ANY PERIOD OF FOUR CONSECUTIVE WEEKS, OR ONE-THIRD OF THE TOTAL NUMBER OF NORMAL WORKING DAYS IN ANY PERIOD OF 26 CONSECUTIVE WEEKS.
"HOWEVER, THERE IS AN AMBIGUITY IN THE EXISTING PROVISION ON WHETHER OR NOT THE DAYS OF LOCK OUT, REST DAYS, STATUTORY HOLIDAYS AND ANNUAL LEAVE DAYS SHOULD COUNT AS WORKING DAYS," THE SECRETARY SAID.
"TO REMOVE THIS AMBIGUITY, WE PROPOSE TO SPECIFY THAT THESE DAYS SHOULD NOT BE RECKONED AS NORMAL WORKING DAYS DURING THE REFERENCE PERIOD," HE ADDED.
A FURTHER PROPOSAL IS TO INTRODUCE AN OPTION FOR AN EMPLOYER TO SPECIFY ANY PERIOD OF 12 CONSECUTIVE MONTHS AS THE COMMON LEAVE YEAR FOR HIS EMPLOYEES.
THE MOVE AIMS TO REDUCE THE GREAT DEAL OF ADMINISTRATIVE WORK IMPOSED ON AN EMPLOYER IN KEEPING TRACK OF ALL HIS EMPLOYEES’ ANNUAL LEAVE SINCE DIFFERENT EMPLOYEES HAVE DIFFERENT STARTING DAYS OF THEIR LEAVE YEAR.
/TO PROVIDE .......
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 2, 1993
11
TO PROVIDE BETTER PROTECTION TO AN EMPLOYEE WHO HAS GIVEN EVIDENCE OR INFORMATION AGAINST HIS EMPLOYER TO THE AUTHORITIES CONCERNED IN CONNECTION WITH THE ENFORCEMENT OF THE EMPLOYMENT ORDINANCE OR BREACHES OF WORK SAFETY REGULATIONS, THE BILL ALSO PROPOSES THAT THE COURT OR MAGISTRATE BE EMPOWERED TO ORDER THE EMPLOYER TO PAY COMPENSATION TO HIS EMPLOYEE SHOULD HE BE CONVICTED.
THE COMPENSATION SHOULD BE IN ADDITION TO ANY FINE IMPOSED BY THE COURT OR THE MAGISTRATE.
THE LAST AMENDMENT PROPOSED IN THE BILL IS TO EXPAND THE DEFINITION OF ’’COMMISSIONER” TO INCLUDE THE DEPUTY AND ASSISTANT COMMISSIONERS FOR LABOUR SO AS TO ENABLE THEM TO EXERCISE THE POWERS OF THE COMMISSIONER UNDER THE EMPLOYMENT ORDINANCE.
DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.
- - 0 - -
INLAND REVENUE (AMENDMENT) (NO. 4) BILL 93
* * ♦ * ♦
A BILL PROPOSING AMENDMENTS TO THE INLAND REVENUE ORDINANCE TO TIE IN WITH THE PRUDENTIAL REGULATION OF PRIVATE SECTOR RETIREMENT SCHEMES IN HONG KONG WAS INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE INLAND REVENUE (AMENDMENT) (NO. 4) BILL 1993, THE ACTING SECRETARY FOR THE TREASURY, MR KWONG KI-CHI, EXPLAINED THAT THE COMMISSIONER OF INLAND REVENUE’S ROLE AS THE APPROVING AUTHORITY FOR RETIREMENT SCHEMES WOULD, IN FUTURE, BE TAKEN OVER BY THE COMMISSIONER OF INSURANCE.
THE AMENDMENTS ALSO ENSURE THAT RECOGNISED OCCUPATIONAL RETIREMENT SCHEMES WILL CONTINUE TO ENJOY THE TAX BENEFITS AND EXEMPTIONS TO WHICH THEY ARE CURRENTLY ENTITLED, HE SAID.
THE BILL ALSO PROVIDES FOR APPROPRIATE TRANSITIONAL ARRANGEMENTS.
MR KWONG SAID THE OPPORTUNITY HAD BEEN TAKEN TO INTRODUCE CERTAIN MINOR ANTI-AVOIDANCE PROVISIONS IN RELATION TO RETIREMENT SCHEMES AND TO EMPOWER THE COMMISSIONER OF INLAND REVENUE TO ISSUE NOTICES OF ASSESSMENT BY ORDINARY (AS OPPOSED TO REGISTERED) POST.
IN DECEMBER 1992, THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ENACTED THE OCCUPATIONAL RETIREMENT SCHEMES ORDINANCE.
DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.
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/12
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BANK CHARGES ARE COMMERCIAL DECISIONS *****
THE SECRETARY FOR FINANCIAL SERVICES, MR MICHAEL CARTLAND, SAID BANKS IN HONG KONG WERE FREE TO SET THEIR OWN SCALE OF CHARGES TO MEET THEIR OWN REQUIREMENTS.
’’THE ADMINISTRATION CONSIDERS IT SHOULD, WHEREVER POSSIBLE, AVOID INTERFERENCE WITH COMMERCIAL DECISIONS WHICH GENERALLY ARE BEST LEFT TO THE MARKET," HE SAID.
REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY THE HON MAN SAI-CHEONG IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY), MR CARTLAND SAID CHARGES FOR SERVICES RENDERED WERE COMMERCIAL DECISIONS.
"CONSUMERS ARE EQUALLY FREE TO CHOOSE THEIR OWN BANKS," HE SAID.
"CONSUMER RIGHTS ARE A MATTER BEST LEFT TO THE CONSUMER COUNCIL TO PURSUE," HE ADDED.
MR CARTLAND SAID THE ADMINISTRATION WAS AWARE OF CONSUMER CONCERNS ABOUT THE PRACTICE OF SOME BANKS IMPOSING HANDLING CHARGES IN CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES ON CASH DEPOSITS EXCEEDING SPECIFIED AMOUNTS.
IT IS ALSO AWARE THAT THE SUBJECT HAS BEEN DISCUSSED BETWEEN THE CONSUMER COUNCIL AND THE HONG KONG ASSOCIATION OF BANKS, HE SAID.
THE REASON FOR THE CHARGES IS TO RECOVER THE ADMINISTRATIVE COSTS INVOLVED IN HANDLING LARGE AMOUNTS OF BANK NOTES, WHICH MAY INVOLVE NO CORRESPONDING GENERATION OF INCOME.
IN PRACTICE, HOWEVER, IT APPEARS THAT TYPICALLY ONLY A VERY SMALL PROPORTION OF TOTAL CASH DEPOSITS ATTRACT ANY CHARGES.
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THA1LAND FACTORY FIRE TRAGEDY UNLIKELY TO HAPPEN IN HK *****
IT IS HIGHLY UNLIKELY THAT A SIMILAR SITUATION LIKE THE RECENT TOY FACTORY FIRE IN BANGKOK COULD ARISE IN HONG KONG, GIVEN THE SAFETY REQUIREMENTS FOR INDUSTRIAL BUILDINGS, AND ENFORCEMENT OF SAFETY STANDARDS THROUGH REGULAR INSPECTIONS HERE.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, MR ALISTAIR ASPREY, WHEN REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY THE HON CHEUNG MAN-KWONG IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MR ASPREY SAID THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT HAD ALREADY TAKEN ACTION TO INSPECT FACTORIES, CONCENTRATING ON FIRE EXITS, PASSAGEWAYS AND FIRE SAFETY INSTALLATIONS.
THE FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT IS CONTINUING ITS INSPECTIONS IN INDUSTRIAL BUILDINGS TO ENSURE THAT COMMON CORRIDORS AND EXITS ARE NOT BLOCKED, AND TO REMIND FACTORY OWNERS TO OBSERVE THE NECESSARY PRECAUTIONS IN THE USE OF INFLAMMABLE SUBSTANCES.
/HE SAID .......
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 2, 1993
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HE SAID THE THAI AUTHORITIES WERE STILL CONDUCTING THEIR INVESTIGATION INTO THIS INCIDENT.
"THE FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT HAS REQUESTED A COPY OF THEIR INVESTIGATION FINDINGS ONCE COMPLETED," MR ASPREY SAID.
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POLICY ON PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATE CLINICS UNDER REGULAR REVIEW *****
THE HOUSING AUTHORITY KEEPS THE POLICY ON THE PROVISION LETTING, CONTROL AND REPROVISIONING OF MEDICAL CLINICS IN PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES UNDER REGULAR REVIEW, THE SECRETARY FOR PLANNING ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS, MR TONY EASON, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY DR THE HON CONRAD LAM IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, MR EASON SAID THE MOST RECENT REVIEW WAS CONDUCTED IN LATE 1992. nnviisw was
AS A RESULT, ON THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE ICAC, THE AUTHORITY DECIDED TO CONTINUE TO ALLOCATE NEW AND VACANT PREMISES BY BALLOTING JHROUGH THE ESTATE DOCTORS ASSOCIATION, SUBJECT TO IMPROVEMENTS TO THE BALLOTING SYSTEM AND STRICTER TENANCY CONTROL OVER THE OPERATION OF THE CLINICS," MR EASON SAID.
THE INSTITUTION OF THESE IMPROVEMENTS SEEMED TO HAVE ATTRACTED VERY LITTLE FEEDBACK SO FAR, MR EASON ADDED.
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HA TO HAVE RESOURCES TO RUN AMBULANCE SERVICE
*****
SUFFICIENT RESOURCES WILL BE MADE AVAILABLE TO THE HOSPITAL A’THORITY (HA) TO ENABLE 1'1’ TO TAKE UP THE NON-EMERGENCY AMBULANCE SERVICE IN STAGES FROM THE FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT (FSD).
THIS WAS STATED BY THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, MR ALISTAIR ASPREY, WHEN REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY DR THE HON LEONG CHE-HUNG IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MR ASPREY SAID THE NEW ARRANGEMENT WOULD EVENTUALLY RESULT IN SOME COST SAVINGS AS THIS SERVICE DID NOT REQUIRE THE HIGHLY TRAINED STAFF, THE SPECIALISED VEHICLES AND THE SOPHISTICATED EQUIPMENT CURRENTLY PROVIDED BY THE FSD.
"IT IS PROPOSED TO USE PART OF THESE SAVINGS TO EXPAND THE PARAMEDICAL SERVICES OF THE FSD TO UPGRADE THE STANDARD OF ON-THE-SPOT CARE PROVIDED FOR PATIENTS IN EMERGENCIES.
THE SECRETARY SAID THE HA WOULD MAKE ITS OWN ARRANGEMENT TO RECEIVE, AND TO RESPOND TO, NON-EMERGENCY CALLS FROM ITS PATIENTS.
THE FSD’S COMMUNICATION AND CONTROL CENTRE WILL MAINTAIN ITS COMMAND AND CONTROL OF AMBULANCES FOR EMERGENCY CALLS AND THE REMAINING 10 PER CENT OF NON-EMERGENCY CALLS.
/HA'S PATIENTS .......
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 2, 1993
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HA’S PATIENTS ARE THE MAIN USERS OF NON-EMERGENCY AMBULANCE SERVICE PROVIDED BY THE FSD. THEY CONSTITUTE ABOUT 90 PER CENT OF SUCH CALLS.
THE GOVERNMENT HAS EARLIER DECIDED THAT THE FSD WOULD GRADUALLY WITHDRAW FROM THE PROVISION OF SUCH SERVICE TO ENABLE THE DEPARTMENT TO MAKE BETTER USE OF ITS RESOURCES AND TO FOCUS ON ITS PRIMARY ROLE AS THE PROVIDER OF EMERGENCY SERVICES.
UNDER THE PROPOSED ARRANGEMENT, THE HA HAS AGREED TO CONTRACT OUT THIS SERVICE FOR ITS PATIENTS IN STAGES, STARTING WITH HONG KONG ISLAND ON OCTOBER 1 THIS YEAR, KOWLOON ON JANUARY 1 NEXT YEAR AND FINALLY THE NEW TERRITORIES ON APRIL 1, 1995.
MEASURES TAKEN TO REDUCE AIRPORT PROJECT INDUSTRIAL ACCIDENTS
THE GOVERNMENT HAS TAKEN A SERIES OF MEASURES TO REDUCE THE HAZARDS OF INDUSTRIAL ACCIDENTS IN CONNECTION WITH THE AIRPORT CORE PROGRAMME (ACP) PROJECTS, THE SECRETARY FOR WORKS, MR JAMES BLAKE, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY DR THE HON TANG SIU-TONG IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, MR BLAKE SAID THE WORKS BRANCH WITH THE ASSISTANCE OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT ISSUED AN ACP CONSTRUCTION SAFETY MANUAL IN 1992.
THE MANUAL, STATING IN DETAIL REQUIREMENTS WHICH WOULD ENSURE THE BEST SAFETY PRACTICES FOR ACP, WAS DISTRIBUTED TO ALL PARTIES INVOLVED IN ACP PROJECTS INCLUDING WORKS DEPARTMENTS, CONSULTING ENGINEERS, CONTRACTORS AND WORKER UNIONS.
AN ACP CONSTRUCTION SAFETY STEERING COMMITTEE CHAIRED BY THE SECRETARY FOR WORKS WAS ESTABLISHED TO PROVIDE POLICY GUIDANCE AND TO ADDRESS ACP-WIDE CONSTRUCTION SAFETY ISSUES.
WHILE A SITE SAFETY MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE AND A SITE SAFETY COMMITTEE ARE FORMED FOR EACH ACP SITE, A SAFETY MANAGEMENT UNIT HAS BEEN ESTABLISHED IN THE WORKS BRANCH TO VISIT AND REGULARLY AUDIT ACP SITES AND THEIR SAFETY STANDARDS.
MR BLAKE SAID OTHER MEASURES INCLUDED CONSIDERING CONTRACTORS’ PAST PERFORMANCE AND COMMITMENT TO CONSTRUCTION SAFETY AT PREQUALIFICATION AND TENDERING STAGES, INCLUDING SAFETY REQUIREMENTS INTO ACP CONTRACTS, ORGANISING SAFETY TRAINING COURSES, BUILDING UP A CONSTRUCTION ACCIDENT DATABASE AND CREATING A SPECIAL SAFETY TEAM UNDER THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT.
MR BLAKE SAID UP TO APRIL 30, 1993, THERE WERE 501 INDUSTRIAL ACCIDENTS ON ACP PROJECTS IN WHICH THREE WORKERS WERE KILLED AND 499 WERE INJURED.
/THE OVERALL
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 2, 1993
15
THE OVERALL INDUSTRIAL ACCIDENT RATE AND FATAL ACCIDENT RATE FOR ACP PROJECTS ARE 90 PER 1,000 WORKERS PER YEAR AND 0.54 PER 1,000 WORKERS PER YEAR RESPECTIVELY.
THE CORRESPONDING RATES FOR OTHER CURRENT PUBLIC WORKS CONTRACTS UP TO THE END OF 1992 ARE ROUGHLY 99 AND 0.71.
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CHINESE CHILDREN TO BE SETTLED BY STAGES
t * * ♦ *
THE GOVERNMENT HAS BEEN CONSIDERING A NUMBER OF OPTIONS TO ALLOW CHILDREN BORN TO HONG KONG RESIDENTS AND LIVING IN CHINA TO SETTLE IN HONG KONG BY STAGES BEFORE 1997, THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, MR ALISTAIR ASPREY, SAID.
THE AIM IS TO AVOID A SUDDEN INFLUX IN 1997, HE TOLD LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLORS WHEN REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY THE HON LAU CHIN-SHEK.
"IN SO DOING, WE HAVE ALSO BEEN TAKING INTO ACCOUNT THE IMPACT OF ANY ADDITIONAL IMMIGRATION INTO HONG KONG FROM CHINA ON PUBLIC SERVICES, PARTICULARLY EDUCATION, HEALTH AND OTHER SOCIAL SERVICES," MR ASPREY SAID.
THE PRESENT SYSTEM OF ENTRY FROM CHINA ON ONE-WAY PERMITS IS OPERATED BY THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT.
"I EXPECT THAT WE WILL BE DISCUSSING WITH THEM SHORTLY THE POSSIBILITY OF INCREASING THE ONE-WAY PERMIT QUOTA TO HELP TO SPREAD THE ARRIVAL OF THESE CHILDREN WHO WILL ACQUIRE THE RIGHT OF ABODE IN 1997," HE SAID.
THE GOVERNMENT ESTIMATES THAT ABOUT 75,000 CHILDREN IN CHINA WILL BECOME HONG KONG PERMANENT RESIDENTS IN 1997.
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MORE FUNDS FOR RESEARCH ACTIVITIES * * * *
THE LEVEL OF FUNDING FOR EARMARKED RESEARCH GRANTS TO THE SEVEN TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS FUNDED BY THE UNIVERSITY AND POLYTECHNIC GRANTS COMMITTEE, AS APPROVED BY THE FINANCE COMMITTEE, RANGES FROM $122 MILLION FOR THE 1992/93 ACADEMIC YEAR TO $156 MILLION FOR 1993/94 AND $144 MILLION FOR 1994/95.
HOWEVER, AS ANNOUNCED BY THE GOVERNOR IN HIS POLICY ADDRESS LAST OCTOBER, FUNDS PROVIDED FOR 1993/94 AND 1994/95 WOULD BE INCREASED BY OVER 20 PER CENT IN REAL TERMS, WITH A SUM OF $180 MILLION TO BE PROVIDED IN 1994/95.
’’APPROVAL FOR THE PROPOSED INCREASE TO THE LEVEL OF FUNDING FOR 1994/95 WILL BE SOUGHT IN THE CONTEXT OF THE DRAFT ESTIMATES FOR THAT YEAR," SAID THE SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER, MR MICHAEL LEUNG, IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON CHEUNG MAN-KWONG IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
/MR LEUNG .......
16
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 2, 1993
MR LEUNG NOTED THAT OF THE $122 MILLION GRANTED TO THE INSTITUTIONS IN 1992/93, $33.1 MILLION WERE GIVEN TO THE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG, $30.6 MILLION TO THE CHINESE UNIVERSITY, $17.9 MILLION TO THE HONG KONG UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY, $15.2 MILLION TO THE HONG KONG POLYTECHNIC, $14.4 MILLION TO THE CITY POLYTECHNIC, $8.9 MILLION TO THE BAPTIST COLLEGE, AND $1.9 MILLION TO THE LINGNAN COLLEGE.
THE ALLOCATION OF THE EARMARKED RESEARCH GRANTS FOR 1993/94 WILL BE DECIDED BY THE RESEARCH GRANTS COUNCIL (RGC) THIS MONTH AND THAT FOR 1994/95 IN JUNE 1994.
MR LEUNG ALSO TOLD THE COUNCIL THAT THE INSTITUTIONS WERE ENCOURAGED TO SPEND AT LEAST TWO PER CENT OF THEIR BLOCK GRANTS FOR THE PROVISION OF THE NECESSARY RESEARCH INFRASTRUCTURE.
THE AMOUNTS EARMARKED BY THE SEVEN INSTITUTIONS IN THIS RESPECT TOTAL $105 MILLION FOR 1992/93 AND $108.7 MILLION FOR 1993/94 AND 1994/95 RESPECTIVELY.
FUNDS FOR THE EARMARKED RESEARCH GRANTS ARE DISBURSED BY THE RGC, WHICH WAS ESTABLISHED IN JANUARY 1991.
IT INVITES AND RECEIVES APPLICATIONS FOR RESEARCH GRANTS, APPROVES AWARDS AND OTHER DISBURSEMENTS AND SUBSEQUENTLY MONITORS THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE GRANTS.
"THE GRANTS ARE MAINLY AWARDED ON THE BASIS OF COMPETITIVE BIDDING THROUGH A PROCESS OF PEER REVIEW," MR LEUNG SAID.
"APPLICATIONS ARE ASSESSED BY THE RGC THROUGH ITS THREE SUBJECT PANELS WITH THE ASSISTANCE OF AN INTERNATIONAL NETWORK OF ACADEMIC EXPERT REFEREES," HE ADDED.
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NO COMPLAINTS RECEIVED ON PUBLISHING LIBEL * ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
I HE ATTORNEY GENERAL’S CHAMBERS HAD RECEIVED NO COMPLAINTS IN RESPECT OF, NOR HAD INSTITUTED ANY PROSECUTIONS FOR, AN OFFENCE OR OFFENCES AGAINST SECTIONS 5 OR 6 OF THE DEFAMATION ORDINANCE (CAP 21) IN THE PAST THREE YEARS.
IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO QUESTION BY THE HON CH1M PUI-CHUNG IN I HE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY), THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, THE HON JEREMY MA I HEWS, EXPLAINED THAT IT WAS NOT POSSIBLE TO INSTITUTE CRIMINAL PROCEEDINGS IN ORDER TO PROTECT HUMAN RIGHTS UNLESS A CRIMINAL OFFENCE KNOWN TO THE LAW HAD BEEN COMMITTED.
SHOULD A COMPLAINT BE MADE IN RESPECT OF SUCH AN OFFENCE IT WILL BE CONSIDERED ON THE BASIS OF THE NORMAL CRITERIA, THAT IS, WHETHER THE EVIDENCE IS SUFFICIENT TO SUPPORT THE CRIMINAL OFFENCE AND WHETHER THE MERITS OF THE CASE ARE SUCH A.S TO JUSTIFY A PROSECUTION ” HE ADDED. ’
SECTIONS 5 AND 6 OF THE DEFAMATION ORDINANCE STATE THE PENALTY RELATING TO PUBLISHING LIBEL KNOWN TO BE FALSE AND PUBLISHING DEFAMATORY LIBEL.
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WEDNESDAY, JUNE 2, 1993
17
ABSENCE LIMIT FOR NATURALISATION WAIVABLE
*****
THE 450 DAYS ABSENCE LIMIT FOR THOSE WHO WISH TO BECOME A BRITISH DEPENDENT TERRITORIES CITIZEN BY NATURALISATION IS WAIVABLE IF THERE ARE SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, MR ALISTAIR ASPREY IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON EMILY LAU WAI-HING IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
"THE DIRECTOR OF IMMIGRATION IS AUTHORISED TO EXERCISE THIS FUNCTION," HE SAID.
IN THE PAST THREE YEARS, 628 REQUESTS TO WAIVE THE RESIDENCE REQUIREMENT WERE RECEIVED. OVER 99 PER CENT OF THEM WERE GRANTED.
AN APPLICANT WHO HAS BEEN AWAY FROM HONG KONG FOR MORE THAN 450 DAYS IN THE PREVIOUS FIVE YEARS, OR FOR MORE THAN 90 DAYS IN THE 12 MONTHS PRECEDING THE APPLICATION, MIGHT MAKE A WRITTEN REQUEST TO THE DIRECTOR OF IMMIGRATION FOR THE REQUIREMENT TO BE WAIVED, STATING THE SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES OF HIS CASE, THE SECRETARY EXPLAINED.
INFORMATION ON THE WAY TO MAKE THIS REQUEST IS PROVIDED IN THE NATURALISATION APPLICATION GUIDE BOOK, WHICH IS DISTRIBUTED TOGETHER WITH THE APPLICATION FORM TO APPLICANTS, HE ADDED.
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SUSPENDED PARTICLES IN WATER SUPPLY TO LAGUNA CITY EXPLAINED
*****
INVESTIGATIONS BY THE WATER SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT HAVE CONFIRMED THAT SUSPENDED PARTICLES FOUND IN FRESH WATER SUPPLY AT LAGUNA CITY IS DUE TO SOME IRREGULARITIES IN THE COMMUNAL WATER SUPPLY SERVICES WITHIN THE ESTATE.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE SECRETARY FOR WORKS, MR JAMES BLAKE, IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON FREI) LI IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MR BLAKE SAID THE CHEMICAL COMPOSITION OF THESE TINY PARTICLES COULD NOT BE IDENTIFIED CLEARLY BECAUSE OF THE MINUTE QUANTITY.
"HOWEVER, IT IS CONSIDERED THAT THEIR PRESENCE IN SUCH MINUTE QUANTITY SHOULD NOT AFFECT THE OVERALL ACCEPTABILITY OF THE SUPPLIED WATER FOR POTABLE PURPOSES," HE SAID.
THE INVESTIGATION ALSO REVEALED THAT THE INLET AND OVERFLOW PIPES INSIDE THE ROOF TANKS HAD CORRODED SERIOUSLY, WHICH MIGHT BE THE SOURCE FOR THE TINY PARTICLES AS DISCOVERED IN THE WATER SAMPLES.
THE LAGUNA CITY MANAGEMENT OFFICE AND THE REGISTERED AGENT RESPONSIBLE FOR MAINTAINING THE COMMUNAL SERVICES HAD BEEN INFORMED OF THE FINDINGS.
/THEY HAD .......
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 2, 1993
18
THEY HAD BEEN ADVISED TO CARRY OUT A MORE DETAILED INVESTIGATION TO REPLACE THE CORRODED PIPES. REPLACEMENT WORK FOR THE CORRODED PIPES IS NEARING COMPLETION.
UNDER THE WATERWORKS ORDINANCE, THE REGISTERED AGENT UNDERTAKES TO ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE CUSTODY AND MAINTENANCE OF THE COMMUNAL SERVICES.
THE WATER AUTHORITY CAN SERVE NOTICE TO THE REGISTERED AGENT REQUIRING REPAIRS OR OTHER WORKS TO BE CARRIED OUT IN VIEW OF THE POOR CONDITIONS OF THESE COMMUNAL SERVICES.
IF THE REGISTERED AGENT FAILS TO CARRY OUT THE REQUIRED WORK, THE WATER AUTHORITY MAY DISCONNECT THE SUPPLY TO THE PREMISES CONCERNED. jq
THIS WAS INADVISABLE SINCE IT WOULD CAUSE MAJOR DISTURBANCE TO THE LIVELIHOOD OF A LARGE POPULATION, MR BLAKE SAID.
TO ENSURE THAT THE REGISTERED AGENT WOULD PERFORM HIS DUTIES AND RESOLVE THIS TYPE OF PROBLEMS, THE OWNERS AND TENANTS CONCERNED SHOULD TAKE AN ACTIVE PART IN DIRECTING AND MONITORING ITS WORK, MR BLAKE SAID, ADDING THAT NO ADDITIONAL LEGISLATIVE CONTROL WAS CONSIDERED NECESSARY AT THIS STAGE.
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USE OF PFA CONCRETE ENCOURAGED FOR GOVT WORKS ♦ ♦ » * ♦
THE WORKS BRANCH TOGETHER WITH THE CIVIL ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT HAVE BEEN ACTIVELY ENCOURAGING THE USE OF PULVERISED FUEL ASH (PFA) CONCRETE FOR GOVERNMENT WORKS AND SEEKING WAYS TO PROMOTE SUITABLE USAGE BY THE PRIVATE SECTOR.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE SECRETARY FOR WORKS, MR JAMES BLAKE, IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY DR THE HON SAMUEL WONG IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MR BLAKE NOTED THAT THE USE OF PFA IN CONSTRUCTION WORKS WAS INCREASING AND RECENT EXAMPLES INCLUDED THE EASTERN HARBOUR CROSSING, THE ROUTE 5 TUNNEL AND THE HONG KONG CULTURAL CENTRE IN TSIM SHA TSUI.
MR BLAKE SAID THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT HAD INCLUDED PFA CONCRETE IN THEIR SPECIFICATION FOR SUB-STRUCTURAL WORKS.
TESTING THE PERFORMANCE OF HONG KONG PFA CONCRETE IS YIELDING RESULTS WHICH SHOW THAT THE IMPORTANT CHARACTERISTICS ARE THE SAME AS HAVE BEEN FOUND TESTING PFA CONCRETE OVERSEAS.
MR BLAKE SAID SOME 37 PER CENT OF THE PFA GENERATED BY CHINA LIGHT AND POWER COMPANY IN 1992 WAS PUMPED INTO THE TSANG TSUI LAGOON.
/ANOTHER 18 .......
19
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 2, 1993
ANOTHER 18 PER CENT WAS TRANSPORTED TO PRC FOR USE AS FILL WHILE THE REMAINING 45 PER CENT WAS USED IN CONCRETE WORKS OR RECYCLING APPLICATIONS.
AS REGARDS HONG KONG ELECTRIC COMPANY, MR BLAKE SAID FIVE PER CENT OF THE PFA GENERATED IN 1992 WAS USED IN CONCRETE WORKS. THE REMAINING 95 PER CENT WAS TRANSPORTED TO PRC FOR USE AS FILL.
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POLICE TO MINIMISE CRIME REPORTING TIME ft ft ft ft
THE POLICE REGULARLY REVIEW THE PROCEDURES EOR REPORTING CRIME AND FOR TAKING STATEMENTS TO SAVE TIME.
BUT IN VIEW OF THE WIDELY DIFFERING NATURE AND CIRCUMSTANCES OF CRIME CASES, IT WOULD BE UNREALISTIC TO SET A PERFORMANCE PLEDGE IN RESPECT OF THE TIME REQUIRED FOR THESE TWO AREAS OF WORK.
THESE REMARKS WERE MADE BY THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, MR ALISTAIR ASPREY, IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON LEE WING-TAT, IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MR ASPREY SAID THE POLICE DID NOT KEEP RECORDS OF HOW LONG A PERSON HAD TO WAIT BEFORE BEING ABLE TO REPORT A CRIME OR HOW LONG IT TOOK FOR HIM TO GIVE A STATEMENT.
IN THE FORMER CASE, IT DEPENDS ON THE NUMBER OF PERSONS MAKING REPORTS AT THE TIME.
IN THE LATTER, IT DEPENDS ON THE NATURE OF THE CRIME, THE CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE CASE AND HOW MUCH INFORMATION THE PERSON REPORTING THE CRIME IS SUPPLYING TO THE POLICE.
SINCE AUGUST LAST YEAR, A SIMPLE PROFORMA HAS BEEN INTRODUCED FOR REPORTING NON-SERIOUS CASES OF ROBBERY, BURGLARY, THEFT, ASSAULT AND CRIMINAL DAMAGE; BURGLARY CASES, INVOLVING PROPERTY BELOW THE VALUE OF HK$20,000, ARB HANDLED BY THIS PROFORMA.
THE POLICE HAVE ALSO INTRODUCED SPECIAL PROFORMA DESIGNED FOR REPORTING CASES OF TAKING A VEHICLE WITHOUT AUTHORITY AND SHOPLIFTING, HE SAID.
HOWEVER, MR ASPREY SAID THE POLICE DID HAVE A PERFORMANCE PLEDGE IN RELATION TO THE RESPONSE TIME FOR CASES REPORTED VIA "999".
HE ASSURED THE LEGCO THAT IT WAS NINE MINUTES OR LESS IN THE URBAN AREA AND 14 MINUTES OR LESS IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.
"REPORTS OF BURGLARY ARE NORMALLY MADE FROM THE SCENE BY TELEPHONE.
"IN THE MAJORITY OF CASES, THE POLICE WILL ARRIVE AT THE SCENE TO COMMENCE ENQUIRIES WITHIN 15 MINUTES," HE SAID.
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20
GOVT EXAMINES STUDY ON LNG TERMINAL
* ♦ ♦ ♦ »
THE ADMINISTRATION IS EXAMINING FINDINGS OF A STUDY OF THE CONSTRUCTION OF A TERMINAL FOR THE IMPORTATION OF LIQUEFIED NATURAL GAS (LNG).
THIS WAS STATED BY THE SECRETARY FOR ECONOMIC SERVICES, MR CORDON SIU, IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON STEVEN POON KWOK-LIM IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
THE STUDY, COMMISSIONED RECENTLY BY A GROUP OF COMPANIES IN THE ENERGY FIELD, HAS INDICATED THAT THE CONSTRUCTION OF SUCH A TERMINAL IS TECHNICALLY FEASIBLE. A NUMBER OF POSSIBLE SITES FOR THE TERMINAL HAVE ALSO BEEN IDENTIFIED.
MR SIU SAID THERE HAD BEEN NO OVERALL STUDY CONDUCTED INTO THE USE OF LNG IN HONG KONG.
BUT THE GOVERNMENT COMMISSIONED CONSULTANTS IN 1990 TO ADVISE ON THE IMPLICATIONS OF USING LNG INSTEAD OF COAL TO FUEL THE PLANNED BLACK POINT POWER STATION.
THIS STUDY INDICATED THAT THE USE OF LNG WOULD BRING CERTAIN ENVIRONMENTAL BENEFITS IN TERMS OF LOWER EMISSIONS OF AIR POLLUTANTS AND PRODUCTION OF OTHER WASTE PRODUCTS, BUT THAT CONSUMERS WOULD FACE HIGHER TARIFFS IN THE LONG TERM THAN IF COAL WERE USED.
"IN THE EVENT, THE OPTION OF USING LNG WAS NOT PURSUED BECAUSE THE DEVELOPERS OF THE STATION: THE CHINA LIGHT AND POWER COMPANY AND EXXON ENERGY WERE ABLE TO PURCHASE A SUPPLY OF PIPED NATURAL GAS FROM A FIELD IN THE SOUTH CHINA SEA OFF HAINAN ISLAND," THE SECRETARY SAID.
BEFORE ENTERING INTO THE PURCHASE AGREEMENT, THE COMPANIES WERE REQUIRED TO SATISFY THE GOVERNMENT THAT THERE WOULD BE ADEQUATE SECURITY OF SUPPLY AND THAT CONSUMERS WOULD NOT BE FACED WITH HIGHER TARIFFS THAN WOULD BE THE CASE UNDER ALTERNATIVE FUEL OPTIONS.
NO OTHER SPECIFIC PROPOSALS FOR THE IMPORTATION OF NATURAL GAS, EITHER IN PIPED OR LIQUEFIED FORM, HAVE BEEN RECEIVED BY THE GOVERNMENT.
MR SIU SAID THE GOVERNMENT WOULD CONSIDER ALL PROPOSALS POSITIVELY, ON A CASE BY CASE BASIS, IN THE LIGHT OF THE RELEVANT ECONOMIC, ENVIRONMENTAL AND SECURITY OF SUPPLY IMPLICATIONS.
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21
LANDFILLS INVESTIGATED FOR RESTORATION PLANNING ♦ **»»*
THE NINE COMPLETED AND FOUR OPERATING LANDFILLS IN THE TERRITORY HAVE ALL BEEN INVESTIGATED TO PROVIDE THE DATA NEEDED FOR PLANNING THEIR PROPER RESTORATION, WHICH WILL ALLOW THE LAND TO BE PUT TO USE AGAIN.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE SECRETARY FOR PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS, MR TONY EASON, IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON FUNG CHI-WOOD IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
AMONG THE LANDFILLS, THE ONE AT SAI TSO WAN HAS FACILITIES TO EXTRACT LANDFILL GAS AND SAFELY BURN IT. THE THREE NEW STRATEGIC LANDFILLS WHICH WILL BE COMMISSIONED WITHIN THE NEXT FEW YEARS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH GAS CONTROL AND COLLECTION AND DISPOSAL SYSTEMS TO THE LATEST INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS.
MR EASON SAID DURING THESE INVESTIGATIONS IT HAD BECOME CLEAR THAT, WHILE NONE OF THE SITUATIONS WAS HAZARDOUS, GAS CONTROL SYSTEMS COULD USEFULLY BE INSTALLED AT SOME SITES BEFORE FULL-SCALE RESTORATION WORKS WERE UNDERTAKEN.
DURING THE NEXT FEW MONTHS, GAS CONTROL WORKS WOULD START AT THE JORDAN VALLEY, SHUEN WAN AND GIN DRINKERS BAY (KWAI CHUNG PARK) LANDFILLS AT A COST OF AROUND $20 MILLION.
"THIS WILL ENSURE THAT THE AREAS AROUND THESE LANDFILLS ARE SAFE FROM GAS HAZARDS.
"THE PROGRAMME OF THE FULL-SCALE RESTORATION WORKS DEPENDS UPON THE AVAILABILITY OF FUNDS AND THE TIME TAKEN FOR EACH LANDFILL TO BE COMPLETED.
"NEVERTHELESS, ALL THE EXISTING LANDFILLS SHOULD BE COMPLETED AND RESTORED WITHIN THE NEXT FOUR YEARS," MR EASON SAID.
MR EASON NOTED THAT A MIXTURE OF LANDFILL GAS AND OXYGEN COULD IGNITE UNDER CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES.
"HOWEVER, ENGINEERING MEASURES, SUCH AS VENTING AND FLARING, EITHER ALREADY TAKEN OR UNDER CONSIDERATION, SHOULD PREVENT THESE CIRCUMSTANCES FROM ARISING," HE SAID.
REGULAR GAS MONITORING WAS UNDERTAKEN TO ENSURE PUBLIC SAFETY AT ALL SITES, HE SAID, ADDING THAT THERE WAS NO CAUSE FOR CONCERN TO DATE.
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PLOT RATIO RESTRICTION FOR RESIDENTIAL ZONE IN MID-LEVELS ******
THE PLOT RATIO RESTRICTION FOR RESIDENTIAL (GROUP B) ZONE IN MID-LEVELS, WHICH WAS INTRODUCED IN 1990, WAS FIRST CONSIDERED BY THE TOWN PLANNING BOARD ON MAY 26, 1989.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE SECRETARY FOR PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS, MR TONY EASON, IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON HENRY TANG IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MR EASON SAID ALL OF THE 12 BUILDING PLAN SUBMISSIONS RELATED TO ”R(B)” SITES RECEIVED IN THE INTERIM BY THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE OFFICE WERE SUBSEQUENTLY APPROVED.
THEY INVOLVED A TOTAL OF 1,731 DOMESTIC UNITS AND 159,332 SQUARE METRES OF GROSS FLOOR AREA.
BETWEEN JUNE 1986 AND MAY 1989, 27 BUILDING PLAN SUBMISSIONS RELATED TO THE ”R(B)” ZONE WERE APPROVED, HE SAID.
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NO PLAN TO LIFT BORDER CURFEW RESTRICTION ♦ » ♦ » »
ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION FROM CHINA HAS REMAINED HIGH THIS YEAR, THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, MR ALISTAIR ASPREY, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MR ASPREY SAID THE GOVERNMENT HAD NO PLANS TO LIFT THE CURFEW RESTRICTION IMPOSED IN THE FRONTIER CLOSED AREA, ADDING THAT THIS WOULD BE KEPT UNDER REVIEW.
IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON TIK CHI-YUEN, THE SECRETARY SAID THE NUMBER OF ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS (Il’S) ARRESTED IN THE FRONTIER CLOSED AREA DURING THE CURFEW HOURS SINCE MARCH 1991 ARE AS FOLLOWS:
Il’S ARRESTED DURING CURFEW HOURS
1991 (MARCH -
1992
1993 (JANUARY
DECEMBER)
APRIL)
837
615
271
NO STATISTICS ON THIS WERE KEPT BEFORE MARCH 1991
HE SAID 23 RESIDENTS WERE CONVICTED FOR ENTERING OR LEAVING THE FRONTIER CLOSED AREA WITHOUT A CURFEW PERMIT IN THE PAST FIVE YEARS. THE NORMAL PRACTICE IS TO GIVE A WARNING RATHER THAN PROSECUTE.
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LEGCO DEBATES TWO MOTIONS FOR FOUR HOURS
* ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
A MOTION MOVED BY REV THE HON FUNG CH I-WOOD ON A REVIEW OF MANAGEMENT OF PUBLIC RENTAL HOUSING AND HOME OWNERSHIP SCHEME ESTATES WAS PASSED AFTER A TWO-HOUR DEBATE IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TONIGHT (WEDNESDAY).
A TOTAL OF 16 MEMBERS SPOKE. THE SECRETARY FOR PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS, MR TONY EASON, REPLIED FOR THE GOVERNMENT.
ANOTHER MOTION ON THE DISPARITY BETWEEN THE RICH AND THE POOR PROPOSED BY THE HON K K FUNG WAS DEFEATED AFTER TWO HOURS OF DEBATE, THE AMENDMENT MOTION PROPOSED BY THE HON HENRY TANG WAS PASSED.
A TOTAL OF 17 MEMBERS SPOKE IN THE DEBATE, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON HAMISH MACLEOD, SPOKE FOR THE GOVERNMENT.
THE THREE MOTIONS MOVED BY THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, MR ALISTAIR ASPREY, UNDER THE BIRTHS AND DEATHS REGISTRATION ORDINANCE, THE FOREIGN MARRIAGE ORDINANCE AND THE LEGITIMACY ORDINANCE WERE ALSO PASSED.
TWO BILLS, THE JUDICIAL PROCEEDINGS (ADJOURNMENT DURING GALE WARNINGS) (AMENDMENT) BILL 1993 AND THE EDUCATION (AMENDMENT) BILL 1993, WERE ALSO PASSED.
FIVE BILLS WERE INTRODUCED FOR FIRST AND SECOND READINGS. DEBATES ON THEM WERE ADJOURNED.
THESE BILLS WERE: THE EMPLOYMENT (AMENDMENT) BILL 1993, BEDSPACE APARTMENTS BILL, INLAND REVENUE (AMENDMENT) (NO.4) BILL 1993, BANK NOTES ISSUE (AMENDMENT) BILL 1993 AND EXCHANGE FUND (AMENDMENT) BILL 1993.
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RULES ON POST-RETIREMENT EMPLOYMENT EXPLAINED ♦ » » ♦ *
,®INCE 1987 ’ THREE ASSISTANT DIRECTORS OF MARINE, ONE FROM THF SURVEYOR OF SHIP GRADE AND TWO FROM THE MARINE OFFICER GRADE HAVE BEEN GIVEN PERMISSION TO TAKE UP EMPLOYMENT IN THE MARITIME BUSINESS AFTER THEIR RETIREMENT. hakiili™ BUSINESS
AND OF THE THREE OFFICERS, TWO WERE SELF-EMPLOYED.
IN A WRI I TEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON FRFDFRICK FUNG KIN EEE ervTHE LEGISLAT'VE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY), THE ^SECRETARY TOR THE CIVIL SERVICE, MRS ANSON CHAN, EXPLAINED THAT WHEN PROCFSSTNC APPLICATIONS FOR POST-RETIREMENT EMPLOYMENT, THE GOVERNMENT TOOK INTO ACCOUNT THE ADVICE OF THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON POST-RETIREMENT EMPLOYMENT APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNOR. RETIREMENT
"THE APPLICANT’S PREVIOUS INVOLVEMENT IN POLICY FORMULATION TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT IN CONSIDERING WHETHER THIS WOULD BENEFIT PROSPECTIVE EMPLOYER IN AN IMPROPER MANNER OR ENABLE THE APPLICANT GAIN AN UNFAIR ADVANTAGE OVER HIS COMPETITORS,"SHF SAID.
IS THE TO
/"VIEWS ARE .......
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 2, 1993
24
"VIEWS AftE SOUGHT FROM THE HEAD OF DEPARTMENT ON THE QUESTION OF CONFLICT OF INTEREST.
"CONSIDERATION IS ALSO GIVEN TO WHETHER THE PROPOSED EMPLOYMENT WILL RESULT IN THE OFFICER HAVING AN UNDESIRABLE PUBLIC PROFILE," SHE ADDED.
CONDITIONS, SUCH AS A SANITISATION PERIOD OR SANCTIONS AGAINST DEALING WITH SPECIFIC COMPANIES MAY BE IMPOSED AS NECESSARY.
THE PROVISIONS OF THE OFFICIAL SECRETS ACTS CONTINUE TO APPLY TO AN OFFICER AFTER HIS RETIREMENT, MRS CHAN ADDED.
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TRANSPORT CONCESSIONS FOR DISABLED AND ELDERLY
*****
THE TRANSPORT CONCESSIONS FOR DISABLED DRIVERS ANNOUNCED IN THE 1993 BUDGET WERE IMPLEMENTED ON APRIL 1 THIS YEAR, THE ACTING SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT, MR JOHN TELFORD, SAID.
IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON ERIC LI IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY), MR TELFORD SAID THIS INVOLVED EXTENDING CONCESSIONS ALREADY GRANTED TO DISABLED OWNERS OF PRIVATE CARS TO SUCH OWNERS OF MOTORCYCLES AND MOTOR TRICYCLES.
THEY ARE EXEMPTED FROM FIRST REGISTRATION TAX, FEES ON LEARNER DRIVING LICENCE, DRIVING TEST FORMS, ANNUAL VEHICLE LICENCE, TRANSFER OF VEHICLE OWNERSHIP, CROSS-HARBOUR TUNNEL PASSAGE TAX, PARKING METER FEES AND, SUBJECT TO A PRE-DETERM I NED LIMIT, DUTY ON HYDROCARBON OIL.
"FROM THE SAME DATE, DISABLED DRIVERS OF PRIVATE CARS, MOTORCYCLES AND MOTOR TRICYCLES WERE EXEMPTED FROM THE NEED TO PAY TOLLS WHEN USING GOVERNMENT TUNNELS," HE SAID.
MR TELFORD SAID THE EXEMPTIONS FROM GOVERNMENT LICENCE FEES AND RENTAL PAYMENTS ANNOUNCED BY THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY IN HIS BUDGET SPEECH WERE TO ENABLE FRANCHISED PUBLIC TRANSPORT OPERATORS TO INTRODUCE CONCESSIONARY FARE SCHEMES FOR THE ELDERLY OR, WHERE SUCH SCHEMES ALREADY EXISTED, TO IMPROVE ON THEM.
THE KOWLOON MOTOR BUS COMPANY HAS INTRODUCED A FULL-DAY HALFFARE SCHEME ON ALL ITS ROUTES EXCEPT THOSE TO AND FROM THE AIRPORT FOR PERSONS AGED 65 AND OVER SINCE APRIL 5, 1993.
THE CHINA MOTOR BUS COMPANY WOULD INTRODUCE AN OFF-PEAK HALF FARE SCHEME FOR THE ELDERLY STARTING JUNE 6, 1993.
IT WOULD COVER ALL ROUTES EXCEPT THOSE USING THE CROSS HARBOUR TUNNELS AND ISLAND EASTERN CORRIDOR, AND AIR-CONDITIONED SERVICES.
DISCUSSIONS WERE BEING HELD WITH OTHER FRANCHISED PUBLIC TRANSPORT OPERATORS, INCLUDING THE STAR FERRY COMPANY, THE HONG KONG AND YAUMATI FERRY COMPANY, THE NEW LANTAO BUS COMPANY AND THE CITYBUS COMPANY, ON THE MANNER IN WHICH THEIR EXISTING CONCESSIONARY FARE SCHEMES AND SERVICES TO THE ELDERLY CAN BE UPGRADED WITH GOVERNMENT ASSISTANCE.
/"DETAILS OF .......
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 2, 1993
25
’’DETAILS OF THESE IMPROVEMENTS WILL BE ANNOUNCED AS SOON AS AGREEMENT IS REACHED,” MR TELFORD SAID.
GUIDELINES HAD BEEN MADE AVAILABLE TO ALL ELIGIBLE PUBLIC TRANSPORT OPERATORS ON HOW TO SEEK EXEMPTION FROM GOVERNMENT LICENCE FEES AND RENTAL PAYMENTS, IN ORDER TO HELP FINANCE CONCESSIONARY FARE SCHEMES FOR THE ELDERLY, HE ADDED.
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COMMITTEE SUPPORTS BEIJING’S OLYMPIC GAMES BID
*****
HONG KONG’S SUPPORT FOR BEIJING’S BID TO HOST THE OLYMPIC GAMES IN THE YEAR 2000 SHOULD MORE APPROPRIATELY COME FROM THE HONG KONG AMATEUR SPORTS FEDERATION AND OLYMPIC COMMITTEE, THE SECRETARY FOR RECREATION AND CULTURE, MR JAMES SO, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
HE SAID THE COMMITTEE HAD ALREADY MADE KNOWN ITS STAND IN SUPPORT OF BEIJING IN FEBRUARY THIS YEAR.
IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON MARTIN BARROW, MR SO SAID THE SELECTION OF THE HOST CITY WAS BASICALLY A MATTER FOR THE INTERNATIONAL OLYMPIC COMMITTEE, WHICH IS MADE UP OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE OLYMPIC COMMITTEES OF THE PARTICIPATING COUNTRIES AND TERRITORIES.
THE INTERNATIONAL OLYMPIC COMMITTEE IS EXPECTED TO MAKE A DECISION ON THE HOST CITY IN SEPTEMBER THIS YEAR.
MR SO ALSO TOLD THE COUNCIL THAT THE GOVERNMENT WAS AWARE THAT IF BEIJING WERE TO BE SELECTED AS THE HOST CITY, HONG KONG WOULD BENEFIT IN TOURISM AND OTHER AREAS.
’’HOWEVER, IT WOULD BE PREMATURE, AT THIS STAGE, TO GAUGE THE EXTENT OF THESE BENEFITS,” HE ADDED.
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MARKET BEHAVIOUR PROPERLY MONITORED ♦ * * * *
THE SECURITIES AND FUTURES COMMISSION (SFC) HAS NOT DETECTED ANY IMPROPER, BEHAVIOUR IN CONNECTION WITH RECENT MARKET MOVEMENTS ON WHICH IT COULD TAKE ACTION UNDER THE PROVISIONS OF THE SECURITIES (INSIDER DEALING) ORDINANCE 1990.
NEVERTHELESS, THE SFC WILL CONTINUE TO MONITOR AND TAKE ACTION AS AND WHEN NECESSARY, THE SECRETARY FOR FINANCIAL SERVICES, MR MICHAEL CARTLAND, SAID IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY DR THE HON HUANG CHEN-YA IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
/HE POINTED
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 2, 1993
26
HE POINTED OUT THAT UNDER THE ORDINANCE, THE PROHIBITIONS RELATING TO INSIDER DEALING APPLY TO SECURITIES ONLY AND COVER ONLY RELEVANT NON-PUBLIC INFORMATION WHICH IS PRICE SENSITIVE TO A PARTICULAR ISSUING COMPANY, BUT NOT INFORMATION WHICH IS PRICE SENSITIVE ACROSS THE ENTIRE MARKET.
"THEREFORE THE SITUATION ALLUDED TO TN THE QUESTION, THAT IS THE RELEASE OF INFORMATION RELATING TO EXTERNAL POLITICAL MATTERS SUCH AS THE SINO-BRITISH TALKS, DOES NOT COME WITHIN THE SCOPE OF INSIDER DEALING AS CONTEMPLATED UNDER THE ORDINANCE," HE SAID.
CHARACTERISTICALLY, THE VOLATILITY OF THE HONG KONG MARKET IS OFTEN AFFECTED BY THE EXTERNAL FORCES AND A 100-PLUS POINT MOVE IS NOT AN UNUSUAL OCCURRENCE, THE SECRETARY SAID.
THE COMMISSION ROUTINELY MONITORS MARKET ACTIVITY, AND WHERE ANOMALIES OR OTHER UNUSUAL MARKET PHENOMENA OCCUR, MORE DETAILED EXAMINATION WILL BE CONDUCTED, HE ADDED.
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Received by PRO
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
THURSDAY, JUNE 3, 1993
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
GOVERNOR OFFERS CONDOLENCES TO FAMILIES OF DECEASED WORKERS . 1
MORE FACTORY INSPECTORS VISIT SITES ...................... 2
LABOUR OFFICE OFFERS HELP TO HOIST ACCIDENT VICTIMS ...... 4
DISCUSSIONS TN CONSTITUTIONAL DEVELOPMENT PANEL .......... 4
IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT REVISES FEES ...................... 5
LEGCO BY-ELECTION FOR INDUSTRIAL FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCY .... 12
COMPANY LAW REFORM COMMITTEE RELEASES ANNUAL REPORT ...... 12
PROVISIONAL RETAIL SALES FIGURES FOR MARCH ............... 13
AMENDMENTS TO MODEL ARTICLES OF ASSOCIATION FOR COMPANIES ... 16
SUMMER TRAVELLERS URGED TO GET DOCUMENTS EARLY ........... 16
SEARCH FOR CHINESE TRANSLATION OF AIDS THEME ............. 17
HK A TOP MAKER OF JEWELRY AND WATCHES .................... 18
CROWN RENTS DUE ON JUNE 24 ............................... 19
INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION SURVEY UNDER WAY ................... 21
BEACH WATER GRADES ....................................... 23
DTC REGISTRATION REVOKED ................................. 26
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS .. 26
THURSDAY, JUNE 3, 1993
1
GOVERNOR OFFERS CONDOLENCES TO FAMILIES OF DECEASED WORKERS
*****
THE GOVERNOR, THE RT HON CHRISTOPHER PATTEN, TODAY (THURSDAY) OFFERED CONDOLENCES TO THE FAMILIES OF WORKERS WHO DIED IN AN INDUSTRIAL ACCIDENT IN NORTH POINT YESTERDAY.
SPEAKING TO REPORTERS AFTER INSPECTING THE SCENE, MR PATTEN SAID: "THIS HAS BEEN AN APPALLING TRAGEDY. OUR THOUGHTS AND OUR PRAYERS ARE WITH ALL OF THEM."
"WE’RE GOING TO MAKE SURE IN THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT THAT WE CAN DEAL AS RAPIDLY AS POSSIBLE WITH THE COMPENSATION PAYMENTS THAT WILL BE AVAILABLE," HE SAID.
HE SAID FACTORY INSPECTORS WERE CONDUCTING AN INQUIRY ON THE SITE AND THE REPORT WOULD BE AVAILABLE WITHIN A COUPLE OF WEEKS.
THE REPORT WILL GO IN THE FIRST PLACE TO THE CORONER’S COURT WHICH WILL BE LOOKING AT WHAT HAD HAPPENED.
"WE SHALL OBVIOUSLY WANT TO TAKE THE REPORT VERY SERIOUSLY AND IMPLEMENT WHATEVER ITS RECOMMENDATIONS ARE AS RAPIDLY AS POSSIBLE," HE SAID.
"WE’RE ALSO LOOKING AGAIN, AS YOU KNOW, AT LIFTS ON ALL THE OTHER CONSTRUCTION SITES IN THE TERRITORY TO CHECK ON THEIR SAFETY."
THE GOVERNOR URGED BOTH THE MANAGEMENT AND WORKERS NOT TO OVERLOAD LIFTS ON CONSTRUCTION SITES OR ANYWHERE ELSE.
STRESSING THE IMPORTANCE OF INDUSTRIAL SAFETY, HE SAID: "IT’S SOMETHING FOR ALL OF US TO DO. WE’VE GOT TO BE TOUGH ON PENALTIES FOR THOSE WHO FALL DOWN ON THE JOB AND WE’VE GOT TO BE TOUGH ON PUBLIC EDUCATION ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE."
"SAFETY DOES MATTER HUGELY AND WE’VE GOT TO MAKE SURE THAT IDEA STICKS IN OUR CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY AS ELSEWHERE," HE SAID.
LAST YEAR, THERE WERE 66 INDUSTRIAL DEATHS IN HONG KONG. OF THEM, 48 WERE IN THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY.
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/2 .........
THURSDAY, JUNE 3, 1993
- 2
MORE FACTORY INSPECTORS VISIT SITES *****
THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT WILL DEPLOY MORE FACTORY INSPECTORS TO VISIT CONSTRUCTION SITES IN THE TERRITORY TO ENSURE THAT SAFETY MEASURES ON PASSENGER HOISTS ARE ADOPTED BY CONTRACTORS AND WORKERS.
THE DEPUTY CHIEF FACTORY INSPECTOR, MR DOMINIC MAK, SAID THIS (THURSDAY) EVENING THAT ABOUT 50 FACTORY INSPECTORS TAKING PART IN A SPECIAL SITE INSPECTION CAMPAIGN TODAY ALREADY VISITED 101 CONSTRUCTION SITES WITH 30 OF THEM HAVING 49 PASSENGER HOISTS.
"SO FAR, ONE OFFENCE IN CONNECTION WITH THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE HOIST GATE HAS BEEN DETECTED," MR MAK SAID.
"PROSECUTION ACTION WILL BE TAKEN IN DUE COURSE AGAINST THE CONTRACTOR.
"THE NUMBER OF INSPECTORS BEING DEPLOYED FOR THE SAFETY CAMPAIGN WILL INCREASE TO 60 FROM TOMORROW, HOPING THAT ALL SUCH HOISTS CAN BE INSPECTED WITHIN THE SHORTEST POSSIBLE TIME," HE ADDED.
MR MAK CALLED ON ALL CONTRACTORS AND PEOPLE WORKING ON CONSTRUCTION SITES TO OBSERVE SAFETY RULES, PARTICULARLY ON OVERLOADING, PERIODICAL EXAMINATIONS AND REGULAR INSPECTIONS, WHEN USING PASSENGER HOISTS.
HE TOLD REPORTERS AT A PRESS CONFERENCE HELD EARLIER TODAY THAT FACTORY INSPECTORS, WITH THE ASSISTANCE FROM ENGINEERS OF THE ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT, ARE STILL INVESTIGATING YESTERDAY’S INDUSTRIAL ACCIDENT AT NORTH POINT IN WHICH 12 WORKERS DIED.
"WE HOPE A PRELIMINARY REPORT CAN BE COMPILED WITHIN TWO WEEKS," MR MAK SAID.
MEANWHILE, MR MAK SAID FACTORY INSPECTORS HAD BEEN GIVING SAFETY TALKS SINCE LAST MONTH TO STUDENTS IN MORE THAN 10 SECONDARY SCHOOLS WHO INTENDED TO SEEK SUMMER JOBS.
HE SAID THE STUDENTS WERE ADVISED TO STAY AWAY FROM POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS JOBS AND JOBS WITH DANGEROUS WORK PROCESSES.
"THESE TALKS FORMED PART OF A SERIES OF SAFETY PROMOTIONS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT AND THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT IN SECONDARY SCHOOLS THROUGHOUT THE TERRITORY," MR MAK SAID.
"AS MANY STUDENTS ARE EXPECTED TO TAKE UP TEMPORARY JOBS DURING THE SUMMER VACATION, IT IS IMPORTANT TO EQUIP THEM WITH WORK SAFETY KNOWLEDGE," HE SAID.
"OUR FACTORY INSPECTORS WILL BE VISITING ANOTHER 34 SCHOOLS IN DUE COURSE," HE ADDED.
/MR MAK ........
THURSDAY, JUNE 3, 1993
3
MR MAK POINTED OUT THAT DURING THE TALKS, THE INSPECTORS EXPLAINED THE TYPES OF DANGEROUS JOBS STUDENTS SHOULD AVOID.
THESE INCLUDE:
♦ JOBS ON CONSTRUCTION SITES, ESPECIALLY THOSE REQUIRING TO WORK AT HEIGHT;
* JOBS REQUIRING THE OPERATION OF HEAVY MECHANICAL EQUIPMENT, POWER-DRIVEN MACHINERY, WOOD-WORKING MACHINES OR VIGOROUS MANUAL WORK;
* JOBS INVOLVING THE HANDLING OF CHEMICALS, TOXIC SUBSTANCES OR FIRE-RELATED PROCESSES;
* JOBS INVOLVING ASBESTOS PROCESSES, AND
* JOBS INVOLVING THE OPERATION OF LIFTING APPLIANCES OR GIVING SIGNALS IN LIFTING OPERATIONS.
"FACTORY INSPECTORS ALSO EXPLAINED TO STUDENTS THE SAFETY PRECAUTIONS TO BE ADOPTED AND THE GENERAL DUTIES IMPOSED ON PROPRIETORS AND EMPLOYEES TO ENSURE SAFETY AT WORKPLACES," HE SAID.
"IF IN DOUBT, STUDENTS SHOULD CONSULT THEIR PARENTS, CAREERS TEACHERS OR THE FACTORY INSPECTORATE DIVISION ON 852 3565 FOR ADVICE."
HE ALSO CALLED ON EMPLOYERS TO ENSURE THAT ALL SUMMER JOB WORKERS ARE CLOSELY AND PROPERLY SUPERVISED.
ON THE OTHER HAND, THE ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR, MRS ANGELA HO, SAID LABOUR DEPARTMENT OFFICERS HAD MET DEPENDANTS OF IO DECEASED WORKERS AND ARE HELPING THEM TO TAKE NECESSARY ACTION IN CONNECTION WITH COMPENSATION CLAIMS.
"WE HAVE ALSO SET UP A SPECIAL OFFICE AND A TELEPHONE HOTLINE 852 4036 TO DEAL WITH COMPENSATION MATTERS RELATING TO THE INCIDENT," MRS HO SAID.
"WE HOPE THAT DEPENDANTS OF THE REMAINING TWO VICTIMS CAN CALL OUR HOTLINE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE SO THAT APPROPRIATE ASSISTANCE CAN BE PROVIDED.
"FURTHER ENQUIRIES ON COMPENSATION MATTERS CAN ALSO BE MADE TO THE HOTLINE," SHE ADDED.
--------0------------
/4.........
THURSDAY, JUNE 3, 1993
4 LABOUR OFFICE OFFERS HELP TO HOIST ACCIDENT VICTIMS ♦ * * * * *
THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT HAS SET UP A SPECIAL OFFICE TO HELP DEPENDANTS OF DECEASED WORKERS IN THE ACCIDENT AT NORTH POINT YESTERDAY (WEDNESDAY) TO GET EMPLOYEES’ COMPENSATION.
’’UNDER THE EMPLOYEES’ COMPENSATION ORDINANCE, DEPENDANTS OF A DECEASED WORKER WILL BE ENTITLED TO A MAXIMUM COMPENSATION PAYMENT OF $542,000,” THE ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR, MRS ANGELA HO, SAID TODAY (THURSDAY).
"OFFICERS OF THE FATAL CASES OFFICE HAVE BEEN IN CONTACT WITH THE PRINCIPAL CONTRACTOR OF THE CONSTRUCTION SITE CONCERNED TO GET THE PARTICULARS OF THE DECEASED WORKERS.
"AT THE SAME TIME, WE HAVE BEEN IN TOUCH WITH THE HONG KONG CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY WORKERS GENERAL UNION IN ORDER TO REACH THE DEPENDANTS OF THE DECEASED WORKERS AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.
"A TELEPHONE HOTLINE 852 4036 HAS ALSO BEEN SET UP IN OUR EMPLOYEES’ COMPENSATION UNIT TO OFFER ASSISTANCE TO DEPENDANTS OF DECEASED WORKERS ON COMPENSATION MATTERS," SHE SAID.
MRS HO APPEALED TO DEPENDANTS OF DECEASED WORKERS TO CONTACT THE EMPLOYEES’ COMPENSATION UNIT THE SOONEST.
0----------
DISCUSSIONS IN CONSTITUTIONAL DEVELOPMENT PANEL
* * * * *
IN ANSWER TO QUESTIONS, A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN EXPRESSED SURPRISE AT THE STATEMENT BY THE SPOKESMAN FOR THE CHINESE MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS.
HE SAID: "THE CHINESE SIDE ARE AWARE THAT BOTH THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL AND ITS CONSTITUTIONAL DEVELOPMENT PANEL HAVE DISCUSSED CONSTITUTIONAL DEVELOPMENT IN HONG KONG ON MANY OCCASIONS IN THE PAST."
"LEGCO PANELS ARE NON-STATUTORY AND THEIR DISCUSSIONS ARE NOT PART OF THE FORMAL PROCEEDINGS OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
"THE PARTICULAR DISCUSSIONS THEY ARE NOW PROPOSING TO HOLD WERE NOT INSTIGATED BY THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT. ANY RESOLUTIONS PASSED BY LEGCO PANELS ARE NOT BINDING ON THE GOVERNMENT OR ON THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL."
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE CONSTITUTIONAL DEVELOPMENT PANEL CANNOT TAKE ACTION ON THE BILL WHICH WAS GAZETTED ON MARCH 12, SINCE THE BILL HAS NOT BEEN INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
/THE FORUM .......
THURSDAY, JUNE 3, 1993
5
THE FORUM TO PROCESS ANY BILL INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL IS THE FULL LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL AND ANY BILLS COMMITTEE THAT MAY BE ESTABLISHED BY IT TO DEAL WITH A PARTICULAR BILL.
THE SPOKESMAN ADDED THAT THE CONSTITUTIONAL DEVELOPMENT PANEL DISCUSSIONS CANNOT IN ANY WAY PREJUDICE THE OUTCOME OF THE ONGOING TALKS WITH CHINA ON THE 1994/95 ELECTORAL ARRANGEMENTS.
THE TALKS WERE PROPOSED BY BRITAIN IN THE FIRST PLACE AND BOTH THE UK GOVERNMENT AND THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT HOPE THEY LEAD TO AN AGREEMENT ON THE ELECTORAL ARRANGEMENTS WHICH WILL BE REGARDED AS OPEN, FAIR AND ACCEPTABLE TO THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG.
- 0 -
IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT REVISES FEES
THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT WILL INCREASE FEES FOR A NUMBER OF SERVICES PROVIDED TO MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC FROM TOMORROW (FRIDAY).
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID: "IT IS GOVERNMENT POLICY TO PROVIDE SERVICES TO THE PUBLIC ON A COST-RECOVERY BASIS UNLESS OTHERWISE JUSTIFIED."
THE LAST REVIEW OF FEES AND CHARGES COLLECTED BY THE DEPARTMENT WAS MADE IN MARCH 1991.
AFTER THE SHORT FREEZE ON GOVERNMENT CHARGES IN 1991/92, A RECENT REVIEW OF FEES AND CHARGES COLLECTED BY THE DEPARTMENT SHOWS THAT THERE IS UNDER-RECOVERY OF THE COST OF SERVICES PROVIDED, IN RESPECT OF REGISTRATION OF PERSONS, REGISTRATION OF BIRTHS, DEATHS AND MARRIAGE, AND ISSUE OF TRAVEL DOCUMENTS, HE SAID.
THE SPOKESMAN EXPLAINED THAT THE REGULAR FEES ADJUSTMENT EXERCISES WERE NECESSARY TO ENSURE THAT INFLATION AND INCREASED OPERATING COSTS WERE TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT, RATHER THAN SIMPLY PASSING ON TO THOSE WHO DID NOT ACTUALLY USE THE SERVICES.
TO DELAY THE INCREASE WOULD EXTEND THE PERIOD OF LOSS TO THE GENERAL TAXPAYER, AND THE NEW FEES ARE, IN SOME AREAS, ST1LL BELOW THE COST OF PROVIDING THE SERVICES, HE SAID.
"IN MANY AREAS, AND PARTICULARLY THOSE Willi GREAT AND
INCREASING PRESSURES OF DEMAND ON SERVICES AND STAFF, THE GOVERNMENT MUST REINFORCE THE VERY FAIR AND APPROPRIATE PRINCIPLE THAT THOSE WHO USE AND CAN AFFORD THE SERVICES SHOULD BEAR THE COSTS," HE SAID.
THE OLD FEES WILL BE CHARGED FQR APPLICATIONS SUBMITTED BEFORE TOMORROW.
FOR APPLICATIONS SUBMITTED BY POST, THE DATE OF THE POST MARK WILL BE TAKEN AS THE DATE OF RECEIPT OF APPLICATION, HE SAID.
ENQUIRIES MAY BE MADE OF THE DEPARTMENT’S INFORMATION OFFICE ON 824 6111.
/Fees and
THURSDAY, JUNE 3, 1993
6
Fees and charges collected by the Immigration Department
Issue of Travel Documents Old Fees $ New Fees $
Seaman's Identity Book 85 110
Seaman's Certificate of Nationality and Identity 85 no
Renewal of a Seaman's Certificate of Nationality and Identity 15 20
Hong Kong Certificate of Identity (44-page) 180 225
Hong Kong Certificate of Identity (92-page) 360 450
Multiple Re-entry Permit (whether of full or restricted validity) 55 70
Re-entry Permit for 1 visit 15 20
Endorsement lo a travel document for which no specific fee is provided 65 85
Service charge for supplying, on application a copy of any document, or for making or forwarding, or both, a request or recommendation to any authority of a foreign state or Commonweal ill country, for consular or nationality registration or for the issue or renewal of a passport or other travel document or of a document of Identity or for the grant of a visa or entry permit 70 90
Document of Identity for Visa Purposes (44-page) 160 200
Document of Identity for Visa Purposes (92-page) 320 400
Registration of Births
Pool registration of birth (after 42 days) within 12 months from the date of birth 20 40
Post registration of birth after 12 months from the date of birih 120 200
A certificate of Registration of addition or alteration of name of child 20 40
/Addition
THUR°<-'', JUNE 3, 1993
7
Old Fee $ New Fee $
Addition or alteration of name of child after 42 daya from the date of the birth 75 125
A certified copy of an entry in the register to a local applicant 20 40
A certified copy of an entry in the register to overseas applicant 40* 80*
A particular search of the births and deaths records 20 40
A general search of the births and deaths records 120 200
A shortened form of birth certificate under the Births and Deaths Registration Ordinance 10 20
Correction of sn error of fact of substance in registers of births and deaths 75 125
A particular search for a birth entry 20 40
A general search for a birth entry B0 200
A correction of an error in any register book of birth registration 75 125
A certified copy of an entry in any of the register books of birth registration to local applicant 20 40
A certified copy of an entry in any of register books of birth registration to overseas applicant 40* 80*
Re-registration of birth if information not furnished within the specified time 65 100
A certified copy of an entry of the birth of a legitimated person 20 40
Nutc : *on top of charge for the same service given to local applicant plus an additional amount equal to the airmail postage at the normal rule®
/A particular
THURSDAY, JUNE 3, 1993
- 8
Old Fee $ New Fee $
A particular search for an adoption record 20 40
A general search for an adoption record 120 200
A shortened form of birth certificate under the Adoption Ordinance 10 20
A certified copy of any entry In the 20 40
Adopted Children Register to local applicant
A certified copy of any entry in the AO*
Adopted Children Register to overseas applicant
Registration of Deaths
A particular search for a death entry 20 40
A general search for a death entry 110 200
A correction of sn error in any register books of death registration 75 125
A certified copy of an entry in any of the register hooka of death registration to local applicant 20 40
A certified copy of an entry in any of the register books of death registration to overseas applicant 40* 80*
Registration of Marriage
filing of application for registration of 20
marriage under the Marriage Reform Ordinance
Certificate of rogistration of marriage 75
under Section 9 of the Marriage Reform
Ordinance
Note : *on top of charge for the same service given to local applicant plua an additional amount equal to the airmail postage at the normal rate.
/A search .......
THURSDAY, JUNE 3, 1993
9
Old Fee $ New Fee $
A search for marriage entry made under Section 13 of the Marriage Reform Ordinance during any number of successive hours not exceeding 6» without the object of cho search being specified no 200
A search for a specified marriage entry where the search Is made by the applicant or by the Registrar on hits behalf under Section 13 of the Marriage Reform Ordinance 20 40
Certified copy of a marriage entry given under Section 13 of the Marriage Reform Ordinance to local applicant 35 70
Additional charge for Lhe certified copy of on entry given under S. 13 of the Marriage Reform Ordinance to overseas applicant 15* 20*
Certificate under Section 13 of the Marriage Reform Ordinance of the abucnce of any record to local applicant 110 200
Additional postage charge for Che certificate under Section 13 of the Marriage Reform Ordinance of the absence of any record to overseas applicant 15* 20*
A certificate by Registrar of Marriage given under Section 5 of the Foreign Marriage Ordinance 10 20 %
Governor's licence given under Section 6 of the Foreign Marriage Ordinance 120 200
Filing and exhibition of notice of marriage 50 90
Certificate of notice when issued under 925 1800
the proviso co Section 9 of the Marriage Ordinance
Note : *on top of charge for Che sane service given to local applicant plus an additional amount equal to the airmail postage at the normal rate.
/Search .......
THURSDAY, JUNE 3, 1993
- 10 -
Old Fee $ New Fee $
Search for marriage entry made under Section 26 of the Marriage Ordinance during any number of successive hours not exceeding 6, without the object of Che search being specified 120 200
Search under Section 26 of the Marriage Ordinance for a specified entry of Marriage whether Che search is made by the applicant or by the Registrar on his behalf 20 40
Certified copy of an entry of marriage given under Section 26 of the Marriage Ordinance to local applicant 40 80
Additional charge for the certified copy of an entry given under S.26 to overseas applicant 15* 20*
Certificate under Section 26 of the Marriage Ordinance of absence of any marriage record to local applicant 120 200
Additional postage charge for the certificate under S.26 of absence of any record to overseas applicant 15* 20*
Special licence under Section 11 of the 1,850 3,200
Marriage Ordinance granted by the Governor
Marriage at the office of the Registrar -during normal office hours 155 210
Marriage at the office of the Registrar -outside normal office hours 335 570
Celebration by the Registrar, elsewhere than in his office, or marriage by special licence or of 755 1500
person in articulo mortis 4
Celebration by the Registrar of Marriages under paragraph (b) of the proviso to Section 21(3), per marriage and in addition $1,060 (to be paid proportionately by the parties being married) or $140 per marriage, whichever is tht» greater 370 700
Note : *on top of charge for the same service given to local applicant plus an additional amount equal to the airmail postage at the normal rate.
/Registration
THURSDAY, JUNE 3, 1993
- 11 -
Registration of Persona Old Fee $ New Fee $
Lost or destroyed identity card replaced under Regulation 13 of the Registration of Persona Ordinance 170 220
Damaged or defaced identity card replaced under Regulation 13 of the Registration of Persona Ordinance 70 120
Identity card requiring alteration replaced under Regulation 14(1)(a) of the Registration of Persons Ordinance 170 220
Certificate or a certified copy issued under Regulation 23 of the Registration of Persona Ordinance 170 220
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/12 ........
THURSDAY, JUNE 3, 1993
LEGCO BY-ELECTION FOR INDUSTRIAL FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCY
*****
NOMINATIONS FOR THE COMING BY-ELECTION IN RESPECT OF THE FIRST INDUSTRIAL ELECTORAL DIVISION TO FILL THE VACANCY LEFT BY THE LATE STEPHEN CHEONG KAM-CHUEN WILL BE CALLED FOR BETWEEN JUNE 11 AND 25.
UNLESS THE BY-ELECTION IS UNCONTESTED, A POLL WILL BE CONDUCTED ON JULY 15 BETWEEN 7.30 AM AND 10.30 PM AT THE HONG KONG SPACE MUSEUM LECTURE HALL, TSTM SHA TSUI.
CANDIDATES MUST BE REGISTERED ELECTORS UNDER THE GENERAL ELECTORAL ROLL, HAVE BEEN ORDINARILY RESIDENT IN HONG KONG FOR THE 10 YEARS IMMEDIATELY BEFORE NOMINATION, AND HAVE A SUBSTANTIAL CONNECTION WITH THE FIRST INDUSTRIAL ELECTORAL DIVISION.
NOMINATION FORMS MAY BE OBTAINED FROM TOMORROW (FRIDAY) FROM THE REGISTRATION AND ELECTORAL OFFICE AT HARBOUR CENTRE, 1OTH FLOOR, 25 HARBOUR ROAD, WAN ('HAI (ENQUIRIES TELEPHONE 827 9175) OR FROM MR KIM SALKELD, THE RETURNING OFFICER, IN ROOM 233, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES EAST WING, LOWER ALBERT ROAD, CENTRAL.
- 0 -
COMPANY LAW REFORM COMMITTEE RELEASES ANNUAL REPORT
*****
THE STANDING COMMITTEE ON COMPANY LAW REFORM TODAY (THURSDAY) RELEASED ITS NINTH ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE YEAR 1992.
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID: "AMONG THE IMPORTANT SUBJECTS CONSIDERED BY THE STANDING COMMITTEE DURING THE YEAR WAS A PROPOSAL TO TRANSFER THE FUNCTION TO PROSPECTUS VETTING FROM THE REGISTRAR OF COMPANIES TO THE SECURITIES AND FUTURES COMMISSION (SFC)."
THE COMPANIES (AMENDMENT) (NO. 2) BILL 1992, WHICH CONTAINED THIS PROPOSAL, WAS PASSED INTO LAW ON DECEMBER 24, 1992.
"THE SFC SUBSEQUENTLY DELEGATED THIS RESPONSIBILITY IN RESPECT OF LISTED COMPANIES TO THE STOCK EXCHANGE," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
ANOTHER ISSUE COMSIDERED BY THE STANDING COMMITTEE WAS A PROPOSAL TO GIVE SMALL DEPOSITORS IN BANKS PREFERENTIAL PAYMENTS UNDER SECTION 265 OF THE COMPANIES ORDINANCE AS AN ALTERNATIVE TO A DEPOSIT PROTECTION SCHEME.
"ON THIS SUBJECT, THE COMMITTEE CONSIDERED THAT ANY PREFERENCE SHOULD BE RESTRICTED TO CERTAIN TYPES OF SAVINGS ACCOUNTS AND BE LIMITED TO A SPECIFIC CEILING," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
"THE STANDING COMMITTEE ALSO CONSIDERED THAT THE LIQUIDATOR SHOULD BE GIVEN POWER TO MAKE PAYMENTS QUICKLY WITH IMMUNITY EXCEPT IN CASES OF GROSS NEGLIGENCE.
/’’THE COMMITTEE
THURSDAY, JUNE 3, 1993
- 13 -
"THE COMMITTEE FELT THAT TECHNICAL DETAILS SHOULD BE LEFT TO THE ADMINISTRATION TO WORK OUT," HE ADDED.
DURING THE YEAR, THE STANDING COMMITTEE ALSO CONTINUED ITS STUDY ON THE NEED FOR NEW LEGISLATION ON ULTRA VIRES IN HONG KONG AFTER NEW PROVISIONS ON THE SUBJECT WERE INTRODUCED IN THE UK COMPANIES ACT 1989.
"THE TWO MAIN APPROACHES TO DEFINING THE POWERS OF A LIMITED COMPANY ARE EITHER TO INVEST A COMPANY WITH THE CAPACITY AND POWERS OF A NATURAL PERSON, WHICH IS THE APPROACH ADOPTED IN CANADA AND AUSTRALIA, OR TO LIMIT A COMPANY TO PURSUING ONLY THOSE OBJECTS WHICH IT IS EXPRESSLY AUTHORISED TO PURSUE, WHICH IS THE APPROACH FOLLOWED IN THE UK.
"THE STANDING COMMITTEE HAS NOW RECOMMENDED IN PRINCIPLE THAT THE ’POWER OF A NATURAL PERSON’ APPROACH, BASED ON THE CANADIAN MODEL, SHOULD BE ADOPTED IN HONG KONG AND THAT THE COMPANIES ORDINANCE SHOULD BE AMENDED ACCORDINGLY," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
SPECIFIC PROPOSALS FOR AMENDMENTS WILL BE FURTHER CONSIDERED BY THE COMMITTEE.
OTHER MATTERS DISCUSSED BY THE COMMITTEE DURING 1992 INCLUDED THE UK CADBURY REPORT, PROPOSALS TO IMPROVE THE STANDARD OF FINANCIAL INFORMATION IN COMPANY ACCOUNTS, TO ALLOW AUDITORS TO INCORPORATE, AND TO AMEND SECTION 165 OF THE ORDINANCE TO ALLOW A COMPANY TO PURCHASE NEGLIGENCE INSURANCE FOR ITS DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS.
"THESE ISSUES ARE STILL BEING EXAMINED BY THE COMMITTEE," THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
, 8MOITAt.)l JflU‘1 TH-IMUH'l ?o;) •IHT TA W) A Si I
HE ADVISED MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WHO WISHED TO OBTAIN A COPY OF THE STANDING COMMITTEE’S REPORT TO WRITE TO THE SECRETARY OF THE STANDING COMMITTEE ON COMPANY LAW REFORM, COMPANIES REGISTRY, COMMERCIAL DIVISION, 12TH FLOOR, QUEENSWAY GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 66, QUEENSWAY, HONG KONG.
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WHO WISH TO COMMENT ON ANY ISSUES COVERED BY THE STANDING COMMITTEE’S REPORT ARE INVITED TO SUBMIT THEIR VIEWS IN WRITING TO THE SECRETARY FOR FINANCIAL SERVICES, ROOM 1802, ADMIRALTY CENTRE, TOWER I, 18 HARCOURT ROAD, HONG KONG NOT LATER THAN AUGUST 2, 1993.
------0--------
PROVISIONAL RETAIL SALES FIGURES FOR MARCH
*****
THE VALUE OF TOTAL RETAIL SALES IN MARCH, ESTIMATED AT $13.6 BILLION, INCREASED BY 13% WHEN COMPARED WITH THE SAME MONTH LAST YEAR, ACCORDING TO THE STATISTICS RELEASED TODAY (THURSDAY) BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
AFTER DISCOUNTING THE EFFECT OF PRICE CHANGES OVER THE PERIOD, TOTAL RETAIL SALES ROSE BY 10% IN VOLUME TERMS.
/THE INCREASE .......
THURSDAY, JUNE 3, 1993
- 14
THE INCREASE WAS MAINLY ATTRIBUTABLE TO STRONG GROWTH IN SPENDING ON CLOTHING AND FOOTWEAR AS WELL AS CONSUMER DURABLE GOODS OTHER THAN MOTOR VEHICLES AND PARTS.
SALES OF CLOTHING AND FOOTWEAR REGISTERED THE LARGEST INCREASE IN MARCH 1993 COMPARED WITH A YEAR AGO, BY 45% IN VALUE AND 34% IN VOLUME.
SALES OF CONSUMER DURABLE GOODS OTHER THAN MOTOR VEHICLES AND PARTS WENT UP BY 25% IN VALUE AND 26% IN VOLUME.
MODERATE INCREASES WERE RECORDED FOR SALES IN DEPARTMENT STORES, BY 10% IN VALUE AND 3% IN VOLUME; SALES OF JEWELLERY, WATCHES AND CLOCKS, AND VALUABLE GIFTS, BY 7% IN VALUE AND 14% IN VOLUME; AND SALES IN SUPERMARKETS, BY 9% IN VALUE AND 2% IN VOLUME.
ON THE OTHER HAND, SALES OF MOTOR VEHICLES DROPPED BY 4% IN VOLUME, DESPITE AN INCREASE OF 3% IN VALUE. SALES OF FUELS REGISTERED A DECREASE OF 1% IN VALUE AND 6% IN VOLUME.
COMPARING THE PERIOD FROM JANUARY TO MARCH 1993 WITH THE SAME PERIOD IN 1992, TOTAL RETAIL SALES ROSE BY 11% IN VALUE AND 7% IN VOLUME.
COMPARED WITH FEBRUARY 1993, AND BEARING IN MIND THAT THIS COMPARISON MAY BE AFFECTED BY SEASONAL FACTORS, TOTAL RETAIL SALES IN MARCH 1993 INCREASED BY 9% IN VALUE AND 10% 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 MARCH 1993 RESULTS IS NOW ON SALE AT $2 A COPY AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, GENERAL POST OFFICE BUILDING, CONNAUGHT PLACE, CENTRAL; AND THE PUBLICATIONS SECTION OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT, 19TH FLOOR, WANCHAI TOWER, WAN CHAI.
ENQUIRIES ABOUT THE SURVEY RESULTS MAY BE DIRECTED TO THE WHOLESALE AND RETAIL TRADE STATISTICS SECTION OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT ON TELEPHONE 802 1258.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
TABLE 1 PRESENTS THE REVISED TOTAL RETAIL SALES FIGURE FOR FEBRUARY 1993 AND THE PROVISIONAL FIGURE FOR MARCH 1993.
TABLE 2 SHOWS THE VALUE AND VOLUME INDICES OF RETAIL SALES IN FEBRUARY AND MARCH 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 MARCH 1993 RESULTS WITH THOSE FOR FEBRUARY 1993 AND WITH THOSE FOR MARCH 1992, AS WELL AS COMPARISONS OF RETAIL SALES IN THE PERIOD JANUARY TO MARCH OF 1993 WITH THE SAME PERIOD IN 1992 ARE ALSO GIVEN.
/TABLE 1 : ........
THURSDAY, JUNE 3, 1993
- 15 -
TABLE 1 : TOTAL RETAIL SALES
Total Retail Sales for March 1993 (Provisional Figure) = HKS13,579.9 million
for February 1993 (Revised Figure) = HK$12,419.5 million
TABLE 2 ; VALUE AND VOLUME INDICES OF RETAIL SALES FOR FEBRUARY 1993 AND MARCH 1993
(Monthly average of Oct. 89 • Sept. 90 = 100)
Item Index of Retai I Sales February 1993 March 1993 March compar Februa 1993 ed with ry 1993 March compar March 1993 ed with 1992 Jan-Mar. 1993 compared with Jan-Mar. 1992
(Revised figures) (Provisional figures) Points % Points X Points X
(A) FOR ALL RETAIL OUTLETS
Value 132.2 144.6 ♦12.4 ♦9.3 ♦ 16.3 + 12.7 +14.7 +11.1
Volume 114.2 125.3 ♦ 11.1 +9.7 ♦ 11.4 + 10.1 +8.4 +7.0
(B) BY TYPE OF RETAIL OUTLET
Foodstuffs, alcoholic Value 111.0 119.6 ♦8.6 +7.7 +4.1 ♦3.5 ♦6.4 +5.5
drinks and tobacco Volume 88.0 98.7 ♦10.7 ♦12.2 ♦2.8 +2.9 ♦1.2 +1.3
(other than supermarkets)
Supermarkets 0 Value 111.3 133.4 ♦22.1 +19.9 +11.3 +9.2 ♦9.7 +7.8
Volume 87.4 103.6 ♦ 16.1 + 18.5 ♦ 1.7 ♦ 1.7 ♦0.7 +0.6
Fuels Value 117.6 128.4 ♦ 10.8 +9.2 -1.3 -1.0 +5.9 +4.8
Volume 89.1 94.9 ♦5.8 ♦6.5 -6.5 -6.4 +0.5 +0.5
Clothing, footwear and Value 135.7 171.0 ♦35.3 ♦26.0 +53.0 +44.9 +42.0 +29.5
allied products Volume 113.2 139.9 ♦26.7 +23.6 +35.6 +34.1 ♦25.1 +19.8
Consumer durable goods * Value 168.7 171.4 ♦2.7 +1.6 +21.3 ♦ 14.2 +19.6 +13.3
Volume 146.2 150.5 +4.3 ♦2.9 +15.6 ♦ 11.6 +13.4 +10.1
- Motor vehicles Value 234.3 181.8 -52.5 -22.4 +4.8 +2.7 ♦9.3 +5.1
and parts Volume 189.7 145.6 -44.2 -23.3 -6.3 •4.1 -2.1 -1.3
- Consumer durable Value 121.3 163.9 ♦42.7 +35.2 +33.2 +25.4 +27.1 +22.5
goods other than Volume 114.7 154.1 ♦39.3 ♦34.3 +31.5 +25.7 ♦24.7 +21.6
motor vehicles and parts
Department stores a Value 123.6 118.6 -5.0 -4.1 + 10.8 +10.0 ♦13.6 +10.5
Volume 104.2 97.6 -6.6 •6.3 +3.2 +3.4 ♦3.9 +3.4
Jewellery, watches Value 124.8 155.5 ♦30.8 ♦24.7 +9.7 +6.6 ♦11.2 +8.5
and clocks, and Volume 133.0 165.6 ♦32.6 ♦24.5 +20.2 ♦ 13.9 ♦18.1 +13.5
valuable gifts
Other consumer goods Value 138.2 140.1 ♦1.9 ♦ 1.4 +14.7 ♦ 11.7 ♦5.7 +4.1
not elsewhere Volume 115.4 116.5 ♦1.1 ♦ 1.0 ♦7.3 ♦6.7 -2.5 -2.0
classified
NOTE : 0 Excludes supermarkets operating in Department Stores.
* This covers both "Motor vehicles and parts" and "Consumer durable goods other than motor vehicles and parts". a Supermarkets of the same entities are also included.
/16 ........
THURSDAY, JUNE 3, 1993
- 16 -
AMENDMENTS TO MODEL ARTICLES OF ASSOCIATION FOR COMPANIES * * » » ♦
THE COMPANIES ORDINANCE (AMENDMENT OF SCHEDULES) ORDER 1993 AND THE COMPANIES ORDINANCE (AMENDMENT OF SCHEDULES) REGULATION 1993 WILL BE GAZETTED TOMORROW (FRIDAY).
’’THEY WILL PUT IN PLACE AMENDMENTS TO THE MODEL ARTICLES OF ASSOCIATION FOR COMPANIES IN KEEPING WITH THE AMENDMENTS TO THE P (MARY LEGISLATION MADE UNDER THE COMPANIES (AMENDMENT) ORDINANCE 1991,” A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (THURSDAY).
UNDER THE COMPANIES (AMENDMENT) ORDINANCE 1991, THE PROVISIONS RELATING TO THE PURCHASE BY A COMPANY OF ITS OWN SHARES AND THE GIVING OF FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE BY A COMPANY FOR THAT PURPOSE WERE LIBERALISED.
"THE AMENDMENTS WHICH HAVE NOW BEEN MADE TO THE SCHEDULES WILL ENSURE THAT THEY ARE FULLY CONSISTENT WITH THE PROVISIONS OF SECTIONS 47A, 47G, 48 AND 49-49S OF THE ORDINANCE SO THAT THE MODEL ARTICLES OF ASSOCIATION MAY BE READILY ADOPTED BY NEWLY FORMED COMPANIES," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
"THESE TECHNICAL AMENDMENTS RELATE TO THE FIRST, SECOND, FOURTH, 10TH AND 11TH SCHEDULES OF THE COMPANIES ORDINANCE," HE ADDED.
--------0------------
SUMMER TRAVELLERS URGED TO GET DOCUMENTS EARLY
******
THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT URGES RESIDENTS WHO INTEND TO TRAVEL ABROAD DURING THE SUMMER HOLIDAYS TO APPLY FOR TRAVEL DOCUMENTS AS EARLY AS POSSIBLE.
"THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE GOING OVERSEAS WILL BE GREATLY INCREASED DURING THIS PERIOD," A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID.
"IN ORDER TO AVOID LAST-MINUTE RUSH, PEOPLE ARE ADVISED TO APPLY FOR PASSPORTS AND CERTIFICATES OF IDENTITY WELL IN ADVANCE OF THE DATE OF TRAVEL," HE SAID.
FOR FIRST TIME APPLICATIONS, THE DEPARTMENT TAKES 20 WORKING DAYS (ABOUT FOUR TO FIVE WEEKS) TO ISSUE A HONG KONG BRITISH PASSPORT.
FOR REPLACEMENTS, 10 WORKING DAYS ARE REQUIRED IF THE APPLICATION IS SUBMITTED AT THE DEPARTMENT HEADQUARTERS AND 15 WORKING DAYS AT THE BRANCH OFFICES.
FOR HONG KONG CERTIFICATES OF IDENTITY, 10 WORKING DAYS ARE REQUIRED IF THE APPLICATION IS SUBMITTED AT THE HEADQUARTERS AND 15 WORKING DAYS AT THE BRANCH OFFICES.
THE PROCESSING TIME IS THE SAME FOR BOTH FIRST-TIME AND REPLACEMENT APPLICATIONS.
/AS AN ........
THURSDAY, JUNE 3, 1993
17 -
AS AN IMPROVEMENT OF SERVICE TO THE PUBLIC, THE SPOKESMAN SAID SINCE MID-1992 THE DEPARTMENT HAD STARTED TO ACCEPT APPLICATIONS FOR HONG KONG BRITISH DEPENDENT TERRITORIES CITIZEN PASSPORTS, BRITISH NATIONAL (OVERSEAS) PASSPORTS AND HONG KONG CERTIFICATES OF IDENTITY BY POST.
UNDER THE NEW ARRANGEMENTS, AN APPLICANT DOES NOT NEED TO SUBMIT AN APPLICATION IN PERSON.
APPLICATIONS MAY EITHER BE SENT TO THE DEPARTMENT BY POST OR DEPOSITED INTO THE DROP-IN BOXES INSTALLED AT THE HEADQUARTERS OR AT ANY BRANCH OFFICE.
THE PROCESSING TIME REQUIRED IS THE SAME AS SUBMITTING THE APPLICATION IN PERSON.
INFORMATION LEAFLETS ON APPLICATION PROCEDURES AND DOCUMENTS REQUIRED ARE ISSUED TOGETHER WITH APPLICATION FORMS WHICH ARE AVAILABLE AT ALL IMMIGRATION OFFICES, DISTRICT OFFICES AND DESIGNATED POST OFFICES.
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC MAY ALSO CALL 824 6111 FOR DETAILS.
"RE-ENTRY PERMITS AND DOCUMENTS OF IDENTITY FOR VISA PURPOSES ARE NORMALLY ISSUED ON THE SAME DAY BUT DELAY IS LIKELY IF THERE ARE MANY APPLICANTS COMING AT THE SAME TIME, FOR EXAMPLE, ON SATURDAY IN WHICH WE COULD ONLY PROVIDE A LIMITED SERVICE WITH HALF STRENGTH," HE SAID.
"THE PERIOD BEFORE THE SUMMER HOLIDAYS IS ONE OF THE BUSIEST TIMES OF THE YEAR. BY APPLYING EARLY, IT WILL NOT ONLY SPREAD THE WORKLOAD OF THE DEPARTMENT BUT WILL ALSO GIVE APPLICANTS EXTRA TIME TO MEET ANY FURTHER VISA PROCESSING REQUIREMENTS WHERE NECESSARY," THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
-----0------
SEARCH FOR CHINESE TRANSLATION OF AIDS THEME ♦ ♦ t ♦ ♦
THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, EDUCATION DEPARTMENT AND CARITAS-HONG KONG ARE JOINTLY ORGANISING A COMPETITION TO SEEK THE BEST CHINESE TRANSLATION OF "TIME TO ACT" - THE THEME OF THE 1993 WORLD AIDS DAY.
THE WORLD AIDS DAY HAS BEEN OBSERVED ON DECEMBER 1 EACH YEAR SINCE 1988. IT FEATURES A SERIES OF LOCAL ACTIVITIES ORGANISED BY MEMBER COUNTRIES AROUND A THEME SET BY THE WORLD HEALTH ORGANISATION (WHO).
WHO HAS CHOSEN "TIME TO ACT" AS THE THEME FOR 1993 TO HIGHLIGHT AN URGENCY IN THE FIGHT AGAINST AIDS.
/ANNOUNCING DETAILS .......
THURSDAY, JUNE 3, 1993
18
ANNOUNCING DETAILS OF THE COMPETITION, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH SAID TODAY (THURSDAY): "AS THE AIDS PANDEMIC CONTINUES TO SPREAD, EVERY COMMUNITY SHOULD REALISE THAT IT IS TIME TO TAKE UP THE CHALLENGE OF FIGHTING THE DISEASE."
"THE THEME CALLS FOR URGENCY TO FIGHT DENIAL AND DISCRIMINATION, TO SET UP FORCEFUL PREVENTION AND EDUCATION PROGRAMMES, AND TO ENSURE THAT HUMAN CARE FOR AIDS PATIENTS IS AVAILABLE EVERYWHERE.
"IT IS TIME TO PROVIDE YOUNG PEOPLE WITH THE KNOWLEDGE AND MEANS TO PROTECT THEMSELVES FROM INFECTION OF AIDS," THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
HE SAID THE CHINESE TRANSLATION OF THE THEME SHOULD NOT EXCEED EIGHT CHARACTERS AND SHOULD BE PRECISE AND BE ABLE TO REFLECT THE TRUE SPIRIT OF THE WORLD AIDS DAY.
THE BEST ENTRY WILL BE USED AS THE OFFICIAL THEME FOR THE COMING WORLD AIDS DAY IN HONG KONG.
THE COMPETITION IS OPEN TO YOUNG PEOPLE AGED BELOW 30. EACH PERSON CAN ONLY SUBMIT ONE ENTRY. ENTRY DEADLINE IS JULY 10.
ENTRIES WILL BE JUDGED BY A PANEL TO BE FORMED BY THE ORGANISERS. RESULTS WILL BE ANNOUNCED IN SEPTEMBER.
THERE WILL BE 21 PRIZES. THE WINNER WILL BE AWARDED A NOTE-BOOK COMPUTER DONATED BY THE WONG’S INTERNATIONAL LIMITED.
TWENTY OTHER OUTSTANDING ENTRANTS WILL EACH BE AWARDED A SOUVENIR.
APPLICATION FORMS CAN BE OBTAINED FROM THE VARIOUS CARITAS COMMUNITY CENTRES AND DISTRICT OFFICES OF THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION.
ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE TO THE ABERDEEN CARITAS COMMUNITY CENTRE ON TEL 552 4211 EXT 44.
------0--------
HK A TOP MAKER OF JEWELRY AND WATCHES * * * * *
HONG KONG HAS MADE A NAME FOR ITSELF IN THE RANKS OF WORLD’S TOP MANUFACTURERS AND EXPORTERS OF JEWELRY AND WATCHES ALTHOUGH THAT HAS NOT BEEN AN EASY BATTLE, THE DIRECTOR-GENERAL OF TRADE, MR TONY MILLER, SAID TODAY (THURSDAY).
AGAINST PREJUDICE AND PROTECTIONISM DESIGN SKILLS, QUALITY AND THE SUPPORT OF EXCELLENT CRAFTSMEN HAVE PREVAILED, AND EVERY VISITOR TO HONG KONG WAS IMPRESSED BY THE ENORMOUS NUMBER OF JEWELRY SHOPS HERE, AND THE VARIETY AND QUALITY OF THEIR STOCK, HE SAID.
/SPEAKING AT .......
THURSDAY, JUNE 3, 1993
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE JUNE HONG KONG JEWELRY AND WATCH FAIR, MR MILLER SAID THE POTENTIAL MARKET FOR JEWELRY AND WATCHES WAS ENORMOUS AND GROWING.
’’THE GROWTH OF WEALTH THROUGH TRADE HAS CHANGED BOTH ASPIRATIONS AND FASHIONS DRASTICALLY.
’’MORE PEOPLE BUY MORE, AND NOT JUST THE RARER METALS AND
STONES
’’COSTUME JEWELRY HAS COME OF AGE, ADDING CONTINUING VARIETY AND A DARING TOUCH TO MUCH WOMEN’S APPAREL, AND PROVIDING AN EXCITING COMPLEMENT TO TRADITIONAL JEWELRY.”
WHEN IT CAME TO WATCHES, HE SAID, THE IMAGINATION OF DESIGNERS SEEMED TO RUN EVER WILDER.
THEY CAME IN EVERY CONCEIVABLE SIZE, SHAPE AND COLOUR AND DID MUCH MORE THAN SIMPLY TELL THE TIME, HE SAID.
’’HONG KONG TAKES PRIDE IN BEING ONE OF THE WORLD’S BEST MARKET PLACES FOR THESE GOODS.
”OURS IS A SOCIETY THAT IS SENSITIVE AND RESPONSIVE TO FASHION TRENDS AND, ON TOP OF THAT, HAS THE BUYING POWER TO MAKE BUSINESSES HAPPEN,” THE DIRECTOR-GENERAL SAID.
DURING THE FOUR-DAY FAIR, HE SAID, VISITORS FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD WILL HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO BROWSE THE EXCELLENT ARRAY OF JEWELRY DISPLAYS, WATCHES AND ASSOCIATED MANUFACTURING SUPPLY, AND COMPARE THE QUALITY AND DESIGN OF THE VARIOUS PRODUCTS.
”1 AM SURE THAT THEIR PARTICIPATION WILL BE FRUITFUL IN BRINGING BOTH NEW IDEAS, CONTACTS, AND CONTRACTS AS WELL AS CONSOLIDATING AND RENEWING EXISTING TIES,” MR MILLER SAID.
- - 0 -
CROWN RENTS DUE ON JUNE 24 *****
THE TREASURY REMINDED MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC TO PAY CROWN RENTS EXCEEDING $100 PER ANNUM BY JUNE 24.
DEMAND NOTES HAVE BEEN ISSUED FOR SUCH CROWN RENTS FOR THE HALF YEAR ENDING JUNE 24.
PAYMENT MAY BE MADE BY POST TO THE DIRECTOR OF ACCOUNTING SERVICES, PO BOX 8000, GPO, HONG KONG OR, IN PERSON, AT:
* 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), 11 ICE HOUSE STREET, HONG KONG;
/* THE NORTH
THURSDAY, JUNE 3, 1993
20
* THE NORTH POINT SUB-TREASURY, MAX SHARE CENTRE, FIRST FLOOR, 373 KING’S ROAD, NORTH POINT, HONG KONG;
* THE SAI WAN HO SUB-TREASURY, EASTERN LAW COURTS BUILDING, GROUND FLOOR, 29 TAI ON STREET, SAI WAN HO, HONG KONG;
* THE YAU MA TEI SUB-TREASURY, KOWLOON GOVERNMENT OFFICE, FOURTH FLOOR, 405 NATHAN ROAD (MARKET STREET ENTRANCE), KOWLOON;
* THE KOWLOON CITY SUB-TREASURY, MAN SANG COMMERCIAL BUILDING, FIRST FLOOR, 348-352 PRINCE EDWARD ROAD (CORNER OF PRINCE EDWARD ROAD AND JUNCTION ROAD), KOWLOON; AND
* THE DISTRICT OFFICE AT SAI KUNG, SHA TIN, TAI PO, NORTH, YUEN LONG, TUEN MUN, TSUEN WAN OR KWAI TSING.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE TREASURY SAID CROWN RENT PAYERS WHO HAD NOT RECEIVED THEIR DEMAND NOTES SHOULD BRING ALONG THE DEMAND NOTES FOR ANY PREVIOUS PERIOD TO ANY OF THE TREASURY COLLECTION OFFICES.
DUPLICATE DEMAND NOTES WILL BE ISSUED TO THEM, HE SAID.
FOR THOSE WHO CANNOT PRODUCE DEMAND NOTES FOR ANY PREVIOUS PERIOD, THEY SHOULD INQUIRE AT THE CROWN RENT UNIT OF THE TREASURY AT IMMIGRATION TOWER, 30TH FLOOR, 7 GLOUCESTER ROAD, WAN CHAI, HONG KONG.
"NON-RECEIPT OF THE DEMAND NOTE DOES NOT ALTER THE REQUIREMENT THAT THE CROWN RENTS MUST BE PAID BY JUNE 24, 1993," HE SAID.
CROWN RENT PAYERS WHO HAVE SUBMITTED A VALID DIRECT DEBIT AUTHORISATION SHOULD NOTE THAT IF THE WORDING "PAYMENT TO BE MADE BY AUTOPAY" IS SHOWN ON THE DEMAND NOTES, PAYMENT WILL BE MADE BY DIRECT DEBIT TO THEIR BANK ACCOUNTS ON JUNE 24.
THEY SHOULD ENSURE THAT THEIR BANK ACCOUNTS CONTAIN THE NECESSARY FUNDS ON THAT DATE.
IF THE ABOVE WORDING IS NOT SHOWN, THEY SHOULD PAY ACCORDING TO THE INSTRUCTIONS SET OUT IN THE DEMAND NOTES.
TO SAVE TIME OF QUEUING, THE SPOKESMAN URGED PAYERS TO PAY EARLY IN PERSON OR BY POST AT ANY OF THE COLLECTION OFFICES.
HOWEVER, HE POINTED OUT THAT THE MOST CONVENIENT METHOD FOR PAYMENT WAS AUTOPAY.
APPLICATIONS FOR AUTOPAY CAN BE OBTAINED FROM TREASURY COLLECTION OFFICES, DISTRICT OFFICES AND ALL MAJOR BANKS IN HONG KONG OR BY TELEPHONING 829 4999.
THE SPOKESMAN ADVISED CROWN RENT PAYERS TO NOTE THE FOLLOWING:
* TO AVOID LEGAL ACTION FOR RE-ENTRY OF A PROPERTY THE OWNER FOR THE TIME BEING OF THAT PROPERTY IS OBLIGED TO PAY CROWN RENT INCLUDING ANY ARREARS AS DEMANDED;
/* THE CROWN ........
THURSDAY, JUNE 3, 1993
21 -
* THE CROWN RENT PAYABLE UNDER A LEASE OE A PROPERTY WHICH HAS BEEN RENEWED UNDER THE CROWN LEASES ORDINANCE AND REDEVELOPED, WILL BE 3 PER CENT OF THE RATEABLE VALUE OF THAT PROPERTY AS ASSESSED FOLLOWING THE REDEVELOPMENT.
PENDING COMPLETION OF THE ASSESSMENT AND OTHER RELATED PROCEDURES, CROWN RENT DEMANDS WILL BE BASED UPON THE PRE-REDEVELOPMENT RATEABLE VALUE.
IN DUE COURSE, CROWN RENT FOR THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE RENT BASED UPON PRE- AND POST-REDEVELOPMENT RATEABLE VALUES WILL BE DEMANDED AND THE OWNER FOR THE TIME BEING IS OBLIGED TO PAY THE RENT AS DEMANDED.
IF HE DOES NOT, LEGAL ACTION FOR RE-ENTRY OF THE PROPERTY MAY BE INSTITUTED.
HE ADVISED PROPERTY BUYERS TO INSTRUCT THEIR SOLICITORS TO ENSURE THAT AT THE TIME OF PURCHASE THE CROWN RENT WAS PAID UP TO DATE.
IF A PROPERTY IS SUBJECT TO THE CROWN LEASES ORDINANCE AND HAS BEEN REDEVELOPED BUT THE RENTAL PAID UP TO THE DATE OF THE PURCHASE IS NOT BASED UPON AN ASSESSMENT OF THE RATEABLE VALUE OF THE PROPERTY SINCE ITS REDEVELOPMENT, APPROPRIATE STEPS SHOULD BE TAKEN BY THE PURCHASER OR HIS SOLICITORS TO PROTECT THE PURCHASER, HE SAID.
ENQUIRIES ON OUTSTANDING CROWN RENT ACCOUNTS MAY BE ADDRESSED TO THE DIRECTOR OF ACCOUNTING SERVICES. THE FEE IS S60 FOR EACH ENQUIRY PER PROPERTY.
----. 0 - - - -
INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION SURVEY UNDER WAY ♦ ♦ » ♦ ♦
THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (THURSDAY) THAT THE SURVEY OF INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION FOR 1992 HAS STARTED.
THE ANNUAL SURVEY IS PART OF A CONTINUAL PROGRAMME TO COMPILE STATISTICS ON THE STRUCTURE AND PERFORMANCE OF VARIOUS ECONOMIC ACTIVITIES IN HONG KONG.
UP-TO-DATE STATISTICAL DATA WILL BE OBTAINED FOR EVALUATING THE CONTRIBUTION OF VARIOUS INDUSTRIAL ACTIVITIES TO HONG KONG’S GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT AND FOR ASCERTAINING THEIR COST STRUCTURE, OPERATING CHARACTERISTICS AND OUTPUT LEVELS.
THE SURVEY RESULTS ARE USEFUL TO BOTH THE GOVERNMENT AND THE PRIVATE SECTOR IN FORMULATING POLICIES AND MAKING DECISIONS.
/THE COMMISSIONER
THURSDAY, JUNE 3, 1993
- 22 -
THE COMMISSIONER FOR CENSUS AND STATISTICS, MR FREDERICK HO, APPEALED TO THE MANAGEMENTS OF ALL SAMPLED ESTABLISHMENTS TO FULFIL THEIR LEGAL AND SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITIES BY RETURNING PROMPTLY THE COMPLETED QUESTIONNAIRES AND CO-OPERATING WITH OFFICERS OF THE DEPARTMENT.
HE STRESSED THAT INFORMATION RELATING TO INDIVIDUAL ESTABLISHMENTS WOULD BE TREATED IN STRICT CONFIDENCE UNDER THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS ORDINANCE.
ONLY AGGREGATE INFORMATION THAT DOES NOT REVEAL DETAILS OF INDIVIDUAL ESTABLISHMENTS WILL BE RELEASED.
MR HO POINTED OUT THAT AUDITED ACCOUNTS WERE NOT ESSENTIAL FOR THE SUPPLY OF INCOME AND EXPENDITURE DATA REQUIRED IN THE SURVEY.
THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT ACCEPTS FIGURES BASED ON PRELIMINARY ACCOUNTS OR ESTIMATES WHICH ARE CORRECT TO THE BEST OF THE RESPONDENTS’ KNOWLEDGE AT THE TIME OF SUBMISSION OF THE QUESTIONNAIRE, IF AUDITED ACCOUNTS ARE NOT YET AVAILABLE.
ABOUT 8,000 ESTABLISHMENTS WILL BE ENUMERATED IN THE PRESENT ROUND OF THE SURVEY, COVERING THE FOLLOWING INDUSTRIAL ACTIVITIES: MANUFACTURING; MINING AND QUARRYING; AND ELECTRICITY, GAS AND WATER.
INFORMATION TO BE SOUGHT IN THE SURVEY INCLUDES: TYPE OF OWNERSHIP, ORIGIN OF INVESTMENT, FLOOR AREA, EMPLOYMENT, COMPENSATION OF EMPLOYEES (WAGES, SALARIES AND OTHER EMPLOYEE BENEFITS), PAYMENTS FOR INDUSTRIAL WORK AND INDUSTRIAL SERVICES, VALUE OF PURCHASES AND OTHER EXPENSES, SALES AND OTHER RECEIPTS, CAPITAL EXPENDITURE AND STOCKS AND OTHER RELATED INFORMATION ON THE BUSINESS OPERATION OF THE ESTABLISHMENTS.
THE SURVEY IS CONDUCTED UNDER THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS (ANNUAL SURVEY OF INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION) ORDER 1984, WHICH WAS MADE UNDER THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS ORDINANCE AND ISSUED AS LEGAL NOTICE NO. 15 IN THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT GAZETTE ON JANUARY 13, 1984.
QUESTIONNAIRES HAVE BEEN MAILED TO THE SAMPLED ESTABLISHMENTS WHICH ARE REQUIRED BY LAW TO COMPLETE AND RETURN THEM TO THE DEPARTMENT BY JULY 31.
IF REQUIRED, OFFICERS OF THE DEPARTMENT WILL VISIT INDIVIDUAL ESTABLISHMENTS TO HELP THEM COMPLETE THE QUESTIONNAIRES.
THE OFFICERS WILL EACH CARRY A GOVERNMENT IDENTITY CARD AND A CERTIFICATE FOR CONDUCTING THE SURVEY WHILE ON DUTY, WHICH ARE AVAILABLE FOR INSPECTION.
ANY ENQUIRIES REGARDING THE SURVEY MAY BE DIRECTED TO THE INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION STATISTICS SECTION OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT ON TELEPHONE 839 3230 OR 805 6441.
--------0 ---------
/23 ........
THURSDAY, JUNE 3, 1993
23 BEACH WATER GRADES * * * * * *
THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT TODAY (THURSDAY) ANNOUNCED GRADES ON THE BACTERIOLOGICAL WATER QUALITY OF ALL BATHING BEACHES IN HONG KONG.
THE PURPOSE OF THE GRADING SYSTEM IS TO INFORM SWIMMERS AND THE GENERAL PUBLIC ABOUT THE STATE OF BACTERIOLOGICAL POLLUTION AT VARIOUS BEACHES.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID THE GRADING WOULD BE ANNOUNCED BIWEEKLY DURING THE BATHING SEASON TO COINCIDE WITH THE FREQUENCY AT WHICH BEACH WATER WAS USUALLY SAMPLED.
THE GRADING IS BASED ON THE MOST RECENT E.COLI DATA OBTAINED BY THE DEPARTMENT IN ITS ROUTINE MONITORING PROGRAMME.
AS WITH LAST YEAR, THE GRADING ALSO INCLUDES AN ESTIMATE OF THE RISK OF SUFFERING SOME MINOR SKIN OR GASTROINTESTINAL COMPLAINTS AS A RESULT OF SWIMMING AT A BEACH THAT HAS SOME DEGREE OF POLLUTION.
THE ESTIMATE IS BASED ON A VERY LARGE BODY OF STATISTICAL INFORMATION GATHERED IN HONG KONG TN RECENT BATHING SEASONS.
THE GRADING OF SOME BEACHES MAY VARY DURING THE SUMMER. THIS REPRESENTS A NATURAL FLUCTUATION IN THE BACTERIOLOGICAL QUALITY OF BATHING WATER 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 :
♦ 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, JUNE 3, 1993
- 24 -
* 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 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 ON THE BACTERIOLOGICAL WATER QUALITY
OF VARIOUS
BEACHES IN HONG KONG TODAY ARE :
BEACH PREVIOUS GRADING PRESENT GRADING
(AS AT 20.5.93) (AS AT 3.6.93)
HONG KONG SOUTH
BIG WAVE BAY 3 2
CHUNG HOM KOK 2 2
DEEP WATER BAY 2 1
HAIRPIN 2 2
MIDDLE BAY 1 1
REPULSE BAY 1 1
SHEK O 2 2
SOUTH BAY 1 1
ST. STEPHEN’S 2 2
TURTLE COVE 1 1
STANLEY MAIN 2 3
ROCKY BAY X X
TO TEI WAN* 1 1
TUEN MUN DISTRICT
OLD CAFETERIA X
NEW CAFETERIA 3
CASTLE PEAK X
KADOORIE 3
BUTTERFLY 3
X 2 X
3 2
/SAI KUNG DISTRICT .......
THURSDAY, JUNE 3, 1993
- 25 -
SAI KUNG DISTRICT
CAMPERS 1 1
CLEAR WATER BAY 1ST BEACH 2 1
CLEAR WATER BAY 2ND BEACH 1 2
HAP MUN BAY 1 1
KIU TSUI 1 1
PAK SHA CHAU 1 1
SILVERSTRAND 2 2
TRIO (HEBE HAVEN) 2 1
ISLANDS DISTRICT
CHEUNG SHA UPPER 1 1
CHEUNG SHA LOWER 2 2
DISCOVERY BAY* 2 2
HUNG SHING YEH 2 2
KWUN YAM WAN 2 2
TONG FUK 1 1
LO SO SHING 1 1
PUI 0 1 2
STLVERMINE BAY 3 3
TUNG WAN, CHEUNG CHAU 2 2
TUNG O* 2 2
TSUEN WAN DISTRICT
ANGLERS 1 3 3
APPROACH 4 4
CASAM 3 3
GEMINI 3 3
HOI MEI WAN 3 4
LIDO 3 3
TING KAU 4 4
TUNG WAN, MA WAN 2 2
NOTE : "X" THE BEACH HAS BEEN CLOSED FOR SWIMMING
* NON-GAZETTED BEACH
THE FOLLOWING BEACHES HAVE CHANGED GRADING ON THIS OCCASION:
DEEP WATER BAY, CLEAR WATER BAY 1ST BEACH AND TRIO (HEBE HAVEN) FROM ”2” TO "I”; BIG WAVE BAY, NEW CAFETERIA AND BUTTERFLY FROM ”3” TO "2”; CLEAR WATER BAY 2ND AND PUI O FROM ”1" TO ”2”; STANLEY MAIN FROM ”2" TO "3”; AND HOT MEI WAN FROM "3” TO ”4".
/THE CHANGES .......
THURSDAY, JUNE 3, 1993
- 26 -
THE CHANGES ARE WITHIN THE NORMAL RANGE OF FLUCTUATION OF THE BACTERIOLOGICAL WATER QUALITY OF THESE BEACHES.
THE VERY POOR WATER QUALITY AT APPROACH, HOI MEI WAN AND TING KAU BEACHES IS PROBABLY DUE TO THE RECENT HEAVY RAINFALL WHICH WOULD HAVE CAUSED THE POLLUTANTS IN THE BEACH HINTERLAND TO BE FLUSHED INTO THE SEA WATER.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
FOR FURTHER ENQUIRIES, PLEASE CONTACT DR M J BROOM, PRINCIPAL ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION OFFICER, ON TELEPHONE 835 1234.
--------0------------
DTC REGISTRATION REVOKED * * * * *
THE MONETARY AUTHORITY ANNOUNCED THAT THE REGISTRATION OF ONG FINANCE (H.K.) LIMITED AS A DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANY HAS BEEN REVOKED AT THE CLOSE OF BUSINESS TODAY (THURSDAY) AT ITS OWN REQUEST UNDER SECTION 31 (2) OF THE BANKING ORDINANCE.
--------0-----------
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS *****
$ MILLION
OPENING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT 1 , 794
REVERSAL OF LAF +1,006
BALANCE AFTER REVERSAL OF LAF 2,800
NET INJECTION/WITHDRAWAL TODAY NIL
EFFECT OF LAF TODAY -1,140
CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT 1 ,660
LAF RATE 2.00 BID/4.00 OFFER TWI 111.8 »+0.2* 3.6.93
/HONG KONG ........
THURSDAY, JUNE 3, 1993
- 27 -
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND
EF BILLS EF NOTES/HONG KONG GOVERNMENT BONDS
TERMS YIELD TERM ISSUE COUPON PRICE YIELD
1 WEEK 2.4 5 PCT 15 MONTHS 2408 4.375 100.81 3.71
1 MONTH 2.73 PCT 18 MONTHS 24 1 1 4.625 101.09 3.88
3 MONTHS 3.00 PCT 21 MONTHS 2502 4.75 101.18 4.06
6 MONTHS 3.25 PCT 24 MONTHS 2505 3.75 99. 17 4.24
12 MONTHS 3.53 PCT
TOTAL TURNOVER OF BILLS AND BONDS - 11,818 MN
CLOSED JUNE 3, 1993
-----0------
Received by PRO on - 7 JUN 1993
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
FRIDAY, JUNE 4, 1993
CONTENTS . PAGE NO.
FURTHER FUNDING FOR PROVISIONAL AIRPORT AUTHORITY ............... 1
MORE CONSTRUCTION SITES INSPECTED ............................... 2
PUBLIC WORKS CONTRACTORS REMINDED TO ENSURE SITE SAFETY ......... 3
REPORT ON MTR TRAIN SEPARATION INCIDENT PUBLISHED ............... 4
PROPOSED MERGER OF YAU TSIM AND MONG KOK DISTRICTS WELL-FOUNDED ........................................................ 5
TRADE DEPARTMENT REVISES LICENSING FEES ......................... 6
REVISED MEDIUM OF INSTRUCTION GROUPING ASSESSMENT ANNOUNCED . 11
HK THRIVING AND FORGING AHEAD WITH VIGOUR ...................... 12
APPLICATIONS INVITED FOR FREE QUOTA ON CFCS AND HALONS ......... 16
FEES UP FOR SERVICES ........................................... 17
CODE OF PRACTICE ON BUILDING MANAGEMENT ........................ 17
ACCESS ROAD ON NORTH LANTAU .................................... 18
FILM CENSORSHIP FEE TO GO UP .................................. 19
TENDERS INVITED FOR PARK AND SEWER WORKS ...................... 20
LUNG CHEUNG AND CHING CHEUNG ROADS TO BE UPGRADED ............. 20
CIVIL AID SERVICES EXERCISE .................................... 21
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS
22
FRIDAY, .JUNK I, 1993
- 1 -
FURTHER FUNDING FOR PROVISIONAL AIRPORT AUTHORITY
THE GOVERNMENT HAS DECIDED TO SEEK APPROVAI FROM THE FINANCE COMMITTEE FOR THE PROVISIONAL AIRPORT AUTHORITY TO RECEIVE FURTHER FUNDING TOTALLING $564 MILLION.
THIS WOULD ENABLE THE AUTHORITY TO COVER ITS HEAD OFFICE EXPENSES FOR A PERIOD OF NINE MONTHS FROM THE END OF JUNE, AND TO PROCEED WITH EIGHT CRITICAL AIRPORT DESIGN PACKAGES.
"OUR DECISION TO SEEK APPROVAL FOR THIS FURTHER FUNDING IS IN LINE WITH OUR COMMITMENT UNDER THE MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING TO COMPLETE PROJECTS IN THE AIRPORT CORE PROGRAMME TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT POSSIBLE BY JUNE 1997," A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (FRIDAY).
"THE PAA IS WORKING TO MAINTAIN THE MOMENTUM OF THE AIRPORT PROJ ECT.
"THE FIGURE OF $564 MILLION IS THE MINIMUM NEEDED TO ENABLE THE AUTHORITY TO CONTINUE TO MANAGE THE SITE PREPARATION CONTRACT, TO KEEP ITS PLANNING AND DESIGN WORK ON SCHEDULE, AND TO AVOID DELAYS THAT WOULD RAISE COSTS."
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE $564 MILLION COMPRISED A NEW CONTRIBUTION OF $374 MILLION TOWARDS THE PAA’S HEAD OFFICE EXPENSES FOR A PERIOD OF NINE MONTHS FROM JULY 1 AND $190 MILLION TOWARDS THE COST OF EIGHT DESIGN PACKAGES.
LAST NOVEMBER THE FINANCE COMMITTEE APPROVED $6,699 MILLION TO COVER HEAD OFFICE EXPENSES UP TO JUNE 30, AND FULL CONTRACTUAL COMMITMENTS AND ASSOCIATED EXPENSES (INCLUDING SITE SUPERVISION COSTS) OF THE SITE PREPARATION CONTRACT, THE PASSENGER TERMINAL DESIGN, AND FIVE OTHER CRITICAL DESIGN PACKAGES.
"A FURTHER PERIOD OF NINE MONTHS HAS BEEN SELECTED FOR FUNDING THE HEAD OFFICE EXPENSES BECAUSE IT RUNS TO THE END OF THE PAA’S CURRENT FINANCIAL YEAR.
APPROVAL OF THE FUNDS WOULD ALSO HELP SUSTAIN STAFF MORALE AND STRENGTHEN THE PAA’S NEGOTIATING POSITION IN COMMERCIAL TRANSACTIONS," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
"THIS FUNDING IS ESSENTIAL FOR THE PAA TO BE ABLE TO CONTINUE, BEYOND THE END OF JUNE, ITS HEAD OFFICE MANAGEMENT OF THE SITE PREPARATION CONTRACT AND OF DESIGN WORK ON THE TERMINAL AND OTHER ITEMS.
IT IS ALSO ESSENTIAL TO ENABLE IT TO MAINTAIN ITS FINANCIAL AND CORPORATE MANAGEMENT ACTIVITY, AND ITS OPERATIONAL AND COMMERI 1 AL PLANNING."
THE SPOKESMAN EXPLAINED THAT THE EIGHT DESIGN PACKAGES HAD BEEN HELD OVER WHEN THE FINANCE COMMITTEE APPROVED FIVE MORE URGENT DESIGN PACKAGES LAST NOVEMBER.
/THE EIGHT
FRIDAY, JUNE 4, 1993
2
THE EIGHT HAD NOW BECOME CRITICAL. THEY INCLUDED ITEMS SUCH AS AIRFIELD PAVEMENTS, AIRFIELD AND APRON LIGHTING, THE AIRPORT EXPRESSWAY, OTHER ROADWORKS, AND COMMUNI CATJONS AND SECURITY SYSTEMS.
"IF THESE EIGHT DESIGN PACKAGES ARE NOT AWARDED BY JULY, THERE COULD BE SERIOUS SLIPPAGE IN COMPLETION OF THE SITE PREPARATION WORK AND CONSEQUENTIAL INCREASES IN COSTS.
THERE COULD ALSO BE CLAIMS FROM THE SITE PREPARATION CONTRACTOR WHO NEEDS TO RECEIVE DESIGN DETAILS AS SITE WORK PROCEEDS".
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE $564 MILLION BEING SOUGHT WOULD BRING ADVANCES APPROVED FOR THE PROVISIONAL AIRPORT AUTHORITY TO A TOTAL OF $14,593 MILLION.
A PAPER EXPLAINING THE FUNDING HAD BEEN CIRCULATED TODAY TO MEMBERS OF THE LEGCO AD HOC GROUP ON THE FINANCING OF THE AIRPORT ('ORE PROGRAMME.
THE GROUP WOULD MEET ON JUNE 10 FOR A BRIEFING. THE CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEE ON THE NEW AIRPORT AND RELATED PROJECTS WOULD ALSO BE BRIEFED.
- 0 -
MORE CONSTRUCTION SITES INSPECTED * ♦ ♦ * t
FACTORY INSPECTORS OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT TODAX (FRIDAY) VISITED 98 CONSTRUCTION SITES THROUGHOUT THE TERRITORY To ENSURE THAT THE SAFETY MEASURES ON PASSENGER HOISTS XRF ADOPTED BY C'ONTRACTORS AND WORKERS.
\ LABOUR DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID 60 FA< IOR\ INSPECTORS WERE DEPLOYED TODAX AND 15 C( INSTRUCT I ON SITIS WERE FOUND TO HAVI* PASSENGER HOISTS, TOTALLING 25 IN NUMBER.
"TWO OFFENCES RELATING TO THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE HOIST GATE WERE DETECTED IN CONSTRUCTION SITES IN THE NEW TERRITORIES WEST," HE SAID.
"PROSECUTION ACTION WILL BE TAKEN IN DUE COURSE AGAINST THE CONTRACTOR," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
HE SAID THE DEPARTMENT VISITED 199 CONSTRUCTION SITES IN THE PAST TWO DAYS. 45 OF THEM WERE FOUND TO HAVE PASSENGER HOISTS, TOTALLING 74 TN NUMBER.
AT A MEETING ARRANGED BY THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT THIS AFTERNOON, OFFICIALS FROM THE LEGAL AID AND THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENTS, AND THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION BRIEFED FAMILIES OF DECEASED WORKERS ON THE PROVISION OF GOVERNMENT XSSI STANCE.
/TN RESPONSE .......
FRIDAY, JUNE 4, 1993
3
IN RESPONSE TO PRESS ENQUIRIES ON THE COMPENSATION MATTERS RELATING TO THE YOUNGEST VICTIM, THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE DEPARTMENT WAS PROVIDING ASSISTANCE TO THE FATHER OF THE DECEASED WORKER WHO MIGHT BE QUALIFIED FOR COMPENSATION UNDER THE EMPLOYEES’ COMPENSATION ORDINANCE (ECO).
THE SPOKESMAN EXPLAINED THAT UNDER THE ECO, THE DEFINITION OF DEPENDANTS PROVIDES, INTER ALIA, THAT IF THE FATHER, MOTHER, GRANDFATHER, GRANDMOTHER, STEPFATHER OR STEPMOTHER OF THE DECEASED I ’PLOYEE RETIRES WITHIN TWO YEARS AFTER THE DEATH OF THE DECEASED EMPLOYEE AND WOULD BUT FOR THE DEATH OF THE EMPLOYEE HAVE BEEN REASONABLY EXPECTED TO BE WHOLLY OR IN PART DEPENDENT UPON THE EARNINGS OF THE DECEASED EMPLOYEE AFTER HIS RETIREMENT, SUCH PERSON SHALL BE DEEMED TO BE A DEPENDANT FOR THE PURPOSES OF THIS ORDINANCE.
HE ADDED THAT OFFICERS OF THE EMPLOYEES’ COMPENSATION UNIT ARE ALSO HELPING DEPENDANTS OF OTHER DECEASED WORKERS TO SEEK COMPENSATION.
-----0------
PUBLIC WORKS CONTRACTORS REMINDED TO ENSURE SITE SAFETY
*****
THE SECRETARY FOR WORKS, MR JAMES BLAKE, TODAY (FRIDAY) REMINDED PUBLIC WORKS CONTRACTORS ON THE IMPORTANCE OF CONSTRUCTION SITE SAFETY AND TO ENSURE THAT ALL HOISTS AT SITE WERE OPERATED AND KEPT IN A SAFE CONDITION.
IN A LETTER TO ALL APPROVED CONTRACTORS FOR PUBLIC WORKS LIST I AND II, MR BLAKE SAID: "IN VIEW OF WEDNESDAY’S INDUSTRIAL ACCIDENT IN NORTH POINT, 1 AM WRITING TO SEEK YOUR PERSONAL INVOLVEMENT IN ENSURING THAT ALL HOISTS ON YOUR CONSTRUCTION SITES ARE THOROUGHLY SAFE AND IN GOOD ORDER."
"IN PARTICULAR, EVERY EFFORT SHOULD BE MADE TO PREVENT OVERLOADING OF THESE HOISTS IN USE," HE SAID.
MR BLAKE URGED THE APPROVED CONTRACTORS TO IMPLEMENT IMMEDIATELY SPECIAL CHECKS ON ALL HOISTS AND TO ENSURE THAT INSPECTIONS REQUIRED UNDER THE CONSTRUCTION SITE (SAFETY) REGULATIONS WERE SUBSEQUENTLY CARRIED OUT RIGOROUSLY AND PUNCTUALLY NOT ONLY ON HOISTS BUT ALL OTHER MECHANICAL PLANT THAT COULD AFFECT THE SAFETY OF WORKERS ON SITE.
-----0------
/4 ........
FRIDAY, JUNE 4, 1993
4
REPORT ON MTR TRAIN SEPARATION INCIDENT PUBLISHED
*****
THE GOVERNMENT TODAY (FRIDAY) PUBLISHED THE FULL REPORT OF THE INDEPENDENT INVESTIGATION CONDUCTED BY THE DEPUTY CHIEF INSPECTING OFFICER OF THE BRITISH RAILWAY INSPECTORATE, MR ALAN COOKSEY, INTO THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY CORPORATION’S TRAIN UNCOUPLING INCIDENT ON APRIL 27.
APART FROM CONFIRMING THE CAUSE OF THE INCIDENT, WHICH HAS ALREADY BEEN MADE PUBLIC, THE REPORT CONTAINS 10 RECOMMENDATIONS FOR MAINTAINING A HIGH LEVEL OF TRAIN SAFETY. THEY ARE:
» PENDING CONSIDERATION OF THE OTHER RECOMMENDATIONS, MTRC SHOULD CONTINUE WITH THE SAFETY MEASURES INTRODUCED SINCE THE INCIDENT, INCLUDING THE DAILY INSPECTION OF COUPLERS BEFORE A TRAIN IS PUT INTO SERVICE;
» MTRC SHOULD CONSIDER THE PROVISION OF A SIMPLE AND ROBUST TRAIN SEPARATION INDICATOR FOR THE TRAIN OPERATORS;
* MTRC SHOULD PROCEED WITH ITS DETAILED HAZARD ANALYSIS OF THE COUPLER MECHANISM TO IDENTIFY ANY AREAS OF RISK IN ITS DESIGN, OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE;
* MTRC SHOULD REVIEW THE DIVISION OF RESPONSIBILITIES BETWEEN TRAIN OPERATORS AND CONTROL ROOM STAFF;
* MTRC SHOULD CONSIDER PROVIDING IMPROVED VOICE COMMUNICATION BETWEEN THE CENTRAL CONTROL ROOM AND TRAINS, AND BETWEEN TRAIN OPERATORS AND PASSENGERS;
♦ MTRC SHOULD CONSIDER INSPECTING THE COUPLERS VISUALLY AT GROUND LEVEL, BEFORE AND AFTER CARRIAGES ARE COUPLED TOGETHER;
* MTRC SHOULD LIMIT THE NUMBER OF PERSONS ALLOWED IN THE CONTROL ROOM TO THOSE WHO REALLY NEED TO BE THERE;
* THE OPEN GANGWAY DESIGN LINKING MTR CARRIAGES HAS MANY ADVANTAGES INCLUDING CONTRIBUTING TO CRIME FREE OPERATION AND FACILITATING EMERGENCY EVACUATION. IT SHOULD BE RETAINED; 4
♦ KCRC SHOULD EXAMINE THE RECOMMENDATIONS IN THE REPORT TO SEE WHETHER THESE MIGHT BE RELEVANT TO THEIR OPERATIONS; AND
♦ THE TWO RAILWAY CORPORATIONS SHOULD SUBMIT TO THE CHIEF INSPECTING OFFICER OF THE HONG KONG RAILWAY INSPECTORATE REGULAR PROGRESS REPORTS ON IMPLEMENTATION OF THE RECOMMENDATIONS, WITH THE FIRST SUCH REPORT TO BE MADE WITHIN FOUR MONTHS AND SUBSEQUENT REPORTS AT SIX MONTHLY INTERVALS THEREAFTER.
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY THESE RECOMMENDATIONS HAD BEEN FULLY ACCEPTED BY THE MTRC AND WERE BEING CONSIDERED AS PART OF THEIR OWN ENQUIRY WHICH WAS EXPECTED TO BE COMPLETED BY MID JUNE.
/RELEVANT RECOMMENDATIONS .......
FRIDAY, JUNE 4, 1993
5
RELEVANT RECOMMENDATIONS WERE ALSO BEING FOLLOWED UP BY THE KCRC.
”TO MONITOR PROGRESS IN THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE RECOMMENDED MEASURES, MR COOKSEY WILL RETURN TO HONG KONG TN SEPTEMBER,” THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
COPIES OF THE REPORT WILL BE AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC AT PUBLIC ENQUIRY COUNTERS OF DISTRICT OFFICES FROM NEXT TUESDAY (JUNE 8).
0----------
PROPOSED MERGER OF YAU TSIM AND MONG KOK DISTRICTS WELL-FOUNDED
******
IN RESPONSE TO PRESS ENQUIRIES ON THE PROPOSED MERGER OF YAU TSIM AND MONG KOK DISTRICTS, A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (FRIDAY) THAT THE TWO DISTRICTS SHARE MANY COMMON CHARACTERISTICS AND ARE WELL-LINKED IN TERMS OF TRANSPORT SERVICES AND INFRASTRUCTURAL FACILITIES.
"BOTH YAU TSIM AND MONG KOK DISTRICTS COVER SMALL GEOGRAPHICAL AREAS AND HAVE RELATIVELY SMALL AND DECLINING POPULATION. THE CASE FOR MERGING THESE TWO DISTRICTS IS WELL-FOUNDED."
THE SPOKESMAN ADDED THAT THE GOVERNMENT HAD CONSIDERED THE ARGUMENTS PUT FORWARD BY SOME MEMBERS OF THE AFFECTED DISTRICT BOARDS.
IN FACT, THIS PROPOSAL WAS A SUBJECT OF CONSULTATION WITH ALL THE DISTRICT BOARDS IN NOVEMBER AND DECEMBER 1992.
"HOWEVER, IT IS CONSIDERED THAT THE COMBINED BOARD WOULD HAVE A MORE REASONABLE SIZE AND CARRY AN ENHANCED STATUS TO THE LONG-TERM BENEFIT OF THE RESIDENTS," HE SAID.
THE SPOKESMAN ADDED THAT AN ORDER MADE BY THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL DECLARING THE NUMBER OF PROPOSED DISTRICTS AND SPECIFYING THEIR NAMES WAS GAZETTED TODAY.
THE NAME FOR THE PROPOSED NEW DISTRICT IS YAU TSIM MONG - A NAME WHICH IS ALREADY USED AT PRESENT WHEN THE TWO DISTRICTS ARE REFERRED TOGETHER.
--------0------------
/6 .........
FRIDAY, JUNE 4, 1993
- 6 -
TRADE DEPARTMENT REVISES LICENSING FEES » » » « »
APPLICATION FEES FOR CERTAIN TRADE LICENCES, CERTIFICATES, RELATED DOCUMENTS AND SERVICES WILL BE REVISED FROM JUNE 15 UNDER THE IMPORT AND EXPORT (FEES) (AMENDMENT) (NO. 2) REGULATION 1993 GAZETTED TODAY (FRIDAY).
IN PARALLEL, ANNUAL SUBSCRIPTION FEES FOR NOTICES TO EXPORTERS AND OTHER CIRCULARS ISSUED BY THE TRADE DEPARTMENT WILL ALSO BE REVISED.
"IN LINE WITH THE RECOMMENDATION BY FINANCE BRANCH, A 10 PER CENT INCREASE ON CURRENT FEES AND CHARGES WILL BE APPLIED," A SPOKESMAN FOR THE TRADE DEPARTMENT SAID.
"IN CERTAIN CASES, THE PROPOSED FEE LEVELS HAVE BEEN ROUNDED UP FOR CONVENIENCE OF COLLECTION OR FOR HARMONISATION WITH STAMP DENOMINATION AS SOME FEES ARE PAID BY AFFIXING STAMPS," HE SAID.
THE PERCENTAGE IS BASED ON THE GOVERNMENT CONSUMPTION EXPENDITURE DEFLATOR WHICH HAS BEEN WORKED OUT TO BE 10 PER CENT THIS YEAR.
"STARTING FROM THIS YEAR, THE GOVERNMENT WILL APPLY AN ESCALATING FACTOR TO THE FEES AND CHARGES FOR THOSE YEARS WHEN A FULL COSTING EXERCISE IS NOT CARRIED OUT," THE SPOKESMAN EXPLAINED.
MOST OF THE NEW FEES WILL TAKE EFFECT FROM JUNE 15, EXCEPT FOR CERTAIN CERTIFICATES AND REGISTRATION FEES WHICH WILL BE REVISED AT A LATER STAGE.
"THE TEXTILES ADVISORY BOARD AND THE TRADE ADVISORY BOARD HAVE BEEN CONSULTED RESPECTIVELY AND HAVE EXPRESSED THEIR SUPPORT," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
/New Scale .......
FRIDAY, JUNE 4, 1993
7
New Scale of Fees Charged by Trade Department
(I)
Jyae of Application Fees Date of Implementation
CurrcaE $ $
Textiles licences, documents and services :
(a) Application for issue cf textiles export licence non-restrained items 40 44 15 June 1993
(b) Application for issue of textiles. export licence restrained items 120 132 15 June 1993
(c) Application for ewing of quota 175 193 15 June 1993
(d) Application for transfer of quota 175 193 15 June 1993
(e) Application for free quota export authorization 325 358 15 June 1993
(f) Application for surveillance export authorization and quota expert authorization 175 193 15 June 1993
(9) Application for textiles import licence 25 28 15 June 1993
(h) Application for licence issued under the Special Export and Import Licensing (Textiles) Scheme for piece-knitted garments : 15 June 1993
Export Licence (Form 8) 120 132
Special export licence (Forms 8a and 6d) 40 44
Special import licence (Forms 8b, 8c and 8e) 25 28
(i) Annual fee for registration of companies for textiles control purposes 1,100 1,210 15 June 1993
(j) Official signature fees charged for the issue of certified true copies (CTC) of licences and certificates 45 50 15 June 1993
/Type of ........
FRIDAY, JUNE 4, 1993
8
Tvpfi. of Application Date of Implementation
Current $ Nev; $
II. lioa ^textiles trade documents
(a) Landing certificate 210 231 15 June 1993
(b) Provision of official records of statistical data derived or extracted from import and expert declarations (per page) 12 13.2 15 June 1993
(c) Delivery verification certificate 90 99 15 June 1993
(d) Certified true copy of trade declaration and cargo manifest 140 154 15 June 1993
(e) International import certificate 35 39 15 June 1993
III. Certificate of origin and related services
(a) Certificate of origin, other than generalized preference certificate 100 no 3 Jan 1994
(b) Generalized preference certificate ’ 135 150 3 Jan 1994
(c) Factory registration (annual fee) 1/500 1/650 2 Aug 1993
(d) Official certificate fees charged for the issue of statutory declaration of antique 750 625 2 Aug 1993
/Type of .......
FRIDAY, JUNE 4, 1993
9
IV.
.Type of Application Annual subscription fee for Notice to Exporters and other_Circulara Fees Date of Implementation
$ New $
(a) Annual subscription fees for direct 15 June 1993
mailing services of "Notices to
Exporters”
For "A” Series £0 66
For "O" Series 135 149
(b) Annual subscription fees for direct 65 72 15 June 1993
mailing services of ’Certification
Branch Circulars"
(c) Annual subscription fees for direct 130 143 15 June 1993
mailing Services of
"Commercial Information Circulars”
(d) Annual subscription fees for 15 June 1993
overseas subscribers to "Notices to
Exporters’ f
For Asia s •
"A" Series
USA 265/ 292/
• 395 435
EEC 310/ 341/
445 490
Others 325/ 358/
895 985
"0" Series
USA 205/ 226/
560 616
EEC 210/- 231/
590 649
Others 370/ 407/
1,165 1,282
/Type of ........
FRIDAY, JUNE 4, 1993
- 10 -
Type of Application Fees
Current $ New $ Date of Implementation
For Regions other than Asia s
"A" Series
USA 360/ 396/
490 939
EEC 425/ 468/
555 611
Others 445/ 490/
1,015 1,117
M0" Series
USA 260/ 266/
615 677
EEC 270/ 297/
650 715
Others 495/ 545/
1,290 1,419
(e) Annual । subscription fees for 15 June 1993
overseas subscribers of
"Commercial information Circulars” f/Vk&J
For Asia : 255/ 281/
745 820
For Regions other than Asia t 330/ 363/
820 902 •
(f) Annual subscription fees for
overseas subscribers of
"Certification Branch Circulars " (Nott)
For Asia j 160/ 176/
375 413
For Regions other than Asia » 205/ 226/
425 468
/%te : Jfcwt fiir fret/J!. /
FRIDAY, JUNE 4, 1993
- 11 -
REVISED MEDIUM OF INSTRUCTION GROUPING ASSESSMENT ANNOUNCED *******
THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT WILL INTRODUCE A REVISED METHOD OF MEDIUM OF INSTRUCTION GROUPING ASSESSMENT TO REPLACE THE SECURE HONG KONG ATTAINMENT TESTS DUE TO BE HELD IN DECEMBER THIS YEAR.
THE NEW METHOD HAS BEEN ENDORSED BY THE EDUCATION COMMISSION RECENTLY.
ANNOUNCING THIS TODAY, THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, MR DOMINIC S W WONG, SAID: "THE CONTINUOUS INTERNAL ASSESSMENTS SUBMITTED FOR THE SECONDARY SCHOOL PLACES ALLOCATION WILL BE USED INSTEAD.”
THE INTERNAL ASSESSMENTS WILL BE DIVIDED INTO TWO SUBJECT GROUPS:
* A CHINESE GROUP COMPRISING ALL SUBJECTS TAUGHT AND EXAMINED IN THE CHINESE MEDIUM; AND
* AN ENGLISH GROUP COMPRISING ALL SUBJECTS TAUGHT AND EXAMINED IN THE ENGLISH MEDIUM.
"CULTURAL SUBJECTS, WHICH ARE NOT LANGUAGE-LOADED, WILL BE EXCLUDED FROM THE ASSESSMENTS.
"FOR THE MAJORITY OF PRIMARY PUPILS IN HONG KONG, THE ENGLISH GROUP WILL CONSIST OF A SINGLE SUBJECT: ENGLISH LANGUAGE; WHILE THE CHINESE GROUP WILL CONSIST OF CHINESE LANGUAGE AND ALL OTHER NON-CULTURAL SUBJECTS," HE ADDED.
"TO ACHIEVE COMPARABILITY ACROSS THE TERRITORY, THE INTERNAL ASSESSMENTS WILL BE SCALED BY THE ACADEMIC APTITUDE TEST IN THE USUAL MANNER," HE EXPLAINED.
THE NEW METHOD WILL BE ADOPTED FOR ENTRY TO SECONDARY 1 IN SEPTEMBER 1994.
THE MAIN ADVANTAGES OF THE REVISED METHOD INCLUDE:
» ADOPTING AN ASSESSMENT METHOD WHICH IS ALREADY FAMILIAR TO SCHOOLS AND PUPILS;
* RETAINING THE SPIRIT OF OBJECTIVE ASSESSMENT;
* REMOVING THE BURDEN OF AN ADDITIONAL EXTERNAL EXAMINATION AND REMOVING THE PSYCHOLOGICAL PRESSURE ON PUPILS;
* PRESERVING THE INTEGRITY OF THE PRIMARY SCHOOL CURRICULUM AS IT WOULD BE FUTILE TO DRILL PUPILS IN ENGLISH AND CHINESE LANGUAGES ONLY SINCE ALL THE ACADEMIC SUBJECTS IN THE CURRICULUM ARE COVERED IN THE TWO SUBJECT GROUPS WHICH ARE EQUALLY IMPORTANT IN THE ASSESSMENT; AND
/* NO ADDITIONAL ........
FRIDAY, JUNE 4, 1993
12
* NO ADDITIONAL WORKLOAD ON TEACHERS.
MR WONG EXPECTED THE REVISED METHOD TO BE WELL RECEIVED BY THE PUBLIC, ESPECIALLY PARENTS, TEACHERS AND PUPILS, SINCE NO ADDITIONAL EXAMINATION WILL BE INTRODUCED.
"AS THE REVISED METHOD WILL EMPHASISE THE IMPORTANCE OF CONTINUOUS INTERNAL ASSESSMENTS, THE PRINCIPLE OF A BALANCED CURRICULUM IN PRIMARY SCHOOLS IS UPHELD," HE ADDED.
THE REVISED METHOD WILL PROVIDE SCHOOLS, PARENTS AND PUPILS WITH INFORMATION ON THE ENGLISH AND CHINESE PROFICIENCY OF PUPILS SO AS TO ENABLE SCHOOLS TO DECIDE ON THE MEDIUM OF INSTRUCTION TO USE, AND PARENTS AND PUPILS TO CHOOSE SECONDARY SCHOOLS.
FOR MEDIUM OF INSTRUCTION PURPOSES, SECONDARY 1 ENTRANTS WILL BE GROUPED AS FOLLOWS:
* GROUP I PUPILS WHO WOULD BE ABLE TO LEARN EFFECTIVELY IN EITHER ENGLISH OR CHINESE;
* GROUP II PUPILS WHO WOULD LEARN MORE EFFECTIVELY THROUGH THE CHINESE MEDIUM; AND
* GROUP III PUPILS WHO WOULD LEARN BETTER THROUGH THE CHINESE MEDIUM BUT WOULD PROBABLY ALSO BE ABLE TO LEARN EFFECTIVELY IN ENGLISH.
-----0------
HK THRIVING AND FORGING AHEAD WITH VIGOUR *»»*»*
HONG KONG IS THRIVING AND FORGING AHEAD WITH VIGOUR DESPITE THE OCCASIONAL AND SOMETIMES RATHER DRAMATIC HEADLINES, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, MR HAMISH MACLEOD, SAID TODAY (FRIDAY).
"IN FACT, WHILST MUCH OF THE WORLD IS STILL BEDEVILLED BY ECONOMIC RECESSION, OUR ECONOMY IS GROWING FAST," HE SAID.
MR MACLEOD, WHO IS CURRENTLY ON A THREE-DAY VISIT TO JAPAN FROM JUNE 3 TO 5, WAS ADDRESSING A LUNCHEON MEETING OF THE FOREIGN CORRESPONDENTS CLUB TN TOKYO.
HE SAID HONG KONG WAS GOING THROUGH A CHALLENGING AND EXCITING TIME IN ITS HISTORY AND HONG KONG WAS DETERMINED TO DO ALL IT COULD TO ENSURE A SMOOTH TRANSFER OF SOVEREIGNTY.
"IT IS OUR PRIME AIM THAT THE FUTURE SPECIAL ADMINISTRATIVE REGION GOVERNMENT OF HONG KONG IN 1997 SHOULD GET OFF TO THE BEST POSSIBLE START, WITH SOUND FINANCE, A THRIVING ECONOMY AND AN INFRASTRUCTURE FIT FOR THE 21ST CENTURY," HE SAID.
/HE NOTED .......
FRIDAY, JUNE 4, 1993
- 13 -
HE NOTED THAT GOOD COMMUNICATIONS WERE VITAL IF HONG KONG WERE TO REMAIN A THRIVING TRADING ECONOMY.
ACCORDINGLY, HE SAID, HONG KONG HAD EMBARKED ON ITS AIRPORT CORE PROGRAMME TO PROVIDE THE TERRITORY WITH 10 MAJOR INFRASTRUCTURAL PROJECTS, INCLUDING A NEW AIRPORT TO REPLACE THE CROWDED AIRPORT AT KAI TAK.
’’THE OVERALL COST OF THE PROGRAMME IS US$21 BILLION IN MONEY OF THE DAY OR OUTTURN PRICES.
’’THE REPLACEMENT AIRPORT - JUST LIKE JAPAN’S KANSAI INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT - IS ONE OF THE BIGGEST CIVIL ENGINEERING PROJECTS IN THE WORLD AND THE WHOLE PROGRAMME IS CERTAINLY ONE OF THE WORLD’S LARGEST INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENTS.
”IN ADDITION TO THE AIRPORT, URGENTLY NEEDED RECLAIMED LAND WILL BE PROVIDED ALONG WITH NEW ROADS, RAILWAYS AND BRIDGES - LINKED WITH THE EXPANSION OF OUR CONTAINER PORT AS WELL AS TRANSPORT FACILITIES TO CHINA AND A NEW TOWN,” HE SAID.
MR MACLEOD SAID 25 CONTRACTS WORTH OVER US$4.4 BILLION HAD SO FAR BEEN AWARDED, INCLUDING THE SITE PREPARATION CONTRACT FOR THE AIRPORT. THEY WERE ALL ON TARGET FOR COMPLETION ON TIME AND WITHIN BUDGET ESTIMATES.
SO FAR, HE ADDED, JAPANESE COMPANIES HAD CAPTURED THE LARGEST SHARE OF THESE CONTRACTS, ACCOUNTING FOR 22 PER CENT BY VALUE OR US$945 MILLION (HK$7,373 MILLION).
’’GIVEN THEIR POTENTIAL FOR PRIVATE SECTOR PARTICIPATION, THE AIRPORT, THE AIRPORT RAILWAY AND THE THIRD CROSS HARBOUR TUNNEL ARE TO BE UNDERTAKEN BY NON-GOVERNMENT AGENCIES.
’’THE REMAINING SEVEN PROJECTS IN THE AIRPORT CORE PROGRAMME ARE BEING CARRIED OUT AND FUNDED DIRECTLY BY THE GOVERNMENT,” MR MACLEOD SAID.
"WE ARE NOW ENGAGED TN DISCUSSIONS WITH CHINA ON THE FINANCING ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE NEW AIRPORT AND THE AIRPORT RAILWAY.
’’HOPEFULLY THESE WILL BE SUCCESSFUL. THE NEED FOR THESE PROJECTS IS NOT TN DOUBT,” HE SAID.
ON HONG KONG’S ECONOMIC PERFORMANCE, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY SAID THE PLANNING ASSUMPTION FOR THE NEXT FEW YEARS WAS AN AVERAGE ANNUAL REAL GROWTH OF FIVE PER CENT TN OUR GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT.
HE ADDED THAT HONG KONG ALSO ENJOYED EFFECTIVE FULL EMPLOYMENT
AND THE STOCK MARKET WAS BOOMING.
HONG KONG HAD EARNED ITS ECONOMIC SUCCESS BY HARD WORK AND GENUINE APPLICATION OF LOW TAX, FREE TRADE AND MARKET ECONOMY PRINCIPLES, AND OUR SITUATION IN FAST GROWING ASIA AND ESPECIALLY FAST GROWING CHINA HAD BEEN A GREAT HELP, HE SAID.
/THE SUCCESS, ........
FRIDAY, JUNE 4, 1993
- 14 -
THE SUCCESS, HE SAID, WAS ALSO OWED MUCH TO HONG KONG’S DILIGENT AND VERSATILE WORKFORCE AND A RESOURCEFUL, PRAGMATIC AND RESILIENT BUSINESS SECTOR.
HOWEVER, HE STRESSED THAT HONG KONG WAS WELL AWARE OF THE IMPORTANCE OF ENSURING THAT ECONOMIC SUCCESS WAS TRANSLATED INTO A BETTER LIFE FOR HONG KONG PEOPLE.
ON HONG KONG’S RELATIONS WITH CHINA, MR MACLEOD SAID CHINA AND HONG KONG WERE AT PRESENT EACH OTHER’S LARGEST TRADING PARTNER AND LARGEST EXTERNAL INVESTOR.
HE NOTED THAT CHINA’S INVESTMENT TN HONG KONG WAS ESTIMATED TO HAVE EXCEEDED US$12 BILLION WHILE HONG KONG ACCOUNTED FOR AROUND 70 PER CENT OF FOREIGN INVESTMENT IN CHINA.
SOME 90 PER CENT OF THE EXTERNALLY SYNDICATED LOANS FOR CHINA WERE ARRANGED IN HONG KONG, HE ADDED.
"WE ALSO PROVIDE THE CAPITAL AND EXPERTISE FOR CHINA’S FLEDGLING FINANCIAL MARKET. NINE LEADING STATE-OWNED FIRMS IN CHINA WILL LIST THEIR SHARES ON THE HONG KONG STOCK MARKET IN THE NEXT FEW MONTHS," HE SAID.
HE FURTHER NOTED THAT HONG KONG’S ECONOMIC INFLUENCE ON GUANGDONG HAD BEEN PARTICULARLY DRAMATIC.
HE BELIEVED THAT HONG KONG HAD THE CAPITAL, KNOW-HOW, MANAGEMENT EXPERTISE AND CUSTOMER CONNECTIONS TO HELP NURTURE THIS "FIFTH DRAGON" OF ASIA.
"IT IS THIS ROLE - THE ROLE OF HELPING IN CHINA’S ECONOMIC LIBERALISATION AND BENEFITTING FROM CHINA’S ECONOMIC PROGRESS - THAT PARTICULARLY INSPIRES CONFIDENCE AND OPTIMISM IN HONG KONG’S FUTURE," HE SAID.
MR MACLEOD ALSO EXPECTED HONG KONG’S ROLE AS THE KEY REGIONAL SERVICES CENTRE TO STRENGTHEN.
HE NOTED THAT MORE RECENTLY JAPANESE REGIONAL BANKS HAD BEEN COM TNG TO HONG KONG IN INCREASING NUMBERS TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE GROWTH IN ECONOMIC LINKS BETWEEN JAPAN AND CHINA.
THIS TREND WAS EXPECTED TO CONTINUE IN THE FORESEEABLE FUTURE AND HONG KONG WAS EXPECTED TO REMAIN A PRIORITY AREA FOR JAPANESE BANKS AS A WHOLE DESPITE THE CUTBACKS THEY WERE MAKING TN OTHER PARTS OF THE WORLD, HE SAID.
ON THE POLITICAL FRONT, HE SAID TALKS BETWEEN BRITAIN AND CHINA OVER HONG KONG’S CONSTITUTIONAL DEVELOPMENT WERE WELL UNDERWAY.
"FOUR ROUNDS OF CONSULTATIONS HAVE BEEN HELD IN BEIJING SO FAR. WE ALL HOPE THEY WILL RESULT IN AN UNDERSTANDING WITH THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT ON ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE 1994/95 ELECTIONS WHICH ARE OPEN, FAIR AND ACCEPTABLE TO THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG,” HE SAID.
FOR THE LONG-TERM OUTLOOK, MR MACLEOD SAID: "IT IS TN CHINA’S INTEREST TO SEE HONG KONG PROSPER AND FLOURISH AFTER 1997.
/’’IT IS ..........
FRIDAY, JUNE 4, 1993
15
"IT IS IN THE INTEREST OF THE ASIA-PACIFIC REGION TO SEE HONG KONG CONTINUING AS A STABLE COMMUNITY AND REGIONAI BUSINESS CENTRE."
HE EMPHASISED THAT HONG KONG HAD ALWAYS BEEN A PLACE OF IMMENSE OPPORTUNITY FOR ITS OWN PEOPLE AND FOR THOSE WHO HAVE COME THERE TO LIVE OR TO TRADE.
"WE ARE IN GOOD SHAPE. WE ARE CONFIDENT THAT HONG KONG WILL CONTINUE TO BE IN GOOD SHAPE AFTER 1997," HE SAID.
ON ARRIVAL IN TOKYO YESTERDAY (THURSDAY) AFTERNOON, MR MACLEOD MET THE JAPANESE MINISTER OF CONSTRUCT]ON, MR KI SHI RO NAKAMURA AND THE CHAIRMAN OF THE JAPAN-HONG KONG PARLIAMENTARIAN LEAGUE, MR TSUTOMU HATA.
IN THE EVENING, HE ATTENDED A DINNER MARKING THE FIRST ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION OF THE JAPAN-HONG KONG PARLIAMENTARIAN LEAGUE COHOSTED BY THE LEAGUE AND THE HONG KONG ECONOMIC AND TRADE OFFICE.
IN HIS SPEECH, MR MACLEOD SAID THE ASSOCIATION OF SO MANY IMPORTANT POLITICAL LEADERS TN JAPAN WITH THE LEAGUE WAS A CLEAR VOTE OF CONFIDENCE IN HONG KONG’S FUTURE AND HE WAS GRATEFUL FOR THEIR SUPPORT OF, AND INTEREST IN, HONG KONG.
HE INVITED LEAGUE MEMBERS TO COME AND VISIT HONG KONG AGAIN, NOTING THAT THEY HAD A VERY SUCCESSFUL TRIP TO HONG KONG AND SOUTHERN CHINA ABOUT A YEAR AGO.
THIS (FRIDAY) MORNING, MR MACLEOD CALLED ON THE FORMER PRIME MINISTER OF JAPAN, MR TOSHIKI KAIFU; THE MINISTER OF FINANCE, MR YOSHIRO HAYASHI AND THE PARLIAMENTARY VICE MINISTER FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS, MR KOJI KAKIZAWA.
IN THE AFTERNOON, HE WILL MEET THE SENIOR DEPUTY GOVERNOR OF THE BANK OF JAPAN, MR HIROSHI YOSHIMOTO AND THE MINISTER OF TRANSPORT, MR IHEI OCHI.
HE WILL ALSO VISIT THE HONG KONG ECONOMIC AND TRADE OFFICE AND MEET LEADING JAPANESE BUSINESSMEN AND FINANCIERS AT A DINNER HOSTED BY HONG KONG'S PRINCIPAL REPRESENTATIVE (TOKYO), MR DAVID IAN.
MR MACLEOD WILL ALSO TOUR THE HONG KONG PAVILION AT THE TOKYO TOY SHOW ’93 AND BE INTERVIEWED BY JAPANESE MEDIA ORGANISATIONS, INCLUDING NHK, THE NIHON KEIZAT SHIMBUN AND THE JAPANESE TIMES.
---------0
/16 ........
FRIDAY, JUNE 4, 1993
- 16 -
APPLICATIONS INVITED FOR FREE QUOTA ON CFCS AND HALONS ♦ * * * *
NOTICES HAVE BEEN GAZETTED TODAY (FRIDAY) INVITING APPLICATIONS FOR FREE QUOTA ON RETAINED IMPORTS OF CHLOROFLUOROCARBONS (COMMONLY KNOWN AS CFCS) AND HALONS FOR THE CONTROL YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31 THIS YEAR.
THE SUBSTANCES UNDER CONTROL INCLUDE CFC11, CFC12, CFC113, CFC114, CFC115 AND HALONS 1211, 1301 AND 2402.
CFCS AND HALONS ARE OZONE-DEPLETING SUBSTANCES COMMONLY USED IN HONG KONG.
BOTH OF THESE CLASSES OF SUBSTANCES ARE ALREADY SUBJECT TO IMPORT QUOTA CONTROLS UNDER THE OZONE LAYER PROTECTION ORDINANCE ADMINISTERED BY THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT (EPD).
CFCS HAVE WIDE APPLICATIONS AS REFRIGERANTS IN THE AIR CONDITIONING INDUSTRY AND AS SOLVENTS IN THE ELECTRONICS INDUSTRY WHEREAS HALONS ARE COMMONLY USED IN FIRE-FIGHTING EQUIPMENT.
AN EPI) SPOKESMAN SAID THE QUOTA SYSTEM HAD BEEN INTRODUCED TO CONTROL THE LOCAL CONSUMPTION OF THESE SUBSTANCES IN ORDER TO FULFIL HONG KONG’S OBLIGATION UNDER THE MONTREAL PROTOCOL ON SUBSTANCES THAT DEPLETE THE OZONE LAYER.
SUBSEQUENT TO THE MEETING OF THE PARTIES TO THE MONTREAL PROTOCOL IN COPENHAGEN LAST NOVEMBER, THE TIMETABLE FOR PHASING OUT OZONE-DEPLETING SUBSTANCES HAS BEEN SUBSTANTIALLY ACCELERATED SUCH THAT HALONS AND CFCS ARE SCHEDULED TO BE PHASED OUT BY JANUARY 1 OF 1994 AND 1996 RESPECTIVELY.
"AT PRESENT, OUR RETAINED IMPORT OF CFCS AND HALONS ARE FROZEN AT THE 1986 CONSUMPTION LEVEL. FROM JANUARY 1, 1994, THERE WILL NOT BE ANY QUOTA FOR HALONS AND THE AMOUNT OF CFCS WILL BE CUT TO ONLY 25 PER CENT OF THE CURRENT LEVEL," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
HE ADDED THAT THE FREE QUOTA FOR CFCS AND HALONS WOULD ONLY BE ALLOCATED TO APPLICANTS WHO HAD BEEN REGISTERED UNDER SECTION 5 OF THE OZONE LAYER PROTECTION ORDINANCE AND WHO HAD NO RECORD OF OFFENCE UNDER THE ORDINANCE.
APPLICATION FORMS AND FURTHER PARTICULARS MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE EPD ON 33RD FLOOR, REVENUE TOWER, 5 GLOUCESTER ROAD, WAN CHAI, HONG KONG. APPLICATIONS NOT USING Till' OFFICIAL FORM SPECIFIED BY THF. DEPARTMENT WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED.
ALL APPLICATIONS MUST BE SUBMITTED TO THE EPD IN PERSON ON OR BEFORE 5 PM ON JULY 2, 1993. LATE APPLICATIONS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.
ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE OF THE AIR CONTROL GROUP OF THE EPD ON TELEPHONE 594 6242 OR 594 6243 DURING NORMAL OFFICE HOURS.
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/17.........
FRIDAY, JUNE 4, 1993
17 -
FEES UP FOR SERVICES
♦ ♦ ♦ * *
THE GOVERNMENT TODAY GAZETTED INCREASES IN FEES FOR SERVICES PROVIDED UNDER REGULATIONS COVERING BILLS OF SALE, MONEY LENDERS AND THE CONTROL OF OBSCENE AND INDECENT ARTICLES.
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THE FEE INCREASES, WHICH RANGE FROM 58 PER CENT TO 75 PER CENT, WERE TO COVER INFLATION AND INCREASED COSTS SINCE THE LAST FEE REVISIONS FIVE OR SIX YEARS AGO.
"IT IS OUR POLICY THAT FEES CHARGED BY THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD IN GENERAL BE SET AT A LEVEL AT LEAST SUFFICIENT TO RECOVER THE FULL ADMINISTRATION COSTS INCURRED," HE SAID.
-----0------
CODE OF PRACTICE ON BUILDING MANAGEMENT ♦ ♦ * » ♦
A CODE OF PRACTICE, WHICH PROVIDES GUIDELINES ON THE PROCUREMENT OF SUPPLIES, GOODS AND SERVICES IN CONNECTION WITH THE MANAGEMENT OF A PRIVATE BUILDING, WAS GAZETTED TODAY (FRIDAY).
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION (CNTA) SAID THE CODE WAS ISSUED BY THE SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS UNDER SECTION 44 OF THE BUILDING MANAGEMENT ORDINANCE, WHICH TOOK EFFECT ON MAY 8.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID OWNERS’ CORPORATIONS AND MANAGERS ENTRUSTED WITH BUILDING MANAGEMENT SHOULD OBSERVE THIS SET OF GUIDELINES.
IN THE MAIN, HE SAID, THE CODE OF PRACTICE STIPULATES THAT ANY SUPPLIES, GOODS OR SERVICES, THE VALUE OF WHICH EXCEEDS OR LIKELY TO EXCEED A SPECIFIED SUM SHALL BE PROCURED BY INVITATION TO TENDER.
THIS SUM IS CURRENTLY SET AT $100,000 OR THE EQUIVALENT OF 20 PER CENT OF THE ANNUAL BUDGET OF AN OWNERS’ CORPORATION, WHICHEVER IS THE LESSER.
IT ALSO SPECIFIES THAT THE MINIMUM NUMBER OF TENDERS TO BE SOUGHT SHALL BE THREE IT THE PROCUREMENT’S VALUE IS ABOVE $10,000 BUT NOT OVER $100,000, AND SHALL BE FIVE IF ITS VALUE EXCEEDS $100,000.
FURTHERMORE, THE CLOSING DATE AND TIME FOR ACCEPTANCE OF TENDERS SHALL BE CLEARLY STATED IN THE RELEVANT TENDER DOCUMENTS AND LATE SUBMISSIONS SHALL NOT BE ACCEPTED.
TENDERS OF A VALUE NOT EXCEEDING A SPECIFIED SUM - CURRENTLY SET AT $200,000 OR THE EQUIVALENT OF 45 PER CENT OF THE ANNUAL BUDGET OF AN OWNERS’ CORPORATION, WHICHEVER IS THE LESSER - SHALL BE SUBMITTED TO THE MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE, WHICH MAY ACCEPT OR REJECT THEM.
/TENDERS WITH .......
FRIDAY, JUNE 4, 1993
- 18 -
TENDERS WITH A VALUE EXCEEDING THE SUM QUOTED ABOVE SHALL BE SUBMITTED TO THE OWNERS’ CORPORATION WHICH MAY, BY A RESOLUTION PASSED AT A GENERAL MEETING OF THE CORPORATION, ACCEPT OR REJECT THEM.
MEANWHILE, MANAGEMENT COMMITTEES ARE REQUIRED TO MAINTAIN AND KEEP IN SAFE CUSTODY FOR A PERIOD OF NOT LESS THAN SIX YEARS ALL TENDER DOCUMENTS, COPIES OF CONTRACTS, ACCOUNTS AND INVOICES AND ANY OTHER DOCUMENTS IN THE POSSESSION OF THE CORPORATION AND RELATING TO THE PROCUREMENT OF SUPPLIES, GOODS AND SERVICES.
ALL THESE DOCUMENTS ARE SUBJECT TO INSPECTION BY THE FLAT OWNERS, TENANTS’ REPRESENTATIVE AND OTHERS SPECIFIED IN THE CODE OF PRACTICE.
THE CODE OF PRACTICE ALSO CONTAINS PROVISIONS DETAILING THE PROPER TENDERING PROCEDURES, INCLUDING THE ACCEPTANCE OF TENDER DOCUMENTS AND THE DECLARATION OF VESTED INTERESTS IN ANY TENDERS BY MEMBERS OF THE MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE.
THE SPOKESMAN RECOMMENDED THAT OWNERS’ CORPORATION AND BUILDING MANAGERS TO MAKE REFERENCE TO THE CODE OF PRACTICE BEFORE PROCURING ANY SUPPLIES, GOODS AND SERVICES FOR THEIR BUILDINGS.
HE SAID COPIES OF THE CODE OF PRACTICE, IN BOTH ENGLISH AND CHINESE, ARE AVAILABLE FREE OF CHARGE AT ALL DISTRICT OFFICES.
-----0------
ACCESS ROAD ON NORTH LANTAU ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
THE GOVERNMENT PROPOSES TO BUILD AN ACCESS ROAD RESTRICTED FOR EMERGENCY AND MAINTENANCE PURPOSES TO THE TSI NG CHAU WAN RECLAMATION ON NORTH LANTAU.
THE RESTRICTED ACCESS ROAD WILL ALSO SERVE AS A UTILITY RESERVE BETWEEN THE RECLAMATION AND A ROAD LEADING TO THE FUTURE TOLL PLAZA ON AN EMBANKMENT OF THE LANTAU FIXED CROSSING.
THE PROPOSAL TS CONTAINED IN AN AMENDMENT TO THE AUTHORISED WORKS OF THE LANTAU FIXED CROSS I NG ARISING FROM THE DETAILED DESIGN OF THIS PROJECT.
THE NEW ACCESS ROAD WILL BE BUILT WITHIN Till* BUDGET APPROVED FOR THE LANTAU FIXED CROSSING.
A NOTICE CONCERNING THE PROPOSED WORKS IS GAZETTED TODAY (FRIDAY).
PLANS SHOWING THE PROPOSED WORKS ARE DISPLAYED AT:
» THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT OFFICE, PUBLIC ENQUIRY SERVICE CENTRE, GROUND FLOOR, HARBOUR BUILDING, .38 PIER ROAD, CENTRAL, HONG KONG;
/* THE TSUEN ........
FRIDAY, JUNE 4, 1993
» THE TSUEN WAN DISTRICT OFFICE, FIRST FLOOR, PEAK ROAD, TSUEN WAN STATION MULTI-STOREY CARPARK BUILDING, 174-208 CASTLE PEAK ROAD, TSUEN WAN, NEW TERRITORIES; AND
* THE DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE/TSUEN WAN, 10TH FLOOR, TSUEN WAN STATION MULTI-STOREY CARPARK BUILDING, 174-208 CASTLE PEAK ROAD, TSUEN WAN, NEW TERRITORIES.
ANY PERSON OBJECTING TO THE PROPOSED AMENDMENT MUST SEND HIS OBJECTION IN WRITING TO THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, EAST WING, SECOND FLOOR, LOWER ALBERT ROAD NO LATER THAN AUGUST 3, 1993 DESCRIBING HIS INTEREST AND THE MANNER IN WHICH HE ALLEGES HE WILL BE AFFECTED BY THE PROPOSAL.
FILM CENSORSHIP FEE TO GO UP *****
THE FILM CENSORSHIP (AMENDMENT) REGULATION 1993 PROVIDING FOR THE REVISION OF THE FILM CENSORSHIP FEE WAS GAZETTED TODAY (FRIDAY).
THE REVISION WILL TAKE EFFECT FROM JULY 22.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE TELEVISION AND ENTERTAINMENT LICENSING AUTHORITY SAID THE FEE WOULD BE INCREASED FROM $56 TO $62 PER MINUTE OF RUNNING TIME TO RECOVER INCREASED COSTS.
’’THE REVISION REPRESENTS A 10 PER CENT INCREASE TO COVER INFLATION WHICH WOULD MEAN, IN DOLLAR TERMS, AN INCREASE FROM THE PRESENT $5,040 TO $5,580 FOR A 90-MINUTE FEATURE FILM.
"THIS IS A VERY SMALL AMOUNT WHEN COMPARED WITH THE PRODUCTION COSTS OF A FILM,” THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
THE FEES FOR THE EXAMINATION OF A STILL FILM AND THE ISSUE OF A FILM REPLACEMENT CERTIFICATE WILL ALSO BE INCREASED FROM $16 TO $18 AND FROM $130 TO $143 RESPECTIVELY.
"THE INCREASE SHOULD HAVE LITTLE EFFECT ON THE FILM INDUSTRY," HE SAID.
THE SPOKESMAN EMPHASISED THAT CULTURAL ORGANISATIONS AND FILM CLUBS WOULD NOT BE AFFECTED AS THERE WERE PROVISIONS UNDER THE FILM CENSORSHIP REGULATIONS FOR THEM TO SEEK FEE EXEMPTION.
"IN PRACTICE, FILMS PRESENTED DURING FILM FESTIVALS AND BY CULTURAL ORGANISATIONS ARE EXEMPTED FROM THE PAYMENT OF CENSORSHIP FEES," HE ADDED.
- - 0 - -
/20
FRIDAY, JUNE 4, 1993
- 20 -
TENDERS INVITED FOR PARK AND SEWER WORKS
*****
THE TSUEN WAN DEVELOPMENT OFFICE OF THE TERRITORY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR THE PHASE II CONSTRUCTION WORK OF TAK WAH PARK IN AREA 18, TSUEN WAN.
THE PROJECT IS PART OF THE ONGOING PROGRAMME FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE NEW TOWN. IT INVOLVES THE PROVISION OF RECREATIONAL FACILITIES WITHIN A WALLED GARDEN OF TRADITIONAL CHINESE STYLE LOCATED BETWEEN TSUEN WAN MARKET STREET AND TAK WAH STREET.
THE WORKS WILL INCLUDE THE CONSTRUCTION OF A CH INESE-STYLE GARDEN WITH A STONE BOAT, A POND WITH CASCADES SURROUNDED BY VERANDAH, A ROCK DISPLAY GARDEN, A CHESS GARDEN, A SERVICE BLOCK, A CHILDREN’S PLAY AREA, LANDSCAPED AND SITTING-OUT AREAS AND OTHER ANCILLARY FACILITIES.
WORKS ARE EXPECTED TO START IN SEPTEMBER FOR COMPLETION IN AUGUST 1995.
TENDER OFFER WILL CLOSE AT NOON ON JUNE 25.
TENDER FORMS AND FURTHER PARTICULARS CAN BE OBTAINED FROM THE OFFICE OF URBIS TRAVERS MORGAN LIMITED, FIRST FLOOR, LOK MOON COMMERCIAL CENTRE, 29 QUEEN’S ROAD EAST.
MEANWHILE, THE DEPARTMENT’S NORTH EAST NEW TERRITORIES DEVELOPMENT OFFICE IS ALSO INVITING TENDERS FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF A SEWERAGE SYSTEM IN AREAS 10 AND 11 IN TAI PO.
WORKS ON THIS PROJECT WILL START IN SEPTEMBER AND TAKE ABOUT 18 MONTHS TO COMPLETE.
THE TENDER CLOSING DATE IS NOON ON JULY 2.
TENDER FORMS AND FURTHER PARTICULARS CAN BE OBTAINED FROM THE OFFICE OF MAUNSELL CONSULTANTS ASIA LIMITED, 4 FUNG WO LANE, WO CHE, SHA TIN.
- - - - 0 -
LUNG CHEUNG AND CHING CHEUNG ROADS TO BE UPGRADED ******
THE GOVERNMENT HAS PROPOSED TO INCREASE THE TRAFFIC CAPACITY OF LUNG CHEUNG ROAD AND CHING CHEUNG ROAD AND TO IMPROVE VEHICULAR TRAFFIC CONDITIONS THERE.
