DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
TUESDAY, MARCH 1, 1994
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
GOVERNOR SPEAKS TO PRESS AFTER EXECUTIVE COUNCIL MEETING .... 1
CS HOPES RESUMED AIRPORT MEETING TO PRODUCE RESULTS ............. 2
RESUMPTION OF AIRPORT COMMITTEE MEETING WELCOMED ................ 2
DISCUSSION ON NEW AIRPORT FINANCE ............................... 3
BARONESS DUNN VISITS SAN FRANCISCO .............................. 3
AIRPORT CORPORATION WHITE BILL .................................. 3
MORE RESOURCES TO IMPROVE FAMILY AND CHILDREN SERVICES .......... 4
PREPARE VEGETABLES WITH CARE .................................... 5
THREE LOTS SOLD FOR $5,050 MILLION .............................. 6
TEMPORARY LORRY PARK OPEN ON WESTERN RECLAMATION ................ 6
PURSUIT OF QUALITY - A FIRM COMMITMENT FOR ASD .................. 7
BUDGET GUIDE READY TOMORROW ..................................... 8
SIR DAVID TRENCH FUND COMMITTEE INVITES APPLICATIONS FOR GRANTS ........................................................ 9
KOWLOON WALLED CITY PARK DESIGN ON SHOW ........................ 10
100 CAR MARKS UP FOR AUCTION ................................... 11
WATER CUT IN TUEN MUN .......................................... 12
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND TENDER RESULTS .............. 12
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS .. 13
TUESDAY, MARCH 1, 1994
- 1 -
GOVERNOR SPEAKS TO PRESS AFTER EXECUTIVE COUNCIL MEETING *****
GOVERNOR: GOOD MORNING. WE HAD GOOD DISCUSSIONS THIS MORNING ABOUT THE BUDGET AND ABOUT POLITICAL DEVELOPMENT. WE CONSIDERED THE VERY SATISFACTORY VOTES IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL LAST WEEK WHICH SAW THE COMPLETION OF WORK ON THE BILL WHICH DEALT WITH THE VOTING METHOD FOR DISTRICT BOARD, MUNICIPAL COUNCIL, LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ELECTIONS, WHICH DEALT WITH APPOINTED MEMBERS AND WHICH DEALT WITH OTHER MATTERS WHICH SHOULDN’T BE THE SUBJECTS OF VERY MUCH CONTROVERSY. WE ALSO CONSIDERED THE DOCUMENTS WHICH THE BRITISH AND HONG KONG GOVERNMENTS AND WHICH THE GOVERNMENT OF PRC HAD PRODUCED ON THE TALKS WHICH UNFORTUNATELY DIDN'T SUCCEED. AS YOU KNOW, THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT AND THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT SET OUT AN ACCOUNT OF WHAT HAPPENED IN THE TALKS LAST WEEK. LATE YESTERDAY, THE PRC GAVE THEIR VERSION. WE OBVIOUSLY WANT TO STUDY THAT DOCUMENT CAREFULLY TO GIVE IT THE ATTENTION WHICH IT UNDOUBTEDLY DESERVES. AT FIRST SIGHT, IT DOES NOT SEEM THAT THE DOCUMENT ADDS ANYTHING NEW TO WHAT THE COMMUNITY HAS ALREADY HEARD IN PREVIOUS LEAKS AND PREVIOUS ALLEGATIONS FROM CHINESE OFFICIALS. BUT, OBVIOUSLY, IF THERE IS ANYTHING WE FEEL WE NEED TO ADD TO THE ACCOUNT THAT WE HAVE SET OUT, WE’LL DO SO A LITTLE LATER. I MUST SAY THAT MY IMPRESSION IS THAT THE COMMUNITY DOESN’T WANT TO SEE CHARGE AND COUNTER-CHARGE WEEK AFTER WEEK THROUGH THE SPRING. I THINK THE COMMUNITY WOULD LIKE TO SEE A LINE DRAWN AND WOULD LIKE TO SEE US GET ON WITH MORE POSITIVE ISSUES NOT LEAST CO-OPERATING WHERE WE CAN IN THE INTEREST OF HONG KONG. SO, WE WON’T WANT TO GET INVOLVED IN THAT ENDLESS TIC-FOR-TAC. THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG HAVE MATURE JUDGMENT. THEY CAN READ THE TWO ACCOUNTS AND MAKE THEIR OWN MINDS UP AND I AM SURE THAT IS WHAT THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL WILL WANT TO DO. SO, I REPEAT THAT AS FAR AS WE ARE CONCERNED, WE’D LIKE TO GET ON WITH BUSINESS STARTING WITH THE BUDGET TOMORROW TO WHICH EVERYBODY IS LOOKING FORWARD AND, I HOPE, MOVING INTO AREAS WHERE SERIOUS, PRACTICAL, CONSTRUCTIVE CO-OPERATION WITH CHINA AND CHINESE OFFICIALS CAN AND SHOULD TAKE PLACE.
QUESTION: WHY DID YOU NOT RELEASE THE FULL MINUTES OF THE TALKS? HOW CAN PEOPLE JUDGE IF THEY ONLY GET AN EDITED VERSION?
GOVERNOR: I THINK, AS YOU KNOW, LIKE OTHER DIPLOMATIC NEGOTIATIONS NO DIFFERENT FROM ANY OTHERS, THERE ISN’T AN AGREED MINUTE TAKEN AFTER EACH MEETING. SO, EVEN IF YOU WERE TO PRODUCE ALL THE OTHER DOCUMENTATION, YOU STILL HAVE DIFFERENCES IN INTERPRETATION AND ANALYSES. I THINK WHAT’S QUITE INTERESTING ABOUT THE TWO DOCUMENTS THAT HAVE BEEN PRODUCED IS THAT PEOPLE CAN LOOK FROM ONE DOCUMENT TO THE OTHER AND BY AND LARGE, WITH SOME EXCEPTIONS, THE FACTS ARE THE SAME IN BOTH. BUT THERE IS A GOOD DEAL OF DIFFERENCE IN OPINION AND JUDGMENT AND THAT IS WHERE THE ARGUMENT UNDOUBTEDLY FOCUSES. I THINK THE SADNESS IS THAT AFTER 17 ROUNDS OF TALKS WHICH WE’VE PROPOSED, WE DIDN’T GET VERY FAR. BUT I REPEAT THAT I DON’T WANT TO SEE US SPEND THE NEXT WEEKS EXCHANGING FURTHER ARGUMENTS AND DEBATING POINTS ABOUT WHAT HAPPENED IN THE PAST. I’D LIKE TO GET ON WITH THE FUTURE.
QUESTION: SIR LEON BRITTAN IS WORKING CLOSELY WITH THE TORY GOVERNMENT BECAUSE HE IS A NATIVE OF THE UNITED KINGDOM, SO HE IS NOT SPEAKING AS THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITY COMMISSIONER?
/GOVERNOR: I .......
2
TUESDAY, MARCH 1, 1994
GOVERNOR: I THINK IF EVERYBODY WAS TO SAY THAT TO SIR LEON WHO IS THE EUROPEAN COMMISSIONER, HE WOULD REGARD IT AS PROFOUNDLY OFFENSIVE. THE EUROPEAN COMMISSIONERS WORK FOR THE EUROPEAN UNION. THAT IS THEIR OBLIGATION. THAT IS THEIR RESPONSIBILITY. AND I THINK THAT ANYBODY WHO SUGGESTED IT TO THE CONTRARY WOULD BE SHOWING A PROFOUND LACK OF UNDERSTANDING OF THE WAY THE EUROPEAN UNION WORKS.
QUESTION: HOW MUCH DAMAGE DO YOU THINK ...
GOVERNOR: OUR INTENTION IS TO AVOID A WAR OF WORDS. I THINK THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG DESERVE TO BE TOLD WHAT HAD HAPPENED IN 17 ROUNDS OF TALKS. THEY’VE NOW BEEN TOLD BY THE BRITISH AND HONG KONG GOVERNMENTS WHAT HAPPENED. THEY’VE BEEN GIVEN THE PRC’S VERSION. I THINK WE WANT ALL OF US NOW TO GET ON WITH BUSINESS AND BUSINESS INCLUDES ALL THOSE ISSUES WHICH TOUCH ON THE LIVELIHOOD AND WELL BEING AND STABILITY OF HONG KONG ON WHICH WE’D LIKE TO SEE PROGRESS. I AM LOOKING FORWARD, I AM SURE THE WHOLE COMMUNITY IS LOOKING FORWARD TOMORROW TO HEARING WHAT THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY’S PLANS ARE AND HOW WE INTEND TO TAKE FORWARD THE FURTHER DEVELOPMENT OF HONG KONG’S EXTREMELY BUOYANT AND SUCCESSFUL ECONOMY. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
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CS HOPES RESUMED AIRPORT MEETING TO PRODUCE RESULTS *****
THE CHIEF SECRETARY, MRS ANSON CHAN, THIS (TUESDAY) EVENING SAID SHE WAS GLAD TO LEARN OF THE RESUMPTION OF THE MEETINGS OF THE AIRPORT COMMITTEE.
SPEAKING TO REPORTERS AT THE REGIONAL COUNCIL SPRING RECEPTION, MRS CHAN SAID: "IT IS HOPED THAT BOTH SIDES WOULD DISCUSS, IN A PRACTICAL MANNER, THE FOURTH AIRPORT FINANCING PACKAGE WHICH WE PUT FORWARD AND THAT THE MEETING WOULD PRODUCE A SUCCESSFUL OUTCOME.
"AS YOU ALL KNOW, THE NEW AIRPORT NEEDS TO BE BUILT URGENTLY. WE HOPE THAT AFTER THIS MEETING, AN AGREEMENT COULD BE REACHED BETWEEN THE TWO SIDES.”
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RESUMPTION OF AIRPORT COMMITTEE MEETING WELCOMED
*****
IN RESPONSE TO MEDIA QUESTIONS ABOUT THE AIRPORT COMMITTEE EXPERT LEVEL MEETING ON MARCH 3, A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID:
"THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT WELCOMES THE RESUMPTION OF THE FORMAL PROCEEDINGS OF THE AIRPORT COMMITTEE.
"WE ALSO WELCOME THIS OPPORTUNITY TO HEAR THE CHINESE SIDE’S RESPONSE TO THE FOURTH FINANCING PROPOSAL PUT FORWARD FOR THE AIRPORT AND AIRPORT RAILWAY.
"WE BELIEVE THAT THE PROPOSAL MEETS THE CONCERNS OF THE CHINESE SIDE, AND WE HOPE THAT THEIR RESPONSE WILL BE POSITIVE.
"WE ALSO WELCOME THE FACT THAT, DESPITE DIFFERENCES IN OTHER AREAS, BOTH SIDES ARE ABLE TO HOLD TALKS ON SUCH ECONOMIC ISSUES, WHICH ARE VITALLY IMPORTANT FOR THE FUTURE WELL-BEING OF HONG KONG."
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/3 .......
TUESDAY, MARCH 1, 1994
- 3 -
DISCUSSION ON NEW AIRPORT FINANCE » » ♦ » *
THE AIRPORT COMMITTEE WILL MEET AT EXPERT LEVEL ON 3 MARCH 1994 TO DISCUSS FINANCING ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE NEW AIRPORT.
•• •, ■.f ■ ■»« ■
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BARONESS DUNN VISITS SAN FRANCISCO ♦ ♦ ♦ » *
BARONESS DUNN HAS LEFT FOR SAN FRANCISCO TO RECEIVE THE ASIAN PACIFIC LEADERSHIP AWARD FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF SAN FRANCISCO AT ITS ANNUAL GALA THIS THURSDAY (MARCH 3).
THE AWARD, AN ANNUAL EVENT OF THE UNIVERSITY OF SAN FRANCISCO’S CENTRE FOR THE PACIFIC RIM, IS OFFERED TO THE BARONESS FOR HER CONTRIBUTIONS IN THE FIELD OF PUBLIC SERVICE AND GOVERNMENT AS WELL AS FOR HER • ACHIEVEMENTS IN INTERNATIONAL AND PACIFIC RIM COMMERCE.
AT THE UNIVERSITY’S ANNUAL GALA, THE BARONESS WILL ADDRESS THE BAY AREA BUSINESS COMMUNITY ON THE IMPORTANCE OF HONG KONG AS THE KEY CENTRE SERVING THE SOUTH CHINA ECONOMY AND SOUTHEAST ASIA.
DURING HER FOUR-DAY STAY IN SAN FRANCISCO, BARONESS DUNN WILL ALSO BE THE GUEST SPEAKER AT A FORUM JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE COMMONWEALTH CLUB OF CALIFORNIA, THE WORLD AFFAIRS COUNCIL OF NORTHERN CALIFORNIA AND THE HONG KONG ASSOCIATION OF NORTHERN CALIFORNIA ON MARCH 4.
BARONESS DUNN WILL RETURN TO HONG KONG ON MARCH 6.
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AIRPORT CORPORATION WHITE BILL *****
THE TWO-MONTH CONSULTATION PERIOD ON THE AIRPORT CORPORATION WHITE BILL ENDED YESTERDAY.
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID: "WE HAVE JUST FINISHED TWO MONTHS OF INTENSIVE CONSULTATION ON THE AIRPORT CORPORATION BILL. THIS HAS BEEN A VERY USEFUL AND SUCCESSFUL EXERCISE."
MORE THAN 6,000 COPIES OF THE CONSULTATION DOCUMENT WERE ISSUED AND A WIDE RANGE OF COMMENTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS HAVE BEEN RECEIVED.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE MAIN FOCUS OF THE CONSULTATION HAD BEEN A SERIES OF MEETINGS BETWEEN THE ADMINISTRATION AND GROUPS FORMED SPECIFICALLY TO STUDY THE BILL BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL AND THE ’ AIRPORT CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEE (ACC I.
FOUR MEETINGS WERE HELD WITH THE LEGCO GROUP AND THREE MEETINGS WITH THE ACC GROUP, TOTALLING TOGETHER ABOUT 20 HOURS OF DISCUSSION.
DURING THIS EXERCISE, 24 EXPLANATORY PAPERS WERE PRODUCED IN RESPONSE TO QUESTIONS RAISED BY MEMBERS OF THE TWO GROUPS.
/THE CONCLUSIONS ...
TUESDAY, MARCH 1, 1994
4
THE CONCLUSIONS OK THE TWO GROUPS WERE SET OUT IN WRITTEN SUBMISSIONS WHICH HAVE BEEN RECEIVED.
WRITTEN SUBMISSIONS ON THE BILL WERE ALSO RECEIVED FROM VARIOUS POLITICAL GROUPS INCLUDING THE UNITED DEMOCRATS OF HONG KONG, THE LIBERAL PARTY, MEETING POINT, THE DEMOCRATIC ALLIANCE FOR THE BETTERMENT OF HONG KONG, THE LIBERAL DEMOCRATIC FEDERATION OF HONG KONG, AND THE HONG KONG ASSOCIATION FOR DEMOCRACY AND PEOPLE’S LIVELIHOOD.
SEPARATE MEETINGS TO DISCUSS THE BILL WERE HELD WITH SOME OF THESE GROUPS.
REPRESENTATIVES OF THE AVIATION INDUSTRY ALSO MADE WRITTEN SUBMISSIONS. THEY INCLUDED THE INTERNATIONAL AIR TRANSPORT ASSOCIATION (IATA) AND THE BOARD OF AIRLINE REPRESENTATIVES ON BEHALF OF AIRLINES SERVING HONG KONG, AND SWIRE PACIFIC LTD WHICH HAS VARIOUS AIRLINE AND AIRPORT INVESTMENTS.
THE TRAVEL INDUSTRY COUNCIL AND THE HONG KONG COALITION OF SERVICE INDUSTRIES ASKED FOR BRIEFINGS, AND THE BILL WAS DISCUSSED WITH THEM.
IN TOTAL THERE WERE 18 SUBMISSIONS. THESE INCLUDED A SMALL NUMBER OF WRITTEN SUBMISSIONS FROM INDIVIDUAL MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID: "WE NOW NEED TIME TO ANALYSE ALL THE COMMENTS THAT HAVE BEEN RECEIVED, AND TO CONSIDER POSSIBLE REVISIONS. WE WILL THEN NEED TO DISCUSS THE DRAFT BILL AND THE PROPOSED REVISIONS WITH THE CHINESE SIDE OF THE AIRPORT COMMITTEE, IN LINE WITH THE MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING.
"WE STILL HOPE TO INTRODUCE A BLUE BILL INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL BEFORE THE END OF THIS SESSION, ONCE TALKS WITH THE CHINESE SIDE ON THE SUBJECT HAVE BEEN CONCLUDED."
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MORE RESOURCES TO IMPROVE FAMILY AND CHILDREN SERVICES ♦ » * * ♦
THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT HAS DIRECTED ADDITIONAL RESOURCES TO IMPROVE BOTH THE QUANTITY AND QUALITY OF SERVICES FOR FAMILIES AND CHILDREN, THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MR IAN STRACHAN, SAID TODAY (TUESDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE WONG TAI SIN/SAI KUNG DISTRICT SPRING RECEPTION, MR STRACHAN SAID THE ALLOCATION WAS MADE IN SUPPORT OF THE CELEBRATION OF 1994 AS THE INTERNATIONAL YEAR OF THE FAMILY AND TO PROMOTE THE (DEA OF PRESERVING AND STRENGTHENING THE FAMILY.
THE MEASURES TAKEN INCLUDED IMPROVING THE MANNING RATIO OF CASEWORKERS IN FAMILY SERVICES CENTRES, SUBSTANTIAL EXPANSION IN THE CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGICAL SERVICE, ADDITIONAL HOME HELP TEAMS AND FAMILY AIDE WORKERS, INCREASE IN FOSTER CARE PLACES AND SMALL GROUP HOMES, AND SUBSTANTIAL EXPANSION IN CHILD CARE SERVICES.
HE SAID THE DEPARTMENT WOULD ALSO PROVIDE NEW SERVICES TO CATER FOR THE CHANGING NEEDS OF THE FAMILIES.
/"NINETEEN FAMILY
TUESDAY, MARCH 1, 1994
5
’’NINETEEN FAMILY ACTIVITIES AND RESOURCE CENTRES WILL COME INTO OPERATION IN THE DEPARTMENT’S GROUP WORK UNITS TO PROVIDE A FOCAL POINT FOR FAMILIES TO MEET AND DEVELOP MUTUAL HELP AND SUPPORT, " HE SAID.
LATER IN THE YEAR, A FAMILY CARE DEMONSTRATION AND RESOURCE CENTRE WILL BE IN OPERATION TO PROVIDE SUPPORT AND TRAINING FOR FAMILIES TO PREVENT FAMILY BREAKDOWN AND MALFUNCTIONING.
”IN ADDITION, WE WILL ESTABLISH INTEGRATED TEAMS AS PROPOSED BY THE WORKING PARTY ON REVIEW OF CHILDREN AND YOUTH CENTRE SERVICES.
’’THIS WILL PROVIDE BETTER SOCIAL WORK SERVICES FOR OUR YOUNG PEOPLE,” HE SAID.
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PREPARE VEGETABLES WITH CARE
*****
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE TODAY (TUESDAY) URGED TO WASH AND BLANCH VEGETABLES THOROUGHLY BEFORE COOKING, AND TAKE SPECIAL PRECAUTION IN PREPARING MATRIMONY VINE FOR CONSUMPTION.
THE APPEAL WAS MADE BY THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF HEALTH (HYGIENE), DR MAHOMMED ALI, FOLLOWING REPORTS OF NINE CASES OF FOOD POISONING ASSOCIATED WITH PESTICIDE-CONTAMINATED MATRIMONY VINE.
DR ALI SAID THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH HAD STEPPED UP CHECKING AND SAMPLING AT THE BORDER CHECKPOINTS AND RETAIL OUTLETS.
THE RECENT OUTBREAKS AFFECTED 22 PERSONS FROM NINE FAMILIES, WITH 18 OF THEM TREATED AND DISCHARGED WHILE THE OTHER FOUR WERE STILL IN HOSPITAL.
INVESTIGATIONS CONFIRMED THAT SEVEN OF THESE NINE FAMILIES MADE VEGETABLE SOUP WITH THE CONTAMINATED PRODUCE.
TO REDUCE FOOD POISONING BY PESTICIDE-CONTAMINATED VEGETABLES, MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE ADVISED TO TAKE THE FOLLOWING PRECAUTIONARY MEASURES:
» DO NOT PATRONISE UNLICENSED HAWKERS;
» DO NOT BUY VEGETABLES WITH AN OBVIOUS STRANGE SMELL;
* WASH WELL BEFORE COOKING;
» DIP VEGETABLES INTO CLEAN WATER FOR ONE HOUR TO ALLOW PESTICIDES TO LEACH OUT;
♦ BLANCH IN BOILING WATER AND POUR AWAY THE WATER USED FOR BLANCHING AS IT MAY CONTAIN DISSOLVED PESTICIDES; AND
* COOK THOROUGHLY BEFORE CONSUMPTION.
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/6........
TUESDAY, MARCH 1, 1994'
6
THREE LOTS SOLD FOR $5,050 MILLION
*,«**«
THREE LOTS OF GOVERNMENT LAND WERE SOLD FOR A TOTAL AMOUNT OF $5,050 MILLION AT THE PUBLIC LAND AUCTION HELD BY THE LANDS DEPARTMENT THIS (TUESDAY) AFTERNOON.
THE FIRST LOT, AT THE JUNCTION OF FARM ROAD AND MA TA.U WAI ROAD, WAS BOUGHT BY LEAD BRIGHT LIMITED AT $2,260 MILLION. BIDDING OPENED AT $1,300 MILLION.
WITH AN AREA OF ABOUT 7,059 SQUARE METRES, IT IS INTENDED FOR PRIVATE RESIDENTIAL, CHILDREN AND YOUTH CENTRE AND DAY NURSERY USE.
THE DEVELOPER hAS TO COMPLETE A GROSS FLOOR AREA OF NOT LEgS THAN 22,500 SQUARE METRES BEFORE MARCH 31, 1998.
THE SECOND LOT, AT AREA 7, TAI PO, WITH AN AREA OF ABOUT 18,490 SQUARE METRES, WAS BOUGHT BY CREDIT WORLD LIMITED AT $2,140 MILLION WITH BIDDING OPENING AT $1,000 MILLION.
IT IS INTENDED FOR PRIVATE RESIDENTIAL USE.