THE TWO ROADS FORM ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT EAST AND WEST LINKS ALONG THE KOWLOON PENINSULAR.
/ABOUT FIVE .......
FRIDAY, JUNE 4, 1993
- 21
ABOUT FIVE KILOMETRES OF ROAD STRETCHING FROM BUTTERFLY VALLEY
IN THE WEST TO LION ROCK TUNNEL IN THE EAST ARE TO BE WIDENED FROM
DUAL TWO-LANE TO DUAL THREE-LANE.
FROM TAI PO ROAD INTERCHANGE TO BEACON HEIGHTS, WHERE
WIDENING IS NOT ACHIEVED DUE TO SITE CONSTRAINTS, A ONE-KILOMETRE
ELEVATED ROAD OFF LUNG CHEUNG ROAD MAINLINE WILL BE BUILT.
THE PROJECT IS EXPECTED TO START IN MID-1994 AND BE COMPLETED BY MID-1997.
A NOTICE GIVING DETAILS OF THE PROPOSED WORKS HAS BEEN GAZETTED TODAY (FRIDAY).
PLANS OF THE PROPOSED IMPROVEMENT 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 OFFICES/KOWLOON WEST AND KOWLOON EAST, BOTH AT YAU MA TEI CAR PARK BUILDING, 10TH FLOOR, 250 SHANGHAI STREET, KOWLOON;
♦ THE DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE/KWAI TSING, 1OTH FLOOR, TSUEN WAN STATION MULTISTOREY CARPARK BUILDING, 174-208 CASTLE PEAK ROAD, TSUEN WAN, NEW TERRITORIES;
» THE SHAM SHUI PO DISTRICT OFFICE, SIXTH FLOOR, 290 UN CHAU STREET, SHAM SHUI PO, KOWLOON;
* THE KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT OFFICE, 141-143 KAU PUI LUNG ROAD, FIRST FLOOR, KOWLOON; AND
♦ THE KWAI TSING DISTRICT OFFICE, 10TH FLOOR KWAI HING GOVERNMENT OFFICES BUILDING, 166-174 HING FONG ROAD, KWAI CHUNG, NEW TERRITORIES.
ANY PERSON WHO WISHES TO OBJECT TO THE PROPOSAL MAY ADDRESS HIS OBJECTION IN WRITING TO THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, EAST WING, SECOND FLOOR, LOWER ALBERT ROAD, NO LATER THAN AUGUST 3, 1993.
------0--------
CIVIL AID SERVICES EXERCISE *****
ABOUT 800 MEMBERS OF THE CIVIL AID SERVICES WILL TAKE PART IN AN EXERCISE ON SUNDAY (JUNE 6) WHICH IS DESIGNED TO TEST THEIR RESPONSE TO EMERGENCIES IN THE EVENT OF NATURAL DISASTERS.
THE ACTIVITY IS ONE OF ITS REGULAR EXERCISES HELD THROUGHOUT THE YEAR TO UP KEEP THE EFFICIENCY AND EFFECTIVENESS OF THE EMERGENCY RELIEF SERVICES PROVIDED TO THE COMMUNITY.
/IT WILL .......
FRIDAY, JUNE 4, 1993
22
IT WILL LAST FROM 8 AM TO 5 PM AT YUEN DO NGAM, CHAI WAN.
ATTENTION NEWS EDITORS:
YOUR REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER THE EVENT.
TRANSPORT WILL BE ARRANGED FOR MEDIA MEMBERS. THEY SHOULD ASSEMBLE AT THE CAS HEADQUARTERS CAR PARK, 100 CAROLINE HILL ROAD, CAUSEWAY BAY, AT 10.45 AM ON SUNDAY (JUNE 6).
THE VEHICLE WILL LEAVE THE EXERCISE SITE IN CHAI WAN AT 12.15 PM.
THE CAS PRESS CO-ORDINATOR FOR THE EXERCISE, MR AU YIN-SHAN, CAN BE CONTACTED ON 9489 4832 FROM 8 AM ON SUNDAY.
- 0 -----------
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS
* * * ♦ *
$ MILLION
OPENING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT 1,660
REVERSAL OF LAF +1,140
BALANCE AFTER REVERSAL OF LAF 2,800
NET INJECTION/W1THDRAWAL TODAY NII.
EFFECT OF LAF TODAY -800
CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT 2,000
LAF RATE 2.00 BID/4. 00 OFFER TW1 111.7 *-0.1* 4.6.93
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND
EF BILLS EF NOTES/HONG KONG GOVERNMENT BONDS
TERMS YIELD TERM ISSUE COUPON PRICE YIELD
1 WEEK 2.56 PCT 15 MONTHS 2408 4.375 100.85 3.67
1 MONTH 2.76 PCT 18 MONTHS 2411 4.625 101.15 3.83
3 MONTHS 3.00 PCT 21 MONTHS 2502 4.7 5 101.23 4.03
6 MONTHS 3.26 PCT 24 MONTHS 2505 3.75 99.22 4.21
12 MONTHS 3.53 PCT
TOTAL TURNOVER OF BILLS AND BONDS - 25,744 MN
CLOSED JUNE 4, 1993 -------------------------------0--------
Received by PRO on - 8 JUN 1993
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
SATURDAY, JUNE 5, 1993
CONTENTS PAGE NO
HK DELEGATION OFF TO BERLIN FOR AIDS CONFERFNCF ................. ]
HOIST INSPECTION GOES ON ........................................ 1
CAR MARKS AUCTION FETCHES $3M ................................... 2
MORE ELDERLY SERVICES IN COMING YEARS ........................... 3
AWARD-WINNING HK FILM DRAWS ATTENTION TO ENVIRONMENT ............ 3
ENVIRONMENT PANEL MEMBERS VISIT CHEMICAL WASTE TREATMENT CENTRE ......................................................... 5
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS .
5
SATURDAY, JUNE 5, 1993
1
HK DELEGATION OFF TO BERLIN FOR AIDS CONFERENCE ♦ ♦ ♦ * ♦
A GOVERNMENT DELEGATION, LED BY THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, MRS ELIZABETH WONG, HAS LEFT FOR BERLIN TO ATTEND THE NINTH INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON AIDS.
OTHER MEMBERS INCLUDE THE DIRECTOR OF HEALTH, DR S H LEE, THE SENIOR ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, MR LUCAS CHAN, AND REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE HEALTH AND WELFARE BRANCH AND THE HOSPITAL AUTHORITY.
THE CONFERENCE, WHICH WILL BE HELD BETWEEN JUNE 7 AND 11, IS THE MOST IMPORTANT INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON AIDS.
CO-SPONSORED BY THE WORLD HEALTH ORGANISATION AND THE INTERNATIONAL AIDS SOCIETY, THE EVENT WILL BE ATTENDED BY OVER 10,000 POLICY MAKERS, HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONALS, SOCIAL WORKERS, EDUCATIONALISTS AND SCHOLARS FROM COUNTRIES ALL OVER THE WORLD.
MRS WONG SAID HONG KONG’S PARTICIPATION IN THE CONFERENCE WOULD ’’HELP OUR SHARING OF EXPERIENCE WITH LEADING PROFESSIONAL EXPERTS AND FOSTER INTERNATIONAL CO-OPERATION IN THE PREVENTION OF AIDS”.
”1993 MARKS THE WATERSHED YEAR IN OUR FIGHT AGAINST AIDS TN HONG KONG,” SHE SAID.
"WE ARE PROUD OF OUR INITIATIVE IN ESTABLISHING THE AIDS TRUST FUND EARLIER THIS YEAR, WHICH HAS ATTRACTED CONSIDERABLE ADMIRATION FROM OVERSEAS COUNTRIES.”
MRS WONG SAID HONG KONG MUST CONTINUE TO DO MORE, PARTICULARLY IN THE AREA OF PUBLIC EDUCATION.
"WE NEED TO FURTHER EDUCATE OUR PEOPLE ON THE PREVENTION OF AIDS,” SHE SAID. "WE MUST ALSO REMOVE PREJUDICE AND TREAT THOSE WHO ARE UNFORTUNATELY INFECTED BY THE VIRUS WITH COMPASSION AND UNDERSTANDING.”
THE DELEGATION IS EXPECTED TO RETURN TO HONG KONG BY JUNE 15.
------0--------
HOIST INSPECTION GOES ON » ♦ » » ♦
FACTORY INSPECTORS FROM THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT CONTINUED THEIR INSPECTION CAMPAIGN TODAY (SATURDAY) TO ENSURE THAT PASSENGER HOISTS ON CONSTRUCTION SITES ARE IN SAFE CONDITION.
THEY VISITED 64 WORK SITES AT VARIOUS DISTRICTS AND INSPECTED
12 HOISTS AT 10 OF THE SITES.
THIS BRINGS TO 2G3 THE TOTAL NUMBER OF SITES VISITED SINCE THE SPECIAL OPERATION STARTED ON JUNE 3. A TOTAL OF 86 HOISTS ON 55 SITES HAVE BEEN INSPECTED SO FAR.
/IN TODAY'S .......
SATURDAY, JUNE 5, 1993
2
IN TODAY’S EXERCISE, ONE OFFENCE IN CONNECTION WITH THE CONSTRUCTION OF HOIST GATE AT THE LANDING PLACE WAS DETECTED ON A SITE IN HONG KONG WEST.
FOUR OFFENCES IN CONNECTION WITH PASSENGER HOISTS HAVE SO FAR BEEN DETECTED. PROSECUTIONS UNDER THE FACTORIES AND INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS ORDINANCE WILL BE TAKEN OUT IN DUE COURSE.
------0--------
CAR MARKS AUCTION FETCHES $3M « « « » *
FIFTY VEHICLE REGISTRATION MARKS WERE SOLD IN AN AUCTION THIS (SATURDAY) MORNING FOR A TOTAL OF $3,013,000 WHICH WILL GO TO THE GOVERNMENT LOTTERIES FUND FOR CHARITY AFTER DEDUCTION OF EXPENSES.
THE AUCTION, HELD AT THE RECITAL HALL OF THE CITY HALL, SAW THE REGISTRATION MARK, FM8, FETCH THE HIGHEST PRICE OF $800,000.
ANOTHER REGISTRATION MARK, FJ8888, WAS SOLD AT THE SECOND HIGHEST PRICE OF $650,000 WHILE THE LOWEST PRICE WAS $1000 FOR FE2317.
FOLLOWING ARE THE RESULTS OF THE AUCTION:
$ $ $ $
FE6663 7,000 FF2228 40,000 FF369 40,000 FE8280 5,000
FF938 21,000 FE997 10,000 FE248 22,000 FF6893 2,000
♦ FK36 30,000 ♦DD555 65,000 *FK2 220,000 »FM8 800,000
FE3288 45,000 FF733 28,000 FF3888 100,000 DD355 20,000
AC1321 8,000 CX261 6,000 AB901 20,000 FE9388 12,000
FF8001 4,000 FE325 10,000 FE237 5,000 BB115 30,000
FC8777 19,000 FF2188 15,000 CL667 3,000 FE9226 3,000
♦AW400 15,000 ♦FJ8888 650,000 *2628 350,000 »FM800 170,000
FE889 40,000 FC3471 2,000 FF7397 7,000 CW1220 4,000
FF8038 6,000 FE3648 2,000 FE1239 3,000 FF6663 70,000
FF8986 12,000 FE665 5,000 ♦AH747 30,000 FE2317 1,000
CC480 20,000 FE6369 5,000 FE1678 8,000 ♦FL678 19,000
BG8599 3,000 FF7O4 WITHDRAWN
* SPECIAL VEHICLE REGISTRATION MARK (NOT TRANSFERABLE)
SUCCESSFUL BIDDERS WILL BE 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 195TH ORGANISED BY THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT SINCE MAY 1973, BROUGHT THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF MONEY REALISED SO FAR TO $199,319,905.
/3 ........
SATURDAY, JUNE 5, 1993
3
MORE ELDERLY SERVICES TN COMING YEARS ♦ ♦♦♦♦♦
THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MR IAN STRACHAN, TODAY (SATURDAY) SAID THE GOVERNMENT WAS GEARED TO MEET MOST OF THE DEMANDS FOR ELDERLY SERVICES OVER THE NEXT FOUR YEARS.
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF CARITAS FU HENG HOME, MR STRACHAN SAID THE GOVERNMENT HAD PLEDGED TO ACCORD PRIORITY TO PROVIDE MORE SERVICES FOR SENIOR CITIZENS IN THE COMING YEARS.
THE GOVERNMENT RECOGNISED THAT THERE WAS A GROWING DEMAND FOR ELDERLY SERVICES IN VIEW OF THE INCREASING NUMBER OF SENIOR CITIZENS AND THE CONTINUAL GROWTH OF NUCLEAR FAMILIES, HE SAID.
ON COMMUNITY SUPPORT SERVICES, MR STRACHAN POINTED OUT THAT SERVICES WOULD BE PROVIDED TO ENABLE SENIOR CITIZENS TO REMAIN ACTIVE MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY.
THESE INCLUDED THE SOCIAL SECURITY ALLOWANCE SCHEME, HOME HELP, MULTI-SERVICE CENTRES, DAY CARE CENTRES AND SOCIAL CENTRES FOR THE ELDERLY.
’’THERE IS ALSO A NECESSITY TO TAKE CARE OF OLD PEOPLE WHO, FOR PERSONAL, SOCIAL OR HEALTH REASONS, ARE IN NEED OF RESIDENTIAL CARE SUITED TO THEIR VARYING NEEDS.”
THE DIRECTOR SAID THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT HAD PLANS TO PROVIDE, AMONG OTHER FACILITIES, AN ADDITIONAL 5,000 PLACES IN CARE-AND-ATTENTION HOMES AND HOMES FOR THE AGED IN THESE FOUR YEARS.
MR STRACHAN ALSO COMMENDED THE CARITAS FOR THEIR CONTRIBUTIONS TN SOCIAL WELFARE SERVICES, EDUCATION AND MEDICAL SERVICES.
-----0------
AWARD-WINNING HK FILM DRAWS ATTENTION TO ENVIRONMENT * * * * *
AT A TIME WHEN THE ENVIRONMENT IS OF MAJOR CONCERN WORLDWIDE, AN AWARD-WINNING HONG KONG FILM HAS DRAWN ATTENTION TO THE PLIGHT OF A SMALL BAY TO THE NORTHEAST OF THE TERRITORY.
PRODUCER AND CAMERAMAN MICHAEL PITTS VENTURED TO THE UNDERWATER WORLD OF MARINE AND CORAL LIFE IN TOLO HARBOUR FOR HIS 30-MINUTE FILM - HOI HA WAN: BAY BENEATH THE SEA.
THE FILM WAS AWARDED FIRST PRIZE IN THE ENVIRONMENTAL CATEGORY AT THE PRESTIGIOUS 26TH ANNUAL U.S. INTERNATIONAL FILM AND VIDEO FESTIVAL AWARDS PRESENTATION IN CHICAGO ON JUNE 3.
ALREADY THE RECIPIENT OF TWO AWARDS FOR HIS FILM, HONG KONGBASED MR PITTS SAID HE HOPED THE FILM WOULD HELP PEOPLE BEGIN TO RECOGNISE THE IMPORTANCE OF PRESERVING HONG KONG’S MARINE HERITAGE.
THE FILM WAS THE WINNER OF THE 1992 HONG KONG SHORT FILM FESTIVAL (NON FICTION) AND A SPECIAL JURY PRIZE AT A MAJOR FRENCH FILM FESTIVAL.
/HONG KONG .......
SATURDAY, JUNE 5, 1993
HONG KONG HAS A SURPRISINGLY RICH AND DIVERSE MARINE ENVIRONMENT. MORE THAN 50 SPECIES OF HARD AND SOFT CORALS LIVE IN THE TERRITORY’S WATERS - AS MANY AS IN THE CARIBBEAN, ACCORDING TO MR PITTS.
BUT OVER-FISHING, POLLUTION AND THE LARGEST RECLAMATION PROJECT IN SOUTHEAST ASIA, WHICH DUMPS THOUSANDS OF TONS OF HEAVILY POLLUTED SILT INTO THE SEABED, IS SUFFOCATING MANY CORALS.
THIS, TN TURN, IS KILLING OFF THE ASSOCIATED MARINE LIFE FOUND ON THE REEFS.
YET, THE SHELTERED BAY OF HOI HA WAN, LYING TO THE NORTHEAST OF HONG KONG, HAS SO FAR ESCAPED THIS DISTURBANCE.
HOME TO MORE THAN 70 PER CENT OF HONG KONG’S CORAL LIFE, THE BAY HAS ALREADY BEEN DESIGNATED A SITE OF SPECIFIC SCIENTIFIC INTEREST.
AND NOW THE WORLDWIDE FOUNDATION FOR NATURE IN HONG KONG, COPRODUCER OF MR PITTS’ FILM, WANTS THE BAY DECLARED A MARINE PARK, HONG KONG’S FIRST, TO GIVE IT THE FULL PROTECTION IT DESERVES.
’’PRIMARILY MY AIM WAS TO MAKE AN EDUCATIONAL TOOL TO SHOW SCHOOLS AND RAISE AWARENESS,” MR PITTS SAID.
’’BUT YOU COULDN’T MAKE A MARINE FILM WITHOUT SAYING WHAT’S GOING WRONG SUCH AS POLLUTION AND OVERFISHING, BECAUSE IF NOTHING HAPPENS NOW OUR KIDS WILL INHERIT A STAGNANT POOL.”
MR PITTS WAS IN NEW ZEALAND AND UNABLE TO RECEIVE HIS AWARD. A REPRESENTATIVE OF THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT IN THE UNITED STATES, CHIEF INFORMATION OFFICER MRS MELINDA PARSONS, ACCEPTED THE AWARD FOR MR PITTS ON HIS BEHALF.
THE FILM WAS CHOSEN FROM AMONG 1,300 ENTRIES FROM 31 COUNTRIES. THE FESTIVAL IS THE WORLD’S LARGEST COMPETITION DEVOTED EXCLUSIVELY TO THE SELECTION OF OUTSTANDING SPONSORED, BUSINESS, TELEVISION AND INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTIONS.
THIS YEAR’S EVENT FEATURED WINNERS FROM 20 COUNTRIES.
THE FESTIVAL’S EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, PATRICIA MEYER, SAID: ’’THE NON-THEATRICAL FILM AND VIDEO INDUSTRY FOR SPONSORED PRODUCTIONS IS CONSIDERABLY LARGER THAN THE HIGH-PROFILE THEATRICAL INDUSTRY.”
’’WHEN TELEVISION PRODUCTIONS ARE INCLUDED, THE COMPETITION REPRESENTS A VAST PRODUCTION INDUSTRY WORLDWIDE WITH A HUGE TALENT BASE. THIS IS EVIDENT IN BOTH THE DIVERSITY AND QUALITY OF OUR WINNERS.”
-----0------
SATURDAY, JUNE 5, 1993
5
ENVIRONMENT PANEL MEMBERS VISIT CHEMICAL WASTE TREATMENT CENTRE * * * * *
MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL’S ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS PANEL THIS (SATURDAY) MORNING VISITED THE NEWLY OPENED CHEMICAL WASTE TREATMENT CENTRE ON TSING YI ISLAND TO FAMILIARISE THEMSELVES WITH ITS OPERATION.
THE PARTY WAS RECEIVED BY ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION, MR MIKE STOKOE AND THE GENERAL MANAGER OF THE CONTRACTOR ENVIROPACE LIMITED, MR WILLIAM GRUBE.
MEMBERS LEARNT THAT THE CENTRE WAS THE FIRST INTEGRATED CHEMICAL TREATMENT FACILITY BUILT IN HONG KONG TO PROVIDE DISPOSAL SERVICES FOR AN ESTIMATED 100,000 TONNES OF CHEMICAL WASTE GENERATED BY SOME 9,000 PRODUCERS EACH YEAR.
THEY WERE ALSO INFORMED THAT ENVIROPACE LIMITED WAS CONTRACTED TO DESIGN, BUILD AND OPERATE THE CENTRE FOR A 15-YEAR PERIOD WHICH MUST BE PERFORMED TO THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT’S STRINGENT REQUIREMENTS.
MEMBERS WERE BRIEFED ON VARIOUS TREATMENT PROCESSES IN THE CENTRE, INCLUDING OIL/WATER SEPARATION, PHYSTCAL/CHEMICAL TREATMENT AND HIGH TEMPERATURE INCINERATION.
OTHER ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES WERE ALSO DISCUSSED DURING THE TOUR.
--------0-----------
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 -455
CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT 1,545
LAF RATE 2.00 BTD/4.00 OFFER TWI 112.0 »+0.3» 5.6.93
--------0-----------
Received by PRO
on .. ^ 8 JUN 1993
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
SUNDAY, JUNE 6, 1993
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
MORE STAMP SETS TO MEET DEMAND .................................. ]
ROYAL HK REGIMENT'S LAST RECRUITS PASS OUT ...................... 3
HUNTING OF WILD BIRDS ILLEGAL ................................... 3
APPEALS FOR DONATIONS TO EDUCATION SCHOLARSHIPS FUND ............ 4
STATUTORY HOLIDAY REMINDER
5
SUNDAY, JUNE 6, 1993
1
MORE STAMP SETS TO MEET DEMAND
******
THE YEAR 1993 WILL BE A FRUITFUL YEAR FOR STAMP COLLECTORS IN HONG KONG AS THE POST OFFICE WILL RELEASE FOUR NEW STAMP ISSUES IN THE SECOND HALF OF THE YEAR.
OF THEM, TWO SETS ORIGINATE FROM WELL-SELECTED THEMES WHILE THE OTHER TWO ARE DESIGNED FOR COMMEMORATIVE PURPOSES.
SENIOR CONTROLLER (POSTAL MARKETING), MR ALBERT M F LEUNG, SAID HE HOPED THE STAMPS WOULD HELP MEET THE INSATIABLE DEMAND OF STAMP COLLECTORS, IN THE FACE OF THE GAINING POPULARITY OF PHILATELY IN THE PAST YEAR OR SO.
HE EXPECTED LONG QUEUES AT POST OFFICE COUNTERS ON THE DAYS OF FIRST ISSUE OF EVERY ONE OF THE STAMPS AS THEY WOULD CARRY SPLENDID DESIGN WITH SPECIAL APPEAL TO STAMP COLLECTORS.
THE TREMENDOUS WORK WAS DONE BY THE STAMP ADVISORY COMMITTEE (SAC) THAT MADE PAINFUL SELECTIONS ON THEME AND DESIGN FOR STAMPS IN A BID TO BOOST PHILATELY IN HONG KONG.
SINCE THE FIRST ISSUE OF DEFINITIVE STAMP SHBETLET IN 1990, MARKETING RESEARCH CONDUCTED BY THE POST OFFICE SHOWS THAT STAMP COLLECTORS ARE THIRSTY FOR HISTORICAL STAMPS OR STAMPS REFLECTING THE PAST OF HONG KONG.
MR LEUNG SAID CERTAIN WELL-DESIGNED STAMPS OR STAMPS WITH HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE WERE SELECTED FOR REPRODUCTION ON DEFINITIVE STAMP SHEETLETS.
IN THE PIPELINE IS THE "HONG KONG CLASSICS SERIES NO. 2" $10 DEFINITIVE STAMP SHEETLET, TO BE ISSUED ON JULY 6.
IT IS THE SECOND SET OF ITS KIND IN RESPONSE TO THE UNANIMOUS ACCEPTANCE OF CLASSIC STAMPS BY STAMP COLLECTORS.
WITH A CURRENT $10 DEFINITIVE STAMP INCORPORATED INTO THE SHEETLET, OF WHICH THE ENTIRE BACKGROUND IS A PHOTOGRAPH PRINTED IN A PALE PURPLE OVERTONE, IT DEPICTED A STREET SCENE IN HONG KONG ON THE OCCASION OF CELEBRATING THE SILVER JUBILEE OF THE REIGN OF KING GEORGE V IN 1935.
THE MOOD OF THE PHOTOGRAPH IS NOSTALGIC, AND THIS IS FURTHER ECHOED BY THE FOUR HISTORIC STAMPS REPRODUCED ON THE SHEETLET.
THE FOUR PICTORIAL STAMPS, FEATURING WINDSOR CASTLE AND A PORTRAIT OF KING GEORGE V, WERE THE FIRST-EVER ROYAL COMMEMORATIVE STAMPS ISSUED BY THE POST OFFICE AND WERE PART OF THE FIRST BRITISH COMMONWEALTH OMNIBUS ISSUE.
FOLLOWING THIS NOSTALGIC STAMP SHEETLET, THE POST OFFICE MOVES ONTO THE PRODUCTION OF A MORE FORWARD-LOOKING SET DEPICTING THE FEATURES WHICH EARMARK THE GROWING EMPHASIS OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY IN HONG KONG.
THE SET OF FOUR, WHICH WILL BE ISSUED ON SEPTEMBER 8, SHOWS VARIOUS ASPECTS OF THE COMMITMENT IN SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY THROUGHOUT THE AGES.
/AFTER PORING ........
SUNDAY, JUNE 6, 1993
2
AFTER PORING OVER HUNDREDS OF IDEAS FOR FEATURES DEPICTING ON THE STAMPS, MR LEUNG SAID THE SAC FINALLY SETTLED ON SIMPLE GRAPHIC DESIGNS ILLUSTRATING THE HONG KONG UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY ($0.8 STAMP); THE HONG KONG MUSEUM OF SCIENCE ($1.8 STAMP); THE "Q MARK" OF GOVERNOR’S AWARD FOR INDUSTRY ($2.3 STAMP) AND THE TELECOM INDUSTRY ($5 STAMP).
THIS THEME WAS SELECTED AS TECHNOLOGY IS THE KEY WORD FOR ENSURING THE FUTURE SUCCESS OF HONG KONG BY MAINTAINING THE TERRITORY AS ONE OF THE WORLD’S TRADING, MANUFACTURING AND FINANCE CENTRE.
HI-TECH GRAPHIC IS THE NOVEL APPROACH TO THE STAMP DESIGN ADOPTED IN THIS ISSUE, WHICH IN LINE WITH THE SELECTED THEME, HIGHLIGHTS THE INCREASING EMPHASIS BEING PLACED IN SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGICAL AREA.
ANOTHER COMMEMORATIVE STAMP SHEETLET TO BE ISSUED ON OCTOBER 5 THIS YEAR IS AN ATTRACTIVE $10 DEFINITIVE STAMP SHEETLET TOGETHER WITH A SOUVENIR COVER OF ITS KIND, WHICH MARKS THE PARTICIPATION T.< BANGKOK . ’93 STAMP EXHIBITION BY THE HONG KONG POST OFFICE.
WITH A TRANQUIL MOOD, THE BACKGROUND DESIGN OF THIS SHEETLET IS A GRAPHIC PRESENTATION OF A LOTUS LEAF WHICH IS COMMONLY FOUND IN THAILAND.
THE COLOUR OF THE $10 DEFINITIVE STAMP INCORPORATED INTO THE SHEETLET IS GREEN, WHICH IS IN PARALLEL WITH THE LOTUS-LEAF DESIGN AND IS DIFFERENT FROM THE USUAL BROWN-COLOURED ONE CURRENTLY IN USE.
THE MOST EYE-CATCHING THEMATIC SET FOR THIS YEAR IS THE ISSUE ON NOVEMBER 17 OF STAMPS WITH SOUVENIR SHEET ON HONG KONG GOLDFISH.
THIS SET OF FOUR, WITH DENOMINATIONS IN $0.8, $1.8, $2.3 AND $5, DEPICTS DIFFERENT VARIETIES OF HONG KONG GOLDFISH - RED CALICO EGG-FISH, RED CAP ORANDA, RED AND WHITE FRINGETAIL AND BLACK AND GOLD DRAGON-EYE - SWIMMING IN AN AQUARIUM.
THE BACKGROUND PHOTOGRAPH, FEATURING AN AQUARIUM WITH EXCELLENT PHOTOGRAPHIC EFFECT, CONTRIBUTES A MORE LIVELY SPIRIT TO THE ISSUE.
THE FOUR R1CH-AND-BRIGHT COLOURED STAMPS, COMBINED WITH THE BACKGROUND PHOTO OF AN AQUARIUM, MAKE THE DESIGN OF THE SOUVENIR SHEET MORE ATTRACTIVE.
THE THREE OTHER STAMP SETS ISSUED EARLIER IN THE YEAR WERE "THE YEAR OF THE COCK", "CHINESE STRING MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS" AND "40TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE CORONATION OF HER MAJESTY QUEEN ELIZABETH II".
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/3 ........
SUNDAY, JUNE 6,
1993
3
ROYAL HK REGIMENT’S LAST RECRUITS PASS OUT
*****
THE GOVERNOR, THE RT HON CHRISTOPHER PATTEN, THIS (SUNDAY) MORNING OFFICIATED AT THE PASSING-OUT PARADE OF THE LAST RECRUIT CADRE OF THE ROYAL HONG KONG REGIMENT (VOLUNTEERS).
PAYING TRIBUTES TO THE LAST CADRE OF 175 RECRUITS BEFORE THE REGIMENT’S DISBANDMENT IN 1995, THE GOVERNOR SAID THEIR PARADE HAD SHOWED THAT THEY HAD LIVED UP TO THE FINEST TRADITIONS OF THE REGIMENT.
"MANY PEOPLE TODAY WILL BE PROUD OF YOU, YOUR EMPLOYERS, YOUR FAMILIES AND YOUR INSTRUCTORS," MR PATTEN SAID.
"I WOULD LIKE, FIRST OF ALL, TO THANK YOUR EMPLOYERS FOR RECOGNISING THE IMPORTANCE OF GIVING YOU THE TIME TO CONTRIBUTE TO THE REGIMENT WHICH DOES SO MUCH FOR HONG KONG.
"SECOND, I WOULD LIKE TO THANK YOUR FAMILIES FOR DOING WITHOUT YOU FOR WEEKENDS AND EVENINGS, FOR SUPPORTING YOU AND FOR GIVING YOU ENCOURAGEMENT.
"AND I WOULD LIKE, AS WELL, TO THANK AND CONGRATULATE YOUR INSTRUCTORS."
AFTER INSPECTING THE PARADE, THE GOVERNOR PRESENTED AWARDS TO THE BEST RECRUITS, THE BEST SHOTS AND THE BEST TROOP.
THE 175 RECRUITS WHO PASSED OUT TODAY COMPRISED 141 MALES AND 34 FEMALES WHO HAD COMPLETED NINE MONTHS’ BASIC TRAINING ON DRILL, WEAPON HANDLING AND SHOOTING, WITH MANY OF THEM ACHIEVING VERY HIGH STANDARDS.
----0------
HUNTING OF WILD BIRDS ILLEGAL
«**«*»
HUNTING OF WILD BIRDS IN HONG KONG IS PROHIBITED UNDER THE WILD ANIMALS PROTECTION ORDINANCE, THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT’S (AFD) SENIOR CONSERVATION OFFICER, MR CHEUNG MAN-KWONG, SAID TODAY (SUNDAY).
MR CHEUNG MADE THE REMINDER AFTER TWO MEN WERE EACH FINED $3,000 RECENTLY FOR ILLEGALLY HUNTING 42 BIRDS IN YUEN LONG IN MARCH THIS YEAR.
THE CASE WAS UNCOVERED BY POLICE IN THE EARLY HOURS OF MARCH 19, WHEN TWO MEN, AGED 24 AND 31, WERE STOPPED BY YUEN LONG DETECTIVES AT PAK SHA TSUEN, YUEN LONG.
SUBSEQUENT ENQUIRIES REVEALED THAT THE TWO MEN HAD EARLIER HUNTED DOWN 42 BIRDS WITH AIR RIFLES IN THE AREA.
MR CHEUNG SAID: "UNDER THE WILD ANIMALS PROTECTION ORDINANCE, SELLING OR POSSESSION OF LOCALLY CAUGHT WILD BIRDS IS ALSO PROHIBITED AND OFFENDERS MAY FACE A MAXIMUM PENALTY OF $5,000 FINE UPON CONVICTION.”
/APART FROM .......
4
SUNDAY, JUNE 6, 1993
APART FROM WILD BIRDS, THE LIST OF PROTECTED WILD ANIMALS INCLUDES MOST MAMMALS, ALL TURTLES, PYTHON, HONG KONG NEWT, TWO SPECIES OF RARE FROGS AND BIRDWING BUTTERFLY.
MEANWHILE, MR CHEUNG COMMENDED A WOMAN FOR HANDING OVER A WATERCOCK AFTER IT ACCIDENTALLY FLOWN INTO AN OFFICE BUILDING AT THE KWAI CHUNG CONTAINER TERMINAL.
THE WILD BIRD WAS SUBSEQUENTLY RELEASED BY THE DEPARTMENT TO THE WILD AT THE MAI PO NATURE RESERVE EARLIER LAST WEEK.
WATERCOCKS (GALLICREX CINEREA) ARE NATIVE TO COUNTRIES OR TERRITORIES IN SOUTHEAST ASIA, INCLUDING CHINA, THAILAND AND HONG KONG.
THEY ARE SUMMER VISITORS TO HONG KONG, MAKING THEIR STOPOVER AT PLACES SUCH AS THE MAI PO NATURE RESERVE, WHERE THERE IS ABUNDANT FEED FOR MIGRATORY BIRDS.
AN AFD'S SENIOR FIELD ASSISTANT, MR TSOI WAI-KAI, WHO FREED THE WATERCOCK, SAID HE WAS DELIGHTED TO BE ASSIGNED THIS MEANINGFUL CONSERVATION JOB.
”1 SINCERELY HOPE IT CAN HAVE A HAPPY RE-UNION WITH ITS FAMILY MEMBERS AT MAT PO BEFORE SETTING OFF FOR A NEW JOURNEY TOWARDS THE END OF THIS SUMMER,” MR TSOI ADDED.
--------0
APPEALS FOR DONATIONS TO EDUCATION SCHOLARSHIPS FUND » » » » ♦
THE CHAIRMAN OF THE EDUCATION SCHOLARSHIPS FUND COMMITTEE, MR CHAU HOW-CHEN, TODAY (SUNDAY) APPEALED TO THE PUBLIC AND PERSONS INTERESTED IN EDUCATION FOR DONATIONS TO THE EDUCATION SCHOLARSHIPS FUND.
THE FUND WAS ESTABLISHED IN 1955 UNDER THE EDUCATION SCHOLARSHIPS FUND ORDINANCE AND IS VESTED IN THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION AS TRUSTEE.
MR CHAU POINTED OUT THAT THE FINANCIAL SITUATION OF THE FUND WAS SOUND BUT DONATIONS AND GENEROUS PUBLIC SUPPORT WERE NEEDED BECAUSE THE VALUE OF AWARDS HAD FALLEN IN REAL TERMS DUE TO THE RELATIVELY HIGH RATE OF INFLATION.
HE EMPHASISED THAT DONATIONS WOULD BE USED TO MAINTAIN AND IMPROVE THE PRESENT LEVEL OF ASSISTANCE SO THAT EACH AWARD MAY BE SET AT A MORE MEANINGFUL VALUE.
’’THE YOUNG PEOPLE OF HONG KONG WHO HAD SHOWN ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE LEADERSHIP AND OTHER ACHIEVEMENTS SHOULD BE ACKNOWLEDGED AND THE SCHOLARSHIPS WOULD ACT AS AN ENCOURAGEMENT TO OTHERS,” HE SAID.
THERE ARE 174 SCHOLARSHIPS ON THE FUND’S REGISTER OF SCHOLARSHIPS.
/FOR THE ........
5
SUNDAY, JUNE 6, 1993
FOR THE 1991/92 SCHOOL YEAR, THE FUND HAD PAID OUT ABOUT $300,000 FOR 562 AWARDS TO OUTSTANDING STUDENTS AT DIFFERENT LEVELS IN 80 SCHOOLS, COLLEGES OF EDUCATION AND HONG KONG POLYTECHNIC.
ADDITIONAL AWARDS SUCH AS THE SUPREMETECH ENGINEERING SCHOLARSHIPS, HAD ALSO BEEN APPROVED BY THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION TO 27 CANDIDATES IN THE HONG KONG CERTIFICATE OF EDUCATION EXAMINATION FOR THEIR OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE IN ART AND MUSIC IN 1991 AND PHYSICAL EDUCATION AND TECHNICAL SUBJECTS IN 1992.
DONORS WHO WISH TO INSTITUTE A NEW SCHOLARSHIP WITH THEIR OWN NAME AND A SEPARATE ACCOUNT UNDER THE FUND MAY DO SO BY APPLYING FOR REGISTRATION OF THE NEW SCHOLARSHIP UNDER PART III OF THE FUND’S REGISTER.
THE MINIMUM LEVEL OF DONATION HAS BEEN REVISED TO $297,000 FOR THE 1992/93 SCHOOL YEAR FOR AN AWARD, CURRENTLY $1,700 PER ANNUM BUT WHICH WILL BE REVISED PERIODICALLY IN LINE WITH INFLATION.
MORE INFORMATION MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE COMMITTEE SECRETARY.
"DONATIONS OF LESS THAN $297,000 ARE ALSO WELCOME AND, IF ACCEPTED BY THE COMMITTEE, WILL BE PLACED IN PART II OF THE REGISTER WHERE THEY WOULD BE USED TO INCREASE THE VALUE OR NUMBER OF THE EXISTING AWARDS," MR CHAU SAID.
DONATIONS MAY BE SENT TO THE SECRETARY OF THE EDUCATION SCHOLARSHIPS FUND COMMITTEE, C/O STUDENT FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE AGENCY, NATIONAL MUTUAL CENTRE, 151 GLOUCESTER ROAD, NINTH FLOOR, WAN CHAI (TEL NO. 802 1693).
--------------0------- STATUTORY HOLIDAY REMINDER *****
THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT TODAY (SUNDAY) REMINDS EMPLOYERS THAT JUNE 14, THE MONDAY FOLLOWING THE QUEEN’S BIRTHDAY, IS A FLOATING HOLIDAY UNLESS ANOTHER HOLIDAY HAS BEEN FIXED FOR HIS EMPLOYEES.
THE TUEN NG FESTIVAL, WHICH FALLS ON JUNE 24 (THURSDAY), IS ALSO 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 DAY OFF IF THEY HAVE WORKED CONTINUOUSLY FOR THE SAME EMPLOYER FOR THREE MONTHS OR LONGER IMMEDIATELY BEFORE THE STATUTORY HOLIDAY.
HOLIDAY PAY SHOULD BE EQUIVALENT TO AN EMPLOYEE’S EARNING 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 BE BETWEEN 28 AND 31 DAYS, PRECEDING THE HOLIDAY.
/IF AN ........
SUNDAY, JUNE 6, 1993
6
IF AN EMPLOYEE IS REQUIRED TO WORK ON A STATUTORY HOLIDAY, HE MUST BE GIVEN AN ALTERNATIVE DAY OFF WITHIN 60 DAYS BEFORE OR AFTER THAT DAY.
ENQUIRIES ABOUT STATUTORY HOLIDAYS MAY BE MADE OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT’S GENERAL ENQUIRY TELEPHONE SERVICE ON 717 1771.
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Received by PRO on -9.J1HL1993
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
MONDAY, JUNE 7, 1993
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
HK EXPECTED TO TAKE A LEAD ON ENVIRONMENT ................. 1
RATEABLE PROPERTY VALUES UNDER REVIEW ..................... 2
EXCO YET TO DECIDE ON PAY REVISION ........................ 2
APPOINTMENT OF SENIOR JUDICIARY ADMINISTRATOR ............. 3
HKQAA PASSES ITS FIRST INT'L AUDIT ........................ 4
TWO MOTION DEBATES AT WEDNESDAY'S LEGCO MEETING ........... 5
CUSTOMS TRADE DECLARATION COUNTERS CLOSED FOR RENOVATION .... 6
SURVEY STARTS ON WHOLESALE AND RETATT. TRADES, RESTAURANTS AND
HOTELS .................................................. 6
EARLY WELFARE PAYMENT ..................................... 8
CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL MEMBERS VISIT SCHOOL........ 8
POK 01 HOSPITAL DIRECTORS VISIT SWD ....................... 8
WATER STORAGE FIGURE ...................................... o
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS
9
MONDAY, JUNE 7, 1993
1
HK EXPECTED TO TAKE A LEAD ON ENVIRONMENT *****
THE GOVERNOR, THE RT HON CHRISTOPHER PATTEN, TODAY (MONDAY) EXPRESSED THE HOPE THAT HONG KONG CAN GIVE A LEAD REGIONALLY AND BEYOND ON ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS.
"I BELIEVE STRONGLY THAT WE MUST MAKE PROTECTING OUR PRECIOUS PLANET A TOP PRIORITY," HE SAID.
ADDRESSING THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE SECOND ANNUAL BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY ENVIRONMENT WEEK, MR PATTEN SAID THE GOVERNMENT WOULD CONTINUE TO STRENGTHEN ALL POLLUTION CONTROLS UNDER A NETWORK OF LEGISLATION.
"WE ALSO PROVIDE THE INFRASTRUCTURE, INFORMATION AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE THAT INDUSTRY NEEDS TO MEET THESE STANDARDS," HE SAID.
ON INFRASTRUCTURE, A CHEMICAL WASTE TREATMENT CENTRE HAS RECENTLY BEEN OPENED ON TSING YI. THERE ARE A NUMBER OF PUBLIC DUMPS FOR THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY AND A CENTRALISED INCINERATOR TO HELP INDUSTRY TO GET RID OF SPECIAL SOLIDS.
AS REGARDS INFORMATION, THE INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT PUBLISHES AN UPDATED GUIDE ON ENVIRONMENTAL LEGISLATION EACH YEAR FOR MANUFACTURERS.
ON TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE, THE HONG KONG PRODUCTIVITY COUNCIL HAS HELPED THE INDUSTRY TO DEAL WITH ITS PROBLEMS.
NOTING THAT CLEANER TECHNOLOGY PAYS OFF, THE GOVERNOR SAID: "BEING A FRIEND TO THE ENVIRONMENT DOES NOT MEAN BEING A STRANGER TO PROFIT."
IT CAN NOT ONLY LEAD TO GREATER PRODUCTIVITY BUT TO SAVINGS ON RAW MATERIALS AND WASTE DISPOSAL AS WELL AS MORE ORDERS FROM ENVIRONMENTALLY CONSCIOUS FOREIGN FIRMS, MR PATTEN SAID.
THE GOVERNOR CALLED FOR MORE CO-OPERATION BETWEEN INDIVIDUAL CONSUMERS, BUSINESS AND GOVERNMENT AS WELL AS BETWEEN DIFFERENT GOVERNMENTS.
THE GOVERNOR PRAISED THE PRIVATE SECTOR COMMITTEE ON THE ENVIRONMENT FOR SPONSORING VARIOUS INITIATIVES TO RAISE AWARENESS OF THE NEED TO PROTECT THE ENVIRONMENT.
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MONDAY, JUNE 7, 1993
- 2
RATEABLE PROPERTY VALUES UNDER REVIEW * * » * *
THE RATING AND VALUATION DEPARTMENT IS PREPARING FOR A GENERAL REVALUATION UNDER WHICH RATEABLE VALUES OF ALL PROPERTIES IN HONG KONG WILL BE REVIEWED.
THE REVISED RATEABLE VALUES WILL TAKE EFFECT FROM APRIL 1 NEXT YEAR.
SOME 364,000 REQUISITION FORMS ARE BEING DESPATCHED TO RATEPAYERS TODAY (MONDAY), SEEKING DETAILS OF RENTS AND OTHER TERMS OF TENANCIES FOR DIFFERENT CATEGORIES OF PROPERTY INCLUDING RESIDENTIAL, COMMERCIAL AND INDUSTRIAL PREMISES.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID ABOUT ONE IN EVERY THREE RATEPAYERS WOULD RECEIVE A FORM BECAUSE THE FORMS WERE ISSUED ONLY TO RATEPAYERS OF PROPERTIES WHERE RENTS WERE LIKELY TO BE RECENTLY NEGOTIATED.
RATEPAYERS WHO RECEIVE THE FORMS MUST COMPLETE AND RETURN THEM TO THE DEPARTMENT WITHIN THE 21 DAYS ALLOWED.
IF THEY CANNOT RETURN THE FORM WITHIN THE SPECIFIED PERIOD, THEY MAY APPLY, WITH REASONS, FOR AN EXTENSION.
’’FAILURE TO RETURN THE FORM MAY RESULT IN PENALTIES BEING IMPOSED,’’ THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
ANYONE WHO IS IN DOUBT AS TO HOW TO COMPLETE THE FORM MAY TELEPHONE THE ENQUIRY NUMBER PRINTED ON THE FORM, OR MAY VISIT THE DEPARTMENT ON 17TH FLOOR, HENNESSY CENTRE, 500 HENNESSY ROAD, CAUSEWAY BAY, HONG KONG.
HELP MAY ALSO BE OBTAINED FROM ANY PUBLIC ENQUIRY SERVICE CENTRE AT DISTRICT OFFICES.
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EXCO YET TO DECIDE ON PAY REVISION » * * » *
THE ACTING CHIEF SECRETARY, MRS ANSON CHAN, SAID THIS (MONDAY) EVENING THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL HAD YET TO MAKE A FINAL DECISION ON THE PAY REVISION FOR CIVIL SERVANTS.
SPEAKING TO REPORTERS AFTER OFFICIATING AT THE ZONTA CLUB OF VICTORIA’S INSTALLATION CEREMONY, MRS CHAN SAID THE GOVERNMENT WOULD OF COURSE CONSIDER THE STAFF'S CLAIM AND A FURTHER PAPER WOULD BE PUT TO THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL AT ITS MEETING ON JUNE 22.
ON THE OPEN DEBATE SOUGHT BY THE CIVIL SERVICE COUNCILS, MRS CHAN SAID: "I THINK WE HAVE EXPLAINED TO STAFF THE GOVERNMENT'S VIEW.
/’’THE GOVERNMENT.......
MONDAY, JUNE 7, 1993
- 3
"THE GOVERNMENT ON THE ONE HAND TAKES VERY SERIOUSLY ITS OBLIGATIONS AS A GOOD EMPLOYER. BUT THE GOVERNMENT AT THE SAME TIME ALSO HAS A WIDER OBLIGATION TO THE COMMUNITY AT LARGE."
ASKED ABOUT THE POSSIBILITY OF INDUSTRIAL ACTION BY THE STAFF, MRS CHAN SAID SHE VERY MUCH HOPED THAT THE CIVIL SERVANTS WOULD SERIOUSLY CONSIDER WHATEVER ACTION THEY WOULD TAKE AND THAT THEY WOULD TAKE INTO ACCOUNT OF THE INTEREST OF THE PUBLIC AT LARGE.
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APPOINTMENT OF SENIOR JUDICIARY ADMINISTRATOR
THE GOVERNMENT WILL APPOINT A JUDICIARY ADMINISTRATOR AT D8 (SECRETARY) LEVEL TO TAKE OVER FROM THE REGISTRAR, SUPREME COURT AS THE ADMINISTRATIVE HEAD AND CONTROLLING OFFICER OF THE JUDICIARY, ASSISTING THE CHIEF JUSTICE IN THE OVERALL ADMINISTRATION OF THE JUDICIARY.
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN TODAY (MONDAY) SAID NECESSARY FUNDS FOR THE POST WOULD BE SOUGHT FROM THE FINANCE COMMITTEE OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
THE SPOKESMAN EXPLAINED THAT THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE JUDICIARY AT PRESENT WAS PRIMARILY THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE REGISTRAR, SUPREME COURT, UNDER THE SUPERVISION OF THE CHIEF JUSTICE.
THERE IS HOWEVER A NEED TO APPOINT A HIGH-RANKING ADMINISTRATOR TO TAKE CHARGE OF THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE JUDICIARY TO COPE WITH THE INCREASING ACTIVITIES OF THE JUDICIARY AND TO MEET RISING EXPECTATIONS ABOUT EFFICIENCY IN THE JUDICIAL PROCESS.
"THE NEW JUDICIARY ADMINISTRATOR WILL FOCUS ON ADMINISTRATIVE WORK AND WILL OCCUPY A NON-JUDICIAL POST IN THE JUDICIARY."
"THE POST SHOULD BE RANKED AT D8 LEVEL TO PUT HIM AT A SUFFICIENTLY HIGH LEVEL TO DISCHARGE HIS DUTIES EFFECTIVELY," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
THE PROPOSAL WILL BE PUT TO THE FINANCE COMMITTEE IN THE NEAR FUTURE.
RECRUITMENT OF THE NEW ADMINISTRATOR WILL BEGIN AS SOON AS THE NECESSARY FUNDS HAVE BEEN APPROVED BY THE FINANCE COMMITTEE.
IT IS HOPED THAT THE APPOINTMENT OF THE ADMINISTRATOR WILL BE MADE BY THE END OF THIS YEAR.
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MONDAY, JUNE 7, 1993
4
HKQAA PASSES ITS FIRST INT’L AUDIT * * ♦ * »
THE SIGNING OF AN IMPLEMENTATION AGREEMENT OF A MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN THE BRITISH STANDARDS INSTITUTE (BSI) AND THE HONG KONG QUALITY ASSURANCE AGENCY (HKQAA) SIGNIFIES THAT THE TWO ORGANISATIONS REGARD THE STANDARD AND QUALITY OF EACH OTHER’S WORK AS EQUIVALENT.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, MR HAMISH MACLEOD, TODAY (MONDAY) AT THE SIGNING CEREMONY OF THE AGREEMENT.
MR MACLEOD SAID HONG KONG HAD REACHED A POINT WHERE THE WORK OF THE HKQAA NEEDED TO BE ACKNOWLEDGED AND ACCEPTED INTERNATIONALLY AND THAT THE AGENCY HAD SUCCESSFULLY PASSED ITS FIRST INTERNATIONAL AUDIT.
’’THE AGENCY NEEDED TO DEMONSTRATE ITS COMPETENCE AND CREDIBILITY IN THE INTERNATIONAL QUALITY MANAGEMENT CERTIFICATION FIELD,” HE SAID.
FOLLOWING THE SIGNING OF THE AGREEMENT, BSI QUALITY MANAGEMENT CERTIFICATES CAN NOW BE AWARDED TO COMPANIES IN HONG KONG, BASED ON AUDIT WORK CARRIED OUT BY HKQAA AND SIMILARLY BSI CAN UNDERTAKE WORK FOR THE AGENCY IN THE UNITED KINGDOM.
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY OFFERED HIS CONGRATULATIONS TO THE HKQAA FOR SUCCESSFULLY NEGOTIATING THIS AGREEMENT AND EXPRESSED HIS APPRECIATION TO BSI FOR HELPING THE AGENCY SO MUCH IN ITS FORMATIVE YEARS.
BSI, AS THE UNITED KINGDOM’S OFFICIAL STANDARDS AUTHORITY, HAS MAINTAINED A SPLENDID TRACK RECORD FOR MANY YEARS IN RELATION TO STANDARDS AND QUALITY. THE INSTITUTION HAS PIONEERED THE DEVELOPMENT OF QUALITY STANDARDS.
IN PLANNING FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE AGENCY AND IN THE SUBSEQUENT TECHNICAL WORK ASSOCIATED WITH ITS DAILY OPERATIONS, BSI HAS BEEN OF CONSIDERABLE ASSISTANCE WITH PROVISION OF TECHNICAL KNOWHOW AND IN OVERSEEING SOME OF THE INITIAL AUDIT PROCESSES.
MR MACLEOD NOTED THAT FOR SOME YEARS THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT HAD VIEWED QUALITY AS ONE OF A NUMBER OF IMPORTANT FACTORS THAT WOULD FACILITATE THE UPGRADING OF INDUSTRY AND ITS ON-GOJNG DEVELOPMENT HERE.
’’JUST OVER A DECADE AGO, WE BEGAN A PROGRAMME OF BUILDING UP A SOUND QUALITY INFRASTRUCTURE IN SUPPORT OF MOVES TOWARDS BETTER QUALITY PRODUCTION IN OUR INDUSTRIES,” HE SAID.
”A SERIES OF GOVERNMENT-SPONSORED INITIATIVES RESULTED IN THE ESTABLISHMENT BY INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT OF THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT STANDARDS AND CALIBRATION LABORATORY, THE HONG KONG LABORATORY ACCREDITATION SCHEME AND THE PRODUCT STANDARDS INFORMATION BUREAU.
WITH THESE ESSENTIAL QUALITY SUPPORT SERVICES FIRMLY ESTABLISHED, THE GOVERNMENT BEGAN TO EXAMINE THE BROADER ISSUES OF QUALITY, MR MACLEOD SAID.
/’’COMPANIES WERE ........
MONDAY, JUNE 7, 1993
5
"COMPANIES WERE ENCOURAGED TO INCORPORATE QUALITY INTO COMPANIES’ STRATEGIC BUSINESS PLANS. BUSINESSES IN HONG KONG LOOKING TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF THEIR PRODUCTS AND SERVICES WERE BEING INTRODUCED TO THE CONCEPT OF QUALITY MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS," HE ADDED.
THE CONCEPT AND THE BENEFITS OF QUALITY MANAGEMENT APPLIED TO THE GOVERNMENT AS WELL AS PRIVATE COMPANIES, MR MACLEOD SAID, ADDING THAT SOME GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS WERE NOW MOVING TOWARDS INTERNATIONAL ORGANISATION FOR STANDARDISATION (ISO) 9000 CERTIFICATION.
"THE GOVERNMENT’S COMMITMENT TO QUALITY IS WELL ILLUSTRATED BY OUR PRINTING ORGANISATION AND BY OUR CONSTRUCTION PROGRAMME," HE SAID.
"IT IS THE GOVERNMENT’S INTENTION THAT WITHIN THE NEXT FEW YEARS CONTRACTORS AND CONSULTANTS FOR MAJOR PUBLIC WORKS PROJECTS WILL HAVE TO BE CERTIFIED TO ISO 9000 STANDARDS, IF THEY ARE TO CARRY OUT WORK FOR THE GOVERNMENT," MR MACLEOD SAID.
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TWO MOTION DEBATES AT WEDNESDAY’S LEGCO MEETING
* * * * *
THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL WILL DEBATE TWO MOTIONS, ONE ON THE INDUSTRIAL POLICY AND THE OTHER ON LAND SUPPLY FOR PRIVATE AND PUBLIC HOUSING AT ITS MEETING ON WEDNESDAY.
THE FIRST MOTION WILL BE MOVED BY THE HON HENRY TANG. THE HON ALLEN LEE WILL PROPOSE AN AMENDMENT MOTION.
THE OTHER MOTION WILL BE MOVED BY THE HON LEE WING-TAT.
THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT WILL MOVE A MOTION UNDER THE ROAD TRAFFIC ORDINANCE WHILE THE SECRETARY FOR THE TREASURY WILL MOVE ANOTHER MOTION UNDER THE BETTING DUTY ORDINANCE.
MEMBERS WILL ASK A TOTAL OF 19 QUESTIONS AND CONSIDER THREE BILLS AT THE MEETING.
OF THEM, THE LAYOUT-DESIGN (TOPOGRAPHY) OF INTEGRATED CIRCUITS BILL WILL BE INTRODUCED FOR FIRST AND SECOND READINGS. DEBATE ON IT IS DUE TO BE ADJOURNED.
DEBATES ON THE TWO OTHER BILLS WILL BE RESUMED. THEY ARE DUE TO GO THROUGH THE COMMITTEE STAGE AND BE GIVEN A THIRD READING.
THEY ARE: BUILDINGS (AMENDMENT) (NO. 2) BILL 1993 AND LIFTS AND ESCALATORS (SAFETY) (AMENDMENT) BILL 1993.
IN ADDITION, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY WILL PRESENT THE SECURITIES AND FUTURES COMMISSION ANNUAL REPORT 1992/93.
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE WELCOME TO OBSERVE THE PROCEEDINGS FROM THE PUBLIC GALLERY. THEY MAY RESERVE SEATS BY CALLING 869 9492.
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/6 ........
MONDAY, JUNE 7, 1993
- 6 -
CUSTOMS TRADE DECLARATION COUNTERS CLOSED FOR RENOVATION
*****
CUSTOMS HONG KONG COLLECTION OFFICE, LOCATED AT HARBOUR BUILDING, CENTRAL, WILL CLOSE SOME OF THEIR TRADE DECLARATION COUNTERS FROM JUNE 15 TO JULY 24 FOR INSTALLATION OF NEW PROGRAMMABLE CASH REGISTERS.
COUNTERS FOR PROCESSING LODGEMENT OF ONE TO 50 TRADE
DECLARATIONS WILL BE CLOSED DURING THE RENOVATION PERIOD.
THE OFFICE WILL PROVIDE LIMITED SERVICES FOR PROCESSING
LODGEMENT OF 30 TO 50 TRADE DECLARATIONS WITH PAYMENT BY CHEQUE.
OTHER SERVICES PROVIDED BY THE OFFICE, SUCH AS BULK LODGEMENT OF MORE THAN 50 TRADE DECLARATIONS AND NORMAL DISKETTE LODGEMENT, WILL NOT BE AFFECTED.
DECLARANTS AFFECTED ARE ENCOURAGED TO DECLARE THEIR LODGEMENT AT THE KOWLOON COLLECTION OFFICE ON GROUND FLOOR, MIDDLE ROAD MULTISTOREY CARPARK BUILDING, TSIM SHA TSUI.
A SPOKESMAN FOR CUSTOMS AND EXCISE DEPARTMENT SAID THE MODIFICATIONS WOULD RESULT IN SPEEDIER PROCESSING.
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SURVEY STARTS ON WHOLESALE AND RETAIL TRADES, RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS ♦ * ♦ » ♦
THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (MONDAY) THAT THE SURVEY OF WHOLESALE AND RETAIL TRADES, RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS FOR 1992 HAD STARTED.
THE ANNUAL SURVEY IS PART OF A CONTINUOUS PROGRAMME TO COMPILE STATISTICS ON THE STRUCTURE AND PERFORMANCE OF VARIOUS ECONOMIC ACTIVITIES IN HONG KONG.
THE SURVEY ALMS TO OBTAIN UP-TO-DATE STATISTICAL DATA FOR EVALUATING THE CONTRIBUTION OF VARIOUS ECONOMIC ACTIVITIES TO HONG KONG’S GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT AND FOR ASCERTAINING THEIR COST STRUCTURE, OPERATING CHARACTERISTICS AND SALES LEVELS.
THE SURVEY RESULTS ARE USEFUL TO BOTH THE GOVERNMENT AND THE PRIVATE SECTOR IN FORMULATING POLICIES AND MAKING DECISIONS.
THE COMMISSIONER FOR CENSUS AND STATISTICS, MR FREDERICK HO, APPEALED TO THE MANAGEMENTS OF ALL SAMPLED ESTABLISHMENTS TO FULFIL THEIR LEGAL AND SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITIES BY RETURNING PROMPTLY THE COMPLETED QUESTIONNAIRES AND CO-OPERATING WITH OFFICERS OF THE DEPARTMENT IN THE COURSE OF THE SURVEY.
/HE STRESSED .......
MONDAY, JUNE 7, 1993
7
HE STRESSED THAT INFORMATION RELATING TO INDIVIDUAL ESTABLISHMENTS WOULD BE TREATED IN STRICT CONFIDENCE UNDER THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS ORDINANCE.
ONLY AGGREGATE INFORMATION THAT DOES NOT REVEAL DETAILS OF INDIVIDUAL ESTABLISHMENTS WILL BE RELEASED.
MR HO ALSO POINTED OUT THAT AUDITED ACCOUNTS WERE NOT ESSENTIAL ?OR THE SUPPLY OF INCOME AND EXPENDITURE DATA REQUIRED IN THE SURVEY.
THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT ACCEPTS FIGURES BASED ON ♦ PRELIMINARY ACCOUNTS OR ESTIMATES WHICH ARE CORRECT TO THE BEST OF THE RESPONDENTS * KNOWLEDGE AT THE TIME OF SUBMISSION OF THE QUESTIONNAIRE, IF AUDITED ACCOUNTS ARE NOT YET AVAILABLE.
ABOUT 9,300 ESTABLISHMENTS WILL BE ENUMERATED IN THE PRESENT ROUND OF THE SURVEY, COVERING THE FOLLOWING ECONOMIC ACTIVITIES: WHOLESALE; RETAIL; IMPORTS AND EXPORTS; RESTAURANTS; HOTELS AND BOARDING HOUSES.
INFORMATION TO BE SOUGHT IN THE SURVEY INCLUDES: TYPE OF OWNERSHIP, ORIGIN OF INVESTMENT, FLOOR AREA, EMPLOYMENT, COMPENSATION OF EMPLOYEES (THAT IS, WAGES, SALARIES AND OTHER EMPLOYEE BENEFITS), OPERATING EXPENSES, TOTAL VALUE OF PURCHASES OF GOODS FOR SALE, SALES AND OTHER RECEIPTS, CAPITAL EXPENDITURE AND STOCKS AND OTHER RELATED INFORMATION ON THE BUSINESS OPERATION OF THE ESTABLISHMENTS.
THE SURVEY IS CONDUCTED UNDER THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS (ANNUAL SURVEY OF WHOLESALE AND RETAIL TRADES, RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS) ORDER 1984, WHICH WAS MADE UNDER THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS ORDINANCE (CHAPTER 316).
SURVEY QUESTIONNAIRES HAVE BEEN MAILED TO THE SAMPLED ESTABLISHMENTS.
THESE ESTABLISHMENTS ARE REQUIRED BY LAW TO COMPLETE AND RETURN THE QUESTIONNAIRES TO THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT BY JULY 31, THIS YEAR.
IF REQUIRED, OFFICERS OF THE DEPARTMENT WILL VISIT INDIVIDUAL ESTABLISHMENTS AND HELP THEM COMPLETE THE QUESTIONNAIRES.
THESE OFFICERS WILL EACH CARRY A GOVERNMENT IDENTITY CARD AND A CERTIFICATE FOR CONDUCTING THE SURVEY WHILST ON DUTY, WHICH ARE AVAILABLE FOR INSPECTION.
ANY ENQUIRES REGARDING THE SURVEY MAY BE DIRECTED TO THE WHOLESALE/RETAIL TRADE STATISTICS SECTION OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT ON TEL 802 1278.
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MONDAY, JUNE 7, 1993
EARLY WELFARE PAYMENT
♦ ♦ ♦ * *
RECIPIENTS OF PUBLIC ASSISTANCE AND SPECIAL NEEDS ALLOWANCE HOLDING CASH ORDER COUPONS MAY RECEIVE THEIR WELFARE PAYMENT EARLIER IF THEIR PAYDAY FALLS ON THE COMING PUBLIC HOLIDAYS AT THE END OF THIS WEEK.
A SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN TODAY (MONDAY) SAID PAYMENT SCHEDULED BETWEEN JUNE 12 AND 14 WOULD BE ADVANCED TO JUNE 9 TO 11 RESPECTIVELY.
ARRANGEMENTS HAD BEEN MADE FOR RECIPIENTS TO COLLECT THEIR PAYMENTS AT THE DESIGNATED POST OFFICES AND TREASURY SUB-OFFICES, HE SAID.
- 0 -
CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL MEMBERS VISIT SCHOOL
*****
EIGHT MEMBERS OF THE CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL, LED BY ITS CHAIRMAN, MR ANDREW SO KWOK-WING, TODAY (MONDAY) VISITED BELILIOS PUBLIC SCHOOL IN NORTH POINT TO HAVE A BETTER UNDERSTANDING ABOUT SCHOOL OPERATIONS.
THIS IS PART OF A SERIES OF PROGRAMMES ORGANISED BY THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT FOR MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL TO OBTAIN FIRST-HAND INFORMATION ABOUT THE LATEST DEVELOPMENTS IN SCHOOLS.
THE PARTY WAS MET AND BRIEFED BY THE SCHOOL PRINCIPAL, MISS SHERIFA KHAN, AND THE TEACHING STAFF ON VARIOUS TOPICS RELATING TO CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT.
THE COUNCIL WILL BE VISITING MORE SCHOOLS IN THE FUTURE.
POK 01 HOSPITAL DIRECTORS VISIT SWD ♦ * * * »
THE NEW BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF POK OI HOSPITAL TODAY (MONDAY) PAID A COURTESY VISIT TO THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MR IAN STRACHAN, AND EXCHANGED VIEWS WITH HIM ON WELFARE SERVICES FOR THE YEAR.
THE BOARD CHAIRMAN, DR SIDNEY SIU, OUTLINED THE HOSPITAL’S MEDICAL, EDUCATIONAL AND WELFARE SERVICES AS WELL AS PLANNED PROJECTS TO MR STRACHAN.
”POK 01 WILL ATTACH MORE IMPORTANCE TO ELDERLY SERVICES IN VIEW OF THE AGEING POPULATION,” DR SIU SAID.
MR STRACHAN COMMENDED POK 01 HOSPITAL FOR ITS UNFAILING CONTRIBUTION TO THE COMMUNITY AND ASSURED THE BOARD MEMBERS THAT THE DEPARTMENT WOULD CONTINUE TO GIVE ITS FULLEST SUPPORT TO THEIR PLA> .
MONDAY, JUNE 7, 1993
- 9
WATER STORAGE FIGURE
*****
STORAGE IN LOCAL RESERVOIRS AT 9 AM TODAY (MONDAY) STOOD AT 55.4 PER CENT OF CAPACITY OR 324.746 MILLION CUBIC METRES.
THIS TIME LAST YEAR THE RESERVOIRS CONTAINED 344.325 MILLION CUBIC METRES OF WATER, REPRESENTING 58.8 PER CENT OF CAPACITY.
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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 INJECTION/WITHDRAWAL TODAY EFFECT OF LAF TODAY CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT 1,545 +1,255 2,800 NIL -1,480 1,320
LAF RATE 2.00 BID/4. HONG 00 OFFER TWI 112.0 KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE »+0.0» 7.6.93 FUND
EF BILLS EF NOTES/HONG KONG GOVERNMENT BONDS
TERMS YIELD TERM ISSUE COUPON PRICE YIELD
1 WEEK 2.53 PCT 15 MONTHS 2408 4.375 100.64 3.86
1 MONTH 2.79 PCT 18 MONTHS 2411 4.625 100.92 4.00
3 MONTHS 3.09 PCT 21 MONTHS 2502 4.75 100.96 4.20
6 MONTHS 3.35 PCT 12 MONTHS 3.66 PCT 24 MONTHS 2505 3.75 98.95 4.37
TOTAL TURNOVER OF BILLS AND BONDS - 11,308 MN
CLOSED JUNE 7, 1993
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Received by PRO on 1 0 JUN 1993
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
TUESDAY, JUNE 8, 1993
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
IMPLEMENTATION FOR SANDWICH CLASS HOUSING SCHEME ANNOUNCED .. 1
AIRPORT CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEE MEETING .......................... 3
COURT OF FINAL APPEAL BILL NOT ON EXCO AGENDA ................... 4
SLOPES AND RETAINING WALLS NOW PART OF A BUILDING ............... 4
GOVT DETERMINED TO SOLVE TRAFFIC PROBLEM TN CONTAINER PORT AREA ........................................................... 5
VOLUME AND PRICE MOVEMENTS OF EXTERNAL TRADF TN MARCH ........... 8
INDUSTRIAL UPGRADING A WAY TO GO GREEN ......................... 12
STATISTICAL PROFILE ON YOUTHS RELEASED ......................... 14
TROPICAL CYCLONE AND STRONG MONSOON SIGNAL STATIONS ............ 16
ARRANGEMENTS FOR HOLIDAY CLINIC SERVICES ANNOUNCED ............. 17
CLINIC TO PROVIDE LIMITED SERVICE .............................. 17
SALT WATER CUT IN KOWLOON CITY ................................. 18
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND TENDER RESULTS .............. 18
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS ..
19
TUESDAY, JUNE 8, 1993
1
IMPLEMENTATION FOR SANDWICH CLASS HOUSING SCHEME ANNOUNCED *********
THE GOVERNMENT TODAY (TUESDAY) ANNOUNCED THE IMPLEMENTATION ARRANGEMENT FOR THE SANDWICH CLASS HOUSING SCHEME TO HELP MIDDLEINCOME FAMILIES THAT ARE NEITHER ELIGIBLE FOR PUBLIC HOUSING NOR ABLE TO BUY THEIR OWN HOMES.
SPEAKING AT A PRESS CONFERENCE TODAY (TUESDAY), THE SECRETARY FOR PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS, MR TONY EASON, EMPHASISED THAT THE SANDWICH CLASS HOUSING SCHEME IN BOTH THE LONG TERM AND SHORT TERM WOULD NOT AFFECT THE EXISTING PUBLIC HOUSING PROGRAMME AS RESOURCES FOR THE SCHEME WOULD BE ADDITIONAL.
’’THERE IS NO QUESTION OF THE SCHEME TAKING AWAY ANYTHING FROM PEOPLE NOW ELIGIBLE FOR OR ARE ALREADY ENJOYING PUBLIC HOUSING,” HE SAID.
ON THE LONG-TERM SCHEME, WHICH IS THE MAIN SCHEME, MR EASON SAID LAND WOULD BE GRANTED TO THE HOUSING SOCIETY AT A CONCESSIONARY PREMIUM TO BUILD FLATS FOR SALE TO THE SANDWICH CLASS AT AFFORDABLE PRICES.
SIX SITES HAVE BEEN EARMARKED UNDER THE 1993/94 LAND DISPOSAL PROGRAMME FOR THE LONG-TERM SCHEME.
"IT IS OUR INTENTION TO GRANT THESE SITES TO THE HOUSING SOCIETY DURING THIS YEAR TO PRODUCE ABOUT 5,000 FLATS TO BE COMPLETED FOR SALE BY 1996/97. WE ARE ALSO HOPEFUL THAT SOME OF THE FIRST FLATS WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR SALE AS EARLY AS 1995,” MR EASON SAID.
TO PROTECT GOVERNMENT’S SUBSIDY AND TO DISCOURAGE SPECULATIVE PURCHASES, MR EASON SAID RESALE RESTRICTIONS SIMILAR TO THOSE APPLICABLE TO THE HOUSING SOCIETY’S FLATS-FOR-SALE SCHEME WOULD BE IMPOSED.
THE DETAILED ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA AND APPLICATION PROCEDURES FOR THE LONG-TERM SCHEME CAN ONLY BE FINALISED NEARER THE TIME WHEN THE FLATS ARE READY FOR SALE.
’’THIS IS BECAUSE OF THE NEED TO TAKE INTO ACCOUNT CHANGING INCOME LEVELS AND PREVAILING MARKET CONDITIONS.
"BROADLY, HOWEVER, THE TARGET GROUP WILL BE THOSE FAMILIES WITH INCOME ABOVE THE UPPER LIMIT OF THE HOME OWNERSHIP SCHEME AND YET UNABLE TO AFFORD PRIVATE SECTOR FLATS OF AN APPROPRIATE SIZE AND STANDARD,” HE SAID.
ON THE SHORT-TERM SCHEME, MR EASON SAID A LOW-INTEREST LOAN FUND USING THE PROPOSED $2 BILLION WOULD BE SET UP TO PROVIDE BENEFICIARIES WITH A ONE-OFF LOAN UPFRONT AS PART OF THE DOWNPAYMENT.
’’THIS PREFERRED OPTION HAS BEEN ARRIVED AT AFTER CAREFUL CONSIDERATION OF THE MANY VIEWS EXPRESSED ON HOW BEST TO USE THE $2 BILLION," HE SAID.
/’’IN ADDITION, .......
TUESDAY, JUNE 8, 1993
2
"IN ADDITION, MANY FIRST-TIME HOME BUYERS FIND THE SUBSTANTIAL DOWNPAYMENT, RATHER THAN THE MORTGAGE REPAYMENT, TO BE THE MAJOR PROBLEM.
"AS THE INTEREST ELEMENT USUALLY ACCOUNTS FOR THE GREATER PROPORTION OF MORTGAGE REPAYMENT IN THE FIRST YEARS, IT IS MORE COST-EFFECTIVE TO PROVIDE THE SUBSIDY UPFRONT SO THAT THE MORTGAGE REPAYMENT REQUIRED CAN BE REDUCED."
SUCCESSFUL APPLICANTS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH A LOW-INTEREST LOAN OF 20% OF THE SALE PRICE OF A FLAT AND UP TO A LIMIT OF $500,000.
THE VALUE OF THE PROPERTY PURCHASED BY THE BENEFICIARY SHOULD NOT EXCEED $3 MILLION AND THE PROPERTY SHOULD BE LESS THAN 10 YEARS OLD SO THAT THE BENEFICIARY MAY OBTAIN A MORTGAGE ON A REASONABLE PROPORTION OF THE PURCHASE PRICE.
THE REPAYMENT OF THE LOAN, IN 120 EQUAL INSTALMENTS WITH AN ANNUAL INTEREST OF 2%, WILL ONLY BEGIN IN THE FOURTH YEAR WHEN THE BENEFICIARY’S FINANCIAL POSITION HAS IMPROVED.
TO AVOID CREATING A SUDDEN SURGE OF SIGNIFICANT DEMAND IN THE PROPERTY MARKET WHICH COULD WELL INFLATE PRICES, MR EASON SAID THE FIRST BATCH OF BENEFICIARIES WOULD NUMBER ABOUT 1,000.
"BUT WE WILL REVIEW THE TIMING AND NUMBER OF THE SECOND BATCH BY TAKING ACCOUNT RESULTS OF THE FIRST BATCH," HE SAID.
THE MAIN ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA FOR THE SANDWICH CLASS HOUSING LOAN ARE AS FOLLOWS:
* THE APPLICANT MUST HAVE HAD AT LEAST SEVEN YEARS CONTINUOUS RESIDENCE IN HONG KONG;
» TOTAL FAMILY INCOME MUST BE WITHIN THE RANGE OF $20,001 $40,000 PER MONTH;
* EACH APPLICATION MUST INCLUDE AT LEAST THREE FAMILY MEMBERS, PREFERENCE WILL BE GIVEN TO MARRIED COUPLE AND SINGLE PARENT (IN THAT ORDER) WHO HAVE TWO OR MORE CHILDREN;
* EACH APPLICANT MAY ONLY SUBMIT ONE APPLICATION;
* ALL PERSONS INCLUDED IN AN APPLICATION MUST NOT HAVE ANY DOMESTIC PROPERTY REGISTERED IN THEIR NAMES IN HONG KONG WITHIN THE 24-MONTH PERIOD IMMEDIATELY BEFORE AN APPLICATION IS SUBMITTED;
* THE APPLICANT AND HIS FAMILY MUST BE LIVING IN PRIVATE DOMESTIC ACCOMMODATION;
* RESALE OF A FLAT WITHIN THE FIRST THREE YEARS WILL ONLY BE PERMITTED UPON REPAYMENT OF THE LOAN IN FULL PLUS ANY GAIN IN PROPERTY VALUE.
/TO ENABLE .......
TUESDAY, JUNE 8, 1993
TO ENABLE THE SHORT-TERM SCHEME TO BENEFIT MORE FAMILIES WITH LOWER INCOME WITHIN THE SANDWICH CLASS, 75% OF THE 1,000 QUOTA WILL BE ALLOTTED TO THOSE WITH MONTHLY INCOME FROM $20,001 TO $30,000 AND 25% TO THOSE WITHIN THE INCOME BRACKET $30,001 TO $40,000.
MR EASON SAID A LOAN AGREEMENT WOULD BE ENTERED BETWEEN THE HOUSING SOCIETY AND THE BENEFICIARY IN THE FORM OF A SECOND MORTGAGE IN FAVOUR OF THE SOCIETY TO PROTECT THE SUBSIDY.
"THE HOUSING SOCIETY WILL INVITE AND PROCESS APPLICATIONS SOON AFTER WE HAVE OBTAINED THE NECESSARY FUNDING APPROVAL FROM THE FINANCE COMMITTEE," HE SAID.
- 0 -
AIRPORT CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEE MEETING
*****
THE EIGHTH PLENARY MEETING OF THE CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEE ON THE NEW AIRPORT AND RELATED PROJECTS WILL BE HELD AT 2.30 PM ON JUNE 10 (THURSDAY).
MEMBERS WILL BE BRIEFED ON THE GOVERNMENT’S PROPOSALS ON INTERIM FUNDING FOR THE PROVISIONAL AIRPORT AUTHORITY.
THE MEETING WILL TAKE PLACE AT THE GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT CONFERENCE HALL, FIRST FLOOR, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, MAIN WING (NEW ANNEX).
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WHO WISH TO OBSERVE THE PROCEEDINGS ARE REQUESTED TO RESERVE A SEAT BY TELEPHONING MS LEUNG WING-CHONG ON 829 6745 DURING OFFICE HOURS.
AS SEATS ARE LIMITED, BOOKINGS WILL BE ACCEPTED ON A FIRST-COME, FIRST-SERVED BASIS.
ATTENTION NEWS EDITORS:
YOUR REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING.
- 0 -
TUESDAY, JUNE 8, 1993
4
COURT OF FINAL APPEAL BILL NOT ON EXCO AGENDA
*****
IN RESPONSE TO PRESS ENQUIRIES, A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (TUESDAY) THAT THE COURT OF FINAL APPEAL BILL WAS NOT ON THE AGENDA OF TODAY’S EXECUTIVE COUNCIL.
THE SPOKESMAN ADDED THAT LEGISLATION WAS BEING DRAFTED ON THE BASIS OF THE SINO-BRITISH AGREEMENT ON THE COURT OF FINAL APPEAL AND THAT THIS WORK WOULD TAKE SOME MONTHS TO COMPLETE.
0---------
SLOPES AND RETAINING WALLS NOW PART OF A BUILDING *******
SLOPES AND RETAINING WALLS ARE NOW CLASSIFIED AS THE ’’COMMON PARTS” OF A BUILDING UNDER THE RECENTLY ENACTED MULTI-STOREY BUILDING (OWNERS CORPORATIONS) (AMENDMENT) ORDINANCE 1993, ACTING DIRECTOR OF CIVIL ENGINEERING, DR ANDREW MALONE, SAID TODAY (TUESDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE LUNCHEON MEETING OF THE ASSOCIATION OF PROPERTY MANAGEMENT COMPANIES, DR MALONE POINTED OUT THAT THE INCLUSION OF SLOPES AND RETAINING WALLS IN THE DEFINITION OF ’’COMMON PARTS” CONTAINED IN THE ORDINANCE REPRESENTED ANOTHER INITIATIVE TAKEN BY THE GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEERING OFFICE (GEO) TO IMPROVE SLOPE SAFETY IN THE TERRITORY.
"IT IS NOW ABSOLUTELY CLEAR FROM THE ORDINANCE THAT THE OWNERS' CORPORATION IS REQUIRED TO MAINTAIN THE SLOPES AND RETAINING WALLS IN A STATE OF GOOD AND SERVICEABLE CONDITION.
"NOW THE PROPERTY MANAGERS WILL FIND THEMSELVES IN A BETTER POSITION TO PERSUADE THE PRIVATE OWNERS TO PAY FOR THE MAINTENANCE WORKS," HE SAID.
TURNING TO OTHER INITIATIVES TAKEN BY THE GEO SINCE LAST YEAR'S RAINSTORMS, DR MALONE POINTED OUT THAT TWO FURTHER IDEAS WERE UNDER CONSIDERATION.
THE FIRST IS TO INCLUDE A SLOPE MAINTENANCE CLAUSE, MODELLED ON I’HE PRESENT BUILDING MAINTENANCE CLAUSE, IN THE DEED OF MUTUAL CONVENANT.
"THIS CLAUSE WILL STATE THE NEED FOR THE OWNERS TO MAINTAIN THEIR SLOPES AND RETAINING WALLS. IT WILL ALSO GIVE THE BUILDING MANAGERS THE AUTHORITY TO CARRY OUT THE DUTIES ON THE OWNERS' BEHALF.” HE SAID.
THE SECOND IS TO INCLUDE A SHORT NOTE IN THE DEVELOPER’S SALES BROCHURE, SPELLING OUT THE MAINTENANCE OBLIGATIONS OF THE OWNERS.
/’’FLAT OWNERS...........
TUESDAY, JUNE 8, 1993
5
"FLAT OWNERS SEEING THIS WOULD NOT BE IN ANY DOUBT THAT THEY HAVE TO KEEP THEIR SLOPES SAFE," HE NOTED.
DR MALONE CALLED ON MEMBERS OF THE ASSOCIATION TO CONSIDER SUGGESTING OTHER WAYS TO DRIVE HOME THE NEED FOR SLOPE MAINTENANCE, AND PROVIDING FEEDBACK TO THE GOVERNMENT ON THEIR WORK ON SLOPE MAINTENANCE.
EARLIER, DR MALONE SAID PROPERTY MANAGERS PLAYED A VITAL ROLE IN ENSURING THE SAFETY OF SLOPES WITHIN PRIVATE PROPERTY.
"THE PROPERTY MANAGERS HAVE TWO IMPORTANT JOBS TO DO ON SLOPE SAFETY - TO ENSURE THE SLOPES WITHIN THEIR PROPERTIES ARE INSPECTED ANNUALLY AND TO SEE THAT NECESSARY MAINTENANCE WORKS ARE CARRIED OUT," HE ADDED.
HOWEVER, SOME PROPERTY MANAGERS ARE FACED WITH THE DIFFICULTY IN CONVINCING PRIVATE FLAT OWNERS TO PAY FOR SLOPE MAINTENANCE WORKS, HE SAID.
"THE GOVERNMENT IS TAKING ACTION TO PUT THIS RIGHT THROUGH A PUBLICITY CAMPAIGN," HE POINTED OUT.
THE CAMPAIGN IS DRIVING HOME THROUGH VARIOUS MEDIA THE MESSAGES: SLOPES CAN BECOME DANGEROUS IF MAINTENANCE IS NEGLECTED, AND PRIVATE FLAT OWNERS ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR THEIR OWN SLOPES.
HE STRESSED THAT THE CAMPAIGN WAS AIMED AT FLAT OWNERS, SOME OF WHOM TOOK THE VIEW THAT THE GOVERNMENT WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE OF ALL SLOPES AND RETAINING WALLS, INCLUDING THOSE WITHIN PRIVATE PROPERTY.
IN CONCLUSION, DR MALONE PAID TRIBUTE TO THE ASSOCIATION FOR ITS SENSE OF PUBLIC RESPONSIBILITY, AND LOOKED FORWARD TO CONTINUING THE PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN THE GEO AND THE ASSOCIATION IN THE FUTURE.
"WE STILL HAVE A LONG WAY TO GO IN GETTING OWNERS TO KEEP THEIR SLOPES SAFE. BUT WITH THE HELP OF THE ASSOCIATION A VERY GOOD START HAS BEEN MADE," HE NOTED.
GOVT DETERMINED TO SOLVE TRAFFIC PROBLEM IN CONTAINER PORT AREA » » * « *
GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS CONCERNED ARE AWARE OF THE TRAFFIC SITUATION IN THE CONTAINER PORT AREA, ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER FOR TRANSPORT/NEW TERRITORIES, MR ALAN LUI, SAID TODAY (TUESDAY).
THEY ARE DOING THEIR BEST TO PROVIDE LONG-TERM AND SHORT-TERM INFRASTRUCTURE TO MEET THE INCREASING TRAFFIC DEMAND, HE SAID.
/THE INFRASTRUCTURE
TUESDAY, JUNE 8, 1993 '
6
THE INFRASTRUCTURE INCLUDES ROADS, CONTAINER BACK-UP LAND AND PARKING AREAS.
NECESSARY TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT MEASURES WILL ALSO BE INTRODUCED TO COPE WITH THE SITUATION.
MR LUI SAID SUBSTANTIAL RESOURCES HAD BEEN USED TO IMPROVE THE ROAD SYSTEM IN KWAI CHUNG CONTAINER PORT AREA IN THE PAST FEW YEARS.
SINCE THE COMPLETION OF THE IMPROVEMENTS TO KWAI CHUNG ROAD SOUTH AND THE CONTAINER PORT ROAD PROJECT IN MID-1992, THERE ARE A TOTAL OF SEVEN TRAFFIC LANES IN EACH DIRECTION ALONG THE KWAI CHUNG ROAD AND CASTLE PEAK ROAD CORRIDOR TOGETHER WITH ADDITIONAL ACCESS ROADS CONNECTING TO THE CONTAINER PORT AREA.
"TRAFFIC HAS SINCE SIGNIFICANTLY IMPROVED AND THE CAPACITY OF THE ROAD NETWORK IS CONSIDERED CAPABLE OF ACCOMMODATING THE NORMAL TRAFFIC DEMAND."
"HOWEVER, PROBLEMS MAY STILL ARISE WHEN THERE IS A SUDDEN UPSURGE OF CONTAINER ACTIVITIES, PARTICULARLY AN REOPENING AFTER THE OCCASIONAL CLOSURE OF THE TERMINALS DUE TO TYPHOONS OR MALFUNCTIONING OF ANY OF THE CONTAINER TERMINALS," HE SAID.
MR LUI POINTED OUT THAT A CONTINGENCY PLAN WAS ADOPTED IN 1991 TO DEAL WITH SUCH PROBLEMS.
THE PLAN INCLUDES AN EARLY WARNING SYSTEM WHICH REQUIRES CONTAINER OPERATORS TO INFORM TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT AND THE POLICE IN ADVANCE OF ANY EXPECTED UNUSUAL UPSURGE IN CONTAINER ACTIVITIES.
THERE IS ALSO AN EMERGENCY HOLDING AREA WHICH CAN ACCOMMODATE ABOUT 150 CONTAINER VEHICLES TO RELIEVE CONGESTION.
ALSO INCLUDED ARE A SERIES OF TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS TO DEAL WITH DIFFERENT LEVELS OF CONGESTION TN THE CONTAINER PORT AREA.
THESE ARRANGEMENTS INCLUDE POLICE CONTROL OF SELECTED ROUNDABOUTS, BANNING OF RIGHT-TURNS AND TRAFFIC DIVERSIONS.
QUICK AND APPROPRIATE PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENTS THROUGH THE MEDIA ARE ALSO PART OF THE PLAN.
"THE PLAN HAS SO FAR PROVED TO BE EFFECTIVE IN CONTAINING OR RESOLVING THE TRAFFIC PROBLEMS IN THE CONTAINER PORT," HE SAID.
MR LUI SAID ON JUNE 4, THE CONTAINER TERMINAL (OPERATION) LIAISON GROUP WITH REPRESENTATIVES FROM TERMINAL OPERATORS, VARIOUS CONTAINER TRADE UNIONS AND ASSOCIATIONS AND RELEVANT GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS MET TO REVIEW THE SERIOUS TRAFFIC CONGESTION IN THE CONTAINER PORT AREA THAT OCCURRED ON MAY 25.
IMPROVEMENT MEASURES AGREED AT THE MEETING ARE:
* BOTH THE HONG KONG INTERNATIONAL TERMINALS LTD (HIT) AND THE SEALAND ORIENT LTD (SEALAND) WILL OPERATE AN APPOINTMENT SYSTEM SIMILAR TO THAT OF THE MODERN TERMINALS LTD (MTL) BY THE END OF JUNE TO REGULATE PEAK-PERIOD TRAFFIC,
/* THE TERMINAL ........
TUESDAY, JUNE 8, 1993
* THE TERMINAL OPERATORS REAFFIRM THAT THEY WILL OPEN UP VACANT LAND WITHIN THEIR SITE AREAS FOR VEHICLE WAITING, WHICH CAN ACCOMMODATE ABOUT 800 CONTAINER VEHICLES DURING AN EMERGENCY,
* WITH ADDITIONAL LAND NEAR THE CONTAINER TERMINALS TO BE AVAILABLE IN AUGUST, THE OPERATORS WILL REVIEW THE PRESENT TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS AND PROVISION OF VEHICLE WAITING SPACE WITHIN THEIR SITE WITH A VIEW TO AVOIDING VEHICLES QUEUING ON PUBLIC ROADS,
* POLICE WILL ENDEAVOUR TO ENHANCE MANPOWER DEPLOYMENT IN THE CONTAINER PORT AREA IF SITUATION WARRANTS, AND
* KWAI TSING DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS WILL BE INVITED TO ATTEND THE CONTAINER TERMINAL (OPERATION) LIAISON GROUP MEETING IN FUTURE WHENEVER NECESSARY. THE AIM IS TO INCREASE PUBLIC PARTICIPATION IN THE CO-ORDINATION OF TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT MATTERS.
WHILE THE ENHANCED TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT AND CO-ORDINATION WILL BE HELPFUL, FUNDAMENTAL IMPROVEMENTS LIE IN THE PROVISION OF ADDITIONAL SPACE FOR CONTAINER BACK-UP AND PARKING FACILITIES.
WITH CONCERTED EFFORTS OF DEPARTMENTS, ADDITIONAL LAND OF ABOUT 18.4 HECTARES WILL BE MADE AVAILABLE FOR THESE FACILITIES NEAR THE EXISTING CONTAINER TERMINALS IN AUGUST FROM THE CONTAINER TERMINAL NO.8 DEVELOPMENT AND THE NORTH KOWLOON RECLAMATION.
IT IS INTENDED TO USE 14 HECTARES OF THE LAND FOR CONTAINER STORAGE, 1.8 HECTARES FOR CONTAINER REPAIR AND 2.6 HECTARES FOR CONTAINER VEHICLE PARK.
SUCH SPACES WILL BE INCREASED TO 19 HECTARES, 3.3 HECTARES AND 6.3 HECTARES RESPECTIVELY BY THE END OF THIS YEAR.
WITH SUCH PROVISIONS, THE PRESENT SHORTFALL OF CONTAINER BACK-UP FACILITIES, ARISING FROM THE LOSS OF SOME SITES TO FACILITATE THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE ROUTE 3 KWAI CHUNG SECTION, WILL BE LARGELY REDUCED.
MR LUI EMPHASISED THAT GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS WILL,CONTINUE TO PAY SPECIAL ATTENTION TO THE ROAD NETWORK, TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT AND OPERATIONS CO-ORDINATION IN THE KWAI CHUNG CONTAINER PORT, IN VIEW OF ITS IMPORTANCE TO THE ECONOMY.
HOWEVER, THE INTEREST OF THE LOCAL COMMUNITY WILL ALSO BE TAKEN INTO CONSIDERATION, AND THE RIGHT BALANCE BETWEEN ECONOMIC EFFICIENCY, SAFETY AND THE ENVIRONMENT WILL BE MAINTAINED THROUGH REGULAR REVIEWS AND PUBLIC CONSULTATIONS.
HE APPEALED TO THE CONTAINER TERMINAL MANAGEMENT AND CONTAINER VEHICLE OPERATORS/DRIVERS TO BE PATIENT PENDING THE PROVISION OF MORE BACK-UP FACILITIES IN THE VERY NEAR FUTURE, AND TO WORK CLOSELY WITH DEPARTMENTS CONCERNED SO AS TO ACHIEVE THE OPTIMUM USE OF AVAILABLE FACILITIES.
--------0-----------
/8 .........
TUESDAY, JUNE 8, 1993
8
VOLUME AND PRICE MOVEMENTS OF EXTERNAL TRADE IN MARCH
*****
THE VOLUME OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS IN THE FIRST QUARTER OF THIS YEAR WAS VIRTUALLY UNCHANGED AS COMPARED WITH THE SAME PERIOD LAST YEAR, WHILE THAT OF RE-EXPORTS RECORDED A SIGNIFICANT INCREASE OF 26%, ACCORDING TO THE STATISTICS RELEASED TODAY (TUESDAY) BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
TAKING DOMESTIC EXPORTS AND RE-EXPORTS TOGETHER, THE VOLUME OF TOTAL EXPORTS INCREASED BY 20%. IMPORTS INCREASED BY 19% 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 WERE ABOUT THE SAME WHILE THOSE OF REEXPORTS DECREASED BY 1.1%. IMPORT PRICES DECREASED BY 1.5%.
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 0.8% IN THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1993 AS COMPARED WITH SAME PERIOD LAST YEAR.
TAKING MARCH 1993 ALONE AND COMPARING WITH MARCH 1992, THE VOLUME OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS INCREASED BY 1.9% WHILE THAT OF RE-EXPORTS INCREASED BY 24%.
THE VOLUME OF TOTAL EXPORTS INCREASED BY 20%. THE VOLUME OF IMPORTS GREW BY 19%.
OVER THE SAME PERIOD OF COMPARISON, THE PRICES OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS AND RE-EXPORTS DECREASED SLIGHTLY BY 0.3% AND 0.4% RESPECTIVELY. IMPORT PRICES DECREASED BY 1.2%.
COMPARING MARCH 1993 WITH MARCH 1992, COMMODITY GROUPS WHICH RECORDED SUBSTANTIAL INCREASES IN THE VOLUME OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS INCLUDED METAL ORES AND SCRAP (+19%); ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS (+15%); TEXTILE FABRICS (+15%); AND METAL MANUFACTURES (+11%).
ON THE OTHER HAND, CONSIDERABLE DECREASES IN THE VOLUME OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS WERE RECORDED FOR FOOTWEAR (-57%) ; AND TEXTILE MADE-UPS AND RELATED ARTICLES (-37%).
AS REGARDS DOMESTIC EXPORT PRICES, THE PRICE OF FOOTWEAR RECORDED A SIGNIFICANT INCREASE OF 8.0%.
ON THE OTHER HAND, DECREASES IN DOMESTIC EXPORT PRICES WERE RECORDED FOR RADIOS OF ALL KINDS (-11%); AND TEXTILE YARN AND THREAD (-7.0%).
THE IMPORT VOLUME OF FOODSTUFFS INCREASED BY 8.1% IN MARCH 1993 AS COMPARED WITH MARCH 1992.
/CONSIDERABLE INCREASES .......
TUESDAY, JUNE 8, 1993
9
CONSIDERABLE INCREASES WERE RECORDED FOR THE IMPORT VOLUME OF SWINE AND ANIMALS OF THE BOVINE SPECIES. HOWEVER, CONSIDERABLE DECREASES WERE RECORDED IN THE IMPORT VOLUME OF SOYA BEAN OIL, PEANUT OIL, VEGETABLE OIL AND LARD; AND WHEAT AND FLOUR.
OVER THE SAME PERIOD OF COMPARISON, THE IMPORT VOLUME OF CONSUMER GOODS INCREASED BY 22%.
COMMODITY ITEMS WITH CONSIDERABLE INCREASES IN IMPORT VOLUME INCLUDED PASSENGER MOTOR CARS; AND MISCELLANEOUS MADE-UP ARTICLES OF TEXTILE MATERIALS.
HOWEVER, DECREASES IN IMPORT VOLUME WERE NOTED FOR ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES; AND TOBACCO MANUFACTURES.
THE IMPORT VOLUME OF RAW MATERIALS AND SEMI-MANUFACTURES INCREASED BY 12% IN MARCH 1993 AS COMPARED WITH MARCH 1992.
SIGNIFICANT INCREASES IN IMPORT VOLUME WERE NOTED FOR WOVEN FABRICS OF WOOL AND MIXTURES; AND IRON AND STEEL. HOWEVER, CONSIDERABLE DECREASES WERE RECORDED IN THE IMPORT VOLUME OF INEDIBLE ANIMAL AND VEGETABLE MATERIALS; AND MAN-MADE FIBRES.
IMPORTS OF FUELS INCREASED BY 42% IN VOLUME IN MARCH 1993 AS COMPARED WITH MARCH 1992. AS REGARDS CAPITAL GOODS, THE IMPORT VOLUME INCREASED BY 27%.
NOTABLE INCREASES WERE RECORDED FOR THE IMPORT VOLUME OF CONSTRUCTION MACHINERY; SCIENTIFIC, MEDICAL, OPTICAL, MEASURING AND CONTROLLING INSTRUMENTS AND APPARATUS; AND TRANSPORT EQUIPMENT.
COMPARING MARCH 1993 WITH MARCH 1992, THE IMPORT PRICES OF FUELS AND CAPITAL GOODS INCREASED BY 7.9% AND 3.3% RESPECTIVELY.
THE IMPORT PRICES OF RAW MATERIALS AND SEMI-MANUFACTURES; CONSUMER GOODS; AND FOODSTUFFS DECREASED BY 3.9%, 1.1% AND 0.7% RESPECTIVELY.
COMPARING MARCH 1993 WITH MARCH 1992, THE VOLUME OF RE-EXPORTS OF CAPITAL GOODS AND FUELS GREW SUBSTANTIALLY BY 47% AND 42% RESPECTIVELY.
THAT OF CONSUMER GOODS; AND RAW MATERIALS AND SEMI-MANUFACTURES REGISTERED INCREASES OF 23% AND 18% RESPECTIVELY. HOWEVER, THE VOLUME OF RE-EXPORTS OF FOODSTUFFS DECREASED BY 12%.
OVER THE SAME PERIOD OF COMPARISON, THE PRICES OF RE-EXPORTS OF FUELS; CAPITAL GOODS AND CONSUMER GOODS INCREASED BY 2.7%, 1.8% AND 0.7% RESPECTIVELY.
ON THE OTHER HAND, THE RE-EXPORT PRICES OF RAW MATERIALS AND SEMI-MANUFACTURES; AND FOODSTUFFS DECREASED BY 3.8% AND 1.9% RESPECTIVELY.
DETAILS OF THE STATISTICS ARE PUBLISHED TN THE MARCH 1993 ISSUE OF THE "HONG KONG TRADE INDEX NUMBERS".
/THE REPORT .......
TUESDAY, JUNE 8, 1993
- 10 -
THE REPORT WILL BE ON SALE AROUND JUNE 10 AT $8.5 A COPY AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE ON THE GROUND FLOOR, GENERAL POST OFFICE BUILDING, CONNAUGHT PLACE, CENTRAL; OR AT 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 THE REPORT MAY BE DIRECTED TO THE INFORMATION SERVICES DEPARTMENT AT FRENCH MISSION BUILDING, 1 BATTERY PATH, HONG KONG (TEL 842 8802) AND ENQUIRIES ON TRADE INDICES TO THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT (TEL 582 4918).
THE CHANGES IN THE VALUE, UNIT VALUE AND VOLUME OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS BY PRINCIPAL COMMODITY GROUP ARE SHOWN IN TABLE 1.
THE CHANGES IN THE VALUE, UNIT VALUE AND VOLUME OF IMPORTS BY END-USE CATEGORY ARE SHOWN IN TABLE 2.
THE CHANGES IN THE VALUE, UNIT VALUE AND VOLUME OF RE-EXPORTS BY END-USE CATEGORY ARE SHOWN IN TABLE 3.
TABLE 1 : CHANGES IN DOMESTIC EXPORTS BY PRINCIPAL COMMODITY GROUP
COMPARING MAR 1993 WITH MAR 1992 COMPARING JAN-MAR 1993 WITH JAN-MAR 1992
UNIT UNIT
COMMODITY GROUP VALUE VALUE VOLUME VALUE VALUE VOLUME
% % % % % %
CLOTHING -0.7 1 .3 -2.1 -10.8 2.6 -13. 1
TEXTILE FABRICS 11.2 -3. 1 14.6 14.9 -1.2 16.4
TEXTILE YARN AND THREAD -2.1 -7.0 5.3 2.3 -5.9 8.8
TEXTILE MADE-UPS AND RELATED ARTICLES -36.7 -0.2 -36.6 -18.0 2.6 -20.1
RADIOS OF ALL KINDS -23.9 -10.6 -15.0 -8.4 -9.7 1.3
ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS 13.5 -1.2 14.9 26.5 -2.3 29.4
FOOTWEAR -53.8 8.0 -57.3 -41.4 7.3 -45.3
/METAL MANUFACTURES .......
TUESDAY, JUNE 8, 1993
- 11
METAL MANUFACTURES 7.3 -3.2 10.8 3.6 -2.9 6.6
METAL ORES AND SCRAP 16.7 -2.2 19.3 13.8 -3.4 17.8
WATCHES AND CLOCKS -1.9 0.1 -2.0 -10.8 -0.8 -10.0
TRAVEL GOODS, HANDBAGS
AND SIMILAR ARTICLES -9.6 -2.3 -7.4 -34.9 -2.1 -33.5
DOMESTIC ELECTRICAL
APPLIANCES -26.6 -4.8 -22.8 -24.1 -3.5 -21.3
ALL COMMODITIES 1.7 -0.3 1.9 * 0.1 -0.1
♦ LESS THAN 0.05% TABLE 2 : CHANGES IN IMPORTS BY END-USE CATEGORY COMPARING MAR 1993 COMPARING JAN-MAR 1993
END-USE CATEGORY VALUE WITH MAR 1992 UNIT VALUE VOLUME WITH VALUE JAN-MAR 1992 UNIT VALUE VOLUME
% % % % % %
FOODSTUFFS 7.4 -0.7 8.1 6.6 -0.4 7.0
CONSUMER GOODS 20.5 -1.1 21.8 16.7 -0.9 17.7
RAW MATERIALS AND SEMI-MANUFACTURES 7.9 -3.9 12.2 12.3 -4.3 17.4
FUELS 53.2 7.9 4 2.1 33.8 4.8 27.6
CAPITAL GOODS 31 .7 3.3 27.4 33.6 2.1 30.8
ALL COMMODITIES 17.5 -1.2 19.0 17.8 -1 .5 19.5
/TABLE 3 :
TUESDAY, JUNE 8, 1993
- 12 -
TABLE 3 : CHANGES IN RE-EXPORTS BY END-USE CATEGORY
COMPARING MAR 1993 WITH MAR 1992 COMPARING JAN-MAR 1993 WITH JAN-MAR 1992
UNIT UNIT
END-USE CATEGORY VALUE VALUE VOLUME VALUE VALUE VOLUME
% % % % % %
FOODSTUFFS CONSUMER GOODS RAW MATERIALS -13.6 23.9 -1.9 0.7 -12.0 23.1 1.9 20.5 -1.8 -0.2 3.8 20.8
AND SEMI-MANUFACTURES 13.4 -3.8 17.9 19.2 -3.9 24.2
FUELS 45.9 2.7 42.0 43.2 0.1 43.1 ♦
CAPITAL GOODS 50.0 1 .8 47.3 53.5 1 .5 51.2
ALL COMMODITIES 23.9 -0.4 24.5 24.8 -1.1 26.1
--------0 -----------
INDUSTRIAL UPGRADING A WAY TO GO GREEN
******
GOVERNMENT-COMMISSIONED CONSULTANTS HAVE FOUND THAT THERE IS MUCH POTENTIAL FOR COMPLIANCE WITH ENVIRONMENTAL LEGISLATION THROUGH INDUSTRIAL UPGRADING.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR-GENERAL OF INDUSTRY, MR RICKY FUNG, WHEN SPEAKING AT THE SECOND ANNUAL BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY ENVIRONMENT WEEK ORGANISED BY THE CENTRE FOR ENVIRONMENTAL TECHNOLOGY TODAY (TUESDAY).
MR FUNG SAID THE CONSULTANTS, COMMISSIONED BY THE INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT, FOUND THAT THERE WERE WAYS FORWARD WHICH COULD CREATE "WIN-WIN" SITUATIONS.
"THERE CAN BE BENEFITS FROM CHANGING PROCESSES TO MINIMISE WASTE AND SAVE MATERIALS; THERE CAN BE PRODUCTION EFFICIENCY GAINS; THERE ARE OPPORTUNITIES TO PROFIT FROM CHANGING CONSUMER PREFERENCES; AND THERE IS A WHOLE NEW MARKET IN ENVIRONMENTAL TECHNOLOGY AVAILABLE FOR FIRMS TO COMPETE IN," HE SAID.
/MR FUNG .......
TUESDAY, JUNE 8, 1993
13
MR FUNG SAID THE CONSULTANTS HAD ALSO FOUND THAT INDUSTRIAL UPGRADING WAS VITAL IF THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR WAS TO DEVELOP AND STRENGTHEN.
HE SAID HONG KONG WAS PRESENTED WITH THE OPPORTUNITY TO SUPPORT COMPLIANCE WITH ENVIRONMENTAL LEGISLATION IN WAYS THAT COULD ALSO PROMOTE A LONGER-TERM INDUSTRIAL FUTURE.
’’THE ISSUE IS NOT SIMPLY ONE OF COMPLIANCE, BUT ONE OF SUPPORTING THE DEVELOPMENT OF A COMPETITIVE HIGH VALUE-ADDED MANUFACTURING SECTOR IN HONG KONG.
’’THE OVERALL AIM IS TO WORK TOWARDS MAINTAINING AND ENHANCING THE COMPETITIVENESS OF HONG KONG’S MANUFACTURED EXPORTS IN BOTH REGIONAL AND WORLD MARKETS," HE SAID.
MR FUNG SAID THE CONSULTANTS WERE ALSO ASKED TO CONSIDER THE LEVEL OF SUPPORT AVAILABLE TO INDUSTRY AND ASSESS HOW THIS SUPPORT MIGHT BE ENHANCED OR IMPROVED TO HELP INDUSTRY REMAIN COMPETITIVE, WHILST COMPLYING WITH NEW ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL MEASURES.
"IT CONSIDERS HOW BOTH GOVERNMENT AND THE PRIVATE SECTOR SHOULD RESPOND TO THE CHANGING ENVIRONMENT IN SUCH A WAY THAT WILL ENHANCE INDUSTRY’S COMPETITIVENESS IN WORLD MARKETS," HE SAID.
MR FUNG SAID THE STUDY HAD MADE A VERY COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW OF THE EXISTING SUPPORT MECHANISMS AND HOW THEY MIGHT BE IMPROVED OR ENHANCED.
"THESE RANGE FROM IMPROVING THE ACCESSIBILITY TO AND DISSEMINATION OF INFORMATION ON ENVIRONMENTAL LEGISLATION AND CONTROL TO THE NEED TO ENCOURAGE AWARENESS OF CLEAN TECHNOLOGIES AND GENERALLY AWARENESS OF THE ENVIRONMENT AT ALL LEVELS IN INDUSTRIAL PROCESSES.
"THE RECOMMENDATIONS INCLUDE ENHANCING THE LEVEL OF TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE, ENCOURAGING LINKS BETWEEN LOCAL COMPANIES AND MULTINATIONAL CORPORATIONS AND USING SUITABLE PREMISES FOR POLLUTING INDUSTRIES," HE SAID.
MR FUNG POINTED OUT THAT IT WAS CRUCIAL TO THE SUCCESSFUL IMPLEMENTATION OF THE RECOMMENDATIONS IN THE CONSULTANCY STUDY THAT THE FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS WERE ACCEPTED BY INDUSTRY.
"THEY, AFTER ALL, ARE THE PEOPLE WHO ARE GOING TO BENEFIT FROM THEM.
"THIS IS WHY, OVER THE SUMMER, WE WILL BE EMBARKING ON A COMPREHENSIVE CONSULTATION EXERCISE, CULMINATING WITH CONSULTATION WITH THE INDUSTRY AND TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL IN THE AUTUMN.
"SUBJECT TO THEIR ADVICE, OUR AIM IS TO TAKE FIRM STEPS TO IMPLEMENT THE RECOMMENDATIONS," HE SAID.
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/14
TUESDAY, JUNE 8, 1993
- 14 -
STATISTICAL PROFILE ON YOUTHS RELEASED
*♦»♦»*
YOUTH POPULATION IN HONG KONG FELL FROM 1.45 MILLION IN 1986 TO 1.25 MILLION IN 1991 WHILE THE TOTAL POPULATION IN THE TERRITORY HAD INCREASED OVER THE SAME PERIOD.
THE DOWNWARD TREND IS EXPECTED TO CONTINUE, ACCORDING TO THE CURRENT EDITION OF "YOUTH IN HONG KONG - A STATISTICAL PROFILE 1992" COMPILED BY THE COMMISSION ON YOUTH.
THE FINDINGS OF THE STATISTICAL PROFILE WAS ANNOUNCED BY THE CONVENOR OF THE WORKING GROUP ON THE UPDATING OF THE "YOUTH IN HONG KONG - A STATISTICAL PROFILE 1988", MR MAK HOI-WAH AT A PRESS CONFERENCE TODAY (TUESDAY).
MR MAK SAID THE PUBLICATION INCLUDED A NUMBER OF MAJOR SURVEYS CONDUCTED BY VARIOUS ORGANISATIONS AS WELL AS DATA FROM THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
THE STATISTICAL PROFILE 1992 SHOWED THAT THERE ARE SLIGHTLY MORE MEN THAN WOMEN IN 1991, BUT THE GAP IN NUMBER IS SMALLER THAN THAT IN 1986.
"IT IS ALSO WORTH TO NOTE THAT THE TREND OF LATE MARRIAGE CONTINUES," MR MAK ADDED.
STATISTICS ALSO SHOWED THAT THE YOUTH POPULATION WAS GENERALLY IN GOOD HEALTH.
ACCORDING TO A SURVEY IN 1990, YOUNG PEOPLE HAD A LOWER MEDICAL CONSULTATION RATE THAN PEOPLE IN OTHER AGE GROUPS.
HOWEVER, MR MAK POINTED OUT THAT A STUDY CONDUCTED BY THE HONG KONG COUNCIL ON SMOKING AND HEALTH IN 1990 INDICATED THAT NEARLY HALF OF ALL YOUNG MEN AND ONE THIRD OF WOMEN HAVE TRIED SMOKING BY THE AGE OF 16.
THERE WAS AN INCREASE OF 14.8 PER CENT OF NEWLY REPORTED DRUG ABUSERS UNDER THE AGE OF 21 WHEN COMPARED WITH 1990.
HE SAID: "THE MOST COMMON AGE GROUP FOR INITIAL DRUG ABUSE REMAINED BETWEEN THE AGE OF 15 AND 24.
HEROIN, CANNABIS AND COUGH MEDICINE ARE THE MOST COMMON DRUGS USED. ABUSE OF COUGH MEDICINE BY NEWLY REPORTED DRUG ABUSERS HAS GROWN FROM FIVE PER CENT IN 1988 TO 22.7 PER CENT IN 1991.
AS TO THE NUMBER OF SUICIDE ATTEMPTS BY SCHOOL CHILDREN REPORTED TO THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT, MR MAK SAID THE FIGURE HAD REMAINED STABLE FROM 1987 TO 1991 WITH AN INCREASE RECORDED IN 1992.
NUMBER OF ATTEMPTS ROSE TO 67 IN 1992 AMONG WHICH THERE WERE 21 CASES OF FATALITIES.
/MR MAK ........
TUESDAY, JUNE 8, 1993
15 -
MR MAK ALSO SAID THE LEVEL OF FORMAL EDUCATIONAL ATTAINMENT HAD CONTINUED TO RISE IN RECENT YEARS.
THE MOST DRAMATIC INCREASE IS IN THE PROPORTION OF THOSE WHO HAVE RECEIVED POST-SECONDARY EDUCATION.
THIS CHARACTERISTIC IS ALSO REFLECTED IN THE CONTINUOUS DROP IN THE LABOUR PARTICIPATION RATES OF YOUTHS.
YOUNG PEOPLE BETWEEN THE AGE OF 15 AND 24 ACCOUNTED FOR 17.5 PER CENT OF THE TOTAL LABOUR FORCE IN 1991.
ON LEISURE ACTIVITIES, A STUDY CONDUCTED BY THE COMMISSION IN 1991 FOUND THAT MOST OF THE YOUNG PEOPLE WATCHED TELEVISION.
OTHER POPULAR ACTIVITIES INCLUDED SHOPPING, SPORTS ACTIVITIES, CHATTING WITH FAMILY MEMBERS AND KARAOKE SINGING.
MANY ALSO PARTICIPATED IN ACTIVITIES ORGANISED BY COMMUNITY OR YOUTH CENTRES.
ANOTHER STUDY CONDUCTED BY THE COMMISSION IN 1991 INDICATED THAT HALF OF THE RESPONDENTS HAD VISITED THESE CENTRES IN THE PAST.
BUT ONLY 23 PER CENT OF THEM PARTICIPATED IN VOLUNTARY WORK.
ON POLITICAL PARTICIPATION, THE TURNOUT RATE OF REGISTERED YOUNG VOTERS (AGED BETWEEN 21 AND 25) IN THE 1991 LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ELECTIONS WAS HIGHER THAN THAT IN OTHER AGE GROUPS.
"NEVERTHELESS, THE VOTER REGISTRATION RATE OF YOUNG PEOPLE WAS STILL RELATIVELY LOW," HE SAID.
AS TO CRIME RELATED ISSUES, MR MAK SAID SHOP-THEFT REMAINED THE MOST COMMON CRIME IN 1991.
ON SEX, A SURVEY CONDUCTED BY THE FAMILY PLANNING ASSOCIATION IN 1991 SHOWED THAT NEARLY 60 PER CENT OF BOTH THE BOYS AND GIRLS HAD THEIR FIRST DATE BEFORE THE AGE OF 15.
ACCORDING TO THE SAME SURVEY, 2.8 PER CENT OF THE YOUTHS HAD EXPERIENCED SEXUAL INTERCOURSE WHILE DATING.
THE STATISTICAL PROFILE WAS FIRST PUBLISHED IN 1974 AND SUBSEQUENTLY UPDATED TN 1988.
IT CONTAINS COMPREHENSIVE DATA AND ANALYTICAL INFORMATION ON THE DEMOGRAPHIC, EDUCATIONAL, HEALTH, ECONOMIC, POLITICAL AND SOCIAL CHARACTERISTICS OF YOUNG PEOPLE IN HONG KONG.
MR MAK SAID: "IT SERVES AS A USEFUL GUIDE TO POLICY-MAKERS, SERVICE PLANNERS AND THOSE WHO HAVE AN INTEREST IN OUR YOUNG PEOPLE, AND THAT OF COURSE, INCLUDES YOUNG PEOPLE THEMSELVES.”
COPIES WILL BE SENT TO YOUTH-RELATED ORGANISATIONS AND RELEVANT GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS FOR THEIR REFERENCE.
/THE STATISTICAL .......
TUESDAY, JUNE 8, 1993
16 -
THE STATISTICAL PROFILE IS NOW ON SALE AT HK$52 A COPY AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, GROUND FLOOR, GENERAL POST OFFICE BUILDING, CONNAUGHT PLACE, CENTRAL.
ALSO SPEAKING AT THE PRESS CONFERENCE, THE CHAIRMAN OF THE COMMISSION, MR ERIC LI KA-CHEUNG, SAID THE RESPONSE OF THE COMMUNITY TO THE CHARTER FOR YOUTH WAS VERY ENCOURAGING.
SO FAR, 205 ORGANISATIONS AND 60 INDIVIDUALS HAVE BECOME SUBSCRIBERS TO THE CHARTER.
MORE THAN 26,500 COPIES OF THE CHARTER HAVE BEEN DISTRIBUTED THROUGH VARIOUS CHANNELS.
"WE ARE ANTICIPATING MORE COMMUNITY SUPPORT TO HELP IMPLEMENT THIS MEANINGFUL DOCUMENT ON OUR YOUTHS," MR LI SAID.
COPIES OF THE CHARTER FOR YOUTH ARE AVAILABLE AT ALL DISTRICT OFFICES. FOR ENQUIRIES, PLEASE CALL 835 1929.
-----0------
TROPICAL CYCLONE AND STRONG MONSOON SIGNAL STATIONS
*****
AS THE TAI PO KAU MARINE POLICE BASE IS NO LONGER OPERATIONAL, TROPICAL CYCLONE AND STRONG MONSOON WARNING SIGNALS WILL CEASE TO BE DISPLAYED THERE FROM NEXT TUESDAY (JUNE 15).
HOWEVER, VISUAL SIGNALS WILL CONTINUE TO BE DISPLAYED AT THE FOLLOWING NINE STATIONS:
ABERDEEN MARINE OFFICE, CHEUNG CHAU METEOROLOGICAL STATION, LAU FAU SHAN POLICE STATION, SAI KUNG POLICE STATION, SHA TAU KOK SEWAGE TREATMENT WORKS, SHAU KEI WAN MARINE OFFICE, STANLEY POLICE STATION, TAI LAM SMALL BOAT UNIT HEADQUARTERS, AND TAI O POLICE STATION.
INFORMATION ON THE STATUS OF TROPICAL CYCLONE AND STRONG MONSOON WARNING SIGNALS WHEN HOISTED, THE WEATHER AND PRECAUTIONS TO TAKE, IS BROADCAST FREQUENTLY BY RADIO AND TELEVISION.
ADDITIONALLY, THE PUBLIC CAN OBTAIN THE INFORMATION BY CALLING 835 1473 OF THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION’S PUBLIC
ENQUIRY SERVICE CENTRE OR THE ROYAL OBSERVATORY’S DIAL-A-WEATHER RECORDED CHINESE WEATHER SERVICE ON 369 2200 AND RECORDED ENGLISH
WEATHER SERVICE ON 369 0066.
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/17.........
TUESDAY, JUNE 8, 1993
17 -
ARRANGEMENTS FOR HOLIDAY CLINIC SERVICES ANNOUNCED
*****
THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH TODAY (TUESDAY) ANNOUNCED ARRANGEMENTS FOR GENERAL OUT-PATIENT CLINIC SERVICES DURING THE HOLIDAY PERIOD FROM JUNE 12 TO 14 (SATURDAY TO MONDAY).
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID THERE WOULD BE NO HOLIDAY OUT-PATIENT CLINIC SERVICE ON JUNE 12 (SATURDAY), WHICH IS THE BIRTHDAY OF THE QUEEN.
HOWEVER, EIGHT GENERAL OUT-PATIENT CLINICS WILL BE OPEN ON JUNE 13, WHICH IS A SUNDAY, AND JUNE 14, WHICH IS THE MONDAY FOLLOWING THE QUEEN’S BIRTHDAY.
THEY ARE THE VIOLET PEEL HEALTH CENTRE AND SHAU KEI WAN JOCKEY CLUB CLINIC ON HONG KNG ISLAND; THE KWUN TONG JOCKEY CLUB HEALTH CENTRE, ROBERT BLACK HEALTH CENTRE AND YAUMATEJ JOCKEY CLUB CLINIC IN KOWLOON; AND LADY TRENCH POLYCLINIC, SHEK WU HUI JOCKEY CLUB CLINIC AND YUEN LONG JOCKEY CLUB HEALTH CENTRE IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.
THESE CLINICS WILL BE OPEN FROM 9 AM TO 1 PM ON THE TWO DAYS.
ALL OTHER OUT-PATIENT AND EVENING CLINICS WILL BE CLOSED DURING THE THREE DAYS OF HOLIDAY.
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CLINIC TO PROVIDE LIMITED SERVICE
*****
THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH ANNOUNCED TODAY (TUESDAY) THAT DUE TO ELECTRICITY SUSPENSION, LIMITED SERVICES WOULD BE PROVIDED AT THE SHAM SHUI PO PUBLIC DISPENSARY IN YEE KUK STREET BETWEEN 9 AM AND 5 PM ON THURSDAY (JUNE 10).
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE ADVISED TO GO TO NEARBY CLINICS SUCH AS THE NAM SHAN HEALTH CENTRE, SHEK KIP MEI HEALTH CENTRE AND CHEUNG SHA WAN JOCKEY CLUB CLINIC FOR ASSISTANCE.
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/18.........
TUESDAY, JUNE 8, 1993
- 18 -
SALT WATER CUT IN KOWLOON CITY *****
SALT WATER SUPPLY TO SOME PREMISES IN KOWLOON CITY WILL TURN OFF FROM 9.30 AM ON THURSDAY (JUNE 10) TO 10 AM THE NEXT DAY TO FACILITATE CONNECTION WORK ON WATER MAINS.
THE SUSPENSION WILL AFFECT ALL THE PREMISES AT MA TAU WAI ROAD, SHEUNG HEUNG ROAD, KWEI CHOW STREET, YUK YAT STREET AND CHI KIANG STREET.
------0-------
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND TENDER RESULTS « ♦ » » »
TENDER DATE 8 JUNE 93 8 JUNE 93
PAPER ON OFFER EF BILLS EF BILLS
ISSUE NUMBER Q323 H366
AMOUNT APPLIED HKD3,955 MN HKD2,250 MN
AMOUNT ALLOTTED HKDl,000 MN HKD400 MN
AVERAGE YIELD ACCEPTED 3.10 PCT 3.37 PCT
HIGHEST YIELD ACCEPTED 3.10 PCT 3.38 PCT
PRO RATA RATTO ABOUT 64 PCT ABOUT 3 PCT
AVERAGE TENDER YIELD 3.12 PCT 3.41 PCT
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND
TENDERS TO BE HELD TN THE WEEK BEGINNING 14 JUNE 1993 -
TENDER DATE 15 JUNE 93 15 JUNE 93
PAPER ON OFFER EF BILLS EF BILLS
ISSUE NUMBER Q324 Y390
ISSUE DATE 16 JUNE 93 16 JUNE 93
MATURITY DATE 15 SEPT 93 15 DEC 93
TENDOR 91 DAYS 364 DAYS
AMOUNT ON OFFER HKDl,000 + 200 MN HKD300 + 90 MN
-----0------
719 ........
TUESDAY, JUNE 8, 1993
19
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS * * * ♦ ♦
$ MILLION
OPENING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT REVERSAL OF LAF BALANCE AFTER REVERSAL OF LAF 1,320 +1,480 2,800
NET INJECTION/WITHDRAWAL TODAY NIL
EFFECT OF LAF TODAY -1,985
CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT 815
LAF RATE 2.00 BID/4.00 OFFER TWI 111.9 *-0.1* 8.6.93
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND
EF BILLS EF NOTES/HONG KONG GOVERNMENT BONDS
TERMS YIELD TERM ISSUE COUPON PRICE YIELD
I WEEK 2.35 PCT 15 MONTHS 2408 4.375 100.69 3.81
1 MONTH 2.69 PCT 18 MONTHS 2411 4.625 100.94 3.98
3 MONTHS 3.03 PCT 21 MONTHS 2502 4.75 100.96 4.20
6 MONTHS 3.34 PCT 24 MONTHS 2505 3.75 98.96 4.36
12 MONTHS 3.62 PCT
TOTAL TURNOVER OF BILLS AND BONDS - 14,073 MN
CLOSED JUNE 8, 1993
--------0-----------
Received by PRO on, 5 JUN 1993
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 9, 1993
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
REVISION OF PRINCIPAL POSTAGE RATES AND MISCELLANEOUS FEES AND CHARGES ................................................. j
GOVT VIGILANT ON UNSCRUPULOUS INSOLVENCY CASES .............. 3
POLL DAYS SET FOR TWO BY-ELECTIONS .......................... 3
NOMINATION OPENS FOR LEGCO INDUSTRIAL SEAT .................. 4
COLLABORATION AND PARTICIPATION TN AIDS PREVENTION .............. 4
RAID ON SUSPECTED SANCTIONS BUSTER ............................ 5
SURVEYS ON TRANSPORT AND BUSINESS SERVICES ...................... 5
CLOSURE OF UNAUTHORISED STRUCTURES SOUGHT ....................... 7
266 VM'S RETURNED TO VIETNAM .................................... r
FINANCE COMMITTEE MEETS ON FRIDAY ............................... 8
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS . 9
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 9, 1993
1
REVISION OF PRINCIPAL POSTAGE RATES AND MISCELLANEOUS FEES AND CHARGES ♦ * ♦ * *
THE POSTMASTER GENERAL, MR M PAGLIARI, ANNOUNCED TODAY (WEDNESDAY) THAT PRINCIPAL POSTAGE RATES AND MISCELLANEOUS POSTAL FEES AND CHARGES WOULD BE INCREASED AS FROM NOVEMBER 1.
THESE RATES AND CHARGES WERE LAST REVISED ON APRIL 1, 1991
MORE THAN TWO-AND-A-HALF YEARS AGO.
COMMENTING ON THE REVISED RATES, MR PAGLIARI SAID:
"AS A RESULT OF THE SHARP INCREASE IN OPERATING EXPENDITURE IN THE PAST TWO YEARS DUE TO HIGH INFLATION, SUBSTANTIALLY INCREASED STAFF COSTS, HIGHER OUTPAYMENTS TO OVERSEAS POSTAL ADMINISTRATIONS AND HIGHER COST OF MAIL CONVEYANCE, IT IS NECESSARY TO REVISE POSTAGE RATES AND CHARGES IN ORDER TO RESTORE THEIR REAL VALUE".
THE OVERALL WEIGHTED AVERAGE RATE OF INCREASE FOR THE PRINCIPAL POSTAGE RATES WILL BE 20%, WHICH IS BELOW THE RATE OF INFLATION OF 23.5% SINCE THE LAST INCREASE IN APRIL 1991, HE ADDED.
THE BASIC RATES FOR LOCAL LETTERS AND PRINTED PAPERS WILL BE INCREASED BY 20 CENTS, THAT IS, FROM 80 CENTS TO $1 FOR LETTERS, AND FROM 70 CENTS TO 90 CENTS FOR PRINTED PAPERS.
FOR SURFACE LETTERS AND PRINTED PAPERS TO CHINA, MACAU AND TAIWAN, THE BASIC RATES WILL BE INCREASED FROM 90 CENTS TO $1.20 AND FROM 80 CENTS TO $1 RESPECTIVELY.
FOR SURFACE MAIL TO OTHER COUNTRIES, THE BASIC RATES WILL BE INCREASED FROM $1.70 TO $2 FOR LETTERS AND FROM $1.60 TO $1.80 FOR PRINTED PAPERS.
THE BASIC RATES FOR AIR MAIL LETTERS AND PRINTED PAPERS WILL BE INCREASED BY 10 CENTS.
FOR ZONE 1 (MAINLY ASIAN COUNTRIES), BASIC RATES AT THE FIRST WEIGHT STEP ARE INCREASED FROM $1.80 TO $1.90 FOR LETTERS AND FROM $1.20 TO $1.30 FOR PRINTED PAPERS.
FOR ZONE 2 (REST OF THE WORLD), BASIC RATES AT THE FIRST STEP ARE INCREASED FROM $2.30 TO $2.40 FOR LETTERS AND FROM $1.70 TO $1.80 FOR PRINTED PAPERS.
COMMENTING FURTHER ON THE POSTAGE RATES INCREASES, MR PAGLIARI SAID LOCAL AND SURFACE MAIL SERVICES HAD TRADITIONALLY BEEN OPERATING AT A LOSS.
THESE SERVICES ARE CURRENTLY BEING CROSS-SUBSIDISED BY OTHER PROFITABLE SERVICES SUCH AS AIR MAIL. THIS SITUATION IS PARTICULARLY MARKED IN THE PRINTED PAPER SERVICE WHICH IS LARGELY USED BY BUSINESSES FOR MAGAZINE SUBSCRIPTIONS AND PROMOTIONAL MAILINGS, HE SAID.
/FOR EXAMPLE .......
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 9, 1993
2
FOR EXAMPLE, PRINTED PAPER NOW ACCOUNTS FOR OVER HALF THE TOTAL DEFICIT IN THE LOCAL MAIL SERVICE.
THE EXTENT OF THE CURRENT CROSS SUBSIDY TO THE PRINTED PAPER SERVICE IS DEMONSTRATED BY THE FACT THAT DESPITE SIMILAR HANDLING COSTS, POSTAGE FOR LOCAL PRINTED PAPERS AT THE 1 KG LEVEL AT $4.60 IS 62% LESS THAN THE CORRESPONDING LETTER RATE OF $12.
IN ORDER TO REDUCE THE EXTENT OF SUBSIDIES TO BUSINESSES, THE INCREASES FOR PRINTED PAPERS VIS-A-VIS LETTERS FOR LOCAL AND SURFACE MAIL SERVICES ARE COMPARATIVELY HIGHER.
ON THE OTHER HAND, THE INCREASES FOR AIR MAIL RATES ARE VERY MODEST - WELL BELOW THE RATE OF INFLATION.
WITH THE PLANNED INCREASES, LOCAL AND SURFACE MAIL SERVICES CONTINUE TO OPERATE AT A LOSS, ALBEIT TO A LESSER EXTENT; WHILE AIR MAIL SERVICES CONTINUE TO OPERATE AT A PROFIT.
MR PAGLIARI WENT ON TO SAY THAT THERE WAS NO GUARANTEE THAT THESE PROFITABLE SERVICES WOULD REMAIN SO.
’’EVEN AFTER THESE INCREASES, HONG KONG POSTAL CHARGES REMAIN AMONG THE LOWEST IN THE INDUSTRIALISED WORLD,” MR PAGLIARI SAID.
’’GIVEN THAT POSTAGE CONSTITUTES ONLY A SMALL PROPORTION OF OVERALL CONSUMER EXPENDITURE AND BUSINESS COSTS, THE INCREASES ARE UNLIKELY TO HAVE ANY SIGNIFICANT IMPACT ON GENERAL INFLATION.
"THE GREATEST IMPACT WILL BE ON THE BULK USERS OF PRINTED PAPER AS POSTAGE RATES FOR PRINTED PAPER HAVE INCREASED BY A HIGHER MARGIN THAN THAT OF ORDINARY MAIL.
"WE SHALL THEREFORE WORK WITH THE USERS OF OUR PRINTED PAPER SERVICE TO EXAMINE HOW THEIR POSTINGS MAY BE IMPROVED SO THAT THE POST OFFICE MAY ACHIEVE OPERATIONAL COST SAVINGS WHICH COULD THEN BE PASSED ONTO THEM IN THE FORM OF DISCOUNTS," MR PAGLIARI ADDED.
AS REGARDS INCREASES IN MISCELLANEOUS FEES AND CHARGES, THE NOTABLE EXAMPLE IS REGISTRATION FEE WHICH WILL BE INCREASED FROM $9 TO $11.
ALSO, ANNUAL RENTAL FOR POST OFFICE BOXES WILL BE INCREASED, FOR EXAMPLE, FROM $460 TO $570 FOR LARGE BOXES AND FROM $370 TO $450 FOR SMALL BOXES AT THE GENERAL POST OFFICE AND THE TSIM SHA TSUI POST OFFICE.
RENTALS AT OTHER POST OFFICES ATTRACT SMALLER INCREASES.
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/3 .........
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 9, 1993
3
GOVT VIGILANT ON UNSCRUPULOUS INSOLVENCY CASES *****
THE OFFICIAL RECEIVER’S OFFICE HAS, FOR THE FIRST TIME, SUCCESSFULLY PROSECUTED A COMPANY DIRECTOR FOR AN INSOLVENCY OFFENCE ON MONDAY SINCE ACTING UNDER THE TRANSFERRED POWERS FROM THE CROWN PROSECUTOR.
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN TODAY (WEDNESDAY) SAID SUMMONS HAD BEEN ISSUED IN ANOTHER FIVE CASES FOR SIMILAR OFFENCES OF FAILING TO KEEP AND PRESERVE THE BOOKS AND ACCOUNTS OF A COMPANY IN LIQUIDATION.
MR CHEN CHAK-MAN, A DIRECTOR OF GIANT YIELD INVESTMENTS LIMITED WHICH WAS WOUND UP IN 1991, WAS CONVICTED IN THE WESTERN MAGISTRACY ON MONDAY FOR FAILING TO PRESERVE THE ACCOUNTING RECORDS OF THE COMPANY UNDER SECTION 121 OF THE COMPANIES ORDINANCE CAP 32 AND WAS FINED $60,000.
THE DEFENDANT CLAIMED THAT THE ACCOUNTING RECORDS HAD BEEN SENT TO THE NEW TERRITORIES FOR STORAGE BUT HAD NOW BEEN LOST AND THAT HE HAD NO KNOWLEDGE AS TO THEIR WHEREABOUTS.
IN MARCH LAST YEAR, THE CROWN PROSECUTOR TRANSFERRED THE AUTHORITY TO PROSECUTE VARIOUS INSOLVENCY OFFENCES TO THE LEGAL OFFICERS IN THE OFFICIAL RECEIVER’S OFFICE, WHICH WAS RE-ORGANISED AS A SEPARATE DEPARTMENT ONE YEAR AGO.
DURING 1992/93, 64 SUMMONSES WERE ISSUED AGAINST COMPANY DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS OF COMPANIES IN COMPULSORY LIQUIDATION MOSTLY FOR FAILING TO SUBMIT A STATEMENT OF AFFAIRS AT THE DATE OF THE WINDING UP ORDER, WHICH RESULTED IN 51 CONVICTIONS AND TOTAL FINES BEING AWARDED BY THE COURT OF $336,730.
------o-------
POLL DAYS SET FOR TWO BY-ELECTIONS
*****
THE POLLING DAYS FOR THE TWO FORTHCOMING BY-ELECTIONS BROUGHT ABOUT BY THE DISQUALIFICATION OF MR GILBERT LEUNG KAM-HO HAVE BEEN DETERMINED.
THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL BY-ELECTION IN RESPECT OF THE REGIONAL COUNCIL FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCY WILL BE HELD ON WEDNESDAY JULY 28.
THIS WILL BE FOLLOWED BY THE REGIONAL COUNCIL BY-ELECTION FOR THE SAI KUNG CONSTITUENCY 11 DAYS LATER ON SUNDAY AUGUST 8.
EACH BY-ELECTION WILL HAVE A TWO-WEEK NOMINATION PERIOD.
THE NOMINATION PERIOD FOR LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL BY-ELECTION WILL RUN FROM JUNE 25 TO JULY 9.
NOMINATIONS FOR THE REGIONAL COUNCIL BY-ELECTION WILL BE CALLED FOR BETWEEN JULY 5 AND 19.
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/4 .........
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 9, 1993
4
NOMINATION OPENS FOR LEGCO INDUSTRIAL SEAT
*****
NOMINATIONS ARE INVITED FROM FRIDAY (JUNE 11) TO JUNE 25 FOR THE VACANCY LEFT BY THE LATE STEPHEN CHEONG IN THE FIRST INDUSTRIAL ELECTORAL DIVISION OF THE INDUSTRIAL FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCY.
CANDIDATES MUST BE REGISTERED ELECTORS TN THE GENERAL ELECTORAL ROLL, HAVE BEEN ORDINARILY RESIDENT IN HONG KONG FOR THE 10 YEARS IMMEDIATELY BEFORE NOMINATION, AND HAVE A SUBSTANTIAL CONNECTION WITH THE FIRST INDUSTRIAL ELECTORAL DIVISION.
NOMINATION FORMS MAY BE OBTAINED FROM FRIDAY FROM THE REGISTRATION AND ELECTORAL OFFICE AT HARBOUR CENTRE, 10TH FLOOR, 25 HARBOUR ROAD, WAN CHAI (ENQUIRIES TELEPHONE 827 9175) OR FROM MS TERESA TSE, PRINCIPAL ASSISTANT SECRETARY FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY AND THE RETURNING OFFICER, IN ROOM 233, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES EAST WING, LOWER ALBERT ROAD, CENTRAL.
NOMINATION PAPERS SHOULD BE HANDED TN TO MS TSE WITHIN THE NOMINATION PERIOD.
0----------
COLLABORATION AND PARTICIPATION IN AIDS PREVENTION
*****
HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONALS, VOLUNTARY ORGANISATIONS AND THE MEDIA ALL HAVE AN IMPORTANT ROLE TO PLAY TN THE CAMPAIGN AGAINST AIDS.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, MRS ELIZABETH WONG, DURING AN INTERVIEW WITH THE VOICE OF AMERICA IN BERLIN YESTERDAY (TUESDAY).
MRS WONG IS CURRENTLY LEADING A GOVERNMENT DELEGATION TO ATTEND THE NINTH INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON AIDS BEING HELD IN BERLIN THIS WEEK.
SHE WAS SINGLED OUT FOR A SPECIAL INTERVIEW AMONG OVER 10,000 PARTICIPANTS FROM COUNTRIES ALL OVER THE WORLD.
ECHOING CALLS FO^. GREATER GOVERNMENTAL COMMITMENT IN THE FIGHT AGAINST AIDS, MRS WONG RECOUNTED HONG KONG GOVERNMENT’S INITIATIVES IN RECENT MONTHS AND THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE $350 MILLION AIDS TRUST FUND.
"ALL THESE ARE CLEAR DEMONSTRATIONS OF HONG KONG’S DETERMINATION TO COMBAT AIDS WHICH IS AS MUCH A SOCIAL PROBLEM AS IT IS A MEDICAL ISSUE,” SHE SAID.
’’ALTHOUGH HONG KONG HAS A MUCH LOWER RATE OF HIV INFECTION COMPARED TO OTHER DEVELOPED AND DEVELOPING COUNTRIES, WE HAVE LEARNED FROM THE EXPERIENCE OF OTHERS THAT THE ONLY EFFECTIVE MEANS TO COMBAT THE DISEASE IS TO TAKE EARLY STEPS IN PREVENTION AND PUBLIC EDUCATION.
’’APART FROM EDUCATING THE PUBLIC ON PREVENTIVE MEASURES SUCH AS ’SAFER SEX’ AND ’CLEAN NEEDLES’, WE MUST WORK HARD TO CHANGE PUBLIC ATTITUDE AGAINST PERSONS WITH AIDS, AND TO REPLACE PREJUDICE WITH UNDERSTANDING AND DISCRIMINATION WITH SYMPATHY.”
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 9, 1993
IN THIS CONNECTION, MRS WONG CONTINUED, HONG KONG GOVERNMENT HAD PROVIDED A LEAD, BOTH THROUGH THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE AIDS TRUST FUND AND THROUGH ENHANCED PUBLICITY.
SHE NOTED THAT HONG KONG WOULD ENCOURAGE COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION, ESPECIALLY FROM AMONG NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANISATIONS AND THE MEDIA, IN THIS CAMPAIGN.
ONLY BY WORKING CLOSELY TOGETHER WILL IT BE ABLE TO ACHIEVE REAL SUCCESS, SHE ADDED.
AT THE CONFERENCE, IT WAS STRESSED THAT THERE WAS A NEED FOR A GLOBAL STRATEGY TO FIGHT AIDS ’’BECAUSE AIDS INFECTION KNOWS NO NATIONAL, RACIAL OR SEXUAL DISTINCTION”.
MRS WONG TOLD THE VOICE OF AMERICA: ”WE NEED TO SHARE OUR COMMON OBJECTIVES AND TO WORK IN UNISON.
"TO THIS END, WE ARE LOOKING FORWARD TO COLLABORATIVE EFFORT WITH OUR NEIGHBOURS.
"HONG KONG AS AN INTERNATIONAL CITY HAS AN OBLIGATION TO CONTRIBUTE TO THIS GLOBAL MISSION," SHE ADDED.
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RAID ON SUSPECTED SANCTIONS BUSTER
*****
A JOINT POLICE AND CUSTOMS TEAM TODAY (WEDNESDAY) RAIDED THE OFFICES OF A LOCALLY BASED OVERSEAS TRADING FIRM SUSPECTED TO HAVE BEEN OPERATING IN VIOLATION OF THE UNITED NATIONS SANCTION ORDER AGAINST SERBIA AND MONTENEGRO.
A QUANTITY OF DOCUMENTARY MATERIAL WAS SEIZED AND
INVESTIGATIONS ARE CONTINUING WITH A VIEW TO FURTHER PROCEEDINGS.
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THE ACTION WAS TAKEN IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE SERBIA AND MONTENEGRO (UNITED NATIONS SANCTIONS) (DEPENDENT TERR ITORI RES) ORDER 1992, WHICH REFLECTS UN SECURITY COUNCIL RESOLUTION 820.
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SURVEYS ON TRANSPORT AND BUSINESS SERVICES
*****
THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (WEDNESDAY) THAT THE SURVEY OF TRANSPORT AND RELATED SERVICES AND THE SURVEY OF STORAGE, COMMUNICATION, FINANCING, INSURANCE AND BUSINESS SERVICES FOR 1992 HAD STARTED.
THESE ANNUAL SURVEYS ARE PART OF A CONTINUOUS PROGRAMME TO COMPILE STATISTICS ON THE STRUCTURE AND PERFORMANCE OF VARIOUS ECONOMIC ACTIVITIES TN HONG KONG.
/THE SURVEYS .......
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 9, 1993
THE SURVEYS AIM TO OBTAIN UP-TO-DATE STATISTICAL DATA FOR EVALUATING THE CONTRIBUTION OF VARIOUS ECONOMIC ACTIVITIES TO HONG KONG’S GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT AND FOR ASCERTAINING THEIR COST STRUCTURE, OPERATING CHARACTERISTICS AND OUTPUT LEVELS.
THE SURVEY RESULTS ARE USEFUL TO BOTH THE GOVERNMENT AND THE PRIVATE SECTOR IN FORMULATING POLICIES AND MAKING DECISIONS.
THE COMMISSIONER FOR CENSUS AND STATISTICS, MR FREDERICK HO, APPEALED TO THE MANAGEMENTS OF ALL SAMPLED ESTABLISHMENTS TO FULFIL THEIR LEGAL AND SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITIES BY PROMPTLY RETURNING THE COMPLETED QUESTIONNAIRES AND CO-OPERATING WITH OFFICERS OF THE DEPARTMENT.
HE STRESSED THAT INFORMATION RELATING TO INDIVIDUAL ESTABLISHMENTS WOULD BE TREATED IN STRICT CONFIDENCE UNDER THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS ORDINANCE.
ONLY AGGREGATE INFORMATION THAT DOES NOT REVEAL DETAILS OF INDIVIDUAL ESTABLISHMENTS WILL BE RELEASED.
MR HO ALSO POINTED OUT THAT AUDITED ACCOUNTS WERE NOT ESSENTIAL FOR THE SUPPLY OF INCOME AND EXPENDITURE DATA REQUIRED IN I HE SURVEYS.
THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT ACCEPTS FIGURES BASED ON PERLIMINARY ACCOUNTS OR ESTIMATES WHICH ARE CORRECT TO THE BEST OF THE REPONDENTS’ KNOWLEDGE AT THE TIME OF SUBMISSION OF THE QUESTIONNAIRE, IF AUDITED ACCOUNTS ARE NOT YET AVAILABLE.
ABOUT 4,000 ESTABLISHMENTS WILL BE ENUMERATED IN THE PRESENT ROUND OF THE SURVEYS.
THE SURVEY OF TRANSPORT AND RELATED SERVICES COVERS LAND, SEA AND AIR TRANSPORT SERVICES, SUCH AS PUBLIC BUSES, TRAMWAYS, TAXIS, PUBLIC LIGHT BUSES, TRUCKS, FERRIES, SHIPPING COMPANIES AND AIRLINES.
IT ALSO COVERS SUCH
PROVIDED BY CAR PARKS, TRAVEL
TRANSPORT-RELATED SERVICES AS THOSE AGENTS AND CARGO FORWARDING AGENTS.
THE SURVEY OF STORAGE, COMMUNICATION, FINANCING, INSURANCE AND BUSINESS SERVICES COVERS STORAGE AND WAREHOUSE, COMMUNICATIONS, FINANCIAL (EXCEPT LICENSED BANKS, RESTRICTED LICENCE BANKS AND DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES), INSURANCE AND BUSINESS SERVICES SUCH AS ACCOUNTING AND AUDITING, ADVERTISING, DATA PROCESSING, EMPLOYMENT AGENCY, EQUIPMENT AND MACHINERY RENTAL, LEGAL, NEWS AGENCY, SECRETARIAL AND OTHER BUSINESS SERVICES.
INFORMATION TO BE SOUGHT IN THE SURVEYS INCLUDES: TYPE OF OWNERSHIP, ORIGIN OF INVESTMENT, FLOOR AREA, EMPLOYMENT, COMPENSATION OF EMPLOYEES (THAT IS WAGES, SALARIES AND OTHER EMPLOYEE BENEFITS), OPERATING EXPENSES, BUSINESS RECEIPTS, CAPITAL EXPENDITURE AND OTHER RELATED INFORMATION ON THE BUSINESS OPERATION OF THE ESTABLISHMENTS.
/THE SURVEYS .......
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 9, 1993
7
THE SURVEYS ARE CONDUCTED UNDER THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS (ANNUAL SURVEY OF TRANSPORT AND RELATED SERVICES) ORDER 1984 AND THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS (ANNUAL SURVEY OF STORAGE, COMMUNICATION, FINANCING, INSURANCE AND BUSINESS SERVICES) ORDER 1984, WHICH WERE MADE UNDER THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS ORDINANCE.
QUESTIONNAIRES HAVE BEEN MAILED TO THE SAMPLED ESTABLISHMENTS WHICH ARE REQUIRED BY LAW TO COMPLETE AND RETURN THE QUESTIONNAIRES TO THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT BY JULY 31.
IF REQUIRED, OFFICERS OF THE DEPARTMENT WILL VISIT INDIVIDUAL ESTABLISHMENTS AND HELP THEM COMPLETE THE QUESTIONNAIRES.
THESE OFFICERS WILL EACH CARRY A GOVERNMENT IDENTITY CARD AND A CERTIFICATE FOR CONDUCTING THE SURVEYS WHILE ON DUTY, WHICH ARE AVAILABLE FOR INSPECTION.
ANY ENQUIRIES REGARDING THE SURVEYS MAY BE DIRECTED TO THE TRANSPORT AND MISCELLANEOUS SERVICES STATISTICS SECTION AND THE BUSINESS SERVICES STATISTICS SECTION OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT ON TEL 802 1362 AND 802 1368 RESPECTIVELY.
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CLOSURE OF UNAUTHORISED STRUCTURES SOUGHT
*****
THE BUILDING AUTHORITY IS SEEKING TO CLOSE 12 UNAUTHORISED STRUCTURES AT A BUILDING IN TO KWA WAN SO THAT THEY CAN BE DEMOLISHED WITHOUT CAUSING DANGER TO THE OCCUPIERS AND THE PUBLIC.
THE UNAUTHORISED STRUCTURES ARE ERECTED AT THE COURTYARD AND COMMON AREAS ON THE GROUND FLOOR OF CHAT MA MANSION AT 496-510 CHATHAM ROAD NORTH AND 208-220A MA TAU WAI ROAD.
THESE STRUCTURES ARE USED EITHER FOR DWELLING OR STORAGE.
NOTICE OF INTENTION TO APPLY FOR A CLOSURE ORDER FROM THE HONG KONG DISTRICT COURT UNDER THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE ON JULY 9 WAS POSTED ON THE PREMISES TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
DEMOLITION IS EXPECTED TO START AS SOON AS THE CLOSURE ORDER IS ISSUED.
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/8 .........
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 9, 1993
8
266 VM’S RETURNED TO VIETNAM *****
A GROUP OF 266 VIETNAMESE MIGRANTS TODAY (WEDNESDAY) RETURNED TO VIETNAM UNDER THE UNHCR'S VOLUNTARY REPATRIATION PROGRAMME.
COMPRISING 91 MEN, 74 WOMEN, 59 BOYS AND 42 GIRLS, THEY WERE THE 154TH BATCH TO GO BACK UNDER THE PROGRAMME.
THIS GROUP BROUGHT TO 3,312 THE TOTAL NUMBER OF VIETNAMESE MIGRANTS WHO HAVE RETURNED VOLUNTARILY THIS YEAR, AND TO 29,624 THE TOTAL NUMBER OF RETURNEES SINCE THE PROGRAMME STARTED IN MARCH 1989.
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FINANCE COMMITTEE MEETS ON FRIDAY *****
THE FINANCE COMMITTEE WILL HOLD A MEETING AT 3.30 PM ON FRIDAY (JUNE 11) 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 3.30 PM TOMORROW (THURSDAY) IN THE PRESS ROOM OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL BUILDING, JACKSON ROAD, CENTRAL. PLEASE NOTE THAT THE PAPERS ARE NOT FOR USE UNTIL THE MEETING IS OVER.
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/9 ........
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 9, 1993
9
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS
* ♦ ♦ ♦ t $ 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 111.9 815 + 1,985 2,800 NIL -1,151 1,649 ♦+0.0* 9. 6.93
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE EF BILLS EF NOTES/HONG KONG TERMS YIELD TERM ISSUE 1 WEIK 2.10 PCT 15 MONTHS 2408 1 MONTH 2.66 PCT 18 MONTHS 2411 3 MONTHS 3.03 PCT 21 MONTHS 2502 G MONTHS 3.36 PCT 24 MONTHS 2505 12 MONTHS 3.67 PCT TOTAL TURNOVER OF BILLS AND BONDS - 21,877 MN CLOSED JUNE 9, 1993 FUND GOVERNMENT COUPON 4.375 4.625 4.75 3.75 BONDS PRICE 100.63 100.84 100.87 98.86
YIELD
3.86
4.06
4.25
4.42
0
Received by • -
Hv_______sr
on___----------
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
SUPPLEMENT
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 9, 1993
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL:
MOTION DEBATE ON INDUSTRIAL POLICY ........................... 1
MOTION DEBATE ON LAND SUPPLY FOR HOUSING ..................... 7
MORE MONEY INJECTED TO LOTTERIES FUND ........................ 11
COMPUTER CHIPS TO COME UNDER PROTECTION ...................... 12
LIMITATION ON PUBLIC LIGHT BUSES NUMBER ...................... 14
PASSPORT INCIDENT ARISEN FROM MANUAL MISREADING .............. 14
DAYA BAY ARRANGEMENTS UNDER DISCUSSIONS ...................... 15
CARDBOARD POITCFMEN DRAW PUBLIC INTEREST ..................... 16
CIVIL SERVANTS EQUIPPED TO IMPROVE PUBLIC SERVICE ............ 16
ENERGY CONSERVATION CONSIDERED IN GOVT BUILDING DESIGNS ...... 17
OVER-LISTING TO AVOID WASTING COURT TIME ..................... 18
/POLICY ON .......
f
POLICY ON CHINESE NATIONALS WORKING TN HK ...................... 19
SAFETY CLEARANCE OF HILLSIDE SQUATTERS ......................... 19
GOVT AND TDC OVERSEAS OFFICES PLAY COMPLEMENTARY ROI F ......... 20
NO PLANS TO CHANGE SECURITY CHECKS POLICY ...................... 21
IMPROVEMENTS TO KOWLOON BAY WATFR QUALITY ...................... 21
GOVT HELPS EXPORTERS MEET ENVIRONMENT STANDARDS ................ 22
COMMISSION TO REVIEW ALLOWANCES FOR LEGCO MEMBERS .............. 23
ANTI-TRIAD MEASURES TN SCHOOLS EXPLAINED ....................... 23
POLICE ARMFD ON BORDER PATROL DUTIES ........................... 24
MORE HOSPITAL BEDS PLANNED FOR KOWLOON ......................... 25
REVIEW ON STREET SLEEPERS COMPLETED ............................ 25
GOVT CONTINUES ITS FIGHT FOR CHINA'S MFN STATUS ................ 26
SELECTION OF OCEANIC DISPOSAL OPTION EXPLAINED ................. 26
AMENDED MOTION ON TNDUSTRTAJ POLICY PASSED ..................... 27
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 9, 1993
1
MOTION DEBATE ON INDUSTRIAL POLICY
*****
FOLLOWING IS THE SPEECH BY THE SECRETARY FOR INDUSTRY, MR T H CHAU, IN THE MOTION DEBATE ON INDUSTRIAL THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TONIGHT (WEDNESDAY):
TRADE AND
POLICY IN
MR PRESIDENT,
I WELCOME THIS DEBATE. WHEN, AS SECRETARY FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY, I APPEAR BEFORE THIS COUNCIL AND ITS COMMITTEES, THE SUBJECT MATTER IS USUALLY TRADE, BECAUSE TRADE ISSUES ARE USUALLY MORE URGENT, MORE IMMEDIATE. INDUSTRY TENDS TO GET LESS ATTENTION. BUT, IT IS THE PRODUCTION IN OUR FACTORIES HERE IN HONG KONG AND IN SOUTH CHINA THAT KEEP OUR TRADERS SO BUSY AND OUR PORT SO FULL. MANUFACTURING IN HONG KONG MAY EMPLOY FAR FEWER PEOPLE TODAY THAN TEN YEARS AGO, BUT IT STILL PROVIDES IMPORTANT VARIETY OF EMPLOYMENT AND OF OPPORTUNITY TO OUR PEOPLE.
IT STILL REPRESENTS A SIGNIFICANT PART OF OUR GDP. IT IS THE SECTOR OF THE ECONOMY THAT HAS THE BEST POTENTIAL FOR SUSTAINED HIGH LEVELS OF IMPROVEMENT IN PRODUCTIVITY. ABOVE ALL, IT IS THE ABILITIES AND EXPERTISE THAT OUR WORKERS, MANAGERS AND ENTREPRENEURS HAVE BUILT UP IN FORTY-FIVE YEARS OF MANUFACTURING EXPERIENCE THAT GIVES HONG KONG THE SERVICES AND THE SKILLS THAT IT CAN SELL TO THE WORLD.
BUILDING ON THESE SKILLS; REFINING THEM THROUGH RESEARCH AND THROUGH THE DEVELOPMENT AND APPLICATION OF NEW TECHNOLOGIES; EXPANDING THEM THROUGH INNOVATION AND ENDEAVOUR; RETRAINING WORKERS FROM OLD INDUSTRIES TO PROVIDE THEM WITH THE SKILLS NEEDED IN NEW AREAS : THESE FOUR TASKS ARE IMPORTANT FOR HONG KONG’S CONTINUED ECONOMIC WELLBEING. THEY ARE TASKS THAT OUR INDUSTRIAL SUPPORT PROGRAMMES AND INSTITUTIONS ARE DESIGNED TO ASSIST INDUSTRY TO CARRY OUT. TODAY’S DEBATE HELPS US TO CONSIDER WHAT WE HAVE ACHEIVED AND WHERE WE NEED TO RE MOVING FORWARD.
THE HON HENRY TANG TN HIS MOTION HAS CALLED FOR THE INDUSTRY AND TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL TO BE TURNED INTO AN EXECUTIVE RATHER THAN ADVISORY BODY. THIS IS NOT A PROPOSAL THAT WE CAN SUPPORT. I AM GRATEFUL TO THE HON ALLEN LEE FOR PROPOSING AN AMENDMENT THAT WE CAN ACCEPT. SINCE ALTHOUGH I INTEND FIRST TO SET
OUT WHY THE ORIGINAL MOTION COULD NOT BE ENDORSED BY GOVERNMENT, I
INTEND TO MOVE ON TO EMPHASISE WHAT I HOPE IS
ALREADY CLEAR, THAT GOVERNMENT SHARES FULLY THE SENSE OF THIS -COUNCIL, THAT INDUSTRY IS A MOST IMPORTANT PART OF THE ECONOMIC HEALTH OF OUR COMMUNITY, AND THAT WE NEED REGULARLY TO REVIEW, ADAPT AND DEVELOP OUR MECHANISMS TO PROMOTE THE HEALTH OF INDUSTRY.
/I SAID .......
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 9, 1993 ,
2
I SAID THAT I WOULD FIRST EXPLAIN WHY MR TANG’S MOTION PRESENTS DIFFICULTIES. I HAVE THREE POINTS TO MAKE. FIRST, THE SUGGESTION THAT THE ITDC SHOULD BE AN EXECUTIVE BODY LIKE THE HONG KONG TRADE DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL, OR EVEN AS SOME, BOTH WITHIN AND OUTSIDE THIS COUNCIL, HAVE SUGGESTED, LIKE SINGAPORE’S ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT BOARD, IS NOT A NEW IDEA. IT WAS AN IDEA WHICH WAS DEBATED IN THE OLD INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENT BOARD AND THE FORMER COMMITTEE ON SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY BEFORE THEY WERE MERGED IN 1991 TO FORM THE ITDC. IT WAS AN IDEA REJECTED THEN WITH GOOD REASON. INDUSTRY IS NOT A DISCRETE ECONOMIC ACTIVITY. IT AFFECTS, AND IS AFFECTED, BY A VAST RANGE OF ECONOMIC AND POLICY FACTORS: EDUCATION, TRAINING, TOWN PLANNING AND LAND USE, ENVIRONMENTAL STANDARDS, MANPOWER SUPPLY. TRADE PROMOTION, BY ITS NATURE, IS A MUCH SIMPLER, MORE EASILY FOCUSED ACTIVITY. AN EXECUTIVE BODY PROMOTING TRADE CAN TAKE DECISIONS QUICKLY AND EASILY BECAUSE THERE IS LITTLE RISK OF DISTORTION OR DISRUPTION TO OTHER ECONOMIC ACTIVITIES OR COMMUNAL PROGRAMMES. INDUSTRY DOES NOT ENJOY THAT SIMPLICITY. AN EXECUTIVE BODY TASKED TO PROMOTE INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT WOULD AFFECT MANY POLICY AND PROGRAMME AREAS. WHATEVER THE IMPACT SUCH A BODY MAY HAVE ON INDUSTRY, IT WOULD INEVITABLY TEND TO ADD A LAYER OF BUREAUCRACY TO THE ASSESSMENT AND DECISION MAKING PROCESS. AN ADVISORY COMMITTEE, WHERE INDUSTRIALISTS CAN BRING THEIR NEEDS AND CONCERNS DIRECTLY TO POLICY MAKERS, AND WHERE ACADEMIC RESEARCH HEADS AND TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT LEADERS ARE ABLE TO POINT OUT NEW OPPORTUNITIES, BACKED UP BY DEBATE IN THIS COUNCIL, SEEMS TO ME TO BE AN INHERENTLY MORE EFFICIENT AND ADAPTABLE MECHANISM FOR THE REVIEW AND DEVELOPMENT OF OUR INDUSTRIAL PROGRAMMES.
SECOND IS A POINT OF PRINCIPLE. THIS GOVERNMENT BELIEVES IN CONSULTING AND CONSIDERING THE VIEWS OF THE BODIES THAT HAVE BEEN SET UP TO ASSIST IN POLICY MAKING. THE ITDC ITSELF IS THE PRODUCT OF CONSULTATION WITH THE FORMER INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENT BOARD AND COMMITTEE ON SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY. IT WOULD NOT BE APPROPRIATE FOR GOVERNMENT TO ACCEPT A CHANGE IN THE ITDC’S ROLE WITHOUT SEEKING THE ITDC’S ADVICE ON THE MATTER. INDEED, THE ROLE OF THE ITDC IS A MATTER THAT THAT COUNCIL HAS ALREADY BEGUN TO ADDRESS. THIS YEAR HAS SEEN THE ITDC CHAIRMANSHIP BEING HANDED OVER BY THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY TO A NON-OFFICIAL MEMBER. FURTHER DEVELOPMENT OF THE ITDC’S ROLE WILL BE NEEDED IN RELATION TO THE FUNDING OF INDUSTRY SUPPORT PROGRAMMES. REGULAR REVIEW OF THE ITDC’S FUNCTIONS AND OF INDUSTRIAL POLICIES IS A NECESSARY AND IMPORTANT PART OF ITS ROLE.
THIRD IS A QUESTION. HAS HONG KONG’S INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT REALLY BEEN SO RAD THAT WE NEED TO HAND OVER RESPONSIBLILITY TO AN EXECUTIVE BODY IN ORDER TO BREATHE NEW LIFE INTO IT? I SUGGEST NOT. OUR INDUSTRY HAS BEEN CHANGING AND CHANGING TO OUR ADVANTAGE. WE HAVE LOST LABOUR INTENSIVE, LOW VALUE ADDED PRODUCTION PROCESSES, BUT HAVE GAINED SOPHISTICATED BUSINESSES THAT CAN COMPETE WITH THE WORLD ON THE BASIS OF QUALITY AND PRODUCTIVITY. LABOUR PRODUCTIVITY INCREASED TN HONG KONG BY AN AVERAGE OF 9.6% PER ANNUM BETWEEN 1986 AND 1990. THIS WAS SECOND ONLY TO SOUTH KOREA IN THIS REGION. IT WAS SIGNIFICANTLY BETTER THAN JAPAN OR TAIWAN. IT WAS ALMOST THREE TIMES THE LEVEL OF SINGAPORE WHOSE INDUSTRIAL POLICIES SOME MEMBERS HAVE IMPLIED WE SHOULD FOLLOW. THIS GROWTH HAS BEEN ACHEIVED BY SUSTAINED INVESTMENT IN AUTOMATION AND NEW TECHNOLOGY. THIS INVESTMENT HAS CONTINUED VERY STRONGLY SINCE 1990 AND HAS BEEN REFLECTED IN FURTHER SIGNIFICANT INCREASES IN PRODUCTIVITY.
/I DO...........
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 9, 1993
3
I DO NOT WANT TO DWELL TOO LONG ON THE RELATIVE MERITS OF EXECUTIVE OR ADVISORY BODIES. I HAVE MADE MY POINTS, BUT THEY NEED TO BE KEPT IN PERSPECTIVE. THE MOST IMPORTANT FACTOR FOR OUR INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT IS THAT WE CONTINUE TO PURSUE AND DEVELOP POLICIES AND PROGRAMMES THAT PROVIDE A FRIENDLY PLACE FOR INDUSTRIES THAT CAN THRIVE THROUGH COMPETITION IN TODAY’S ECONOMIC ENVIRONMENT, AND THAT LAY THE FOUNDATIONS FOR INDUSTRY TO FLOURISH THROUGH UPGRADING AND INNOVATION IN FUTURE.
I WOULD NOT LIKE MEMBERS TO THINK THAT IN WELCOMING THE AMENDED MOTION I AM TAKING AN EASY WAY OUT. I AM AWARE THAT SOME MAY THINK GOVERNMENT IS KEEN ON MAINTAINING AN ADVISORY ITDC SO AS TO AVOID HAVING A FOCUSED INDUSTRIAL POLICY. THE NEED FOR SOME SUCH POLICY WAS A THEME OF THE MOTION DEBATE ON INDUSTRIAL POLICY IN 1992 AND HAS BEEN REPEATED TODAY. I CAN UNDERSTAND THE DESIRE FOR SOME PRECISE POLICY STATMENT. HONG KONG HAS A WIDE RANGE OF INDUSTRIAL SUPPORT PROGRAMMES - I WILL NOT LIST THESE OUT AGAIN TODAY, BUT REFER MEMBERS TO MY SPEECHES IN LAST YEAR'S DEBATE ON INDUSTRIAL POLICY AND THIS YEAR'S BUDGET DEBATE. THEY ARE IN THE HANSARD RECORD AND PROVIDE AN EXTENSIVE SUMMARY - AS I SAID, WE HAVE A WIDE RANGE OF PROGRAMMES, BUT, WE HAVE NEVER SET OUT THESE PROGRAMMES, AND THE MECHANISM FOR COORDINATING THEM IN A CLEAR, COMPREHENSIVE DOCUMENT. WE HAVE A GENERAL STATEMENT OF THE AIMS OF OUR INDUSTRIAL POLICIES, WHICH ARE "TO MAINTAIN AN INFRASTRUCTURE WHICH ENABLES MANUFACTURING BUSINESSES TO FUNCTION EFFICIENTLY, AND TO PROVIDE SERVICES THAT ENABLE INDUSTRY TO REMAIN COMPETITIVE THROUGH PRODUCTIVITY GROWTH, QUALITY IMPROVEMENT AND PRODUCT INNOVATION," BUT IN RECENT YEARS WE HAVE NOT DEBATED OR REFINED THIS STATEMENT, TO DEVELOP IF YOU LIKE A SHARED CORPORATE STRATEGY STATEMENT, THAT GIVES INDUSTRY, INVESTORS, YOURSELVES AND THE COMMUNITY A CLEAR UNDERSTANDING OF OUR GOALS.
THIS MAKES IT EASY FOR QUESTIONS SUCH AS THOSE THAT HAVE BEEN RAISED THIS AFTERNOON TO BE ASKED. WHAT IS GOVERNMENT DOING FOR INDUSTRY? WHAT CO-ORDINATION IS THERE? ANSWERS TO THE FIRST QUESTION ARE GIVEN IN OTHER PARTS OF THIS SPEECH AND IN PREVIOUS SPEECHES TO WHICH I HAVE EARLIER REFERRED. I WOULD LIKE TO REPLY HERE TO THE SECOND QUESTION. WE HAVE A SOPHISTICATED AND EFFECTIVE MECHANISM FOR THE CO-ORDINATION OF OUR INDUSTRY SUPPORT PROGRAMMES. THE ITDC COMPRISES REPRESENTATIVES OF THE MAJOR INDUSTRIAL ORGANISATIONS, THE HEADS OF THE PRODUCTIVITY COUNCIL AND VOCATIONAL TRAINING COUNCIL, HEADS OF MAJOR ACADEMIC INSTITUTIONS, AS WELL AS THE DIRECTOR-GENERAL OF INDUSTRY, THE POLICY SECRETARIES RESPONSIBLE FOR PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS AND EDUCATION AND MANPOWER, THE GOVERNMENT ECONOMIST AND MYSELF. THIS PROVIDES FOR DEBATE AND CO-ORDINATION AT THE HIGHEST LEVELS OF POLICY MAKING. THE PATTERN IS REPEATED TN THE WELL-STRUCTURED NETWORK OF COMMITTEES THAT Till' ITDC HAS ESTABLISHED. THERE IS STRONG CROSS LINKAGE BETWEEN THE ITDC, INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT AND THE PRODUCTIVITY COUNCIL. THE MACHINERY FOR CO-ORDINATION IS THERE. IT IS WORKING.
HOWEVER, OUR WELL KNOWN MAXIMS - "POSITIVE NON-INTERVENTION ISM" - A TERM WHICH WE NO LONGER USE BUT WHOSE SPIRIT LIVES ON - AND "MINIMUM INTERVENTION, MAXIMUM SUPPORT" ARE TRUE STATEMENTS OF OUR PHILOSOPHY, BUT ARE TOO TERSE TO MEET THE NEED THAT MEMBERS HAVE HIGHLIGHTED FOR A CLEAR EXPLANATION OF OUR POLK IES TOWARDS INDUSTRY. QUITE FRANKLY, THE MAXIMS CAN BE CONFUSING, THOUGH I HOPE NONE OF YOU ARE AS CONFUSED AS ONE OF MY OFFICERS WHO WROTE RECENTLY THAT OUR POLICY WAS ONE OF "MAXIMUM INTERFERENCE, MINIMUM SUPPORT."
/NO, MR .........
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 9, 1993
NO, MR PRESIDENT, I DO NOT WANT AN EASY WAY OUT. IT IS TIME THAT WE PREPARED A CLEARER STATEMENT OF OUR INDUSTRIAL SUPPORT PROGRAMMES AND HOW THESE SHOULD BE DEVELOPED. THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY HAS ALREADY GIVEN AN INDICATION TN HIS BUDGET SPEECH THIS YEAR THAT ADDITIONAL MONEY WILL BE MADE AVAILABLE FOR THE INDUSTRY SUPPORT PROGRAMME. THIS IS ON TOP OF SUBSTANTIAL SUMS THAT HAVE ALREADY BEEN PROVIDED : $200M FOR THE APPLIED RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT FUND WHICH WENT INTO OPERATION IN MARCH THIS YEAR ACCIDENTALLY. $300M TO ADD TO THE EMPLOYEE RETRAINING FUND; AND ABOUT $60M A YEAR EXTRA IN RESEARCH FUNDING FOR TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS BY 1994/95. MR HENRY TANG REFERRED TO THE $200 MILLION WE HAVE ALLOCATED FOR APPLIED R&D AS PEANUTS. IT WOULD BE INTERESTING TO FIND OUT WHAT AMOUNT MR TANG WOULD NOT REGARD AS PEANUTS. SPEECHES IN THIS COUNCIL ON PREVIOUS OCCASIONS HAVE REFERRED TO THE OTHER LITTLE DRAGONS SPENDING BETWEEN ONE TO TWO PER CENT OF THEIR RESPECTIVE GDP ON RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT AND SUGGESTED THAT HONG KONG SHOULD FOLLOW SUIT. TRANSLATED INTO HONG KONG FIGURES, ONE PER CENT OF OUR GDP WILL AMOUNT TO HK$7.4 BILLION. AND TWO PER CENT WOULD BE EQUAL TO ALMOST HK$15 BILLION. THESE ARE ASTRONOMICAL SUMS, ESPECIALLY WHEN COMPARE WITH REVENUE FROM PROFITS TAX IN 1992 OF ONLY $32 BILLION. WHERE IS THE MONEY SUPPOSE TO COME FROM? AN INCREASE TN CORPORATE PROFITS TAX? I THINK NOT, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY WOULD SURELY OBJECT AS WILL AN OVERWHELMING MAJORITY OF OUR BUSINESSMEN AND INDUSTRIALISTS. GOING BACK TO THE ADDITIONAL FUNDING FOR INDUSTRIAL SUPPORT, I CAN SAY THAT THIS NEW FUNDING WOULD BE SUBSTANTIAL ALTHOUGH RIGHT NOW I AM NOT IN A POSITION TO REVIEW HOW MUCH IT WILL AMOUNT TO. I CAN ALSO SAY THAT IT WILL COME OUT OF GENERAL REVENUE, NOT OUT OF ANY LEVY ON TRADE AND INDUSTRY, CERTAINLY NOT OUT OF THE LEVY ON REEXPORTS MENTIONED BY MR- HENRY TANG JUST NOW. WE NEED TO HAVE A FRAMEWORK FOR EMPLOYING THIS NEW FUNDING TO BEST EFFECT. I INTEND TO WORK WITH ITDC TO DEVELOP THIS FRAMEWORK, AND I LOOK FORWARD TO SHARING IT WITH YOU.
BUT, ANY FRAMEWORK, ANY STATEMENT OF HOW OUR INDUSTRY SUPPORT PROGRAMME SHOULD DEVELOP MUST BE FIRMLY GROUNDED IN REALITY. IT MUST RE SET IN POSITIVE TERMS, BUT THESE MUST BE TERMS THAT DO NOT COMMIT TAXPAYERS’ MONEY TO THE PURSUIT OF WISHFUL IDEAS. NOR MUST WE BIND OURSELVES TO PROJECTS THAT APPEAR TO OFFER BENEFIT TODAY, BUT AT THE EXPENSE OF THE LONG-TERM HEALTH OF THE ECONOMY.
TN THIS RESPECT I AM SOMEWHAT TROUBLED BY SOME OF THE WORDING COMMON TO BOTH THE MOTION AND THE AMENDMENT. BOTH SPEAK OF A NEED TO "BROADEN" OUR INDUSTRIAL BASE, BUT IS BROADENING, WITH ITS IMPLICATION OF MAINTAINING THE OLD AS WELL AS DEVELOPING THE NEW, REALLY WHAT IS MEANT, OR REALLY WHAT IS POSSIBLE? WE HAVE TO RECOGNISE THAT MANUFACTURING WHICH DEPENDS ON LOW WAGE COSTS HAS LEFT HONG KONG AND WILL NOT RETURN. ONLY THOSE INDUSTRIES THAT CAN HARNESS CONTINUOUS QUALITY AND PRODUCTIVITY IMPROVEMENT; THAT CAN UNITE WITH THE CAPABILITIES THAT HONG KONG HAS TO OFFER FOR RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT OF INNOVATIVE PRODUCTS AND SERVICES, ONLY THESE INDUSTRIES WILL REMAIN VIABLE HERE.
BOTH VERSIONS OF THE MOTION EXPRESS THE BELIEF THAT BY UPDATING OUR POLICY, REVIEWING THE ROLE AND COMPOSITION OF THE ITDC, AND BY INCREASING ITS FUNDING, WE WILL "STRENGTHEN OUR INDUSTRIAL COMPETITIVENESS AND DEVELOPMENT." I BELIEVE THAT THESE ACTIONS WILL HELP, BUT WE ARE LEAVING OUT 90% OF THE PICTURE. HONG KONG’S INDUSTRIAL COMPETITIVENESS AND DEVELOPMENT IN FUTURE DEPENDS OVERWHELMINGLY ON THE ENERGY AND ENTERPRISE OF OUR ENTREPRENEURS, JUST AS IT ALWAYS HAS IN THE PAST.
/HONG KONG'S .......
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 9, 1993
5
HONG KONG’S COMPLETE EXPOSURE TO INTERNATIONAL MARKET FORCES MEANS THAT OUR INDUSTRIALISTS MUST REMAIN ACCUTELY ATTUNED TO THE DEMANDS OF THOSE MARKETS IF OUR PRODUCTS ARE TO SELL. WE - THE GOVERNMENT, THE ITDC, THE TRAINING ORGANISATIONS, RESEARCHERS - CAN PROVIDE LAND, INFRASTRUCTURE, TRAINED MANPOWER AND NEW IDEAS, BUT THIS SIMPLY PROVIDES PART OF THE FIELD ON WHICH INDIVIDUAL BUSINESSMEN AND INVESTORS MUST OPERATE. IF WE TRY TO BECOME PLAYERS OURSELVES, OR DIRECT HOW THE REAL PLAYERS SHOULD ACT, WE FORGET OUR OWN ROLE AND DISTORT THE GAME IN WAYS THAT CAN ONLY BE TO HONG KONG’S DISADVANTAGE. ANY INDUSTRY THAT RELIES ON GOVERNMENT SUPPORT IS AN UNHEALTHY ONE, ONE THAT IS MORE LIKELY TO BE A BURDEN TO THE COMMUNITY INSTEAD OF A CREATOR OF WEALTH AND SECURE EMPLOYMENT FOR THE COMMUNITY. ANY INDUSTRIALIST OR ENTREPRENEUR WHO NEEDS TO LOOK TO GOVERNMENT FOR DIRECTION IS OBVIOUSLY IN THE WRONG BUSINESS.
I RAISE THESE POINTS NOT TO CRITICISE THE MOTION BUT TO EMPHASISE THE NEED FOR US TO THINK CAREFULLY ABOUT THE TERMS WE USE, SO THAT WE CAN COME TO A SHARED UNDERSTANDING. THIS IS NEEDED IF WE ARE TO MOVE FORWARD TOGETHER.
I DO WANT TO LOOK FORWARD WITH YOU NOW.
HONG KONG’S INDUSTRY
HAS RESPONDED QUICKLY AND SUCCESSFULLY TO CHANGES AND OPPORTUNITIES IN
rilF LAST DECADE, JUST AS IT DID IN OUR INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT. I IMPROVEMENTS TN PRODUCTIVITY THAT THAT ARE CONTINUING IN AUTOMATION INCREASES IN PRODUCTIVITY IN YEARS
ALL THE EARLIER POST-WAR YEARS OF HAVE MENTIONED THE TREMENDOUS HAVE BEEN SEEN. THE INVESTMENTS HOLD OUT THE PROSPECT OF FURTHER TO COME. PERHAPS OF EVEN GREATER
SIGNIFICANCE FOR OUR FUTURE INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT HAS BEEN THE GROWTH
OF HONG KONG'S OWN CAPACITY
FOR RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT.
RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT IS AN AREA THAT OUR INDUSTRY HAS LONG NEGLECTED, LOOKING FOR QUICK RETURNS USING EXISTING IDEAS AND PRODUCTS. OUR UNIVERSITIES AND POLYTECHNICS ARE PROVIDING A LARGE POOL OF TRAINED, TALENTED PEOPLE WHO CAN PRODUCE IDEAS AND INNOVATIONS THAT CAN BENEFIT INDUSTRY. THIS POTENTIAL NEEDS TO BE PUT TO GOOD USE. ALREADY THE UNIVERSITIES AND POLYTECHNICS ARE FORMING THEIR OWN ENTERPRISE UNITS TO PATENT AND COMMERCIALISE INNOVATIONS. THE APPLIED RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT FUND AND THE INDUSTRY TECHNOLOGY CENTRE ARE RECENT INITIATIVES THAT THE GOVERNMENT HAS TAKEN TO ENCOURAGE THIS PROCESS. THE INITIAL STUDY ON A SCIENCE PARK HAS COME UP WITH A NUMBER OF HELPFUL IDEAS AS TO HOW HONG KONG’S INFRASTRUCTURE FOR THE PROMOTION AND ENCOURAGEMENT OF TECHNOLOGICAL RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT CAN BE IMPROVED. THESE WILL BE TAKEN FORWARD.
Till ITDC IS WELL FITTED TO HELP WITH THIS WORK. ITS TECHNOLOGY COMMITTEE \ND ITS TECHNOLOGY REVIEW BOARD HIGHLIGHT NEW POSSIBILITIES. GOVERNMENT POLIO'S MAKERS AND PLANNERS ARE PRESENT IN THESE MEETINGS. 1'IIE NEW FUNDING THAT WILL BE MADE AVAILABLE FOR INDUSTRY SUPPORT - AND I WISH TO EMPHASISE AGAIN THAT IT WILL BE NEW MONEY, MADE AVAILABLE FROM WITHIN THE BUDGET. THE NEW MONEY WILL HELP GOVERNMENT, ON THE ITDC’S ADVICE, TO RESPOND MORE EFFECTIVELY IN PROVIDING THE SUPPORT THAT INDUSTRY WILL NEED TO DEVELOP EFFECTIVELY INTO THE NEXT CENTURY.
/I LOOK .......
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 9, 1993
6
I LOOK FORWARD THEN, OVER THE COMING YEAR AND WITH YOUR SUPPORT, TO PUTTING NEW FUNDING ARRANGEMENTS INTO PLACE; TO COMPLETING WITH ITDC MEMBERS THE INITIAL REVIEW OF THEIR ROLE; TO BRINGING TOGETHER THE MANY STRANDS OF OUR INDUSTRY SUPPORT PROGRAMMES INTO A COMPREHENSIVE SUMMARY WITH A STATEMENT OF AIMS THAT CAN BE REGULARLY REVIEWED AND UPDATED BY THE ITDC; TO MOVING AHEAD WITH INITIATIVES TO ENHANCE AND ENCOURAGE TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENT IN HONG KONG. QUITE A FULL AGENDA. ONE THAT EMPHASISES THE IMPORTANCE THAT WE IN GOVERNMENT DO ATTACH TO INDUSTRY. ONE THAT I TRUST YOU WILL SUPPORT.
MR PRESIDENT I WOULD LIKE TO THANK THOSE HONOURABLE MEMBERS WHO HAVE SPOKEN IN THIS DEBATE. THEY HAVE MADE SOME VALID AND VALUABLE POINTS. TIME DOES NOT PERMIT ME TO RESPOND TO ALL OF THEM. BUT LET ME REASSURE THEM THAT THOSE POINTS WILL NOT BE FORGOTTEN. HAVING SAID THAT, HOWEVER, I THINK IT IS NECESSARY FOR ME TO RESPOND TO A FEW PARTICULAR POINTS. THE POINTS MADE BY THE HON ALBERT CHAN ARE FAIR POINTS. RESTRUCTURING OF INDUSTRY HAS HAD SOCIAL AND TOWN PLANNING CONSEQUENCES. IN THE LATEST REVIEW OF THE TERRITORIAL DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY, A SPECIAL STUDY ON INDUSTRIAL LAND DEVELOPMENT WAS CONDUCTED. THIS RECOGNISED THE MOVE OF BASIC MANUFACTURING TO CHINA. IMPLEMENTATION OF THE METROPLAN AND REDEVELOPMENT OF OLD INDUSTRIAL AREAS WOULD BE CARRIED OUT WITH SENSITIVITY TO MR CHAN’S POINTS. THE HON VINCENT CHENG’S SPEECH IS ONE WHICH I CAN WHOLEHEARTEDLY ENDORSE. IN SOME RESPECTS I CAN SAY THAT HE HAS TAKEN THE WORDS RIGHT OUT OF MY MOUTH, ALTHOUGH I WOULD STRONGLY DENY ANY RUMOUR THAT HIS SPEECH WAS WRITTEN BY ME. SOME OF THE POINTS IN THE HON LAU CHIN-SHEK’S SPEECH CONCERNED VOCATIONAL TRAINING OR RETRAINING. THEY FALL OUTSIDE MY DIRECT AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY, ALTHOUGH AS SECRETARY FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY I AM OF COURSE AN INTERESTED PARTY. I WOULD LIKE TO ASSURE MR LAU THAT SUCH POINTS WILL BE REFERRED TO MY COLLEAGUE, THE SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER. AS REGARDS MR LAU’S SUGGESTION THAT THE LABOUR REPRESENTATIVE BE INCORPORATED INTO THE ITDC, I CAN SAY THAT THIS IS A PROPOSAL THAT I AM PREPARED TO CONSIDER FURTHER IN DISCUSSION WITH THE ITDC WHOSE TERMS OF APPOINTMENT INCIDENTALLY WILL EXPIRE AT THE END OF THIS YEAR BEFORE WHICH TIME WE WOULD OF COURSE HAVE TO REVIEW ITS COMPOSITION.
IN CLOSING, MR PRESIDENT, I WISH TO REITERATE ONE POINT. IMPROVING OUR SUPPORT TO INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT DORS NOT IMPLY MOVEMENT AWAY FROM THE FREE MARKET PRINCIPLES THAT ARE THE BEDROCK OF HONG KONG’S SUCCESS. THE HON HENRY TANG, ON THE RADIO ON MONDAY, HAS LAMENTED THAT, WHEREAS SINGAPORE OFFERS INDUSTRIALISTS A WHOLE RAFT OF INCENTIVES TO INVEST, HONG KONG APPEARS ONLY TO OFFER LOW TAXES. THE HON MAN SAI-CHEONG ALSO MADE REFERENCE TO VARIOUS INCENTIVES FOR R&D PROVIDED BY SINGAPORE IN ITS TAX SYSTEM. I AM NOT PURSUADED THAT SINGAPORE IS A MODEL THAT HONG KONG SHOULD FOLLOW. TO SUGGEST THAT ALL WE OFFER IS LOW TAXES IS A TRAVESTY OF THE WIDE RANGE OF FLEXIBLE, INNOVATIVE POLICIES AND SERVICES THAT GOVERNMENT, PUBLIC BODIES AND INDUSTRIAL ORGANISATIONS HAVE BUILT UP OVER MANY YEARS TO SUPPORT INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT.
/BUT, FUNDAMENTALLY, .......
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 9, 1993
5
HONG KONG’S COMPLETE EXPOSURE TO INTERNATIONAL MARKET FORCES MEANS THAT OUR INDUSTRIALISTS MUST REMAIN ACCUTELY ATTUNED TO THE DEMANDS OF THOSE MARKETS IF OUR PRODUCTS ARE TO SELL. WE - THE GOVERNMENT, THE ITDC, THE TRAINING ORGANISATIONS, RESEARCHERS - CAN PROVIDE LAND, INFRASTRUCTURE, TRAINED MANPOWER AND NEW IDEAS, BUT THIS SIMPLY PROVIDES PART OF THE FIELD ON WHICH INDIVIDUAL BUSINESSMEN AND INVESTORS MUST OPERATE. IF WE TRY TO BECOME PLAYERS OURSELVES, OR DIRECT HOW THE REAL PLAYERS SHOULD ACT, WE FORGET OUR OWN ROLE AND DISTORT THE GAME IN WAYS THAT CAN ONLY BE TO HONG KONG’S DISADVANTAGE. ANY INDUSTRY THAT RELIES ON GOVERNMENT SUPPORT IS AN UNHEALTHY ONE, ONE THAT IS MORE LIKELY TO BE A BURDEN TO THE COMMUNITY INSTEAD OF A CREATOR OF WEALTH AND SECURE EMPLOYMENT FOR THE COMMUNITY. ANY INDUSTRIALIST OR ENTREPRENEUR WHO NEEDS TO LOOK TO GOVERNMENT FOR DIRECTION IS OBVIOUSLY IN THE WRONG BUSINESS.
I RAISE THESE POINTS NOT TO CRITICISE THE MOTION BUT TO EMPHASISE THE NEED FOR US TO THINK CAREFULLY ABOUT THE TERMS WE USE, SO THAT WE CAN COME TO A SHARED UNDERSTANDING. THIS IS NEEDED IF WE ARE TO MOVE FORWARD TOGETHER.
1 DO WANT TO LOOK FORWARD WITH YOU NOW. HONG KONG’S INDUSTRY HAS RESPONDED QUICKLY AND SUCCESSFULLY TO CHANGES AND OPPORTUNITIES IN IHE LAST DECADE, JUST AS IT DID IN ALL THE EARLIER POST-WAR YEARS OF OUR INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT. I HAVE MENTIONED THE TREMENDOUS IMPROVEMENTS IN PRODUCTIVITY THAT HAVE BEEN SEEN. THE INVESTMENTS THAI ARE CONTINUING IN AUTOMATION HOLD OUT THE PROSPECT OF FURTHER INCREASES IN PRODUCTIVITY IN YEARS TO COME. PERHAPS OF EVEN GREATER SIGNIFICANCE FOR OUR FUTURE INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT HAS BEEN THE GROWTH OF HONG KONG’S OWN CAPACITY FOR RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT.
RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT IS AN AREA THAT OUR INDUSTRY HAS LONG NEGLECTED, LOOKING FOR QUICK RETURNS USING EXISTING IDEAS AND PRODUCTS. OUR UNIVERSITIES AND POLYTECHNICS ARE PROVIDING A LARGE POOL OF TRAINED, TALENTED PEOPLE WHO CAN PRODUCE IDEAS AND INNOVATIONS THAT CAN BENEFIT INDUSTRY. THIS POTENTIAL NEEDS TO BE PUT TO GOOD USE. ALREADY THE UNIVERSITIES AND POLYTECHNICS ARE FORMING THEIR OWN ENTERPRISE UNITS TO PATENT AND COMMERCIALISE INNOVATIONS. THE APPLIED RESEARI II AND DEVELOPMENT FUND AND THE INDUSTRY TECHNOLOGY CENTRE ARE RECENT INITIATIVES THAT THE GOVERNMENT HAS TAKEN TO ENCOURAGE THIS PROCESS. THE INITIAL STUDY ON A SCIENCE PARK HAS COME UP WITH A NUMBER OF HELPFUL IDEAS AS TO HOW HONG KONG’S INFRASTRUCTURE FOR THE PROMOTION AND ENCOURAGEMENT OF TECHNOLOGICAL RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT CAN BE IMPROVED. THESE WILL BE TAKEN FORWARD.
THE ITDC IS WELL FITTED TO HELP WITH THIS WORK. ITS TECHNOLOGY COMMITTEE AND ITS TECHNOLOGY REVIEW BOARD HIGHLIGHT NEW POSSIBILITIES. GOVERNMENT POLICY MAKERS AND PLANNERS ARE PRESENT IN THESE MEETINGS. IHE NEW FUNDING THAT WILL BE MADE AVAILABLE FOR INDUSTRY SUPPORT - AND I WISH TO EMPHASISE AGAIN THAT IT WILL BE NEW MONEY, MADE AVAILABLE FROM WITHIN THE BUDGET. THE NEW MONEY WILI HELP GOVERNMENT, ON THE ITDC'S ADVICE, TO RESPOND MORE EFFECTIVELY IN PROVIDING THE SUPPORT THAT INDUSTRY WILL NEED TO DEVELOP EFFECTIVELY INTO THE NEXT CENTURY.
/I LOOK .......
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 9, 1993
6
I LOOK FORWARD THEN, OVER THE COMING YEAR AND WITH YOUR SUPPORT, TO PUTTING NEW FUNDING ARRANGEMENTS INTO PLACE; TO COMPLETING WITH ITDC MEMBERS THE INITIAL REVIEW OF THEIR ROLE; TO BRINGING TOGETHER THE MANY STRANDS OF OUR INDUSTRY SUPPORT PROGRAMMES INTO A COMPREHENSIVE SUMMARY WITH A STATEMENT OF AIMS THAT CAN BE REGULARLY REVIEWED AND UPDATED BY THE ITDC; TO MOVING AHEAD WITH INITIATIVES TO ENHANCE AND ENCOURAGE TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENT IN HONG KONG. QUITE A FULL AGENDA. ONE THAT EMPHASISES THE IMPORTANCE THAT WE IN GOVERNMENT DO ATTACH TO INDUSTRY. ONE THAT I TRUST YOU WILL SUPPORT.
MR PRESIDENT I WOULD LIKE TO THANK THOSE HONOURABLE MEMBERS WHO HAVE SPOKEN IN THIS DEBATE. THEY HAVE MADE SOME VALID AND VALUABLE POINTS. TIME DOES NOT PERMIT ME TO RESPOND TO ALL OF THEM. BUT LET ME REASSURE THEM THAT THOSE POINTS WILL NOT BE FORGOTTEN. HAVING SAID THAT, HOWEVER, I THINK IT IS NECESSARY FOR ME TO RESPOND TO A FEW PARTICULAR POINTS. THE POINTS MADE BY THE HON ALBERT CHAN ARE FAIR POINTS. RESTRUCTURING OF INDUSTRY HAS HAD SOCIAL AND TOWN PLANNING CONSEQUENCES. IN THE LATEST REVIEW OF THE TERRITORIAL DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY, A SPECIAL STUDY ON INDUSTRIAL LAND DEVELOPMENT WAS CONDUCTED. THIS RECOGNISED THE MOVE OF BASIC MANUFACTURING TO CHINA., IMPLEMENTATION OF THE METROPLAN AND REDEVELOPMENT OF OLD INDUSTRIAL AREAS WOULD BE CARRIED OUT WITH SENSITIVITY TO MR CHAN’S POINTS. THE HON VINCENT CHENG’S SPEECH IS ONE WHICH I CAN WHOLEHEARTEDLY ENDORSE. IN SOME RESPECTS I CAN SAY THAT HE HAS TAKEN THE WORDS RIGHT OUT OF MY MOUTH, ALTHOUGH I WOULD STRONGLY DENY ANY RUMOUR THAT HIS SPEECH WAS WRITTEN BY ME. SOME OF THE POINTS IN THE HON LAU CHIN-SHEK’S SPEECH CONCERNED VOCATIONAL TRAINING OR RETRAINING. THEY FALL OUTSIDE MY DIRECT AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY, ALTHOUGH AS SECRETARY FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY I AM OF COURSE AN INTERESTED PARTY. I WOULD LIKE TO ASSURE MR LAU THAT SUCH POINTS WILL BE REFERRED TO MY COLLEAGUE, THE SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER. AS REGARDS MR LAU’S SUGGESTION THAT THE LABOUR REPRESENTATIVE BE INCORPORATED INTO THE ITDC, I CAN SAY THAT THIS IS A PROPOSAL THAT I AM PREPARED TO CONSIDER FURTHER IN DISCUSSION WITH THE ITDC WHOSE TERMS OF APPOINTMENT INCIDENTALLY WILL EXPIRE AT THE END OF THIS YEAR BEFORE WHICH TIME WE WOULD OF COURSE HAVE TO REVIEW ITS COMPOSITION.
IN CLOSING, MR PRESIDENT, I WISH TO REITERATE ONE POINT. IMPROVING OUR SUPPORT TO INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT DOBS NOT IMPLY MOVEMENT AWAY FROM THE FREE MARKET PRINCIPLES THAT ARE THE BEDROCK OF HONG KONG’S SUCCESS. THE HON HENRY TANG, ON THE RADIO ON MONDAY, HAS LAMENTED THAT, WHEREAS SINGAPORE OFFERS INDUSTRIALISTS A WHOLE RAFT OF INCENTIVES TO INVEST, HONG KONG APPEARS ONLY TO OFFER LOW TAXES. THE HON MAN SAI-CHEONG ALSO MADE REFERENCE TO VARIOUS INCENTIVES FOR R&D PROVIDED BY SINGAPORE IN ITS TAX SYSTEM. I AM NOT PURSUADED THAT SINGAPORE IS A MODEL THAT HONG KONG SHOULD FOLLOW. TO SUGGEST THAT ALL WE OFFER IS LOW TAXES IS A TRAVESTY OF THE WIDE RANGE OF FLEXIBLE, INNOVATIVE POLICIES AND SERVICES THAT GOVERNMENT, PUBLIC BODIES AND INDUSTRIAL ORGANISATIONS HAVE BUILT UP OVER MANY YEARS TO SUPPORT INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT.
/BUT, FUNDAMENTALLY, .......
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 9, 1993
BUT, FUNDAMENTALLY, I CANNOT ACCEPT THE IMPLICATION THAT LOW TAXES ARE UNIMPORTANT. LOW TAXES, EFFICIENT ADMINISTRATION AND IMPARTIAL JUSTICE ARE THE FOUNDATIONS OF THE FREE, ENTREPRENEURIAL SOCIETY THAT WE HAVE IN HONG KONG. THE INCENTIVE TO CREATE WEALTH THAT LOW TAXES PROVIDE IS THE SPUR TO INDUSTRY - INDUSTRY IN ITS FULLEST SENSE, AND NOT JUST MANUFACTURING INDUSTRY. THIS INDUSTRY GIVES EMPLOYMENT TO OUR PEOPLE. LOW TAXES MAKE IT EASIER FOR INDIVIDUALS TO ADVANCE THEMSELVES. THE ATTRACTIONS OF LOW TAXES; OF A FREE MARKET ECONOMY AND OF MINIMUM GOVERNMENT INTERVENTION IN BUSINESS MATTERS WILL REMAIN THE CHIEF ATTRACTIONS OF HONG KONG FOR INDUSTRY. THEY WILL REMAIN THE CHIEF PILLARS OF OUR POLICY.
THANK YOU.
0 --------
MOTION DEBATE ON LAND SUPPLY FOR HOUSING
*****
FOLLOWING IS THE SPEECH BY SECRETARY FOR PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS, MR TONY EASON,' IN THE MOTION DEBATE ON LAND SUPPLY FOR PRIVATE AND PUBLIC HOUSING IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TONIGHT (WEDNESDAY):
MR PRESIDENT,
THROUGHOUT HONG KONG’S HISTORY LAND PRODUCTION HAS BEEN A VITAL FEATURE FOR BOTH ECONOMIC REASONS AND TO MEET SOCIAL NEEDS. WE MUST ALL HAVE BEEN FASCINATED AT ONE TIME OR ANOTHER TO TRACE THE LINES OF SUCCESSIVE RECLAMATIONS ALONG THE NORTH SHORE OF HONG KONG ISLAND AND AROUND THE KOWLOON PENINSULA ON OLD MAPS OF THE TERRITORY. VAST AREAS WERE ADDED BEFORE THE WAR, BUT SINCE 1945 A FURTHER 2,500 HECTARES HAVE BEEN RECLAIMED; NEARLY 1,000 OF THESE IN THE PAST FIVE YEARS. ANOTHER 1,540 HECTARES OF RECLAMATION ARE PLANNED OVER THE NEXT 10 YEARS; AS WELL AS THE 1,200 HECTARES BEING PRODUCED FOR THE NEW AIRPORT. OUR NEW TOWNS (INCLUDING BOTH NEW RECLAMATION AND RE-FORMED EXISTING LAND) COVER 8,800 HECTARES AND WILL EXTEND OVER ANOTHER 3,200 HECTARES BY FULL COMPLETION. CONSIDERABLE LAND PRODUCTION AND FORMATION HAS BEEN GOING ON, IS GOING ON, AND MORE IS COMING.
ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT REASONS FOR ALL THIS ACTIVITY IS THE LONG RECOGNISED NEED TO MEET THE HOUSING REQUIREMENTS OF THE COMMUNITY BY EITHER PROVIDING THE REQUIRED HOUSING DIRECTLY, PARTICULARLY FOR THOSE IN THE LOWER. AND MIDDLE INCOME GROUPS, OR MAKING SUFFICIENT LAND AVAILABLE FOR THE PRODUCTION OF HOUSING BY THE PRIVATE SECTOR.
/PLANNING FRAMEWORK
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 9, 1993
8
PLANNING FRAMEWORK
THE LONG TERM HOUSING STRATEGY PROVIDES THE FRAMEWORK FOR THE PROVISION OF HOUSING UP TO THE YEAR 2000-01. THE STRATEGY IS DEMAND-LED; THAT IS, SUPPLY IS ADJUSTED TO MEET DEMAND. CONTRARY TO DETERMINED MISUNDERSTANDING OR MISREPRESENTATION OR BOTH, THE CURRENT APPROACH DOES NOT PRESUPPOSE A FIXED SUPPLY PATTERN AND INCLUDES A REVIEW MECHANISM TO ENSURE THAT CHANGES IN DEMAND ARE ASSESSED, SHORTFALLS TN SUPPLY IDENTIFIED AT THE EARLIEST POSSIBLE MOMENT AND PLANS TO INCREASE PRODUCTION ARE PUT IN PLACE.
THE ANNUAL REVIEWS OF THE HOUSING SCENE HAVE TO BE SENSITIVE TO CHANGES IN MANY FACTORS, INCLUDING AFFORDABILITY, REHOUSING PREFERENCES, REDEVELOPMENT ACTIVITY, CLEARANCE PROGRAMMES AND WAITING LIST REQUIREMENTS. THEY ALSO TAKE INTO ACCOUNT THE LATEST CENSUS STATISTICS, POPULATION PROJECTIONS, SURVEY RESULTS, ECONOMIC INDICATORS AND OPERATIONAL EXPERIENCE. CHANGES IN ANY OF THESE FACTORS CAN RESULT IN A CHANGE IN PROJECTED DEMAND, EXPRESSED IN TERMS OF THE NUMBER OF PUBLIC SECTOR FLATS. THE CONSEQUENTIAL CHANGES TO LAND REQUIREMENTS ARE ALSO IDENTIFIED TO MEET NEW PUBLIC HOUSING PRODUCTION TARGETS. THE LAND IMPLICATIONS ARE FED INTO THE STRATEGIC PLANNING AND LAND RESERVATION PROCESSES.
OVERALL LAND REQUIREMENTS FOR THE PRIVATE SECTOR ALSO TAKE ACCOUNT OF THE NEEDS IDENTIFIED UNDER THE LONG TERM HOUSING STRATEGY. THESE ARE MONITORED BY THE LAND AND BUILDING ADVISORY COMMITTEE, WHICH PROVIDES A FORUM FOR DISCUSSION BETWEEN GOVERNMENT AND THE PRIVATE SECTOR. THE COMMITTEE ASSESSES THE LAND REQUIREMENTS AND THE SUPPLY SITUATION ANNUALLY FOR THE COMING TEN YEARS FOR ALL DIFFERENT USES. ACTION IS TAKEN TO MEET SHORTFALLS BY SCHEDULING NEW PRODUCTION OR REZONING LAND FROM CATEGORIES IN SURPLUS.
A MECHANISM FOR IDENTIFYING, MONITORING AND REVIEWING CHANGING HOUSING NEEDS AND OTHER LAND REQUIREMENTS ALREADY EXISTS, THEREFORE, WHICH HAS WORKED WELL. SINCE 1985-86, OVER 600,000 NEW FLATS HAVE BEEN PRODUCED, OR AN ANNUAL AVERAGE OF OVER 76,000 FLATS. PUBLIC HOUSING ACCOUNTED FOR OVER 350,000 FLATS, OR APPROACHING 44,000 FLATS A YEAR ON AVERAGE, CONTRIBUTING TO OVER HALF OF TOTAL FLAT PRODUCTION.
THE CURRENT TARGET UNDER THE LONG TERM HOUSING STRATEGY IS TO PRODUCE 45,000 PUBLIC HOUSING FLATS A YEAR. THIS WILL BE COMPLEMENTED BY THE 35,000 OR SO PRIVATE SECTOR FLATS TO BE BUILT EAClt YEAR. BUT, AS I HAVE ALREADY EXPLAINED, THESE TARGETS WILL BE REVIEWED REGULARLY TO TAKE ACCOUNT OF CHANGING CIRCUMSTANCES.
CHANGING (CIRCUMSTANCES
I CANNOT EMPHASISE TOO STRONGLY THAT WE ARE FACED WITH A DYNAMIC, NOT A STATIC SITUATION. THE TARGET IS A CONSTANTLY MOVING ONE. FOR INSTANCE, OVER THE YEARS, THE PUBLIC HOUSING NET HAS BEEN CAST GRADUALLY WIDER EACH YEAR AS THE HOUS I NG AUTHORITY HAS REVISED INCOME LIMITS AND OTHER ELIGIBILITY RULES. WHEN THIS HAPPENS, MORE LAND IS REQUIRED AND SOME LEAD TIME IS NECESSARY TO IDENTIFY ADDITIONAL SITES. "SHORTFALLS” MAY EMERGE, BUT THESE ARE GENERALLY ONLY VERY SHORTLIVED.
/WE ALSO .......
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 9, 1993
9
WE ALSO NEED TO BE MINDFUL OF THE ABERRATIONS IN THE MARKET WHICH CAUSE DIFFICULTY FROM TIME TO TIME FOR THOSE WHO FALL OUTSIDE THE PUBLIC HOUSING NET. THE PROPOSED SANDWICH CLASS HOUSING SCHEME IS AN EXAMPLE OF AN INITIATIVE TO EXTEND THE PUBLIC HOUSING PROGRAMME AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE BY THE PROVISION OF ADDITIONAL RESOURCES. THE IMPLEMENTATION ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE SCHEME WERE APPROVED BY THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL YESTERDAY, MEMBERS OF THE HOUSING AND LANDS AND WORKS PANELS HAVING ALREADY BEEN CONSULTED ON MANY OF THE DETAILS.
THE MAIN SCHEME, T.E. THE LONG-TERM SCHEME, WILL SEE THE HOUSING SOCIETY BUILDING ADDITIONAL FLATS FOR SALE TO THE SANDWICH CLASS AT AFFORDABLE PRICES. IN THE 1993-94 LAND DISPOSAL PROGRAMME, SIX SITES HAVE BEEN EARMARKED FOR THE PRODUCTION OF 5,000 UNITS. THIS ADDITIONAL SUPPLY WILL BE TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT IN ANY PROJECTION OF FUTURE PROVISION OF FLATS.
SOME HAVE RIGHTLY POINTED OUT THAT THE INTERIM SANDWICH CLASS HOUSING SCHEME WILL NOT INCREASE SUPPLY. THE LOW-INTEREST LOAN IS OFFERED MAINLY IN RECOGNITION OF THE FACT THAT ADDITIONAL FLATS CANNOT BE BUILT OVERNIGHT BUT THAT THERE IS A NEED TO PROVIDE MORE IMMEDIATE RELIEF TO CLOSE THE AFFORDABILITY GAP FACED BY THE SANDWICH CLASS. BECAUSE OF THE POSSIBLE EFFECTS ON PROPERTY PRICES, WE PROPOSE TO MAKE A MODEST START AND TO REVIEW THE SITUATION AFTER THE FIRST PHASE. (LEADER WRITERS PLEASE NOTE).
LAND SUPPLY
IT IS DIFFICULT THEREFORE TO ACCEPT THE VIEW THAT INSUFFICIENT LAND IS MADE AVAILABLE FOR HOUSING PRODUCTION. TO HELP PUT THE MATTER IN PERSPECTIVE, SOME MORE STATISTICS MAY BE USEFUL. IN THE 5 YEARS FROM 1987-88 TO 1991-92, ABOUT 165 HECTARES, OR AN AVERAGE OF ABOUT 33 HECTARES A YEAR, WERE GRANTED FOR RESIDENTIAL PURPOSES, PRIVATE AND PUBLIC. AN ADDITIONAL 274 HECTARES OF LAND WERE VESTED IN THE HOUSING AUTHORITY FOR THE PROVISION OF PUBLIC RENTAL HOUSING DURING THE SAME PERIOD, OR AN AVERAGE OF NEARLY 55 HECTARES PER YEAR. THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF NEW LAND PROVIDED EACH YEAR WAS ON AVERAGE 88 HECTARES FOR HOUSING, BOTH PRIVATE AND PUBLIC , DURING THE PERIOD.
LOOKING AHEAD, THERE ARE NO INDICATIONS OF ANY SHORTFALL WHICH CANNOT BE MET EITHER. I REFERRED EARLIER To OUR ANNUAL ASSESSMENT OF LAND REQUIREMENTS AND LAND SUPPLY O\ER A ID-YEAR PERIOD. THIS GIVES US AN EXCELLENT BASIS ON WHICH TO PLAN A STEADY LAND SUPPLY. THE FORECASTS LAY OUT CLEAR INFORMATION ON FUTURE LAND PRODUCTION AND LAND RESERVATIONS AND ENABLE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMMES TO BE ADJUSTED AND LANI) TO BE REZONED TO MEET IDENTIFIED SHORTFALLS IN SUPPLY. ACCORDING TO THE LATEST FORECASTS, MORE THAN 235 HECTARES OF LAND WILL BE MADE AVAILABLE FOR RESIDENTIAL PURPOSES IN THE NEXT FIVE YEARS, WITH OVER 100 HECTARES FOR PUBLIC HOUSING.
/ANOTHER SIGNIFICANT .......
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 9, 1993
10 -
ANOTHER SIGNIFICANT SOURCE OF LAND FOR RESIDENTIAL PURPOSES COMES FROM REDEVELOPMENT. IN THE THREE-YEAR PERIOD 1989-90 TO 1991-92, LAND EXCHANGES AND LEASE MODIFICATIONS, WHICH ARE LARGELY IN EFFECT REDEVELOPMENT CASES, PRODUCED 95 HECTARES OF LAND. THESE FIGURES SHOW THAT REDEVELOPMENT IS A MAJOR SOURCE OF DEVELOPABLE LAND, ACCOUNTING FOR ABOUT 42% OF THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF LAND AVAILABLE FOR RESIDENTIAL PURPOSES. IN THE SAME PERIOD, APPROXIMATELY 50,000 FLATS WERE PRODUCED THROUGH REDEVELOPMENT. SINCE JUST OVER 8,000 FLATS WERE DEMOLISHED, THIS RATE OF EXCHANGE OF NEW FOR OLD IS EXTREMELY FAVOURABLE. PROVIDED REDEVELOPMENT CAN CONTINUE APACE, THIS PATTERN SHOULD BE MAINTAINED.
PROCESSING OF DEVELOPMENT PROPOSALS
ANOTHER FACTOR WHICH AFFECTS THE RATE AT WHICH RESIDENTIAL UNITS CAN COME TO THE MARKET ARE THE LAND ADMINISTRATION, BUILDING CONTROL AND PLANNING PROCESSES. WE ARE KEEN TO ENSURE THAT THE PROCESSING OF DEVELOPMENT AND REDEVELOPMENT PROPOSALS IS STREAMLINED AS FAR AS POSSIBLE AND WE MONITOR THE SITUATION CLOSELY IN CONSULTATION WITH THE LAND AND BUILDING ADVISORY COMMITTEE. AN AD HOC GROUP SET UP BY THE COMMITTEE IS CURRENTLY EXAMINING EXISTING SYSTEMS KITH A VIEW TO IMPROVING THE PROCEDURES WHERE POSSIBLE.
I SHOULD LIKE TO TAKE UP A FEW POINTS RAISED BY MEMBERS IN THE COURSE OF THE DEBATE. FIRST OF ALL I SHOULD LIKE TO REPEAT SOMETHING WHICH I HAVE SAID VERY RECENTLY IN THIS COUNCIL. AND THIS IS THAT DEVELOPERS ARE NOT PERMITTED TO HOARD NEW LAND. THEY ARE REQUIRED UNDER BUILDING COVENANTS TO COMPLETE DEVELOPMENT TO CERTAIN VALUE AND CERTAIN GROSS FLOOR AREA WITHIN FIXED PERIODS. SECONDLY I THINK WE MUST BEAR IN MIND THAT THE MASS PRODUCTION OF HOUSING WHICH IS WHAT IS ESSENTIAL TO THE TASK OF MEETING DEMANDS WHICH ARE PLACED UPON US REQUIRE MAJOR RESOURCES, AND THAT ALSO THAT MASS PRODUCTION REDUCES COSTS TO THE CONSUMER. IF WE ARE TO RELY ON PRODUCTION OF HOUSING BY SMALLER DEVELOPERS ON SMALLER SITES, WE CANNOT EXPECT THE COSTS AND THEREFORE THE PRICES OF SUCH A PRODUCT TO BE LOWER THAN THE MASS PRODUCED PRODUCTS. I SHOULD ALSO LIKE TO CONFIRM THAT CONTRARY TO POPULAR BELIEF, ALTHOUGH THERE ARE A NUMBER OF MAJOR PLAYERS WHO ARE WELL KNOWN IN THE PROPERTV DEVELOPMENT SECTOR IN HONG KONG, THERE ARE IN FACT NEW PLAYERS COMING ONTO THE SCENE. 1 SHOULD ALSO LIKE TO CORRECT THAT THE IDEA THAT AS REGARDS GOVERNMENT’S POLICY ON LAND PRICES, GOVERNMENT’S POLICY TO SELL LAND ON THE MARKET, IT IS THE MARKET WHICH DECIDES THE PREMIUM FOR LAND AND NOT THE GOVERNMENT. THE LONG TERM HOUSING STRATEGY IS JUST THAT, WITH THIS SORT OF' PROGRAMME, WE NEED TO ASSESS DEMAND, PLAN SUPPLY, INCLUDING THE INFRASTRUCTURAL SUPPORT REQUIRED, AND REVIEW REGULARLY, KEEPING OUR TARGETS FIRMLY IN MIND. WE CANNOT PRETEND, HOWEVER, THAT THE LONG TERM HOUSING STRATEGY CAN BE CONVERTED INTO A SUDDEN MIRACLE, HOWEVER DESIRABLE THIS MAY APPEAR AS A POLITICAL AIM. I HAVE NO DOUBT THAT WE WOULD HAVE A CHANCE TO DISCUSS SOME OF THE OTHER POINTS OF MISUNDERSTANDING AND ENQUIRY ABOUT LAND PLANNING AND PRODUCTION AND HOUSING PROGRAMMES AND POLICIES WITH MEMBERS IN THE HOUSING AND LANDS AND WORKS PANELS OVER THE COMING MONTHS. IT SEEMS FROM THIS EVENING’S DEBATE TO BE PLENTY OF SCOPE FOR THIS.
/LAND PRODUCTION .......
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 9, 1993
11
LAND PRODUCTION IS NOT A SIMPLE MATTER. IT INVOLVES A GREAT DEAL OF DETAILED PLANNING AND THE CO-ORDINATION OF RELATED INFRASTRUCTURAL DEVELOPMENT THROUGH THE PUBLIC WORKS PROGRAMME. THE LEAD TIMES ARE UNAVOIDABLY LONG. AS WELL AS HOUSING, OTHER COMPLEMENTARY FACILITIES HAVE TO BE PLANNED TO PRODUCE THE RIGHT MIX AND BALANCE AT THE RIGHT TIME. ACCORDING TO PAST STATISTICS, MORE THAN 20% OF THE TOTAL LAND REQUIREMENT EACH YEAR GOES TO MEET THE PURPOSES FOR EDUCATION, WELFARE, RECREATION, PUBLIC UTILITIES AND OTHER INFRASTRUCTURAL USES. LAND FOR INDUSTRIAL AND COMMERCIAL USES ARE ALSO CRUCIAL TO THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND THE EMPLOYMENT NEEDS OF HONG KONG, ACCOUNTING FOR ROUGHLY 10% OF THE TOTAL LAND GRANTED EACH YEAR. WHILE WE MAY NOT BE ABLE TO CLAIM PERFECTION, WE DO HAVE A SYSTEM WHICH BY AND LARGE WORKS WELL, IS FLEXIBLE AND DELIVERS THE GOODS.
MR PRESIDENT, URGING THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT TO PRODUCE LAND IS LIKE URGING THE TIDE TO EBB AND FLOW. URGING IT TO PRODUCE LAND FOR AND ENSURE THE PRODUCTION OF AMPLE SUPPLIES OF HOUSING IS LIKE URGING THE SUN TO RISE AND SET. AS WITH THE MOTION ON THE MANAGEMENT OF HOUSING ESTATES LAST WEEK, SINCE URGING THAT WHAT IS ALREADY REQUIRED AND IS ALREADY BEING DONE IN AMPLE MEASURE SHOULD BE DONE IS UNNECESSARY, THE OFFICIAL MEMBERS WILL NOT SUPPORT THE MOTION.
THANK YOU.
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MORE MONEY INJECTED TO LOTTERIES FUND * * * *
THE MARK
THE LOTTERIES
SIX LOTTERY PROCEEDS WILL BE REALLOCATED
FUND ADDITIONAL INCOME FOR
REHABILITATION SERVICES, THE SECRETARY FOR TSANG, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
SOCIAL WELFARE
TO PROVIDE
THE TREASURY, MR
AND DONALD
MOVING A MOTION UNDER THE BETTING LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, MR TSANG SAID THE ROYAL PROPOSED TO REDUCE ITS SHARE OF THE LOTTERY PROCEEDS FROM 7.5 PER CFNT TO SIX PER CENT IN FAVOUR OF THE LOTTERIES FUND.
DUTY ORDINANCE
IN THE
HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB HAD
"THE GOVERNMENT HAS EXAMINED THE CLUB’S PROPOSAL IN OF THE INCREASE IN LOTTERY TURNOVER AND THE INCREASE IN ITS COSTS SINCE 1987, WHEN THE CURRENT RATE OF 7.5 PER CFNT WAS TSANG SAID.
THE LIGHT
OPERATING
FIXED,” MR
BETWEEN 1987 AND 1992, LOTTERY PROCEEDS AND THE INCREASED BY 129 PER CENT AND 84 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY.
CLUB’S
COSTS
..... ™.IS BASIS» THE PROPOSED SIX PER CENT SHARE OF THE PROCEEDS
WILL BE BROADLY COMMENSURATE WITH THE CLUB’S CURRENT OPERATING COSTS."
ON APRIL 6, THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL DECIDED THAT THE CLUB’S SHARE OF THE PROCEEDS SHOULD BE REDUCED BY 1.5 PER CENT FROM 7.5 PER CENT TO SIX PER CENT AND THAT 1.5 PER CENT SHOULD BE CREDITED TO THE LOTTERIES FUND’S SHARE, THAT IS RAISING IT FROM 3.5 PER CENT TO FIVE
/AT PRESENT, ........
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 9, 1993
12
AT PRESENT, 59 PER CENT OF THE MARK SIX LOTTERY PROCEEDS GO TO PRIZES, 30 PER CENT TO .GENERAL REVENUE, 3.5 PER CENT TO THE LOTTERIES FUND, AND 7.5 PER CENT TO THE JOCKEY CLUB TO COVER ITS COSTS IN OPERATING THE LOTTERY.
INCREASED ALLOCATION WILL PROVIDE THE LOTTERIES FUND WITH ADDITIONAL INCOME OF ABOUT $55 MILLION A YEAR AT TODAY’S PRICES.
"IT REPRESENTS A FURTHER BOOST FOR THE FUNDING OF SOCIAL WELFARE AND REHABILITATION SERVICES ON TOP OF LAST YEAR’S CAPITAL INJECTION BY THE GOVERNMENT OF $2.3 BILLION.
"TAKING INTO ACCOUNT ALL FORESEEABLE COMMITMENTS, THE LOTTERIES FUND IS EXPECTED TO HAVE A HEALTHY BALANCE OF ABOUT $685 MILLION IN MONEY OF THE DAY BY 1996-97," MR TSANG SAID.
HE NOTED THAT AS IT WAS IMPOSSIBLE TO BACKDATE THE REALLOCATION TO SEPTEMBER 13 LAST YEAR BY A RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL, THE CLUB WOULD PAY THE RELEVANT AMOUNT TO THE LOTTERIES FUND IN THE FORM OF A DONATION.
THE MARK SIX IS THE ONLY LOTTERY LICENSED UNDER THE BETTING DUTY ORDINANCE.
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COMPUTER CHIPS TO COME UNDER PROTECTION * * * * *
A RILL THAT SEEKS TO PROTECT THE OWNERS OF LAYOUT-DESIGNS OF INTEGRATED CIRCUITS AGAINST INFRINGEMENT OF THEIR RIGHTS WAS INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE LAYOUT-DESIGN (TOPOGRAPHY) OF INTEGRATED CIRCUITS BILL, THE SECRETARY FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY, MR T H CHAU, SAID THE AIM WAS TO ENCOURAGE TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER AND INVESTMENT IN THE INTEGRATED CIRCUIT INDUSTRY.
HE SAID INTEGRATED CIRCUIT DEVELOPERS WOULD ONLY INVEST SUBSTANTIALLY IN, OR TRANSFER TECHNOLOGY TO, THOSE JURISDICTIONS WHERE ADEQUATE PROTECTION WAS PROVIDED.
THE BILL ALSO SEEKS TO REFLECT THE INTERNATIONAL CONSENSUS ON I’HE NEED TO PROTECT LAYOUT-DESIGNS AS LAID DOWN IN THE WASHINGTON TREATY 1989 AND THE DRAFT AGREEMENT ON TRADE-RELATED ASPECTS OF INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS BEING NEGOTIATED UNDER THE URUGUAY ROUND OF GATT.
"IT WILL SERVE TO DEMONSTRATE TO THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY OUR COMMITMENT TO THE PROTECTION OF LAYOUT-DESIGNS,” MR CHAU SAID.
UNDER THE BILL, A LAYOUT-DESIGN WILL BE PROTECTED AUTOMATICALLY UPON ITS CREATION AND UPON FIRST COMMERCIAL EXPLOITATION.
/THE TERM ........
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 9, 1993
13
THE TERM OF PROTECTION WILL BE 10 YEARS AFTER A LAYOUT-DESIGN WAS FIRST COMMERCIALLY EXPLOITED AND 15 YEARS AFTER IT WAS CREATED IF THERE IS NO COMMERCIAL EXPLOITATION.
TO QUALIFY FOR PROTECTION, AN OWNER MUST HAVE A RIGHT OF ABODE, OR A REAL AND EFFECTIVE INDUSTRIAL OR COMMERCIAL ESTABLISHMENT FOR THE CREATION OF LAYOUT-DESIGNS OR THE PRODUCTION OF INTEGRATED CIRCUITS IN HONG KONG OR IN A QUALIFYING COUNTRY, TERRITORY OR AREA.
ALTERNATIVELY, AN OWNER CAN BECOME QUALIFIED IF HIS LAYOUT-IISIGN IS FIRST COMMERCIALLY EXPLOITED IN HONG KONG OR IN A QUALIFYING COUNTRY, TERRITORY OR AREA.
THE RIGHT TO REPRODUCE AND TO EXPLOIT COMMERCIALLY A LAYOUT-I’ESIGN BELONGS TO THE QUALIFIED OWNER. UNDER THE BILL, CIVIL REMEDIES ARE AVAILABLE FOR THE INFRINGEMENT OF SUCH RIGHTS.
THE BILL ALSO PERMITS CERTAIN NON-INFRINGING ACTS WHICH INCLUDE THE REPRODUCTION OF LAYOUT-DESIGNS FOR PRIVATE USE AND FOR EVALUATION, ANALYSIS, RESEARCH OR TEACHING.
"THESE EXEMPTIONS ARE IN LINE WITH AN INTERNATIONAL CONSENSUS AND WOULD HELP ENCOURAGE RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT IN INTEGRATED CIRCUITS TECHNOLOGY," MR CHAU SAID.
THE BILL EMPOWERS THE GOVERNOR TO DESIGNATE A COUNTRY, TERRITORY OR AREA AS A QUALIFYING COUNTRY, TERRITORY OR AREA, IF HE CONSIDERS THAT THEIR LAWS WILL PROVIDE OR HAVE ALREADY ACCORDED ADEQUATE PROTECTION TO HONG KONG LAYOUT-DESIGN OWNERS.
"THIS WILL FACILITATE HONG KONG TO ENTER INTO RECIPROCAL ARRANGEMENTS WITH OTHER COUNTRIES, TERRITORIES OR AREAS," HE SAID.
THE BILL ALSO ALLOWS GOVERNMENT USE OF A LAYOUT-DESIGN WITHOUT THE CONSENT OF ITS OWNER IN THE EVENT OF EXTREME URGENCY DECLARED BY THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL.
"THIS IS NECESSARY FOR THE GOVERNMENT TO MAINTAIN THE SUPPLIES AND SERVICES ESSENTIAL TO THE LIFE OF THE COMMUNITY IN AN EXTREME URGENCY," HE SAID.
THE OWNER’S INTEREST WILL BE PROTECTED BECAUSE THE USE WILL BE SUBJECT TO PAYMENT OF COMPENSATION, HE ADDED.
DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.
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/14.........
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 9, 1993
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LIMITATION ON PUBLIC LIGHT BUSES NUMBER *****
A MOTION UNDER THE ROAD TRAFFIC ORDINANCE ON THE LIMITATION OF THE NUMBER OF PUBLIC LIGHT BUSES WAS PASSED BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MOVING THE MOTION, THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT, MR K Y YEUNG SAID THE MOTION PROPOSED THAT THE PERIOD LIMITING THE NUMBER OF PUBLIC LIGHT BUSES REGISTERED BE EXTENDED FOR TWO YEARS UP TO JUNE 20, 1995.
MR YEUNG SAID THE EFFECT OF THIS EXTENSION WAS THAT THE TOTAL NUMBER OF VEHICLES WHICH MIGHT BE REGISTERED AND LICENSED AS PUBLIC LIGHT BUSES WOULD REMAIN AT 4,350 AS DECIDED BY THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL ON JUNE 10, 1986.
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PASSPORT INCIDENT ARISEN FROM MANUAL MISREADING *****
THE INCIDENT OF A HONG KONG FAMILY BEING REFUSED TO BOARD A FLIGHT IN GERMANY BOUND FOR VANCOUVER MAY HAVE ARISEN FROM A MISREADING OF THE LATEST EDITION OF THE TRAVEL INFORMATION MANUAL (TIM).
THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, MR ALISTAIR ASPREY, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY) THAT THE GOVERNMENT HAD ASKED THE MANUAL EDITORS TO CLARIFY THE INFORMATION IN THE MANUAL, AND TO MAKE IT CLEAR THAT BN(O) PASSPORT HOLDERS ENJOY VISA-FREE ACCESS TO CANADA.
THE TIM IS PRODUCED FOR AIRPORT STAFF BY A NUMBER OF AIRLINE COMPANIES WHICH SETS OUT WORLDWIDE CUSTOMS AND VISA REQUIREMENTS.
’’THE CANADIAN AUTHORITIES HAVE ALSO TAKEN ACTION TO CLARIFY THE SITUATION," MR ASPREY SAID WHEN REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY THE HON MRS SELINA CHOW.
THE INCIDENT OCCURRED ON MAY 10 AT FRANKFURT AIRPORT AND INVOLVED A FAMILY OF THREE: THE FATHER, THE MOTHER, AND THEIR TWO-YEAR-OLD SON, EACH HOLDING A DIFFERENT FORM OF HONG KONG TRAVEL DOCUMENT.
MR ASPREY SAID THIS APPARENTLY CONFUSED THE STAFF AT THE AIRPORT. THE FATHER, HOLDING A HONG KONG CERTIFICATE OF IDENTITY, NEEDED, AND HAD, A VISA FOR CANADA; NEITHER THE MOTHER NOR SON NEEDED VISAS FOR CANADA, AS THE FORMER HELD A HONG KONG BRITISH DEPENDENT TERRITORIES CITIZEN (BDTC) PASSPORT AND THE CHILD HELD A BNO PASSPORT.
HE SAID THE AIRPORT STAFF APPARENTLY ASSUMED THAT IF THE FATHER NEEDED A VISA, SO TOO WOULD THE WIFE AND SON.
/THE WIFE ........
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 9, 1993
I
15 -
THE WIFE WAS ABLE TO CONVINCE THEM THAT SHE DID NOT, BY SHOWING THE PREVIOUS ENTRIES IN HER BDTC PASSPORT INDICATING THAT SHE HAD ENTERED CANADA PREVIOUSLY WITHOUT A VISA.
HOWEVER, THE SON DID NOT HAVE SUCH ENTRIES IN HIS PASSPORT AND WAS NOT ALLOWED TO BOARD THE LUFTHANSA FLIGHT FOR CANADA.
MR ASPREY SAID COMPENSATION TO THE FAMILY CONCERNED WAS A CIVIL MATTER BETWEEN THE COMPANY AND THE FAMILY.
"I BELIEVE THIS WAS AN ISOLATED INCIDENT. WE WILL CONTINUE TO DO ALL WE CAN TO ENSURE THAT THE STATUS OF THE BN(O) PASSPORT IS KNOWN AND UNDERSTOOD,” HE SAID.
- - 0 ------------
DAYA BAY ARRANGEMENTS UNDER DISCUSSIONS *****
THE GOVERNMENT IS DISCUSSING WITH THE CHINESE AUTHORITIES ALL ARRANGEMENTS FOR. CO-OPERATION IN THE EVENT OF A NUCLEAR ACCIDENT AT THE DAYA BAY NUCLEAR POWER STATION, THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, MR ALISTAIR ASPREY, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY REV THE HON FUNG CH I-WOOD IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, MR ASPREY SAID THESE INCLUDED ARRANGEMENTS FOR EARLY NOTIFICATION AND INFORMATION EXCHANGE.
AGREEMENT HAS ALREADY BEEN REACHED THAT THE GOVERNMENT WOULD BE NOTIFIED IMMEDIATELY BY THE GUANGDONG AUTHORITIES, THROUGH A DIRECT COMMUNICATION LINK, OF ANY PLANT EMERGENCY THAT MAY AFFECT HONG KONG, HE SAID.
ONCE THIS NOTIFICATION IS RECEIVED, THE GOVERNMENT WILL IMMEDIATELY PUT IN PLACE THE NECESSARY CONTINGENCY MEASURES AND INFORM THE PUBLIC OF THE SITUATION AND ACTION BEING TAKEN.
MR ASPREY SAID ANNOUNCEMENTS WOULD BE MADE REGULARLY TO KEEP THE PUBLIC INFORMED OF THE LATEST DEVELOPMENTS AND TO ADVISE THEM OF ANY NECESSARY PROTECTIVE MEASURES.
"THE PROCESS WILL BE SIMILAR TO THAT REGULARLY EMPLOYED DURING TYPHOONS, WHICH HAS PROVED EFFECTIVE OVER MANY YEARS,” HE SAID.
SEPARATELY, THE GOVERNMENT HAS INSTALLED A SOPHISTICATED MONITORING NETWORK THROUGHOUT THE TERRITORY TO CONSTANTLY MEASURE RADIATION LEVELS AND WEATHER CONDITIONS IN HONG KONG.
”A SIMILAR NETWORK IN GUANGDONG WILL FEED DATA TO US,” HE SAID.
”WE WILL, THEREFORE, BE ABLE TO MONITOR VERY CLOSELY THE EFFECT OF ANY RADIATION LEAK FROM DAYA BAY,” MR ASPREY SAID.
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/16 ........
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 9, 1993
CARDBOARD POLICEMEN DRAW PUBLIC INTEREST * * * * *
THE CARDBOARD POLICEMEN SCHEME WAS CONSIDERED TO BE SUCCESSFUL IN GENERATING INTEREST FROM THE MEDIA, THE RETAIL INDUSTRY AND THE PUBLIC, THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, MR ALISTAIR ASPREY, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
’’THE MESSAGE THAT SHOP THEFT IS A CRIME HAS BEEN SUCCESSFULLY PUT ACROSS, AND PUBLIC AWARENESS HAS BEEN RAISED,” HE SAID.
REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY THE HON LAU WAH-SUM IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, MR ASPREY SAID IT WAS DIFFICULT TO GAUGE THE EFFECT OF THE SCHEME ON SHOP THEFTS IN RETAIL OUTLETS.
HOWEVER, IT PROBABLY CONTRIBUTED, AT LEAST IN PART, TO A FOUR PER CENT DROP IN REPORTED CASES OF SHOP THEFTS IN THE THREE MONTHS FROM DECEMBER LAST YEAR IMMEDIATELY AFTER ITS INTRODUCTION, HE SAID.
LOSSES FROM LARGE RETAIL OUTLETS ALSO DECREASED DURING THE
PERIOD.
HE ATTRIBUTED THE EFFECTS TO THE CARDBOARD POLICEMEN SCHEME, IMPROVED MANAGEMENT PRACTICES, AND OTHER CRIME PREVENTION MEASURES TAKEN BY RETAILERS ON THE ADVICE OF THE POLICE.
THE SCHEME WAS REVIEWED IN MARCH THIS YEAR.
MR ASPREY SAID THE SCHEME WOULD BE REVIEWED AGAIN IN NOVEMBER TO DETERMINE WHETHER THE CAMPAIGN SHOULD CONTINUE.
CIVIL SERVANTS EQUIPPED TO IMPROVE PUBLIC SERVICE ♦ * * * *
A
THE CIVIL, SERVICE TRAINING CENTRE HAS DEVELOPED A COURSE ON CUSTOMER SERVICE FOR SUPERVISORS OF FRONT-LINE STAFF AS A SUPPORT TO DEPARTMENTS IN IMPLEMENTING THE PERFORMANCE PLEDGES PROGRAMME.
THIS WAS ANNOUNCED BY THE ACTING CH 1EF SEC RETARY, THE HON MRS ANSON CHAN, WHEN SHE REPLIED TO A QUESTION BY THE HON ROGER LUK KOON-HOO IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MRS CHAN SAID 30 COURSES HAD SO FAR BEEN HELD FOR 600 SUPERVISORS.
THE SUPERVISORS HAVE IN TURN ORGANISED ABOUT 1,000 COURSES FOR 20,000 FRONT-LINE STAFF.
IN ADDITION, SHE SAID $1.5 MILLION HAD BEEN ALLOCATED THIS YEAR
TO PROVIDE INCENTIVES FOR STAFF TO MAKE SUGGESTIONS TO IMPROVE PRODUCTIVITY AND QUALITY OF SERVICE TO THE PUBLIC.
/"WE WILL
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 9, 1993
17 -
"WE WILL CONTINUE TO LOOK FOR WAYS TO REINFORCE CIVIL SERVANTS’ COMMITMENT TO THE PLEDGES PROGRAMME," SHE SAID.
SOME 16 DEPARTMENTS HAVE ALREADY PUBLISHED THEIR FIRST PLEDGES SINCE THE PROGRAMME WAS INTRODUCED TN OCTOBER LAST YEAR.
MRS CHAN SAID SOMF 18 MORE WOULD DO SO BY ABOUT SEPTEMBER.
THE TARGET IS FOR THE REMAINING 14 DEPARTMENTS PROVIDING SERVICES DIRECTLY TO THE PUBLIC TO PUBLISH THEIR FIRST PLEDGES BY ABOUT MID-1994, SHE SAID.
"COMMITMENT OF STAFF AT ALL LEVELS IS KEY TO THE SUCCESSFUL IMPLEMENTATION OF PLEDGES."
"EACH DEPARTMENT FULLY BRIEFS AND INVOLVES ITS STAFF AS ITS PLEDGE IS DEVELOPED," SHE SAID.
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ENERGY CONSERVATION CONSIDERED IN GOVT BUILDING DESIGNS * ♦ ♦ ♦ *
ENERGY CONSERVATION HAS ALWAYS BEEN ONE OF THE CONSIDERATIONS IN DESIGNING GOVERNMENT BUILDINGS AND THE GOVERNMENT CONSIDERS THAT THERE IS A NEED FOR APPROPRIATE CONTROL OF THERMAL TRANSMITTANCES THROUGH THE ENVELOPE OF BUILDINGS , THE SECRETARY FOR WORKS, MR JAMES BLAKE, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY THE HON CHRISTINE LOH IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, MR BLAKE SAID AS EARLY AS 1983, THE THEN ARCHITECTURAL OFFICE PUBLISHED A BOOKLET TITLED "ENERGY CONSERVATION IN BUILDINGS", WHICH WAS REVISED AND REPRINTED IN 1989 AND ISSUED TO ARCHITECTS, ENGINEERS, AND MAINTENANCE SURVEYORS.
THE BUILDING DESIGN RECOMMENDED BY THE BOOKLET CONSIDERED THE BUILDING AS A WHOLE RATHER THAN ONLY LOOKING AT A SINGLE PARAMETER OF THERMAL TRANSMITTANCE VALUES (U-VALUE).
TN 1991, THE ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT ISSUED AN INFORMATION PAPER ON OVERALL THERMAL TRANSFER VALUE (OTTV) AND ENERGY CONSERVATION TO GIVE AN UPDATED GUIDELINE TO THE DESIGN TEAMS FOR THE HEAT TRANSFER THROUGH THE BUILDING ENVELOPE AS A WHOLE.
"THE PURPOSE OF THE PAPER IS TO COVER ENERGY CONSUMPTION EFFECTS OF ALTERNATIVE DESIGNS TN TERM OF LAYOUT, ENVELOPE DETAILS AND MATERIALS.
"THE CALCULATION OF OTTV’S AND THEIR RECURRING COST IMPLICATIONS ARE INCLUDED, AND BUILDING DESIGNERS ARE REQUIRED TO FOLLOW THE GUIDELINES AS CLOSELY AS POSSIBLE," MR BLAKE SAID.
/MR BLAKi .........
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 9, 1993
18
MR BLAKE SAID THE GOVERNMENT WAS CONSIDERING INTRODUCING CONTROL TO ALL BUILDINGS BASED ON THE OTTV AND WAS NOW STUDYING THE COMMENTS FROM BOTH THE PRIVATE SECTOR AND OTHER GOVERNMENT AGENCIES ON A DRAFT HANDBOOK ON OTTV IN THE LIGHT OF THEIR ACTUAL OPERATIONAL EXPERIENCE.
THESE COMMENTS WOULD BE TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT BEFORE THE GOVERNMENT MADE A DECISION ON BOTH THE APPROPRIATE STANDARD TO BE ADOPTED AND THE MEANS FOR ENSURING THAT ANY STANDARD PROMULGATED WOULD ACTUALLY BE APPLIED, BOTH IN THE PRIVATE AND GOVERNMENT SECTORS, MR BLAKE.
------0-------
OVER-LISTING TO AVOID WASTING COURT TIME
*****
THE JUDICIARY IS PRACTISING A CERTAIN AMOUNT OF OVER-LISTING TO AVOID WASTAGE OF COURT TIME, THE ACTING CHIEF SECRETARY, THE HON MRS ANSON CHAN, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
’’THE OPTIMUM LEVEL OF OVER-LISTING IS REACHED WHEN THERE ARE JUST ENOUGH CASES TO FIT IN WITH ALL VACANT SLOTS SO THAT ALL THE JUDGES ARE FULLY OCCUPIED,” SHE SAID.
IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON EMILY LAU, MRS CHAN EXPLAINED THAT A CONSIDERABLE NUMBER OF CASES LISTED FOR HEARING IN THE DISTRICT COURT WERE SETTLED BEFORE TRIAL OR WERE FOUND NOT TO BE READY WHEN THEY WERE CALLED FOR TRIAL.
THE AVERAGE WAITING TIMES FOR TRIALS IN THE HIGH COURT AND THE DISTRICT COURT ARE SEVEN-AND-A-HALF MONTHS AND ABOUT NINE MONTHS RESPECTIVELY.
THESE WAITING TIMES RELATE ONLY TO FIXTURES WHICH ARE LISTS OF CASES WHERE A FIXED DATE IS GIVEN FOR THE START OF THE TRIAL, WHICH IN MOST CASES REQUIRE LONGER LEAD TIME FOR PREPARATION.
AS REGARDS OTHER CASES WHERE THE HEARING IS ESTIMATED NOT TO TAKE LONGER THAN FIVE DAYS, MRS CHAN SAID THEY WERE PUT ON RUNNING LISTS AND WERE HEARD IN THE ORDER IN WHICH THEY WERE SET DOWN.
CASES ON THE CRIMINAL RUNNING LIST IN THE DISTRICT COURT ARE HEARD, ON THE AVERAGE, WITHIN TWO TO THREE WEEKS.
THOSE ON THE CRIMINAL RUNNING LIST AND CIVIL RUNNING LIST IN THE HIGH COURT ARE GENERALLY HEARD WITHIN 25 WEEKS AND 10 WEEKS RESPECTIVELY.
"A CASE IS TRANSFERRED FROM THE HIGH COURT TO THE DISTRICT COURT ONLY IF IT IS DECIDED THAT THE DISTRICT COURT IS THE MORE APPROPRIATE FORUM FOR HEARING THE PARTICULAR CASE.”
”NO CASES ARE TRANSFERRED FOR THE PURPOSE OF REDUCING WAITING TIME FOR TRIALS,” MRS CHAN SAID.
THE DECISION TO TRANSFER IS MADE BY A JUDGE ON APPLICATION FROM THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, SHE SAID.
------G - - - -
/19 ........
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 9, 1993
- 19 -
POLICY ON CHINESE NATIONALS WORKING IN HK
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CHINESE NATIONALS HOLDING DIPLOMATIC, SERVICE OR ORDINARY PASSPORTS ISSUED BY THE MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS OF THE PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF CHINA ARE ALLOWED TO WORK IN HONG KONG UNDER OFFICIAL AUSPICES.
THE POLICY WAS STATED BY THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, MR ALISTAIR ASPREY, IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON LAU CHIN-SHEK IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
AT THE END OF MAY, THERE WERE 9,455 SUCH PERSONS.
IN 1991, 1992 AND THE FIRST FIVE MONTHS OF THIS YEAR, THE NUMBERS OF APPLICATIONS APPROVED WERE 1,999, 2,603 AND 1,302 RESPECTIVELY.
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SAFETY CLEARANCE OF HILLSIDE SQUATTERS
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THE GOVERNMENT RECOMMENDS SAFETY CLEARANCE OF SQUATTERS ON STEEP HILLSIDES BECAUSE THEY ARE AT RISK DURING PERIODS OF HEAVY RAIN.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE SECRETARY FOR WORKS, MR JAMES BLAKE, IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO THE HON ALBERT CHAN IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MR BLAKE SAID IT WAS NOT FEASIBLE TO CARRY OUT LANDSLIP PREVENTIVE WORKS ON THESE SLOPES UNTIL SQUATTERS WERE CLEARED BECAUSE THEY WERE BLOCKING SUCH WORKS.
BETWEEN 1984 AND 1992, SLOPE INSPECTIONS WERE MADE OF ABOUT 70 NEW TERRITORIES VILLAGES INCLUDING ABOUT 24 IN THE TSUEN WAN AND KWAI CHUNG AREAS AND CLEARANCE RECOMMENDATIONS WERE MADE BY THE GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEERING OFFICE (GEO) TO THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT.
THE PROGRAMME OF RE-1NSPECTI ON OF THESE VILLAGES WHICH STARTED IN JULY 1992 IS PROGRESSING WELL AND WILL BE COMPLETED BY THE END OF JUNE THIS YEAR.
THIS PROGRAMME WILL BE FOLLOWED BY INSPECTIONS OF AREAS NOT PREVIOUSLY DEALT WITH IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.
AT PRESENT, THERE ARE ABOUT 80 SUCH AREAS, A NUMBER OF WHICH ARE WITHIN TSUEN WAN AND KWAI CHUNG DISTRICTS.
"THOSE AFFECTED BY THE CLEARANCE ARE ADVISED BY LETTER AND ARE GIVEN ADVICE ON THE NECESSARY PRECAUTIONS TO BE TAKEN IN THE EVENT OF HEAVY RAINFALL," MR BLAKE SAID.
/MR BLAKE .......
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 9, 1993
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MR BLAKE SAID OTHER SLOPES WITHIN THE TSUEN WAN AND KWAI CHUNG DISTRICTS NOT OCCUPIED BY SQUATTERS WERE SUBJECT TO NORMAL SLOPE FAILURE PREVENTIVE MEASURES SIMILAR TO THOSE ADOPTED IN OTHER AREAS IN THE TERRITORY.
’’THESE INCLUDE CHECKING OF GEOTECHNICAL DESIGNS OF NEW SLOPES BY GEO, INVESTIGATION FOLLOWED BY ANY NECESSARY IMPROVEMENT WORKS FOR EXISTING SLOPES UNDER THE LANDSLIP PREVENTIVE MEASURES PROGRAMME, AND THE INITIATION OF STATUTORY ACTIONS TO HAVE THE WORKS DONE BY THE OWNERS FOR SLOPES ON PRIVATE LAND,” MR BLAKE SAID.
IN THE EVENT OF LANDSLIP AND FLOODING, MR BLAKE SAID EMERGENCY STAFF OF DEPARTMENTS CONCERNED WOULD IMMEDIATELY BE MOBILISED TO DEAL WITH THE SITUATION.
CONTINGENCY MEASURES ARE CARRIED OUT BY THE POLICE, THE FIRE SERVICES, THE DRAINAGE SERVICES, THE GOVERNMENT SUPPLIES, THE HIGHWAYS, THE INFORMATION SERVICES, THE SOCIAL WELFARE AND THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENTS, THE GOVERNMENT LAND TRANSPORT AGENCY, THE GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEERING OFFICE, THE HOSPITAL AUTHORITY, THE GOVERNMENT FLYING SERVICE AND THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION.
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GOVT AND TDC OVERSEAS OFFICES PLAY COMPLEMENTARY ROLE *****
THE GOVERNMENT’S ECONOMIC AND TRADE OFFICES (ETOS) AND THE OVERSEAS OFFICES OF THE TRADE DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL (TDC) COMPLEMENT EACH OTHER IN PROMOTING HONG KONG’S OVERSEAS TRADE, THE SECRETARY FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY, MR T H CHAU, SAID.
IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON HENRY TANG IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, MR CHAU SAID THE FUNCTION OF THE ETOS IN COMMERCIAL RELATIONS WAS DISTINCT FROM THE TRADE PROMOTION WORK CARRIED OUT BY TDC’S OVERSEAS OFFICES.
THE FORMER DEALS PRIMARILY WITH THE GOVERNMENTS OF THE HOST COUNTRIES OR INTERNATIONAL ORGANISATIONS, WHILE THE LATTER DEALS MAINLY WITH BUSINESS ENTITIES IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR, HE SAID.
THE ETOS ENSURE THAT HONG KONG’S EXPORTS TO THEIR HOST COUNTRIES ARE NOT DISCRIMINATED AGAINST, OR OBSTRUCTED, BY GOVERNMENT MEASURES THAT ARE INCONSISTENT WITH THE PROVISIONS OF GATT OR ANY BILATERAL AGREEMENTS BETWEEN HONG KONG AND THE HOST COUNTRY.
THE TDC’S OVERSEAS OFFICES HELP HONG KONG TRADERS DEVELOP AND SECURE A RECEPTIVE AND GROWING MARKET IN THE HOST COUNTRIES.
’’THUS THE MAIN THRUST OF THE ETOS’ COMMERCIAL RELATIONS WORK AND THEIR INTERLOCUTORS ARE DIFFERENT FROM THOSE OF THE TDC,” MR CHAU SAID.
/THE ETOS ........
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 9, 1993
THE ETOS ARE ALSO TASKED TO ENCOURAGE INDUSTRIAL INVESTMENT IN HONG KONG, AND TO ORGANISE THE GOVERNMENT’S PUBLICITY AND PUBLIC RELATIONS EFFORTS IN THE REGIONS.
THEY ALSO PROVIDE AN INFORMATION AND ENQUIRY SERVICE ABOUT HONG KONG AND MAKE ARRANGEMENTS FOR VISITORS IN BOTH DIRECTIONS.
MR CHAU SAID BY COMPARISON, THE TDC OFFICES HAD A NARROWER AND MORE SPECIFIC MANDATE.
THE FOUR CITIES WHERE THE GOVERNMENT AND TDC BOTH MAINTAIN OFFICES ARE NEW YORK, LONDON, TOKYO AND TORONTO.
NO PLANS TO CHANGE SECURITY CHECKS POLICY ♦ ♦ ♦ * *
THE GOVERNMENT HAS NO PLANS TO CHANGE ITS POLICY TO CONDUCT SECURITY CHECKS ON NEW RECRUITS TO ALL POSTS REQUIRING ACCESS TO CLASSIFIED INFORMATION, ALTHOUGH ITS APPLICATION IS BEING REVIEWED.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, MR ALISTAIR ASPREY, IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON LI WAH-MING IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MR ASPREY SAID THE POLICY WAS ONE OF A NUMBER OF MEASURES DESIGNED TO PROTECT CLASSIFIED MATERIALS FROM IMPROPER DISCLOSURE.
’’THE DETAILED LIST OF RANKS AND POSTS SUBJECT TO CHECKING IS CLASSIFIED, BUT IT COVERS ALL DIRECTORATE AND SENIOR STAFF IN GENERAL AND DEPARTMENTAL GRADES, AND SECRETARIAL AND CLERICAL STAFF WHOSE WORK INVOLVES ACCESS TO OR THE HANDLING OF CLASSIFIED INFORMATION,” HE SAID.
IMPROVEMENTS TO KOWLOON BAY WATER QUALITY
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THE GOVERNMENT IS WELL AWARE OF THE ODOUR PROBLEM CAUSED BY WATER POLLUTION IN KOWLOON BAY AND OF' THE POSSIBLE ADVERSE IMPRESSION THIS COULD GIVE TOURISTS ARRIVING IN HONG KONG.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE SECRETARY FOR PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS, MR TONY EASON, TN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON CH IM PUI-CHUNG IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
HE SAID A MAJOR SEWERAGE IMPROVEMENT SCHEME HAD BEEN IMPLEMENTED SINCE LAST YEAR UNDER THE EAST KOWLOON SEWERAGE MASTER PLAN.
/THE SCHEME
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 9, 1993
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THE SCHEME INCLUDES THE INTERCEPTION OF THE POLLUTED SURFACE DISCHARGES INTO KOWLOON BAY, THE UPGRADING OF EXISTING SEWERS, THE PROVISION OF NEW SEWERS, AND THE REDIRECTION OF MANY INCORRECT CONNECTIONS BACK TO THE SEWERAGE SYSTEM.
"THE FIRST STAGE OF THE SEWERAGE SCHEME WILL BE COMPLETED IN 1995 AND THE SECOND IN 1997," HE SAID.
UNDER CURRENT PLANS, ALL COLLECTED SEWAGE WILL BE REMOVED FROM THE AREA TO A CENTRAL TREATMENT WORKS TO BE PROVIDED ON STONECUTTERS ISLAND UNDER STAGE I OF THE STRATEGIC SEWAGE DISPOSAL SCHEME IN 1997, HE SAID.
MR EASON SAID IN THE INTERIM THE FOLLOWING MEASURES MAY HELP IMPROVE WATER QUALITY IN KOWLOON BAY:
* AN INCREASE IN THE FREQUENCY OF DESILTING OF THE KAI TAK NULLAH BY THE DRAINAGE SERVICES DEPARTMENT; AND
» DELIVERY OF HIGH QUALITY TREATED EFFLUENTS FROM SHA TIN AND LATER FROM TAI PO TO PROVIDE A FLUSHING EFFECT ON THE RELATIVELY STAGNANT WATER IN KOWLOON BAY THROUGH THE PHASED COMMISSIONING OF THE TOLO HARBOUR EFFLUENT EXPORT SCHEME, STARTING FROM SEPTEMBER.
THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT RECEIVED TWO COMPLAINTS IN 1990 AND ONE LAST YEAR, AND HAS RECEIVED ONE SO FAR THIS YEAR.
THE KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT OFFICE HAS NOT RECEIVED ANY COMPLAINTS IN THE PAST THREE YEARS.
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GOVT HELPS EXPORTERS MEET ENVIRONMENT STANDARDS
THE GOVERNMENT HAS BEEN MONITORING CLOSELY THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION LEGISLATION AND STANDARDS ADOPTED BY OVERSEAS MARKETS AND THEIR IMPACT ON HONG KONG’S EXPORTS, THE SECRETARY FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY, MR T H CHAU, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON HUANG CHEN-YA, MR CHAU SAID SO FAR THE GOVERNMENT WAS NOT AWARE THAT ANY LOCAL MANUFACTURER OR TRADER HAD ENCOUNTERED DIFFICULTIES IN MEETING THESE STANDARDS.
MR CHAU NOTED THAT THE INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT PROVIDED LOCAL MANUFACTURERS AND TRADERS WITH ADVICE AND INFORMATION ON NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL PRODUCT STANDARDS RELATING TO ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION.
ALSO THE DEPARTMENT HAS COMMISSIONED A CONSULTANCY STUDY WHICH EXAMINES THE POTENTIAL EFFECTS OF OVERSEAS ENVIRONMENTAL LEGISLATION AND STANDARDS ON THE INDUSTRY.
/’’PRELIMINARY INDICATIONS .........
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 9, 1993
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”PRELIMINARY INDICATIONS ARE THAT THESE EFFECTS, IF ANY, WOULD BE LIMITED.
’’INDEED, THERE MAY BE SCOPE FOR HONG KONG MANUFACTURERS TO GAIN MARKET ADVANTAGE IF THEY ARE ABLE TO ADAPT PRODUCTS AND PROCESS QUICKLY TO MEET OVERSEAS STANDARDS,” HE SAID.
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COMMISSION TO REVIEW ALLOWANCES FOR LEGCO MEMBERS
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THE GOVERNMENT PLANS TO SET UP AN INDEPENDENT COMMISSION TO REVIEW THE REMUNERATION AND ALLOWANCES FOR LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MEMBERS BY THE END OF THE CURRENT LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL SESSION.
IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY DR THE HON LAM KUI-CHUN, THE SECRETARY FOR CONSTITUTIONAL AFFAIRS, MR MICHAEL SZE, SAID THE ADMINISTRATION HAD BEEN TAKING ACTIVE STEPS TO PURSUE ITS ESTABLISHMENT.
THE COMMISSION WILL BE TASKED TO ADVISE AND MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE GOVERNOR ON A SYSTEM OF REMUNERATION FOR MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL, AND TO REVIEW THE CURRENT PROVISIONS, HE SAID.
ITS PRECISE TERMS OF REFERENCE ARE BEING FINALISED, AND WILL HAVE REGARD TO THE WIDER COMMUNITY INTERESTS AND VIEWS EXPRESSED BY MEMBERS AT THE FINANCE COMMITTEE MEETING ON MAY 7 WHEN THE CURRENT PACKAGE WAS APPROVED.
THE COMMISSION IS EXPECTED TO FINISH ITS WORK AS SOON AS POSSIBLE, MR SZE SAID.
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ANTI-TRIAD MEASURES TN SCHOOLS EXPLAINED
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THERE IS NO INDICATION OF AN ORGANISED TRIAD CAMPAIGN TO ENTER TSUEN WAN AND KWAI CHUNG SCHOOLS FOR RECRUITMENT, THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, MR ALISTAIR ASPREY, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON ALBERT CHAN WAI-YIP IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, MR ASPREY SAID THE PROBLEM OF TRIAD INFILTRATION INTO SECONDARY SCHOOLS TN TSUEN WAN AND KWAI CHUNG WAS NO WORSE THAN TN OTHER DISTRICTS TN THE TERRITORY.
IT IS, HOWEVER, DIFFICULT TO MEASURE THE EXTENT OF TRIAD INFILTRATION TN SECONDARY SCHOOLS.
MR ASPREY SAID A NUMBER OF MEASURES HAD BEEN TAKEN TO CONTAIN THE PROBLEM OF TRIAD INFILTRATION INTO SCHOOLS, AND TO PROTECT STUDENTS FROM TRIAD HARASSMENT.
/AN INTER-DEPARTMENTAL .......
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 9, 1993
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AN INTER-DEPARTMENTAL WORKING GROUP, CONSISTING OF REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT, THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT AND THE POLICE HAS BEEN SET UP TO CONSIDER HOW TO STRENGTHEN SUPPORT FOR SCHOOLS WITH TRIAD PROBLEMS.
HE SAID THE WORKING GROUP PLANNED TO ISSUE GUIDELINES AND ARRANGE IN-SERVICE TRAINING FOR TEACHERS AND DISCIPLINE MASTERS TO HELP THEM HANDLE DELINQUENT STUDENTS AND TRIAD ACTIVITIES IN SCHOOLS.
SINCE STUDENTS WITH POOR LEARNING MOTIVATION ARE MORE VULNERABLE TO TRIAD INFLUENCE, THE PROVISION OF MORE PRACTICAL SCHOOLS FOR SUCH STUDENTS IS BEING PURSUED, HE ADDED.
AT THE SAME TIME, THE SECRETARY SAID THE POLICE CONDUCT REGULAR PATROLS NEAR SCHOOLS AND AT PLACES FREQUENTED BY STUDENTS.
THEY HAVE INTRODUCED, ON A PILOT BASIS IN WONG TAI SIN AND WESTERN DISTRICTS, SPECIAL STUDENT ’CRIME INFORMATION FORMS’ TO ENCOURAGE STUDENTS TO REPORT CRIME AND TRIAD ACTIVITIES IN SCHOOLS, HE SAID.
"THE POLICE MAINTAIN GOOD LIAISON WITH, AND RECEIVE GOOD COOPERATION FROM, SCHOOLS IN TACKLING THE PROBLEM OF JUVENILE DELINQUENCY", MR ASPREY SAID.
POLICE LIAISON OFFICERS VISIT SCHOOLS REGULARLY TO GIVE TALKS TO STUDENTS ON THE NATURE AND CONSEQUENCES OF TRIAD ACTIVITIES.
THEY ALSO LIAISE CLOSELY WITH HEADMASTERS AND TEACHERS, AND ADVISE ON HOW TO DEAL WITH UNRULY AND DELINQUENT BEHAVIOUR IN SCHOOLS, HE SAID.
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POLICE ARMED ON BORDER PATROL DUTIES
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ALL FIELD PATROL DETACHMENT OFFICERS OF THE POLICE HAVE BEEN INSTRUCTED TO CARRY FIREARMS WHILE ON DUTY IN THE WAKE OF THE TRAGIC DEATH OF A POLICE SERGEANT IN TA KWU LING LAST MONTH.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, MR ALISTAIR ASPREY, IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON TIK CHI-YUEN IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
HE SAID APART FROM THAT INCIDENT THERE WAS NO RECORD OF ANY OFFICERS HAVING BEEN KILLED WHILE PERFORMING BORDER PATROL DUTIES SINCE THE POLICE TOOK UP SUCH DUTIES.
"OPERATIONAL STRATEGY AND DEPLOYMENT ARE KEPT UNDER REGULAR REVIEW, ” HE SAID.
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WEDNESDAY, JUNE 9, 1993
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MORE HOSPITAL BEDS PLANNED FOR KOWLOON
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THE EXISTING OVERALL SUPPLY OF PUBLIC HOSPITAL BEDS IN THE KOWLOON REGION IS 6,453, AS AGAINST A DEMAND OF 4,930.
BY THE YEAR 2000, THE SUPPLY IS ESTIMATED TO REACH 7,603 COMPARED WITH A DEMAND OF 5,060.
THE STATISTICS WERE GIVEN BY THE ACTING SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, MRS SHELLEY LAU, IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON LI WAH-MING IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
TURNING TO THE EXTENSION WORKS AT THE UNITED CHRISTIAN HOSPITAL, MRS LAU SAID PHASE I OF THE NEW BLOCK S WHICH WOULD PROVIDE 1,049 BEDS, STARTED IN JANUARY THIS YEAR AND WAS SCHEDULED FOR COMPLETION IN DECEMBER 1994.
AS REGARDS PHASE II OF THE REFURBISHMENT OF BLOCK P, WORK WILL START TOWARDS THE END OF 1995. IT IS DUE FOR COMPLETION IN 1997 WHEN THE NUMBER OF BEDS WILL BE REDUCED FROM THE EXISTING 663 TO 368.
’’UPON COMPLETION OF THE PROJECT, THE UNITED CHRISTIAN HOSPITAL WILL PROVIDE A TOTAL OF 1,417 BEDS, REPRESENTING AN INCREASE OF 754 OVER ITS EXISTING BED COMPLEMENT OF 663,” MRS LAU SAID.
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REVIEW ON STREET SLEEPERS COMPLETED
* * * * «
THE WORKING GROUP SET UP BY THE GOVERNMENT IN SEPTEMBER 1991 TO REVIEW ISSUES RELATING TO STREET SLEEPERS HAS COMPLETED ITS DELIBERATIONS AND A DRAFT REPORT IS ALMOST READY.
THE FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE GROUP ARE EXPECTED TO BE RELEASED IN THE NEXT FEW MONTHS.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE ACTING SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, MRS SHELLEY LAU, IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON MRS PEGGY LAM IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MRS LAU TOLD COUNCIL MEMBERS THAT SOME OF THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE WORKING GROUP HAD ALREADY BEEN IMPLEMENTED.
’’THESE INCLUDE THE URBAN HOSTEL SCHEME FOR STREET SLEEPERS AND THE MORE FLEXIBLE APPLICATION OF COMPASSIONATE REHOUSING CRITERIA FOR STREET SLEEPERS,” SHE SAID.
’’THE OTHER RECOMMENDATIONS WILL BE IMPLEMENTED SUBJECT TO VIEWS OF THE SOCIAL WELFARE ADVISORY COMMITTEE AND TO THE AVAILABILITY OF RESOURCES,” MRS LAU ADDED.
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 9, 1993
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GOVT CONTINUES ITS FIGHT FOR CHINA’S MFN STATUS *****
THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT WILL CONTINUE TO STRESS TO THE U.S. ADMINISTRATION AND CONGRESS THE IMPORTANCE TO HONG KONG OF CHINA’S MOST-FAVOURED-NATION (MFN) STATUS.
AND IT IS THE GOVERNMENT’S HOPE THAT HONG KONG’S INTERESTS WILL AGAIN BE TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT BY THE U.S. IN CONSIDERING NEXT YEAR’S MFN RENEWAL.
IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON DAVID LI IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, THE SECRETARY FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY, MF?. T H CHAu, SAID THE GOVERNMENT WOULD CONTINUE TO SEEK THE SUPPORT OF THE UK GOVERNMENT ON THIS ISSUE AS NECESSARY.
HE HAD NO DOUBT THAT THE UK GOVERNMENT’S STAUNCH SUPPORT WOULD CONTINUE.
MR CHAU SAID THE GOVERNMENT BELIEVED, HOWEVER, THAT SPECIFIC BUSINESS DECISIONS ABOUT HOW BEST TO ADJUST TO ANY CHANGES IN THE BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT WERE BEST MADE BY HONG KONG’S BUSINESS SECTOR.
’’NEVERTHELESS, THERE ARE MANY THINGS WHICH THE GOVERNMENT WILL BE DOING IN ANY EVENT TO ENABLE BUSINESSMEN TO MAKE THE BEST OF FUTURE CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES,’’ HE SAID.
IN PARTICULAR, THROUGH A STRONG COMMITMENT TO EDUCATION, VOCATIONAL TRAINING AND RETRAINING AND TO CONSTANTLY UPGRADING HONG KONG’S PHYSICAL INFRASTRUCTURE, HE ADDED.
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SELECTION OF OCEANIC DISPOSAL OPTION EXPLAINED
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THE GOVERNMENT THE STRATEGIC SEWAGE ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS, TODAY (WEDNESDAY)
HAS CONSIDERED MANY OPTIONS BEFORE FINALISING DISPOSAL SCHEME, THE SECRETARY FOR PLANNING, MR TONY EASON, INFORMED THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
MR EASON, IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY REV THE HON FUNG CHI-WOOD, SAID THE OCEANIC DISPOSAL OPTION WAS PREFERRED AFTER TWO YEARS OF INTENSIVE STUDY BY INTERNATIONAL EXPERTS.
HE ADDED THAT OVER 1,000 DIFFERENT SOLUTIONS WERE CONSIDERED TO PROVIDE FOR ADEQUATE COLLECTION, TREATMENT AND DISPOSAL OF THE SEWAGE GENERATED AROUND VICTORIA HARBOUR.
’’THE EVALUATION TOOK INTO CONSIDERATION A RANGE OF CONSTRAINTS, WITH THE OBJECTIVE OF DETERMINING WHICH WAS THE MOST COST-EFFECTIVE OPTION WHICH WOULD ALSO ACHIEVE THE REQUIRED ENVIRONMENTAL STANDARDS,” HE SAID.
/THE SECRETARY .......
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 9, 1993
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THE SECRETARY SAID IN ORDER TO EVALUATE THE OPTIONS PROPERLY, INCLUDING SECONDARY TREATMENT, SEWAGE TREATMENT WORKS DESIGN WAS INVESTIGATED IN DETAIL.
MR EASON SAID IT WAS ESTIMATED THAT A TOTAL OF OVER 100 HECTARES OF LAND WOULD BE NEEDED ON WHICH TO BUILD THE NECESSARY FACILITIES, AND THAT FEW LOCATIONS EXISTED WHERE SUCH FACILITIES WOULD BE COMPATIBLE WITH EXISTING USES.
HE SAID THE CONCLUSION WAS THAT THE SITES ALREADY PLANNED AND DESIGNATED FOR USE AS SEWAGE TREATMENT FACILITIES AT STONECUTTERS ISLAND AND KWUN TONG WERE THE ONLY AREAS BOTH SUITABLE AND AVAILABLE FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF EXTENSIVE SEWAGE TREATMENT FACILITIES.
AND THAT A CAVERN BENEATH MOUNT DAVIS COULD BE CONSTRUCTED TO HOUSE WORKS INCORPORATING PRIMARY AND PHYSICO-CHEMICAL TREATMENT.
’’THE OVERALL CONCLUSION WAS THAT THE REQUIRED ENVIRONMENTAL STANDARDS COULD MOST RELIABLY AND MOST ECONOMICALLY BE ACHIEVED BY COMBINING A DEGREE OF LAND-BASED SEWAGE TREATMENT WITH THE NATURAL SELF-PURIFYING ABILITIES OF THE OCEAN,” MR EASON SAID.
HE SAID THE INCORPORATION OF PHYSICO-CHEMICAL TREATMENT PROVIDED AN ADDITIONAL SAFEGUARD UNDER THE SELECTED OPTION TO ENSURE THE REMOVAL OF TOXIC MATERIAL FROM THE SEWAGE AT MINIMAL ADDITIONAL CAPITAL COST.
IN CONCLUDING THAT THE OCEANIC DISPOSAL OPTION WAS THE PREFERRED CHOICE, MR EASON SAID OTHER FACTORS BESIDES ECONOMICS WERE CONSIDERED, INCLUDING THE AVAILABILITY OF LAND AND THE TOWN PLANNING CONSTRAINTS ON BUILDING A NUMBER OF VERY LARGE SECONDARY TREATMENT WORKS IN DENSELY POPULATED URBAN DISTRICTS AROUND THE HARBOUR.
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AMENDED MOTION ON INDUSTRIAL POLICY PASSED
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AN AMENDED MOTION PROPOSED RY THE HON ALLEN LEE QN INDUSTRIAL POLICY WAS PASSED AFTER ALMOST TWO HOURS OF DEBATE IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TONIGHT (WEDNESDAY).
ELEVEN MEMBERS SPOKE IN THE DEBATE. THE SECRETARY FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY, MR T H CHAU, REPLIED FOR THE GOVERNMENT.
THE ORIGINAL MOTION MOVED BY THE HON HENRY TANG WAS DEFEATED.
ANOTHER MOTION ON LAND SUPPLY FOR PRIVATE AND PUBLIC HOUSING WAS ALSO PASSED AFTER ONE AND A HALF HOURS OF DEBATE.
THIRTEEN MEMBERS SPOKE IN THE DEBATE. THE SECRETARY FOR PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS, MR TONY EASON, SPOKE ON BEHALF OF THE GOVERNMENT.
/THE COUNCIL .......
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 9, 1993
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THE COUNCIL ALSO PASSED A MOTION MOVED BY THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT, MR K Y YEUNG, UNDER THE ROAD TRAFFIC ORDINANCE.
ANOTHER MOTION MOVED BY THE SECRETARY FOR THE TREASURY, MR DONALD TSANG, UNDER THE BETTING DUTY ORDINANCE WAS ALSO PASSED.
TWO BILLS, BUILDINGS (AMENDMENT) (NO. 2) BILL 1993 AND LIFTS AND ESCALATORS (SAFETY) (AMENDMENT) BILL 1993, WERE ALSO PASSED WITHOUT AMENDMENTS.
THE LAYOUT-DESIGN (TOPOGRAPHY) OF INTEGRATED CIRCUITS BILL WAS INTRODUCED FOR FIRST AND SECOND READINGS. DEBATE ON IT WAS ADJOURNED.
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©Received by PRO “ IC JIA
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
THURSDAY, JUNE 10, 1993
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
PHASED PROGRAMME FOR ELIGIBLE PERSONS TO APPLY FOR BNO PASSPORTS .................................... 1
GOVERNOR WELCOMES BNO ARRANGEMENT .................. 2
BRITISH NATIONALITY (HK) (SELECTION SCHEME) (AMENDMENT) ORDER 93 TABLED IN PARLIAMENT ................ 3
BNO PASSPORT ARRANGEMENT WELCOMED .................. 4
FS EXPLAINS PROPOSAL FOR FURTHER PAA FUNDING ....... 5
BUILDING FOR HONG KONG'S FUTURE PROSPERITY ......... 6
GOVERNOR IN LEGCO .................................. 8
PUBLIC CONFIDENT ABOUT FUTURE PROSPERITY - POLL .... 24
TRADE DEPARTMENT DELEGATION VISITS CHINA ........... 25
UPGC VITAL TN THIS PERIOD OF CHANGE ................ 25
LABOUR DEPARTMENT ENHANCES PHONE ENQUIRY SERVICE ... 26
SAI KUNG DRAGON BOAT RACES SET FOR JUNE 24 ......... 28
CARGO WORKING AREAS REMAIN OPEN ON PUBLIC HOLIDAYS . 28
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS .
29
THURSDAY, JUNE 10, 1993
1
PHASED PROGRAMME FOR ELIGIBLE PERSONS TO APPLY FOR BNO PASSPORTS *****
THE PROPOSAL FOR AN ORDERLY AND FAIR PROGRAMME FOR THE REGISTRATION AND ISSUE OF BRITISH NATIONAL (OVERSEAS) PASSPORTS BEFORE 1997 WAS FORMALLY PUT BEFORE THE BRITISH PARLIAMENT TODAY (THURSDAY).
IT GIVES LEGAL BACKING FOR A SERIES OF CUT-OFF DATES FOR APPLICATIONS BY AGE-GROUPS.
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN EXPLAINED THAT THIS PHASED PROGRAMME WAS NECESSARY TO MAKE SURE THAT ALL HONG KONG BRITISH DEPENDENT TERRITORIES CITIZENS WHO WISHED TO HAVE A BRITISH NATIONAL (OVERSEAS) PASSPORT AFTER 1997 COULD GET ONE.
THE BN(O) PASSPORTS MUST. BE ISSUED BEFORE JULY 1, 1997.
"SINCE THERE ARE ABOUT THREE MILLION APPLICANTS, IF WE LET THINGS DRIFT, IT IS VERY LIKELY THAT THERE WILL BE A LAST-MINUTE RUSH AND SOME PEOPLE WILL NOT BE ABLE TO OBTAIN THEIR PASSPORT," HE SAID.
"NO RIGHTS ARE BEING TAKEN AWAY. AS A RESULT OF THE HOME SECRETARY’S CONCESSION THIS WEEK, PEOPLE WILL BE ALLOWED TO KEEP THE BDTC PASSPORT UP TO ITS EXPIRY ON JULY 1, 1997 IF THEY WISH."
IN THE MEMORANDA ASSOCIATED WITH THE JOINT DECLARATION, THE BRITISH AND CHINESE GOVERNMENTS AGREED THAT THE BDTCS WILL BE ABLE TO TRAVEL ON ANOTHER BRITISH PASSPORT (SUBSEQUENTLY KNOWN AS BNO PASSPORT) AFTER JUNE 30, 1997, PROVIDED THAT THE NEW PASSPORT IS OBTAINED BEFORE JULY 1, 1997.
THE ONLY EXCEPTION IS CHILDREN BORN IN THE FIRST HALF OF 1997. THEY MAY APPLY FOR BNO PASSPORTS UP TO THE END OF SEPTEMBER 1997.
"WE HAVE TO HAVE THE ORDER-1N-COUNCIL IN ORDER TO MINIMISE THE PROBLEM OF A LAST-MINUTE RUSH," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
APPLICANTS WHO MISSED THEIR CUT-OFF DATES FOR GOOD REASONS WOULD BE TREATED SYMPATHETICALLY, THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
"AS A MEASURE OF GOOD FAITH, THE GOVERNMENT IS NOW CONSIDERING AN APPEAL PANEL, WITH A MAJORITY OF LEGCO MEMBERS, TO ADVISE THE GOVERNOR ON LATE APPLICATIONS.”
"BUT IF HONG KONG BRITISH DEPENDENT CITIZENS WANT A BNO PASSPORT, THEN THEY SHOULD COME FORWARD AT ANY TIME FROM NOW UNTIL THEIR CUT-OFF DATE."
/THE CUT-OFF
THURSDAY, JUNE 10, 1993
2
THE CUT-OFF DATES ARE:
PHASE FINAL DATE FOR RECEIPT OF APPLICATIONS BIRTH YEAR/ AGE GROUP
1 END OF OCT 93 1967 - 71 (AGE 22-26)
2 END OF MAR 94 1962 - 66 (AGE 27-32)
3 END OF AUG 94 1957 - 61 (AGE 33 - 37)
4 END OF FEB 95 1947 - 56 (AGE 38 - 47)
5 END OF JUN 95 BEFORE 1947 (AGE 48 +)
6 END OF OCT 95 1972 - 76 (AGE 19 - 23)
7 END OF MAR 96 1977 - 81 (AGE 14 - 18)
8 END OF JUN 96 1982 - 86 (AGE 10 - 13)
9 END OF SEPT 96 1987 - 91 (AGE 5-9)
10 END OF DEC 96 1992 - 95 (AGE 0-4)
11 END OF MAR 97 BORN IN 1996
12 END OF SEPT 97 BORN IN 1997
"ONE SMALL EXCEPTION IS THAT PERSONS WHO ARE NATURALISED AS BDTCS AFTER THE CUT-OFF DATE WILL BE GIVEN AN ADDITIONAL THREE MONTHS WITHIN WHICH TO MAKE THE APPLICATION FOR REGISTRATION AS A BNO,” HE SAID.
------0-------
GOVERNOR WELCOMES BNO ARRANGEMENT ♦ t * * *
THE GOVERNOR, THE RT HON CHRISTOPHER PATTEN, SAID THIS (THURSDAY) AFTERNOON HE WAS DELIGHTED THAT THE DECISION ON THE BNO PASSPORT ISSUE WAS ANNOUNCED WHEN A GROUP OF LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLORS MET THE HOME SECRETARY YESTERDAY.
SPEAKING TO REPORTERS AFTER ATTENDING THE LEGCO’S QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS SESSION, THE GOVERNOR SAID: "I SPOKE TO MR HOWARD ON TUESDAY EVENING, ASKING HIM TO DO PRECISELY THAT."
/"WE'VE .......
3
THURSDAY, JUNE 10, 1993
"WE’VE BEEN PRESSING THE HOME OFFICE IN THE UK I’VE BEEN DOING THAT ON BEHALF OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL AND I AM DELIGHTED THAT THE DECISION WAS ANNOUNCED WHEN A GROUP OF LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLORS WENT TO PUT THE SAME POINT TO HIM YESTERDAY."
"I’VE SPOKEN TO HOME OFFICE OFFICIALS AND I KNOW THAT THE MINISTER OF STATE AT THE FOREIGN OFFICE, ALASTAIR GOODLAD, HAS DONE SO.
"IT’S AN ISSUE ON WHICH EXCO, LEGCO, THE GOVERNMENT AND THE COMMUNITY ALL HAPPILY SEE EYE TO EYE SO I HOPE WE CAN NOW GET AHEAD WITH THE SCHEME ON A BASIS THAT EVERYONE WILL AGREE."
ASKED ABOUT THE PRACTICAL DIFFICULTIES IF EVERYONE RUSHED TO APPLY FOR THE BNO PASSPORT IN 1997, MR PATTEN SAID: "THAT IS WHY WE STILL BELIEVE AND I HOPE THAT WILL NOW BE ACCEPTED BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL THAT A PROPER, A PHASED SCHEME IS ESSENTIAL BECAUSE WE WOULD BE, I THINK, ALL FEELING EXTREMELY GUILTY IF COME 1997, THERE ARE PEOPLE WHO COULDN’T GET THEIR PASSPORTS."
"SO WE NEED A PHASED SCHEME WITH THE STATUTORY BASIS.
"I AM VERY PLEASED THAT THE HOME OFFICE SAYS THAT NOW PEOPLE WON’T HAVE TO SURRENDER THEIR BDTCS BUT CAN CARRY THEM ALONG WITH THE BNO PASSPORTS. I THINK THAT WILL, PERHAPS, REMOVE SOME OF THE DIFFICULTIES AND WORRIES THAT PEOPLE HAVE."
ON THE CASE OF THE 7,000 PEOPLE OF THE MINORITY GROUP, THE GOVERNOR SAID: "I THINK THAT THE CASE HAS BEEN PUT NOT ONLY BY THE DELEGATION OF LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLORS BUT ALSO BY ME AND BY OTHERS AND WE WILL GO ON PUTTING THE CASE AND I HOPE THAT WE CAN GET SOME MOVEMENT ON THAT."
-----o------
BRITISH NATIONALITY (HK) (SELECTION SCHEME) (AMENDMENT) ORDER 93 TABLED IN PARLIAMENT
*****
THE DRAFT BRITISH NATIONALITY (HONG KONG) (SELECTION SCHEME) (AMENDMENT) ORDER 1993, WHICH PROVIDES FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE SECOND PHASE OF THE BRITISH NATIONALITY SELECTION SCHEME, WAS LAID BEFORE PARLIAMENT TODAY (THURSDAY).
UNDER THE BRITISH NATIONALITY SELECTION SCHEME INTRODUCED ON DECEMBER 1, 1990, UP TO 50,000 HONG KONG RESIDENTS AND THEIR DEPENDANTS MAY BE REGISTERED AS BRITISH CITIZENS WITHOUT HAVING TO LEAVE THE TERRITORY.
ABOUT 38,000 PLACES WILL HAVE BEEN TAKEN UP BY THE END OF THE FIRST PHASE OF THE SCHEME WHICH CONCLUDES ON JANUARY 1 NEXT YEAR. THE BALANCE OF ABOUT 12,000 PLACES WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR ALLOCATION IN THE SECOND PHASE.
THE ORDER SETS OUT A REVISED SELECTION METHOD AMONG OTHER CHANGES FOR THE SECOND PHASE RUNNING FROM JANUARY 3, 1994 TO JUNE 30, 1997 .
/ANNOUNCING THIS .......
THURSDAY, JUNE 10, 1993
4
ANNOUNCING THIS TODAY, A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID AMENDMENTS TO THE EXISTING SCHEME WERE PROPOSED IN THE LIGHT OF COMMENTS RECEIVED AND EXPERIENCE GAINED IN THE FIRST PHASE OF THE SCHEME.
’’THEY ARE INTENDED TO FACILITATE THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE SECOND PHASE AND TO MAKE SURE THAT THE REMAINING QUOTA WILL BE FULLY UTILISED AS FAR AS POSSIBLE BEFORE THE RELEVANT LEGISLATION EXPIRES IN 1997,” HE SAID.
THE SPOKESMAN POINTED OUT THAT THE BASIC FEATURES OF THE EXISTING SCHEME, 8UCH AS THE FOUR CLASSES UNDER WHICH APPLICATIONS MIGHT BE MADE AND THE POINTS SYSTEM FOR ASSESSING APPLICATIONS UNDER THE GENERAL OCCUPATIONAL CLASS AND THE DISCIPLINED SERVICES CLASS, REMAINED LARGELY UNCHANGED.
"THE MAIN CHANGES ARE THE METHOD FOR ALLOCATING THE QUOTA FOR DIFFERENT OCCUPATIONAL GROUPS AND THE FLEXIBILITY TO TRANSFER UNUSED QUOTAS BETWEEN OCCUPATIONAL GROUPS AND CLASSES.
"UNDER THE DRAFT ORDER, THE QUOTA FOR VARIOUS OCCUPATIONAL GROUPS IN THE GENERAL OCCUPATIONAL CLASS WILL BE DETERMINED HAVING REGARD TO THEIR EMIGRATION RATE IN THE PAST FEW YEARS AND TO THRIR APPLICATION RATE IN THE FIRST PHASE OF THE SCHEME. SUCH AN ARRANGEMENT IS EXPECTED TO PRODUCE A BETTER BALANCE BETWEEN SUPPLY AND DEMAND FOR PLACES.
"THE PROVISION FOR THE TRANSFER OF UNUSED QUOTAS WILL ENABLE THE UTILISATION OF THE QUOTA TO BE MAXIMISED," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
THE ORDER WILL BE CONSIDERED BY THE HOUSE OF COMMONS AND THE HOUSE OF LORDS WITHIN THE NEXT MONTH. SUBJECT TO THEIR APPROVAL, IT WILL BE SUBMITTED FOR ROYAL ASSENT SHORTLY AFTERWARDS.
BNO PASSPORT ARRANGEMENT WELCOMED * t « « *
A HONG KONG GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN TODAY (THURSDAY) WELCOMED THE HOME SECRETARY’S DECISION TO ALLOW BRITISH DEPENDENT TERRITORIES CITIZENS (BDTCr) TO RETAIN THEIR CURRENT PASSPORTS TN ADDITION TO BRITISH NATIONAL (OVERSEAS) (BN(O)) PASSPORTS.
"WE ARE VERY PLEASED THAT THE HOME SECRETARY HAS BEEN ABLE TO TAKE THESE EXCEPTIONAL STEPS TO MEET THE CONCERNS EXPRESSED BY MEMBERS OF THE EXECUTIVE AND LEGISLATIVE COUNCILS," HE SAID.
THE PHASED CONVERSION PROGRAMME WILL NOW GO AHEAD, THE SPOKESMAN EXPLAINED.
PEOPLE WILL STILL BE ASKED TO COME FORWARD TO APPLY FOR A BN(O)
PASSPORT ACCORDING TO THEIR AGE GROUP.
/’’WE MUST
THURSDAY, JUNE 10, 1993
5
"WE MUST DO THIS IN ORDER TO ENSURE THAT WE ARE ABLE TO ISSUE PASSPORTS IN TIME. WE WOULD SIMPLY NOT BE ABLE TO DO THAT IF SEVERAL MILLION PEOPLE APPLIED FOR THEIR BN(O) PASSPORTS CLOSE TO 1997," HE SAID.
"HOWEVER, NOW NO ONE WILL HAVE TO GIVE UP THEIR BDTC PASSPORT IF THEY DO NOT WANT TO."
-----0-------
FS EXPLAINS PROPOSAL FOR FURTHER PAA FUNDING
*****
THE MAIN PRIORITY OF THE GOVERNMENT AT THE MOMENT HAS TO BE TO . GET THE PROVISIONAL AIRPORT AUTHORITY (PAA) FUNDED BEFORE THE END OF JUNE, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, MR HAMISH MACLEOD, SAID TODAY (THURSDAY).
HE WAS SPEAKING TO THE MEDIA AFTER BRIEFING THE LEGCO SUBCOMMITTEE ON THE FINANCING OF THE AIRPORT CORE PROGRAMME (ACP) ON FURTHER ADVANCE FOR THE PAA.
"WHETHER WE ARE LOOKING AT PAA PROJECTS OR GOVERNMENT PROJECTS UNDER THE ACP, THIS MUST BE ONE OF THE FEW MASSIVE PROJECTS IN THE WORLD WHERE WE HAVE CONTRACTS WHICH ARE COMING IN BELOW ESTIMATE AND WHERE WE ARE STILL SO FAR ON TARGET."
"WE ARE DEALING HERE WITH A SUCCESS STORY,” HE SAID.
HE SAID HE ENTIRELY SYMPATHISED WITH LEGCO MEMBERS’ WISH OR SHARED MEMBERS’ WISH THAT AS SOON AS POSSIBLE WE SHOULD HAVE THE FULL FINANCIAL PICTURE AND NOT HAVE TO KEEP GOING FORWARD WITH WHAT WAS DESCRIBED BY SOMEONE AS PIECEMEAL PROPOSALS.
"BUT WE HAVE TO FACE FACTS AND THE FACT IS THAT, ALTHOUGH WE’VE RESUMED TALKS WITH THE CHINESE SIDE, AND I AM SURE THE WILL IS THERE TO TRY AND REACH AGREEMENT, WE HAVEN’T REACHED AGREEMENT YET AND, MEANWHILE, IT’S VITAL THAT WE KEEP THE PAA GOING.
"EVERYONE KNOWS THAT THE LAST FUNDING DECISION ONLY TOOK THE PAA UP TO THE END OF JUNE SO WE HAVE TO GO FORWARD, WE’VE GONE FORWARD WITH WHAT WE THINK IS THE MINIMUM REQUIRED TO KEEP THE MOMENTUM UP," HE SAID.
THE GOVERNMENT IS PROPOSING TO SEEK AN ADDITIONAL ADVANCE OF $564 MILLION FROM THE CAPITAL INVESTMENT FUND TO THE PAA TO ENABLE IT TO MEET ITS SHORT-TERM HEAD OFFICE EXPENSES AND TO MEET THE FINANCIAL COMMITMENTS FOR EIGHT CRITICAL AIRPORT DESIGN PACKAGES.
MR MACLEOD NOTED THAT THE GOVERNMENT HAD ALSO TO WARN MEMBERS THAT THERE WOULD BE INEVITABLY OTHER SUMS OF MONEY REQUIRED IN THE COMING MONTHS, WHETHER FOR GOVERNMENT’S PROJECTS, GOVERNMENT CONTRACTS UNDER THE ACP, OR IN DUE COURSE, PAA.
ON THE TALKS WITH THE CHINESE SIDE, HE SAID: "WE ARE EXCHANGING VIEWS WITH THE CHINESE SIDE ON FINANCING OPTIONS WITH THE ATM OF HOPEFULLY REACHING ONE WHICH WE COULD AGREE ON."
/"AND, AS ........
THURSDAY, JUNE 10, 1993
6
"AND, AS I’VE SAID TO MEMBERS, OUR JUDGMENT IS THAT AT THE MOMENT TO START REVEALING THIS DETAIL OF THAT DETAIL OF POSSIBLE OPTIONS WOULD NOT BE HELPFUL TO THE TALKS," HE ADDED.
ON THE AIRPORT AUTHORITY BILL, HE NOTED THAT THE MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING SAID THAT "WE WOULD DISCUSS THE BILL WITH THE CHINESE SIDE, SO THAT IS WHAT WE WOULD DO."
HE SAID THE CHINESE SIDE HAD BEEN BRIEFED IN GENERAL TERMS SOME TIME AGO BUT IT WAS TRUE THAT THEY HAD NOT SEEN THE DRAFT BILL YET BECAUSE THE LATEST DRAFT HAD ONLY JUST BEEN PRODUCED.
"THAT HAS TO GO THROUGH A FEW OTHER STEPS. IT HAS TO GO FOR EXAMPLE TO THE PAA BOARD BEFORE WE CAN DISCUSS IT WITH THE CHINESE SIDE BUT OUR AIM IS TO GET ON WITH THAT IN THE RATHER NEAR FUTURE.
"THE MAIN AIM WHICH I PUT TO MEMBERS WAS THAT WE SHOULD GET THROUGH THESE OTHER STEPS AND BE IN A POSITION TO PUT THE BILL TO MEMBERS, TO LEGCO EARLY IN THE NEXT SESSION. THE NEXT SESSION OF COURSE STARTS IN OCTOBER," HE SAID.
BUILDING FOR HONG KONG’S FUTURE PROSPERITY t * * * ♦
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, MR HAMISH MACLEOD, TODAY (THURSDAY) OUTLINED AN IMPRESSIVE LIST OF INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENTS WHICH WOULD ENABLE HONG KONG TO CONTINUE TO THRIVE AND GROW AND SUSTAIN ITS POSITION AS THE WORLD’S 10TH LARGEST TRADING ECONOMY.
HE WAS SPEAKING AT A LUNCHEON MEETING OF THE AUSTRALIAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.
MR MACLEOD NOTED THAT THE AIRPORT CORE PROGRAMME AND OTHER INFRASTURCTURE PROJECTS WOULD BRING "STAGGERING" ECONOMIC BENEFITS.
"THE AIRPORT ALONE IS ESTIMATED TO INCREASE HONG KONG’S GDP BY $430 BILLION BETWEEN 1997 AND 2010.
"THERE WILL ALSO BE SUBSTANTIAL INCOME FOR THE GOVERNMENT FROM BOTH THE AIRPORT AND THE AIRPORT RAILWAY,” HE SAID.
ON THE PROGRESS OF THE CONSTRUCTION, HE NOTED THAT MASSIVE LAND RECLAMATION WORK ON THE $9 BILLION NEW AIRPORT PLATFORM CONTRACT WAS CLEARLY VISIBLE.
"ABOUT 100 HECTARES OF LAND HAVE ALREADY BEEN FORMED FOR THE PLATFORM, AND AN AVERAGE OF 300,000 CUBIC METRES OF MATERIAL WILL BE MOVED DAILY DURING THE 41-MONTH SITE PREPARATION WORK CONTRACT - THAT IS EQUIVALENT TO 367 EMPIRE STATE BUILDINGS," HE SAID.
THERE WERE ALSO THE RECLAMATION FOR TUNG CHUNG NEW TOWN, EARTHWORKS ALONG THE LINE OF THE NORTH LANTAU EXPRESSWAY, AND THE LANTAU FIXED CROSSING WHERE EXCELLENT PROGRESS WAS BEING MADE ON THE TSING MA BRIDGE, ONE OF THE WORLD’S LONGEST SUSPENSION BRIDGES, AND ALSO THE WEST KOWLOON RECLAMATION, HE ADDED.
/"ALL THAT ........
THURSDAY, JUNE 10, 1993
7
"ALL THAT COMES UNDER THE AIRPORT CORE PROGRAMME IN A SERIES OF INTERLINKED PROJECTS COSTING A TOTAL OF $164 BILLION IN MONEY OF THE DAY," HE SAID.
AT THE SAME TIME, HE SAID, THE PORT WAS CONSTANTLY BEING EXPANDED TO ENSURE THAT HONG KONG MAINTAINED ITS RANKING AS THE BUSIEST CONTAINER PORT.
"WE ARE GEARING UP FOR THE PRIVATE SECTOR TO BUILD CONTAINER TERMINAL 9 - AND THEN FOR CONTAINER TERMINAL 10 WHICH WILL BE ON LANTAU, AND SERVED BY THE HIGHWAYS AND BRIDGES THAT WE ARE CONSTRUCTING AS PART OF THE AIRPORT CORE PROGRAMME.
"WE ARE ALSO STARTING ON A SECTION OF ROUTE 3, A MAJOR HIGHWAY THAT WILL RUN RIGHT UP TO THE BORDER WITH CHINA," HE SAID.
IN ADDITION, THERE WAS THE NEW RAILWAY DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY, AND OTHER VAST INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS SUCH AS A SEWAGE STRATEGY AND THE MAJOR DEVELOPMENT THAT WOULD BE TAKING PLACE ON AND AROUND THE PRESENT AIRPORT SITE AT KAI TAK ONCE THE AIRPORT ITSELF HAD MOVED TO CHEK LAP KOK, MR MACLEOD POINTED OUT.
HE FURTHER NOTED THAT AIRPORT CONSTRUCTION CONTRACTS WORTH OVER HK$34 BILLION HAD BEEN AWARDED BY THE GOVERNMENT AND THE PROVISIONAL AIRPORT AUTHORITY (PAA) AND THEY WERE ALL WITHIN BUDGET ESTIMATES AND ON SCHEDULE FOR COMPLETION ON TIME.
"THAT SPEAKS WELL FOR THE FEASIBILITY AND COST-EFFECTIVENESS OF THE PROGRAMME," HE SAID.
AMONG THE MANY OVERSEAS CONTRACTORS WHO HAD WON THE CONTRACTS, JAPAN LED WITH THE LARGEST SHARE AT 21 PER CENT OF THE $34 BILLION WHILE AUSTRALIA FIGURED IN THE TOP 10 COUNTRIES WITH NEARLY FIVE PER CENT, HE POINTED OUT.
"IT IS IMPORTANT THAT WE MAINTAIN THE MOMENTUM, AS INDEED WE ARE REQUIRED TO DO BY THE SINO-BRITISH MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING, WHICH SAYS WE SHOULD COMPLETE THE PROGRAMME TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT POSSIBLE BY JUNE 1997.
"TO THIS END WE ARE CURRENTLY PURSUING TWO PARALLEL LINES OF ACTION," HE SAID.
FIRST, HE SAID, WE WERE CONTINUING OUR PRIMARY TARGET OF REACHING AGREEMENT WITH THE CHINESE ON FINANCING ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE AIRPORT AND AIRPORT RAILWAY.
"THERE WAS A MEETING OF THE AIRPORT COMMITTEE LAST WEEK, AND INFORMAL CONTACTS ARE CONTINUING, FOCUSING ON VARIATIONS ON PREVIOUS FINANCING PROPOSALS.
"LET US HOPE WE CAN MOVE AHEAD IN THIS SERIES OF TALKS AND REACH THE AGREEMENT WE ALL WANT," HE SAID.
SECONDLY, PARALLEL WITH THAT, THE GOVERNMENT WAS ASKING THE FINANCE COMMITTEE TO VOTE FURTHER INTERIM FUNDING OF $564 MILLION FOR THE PAA, HE SAID.
/THE PAA ........
THURSDAY, JUNE 10, 1993
8
THE PAA NEEDED THE FUNDS BY THE END OF THIS MONTH TO COVER ITS HEAD OFFICE EXPENSES FOR A PERIOD OF NINE MONTHS FROM THE END OF THIS MONTH, AND TO PROCEED WITH EIGHT CRITICAL AIRPORT DESIGN PACKAGES.
"NINE MONTHS RUNS TO THE END OF THE PAA’S CURRENT FINANCIAL YEAR, AND IS, I HOPE, A SUFFICIENTLY LONG PERIOD TO SUSTAIN STAFF MORALE AND ENABLE THE PAA TO MAINTAIN ITS FINANCIAL AND CORPORATE MANAGEMENT ACTIVITY, AND PUSH AHEAD WITH ITS OPERATIONAL AND COMMERCIAL PLANNING,” HE SAID.
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY EMPHASISED THAT THE GOVERNMENT’S AIM WAS TO MAINTAIN THE LEVEL OF ACHIEVEMENT WE HAD HAD WITH THE AWARD OF CONTRACTS AND TO AVOID THE DELAYS AND RISING COSTS THAT WERE INEVITABLE IF WE DID NOT PRESS ON.
”TO THAT END, I HOPE THAT THE FINANCE COMMITTEE WILL IN DUE COURSE APPROVE THE FUNDING, AND THAT WE REACH AGREEMENT WITH CHINA," HE SAID.
EARLIER IN HIS SPEECH, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY NOTED THAT THE RESULTS OF A REGULAR OPINION SURVEY CONDUCTED BY THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION IN MAY SHOWED THAT 65 PER CENT OF THE RESPONDENTS SAID THEY HAD CONFIDENCE THAT HONG KONG WOULD CONTINUE TO BE PROSPEROUS AND STABLE, COMPARED WITH 60 PER CENT IN MARCH.
A SECOND POINT WAS THAT 75 PER CENT OF THE RESPONDENTS WERE SATISFIED WITH THE PRESENT SITUATION, COMPARED WITH 68 PER CENT IN MARCH, HE SAID.
"I DOUBT IF THERE ARE MANY PLACES IN THE WORLD THAT COULD ACHIEVE SUCH HIGH POSITIVE PERCENTAGES," HE SAID.
------0-------
GOVERNOR IN LEGCO *****
FOLLOWING IS A STATEMENT BY THE GOVERNOR, THE RT HON CHRISTOPHER PATTEN, TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (THURSDAY):
MR PRESIDENT, HONOURABLE MEMBERS,
WE SPEND A GREAT DEAL OF OUR TIME IN THIS COUNCIL DISCUSSING CONSTITUTIONAL MATTERS. AND RIGHTLY SO. THEY ARE, OF COURSE, EXTREMELY IMPORTANT.
BUT SO TOO ARE OTHER SUBJECTS - NOT LEAST THE SUBJECT OF OUR ENVIRONMENT, WHICH IS ARGUABLY THE MOST IMPORTANT OF ALL. WORLD ENVIRONMENT DAY LAST SATURDAY REMINDED US ALL THAT WE HAVE THIS PLANET ON TRUST - NOT TO PLUNDER, BUT TO PROTECT AND PRESERVE.
I MADE PLAIN MY PERSONAL COMMITMENT TO OUR ENVIRONMENT IN MY POLICY SPEECH LAST OCTOBER. I FEEL STRONGLY ABOUT IT. I AM KEEN THAT WHEN I LEAVE HONG KONG, THE TERRITORY SHOULD BE IN A BETTER ENVIRONMENTAL STATE THAN WHEN I ARRIVED AS GOVERNOR ALMOST A YEAR AGO. WE HAVE ALREADY MADE SOME PROGRESS. LET ME GIVE YOU SOME EXAMPLES. SINCE LAST JULY, WE HAVE:
/- SHUT DOWN .......
9
THURSDAY, JUNE 10, 1993
- SHUT DOWN THE AIR POLLUTING INCINERATOR IN KENNEDY TOWN, MUCH TO THE RELIEF OF LOCAL RESIDENTS;
- IMPLEMENTED STATUTORY CONTROLS ON CHEMICAL WASTE AND OPENED THE LARGEST CHEMICAL WASTE TREATMENT FACILITY IN ASIA;
- BEGUN DETAILED DESIGN OF THE HIGH PRIORITY PROGRAMME FOR NEW SEWERAGE, WHICH WILL CUT POLLUTION IN THE HARBOUR IN DUE COURSE BY 70%;
WE HAVE ALSO:
- SPEEDED UP THE PROGRAMME FOR PROTECTING SCHOOLS AFFECTED BY EXCESSIVE LEVELS OF NOISE;
- INTRODUCED CONTROLS ON THE NOISIEST CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT LIKE COMPRESSORS AND HAND-HELD ROCK-BREAKERS;
- AWARDED THE CONTRACT FOR THE WESTERN NEW TERRITORIES LANDFILL;
- OPENED THE ISLAND EAST REFUSE TRANSFER STATION;
- DECLARED TWO FURTHER WATER CONTROL ZONES;
- LAUNCHED THE ENERGY EFFICIENCY ADVISORY COMMITTEE EDUCATION CAMPAIGN; AND
- MADE SURE THAT ALL POLICY PROPOSALS AND PUBLIC WORKS PROJECTS ARE VETTED ENVIRONMENTALLY.
WE HAVE ALSO MADE IT A REQUIREMENT THAT ALL EXCO PAPERS WITH ENVIRONMENTAL IMPLICATIONS MUST INCLUDE AN ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT. AND OF COURSE WB CONTINUE TO TAKE ACCOUNT OF THE CONCLUSIONS OF FULL ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENTS. THESE HAVE A VERY PRACTICAL IMPACT. THE PROPOSAL TO DREDGE MIRS BAY, FOR EXAMPLE, WAS ABANDONED AFTER THE EIA SHOWED IT WOULD DO GRAVE ECOLOGICAL DAMAGE.
SO WE HAVE MADE A START. AND OUR PROGRAMMES ARE GATHERING PACE. BUT SOME OF THE STRATEGIC PROGRAMMES - FOR SEWAGE AND SOLID WASTE FOR EXAMPLE - WILL TAKE SEVERAL YEARS TO COMPLETE. SOME IN THE COMMUNITY ARE IMPATIENT FOR EARLIER RESULTS. THIS IS UNDERSTANDABLE.
IN THE COMING MONTHS, THEREFORE, I WANT THE GOVERNMENT TO DO MORE, ACROSS THE BOARD.
IN PARTICULAR, I WANT US TO CONCENTRATE ON :
- ONE, CLEANING UP THE NEW TERRITORIES. THERE CAN BE NO EXCUSE FOR THE GROWING EYESORE OF SCRAP METAL AND RUBBISH DUMPS THAT CLUTTER AN EVER WIDER AREA. WE HAVE GOT TO CONTAIN THEM. WE WILL BRING FORWARD PROPOSALS IN THE AUTUMN ON THIS ISSUE.
- TWO, TACKLING AIR POLLUTION. YOU CAN UP TO A POINT CHOOSE WHICH WATER TO DRINK. BUT WE ALL HAVE TO BREATH THE SAME AIR. WE HAVE MADE GOOD PROGRESS - SO2 LEVELS ARE DOWN 40%
IN THE LAST 3 YEARS, AND ARE DOWN 90% IN THE WORST PLACES. BUT WE CAN DO MORE, AND WE MUST DO MORE.
/-THREE, PREVENTING .......
THURSDAY, JUNE 10, 1993
10
- THREE, PREVENTING POLLUTION IN THE FIRST PLACE. I WANT US TO LOOK IMAGINATIVELY AT WAYS OF CUTTING DOWN ON POLLUTION, AT WASTE MINIMISATION, AT TIGHTER EMISSION CONTROLS, AT BETTER PUBLIC EDUCATION.
HONOURABLE MEMBERS ARE AWARE THAT WE WILL BE PUBLISHING THE SECOND REVIEW OF THE 1989 WHITE PAPER ON THE ENVIRONMENT LATER THIS YEAR.
THIS WILL BE A VERY IMPORTANT DOCUMENT. I WANT US TO USE IT TO CHART AN ENVIRONMENTAL AGENDA TO TAKE HONG KONG INTO THE NEXT CENTURY, AND TO BUILD ON THE GREEN FOUNDATIONS THAT WERE LAID IN THE 1989 WHITE PAPER. WE USED THAT WHITE PAPER TO TACKLE THE URGENT LEGACY OF YEARS OF NEGLECT AND DECLINE. NOW WE MUST MOVE ON, AND WORK TOGETHER -GOVERNMENT, BUSINESS, THE COMMUNITY - TO GIVE HONG KONG A WORLD CLASS ENVIRONMENT TO MATCH THE WORLD CLASS CITY WE HAVE BECOME. I WILL WANT TO SAY MORE ABOUT THIS IN MY POLICY ADDRESS TO THIS COUNCIL IN OCTOBER.
THERE IS ONE DIMENSION THAT 1 HAVEN'T MENTIONED, AND THAT IS THE IMPORTANCE OF CO-OPERATION WITH GUANGDONG. ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEMS KNOW NO BOUNDARIES. THEY REQUIRE REGIONAL SOLUTIONS. THE SECRETARY FOR PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS HAS ESTABLISHED A LINK WITH HIS OPPOSITE NUMBER IN GUANGDONG AND THEY ARE BEGINNING TO LOOK AT THIS ISSUE TOGETHER. I HOPE WE WILL BE ABLE TO WORK CLOSELY WITH OUR COLLEAGUES IN GUANGDONG ON THESE MATTERS IN THE FUTURE. WITHOUT EFFECTIVE CO-OPERATION, THE VALUE OF OUR OWN EFFORTS WOULD BE SERIOUSLY DIMINISHED.
WE ARE - AS A COMMUNITY - RIGHTLY PROUD OF OUR ECONOMIC SUCCESS. FOR SOME IN OUR COMMUNITY IT HAS BROUGHT GREAT LUXURY. BUT IF WE WERE TO CARRY ON AS IF THE ENVIRONMENT DIDN'T MATTER, IT WOULD BE A LUXURY THAT NONE OF US COULD AFFORD.
GOVERNMENT CAN’T DO EVERYTHING. THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT HAVE A MAJOR STRUGGLE ON THEIR HANDS. THEY WILL NEED THE HELP AND SUPPORT OF THE WHOLE COMMUNITY. AND CLEANING UP OUR ACT WILL REQUIRE SOME SACRIFICE. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DOES NOT COME CHEAPLY. IT IS RIGHT AND FAIR THAT THOSE WHO POLLUTE MORE SHOULD HAVE TO PAY MORE.
IN TRUTH, WE HAVE NO ALTERNATIVE BUT TO TRY EVEN HARDER TO PROTECT OUR ENVIRONMENT; ABOVE ALL IN HONG KONG, WHERE SIX MILLION OF US SHARE A SPECK OF THE PLANET WITH EACH OTHER - AND WITH AS MANY VISITORS - EACH YEAR.
I HOPE MEMBERS OF THIS COUNCIL - AND OUR COMMUNITY OUTSIDE IT -WILL GIVE EVERY SUPPORT TO THE CAMPAIGN TO MAKE HONG KONG A CLEANER, BETTER PLACE TO LIVE IN TODAY AND FOR HONG KONG'S CHILDREN TO INHERIT TOMORROW.
/FOLLOWING IS
THURSDAY, JUNE 10, 1993
- 11 -
FOLLOWING IS A TRANSCRIPT OF THE GOVERNOR’S QUESTION AND ANSWER SESSION IN LEGCO TODAY (THURSDAY):
MR MARVIN CHEUNG: GOVERNOR, CAN YOU PLEASE EXPLAIN TO THE COUNCIL WHY OTHER COUNTRIES WHICH HAVE HIGH ENVIRONMENTAL STANDARDS SUCH AS JAPAN, SINGAPORE AND SWEDEN CAN OPERATE ENVIRONMENTALLY ACCEPTABLE INCINERATORS IN A COST-EFFICIENT MANNER AND YET THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT HAVE CONSISTENTLY MAINTAINED THAT SUCH FACILITIES ARE NOT APPROPRIATE FOR HONG KONG?
GOVERNOR: I DON’T THINK THAT IT’S SENSIBLE TO REGARD THE DISPOSAL OF WASTE AS PRESENTING A STARK CHOICE BETWEEN, ON THE ONE HAND, INCINERATION AND, ON THE OTHER HAND, LANDFILL. THE TRUTH IS THAT EVEN WITH INCINERATION YOU NEED LANDFILL AND EVEN WITH LANDFILL YOU’LL ALMOST CERTAINLY NEED A CERTAIN AMOUNT OF INCINERATION. BUT I DO THINK THAT HONG KONG PRESENTS PARTICULAR PROBLEMS AND THAT WE’VE - AND THIS IS LARGELY A QUESTION OF DECISIONS TAKEN IN THE PAST - GOT THE BALANCE RIGHT IN FACING OUR OWN PARTICULAR PROBLEMS. TWO PROBLEMS WHICH PARTICULARLY AFFECT US HERE IN HONG KONG ARE HEIGHT RESTRICTIONS AND THE PROBLEMS OF A LARGE COMMUNITY LIVING IN A SMALL GEOGRAPHICAL AREA. SO IF YOU ARE TRYING TO SITE INCINERATORS, YOU NEED TO SITE THEM IN FAIRLY REMOTE AREAS OF HONG KONG, AND THAT PRODUCES PROBLEMS OF TRANSPORT OF WASTE TO THOSE SITES. I THINK, IN THOSE CIRCUMSTANCES, THAT IT IS RIGHT FOR US TO HAVE DEPENDED, AS WE HAVE, ON LANDFILL BUT, I REPEAT, WE WILL NEED MORE INCINERATION. WE WILL NEED INCINERATION FOR WASTE LIKE MEDICAL WASTE. WE WILL ALSO, I AM SURE, NEED SOME INCINERATION CAPACITY TO COPE WITH OTHER FORMS OF WASTE IN THE YEARS AHEAD. I WOULD JUST ADD THAT THE COSTS, AS I UNDERSTAND IT, OF DISPOSAL TO LANDFILL ARE MUCH LOWER THAN THE COSTS OF INCINERATION. AND I WOULD ALSO ADD THAT I THINK THAT THE HONOURABLE MEMBER WOULD FIND QUITE A FEW MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY, PARTICULARLY THOSE LIVING NEAR INCINERATORS, WOULD OBJECT TO THE CONSTRUCTION OF NEW INCINERATORS, JUST AS PEOPLE UNDERSTANDABLY OBJECT TO THE OPENING UP OF LANDFILL.
MR PETER WONG: GOVERNOR, NOW THAT THE LEGAL ADVICE ON THE PROPRIETY OF THE GOVERNMENT’S ACTION OVER THE TEMPORARY BORROWING OF 18 HECTARES OF CLEAR WATER BAY COUNTRY PARK FOR THE SAID LANDFILL WAS THAT THE COUNTRY PARKS ORDINANCE DOES NOT APPLY TO THE CROWN, THEREBY CUTTING OUT THE ABILITY OF CONCERNED PUBLIC TO OBJECT. IS THAT THE WISH OF THIS YOUR GOVERNMENT TO CONTINUE WITH THIS DOUBLE STANDARD?
GOVERNOR: I AM PERFECTLY CONTENT TO REVIEW THE OPERATION OF THE COUNTRY PARKS ORDINANCE AND IF WE NEED TO TIGHTEN UP SOME ASPECTS OF THAT ORDINANCE, IF THAT IS THE VIEW OF THIS COUNCIL TO DO SO. THE GENERAL CONSERVATION LEGISLATION APPLIES AS MUCH TO THE GOVERNMENT AND PUBLIC AUTHORITIES AS IT DOES TO PRIVATE. BUT IN RELATION TO LAND USE IN THE COUNTRY PARKS, I THINK THE HONOURABLE MEMBER IS RIGHT TO SAY THAT THE GOVERNMENT IS "OUT" WITH REGULATIONS WHICH WOULD APPLY TO A PRIVATE OWNER. I DON’T HONESTLY THINK THAT THAT IS THE MAIN ISSUE TO ARISE FROM THE CONTROVERSY ABOUT THAT LANDFILL, BUT I WOULD BE PERFECTLY HAPPY TO DEAL WITH QUESTIONS ON THAT PROPOSED LANDFILL FROM THE HONOURABLE MEMBER OR FROM OTHERS.
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MR PRESIDENT : ..... OVERLOOKED, MR PETER WONG HAS A FOLLOW-UP.
MR PETER WONG : THANK YOU. MR GOVERNOR, DOES THIS MEAN THAT YOU ARE WILLING TO LOOK AT ALL THE OTHER ENVIRONMENTAL LEGISLATION AS REGARDS THE BINDING OF THE CROWN, BECAUSE THE GOVERNMENT REALLY IS THE LARGEST POLLUTER IN HONG KONG AND WHETHER WE LIKE IT OR NOT, THAT IS A FACT?
GOVERNOR : I WOULD DISPUTE THAT ALLEGATION, WHICH IS I THINK MORE EASILY SAID THAN ARGUED WITH EVIDENCE BUT IF THE HONOURABLE GENTLEMAN HAS EVIDENCE I’D BE VERY HAPPY TO CONSIDER IT. WHAT MY ANSWER MEANS WHAT IT SAID. THE HONOURABLE MEMBER ASKED IN PARTICULAR ABOUT THE COUNTRY PARKS ORDINANCE AND I REPLIED THAT WE WOULD BE HAPPY TO CONSIDER THE TERMS OF THAT ORDINANCE AND AS FAR AS OTHER LEGISLATION ON POLLUTION AND ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS IS CONCERNED, I THINK OVERWHELMINGLY THAT BINDS GOVERNMENT AS IT BINDS PRIVATE SECTOR OPERATORS AND SO IT SHOULD. GOVERNMENT OBVIOUSLY HAS TO GIVE A LEAD. IN DOING SO THAT SOMETIMES INVOLVES EXPENSE AND I’M SURE THAT THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL RECOGNISES THAT.
MR PETER WONG : I’M QUITE CONTENT WITH THAT ANSWER.
MR LAU WONG-FAT (IN CANTONESE) : THANK YOU MR PRESIDENT. RECENTLY SOME CHINESE ENVIRONMENTAL OFFICIALS POINTED OUT THAT HONG KONG IS ABOUT TO LAUNCH A VERY EXPENSIVE SEWAGE TREATMENT PROGRAMME BECAUSE IT’S GOING TO STRADDLE 1997, THAT’S WHY WE NEED CO-OPERATION FROM CHINA. SO THIS IS THE COMMENT FROM THE CHINESE SIDE, WHAT IS YOUR COMMENT ON THAT COMMENT?
GOVERNOR : I’VE GOT NO DOUBT THAT IF WE’RE TO COMPLETE OUR TOTAL SEWAGE STRATEGY IT WILL TAKE BEYOND 1997 AND THE GOVERNMENT OF THE SAR WILL BE FACED WITH A NUMBER OF TASKS AFTER 1997. BUT I DON’T THINK THIS COUNCIL WOULD REGARD IT AS SENSIBLE FOR US TO LEAVE THE JOB FOR THE SAR TO PICK UP WITH THE UNDOUBTED CONSEQUENCE OF THE QUALITY OF WATER IN OUR HARBOUR AND AROUND OUR SHORES BECOMING EVEN WORSE. THAT IS WHY WE HAVE LAUNCHED THE FREE STANDING PRIORITY PROGRAMME FOR COLLECTION AND TREATMENT AND PARTIAL DISPOSAL OF SEWAGE WHICH WILL RE COMPLETED BEFORE 1997. THE WORK WILL BE COMPLETED BEFORE 1997 AND THE COSTS WILL BE MET BEFORE 1997 AND THAT PROGRAMME WHICH AS I SAID IN MY OPENING STATEMENT SHOULD REDUCE THE POLLUTION IN THE HARBOUR BY ABOUT 70 PER CENT. THAT PROGRAMME IS I THINK A PROGRAMME WHICH THE COMMUNITY WANTS US TO EMBARK ON AS RAPIDLY AS POSSIBLE. I VERY MUCH HOPE THAT THE GOVERNMENT OF THE SAR WILL BUILD ON THE PROGRAMME WHICH WE SHOULD HAVE COMPLETED BY 1997 BUT I CAN’T MAKE ANY COMMITMENT TO THAT, NOR I’M SURE WOULD CHINESE OFFICIALS WISH TO SAY THAT WE SHOULDN'T DO AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE BEFORE THAT YEAR.
MR NGAI SHIU-KIT ! WHAT ACTION DOES GOVERNMENT PROPOSE TO PREVENT FURTHER WATER QUALITY DETERIORATION IN NORTH LANTAU AND ADVERSE EFFECTS ON THE CHINESE WHITE DOLPHIN?
GOVERNOR : OBVIOUSLY THE WORK THAT WE DO OVER THE NEXT FOUR YEARS TO PUT IN PLACE THE FIRST STAGES OF A PROPER SEWAGE TREATMENT STRATEGY FOR HONG KONG WILL BRING BENEFITS TO NORTH LANTAU AS THEY WILL TO OTHER AREAS. IT’S ALSO THE CASE THAT THE IMPLEMENTATION OF WATER CONTROL ZONES RIGHT ACROSS THE TERRITORY WILL RAISE THE QUALITY OF OUR WATER AS WELL. AS FOR THE IMPACT ON PARTICULAR SPECIES OF MARINE LIFE, I’D BE VERY HAPPY TO ANSWER THE HONOURABLE MEMBER IN A LETTER FOLLOWING THIS DISCUSSION. I’M AFRAID I CAN’T GIVE HIM THE ANSWER ON THAT PARTICULAR FORM OF SEA LIFE THIS AFTERNOON.
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MR PRESIDENT : FOLLOW-UP MR NGAI?
MR NGAI SHIU-KIT : WILL GOVERNMENT UPGRADE THE TUNG CHUNG AND URMSTON ROAD SEWAGE TREATMENT WORK BEFORE ADVERSE IMPACTS OCCUR?
GOVERNOR : I WILL CERTAINLY LOOK INTO THAT MATTER FOR THE HONOURABLE MEMBER AND LET HIM KNOW WHAT THE RESPONSE IS.
REV FUNG CHI-WOOD (IN CANTONESE) : MR GOVERNOR, CONCERNING VICTORIA HARBOUR WHICH IS A WATER CONTROL ZONE TO BE DESIGNATED LATER THIS YEAR, BUT UNFORTUNATELY THE DESIGNATION HAS BEEN DELAYED. ACTUALLY IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN DESIGNATED IN 1991 BUT NOW IT WAS DELAYED AND IT WILL BE DESIGNATED IN THREE STAGES IN ’95,’96 AND ’97 AND SO IT WILL BE DESIGNATED AS A FULL WATER CONTROL ZONE ONLY IN 1997. SO I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW, DOES IT MEAN THAT THE ADMINISTRATION AS FAR AS ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION IS CONCERNED HAS NOT DONE ITS BEST AND WOULD YOU THINK OF MEASURES TO BRING FORWARD THE DESIGNATION OF THE ENTIRE VICTORIA HARBOUR SO THAT THE ENTIRE HARBOUR CAN BE DESIGNATED EARLIER?
GOVERNOR : WE ARE PROCEEDING WITH THE DESIGNATION OF WATER CONTROL ZONES AS RAPIDLY AS WE CAN. THERE IS NO POINT IN DESIGNATING A ZONE AND NOT BEING ABLE TO POLICE THE REGULATIONS WHICH ENSURE A RISE IN THE QUALITY OF WATER IN THAT PARTICULAR AREA. WE’VE DESGINATED, AS THE HONOURABLE MEMBER WILL KNOW, RECENTLY WATER CONTROL ZONES IN THE EAST AND THE WEST AND WE TOOK THE VIEW THAT WE COULDN’T INCLUDE PART OF THE DISTRICT WHICH THE HONOURABLE MEMBER REPRESENTS AND THAT THAT WOULD HAVE TO AWAIT THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A WATER CONTROL ZONE IN VICTORIA HARBOUR. WE WILL TRY TO ENSURE THAT IN THAT DESIGNATION WE DEAL FIRST WITH THE AREA IN WHICH THE HONOURABLE MEMBER IS PARTICULARLY CONCERNED. I HAVE MADE A HABIT OF CHECKING WHETHER WE’RE MOVING AS RAPIDLY AS WE CAN, WHETHER THE CONSTRAINTS ON PROGRESS ARE FINANCIAL. I’M ASSURED THAT WE ARE MOVING AS RAPIDLY AS WE CAN, THAT THE CONSTRAINTS AREN’T FINANCIAL, THAT THE CONSTRAINTS ARE THOSE OF HAVING PEOPLE, HAVING ENOUGH PEOPLE TO IMPLEMENT THE REGULATIONS AND TO MAKE THE WATER CONTROL ZONES REALLY EFFECTIVE. SO I'M AFRAID THE HONOURABLE MEMBER WILL HAVE TO BE A LITTLE PATIENT. IF WE CAN MAKE MORE PROGRESS WE WILL.
/DR CONRAD .......
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DR CONRAD LAM : MR GOVERNOR, MR PRESIDENT, THROUGH YOU I WOULD LIKE TO REFLECT A POINT TO THE GOVERNOR. IT'S FROM WONG TAI SIN DISTRICT BOARD AND WONG TAI SIN RESIDENTS. IT IS IN RELATION TO THE ENVIRONMENT. THE GOVERNOR HAS BEEN TO WONG TAI SIN DISTRICT. I AM SURE HE IS AWARE OF TWO VERY FAMOUS AREAS OR SPOTS. ONE IS THE WONG TAI SIN TEMPLE WHERE YOU HAVE ALL YOUR WISHES GRANTED, AND THE SECOND ONE IS THE RATHER NOTORIOUS KAI TAK NULLAH. THIS AFTERNOON THE WONG TAI SIN DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS CAME TO SEE US IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL AND THEY TELL US ABOUT THE PROBLEMS OF THE KAI TAK NULLAH. ACTUALLY EVER SINCE THE SETTING-UP OF THE WONG TAI SIN DISTRICT BOARD, THE QUESTION OF THE KAI TAK NULLAH HAS BEEN DISCUSSED TIME AND AGAIN AT THE ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE AND RELEVANT GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS DO AGREE THAT THERE IS A VERY STRONG STENCH AFFECTING THE ENVIRONMENT AND ALSO AFFECTING THE WATER QUALITY OF KOWLOON BAY. THE MOST IMPORTANT QUESTION ACTUALLY IS IN RELATION TO FINANCE, EVEN THOUGH MANY OFFICIALS DO AGREE THAT IN ORDER TO DECK-- THAT DECKING THIS NULLAH WILL BE ABLE TO IMPROVE THE ENVIRONMENT AND TAKE AWAY SOME OF THE STENCH AND IMPROVE TRAFFIC CONDITIONS, AND YET SINCE THEY CANNOT MAKE THE DECISION, IN OTHER WORDS, THEY CANNOT GET THE MONEY TO DECK THIS NULLAH. TECHNICALLY WE HAVE BEEN TOLD IT IS POSSIBLE. SO WE HOPE THAT YOU, MR GOVERNOR, WILL TAKE THIS UP WITH YOUR OFFICIALS AND LOOK AT THE AMOUNT OF MONEY INVOLVED AND TO SEE WHETHER, BALANCED AGAINST ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT, IT IS A SUM WORTH SPENDING.
GOVERNOR : FIRST OF ALL, THE HONOURABLE MEMBER IS QUITE RIGHT TO DRAW ATTENTION TO THE SMELL CAUSED BY THAT NULLAH. ALL TOO OFTEN, AS THE HONOURABLE MEMBER WILL KNOW, IT’S THE FIRST THING WHICH GREETS VISITORS TO HONG KONG AND I DON'T THINK IT GIVES THEM AN IDEAL WELCOME TO THE FRAGRANT HARBOUR. SO THE SOONER WE CAN TAKE ACTION TO DEAL WITH THAT NOISOME, NOXIOUS SMELL THE BETTER. I'M SURE EVERYBODY INVOLVED, NOT ONLY IN REPRESENTING RESIDENTS BUT IN REPRESENTING THE TOURIST INDUSTRY, WOULD AGREE WITH THAT. WE HAVE, I THINK THE HONOURABLE MEMBER KNOWS, INCREASED SUBSTANTIALLY THE FUNDS AVAILABLE FOR DISTRICT BOARDS FOR LOCAL WORKS, IN PARTICULAR FOR LOCAL ENVIRONMENTAL WORKS. WE HAVE PRETTY WELL DOUBLED THOSE FUNDS FOR THIS YEAR, BUT OBVIOUSLY, IN THE CASE OF THE KAI TAK NULLAH, THE COSTS OF DEALING WITH THE PROBLEM ARE VERY CONSIDERABLE INDEED. I WOULD LIKE TO CHECK, IF I MAY, HOW THAT NULLAH WILL BE AFFECTED BY THE EARLY STAGES OF THE HIGH PRIORITY PROGRAMME ON SEWAGE AND WASTE WATER, BECAUSE I THINK THAT THE IMPACT OF THAT PROGRAMME IN KOWLOON SHOULD HELP TO AFFECT THE NULLAH IN AN ENVIRONMENTALLY BENIGN WAY. IF I AM WRONG ABOUT THAT, I WILL COME BACK TO THE HONOURABLE MEMBER. AND I WILL ALSO LOOK AT THE QUESTION OF COVERING THE NULLAH WHICH MAY, AS THE HONOURABLE MEMBER SAID, HELP TO DEAL WITH THE SMELL. BUT THE OVERALL IMPORTANT THING IS TO SEPARATE SEWAGE AND WASTE WATER AND TO ENSURE THAT WE DON’T HAVE TOO MANY NOXIOUS FLUIDS IN THE OPEN AIR, CREATING A SMELL AND CREATING AN ENVIRONMENTAL HAZARD.
MR HENRY TANG : GOVERNOR, AS WE ALL KNOW, DIESEL VEHICLE EMISSION IS A MAJOR CAUSE OF AIR POLLUTION HERE IN HONG KONG. WOULD YOU TELL US WOULD THE GOVERNMENT IMPOSE MORE STRINGENT EMISSION STANDARDS ON DIESEL VEHICLE EMISSION SOON?
/GOVERNOR .......
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GOVERNOR : IT IS OUR INTENTION TO INTRODUCE TOUGHER STANDARDS - I THINK THEY’RE CALLED EURO-1 STANDARDS - ON HEAVY DIESEL VEHICLES WHICH SHOULD HAVE, I THINK, A SIGNIFICANT IMPACT ON DIESEL EMISSIONS. WE ALSO WANT TO GO RATHER FURTHER THAN THAT. WE WANT TO TRY TO IMPROVE AND TIGHTEN UP TESTING STANDARDS AND, SPEAKING FOR MYSELF AND SPEAKING FOR THE GOVERNMENT, I WOULD LIKE US TO ENCOURAGE SOME OF THOSE WHO AT PRESENT RUN DIESEL VEHICLES WHEN THEY REPLACE THEM TO MOVE OVER TO VEHICLES WHICH USE UNLEADED PETROL. SO I THINK RY THOSE THREE INDIVIDUAL ROUTES - FIRST OF ALL, TIGHTENING UP ON THE EMISSION STANDARDS; SECONDLY, TIGHTENING UP ON TESTING AND, THIRDLY, PERSUADING THOSE WHO RUN FLEETS OF VEHICLES WHEN THEY BUY NEW ONES TO MOVE FROM DIESEL TO UNLEADED PETROL - I HOPE IN THOSE THREE WAYS WE CAN HAVE A SIGNIFICANT IMPACT ON OUR AIR QUALITY HERE IN HONG KONG.
MR HENRY TANG : GOVERNOR, I OWN A DIESEL STATION WAGON. YOU WANT TO KNOW WHEN I SHOULD GET RID OF IT. DO YOU HAVE A TIME SCHEDULE ON THOSE STAGES WHICH YOU HAVE OUTLINED EARLIER?
GOVERNOR : I’M NOT QUITE SURE HOW LARGE THE HONOURABLE MEMBER’S WAGON IS, BUT I CAN TELL HIM THAT WE’LL BE...
MR HENRY TANG : IT’S A SEVEN PASSENGER STATION WAGON.
GOVERNOR : I DON’T HAVE THAT LARGE A FAMILY.
MR HENRY TANG : I DO.
GOVERNOR : WE WILL BE INTRODUCING THE SO-CALLED EURO-1 STANDARD, AN ADVANCED EMISSION STANDARD FOR LARGE DIESEL VEHICLES TOGETHER WITH THE INTRODUCTION OF A HIGHER QUALITY AUTOMOTIVE DIESEL FUEL WITH A REDUCED SULPHUR CONTENT FROM 0.5 TO 0.2 PER CENT IN 1995. I THINK THAT WILL BE DEALING WITH RATHER LARGER DIESEL VEHICLES THAN EVEN THE ESTATE CAR OWNED BY THE HONOURABLE MEMBER. BUT MAYBE WHEN HE IS CHANGING OVER -I DON’T KNOW HOW OFTEN HE BUYS A NEW CAR - BUT MAYBE WHEN HE IS CHANGING OVER, HE WOULD CONSIDER BUYING A CAR WHICH RAN ON UNLEADED PETROL.
MR MAN SAI-CHEONG : ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT HAS BEEN MANDATED IN MANY DEVELOPED COUNTRIES SUCH AS USA, TO INVESTIGATE THE EXTENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL DEGRADATION AND IMPACT ON PUBLIC HEALTH WHEN A PROJECT IS TO BE BUILT. IN HONG KONG, HOWEVER, THE EIA ONLY FOCUSES ON SIGHTING, CONSTRUCTION AND OPERATION OF MAJOR DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS OR PROJECTS WHICH MAY BE LOCATED IN SENSITIVE ENVIRONMENTS. CAN THE GOVERNOR INFORM US WHETHER THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT WOULD CONSIDER TO BROADEN THE APPLICATION OF EIA AND WHETHER THIS ASSESSMENT CAN BE MADE MANDATORY?
/GOVERNOR .......
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GOVERNOR : I THINK WE’RE MAKING RATHER MORE PROGRESS WITH THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT THAN THE HONOURABLE MEMBER WAS SUGGESTING. WE NOW ARE UNDERTAKING EIA’S ON ALL OUR MAJOR PROJECTS AND IN SOME CASES, FOR EXAMPLE, THE PROPOSAL THAT WE SHOULD DREDGE IN MIRS BAY, IT WAS THE APPLICATION OF EIA WHICH DETERED US FROM DOING SO. I’M VERY HAPPY TO LOOK AT HOW WE CAN BROADEN THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENTS AND MAKE THEM MORE EFFECTIVE IF THAT IS THE DIRECTION IN WHICH THE COMMUNITY THINKS WE SHOULD WORK. IN MY EXPERIENCE THE FIRST THING TO DO IS TO ESTABLISH THAT ONE IS CARRYING OUT EIA’S IN ALL THE CASES THAT THEY’RE REQUIRED AND DOING SO IN A WAY WHICH IS EFFECTIVE AND INTERNALLY CONSISTENT. QUITE A FEW OF THE EIA’S THAT I’VE SEEN IN THE PAST HAVE FAILED IN THAT RESPECT BUT IF THE HONOURABLE MEMBER HAS PARTICULAR PROPOSALS ON HOW WE SHOULD DEVELOP THIS VERY IMPORTANT AND RATHER SOPHISTICATED INSTRUMENT, I’D BE HAPPY TO LOOK AT THEM.
MR MAN SAI-CHEONG : FOLLOW-UP MY SECOND QUESTION IS WHETHER WE ARE GOING TO MAKE THIS EIA A LEGISLATIVE REQUIREMENT?
GOVERNOR : THAT’S CERTAINLY SOMETHING WHICH THE COUNCIL MAY HAVE A VIEW ABOUT WHEN WE COME TO DISCUSS IN DUE COURSE BRINGING OUR LEGISLATION ON LAND USE PLANNING UP TO DATE. I THINK THE TWO ARE CLOSELY RELATED AND THE COUNCIL MAY WISH TO WRITE INTO THAT LEGISLATION THAT PROJECTS ABOVE A CERTAIN SCALE REQUIRE A PARTICULAR FORM OF ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT, BUT I THINK THAT WOULD BE THE BEST CONTEXT IN WHICH TO CONSIDER THAT ISSUE.
DR SAMUEL WONG : GOVERNOR, WHAT IS YOUR VIEW ON THE EXCESSIVE AND MOSTLY UNNECESSARY USE OF PLASTIC BAGS AND WILL YOU AGREE TO MAKE THEM EXPENSIVE ARTIFICIALLY SO THAT PEOPLE WOULD NOT THROW THEM AWAY THAT READILY?
GOVERNOR : I THINK THAT ALL OF US WHO’VE SEEN PLASTIC BAGS FLOATING ACROSS OUR HARBOUR OR DECORATING SOME OF OUR BEACHES, EVEN IN THE MOST DISTANT PARTS OF THE TERRITORY, WOULD SYMPATHISE CONSIDERABLY WITH THE HONOURABLE MEMBER. BUT I BELIEVE THAT THE QUESTION OF PLASTIC BAGS IS PART OF A RATHER LARGER QUESTION AND THAT IS THE EXTENT TO WHICH EXCESSIVE PACKAGING CREATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEMS. SOME COMMUNITIES HAVE DEALT WITH THIS ISSUE. IT’S HAPPENED IN GERMANY FOR EXAMPLE BY PUTTING A SUBSTANTIAL FINANCIAL BURDEN ON THOSE MANUFACTURERS OR RETAILERS WHO USE EXCESSIVE PACKAGING. I DON’T THINK WE’RE AT QUITE THAT STAGE IN HONG KONG AND I DON’T THINK THAT WOULD BE WELCOME IN THE COMMUNITY. BUT I HOPE THAT EVERYBODY AS CUSTOMERS WILL MAKE CLEAR WHAT THEIR ENVIRONMENTAL PREFERENCES ARE AND I HOPE THAT WE WON’T FEEL IT NECESSARY THAT EVERY PURCHASE WE MAKE EVERYWHERE SHOULD BE ACCOMPANIED BY A PLASTIC BAG.
DR PHILIP WONG (THROUGH INTERPRETER) : THANK YOU MR PRESIDENT. MR GOVERNOR, I THINK I’M A VERY KEEN DIVER AND I ADMIRE THE BEAUTY OF THE UNDERWORLD AND THE MARINE LIFE AND I’VE ALWAYS BEEN IN SUPPORT ON ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AND BECAUSE THEY MAKE HONG KONG MORE BEAUTIFUL. TODAY I WOULD LIKE TO BRING UP A QUESTION IN RELATION TO URBAN ENVIRONMENT. IN THE URBAN AREA WE SEE POLITICAL PARTIES PUTTING UP THEIR POSTERS AND BANNERS AND BOARDS AND IT’S GETTING MORE NUMEROUS AND THEY STAY THERE MUCH LONGER THAN USUAL AND THEY BECOME AN EYESORE BECAUSE THEY BECOME WORN OUT AND DILAPIDATED. AND SO DON’T YOU THINK THAT THIS WILL HAVE AN ADVERSE EFFECT ON OUR TOURIST INDUSTRY AND WHAT IS THE GOVERNMENT’S RESPONSE TO THIS PHENOMENON?
/GOVERNOR .......
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GOVERNOR : 1 MUST SAY THAT IN THE DAYS WHEN PEOPLE USED TO PUT UP POSTERS WITH MY NAME OR FACE ON THEM I USED TO TAKE THE VIEW THAT MY POSTERS WERE ENVIRONMENTALLY BENIGN AND OTHER PEOPLES’ POSTERS WERE ENVIRONMENTALLY HOSTILE. IT MAY BE THAT OTHERS TAKE THE SAME VIEW. I HOPE THAT ALL THEIR PARTIES OR INDIVIDUALS AND PERHAPS THIS IS SOMETHING WITH COMING ELECTIONS OVER THE HORIZON WE SHOULD BEAR IN MIND, I HOPE THAT ALL PARTIES AND INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE CAMPAIGNING WILL RECOGNISE THAT IF THEY'RE SERIOUS ABOUT THE ENVIRONMENT, ONE THING THEY COULD USEFULLY DO SHORTLY AFTER THE ELECTION CAMPAIGN IS OVER IS TO GO ROUND AND TAKE DOWN ALL THE POSTERS AND BOARDS WHICH THEY ENTHUSIASTICALLY PUT UP IN THE PRECEDING TWO OR THREE WEEKS. I THINK THAT WOULD BE SOMETHING WHICH THEY COULD VERY USEFULLY DO, QUITE APART FROM THE FACT THAT FOR THOSE WHO LOSE, THE SOONER, I’M SURE THEY’RE ABLE TO STOP REMINDING PEOPLE OF THE FACT THE BETTER. IT’S IMPORTANT TO LOOK BEYOND POLITICAL CAMPAIGNING AS WELL. I THINK FLY POSTING AND GRAFITTI CAN HAVE AN APPALLING EFFECT ON THE ENVIRONMENT. FORTUNATELY, AND LONG MAY IT REMAIN SO, HONG KONG HAS LARGELY, THOUGH NOT ENTIRELY, AVOIDED THE APPALLING SIN OF SCRAWLING ALL OVER WALLS WHICH WE SEE IN TOO MANY EUROPEAN AND NORTH AMERICAN URBAN AREAS. I HOPE WE CAN GO ON AVOIDING THAT HERE. I THINK THAT BY AND LARGE WE SHOW RATHER GREATER RESPECT FOR OUR PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT THAN IS THE CASE ELSEWHERE AND I HOPE THAT YOUNG PEOPLE WILL CONTINUE TO DO THAT.
ANNA WU: GOVERNOR, I WONDER IF YOU CAN TELL US WHAT ARE THE AREAS ON WHICH COOPERATION CAN BE SOUGHT FROM GUANGDONG. PERHAPS YOU CAN HIGHLIGHT SOME OF THE PRIORITIES.
GOVERNOR: I THINK THAT ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT PRIORITIES IS IN DEALING WITH WATER POLLUTION, AND I COMMEND A VERY USEFUL SEMINAR THAT WAS HELD UNDER I THINK THE AUSPICES OF THE BRITISH COUNCIL WHICH DEALT LARGELY WITH THAT ISSUE A FEW MONTHS AGO, BRINGING TOGETHER EXPERTS FROM GUANGDONG, EXPERTS FROM HONG KONG AND EXPERTS FROM EUROPE AS WELL. ALL ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEMS HAVE, IN A SENSE, A LOCAL CAUSE, BUT ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEMS ARE THE AGGREGATE OF LOCAL CAUSES EITHER ON THE REGIONAL OR ON THE GLOBAL LEVEL. IT WOULDN’T MAKE VERY MUCH SENSE IF WE MANAGED TO CLEAN UP ALL OUR OWN WATERS AT CONSIDERABLE EXPENSE OVER THE NEXT FEW YEARS BUT FOUND THAT POLLUTION COMING DOWN FROM THE PEARL RIVER AND COMING DOWN THE PEARL RIVER ESTUARY WAS NEGATING SOME OF THE GOOD EFFECTS THAT WE’D HAD FROM OUR OWN INVESTMENT. EQUALLY, IT’S TRUE THAT AIR POLLUTION IS AN ISSUE THAT HAS TO BE DEALT WITH REGIONALLY AND NOT JUST BY ONE COMMUNITY SITTING BEHIND ITS BORDER. A THIRD AREA WHERE THE WHOLE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL RECOGNISES THAT WE NEED TO COOPERATE IS OVER THE EXCHANGE OF INFORMATION AND THE TAKING OF PRECAUTIONS IN RELATION TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF NUCLEAR POWER STATIONS, AND THAT IS AN ISSUE THAT WE ARE DISCUSSING WITH THE GUANGDONG AUTHORITIES, AS THE HONOURABLE LADY WILL I AM SURE KNOW, AT THE MOMENT. SO THOSE ARE THREE AREAS WHERE COOPERATION IS ESSENTIAL AND THEY ARE THREE AREAS WHERE I HOPE THAT WE WILL BE ABLE TO SEE VERY EFFECTIVE COOPERATION IN THE NEXT FEW YEARS SO THAT ONE OF THE FASTEST GROWING PLACES IN THE WORLD, THE PEARL RIVER ESTUARY AND THE PEARL RIVER BORDERS, DOESN’T BECOME AN ENVIRONMENTAL HAZARD.
/MR TAM ........
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MR TAM YIU-CHUNG (THROUGH INTERPRETER): MR GOVERNOR, IN YOUR INTRODUCTORY STATEMENT YOU SAID THAT IN THE PAST YEAR YOU HAVE SEEN SOME PROGRESS MADE IN THE ENVIRONMENT OF HONG KONG, FOR INSTANCE, SHUTTING DOWN THE INCINERATOR IN KENNEDY TOWN. BUT HAVE YOU, MR GOVERNOR, NOTICED THAT THE MARINE LIFE HAS BEEN GREATLY DAMAGED AND THE SEABED HAS BEEN DAMAGED AND, THEREFORE, THERE HAS BEEN A LOT OF FATALITY IN OUR FISH AND SOME SPECIES MIGHT DISAPPEAR FOR DECADES AND WE WILL HAVE TO SPEND A LOT OF MONEY TO COMPENSATE OUR FISHERFOLKS SO THAT THEY WILL BE ABLE TO MAINTAIN A LIVELIHOOD? LAST MONTH I LEFT HONG KONG AND WENT TO TAIWAN AND THEN COMING BACK ON THE PLANE I WAS ABLE TO SEE THE DREDGERS AND THEN AROUND THE DREDGERS, WELL, WE HAVE A WHOLE SHEET OF YELLOW MUD, THE SEA IS NO LONGER GREEN. AND SO, MR GOVERNOR, ARE YOU PLANNING TO PAY A VISIT TO THE AREA SO THAT YOU WILL BE ABLE TO UNDERSTAND THE IMMENSE DAMAGE DONE IN THE PAST YEAR AND TO SEE WHETHER ADMINISTRATIVELY WE HAVE DONE ANYTHING AMISS AND TO SEE WHETHER ANY REMEDIAL MEASURES CAN BE PUT IN PLACE?
GOVERNOR: THE HONOURABLE MEMBER HAS RAISED AN ISSUE WHICH IS OF QUITE PROPER CONCERN TO A LOT OF PEOPLE AND NOT ONLY THE FISHING FAMILIES WHO HAVE SEEN THEIR PRINCIPAL MEANS OF INCOME SUBSTANTIALLY REDUCED. BUT WHAT THE HONOURABLE MEMBER IS DOING IS POINTING TO A DIFFICULT CHOICE WHICH WE HAVE TO MAKE IN HONG KONG. I DOUBT WHETHER THERE ARE MANY MEMBERS, IF ANY AT ALL, IN THIS COUNCIL WHO WOULD ARGUE AGAINST THE LAND RECLAMATIONS WHICH ARE HELPING TO ENSURE THAT WE COPE WITH ONE OF THE MAIN CONSTRAINTS ON OUR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, THAT IS, A SHORTAGE OF LAND. WE ALL KNOW WHAT HAS QUITE PROPERLY BEEN DONE AND WE ALL KNOW WHAT REMAINS TO BE DONE IN THE NEXT FEW YEARS. DREDGING, EVEN THOUGH IT HAS SOME OF THE CONSEQUENCES TO WHICH THE HONOURABLE MEMBER REFERRED, IS I THINK LESS ENVIRONMENTALLY DAMAGING THAN TAKING SOIL FROM THE LAND. AND I THINK WE WOULD BE GETTING PROBABLY MORE COMPLAINTS IF WE WERE DOING THAT THAN WE ARE GETTING FROM DREDGING. THE HONOURABLE MEMBER WILL KNOW THAT WE HAVE CONDUCTED STUDIES OF THE IMPACT OF DREDGING OR POTENTIAL DREDGING BEFORE IT TAKES PLACE, AND THAT HAS ENABLED US TO BOTH RESTRICT DREDGING AND TO MONITOR IT CLOSELY. WE HAVE INTRODUCED, FOR EXAMPLE, IN RELATION TO THE WORK THAT IS TAKING PLACE IN EAST LAMMA, WE HAVE INTRODUCED A NUMBER OF PRETTY TOUGH REGULATIONS TO MAKE SURE THAT ENVIRONMENTAL DAMAGE ISN’T CAUSED. BUT THERE IS DAMAGE TO MARINE LIFE AND THAT DOES HAVE AN EFFECT ON FARMERS, ON FISHERMEN’S LIVELIHOOD. THEREFORE, WE HAVE INTRODUCED, AS THIS COUNCIL KNOWS, WE HAVE INTRODUCED COMPENSATION ARRANGEMENTS FOR FISHERMEN. FISHERMEN HAVE TALKED TO ME ABOUT THOSE COMPENSATION ARRANGEMENTS AND THEY HAVE TALKED TO THE COUNCIL WHICH, I THINK, DEBATED THEM VERY FULLY IN THE FINANCE COMMITTEE. SO WE HAVE RESPONSI BlLITIES, WE HAVE OBLIGATIONS TO THOSE FISHING FAMILIES TO TRY TO HELP THEM DURING WHAT IS A DIFFICULT PERIOD, BUT I DON’T THINK THAT WE ARE GOING TO BE ABLE TO DEVELOP HONG KONG IN THE WAY THAT ALL OF US WANT WITHOUT SOME CONTINUING DREDGING AT LEAST FOR THE NEXT FEW YEARS.
TAM YIU-CHUNG: (THROUGH INTERPRETER): A FOLLOW-UP QUESTION, MR PRESIDENT. I AM NOT AGAINST RECLAMATION, I AM NOT AGAINST COMPENSATION TO THE FISHERMEN, BUT THE QUESTION HERE IS WHEN WE GO ABOUT THE PROJECT IN RELATION TO ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STUDIES, HAVE WE DONE ENOUGH? IN OTHER WORDS, IS IT REALLY NECESSARY THAT WE DREDGE SAND FROM OUR SEABED? COULD WE ACTUALLY BUY MARINE SAND FROM NEIGHBOURING COUNTRIES OR ARE THERE OTHER ALTERNATIVES TOO THAT WOULD HELP US TO REDUCE OUR IMPACT ON OUR MARINE ECOLOGY? HAVE WE DONE ENOUGH IN THIS AREA?
/GOVERNOR .......
19
THURSDAY, JUNE 10, 1993
GOVERNOR: WELL, IT’S ALWAYS A CHALLENGING QUESTION TO BE ASKED WHETHER WE HAVE DONE ENOUGH, AND I DON’T WANT TO SOUND COMPLACENT, I HOPE THAT WE HAVE DONE ENOUGH. WHAT I WOULD BE VERY HAPPY TO DO, FOR EXAMPLE, IS TO SEND THE HONOURABLE MEMBER A FULL LIST OF ALL THE STRICT PARAMETERS WHICH SOME OF THE RECENT DREDGING OPERATIONS HAVE HAD TO OBSERVE SO THAT HE KNOWS THE CONSEQUENCES OF THE ASSESSMENTS THAT WE MAKE OF THE LIKELY IMPACT OF DREDGING ACTIVITIES. THE HONOURABLE MEMBER SAID THAT THERE ARE OTHER POSSIBILITIES FOR FINDING THE SOLID, FOR FINDING AN INERT MATERIAL FOR RECLAMATION. THAT’S PERFECTLY TRUE. BUT THE HONOURABLE MEMBER SHOULD PERHAPS BEAR IN MIND HOW SOME ALTERNATIVES COULD AFFECT COST AND THAT SOME ALTERNATIVES WOULD BE NO MORE ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY OR NO LESSER ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY THAN WHAT WE ARE DOING AT THE MOMENT. IT’S NOT AN EASY DECISION. I HOPE WE’VE GOT IT RIGHT AND I CAN ASSURE THE HONOURABLE MEMBER THAT WE WILL CONTINUE TO MAKE CAREFUL ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENTS AND TO POLICE DREDGING WHEN IT TAKES PLACE AS CAREFULLY AS POSSIBLE.
DR C H LEONG: GOVERNOR, YOU MENTIONED THAT YOU’RE MOVING TOWARDS DESIGNATING WATER CONTROL ZONE AND YOU RIGHTLY PUT IT THAT IT TAKES TIME. BUT ARE YOU AWARE OF THE FACT THAT IN THE LAST FEW YEARS THERE’S ALMOST A THREEFOLD INCREASE IN HEPATITIS A TN HONG KONG, AND WE ALL KNOW THAT HEPATITIS A IS A RESULT OF CONTAMINATION OF FOOD, MAINLY THROUGH SEAFOOD AND SHELLFISH. NOW ARE THERE ANY SORT OF SHORT TERM MEASURES THAT THE GOVERNMENT WOULD DO TO ENSURE THAT THE POLLUTION OF OUR COASTAL WATERS COULD BE CONTROLLED ON THIS PARTICULAR ISSUE? AND I DO FEEL THAT THIS IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN THE WHITE DOLPHINS, THANK YOU.
GOVERNOR: WELL I DON'T WANT TO BE UNFAIR TO THE WHITE DOLPHINS, BUT I AGREE THAT WE NEED TO THINK EVEN MORE ABOUT OUR OWN HEALTH AND THE HEALTH OF OUR CHILDREN. I THINK WE HAVE TO FACE THE RATHER DEPRESSING FACT THAT IT IS GOING TO TAKE US SOMETIME AND A GOOD DEAL OF EXPENDITURE TO STABILISE OUR WATER QUALITY, LET ALONE TO START TO SEE AN IMPROVEMENT. BUT THE EXPECTATION IS THAT THE HPP, THE HIGH PRIORITY PROGRAMME, ON WHICH WE’RE NOW EMBARKED AT A COST OF OVER $7 BILLION, SHOULD REDUCE THE PROBLEMS IN OUR HARBOUR BY 70 PER CENT. WHETHER WHEN THAT HAPPENS BY 1997 OR SHORTLY AFTERWARDS PEOPLE WILL FEEL THAT THEY CAN RETURN TO SWIMMING IN THE HARBOUR IS A NICE QUESTION I'LL LEAVE TO OTHERS. THERE AREN’T MANY SHORT TERM MEASURES THAT ONE CAN TAKE, I THINK, OUTSIDE THAT PROGRAMME, THOUGH WE DO WHAT WE CAN AND WE WILL PRESS AHEAD WITH COLLECTION AND TREATMENT AND PARTIAL DISPOSAL AS RAPIDLY AS WE CAN. THE TOTAL COST OF DEALING WITH OUR SEWAGE AND WASTE WATER PROBLEMS IS ABOUT $17 BILLION BUT WE WON’T BE ABLE TO MOVE ON TO THE OCEANIC OUTFALL FOR EXAMPLE UNTIL WE’VE DEALT WITH THE COLLECTION AND EARLY STAGES OF TREATMENT.
MRS ELSIE TU: THANK YOU MR PRESIDENT. FROM THE GOVERNOR’S ANSWER TO MARVIN CHEONG I HAD THE IMPRESSION THAT, AND I’D LIKE TO ASK YOU GOVERNOR TO CONFIRM THAT IMPRESSION, THAT YOU ARE UNAWARE THAT THE LATEST TYPE OF INCINERATOR CAN REDUCE WASTE, RECYCLE METALS, COULD PRODUCE ITS OWN POWER FOR OPERATION AND IT DOESN’T PRODUCE THE DANGEROUS METHANE GAS FOUND IN LANDFILLS? MAYBE STR YOU WOULD SOMETIME VISIT THE ONE IN JAPAN WHICH IS RIGHT AT A VERY BUSY BUILT-UP AREA AND PRODUCES NO ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEMS. IF YOU ARE CONVINCED SIR, MAYBE YOU WOULD JOIN US IN THE LEGCO AND URBAN COUNCIL IN PERSUADING THE EPI) TO TRY THAT KIND OF INCINERATOR.
/GOVERNOR .......
THURSDAY, JUNE 10, 1993
20
GOVERNOR: I’M NOT UNAWARE OF THE IMPORTANT ROLE OF INCINERATION AND INDEED AS I’M SURE THE HONOURABLE LADY WOULD CONCEDE, SAID THAT WB WOULD NEED INCINERATION IN HONG KONG. FOR EXAMPLE, I MADE IT PERFECTLY CLEAR THAT WE WOULD NEED TO USE INCINERATORS FOR DEALING WITH MEDICAL AND SOME OTHER WASTES. THE POINT THAT I MADE IS THAT EVEN THE MOST MODERN INCINERATOR, FIRST OF ALL REQUIRES YOU STILL TO HAVE SOME LANDFILL BECAUSE YOU’RE STILL LEFT WITH RESIDUE AT THE END OF INCINERATION AND I ALSO POINTED OUT THAT THERE WERE PARTICULAR PROBLEMS IN HONG KONG THAT I DO THINK THAT THE CLOSENESS OF OUR URBAN COMMUNITY MAKES SITING DIFFICULT, EVEN FOR A VERY MODERN PIECE OF EQUIPMENT. AND I ALSO THINK ONE HAS TO TAKE ACCOUNT OF HEIGHT RESTRICTIONS IN A COMMUNITY LIKE THIS FOR ALL SORTS OF REASONS, NOT LEAST OUR SITING OF A NEW AIRPORT, SO THAT WHEN WE'VE LOOKED IN THE PAST AT SITES FOR INCINERATORS, WE’VE LOOKED, WE’VE BEEN LOOKING AT FAIRLY REMOTE AREAS WHERE YOU RUN INTO PROBLEMS OF TRANSPORTATION WHICH THEMSELVES PRODUCE ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEMS. SO I DON’T BELIEVE THAT IT’S RIGHT, AS I SAID EARLIER, TO THINK THAT THE CHOICE IS ENTIRELY ONE BETWEEN LANDFILL AND INCINERATION. I THINK WHAT ONE HAS TO DO IS TO STRIKE A PROPER BALANCE AND I HOPE WITH THE CONSTRUCTION OF REFUSE TRANSFER STATIONS AND WITH THE USE OF NEW LANDFILL SITES WE’LL HAVE MANAGED TO DO THAT.