THE DEVELOPER HAS TO COMPLETE A GROSS FLOOR AREA OF NOT LESS THAN 26,626 SQUARE METRES BEFORE MARCH 31, 1998.
THE THIRD LOT, SITUATED AT AREA 4C, TUEN MUN, WITH AN AREA OF ABOUT 7,877 SQUARE METRES, WAS SOLD TO GREAT CHEER DEVELOPMENT LIMITED AT $650 MILLION, WITH BIDDING OPENING AT $380 MILLION.
IT IS INTENDED FOR PRIVATE RESIDENTIAL USE.
THE DEVELOPER HAS TO COMPLETE A GROSS FLOOR AREA OF NOT LESS THAN 15,600 SQUARE. METRES BEFORE MARCH 31, 1998.
THE AUCTION, HELD IN THE CONCERT HALL OF THE HONG KONG CULTURAL. CENTRE, TSIM SHA TSUI, WAS CONDUCTED BY GOVERNMENT LAND AGENT, MR NIGEL BURLEY.
x
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TEMPORARY LORRY PARK OPEN ON WESTERN RECLAMATION « » « » *
A TEMPORARY LORRY PARK IS OPENED ON THE WESTERN RECLAMATION TODAY (TUESDAY).
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT SAID THE LORRY PARK WOULD OPEN 24 HOURS DAILY, PROVIDING ABOUT 120 PARKING SPACES FOR LORRIES.
IT IS LOCATED TO THE EAST OF THE SHEUNG WAN PUBLIC CARGO WORKING AREA AND ENTRY IS FROM CONNAUGHT ROAD WEST AND WESTERN PARK ROAD.
"THE PROVISION OF THIS TEMPORARY LORRY PARK IS EXPECTED TO ALLEVIATE THE CRITICAL PARKING SITUATION IN THIS AREA,” THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
/IT IS.......
TUESDAY, MARCH 1, 1994
7
IT IS MANAGED BY AN EXISTING GOVERNMENT CAR PARK MANAGEMENT CONTRACTOR, WILSON PARKING (HONG KONG) LIMITED.
THE CHARGES ARE:
HOURLY CHARGE $13 FOR LIGHT GOODS VEHICLE
$18 FOR MEDIUM GOODS VEHICLE
$20 FOR HEAVY GOODS VEHICLE
$36 FOR CONTAINER VEHICLE
MONTHLY PASS CHARGE $1,500 FOR LIGHT GOODS VEHICLE
$2,000 FOR MEDIUM GOODS VEHICLE
$2,200 FOR HEAVY GOODS VEHICLE
$1,000 FOR CONTAINER VEHICLE
HE SAID ADDITIONAL GOODS VEHICLE PARKING SPACES WERE ALSO DESIGNATED ON WESTERN FIRE SERVICES STREET.
OVERNIGHT GOODS VEHICLE PARKING SPACES ARE PROVIDED ON KENNEDY TOWN NEW PRAYA, WING LOK STREET, SAI NING STREET, BONHAM STRAND AND BONHAM STRAND WEST.
ALL THESE SPACES ARE AVAILABLE ALSO FROM TODAY.
MEANWHILE, THE EXISTING METERED GOODS VEHICLE PARKING SPACES IN WESTERN PARK ROAD WILL BE REMOVED ON THE SAME DAY TO ALLOW FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE WESTERN HARBOUR CROSSING.
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PURSUIT OF QUALITY - A FIRM COMMITMENT FOR ASD
*****
THE PURSUIT OF QUALITY IS A COMMITMENT TO ENSURE THAT THE ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT’S (ASD) SERVICES ACHIEVE THE HIGHEST STANDARD AND ARE COMPATIBLE WITH HONG KONG PEOPLE’S ASPIRATIONS FOR THE FUTURE.
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION CONTINUES TO BE AN IMPORTANT FEATURE OF ALL ASD’S ENDEAVOURS AND THE DEPARTMENT HAS RESPONDED POSITIVELY BY TAKING A PROACTIVE ROLE IN SOME ASPECTS OF THIS GLOBAL ISSUE.
MEMBERS OF THE PRESS WERE TAKEN THIS (TUESDAY) MORNING ON A TOUR OF SOME OF THE COMMUNITY FACILITIES COMPLETED BY THE DEPARTMENT IN TIN SHUI WAI NEW TOWN.
THESE FACILITIES, COSTING SOME $509 MILLION, INCLUDE COMMUNITY CENTRES, PRIMARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOLS, A EIRE STATION, A POLICE STATION, A CLINIC, A SPECIAL SCHOOL FOR MILDLY MENTALLY HANDICAPPED CHILDREN, A SPORTS GROUND AND A VEHICLE DEPOT FOR THE REGIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT.
/SPEAKING AT .......
TUESDAY, MARCH 1, 1994
8
SPEAKING AT A MEET-THE-MEDIA SESSION AFTER THE TOUR, THE DIRECTOR OF ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES, MR KENNETH CHAN, SAID TIN SHUI WAI WAS A DEMONSTRATION OF A PROCESS IN WHICH EMPHASIS WITHIN THE DEPARTMENT HAS SHIFTED FROM MAINLY A "PRODUCTION LINE" IN KEEPING UP WITH DEMAND FOK INFRASTRUCTURAL DEVELOPMENT SUCH A.S THE NEW TOWNS, TO A CONTINUOUS DEVELOPMENT OF ALL ASPECTS OF THE BUILDING PROCESS, PARTICULARLY FROM A QUALITY PERSPECTIVE.
"THE PROJECTS YOU HAVE SEEN WERE DESIGNED A NUMBER OF YEARS AGO AND ALTHOUGH THEY HAVE ALREADY INCORPORATED MANY IMPROVEMENTS IN RESPONSE TO THE DEMANDS FOR BETTER QUALITY AS VIEWED THEN, IT SHOULD BE EMPHASISED THAT THIS PURSUIT IS DYNAMIC AND CONTINUING AND AS THE ECONOMY AS A WHOLE CONTINUES TO GROW, SO TOO DO THE AFFLUENCE AND ASPIRATIONS OF THE COMMUNITY," MR CHAN SAID.
TO’ HIGHLIGHT THE CONTINUING SCALE OF DEVELOPMENT BY THE DEPARTMENT AS A WHOLE IN 1992/93, 63 CONTRACTS FOR VARIOUS TYPES OF PROJECTS WERE GAZETTED WITH A TOTAL VALUE OF $2,030 MILLION, HE SAID.
DURING 1993/94 THE NUMBER OF CONTRACTS LET WILL BE 60 WITH AN ESTIMATED VALUE OF $2,652 MILLION. EXPENDITURE ON BUILDING AND MAINTENANCE PROJECTS, AS A WHOLE, HOWEVER, WILL INCREASE FROM $4,707 MILLION IN 1992 TO $5,067 MILLION IN 1993.
ON ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES, MR CHAN SAID HIS DEPARTMENT INITIATED IN 1993 A CONSULTANCY TO INVESTIGATE THE USE OF TROPICAL HARDWOODS IN THE LOCAL CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY.
"THIS INITIATIVE RESULTED IN A WORKSHOP LAST WEEK WHICH FOCUSED ON THE ISSUE IN HONG KONG AND HAS PROVIDED THE DEPARTMENT AS WELL AS THE INDUSTRY THE DETERMINATION IN MINIMISING THE INDISCRIMINATE USE OF TROPICAL HARDWOODS IN CONSTRUCTION."
MR CHAN ALSO SPOKE ON ENERGY EFFICIENCY WHICH, HE ADDED, CONTINUED TO BE HIGH ON THE ASI) AGENDA.
"VARIOUS METHODS OF REDUCING ENERGY CONSUMPTION BY UTILISING MORE EFFICIENT PLANT AND ADOPTING BETTER CONSTRUCTION METHODS TO ACHIEVE BETTER INSULATION STANDARDS ARE BEING ACTIVELY PURSUED," HE SAID.
"THE USE OF SOLAR ENERGY AS A MEANS OF REDUCING ENERGY CONSUMPTION IS UNDER INVESTIGATION WITH A VIEW TO USING IT ON SOME PROJECTS ON AN EXPERIMENTAL BASIS," MR CHAN ADDED.
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BUDGET GUIDE READY TOMORROW *****
A BUDGET GUIDE HIGHLIGHTING THE MAJOR POINTS OF THE 1994/95 BUDGET AND HOW THEY \FFECT THE AVERAGE HONG KONG CITIZEN WILL BE DISTRIBUTED FREE TO THE PUBLIC TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY).
ENTITLED "WHAT THE 1991 BUDGET MEANS FOR YOU", THE LEAFLET IS A BILINGUAL PUBLICATION TO BE ISSUED BY THE GOVERNMENT ON BUDGET DAY.
THIS IS THE SECOND YEAR THAT SUCH A GUIDE IS PUBLISHED. A TOTAL OF 200,000 COPIES WILL BE ISSUED.
/THE EASY
9
TUESDAY, MARCH 1, 1994
THE EASY-TO-READ LEAFLET, GIVING BUDGET FACTS AND FIGURES AT A GLANCE, WILL BE AVAILABLE AT THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY STATIONS IN CENTRAL, CAUSEWAY BAY, MONG KOK, WONG TAI SIN, KWL’N TONG AND TSUEN WAN FROM 4.30 PM TOMORROW, IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY DELIVERS HIS BUDGET SPEECH.
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ('AN \l SO OBTAIN COPIES FROM THE GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES PUBLISHING SUB-DIVISION, FRENCH MISSION BUILDING, BATTERY PATH, CENTRAL; GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, GROUND FLOOR, GENERAL POST OFFICE BUILDING, CENTRAL; AND FROM ALL DISTRICT OFFICES BETWEEN 4.30 PM AND 7 PM.
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SIR DAVID TRENCH FUND COMMITTEE INVITES APPLICATIONS FOR GRANTS ♦ * t ♦ ♦
THE SIR DAVID TRENCH FUND COMMITTEE IS INVITING APPLICATIONS FOR GRANTS FROM THE SIR DAVID TRENCH FUND FOR RECREATION, AND THE JOCKEY CLUB GRANT FOR PERMANENT RECREATIONAL FACILITIES FOR YOUTH.
THE SIR DAVID TRENCH FUND FOR RECREATION IS USED FOR THE PROVISION OF FACILITIES FOR RECREATIONAL, SPORTING, CULTURAL, SOCIAL ACTIVITIES AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.
IT ENCOURAGES SUCH PROJECTS WITH THE AIM OF PROMOTING PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT, PURPOSEFUL USE OF LEISURE AND COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT, PARTICULARLY OF YOUNG PEOPLE.
THE JOCKEY CLUB GRANT IS MAINLY FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF RECREATIONAL FACILITIES TO MEET THE NEEDS OF YOUNG PEOPLE.
A SINGLE APPLICATION FORM IS AVAILABLE FOR THE TWO FUNDS.
APPLICATION FORMS ARE OBTAINABLE AT ALL DISTRICT OFFICES GF THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION, AND AT THE EDUCATION, SOCIAL WELFARE, HEALTH, URBAN SERVICES AND REGIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENTS AND THE HONG KONG COUNCIL OF SOCIAL SERVICE.
THEY CAN ALSO BE OBTAINED FROM THE RECREATION AND SPORTS DIVISION OF THE RECREATION AND CULTURE BRANCH, \ND THE SECRETARIAT OF THE SIR DAVID TRENCH FUND COMMITTEE.
THE COMMITTEE IS RESPONSIBLE FOR ADMINISTERING BOTH THE SIR DAVID TRENCH FUND FOR RECREATION FOR CAPITAL AND NON-CAPITAL PROJECTS AND ADVISING ON THE DISBURSEMENT OF THE JOCKEY CLUB GRANT.
COMPLETED FORMS SHOULD BE RETURNED TO THE SECRETARIAT OF THE SIR DAVID TRENCH FUND COMMITTEE IN ROOM 4015, 40TH FLOOR, REVENUE TOWER, 5 GLOUCESTER ROAD, WAN CHAI, HONG KONG.
ACCEPTANCE OF APPLICATIONS FOR CAPITAL WORKS PROJECTS WILL CLOSE ON MAY 20 WHILE THAT FOR NON-CAPITAL WORKS PROJECTS IS OPEN THROUGHOUT THE YEAR.
ENQUIRIES ABOUT SIR DAVID TRENCH FUND FOR RECREATION CAPTIAL WORKS PROJECTS AND JOCKEY CLUB GRANT FOR PERMANENT FAC ILITIES FOR YOUTH CAN BE MADE ON 594 5659 WHILE THOSE ABOUT NON-CAPITAL WORKS PROJECTS ON 594 5660.
- - 0------------
/io........
TUESDAY, MARCH 1, 1994
- 10 -
KOWLOON WALLED CITY PARK DESIGN ON SHOW
♦ » * * #
AN EXHIBITION ON THE KOWLOON WALLED CITY PARK DESIGN HAS BEEN PUT UP AT THE ANTIQUITIES AND MONUMENTS OFFICE (AMO) OF THE RECREATION AND CULTURE BRANCH TO DISPLAY THE DESIGN OF HONG KONG’S FIRST AUTHENTIC CHINESE GARDEN TO BE BUILT ON THE SITE OF FORMER KOWLOON WALLED CITY.
DESIGNED BY THE ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT, THE THEME PARK WILL CAPTURE THE ESSENCE AND STYLE OF THE PRIVATE GARDENS COMMONLY FOUND IN SOUTHERN CHINA IN THE EARLY QING DYNASTY.
THE DESIGN CONCEPT CONVEYS AN EDUCATIONAL VALUE ON THE PLANNING AND ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN OF A CHINESE GARDEN AND COVERS FUNCTIONAL AND HISTORICAL ASPECTS.
THE BUILDING MATERIALS WILL BE IMPORTED FROM CHINA AND CONSTRUCTION OF PAVILIONS AND ROCKERIES CARRIED OUT BY CHINESE SPECIALIST CONTRACTORS.
ARCHAEOLOGICAL EXCAVATION IS STILL CONTINUING ON THE SITE AT THE MOMENT. THE FOOTING OF THE ORIGINAL WALL TOGETHER WITH SOME GRANITE PATH AND RELICS HAD BEEN FOUND.
’’YAMEN”, THE OLI) ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE IN THE KOWLOON WALLED CITY, WILL BE RESTORED TO FORM THE FOCUS OF THE PARK.
THE SOUTH AND NORTH ENTRANCE GATES WILL BE RECONSTRUCTED TO MAKE THE HISTORIC CHARACTER OF THE SITE MORE EXPLICIT.
THE PARK WILL ALSO INCLUDE PLANTS AND CLASSICAL CHINESE SCULPTURES AS WELL AS A CHILDREN’S KINGDOM.
THREE OLD WELLS WILL BE RESERVED AS A SPECIAL FEATURE AND BE USED TO PROVIDE WATER FOR GARDENING.
OTHER RELICS, SUCH AS STONE TABLETS AND COLUMN BASES, WILL' BE PLACED AT SUITABLE LOCATIONS TO ENHANCE VISITORS’ INTEREST IN THE HISTORY OF THE SITE.
I
THE DESIGN OF THE PARK WAS AWARDED A DIPLOMA OF THE CENTRAL SOCIETY OF HORTICULTURE OF GERMANY AT THE FIFTH INTERNATIONAL HORTICULTURE EXHIBITION STUTTGART EXPO 93.
THE EXHIBITION WILL GO ON UNTIL THE END OF MARCH. ADMISSION IS FREE.
OPENING HOURS ARE AS FOLLOWS:
MONDAYS TO FRIDAYS 9.30 AM - 12.30 PM
2 PM - 4.30 PM
SATURDAYS 9.30 AM - NOON
SUNDAYS \ND PUBLIC HOLIDAYS CLOSED
THE AMO IS LOCATED AT 136 NATHAN ROAD, TSIM SHA TSUI, KOWLOON.
--------0-----------
/Il ......
TUESDAY, MARCH 1, 1994
11
100 CAR MARKS UP FOR AUCTION
*****
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT WILL PUT UP 100 LUCKY VEHICLE REGISTRATION MARKS FOR AUCTION ON SATURDAY {MARCH 5) AT THE CITY HALL RECITAL HALL.
FIFTY OF THEM WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR BIDDING AT 9.30 AM. THEY ARE:
FP1668 FS928 FS332 FS129 FS338
FS7888 FP9998 AA8138 BH1289 FS107
tDLll *AL9 ♦ FV16 ♦AS8888 *FK14
FS1328 FS819 FS668 FS986 AH2558
FS6686 CT139 DR250 BB9281 FS3001
AW362 FS826 FS398 FS8689 AU 1972
FS722 FR8113 XXI 13 FS9692 FS915
*3444 *DK20 *EE95 ♦AH4444 *DD5005
FS8802 FS8863 ESI 220 FS1966 FS706
FR27 5 XX102 FS817 FS3923 FS3927
IN THE 50 MARKS WILL AFTERNOON SESSION BE AVAILABLE FOR WHICH WILL START AT 2.30 BI DP I NO. THEY ARE: PM, THE OTHER
FT3338 FT283 FS1668 HK1018 FT6066
FS998 BC180 AF831 FT 9 1 8 AA908
*DL98 *DK16 ♦ FV1 1 *FW1 ♦AL626
FS4428 FT31 8 FT668 FT1299 FT322
CC31 7 FS2826 FT908 AW 368 FT7 3O
FT9228 AC81 1 AW6828 FT2863 AH827
FS8887 FT8863 FT1 38 FS871 FS9867
*1383 *AL28 *FF8686 *BS1991 ♦BB9595
FT8818 FT986 AS9788 FS3122 CY6118
FS9128 FS8898 FR9692 FT319 FS1957
* 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 TN 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 REGISTED UNDER THE NAME OF BODY CORPORATE.
PROCEEDS OF THE AUCTION, AFTER DEDUCTION OF EXPENSES, WILL GO TO THE GOVERNMENT LOTTERIES FUND.
THE COMING AUCTIONS WILL BE THE 216TH AND 217TH ORGANISED BY THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT SINCE MAY 1973.
---------0-----------
/12.......
TUESDAY, MARCH 1, 1994
12 -
WATER CUT IN TUEN MUN
* * * ♦ *
SALT WATER SUPPLY TO ALL PREMISES TN TUEN MUN WILL BE TEMPORARILY SUSPENDED EROM 9.30 AM TO 10 PM ON THURSDAY (MARCH 3) TO FACILITATE WATER MAINS MAINTENANCE.
------0--------
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND LENDER RESULTS *****
TENDER DATE 1 MAR 94 1 MAR 94
PAPER ON OFFER F.F BILLS EF BILLS
ISSUE NUMBER Q409 H459
AMOUNT APPLIED HKD 3,830MN HKD l,890MN
AMOUNT ALLOTTED HKD l,300MN HKD 500MN
AVERAGE YIELD ACCEPTED 3.47 PCT 3.62 PCT
HIGHEST YIELD ACCEPTED 3.48 PCT 3.62 PCT
PRO RATA RATIO ABOUT 6 PCT ABOUT 87 PCT
AVERAGE TENDER YIELD 3.49 PCT 3.65 PCT
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND
TENDERS TO BE HELD IN THE WEEK BEGINNING 7 MAR 1 994 -
TENDER DATE 8 MARCH 94
PAPER ON OFFER EF BILLS
ISSUE NUMBER Q410
ISSUE DATE 9 MARCH 94
MATURITY DATE 8 .JUNE 9 4
TENOR 91 DAYS
AMOUNT ON OFFER HKD 1,300 + 260MN
/13.......
TUESDAY, MARCH 1, 1994
- 13 -
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET » * ♦
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
OPERATIONS ♦ ♦
$ MILLION
2,680
+ 320
3,000
NIL
-859
2,141
TWI 125.8 *+0.2* 1.3.94
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND
EF NOTES/HONG KONG GOVERNMENT BONDS
TERMS YIELD TERM ISSUE COUPON PRICE YIELD
J WEEK 3.4 5 18 MONTHS 2508 4.625 100.40 4.39
1 MONTH 3.44 21 MONTHS 2511 4.15 99.39 4.57
3 MONTHS 3.49 24 MONTHS 2602 4.40 99.45 4.75
6 MONTHS 3.62 32 MONTHS 3610 4.20 98.02 5.07
12 MONTHS 4.00 35 MONTHS 3701 4.60 98.61 5.19
TOTAL TURNOVER OF BILLS AND BONDS - 17,759 MN
CLOSED 1 MARCH 1994
---------0---------
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 2, 1994
CONTENTS
PAGE NO
GOVERNOR SPEAKS TO PRESS AFTER HIS VISIT TO TAI PO ...........
GOVERNOR VISITS TAI PO .......................................
LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL COMMISSION BILL ..........................
MONETARY STATISTICS FOR JANUARY 1994 .........................
QUALITY PROMOTION PROGRAMME FOR BUSINESSES ...................
TSEUNG KWAN O SITE TO LET ....................................
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS ..
8
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 2, 1994
1
GOVERNOR SPEAKS TO PRESS AFTER HIS VISIT TO TAI PO t t * t i
GOVERNOR: JUST A COUPLE OF REMARKS. 1 AM SURE THAT THE BUDGET WHICH THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY HAS ANNOUNCED THIS AFTERNOON WILL BE GREETED WITH VERY GREAT ENTHUSIASM IN HONG KONG. IT’S ANOTHER REFLECTION OF THE VERY CONSIDERABLE STRENGTH OF OUR ECONOMY. WE HAVE ONE OF THE MOST SOUNDLY BASED ECONOMIES NOT JUST IN THE REGION BUT IN THE WORLD. AND THAT’S SHOWN IN THE STATEMENT WHICH THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY HAS MADE TODAY ABOUT OUR PLANS FOR THE NEXT YEAR. THE BUDGET IS ALSO AND WE SHOULD RECOGNISE THIS, A REFLECTION OF THE VERY HARD WORK OF THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG OVER THE LAST YEAR. WE ARE ONE OF THE MOST COMPETITIVE ECONOMIES IN THE WORLD IND BECAUSE OF THAT, WE ARE ABLE TO INCREASE OUR SPENDIN!. AND CUT OUR TAXES. I AM PLEASED THAT WE WERE ABLE TO FOCUS INCREASED EXPENDITURE ON SOME OF THE COMMUNITY’S PRIORITIES, HEALTH, WELFARE AND EDUCATION, TO NAME THREE. I AM ALSO DELIGHTED THAT WE’RE ABLE TO REDUCE TAXES, TO REDUCE TAXES ON THE BUSINESSES WHICH ARE THE BACKBONE OF HONG KONG’S ECONOMY AND TO REDUCE TAXES ON FAMILIES AS WELL. AS A RESULT OF THE CHANGES ANNOUNCED BY THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY TODAY, 430,000 PEOPLE WILL GO OUT OF THE TAX NET ALL TOGETHER AND OVER 1,100,000 WILL PAY LESS TAX. THOSE FIGURES REFLECT THE PROSPERITY AND STABILITY OF" HONG KONG WHICH I AM DETERMINED TO CONTINUE TO WORK FOR. AT THE SAME TIME THAT WE’VE BEEN ABLE TO REDUCE TAXES AND INCREASE EXPENDITURE, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY HAS ANNOUNCED VERY SUBSTANTIAL FIGURES FOR THE RESERVES IN THE FUTURE YEARS. AND JI’S IMPORTANT, I THINK, THAT WE SHOULD ALWAYS MAKE SURE THAT WE HAVE THAT CUSHION AGAINST DIFFICULTY. IT'S VERY IMPORTANT WHEN YOU ARE RUNNING AN ECONOMY. I BELIEVE TO BE CAUTIOUS RATHER THAN TO TAKE RISKS. SO ALTOGETHER, IT’S \N EXCELLENT BUDGET, A BUDGET WHICH REFLECTS THE CONTINUING STRENGTH AND VITALITY OF HONG KONG AND OF THE WHOLE COMMUNITY.
QUESTION: DO YOU ANTICIPATE THE CHINESE SIDE WILL CRITICISE THE NEW BUDGET?
GOVERNOR: I SHOU1D THINK IF THEY YRE FAIR-MINDED, THEY WILL WELCOME IT WITH ENTHUSIASM.
QUESTION: MR PATTEN, THIS YEAR WE’VE GOT A PRETTY GOOD SURPLUS. SO, TOMORROW IS THE AIRPORT EXPERT MEETING, WILL YOU DEAL WITH THE DISCUSSIONS IN A MORE FLEXIBLE WAY, I MEAN BECAUSE ACTUALLY THE CHINESE SIDE HAS ALREADY CRITICISED THE FOURTH AIRPORT PACKAGE?
GOVERNOR: THE PROPOSALS WHICH I AM DELIGHTED WILL BE DISCUSSED BY EXPERTS THIS WEEK, IN OUR JUDGMENT, MEET THE REQUESTS AND IDEAS PUT FORWARD BY CHINESE OFFICIALS \ FEW MONTHS AGO OR AT LEAST MEET THE PRINCIPAL POINTS PUT FORWARD BY CHINESE OFFICIALS. SO, I VERY MUCH HOPE THAT WHEN THE CHINESE SIDE RESPONDS TO OUR FOURTH FINANCIAL PACKAGE TOMORROW, THAT WILL TAKE THE DEBATE FORWARD A GOOD DEAL BECAUSE EVERYBODY NOT LEAST THE GOVERNMENT WANTS TO SEE THIS MATTER RESOLVED AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE.
QUESTION: WHAT IS THE IMPLICATION OF U.S. PRESIDENT CLINTON ....?
/GOVERNOR: .......
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 2, 1994
- 2 -
GOVERNOR: IT WAS A RE-STATEMENT OF WHAT EVERYBODY KNOWS HAS BEEN AMERICAN POLICY FOR A VERY CONSIDERABLE TIME. PRESIDENT CLINTON, VICE-PRESIDENT GORE AND THE SECRETARY OF STATE WARREN CHRISTOPHER WERE ALL SAYING THIS WEEK WHAT PRESIDENT CLINTON SAID TO ME LAST MAY. SO, I AM SURE THAT IT’S OF CONSIDERABLE INTEREST TO PEOPLE IN HONG KONG BUT IT DOES NOT COME AS A SURPRISE. HONG KONG HAS \ HUGE NUMBER OF INTERESTED FRIENDS AROUND THE WORLD. WHY? BECAUSE HONG KONG IS A UNIQUE PLACE. HONG KONG IS A VERY SPECIAL PLACE AND EVERYBODY WANTS TO SEE HONG KONG CONTINUE TO SUCCEED.
QUESTION: SO, WILL YOU GO TO U.S. TO LOBBY FOR THE MFN STATUS GRANTED TO CHINA?
GOVERNOR: WE ARE STILL CONSIDERING THAT. WHAT I CAN PROMISE YOU IS THAT I WILL CONTINUE TO ARGUE THE CASE VERY VIGOROUSLY FOR UNCONDITIONAL MFN RENEWAL.•
QUESTION: DO YOU THINK THE U.S. GOVERNMENT WILL EXERT MORE PRESSURE ON CHINA OVER THE HONG KONG ISSUE?
GOVERNOR: THE U.S. GOVERNMENT IS STATING THE VIEW WHICH IS, I THINK, SHARED BY MANY PEOPLE AROUND THE WORLD, WHICH IS THAT HONG KONG’S CONTINUING SUCCESS IS IN THE WHOLE WORLD’S INTEREST AS WELL AS IN THE REGION’S INTEREST, AS WELL AS IN (HINA’S INTEREST. AND WHAT THE US PRESIDENT HAS ALSO MADE CLEAR IS THAT HONG KONG’S WAYS OF LIFE ARE FREEDOM, ARE VALUES, THE RULE OF LAW AND AN EXECUTIVE WHICH IS ANSWERABLE TO ACCREDITABLE FREELY ELECTED LEGISLATURE. ALL THOSE THINGS ARE PART AND PARCEL OF HONG KONG’S SUCCESS AND HONG KONG’S STABILITY. ALL OF THOSE ARE THE SORT OF REASONS WHY WE ARE SO PROSPEROUS AND SUCCESSFUL AND EVERYBODY WANTS TO SEE THAT CONTINUING AND YOU WILL HEAR VERY MANY PEOPLE SAYING EXACTLY THE SAME THING IN HONG KONG AND OUTSIDE HONG KONG OVER THE NEXT FEW YEARS.
QUESTION: THE ECONOMIC FORECAST OF THIS BUDGET WILL, ON EXPENDITURE, WILL GO PAST 1997. WAS THERE ANY SORT OF CONSULTATION WITH CHINA ....YOU MAY CONSIDER?
GOVERNOR: NO. WE ARE NOT SAYING IN THIS FORECASTS THAT THIS IS WHAT MUST HAPPEN AFTER 1997/98 BUT AS PRUDENT MANAGERS, WE ARE SAYING THAT ON PRESENT TRENDS GIVEN THE PREDICTED DEVELOPMENTS AND EXPENDITURE AND TAXATION, THIS IS WHAT THE FIGURES SHOULD LOOK LIKE. OF COURSE, IT WILL BE FOR THE GOVERNMENT AFTER 1997 TO DETERMINE ITS POLICIES. THAT IS ABSOLUTE CLEAR. BUT I VERY MUCH HOPE AND EXPECT THAT IT WILL CONSIDER TO RUN THE ECONOMY AS SUCCESSFULLY AS THE ECONOMY THAT HAS BEEN RUN IN THE LAST FEW YEARS. THANK YOU VERY MUCH INDEED.
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/3 ........
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 2, 1994
- 3 -
GOVERNOR VISITS TAI PO
*****
THE GOVERNOR, THE RT HON CHRISTOPHER PATTEN, TODAY (WEDNESDAY) VISITED TAI PO TO KEEP ABREAST OF THE LATEST DEVELOPMENTS THERE.
ACCOMPANIED BY THE REGIONAL SECRETARY FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES, MISS CHRISTINE CHOW; TAI PO DISTRICT OFFICER, MR PO PUT-LEONG; AND THE TAI PO DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, MR IIO YUNG-SANG, THE GOVERNOR FIRST TOURED FU SHIN STREET.
IT IS A POPULAR SHOPPING AREA WHERE AN ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECT WAS COMPLETED RECENTLY.
THE GOVERNOR ALSO VISITED THE MAN MO TEMPLE WHICH WAS BUILT MORE THAN 100 YEARS AGO.
LATER, HE INSPECTED ONE OF THE WORLD’S FIVE LARGEST LASER COMPACT DISC MANUFACTURING FACTORIES AT THE 76-HECTARE TAI PO INDUSTRIAL ESTATE.
THE GOVERNOR THEN WENT TO THE TAI PO TAU PUMPING STATION WHERE RAW WATER AND TREATED WATER ARE DELIVERED TO TAT PO, SHA TIN AND KOWLOON AREAS.
BEFORE CONCLUDING HIS TOUR, MR PATTEN MET DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS AND COMMUNITY LEADERS AT A RECEPTION IN A RESTAURANT IN TAI WO ESTATE.
---------0-----------
LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL COMMISSION BILL
*****
THE ADMINISTRATION WILL SOON INTRODUCE LEGISLATION TO ESTABLISH BY STATUTE A LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL COMMISSION, WHICH WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE FINANCIAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS RELATING TO THE PROVISION OF SUPPORT SERVICE TO THE LEGCO.
THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL COMMISSION BILL WHICH PROVIDES THE LEGISLATIVE FRAMEWORK FOR SETTING UP THE COMMISSION WILL BE PUBLISHED IN THE GOVERNMENT GAZETTE ON FRIDAY (MARCH 4).
COMMENTING ON THE BILL, A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN TODAY (WEDNESDAY) POINTED OUT THAT THE COMMISSION WOULD BE INDEPENDENT FROM THE ADMINISTRATION AND WOULD PROVIDE SUPPORT SERVICES TO LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLORS THROUGH ITS EXECUTIVE ARM, THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL SECRETARIAT.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID FOLLOWING A DECISION BY THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL IN MAY LAST YEAR TO SET UP THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL COMMISSION, THE REORGANISATION EXERCISE HAD MADE GOOD PROGRESS.
’’THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL COMMISSION AND THE SECRETARIAT CAN BE FORMALLY ESTABLISHED BY APRIL THIS YEAR, SUBJECT TO THE PASSAGE OF THE BILL,” THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
THE BILL IS SCHEDULED TO BE INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON MARCH 9.
------0-------
/4......
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 2, 1994
MONETARY STATISTICS FOR JANUARY 1994 * * * * *
HONG KONG DOLLAR DEPOSITS WITH AUTHORISED INSTITUTIONS RECORDED A SIGNIFICANT INCREASE DURING JANUARY THIS YEAR, MAINLY OWING TO SOME SHARES FLOTATION EXERCISES, ACCORDING TO STATISTICS PUBLISHED TODAY (WEDNESDAY) BY THE HONG KONG MONETARY AUTHORITY.
CONSISTENT WITH THIS, THE BROADEST HONG KONG DOLLAR MONEY SUPPLY, HK$M3, ROSE SUBSTANTIALLY IN JANUARY 1994. HONG KONG DOLLAR LOANS AND ADVANCES ALSO INCREASED DURING THE MONTH.
DEPOSITS
AFFECTED BY SHARES FLOTATION EXERCISES, HONG KONG DOLLAR DEPOSITS WITH AUTHORISED INSTITUTIONS (ADJUSTED TO INCLUDE SWAP DEPOSITS) ROSE STRONGLY BY 11.6% IN JANUARY 1994, FOLLOWING AN INCREASE OF 15.0% IN NOVEMBER 1993 AND A DECREASE OF 14.3% IN DECEMBER 1993.
AS THE SUBSCRIPTION MONIES WERE PARTLY PLACED AS DEMAND DEPOSITS AND PARTLY PLACED AS TIME DEPOSITS, DEMAND DEPOSITS AND TIME DEPOSITS ROSE BY 14.8% AND 18.1% RESPECTIVELY DURING THE MONTH.
ON THE OTHER HAND, SAVINGS DEPOSITS FELL BY 0.4%. YEAR-ON-YEAR, TOTAL HONG KONG DOLLAR DEPOSITS GREW BY 38.2%.
FOREIGN CURRENCY DEPOSITS WITH AUTHORISED INSTITUTIONS INCREASED BY 1.2% IN JANUARY 1994, AFTER A DECREASE OF 0.2% IN NOVEMBER 1993 AND AN INCREASE OF 0.2% IN DECEMBER 1993.
OF THESE DEPOSITS, U.S. DOLLAR DEPOSITS INCREASED BY 3.0% WHILE NON-U.S. DOLLAR FOREIGN CURRENCY DEPOSITS FELL BY 0.5%. YEAR-ON-YEAR, TOTAL FOREIGN CURRENCY DEPOSITS GREW BY 2.9%.
DURING JANUARY 1994, DEPOSITS IN ALL CURRENCIES WITH LICENSED BANKS AND DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES INCREASED BY 6.8% AND 3.4% RESPECTIVELY WHILE DEPOSITS WITH RESTRICTED LICENCE BANKS DECREASED BY 13.9%.
YEAR-ON-YEAR, DEPOSITS WITH LICENSED BANKS GREW BY 20.3% WHILE DEPOSITS WITH RESTRICTED LICENCE BANKS AND DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES DECLINED BY 31.1% AND 5.0% RESPECTIVELY.
MONEY SUPPLY
HK$M1, HK$M2 AND HK$M3 INCREASED BY 11.6%, 11.3% AND 11.0% RESPECTIVELY IN JANUARY 1994. THEIR CORRESPONDING PERCENTAGE CHANGES IN DECEMBER 1993 WERE +4.7%, -13.2% AND -13.0% RESPECTIVELY. YEAR-ON-YEAR, HK$M1, HK$M2 AND HK$M3 INCREASED BY 30.2%, 37.9% AND 35.8% RESPECTIVELY.
/TOTAL Ml,
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 2, 1994
- 5 -
TOTAL Ml, M2 AND M3 INCREASED BY 11.0%, 6.8% AND 6.4% RESPECTIVELY IN JANUARY 1994. THE CORRESPONDING PERCENTAGE CHANGES IN DECEMBER 1993 WERE +4.4%, -7.3% AND -6.9% RESPECTIVELY. YEAR-ON-YEAR, TOTAL Ml, M2 AND M3 ROSE BY 27.9%, 20.1% AND 19.3% RESPECTIVELY.
LOANS AND ADVANCES
TOTAL OUTSTANDING LOANS AND ADVANCES EXTENDED BY AUTHORISED INSTITUTIONS INCREASED BY 4.1% IN JANUARY 1994, FOLLOWING AN INCREASE OF 3.6% IN NOVEMBER 1993 AND A DECREASE OF 4.2% IN DECEMBER 1993.
AMONG THESE LOANS, HONG KONG DOLLAR LOANS ROSE STRONGLY BY 9.4%, LARGELY OWING TO LOANS TO FINANCE THE SUBSCRIPTION OF NEW SHARES.
FOREIGN CURRENCY LOANS INCREASED BY 1.4%. COMPARED WITH A YEAR EARLIER, THESE LOANS INCREASED BY 27.1% AND 16.2% RESPECTIVELY.
LOANS TO FINANCE VISIBLE TRADE OF HONG KONG INCREASED BY 1.1% IN JANUARY 1994, AFTER A DECREASE OF 0.1% IN NOVEMBER 1993 AND AN INCREASE OF 0.3% IN DECEMBER 1993. YEAR-ON-YEAR, SUCH LOANS GREW BY 14.0%.
OTHER LOANS FOR USE IN HONG KONG ROSE BY 8.1% IN JANUARY 1994, FOLLOWING AN INCREASE OF 8.6% IN NOVEMBER 1993 AND A DECREASE OF 10.6% IN DECEMBER 1993. YEAR-ON-YEAR, THESE LOANS INCREASED BY 25.8%.
LOANS FOR USE OUTSIDE HONG KONG INCREASED BY 1.6% IN JANUARY 1994, AFTER INCREASES OF 0.3% EACH IN NOVEMBER AND DECEMBER 1993 RESPECTIVELY. YEAR-ON-YEAR, THESE LOANS GREW BY 16.7%.
LOANS TO FINANCE TRADE NOT TOUCHING HONG KONG INCREASED BY 2.8% DURING JANUARY 1994 AFTER DECREASES OF 0.7% AND 6.5% IN NOVEMBER AND DECEMBER 1993 RESPECTIVELY. YEAR-ON-YEAR, THESE LOANS DECREASED BY 4.1%.
NUMBER OF REPORTING INSTITUTIONS
THE NUMBER OF REPORTING LICENSED BANKS INCREASED BY ONE TO 169 WHILE THE NUMBER OF REPORTING RESTRICTED LICENCE BANKS AND DEPOSITTAKING COMPANIES DECREASED BY ONE EACH TO 56 AND 139 RESPECTIVELY.
/TABLE 1 : .......
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 2, 1994
6
TABLE 1 : MONETARY STATISTICS- JAN 1994
Jan 1994 Earlier months (% change to Jan 1994) (HKSmn)
Dec 1993 Oct 1993 Jan 1993
Money Supply
Ml - HK$ 187,940 168,440 ( 11.6 ) 203378 ( -7.8 ) 144303 ( 30.2)
Foreign currency 20,280 19,168 ( 5.8) 18,746 ( 8.2 ) 18,495 ( 9.7)
Total 208,219 187,608 ( 11.0 ) 222,624 ( -6.5) 162,798 ( 27.9 )
M2-HKS* 1,026,621 922,417 ( 11.3) 930,390 ( 10.3 ) 744438 ( 37.9 )
Foreign currency* 854,466 839,452 ( 1.8 ) 840,923 ( 1.6) 821,976 ( 4.0)
Total 1,881,087 1,761,870 ( 6.8 ) 1,771,312 ( 6.2 ) 1466414 ( 20.1 )
M3 - HKS* 1,043,224 939,491 ( 11.0 ) 946,987 ( 10.2 ) 768,082 ( 35.8)
Foreign currency* 893,991 881,071 ( 1.5) 876,183 ( 2.0 ) 855477 ( 4.5)
Total 1,937,215 1,820,562 ( 6.4 ) 1323,169 ( 6.3) 1,623,659 ( 19.3)
Notes and coins in circulation 78,950 71374 ( 9.8 ) 68,752 ( 14.8 ) 70,341 ( 12J)
of which held by public 67,284 63354 ( 6.2) 60,462 ( 11.3 ) 61,171 ( 10.0)
Total Deposits
Total Demand deposits 140,935 124,255 ( 13.4 ) 162,161 ( -13.1 ) 101,627 ( 38.7 )
Total Savings deposits 415,968 422,282 ( -1.5) 410,358 ( 1.4) 356,436 ( 16.7 )
Total Time deposits with licensed banks 1,232,889 1,129,408 ( 9.2 ) 1,117326 ( 10.3 ) 1,029,652 ( 19.7)
Total Time deposits with restricted licence banks 25,381 29,479 ( -13.9 ) 28,043 ( -9.5) 36,821 ( -31.1 )
Total Time deposits with deposit-taking companies 17,678 17,099 ( 3.4) 17,417 ( 1.5) 18,617 ( -5.0)
HKS deposits* 957,979 858341 ( 11.6 ) 871,171 ( 10.0 ) 692,941 ( 38.2 )
USS deposits* 433,237 420408 ( 3.0) 412,990 ( 4.9 ) 420363 ( 3.1)
Other foreign currency deposits* 441/537 443,773 ( -0.5) 451,644 ( -2.2 ) 429348 ( 2.7)
All deposits 1,832,852 1,722422 ( 6.4) 1.735305 ( 5.6) 1443,152 ( 183 )
Foreign currency swap deposits 72,526 71300 ( 1.0) 68374 ( 6.2) 59,783 ( 21.3 )
Total Loans and advances
To finance H.K.’s visible trade 104,354 103344 ( 1.1) 103,056 ( 1.3) 91414 ( 14.0 )
To finance merchandising trade not touching H.K. 11432 11318 ( 2.8 ) 12,079 ( -4.5) 12,026 ( -4.1)
Other loans for use in H.K. 1,162,030 1,075,184 ( 8.1) 1,107,082 ( 5.0) 923,694 ( 25.8 )
Other loans for use outside H.K. 1,651350 1,626,415 ( 1.6) 1,616,305 ( 2.2 ) 1,415336 ( 16.7)
Other loans where the place of use is not known 43,007 40,829 ( 5.3) 41478 ( 3.4) 38,102 ( 12.9 )
Loans in HKS 1,047,056 957323 ( 9.4) 990,694 ( 5.7) 823406 ( 27.1 )
Loans in foreign currencies 1,925,717 1399467 ( 1.4) 1389.406 ( 1.9) 1,657,665 ( 16.2 )
Total loans and advances 2,972,773 2,856,890 ( 4.1) 2380.100 ( 3.2) 2,481,171 ( 19.8 )
• 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.
/7........
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 2, 1994
- 7 -
QUALITY PROMOTION PROGRAMME FOR BUSINESSES * * » * ♦
THE GOVERNMENT HAS ADOPTED A PRO-ACTIVE APPROACH TO FACILITATE THE DEVELOPMENT OF QUALITY PRINCIPLES AND PRACTICES IN HONG KONG BUSINESSES, AN ASSISTANT DIRECTOR-GENERAL OF INDUSTRY, MR BRIAN TYLER, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE ISO 9002 AND PRODUCT CERTIFICATION PRESENTATION CEREMONY OF KEYSTONE ELECTRIC WIRE AND CABLE COMPANY LIMITED, MR TYLER SAID A SUM OF $8 MILLION HAD RECENTLY BEEN APPROVED FOR THE INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT TO FURTHER DEVELOP THE QUALITY PROMOTION PROGRAMME.
HE NOTED THAT THE PROGRAMME BEING PLANNED SHOULD MEET THE NEEDS OF HONG KONG FOR THE NEXT SEVERAL YEARS.
’’ONE OF THE KEY THEMES OF THE PROGRAMME WILL BE THE CONCEPT OF COMPANIES DEVELOPING A TOTAL QUALITY CULTURE, WHICH INVOLVES BUILDING ON THEIR EXISTING ACHIEVEMENTS, INCLUDING ISO 9000 CERTIFICATION, AND DEVELOPING THE CULTURE OF TOTAL QUALITY MANAGEMENT (TQM).”
SUCH A TQM CULTURE CONTAINS MANY ELEMENTS, BUT EMPHASIS IS PARTICULARLY ON A STRONG COMMITMENT TO CUSTOMERS; QUALITY LEADERSHIP BY MANAGEMENT; QUALITY BEING INCORPORATED IN STRATEGIC BUSINESS PLANS; AND QUALITY PROGRAMMES THAT ACTIVELY INVOLVE ALL PERSONNEL AT ALL LEVELS AND ACROSS ALL FUNCTIONS OF THE COMPANY, MR TYLER SAID.