IF I CAN ADD TWO OTHER POINTS IN REPLYING TO THE HONOURABLE LADY’S IMPORTANT QUESTION. FIRST OF ALL, WE DO, THE HONOURABLE LADY IS ENTIRELY RIGHT, HAVE TO LOOK AT OUR OLD AND EXISTING LANDFILL SITES TO MAKE SURE THAT WE DON’T RUN INTO THE PROBLEMS OF METHANE BUILD-UP AND LEACHATE TO WHICH SHE REFERRED AND WE ARE AT PRESENT LOOKING AT OUR OLD AND EXISTING SITES TO ENSURE THAT WE DON’T HAVE THOSE SORT OF PROBLEMS, BECAUSE THE HONOURABLE LADY WILL KNOW FROM HER EXPERIENCE OF SOME OF THE DISASTERS THAT HAVE OCCURRED, PARTICULARLY BECAUSE OF THE BUILD-UP OF METHANE. SECONDLY, WE HAVE TO LOOK AT HOW THE LANDFILL SITES ARE USED. I’M SURE THE WHOLE OF THIS COUNCIL WOULD ONLY WANT US TO USE LANDFILL SITES WHERE IT WAS ESSENTIAL. WHERE YOU CAN DEAL WITH INERT MATERIAL IN OTHER WAYS, ONE SHOULD DO SO AND THERE ARE PARTICULAR PROBLEMS CAUSED BY THE AMOUNT THAT’S DUMPED IN LANDFILL SITES BY THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY. IT POSES US SOME PROBLEMS WHICH WILL IN DUE COURSE REQUIRE, AND REALLY REQUIRE THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY NOW TO SEPARATE INERT FROM OTHER SORTS OF WASTE ON SITE SO THEY CAN DEAL WITH INERT MATERIAL ON PUBLIC DUMPS WHICH CAN BE THEN USED FOR EXAMPLE FOR RECLAMATION AND WON'T REQUIRE AS MUCH SAND OR MUD TO BE TAKEN FROM OUR SEA-BEDS.
MRS ELSIE TU: IF 1 MAY JUST FOLLOW-UP MR PRESIDENT. I AM QUITE AWARE SIR THAT LANDFILLS ARE A NECESSARY IN ANY CASE BUT WE ARE RUNNING SHORT OF LANDFILLS AND I DON’T AGREE THAT THE NEW TYPE OF INCINERATOR NEEDS TO BE IN A REMOTE AREA. I THINK IF YOU WERE TO VISIT THE ONE IN SINGAPORE AND THE ONE IN JAPAN YOU WOULD FIND THAT THERE IS NO ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEM AND A REMOTE AREA IS NOT NECESSARY.
/GOVERNOR .......
THURSDAY, JUNE 10, 1993
21
GOVERNOR: 1 WILL OE COURSE, PROVIDED NOBODY ACCUSES ME OF TRYING TO INTERNATIONALISE WASTE AS A RESULT, I WILL OF COURSE BE PERFECTLY HAPPY TO VISIT INCINERATING CAPACITIES, INCINERATORS AND INCINERATING CAPACITY TN JAPAN AND SINGAPORE. IN MY EXPERIENCE IT’S QUITE DIFFICULT EVEN WITH THE MOST MODERN EQUIPMENT TO CONVINCE RESIDENTS OF A NEIGHBOURHOOD THAT LIVING NEXT DOOR TO AN INCINERATOR ISN’T GOING TO CAUSE THEM ANY ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEMS. I’VE HAD THE EXPERIENCE OF TRYING TO CONVINCE PEOPLE OF THAT IN THE PAST AND I HAVEN’T ALWAYS FOUND IT AN ENTIRELY DOWNHILL BUSINESS SO I DO THINK ONE HAS TO TAKE ACCOUNT OF THE CONCERNS OF RESIDENTS ABOUT THIS MATTER, EVEN THOUGH THE HONOURABLE LADY IS ENTIRELY RIGHT TO SAY THAT THE TECHNOLOGY OF INCINERATION HAS MOVED ON HUGELY IN THE LAST FFW YEARS.
MR ALBERT CHAN (IN CANTONESE): THANK YOU MR PRESIDENT. MR GOVERNOR, SO WE ARE NOW TALKING ABOUT ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEMS IN HONG KONG AND ONE OF THE MOST LONG-STANDING ONE AND MOST SERIOUS ONE WOULD BE THE NOISE GENERATED BY KAT TAK AIRPORT BECAUSE OVER ,350,000 PEOPLE UNDER THE FLIGHT PATH ARE NOW AFFECTED DAILY BY NOISE AND THESE RESIDENTS HOPE THAT WITH THE COMPLETION OF THE NEW AIRPORT THEY WOULD BE FREE FROM THE NOISE NUISANCE. BUT NOW THAT THE SINO-BRITISH GOVERNMENTS ARE NOW STILL ARGUING ABOUT THE FINANCING PROGRAMME FOR THE AIRPORT AND SO A LOT OF PROBLEMS ARE AWAITING SOLUTION AND SO PROBABLY THE AIRPORT WOULD BE DELAYED. AND SO I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW FROM YOU, WHAT EXACTLY ARE YOU DOING RIGHT NOW TO ENSURE THAT THE FINANCING PROBLEMS WOULD BE SOLVED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE SO THAT THESE 350,000 PEOPLE LIVING UNDER THE FLIGHT PATH RIGHT NOW WOULD BE FREE FROM NOISE AFTER 1997?
GOVERNOR: WELL WHAT I’M DOING RIGHT NOW IS ANSWERING QUESTIONS IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL AND IF THAT MAKES A CONTRIBUTION TO SORTING OUT oUR REMAINING DIFFICULTIES THEN NOBODY WOULD BE MORE PLEASED THAN ME. THE HONOURABLE MEMBER WHO KNOWS SO MUCH ABOUT THIS SUBJECT IS ENTIRELY RIGHT TO UNDERLINE THE ENVIRONMENTAL, NOT JUST THE ECONOMIC AND COMMERICAL, IMPORTANCE OF GETTING THE NEW AIRPORT COMPLETED. I WOULD LIKE TO SEE THAT AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. IT IS ONE OF THE GREATEST CIVIL ENGINEERING PROJECTS IN THE WORLD, INDEED IT’S ONE OF THE GREATEST CIVIL ENGINEERING PROJECTS EVER UNDERTAKEN ANYWHERE BY ANYONE, AND IF THERE IS ONE COMMUNITY WHICH CAN BRING IT IN RAPIDLY, ON TIME, BELOW COST, IN THE MOST EFFECTIVE IMAGINABLE WAY, IT’S THIS COMMUNITY WHICH DOESN’T, THOUGH IT’S FULL OF PEOPLE WHO ARE VERY HAPPY TO TAKE ADVICE FROM OTHERS, WHICH DOESN’T ON THE WHOLE HAVE MANY EXAMPLES TO LOOK TO AROUND THE WORLD OF OTHER PEOPLE DOING THESE THINGS BETTER THAN WE HAVE MANAGED THEM. WE HAVE BEEN INVOLVED IN A LENGTHY SERIES OF DISCUSSIONS WITH OUR CHINESE COLLEAGUES TO TRY TO RESOLVE THE PROBLEMS OF AGREEING A FINANCING PACKAGE FOR THE AIRPORT. IN THE MEANTIME WE’VE GOT AHEAD WITH SUCH WORK AS WE CAN DO BEFORE AN OVERALL \GREEMENT IS REACHED AND WE’VE DONE A GREAT DEAL OF WORK AND ALL THAT WORK IS BEING DONE ON TIME AND WITHIN COST. I HOPE THAT WE WILL MOVE MORE RAPIDLY TO AN AGREEMENT WITHIN THE CONTEXT AND WITHIN THE TERMS OF THE MOU, NOBODY COULD WANT THAT TO HAPPEN MORE THAN ME. I DON’T THINK ANYBODY CAN DOUBT OUR SINCERITY OR OUR CONSTRUCTIVE ATTEMPTS TO SOLVE THESE PROBLEMS. I HOPE THAT THEY CAN BE SOLVED. I CERTAINLY THINK THAT EVERYONE IN HONG KONG WANTS TO SEE THAT HAPPEN AND IS ASTONISHINGLY PATIENT AT THE FACT THAT IT HASN'T HAPPENED ALREADY.
/MR CHIM .......
THURSDAY, JUNE 10, 1993
22
MR CHIM PUI-CHUNG (IN CANTONESE): THANK YOU MR PRESIDENT. MR GOVERNOR, UP TO THIS POINT YOU HAVE BEEN HERE FOR ELEVEN MONTHS AND ONE DAY AND WE HAVE HEARD PROPOSALS IN RELATION TO CONSTITUTIONAL PACKAGE AND I’M AGAINST THAT AND YET IN RELATION TO 'GREENING' HONG KONG I’M IN FULL SUPPORT. MR GOVERNOR YOU HAVE ANSWERED A LOT OF QUESTIONS AND FIFTEEN MEMBERS HAVE ASKED QUESTIONS ACTUALLY AND IT HAS SHOWN US THAT YOU ARE VERY KNOWLEDGEABLE, MR GOVERNOR, AND THIS IS WITHOUT DOUBT. NOW HONG KONG IS AMONG THE FOUR DRAGONS IN ASIA, OUR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IS IN NO WAY BEHIND THE OTHER THREE DRAGONS AND YET IN RELATION TO THE CLEANLINESS OF OUR STREETS WE ARE BEHIND SINGAPORE AND WE ARE ALSO BEHIND OTHER COUNTRIES SUCH AS CANADA AND AUSTRALIA. SO MR GOVERNOR WOULD YOU ASK THE URBAN COUNCIL TO MAKE OUR STREETS MUCH CLEANER AND USE MORE RESOURCES TO DO SO, SO THAT OUR STREETS CAN BE CLEANER AND APART FROM OUR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT WE WILL ALSO BE ABLE TO GIVE A BETTER IMPRESSION TO VISITORS TO HONG KONG? THAT IS ACTUALLY YOUR RESPONSIBILITY, MR GOVERNOR, TO MAKE THE URBAN COUNCIL TO DO A BETTER JOB AND IT’S AN EASY TASK AFTER ALL.
GOVERNOR: THE HONOURABLE MEMBER IS QUITE RIGHT TO SAY THAT ONE OF THE FIRST IMPRESSIONS THAT VISITORS GET OF ANY COMMUNITY IS THE QUALITY OF ITS STREETS AND THE CARE WHICH PEOPLE TAKE OF THEIR URBAN ENVIRONMENT. I THINK THAT WE HAD BETTER RECOGNISE THAT THE FIRST RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ENVIRONMENT, IN THAT SENSE, BELONGS TO THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG. LITTER ISN’T PUT THERE BY SOME UNKNOWN MALIGN HAND, IT’S PUT THERE BY ALL OUR HANDS. IT’S PUT THERE BY SMOKERS WHO ARE, ACCORDING TO MOST INDEPENDENT SURVEYS, AND I DON’T WISH TO INSULT ANY SMOKERS PRESENT IN THE CHAMBER, AMONG THE WORST LITTERERS BECAUSE OF CIGARETTE STUBS AND EMPTY PACKETS. IT’S PUT THERE BY PEOPLE WHO DROP THE WRAPPINGS FROM FOOD THEY BUY IN THE STREETS, IT’S THERE FROM PEOPLE WHO DROP THEIR PLASTIC BAGS WHICH FETCH UP FLOATING IN THE HARBOUR OR DECORATING THE BEACHES OF THE TERRITORY AND NOT JUST THE STREETS. SO THERE ARE A COLLECTION OF GUILTY PARTIES AND THEY MAY NOT NUMBER ALTOGETHER SIX MILLION BUT THEY AT LEAST NUMBER A PROPORTION OF SIX MILLION. IN ORDER NOT TO HAVE LITTER, THERE IS ONE VERY SIMPLE, BOTH NECESSARY AND SUFFICIENT CONDITION, AND THAT IS THAT PEOPLE SHOULDN’T DROP LITTER. AND I HOPE THAT WE CAN BEGIN BY BETTER PUBLIC EDUCATION ABOUT HOW AWFUL LITTER IS. WE DO A LOT OF THINGS MUCH, MUCH BETTER THAN OTHER PEOPLE BUT I DON’T THINK WE’RE YET AS GOOD AS SOME ABOUT LITTER, THOUGH IN MY EXPERIENCE WE ARE BETTER THAN THE UNITED KINGDOM ABOUT LITTER RUT THAT IS NO GREAT SHAKES I CAN ASSURE THIS LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. I WILL CERTAINLY BE HAPPY TO TALK TO THE URBAN COUNCIL ABOUT WHAT MORE WE CAN DO TOGETHER, GOVERNMENT AND URBAN COUNCIL, TO DEAL WITH THE LITTER PROBLEM BUT I SUSPECT THAT SOME OF THE MOST DISTINGUISHED REPRESENTATIVES OF THE URBAN COUNCIL WOULD BEGIN BY AGREEING WITH ME THAT THE FIRST THING TO DO IS TO STOP PEOPLE DROPPING IT IN THE FIRST PLACE. I HOPE THAT WHENEVER ALL OF US SEE ANYBODY DROPPING LITTER WE VERY POLITELY TAP THEM ON THE SHOULDER AND ASK THEM WHETHER THEY'VE LOST SOMETHING. IT SOMETIMES INTRODUCES ONE TO NEW AND MEANINGFUL SOCIAL RELATIONSHIPS. IT’S CERTAINLY A VERY GOOD WAY I THINK OF STOPPING LITTERING AND I HOPE WE CAN ALL DO IT.
MR PRESIDENT: THE GOVERNOR WILL TAKE A SPECIAL QUESTION FROM MR LAU
CHIN-SHEK.
/MR LAU .........
THURSDAY, JUNE 10, 1993
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MR LAU CHIN-SHEK (IN CANTONESE): I’D LIKE TO ASK A QUESTION ABOUT WORKING ENVIRONMENT. LAST WEEK AT NORTH POINT, JAVA ROAD, THERE WAS A VERY BAD INDUSTRIAL ACCIDENT INVOLVING TWELVE DEATHS AND MR GOVERNOR RACED TO THE SCENE IMMEDIATELY AFTERWARDS AND HE EMPHASISED THAT HONG KONG’S PROSPERITY SHOULD NOT BE BUILT UPON THE ’LIFE AND BLOOD’ OF OUR WORKERS AND SO I WOULD LIKE TO ASK YOU MR GOVERNOR, WHAT CONCRETE MEASURES AND WHAT EFFECTIVE MEASURES WILL YOU BE TAKING TO IMPROVE INDUSTRIAL SAFETY IN HONG KONG IN A CONCRETE WAY SO THAT OUR INDUSTRIAL WORKERS CAN WORK IN A SAFE ENVIRONMENT?
GOVERNOR: I’D LIKE JUST TO REMIND THE COUNCIL, TO BEGIN WITH, HOW SERIOUS THE PROBLEM IS. WE HAD ABOUT 66 INDUSTRIAL FATALITIES LAST YEAR, 48 OF THOSE FATALITIES WERE IN THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY. I THINK I’M RIGHT IN SAYING THAT THERE ARE FIVE TIMES, THERE’S FIVE TIMES AS LARGE A CHANCE OF HAVING AN ACCIDENT IN THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY AS THERE IS IN INDUSTRY AS A WHOLE AND THAT THERE IS A 30 PER CENT CHANCE OF ACTUALLY HAVING AN ACCIDENT IN ANY ONE YEAR IN THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY. NOW THOSE FIGURES ARE SIMPLY NOT ACCEPTABLE IN A CIVILISED COMMUNITY LIKE THIS. IT’S NOT ESSENTIAL IN ORDER TO BUILD, AS WE HAVE TO BUILD IN ORDER TO ACHIEVE OUR RATES OF ECONOMIC GROWTH, TO HAVE PEOPLE RUNNING THOSE SORT OF APPALLING RISKS. WE HAVE TO WORK TOGETHER IN ORDER TO DEAL WITH THE PROBLEM. IT IS PARTLY, AS I THINK THE HONOURABLE MEMBER WOULD CONCEDE, A MATTER OF PUBLIC EDUCATION. IT'S PARTLY A MATTER OF GETTING BOTH EMPLOYERS AND EMPLOYEES SERIOUS ABOUT SAFETY AT WORK. WHY DID PEOPLE CROWD INTO ALREADY OVERCROWDED LIFTS? WELL MAYBE WE’LL LEARN AS A RESULT OF THE INVESTIGATIONS THAT ARE BEING TAKEN FORWARD BUT I STRONGLY SUSPECT THAT THE DAY THAT THAT ACCIDENT TOOK PLACE IN NORTH POINT ONE COULD HAVE FOUND MANY OTHER LIFTS EQUALLY OVERCROWDED IN OTHER PARTS OF THE TERRITORY. SO, PUBLIC EDUCATION IS IMPORTANT, ONE WAY THAT WE’D KNOW THAT PUBLIC EDUCATION WAS ACTUALLY HAVING SOME EFFECT IS IF WHEN WE PASSED CONSTRUCTION SITES WE SAW ALL THOSE WORKING ON THEM WEARING HELMETS WHICH ALAS ISN’T MY EXPERIENCE OR T GUESS THAT OF MANY MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL HERE. SECONDLY, WE DO HAVE TO WORK WITH BOTH UNIONS AND EMPLOYERS TO ENSURE THAT THERE IS IN PLACE A SENSIBLE SET OF SAFETY REGULATIONS IN THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY AND IN OTHER INDUSTRIES AND WE HAVE TO MAKE SURE THAT WHERE THOSE REGULATIONS ARE BROKEN, WHERE THOSE REGULATIONS ARE IGNORED, THERE ARE SUBSTANTIAL PENALTIES FOR THOSE WHO IGNORE THEM. THE HONOURABLE MEMBER WILL KNOW THAT THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT, THAT THE COMMISSIONER OF LABOUR, HAS BEEN LOOKING AT PENALTIES WITH A VIEW TO INCREASING A NUMBER OF THEM AND THAT IS SOMETHING THAT WE MUST CARRY FORWARD RATHER MORE ENERGETICALLY, EVEN MORE ENERGETICALLY. SO WE SHALL HAVE TO LOOK AT SAFETY REGULATION AND WE SHALL HAVE TO LOOK AT PUBLIC EDUCATION AND WE’LL HAVE TO LOOK AT PENALTIES. I HOPE THAT THE WHOLE COMMUNITY WILL MAKE IT CLEAR THAT IT IS NOT ACCEPTABLE IN ONE OF THE GREATEST COMMUNITIES IN THE WORLD WITH FIRST WORLD LIVING STANDARDS TO GO ON SETTLING FOR THIRD WORLD SAFETY STANDARDS AT THE WORKPLACE, THAT IS NOT AN ACCEPTABLE WAY FOR US TO BEHAVE AND I THINK THAT OVERWHELMINGLY THAT’S THE VIEW OF THIS COMMUNITY.
MR PRESIDENT: IN ACCORDANCE WITH STANDING ORDERS J NOW ADJOURN THIS SITTING UNTIL WEDNESDAY 30TH JUNE, 1993.
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THURSDAY, JUNE 10, 1993
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PUBLIC CONFIDENT ABOUT FUTURE PROSPERITY - POLL ******
A RECENT OPINION POLL CONDUCTED BY THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION FOUND THAT 75 PER CENT OF THE RESPONDENTS WERE SATISFIED WITH THE PRESENT SITUATION IN HONG KONG, COMPARED WITH 68 PER CENT IN MARCH THIS YEAR.
RELEASING THE FINDINGS OF THE MAY 1993 TELEPHONE OPINION SURVEY TODAY (THURSDAY), A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN POINTED OUT THAT PUBLIC CONFIDENCE IN THE FUTURE ALSO SHOWED IMPROVEMENT.
"A GREATER PERCENTAGE OF RESPONDENTS WERE CONFIDENT THAT HONG KONG WOULD CONTINUE TO BE PROSPEROUS AND STABLE - 65 PER CENT IN MAY COMPARED WITH 60 PER CENT IN MARCH."
"AND MORE RESPONDENTS - 22 PER CENT - EXPECTED THE SITUATION TO IMPROVE IN THE NEXT 12 MONTHS, COMPARED WITH 16 PER CENT RECORDED IN MARCH," HE ADDED.
THE SURVEY WAS THE 46TH IN A SERIES OF BIMONTHLY POLLS DESIGNED TO GAUGE THE TREND OF PUBLIC OPINION IN RESPECT OF PERCEIVED PROBLEMS IN HONG KONG, THE GOVERNMENT’S OVERALL PERFORMANCE AND THE COMMUNITY’S EXPECTATION OF THE GENERAL SITUATION.
IN THIS SURVEY, THE THREE MOST MENTIONED PROBLEMS WERE "HONG KONG FUTURE", "HOUSING" AND "TRANSPORT", THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
FORTY-EIGHT PER CENT OF THE RESPONDENTS MENTIONED "HONG KONG FUTURE" IN MAY, COMPARED WITH 64 PER CENT IN MARCH.
"HOUSING-RELATED PROBLEMS" WERE MENTIONED BY 36 PER CENT OF THE RESPONDENTS, WHICH IS HIGHER THAN THE FIGURE OF 28 PER CENT RECORDED IN MARCH. 22 PER CENT MENTIONED "TRANSPORT-RELATED PROBLEMS", ALSO HIGHER THAN THE 15 PER CENT RECORDED IN MARCH.
AMONG THE RESPONDENTS WHO MENTIONED THE "HONG KONG FUTURE” PROBLEM, 28 PER CENT TALKED ABOUT "CHINA-HONG KONG RELATIONS" - A DECREASE FROM THE 52 PER CENT IN THE LAST SURVEY. 28 PER CENT WERE CONCERNED ABOUT "RETURN OF SOVEREIGNTY/1997" - SLIGHTLY HIGHER THAN THE 21 PER CENT RECORDED IN MARCH 1993.
AS FOR THE OVERALL PERFORMANCE OF THE GOVERNMENT, 55 PER CENT OF THE RESPONDENTS SAID THEY WERE SATISFIED, THE SAME AS THE FIGURE OBTAINED IN MARCH.
FOR THIS SURVEY, A TOTAL OF 1,513 RESPONDENTS WERE SUCCESSFULLY CONTACTED BY TELEPHONE DURING THE PERIOD MAY 17 TO 21.
TELEPHONE INTERVIEWS WERE BASED ON A SYSTEMATIC RANDOM SAMPLE OF RESIDENTIAL TELEPHONE NUMBER CONTAINED IN THE TELEPHONE DIRECTORIES. WITHIN THE HOUSEHOLD OF A SELECTED TELEPHONE NUMBER, A RESPONDENT AGED BETWEEN 15 AND 64 WAS RANDOMLY CHOSEN FOR INTERVIEW.
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THURSDAY, JUNE 10, 1993
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TRADE DEPARTMENT DELEGATION VISITS CHINA ♦ ♦ ♦ * ♦
A DELEGATION OF SENIOR TRADE OFFICIALS, LED BY DIRECTOR-GENERAL OF TRADE, MR TONY MILLER, HAS LEFT HONG KONG TODAY (THURSDAY) FOR A WEEK-LONG VISIT TO BEIJING AND TIANJIN.
’’THE MAIN PURPOSE OF OUR VISIT IS TO BUILD ON THE CLOSE WORKING RELATIONSHIP WE HAVE ESTABLISHED WITH OUR COUNTERPARTS IN THE MINISTRY OF FOREIGN TRADE AND ECONOMIC CO-OPERATION IN BEIJING,” MR MILLER SAID.
THE DELEGATION WILL SPEND THE FIRST THREE DAYS IN BEIJING WHERE THEY WILL BE RECEIVED BY OFFICIALS FROM VARIOUS DEPARTMENTS OF THE MINISTRY AND DISCUSS MATTERS OF INTEREST TO BOTH SIDES.
THEY WILL ARRIVE IN TIANJIN ON SUNDAY (JUNE 13) TO VISIT THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AREA (EDA) AND TO SEE THE PROGRESS OF ITS FOREIGN TRADE AND PORT DEVELOPMENT.
MEMBERS OF THE DELEGATION ARE: MR CLEMENT MAK AND MS MARIA KWAN, ASSISTANT DIRECTORS-GENERAL OF TRADE; MR RAYMOND CHAN, PRINCIPAL TRADE OFFICER; MS MARILYN HUNG, TRADE OFFICER; MISS IRENE TANG AND MR RAYMOND CHEN, ASSISTANT TRADE OFFICERS AND MS SARAH LOY, INTERPRETER.
THE DELEGATION WILL RETURN TO HONG KONG ON WEDNESDAY (JUNE 16).
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UPGC VITAL IN THIS PERIOD OF CHANGE ♦ ♦ * ♦ ♦
THE ROLE OF THE UNIVERSITY AND POLYTECHNIC GRANTS COMMITTEE (UPGC) AS AN INDEPENDENT BODY TO ADVISE THE GOVERNMENT ON HIGHER EDUCATION MATTERS HAS NEVER BEEN MORE IMPORTANT THAN IT IS NOW.
THIS IS RECAUSE HONG KONG IS IN A PERIOD OF SOCIAL AND POLITICAL CHANGE.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE NEW UPGC CHAIRMAN, MR ANTONY K C LEUNG, AT A PRESS CONFERENCE TODAY (THURSDAY).
LIKE IHS PREDECESSOR MR ANDREW LI, MR LEUNG IS OF THE VIEW THAT THE COMMITTEE IS A BUFFER BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT AND THE INSTITUTIONS THAT SEEKS TO ENSURE VALUE FOR PUBLIC MONEY AND TO SAFEGUARD INSTITUTIONAL AUTONOMY AND ACADEMIC FREEDOM.
HE ALSO SHARED MR LT’S VISION FOR THE FUTURE OF HONG KONG’S TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS: THAT THEY SHOULD BECOME CENTRES OF EXCELLENCE AND STRIVE TO RANK AMONGST THE BEST IN CHINA.
"I MUST SAY THAT I AM EXCITED AT THE PROSPECT OF WORKING WITH THE COMMITTEE, THE INSTITUTIONS AND THE GOVERNMENT TO ACHIEVE IT,” MR LEUNG SAID.
/ON TERTIARY .......
THURSDAY, JUNE 10, 1993
26
ON TERTIARY EXPANSION, THE CHAIRMAN SAID THE AMBITIOUS EXPANSION PLAN ANNOUNCED BY THE GOVERNMENT IN 1989 WAS PROCEEDING ON SCHEDULE.
BY 1994/95, HONG KONG SHALL BE PROVIDING A FIRST-YEAR, FIRST-DEGREE PLACE FOR ALMOST ONE IN FIVE OF THE RELEVANT AGE GROUP, HE SAID.
MR LEUNG SAID HE HAD RECENTLY SUBMITTED TO THE SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER THE UPGC*S INTERIM REPORT ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF HIGHER EDUCATION UP TO AND BEYOND 1991/95.
THIS REPORT, ENTITLED 'HIGHER EDUCATION 1991/2001", SEEKS AN INFORMED DEBATE WITH THE GOVERNMENT AND, SUBJECT TO THE GOVERNMENT’S AGREEMENT, MORE WIDELY WITH THE COMMUNITY A’I’ LARGE.
HF. SAID HE HAD ALSO SUBMITTED TO THE SECRETARY THE UPGC’S ADVICE AND RECOMMENDATIONS FOLLOWING THE INSTITUTIONAL REVIEWS OF THE HONG KONG POLYTECHNIC, CITY POLYTECHNIC OF HONG KONG, AND THE HONG KONG BAPTIST COLLEGE IN JANUARY.
HE POINTED OUT THAT THE UPGC XCCEPTED, AS A MATTER OF PRINCIPLE, THAT IT WAS ACADEMICALLY DESIRABLE FOR THE NON-UNIVERSITY INSTITUTIONS TO REACH A POINT WHERE SELF-ACCREDITATION COULD OCCUR.
ON THE NON-LOCAL STUDENT ISSUE, HE SAID THE GOVERNMENT HAD RECENTLY APPROVED RECOMMENDATIONS FROM THE UPGC REGARDING THE DEFINITION OF NON-LOCAL STUDENTS, THE TREATMENT OF SUCH STUDENTS FOR STUDENT NUMBER AND GRANT CALCULATION PURPOSES, AND THE PERMITTED LEVELS OF ENROLMENT FOR NON-LOCAL STUDENTS AS PUBLICLY FUNDED COURSES.
”A RATIONALISATION OF GOVERNMENT AND INSTITUTIONAL POLICY IN THIS MATTER IS TIMELY," HE SAID.
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LABOUR DEPARTMENT ENHANCES PHONE ENQUIRY SERVICE
♦ ♦♦****
THE GENERAL ENQUIRY TELEPHONE SERVICE (GETS) OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT HAS BEEN ENHANCED TO PROVIDE BETTER SERVICE TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC ON LABOUR LEGISLATION.
SPEAKING AT A PRESS CONFERENCE THIS (THURSDAY) MORNING TO INTRODUCE THE ENHANCED SERVICE, THE ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR, MR ALFRED CHAN, SAID:
"THE GETS HAS BEEN UPGRADED TO A DUAL SYSTEM COMPRISING AN INTERACTIVE VOICE PROCESSING SYSTEM (IVPS) AND A STAFF-MANNED SERVICE TO ANSWER ENQUIRIES ON LABOUR LEGISLATION."
"THE IVPS IS A NEWLY INSTALLED COMPUTER OPERATED SYSTEM WHICH CAN AUTOMATICALLY RECEIVE INCOMING CALLS."
/AS THE .........
THURSDAY, JUNE 10, 1993
27
"AS THE SYSTEM IS PROGRESSING SMOOTHLY, WE EXPECT THE GETS WILL HANDLE 1.5 MILLION ENQUIRIES IN THE NEXT 12 MONTHS," MR CHAN NOTED.
"ACCESS TO THE SYSTEM IS VERY SIMPLE, ALL YOU NEED IS TO DIAL OUR GETS HOTLINE NUMBER WHICH IS 717 1771.
"ONCE CONNECTED, INSTRUCTIONS WILL BE GIVEN TO THE CALLERS BY A DIGITISED HUMAN VOICE SO THAT THEY CAN CHOOSE A SELECTION OF PRERECORDED MESSAGES OR SWITCH TO OPERATORS FOR CONSULTATION BY SIMPLY PRESSING THE DIGITS ON THEIR TOUCH-TONE TELEPHONE."
CALLERS USING ROTARY OR PULSE DIAL TELEPHONES WILL BE TRANSFERRED DIRECTLY TO OPERATORS FOR ENQUIRIES.
MR CHAN POINTED OUT THAT THERE WERE SEVERAL ADVANTAGES IN THE INSTALLATION OF THE IVPS.
"IT OPERATES 24 HOURS A DAY AND SEVEN DAYS A WEEK SO THAT CALLERS CAN GAIN ACCESS TO THE BILINGUAL PRE-RECORDED MESSAGES AT ANY TIME," HE SAID.
IF THE CALLERS HAVE FURTHER QUESTIONS TO RAISE AFTER LISTENING TO THE MESSAGES ON SOME COMPLICATED MATTERS, THEY WILL BE ABLE TO SPEAK DIRECTLY TO OUR OPERATORS FOR FURTHER ENQUIRIES.
"THE MOST SIGNIFICANT FEATURE OF THE IMPROVED SYSTEM IS THE DELIVERY OF INFORMATION AND FORMS ON LABOUR LEGISLATION BY FACSIMILE TO SAVE ENQUIRERS’ JOURNEYS TO AND FROM OUR OFFICES," HE SAID.
"THE SYSTEM ALSO HAS THE FUNCTION TO TRANSFER PUBLIC CALLS TO HOTLINES OF RELEVANT SERVICES OF THE DEPARTMENT IF THE CALLERS NEED SPECIFIC INFORMATION ON INDUSTRIAL SAFETY, OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND PRESSURE EQUIPMENT," HE ADDED.
MR CHAN SAID AT PRESENT ABOUT 40 PRE-RECORDED MESSAGES ON CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT, EMPLOYEES’ COMPENSATION AND FOREIGN DOMESTIC HELPERS ARE AVAILABLE FOR CLIENTS.
"IN ADDITION, MORE THAN 20 DIFFERENT GUIDANCE NOTES AND FORMS ARE ALSO AVAILABLE FOR FACSIMILE TRANSMISSION TO CALLERS.
"ADDITIONAL MESSAGES AND FAX ITEMS WILL CONTINUE TO BE PUT INTO THE IVPS ONCE AVAILABLE WHILE EXISTING ITEMS WILL BE REVISED REGULARLY TO PROVIDE THE MOST UP-TO-DATE INFORMATION FOR THE PUBLIC," HE ADDED.
MR CHAN NOTED THAT BEFORE THE INSTALLATION OF THE IVPS, ENQUIRY OFFICERS OF THE GETS HANDLED AN AVERAGE OF ABOUT 1,300 CALLS A WORKING DAY.
"PRELIMINARY SURVEYS REVEALED THAT AFTER THE INSTALLATION OF THE SYSTEM, THE IVPS AND OUR OFFICERS ARE NOW HANDLING 3,700 AND 1,000 CALLS PER WORKING DAY RESPECTIVELY," MR CHAN ADDED.
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/28 ........
THURSDAY, JUNE 10, 1993
SAI KUNG DRAGON BOAT RACES SET FOR JUNE 24
*****
THE ORGANISING COMMITTEE FOR THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT DRAGON BOAT RACES DECIDED TODAY (THURSDAY) THAT THIS YEAR’S RACES WOULD BE HELD AS SCHEDULED ON JUNE 24.
THE DECISION WAS MADE AFTER MEMBERS HAD A THOROUGH DISCUSSION ON A RECENT INCIDENT IN WHICH A MAN WAS REPORTEDLY KILLED BY A SHARK IN SAI KUNG WATERS.
THE MEMBERS ALL SUPPORTED THE HOLDING OF THE EVENT BECAUSE IT HAD BEEN WELL RECEIVED BY RESIDENTS AND ORGANISATIONS.
THE COMMITTEE’S CHAIRMAN, MR GEORGE NG, SAID SPECIAL MEASURES WOULD BE ADOPTED TO ENSURE THE SAFETY OF THE PARTICIPANTS.
IN ADDITION TO POLICE ASSISTANCE, MR NG SAID A NUMBER OF RESCUE BOATS WITH LIFEGUARDS WOULD BE STATIONED AT THE RACE COURSE TO PROVIDE RESCUE SERVICES.
FURTHERMORE, MEMBERS OF THE ST JOHN AMBULANCE BRIGADE AND THE CIVIL AID SERVICES WILL ALSO BE DEPLOYED TO PROVIDE MEDICAL AND CROWD CONTROL SERVICES.
MR NG URGED PARTICIPANTS NOT TO SWIM IN THE RACING AREA AND TO LEAVE THE SEA AS SOON AS POSSIBLE IF THEY DROP INTO THE WATER.
A TOTAL OF 54 TEAMS WILL TAKE PART IN THE RACES, WHICH WILL BE HELD ALONG THE SEAFRONT OF SAI KUNG TOWN.
OFFICIATING GUESTS AT THE PRIZE-PRESENTATION CEREMONIES WILL INCLUDE THE SECRETARY FOR RECREATION AND CULTURE, MR JAMES SO; CHAIRMAN OF THE REGIONAL COUNCIL, MR CHEUNG YAN-LUNG, DISTRICT OFFICER OF SAI KUNG, MR PARRISH NG; AND THE POLICE EAST KOWLOON REGIONAL COMMANDER, MR CHING KWOK-HO.
- 0 -
CARGO WORKING AREAS REMAIN OPEN ON PUBLIC HOLIDAYS
*****
THE MARINE DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES TODAY (THURSDAY) THAT ALL PUBLIC CARGO WORKING AREAS WILL REMAIN OPEN FROM 7 AM TO 9 PM DAILY DURING THE QUEEN’S BIRTHDAY HOLIDAYS (SATURDAY, JUNE 12 AND MONDAY, JUNE 14) AND THE DRAGON BOAT FESTIVAL (THURSDAY, JUNE 24).
THE PUBLIC CARGO WORKING AREAS ADMINISTERED BY THE DEPARTMENT ARE AT THE WESTERN DISTRICT, SHEUNG WAN, WAN CHAI, CHAI WAN, SHAM SHUI PO, YAU MA TEI, KWUN TONG, CHA KWO LING, TSUEN WAN AND RAMBLER CHANNEL.
THE SENIOR MARINE OFFICER (CENTRAL REGION) OF THE DEPARTMENT, MR LO KWOK-TAI, SAID: ’’THE TUEN MUN PUBLIC WATERFRONT WILL ALSO BE OPEN FROM 7 AM TO 9 PM DURING THE HOLIDAYS.”
/DURING THE
THURSDAY, JUNE 10, 1993
29
DURING THE HOLIDAY PERIOD, THE MACAU FERRY TERMINAL WILL REMAIN OPEN 24 HOURS DAILY, AND THE CHINA FERRY TERMINAL IN TSIM SHA TSUI WILL BE OPEN AS NORMAL BETWEEN 6 AM AND 10 PM DAILY.
ON JUNE 13 (SUNDAY), THE VICTORIA MARINE OFFICE IN ROOM 314 ON
THE THIRD FLOOR OF HARBOUR BUILDING AT 38 PIER ROAD, CENTRAL,
WILL BE OPEN FROM 9 AM TO 11 AM TO FACILITATE ENTRY AND OUTWARD
CLEARANCE FOR SHIPS ONLY.
AS FOR THE PORT FORMALITIES OFFICE IN ROOM 318 AT HARBOUR BUILDING, IT WILL BE OPEN ON JUNE 13 (SUNDAY) FROM 9 AM TO 11 AM TO HANDLE APPLICATIONS FOR PERMITS NORMALLY ISSUED BY THE OFFICE.
------0-------
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS * ♦ ♦ * ♦
$ MILLION
OPENING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT 1,649
REVERSAL OF LAF +1,151
BALANCE AFTER REVERSAL OF LAF 2,800
NET TNJECTION/WTTHDRAWAL TODAY NIL
EFFECT OF LAF TODAY NIL
CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT 2,800
LAF RATE 2.00 BID/4.00 OFFER TWI 111.9 »+0.0» 10.6.93
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND
EF BILLS EF NOTES/HONG KONG GOVERNMENT BONDS
TERMS YIELD TERM ISSUE COUPON PRICE YIELD
1 WEEK 2.17 PCT 15 MONTHS 2408 4.375 100.65 3.84
1 MONTH 2.76 PCT 18 MONTHS 2411 4.625 100.89 4.02
3 MONTHS 3.05 PCT 21 MONTHS 2502 4.75 100.94 4.21
6 MONTHS 3.37 PCT 24 MONTHS 2505 3.7 5 98.91 4.39
12 MONTHS 3.69 PCT
TOTAL TURNOVER OF BILLS AND BONDS - 18,820 MN
CLOSED JUNE 10, 1993
0
RefeivejbNb«98RO
on______________
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
FRIDAY, JUNE 11, 1993
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
SURVEILLANCE ON WATERS STEPPED UP ............................... 1
SWIMMERS URGED TO TAKE EXTRA CARE ............................... 1
AIRPORT COMMITTEE TO MEET ON JUNE 18 ............................ 2
LION ROCK TUNNEL ROAD TO BE IMPROVED ............................ 2
EXTERNAL TRADE STATISTICS FOR APRIL ............................. 4
NO BEDSPACE LODGERS WILL BE LEFT HOMELESS: SHA ................. 14
GUIDELINES ON WITNESS PROTECTION ISSUED ........................ 15
JUDICIAL PROCEEDINGS (ADJOURNMENT DURING GALE WARNINGS) (AMENDMENT) ORDINANCE 1993 GAZETTED .......................... 16
HK TAKES PART IN CENTRAL BANK GOVERNORS MEETING ................ 17
ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL SERVICES AT LANTAU FIXED CROSSING 17
RECONSTRUCTION AND IMPROVEMENTS OF LION ROCK TUNNEL ROAD ... 18
TWO NT LOTS FOR AUCTION ........................................ 19
INQUIRY INTO SEA ACCIDENT ...................................... 19
DREDGING WORKS FOR FAIRWAY AND DRAINAGE SYSTEM AUTHORISED .. 20
NEWSPAPERS NAMED TO CARRY MEETING NOTICES ...................... 21
REPORT ON AIR QUALITY FOR MAY RELEASED ......................... 21
FELLING TREES AND PLANTS ILLEGAL ............................... 23
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS . 23
FRIDAY, JUNE 11, 1993
1 SURVEILLANCE ON WATERS STEPPED UP ******
THE GOVERNMENT HAS STEPPED UP SURVEILLANCE OF WATERS OFF HONG KONG’S BEACHES IN VIEW OF THE SECOND SUSPECTED SHARK ATTACK CASE THIS MONTH WHICH HAPPENED IN SAI KUNG AREA THIS (FRIDAY) MORNING.
IN ADDITION, WARNING FLAGS HAVE BEEN HOISTED AT GAZETTED BEACHES TO ALERT THE PUBLIC TO THE DANGERS OF ENTERING THE WATER.
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THE GOVERNMENT WAS VERY CONCERNED TO DO ALL IT COULD TO PROMOTE PUBLIC SAFETY IN THE WAKE OF THE TWO RECENT ATTACKS.
REPRESENTATIVES OF THE RELEVANT DEPARTMENTS WERE MEETING TO CONSIDER WHETHER ANY FURTHER MEASURES CAN BE TAKEN TO REDUCE THE RISK TO SWIMMERS AT PUBLIC BEACHES.
CONSIDERATION WOULD ALSO BE GIVEN TO BRINGING IN OVERSEAS EXPERTS.
THE SPOKESMAN ALSO ADVISED MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC NOT TO ATTEMPT TO HUNT SHARK SINCE IT WAS A VERY RISKY BUSINESS.
MEANWHILE, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE REGIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT SAID THE DEPARTMENT HAD PUT IN PLACE A NUMBER OF MEASURES TO MONITOR THE BEACHES AND TO WARN SWIMMERS, INCLUDING AIR SURVEILLANCE WITH THE ASSISTANCE OF THE GOVERNMENT FLYING SERVICE, INCREASED LIFEGUARD PATROLS, AND THE HOISTING OF SHARK WARNING FLAGS AT ALL OF ITS 30 BEACHES.
------0-------
SWIMMERS URGED TO TAKE EXTRA CARE ***** ■
IN VIEW OF A SECOND FATAL SHARK ATTACK AT A SAI KUNG BEACH THIS MORNING, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT ADVISED MEMBERS OF THE.PUBLIC TO TAKE EXTRA CARE IF THEY ARE PLANNING TO GO FOR A SWIM.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THAT EXTRA LIFEGUARDS HAVE BEEN PUT ON DUTY AT ALL URBAN COUNCIL GAZETTED BEACHES AND THAT LIFEGUARDS ON WATCH TOWERS ARE PROVIDED WITH BINOCULARS TO LOOK OUT FOR ANY SUSPICIOUS SIGHTINGS IN THE WATER.
NOTICES HAVE ALREADY BEEN PUT UP AT ALL BEACHES IN THE URBAN AREAS TO WARN SWIMMERS TO BE EXTRA CAREFUL ESPECIALLY WHEN NO LIFEGUARD SERVICES ARE PROVIDED.
THE SPOKESMAN NOTED THAT DURING THE MONTH OF JUNE, LIFEGUARD SERVICES ARE ONLY PROVIDED BEWTEEN 9 AM AND 6 PM DURING WEEKDAYS AND BETWEEN 8 AM TO 7 PM DURING WEEKENDS AND PUBLIC HOLIDAYS.
IN THE COMING THREE PUBLIC HOLIDAYS, THE SPOKESMAN ADVISED MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC TO MAKE FULL USE OF THE URBAN COUNCIL’S PUBLIC SWIMMING POOLS.
------J.-------
/2........
FRIDAY, JUNE 11, 1993
2
AIRPORT COMMITTEE TO MEET ON JUNE 18
*****
THE BRITISH AND CHINESE SIDES HAVE AGREED TO CONTINUE THEIR CONSULTATIONS ON AIRPORT RELATED MATTERS. THE NEXT MEETING OF THE AIRPORT COMMITTEE WILL BE HELD ON JUNE 18.
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LION ROCK TUNNEL ROAD TO BE IMPROVED ******
THE SECTION OF LION ROCK TUNNEL ROAD BETWEEN THE TOLL PLAZA AND SHA TIN ROAD BRIDGE IS TO BE RECONSTRUCTED.
ANNOUNCING DETAILS OF THE WORKS TODAY (FRIDAY), THE HIGHWAYS DEPARTMENT’S REGIONAL HIGHWAY ENGINEER (NEW TERRITORIES), MR CHEUNG TAI-YAN, SAID IMPROVEMENT WORKS WOULD ALSO BE TAKEN IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE RECONSTRUCTION WORK.
THESE INCLUDE IMPROVEMENTS TO THE SUPE|-ELEVATION ON BENDS, LENGTHENING THE SLIP ROADS TO AND FROM THE HUNG MUI KUK INTERCHANGE, INSTALLATION OF OVERHEAD GANTRY SIGNS, IMPROVEMENT TO THE ROAD DRAINAGE AND REPROVISIONING OF ROAD LIGHTING.
MR CHEUNG SAID THE RECONSTRUCTION WORK WAS DIVIDED INTO TWO STAGES.
"STAGE I IS FROM THE HUNG MUI KUK INTERCHANGE TO SHA TIN ROAD AND STAGE II IS FROM THE LION ROCK TUNNEL TOLL PLAZA TO THE HUNG MUI KUK INTERCHANGE. IN BOTH STAGES, ONE TRAFFIC LANE AT A TIME WILL BE CLOSED FOR RECONSTRUCTION," HE SAID.
DURING THE STAGE I WORK, ONLY THREE LANES WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR TRAFFIC. THEREFORE, TIDAL FLOW HAS TO BE IMPLEMENTED TO COPE WITH THE PEAK-HOUR FLOW FOR KOWLOON-BOUND AND NEW TERRITORIES-BOUND TRAFFIC.
ACCORDINGLY, FROM 6 AM TO 4 PM, THERE WILL BE TWO LANES FOR KOWLOON-BOUND AND ONE FOR NEW TERRITORIES-BOUND. AND FROM 4 PM TO MIDNIGHT, THE MIDDLE LANE WILL BE REVERTED SO THAT TWO LANES WILL BE FOR NEW TERRITORIES-BOUND AND ONE FOR KOWLOON-BOUND.
FROM MIDNIGHT TO 6 AM, ONLY ONE LANE WILL BE OPENED FOR EACH DIRECTION FOR THE SAKE OF BETTER SAFETY.
FOR STAGE II, SINCE TWO TRAFFIC LANES WILL BE MAINTAINED IN EACH DIRECTION THROUGHOUT THE RECONSTRUCTION WORK, TIDAL FLOW ARRANGEMENT WILL NOT BE REQUIRED. HOWEVER, THE BUS-ONLY LANE WILL HAVE TO BE SUSPENDED.
MR CHEUNG POINTED OUT THAT THE SPEED LIMIT WOULD BE REDUCED FROM 70 KM PER HOUR TO 50 KM PER HOUR DURING THE RECONSTRUCTION WORK.
«
REPROVISION OF ROAD LIGHTING IS NOW IN HAND AND WILL BE COMPLETED IN EARLY JULY.
/'"’TO FACILITATE......
FRIDAY, JUNE 11, 1993
3
”T0 FACILITATE THE TIDAL FLOW ARRANGEMENT, THE EXISTING CONCRETE CENTRAL DIVIDER NEEDS TO BE BROKEN UP IN ADVANCE,” MR CHEUNG SAID.
”AS THE FAST LANE IN BOTH DIRECTIONS HAS TO BE CLOSED FOR THIS WORK, THE WORK WILL BE CARRIED OUT DURING THE OFF-PEAK HOURS FROM 10 AM TO 4 PM. WORK WILL START AND BE COMPLETED DURING THE SUMMER HOLIDAY IN AUGUST 1993 TO MINIMISE THE TRAFFIC IMPACT," HE ADDED.
STAGE I WILL TAKE SEVEN MONTHS TO COMPLETE AND STAGE II WILL TAKE ANOTHER EIGHT MONTHS TO COMPLETE. THE WHOLE PROJECT IS SCHEDULED FOR COMPLETION BY DECEMBER NEXT YEAR.
TO ENABLE THE WORK TO BE COMPLETED WITHIN SUCH A SHORT TIME, 24-HOUR WORKING IS REQUIRED.
"HOWEVER, NIGHT WORK WILL BE CONFINED TO ACTIVITIES WHICH WILL NOT GENERATE EXCESSIVE NOISE," MR CHEUNG STRESSED.
AT THE SAME TIME, THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT WILL INTRODUCE VARIOUS TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT SCHEMES TO CATER FOR TRAFFIC FLOWS DURING THE RECONSTRUCTION PERIOD.
ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER FOR TRANSPORT, MR ALAN LUI, SAID INFORMATION SIGNS WARNING OF THE ROADWORKS AND ADVISING OF ALTERNATIVE ROUTES WOULD BE ERECTED IN KOWLOON AND AT STRATEGIC LOCATIONS IN SHA TIN.
THE MAIN ALTERNATIVE ROUTES RECOMMENDED ARE ROUTE 5 SHING MUN TUNNELS AND ROUTE 6 TATE’S CAIRN TUNNEL.
MR LUI SAID FOR STAGE I OF THE RECONSTRUCTION, A TIDAL FLOW TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT SCHEME WOULD BE IMPLEMENTED FAVOURING THE PREDOMINANT DIRECTIONAL TRAFFIC FLOWS.
AT THE SAME TIME LOCAL DIVERSION ROUTES WOULD SET UP ALONG HUNG MUI KUK ROAD, CHE KUNG MIU ROAD AND MEI TIN ROAD SO THAT SOME TRAFFIC COULD BY-PASS THE WORKS AREA.
THE TRAFFIC SIGNALS AT JUNCTIONS ALONG THESE BYPASS ROUTES WOULD BE MODIFIED TO CATER FOR THE INCREASED TRAFFIC FLOWS.
"FOR STAGE II OF THE RECONSTRUCTION, THE BUS-ONLY LANE BETWEEN THE TOLL PLAZA AND HUNG MUI KUK ROAD WILL BE CANCELLED AND TWO LANES WILL BE MAINTAINED IN EACH DIRECTION TO PROVIDE THE SAME CAPACITY AS THE LION ROCK TUNNEL," HE ADDED.
SHOULD THE SITUATION WARRANT, SIGNALISED MERGING MAY BE ADOPTED AS AND WHEN REQUIRED FOR BOTH STAGE I AND STAGE II WHERE HUNG MUI KUK ROAD MERGES WITH LION ROCK TUNNEL ROAD SOUTHBOUND.
REGARDING PUBLIC TRANSPORT, MR LUI SAID MEASURES WOULD BE TAKEN TO MAINTAIN THE EFFICIENT OPERATION OF THE EXISTING BUS SERVICE DURING THE RECONSTRUCTION PERIOD.
/"TO ENSURE .......
FRIDAY, JUNE 11, 1993
4
"TO ENSURE OPERATING EFFICIENCY, FIVE OF THE EXISTING 13 KOWLOON MOTOR BUS ROUTES RUNNING ON THE SECTION OF LION ROCK TUNNEL ROAD NEAR SAN TIN WAI WILL BE DIVERTED TO OPERATE VIA THE CONTINUOUS BUS LANE ON HUNG MUI KUK ROAD," HE SAID.
"SOME BUSES WILL RUN EMPTY ON THEIR MORNING RETURN JOURNEYS FROM KOWLOON VIA TATE’S CAIRN TUNNEL DURING MORNING PEAK HOURS SO AS TO MAINTAIN THE SERVICE LEVEL OF BUS SERVICES TO HANDLE THE HEAVY KOWLOON-BOUND PASSENGER TRAFFIC," HE ADDED.
A BUS PRIORITY SCHEME WILL ALSO BE INTRODUCED ON THE SIU LEK YUEN APPROACH TO TATE’S CAIRN TUNNEL WHICH WILL BENEFIT 15 BUS ROUTES. THREE EXTERNAL KOWLOON MOTOR BUS ROUTES FROM MA ON SHAN TO WONG TAI SIN, TSIM SHA TSUI AND KWUN TONG WILL BE ENHANCED.
"A NEW KOWLOON-CANTON RAILWAY FEEDER BUS ROUTE 84K FROM CHEVALIER GARDEN TO UNIVERSITY KCR STATION WILL BE INTRODUCED AND AN EXISTING FEEDER ROUTE 87K FROM MA ON SHAN TO UNIVERSITY KCR STATION WILL BE STRENGTHENED," MR LUI SAID.
HE SAID THESE IMPROVEMENTS IN BUS SERVICES WERE INTENDED TO PROVIDE A MORE ATTRACTIVE ALTERNATIVE TO COMMUTERS, AND SHOULD HELP TO REDUCE TRAFFIC OF THE LESS EFFICIENT TRANSPORT MODES.
HE ENCOURAGED COMMUTERS TO USE PUBLIC TRANSPORT SERVICES, IN PARTICULAR THE KCR DURING THE WORKS PERIOD.
A TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENT MANAGEMENT GROUP COMPRISING REPRESENTATIVES OF TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT, TRAFFIC POLICE AND HIGHWAYS DEPARTMENT HAS BEEN FORMED TO PLAN AND TO MONITOR THE TRAFFIC ARRANGEMENTS OF THE PROJECT.
MEMBERS OF THE TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT COMMITTEE OF THE SHA TIN DISTRICT BOARD HAVE ALSO BEEN INVITED TO PARTICIPATE IN THE GROUP.
A TELEPHONE HOTLINE WILL BE SET UP ON SITE TO RESPOND QUICKLY TO QUERIES AND COMPLAINTS FROM THE PUBLIC.
------0-------
EXTERNAL TRADE STATISTICS FOR APRIL ♦ * * * ♦
THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT TODAY (FRIDAY) RELEASED DETAILED STATISTICS ON EXTERNAL TRADE WITH BREAKDOWN BY COUNTRY/TERRITORY AND COMMODITY FOR APRIL.
THE VALUE OF RE-EXPORTS IN APRIL 1993, AT $67,615 MILLION, SHOWED A SUBSTANTIAL INCREASE OF 27% OVER APRIL 1992, WHEREAS DOMESTIC EXPORTS INCREASED BY 0.5% TO $17,814 MILLION OVER THE SAME PERIOD.
COMPARING APRIL 1993 WITH APRIL 1992, THE VALUE OF RE-EXPORTS TO THE NETHERLANDS, THE UNITED STATES, CHINA, FRANCE, THE UNITED KINGDOM, GERMANY, SINGAPORE, JAPAN AND THE REPUBLIC OF KOREA INCREASED SUBSTANTIALLY, BY 48%, 39%, 38%, 33%, 31%, 28%, 22%, 16% AND 6.9% RESPECTIVELY.
/HOWEVER, THE ........
FRIDAY, JUNE 11, 1993
5
HOWEVER, THE VALUE OF RE-EXPORTS TO TAIWAN DECREASED BY 28%.
THE VALUE OF RE-EXPORTS IN THE FIRST FOUR MONTHS OF THIS YEAR WAS $241,813 MILLION, 25% HIGHER THAN THAT IN THE SAME PERIOD LAST YEAR.
COMPARING THE FIRST FOUR MONTHS OF 1993 WITH THE SAME PERIOD 1992, INCREASES WERE RECORDED IN THE VALUE OF RE-EXPORTS TO MOST OF THE MAJOR DESTINATIONS : CHINA (+41%), THE NETHERLANDS (+32%), THE UNITED KINGDOM (+30%), SINGAPORE (+28%), THE UNITED STATES (+25%), GERMANY (+23%), FRANCE (+22%), JAPAN (+16%) AND THE REPUBLIC OF KOREA (+5.1%).
HOWEVER, THE VALUE OF RE-EXPORTS TO TAIWAN DECREASED BY 19%.
COMPARING THE FIRST FOUR MONTHS OF 1993 WITH THE SAME PERIOD 1992, INCREASES WERE RECORDED IN THE VALUE OF RE-EXPORTS OF ALL MAJOR COMMODITY DIVISIONS.
MORE NOTABLE INCREASES WERE REGISTERED FOR ROAD VEHICLES (BY $6,989 MILLION OR 179%); ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES, AND ELECTRICAL PARTS THEREOF (BY $5,166 MILLION OR 35%); TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND SOUND RECORDING AND REPRODUCING APPARATUS AND EQUIPMENT (BY $4,569 MILLION OR 31%); FOOTWEAR (BY $4,454 MILLION OR 45%); MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES CONSISTING OF MAINLY BABY CARRIAGES, TOYS, GAMES AND SPORTING GOODS (BY $4,383 MILLION OR 18%); CLOTHING (BY $3,603 MILLION OR 16%); AND TEXTILES (BY $2,176 MILLION OR 12%).
AS REGARDS DOMESTIC EXPORTS, AN INCREASE OF 14% IN VALUE WAS RECORDED FOR SINGAPORE WHEN COMPARING APRIL 1993 WITH APRIL 1992.
FOR GERMANY, CHINA, JAPAN AND MALAYSIA, THE CORRESPONDING INCREASES WERE 13%, 8.6%, 3.9% AND 1.2% RESPECTIVELY.
OVER THE SAME PERIOD, DECREASES WERE RECORDED IN THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO OTHER MAJOR DESTINATIONS : TAIWAN (-19%), THE UNITED KINGDOM (-8.4%), THE NETHERLANDS (-7.8%), THE UNITED STATES (-6.2%) AND CANADA (-3.7%).
COMPARING THE FIRST FOUR MONTHS OF 1993 WITH THE SAME PERIOD IN 1992, THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO SINGAPORE, MALAYSIA AND CHINA INCREASED BY 20%, 17% AND 15% RESPECTIVELY.
HOWEVER, DECREASES WERE RECORDED IN THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO OTHER MAJOR DESTINATIONS : CANADA (-12%), THE UNITED KINGDOM (-11%), THE NETHERLANDS (-8.8%), GERMANY (-8.7%), JAPAN (-6.5%), THE UNITED STATES (-6.1%) AND TAIWAN (-6.0%).
FOR ALL DESTINATIONS TAKEN TOGETHER, THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS IN THE FIRST FOUR MONTHS OF 1993 WAS $66,524 MILLION, ABOUT THE SAME AS IN THE SAME PERIOD IN 1992.
/COMPARING THE .......
FRIDAY, JUNE 11, 1993
- 6 -
COMPARING THE FIRST FOUR 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 $1,467 MILLION OR 26%); TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND SOUND RECORDING AND REPRODUCING APPARATUS AND EQUIPMENT (BY $531 MILLION OR 14%); TEXTILES (BY $171 MILLION OR 3.4%); AND OFFICE MACHINES AND AUTOMATIC DATA PROCESSING MACHINES (BY $108 MILLION OR 1.8%).
OVER THE SAME PERIOD, DECREASES IN THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS WERE RECORDED FOR CLOTHING (BY $1,614 MILLION OR 8.3%); MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES CONSISTING OF MAINLY JEWELLERY, GOLDSMITHS’ AND SILVERSMITHS’ WARES (BY $829 MILLION OR 12%); AND PHOTOGRAPHIC APPARATUS, EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES, OPTICAL GOODS, WATCHES AND CLOCKS (BY $485 MILLION OR 8.6%).
THE VALUE OF IMPORTS IN APRIL 1993 WAS $93,654 MILLION, INCREASING BY 19% OVER THAT IN APRIL 1992.
COMPARING APRIL 1993 WITH APRIL 1992, INCREASES WERE RECORDED IN THE VALUE OF IMPORTS FROM ALL THE MAJOR SUPPLIERS : FRANCE (+127%), SINGAPORE (+38%), ITALY (+34%), THE UNITED STATES (+27%), GERMANY (+22%), JAPAN (+22%), CHINA (+16%), TAIWAN (+14%), THE REPUBLIC OF KOREA (+5.4%) AND THE UNITED KINGDOM (+1.2%).
COMPARING THE FIRST FOUR MONTHS OF 1993 WITH THE SAME PERIOD IN 1992, THE VALUE OF IMPORTS FROM ALL THE MAJOR SUPPLIERS INCREASED : FRANCE (+34%), SINGAPORE (+33%), THE UNITED STATES (+26%), GERMANY (+26%), ITALY (+21%), JAPAN (+19%), TAIWAN (+15%), CHINA (+15%), THE REPUBLIC OF KOREA (+12%) AND THE UNITED KINGDOM (+8.6%).
THE VALUE OF IMPORTS IN THE FIRST FOUR MONTHS OF 1993 WAS $326,708 MILLION, AN INCREASE OF 18% OVER THE SAME PERIOD IN 1992.
COMPARING THE FIRST FOUR MONTHS OF 1993 WITH THE SAME PERIOD IN 1992, INCREASES WERE RECORDED IN THE VALUE OF IMPORTS OF ALL MAJOR COMMODITY DIVISIONS.
MORE NOTABLE INCREASES WERE REGISTERED FOR ROAD VEHICLES (BY $10,080 MILLION OR 118%); ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES, AND ELECTRICAL PARTS THEREOF (BY $7,454 MILLION OR 28%); FOOTWEAR (BY $3,699 MILLION OR 41%); TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND SOUND RECORDING AND REPRODUCING APPARATUS AND EQUIPMENT (BY $3,550 MILLION OR 16%); CLOTHING (BY $3,161 MILLION OR 14%); MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES CONSISTING OF MAINLY BABY CARRIAGES, TOYS, GAMES AND SPORTING GOODS (BY $2,958 MILLION OR 15%); AND TEXTILES (BY $932 MILLION OR 3.1%).
ALL THE TRADE STATISTICS DESCRIBED HERE ARE MEASURED AT CURRENT PRICES AND NO ACCOUNT HAS BEEN TAKEN OF FOR THE CHANGES IN PRICES BETWEEN THE PERIODS OF COMPARISON.
A SEPARATE ANALYSIS OF THE VOLUME AND PRICE MOVEMENTS OF
EXTERNAL TRADE FOR APRIL 1993 WILL BE RELEASED IN EARLY JULY.
' TRADE
FRIDAY, JUNE 11, 1993
7
DETAILED TRADE STATISTICS ANALYSED BY COMMODITY AND BY COUNTRY/TERRITORY ARE PUBLISHED IN TRADE STATISTICS REPORTS.
THE APRIL 1993 ISSUE OF THE "HONG KONG EXTERNAL TRADE" WITH DETAILED ANALYSES ON THE PERFORMANCE OF HONG KONG’S EXTERNAL TRADE IN APRIL 1993 WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR SALE AT $68.50 A COPY AROUND JUNE 18.
THE REPORT CAN BE BOUGHT AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE ON THE GROUND FLOOR, GENERAL POST OFFICE BUILDING, CONNAUGHT PLACE, CENTRAL, OR AT THE PUBLICATIONS SALES COUNTER OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT ON THE 19TH FLOOR, WANCHAI TOWER, 12 HARBOUR ROAD, WAN CHAI.
ENQUIRIES REGARDING REGULAR SUBSCRIPTION TO THE REPORT MAY BE DIRECTED TO THE INFORMATION SERVICES DEPARTMENT AT FRENCH MISSION BUILDING, 1 BATTERY PATH, HONG KONG (TEL 842 8802) AND ENQUIRIES ON TRADE STATISTICS TO THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT (TEL 582 4915).
THE CHANGES IN THE VALUE OF HONG KONG’S RE-EXPORTS TO THE 10 MAJOR DESTINATIONS ARE SHOWN IN TABLE 1.
TABLE 2 SHOWS THE CHANGES IN THE VALUE OF RE-EXPORTS OF THE 10 MAJOR COMMODITY DIVISIONS.
THE CHANGES IN THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO THE 10 MAJOR DESTINATIONS ARE SHOWN IN TABLE 3.
TABLE 4 SHOWS THE CHANGES IN THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS OF THE 10 MAJOR COMMODITY DIVISIONS.
THE CHANGES IN THE VALUE OF IMPORTS FROM THE 10 MAJOR SUPPLIERS ARE SHOWN IN TABLE 5.
TABLE 6 SHOWS THE CHANGES IN THE VALUE OF IMPORTS OF THE 10 MAJOR COMMODITY DIVISIONS.
/TABLE 1 .......
FRIDAY, JUNE 11, 1993
- 8
TABLE 1 : RE-EXPORTS TO THE TEN MAJOR DESTINATIONS
DESTINATION APR 1993 (HKD Mn.) APR 93 OVER APR 92 (% CHANGE) JAN-APR 1993 (HKD Mn.) JAN-APR 93 OVER JAN-APR 92 (% CHANGE)
CHINA 23,944 + 38.4 82,204 4 40.8
UNITED STATES 14,141 4 39.1 48,146 4 24.6
JAPAN 3,325 4 16.3 12,527 4 15.7
GERMANY 3,058 4 28.5 11,987 4 22.8
TAIWAN 1,908 - 27.7 7,210 * - 19.1
UNITED KINGDOM 1,836 4 31.4 6,466 4 30.4
SINGAPORE 1,395 4 22.2 5,383 4 28.3
REPUBLIC OF KOREA 1,366 4 6.9 4,713 4 5.1
FRANCE 1,185 4 32.8 4,117 4 21.6
NETHERLANDS 1,039 4 48.0 3,692 4 32.5
/9 ........
FRIDAY, JUNE 11, 1993
- 9 -
TABLE 2 : RE-EXPORTS OF THE TEN MAJOR COMMODITY DIVISIONS
COMMODITY DIVISION APR 1993 (HKD Mn.) APR 93 OVER APR 92 (% CHANGE) JAN-APR 1993 (HKD Mn.) JAN-APR 93 OVER JAN-APR 92 (% CHANGE)
MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES (MAINLY BABY CARRIAGES, TOYS, GAMES AND SPORTING GOODS) 8,417 4 33.0 28,617 4 18.1
ARTICLES OF APPAREL AND CLOTHING ACCESSORIES 6,526 4 27.8 25,454 4 16.5
TEXTILE YARN, FABRICS, MADE-UP ARTICLES AND RELATED PRODUCTS 6,136 - 1.6 21,026 4 11.5
ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES, AND ELECTRICAL PARTS THEREOF 5,566 4 33.9 19,812 4 35.3
TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND SOUND RECORDING AND REPRODUCING APPARATUS AND EQUIPMENT 5,593 4 31.1 19,301 4 31.0
FOOTWEAR 3,771 4 65.0 14,251 4 45.5
ROAD VEHICLES 3,054 4194.7 10,885 4179.4
PHOTOGRAPHIC APPARATUS, EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES, OPTICAL GOODS, WATCHES AND CLOCKS 3,099 4 28.6 10,493 4 20.7
OFFICE MACHINES AND AUTOMATIC DATA PROCESSING MACHINES 2,244 4 41.7 8,603 • 4 39.3
TRAVEL GOODS, HANDBAGS AND SIMILAR CONTAINERS 2,317 4 14.5 7,983 4 10.8
/TABLE 10 .......
FRIDAY, JUNE 11, 1993
- 10 -
TABLE 3 ; DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO THE TEN MAJOR DESTINATIONS
DESTINATION APR 1993 (HKD Mn.) APR 93 OVER APR 92 (% CHANGE) JAN-APR 1993 (HKD Mn.) JAN-APR 93 OVER JAN-APR 92 (% CHANGE)
CHINA 5,827 U) CD + 19,832 4 14.9
UNITED STATES 4,146 - 6.2 15,749 - 6.1
GERMANY 958 + 13.5 3,899 - 8.7
SINGAPORE 919 4 14.1 3,605 4 19.7
JAPAN 867 + 3.9 3^334 - 6.5
UNITED KINGDOM 786 - 8.4 3,131 - 10.8
TAIWAN 546 - 19.1 1,979 - 6.0
NETHERLANDS 316 - 7.8 1,410 - 8.8
CANADA 296 - 3.7 1,334 - 11.6
MALAYSIA 240 4 1.2 917 4 16.8
•/TABLE 4 ........
FRIDAY, JUNE 11, 1993
11
TABLE 4 : DOMESTIC EXPORTS OF THE TEN MAJOR COMMODITY DIVISIONS
COMMODITY DIVISION APR 1993 (HKD Mn.) APR 93 OVER APR 92 (% CHANGE) JAN-APR 1993 (HKD Mn.) JAN-APR 93 OVER JAN-APR 92 (% CHANGE)
ARTICLES OF APPAREL AND CLOTHING ACCESSORIES 4,323 * 0.7 17,906 - 8.3
ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES, AND ELECTRICAL PARTS THEREOF 1,967 4 17.4 7,156 4 25.8
MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES (MAINLY JEWELLERY, GOLDSMITHS’ AND SILVERSMITHS’ WARES) 1,737 - 1.8 6,086 - 12.0
OFFICE MACHINES AND AUTOMATIC DATA PROCESSING MACHINES 1,460 - 3.5 6,055 4 1.8
TEXTILE YARN, FABRICS, MADE-UP ARTICLES AND RELATED PRODUCTS 1,538 - 14.1 5,267 + 3.4
PHOTOGRAPHIC APPARATUS, EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES, OPTICAL GOODS, WATCHES AND CLOCKS 1,417 - 4.9 5,136 - 8.6
TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND SOUND RECORDING AND REPRODUCING APPARATUS AND EQUIPMENT 1,207 4 3.8 4,357 4 13.9
MANUFACTURES OF METALS 389 - 4.1 1,472 - 4.6
MACHINERY SPECIALIZED FOR PARTICULAR INDUSTRIES 372 4 34.2 1,150 4 17.2
PLASTICS IN PRIMARY FORMS 328 4 26.5 1,134 4 9.2
/TA$LE 5 .....
FRIDAY, JUNE 11, 1993
12 -
TABLE 5 : IMPORTS FROM THE TEN MAJOR SUPPLIERS
SUPPLIER APR 1993 (HKD Mn.) APR 93 OVER APR 92 (% CHANGE) JAN-APR 1993 (HKD Mn.) JAN-APR 93 OVER JAN-APR 92 (% CHANGE)
CHINA 33,053 4 16.1 115,906 4 15.0
JAPAN 16,623 4 21.7 57,500 4 19.3
TAIWAN 8,377 4 14.4 29,100 4 15.4
UNITED STATES 7,056 4 26.5 24,642 4 26.2
REPUBLIC OF KOREA 4,451 4 5.4 15,2^4 * 4 11.6
SINGAPORE 3,941 4 37.9 14,102 4 32.8
GERMANY 2,190 4 22.1 8,048 4 26.0
UNITED KINGDOM 1,776 4 1.2 6,645 4 8.6
ITALY 1,584 4 34.1 5,211 4 20.6
FRANCE 1,965 4126.7 4,819 4 34.0
/TABLE 6 .....
FRIDAY, JUNE 11, 1993
- 13 -
TABLE 6 t IMPORTS OF THE TEN MAJOR COMMODITY DIVISIONS
COMMODITY DIVISION APR 1993 (HKD Mn.) APR 93 OVER APR 92 (% CHANGE) JAN-APR 1993 (HKD Mn.) JAN-APR 93 OVER JAN-APR 92 (I CHANGE)
ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES, AND ELECTRICAL PARTS THEREOF 9,512 4 22.2 33,876 4 28.2
TEXTILE YARN, FABRICS, MADE-UP ARTICLES AND RELATED PRODUCTS 9,499 - 8.6 31,290 4 3.1
ARTICLES OF APPAREL AND CLOTHING ACCESSORIES 6,918 4 19.3 25,521 4 14.1
TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND SOUND RECORDING AND REPRODUCING APPARATUS AND EQUIPMENT 7,083 4 15.3 25,260 4 16.4
MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES (MAINLY BABY CARRIAGES, TOYS, GAMES AND SPORTING GOODS) 6,648 4 33.5 22,293 4 15.3
ROAD VEHICLES 5,731 4171.3 18,628 4117.9
PHOTOGRAPHIC APPARATUS, EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES, OPTICAL GOODS, WATCHES AND CLOCKS 4,232 4 10.0 14,625 4 6.5
FOOTWEAR 3,494 4 63.4 12,627 4 41.4
OFFICE MACHINES AND AUTOMATIC DATA PROCESSING MACHINES 2,977 4 17.0 11,334 4 17.1
GENERAL INDUSTRIAL MACHINERY AND EQUIPMENT, AND MACHINE PARTS • 3,484 4 29.1 11,237 4 33.8
--------o - -
/14 ........
FRIDAY, JUNE 11, 1993
14
NO BEDSPACE LODGERS WILL BE LEFT HOMELESS: SHA
* * * * *
THE SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS, MR MICHAEL SUEN, REITERATED TODAY (FRIDAY) THAT NO EXISTING BEDSPACE APARTMENT LODGERS WOULD BE LEFT HOMELESS AS A RESULT OF THE LICENSING SCHEME UNDER THE BEDSPACE APARTMENTS BILL RECENTLY INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
SPEAKING AT A LUNCHEON MEETING OF THE PO LEUNG KUK, MR SUEN STRESSED THAT THE GOVERNMENT, IN DRAWING UP THE CONTROL SCHEME, HAD CAREFULLY PLANNED FOR ALTERNATIVE ACCOMMODATION TO BE MADE AVAILABLE TO ANY LODGER SO DISPLACED.
HE WENT ON TO DISMISS AS GROUNDLESS SOME PEOPLE’S MISCONCEPTION THAT "HALF OF THE NUMBER OF BEDSPACE APARTMENT LODGERS WILL BE THROWN ONTO THE STREETS", OR THAT "THE GOVERNMENT HAD BROKEN ITS EARLIER PROMISE TO REHOUSE 2,000 OF THESE LODGERS IN PUBLIC HOUSING".
"FROM THE OUTSET WE WERE ONLY TOO AWARE THAT ANY ATTEMPT TO REGULATE AND IMPROVE THE FIRE AND BUILDING SAFETY STANDARDS IN BEDSPACE APARTMENTS WAS LIKELY TO RESULT IN DISPLACEMENT OF SOME EXISTING LODGERS.
"WHILE WE DID NOT THEN KNOW THE EXTENT OF SUCH DISPLACEMENT, AND MY PREDECESSOR HAD QUOTED A FIGURE OF 2,000 FOR THE PURPOSE OF ILLUSTRATION, A MORE REALISTIC ESTIMATE NOW IS ABOUT 400 LODGERS OR 10 PER CENT OF THE CURRENT POPULATION IN SUCH PREMISES," HE SAID.
HE ASSURED THAT THE GOVERNMENT WOULD STAND BY ITS COMMITMENT TO TAKE CARE OF ALL THE DISPLACED LODGERS, WHATEVER THE NUMBER MIGHT TURN OUT TO BE.
HE ADDED THAT THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT (SWD) WILL HELP THOSE AFFECTED LODGERS AGED 60 AND ABOVE AND THE DISABLED THROUGH COMPASSIONATE REHOUSING IN PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES, ELDERLY INSTITUTIONS AND TEMPORARY HOSTELS.
FURTHERMORE, THOSE NOT IN THE SWD CATEGORIES ARE ELIGIBLE FOR ADMISSION INTO THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION’S SINGLETON HOSTELS.
HOWEVER, MR SUEN MADE PLAIN THAT IT HAD NEVER BEEN THE GOVERNMENT’S INTENTION TO "OUTLAW BEDSPACE APARTMENTS AND TO REHOUSE ALL THEIR LODGERS INTO PUBLIC HOUSING BECAUSE OF THE LACK OF RESOURCES TO DO SO.
MEANWHILE, WITH A SMOOTH PASSAGE OF THE BEDSPACE APARTMENT BILL, HE SAID IT WAS ANTICIPATED THAT ALL SUCH PREMISES WOULD BE REQUIRED TO OPERATE UNDER LICENCE FROM MID-1996.
TURNING TO THE CONTROL OF GUESTHOUSES UNDER THE HOTEL AND GUESTHOUSE ACCOMMODATION ORDINANCE ENACTED IN 1991, HE SAID OPERATORS HAD ALREADY BEEN GIVEN A TWO-YEAR EXEMPTION, UNTIL THE END OF AUGUST, TO ENABLE THEM TO UPGRADE THEIR SAFETY STANDARDS IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LICENSING REQUIREMENTS.
/MR SUEN .......
FRIDAY, JUNE 11, 1993
15
MR SUEN STRESSED THAT THE GOVERNMENT’S INTENTION TO ENFORCE THE LICENSING SCHEME AS FROM SEPTEMBER 1 WAS A VERY FIRM ONE.
UNDER THE LAW, ANYONE WHO OPERATES A GUESTHOUSE WITHOUT A VALID CERTIFICATE OF EXEMPTION OR A LICENCE COMMITS AN OFFENCE AND IS LIABLE ON CONVICTION TO A FINE OF $200,000, PLUS ANOTHER FINE OF $20,000 FOR EACH DAY DURING WHICH THE OFFENCE CONTINUES, AND TO IMPRISONMENT FOR TWO YEARS.
---------0 - -
GUIDELINES ON WITNESS PROTECTION ISSUED
*****
THE ATTORNEY GENERAL’S CHAMBERS HAD PREPARED GUIDELINES TO PROSECUTING COUNSEL SETTING OUT IN DETAIL THE PRACTICES AND PROCEDURES TO BE ADOPTED IN WITNESS PROTECTION CASES, MEMBERS OF THE LEGCO PANEL ON SECURITY WERE TOLD TODAY (FRIDAY).
ACCORDING TO THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, MR JEREMY MATHEWS, THE DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC PROSECUTIONS HAD ISSUED GUIDELINES WHICH WERE TO BE ADOPTED IN WITNESS PROTECTION CASES, NOT ONLY INVOLVING VIETNAMESE BUT ALL WITNESSES WHO WERE CONCERNED ABOUT THEIR SAFETY BEFORE, DURING AND AFTER THE TRIAL OF THE DEFENDANT.
MR MATHEWS EMPHASISED THAT HE DID NOT HAVE POLICY RESPONSIBILITY IN THE OVERALL CONTEXT OF WITNESS PROTECTION, ALTHOUGH HE HIMSELF AND HIS DEPARTMENT HAD A PART TO PLAY.
IT WAS STATED IN THE CIRCULAR THAT PROSECUTING COUNSEL HAD A RESPONSIBILITY TO ADVISE AGENCIES AS TO THE IMPORTANCE OF INDIVIDUAL WITNESSES IN THE CONDUCT OF A PROSECUTION.
"IF COUNSEL LEARNS THAT THERE IS A POSSIBLE THREAT TO A WITNESS, HE SHOULD MAKE ENQUIRIES AND GIVE ASSISTANCE TO SEE THAT SATISFACTORY WITNESS PROTECTION ARRANGEMENTS ARE MADE BY THE RELEVANT AGENCY," HE SAID.
"A COPY OF SUCH GUIDELINES HAS BEEN SENT TO MR JUSTICE KEMPSTER FOR CONSIDERATION IN THE SECOND PART OF HIS INQUIRY REPORT ON WITNESS PROTECTION," HE ADDED.
ON CO-OPERATION BETWEEN THE ATTORNEY GENERAL’S CHAMBERS AND THE RELEVANT LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES ON WITNESS PROTECTION, MR MATHEWS SAID AFTER THE ENDING OF THE ABORTED MURDER TRIAL AND EVEN BEFORE THE KEMPSTER INQUIRY WAS ESTABLISHED, FOLLOWING DISCUSSIONS WITH THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, HIS DEPARTMENT HAD ESTABLISHED LIAISON AT A HIGH LEVEL TO DEAL WITH THE PROBLEMS OF WITNESS PROTECTION.
IN SEVERAL CASES FOLLOWING THIS ONE, THE SECURITY BRANCH, THE DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC PROSECUTIONS, DEPUTY DIRECTOR CRIME, POLICE AND REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE CORRECTIONAL SERVICES AND IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENTS HAD MET TO ENSURE THAT SUFFICIENT PROTECTION WAS GIVEN TO WITNESSES WHO FELT THEMSELVES AND THEIR FAMILIES WERE IN DANGER.
/THE ATTORNEY .......
FRIDAY, JUWE 11, 1993
- 16 -
THE ATTORNEY GENERAL’S CHAMBERS HAD ALSO TAKEN UP THE POINTS MENTIONED BY MR JUSTICE KEMPSTER IN HIS REPORT THAT THE LAW HERE HAD NO EQUIVALENT TO SECTION 23(1) AND (3) (B) OF THE ENGLISH CRIMINAL JUSTICE ACT 1988 WHICH PERMITTED THE ADMISSION IN EVIDENCE OF THE WRITTEN STATEMENT OF A WITNESS MADE TO POLICE OFFICER OR EQUIVALENT OFFICER WHO FAILED TO GIVE ORAL TESTIMONY BECAUSE OF FEAR.
MR MATHEWS CONFIRMED THAT THEY HAD WRITTEN TO THE DIRECTORS OF PUBLIC PROSECUTIONS IN ENGLAND AND NORTHERN IRELAND ASKING FOR DETAILS OF THEIR PRACTICES IN THIS FIELD.
LASTLY, MR MATHEWS SAID HE WAS CONFIDENT THAT THE IMPORTANT REPORT PRODUCED BY THE FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE RECOMMENDING A NEW AND COMPREHENSIVE WITNESS PROTECTION PROGRAMME WOULD GREATLY ASSIST MR JUSTICE KEMPSTER IN MAKING RECOMMENDATIONS WHICH WOULD ENABLE THE GOVERNMENT TO PUT INTO PLACE ARRANGEMENTS THAT WOULD BE EFFECTIVE IN PROTECTING WITNESSES.
--------0-----------
JUDICIAL PROCEEDINGS (ADJOURNMENT DURING GALE WARNINGS) (AMENDMENT) ORDINANCE 1993 GAZETTED
*****
THE JUDICIAL PROCEEDINGS (ADJOURNMENT DURING GALE WARNINGS) ORDINANCE HAS BEEN AMENDED TO PROVIDE FOR THE ADJOURNMENT OF JUDICIAL PROCEEDINGS WHEN A ’RED’ OR ’BLACK’ RAINSTORM WARNING IS ISSUED.
UNDER THE JUDICIAL PROCEEDINGS (ADJOURNMENT DURING GALE WARNINGS) (AMENDMENT) ORDINANCE 1993 WHICH CAME INTO OPERATION TODAY (FRIDAY), THE EXISTING STATUTORY PROVISIONS GOVERNING THE ADJOURNMENT AND SUBSEQUENT RESUMPTION OF JUDICIAL PROCEEDINGS DURING A GALE WARNING WILL ALSO APPLY IN THE EVENT OF A ’RED’ OR ’BLACK’ RAINSTORM WARNING.
A JUDICIARY SPOKESMAN SAID THE JUDICIARY WAS CONCERNED ABOUT THE PROBLEMS OF PEOPLE WHO HAD TO COME TO COURT OR BE BROUGHT TO COURT DURING HEAVY RAINSTORMS.
"ACCORDINGLY, IT IS CONSIDERED THAT JUDICIAL PROCEEDINGS SHOULD BE ADJOURNED WHERE THERE IS A ’RED’ OR ’BLACK’ RAINSTORM WARNING AS IN THE EVENT OF A TROPICAL CYCLONE SIGNAL NO. 8, 9 OR 10," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
HE ADDED THAT THE JUDICIARY WOULD KEEP SUCH ARRANGEMENTS UNDER REVIEW IN THE LIGHT OF ACTUAL OPERATIONAL EXPERIENCE.
THE COLOUR-CODED RAINSTORM WARNING SYSTEM, OPERATED BY THE ROYAL OBSERVATORY SINCE LAST SUMMER, IS INTENDED TO GIVE WARNINGS OF HEAVY RAINSTORM WHICH MAY AFFECT OR ARE AFFECTING HONG KONG.
/17........
FRIDAY, JUNE 11, 1993
17
HK TAKES PART IN CENTRAL BANK GOVERNORS MEETING * * ♦ ♦ »
HONG KONG IS FOR THE FIRST TIME TAKING PART IN THE ANNUAL MEETING OF CENTRAL BANK GOVERNORS, AN ANNUAL EVENT HOSTED BY THE BANK OF ENGLAND PRIOR TO THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING OF THE BANK FOR INTERNATIONAL SETTLEMENTS, BASLE, SWITZERLAND.
THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OF THE HONG KONG MONETARY AUTHORITY, MR JOSEPH YAM, IS CURRENTLY IN LONDON TO REPRESENT HONG KONG AT THE MEETING.
’’THE GOVERNORS WILL DISCUSS IMPORTANT ISSUES CONCERNING THE GLOBAL ECONOMIC SITUATION, THE REFORM AND LIBERALISATION OF FINANCIAL MARKETS AND OTHER CENTRAL BANKING AND SUPERVISORY ISSUES,” MR YAM SAID IN LONDON TODAY (FRIDAY).
HE WAS PLEASED THAT HONG KONG HAD BEEN INVITED TO THIS IMPORTANT EVENT OF THE CENTRAL BANKING FRATERNITY WHICH WARMLY WELCOMED THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE HONG KONG MONETARY AUTHORITY.
’’THE FORUM WOULD ENABLE HONG KONG TO MAINTAIN CLOSE CONTACT WITH OTHER CENTRAL BANKS ON MONETARY AND BANKING MATTERS AND THIS WOULD ENHANCE HONG KONG’S POSITION AS AN INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL CENTRE,” HE ADDED.
- - 0 - -
ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL SERVICES AT LANTAU FIXED CROSSING » » » ♦ »
THE HIGHWAYS DEPARTMENT IS INVITING APPLICATIONS FROM SUITABLE CONTRACTORS TO PREQUALIFY FOR TENDERING FOR THE SUPPLY AND INSTALLATION OF THE ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL SERVICES AT THE LANTAU FIXED CROSSING.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY (FRIDAY) THAT ON COMPLETION OF THE WORK, IT WOULD PROVIDE ALL RELEVANT ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL SERVICES ON THE TSING MA BRIDGE, THE KAP SHUI MUN BRIDGE AND MA WAN VIADUCT AS WELL AS THE APPROACH ROADWAY TO THE LANTAU TOLL PLAZA.
THE WORKS WILL INVOLVE POWER SUPPLY AND DISTRIBUTION, LIGHTING SYSTEMS, PLANT MONITORING AND CONTROL, SECURITY FACILITIES, WIND AND STRUCTURAL HEALTH MONITORING SYSTEM AND ALL NECESSARY SUPPORTING FACILITIES, HE SAID.
DETAILS OF THE PREQUALIFICATION INVITATION ARE PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE TODAY (FRIDAY).
CONTRACTORS WITH RELEVANT EXPERIENCE AND EXPERTISE ARE INVITED TO APPLY FOR PREQUALIFICATION. PREQUALIFICATION DOCUMENTS CAN BE OBTAINED FROM THE DEPARTMENT’S CONSULTING ENGINEERS, MOTT MACDONALD HONG KONG LIMITED, 12TH FLOOR, SUN HUNG KAI CENTRE, 30 HARBOUR ROAD, WAN CHAI.
/APPLICATIONS FOR
FRIDAY, JUNE 11, 1993
APPLICATIONS FOR PREQUALIFICATION SHOULD BE SUBMITTED TO THE DIRECTOR OF HIGHWAYS ON OR BEFORE NOON ON JULY 9 (FRIDAY).
FOLLOWING THE PREQUALIFICATION EXERCISE, THE HIGHWAYS DEPARTMENT INTENDS TO INVITE TENDERS FROM THE PREQUALIFIED CONTRACTORS IN OCTOBER 1993 FOR THE CONTRACT.
- - 0 - -
RECONSTRUCTION AND IMPROVEMENTS OF LION ROCK TUNNEL ROAD
» » » * «
THE HIGHWAYS DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR THE RECONSTRUCTION OF A SECTION OF THE EXISTING LION ROCK TUNNEL ROAD FROM THE TOLL PLAZA TO THE JUNCTION OF SHA TIN ROAD BRIDGE.
THE SECTION OF ROAD TO BE RECONSTRUCTED IS A SECTION OF ROUTE 1 FROM LION ROCK TUNNEL TO SHA TIN WHICH IS ONE OF THE MAJOR TRUNK ROADS IN THE TERRITORY.
THE SECTION OF ROAD INVOLVED WILL BE ABOUT 1900 METRES LONG, MOSTLY OF DUAL TWO-LANE CARRIAGEWAY WITH ONE ADDITIONAL LANE FOR BUSES ON THE SOUTH-BOUND CARRIAGEWAY FROM HUNG MUI KUK INTERCHANGE TO THE TOLL PLAZA.
WORKS WILL START IN AUGUST AND WILL PROCEED IN STAGES.
THE FIRST SECTION OF ROAD, ABOUT 1,100 METRES LONG FROM HUNG MUI KUK INTERCHANGE TO SHA TIN ROAD WILL TAKE ABOUT SEVEN MONTHS TO COMPLETE WITH THE REMAINING SECTION SCHEDULED FOR COMPLETION IN DECEMBER NEXT YEAR.
A NOTICE ON THE TENDER INVITATION WAS PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE TODAY (FRIDAY).
FORMS OF TENDER AND FURTHER PARTICULARS MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE REGIONAL HIGHWAY ENGINEER/NEW TERRITORIES REGION, HIGHWAYS DEPARTMENT, THIRD FLOOR, ROOM 314, HO MAN TIN GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 88 CHUNG HAU STREET, KOWLOON. ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE ON TELEPHONE 762 3530.
TENDERS MUST BE CLEARLY MARKED AND ADDRESSED TO THE CHAIRMAN, CENTRAL TENDER BOARD, AND PLACED IN THE GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT TENDER BOX AT THE LIFT LOBBY ON THE LOWER GROUND FLOOR OF THE CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES (EAST WING), LOWER ALBERT ROAD, HONG KONG, BEFORE NOON ON JULY 2 (FRIDAY).
- - 0
FRIDAY, JUNE 11, 1993
- 19 -
TWO NT LOTS FOR AUCTION * » ♦ ♦ ♦
TWO LOTS OF GOVERNMENT LAND WILL BE OFFERED FOR SALE AT A PUBLIC AUCTION ON JULY 9, IT WAS GAZETTED TODAY (FRIDAY).
THE AUCTION WILL BE HELD AT 2.30 PM IN THE THEATRE OF THE HONG KONG CITY HALL.
THE FIRST LOT IS IN AREA 10B, TUEN MUN, NEW TERRITORIES. WITH AN AREA OF ABOUT 2,783 SQUARE METRES, IT IS INTENDED FOR NON-INDUSTRIAL (EXCLUDING GODOWN) PURPOSES.
ACCORDING TO THE BUILDING CONVENANT, THE DEVELOPER HAS TO COMPLETE A GROSS FLOOR AREA OF NOT LESS THAN 11,000 SQUARE METRES ON OR BEFORE SEPTEMBER 30, 1996.
THE SECOND LOT IS AT TOWN PARK ROAD SOUTH, YUEN LONG, NEW TERRITORIES. IT HAS AN AREA OF ABOUT 10,320 SQUARE METRES AND IS EARMARKED FOR PRIVATE RESIDENTIAL PURPOSES.
A GROSS FLOOR AREA OF NOT LESS THAN 18,576 SQUARE METRES HAS TO BE COMPLETED ON OR BEFORE SEPTEMBER 30, 1997.
FULL PARTICULARS AND CONDITIONS OF SALE MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT, 14TH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG AND THE DISTRICT LANDS OFFICES KOWLOON, YAU MA TEI CAR PARK BUILDING, 10TH FLOOR, 250 SHANGHAI STREET, KOWLOON. THE SALE PLANS ARE AVAILABLE FOR INSPECTION IN THESE OFFICES.
CONDITIONS OF SALE ARE ALSO AVAILABLE AT THE DISTRICT LANDS OFFICES OF SHA TIN, TUEN MUN, YUEN LONG, TSUEN WAN, SAI KUNG, KWAI TSING, TAI PO, NORTH AND ISLANDS.
--------0-----------
INQUIRY INTO SEA ACCIDENT
*****
THE ACTING DIRECTOR OF MARINE, MR IAN DALE, THIS (FRIDAY) MORNING ORDERED A PRELIMINARY INQUIRY INTO AN ACCIDENT INVOLVING THE HONG KONG-REGISTERED BULK CARRIER "STAR LILY" AND FOUR LOCAL BARGES SOUTHWEST OF AP LEI CHAU.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE MARINE DEPARTMENT SAID THE INQUIRY WAS ORDERED UNDER THE MERCHANT SHIPPING ORDINANCE AFTER THE DIRECTOR OF MARINE HAD CONSIDERED AN INITIAL REPORT ON THE ACCIDENT.
THE PURPOSE OF THE INQUIRY IS TO IDENTIFY THE CAUSES OF THE ACCIDENT.
A SURVEYOR OF SHIP, CAPTAIN JOHN MCPARTLAND HAS BEEN APPOINTED TO CONDUCT THE INQUIRY.
/ABOUT 9.40 PM .......
FRIDAY, JUNE 11, 1993
20
ABOUT 9.40 PM YESTERDAY (THURSDAY), THE 19,820 TONNE-"STAR LILY" WHICH WAS ARRIVING FROM KAOSHIUNG, TAIWAN COLLIDED WITH FOUR BARGES OFF AP LEI CHAU.
ONE OF THE BARGES, "TSING CHAU B4" SANK AFTER THE INCIDENT. A 62-YEAR-OLD MAN WHO WAS ON THE BARGE FELL INTO THE SEA AND WAS SUBSEQUENTLY RESCUED. HE WAS TREATED AND DISCHARGED FROM HOSPITAL LAST NIGHT.
-----0------
DREDGING WORKS FOR FAIRWAY AND DRAINAGE SYSTEM AUTHORISED
*****
THE GOVERNOR HAS GIVEN AUTHORISATION FOR THE GOVERNMENT TO DREDGE A FAIRWAY WITHIN AN AREA OF ABOUT 14.49 HECTARES OF SEABED AT THE TYPHOON SHELTER IN TUEN MUN.
THE WORKS, REQUIRED TO PROVIDE ADEQUATE DRAUGHT FOR FULLY LADEN BARGES TO USE THE FUTURE PUBLIC CARGO HANDLING AREA IN AREA-16, WILL START NEXT MONTH AND TAKE NINE MONTHS TO COMPLETE.
MEANWHILE, AUTHORISATION HAS ALSO BEEN GIVEN FOR THE GOVERNMENT TO PERMIT THE PETTERFORD LAND INVESTMENT LIMITED TO USE AN AREA OF ABOUT 6.17 SQUARE METRES OF SEABED AT TSING LUNG TAU, TSUEN WAN AS WORKS AREA IN CONNECTION WITH THE LAYING OF EFFLUENT DISCHARGE PIPEWORKS.
THE WORKS WILL INCLUDE DREDGING THE SEABED AND LAYING AN EFFLUENT DISCHARGE DRAINAGE SYSTEM. IT WILL START THIS MONTH AND BE COMPLETED WITHIN THREE MONTHS.
THE EXTENT OF THE AREAS AFFECTED BY THE TWO PROJECTS WERE DESCRIBED IN SEPERATE NOTICES OF AUTHORISATIONS 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 TO THE DIRECTOR OF BUILDINGS AND LANDS FOR COMPENSATION BY JUNE 11 NEXT YEAR.
THE NOTICES TOGETHER WITH THE RELATED PLANS CAN BE SEEN OR BOUGHT AT THE SURVEY AND MAPPING OFFICE OF THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT, 14TH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG. THEY CAN ALSO BE SEEN AT THE DISTRICT OFFICES CONCERNED.
/21 ........
FRIDAY, JUNE 11, 1993
21
NEWSPAPERS NAMED TO CARRY MEETING NOTICES
*****
A GENERAL NOTICE ON THE LIST OF NEWSPAPERS SPECIFIED BY THE SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS FOR THE PURPOSE OF SERVING NOTICES OF THE MEETINGS OF FLAT OWNERS TO APPOINT A MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE IN THEIR BUILDINGS WAS GAZETTED TODAY (FRIDAY).
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION SAID UNDER THE BUILDING MANAGEMENT ORDINANCE, THOSE RESPONSIBLE FOR CONVENING SUCH A MEETING - USUALLY A FLAT OWNER OR A BUILDING MANAGER - WAS REQUIRED TO ISSUE A NOTICE NOT LESS THAN 14 DAYS BEFORE THE DATE OF THE MEETING.
HE SAID THIS NOTICE SHOULD BE SERVED ON EACH FLAT OWNER AND DISPLAYED IN A PROMINENT PLACE IN THE BUILDING.
THE NOTICE, HE SAID, SHOULD ALSO BE PUBLISHED IN AN ENGLISH LANGUAGE NEWSPAPER AND CHINESE LANGUAGE NEWSPAPER, FROM AMONG A LIST OF NEWSPAPERS SPECIFIED BY THE SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS.
THE LIST OF NEWSPAPERS, WHICH CAN CARRY THESE STATUTORY NOTICES WITH EFFECT FROM TODAY, ARE:
* (ENGLISH) SOUTH CHINA MORNING POST, THE STANDARD AND ASIAN WALL STREET JOURNAL; AND * (CHINESE) WAH KIU YAT PO, SING TAO DAILY, WEN WEI PO, ORIENTAL DAILY NEWS, SING PAO DAILY NEWS, MING PAO DAILY NEWS, HONG KONG ECONOMIC JOURNAL, TIN TIN DAILY NEWS, HONG KONG DAILY NEWS, HONG KONG COMMERCIAL DAILY, EXPRESS, HONG KONG ECONOMIC TIMES, NEW EVENING POST AND TA KUNG PAO.
-----0------
REPORT ON AIR QUALITY FOR MAY RELEASED
*****
THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT (EPD) TODAY (FRIDAY) RELEASED AIR QUALITY INFORMATION FOR MAY 1993.
A SPOKESMAN FOR EPD 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, NAMELY;
* LOCATIONS CLOSE TO ROAD TRAFFIC IN BUILT-UP URBAN DISTRICTS;
* COMBINED COMMERCIAL AND RESIDENTIAL DISTRICTS; AND
* DISTRICTS CLOSE TO INDUSTRIAL AREAS.
/THE REPORTED ......
FRIDAY, JUNE 11, 1993
22
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.
IN MAY, THERE WERE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THE SITES. CONCENTRATIONS OF NITROGEN DIOXIDE AND PARTICLES WERE AGAIN HIGHER AT THE STREET LEVEL SITE IN MONG KOK THAN AT THE OTHER TWO SITES.
CONCENTRATIONS OF SULPHUR DIOXIDE VARIED BETWEEN THE THREE SITES BECAUSE OF THE DIFFERENT SOURCES IN EACH AREA.
AT THE END OF THE MONTH, AROUND MAY 27 TO 29, NITROGEN DIOXIDE LEVELS AT ALL THREE SITES INCREASED TO A MAXIMUM FOR THE MONTH.
IN MONG KOK, THE LEVELS ROSE TO AN AVERAGE OF 161 UG/CU.M. FOR MAY 29, JUST ABOVE THE 24-HOUR AIR QUALITY OBJECTIVE VALUE OF 150 UG/CU.M.
EPD ANALYSIS OF THE THREE DAY PERIOD SHOWS THAT THE SUNNY WEATHER, COMBINED WITH POOR POLLUTANT DISPERSION BECAUSE OF LOW WINDSPEEDS, PROVIDED SUITABLE CONDITIONS FOR NITRIC OXIDE IN THE AIR TO BE OXIDISED TO NITROGEN DIOXIDE.
THE DRY CONDITIONS DURING THAT PERIOD ALSO ALLOWED DUST LEVELS TO INCREASE AND PRODUCE ELEVATED CONCENTRATIONS AT ALL THREE STATIONS.
IN MONG KOK THE LEVELS WERE CLOSE TO THE 24-HOUR LIMIT OF 260 UG/CU.M.
COMPARED TO 1992, IN MONG KOK AND KWAI CHUNG, LEVELS OF SO2 WERE HIGHER THAN IN THE SAME MONTH. IN MONG KOK, NO2 AND TSP LEVELS WERE ALSO HIGHER THAN LAST YEAR BUT AT KWAI CHUNG, THEY WERE SIMILAR.
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.
THE EPD CURRENTLY MONITORS AIR QUALITY CONTINUOUSLY AT 11 STATIONS, INCLUDING THE THREE MENTIONED ABOVE. SHORT-TERM MEASUREMENT CAMPAIGNS ARE ALSO UNDERTAKEN AS AND WHERE THE NEED ARISES.
/23 ........
FRIDAY, JUNE 11, 1993
23
FELLING TREES AND PLANTS ILLEGAL ♦ * * ♦ *
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE TODAY (FRIDAY) REMINDED THAT FELLING, CUTTING, BURNING OR OTHERWISE DESTROYING ANY TREES OR GROWING PLANTS IN FORESTS OR PLANTATIONS ON PUBLIC LAND ARE PROHIBITED UNDER THE FORESTS AND COUNTRYSIDE (AMENDMENT) ORDINANCE 1993.
THE REMINDER WAS ISSUED BY THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT’S ACTING SENIOR CONSERVATION OFFICER, MR MARTIN LEUNG KA-LOK TO TIE IN WITH THE EFFECTIVE DATE FOR THE AMENDMENT ORDINANCE TODAY.
MR LEUNG SAID UNDER THE AMENDMENT ORDINANCE, THE MAXIMUM PENALTY FOR SUCH OFFENCES IS INCREASED TO A FINE OF $25,000 AND ONE YEAR’S IMPRISONMENT UPON CONVICTION.
OTHER ACTS PROHIBITED IN FORESTS OR PLANTATIONS INCLUDE CUTTING GRASS, REMOVING TURF OR EARTH, AND PLUCKING FLOWERS OR LEAVES OF TREES, HE SAID.
HOWEVER, THE DIRECTOR OF AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES MAY ISSUE SPECIAL PERMITS FOR THESE ACTIVITIES AS THEY ARE SOMETIMES NECESSARY FOR EDUCATIONAL AND RESEARCH PURPOSES.
MR LEUNG ALSO STRESSED THAT UNDER THE AMENDMENT ORDINANCE, THE ILLEGAL USE OF FIRES TN FORESTS OR PLANTATIONS IS ALSO AN OFFENCE.
--------0-----------
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS *****
$ MILLION
OPENING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT 2,800
REVERSAL OF LAF NIL
BALANCE AFTER REVERSAL OF LAF 2,800
NET INJECTION/WITHDRAWAL TODAY NIL
EFFECT OF LAF TODAY -845
CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT 1,955
LAF RATE 2.00 BID/4.00 OFFER TWI 111.8 »-0.1* 11.6.93
/HONG KONG .......
FRIDAY, JUNE 11, 1993
24
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND
EF BILLS EF NOTES/HONG KONG GOVERNMENT BONDS
TERMS YIELD TERM ISSUE COUPON PRICE YIELD
1 WEEK 2.72 PCT 15 MONTHS 2408 4.375 100.58 3.90
1 MONTH 2.88 PCT 18 MONTHS 2411 4.625 100.80 4.08
3 MONTHS 3.07 PCT 21 MONTHS 2502 4.75 100.83 4.27
6 MONTHS 3.37 PCT 24 MONTHS 2505 3.75 98.81 4.45
12 MONTHS 3.74 PCT
TOTAL TURNOVER OF BILLS AND BONDS - 14,943 MN
CLOSED JUNE 11, 1993
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Received by PRO
on 1 7 JUN 1993
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
SUPPLEMENT
EMBARGOED NEWS ITEM: FRIDAY, JUNE 11, 1993
NOTE TO EDITORS OF THE FOLLOWING ANNOUNCEMENT ON THE QUEEN’S NEWSPAPERS, NEWS AGNECIES BIRTHDAY HONOURS LIST WILL BE MADE IN AND BROADCASTING STATIONS: LONDON AT 0001 HOURS GMT ON SATURDAY, -------------------------- JUNE 12.
PUBLICATION IS PERMITTED IN HONG KONG NEWSPAPERS TOMORROW (SATURDAY, JUNE 12), BUT NO NEWS AGENCY OR OVERSEAS RADIO TRANSMISSION OF THE ANNOUNCEMENT MAY CARRY THE INFORMATION WITHOUT THE EMBARGO QUALIFICATION.
THE NEWS MAY BE BROADCAST FROM 6 AM ONWARDS TOMORROW (SATURDAY, JUNE 12) OVER THE LOCAL RADIO AND TELEVISION STATIONS.
ON NO ACCOUNT SHOULD ANY OF THE RECIPIENTS OF HONOURS BE CONTACTED FOR INTERVIEWS, OR FOR INFORMATION RELATED TO THEIR CAREERS, OR BE APPROACHED IN ANY WAY IN CONNECTION WITH THEIR AWARDS BEFORE THESE HAVE BEEN PUBLICLY ANNOUNCED.
BIRTHDAY HONOURS 1993
CBE (COMMANDER OF THE MOST EXCELLENT ORDER OF THE BRITISH EMPIRE)
MR JOHN CHAN CHO-CHAK, LVO, OBE
MR THOMAS CHEN TSENG-TAO
MR JUSTICE KUTLU TEKIN FUAD
MR JUSTICE MICHAEL EDMUND IVOR KEMPSTER
OBE (OFFICER OF THE MOST EXCELLENT ORDER OF THE BRITISH EMPIRE)
THE HONOURABLE RONALD JOSEPH ARCULLI, JP
MRS KATHERINE FOK LO SHIU-CHING, JP
MR FREDERICK HO WING-HUEN, JP
THE HONOURABLE SIMON IP SIK-ON, JP
MR BRIAN JENNEY
MR KEITH LAM HON-KEUNG, JP
DR PUN KWOK-SHING, JP
MR SIU CHUEN, JP
MR JACK SO CHAK-KWONG
MR DONALD YAM-KUEN TSANG, JP
MR DOMINIC WONG SHING-WAH, JP
2
MBE (MEMBER OF THE MOST EXCELLENT ORDER OF THE BRITISH EMPIRE)
MR CHAN WAH-CHAU MR CHAU KA-KI MRS CHIU SO YIM-SHAN MR CHUNG KIN-GUP MISS DORIS GLOVER DR RAYMOND HO CHUNG-TAI, JP MR KO YEE-KWAN MR KWOK YAO-KEE MR LAM KAM-HOP MR LAU KAI MR LAU SHIU-NIN MR RAYMOND LAI MING-KKE MR LEE CHEUK-KING MRS DAISY LI WOO TZB-HA MR LING CHIU-LOK MR LO HO-KWONG MR JOHN LOO WUN-LOONG MR DEREK RONALD MESSLINQ MRS MING CHAN CHUNG-TING, JOAN MR SUEN KIN-CHUNG MR WILLIAM WAN HON-CHEUNG, JP MR PETER ANTHONY SURTEES WISE MR WONG CHI-KBUNG MR WONG KWONG-CHUNG MR YUEN TAK-MING MBE (MIL)
MAJOR SIMON CHENG CHAN-WING (DECEASED)
QPM (THE QUEEN’S POLICE MEDAL FOR DISTINGUISHED SERVICE)
MR CHRISTOPHER JOHN WESTAWAY BAGLEY, CPM
MR ALASTAIR WILLIAM JAMIESON GUNN, CPM
QFSM (QUEEN’S FIRE SERVICE MEDAL FOR DISTINGUISHED SERVICE)
MR JAMES HO KWOK-CHUEN, CPM
/CPM (COLONIAL
3
CPM (COLONIAL POLICE MEDAL FOR MERITORIOUS SERVICE)
MR CHAUDHRY MOHAMMAD ANWAR MR LESLIE BURTON MR CHAN LUNG MR CHEUNG TAM-CHING MR MICHAEL BRIAN DOWIE MR FUNG KAM-WONG MR FUNG TAK-SHING MR ERIC LEUNG CHI-BUN MR LEUNG TUNG-CHOI MR LO PING-LAM MR LUN PING-CHUEN MR EDWARD ARTHUR GEORGE PERKINS MR CHARLES JOHN REARDON MR STEPHEN HENRY ROBINS MR TANG CHIU-WING MR TSE YU-HING MR YAM CHI-NAM MR RICHARD HUGH YOUNGE
BADGE OF HONOUR
MR HENRY CHAN HAY MR WILLIAM CHANG MR TONY CHOY KWAI-SANG DR CHUNG CHI-YUNG MR HO KWAN-CHU MRS TERESA HOWELL MR KWAN MING MR LAI HIN-WA MR LAM KIN-KWOK MS LEONA LAM WAI-LING MR LO KWOK-HUNG MS MA LAI-WAH MR PANG KAM-CHUEN MR TANG YING-HEI MR WILLY TSAO SING-YUEN MR WAN YUET-KAU MR WONG KWOK-KEUNG MR WONG KWONG MR YIM KWOK-ON MISS WINNIE YU
/BIOGRAPHICAL NOTES
4
BIOGRAPHICAL NOTES ON RECIPIENTS
NOTE:
IN THE HOUSE OF COMMONS ON MARCH 4, 1993 THE PRIME MINISTER ANNOUNCED CHANGES TO THE HONOURS SYSTEM.
THE IMMEDIATE EFFECTS ON THE BIRTHDAY HONOURS 1993 ARE THAT THE IMPERIAL SERVICE ORDER OSO) AND THE BRITISH EMPIRE MEDAL (BEM) HAVE BEEN DISCONTINUED.
CBE
| • 9
MR JOHN CHAN CHO-CHAK, CBE, LVO,
MR CHAN JOINED THE HONG KONG CIVIL SERVICE IN 1964 AND HAS HELD A NUMBER OF SENIOR POSTS. THESE INCLUDED DIRECTOR OF INFORMATION SERVICES, DEPUTY CHIEF SECRETARY, SECRETARY FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY AND SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER. HE HAS ALSO BEEN A MEMBER OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL. MR CHAN RETIRED FROM THE PUBLIC SERVICE IN MAY.
MR THOMAS CHEN TSENG-TAO, CBE
MR CHEN IS A PROMINENT FIGURE IN THE PROPERTY DEVELOPMENT INDUSTRY. HE IS VICE-PRESIDENT OF THE REAL ESTATE DEVELOPERS ASSOCIATION AND A MEMBER OF THE LAND AND BUILDING ADVISORY COMMITTEE (THE GOVERNMENT’S MAIN ADVISORY BODY ON LAND, BUILDING AND PLANNING MATTERS). HE WAS ALSO A MEMBER OF THE LAND DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION, THE BODY CHARGED WITH URBAN RENEWAL IN HONG KONG.
MR JUSTICE KUTLU TEKIN FUAD, CBE
MR JUSTICE FUAD SERVED IN LEGAL AND JUDICIAL APPOINTMENTS IN CYPRUS AND UGANDA AND FROM 1972 TO 1980 HE WAS DIRECTOR OF THE LEGAL DIVISION OF THE COMMONWEALTH SECRETARIAT. IN 1980 HE WAS APPOINTED TO THE HIGH COURT OF HONG KONG AND IN 1982 TO THE COURT OF APPEAL. IN 1988 HE BECAME ONE OF THE THREE VICE-PRESIDENTS OF THE COURT OF APPEAL. HE RETIRED IN APRIL.
MR JUSTICE MICHAEL EDMUND IVOR KEMPSTER, CBE
MR JUSTICE KEMPSTER WAS FORMERLY A BARRISTER IN PRIVATE PRACTICE IN LONDON. HE WAS MADE A QC IN 1969 AND BECAME A BENCHER OF THE INNER TEMPLE IN 1976. HE WAS APPOINTED TO THE HIGH COURT IN HONG KONG IN 1982 AND TO THE COURT OF APPEAL IN 1984. HE RETIRES THIS MONTH.
/OBE........
5
OBE
THE HONOURABLE RONALD JOSEPH ARCULLI, OBE, JP
n
MR ARCULLI IS A SOLICITOR AND HAS BEEN A MEMBER OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL SINCE 1988. HE IS CHAIRMAN OF THE DUKE OF EDINBURGH’S AWARD COUNCIL AND SERVES ON A NUMBER OF ADVISORY COMMITTEES.
MRS KATHERINE FOK LO SHIU-CHING, OBE, JP
MRS FOK JOINED THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT SERVICE IN 1962. HER RECENT ’APPOINTMENTS INCLUDED SECRETARY-GENERAL OF OMELCO AND SECRETARY-GENERAL OF THE STANDING COMMISSION ON CIVIL SERVICE SALARIES AND CONDITIONS OF SERVICE. SHE TOOK UP HER PRESENT POST OF COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR IN FEBRUARY 1992.
MR FREDERICK HO WING-HUEN, OBE, JP
MR HO FIRST JOINED THE CIVIL SERVICE IN 1966 AND WAS TRANSFERRED IN 1972 TO SPECIALISE IN STATISTICS. HE BECAME ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER FOR CENSUS AND STATISTICS IN 1981 AND WAS PROMOTED TO THE POST OF COMMISSIONER IN 1989.
THE HONOURABLE SIMON IP SIK-ON, OBE, JP
MR IP IS A SOLICITOR AND WAS ELECTED TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL IN 1991. OUTSIDE THE COUNCIL, HE HAS BEEN A MEMBER OF SEVERAL BODIES ASSOCIATED WITH THE LEGAL PROFESSION AND LEGAL ADVISER TO VARIOUS WELFARE ORGANISATIONS.
MR BRIAN JENNEY, OBE
MR JENNEY HAS BEEN A MEMBER OF THE HONG KONG CIVIL SERVICE SINCE 1969 FOLLOWING 10 YEARS IN TANZANIA. MUCH OF HIS SERVICE HAS BEEN IN THE FINANCE BRANCH AND HE WAS APPOINTED DIRECTOR OF AUDIT IN 1992.
MR KEITH LAM HON-KEUNG, OBE, JP
A FORMER MEMBER OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, MR LAM IS THE PROPRIETOR OR MANAGING DIRECTOR OF A NUMBER OF COMPANIES. OVER THE LAST 20 YEARS HE HAS SERVED ON A WIDE RANGE OF PUBLIC BODIES AND COMMITTEES AND HE IS CURRENTLY A MEMBER OF THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT BOARD.
/DR PUN ........
6
DR PUN KWOK-SHING, OBE, JP
DR PUN JOINED THE THEN PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT OF THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT IN 1964. HE HAS LECTURED AND WRITTEN A NUMBER OF PAPERS ON TOWN PLANNING, AND WAS PRESIDENT OF THE COMMONWEALTH ASSOCIATION OF PLANNERS FROM 1984 TO 1988. HE WAS APPOINTED DIRECTOR OF PLANNING IN JANUARY 1992.
MR SIU CHUEN, OBE, JP
MR SIU HAS BEEN A MEMBER OF THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT’S ENGINEERING STAFF SINCE 1959. HE WAS PROMOTED TO THE RANK OF PRINCIPAL GOVERNMENT ENGINEER IN 1981 AND WAS POSTED TO THE DRAINAGE SERVICES DEPARTMENT IN 1990. HE WAS APPOINTED DIRECTOR OF DRAINAGE SERVICES IN 1992.
MR JACK SO CHAK-KWONG, OBE
* MR SO WAS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE TRADE DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL FROM 1985 TO 1992. HE WAS ALSO A MEMBER OF THE FREE TRADE COMMITTEE FROM 1987 TO 1992 AND OF THE TRADE ADVISORY BOARD FROM 1986 TO 1992.
MR DONALD YAM-KUEN TSANG, OBE, JP
MR TSANG JOINED THE CIVIL SERVICE IN 1967. RECENT SENIOR APPOINTMENTS HAVE INCLUDED DEPUTY DIRECTOR-GENERAL OF TRADE, DEPUTY SECRETARY FOR GENERAL DUTIES, DIRECTOR OF ADMINISTRATION (WHERE HE WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR OVERSEEING THE BRITISH NATIONALITY SCHEME) AND DIRECTOR-GENERAL OF TRADE. HE HAS RECENTLY TAKEN UP HIS NEW POST OF SECRETARY FOR THE TREASURY.
MR DOMINIC WONG SHING-WAH, OBE, JP
MR WONG HAS BEEN A MEMBER OF GOVERNMENT SERVICE SINCE 1962. HIS SENIOR POSTS HAVE BEEN DEPUTY SECRETARY FOR THE CIVIL SERVICE, DEPUTY SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER AND POSTMASTER GENERAL. HE WAS APPOINTED DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION IN 1992.
MBE
MR CHAN WAH-CHAU, MBE
MR CHAN HAS BEEN A VOLUNTEER WORKER WITH THE CIVIL AID SERVICES FOR OVER 30 YEARS. HE IS CURRENTLY A SUPERVISOR IN THE WELFARE UNIT OF THE SERVICE.
/MR CHAU .......
7
MR CHAU KA-KI, MBE
MR CHAU HAS BEEN EMPLOYED IN THE POST OFFICE FOR OVER 37 YEARS.
HE IS CURRENTLY A SUPERINTENDENT OF POSTS AND HIS WORK INVOLVED PROMOTING AND MARKETING THE VARIOUS POSTAL SERVICES.
MRS CHIU SO YIM-SHAN, MBE
MRS CHIU HAS BEEN A*MEMBER OF THE CHINESE LANGUAGE DIVISION OF THE GOVERNMENT SINCE 1973. SHE WAS APPOINTED CHIEF CONFERENCE INTERPRETER IN 1991 AND HAS BEEN THE LEAD INTERPRETER AT MANY HIGH-LEVEL MEETINGS, INCLUDING THE PRIME MINISTER’S VISIT TO CHINA IN 1991.
MISS DORIS GLOVER, MBE
MISS GLOVER HAS WORKED FOR THE CIVIL SERVICE SINCE 1959 AND JOINED THE INDEPENDENT COMMISSION AGAINST CORRUPTION IN 1974. SHE WAS PROMOTED PERSONAL ASSISTANT TO THE COMMISSIONER IN 1992.
DR RAYMOND HO CHUNG-TAI, MBE, JP
A CHARTERED CIVIL AND STRUCTURAL ENGINEER, DR HO HAS BEEN INVOLVED IN A WIDE RANGE OF ACTIVITIES TN THE FIELDS OF TERTIARY EDUCATION, THE TRAINING OF PERSONNEL FOR THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY AND PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS IN THE INDUSTRY. HE IS CHAIRMAN OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY POLYTECHNIC.
MR LAM .KAM-HOP, MBE
MR LAM IS A SENIOR SUPPLIES SUPERVISOR IN THE GOVERNMENT SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT. DURING THE LAST FEW YEARS HE HAS WORKED ON AN UP-DATED STORE SYSTEM AND THE COMPUTERISATION OF .THE SUPPLIES FUNCTIONS OF THE ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT OF GOVERNMENT.
MR LAU SHIU-NIN, MBE
MR LAU HAS BEEN A VOLUNTEER MEMBER OF THE CIVIL AID SERVICES FOR 40 YEARS. HE HAS BEEN INVOLVED IN MANY OPERATIONS AND CIVIC DUTIES AND HAS BEEN COMMANDANT OF THE CADET CORPS OF THE SERVICE SINCE 1988.
/MR RAYMOND .......
8
MR RAYMOND LAI MING-KEE, MBE
MR LAI HAS BEEN IN GOVERNMENT SERVICE SINCE 1963. HE JOINED THE CORRECTIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT IN 1968. HE WAS HEAD OF THE DEPARTMENT’S VIETNAMESE UNIT FOR NEARLY TWO YEARS AND WAS PROMOTED TO ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER IN 1990.
MR LEE CHEUK-KING, MBE
MR LEE IS A CLERICAL OFFICER WITH THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT FOR 35 YEARS. FOR THE LAST 18 YEARS HE HAS SERVED IN THE TSUEN WAN BRANCH OF THE LABOUR RELATIONS SERVICE OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT.
MRS DAISY LI WOO TZE-HA, MBE
MRS LI HAS BEEN INVOLVED IN WELFARE WORK FOR OVER 30 YEARS, INCLUDING VICE-CHAIRMAN OF THE SPASTIC CHILDREN’S ASSOCIATION AND DIRECTOR OF THE HONG KONG RED CROSS. SHE HAS BEEN PRESIDENT OF THE YWCA SINCE 1988.
MR LING CHIU-LOK, MBE
MR LING JOINED THE CIVIL SERVICE IN 1971. HE HAS BEEN IN CHARGE OF THE REPROGRAPHIC UNIT OF THE SURVEY AND PLANNING OFFICE SINCE ENTERING GOVERNMENT SERVICE AND WAS PROMOTED TO THE RANK OF CHIEF TECHNICAL OFFICER IN 1991.
MR JOHN LOO WUN-LOONG, MBE
MR LOO IS THE MANAGING DIRECTOR OF HIS OWN CONSTRUCTION COMPANY. HE HAS ALSO BEEN INVOLVED WITH EXTERNAL ORGANISATIONS RELATED TO HIS PROFESSION, AND WITH SOCIAL WORK AND EDUCATION. HE IS A PAST PRESIDENT OF THE HONG KONG CONSTRUCTION ASSOCIATION.
MR DEREK RONALD MESSLING, MBE
MR MESSLING WAS APPOINTED A CHIEF ARCHITECT IN THE GOVERNMENT’S HOUSING DEPARTMENT IN 1977. HE WAS PROMOTED TO DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF HOUSING IN CHARGE OF THE CONSTRUCTION BRANCH IN 1985.
MRS MING CHAN CHUNG-TING, JOAN, MBE
MRS MING FIRST JOINED THE MEDICAL SERVICE AS A STUDENT MIDWIFE IN 1962 AND WAS REGISTERED AS A MIDWIFE IN 1964. SINCE 1968 SHE HAS WORKED AT THE TSAN YUK HOSPITAL.
/MR SUEN .......
9
MR SUEN KIN-CHUNG, MBE
MR SUEN HAS SERVED IN THE CORRECTIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT SINCE 1968. HE HAS WORKED AT THE HEI LING CHAU TREATMENT CENTRE SINCE THE UNIT WAS SET UP IN 1975.
MR WILLIAM WAN HON-CHEUNG, MBE, JP
MR WAN HAS BEEN CHAIRMAN OF THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT BOARD SINCE 1985. HE HAS ALSO BEEN INVOLVED IN A NUMBER OF TERRITORY-WIDE ACTIVITIES, INCLUDING MEMBERSHIP OF THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE OF THE BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB ASSOCIATION AND THE DUKE OF EDINBURGH’S AWARD COUNCIL.
MR PETER ANTHONY SURTEES WISE, MBE
MR WISE JOINED THE GOVERNMENT AS A PRINCIPAL TRADE OFFICER. FOR THE PAST 13 YEARS HE HAS SERVED IN THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT’S LONDON OFFICE WITH PARTICULAR RESPONSIBILITY FOR PROMOTING HONG KONG’S TRADE INTERESTS IN EUROPE.
MR YUEN TAK-MING, MBE
MR YUEN IS A SENIOR CLERICAL OFFICER. HE FIRST JOINED THE CIVIL SERVICE IN 1958. HIS ENTIRE CAREER HAS BEEN SPENT IN THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE OFFICE.
MBE (HONORARY)
MR CHUNG KIN-GUP, MBE
MR CHUNG HAS BEEN A MEMBER OF THE CUSTOMS AND EXCISE DEPARTMENT SINCE 1965 AND FROM 1974 TO 1988 HE WAS HEAD OF THE DEPARTMENT’S PHOTOGRAPHIC UNIT. HE IS CURRENTLY A DUTIABLE COMMODITIES WAREHOUSE OFFICER.
MR KO YEE-KWAN, MBE
MR KO JOINED THE GOVERNMENT SERVICE AS A SUPPLIES SUPERVISOR IN 1963 AND WAS POSTED TO THE QUEEN ELIZABETH HOSPITAL TO ASSIST WITH THE OPENING OF THE WARDS AT THAT HOSPITAL. HE WAS APPOINTED ASSISTANT LAUNDRY MANAGER TN 1973.
/MR KWOK .......
10
MR KWOK YAO-KEE, MBE
MR KWOK BECAME AN ESTATE CARETAKER IN THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT IN 1970. HE WAS PROMOTED TO HEAD ESTATE CARETAKER (NOW RETITLED CHIEF ESTATE ASSISTANT) IN 1975.
MR LAU KAI, MBE
MR LAU JOINED THE GOVERNMENT SERVICE AS A GARDENER IN 1956. MR
LAU’S ENTIRE SERVICE HAS BEEN SPENT ON HORTICULTURAL WORK.
MR LO HO-KWONG, MBE
MR LO HAS ACCUMULATED 33 YEARS’ SERVICE IN GOVERNMENT. HE HAS BEEN EMPLOYED ON THE ELECTRICAL INSPECTION OF BUILDINGS FOR 30 YEARS AND WAS PROMOTED TO CHIEF TECHNICAL OFFICER IN 1988.
MR WONG CHI-KEUNG, MBE
MR WONG JOINED THE HONG KONG POST OFFICE IN 1958 AND HAS HELD HIS PRESENT RANK OF SENIOR POSTMAN SINCE 1988. HE IS SCHEDULED TO RETIRE IN JULY.
MR WONG KWONG-CHUNG, MBE
MR WONG JOINED THE THEN GOVERNMENT PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT IN 1968 AND WAS TRANSFERRED TO THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT IN 1977. HE WAS PROMOTED TO CHIEF IMMIGRATION ASSISTANT IN 1992 AND HE HAS BEEN CHAIRMAN OF THE IMMIGRATION ASSISTANTS UNION SINCE 1985.
MBE (MILITARY DIVISION)
MAJOR SIMON CHENG CHAN-WING, MBE (DECEASED)
MAJOR CHENG JOINED THE ROYAL HONG KONG REGIMENT (THE VOLUNTEERS) IN 1971 AND WAS PROMOTED MAJOR IN 1984. HE WAS SECOND-IN-COMMAND OF THE REGIMENT FROM 1990 TO 1992, THE HIGHEST APPOINTMENT A VOLUNTEER CAN ACHIEVE.
/OPM........
11
QPM
MR CHRISTOPHER JOHN WESTAWAY BAGLEY, QPM, CPM
MR BAGLEY JOINED THE HONG KONG POLICE FORCE IN 1962 AND WAS PROMOTED TO HIS PRESENT RANK OF CHIEF SUPERINTENDENT IN 1983. THE MAJORITY OF HIS EARLY SERVICE WAS SPENT IN SPECIAL BRANCH AND HIS SENIOR APPOINTMENTS HAVE INCLUDED CHIEF STAFF OFFICER OPERATIONS AND DEPUTY REGIONAL COMMANDER KOWLOON.
MR ALASTAIR WILLIAM JAMIESON GUNN, QPM, CPM
MR GUNN HAS BEEN A MEMBER OF THE HONG KONG POLICE FORCE FOR 30 YEARS. HE SERVED IN THE UNIFORM BRANCH UNTIL 1982, WHEN HE WAS TRANSFERRED TO THE PERSONNEL BRANCH WHERE HE HAS REMAINED. HE WAS PROMOTED TO CHIEF SUPERINTENDENT IN 1986.
QFSM
MR JAMES HO KWOK-CHUEN, QFSM, CPM
MR HO JOINED THE FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT IN 1958 AND WAS PROMOTED TO HIS PRESENT RANK OF CHIEF FIRE OFFICER IN 1991. HE HAS SERVED IN A VARIETY OF POSTS IN THE OPERATIONAL, HEADQUARTERS AND FIRE PROTECTION COMMANDS AND HAS CONSIDERABLE OPERATIONAL EXPERIENCE.
CPM
MR CHAUDHRY MOHAMMAD ANWAR, CPM
MR ANWAR JOINED THE HONG KONG POLICE FORCE IN 1961 AND WAS PROMOTED TO STATION SERGEANT IN 1979. HE SERVED WITH THE UNIFORM BRANCH UNTIL HIS TRANSFER TO TRAFFIC NEW TERRITORIES, WHERE HE NOW SERVES. HE IS THE SENIOR PAKISTANI JUNIOR POLICE OFFICER IN THE FORCE.
MR LESLIE BURTON, CPM
MR BURTON JOINED THE HONG KONG POLICE FORCE IN 1969 AND WAS PROMOTED TO SENIOR SUPERINTENDENT IN 1992. APART FROM A SHORT PERIOD IN SPECIAL BRANCH HIS ENTIRE SERVICE HAS BEEN IN THE UNIFORM BRANCH. HE IS A MEMBER OF THE HONG KONG SCOUTS ASSOCIATION.
/MR CHAN .......
12
MR CHAN LUNG, CPM
MR CHAN HAS BEEN A MEMBER OF THE FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT SINCE 1964 AND WAS PROMOTED TO PRINCIPAL FIREMAN RANK IN 1985. HE HAS BEEN IN THE OPERATIONAL COMMAND THROUGHOUT HIS SERVICE. HE RETIRES THIS MONTH.
MR CHEUNG TAM-CHING, CPM
MR CHEUNG JOINED THE HONG KONG POLICE FORCE IN 1959 AND WAS PROMOTED TO STATION SERGEANT IN 1981. MR CHEUNG SERVED IN THE UNIFORM BRANCH UNTIL 1968, WHEN HE WAS TRANSFERRED TO THE DRIVER CADRE WHERE HE REMAINED ALMOST CONTINUOUSLY SINCE. HE HAS BEEN ASSISTANT SENIOR EXAMINER FOR THE LAST EIGHT YEARS.
MR MICHAEL BRIAN DOWIE, CPM
MR DOWIE JOINED THE HONG KONG POLICE FORCE IN 1972 AND WAS PROMOTED TO SENIOR SUPERINTENDENT IN 1989. HE SERVED IN A VARIETY OF POSTS IN THE CRIME STREAM AND IN 1992 HE WAS APPOINTED SENIOR STAFF OFFICER, CRIMINAL INTELLIGENCE BUREAU.
MR FUNG KAM-WONG, CPM
MR FUNG HAS BEEN A MEMBER OF THE HONG KONG POLICE FORCE SINCE 1965 AND WAS PROMOTED TO SUPERINTENDENT IN 1985. HE HAS SERVED IN A RANGE OF POSTS IN THE UNIFORM BRANCH AND CRIME FORMATIONS; IN 1991 HE WAS POSTED TO KOWLOON CITY DIVISION AS COMMANDER WHERE HIS RESPONSIBILITIES HAVE INCLUDED CLEARANCE OF THE WALLED CITY.
MR FUNG TAK-SHING, CPM
MR FUNG JOINED THE MARINE BRANCH OF THE HONG KONG POLICE FORCE IN 1965 AND HOLDS THE RANK OF SENIOR POLICE CONSTABLE. HE SERVED WITH MARINE BRANCH UNTIL 1979 WHEN, AFTER A SHORT SPELL IN THE ANTI-ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION TASK FORCE, HE WAS TRANSFERRED TO THE NARCOTICS BUREAU.
MR ERIC LEUNG CHI-BUN, CPM
MR LEUNG HAS BEEN A MEMBER OF THE HONG KONG POLICE FORCE SINCE 1967 AND WAS PROMOTED TO SENIOR SUPERINTENDENT IN 1988. HE HAS SERVED IN THE NARCOTICS BUREAU FOR NEARLY 12 YEARS AND IN A VARIETY OF UNIFORM BRANCH APPOINTMENTS, INCLUDING DEPUTY DISTRICT COMMANDER, YAU TSIM DISTRICT. IN 1988/89 HE WAS SECONDED TO THE UK POLICE COLLEGE AT BRAMSHILL.
/MR LEUNG........
13
MR LEUNG TUNG-CHOI, CPM
MR LEUNG ENTERED THE HONG KONG POLICE FORCE IN 1965 AND WAS PROMOTED TO STATION SERGEANT IN 1977. HE HAS SERVED IN A WIDE RANGE OF POSTS IN THE UNIFORM BRANCH, INCLUDING THE POLICE TRAINING SCHOOL AND THE COMPLAINTS AGAINST THE POLICE OFFICE. HE IS A FORMER PRESIDENT OF THE NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS MESS.
MR LO PING-LAM, CPM
MR LO JOINED THE FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT IN 1963 AND WAS PROMOTED TO PRINCIPAL FIREMAN IN 1982. HE SERVED IN THE OPERATIONAL AND THE FIRE SERVICES WORKSHOP COMMANDS. HE RETIRED IN MARCH.
MR LUN PING-CHUEN, CPM
MR LUN JOINED THE FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT IN 1960 AND WAS PROMOTED TO ASSISTANT DIVISIONAL OFFICER IN 1984. HE HAS SERVED IN THE OPERATIONAL AND HEADQUARTERS COMMANDS, AND THE FIRE SERVICES HEADQUARTERS.
MR EDWARD ARTHUR GEORGE PERKINS, CPM
MR PERKINS HAS SERVED IN THE HONG KONG POLICE FORCE SINCE 1960 AND WAS PROMOTED TO SUPERINTENDENT IN 1983. HE HAS BEEN POSTED MAINLY IN THE UNIFORM BRANCH AND FOR THE LAST 10 YEARS HE HAS OCCUPIED STAFF OFFICER POSTS. HE WILL RETIRE IN EARLY 1994.
MR CHARLES JOHN REARDON, CPM
MR REARDON JOINED THE HONG KONG POLICE FORCE IN 1966 AND WAS PROMOTED TO SUPERINTENDENT IN 1978. AFTER A SHORT PERIOD IN THE UNIFORM BRANCH HE WAS POSTED TO THE SPECIAL BRANCH WHERE HE HAS SERVED EVER SINCE.
MR STEPHEN HENRY ROBINS, CPM
MR ROBINS HAS BEEN A MEMBER OF THE HONG KONG POLICE FORCE SINCE 1973 AND WAS PROMOTED TO SENIOR SUPERINTENDENT IN 1990. HE HAS HELD A WIDE RANGE OF APPOINTMENTS INCLUDING COMMANDER WANCHAI DIVISION, THE SPECIAL DUTIES UNIT AND SEVERAL STAFF POSTS.
/MR TANG ......
14
MR TANG CHIU-WING, CPM
MR TANG JOINED THE HONG KONG POLICE FORCE IN 1965 AND WAS PROMOTED TO SUPERINTENDENT IN 1982. HE HAS SERVED PRIMARILY IN OPERATIONAL FORMATIONS BUT HIS EXPERIENCE HAS ALSO INCLUDED INSTRUCTIONAL AND STAFF WORK.
MR TSE YU-HING, CPM
MR TSE ENTERED THE FIRE SERVICE IN 1961 AND WAS PROMOTED TO THE RANK OF DIVISIONAL OFFICER IN 1990. HE HAS SERVED IN A NUMBER OF DIFFERENT UNITS IN THE OPERATIONAL, HEADQUARTERS AND FIRE PROTECTION COMMANDS.
MR YAM CHI-NAM, CPM
MR YAM JOINED THE HONG KONG POLICE FORCE IN 1961 AND WAS PROMOTED TO STATION SERGEANT IN 1979. HE IS AN EXPERIENCED TRAFFIC OFFICER AND IS CURRENTLY ASSISTANT ROAD SAFETY OFFICE FOR KOWLOON EAST. HE IS A QUALIFIED SOCCER AND VOLLEYBALL REFEREE AND IS ALSO INVOLVED IN POLICE WELFARE WORK.
MR RICHARD HUGH YOUNGE, CPM
MR YOUNGE JOINED THE HONG KONG POLICE FORCE IN 1964 AFTER SERVICE WITH THE NORTHERN RHODESIA POLICE AND WAS PROMOTED TO SENIOR SUPERINTENDENT IN 1986. HE HAS HELD A NUMBER OF DIFFERENT POSTS IN THE UNIFORM BRANCH AND CRIME STREAM, INCLUDING COMMAND OF A NEW TERRITORIES DIVISION AND A REGIONAL TRAFFIC UNIT.
BADGE OF HONOUR
MR HENRY CHAN HAY
MR CHAN HAS BEEN INVOLVED IN COMMUNITY WORK IN WESTERN DISTRICT FOR MANY YEARS. HE BECAME AREA COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN FOR CHUNG WAN IN 1990 AND TOOK PART IN MANY DISTRICT PROJECTS DURING 1992.
MR WILLIAM CHANG
MR CHANG IS ONE OF THE FOUNDERS OF THE HONG KONG JOINT COUNCIL OF PARENTS OF THE MENTALLY HANDICAPPED WHICH WAS ESTABLISHED IN 1987 AND HE HAS BEEN THE CHAIRMAN SINCE 1988. HE IS ALSO A MEMBER OF THE REHABILITATION DEVELOPMENT CO-ORDINATING COMMITTEE.
/MR TONY .......
15
MR TONY CHOY KWAI-SANG
A MEMBER OF THE SHA TIN DISTRICT BOARD SINCE 1988, MR CHOY HAS BEEN INVOLVED IN A VARIETY OF COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES INCLUDING SCOUTS AND GUIDES AND SPORTS. HE BECAME PRESIDENT OF THE ST JOHN AMBULANCE BRIGADE IN SHA TIN IN 1979.
DR CHUNG CHI-YUNG
DR CHUNG HAS SERVED ON THE RELEASE UNDER SUPERVISION BOARD SINCE MID-1988 AND RETIRES THIS MONTH. SHE AND HER HUSBAND ARE THE FOUNDERS OF THE SHUE YAN COLLEGE, A PRIVATE POST-SECONDARY COLLEGE, AND SHE HAS ALSO BEEN INVOLVED IN DISTRICT WORK IN WAN CHAI AND HAPPY VALLEY.
MR HO KWAN-CHU
MR HO IS THE CHAIRMAN OF THE YAN OT TONG, A MAJOR CHARITY. HE IS ALSO VICE-CHAIRMAN OF THE TUEN MUN SPORTS ASSOCIATION AND A MEMBER OF THAT DISTRICT’S FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE.
MRS TERESA HOWELL
MRS HOWELL HAS SERVED ON THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE YAN CHAI HOSPITAL SINCE 1987 AND WAS CHAIRMAN FOR THE 1992/93 TERM. IN ADDITION SHE IS A DIRECTOR OF THE HONG KONG YWCA AND HAS ALSO BEEN INVOLVED IN LIONS CLUB WORK.
MR KWAN MING
MR KWAN HAS BEEN INVOLVED IN A RANGE OF COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES IN THE SHAM SHUI PO AND MONG KOK DISTRICTS FOR MANY YEARS. HE HAS BEEN PRESIDENT OF THE KOWLOON CHAT KATFONG WELFARE ASSOCIATlbN SINCE 1985 AND CHAIRMAN OF THE NAM SHAN DISTRICT VOLUNTEERS GROUP SINCE 1990.
MR LAI HIN-WA
MR LAI IS THE CURRENT CHAIRMAN OF THE FUNG YING SEE KOON, A CHARTTABLE ORGANISATION WHICH HAS ASSISTED THE NORTH DISTRICT COMMUNITY. HE HAS ALSO BEEN INVOLVED IN OTHER DISTRICT ACTIVITIES, INCLUDING THE COMMUNITY CHEST, FIGHT CRIME AND THE JUNIOR CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.
/MR LAM ........
16
MR LAM KIN-KWOK
MR LAM HAS BEEN A MEMBER OF THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT BOARD SINCE 1981 AND A COMMUNITY LEADER IN THE SAU MAU PING HOUSING ESTATE. HE HAS BEEN A MEMBER OF THE SAU MAU PING AREA COMMITTEE SINCE 1973 AND IS ALSO INVOLVED IN DISTRICT ACTIVITIES SUCH AS FIGHT CRIME.
MS LEONA LAM WAI-LING
MS LAM HAS BEEN A MEMBER OF THE TAI PO DISTRICT BOARD SINCE 1985 AND HAS SERVED ON A NUMBER OF DISTRICT COMMITTEES. SHE HAS ALSO SERVED THE HONG KONG GIRL GUIDES ASSOCIATION SINCE 1975 AND BECAME NEW TERRITORIES EAST DIVISION COMMISSIONER IN 1991.
MR LO KWOK-HUNG
MR LO BECAME A MEMBER OF THE KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT BOARD IN 1991 AND HAS BEEN INVOLVED IN A VARIETY OF DISTRICT ACTIVITIES. HE IS ALSO A PAST VICE-CHAIRMAN OF THE LOK SIN TONG BENEVOLENT SOCIETY AND IS ACTIVE IN THE ST JOHN AMBULANCE BRIGADE AND THE SCOUT ASSOCIATION OF HONG KONG.
MS MA LAI-WAH
MS MA HAS BEEN A MEMBER OF THE EASTERN DISTRICT BOARD SINCE 1981 AND HAS BEEN ACTIVE ON MANY COMMITTEES AND WORKING GROUPS. SHE HAS ALSO SERVED ON FOUR AREA COMMITTEES AND HAS BEEN INVOLVED IN RECREATION, SPORTS AND THE GUIDES ASSOCIATION.
MR PANG KAM-CHUEN
MR PANG HAS BEEN INVOLVED IN WORK ON BEHALF OF THE AUXILIARY MEDICAL SERVICES IN THE TUEN MUN AND YUEN LONG DISTRICTS. HE HAS ASSISTED WITH TRAINING ACTIVITIES AND HELPED TO RAISE OPERATIONAL STANDARDS IN THE DISTRICTS.
MR TANG YING-HEI
MR TANG HAS SERVED AS A VILLAGE REPRESENTATIVE OF SAN WAI, HA TSUEN FOR NEARLY 15 YEARS AND BECAME A YUEN LONG DISTRICT BOARD MEMBER IN 1991. HE HAS ALSO BEEN INVOLVED IN CHARITY WORK AND IN 1992 HE BECAME CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE POK 01 HOSPITAL.
/MR WILLY .......
17
MR WILLY TSAO SING-YUEN
MR TSAO IS THE FOUNDER OF THE CITY CONTEMPORARY DANCE COMPANY WHICH WAS ESTABLISHED IN 1979. HE IS CURRENTLY THE ARTISTIC DIRECTOR OF THE COMPANY, WHICH HAS SOUGHT TO CREATE A SEPARATE HONG KONG IDENTITY FOR CONTEMPORARY DANCE.
MR WAN YUET-KAU
MR WAN IS ONE OF THE LONGEST-SERVING MEMBERS OF THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT BOARD, HAVING BECOME A MEMBER IN 1982. HE HAS BEEN A REPRESENTATIVE OF THE BOARD IN THE REGIONAL COUNCIL SINCE 1985 AND HE IS ALSO CHAIRMAN OF THE SAI KUNG ISLANDS AREA COMMITTEE.
MR WONG KWOK-KEUNG
MR WONG HAS BEEN ACTIVE IN COMMUNITY SERVICE SINCE 1975 ON THE KWAI CHUNG AND YAU TONG AREA COMMITTEES AND MORE RECENTLY AS A MEMBER OF THE KWAI TSING DISTRICT BOARD. AN EXPERIENCED SOCIAL WORKER, HE HAS TAKEN A PARTICULARLY CLOSE INTEREST IN YOUTH WELFARE MATTERS.
MR WONG KWONG
MR WONG HAS BEEN INVOLVED IN COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES IN TSIM SHA TSUI FOR THE PAST 18 YEARS. HE HAS WORKED WITH THE KAIFONG ASSOCIATION, JUNIOR POLICE CALL, BOY SCOUTS, GIRL GUIDES, A VARIETY OF SPORTS AND MANY OTHER DISTRICT ORGANISATIONS.
MR YIM KWOK-ON
MR YIM HAS MANY YEARS OF SERVICE TO THE COMMUNITY IN MONG KOK AND HAS BEEN A MEMBER OF THAT DISTRICT BOARD SINCE 1990. HE IS THE MONG KOK DISTRICT BOARD REPRESENTATIVE ON THE URBAN COUNCIL AND HAS BEEN INVOLVED IN A WIDE RANGE OF DISTRICT ACTIVITIES, AND YOUTH SERVICES IN PARTICULAR.
MISS WINNIE YU
MISS YU HAS BEEN INVOLVED TN SOUND BROADCASTING FOR THE LAST 20 YEARS. SHE BECAME HEAD OF COMMERCIAL RADIO TN 1988 AND HAS INITIATED A NUMBER OF BROADCAST CHARITY FUND-RAISING DRIVES.
/QUEEN’S BIRTHDAY
18
QUEEN’S BIRTHDAY HONOURS LIST 1993 (MILITARY DIVISION)
MBE
MAJ IAN ABBOTT, ROYAL LOGISTIC CORPS, SERVING WITH HQ BRITISH FORCES.
STAFF SERGEANT BRIAN HAMILTON, ADJUTANT GENERAL’S CORPS (ROYAL MILITARY POLICE).
COLOUR SERGEANT RAYMOND JORDAN, 1ST BATTALION THE ROYAL REGIMENT OF WALES (NOW SERVING IN THE UNITED KINGDOM).
SERGEANT MICHAEL BEDFORD, ROYAL ARMY VETERINARY CORPS.
REVEREND (SQUADRON LEADER) LANCE CLARK, ROYAL AIR FORCE, SERVING AS PADRE TO RAF SEK KONG.
WO PAUL JARREL, ROYAL AIR FORCE, SERVING WITH HQ BRITISH FORCES.
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Received by PR0
°° 1 7 JUN 1993 ■
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
SATURDAY, JUNE 12, 1993
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
CALL ON LOCAL TALENTS TO DEVELOP NEW TECHNOLOGY .................. 1
LABOUR DEPARTMENT SETS UP NEW OFFICE.............................. 3
i
REPORT NEEDED FROM MEDICAL LAB, OCCUPATIONAL. THERAPY FIRMS .. 3
SUNDAY, JUNE 13, 1993
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
CHANGING SHAPE OF WEST KOWLOON .................................. 4
APPLY TRAVEL DOCUMENTS EARLY TO AVOID HOLIDAY RUSH .............. 5
46 NEW BUILDING PLANS APPROVED IN APRIL ......................... 6
SATURDAY, JUNE 12, 1993
1
CALL ON LOCAL TALENTS TO DEVELOP NEW TECHNOLOGY *****
HONG KONG IS SET TO CONTINUALLY GO UP-MARKET IN TERMS OF APPLICATION OF NEW TECHNOLOGY, THE SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER, MR MICHAEL LEUNG, SAID.
AS SUCH, HE ADDED, HONG KONG MUST OPTIMISE ITS AVAILABLE AND NEWLY-TRAINED TALENTS TO ENHANCE ITS ABILITY TO ADAPT AND DEVELOP NEW TECHNOLOGY.
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING OF THE FIRST ANNUAL SCIENCE CONFERENCE OF THE HONG KONG INSTITUTION OF SCIENCE AT THE CITY POLYTECHNIC THIS (SATURDAY) MORNING, MR LEUNG SAID A MEANS OF ACHIEVING THIS AIM WAS TO INCREASE PUBLIC SUPPORT FOR RESEARCH PROJECTS IN THE UNIVERSITY AND POLYTECHNIC GRANTS COMMITTEE (UPGC)-FUNDED INSTITUTIONS.
"TO ENABLE THIS TO BE DONE MORE EFFECTIVELY, WE SET UP THE RESEARCH GRANTS COUNCIL IN 1991, UNDER THE AEGIS OF UPGC, TO OVERSEE AND ADMINISTER THE EARMARKED RESEARCH GRANTS," SAID MR LEUNG.
"THE AMOUNT OF EARMARKED RESEARCH GRANTS ADMINISTERED BY THE COUNCIL HAS BEEN INCREASED FROM $100 MILLION IN 1991/92 TO $122 MILLION IN 1992/93.
"ACCORDING TO OUR PLAN, THE PROVISION WILL BE FURTHER INCREASED TO $180 MILLION BY 1994/95.”
MR LEUNG NOTED THAT MANY OF THESE RESEARCH PROJECTS WERE RELATED TO SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS.
IN ADDITION TO SUCH DIRECT FUNDING SUPPORT FOR RESEARCH, THE GOVERNMENT HAS ALSO BEEN ENCOURAGING THE TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS TO SPEND ABOUT TWO PER CENT OF THEIR BLOCK GRANTS ON IMPROVING THEIR RESEARCH INFRASTRUCTURE.
THESE ENHANCEMENTS HELP CONSOLIDATE THE RESEARCH FOUNDATION AS WELL AS STIMULATE A MORE ACTIVE APPROACH TOWARDS RESEARCH STUDIES WITHIN THE INSTITUTIONS.
APART FROM FINANCIAL SUPPORT, MR LEUNG SAID, THE GOVERNMENT HAD FURTHER ENCOURAGED THE INSTITUTIONS TO TRAIN MORE POSTGRADUATES BOTH TO CATER FOR THE NEEDS OF THE LOCAL BUSINESS AND INDUSTRIAL SECTORS AND TO BUILD UP A LARGER POOL OF LOCAL ACADEMIC TALENTS TO WORK FOR THE INSTITUTIONS.
IN 1992/93, THE SEVEN UPGC-FUNDED INSTITUTIONS HAVE PROVIDED 3,273 FULL-TIME-EQUIVALENT TAUGHT POSTGRADUATES PLACES AND 1,713 FULLTIME-EQUIVALENT RESEARCH POSTGRADUATE PLACES.
BY 1994/95, THE PROVISIONS WILL BE INCREASED BY 29 PER CENT AND 60 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY.
MANY OF THESE NEW PLACES ARE EXPECTED TO BE OFFERED IN THE SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY RELATED DISCIPLINES WHERE THERE HAS BEEN VERY STRONG DEMAND.
/MR LEUNG .......
SATURDAY, JUNE 12, 1993
- 2 -
MR LEUNG ALSO ATTRIBUTED HONG KONG’S ECONOMIC SUCCESS IN THE PAST THREE DECADES TO THE DEDICATION AND HARDWORK OF ALL PARTIES INVOLVED, INCLUDING THE SCIENCE COMMUNITY WHICH HAD RENDERED MAJOR CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE LOCAL ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT.
AT PRESENT, THERE ARE NO LESS THAN 120,000 TRAINED SCIENCE WORKERS, BOTH AT THE PROFESSIONAL AND TECHNICAL LEVELS, WORKING IN JOBS RELATED TO SCIENTIFIC WORK.
AN EARLIER MANPOWER PROJECTION SHOWS THAT LOCAL DEMAND FOR PROFESSIONAL, MANAGERIAL AND TECHNICAL WORKERS WILL INCREASE BY 23 PER CENT BETWEEN 1990 AND 1996.
THERE WILL BE A FURTHER INCREASE OF 12 PER CENT BETWEEN 1996 AND 2001.
"GIVEN THE VIGOUR OF OUR ECONOMY AND THE GROWTH RATE OF CHINA’S, THESE FIGURES ARE LIKELY TO BE CONSERVATIVE," SAID MR LEUNG.
"NOT ALL OF THESE ADDITIONAL DEMANDS WILL BE FOR SCIENCE WORKERS, BUT A SUBSTANTIAL PROPORTION OF THEM ARE EXPECTED TO BE IN APPLIED SCIENCE AND RELATED FIELDS GIVEN THE STRONG MARKET DEMAND FOR SUCH GRADUATES."
IN FACT, FORESEEING THIS TREND BACK IN THE 1980S, THE GOVERNMENT HAS TAKEN TWO MAJOR INITIATIVES TO MEET THE SURGE IN DEMAND - TO BUILD A THIRD UNIVERSITY DEDICATED TO THE STUDY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY, AND TO ACCELERATE THE EXPANSION OF TERTIARY EDUCATION.
MR LEUNG SAID THE HONG KONG UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY BEGAN ITS FIRST INTAKE IN 1991, THREE YEARS EARLIER THAN ORIGINALLY SCHEDULED; WHILE THE TARGET OF PROVIDING 14,500 FIRST-YEAR FIRST-DEGREE PLACES BY 1994/95, FOR 18 PER CENT OF THE POPULATION IN THE RELEVANT AGE GROUP WAS VERY MUCH ON TRACK.
LOOKING AHEAD, MR LEUNG BELIEVED THAT WITH THE ENVISAGED RAPID ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IN CHINA AND THE ASIA PACIFIC REGION, HONG KONG SCIENCE WORKERS WOULD SURELY FIND NEW OPPORTUNITIES AND NEW SCOPE TO DEVELOP THEIR TALENTS AND APPLY THEIR EXPERTISE.
"SUCH A VISION IS AS EXCITING AS IT IS CHALLENGING," HE SAID.
"IT IS NOT ROUND THE CORNER NOR IN THE DISTANT HORIZON. IT IS, I BELIEVE, ALREADY HERE.
"THAT IS WHY THE FORMATION OF THE HONG KONG INSTITUTION OF SCIENCE IS BOTH TIMELY AND WELCOME," HE ADDED.
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Z3 ........
SATURDAY, JUNE 12, 1993
3
LABOUR DEPARTMENT SETS UP NEW OFFICE
*****
THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT HAS SET UP A NEW ’’BUILDING AND ENGINEERING CONSTRUCTION/NEW AIRPORT AND RAILWAYS OFFICE” UNDER ITS FACTORY INSPECTORATE DIVISION ON JUNE 1.
THE NEW OFFICE HANDLES MATTERS RELATING TO THE SAFETY, HEALTH AND WELFARE OF WORKERS ON CONSTRUCTION SITES AND RAILWAY WORK IN CONNECTION WITH THE NEW AIRPORT AND RELATED PROJECTS.
IT IS LOCATED ON THE FIFTH FLOOR, TSUEN WAN GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 38 SAI LAU KOK ROAD IN TSUEN WAN. ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE ON 417 6210.
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REPORT NEEDED FROM MEDICAL LAB, OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY FIRMS
******
COMPANIES REGISTERED UNDER THE COMPANIES ORDINANCE CARRYING ON THE BUSINESS OF MEDICAL LABORATORY TECHNOLOGY OR OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY ARE REQUIRED TO REPORT PARTICULARS OF THEIR STAFF TO THE RELEVANT STATUTORY BOARD WITHIN 14 DAYS AFTER JULY 1 EACH YEAR.
THE REQUIREMENT IS SET OUT UNDER SECTION 20(3) OF THE SUPPLEMENTARY MEDICAL PROFESSIONS ORDINANCE.
THE INFORMATION SHOULD BE SUBMITTED IN THE PRESCRIBED REPORT FORM. THESE FORMS ARE AVAILABLE FROM THE SECRETARIAT OF THE MEDICAL LABORATORY TECHNOLOGISTS BOARD AND THE OCCUPATIONAL THERAPISTS BOARD ON THE SIXTH FLOOR OF SUNNING PLAZA, 10 HYSAN AVENUE, CAUSEWAY BAY.
ENQUIRIES SHOULD BE MADE ON TEL 890 0843 AND 890 0514.
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/4 ........
SUNDAY, JUNE 13, 1993
4
CHANGING SHAPE OF WEST KOWLOON
*****
WEST KOWLOON IS QUICKLY ASSUMING A NEW SHAPE AS THE LARGE RECLAMATION, PART OF THE AIRPORT CORE PROGRAMME (ACP), EXTENDS THE WATERFRONT FROM YAU MA TEI TO LAI CHI KOK.
THE WEST KOWLOON RECLAMATION, NOW 40 PER CENT COMPLETE, WILL BENEFIT RESIDENTS IN THE NEARBY DENSELY POPULATED AREAS BY PROVIDING AN IMPROVED LIVING ENVIRONMENT AND INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT.
RECLAMATION WORK BEGAN IN 1990 AND IS SCHEDULED TO BE COMPLETED BY MID-1997. A TOTAL OF EIGHT ENGINEERING CONTRACTS TOTALLING ABOUT $6.9 BILLION HAVE BEEN AWARDED SO FAR.
AS A KEY COMPONENT IN THE ACP, IT WILL ALSO PROVIDE LAND ON WHICH TO BUILD THE WEST KOWLOON EXPRESSWAY, THE TOLL PLAZA OF THE WESTERN HARBOUR CROSSING AND THE AIRPORT RAILWAY.
"THE RECLAMATION IS ALSO NEEDED FOR PORT BACK-UP AND CONTAINER HANDLING FACILITIES AS RECOMMENDED IN THE PORT AND AIRPORT DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY," PLANNING DEPARTMENT’S DISTRICT PLANNING OFFICER (KOWLOON), MR RAYMOND CHIU, SAID.
"A NUMBER OF WATERFRONT FACILITIES AFFECTED BY THE RECLAMATION WILL BE REPROVISIONED. ONE OF THE BENEFITS OF REPROVISIONING, FOR EXAMPLE, IS THAT THE NEW CHEUNG SHA WAN WHOLESALE MARKET ON THE RECLAIMED LAND WILL BRING TOGETHER SIX WHOLESALE MARKETS NOW SCATTERED IN DIFFERENT AREAS,” MR CHIU SAID.
"THE SITES OF THESE MARKETS CAN THEN BE RELEASED FOR URBAN REDEVELOPMENT, AND ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEMS ASSOCIATED WITH THE MARKETS WILL BE RESOLVED," HE ADDED.
PART OF THE 334 HECTARES OF LAND BEING RECLAIMED ON THE WATERFRONT WILL BE USED FOR RESIDENTIAL, COMMERCIAL AND INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT.
"PROVISIONS WILL BE MADE IN THE SOUTH FOR OFFICE AND HOTEL DEVELOPMENTS TO RELIEVE PRESSURE FROM THE CENTRAL BUSINESS DISTRICT. THE NORTH WILL BE MAINLY INDUSTRIAL, WITH MEDIUM-DENSITY AND HI-TECH INDUSTRIES," MR CHIU SAID.
MILESTONES IN PROGRESS TO DATE INCLUDE THE OPENING OF THE NEW YAU MA TEI TYPHOON SHELTER LAST OCTOBER AND THE RECENT COMPLETION OF THE SUPERSTRUCTURE FOR THE CHEUNG SHA WAN WHOLESALE MARKET. THIS BUILDING, MORE THAN 400 METRES LONG, IS TO OPEN IN SEPTEMBER.
THE WEST KOWLOON RECLAMATION WILL PROVIDE NEW HOUSING FOR SOME 91,000 PEOPLE. AND THE DEVELOPMENT WILL ALSO BENEFIT THE HINTERLAND BY THINNING OUT THE POPULATION THERE.
"IT WILL MEET SHORTFALLS IN OPEN SPACE AND GOVERNMENT, INSTITUTIONAL AND COMMUNITY FACILITIES," MR CHIU SAID.
"IN PLANNING THE LAND USE IN THE RECLAMATION AREA, WE AIM TO ADHERE TO STANDARDS SET FOR THE NEW TOWNS, WHICH MEANS THAT MORE OPEN SPACE WILL BE PROVIDED," MR CHIU SAID.
/"MUCH EMPHASIS .......
SUNDAY, JUNE 13, 1993
5
’’MUCH EMPHASIS HAS ALSO BEEN GIVEN TO THE ENVIRONMENTAL ASPECT. URBAN DESIGN GUIDELINES WILL BE GIVEN TO PRIVATE DEVELOPERS THROUGH LAND SALES PROGRAMMES TO ENSURE THAT PLANNING AND ENVIRONMENTAL STANDARDS ARE MET.
’’THIS IS ONE OF THE WAYS TO ENSURE THAT THE NEW DEVELOPMENTS BLEND HARMONIOUSLY WITH THE ENVIRONMENT.
’’LANDSCAPING IS ANOTHER IMPORTANT ELEMENT IN MODERN TOWN PLANNING. A MASTER LANDSCAPE PLAN HAS BEEN PREPARED FOR WEST KOWLOON RECLAMATION AND EFFORTS WILL BE MADE, FOR INSTANCE, TO CREATE LANDMARKS, FORM ’GREENWAYS’, CONNECT ADJACENT LANDSCAPE FEATURES AND ESTABLISH A DISTINCT CHARACTER FOR THE RECLAMATION,” HE SAID.
MR CHIU SAID TOWN PLANNERS HAD TO BE ALERT TO THE LATEST INFORMATION TECHNOLOGIES IN ORDER TO SHARPEN THEIR FORECASTING AND DESIGN TECHNIQUES, WHICH PLAYED AN IMPORTANT PART IN THE PLANNING PROCESS.
’’WE HAVE TO BE MORE RECEPTIVE TO NEW URBAN DESIGN CONCEPTS AND INSTITUTIONAL METHODS TO MEET THE NEEDS OF A MODERN SOCIETY. IDEAS SUCH AS A ’FESTIVAL MARKET PLACE’ AND A ’BUSINESS PARK’ ARE BEING CONSIDERED FOR WEST KOWLOON RECLAMATION,’’ HE SAID.
- - 0 - -
APPLY TRAVEL DOCUMENTS EARLY TO AVOID HOLIDAY RUSH
*****
ANYONE INTENDING TO TRAVEL ABROAD DURING THE SUMMER HOLIDAYS SHOULD APPLY FOR TRAVEL DOCUMENTS AS EARLY AS POSSIBLE.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY (SUNDAY) THAT THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE TRAVELLING OUTSIDE HONG KONG WOULD BE GREATLY INCREASED DURING THIS TIME OF THE YEAR.
IN ORDER TO AVOID LAST-MINUTE RUSH, PEOPLE ARE ADVISED TO APPLY FOR PASSPORTS AND CERTIFICATES OF IDENTITY WELL IN ADVANCE OF THE DATE ON WHICH THEY INTEND TO TRAVEL, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
’’FOR FIRST-TIME APPLICATIONS, THE DEPARTMENT NOW TAKES 20 WORKING DAYS (THAT IS, ABOUT FOUR TO FIVE WEEKS) TO ISSUE A HONG KONG BRITISH PASSPORT.
"FOR REPLACEMENT APPLICATIONS, 10 WORKING DAYS ARE REQUIRED IF THE APPLICATION IS SUBMITTED AT OUR HEADQUARTERS AND 15 WORKING DAYS IF IT IS SUBMITTED AT THE IMMIGRATION BRANCH OFFICES.
’’FOR HONG KONG CERTIFICATES OF IDENTITY, 10 WORKING DAYS ARE REQUIRED IF THE APPLICATION IS SUBMITTED AT THE HEADQUARTERS AND 15 WORKING DAYS IF SUBMITTED AT THE IMMIGRATION BRANCH OFFICES," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
THE PROCESSING TIME IS THE SAME FOR ROTH FIRST-TIME AND REPLACEMENT APPLICATIONS.
/AS AN
SUNDAY, JUNE 13, 1993
6
AS AN IMPROVEMENT OE SERVICE TO THE PUBLIC, THE DEPARTMENT HAS SINCE MID-1992 STARTED TO ACCEPT APPLICATIONS FOR HONG KONG BRITISH DEPENDENT TERRITORIES CITIZEN PASSPORTS, BRITISH NATIONAL (OVERSEAS) PASSPORTS AND HONG KONG CERTIFICATES OF IDENTITY BY POST.
UNDER THE NEW ARRANGEMENTS, THE APPLICANT’S PERSONAL ATTENDANCE TO SUBMIT APPLICATION IS NO LONGER REQUIRED.
APPLICATIONS MAY EITHER BE SENT TO THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT BY POST OR DEPOSITED INTO THE DROP-IN BOXES INSTALLED AT THE IMMIGRATION HEADQUARTERS OR AT ANY IMMIGRATION BRANCH OFFICES.
THE PROCESSING TIME REQUIRED IS THE SAME AS SUBMITTING THE APPLICATION IN PERSON.
INFORMATION LEAFLETS ON APPLICATION PROCEDURES AND DOCUMENTS REQUIRED ARE ISSUED TOGETHER WITH APPLICATION FORMS WHICH ARE AVAILABLE AT ALL IMMIGRATION OFFICES, DISTRICT OFFICES AND DESIGNATED POST OFFICES. MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC MAY ALSO TELEPHONE 824 6111 FOR DETAILS.
’’RE-ENTRY PERMITS AND DOCUMENTS OF IDENTITY FOR VISA PURPOSES ARE NORMALLY ISSUED ON THE SAME DAY BUT DELAY IS LIKELY IF THERE ARE MANY APPLICANTS COMING AT THE SAME TIME, FOR EXAMPLE, ON SATURDAY IN WHICH WE COULD ONLY PROVIDE A LIMITED SERVICE WITH HALF STRENGTH,” THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
’’THE PERIOD BEFORE THE SUMMER HOLIDAYS IS ONE OF THE BUSIEST TIME OF THE YEAR. BY APPLYING EARLY, IT WILL NOT ONLY SPREAD THE WORKLOAD OF THE DEPARTMENT BUT WILL ALSO GIVE APPLICANTS EXTRA TIME TO MEET ANY FURTHER VISA PROCESSING REQUIREMENTS WHERE NECESSARY,’’ HE ADDED.
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46 NEW BUILDING PLANS APPROVED IN APRIL *****
THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE OFFICE (BOO) OF THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT APPROVED 46 NEW BUILDING PLANS IN APRIL.
OF THESE, 16 WERE FOR HONG KONG, 18 FOR KOWLOON AND 12 FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES.
THE APPROVED PLANS INCLUDED 22 FOR APARTMENT, APARTMENT/COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENTS, 13 FOR COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENTS AND SEVEN FOR FACTORY AND INDUSTRIAL PURPOSES.
DURING THE MONTH, THE OFFICE GAVE CONSENT FOR WORK TO START ON 36 PROJECTS, INVOLVING 65,117 SQUARE METRES OF USABLE DOMESTIC FLOOR AREA AND 111,687 SQUARE METRES OF USABLE NON-DOMESTTC FLOOR AREA.
THE TOTAL DECLARED COST OF NEW BUILDINGS COMPLETED DURING THE MONTH WAS ABOUT $2,129 MILLION.
/USABLE FLOOR .......
SUNDAY, JUNE 13, 1993
7
USABLE FLOOR AREAS OF THESE BUILDINGS FOR DOMESTIC AND NON-DOMESTIC USES WERE ABOUT 35,260 SQUARE METRES AND ABOUT 190,258 SQUARE METRES RESPECTIVELY.
IN THE MONTH, THE OFFICE ISSUED 30 OCCUPATION PERMITS - 10 FOR HONG KONG ISLAND, ONE FOR KOWLOON, AND 19 FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES.
IN ADDITION, 53 DEMOLITION CONSENTS INVOLVING 125 BUILDINGS WERE ISSUED.
THE OFFICE’S CONTROL AND ENFORCEMENT DIVISION RECEIVED 676 COMPLAINTS OF UNAUTHORISED BUILDING WORKS, CARRIED OUT 1,249 INSPECTIONS AND ISSUED 447 REMOVAL ORDERS IN RESPECT OF UNAUTHORISED BUILDING WORKS.
THE DANGEROUS BUILDINGS SECTION OF BOO INSPECTED 753 BUILDINGS BUT NO EMERGENCY CLOSURES WERE REQUIRED.
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Received by PRO 1 7 JUN 1993
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
MONDAY, JUNE 14, 1993
CONTENTS
PAGE NO.
SIR EDWARD YOUDE MEMORIAL FELLOWSHIPS AND SCHOLARSHIPS FOR OVERSEAS STUDIES ............................................... 1
WORK STARTS ON TSING MA TOWER ................................... 2
UK/HK SCHOLARSHIPS FOR POSTGRADUATE STUDIES ..................... 3
NINE STUDENTS WIN UK SCHOLARSHIPS ............................... 4
54 APPLICATIONS FOR FLAG DAYS ................................... 6
CUSTOMS TRADE DECLARATION COUNTERS CLOSED FOR RENOVATION .... 6
MONDAY, JUNE 14, 1993
1
SIR EDWARD YOUDE MEMORIAL FELLOWSHIPS AND SCHOLARSHIPS FOR OVERSEAS STUDIES * * ♦ * »
THE SIR EDWARD YOUDE MEMORIAL FUND COUNCIL ANNOUNCES TODAY (MONDAY) THAT ITS FELLOWSHIPS AND SCHOLARSHIPS FOR OVERSEAS STUDIES FOR THE ACADEMIC YEAR 1994/95 WILL BE OPEN FOR APPLICATIONS FROM TOMORROW (TUESDAY).
THE FELLOWSHIPS AND SCHOLARSHIPS ARE AIMED AT ENCOURAGING THE BEST STUDENTS TO PURSUE FURTHER EDUCATION IN REPUTABLE INSTITUTIONS OVERSEAS.
SUCCESSFUL CANDIDATES FOR THE AWARDS ARE EXPECTED TO HAVE A STRONG SENSE OF COMMITMENT TO HONG KONG AND BE READY TO CONTRIBUTE TO THE COMMUNITY UPON RETURN FROM THEIR OVERSEAS STUDIES. THEY WILL BE REQUIRED TO SERVE IN HONG KONG FOR AT LEAST THREE YEARS UPON GRADUATION.
THE FELLOWSHIPS ARE FOR STUDIES LEADING TO POSTGRADUATE DEGREES EITHER BY RESEARCH OR BY COURSEWORK; THE SCHOLARSHIPS ARE FOR UNDERGRADUATE STUDIES LEADING TO FIRST DEGREES.
THE APPLICANTS WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR FULFILLING ALL APPLICATION PROCEDURES AND ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS OF THE ACADEMIC INSTITUTIONS OF THEIR CHOICE, AND BE OFFERED A PLACE SUBSEQUENTLY.
THE VALUE FOR THE FELLOWSHIPS IS ABOUT $175,000 A YEAR FOR UP TO TWO YEARS; THE VALUE FOR SCHOLARSHIPS IS ABOUT $160,000 A YEAR FOR UP TO THREE YEARS.
APPLICATION FORMS AND INFORMATION NOTES ARE AVAILABLE AT:
♦ STUDENT FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE AGENCY, NINTH FLOOR, NATIONAL MUTUAL CENTRE, 151 GLOUCESTER ROAD WAN CHAI, HONG KONG.
» EDUCATION DEPARTMENT,
CAREER AND GUIDANCE SERVICE SECTION, ROOM 206, MONGKOK GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 30 LUEN WAN STREET, MONG KOK, KOWLOON.
I YAU TSIM DISTRICT OFFICE,
GROUND FLOOR, MIDDLE ROAD CARPARK BUILDING, ’ 15 MIDDLE ROAD,
TSIM SHA TSUI, KOWLOON.
♦ THE BRITISH COUNCIL EASEY COMMERCIAL BUILDING 255 HENNESSY ROAD HONG KONG.
/FOR ENQUIRIES .......
MONDAY, JUNE 14, 1993
- 2 -
FOR ENQUIRIES, PLEASE CALL 802 1638.
CLOSING DATE FOR ALL APPLICATIONS WILL BE SEPTEMBER 30. SHORTLISTED APPLICANTS WILL BE REQUIRED TO ATTEND AT LEAST ONE SELECTION INTERVIEW IN HONG KONG TENTATIVELY SCHEDULED FOR JANUARY NEXT YEAR.
---------------0-------- WORK STARTS ON TSING MA TOWER *****
THE FIRST OF THE TWO GIANT TOWERS OF THE TSING MA BRIDGE HAS BEGUN TO RISE WITH THE COMMENCEMENT OF CONSTRUCTION ABOVE GROUND.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE NEW AIRPORT PROJECTS CO-ORDINATION OFFICE SAID IN A MATTER OF WEEKS, THE TOWER OF ONE OF THE WORLD’S LONGEST SUSPENSION BRIDGES WOULD BECOME CLEARLY VISIBLE.
THE TWO TOWERS, ONE ON TSING YI AND THE OTHER OFF MA WAN ISLAND, WILL BE REINFORCED CONCRETE STRUCTURES RISING 190 METRES HIGH, EQUIVALENT TO THE HEIGHT OF A 50-STOREY BUILDING.
THE PLACEMENT OF CONCRETE AND REINFORCING STEEL AT THE TSING YI TOWER BEGAN ON JUNE 3 AND SO FAR 10 METRES OF THE TOWER BASE HAS BEEN CAST.
USING A PROCESS KNOWN AS SLIPFORMING, THE TOWER WILL REACH ITS FULL HEIGHT OF 190 METRES IN ABOUT THREE MONTHS.
CONSTRUCTION OF THE SECOND TOWER OFF MA WAN IS DUE TO BEGIN IN AUGUST AFTER ITS BASE IS CONSTRUCTED WITHIN RECENTLY PLACED CAISSONS.
STEEL TRUSSES WEIGHING UP TO 185 TONNES EACH WILL BE INSTALLED TO BRACE THE LEGS TEMPORARILY AS CONCRETE WORK PROCEEDS. THE TRUSSES WILL EVENTUALLY BE ENCASED IN REINFORCED CONCRETE AND PRESTRESSED TO THE TOWER LEGS.
BY SPRING NEXT YEAR THE TSING MA BRIDGE WILL START TO TAKE SHAPE WHEN WORK BEGINS ON THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE MAIN' CABLES BY A PROCESS KNOWN AS AERIAL WIRE SPINNING.
THE TSING MA BRIDGE, PART OF THE LANTAU FIXED CROSSING, IS A KEY ELEMENT OF THE TRANSPORT NETWORK IN THE AIRPORT CORE PROGRAMME LINKING NORTH LANTAU AND THE AIRPORT AT CHEK LAP KOK TO THE REST OF HONG KONG.
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/3 ........