’’THIS IS A CULTURE WHICH WE HOPE ALL HONG KONG COMPANIES WILL ADOPT AND DEVELOP,” HE ADDED.
WHILE EMBARKING ON THE NEW QUALITY PROMOTION PROGRAMME, MR TYLER SAID THE GOVERNMENT WOULD CONTINUE TO MAINTAIN AND ENHANCE THE EXISTING QUALITY SUPPORT SERVICES.
THESE SERVICES INCLUDED THOSE PROVIDED BY THE GOVERNMENT’S STANDARDS AND CALIBRATION LABORATORY, THE HONG KONG LABORATORY ACCREDITATION SCHEME AND THE PRODUCT STANDARDS INFORMATION BUREAU AS WELL AS THOSE BY THE HONG KONG QUALITY ASSURANCE AGENCY.
AT THE SAME TIME, THE GOVERNMENT WOULD ALSO ENSURE THE TIMELY INTRODUCTION OF ADDITIONAL SERVICES AS NEEDS ARISE, MR TYLER SAID.
”IN ADDITION, QUALITY TRENDS IN OUR OVERSEAS MARKETS, PARTICULARLY IN RESPECT OF OUR MAJOR TRADING PARTNERS, ARE BEING MONITORED TO DETERMINE ANY NEW REQUIREMENTS.
’’QUALITY DEVELOPMENTS IN CHINA THAT MAY AFFECT HONG KONG ARE ALSO UNDER REGULAR REVIEW,” HE SAID.
------0------------
/8.........
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 2, 1994
- 8
TSEUNG KWAN O SITE TO LET ******
THE LANDS DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR THE SHORT-TERM TENANCY OF A PIECE OF GOVERNMENT LAND AT AREA 44, TSEUNG KWAN 0 IN SAI KUNG.
THE 4,950-SQUARE-METRE LOT IS INTENDED FOR USE AS A PLANT NURSERY OR COMMERCIAL GARDEN.
THE TENANCY IS FOR ONE YEAR, RENEWABLE QUARTERLY.
TENDER OFFER WILL CLOSE AT NOON ON MARCH 18.
FORMS OF TENDER, TENDER NOTICE AND CONDITIONS MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE LANDS DEPARTMENT, 14TH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, AND THE DISTRICT LANDS OFFICES KOWLOON, 10TH FLOOR, YAU MA TEI CAR PARK BUILDING, 250 SHANGHAI STREET, KOWLOON; AND THE DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE, SAI KUNG.
TENDER PLANS ARE ALSO AVAILABLE AT THE OFFICES.
------0-------
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS *****
OPENING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT
REVERSAL OF LAF
BALANCE AFTER REVERSAL OF LAF
NET INJECTION/WITHDRAWAL TODAY
EFFECT OF LAF TODAY
CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT
LAF RATE 2.00 BID/4.00 OFFER
$ MILLION
2,141
+ 859
3,000
NIL
-1,175
1,825
TWI 125.6 *-0.2* 2.3.94
/HONG KONG .......
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 2, 1994
- 9 -
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND
EF BILLS EF NOTES/HONG KONG GOVERNMENT BONDS
TERMS YIELD TERM
1 WEEK 3.78 18 MONTHS
1 MONTH 3.78 21 MONTHS
3 MONTHS 3.80 24 MONTHS
6 MONTHS 3.88 32 MONTHS
12 MONTHS 4.27 35 MONTHS
TOTAL TURNOVER OF BILLS AND BONDS
CLOSED 2 MARCH 1994
- 22,095 MN
ISSUE COUPON PRICE YIELD
2508 4.625 100.01 4.67
2511 4. 15 98.88 4.89
2602 4.40 98.88 5.07
3610 4.20 97. 18 5.4 2
3701 4.60 97.70 5.54
0----------
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 2, 1994
CONTENTS
PAGE NO.
BUDGET:
BUDGET REFLECTS THE STRENGTH OF HK ECONOMY: GOVERNOR ............ 1
1993 - 27TH SUCCESSIVE YEAR OF ECONOMIC GROWTH .................. 2
LAST YEAR'S SUCCESS WILL PERSIST ................................ 4
SERVICING CHINESE ECONOMY ....................................... 6
REMARKABLE TRANSITION FROM MANUFACTURING TO SERVICES ............ 7
DYNAMIC DEVELOPMENT IN FINANCIAL SERVICES ....................... 8
INFLATION MUST BE CONTAINED .................................... 10
AIRPORT AND PORT DEVELOPMENT VITAL FOR GROWTH .................. 14
LAND LINKS MUST BE IMPROVED .................................... 14
GOVT PROPOSES A FINANCIALLY-SECURE RETIREMENT .................. 16
THREE POINTS ON BUDGET STRATEGY ................................ 18
RESERVES TOTAL $136.1 BILLION ON MARCH 31, 1994 ................ 19
HALF OF PUBLIC SPENDING DEVOTED TO HOUSING AND SOCIAL SERVICES ..................................................... 20
PROPOSALS TO PROVIDE MORE PUBLIC HOUSING ....................... 22
/GOVT RETAINS .......
CONTENTS
PAGE NO.
GOVT RETAINS CASH-BASED ACCOUNTS ............................... 23
INCOME TAX CONCESSIONS TO BENEFIT MORE ......................... 23
CORPORATE TAX REDUCES TO 16.5 PER CENT ......................... 25
BUSINESS REGISTRATION FEE RAISED TO $2,000 ..................... 26
CONCESSIONS PROPOSED FOR ESTATE DUTY ........................... 26
RELIEF FOR STAMP DUTY ON PROPERTY TRANSACTIONS ................. 27
AIR PASSENGER DEPARTURE TAX LOWERED ............................ 28
SHARE OF LOTTERY PROCEEDS TO LOTTERIES FUND TRIPLED ............ 29
TASK FORCE TO TACKLE TOBACCO SMUGGLERS ......................... 29
FUEL DUTY RAISED BY 8.5 PER CENT ............................... 30
RATES RELIEF MEASURE PROPOSED .................................. 31
TAX CONCESSIONS FOR DISABLED AND ELECTRIC CARS ................. 32
IMPLEMENTATION DATES FOR TAX PROPOSALS ......................... 33
LAWS TO DEAL WITH TAX EVASION AND AVOIDANCE .................... 33
FS OUTLINES MEDIUM RANGE FORECAST .............................. 35
STRIKING RIGHT BALANCE BETWEEN SPENDING AND SAVINGS ............ 37
FS MAKES TV BROADCAST ON BUDGET ................................ 38
WHAT THE BUDGET MEANS FOR YOU .................................. 40
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 2, 1994
BUDGET REFLECTS THE STRENGTH OF HK ECONOMY: GOVERNOR
♦ * * * *
THE GOVERNOR, THE RT HON CHRISTOPHER PATTEN, THIS (WEDNESDAY) AFTERNOON DESCRIBED THE BUDGET JUST ANNOUNCED BY THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY AS "AN EXCELLENT BUDGET” WHICH ’’REFLEC TS THE CONTINUING STRENGTH AND VITALITY OF HONG KONG AND oi PHF WHOM COMMUNITY”.
SPEAKING TO REPORTERS AFTER HIS A I S IT TG THE TAJ PO DISTRICT, MR PATTEN SAID:”IT’S ANOTHER REFLECTION OF THE VERY CONSIDERABLE STRENGTH OF OUR ECONOMY. WE HAVE ONE OF THE MOST SOUNDLY BASED ECONOMIES NOT JUST IN THE REGION BUT IN THE WORLD.
’’THE BUDGET IS ALSO AND WE SHOULD RECOGNISE THIS, A REFLECTION OF THE VERA HARD WORK OF THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG OVER THE LAST YEAR.
”WE ARE ONE OF THE MOST COMPETITIVE ECONOMIES IN THE WORLD AND BECAUSE OF THAT, WE ARE ABLE TO INCREASE OUR SPENDING AND CUT OUR TAXES”.
THE GOVERNOR SAID HE WAS PLEASED THAT THE GOVERNMENT WAS ABLE TO FOCUS INCREASED EXPENDITURE ON SOME OF THE COMMUNITY’S PRIORITIES INCLUDING HEALTH, WELFARE AND EDUCATION, AND TO REDUCE TAXES ON BUSINESSES AND ON FAMILIES.
”AS A RESULT OF THE CHANGES ANNOUNCED BY THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY TODAY, 130 000 PEOPLE WILL GO OUT OF THE TAX NET ALL TOGETHER AND OVER I 100 000 WILL PAY LESS TAX," MR PATTEN SAID.
’’THOSE FIGURES REFLECT THE PROSPERITY AND STABILITY OF HONG KONG WHICH I AM DETERMINED TO CONTINUE TO WORK FOR."
MR PATTEN ALSO NOTED THE VERY SUBSTANTIAL FIGURES FOR THE RESERVES IN FUTURE YEARS ANNOUNCED BY THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY.
"IT’S IMPORTANT THAT WE SHOULD ALWAYS MAKE SURE THAT WE HAVE THAT CUSHION' AGAINST DIFFICULTY. I BEI I E\ !• TO BE CAUTIOUS RATHER THAN TO TAKE RISKS,” HE ADDED.
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/2.........
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 2, 1994
- 2 -
1993 - 27TH SUCCESSIVE YEAR OF ECONOMIC GROWTH
*****
THE YEAR 1993 WAS THE 27TH SUCCESSIVE YEAR IN WHICH THE ECONOMY GREW IN REAL TERMS SINCE THE START OF THE GDP FIGURES IN 1966, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON SIR HAMISH MACLEOD, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
”A WHOLE GENERATION HAS GROWN UP IN OUR COMMUNITY WHICH HAS NEVER KNOWN ANYTHING OTHER THAN UNBROKEN ECONOMIC EXPANSION,” SIR HAMISH SAID WHEN MOVING THE SECOND READING OP' THE APPROPRIATION BILL 1994 IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
HE SAID IT WAS A STAGGERING FACT THAT GDP PER HEAD HAD MORE THAN TREBLED IN REAL TERMS SINCE 1970.
’’THIS GENERATION TAKES IT FOR GRANTED THAT ENTERPRISE, EDUCATION AND PERSONAL ENDEAVOUR WILL BRING IMPROVED PERSONAL INCOMES AND A BETTER QUALITY OF LIFE YEAR BY YEAR.”
HONG KONG HAS BEEN DESCRIBED AS ’’ONE OF THE RICHEST AND MOST SOPHISTICATED URBAN SOCIETIES IN THE WORLD”.
HE SAID: ’’BUT WE ALSO KNOW THAT WE CANNOT TAKE THIS SUCCESS FOR GRANTED; WE ONLY HAVE TO LOOK AT MUCH OF THE REST OF THE WORLD TO SEE THAT. WE HAVE TO KEEP INVESTING IN OUR FUTURE.”
GIVEN THE SUCCESS, THEN, THE COMMUNITY RIGHTLY EXPECTS THEIR INCREASED PROSPERITY TO BE USED TO IMPROVE THE RANGE AND QUALITY OF THE GOVERNMENT’S SERVICES AND TO DEVELOP THE INFRASTRUCTURE REQUIRED FOR FUTURE EXPANSION, SIR HAMISH SAID.
’AND THE COMMUNITY RIGHTLY EXPECTS THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY IN PARTICULAR TO ENSURE THE PRUDENT MANAGEMENT OF THE ADDITIONAL REVENUE WHICH A FLOURISHING ECONOMY PROVIDES.
HE SAID THE GOVERNMENT DID NOT CLAIM A MONOPOLY OF WISDOM IN DECIDING THE PROPER ALLOCATION OF THESE INCREASING RESOURCES.
THE COMMUNITY ITSELF HAS QUITE CLEAR IDEAS ABOUT WHAT THE PRIORITIES SHOULD BE, HE ADDED.
IN PREPARING THIS BUDGET, SIR HAMISH SAID' HE HAD CONSULTED LEGCO MEMBERS AND HAD ALSO CONSIDERED CAREFULLY THE VALUABLE ADVICE HE HAD RECEIVED FROM PROFESSIONAL BODIES, COMMERCIAL ASSOCIATIONS, LABOUR AND WELFARE GROUPS.
”1 HAVE BEEN STRUCK, EVEN MORE THAN IN PREVIOUS BUDGET EXERCISES, BY THE DEGREE OF CONSENSUS WHICH I FOUND DURING MY CONSULTATIONS ON THIS YEAR’S BUDGET.
"THIS GROWING CONSENSUS HAS MADE MY TASK EASIER IN IDENTIFYING HOW THE COMMUNITY EXPECTS THE GOVERNMENT TO SPEND THE TAXPAYERS’ MONEY TO THE BEST ADVANTAGE.”
/THE FINANCIAL .......
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 2, 1994
- 3 -
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY SAID HE BELIEVED THE COMMUNITY WISHED HIM TO PRESENT A BUDGET THIS YEAR WHICH WOULD MEET FOUR EXPECTATIONS:
* FIRST, THE EXPECTATION THAT THE GOVERNMENT WILL CONTINUE TO RAISE THE STANDARDS OF ITS OWN SERVICES TO THE COMMUNITY, IN PARTICULAR THROUGH FUNDING THE OVER 100 UNDERTAKINGS FOR 1994 ANNOUNCED BY THE GOVERNOR IN HIS POLICY ADDRESS TO THIS COUNCIL LAST OCTOBER.
* SECONDLY, THE GOVERNMENT MUST GO ON IMPROVING THE SOCIAL AND PHYSICAL INFRASTRUCTURE ON WHICH THE FUTURE CREATION OF WEALTH WILL DEPEND.
* THIRDLY, IN A YEAR OF BUOYANT REVENUES, THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD TAKE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO LEAVE MONEY WHERE IT CAN DO MOST GOOD, IN THE POCKETS OF THE TAXPAYERS.
* FINALLY, THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD CONTINUE TO FIGHT INFLATION AND TO RELIEVE ITS IMPACT UPON THOSE HARDEST HIT.
’’THESE ARE THE PRIORITIES THE COMMUNITY HAS SET, AND WHICH I ACCEPT. ’’
HE RESTATED THE FUNDAMENTAL ECONOMIC POLICIES OF THE GOVERNMENT, POLICIES WHICH HE BELIEVED COMMAND THE FULL SUPPORT OF THE COMMUNITY AND OF LEGCO.
THESE PRINCIPLES, SO FUNDAMENTAL TO HONG KONG’S ECONOMIC SUCCESS, ARE:
♦ FREE TRADE AND FAIR MARKETS, WHICH REMAIN THE BEST GUARANTEES OF ECONOMIC EFFICIENCY,
* A STABLE CURRENCY AND A SOUND FINANCIAL SYSTEM, BOTH ESSENTIAL FOR BUSINESS CONFIDENCE,
* LOW AND PREDICTABLE TAXES, TO MINIMISE THE BURDENS ON THOSE WHO CREATE HONG KONG’S WEALTH AND ENCOURAGE NEW INVESTMENT, AND
♦ PRUDENT BUDGETS, SO THAT PUBLIC SPENDING DOES NOT OUTSTRIP THE RATE OF ECONOMIC GROWTH.
”IT IS OF COURSE ALSO FUNDAMENTAL THAT THE BROADER ENVIRONMENT SHOULD BE SUPPORTIVE OF OUR ECONOMIC SUCCESS.
” 1 REFER IN PARTICULAR TO THE EXISTENCE OF AN EFFICIENT AND HONEST ADMINISTRATION, THE RULE OF LAW, A QUESTIONING MEDIA AND A LEGISLATURE ABLE AND WILLING TO MONITOR AND QUERY THE EXECUTIVE,” HE SAID.
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/4.........
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 2, 1994
4
LAST YEAR’S SUCCESS WILL PERSIST
*****
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON SIR HAMISH MACLEOD, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY) THAT HONG KONG’S ROLE IN THE ASIAN ECONOMIC MIRACLE WAS TO PROVIDE THE EXPERTISE WHICH COUNTRIES IN THE REGION NEEDED IN ORDER TO RAISE THEIR OWN STANDARDS OF LIVING.
”WE ARE NOW A SERVICE-BASED ECONOMY, AND WHAT WE HAVE TO OFFER IS OUR EXPERTISE, NOT LOW-WAGE FACTORY LABOUR,” SIR HAMISH SAID IN HIS THIRD BUDGET SPEECH AT THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
HE SAID 1993, IN SHORT, WAS A VERY GOOD YEAR.
"AND WE HAVE NO REASON TO BE ANY LESS CONFIDENT ABOUT OUR PROSPECTS FOR 1994," HE SAID.
FOR 1994, SIR HAMISH FORECASTS:
* GDP GROWTH IN REAL TERMS WILL AGAIN REACH 5.5%,
* GDP PER HEAD WILL REACH SOME US$20,600,
♦ TOTAL TRADE WILL INCREASE BY AROUND 17% IN REAL TERMS, AND
* INFLATION WILL KEEP TO AN AVERAGE OF AROUND 8.5%.
IN 1993, HONG KONG’S ECONOMY ONCE AGAIN PERFORMED HANDSOMELY. A SATISFACTORY GDP GROWTH RATE OF 5.5% IN REAL TERMS WAS ACHIEVED, THE FASTEST INCREASE SINCE 1988.
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY ALSO OUTLINED SOME MORE BASIC FACTS OF HOW WELL HONG KONG DID LAST YEAR:
* GDP PER HEAD IN 1993 REACHED US$18,500,
* TOTAL EXPORTS GREW BY 13% IN REAL TERMS, LED BY RE-EXPORTS.
* EXPORTS OF SERVICES GREW BY 8% IN REAL TERMS.
* INFLATION RETREATED STILL FURTHER, TO 8.5% FOR THE YEAR (COMPARED WITH 9.4% IN 1992).
* MEDIAN HOUSEHOLD INCOME GREW IN REAL TERMS BY 3.8%.
♦ UNEMPLOYMENT REMAINED AT AROUND 2%, A VERY LOW LEVEL BY ANY INTERNATIONAL STANDARD.
HE SAID IN PRODUCING THIS PERFORMANCE, HE HAD NO DOUBT THAT THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY HAD BEEN LOOKING BEYOND CURRENT POLITICAL CONTROVERSIES TO THE LONG-TERM GROWTH POTENTIAL OF BOTH HONG KONG AND CHINA, AND INDEED TO THE PROMISING ECONOMIC OUTLOOK FOR THE ASIA-PACIFIC REGION AS A WHOLE.
/THIS BULLISH .......
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 2, 1994
- 5 -
THIS BULLISH ATTITUDE AFFECTS FOREIGN INVESTORS TOO. FOR EXAMPLE, INVESTMENT FROM AROUND THE WORLD HAS CONTINUED TO FLOW INTO HONG KONG’S ASSET MARKETS, AND MORE FOREIGN COMPANIES CONTINUE TO ESTABLISH THEIR PRESENCE HERE IN HONG KONG.
SIR HAMISH SAID LAST YEAR’S SUCCESS WOULD PERSIST, WHILE RECENT DEVELOPMENTS IN THE WORLD ECONOMY OFFER ADDITIONAL ENCOURAGEMENT:
* THE SUCCESSFUL CONCLUSION OF THE URUGUAY ROUND HAS BOOSTED TRADE POTENTIAL AND BLUNTED PROTECTIONIST PRESSURE.
t PROSPECTS IN MAJOR OVERSEAS MARKETS HAVE IMPROVED. THE U.S. AND UK ECONOMIES ARE SET TO GROW BY AROUND 3% IN THE YEAR AHEAD.
♦ EVEN MORE IMPORTANT FOR HONG KONG, THE CHINESE ECONOMY SHOULD HAVE LITTLE DIFFICULTY IN CONTINUING TO ACHIEVE AN ANNUAL GROWTH OF ABOUT 10% IN REAL TERMS.
» HONG KONG’S OTHER NEIGHBOURS IN EAST ASIA ARE LIKELY TO MAINTAIN THEIR DYNAMIC GROWTH, WITH TRADE WITHIN THE REGION EXPANDING BY AROUND 15% IN 1994.
"WE HAVE ENTERED 1994, THEN, IN BETTER SHAPE THAN WE MIGHT HAVE EXPECTED. INEVITABLY, HOWEVER, WE ALSO FACE SOME UNCERTAINTIES."
THE ANNUAL BATTLE FOR THE RENEWAL OF CHINA’S MFN STATUS IN THE UNITED STATES WILL HAVE TO BE FOUGHT YET AGAIN.
"HONG KONG MUST HOPE THAT POLITICS IS NOT ALLOWED TO DAMAGE THIS IMPORTANT TRADING RELATIONSHIP. FOR OUR PART, WE SHALL DO ALL WE CAN TO EMPHASISE TO OUR FRIENDS IN WASHINGTON THE IMPORTANCE OF TRADE BETWEEN CHINA AND THE UNITED STATES.
"WE WILL GO ON ARGUING THAT POLITICS SHOULD NOT BE ALLOWED TO DAMAGE TRADE," THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY SAID.
HE SAID THIS WAS NOT ONLY A MATTER OF HONG KONG’S SELFINTEREST, ALTHOUGH THIS WAS CLEARLY A KEY FACTOR.
AND FOR GOOD REASON.
"WE ESTIMATE THAT FAILURE TO RENEW MFN WOULD SLASH HONG KONG’S GDP GROWTH BY UP TO THREE PERCENTAGE POINTS, AND EMPLOYMENT BY UP TO 75,000 JOBS. BUT THERE ARE WIDER ISSUES AT STAKE TOO."
IT IS TRADE WHICH GENERATES GROWTH, THE GROWTH ESSENTIAL FOR ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL PROGRESS.
THE AVOIDANCE OF TRADE DISCRIMINATION - THE ENCOURAGEMENT OF A LEVEL PLAYING FIELD AND THE VIRTUES OF FREE TRADE - ARE AIMS WHICH UNDERLIE THE GATT.
IT IS FOR THIS REASON ALSO THAT CHINA’S WISH TO REJOIN THE GATT IS OF SUCH SIGNIFICANCE, HE SAID.
/ANOTHER FACTOR .......
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 2, 1994
6
Il ; , ■■■
ANOTHER FACTOR BEARING ON HONG KONG’S PROSPECTS FOR 1994 WILL BE THE SUCCESS OF THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT IN MANAGING HIGH RATES OF ECONOMIC GROWTH WHILE AVOIDING SERIOUS OVERHEATING.
’’THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT HAS RECOGNISED THE DANGERS OF INFLATION AND HAS ANNOUNCED MEASURES TO DEAL WITH IT. WE MUST HOPE THAT THESE MEASURES ARE SUCCESSFUL.
"IN PRODUCING OUR FORECASTS FOR THE COMING YEAR, WHILE WE HAVE TO BEAR IN MIND THESE DOWNSIDE RISKS, WE MUST ALSO GIVE DUE WEIGHT TO OUR UNDERLYING STRENGTHS."
--------0----------
SERVICING CHINESE ECONOMY
*****
THE CONTINUING DEVELOPMENT OF THE CHINESE ECONOMY IS INCREASINGLY THE KEY TO HONG KONG’S FUTURE ECONOMIC SUCCESS, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON SIR HAMISH MACLEOD, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
DELIVERING HIS 1994/95 BUDGET IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, SIR HAMISH SAID THROUGH SERVICING AND INVESTING IN CHINA, HONG KONG CONTINUED TO FIND NEW MARKETS FOR ITS EXPERTISE IN MANUFACTURING, MARKETING, BANKING, COMMUNICATIONS, TOURISM AND PROFESSIONAL SERVICES.
ALREADY, HONG KONG PLAYS A VITAL AND INCREASING ROLE IN CHINA’S ECONOMIC MODERNISATION: .. . J .
♦ CHINA ACCOUNTED FOR 35% OF OUR TOTAL EXTERNAL TRADE IN 1993.
* HONG KONG ACCOUNTED FOR AROUND TWO-THIRDS OF TOTAL EXTERNAL INVESTMENT IN CHINA. IN TURN, CHINA IS PROBABLY THE LARGEST EXTERNAL INVESTOR IN HONG KONG.
THE RELATIONSHIP IS NOT SIMPLY ABOUT THE FLOWS OF GOODS AND SERVICES. THERE IS ALSO AN ENORMOUS FLOW OF PEOPLE:
♦ HONG KONG RESIDENTS MADE NO LESS THAN 23 MILLION VISITS TO CHINESE DESTINATIONS IN 1993.
» IN ADDITION, NEARLY 2 MILLION FOREIGN VISITORS USED HONG KONG AS THEIR GATEWAY TO CHINA.
» THERE WERE 7.4 MILLION ROAD CROSSINGS BY CARS AND LORRIES. ■ < . , \ .
* HONG KONG HANDLED 34,000 FLIGHTS TO AND FROM CHINA.
BUT THIS MOMENTUM IN HONG KONG’S TRADE AND TRAFFIC WITH CHINA CANNOT BE TAKEN FOR GRANTED, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY SAID.
"IT HAS TO BE NURTURED.
"IT IS CRUCIAL THAT WE CONTINUE TO DEVELOP OUR ROAD, RAIL, AIR AND SEA LINKS WITH GUANGDONG PROVINCE, AND THE REST OF CHINA. WE MUST MATCH THE FLOWS OF PEOPLE, TRADE AND INVESTMENT WITH THE INFRASTRUCTURE TO SUPPORT THEM,” HE ADDED.
/7........
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 2, 1994
- 7 -
REMARKABLE TRANSITION FROM MANUFACTURING TO SERVICES
*****
HONG KONG’S TRANSITION FROM MANUFACTURING TO SERVICES HAS BEEN ACHIEVED REMARKABLY RAPIDLY, AND WITHOUT THE MASS UNEMPLOYMENT, SOCIAL STRAINS AND URBAN DECAY WHICH HAVE CHARACTERISED THE PROCESS IN OTHER MATURE ECONOMIES.
"WE HAVE, IN EFFECT, MOVED UPMARKET IN TERMS OF HOW WE EARN OUR LIVING," THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON SIR HAMISH MACLEOD, SAID IN HIS 1994/95 BUDGET AT THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
SIR HAMISH SAID NO OTHER MAJOR ECONOMY, EITHER IN ASIA OR IN THE WESTERN WORLD, HAD GONE SO FAR OR SO RAPIDLY IN REPLACING MANUFACTURING WITH SERVICE INDUSTRIES.
"NO OTHER ECONOMY HAS MANAGED THE PROCESS SO WELL," HE SAID.
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY NOTED HONG KONG’S POST-WAR ECONOMIC TAKEOFF WAS BASED ON THE EXPORT OF MANUFACTURED GOODS.
MANUFACTURING STILL ACCOUNTS FOR 13% OF GDP, ALTHOUGH OVER THE LAST 10 YEARS, MANUFACTURING HAS SHED 350,000 JOBS. -•
BUT THESE HAVE BEEN MORE THAN REPLACED BY THE RAPID GROWTH OF THE SERVICE INDUSTRIES, WHICH ACCOUNT FOR 76% OF GDP.
"LET ME EMPHASISE THAT THIS TRANSFORMATION HAS BEEN DRIVEN BY MARKETS, NOT BY GOVERNMENT PLANNING OR POLICIES."
BUSINESS HAS LED IT, THE GOVERNMENT HAS FACILITATED IT.
"OUR ECONOMIC SUCCESS IN THE FUTURE WILL MORE AND MORE BE BASED ON OUR ABILITY TO SELL OUR SERVICES TO THE WORLD, THE REGION AND, ABOVE ALL, TO THE CHINESE ECONOMY.
"WE MUST SELL OUR EXPERTISE WITH THE SAME ENTERPRISE AS WE HAVE SOLD OUR MANUFACTURED GOODS. WE SHOULD BE AIDED IN THIS BY THE INCLUSION OF AN AGREEMENT ON SERVICES IN THE SUCCESSFUL OUTCOME OF THE URUGUAY ROUND," HE SAID.
THIS SWITCH FROM MANUFACTURING TO SERVICES HAS PUT A PREMIUM ON EDUCATION AND SKILLS.
HONG KONG’S VALUE ADDED IS NO LONGER LOW-COST MANUFACTURING BUT THE EXPERTISE OF THE WORKFORCE, THE ENTERPRISE OF INVESTORS AND THE INTEGRITY OF THE MARKETS.
"WE SHOULD BEAR THIS REALITY IN MIND IN RESPONDING TO CALLS FOR ASSISTANCE TO BUSINESS. TOO OFTEN, THESE SEEM TO OVERLOOK THE TRANSFORMATION IN THE WAY WE EARN OUR LIVING AND THE EMERGENCE OF THE SERVICE INDUSTRIES AS THE DOMINANT SECTOR OF OUR ECONOMY."
/SIR HAMISH .......
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 2, 1994
8
SIR HAMISH SAID THERE WAS LITTLE POINT IN USING THE TAXPAYER’S MONEY IN PURSUIT OF POLICIES WHICH WENT AGAINST THE ECONOMIC TIDE.
NEVERTHELESS, HE SAID, THERE WOULD CONTINUE TO BE SCOPE FOR HELPING THE MANUFACTURING INDUSTRY MOVE UPMARKET, HENCE THE INJECTION OF FUNDS INTO THE INDUSTRY AND TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL, INTO THE NEW INDUSTRIAL ESTATE AT TSEUNG KWAN 0, AND INTO THE NEW INDUSTRY TECHNOLOGY CENTRE CORPORATION, ALL TO HELP MOVE HONG KONG UP THE TECHNOLOGY LADDER.
------0-------
DYNAMIC DEVELOPMENT IN FINANCIAL SERVICES
***** ■ . r
THE BEST EXAMPLE OF THE DYNAMIC DEVELOPMENT OF THE SERVICE ECONOMY IS HONG KONG’S FINANCIAL SERVICES, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON SIR HAMISH MACLEOD, SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
THIS SECTOR NOW ACCOUNTS FOR NEARLY 10% OF GDP, FAST APPROACHING THE CONTRIBUTION OF THE ENTIRE MANUFACTURING SECTOR, HE SAID IN HIS 1994/95 BUDGET.
IN 1993, THE STOCK MARKET WAS THE.FOCUS OF MOST ATTENTION:
* THE HANG SENG INDEX ROSE BY 116% DURING THE YEAR, THE SECOND BEST PERFORMANCE IN THE WORLD.
» MARKET CAPITALISATION INCREASED BY 123%, RAISING HONG KONG TO SIXTH LARGEST STOCK MARKET IN THE WORLD, UP FROM 15TH PLACE ONLY FIVE YEARS AGO.
* AVERAGE DAILY STOCK MARKET TURNOVER ROSE BY THREE-QUARTERS.
» AVERAGE DAILY TURNOVER ON INDEX FUTURES DOUBLED.
BUT JUST AS IMPRESSIVE, HE SAID, ALTHOUGH LESS NOTICED, WAS THE GROWTH OF THE CAPITAL MARKETS LAST YEAR:
* THE NUMBER OF DEBT INSTRUMENTS LISTED ON THE HONG KONG STOCK EXCHANGE INCREASED FOUR TIMES.
* THE TOTAL VOLUME OF FUNDS REACHED $190 BILLION, AN ASTOUNDING INCREASE OF 41 TIMES.
HE SAID THE NUMBER OF FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS ALSO CONTINUED TO INCREASE AND THEIR BUSINESS TO EXPAND:
* HONG KONG NOW HAS A TOTAL OF 174 LICENSED BANKS.
* THE LOCAL INSURANCE MARKET HAS ACHIEVED ANNUAL GROWTH RATES OF 20% TO 30% IN RECENT YEARS. IT IS NOW A MAJOR INDUSTRY IN ITS OWN RIGHT, WITH A WORKFORCE OF 20,000, AND GROSS INSURANCE PREMIUMS OF OVER $30 BILLION.
/Tn A ........
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 2, 1994
- 9 -
TO A LARGE DEGREE, THEIR IMPRESSIVE PERFORMANCE IS THE REWARD FOR HONG KONG’S PAST DETERMINATION TO REACH THE VERY HIGHEST STANDARDS IN THE SUPERVISION OF THE FINANCIAL MARKETS.
’’BUT THIS IS A NEVER-ENDING TASK IF WE ARE TO STAY IN THE FIRST RANK OF INTERNATIONAL MARKETS.
”A SPECIAL FEATURE OF THE FINANCIAL SERVICES INDUSTRY IS THE SPEED WITH WHICH NEW PRODUCTS AND NEW SYSTEMS ARE INTRODUCED.
’’REGULATORS MUST KEEP PACE WITH INNOVATIONS TO AVOID COMPROMISING EITHER THE GROWTH OR THE INTEGRITY OF THE MARKETS,” HE SAID.
SIR HAMISH SAID HE WAS DETERMINED THAT HONG KONG SHOULD CONTINUE TO KEEP PACE TN THE COMING YEAR.
”THE OPPORTUNITIES FOR ABUSE SUCH AS THAT CAUSED BY INSIDER DEALING MUST BE RESTRICTED.
"WE HAVE ALREADY PROPOSED MEASURES TO BRING DERIVATIVES WITHIN THE SCOPE OF THE EXISTING LAW.”
IN ADDITION, A REVIEW HAS BEGUN, IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE SECURITIES AND FUTURES COMMISSION, TO SEE WHAT MORE SHOULD BE DONE TO LIMIT THE SCOPE FOR MALPRACTICE.
HE SAID THE MONETARY AUTHORITY WAS WORKING CLOSELY WITH THE BANKING COMMUNITY TO MANAGE THE RISKS ARISING FROM FINANCIAL INNOVATION.
IN PARTICULAR, THEY ARE CONSIDERING IMPROVEMENTS TO BANK PAYMENT AND SETTLEMENT SYSTEM TO DEAL WITH THE MASSIVE GROWTH-IN THE VOLUME OF TRANSACTIONS ON FINANCIAL MARKETS.
"WE HAVE TRIED IN THE PAST TO RESPOND TO DEVELOPMENTS IN THE CORPORATE WORLD THROUGH PIECEMEAL AMENDMENT OF THE COMPANIES ORDINANCE. I BELIEVE THAT WE HAVE REACHED A STAGE WHEN A THOROUGH REVIEW HAS BECOME ESSENTIAL.
"WE NOW NEED AN ORDINANCE FOR THE 21ST CENTURY. I HAVE THEREFORE ASKED THE SECRETARY FOR FINANCIAL SERVICES TO TAKE THIS FORWARD,” HE SAID.
HONG KONG NEEDS TO MAKE ROOM FOR INNOVATIONS, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY SAID.
ALTHOUGH SHORT SELLING HAD BECOME AN IMPORTANT TOOL FOR HEDGING RISK, HONG KONG STILL HAS RESTRICTIONS WHICH PREVENT THE FULL UTILISATION OF THIS TECHNIQUE.
"TO OVERCOME THIS OBSTACLE, I INTEND TO BRING FORWARD PROPOSALS SHORTLY FOR THE EXEMPTION FROM STAMP DUTY OF STOCK BORROWED FOR UP TO 12 MONTHS, INSTEAD OF THE PRESENT 14 DAYS.
’’THIS WILL BE A MAJOR STEP FORWARD,” HF SAID.
- - 0----------
/10........
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 2, 1994
- 10 -
INFLATION MUST BE CONTAINED * * * * *
THE GOVERNMENT MUST CONTINUE TO CONTAIN INFLATION AND TO RELIEVE ITS IMPACT UPON THOSE HARDEST HIT, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON SIR HAMISH MACLEOD, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
"WE NEED TO BE CLEAR ABOUT THE CAUSES OF INFLATION AND THE CONSEQUENCES FOR HONG KONG. AND HONEST ABOUT WHAT WE CAN AND CANNOT DO TO TACKLE IT," SIR HAMISH SAID IN HIS 1994/95 BUDGET AT THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
HE SAID HONG KONG WAS GOOD AT IDENTIFYING ITS PROBLEMS, FACING THEM SQUARELY, AND THEN FINDING SOLUTIONS.
THE PERSISTENCE OF RELATIVELY HIGH INFLATION IS PROBABLY THE MOST INTRACTABLE CHALLENGE, HE SAID.
"TRUE, LAST YEAR WE ACHIEVED A WELCOME REDUCTION IN INFLATION. BUT IT WILL STILL BE TOO HIGH AT THE 8.5% RATE WE ARE FORECASTING FOR 1994 . "
HE SAID INFLATION WAS NOT THE RESULT OF OVER-EXPANSION OF THE PUBLIC SECTOR. THERE WAS NO MAJOR ECONOMY IN THE WORLD WITH A SMALLER PUBLIC SECTOR.
"INFLATION IS NOT IMPORTED, IT IS HOME-GROWN."
IMPORT PRICES HAVE INCREASED BY AN ANNUAL AVERAGE OF AROUND ONLY 1% OVER THE PAST FIVE YEARS.
"INFLATION HAS NOT PRICED US OUT OF WORLD MARKETS. OUR EXPORT PRICES HAVE INCREASED BY AN ANNUAL AVERAGE OF AROUND ONLY 2% OVER THE PAST FIVE YEARS."
INFLATION IS NOT THE RESULT OF THE HONG KONG DOLLAR LINK WITH THE U.S. DOLLAR.
THE LINK HAS BROUGHT NECESSARY STABILITY TO THE EXTERNAL VALUE OF HONG KONG’S CURRENCY.
"BUT IT IS TRUE THAT THE LINK MEANS WE CANNOT USE INTEREST RATES TO CURB INFLATION."
"INFLATION HAS NOT OVERTAKEN WAGES," HF SAID.
MEDIAN HOUSEHOLD INCOME HAS RISEN BY A TOTAL OF ABOUT 20% IN REAL TERMS OVER THE PAST FIVE YEARS. AND OF COURSE, RECREATIONAL, WELFARE, MEDICAL AND EDUCATIONAL SERVICES WHICH THE AVERAGE FAMILY ENJOYS ARE EITHER HEAVILY SUBSIDISED OR FREE. AND HALF THE POPULATION ENJOYS SUBSIDISED HOUSING.
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY SAID INFLATION HAD NOT CAUSED THE DISADVANTAGED, THE DISABLED OR THE ELDERLY TO BE LEFT BEHIND BY RISING CONSUMER PRICES BECAUSE THE GOVERNMENT WAS COMMITTED TO MAINTAINING THE REAL VALUE OF SOCIAL SECURITY BENEFITS.
/IN PRACTICE .......
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 2, 1994
- 11 -
TN PRACTICE THEIR VALUE IN REAL TERMS HAD BEEN INCREASED.
"AS MY COLLEAGUE, THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, POINTED OUT IN THIS CHAMBER ON 2 FEBRUARY THIS YEAR, THE STANDARD SOCIAL SECURITY RATE HAS INCREASED BY 14 TIMES OVER THE LAST TWO DECADES WHEREAS INFLATION, AS MEASURED BY THE CPI(A), HAS INCREASED BY A MERE SIX TIMES OVER THE SAME PERIOD."
THE MOST WORRYING FEATURES OF INFLATION, AND THE AREA THAT HAD BEEN FOCUSED ON FOR POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS, RESULT FROM HONG KONG’S SPECIAL ECONOMIC CONSTRAINTS:
* PROPERTY PRICES ARE RISING TO INCREASINGLY UNCOMFORTABLE LEVELS BECAUSE OF ACUTE SHORTAGE OF LAND COMBINED WITH GROWING PROSPERITY AND THE UNDERSTANDABLE AMBITION OF FAMILIES TO OWN THEIR OWN HOMES.
* HONG KONG’S WORKFORCE IS, QUITE SIMPLY, TOO SMALL. FOR AN ECONOMY EXPANDING AT HONG KONG’S RATE INTO NEU MARKETS AND INDUSTRIES, THE SHORTAGE OF LABOUR INEVITABLY AGGRAVATES INFLATION PRESSURES.
SIR HAMISH ALSO OUTLINED THE PARTICULAR CIRCUMSTANCES WHICH AFFECT HONG KONG’S SUPPLY OF LAND:
* FIRST AND FOREMOST, THE SUPPLY OF SUITABLE BUILDING SITES WILL ALWAYS BE LIMITED BECAUSE OF HONG KONG'S SIZE AND ITS GEOGRAPHY.
t SECONDLY, BUILDINGS CANNOT BE ERECTED OVERNIGHT. MAJOR CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS HAVE LONG LEAD TIMES, AND THUS SUPPLY CANNOT RESPOND QUICKLY, EVEN TO SHARP INCREASES IN DEMAND.
t THIRDLY, THE PROPERTY MARKET IS SUBJECT TO QUITE SHARP CYCLES. MARKET CONDITIONS CAN CHANGE ABRUPTLY.
* FOURTHLY, AFTER 1997, IT WILL NO LONGER BE NECESSARY TO DISCUSS AND AGREE AN ANNUAL LAND PROGRAMME WITH THE LAND COMMISSION.
* FINALLY, HONG KONG WILL OBTAIN 62 HECTARES OF NEW LAND FOR RESIDENTIAL AND COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENT AS A RESULT OF THE AIRPORT RAILWAY ALONE.
"SO EARLY AGREEMENT ON THE AIRPORT RAILWAY LAND AND FINANCING IS VITAL TO ENABLE US TO MAKI': THESE NEW SITES AVAILABLE AS SPEEDILY AS POSSIBLE."
SIR HAMISH SAID LAND SUPPLY IN TERMS OF’ DIFFERENT SECTORS OF THE PROPERTY MARKET WAS ALSO NEEDED TO BE LOOKED AT.
OVER THE LAST 10 YEARS, COMMERCIAL RENTS HAVE RISEN BY 230%.
"IF HONG KONG IS TO MAINTAIN ITS POSITION AS THE REGION’S LEADING BUSINESS CENTRE, WE MUST BE ABLE TO OFFER THE NEW OFFICE SPACE NEEDED TO ACCOMMODATE CORPORATIONS WISHING EITHER TO ESTABLISH A PRESENCE HERE OR TO EXPAND THEIR EXISTING OPERATIONS."
/HE SAID .......
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 2, 1994
- 12 -
HE SAID THE GOVERNMENT HAD ALREADY TAKEN IMPORTANT STEPS TO FURTHER INCREASE THE SUPPLY OF LAND IN RESPONSE TO THE GROWING DEMAND.
A SIGNIFICANT CONTRIBUTION WILL COME FROM CHANGES IN TOWN PLANNING RULES. THESE WILL MAKE IT EASIER TO INCREASE THE SUPPLY OF COMMERCIAL PREMISES, PARTICULARLY THROUGH REDEVELOPMENT OF EXISTING SITES. FOR EXAMPLE:
* KOWLOON SOUTH AND BOTH SIDES OF NATHAN ROAD ARE NOW ZONED FOR COMMERCIAL PURPOSES, WHICH SHOULD FURTHER ENCOURAGE REDEVELOPMENT. COMMITTED DEVELOPMENTS ALREADY EXCEED 600,000 SQUARE METRES OF OFFICE SPACE,
* MORE FLEXIBLE GUIDELINES ON INDUSTRIAL-OFFICE BUILDINGS WILL ALLOW A CONSIDERABLE EXPANSION OF OFFICE ACCOMMODATION IN SUCH BUILDINGS. INDEED, ALREADY APPLICATIONS HAVE BEEN APPROVED FOR INDUSTRIAL-OFFICE DEVELOPMENT WHICH WILL PRODUCE 1.2 MILLION SQUARE METRES OF ADDITIONAL FLOOR SPACE, THE MAJORITY OF WHICH WILL BE OFFICE SPACE,
* PLANNING APPROVAL HAS ALSO BEEN GIVEN TO MANY MORE SMALLER OFFICE BUILDINGS IN OTHER LAND-USE ZONES, SO FAR TOTALLING 300,000 SQUARE METRES OF OFFICE SPACE.
IN ADDITION, HE SAID THE GOVERNMENT WAS DIRECTLY INCREASING THE SUPPLY OF NEW SITES:
* WHERE NEW LAND IS BEING FORMED CLOSE TO EXISTING COMMERCIAL AREAS, SUITABLE SITES ARE RESERVED FOR COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENT. THE HUNG HOM BAY RECLAMATION, FOR EXAMPLE, WILL PROVIDE 100,000 SQUARE METRES OF OFFICE SPACE.
* THE LAND DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION WILL PROVIDE 218,000 SQUARE METRES OF NEW OFFICE SPACE THROUGH TWO MAJOR PROJECTS CLOSE TO CENTRAL DISTRICT.
WHILE COMMERCIAL PROPERTY PRICES HAVE RISEN, THE PRICE OF RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY HAS RISEN FASTER AND LONGER. OVER THE LAST 10 YEARS, THE AVERAGE PRICE OF DOMESTIC ACCOMMODATION ROSE BY 430%, HE SAID.