MONDAY, JUNE 14, 1993
3
UK/1IK SCHOLARSHIPS FOR POSTGRADUATE STUDIES *****
THE UK/HK SCHOLARSHIPS COMMITTEE ANNOUNCES TODAY (MONDAY)THAT APPLICATIONS ARE NOW INVITED FOR ITS SCHOLARSHIPS FOR POSTGRADUATE STUDIES STARTING IN THE ACADEMIC YEAR 1994/95.
THE SCHOLARSHIPS ARE OFFERED BY THE COMMITTEE ON BEHALF OF THE UNITED KINGDOM AND HONG KONG GOVERNMENTS.
THE SCHOLARSHIPS WILL BE FOR POSTGRADUATE STUDIES LEADING TO A HIGHER DEGREE EITHER BY RESEARCH OR BY COURSEWORK.
APPLICANTS MAY CHOOSE ANY SUBJECT OF STUDY OR RESEARCH AT ANY LEADING ACADEMIC INSTITUTIONS AT THE TERTIARY LEVEL IN THE PUBLIC SECTOR IN THE UNITED KINGDOM.
SUCCESSFUL APPLICANTS WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR FULFILLING ALL APPLICATION PROCEDURES AND ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS OF THE INSTITUTIONS OF THEIR CHOICE AND SHOULD BE OFFERED A PLACE SUBSEQUENTLY.
THEY ARE EXPECTED TO POSSESS HIGH ACADEMIC PROWESS AND LEADERSHIP QUALITIES. THEY SHOULD ALSO DEMONSTRATE A STRONG SENSE OF COMMITMENT TO HONG KONG AND HAVE THE POTENTIAL TO CONTRIBUTE TO MUTUAL UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN THE UNITED KINGDOM AND HONG KONG.
UPON GRADUATION, SCHOLARS ARE REQUIRED TO WORK IN HONG KONO FOR A MINIMUM OF THREE YEARS. %
THE VALUE OF THE SCHOLARSHIP NORMALLY COVERS UNIVERSITY COMPOSITION FEE, A MAINTENANCE ALLOWANCE AND AN ALLOWANCE FOR AIR TRAVEL.
APPLICATION FORMS AND INFORMATION NOTES ARE AVAILABLE AT:
* STUDENT FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE AGENCY NINTH FLOOR, NATIONAL MUTUAL CENTRE 151 GLOUCESTER ROAD WAN CHAI HONG KONG
t EDUCATION DEPARTMENT
CAREER AND GUIDANCE SERVICE SECTION ROOM 206 MONGKOK GOVERNMENT OFFICES 30 LUEN WAN STREET MONG KOK KOWLOON
♦ YAU TSIM DISTRICT OFFICE
GROUND FLOOR, MIDDLE ROAD CARPARK BUILDING 15 MIDDLE ROAD TSIM SHA TSUI KOWLOON
/THE BRITISH .......
MONDAY, JUNE 14, 1993
♦ THE BRITISH COUNCIL
EDUCATIONAL COUNSELLING SERVICE
255 HENNESSY ROAD
WAN CHAI HONG KONG
FOR ENQUIRIES, PLEASE CALL 802 1638.
DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS IS AUGUST 7. SUITABLE CANDIDATES WILL BE INVITED TO ATTEND AT LEAST ONE SELECTION INTERVIEW IN HONG KONG IN DECEMBER THIS YEAR OR JANUARY NEXT YEAR.
------0--------
NINE STUDENTS WIN UK SCHOLARSHIPS *****
THE UK/HK SCHOLARSHIPS COMMITTEE TODAY (MONDAY) ANNOUNCES THE SCHOLARSHIP AWARDS FOR NINE OUTSTANDING HONG KONG STUDENTS TO PURSUE POSTGRADUATE AND UNDERGRADUATE STUDIES IN SOME OF THE FINEST ACADEMIC INSTITUTIONS IN THE UNITED KINGDOM STARTING IN THE ACADEMIC YEAR 1993/94.
THESE NINE BRILLIANT YOUNG MEN AND WOMEN HAVE BEEN SELECTED FROM OVER 200 APPLICANTS AFTER CAREFUL SHORTLISTING AND TWO SELECTION INTERVIEWS CONDUCTED BY THE COMMITTEE UNDER THE CHAIRMANSHIP OF MR PAUL CHENG.
"THE COMMITTEE HAS BEEN GREATLY IMPRESSED BY THE VERY HIGH STANDARD OF THE APPLICANTS, THEIR EXCELLENT ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENTS, STRONG INTELLECTUAL AND LEADERSHIP QUALITIES AND THEIR COMMITMENTS TO CONTRIBUTE TO THE WELL-BEING OF THE HONG KONG COMMUNITY," A SPOKESMAN FOR THE COMMITTEE SECRETARIAT SAID.
"THE SELECTION TASK WAS NOT EASY, BUT, COMMITTEE MEMBERS ARE CONFIDENT THAT MERITS HAVE PREVAILED," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
EACH SCHOLARSHIP WILL BE WORTH ABOUT 14,600 STERLING POUNDS TO 18,100 STERLING POUNDS A YEAR AND WILL COVER UNIVERSITY COMPOSITION FEE, COLLEGE FEE IN THE CASE OF OXFORD AND CAMBRIDGE STUDENTS, ANNUAL MAINTENANCE ALLOWANCE OF 6,300 STERLING POUNDS TO 7,300 STERLING POUNDS, BOOK AND EQUIPMENT ALLOWANCE AND A RETURN AIR PASSAGE BETWEEN HONG KONG AND LONDON.
ALL SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS ARE REQUIRED TO WORK IN HONG KONG FOR AT LEAST THREE YEARS AFTER COMPLETION OF THEIR STUDIES.
THE TWO WINNERS OF SCHOLARSHIPS FOR POSTGRADUATE STUDIES ARE MR KONG SIU-MING, A MARKETING REPRESENTATIVE AND MR LEE TSZ-YF.UNG, LECH, A FINAL YEAR THEOLOGY STUDENT AT THE CHINESE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG.
THERE ARE SEVEN WINNERS OF SCHOLARSHIPS FOR UNDERGRADUATE STUDIES.
/THEY ARE ........
MONDAY, JUNE 14, 1993
5
THEY ARE MISS YUNG NGAR-YEE OF TSUEN WAN GOVERNMENT SECONDARY SCHOOL, MR WOO CHUN-FAI OF WAH YAN COLLEGE, KOWLOON, MR BART WONG OF NT HEUNG YEE KUK YUEN LONG DISTRICT SECONDARY SCHOOL, MR CHAN HO-MAN OF ST FRANCIS XAVIER’S SCHOOL (TSUEN WAN), MR CHAN CHUNG, ARNOLD OF HUA CHONG JUNIOR COLLEGE, SINGAPORE, MISS WAN WAI-MAN, VIVIAN AND MISS SARNA YEUNG OF ST MARY’S CANOSSIAN COLLEGE.
MR KONG SIU-MING, 26, WHO HOLDS A FIRST CLASS HONOURS DEGREE IN ENGINEERING FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG, IS CURRENTLY A MARKETING REPRESENTATIVE. HE PLANS TO READ A MASTER DEGREE IN BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION AT THE UNIVERSITY OF WARWICK.
MR LEE TSZ-YEUNG, LECH, 26, A FINAL YEAR THEOLOGY STUDENT AT THE CHINESE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG. HE WISHES TO PURSUE A MASTER OF ARTS DEGREE IN THE HISTORY OF CHRISTIANITY AT KING’S COLLEGE LONDON.
MISS YUNG NGAR-YEE, 19, OF TSUEN WAN GOVERNMENT SECONDARY SCHOOL, WHO OBTAINED SEVEN DISTINCTIONS AND ONE CREDIT IN THE HONG KONG CERTIFICATE OF EDUCATION EXAMINATION (HKCEE) 1991, PLANS TO READ A BACHELOR OF ARTS DEGREE IN JURISPRUDENCE AT OXFORD.
MR WOO CHUN-FAI, 19, OF WAH YAN COLLEGE, KOWLOON, SCORED 10 DISTINCTIONS IN 1991 HKCEE AND FOUR DISTINCTIONS IN THE GENERAL CERTIFICATE OF EXAMINATION (ADVANCE LEVEL) 1992, INTENDS TO STUDY LAW AT CAMBRIDGE.
MR BART WONG, 19, OF NT HEUNG YEE KUK YUEN LONG DISTRICT SECONDARY SCHOOL, SCORED SEVEN DISTINCTIONS AND ONE CREDIT IN 1991 HKCEE, PLANS TO STUDY ECONOMICS AT THE LONDON SCHOOL OF ECONOMICS AND POLITICAL SCIENCE.
MR CHAN HO-MAN, 20, OF ST FRANCIS XAVIER’S SCHOOL (TSUEN WAN), OBTAINED EIGHT DISTINCTIONS AND ONE CREDIT TN THE 1991 HKCEE, INTENDS TO STUDY BIO-CHEMISTRY AND MANAGEMENT STUDIES AT THE IMPERIAL COLLEGE OF SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND MEDICINE.
MR CHAN CHUNG, ARNOLD, 21, OF HUA CHONG JUNIOR COLLEGE (SINGAPORE), SCORED FOUR A’S IN THE 1992 SINGAPORE-CAMBRIDGE GCE ’A’ LEVEL EXAMINATION, WILL STUDY ENGINEERING IN CAMBRIDGE.
MISS WAN WAI-MAN, VIVIAN, 18, OF ST MARY’S CANOSSIAN COLLEGE, SCORED EIGHT DISTINCTIONS IN THE 1991 HKCEE, PLANS TO STUDY PHYSICS IN CAMBRIDGE.
MISS SARNA YEUNG, 19, ALSO OF ST MARY’S CANOSSIAN COLLEGE, SCORED FIVE DISTINCTIONS AND THREE CREDITS TN 1991 HKCEE, INTENDS TO STUDY POLITICS AT THE LONDON SCHOOL OF ECONOMICS AND POLITICAL SCIENCE.
IN ADDITION TO MR PAUL CHENG WHO CHAIRED THE SELECTION COMMITTEE, THE SELECTION COMMITTEE COMPRISES MR NEIL MAIDMENT; MR JAMES SMITH-LATTTAN OF THE BRITISH TRADE COMMISSION; MS CLARE KEATES OF BRITISH COUNCIL; MR ANDREW LI KWOK-NANG, REPRESENTING THE ROYAL HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB; PROFESSOR KENNEDY F SHORTRIDGE; DR CHEN FONG-CHING, MRS GRACE CHOW AND MR PETER WONG.
/6 ........
MONDAY, JUNE 14, 1993
6
54 APPLICATIONS FOR FLAG DAYS *****
THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT HAS RECEIVED A TOTAL OF 54 APPLICATIONS FOR HOLDING FLAG DAYS NEXT YEAR.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT TODAY (MONDAY) SAID THE ELIGIBILITY OF THE APPLICANT ORGANISATIONS WERE BEING ASSESSED.
ORGANISATIONS WILL BE ALLOCATED FLAG DAYS IF THEY MEET THE CRITERIA.
EXPLAINING THE ALLOCATION PROCEDURES, THE SPOKESMAN SAID ELIGIBLE ORGANISATIONS WERE CATEGORISED INTO TWO GROUPS, PRIMARY GROUP AND SECONDARY GROUP, WHICH PROVIDE DIRECT AND INDIRECT WELFARE SERVICES FOR RESIDENTS RESPECTIVELY.
ORGANISATIONS IN THE PRIMARY GROUP ARE GIVEN PREFERENCES TO CHOOSE FROM ABOUT 30 POPULAR DATES WHICH EXCLUDE PUBLIC HOLIDAYS, SCHOOL HOLIDAYS AND EXAMINATION PERIOD.
IF THE NUMBER OF APPLICATIONS EXCEEDS THE DAYS, ALLOCATION WILL BE MADE BY BALLOT.
THE ORGANISATIONS IN THE SECONDARY GROUP CAN ALSO INDICATE THEIR CHOICES AMONG THE REST OF THE FLAG DAYS.
THEIR PREFERENCES WILL BE CONSIDERED AS FAR AS POSSIBLE.
A BALLOT WILL BE DRAWN IF MORE THAN ONE ORGANISATION IS COMPETING FOR THE SAME FLAG DAY.
THE DEPARTMENT ENCOURAGES ELIGIBLE ORGANISATIONS TO LOOK FOR VOLUNTEERS FROM CHURCHES, ELDERLY CENTRES, WOMEN’S ASSOCIATIONS AND UNIFORMED GROUPS, SUCH AS JUNIOR POLICE CALL, APART FROM RECRUITING STUDENTS AS VOLUNTEERS.
"FORWARD PLANNING, AND SUFFICIENT PUBLICITY WELL BEFORE THE FLAG DAY WOULD HELP ACHIEVE A BETTER RESULT," HE SAID.
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CUSTOMS TRADE DECLARATION COUNTERS CLOSED FOR RENOVATION
» * * * *
THE CUSTOMS AND EXCISE DEPARTMENT TODAY (MONDAY) REMINDED THE PUBLIC THAT THE HONG KONG COLLECTION OFFICE AT CENTRAL WILL CLOSE SOME OF THE TRADE DECLARATION COUNTERS FROM TOMORROW (TUESDAY) TO JULY 24 FOR INSTALLING NEW PROGRAMMABLE CASH REGISTERS.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID THE NEW MACHINES WOULD PROVIDE SPEEDIER PROCESSING.
DURING THE RENOVATION, COUNTERS FOR PROCESSING LODGEMENT OF ONE TO 50 TRADE DECLARATIONS WILL BE CLOSED.
/THE OFFICE .......
MONDAY, JUNE 14, 1993
7
THE OFFICE WILL PROVIDE LIMITED SERVICES FOR PROCESSING LODGEMENT OF 30 TO 50 TRADE DECLARATIONS WITH PAYMENT BY CHEQUE.
OTHER SERVICES PROVIDED, SUCH AS BULK LODGEMENT OF MORE THAN 50 TRADE DECLARATIONS AND NORMAL DISKETTE LODGEMENT, WILL NOT BE AFFECTED.
DECLARANTS AFFECTED ARE ENCOURAGED TO DECLARE THEIR LODGEMENT AT THE KOWLOON COLLECTION OFFICE ON GROUND FLOOR, MIDDLE ROAD MULTI-STOREY CARPARK BUILDING, TSIM SHA TSUI.
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■Received by P' onjLL^ J993
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
TUESDAY, JUNE 15, 1993
CONTENTS
PAGE NO.
CHEMICAL ESTATE PLANNED FOR TUFN MUN .......................
LEGCO MEMBERS VISIT ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT COMPANIES GUILTY OF BREAKING POLLUTION LAW ...................
CAR MARK AUCTION ON SATURDAY .................................
CLOSURE OF WAN CHAT ILLEGAL STRUCTURE SOUGHT
WATER STORAGE FIGURE ................................
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND TENDER RESULTS
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS
TUESDAY, JUNE 15, 1993
CHEMICAL ESTATE PLANNED FOR TUEN MUN
*****
THE GOVERNMENT HAS EARMARKED OVER 20 HECTARES OF LAND IN TUEN MUN TO DEVELOP A CHEMICAL ESTATE WITH CHEMICAL STORAGE, CHEMICAL PLANTS AND CHEMICAL USERS.
SPEAKING AT THE "ASIA-PACIFIC CHEMICALS MARKETS *93" CONFERENCE IN BRUSSELS TODAY (TUESDAY), AN ASSISTANT DIRECTOR-GENERAL OF INDUSTRY, MR GAVIN URE, SAID RECLAMATION WORK FOR THE ESTATE WOULD START IN MID-1994 TO BE COMPLETED BY PHASES IN EARLY 1999.
MR URE SAID THE PLANNED PROVISION OF LAND FOR THE CHEMICAL ESTATE WOULD BE 1N A COASTAL AREA IN THE NORTHWESTERN PART OF HONG KONG CALLED TUEN MUN AREA 38, WHERE 55 HECTARES OF LAND HAD BEEN EARMARKED FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF A SPECIAL INDUSTRIES AREA.
"IN THIS AREA, ABOUT 12 HECTARES OF LAND HAVE BEEN EARMARKED FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF POLYESTER PLANTS AND ACETAL PLANTS, ANOTHER FIVE HECTARES OF LAND FOR POLYSTYRENE AND OTHER RESIN PLANTS.
AN ADDITIONAL FIVE HECTARES FOR POLYESTER RESIN PLANTS COULD
BE MADE AVAILABLE SHOULD DEMAND EXIST."
MR URE SAID TUEN MUN AREA 38, PARTICULARLY DESIGNED FOR THE CHEMICAL INDUSTRY, WOULD PROVIDE THE CHEMICAL PLANTS THERE WITH FACILITIES IMPORTANT TO THEIR OPERATIONS.
HE SAID A COMMON USER CHEMICAL PIER HAD BEEN PLANNED WITH PIPELINES TO INDIVIDUAL SITES AND ADDITIONAL COMMON-USER AREAS WERE INCLUDED TO PROVIDE WATERFRONT ACCESS FOR BARGE OPERATION FOR THOSE
PLANTS WITHOUT DIRECT MARINE ACCESS.
"COMPLEMENTARY TO THESE IS A RIVER TRADE TERMINAL JUST IMMEDIATELY EAST OF THE SPECIAL INDUSTRIES AREA," HE SAID.
IN ADDITION TO DEVELOPING A CHEMICAL ESTATE, MR URE SAID THE GOVERNMENT HAD ALSO COMMISSIONED A CONSULTANCY STUDY TO ASSESS THE BASE AND THE GROWTH POTENTIAL OF THE CHEMICAL INDUSTRY IN HONG KONG.
HE SAID THE STUDY CONCENTRATED ON THE DEVELOPMENT POTENTIAL OF THE HIGH VALUE-ADDED CHEMICAL PROCESSING INDUSTRY IN THE TERRITORY.
"IT RECOMMENDED, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THAT IN SUPPORT OF THE DEVELOPMENT OF A HIGH VALUE-ADDED CHEMICAL PROCESSING INDUSTRY IN HONG KONG, A SITE SUITABLE FOR USE BY THIS INDUSTRY AND A BULK CHEMICAL STORAGE FACILITY SHOULD BE DEVELOPED," HE SAID.
MR URE SAID A FURTHER FEASIBILITY STUDY, JUST COMPLETED, HAD INDICATED THAT AN AREA IN THE SOUTHEASTERN PART OF HONG KONG CALLED TSEL'NG KWAN O AREA 137 WAS SUITABLE FOR SUCH DEVELOPMENT.
"THE WHOLE AREA, WHICH MEASURES OVER 100 HECTARES, HAS BEEN RECOMMENDED FOR DEVELOPMENT OF INDUSTRIES NEEDING DEEP WATERFRONT ACCESS AND BULK STORAGE OF CHEMICALS INCLUDING PETRO-CHEMI CALS.
/"WITHIN THIS .......
TUESDAY, JUNE 15, 1993
- 2 -
"WITHIN THIS AREA, OVER SEVEN HECTARES OF LAND ON THREE SITES HAVE BEEN RESERVED FOR THE HIGH VALUE-ADDED CHEMICAL PROCESSING INDUSTRY.
"TO COMPLEMENT THE DEVELOPMENT OF THESE SITES, ANOTHER SITE OF OVER 10 HECTARES SITUATED IMMEDIATELY TO THE WEST OF THESE ONES, HAS BEEN RESERVED FOR A BULK CHEMICAL STORAGE FACILITY," HE SAID.
MR URE SAID THESE THREE SITES, WITH A MAXIMUM PLOT RATIO OF 2.5, WERE EXPECTED TO PROVIDE A TOTAL GROSS FLOOR AREA OF ABOUT 180,000 SQUARE METRES FOR CHEMICAL PROCESSING PLANTS.
HE SAID THESE SITES WERE OFFERING ATTRACTIVE ADVANTAGES TO INVESTORS.
"STRATEGICALLY, THEY ARE LOCATED IN A NEW INDUSTRIAL AREA ESPECIALLY DESIGNED FOR THESE INDUSTRIES. SUPPORTING FACILITIES CRUCIAL TO THEIR EFFICIENT OPERATION ARE READILY AVAILABLE.
"ONE EXAMPLE IS THE AVAILABILITY OF MULTI-USER LOADING AND UNLOADING QUAYS FOR OPERATION OF THE CHEMICAL PROCESSING PLANTS," HE SAID.
IN ADDITION TO TSEUNG KWAN O AREA 137, MR URE SAID THE GOVERNMENT WAS ALSO CONSIDERING, IN THE LONGER TERM, PROVISION OF LAND FOR THE HIGH VALUE-ADDED CHEMICAL PROCESSING INDUSTRY IN THE NORTHWESTERN PART OF THE TERRITORY, AGAIN AT TUEN MUN IN A PORT AREA.
HE SAID THIS PORT AREA WOULD BE DEVELOPED INTO A SPECIAL INDUSTRIES AREA BY 2006 COMPRISING A TOTAL OF 136 HECTARES NET OF LAND, INCLUDING FIVE HECTARES FOR HIGH VALUE-ADDED CHEMICAL PROCESSING INDUSTRIES AND 10 HECTARES FOR BULK CHEMICAL STORAGE FACILITIES.
"A CONSULTANCY STUDY ESTABLISHING DETAILS OF THE POSSIBLE DEVELOPMENT IS STILL UNDER WAY, FINAL RESULTS OF WHICH WILL BE AVAILABLE SOON," HE SAID.
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LEGCO MEMBERS VISIT ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT *****
MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL WERE BRIEFED ON THE TECHNOLOGIES EMPLOYED BY THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT TO MONITOR, CONTROL AND PREVENT POLLUTION THIS (TUESDAY) MORNING.
LED BY MR PETER WONG HONG-YUEN, CONVENOR OF THE COUNCIL'S ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS PANEL, AND ACCOMPANIED BY DR STUART REED, DIRECTOR OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION, FIVE COUNCILLORS TOURED THE DEPARTMENT’S LABORATORIES AT THE REVENUE TOWER IN WAN CHAI.
MEMBERS LEARNT ABOUT THE OPERATION OF THE 24-HOUR, ON-LINE AIR QUALITY MONITORING NETWORK IN HONG KONG AND THE MEASURES THAT HAD RESULTED IN A VERY SUBSTANTIAL REDUCTION IN SULPHUR DIOXIDE LEVEL IN RECENT YEARS.
/THEY THEN .......
TUESDAY, JUNE 15, 1993
- 3 -
THEY THEN PAID A VISIT TO THE CHEMICAL WASTE LABORATORY WHICH HAS BEEN SET UP TO GIVE SUPPORT TO CHEMICAL WASTE CONTROLS AND PROSECUTIONS.
TRACE METALS SUCH AS CADMIUM, ZINC, COPPER AND CHROMIUM ARE MEASURED BY FULLY AUTOMATED, LABOUR-SAVING TECHNIQUES THAT GIVE RESULTS OF ANALYSES WITHIN A FEW SECONDS.
MEMBERS WERE ALSO SHOWN HOW POTENTIAL TRAFFIC NOISE PROBLEMS COULD BE IDENTIFIED AT THE EARLY PLANNING STAGE AND REMEDIAL MEASURES FORMULATED USING A DEDICATED COMPUTERISED ASSESSMENT FACILITY.
THE FACILITY, DEVELOPED IN-HOUSE BY THE DEPARTMENT’S STAFF, CAN STORE DETAILS OF COMPLEX TOPOGRAPHY OF A ROAD NETWORK AND ADJACENT DEVELOPMENTS, CALCULATE THE LIKELY NOISE LEVELS AND GENERATE GRAPHIC IMAGES IN A THREE-DIMENSIONAL FORMAT.
THIS MAKES IT MUCH EASIER FOR PROFESSIONALS TO VISUALISE THE NOISE IMPACTS AND MAKE ADJUSTMENTS TO DEVELOPMENT PLANS AT THE DESIGN STAGE IN ORDER TO LIMIT NOISE POLLUTION.
MEMBERS WHO JOINED THE BRIEFING WERE REV FUNG CHI-WOOD, MR MICHAEL HO MUN-KA, MR MAN SAI-CHEONG AND DR SAMUEL WONG PING-WAI AND THE CHAIRMAN OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS PANEL OF OMLEGCO, MR PETER WONG.
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COMPANIES GUILTY OF BREAKING POLLUTION LAW
*****
THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT TODAY (TUESDAY) RELEASED A LIST OF COMPANIES THAT HAVE BEEN FOUND GUILTY IN THE COURTS DURING MAY OF BREACHING ANTI-POLLUTION LEGISLATION CURRENTLY ENFORCED BY THE DEPARTMENT.
SIMILAR ANNOUNCEMENTS WILL BE MADE MONTHLY.
THE LEGAL PROCEEDINGS COULD BE TIME CONSUMING AND AS A RESULT THERE WAS SOMETIMES A LENGTHY TIME GAP BETWEEN THE DATE OF THE OFFENCE AND THE CONVICTION DATE.
FOLLOWING IS THE LIST OF PROSECUTION CASES AND THE ASSOCIATED FINES IMPOSED BY THE COURTS DURING MAY:
NAME RECORD
(COMPANY/ DATE OF NATURE OF
PERSON) ADDRESS OFFENCE OF OFFENCE FINES($) OFFENCE COURT
1.AMERICAN LAUNDERLAND PROPERTY MANAGEMENT LTD WONG CHUK HANG RD, ABERDEEN 25.6.91- 24.1.92 APCO : 1,000 UNAUTHORISED 1NSTALLATION OR ALTERNATION OF FURNACES 2ND KWUN TONG
/2. SOUPO DEVELOPMENT
TUESDAY, JUNE 15, 1993
2.SOUPO DEVELOPMENT LTD JAFFE RD, WAN CHAI 17.1.92- 18.5.92 APCO : 3,000 1ST EASTERN
3.HUNG SHUN INVESTMENT CO LTD DES VOEUX RD, CENTRAL 26.2.92- 3.3.92 APCO : ” 1,000 1ST SOUTH KOWLOON
4.GREAT TECH LTD PAK TIN PAR ST, TSUEN WAN 28.4.92- 23.6.92 apco : 4,400 1ST it
5.SILVER LUCKY LTD BONHAM STRAND WEST, SHEUNG WAN 1.6.92- 30.6.92 apco : 3,000 1ST WESTERN
6.GRAYHILL ESTATES LTD QUEEN'S RD. CENTRAL, CENTRAL 29.6.92- 6.7.92 APCO : ” 500 1ST EASTERN
7.LIAO CHING HING SHANGHAI RESTAURANT LTD CASTLE PEAK RD, SHAM SHUI PO 4.7.92- 6.10.92 apco : 2,000 1ST NORTH KOWLOON
8.CHINA FUJIAN CORPORATION FOR INTERNATIONAL TECHNO-ECONOMIC COOPERATION (LICENSEE) GREAT 2.9.92 GEORGE ST, CAUSEWAY BAY DASO : 1,500 PERMIT DUMPING OF ABOUT 750 CUBIC METRES OF DREDGED MARINE MUD AT SEA SOUTH OF CHEUNG CHAU NOT IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE LICENCE CONDITION 1ST EASTERN
9.SHEK WAN-FOOK (SHIP MASTER) YIU ON ESTATE, MA ON SHAN 2.9.92 DASO : DUMPING OF ABOUT 750 CUBIC 500 1ST ••
METRES OF DREDGED MARINE MUD AT SEA SOUTH OF CHEUNG CHAU NOT IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE LICENCE CONDITION
/10. CHINA FUJIAN .......
TUESDAY, JUNE 15, 1993
5 -
10.CHINA GREAT 4.9.92 DASO : 2,500 2ND it
FUJIAN GEORGE ST, CORPORATION CAUSEWAY BAY FOR INTERNATIONAL TECHNO-ECONOMIC COOPERATION (LICENSEE) PERMIT DUMPING OF ABOUT 750 CUBIC METRES OF DREDGED MARINE MUD AT SEA SOUTH OF CHEUNG CHAU NOT IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE LICENCE CONDITION
11.LAI CHING KOW (TUG BOAT MASTER) POK HONG ESTATE, SHA TIN 7.9.92 DASO : 2,000 DUMPING OF ABOUT 750 CUBIC METRES OF DREDGED MARINE MUD AND EXCAVATED MATERIAL AT SEA SOUTHEAST OF NAM KWO CHAU NOT IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE LICENCE CONDITION 1ST EASTERN
12.KEUNG SHU-YUNG (BARGE SAILOR) WAH FU ESTATE, POK FU LAM 7.9.92 DASO : " 2,000 1ST ii
13.GEOWORKS CONTRACTORS (HK) LTD (LICENCE) l NATHAN RD, MONG KOK 7.9.92 DASO : 5,000 PERMIT DUMPING OF ABOUT 750 CUBIC METRES OF DREDGED MARINE MUD AND EXCAVATED MATERIAL AT SEA SOUTHEAST OF NAM KWO CHAU NOT IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE LICENCE CONDITION 3RD it
14.GEOWORKS CONSTRACTORS (HK) LTD (LICENCE) ii 7.9.92 DASO : 5,000 PERMIT DUMPING OF ABOUT 600 CUBIC METRES OF EXCAVATED MATERIAL AT SEA EAST OF NI NEP IN GROUP NOT IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE LICENCE CONDITION 4TH EASTERN
/15. NG KAM .........
TUESDAY, JUNE 15, 1993
- 6 -
15.NG KAM (THE BARGE SAILOR) LUNG TSAI 7.9.92 TSUEN, CHEUNG CHAU DASO : 2,000 DUMPING OF ABOUT 600 CUBIC METRES OF EXCAVATED MATERIAL AT SEA EAST OF NINEPIN GROUP NOT IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE LICENCE CONDITION 1ST it
16.B I S TEXTILE COMPANY (H.K.) LTD CHAI WAN KOK ST, TSUEN WAN 29.9.92 APCO : EXCESSIVE DARK SMOKE EMISSION 7,500 1ST TSUEN WAN
17.PRESIDENT RESTAURANT (E HOUSE) LTD MODY RD, TSIM SHA TSUI EAST 30.9.92- 20.10.92 APCO : UNAUTHORISED INSTALLATION OR ALTERATION OF FURNACES 3,000 1ST EASTERN
18.YING SHEUNG DRY CLEANERS CO LTD WESTLANDS RD, QUARRY BAY 7.10.92 APCO : 1,500 1ST EASTERN
19.TAK BO SEAFOOD RESTAURANT LTD YU CHAU STREET, SHAM SHUT PO 22.10.92 NCO : FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENT IN A NOISE ABATEMENT NOTICE 4,000 1ST NORTH KOWLOON
20.TWICE STRONG WASHING AND DYEING FTY LTD WAI YIP ST, KWUN TONG 3.11.92 APCO : EXCESSIVE DARK SMOKE EMISSION 3,500 1ST KWUN TONG
21.CHOW WING KI OF SUN KWONG RESTAURANT WING ON SIDE ST, PENG CHAU 4.11.92 WPCO : WILFULLY OBSTRUCTED THE AUTHORISED OFFICER IN THE EXERCISE OF POWER 2,500 1ST WESTERN
22.MONG YIU MING BULKELEY ST, HUNG HOM 4.11.92 NCO : FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENT IN A NOISE ABATEMENT NOTICE 4,000 1ST SAN PO KONG
/23. PENTA-OCEAN .......
TUESDAY, JUNE 15, 1993
7
23.PENTAOCEAN CONSTRUCTION CO LTD SOUTH BAY 8.11.92 RD, REPULSE BAY NCO : 10,000 CARRY OUT CONSTRUCTION WORK NOT IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF A PERMIT 1ST WESTERN
24.SOU PENG-MUN I. 8.11.92 NCO : 10,000 PERMIT CONSTRUCTION WORK NOT IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF A PERMIT 1ST it
25.FAIRWOOD FAST FOOD LTD SHUI CHE KWUN ST, YUEN LONG 11.11.92 NCO : 20,000 FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENT IN A NOISE ABATEMENT NOTICE 2ND FANLING
26.UNION DYEING WORKS LTD KWAN TEI PAK TSUEN, FANLING 19.11.92 WPCO : 10,000 DISCHARGED POLLUTING MATTER IN THE DEEP BAY WATER CONTROL ZONE (WCZ) 5TH FANLING
27.TUNG CHUN CO SHANGHAI ST, YAU MA TEI 19.11.92 APCO : 4,000 EXCESSIVE DARK SMOKE EMISSION 1ST TSUEN WAN
28.LUNG SHAN ROASTED MEAT FAST FOOD RESTR KING’S RD, NORTH POINT 19.11.92- 15.12.92 APCO : 1,000 UNAUTHORISED INSTALLATION OR ALTERNATION OF FURNACES 1ST EASTERN
29.ALLICE PALACE RESTAURANT LTD CASTLE PEAK RD, SHAM SHUI 23.11.92 PO NCO : 5,000 FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENT IN A NOISE ABATEMENT NOTICE 1ST NORTH KOWLOON
30.LAM KAR TONG KUNG 26.11.92 LENG, SHEUNG SHUI WPCO : 25,000 DISCHARGED POLLUTING MATTER [N THE DEEP BAY WCZ 2ND FANLING
31.SHANGHAI KWU TUNG, 26.11.92 WPCO : " 5,000 1ST FANLING
SOAP FACTORY SHEUNG
LTD SHUI
/32. HANG HEUNG .......
TUESDAY, JUNE 15, 1993
8 -
32.HANG HEUNG CAKE SHOP COMPANY LTD SHUNG CHING SAN TSUEN, YUEN LONG 26.11.92 WPCO : " 15,000 1ST h
33.YUMI YUMI CATERERS LTD LOK WAH 1.12.92 NORTH ESTATE, NGAU TAU KOK NCO : 7,000 FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENT IN A NOISE ABATEMENT NOTICE 1ST KWUN TONG
34.WISESON ENGINEERING LTD TIN HAU 1.12.92 TEMPLE RD, NORTH POINT NCO : 3,000 USE/CAUSED TO BE USED A PRODUCT DID NOT COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENT OF SECTION 17(1) 1ST EASTERN
35.LOK CHOW-WING TIN HAU 1.12.92 TEMPLE RD, NORTH POINT NCO : " 3,000 1ST ii
36.NAM HING CIRCUIT BOARD CO LTD KAM TIN, YUEN LONG 2.12.92 WPCO : 10,000 DISCHARGED POLLUTING MATTER IN DEEP BAY wcz 2ND FANLING
37.DOUBLE GARMENT MANUFACTURING CO LTD SHA TSUI RD, TSUEN WAN 2.12.92 APCO : 3,000 EXCESSIVE DARK SMOKE EMISSION 1ST TSUEN WAN
38.COLOUR BEST DYEING FTY LTD PRAT 7.12.92 AVENUE, TSIM SHA TSUI APCO : " 10,000 3RD ii .
39.BO LAI LAUNDRY FTY LTD WANG LUNG ST, TSUEN WAN 7.12.92 APCO : ” 8,500 2ND TSUEN WAN
40.SKY FIT INVESTMENT LTD NATHAN RD, MONG KOK 8.12.92 APCO : " 4,500 1ST ii
I 1 .HOP SUN DYEING FACTORY LTD WING LAP ST, KWAI CHUNG 8.12.92 APCO : ” 12,000 3RD ii
42.POLYCLASS LTD PING SHAN, YUEN LONG 8.12.92 WPCO : 10,000 DISCHARGED POLLUTING MATTER IN DEEP wcz 1ST FANLING
/43. KOWLOON FISH .......
TUESDAY, JUNE 15, 1993
- 9 -
43.KOWLOON FISH MEAL FACTORY LTD LAU FAU SHAN, YUEN LONG 8.12.92 WPCO : H 15,000 1ST FANLING
44.SIU PING SHAN, CHEUNG YUEN LONG DYEING FACTORY 8.12.92 WPCO : 11 20,000 1ST tt
45.FULBO CO LTD WING LAP ST, KWAI CHUNG 14.12.92 APCO : EXCESSIVE DARK SMOKE EMISSION 8,000 1ST TSUEN WAN
46.AU YEUNG CHUNG-YEE MA LIU SHIU SAN TSUEN, FANLING 15.12.92 WPCO : 15,000 DISCHARGED POLLUTING MATTER IN THE DEEP BAY WCZ 1ST FANLING
47.UNIVERSAL (HOT DIP) GALVANIZING LTD KWAN TEI PAK TSUEN, FANLING 15.12.92 WPCO : It 10,000 1ST <t • ti
48.SPARKWIN DEVELOPMENT LTD CHUNG WUI 15.12.92 ST, TAI KOK TSUI NCO : FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENT IN A NOISE ABATEMENT NOTICE 6,000 1ST NORTH KOWLOON
49.CHAN SO KING’S RD, NORTH POINT 15.12.92 1 NCO ; It 5,000 1ST EASTERN
50.EXCELLENT TIME DEVELOPMENT LTD PRINCE EDWARD RD WEST, MONG KOK 30.12.92 NCO : II 9,000 1ST NORTH KOWLOON
51.GREENWOOD RESTAURANT LTD PO LAM ESTATE, TSEUNG KWAN 0 7.1.93 NCO : It 7,000 1ST KWUN TONG
52.LAI WAI-MING YAU SAN ST, YUEN LONG 11.1.93 NCO : It 1 ,000 1ST FANLING
53.FREDON INDUSTRIES LTD it 11.1.93 NCO : It •1,000 1ST n
54.CHUEN CHEUNG KUI RESTAURANT LTD FA YUEN ST, MONG KOK 11.1.93 NCO : tt 6,000 1ST NORTH KOWLOON
/55. MILK & .........
TUESDAY, JUNE 15, 1993
10
55.MILK & HONEY LTD WAI YIP ST, KWUN TONG 11.1.93 APCO : FAILURE TO TAKE MEASURES TO ELIMINATE UNNECESSARY AIR POLLUTANT 5,000 1ST KWUN TONG
56.SIU KING-BOR - WHAMPOA ST, HUNG HOM 14.1.93 NCO : FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENT IN A NOISE ABATEMENT NOTICE 3,000 1ST SAN PO KONG
57.CHENG KWAI-LIN, SHIRLEY MAN TAI ST, HUNG HOM 14.1.93 NCO : 2,500 1ST tt
58.SAI WAN KOK SEAFOOD RESTAURANT CO LTD SHAU KEI 14.1.93 WAN RD, SHAU KEI WAN NCO : 5,000 1 ST EASTERN
59.CHEUNG SING RESTR LTD MA HANG CHUNG RD, KOWLOON 19.1.93 APCO : EXCESSIVE DARK SMOKE EMISSION 2,000 1ST SAN PO KONG
60.LAI PUI-PUI TO KWA WAN RD, TO KWA WAN 20.1.93 NCO : FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENT IN A NOTSE ABATEMENT NOTICE 1,500 1ST tt
61.LUNG MOON TEA HOUSE JOHNSTON RD, WAN CHAI 29.1.93 APCO : EXCESSIVE DARK SMOKE EMISSION 3,000 3RD EASTERN
62.SOONING CO LTD CHUEN LUNG ST, TSUEN WAN 3.2.93 NCO : 20,000 FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENT IN A NOISE ABATEMENT NOTICE 3RD TSUEN WAN
63.NORTH POINT TREASURE RESTAURANT CO LTD KING’S RD, NORTH POINT 4.2.93 NCO : 3,000 1ST EASTERN
64.CHENG MUK-CHUNG TAI KOK TSUI RD, TAI KOK TSUI 10.2.93 NCO : 6,000 1ST NORTH KOWLOON
/65. OLYMIPIC ......
TUESDAY, JUNE 15, 1993
- 11 -
65.OLYMIPIC PIONEER LTD ON NING 10.2.93 APCO : 4,000 EXCESSIVE DARK SMOKE EMISSION 1ST FANLING
RD,
YUEN LONG
66.KWAN LAI- KUEN TUNG CHOI 11.2.93 ST, MONG KOK NCO : 4,000 FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENT IN A NOISE ABATEMENT NOTICE 1ST NORTH KOWLOON
67.KAR SHING RESTR LTD KAR SHING 13.2.93 BLDG, YUEN LONG APCO : 4,000 EXCESSIVE DARK SMOKE EMISSION 2ND FANLING
68.HANG HEUNG CAKE SHOP CO LTD MAIN RD, 16.2.93 YUEN LONG APCO : " 20,000 6TH it
69.THE INCORPORATED OWNERS OF TUNG TAI BLDG SHAU KEI 24.2.93 WAN MAIN ST EAST, SHAU KEI WAN NCO : 5,000 FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENT IN A NOISE ABATEMENT NOTICE 1ST EASTERN
70.FOOK LAM MOON (KOWLOON) RESTAURANT LTD KIMBERLEY 25.2.93 RD, TSIM SHA TSUI NCO : ” 20,000 1ST SOUTH KOWLOON
71.THE INCORPORATED OWNERS OF BEVERLEY HEIGHTS CLOUD VIEW 4.3.93 RD, NORTH POINT NCO : ” 3,000 1ST EASTERN
72.LAP KAI ENGINEERING CO LTD CANTON RD, 15.3.93 TSIM SHA TSUI APCO : 1,000 FAILURE TO ABATE AN AIR POLLUTANT NUISANCE (GENERAL) 1ST SHA TIN
73.YUI LEE DYEING FTY LTD WAI YIP 18.3.93 ST, KWUN TONG APCO : 10,000 EXCESSIVE DARK SMOKE EMISSION 3RD KWUN TONG
/NOTE : .......
TUESDAY, JUNE 15, 1993
12 -
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
NOTE TO EDITORS :
ENQUIRIES ON SPECIFIC CASES CAN BE DIRECTED TO THE FOLLOWING PRINCIPAL ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION OFFICERS:
APCO MR FRANKLIN ('HUNG TEL 594 6200
NCO MR STEVEN HO TEL 594 6500
WPCO CASE 26,30,31, 46,47 MR PATRICK LEI TEL 685 1133
CASE 32,36,42,43 AND 44 DR ELLEN CHAN TEL 417 6133
CASE 21 MR MURRAY LUO TEL 835 1184
DASO MR PAUL HOLMES TEL 755 3553
HOWEVER, ENQUIRIES ON GENERAL ISSUES SHOULD BE DIRECTED TO THE DEPARTMENT’S MEDIA RELATIONS SECTION.
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('AR MARK AUCTION ON SATURDAY *****
ANOTHER 50 LUCKY VEHICLE REGISTRATION MARKS WILL BE PUT UP FOR
AUCTION ON SATURDAY HALL. (JUNE 19) AT 9.30 AM AT THE CITY HALL RECITAL
THEY ARE:
FF9288 BB3103 FF290 AA355
FF229 FF162 FF928 FF1299
♦FM808 *FK21 *AL5 ♦ FH8
AP673 FF 1 1 8 FF998 AL91 7
FF1800 HK865 AY9998 FF435
CY1693 FF8993 FF668 DC266
FF669 FF226 FF8303 FF327
*AY400 ♦ FK4 *FM9 ♦ 1946
FF499 FF3118 DL6104 HK667
FF205 FF230 FF1117 FF7693
FF944 FF9979 ♦FJ6666 FF176
AZ9422 FF1950 FF5658 ♦FL1122
FF7170 FF7774
* SPECIAL VEHICLE REGISTRATION MARK (NOT TRANSFERABLE)
/SUCCESSFUL BIDDERS .......
TUESDAY, JUNE 15, 1993
- 13 -
SUCCESSFUL BIDDERS MUST PAY BY CHEQUE IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE BIDDING.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT 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, WILL GO TO THE GOVERNMENT LOTTERIES FUND.
THE COMING AUCTION WILL BE THE 196TH ORGANISED BY THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT SINCE MAY 1973.
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CLOSURE OF WAN CHAI ILLEGAL STRUCTURE SOUGHT
*****
THE BUILDING AUTHORITY IS SEEKING TO CLOSE AN UNAUTHORISED STRUCTURE AT A BUILDING IN WAN CHAI SO THAT IT CAN BE DEMOLISHED WITHOUT CAUSING DANGER TO THE OCCUPIERS AND THE PUBLIC.
THE SINGLE-STOREY STRUCTURE USED FOR DWELLING IS ERECTED ON THE ROOF OF 236 LOCKHART ROAD.
NOTICE OF INTENTION TO APPLY FOR A CLOSURE ORDER FROM THE HONG KONG DISTRICT COURT UNDER THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE ON SEPTEMBER 7 WAS POSTED ON THE PREMISES TODAY (TUESDAY).
IT IS EXPECTED THAT DEMOLITION WILL START AS SOON AS THE CLOSURE ORDER IS ISSUED.
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WATER STORAGE FIGURE *****
STORAGE IN HONG KONG’S RESERVOIRS AT 9 AM TODAY (TUESDAY) STOOD AT 63.4 PER CENT OF CAPACITY OR 371.395 MILLION CUBIC METRES.
THIS TIME LAST YEAR THE RESERVOIRS CONTAINED 403.120 MILLION CUBIC METRES OF WATER, REPRESENTING 68.8 PER CENT OF CAPACITY.
- - 0 -
/14 ........
TUESDAY, JUNE 15, 1993
- 14 -
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND TENDER RESULTS *****
TENDER DATE 15 JUNE 93 15 JUNE 93
PAPER ON OFFER EF BILLS EF BILLS
ISSUE NUMBER Q324 Y390
AMOUNT APPLIED HKD3,515 MN HKDl,080 MN
AMOUNT ALLOTTED HKD1,000 MN HKD300 MN
AVERAGE YIELD ACCEPTED 3.03 PCT 3.69 PCT
HIGHEST YIELD ACCEPTED 3.05 PCT 3.70 PCT
PRO RATA RATIO ABOUT 14 PCT ABOUT 100 PCT
AVERAGE TENDER YIELD 3.06 PCT 3.74 PCT
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND
TENDERS TO BE HELD IN THE WEEK BEGINNING 21 JUNE 1993 -
TENDER DATE 22 JUNE 93 22 JUNE 93
PAPER ON OFFER EF BILLS EF BILLS
ISSUE NUMBER Q325 H367
ISSUE DATE 23 JUNE 93 23 JUNE 93
MATURITY DATE 22 SEPT 93 22 DEC 93
TENOR 91 DAYS 182 DAYS
AMOUNT ON OFFER HKD1.000 + 200 MN HKD400 + 80 MN 4
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/15 .......
TUESDAY, JUNE 15, 1993
- 15 -
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ *
$ MILLION
OPENING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT 1,955
REVERSAL OF LAF +845
BALANCE AFTER REVERSL OF LAF 2,800
NET INJECTION/WITHDRAWAL TODAY NIL
EFFECT OF LAF TODAY -218
CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT 2,582
LAF RATE 2.00 BID/4.00 OFFER TWI 111.6 *-0.2* 15.6.1993
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND
EF BILLS EF NOTES/HONG KONG GOVERNMENT BONDS
TERMS YIELD TERM ISSUE COUPON PRICE YIELD
1 WEEK 2.70 PCT 15 MONTHS 2408 4.375 100.69 3.80
1 MONTH 2.83 PCT 18 MONTHS 2411 4.625 100.90 4.00
3 MONTHS 3.02 PCT 21 MONTHS 2502 4.75 100.94 4.20
6 MONTHS 3.32 PCT 24 MONTHS 2505 3.75 98.95 4.37
12 MONTHS 3.67 PCT
TOTAL TURNOVER OF BILLS AND BONDS - 13,200 MN
CLOSED 15 JUNE 1993
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Received by
Z I JUrt I993
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 16, 1993
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
JOTNT LIAISON GROUP MEETING .................................. 1
SIXTH ROUND OF ELECTIONS TALKS ............................... 1
GOVERNOR HOPES FOR MORE PROGRESS AT ELECTTON TALKS ........... 2
GOVERNOR TO VISIT LONDON I.................................... 2
ONE NOMINATION FOR LEGCO BY-ELECTION ......................... 3
EXCHANGES (SPECIAL LEVY) (AMENDMENT) BILL 1993 ...... 3
CALL TO PROTECT ENVIRONMENT .................................. 4
VIEWS SOUGHT ON CHILDREN AND YOUTH CENTRE SERVICES ......... 5
1991 SURVEY OF BUILDING, CONSTRUCTION AND RFAI ESTATE SECTORS 7
FIVE AGENTS HELP SELL GOVERNMENT FLATS ....................... 10
FINANCE COMMITTEE MEETING ................................, . . . 10
FRESH WATER CUT IN TAI PO .................................... 11
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKFT OPERATIONS ..
1 1
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 16, 1993
JOINT LIAISON GROUP MEETING * * * * *
THE FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE ANNOUNCED THIS (WEDNESDAY) MORNING THAT THE TWENTY-SIXTH MEETING OF THE SINO-BRITISH JOINT LIAISON GROUP ON HONG KONG WILL TAKE PLACE IN HONG KONG FROM JUNE 21 TO 23.
THE BRITISH TEAM WILL BE LED BY THE SENIOR REPRESENTATIVE, MR ANTHONY GALSWORTHY.
THE OTHER MEMBERS OF THE BRITISH TEAM WILL BE MR MICHAEL SZE (SECRETARY FOR CONSTITUTIONAL AFFAIRS, HONG KONG), MR ALAN PAUL (COUNSELLOR, OFFICE OF THE BRITISH SENIOR REPRESENTATIVE, SINO-BRITISH JOINT LIAISON GROUP, HONG KONG), MR WILLIAM EHRMAN (POLITICAL ADVISER, HONG KONG).
SIXTH ROUND OF ELECTIONS TALKS *****
THE FOLLOWING STATEMENT WAS ISSUED RY THE BRITISH
EMBASSY
IN
BEIJING AT 1800 HOURS TODAY (WEDNESDAY):
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 SIXTH ROUND OF TALKS IN BEIJING BETWEEN 23 AND 25 JUNE 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.
/2 ........
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 16, 1993
GOVERNOR HOPES FOR MORE PROGRESS AT ELECTION TALKS * * * * *
THE GOVERNOR, THE RT HON CHRISTOPHER PATTEN, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY) THAT HE VERY MUCH HOPED THAT THERE WOULD BE MORE PROGRESS AT THE TALKS OVER THE ELECTORAL ARRANGEMENTS FOR 1994/95 BECAUSE HONG KONG WANTED TO GET ON WITH THINGS AND FIND SOME SOLUTIONS.
SPEAKING TO REPORTERS AFTER OPENING THE THIRD WORLD PLUMBING CONFERENCE, THE GOVERNOR SAID: "I THINK THAT’S WHAT THE WHOLE COMMUNITY WANTS.”
ASKED ABOUT REPORTS OF POSITIVE MOVES MADE AT THE TALKS, MR PATTEN SAID: ’’WE’VE BEEN POSITIVE AND CONSTRUCTIVE FROM THE OUTSET."
"AFTER ALL, IT WAS BRITISH, HONG KONG GOVERNMENTS WHICH SUGGESTED THE TALKS AS LONG AGO AS LAST OCTOBER. SO, WE’VE BEEN VERY CONSTRUCTIVE RIGHT FROM THE OUTSET."
IN REPLY TO A QUESTION CONCERNING SINCERITY, THE GOVERNOR SAID: "WHAT SINCERITY MEANS IS WHAT THE BRITISH-HONG KONG TEAM HAS BEEN DISPLAYING FOR A VERY LONG TIME NOW AND I THINK WE SHOULD ALL WANT TO SEE SINCERITY ALL ROUND."
"I THINK SINCERITY INVOLVES WORKING CONSTRUCTIVELY AND PURPOSEFULLY TOWARDS A SUCCESSFUL OUTCOME WHICH WILL BE FAIR, OPEN AND ACCEPTABLE TO THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG."
ASKED ABOUT THE PROGRESS OF THE TALKS, MR PATTEN SAID: "OF COURSE, PEOPLE ARE BEING EXTREMELY PATIENT. BUT 1 THINK PEOPLE WANT TO SEE A SUCCESSFUL OUTCOME TO THE TALKS AND A SUCCESSFUL OUTCOME WHICH WOULD BE GOOD FOR THE FUTURE OF HONG KONG."
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GOVERNOR TO VISIT LONDON *****
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN ANNOUNCED TODAY (WEDNESDAY) THAT THE GOVERNOR, THE RT HON CHRISTOPHER PATTEN, WILL LEAVE HONG KONG ON JUNE 29 FOR ONE OF HIS REGULAR VISITS TO LONDON FOR CONSULTATIONS.
MR PATTEN WILL BE IN LONDON FROM JUNE 30 TO JULY 2.
HE WILL HAVE DISCUSSIONS WITH THE PRIME MINISTER, THE FOREIGN SECRETARY AS WELL AS OTHER MINISTERS AND SENIOR OFFICIALS.
MR PATTEN WILL BE ACCOMPANIED BY MR MICHAEL SZE, THE SECRETARY FOR CONSTITUTIONAL AFFAIRS.
BRITISH AMBASSADOR AT BEIJING, SIR ROBIN MCLAREN, WILL ALSO RETURN TO LONDON FOR THESE MEETINGS.
- - 0 - -
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 16, 1993
- 3 -
ONE NOMINATION FOR LEGCO BY-ELECTION
*****
THE GOVERNMENT HAS RECEIVED ONE NOMINATION FOR THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL BY-ELECTION IN RESPECT OF THE FIRST INDUSTRIAL ELECTORAL DIVISION TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
THE PERSONAL PARTICULARS OF THE CANDIDATE ARE:
NAME AGE OCCUPATION TELEPHONE
MR JAMES TIEN PEI-CHUN 46 MANAGING DIRECTOR 424 6021 338 1481
NOMINATIONS ARE OPEN FROM JUNE 11 TO 25. THE BY-ELECTION WILL BE HELD ON JULY 15 TO FILL THE VACANCY LEFT BY THE LATE STEPHEN CHEONG.
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EXCHANGES (SPECIAL LEVY) (AMENDMENT) BILL 1993
*****
THE EXCHANGES (SPECIAL LEVY) (AMENDMENT) BILL 1993, WHICH PROVIDES FOR AN ORDERLY WINDING DOWN OF THE SPECIAL LEVY, WILL BE INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON JULY 7, 1993, THE SECRETARY FOR FINANCIAL SERVICES, MR MICHAEL CARTLAND, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
THE SPECIAL LEVY WAS INTRODUCED IN 1987 TO REPAY PART OF THE LIFEBOAT LOAN MADE TO ENABLE THE HONG KONG FUTURES GUARANTEE CORPORATION TO MEET ITS OBLIGATIONS IN THE MARKET CRASH.
THE LOAN IS ALSO REPAID BY RECOVERIES FROM DEFAULTERS IN THE HANG SENG INDEX FUTURES MARKET IN THE CRASH, IN PARTICULAR FROM A MAJOR DEFAULTER WHO HAD ENTERED INTO A SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT PROVIDING FOR QUARTERLY REPAYMENTS UP TO FEBRUARY 1996.
IN VIEW OF THE HIGH MARKET TURNOVER RECENTLY, IT IS PRESENTLY ESTIMATED THAT THE AMOUNT OF THE LOAN TO BE RECOVERED FROM THE SPECIAL LEVY MAY BE FULLY REPAID LATER THIS YEAR.
"IF THE LEVY IS ALLOWED TO CONTINUE AT ITS PRESENT RATES BEYOND THAT TIME, A SIGNIFICANT AND UNNECESSARY SURPLUS IN THE SPECIAL LEVY FUND WILL BE GENERATED BY THE END OF THE YEAR.
"THIS WOULD BE AN UNFAIR BURDEN ON INVESTORS IN HONG KONG," MR CARTLAND SAID.
/THE LAW .......
WEDNESDAY, .JUNE 16, 1993
4
THE LAW AT PRESENT DOES NOT PROVIDE FOR THE REDUCTION OR SUSPENSION OF THE SPECIAL LEVY OR FOR THE DISPOSAL OF ANY SURPLUS IN THE SPECIAL LEVY FUND.
UNDER THE BILL, THE SECRETARY FOR FINANCIAL SERVICES MAY REDUCE OR SUSPEND THE LEVY WHEN THE REMAINING BALANCE OF THE LOAN APPROXIMATES THE REMAINING OBLIGATION OF THE MAJOR DEFAULTER AND AFTER MAKING PROVISIONS FOR INTEREST PAYMENTS ON THE BALANCE.
IT IS ALSO PROPOSED THAT THE SECRETARY FOR FINANCIAL SERVICES MAY DIRECT THE TRANSFER OF ANY SURPLUS IN THE SPECIAL LEVY FUND INTO THE COMPENSATION FUNDS ESTABLISHED UNDER THE SECURITIES ORDINANCE OR THE COMMODITIES TRADING ORDINANCE OR FOR ANY OTHER PURPOSES IN THE INTERESTS OF THE GENERAL OR INVESTING PUBLIC.
THE BILL ALSO PROVIDES THAT THE EXCHANGES (SPECIAL LEVY) ORDINANCE AND SUBSIDIARY LEGISLATION WILL BE REPEALED WHEN THE LIFEBOAT LOAN HAS BEEN FULLY REPAID AND ANY SURPLUS SUITABLY DISPOSED OF.
AN ORDER TO SUSPEND THE SPECIAL LEVY MAY BE AMENDED OR REVOKED BY THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL.
’’THIS PROVISION IS NECESSARY TO ALLOW THE SPECIAL LEVY TO BE RE-INTRODUCED WHERE NECESSARY,” MR CARTLAND SAID.
’’THE ADMINISTRATION HOPES THE BILL CAN BE ENACTED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE WITHIN THE CURRENT LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL SESSION, SO THAT THE SPECIAL LEVY CAN BE REDUCED OR SUSPENDED IN THE EVENT THAT SUCH ACTION BECOMES NECESSARY DURING THE SUMMER RECESS OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL," HE ADDED.
THE BILL WILL BE GAZETTED ON FRIDAY (JUNE 18).
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CALL TO PROTECT ENVIRONMENT * * * * *
THE GOVERNOR, THE RT HON CHRISTOPHER PATTEN, TODAY (WEDNESDAY) SAID HONG KONG WAS FACING UP TO THE CHALLENGE OF BALANCING ITS ASPIRATIONS FOR ECONOMIC GROWTH WITH THE NEED TO PROTECT THE ENVIRONMENT.
HE WAS ADDRESSING 1,500 DELEGATES FROM ABOUT 25 COUNTRIES AT THE THIRD WORLD PLUMBING CONFERENCE, THE FIRST OF ITS KIND HOSTED BY HONG KONG.
"HOW WE MANAGE WATER IS A VITAL INGREDIENT CONTRIBUTING TO OUR ECONOMIC SUCCESS AND TO OUR ENVIRONMENTAL RESPONSIBILITIES," HE SAID.
"GOOD PLUMBING MEANS BETTER USE OF WATER, BETTER TREATMENT OF SEWAGE, AND A BETTER CITY," HE ADDED.
/HE STRESSED........
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 16, 1993
5
HE STRESSED THE NEED TO USE WATER PROPERLY AND CAREFULLY, IN ADDITION TO THE NEED TO THINK OF HOW TO MEET THE INCREASED DEMAND FOR WATER.
THE GOVERNMENT WILL SPEND $7.3 BILLION BETWEEN NOW AND 1997 ON A PROGRAMME TO TREAT AND DISPOSE OF SEWAGE CLEANLY.
MR PATTEN SAID THIS WOULD CUT POLLUTION IN THE HARBOUR BY 70 PER CENT.
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VIEWS SOUGHT ON CHILDREN AND YOUTH CENTRE SERVICES
*****
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE URGED TODAY (WEDNESDAY) TO GIVE VIEWS ON A DRAFT REPORT COMPILED BY THE WORKING PARTY ON REVIEW OF CHILDREN AND YOUTH CENTRE SERVICES.
THE CALL WAS MADE BY PROFESSOR FELICE LIEH-MAK, EXECUTIVE COUNCIL MEMBER AND CHAIRPERSON OF THE WORKING PARTY, AND MR IAN STRACHAN, THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE.
AS A FOLLOW-UP TO THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE SOCIAL WELFARE WHITE PAPER IN 1990, THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE APPOINTED A WORKING PARTY IN MARCH LAST YEAR TO REVIEW THE POLICY, OBJECTIVES AND OPERATION OF CHILDREN AND YOUTH CENTRES AND RELATED SERVICES.
SPEAKING AT A PRESS CONFERENCE, MR STRACHAN SAID: ’’THE DRAFT REPORT BY THE WORKING PARTY IS READY FOR PUBLIC CONSULTATION FROM TODAY.”
"I WOULD LIKE TO TAKE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO ENCOURAGE THOSE WHO HAVE AN INTEREST IN OUR SERVICES FOR YOUNG PEOPLE TO HELP US IMPROVE THESE SERVICES,” HE SAID.
MR STRACHAN SAID THE CONSULTATION PERIOD WOULD LAST THREE MONTHS UNTIL THE END OF SEPTEMBER.
A FINAL REPORT WILL BE SUBMITTED TO THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE AFTER CONSULTING THE SOCIAL WELFARE ADVISORY COMMITTEE AND THE COMMISSION ON YOUTH.
HE ADDED THAT THE FINAL REPORT WOULD BE SUBMITTED TO THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL FOR POLICY APPROVAL.
ALSO SPEAKING AT THE PRESS CONFERENCE, PROFESSOR FELICE LIEH-MAK ELABORATED THE FOLLOWING RECOMMENDATIONS BY THE WORKING PARTY:
» OPERATION OF CHILDREN AND YOUTH CENTRES SHOULD BE REFINED TO HAVE SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES.
/TN BRIEF.........
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 16, 1993
6
IN BRIEF, THE OBJECTIVES SHOULD BE TO HELP CHILDREN AND YOUTH RELATE POSITIVELY WITH THEIR FAMILIES, PEERS AND THE GENERAL COMMUNITY; TO ENHANCE THEIR ABILITY IN ACHIEVING LIFE TASKS AND IN OVERCOMING DEVELOPMENTAL CRISES; AND TO HELP THEM ADAPT TO ENVIRONMENTAL DEMANDS AND CHANGES.
PARTICULAR ATTENTION SHOULD BE GIVEN TO CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE WHO ARE IN GREATER NEED OF PROFESSIONAL ASSISTANCE.
* CHILDREN AND YOUTH CENTRES SHOULD REMAIN AS NEIGHBOURHOOD CENTRES AND CONTINUE TO SERVE THOSE AGED BETWEEN SIX AND 24, WITH FLEXIBILITY TO SERVE ’’OLDER YOUTH”.
MOREOVER, SERVICES WILL ALSO BE EXTENDED TO PARENTS AND FAMILY MEMBERS.
♦ PROGRAMMES OFFERED BY THE CENTRES SHOULD BE MORE TARGET-ORIENTED AND MORE SOCIAL WORK-RELATED.
THE FOUR CORE PROGRAMMES SHOULD INCLUDE COUNSELLING SERVICE, SUPPORTIVE SERVICE FOR YOUNG PEOPLE IN NEED OF PROFESSIONAL ASSISTANCE, SOCIALISATION PROGRAMMES AND DEVELOPMENT OF VOLUNTEER SERVICE.
A PILOT COMMUNITY SUPPORT SERVICE SCHEME SHOULD ALSO BE INTRODUCED FOR YOUTH AT RISK.
» SERVICES FOR YOUNG PEOPLE SHOULD BE INTEGRATED AND PROVIDED IN A SPECIFIC CATCHMENT AREA BY A TEAM OF SOCIAL WORKERS UNDER ONE MANAGEMENT STRUCTURE.
THE SERVICES TO BE INTEGRATED ARE CHILDREN AND YOUTH SERVICES, OUTREACHING SOCIAL WORK, SCHOOL SOCIAL WORK, AND WHERE POSSIBLE, FAMILY LIFE EDUCATION.
* CHILDREN AND YOUTH CENTRES SHOULD BE PLANNED ACCORDING TO YOUTH POPULATION AND NOT GENERAL POPULATION.
FOR A CATCHMENT AREA WITH A YOUTH POPULATION OF 12,000, AN INTEGRATED TEAM SHOULD BE ESTABLISHED.
TO STRENGTHEN SOCIAL WORK INPUT, A REVISED STAFFING STRUCTURE WITH MORE TRAINED SOCIAL WORK PERSONNEL IS INTRODUCED. MOREOVER, FLEXIBILITY SHOULD BE ALLOWED IN HANDLING STAFF IMPLICATION ARISING FROM SETTING UP OF INTEGRATED TEAMS.
» FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE INTEGRATED TEAMS, A PHASED APPROACH IS PROPOSED TO TAKE EFFECT FOR PLANNING CHILDREN AND YOUTH CENTRES FROM APRIL 1 NEXT YEAR.
INITIALLY, IT IS ESTIMATED THAT ABOUT 10 TEAMS WOULD BE SET UP WITHIN THE FIRST TWO YEARS OF IMPLEMENTATION.
A MORE REALISTIC TIME FRAME WOULD BE WORKED OUT WITH THE EXPERIENCE GAINED.
COPIES OF THE DRAFT REPORT ARE NOW AVAILABLE FREE OF CHARGE AT ALL DISTRICT OFFICES OF THE DEPARTMENT.
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/7........
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 16, 1993
1991 SURVEY OF BUILDING, CONSTRUCTION AND REAL ESTATE SECTORS
« * » * *
THE GROSS OUTPUT PERFORMED BY CONSTRUCTION ESTABLISHMENTS DURING 1991 AMOUNTED TO $112.2 BILLION, REPRESENTING AN INCREASE OF 11% OVER 1990.
THIS COMPRISED A GROSS VALUE OF $109.9 BILLION FOR THE CONSTRUCTION WORK PERFORMED AND AN INCOME OF $2.3 BILLION FROM OTHER SOURCES.
NET OF TOTAL OPERATING EXPENDITURE, THE GROSS OPERATING SURPLUS AMOUNTED TO 6.4% OF THE GROSS OUTPUT IN 1991. THIS WAS 1.1 PERCENTAGE POINTS HIGHER THAN THE CORRESPONDING FIGURE OF 5.3% IN 1990.
THE FIGURES ARE SOME OF THE MAJOR RESULTS OF THE 1991 SURVEY OF BUILDING, CONSTRUCTION AND REAL ESTATE SECTORS, RELEASED TODAY (WEDNESDAY) BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
THE SURVEY WAS CONDUCTED FROM APRIL 1992 TO EARLY 1993.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID ALL THE VALUE FIGURES WERE EXPRESSED IN CURRENT PRICE TERMS.
"THE PERCENTAGE CHANGES DERIVED FROM THESE FIGURES HAVE NOT BEEN ADJUSTED FOR PRICE INCREASES.
"CAUTION SHOULD THEREFORE BE TAKEN IN INTERPRETING THE SURVEY RESULTS," HE SAID.
IN TERMS OF PERCENTAGE OF GROSS OUTPUT, THE OPERATING EXPENDITURE INCURRED BY CONSTRUCTION ESTABLISHMENTS IN 1991 CONSISTED OF 24.4% OF COMPENSATION OF EMPLOYEES AND PAYMENTS TO LABOUR-ONLY SUBCONTRACTORS; 25% OF CONSUMPTION OF MATERIALS, SUPPLIES, AND MAINTENANCE SERVICES; 37.9% OF PAYMENTS FOR FEE SUB-CONTRACT WORK; AND 6.3% OF OTHER MISCELLANEOUS OPERATING EXPENSES.
COMPARED WITH 1990, THESE PERCENTAGES REMAINED GENERALLY UNCHANGED EXCEPT THAT THE PERCENTAGE OF PAYMENTS FOR FEE SUB-CONTRACT WORK HAD DROPPED BY 2.4 PERCENTAGE POINTS.
THE VALUE ADDED OF THESE ESTABLISHMENTS, WHICH IS A MEASURE OF THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY’S CONTRIBUTION TO HONG KONG’S GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT, AMOUNTED TO $34.5 BILLION IN 1991. THIS REPRESENTED AN INCREASE OF 15.8% OVER 1990.
THE VALUE ADDED CONTENT OF THE GROSS OUTPUT PERFORMED BY THESE ESTABLISHMENTS AMOUNTED TO 30.8%. THIS COMPRISED A SHARE OF 24.4% OF COMPENSATION OF EMPLOYEES AND PAYMENTS TO LABOUR-ONLY SUB-CONTRACTORS; AND 6.4% OF GROSS OPERATING SURPLUS.
COMPARED WITH 1990, THE FORMER SHARE WAS MAINTAINED AND THE LATTER INCREASED BY 1.1 PERCENTAGE POINTS.
THE SURVEY RESULTS ALSO SHOWED THAT 12,800 CONSTRUCTION ESTABLISHMENTS OPERATED IN 1991.
/SOME ^3.2% .......
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 16, 1993
- 8 -
SOME 43.2% OF THE CONSTRUCTION ESTABLISHMENTS WERE ENGAGED IN DECORATION, REPAIR AND MAINTENANCE OF ERECTED BUILDINGS AND STRUCTURES. THEY ACCOUNTED FOR $11.4 BILLION OR 10.2% OF THE GROSS OUTPUT.
ON THE OTHER HAND, THE GENERAL TRADE CONTRACTORS OPERATING AT CONSTRUCTION SITES, THOUGH ONLY ABOUT 6.3% OF THE ESTABLISHMENTS ACCOUNTED FOR $68.5 BILLION OR 61.1% OF THE GROSS OUTPUT.
THE REST OF THE CONSTRUCTION ESTABLISHMENTS CONSISTED MOSTLY OF SPECIAL TRADE CONTRACTORS, SUCH AS CONTRACTORS SPECIALISING IN ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL FITTINGS.
THESE CONTRACTORS CONSTITUTED 50.5% OF THE ESTABLISHMENTS IN THIS INDUSTRIAL SECTOR, AND ACCOUNTED FOR 28.7% OF THE GROSS OUTPUT.
THE SURVEY DID NOT COVER LABOUR-ONLY SUB-CONTRACTORS WHO MAINLY SUPPLIED LABOUR TO WORK ON A JOB-TO-JOB BASIS.
HOWEVER, THE GROSS VALUE OF CONSTRUCTION WORK PERFORMED BY THESE SUB-CONTRACTORS HAD ALREADY BEEN INCLUDED IN THAT OF THOSE CONTRACTORS COMMISSIONING THEIR SERVICES.
APART FROM CONSTRUCTION ESTABLISHMENTS, THE SURVEY ALSO ENUMERATED ESTABLISHMENTS ENGAGED IN REAL ESTATE DEVELOPMENT, LEASING, BROKERAGE AND MAINTENANCE MANAGEMENT SERVICES; AND ARCHITECTURAL, SURVEYING AND PROJECT ENGINEERING SERVICES.
THE GROSS OUTPUT PERFORMED IN RESPECT OF REAL ESTATE DEVELOPMENT, LEASING, BROKERAGE AND MAINTENANCE MANAGEMENT SERVICES ESTABLISHMENTS AMOUNTED TO $59.4 BILLION IN 1991, REPRESENTING AN INCREASE OF 12.7% OVER 1990.
THIS INCLUDED $30.5 BILLION FROM THE SERVICE AND RENTAL INCOME, $28.1 BILLION FROM THE GROSS MARGIN OF REAL ESTATE DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS (EXCLUDING LAND PRICE APPRECIATION) AND $0.7 BILLION FROM OTHER INCOMES.
THE GROSS OPERATING SURPLUS AMOUNTED TO 78.1% OF THE GROSS OUTPUT IN 1991. THIS WAS 2.6 PERCENTAGE POINTS LOWER THAN THE FIGURE OF 80.7% IN 1990.
THE TOTAL OPERATING EXPENDITURE OF THESE ESTABLISHMENTS ACCOUNTED FOR 21.9% OF THE GROSS OUTPUT. COMPARED WITH 1990, THIS WAS HIGHER BY 2.6 PERCENTAGE POINTS.
THE TOTAL VALUE ADDED OF THESE ESTABLISHMENTS WAS $50.8 BILLION IN 1991, REPRESENTING AN INCREASE OF 10.8% OVER 1990.
IT CONSTITUTED 85.6% OF THE GROSS OUTPUT PERFORMED. THIS WAS 1.4 PERCENTAGE POINTS LOWER THAN THE FIGURE OF 87% IN 1990.
THESE FIGURES DID NOT INCLUDE ESTABLISHMENTS WHICH DEVELOPED REAL ESTATE PROJECTS FOR THEIR OWN OCCUPATION, NOR THOSE WHICH OWNED LAND WITHOUT DEVELOPING IT DURING THE REFERENCE YEAR.
/ALSO EXCLUDED .......
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 16, 1993
9
ALSO EXCLUDED WERE REAL ESTATE LEASING AND OTHER ACTIVITIES UNDERTAKEN BY SELF-EMPLOYED PERSONS OR HOUSEHOLDS.
A TOTAL OF 7,400 ESTABLISHMENTS, WHICH WERE ENGAGED IN REAL ESTATE DEVELOPMENT, LEASING, BROKERAGE AND MAINTENANCE MANAGEMENT SERVICES, OPERATED IN 1991.
AS REGARDS ESTABLISHMENTS ENGAGED IN ARCHITECTURAL, SURVEYING AND PROJECT ENGINEERING SERVICES, THE GROSS OUTPUT PERFORMED WAS $5.6 BILLION, REPRESENTING AN INCREASE OF 15.5% OVER 1990.
THIS CONSISTED OF $5.3 BILLION OF SERVICE INCOME AND $0.3 BILLION OF OTHER INCOMES.
THE GROSS OPERATING SURPLUS AMOUNTED TO 16.6% OF THE GROSS OUTPUT IN 1991, REPRESENTING 0.8 PERCENTAGE POINT HIGHER THAN THE FIGURE OF 15.8% IN 1990.
THE TOTAL OPERATING EXPENDITURE OF THESE ESTABLISHMENTS ACCOUNTED FOR 83.4% OF THE GROSS OUTPUT. THIS WAS 0.8 PERCENTAGE POINT LOWER THAN THE FIGURE OF 84.2% IN 1990.
THE TOTAL VALUE ADDED OF THESE ESTABLISHMENTS WAS $3.6 BILLION TN 1991, REPRESENTING AN INCREASE OF 17.6% OVER 1990. IT CONSTITUTED 63.7% OF THE GROSS OUTPUT PERFORMED. COMPARED WITH 1990, THIS PERCENTAGE INCREASED BY 1.1 PERCENTAGE POINTS.
SOME 810 ESTABLISHMENTS, WHICH WERE ENGAGED IN ARCHITECTURAL, SURVEYING AND PROJECT ENGINEERING SERVICES, OPERATED IN 1991.
FOR REAL ESTATE DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS, THE VALUE ACCRUED TO PRIVATE SECTOR PROJECTS DURING 1991 WAS $57.3 BILLION, REPRESENTING AN INCREASE OF 11.8% OVER THE CORRESPONDING VALUE IN 1990.
THE INCREASE WAS LARGELY DUE TO INCREASED WORK DONE IN RESIDENTIAL PREMISES.
THE TOTAL PROJECT OUTLAYS AMOUNTED TO $34.1 BILLION WHICH INCLUDED, FOR INSTANCE, PAYMENTS TO CONTRACTORS AND INTEREST PAYMENTS.
SUMMARY STATISTICS FOR THE 1991 SURVEY OF BUILDING, CONSTRUCTION AND REAL ESTATE SECTORS WILL BE INCLUDED IN THE APRIL 1993 ISSUE OF THE HONG KONG MONTHLY DIGEST OF STATISTICS PUBLISHED BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
MORE DETAILED RESULTS WILL BE GIVEN IN A FULL SURVEY REPORT TO BE PUBLISHED AROUND JULY.
ENQUIRIES REGARDING THE SURVEY RESULTS MAY BE DIRECTED TO THE BUILDING, CONSTRUCTION AND REAL ESTATE STATISTICS SECTION OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT ON TELEPHONE 839 3204.
Z10........
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 16, 1993
FIVE AGENTS HELP SELL GOVERNMENT FLATS *****
THE GOVERNMENT PROPERTY ADMINISTRATOR, MR IAN WOTHERSPOON, WILL SIGN AGENCY AGREEMENTS ON FRIDAY (JUNE 18) WITH FIVE REAL ESTATE AGENTS WHICH PROVIDE SALES SERVICES FOR THE DISPOSAL OF SURPLUS FLATS.
THE AGENTS ARE COLLIERS JARDINE AGENCY LTD, JONES LANG WOOTTON LTD, L & D ASSOCIATES LTD, MIDLAND REALTY INTERNATIONAL LTD AND VIGERS HONG KONG LTD.
THE AGREEMENTS WILL REPLACE EXISTING ONES EXPIRING AT THE END OF THIS MONTH. THE SERVICES CONTRACTS WILL BE EFFECTIVE UNTIL JUNE 30, 1995.
SINCE THE INTRODUCTION OF THE SCHEME IN APRIL LAST YEAR, 13 UNITS HAVE BEEN SOLD REALISING A TOTAL OF $86 MILLION. FURTHER SURPLUS FLATS WILL BE PLACED IN THE MARKET.
ATTENTION NEWS EDITORS:
THE SIGNING CEREMONY WILL START AT 2.30 PM ON FRIDAY IN THE EPD SEMINAR ROOM, 31ST FLOOR, REVENUE TOWER, 5 GLOUCESTER ROAD.
MEDIA MEMBERS ARE WELCOME TO COVER THE EVENT. CHIEF PROPERTY MANAGER OF THE GOVERNMENT PROPERTY AGENCY, MR F P WONG, WILL BE AVAILABLE TO ANSWER QUESTIONS.
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FINANCE COMMITTEE MEETING
*****
THE FINANCE COMMITTEE WILL HOLD A MEETING AT 2.30 PM ON FRIDAY (JUNE 18) 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 AFTER 2.30 PM TOMORROW (THURSDAY) TN THE PRESS ROOM OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL BUILDING, JACKSON ROAD, CENTRAL. PLEASE NOTE THAT THE PAPERS ARE NOT FOR USE UNTIL THE MEETING IS OVER.
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WEDNESDAY, JUNE 16, 1993
11
FRESH WATER CUT IN TAI PO ♦ * » * »
FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO SOME PREMISES IN TAI PO WILL GO OFF FROM 10 PM ON FRIDAY (JUNE 18) TO 6 AM THE FOLLOWING DAY TO FACILITATE WASTE DETECTION WORK ON WATER MAINS.
THE SUSPENSION WILL AFFECT ALL THE PREMISES IN HONG LOK YUEN AND THE ELECTRIC SUB-STATION AT HONG LOK YUEN ROAD.
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HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS *****
$ MILLION
OPENING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT 2,582
REVERSAL OF LAF 4-218
BALANCE AFTER REVERSAL OF LAF 2,800
NET INJECTION/WITHDRAWAL TODAY NIL
EFFECT OF LAF TODAY -820
CLOSING BALANCE TN THE ACCOUNT 1,980
LAF RATE 2.00 BID/4.00 OFFER TWI 111.9 *+0.3* 16.6.1993
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND
EF BILLS EF NOTES/HONG KONG GOVERNMENT BONDS
TERMS YIELD TERM ISSUE COUPON PRICE YIELD
1 WEEK 2.70 PCT 14 MONTHS 2408 4.375 100.72 3.77
1 MONTH 2.86 PCT 17 MONTHS 2411 4.625 100.95 3.97
3 MONTHS 3.01 PCT 20 MONTHS 2502 4.75 100.99 4.17
6 MONTHS 3.30 PCT 23 MONTHS 2505 3.75 99.00 4.34
12 MONTHS 3.60 PCT
TOTAL TURNOVER OF BILLS AND BONDS - 8,706 MN
CLOSED 16 JUNE 1993 ---------------------------------0--------
R““f 2 ™
OP—________
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
THURSDAY, JUNE 17, 1993
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
SCHOOLS ADVISED OF RAINSTORM ARRANGEMENTS .................... 1
GREATER PROTECTION FOR INSURANCE POLICY HOLDERS PROPOSED .... 2
VISA-FREE ENTRY OF PRC NATIONALS IN TRANSIT .................. 3
WHARF CABLE TO BROADCAST API ................................. 4
RESULTS OF 1992 SURVEY ON DRUG USE AMONG STUDENTS ............ 5
CONSULTATIVE PAPER ON LEGAL AID RELEASED ..................... 7
PROTECTION OF INVESTORS (AMENDMENT) BILL 1993 ................ 8
UNEMPLOYMENT AND UNDEREMPLOYMENT STATISTICS FOR FEBRUARY -APRIL ......................................................... 9
CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY URGED TO TAKE PART TN ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION .................................................. 10
OPERATION TO STAMP OUT ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS .................... 11
17,000 SIGN UP AS VOTERS ..................................... 12
NEW FOOD HANDLING CONCEPT INTRODUCED ......................... 13
FREE VEHICLE DTSPOSAI SERVICE ................................ 14
CONTRACT SIGNED FOR WATER TREATMENT WORKS .................... 15
BEACH WATER GRADES ........................................... 16
CALL TO JOIN COLLEGES OF EDUCATION ........................... 19
LOCAL ARTS GROUPS OBTAIN GRANTS .............................. 20
YOUNG VIOLINIST TO ATTEND USA MUSIC CAMP ..................... 21
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS
22
THURSDAY, JUNE 17, 1993
- 1
SCHOOLS ADVISED OF RAINSTORM ARRANGEMENTS
*****
IN RESPONSE TO MEDIA ENQUIRIES CONCERNING CERTAIN SCHOOLS WHICH WERE ALLEGED TO HAVE SENT CHILDREN HOME IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT SUSPENDED ALL CLASSES YESTERDAY MORNING FOLLOWING THE RED RAINSTORM ALERT, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT SAID:
’’SCHOOLS ARE FULLY AWARE OF WHAT THEY SHOULD DO IN THE EVENT OF A RAINSTORM. THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT ISSUED A GENERAL ADMINISTRATION CIRCULAR ON TROPICAL CYCLONES, HEAVY PERSISTENT RAIN AND THUNDERSTORMS TO ALL SCHOOLS LAST SEPTEMBER FOLLOWING THE INTRODUCTION OF THE NEW RAINSTORM WARNING SYSTEM.”
THE CIRCULAR STIPULATED THAT IF THE WEATHER SITUATION SUDDENLY DETERIORATES, IT MAY BE NECESSARY FOR THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION TO ANNOUNCE THE SUSPENSION OF CLASSES.
IN SUCH AN EVENT, PUPILS SHOULD STAY HOME IF THEY HAVE NOT ALREADY SET OUT FOR SCHOOL, AND THOSE WHO HAVE ALREADY ARRIVED AT SCHOOL SHOULD STAY THERE UNTIL THE SITUATION WARRANTS A SAFE JOURNEY HOME. X?
’’EACH SCHOOL HAS BEEN ADVISED TO DRAW UP A CONTINGENCY PLAN IN ADVANCE TO COVER SUCH A SITUATION.
"THE PLAN SHOULD ENSURE THAT THE SCHOOL PREMISES WILL BE OPEN, THAT SOME TEACHERS LIVfNG CLOSE BY WILL BE AT SCHOOL TO LOOK AFTER THE PUPILS, AND THAT SAFE AND ADEQUATE ARRANGEMENTS ARE MADE FOR THEM TO RETURN HOME AT AN APPROPRIATE TIME," HE SAID.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID SCHOOLS HAD ALSO BEEN ADVISED THAT PARENTS SHOULD BE INFORMED OF THESE ARRANGEMENTS AT THE START OF EACH SCHOOL YEAR.
"AN ANNOUNCEMENT OF CLOSURE WHILE SCHOOLS ARE IN SESSION DOES
NOT NECESSARILY MEAN THAT ALL PUPILS MUST BE SENT HOME IMMEDIATELY.
"ALL HEADMASTERS, PRINCIPALS AND THEIR STAFF MUST KEEP PUPILS IN SCHOOL UNTIL THEY CAN BE RELEASED TO RETURN HOME IN SAFETY," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
COMMENTING ON ALLEGATIONS MADE BY SOME PARENTS THAT THEIR CHILDREN WERE SENT HOME IMMEDIATELY AFTER CLASSES WERE SUSPENDED YESTERDAY, THE SPOKESMAN URGED THESE PARENTS TO REPORT THE INCIDENTS TO THE RELEVANT EDUCATION DEPARTMENT DISTRICT OFFICE SO THAT INVESTIGATIONS CAN BE CONDUCTED.
HE ADDED THAT THE DEPARTMENT WILL RE-ISSUE THE CIRCULAR TOMORROW (FRIDAY) TO REMIND SCHOOLS OF THE ARRANGEMENTS.
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THURSDAY, JUNE 17, 1993
2
GREATER PROTECTION FOR INSURANCE POLICY HOLDERS PROPOSED *****
THE GOVERNMENT IS PROPOSING TO PROVIDE GREATER SECURITY FOR INSURANCE POLICY HOLDERS BY REQUIRING A GENERAL INSURER TO MAINTAIN, IN ADDITION TO THE STATUTORY SOLVENCY MARGIN, ADEQUATE ASSETS IN HONG KONG TO MATCH THE LIABILITIES FROM THAT BUSINESS.
THE PROPOSALS ARE SET OUT IN THE INSURANCE COMPANIES (AMENDMENT)(NO. 2) BILL 1993 TO BE GAZETTED TOMORROW (FRIDAY). THE BILL WILL BE INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON JUNE 30.
AT PRESENT, AN INSURER CARRYING ON BUSINESS IN IIONG KONG IS NOT REQUIRED TO MAINTAIN ASSETS HERE SUFFICIENT TO MEET ITS LOCAL LIABILITIES.
ALTHOUGH THE INSURANCE AUTHORITY IS EMPOWERED BY THE INSURANCE ORDINANCE TO IMPOSE A LOCAL ASSET REQUIREMENT, THE INSURER’S FINANCIAL POSITION MUST PROVIDE HIM WITH ADEQUATE GROUNDS FOR SO DOING.
"THIS IS UNSATISFACTORY AS LOCAL POLICY HOLDERS WILL HAVE NO ASSURANCE THAT THEIR LEGITIMATE CLAIMS AGAINST AN INSURER CAN BE MET IN THE EVENT OF THAT INSURER’S INSOLVENCY," A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (THURSDAY).
"THESE CONCERNS APPLY PARTICULARLY TO AN OVERSEAS INSURER, AS THE AUTHORITY MAY NOT BE AWARE OF PROBLEMS AFFECTING ITS WORLDWIDE OPERATIONS UNTIL IT IS TOO LATE TO TAKE ANY EFFECTIVE ACTION," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
"THERE HAVE BEEN INCIDENTS IN THE PAST WHEN THE INTERESTS OF POLICY HOLDERS HAVE SUFFERED BECAUSE AN AILING INSURER’S ASSETS HAVE BEEN REMOVED OVERSEAS AND HAVE BEEN DIFFICULT OR IMPOSSIBLE TO RECOVER," THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
TO RECTIFY THE SITUATION, A SERIES OF PROPOSALS WERE INTRODUCED. 9
CLAUSE 2 OF THE BILL WOULD THUS IMPOSE A REQUIREMENT ON THE INSURER TO MAINTAIN ASSETS IN HONG KONG OF UP TO 80 PER CENT OF ITS LIABILITIES ARISING FROM ITS HONG KONG GENERAL BUSINESS PLUS THE SOLVENCY MARGIN, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
THE SAME PERCENTAGE IS ALSO REQUIRED IN THE UNITED .KINGDOM.
A LIST OF ASSETS WHICH MAY QUALIFY AS HONG KONG ASSETS IS SET OUT IN CLAUSE 1.
"BY REQUIRING THE INSURER TO MAINTAIN ASSETS IN HONG KONG SUFFICIENT TO COVER ITS LOCAL LIABILITIES, THE PROPOSED ASSET-MATCHING REQUIREMENT WOULD GREATLY ENHANCE PROTECTION FOR POLICY HOLDERS IN THE EVENT OF THE INSURER’S BANKRUPTCY," THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
THE INSURANCE AUTHORITY WOULD ALSO BE EMPOWERED, AT HIS DISCRETION, TO ADMIT AS HONG KONG ASSETS, IN INDIVIDUAL CASES, ITEMS NOT SPECIFIED IN THE LIST.
/"THIS COULD .......
THURSDAY, JUNE 17, 1993
3
"THIS COULD ENABLE THE AUTHORITY TO RESPOND FLEXIBLY TO CHANGING MARKET CIRCUMSTANCES AND, TO ENABLE THE GENERAL INSURERS TO MAINTAIN A PRUDENT SPREAD OF INVESTMENTS,” HE SAID.
THE REQUIREMENT WOULD ONLY APPLY, INITIALLY, TO GENERAL INSURERS, THE SPOKESMAN SAID, BUT HE ADDED THAT THE INSURANCE AUTHORITY WOULD CONSIDER WHETHER AND HOW TO EXTEND THE REQUIREMENT TO LONG-TERM INSURERS.
’’FURTHER, REINSURERS HERE AS IN THE UNITED KINGDOM WOULD BE EXEMPT FROM THE REQUIREMENT. THIS IS BECAUSE REINSURANCE CONTRACTS NORMALLY COVER MORE THAN ONE JURISDICTION WITHIN ONE CONTRACT AND THE REINSURER WOULD PROBABLY HAVE DIFFICULTY ATTRIBUTING PARTICULAR LIABILITIES TO A PARTICULAR JURISDICTION,” HE SAID.
’’THE PROPOSED ASSET-MATCHING REQUIREMENT IS A COMMON FEATURE OF OTHER JURISDICTIONS,” THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
HE SAID TO FACILITATE COMPLIANCE WITH THE REQUIREMENT BY INSURERS, A GRACE PERIOD OF ABOUT SIX MONTHS WOULD BE ALLOWED FROM ENACTMENT OF THE BILL.
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VISA-FREE ENTRY OF PRC NATIONALS IN TRANSIT
THE GOVERNMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (THURSDAY) THAT WITH EFFECT FROM AUGUST 1, NATIONALS OF THE PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF CHINA (PRC) TRANSITING THROUGH HONG KONG TO AND FROM OVERSEAS WILL BE GRANTED VISA-FREE ENTRY OF SEVEN DAYS.
AT PRESENT, PRC PASSPORT HOLDERS TRAVELLING THROUGH HONG KONG ARE REQUIRED TO OBTAIN A VISA TO ENTER HONG KONG.
SUCH VISAS ARE ISSUED UPON ENTRY AT LOWU, OR THROUGH AN OVERSEAS BRITISH VISA POST.
TO EASE THE CONGESTION AT LOWU AND TO FACILITATE THE TRAVELLERS, HOLDERS OF PRC PASSPORTS TRAVELLING THROUGH HONG KONG WILL BE ALLOWED VISA-FREE ENTRY OF SEVEN DAYS IF THEY ARE GENUINELY IN TRANSIT.
THEY WILL BE REQUIRED TO PROVE THAT THEY HAVE VALID PASSPORTS, CONFIRMED ONWARD TICKETS AND ONWARD FACILITIES, INCLUDING ENTRY FACILITIES FOR THE COUNTRIES EN ROUTE, IF NECESSARY.
THE VISA-FREE ARRANGEMENT WILL ALSO COVER PRC TRANSITEES WHO TRAVEL TO AND FROM TAIWAN ON TWO-WAY PERMITS.
WITH THESE CHANGES, PRC TRANSITEES MAY ENTER HONG KONG VIA ANY IMMIGRATION CONTROL POINT.
/"IN LIBERALISING .......
THURSDAY, JUNE 17, 1993
4
"IN LIBERALISING THE VISA ARRANGEMENTS FOR PRC TRANSITEES, WE ARE NOT RELAXING OUR IMMIGRATION CONTROL BUT RATHER SIMPLIFYING THE PROCEDURES INVOLVED IN EXERCISING THE CONTROL," A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID.
THE SPOKESMAN ALSO REITERATED THE GOVERNMENT POLICY OF REPATRIATING ALL ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS. "THERE WILL BE NO AMNESTY," HE SAID.
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WHARF CABLE TO BROADCAST API
* » * * *
THE BROADCASTING AUTHORITY MET TODAY (THURSDAY) AND DECIDED THAT WHARF CABLE SHOULD BE REQUIRED TO BROADCAST A MAXIMUM OF ONE MINUTE OF ANNOUNCEMENTS IN THE PUBLIC INTEREST (API) PER EVERY TWO CLOCK HOURS PER CHANNEL ON SUBSCRIPTION TELEVISION.
THIS IS HALF THE MAXIMUM AMOUNT REQUIRED OF THE TWO WIRELESS TELEVISION STATIONS.
IN COMING TO THIS DECISION, THE BROADCASTING AUTHORITY HAS HAD REGARD TO THE MULTI-CHANNEL NATURE OF SUBSCRIPTION TELEVISION AND THE AVAILABILITY OF MORE AIR TIME FOR THE BROADCAST OF API’S.
THE API REQUIREMENT WOULD NOT APPLY TO STAR TV’S SATELLITE TELEVISION CHANNELS CARRIED BY WHARF CABLE.
STAR TV, BEING A REGIONAL SERVICE, IS NOT REQUIRED UNDER ITS LICENCE TO BROADCAST LOCAL PUBLIC SERVICE MESSAGES.
MOREOVER, THE API REQUIREMENT FOR PAY-PER-VIEW CHANNELS WOULD BE CONFINED TO ESSENTIAL EMERGENCY MESSAGES SUCH AS WEATHER INFORMATION PROVIDED BY THE ROYAL OBSERVATORY.
THE BROADCASTING AUTHORITY ALSO CONSIDERED ATV’S APPLICATION FOR THE EXTENSION OF HORSE RACING PROGRAMMES ON THE WORLD CHANNEL ON WEDNESDAYS AND SATURDAYS DURING THE HORSE RACING SEASON 1993/94 FROM ONE-AND-A-HALF HOURS TO TWO HOURS BY ADVANCING THE STARTING TIME FROM 9 PM TO 8.30 PM.
THE BROADCASTING AUTHORITY ACCEPTED THAT THE EXTENSION WAS NOT IN CONFLICT WITH THE FAMILY VIEWING POLICY WHICH STIPULATES THAT NOTHING UNSUITABLE FOR CHILDREN COULD BE SHOWN BETWEEN 4 PM AND 8.30 PM AND THAT WITH THE ADVENT OF SATELLITE AND SUBSCRIPTION TELEVISION, THE EXTENSION OF HORSE RACING PROGRAMMES SHOULD NOT UNDULY REDUCE THE CHOICE OF PROGRAMMING OF VIEWERS WHO ARE NOT INTERESTED IN HORSE RACING.
THE EXTENSION WOULD BE SUBJECT TO REVIEW AFTER THE 1993/94 SEASON.
/AS A ........
THURSDAY, JUNE 17, 1993
- 5 -
AS A REGULAR AGENDA ITEM, THE BROADCASTING AUTHORITY CONSIDERED REPORT OF ITS COMPLAINTS COMMITTEE AND ENDORSED THE COMMITTEE’S DECISIONS IN RESPECT OF ALL THE COMPLAINTS DEALT WITH IN THE PAST MONTH.
SEVEN COMPLAINTS ABOUT UNSATISFACTORY TELEVISION RECEPTION AND ONE COMPLAINT ABOUT UNSATISFACTORY RADIO RECEPTION HAD ALSO BEEN REFERRED TO THE TELECOMMUNICATIONS AUTHORITY FOR INVESTIGATION.
THE BROADCASTING AUTHORITY ALSO ACKNOWLEDGED RECEIPT OF AN APPLICATION FROM THE NEWS CORPORATION LTD TO ACQUIRE THE SHARES OF TVB. THE APPLICATION WILL BE DEALT WITH EXPEDITIOUSLY.
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RESULTS OF 1992 SURVEY ON DRUG USE AMONG STUDENTS
*****
A TERRITORY-WIDE SURVEY HAS FOUND THAT MORE SECONDARY SCHOOlJ AND TECHNICAL INSTITUTE STUDENTS HAVE ABUSED PSYCHOTROPIC SUBSTANCES. |
THE SURVEY COVERED THE USE OF HEROIN AMONG SECONDARY SCHOOL AND TECHNICAL INSTITUTE STUDENTS FOR THE FIRST TIME.
SOME KEY FINDINGS OF THE 1992 SURVEY ON DRUG USE AMONG STUDENTS OF SECONDARY SCHOOLS AND TECHNICAL INSTITUTES WERE RELEASED TODAY (THURSDAY) AFTER BEING STUDIED BY THE ACTION COMMITTEE AGAINST NARCOTICS (ACAN).
THE SURVEY WAS CONDUCTED BY THE NARCOTICS DIVISION, GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT, AS A FOLLOW-UP TO THE SECOND SURVEY IN 1990 WITH THE OBJECTIVE TO COLLECT MORE COMPREHENSIVE AND UP-TO-DATE DATA.
A TOTAL OF SOME 110,000 STUDENTS WERE ENUMERATED, FROM 130 CHINESE-SPEAKING SCHOOLS, SEVEN TECHNICAL INSTITUTES AND 22 INTERNATIONAL SCHOOLS.
ALL THE STUDENTS SURVEYED WERE ASKED TO COMPLETE CONFIDENTIALLY AND ANONYMOUSLY A QUESTIONNAIRE WITH 46 QUESTIONS COVERING SUCH POINTS AS THE NON-MEDICAL USE OF PSYCHOTROPIC SUBSTANCES AND HEROIN, THEIR ATTITUDES AND REASONS FOR ABUSING THE SUBSTANCES AND HEROIN, AND THEIR SOURCES OF SUCH DRUGS.
THE 1992 SURVEY REVEALED THAT 2.9 PER CENT OF STUDENTS IN CHINESE-SPEAKING SECONDARY SCHOOLS HAD EVER ABUSED PSYCHOTROPIC SUBSTANCES. THE CORRESPONDING RATE IN THE 1990 SURVEY WAS 2.1 PER CENT.
ALSO, 0.3 PER CENT OF STUDENTS IN THESE SCHOOLS REPORTED THAT THEY HAD EVER ABUSED HEROIN. THE PERCENTAGES OF STUDENTS REPORTED TO HAVE ABUSED HEROIN AND PSYCHOTROPIC SUBSTANCES IN THE FOUR WEEKS PRECEDING THE SURVEY WERE 0.1 AND 0.8 ONLY, INDICATING THAT THE MAJORITY WERE NO LONGER ABUSING THE DRUGS.
/THE PROPORTION .......
THURSDAY, JUNE 17, .1993
- 6
THE PROPORTION OF STUDENTS ENROLLED IN THE FULL-TIME COURSE OF TECHNICAL INSTITUTES, AND REPORTED TO HAVE EVER ABUSED PSYCHOTROPIC SUBSTANCES WAS 2.7 PER CENT. THE CORRESPONDING FIGURE TN THE 1990 SURVEY RESULTS WAS 2.5 PER CENT.
OF THOSE ENROLLED TN FULL-TIME COURSES, 0.4 PER CENT REPORTED TO HAVE EVER ABUSED HEROIN.
AGAIN, THE PERCENTAGES OF STUDENTS REPORTED TO HAVE ABUSED HEROIN AND PSYCHOTROPIC SUBSTANCES IN THE FOUR WEEKS PRECEDING THE SURVEY WERE MUCH LOWER, AT 0.1 PER CENT AND 0.6 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY.
THE PERCENTAGE OF STUDENTS IN INTERNATIONAL SCHOOLS REPORTED TO HAVE EVER ABUSED PSYCHOTROPIC SUBSTANCES WAS 8.1 PER CENT. THE CORRESPONDING RATE IN 1990 WAS 5.3 PER CENT. 1.6 PER CENT OF STUDENTS REPORTED TO HAVE EVER ABUSED HEROIN.
NEVERTHELESS ONLY 0.6 PER CENT AND 2.4 PER CENT OF THE STUDENTS REPORTED TO HAVE ABUSED HEROIN AND PSYCHOTROPIC SUBSTANCES RESPECTIVELY IN THE FOUR WEEKS PRECEDING THE SURVEY.
THE COMMON AGES OF THOSE STUDENTS IN CHINESE-SPEAKING AND INTERNATIONAL SCHOOLS REPORTED TO HAVE ABUSED HEROIN OR PSYCHOTROPIC SUBSTANCES WERE BETWEEN 14 AND 16.
FOR TECHNICAL INSTITUTES, THE MAJORITY OF HEROIN OR PSYCHOTROPIC SUBSTANCE ABUSERS WERE MALE, AND THEIR COMMON AGES WERE BETWEEN 16 AND 18.
THE MAIN REPORTED REASONS FOR HEROIN OR PSYCHOTROPIC SUBSTANCE ABUSE WERE CURIOSITY, FOLLOWED BY PEER INFLUENCE AND BOREDOM/DEPRESSION.
THE LATEST SURVEY ALSO COVERED THE USE OF ALCOHOL AND TOBACCO AMONG SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS. THE REPORTED PERCENTAGES OF STUDENTS EVER SMOKED RANGED FROM 25.6 PER CENT TO 39.0 PER CENT.
THE RELEVANT PERCENTAGES FOR ALCOHOL (INCLUDING BEER, WINE AND SPIRITS) RANGE FROM 73.1 PER CENT TO 88.3 PER CENT.
MORE DETAILED ANALYSES WILL BE INCLUDED IN A REPORT OF THE 1992 SURVEY TO BE PUBLISHED IN SEPTEMEBR 1993.
COMMENTING ON THE SURVEY FINDINGS, THE CHAIRMAN OF * ACAN, PROF C N CHEN, SAID THE SURVEY HAD PROVIDED A CLEARER INDICATION OF THE DRUG PROBLEMS AMONG STUDENTS.
"TO TACKLE THE PROBLEM, ACAN CONSIDERED AT ITS MEETING THIS AFTERNOON THAT DEMAND REDUCTION EFFORTS, PARTICULARLY AIMED AT YOUNGSTERS, SHOULD BE STRENGTHENED," HE ADDED.
IN SO FAR AS TREATMENT AND REHABILITATION SERVICES ARE CONCERNED, THE SOCIETY FOR THE AID AND REHABILITATION OF DRUG ABUSERS AND OTHER VOLUNTARY AGENCIES HAVE BEEN CONSULTED ON DESIGNATING SPECIAL FACILITIES FOR YOUNG OPIATE DRUG ABUSERS.
THEY WILL ALSO BE CONSULTED ON EXPANDING THEIR REGIONAL OFFICES/CENTRES TO INCLUDE ADVISORY SERVICES ON DRUG TREATMENT.
/ON PUBLICITY, .......
THURSDAY, JUNE 17, 1993
- 7 -
ON PUBLICITY, PROF CHEN SAID A NEW SERIES OF ANNOUNCEMENTS IN THE PUBLIC INTEREST CONCERNING DRUG AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE WOULD BE RELEASED NEXT MONTH FOR TELEVISION AND RADIO BROADCAST, TOGETHER WITH CORRESPONDING POSTER AND LEAFLET.
THE MAIN THEME WILL BE AN APPEAL TO PARENTS TO PAY MORE
ATTENTION TO THEIR CHILDREN TO STEER THEM AWAY FROM SUBSTANCE ABUSE.
"ON PREVENTIVE EDUCATION, THE DRUG EDUCATION SCHOOL TALKS WILL BE EXTENDED TO INCLUDE PRIMARY SIX FROM SEPTEMBER 1993 ONWARDS. DRUG EDUCATION SEMINARS ARE ALSO ORGANISED FOR PARENTS, TEACHERS, SOCIAL WORKERS, AND FINAL YEAR STUDENTS OF COLLEGES OF EDUCATION," HE ADDED.
LIAISON WITH VOLUNTARY AGENCIES IS BEING STEPPED UP BY THE NARCOTICS DIVISION, WHICH WILL ENHANCE EFFECTIVE MONITORING OF DRUG TRENDS AND APPROPRIATE ACTIVITIES TO ADDRESS THE PROBLEM.
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CONSULTATIVE PAPER ON LEGAL AID RELEASED
♦ * * * »
THE GOVERNMENT ISSUES A CONSULTATIVE PAPER TODAY (THURSDAY) TO SOLICIT COMMENTS ON THE PRELIMINARY FINDINGS OF AN INTER-DEPARTMENTAL WORKING GROUP’S REVIEW OF THE LAW, POLICY AND PRACTICE GOVERNING THE PROVISION OF LEGAL AID SERVICES IN HONG KONG.
THE WORKING GROUP HAS COMPLETED A PRELIMINARY STUDY, WHICH FOCUSED ON ASSEMBLY OF FACTS AND IDENTIFICATION OF ISSUES AND POSSIBLE OPTIONS FOR IMPROVEMENT IN THE PROVISION OF LEGAL AID.
THE WORKING GROUP’S FINDINGS ARE SET OUT IN THE CONSULTATIVE PAPER ON LEGAL AID.
"COPIES OF THE CONSULTATIVE PAPER ARE AVAILABLE, IN BOTH ENGLISH AND CHINESE, AT PUBIC ENQUIRY SERVICE COUNTERS OF THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION," A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID.
"MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE WELCOME TO OFFER THEIR COMMENTS ON THE FINDINGS OF THE WORKING GROUP."
COPIES ARE ALSO MADE AVAILABLE TO MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, URBAN COUNCIL, REGIONAL COUNCIL, DISTRICT BOARDS AND OTHER INTERESTED GROUPS.
THE LEGAL PROFESSION IS ALSO BEING CONSULTED ON THE SUBJECT, HE SAID.
"OUR AIM IS TO FORMULATE THE FINAL RECOMMENDATIONS, AFTER TAKING INTO ACCOUNT THE FEEDBACK ON THE CONSULTATIVE PAPER, TOWARDS THE END OF THIS YEAR," THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
ALL COMMENTS ON THE CONSULTATIVE PAPER SHOULD BE SENT TO THE DIRECTOR OF ADMINISTRATION ON THE FIFTH FLOOR, MAIN WING, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, LOWER ALBERT ROAD, CENTRAL, HONG KONG, ON OR BEFORE AUGUST 16 THIS YEAR.
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/8......
THURSDAY, JUNE 17, 1993
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PROTECTION OF INVESTORS (AMENDMENT) BILL 1993
******
THE PROTECTION OF INVESTORS (AMENDMENT) BILL 1993, WHICH SEEKS TO CLARIFY THE SCOPE OF CERTAIN PROVISIONS OF THE PROTECTION OF INVESTORS ORDINANCE, WILL BE INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON JUNE 30.
"THE ORDINANCE AIMS AT PROVIDING FOR THE PROTECTION OF INVESTORS IN SECURITIES AND OTHER FORMS OF PROPERTY," THE SECRETARY FOR FINANCIAL SERVICES, MR MICHAEL CARTLAND, SAID TODAY (THURSDAY).
"SOME OF THE PROPOSED AMENDMENTS REFLECT SUGGESTIONS MADE BY THE LAW SOCIETY AND THE HONG KONG CAPITAL MARKETS ASSOCIATION FOR FURTHER IMPROVEMENTS TO THE ORDINANCE," HE ADDED.
THE MAJOR PROPOSALS CONCERN THE EXEMPTION FROM VARIOUS PROHIBITIONS OF ADVERTISEMENTS AND DOCUMENTS RELATING TO THE ISSUE OF CAPITAL MARKET INSTRUMENTS, INCLUDING:
» NET ASSET RATHER THAN PAID-UP SHARE CAPITAL WILL BE USED AS A MORE MEANINGFUL MEASURE OF THE NET WORTH OF A CORPORATION ISSUING A DEBT MARKET INSTRUMENT. THE LEVEL WILL BE INCREASED FROM HK$75 MILLION TO HK$100 MILLION SO THAT ONLY MORE SUBSTANTIAL CORPORATE ISSUERS WOULD BE ELIGIBLE FOR EXEMPTION;
♦ EXEMPTION WILL BE EXTENDED TO AN INSTRUMENT ISSUED BY A CORPORATION WHICH COMPLIES WITH THE NET ASSET REQUIREMENT, PROVIDED THE INSTRUMENT IS GUARANTEED BY AN AUTHORISED INSTITUTION, A MULTILATERAL AGENCY OR AN EXEMPTED BODY (EXCEPT LISTED CORPORATIONS NOT MEETING THE ASSET REQUIREMENT OR WHOLLY OWNED SUBSIDIARIES OF A LISTED CORPORATION);
* EXEMPTION WILL BE EXTENDED TO INSTRUMENTS ISSUED BY A WHOLLY OWNED SUBSIDIARY AND GUARANTEED BY ITS LISTED PARENT CORPORATION PROVIDED THAT THAT CORPORATION COMPLIES WITH THE NET ASSET REQUIREMENT;
♦ THE SECURITIES AND FUTURES COMMISSION (SFC) WILL BE ALLOWED TO TAKE INTO ACCOUNT FEATURES OF A DEBT MARKET INSTRUMENT IN DECIDING ON APPLICATIONS FOR AUTHORISATION OF ANY
ADVERTISEMENT, INVITATION OR DOCUMENT RELATED THERETO; AND
♦ THE SFC WILL BE EMPOWERED TO REFUSE TO AUTHORISE ANY ADVERTISEMENT, INVITATION OR DOCUMENT RELATING TO SECURITIES, PROPERTY OTHER THAN SECURITIES, OR INVESTMENT ARRANGEMENTS IF IT IS SATISFIED THAT THE MATTER IS NOT IN THE INTERESTS OF THE INVESTING PUBLIC.
APART FROM THESE CLARIFICATIONS OF THE SCOPE OF THE ORDINANCE, IT IS PROPOSED TO ADD A NEW CATEGORY OF EXEMPTION FOR ADVERTISEMENT, INVITATION OR DOCUMENT RELATING TO ISSUES OF SECURITIES, INCLUDING DEBT SECURITIES AND WARRANTS, LISTED ON THE STOCK EXCHANGE OF HONG KONG LTD (SEHK).
/•’SUCH ISSUES .........
THURSDAY, JUNE 17, 1993
- 9 -
"SUCH ISSUES WOULD ALREADY HAVE COMPLIED WITH SEHK’S LISTING REQUIREMENTS AND HENCE SHOULD BE EXEMPTED FROM DOUBLE VETTING UNDER THIS ORDINANCE," MR CARTLAND SAID.
"THIS UPDATING AND CLARIFICATION TO THE SCOPE OF THE ORDINANCE SHOULD FACILITATE THE FURTHER DEVELOPMENT OF THE CAPITAL MARKETS IN HONG KONG," MR CARTLAND ADDED.
THE BILL WILL BE GAZETTED TOMORROW (FRIDAY).
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UNEMPLOYMENT AND UNDEREMPLOYMENT STATISTICS FOR FEBRUARY - APRIL
*****
THE SEASONALLY ADJUSTED UNEMPLOYMENT RATE FOR FEBRUARY -APRIL WAS 2.4%, AND THE UNDEREMPLOYMENT RATE WAS 1.8%, ACCORDING TO THE LATEST LABOUR FORCE STATISTICS RELEASED TODAY (THURSDAY) BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
THE PROVISIONAL SEASONALLY ADJUSTED UNEMPLOYMENT RATE FOR THE PERIOD MARCH - MAY WAS 2.3%, WHILE THE PROVISIONAL UNDEREMPLOYMENT RATE WAS 2.0%.
THE LATEST STATISTICS SUGGEST THAT BOTH THE UNEMPLOYMENT AND UNDEREMPLOYMENT RATES REMAINED BROADLY STABLE.
DURING THE PERIOD FEBRUARY - APRIL 1993, THE NUMBER OF UNEMPLOYED PERSONS, ADJUSTED FOR VARIATIONS IN THE NUMBER OF FIRSTTIME JOB-SEEKERS, WAS ESTIMATED AT 68,100, WHILE THE NUMBER OF UNDEREMPLOYED PERSONS WAS ESTIMATED AT 50,300.
THE UNEMPLOYMENT AND UNDEREMPLOYMENT STATISTICS WERE OBTAINED FROM A CONTINUOUS GENERAL HOUSEHOLD SURVEY CONDUCTED BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
THE SURVEY FOR FEBRUARY - APRIL 1993 COVERED A QUARTERLY SAMPLE OF SOME 12,000 HOUSEHOLDS OR 41,600 PERSONS, SELECTED SCIENTIFICALLY TO REPRESENT THE LAND-BASED CIVILIAN NON-INSTITUTIONAL POPULATION IN HONG KONG.
RELEVANT DATA WAS 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 MARCH 1993 WILL BE AVAILABLE FROM THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE BY JULY AT $23.50 A COPY.
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/10........
THURSDAY, JUNE 17, 1993
- 10 -
CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY URGED TO TAKE PART IN ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION
* * » * ♦
THERE IS BROAD SCOPE FOR THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY TO PLAY A MAJOR PART IN ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION OR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE SECRETARY FOR PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS, MR TONY EASON, AT THE CHARTERED INSTITUTE OF BUILDING CONFERENCE TODAY (THURSDAY).
MR EASON SAID ONE OF THE MANY WAYS IN WHICH THE INDUSTRY COULD PLAY A SIGNIFICANT ROLE WAS TO PREVENT THE MISUSE OF LANDFILLS.
HE SAID OF THE ROUGHLY 20,000 TONNES PER DAY OF WASTE DISPOSED OF AT LANDFILLS IN 1992, SOME 60 PER CENT OR 12,000 TONNES PER DAY WAS CONSTRUCTION WASTE WHICH SHOULD BE DISPOSED OF AT PUBLIC DUMPS.
BASED ON THE AVERAGE DISPOSAL COST PER TONNE OF WASTE AT A LANDFILL, THIS MEANS THAT SOME $300 MILLION WORTH OUT OF THE $500 MILLION WORTH OF SPACE WAS USED UP BY INERT CONSTRUCTION WASTE.
’’IF THIS CONTINUES, WE WILL BE WASTING VALUABLE DISPOSAL FACILITIES IRRESPONSIBLY. MORE SERIOUSLY, WE WILL BE USING THEM UP MUCH MORE QUICKLY THAN WE SHOULD, AND INCREASING AND ACCELERATING THE DEMAND FOR NEW FACILITIES,” HE SAID.
MR EASON SAID TO TACKLE THE PROBLEM, THE GOVERNMENT PLANNED TO IMPOSE A CHARGE ON THE DISPOSAL OF WASTE AT LANDFILLS AS CHARGING WOULD MOTIVATE WASTE PRODUCERS TO REDUCE OR REDIRECT THEIR WASTE.
"IT SHOULD ENCOURAGE MORE ON-SITE SORTING OF CONSTRUCTION WASTE, SO THAT THE BULK OF THE MATERIAL CAN BE ACCEPTED AT PUBLIC DUMPS WHERE DISPOSAL WILL CONTINUE TO BE FREE OF CHARGE.”
ON CONSTRUCTION NOISE NUISANCE, HE SAID THE NOISE CONTROL (AMENDMENT) ORDINANCE ENACTED IN MAY WOULD GO A LONG WAY TO HELP CONTROL THIS PROBLEM.
MR EASON SAID THERE WAS A NEED FOR GREATER COMMITMENT TO CHANGE IN THE COMMUNITY AS A WHOLE TO ACHIEVE REAL PROGRESS ON IMPROVING THE ENVIRONMENT.
SOME OF THE INDUSTRIAL AND COMMERCIAL SECTORS WERE UNDERTAKING THIS STEP THEMSELVES THROUGH IMPLEMENTING ENVIRONMENTAL AUDIT PROCEDURES AND HE HOPED THAT THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY WOULD TAKE THIS ON BOARD.
BY WAY OF EXAMPLE AND ENCOURAGEMENT, MR EASON SAID THE GOVERNMENT WOULD SHORTLY COMMISSION CONSULTANTS TO UNDERTAKE SUCH AUDITS WITHIN SELECTED GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS FOR EVENTUAL EXTENSION TO ALL PARTS OF GOVERNMENT.
SIMILARLY, THE GOVERNMENT IS UNDERTAKING ENERGY AUDITS OF ITS OWN BUILDINGS TO REVIEW HOW AND HOW MUCH ENERGY IS CONSUMED AND WHERE IT IS POSSIBLE TO USE LESS TO ACHIEVE THE SAME LEVEL OF OPERATIONAL PERFORMANCE.
/AND IN-DEPTH .......
THURSDAY, JUNE 17, 1993
- 11 -
AN IN-DEPTH ENERGY MANAGEMENT STUDY HAS BEEN DONE OF WAN CHAI TOWER AND THE RECOMMENDATIONS ARISING FROM IT ARE BEING IMPLEMENTED. THE ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT IS IN THE PROCESS OF DEVELOPING A DEPARTMENTAL ENERGY MANAGEMENT PROGRAMME.
”1 HOPE THE PRIVATE SECTOR, INCLUDING THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY, WILL DEVELOP A SIMILAR CONSCIOUSNESS AND ADOPT SIMILAR PRACTICES WHEREVER IT CAN,” HE SAID.
MR EASON SAID THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY HAD AN IMPORTANT ROLE TO PLAY IN THE DESIGNING AND BUILDING OF ENERGY EFFICIENT BUILDINGS AS CONTRARY TO THE GLASS TOWERS WHICH ARE A WASTE OF RESOURCES.
TO HELP PROMOTE THE DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION OF ENERGY EFFICIENT BUILDINGS, MR EASON SAID THE ENERGY EFFICIENCY ADVISORY COMMITTEE WHICH HE CHAIRED WOULD LAUNCH AN AWARD SCHEME NEXT YEAR.
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OPERATION TO STAMP OUT ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS
*****
A 24-HOUR OPERATION AGAINST ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION JOINTLY MOUNTED BY THE POLICE, THE LABOUR AND IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENTS THROUGHOUT THE TERRITORY HAS RESULTED IN THE ARRESTS OF 163 PERSONS.
THE OPERATION WAS PART OF THE GOVERNMENT’S ONGOING EFFORT TO FLUSH OUT ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS.
THE 53 SUSPECTED ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS ARRESTED BY THE POLICE HAD BEEN REFERRED TO THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT. THOSE FOUND TO BE ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS WILL BE REPATRIATED.
THE OTHER EIGHT PERSONS WERE ARRESTED BY IMMIGRATION INVESTIGATORS.
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN REITERATED TODAY (THURSDAY) THAT THERE WAS NO QUESTION OF ANY AMNESTY FOR ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS.
"OUR LATEST OPERATION SHOULD DRIVE HOME THE POINT THAT THERE WILL BE NO CHANGE TO THIS POLICY. ANYONE FOOLISH ENOUGH TO BELIEVE OTHERWISE IS ONLY CHEATING HIMSELF,” HE SAID.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID APART FROM CONTINUOUS CHECKS THROUGHOUT THE TERRITORY, THERE WAS NO LET-UP IN ANTI-ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION EFFORTS AT THE BORDER.
”A HIGH STATE OF VIGILANCE WILL CONTINUE TO BE MAINTAINED BY I HE POLICE AND THE SECURITY FORCES BOTH AT THE LAND AND SEA BORDERS," HE SAID.
DURING THE JOINT OPERATION, WHICH BEGAN AT 5 AM YESTERDAY (WEDNESDAY) AND ENDED AT 5 AM TODAY, THE POLICE HAD STEPPED UP THEIR IDENTIFICATION SPOT CHECKS IN PUBLIC PLACES AND CARRIED OUT CHECKS AT SUSPICIOUS LOCATIONS.
/AS A .......
THURSDAY, JUNE 17, 1993
- 12 -
AS A RESULT, A TOTAL OF 8,252 PERSONS AND 1,131 VEHICLES WERE STOPPED FOR IDENTIFICATION CHECKS.
ON THE LABOUR FRONT, INSPECTORS OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT VISITED 2,385 ESTABLISHMENTS TO WEED OUT ANY ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS WHO MAY BE WORKING, AND TO CHECK THAT EMPLOYERS FULFIL THEIR LEGAL OBLIGATION OF KEEPING PROPER RECORDS OF THEIR EMPLOYEES.
A TOTAL OF 8,223 EMPLOYEES HAD THEIR PROOF OF IDENTITY CHECKED DURING THE OPERATION.
FIVE ESTABLISHMENTS WERE FOUND NOT ABLE TO PROVIDE A RECORD OF EMPLOYEES FOR INSPECTION.
THE SPOKESMAN REMINDED EMPLOYERS THAT THEY COULD BE FINED UP TO $250,000 AND JAILED FOR UP TO THREE YEARS IF THEY WERE FOUND TO BE EMPLOYING ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS.
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17,000 SIGN UP AS VOTERS *****
IN THE FIRST PHASE OF THIS YEAR'S VOTER REGISTRATION EXERCISE, 17,436 NEW APPLICANTS HAVE JOINED THE ELECTORAL ROLL.
THIS HAS HOWEVER BEEN OFFSET BY A REDUCTION OF 25,224 ENTRIES DUE TO DEATHS, LOSS OF CONTACT AND DOUBLE REGISTRATION.
THE PROVISIONAL REGISTER CARRIES 1,926,033 ENTRIES, REPRESENTING A LOSS OF 7,788 ELECTORS AND A VERY MINOR DROP OF THE REGISTRATION RATE FROM 52.5 PER CENT TO 51.9 PER CENT.
"THE SITUATION IS QUITE NORMAL IN A YEAR DURING WHICH NO MAJOR RECRUITMENT DRIVE IS MOUNTED; AND THE NET LOSS IS LIKELY TO BE REDUCED BY THE CLOSE OF THE SECOND PHASE ON JULY 1 WHEN LATE APPLICATIONS ARE TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT," REGISTRATION OFFICER, MR LAI KWAN-TAT, EXPLAINED.
MR LAI URGED ALL ELIGIBLE RESIDENTS AND REGISTERED ELECTORS TO FILE IN APPLICATIONS AND NOTICES OF CHANGES OF RESIDENTIAL ADDRESSES RESPECTIVELY BEFORE JULY 1 FOR INCLUSION IN THE 1993 FINAL REGISTER OF ELECTORS.
"WHILE POSITIVE STEPS ARE BEING TAKEN TO UPDATE THE ELECTORAL REGISTER, ELECTORS CAN MAKE THINGS EASY IF THEY TAKE THE TROUBLE AND FULFIL THEIR RESPONSIBILITY TO REPORT CHANGES OF THEIR PARTICULARS," HE ADDED.
THE PROVISIONAL REGISTER OF ELECTORS WILL BE PUBLISHED TOMORROW (FRIDAY) AND WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR PUBLIC INSPECTION UP TO JULY 1 AT DISTRICT OFFICES AND THE REGISTRATION AND ELECTORAL OFFICE.
/ANY PERSON .......
THURSDAY, JUNE 17, 1993
- 13 -
ANY PERSON WHO HAS ANY OBJECTION ON VALID GROUNDS TO THE INCLUSION IN THE REGISTER OF ANY NAMES MAY LODGE A NOTICE OF OBJECTION ON A SPECIFIED FORM WITH THE REGISTRATION OFFICER BY JULY 6.
THE PROVISIONAL REGISTER FOR FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCIES OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL WILL ALSO BE PUBLISHED TOMORROW WITH 70,175 ENTRIES.
THERE IS A GROSS ADDITION OF 558 ENTRIES AND A NET INCREASE OF 199 ELECTORS, AFTER DISCOUNTING 359 DELETIONS.
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NEW FOOD HANDLING CONCEPT INTRODUCED
*»***»
A NEW SYSTEMATIC MANAGEMENT CONCEPT ON THE CONTROL OF FOOD QUALITY AND SAFETY HAS BEEN INTRODUCED UNDER A TERRITORY-WIDE CAMPAIGN LAUNCHED TODAY (THURSDAY) BY THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH.
ENTITLED "APPLY HAZARD ANALYSIS AND CRITICAL CONTROL POINT (HACCP) SYSTEM IN YOUR ESTABLISHMENT", THE CAMPAIGN WAS JOINED BY REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE FOOD TRADE.
ORGANISED UNDER THE AUSPICES OF THE URBAN AND REGIONAL COUNCILS, IT WILL LAST UNTIL THE END OF AUGUST.
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY, THE CHAIRMAN OF THE URBAN COUNCIL’S PUBLIC HEALTH SELECT COMMITTEE, PROFESSOR LEUNG PING-CHUNG, CALLED ON ALL MEMBERS OF THE FOOD TRADE TO SUPPORT THE FOOD HYGIENE CAMPAIGN.
"THE PREPARATION OF DELICIOUS FOOD IS A RATHER COMPLICATED PROCESS. ANY LACK OF CARE MAY LEAD TO CONTAMINATION, MAKING THE FOOD UNFIT FOR CONSUMPTION," HE SAID.
LAST YEAR, THERE WERE 141 CASES OF FOOD POISONING, AFFECTING 1,006 PEOPLE. OF THE CASES, 30 WERE ORIGINATED FROM FOOD PREMISES, AFFECTING 493 PEOPLE.
"IF WE ANALYSE THE CAUSES OF THE OUTBREAKS, WE FIND THAT THEY CAN BE AVOIDED," PROFESSOR LEUNG SAID.
ALSO SPEAKING AT THE CEREMONY, VICE-CHAIRMAN OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL HYGIENE SELECT COMMITTEE OF THE REGIONAL COUNCIL, MR TING YIN-WAH, SAID: "OBSERVING HYGIENE RULES AND ENSURING FOOD SAFETY ARE THE MOST EFFECTIVE WAY TO BUILD UP CUSTOMERS’ CONFIDENCE, WIN PUBLIC PRAISE AND SOLICIT CUSTOMERS."
"IN THIS ERA OF QUALITY ASSURANCE, I HOPE THAT MEMBERS OF THE FOOD TRADE, ESPECIALLY DECISION-MAKERS, CAN PAY MORE ATTENTION TO THE SELF-MONITORING SYSTEM OF FOOD PRODUCTION," MR TING SAID.
HE URGED THE FOOD BUSINESS SECTOR TO DESIGN A SELF-MONITORING SYSTEM, ACCORDING TO THEIR OWN SITUATION AND MODE OF OPERATION, IN ORDER TO MINIMISE THE RISK OF FOOD CONTAMINATION.
/UNDER THE .......
THURSDAY, JUNE 17, 1993
- 14 -
UNDER THE CAMPAIGN, ALL LICENSEES AND STAFF OF LICENSED FOOD PREMISES, COOKED FOOD STALLS, CANTEENS AND OTHER FOOD CATERING ESTABLISHMENTS, HAVE BEEN INVITED TO ATTEND SEMINARS TO BE HELD AT VARIOUS DISTRICTS.
EACH SEMINAR EMBRACES A TALK BY CHIEF HEALTH INSPECTORS, A FILM SHOW AND A DISCUSSION SESSION ON THE HACCP CONCEPT AND ITS IMPLEMENTATION.
THREE SEMINARS ON FOOD HYGIENE WILL ALSO BE ORGANISED IN COLLABORATION WITH THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT FOR PRIMARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOL TEACHERS TO HELP THEM PASS ON THE MESSAGES TO STUDENTS.
IN ADDITION, A 24-HOUR HOTLINE - 723 0013 - WILL PROVIDE TAPED MESSAGES ON HYGIENIC PRACTICES. CALLERS HAVING QUESTIONS MAY LEAVE THEIR TELEPHONE NUMBERS AND STAFF FROM THE HEALTH EDUCATION UNIT WILL CALL BACK.
MOBILE BROADCASTING TEAMS OF THE UNIT WILL BE DEPLOYED TO DRIVE HOME THE MESSAGES ACROSS THE TERRITORY.
LEAFLETS AND POSTERS ARE AVAILABLE FREE FROM THE DISTRICT OFFICES OF THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION AND THE ENVIRONMENTAL HYGIENE OFFICES OF THE URBAN SERVICES AND REGIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENTS.
------0----------
FREE VEHICLE DISPOSAL SERVICE * ♦ * » »
VEHICLE OWNERS WISHING TO DISPOSE OF THEIR UNWANTED CARS MAY MAKE USE OF THE FREE SERVICE OFFERED BY THE TWO ABANDONED VEHICLE SURRENDER CENTRES OPERATED BY THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT.
THE CENTRES ARE LOCATED AT CHI KIANG STREET IN TO KWA WAN AND AT WONG CHUK YEUNG STREET IN FO TAN, SHA TIN WHERE 20 AND 70 VEHICLES CAN BE ACCOMMODATED AT ANY TIME RESPECTIVELY.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID THERE WERE VARIOUS ADVANTAGES FOR SURRENDERING UNWANTED VEHICLES TO THE CENTRES.
’’THE OWNER WILL BE FREE FROM FURTHER LIABILITY ARISING FROM THE USE OF HIS VEHICLE, SUCH AS IRRESPONSIBLE PRIVATE SCRAPYARDS USING IT FOR ILLEGAL ACTIVITIES AND OBTAINING FIXED PENALTY TICKETS FOR ILLEGAL PARKING.”
”HE MAY USE THE VEHICLE WITHOUT VALID LICENCE IF THE VEHICLE IS PARKED ON A PUBLIC ROAD WITH AN EXPIRED LICENCE,” HE ADDED.
’’FURTHERMORE, THE DEPARTMENT WILL AUTOMATICALLY ARRANGE TO PAY A PRO RATA REFUND OF THE ANNUAL LICENCE FEE TO THE OWNER IF HIS LICENCE IS STILL VALID FOR 60 DAYS OR MORE ON THE DAY THE VEHICLE IS SURRENDERED,” HE SAID.
/’’THE DEPARTMENT.......
THURSDAY, JUNE 17, 1993
- 15 -
’’THE DEPARTMENT WILL ALSO ARRANGE THE VEHICLE TO BE DEREGISTERED AND, IF THE OWNER WANTS THE ORIGINAL REGISTRATION MARK TO BE RETAINED, HE IS SUBJECT TO A PAYMENT OF $560," HE ADDED.
THE PROCEDURE TO SURRENDER THE VEHICLE IS SIMPLE.
LEAFLETS ON "HOW TO SURRENDER YOUR UNWANTED VEHICLE" ARE AVAILABLE AT ALL LICENSING OFFICES OF THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT AND DISTRICT OFFICES.
THE TO KWA WAN CENTRE OPERATES ON MONDAYS, TUESDAYS AND WEDNESDAYS FROM 10 AM TO 1 PM AND FROM 2 PM TO 4.30 PM.
THE SHA TIN CENTRE OPERATES ON THURSDAYS AND FRIDAYS FROM 10 AM TO 1 PM AND FROM 2 PM TO 4.30 PM, AND ON SATURDAYS FROM 10 AM TO 11.30 AM.
ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE ON 890 1497. OWNERS CAN TELEPHONE THE TO KWA WAN CENTRE ON 364 0074, OR THE SHA TIN CENTRE ON 604 4197 TO MAKE ARRANGEMENTS.
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CONTRACT SIGNED FOR WATER TREATMENT WORKS * * * * *
THE WATER SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT TODAY (THURSDAY) AWARDED A $52.9 MILLION CONTRACT FOR CONSTRUCTING THE NEW SHAM TSENG TREATMENT WORKS.
THE TREATMENT WORKS WILL HAVE A CAPACITY OF 23,000 CUBIC METRES PER DAY UPON COMPLETION OF THE FIRST STAGE, AND HAS BEEN DESIGNED FOR FUTURE EXPANSION TO AN ULTIMATE CAPACITY OF 75,000 CUBIC METRES A DAY TO SERVE THE POPULATION GROWTH IN THE AREA.
THE CONTRACT INCLUDES THE CONSTRUCTION OF STRUCTURES FOR THE FRESH WATER TREATMENT PROCESS, A CHEMICAL HOUSE, STAFF QUARTERS, INTERCONNECTING PIPEWORKS AND BUILDING SERVICES.
WORKS ON THIS CONTRACT WILL START NEXT MONTH AND WILL TAKE ABOUT 19 MONTHS TO COMPLETE.
THE CONTRACT IS THE LAST ONE AWARDED UNDER THE "SHAM TSENG TREATMENT WORKS — STAGE I" PROGRAMME.
DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF WATER SUPPLIES, MR WU YU-NGONG, SIGNED THE CONTRACT ON BEHALF OF THE GOVERNMENT WITH REPRESENTATIVES OF TOBISHIMA CORPORATION.
- - 0 - -
/16........
THURSDAY, JUNE 17, 1993
- 16 -
BEACH WATER GRADES
******
THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT TODAY (THURSDAY) ANNOUNCED GRADES ON THE BACTERIOLOGICAL WATER QUALITY OF ALL BATHING BEACHES IN HONG KONG.
THE PURPOSE OF THE GRADING SYSTEM IS TO INFORM SWIMMERS AND THE GENERAL PUBLIC ABOUT THE STATE OF BACTERIOLOGICAL POLLUTION AT VARIOUS BEACHES.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID THE GRADING WOULD BE ANNOUNCED BIWEEKLY DURING THE BATHING SEASON, TO COINCIDE WITH THE FREQUENCY AT WHICH BEACH WATER WAS USUALLY SAMPLED.
THE GRADING IS BASED ON THE MOST RECENT E.COLI DATA OBTAINED BY THE DEPARTMENT IN ITS ROUTINE MONITORING PROGRAMME.
AS WITH LAST YEAR, THE GRADING ALSO INCLUDES AN ESTIMATE OF THE RISK OF SUFFERING SOME MINOR SKIN OR GASTROINTESTINAL COMPLAINTS AS A RESULT OF SWIMMING AT A BEACH THAT HAS SOME DEGREE OF POLLUTION.
THE ESTIMATE 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 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:
» 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, JUNE 11, 1993
17 -
* 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 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, 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 THE TWO BEACHES.
IN ADDITION, ROCKY BAY BEACH HAS BEEN CLOSED FOR SWIMMING BY THE URBAN COUNCIL. THESE THREE BEACHES ARE IDENTIFIED BY AN "X" IN THE FOLLOWING LIST.
THE GRADES ON THE BACTERIOLOGICAL WATER QUALITY OF VARIOUS BEACHES IN HONG KONG TODAY ARE:
PREVIOUS PRESENT
BEACH GRADING GRADING
(AS AT 3.6.93) (AS AT 17.6.93)
HONG KONG SOUTH
BIG WAVE BAY 2 3
CHUNG HOM KOK 2 3
DEEP WATER BAY 1 2
HAIRPIN 2 3
MIDDLE BAY 1 2
REPULSE BAY 1 2
SHEK O 2 3
SOUTH BAY 1 1
ST. STEPHEN’S 2 3
TURTLE COVE 1 2
STANLEY MAIN 3 3
ROCKY BAY X X
TO TEI WAN* 1 2
TUEN MUN DISTRICT
OLD CAFETERIA X
NEW CAFETERIA 2
CASTLE PEAK X
KADOORIE 3
BUTTERFLY 2
X 3
X 3
2
/SAI KUNG DISTRICT........
THURSDAY, JUNE 17, 1993
18
SAI KUNG DISTRICT
CAMPERS 1 1
CLEAR WATER BAY 1ST BEACH 1 2
CLEAR WATER BAY 2ND BEACH 2 2
HAP MUN BAY 1 1
KIU TSUI 1 1
PAK SHA CHAU 1 1
SILVERSTRAND 2 2
TRIO (HEBE HAVEN) 1 2
ISLANDS DISTRICT CHEUNG SHA UPPER 1 1
CHEUNG SHA LOWER 2 2
DISCOVERY BAY* 2 2
HUNG SHING YEH 2 2
KWUN YAM WAN 2 2
TONG FUK 1 1
LO SO SHING 1 1
PUI 0 2 2
SILVERMINE BAY 3 3
TUNG WAN, CHEUNG CHAU 2 2
TUNG 0* 2 2
TSUEN WAN DISTRICT ANGLERS’ 3 4
APPROACH 4 4
CASAM 3 4
GEMINI 3 3
HOI MEI WAN 4 4
LIDO 3 3
TING KAU 4 4
TUNG WAN, MA WAN 2 3
NOTE
"X” THE BEACH HAS BEEN CLOSED FOR SWIMMING ♦ NON-GAZETTED BEACH
THE FOLLOWING BEACHES HAVE CHANGED GRADING ON THIS OCCASION:
DEEP WATER BAY, MIDDLE BAY, REPULSE BAY, TURTLE COVE, TO TEI WAN, CLEAR WATER BAY 1ST BEACH AND TRIO (HEBE HAVEN) FROM ”1” TO "2”’ BIG WAVE BAY, CHUNG HOM KOK, HAIRPIN, SHEK O, ST STEPHEN’S, TUNG WAN (MA WAN) AND NEW CAFETERIA FROM "2" TO "3"; ANGLERS’ AND CASAM FROM "3” TO ” 4 ” .
THE CHANGES ARE WITHIN THE NORMAL RANGE OF FLUCTUATION OF THE BACTERIOLOGICAL WATER QUALITY OF THESE BEACHES.
/THE GENERAL .......
THURSDAY, JUNE 17, 1993
- 19 -
THE GENERAL DETERIORATION AT A NUMBER OF BEACHES IS PROBABLY DUE TO THE RECENT HEAVY RAINFALL WHICH HAVE CAUSED THE POLLUTANTS IN THE BEACH HINTERLAND TO BE FLUSHED INTO THE SEA WATER.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
FOR FURTHER ENQUIRIES, PLEASE CONTACT DR MALCOLM BROOM, PRINCIPAL ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION OFFICER OF THE DEPARTMENT ON 835 1234.
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CALL TO JOIN COLLEGES OF EDUCATION
******
THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT’S "BE MY TEACHER" CAMPAIGN HAS BEEN E TENDED TO THE COLLEGES OF EDUCATION WHICH WILL BE RECRUITING 1,100 STUDENT-TEACHERS THIS YEAR.
THE COLLEGES COMPRISE THE GRANTHAM COLLEGE OF EDUCATION, NORTHCOTE COLLEGE OF EDUCATION, THE SIR ROBERT BLACK COLLEGE OF EDUCATION AND THE HONG KONG TECHNICAL TEACHERS’ COLLEGE.
A SERIES OF EXHIBITIONS WILL BE LAUNCHED TOMORROW (FRIDAY) AT THE LANDMARK TO PROMOTE THE RECRUITMENT DRIVE.
THE TWO-DAY EXHIBITION WILL MOVE TO KOWLOON AND THE NEW TERRITORIES LATER THIS MONTH.
ON DISPLAY ARE PANELS DEPICTING THE TRAINING, FACILITIES AND COLLEGE LIFE AND ACTIVITIES.
LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLOR AND CHAIRMAN OF THE PROVISIONAL GOVERNING COUNCIL FOR THE NEW INSTITUTE OF EDUCATION, MR SIMON IP SIK-ON; THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, MR ROBERT LO; AND THE SENIOR ASSISTANT DIRECTOR (SERVICES AND INSTITUTIONS), MR KWAN TING-FAT, WILL OFFICIATE AT THE OPENING CEREMONY.
ATTENTION NEWS EDITORS:
YOUR REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER THE OPENING CEREMONY WHICH WILL BE HELD AT THE FOOTBRIDGE LINKING THE LANDMARK AND ALEXANDRA HOUSE AT 10.30 AM TOMORROW (FRIDAY).
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/20........
THURSDAY, JUNE 17, 1993
- 20 -
LOCAL ARTS GROUPS OBTAIN GRANTS ******
THE COUNCIL FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS HAS APPROVED 34 PROJECT GRANTS TOTALLING $2,181,687 TO 29 PERFORMING ARTS ORGANISATIONS AND INDIVIDUAL ARTISTS SINCE APRIL THIS YEAR.
IN THE DRAMA FIELD, THEY ARE THE SHATIN THEATRE COMPANY, PAROUSIA, ARTS MANIAC, SIR ROBERT BLACK COLLEGE OF EDUCATION STUDENTS’ UNION, ZUNI ICOSAHEDRON, KWUN TONG THEATRE, THE NONSENSEMAKERS, NORTHCOTE COLLEGE OF EDUCATION STUDENT UNION, HORIZONTE DRAMA SOCIETY, ANONYMITY DRAMATIC CLUB, ARTISTE CLUB, HONG KONG STUDENT DRAMA ASSOCIATION, HONG KONG ASSOCIATION OF THE BLIND, CARLSBERG WANCHAI THEATRE AND THEATRE ENSEMBLE.
IN THE MUSIC FIELD, THEY ARE THE HONG KONG SINFONIETTA, HONG KONG FESTIVAL FRINGE LTD, THE CECILIAN SINGERS, ALLEGRO SINGERS, THE LEARNERS CHORUS AND KING’S HARMONICA QUINTET.
IN THE DANCE FIELD, GRANTS HAVE BEEN AWARDED TO ZUNI ICOSAHEDRON, WONG TING-LAM, HONG KONG CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION OF CULTURAL AND RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES, BABY BULL DANCERS’ GROUP AND THE COMPANY AND YUEN HAI ARTISTE TROUPE.
IN THE CHINESE OPERA FIELD, GRANTS HAVE BEEN AWARDED TO WAH FAI CANTONESE OPERA ASSOCIATION, NGAI YIN CANTONESE OPERA AND THE ARTLAND.
IN THE ARTS SERVICES' FIELD, A GRANT HAS BEEN AWARDED TO HONG KONG ARTS ADMINISTRATORS’ ASSOCIATION LTD.
THE COUNCIL HAS ALSO APPROVED ONE MATCHING GRANT AWARD OF $100,000 TO THE HONG KONG PIANO AND MUSIC ASSOCIATION IN THE MUSIC FIELD, SPONSORED BY PARSONS MUSIC CENTRE, EDDY PIANO COMPANY AND MUSICAL INSTITUTE, EDDIE’S PIANO COMPANY AND MIKROKOSMOS MUSIC CENTRE.
FUNDS FOR PROJECT AND MATCHING GRANTS ARE PROVIDED FROM THE GOVERNMENT BLOCK VOTE FOR SUBVENTION OF PERFORMING ARTS ACTIVITIES AND FROM THE ARTS DEVELOPMENT FUND WHICH WAS ESTABLISHED IN MAY THIS YEAR UNDER THE SIR DAVID TRENCH FUND FOR RECREATION TO ENHANCE ARTS DEVELOPMENT, PARTICULARLY NEW PERFORMING ARTS GROUPS IN HONG KONG.
THE GRANTS ARE AWARDED BY THE SECRETARY FOR RECREATION AND CULTURE ON THE ADVICE OF THE COUNCIL.
APPLICATIONS FOR PROJECT AND MATCHING GRANTS CAN BE MADE ANY TIME IN THE YEAR.
THE APPLICANT MUST BE AN APPROVED CHARITABLE INSTITUTION OR A NON-PROFIT-MAKING ORGANISATION.
APPLICATIONS SHOULD BE SENT IN AT LEAST THREE MONTHS BEFORE THE PLANNED PERFORMANCE DATES TO ALLOW TIME FOR ASSESSMENT.
APPLICATION FORMS FOR PROJECT AND MATCHING GRANTS ARE AVAILABLE AT THE COUNCIL’S SECRETARIAT ON 40TH FLOOR, REVENUE TOWER, 5 GLOUCESTER ROAD, WAN CHAI, HONG KONG. ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE ON TEL 594 5600.
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/21..........
THURSDAY, JUNE 17, 1993
- 21 -
YOUNG VIOLINIST TO ATTEND USA MUSIC CAMP
*****
VIOLINIST LUI HO-YIN HAS BEEN SELECTED BY THE MUSIC OFFICE TO ATTEND THE NATIONAL MUSIC CAMP AT INTERLOCHEN IN MICHIGAN, USA THIS SUMMER FOR AN EIGHT-WEEK INTENSIVE TRAINING.
THE ANNUAL INTERNATIONAL EVENT IS AIMED AT PROMOTING FRIENDSHIP THROUGH MUSIC. IT WILL BE HELD FROM JUNE 27 TO AUGUST 23.
IT TAKES IN HIGHLY QUALIFIED YOUNG MUSICIANS AGED BETWEEN 14 AND 18. THE HIGHEST HONOUR FOR A PARTICIPANT IS TO BE SELECTED AS MEMBER OF THE CAMP’S WORLD YOUTH SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA.
TRAINING WILL INCLUDE MASTER CLASSES AND WORKSHOPS WITH THE WORLD’S RENOWNED MUSICIANS.
IN ADDITION, RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES SUCH AS SING-A-SONG ROUND CAMP FIRES, CANOEING AND SWIMMING WILL BE ARRANGED.
MR LUI, AGED 17, WAS SELECTED IN AN OPEN AUDITION IN MID-MARCH.
HE IS A DIPLOMA ONE STUDENT OF THE ACADEMY FOR PERFORMING ARTS (MUSIC).
HE ACTIVELY PARTICIPATES IN MANY MUSIC ACTIVITIES AND WAS A MEMBER OF THE HONG KONG YOUTH SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA SINGAPORE TOUR IN 1991 .
”1 AM VERY HAPPY AND EXCITED THAT I CAN HAVE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO BROADEN MY MUSICAL KNOWLEDGE AND TO MEET SO MANY YOUNG MUSICIANS FROM DIFFERENT COUNTRIES,” HE SAID, ADDING THAT HE WOULD DO HIS BEST TO INTRODUCE HONG KONG TO OTHER CAMPERS.
HE WILL LEAVE HONG KONG ON JUNE 25 AND IS EXPECTED TO RETURN IN LATE AUGUST.
THE CAMP FEE WILL BE MET BY ORGANISERS WHILE THE ROUND-TRIP AIR PASSAGE WILL BE JOINTLY SPONSORED BY CATHAY PACIFIC AIRWAYS AND THE ROYAL HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB MUSIC FUND.
/22 .......
THURSDAY, JUNE 17, 1993
22 -
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS *****
$ MILLION
OPENING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT 1,980
REVERSAL OF LAF +820
BALANCE AFTER REVERSAL OF LAF 2,800
NET INJECTION/WITHDRAWAL TODAY NIL
EFFECT OF LAF TODAY -840
CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT 1,960
LAF RATE 2.00 BID/4.00 OFFER TWI 112.2 *+0.3* 17.6.93
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND
EF BILLS HONG KONG GOVERNMENT BONDS
TERMS YIELD TERM ISSUE COUPON PRICE YIELD
1 WEEK 3.04 PCT 14 MONTHS 2408 4.375 100.66 3.82
1 MONTH 2.97 PCT 17 MONTHS 2411 4.625 100.89 4.01
3 MONTHS 3.06 PCT 20 MONTHS 2502 4.75 100.90 4.22
6 MONTHS 12 MONTHS 3.36 PCT 3.65 PCT 23 MONTHS 2505 3.75 98.88 4.41
TOTAL TURNOVER OF BILLS AND BONDS - 8,982 MN
CLOSED 17 JUNE 1993
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Received by i . U
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
FRIDAY, JUNE 18, 1993
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
GOVERNOR PLEASED BY WESTERN HARBOUR CROSSING DECISION ........... 1
WESTERN HARBOUR CROSSING FRANCHISE .............................. 2
NEW REGULATION TO PROTECT WORKERS FROM NOTSF .................... 2
FINANCIAL SECRETARY VISITS LONDON ............................... 4
FOOD SUPPLY REGULARLY INSPECTED ................................. 4
ORDERS-ON-HAND OF MANUFACTURERS IN APRTT......................... 5
NEW POST OFFICE FOR PEAK ........................................ 7
FOUR DRAFT DEVELOPMENT PERMISSION AREA PLANS ANNOUNCED .......... 7
CARGO WORKING AREAS REMAIN OPEN ON TUFN NG HOLIDAY .............. 8
BOOKLET TO PROMOTE FAMILY RELATIONS PUBLISHED ................... 9
URBAN COUNCIL COMPLEX FOR WESTERN RESIDENTS .................... 10
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS .
10
FRIDAY, JUNE 18, 1993
1
GOVERNOR PLEASED BY WESTERN HARBOUR CROSSING DECISION ♦ * ♦ * ♦
THE GOVERNOR, THE RT HON CHRISTOPHER PATTEN.SAID TODAY (FRIDAY) THAT FOLLOWING THE DECISION ON THE WESTERN HARBOUR CROSSING, HONG KONG COULD NOW GET AHEAD WITH THE LEGISLATION SO THAT THE WORK COULD COMMENCE AS RAPIDLY AS POSSIBLE.
SPEAKING TO THE PRESS AFTER ATTENDING THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING OF THE ST JOHN AMBULANCE ASSOCIATION CENTRE, THE GOVERNOR SAID THAT HE WAS VERY PLEASED BY THE DECISION ON THE WESTERN HARBOUR CROSSING WHICH FORMED AN IMPORTANT PART OF THE ACP PROGRAMME.
"IT’S IN HONG KONG’S LONG-TERM INTEREST AND IN THE INTEREST OF OUR MUTUAL ECONOMY," HE SAID.
"I AM ALSO PLEASED THAT GOOD PROGRESS WAS, I THINK, MADE TODAY IN DISCUSSING THE FINANCING OF THE AIRPORT AND THE AIRPORT RAILWAY."
NOTING THAT THERE WAS STILL MORE WORK TO DO, HE SAID BOTH SIDES AROUND THE TABLE TODAY DID A GOOD DAY’S WORK FOR HONG KONG.
ON THE APPROVAL OF THE FUNDING FOR THE PROVISIONAL AIRPORT AUTHORITY BY THE FINANCE COMMITTEE, THE GOVERNOR SAID THAT IT WAS AN IMPORTANT AND USEFUL DECISION.
"I AM SURE THE WHOLE COMMUNITY WILL WANT TO SEE US MAKE FURTHER PROGRESS ON ALL THESE MATTERS SO THAT WE CAN GIVE THIS GREAT COMMUNITY THE INFRASTRUCTURE WHICH IT NEEDS AND DESERVES," HE ADDED.
ASKED ABOUT HIS FORTHCOMING VISIT TO LONDON, MR PATTEN SAID: "I AM GOING BACK TO REVIEW THE POSITION WITH THE PRIME MINISTER, THE FOREIGN SECRETARY, CABINET COMMITTEE, OTHER MINISTERS AND, OF COURSE, SIR ROBIN MCLAREN WHO HAS BEEN LEADING OUR TEAM IN THE NEGOTIATIONS IN PEKING.
"WE WILL WANT TO ENCOURAGE THAT FURTHER PROGRESS WHICH THE FOREIGN SECRETARY CALLED FOR IN HIS REMARKS A FEW DAYS AGO. BUT IT’S THE SORT OF MEETING WHICH I THINK YOU WOULD EXPECT US TO BE HAVING AT THIS SORT OF TIME TO MAKE SURE THAT WE CAN GIVE THE DISCUSSIONS AND GIVE THE DEVELOPMENT OF POLICY A STEER IF IT NEEDS IT.
"WE WANT A SUCCESSFUL OUTCOME TO THE TALKS AND WE WANT THAT AS SWIFTLY AS IT CAN BE MANAGED BUT WE RECOGNISE THAT THERE ARE STILL SOME BIG ISSUES THAT HAVE TO BE RESOLVED."
ON PRESS REPORTS THAT A DEADLINE HAD BEEN SET FOR THE TALKS, THE GOVERNOR SAID: "WHAT I’VE SAID AND WHAT IS EVIDENT TO THE WHOLE COMMUNITY IS THAT, WHILE ON THE ONE HAND WE WANT TO GIVE THESE TALKS EVERY CHANCE OF SUCCESS, WE DO HAVE TO PUT ARRANGEMENTS IN PLACE FOR THE 1994/95 ELECTIONS AND WE DO HAVE TO GET THROUGH THE PROCESS OF LEGISLATION AND WE CAN’T HANG ABOUT.
"WE DON’T HAVE AN INFINITE AMOUNT OF TIME BUT I HOPE WE’VE GOT ENOUGH TIME TO GET A GOOD SETTLEMENT."
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FRIDAY, JUNE 18, 1993
2
WESTERN HARBOUR CROSSING FRANCHISE
*****
COMMENTING ON THE WESTERN HARBOUR CROSSING FRANCHISE, A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (FRIDAY): "WE WELCOME THE AGREEMENT IN THE AIRPORT COMMITTEE ON THE FRANCHISE FOR THE WESTERN HARBOUR CROSSING."
"THIS IS AN IMPORTANT PART OF THE AIRPORT CORE PROGRAMME, AND WE NOW NEED TO PRESS AHEAD AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE SO THAT THE CROSSING CAN BE COMPLETED ON TIME BY THE PROPOSED FRANCHISEE, THE WESTERN HARBOUR TUNNEL COMPANY LTD.
"THE NEXT STEP IS TO PUT A DRAFT BILL TO THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL AND THEN TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL FOR THE AWARD OF THE FRANCHISE."
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NEW REGULATION TO PROTECT WORKERS FROM NOISE *****
A REGULATION THAT PROVIDES EMPLOYEES WITH MORE EFFECTIVE PROTECTION AGAINST NOISE HAZARDS IN INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS WILL COME INTO FORCE ON JULY 15 (THURSDAY).
CHIEF FACTORY INSPECTOR OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT, MR CHAN TAT-KING, SAID THE FACTORIES AND INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS (NOISE AT WORK) REGULATION WAS APPROVED IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL IN MID-JULY LAST YEAR.
THE COMMENCEMENT NOTICE OF THE REGULATION ISSUED BY THE COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR WAS GAZETTED TODAY (FRIDAY).
UNDER THE REGULATION, INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKING PROPRIETORS ARE REQUIRED TO CONDUCT NOISE LEVEL ASSESSMENTS AND DEMARCATE AREAS AFFECTED BY EXCESSIVE NOISE AS EAR PROTECTION ZONES.
WHERE DEMARCATION IS IMPRACTICABLE, FOR EXAMPLE ON A CONSTRUCTION SITE WHERE NOISY MACHINES ARE BEING MOVED AROUND QUITE FREQUENTLY, THE REGULATION REQUIRES PROPRIETORS TO LABEL THE NOISY MACHINES INDICATING THE DISTANCE WITHIN WHICH EAR PROTECTORS MUST BE WORN.
"DEMARCATION AND LABELLING WILL MAKE PROPRIETORS AND EMPLOYEES MORE CONSCIOUS OF THE NEED FOR PROTECTIVE MEASURES AND WILL ALSO SERVE AS WARNINGS TO VISITORS WHO MIGHT WISH TO ENTER THE NOISY ZONE.
"THE NEW REGULATION DIVIDES NOISE HAZARDS INTO THREE DIFFERENT ACTION LEVELS IN LINE WITH SIMILAR CLASSIFICATIONS USED IN THE NOISE AT WORK REGULATIONS 1989 IN THE UNITED KINGDOM," HE ADDED.
IT ALSO SPELLS OUT THE DUTIES OF PROPRIETORS AND EMPLOYEES AT THE RESPECTIVE ACTION LEVELS.
/THE MAJOR .......
FRIDAY, JUNE 18, 1993
3
THE MAJOR REQUIREMENTS ARE:
* AT THE FIRST ACTION LEVEL, A PROPRIETOR HAS TO PROVIDE A SUITABLE APPROVED EAR PROTECTOR TO AN EMPLOYEE UPON REQUEST, EXCEPT WHERE THE WEARING OF EAR PROTECTORS WOULD BE LIKELY TO CAUSE A RISK TO THE SAFETY OF THE EMPLOYEE OR TO ANY OTHER PERSON;
* AT THE SECOND ACTION LEVEL OR ABOVE, OR AT THE PEAK ACTION LEVEL, PROPRIETORS MUST PROVIDE AND EMPLOYEES MUST WEAR APPROVED EAR PROTECTORS, AND THE AREA IN ANY INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKING THUS AFFECTED MUST BE DEMARCATED AS AN EAR PROTECTION ZONE; AND
* WHERE DEMARCATION IS IMPRACTICABLE, AS IN THE CASE OF A CONSTRUCTION SITE, ALL NOISY MACHINES MUST BE LABELLED.
EMPLOYEES ATTENDING TO THESE NOISY MACHINES MUST WEAR EAR PROTECTORS.
"THE COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR IS EMPOWERED TO MAKE EXEMPTION WHERE, DESPITE ACTION BY A PROPRIETOR, IT HAD NOT BEEN PRACTICABLE FOR HIM TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE NEW REGULATIONS."
"CONTRAVENTION OF THE NEW REGULATION WILL INCUR A MAXIMUM PENALTY OF $30,000 FOR EMPLOYERS AND $10,000 FOR EMPLOYEES," HE ADDED.
SINCE THE APPROVAL OF THE REGULATION IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL LAST YEAR, FACTORY INSPECTORS OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT AND REPRESENTATIVES OF THE HONG KONG FEDERATION OF TRADE UNIONS HAD LAUNCHED A FOUR-MONTH INDUSTRY-BASED HEARING CONSERVATION PROGRAMME AMONG WORKERS IN FACTORIES, CONSTRUCTION SITES AND TRADE UNIONS TO PUBLICISE THE NEW LAW.
THEY CONDUCTED HEARING TESTS BETWEEN LAST DECEMBER AND APRIL THIS YEAR FOR 860 WORKERS TO FIND OUT WHETHER THEY WERE SUFFERING FROM HEAVY IMPAIRMENT CAUSED BY NOISE GENERATED FROM MACHINES.
SEVENTEEN FACTORIES AND CONSTRUCTION SITES, AS WELL AS SEVEN LABOUR UNIONS HAVE BEEN VISITED.
MEANWHILE, FACTORY INSPECTORS HAVE ALSO DELIVERED FOUR TALKS ON THE NEW REGULATION FOR ABOUT 800 PARTICIPANTS FROM MAJOR COMPANIES AND AT GATHERINGS OF THE HONG KONG FEDERATION OF TRADE UNIONS.
ABOUT 120 PERSONS HAVE ATTENDED FIVE 'CERTIFICATE OF COMPETENCE IN WORKPLACE NOISE ASSESSMENT’ COURSES JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT AND THE OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH COUNCIL.
AS PART OF THE PUBLICITY CAMPAIGN, THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT HAS PRINTED 15,000 COPIES OF A LEAFLET, IN BOTH ENGLISH AND CHINESE, ON THE REGULATION WHICH ARE NOW AVAILABLE FREE OF CHARGE AT ALL THE BRANCH OFFICES OF THE FACTORY INSPECTORATE DIVISION.
MORE PUBLICATIONS ON THE NEW REGULATION WILL ALSO BE MADE AVAILABLE FOR DISTRIBUTION IN DUE COURSE. ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE ON 606 5552.
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FRIDAY, JUNE 18, 1993
4
FINANCIAL SECRETARY VISITS LONDON
♦ * * * ♦
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, MR HAMISH MACLEOD, WILL LEAVE FOR LONDON TONIGHT (FRIDAY) FOR A DUTY VISIT.
HE WILL BE MEETING SENIOR OFFICIALS AT THE FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE AND THE TREASURY. THEY INCLUDE THE MINISTER OF STATE WITH SPECIAL RESPONSIBILITY FOR HONG KONG, MR ALASTAIR GOODLAD AND THE ECONOMIC SECRETARY, MR ANTHONY NELSON.
MR MACLEOD WILL ALSO BE MEETING PROMINENT BUSINESSMEN AND FINANCIERS AT A LUNCH TO BE HOSTED BY THE HONG KONG COMMISSIONER IN LONDON, MR JOHN YAXLEY.
ON JUNE 23, HE WILL ADDRESS A LUNCHEON MEETING OF THE HONG KONG ASSOCIATION ON THE ECONOMIC AND POLITICAL CHALLENGES FACED BY HONG KONG DURING THE TRANSITION PERIOD.
MR MACLEOD’S PROGRAMME ALSO INCLUDES MEETINGS WITH THE CHAIRMAN OF THE LONDON STOCK EXCHANGE, SIR ANDREW HUGH SMITH AND THE GOVERNOR OF BANK OF ENGLAND, THE RT HON LORD ROBIN LEIGH-PEMBERTON AND THE GOVERNOR-DESIGNATE, MR EDDIE GEORGE, AND OTHER SENIOR OFFICIALS.
HE WILL ALSO BE SPEAKING TO THE MEDIA AND VISIT THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT OFFICE IN LONDON.
MR MACLEOD WILL RETURN TO HONG KONG ON JUNE 26. DURING HIS ABSENCE, THE SECRETARY FOR THE TREASURY, MR DONALD TSANG, WILL BE ACTING FINANCIAL SECRETARY.
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FOOD SUPPLY REGULARLY INSPECTED
*****
TO ENSURE THAT FOOD SUPPLIED TO RESIDENTS IS WHOLESOME AND PROPERLY LABELLED, THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH REGULARLY CARRIES OUT A FOOD SURVEILLANCE PROGRAMME AND TAKES FOOD SAMPLES FOR TESTS.
DURING THE FIRST QUARTER OF THIS YEAR, THE HYGIENE DIVISION OF THE DEPARTMENT TOOK 6,563 FOOD SAMPLES FOR CHEMICAL ANALYSIS.
REPORTS REVEALED THAT 6,514 SAMPLES WERE SATISFACTORY WHILE 49 WERE UNSATISFACTORY, THIS CONSTITUTED 0.75 PER CENT, MAJORITY OF WHICH WERE DUE TO COLOURING MATTER, PRESERVATIVES AND METALLIC CONTAMINATION.
AS FOR THE RESULTS OF BACTERIOLOGICAL EXAMINATION, OUT OF THE 2,302 SAMPLES TAKEN, 2,204 WERE SATISFACTORY WHILE 98 WERE UNSATISFACTORY WITH A PERCENTAGE OF 4.26, MAJORITY OF WHICH WERE SHELLFISH, MEAT AND MEAT PRODUCTS.
THE DIVISION CARRIED OUT 39 PROSECUTIONS AND ISSUED 30 WARNING LETTERS.
/AS FOR ........
FRIDAY, JUNE 18, 1993
5
AS FOR THE CHECKING OF LABELS FOR PREPACKAGED FOOD, THE DIVISION CHECKED 3,450 LABELS, ISSUED 85 WARNING LETTERS AND EXECUTED 10 PROSECUTIONS.
IN THE SAME PERIOD, THE DIVISION INSPECTED MORE THAN 1.3 MILLION KILOGRAMS OF IMPORTED MEAT AND ABOUT 3.3 MILLION KILOGRAMS OF IMPORTED POULTRY IN 665 INSPECTIONS.
A TOTAL OF 114,511 KILOGRAMS OF FOOD WAS FOUND UNFIT FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION AND DESTROYED.
SEVENTEEN INCIDENTS OF FOOD POISONING WERE REPORTED DURING THE PERIOD WITH 125 PERSONS AFFECTED.
INVESTIGATIONS SHOWED THAT 15 WERE DOMESTIC OUTBREAKS AND TWO WERE FOOD-PREMISES OUTBREAKS.
THE CONTRIBUTING FACTORS WERE PESTICIDE-CONTAMINATED VEGETABLES, CONTAMINATION BY FOOD-HANDLER, IMPROPER STORAGE AND INADEQUATE COOKING.
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ORDERS-ON-HAND OF MANUFACTURERS
*****
IN APRIL
THE VOLUME OF ORDERS-ON-HAND FOR THE 200 LARGEST MANUFACTURERS INCREASED SLIGHTLY BY 1% IN APRIL 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 ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC PRODUCTS INDUSTRY INCREASED MODERATELY BY
ORDERS POSITION REMAINED VIRTUALLY UNCHANGED IN THE WEARING APPAREL INDUSTRY AND THE FABRICATED METAL PRODUCTS INDUSTRY AS COMPARED WITH A YEAR AGO. HOWEVER, ORDERS IN THE TEXTILES AND THE PLASTIC PRODUCTS INDUSTRIES DECREASED BY 2% AND 1% RESPECTIVELY.
COMPARED WITH THE PRECEDING MONTH, ORDERS FOR ALL THE MANUFACTURERS SURVEYED SHOWED LITTLE CHANGE.
ORDERS POSITION IN THE PLASTIC PRODUCTS AND THE WEARING APPAREL INDUSTRIES INCREASED BY 2% AND 1% RESPECTIVELY OVER THE PRECEDING MONTH.
ON THE OTHER HAND, THE ORDERS POSITION SHOWED LITTLE CHANGE IN THE FABRICATED METAL PRODUCTS INDUSTRY. AS FOR THE TEXTILES AND THE ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC PRODUCTS INDUSTRIES, ORDERS DECREASED BY 3% AND 1% RESPECTIVELY.
/THE MONTHLY
FRIDAY, JUNE 18, 1993
6
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 FOR THE DEPARTMENT POINTED OUT THAT AS THE SURVEY SAMPLE COVERED ONLY THE LARGE COMPANIES, THE SURVEY RESULTS MAY 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 THE SECTOR.
THE SURVEY REPORT FOR APRIL 1993 AT $5.50 A COPY IS NOW ON SALE AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, GENERAL POST OFFICE BUILDING, CONNAUGHT PLACE, CENTRAL, AND AT THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT PUBLICATIONS SALES COUNTER, 19TH FLOOR, WANCHAI TOWER, 12 HARBOUR ROAD, WAN CHAI.
ENQUIRIES ABOUT THE SURVEY RESULTS MAY BE MADE OF THE INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION STATISTICS SECTION OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT ON 805 6441.
THE FOLLOWING TABLE SHOWS THE PERCENTAGE CHANGES IN ORDERS-ON-HAND:
AS INDUSTRY AT THE END OF APRIL 1993 CHANGE WHEN MARCH 1993 COMPARED WITH APRIL 1992
(MONTHS) (%) (%)
ALL MANUFACTURERS SURVEYED 4.54 * + 1
WEARING APPAREL 4.88 + 1 *
TEXTILES 2.40 -3 -2
PLASTIC PRODUCTS 3.95 + 2 -1
FABRICATED METAL PRODUCTS 4.41 t *
ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC PRODUCTS 5.82 -1 + 5
OTHERS 3.86 -1 -2
* CHANGES WITHIN +/-0.5%
/7........
FRIDAY, JUNE 18, 1993
7
NEW POST OFFICE FOR PEAK ♦ * * ♦ *
THE POSTMASTER GENERAL, MR M PAGLIARI, ANNOUNCED TODAY (FRIDAY) THAT A NEW PEAK POST OFFICE WILL OPEN AT 9.30 AM ON MONDAY (JUNE 28).
IT IS LOCATED AT SHOP UG2 OF THE UPPER PEAK TRAM TERMINUS, 122 PEAK ROAD.
THE OFFICE WILL REPLACE THE EXISTING ONE AT THE UPPER PEAK TRAM STATION BUILDING WHICH WILL CLOSE FOR BUSINESS AFTER 1 PM ON SATURDAY (JUNE 26).
BUSINESS HOURS AND TELEPHONE NUMBER OF THE NEW OFFICE WILL BE THE SAME AS THOSE OF THE EXISTING OFFICE.
LOCAL PHILATELISTS WILL WISH TO NOTE THAT A SPECIAL HANDBACK SERVICE WILL BE AVAILABLE AT THE PEAK POST OFFICE ON JUNE 28.
UNREGISTERED FULLY POSTAGE PREPAID ’’FIRST DAY COVERS" PREPARED PRIVATELY, AND BEARING A LOCAL ADDRESS, WILL BE ACCEPTED OVER THE COUNTER, IMPRESSED WITH THE NORMAL POST OFFICE DATESTAMP AND HANDED BACK TO THE PERSON PRESENTING THEM.
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FOUR DRAFT DEVELOPMENT’PERMISSION AREA PLANS ANNOUNCED ♦ ♦ * * *
THE TOWN PLANNING BOARD TODAY (FRIDAY) ANNOUNCED THE PUBLICATION OF FOUR NEW DRAFT DEVELOPMENT PERMISSION AREA (DPA) PLANS FOR LAM TEI AND YICK YUEN, SO KWUN WAT IN TUEN MUN, TONG YAN SAN TSUEN AND PING SHAN IN YUEN LONG.
THE PLANS COVER ABOUT 2,260 HECTARES OF RURAL AREAS IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.
ONE OF THE MAIN OBJECTIVES FOR ZONING THEM AS DEVELOPMENT PERMISSION AREAS IS TO PREVENT FURTHER UNPLANNED PROLIFERATION OF UNDESIRABLE DEVELOPMENTS AND USES WHICH HAVE CAUSED DEGRADATION OF THE RURAL ENVIRONMENT.
IT IS ALSO INTENDED THAT THE INTRODUCTION OF THE PLANS WILL PROVIDE GUIDANCE FOR PLANNING AND FACILITATE DEVELOPMENT CONTROL WITHIN THE DEVELOPMENT PERMISSION AREAS DURING THE PERIOD REQUIRED FOR DETAILED ANALYSIS OF LAND USE PATTERN, STUDY OF INFRASTRUCTURAL PROVISIONS AND EXAMINATION OF DEVELOPMENT OPTIONS BEFORE OUTLINE ZONING PLANS ARE FORMULATED.
ONE MAIN FEATURE OF THE DPA PLANS, WHICH IS DIFFERENT FROM THAT OF THE OUTLINE ZONING PLANS ADOPTED FOR THE URBAN AND NEW TOWNS, IS THE DESIGNATION OF AREAS AS ’’UNSPECIFIED USE’’ AREAS WITHIN WHICH ALL DEVELOPMENTS, EXCEPT THOSE USES WHICH ARE ALWAYS PERMITTED IN TERMS OF THE NOTES OF THE PLANS, WILL REQUIRE PERMISSION FROM THE TOWN PLANNING BOARD.
/THE PLANNING .......
FRIDAY, JUNE 18, 1993
8
THE PLANNING INTENTIONS ARE GIVEN IN THE EXPLANATORY STATEMENTS OF THE PLANS TO PROVIDE GUIDANCE ON THE APPROPRIATE TYPE OF DEVELOPMENTS AND USES.
THE PLANS ALSO RECOGNISE THE DEVELOPMENT RIGHTS OF INDIGENOUS VILLAGERS.
WHERE APPROPRIATE, AREAS WITHIN THE BOUNDARIES OF RECOGNISED VILLAGES ARE ZONED ’’VILLAGE TYPE DEVELOPMENT”.
UNDER THE PROVISIONS OF THE TOWN PLANNING ORDINANCE, UNAUTHORISED DEVELOPMENTS WITHIN THE DPA WILL BE SUBJECT TO ENFORCEMENT ACTION.
THE NEW DRAFT DPA PLANS TOGETHER WITH THEIR NOTES AND EXPLANATORY STATEMENTS ARE AVAILABLE FOR PUBLIC INSPECTION UNTIL AUGUST 18, 1993 AT:
* PLANNING DEPARTMENT, 16TH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN
ROAD, CENTRAL, HONG KONG;
* THE TUEN MUN AND YUEN LONG DISTRICT PLANNING OFFICE,
LEVEL 11, METROPLAZA TOWER 1, 223 HING FONG ROAD, KWAI
CHUNG, NEW TERRITORIES; AND
* THE RESPECTIVE DISTRICT OFFICES.
ANY PERSON AFFECTED- BY THE PLANS MAY SEND HIS WRITTEN OBJECTIONS TO THE SECRETARY, TOWN PLANNING BOARD, C/O PLANNING DEPARTMENT, 13TH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG ON OR BEFORE AUGUST 18.
COPIES OF THE PLANS ARE AVAILABLE AT THE SURVEY AND MAPPING OFFICE, BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT, J4TH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG AND THE KOWLOON MAP SALES SECTION, 382 NATHAN ROAD, KOWLOON.
------0--------
CARGO WORKING AREAS REMAIN OPEN ON TUEN NG HOLIDAY *****
THE MARINE DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES TODAY (FRIDAY! CARGO WORKING AREAS WILL STAY OPEN FROM 7 AM TO 9 (THURSDAY) - THE DRAGON BOAT FESTIVAL HOLIDAY
THAT ALL PUBLIC
PM ON JUNE 24
I HE PUBLIC CARGO WORKING AREAS ADMINISTERED ARE AT THE WESTERN DISTRICT, SHEUNG WAN, WAN CHAI SHUI PO, YAU MA TEI, KWUN TONG, CHA KWO LING, TSUEN CHANNEL. ’ iouhin
BY THE DEPARTMENT , CHAI WAN, SHAM WAN AND RAMBLER
’’THE TUEN
9 PM ON THAT DAY,”
MUN WATERFRONT WILL ALSO BE OPEN BETWEEN 7 A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID.
AM AND
THE MACAU FERRY TERMINAL WILL REMAIN AND THE CHINA FERRY TERMINAL IN TSIM SHA TSUI BETWEEN 6 AM AND 10 PM.
OPEN ROUND THE
WILL BE OPEN AS
CLOCK, NORMAL
/MEANWHILE, THE ........
FRIDAY, JUNE 18, 1993
9
MEANWHILE, THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT DRAGON BOAT RACES WILL TAKE PLACE OFF THE WESTERN DISTRICT WATERFRONT BETWEEN THE CHINA MERCHANT WHARF AND THE GREEN ISLAND CEMENT PIER FROM 11 AM TO 5 PM ON JUNE 24.
"ALL VESSELS NAVIGATING IN THE VICINITY DURING THE RACES SHOULD MOVE WITH CAUTION, GIVING CONSIDERATION TO THE ATHLETES," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
THE HONG KONG DRAGON BOAT FESTIVAL INTERNATIONAL RACES WILL TAKE PLACE OFF THE TSIM SHA TSUI WATERFRONT BETWEEN HUNG HOM RAILWAY PIER AND THE NEW WORLD CENTRE ON JULY 3 (SATURDAY) FROM NOON TO 7 PM AND ON JULY 4 (SUNDAY) FROM 8 AM TO 5 PM.
MOORING BUOYS MARKING THE SOUTHERN LIMIT OF THE RACE AREA WILL BE LAID ABOUT 325 METRES SOUTH OF THE SEAWALL ON JUNE 21 (MONDAY) AND WILL REMAIN IN PLACE UNTIL JULY 7 (WEDNESDAY).