IN RECENT YEARS, THE GOVERNMENT HAS TRIED TO COUNTER SPECULATIVE PRESSURE THROUGH INTRODUCING A CEILING ON MORTGAGE LENDING AND BY EXTENDING HIE SCOPE OF STAMP DUTY.
THESE MEASURES HAVE PROVIDED SOME USEFUL RELIEF, BUT THEY HAVE NOT BEEN EFFECTIVE ENOUGH BY THEMSELVES, HF SAIL'.
"ONCE AGAIN, WE HAVE TO DO EVERYTHING POSSIBLE BOTH TO INCREASE THE SUPPLY OF NEW LAND AND TO ENCOURAGE REDEVELOPMENT OF EXISTING SITES WHEREVER SUITABLE."
THE SECRETARY FOR PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS IS TAKING
URGENT STEPS TO ACHIEVE BOTH GOALS.
IN THE COMING YEAR, THE GOVERNMENT PROPOSES TO INCREASE THE LAND DEPARTMENT’S STAFF BA OVER A HUNDRED, IN ORDER TO ACCELERATE THE PROCESSING OF NEW LAND GRANTS, LAND EXCHANGES AND LEASE MODIFICATIONS.
/IT MAY .......
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 2, 1994
13
IT MAY ALSO BE POSSIBLE TO FACILITATE REDEVELOPMENT OF EXISTING SITES THROUGH FINDING WAYS TO ALLOW PRIVATE DEVELOPERS TO APPLY FOR LAND RESUMPTIONS WHERE DISPLACED RESIDENTS ARE OFFERED RELOCATION AND FAIR AND REASONABLE COMPENSATION.
THE GOVERNMENT WILL BE LOOKING FOR WAYS TO INVOLVE THE PRIVATE SECTOR IN SUPPLYING THE INFRASTRUCTURE FOR MAJOR PRIVATE SECTOR PROJECTS. THIS SHOULD HELP TO ELIMINATE SIGNIFICANT SOURCES OF DELAY IN STARTING CONSTRUCTION WORK ON NEW SITES.
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY BELIEVED A USEFUL CONTRIBUTION WOULD ALSO BE MADE BY THE SANDWICH CLASS HOUSING PROGRAMME.
PHASE I OF THE LOAN SCHEME, WHICH HAS A QUOTA OF 1,000, WAS OVER-SUBSCRIBED THREE TIMES. PHASE II WILL BE LAUNCHED NEXT MONTH.
FOR THE LONGER TERM, LAND FOR FIVE SITES IN TSING YI, MA ON SHAN AND TSEUNG KWAN O FOR 5,000 FLATS WILL BE ALLOCATED TO THE HOUSING SOCIETY THIS MONTH. PRE-SALE OF THE FIRST BATCH OF THESE FLATS WILL START EARLY NEXT YEAR.
HE SAID THE MOST EFFECTIVE WAY TO COUNTER SPECULATIVE ACTIVITIES WAS TO INCREASE THE SUPPLY AND THAT MUST BE THE GOVERNMENT’S PRIORITY.
SIR HAMISH SAID THAT THE SECOND KEY ISSUE WAS LABOUR.
IN THEORY, THE SHORTAGE OF LABOUR IS EASIER TO TACKLE. IN PRACTICE, HOWEVER, THE GOVERNMENT HAD IMPOSED TIGHTER CONSTRAINTS ON THE FREEDOM TO IMPORT LABOUR THAN HAVE HONG KONG’S COMPETITORS.
"WE HAVE TO LIVE WITH THE CONSEQUENCES OF THAT DECISION IN TERMS OF LOWER GROWTH AND HIGHER INFLATION."
HONG KONG’S CURRENT ARRANGEMENTS TO IMPORT LABOUR ARE EXTREMELY LIMITED.
THE CEILING OF 25,000 (EQUAL TO LESS THAN 1% OF OUR WORKFORCE) ON THE GENERAL SCHEME TO IMPORT WORKERS IS LOW. THE SPECIAL SCHEME FOR THE AIRPORT AND RELATED PROJECTS PROVIDES SOME ADDITIONAL RELIEF BUT IS ONLY 5,500 AT THE PRESENT TIME.
HONG KONG’S INVESTMENT IN RETRAINING IS HELPING. SINCE LAST APRIL, OVER 8,000 PEOPLE HAVE BEEN RETRAINED, AND MOST HAVE SUCCEEDED TN FINDING ALTERNATIVE EMPLOYMENT. BUT THE LABOUR SHORTAGE IS STILL VERY SERIOUS.
SIR HAMISH SAID THE GOVERNMENT HAD BEEN LOOKING AT OTHER WAYS TO EASE THE SHORTAGE WHILE TAKING ACCOUNT OF THE COMMUNITY’S UNDERSTANDABLE DESIRE TO PROTECT THE INTERESTS OF THE WORKFORCE.
"I BELIEVE MEMBERS WILL WELCOME A NEW SCHEME TO ADMIT GRADUATE PROFESSIONALS AND MANAGERS RECRUITED DIRECTLY FROM CHINA.
"THIS WILL START SHORTLY WITH A MODEST PILOT SCHEME FOR 1,000 PEOPLE. IF THE SCHEME WORKS, IT COULD BE EXPANDED. IT WILL OFFER SOME RELIEF FOR THE SHORTAGE OF PEOPLE WITH DEGREE-LEVEL QUALIFICATIONS AND KNOWLEDGE OF CHINA," HE SAID.
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/14 ........
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 2, 1994
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AIRPORT AND PORT DEVELOPMENT VITAL FOR GROWTH
*****
THE ECONOMIC BENEFITS OF THE NEW AIRPORT CAN BEST BE DESCRIBED BY LOOKING AT WHAT HONG KONG WOULD STAND TO LOSE IF IT DID NOT HAVE THE NEW AIRPORT IN 1997.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON SIR HAMISH MACLEOD, WHEN DELIVERING HIS 1994/95 BUDGET IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
ECONOMIC LOSSES WOULD BE $3 BILLION IN THE FIRST YEAR AFTER 1997, ANOTHER $6 BILLION IN THE FOLLOWING YEAR AND A MASSIVE $10 BILLION THE YEAR AFTER THAT, HE SAID.
"IT IS VITAL THAT WE FORGE AHEAD WITH OUR AIRPORT AND PORT DEVELOPMENT, IF HONG KONG’S GROWTH IS TO BE SUSTAINED BEYOND 1997, AND WITH IT THE GROWTH OF SOUTHERN CHINA," SIR HAMISH SAID.
HE SAID LATEST INDICATIONS WERE THAT BOTH AIR AND CONTAINER TRAFFIC WERE INCREASING FASTER THAN PREVIOUS FORECASTS HAD ANTICIPATED.
"IT IS PAINFULLY CLEAR THAT KAI TAK IS AN AIRPORT WORKING BEYOND ITS CAPACITY, DESPITE THE CONSIDERABLE IMPROVEMENTS BEING MADE. EVEN IF YOU NEVER TRAVEL, BUT ARE ONE OF THE 300,000 OR SO PEOPLE LIVING NEARBY, KAI TAK IS BECOMING A MORE AND MORE NOISY NEIGHBOUR TO LIVE WITH," HE SAID.
"WE SHALL DO ALL WE REASONABLY CAN IN DIALOGUE WITH THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT TO ENSURE THAT THE EXPANSION OF THE CONTAINER PORT AND THE FINANCING OF THE AIRPORT CORE PROGRAMME CAN PROCEED AS SWIFTLY AS WE WOULD ALL WISH."
IT IS BECAUSE OF THESE ECONOMIC BENEFITS, AND THE GOOD FINANCIAL POSITION HONG KONG NOW FINDS ITSELF IN, THAT THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT HAS MADE THE FOURTH FINANCING PROPOSAL TO ADDRESS THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT'S CONCERNS, HE EXPLAINED.
---------0-----------
LAND LINKS MUST BE IMPROVED
*****
THE GOVERNMENT MUST INVEST HEAVILY IN ROAD AND RAIL LINKS IMPROVEMENTS WHICH SERVE HONG KONG’S TRADE, TOURISM AND INVESTMENT IN CHINA, AS WELL AS THE EVERYDAY NEEDS OF THE POPULATION.
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON SIR HAMISH MACLEOD, SAID IN HIS 1994/95 BUDGET IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY) THAT MUCH WORK WAS ALREADY IN HAND.
* IN SEPTEMBER THIS YEAR, THE YUEN LONG SOUTHERN BYPASS WILL BE COMPLETED AT A COST OF $400 MILLION. THIS WILL BRING MORE RELIEF TO THE WESTERN NFW TERRITORIES.
/* IN AUGUST..........
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 2, 1994
- 15 -
» IN AUGUST, THE GOVERNMENT SHALL BE AWARDING THE $.1.7 BILLION CONSTRUCTION CONTRACT FOR THE TING KAU BRIDGE. WHEN IT OPENS IN MID-1997, TRAFFIC WILL BE ABLE TO BYPASS THE CONTAINER PORT AND ITS BOTTLENECKS IN KWAI CHUNG.
* BY THE END OF THIS YEAR, THE GOVERNMENT HOPES TO AWARD THE FRANCHISE TO CONSTRUCT AND OPERATE THE COUNTRY PARK SECTION OF ROUTE 3. WHEN 1'1 COMES INTO OPERATION IN LATE 1998, IT WILL PROVIDE A FAST NEW ROUTE LINKING THE BORDER, THE CONTAINER PORT AND THE URBAN AREAS.
* THE GOVERNMENT HAS REACHED AGREEMENT IN PRINCIPLE WITH THE CHINESE AUTHORITIES TO OPEN THE LOK MA CHAU CROSSING POINT ROUND THE CLOCK, FOR IMPLEMENTATION, HOPEFULLY IN THE FIRST HALF OF THIS YEAR. MEANWHILE TWO ADDITIONAL CHANNELS HAVE JUST BEEN OPENED.
* A MAJOR EXPANSION OF THE LOWU STATION WILL BE COMPLETED EARLY NEXT YEAR AT A COST OF $280 MILLION.
SIR HAMISH SAID EVERY DAY, MORE THAN 20,000 GOODS VEHICLES PASSED THROUGH THE BORDER CROSSING POINTS. THE FIGURE WAS GROWING BY ABOUT 15% A YEAR.
"THIS TRAFFIC IS THE LIFE BLOOD OF OUR ECONOMIC GROWTH. BUT THE ROAD ARTERIES ARE BECOMING INCREASINGLY CLOGGED BY A VOLUME OF VEHICLES FAR BEYOND WHAT THEY WERE DESIGNED TO HANDLE."
MUCH OF THE CROSS-BORDER FREIGHT IS FAR MORE SUITED TO BE MOVED BY RAIL THAN ROAD. BUT EXISTING RAIL CAPACITY SIMPLY CANNOT COPE WITH DEMAND.
LAST YEAR, THE RAILWAY DEVELOPMENT STUDY WAS COMPLETED; THIS SET OUT AMBITIOUS BUT COSTLY PROPOSALS, INCLUDING THE CONSTRUCTION OF A NEW RAIL TRACK To LINE UP WITH THE CHINESE NATIONAL RAIL SYSTEM, WHICH ITSELF IS BEING RAPIDLY UPGRADED.
"WE ARE NOT YET IN A POSITION TO MAKE A FIRN DECISION ON THE BEST WAY FORWARD. BUT I SUSPECT A CONSENSUS WILL EMERGE THAT HIGH ON THE LIST OF OUR LONG-TERM TRANSPORT PRIORITIES SHOULD BE A NEW RAILWAY TO THE BORDER THROUGH THE NORTHWEST NEW TERRITORIES.
HE SAID CONGESTED ROADS INVOLVED MORE THAN HIGHER COSTS FOR BUSINESS FIRMS.
THEY MAKE TRAVEL A DAILY TRIAL FOR HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF MEN, WOMEN AND CHILDREN; AND PARTICULARLY FOK THOSE WHO LIVE IN THE NORTHWEST NEW TERRITORIES.
'THE PROBLEM IS SERIOUS, HE SAID.
HONG KONG HAS 270 Villi' LES FOR EVERY KILOMETRE: OF ROAD, AMONGST THE HIGHEST VEHICLE DENSITIES IN THE WORLD.
THE NUMBER OF PRIVAI1 CARS ON ROADS IS '.ROWIN', BY 10% A YEAR.
/"WHILE WE .......
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 2, 1994
- 16 -
"WHILE WE PLAN TO COMPLETE A HUNDRED KILOMETRES OF NEW ROADS BY 1997, THIS WILL NOT BE ENOUGH TO PREVENT A DECLINE IN THE AVERAGE SPEED AT WHICH THE TRAFFIC MOVES," HE SAID.
"LET ME STATE CLEARLY THAT WE CANNOT SPEND OUR WAY OUT OF THIS PROBLEM. THE POTENTIAL DEMAND FOR ROAD SPACE IS INSATIABLE."
BUT, GIVEN THE SIZE OF HONG KONG, THE SUPPLY OF NEW HIGHWAYS IS SELF-EVIDENTLY CONSTRAINED.
QUITE APART FROM THE HUGE SUMS OF MONEY INVOLVED, HE SAID THE ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES WOULD SURELY BE UNACCEPTABLE.
"THERE IS A LIMIT ON HOW MUCH OF THE SCARCE LAND WE CAN COVER WITH ROADS, ESPECIALLY IN HEAVILY BUILT-UP AREAS."
THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT HAS RECENTLY ANNOUNCED THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A WORKING PARTY TO LOOK AT THESE DIFFICULT ISSUES.
"HE IS TREATING THIS MATTER AS AN URGENT PRIORITY AND PLANS TO COME FORWARD SOON WITH PRACTICAL SOLUTIONS. IN THE FINAL ANALYSIS, WE WILL HAVE THE DIFFICULT TASK OF BALANCING THE AMBITIONS OF THE PRIVATE MOTORIST AGAINST THE BROADER INTERESTS OF THE COMMUNITY," HE SAID.
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GOVT PROPOSES A FINANCIALLY-SECURE RETIREMENT * * * » *
ARRANGEMENTS FOR A PENSION SCHEME ARE SIMPLER AND MORE EFFECTIVE THAN THOSE OF A CENTRAL PROVIDENT FUND (CPF), THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON SIR HAMISH MACLEOD, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
DELIVERING HIS 1994/95 BUDGET IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, SIR HAMISH SAID A PENSION SCHEME WOULD PROVIDE MORE CERTAINTY IN BENEFITS THAN A CPF.
IT WILL NOT RAISE COMPLEX ISSUES SUCH AS INVESTMENT RISKS, UNCERTAINTY OF RETURNS, AND THE MANAGEMENT OF HUGE FUND BALANCES, AGAIN UNLIKE A CPF, HE ADDED.
MORE, A PENSION SCHEME CAN PROVIDE FINANCIAL SECURITY FOR THE AGED MUCH MORE RAPIDLY AND RELY ON LOWER LEVELS OF CONTRIBUTION THAN A CPF.
FINALLY, A PENSION FUND WILL PROVIDE A FINANCIALLY SECURE OLD AGE FOR EVERYBODY, INCLUDING HOUSEWIVES, LOW-INCOME EARNERS, CASUAL WORKERS AND THE OTHER GROUPS WHOSE NEEDS WOULD NOT BE MET BY A CPF.
HE SAID LEGISLATORS HAD VOICED CONCERNS ON TWO POINTS:
* INSTEAD OF A PENSION, WHY NOT INCREASE THE LEVEL OF SOCIAL SECURITY PAYMENTS AND MEANS-TEST THE BENEFICIARIES?
» HOW WOULD A PENSION FUND COLLECT CONTRIBUTIONS FROM THE 146,000 MEMBERS OF THE WORKFORCE WHO ARE SELF-EMPLOYED, A GROUP WHICH INCLUDES PROFESSIONALS AS WELL AS HAWKERS?
/"WE SHOULD
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 2, 1994
- 17 -
"WE SHOULD Bl ABSOLUTELY CLEAR ABOUT THE CONSEQUENCES OE RELYING ON A MORE 'GENEROUS* SOCIAL SECURITY SYSTEM AS SOME MEMBERS HAVE URGED.”
HE SAID THIS APPROACH WOULD CREATE AN OPEN-ENDED COMMITMENT, WHICH THE TAXPAYER WOULD HAVE TO FINANCE.
"NOR WOULD MEANS-TESTING REDUCE THE BURDEN ON THE TAXPAYER TO ANY WORTHWHILE EXTENT OVER THE LONG TERM BECAUSE THE ELDERLY AS A GROUP IS AMONG THE LEAST WELL-OFF IN SOCIETY."
THE PROPOSED PENSION SCHEME, BY CONTRAST, WOULD LINK BENEFIT LEVELS TO THE TOTAL CONTRIBUTIONS LEVIED. IT WOULD NOT WRITE A BLANK CHEQUE FOR THE FUTURE WHICH THE TAXPAYER WOULD HAVE/ TO HONOUR, HE SAID.
AS FOR ENSURING THAT PENSION SCHEME CONTRIBUTIONS ARE COLLECTED FROM ALL WHO ARE LIABLE, THIS WILL BE A PROBLEM FOR ANY TYPE OF COMPULSORY CONTRIBUTORY SCHEME, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY SAID.
HF SAID THE PENSION SCHEME WOULD NOT FACE ANY UNIQUE DIFFICULTIES.
THE PROBLEM IS A LIMITED ONE, IN THE SENSE THAT THE SELF-EMPLOYED ACCOUNT FOR LESS THAN 6% OF THE WORKFORCE.
THE PENSION SCHEME THE GOVERNMENT PROPOSED WOULD, FOR THE MAJORITY, OFFER BIGGER BENEFITS FOR SMALLER (’ONTRI BUTTONS THAN A CPF. THE PENSION SCHEME COULD BE EM'FCTFD, THEREFORE, TO BE REGARDED AS THE BETTER INVESTMENT IO THE PUBLIC.
"I AM CONVINCED THAT WE SHOULD NOT GO ON RELYING ON THE SOCIAL SECURITY SYSTEM TO PROVIDE FOR THE FINANCIAL NEEDS OF OUR ELDERLY POPULATION 1NDEFINITELY.
"AS THE CHIEF SECRETARY HAS SAID ELSEWHERE, WE NEED TO BRING THE SAME VISION AND RESOURCEFULNESS TO SOLVING THE CHALLENGE OF RETIREMENT INCOMES AS WE DTD TN ESTABLISHING OUR FIRST PUBLIC HOUSING PROGRAMMES FORTY YEARS AGO.
"1 BELIEVE THAT A PENSION SCHEME IS THE SOCIALLY AND FINANCIALLY RESPONSIBLE SOLUTION WHICH THE GOVERNMENT OUGHT TO RECOMMEND, BOTH TO THE COUNCIL AND THE COMMUNITY, HE SAID.
HOWEVER, SIR HAMISH SAID HE ALSO ACCEPTED THAT IT WAS THE GOVERNMENT’S RESPONSIBILITY TO PRODUCE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE A CONSULTATION DOCUMENT WHI CH COVERED ALL THE KEY DETAILS AND ENABLED AN INFORMED DEBATE TO TAKE PLACE.
HE SAID THIS WAS ONE OF THE MOST I MPORT\N T DEC IS IONS TH X T THE GOVERNMENT WOULD HAVE TO TAKE AND LEGISLATORS WERE ENTITLED 10 I HE FACTS BEFORE BEING ASKED TO DECIDE ON THE PROPOSALS.
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/18........
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 2, 1994
- 18 -
THREE POINTS ON BUDGET STRATEGY *****
ON BUDGET STRATEGY, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON SIR HAMISH MACLEOD, SAID THREE PARTICULAR POINTS NEEDED TO BE MADE: EXERCISING CONSTRAINTS ON SPENDING, MAINTAINING ADEQUATE RESERVES AND AVOIDING INFLATION.
SIR HAMISH SAID: ’’THE FIRST IS THAT WE MUST RECOGNISE THAT THERE ARE ECONOMIC AS WELL AS FINANCIAL LIMITS TO WHAT THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD SPEND. HONG KONG’S ECONOMY HAS THRIVED BECAUSE WE BELIEVE IN PRIVATE ENTERPRISE AND SMALL GOVERNMENT.
"ONLY IN THIS WAY CAN WE ENSURE THAT BUSINESS WILL HAVE THE FREEDOM AND THE OPPORTUNITY TO GENERATE THE WEALTH WE NEED. I AM CONVINCED THAT A MAJOR REASON FOR OUR SUCCESS IS THAT WE HAVE NOT SUCCUMBED TO THE TEMPTATION TO SPEND MONEY SIMPLY BECAUSE WE HAVE IT. INSTEAD, WE HAVE MADE SURE THAT GOVERNMENT SPENDING GROWS NO FASTER THAN THE ECONOMY AS A WHOLE.
"THE RESULT IS PLAIN TO SEE. IN HONG KONG, PUBLIC EXPENDITURE IS HALF THE PROPORTION OF GDP THAT IS TYPICAL OF OTHER ADVANCED ECONOMIES."
SIR HAMISH SAID RESOURCES WERE LEFT AS FAR AS POSSIBLE IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR, WHERE THEY COULD BE MOST PRODUCTIVELY EMPLOYED.
"IN HONG KONG, WE HAVE A LONG REI ORD OF BRINGING PRIVATE SECTOR EQUITY OR LOAN CAPITAL INTO PLAY IN OUR MAJOR INFRASTRUCTURAL PROJECTS.
"THE VALUE OF THIS PRIVATE SECTOR INVESTMENT IN HONG KONG, IN TERMS OF SAVING PUBLIC RESOURCES, HAS BEEN ENORMOUS.
"THREE MAJOR TUNNELS, THE FIRST CROSS-HARBOUR TUNNEL, THE TATE’S CAIRN TUNNEL AND THE EASTERN HARBOUR CROSSING, WOULD TAKE SOMETHING IN THE ORDER OF $12 BILLION TO BUILD IN TODAY’S DOLLARS. TO BUILD THE EXISTING MTR SYSTEM WOULD TAKE ABOUT $68 BILLION IN TODAY’S DOLLARS, AND OUR EXISTING CONTAINER PORTS WOULD COST SOME $30 BILLION TO BUILD.
"WHAT THESE FIGURES DEMONSTRATE IS THAT, UNLIKE MANY OTHER SOCIETIES, BOTH ASIAN AND WESTERN, WE HAVE FOUND THE RIGHT BUDGETARY BALANCE. WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO FUND OUR EXTENSIVE SOCIAL SERVICE PROGRAMMES WITHOUT A MASSIVE PUBLIC SECTOR AND CRIPPLING TAXATION.
"LIKE THE COMMUNITY, I FULLY ACCEPT WELFARE AS ONE OF THE GOVERNMENT’S PRIMARY OBLIGATIONS. BUT ALSO LIKE THE COMMUNITY, I AM VERY CONSCIOUS OF THE NEED TO MAINTAIN TIGHT CONTROL OF RECURRENT EXPENDITURE. IT IS THE TAXPAYER WHO FOOTS THE BILL. WHEN WE HEAR CALLS FOR ’THE GOVERNMENT TO CONTRIBUTE’, THE REAL MEANING, WE SHOULD never Forget, is a demand for the taxpayer to dig deeper into his POCKETS."
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY SAID THE SECOND IMPORTANT POINT ABOUT THE BUDGET STRATEGY WAS THAT HONG KONG MUST MAINTAIN ADEQUATE RESERVES TO MEET ITS KNOWN COMMITMENTS AND TO GUARD AGAINST FUTURE UNCERTAINTIES.
/"PUTTING ASIDE .......
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 2, 1994
- 19 -
"PUTTING ASIDE THE MONEY TO MEET KNOWN COMMITMENTS IS RELATIVELY EASY. FOR EXAMPLE, IN YDDITION TO OUR COMMITMENT UNDER THE MOU ON THE AIRPORT CORE PROGRAMME TO SET ASIDE $25 BILLION FOR THE FUTURE SPECIAL ADMINISTRATIVE REGION (SAR) GOVERNMENT, WE HAVE ALSO ANNOUNCED OUR INTENTION TO SET ASIDE $7 BILLION TO REASSURE THE CIVIL SERVICE THAT WE CAN MEET THEIR PENSION OBLIGATIONS.
"PUTTING ASIDE MONEY TO PROVIDE ADEQUATE PROTECTION AGAINST FUTURE UNCERTAINTIES INVOLVES MORE DIFFICULT JUDGMENTS."
SIR HAMISH BELIEVED THAT THE RESERVES, BOTH AT THE PRESENT AND PROJECTED LEVELS, WERE CLEARLY ADEQUATE To MEET THE ANTICIPATED DEMANDS ON THEM.
"BUT 1 WOULD REITERATE THAT EVEN WHEN THE RESERVES ARE BUOYANT, WE MUST BE EXTREMELY CAREFUL NOT TO RELAX OUR BUDGETARY DISCIPLINE," HE SAID.
OX THE THIRD POINT Ob BUDGET STRATEGY. SIR HAMISH SAID HONG KONG SHOULD, AS FAR AS POSSIBLE, AVOID CREATING INFLATIONARY PRESSURES.
"IN CURRENT CIRCUMSTANCES, I MUST TAKE CARE NOT TO GIVE, THROUGH TAX CONCESSIONS, TOO GREAT A BOOST TO DOMESTIC DEMAND, AND IBUS REVERSE THE WELCOME REDUCTION SEEN IN INFLATION OVER RECENT YEARS. "
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RESERVES TOTAL $136.1 BILLION ON MARCH 31, 1994
*****
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON SIR HAMISH MACLEOD, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY) THAT A SURPLUS OF $15.1 BILLION WAS EXPECTED FOR 1993/94, AND AS A CONSEQUENCE, RESERVES ON MARCH 31, 1994 WERE EXPECTED TO TOTAL $136.1 BILLION.
SIR HAMISH SAID: 'THIS IS AN IMPROVEMENT IN OUR FINANCES OF $18.5 BILLION, AN IMPROVEMEN1 DUE FOR THE MOST PART TO A GROWTH IN REVENUE WELL ABOVE WHAT HAD BEEN FORECAST.
"A YEAR AGO, I FORECAST TOTAL REVENUE WOULD BE $150 BILLION. IN THE EVENT, REVENUE HAS SURGED FROM STAMP DUTY (IN RESPECT OF BOTH STOCK MARKET AND PROPERTY TRANSACTIONS) AND FROM LAND SALES. AS A RESULT, I HAVE REVISED THE REVENUE FORECAST TO $164.4 BILLION, SOME $14 BILLION ABOVE THE ORIGINAL ESTIMATE.
"THESE ADDITIONAL REVENUE RECEIPTS ARE GOOD NEWS. AT THE SAME TIME, WE MUST RECOGNISE TH\T THEY \RISE FROM SOURCES WHICH, in THEIR VERY NATURE, ARE VOLATILE."
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY NOTED THAT HONG KONG’S FINANCES HAD ALSO BEEN AFFECTED BY SOME UNDERSPENDING ON THE EXPENDITURE SIDE.
/"I AM ........
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 2, 1994
20
”1 AM NOW FORECASTING AN OVERALL UNDERSPENDING OF $4.1 BILLION, OR UNDER 3% OF OUR ORIGINAL FORECAST. THE MAJOR PART OF THIS UNDERSPEND ING WAS CAUSED BY THE FAILURE TO REACH AN AGREEMENT ON THE AIRPORT FINANCING PACKAGE.
"AS A RESULT OF THIS, WE HAVE HAD TO POSTPONE THE $3.7 BILLION WE HAD PLANNED TO INJECT INTO THE MTRC."
SIR HAMISH SAID THESE FIGURES ALSO UNDERLINED A WELCOME REDUCTION IN THE LEVEL OF UNDERSPENDING ON THE CAPITAL WORKS PROGRAMME.
’’IN THE DEBATES ON MY TWO PREVIOUS BUDGETS, MEMBERS EXPRESSED CONSIDERABLE DISQUIET ABOUT OUR INABILITY TO ACHIEVE OUR CAPITAL EXPENDITURE TARGETS.
"I SHARED THEIR CONCERN AND LAST YEAR ANNOUNCED URGENT STEPS TO IMPROVE OUR PERFORMANCE. J AM GLAD TO SAY THAT THE EFFORTS MADE BY THE SECRETARY OF WORKS AND HIS TEAM HAVE BEGUN TO PAY OFF.
"AFTER EXCLUDING THE EXCEPTIONAL SUBVENTION OF $4.8 BILLION TO FINANCE THE TRADE DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL’S CONSTRUCTION OF AN EXTENSION TO THE CONVENTION AND EXHIBITION CENTRE, CAPITAL UNDERSPENDING CAME TO ABOUT $2 BILLION, OR ABOUT 6%. THIS IS A HEARTENING IMPROVEMENT OVER THE THREE PREVIOUS YEARS."
HE SAID GOVERNMENT CONSULTANTS HAD RECOMMENDED A NUMBER OF SOLUTIONS TO PARTICULAR PROBLEMS, SUCH AS THE LEAD TIME IN LAND ACQUISITION AND RESUMPTION.
"WE ARE NOW DEVELOPING A PROTOTYPE COMPUTERISED PROJECT MANAGEMENT SYSTEM WHICH HAS THE POTENTIAL TO BECOME ONE OF THE LARGEST SUCH SYSTEMS IN THE WORLD.’’
SIR HAMISH SAID GOVERNMENT’S FORECASTS OF EXPENDITURE OVER THE MEDIUM-TERM WOULD ASSUME ONLY A GRADUAL RETURN TO THE LEVELS PREVIOUSLY PLANNED AS CONSULTANTS’ RECOMMENDATIONS WOULD TAKE SOME TIME TO FEED THROUGH TO SPENDING PERFORMANCE.
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HALF Ol- PUBLIC SPENDING DEVOTED TO HOUSING AND .SOCIAL SERVICES *****
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON SIR HAMISH MACLEOD, SAID TODAY (WENDESDAY) THAT NEARLY HALF OF TOTAL PUBLIC SPENDING IN HONG KONG WAS DEVOTED TO HOUSING AND THE SOCIAL SERVICES.
SIR HAMISH SAID: "A RECENT STUDY SUGGESTS THAT THE COMPARABLE FIGURE FOR THE UK IS ONE THIRD AND FOR THE UNITED STATES ONLY A FIFTH.
SIR HAMISH ESTIMATED THAT IN 1994/95, TOTAL EXPENDITURE, EXCLUDING PAYMENTS FROM THE CAPITAL INVESTMENT FUND, WOULD AMOUNT TO $146 BILLION, AN INCREASE OF $13.6 BILLION COMPARED WITH THE ORIGINAL ESTIMATE FOR 1993/94.
/TOTAL PUBLIC........
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 2, 1994
- 21 -
TOTAL PUBLIC EXPENDITURE WILL AMOUNT TO $174 BILLION IN 1994/95.
’’THIS FIGURE INCLUDES NOT ONLY THE GOVERNMENT’S OWN SPENDING BUT, IN ADDITION, THE EXPENDITURE BY TRADING FUNDS, THE TWO MUNICIPAL COUNCILS, THE HOUSING AUTHORITY AND THE LOTTERIES FUND.
’’PUBLIC EXPENDITURE WILL REPRESENT 18.1% OF GDP, AND PRESENT FORECASTS INDICATE THAT THE PROPORTION WILL REMAIN BELOW 20% OVER THE FORECAST PERIOD TO 1997/98,” HE SAID.
WHEN HIGHLIGHTING SIGNIFICANT IMPROVEMENTS TO SERVICES PLANNED FOR THE COMING YEAR, SIR HAMISH SAID HE BELIEVED THAT THE PRINCIPAL PRIORITIES IN ALLOCATING ADDITIONAL RECURRENT RESOURCES SHOULD BE SOCIAL SERVICES.
FOR THE COMING YEAR, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY IS PROPOSING INCREASES IN RECURRENT EXPENDITURE:
* ON SOCIAL WELFARE, OF 8.4%,
* ON HEALTH, OF 6.9%, AND
* ON EDUCATION, OF 6.5%.
’’THESE INCREASES IN RECURRENT SPENDING ON OUR SOCIAL SERVICES ARE IN REAL TERMS, AFTER TAKING FULL ACCOUNT OF INFLATION.”
SIR HAMISH SAID THESE INCREASES WOULD ALLOW US TO MEET IN FULL THE COMMITMENTS TO THE AMBITIOUS PROGRAMMES SET OUT BY THE GOVERNOR IN HIS POLICY ADDRESSES TO THIS COUNCIL. IN 1994, THE GOVERNMENT PLANS TO PROVIDE:
* FOR THE ELDERLY, AN EXTRA 1,660 PLACES IN CARE AND ATTENTION HOMES,
♦ FOR THE DISABLED, AN EXTRA 1,460 PLACES IN RESIDENTIAL AND OTHER FACILITIES,
♦ FOR CHILDREN, AN EXTRA 1,825 PLACES IN NURSERIES, CRECHES, FOSTER CARE AND SMALL GROUP HOMES,
* FOR THE SICK, 950 EXTRA HOSPITAL BEDS, AS WELL AS HOSPICE CARE FOR AN ADDITIONAL 500 PATIENTS,
* FOR SCHOOLS, 980 ADDITIONAL GRADUATE TEACHERS.
* FOR PRE-SCHOOL CHILDREN, THE PLANNED IMPROVEMENTS TO THE KINDERGARTEN FEE REMISSION SCHEME WILL START THREE YEARS EARLIER THAN PREVIOUSLY SCHEDULED.
* FOR THE DISADVANTAGED, THE STANDARD RATE PAYABLE TO CHILDREN UNDER THE COMPREHENSIVE SOCIAL SECURITY ASSISTANCE SCHEME WILL BE INCREASED BY $100 PER MONTH. IN ADDITION, THERE WILL BE THE NORMAL INCREASES TO COMPENSATE FOR INFLATION.
/“I BELIEVE .......
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 2, 1994
- 22 -
”1 BELIEVE THAT THE SPENDING PROPOSALS I HAVE OUTLINED FOR THE SOCIAL SERVICES THIS AFTERNOON, AND THE PENSION PROPOSALS I HAVE DESCRIBED EARLIER, ARE AMPLE EVIDENCE OF THE GOVERNMENT’S COMMITMENT TO IMPROVING THE COMMUNITY’S QUALITY OF LIFE AND TO BETTER CARE AND SUPPORT FOR THE ELDERLY, THE DISADVANTAGED AND THE DISABLED IN PARTICULAR.”
SIR HAMISH REASSURED MEMBERS THAT THESE SUBSTANTIAL INCREASES IN THE FUNDS DEVOTED TO WELFARE COULD BE ACHIEVED WITHOUT BREACHING THE PUBLIC EXPENDITURE GUIDELINES.
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PROPOSALS TO PROVIDE MORE PUBLIC HOUSING
* ♦ ♦ * *
THE GOVERNMENT IS FINALISING PROPOSALS TO ENABLE THE HOUSING AUTHORITY TO SPEED UP CONSTRUCTION OF NEW ACCOMMODATION AND SUPPORTING INFRASTRUCTURE AND TO IMPROVE THE AUTHORITY’ EXISTING HOUSING STOCK IN A BID TO PUT THE AUTHORITY’S SURPLUS FUNDS TO THE BEST USE.
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON SIR HAMISH MACLEOD, SAID TODAY (TUESDAY) THAT THE GOVERNMENT WOULD CONSULT THE AUTHORITY ON THESE PROPOSALS AS WELL AS ON THE REVISED FINANCIAL ARRANGMENTS BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT AND THE AUTHORITY.
SIR HAMISH SAID THE HOUSING AUTHORITY WAS IN ROBUST FINANCIAL HEALTH.
’’OVER THE YEARS, AT A CONSERVATIVE ESTIMATE, THE GOVERNMENT HAS PROVIDED OVER $200 BILLION IN TODAY’S PRICES IN SUPPORT OF THE AUTHORITY AND ITS PROGRAMMES.
’’THE AUTHORITY ESTIMATES THAT AS AT 31 MARCH OF THIS YEAR, IT WILL HAVE A POSITIVE CASH BALANCE OF ABOUT $18 BILLION. THIS FIGURE IS EXPECTED TO RISE TO SOME $29 BILLION BY THE END OF 1997/98. BOTH FIGURES TAKE INTO ACCOUNT THE AUTHORITY’S FUTURE PAYMENTS TO THE GOVERNMENT UNDER EXISTING ARRANGMENTS.
”IF ACCOUNTS IS ALSO TAKEN OF THE AUTHORITY’S OTHER LIABILITIES, WE ESTIMATE THAT OVER THE NEXT FOUR YEARS THE AUTHORITY IS LIKELY TO HAVE FUNDS AT ITS DISPOSAL OF ABOUT $15 BILLION WHICH ARE NOT REQUIRED TO MEET EXISTING COMMITMENTS UNDER THE LONG-TERM HOUSING STRATEGY.”
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY REASSURED LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLORS THAT THE GOVERNMENT INTENDED TO CONTINUE THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE AUTHORITY AND THE GOVERNMENT AS SET OUT IN THE HOUSING ORDINANCE.
’’FURTHERMORE, I REAFFIRM THE PRINCIPLE ADOPTED WHEN WE AGREED THE PRESENT FINANCIAL ARRANGEMENTS IN 1988. THAT IS, THAT NEED AND AFFORDABILITY WILL REMAIN THE GUIDING PRINCIPLES IN THE PROVISION OF, AND CHARGING FOR PUBLIC HOUSING.
/•'RECOGNISING THESE.........
23
"RECOGNISING THESE SOCIAL AND FINANCIAL PRINCIPLES, THE GOVERNMENT WILL CONTINUE TO SUPPORT THE HOUSING PROGRAMME WITH FINANCE TO THE AUTHORITY WHERE NECESSARY, AND TO SUBSIDISE RENTAL HOUSING WITH THE PROVSION OF LAND ON CONCESSIONARY TERMS."
SIR HAMISH SAID THE GOVERNMENT WAS DETERMINED TO ACHIEVE THE TARGETS OF THE LONG-TERM HOUSING STRATEGY BY PROVIDING LAND FOR PUBLIC RENTAL HOUSING AT NIL COST AND SUBSIDISED LAND FOR THE HOME OWNERSHIP SCHEME, CURRENTLY AT LESS THAT ONE FIFTH OF FULL MARKET VALUE.
HE SAID THE COST TO THE TAXPAYERS OF THIS FREE AND SUBSIDISED LAND FOR NEXT YEAR ALONE WOULD AMOUNT TO ABOUT $21 BILLION.
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GOVT RETAINS CASH-BASED ACCOUNTS
*****
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON SIR HAMISH MACLEOD, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY) THAT THE GOVERNMENT WOULD RETAIN THE EXISTING CASH-BASED ACCOUNTS INSTEAD OF MOVING TO SYSTEMS CLOSER TO THOSE USED IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR.
”1 WOULD LIKE TO TRY TO ADDRESS CONCERNS THAT OUR EXISTING ACCOUNTS PROVIDE INSUFFICIENT INFORMATION ABOUT THE FULL COST OF THE RESOURCES CONSUMED BY THE GOVERNMENT’S VARIOUS ACTIVITIES,” SIR HAMISH SAID.
"WE PROPOSE, THEREFORE, ON AN EXPERIMENTAL BASIS, TO PREPARE SUPPLEMENTARY STATEMENTS WHICH WILL HELP US TO SEE THE FULL COST OF SELECTED ACTIVITIES.
"THESE WILL ALSO BE USEFUL IN HELPING US TO MAKE A JUDGEMENT ON THE MERITS OF PROVIDING SUCH ADDITIONAL FINANCIAL INFORMATION ABOUT GOVERNMENT ACTIVITIES AS A WHOLE,” HE SAID.
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INCOME TAX CONCESSIONS TO BENEFIT MORE
*****
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON SIR HAMISH MACLEOD, TODAY (WEDNESDAY) PROPOSED A NUMBER OF INCOME TAX CONCESSIONS WHICH WOULD ENABLE ABOUT 420,000 TAXPAYERS, OR A QUARTER OF THE TOTAL, TO DROP OUT OF THE TAX NET ENTIRELY.
MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE APPROPRIATION BILL IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, SIR HAMISH SAID THE PROPOSED CONCESSIONS WOULD RESULT IN A FURTHER 1.13 MILLION TAXPAYERS PAYING LESS TAX AND THE NUMBER OF STANDARD RATE TAXPAYERS WOULD DROP BY 60 PER CENT.
THE VARIOUS PROPOSALS WERE:
/* THE BASIC.........
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 2, 1994 '
- 24 -
* THE BASIC ALLOWANCE BE INCREASED FROM $56,000 TO $72,000 AND THE MARRIED PERSON ALLOWANCE BE RAISED FROM $112,000 TO $144,000;
* THE ALLOWANCE FOR THE FIRST AND SECOND CHILD BE RAISED BY NEARLY 18 PER CENT, FROM $17,000 TO $20,000;
* THE SINGLE-PARENT ALLOWANCE BE INCREASED BY ABOUT 19 PER CENT, FROM $27,000 TO $32,000; AND,
t THE BASIC DEPENDENT PARENT ALLOWANCE BE RAISED BY NEARLY 18 PER CENT, FROM $17,000 TO $20,000.
SIR HAMISH SAID HE WAS ALSO CONSCIOUS OF THE COMMUNITY’S DESIRE TO ENCOURAGE FAMILIES TO PROVIDE CARE AND SUPPORT FOR THEIR ELDERLY MEMBERS.
NOTING THAT THIS GOAL WAS UNDERLINED BY THE GOVERNOR IN HIS POLICY ADDRESS LAST YEAR, SIR HAMISH SAID: ”1 PROPOSE, THEREFORE, THAT A DEPENDENT GRANDPARENT ALLOWANCE BE INTRODUCED TO COVER DEPENDENT GRADPARENTS RESIDENT IN HONG KONG FOR WHOM NO DEPENDENT PARENT ALLOWANCE HAS BEEN CLAIMED. I ESTIMATE THAT THIS MEASURE WILL ASSIST 10,000 TAXPAYERS.”
SIR HAMISH ADDED THAT THE PROPOSED CONCESSION WOULD HAVE THE FOLLOWING MEANING TO THE AVERAGE FAMILY:
* A SINGLE-INCOME FAMILY OF FOUR WILL HAVE TO EARN MORE THAN $184,000 A YEAR BEFORE PAYING ANY TAX. AT PRESENT, THEY WOULD BE LIABLE TO TAX WHEN THEIR ANNUAL EARNINGS EXCEEDED $146,000;
* A SIMILAR HOUSEHOLD, WITH TWO DEPENDENT PARENTS OR GRANDPARENTS, WILL HAVE TO EARN MORE THAN $224,000 BEFORE PAYING ANY TAX. AT PRESENT, THEY WOULD BE LIABLE TO PAY TAX WHEN THEIR ANNUAL EARNINGS EXCEEDED $180,000.
SIR HAMISH SAID HIS PROPOSALS FOR CONCESSIONS ON PERSONAL TAXATION WENT FURTHER THAN THE ALLOWANCES.
HE SAID: ’’LAST YEAR, I MADE ADJUSTMENTS TO THE MARGINAL TAX BANDS, WHICH BENEFITED THE SANDWICH CLASS. I BELIEVE WE CAN MAKE A FURTHER MAJOR ADJUSTMENT THIS YEAR TO REDUCE THE NUMBER OF SALARIES TAXPAYERS WHO HAVE TO PAY THE STANDARD RATE OF 15 PER CENT.
”1 PROPOSE THAT THE TOP MARGINAL TAX RATE BE REDUCED FROM 25 PER CENT TO 20 PER CENT. ONCE AGAIN, THE SANDWICH CLASS WILL BE THE PRINCIPAL BENEFICIARIES.”
UNDER THIS PROPOSAL, AN UNMARRIED TAXPAYER WILL HAVE TO EARN AT LEAST $444,000 BEFORE PAYING TAX AT THE STANDARD RATE, COMPARED WITH $258,000 AT PRESENT; AND A SINGLE-INCOME FAMILY OF FOUR WILL HAVE TO EARN AT LEAST $892,000 BEFORE PAYING TAX AT THE STANDARD RATE, COMPARED WITH $483,000 AT PRESENT.
, • •. _ ■ jj ’
NOTING THAT THESE CONCESSIONS WERE PROPOSED TO TAKE EFFECT FROM THE YEAR OF ASSESSMENT STARTING ON APRIL 1 1994, SIR HAMISH SAID THEY WOULD COST $3.2 BILLION IN 1994-95 AND $20.7 BILLION UP TO 1997-98.
/BEFORE COMING .......