THE SPOKESMAN SAID: "THROUGHOUT THE EVENT, LIGHTERS, FERRIES AND LAUNCHES WILL BE FASTENED TO THE BUOYS TO ENCLOSE THE RACE AREA."
"OTHER THAN PARTICIPATING CRAFT, NO VESSEL WILL BE PERMITTED TO ENTER THE RACE AREA. DRAGON BOATS MAY PRACTISE WITHIN THE AREA DURING DAYTIME UNTIL JULY 3."
HE ADVISED VESSELS NAVIGATING IN THE VICINITY TO PAY SPECIAL ATTENTION TO MARINE SAFETY AND PROCEED WITH CAUTION.
-----0------
BOOKLET TO PROMOTE FAMILY RELATIONS PUBLISHED
*****
THE COMMITTEE ON FAMILY LIFE EDUCATION PUBLICITY CAMPAIGN PRODUCED A BOOKLET TO PROMOTE GOOD FAMILY RELATIONS.
HAS
ENTITLED "THE ROLE OF A MODERN FATHER", IT ILLUSTRATES WITH CARTOONS WHAT A GOOD MODERN FATHER SHOULD DO AT HOME.
THE BOOKLET, PRODUCED WITH THE ASSISTANCE ORGANISATIONS, IS ONE OF THE FEATURES OF THIS EDUCATION PUBLICITY CAMPAIGN.
"IT IS A EDUCATIONALISTS ON DEPARTMENT SAID.
COLLABORATION WORK OF FAMILY LIFE," A SPOKESMAN FOR
OF NON-GOVERNMENTAL YEAR’S FAMILY LIFE
SEVERAL EXPERIENCED
THE SOCIAL WELFARE
LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLOR MR TIK CHI-YUEN AND A SOCCER COACH, MR KWOK KAR-MING, ALSO CONTRIBUTED ARTICLES FOR THE BOOKLET.
"I HOPE PEOPLE CAN ENJOY A GOOD FAMILY LIFE AFTER READING IT." THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
COPIES OF THE BOOKLET ARE NOW AVAILABLE FREE OF CHARGE FROM ALL BRANCH OFFICES OF THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT.
/10........
FRIDAY, JUNE 18, 1993
10
URBAN COUNCIL COMPLEX FOR WESTERN RESIDENTS * * * * *
THE ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF A NINE-STOREY URBAN COUNCIL COMPLEX AT SMITHFIELD, WESTERN.
THE BUILDING WILL HOUSE A MARKET, A COOKED FOOD CENTRE, A LIBRARY, AN INDOOR GAMES HALL AND ANCILLARY FACILITIES.
WORKS ARE SCHEDULED TO START IN SEPTEMBER FOR COMPLETION IN JUNE 1995.
DEADLINE FOR SUBMITTING TENDERS IS NOON ON JULY 9.
FORMS OF TENDER AND FURTHER PARTICULARS MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT, 34TH FLOOR, QUEENSWAY GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 66 QUEENSWAY, HONG KONG.
------0-------
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS *****
$ MILLION
OPENING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT
REVERSAL OF LAF
BALANCE AFTER REVERSAL OF LAF
NET INJECTION/WITHDRAWAL TODAY
EFFECT OF LAF TODAY
CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT
LAF RATE 2.00 BID/4.00 OFFER TWI 112.3 »+0.1* 18.6.1993
1,960
+ 840
2,800
NIL
-140
2,660
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND
EF BILLS EF NOTES/HONG KONG GOVERNMENT BONDS
TERMS YIELD TERM ISSUE COUPON PRICE YIELD
1 WEEK 3.11 PCT 14 MONTHS 2408 4.375 100.50 3.96
1 MONTH 3.06 PCT 17 MONTHS 2411 4.625 100.57 4.24
3 MONTHS 3. 10 PCT 20 MONTHS 2502 4.75 100.56 4.44
o MONTHS 3.40 PCT 23 MONTHS 2505 3.75 98.52 4.62
12 MONTHS 3.77 PCT
TOTAL TURNOVER OF BILLS AND BONDS - 18,032 MN
CLOSED 18 JUNE 1993
--------0 - -
Received by PRO
KDl oa_2 ? JUH 1993
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
SATURDAY, JUNF 19, 1993
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
PROPERTY TRANSACTION FIGURES FOR MAY .................. ]
WEATHER OF MAY ........................................ 4
PERFORMING ARTS COUNCIL HOLDS RECEPTION ............... 7
CAFETERIA FOR NATURE EDUCATION CENTRE ................. 9
LUCKY VEHICLE REGISTRATION MARKS SALE BY AUCTION ...... 9
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS .
10
SATURDAY, JUNE 19, 1993
1
PROPERTY TRANSACTION FIGURES FOR MAY *****
THE TOTAL NUMBER OF SALE AND PURCHASE AGREEMENTS OF BUILDING UNITS, MAINLY FLATS, RECEIVED FOR REGISTRATION IN THE LAND REGISTRY LAST MONTH INCREASED BY 17.5 PER CENT COMPARED WITH THE PREVIOUS MONTH, BUT DECREASED BY 26.6 PER CENT COMPARED WITH MAY LAST YEAR.
IN ALL, 13,678 AGREEMENTS WERE RECEIVED FOR REGISTRATION DURING THE MONTH. THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF THE CONSIDERATIONS INVOLVED WAS ABOUT $33.9 BILLION.
THESE FIGURES ARE INCLUDED IN THE MONTHLY STATISTICS ON PROPERTY TRANSACTIONS RECEIVED FOR REGISTRATION IN THE URBAN AND NEW TERRITORIES LAND REGISTRIES RELEASED TODAY (SATURDAY) BY THE LAND REGISTRAR.
A TABLE SHOWING THE RELEVANT STATISTICS FOR APRIL 1993 AND FOR MAY LAST YEAR IS ALSO RELEASED.
THERE WERE 11 BUILDING MORTGAGES AND 14, 309 OTHER MORTGAGES RECEIVED FOR REGISTRATION IN THE MONTH, COMPARED TO NINE AND 14,970 RESPECTIVELY IN MAY LAST YEAR.
THE TOTAL AMOUNT SECURED UNDER NEW BUILDING MORTGAGES IN MAY WAS $3.3 BILLION COMPARED WITH $0.55 BILLION IN THE SAME MONTH LAST YEAR.
THE TOTAL AMOUNT SECURED UNDER NEW MORTGAGES IN THE MONTH OTHER THAN BUILDING MORTGAGES DROPPED BY 19.9 PER CENT FROM ABOUT $8.72 BILLION IN MAY 1992 TO $6.98 BILLION IN MAY 1993.
REPAYMENTS UNDER MORTGAGES OF ALL KINDS, AS EVIDENCED BY DISCHARGES AND MORTGAGEE’S RECEIPTS, INCREASED BY 94.6 PER CENT FROM ABOUT $4.22 BILLION IN MAY 1992 TO ABOUT $8.21 BILLION IN MAY 1993.
/THE LAND .......
■. LAND
THE LAND REGISTRY
Consolidated Monthly Statistics in respect of deeds received for registration in (he Urban and New Territories District Land Registries
Month : May 1993
Number of Deeds received for registration Consideration ($)
_Itcm_ Nature of Deeds Urban New Territories Total Urban New Territories Total
1. Agreements for Sale and Purchase of Building Units ( 7.713 7.966 ) ( 5,965 6.076 ) ( 13.678 14.042 ) 24,809,529,790.91 9,060,153,722.92 33.869,683.513.83
2. Agreements for Sale and Purchase of Land 31 331 362 4.159.080.000.00 1.254,729.574.16 5.413.809.574.16
Sub-total (1) ♦ (2) 7,744 6,296 14.040 28.968.609.790.91 10,314.883,297.08 39,283.493.087.99
3. Assignments of Building Units ( 9.605 9.724 ) ( 4,466 4.615 ) ( 14,071 14,339 ) 18,649.584,017.30 6.207.570,460.81 24.857.154.478.11
4. Assignments of Land 29 585 614 4,183,563,668.00 3.721,983.127.16 7.905.546.795.16
Sub-total (3) ♦ (4) 9,634 5,051 14.685 22.833,147,685.30 9,929,553,587.97 32.762,701,273.27
5. Building Mortgages/Building Legal Charges 8 3 11 3.211,700,000.00 53,500,000.00 3,265,200.000.00
6. Other Mortgages/Legal Charges 9,643 4.666 14,309 5.464,106.482.81 1,520,587,829.30 6.984,694,312.11
Sub-total (5) ♦ (6) 9,651 4,669 14.320 8,675,806,482.81 1.574.087,829.30 10,249.894,312.11
7. Rcceipts/Discharges/Releases 5.265 3,115 8,380 7.659.477,405.32 547,377,520.66 8,206,854.926.48
8. Leases/Tenancy Agreements 399 152 551
9. Exclusion Orders 1 0 I
10. Others 3,513 2.945 6.458
Total 36,207 22,228 58.435 68.137,041,364.84 22.365,902,235.01 90.502.943.599.85
Note : Figures in brackets denote number of units involved
SATURDAY, JUNE 19, 1993
THE LAND REGISTRY
Comparison of Monthly Statistic*
I I I I o
i i i i
Month : May 1993
Item 1993 May 1993 April 1992 May May 1993 Increase (♦) or Decrease (-) as compared arith
April 1993 May 1992
No. or Consideration Percentage No. or Consideration Percentage
I. Agreement* for Sale* and Purchase of Building Units (a) No. 13,678 11.639 18,637 ♦ 2.039 ♦ 17.5 4.959 26.6
(b) Consideration $33,869,683,513.83 $27,397,357,130.28 $39,633,375,541.72 ♦ $6,472,326,383.55 ♦ 23.6 $5,763,692,027.89 14.5
2. Agreements for Sale and Purchase of Land (•) No. 362 260 529 * 102 ♦ 39.2 167 31.6
(b) Consideration $5,413,809,574.16 $3,336,705,411.53 $9,708,472,944.49 ♦ $2,077,104,162.63 ♦ 62.3 $4,294,663,370.33 44.2
$ub-tptal of (1) ♦ (2) (a) No. 14,040 11,899 19,166 ♦ 2,141 ♦ 18.0 5,126 26.7
(b) Consideration $39,283,493,087.99 $30,734,062,541.81 $49,341,848,486.21 ♦ $8,549,430,546.18 ♦ 27.8 - $10,058,355,398.22 20.4
3. Assignments of Building Units (a) No. 14.071 9.596 14.885 ♦ 4.475 ♦ 46.6 814 5.5
(b) Consideration $24,857,154,478.11 $18,475,965,521.57 $28,894,700,447.97 ♦ $6,381,188,956.54 ♦ 34.5 $4,037,545,969.86 14.0
4. Assignments of Land (a) No. 614 512 813 ♦ 102 ♦ 19.9 199 24.5
(b) Consideration $7,905,546,795.16 $1,697,895,962.37 $7,016,713,332.50 ♦ $6,207,650,832.79 ♦ 365.6 ♦ $888,833,462.66 ♦ 12.7
Sub-total of (3) ♦ (4) (a) No. 14.685 10.108 15,698 ♦ 4.577 ♦ 45.3 1.013 6.5
(b) Consideration $32,762,701,273.27 $20,173,861,483.94 $35,911,413,780.47 ♦ $12,588,839,789.33 ♦ 62.4 $3,148,712,507.20 8.8
5. Building Morlgages/Building Legal Charges (a) No. 11 6 9 ♦ 5 ♦ 83.3 ♦ 2 ♦ 22.2
(b) Consideration $3,265,200,000.00 $529,720,000.00 $548,100,500.00 ♦ $2,735,480,000.00 ♦ 516.4 * $2,717,099,500.00 ♦ 495.7
6. Other Mortgages/Legal Charges (a) No. 14,309 10.502 14.970 ♦ 3,807 ♦ 36.3 661 4.4
(b) Consideration $6,984,694,312.11 $13,668,553,383.67 $8,724,252,894.39 - $6,683,859,071.56 48.9 - $1,739,558,582.28 19.9
Sub-total of (j) > (6) (a) No. 14,320 10,508 14.979 ♦ 3.812 ♦ 36.3 659 4.4
(b) Consideration $10,249,894,312.11 $14,198,273,383.67 $9,272,353,394.39 - $3,948,379,071.56 27.8 ♦ $977,540,917.72 ♦ 10.5
7. Receipts/Discharges/Rdenaes (a) No. 8,380 6,302 12.441 ♦ 2,078 ♦ 33.0 4.061 32.6
(b) Consideration $8,206,854,926.48 $2,751,305,398.34 $4,217,806,293.27 ♦ $5,455,549,528.14 ♦ 198.3 ♦ $3,989,048,633.21 ♦ 94.6
SATURDAY, JUNE 19, 1993
SATURDAY, JUNE 19, 1993
4
WEATHER OF MAY * * * * *
THE WEATHER IN MAY WAS VERY TYPICAL OF THE SEASON IN TERMS OF BOTH TEMPERATURE AND PRECIPITATION, ACCORDING TO A MONTHLY WEATHER REPORT PUBLISHED BY THE ROYAL OBSERVATORY TODAY (SATURDAY).
THE MONTHLY RAINFALL WAS 338.4 MILLIMETRES, JUST SEVEN PER CENT ABOVE THE MAY NORMAL OF 316.7 MILLIMETRES.
MOST OF THE RAIN WAS ASSOCIATED WITH MONSOON TROUGHS WHICH AFFECTED THE SOUTH CHINA COASTAL AREAS FROM TIME TO TIME.
THE PASSAGE OF A TROUGH ON THREE OCCASIONS IN THE FIRST HALF OF MAY WAS EACH FOLLOWED BY A WEAK SURGE OF LATE-SEASON NORTHEAST MONSOON DOWN THE TAIWAN STRAIT, WHILE A SLOW-MOVING TROUGH BROUGHT A PERIOD OF PROLONGED RAINY WEATHER TO HONG KONG IN THE SECOND HALF OF MAY.
AS A RESULT OF THE SHORTFALL IN THE FIRST FOUR MONTHS OF 1993, THE TOTAL RAINFALL OF 558.2 MILLIMETRES SINCE JANUARY 1 REMAINED BELOW AVERAGE BY ABOUT NINE PER CENT AS COMPARED WITH THE NORMAL OF 616.5 MILLIMETRES FOR THE PERIOD.
WITH A TROUGH OF LOW PRESSURE FORMING OVER GUANGDONG AND MOVING SOUTH TOWARDS THE COAST, MAY STARTED WITH A DELUGE WHICH LED TO 51 CASES OF FLOODING AND NINE REPORTS OF LANDSLIPS OVER THE FIRST TWO DAYS OF THE MONTH.
THE HEAVIEST DOWNPOUR OCCURRED IN THE TSUEN WAN AND SHA TIN AREAS WHERE OVER 200 MILLIMETRES OF RAIN WAS RECORDED DURING THE PERIOD. THERE WERE INTENSE THUNDERSTORMS ON THE EARLY MORNING ON MAY 1 AND AGAIN ON THE AFTERNOON OF MAY 2.
FOLLOWING THE PASSAGE AND WEAKENING OF THE TROUGH, RAIN EASED OFF EARLY ON MAY 3. TOWARDS THE EVENING, EASTERLY WINDS FRESHENED AND BROUGHT SOME LIGHT RAIN.
CLOUDY AND HUMID CONDITIONS CONTINUED INTO THE NEXT DAY WITH RAIN AND THUNDERSTORMS IN THE MORNING, MIST PATCHES IN THE AFTERNOON AND EVENING, AND THICK DRIZZLE THROUGHOUT THE NIGHT.
MAY’S LOWEST TEMPERATURE OF 20.6 DEGREES OCCURRED EARLY THAT DAY IN RAIN.
WITH WINDS TURNING SOUTHEASTERLY, RAIN BECAME LESS FREQUENT ON MAY 5 AND THE SUN SHONE BRIEFLY. MOIST MARITIME AIR BEGAN TO MOVE IN OVER THE COASTAL WATERS THAT EVENING AND FOG FORMED.
FOR THE NEXT TWO MORNINGS, SEA FOG AFFECTED VICTORIA HARBOUR. THE WEATHER WAS OTHERWISE FINE AND SUNNY FROM MAY 6 TILL THE EARLY PART OF MAY 9.
HOWEVER, IT TURNED FOR THE WORSE LATER ON MAY 9 AS ANOTHER TROUGH PASSED THROUGH THE TERRITORY. ONCE AGAIN, TSUEN WAN AND SHA TIN BORE THE BRUNT OF THE TORRENTIAL RAIN AND SQUALLY THUNDERSTORMS WHICH PERSISTED TILL MIDNIGHT.
/A HIKER .......
SATURDAY, JUNE 19, 1993
5
A HIKER WAS BEING WASHED AWAY BY A RAGING TORRENT DOWN THE HILLSIDE IN CASTLE PEAK AREA. AN ELDERLY WOMAN WAS INJURED AFTER HER HOUSE WAS DAMAGED BY A FALLEN TREE.
ABOUT 40 CASES OF FLOODING WERE REPORTED, MOSTLY IN YUEN LONG AND TSUEN WAN.
SUNNY PERIODS DURING THE DAY ON MAY 10 WERE FOLLOWED BY FREQUENT LIGHT RAIN THAT NIGHT AS EASTERLY WINDS FRESHENED. THE SEQUENCE OF WEATHER EVENTS THEN REPEATED ITSELF OVER THE NEXT FEW DAYS .
VISIBILITY WAS POOREST ON THE MORNING OF MAY 13 AS FOG SPREAD INTO VICTORIA HARBOUR. THE WEATHER WAS MAINLY FINE AND HOT BEFORE BECOMING CLOUDY EARLY ON MAY 15 AS ANOTHER TROUGH PASSED THROUGH AND EASTERLY WINDS FRESHENED.
BUT THE TROUGH ON THIS OCCASION WAS NOT AS ACTIVE, BRINGING ONLY ISOLATED THUNDERSTORMS AND LIGHT RAIN TO THE TERRITORY.
A SPELL OF FINE AND HOT WEATHER PREVAILED ON MAY 16-21. DURING THE PERIOD, WINDS GRADUALLY MODERATED AND VEERED TO A MORE SOUTHERLY DIRECTION.
BY MAY 22, WINDS HAD TURNED SOUTHWESTERLY AND SOME THUNDERY SHOWERS OCCURRED IN THE LATE MORNING.
THE WEATHER BECAME EVEN MORE UNSETTLED THE NEXT DAY AS ANOTHER TROUGH CROSSED THE SOUTH CHINA COAST.
THIS TROUGH LINGERED OVER THE COASTAL WATERS FOR DAYS, GIVING RISE TO ACTIVE DEVELOPMENT OF RAIN CLOUDS IN THE VICINITY OF HONG KONG.
SQUALLY THUNDERSTORMS AFFECTED THE TERRITORY ON THE MORNINGS OF MAY 23 AND 24 WHILE THE RAINY WEATHER PERSISTED TILL MAY 26.
BY THEN, OVER 200 MILLIMETRES OF RAIN HAD FALLEN OVER THE EASTERN PART OF THE NEW TERRITORIES.
A WOODEN HUT WAS DAMAGED BY A FALLEN BOULDER ON A HILLSIDE IN SHA TIN. SOME AREAS TN THE NEW TERRITORIES WERE FLOODED AND TRAFFIC IN KWAI CHUNG WAS SERIOUSLY DISRUPTED.
AS A FRONTAL DEPRESSION DEVELOPED TO THE EAST OF TAIWAN, A NORTHWESTERLY AIRSTREAM BLEW ACROSS THE SOUTH CHINA COASTAL AREAS AND BROUGHT DRIER AIR FROM THE INLAND REGION. THE WEATHER IMPROVED MARKEDLY ON MAY 27.
OVER THE NEXT COUPLE OF DAYS, CONDITIONS WERE UNSEASONABLY DRY AS DAYTIME RELATIVE HUMIDITY DROPPED BELOW 50 PER CENT.
UNDER A BRILLIANTLY FINE SKY, TEMPERATURES CLIMBED TO THE MONTH’S HIGHEST OF 31.7 DEGREES ON MAY 28.
/MARITIME AIR .......
SATURDAY, JUNE 19, 1993
6
MARITIME AIR RETURNED TOWARDS THE END OF THE MONTH, MOISTENING UP THE ATMOSPHERE. CLOUDINESS INCREASED ON MAY 30. THE NEXT DAY, AN ACTIVE SOUTHWEST MONSOON BLEW OVER THE TERRITORY WITH FRESH AND GUSTY WINDS.
AN OUTBREAK OF SEVERE SQUALLY THUNDERSTORMS IN THE EARLY HOURS AFFECTED MOSTLY THE EASTERN PART OF THE NEW TERRITORIES AND THE NORTHERN PART OF HONG KONG ISLAND.
THERE WERE REPORTS OF COLLAPSED SCAFFOLDINGS AND TREES IN CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT AS A RESULT OF THE STORMY CONDITIONS THAT MORNING.
THERE WAS ONLY ONE TROPICAL CYCLONE OVER THE WESTERN NORTH PACIFIC AND THE SOUTH CHINA SEA IN MAY. SEVEN AIRCRAFT WERE DIVERTED AS A RESULT OF INCLEMENT WEATHER.
DETAILS ON THE ISSUANCE/HOIST I NG AND CANCELLATION/LOWERING OF VARIOUS WARN INGS/SIGNALS IN THE MONTH ARE SUMMARISED IN TABLE 1.1.
MONTHLY METEOROLOGICAL FIGURES AND DEPARTURES FROM NORMAL ARE TABULATED IN TABLE 1.2.
TABLE 1.1 WARNINGS AND SIGNALS IN MAY 1993
WARNINGS / SIGNALS
EFFECTIVE DATE AND TIME
FLOOD WARNING MAY 1 0350 — MAY 1 1130
MAY 2 1215 — MAY 2 1705
MAY 9 1540 — MAY 9 2000
MAY 23 0505 - MAY 23 0900
MAY 24 0245 - MAY 24 1400
THUNDERSTORM WARNINGS MAY 1 0230 — MAY 1 1900
MAY 1 2150 — MAY 2 0750
MAY 2 1 100 — MAY 2 2000
MAY 4 0825 — MAY 4 1200
MAY 9 1245 — MAY 10 0700
MAY 15 0855 — MAY 15 1055
MAY 22 0840 — MAY 22 1240
MAY 23 0410 - MAY 23 0930
MAY 23 1300 — MAY 23 1700
MAY 23 1825 — MAY 23 2025
MAY 23 2245 — MAY 24 1700
MAY 24 2300 - MAY 25 1600
MAY 25 2300 - MAY 26 0900
MAY 31 0340 - MAY 31 0740
/TABLE 1.2 ..
7
SATURDAY, JUNE 19, 1993
TABLE 1.2 FIGURES AND
TOTAL BRIGHT SUNSHINE
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
DEPARTURES FROM NORMAL
162.8 HOURS
14.56 MJ/SQM
338.4 MM
73 %
84 %
28.6 DEGREES CELSIUS
26.0 DEGREES CELSIUS
24.1 DEGREES CELSIUS
23.0 DEGREES CELSIUS
110.7 MM
- MAY 1993
; 9.0 HOURS ABOVE NORMAL
; 1.56 MJ/SQM BELOW NORMAL
; 21.7 MM ABOVE NORMAL
; 1 % BELOW NORMAL
J 1 % ABOVE NORMAL
; 0.1 DEGREE CELSIUS BELOW NORMAL
; 0.1 DEGREE CELSIUS ABOVE NORMAL
; 0.2 DEGREE CELSIUS ABOVE NORMAL
; 0.4 DEGREE CELSIUS ABOVE NORMAL
; 27.0 MM BELOW NORMAL
- - - - 0------
PERFORMING ARTS COUNCIL HOLDS RECEPTION ♦ * * t ♦
THE COUNCIL FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS (CFPA) HELD A RECEPTION TODAY (SATURDAY) TO INTRODUCE THE COUNCIL’S ACTIVITIES FOR THE PAST YEAR.
THE ACTIVITIES INCLUDED THE PUBLICATION OF THE COUNCIL’S 10TH ANNIVERSARY REPORT; PRESENTATION OF COMMEMORATIVE CERTIFICATES TO SPONSORS OF THE MATCHING GRANT SCHEME; PRESENTATION OF AWARDS TO WINNERS OF THE CFPA AWARDS FOR OUTSTANDING ORIGINAL SCRIPTS 1992; AND ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE FINDINGS OF THE "SURVEY ON POPULATION’S ATTITUDE TO THE PERFORMING ARTS".
THE CFPA WAS ESTABLISHED IN 1982 AS THE GOVERNMENT’S PRINCIPAL ADVISER ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE PERFORMING ARTS.
SECRETARY FOR RECREATION AND CULTURE, MR JAMES SO, SAID: "THE CFPA IS A FORMIDABLE ADVOCATE OF THE CASE FOR THE ARTS TN HONG KONG, AND HAS PLAYED AN IMPORTANT ROLE IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE PERFORMING ARTS OVER THE PAST DECADE."
"I HAVE FOUND THE CFPA 10TH ANNIVERSARY REPORT A MOST VALUABLE PUBLICATION.
"IT NOT ONLY SUMMARISES THE WORK OF THE COUNCIL IN THE PAST 10 YEARS, BUT ALSO INCLUDES ARTICLES FROM VARIOUS PROMINENT ARTISTS AND ORGANISATIONS IN THE ARTS FIELD, EXPRESSING THEIR VIEWS ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE PERFORMING ARTS IN HONG KONG," HF SAID.
/CHAIRMAN OF
SATURDAY, JUNE 19, 1993
8
CHAIRMAN OF CFPA, PROFESSOR WANG GUNGWU, ALSO DISCLOSED THE COUNCIL’S RESPONSE TO THE GOVERNMENT’S CONSULTATION PAPER ON THE "ARTS POLICY REVIEW REPORT".
THIS INCLUDES THE NEED FOR A COMPREHENSIVE POLICY FOR THE FUTURE DEVELOPMENT OF THE ARTS IN HONG KONG; THE SETTING UP OF A BODY WITH EXECUTIVE POWER TO FORMULATE SUCH A POLICY AND TO CO-ORDINATE THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE POLICY; SUPPORT GIVEN TO THE CONTINUATION OF THE PURSUIT OF ARTS EDUCATION; AND AN APPEAL TO THE GOVERNMENT TO PROVIDE MORE FUNDS FOR THE FUTURE ARTS DEVELOPMENT AND TO EXPLORE FURTHER MEANS TO PROVIDE ASSISTANCE TO ARTISTS AND ARTS ORGANISATIONS AND TO ATTRACT MORE PRIVATE SPONSORSHIP.
ONE OF THE IMPORTANT INITIATIVES OF THE CFPA IS THE INTRODUCTION OF THE MATCHING GRANT SCHEME IN 1990 TO PROMOTE BUSINESS SPONSORSHIP FOR THE ARTS.
UNDER THE SCHEME, PERFORMING ARTS GROUPS WHICH HAVE NOT RECEIVED ANY SUBSIDY FROM GOVERNMENT CAN APPLY FOR A MATCHING GRANT, ON A DOLLAR FOR DOLLAR BASIS UP TO A MAXIMUM OF $100,000.
DURING THE PERIOD 1990/91 TO 1992/93, A TOTAL OF 32 MATCHING GRANTS HAVE BEEN AWARDED ATTRACTING A SPONSORSHIP OF OVER $4 MILLION.
AT THE RECEPTION, COMMEMORATIVE CERTIFICATES WERE PRESENTED BY MR SO AND PROF WANG TO 14 BUSINESS SPONSORS WHO HAD GENEROUSLY GIVEN THEIR SUPPORT TO PERFORMING ARTS IN 1992/93.
THE CFPA ORGANISED FOR THE THIRD YEAR THE AWARDS FOR OUTSTANDING ORIGINAL SCRIPTS.
SEVEN WINNING SCRIPTS WERE SELECTED.
THE CFPA LAUNCHED A "SURVEY ON POPULATION’S ATTITUDE TO THE PERFORMING ARTS IN HONG KONG" IN 1991, THE FINDINGS OF WHICH WERE ANNOUNCED DURING THE RECEPTION.
THE FINDINGS SHOW THAT ARTS ATTENDEES AMOUNT TO 16 PER CENT OF THE POPULATION. DRAMA AND CANTONESE OPERA ARE COMPARATIVELY THE MORE POPULAR ART FORMS.
THE FINDINGS ALSO SHOW THAT OF THE ARTS ATTENDEES, 47 PER CENT WERE EXPOSED DURING SCHOOL AGE TO THE FORM OF ART IN WHICll THEY ARE INTERESTED.
"THE SURVEY FINDINGS ARE USEFUL AND PROVIDE AN EMPIRICAL BASIS FOR STRATEGIC PLANNING AND RESOURCE ALLOCATION FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE PERFORMING ARTS IN HONG KONG," PROF WANG SAID.
MEMBERS OF THE ARTS COMMUNITY INTERESTED IN THE SURVEY FINDINGS CAN CONTACT THE HONG KONG ARTS RESOURCE AND INFORMATION CENTRE ON 824 2289 FOR MORE DETAILS.
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/9.........
SATURDAY, JUNE 19, 1993
9
CAFETERIA FOR NATURE EDUCATION CENTRE ******
THE POPULAR LIONS NATURE EDUCATION CENTRE IN SAI KUNG WILL SOON HAVE A NEW FACILITY - A CAFETERIA FOR VISITORS.
THIS WAS ANNOUNCED BY THE DIRECTOR OF AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES, DR LAWRENCE LEE, WHEN HE OFFICIATED AT THE CAFETERIA’S FOUNDATION STONE-LAYING CEREMONY TODAY (SATURDAY).
TO BE CONVERTED FROM THE FORMER BARRACKS AND STORES IN THE CENTRE, IT WILL BE BUILT AT A COST OF $2 MILLION DONATED BY THE LOCAL LIONS CLUBS.
“THE NEW CAFETERIA WILL BE LET AT A NOMINAL FEE TO THE HONG KONG SOCIETY FOR THE DEAF,” DR LEE SAID.
’’ANY PROFITS GENERATED WILL BE USED TO IMPROVE VOCATIONAL TRAINING AND EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY FOR THE HEARING-IMPAIRED PEOPLE,” HE SAID.
THE PROJECT IS MEANINGFUL AS IT WILL HELP THE LESS FORTUNATE MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC INTEGRATE INTO THE COMMUNITY, DR LEE ADDED.
THE DIRECTOR SAID THE NATURE EDUCATION CENTRE HAD BECOME INCREASINGLY POPULAR, WITH OVER 624,000 VISITORS SINCE ITS OPENING TWO YEARS AGO.
TOGETHER WITH OTHER GUESTS, DR LEE UNVEILED A PLAQUE TO COMMEMORATE THE DONORS WHO HAD CONTRIBUTED TO THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE EXHIBIT ION HALLS IN THE CENTRE.
- - 0 - -
LUCKY VEHICLE REGISTRATION MARKS SALE BY AUCTION ♦ ♦ ♦ » »
FIFTY VEHICLE REGISTRATION MARKS WERE PUT UP FOR AUCTION THIS (SATURDAY) MORNING FOR A TOTAL OF $2,448,000 WHICH WILL GO TO THE GOVERNMENT LOTTERIES FUND FOR CHARITY PURPOSES AFTER DEDUCTION OF EXPENSES.
THE AUCTION, HELD AT THE RECITAL HALL OF THE CITY HALL, SAW THE REGISTRATION MARK FH8 FETCH THE HIGHEST PRICE OF $600,000.
ANOTHER REGISTRATION MARK AL5 WAS SOLD AT THE SECOND HIGHEST PRICE OF $285,000 WHILE THE LOWEST PRICE WAS $1,000 EACH FOR FF1299, 7693 AND FF5658.
/FOLLOWING ARE
1Q _ SATURDAY, JUNE 19, 1993
FOLLOWING . ARE THE RESULTS OF ' TODAY’S AUCTION:
FF9288 $ 8,000 BB3103 $ 6,000 FF290 $ 14,000 AA355 $ 64,000
FF229 44,000 FF162 28,000 FF928 20,000 FF1299 1,000
♦FM808 126,000 »FK21 40,000 ♦ AL5 285,000 ♦ FH8 600,000
AP673 14,000 FF118 67,000 FF998 45,000 AL917 26,000
FF1800 92,000 HK865 47,000 AY9998 30,000 FF435 6,000
CY1693 5,000 FF8993 4,000 FF668 100,000 DC266 22,000
FF669 20,000 FF226 16,000 FF8303 7,000 FF327 8,000
♦AY400 35,000 ♦ FK4 60,000 ♦ FM9 270,000 *1946 88,000
FF499 8,000 FF3118 10,000 FF7774 8,000 HK667 80,000
FF205 6,000 FF230 18,000 FF1117 15,000 FF7693 1,000
FF944 14,000 FF9979 14,000 ♦FJ6666 40,000 FF176 12,000
AZ9422 5,000 FF1950 4,000 FF5658 1,000 ♦FL1122 21,000
FF7170 2,000 DL6104 WITHDRAWN
♦ SPECIAL VEHICLE REGISTRATION MARK (NOT TRANSFERABLE)
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 196TH ORGANISED BY THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT SINCE MAY 1973, BROUGHT THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF MONEY REALISED SO FAR TO $201,767,905.
THERE WAS NO BIDDER FOR DL6104. THIS VEHICLE REGISTRATION MARK WILL BE ASSIGNED TO THE ORIGINAL APPLICANT.
------0--------
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS
* * * * *
$ MILLION
OPENING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT 2,660
•
REVERSAL OF LAF +100
BALANCE AFTER REVERSAL OF LAF 2,760
NET INJECT!ON/WTTHDRAWAL TODAY NIL
EFFECT OF LAF TODAY -965
CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT 1,795
LAF RATE 2.00 BID/4.00 OFFER TWI 112.7 *+0.4* 19.6.93
- 0 - -
Received by PRO
12 JUN W3
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
SUNDAY, JUNE 20, 1993
contents page no.
MARINE SAFETY ADVICE IN DRAGON BOAT RACES i
CHINESE TEXTBOOKS ON DISPLAY ...............
CLASSICS STAMP SHEETLETS TO GO ON SALE o
OUT-PATIENT CLINICS TO CLOSE ON TUEN NG FESTIVAL 3
SUNDAY, JUNE 20, 1993
MARINE SAFETY ADVICE IN DRAGON BOAT RACES
*****
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE MARINE DEPARTMENT TODAY (SUNDAY) ADVISED VESSELS TO PAY SPECIAL ATTENTION TO MARINE SAFETY DURING DRAGON BOAT RACES IN THE COMING TWO WEEKS.
THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT DRAGON BOAT RACES WILL TAKE PLACE OFF THE WESTERN DISTRICT WATERFRONT BETWEEN THE CHINA MERCHANT WHARF AND THE GREEN ISLAND CEMENT PIER FROM 11 AM TO 5 PM ON JUNE 24.
"ALL VESSELS NAVIGATING IN THE VICINITY DURING THE RACES SHOULD MOVE WITH CAUTION, GIVING CONSIDERATION TO THE ATHLETES," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
THE HONG KONG DRAGON BOAT FESTIVAL INTERNATIONAL RACES WILL TAKE PLACE OFF THE TSIM SHA TSUI WATERFRONT BETWEEN HUNG HOM RAILWAY PIER AND THE NEW WORLD CENTRE ON JULY 3 (SATURDAY) FROM NOON TO 7 PM AND ON JULY 4 (SUNDAY) FROM 8 AM TO 5 PM.
MOORING BUOYS MARKING THE SOUTHERN LIMIT OF THE RACE AREA WILL BE LAID ABOUT 325 METRES SOUTH OF THE SEAWALL TOMORROW (MONDAY) AND WILL REMAIN IN PLACE UNTIL JULY 7 (WEDNESDAY).
"THROUGHOUT THE EVENT, LIGHTERS, FERRIES AND LAUNCHES WILL BE FASTENED TO THE BUOYS TO ENCLOSE THE RACE AREA."
"OTHER THAN PARTICIPATING CRAFT, NO VESSEL WILL BE PERMITTED TO ENTER THE RACE AREA. DRAGON BOATS MAY PRACTISE WITHIN THE AREA DURING DAYTIME UNTIL JULY 3," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
MEANWHILE THE SPOKESMAN REMINDED THE PUBLIC THAT ALL PUBLIC CARGO WORKING AREAS WOULD STAY OPEN FROM 7 AM TO 9 PM ON JUNE 24 (THURSDAY) - THE DRAGON BOAT FESTIVAL HOLIDAY.
THE PUBLIC CARGO WORKING AREAS ADMINISTERED BY THE DEPARTMENT ARE AT THE WESTERN DISTRICT, SHEUNG WAN, WAN CHAI, CHAI WAN, SHAM SHUI PO, YAU MA TEI, KWUN TONG, CHA KWO LING, TSUEN WAN AND RAMBLER CHANNEL.
THE TUEN MUN WATERFRONT WILL ALSO BE OPEN BETWEEN 7 AM AND 9 PM ON THAT DAY.
THE MACAU FERRY TERMINAL WILL REMAIN OPEN ROUND THE CLOCK, AND THE CHINA FERRY TERMINAL IN TSIM SHA TSUI WILL BE OPEN AS NORMAL BETWEEN 6 AM AND 10 PM.
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/2.........
SUNDAY, JUNE 20, 1993
CHINESE TEXTBOOKS ON DISPLAY
*****
THE SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER, MR MICHAEL LEUNG, WILL OPEN A THREE-DAY CHINESE TEXTBOOKS EXHIBITION AT THE HONG KONG TEACHERS’ CENTRE IN PAK FUK ROAD, NORTH POINT, TOMORROW (MONDAY).
SECONDARY SCHOOL PRINCIPALS, TEACHERS AND STUDENTS ARE INVITED TO VISIT THE EXHIBITION WHICH IS ORGANISED BY THE CHINESE TEXTBOOKS COMMITTEE AND THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID THE COMMITTEE HAD SO FAR PRODUCED 82 SETS OF CHINESE TEXTBOOKS FOR SECONDARY SCHOOLS UNDER THE INCENTIVE AWARD SCHEME FOR PUBLISHERS.
HE SAID FIVE CHINESE-MEDIUM REFERENCE BOOKS IN CHEMISTRY, ECONOMICS, GEOGRAPHY, HISTORY AND PHYSICS FOR ADVANCED LEVEL WOULD BE ON DISPLAY.
THE EXHIBITION WILL BE OPEN TO THE PUBLIC FROM 3 PM TO 5 PM TOMORROW AND FROM 9 AM TO 5 PM ON THE FOLLOWING TWO DAYS.
ATTENTION NEWS EDITORS:
YOUR REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER THE OPENING CEREMONY WHICH WILL BE HELD IN THE EXHIBITION HALL OF THE HONG KONG TEACHERS’ CENTRE, PAK FUK ROAD, NORTH POINT, AT 2.30 PM TOMORROW.
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CLASSICS STAMP SHEETLETS TO GO ON SALE
*****
THE POSTMASTER GENERAL, MR M PAGLIARI, ANNOUNCED TODAY (SUNDAY) THAT THE HONG KONG CLASSICS SERIES NO. 2 DEFINITIVE STAMP SHEETLETS WILL BE ISSUED ON JULY 6.
THE SHEETLET IS DESIGNED BY MS JULIA BROWN AND MR GARY SMITH AND PRINTED IN THE NETHERLANDS BY JOH ENSCHEDE.
THE BACKGROUND OF THE SHEETLET DEPICTS A STREET SCENE ON THE OCCASION OF THE SILVER JUBILEE OF THE REIGN OF KING GEORGE V IN 1935.
THE FOUR STAMPS REPRODUCED ON THE SHEETLET WERE ISSUED IN 1935 TO MARK THE SILVER JUBILEE.
/MR PAGLIARI
SUNDAY, JUNE 20, 1993
MR PAGLIARI SAID THEY WERE THE FIRST ROYAL COMMEMORATIVE PICTORIAL STAMPS EVER ISSUED BY THE HONG KONG POST OFFICE AND WERE PART OF THE FIRST COMMONWEALTH OMNIBUS ISSUE.
FOR ADVANCE INFORMATION OF THE PUBLIC, THE STAMP SHEETLETS WILL BE DISPLAYED AT THE GENERAL POST OFFICE, TSIM SHA TSUI POST OFFICE AND SHA TIN CENTRAL POST OFFICE FROM JUNE 30.
THE STAMP SHEETLETS WILL BE AVAILABLE AT $10 EACH. MATCHING OFFICIAL SOUVENIR COVERS WILL BE PLACED ON SALE FROM JUNE 30 AT $1 EACH.
BOTH ITEMS WILL BE AVAILABLE AT ALL POST OFFICES EXCEPT THE AIRPORT POST OFFICE.
ON JULY 6, EACH CUSTOMER IS ENTITLED TO A MAXIMUM OF 10 STAMP SHEETLETS.
A HAND-BACK SERVICE WILL BE PROVIDED AT ALL POST OFFICES, EXCEPT THE AIRPORT POST OFFICE, ON THE FIRST DAY OF ISSUE FOR OFFICIAL OR PRIVATELY MADE COVERS BEARING AN INDICATION OF THE OCCASION.
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OUT-PATIENT CLINICS TO CLOSE ON TUEN NG FESTIVAL * * * *
THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH TODAY (SUNDAY) ANNOUNCED THAT THERE WOULD BE NO HOLIDAY AND EVENING GENERAL OUT-PATIENT CLINIC SERVICES ON THURSDAY (JUNE 24) WHICH IS TUEN NG FESTIVAL.
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Rece^etJ on_ -----------—
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL.: 842 8777
MONDAY, JUNE 21. 1993
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
MEASURES TAKEN TO IMPROVE EDUCATION QUALITY ..................... 1
COMMUNITY CHEST - EVERYWHERE IN HK'S WELFARE CIRCLE ............. 2
THREE LOTS FOR SALE BY AUCTION .................................. 3
RESULTS OF ANTI-DRUG BADGE DESIGN COMPETITION RELEASED .......... 3
DESIGN COMPETITION FOR LOGO OF LORD WILSON HERITAGE TRUST ... 5
TTRA COMMITTEE MEETS TOMORROW ................................... 6
NO NOMINATION TODAY FOR LEGCO BY-ELECTION ....................... 6
WATER CUTS IN SAI KUNG AND HO MAN TIN ........................... 6
WATER STORAGE FIGURE ............................................ 7
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS
7
MONDAY, JUNE 21, 1993
MEASURES TAKEN TO IMPROVE EDUCATION QUALITY ♦ » ♦ * *
THE GOVERNMENT IS TAKING A SERIES OF SPECIFIC MEASURES TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF SCHOOLING IN HONG KONG, THE DEPUTY SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER, MR W K LAM, SAID.
THESE MEASURES FOLLOW THE NINE-YEAR FREE AND COMPULSORY EDUCATION AS WELL AS THE PROVISION OF SUBSIDISED SCHOOL PLACES TO ALL WHO WISH TO PURSUE THEIR STUDIES FURTHER, HE ADDED.
HE WAS SPEAKING AT THE TUNG WAH GROUP OF HOSPITALS JOINT KINDERGARTENS GRADUATION CEREMONY AT THE QUEEN ELIZABETH STADIUM TODAY (MONDAY).
MR LAM SAID THE AIM WAS TO IMPROVE THE CURRICULUM AND ITS DELIVERY, PROVIDE SUPPORT FOR STUDENTS AT BOTH ENDS OF THE ABILITY SPECTRUM, FACILITATE THE CHOICE OF AN APPROPRIATE MEDIUM OF INSTRUCTION AND SET LEARNING TARGETS.
IT IS ALSO HOPED THAT THROUGH ADDING STAFF AND REDUCING CLASS SIZES AND IMPROVING THE PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT WITHIN SCHOOLS, THE INDIVIDUAL ATTENTION TEACHERS CAN GIVE TO PUPILS WILL INCREASE.
ABOVE ALL, A COMPREHENSIVE PROGRAMME IS IN PLACE TO UPGRADE THE QUALITY AND EFFECTIVENESS OF THE TEACHERS THEMSELVES, THROUGH BETTER INITIAL PREPARATION, MORE FOCUSED PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND A BETTER STRUCTURED CAREER PATH, MR LAM SAID.
"THESE QUALITATIVE IMPROVEMENTS CHALLENGE NOT ONLY THE GOVERNMENT, WHICH HAS TO PLAN, FUND AND SUPPORT THE INITIATIVES, BUT ALSO SCHOOL OPERATORS, PRINCIPALS, TEACHERS AND PARENTS, WITHOUT WHOSE FORBEARANCE, PARTICIPATION AND CO-OPERATION THESE IMPROVEMENTS WILL DEFINITELY NOT BEAR FRUIT."
ON KINDERGARTENS, MR LAM SAID IT WAS THE GOVERNMENT POLICY TO HELP NEEDY PARENTS TO PAY THE FEES, REIMBURSE RENT AND RATES FOR NON-PROFIT MAKING OPERATORS AND PROVIDE TRAINING AT NO COST TO THE TEACHERS.
GIVEN THE COMMUNITY’S WISH TO SEE MORE DONE FOR KINDERGARTENS, HE ADDED, THE GOVERNMENT WOULD KEEP AN OPEN MIND ON WHAT FURTHER MEASURES MIGHT BE INTRODUCED TO ADDRESS THE CURRENT CONCERN OVER TEACHER QUALITY.
THE TUNG WAH GROUP OPERATES 48 SCHOOLS OF ALL TYPES WITH AN ENROLMENT OF MORE THAN 30,000 PUPILS, OR 2.5 PER CENT OF THE STUDENT POPULATION IN HONG KONG.
TODAY’S CEREMONY SIGNIFIED THE GRADUATION OF A TOTAL OF 1,140 KINDERGARTEN PUPILS. MR LAM SAID THESE PUPILS WOULD ENTER PRIMARY SCHOOLS "WITH SMALLER CLASSES WHICH WILL BE BETTER MANNED BY INCREASINGLY MORE QUALIFIED TEACHERS".
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/2.........
MONDAY, JUNE 21, 1993
2
COMMUNITY CHEST - EVERYWHERE IN HK’S WELFARE CIRCLE ♦ * * ♦ ♦
OVER THE YEARS, THE COMMUNITY CHEST HAS ESTABLISHED A UNIQUE POSITION FOR ITSELF AT THE HEART OF HONG KONG’S WELFARE SYSTEM, MRS PATTEN SAID TODAY (MONDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE 24TH ANNUAL MEETING OF THE COMMUNITY CHEST, MRS PATTEN SAID SHE WAS IMPRESSED BY THE CHEST’S CONSTANT SUPPORT TO A WIDE SPECTRUM OF AGENCIES AND SERVICES AND ITS FAR-SIGHTED FUNDING POLICY.
"I HAVE VISITED MANY WELFARE AGENCIES OVER THE PAST FEW MONTHS, AND ALMOST EVERYWHERE I TURN I SEE THE CHEST’S RED PAGODA - A FAMILIAR SYMBOL OF THE COMMUNITY’S SUPPORT."
HELP IS GIVEN OUT NOT ONLY TO THE LARGE AND WELL-ESTABLISHED AGENCIES, BUT ALSO TO SMALLER, LESS WELL-KNOWN AGENCIES, WHO DEPEND ON THE CHEST’S SUPPORT FOR THEIR SURVIVAL, SHE SAID.
MRS PATTEN WAS ALSO IMPRESSED BY THE CHEST’S EFFORTS IN PROMOTING THE INTEGRATION OF MENTALLY HANDICAPPED PEOPLE INTO THE SOCIETY.
THE CHEST IS WILLING TO PROMOTE SERVICES WHICH MAY NOT BE FASHIONABLE BUT IS GIVING REAL HELP TO PEOPLE.
"IN THIS WAY, THE CHEST IS ACTUALLY SETTING AN EXAMPLE, AND STRENGTHENING OUR COMMUNITY," MRS PATTEN ADDED.
"SO WE CAN TAKE PRIDE IN WHAT THE CHEST HAS ACCOMPLISHED IN ITS FIRST 24 YEARS," SHE SAID.
THE COMMUNITY CHEST WILL CONTINUE TO PLAY A VITAL ROLE IN HELPING DISADVANTAGED PEOPLE. TO DO THAT, THE SUPPORT OF THE WHOLE COMMUNITY WILL BE NEEDED, SHE ADDED.
DURING THE YEAR, THE CHEST HAS ALLOCATED A TOTAL OF $141 MILLION TO 126 AGENCIES, 17 PER CENT MORE THAN LAST YEAR.
IT HAS ALSO RAISED A TOTAL OF $145 MILLION, $13 MILLION MORE THAN LAST YEAR.
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/3.........
MONDAY, JUNE 21, 1993
3 -
THREE LOTS FOR SALE BY AUCTION
♦ ♦ ♦ » »
THREE LOTS OF GOVERNMENT LAND WILL BE OFFERED FOR SALE IN A LAND AUCTION TO BE HELD TOMORROW (TUESDAY) AT THE CITY HALL THEATRE, STARTING AT 2.30 PM.
THE FIRST LOT, LOCATED AT KAU TO, AREA 46, JUNCTION OF KAU TO SHAN ROAD AND MA LING PATH, SHA TIN, HAS AN AREA OF ABOUT 15,320 SQUARE METRES EARMARKED FOR RESIDENTIAL USE.
THE SECOND LOT IN AREA 11, AT THE JUNCTION OF ON SHUM STREET AND ON LAI STREET, SHA TIN, HAS AN AREA OF ABOUT 4,000 SQUARE METRES. IT IS INTENDED FOR INDUSTRIAL AND/OR GODOWN (EXCLUDING DANGEROUS GOODS GODOWN) PURPOSES.
THE REMAINING LOT IN TAK YIP STREET, TUNG TAU INDUSTRIAL AREA, YUEN LONG, HAS AN AREA OF ABOUT 3,030 SQUARE METRES FOR GODOWN PURPOSES (EXCLUDING DANGEROUS GOODS).
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.
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RESULTS OF ANTI-DRUG BADGE DESIGN COMPETITION RELEASED *****
THE ’ANTI-DRUG BADGE DESIGN COMPETITION’, ORGANISED BY THE ACTION COMMITTEE AGAINST NARCOTICS AND SPONSORED BY THE ROTARY CLUB OF ADMIRALTY, ENTERED ITS FINAL STAGE TODAY (MONDAY) WHEN THE JUDGING PANEL SELECTED THE CHAMPION, FIRST AND SECOND RUNNERS-UP AND 10 OUTSTANDING AWARDS FROM A LARGE BATCH OF ENTRIES.
ADJUDICATORS OF THE COMPETITION INCLUDE MISS MAUREEN TO, ACTING PRINCIPAL ASSISTANT SECRETARY FOR SECURITY (NARCOTICS), MR PETER PUN, PRESIDENT ELECT OF THE ROTARY CLUB OF ADMIRALTY; AND MR JOSEPH FUNG, LECTURER OF SWIRE SCHOOL OF DESIGN, HONG KONG POLYTECHNIC.
THEY JUDGED THE ENTRIES ACCORDING TO THEIR MEANING, CREATIVITY AND VISUAL AESTHETICS.
THE WINNING DESIGN WILL BE USED TO PRODUCE A CIRCULAR ANTI-DRUG BADGE FOR DISTRIBUTION TO THE YOUNGSTERS.
/IT IS .......
MONDAY, JUNE 21, 1993
IT IS HOPED THAT THE ANTI-DRUQ BADGE WILL HELP DISSEMINATE THE MESSAGE OF ’HEALTHY LIFE’ TO THE YOUNGSTERS AND REMIND THEM TO SAY ’NO’ TO DRUGS.
THE AWARD LIST IS AS FOLLOWS:
CHAMPION - LI KON-BOR
FIRST RUNNER-UP - LI KON-BOR
SECOND RUNNER-UP - TSE LAI-HON
OUTSTANDING AWARDS NG WAI-MAN
(IN RANDOM ORDER)
LUK FUNG-SIN, SUSANNA
YU YUEN-WAH, NEVILLE
LI KON-BOR
WONG PAK-YEUNG
CHOW WINSON
LAM MEE-YEE
KUNG FAN-YUI
WONG CHUN-WING
LI KON-BOR
IN ADDITION TO A TROPHY, THE CHAMPION, FIRST AND SECOND RUNNERS-UP OF THE COMPETITION WILL EACH BE AWARDED A CASH PRIZE OF $10,000, $5,000 AND $3,000 RESPECTIVELY. THE 10 OUTSTANDING AWARDS WILL EACH GET A $300 BOOK COUPON.
THE PRIZES PRESENTATION CEREMONY OF THE COMPETITION WILL BE HELD AT 3.45 PM ON SUNDAY (JUNE 27) AT THE MUSIC FOUNTAIN ATRIUM OF NEW TOWN PLAZA, SHA TIN.
APART FROM VARIETIES OF ANTI-DRUG EXHIBITION ITEMS, THE WINNING DESIGNS WILL ALSO BE ON DISPLAY FOR PUBLIC VIEWING AT THE ’’INTERNATIONAL ANTI-DRUG DAY EXHIBITION” HELD AT THE PLAZA FROM JUNE 26 TO 28.
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/5 ........
MONDAY, JUNE 21, 1993
- 5 -
DESIGN COMPETITION FOR LOGO OF LORD WILSON HERITAGE TRUST
*****
ENTRIES ARE BEING INVITED FOR A LOGO DESIGN COMPETITION "HERITAGE IN GRAPHICS" ORGANISED BY THE LORD WILSON HERITAGE TRUST.
THE TRUST WAS SET UP IN LATE 1992 WITH AIMS TO PRESERVE AND PROMOTE HONG KONG'S HERITAGE
IT IS ALSO HOPED THAT THE FUNCTION WILL AROUSE PUBLIC AWARENESS OF THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THIS NEW BODY FOR HERITAGE PRESERVATION.
THE COMPETITION IS A TERRITORY-WIDE EVENT OPEN TO THE PUBLIC. PARTICIPANTS MAY SUBMIT ANY NUMBER OF ENTRIES.
ENTRIES SHOULD BE ARTWORK ON A4 SIZE PAPER, SUITABLE FOR USE ON LETTERHEADS, STATIONERY, BOARDING, TIES AND BADGES, AND SO ON. THERE SHOULD BE TWO VERSIONS OF DESIGN IN ALL ENTRIES, ONE IN BLACK AND WHITE AND THE OTHER IN COLOUR(S).
ENTRIES MUST BE SUBMITTED TOGETHER WITH COMPLETED ENTRY FORMS TO THE ANTIQUITIES AND MONUMENTS OFFICE OF THE RECREATION AND CULTURE BRANCH, 136 NATHAN ROAD, TSIM SHA TSUI, KOWLOON ON OR BEFORE JULY 31.
THE ENTRY FORM SHOULD BE PLACED IN A SEALED ENVELOPE STUCK TO THE BACK OF THE ENTRY.
THE COMPETITION WILL BE JUDGED IN TWO STAGES.
FOR STAGE I, A PANEL COMPRISING THREE EXPERTS IN THE FIELD OF DESIGN WILL SHORTLIST THE ENTRIES DOWN TO FIVE FINALISTS.
FOR STAGE II, A PANEL COMPRISING TWO REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE BOARD AND COUNCIL OF THE LORD WILSON HERITAGE TRUST PLUS THE CHAIRMAN OF STAGE I WILL SELECT A WINNER AMONG THE FIVE SHORTLISTED DESIGNS, WHICH MAY BE USED AS THE LOGO OF THE TRUST.
RESULTS ARE EXPECTED TO BE ANNOUNCED IN AUGUST.
THE WINNER OF THE COMPETITION WILL RECEIVE $5,000 IN CASH AND A CERTIFICATE. THERE WILL ALSO BE FOUR MERIT PRIZES EACH WITH $1,000 IN CASH AND A CERTIFICATE AS WELL.
ENTRY FORMS ARE NOW AVAILABLE AT THE ANTIQUITIES AND MONUMENTS OFFICE, DISTRICT OFFICES, PUBLIC LIBRARIES AND MUSEUMS. FURTHER ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE ON TEL 721 2326.
/6 ........
MONDAY, JUNE 21, 1993
- 6
TTRA COMMITTEE MEETS TOMORROW
*****
THE TARGETS AND TARGET-RELATED ASSESSMENT COMMITTEE WILL HOLD ITS SECOND MEETING TOMORROW (TUESDAY). AFTER THE MEETING, THE COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN, MR ANDREW SO KWOK-WING, WILL MEET THE MEDIA.
YOUR REPRESENTATIVES WISHING TO ATTEND THE MEDIA SESSION ARE REQUESTED TO ASSEMBLE AT THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT’S INFORMATION AND PUBLIC RELATIONS SECTION AT ROOM 1645, WU CHUNG HOUSE, 213 QUEEN’S ROAD EAST, WAN CHAI, AT 4.30 PM TOMORROW.
-----0-------
NO NOMINATION TODAY FOR LEGCO BY-ELECTION
*****
THE GOVERNMENT HAS RECEIVED NO NOMINATION FOR THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL BY-ELECTION IN RESPECT OF THE FIRST INDUSTRIAL ELECTORAL DIVISION TODAY (MONDAY).
ONLY ONE NOMINATION HAS SO FAR BEEN RECEIVED ON JUNE 16. THE NOMINATION IS FROM MR JAMES TIEN PEI-CHUN, 46, A MANAGING DIRECTOR.
NOMINATIONS ARE OPEN FROM JUNE 11 TO 25. THE BY-ELECTION WILL BE HELD ON JULY 15 TO FILL THE VACANCY LEFT BY THE LATE STEPHEN CHEONG.
--------0-----------
WATER CUTS IN SAI KUNG AND HO MAN TIN *****
FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO SOME PREMISES IN SAI KUNG WILL GO OFF FROM 11 PM TOMORROW (TUESDAY) TO 6 AM THE FOLLOWING DAY TO FACILITATE WASTE DETECTION WORK ON WATER MAINS.
ALL PREMISES AT MAN NIN STREET, SAI KUNG HOT PONG STREET, SAI KUNG CENTRE STREET AND SAI KUNG ROAD WILL BE AFFECTED BY THE WATER CUT.
MEANWHILE, SALT WATER SUPPLY TO ALL PREMISES IN HO MAN TIN AND KING’S PARK WILL BE SUSPENDED FROM 9 AM TO 5 PM TOMORROW TO FACILITATE ANNUAL CLEANING OF THE SALT WATER RESERVOIR IN HO MAN TIN.
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/7........
MONDAY, JUNE 21, 1993
- 7 -
WATER STORAGE FIGURE
♦ * * *
STORAGE IN HONG KONG’S RESERVOIRS AT 9 AM TODAY (MONDAY) STOOD AT 69.1 PER CENT OF CAPACITY OR 404.731 MILLION CUBIC METRES.
THIS TIME LAST YEAR THE RESERVOIRS CONTAINED 433.240 MILLION CUBIC METRES OF WATER, REPRESENTING 73.9 PER CENT OF CAPACITY.
---------0-----------
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS » » * * *
$ MILLION
OPENING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT REVERSAL OF LAF BALANCE AFTER REVERSAL OF LAF NET INJECTION/WITHDRAWAL TODAY EFFECT OF LAF TODAY CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT LAF RATE 2.00 BID/4.00 OFFER TWI 113.0 1,795 +1,005 2,800 NIL +2,250 5,050 *+0.3* 21 .6.93
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE EF BILLS EF NOTES/HONG KONG TERMS YIELD TERM ISSUE 1 WEEK 2.91 PCT 14 MONTHS 2408 1 MONTH 3.16 PCT 17 MONTHS 2411 3 MONTHS 3.22 PCT 20 MONTHS 2502 6 MONTHS 3.51 PCT 23 MONTHS 2505 12 MONTHS 3.86 PCT TOTAL TURNOVER OF BILLS AND BONDS - 34,942 MN FUND GOVERNMENT COUPON 4.375 4.625 4.75 3.75 BONDS PRICE 100.42 100.50 100.44 98.36 YIELD 4.04 4.30 4.52 4.71
CLOSED JUNE 21, 1993
- - 0-------
Received by PRO o„ 2 5 JUN 1993
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
TUESDAY, JUNE 22, 1993
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
EXCO APPROVES CIVIL SERVICE PAY ADJUSTMENT ...................... 1
NO MAJOR CHANGES IN ADMINISTRATIVE ARRANGEMENT BETWEEN GOVT AND HOUSING AUTHORITY ......................................... 2
PRELIMINARY REPORTS ON HOIST ACCIDENT COMPLETED ................. 2
DIRECTOR-GENERAL OF TRADE CAUTIONS AGAINST REGIONALISM .......... 3
CONSUMER PRICE INDICES FOR MAY .................................. 4
REVIEW AIMS TO CHART CLEANER, GREENER PATH INTO NEXT CENTURY 11
THREE GOVT LOTS SOLD FOR S936 MILLION .......................... 12
CONTRACT FOR SEWERAGE SYSTEMS SIGNED ........................... 13
RESEARCH GRANTS FOR TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS FOR 1993/94 .......... 13
DUKE OF EDINBURGH'S AWARD GIVES PURPOSE TO LIFE ................ 16
A HECTIC DAY OF DRAGON BOAT RACES .............................. 16
NO NOMINATION TODAY FOR LEGCO BY-ELECTION ...................... 16
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND TENDER RESULTS .............. 17
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS ..
18
TUESDAY, JUNE 22, 1993
1
EXCO APPROVES CIVIL SERVICE PAY ADJUSTMENT ***** i
SENIOR CIVIL SERVANTS WILL RECEIVE A PAY RISE OF 9.76 PER CENT AND THEIR JUNIOR COUNTERPARTS AN INCREASE OF 10.66 PER CENT, BACKDATED TO APRIL 1 THIS YEAR.
THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL DECIDED ON THIS LEVEL OF PAY ADJUSTMENT TODAY (TUESDAY) AFTER CAREFUL CONSIDERATION OF THE VIEWS EXPRESSED BY THE STAFF SIDE OF THE CENTRAL CONSULTATIVE COUNCILS, OVERALL STAFF RESPONSE AND PUBLIC REACTION TO THE PAY OFFER.
MEMBERS ARE FULLY AWARE OF STAFF SENTIMENT ON A RANGE OF ISSUES CONCERNING THEIR PAY AND CONDITIONS OF SERVICE AND RECOGNISE THE IMPORTANCE OF MAINTAINING AN EFFICIENT AND SATISFIED CIVIL SERVICE.
THE SECRETARY FOR THE CIVIL SERVICE WILL MEET WITH THE STAFF SIDE OF THE CENTRAL CONSULTATIVE COUNCILS TO ADDRESS THEIR CONCERNS.
AS REGARDS THE PAY ADJUSTMENT THIS YEAR, THE ACTING SECRETARY FOR THE CIVIL SERVICE, MR STUART HARBINSON, SAID THE PAY ADJUSTMENT FOLLOWED THE NET PAY TREND INDICATORS WHICH REFLECTED THE AVERAGE INCREASES IN SALARIES OVER THE PAST YEAR FOR PRIVATE SECTOR EMPLOYEES.
"CIVIL SERVANTS IN THE HIGHER INCREASES THAN THE PAY THE GAP BETWEEN THE SALARIES STAFF,” MR HARBINSON SAID.
LOWER PAY BAND ARE OFFERED SLIGHTLY TREND INDICATORS, SO AS NOT TO WIDEN OF LOWER PAID STAFF AND THE SENIOR
"THE PAY ADJUSTMENT IS FAIR AND REASONABLE. IT ENABLES ALL CIVIL SERVANTS TO ENJOY REAL GROWTH IN THEIR SALARIES," HE ADDED.
RESPONDING TO THE STAFF SIDE’S PAY CLAIMS, MR HARBINSON SAID THE ESTABLISHED POLICY WAS FOR EACH PAY ADJUSTMENT TO BE TREATED AS A SEPARATE AND INDEPENDENT EXERCISE DETERMINED ON THE BASTS OF PREVAILING CIRCUMSTANCES.
"THEREFORE, WE HAVE DIFFICULTY IN PRINCIPLE WITH THE SUGGESTION THAT WE SHOULD MAKE UP ANY ’SHORTFALL’ FROM PREVIOUS YEARS," HE STATED.
THE STAFF SIDE OF THE FOUR CIVIL SERVICE CONSULTATIVE COUNCILS HAVE ASKED FOR PAY INCREASES OF 13.28 PER CENT FOR THE UPPER PAY BAND AND 14.18 PER CENT FOR THE MIDDLE AND LOWER PAY BANDS TO TAKE INTO ACCOUNT THE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THE NET PAY TREND INDICATORS AND THE ACTUAL PAY AWARDS IN 1990 AND 1991.
THE COST OF THE PAY ADJUSTMENT FOR THE CIVIL SERVICE AND SUBVENTED ORGANISATIONS IS ESTIMATED TO BE $5.6 BILLION IN 1993/94.
SUBJECT TO THE PROVISION OF FUNDS BY THE FINANCE COMMITTEE OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, MR HARBINSON SAID CIVIL SERVANTS WOULD RECEIVE THE REVISED SALARIES, DATING BACK TO APRIL 1, AT THE END OF JULY.
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I
I
TUESDAY, JUNE 22, 1993
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NO MAJOR CHANGES IN ADMINISTRATIVE ARRANGEMENT BETWEEN GOVT AND HOUSING AUTHORITY *****
COMMENTING ON PRESS REPORTS SPECULATING THAT THE HOUSING AUTHORITY WOULD COME UNDER THE PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS BRANCH, THE SECRETARY FOR PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS, MR TONY EASON TODAY (TUESDAY) SAID THERE WERE NO PROPOSALS FOR ANY MAJOR CHANGE CONCERNING THE GOVERNMENT’S ADMINISTRATIVE ARRANGEMENTS WITH THE HOUSING AUTHORITY.
"AS I STAND UP IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TO ANSWER QUESTIONS ON HOUSING, IT WOULD BE NATURAL THAT THERE SHOULD BE CLOSER AND SLIGHTLY WIDER RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT, THE HOUSING AUTHORITY AND MY BRANCH," HE SAID.
"BUT THIS SHOULD NOT BE INTERPRETED AS INDICATING MAJOR CHANGES IN THE EXISTING ORGANISATION BUT ONLY A MODEST ADJUSTMENT IN WORKING RELATIONSHIPS. NOR IS ANY REAL OR IMPLIED CRITICISM OF THE HOUSING AUTHORITY OR THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT INTENDED. THEY HAVE MY GREATEST RESPECT," MR EASON ADDED.
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PRELIMINARY REPORTS ON HOIST ACCIDENT COMPLETED
*****
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE EDUCATION AND MANPOWER BRANCH SAID TODAY (TUESDAY) THAT TWO PRELIMINARY REPORTS ON THE PASSENGER HOIST ACCIDENT AT A NORTH POINT CONSTRUCTION SITE EARLY THIS MONTH HAD BEEN SUBMITTED TO THE SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER FOR CONSIDERATION.
THE REPORTS, BASED ON THE INITIAL INVESTIGATIONS BY THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT AND THE ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT, HAVE IDENTIFIED A NUMBER OF ISSUES WHICH NEED TO BE LOOKED AT IN GREATER DETAIL.
THESE INCLUDE THE CAUSES LEADING TO THE FAILURE OF THE DRIVING MECHANISM AND THE FAIL-SAFE SYSTEM OF THE PASSENGER HOIST IN QUESTION.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID IT WOULD NOT BE APPROPRIATE AT THIS STAGE TO DISCLOSE THE CONTENT OF THE REPORTS PENDING THE HEARING OF THE INQUEST.
MEANWHILE, THE SPOKESMAN ADDED, THE SECRETARY FOR WORKS WOULD SET UP SHORTLY A GOVERNMENT WORKING GROUP, INVOLVING RELEVANT POLICY BRANCHES AND DEPARTMENTS, TO REVIEW THE ADEQUACY OF EXISTING REGULATIONS AND CONTROL OF HEAVY MACHINERY, THAT IS, TOWER CRANES AND PASSENGER HOISTS, WHICH POSE POTENTIAL RISKS TO THE OPERATORS AS WELL AS THE PUBLIC.
THE WORKING GROUP IS EXPECTED TO PRODUCE ITS FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE GOVERNMENT IN ABOUT SIX MONTHS’ TIME.
TUESDAY, JUNE 22, 1993
3
DIRECTOR-GENERAL OF TRADE CAUTIONS AGAINST REGIONALISM
♦ * t ♦ *
THE DIRECTOR-GENERAL OF TRADE, MR TONY MILLER, TODAY (TUESDAY) SAID THE PURSUIT OF REGIONAL CO-OPERATION MUST NOT RESULT IN ARRANGEMENTS WHICH WERE INWARD LOOKING AND DISCRIMINATORY AGAINST OUTSIDE ECONOMIES.
WHILE SPEAKING ON HONG KONG’S PARTICIPATION IN ASIA PACIFIC ECONOMIC CO-OPERATION (APEC) AT A LUNCHEON OF THE HONG KONG EXPORTERS’ ASSOCIATION, MR MILLER SAID HONG KONG WAS FIRMLY COMMITTED TO THE MULTILATERAL APPROACH TO TRADE.
HONG KONG SAW APEC AS A FORUM WHICH WAS COMPLEMENTARY TO THE GATT.
"WE ARE STRONGLY OF THE VIEW THAT REGIONAL INITIATIVES SHOULD NOT BECOME POLICY ALTERNATIVES TO THE MULTILATERAL TRADING SYSTEM UNDER THE GATT,” HE SAID.
HE SAID HONG KONG DID NOT WANT TO SEE APEC BECOMING A TRADE BLOC, OR ANOTHER SO-CALLED FREE TRADE AREA.
MR MILLER NOTED THAT A NUMBER OF IDEAS FOR A MORE STRUCTURED REGIONAL TRADE RELATIONSHIP HAD EMERGED SINCE APEC STARTED, AMONG THEM THE PACIFIC FREE TRADE AREA (PAFTA) AND THE EAST ASIA ECONOMIC CAUCUS (EAEC).
"AS AN ECONOMY THAT HAD THRIVED ON FREE ENTERPRISE AND FREE TRADE, WE MUST NOT LOSE SIGHT OF THE ADVERSE IMPLICATIONS AND CONSEQUENCES OF REGIONALISM, NO MATTER HOW SUPERFICIALLY APPEALING THE CONCEPT," HE SAID.
ALL SELECTIVE TRADE GROUPINGS DISTORT GLOBAL TRADE AND INVESTMENT FLOWS TO SOME DEGREE. THEY ARE THEREFORE ONLY A POOR SECOND BEST TO GENUINELY FREE GLOBAL TRADE, HE ADDED.
THE NEW IDEA OF A PAFTA HAD FIRST BEEN FLOATED BY DR FRED BERGSTEN, CHAIRMAN OF THE EMINENT PERSONS GROUP OF APEC IN MARCH THIS YEAR.
SEPARATELY, DR MAHATHIR MOHAMAD, PRIME MINISTER OF MALAYSIA, HAD MOOTED IN DECEMBER 1990 THE IDEA OF AN ASIAN TRADING BLOC CALLED THE EAST ASIAN ECONOMIC GROUP (EAEG) TO COUNTER THE THREAT POSED BY OTHER BLOCS, SUCH AS THE EC.
THE PROPOSED BLOC MIGHT INCLUDE THE ECONOMIES IN ASIA, BUT NOT THE NORTH AMERICAN COUNTRIES, AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND.
"GIVEN HONG KONG’S FIRM COMMITMENT TO THE MULTILATERAL SYSTEM AND AN EARLY AND SUCCESSFUL CONCLUSION OF THE URUGUAY ROUND, WE ARE CONCERNED AT THE WRONG SIGNALS THAT TALK OF THIS TYPE OF ARRANGEMENT WOULD SEND IN THE CLOSING MONTHS OF THE URUGUAY ROUND GATT NEGOTIATIONS.
/"HONG KONG........
TUESDAY, JUNE 22, 1993
"HONG KONG IS INTERESTED IN REGIONAL ECONOMIC CO-OPERATION, BUT WE ARE ONLY WILLING TO CONSIDER ANY OF THESE PROPOSALS IF THEY ARE GATT-CONSISTENT, OUTWARD-LOOKING AND LIBERAL."
"GENRALLY SPEAKING, WE FEEL THAT THE BEST APPROACH TO WORLD TRADE IS AN OPEN, TRANSPARENT AND MULTILATERAL REGIME. WHAT HONG KONG WANTS OUT OF THE APEC MINISTERIAL IN NOVEMBER THIS YEAR IS A RINGING ENDORSEMENT OF THE GATT SYSTEM AND A RENEWED COMMITMENT TO COMPLETING THE URUGUAY ROUND THIS YEAR," HE SAID.
THE DIRECTOR-GENERAL NOTED THAT APEC WAS AN INTER-GOVERNMENTAL FORUM INITIATED IN AUSTRALIA IN 1989, AND THAT IT ACTED AS A FORUM FOR POLICY CO-ORDINATION AND EXCHANGE OF INFORMATION.
IT NOW COMPRISES 15 MEMBERS: AUSTRALIA, BRUNEI DARUSSALAM, CANADA, CHINA, CHINESE TAIPEI, HONG KONG, INDONESIA, JAPAN, MALAYSIA, NEW ZEALAND, THE PHILIPPINES, SINGAPORE, SOUTH KOREA, THAILAND AND THE U.S.
HONG KONG TOOK AN ACTIVE PART IN APEC ACTIVITIES, HE SAID.
APART FROM THE INVOLVEMENT OF DR VICTOR FUNG IN THE EMINENT PERSONS GROUP AND THE SECONDMENT OF AN ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER TO THE APEC SECRETARIAT IN SINGAPORE, HONG KONG CONTRIBUTES TO THE APEC PROCESS BY PARTICIPATING IN THE VARIOUS APEC WORKING GROUPS AND ATTENDING THE SENIOR OFFICIALS’ MEETINGS AND MINISTERIAL MEETINGS.
TO SUSTAIN THE WORK PROGRAMME IN APEC, HONG KONG CONTRIBUTED 2.75 PER CENT OF THE 1993 APEC BUDGET ACCORDING TO A FUNDING FORMULA AGREED AT THE APEC IV MINISTERIAL MEETING IN BANGKOK LAST YEAR.
MR MILLER WILL BE ATTENDING A MEETING OF APEC SENIOR OFFICAL REPRESENTATIVES IN SEATTLE NEXT WEEK.
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CONSUMER PRICE INDICES FOR MAY
*****
THE CONSUMER PRICE INDEX (A) IN MAY ROSE BY 8.5% OVER THE SAME MONTH LAST YEAR, ACCORDING TO THE FIGURES RELEASED TODAY (TUESDAY) BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
THE HIGHER PRICES OF FRESH VEGETABLES FEATURE IN THE MAY FIGURES.
COMMENTING ON THE LATEST FIGURES, THE GOVERNMENT ECONOMIST, MR K Y TANG SAID:
/"ALTHOUGH THIS .......
TUESDAY, JUNE 22, 1993
5
’’ALTHOUGH THIS LATEST INCREASE IS FASTER THAN THE CORRESPONDING YEAR-ON-YEAR RATES OF INCREASE OF 7.8% IN MARCH AND 7.7% IN APRIL, IT IS STILL SLOWER THAN THOSE IN JANUARY AND FEBRUARY, AT 10.1% AND 8.6%. ALSO IT IS THE SAME AS THE AVERAGE INCREASE OF 8.6% RECORDED FOR THE FIRST FOUR MONTHS TAKEN TOGETHER.
“IN THE LIGHT OF PRICE VOLATILITY IN SOME OF THE CONSUMER ITEMS, PARTICULARLY FRESH FOOD, IT IS BETTER TO READ THE FIGURES FOR SEVERAL MONTHS COMBINED RATHER THAN JUST FOR A SINGLE MONTH. THE AVERAGE INCREASE RECORDED SO FAR IS ONE PERCENTAGE POINT BELOW THE ANNUAL FORECAST OF A 9.5% INCREASE IN THE CPI(A) FOR 1993.”
THE CPI(B) AND THE HANG SENG CPI WERE HIGHER BY 8.8% AND 9.8% RESPECTIVELY IN MAY THAN IN THE SAME MONTH LAST YEAR. THE CORRESPONDING INCREASES IN APRIL WERE 8.5% AND 9.5%.
THE COMPOSITE CPI, WHICH WAS COMPILED BASED ON THE COMBINED EXPENDITURE PATTERN OF HOUSEHOLDS COVERED BY THE THREE CPI’S, SHOWED AN INCREASE OF 8.9% IN MAY OVER THE SAME MONTH LAST YEAR. THE CORRESPONDING INCREASE IN APRIL WAS 8.5%.
THE RELATIVELY HIGHER YEAR-ON-YEAR RATES OF INCREASE IN THE CPI’S IN MAY WERE MAINLY DUfc TO A REBOUND IN THE PRICES OF FRESH VEGETABLES AFTER THE SIGNIFICANT DECLINES IN THE PREVIOUS TWO MONTHS, WHICH LIFTED THE BASIC FOOD COMPONENT OF THE CPI’S.
FOR MOST OTHER COMPONENTS SUCH AS HOUSING, MEALS AT RESTAURANTS, CLOTHING AND FOOTWEAR, AND CONSUMER SERVICES, THE PRICE INCREASES REMAINED ON A MODERATING TREND.
COMPARING MAY 1993 WITH MAY 1992, RELATIVELY SLOWER INCREASES IN PRICES WERE RECORDED FOR DURABLE GOODS (1.8% IN BOTH CPI(A) AND CPI(B)); FUEL AND LIGHT (3.3% IN BOTH CPI(A) AND CPI(B)); FOOD EXCLUDING MEALS AT RESTAURANTS (5.6% IN THE CPI(A) AND 5.3% IN THE CPI(B)); MISCELLANEOUS GOODS (7.1% AND 6.5%); AND CLOTHING AND FOOTWEAR (7.7% AND 8.1%).
ON THE OTHER HAND, RELATIVELY FASTER INCREASES IN PRICES WERE RECORDED FOR HOUSING (12.8% IN CPI(A) AND 14% IN THE CPI(B)); ALCOHOLIC DRINKS AND TOBACCO (9.6% AND 8.9%); AND TRANSPORT (9.1% AND 8.5%).
AS FOR SERVICES AND MEALS AT RESTAURANTS, THEIR CORRESPONDING INCREASES WERE 8.7% AND 8.8% IN THE CPT(A) AND 7.9% AND 8.8% IN THE CPT(B).
COMPARING MAY 1993 WITH APRIL 1993, THE CPI(A) AND CPI(B) BOTH INCREASED BY 0.7%. THIS COMPARISON WAS, HOWEVER, AFFECTED BY SEASONAL FACTORS.
FOR THE PERIOD FROM JANUARY TO MAY 1993, THE CPI(A) AND CPI(B)
WERE, ON AVERAGE, HIGHER BY 8.5% AND 9% RESPECTIVELY THAN IN THE CORRESPONDING PERIOD IN 1992.
/FOR THE .......
TUESDAY, JUNE 22, 1993
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FOR THE 12 MONTHS ENDING MAY 1993, THE CPI(A) AND CPI(B) WERE, ON AVERAGE, HIGHER BY 8.9% AND 9.4% RESPECTIVELY THAN IN THE PRECEDING 12-MONTH PERIOD.
SEASONALLY ADJUSTED SERIES ARE ALSO AVAILABLE FOR THE INDICES. THE DESEASONALISED CPI(A) AND CPI(B) BOTH INCREASED AT AN AVERAGE RATE OF 0.7% A MONTH DURING THE THREE MONTHS ENDING MAY 1993.
THE CONSUMER PRICE INDEX REPORT
MORE DETAILS ARE GIVEN IN THE ’’CONSUMER PRICE INDEX REPORT’’ FOR MAY 1993, WHICH IS AVAILABLE AT $12 A COPY FROM THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, GENERAL POST OFFICE BUILDING, GROUND FLOOR, CONNAUGHT PLACE, HONG KONG; OR FROM 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 .......
TUESDAY, JUNE 22, 1993
Table 1 Consumer Price Indices and Rates of Increase for May 1993
(Oct. 89 - Sep. 90 = 100)
Ccmponent CPI(A) CPT(B) Hana Sena CPI Ccmoosite CPI
Index for Mav 93 % change over Mav 92 Index for Mav 93 % change over Mav 92 Index for Mav 93 % change over May 92 Index for Mav 93 % change over Mav-92
Food 131.6 +7.2 133.0 +7.4 132.8 +8.4 132.4 +7.5
Meals bought away from home 139.8 +8.8 139.6 +8.8 137.4 +10.1 139.2 +9.0
Food, excluding meals bought away from heme 123.5 +5.6 123.7 +5.3 125.0 +5.3 123.8 +5.4
Housing 145.6 +12.8 146.6 +14.0 148.6 +14.4 146.9 +13.7
Fuel and light 119.5 +3.3 118.9 +3.3 119.1 +3.7 119.2 +3.4
Alcoholic drinks and tobacco 176.7 +9.6 166.9 +8.9 162.7 +8.7 • 171.3 +9.2
Clothing and footwear 129.8 +7.7 131.4 +8.1 143.4 i +11.0 135.1 +9.1
Durable goods 109.2 +1.8 108.9 +1.8 114.0 +4.1 110.5 +2.5
Miscellaneous goods 123.1 +7.1 121.2 +6.5 120.4 +6.2 121.7 +6.7
Transport 136.2 +9.1 135.2 +8.5 134.6 +7.7 135.4 +8.5
Services 138.0 +8.7 135.1 +7.9 129.6 +6.6 134.3 +7.8
All items 134.5 +8.5 134.8 +8.8 136.3 +9.8 135.1 +8.9
The 1989/90-based consumer price indices are based on the expenditure patterns derived from the 1989/90 Household Expenditure Survey. The CPI (A) is based on the expenditure pattern of about 50% of urban households in Hong Kong, which had an average monthly expenditure of 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 average monthly expenditure of S10,000-817,499 in the same period. Hie Hang Seng CPI is based on the expenditure pattern of the next 10% of urban households, which had an average monthly expenditure of $17,500-837,499 in 1989/90.
Whereas the CPI (A), CPI(B) and Hang Seng CPI are based on the expenditure patterns of groups of households with different magnitudes of household expenditure, the Composite CPI is compiled based on the expenditure pattern of all these households taken together. Tims, while the CPI (A), CPI(B) and Hang Seng CPI show the impact of consimer price changes cn different groups of households, the Composite CPI shows the impact of consumer price changes on the household sector generally.
/Table 2 .......
TUESDAY, JUNE 22, 1993
8
Table 2 Consumer Price Indices for January 1991 - Mav 1993 (Oct. 89 - Sep. 90 = 100)
Year/month CPT(A) CPI(B) Hana Sena CPT Composite CPI
1991 January 1,08.3 .108.4 108.6 108.4
February 110.3 110.1 110.2 110.2
March 111.9 111.1 110.7 111.3
April 113.9 113.0 112.0 113.1
May 114.0 113.6 113.4 113.7
June 114.6 114.1 113.9 114.2
July 115.4 114.8 113.9 114.8
August 116.0 115.3 114.6 115.4
September 116.8 116.1 115.8 116.3
October 117.2 116.8 117.4 117.1
November 117.7 117.6 118.7 117.9
December 118.1 . 118.3 118.5 118.3
1992 January 119.7 119.3 119.4 119.5
February 121.8 121.2 121.0 121.4
March 122.5 121.9 121.8 122.1
April 124.0 123.4 122.9 123.5
May 124.0 123.8 124.2 124.0
June 125.3 125.1 125.2 125.2
July 125.5 125.4 125.4 125.4
August 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 134.5 134.8 136.3 135.1
/Chart 1 .......
TUESDAY, JUNE 22, 1993
9
Chart 1 Year-on-year Rates of Increase in CPI(A)
Chart 2 Year-on-year Rates of Increase in CPI(B) ’
/Chart 3 .......
TUESDAY, JUNE 22, 1993
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Chart 3 Year-on-year Rates of Increase in Hang Seng CPI
Chart 4 Year-on-year Rates of Increase in Composite CPI »
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/Il .......
TUESDAY, JUNE 22, 1993
REVIEW AIMS TO CHART CLEANER, GREENER PATH INTO NEXT CENTURY
*****
THE 1993 ENVIRONMENTAL WHITE PAPER REVIEW AIMS TO BRING HOME TO THE COMMUNITY, AS A WHOLE AND AS INDIVIDUALS, THE PROBLEMS WE ARE FACING AND HOW WE MIGHT CHART A CLEANER, GREENER PATH INTO THE 21ST CENTURY.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE SECRETARY FOR PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS, MR TONY EASON, AT A LUNCHEON MEETING OF THE AMERICAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE TODAY (TUESDAY).
MR EASON SAID ONE OF THE MAJOR THEMES OF THE REVIEW, CONDUCTED BIENNIALLY, WOULD BE COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT AND ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION IN ORDER TO BRING ACROSS THE MESSAGE THAT CARING FOR THE ENVIRONMENT WAS A RESPONSIBILITY FOR ALL.
HE SAID THE COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY SECTORS HAD POSSIBLY A GREATER RESPONSIBILITY AND PRESSURE TO MEET THESE ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERNS HAD COME NOT SOLELY FROM THE GOVERNMENT BUT ALSO FROM TODAY’S GLOBAL MARKETS.
THEY WERE FORCING THE MANUFACTURING INDUSTRY TO BECOME MORE COMPETITIVE BY CONTINUING UPGRADING INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGY AND MANUFACTURING PROCESSES.
MR EASON SAID THE 1993 REVIEW WOULD CONTAIN IDEAS TO ENCOURAGE INDUSTRY TO ACCEPT THAT COMPLYING WITH ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROLS WAS PART OF FACING UP TO SUCH GLOBAL COMPETITIVE PRESSURES.
OTHER SIGNIFICANT STEPS TAKEN INCLUDED THE FUNDING OF THE CENTRE OF ENVIRONMENTAL TECHNOLOGY BY THE PRIVATE SECTOR COMMITTEE ON THE ENVIRONMENT AND THE UNITED STATES ASIAN ENVIRONMENTAL PARTNERSHIP WHICH WOULD BE SET UP IN HONG KONG.
MR EASON SAID AS THE REVIEW THIS YEAR WOULD BE VERY WIDE-RANGING AND QUITE DETAILED, IT WAS NOT PRACTICABLE TO HAVE EXTENSIVE CONSULTATION ON ITS DRAFTING.
"THE IDEA IS TO REPORT PROGRESS AND PUT OUT FRESH IDEAS FOR DISCUSSION; NOT TO START, HOLD AND CONCLUDE THE DEBATE ON EVERY ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUE BEFORE WE PUBLISH.
"REMEMBER, THE NEXT REVIEW IS ONLY TWO YEARS AWAY. THE ENVIRONMENTAL DEBATE IS ON-GOING AND MANY INDIVIDUAL PROBLEMS REQUIRE AND GET SEPARATE CONSULTATION EXERCISES BETWEEN REVIEWS," HE SAID.
"THE 1993 WHITE PAPER REVIEW WILL MAP OUT WHERE WE THINK WE SHOULD BE GOING OVER THE NEXT FEW YEARS TO ENSURE THAT THE ENVIRONMENTAL MISTAKES WE MADE IN BUILDING AN ECONOMICALLY SUCCESSFUL HONG KONG ARE NOT FORGOTTEN AS HONG KONG CONSOLIDATES ITS SUCCESS," HE ADDED.
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TUESDAY, JUNE 22, 1993
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THREE GOVT LOTS SOLD FOR $936 MILLION
*****
THREE PIECES OF GOVERNMENT LAND FETCHED A TOTAL OF $936 MILLION AT A PUBLIC AUCTION BY THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT THIS (TUESDAY) AFTERNOON.
TOPPING THE LIST IS THE LOT LOCATED AT KAU TO, AREA 46, JUNCTION OF KAU TO SHAN ROAD AND MA LING PATH, SHA TIN, NEW TERRITORIES.
IT WAS SOLD TO PERFECT PARADISE INTERNATIONAL (LTD) AT $505 MILLION WITH BIDDING OPENING AT $270 MILLION.
THE LOT, WITH AN AREA OF ABOUT 15,320 SQUARE METRES, IS INTENDED FOR RESIDENTIAL USE.
ACCORDING TO THE BUILDING CONVENANT, THE DEVELOPER HAS TO COMPLETE A GROSS FLOOR AREA OF NOT LESS THAN 5,544 SQUARE METRES ON OR BEFORE JUNE 30, 1996.
THE SECOND LOT, LOCATED AT AREA 11, JUNCTION OF ON SHUM STREET AND ON LAI STREET, SHA TIN, NEW TERRITORIES, WAS BOUGHT BY SEA DRAGON LTD AT $385 MILLION. BIDDING OPENED AT $190 MILLION.
WITH AN AREA OF ABOUT 4,000 SQUARE METRES, IT IS DESIGNATED FOR INDUSTRIAL AND/OR GODOWN (EXCLUDING DANGEROUS GOODS GODOWN) PURPOSES.
THE DEVELOPER HAS TO COMPLETE A GROSS FLOOR AREA OF NOT LESS THAN 22,800 SQUARE METRES ON OR BEFORE JUNE 30, 1997.
THE REMAINING LOT IN TAK YIP STREET, TUNG TAU INDUSTRIAL AREA, YUEN LONG, NEW TERRITORIES, WAS BOUGHT BY REDDIWOOD CO LTD AT $46 MILLION WITH BIDDING OPENING AT $36 MILLION.
THE LOT HAS AN AREA OF ABOUT 3,030 SQUARE METRES, WHICH IS INTENDED FOR GODOWN (EXCLUDING DANGEROUS GOODS) PURPOSES.
THE DEVELOPER HAS TO COMPLETE A GROSS FLOOR AREA OF NOT LESS THAN 17,271 SQUARE METRES ON OR BEFORE JUNE 30, 1996.
THE LAND AUCTION WAS CONDUCTED BY GOVERNMENT LAND AGENT, MR LEUNG LOK-YIU, IN THE CITY HALL THEATRE.
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TUESDAY, JUNE 22, 1993
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CONTRACT FOR SEWERAGE SYSTEMS SIGNED
*****
THE WATER QUALITY OF THE TOLO HARBOUR AND THE SANITARY CONDITION OF VILLAGES IN SHA TIN WILL BE IMPROVED AFTER CONSTRUCTION WORKS FOR THE SEWERAGE SYSTEMS IN THE VILLAGES ARE COMPLETED IN JANUARY 1995.
THE CONTRACT FOR THE $52.28 MILLION WORKS WAS SIGNED TODAY (TUESDAY) BY THE ACTING ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF DRAINAGE SERVICES (PROJECTS AND DEVELOPMENT), MR CLEMENT LAU, AND A REPRESENTATIVE OF THE CONTRACTOR, SHUN YUEN CONSTRUCTION COMPANY LIMITED.
CONTRACT WORKS INCLUDE THE CONSTRUCTION OF GRAVITY SEWERAGE SYSTEMS, PUMPING STATIONS, AN INTERCEPTOR CHAMBER AND HYDRO-BRAKE CHAMBER IN 14 VILLAGES.
THE VILLAGES ARE HEUNG FAN LIU (EASTERN PART), PAK TIN, TIN SUM, KAK TIN, HA KENG HAU, SHEUNG KENG HAU, HIN TIN, TAI WAI, SHA TIN TAU, TSANG TAI UK, SHA TIN WAI, TO SHEK, CHAP WAI KON AND NGAU PEI SHA.
THE WORKS WHICH FORMS PART OF THE TOLO HARBOUR SEWERAGE OF UNSEWERED AREAS SCHEME WILL BEGIN NEXT WEEK.
MR LAU NOTED THAT AT PRESENT THERE WERE NO PROPER SEWERAGE SYSTEMS IN THESE VILLAGES AND THE UNTREATED SEWAGE WERE DISCHARGED THROUGH STREAMS INTO THE TOLO HARBOUR.
WHEN THE SCHEME IS FULLY COMPLETED, ALL SEWAGE FROM UNSEWERED DEVELOPMENTS AT 165 LOCATIONS WITHIN THE TOLO HARBOUR CATCHMENT WILL BE COLLECTED AND TREATED BEFORE DISPOSAL.
"THIS WILL FURTHER IMPROVE THE WATER QUALITY OF THE TOLO HARBOUR AS WELL AS THE SANITARY CONDITIONS OF THE VILLAGES," MR LAU SAID.
--------0-----------
RESEARCH GRANTS FOR TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS FOR 1993/94
THE RESEARCH GRANTS COUNCIL (RGC) TODAY (TUESDAY) ANNOUNCED ITS DECISIONS ON THE ALLOCATION OF THE $156 MILLION FOR RESEARCH GRANTS TO THE SEVEN INSTITUTIONS FUNDED BY THE UNIVERSITY AND POLYTECHNIC GRANTS COMMITTEE (UPGC) IN 1993/94.
THE SEVEN UPGC-FUNDED INSTITUTIONS ARE CITY POLYTECHNIC OF HONG KONG, HONG KONG BAPTIST COLLEGE, HONG KONG POLYTECHNIC, LINGNAN COLLEGE, THE CHINESE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG, THE HONG KONG UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY, AND UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG.
THE RGC CONSIDERED 336 APPLICATIONS FOR A TOTAL OF $296 MILLION FOR ACADEMIC RESEARCH PROJECTS IN A WIDE RANGE OF SUBJECT DISCIPLINES.
/EACH APPLICATION .......
TUESDAY, JUNE 22, 1993
14
EACH APPLICATION WAS INITIALLY SCREENED BY ONE OR MORE OF THREE SUBJECT PANELS - PHYSICAL SCIENCES AND ENGINEERING; BIOLOGY AND MEDICINE; AND HUMANITIES AND SOCIAL SCIENCES - WITH THE HELP OF REPORTS FROM SPECIALIST ASSESSORS/REFEREES.
THE PANELS’ RECOMMENDATIONS WERE THEN CONSIDERED BY THE FULL RGC MEETING ON JUNE 19.
OF THE TOTAL SUM OF $155.6 MILLION PROVIDED BY THE GOVERNMENT FOR ACADEMIC RESEARCH. PROJECTS IN 1993/94, THE RGC DECIDED TO ALLOCATE $49 MILLION TO THE INSTITUTIONS DIRECTLY TO SUPPORT PROJECTS COSTING LESS THAN $200,000 AND SET ASIDE $6 MILLION FOR CENTRAL ALLOCATION TO STRENGTHEN THE RESEARCH BASE IN THE INSTITUTIONS.
THE BALANCE OF SOME $100 MILLION WAS ALLOCATED FOR PROJECTS IN RESPONSE TO COMPETITIVE BIDS FROM THE INSTITUTIONS.
DETAILS OF THE PROJECTS AREAS, ARE GIVEN BELOW: SUPPORTED, BY PANEL AND BROAD SUBJECT
SUBJECT PANEL SUBJECT AREA NO. OF PROJECTS FUNDING SUPPORTED
PHYSICAL SCIENCES & ENGINEERING CIVIL ENGINEERING, SURVEYING, BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION 12 $ 4,901,000
COMPUTING SCIENCE, INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY & MATHEMATICS 24 9,666,500
ELECTRICAL & ELECTRONIC ENGINEERING 22 13,544,000
MECHANICAL, PRODUCTION & INDUSTRIAL ENGINEERING 7 3,418,500
PHYSICAL SCIENCES 45 21,670,000
SUB-TOTAL 110 53,200,000
BIOLOGY & MEDICINE BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES 20 14,950,000
MEDICINE, DENTISTRY & HEALTH 29 18,777,000
SUB-TOTAL 49 33,727,000
/HUMANITIES & .......
TUESDAY, JUNE 22, 1993
- 15 -
HUMANITIES & SOCIAL SCIENCES ARTS & LANGUAGES 3 877,000
ADMINISTRATIVE, BUSINESS & SOCIAL STUDIES 25 9,108,000
EDUCATION 3 2,280,000
LAW, ARCHITECTURE, TOWN PLANNING & OTHER PROFESSIONAL & VOCATIONAL STUDIES 2 526,000
SUB-TOTAL 33 12,791,000
FUNDING RESERVED FOR THREE PENDING CASES 874,000
TOTAL 192 100,592,000
IN SELECTING THE PROJECTS FOR FUNDING SUPPORT, REGARD HAS BEEN GIVEN TO THEIR ACADEMIC MERIT/INTEGRITY, THEIR CONTRIBUTION TO THE ACADEMIC DEVELOPMENT OF THE INSTITUTIONS AND THEIR RELEVANCE TO THE NEEDS OF THE INSTITUTIONS AND HONG KONG’S OVERALL ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT.
THIS WAS THE THIRD RESEARCH GRANT ALLOCATION EXERCISE UNDERTAKEN BY THE RGC WHICH WAS ESTABLISHED IN JANUARY 1991.
PROF DAVID TODD, CHAIRMAN OF THE RGC, SAID:
"THE ENHANCED FUNDING AVAILABLE FOR ACADEMIC RESEARCH PROJECTS IN 1993/94 AS COMPARED WITH 1992/93 HAS ENABLED US TO SUPPORT, FULLY OR PARTIALLY, 192 PROJECTS AS COMPARED WITH 172 LAST YEAR."
"ONCE AGAIN THE QUALITY OF THE BIDS HAS BEEN HIGH AND, DESPITE THE ENHANCED FUNDING, THERE WERE STILL MANY COMMENDABLE PROJECTS WHICH COULD NOT BE SUPPORTED."
THE RGC IS LOOKING FORWARD TO FURTHER INCREASES IN THE LEVEL OF FUNDING FOR ACADEMIC RESEARCH IN THE FUTURE. THIS SUPPORT IS NEEDED TO STRENGTHEN THE RESEARCH BASE IN HONG KONG’S HIGHER EDUCATION SECTOR," HE SAID.
APART FROM DISBURSING AND MONITORING GOVERNMENT FUNDING FOR ACADEMIC RESEARCH, THE RGC IS ALSO RESPONSIBLE FOR ADVISING THE GOVERNMENT, THROUGH THE UPGC, ON THE NEEDS OF THE INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER EDUCATION IN HONG KONG IN THE FIELD OF ACADEMIC RESEARCH IN ORDER THAT A RESEARCH BASE ADEQUATE FOR THE MAINTENANCE OF ACADEMIC VIGOUR AND PERTINENT TO THE NEEDS OF HONG KONG MAY BE DEVELOPED.
- - 0-----------
/16........
TUESDAY, JUNE 22, 1993
- 16 -
DUKE OF EDINBURGH’S AWARD GIVES PURPOSE TO LIFE *****
TAKING PART IN THE DUKE OF EDINBURGH’S AWARD SCHEME GIVES PURPOSE AND FULLNESS TO LIFE, THE GOVERNOR, THE RT HON CHRISTOPHER PATTEN SAID TODAY (TUESDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE GOLD AWARD PRESENTATION OF THE DUKE OF EDINBURGH’S AWARD, MR PATTEN SAID THE SCHEME HELPED PEOPLE FIND THEIR DREAMS AND REALISE THEM THROUGH COMMITMENT, PATIENCE AND PERSISTENCE.
’’EACH ONE OF THE AWARDS IS THE RESULT OF A HUGE AMOUNT OF EFFORT BY AN INDIVIDUAL," HE SAID. "IT COMMENDS AND ENCOURAGES THE INSPIRATION AND THE ASPIRATIONS THAT LIE BEHIND PERSPIRATION."
THE SCHEME ENABLES PARTICIPANTS TO TEST THEIR ABILITIES AND CHARACTER, MR PATTEN SAID.
HE WAS PLEASED TO SEE THAT THE DUKE OF EDINBURGH’S AWARD SCHEME BECAME WELL-ESTABLISHED IN HONG KONG, HE ADDED.
---------0-----------
A HECTIC DAY OF DRAGON BOAT RACES
*****
ABOUT 900 ROWERS TOOK PART IN THE ANNUAL CHAI WAN DRAGON BOAT RACES AT THE CHAI WAN CARGO HANDLING BASIN TODAY (TUESDAY).
AMONG THEM WERE FISHERMEN, DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS, CIVIL SERVANTS AND OFFICE WORKERS.
FOR THE FIRST TIME IN THE DISTRICT, THE PHOENIX BOAT RACES, WHICH ARE MEANT FOR FEMALE PLAYERS, WERE ALSO HELD.
A TOTAL OF 35 TEAMS, SIX TEAMS MORE THAN THAT OF LAST YEAR, COMPETED IN VARIOUS RACES TODAY.
THE EVENT WAS ORGANISED BY THE CHAI WAN FISHERMEN’S RECREATION CLUB AND SPONSORED BY THE EASTERN DISTRICT BOARD, WITH THE HELP OF THE DISTRICT OFFICE.
-----0-------
NO NOMINATION TODAY FOR LEGCO BY-ELECTION
*****
THE GOVERNMENT HAS RECEIVED NO NOMINATION FOR THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL BY-ELECTION IN RESPECT OF THE FIRST INDUSTRIAL ELECTORAL DIVISION TODAY (TUESDAY).
ONLY ONE NOMINATION HAS SO FAR BEEN RECEIVED FROM MR JAMES TIEN PEI-CHUN, 46, MANAGING DIRECTOR, ON JUNE 16.
NOMINATIONS ARE OPEN FROM JUNE 11 TO 25. THE BY-ELECTION WILL BE HELD ON JULY 15 TO FILL THE VACANCY LEFT BY THE LATE STEPHEN CHEONG.
/17........
TUESDAY, JUNE 22, 1993
17 -
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND TENDER RESULTS *****
TENDER DATE 22 JUNE 93 22 JUNE 93
PAPER ON OFFER EF BILLS EF BILLS
ISSUE NUMBER Q325 H367
AMOUNT APPLIED HKD2,810 MN HKDl,450 MN
AMOUNT ALLOTTED HKD1,000 MN HKD400 MN
AVERAGE YIELD ACCEPTED 3.23 PCT 3.49 PCT
HIGHEST YIELD ACCEPTED 3.23 PCT 3.49 PCT
PRO RATA RATIO ABOUT 100 PCT ABOUT 100 PCT
AVERAGE TENDER YIELD 3.26 PCT 3.51 PCT
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND
TENDER TO BE HELD IN THE WEEK BEGINNING 28 JUNE 1993 -
TENDER DATE 29 JUNE 93
PAPER ON OFFER EF BILLS
ISSUE NUMBER Q326
ISSUE DATE 30 JUNE 93
MATURITY DATE 29 SEPT 93
TENOR 91 DAYS
AMOUNT ON OFFER HKD1,000 + 200 MN
/18........
TUESDAY, JUNE 22, 1993
18
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS *****
$ MILLION
OPENING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT 5,050
REVERSAL OF LAF -2,250
BALANCE AFTER REVERSAL OF LAF 2,800
NET INJECTION/WITHDRAWAL TODAY NIL
EFFECT OF LAF TODAY -160
CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT 2,640
LAF RATE 2.00 BID/4.00 OFFER TWI 113.1 *+0.1* 22.6.93
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND
EF BILLS EF NOTES/HONG KONG GOVERNMENT BONDS
TERMS YIELD TERM ISSUE COUPON PRICE YIELD
1 WEEK 3.07 PCT 14 MONTHS 2408 4.375 100.46 4.00
1 MONTH 3.17 PCT 17 MONTHS 2411 4.625 100.60 4.22
3 MONTHS 3.22 PCT 20 MONTHS 2502 4.75 100.55 4.45
6 MONTHS 3.46 PCT 23 MONTHS 2505 3.75 98.50 4.63
12 MONTHS 3.79 PCT
TOTAL TURNOVER OF BILLS AND BONDS - 28,435 MN
CLOSED 22 JUNE 1993
------0------------
Received by PRO on..2.8 J.UN.k,
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 23, 1993
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
GOVERNMENT EFFICIENCY WILL NOT BE AFFECTED, GOVERNOR ............ 1
TWENTY-SIXTH MEETING OF THE SINO-BRTTISH JOINT LIAISON GROUP, 21-23 JUNE 1993 ........................................ 2
TRANSCRIPT OF THE OPENING .STATEMENT BY THE BRITISH SENIOR REPRESENTATIVE OF THE JLG, MR ANTHONY GALSWORTHY, AT A PRESS CONFERENCE TODAY ........................................ 2
HK TO PLAY KEY SERVICE ROLE FOR CHINA ........................... 4
GOVERNOR VISITS KWUN TONG ....................................... 5
WESTERN HARBOUR CROSSING FRANCHISE .............................. 6
WENT LANDFILL CONTRACT SIGNED ................................... 7
APPOINTMENTS TO BOARD OF EDUCATION .............................. 8
TWO SALARIES COMMISSION MEMBERS RE-APPOINTED .................... 9
FRESH WATER CUT IN SHAM SHUT PO ................................. 9
NO NOMINATION TODAY FOR LEGCO BY-ELECTION ...................... 10
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS
10
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 23, 1993
1
GOVERNMENT EFFICIENCY WILL NOT BE AFFECTED, GOVERNOR *****
THE GOVERNOR, THE RT HON CHRISTOPHER PATTEN SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY) THAT HE DID NOT THINK THE APPOINTMENT OF A PANEL FOR THE SETTING UP OF THE PREPARATORY COMMITTEE FOR THE SAR GOVERNMENT BY CHINA WOULD AFFECT THE EFFICIENCY OF THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT.
"IT DOESN’T MAKE ANY DIFFERENCE TO THE FACT THAT WE ARE THE SOVEREIGN POWER UNTIL 1997, WORKING FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE JOINT DECLARATION AND WORKING FOR THE PROSPERITY AND STABILITY AND VALUES OF HONG KONG,” HE SAID.
SPEAKING TO REPORTERS AFTER VISITING THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT, THE GOVERNOR SAID: "I DON’T THINK THAT COMMITTEES OF DISTINGUISH CHINESE FIGURES HAVE ANY IMPACT ON THAT OR ANY IMPACT ON OUR DETERMINATION TO DO OUR BEST FOR HONG KONG.
"IF THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT THINKS THAT THAT WILL HELP THE FUTURE WORK OF THE SAR GOVERNMENT THEN SO BE IT.
"I’M SURE THAT PEOPLE IN HONG KONG WILL EXPECT THOSE WHOSE ADVICES ASKED FOR TO REPRESENT THE BROADEST SECTION OF HONG KONG OPINION AND I IMAGINE THAT AT SOME STAGE BETWEEN NOW AND 1997 THE GOVERNMENT OF THE PRC WOULD ACTUALLY WANT TO CONSULT SOMEBODY WHO HAS BEEN ELECTED."
ASKED ABOUT CRITICISM OF PROGRESS AT THE JLG MEETING, MR PATTEN SAID: "OBVIOUSLY ALL OF US RECOGNISE THAT IT’S IN THE INTERESTS NOT ONLY OF HONG KONG TODAY BUT OF HONG KONG IN THE FUTURE AND OF THE FUTURE SAR GOVERNMENT TO MAKE AS MUCH PROGRESS AS POSSIBLE.
"I WANT TO ENSURE THAT WE’VE LAID THE BEST CONCEIVABLE FOUNDATIONS FOR THE SAR GOVERNMENT BY JULY 1, 1997 AND THAT MUST MEAN MAKING MORE PROGRESS IN THE JLG.
"SO I DO HOPE THAT WE’LL BE ABLE TO DO THAT IN FUTURE AND I HOPE THAT IF THE CHINESE SIDE HAVE ANY INFORMATION WHICH THEY’D LIKE TO HAVE, THEY ACTUALLY ASK FOR IT BEFORE MEETINGS AND NOT COMPLAIN AT MEETINGS OR AFTER MEETINGS THAT THEY HAVEN’T RECEIVED IT."
COMMENTING ON THE PROBLEMS OF TEMPORARY HOUSING AREAS, THE GOVERNOR POINTED OUT THAT HONG KONG HAD GOT RID OF ABOUT 40,000 TEMPORARY HOUSING AREA ACCOMMODATIONS IN THE LAST THREE YEARS.
"WE HAVE STILL UNFORTUNATELY GOT 50 TEMPORARY HOUSING AREA SCHEMES WITH ABOUT 65,000 PEOPLE LIVING IN THEM," HE SAID.
"WE ARE COMMITTED ON PRESENT PLANS TO REDUCING THAT NUMBER BY ABOUT THREE QUARTERS BY 1997.
"THAT WOULD LEAVE ABOUT 15,000 PEOPLE IN THE TEMPORARY HOUSING AREA ACCOMMODATIONS BY THE END OF THAT PERIOD.
"OBVIOUSLY WE MUST KEEP THAT UNDER REVIEW AND IF WE CAN GO FASTER, IF WE CAN DO BETTER THAN THAT, THEN WE MUST DO SO."
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/2 .......
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 23, 1993
2
TWENTY-SIXTH MEETING OF THE SINO-BRITISH JOINT LIAISON GROUP, 21-23 JUNE 1993
JOINT COMMUNIQUE *****
THE JOINT LIAISON GROUP HELD ITS TWENTY-SIXTH MEETING IN HONG KONG FROM 21 TO 23 JUNE 1993.
THE GROUP HAD A FURTHER DISCUSSION ABOUT THE FUTURE OF LANDS WHICH ARE NOW IN USE FOR DEFENCE PURPOSES IN HONG KONG; FRANCHISES AND CONTRACTS EXTENDING BEYOND 1997 AND RELATED MATTERS; MUTUAL LEGAL ASSISTANCE IN CRIMINAL MATTERS BETWEEN HONG KONG AND CERTAIN COUNTRIES; SURRENDER OF FUGITIVE OFFENDERS AGREEMENTS BETWEEN HONG KONG AND RELEVANT COUNTRIES; LOCALISATION OF LAWS; ADAPTATION OF LAWS; THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE PROVISIONS OF THE JOINT DECLARATION RELATING TO THE RIGHT OF ABODE IN HONG KONG AFTER 1997; TRANSITIONAL ARRANGEMENTS FOR HONG KONG TRAVEL DOCUMENTS; VISA ABOLITION AGREEMENTS; CIVIL SERVANTS’ PENSIONS GUARANTEES; AND RECIPROCAL ENFORCEMENT OF JUDGEMENTS BETWEEN HONG KONG AND FOREIGN COUNTRIES.
THE GROUP DISCUSSED MATTERS RELATING TO HONG KONG’S INTERNATIONAL RIGHTS AND- OBLIGATIONS AND REACHED AGREEMENT ON THE CONTINUED APPLICATION TO HONG KONG AFTER 1997 OF ONE INTERNATIONAL TREATY IN THE CATEGORY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY.
THE TWO SIDES HAD A FURTHER EXCHANGE OF VIEWS ON HONG KONG’S AIR SERVICE AGREEMENTS AND MADE PROGRESS.
THE GROUP HAD AN EXCHANGE OF VIEWS ON INVESTMENT PROMOTION AND PROTECTION AGREEMENTS BETWEEN HONG KONG AND RELEVANT COUNTRIES AND MADE PROGRESS.
THE NEXT MEETING OF THE JOINT LIAISON GROUP WILL TAKE PLACE AT A TIME AND PLACE TO BE AGREED BY THE TWO SIDES.
- ' _ - 0-----------
TRANSCRIPT OF THE OPENING STATEMENT BY THE BRITISH SENIOR REPRESENTATIVE OF THE JLG, MR ANTHONY GALSWORTHY, AT A PRESS CONFERENCE TODAY *****
CHRIS OSBORNE : GOOD AFTERNOON LADIES AND GENTLEMEN. MR GALSWORTHY WILL MAKE A SHORT OPENING STATEMENT AND THEN WE’LL TAKE QUESTIONS FROM THE FLOOR. COULD YOU IDENTIFY YOURSELF PLEASE WHEN YOU ASK YOUR QUESTION, THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
/MR ANTHONY .......
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 23, 1993
3
MR ANTHONY GALSWORTHY: I ASSUME THAT YOU’VE ALL SEEN THE COMMUNIQUE. I SUSPECT THAT YOU’VE PROBABLY ONLY JUST SEEN IT AND I APOLOGISE FOR THE FACT THAT IT MAY HAVE REACHED YOU RATHER LATE IN THE DAY. THAT’S BECAUSE OUR MEETING ENDED RATHER LATE. I’M NOT GOING TO TRY TO HIDE FROM YOU THAT THIS HAS BEEN RATHER A DISAPPOINTING MEETING IN TERMS OF RESULTS. WE HAD HOPED THAT THE AGREEMENT OF THE CHINESE SIDE TO HOLD A PLENARY MEETING AFTER SOME SIX MONTHS IN WHICH THEY HAD REFUSED TO DO SO MEANT THAT THEY WERE WILLING TO GET ON WITH THE OUTSTANDING BUSINESSES OF THE JOINT LIAISON GROUP IN A WORKMAN-LIKE FASHION. THERE IS A LARGE BACKLOG OF UNFINISHED BUSINESS WHICH HAS BEEN BUILDING UP. IN FACT, THE RESULTS FROM THREE DAYS OF DISCUSSION HAVE BEEN PRETTY MARGINAL AND IT IS CLEAR TO ME THAT THE CHINESE SIDE APPROACHED THIS MEETING WITH THE INTENTION OF ALLOWING ONLY MINIMAL PROGRESS AT IT.
THE ITEMS ON WHICH SOME AGREEMENT HAS BEEN REACHED WERE AS FOLLOWS: THE PARIS CONVENTION ON THIRD PARTY LIABILITY IN THE FIELD OF NUCLEAR ENERGY OF 1960 WILL REMAIN IN FORCE AFTER THE 30TH OF JUNE, 1997.
WE AGREED ON THE SIGNATURE OF TWO BILATERAL INVESTMENT PROMOTION AND PROTECTION AGREEMENTS WITH SWEDEN AND AUSTRALIA. THESE WILL REMAIN IN FORCE AFTER 1997.
WE AGREED ON THE SIGNATURE OF THE DRAFT AIR SERVICES AGREEMENT WITH AUSTRALIA WHICH WAS INITIALED ON THE 1ST NOVEMBER, 1991.
ANY PROGRESS AT ALL IS BETTER THAN NONE AND TO THAT EXTENT IT IS WELCOME. BUT I THINK IT’S RIGHT TO ADD THAT THERE WAS A MUCH LARGER VOLUME OF SIMILAR BUSINESS WHICH COULD HAVE BEEN AGREED, AND WHICH WAS HELD UP FOR NO VERY CONVINCING REASON. ON FRANCHISES WE CONFIRMED THE IMPORTANT AGREEMENTS ON THE WESTERN NEW TERRITORIES LANDFILL, THE SUBSCRIPTION TELEVISION LICENCE AND THE SCHEME OF CONTROL ARRANGEMENT FOR HONG KONG ELECTRIC. AGREEMENT ON THESE FRANCHISES WAS OF COURSE ANNOUNCED SOME TIME AGO. HOWEVER, THE CHINESE SIDE WERE NOT WILLING TO TAKE THE URGENT QUESTION OF CT9 FORWARD AT THIS MEETING. WE’VE MADE IT CLEAR THAT A FAILURE TO BUILD CONTAINER TERMINAL 9 ON TIME WILL HAVE AN ADVERSE ECONOMIC EFFECT ON HONG KONG. ON DEFENCE LANDS, THERE HAS BEEN SOME FURTHER NARROWING OF THE GAPS. THERE WILL BE FURTHER CONTACT AND A FURTHER EXPERT MEETING IN SEPTEMBER. WE THINK THAT IT’S HIGH TIME THAT AN AGREEMENT WAS REACHED IN THIS IMPORTANT AREA AND WE’RE PREPARED TO PUT OUR EFFORTS INTO REACHING ONE.
SO ALL IN ALL RATHER A THIN OUTCOME. WE SHALL CERTAINLY HAVE TO DO BETTER THAN THIS IN THE JOINT LIAISON GROUP IF WE ARE TO HAVE A PROSPECT OF COMPLETING OUR WORK BY 1997. BUT THIS CAN ONLY BE DONE WITH CHINESE CO-OPERATION. AS THE CHINESE THEMSELVES SAY, YOU CANNOT CLAP WITH ONE HAND.
THANK YOU. NOW YOUR QUESTIONS.
- - 0 - -
/4 ........
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 23, 1993 4
HK TO PLAY KEY SERVICE ROLE FOR CHINA *****
THE LISTING OF CHINESE COMPANIES ON THE HONG KONG STOCK EXCHANGE SHOWS THAT HONG KONG IS BEGINNING TO PLAY A KEY SERVICE ROLE FOR CHINA.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, MR HAMISH MACLEOD, WHEN HE ADDRESSED A LUNCHEON HOSTED BY THE HONG KONG ASSOCIATION IN LONDON THIS (WEDNESDAY, LONDON TIME) AFTERNOON.
THE SECURITIES AND FUTURES COMMISSION AND THE HONG KONG STOCK EXCHANGE AND THEIR COUNTERPARTS IN BEIJING LAST SUNDAY SIGNED A MEMORANDUM OF REGULATORY CO-OPERATION WHICH ENABLES CHINESE STATE-OWNED CORPORATIONS TO BE FLOATED ON THE HONG KONG STOCK EXCHANGE.
MR MACLEOD NOTED THAT THE LISTING OF THESE COMPANIES ON THE EXCHANGE WOULD NOT WEAKEN HONG KONG’S LISTING RULES AS THEY WOULD MEET FULLY HONG KONG’S LISTING REQUIREMENTS.
HE STRESSED THAT THERE WAS NOT A BACKDOOR OR SIDE DOOR OF GETTING IN.
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY SAID WHAT WAS GOING ON AT THE MOMENT WAS PRECISELY THAT THOSE COMPANIES, WITH THE HELP OF INTERNATIONAL FIRMS OF ACCOUNTANTS, WERE PUTTING THEIR ACCOUNTS INTO A FORM WHICH WAS RECOGNISABLE TO INVESTORS.
HE SAID THE LISTING WOULD HAVE AN ENORMOUS EFFECT ON THE BUSINESS OF THE HONG KONG STOCK EXCHANGE.
IT WOULD ALSO STRENGTHEN HONG KONG’S ROLE AS AN INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL CENTRE, HE SAID.
"THIS IS JUST ONE CURRENT AND MAJOR EXAMPLE OF THE SPIN-OFFS FROM HONG KONG’S EVER EXPANDING ECONOMIC RELATIONSHIP WITH CHINA," HE SAID.
MR MACLEOD STRESSED THAT THE WORLD WAS EXTREMELY INTERESTED IN HOW TO INVEST IN CHINA BUT THERE WERE VERY FEW VEHICLES FOR THEM TO DO SO.
HE POINTED OUT THAT THE CHINESE COMPANIES WHICH INTENDED TO SEEK LISTING IN HONG KONG WERE VERY LARGE.
IF THE FIRST FEW WERE FOLLOWED BY OTHERS THEN OVER THE YEARS THE HONG KONG STOCK EXCHANGE WOULD BECOME VERY MUCH LARGER AND MORE IMPORTANT, HE ADDED.
TURNING TO THE ECONOMY, MR MACLEOD SAID THE ATMOSPHERE IN HONG KONG WAS BUOYANT AND CONFIDENT.
HE SAID IT WAS REMARKABLE HOW CONFIDENCE WAS SUSTAINED IN HONG KONG.
/"WE ARE .......
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 23, 1993
5
"WE ARE IN THE MIDDLE OF AN UNBROKEN PERIOD OF QUITE HIGH ECONOMIC GROWTH. FOR THIS YEAR WE EXPECT A 5.5 PER CENT REAL GROWTH IN GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT.
"PLANNING FIGURE FOR THE PERIOD TO 1997 IS FIVE PER CENT REAL GROWTH OF GDP AS AN AVERAGE.
"OUR GDP PER CAPITA HAS ALREADY OVERTAKEN NEW ZEALAND AND SPAIN AND HAS ALMOST CAUGHT UP WITH THE UNITED KINGDOM," HE SAID.
ON INFLATION, MR MACLEOD SAID THE FORECAST FOR THIS YEAR WAS 9.5 PER CENT, ALTHOUGH IT LOOKED ACTUALLY AS THOUGH IT MIGHT BE A LITTLE LOWER.
"TO COMPENSATE FOR HIGH INFLATION, HONG KONG HAS VIRTUALLY FULL EMPLOYMENT AND HIGH ECONOMIC GROWTH," HE SAID.
HE EXPLAINED THAT THE RELATIVELY HIGH INFLATION STEMMED FROM A STRUCTURAL SHIFT OF THE ECONOMY - FROM A PREDOMINANTLY MANUFACTURING ECONOMY TO A SERVICING ONE.
IT WAS TRUE THAT GIVEN THE LINKED EXCHANGE RATE WITH THE U.S. DOLLAR, HONG KONG COULD NOT BASICALLY USE THE INTEREST RATE WEAPON TO COMBAT INFLATION, HE SAID.
HE STRESSED THAT IT WAS A PRICE HONG KONG ACCEPTED BECAUSE THE LINK HAD STOOD THE TERRITORY IN GOOD STEAD SINCE IT WAS INTRODUCED 10 YEARS AGO AND WAS A PROVEN ANCHOR OF HONG KONG’S MONETARY STABILITY.
HE CONCLUDED THAT THERE WAS NO PLACE ON EARTH WHERE ECONOMIC OPTIMISM FOR THE NEXT CENTURY SEEMED MORE JUSTIFIED.
------0--------
GOVERNOR VISITS KWUN TONG ♦ * * * *
THE GOVERNOR, THE RT HON CHRISTOPHER PATTEN, AND MRS PATTEN VISITED KWUN TONG DISTRICT THIS (WEDNESDAY) AFTERNOON.
THEY FIRST VISITED A MUTUAL AID COMMITTEE IN SHUN ON ESTATE AND TALKED TO OFFICE-BEARERS ON ITS OPERATION.
LATER, THEY WENT TO THE ROOFTOP OF A BLOCK THERE TO SEE AND BE BRIEFED ON THE NEARBY JORDAN VALLEY LANDFILL.
DURING THE TOUR OF THE PING SHEK TEMPORARY HOUSING AREA, MR PATTEN WAS CONCERNED ABOUT THE LIVING ENVIRONMENT THERE AND ITS CLEARANCE PLAN. HE ALSO VISITED SOME FAMILIES THERE.
THEY THEN WENT TO THE KWUN TONG INDUSTRIAL AREA AND SAW A KNITWEAR FACTORY ON HUNG TO ROAD.
/BEFORE CONCLUDING .......
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 23, 1993
6
BEFORE CONCLUDING THEIR VISIT, MR AND MRS PATTEN MET DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS AND COMMUNITY LEADERS IN A RECEPTION AT THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT BRANCH OFFICES BUILDING.
THE GOVERNOR WAS ACCOMPANIED ON THE TRIP BY THE REGIONAL SECRETARY FOR HONG KONG AND KOWLOON, MISS CHRISTINE CHOW; THE KWUN TONG DISTRICT OFFICER, MR WONG HON-HO AND THE DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, MR LAM HANG-FAI.
-----0-------
WESTERN HARBOUR CROSSING FRANCHISE
»«****
THE GOVERNMENT WILL ANNOUNCE THE DETAILS OF THE WESTERN HARBOUR CROSSING FRANCHISE ON FRIDAY (JUNE 25) MORNING, WHEN THE WESTERN HARBOUR CROSSING BILL WILL BE GAZETTED.
MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, AND THE AIRPORT CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEE, WILL BE BRIEFED ON THAT DAY.
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY): "THIS IS AN IMPORTANT ELEMENT IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF HONG KONG’S TRANSPORT INFRASTRUCTURE. IT IS PART OF THE AIRPORT CORE PROGRAMME, AND IT WILL ALSO RELIEVE GENERAL TRAFFIC CONGESTION AT THE EXISTING CROSS HARBOUR TUNNELS.
"DETAILS OF THE FRANCHISE AND THE WESTERN HARBOUR CROSSING BILL WILL BE MADE PUBLIC ON FRIDAY, FOLLOWING AGREEMENT BEING REACHED ON THE FRANCHISE IN THE AIRPORT COMMITTEE ON JUNE 18.
"IT IS IMPORTANT THAT WE PRESS AHEAD EXTREMELY QUICKLY WITH THE LEGISLATION, AND WE HOPE IT CAN BE APPROVED BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL THIS SESSION.
"THE URGENCY ARISES FROM THE NEED TO START CONSTRUCTION IN AUGUST. IF WE DO NOT MEET THAT DATE, THERE IS A RISK OF INCREASES IN COSTS, AND DELAY IN OPENING THE CROSSING.
"THE GOVERNMENT HAS NEGOTIATED THE BEST POSSIBLE TERMS WITH THE FRANCHISEE; WESTERN HARBOUR TUNNEL COMPANY, ON A BUILD, OPERATE AND TRANSFER BASIS.
"THE PRIMARY AIM HAS BEEN TO SAFEGUARD THE PUBLIC INTEREST. WE BELIEVE THAT THE ARRANGEMENTS WE WILL BE PUTTING TO LEGCO FULLY MEET THAT OBJECTIVE.
"THE ARRANGEMENTS INCLUDE A STABLE TOLL REGIME, AND PROVISION FOR THE FRANCHISEE TO EARN A REASONABLE RETURN ON INVESTMENT, WHICH IS ESSENTIAL FOR THE PROJECT’S COMMERCIAL VIABILITY."
/ATTENTION NEWS .......
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 23, 1993
7
ATTENTION NEWS EDITORS:
THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT, MR K Y YEUNG, WILL GIVE A PRESS CONFERENCE ON THE WESTERN HARBOUR CROSSING FRANCHISE IN THE GIS PRESS CONFERENCE ROOM AT 11.30 AM ON FRIDAY.
THIS WILL FOLLOW A JOINT MEETING OF THE LEGCO TRANSPORT PANEL AND SUB-COMMITTEE ON FINANCING OF THE ACP.
THE AIRPORT CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEE TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT SUBCOMMITTEE WILL BE BRIEFED IN THE AFTERNOON.
- - 0 - -
WENT LANDFILL CONTRACT SIGNED *****
THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT (EPD) TODAY (WEDNESDAY) SIGNED A CONTRACT FOR THE WEST NEW TERRITORIES LANDFILL (WENT), THE FIRST OF THE THREE STRATEGIC LARGE-CAPACITY LANDFILLS TO BE DEVELOPED UNDER THE LONG-TERM WASTE MANAGEMENT STRATEGY IN HONG KONG.
THE CONTRACT WAS AWARDED TO SWIRE BFI WASTE SERVICES LTD, A 50/50 PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN SWIRE PACIFIC LTD AND BROWNING FERRIS INDUSTRIES INC.
SWIRE PACIFIC LTD IS A HONG KONG CORPORATION WHILST BROWNING FERRIS INDUSTRIES INC IS AN INTERNATIONAL WASTE MANAGEMENT COMPANY BASED IN THE USA.
THE $3.2 BILLION CONTRACT COVERS THE CAPITAL COST OF THE PROJECT, THE LANDFILL’S OPERATION COST FOR 25 YEARS AS WELL AS THE AFTERCARE OF THE SITE FOR A FURTHER 30 YEARS.
THE LANDFILL WILL BE ABLE TO RECEIVE A TOTAL OF OVER 61 MILLION TONNES OF WASTE AND IS EXPECTED TO START OPERATION IN NOVEMBER THIS YEAR.
SIGNING THE CONTRACT AT THE CEREMONY, EPD’S ASSISTANT DIRECTOR, MR MIKE STOKOE, SAID THE WENT LANDFILL PROJECT WAS THE FIRST OF ITS KIND IN ASIA.
IT HAS BEEN DEVELOPED UNDER A DESIGN, BUILD AND OPERATE CONTRACT ARRANGEMENT UNDER WHICH THE CONTRACTOR IS RESPONSIBLE FOR ALL ASPECTS OF THE FACILITY.
HE ADDED THAT THE THREE PREVIOUS WASTE MANAGEMENT PROJECTS HAD BEEN DEVELOPED IN A SIMILAR FASHION.
THIS TYPE OF CONTRACT ARRANGEMENT REQUIRES THE CONTRACTOR TO SATISFY VERY STRINGENT ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS FOR BOTH CONSTRUCTION AND OPERATION OF THE LANDFILL, INCLUDING LINING THE SITE WITH AN IMPERMEABLE MEMBRANE AS WELL AS COLLECTING AND TREATING THE POLLUTED LIQUIDS AND LANDFILL GAS PRIOR TO ANY DISCHARGE FROM THE SITE.
/NOTING THAT
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 23, 1993
8
NOTING THAT AN AVERAGE OF 20,000 TONNES OF SOLID WASTE ARE PRODUCED EVERYDAY, MR STOKOE SAID:
"THE WENT LANDFILL WILL ENABLE US TO CATER FOR OUR WASTE DISPOSAL NEEDS WELL INTO THE NEXT CENTURY. WHILST THE FACILITIES INCLUDE THE LATEST REQUIREMENTS FOR MODERN LANDFILL DESIGN AND OPERATION, THE COST ASSOCIATED WITH THEM IS BY FAR THE MOST ECONOMICAL WASTE DISPOSAL METHOD."
MAKING A COMPARISON, MR STOKOE SAID THE DISPOSAL COST FOR A TONNE OF WASTE AT THE WENT LANDFILL WOULD BE $51 WHEREAS THE AVERAGE COST OF DISPOSAL AT THE EXISTING LANDFILLS IS $70.
"THE AIM OF THE NEW LANDFILLS IS TO BRING CONSIDERABLY HIGHER ENVIRONMENTAL STANDARDS TO WASTE MANAGEMENT PRACTICES IN HONG KONG WITHOUT NECESSARILY HAVING TO PAY CORRESPONDINGLY MORE FOR SUCH IMPROVEMENT,” HE SAID.
THE EPD WILL REVIEW THE LONG-TERM WASTE MANAGEMENT STRATEGY SHORTLY.
MR STOKOE SAID THE REVIEW WOULD BE AIDED BY THE USE OF COMPUTER MODELLING TECHNIQUES AND PARTICULAR ATTENTION WOULD BE PAID TO WASTE MINIMISATION AND WASTE REDUCTION.
THESE MEASURES WILL HELP LENGTHEN THE OPERATING LIFE OF THE LANDFILLS.
------0-------
APPOINTMENTS TO BOARD OF EDUCATION * * * * *
THE SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER, MR MICHAEL LEUNG, ANNOUNCED TODAY (WEDNESDAY) THAT MR ANDREW SO KWOK-WING HAD BREN APPOINTED CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION WITH EFFECT FROM NEXT MONTH.
APPOINTED TO THE BOARD FOR THE FIRST TIME ARE MR TIK CHI-YUEN, CHAIRMAN OF THE HOME SCHOOL COOPERATION COMMITTEE, AND MR PUN TIN-CHI, AN EDUCATIONALIST.
MR SO HAS BEEN A MEMBER OF THE BOARD FOR SEVEN YEARS AND IS THE CURRENT CHAIRMAN OF THE CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL.
HE WILL SUCCEED MR TIMOTHY HA WING-HO WHO WILL RETIRE FROM THE BOARD AFTER 15 YEARS OF DISTINGUISHED SERVICE.
MR LEUNG ALSO ANNOUNCED THE RE-APPOINTMENT OF THE FOLLOWING SERVING MEMBERS:
* MISS BOW SIU-MAY, SUPERVISOR/PRINCIPAL OF THE HONG KONG SCHOOL FOR THE DEAF
* MISS SANSAN CHING TEI-CHI, DIRECTOR OF HONG KONG COUNCIL OF EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION & SERVICE LTD
* MRS MINNIE LAI WEI KIT-LIN, PRINCIPAL OF HEEP YUNN SCHOOL
/* MISS AUDREY ......
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 23, 1993
9
* MISS AUDREY EU YUET-MEE, BARRISTER
* MR HORACE R KNIGHT, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE VOCATIONAL TRAINING COUNCIL
* MR PETER LEE SHUNG-TAK, PRINCIPAL OF CARITAS ST FRANCIS PREVOCATIONAL SCHOOL
* DR LESLIE LO NAI-KWAI, DEAN OF THE SCHOOL OF EDUCATION OF THE CHINESE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG
* DR ANDREW WONG KAM-CHEUNG, LECTURER IN THE FACULTY OF EDUCATION OF THE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG
* MR LUKE YIP JING-PING, PRINCIPAL OF ST STEPHEN’S COLLEGE
THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION WILL CONTINUE TO SERVE AS THE VICE-CHAIRMAN AND THE DEPUTY SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER AS A MEMBER, BOTH IN THEIR EX OFFICIO CAPACITIES.
THE CHAIRMAN AND ALL MEMBERS ARE APPOINTED ON A TWO-YEAR TERM STARTING FROM JULY 1 THIS YEAR.
------0-------
TWO SALARIES COMMISSION MEMBERS RE-APPOINTED
*****
THE GOVERNMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (WEDNESDAY) THAT THE GOVERNOR HAD RE-APPOINTED MR DAVID A MORIS AND MR NICHOLAS S C CHIU AS MEMBERS OF THE STANDING COMMISSION ON CIVIL SERVICE SALARIES AND CONDITIONS OF SERVICE.
THE TERMS OF APPOINTMENT FOR BOTH MEMBERS WILL BE FOR TWO YEARS WITH EFFECT FROM JULY 1, 1993.
MR MORRIS HAS SERVED ON THE STANDING COMMISSION FOR SIX YEARS, AND MR CHIU FOR FOUR YEARS.
THE STANDING COMMISSION ADVISES THE GOVERNMENT ON THE PRINCIPLES AND PRACTICES GOVERNING THE PAY AND CONDITIONS OF SERVICE OF THE NON-DIRECTORATE CIVIL SERVICE OTHER THAN THE DISCIPLINED SERVICES.
------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 FRIDAY (JUNE 25) TO 6 AM THE FOLLOWING DAY TO FACILITATE WASTE DETECTION WORK ON WATER MAINS.
THE SUSPENSION WILL AFFECT ALL THE PREMISES BOUNDED BY CASTLE PEAK ROAD, FUK WING STREET, CHEUNG WAH STREET, CHEUNG SHA WAN ROAD AND KWONG CHEUNG STREET.
/IO .......
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 23, 1993
10
NO NOMINATION TODAY FOR LEGCO BY-ELECTION
*****
THE GOVERNMENT HAS RECEIVED NO NOMINATION FOR THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL BY-ELECTION IN RESPECT OF THE FIRST INDUSTRIAL ELECTORAL DIVISION TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
ONLY ONE NOMINATION HAS SO FAR BEEN RECEIVED FROM MR JAMES TIEN PEI-CHUN, 46, MANAGING DIRECTOR, ON JUNE 16.
NOMINATIONS ARE OPEN FROM JUNE 11 TO 25. THE BY-ELECTION WILL BE HELD ON JULY 15 TO FILL THE VACANCY LEFT BY THE LATE STEPHEN CHEONG.
-----0-------
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND
MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS
*****
$ MILLION
<
OPENING BALANC^ IN THE ACCOUNT 2,640
REVERSAL OF LAF +160
BALANCE AFTER REVERSAL OF LAF 2,800
NET INJECTION/WITHDRAWAL TODAY NII,
EFFECT OF LAF TODAY -630
CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT 2,170
LAF RATE 2.00 BTD/4.00 OFFER TWT 113.0 t-0.1* 23.6.93
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND
EF BILLS I O' NOTES/HONG KONG GOVERNMENT BONDS
TERMS YIELD TERM ISSUE COUPON PRICE YIELD
1 WEEK 3.32 PCT 14 MONTHS 2408 4 . 375 1 Orf.25 4 . 19
1 MONTH 3.40 PCT 17 MONTHS 2411 4 .625 100.29 4.45
3 MONTHS 3.39 PCT 20 MONTHS 2502 4 .75 100.23 4.65
6 MONTHS 3.55 PCT 23 MONTHS 2505 3 .75 98.23 4.79
12 MONTHS 4.01 PCT
TOTAL TURNOVER OF BILLS AND BONDS - 20,965 MN
CLOSED 22 JUNE 1993
Received by PRC
on j yUN 1993
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
THURSDAY, JUNE 24, 1993
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
HOST OF MATTERS NEED TO BE SORTED OUT BEFORE 1997: ACTING CS 1
COMPANIES REGISTRY TO REVISE FEES ............................ 1
SURVEY OF EMPLOYMENT, VACANCIES AND PAYROLL FOR JUNE STARTS 2
SUMMER JOB ADVICE ............................................ 3
MONITORING MARINE DUMPING BY HELICOPTERS ..................... 4
EXHIBITION TO MARK INT’L ANTI-DRUG DAY ....................... 5
FIRST CHINA STUDIES COURSE DUE TO START ...................... 6
CHEUNG SHA WAN METHADONE CLINIC TO BE CLOSED ................. 6
THURSDAY, JUNE 24, 1993
1
HOST OF MATTERS NEED TO BE SORTED OUT BEFORE 1997 : ACTING CS *****
THE ACTING CHIEF SECRETARY, MRS ANSON CHAN SAID TODAY (THURSDAY) THAT A NUMBER OF MATTERS WERE STILL TO BE SORTED OUT BETWEEN NOW AND 1997 AND TIME IS RUNNING OUT.
SPEAKING TO REPORTERS AFTER ATTENDING THE DRAGON BOAT RACE AT TAI PO, MRS CHAN SAID: "THERE ARE STILL A WHOLE HOST OF MATTERS THAT NEED TO BE SORTED OUT IN ORDER TO LAY A STRONG FOUNDATION FOR THE FUTURE SAR GOVERNMENT TO IMPLEMENT THE ONE COUNTRY TWO SYSTEM CONCEPT."
SHE ADDED THAT HONG KONG PEOPLE WOULD SUFFER IF THESE MATTERS WERE NOT RESOLVED IN GOOD TIME.
ON THE PROGRESS OF THE JOINT LIAISON GROUP MEETING, SHE SAID: "I THINK WE WERE PARTICULARLY DISAPPOINTED BEARING IN MIND THAT IT HAS BEEN SIX MONTHS SINCE WE HAD THE LAST MEETING.
"IT SEEMS CLEAR TO US THAT IF THE CHINESE WERE WILLING, WE COULD HAVE MADE MUCH BETTER PROGRESS THIS TIME."
ASKED ABOUT THREATS BY CIVIL SERVANTS TO GO ON STRIKE, MRS CHAN SAID: "THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL HAS GIVEN VERY CAREFUL CONSIDERATION TO THE VIEWS EXPRESSED BY THE UNION LEADERS, AND WE BELIEVE THAT THE PAY OFFER THIS YEAR IS A FAIR AND REASONABLE ONE.
"THE GOVERNMENT HAS RESPONSIBILITY NOT ONLY TO ITS EMPLOYEES BUT ALSO TO THE COMMUNITY AT LARGE. AND AT THE MOMENT THERE IS STILL CONSIDERABLE CONCERN ABOUT INFLATION AND THE GOVERNMENT NEEDS TO SET A GOOD EXAMPLE."
SHE HOPED THAT THE STAFF SIDE WHEN CONSIDERING WHAT FURTHER ACTION TO TAKE WOULD PUT THE PUBLIC INTEREST AS THEIR FIRST CONSIDERATION.
------0-------
COMPANIES REGISTRY TO REVISE FEES
*****
A NUMBER OF FEES CHARGED BY THE COMPANIES REGISTRY WILL BE REVISED WITH EFFECT FROM AUGUST 1 AND DETAILS WILL BE GAZETTED TOMORROW (FRIDAY), A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (THURSDAY).
"THE FEES LEVIED UNDER THE COMPANIES ORDINANCE, THE LIMITED PARTNERSHIPS ORDINANCE, AND THE MONEY LENDERS ORDINANCE HAVE NOT KEPT PACE WITH THE COSTS OF COLLECTING THEM," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
"THE OPPORTUNITY IS ALSO TAKEN IN THIS EXERCISE TO SIMPLIFY CERTAIN FORMS UNDER THE COMPANIES ORDINANCE," HE ADDED.
MOST OF THESE FEES WERE LAST REVIEWED IN 1988 AND 1989 AND INFLATION SINCE THAT TIME HAS CONSIDERABLY REDUCED THEIR VALUE.
THE INCREASES, WHICH ARE GENERALLY IN THE ORDER OF 30 PER CENT, ARE NECESSARY IF THE REGISTRY IS TO BE ABLE TO FULLY RECOVER ITS COSTS IN FUTURE, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
/THE ADDITIONAL .......
2
THURSDAY, JUNE 24, 1993
THE ADDITIONAL REVENUE TO BE GENERATED IN A FULL YEAR AFTER THE NEW FEES ARE IN PLACE WILL BE AROUND $40 MILLION FOR ALL FEES COLLECTED AND RETAINED BY THE COMPANIES REGISTRY.
"A SURVEY CONDUCTED IN EARLY 1992 FOUND THAT 56 PER CENT OF THE REGISTRY’S CUSTOMERS WOULD BE WILLING TO PAY MORE FOR MORE UP-TO-DATE INFORMATION, AND OVER 40 PER CENT OF THE CUSTOMERS WERE PREPARED TO PAY MORE FOR GREATER EFFICIENCY.
OVER THE PAST YEAR THERE HAVE BEEN SIGNIFICANT IMPROVEMENTS IN SERVICE DELIVERY, PARTICULARLY RELATING TO THE REGISTRATION OF CHARGES AND PUBLIC SEARCHES.
"GIVEN THE RELATIVELY MODEST LEVEL OF FEE INCREASE IN ABSOLUTE TERMS, THE PROPOSALS WILL NOT HAVE ANY MEASURABLE IMPACT ON THE COST OF DOING BUSINESS IN GENERAL," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
------0--------
SURVEY OF EMPLOYMENT, VACANCIES AND PAYROLL FOR JUNE STARTS *****
THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT HAS STARTED THE JUNE 1993 SURVEY OF EMPLOYMENT, VACANCIES AND PAYROLL IN THE MAJOR SECTORS OF THE ECONOMY IN RESPECT OF THE SECOND QUARTER OF 1993.
THIS SURVEY IS CONDUCTED QUARTERLY AND THE SURVEY RESULTS ARE USEFUL IN PROVIDING SHORT-TERM ECONOMIC INDICATORS AS WELL AS INFORMATION ON THE STRUCTURAL CHANGES IN THE LABOUR MARKET.
THIS ROUND OF THE SURVEY COVERS ABOUT 140,000 ESTABLISHMENTS WHICH ARE DRAWN FROM VARIOUS SECTORS.
THESE SECTORS INCLUDE THE INDUSTRIAL SECTOR (MINING AND QUARRYING; MANUFACTURING; ELECTRICITY AND GAS), THE DISTRIBUTIVE TRADES SECTOR (WHOLESALE, RETAIL AND IMPORT/EXPORT TRADES, RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS) AND THE SERVICES SECTOR (TRANSPORT, STORAGE AND COMMUNICATION; FINANCING, INSURANCE, REAL ESTATE AND BUSINESS SERVICES; COMMUNITY, SOCIAL AND PERSONAL SERVICES).
INFORMATION ON NUMBER OF PERSONS ENGAGED AND EXISTING VACANCIES ON JUNE 30 WILL BE SOUGHT FROM EACH SELECTED ESTABLISHMENT.
A RANDOM SUB-SAMPLE OF ABOUT 10,000 ESTABLISHMENTS IS SELECTED FROM THE MAIN SAMPLE TO COLLECT ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON PAYROLL IN EACH OF THE THREE MONTHS DURING THE REFERENCE PERIOD OF APRIL-JUNE 1993.
QUESTIONNAIRES ARE BEING MAILED TO THE SAMPLED ESTABLISHMENTS.
IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS ORDER 1982, ESTABLISHMENTS RECEIVING QUESTIONNAIRES ARE REQUIRED TO COMPLETE AND RETURN THEM TO THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT WITHIN THE SPECIFIED PERIOD.
/SHOULD RESPONDENTS ......
THURSDAY, JUNE 24, 1993
3
SHOULD RESPONDENTS FIND DIFFICULTIES IN COMPLETING THE FORMS, THEY ARE WELCOME TO CONTACT THE DEPARTMENT FOR HELP ON TEL 582 5076.
AS FOR THOSE ESTABLISHMENTS NEWLY INCLUDED IN THE REGISTER OF ESTABLISHMENTS OF THE DEPARTMENT DURING APRIL-JUNE 1993, THEY WILL ALSO BE ENUMERATED TO MAKE THE SURVEY RESULTS COMPLETE.
OFFICERS OF THIS DEPARTMENT, EACH BEARING A GOVERNMENT IDENTITY CARD, WILL CALL ON THESE ESTABLISHMENTS TO SOLICIT INFORMATION ON NATURE OF BUSINESS, TYPE OF OWNERSHIP, DATE ON WHICH BUSINESS STARTED, NUMBER OF PERSONS ENGAGED AND EXISTING VACANCIES.
IN CASE OF ANY ENQUIRIES REGARDING THESE FIELD VISITS, PLEASE CONTACT THE DEPARTMENT ON TEL 582 4782.
------0-------
SUMMER JOB ADVICE
*****
THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT TODAY (THURSDAY) ADVISED STUDENTS SEEKING SUMMER WORK THIS YEAR NOT TO TAKE UP HIGH-RISK EMPLOYMENT.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID STUDENTS SHOULD CONSULT THEIR PARENTS OR SCHOOL CAREERS TEACHERS ABOUT SAFETY BEFORE
i N<; EMPLOYMENT.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID STUDENTS SHOULD NOT TAKE UP THE FOLLOWING HIGH-RISK JOBS:
* WORKING AT CONSTRUCTION SITE;
* OPERATING HEAVY MACHINERY, LIFTING APPLIANCES OR GIVING SIGNALS IN LIFTING OPERATIONS;
* OPERATING POWER PRESSES, CUTTING MACHINES OR WOODWORKING MACHINES; ;
/ ♦ WORKING AT HEIGHT;
* USING CHEMICALS; AND
* DOING WORK WHICH INVOLVES HEAT TREATMENT OR THE USE OF FIRE.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID STUDENTS WORKING IN RESTAURANTS OR FAST-FOOD STALLS SHOULD BE CAUTIOUS IN USING MINCERS, BLENDERS, STOVES, KNIVES AND CHEMICAL CLEANERS.
IN ADDITION, SUMMER JOB STUDENTS SHOULD ALSO AVOID WORKING IN AREAS WHICH MAY AFFECT THEIR HEARING, HE SAID.
/IN ORDER .......
THURSDAY, JUNE 24, 1993
4
IN ORDER TO PROMOTE SUMMER JOB SAFETY, THE LABOUR AND EDUCATION DEPARTMENTS, TOGETHER WITH THE OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH COUNCIL AND THE HONG KONG ASSOCIATION OF CAREERS MASTERS AND GUIDANCE MASTERS HAVE PRODUCED A SET OF PUBLICITY MATERIALS INCLUDING POSTERS AND PAMPHLETS ADVISING STUDENTS HOW TO CHOOSE THEIR SUMMER JOBS.
FURTHER INFORMATION CAN BE OBTAINED BY EITHER CONTACTING THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT’S GUIDANCE SERVICES SECTION ON TEL 399 2174 OR THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT’S INDUSTRIAL SAFETY TRAINING CENTRE ON TEL 852 3565.
-----0------
MONITORING MARINE DUMPING BY HELICOPTERS
*****
THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT (EPD) HAS STARTED TO EMPLOY HELICOPTERS TO MONITOR MARINE DUMPING ACTIVITIES IN HONG KONG WATERS SO AS TO DETER ANY MALPRACTICES.
EXPLAINING THE NEW MEASURE WHICH IS INTRODUCED TO STRENGTHEN CONTROL ON MARINE DUMPING, THE DEPARTMENT’S PRINCIPAL ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION OFFICER, MR PAUL HOLMES, SAID TODAY (THURSDAY) THAT SINCE MARCH THIS YEAR, HELICOPTER PATROLS HAD BEEN INCLUDED IN ITS REGULAR PATROL PROGRAMME AS A SUPPLEMENT TO THE EXISTING MARINE PATRO4»S ■-BY. VESSELS.
HE SAID: "PREVIOUSLY, IT TOOK A WHOLE DAY FOR OUR STAFF TO GO AROUND THE TERRITORIAL WATERS TO SEE WHERE THE MARINE DREDGING AND DUMPING ACTIVITIES WERE TAKING PLACE.
"WITH A HELICOPTER, THEY CAN DO THIS IN AN HOUR.”
MR HOLMES SAID: "HELICOPTER PATROLS LET US HAVE THE MOST UP-TO-DATE INFORMATION ON DREDGING AND DUMPING ACTIVITIES IN THE TERRITORIAL WATERS VERY QUICKLY.
"SO WE CAN MAKE THE BEST USE OF OUR STAFF AND RESOURCES AS WELL AS PLAN OUR MARINE PATROLS IN A MORE EFFECTIVE WAY."
HE SAID: "OUR STAFF ON THE HELICOPTER CAN SPOT SUSPICIOUS DREDGING AND DUMPING ACTIVITIES FOR FURTHER INVESTIGATION.
"THAT HELPS US DETECT AND PROSECUTE ILLEGAL DUMPING CASES," HE ADDED.
MR HOLMES SAID: "THE HELICOPTER PATROL ALSO SERVES TO REMIND THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY AND THE BARGE OPERATORS THAT THE DEPARTMENT IS VERY CONCERNED ABOUT ILLEGAL MARINE DUMPING AND IT WILL MAKE USE OF ALL AVAILABLE MEANS TO MONITOR THE DUMPING ACTIVITIES.
"INCREASED MONITORING HAS ENCOURAGED AND SUPPORTED RESPONSIBLE CONTRACTORS, SO THAT WE NOW FIND FEWER OFFENCES BEING COMMITTED. WE MUST KEEP UP THE PRESSURE TO BRING THE REST INTO LINE."
/HE NOTED .......
THURSDAY, JUNE 24, 1993
5
HE NOTED THAT FOR SOME OF THE MALPRACTICE CASES, THE BARGE OPERATORS DUMPED AND DREDGED MARINE MUD ILLEGALLY SIMPLY BECAUSE OF CONVENIENCE.
"WE TRUST THAT OUR HELICOPTER PATROL WILL DETER THESE PEOPLE FROM THEIR MALPRACTICES AND WILL MAKE CLEAR TO THEM THAT ANY ILLEGAL DUMPING ACTIVITIES WILL BE PROSECUTED."
HE SAID: "THE HELICOPTER PATROL HAS BEEN IMPLEMENTED FOR THREE MONTHS AND WE FIND IT VERY PROMISING IN DEVELOPING A MORE RESPONSIBLE ATTITUDE AMONG THE BARGE OPERATORS.
"WE WILL INCREASE THE FREQUENCY OF OUR HELICOPTER PATROLS AS FAR AS RESOURCES PERMITTED," HE SAID.
------0-------
EXHIBITION TO MARK INT’L ANTI-DRUG DAY
*****
AN EXHIBITION TO MARK THE ANNUAL INTERNATIONAL DAY AGAINST DRUG ABUSE AND ILLICIT TRAFFICKING WILL BE MOUNTED AT NEW TOWN PLAZA, SHA TIN, FROM SATURDAY (JUNE 26). »
MS ROSANNA WONG, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE HONG KONG FEDERATION OF YOUTH GROUPS, WILL OFFICIATE AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE EXHIBITION TO MARK THE INTERNATIONAL EVENT DECLARED BY THE UNITED NATIONS, AT THE MUSIC FOUNTAIN ATRIUM OF THE PLAZA ON THAT DAY AT NOON.
THE THREE-DAY EXHIBITION HELD AT THE PLAZA’S FOOTBRIDGE GALLERY IS ORGANISED BY THE ACTION COMMITTEE AGAINST NARCOTICS (ACAN) IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE POLICE, CUSTOMS AND EXCISE DEPARTMENT, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, THE SOCIETY FOR THE AID AND REHABILITATION OF DRUG ABUSE, PS 33, A COUNSELLING CENTRE FOR PSYCHOTROPIC SUBSTANCE ABUSERS AND OTHER VOLUNTARY ORGANISATIONS.
A RANGE OF PANEL DISPLAYS INTRODUCING HONG KONG’S ANTI-DRUG WORK AND THE ROLES PLAYED BY THE PARTICIPATING ORGANISATIONS WILL BE SHOWN.
THE DISPLAYS OF THE POLICE AND CUSTOMS WILL ALSO INCLUDE THE DEPICTION OF A NUMBER OF MAJOR DRUG TRAFFICKING AND MANUFACTURING CASES SMASHED IN THE PAST FEW YEARS.
THEY WILL ALSO INCLUDE SEIZED DRUGS, DRUG-SMOKING PARAPHERNALIA AND DRUG CONCEALMENT DEVICES FOR DISPLAY.
ALSO ON SHOW WILL BE THE WINNING DESIGNS OF AN ANTI-DRUG DESIGN COMPETITION RECENTLY HELD BY ACAN.
THE EXHIBITION WILL BE OPEN FROM NOON TO 8 PM ON SATURDAY (JUNE 26), BETWEEN 10 AM AND 8 PM ON SUNDAY (JUNE 27) AND BETWEEN 10 AM AND 6 PM ON MONDAY (JUNE 28).
/PUBLICITY MATERIALS ......
THURSDAY, JUNE 24, 1993
6
PUBLICITY MATERIALS, INCLUDING STATIONERY ITEMS AND BALLOONS CARRYING ANTI-DRUG SLOGAN WILL BE DISTRIBUTED TO VISITORS.
IN ADDITION TO THE EXHIBITION, THE MESSAGE OF SAY ’NO* TO DRUGS WILL BE DISSEMINATED THROUGH A SERIES OF PROGRAMME INCLUDING MINI-POP CONCERTS BY SINGERS AT 3 PM ON SATURDAY AND SUNDAY; AN ANTI-DRUG TALK BY MR CHAN SHUN-CHI, ONE OF THE 10 OUTSTANDING YOUNG PERSONS IN 1987, AT 4 PM ON SUNDAY; AND MAGIC SHOWS AND VIDEO SHOWS DURING THE EXHIBITION PERIOD HELD AT THE MUSIC FOUNTAIN ATRIUM.
--------0-----------
FIRST CHINA STUDIES COURSE DUE TO START t ♦ ♦ * ♦
THE DEPUTY SECRETARY FOR RECREATION AND CULTURE, MR PAUL LEUNG, WILL LEAD A PARTY OF 20 CIVIL SERVANTS TO ATTEND THE FIRST CHINA STUDIES COURSE IN QINGHUA UNIVERSITY, BEIJING, NEXT MONTH.
THE PARTY IS MADE UP OF 12 ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICERS AND EIGHT DEPARTMENTAL OFFICERS.
THE COURSE, WHICH WILL LAST FROM JULY 5 TO AUGUST 22, WILL INCLUDE VISITS TO AREAS OUTSIDE BEIJING TO ENABLE PARTICIPANTS TO COMPARE THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IN VARIOUS REGIONS, AND TO STUDY THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE CENTRAL AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS.
ATTENTION NEW EDITORS:
MR PAUL LEUNG WILL BRIEF THE MEDIA ON DETAILS OF THE FIRST CHINA STUDIES COURSE AT THE RCB CONFERENCE ROOM, 41ST FLOOR, REVENUE TOWER, 5 GLOUCESTER ROAD, HONG KONG, AT 3 PM TOMORROW (FRIDAY).
YOU ARE INVITED TO ATTEND THE MEDIA SESSION.
---------------------0------- CHEUNG SHA WAN METHADONE CLINIC TO BE CLOSED
THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH ANNOUNCED TODAY (THURSDAY) THAT THE CHEUNG SHA WAN METHADONE CLINIC WOULD BE CLOSED FROM JULY 1 (THURSDAY).
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID PATIENTS OF THE CLINIC REQUIRING RE-ADMISSION SHOULD BRING ALONG THEIR EXISTING TREATMENT CARDS AND TWO RECENT PHOTOGRAPHS AND NEW PATIENTS WITH THEIR HONG KONG IDENTITY CARD AND THREE RECENT PHOTOGRAPHS TO THE SHEK KIP MEI METHADONE CLINIC ON TUESDAY AND FRIDAY BETWEEN 6 PM AND 10 PM FOR RE-ADMISSION REGISTRATION.
NEW PATIENTS CAN ALSO GO TO THE SHAM SHUI PO METHADONE CLINIC ON ANY WEEKDAY FROM 6 PM TO 10 PM, FOR ADMISSION REGISTRATION.
THE CLOSURE OF THE CHEUNG SHA WAN METHADONE CLINIC WILL NOT AFFECT THE NORMAL OPERATION OF OTHER SERVICES AT THE CHEUNG SHA WAN JOCKEY CLUB CLINIC, THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
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Received by PRO on 2 9 JUN 1993
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
FRIDAY, JUNE 25, 1993
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
SAR COMMITTEE NOT AFFECTING GOVT’S WORK: GOVERNOR ............... 1
SEVENTH ROUND OF ELECTIONS TALKS ................................ 1
NON-ATTENDANCE AT LEGCO PANEL EXPLAINED ......................... 2
WESTERN HARBOUR CROSSING BILL GAZETTED .......................... 3
CHARGING FOR CHEMICAL WASTE DISPOSAL PROPOSED ................... 5
BILL INTRODUCED TO FACILITATE WATERCOURSE MAINTENANCE ........... 6
INSPECTOR APPOINTED TO PROBE SHARE OWNERSHIP .................... 7
ONE CANDIDATE REGISTERED AS NOMINATION CLOSES TODAY ............. 7
SUCCESSFUL CONCLUSION OF URUGUAY ROUND PROVIDES PACIFIC REGION MEANS TO PROSPER ........................................ 8
BANKING (AMENDMENT) BILL 1993 GAZETTED ......................... 10
TOYS AND CHILDREN'S PRODUCTS SAFETY ORDINANCE TO START ON JULY 1 ........................................................ 13
POWER OF REGULATORS TO BE STREAMLINED .......................... 14
/FIRST CHINA .......
• FIRST CHINA STUDIES COURSE DUE TO START ........................ 16
RESULTS OF 1991 SURVEY OF STORAGE, COMMUNICATION, FINANCING, INSURANCE AND BUSINESS SERVICES RELEASED ..................... 16
FLAGS TO BE SOLD INSIDE RESTAURANTS ........................... 20
TENDERS INVITED FOR WEST KOWLOON RECLAMATION DRAINAGE WORKS . 20
RECONSTRUCTION OF LI TAK STREET AND ADJACENT REAR LANES ........ 21
NEW ROAD TO COPE WITH RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT .................. 22
PREOUALIFICATION FOR LANDSLIP PREVENTIVE WORKS INVITED ......... 23
TENDERS INVITED FOR BRIDGE CONSTRUCTION ........................ 23
MAINLAYING WORKS AT SHAM WAN PROPOSED .......................... 24
NEW ROAD PROPOSED FOR TSUEN WAN ................................ 24
MORE LEISURE FACILITIES IN SHEK KIP MEI AND MONG KOK ........... 25
NO NOMINATION TODAY FOR LEGCO BY-ELECTION ...................... 26
TIME ADJUSTMENT ON JULY 1 ...................................... 26
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPFRATIONS
27
FRIDAY, JUNE 25, 1993
SAR COMMITTEE NOT AFFECTING GOVT’S WORK: GOVERNOR * * * * *
THE GOVERNOR, THE RT HON CHRISTOPHER PATTEN, SAID TODAY (FRIDAY) THAT HE DID NOT THINK THE PREPARATORY COMMITTEE FOR THE HONG KONG SPECIAL ADMINISTRATIVE REGION (SAR) WOULD HAVE ANY IMPACT ON THE GOVERNMENT’S HANDLING OF THE PROSPERITY AND STABILITY OF HONG KONG UNTIL 1997.
SPEAKING TO REPORTERS AFTER ATTENDING THE PASSING OFF PARADE OF THE MILITARY SERVICE CORPS ON STONECUTTERS ISLAND, THE GOVERNOR SAID: "IF IT HELPS WITH LAYING THE FOUNDATIONS FOR THE SAR, THEN SO BE IT. ’’
ASKED ABOUT THE PROGRESS OF THE TALKS, MR PATTEN SAID THE TALKS HAD BEEN MOVING FORWARD STEADILY.
"MY ESTIMATE AT THE MOMENT IS THAT WE’RE SEEING SOME MOVEMENTS AND THAT’S WELCOME," HE ADDED.
IN REPLY TO QUESTIONS ON ’SINCERITY’ AND SINO-BRITISH RELATIONS, THE GOVERNOR SAID: "I’M VERY CONTENT TO REST ON THE JUDGEMENT AND COMMONSENSE OF THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG. WHAT THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG WANT IS LESS TALK ABOUT SINCERITY AND MORE EVIDENCE OF SINCERE ACTIONS.
"WHAT PEOPLE IN HONG KONG WANT TO SEE IS BRITAIN, CHINA AND THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT WORKING CONSTRUCTIVELY TOGETHER AND TO LAY THE FOUNDATIONS FOR THE SAR.
"THAT’S CERTAINLY WHAT WE INTEND TO DO. WE INTEND AS WELL TO TRY TO ENSURE THAT EVERYTHING WE DO BEFORE 1997 ENSURES THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE JOINT DECLARATION AFTER 1997."
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SEVENTH ROUND OF ELECTIONS 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 SEVENTH ROUND OF TALKS IN BEIJING ON 5 AND 6 JULY 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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FRIDAY, JUNE 25, 1993
2
NON-ATTENDANCE AT LEGCO PANEL EXPLAINED * * * * *
RESPONDING TO STATEMENTS BY SOME MEMBERS OE THE LEGCO PANEL ON ECONOMIC SERVICES AND PUBLIC UTILITIES THAT THE ADMINISTRATION HAD REFUSED TO ATTEND A MEETING TIJIS (FRIDAY) MORNING TO DISCUSS THE RECENT ADJUSTMENT TO WATER TARIFFS, A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID IT WAS POSSIBLE THAT INDIVIDUAL MEMBERS OF THE PANEL HAD MISUNDERSTOOD THE ADMINISTRATION’S POSITION.
’’REPRESENTATIVES OF THE CONCERNED DEPARTMENTS AND BRANCHES, INCLUDING FINANCE BRANCH, WORKS BRANCH AND WATER SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT ALWAYS STAND READY TO RESPOND TO ANY ENQUIRIES FROM LEGISLATORS IN RELATION TO THIS IMPORTANT SUBJECT”, THE SPOKESMAN SAID-
’’THE CONVENOR’OF THE PANEL, THE HONOURABLE STEVEN POON HAD, HOWEVER, AGREED WITH SENIOR OFFICERS OF THE FINANCE BRANCH DURING A DISCUSSION ON JUNE 23 THAT THEIR PRESENCE WOULD NOT BE NECESSARY AT THIS MORNING’S MEETING.
’’THIS WAS TO TAKE INTO ACCOUNT THE ADMINISTRATION’S VIEW THAT A LATER DATE MIGHT BE PREFERABLE IN VIEW OF THE ADMINISTRATION’S PROSPECTIVE NEGOTIATIONS OVER CHINA’S WATER SUPPLY TO HONG KONG. THE ADMINISTRATION BELIEVED THAT MEMBERS COULD THEN BE GIVEN A FULLER AND SUBSTANTIVE BRIEFING.”
"FOLLOWING THIS CONVERSATION, THE PRINCIPAL ASSISTANT SECRETARY FOR THE TREASURY, MR ANDREW WELLS, WROTE A PERSONAL LETTER TO THE CONVENOR, NOTING THE UNDERSTANDING THAT HAD BEEN REACHED, AND INDICATING THE GOVERNMENT’S WILLINGNESS BOTH TO ATTEND AT AN ALTERNATIVE TIME AND TO ANSWER QUESTIONS IN WRITING.”
THE SPOKESMAN NOTED THAT FINANCE BRANCH OFFICIALS RECEIVED A CALL FROM THE OMLEGCO SECRETARIAT AROUND 11.15 THIS MORNING REQUESTING THAT, NOTWITHSTANDING THE AGREEMENT REACHED, REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ADMINISTRATION SHOULD ATTEND BEFORE THE PANEL IMMEDIATELY.
"HOWEVER, NO OFFICER OF SUFFICIENT SENIORITY WAS AVAILABLE AT POINT-BLANK NOTICE,” THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
ON THE COMMITTEE’S DECISION TO RE-CONVENE A MEETING NEXT WEEK, THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE ADMINISTRATION WOULD ATTEND.
Z3.........
FRIDAY, JUNE 25, 1993
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WESTERN HARBOUR CROSSING BILL GAZETTED ♦ * t t ♦
THE GOVERNMENT HAS TODAY (FRIDAY) GAZETTED THE WESTERN HARBOUR CROSSING BILL, WHICH PROVIDES FOR THE AWARD OF A 30-YEAR FRANCHISE TO WESTERN HARBOUR TUNNEL COMPANY LTD ON A BUILD, OPERATE, AND TRANSFER (BOT) BASIS.
THE BILL WILL RECEIVE ITS FIRST AND SECOND READINGS IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON JUNE 30.
ANNOUNCING THE DETAILS OF THE FRANCHISE TODAY, THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT, MR K Y YEUNG, SAID:
’’THIS IS A VITALLY IMPORTANT PROJECT WHICH WE NEED TO PRESS AHEAD WITH VERY QUICKLY. CONSTRUCTION CAN ONLY START AFTER THE LEGISLATION HAS BEEN ENACTED, SO WE HOPE THAT THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL WILL GIVE ITS APPROVAL BEFORE THE END OF THE PRESENT SESSION.
"WE HAVE NEGOTIATED A PRIVATE SECTOR FRANCHISE WHICH PROVIDES US WITH A DUAL THREE-LANE THIRD HARBOUR CROSSING AT NO EXPENSE TO THE PUBLIC PURSE. IT SAFEGUARDS THE PUBLIC INTEREST BY INTRODUCING A REASONABLE AND STABLE TOLL REGIME.
"AT THE SAME TIME, THE STABLE TOLL REGIME PROVIDES THE FRANCHISEE WITH GOOD PROSPECTS FOR A REASONABLE RATE OF RETURN ON HIS INVESTMENT. WE REGARD THIS AS THE BEST WAY OF SECURING PRIVATE SECTOR INVESTMENT FOR MAJOR INFRASTRUCTURE FRANCHISES. OUR FINANCIAL anvism tplL US WE COULD NOT DO BETTER.
"I AM CONFIDENT THAT THIS PROJECT CAN BE COMPLETED ON SCHEDULE BY JUNE 1997,” SAID MR YEUNG.
"THERE IS A FOUR-YEAR CONSTRUCT I ON PERIOD, WHICH COMES WITHIN THE 30-YEAR LIFE OF THE FRANCHISE.
"IF THE BILL IS PASSED BY LEGCO THIS SESSION, CONSTRUCTION CAN START IN AUGUST AND, JUDGING BY PAST EXPERIENCE IN HONG KONG, THE CONTRACTOR IS LIKELY TO COMPLETE THE PROJECT AHEAD OF SCHEDULE.
"THIS PROJECT IS GOOD FOR THE FUTURE OF HONG KONG. IT IS AN ESSENTIAL PART OF THE AIRPORT CORE PROGRAMME BECAUSE IT PROVIDES A VITAL LINK BETWEEN HONG KONG ISLAND AND WEST KOWLOON.
"IT WILL RELIEVE CONGESTION AT THE EXISTING CROSS-HARBOUR TUNNELS AND WILL CONTRIBUTE TO MEETING HONG KONG’S LONG TERM TRANSPORT NEEDS," SAID MR YEUNG.
MR YEUNG SAID THE GOVERNMENT HAD NET THE CONCERNS AIRED BY LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MEMBERS DURING EARLIER CONSULTATIONS.
THEY HAD SAID THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD OBTAIN BENEFICIAL TERMS, THAT THE PROJECT COST SHOULD BE REASONABLE, AND THAT THERE SHOULD BE ENVIRONMENTAL SAFEGUARDS.
/THE CONSTRUCTION........
FRIDAY, JUNE 25, 1993
THE CONSTRUCTION COST OF THE CROSSING WAS EXPECTED TO BE ABOUT $6 BILLION IN MONEY OF THE DAY, WHICH WAS RELOW THE GOVERNMENT’S ORIGINAL ESTIMATE OF $6.5 BILLION.
THE TOTAL COST TO THE FRANCHISEE, INCLUDING FINANCING CHARGES AND OTHER COSTS, WAS ESTIMATED TO BE $7.5 BILLION. THESE FIGURES INCLUDED THE COST OF ASSOCIATED APPROACH ROADS AND NOISE MITIGATION MEASURES ALONG CONNAUGHT ROAD WEST.
’’GIVEN THE $7.5 BILLION TOTAL ESTIMATED COST, THE TOLL PACKAGE IS REASONABLE AND AFFORDABLE WITH $30 FOR CARS IN 1997 PRICES WHICH IS EQUIVALENT TO $20 IN TODAY’S PRICES, AND $55 FOR DOUBLE-DECKED BUSES WHICH IS $39 IN TODAY’S PRICES,” SAID MR YEUNG.
’’FIXING THE TOLLS AT LOWER LEVELS WOULD NOT BE ACCEPTABLE TO INVESTORS AND BANKERS BECAUSE IT WOULD AFFECT THE ABILITY OF THE FRANCHISEE TO REPAY DEBT DURING THE CRUCIAL INITIAL YEARS.
"MOTORISTS WILL OF COURSE HAVE THE CHOICE OF USING THE TWO EXISTING TUNNELS, PROBABLY AT LOWER TOLLS".
"THE FRANCHISEE WILL HAVE NO MORE THAN A REASONABLE RATE OF RETURN WITH AN AVERAGE OF 16.5% RETURN ON EQUITY (IN NOMINAL TERMS) OVER THE 30-YEAR FRANCHISE.
"THIS IS EXTREMELY REASONABLE WHEN COMPARED WITH RETURNS OF 20% TO 25% ON OTHER MAJOR BOT INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS IN THE REGION. AT THE END OF THE 30 YEARS, THE CROSSING WILL REVERT TO THE GOVERNMENT," SAID MR YEUNG.
A SPOKESMAN SAID A NEW TOLL ADJUSTMENT FORMULA WAS BEING USED BECAUSE FORMULAE USED EARLIER ARE NO LONGER ACCEPTABLE TO INVESTORS AND LENDERS.
THE FORMULA ON THE WESTERN HARBOUR CROSSING IS BASED ON A SIMPLE FLOOR AND CEILING CONCEPT, UNDER WHICH PROFITS ARE CAPPED AND THE FRANCHISEE ALSO TAKES THE RISK THAT IT MIGHT EARN LESS THAN IT EXPECTS.
THE FRANCHISEE WILL BE ALLOWED TO EARN SUFFICIENT REVENUES THROUGH TOLL INCREASES SO THAT IT WILL ALWAYS ENJOY REVENUES ABOVE THE FLOOR BUT BELOW THE CEILING.
THE FLOOR REFERS TO REVENUES CORRESPONDING TO 15% RATE OF RETURN ( I RR) , WHILE THE CEILING REFERS TO CORRESPONDING TO 18%.
INTERNAL
REVENUES
HALF THE EXCESS REVENUES BETWEEN 18% AND REVENUES ABOVE 19%, GO INTO A TOLL STABILITY FUND GOVERNMENT AND USED TO OFFSET TOLL INCREASES.
19%, AND ALL
ADMINISTERED BY
THE
THE
THE ARRANGEMENTS ARE GUARANTEE, AND A COST-OVERRUN OVER-RUNS WILL BE PAID FOR B\
BACKED UP BY A -18-MONTH COMPLETION GUARANTEE WHICH ENSURES THAT ANY COST THE FRANCHISEE, NOT THE GOVERNMENT.
THERE WILL BE NO GOVERNMENT GUARANTEES TO THE FRANCHISEE.
/THE SPOKESMAN ......
FRIDAY, JUNE 25, 1993
- 5 -
THE SPOKESMAN EXPLAINED THAT THE PROJECT INVOLVED A DUAL-THREE LANE IMMERSED TUBE TUNNEL, TWO KM LONG PORTAL TO PORTAL, WITH A TOLL PLAZA, INTERCHANGE AT SAI YING PUN, AND A SECTION OF APPROACH ROAD FROM RUMSEY STREET TO BELCHER BAY.
IT WILL HAVE A MAXIMUM DAILY CAPACITY OF COMPARED WITH 120,000 IN THE TWO EXISTING DUAL-TWO
180,000 VEHICLES, LANE TUNNELS.
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CHARGING FOR CHEMICAL WASTE DISPOSAL PROPOSED
*****
THE GOVERNMENT WILL CONSULT THE CHEMICAL INDUSTRY AND CONCERNED PARTIES STARTING FROM JULY ON A PROPOSAL TO INTRODUCE A DIRECT CHARGING SCHEME FOR CHEMICAL WASTE PRODUCERS TO RECOVER THE COST OF WASTE TREATMENT.
THIS FOLLOWS THE OPENING OF THE $1.3 BILLION CHEMICAL WASTE TREATMENT FACILITY ON TSING YI EARLY THIS MONTH WHICH IS INTENDED TO END THE EXISTING ENVIRONMENTALLY UNACCEPTABLE DISPOSAL METHOD FOR CHEMICAL WASTE.
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN TODAY (FRIDAY) SAID IT WAS AIMED TO INTRODUCE THE DIRECT CHARGING PROGRAMME IN MID-1994 WITH THE CHARGES TO BE VARIED ACCORDING TO THE TYPE AND QUANTITY OF WASTE TREATED.
THE INITIAL CHARGING LEVEL WILL BE SET AT 20 PER CENT OF THE VARIABLE OPERATING COST (VOC) OF TREATING EACH WASTE STREAM AND THERE WILL BE A GRADUAL INCREASE OF CHARGES TO ACHIEVE FULL VOC RECOVERY.
"THE PROPOSAL IS IN LINE WITH THE POLLUTER PAYS PRINCIPLE. IT IS DESIGNED TO ENCOURAGE WASTE MINIMISATION AND THE INTRODUCTION OF CLEANER PRODUCTION TECHNIQUES," HE SAID.
"INTRODUCING CHARGES IN 1994 WILL ALLOW THE INDUSTRY TIME TO INCLUDE THE COST OF WASTE TREATMENT IN THEIR PRODUCTION PROCESS. THE MODERATE LEVEL OF CHARGES AT THE BEGINNING WILL NOT INDUCE A SERIOUS PROBLEM OF EVASION THROUGH ILLEGAL DISPOSAL," HE SAID.
THE CHEMICAL INDUSTRY AND OTHER CONCERNED PARTIES WILL HAVE UNTIL AUGUST 15 THIS YEAR TO PUT FORWARD THEIR VIEWS ON THE CHARGING PROPOSAL.
"THESE VIEWS WILL BE FULLY TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT BEFORE REGULATIONS ARE INTRODUCED TO PUT IN PLACE THE CHARGING SCHEME," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
REQUESTS FOR INFORMATION AND COMMENTS ON THE PROPOSAL COULD BE ADDRESSED TO THE SECRETARY FOR PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS (ENVIRONMENT DIVISION), 20TH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, CENTRAL.
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/6........
FRIDAY, JUNE 25, 1993
6 -
BILL INTRODUCED TO FACILITATE WATERCOURSE MAINTENANCE » » » * »
THE DRAINAGE SERVICES DEPARTMENT IS INTRODUCING A BILL TO DEAL MORE EFFECTIVELY WITH THE PROBLEMS OF MAINTAINING WATERCOURSES IN THE FLOOD-PRONE AREAS OF THE NEW TERRITORIES.
THE LAND DRAINAGE BILL 1993 WHICH WAS GAZETTED TODAY (FRIDAY) SEEKS TO AUTHORISE THE GOVERNMENT TO GAIN ACCESS TO THE MAIN WATERCOURSES WHICH PASS THROUGH, OR ARE SURROUNDED BY, PRIVATE LAND TO INSPECT AND MAINTAIN SUCH WATERCOURSES.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT EXPLAINED THAT OWING TO LAND USE CHANGES AND RAPID DEVELOPMENT IN THE NEW TERRITORIES, NATURAL WATERCOURSES BOTH ON GOVERNMENT AND PRIVATE LAND WERE SILTED UP OR OBSTRUCTED, RESULTING IN MORE SERIOUS FLOODS IN RECENT YEARS.
NEVERTHELESS, THE GOVERNMENT’S EFFORTS TO MAINTAIN THE WATERCOURSES HAD BEEN FRUSTRATED BY THE PROBLEM OF GAINING ACCESS TO THEM THROUGH PRIVATE LAND.
"IF ENACTED, THE BILL WILL ENHANCE THE GOVERNMENT’S ABILITY TO CLEAR OBSTRUCTIONS AND IMPROVE THE HYDRAULIC CAPACITIES OF THE MAIN WATERCOURSES, THUS REDUCING THE RISK OF FLOODING," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
THE SPOKESMAN WENT ON TO SAY THAT WHILE THE WATERCOURSE WORKS TO BE CARRIED OUT BY THE GOVERNMENT WERE NOT EXPECTED TO CAUSE DAMAGE TO THE LAND OWNERS, THE BILL STILL CONTAINS PROVISIONS FOR COMPENSATION IF THE WORKS CAUSED DAMAGE TO LAND OR BUILDINGS.
THE PROVISIONS ARE SIMILAR TO THOSE PROVIDED UNDER THE ROADS (WORKS, USE AND COMPENSATION) ORDINANCE (CAP. 370).
IN THE EVENT THAT SETTLEMENT CANNOT BE REACHED BETWEEN THE CLAIMANT AND THE GOVERNMENT, THE CASE MAY BE REFERRED TO THE LAND TRIBUNAL FOR A DECISION.
THE BILL PROVIDES FOR THE SETTING UP OF A DRAINAGE AUTHORITY (DA) AND A DRAINAGE APPEAL BOARD (DAB).
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE DIRECTOR OF DRAINAGE SERVICES WOULD BE THE DA, AND THE BILL WOULD PERMIT THE DA TO PREPARE DRAFT DA AREA PLANS, ON WHICH MAIN WATERCOURSES WOULD BE DESIGNATED, AND TO EXECUTE DRAINAGE WORKS WITHIN THOSE WATERCOURSES.
THE DAB PANE!, WILL COMPRISE NON-GOVERNMENT MEMBERS APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNOR. THE BOARD WILL HEAR AND DETERMINE REVIEWS AND APPEALS LODGED BY THE PUBLIC AGGRIEVED BY A DECISION OF THE DA.
THE BILL ALSO PROVIDES THAT NO PERSON SHALL CARRY OUT, IN A MAIN WATERCOURSE WITHOUT THE CONSENT OF THE DA, ENGINEERING WORK WHICH OBSTRUCTS THE FLOW OF THE WATERCOURSE.
/FAILURE TO .......
FRIDAY, JUNE 25, 1993
FAILURE TO OBSERVE THIS REQUIREMENT IS AN OFFENCE AND THE OFFENDER IS LIABLE TO A MAXIMUM FINE OF $50,000.
THE LAND DRAINAGE BILL WILL BE INTRODUCED TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL NEXT MONTH.
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WHO WISH TO COMMENT ON THE BILL CAN SEND IN THEIR VIEWS TO DRAINAGE SERVICES DEPARTMENT ON 11TH FLOOR, KOWLOON GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 405 NATHAN ROAD.
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INSPECTOR APPOINTED TO PROBE SHARE OWNERSHIP * * * * *
THE ACTING FINANCIAL SECRETARY, MR DONALD TSANG, HAS APPOINTED ASSISTANT DIRECTOR, ENFORCEMENT, OF THE SECURITIES AND FUTURES COMMISSION (SFC), MR WILLIAM STUART CROSBY, AS AN INSPECTOR UNDER SECTION 33 OF THE SECURITIES (DISCLOSURE OF INTEREST) ORDINANCE.
MR CROSBY IS TO INVESTIGATE AND REPORT ON THE OWNERSHIP OF SHARES IN ASIA SECURITIES INTERNATIONAL LIMITED (ASIL).
THE SCOPE OF THE INVESTIGATION IS LIMITED TO MATTERS CONNECTED WITH 60,000,000 SHARES IN ASIL SOLD BY ASIA SECURITIES LIMITED AND QUATRO ENTERPRISES LIMITED TO MR WONG SHEU CHUI PURSUANT TO AN AGREEMENT DATED JUNE 28, 1991.
THE APPOINTMENT WAS MADE ON THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE SFC.
IN RECOMMENDING THAT THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY APPOINT AN INSPECTOR, THE SFC STATED THAT IT APPEARED THAT OWNERSHIP AND CONTROL OF THE 60,000,000 SHARES MIGHT HAVE BEEN A MATERIAL FACTOR IN THE EXERCISE OF CONTROL OVER ASIL IN THE PAST TWO YEARS.
THE SFC ALSO STATED THAT THIS PARCEL OF SHARES MIGHT HAVE GIVEN RISE TO BREACHES OF THE HONG KONG CODE ON TAKEOVERS AND MERGERS.
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ONE CANDIDATE REGISTERED AS NOMINATION CLOSES TODAY
*****
THE GOVERNMENT HAS RECEIVED NO NOMINATION FOR THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL BY-ELECTION IN RESPECT OF THE FIRST INDUSTRIAL ELECTORAL DIVISION TODAY (FRIDAY) -- THE LAST DAY OF NOMINATIONS.
ONLY ONE NOMINATION HAS BEEN RECEIVED FROM MR JAMES TIEN PEI-CHUN, 46, MANAGING DIRECTOR, ON JUNE 16.
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FRIDAY, JUNE 25, 1993
- 8 -
SUCCESSFUL CONCLUSION OF URUGUAY ROUND PROVIDES PACIFIC REGION MEANS TO PROSPER
A SUCCESSFUL URUGUAY ROUND WILL OFFER THE PACIFIC REGION THE BEST MEANS AVAILABLE TO HELP IT PROSPER.
IT OFFERS THE MEANS TO ADDRESS PROTECTIONIST PRESSURE, SOLVE TRADE DISPUTES MORE EFFECTIVELY, HELP DEVELOP NEW AND EXPANDED MARKETS, ENCOURAGE GROWTH IN CROSS-BORDER SERVICES AND PROTECT INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MORE EFFECTIVELY.
THIS WAS STATED BY DEPUTY DIRECTOR-GENERAL OF TRADE, MR CHRISTOPHER JACKSON, YESTERDAY (THURSDAY) AT THE TRADE POLICY FORUM VII ORGANISED BY THE PACIFIC ECONOMIC COOPERATION COUNCIL IN PUERTO VALLERTA, MEXICO.
MR JACKSON IDENTIFIED FIVE KEY ITEMS THAT THE REGION WAS OFFERED BY THE DRAFT FINAL ACT INITIATED BY THE GATT DIRECTOR-GENERAL, ARTHUR DUNKEL IN DECEMBER 1991.
FIRSTLY, A STRENGTHENED MULTILATERAL TRADE ORGANISATION.
"THE GATT HAS LACKED A FIRM LEGAL FOUNDATION; ITS STATUS HAS NEVER BEEN SUFFICIENTLY DEFINED."
"WE NEED A REDEFINITION, EXPANDING THE SCOPE TO INCLUDE NEW AREAS BROUGHT UNDER THE MULTILATERAL UMBRELLA AND GIVING SUFFICIENT AUTHORITY TO RESTORE CREDIBILITY TO THE SYSTEM," HE SAID.
SECONDLY, THERE WILL BE TIGHTER DISCIPLINES AND GREATER CLARITY TN THE MULTILATERAL RULES.
"IN THE KEY AREA OF DISPUTE SETTLEMENT, FOR EXAMPLE, THE ESTABLISHMENT OF PANELS, ADOPTION OF THEIR REPORTS AND IMPLEMENTATION OF RECOMMENDATIONS WILL BECOME A FASTER AND LARGELY AUTOMATIC PROCEDURE," HE SAID.
"THE CREDIBILITY, AUTHORITY AND VALUE OF THE MULTILATERAL SYSTEM DEPEND CRITICALLY ON A DISPUTE SETTLEMENT SYSTEM WHICH IS SEEN TO WORK, SMOOTHLY AND FAIRLY."
THIRDLY, IT WILL PROVIDE A GREATER MEASURE OF AGREEMENT ON THE HIGHLY SENSITIVE SUBJECT OF AGRICULTURE.
"WE HAVE SOME OF THE WORLD’S MOST COMPETITIVE AGRICULTURAL REGIMES, AND MANY IN THE REGION, AMONG BOTH THE DEVELOPING AND THE DEVELOPED, HAVE SUFFERED FROM GROSS DISTORTIONS IN THIS MARKET," HE SAID.
THE TRADE FRICTIONS IT CAUSES, AND THE STILL GREATER POTENTIAL FRICTIONS IT IS STORING UP FOR THE FUTURE, NEED TO BE ADDRESSED URGENTLY, HE ADDED.
"THE DISTORTIONS ARE SO GREAT, THE ISSUES SO POLITICALLY SENSITIVE THAT IT WOULD BE QUITE UNREALISTIC TO IMAGINE THAT THE URUGUAY ROUND WILL SETTLE THEM ALL.
/"BUT IT .......
FRIDAY, JUNE 25, 1993
9
’’BUT IT WILL BE A BIG STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION, MAKING FUTURE STEPS POSSIBLE.”
FOURTHLY, THERE WILL BE AGREEMENT AT LAST TO BEGIN RETURNING TRADE IN TEXTILES AND CLOTHING TO GATT RULES.
THE MULTI-FIBRE ARRANGEMENT (MFA), DRAWN UP IN 1974, SAID: ”IT MAY BE DESIRABLE DURING THE NEXT FEW YEARS FOR SPECIAL PRACTICAL MEASURES OF INTERNATIONAL CO-OPERATION TO BE APPLIED."
THE "FEW YEARS” HAD BECOME ALMOST 20 YEARS AND THE ECONOMIC DISTORTIONS HAD GROWN WITH EVERY YEAR, MR JACKSON SAID.
"ALMOST AS DAMAGING IS THE MESSAGE IT SENDS TO DEVELOPING COUNTRIES STILL DOUBTFUL ABOUT THE VIRTUE AND REWARDS OF MARKET OPENING.
"DAMAGING TOO ARE THE CONSTANT DISPUTES WHICH ANY QUOTA SYSTEM IS BOUND TO GENERATE, PARTICULARLY ONE SO COMPLEX, COVERING SO MUCH VALUABLE TRADE.”
FIFTHLY, THERE WILL BE AGREEMENT TO INCLUDE TRADE IN SERVICES BENEATH THE MULTILATERAL UMBRELLA; BADLY OVERDUE AND SOMETHING THIS REGION SHOULD BENEFIT FROM GREATLY, PARTICULARLY IN THE LONG TERM.
"INTERNATIONAL TRADE IN SERVICES IS PROBABLY WORTH US$1,000 BILLION AND IS GROWING AT OVER 12 PERCENT A YEAR," HE SAID.
"YET THERE IS INSUFFICIENT TRANSPARENCY, LITTLE STANDARDISATION AND INADEQUATE MEANS TO ADDRESS DISPUTES."
HOWEVER, HE POINTED OUT THAT PROGRESS IN THE NEGOTIATIONS HAD BEEN REMARKABLE, GIVEN THE DAUNTING TASK FACED IN 5 986 WHEN TALKS BEGAN AND THE RAPID GROWTH IN SERVICES SINCE.
THE FINAL PRODUCT WOULD PROVIDE GREATER TRANSPARENCY, A FRAMEWORK OF RULES AND DEE I N CI'IONS , THE MEANS TO ENCOURAGE FURTHER LIBERALISATION AND A DISPUTE SETTLEMENT MECHANISM, HE SAID.
MR JACKSON ALSO NAMED A NUMBER OF AREAS IN Will (’ll THE ROUND HAD MADE SUBSTANTIAL PROGRESS IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION.
THESE INCLUDED THE PROTECTION OF INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY -VITALLY IMPORTANT AS THE VALUE OF TRADE IN SOPHISTICATED, HEAVILY-RESEARCHED PRODUCTS SOARS; RULES TO ENSURE THAI’ TECHNICAL REGULATIONS AND STANDARDS DO NOT CREATE BARRIERS TO TRADE; IMPORT LICENSING PROCEDURES AND PRESHIPMENT INSPECTION; A TRADE POLICY* REVIEW MECHANISM, ALREADY IN PLACE, 1’0 ENCOURAGE TRANSPARENCY AND TRADE LIBERALISZATI ON.
NEVERTHELESS, HE NOTED THAI’ THERE HAD BEEN LITTLE MEETING OF MINDS ON THE SUBJECT OF ANT I-DUMPI NG.
IT WAS LIKELY TO CONTINUE ITS UNHEALTHY GROWTH AS THE MOST COMMONLY INVOKED SAFEGUARD, \N INCREASINGLY FLIMSY DISGUISE FOR PROTECTIONISM AND HARASSMENT, A SOURCE OF TRADE FRICTION RATHER THAN A CURE, HE SAID.
/"SOME IN .......
FRIDAY, JUNE 25, 1993
- 10 -
’’SOME IN THIS REGION ARE PRIME USERS OF THIS TRADE TOOL, OTHERS ARE PRIME TARGETS.
’’THOSE DISTINCTIONS WILL BECOME BLURRED AS MORE AND MORE COUNTRIES DEVELOP ANTI-DUMPING LAWS AND REGULATIONS.
’’PERHAPS WHEN THE HUNTERS BECAME THE HUNTED WR MAY SEE A MORE SENSIBLE APPROACH TO THIS RIDICULOUS ISSUE.
’’BUT THAT WILL BE TOO LATE FOR THE URUGUAY ROUND WHICH, I AM AFRAID, WILL HAVE TO CARRY THIS BURDEN ON THE TRADING SYSTEM,” HE SAID.
IT WAS IN ALL OUR INTERESTS TO CREATE THE NECESSARY CRITICAL MASS TO ACHIEVE A PACKAGE OF TARIFF REDUCTIONS OF SUFFICIENT WEIGHT TO BREAK THROUGH THE BARRIERS OF DOMESTIC FACTIONAL INTEREST, MR JACKSON SAID.
THERE IS NO GREATER STIMULUS TO TRADE IN THE LONG RUN THAN AN ABSENCE OF TARIFF BARRIERS, WHICH IS THE EXPERIENCE IN HONG KONG.
"WE RAISE NO IMPORT TARIFFS AND HAVE BECOME THE WORLD’S FIFTH LARGEST TRADING ENTITY BY TRADE VALUE.
"WHAT HONG KONG CAN ACHIEVE, SO CAN THIS REGION," HE SAID.
FREE TRADE IN A SENSIBLE, MULTILATERAL FRAMEWORK IS THE PATH TO PROSPERITY ALTHOUGH IT IS NOT ONE WITHOUT DIFFICULTY.
"HONG KONG’S OPENNESS HAS SOMETIMES MEANT TAKING THE KNOCKS OF SUDDEN ECONOMIC CHANGE FIRMLY ON THE NOSE. RUT BY ACCEPTING COMPETITION WE HAVE BECOME ONE OF THE FITTEST ECONOMIES TN THE WORLD.
"THE URUGUAY ROUND PACKAGE OFFERS A VIGOROUS FITNESS REGIME FOR THIS REGION. IT MAY LOOK DAUNTING TO THOSE FEELING A BIT OUT OF SHAPE. BUT IT WILL BE WORTH IT."
ABOUT 20 COUNTRIES AND TERRITORIES PART ICIPATED IN THE FORUM.
-----0--------
BANKING (AMENDMENT) BILL 1993 GAZETTED
*****
THE BANKING (AMENDMENT) BILL 1993 THAT SEEKS TO FURTHER ENHANCE SUPERVISORY STANDARDS IN HONG KONG AND TO CLARIFY CERTAIN PROVISIONS IS GAZETTED TODAY (FRIDAY).
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THE BILL SOUGHT TO INTRODUCE AMENDMENTS TO THE BANKING ORDINANCE AND A NUMBER OF OTHER ORDINANCES SO THAT THE HONG KONG MONETARY AUTHORITY COULD ESTABLISH A CENTRAL CUSTODY SYSTEM TO ENABLE THE CLEARING OF SPECIFIED DEBT INSTRUMENTS IN A PAPERLESS FORM.
/INTRODUCING THE .......
FRIDAY, JUNE 25, 1993
11
INTRODUCING THE MAIN AMENDMENTS TO THE BANKING ORDINANCE, THE SPOKESMAN SAID FOLLOWING THE COLLAPSE OF THE BCCI GROUP, THE BASLE COMMITTEE OF BANKING SUPERVISORS ISSUED IN JULY 1992 A SET OF NEW MINIMUM STANDARDS ON THE SUPERVISION OF INTERNATIONAL BANKING GROUPS AND THEIR CROSS BORDER ESTABLISHMENTS.
’’THE OBJECTIVE OF THE NEW STANDARDS IS TO SEEK WORLDWIDE SUPERVISORY CO-OPERATION TO ENSURE THAT NO BANK CAN OPERATE INTERNATIONALLY WITHOUT BEING SUBJECT TO EFFECTIVE CONSOLIDATED SUPERVISION BY A RESPONSIBLE BANKING AUTHORITY,” THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
ALTHOUGH HONG KONG’S FRAMEWORK OF CONSOLIDATED SUPERVISION OF BANKS’ GLOBAL OPERATIONS LARGELY CONFORMS WITH THE BASLE MINIMUM STANDARDS, THE EXISTING PROVISIONS GOVERNING THE PRIOR APPROVAL OF THE ESTABLISHMENT OF OVERSEAS BANKING ENTITIES BY LOCALLY INCORPORATED AUTHORISED INSTITUTIONS DOES NOT MEET THE NEW STANDARDS FULLY.
AT PRESENT, THE PRIOR APPROVAL OF THE MONETARY AUTHORITY IS REQUIRED ONLY FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF AN OVERSEAS BRANCH OR AN OVERSEAS REPRESENTATIVE OFFICE.
THERE IS NO PARALLEL REQUIREMENT GOVERNING THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A BANKING SUBSIDIARY.
’’EXPERIENCE HAS SHOWN THAT SERIOUS PROBLEMS IN AN OVERSEAS BANKING SUBSIDIARY COULD BE DAMAGING TO CONFIDENCE IN THE PARENT BANK AND, IN MANY RESPECTS, AN OVERSEAS SUBSIDIARY DEMANDS THE SAME BREADTH OF PARENTAL COMMITMENT AS AN OVERSEAS BRANCH,” THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
EVEN WHERE THE OVESEAS BANKING SUBSIDIARY IS OWNED BY THE AUTHORISED INSTITUTION’S HOLDING COMPANY, THERE MAY BE A RISK OF CONTAGION TO THE INSTITUTION, PARTICULARLY IF THERE IS A CLEAR NAME ASSOCIATION, HE ADDED.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID AN AMENDMENT WAS THEREFORE SOUGHT SO THAT A LOCALLY INCORPORATED AUTHORISED INSTITUTION, OR ITS LOCALLY INCORPORATED HOLDING COMPANY, SHOULD BE REQU I REI) TO SEEK THE MONETARY AUTHORITY’S PRIOR APPROVAL FOR. THE ESTABLISHMENT OR ACQUISITION OF AN OVERSEAS BANKING SUBSIDIARY.
"THIS AMENDMENT WOULD ENSURE THAT HONG KONG’S SYSTEM OF BANKING SUPERVISION CONTINUES TO MEASURE UP TO THE HIGHEST INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS,” HE ADDED.
HE SAID ANOTHER SIGNIFICANT PROVISION OF THE BILL WAS TO SHORTEN THE PERIOD OF TIME WITHIN WHICH A LOCALLY INCORPORATED AUTHORISED INSTITUTION SHOULD PUBLISH ITS ANNUAL AUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS IN THE NEWSPAPERS.
"IT IS PROPOSED THAT THE SIX-MONTH DEADLINE FOR LOCALLY INCORPORATED AUTHORISED INSTITUTIONS TO PUBLISH THEIR ANNUAL AUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS SHOULD BE REDUCED TO FOUR MONTHS,” THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
’’THIS WILL HELP THE AUDITORS TO CO-ORDINATE THEIR AUDIT WORK ON AUTHORISED INSTITUTIONS WITH THE REPORTS WHICH THEY SUBMIT TO THE MONETARY AUTHORITY UNDER THE BANKING ORDINANCE. IT WILL ALSO PROVIDE MORE TIMELY INFORMATION TO DEPOSITORS, THE GENERAL PUBLIC AND THE SUPERVISORS.”
/FOR OVERSEAS .......
FRIDAY, JUNE 25, 1993
12
FOR OVERSEAS INCORPORATED INSTITUTIONS, THE AMENDMENT WOULD REQUIRE THEM TO SUBMIT THEIR AUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS TO THE MONETARY AUTHORITY WITHIN SIX MONTHS OF THEIR FINANCIAL YEAR END IN ORDER TO OBTAIN AN EXEMPTION FROM THE STATUTORY AUDIT REQUIREMENTS UNDER SECTION 59 OF THE BANKING ORDINANCE.
THIS IS ALREADY IMPLIED UNDER THE PRESENT LEGISLATION. THE DIFFERENT TIME-FRAME RECOGNISES THE DIFFICULTY OF ENFORCING LEGISLATION IN HONG KONG ON AN INSTITUTION WHOSE MAIN BUSINESS OPERATIONS ARE IN A DIFFERENT JURISDICTION.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE REQUIREMENT ON THE LANGUAGE USED IN PUBLISHING THE ACCOUNTS WAS ALSO CLARIFIED SO THAT THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE WAS TO BE USED IN THE ENGLISH NEWSPAPER, AND THE CHINESE LANGUAGE IN A CHINESE NEWSPAPER.
TURNING TO THE HONG KONG MONETARY AUTHORITY’S PLANS TO INTRODUCE A CENTRAL CUSTODY SYSTEM, HE SAID AMENDMENTS TO A NUMBER OF ORDINANCES WERE REQUIRED TO GIVE RECOGNITION TO THE RIGHTS AND INTERESTS IN SPECIFIED DEBT INSTRUMENTS IN PAPERLESS FORM.
UNDER THE PROPOSED SYSTEM, THE HONG KONG MONETARY AUTHORITY WILL ACT AS THE CENTRAL CUSTODIAN AND CLEARING AGENT FOR DEBT INSTRUMENTS, SUCH AS BONDS, CERTIFICATES OF DEPOSITS, FIXED AND FLOATING RATE NOTES, AND COMMERCIAL PAPERS, ISSUED BY PRIVATE SECTOR BORROWERS.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID UNDER THE PROPOSED SCHEME, THE ISSUER OF DEBT INSTRUMENTS WOULD ISSUE ONE GLOBAL INSTRUMENT FOR ANY ONE ISSUE, WHICH WOULD BE HELD AS BEARER BY THE HONG KONG MONETARY AUTHORITY.
THE AUTHORITY, ON BEHALF OF ACCEPTABLE DEALERS, WOULD RECORD ON ITS COMPUTER SYSTEM INTERESTS IN THOSE GLOBAL INSTRUMENTS AND FACILITATE THE TRANSFER OF SUCH INTERESTS UPON RECEIPT OF INSTRUCTIONS.
’’THIS WILL SPEED UP THE SETTLEMENT PROCESS AND REDUCE SETTLEMENT RISK,” THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
”IT IS HOPED THAT SUCH A SYSTEM WILL FURTHER STIMULATE THE DEVELOPMENT OF HONG KONG’S CAPITAL MARKETS. IT HAS BEEN WIDELY WELCOMED BY MARKET PARTICIPANTS.”
THE SPOKESMAN SAID A NUMBER OF OTHER CHANGES TO THE BANKING ORDINANCE WERE BEING SOUGHT TO IMPROVE THE WORKING OF THE ORDINANCE AND TO CLARIFY CERTAIN PROVISIONS, INCLUDING THOSE RELATING TO LOCAL REPRESENTATIVE OFFICES.
HE SAID THE MAIN PROVISIONS IN THE BILL HAD BEEN DISCUSSED WITH THE BANKING ADVISORY COMMITTEE AND THE DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES ADVISORY COMMITTEE AS WELL AS THE INDUSTRY ASSOCIATIONS.
THE BILL IS SCHEDULED FOR INTRODUCTION INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON JULY 7.
------0 - -
/13........
FRIDAY, JUNE 25, 1993
- 13 -
TOYS AND CHILDREN’S PRODUCTS SAFETY ORDINANCE TO START ON JULY 1
*******
THE GOVERNOR HAS APPOINTED JULY 1 1993 AS THE COMMENCEMENT DATE FOR THE TOYS AND CHILDREN’S PRODUCTS SAFETY ORDINANCE, A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN ANNOUNCED TODAY (FRIDAY).
THE ORDINANCE, ENACTED IN NOVEMBER 1992, IMPOSES A STATUTORY REQUIREMENT THAT ANY TOY OR CHILDREN’S PRODUCT MANUFACTURED, IMPORTED OR SUPPLIED FOR LOCAL CONSUMPTION MUST BE SAFE.
"UNDER THE ORDINANCE, TOYS ARE REQUIRED TO COMPLY WITH ANY ONE SET OF THE PRESCRIBED SAFETY STANDARDS FOR TOYS, NAMELY, ICTI, ASTM AND EN71;” THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
"CHILDREN’S PRODUCTS ARE REQUIRED TO COMPLY WITH THE RELEVANT BRITISH STANDARDS INSTITUTION SPECIFICATIONS AS SET OUT IN THE SCHEDULE OF THE ORDINANCE.
THE COMMISSIONER OF CUSTOMS AND EXCISE WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR ENFORCING THE ORDINANCE. HE WILL ACT ON COMPLAINTS AND CONDUCT SPOT CHECKS.
AS A REMEDIAL MEASURE, THE COMMISSIONER MAY REQUIRE SUPPLIERS THROUGH A NOTICE SYSTEM TO MODIFY, AND IN EXTREME CASES, TO RECALL UNSAFE TOYS OR CHILDREN’S PRODUCTS.
"A PERSON AGGRIEVED BY CERTAIN ENFORCEMENT ACTION OF THE COMMISSIONER OF CUSTOMS AND EXCISE MAY APPEAL TO AN APPEAL BOARD WHICH COMPRISES CONSUMERS, MEMBERS FROM THE TOYS AND CHILDREN’S PRODUCTS INDUSTRY, LEGAL PRACTITIONERS AND EXPERTS IN PRODUCT SAFETY,” HE SAID.
PRE-SALE TESTING WILL BE VOLUNTARY. A PERSON MAY HAVE A TOY OR CHILDREN’S PRODUCT TESTED BY A LABORATORY APPROVED BY THE DIRECTOR-GENERAL OF INDUSTRY TO DETERMINE WHETHER IT COMPLIES WITH THE PRESCRIBED SAFETY REQUIREMENTS FOR TOYS OR CHILDREN’S PRODUCTS.
THE ORDINANCE STIPULATES THAT A COURT, IN MAKING A DECISION ON THE DEFENCE OF DUE DILIGENCE FOR A PERSON, MAY TAKE INTO CONSIDERATION ANY CERTIFICATE ISSUED BY AN APPROVED LABORATORY WHICH SUGGESTS THAT THE TOYS OR CHILDREN’S PRODUCT IN QUESTION COMPLIES WITH ANY STATUTORY SAFETY REQUIREMENT PRESCRIBED IN THE ORDINANCE.
"WE HOPE THIS WILL ENCOURAGE SUPPLIERS TO CONDUCT PRE-SALE TESTING," HE SAID.
A PERSON WHO COMMITS AN OFFENCE UNDER THIS ORDINANCE MAY HAVE 1'0 FACE A FINE OF $100,000 AND ONE YEAR’S IMPRISONMENT ON FIRST CONVICTION AND A FINE OF $500,000 AND TWO YEARS’ IMPRISONMENT ON SUBSEQUENT CONVICTION.
CONSUMERS ARE WELCOME TO COME FORWARD WITH COMPLAINTS AGAINST ANY TOY AND CHILDREN’S PRODUCT FOUND TO BE UNSAFE," HE SAID.
/COMPLAINTS SHOULD .......
FRIDAY, JUNE 25, 1993
14
COMPLAINTS SHOULD BE REFERRED TO THE CONSUMER PROTECTION DIVISION OF THE TRADING STANDARDS INVESTIGATION BUREAU, CUSTOMS AND EXCISE DEPARTMENT, 16TH FLOOR, TRADE DEPARTMENT TOWER, 700 NATHAN ROAD, MONG KOK.
THE DIVISION MAY BE CONTACTED ON TEL 398 5158 AND 852 3185 RESPECTIVELY DURING AND AFTER OFFICE HOURS.
- - 0 - -
POWER OF REGULATORS TO BE STREAMLINED
* * * ♦ * t
THE GOVERNMENT IS INTRODUCING TWO BILLS TO FACILITATE THE USE BY THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY AND THE SECURITIES AND FUTURES COMMISSION (SFC) OF THEIR RESPECTIVE INVESTIGATORY POWERS AND ANOTHER ONE TO PROVIDE IMMUNITY TO THE STOCK EXCHANGE OF HONG KONG (SEHK) IN CARRYING OUT ITS LISTING FUNCTIONS.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE SECRETARY FOR FINANCIAL SERVICES, MR MICHAEL CARTLAND, TODAY (FRIDAY).
THE COMPANIES (AMENDMENT) (NO.4) BILL 1993, THE SECURITIES AND FUTURES COMMISSION (AMENDMENT) BILL 1993 AND THE STOCK EXCHANGES UNIFICATION (AMENDMENT) BILL 1993, ARE GAZETTED TODAY. THEY WILL BE INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON JULY 7.
THE COMPANIES (AMENDMENT) (NO.4) BILL 1993 MAINLY AIMS AT FACILITATING THE USE BY THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY OF THE POWER TO INVOKE PRELIMINARY INVESTIGATIONS ON COMPANIES.
AT PRESENT, WHERE THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY’S ATTENTION IS DRAWN TO CIRCUMSTANCES SUGGESTING FRAUD, MISFEASANCE OR OTHER MISCONDUCT IN THE MANAGEMENT OF THE AFFAIRS OF A COMPANY, HE MAY AUTHORISE A PUBLIC OFFICER UNDER THE COMPANIES ORDINANCE TO REQUIRE THE PRODUCTION OF THE COMPANY’S BOOKS OR PAPERS AND TO ASK ABOUT THEM.
"SUCH PRELIMINARY INSPECTIONS PROVIDE A DISCREET AND LESS COSTLY WAY TO ASSESS WHETHER FULL-SCALE INVESTIGATIONS ARE WARRANTED," MR CARTLAND SAID.
THIS POWER HAS NEVER BEEN INVOKED BEFORE, PARTLY BECAUSE THE GOVERNMENT DOES NOT HAVE STAFF WITH THE TIME AND RELEVANT SKILL FOR THIS TYPE OF WORK.
MOREOVER, SINCE THE CONDITIONS FOR INVOKING PRELIMINARY INSPECTIONS ARE THE SAME AS THOSE FOR FULL SCALE INVESTIGATIONS, THE PROVISIONS FOR PRELIMINARY INSPECTIONS HAVE BEEN RENDERED REDUNDANT, HE SAID.
"TO FACILITATE THE USE BY THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY OF HIS POWER UNDER THE COMPANIES ORDINANCE, IT IS PROPOSED TO LOWER THE THRESHOLD FOR INITIATING PRELIMINARY INVESTIGATIONS AND TO RELAX THE EXISTING REQUIREMENT FOR APPOINTING A PUBLIC OFFICER AS AN INSPECTOR," MR CARTLAND SAID.
/ON THE
FRIDAY, JUNE 25, 1993
15
ON THE SECURITIES AND FUTURES COMMISSION (AMENDMENT) BILL 1993, MR CARTLAND SAID THE BILL SOUGHT TO PROVIDE THE SEC WITH PRELIMINARY INVESTIGATORY POWER IN RESPECT OF LISTED COMPANIES.
HE SAID AT PRESENT THE SFC DID NOT HAVE AUTHORITY TO CONDUCT PRELIMINARY INVESTIGATIONS ON CASES SUGGESTING FRAUD, MISFEASANCE OR MISCONDUCT IN THE MANAGEMENT OF THE AFFAIRS OF LISTED COMPANIES OR FAILURE TO DISCLOSE INFORMATION TO MEMBERS OF THESE COMPANIES.
"THE SECURITIES AND FUTURES COMMISSION (AMENDMENT) BILL 1993 EXTENDS SUCH POWERS TO THE SFC," MR CARTLAND SAID.
"IT IS ALSO PROPOSED THAT THE SFC BE ALLOWED TO APPLY FOR COURT ORDERS TO PROTECT THE INTERESTS OF SHAREHOLDERS SIMILAR TO THOSE UNDER 168A OF THE COMPANIES ORDINANCE," HE SAID.
IT IS NEVERTHELESS RECOGNISED THAT THE BANKING ORDINANCE PROVIDES EXTENSIVE POWER FOR THE MONETARY AUTHORITY TO REGULATE AUTHORISED INSTITUTIONS WHICH MAY BE LISTED.
THEREFORE, THE PROPOSED POWER OF THE SFC WILL NOT APPLY TO AUTHORISED INSTITUTIONS EXCEPT WHERE THE CASE RELATES SOLELY TO THE DISCLOSURE OF INFORMATION TO SHAREHOLDERS, HE SAID.
"FOR THE SAME REASON, THE POWER OF THE SFC TO APPLY FOR COURT ORDERS WILL NOT APPLY TO AUTHORISED INSTITUTIONS UNDER THE BANKING ORDINANCE," HE ADDED.
THERE WILL BE CASES REQUIRING CO-OPERATION BETWEEN THE REGULATORS. THE SFC WILL NEED TO CONSULT THE MONETARY AUTHORITY BEFORE INVESTIGATING AN AUTHORISED INSTITUTION OR ITS RELATED COMPANIES.
"THE SFC WILL ALSO BE REQUIRED TO CONSULT THE INSURANCE AUTHORITY BEFORE REQUIRING ANY AUTHORISED INSURERS UNDER THE INSURANCE ORDINANCE TO PRODUCE RECORDS AND DOCUMENTS FOR THE PURPOSE OF PRELIMINARY INSPECTIONS," MR CARTLAND SAID.
THE STOCK EXCHANGES UNIFICATION (AMENDMENT) BILL 1993 PROVIDES STATUTORY IMMUNITY TO THE SEHK IN CARRYING OUT ITS LISTING FUNCTIONS.
MR CARTLAND SAID THE BILL SOUGHT TO CLARIFY THE POWER OF THE SEHK TO MAKING LISTING RULES AND ENSURE THAT THE SEHK ENJOYED STATUTORY IMMUNITY IN CARRYING OUT ITS LISTING FUNCTIONS.
"IT IS UNCLEAR WHETHER THE SEHK HAS ANY IMMUNITY AT PRESENT IN RESPECT OF LISTING MATTERS AND THE PROPOSED AMENDMENTS ARE ESSENTIAL FOR THE SEHK TO ACT FIRMLY AND WITHOUT THE FEAR OF LIABILITY IN RELATIONS TO DECISIONS SUCH AS SUSPENSION OF TRADING OF SHARKS," HE SAID.
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/16........
FRIDAY, JUNE 25, 1993
16
FIRST CHINA STUDIES COURSE DUE TO START *****
THE DEPUTY SECRETARY FOR RECREATION AND CULTURE, MR PAUL LEUNG, WILL LEAD A PARTY OF 20 CIVIL SERVANTS TO ATTEND THE FIRST CHINA STUDIES COURSE IN QINGHUA UNIVERSITY, BEIJING, NEXT MONTH.
THE PARTY IS MADE UP OF 12 ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICERS AND EIGHT DEPARTMENTAL OFFICERS.
THE COURSE, WHICH WILL LAST FROM JULY 5 TO AUGUST 22, WILL INCLUDE VISITS TO AREAS OUTSIDE BEIJING TO ENABLE PARTICIPANTS TO COMPARE THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IN VARIOUS REGIONS, AND TO STUDY THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE CENTRAL AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS.
ATTENTION NEWS EDITORS:
MR PAUL LEUNG WILL BRIEF THE MEDIA ON DETAILS OF THE FIRST CHINA STUDIES COURSE AT THE RCB CONFERENCE ROOM, 4 1ST FLOOR, REVENUE TOWER, 5 GLOUCESTER ROAD, HONG KONG, AT 3 PM TODAY (FRIDAY).
YOU ARE INVITED TO ATTEND THE MEDIA SESSION.
- - 0----------
RESULTS OF 1991 SURVEY OF STORAGE, COMMUNICATION, FINANCING, INSURANCE AND BUSINESS SERVICES RELEASED *****
THE STORAGE, COMMUNICATION, FINANCING, INSURANCE AND BUSINESS SERVICES INDUSTRIES REGISTERED RAPID GROWTH IN 1991. COMPARED WITH 1990, TOTAL BUSINESS RECEIPTS WENT UP BY 22% IN VALUE TERMS FOR THE STORAGE, COMMUNICATION AND INSURANCE INDUSTRIES, BY 20% FOR THE FINANCING INDUSTRY AND BY 18% FOR THE BUSINESS SERVICES INDUSTRY.
THESE ARE SOME OF THE MAJOR FINDINGS OF THE 1991 SURVEY OF STORAGE, COMMUNICATION, FI NANI ING, INSURANCE AND BUSINESS SERVICES, RELEASED TODAY (FRIDAY) BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
THE SURVEY WAS CONDUCTED FROM HAY 1992 TO EARLY 1993.
THE GROWTH IN GROSS SURPLUS (WHICH EQUALS TOTAL BUSINESS RECEIPTS LESS TOTAL OPERATING EXPENDITURE), HOWEVER, VARIED AMONG THESE SERVICE INDUSTRIES.
WHILE BUSINESS SERVICES, COMMUNICATION AND FINANCING INDUSTRIES HAD SIGNIFICANT INCREASES IN GROSS SURPLUS OVER 1990, OF 36%, 34% AND 33% RESPECTIVELY, THE STORAGE INDUSTRY ONLY RECORDED A MILD INCREASE OF 9%.
ALL VALUE FIGURES ARE EXPRESSED IN CURRENT PRICE TERMS. THE PERCENTAGE CHANGES DERIVED FROM THESE FIGURES HAVE NOT BEEN ADJUSTED FOR PRICE INCREASES.
/IN 1991..........
FRIDAY, JUNE 25, 1993
- 17 -
IN 1991, SOME 13, 200 ESTABLISHMENTS WERE IN OPERATION IN THE BUSINESS SERVICES INDUSTRY, AN INCREASE OF 18% OVER 1990.
THE INDUSTRY INCLUDES LEGAL, ACCOUNTING, AUDITING, DATA PROCESSING, ADVERTISING AND MARKETING FIRMS AND COMPANIES PROVIDING MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS SERVICES SUCH AS BUSINESS MANAGEMENT AND CONSULTANCY, EMPLOYMENT, SECRETARIAL, TECHNICAL AND
MACHINERY/EQUIPMENT RENTAL SERVICES.
TOTAL BUSINESS RECEIPTS GENERATED BY THESE ESTABLISHMENTS AMOUNTED TO $39.1 BILLION, AN INCREASE OF 18% OVER 1990.
THE GROSS SURPLUS OF THE INDUSTRY ACCOUNTED FOR 22% OF THE
TOTAL BUSINESS RECEIPTS, AN INCREASE OF 3 PERCENTAGE POINTS OVER THE FIGURE IN 1990.
THE TOTAL OPERATING EXPENDITURE OF THE INDUSTRY (COMPRISING COMPENSATION OF EMPLOYEES, OPERATING EXPENSES AND VALUE OF PURCHASES OF GOODS FOR SALE) ACCOUNTED FOR 78% OF THE TOTAL BUSINESS RECEIPTS. THIS WAS 3 PERCENTAGE POINTS LOWER THAN THE FIGURE IN 1990.
THE INDUSTRY’S VALUE ADDED GREW BY 22% FROM $15.6 BILLION IN 1990 TO $19 BILLION IN 1991. IT CONSTITUTED 49% OF THE TOTAL BUSINESS RECEIPTS. THIS WAS 2 PERCENTAGE POINTS HIGHER THAN THE FIGURE IN 1990.
IN THE COMMUNICATION INDUSTRY, THERE WERE SOME 420 ESTABLISHMENTS IN OPERATION IN 1991, AN INCREASE OF 7% OVER 1990. THESE INCLUDES TELEPHONE, TELEGRAPH, COURIER AND RADIO-PAGING COMPANIES.
TOTAL BUSINESS RECEIPTS GENERATED BY THESE ESTABLISHMENTS AMOUNTED TO $21.4 BILLION, WHICH WAS 22% HIGHER THAN 1990.
THE GROSS SURPLUS OF THE INDUSTRY ACCOUNTED FOR 43% OF THE TOTAL BUSINESS RECEIPTS, AN INCREASE OF 4 PERCENTAGE POINTS OVER THE FIGURE IN 1990.
THE TOTAL VALUE ADDED OF THESE ESTABLISHMENTS WAS $12.7 BILLION IN 1991, REPRESENTING AN INCREASE OF 23% OVER 1990. IT ACCOUNTED FOR 59% OF THE BUSINESS RECEIPTS AND COMPARED THE SAME WITH THE FIGURE IN 1990.
IN THE INSURANCE INDUSTRY, WHICH INCLUDES GENERAL INSURERS, LIFE INSURERS AND INSURANCE AGENTS, THERE WERE SOME 1900 ESTABLISHMENTS IN OPERATION IN 1991, AN INCREASE OF 14% OVER 1990.
THE INSURANCE INDUSTRY GENERATED $23.9 BILLION OF BUSINESS RECEIPTS IN 1991, AN INCREASE OF 22% OVER 1990.
IN THE FINANCING INDUSTRY, SOME 3,700 ESTABLISHMENTS OPERATED IN 1991.
THIS INDUSTRY COMPRISES LOAN AND MORTGAGE COMPANIES, CREDIT INSTITUTIONS, FINANCE LEASING, PAWNSHOPS, INVESTMENT AND HOLDING COMPANIES, SECURITIES, FUTURES AND GOLD BULLION BROKERS AND DEALERS, MONEY CHANGERS AND FOREIGN EXCHANGE BROKERS AND DEALERS.
/THE SURVEY .......
FRIDAY , JUNE 25, 1993
18
THE SURVEY DID NOT INCLUDE BANKING INSTITUTIONS AND DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES WHICH WERE SEPARATELY COVERED UNDER THE 1991 SURVEY OF BANKS, DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES, RESTRICTED LICENCE BANKS AND REPRESENTATIVE OFFICES OF FOREIGN BANKS, THE RESULTS OF WHICH WERE PUBLISHED IN THE MARCH 1993 ISSUE OF THE HONG KONG MONTHLY DIGEST OF STATISTICS.
THESE ESTABLISHMENTS GENERATED $68.4 BILLION OF BUSINESS RECEIPTS, AN INCREASE OF 20% OVER 1990.
THE GROSS SURPLUS OF THE FINANCING INDUSTRY ACCOUNTED FOR 54% OF THE TOTAL BUSINESS RECEIPTS. COMPARED WITH 1990, IT WAS 5 PERCENTAGE POINTS HIGHER.
THE OPERATING EXPENDITURE OF THESE ESTABLISHMENTS ACCOUNTED FOR 46% OF THE TOTAL BUSINESS RECEIPTS, A DECREASE OF 5 PERCENTAGE POINTS OVER THE FIGURE IN 1990.
THE TOTAL VALUE ADDED OF THE INDUSTRY, WHICH DID NOT INCLUDE THAT OF INVESTMENT AND HOLDING COMPANIES DUE TO THE SPECIAL FEATURES OF THEIR BUSINESS OPERATIONS, INCREASED BY 12% TO $5.6 BILLION IN 1991.
IT ACCOUNTED FOR 8% OF THE TOTAL BUSINESS RECEIPTS AND WAS 1 PERCENTAGE POINT LOWER THAN THE FIGURE IN 1990.
IN THE STORAGE INDUSTRY, ALTHOUGH A DECREASE OF 9% IN THE NUMBER OF ESTABLISHMENTS WAS REGISTERED IN 1991, THE INDUSTRY RECORDED A 22% INCREASE IN BUSINESS RECEIPTS WHICH AMOUNTED TO $3.3 BILLION.
ON THE OTHER HAND, THE INDUSTRY’S GROSS SURPLUS ACCOUNTED FOR 18% OF THE TOTAL BUSINESS RECEIPTS IN 1991, A DROP OF 2 PERCENTAGE POINTS FROM THE FIGURE IN 1990.
THE OPERATING EXPENDITURE OF THE INDUSTRY ACCOUNTED FOR 82% OF THE TOTAL BUSINESS RECEIPTS. COMPARED WITH 1990, THIS WAS HIGHER BY 2 PERCENTAGE POINTS.
THE VALUE ADDED OF THE STORAGE INDUSTRY INCREASED BY 9% TO $1.3 BILLION IN 1991. IT ACCOUNTED FOR 38% OF THE TOTAL BUSINESS RECEIPTS, AND WAS 5 PERCENTAGE POINTS LOWER THAN THE FIGURE IN 1990.
SUMMARY STATISTICS FOR THE 1991 SURVEY OF STORAGE, COMMUNICATION, FINANCING, INSURANCE, AND BUSINESS SERVICES WILL BE INCLUDED IN THE JUNE ISSUE OF THE HONG KONG MONTHLY DIGEST OF STATISTICS PUBLISHED BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
MORE DETAILED RESULTS TOGETHER WITH THE BACKGROUND AND METHODOLOGY OF THE SURVEY WILL BE GIVEN IN A FULL SURVEY REPORT TO BE PUBLISHED AROUND AUGUST.
THE REPORT WILL BE ON SALE AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATION CENTRE, GENERAL POST OFFICE BUILDING, GROUND FLOOR, CONNAUGHT PLACE, CENTRAL; AND THE PUBLICATIONS OFFICE OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT, 19TH FLOOR, WANCHAI TOWER, 12 HARBOUR ROAD, HONG KONG.
ENQUIRIES REGARDING THESE SURVEY RESULTS MAY BE DIRECTED TO THE BUSINESS SERVICES STATISTICS SECTION OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT (AT TELEPHONE NUMBER 802 1244).
/19........
FRIDAY, JUNE 25, 1993 — 19 -
Comparison of selected principal statistics for all establishments in the Storage, Communication, Financing, Insurance and Business Services Industries between 1990 and 1991
Industry Number of establishments Number of persons engaged Number of employees Compensation of employees Operating expenses Value of purchases of goods for sale Business receipts and other income Value added Gross surplus
$Mn. $Mn. $Mn. SMn. $Mn. $Mn.
Storage 1991 222 5 055 4 998 531.1 2,175.4 3,303.9 1,255.3 597.5
1990 244 4 706 4 671 468.2 1,682.7 2,698.6 1,152.9 547.7
% change (-9) (+7) (+7) (+13) (+29) — (+22) (+9) (+9)
Communication 1991 422 26 324 25 623 3,614.8 7,528.5 1,134.7 21,432.9 12,710.9 9,154.9
1990 395 27 131 26 840 3,668.0 5,931.2 1,162.0 17,574.3 10,323.7 6,813.1
% change (+7) (-3) (-5) (-1) (+27) (-2) (+22) (+23) (+34)
Financing 1991 3 723 37 859 36 491 7,791.0 23,643.2 — 68,418.9 5,563.5 36,984.7
1990 3 560 37 702 36 316 7,105.7 22,148.6 — 57,048.3 4,978.4 27,793.9
% change (+5) (#) (#) (+10) (+7) — (+20) ( + 12) (+33)
Business 1991 13 207 97 615 86 522 11,267.7 17,984.4 1,140.7 39,110.5 19,030.4 8,717.7
Services 1990 11 196 85 599 77 734 9,461.8 16,314.8 906.4 33,080.3 15,561.7 6,397.4
% change ( + 18) (+14) (+11) ( + 19) (+10) (+26) ( + 18) (+22) (+36)
Insurance 1991 1 929 23 201 22 291 .3,729.3 2,409.8 — 23,906.1 — *
1990 1 687 20 684 19 714 3,177.6 2,006.8 — 19,551.6 — —
% change ( + 14) (+12) (+13) ( + 17) (+20) — (+22) — —
Notes : (1) In the financing industry, value added was not compiled for investment and holding companies owing to the special features of their business operations. Hence, total value added for the industry did not include that of investment and holding companies.
(2) Financing industry excluded banks, deposit-taking companies and restricted licence banks.
(3) Value added and gross surplus were not compiled for the insurance industry.
(4) Figures denoting changes are derived from unrounded figures.
(5) Value added is a measure of the contribution of an economic sector to Hong Kong's Gross Domestic Product. The definition can be found in the "1991 Survey of Storage, Communication, Financing, Insurance and Business Services" Report.
(6) # denotes change less than ± 0.5%.
_______n _ _ _ _
,/20 ......
FRIDAY, JUNE 25, 1993
20
FLAGS TO BE SOLD INSIDE RESTAURANTS * * * * ♦
THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT (SWD) HAS ALLOCATED THE HONG KONG SOCIETY FOR REHABILITATION TO HOLD ITS FLAG DAY FOR FUND-RAISING TOMORROW (SATURDAY).
THE SOCIETY WILL BE SELLING FLAGS IN PUBLIC PLACES FROM 8 AM TO NOON ACCORDING TO NORMAL PRACTICE. HOWEVER, THE SOCIETY ALSO DECIDED TO SELL FLAGS INSIDE SOME RESTAURANTS FROM 11 AM TO 3 PM ON THAT DAY.
"WE HAVE NO OBJECTION TO THIS ADDITIONAL INITIATIVE BY THE SOCIETY AND THIS IS PURELY A PRIVATE ARRANGEMENT BETWEEN THE SOCIETY AND THE RESTAURANT OPERATORS CONCERNED AND IS OUTSIDE THE PURVIEW OF THE PUBLIC SUBSCRIPTION PERMIT ADMINISTERED BY SWD."
A SWD SPOKESMAN SAID: "NEVERTHELESS WE HAVE ADVISED THE SOCIETY TO TAKE PRECAUTIONARY MEASURES TO ENSURE SAFETY OF VOLUNTEERS WHILE SELLING FLAGS INSIDE THE PARTICIPATING RESTAURANTS AND SECURITY OF THE MONIES COLLECTED."
THE SOCIETY HAS ALSO BEEN ADVISED TO PUT UP POSTERS INSIDE THE PARTICIPATING RESTAURANTS TO INFORM THE PUBLIC OF THE FLAG SELLING ACTIVITY.
"NEEDLESS TO SAY, THE SOCIETY MUST OBTAIN PRIOR CONSENT OF THE RESTAURANT OPERATORS BEFOREHAND," SAID THE SPOKESMAN.
THE SPOKESMAN FURTHER SAID THAT IN CASE OF SUSPICION, MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC COULD TELEPHONE THE SOCIETY ON 817 6277 BETWEEN 8 AM AND 5 PM ON THAT DAY OR SWD’S HOTLINE 343 2255.
- - 0----------
TENDERS INVITED FOR WEST KOWLOON RECLAMATION DRAINAGE WORKS
*****
THE TERRITORY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE SECOND PACKAGE OF THE WEST KOWLOON RECLAMATION NORTHERN HINTERLAND DRAINAGE IMPROVEMENT WORKS.
THE WORKS FORM PART OF THE CONTINUING PROGRAMME FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE WEST KOWLOON RECLAMATION WHICH IS AN AIRPORT CORE PROGRAMME PROJECT.
CONTRACT WORKS MAINLY INVOLVE THE RECONSTRUCTION OF THE DRAINAGE SYSTEM IN THE HINTERLAND OF WEST KOWLOON BETWEEN ARGYLE STREET TN THE SOUTH AND HING WAH STREET IN THE NORTH.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY (FRIDAY) THAT APART FROM IMPROVING THE CAPACITY OF THE DRAINAGE SYSTEM, THE WORKS WOULD ALSO ENSURE THAT THE RISK OF FLOODING WITHIN THE WEST KOWLOON WAS NOT INCREASED AS A RESULT OF THE MAJOR DRAINAGE EXTENSION BEING CONSTRUCTED ACROSS THE RECLAMATION.
/THE CONTRACT........
FRIDAY, JUNE 25, 1993
- 21 -
THE CONTRACT ALSO INCLUDES THE CONSTRUCT ION OF NEW SEWERS AND DRY WEATHER FLOW INTERCEPTORS TO INTERCEPT THE POLLUTED STORMWATER IN THE EXISTING DRAINAGE SYSTEM.
’’WHEN CONSTRUCTION OF THE SEWERS AND INTERCEPTORS ARE COMPLETED, THE WATER QUALITY IN THE HARBOUR OFF WEST KOWLOON WILL BE IMPROVED," THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
THE CONTRACT WILL BEGIN IN SEPTEMBER FOR COMPLETION IN EARLY 1996.
THE NOTICE OF THE TENDER INVITATION WAS GAZETTED TODAY.
TENDERS FORMS AND FURTHER PARTICULARS MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE OFFICE OF MOTT MACDONALD HONG KONG LIMITED, I2TH FLOOR, SUN HUNG KAI CENTRE, 30 HARBOUR ROAD, WAN (’HAI.
THE TENDER CLOSING DATE IS NOON ON JULY 23, 1993.
--------0-----------
RECONSTRUCTION OF LI TAK STREET AND ADJACENT REAR LANES
*****
THE GOVERNMENT PROPOSES TO RECONSTRUCT LI TAK STREET AND THE ADJACENT REAR LANES IN TAI KOK TSUI.
THE PROJECT COMPRISES THE RECONSTRUCT I ON OF THE EXISTING CARRIAGEWAY, FOOTWAY AND IMPROVEMENT OF THE ASSOCIATED DRAINAGE/UNDERGROUND SERVICES.
AT PRESENT LI TAK STREET AND THE ADJACENT 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 THIS PRIVATE STREET AND ADJACENT REAR LANES TO ENSURE THEIR PROPER MAINTENANCE AND USE.
THE IMPROVEMENT WORK IS PROGRAMMED TO START IN NOVEMBER NEXT YEAR 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 I) I STR I CT OFFICE, PUBLIC ENQUIRY SERVICE CENTRE, GROUND FLOOR, HARBOUR BUILDING, 38 PIER ROAD, CENTRAL, HONG KONG;
/* DISTRICT LANDS ........
FRIDAY, JUNE 25, 1993
- 22
* DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE, KOWLOON WEST, YAU MA TEI CAR PARK BUILDING, 10TH FLOOR, 250 SHANGHAI STREET, KOWLOON; AND
t MONG KOK DISTRICT OFFICE, MONG KOK GOVERNMENT OFFICES, GROUND FLOOR, 30 LUEN WAN STREET, KOWLOON.
ANY PERSON WHO WISHES TO OBJECT TO THE PROPOSAL MUST SEND HIS OBJECTION IN WRITING TO THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT NOT LATER THAN AUGUST 24, THIS YEAR.
- - 0 - -
NEW ROAD TO COPE WITH RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT * t * t *
A NEW ROAD WITH FOOTPATHS WILL BE BUILT IN TUEN MUN, BY A PRIVATE DEVELOPER TO PROVIDE ACCESS DEVELOPMENT IN THE AREA.
TSENG TAU TSUEN, TO A RESIDENTIAL
THE PROJECT ALSO INCLUDES FRASER ROAD.
THE REALIGNMENT OF
A SECTION OF
"THROUGHOUT THE ROAD CONSTRUCTION PERIOD, FRASER ROAD WILL BE KEPT IN SERVICE UNTIL WORKS ON ITS REALIGNED SECTION IS COMPLETED.
"A SECTION OF THE ROAD, TOGETHER WITH SOME ASSOCIATED TRACKS AND FOOTPATHS, WILL THEN BE CLOSED AND PEDESTRIAN AND VEHICULAR TRAFFIC WILL BE DIVERTED TO THE NEW ROAD AND FOOTPATHS,” A TERRITORY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (FRIDAY).
A NOTICE FOR THE PROPOSED ROAD WORKS WAS GAZETTED TODAY.
A PLAN SHOWING THE PROPOSED WORKS CAN BE SEEN DURING OFFICE HOURS AT:
♦ THE PUBLIC ENQUIRY SERVICE CENTRE, CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT OFFICE, GROUND FLOOR, HARBOUR BUILDING, 38 PIER ROAD, CENTRAL, HONG KONG; AND
* TUEN MUN DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE AND TUEN MUN DISTRICT OFFICE, SIXTH AND SECOND FLOOR RESPECTIVELY, TUEN MUN GOVERNMENT OFFICES, I TUEN HI ROAD, TUEN MUN.
ANY PERSON OBJECTING TO THE PROPOSALS SHALL SEND HIS OPPOSITION IN WRITING TO THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT AT THE CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, EAST WING, SECOND FLOOR, LOWER ALBERT ROAD, CENTRAL, NOT LATER THAN AUGUST 24, 1993, DESCRIBING HIS INTEREST AND MANNER IN WHICH HE WILL BE AFFECTED BY THE PROPOSALS.
/23........
FRIDAY, JUNE 25, 1993
PREQUALIFICATION FOR LANDSLIP PREVENTIVE WORKS INVITED ♦ t * ♦ ♦
THE CIVIL ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT IS INVITING APPROVED CONTRACTORS TO PARTICIPATE IN A PREQUALIFICATION EXERCISE FOR LANDSLIP PREVENTIVE WORKS WHICH WILL START IN OCTOBER 1993 AND APRIL 1994.
UNDER THE TWO-YEAR CONTRACTS TO BE AWARDED, LANDSLIP PREVENTIVE WORKS WILL BE CARRIED OUT IN DIFFERENT PARTS OF THE TERRITORY.
WORKS WILL INCLUDE SOIL NAILING, CUT BACK, SKIN WALL AND ROCK SLOPE STABILISATION WORKS SUCH AS ROCK DOWEL, ROCK BOLT, CONCRETE BUTTRESS, SPRAYED CONCRETE, SCALING, PROVISION OF SURFACE DRAINAGE CHANNELS AND HYDROSEEDING TO COMPLETED SLOPE PROFILE.
ONLY CONTRACTORS ON THE APPROVED CONTRACTORS FOR PUBLIC WORKS LIST I IN GROUP B OR C FOR SITE FORMATION AND/OR ROADS AND DRAINAGE WORKS MAY APPLY FOR PREQUALIFTCATION.
INTERESTED PARTIES MAY APPLY FOR PREQUALIFICATION DOCUMENTS FROM CHIEF GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEER/DESIGN, 10TH FLOOR, CIVIL ENGINEERING BUILDING, 101 PRINCESS MARGARET ROAD, HO MAN TIN, KOWLOON.
THE DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION OF APPLICATIONS IS NOON ON JULY 16.
--------0-----------
TENDERS INVITED FOR BRIDGE CONSTRUCTION t t * * t
THE CIVIL ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF A BRIDGE ON CONCORDE ROAD.
WORKS INCLUDE THE CONSTRUCTION OF A COMPOSITE STEEL BRIDGE AND THE ASSOCIATED ROAD AND DRAINAGE WORKS.
THE BRIDGE, WHICH MEASURES 26 METRES LONG AND FIVE METRES WIDE, WILL BE CONSTRUCTED ON CONCORDE ROAD ACROSS THE KAI TAK NULLAH AT HONG KONG INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT.
CONSTRUCTION IS EXPECTED TO START IN SEPTEMBER FOR COMPLETION IN EIGHT MONTHS.
FORMS OF TENDER AND FURTHER PARTICULARS MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE CHIEF ENGINEER, DEVELOPMENT AND AIRPORT DIVISION, CIVIL ENGINEERING OFFICE, CIVIL ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT, SECOND FLOOR, CIVIL ENGINEERING BUILDING, 101 PRINCESS MARGARET ROAD, HO MAN TIN, KOWLOON.
TENDER OFFERS WILL CLOSE AT NOON ON JULY 16.
- - 0----------
/24 .......
FRIDAY, JUNE 25, 1993
- 24 -
MAINLAYING WORKS AT SHAM WAN PROPOSED ******
THE GOVERNMENT INTENDS TO PERMIT AN ENGINEERING CONSULTANT FIRM TO CONSTRUCT A PIPELINE WITH A DIAMETER OF 150 MILLIMETRES AT SHAM WAN/ABERDEEN CHANNEL FOR SUPPLYING FRESH WATER TO TWO FLOATING RESTAURANTS.
WORKS ARE SCHEDULED TO START AFTER AUTHORISATION IS GIVEN AND WILL TAKE ABOUT TWO MONTHS TO COMPLETE.
THE EXTENT OF THE AREA AFFECTED WAS 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 BUILDINGS AND LANDS ON OR BEFORE AUGUST 25.
THE OBJECTION SHALL DESCRIBE THE INTEREST, RIGHT OR EASEMENT OF THE OBJECTOR AND THE MANNER IN WHICH HE WILL BE AFFECTED.
THE NOTICE, IN BOTH ENGLISH AND CHINESE, TOGETHER WITH ITS RELATED PLAN CAN BE SEEN ON NOTICE BOARDS POSTED NEAR THE SITE.
THE PLAN CAN ALSO BE SEEN AT:
* THE SURVEY AND MAPPING OFFICE, BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT, 14TH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG (WHERE COPIES CAN BE PURCHASED ON ORDER);
♦ THE DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE, HONG KONG SOUTH, 20TH FLOOR,
SOUTHORN CENTRE, 130 HENNESSY ROAD, WAN CHAI, HONG KONG;
* THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT OFFICE, GROUND FLOOR,
HARBOUR BUILDING, 38 PIER ROAD, CENTRAL, 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-----------
NEW ROAD PROPOSED FOR TSUEN WAN
*****
THE TERRITORY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT’S TSUEN WAN DEVELOPMENT OFFICE PROPOSES TO CONSTRUCT AN ACCESS ROAD FROM YT PEI CHUN ROAD TO LO WAI VILLAGE.
THE PROPOSED ROADWORKS ALSO INCLUDE THE BUILDING OF ASSOCIATED FOOTPATHS, OPEN CAR PARKS, IMPROVEMENTS TO THE EXISTING FOOTPATH NETWORK AND SEPARATE DRAINAGE SYSTEMS.
A NOTICE OF THE PROPOSED WORKS WAS GAZETTED TODAY (FRIDAY).
/THE WORKS .......
FRIDAY, JUNE 25, 1993
- 25 -
THE WORKS ARE SCHEDULED TO BEGIN IN MAY NEXT YEAR FOR COMPLETION IN 22 MONTHS.
A PLAN SHOWING THE PROPOSED WORKS CAN BE SEEN DURING OFFICE HOURS AT:
* THE PUBLIC ENQUIRY SERVICE CENTRE, CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT OFFICE, GROUND FLOOR, HARBOUR BUILDING, 38 PIER ROAD, CENTRAL, HONG KONG; AND
♦ TSUEN WAN DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE AND TSUEN WAN DISTRICT OFFICE, 10TH AND FIRST FLOOR RESPECTIVELY, TSUEN WAN MTR STATION MULTI-STOREY CARPARK BUILDING, 174-208 CASTLE PEAK ROAD, TSUEN WAN.
ANY PERSON OBJECTING TO THE PROPOSAL SHALL SEND HIS OPPOSITION IN WRITING TO THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT AT THE CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, EAST WING, SECOND FLOOR, LOWER ALBERT ROAD, CENTRAL, NOT LATER THAN AUGUST 24, 1993, DESCRIBING HIS INTEREST AND MANNER IN WHICH HE WILL BE AFFECTED BY THE PROPOSAL.
--------0-----------
MORE LEISURE FACILITIES IN SHEK KIP MEI AND MONG KOK ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
THE ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF A RECREATION GROUND AT TO YUEN STREET, SHEK KIP
WORKS INCLUDE THE CONSTRUCTION OF FOOTPATHS, PLANTERS, ARBOURS, PAVILIONS, JOGGING TRACK, FITNESS STATION AREA, BASKETBALL COURT.* CHILDREN’S PLAY AREA AND A SERVICE BUILDING.
TENDERS ARE ALSO INVITED FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF A PUBLIC GARDEN AT SAI YEE STREET, MONG KOK.
THE CONTRACTOR IS ALSO REQUIRED TO CONSTRUCT PUBLIC TOILET FACILITIES AND AN OFFICE BUILDING IN THE GARDEN FOR THE URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT.
WORKS OF BOTH PROJECTS ARE EXPECTED TO BEGIN IN SEPTEMBER FOR COMPLETION AROUND MID-1994.
FORMS OF TENDER AND FURTHER PARTICULARS MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT, 34TH FLOOR. QUEENSWAY GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 66 QUEENSWAY, HONG KONG.
TENDER OFFERS WILL CLOSE AT NOON ON JULY 16.
---------0-----------
/26.........
FRIDAY, JUNE 25, 1993
26
NO NOMINATION TODAY FOR LEGCO BY-ELECTION » * ♦ ♦ ♦ 4
THE GOVERNMENT HAS RECEIVED NO NOMINATION FOR THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL BY-ELECTION IN RESPECT OF THE REGIONAL COUNCIL FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCY TODAY (FRIDAY) — THE FIRST DAY OF NOMINATION FOR CANDIDATES.
NOMINATIONS ARE OPEN FROM TODAY TO JULY 9. THE BY-ELECTION WILL BE HELD ON JULY 28 TO FILL THE VACANCY LEFT BY MR GILBERT LEUNG KAM-HO.
--------0--------
TIME ADJUSTMENT ON JULY I t ♦ » ♦ ♦
AT 8 AM ON JULY 1, THE USUAL SIX-PIP TIME SIGNALS FROM THE ROYAL OBSERVATORY WILL NOT BE BROADCAST BY RADIO TELEVISION HONG KONG.
IT WILL RESUME AT 8.30 AM OR 9 AM DEPENDING ON THE RADIO CHANNEL-.
THIS IS TO ENABLE AN ADJUSTMENT TO BE MADE WHICH WILL RESULT IN A DELAY OF ONE SECOND TO THE HONG KONG STANDARD TIME.
THE ADJUSTMENT IS NEEDED TO BETTER MATCH THE CO-ORDINATED UNIVERSAL TIME (UTC), THE TIME SCALE NOW IN USE, WITH THE ASTRONOMICAL TIME.
IT HAS BEEN INTERNATIONALLY AGREED THAT AN ADJUSTMENT OF ONE SECOND, (A LEAP SECOND) SHOULD BE APPLIED FROM TIME TO TIME SO THAT THE CO-ORDINATED UNIVERSAL TIME WILL NOT DIFFER FROM THE ASTRONOMICAL TIME BY MORE THAN NINE-TENTHS OF A SECOND.
THE LAST ADJUSTMENT WAS MADE ON JULY 1 LAST YEAR.
THE ROYAL OBSERVATORY MAINTAINS THE HONG KONG TIME STANDARD AND SINCE 1980, OPERATES A HIGH PRECISION ATOMIC CLOCK TO GIVE THE COORDINATED UNIVERSAL TIME.
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WHO WISH TO CARRY OUT TIME CHECKS CAN EITHER LISTEN TO THE TIME SIGNALS BROADCAST BY RADIO TELEVISION HONG KONG OR CALL THE ROYAL OBSERVATORY ON TEL 732 9472.
/27........
FRIDAY, JUNE 25, 1993
27 -
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 TWI 112.4 *-0.6* 25.6.93
$ MILLION
2,170
+ 630
2,800
NIL
-35
2,765
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND
EF NOTES/HONG KONG GOVERNMENT BONDS
TERMS YIELD TERM ISSUE COUPON PRICE YIELD
1 WEEK 3.37 PCT 14 MONTHS 2408 4 .375 100.32 -4.12
1 MONTH 3.37 PCT 17 MONTHS 24 11 4.625 100.42 4.35
3 MONTHS 3.35 PCT 20 MONTHS 2502 4.75 100.41 4.53
6 MONTHS 3.54 PCT 23 MONTHS 2505 3.75 98.37 4.71
12 MONTHS 3.89 PCT
TOTAL TURNOVER OF BILLS AND BONDS - 21 ,366 MN
CLOSED 25 JUNE 1993
0
Received by PRO
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
SATURDAY. JUNE 26, 1993
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
AIRPORT COMMITTEE MEETS ON JUNE 30 .............................. 1
PARENTS URGED TO JOIN FORCES AGAINST DRUGS ...................... 1
EMPLOYEES MUST BE INSURED ....................................... 2
FIRING PRACTICE IN JULY ......................................... 3
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS .. 3
SUNDAY. JUNE 27, 1993
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
TYPHOON ROUND-UP ................................................ 4
RESULTS OF 1991 SURVEY OF TRANSPORT/RELATED SERVICES RELEASED 4
HK PEOPLE CARE ABOUT THEIR APPEARANCE ........................... 8
255 REDUNDANT TEACHERS FOUND JOBS ............................... 9
SATURDAY, JUNE 26, 1993
AIRPORT COMMITTEE MEETS ON JUNE .30 *****
THE BRITISH AND CHINESE SIDES HAVE AGREED THAT A MEETING OF THE AIRPORT COMMITTEE WILL BE HELD IN HONG KONG ON 30 JUNE IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING TO CONTINUE DISCUSSIONS ON FINANCIAL ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE AIRPORT PROJECT.
1
------o--------
PARENTS URGED TO JOIN FORCES AGAINST DRUGS
*****
ONE OF THE IMPORTANT WAYS TO TACKLE THE PROBLEM OF DRUG ABUSE IS TO PREVENT THE FORMATION OF AN ADDICTION.
THIS WAS SAID TODAY (SATURDAY) BY MS ROSANNA WONG, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE HONG KONG FEDERATION OF YOUTH GROUPS, WHILE SPEAKING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF AN EXHIBITION AT NEW TOWN PLAZA, SHA TIN TO MARK THE ANNUAL INTERNATIONAL DAY AGAINST DRUG ABUSE AND ILLICIT TRAFFICKING ORGANISED BY THE ACTION COMMITTEE AGAINST NARCOTICS (ACAN).
URGING PARENTS TO JOIN IN THE FIGHT AGAINST DRUGS, MS. ROSANNA WONG SAID: "AS PARENTS WHO ARE CLOSE TO OUR CHILDREN IN ALL ASPECTS, WE HAVE A ROLE TO PLAY. WE HAVE TO BE AWARE OF THE DRUG PROBLEM IN OUR SOCIETY. WE MUST GIVE OUR CHILDREN TENDER LOVE AND CARE, IMPRESS UPON THEM THE VALUE OF GOOD HEALTH AND STAYING DRUG-FREE.
TURNING TO THE GOVERNMENT’S SUPPLY REDUCTION EFFORTS, MS WONG SAID: "THE TASK OF COUNTERING SMUGGLING OF DRUGS INTO AND THROUGH HONG KONG IS A DIFFICULT ONE, GIVEN THE INTENSIVE TRADING AND COMMERCIAL ACTIVITIES THAT HONG KONG HAS WITH COUNTRIES ALL OVER THE WORLD.
"THE ROYAL HONG KONG POLICE FORCE AND THE CUSTOMS AND EXCISE DEPARTMENT HAVE APPROACHED THIS TASK WITH PROFESSIONALISM, AND ARE TO BE COMMENDED FOR THEIR REMARKABLE SUCCESSES.
"THEIR ACTIONS HAVE RESULTED IN SOME RECORD SEIZURES OF DRUGS, AND THE NEUTRALISING OF MAJOR SYNDICATES THROUGH JOINT OPERATIONS WITH OVERSEAS DRUG ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES."
ON THE INTERNATIONAL FRONT, SHE SAID: "HONG KONG COMPLIES WITH INTERNATIONAL CONTROLS ON DRUGS AND MAINTAINS CLOSE LINKS WITH INTERNATIONAL, REGIONAL, AND INTER-GOVERNMENTAL BODIES IN ANTI-DRUG ACTIVITIES."
"TO DATE, SOME $308 MILLION WORTH OF ASSETS HAVE BEEN FROZEN OR CONFISCATED AS A RESULT OF INTERNATIONAL CO-OPERATION," SHE ADDED.
/ATTENDED BY .......
SATURDAY, JUNE 26, 1993
2
ATTENDED BY MEMBERS OF ACAN AND ITS SUB-COMMITTEES, THE EXHIBITION, HELD BETWEEN JUNE 26 AND 28, AT THE PLAZA’S FOOTBRIDGE GALLERY INCLUDED A WIDE RANGE OF PANEL DISPLAYS INTRODUCING HONG KONG ANTI-DRUG ACTIVITIES AND VARIOUS FRONTS SUCH AS THE ENFORCEMENT ACTIONS BY THE POLICE, AND CUSTOMS AND EXCISE DEPARTMENT, AND TREATMENT SERVICES OPERATED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, THE SOCIETY FOR THE AID AND REHABILITATION OF DRUG ABUSE, PS 33, A COUNSELLING CENTRE FOR PSYCHOTROPIC SUBSTANCE ABUSERS AND OTHER VOLUNTARY ORGANISATIONS.
THE MESSAGE OF SAY ’NO’ TO DRUGS WILL BE DISSEMINATED THROUGH A SERIES OF PROGRAMME INCLUDING MINI-POP CONCERTS BY LOCAL SINGERS, AN ANTI-DRUG TALK BY MR CHAN SHUN-CHI, ONE OF THE 10 OUTSTANDING YOUNG PERSONS IN 1987, MAGIC SHOWS AND VIDEO SHOWS DURING THE EXHIBITION PERIOD AT THE MUSIC FOUNTAIN ATRIUM OF THE PLAZA.
------0--------
EMPLOYEES MUSI’ BE INSURED ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT TODAY (SATURDAY) ADVISED ALL EMPLOYERS OF THE REQUIREMENT TO TAKE OUT INSURANCE POLICIES FOR THEIR EMPLOYEES UNDER THE EMPLOYEES’ COMPENSATION ORDINANCE AND TO DISPLAY CONSPICUOUSLY TN THE PLACE OF EMPLOYMENT A NOTICE OF INSURANCE.
THE APPEAL FOLLOWED TWO RECENT COURT CASES IN WHICH WAI GARMENT FACTORY IN TUEN MUN WAS FINED $12,000 AND THE COFFEE SNACKS IN SHA TIN $5,000 RESPECTIVELY FOR FAILING TO
THE HANG MING WAH TAKE OUT
INSURANCE POLICIES.
THE OFFENCES WERE DETECTED BY LABOUR INSPECTORS DURING ROUTINE VISITS TO THE ESTABLISHMENTS LATE LAST YEAR.
’’ALL EMPLOYERS ARE REQUIRED TO TAKE OUT INSURANCE POLICIES TO COVER THEIR FULL LIABILITIES UNDER THE EMPLOYEES’ COMPENSATION ORDINANCE AND UNDER COMMON LAW,” LABOUR OFFICER (PROSECUTIONS) MISS KATHERINE TSANG EXPLAINED.
"AN INSURED EMPLOYER IS REQUIRED TO DISPLAY, TN A CONSPICUOUS PLACE OF THE PLACE OF EMPLOYMENT, A NOTICE SHOWING THE NAME OF THE EMPLOYER AND THE NAME OF THE INSURER," SHE SAID.
"OTHER DETAILS SHOULD INCLUDE THE POLICY NUMBER, THE DATE OF ISSUE OF THE POLICY AND THE COMMENCEMENT AND EXPIRY DATES OF THE INSURANCE PERIOD.
"THE NOTICE SHOULD ALSO INCLUDE THE NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES AND THE EXTENT OF THE LIABLILITY INSURED," SHE ADDED.
THE MAXIMUM PENALTY, ON SUMMARY CONV I CT I ON, FOR FAILURE TO TAKE OUT INSURANCE POLICY FOR EMPLOYEES, IS A FINE OF $20,000 AND IMPRISONMENT FOR ONE YEAR, MISS TSANG SAID, ADDING THAT FAILING TO DISPLAY A NOTICE OF INSURANCE IS LIABLE TO A MAXIMUM FINE OF $10,000.
--------0 - -
/3.........
SATURDAY, JUNE 26, 1993
3 -
F I R I N(i PR X< Till- I N JI LX ♦ t ♦ t I
FIRING PRACTICE WILL TXKF PLA( E XT THE HX LSI I N - ('ASTLE RANGE ON 14 DAYS NEXT MONTH.
THE PUBLIC IS ADVISED NOT 1’0 ENTER THE \REA WHEN RED FLAGS HOISTED.
PEAK
ARE
FOLLOW I NG ARE THE DATES \ND TIMES FOR I lli PRACTICE:
DATE TIME
JULY 5 (MONDAY) 8.30 \M 5 PM
JULY 6 (TUESDAY) 8.30 AM ; > PM
JULY 7 (WEDNESDAY) 8.30 AM 1 1 .59 PM
JULY 8 (THURSDAY 1 0.01 XM — 5 PM
JULY 9 (FRIDAX ) 8.30 AM 5 PM
JULX 1 3 (TUESDAY 1 8.30 XM 5 PM
JULX 1 4 (WEDNESDAY) R. 30 AM 5 PM
.JULY 1 5 (THURSDAX ) 8.30 AM 5 PM
JULY IG (FR1DAV 1 8.30 AM r, PM
JULX 1 9 (MONDAY) 8.30 AM r> PM
JULX 20 (TUESDAY' 1 8.3 0 XM ; • PM
JULX 2 1 (WEDNESDAY 1 8.30 XM 5 PM
JULX 22 (THURSDAX 1 8.30 XM .* > PM
JULY 2 3 (FR1 DAY ) 8.30 AM — 5 PM
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HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS * * * * *
$ MILLION
OPENING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT 2,765
REVERSAL OF LAF -80
BALANCE AFTER REVERSAL OF LAF 2,685
NET INJECTION/WITHDRAWAL TODAY NIL
EFFECT OF LAF TODAY -900
CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT 1,785
LAF RATE 2.00 BID/4.00 OFFER TWI 112.4 *+0.0*
26.6.93
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/4
SUNDAY, JUNE 27, 1993
- 4 -
TYPHOON ROUND-UP * * *
AT 10.30 PM, THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT HAS REGISTERED 60 PEOPLE WITH ABOUT 50 OF THEM BEING ACCOMMODATED IN THE HENRY G LEONG YAUMATEI COMMUNITY CENTRE. HOT MEALS AND RELIEF ARTICLES WERE DISTRIBUTED.
THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION HAS OPENED 50 SHELTERS, AND 92 PEOPLE TOOK REFUGE THERE.
SINCE THE NO. 8 NORTHEAST STORM SIGNAL WAS HOISTED AT 10.30 AM YESTERDAY (SUNDAY) MORNING, A MAXIMUM GUST OF 173 KILOMETRES PER HOUR WAS RECORDED IN CHEUNG CHAU.
THE HEAVIEST RAINFALL WAS RECORDED IN THE NORTH OF SHA TIN, WITH AN AVERAGE OF MORE THAN 30 MILLIMETRES, COMPARED WITH AN AVERAGE OF 10 TO 20 MILLIMETRES IN THE URBAN AREAS.
AT THE AIRPORT, 32 FLIGHTS WERE CANCELLED AND 63 DIVERTED TO OTHER DESTINATIONS.
MOST OF THE PUBLIC TRANSPORT SERVICES WERE SUSPENDED DURING THE PASSAGE OF TYPHOON KORYN. MTR AND KCR TRAINS, AS WELL AS THE LIGHT RAIL HAVE BEEN OPERATING AT REDUCED INTERVALS.
AFTER THE LOWERING OF NO. 8 STORM SIGNAL, SOME OF THE BUS SERVICES RESUMED NORMAL, BEGINNING 11 PM.
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RESULTS OF 1991 SURVEY OF TRANSPORT/RELATED SERVICES RELEASED * * * * *
THE BUSINESS RECEIPTS AND OTHER INCOME GENERATED BY TRANSPORT ESTABLISHMENTS DURING 1991 AMOUNTED TO $134 BILLION, VIRTUALLY THE SAME AS IN 1990.
THE GROSS SURPLUS (WHICH EQUALS BUSINESS RECEIPTS LESS OPERATING EXPENSES AND COMPENSATION OF EMPLOYEES) ACCOUNTED FOR 14.3% OF THE TOTAL BUSINESS RECEIPTS. THIS WAS 2.1 PERCENTAGE POINTS HIGHER THAN THE FIGURE IN 1990.
THE ABOVE ARE SOME OF THE MAJOR RESULTS OF THE 1991 SURVEY OF TRANSPORT AND RELATED SERVICES RELEASED TODAY (SUNDAY) BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT. THE SURVEY WAS CONDUCTED FROM MAY 1992 TO EARLY 1993.
ALL VALUE FIGURES ARE EXPRESSED IN CURRENT PRICE TERMS. PERCENTAGE CHANGES DERIVED FROM THESE FIGURES HAVE NOT BEEN ADJUSTED FOR PRICE CHANGES. CAUTION SHOULD THEREFORE BE TAKEN IN INTERPRETING THE SURVEY RESULTS.
/THE OPERATING ......
SUNDAY, JUNE 27, 1993
- 5 -
THE OPERATING EXPENSES AND COMPENSATION OE EMPLOYEES INCURRED BY TRANSPORT ESTABLISHMENTS IN 1991 ACCOUNTED FOR 71.3% AND 14.4% OF THE BUSINESS RECEIPTS RESPECTIVELY.
COMPARED WITH 1990, THE SHARE OF OPERATING RECEIPTS DECREASED BY 3.4 PERCENTAGE POINTS WHILE OF EMPLOYEES INCREASED BY 1.3 PERCENTAGE POINTS.
EXPENSES IN BUSINESS THAT OF COMPENSATION
THE SURVEY RESULTS SHOWED THAT SOME 39,000 TRANSPORT ESTABLISHMENTS WERE IN OPERATION IN 1991, AN INCREASE OF 10% OVER 1990.
THE SECTOR’S VALUE ADDED GREW BY 11%, FROM $37 BILLION IN 1990 TO $41.2 BILLTON IN 1991.
IN 1991, SERVICES INCIDENTAL TO TRANSPORT, SUCH AS ESTABLISHMENTS ENGAGED IN AIR/SEA CARGO FORWARDING, PACKING AND CRATING GOODS FOR TRANSPORTATION, TRAVEL AGENCIES AND SHIPBROKERS, HAD THE LARGEST SHARE OF BUSINESS RECEIPTS, ACCOUNTING FOR 43% OF THE SECTOR’S TOTAL.
THIS WAS FOLLOWED BY AIR TRANSPORT (20%); OCEAN AND COASTAL WATER TRANSPORT (12%); LAND PASSENGER TRANSPORT (10%); LAND FREIGHT TRANSPORT (7%); SUPPORTING SERVICES TO WATER TRANSPORT (5%); INLAND WATER TRANSPORT (2%) AND SUPPORTING SERVICES TO LAND TRANSPORT (1%).
ON THE OTHER HAND, IN TERMS OF VALUE ADDED, AIR TRANSPORT CONTRIBUTED THE LARGEST PORTION, ACCOUNTING FOR 25% OF THE TOTAL VALUE ADDED OF THE SECTOR, FOLLOWED BY LAND PASSENGER TRANSPORT (22%), OCEAN AND COASTAL WATER TRANSPORT (18%); SERVICES INCIDENTAL TO TRANSPORT (12%);LAND FREIGHT TRANSPORT (11%); SUPPORTING SERVICES TO WATER TRANSPORT (6%); INLAND WATER TRANSPORT (3%) AND SUPPORTING SERVICES TO LAND TRANSPORT (2%).
IN TERMS OF BUSINESS RECEIPTS, SUPPORTING SERVICES TO LAND TRANSPORT RECORDED THE LARGEST INCREASE OVER 1990 (13%). THE INCREASE WAS MAINLY A RESULT OF THE CONTINUED PRIVATISATION OF A NUMBER OF CAR PARKS AND VEHICULAR TUNNELS (E.G. THE ABERDEEN TUNNEL WAS PRIVATISED IN SEPTEMBER 1991) WHICH WERE FORMERLY OPERATED BY THE GOVERNMENT.
THE OPENING OF THE TATE’S CAIRN TUNNEL IN JUNE 1991 ALSO CONTRIBUTED TO THE INCREASE. IN ADDITION, LAND PASSENGER TRANSPORT AND LAND FREIGHT TRANSPORT REGISTERED LARGE INCREASES IN 1991, BOTH GREW BY 12%.
ON THE OTHER HAND, BOTH OCEAN AND COASTAL WATER. TRANSPORT AND SERVICES INCIDENTAL TO TRANSPORT RECORDED DECREASES IN BUSINESS RECEI PTS.
THE DECREASE IN OCEAN AND COASTAL WATER TRANSPORT (-15%) WAS RESULTED FROM THE SHRINKAGE IN THE BUSINESS OF SHIP OWNERS/OPERATORS OF SEA-GOING VESSELS, WHEREAS THE DECLINE IN SERVICES INCIDENTAL TO TRANSPORT (-3%) WAS MAINLY DUE TO THE STAGNANT BUSINESS OF TRAVEL AGENCIES AFFECTED BY THE WORLDWIDE ECONOMIC RECESSION.
/IN TERMS .......
SUNDAY, JUNE 27, 1993
- 6 -
IN TERMS OF VALUE ADDED, OCEAN AND COASTAL WATER TRANSPORT INCREASED SIGNIFICANTLY BY 30% OVER 1990, DESPITE A DECREASE IN BUSINESS RECEIPTS. THE SECOND LARGEST INCREASE WAS REGISTERED IN INLAND WATER TRANSPORT (22%).
ON INVESTMENT, IN TERMS OF GROSS ADDITIONS TO FIXED ASSETS, SUPPORTING SERVICES TO LAND TRANSPORT RECORDED THE LARGEST INCREASE AS A RESULT OF THE OPENING OF THE TATE’S CAIRN TUNNEL. THE VALUE OF GROSS ADDITIONS WAS MORE THAN FIVE TIMES OF THAT IN 1990. IT WAS FOLLOWED BY SUPPORTING SERVICES TO WATER TRANSPORT, WHICH HAD A FIVETIME INCREASE OVER 1990.
SUMMARY STATISTICS FOR THE 1991 SURVEY OF TRANSPORT AND RELATED SERVICES WILL BE INCLUDED IN THE MAY 1992 ISSUE OF THE HONG KONG MONTHLY DIGEST OF STATISTICS PUBLISHED BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
MORE DETAILED RESULTS TOGETHER WITH THE BACKGROUND AND METHODOLOGY OF THE SURVEY WILL BE GIVEN IN A FULL SURVEY REPORT TO BE PUBLISHED AROUND AUGUST.
THIS REPORT WILL BE ON SALE AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATION CENTRE, GROUND FLOOR, GENERAL OFFICE BUILDING, CONNAUGHT PLACE, CENTRAL; AND THE PUBLICATION SALES COUNTER OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT, 19TH FLOOR, WANCHAJ TOWER , 12 HARBOUR ROAD, WAN CHAI, HONG KONG.
ENQUIRIES REGARDING THE SURVEY RESULTS MAY BE DIRECTED TO THE TRANSPORT AND MISCELLANEOUS SERVICES STATISTICS SECTION ON TEL 802 1277.
/7........
COMPziHISON OF SELECTED PRINCIPAL STATISTICS FOR ALL ESTABLISHMENTS IN THE TRANSPORT AND RELATED SERVICES SECTOR BETWEEN 1990 AND 1991
NUMBER OF ESTABLISH- NUMBER OF PERSONS NUMBER OF COMPENSA- TION OF OPERATING BUSINESS RECEIPTS AND OTHER GROSS ADDITIONS TO FIXED VALUE GROSS
MAJOR INDUSTRY GROUP MENTS ENGAGED EMPLOYEES EMPLOYEES EXPENSES INCOME ASSETS ADDED SURPLUS
S'Mn $'Mn S’Mn $ 'Mn $ 'Mn $ 'Mn
LAND PASSENGER 1991 17 926 48 662 29 662 3,551 6,378 13,457 1,802 9,176 3,528
TRANSPORT 1990 17 389 48 265 29 209 3,113 6,154 12,004 1,520 8,184 2,738
% change 3 1 2 14 4 12 19 12 29
LAND FREIGHT 1991 14 328 39 606 25 649 2,262 5,572 9,721 729 4,659 1,887
TRANSPORT 1990 12 120 38 392 25 633 2,169 4,881 8,668 710 4,476 1,618
I change 18 3 • 4 14 12 3 4 17
SUPPORTING 1991 97 2 739 2 691 227 1,082 1,742 603 797 434
SERVICES TO LAND 1990 99 2 242 2 201 >75 981 1,537 108 671 380
| TRANSPORT % change -2 22 22 29 10 13 460 19 14
I OCEAN AND 1991 392 15 769 15 755 2,702 9,136 16,348 3,232 7,541 4,510
COASTAL WATER 1990 447 16 631 16 625 2,580 13,865 19,228 8,099 5,819 2,783
1 | TRANSPORT 4 change -12 -3 -3 5 -34 -15 -60 30 62
o INLAND WATER 1991 820 5 935 3 166 581 1,199 2,306 451 1,125 526
TRANSPORT 1990 676 5 433 4 690 469 1,165 2,076 228 924 443
1 1 • change 21 10 10 24 3 11 98 22 19
1 SUPPORTING 1991 2 112 11 474 9 674 1,224 4,446 6,540 702 2,537 870
SERVICES TO 1990 2 239 12 809 10 836 1,309 4,407 6,427 136 2,635 711
1 WATER TRANSPORT • change -7 -10 -11 -7 1 2 414 -4 22
AIR TRANSPORT 1991 57 20 509 20 309 5,414 15,271 26,635 5,695 10,492 5,950
1990 39 16 636 16 636 4,876 14,330 25,106 2,706 9,616 5,899
% change -3 23 23 11 7 6 110 9 1
SERVICES 1991 3 411 33 716 31 661 3,312 52,668 57,508 465 4,855 1,528
INCIDENTAL TO 1990 2 454 32 927 31 919 2,937 54,486 59,203 407 4,679 1,780
TRANSPORT 4 change 39 2 -1 13 -3 -3 14 4 -14
ALL TRANSPORT 1991 39 143 178 430 140 767 19,273 95,751 134,258 13,679 41,181 19,234
GROUPS 1990 - 35 505 173 336 137 750 17,628 100,268 134,248 13,914 37,004 16,351
4 change 10 3 2 9 -5 • -2 11 18
GOVERNMENT 1991 3 1 361 1 361 369 504 2,763 696 2,261 N.A.
TRANSPORT 1990 3 1 206 1 206 311 424 2,429 576 2,004 N.A.
03 4 change • 13 13 19 19 14 21 13 (-)
Notea t (1) Figure* denoting changee are derived from unrounded figures.
(2) Individual items nay not add up to the corresponding total due to rounding.
(3) Value added is a measure of the contribution of an economic sector to Hong Kong's Gross Domestic Product. The definition can be found in the -1991 Survey of Transport and Related Services- report.
(4) * denotes » change less than 10.5t.
SUNDAY, JUNE 21, 1993
SUNDAY, JUNE 27, 1993
HK PEOPLE CARE ABOUT THEIR APPEARANCE *****
NOT ONLY ARE THE PEOPLE OE HONG KONG HARI) WORKING, THEY ARE ALSO METICULOUS ABOUT THEIR APPEARANCE.
THIS IS THE COMMENT BY MRS PATTEN TODA A (SUNDAY).
AND I AM NOT JUST TALKING ABOUT THE WOMEN,
SHE SAID.
SPEAKING AT THE SEVENTH COSMETIC, HAIR AND BEAUTY EXHIBITION WHICH IS ASIA’S LARGEST EXHIBITION OE ITS KIND, MRS PATTEN SAJI) IT WAS HARDLY SURPRISING THAT HONG KONG WAS AN IMPORTANT AND A GROWING MARKET FOR BEAUTY PRODUCTS IN THE REGION.
MRS PATTEN EXPECTED THE OUTLOOK OF IMPORTS OE COSMETICS AND HAIR CARE PRODUCTS FOR THIS YEAR WAS VERY GOOD INDEED.
’’NOT ONLY BECAUSE THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG ARE BECOMING MORE PROSPEROUS, WHICH ENABLES THEM TO SPEND MORE ON BEAUTY CARE AND LOOK I NG GOOD.
BUT ALSO AS A RESULT OF THE GOVERNMENT’S DECISION TO ABOLISH
THE 30 PER CENT DUTY ON COSMETIC'S IN THE CURRENT FINANCIAL YEAR,” SHE SAID.
SHE SAID IT WAS EXPECTED THAT PART OF THIS REDUCTION IN COSTS WOULD BE PASSED ON TO CONSUMERS, AND THAT THE EFFECT IT WOULD HAVE ON DOMESTIC' SALES AS WELL AS INCREASED PURCHASES BY OVERSEAS VISITORS WOULD BE SIGNIFICANT.
THE IMPORTS HAD BEEN INCREASING AT AN AVERAGE RATE OF 11 PER CENT ANNUALIA IN THE PAST FOUR YEARS AND REACHED A TOTAL VALUE OF HK$4.7 BILLION LAST YEAR.
SINCE THE EXHIBITION WENT INTERNATIONAL IN 1989, IT HAS ATTRACTED TWICE THE NUMBER OE EXHIBITORS FROM SOME 20 COUNTRIES TO SHOW THEIR PRODUCTS IN HONG KONG. AMONG THEM ARE THE USA, FRANCE, ITALY AND THE UK WHICH ARE ALL WELL-KNOWN FOR THEIR BEAUTY INDUSTRIES.
MRS PATTEN SAID SHE WAS HAPPY TO LEARN THAT THE EXHIBITION WAS ATTRACTING AN INCREASING NUMBER OE BUYERS AND VISITORS FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD AND PARTICULARLY FROM COUNTRIES IN THE ASIA PACIFIC REGION.
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SUNDAY, JUNE 27, 1993
- 9
255 REDUNDANT TEACHERS FOUND JOBS *****
ALL REDUNDANT TEACHERS REGISTERED WITH THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT’S PLACEMENT SERVICE HAVE BEEN PLACED IN VARIOUS AIDED PRIMARY SCHOOLS.
’’THE DEPARTMENT WOULD LIKE TO THANK THE SPONSORING BODIES AND SCHOOL AUTHORITIES FOR THEIR CO-OPERATI ON IN ACCEPTING ALL 255 REDUNDANT TEACHERS,” A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY (SUNDAY).
ALL AIDED PRIMARY SCHOOLS HAVE ALSO BEEN INFORMED THAT THERE WAS NO NEED TO RESERVE VACANCIES FOR REDUNDANT TEACHERS, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
THE PLACEMENT SERVICE, SET UP IN 1975, HAS SO FAR HELPED SOME 7,000 REDUNDANT AIDED PRIMARY SCHOOL TEACHERS.
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Received by PRO on 3 0 JUN 199.?
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL.: 842 8777
MONDAY, JUNE 28, 1993
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
DEBATE ON LANDLORD AND TENANT AMENDMENT BILL TO RESUME .......... 1
TELEVISION (ROYALTY AND LICENCE FEES) REGULATION ................ 3
CONSULTANCY STUDY ON URBAN LANDFILL RESTORATION ................. 3
PROVISIONAL RESULTS OF QUARTERLY SURVEY OF RESTAURANT RECEIPTS AND PURCHASES FOR FIRST QUARTER OF 1993 .............. 4
SCAFFOLD SAFETY URGED AFTER TYPHOON ............................. 7
CPB SUPPORTS EXTENSION OF COUNTRY PARK AT TAI TONG .............. 7
PAC HEARING ON WEDNESDAY ........................................ 8
JAMES TIEN ELECTED TO LEGCO .................................... 10
SPEL VISITS PEARL RIVER DELTA .................................. 10
APPOINTMENT OF DEPUTY CHAIRMAN OF SECURITIES AND FUTURES COMMISSION ................................................... 10
SALT WATER CUT IN KOWLOON EAST ................................. 11
WATER STORAGE FIGURE ........................................... 11
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS .
12
MONDAY, JUNE 28, 1993
1
DEBATE ON LANDLORD AND TENANT AMENDMENT BILL TO RESUME *****
THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL’S DEBATE ON THE LANDLORD AND TENANT (CONSOLIDATION) (AMENDMENT) BILL 1992 WILL RESUME ON WEDNESDAY (JUNE 30), A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (MONDAY).
THE ADMINISTRATION WILL INTRODUCE AT THE COMMITTEE STAGE OP THE BILL A NUMBER OF SIGNIFICANT AMENDMENTS.
"THESE ADJUSTMENTS ARE CONSIDERED TO BE EQUITABLE, AFFORDABLE AND FAIR TO BOTH AFFECTED TENANTS AND LANDLORDS," HE SAID.
THE SPOKESMAN POINTED OUT THAT THE BILL WAS INTRODUCED INTO LEGCO IN JUNE 1992 AND HAS BEEN SUBJECT TO SCRUTINY BY A LEGCO AD HOC GROUP. CONSIDERABLE PUBLIC COMMENTARY HAS ALSO BEEN EXPRESSED ON VARIOUS ASPECTS OF THE BILL.
SUMMING UP THE CHANGES, HE SAID: "IT WILL BE PROPOSED THAT THE ANNUAL ADJUSTMENTS TO THE MINIMUM RENT IN PART II CONTROLLED TENANCIES BE REDUCED FROM 7.5 PERCENTAGE POINTS OF THE PREVAILING MARKET RENT TO 5. THIS IS IN LINE WITH PAST INCREASES UP TO 1991."
IT IS ALSO PROPOSED TO EXTEND THE EXPIRY DATE FOR PART II CONTROLS WHICH AFFECT 97% OF ALL CONTROLLED PREMISES FROM DECEMBER 31, 1994 TO DECEMBER 31, 1996.
FINALLY IT IS PROPOSED TO INCREASE THE MULTIPLIER FOR STATUTORY COMPENSATION FOR TENANTS DISPOSSESSED ON REDEVELOPMENT FROM 1.3 OF THE CURRENT RATEABLE VALUE TO 1.7.
THE SPOKESMAN EMPHASISED THAT THE RENTAL MARKET WOULD BE CONTINUOUSLY AND CAREFULLY MONITORED BY THE COMMISSIONER OF RATING AND VALUATION.
"IT WILL BE RELATIVELY EASY BY WAY OF LEGCO RESOLUTION TO ADJUST THE ANNUAL INCREASES IN MINIMUM RENT LEVELS, THEIR TIME-FRAME AND THE LEVEL OF STATUTORY COMPENSATION," HE ADDED.
HE NOTED THAT IN JULY AND AUGUST 1992 THE RATING AND VALUATION DEPARTMENT CONDUCTED A SURVEY OF ALL PART II CONTROLLED PREMISES.
FROM THIS SURVEY IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT CONTROLS AFFECT SOME 45,500 HOUSEHOLDS, 137,000 PERSONS IN SOME 32,500 PREMISES.
"MANY TENANTS OF THESE PREMISES HAVE ENJOYED BELOW MARKET RENTS FOR 20 YEARS. CONTROLS DISCOURAGE LANDLORDS FROM REFURBISHING OR MAINTAINING THEIR UNITS.
"MOREOVER, MANY LANDLORDS ARE SINGLE-PREMISES OWNERS AND ARE DEPENDENT ON RENTS FOR THEIR LIVELIHOOD. IT IS WORTH MENTIONING THAT ABOUT 70% OF LANDLORDS BOUGHT THEIR PREMISES BEFORE RENT CONTROLS WERE INTRODUCED IN 1973," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
HE ADDED THAT UNDER THE NEW PROPOSALS MANY TENANTS WOULD CONTINUE TO ENJOY SUB-MARKET RENTS FOR A FURTHER FOUR TO FIVE YEARS.
/"FAILURE TO .......
MONDAY, JUNE 28, 1993
2
"FAILURE TO START THE PROCESS OF DECONTROL WILL MAKE EVENTUAL DECONTROL MORE DIFFICULT AS THE DISPARITY BETWEEN CONTROLLED RENTS AND MARKET RENTS WILL GROW," HE SAID.
TURNING TO PUBLIC CONCERN OVER THE LESS-PRIVILEGED TENANTS OF CONTROLLED PREMISES, THE SPOKESMAN SAID THIS WAS UNDERSTANDABLE.
"THESE ARE THE 2,100 TENANTS OCCUPYING BED-SPACES. LAST YEAR’S SURVEY CONFIRMED THAT MANY WERE IN FACT PAYING MARKET-LEVEL RENTS.
IT IS ESTIMATED THAT UNDER THE NEW PROVISIONS THESE BED-SPACE TENANTS WILL ON AVERAGE FACE NO ADDITIONAL INCREASES IN THE FIRST YEAR OF DECONTROL AND VERY MODEST ADDITIONAL INCREASES THEREAFTER.
THE SURVEY CONFIRMED THAT THE AVERAGE CONTROLLED BED-SPACE RENT WAS $279 WHICH REPRESENTED SOME 7.3% OF THE OCCUPANTS’ INCOMES.
THE POSSIBLE IMPACT OF ANTICIPATED RENT INCREASES ON THE LESS-PRIVILEGED GROUP HAS BEEN DISCUSSED WITH THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT.
"WE ARE SATISFIED THAT, IN THE UNLIKELY EVENT OF A CONTROLLED TENANT FACING HARDSHIP, THERE IS ADEQUATE SOCIAL SECURITY ASSISTANCE AVAILABLE TO ANYONE WHO CAN PROVE A GENUINE NEED," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
AFTER RENT CONTROLS ARE PHASED OUT, AFFECTED TENANTS WILL CONTINUE TO ENJOY SECURITY OF TENURE IF THEY PAY MARKET RENTS, HE POINTED OUT.
ON THE PROPOSAL FOR STATUTORY COMPENSATION FOR TENANTS DISPOSSESSED ON REDEVELOPMENT, HE SAID IT WOULD MORE THAN DOUBLE THE CURRENT RATE.
"IT WILL ALLOW A DISPOSSESSED TENANT TO RENT SIMILAR PREMISES FOR SOME EIGHT MONTHS. IT IS SIGNIFICANTLY MORE GENEROUS THAN THE PREVAILING LEVEL OF CONSENT ORDERS.
"THE ADMINISTRATION IS CONVINCED THAT ITS NEW PROPOSALS ARE FAIR TO BOTH TENANTS AND LANDLORDS AND WILL NOT CAUSE HARDSHIP. FURTHER DELAY IN THEIR IMPLEMENTATION WOULD BE UNFAIR," HE CONCLUDED.
ATTENTION NEWS EDITORS:
AN ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION, MR AUGUSTINE K LEE, AND SENIOR VALUATION SURVEYOR, MR S N POON, WILL BE AVAILABLE TO TAKE FOLLOW-UP QUESTIONS ON THIS SUBJECT AT 3.30 PM TODAY (MONDAY) AT CNTA HEADQUARTERS, 30TH FLOOR, SOUTHORN CENTRE, HENNESSY ROAD, WAN CHAI.
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/3 ........
MONDAY, JUNE 28, 1993
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TELEVISION (ROYALTY AND LICENCE FEES) REGULATION
*****
THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL HAS APPROVED THE TELEVISION (ROYALTY AND LICENCE FEES) REGULATION UNDER THE TELEVISION ORDINANCE TO PROVIDE FOR THE DETERMINATION OF THE AMOUNTS OF ROYALTY AND LICENCE FEES PAYABLE BY ASIA TELEVISION LTD, TELEVISION BROADCASTS LTD AND WHARF CABLE.
THE TELEVISION ORDINANCE REQUIRES ROYALTY AND LICENCE FEE TO BE PROVIDED FOR BY REGULATION.
WHARF CABLE HAS BEEN GRANTED A 12-YEAR SUBSCRIPTION TELEVISION LICENCE EFFECTIVE FROM JUNE 1, 1993.
THE ROYALTY RATES FOR SUBSCRIPTION TELEVISION STIPULATED IN THE REGULATION ARE, THEREFORE, NEW.
THE ROYALTY RATES FOR COMMERCIAL TELEVISION REFLECT A REDUCTION IN THE ROYALTY RATE EQUIVALENT TO ABOUT TWO PER CENT OF THEIR NET ADVERTISING REVENUE.
THIS IS TO TIE IN WITH THE LIFTING OF THE RESTRICTION ON CANTONESE BROADCASTING ON THREE OF STAR TV’S FIVE FREE-TO-AIR CHANNELS, AND THE FORMAL LAUNCH OF WHARF CABLE’S SUBSCRIPTION TELEVISION SERVICE.
ATV, TVB AND WHARF CABLE LIMITED HAVE BEEN CONSULTED AND HAVE SEEN THE REGULATION, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE RECREATION AND CULTURE BRANCH SAID TODAY (MONDAY).
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CONSULTANCY STUDY ON URBAN LANDFILL RESTORATION
*****
THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT (EPD) HAS COMMISSIONED A STUDY TO OBTAIN ADDITIONAL INFORMATION AS PART OF THE IMPLEMENTATION PROGRAMME FOR THE RESTORATION OF URBAN LANDFILLS.
THE STUDY WILL LAST NINE MONTHS UNTIL EARLY 1994.
THE AGREEMENT FOR THE $5.25-MILL1ON STUDY WAS SIGNED TODAY (MONDAY) BETWEEN EPD’S ASSISTANT DIRECTOR, MR MIKE STOKOE, AND A REPRESENTATIVE OF BINNIE CONSULTANTS LIMITED.
AN EPD SPOKESMAN SAID: ’’UNLIKE THE THREE NEW STRATEGIC LANDFILLS, THE EXISTING URBAN LANDFILLS WERE NOT DESIGNED TO MINIMISE THEIR ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT."
RECENT INVESTIGATIONS OF FIVE CLOSED LANDFILLS AT JORDAN VALLEY, NGAU CHI WAN, MA YAU TONG CENTRAL, MA YAU TONG WEST AND GIN DRINKERS BAY, IDENTIFIED THE NEED TO REMOVE THE POTENTIAL HAZARDS, MINIMISE THE AIR AND WATER POLLUTION AS WELL AS RESTORE THE SITES TO ENVIRONMENTALLY ACCEPTABLE CONDITIONS FOR COMMUNITY USE.
/A RESTORATION .......
MONDAY, JUNE 28, 1993
4
A RESTORATION PROGRAMME WILL BE IMPLEMENTED OVER THE NEXT FOUR YEARS TO PROVIDE THE FACILITIES NEEDED TO CONTROL THE IMPACTS IDENTIFIED IN THE INVESTIGATION, THE SPOKESMAN^SAID.
THE MAIN TASKS WILL INCLUDE TREATMENT OF LEACHATE AND PROPER COLLECTION AND DISPOSAL OF THE LANDFILL GAS.
AS PART OF THE IMPLEMENTATION PROGRAMME, THE TREATABILITY OF LEACHATE WILL BE ASSESSED IN ORDER TO PROVIDE THE INFORMATION NEEDED TO DESIGN LEACHATE TREATMENT PLANTS, HE SAID.
LEACHATE MANAGEMENT AS WELL AS LAND USE \OPTIONS FOR THE SAI TSO WAN LANDFILL, WILL BE CONSIDERED IN THE CURRENT STUDY, HE ADDED.
THE SPOKESMAN POINTED OUT THAT THE AGREEMENT INCLUDED TWO PACKAGES OF WORKS.
i
PACKAGE ONE IS FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF A \ LEACHATE MANAGEMENT PLAN AND LAND USE OPTIONS FOR SAI TSO WAN LANDFILL.
PACKAGE TWO IS TO CARRY OUT A LEACHATE TREATABILITY TRIAL FOR THE TWO PROPOSED LEACHATE MANAGEMENT SCHEMES WHICH WILL SERVE THE FIVE URBAN LANDFILLS.
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PROVISIONAL RESULTS OF QUARTERLY SURVEY OF RESTAURANT RECEIPTS AND PURCHASES FOR FIRST QUARTER OF 1993 ******
THE VALUE OF TOTAL RECEIPTS FOR THE RESTAURANT SECTOR IN THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1993, ESTIMATED AT $11.3 BILLION, INCREASED BY 4% WHEN COMPARED WITH THE SAME QUARTER OF 1992, ACCORDING TO THE PROVISIONAL STATISTICS RELEASED TODAY (MONDAY) BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
AFTER DISCOUNTING THE EFFECT OF PRICE CHANGES OVER THE PERIOD, TOTAL RECEIPTS DECREASED BY 6% IN VOLUME TERMS.
THE VALUE OF TOTAL PURCHASES OF RESTAURANTS IN THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1993, ESTIMATED AT $4.1 BILLION, WAS 1% LOWER THAN IN THE SAME QUARTER OF 1992.
THE TOTAL RECEIPTS OF BARS RECORDED THE LARGEST INCREASE IN THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1993, BY 21% IN VALUE AND 11% IN VOLUME AS COMPARED WITH A YEAR AGO.
FOLLOWING RAPID GROWTH IN 1991 AND 1992, THE TOTAL RECEIPTS OF FAST FOOD SHOPS INCREASED AT A MUCH SLOWER RATE IN THIS QUARTER, BY 9% IN VALUE AND 2% IN VOLUME.
/THE TOTAL .......
MONDAY, JUNE 2P, 1993
5
THE TOTAL RECEIPTS OF NON-CHINESE RESTAURANTS ALSO REGISTERED A MODERATE INCREASE OF 10% IN VALUE, BUT VIRTUALLY NO CHANGE IN VOLUME.
ON THE OTHER HAND, THE TOTAL RECEIPTS OF CHINESE RESTAURANTS REMAINED UNCHANGED IN VALUE TERMS AND DROPPED BY 9% 1N VOLUME.
COMPARING THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1993 WITH THE PRECEDING QUARTER, AND BEARING IN MIND THAT THE COMPARISON MAY BE AFFECTED BY SEASONAL FACTORS, TOTAL RESTAURANT RECEIPTS DECREASED BY 2% TN VALUE AND 6% IN VOLUME.
RESTAURANT RECEIPTS IN VOLUME TERMS ARE DERIVED FROM RECEIPTS IN VALUE TERMS AFTER ADJUSTING FOR PRICE CHANGES. THE RELEVANT COMPONENTS OF THE CONSUMER PRICE INDEX ARE USED AS DEFLATORS.
THE REPORT ON THE QUARTERLY SURVEY OF RESTAURANT RECEIPTS AND PURCHASES FOR THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1993 IS NOW ON SALE AT $2 A COPY AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, GENERAL POST OFFICE BUILDING, CONNAUGHT PLACE, CENTRAL; AND THE PUBLICATIONS SECTION OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT, 19TH FLOOR, WANCHAI TOWER, WAN CHAI.
ENQUIRIES ABOUT THE SURVEY RESULTS MAY BE DIRECTED TO THE WHOLESALE AND RETAIL TRADE STATISTICS SECTION OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT (TEL NO.: 802 1258).
TABLE 1 PRESENTS THE REVISED FIGURES FOR THE TOTAL RECEIPTS AND TOTAL PURCHASES OF THE RESTAURANT SECTOR FOR THE FOURTH QUARTER OF 1992 AND THE PROVISIONAL FIGURES FOR THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1993.
TABLE 2 SHOWS THE VALUE AND VOLUME INDICES OF TOTAL RECEIPTS BY TYPE OF RESTAURANT FOR THE FOURTH QUARTER OF 1992 AND THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1993, WITH THE QUARTERLY AVERAGE FROM OCTOBER 1989 TO SEPTEMBER 1990 TAKEN AS 100.
ALSO TABULATED ARE COMPARISON OF THE RESULTS OF THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1993 WITH THOSE OF THE FOURTH QUARTER OF 1992 AND THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1992.
/TABLE 1 .......
MONDAY, JUNE 28, 1993
6
TABLE 1: TOTAL RESTAURANT RECEIPTS AND PURCHASES
4th qtr. 1992 1st qtr. 1993
(Revised figures) (Provisional figures)
Total restaurant receipts (in million) 11 590.0 11 319.1
Total purchases by restaurants (in million) 4 238.4 4 106.9
TABLE 2; VALUE AND VOLUME INDICES OF TOTAL RESTAURANT RECEIPTS FOR 4th QUARTER 1992 AND 1st QUARTER 1993
(Quarterly average of Oct. 89 - Sept. 90 = 100)
Type of restaurant Index of total restaurant receipts 4th quarter 1992 1st quarter 1993 1st qtr. ?4993 compared wi th 1st qtr. 1993
compared 1st qtr. wi th 1992
4th qtr. 1992
(Revised (Provisional Points X points X
figures) figures)
Chinese restaurants Value 127.5 124.6 -3.0 -2.3 ♦0.4 ♦0.3
Volume 95.3 90.3 -5.0 -5.2 -8.9 -9.0
Non-Chinese restaurants Value 129.1 129.5 +0.4 ♦0.3 ♦ 11.4 ♦9.7
Volume 98.4 94.9 -3.5 -3.6 -0.1 -0.1
Fast food shops Value 185.6 174.5 -11.0 -5.9 ♦ 14.8 ♦9.3
Volume 147.3 134.0 -13.2 -9.0 ♦2.1 ♦ 1.6
Bars Value 203.3 191.0 -12.3 -6.0 ♦33.4 ♦21.2
Volume 152.0 138.7 -13.2 -8.7 ♦ 13.6 ♦ 10.9
Other eating and Value 153.4 160.2 ♦6.8 ♦4.4 ♦7.5 ♦4.9
drinking places Volume 122.5 118.7 -3.7 -3.0 -8.8 -6.9
All restaurant types Value 134.9 131.7 -3.2 -2.3 ♦4.6 ♦3.6
Volune 102.0 96.4 -5.6 -5.5 -5.7 -5.6
n....
MONDAY, JUNE 28, 1993
7 -
SCAFFOLD SAFETY URGED AFTER TYPHOON
* * * * *
THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT TODAY (MONDAY) REMINDED SITE CONTRACTORS OF THEIR OBLIGATIONS TO ENSURE THAT THEIR SCAFFOLDS ARE IN SAFE WORKING CONDITION IN PARTICULAR BAMBOO SCAFFOLDS AFTER EXPOSURE TO POOR WEATHER CONDITIONS SUCH AS TYPHOON AND RAINSTORM.
UNDER THE CONSTRUCTION SITES (SAFETY) REGULATIONS, A CONTRACTOR HAS TO ENSURE THAT HIS SCAFFOLDS ARE OF GOOD CONSTRUCTION, MADE OF STRONG AND SOUND MATERIALS, FREE FROM PATENT DEFECTS AND PROPERLY MAINTAINED.
IN ADDITION, THE SCAFFOLDS SHOULD ALSO BE SECURED AND FIXED IN POSITION TO PREVENT ACCIDENTAL DISPLACEMENT.
"IT IS ALSO IMPORTANT THAT SCAFFOLDS SHOULD NOT BE USED AFTER EXPOSURE TO ADVERSE WEATHER UNLESS IT HAS BEEN INSPECTED BY A COMPETENT PERSON AND HAS BEEN CERTIFIED TO BE IN SAFE WORKING CONDITION," DEPUTY CHIEF FACTORY INSPECTOR, MR KAN HON-SANG SAID.
HE ADDED THAT ALL CONTRACTORS SHOULD TAKE IMMEDIATE STEPS TO MAKE GOOD ALL THOSE DEFECTIVE SCAFFOLDS IN THEIR SITE AFTER TYPHOON KORYN.
MR KAN SAID CONTRACTORS SHOULD PERSISTENTLY MAINTAIN THEIR SCAFFOLDS IN THE SAFEST CONDITION AND EXERCISE STRICT SUPERVISION TO ENSURE THAT THE SCAFFOLDS WERE USED SAFELY.
THE FACTORY INSPECTORATE WILL CLOSELY MONITOR THE SITUATION AND WILL TAKE OUT PROSECUTION AGAINST THOSE CONTRACTORS WHO TURN A BLIND EYE TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE SAFETY REGULATIONS, MR KAN SAID.
ENQUIRIES RELATING TO SCAFFOLD SAFETY CAN BE MADE TO THE FACTORY INSPECTORATE DIVISION OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT ON TEL 815 0678.
------0----------
CPB SUPPORTS EXTENSION OF COUNTRY PARK AT TAI TONG *****
THE COUNTRY PARK BOARD (CPB) HAS ENDORSED AT A MEETING TODAY (MONDAY) A PROPOSAL BY THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT TO EXTEND THE TAI LAM COUNTRY PARK AT TAI TONG NEAR YUEN LONG.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE BOARD SAID: "THE PROPOSED COUNTRY PARK EXTENSION WHICH COVERS AN AREA OF 37 HECTARES IS LOCATED AT TAI TONG ON THE NORTH-WESTERN SIDE OF TAI LAM COUNTRY PARK."
HE POINTED OUT THAT THE SITE WAS A FORMER BORROW AREA WHICH CONSISTS OF A SERIES OF PLATFORMS LEFT BEHIND FOLLOWING BORROWING ACTIVITIES.
THE MEETING NOTED THAT MANY OF THESE PLATFORMS HAD BEEN ALLOCATED TO THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT (AFD) SINCE THE EARLY 1980’S FOR AFFORESTATION AND RECREATION USE.
/IN THE ........
MONDAY, JUNE 28, 1993
8
IN THE PAST YEARS, THE SITE HAD BEEN DEVELOPED BY AFD INTO AN INTENSIVE RECREATION AREA CONSISTING OF BARBECUE SITES, GAMES AREAS, A TREE WALK, VIEWING POINTS, INFORMATION BOARDS, WAYMARKERS, TOILETS AND SHELTERS.
IN ADDITION, IT IS ALSO THE SITE OF A TREE NURSERY WHICH PRODUCED OVER 800,000 TREE SEEDLINGS EVERY YEAR FOR USE BY THE COUNTRY PARKS AND OTHER GOVERNMENT AFFORESTATION PROJECTS.
APART FROM ITS HIGH RECREATION POTENTIAL, TAI TONG REPRESNTS A MAJOR AND SUCCESSFUL EFFORT OF THE GOVERNMENT IN AFFORESTATION, EROSION CONTROL AND PROVIDING BENEFICIAL AFTER-USE FOR A FORMER BORROW AREA.
THE AREA IS NOW COVERED WITH A GOOD MIX OF ACACIA, EUCALYPTUS, PINUS ELLIOTII, TRISTANIA CONFERTA, CASUARINA AND MANY OTHER SPECIES OF TREE COMMONLY PLANTED IN HONG KONG’S COUNTRY PARK.
AT TODAY’S MEETING, THE CPB ALSO ACCEPTED IN PRINCIPLE CHINA LIGHT AND POWER LIMITED’S PROPOSED ALIGNMENTS OF THE BLACK POINT POWER TRANSMISSION SYSTEM, PART OF WHICH WILL TRAVERSE THROUGH SEVERAL COUNTRY PARKS.
THE PROPOSED ALIGNMENT WAS ACCEPTED SUBJECT TO A NUMBER OF CONDITIONS, INCLUDING LANDSCAPE RESTORATION, AND MINIMUM DISTURBANCE TO THE ENVIRONMENT AS ADVISED BY THE AFD.
THE BOARD NOTED THAT THE PROPOSED ALIGNMENT WAS CHOSEN WITHIN 'HIE CONSTRAINTS OF ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS, ENGINREERING AND GEOTECHNICAL CONSIDERATIONS, LAND RESUMPTION, CLEARANCE AND COMPENSATION.
LT WAS UNDERSTOOD THAT THE VISUAL IMPACT OF COUNTRY PARK WOULD NOT BE SERIOUSLY AFFECTED. THE ALIGNMENT HAD ALSO AVOIDED SENSITIVE AREAS SUCH AS THE HO CHUNG SITE OF SPECIAL SCIENTIIF1C INTEREST (SSSI) AND NG TUNG CHAI SSSI.
------0-------
PAC HEARING ON WEDNESDAY
t t t * *
THE PUBLIC ACCOUNTS COMMITTEE WILL HOLD A FURTHER PUBLIC HEARING ON WEDNESDAY (JUNE 30) ON THE SECTION OF THE DIRECTOR OF AUDIT’S REPORT NO. 20 CONCERNING THE EX-GRATIA COMPENSATION FOR THE CLEARANCE OF THE KOWLOON WALLED CITY.
THE REPORT WAS TABI,ED IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON APRIL 28. I UE RELEVANT PARAGRAPHS ARE 5.1 - 5.20.
THE HEARING WILL TAKE PLACE IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL CHAMBER, STARTING AT 9 AM.
APPEARING BEFORE THE COMMITTEE TO ANSWER POINTS RAISED IN THE REPORT INCLUDE:
/* MR F .........
MONDAY, JUNE 28, 1993
9
* MR F K HU, CHAIRMAN OF THE SPECIAL COMMITTEE OF THE HOUSING AUTHORITY ON THE CLEARANCE OF THE KOWLOON WALLED CITY
* MR DARWIN CHEN, DIRECTOR OF BUILDINGS AND LANDS
« MR J S CORRIGALL, ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF BUILDINGS AND LANDS (POLICY)
* MR R D POPE, PRINCIPAL GOVERNMENT LAND AGENT (GENERAL) BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT
* DR SAM CHOY SENIOR STATISTICIAN HOUSING DEPARTMENT
* MR J TELFORD, REPRESENTATIVE OF THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT ON THE SPECIAL COMMITTEE
* MR H T LUI; REPRESENTATIVE OF THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION ON THE SPECIAL COMMITTEE
* MR SHUM LAP-SHING, REPRESENTATIVE OF THE REGISTRAR’S GENERAL DEPARTMENT ON THE SPECIAL COMMITTEE
» MR G M N URE
REPRESENTATIVE OF THE LANDS AND WORKS BRANCH ON THE SPECIAL COMMITTEE
* MR C M MO, REPRESENTATIVE OF THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT ON THE SPECIAL COMMITTEE
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE WELCOME TO OBSERVE THE HEARING AT THE PUBLIC GALLERY. THEY MAY MAKE RESERVATIONS BY CALLING 869 9492.
ATTENTION NEWS EDITORS:
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES COVERING THE PUBLIC HEARING ARE ADVISED TO BRING WITH THEM A COPY OF THE DIRECTOR OF AUDIT’S REPORT.
/10 ........
MONDAY, JUNE 28, 1993
10
JAMES TIEN ELECTED TO LEGCO *****
THE GOVERNMENT TODAY (MONDAY) DECLARED IN AN EXTRAORDINARY GAZETTE THAT MR JAMES TIEN PEI-CHUN HAD BEEN ELECTED FOR THE FIRST INDUSTRIAL ELECTORAL DIVISION OF THE INDUSTRIAL FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCY SINCE MR TIEN IS THE ONLY CANDIDATE VALIDLY NOMINATED FOR THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL BY-ELECTION.
HE WILL FILL THE VACANCY LEFT BY THE LATE STEPHEN CHEONG.
- - 0----------
SPEL VISITS PEARL RIVER DELTA *****
THE SECRETARY FOR PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS, MR TONY EASON TODAY (MONDAY) LED A DELEGATION TO VISIT THE PEARL RIVER DELTA TO SEE AT FIRST HAND THE INFRASTRUCTURAL DEVELOPMENT THERE.
MEMBERS OF THE DELEGATION INCLUDE THE DIRECTOR OF PLANNING, DR PETER PUN; THE DIRECTOR OF DRAINAGE SERVICES, MR SIU CHUEN; AND REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE CONSTITUTIONAL AFFAIRS, ECONIMIC SERVICES, FINANCIAL SERVICES AND PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS BRANCHES, TRANSPORT AND BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENTS.
DURING THE THREE-DAY VISIT, THE DELEGATION WILL MEET CHINESE OFFICIALS IN CHARGE OF PLANNING, AND INFRASTRUCTURAL DEVELOPMENTS IN GUANGZHOU, SHUNDE AND ZHUHAI.
THE VISIT WILL PROVIDE GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS RESPONSIBLE FOR PLANNING AND PORT DEVELOPMENT AN OPPORTUNITY TO OBTAIN FIRST-HAND INFORMATION ON INFRASTRUCTURAL DEVELOPMENTS IN THE PEARL RIVER DELTA.
OFFICIALS FROM BOTH HONG KONG AND CHINA WILL ALSO EXCHANGE VIEWS ON MATTERS OF MUTUAL INTEREST.
THE DELEGATION WILL RETURN TO HONG KONG ON WEDNESDAY (JUNE 30).
------0-------
APPOINTMENT OF DEPUTY CHAIRMAN OF SECURITIES AND FUTURES COMMISSION *****
THE GOVERNMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (MONDAY) THAT MR ROBERT GILMORE, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR (SUPERVISION OF MARKETS) OF THE SECURITIES AND FUTURES COMMISSION (SFC), IS APPOINTED DEPUTY CHAIRMAN OF THE SFC WITH AFFECT FROM JULY 1.
THE APPOINTMENT HAS BEEN APPROVED BY THE GOVERNOR IN EXERCISE OF HIS POWER UNDER SECTION 5 OF THE SFC ORDINANCE.
THE CONTRACT OF MR ERMANNO PASCUTTO, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR (CORPORATE FINANCE) AND CURRENTLY DEPUTY CHAIRMAN OF THE SFC, WILL BE EXPIRED BY THE END OF JUNE.
/WHILE MR .......
MONDAY, JUNE 28, 1993
WHILE MR GILMORE WILL BE TAKING OVER THE POST OF DEPUTY CHAIRMAN, MR PASCUTTO’S CONTRACT AS AN EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR WILL BE EXTENDED UP TO FEBRUARY 28, 1994.
THE INTENTION IS FOR MRS LAURA CHA, AN ASSISTANT DIRECTOR IN THE CORPORATE FINANCE DIVISION OF THE SFC, TO SUCCEED MR PASCUTTO AS AN EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AFTER THE LATTER’S EXTENDED CONTRACT EXPIRES IN FEBRUARY NEXT YEAR.
BEFORE JOINING THE SFC TWO-AND-A-HALF YEARS AGO, MRS CHA PRACTISED LAW WITH AN AMERICAN LAW FIRM IN HONG KONG.
MR GILMORE JOINED THE SFC AS AN EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR WHEN IT WAS ESTABLISHED IN MAY 1989. HE HAS PREVIOUSLY WORKED TN THE PHILADELPHIA STOCK EXCHANGE AND THE CHICAGO MERCANTILE EXCHANGE.
-----0-------
SALT WATER CUT IN KOWLOON EAST
******
OWING TO WATERMAINS CONNECTION WORK AT TAI WAN PUMPING STATION, SALT WATER SUPPLY TO MOST PREMISES IN KOWLOON EAST WILL GO OFF FROM 9 AM TO 5 PM ON WEDNESDAY (JUNE 30).
THE AFFECTED AREAS INCLUDE HONG KONG INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT, KOWLOON HOSPITAL AND ALL THE PREMISES IN HUNG HOM, TO KWA WAN, TUNG TAU, WONG TAI SIN, LOK FU, KOWLOON CITY, WANG TAU HOM, CHUK YUEN, KOWLOON TONG, MA TAU WEI AND MA TAU KOK.
-----0-----
WATER STORAGE FIGURE
*****
STORAGE IN HONG KONG’S RESERVOIRS AT 9 AM TODAY (MONDAY) STOOD AT 70.6 PER CENT OF CAPACITY OR 413.573 MILLION CUBIC METRES.
THIS TIME LAST YEAR THE RESERVTORS CONTAINED 441.978 MILLION
CUBIC METRES OF WATER, REPRESENTING 75.4 PER CENT OF CAPACITY.
--------0 - -
/12 .......
MONDAY, JUNE 28, 1993
- 12 -
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 TWI 112.4 *+0.0* 28.6.93
$ MILLION
1,785
+1,015
2,800
NIL
+ 980
3,780
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND
EF BILLS
EF NOTES/HONG KONG GOVERNMENT BONDS
TERMS YIELD TERM ISSUE COUPON PRICE YIELD
1 WEEK 3.44 PCT 14 MONTHS 2408 4.375 100.38 4.07
1 MONTH 3.40 PCT 17 MONTHS 2411 4.625 100.50 4.29
3 MONTHS 3.37 PCT 20 MONTHS 2502 4.75 100.50 4.48
6 MONTHS 3.53 PCT 23 MONTHS 2505 3.75 98.45 4.67
12 MONTHS 3.94 PCT
TOTAL TURNOVER OF BILLS
AND RONDS - 18,446 MN
CLOSED 28 JUNE 1993
------0----------
Received by PRO
od__^LJUU993
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
TUESDAY, JUNE 29, 1993
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
EXCO APPROACH WOULD BE ENDORSED: GOVERNOR ....................... 1
TAC DISCUSSES FIXED PENALTIES REVISION .......................... 2
10 MORE HIV-INFECTED CASES CONFIRMED ............................ 3
ACP CONSTRUCTION SAFETY AWARD SCHEME LAUNCHED ................... 4
PROVISIONAL FIGURES OF EXTERNAL TRADE FOR MAY 1993 .............. 6
RENT ALLOWANCE TO GO UP ......................................... 8
EASTBOUND TRAFFIC IMPROVEMENT SCHEME ON VICTORIA PARK ROAD .. 9
NEW BUS ROUTE FOR TIN SHUI ESTATE AND SHEUNG SHUI ............... 9
OVER 7,000 APPLY TO JOIN COLLEGES OF EDUCATION ................. 10
LEGCO MEETS ON WEDNESDAY ........................................ H
1991 POPULATION CENSUS MAIN REPORT ON SALE ..................... 12
INSTALLATION OF PARKING METERS AT DRIVING TEST CENTRE .......... 12
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND TENDER RESULTS .............. 13
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS ..
14
TUESDAY, JUNE 29, 1993
EXCO APPROACH WOULD BE ENDORSED*. GOVERNOR
♦ * » » *
THE GOVERNOR, THE RT HON CHRISTOPHER PATTEN , SAID TODAY (TUESDAY) THAT HE WAS SURE THAT THE APPROACH THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL HAD AGREED TO THE TALKS WOULD BE AN APPROACH ENDORSED AS WELL BY THE BRITISH CABINET AND SENIOR OFFICIALS.
SPEAKING TO REPORTERS AT GOVERNMENT HOUSE BEFORE DEPARTING FOR LONDON, THE GOVERNOR SAID : ”I THINK THAT AFTER SIX ROUNDS OF TALKS, IT’S AN IMPORTANT TIME TO BE REVIEWING PROGRESS AND TO BE TAKING STOCK.
’’WHILE THE PRIME MINISTER, THE FOREIGN SECRETARY AND OTHER SENIOR MINISTERS OBVIOUSLY TAKE A CLOSE INTEREST IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF OUR DIALOGUE WITH CHINA, THERE’S NO SUBSTITUTE FOR HEARING ABOUT THINGS AT FIRST HAND AND HAVING THE OPPORTUNITY OF THE SORT OF DISCUSSIONS THAT THEY ARE PLANNING FOR THIS WEEK. SO IT IS OBVIOUSLY THE CABINET WHICH IS CRUCIAL.
”OUR OBJECTIVE IN THE TALKS IS ONE WITH WHICH YOU’RE FAMILIAR. FIRST OF ALL, WE WANT AN OUTCOME WHICH PROVIDES ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE ELECTIONS IN 1994 AND 1995 IN HONG KONG WHICH ARE FAIR AND OPEN AND ACCEPTABLE TO THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG.
"SECONDLY, WE WANT TO SECURE A THROUGH TRAIN. WE DON’T THINK THAT IT MAKES TREMENDOUSLY GOOD SENSE TO NEGOTIATE ABOUT THE TRANSFER OF CONSTITUTIONAL ARRANGEMENTS IF ONE ISN’T ENSURING AS WELL THE TRANSFER ON A BASIS OF OBJECTIVE CRITERIA OF THOSE WHO MAN THE INSTITUTIONS, IN PARTICULAR, THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
"SO THOSE REMAIN OUR OBJECTIVES. WE WANT TO SEE A SUCCESSFUL OUTCOME TO THE TALKS. WE’RE DETERMINED TO DO ALL WE CAN TO SECURE AN OUTCOME WHICH IS IN THE LONG-TERM BEST INTERESTS OF HONG KONG. THAT’S TAKING A LITTLE LONGER THAN ANY OF US MIGHT IDEALLY HAVE LIKED."
THE GOVERNOR SAID HE WAS VERY PLEASED THAT THE SECRETARY FOR CONSTITUTIONAL AFFAIRS, MR MICHAEL SZE WOULD BE WITH HIM ON THE VISIT.
"HE HAS BEEN AT THE TABLE THROUGHOUT THESE NEGOTIATIONS, AND KNOWS VERY WELL PRECISELY WHAT HAS BEEN HAPPENING," HE SAID.
"SO HIS EXPERIENCE WILL BE VALUED IN LONDON."
ASKED ABOUT IF HE WOULD GET A DIRECTIVE FROM THE CABINET, THE GOVERNOR SAID : "I THINK THE CABINET WILL UNDOUBTEDLY WISH TO EXPRESS A VIEW ON THE TIMING OF THESE TALKS.
"WE’RE VERY PATIENT. AND I AM SURE THE CABINET WILL THINK THAT WE ARE RIGHT TO BE SO.
"I THINK PEOPLE IN HONG KONG WANT EVERY EFFORT TO BE MADE TO SECURE A SATISFACTORY OUTCOME TO THE TALKS. THEY DON’T WANT THE PRINCIPLES WHICH HAVE ANNUNCIATED TO BE COMPROMISED IN ORDER TO SECURE AN OUTCOME. ’’
/2 ........
TUESDAY, JUNE 29, 1993
2
TAC DISCUSSES FIXED PENALTIES REVISION ♦ » » ♦ *
THE TRANSPORT ADVISORY COMMITTEE (TAC) TODAY (TUESDAY) DISCUSSED THE REVISION OF FIXED PENALTIES, THE TENDERING OUT OF THE TUEN MUN-WAN CHAI FERRY SERVICES AND THE GRANTING OF A NEW FRANCHISE TO THE NEW LANTAO BUS COMPANY (NLB).
AT THE MEETING, MEMBERS ALSO NOTED THE FORWARD PLANNING PROGRAMME OF THE STAR FERRY AND THE LATEST SITUATION OF THE CONGESTION PROBLEM ALONG THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY NATHAN ROAD CORRIDOR.
ON FIXED PENALTIES, MEMBERS ENDORSED AN AVERAGE INCREASE OF 62 PER CENT TO TAKE ACCOUNT OF INFLATION SINCE THE LAST REVISION IN 1989. FOR PARKING OFFENCE, THE PENALTY WILL GO UP FROM $200 TO $320. IT IS PLANNED THAT THE HIGHER PENALTIES WILL BE INTRODUCED IN MID 1994.
MEMBERS WERE INFORMED THAT OWING TO INFLATION AND INCREASE IN AFFLUENCE OVER THE PAST FEW YEARS, THE CURRENT FIXED PENALTIES CANNOT ACHIEVE THE DESIRED DETERRENT EFFECT ON PARKING, MOVING AND OVERLOADING OFFENCES.
THE REVISION IN THE PENALTY FOR PARKING OFFENCES FROM $140 TO $200 IN 1989 CAUSED ONLY A SLIGHT DROP OF 0.9 PER CENT FROM 912,013 TO 903,915 TICKETS ISSUED THE FOLLOWING YEAR. AND THE TOTAL NUMBER OF PARKING TICKETS ISSUED IN 1992 ROSE DRAMATICALLY BY 34.1 PER CENT OVER 1991 .
MEMBERS NOTED THAT SUCH DRASTIC INCREASE IN PARKING OFFENCES COMMITTED WAS NOT DUE TO ANY REDUCTION IN PARKING SPACES AS SURVEYS BY THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT SHOWED THAT THE NUMBER OF PARKING SPACES HAD INCREASED IN PROPORTION TO THE GROWTH IN THE NUMBER OF LICENSED VEHICLES.
THE NARROWING GAP BETWEEN OFF-STREET PARKING CHARGES AT $112 OR $126 PER EIGHT OR NINE HOURS A DAY AND THE FIXED PENALTY OF $200 MIGHT BE A FACTOR ENCOURAGING MOTORISTS TO PARK ILLEGALLY.
MEMBERS ALSO ENDORSED THAT FAILURE TO DRIVE IN THE NEARSIDE LANE IN EXPRESSWAYS EXCEPT WHEN OVERTAKING SHOULD BECOME A FIXED PENALTY OFFENCE CARRYING A FINE OF $450.
TAXI DRIVERS WHO FAIL TO SIT IN OR STAND BESIDE THE FIRST OR SECOND TAXI AT A TAXI STAND WILL ALSO BE LIABLE TO A FIXED PENALTY OF $320.
AMENDMENTS TO EXISTING LEGISLATION TO GIVE EFFECT OF THE INCREASES WOULD BE PUT TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL IN THE FORM OF RESOLUTIONS LATER THIS YEAR.
ON THE TUEN MUN-WAN CHAI FERRY SERVICES, MEMBERS FURTHER DISCUSSED WHETHER THE NEW ROUTE SHOULD BE TENDERED OUT. THIS FOLLOWED TAC’S PREVIOUS RECOMMENDATION THAT HONG KONG FERRY SHOULD BE ALLOWED TO OPERATE THIS ROUTE ON A TRIAL BASIS FOR SIX MONTHS.
/MEMBERS ALSO .......
TUESDAY, JUNE 29, 1993
- 3 -
MEMBERS ALSO RECOMMENDED THAT A NEW FRANCHISE WITH NEW TERMS SHOULD BE GRANTED TO THE NLB FOR A PERIOD OF TWO YEARS STARTING APRIL 1, 1995.
THE NEW FRANCHISE WILL INCLUDE REQUIREMENTS FOR STRENGTHENING CUSTOMER LIAISON AND PROVISIONS TO REINFORCE EXISTING MONITORING ARRANGEMENTS INCLUDING FINANCIAL MONITORING.
ON STAR FERRY, MEMBERS NOTED THAT THE COMPANY HAD EXPRESSED AN INTEREST IN INTRODUCING A NEW SERVICE BETWEEN WAN CHAI AND TSIM SHA TSUI EAST.
TO IMPROVE ITS SERVICE QUALITY, THE COMPANY IS CONDUCTING A FEASIBILITY STUDY ON AIR-CONDITIONING SOME UPPER DECK CABINS OF ITS VESSELS.
MEMBERS WERE ALSO BRIEFED ON THE IMPLEMENTATION OF RELIEF MEASURES TO ALLEVIATE CONGESTION ALONG THE MTR NATHAN ROAD CORRIDOR.
---------0-----------
10 MORE HIV-INFECTED CASES CONFIRMED
*****
EIGHT MEN AND TWO WOMEN WERE FOUND TO BE POSITIVE FOR THE HIV ANTIBODY TEST LAST MONTH, BRINGING THE TOTAL NUMBER OF HIV-INFECTED PERSONS IN HONG KONG TO 369.
THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH’S CONSULTANT (SPECIAL PREVENTIVE PROGRAMME), DR S S LEE SAID TODAY (TUESDAY) THAT TWO AIDS CASES WERE REPORTED DURING THE MONTH.
THE TOTAL NUMBER OF CONFIRMED AIDS CASES IS 83 WITH 53 DEATHS. THE 30 OTHERS ARE EITHER UNDER COUNSELLING AND TREATMENT OR HAVE LEFT THE TERRITORY.
OF THE 369 PERSONS INFECTED, 264 GOT THE INFECTION SEXUALLY, EIGHT 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 REMAINING 32, THE INFORMATION AVAILABLE WAS INADEQUATE FOR CLASSIFICATION.
UNDER THE HIV SURVEILLANCE PROGRAMME WHICH STARTED IN 1985, A TOTAL OF 272,084 BLOOD SPECIMENS HAD BEEN TESTED FOR THE HIV ANTIBODY.
THE HONG KONG RED CROSS BLOOD TRANSFUSION SERVICE HAS ALSO SCREENED ALL BLOOD DONORS FOR HIV INFECTION.
UP TO LAST MONTH, 1,253,448 UNITS OF BLOOD HAD BEEN TESTED AND 27 DONORS WERE FOUND POSITIVE.
/4 ........
TUESDAY, JUNE 29, 1993
4
ACP CONSTRUCTION SAFETY AWARD SCHEME LAUNCHED *****
A NEW CONSTRUCTION SAFETY AWARD SCHEME WAS LAUNCHED TODAY (TUESDAY) TO ENCOURAGE CONTRACTORS AND WORKERS INVOLVED IN THE AIRPORT CORE PROGRAMME (ACP) PROJECTS TO ESTABLISH GOOD SAFETY MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS ON SITE AND TO CONSTRUCT THE PROJECTS IN A SAFE MANNER.
AT THE LAUNCHING CEREMONY THIS AFTERNOON, THE SECRETARY FOR WORKS, MR JAMES BLAKE, SAID THE INDUSTRIAL ACCIDENT RATE ON CONSTRUCTION SITES IN HONG KONG HAD BEEN SHAMEFULLY HIGH.
EACH YEAR, ONE IN THREE WORKERS WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT WHICH RESULTS IN INCAPACITY FOR MORE THAN THREE DAYS.
"SUCH A HIGH LEVEL OF CONSTRUCTION ACCIDENTS CANNOT BE TOLERATED ON GOVERNMENT SITES,” HE SAID. "FOR THE ACP CONTRACTS, WE HAVE THEREFORE IMPLEMENTED A SERIES OF MEASURES SEEKING TO ENSURE THAT THE HIGHEST POSSIBLE STANDARDS OF CONSTRUCTION SAFETY ARE ACHIEVED."
HE NOTED THAT THE ACP CONSTRUCTION STEERING COMMITTEE WAS ESTABLISHED TO ADDRESS ACP-WIDE CONSTRUCTION SAFETY MATTERS.
IN ADDITION, A SITE SAFETY MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE WAS FORMED ON EACH ACP SITE TO MONITOR CONTRACTORS’ COMPLIANCE WITH SAFETY REQUIREMENTS, AND A SAFETY MANAGEMENT UNIT HAD BEEN SET UP IN THE WORKS BRANCH TO AUDIT THE CONSTRUCTION SAFETY STANDARDS ON ACP SITES, HE ADDED.
"WE ARE GATHERING AND SCRUTINISING SITE SAFETY STATISTICS IN AN IMPROVED MANNER, SO THAT ANY UNDESIRABLE TRENDS ARE SPOTTED EARLY ENOUGH FOR CORRECTIVE ACTION TO BE TAKEN," MR BLAKE SAID.
HE POINTED OUT THAT WHEN SELECTING CONTRACTORS, PROJECT OFFICES WOULD TAKE INTO ACCOUNT CONSTRUCTION SAFETY ASPECTS.
"CONDITIONS ARE INCORPORATED INTO ACP CONTRACTS TO REQUIRE THE CONTRACTORS TO PREPARE SAFETY PLANS AND TO EMPLOY FULL-TIME SAFETY PERSONNEL ON SITE AND TO PROVIDE TRAINING TO THEIR WORKERS AND MANAGEMENT," HE SAID.
AN ACP CONSTRUCTION SAFETY MANUAL HAS BEEN PUBLISHED TO ASSIST PROJECT OFFICES IN ADMINISTERING CONSTRUCTION SAFETY MATTERS.
"OTHER GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS ALSO ASSIST IN ENSURING SAFETY ON ACP SITES," HE SAID.
"FOR INSTANCE, BESIDES OFFERING TECHNICAL ADVICE, THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT HAS ASSIGNED A TEAM OF INSPECTORS TO INSPECT ACP SITES, TO INVESTIGATE ACCIDENTS AND TO ATTEND SITE SAFETY MEETINGS.
"THE FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT AND THE MARINE DEPARTMENT ALSO HAVE MADE SIMILAR CONTRIBUTIONS."
/MR BLAKE .......
TUESDAY, JUNE 29, 1993
- 5 -
MR BLAKE NOTED THAT THE MEASURES HAD RESULTED IN IMPROVEMENTS IN SAFETY.
"UP TO APRIL 30, 1993, THE INDUSTRIAL ACCIDENT RATE AND FATAL ACCIDENT RATE FOR ACP CONTRACTS ARE 90 PER THOUSAND WORKERS PER YEAR AND 0.5 PER THOUSAND WORKERS PER YEAR RESPECTIVELY, COMPARED WITH THE CORRESPONDING RATES FOR THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY AS A WHOLE OF 302 AND 0.8 IN 1992," HE SAID.
"HOWEVER, THIS IMPROVEMENT IS NOT GOOD ENOUGH. THESE ACCIDENT RATES FOR ACP CONTRACTS ARE STILL HIGHER THAN OUR TARGETS SET IN THE ACP CONSTRUCTION SAFETY MANUAL, AND IT IS CLEAR THAT THE VERY STRINGENT TARGETS THAT WE HAVE SET FOR ACP WILL ONLY BE ACHIEVED IF THE PARTIES INVOLVED, INCLUDING WORKERS, CONTRACTORS, CONSULTANTS AND GOVERNMENT, ALL INCREASE THEIR SAFETY ENDEAVOURS STILL FURTHER," HE ADDED.
THE ACP CONSTRUCTION SAFETY AWARD SCHEME FOR CONTRACTORS AND WORKERS INVOLVED IN ACP PROJECTS IS INTENDED TO FURTHER INCREASE SAFETY AWARENESS, AND TO ENCOURAGE EVEN MORE IMPROVEMENT IN CONSTRUCTION SAFETY.
THE SCHEME CONSISTS OF TWO AWARDS. THE SAFETY PERFORMANCE AWARD WILL BE PRESENTED TO THOSE SITES WITH A HIGH QUALITY OF SAFETY MANAGEMENT AND WITH A GOOD SAFETY RECORD. THE SAFETY RECORD AWARD WILL ONLY TAKE INTO ACCOUNT THE SAFETY RECORDS OF THE SITES.
TODAY’S LAUNCHING CEREMONY TOOK PLACE ON THE WEST KOWLOON RECLAMATION, ONE OF THE 10 PROJECTS BEING BUILT UNDER THE ACP.
AMONG THE OFFICIATING GUESTS WERE LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLORS MR RONALD ARCULLI, MR LAU CHIN-SHEK AND DR SAMUEL WONG AND THE DIRECTOR OF THE NEW AIRPORT PROJECTS CO-ORDINATION OFFICE (NAPCO), MR BILLY LAM.
THE THREE COUNCILLORS ALSO UNVEILED A MOCK-UP OF MR ACP SAFETY FIRST, A MODEL CHARACTER CREATED FOR THE AWARD SCHEME.
THE ACP CONSTRUCTION SAFETY AWARD SCHEME IS ORGANISED BY NAPCO IN CONJUCTION WITH THE OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH COUNCIL, THE HONG KONG CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY EMPLOYEES GENERAL UNION, THE HONG KONG CONSTRUCTION ASSOCIATION, THE PROVISIONAL AIRPORT AUTHORITY, THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY CORPORATION, THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT AND THE MARINE DEPARTMENT.
THE SCHEME WILL BE HELD EVERY YEAR. THE PRIZE-PRESENTATION CEREMONY FOR THE 1993 AWARDS WILL BE HELD EARLY NEXT YEAR. PRIZES FOR THE CONTRACTORS AND WORKERS OF THE WINNING SITES WILL INCLUDE TROPHIES, CERTIFICATES, BANNERS, ROAST PIGS AND OTHER SOUVENIRS.
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/6 ........
TUESDAY, JUNE 29, 1993
PROVISIONAL FIGURES OF EXTERNAL TRADE FOR MAY 1993 ******
IN MAY 1993, RE-EXPORTS MAINTAINED A STRONG GROWTH, WHILE DOMESTIC EXPORTS REGISTERED A DECREASE OVER THE SAME MONTH LAST YEAR.
AT THE SAME TIME, IMPORTS CONTINUED TO GROW.
THESE ARE SHOWN IN THE PROVISIONAL FIGURES OF EXTERNAL TRADE RELEASED TODAY (TUESDAY) BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
THE VALUE OF RE-EXPORTS IN MAY 1993 ROSE BY $9,759 MILLION OR 17% OVER A YEAR EARLIER TO $66,935 MILLION.
THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS DECREASED BY $1,257 MILLION OR 6.5% TO $18,149 MILLION.
TAKING RE-EXPORTS AND DOMESTIC EXPORTS TOGETHER, THE VALUE OF TOTAL EXPORTS IN MAY 1993 GREW BY $8,502 MILLION OR 11% OVER A YEAR EARLIER TO $85,084 MILLION.
OVER THE SAME PERIOD, THE VALUE OF IMPORTS INCREASED BY $9,206 MILLION OR 11% TO $90,724 MILLION.
AS THE VALUE OF TOTAL EXPORTS WAS SMALLER THAN THAT OF TOTAL IMPORTS, A VISIBLE TRADE DEFICIT OF $5,640 MILLION, EQUIVALENT TO 6.2% OF THE VALUE OF IMPORTS, WAS RECORDED IN MAY 1993.
THIS WAS BROADLY SIMILAR TO THE DEFICIT OF $4,936 MILLION, EQUIVALENT TO 6.1% OF THE VALUE OF IMPORTS, RECORDED IN MAY 1992.
IN THE FIRST FIVE MONTHS OF 1993, THE VALUE OF RE-EXPORTS AMOUNTED TO $308,748 MILLION, WHICH WAS $58,630 MILLION OR 23% HIGHER THAN A YEAR EARLIER.
THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS, AT $84,673 MILLION, WAS $1,157 MILLION OR 1.3% LOWER THAN THAT IN THE SAME PERIOD LAST YEAR.
TAKING RE-EXPORTS AND DOMESTIC EXPORTS TOGETHER, THE VALUE OF TOTAL EXPORTS IN THE FIRST FIVE MONTHS OF 1993, AT $393,421 MILLION, WAS $57,472 MILLION OR 17% HIGHER THAN A YEAR EARLIER.
THE VALUE OF IMPORTS INCREASED BY $59,406 MILLION OR 17% TO $417,432 MILLION.
A TRADE DEFICIT OF $24,011 MILLION, EQUIVALENT TO 5.8% OF THE VALUE OF IMPORTS, WAS RECORDED IN THE FIRST FIVE MONTHS OF 1993. THIS COMPARED WITH A TRADE DEFICIT OF $22,077 MILLION, EQUIVALENT TO 6.2% OF THE VALUE OF IMPORTS, RECORDED A YEAR EARLIER.
COMMENTING ON THE MAY FIGURES, A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THE CONTINUOUS RELOCATION OF THE MORE LABOUR-INTENSIVE PRODUCTION PROCESSES TO CHINA WAS THE KEY FACTOR UNDERLINING THE SLUGGISH DOMESTIC EXPORTS PERFORMANCE.
/REFLECTING THE .......
TUESDAY, JUNE 29, 1993
7
REFLECTING THE STRUCTURAL SHIFT FROM DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO REEXPORTS, THE SHARE OF RE-EXPORTS IN THE VALUE OF TOTAL EXPORTS FURTHER ROSE TO 78% IN THE FIRST FIVE MONTHS OF 1993 TAKEN TOGETHER, COMPARED WITH 74% A YEAR EARLIER.
IN THE FIRST FIVE MONTHS OF 1993, THE VALUE OF RETAINED IMPORTS WAS 6.8% HIGHER THAN A YEAR EARLIER, REFLECTING A SUSTAINED GROWTH IN DOMESTIC DEMAND.
A MORE DETAILED ANALYSIS OF HONG KONG’S EXTERNAL TRADE IN MAY 1993, BY COMMODITY AND COUNTRY, WILL BE RELEASED IN MID-JULY.
THE TABLE BELOW PRESENTS THE PROVISIONAL FIGURES OF EXTERNAL TRADE IN MAY 1993:
MERCHANDISE: DOMESTIC EXPORTS RE-EXPORTS TOTAL EXPORTS IMPORTS TRADE BALANCE $18,149 MILLION $66,935 MILLION $85,084 MILLION $90,724 MILLION -$5,640 MILLION
COMPARATIVE FIGURES LATEST 3 MONTHS MAR 93 TO MAR 92 TO CHANGE MAY 93 MAY 92 HK$ MN HK$ MN HK$ MN %
DOMESTIC EXPORTS (% OF TOTAL EXPORTS) 53,307 54,175 -869 -1.6 (21.2%) (25.1%)
RE-EXPORTS 198,019 161,729 +36,290 +22.4
TOTAL EXPORTS 251,325 215,904 +35,421 +16.4
IMPORTS TRADE BALANCE SAME MONTH LAST YEAR 271,233 233,942 +37,291 +15.9 -19,908 -18,038 -1,870 MAY MAY CHANGE 1993 1992 HK$ MN HK$ MN HK$ MN %
DOMESTIC EXPORTS (% OF TOTAL EXPORTS) RE-EXPORTS TOTAL EXPORTS IMPORTS TRADE BALANCE LAST MONTH 18,149 19,406 -1,257 -6.5 (21.3%) (25.3%) 66,935 57,176 +9,759 +17.1 85,084 76,582 +8,502 +11.1 90,724 81,518 +9,206 +11.3 -5,640 -4,936 -704 MAY APRIL CHANGE 1993 1993 HK$ MN HK$ MN HK$ MN %
DOMESTIC EXPORTS (% OF TOTAL EXPORTS) RE-EXPORTS TOTAL EXPORTS IMPORTS TRADE BALANCE 18,149 (21.3%) ( 66,935 85,084 90,724 -5,640 17,814 +335 +1.9 20.9%) 67,615 -680 -1.0 85,429 -345 -0.4 93,654 -2,930 -3.1 -8,224 +2,584
/CALENDAR YEAR .......
TUESDAY, JUNE 29, 1993
- 8
CALENDAR YEAR TO-DATE JAN-MAY 1993 HK$ MN JAN-MAY 1992 HK$ MN CHANGE
HK$ MN %
DOMESTIC EXPORTS 84,673 85,830 -1,157 -1.3
(% OF TOTAL EXPORTS) (21.5%) (25.5%)
RE-EXPORTS 308,748 250,118 +58,630 + 23.4
TOTAL EXPORTS 393,421 335,948 +57,472 + 17.1
IMPORTS 417,432 358,025 +59,406 + 16.6
TRADE BALANCE -24,011 -22,077 -1,934
JUN 92 TO JUN 91 TO CHANGE
LAST 12 MONTHS MAY 93 MAY 92
HK$ MN HK$ MN HK$ MN %
DOMESTIC EXPORTS 232,966 230,762 +2,204 + 1.0
(% OF TOTAL EXPORTS) (23.7%) (28.0%)
RE-EXPORTS 749,459 594,161 +155,298 + 26.1
TOTAL EXPORTS 982,425 824,923 +157,502 + 19.1
IMPORTS 1,014,701 841,378 +173,324 + 20.6
TRADE BALANCE -32,276 -16,454 -15,822
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RENT ALLOWANCE TO GO UP
♦ * * * ♦
THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT HAS OBTAINED APPROVAL FROM THE SECRETARY FOR THE TREASURY TO INCREASE THE MAXIMUM RENT ALLOWANCE UNDER THE COMPREHENSIVE SOCIAL SECURITY ASSISTANCE SCHEME WITH EFFECT FROM JULY 1.
THE ADJUSTMENT OF THE PAYMENT IS IN LINE WITH THE INCREASE OF THE PUBLIC HOUSING RENT, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID.
THE NEW RATES ARE:
NO. OF ELIGIBLE EXISTING MAXIMUM REVISED MAXIMUM
MEMBERS IN THE RENT ALLOWANCE RENT ALLOWANCE
HOUSEHOLD ($) (* j
0NE 743 1,118
TW0 1.215 2,265
THREE 1,718 2,265
FOUR 1,718 2,858
FIVE 2,063 2,858
SIX OR ABOVE 2,273 3,420
"THE DEPARTMENT HAS ALREADY MADE ARRANGEMENTS TO SEE THOSE AFFECTED PEOPLE RECEIVE NEW RATES IN DUE COURSE," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
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/9 ........
TUESDAY, JUNE 29, 1993
9
EASTBOUND TRAFFIC IMPROVEMENT SCHEME ON VICTORIA PARK ROAD
* » » ♦ *
THE EASTBOUND CARRIAGEWAY OF VICTORIA PARK ROAD EAST OF THE CROSS HARBOUR TUNNEL PORTAL IS BEING WIDENED TO PROVIDE ONE ADDITIONAL LANE FOR TRAFFIC TOWARDS NORTH POINT AND OTHER AREAS IN ISLAND EAST.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT SAID THE WORKS, COSTING $1.6 MILLION, STARTED IN EARLY FEBRUARY AND WERE DUE TO BE COMPLETED LATER THIS WEEK.
ON COMPLETION, THERE WILL BE FIVE TRAFFIC LANES ALONG THIS SECTION OF VICTORIA PARK ROAD, WHICH WILL BE ASSIGNED IN THE FOLLOWING MANNER:
» ONE EXCLUSIVELY FOR TRAFFIC FROM CROSS HARBOUR TUNNEL TO CAUSEWAY BAY;
* ONE EXCLUSIVELY FOR TRAFFIC FROM CROSS HARBOUR TUNNEL TO NORTH POINT;
» ONE EACH FOR TRAFFIC COMING FROM HUNG HING ROAD FLYOVER, GLOUCESTER ROAD AND CANAL ROAD FLYOVER.
”IT IS NOT NECESSARY FOR TRAFFIC FROM CANAL ROAD FLYOVER TO MERGE WITH THOSE FROM CROSS HARBOUR TUNNEL AS REQUIRED NOW," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
’’WEAVING MOVEMENTS WILL BE PERMITTED FOR TRAFFIC FROM HUNG HING ROAD FLYOVER AND GLOUCESTER ROAD TO GAIN ACCESS TO EITHER CAUSEWAY BAY FLYOVER OR TO NORTH POINT," HE ADDED.
IT IS EXPECTED THAT TRAFFIC IN THE AREA ESPECIALLY THOSE FROM CANAL ROAD FLYOVER WILL BE SUBSTANTIALLY IMPROVED.
MORE QUEUING SPACE FOR VEHICLES FROM GLOUCESTER ROAD/HUNG HING ROAD FLYOVER TO CAUSEWAY BAY FLYOVER WILL BE AVAILABLE.
---------0-----------
NEW BUS ROUTE FOR TIN SHUT ESTATE AND SHEUNG SHUI
» ♦ ♦ * ♦
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES THAT KOWLOON MOTOR BUS WILL INTRODUCE A NEW AIR-CONDITIONED BUS ROUTE 276 BETWEEN TIN SHUI ESTATE AND SHEUNG SHUI IN THE NEW TERRITORIES FROM THURSDAY (JULY 1).
SINGLE-DECK COACHES WILL RUN AT A FULL FARE OF $6 AND SECTION FARE OF $3 BETWEEN THE JUNCTION OF CASTLE PEAK ROAD (YUEN LONG) AND FUNG CHEUNG ROAD AND TIN SHUI ESTATE.
/THE SERVICE .......
TUESDAY, JUNE 29, 1993
- 10 -
THE SERVICE WILL BE OPERATED FROM 6 AM TO 10.45 PM DAILY AT A BASIC FREQUENCY OF 10/20 MINUTES.
THE ROUTE WILL BE:
» FROM TIN SHUI ESTATE TO SHEUNG SHUI
VIA TIN SHUI ROAD, TIN WU ROAD, TIN YIU ROAD, PING HA ROAD, CASTLE PEAK ROAD (PING SHAN), CASTLE PEAK ROAD (YUEN LONG), LONG YAT ROAD, CASTLE PEAK ROAD (YUEN LONG), NEW TERRITORIES CIRCULAR ROAD, SO KWUN PO ROAD AND SAN WAN ROAD.
* FROM SHEUNG SHUI TO TIN SHUI ESTATE
VIA SAN WAN ROAD, LUNG SUM AVENUE, LUNG WAN STREET, SAN WAN ROAD, LUNG SUM AVENUE, LUNG WAN STREET, SAN WAN ROAD, SO KWUN PO ROAD, NEW TERRITORIES CIRCULAR ROAD, CASTLE PEAK ROAD (YUEN LONG), CASTLE PEAK ROAD (PING SHAN), PING HA ROAD, TIN YIU ROAD, TIN WU ROAD AND TIN SHUI ROAD.
’-----o--------
OVER 7,000 APPLY TO JOIN COLLEGES OF EDUCATION * * ♦ ♦ ♦
THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT HAS SO FAR RECEIVED 7 129 T0 J°IN THE C0LLEGES 0F EDUCATION AT NORTHCOTE, GRANTHAM, SIR ROBERT BLACK AND THE HONG KONG TECHNICAL TEACHERS* COLLEGE.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WHO WISH TO JOIN THE THAT THE CLOSING DATE IS 1 PM TOMORROW.
COMPLETED APPLICATION FORMS SHOULD COLLEGE OF EDUCATION AT 42 GASCOIGNE ROAD,
TODAY (TUESDAY) REMINDED FOUR COLLEGES IN SEPTEMBER
BE SENT TO THE GRANTHAM YAU MA TEI.
---------0-----------
/Il .......
TUESDAY, JUNE 29, 1993
LEGCO MEETS ON WEDNESDAY * * * * *
LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLORS WILL DEBATE AT THEIR MEETING TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY) A MOTION ON WHETHER THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD INTRODUCE LAW TO REGULATE THE OPERATION OF REAL ESTATE AGENTS THROUGH A LICENSING SYSTEM.
THE MOTION WILL BE MOVED BY THE HON ALBERT CHAN.
LEGISLATORS WILL ALSO HOLD AN ADJOURNMENT DEBATE, TO BE MOVED BY THE HON ERIC LI, ON THE SALE OF CONFISCATED CIGARETTES.
THE SECRETARY FOR THE TREASURY WILL PRESENT A REPORT OF CHANGES TO THE APPROVED ESTIMATES OF EXPENDITURE APPROVED DURING THE FINAL QUARTER OF 1992/93.
THE ATTORNEY GENERAL WILL MOVE THREE MOTIONS UNDER THE OFFICIAL LANGUAGES ORDINANCE WHILE THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY WILL MOVE ANOTHER MOTION UNDER THE DRUG TRAFFICKING (RECOVERY OF PROCEEDS) ORDINANCE.
THE SECRETARY FOR PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS AND THE SECRETARY FOR FINANCIAL SERVICES, WILL MOVE TWO SEPARATE MOTIONS UNDER THE TRADING FUNDS ORDINANCE.
MEMBERS WILL ALSO ASK A TOTAL OF 20 QUESTIONS AND CONSIDER 15 BILLS.
OF THEM, SIX WILL BE INTRODUCED FOR FIRST AND SECOND READINGS. DEBATES ON THEM ARE DUE TO BE ADJOURNED.
THESE BILLS INCLUDE: SUPPLEMENTARY APPROPRIATION (1992-93) BILL 1993; WESTERN HARBOUR CROSSING BILL; HONG KONG PRODUCTIVITY COUNCIL (AMENDMENT) BILL 1993; SHIPPING AND PORT CONTROL (AMENDMENT) BILL 1993; INSURANCE COMPANIES (AMENDMENT) (NO.2) BILL 1993 AND PROTECTION OF INVESTORS (AMENDMENT) BILL 1993.
DEBATES ON THE OTHER BILLS WILL BE RESUMED. THEY ARE DUE TO GO THROUGH THE COMMITTEE STAGE AND BE GIVEN A THIRD READING.
THEY ARE: JUDICIAL OFFICERS (TENURE OF OFFICE) BILL; ROAD TUNNELS (GOVERNMENT) (AMENDMENT) BILL 1993; CROSS-HARBOUR TUNNEL
(PASSAGE TAX) (AMENDMENT) (NO.2) BILL 1993; CROSS-HARBOUR TUNNEL
(AMENDMENT) BILL 1993; EASTERN HARBOUR CROSSING (AMENDMENT) BILL 1993; TATE’S CAIRN TUNNEL (AMENDMENT) BILL 1993; LANDLORD AND TENANT
(CONSOLIDATION) (AMENDMENT) BILL 1992; TRAVEL AGENTS (AMENDMENT) BILL 1992 AND INLAND REVENUE (AMENDMENT) (NO.2) BILL 1993.
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE WELCOME TO OBSERVE THE PROCEEDINGS 'ROM THE PUBLIC GALLERY. THEY MAY RESERVE SEATS BY CALLING 869 9492.
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/12........
TUESDAY, JUNE 29, 1993
- 12 -
1991 POPULATION CENSUS MAIN REPORT ON SALE * * * * *
A REPORT ENTITLED "HONG KONG 1991 POPULATION CENSUS: MAIN REPORT" IS RELEASED TODAY FOR SALE BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
THE REPORT IS THE FINAL ONE IN A SERIES OF PUBLICATIONS ON THE RESULTS OF THE 1991 POPULATION CENSUS.
IT CONTAINED DETAILED ANALYSIS OF SPECIFIC TOPICS ON THE DEMOGRAPHIC, HOUSEHOLD, EDUCATION, ECONOMIC AND HOUSING CHARACTERISTICS OF THE POPULATION.
COMPARISONS ARE MADE WITH THE RESULTS OF PAST CENSUSES.
DETAILED DESCRIPTIONS OF PROCEDURES AND TECHNIQUES AND AN ASSESSMENT OF DATA QUALITY ARE ALSO INCLUDED.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID A VAST AMOUNT OF INFORMATION HAD BEEN COLLECTED IN THE CENSUS.
IN ORDER THAT THE STATISTICS ARE MADE AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC AS SOON AS POSSIBLE, THE DEPARTMENT HAS ALREADY RELEASED VARIOUS REPORTS IN STAGES, HE SAIDi
THEY INCLUDED "SUMMARY RESULTS", "BASIC TABLES", "MAIN TABLES" AND "GRAPHIC GUIDE".
THE "MAIN REPORT" , AT $46 A COPY, IS NOW ON SALE AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, GROUND FLOOR, GENERAL POST OFFICE BUILDING, CONNAUGHT PLACE, CENTRAL, HONG KONG, AND AT THE PUBLICATIONS OFFICE OF CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT ON 1 9TII FLOOR, WANCIIAI TOWER, 12 HARCOURT ROAD, WAN CHAI, HONG KONG.
---------0-----------
INSTALLATION OF PARKING METERS AT DRIVING TEST CENTRE
*******
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT TODAY (TUESDAY) ANNOUNCED THAT NINE PARKING METERS WOULD BE INSTALLED AT THE PARKING SPACES AT TIN KWONG ROAD DRIVING TEST CENTRE FROM 5 PM ON THURSDAY (JULY 1).
THESE TWO-HOUR PARKING METERS ARE FOR PRIVATE CARS, LIGHT GOODS VEHICLES, PRIVATE/PUBLIC LIGHT BUSES AND TAXIS AND WILL BE OPERATIONAL FROM 5 PM TO MIDNIGHT DAILY EXCEPT SUNDAYS AND PUBLIC HOLIDAYS. THE PARKING CHARGE IS $2 EVERY 30 MINUTES.
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/13 ........
TUESDAY, JUNE 29, 1993
- 13 -
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND TENDER RESULTS *****
TENDER DATE 29 JUN 93
PAPER ON OFFER ISSUE NUMBER AMOUNT APPLIED AMOUNT ALLOTTED AVERAGE YIELD ACCEPTED HIGHEST YIELD ACCEPTED PRO RATA RATIO AVERAGE TENDER YIELD HONG KONG TENDERS TO BE HELD IN THE TENDER DATE PAPER ON OFFER ISSUE NUMBER ISSUE DATE MATURITY DATE TENOR EF BILLS Q326 HKD3,370 MN HKD1,000 MN 3.33 PCT 3.33 PCT ABOUT 100 PCT 3.38 PCT GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND WEEK BEGINNING 5 JUL 1993 - 6 JUL 93 6 JUL 93 EF BILLS EF BILLS Q327 H368 7 JUL 93 7 JUL 93 6 OCT 93 5 JAN 94 91 DAYS 182 DAYS «
AMOUNT ON OFFER HKDl,000 + 200 MN HKD400 + 80 MN
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/14........
TUESDAY, JUNE 29, 1993
- 14 -
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
3,780
-980
2,800
NIL
-185
2,615
LAF RATE 2.00 BID/4.00 OFFER TWI 112.5 ♦+0.1» 29.6.93
EF HONG BILLS KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE EF NOTES/HONG KONG FUND GOVERNMENT BONDS
TERMS YIELD TERM ISSUE COUPON PRICE YIELD
1 WEEK 3.64 PCT 14 MONTHS 2408 4.375 100.36 4.08
1 MONTH 3.46 PCT 17 MONTHS 2411 4.625 100.51 4.28
3 MONTHS 3.36 PCT 20 MONTHS 2502 4.75 100.52 4.46
6 MONTHS 3.55 PCT 23 MONTHS 2505 3.75 98.51 4.64
12 MONTHS 3.92 PCT TOTAL TURNOVER OF BILLS AND BONDS CLOSED JUNE 29, 1993 - 13,315 MN
- - 0 - -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 30, 1993
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
PUBLIC TO BE CONSULTED ON MAHJONG PARLOURS CONTROL .............. j
ARRANGEMENTS FOR DUAL POSSESSION OF BDTC AND BN(O) PASSPORTS 3
LEVERAGED FOREIGN EXCHANGE TRADING BILL ......................... 4
MONETARY STATISTICS FOR MAY ..................................... 6
HU CLARIFIES WALLED CITY CLEARANCE ISSUES ....................... 9
SPEL RETURNS FROM PEARL RIVER DELTA VISIT ...................... 11
STATEMENT ON U.S. MILK FOOD CONTAMINATION ...................... 12
LAND REGISTRY TO OPERATE ON TRADING FUND BASIS ................. 13
OFFICE OF TELECOMS AUTHORITY OPENS ............................. 15
RESULTS OF 1991 SURVEY OF INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION ................ 16
TEXTILES TRADER REGISTRATION SCHEME LAUNCHED ................... 19
RESULTS OF 1991 SURVEY OF WHOLESALE, RETAIL AND IMPORT/EXPORT TRADES, RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS ................................ 20
NEW SOCIAL SECURITY PACKAGE EFFECTIVE TOMORROW ................. 24
TECHNOLOGY REVIEW BOARD HOLDS SECOND MEETING ................... 25
FANLING SITE TO LET ............................................ 26
TEACHER QUALIFICATION ASSESSMENT RESULTS ....................... 27
NEW POST OFFICE FOR POK FU LAM ................................. 27
GENERAL HOUSEHOLD SURVEY ....................................... 28
FINANCE COMMITTEE MEETS ON FRIDAY .............................. 29
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS .. 29
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 30, 1993
- 1 -
PUBLIC TO BE CONSULTED ON MAHJONG PARLOURS CONTROL ******
THE GOVERNMENT IS CONSULTING MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC AND THE DISTRICT BOARDS ON MEASURES TO STEP UP CONTROL OF LICENSED MAHJONG PARLOURS (LMPS) AND UNLICENSED MAHJONG ASSOCIATIONS.
OUTLINING THE RECOMMENDATIONS, A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY) THAT THE CONSULTATION EXERCISE FOLLOWED THE ENDORSEMENT BY THE FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE IN FEBRUARY THIS YEAR OF PROPOSALS TO STRENGTHEN THE EXISTING SYSTEM OF CONTROLS.
THE PROPOSALS WERE PUT FORWARD BY AN INTER-DEPARTMENTAL WORKING GROUP SET UP IN 1990 TO REVIEW THE SITUATION.
THE SPOKESMAN POINTED OUT THAT LMPS ARE PREMISES LICENSED FOR THE PLAYING OF GAMES IN WHICH MAHJONG OR TIN KAU TILES ARE USED,
MAHJONG PARLOURS WERE FIRST SUBJECT TO LICENSING CONTROL IN 1956.
LICENCES ARE ISSUED BY THE COMMISSIONER FOR TELEVISION AND ENTERTAINMENT LICENSING (CTEL) UNDER SECTION 22(1)(B) OF THE GAMBLING ORDINANCE.
THE WORKING GROUP PROPOSED THAT THE LICENCE CONDITIONS FOR LMPS SHOULD BE TIGHTENED UP IN ORDER TO IMPROVE THE STANDARD AND LEVEL OF SUPERVISION OF THESE PREMISES.
"THE INTENTION IS THAT THE REVISED LICENSE CONDITIONS, COUPLED WITH AN INCREASE IN POLICE INSPECTION OF LMPS, WILL RESULT IN BETTER REGULATION OF THESE ESTABLISHMENTS," HE SAID.
THE PROPOSED ADDITIONAL CONDITIONS FOR LMPS WILL INCLUDE REQUIREMENTS TO ENSURE THAT PERSONS EMPLOYED AT THE LICENSED PREMISES ARE APPROVED BY THE LICENSING AUTHORITY (CTEL) IN CONSULTATION WITH POLICE IN ORDER TO MINIMISE TRIAD INVOLVEMENT IN THE OPERATION OF LMPS.
UNDER THE PROPOSAL, THE LICENSEE OR HIS/HER AGENTS HAS TO BE PRESENT AT THE PREMISES AT ALL TIMES DURING THE HOURS OF PLAY SO AS TO ENSURE THAT THE LICENSEE IS HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR BREACH OF LICENCE CONDITIONS TAKING PLACE AT HIS PARLOUR.
HE COULD NOT THEREFORE ARGUE THAT CONTRAVENTIONS OF LICENCE CONDITIONS OCCURRED WITHOUT HIS KNOWLEDGE, CONSENT OR CONNIVANCE.
TURNING TO THE CONTROL OF UNLICENSED MAHJONG ASSOCIATIONS (UMAS), THE SPOKESMAN POINTED OUT THAT THESE WERE CLUBS WHICH PROVIDED FACILITIES FOR THEIR MEMBERS TO PLAY MAHJONG AND CHARGED A FEE FOR SUCH SERVICES.
"THEY DIFFER FROM LMPS IN THAT THE UMAS DO NOT HOLD MAHJONG/TIN KAU LICENCES, ALTHOUGH MAHJONG PLAYING IS THE MAJOR ACTIVITY TAKING PLACE IN THESE PREMISES."
/HE SAID .......
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 30, 1993
2
HE SAID A NEW PROVISION WAS INTRODUCED TO THE GAMBLING ORDINANCE IN 1977 TO ALLOW MAHJONG PLAYING ON SOCIAL OCCASIONS TN LICENSED RESTAURANTS AND THE PREMISES OF SOCIETIES REGISTERED OR EXEMPTED FROM REGISTRATION UNDER THE SOCIETIES ORDINANCE.
"THE POLICY INTENTION WAS TO ACCOMMODATE MAHJONG PLAYING AS A FORM OF SOCIAL RECREATION IN RESTAURANTS OR THE PREMISES OF SOCIETIES."
THERE ARE CURRENTLY ABOUT 200 UMAS OPERATING IN THE TERRITORY, INDICATING DEMAND IN THE COMMUNITY FOR THE TYPE OF FACILITIES PROVIDED BY SUCH ESTABLISHMENTS.
HAVING CONSIDERED VARIOUS OPTIONS TO ADDRESS THE ISSUE OF UMAS, THE WORKING GROUP RECOMMENDED THAT SUCH PREMISES BE SUBJECT TO STATUTORY CONTROL UNDER EXISTING LEGISLATION.
"THE POLICY OBJECTIVE CONTINUES TO BE THAT MAHJONG-PLAYING ON A SOCIAL OCCASION WHICH IS NOT CONDUCTED FOR THE PRIVATE GAIN OF ANY PERSON OTHER THAN TO THE EXTENT OF A PERSON’S WINNINGS AS A PLAYER OF THE GAME SHOULD BE ALLOWED.
"MAHJONG PLAYING FOR WHICH A FEE IS CHARGED SHOULD BE LIMITED AND CLEARLY DEFINED. THEREFORE, THE EMPHASIS WILL BE ON THE CONTROL OF PREMISES IN WHICH MAHJONG PLAYING TAKES PLACE THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
IT IS PROPOSED THAT PREMISES OTHER THAN LMPS IN WHICH A FEE IS CHARGED FOR MAHJONG PLAYING SHOULD BE SUBJECT TO STATUTORY CONTROL AND RESTRICTED TO ONE OF THE FOLLOWING:
* CLUB-HOUSES WITH CERTIFICATES OF COMPLIANCE OR CERTIFICATES OF EXEMPTION ISSUED UNDER THE CLUBS (SAFETY OF PREMISES) ORDINANCE; OR
* PREMISES LICENSED AS RESTAURANTS UNDER THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND MUNICIPAL SERVICES ORDINANCE.
IN ADDITION, THE GOVERNMENT PROPOSED THAT THE OPERATION OF UMAS SHOULD BE REGULATED IN THE FOLLOWING WAYS:
* THE MANAGEMENT OR EMPLOYEES OF CLUBS OR RESTAURANTS SHOULD NOT BE ALLOWED TO PARTICIPATE IN MAHJONG GAMES PLAYED BY CLIENTS ON THE PREMISES. THIS IS TO PREVENT THE OPERATORS OF UMAS FROM MAKING PROFIT THROUGH TAKING PART IN MAHJONG GAMES PLAYED AT THEIR PREMISES; AND
♦ A NOMINAL FEE MAY BE CHARGED FOR THE PROVISION OF MAHJONG EQUIPMENT BUT IT MUST NOT EXCEED A PRESCRIBED AMOUNT SPECIFIED IN THE GAMBLING REGULATIONS. THE PRESCRIBED FEE WHICH WAS SET IN 1977 SHOULD BE ADJUSTED TO TAKE INTO ACCOUNT THE EFFECT OF INFLATION.
IMPLEMENTATION OF THE PROPOSALS CONCERNING LMPS REQUIRES APPROVAL OF THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
/■•SUBJECT TO.........
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 30, 1993
3 -
"SUBJECT TO THE RESULT OF THE CONSULTATION EXERCISE, RECOMMENDATIONS WILL BE PUT FORWARD TO THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL FOR CONSIDERATION AND APPROVAL."
"TO IMPLEMENT THE RECOMMENDATIONS IN RESPECT OF UMAS WILL INVOLVE AMENDMENTS TO THE GAMBLING ORDINANCE, THE CLUBS (SAFETY OF PREMISES) ORDINANCE AND THE GAMBLING REGULATIONS," HE SAID.
THE SPOKESMAN NOTED THAT THE RECOMMENDATIONS PROPOSED WERE IN LINE WITH THE EXISTING GAMBLING POLICY WHICH WAS TO DISCOURAGE ILLEGAL GAMBLING BY ALLOWING THE EXISTENCE OF CONTROLLED GAMBLING OUTLETS OPERATING UNDER STRICT LICENSING CONDITIONS.
THE CONSULTATION EXERCISE WITH DISTRICT BOARDS IS EXPECTED TO LAST UNTIL THE END OF SEPTEMBER 1993.
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WHO WISH TO EXPRESS THEIR VIEWS CAN WRITE TO HEADQUARTERS OF THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION ON THE 31ST FLOOR, SOUTHORN CENTRE, 130 HENNESSY ROAD, WAN CHAI, HONG KONG.
ARRANGEMENTS FOR DUAL POSSESSION OF BDTC AND BN(O) PASSPORTS
*****
THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (WEDNESDAY) THE DETAILED ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE HOME SECRETARY’S DECISION TO ALLOW HONG KONG BRITISH DEPENDENT TERRITORIES CITIZENS TO RETAIN THEIR PASSPORTS IN ADDITION TO THEIR BRITISH NATIONAL (OVERSEAS) PASSPORTS.
THE DECISION WAS ANNOUNCED BY THE HOME OFFICE SOME THREE WEEKS AGO.
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THE NEW ARRANGEMENTS WOULD TAKE EFFECT FROM JULY 1. DETAILS ARE AS FOLLOWS:-
* HOLDERS OF VALID BDTC PASSPORTS APPLYING FOR A BN(O) PASSPORT WILL BE ALLOWED TO RETAIN THEIR BDTC PASSPORTS IN ADDITION TO THEIR NEW BN(O) PASSPORTS, THAT IS, THEY WILL NOT BE REQUIRED TO SURRENDER THEIR CURRENT BDTC PASSPORTS FOR INVALIDATION.
* AN ELIGIBLE PERSON WHO DOES NOT HAVE EITHER A BDTC PASSPORT OR A BN(O) PASSPORT AT PRESENT MAY, IF THEY WANT, APPLY FOR BOTH PASSPORTS AT THE SAME TIME, SUBJECT TO PAYMENT OF THE PRESCRIBED FEES FOR BOTH PASSPORTS.
* CURRENT BN(O) PASSPORT HOLDERS WHO PREVIOUSLY GAVE UP THEIR BDTC PASSPORTS WHEN REGISTERING AS BN(O)S MAY, IF THEY WANT, APPLY FOR NEW BDTC PASSPORTS SUBJECT TO PAYMENT OF THE PRESCRIBED FEE.
/* ACCORDING TO ........
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 30, 1993
4
* ACCORDING TO STANDARD PRACTICE, ALL PASSPORTS, WHETHER BN(O) OR BDTC, WILL RE VALID EROM THE DATE OP ISSUE. THIS MEANS THAT BOTH PASSPORTS WILL RUN CONCURRENTLY BUT THE BDTC PASSPORT WILL OF COURSE EXPIRE ON OR BEFORE JUNE 30, 1997 .
THESE NEW ARRANGEMENTS WILL ALSO COVER THOSE BDTC PASSPORT HOLDERS WHO APPLIED FOR A BN(O) PASSPORT BEFORE JULY 1 THIS YEAR AND WHO HAVE NOT YET COLLECTED THE NEW PASSPORTS.
OVERSEAS BRITISH POSTS AND PASSPORT OFFICES HAVE BEEN INSTRUCTED TO IMPLEMENT THE NEW ARRANGEMENTS WITH EFFECT FROM THE SAME DATE, THAT IS JULY 1 THIS YEAR.
THE SPOKESMAN TAKES THIS OPPORTUNITIES TO URGE ELIGIBLE HKBDTCS TO APPLY EARLY FOR THEIR BN(O) PASSPORTS TO AVOID CONGESTION, IN PARTICULAR THOSE BORN BETWEEN 1967 - 1971.
THEY BELONG TO THE FIRST GROUP IN THE PHASED REGISTRATION PROGRAMME AND THE CUT-OFF DATE FOR APPLICATIONS PROPOSED BY THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT IS THE END OF OCTOBER THIS YEAR.
---------0-----------
LEVERAGED FOREIGN EXCHANGE TRADING BILL
* * * * *
THE GOVERNMENT IS INTRODUCING A BILL TO REGULATE THE LEVERAGED FOREIGN EXCHANGE TRADING BUSINESS IN HONG KONG, THE SECRETARY FOR FINANCIAL SERVICES, MR MICHAEL CARTLAND, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
THE LEVERAGED FOREIGN EXCHANGE TRADING BILL WILL BE INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON JULY 14.
"RETAIL INVESTORS HAVE COMPLAINED ABOUT MALPRACTICES BY COMPANIES OFFERING LEVERAGED FOREIGN EXCHANGE CONTRACTS," MR CARTLAND SAID.
AT PRESENT, SUCH COMPANIES FALL OUTSIDE THE SCOPE OF REGULATION BY THE MONETARY AUTHORITY AND THE SECURITIES AND FUTURES COMMISSION (SFC).
LEVERAGED FOREIGN EXCHANGE CONTRACTS INVOLVE A CUSTOMER LODGING A MARGIN DEPOSIT AT A PROPORTION OF THE FULL CONTRACT VALUE FOR THE FUTURE PURCHASE OR SALE OF A CURRENCY. DUE TO THEIR LEVERAGED NATURE, SUCH CONTRACTS CAN RESULT IN HIGH PROFIT AND LOSS.
MOST COMPLAINTS FROM CUSTOMERS INVOLVE THE DISCRETIONARY TRADING METHOD, UNDER WHICH A CUSTOMER WILL BE ASKED TO SIGN AN AUTHORISATION GIVING DISCRETION TO A NOMINATED EMPLOYEE OF THE COMPANY TO TRADE ON THAT CLIENT’S BEHALF.
/A COMMON .......
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 30, 1993
5
A COMMON MALPRACTICE IS THAT THE COMPANY WILL CARRY OUT MANY MORE TRANSACTIONS THAN WOULD BE WARRANTED IN ORDER TO MAXIMISE COMMISSION CHARGES.
OTHER MALPRACTICES INCLUDE PUTTING THE CLIENT AGAINST THE MARKET TREND, THE ISSUE OF DISHONOURED CHEQUES AND TRADING WITHOUT AUTHORITY.
THERE ARE ENFORCEMENT PROBLEMS AGAINST SUCH KINDS OF MISBEHAVIOUR, EVEN THOUGH THEY COULD INVOLVE CRIMINAL OFFENCES AND CIVIL LIABILITIES.
IT IS OFTEN DIFFICULT TO SECURE SUFFICIENT EVIDENCE TO PROVE THAT THESE COMPANIES HAVE DISHONESTLY OR RECKLESSLY TRADED THE CLIENT’S ACCOUNT.
MR CARTLAND EXPLAINED THAT THE FRAMEWORK BEING PROPOSED WAS MODELLED ON THAT FOR REGULATING SECURITIES AND COMMODITIES DEALERS. COMPANIES ENGAGED IN THE BUSINESS AND THEIR REPRESENTATIVES WOULD BE SUBJECT TO REGISTRATION BY THE SFC.
THE "FIT AND PROPER" CRITERIA WILL BE USED IN ASSESSING APPLICATIONS FOR LICENCES. RELEVANT CONSIDERATIONS INCLUDE AN APPLICANT’S FINANCIAL STATUS, EDUCATION OR OTHER QUALIFICATIONS, HIS ABILITY TO ACT HONESTLY AND FAIRLY, HIS REPUTATION, CHARACTER AND RELIABILITY.
"THE SFC WILL HAVE POWER TO SUSPEND OR REVOKE A LICENCE, TO SUPERVISE AND INVESTIGATE LICENCE HOLDERS FOR SUSPECTED BREACHES OF THE PROPOSED FRAMEWORK AND TO INTERVENE IN THE BUSINESS OF A LICENSED TRADER WHERE NECESSARY.
"THE COMMISSION WILL ALSO BE ABLE TO STIPULATE STRINGENT CONDUCT RULES IN VIEW OF THE NATURE OF THE BUSINESS," MR CARTLAND SAID.
CONDUCT RULES WILL COVER IMPORTANT ISSUES SUCH AS A BINDING WRITTEN CLIENT AGREEMENT, A MECHANISM FOR SETTLING DISPUTES, HOW MARGIN CALLS ARE TO BE MADE, THE ISSUE OF DETAILED CONTRACT NOTES TO CLIENTS, THE CONDUCT OF DISCRETIONARY ACCOUNTS AND DEALING PROCEDURES.
LICENSED TRADERS WILL NEED TO MAINTAIN SEGREGATED TRUST ACCOUNT FOR CLIENTS’ MONEY. THE SFC WILL BE EMPOWERED TO PROMULGATE RULES REGARDING FINANCIAL RESOURCES TO BE MAINTAINED BY LICENSED TRADERS.
AUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS WILL HAVE TO BE LODGED WITH THE SFC FOR EVERY FINANCIAL YEAR WHILE OTHER RETURNS MAY BF. REQUIRED BY THE SFC.
THE COMMISSION MAY ALSO APPOINT AN AUDITOR TO EXAMINE THE BOOKS, ACCOUNTS AND RECORDS OF A LICENCE HOLDER.
HAWKING OF BUSINESS WILL BE PROHIBITED EXCEPT UNDER CERTAIN RESTRICTIVE CIRCUMSTANCES.
"TO ENSURE THE FINANCIAL STRENGTH OF THE LICENSED TRADER, THERE WILL BE A MINIMUM SHARE CAPITAL REQUIREMENT, CURRENTLY ENVISAGED AT A LEVEL SLIGHTLY HIGHER THAN THAT REQUIRED FOR A DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANY," MR CARTLAND ADDED.
/SINCE COMPANIES .......
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 30, 1993
6
SINCE COMPANIES ALREADY EXIST THAT OFFER LEVERAGED FOREIGN EXCHANGE CONTRACTS, THE BILL WOULD PROVIDE FOR A GRACE PERIOD OF 30 DAYS AFTER THE BILL BECOMES EFFECTIVE FOR SUCH OPERATORS TO APPLY FOR LICENCES, DURING WHICH PERIOD THE RESTRICTIONS IN THE BILL WOULD NOT APPLY, HE SAID.
THOSE CHOOSING NOT TO APPLY FOR A LICENCE WITHIN THE 30 DAYS WOULD HAVE TO CEASE BUSINESS IMMEDIATELY AT THE EXPIRY OF THE GRACE PERIOD.
OPERATORS WHICH APPLIED FOR REGISTRATION WILL BE ALLOWED TO CARRY ON THEIR BUSINESS WHILE THEIR APPLICATIONS WERE BEING PROCESSED.
THOSE REFUSED A LICENCE WOULD HAVE TO CEASE OPERATION IMMEDIATELY AND WOULD BE GIVEN 14 DAYS TO CLOSE EXISTING CLIENT POSITIONS UNDER THE SUPERVISION OF THE SFC.
THE BILL WILL BE GAZETTED ON FRIDAY (JULY 2).
- - 0 - -
MONETARY STATISTICS FOR MAY
******
HONG KONG DOLLAR DEPOSITS WITH AUTHORISED INSTITUTIONS AND THE BROADER DEFINITIONS OF HONG KONG DOLLAR MONEY SUPPLY INCREASED IN MAY THIS YEAR, ACCORDING TO STATISTICS PUBLISHED TODAY (WEDNESDAY) BY THE HONG KONG MONETARY AUTHORITY.
HONG KONG DOLLAR LOANS AND ADVANCES ALSO INCREASED DURING THE
MONTH.
DEPOSITS
HONG KONG DOLLAR DEPOSITS WITH AUTHORISED INSTITUTIONS, ADJUSTED TO INCLUDE SWAP DEPOSITS, ROSE BY 1.4% IN MAY FOLLOWING AN INCREASE OF 5.7% IN MARCH AND A DECREASE OF 0.6% IN APRIL.
AMONG THESE DEPOSITS, SAVINGS DEPOSITS AND TIME DEPOSITS INCREASED BY 0.8% AND 2.6% RESPECTIVELY WHILE DEMAND DEPOSITS DECREASED BY 2.3%. YEAR-ON-YEAR, TOTAL HONG KONG DOLLAR DEPOSITS GREW BY 17.2%.
FOREIGN CURRENCY DEPOSITS WITH AUTHORISED INSTITUTIONS INCREASED BY 0.4% IN MAY, AFTER A DECREASE OF 0.2% IN MARCH AND AN INCREASE OF 1.8% IN APRIL.
OF THESE DEPOSITS, U.S. DOLLAR DEPOSITS DECREASED BY 1.0% WHILE NON-U.S. DOLLAR FOREIGN CURRENCY DEPOSITS INCREASED BY 1.7%. YEAR-ON-YEAR, TOTAL FOREIGN CURRENCY DEPOSITS GREW BY 9.8%.
DURING MAY, DEPOSITS IN ALL CURRENCIES WITH LICENSED BANKS AND RESTRICTED LICENCE BANKS INCREASED BY 0.7% AND 9.2% RESPECTIVELY WHILE DEPOSITS WITH DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES DROPPED BY 1.3%.
/YEAR-ON-YEAR, DEPOSITS
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 30, 1993
7
YEAR-ON-YEAR, DEPOSITS WITH LICENSED BANKS GREW BY 14.6% WHILE DEPOSITS WITH RESTRICTED LICENCE BANKS AND DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES DECLINED BY 27.3% AND 14.2% RESPECTIVELY.
MONEY SUPPLY
HK$M1 DECREASED BY 0.4% WHILE BOTH HK$M2 AND HK$M3 INCREASED BY 1.4% EACH IN MAY. THEIR CORRESPONDING GROWTH RATES IN APRIL WERE 4.3%, 0.5% AND -0.4% RESPECTIVELY.
YEAR-ON-YEAR, THESE MONETARY AGGREGATES INCREASED BY 19.2%, 19.1% AND 17.5% RESPECTIVELY.
TOTAL Ml, M2 AND M3 INCREASED BY 0.2%, 0.8% AND 0.9% IN MAY RESPECTIVELY. THEIR CORRESPONDING GROWTH RATES IN APRIL WERE 4.2%, 1.4% AND 0.7% RESPECTIVELY.
YEAR-ON-YEAR, THESE MONETARY AGGREGATES INCREASED BY 18.1%, 15.0% AND 13.5% RESPECTIVELY.
LOANS AND ADVANCES
TOTAL OUTSTANDING LOANS AND ADVANCES EXTENDED BY AUTHORISED INSTITUTIONS INCREASED BY 2.6% IN MAY, FOLLOWING INCREASES OF 1.9% AND 2.6% IN MARCH AND APRIL RESPECTIVELY.
AMONG THESE LOANS, HONG KONG DOLLAR LOANS INCREASED BY 1.9% WHILE FOREIGN CURRENCY LOANS INCREASED BY 2.9%. COMPARED WITH A YEAR EARLIER, THESE LOANS INCREASED BY 14.0% AND 20.2% RESPECTIVELY.
LOANS TO FINANCE VISIBLE TRADE OF HONG KONG INCREASED BY 2.3% IN MAY, AFTER INCREASES OF 1.5% AND 3.6% IN MARCH AND APRIL RESPECTIVELY. YEAR-ON-YEAR, SUCH LOANS GREW BY 10.7%.
OTHER LOANS FOR USE IN HONG KONG INCREASED BY 1.7% IN MAY, FOLLOWING INCREASES OF 3.4% AND 0.8% IN MARCH AND APRIL RESPECTIVELY. YEAR-ON-YEAR, THESE LOANS INCREASED BY 14.3%.
LOANS FOR USE OUTSIDE HONG KONG INCREASED BY 3.4% IN MAY, AFTER INCREASES OF 0.9% AND 3.6% IN MARCH AND APRIL RESPECTIVELY. YEAR-ON-YEAR, THESE LOANS GREW BY 21.9%.
LOANS TO FINANCE TRADE NOT TOUCHING HONG KONG DECREASED BY 2.0% DURING MAY, AFTER AN INCREASE OF 1.6% IN MARCH AND A DECREASE OF 1.2% IN APRIL. YEAR-ON-YEAR, THESE LOANS DECREASED BY 18.7%.
NUMBER OF REPORTING INSTITUTIONS
THE NUMBER OF REPORTING LICENSED BANKS INCREASED BY ONE TO 165 WHILE THE NUMBER OF REPORTING RESTRICTED LICENCE BANKS AND DEPOSITTAKING COMPANIES REMAINED UNCHANGED AT 55 AND 143 RESPECTIVELY.
/8 ........
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 30, 1993
8
MONETARY STATISTICS - MAY 1993
May 1993
(HKSmn)
Earlier months (% change to May 1993)
Apr 1993 Feb 1993 May 1992
Money Supply
Ml -HKS
Foreign currency
Total
M2 - HKS*
Foreign currency*
Total
M3 - HKS*
Foreign currency*
Total
Notes and coins in circulation of which held by public
148.124 148,781 ( -0.4 ) 134,093 ( 10.5 ) 124,221 ( 19.2 )
16,412 15,436 ( 6.3 ) 15,970 ( 2.3 ) 15.116 ( 8.6 )
164,536 164.218 ( 0.2 ) 150,063 ( 9.6 ) 139,337 ( 18.1 )
801,659 790,573 ( 14 ) 746,473 ( 7.4 ) 673,182 ( 19.1 )
843,097 840,566 ( 0.3 ) 823,706 ( 2.4 ) 757,632 ( 11.3 )
1.644,756 1,631,139 ( 0.8 ) 1,570,180 ( 4.7 ) 1,430,814 ( 15.0 )
817,933 806,388 ( 1-4 ) 769,810 ( 6.3 ) 696,091 ( 17.5 )
875,062 870,906 ( 0.5 ) 857.264 ( 2.1 ) 795,216 ( 10.0 )
1,692,995 1,677,294 ( 0.9 ) 1,627,075 ( 4.1 ) 1,491,307 ( 13.5 )
64.498 63,439 ( 1-7 ) 62,575 ( 31 ) 51,902 ( 24.3 )
56,806 55,300 ( 2.7 ) 54,761 ( 3.7 ) 45,079 ( 26.0 )
Total Deposits
Total Demand deposits 107,730 108,918 ( -hl ) 95,302 ( 13.0 ) 94,258 ( 14.3 )
Total Savings deposits 383,188 376,004 ( 19 ) 357,353 ( 7.2 ) 332,829 ( 15.1 )
Total Time deposits with licensed banks 1/078.859 1.073,448 ( 0.5 ) 1,045.570 ( 3.2 ) 942,768 ( 14.4 )
Total Time deposits with restricted licence banks 27.169 24,890 ( 9.2 ) 35.866 ( -24.2 ) 37,378 ( -27-3 )
Total Time deposits with deposit-taking companies 17,970 18,211 ( -13 ) 18.523 ( -3.0 ) 20,946 ( -14.2 )
HKS deposits* 747,215 737,123 ( 14 ) 701,314 ( 6.5 ) 637,737 ( 17.2 )
USS deposits* 415,007 419,309 ( -1.0 ) 417,691 ( -0.6 ) 322,661 ( 28.6 )
Other foreign currency deposits* 452.695 445,039 ( 1.7 ) 433,609 ( 4.4 ) 467,781 ( -3.2 )
All deposits 1,614.917 1,601,472 ( 0.8 ) 1,552,614 ( 4.0 ) 1,428,178 ( 13.1 )
Foreign currency swap deposits 61,199 61,171 ( 0.0 ) 60.976 ( 0.4 ) 42,830 ( 42.9 )
Total Loans and advances
To finance H.K.’s visible trade 98,775 96,531 ( 2.3 ) 91,780 ( 7.6 ) 89,219 ( >0.7 )
To finance merchandising trade not touching H.K. 11,998 12.237 ( -2.0 ) 12,200 ( -17 ) 14,750 ( -18.7 )
Other loans for use in H.K. 992.523 975.635 ( 17 ) 935,875 ( 6.1 ) 868,605 ( 14.3 )
Other loans for use outside H.K. 1,612,918 1,559.887 ( 3.4 ) 1,491,999 ( 8.1 ) 1,322.827 ( 21.9 )
Other loans where the place of use is not known 41,856 43,272 ( -33 ) 38,717 ( 8.1 ) 38,602 ( 8.4 )
Loans in HKS 883.197 866,327 ( 19 ) 833,744 ( 5.9 ) 774,498 ( 14.0 )
Loans in foreign currencies 1.874.874 1,821,234 ( 2.9 ) 1,736,827 ( 7.9 ) 1,559,506 ( 20.2 )
Total loans and advances 2.758.070 2,687,562 ( 2.6 ) 2,570,571 ( 7.3 ) 2,334,004 ( 18.2 )
♦ Adjusted for foreign currency swap deposits. Starting from April 1991, swap deposits can further be broken down into US dollar and non-US dollar foreign currency swap deposits.
Note : ’Restricted licence banks' and ’deposit-taking companies’ were known as 'licensed deposit-taking companies’ and 'registered deposit-taking companies’ respectively before 1 February 1990.
-----------o----------------
/9..............
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 30, 1993
9
HU CLARIFIES WALLED CITY CLEARANCE ISSUES *****
THE CHAIRMAN OF THE HOUSING AUTHORITY’S SPECIAL COMMITTEE TO OVERSEE THE CLEARANCE OF KOWLOON WALLED CITY, MR F K HU, ATTENDED A MEETING OF THE PUBLIC ACCOUNTS COMMITTEE (PAC) THIS (WEDNESDAY) MORNING, AND CLARIFIED THE MAJOR AREAS OF CONCERN IDENTIFIED BY THE PAC IN CONNECTION WITH CLEARANCE OF THE WALLED CITY.
AMONG THE AREAS OF CONCERN HE SPOKE ON WERE:
♦ THE ADOPTION OF THE RESULTS OBTAINED IN THE FIVE PER CENT SAMPLE SURVEY CONDUCTED BY THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT (BLD) IN MAY 1987 AS THE BASIS FOR FORMULATING THE COMPENSATION PACKAGE;
♦ THE UNDERSTATEMENT OF THE MODE FLAT SIZE, RESULTING IN AN ADDITIONAL TOTAL COST OF $119 MILLION TO THE GOVERNMENT; AND
♦ THE PAYMENT OF COMPENSATION TO ABSENTEE-OWNERS FOR THEIR MULTIPLE FLATS AT THE SAME RATE AS THAT FOR RESIDENT-OWNERSj RESULTING IN AN ADDITIONAL TOTAL COST OF $91 MILLION TO THE GOVERNMENT.
AS REGARDS THE FIVE PER CENT SAMPLE SURVEY, MR HU POINTED OUT THAT IT WAS CARRIED OUT BY THE BLD TO PROVIDE INFORMATION FOR THE SPECIAL COMMITTEE TO DRAW UP ITS COMPENSATION PROPOSALS.
THE COMMITTEE HAD DISCUSSED THE RESULTS OF THE SURVEY, BUT NOT THE DETAILS OF THE 413 INDIVIDUAL STRUCTURES SURVEYED, FOR EXAMPLE, WHETHER THEY WERE TOILETS, KITCHENS OR STOREROOMS.
IN MID-MAY 1987, MR HU ADDED, THE REGISTRAR GENERAL HAD RECEIVED ONLY 1,731 CLAIMS TO OWNERSHIP OUT OF A TOTAL OF OVER 8,000 STRUCTURES.
IT WOULD NOT THEREFORE HAVE BEEN POSSIBLE FOR THE BLD TO ESTABLISH BEYOND DOUBT TO WHICH, IF ANY, UNITS THESE TOILETS OR KITCHENS BELONGED.
"INDEED, IT WAS POSSIBLE THAT THEY WERE OWNED SEPARATELY IN THEIR OWN RIGHT," HE NOTED.
MR HU POINTED OUT THAT MANY OF THOSE KITCHENS OR TOILETS WERE REMOTE FROM THE PARENT UNITS. "THEY WERE NOT NEXT DOOR," HE NOTED.
"IT SHOULD BE NOTED THAT OF THE 413 UNITS IN THE SURVEY, A UNIT AS SMALL AS 3.24 SQUARE METRES WAS COMPENSATED AS A UNIT IN ITS OWN RIGHT.
"IN VIEW OF THE NEED FOR A SPEEDY DECISION ON THE COMPENSATION PACKAGE A RE-SURVEY WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN ADOPTED. WE WOULD HAVE DRAWN CONCLUSIONS BASED ON THE AVAILABLE INFORMATION.
"IT WAS MOST LIKELY THAT THE SPECIAL COMMITTEE WOULD HAVE DISCARDED THE STRUCTURES WHICH WERE ‘TN DOUBT’ IF IT KNEW THAT THEY WERE BEING USED AS TOILETS OR KITCHENS," HE ADDED.
/REFERRING TO .......
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 30, 1993
- 10 -
REFERRING TO UNDERSTATEMENT OF THE MODE FLAT SIZE, MR HU SAID THE OBJECTIVE OF THE SURVEY WAS NOT TO IDENTIFY THE MODE SIZED FLATS, BUT TO OBTAIN INFORMATION GENERALLY.
WHEN PRESENTED WITH THE THREE AVERAGES, NAMELY THE MODE, MEAN AND MEDIAN, THE SPECIAL COMMITTEE, HAVING DECIDED AGAINST ALLOWING EVEN THE SMALLEST UNIT OWNER TO OBTAIN COMPENSATION EQUAL TO THE COST OF A HOME OWNERSHIP UNIT, DECIDED TO ADOPT THE MODE BECAUSE IT GAVE 62 PER CENT OF THE OWNERS AT LEAST THAT AMOUNT.
THE COMMITTEE DECIDED NOT TO ADOPT THE MEAN NOR THE MEDIAN WHICH WOULD HAVE GIVEN LESS THAN 51 PER CENT OF THE OWNERS OF THE WALLED CITY SUFFICIENT MONEY TO ACQUIRE A HOS FLAT.
THE 62 PER CENT WAS CONSIDERED APPROPRIATE GIVEN THE NEED FOR THE COMPENSATION PACKAGE TO BE ACCEPTABLE, AND IT WAS ENVISAGED AT THAT TIME THAT ALL ACQUISITIONS WOULD BE ACHIEVED BY AGREEMENT RATHER THAN A FORCIBLE CLEARANCE.
"ACCORDINGLY, IF THE MODE DERIVED FROM THE SURVEY WAS LESS THAN 60 PER CENT, I WOULD DOUBT WHETHER THE SPECIAL COMMITTEE WOULD HAVE ADOPTED THAT RATE," HE NOTED.
SPEAKING OF PAYMENT OF COMPENSATION TO ABSENTEE-OWNERS FOR THEIR MULTIPLE FLATS, MR HU SAID THE SPECIAL COMMITTEE WAS AWARE THAT THE HOME PURCHASE ALLOWANCE' POLICY WAS TO PAY IT TO ALL CATEGORIES OF OWNERS, INCLUDING MULTIPLE OWNERS.
IT WAS ALSO AWARE OF THE EXISTENCE OF MULTIPLE OWNERS IN THE WALLED CITY.
IN THIS RESPECT, THE FOLLOWING POINTS WERE PARTICULARLY RELEVANT:
* THE SPECIAL COMMITTEE WAS REQUIRED BY ITS TERMS OF REFERENCE TO DRAW UP COMPENSATION PROPOSALS BASED ON ARRANGEMENT UNDER MULTI-STOREY ACQUISITIONS. TO HAVE DEPARTED FROM THE ACROSS-THE-BOARD APPLICATION OF THE HOME PURCHASE ALLOWANCE WOULD HAVE DEVIATED FROM THE TERMS OF REFERENCE.
* AS THE SPECIAL COMMITTEE WAS CONCERNED ABOUT THE ACCEPTABILITY OF THE PACKAGE, A DEPARTURE FROM THE EXISTING POLICY WAS OUT OF QUESTION.
MR HU STRESSED THAT THE SPECIAL COMMITTEE WAS AWARE OF THE EXPECTATIONS OF WALLED CITY OWNERS, AND THAT IT WAS GENERAL KNOWLEDGE THAT THE HOME PURCHASE ALLOWANCE WAS PAID TO ALL CATEGORIES OF OWNERS.
"AS FAR AS THE SPECIAL COMMITTEE WAS CONCERNED, THERE WAS NEVER ANY QUESTION THAT MULTIPLE OWNERS OF UNITS SHOULD BE TREATED DIFFERENTLY FROM OTHER OWNERS," MR HU ADDED.
THE DIRECTOR OF BUILDINGS AND LANDS, MR DARWIN CHEN, ATTENDED THE PAC MEETING AS CONTROLLING OFFICER.
- - 0-----------
/Il ........
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 30, 1993
- 11 -
SPEL RETURNS FROM PEARI, RIVER DELTA VISIT * * * * *
THE SECRETARY FOR PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS, MR TONY EASON, TODAY (WEDNESDAY) RETURNED TO HONG KONG AFTER HIS VISIT TO GUANGZHOU, RONGQI PORT AND ZHUHAI.
IT WAS HIS FIRST OFFICIAL TRIP TO THE PEARL RIVER DELTA BUT PART OF A CONTINUING PROGRAMME OF SIMILAR VISITS.
"IN GUANGZHOU, I MET MR ZHUANG WANLONG, DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF THE GUANGDONG PROVINCIAL PLANNING COMMISSION AND MR SHEN DONGLIU, DEPUTY CHIEF OF THE GUANGDONG LAND ADMINISTRATION BUREAU AND HAD A COMPREHENSIVE BRIEFING ON THE MAJOR INFRASTRUCTURAL DEVELOPMENTS IN GUANGDONG PROVINCE," HE SAID.
THESE INCLUDE RAILWAY, EXPRESSWAY, AIRPORT AND PORT PROJECTS, HE ADDED.
"I ALSO EXCHANGED VIEWS WITH OFFICIALS OF THE GUANGZHOU MUNICIPAL GOVERNMENT, MR ZHAO ZHENGQIANG, DEPUTY SECRETARY-GENERAL; MADAM LT YANHONG, VICE CHAIRMAN OF THE GUANGZHOU PLANNING COMMISSION AND MR YU ZHEFU, DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF TECHNICAL DEPARTMENT OF THE GUANGZHOU METRO CORPORATION.
"WE COMPARED NOTES ON TOWN PLANNING, URBAN RENEWAL AND NEW TOWN DEVELOPMENT MATTERS AND ON INFRASTRUCTURAL PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT," MR EASON SAID.
THE DELEGATION ATTENDED A DINNER YESTERDAY EVENING HOSTED BY MR WU XIYUAN, DEPUTY SECRETARY-GENERAL, GUANGDONG PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT.
THE DELEGATION LEFT GUANGZHOU FOR. ZHUHAI THIS MORNING AND PAID A BRIEF VISIT TO RONGQI PORT.
MR EASON SAID IT WAS INTERESTING TO VISIT A TYPICAL PORT IN THE PEARL RIVER DELTA AREA AND LOOK AT THEIR RIVER TRADE OPERATIONS.
"WE COULD SEE HOW THE PROPOSED RIVER TRADE TERMINAL BEING PLANNED FOR TUEN MUN AREA 38 IS NEEDED TO SERVE THE PEARL RIVER DELTA AREA," HE SAID.
IN THE AFTERNOON, MR EASON MET AND HAD LUNCH WITH MR CHEN HUANLI, VICE MAYOR OF ZHUHAI CITY.
THE DELEGATION WAS ALSO BRIEFED BY MR HUANG ZHENSHAN, VICE SECRETARY-GENERAL, PEOPLE GOVERNMENT OF ZHUHAI ON THE MAJOR EXPRESSWAY, RAILWAY AND BRIDGE PROJECTS AND OTHER INFRASTRUCTURAL PROJECTS UNDER PLANNING OR CONSTRUCTION.
"WE HAD A QUICK TOUR OF ZHUHAI TO SEE THE MAJOR ROAD AND BRIDGE PROJECTS UNDER CONSTRUCTION. WE WERE IMPRESSED BY THE RAPID DEVELOPMENT IN THE AREA."
/COMMENTING ON .......
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 30, 1993
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COMMENTING ON HIS VISIT, MR EASON SAID IT WAS VERY USEFUL AND PROVIDED MEMBERS OF THE DELEGATION VALUABLE FIRST-HAND INFORMATION ON DEVELOPMENTS ON THE PEARL RIVER DELTA AREA.
"WE WERE ABLE TO MAKE MANY USEFUL CONTACTS AND EXCHANGE VIEWS ON MATTERS OF MUTUAL INTEREST IN THE INFRASTRUCTURAL FIELD. THIS HAS FURTHERED OUR UNDERSTANDING ABOUT PEARL RIVER DELTA DEVELOPMENT AND THE ROLE HONG KONG CAN PLAY," HE SAID.
"CERTAINLY, THIS INFORMATION WILL BE FED INTO OUR THINKING ON OUR OWN INFRASTRUCTURAL PLANNING," MR EASON SAID.
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STATEMENT ON U.S. MILK FOOD CONTAMINATION *****
IN RESPONSE TO PRESS ENQUIRIES ON U.S. MILK FOOD CONTAMINATION, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH SAID THE DEPARTMENT HAD CHECKED THE MILK PRODUCTS AND FOOD SUPPLEMENTS IN HONG KONG.
ACCORDING TO THE INFORMATION SO FAR AVAILABLE, NO INFANT FORMULA SOLD IN HONG KONG IS LIKELY TO BE IMPLICATED.
THE TWO PRODUCTS AVAILABLE IN THE MARKET LIKELY TO BE AFFECTED BY THE CONTAMINATION ARE: ENERCAL, (BATCH VO8NDC) PRODUCED AFTER NOVEMBER 4, 1992 AND FORMANCE, PRODUCED AFTER THE SAME DATE.
THE PUBLIC ARE ADVISED TO TAKE NOTE OF SUCH PRODUCTS AND IT IS UNDERSTOOD THAT THE AGENTS INVOLVED HAVE ALREADY TAKEN ACTION TO RECALL THE PRODUCTS, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
THE DEPARTMENT HAS TAKEN SAMPLES TO DETERMINE THE CONTAMINATION.
THERE IS NO REPORT OF ILLNESSES RELATED TO THE CONSUMPTION OF THE SAID PRODUCTS.
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WEDNESDAY, JUNE 30, 1993
LAND REGISTRY TO OPERATE ON TRADING FUND BASIS
******
THE LAND REGISTRY, WHICH HAS RECENTLY BECOME A SEPARATE GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENT TAKING OVER THE FUNCTIONS OF THE LAND OFFICE OF THE FORMER REGISTRAR GENERAL’S DEPARTMENT, WILL OPERATE ON A TRADING FUND BASIS, STARTING FROM AUGUST 1.
FOLLOWING THE PASSAGE OF A RESOLUTION IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TO ESTABLISH THE LANI) REGISTRY TRADING FUND, THE LAND REGISTRAR, MR KENNETH PANG, EXPLAINED AT A NEWS CONFERENCE THIS (WEDNESDAY) AFTERNOON HOW HIS DEPARTMENT WOULD OPERATE UNDER THE TRADING FUND, AND OUTLINED THE PROJECTS IN THE PIPELINE TO PROVIDE MORE EFFECTIVE AND BETTER SERVICES TO THE PUBLIC.
"MY IMMEDIATE TASK IS TO ARRANGE FOR THE SMOOTH TRANSITION OF THE LAND REGISTRY FROM A VOTE-FUNDED DEPARTMENT TO TRADING FUND OPERATIONS," HE NOTED.
THE LAND REGISTRY IS ONE OF THE FIRST DEPARTMENTS TO OPERATE UNDER A TRADING FUND.
A TRADING FUND, MR PANG EXPLAINED, IS A FINANCIAL AND ACCOUNTING ARRANGEMENT WHICH REQUIRES A DEPARTMENT OFFERING SERVICES OF A COMMERCIAL NATURE TO OPERATE ON A COMMERCIAL BASIS WHILE REMAINING AS A GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENT AND ITS STAFF AS CIVIL SERVANTS.
"THE BASIC OBJECTIVE IS TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF SERVICE TO CUSTOMERS WITH STRONG EMPHASIS ON MEETING PERFORMANCE TARGETS AND FINANCIAL OBJECTIVES. THERE IS GREATER FLEXIBILITY FOR DEPLOYING RESOURCES TO MEET OPERATIONAL NEEDS," HE STRESSED.
MR PANG WENT ON TO SAY THAT TRADING-FUNDED DEPARTMENT RECEIVES PAYMENTS FROM ITS CUSTOMERS IN BOTH THE PRIVATE AND PUBLIC SECTORS FOR SERVICES PROVIDED, AND THE PAYMENTS ARE CREDITED TO THE FUND TO FINANCE ITS EXPENDITURE. THE DEPARTMENT IS REQUIRED TO BALANCE INCOME AND EXPENDITURE, TAKING ONE YEAR WITH ANOTHER.
"THIS ARRANGEMENT GIVES THE DEPARTMENT GREATER FINANCIAL FLEXIBILITY SO AS TO RESPOND MORE PROMPTLY TO THE CHANGING NEEDS OF ITS FEE-PAYMENT CUSTOMERS AND TO INVEST IN EFFICIENCY IMPROVEMENT CAPITAL PROJECTS, SUCH AS OFFICE AUTOMATION AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY," HE NOTED.
MR PANG, TN HIS CAPACITY AS LAND REGISTRAR, IS THE GENERAL MANAGER OF THE LAND REGISTRY TRADING FUND. HE IS ACCOUNTABLE TO THE SECRETARY FOR PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS AND ULTIMATELY TO THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY FOR MANAGING AND OPERATING THE BUSINESS OF THE LAND REGISTRY AND FOR ACHIEVING ITS PERFORMANCE TARGETS AND FINANCIAL OBJECTIVES.
THE TRADING FUND’S ANNUAL REPORT AND THE DIRECTOR OF AUDIT'S REPORT ON THE ACCOUNTS WILL BE TABLED IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
/THE MAIN ........
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 30, 1993
14
THE MAIN SERVICES PROVIDED BY THE LAND REGISTRY ARE:
* REGISTRATION OF DOCUMENTS RELATED TO LAND UNDER THE LAND REGISTRATION ORDINANCE;
* PROVISION OF FACILITIES FOR SEARCH OF THE LAND REGISTER AND RELATED RECORDS BY THE PUBLIC AND GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS’ AND
* REGISTRATION OF OWNERS CORPORATIONS UNDER THE BUILDING MANAGEMENT ORDINANCE.
MR PANG THEN LISTED OUT THE EFFICIENCY IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS INCLUDED IN THE LAND REGISTRY’S BUSINESS AND CORPORATE PLAN FOR THE NEXT FEW YEARS. THEY ARE:
* MICROFILMING OF REGISTERED DOCUMENTS IN THE EIGHT NEW TERRITORIES DISTRICT LAND REGISTRIES. AT PRESENT SUCH DOCUMENTS ARE STORED IN PAPER FORM;
* COMPUTERISATION .OF THE NEW TERRITORIES LAND REGISTRATION SYSTEM BY EXTENDING THE COMPUTERISED REGISTRATION SYSTEM IN THE URBAN REGISTRY TO THE NEW TERRITORIES REGISTRIES;
i PROVISION OF COMPUTERISED DIRECT SEARCH FACILITIES BY MEANS OF A COMPUTERISED PUBLIC NETWORK ACCESS SYSTEM TO ENABLE CUSTOMERS TO MAKE ON-LINE SEARCHES OF THE LAND REGISTER THROUGH COMPUTER TERMINALS AT THEIR OWN OFFICES; AND
* CONVERSION OF THE PRESENT "DEEDS" REGISTRATION SYSTEM TO ONE OF "TITLE" REGISTRATION WHICH WOULD CONFER CERTAINTY OF OWNERSHIP AND SIMPLIFY CONVEYANCING PROCEDURES. DRAFTING WORK ON THE PROPOSED TITLE REGISTRATION LEGISLATION IS CURRENTLY UNDERWAY.
IN CONCLUSION, MR PANG STRESSED THAT HE AND HIS. STAFF WERE COMMITTED TO PROVIDING AN EFFICIENT, COURTEOUS AND PROFESSIONAL SERVICE TO ALL THE CUSTOMERS IN BOTH THE PRIVATE AND PUBLIC SECTORS.
"WE ARE COMMITTED TO DOING OUR BEST TO MEET PERFORMANCE STANDARDS AND TO FURTHER IMPROVE OUR SERVICES. IN THIS CONNECTION, THE LAND REGISTRY WILL ANNOUNCE ITS PERFORMANCE PLEDGES TO CUSTOMERS IN THE NEAR FUTURE," HE ADDED.
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/15........
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 30, 1993
15 OFFICE OF TELECOMS AUTHORITY OPENS * * t i i i
THE SECRETARY FOR ECONOMIC SERVICES, MR GORDON SIU, ANNOUNCED THAT HONG KONG’S NEW TELECOMMUNICATIONS REGULATORY BODY, THE OFFICE OF THE TELECOMMUNICATIONS AUTHORITY (OFTA), WILL OFFICIALLY OPEN TOMORROW (THURSDAY).
THE OFFICE, WHICH IS ABSORBING THE FORMER TELECOMMUNICATIONS BRANCH OF THE POST OFFICE, WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR ALL ASPECTS OF THE REGULATION OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS SERVICES IN HONG KONG.
OFTA WILL BE HEADED BY THE NEWLY APPOINTED DIRECTOR-GENERAL OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS, MR ALEXANDER ARENA.
MR ARENA HAS HAD EXTENSIVE EXPERIENCE IN REGULATING TELECOMMUNICATIONS MARKETS DURING HIS TIME AS A MEMBER OF THE BOARD OF THE AUSTRALIAN REGULATORY BODY AUSTEL.
HE HAS BEEN EMPLOYED AS A TELECOMMUNICATIONS CONSULTANT IN THE ECONOMIC SERVICES BRANCH OF THE GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT SINCE FEBRUARY.
"THE ESTABLISHMENT QF OFTA MARKS A MILESTONE TN THE DEVELOPMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS REGULATION IN HONG KONG," MR SIU SAID.
"ONE OF THE MOST PRESSING AND DIFFICULT REGULATORY TASKS -FACING US IS THE INTRODUCTION OF LOCAL NETWORK COMPETITION," MR SIU ADDED.
"IT IS ESSENTIAL THAT WE HAVE A SPECIALIST REGULATORY BODY THAT CAN TAKE THE COMPLEX DECISIONS NECESSARY TO STEER HONG KONG THROUGH THE TRANSITION TO AN INCREASINGLY COMPETITIVE TELECOMS MARKET," HE SAID.
THE DIRECTOR-GENERAL OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS, MR ARENA, SAID: "A HIGH PRIORITY WILL BE PLACED ON BUILDING UP ADDITIONAL EXPERTISE IN FINANCIAL, ECONOMIC AND LEGAL DISCIPLINES TO EQUIP OFTA TO CARRY OUT ITS NEW REGULATORY FUNCTIONS."
"WE ALSO EXPECT LOCAL INDUSTRY AND CONSUMERS TO PLAY A MORE ACTIVE ROLE IN ADVISING US OF THEIR REGULATORY CONCERNS. TO THIS END OFTA WILL BE SETTING UP A CONSULTATIVE MACHINERY TO COLLECT VIEWS FROM USERS AND OPERATORS THROUGHOUT HONG KONG," HE ADDED.
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WEDNESDAY, JUNE 30, 1993
16
RESULTS OF 1991 SURVEY OF INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION ******
THE GROSS OUTPUT PERFORMED BY MANUFACTURING ESTABLISHMENTS IN 1991 AMOUNTED TO $324.2 BILLION, REPRESENTING A SLIGHT INCREASE OF 0.6% OVER 1990.
NET OF TOTAL OPERATING EXPENDITURE, THE GROSS SURPLUS OF THESE ESTABLISHMENTS AMOUNTED TO 10.5% OF THE GROSS OUTPUT IN 1991, WHICH WAS SLIGHTLY HIGHER THAN THE CORRESPONDING FIGURE OF 10.3% IN 1990.
THESE ARE SOME OF THE MAJOR RESULTS OF THE 1991 SURVEY OF INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION RELEASED TODAY (WEDNESDAY) BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT. THE SURVEY WAS CONDUCTED FROM APRIL 1992 TO EARLY 1993.
ALL VALUE FIGURES ARE EXPRESSED IN CURRENT PRICES. THE PERCENTAGE CHANGES DERIVED FROM THESE FIGURES HAVE NOT BEEN ADJUSTED FOR PRICE CHANGES. CAUTION SHOULD THEREFORE BE TAKEN IN INTERPRETING THE SURVEY RESULTS.
THE SURVEY RESULTS SHOWED THAT THERE WERE SOME 43,900 MANUFACTURING ESTABLISHMENTS OPERATING IN 1991.
EXPRESSED AS A PERCENTAGE OF THE GROSS OUTPUT, THE OPERATING EXPENDITURE INCURRED BY MANUFACTURING ESTABLISHMENTS IN 1991 WAS 16.4% FOR COMPENSATION OF EMPLOYEES; 62.7% FOR CONSUMPTION OF MATERIALS, SUPPLIES, AND INDUSTRIAL WORK/SERVICES; AND 10.4% FOR OTHER EXPENSES. THESE PERCENTAGES WERE SIMILAR TO THOSE IN 1990.
THE VALUE ADDED OF MANUFACTURING INDUSTRY AMOUNTED TO $92.7 BILLION IN 1991. THIS REPRESENTED A SLIGHT INCREASE OF 0.5% OVER 1990.
THE VALUE ADDED CONTENT OF THE GROSS OUTPUT PERFORMED BY THESE ESTABLISHMENTS AMOUNTED TO 28.6%. THIS COMPRISED MAINLY 16.4% FOR COMPENSATION OF EMPLOYEES AND 10.5% FOR GROSS SURPLUS. THE CORRESPONDING FIGURES FOR THESE TWO VALUE ADDED COMPONENTS IN 1990 WERE 16.9% AND 10.3% RESPECTIVELY.
IN TERMS OF VALUE ADDED, THE FIVE LARGEST BROAD INDUSTRY GROUPS IN 1991 WERE:
* BASIC METALS, FABRICATED METAL PRODUCTS, MACHINERY AND EQUIPMENT, ACCOUNTING FOR 21.1% OF THE TOTAL VALUE ADDED OF THE MANUFACTURING INDUSTRY;
* WEARING APPAREL, 19.9%;
* TEXTILES, 15.1%;
* ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC PRODUCTS, 12.4%; AND
* PAPER PRODUCTS, PRINTING AND PUBLISHING, 10.2%.
/SIGNIFICANT INCREASES .......
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 30, 1993
SIGNIFICANT INCREASES IN VALUE ADDED IN 1991 WERE RECORDED IN THE FOOD, BEVERAGES AND TOBACCO INDUSTRY (+14.1%) AND THE CHEMICAL, RUBBER AND NON-METALLIC MINERAL PRODUCTS INDUSTRY (+13.3%).
HOWEVER, SIGNIFICANT DECREASES WERE RECORDED IN THE LEATHER, WOOD AND CORK PRODUCTS INDUSTRY (-19.4%) AND THE PLASTIC PRODUCTS INDUSTRY (-11.6%).
APART FROM MANUFACTURING ESTABLISHMENTS, THE SURVEY ALSO ENUMERATED ESTABLISHMENTS ENGAGED IN MINING AND QUARRYING; AND SUPPLY OF ELECTRICITY, GAS AND WATER.
SUMMARY STATISTICS FOR THE 1991 SURVEY OF INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION WILL BE INCLUDED IN THE JUNE 1993 ISSUE OF THE HONG KONG MONTHLY DIGEST OF STATISTICS PUBLISHED BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
DETAILS OF THE SURVEY RESULTS WILL BE PUBLISHED IN A FULL REPORT AVAILABLE AROUND AUGUST.
ENQUIRIES REGARDING STATISTICS ON INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION CAN BE DIRECTED TO THE INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION STATISTICS SECTION OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT ON TEL 839 3202.
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WEDNESDAY, JUNE 30, 1993
18
Summary results of the 1991 Survey of Industrial Production ______analysed by broad manufacturing industry group_______
Broad Nurber industry of estagroup blishments Number of persons engaged Ccnpen-sation of employees ($ Mn) Consumption of materials, supplies & industrial work/ sendees ($ Mn) Other expenses ($ Mn) Gross surplus (net of "textile export quota transfer receipts") ($ Mn) Gross output ($ Mn) Value added ($ Mn)
Food, beverages and tobacco 854 (-12) 27 207 (*) 2,783 (17) 9,052 (4) 2,724 (17) 4,077 (12) 18,635 (9) 6,970 (14)
Wearing apparel, except knitwear and footwear 7 443 (-17) 187 496 (-15) 13,128 (-5) 39,725 (1) 7,072 (9) 3,586 (-5) 63,510 (*) 18,424 (-3)
Leather, wood and cork products 2 000 (-24) 13 068 (-31) 848 (-22) 2,945 (-23) 548 (-11) 410 (-15) 4,750 (-21) 1,293 (-19)
Textiles (including knitting) 4 684 (-16) 99 234 (-12) 8,541 (-3) 35,463 (8) 5,670 (4) 4,065 (-1) 53,738 (5) 14,009 (*)
Paper products, printing and publishing 6 495 (-4) 56 025 (-5) 5,094 (10) 13,235 (-1) 3,030 (5) 4,061 (6) 25,421 (3) 9,458 (5)
Chemicals, rubber & non-metal ic mineral products 1 131 (-20) 13 444 (-13) 1,370 (-4) 7,483 (-7) 1,480 (-2) 1,585 (14) 11,918 (-4) 3,250 (13)
Plastic products 3 795 (-20) 38 725 (-22) 2,870 (-10) 9,416 (-17) 1,927 (-13) 2,105 (-17) 16,318 (-15) 5,238 (-12)
Basic metals, fabricated metal products, machinery & equipment 13 836 (-14) 131 220 (-13) 11,079 (*) 46,003 (13) 5,990 (-3) 8,073 (9) 71,145 (9) 19,565 (3)
Electrical & electronic products 930 (-8) 61 188 (-20) 5,342 (-8) 31,081 (-10) 4,168 (-11) 5,335 (10) 45,925 (-8) 11,464 (1)
Other manufacturing industries 2 725 (-26) 23 798 (-25) 2,021 (-13) 8,879 (7) 1,094 (2) 862 (-16) 12,856 (1) 3,022 (-10)
Total 43 893 (-15) 651 404 (-15) 53,076 (-3) 203,280 (1) 33,705 (1) 34,157 (3) 324,218 (1) 92,693 (*)
Notes : (1) Individual entries may not add up exactly to the respective totals due to rounding.
(2) Figures in brackets represent percentage changes in 1991 over 1990.
(3) Value added is a measure of the contribution of an industry' to Hong Kong's Gross Domestic Product.
(4) The "Nunber of person engaged” are 'full-year equivalent' figures, i.e. for an establislnent vhich operated for only part of 1991, the nunber of persons engaged as at the end of the quarters during which the establishment operated are sunned up and divided by 4.
* Changes within +/- 0.5%
/19 ........
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 30, 1993
19 TEXTILES TRADER REGISTRATION SCHEME LAUNCHED ♦ * * ♦ *
THE TEXTILES TRADER REGISTRATION SCHEME (TTRS), WHICH AIMS AT SUPPLEMENTING EXISTING TEXTILES LICENSING ARRANGEMENTS AND REPLACING THE TRANSHIPMENT CARGO EXEMPTION SCHEME IN RESPECT OF TEXTILES, WILL COME INTO EFFECT TOMORROW (THURSDAY).
"SO FAR, OVER 10,000 TEXTILES TRADERS HAVE BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE TTRS. WE HOPE MORE TRADERS WILL APPLY FOR REGISTRATION AND BENEFIT FROM THE SCHEME," A SPOKESMAN FOR THE TRADE DEPARTMENT SAID.
THE REGISTRATION IS VALID FOR 12 MONTHS AND SUBJECT TO ANNUAL RENEWAL. THE CURRENT ANNUAL REGISTRATION FEE IS $2,000.
THOSE REGISTERED UNDER THE TTRS WILL BE EXEMPTED FROM TEXTILES LICENSING REQUIREMENTS IN RESPECT OF ALL IMPORTS, ALL RE-EXPORTS, DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO NON-RESTRAINED MARKETS AND TEXTILES TRANSHIPMENT CARGO.
THEY WILL ONLY BE REQUIRED TO SUBMIT TO THE CARRIER AT THE TIME OF SHIPMENT A NOTIFICATION CONTAINING INFORMATION ON THE CONSIGNMENT IN QUESTION. THE NOTIFICATION WILL THEN BE RETURNED TO THE TRADE DEPARTMENT BY THE CARRIER, TOGETHER WITH THE MANIFEST.
"TRADERS ARE NO LONGER REQUIRED TO COME TO THE DEPARTMENT IN PERSON TO OBTAIN THE RELEVANT LICENCES BEFORE THE IMPORTATION OR EXPORTATION OF THOSE TEXTILES COVERED BY THE SCHEME," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
REGISTERED TEXTILES TRADERS SHOULD BUY THE VARIOUS NOTIFICATION FORMS FROM THE TRADE DEPARTMENT. THEY SHOULD BRING ALONG THEIR CERTIFICATES OF REGISTRATION OR CERTIFIED PHOTOCOPIES OF THEIR CERTIFICATES.
COPIES OF A CIRCULAR EXPLAINING THE PROCEDURES FOR THE COMPLETION AND SUBMISSION OF NOTIFICATIONS HAVE BEEN SENT TO TEXTILES TRADERS REGISTERED UNDER THE SCHEME.
THE CIRCULAR IS ALSO AVAILABLE AT THE TRADE DEPARTMENT’S ENQUIRY COUNTER ON THE GROUND FLOOR, TRADE DEPARTMENT TOWER, 700 NATHAN ROAD, KOWLOON.
WITH THE LAUNCHING OF THE TTRS ON JULY 1, THE TRANSHIPMENT CARGO EXEMPTION SCHEME WILL CEASE TO APPLY TO TEXTILES GOODS ON THE SAME DAY.
"TEXTILES TRANSHIPMENT CARGO MUST BE COVERED BY NOTIFICATIONS, OR FOR THOSE NOT YET REGISTERED UNDER THE TTRS, BY IMPORT AND RE-EXPORT LICENCES,” HE SAID.
"IMPORT AND EXPORT LICENCE FORMS (FORMS 7 & 4) MUST BE USED TO COVER TEXTILES CONSIGNMENTS NOT COVERED BY NOTIFICATIONS," THE SPOKESMAN STRESSED.
/"EXISTING INSTANT .......
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 30, 1993
20 -
"EXISTING INSTANT LICENSING SERVICES WILL CONTINUE UNTIL THE END OF JULY THIS YEAR. STARTING FROM AUGUST 2, APPROVED LICENCES WILL BE ISSUED TWO CLEAR WORKING DAYS AFTER SUBMISSION.
"TRADERS ARE URGED TO MAKE USE OF THE TTRS, WHICH IS A MORE CONVENIENT ALTERNATIVE," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
APPLICATION FORMS ARE AVAILABLE FROM THE TRADE DEPARTMENT ENQUIRY COUNTER.
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RESULTS OF 1991 SURVEY OF WHOLESALE, RETAIL AND IMPORT/EXPORT TRADES, RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS *****
BOTH THE IMPORT/EXPORT AND RETAIL TRADES REGISTERED RAPID GROWTH IN 1991, WITH TOTAL SALES INCREASED BY 26% AND 20% RESPECTIVELY WHEN COMPARED WITH 1990.
OVER THE SAME PERIOD, THE TOTAL SALES OF THE WHOLESALE TRADE, RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS (INCLUDING BOARDING HOUSES) ALSO WENT UP, BY 14%, 13% AND 10% RESPECTIVELY.
GROWTH IN GROSS SURPLUS (WHICH EQUALS TOTAL SALES LESS TOTAL OPERATING EXPENDITURE) VARIED AMONGST THESE BUSINESS ACTIVITIES -
WHILE THE IMPORT/EXPORT, WHOLESALE AND RETAIL TRADES HAD INCREASED IN GROSS SURPLUS OVER 1990, OF 20%, 14% AND 13% RESPECTIVELY, RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS RECORDED DECREASES OF 13% AND 23% RESPECTIVELY.
THESE ARE SOME OF THE MAJOR RESULTS OF THE 1991 SURVEY OF WHOLESALE, RETAIL AND IMPORT/EXPORT TRADES, RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS RELEASED TODAY (WEDNESDAY) BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
THE SURVEY WAS CONDUCTED FROM APRIL 1992 TO EARLY 1993.
ALL VALUE FIGURES ARE EXPRESSED IN CURRENT PRICES. THE PERCENTAGE CHANGES DERIVED FROM THESE FIGURES HAVE NOT BEEN ADJUSTED FOR PRICE CHANGES. CAUTION SHOULD THEREFORE BE TAKEN IN INTERPRETING THE SURVEY RESULTS.
IN 1991, THERE WERE SOME 82,500 IMPORT/EXPORT ESTABLISHMENTS IN OPERATION, AN INCREASE OF 19% OVER 1990. TOTAL SALES GENERATED BY THESE ESTABLISHMENTS AMOUNTED TO $1,313 BILLION, AN INCREASE OF 26% OVER 1990.
THE GROSS SURPLUS OF THE IMPORT/EXPORT TRADE ACCOUNTED FOR 4.5% OF ITS TOTAL SALES WHILE THE TOTAL OPERATING EXPENDITURE (COMPRISING COMPENSATION OF EMPLOYEES, OPERATING EXPENSES AND VALUE OF PURCHASES OF GOODS FOR SALE) TOOK UP THE REMAINING 95.5%.
/COMPARED WITH .......
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 30, 1993
- 21 -
COMPARED WITH 1990, THESE PERCENTAGES REMAINED VIRTUALLY UNCHANGED.
THE TRADE’S VALUE ADDED GREW BY 23% FROM $88 BILLTON IN 1990 TO $107.8 BILLION IN 1991.
IN THE RETAIL TRADE, THERE WERE SOME 55,500 ESTABLISHMENTS IN OPERATION IN 1991, AN INCREASE OF 3% OVER 1990. TOTAL SALES GENERATED BY THESE ESTABLISHMENTS AMOUNTED TO $187.2 BILLION, WHICH WAS 20% HIGHER THAN THAT IN 1990.
THE GROSS SURPLUS AND THE TOTAL OPERATING EXPENDITURE OF THE RETAIL TRADE ACCOUNTED FOR 5.9% AND 94.1% OF ITS TOTAL SALES RESPECTIVELY.
WHEN COMPARED WITH THE RESPECTIVE FIGURES OF 6.3% AND 93.7% IN 1990, ONLY A SMALL CHANGE WAS RECORDED.
THE TRADE’S VALUE ADDED WAS $24.4 BILLION IN 1991, AN INCREASE OF 19% OVER 1990.
IN THE WHOLESALE TRADE, THERE WERE SOME 21,300 ESTABLISHMENTS IN OPERATION IN 1991, AN INCREASE OF 17% OVER 1990. THESE ESTABLISHMENTS GENERATED $140.1 BILLION OF TOTAL SALES IN 1991, AN INCREASE OF 14% OVER 1990.
THE GROSS SURPLUS AND THE TOTAL OPERATING EXPENDITURE OF THE WHOLESALE TRADE ACCOUNTED FOR 3.6% AND 96.4% OF ITS TOTAL SALES RESPECTIVELY. THESE PERCENTAGES REMAINED UNCHANGED WHEN COMPARED WITH THE CORRESPONDING FIGURES IN 1990.
THE TRADE’S VALUE ADDED INCREASED BY 12% TO $10.6 BILLION IN 1991 .
SOME 9,700 RESTAURANTS WERE IN OPERATION IN 1991. THEY GENERATED $47.3 BILLION OF TOTAL SALES, AN INCREASE OF 13% OVER 1990.
THE GROSS SURPLUS OF THESE RESTAURANTS ACCOUNTED FOR 6.4% OF ITS TOTAL SALES, A DROP OF 1.9 PERCENTAGE POINTS BELOW THE FIGURE IN 1990.
CONCURRENTLY THE TOTAL OPERATING EXPENDITURE OF THE INDUSTRY ACCOUNTED FOR 93.6% OF ITS TOTAL SALES, WHICH WAS 1.9 PERCENTAGE POINTS HIGHER THAN THE CORRESPONDING FIGURE IN 1990.
THE INDUSTRY’S VALUE ADDED WAS $17.5 BILLION, AN INCREASE OF 8% OVER 1990.
SOME 1,650 HOTELS AND BOARDING HOUSES WERE IN OPERATION IN 1991. THEY GENERATED $13.1 BILLION OF TOTAL SALES, AN INCREASE OF 10% OVER 1990.
THE GROSS SURPLUS OF THE HOTEL INDUSTRY ACCOUNTED FOR 15.5% OF ITS TOTAL SALES, A DECREASE OF 6.6 PERCENTAGE POINTS BELOW THE FIGURE IN 1990 WHILE THE TOTAL OPERATING EXPENDITURE ACCOUNTED FOR 84.5%.
/THE INDUSTRY'S .......
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 30, 1993
- 22 -
THE INDUSTRY’S VALUE ADDED WAS $7.1 BILLION IN 1991, AN INCREASE OF 6% OVER 1990.
SUMMARY STATISTICS FOR THE 1991 SURVEY OF WHOLESALE, RETAIL AND IMPORT/EXPORT TRADES, RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS WILL BE INCLUDED IN THE JUNE 1993 ISSUE OF THE HONG KONG MONTHLY DIGEST OF STATISTICS PUBLISHED BY THE DEPARTMENT.
MORE DETAILED RESULTS TOGETHER WITH THE BACKGROUND AND METHODOLOGY OF THE SURVEY WILL BE GIVEN IN A FULL REPORT TO BE PUBLISHED IN AROUND AUGUST.
THE REPORT WILL BE ON SALE AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATION CENTRE, GENERAL POST OFFICE BUILDING, GROUND FLOOR, CONNAUGHT PLACE, CENTRAL; AND AT THE PUBLICATION OFFICE OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT, 19TH FLOOR, WANCHAI TOWER, 12 HARBOUR ROAD, HONG KONG.
ENQUIRIES REGARDING THESE SURVEY RESULTS MAY BE DIRECTED TO THE WHOLESALE AND RETAIL TRADE STATISTICS SECTION OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT ON TEL 802 1248.
/23 .......
Comparison of Selected Principal Statistics for all establishments in Wholesale, Retail and Import/Export Trades, Restaurants and Hotels Sector between 1990 and 1991
Nunber Busbar Value of
Major of of Hueber Cowpensa- purchases Sales and
industry Istablish- group Bents persons of ticns of Operating engaged employees employees expenses of goods Gross other Value for sale surplus rwroipt-g ndded
$ Hn. $ Hn. $ Hn. $ Hn. $ Mn. $ Mn.
Wholesale 1991 21 298 85 498 61 830 5,166 11,460 118,496 5,027 140,149 10,649
trade 1990 18 240 79 381 59 732 4,608 9,581 104,746 4,395 123,330 9,484
% change +17 +8 +4 +12 +20 +X3 +14 +14 +12
Retail trade 1991 55 525 213 904 145 218 12,661 25,240 138,203 11,050 187,154 24,411
1990 53 844 194 723 132 380 10,128 20,627 115,647 9,788 156,190 20,484
% change +3 +10 +10 +25 +22 +20 +13 +20 +19
1 Inport/export 1991 82 468 434 764 380 783 45,184 127,867 1,081,187 58,727 1,312,965 107,781
1 trade 1990 69 140 376 157 321 094 36,325 112,969 843,393 48,764 1,041,450 87,979
1 « change +19 +16 +19 +24 +13 +28 +20 +26 +23 '
1 Restaurants 1991 9 713 197 722 186 556 14,524 12,472 17,307 3,015 47,317 17,451 £}
o 1990 8 695 187 171 177 054 12,634 10,527 15,123 3,479 41,763 16,170
1 1 change +12 +6 +5 +15 +18 +14 -13 • +13 +8 .
1 ■otels/ 1991 1 649 39 516 37 813 3,944 5,723 1,442 2,032 13,141 7,113
1 boarding 1990 1 594 36 705 35 339 3,279 4,780 1,225 2,637 11,920 6,693
houses 1 change +3 +8 +7 +20 +20 +18 -23 +10 +6
Total 1991 170 653 971 404 812 201 81,478 182,762 1,356,636 79,851 1,700,727 167,404
1990 151 512 874 137 725 598 66,973 158,483 1,080,134 69,063 1,374,654 140,810
1 change +13 ♦11 +12 +22 +15 ♦26 +16 +24 +19
Notes t (1) Individual itens nay not add up to the corresponding total due to mwndlng
NJ ■b. (3) Figures denoting changes are derived from unrounded figures.
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 30, 1993
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 30, 1993
- 24 -
NEW SOCIAL SECURITY PACKAGE EFFECTIVE TOMORROW
******
A NEW SOCIAL SECURITY PACKAGE INCLUDING THE COMPREHENSIVE SOCIAL SECURITY ASSISTANCE (CSSA) SCHEME AND THE SOCIAL SECURITY ALLOWANCE (SSA) SCHEME WILL COME INTO EFFECT TOMORROW (THURSDAY) TO REPLACE THE EXISTING PUBLIC ASSISTANCE (PA) SCHEME AND SPECIAL NEEDS ALLOWANCE (SNA) SCHEME.
A SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY) THAT TO IMPROVE THE EXISTING SYSTEM, THE BASIC RATE AND SUPPLEMENTS (EXCEPT FOR THE LONG-TERM SUPPLEMENT) UNDER THE PA SCHEME AND BENEFITS UNDER THE SNA SCHEME WOULD BE CONSOLIDATED INTO A STANDARD RATE FOR EACH CATEGORY OF PA RECIPIENTS UNDER THE NEW CSSA SCHEME.
OTHER SPECIAL GRANTS, LIKE RENT ALLOWANCE, DIETARY ALLOWANCE, ALLOWANCE FOR EDUCATIONAL EXPENSES AND SO ON WILL CONTINUE TO BE PAID TO MEET THE SPECIAL NEEDS OF INDIVIDUAL RECIPIENTS UNDER THE NEW CSSA SCHEME.
IN ORDER TO PROVIDE A HIGHER STANDARD OF LIVING FOR PA RECIPIENTS, THE STANDARD RATES UNDER THE NEW SCHEME WILL PROVIDE REAL INCREASES BETWEEN 4% AND 37% OVER THE LEVELS OF PAYMENTS UNDER THE EXISTING PA AND SNA SCHEME.
THE NEW STANDARD RATES FOR DIFFERENT CATEGORIES OF RECIPIENTS ARE AS FOLLOWS:
STANDARD RATE
SINGLE PERSON FAMILY MEMBER
($ PER MONTH) ($ PER MONTH)
ELDERLY PERSON 1 ,550 1 ,285
DISABLED ADULT
50% DISABLED 1,550 1 ,285
100% DISABLED 1,935 1,675
REQUIRING CONSTANT ATTENDANCE 2,835 2,570
DISABLED CHILD
50% DISABLED 1,770 1,510
100% DISABLED 2, 160 1 ,895
REQUIRING CONSTANT ATTENDANCE 3,055 2,795
/ABLE-BODIES ADULT .......
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 30, 1993
25
ABLE-BODIED ADULT 1,035 895
ABLE-BODIED CHILD 1,260 995
"TO IMPLEMENT THE PACKAGE, ARRANGEMENT HAS BEEN TAKEN BY THE DEPARTMENT TO COMBINE BENEFITS UNDER THE SNA WITH PA PAYMENTS FOR RECIPIENTS OF BOTH SCHEME," THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
THEY WILL RECEIVE THE COMBINED PAYMENTS THIS MONTH AND THE NEW STANDARD RATES FROM TOMORROW.
IN A FAMILY CASE, THE APPLICANT WILL RECEIVE THE FAMILY’S TOTAL ENTITLEMENT WHICH WILL EMBRACE THE STANDARD RATES PAYABLE TO OTHER ELIGIBLE MEMBERS.
"IN ADDITION, WE WILL CONTINUE TO PROVIDE BENEFITS THAT IS OLD AGE ALLOWANCE AND DISABILITY ALLOWANCE UNDER THE SSA SCHEME FOR THE ELDERLY OR DISABLED WHO WILL NOT RECEIVE THE CSSA PAYMENT," HE SAID.
"THE CURRENT RULE, ALLOWING 45 DAYS ABSENCE FROM THE TERRITORY FOR PA RECIPIENTS AND 119 DAYS ABSENCE FOR SNA RECIPIENTS BEFORE BENEFITS ARE SUSPENDED, WILL ALSO BE RELAXED TO 60 DAYS FOR ABLE-BODIED RECIPIENTS AND 180 DAYS FOR ALL ELDERLY AND DISABLED RECIPIENTS UNDER THE CSSA AND 180 DAYS FOR SSA RECIPIENTS.
"ARRANGEMENTS FOR ADJUSTMENTS TO THE PAYMENTS ARE BEING MADE TO ENSURE THAT THE RECIPIENTS WILL RECEIVE THE NEW RATES IN GOOD TIME," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
HE STRESSED THAT THE NEW SCHEMES WERE SIMPLE TO APPLY AND WERE FREE-OF-CHARGE.
----0------
TECHNOLOGY REVIEW BOARD HOLDS SECOND MEETING
***»»*»
THE TECHNOLOGY REVIEW BOARD CONCLUDED ITS SECOND MEETING TN HONG KONG TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
THE BOARD IS SET UP UNDER THE INDUSTRY AND TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL TO ADVISE ON BROAD STRATEGIC DIRECTIONS FOR TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT IN THE TERRITORY TAKING ACCOUNT OF GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY TRENDS AND LOCAL CIRCUMSTANCES. THE BOARD DRAWS ON EXPERTISE LOCALLY AND OVERSEAS.
PROFESSOR CHARLES KAO, CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD, DESCRIBED THE THREE-DAY MEETING AS HIGHLY PRODUCTIVE, ACHIEVING CONCRETE RESULTS THAT WOULD BE USEFUL TO INDUSTRY.
"WE HAVE HAD A DISCUSSION ON THE OVERALL TECHNOLOGICAL ASSESSMENT AROUND THE WORLD AND AREAS OF OPPORTUNITIES FOR HONG KONG.
/"WE HAITI...........
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 30, 1993
26
"WE HAVE FOCUSED ON THE TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENT IN THE ELECTRONICS INDUSTRY IN HONG KONG, WITH PARTICULAR EMPHASIS ON TWO AREAS - MULTIMEDIA AND PERSONAL DIGITAL ASSISTANT (PDA)/PERSONAL COMMUNICATION ASSISTANT (PCA)," PROFESSOR KAO SAID.
HE SAID MEMBERS ALSO HAD AN INTERFACE WITH THREE ELECTRONICS MANUFACTURERS IN HONG KONG OF LARGE, MEDIUM AND SMALL SIZE RESPECTIVELY IN ORDER TO OBTAIN A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF THE TECHNOLOGY-RELATED ISSUES THAT MANUFACTURERS WERE FACING AND WHAT KIND OF TECHNOLOGICAL ASSISTANCE AND INFORMATION THEY WOULD REQUIRE WHEN SEEKING TECHNOLOGICAL ADVANCEMENT.
AT THE CONCLUSION OF THE MEETING, A STRATEGY WAS PROPOSED TO PACKAGE THE TECHNOLOGICAL INFORMATION FORMULATED BY THE BOARD WITH REGARD TO OPPORTUNITIES SUCH AS MULTIMEDIA AND PDA/PCA FOR USE BY INDUSTRY AND INVESTORS IN HONG KONG.
"IT IS HOPED THAT SUCH TECHNOLOGICAL INFORMATION WOULD HELP STIMULATE AND SUSTAIN BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT IN ALL INDUSTRY SECTORS IN HONG KONG," HE SAID.
-----0-----
FANLING SITE TO LET
*****
THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR THE SHORT-TERM TENANCY OF A PIECE OF GOVERNMENT LAND IN AREA 49A, FANLING.
THE 9,900-SQUARE METRE SITE IS INTENDED FOR USE AS A VEHICLE PARK FOR PRIVATE CARS, LIGHT VANS, GOODS VEHICLES, COACHES AND BUSES BUT EXCLUDING CONTAINER TRAILERS AND CONTAINERS ON TRAILERS.
IT CAN ALSO BE USED FOR STORAGE OF GOODS INCLUDING UNLICENSED MOTOR VEHICLES BUT EXCLUDING CONTAINERS, CONTAINER TRAILERS, CONSTRUCTION PLANT AND MACHINERY, DUSTY MATERIALS AND DANGEROUS GOODS, OR FOR REPAIR AND/OR MAINTENANCE OF MOTOR VEHICLES BUT EXCLUDING CONTAINER TRAILERS, CHASSIS, CONTAINERS AND CONTAINERS ON TRAILERS.
THE TENANCY IS FOR TWO YEARS, RENEWABLE QUARTERLY AFTERWARDS.
CLOSING DATE FOR SUBMISSION OF TENDERS IS NOON ON JULY 16.
THE TENDER FORM, TENDER NOTICE AND CONDITIONS MAY BE OBTAINED FROM:
» THE NORTH DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE, SIXTH FLOOR, 3 PIK FUNG ROAD, NORTH DISTRICT GOVERNMENT OFFICES, FANLING;
* THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT, 14TH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD; AND
♦ THE DISTRICT LANDS OFFICES KOWLOON, 10TH FLOOR, YAU MA TEI CARPARK BUILDING, 250 SHANGHAI STREET, KOWLOON.
THE TENDER PLAN IS ALSO AVAILABLE TN THE OFFICES.
------0--------
/27.......
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 30, 1993
- 27 -
TEACHER QUALIFICATION ASSESSMENT RESULTS ******
NINETY-FIVE OUT OF 184 CANDIDATES PASSED IN THE FIRST NON-GRADUATE TEACHER QUALIFICATIONS ASSESSMENT SCHEME WHICH WAS HELD IN APRIL AND MAY THIS YEAR.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT SAID LETTERS OF NOTIFICATION WOULD BE SENT TO BOTH SUCCESSFUL AND UNSUCCESSFUL CANDIDATES TODAY.
HE SAID OUT OF 95 SUCCESSFUL CANDIDATES, 77 WERE QUALIFIED TO USE CHINESE AS THE MEDIUM OF INSTRUCTION, AND 18 CHINESE AND ENGLISH.
TWENTY-THREE PASSED ALL THE THREE PARTS AND 72 PASSED PARTS I AND II.
PART I OF THE EXAMINATION IS TO TEST THE CANDIDATES ON GENERAL EDUCATION, PART IT IN THE MEDIUM OF INSTRUCTION AND PART III, PROFESSIONAL TRAINING.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE SCHEME WAS ESTABLISHED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE EDUCATION COMMISSION REPORT NO. 5 TO IDENTIFY A WIDER POOL OF NON-GRADUATE TEACHERS.
HE SAID A CANDIDATE FAILING IN ONE SUBJECT IN A SITTING MAY APPLY TO RESIT THE EXAMINATION ONCE ON THE SUBJECT IN THE SUBSEQUENT YEARS.
HOWEVER, HE SAID, A CANDIDATE FAILING IN TWO OR MORE SUBJECTS TN ONE SITTING OR FAILING IN THE SAME SUBJECT REPEATEDLY IN TWO ATTEMPTS WOULD BE REQUIRED TO REPEAT THE WHOLE EXAMINATION.
------0-------
NEW POST OFFICE FOR POK FU LAM
*♦♦♦♦*
THE ACTING POSTMASTER GENERAL, MRS DORIS HO, ANNOUNCED TODAY (WEDNESDAY) THAT A NEW POST OFFICE WILL OPEN IN POK FU LAM AT 9.30 AM ON MONDAY (JULY 5).
THE OFFICE IS LOCATED ON THE GROUND FLOOR OF BLOCK H-19, FU WING YUEN, CHI FU FA YUEN.
IT WILL REPLACE THE EXISTING POK FU LAM POST OFFICE AT SHOP 502, CHI FU COMMERCIAL CENTRE WHICH WILL CLOSE FOR BUSINESS AT 1 PM ON SATURDAY (JULY 3).
THE HOURS OF BUSINESS AND TELEPHONE NUMBER OF THE NEW OFFICE WILL BE THE SAME AS THOSE OF THE EXISTING OFFICE.
/MRS HO .......
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 30, 1993
MRS HO ADVISED LOCAL PHILATELISTS THAT A SPECIAL HANDBACK SERVICE WOULD BE AVAILABLE AT THE POK FU LAM POST OFFICE ON JULY 5.
UNREGISTERED FULLY POSTAGE PREPAID "FIRST DAY COVERS" PREPARED PRIVATELY, AND BEARING A LOCAL ADDRESS, WILL BE ACCEPTED OVER THE COUNTER, IMPRESSED WITH THE NORMAL POST OFFICE DATESTAMP AND HANDED BACK TO THE PERSON PRESENTING THEM.
- - 0 - -
GENERAL HOUSEHOLD SURVEY
*****
THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT WILL CONDUCT A GENERAL HOUSEHOLD SURVEY FROM JULY TO SEPTEMBER.
THE QUARTERLY SURVEY, CONDUCTED ON A CONTINUOUS BASIS SINCE AUGUST 1981, COLLECTS INFORMATION ON EMPLOYMENT, UNEMPLOYMENT AND UNDEREMPLOYMENT, AND THE GENERAL SOCIAL CHARACTERISTICS OF THE POPULATION.
QUESTIONS ON HONG KONG RESIDENTS’ EXPENDITURE ABROAD, SICK LEAVE AND MATERNITY LEAVE PATTERN OF EMPLOYEES, EXPENDITURE ON LEGAL SERVICE, DOMESTIC HELPERS, CIGARETTE SMOKING PATTERN, PUBLIC AWARENESS OF THE CONCEPT OF ENERGY EFFICIENCY AND HOUSEHOLD EXPENDITURE ON RENT WILL ALSO BE INCLUDED IN THIS ROUND OF THE SURVEY.
ABOUT 11,800 HOUSEHOLDS ARE SELECTED SCIENTIFICALLY FROM ALL DISTRICTS FOR PARTICIPATION IN THE SURVEY.
TO MEASURE MORE ACCURATELY THE CHANGES IN THE SOCIO-ECONOMIC CHARACTERISTICS OF THE POPULATION, THE SURVEY ADOPTS AN OVERLAPPING SAMPLE DESIGN SUCH THAT ABOUT HALF OF THE HOUSEHOLDS ENUMERATED IN A GIVEN QUARTER ARE THE SAME AS THOSE ENUMERATED IN THE PREVIOUS QUARTER.
AN OFFICIAL LETTER, IN BOTH CHINESE AND ENGLISH, HAS BEEN SENT TO THE SAMPLED HOUSEHOLDS TO EXPLAIN THE PURPOSE OF THE SURVEY AND TO SEEK THEIR CO-OPERATION.
CENSUS OFFICERS OF THE DEPARTMENT WILL CONTACT HOUSEHOLDS CONCERNED TO COLLECT THE REQUIRED INFORMATION.
WHEN THEY VISIT HOUSEHOLDS, CENSUS OFFICERS CARRY WITH THEM GOVERNMENT IDENTITY CARDS AND CERTIFICATES FOR CONDUCTING THE SURVEY. THEY WILL MAKE SUCH DOCUMENTS AVAILABLE FOR INSPECTION BY HOUSEHOLDS TO CONFIRM THEIR IDENTITIES.
THE GENERAL HOUSEHOLD SURVEY IS CONDUCTED UNDER THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS ORDINANCE.
IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PROVISIONS OF THE ORDINANCE, DATA RELATING TO INDIVIDUAL PERSONS OR HOUSEHOLDS COLLECTED WILL BE KEPT CONFIDENTIAL AND WILL NOT BE RELEASED TO THE PUBLIC, ANY PRIVATE ORGANISATIONS OR OTHER GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS.
- - 0
/29
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 30, 1993 - 29 -
FINANCE COMMITTEE MEETS ON FRIDAY * * * * »
THE FINANCE COMMITTEE WILL HOLD A MEETING AT 2.30 PM ON FRIDAY (JULY 2) AT THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL CHAMBER.
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC FROM THE PUBLIC GALLERY. THEY
ARE WELCOME TO OBSERVE THE PROCEEDINGS MAY RESERVE SEATS BY CALLING 869 9492.
ATTENTION NEWS EDITORS:
ADVANCE COPIES OF THE COMMITTEE’S PAPERS WILL BE AVAILABLE AFTER 2.30 PM TOMORROW (THURSDAY) IN THE PRESS ROOM ON THE FIRST FLOOR OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL BUILDING. PLEASE NOTE THAT THE CONTENT OF THE PAPERS WILL BE EMBARGOED FOR USE UNTIL THE MEETING ENDS •
------0-------
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS ***** $ MILLION
OPENING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT 2,615
REVERSAL OF LAF +185
BALANCE AFTER REVERSAL OF LAF 2,800
NET TNJECTION/WITHDRAWAL TODAY NIb
EFFECT OF LAF TODAY _110
CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT 2,690
LAF RATE 2.00 BID/4.00 OFFER TWI 112.3 *-0.2* 30.6.93
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND
EE BILLS EF NOTES/HONG KONG GOVERNMENT BONDS
TERMS YIELD TERM ISSUE COUPON PRICE YIELD
1 WEEK 3.64 PCT 14 MONTHS 2 4 OR 4.37 5 100.41 4.04
1 MONTH 3.44 PCT 1 7 MONTHS 24 1 1 4.625 100.59 4.22
3 MONTHS 3.34 PCT 20 MONTHS 2502 4.75 100.60 4.41
6 MONTHS 3.51 PCT 23 MONTHS 2505 3.75 98.60 4.58
1 2 MONTHS 3.90 PCT
TOTAL TURNOVER OF BILLS AND BONDS - 19,798 MN
CLOSED 30 JUNE 1993
0 - -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
SUPPLEMENT
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 30, 1993
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL:
GOVT SUPPORTS LICENSING OF REAL ESTATE AGENTS ................... 1
BILL ON RENT DECONTROL PASSED ................................... 2
WESTERN HARBOUR CROSSING FRANCHISE "AN EXCELLENT DEAL" .......... 4
MORE PROTECTION FOR INSURANCE POLICY HOLDERS .................... 6
PRODUCTIVITY COUNCIL MORE FLEXIBLE ON COMMITTEE STRUCTURE ... 7
BILL TO PROTECT MARKET INVESTORS ................................ 7
SUPPLEMENTARY APPROPRIATION REQUIRED FOR 1992/93 ................ 9
AMBIGUITIES IN DRUG TRAFFICKING (RECOVERY OF PROCEFDS) ORDINANCE REMOVED ............................................. 10
CHANGES TO APPROVED ESTIMATES EXPENDITURE TABLED ............... 10
ICAC TO REVIEW FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCY ELECTION PROCEDURES .. 11
COMMITMENT TO AIRPORT MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING STRESSED .. 12
PROVISION OF MATERNITY SERVICE TO NON HK RESIDENTS QUERIED .. 12
ASSISTANCE AVAILABLE TO OVERSEAS DOMESTIC WORKERS .............. 13
EXCO AND LEGCO MEMBERS KEEP IN CONTACT ......................... 14
POLICE REVIEWING ITS FIRST-AID TRAINING ........................ 15
ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION FUNDING ARRANGEMENTS UNDER REVIEW ... 16
GOVT'S VIGILANCE OVER SAFE OPERATION OF LIFTS CONTINUES ........ 17
/WATER SUPPLY ........
18
WATER SUPPLY TO SQUATTER ARFAS EXPLAINED USES OF RESUMED LAND ............................................ 19
NO FOREIGN EXCHANGE CONTROL IN HK ............................... 19
UNHCR CONSTANTLY REMINDED TO PAY DEBT ........................... 20
PROMOTION OF SAFETY AT WORK FOR SUMMER JOB-SEEKERS .............. 20
OVER 100 SUMMONSES ISSUED AGAINST EMPLOYERS OF FOREIGN WORKERS ....................................................... 21
WAITING TIME FOR SMALL PUBLIC HOUSING FLATS ..................... 22
ELECTRONIC DEVICES USERS UNDER PROTECTION ....................... 23
OVERSEAS TEACHERS HELP RAfSE STUDENTS' ENGLISH STANDARD ......... 24
SCHOOL MEDICAL SERVICE SCHEME TO BE REPLACED .................... 25
FALSE SHOP ALARMS EFFECTIVELY TACKLED ........................... 25
MOTION ON LICENSING OF REAL FSTATE AGENTS PASSFD
26
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 30, 1993
GOVT SUPPORTS LICENSING OF REAL ESTATE AGENTS
******
THE GOVERNMENT AGREES THAT SOME FORM OF REGULATION OF REAL ESTATE AGENTS BACKED UP BY LEGISLATION IS REQUIRED, THE ACTING SECRETARY FOR PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS, MR CANICE MAK , SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE MOTION DEBATE ON THE LICENSING OF REAL ESTATE AGENTS IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, MR MAK SAID FURTHER DISCUSSIONS AND CONSIDERATION ON WHAT KIND OF CONTROL WAS REQUIRED.
"BUT THESE SHOULD NOT DETRACT THE PRINCIPLE THAT ADDITIONAL REGULATION OF ESTATE AGENT PRACTICES IS DESIRABLE," HE SAID.
MR MAK SAID THE GOVERNMENT WAS LOOKING INTO THE MERITS OF A POSITIVE LICENSING SYSTEM VIS-A-VIS A NEGATIVE ONE.
"UNDER A POSITIVE LICENSING SYSTEM, ALL ESTATE AGENTS HAVE TO HAVE A LICENCE IN ORDER TO PRACTISE. UNDER A NEGATIVE SYSTEM, ANYONE MAY PRACTISE AS AN ESTATE AGENT PROVIDED THAT HE FOLLOWS THE REGULATIONS PRESCRIBING THE OBLIGATIONS FOR ESTATE AGENTS.
"HE WILL BE DISQUALIFIED FROM FURTHER PRACTISING ONLY WHEN HE BREACHES THE PROVISIONS," HE SAID.
MR MAK SAID SINCE A NEGATIVE SYSTEM DTD NOT REQUIRE THE ISSUE OF LICENCES AS SUCH, IT WOULD BE SIMPLER TO ADMINISTER AND THE RESOURCE IMPLICATIONS WERE LIKELY TO BE SMALLER.
HE SAID THE GOVERNMENT WOULD CONTINUE TO CONSULT INTERESTED PARTIES ON THE DETAILS SO THAT THE SHAPE OF A POSSIBLE REGULATORY SYSTEM COULD BE DRAWN UP.
THESE INCLUDED A CLEAR DEFINITION OF THE LEVEL OF PROFESSIONAL COMPETENCE, THE ROLE OF AN ESTATE AGENT (FOR EXAMPLE, WHETHER HE MAY ACT AS AN INTERMEDIARY BETWEEN SELLER AND BUYER OR WHETHER HE CAN REPRESENT ONLY ONE PARTY’S INTERESTS), THE LIKELY EFFECTS ON THE COMMISSION CHARGING SYSTEM.
"SINCE LEGISLATION IS ALMOST CERTAINLY REQUIRED, RESOURCES WILL HAVE TO BE MADE AVAILABLE FOR ADMINISTRATION AND ENFORCEMENT.
"ANY BID FOR SUCH RESOURCES WILL EITHER HAVE TO COMPETE WITH OTHERS FOR PRIORITY OR FINANCED BY A CHARGE ON THE LICENSEES," ME SAID.
"AS ALL THIS WILL TAKE TIME, IT WOULD BE USEFUL, IF IN THE MEANTIME, PRACTISING ESTATE AGENTS COULD PROMOTE SELF-REGULATION AND IMPROVE THEIR SERVICE, THUS PAVING THE WAY FOR A POSSIBLE LICENSING SYSTEM IN FUTURE," HE SAID.
- - 0---------
/2 ........
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 30, 1993
2
BILL ON RENT DECONTROL PASSED
******
THE LANDLORD AND TENANT (CONSOLIDATION) (AMENDMENT) BILL 1992 WAS PASSED WITH AMENDMENTS IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE RESUMED DEBATE ON THE BILL, THE SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS, MR MICHAEL SUEN, EMPHASISED THAT THE BILL HAD TAKEN INTO CONSIDERATION BOTH THE INTERESTS OF TENANTS AND LANDLORDS.
HE SAID AMENDMENTS WERE INCLUDED AS A RESULT OF THE COMPREHENSIVE EXAMINATION BY THE AD HOC GROUP SET UP TO STUDY THE BILL AND THE DEBATE ON IT.
"I AM CONFIDENT THAT THESE AMENDMENTS ADDRESS WITH EQUITY THE PRINCIPAL CONCERNS WHICH HAVE BEEN EXPRESSED BY MEMBERS OF THIS COUNCIL, VARIOUS CONCERNED GROUPS AND BY THE PUBLIC,” HE SAID.
THE NEWLY ENACTED LAW SEEKS TO PHASE OUT RENT CONTROLS WHICH WERE TEMPORARILY INTRODUCED MANY YEARS AGO TO COUNTER THE POSSIBILITY OF UNREASONABLE RENTS BEING CHARGED WHEN THE SUPPLY OF ACCOMMODATION WAS NOT KEEPING UP WITH DEMAND.
"FOR SOME YEARS NOW, THIS IMBALANCE HAS BEEN CORRECTED AND A REASONABLE BALANCE IS FORECASTED FOR THE FUTURE," HE SAID.
IN THE MEANTIME IF ACTION, AS PROPOSED TN THE BILL, IS NOT COMMENCED, THE DISPARITY BETWEEN THE LEVEL OF CONTROLLED RENT AND MARKET RENTS WILL CONTINUE TO INCREASE, MAKING IT EVEN MORE DIFFICULT TO ACHIEVE DECONTROL, MR SUEN SAID.
REGARDING THE AMENDMENTS, MR SUEN SAID THE DEADLINE FOR THE PHASING OUT OF CONTROLS WOULD BE EXTENDED FOR TWO YEARS FROM DECEMBER 31, 1994 TO DECEMBER 31, 1996.
THE ANNUAL ADJUSTMENTS FOR PART II TENANCIES, WHICH CONSTITUTED 97 PER CENT OF ALL CONTROLLED PREMISES, WOULD BE LOWERED FROM THE ORIGINAL PROPOSAL OF 7.5 PERCENTAGE POINTS OF THE PREVAILING MARKET RENT TO 5.
AS FOR STATUTORY COMPENSATION, RAISING THE MULTIPLIER FROM THE ORIGINAL 1.3 TO 1.7 OF THE CURRENT RATEABLE VALUE WOULD ALLOW A DISPOSSESSED TENANT TO RENT SIMILAR PREMISES FOR ABOUT EIGHT MONTHS.
MR SUEN POINTED OUT THAT LAST YEAR, THE COMMISSIONER OF RATING AND VALUATION HAD CONDUCTED A COMPREHENSIVE SURVEY OF ALL HOUSEHOLDS AFFECTED BY PART IT CONTROLS.
THE SURVEY CONFIRMED THAT THERE WERE SOME 32,500 PART II CONTROLLED UNITS HOUSING 45,500 HOUSEHOLDS WITH A TOTAL POPULATION OF 137,000 PERSONS.
HE NOTED THAT LANDLORDS OF CONTROLLED PREMISES HAD FOR MANY YEARS BEEN UNABLE TO CHARGE MARKET RENTS AND ABOUT 75 PER CENT OF PART II LANDLORDS PURCHASED THEIR PROPERTIES BEFORE CONTROLS WERE INTRODUCED.
/ALMOST HALF .......
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 30, 1993
- 3
ALMOST HALF ARE SINGLE PREMISES OWNERS AND FOR MANY, RENTALS ARE A VITAL PART OF THEIR INCOMES, HE ADDED.
MR SUEN ALSO POINTED OUT THAT LANDLORDS WHO WERE UNABLE TO CHARGE MARKET RENTS WOULD BE RELUCTANT TO COMMIT RESOURCES TO THE MAINTENANCE AND REFURBISHMENT OF THEIR PROPERTIES.
HE SAID: "UNDER THE REVISED PROPOSALS, MANY TENANTS WOULD CONTINUE TO ENJOY SUB-MARKET RENTS FOR A FURTHER FOUR TO FIVE YEARS.
"AFTER THE PHASING OUT OF CONTROLS, AFFECTED TENANTS WILL CONTINUE TO ENJOY SECURITY OF TENURE PROVIDED THEY PAY MARKET RENTS."
NOTING THE WORRIES EXPRESSED ON THE LESS-PRIVILEGED OCCUPANTS OF CONTROLLED BEDSPACE APARTMENTS, MR SUEN SAID THIS WAS UNDERSTANDABLE.
HE POINTED OUT THAT LAST YEAR’S SURVEY INDICATED THAT THESE OCCUPANTS TOTALLED JUST OVER 2,000 AND MANY WERE IN FACT PAYING MARKET-LEVEL RENTS.
"IT ESTABLISHED THAT THE AVERAGE RENT FOR SUCH ACCOMMODATION WAS $279 PER MONTH WITH 86 PER CENT OF OCCUPANTS PAYING LESS THAN $400," HE SAID.
ON AVERAGE THESE TENANTS WERE PAYING 7.3 PER CENT OF THEIR INCOMES.
NO ADDITIONAL INCREASES WILL BE PAYABLE IN THE FIRST YEAR OF THE DECONTROL PROCESS AND BEDSPACE OCCUPANTS WILL FACE AN ADDITIONAL AVERAGE INCREASE OF AN AVERAGE OF $17 PER MONTH IN YEAR TWO, MR SUEN SAID.
"I AM CONFIDENT THAT THE PROPOSED PERMITTED INCREASES WILL NOT HAVE UNDUE ADVERSE SOCIAL CONSEQUENCES ON THIS CATEGORY OF TENANTS," THE SECRETARY SAID.
MR SUEN ALSO SAID DISCUSSIONS HAD BEEN HELD WITH THE WELFARE DEPARTMENT ON THE POSSIBLE EFFECTS OF RENT DECONTROL.
SOCIAL
HE WAS SATISFIED THAT THERE WOULD BE ADEQUATE ASSISTANCE UNDER THE SOCIAL SECURITY SYSTEM TO OFFSET ANY ADVERSE FINANCIAL IMPACT ON TENANTS FACING SUCH HARDSHIP AS RESULT OF RENT DECONTROL.
THE COMPREHENSIVE SOCIAL SECURITY ASSISTANCE SCHEME TO BE INTRODUCED WITH EFFECT FROM TOMORROW WILL PROVIDE REAL INCREASES IN THE LEVELS OF BENEFITS, MR SUEN SAID.
HE SAID: "FOR INSTANCE THE CURRENT MAXIMUM RENT ALLOWANCE OF $743 A MONTH FOR A SINGLE PERSON WILL BE INCREASED TO $1,118.
"I AM ASSURED THAT IN GENERAL FOR NEEDY TENANTS FACING GENUINE HARDSHIP AS A RESULT OF RENT DECONTROL, THE EXISTING MEANS TEST SHOULD NOT GIVE RISE TO ANY UNDUE OBSTACLE TO THEIR ACCESS TO ASSISTANCE.
/"IN ADDITION .......
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 30, 1993
- 4 -
"IN ADDITION THERE IS ANNUAL SPECIAL PUBLIC HOUSING QUOTA FOR REFERRALS FROM THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT ON COMPASSIONATE GROUNDS AND HOMES FOR THE AGED AS WELL AS TEMPORARY URBAN HOSTELS FOR THE ELDERLY AND SINGLETON HOSTELS ESTABLISHED BY THE GOVERNMENT FOR OTHER SINGLE TENANTS IN NEED OF SUCH ACCOMMODATION," HE SAID.
THERE IS CLEARLY ADEQUATE CAPACITY TO DEAL WITH ANY CASES OF REAL HARDSHIP BROUGHT ABOUT BY RENT DECONTROL, HE ADDED.
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WESTERN HARBOUR CROSSING FRANCHISE "AN EXCELLENT DEAL"
i i ♦ * *
THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT, MR K Y YEUNG, TODAY TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL THAT THE GOVERNMENT HAD STRUCK AN "EXCELLENT DEAL" ON THE FRANCHISE FOR THE WESTERN HARBOUR CROSSING.
IT WAS "GOOD FOR HONG KONG AND FAIR TO ALL PARTIES", MR YEUNG SAID.
MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE WESTERN HARBOUR CROSSING BILL IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, MR YEUNG SAID THE GOVERNMENT HAD MET "ALL THE NECESSARY PUBLIC INTEREST OBJECTIVES" WHILE ALSO MAKING IT POSSIBLE TO FINANCE THE PROJECT ENTIRELY IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR.
MR YEUNG SAID: "I BELIEVE WE HAVE NEGOTIATED A FRANCHISE AGREEMENT THAT IS GOOD FOR HONG KONG AND FAIR TO ALL PARTIES. FROM THE TUNNEL USERS’ VIEWPOINT, TUNNEL TOLLS WILL BE CAPPED FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER, AND SURPLUS REVENUES WILL BE PUT BACK INTO THE PROJECT TO DEFER TOLL INCREASES, THUS ENSURING TOLL STABILITY.
THE BILL PROVIDES THE FRANCHISEE WITH THE DEGREE OF CERTAINTY HE, HIS BANKERS, AND HIS SHAREHOLDERS NEED FOR BACKING SUCH A MASSIVE INVESTMENT.
THE FRANCHISEE WILL PROVIDE $6 BILLION WORTH OF ESSENTIAL TRANSPORT INFRASTRUCTURE AT NO COST TO THE PUBLIC PURSE, THEREBY ALLOWING PUBLIC FUNDS TO BE SPENT INSTEAD ON OTHER VITAL WORKS," THE SECRETARY SAID.
CERTAINTY WAS AN ESSENTIAL PREREQUISITE FOR SUCH A FORMIDABLE $7.5 BILLION (INCLUDING FINANCING CHARGES) INVESTMENT.
THE PROPOSED FRANCHISEE AND HIS BANKERS HAD TO BE CERTAIN THAT THE TUNNEL WOULD PROVIDE SUFFICIENT REVENUE TO REPAY THE DEBTS AND TO PROVIDE A REASONABLE RETURN ON INVESTMENT, MR YEUNG SAID.
"THIS IS AN ESSENTIAL PREREQUISITE. WITHOUT SUCH CERTAINTY, THERE CAN BE NO FRANCHISE. IN THE NEGOTIATIONS, WE AGREED THAT THE PROPOSED FRANCHISEE BE GIVEN THE DEGREE OF CERTAINTY HE NEEDS; BUT AT THE SAME TIME WE HAVE SECURED ALL THE NECESSARY PUBLIC INTEREST OBJECTIVES. I BELIEVE WE HAVE STRUCK AN EXCELLENT DEAL," SAID MR YEUNG.
/THE TERMS .......
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 30, 1993
5
THE TERMS OF THE FRANCHISE WERE "AT LEAST COMPARABLE AND tN SOME WAYS BETTER THAN THOSE IN EARLIER TUNNEL FRANCHISES".
THIS WAS A "SIGNIFICANT ACHIEVEMENT" BECAUSE THERE HAD BEEN HIGHLY COMPETITIVE TENDERING FOR THE OTHER FRANCHISES.
THE INITIAL TOLL LEVELS OF $30 FOR CAR IN 1997 PRICES - $20 IN TODAY’S PRICES - MIGHT APPEAR EXPENSIVE BUT COULD NOT BE SET LOWER IF THE FRANCHISEE WAS TO REMAIN SOLVENT.
"THE TOLLS ARE SET AT THE LEVELS NEEDED TO SERVICE DEBT IN THE EARLY YEARS OF TUNNEL OPERATION.
"IN THAT PERIOD, MOST OF THE REVENUE WILL BE USED TO REPAY LOANS, AND THE FRANCHISEE WILL ONLY EARN A SMALL RETURN ON HIS INVESTMENT.
"IF THE TOLLS WERE SET LOWER,. THEN QUITE SIMPLY THE COMPANY WOULD NOT BE SOLVENT," SAID MR YEUNG.
A $30 TOLL WOULD NOT OF ITSELF TRIGGER TOLL INCREASES ON THE OTHER TWO HARBOUR TUNNELS.
TOLL INCREASES ON THOSE TUNNELS WOULD HAVE TO BE JUSTIFIED UNDER THE TERMS OF THEIR FRANCHISES, AND THEN ONLY IF THE OPERATORS V ’'RE NOT RECEIVING A REASONABLE RETURN ON THEIR INVESTMENTS.
ANY INCREASE WOULD BE SUBJECT TO LEGCO’S AGREEMENT.
THE 16.5% AVERAGE RATE OF RETURN WAS NOT EXCESSIVE - IT WAS WHAT THE MARKET REQUIRED.
EXCESS REVENUE OVER A SET PERCENTAGE CEILING WOULD BE PLACED IN A TOL! STABILITY FUND WHICH WOULD BE USED TO DEFER FUTURE TOLL INCREASES.
"THIS IS A NEW AND IMAGINATIVE ARRANGEMENT, AND A MAJOR IMPROVEMENT ON PREVIOUS TUNNEL FRANCHISES.
"FOR THE FIRST TIME WE HAVE DEFINED WHAT IS A REASONABLE RETURN FOR THE FRANCHISEE AND HAVE CAPPED HIS PROFITS, WITH THE EXCESS BEING USED TO STABILISE TOLLS FOR THE BENEFIT OF TUNNEL USERS.
"THIS REPLACES THE SOMEWHAT VAGUE FORMULA IN THE EXISTING FRANCHISES WHICH GIVE US NO GUIDANCE AS TO WHAT CONSTITUTES A REASONABLE RATE OF RETURN, AND THUS NO CLEAR IDEA AS TO WHETHER THE FRANCHISEE COULD SATISFY HIS SHAREHOLDERS," SAID MR YEUNG.
THE SUCCESSFUL TENDERERS FOR THE TATE’S CAIRN TUNNEL AND EASTERN HARBOUR CROSSING FRANCHISES HAD BEEN LOOKING FOR RETURNS OF BETWEEN 14% AND 16%, ALTHOUGH THEIR FRANCHISES WERE AWARDED AFTER HIGHLY COMPETITIVE TENDERING AND AT A TIME WHEN INVESTORS DID NOT FEEL THE NEED FOR THE DEGREE OF CERTAINTY THEY NOW REQUIRED.
FOR SIMILAR FRANCHISES ELSEWHERE IN THE ASIA PACIFIC REGION, THE RATES OF RETURN CURRENTLY BEING SOUGHT TO BUILD AND OPERATE THIS KIND OF INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECT WERE BETWEEN 20% AND 25%.
------0--------
Z6.........
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 30, 1993
MORE PROTECTION FOR INSURANCE POLICY HOLDERS * * * * *
A BILL PROPOSING TO GIVE GREATER SECURITY TO INSURANCE POLICY HOLDERS IS INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
IT PROPOSES THAT A GENERAL INSURER BE REQUIRED TO MAINTAIN IN HONG KONG, IN ADDITION TO THE STATUTORY SOLVENCY MARGIN, ASSETS EQUAL TO NO LESS THAN 80 PER CENT OF THE LIABILITIES ARISING FROM HIS LOCAL BUSINESS.
MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE INSURANCE COMPANIES (AMENDMENT) (NO. 2) BILL 1993, THE SECRETARY FOR FINANCIAL SERVICES, MR MICHAEL CARTLAND, SAID LOCAL POLICY HOLDERS WOULD BE MORE CERTAIN THAT THEIR LEGITIMATE CLAIMS WOULD BE MET IN THE EVENT OF AN INSURER’S INSOLVENCY.
"WE PROPOSE THAT INSURERS BE GRANTED A GRACE PERIOD OF ABOUT SIX MONTHS FROM THE ENACTMENT OF THE BILL TO ALLOW THEM ADEQUATE TIME TO COMPLY WITH THE PROPOSED REQUIREMENT," HE SAID.
THE PROPOSED REQUIREMENT WOULD INITIALLY APPLY ONLY TO GENERAL INSURERS.
HOWEVER, THE ADMINISTRATION WILL BE CONSIDERING IN DUE COURSE WHETHER AND, IF SO, HOW TO EXTEND THE REQUIREMENT TO LONG-TERM INSURERS, MR CARTLAND SAID. '
AT PRESENT, AN INSURER AUTHORISED TO CARRY ON BUSINESS IN HONG KONG IS NOT REQUIRED TO MAINTAIN ASSETS IN THE TERRITORY TO MATCH HIS HONG KONG LIABILITIES.
ALTHOUGH THE INSURANCE AUTHORITY IS EMPOWERED TO IMPOSE SUCH A REQUIREMENT, HE CAN ONLY DO SO WHEN THE INSURER’S FINANCIAL POSITION IS SUFFICIENTLY PRECARIOUS AS TO WARRANT INTERVENTION.
"ONCE AN AILING INSURER’S ASSETS HAVE BEEN REMOVED OVERSEAS, IT IS OFTEN DIFFICULT OR IMPOSSIBLE TO RECOVER THEM."
"THE AUTHORITY MAY NOT BECOME AWARE OF PROBLEMS AFFECTING AN OVERSEAS INSURER’S WORLDWIDE OPERATIONS UNTIL IT IS TOO LATE TO TAKE EFFECTIVE ACTION," HE SAID.
DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.
- - 0 - -
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 30, 1993
PRODUCTIVITY COUNCIL MORE FLEXIBLE ON COMMITTEE STRUCTURE * * * * *
THE PRODUCTIVITY COUNCIL IS GIVEN MORE FLEXIBILITY IN DECIDING ITS COMMITTEE STRUCTURE UNDER A BILL INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
THE HONG KONG PRODUCTIVITY COUNCIL (AMENDMENT) BILL 1993 ALSO SEEKS TO REMOVE THE REQUIREMENT TO ESTABLISH AN EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE.
MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE BILL, THE SECRETARY FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY, MR T H CHAU, SAID THE MAXIMUM NUMBER OF MEMBERS REPRESENTING MANAGEMENT, LABOUR AND PROFESSIONAL OR ACADEMIC INTERESTS ON THE COUNCIL WAS ALSO PROPOSED TO INCREASE FROM 16 TO 17.
"AT THE SAME TIME, THE MAXIMUM NUMBER OF PUBLIC OFFICIALS ON THE COUNCIL WILL BE REDUCED FROM SIX TO FIVE," HE SAID.
THESE CHANGES WILL ENABLE THE GOVERNMENT, WITHOUT REDUCING THE EXISTING NUMBER OF NON-OFFICIAL MEMBERS, TO APPOINT TO THE COUNCIL THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE VOCATIONAL TRAINING COUNCIL, WHO IS NOT A PUBLIC OFFICIAL, IN PLACE OF THE DIRECTOR OF TECHNICAL EDUCATION AND INDUSTRIAL TRAINING (DTEIT).
THE DTEIT, AS A PUBLIC OFFICIAL, WAS FORMERLY A MEMBER OF THE COUNCIL. HIS FUNCTIONS HAVE LARGELY BEEN TAKEN OVER BY THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE VOCATIONAL TRAINING COUNCIL.
MR CHAU SAID THE BILL ALSO SOUGHT TO INCORPORATE A CLAUSE GOVERNING CONFLICT OF INTEREST SO THAT THE PUBLIC INTEREST MAY BE BETTER SAFEGUARDED.
DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.
---------0 - -
BILL TO PROTECT MARKET INVESTORS
******
A BILL THAT SEEKS TO FACILITATE THE FURTHER DEVELOPMENT OF CAPITAL MARKETS WHILE SAFEGUARDING THE PROTECTION OF INVESTORS WAS INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE PROTECTION OF INVESTORS (AMENDMENT) BILL 1993, THE SECRETARY FOR FINANCIAL SERVICES, MR MICHAEL CARTLAND, SAID THE BILL UPDATED AND CLARIFIED CERTAIN PROVISIONS OF THE ORDINANCE.
THE PROPOSED REVISIONS MAINLY PROVIDE EXEMPTIONS FROM PROHIBITIONS ON THE ISSUE OF ADVERTISEMENTS, INVITATIONS OR DOCUMENTS IN RESPECT OF DEBT MARKET INSTRUMENTS, SUCH AS CERTIFICATES OF DEPOSIT AND COMMERCIAL PAPERS, UNDER CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES.
/SUCH EXEMPTIONS .......
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 30, 1993
8
SUCH EXEMPTIONS WILL BE EXTENDED TO DEBT MARKET INSTRUMENTS ISSUED BY CORPORATIONS WHICH COMPLY WITH A NET ASSET REQUIREMENT OF $100 MILLION, IF SUCH INSTRUMENTS ARE GUARANTEED BY AN AUTHORISED INSTITUTION UNDER THE BANKING ORDINANCE, A MULTILATERAL AGENCY OR BY SPECIFIC EXEMPTED BODIES.
EXEMPTIONS WILL ALSO BE EXTENDED TO THOSE INSTRUMENTS ISSUED BY A WHOLLY OWNED SUBSIDIARY OF A LISTED CORPORATION AND GUARANTEED BY THE PARENT COMPANY CONCERNED, IF THE LATTER MEETS THE NET ASSET REQUIREMENT.
THE "NET ASSET" REQUIREMENT IS PROPOSED TO REPLACE "PAID UP SHARE CAPITAL" AS A MORE ACCURATE AND USEFUL MEASURE OF THE NET WORTH OF A CORPORATION.
THE LEVEL OF ASSET REQUIREMENT WILL BE RAISED FROM $75 MILLION TO $100 MILLION SO THAT ONLY THE MORE SUBSTANTIAL CORPORATE ISSUERS WILL BE ELIGIBLE FOR THE EXEMPTION.
THE BILL ALSO ALLOWS THE SECURITIES AND FUTURES COMMISSION (SFC) TO TAKE INTO ACCOUNT THE FEATURES OF AN INSTRUMENT TO BE ADVERTISED IN APPROVING AN APPLICATION FOR AUTHORISATION.
THIS WOULD ENABLE THE SFC TO REQUEST THE ISSUER MAKING THE APPLICATION TO MAKE CHANGES TO THE INSTRUMENT BEFORE GRANTING ANY AUTHORISATION.
IN OTHER WORDS, THE SFC WILL BE EMPOWERED TO REFUSE AN APPLICATION IF IT IS SATISFIED THAT IT WOULD NOT BE IN THE INTERESTS OF THE INVESTING PUBLIC.
RELATING TO LISTED SECURITIES, THE BILL ALSO PROPOSES TO ADD A NEW CATEGORY OF EXEMPTION FOR THE ISSUE OF ADVERTISEMENTS, INVITATIONS AND DOCUMENTS, INCLUDING DEBT SECURITIES AND WARRANTS, WHICH ARE LISTED ON THE STOCK EXCHANGE OF HONG KONG LTD.
SUCH ISSUES WOULD ALREADY HAVE COMPLIED WITH THE LISTING RULES OF THE STOCK EXCHANGE AND SHOULD BE EXEMPTED FROM BEING DOUBLY VETTED UNDER THE ORDINANCE.
THE BILL ALSO GRANTS THE EUROPEAN BANK FOR RECONSTRUCTION AND DEVELOPMENT, WHICH HAS INDICATED AN INTEREST TO TAP HONG,KONG’S DEBT MARKET, A MULTILATERAL AGENCY STATUS. THIS STATUS WILL ENABLE IT TO ISSUE DEBT INSTRUMENTS IN THE LOCAL MARKET.
SOME OF THE PROPOSED AMENDMENTS WERE SUGGESTED BY MARKET PRACTITIONERS LIKE THE LAW SOCIETY AND THE HONG KONG CAPITAL MARKETS ASSOCIATION IN ORDER TO IMPROVE THE FRAMEWORK FOR THE FURTHER EVELOPMENT OF CAPITAL MARKET IN HONG KONG.
DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.
0
/9 ........
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 30, 1993
- 9
SUPPLEMENTARY APPROPRIATION REQUIRED FOR 1992/93 * * * * *
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON HAMISH MACLEOD, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY) THAT THE EXPENDITURE FOR THE FINANCIAL YEAR 1992/93 CHARGED TO 66 HEADS OUT OF A TOTAL OF 78 HEADS WAS IN EXCESS OF THE SUM APPROPRIATED FOR THOSE HEADS BY THE APPROPRIATION ORDINANCE 1992.
THE TOTAL NET SUPPLEMENTARY APPROPRIATION REQUIRED IN RESPECT OF THE 66 HEADS OF EXPENDITURE IS $7,493.1 MILLION.
MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE SUPPLEMENTARY APPROPRIATION (1992/93) BILL 1993 IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, MR MACLEOD SAID THIS WAS BECAUSE SUFFICIENT OFFSETTING SAVINGS COULD NOT BE FOUND WITHIN THE HEADS CONCERNED.
THIS EXCESS IS LARGELY ATTRIBUTABLE TO THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE 1992 PAY ADJUSTMENT IN RESPECT OF THE CIVIL SERVICE AND GOVERNMENT SUBVENTED ORGANISATIONS ($5,377.4 MILLION), HE SAID.
OTHER MAJOR CONTRIBUTING FACTORS INCLUDE ADDITIONAL EXPENDITURE ON PENSION PAYMENT ($1,219.3 MILLION) AND THE INCREASED EXPENDITURE ON PUBLIC ASSISTANCE AND SPECIAL NEEDS ALLOWANCES ($566.5 MILLION).
MR MACLEOD SAID THE COST OF THE 1992 PAY ADJUSTMENT AND PENSION INCREASE HAD BEEN ANTICIPATED IN THE 1992/93 ESTIMATES UNDER THE "ADDITIONAL COMMITMENTS" SUBHEAD.
"SAVINGS WERE ALSO MADE IN OTHER SUBHEADS THROUGH CONTINUED TIGHT CONTROL OVER PUBLIC EXPENDITURE, AND I WOULD LIKE TO THANK THE CONTROLLING OFFICERS AND OTHERS WHO HAVE CONTRIBUTED TO RESTRAINT.
"BECAUSE OF THESE SAVINGS AND THE PROVISION MADE FOR ADDITIONAL COMMITMENTS, TOTAL EXPENDITURE FOR THE YEAR IS WITHIN THE SUM APPROPRIATED IN THE APPROPRIATION ORDINANCE 1992," HE SAID.
THE BILL SEEKS TO GIVE FINAL LEGISLATIVE AUTHORITY FOR THE AMOUNT OF SUPPLEMENTARY PROVISION APPROVED IN RESPECT OF PARTICULAR HEADS OF EXPENDITURE BY THE FINANCE COMMITTEE OR UNDER POWERS DELEGATED BY IT.
DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.
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/10 .......
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 30, 1993
- 10 -
AMBIGUITIES IN DRUG TRAFFICKING (RECOVERY OF PROCEEDS) ORDINANCE REMOVED * * * * *
TECHNICAL AMENDMENTS TO REMOVE AMBIGUITIES IN THE LEGISLATION WHICH MIGHT FRUSTRATE THE GOVERNMENT’S EFFORTS TO DEPRIVE DRUG TRAFFICKERS OF THEIR ILL-GOTTEN PROFITS HAVE BEEN SUBMITTED TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
MOVING A RESOLUTION TO SEEK APPROVAL OF THE DRUG TRAFFICKING (RECOVERY OF PROCEEDS) (DESIGNATED COUNTRIES AND TERRITORIES) (AMENDMENT) ORDER 1993, THE ACTING SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, MR KEN WOODHOUSE, SAID THE ORDER INTRODUCED TECHNICAL AMENDMENTS TO FACILITATE THE PROPER OPERATION OF THE ORDINANCE IN SO FAR AS EXTERNAL CONFISCATION ORDERS WERE CONCERNED.
THE 1991 ORDER, MADE UNDER SECTION 28 OF THE ORDINANCE, APPLIES THE PROVISIONS OF THE ORDINANCE, WITH CERTAIN MODIFICATIONS, TO ENABLE COURTS IN HONG KONG TO CONFISCATE THE PROCEEDS OF DRUG TRAFFICKING PURSUANT TO EXTERNAL CONFISCATION ORDERS.
"IN THE COURSE OF IMPLEMENTING THE PROVISIONS OF THE 1991 ORDER, SOME AMBIGUITIES HAVE COME TO LIGHT.
"WE PROPOSE TO AMEND' THE 1991 ORDER BY CLARIFYING THE DEFINITIONS OF "DEFENDANT" AND "REALISABLE PROPERTIES", AND REMOVING OTHER AMBIGUITIES," SAID MR WOODHOUSE.
THE AMENDED ORDER CLARIFIES THE TYPES OF FOREIGN CONFISCATION ORDERS THAT CAN BE REGISTERED AND ENFORCED IN HONG KONG, WHICH CAN EITHER BE AGAINST A PERSON OR PROPERTY, AND ARE EITHER CRIMINAL OR CIVIL IN NATURE.
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CHANGES TO APPROVED ESTIMATES EXPENDITURE TABLED ♦ » * »
THE SECRETARY FOR THE TREASURY, MR DONALD TSANG, TODAY (WEDNESDAY) TABLED THE SUMMARY OF ALL CHANGES MADE TO THE APPROVED ESTIMATES OF EXPENDITURE FOR THE FINAL QUARTER OF THE FINANCIAL YFAR 1992/93 IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
THOSE CHANGES HAVE BEEN APPROVED EITHER BY THE FINANCE COMMITTEE OR UNDER DELEGATED AUTHORITY.
SUPPLEMENTARY PROVISION OF $6,647 MILLION WAS ALSO APPROVED.
THIS INCLUDED $580 MILLION TO MEET INCREASED EXPENDITURE ON PUBLIC ASSISTANCE AND SPECIAL NEEDS ALLOWANCES AND $5,442 MILLION FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE 1992 PAY ADJUSTMENT.
/"THE SUPPLEMENTARY .......
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 30, 1993
- 11
’’THE SUPPLEMENTARY PROVISION WAS FULLY OFFSET, EITHER BY SAVINGS UNDER THE SAME OR OTHER HEADS OF EXPENDITURE, OR BY DELETION OF FUNDS UNDER THE ADDITIONAL COMMITMENTS SUBHEADS,” MR TSANG SAID.
DURING THE PERIOD, NON-RECURRENT COMMITMENTS WERE INCREASED BY $3.4 MILLION AND NEW NON-RECURRENT COMMITMENTS OF $594.8 MILLION WERE APPROVED.
IN THE SAME PERIOD, A NET DECREASE OF 1,025 POSTS WAS APPROVED.
’’THIS WAS MAINLY ATTRIBUTABLE TO THE DELETION OF POSTS AS A RESULT OF CIVIL SERVANTS HAVING OPTED FOR SERVICE WITH THE HOSPITAL AUTHORITY,” MR TSANG SAID.
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ICAC TO REVIEW FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCY ELECTION PROCEDURES
*****
THE CORRUPTION PREVENTION DEPARTMENT OF THE INDEPENDENT COMMISSION AGAINST CORRUPTION WILL CLOSELY OBSERVE THE REGIONAL COUNCIL FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCY BY-ELECTION AND WILL REVIEW FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCY ELECTION PROCEDURES GENERALLY.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE ACTING SECRETARY FOR CONSTITUTIONAL AFFAIRS, MR PETER LAI, WHEN HE REPLIED TO A QUESTION BY THE HON EMILY LAU IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
EVIDENCE GIVEN IN THE HIGH COURT IN THE RECENT TRIAL OF MR GILBERT LEUNG IDENTIFIED PROBLEMS OF VOTE BUYING AND UNLAWFUL EXPENDITURE.
"IN CONSULTATION WITH ME, THE COMMISSIONER AGAINST CORRUPTION HAS AGREED THAT THE COMMISSION’S CORRUPTION PREVENTION DEPARTMENT SHOULD EXAMINE THESE MATTERS," HE SAID.
"THAT EXAMINATION IS UNDER WAY," HE ADDED.
MR LAI SAID BASED ON THE FINDINGS OF THE EXAMINATION, THE COMMISSIONER WOULD MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE GOVERNMENT AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.
/12 ........
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 30, 1993
12
COMMITMENT TO AIRPORT MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING STRESSED
*****
THE BRITISH AND THE CHINESE GOVERNMENTS HAVE MADE PLAIN THAT THEY REMAIN COMMITTED TO THE MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING CONCERNING THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE NEW AIRPORT IN HONG KONG, THE ACTING SECRETARY FOR CONSTITUTIONAL AFFAIRS, MR PETER LAI, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
IN ACCORDANCE WITH CLAUSE G OF THE MEMORANDUM SIGNED ON SEPTEMBER 3, 1991, THE BRITISH FOREIGN SECRETARY MET THE CHINESE
MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS IN SEPTEMBER 1991, MARCH 1992 AND SEPTEMBER 1992.
ALSO, THE GOVERNOR MET THE DIRECTOR OF THE HONG KONG AND MACAU AFFAIRS OFFICE UNDER THE STATE COUNCIL IN SEPTEMBER 1991, AND JANUARY, JUNE AND OCTOBER 1992.
REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY THE HON CHIM PUI-CHUNG IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, MR LAI SAID: "ARRANGEMENTS FOR ANY SUCH MEETINGS IN FUTURE WILL, AS IN THE PAST, BE MADE KNOWN TO HONG KONG."
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PROVISION OF MATERNITY SERVICE TO NON-HK RESIDENTS QUERIED ♦ it**
THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, MRS ELIZABETH WONG, .TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY) THAT 529 (OR 9.7%) OF THE 5,454 BABIES DELIVERED IN TUEN MUN HOSPITAL AND 1,206 (15.2%) OF THE 7,939 BABIES DELIVERED IN PRINCE OF WALES HOSPITAL LAST YEAR WERE BORN OF WOMEN WHO HAD ENTERED HONG KONG EITHER ON CHINESE TWO-WAY EXIT PERMITS OR ILLEGALLY.
AND FOR THE FIRST FOUR MONTHS OF THIS YEAR, 254 (14.6%) OF THE 1,740 BABIES DELIVERED IN TUEN MUN HOSPITAL AND 459 (18.9%) OF 2,428 BABIES IN PRINCE OF WALES HOSPITAL WERE BORN BY THIS CATEGORY OF WOMEN.
REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY THE HON MICHAEL HO, MRS WONG SAID THE QUALITY OF CARE FOR OTHER. PATIENTS AT THESE TWO HOSPITALS WAS NOT AFFECTED AS THE PROVISION OF MATERNITY SERVICE TO THE CHINESE PERMIT HOLDERS AND ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS HAD BEEN MADE FROM EXISTING RESOURCES THROUGH EFFICIENT DEPLOYMENT OF MANPOWER AND PRODUCTIVITY.
UNDER THE CURRENT POLICY, PATIENTS WHO DO NOT HOLD A HONG KONG IDENTITY CARD OR A BRITISH PASSPORT ARE CLASSIFIED AS NON-ENTITLED PERSONS AND CHARGED THE FULL COSTS OF THEIR MEDICAL TREATMENT.
"HOWEVER, TWO-WAY PERMIT HOLDERS WHOSE SPOUSES ARE HOLDERS OF HONG KONG IDENTITY CARDS AND WHO CAN PRODUCE A MARRIAGE CERTIFICATE ISSUED BY A COMPETENT AUTHORITY ARE TREATED AS ENTITLED PERSONS," MRS WONG SAID.
/"ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS .......
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 30, 1993
- 13 -
"ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS UNDER POLICE CUSTODY ARE NOT REQUIRED TO PAY ANY CHARGES," SHE ADDED.
MRS WONG ALSO NOTED THAT THE TOTAL NUMBER OF BABIES DELIVERED IN PUBLIC HOSPITALS IN HONG KONG IN 1992 AND IN THE FIRST FOUR MONTHS OF THIS YEAR WERE 46,247 AND 15,062 RESPECTIVELY.
- - 0----------
ASSISTANCE AVAILABLE TO OVERSEAS DOMESTIC WORKERS
* * * * i
OVERSEAS DOMESTIC WORKERS WITH GENUINE HARDSHIP ARE ABLE TO OBTAIN ACCOMMODATION FROM THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT, THE SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER, MR MICHAEL LEUNG, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY THE HON MRS ELSIE TU, MR LEUNG NOTED THAT FOREIGN DOMESTIC HELPERS USUALLY HAD WAYS OF FINDING A TEMPORARY ACCOMMODATION THROUGH THE CONSULATES, CHURCH AND WORKER ORGANISATIONS.
HOWEVER, HE SAID, THE FAMILY SERVICES CENTRES OF THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT COULD ARRANGE ACCOMMODATION IN ONE OF THE TWO SHELTERS FOR BATTERED WOMEN FOR FEMALE FOREIGN DOMESTIC HELPERS WHO WERE GENUINELY ILL-TREATED.
IF FOREIGN DOMESTIC HELPERS WHO ARE TAKING LEGAL ACTION AGAINST THEIR EMPLOYERS FOR ABUSE OR UNREASONABLE TERMINATION OF CONTRACTS DO NOT WANT TO WAIT IN HONG KONG, THEY CAN RETURN TO THE HOME COUNTRY IN THE INTERIM.
"IN MANY CASES SUCH WORKERS CAN ACTUALLY APPLY FOR A NEW CONTRACT WITH A NEW EMPLOYER AND COME BACK TO HONG KONG LATER ON," MR LEUNG SAID.
"IN SERIOUS CASES INVOLVING ALLEGATIONS OF CRIMINAL OFFENCE, THE GOVERNMENT WILL CONSIDER PAYING FOR PASSAGES TO HELP TO BRING THEM BACK TO FACILITATE COURT PROCEEDINGS," HE ADDED.
/14 ........
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 30, 1993
- 14 -
EXCO AND LEGCO MEMBERS KEEP IN CONTACT
*****
THE ACTING SECRETARY FOR CONSTITUTIONAL AFFAIRS, MR PETER LAI, TODAY (WEDNESDAY) REFUTED COMMENTS THAT THERE WAS A LACK OF COORDINATION BETWEEN THE EXECUTIVE AND LEGISLATIVE COUNCILS OR THAT A COMMUNICATION GAP EXISTED.
AS LONG AS THE COUNCILS ARE TWO SEPARATE BODIES AND PLAY DIFFERENT ROLES, IT IS NOT SURPRISING THAT THERE WOULD BE OCCASIONS ON WHICH THERE ARE DIFFERENCES OF VIEWS BETWEEN THEM, HE SAID.
REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY THE HON LEE WING-TAT IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, MR LAI SAID MEMBERS OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL HAD NOT LOST TOUCH WITH THEIR COLLEAGUES IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
"INDEED, AS IT IS ALWAYS THE CASE, THE OPINIONS OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ARE WIDELY KNOWN AND WELL EXPRESSED THROUGH THE MEDIA," HE SAID.
MEMBERS OF THE TWO COUNCILS ALSO MAINTAIN CONTACTS THROUGH VARIOUS INFORMAL CHANNELS AND IN INFORMAL MEETINGS ORGANISED BETWEEN MEMBERS INDIVIDUALLY OR COLLECTIVELY.
"THERE IS NOW ALSO THE GOVERNOR’S QUESTION TIME, WHICH UNDOUBTEDLY HAS BROUGHT EVEN GREATER ACCOUNTABILITY AND OPENNESS OF THE WORK OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL AND THE EXECUTIVE TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL AND THE COMMUNITY," HE SAID.
IN HIS POLICY ADDRESS, THE GOVERNOR PROPOSED THE SETTING UP OF A GOVERNMENT-LEGCO COMMITTEE TO PROVIDE A FORUM OF COMMUNICATION BETWEEN THE TWO COUNCILS.
"WE WOULD BE HAPPY TO PURSUE THE PROPOSAL FURTHER SHOULD MEMBERS FEEL THAT IT WOULD SERVE AS AN ADDITIONAL, USEFUL CHANNEL OF COMMUNICATION," MR LAI SAID.
"WE WOULD ALSO BE HAPPY TO CONSIDER ANY CONSTRUCTIVE PROPOSALS FROM MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL," HE ADDED.
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/15 .......
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 30, 1993
15
POLICE REVIEWING ITS FIRST-AID TRAINING
i * * t
THE GOVERNMENT IS CONSIDERING THE EFFECTIVENESS OF FIRST-AID AND HAEMOSTASIS TRAINING FOR POLICE OFFICERS IN THE LIGHT OF THE RECOMMENDATIONS MADE BY MR JUSTICE BOKHARY IN HIS FINAL REPORT ON THE LAN KWAI FONG INCIDENT.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE ACTING SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, MR KEN WOODHOUSE, IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY DR THE HON LAM KUI-CHUN TODAY (WEDNESDAY) IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
MR WOODHOUSE SAID THE POLICE WERE REVIEWING THEIR FIRST-AID TRAINING FOR SERVING POLICE OFFICERS IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE AUXILIARY MEDICAL SERVICES.
POLICE OFFICERS ARE GIVEN TRAINING IN BASIC HAEMOSTASIS WHEN THEY JOIN THE FORCE.
REFRESHER IN-SERVICE TRAINING COURSES ARE ALSO PROVIDED TO OFFICERS EVERY THREE YEARS DURING THEIR CAREER.
HE SAID POLICE OFFICERS WERE TRAINED NOT ONLY IN HAEMOSTASIS, BUT IN THE WIDER ASPECTS OF FIRST-AID AND EMERGENCY TREATMENT.
THEY ARE ALSO TRAINED IN SPECIFIC SKILLS, SUCH AS WOUND DRESSING AND BANDAGING, CARDIOPULMONARY RESUSCITATION AND THE TREATMENT OF BONE FRACTURES AND HEAT STROKE, MR WOODHOUSE SAID.
CONCERNING THE FORMAL CURRICULUM IN SCHOOLS, MR WOODHOUSE SAID HAEMOSTASIS WAS COVERED UNDER FIRST-AID IN SEVERAL SUBJECTS SUCH AS HEALTH EDUCATION AT THE PRIMARY LEVEL AND PHYSICAL EDUCATION, HUMAN BIOLOGY AND SOCIAL STUDIES AT THE SECONDARY LEVEL.
"THE MAIN OBJECTIVE OF INCLUDING FIRST-AID TOPICS IN THE FORMAL CURRICULUM FOR SCHOOL CHILDREN IS TO PROMOTE A GENERAL AWARENESS OF FIRST-AID AMONG STUDENTS; THE INTENTION IS NOT TO PROVIDE SPECIALISED TRAINING," HE SAID.
HE NOTED THAT THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT CONSIDERED THE CONTENT OF THE SCHOOL CURRICULUM ON FIRST-AID TO BE EFFECTIVE.
THE CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL ALSO REVIEWED THESE MATTERS ON AN ON-GOING BASIS AND WOULD REVISE THE RELEVANT SYLLABUSES WHENEVER NECESSARY.
STUDENTS ARE ALSO ENCOURAGED TO TAKE PART IN EXTRA-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES PROVIDED BY THE BOY SCOUTS, THE GIRL GUIDES, THE ST JOHN’S AMBULANCE BRIGADE AND THE HONG KONG RED CROSS SOCIETY WHERE THEY WILL HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO RECEIVE PRACTICAL FIRST-AID TRAINING, HE SAID.
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/IB........
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 30, 1993
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ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION FUNDING ARRANGEMENTS UNDER REVIEW
* * * * *
THE GOVERNMENT IS NOW REVIEWING THE EXISTING FUNDING ARRANGEMENTS TO ESTABLISH A BETTER BASIS OF FUNDING SUPPORT FOR VARIOUS KINDS OF ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION ACTIVITIES INITIATED BOTH BY THE GOVERNMENT AND NON-GOVERNMENT BODIES.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE ACTING SECRETARY FOR PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS, MR CANICE MAK, IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON ERIC LI IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
"WE REALISE THAT WE CAN ALWAYS DO MORE IN THE FIELD OF ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION AND THAT A RELATIVELY RELIABLE SOURCE OF FUNDING SUPPORT IS NECESSARY FOR NON-GOVERNMENT ORGANISATIONS INVOLVED IN ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION ACTIVITIES, IN PARTICULAR THE ACTIVITIES OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL CAMPAIGN COMMITTEE (ECC)," MR MAK SAID.
THE GOVERNMENT HAS ALLOCATED $1.7 MILLION FOR ENVIRONMENTAL PUBLICITY CAMPAIGNS AND $0.5 MILLION FOR THE ENERGY EFFICIENCY PUBLICITY CAMPAIGN IN 1993/94.
MR MAK SAID THE FUNDING ALLOCATIONS FOR 1994/95 HAD NOT YET BEEN DECIDED BUT THE EXISTING SCALE OF BOTH THESE PUBLICITY CAMPAIGNS WAS EXPECTED TO BE MAINTAINED.
"IN ADDITION, $3.37 MILLION HAS BEEN ALLOCATED IN 1993/94 FOR THE FIRST ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCE CENTRE AT THE OLD WAN CHAI POST OFFICE," MR MAK SAID.
THIS CENTRE IS EXPECTED TO OPEN TOWARDS THE END OF 1993 AND WILL BE AN IMPORTANT FOCUS FOR PUBLIC EDUCATION ON ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES.
THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT (ED) PROVIDED $752,500 FOR 350 SCHOOL VISITS TO THE MAI PO NATURE RESERVE IN 1993/94 AND A SIMILAR SUM IS EARMARKED FOR 1994/95.
THE DEPARTMENT PROVIDED $1.7 MILLION IN 1993/94 FOR THE SAI KUNG FIELD STUDIES CENTRE TO ORGANISE RESIDENTIAL AND NON-RESIDENTIAL COURSE ON ECOLOGY, POLLUTION AND CONSERVATION FOR SIXTH FORM STUDENTS AND SECONDARY SCHOOL TEACHERS. A SIMILAR ALLOCATION WAS EXPECTED IN 1994/95.
APART FROM GOVERNMENT FUNDING, VARIOUS NON-GOVERNMENT ORGANISATIONS SUPPORT ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION ACTIVITIES.
THE ECC, WHICH RAISES FUNDS FROM PRIVATE DONATIONS AND THE JOCKEY CLUB, HOPES TO RAISE $2 MILLION IN 1993/94 AND $2.2 MILLION IN 1994/95.
ENVIRONMENTAL PROJECTS BY COMMUNITY AND ENVIRONMENTAL ORGANISATIONS ALSO RECEIVED A DEGREE OF GOVERNMENT FUNDING THROUGH THE DISTRICT BOARDS’ COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT ACTIVITIES FUNDING SCHEME, THOUGH THE PRECISE SUM DEVOTED TO THESE ACTIVITIES COULD NOT BE QUANTIFIED, MR MAK ADDED.
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/17........
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 30, 1993
17 -
GOVT’S VIGILANCE OVER SAFE OPERATION OF LIFTS CONTINUES ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
THE GOVERNMENT WOULD CONTINUE TO BE VIGILANT OVER THE SAFE OPERATION OF LIFTS.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE ACTING SECRETARY FOR PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS, MR CANICE MAK, IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON MRS MIRIAM LAU IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
HE SAID UNDER THE NEW PROVISIONS OF THE RECENTLY AMENDED LIFTS AND ESCALATORS (SAFETY) ORDINANCE, INSPECTION AND CHECKING OF LIFTS WAS REQUIRED TO BE CARRIED OUT BY COMPETENT PERSONS, AND THE SUBCONTRACTING OR ASSIGNMENT OF LIFT WORKS TO NON-REGISTERED CONTRACTORS WAS ALSO REGULATED.
MR MAK SAID IN A RECENT SURVEY BY THE ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT, 1,578 LIFTS, OR ABOUT 5.4 PER CENT, OF THE 35,700 PASSENGER LIFTS IN THE TERRITORY WERE FOUND NOT EQUIPPED WITH OVERLOADING WARNING DEVICES.
THESE LIFTS WERE INSTALLED BEFORE MAY 1969 WHEN THE REQUIREMENT FOR THE PROVISION OF OVERLOADING WARNING DEVICES WERE INCLUDED IN THE RELEVANT LEGISLATION.
’’ALTHOUGH THESE LIFTS DO NOT HAVE AN OVERLOADING WARNING SYSTEM, THEY USUALLY HAVE OTHER SAFETY DEVICES SUCH AS FAIL-SAFE BRAKING SYSTEM, OVERSPEED GOVERNOR, ARRESTER GEAR AND BUFFERS.
”IT IS THEREFORE CONSIDERED MORE APPROPRIATE TO ALLOW THE PHASING OUT OF SUCH LIFTS BY NATURAL WASTAGE.
’’THE ADMINISTRATION WILL OF COURSE CONTINUE TO ADVISE REGISTERED LIFT CONTRACTORS TO ENCOURAGE OWNERS OF PRE-1969 BUILDINGS TO INSTALL OVERLOADING WARNING DEVICES IN LIFTS WHENEVER POSSIBLE," MR MAK SAID.
OVER THE PAST THREE YEARS, THERE HAD BEEN FOUR FATAL AND 22 NON-FATAL ACCIDENTS INVOLVING PASSENGER LIFTS.
TWO OF THESE ACCIDENTS INVOLVED LIFTS WITHOUT OVERLOADING WARNING DEVICES AND TWO PEOPLE WERE INJURED BUT NEITHER OF THESE TWO CASES WAS CAUSED BY OVERLOADING.
/18 .......
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 30, 1993
- 18 -
WATER SUPPLY TO SQUATTER AREAS EXPLAINED *****
IT IS THE GOVERNMENT’S POLICY TO PROVIDE METERED WATER SUPPLY TO SQUATTER AREAS WHEN APPLICATIONS ARE RECEIVED IP IT IS TECHNICALLY FEASIBLE AND WHEN THERE IS NO IMMINENT PLAN OF CLEARANCE BY THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE SECRETARY FOR WORKS, MR JAMES BLAKE, IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON ALBERT CHAN IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
THERE ARE 17 SQUATTER AREAS WITH A TOTAL POPULATION OF 958 IN THE URBAN AREAS AND 726 SQUATTER AREAS WITH A POPULATION OF 2,717 PERSONS IN THE RURAL AREAS WHICH ARE WITHOUT MAINS WATER SUPPLY OR METERED WATER SUPPLY.
MR BLAKE SAID AS IT WAS ENVISAGED THAT ALL URBAN SQUATTERS ON GOVERNMENT LAND WOULD BE CLEARED BY 1996, THERE WAS THUS NO PLAN TO SUPPLY WATER TO URBAN SQUATTER AREAS WHICH WERE CURRENTLY WITHOUT WATER SUPPLY.
OVER 500 VILLAGES WERE PROVIDED WITH METERED WATER SUPPLY IN 1987 AND FOR THE REMAINING 175 VILLAGES WHICH WERE LOCATED FAR AWAY FROM THE WATER DISTRIBUTION NETWORKS, IT WAS CONSIDERED THAT 114 VILLAGES COULD BE PROVIDED WITH METERED WATER SUPPLY AT A REASONABLE COST.
A PUBLIC WORKS PROGRAMME ITEM "WATER SUPPLY TO REMOTE VILLAGES IN THE NEW TERRITORIES" WAS CREATED TO IMPLEMENT THE WORKS FOR 85 OF THESE VILLAGES.
THE WORKS ARE WELL UNDER WAY AND THAT FOR THE FINAL VILLAGE IS EXPECTED TO COMPLETE BEFORE THE END OF 1995.
WATER SUPPLY TO THE REMAINING 29 VILLAGES HAVE BEEN PROVIDED BY EXTENSION OF THE EXISTING OR NEWLY COMPLETED WATER SUPPLY NETWORKS UNDER RECURRENT PROVISION.
UP TILL NOW, A TOTAL OF 624 VILLAGES HAVE BEEN PROVIDED WITH METERED WATER SUPPLY.
MR BLAKE SAID THERE WERE STILL SOME 63 VILLAGES WITH A TOTAL POPULATION OF AROUND 4,040 FOR WHICH THE WORKS WERE NOT ON THE PUBLIC WORKS PROGRAMME, BUT THEIR NEED FOR MAINS WATER SUPPLY WAS KEPT UNDER CONSTANT REVIEW.
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/19 .......
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 30, 1993
- 19 -
USES OF RESUMED LAND
*****
LAND IS RESUMED FOR A PUBLIC PURPOSE WHICH MAY INCLUDE A NUMBER OF USES SUCH AS ROADS, SEWAGE TREATMENT PLANTS, PUBLIC HOUSING, PUBLIC HOSPITALS AND SCHOOLS.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE ACTING SECRETARY FOR PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS, MR CANICE MAK, IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON LAU WONG-FAT IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MR MAK SAID LAND FORMATION AND SERVICING WAS NECESSARY IN MOST CASES BEFORE IT COULD BE USED FOR THE INTENDED PURPOSE.
A SITE RESUMED MAY BE AMALGAMATED WITH EITHER RESUMED SITES OR GOVERNMENT LAND BEFORE BEING ALLOCATED OR DISPOSED OF.
IT MAY BE CARVED UP WITH DIFFERENT PARTS BEING USED FOR DIFFERENT PURPOSES.
"IT WOULD THEREFORE BE ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE AND DEFINITELY VERY RESOURCE INTENSIVE AND TIME-CONSUMING TO IDENTIFY THAT PART OF THE LAND RESUMED WHICH HAS SUBSEQUENTLY BEEN SOLD AND THE PRICE AT WHICH THAT PARTICULAR PART HAS BEEN SOLD," MR MAK SAID.
'---------------------------------------o-------------------------------------------------
NO FOREIGN EXCHANGE CONTROL IN HK
******
HONG KONG DOES NOT HAVE FOREIGN EXCHANGE CONTROL OF ANY FORM, AND THERE IS NO STATUTE WHICH SEEKS TO REGULATE THE EXCHANGE OF FOREIGN CURRENCY, THE SECRETARY FOR FINANCIAL SERVICES, MR MICHAEL CARTLAND, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY) TN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY DR THE HON TANG SIU-TONG, MR CARTLAND SAID THERE WAS NO PROHIBITION ON THE USE OF FOREIGN CURRENCIES IN CASH PAYMENTS IN THE TERRITORY.
"SHOPS IN HONG KONG CAN ACCEPT PAYMENTS IN RENMINBI, OR ANY OTHER FOREIGN CURRENCIES, IF THEY WISH TO AND ARE HAPPY WITH THE EXCHANGE RISKS THAT ARE INCURRED."
"WE DO NOT BELIEVE THAT THE ACCEPTANCE OF CASH PAYMENTS IN RENMINBI BY SOME SHOPS WOULD BECOME WIDESPREAD ENOUGH TO HAVE ANY SIGNIFICANT EFFECT ON THE MONETARY SYSTEM OF HONG KONG," HE ADDED.
/20........
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 30, 1993
20
UNHCR CONSTANTLY REMINDED TO PAY DEBT
*****
THE BRITISH AND THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENTS WILL CONTINUE TO REMIND THE UNITED NATIONS HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR REFUGEES (UNHCR) AND THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY OF THE BURDEN IMPOSED ON THE TERRITORY AND TO PRESS FOR REPAYMENT OF THE OUTSTANDING DEBT.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE ACTING SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, MR KEN WOODHOUSE IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON HENRY TANG TODAY (WEDNESDAY) IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
MR WOODHOUSE SAID: "BOTH HER MAJESTY’S GOVERNMENT AND THE RONG KONG GOVERNMENT CONSTANTLY REMIND THE UNHCR OF ITS OUTSTANDING DEBT TO THE TERRITORY."
"THIS IS DONE LARGELY THROUGH THE REGULAR CONTACTS WHICH TAKE PLACE BETWEEN OFFICIALS OF THE TWO GOVERNMENTS AND THE OFFICE OF THE UNHCR. ”
HOWEVER, THE ABILITY OF THE UNHCR TO REPAY THE MONIES OWED IS DEPENDANT ON DONOR COUNTRIES, HE ADDED.
EARLIER THIS YEAR, FOLLOWING A DISCUSSION OF THIS MATTER IN THE LEGCO’S PUBLIC ACCOUNTS COMMITTEE, THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT WAS INSTRUMENTAL IN HAVING THE DEBT HIGHLIGHTED IN THE UNHCR 1993 COMPREHENSIVE PLAN OF ACTION (CPA) APPEAL.
MR WOODHOUSE SAID BRITISH DIPLOMATIC MISSIONS IN MAJOR DONOR CAPITALS WERE ALSO INSTRUCTED TO ASK THEIR HOST GOVERNMENTS WHETHER THEY WOULD CONSIDER AUGMENTING THEIR 1993 CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE CPA TO ENABLE THE UNHCR TO DISCHARGE ITS DEBT TO HONG KONG.
THE FINAL OUTCOME OF THIS DEMARCHE IS NOW AWAITED.
"IT WOULD NOT BE APPROPRIATE FOR THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT, AS A THIRD PARTY, TO RELEASE COPIES OF CORRESPONDENCE BETWEEN HER MAJESTY’S GOVERNMENT AND THE UNHCR," HE ADDED.
PROMOTION OF SAFETY AT WORK FOR SUMMER JOB-SEEKERS *****
ELEVEN SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS WERE INJURED WHILE ENGAGING IN SUMMER JOBS LAST YEAR.
THIS COMPARED WITH 35 IN 1988, 29 IN 1989, 18 IN 1990 AND SEVEN IN 1991.
THE MAJORITY OF THESE CASES INVOLVED ONLY MINOR INJURIES AND NO FATAL CASES HAD BEEN RECORDED, THE SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER, MR MICHAEL LEUNG, SAID IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON CHEUNG MAN-KWONG IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
/HE TOLD .......
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 30, 1993
- 21 -
HE TOLD THE COUNCIL THAT THE LABOUR AND THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENTS HAD TAKEN VARIOUS MEASURES EVERY YEAR TO PROMOTE THE AWARENESS OF SAFETY AT WORK AMONG SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS.
"LEAFLETS ARE DISTRIBUTED TO ALL SCHOOLS ADVISING STUDENTS NOT TO TAKE UP HAZARDOUS SUMMER JOBS SUCH AS WORKING AT CONSTRUCTION SITES, OPERATING HEAVY MACHINERY AND LIFTING APPLIANCES, WORKING AT HEIGHT, USING CHEMICALS OR DOING WORK INVOLVING HEAT TREATMENT OR USE OF FIRE," MR LEUNG SAID.
"THE LEAFLET ALSO ADVISES STUDENTS TO BE CAREFUL WITH THE USE OF FOOD-MAKING MACHINES, STOVES, KNIVES AND CHEMICAL-CLEANING AGENTS, IF THEY WORK IN THE CATERING INDUSTRY."
IN ADDITION, A POSTER DESIGN COMPETITION ON SAFETY AT WORK WAS HELD IN MARCH WHILE TALKS AND VIDEO SHOWS ON INDUSTRIAL SAFETY HAVE BEEN GIVEN TO SECONDARY STUDENTS AT THEIR SCHOOLS BY FACTORY INSPECTORS SINCE MAY.
THE LOCAL EMPLOYMENT SERVICE OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT ALSO GIVES REGULAR GUIDANCE TO STUDENTS SEEKING SUMMER JOBS AND ADVISES THEM IN PARTICULAR NOT TO ACCEPT HAZARDOUS JOBS IF OFFERED.
TO FURTHER REMIND SECONDARY STUDENTS NOT TO TAKE UP HAZARDOUS JOBS DURING THE SUMMER VACATION, THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT HAS RECENTLY ISSUED A CIRCULAR TO ALL SECONDARY SCHOOL HEADS AND TEACHERS, ESPECIALLY CAREERS TEACHERS, TO REMIND THEM TO IMPRESS ON THEIR STUDENTS THE SAFETY MESSAGES.
THE DEPARTMENT WILL ALSO ORGANISE ANNUAL SEMINARS ON SAFETY AT WORK FOR CAREER TEACHERS, STARTING FROM THE NEXT SCHOOL YEAR.
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OVER 100 SUMMONSES ISSUED AGAINST EMPLOYERS OF FOREIGN WORKERS * * * * *
THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT HANDLED 55 LABOUR DISPUTES AND CLAIMS INVOLVING 176 FOREIGN WORKERS UNDER THE GENERAL LABOUR IMPORTATION SCHEME LAST YEAR, THE SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER, MR MICHAEL LEUNG, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
DURING THE SAME PERIOD, HE SAID, 103 SUMMONSES WERE TAKEN OUT AGAINST EMPLOYERS OF IMPORTED WORKERS, AND 406 VERBAL OR WRITTEN WARNINGS WERE ISSUED IN RESPECT OF OFFENCES UNDER THE LAW.
IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON LAU CHIN-SHEK, MR LEUNG NOTED THAT OF THE TOTAL SUMMONSES ISSUED, 70 WERE HEARD WITH 51 CONVICTIONS.
EIGHTEEN OF THE CONVICTIONS RELATED TO DEDUCTION OF WAGES, 17 CONCERNED FAILURE TO GRANT STATUTORY HOLIDAYS, 10 INVOLVED PAYMENT IN LIEU OF GRANTING STATUTORY HOLIDAY AND SIX WERE DUE TO FAILURE TO TAKE OUT INSURANCE POLICY.
/DURING THE .......
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 30, 1993
- 22 -
DURING THE YEAR, SIX IMPORTED WORKERS WERE GRANTED APPROVAL TO CHANGE EMPLOYER - FIVE WERE SUCCESSFULLY PLACED IN EMPLOYMENT AND THE OTHER LEFT HONG KONG WITHOUT GIVING REASONS.
MR LEUNG ALSO NOTED THAT 1,180 FOREIGN WORKERS LEFT THEIR JOBS IN 1991 BEFORE THE EXPIRY OF THEIR CONTRACTS. THE NUMBER FOR 1992 STOOD AT 1,771 AND THAT FOR THE FIRST FIVE MONTHS OF THIS YEAR WAS 1,365 .
SINCE THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE GENERAL LABOUR IMPORTATION SCHEME, 1,924 VISAS WERE APPROVED IN 1989; 12,847 IN 1990; AND 11,434 IN 1992.
OF THE 14,132 QUOTAS ALLOCATED UNDER THE 1993 SCHEME, 1,523 VISAS HAVE SO FAR BEEN ISSUED.
IN ADDITION, 1,418 VISAS HAVE BEEN APPROVED UNDER THE SCHEME FOR THE NEW AIRPORT.
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WAITING TIME FOR SMALL PUBLIC HOUSING FLATS
******
THE ONLY WAY TO SHORTEN THE WAITING TIME FOR SINGLE PERSONS OR TWO-PERSON FAMILIES TO MOVE INTO PUBLIC HOUSING FLATS IS TO INCREASE THE SUPPLY OF SMALL FLATS.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE ACTING SECRETARY FOR PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS, MR CANICE MAK, IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON TIK CHI-YUEN IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MR MAK SAID WHILE FLAT SUPPLY FOR TWO-PERSON HOUSEHOLDS WAS EXPECTED TO BE ADEQUATE, THE SHORTFALL OF ONE-PERSON FLATS REMAIN A CONCERN.
"THE HOUSING AUTHORITY HAS IN RESPONSE IDENTIFIED A NUMBER OF POSSIBLE OPTIONS TO INCREASE SUPPLY, INCLUDING THE CONSTRUCTION OF ADDITIONAL ANNEX BLOCKS AND HOSTEL-TYPE ACCOMMODATION, PROVISION OF MORE SHELTERED HOUSING UNITS FOR THE ELDERLY, CREATION OF PLANNED VACANCIES THROUGH TRANSFER EXERCISES, A DIFFERENT FLAT MIX, RELAXATION OF ALLOCATION STANDARD AS WELL AS PROGRAMME ADJUSTMENTS, " MR MAK SAID.
HE SAID AN EXTRA 6,300 ONE-PERSON UNITS COULD BE GENERATED THROUGH THESE OPTIONS OVER THE NEXT FIVE YEARS, OF WHICH ABOUT 750 TO 1,000 COULD BE ALLOCATED EACH YEAR TO THE WAITING LIST.
MR MAK SAID NO CLEARANCE INVOLIVNG REHOUSING OF ALL ELIGIBLE HOUSEHOLDS IN THE AREA TO BE CLEARED HAD BEEN DEFERRED AFTER FORMAL NOTIFICATION DUE TO INADEQUATE FLAT SUPPLY.
AN ACCELERATED CLEARANCE PROGRAMME OF TEMPORARY HOUSING AREAS (THA) HAS RECENTLY BEEN DRAWN UP WITH A VIEW TO CLEARING OVER 80 PER CENT OF THE EXISTING POPULATION BY 1996/97.
/"THIS MEANS .......
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 30, 1993
- 23 -
’’THIS MEANS THEIR REHOUSING DATES HAVE BEEN BROUGHT FORWARD RATHER THAN DEFERRED,” MR MAK SAID.
AS REGARDS THE LOCATION OF RECEPTION ESTATES, ELIGIBLE THA CLEAREES LIVING ON THE HONG KONG ISLAND ARE NORMALLY REHOUSED ON THE HONG KONG SIDE.
THOSE IN KOWLOON ARE OFFERED NEW FLATS IN THE EXTENDED URBAN AREA OR THE NEW TERRITORIES, BUT CAN BE REHOUSED IN URBAN KOWLOON IF THEY ARE PREPARED TO ACCEPT CASUAL VACANCIES.
”IT IS VERY UNLIKELY THAT ONE PERSON HOUSEHOLDS AFFECTED BY A THA CLEARANCE WILL BE ASKED TO SHARE NON-SELF-CONTAINED UNITS IN FUTURE,” MR MAK ADDED.
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ELECTRONIC DEVICES USERS UNDER PROTECTION
*****
THE GOVERNMENT IS PREPARED TO EXAMINE WHETHER SPECIFIC MEASURES MIGHT BE REQUIRED TO DEAL WITH PROBLEMS IN CONNECTION WITH THE USE OF ELECTRONIC DEVICES TO CONDUCT FINANCIAL TRANSACTIONS.
THE SECRETARY FOR FINANCIAL SERVICES, MR MICHAEL CARTLAND, SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY) THAT EXPERIENCE IN OTHER COUNTRIES WOULD BE DRAWN WHERE APPROPRIATE.
IN GENERAL, MR CARTLAND STATED IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY DR THE HON HUANG CHEN-YA, CUSTOMERS OF FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS WHO USE ELECTRONIC DEVICES ARE SUBJECT TO THE PROTECTION AFFORDED BY THE LAW OF CONTRACT AS ARE THOSE WHO USE PAPER SYSTEMS.
ALSO, GIVEN THE DIVERSITY OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES AND THE PACE WITH WHICH TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPS, IT IS DIFFICULT TO GENERALISE ON THE SPECIFIC MEASURES THAT WOULD BE REQUIRED FOR PROTECTING INDIVIDUAL GROUPS OF USERS.
HE SAID AN EXAMPLE OF MOVES IN THIS DIRECTION WAS THE RECENTLY INTRODUCED COMPUTER CRIMES ORDINANCE WHICH MADE NEW CRIMINAL OFFENCES IN RESPECT OF UNAUTHORISED ACCESS TO COMPUTERS.
ON THE QUESTION OF PRIVACY, A SUB-COMMITTEE OF THE LAW REFORM COMMISSION IS CURRENTLY EXAMINING EXISTING LAWS IN HONG KONG IN THE AREA .
THE SECRETARY SAID ONE OF THE MATTERS TO BE CONSIDERED IN THIS EXERCISE WAS THE REMEDIES THAT SHOULD BE MADE AVAILABLE IN RESPECT OF UNDUE INTERFERENCE W ITH THE PR IVACY OF THE INDIVIDUAL, INCLUDING INTRUSION (BY ELECTRONIC OR OTHER MEANS) INTO PRIVATE PREMISES AND THE INTERCEPTION OF COMMUNICATIONS, WHETHER ORAL OR RECORDED.
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WEDNESDAY, JUNE 30, 1993
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OVERSEAS TEACHERS HELP RAISE STUDENTS’ ENGLISH STANDARD ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT IS REVIEWING THE ADMINISTRATIVE AND RECRUITMENT PROCEDURES FOR EMPLOYING BOTH "OVERSEAS" TEACHERS UNDER THE CODE OF AID, AND "EXPATRIATE” TEACHERS UNDER THE EXPATRIATE ENGLISH LANGUAGE TEACHER (EELT) SCHEME BY SECONDARY SCHOOLS.
A SCHOOL CIRCULAR ANNOUNCING THE REVISED ARRANGEMENTS IS EXPECTED TO BE ISSUED IN THE COMING SCHOOL YEAR.
IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON TIMOTHY HA WINO-HO IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY), THE SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER, MR MICHAEL LEUNG, EXPLAINED THAT THE REVIEW FOLLOWED THE LOW UTILISATION OF THE QUOTA FOR "OVERSEAS" TEACHERS, AND OF SUGGESTIONS FOR IMPROVEMENTS FROM SCHOOLS IN THE EELT SCHEME.
UNDER THE PROVISIONS OF THE CODE OF AID, AIDED SECONDARY SCHOOLS OF 12 TO 23 CLASSES MAY EMPLOY TWO TEACHERS OF ENGLISH LANGUAGE ON "OVERSEAS" TERMS; WHILE SCHOOLS OF 24 OR MORE CLASSES MAY EMPLOY THREE SUCH TEACHERS.
APPROVAL HAS ALSO BEEN GIVEN FOR SOME SCHOOLS TO EMPLOY NO MORE THAN TWO TEACHERS UNDER THE EELT SCHEME ON "EXPATRIATE" TERMS WITHIN A QUOTA WHICH IS ADJUSTED ANNUALLY TO MATCH THE AVAILABILITY OF FUNDS.
HOWEVER, STATISTICS SHOW THAT ONLY 27 SECONDARY SCHOOLS, OR SIX PER CENT OF THE TOTAL NUMBER OF SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN HONG KONG, EMPLOYED 11 "OVERSEAS" TEACHERS AND 33 "EXPATRIATE" TEACHERS IN 1990/ 91, REPRESENTING 0.27% AND 0.81% OF THE TOTAL NUMBER OF ENGLISH LANGUAGE TEACHERS IN ALL SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN HONG KONG RESPECTIVELY.
THIRTY-SIX SCHOOLS (8.2%) EMPLOYED 13 "OVERSEAS" (0.32%) AND 41 "EXPATRIATE" (1.01%) TEACHERS IN 1991/92; AND 40 SCHOOLS (8.8%) EMPLOYED 15 "OVERSEAS" (0.37%) AND 44 "EXPATRIATE" (1.08%) TEACHERS IN 1992/93.
MR LEUNG ALSO TOLD THE COUNCIL THAT THE BOARD OF EDUCATION HAD RECENTLY CONFIRMED ITS SUPPORT FOR THE EELT SCHEME AND DESCRIBED IT AS A POSITIVE CONTRIBUTION TO RAISING STUDENTS’ STANDARD OF ENGLISH.
FEEDBACK FROM HEADS OF SCHOOLS EMPLOYING "OVERSEAS" TEACHERS WAS LIKEWISE POSITIVE, HE ADDED.
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WEDNESDAY, JUNE 30, 1993
25
SCHOOL MEDICAL SERVICE SCHEME TO BE REPLACED ♦ ♦ ♦ * *
THE SCHOOL MEDICAL SERVICE SCHEME WHICH PROVIDES ECONOMICAL MEDICAL CARE TO STUDENTS THROUGH THE PARTICIPATION OF PRIVATE MEDICAL PRACTITIONERS, WILL SOON BE ABOLISHED AND BE REPLACED BY THE STUDENT HEALTH SERVICE, THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, MRS ELIZABETH WONG, SAID.
IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON ZACHARY WONG WAI-YIN IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY), MRS WONG EXPLAINED THAT THIS FOLLOWED THE ABUSE OF THE SCHEME AND THE CHANGE WAS RECOMMENDED BY THE WORKING PARTY ON PRIMARY HEALTH CARE.
ON HEALTH CARE SERVICES FOR THE ELDERLY, THE SECRETARY SAID THERE WAS LITTLE JUSTIFICATION TO REPLACE THE EXISTING SYSTEM BY A BODY SIMILAR TO THE SCHOOL MEDICAL SERVICE.
"THE PRESENT SYSTEM PROVIDES FLEXIBILITY TO MEET LOCAL CONDITIONS," SHE SAID.
"IT ALLOWS PATIENTS A WIDE VARIETY OF CHOICE AND WORKS WELL."
MRS WONG ALSO SAID SERVICES FOR THE ELDERLY AT PUBLIC HOSPITALS AND CLINICS WERE HIGHLY SUBSIDISED.
IN ADDITION, VARIOUS CONCESSIONARY MEDICAL SCHEMES HAVE BERN INITIATED AT THE GRASSROOTS LEVEL BY DIFFERENT CHARITABLE ORGANISATIONS TO MEET LOCAL NEEDS AND SUCH SCHEMES HAVE OPERATED VERY SMOOTHLY.
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FALSE SHOP ALARMS EFFECTIVELY TACKLED *****
THERE HAS BEEN A GENERAL DECREASE IN THE NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT NUISANCE FROM ALARM SYSTEMS IN SHOPS SINCE THE ENACTMENT OF A PROVISION IN THE SUMMARY OFFENCES ORDINANCE TO TACKLE FALSE ALARMS FROM SHOPS.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE ACTING SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, MR KEN WOODHOUSE IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY DR THE HON CONRAD LAM KUI-CHUN IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
THE PROVISION PROVIDES THAT ANY PERSON WHO HAS CONTROL OF AN INTRUDER ALARM SYSTEM IN ANY PREMISES SHOULD PROVIDE AN EFFICIENT AUTOMATIC DEVICE TO CAUSE ALL AUDIBLE ALARM SIGNALS TO CEASE SOUNDING WITHIN 15 MINUTES OF ITS ACTIVATION.
"ALARM OWNERS ARE GENERALLY CO-OPERATIVE AND WILLING TO FIT SUCH AUTOMATIC DEVICES," MR WOODHOUSE SAID.
ANY PERSON WHO CONTRAVENES THIS SECTION WILL BE LIABLE TO A FINE OF $5,000 AND IMPRISONMENT FOR THREE MONTHS.
TURNING TO FALSE VEHICLE ALARMS, HE SAID THERE WERE NO SPECIFIC LEGISLATIVE CONTROLS AGAINST THEM.
/"THIS IS .......
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 30, 1993
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"THIS IS NOT A WIDESPREAD PROBLEM IN HONG KONG," HE SAID. "POLICE EXPERIENCE SUGGESTS THAT, IN RESIDENTIAL AREAS, CAR OWNERS USUALLY ARRIVE AT THE SCENE QUICKLY TO TURN OFF THE ALARM."
IT HAS BEEN SUGGESTED THAT A TIME-LIMIT, SIMILAR TO THAT FOR ALARMS IN SHOPS, SHOULD BE IMPOSED ON VEHICLE ALARMS.
HOWEVER, THE POLICE DO NOT CONSIDER IT APPROPRIATE TO IMPOSE ANY RESTRICTION ON THE USE OF AUDIBLE VEHICLE ALARMS BECAUSE THEY REPRESENT ONE OF THE EFFECTIVE MEANS OF PREVENTING CAR THEFTS, WHICH REMAINS A CAUSE FOR CONCERN, MR WOODHOUSE SAID.
THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT HAS RECEIVED ONLY TWO COMPLAINT CASES OF NOISE NUISANCE CAUSED AFTER 11 PM IN THE PAST THREE YEARS. THE POLICE DO NOT KEEP STATISTICS ON THE NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS OF NOISE NUISANCE BY TIME OF DAY.
MR WOODHOUSE SAID THE POLICE RESPONDED TO ALL COMPLAINTS EXPEDITIOUSLY.
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MOTION ON LICENSING OF REAL ESTATE AGENTS PASSED
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A MOTION MOVED BY THE HON ALBERT CHAN URGING THE GOVERNMENT TO INTRODUCE LEGISLATION TO REGULATE THE OPERATION OF REAL ESTATE AGENTS I'HROUGH A LICENSING SYSTEM WAS PASSED AFTER A ONE-AND-A-HALF HOUR DEBATE IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TONIGHT.
A TOTAL OF 13 MEMBERS SPOKE. THE ACTING SECRETARY FOR PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS, MR CANICE MAK, REPLIED FOR THE GOVERNMENT.
EIGHT MEMBERS SPOKE IN AN ADJOURNMENT DEBATE MOVED BY THE HON ERIC LI ON THE SALE OF CONFISCATED CIGARETTES. THE SECRETARY FOR THE TREASURY, MR DONALD TSANG, SPOKE ON BEHALF OF THE GOVERNMENT.
THREE MOTIONS MOVED BY THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, THE HON JEREMY MATHEWS, UNDER THE OFFICIAL LANGUAGES ORDINANCE AND ANOTHER MOTION MOVED BY THE ACTING SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, MR KEN WOODHOUSE, UNDER THE DRUG TRAFFICKING (RECOVERY OF PROCEEDS) ORDINANCE WERE PASSED.
TWO OTHER MOTIONS MOVED RESPECTIVELY BY MR MAK AND THE SECRETARY FOR FINANCIAL SERVICES, MR MICHAEL CARTLAND, UNDER THE TRADING FUNDS ORDINANCE WERE ALSO PASSED.
A TOTAL OF NINE BILLS WERE PASSED, THREE WITH AMENDMENTS.
THE THREE BILLS WITH AMENDMENTS WERE LANDLORD AND TENANT (CONSOLIDATION) (AMENDMENT) BILL 1992; TRAVEL AGENTS (AMENDMENT) BILL 1992 AND INLAND REVENUE (AMENDMENT) (NO.2) BILL 1993.
THE OTHER BILLS WERE: JUDICIAL OFFICERS (TENURE OF OFFICE) BILL; ROAD TUNNELS (GOVERNMENT) (AMENDMENT) BILL 1993; CROSS-HARBOUR TUNNEL (PASSAGE TAX) (AMENDMENT) (NO. 2) BILL 1993; CROSS-HARBOUR TUNNEL (AMENDMENT) BILL 1993; EASTERN HARBOUR CROSSING (AMENDMENT) BILL 1993 AND TATE’S CAIRN TUNNEL (AMENDMENT) BILL 1993.
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