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 2, 1994
25
BEFORE COMING UP WITH THESE PROPOSALS, SIR HAMISH SAID HE ENTIRELY AGREED WITH THE VIEWS EXPRESSED BY LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MEMBERS DURING HIS CONSULTATIONS WITH THEM THAT THE HIGHEST PRIORITY FOR CONCESSIONS SHOULD AGAIN BE SALARIES TAX.
"THERE WAS ALSO A PREFERENCE FOR FOCUSING THESE CONCESSIONS MAINLY ON THOSE WHO PAY BELOW THE STANDARD RATE," HE NOTED.
HE ADDED: "THESE TAXPPAYERS INCLUDE THE TECHNICIANS, THE MANAGERS, THE JUNIOR EXECUTIVES, THE YOUNG PROFESSIONALS, WHOSE EXPERTISE IS SO ESSENTIAL TO OUR SERVICE-BASED ECONOMY. AND THE TEACHERS, THE SOCIAL WORKERS, THE NURSES AND OTHERS WHO SUSTAIN OUR COMMUNITY’S WELL-BEING.
"THEY ARE ALSO THE GROUP WHICH TENDS TO BENEFIT LEAST FROM THE PROTECTION OFFERED BY PUBLIC HOUSING AGAINST THE HIGH COST OF DOMESTIC ACCOMMODATION."
SIR HAMISH SAID HIS CONCERN TO RESPOND TO THE NEEDS OF THESE SALARIES TAXPAYERS LAST YEAR LED HIM TO INCREASE PERSONAL ALLOWANCES AND REVISE TAX BANDS. THOSE TAX MEASURES REDUCED THE AMOUNT OF TAX PAID BY OVER 90 PER CENT OF THOSE LIABLE TO SALARIES TAX.
HE ADDED THAT THOSE MAJOR CONCESSIONS SHOULD BE SEEN IN THE CONTEXT OF THE FOLLOWING OVERALL SALARIES TAX ENVIRONMENT:
* ALMOST HALF THE WORKFORCE PAY NO DIRECT PERSONAL TAX OF ANY KIND;
* THE EFFECTIVE TAX RATE PAID BY THOSE LIABLE TO SALARIES TAX AVERAGES ONLY 8 PER CENT, WHICH IS EXTRAORDINARILY LOW BY INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS;
* AND, UNLIKE MOST DEVELOPED ECONOMIES, ONLY SALARIES EARNED IN THE TERRITORY ARE LIABLE TO TAX. HONG KONG HAS NO COMPREHENSIVE INCOME TAX, LET ALONE A LEVY ON TOTAL WORLDWIDE INCOMES AND EARNINGS.
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CORPORATE TAX REDUCES TO 16.5 PER CENT » » » t *
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON SIR HAMISH MACLEOD, TODAY (WEDNESDAY) PROPOSED TO REDUCE THE CORPORATE PROFITS TAX RATE FROM THE PRESENT LEVEL OF 17.5 PER CENT TO 16.5 PER CENT IN VIEW OF HONG KONG’S HEALTHY FINANCIAL POSITION.
MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE APPROPRIATION BILL, SIR HAMISH SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL THIS WOULD COST $1.6 BILLION IN 1994/95 AND OVER $10 BILLION UP TO 1997/98.
HE SAID THE PROPOSED CONCESSION WOULD ENHANCE HONG KONG’S COMPETITIVENESS AS A REGIONAL BUSINESS CENTRE.
"BUT THIS IS NOT MY ONLY REASON. THE PRINCIPLE SHOULD BE THAT THE GOVERNMENT ONLY RAISES IN TAXATION WHAT IT NEEDS TO FINANCE ITS AGREED POLICIES AND PROGRAMMES," SIR HAMISH SAID.
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/26........
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 2, 1994
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BUSINESS REGISTRATION FEE RAISED TO $2,000 ♦ * * » »
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON SIR HAMISH MACLEOD, TODAY (WEDNESDAY) PROPOSED TO RAISE THE BUSINESS REGISTRATION FEE FROM THE PRESENT $1,000 TO $2,000.
THE PROPOSED INCREASE WOULD GENERATE ADDITIONAL REVENUE OF $700 MILLION IN 1994/95 AND $3.4 BILLION UP TO 1997/98.
’ ■ . . ‘i ' ' . . x ..
PRESENTING HIS BUDGET FOR 1994/95, SIR HAMISH SAID HONG KONG HAD SOME 600,000 REGISTERED BUSINESSES AND WELL OVER HALF OF WHICH HAD NO LIABILITY AT ALL TO PROFITS TAX.
NOTING THAT THIS COULD OCCUR PERFECTLY LEGITIMATELY AS SOME OF THESE BUSINESSES EARNED NO PROFITS IN HONG KONG AND OTHERS NO PROFITS WHATSOEVER, SIR HAMISH SAID NEVERTHELESS, ALL THESE FIRMS ENJOYED FREE ACCESS TO THE CONVENIENCE AND THE PUBLIC FACILITIES WHICH HONG KONG OFFERED TO THEM.
SIR HAMISH THOUGHT IT REASONABLE THAT SUCH BUSINESSES BE ASKED TO CONTRIBUTE A LITTLE MORE, WHILST COMPANIES WHICH DID PAY PROFITS TAX WOULD PAY A LITTLE LESS AS A RESULT OF HIS PROPOSED REDUCTION IN CORPORATE PROFITS TAX.
NOTING THAT THERE WAS A FURTHER ADVANTAGE TO THIS PROPOSAL, HE SAID IT WOULD HAVE THE EFFECT OF MODESTLY BROADENING HONG KONG’S TAX BASE AND ACHIEVING GREATER STABILITY OF REVENUE.
TO PROVIDE RELIEF TO BUSINESSES WITH A SMALL TURNOVER, SIR HAMISH PROPOSED TO INCREASE SUBSTANTIALLY THE LEVELS BELOW WHICH PAYMENT OF THE BUSINESS REGISTRATION FEE WAS EXEMPT.
"IN FUTURE, A BUSINESS WILL BE EXEMPT FROM THE FEE IF ITS AVERAGE MONTHLY SALES DO NOT EXCEED $15,000; OR, WHERE THE BUSINESS CONSISTS OF RENDERING SERVICES, IF ITS AVERAGE MONTHLY RECEIPTS DO NOT EXCEED $4,000," HE NOTED.
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CONCESSIONS PROPOSED FOR ESTATE DUTY ♦ ♦ ♦ * ♦
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON SIR HAMISH MACLEOD, TODAY (WEDNESDAY) PROPOSED TO INCREASE THE LEVEL BELOW WHICH NO ESTATE DUTY WAS PAYABLE TO $5.5 MILLION.
MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE APPROPRIATION BILL IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, SIR HAMISH SAID ABOVE THAT LEVEL, HE PROPOSED THAT ESTATE DUTY BE PAYABLE AT 6% ON ESTATES OF BETWEEN $5.5 MILLION AND $6.5 MILLION; 12% FOR ESTATES OF BETWEEN $6.5 MILLION AND $7.5 MILLION; AND 18% ON ESTATES WITH A VALUE OVER $7.5 MILLION.
IN ADDITION, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY PROPOSED THREE MORE CONCESSIONS IN RELATION TO ESTATE DUTY:
/* FIRST, THE..........
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 2, 1994
- 27 -
» FIRST, THE VALUE OF THE MATRIMONIAL HOME BE EXCLUDED COMPLETELY WHEN DETERMINING THE VALUE OF THE ESTATE FOR DUTY PURPOSES;
* SECONDLY, THE LIMIT FOR GIFTS MADE BY THE DECEASED WITHIN THREE YEARS BEFORE THE DATE OF DEATH BE INCREASED TO $200,000 FROM THE PRESENT FIGURE OF $100,000 SET IN 1987; AND,
* THIRDLY, THE ALLOWANCE FOR FUNERAL EXPENSES INCURRED IN HONG KONG BE INCREASED FROM THE EXISTING LEVEL OF $10,000 TO $50,000.
THE COST OF THESE PROPOSALS WILL BE $85 MILLION IN 1994/95 AND $425 MILLION UP TO 1997/98, SIR HAMISH SAID.
- - 0---------
RELIEF FOR STAMP DUTY ON PROPERTY TRANSACTIONS
* t * » »
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON SIR HAMISH MACLEOD, TODAY' (WEDNESDAY) PROPOSED TO REDUCE THE IMPACT OF STAMP DUTY PROPERTY-TRANSACTIONS TO HELP FAMILIES WHO WANT TO OWN THEIR OWN HOMES.
PRESENTING HIS BUDGET FOR 1994/95, SIR HAMISH SAID OVER THE PAST YEAR, PROPERTY PRICES HAD CONTINUED TO RISE, AND THE PRESENT DUTY' ON PROPERTY TRANSACTIONS WAS SET IN 1988, WHEN PROPERTY’ PRICES WERE CONSIDERABLY LOWER THAN TODAY.
TO TAKE ACCOUNT OF THE INCREASE IN PROPERTY PRICES DURING THE INTERVENING YEARS, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY PROPOSED TO ADJUST STAMP DUTY ON LOWER AND MEI)IUM-VALUE FLATS, AS FOLLOWS:
* FOR PROPERTIES WITH A VALUE NOT EXCEEDING $500,000, A FEE OF $100 WILL BE CHARGED.
* ABOVE THIS LEVEL, STAMP DUTY WILL BE CHARGED ACCORDING TO A SLIDING SCALE, SUBJECT TO MARGINAL RELIEF. THE THRESHOLD AT WHICH THE 2.75% RATE BEGINS TO APPLY WILL BE RAISED FROM $1.5 MILLION TO $3 MILLION.
AS A RESULT OF THE PROPOSED ADJUSTMENTS, THE STAMP DUTY PAID ON A TYPICAL $1 MILLION FLAT UNDER THE HOME OWNERSHIP SCHEME WILL BE HALVED, FROM $15,000 TO $7,500, SIR HAMISH SAID.
"I ESTIMATE THAT ABOUT 100,000 PROPERTY TRANSACTIONS WILL ATTRACT LESS STAMP DUTY, WHICH WILL COST $810 MILLION IN 1994/95 AND $3.9 BILLION UP TO 1997/98," HE SAID.
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, HOWEVER, DID NOT PROPOSE ANY CHARGE TO THE STAMP DUTY ON STOCK TRANSFERS, WHICH HAD BEEN HALVED FROM 0.6% TO 0.3% OVER THE LAST THREE YEARS.
/HE SAID: ........
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 2, 1994
- 28 -
HE SAID: "AS I POINTED OUT IN PREVIOUS BUDGET SPEECHES, THIS CONCESSION WAS INTENDED TO REDUCE THE OVERALL COST OF STOCK MARKET TRANSACTIONS AND TO MAINTAIN HONG KONG’S ABILITY TO COMPETE WITH OTHER MAJOR MARKETS.
"I AM PLEASED TO SEE THAT THE COST OF TRADING SECURITIES IN THE LOCAL MARKET IS CURRENTLY AMONG THE LOWEST IN THE WORLD.
"THE EXTREMELY BUOYANT STATE OF OUR STOCK MARKET IN RECENT MONTHS SUPPORTS THE VIEW THAT THE HONG KONG SECURITIES MARKET IS SUFFICIENTLY ATTRACTIVE TO LOCAL AND OVERSEAS INVESTORS WITHOUT ANY ADDITIONAL INCENTIVE BY WAY OF A FURTHER REDUCTION IN STAMP DUTY," SIR HAMISH SAID.
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AIR PASSENGER DEPARTURE TAX LOWERED
*****
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON SIR HAMISH MACLEOD, TODAY (WEDNESDAY) PROPOSED TO REDUCE THE AIR PASSENGER DEPARTURE TAX FROM $150 TO $50.
THE PROPOSAL WILL COST $960 MILLION IN 1994/95 AND $4.1 BILLION UP TO 1997/98.
MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE APPROPRIATION BILL IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, SIR HAMISH SAID THE AIR PASSENGER DEPARTURE TAX WAS INCREASED TO $150 IN 1991.
HE SAID: "1 AM SYMPATHETIC TO THE VIEW THAT, AT THIS LEVEL, IT MAY DISCOURAGE TRANSIT PASSENGERS FROM VENTURING BEYOND THE CONFINES OF THE TRANSIT HALLS.
’’THIS NOT ONLY MEANS A LOSS OF BUSINESS TO OUR RETAIL TRADE BUT ALSO AGGRAVATES CONGESTION AT KAI TAK.”
TO ADDRESS THIS PROBLEM, \S WELL AS TO BENEFIT LOCAL RESIDENTS WHO TRAVEL BY AIR, SIR HAMISH PROPOSED TO REDUCE THE AIR PASSENGER DEPARTURE TAX $150 TO $50.
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/29........
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 2, 1994
- 29 -
SHARE OF LOTTERY PROCEEDS TO LOTTERIES FUND TRIPLED
*****
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON SIR HAMISH MACLEOD, TODAY (WEDNESDAY) PROPOSED TO TRIPLE, FROM 5% TO 15%, THE SHARE OF LOTTERY PROCEEDS TO BE ALLOCATED TO THE LOTTERIES FUND AT THE EXPENSE OF THE GOVERNMENT' S SHARE. '•
PRESENTING HIS BUDGET FOR 1994/95, SIR HAMISH SAID THIS WOULD GENERATE $1,800 MILLION FOR THE LOTTERIES FUND OVER THE NEXT FOUR YEARS TO MEET CAPITAL EXPENDITURE.
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY SAID THE LOTTERIES FUND PLAYED AN IMPORTANT PART IN FINANCING PLANS TO IMPROVE SOCIAL SERVICES.
AT PRESENT, 30% OF MARK SIX PROCEEDS WENT TO THE GENERAL REVENUE AS LOTTERY DUTY AND 5% TO THE LOTTERIES FUND, HE NOTED.
HE ADDED: "DURING LAST YEAR’S DEBATE ON THE GOVERNOR’S POLICY ADDRESS, I UNDERTOOK TO REVIEW MY POSITION ON THE PROPOSAL MADE BY THE WELFARE PANEL TO REDUCE THE GOVERNMENT’S SHARE OF LOTTERY PROCEEDS IN FAVOUR OF THE LOTTERIES FUND.
SIR HAMISH SAID OVER THE NEXT FEW YEARS, THE LOTTERIES FUND WOULD FACE INCREASING DEMANDS.
"THERE IS THE GOVERNMENT’S COMMITMENT TO MEET THE KEY TARGETS IN THE WHITE PAPER ON SOCIAL WELFARE AND THE GREEN PAPER ON REHABILITATION. IN ADDITION, THE GOVERNOR ANNOUNCED IN HIS POLICY ADDRESS LAST YEAR PLANS TO BUILD SEVEN NURSING HOMES BY 1997 AND TO PROVIDE 800 ADDITIONAL CARE-AND-ATTENTION PLACES WITHIN TWO YEARS, OVER AND ABOVE THE WHITE PAPER TARGET.
"I HAVE, THEREFORE, DECIDED TO TRIPLE, FROM 5% TO 15%, THE SHARE OF LOTTERY PROCEEDS TO BE ALLOCATED TO THE LOTTERIES FUND AT THE EXPENSE OF LOTTERY’ DUTY,” HE SAID.
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TASK FORCE TO TACKLE TOBACCO SMUGGLERS
*****
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON SIR HAMISH MACLEOD, TODAY (WEDNESDAY) PROPOSED TO MAINTAIN THE TOBACCO DUTY RATES AT THEIR PRESENT LEVEL, AND SUGGESTED TO SET UP A TASK FORCE IN THE CUSTOMS AND EXCISE DEPARTMENT TO TACKLE TOBACCO SMUGGLING.
PRESENTING HIS BUDGET FOR 1994/95 IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, SIR HAMISH SAID REVENUE FROM TOBACCO DUTY DECREASED SUBSTANTIALLY IN 1993/94, DESPITE A MODERATE INFLATION-RELATED ADJUSTMENT OF 9.5% IN THE DUTY RATE.
HE SAID THIS REDUCTION WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN A CAUSE OF CONCERN HAD IT RESULTED FROM A REDUCTION IN SMOKING.
/"AFTER ALL.........
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 2, 1994
- 30 -
"AFTER ALL, A MAIN REASON FOR OUR PRESENT HIGH RATE OF TOBACCO DUTY IS TO DISCOURAGE SMOKING, ESPECIALLY AMONG THE YOUNG."
UNFORTUNATELY, SIR HAMISH SAID THIS WAS NOT THE REASON FOR THE DIMINISHING RETURNS.
"THE EXPLANATION LIES IN INCREASED SMUGGLING. THERE IS A REAL RISK THAT THE CHEAPER, CONTRABAND CIGARETTES ACTUALLY ENCOURAGE SMOKING.
"THERE IS ALSO \ RISK THAT ANY FURTHER INCREASE TN THE RATE OF DUTY WOULD ONLY LEAD TO A HIGHER LEVEL OF SMUGGLING. I HAVE, THEREFORE, DECIDED TO MAINTAIN TOBACCO DUTY RATES AT THEIR PRESENT LEVEL ON GROUNDS BOTH OF PUBLIC ORDER AND OF HEALTH," HE SAID.
SIR HAMISH PROPOSED TO TAKE THE FOLLOWING MEASURES TO TACKLE BOTH PROBLEMS:
* SUBJECT TO LEGCO’S APPROVAL, ADDITIONAL RESOURCES WILL BE PROVIDED TO THE CUSTOMS AND EXCISE DEPARTMENT FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A 40-STRONG TASK FORCE TO TACKLE THE TOBACCO SMUGGLERS. ITS MAIN PRIORITY WILL BE TO STEP UP INVESTIGATIONS AND TO GATHER THE INTELLIGENCE NEEDED TO ATTACK SMUGGLING SYNDICATES.
* A GRANT OF $7.5 MILLION HAVE BEEN APPROVED TO THE HONG KONG COUNCIL ON SMOKING AND HEALTH (COSH) TO BE SPENT ON ANTI-SMOKING CAMPAIGNS AND RESEARCH OVER THE NEXT TWO YEARS. THIS SUM WILL BE IN ADDITION TO THE ANNUAL RECURRENT GRANT OF $4.1 MILLION PROPOSED FOR COSH IN THE 1994/95 DRAFT ESTIMATES.
"BY HOLDING TOBACCO DUTY AT ITS PRESENT LEVEL, WE SHALL BE FORGOING THE ADDITIONAL REVENUE WHICH WOULD HAVE BEEN OBTAINED BY AN INFLATION-LINKED ADJUSTMENT OF $185 MILLION IN 1994/95 AND $865 MILLION IN THE PERIOD TO 1997/98," HE ADDED.
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FUEL DUTY RAISED BY 8.5 PER CENT *****
Till FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON SIR HAMISH MACLEOD, TODAY (WEDNESDAY) PROPOSED TO INCREASE THE DUTY OF HYDROCARBON OILS BY 8.5%.
IN HIS 1994/95 BUDGET, SIR HAMISH SAID AS LONG AS TRAFFIC CONGESTION SHOWED NO SIGNS OF AN IMPROVEMENT, AND VEHICULAR GROWTH REMAINED UNABATED, ANY BUDGET MEASURE WHICH REDUCED THE FUEL DUTY IN REAL TERMS WOULD ONLY ADD TO THE PRESSURE ON THE ROADS.
"1, THEREFORE, PROPOSE TO INCREASE THE DUTY BY 8.5% TO KEEP PACE WITH INFLATION," HE SAID.
ON DUTY FOR ALCOHOL DRINKS, SIR HAMISH SAID THE PRESENT STRUCTURE OF DUT1 ON ALCOHOL WAS A CONFUSING COCKTAIL OF SPECIFIC AND AD VALOREM LEVIES.
/"IT IS .......
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 2, 1994
- 31 -
"IT IS ALSO OPEN TO CRITICISM AS REGRESSIVE, BECAUSE THE OVERALL DUTY REPRESENTS A LOWER PERCENTAGE OF THE TOTAL COST OF AN EXPENSIVE PRODUCT THAN OF A CHEAPER PRODUCT OF THE SAME TYPE," HE ADDED.
SIR HAMISH PROPOSED TO REFORM THESE ARRANGEMENTS BY INTRODUCING A SIMPLE AD VALOREM SYSTEM. THIS WILL APPLY DIFFERENT RATES TO DIFFERENT PRODUCTS, EXCEPT FOR METHYL \LCOHOL, ON THE BASIS OF THREE TIERS DEFINED BROADLY ACCORDINGLY TO ALCOHOLIC STRENGTH, AS FOLLOWS:
* LIQUOR WITH AN ALCOHOLIC CONTENT \BOVE 30% WILL PAY A 100% DUTY RATE.
* GRAPE PRODUCTS WITH AN ALCOHOLIC CONTENT OF 30% OR BELOW WILL PAY A 90% RATE.
* NON-GRAPE ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES AND ALCOHOL PRODUCTS WITH AN ALCOHOLIC CONTENT OF NO MORE THAN 30% WILL PAY A 30% RATE.
SIR HAMISH SAID THE NEW SYSTEM WAS DESIGNED TO BE REVENUE NEUTRAL IN ITS IMPACT IN PRESENT MARKET CONDITIONS.
HE SAID: "IT IS A REFORM MEASURE, NOT A REVENUE RAISING DEVICE. ITS IMPACT ON INDIVIDUAL PRODUCTS WILL, HOWEVER, VARY.
"BROADLY SPEAKING, PRODUCTS AT THE LOWER END OF THE MARKET, WHICH HITHERTO HAVE BEEN SUBJECT TO A HIGH RATE OF DUTY RELATIVE TO THEIR COST, WILL BENEFIT AS A RESULT OF A REDUCTION IN THE DUTY PAYABLE."
---------- c---------
RATES RELIEF MEASURE PROPOSED ♦ * ♦ ♦ ♦
THE FINANCIAL PROPOSED TO INTRODUCE 1995/96.
SECRETARY, THE HON SIR HAMISH MACLEOD \ 20% CAP ON INCREASES IN RATES FOR 1994/95
HAS
AND
DELIVERING HIS
/ urunnnr, . 1994/95 BUDGET IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCI I TODAY ™m™ESDAY)’ SIR HAMISH SAID A ROUTINE REVALUATION OF RATES WAS CONDUCTED IN 1993/94 AND WOULD COME INTO EFFECT ON APRIL 1, THIS YEAR.
THE AVERAGE DOMESTIC PROPERTIES
INCREASE IN RATEABLE VALUES WILL BE ABOUT 34% AND 32% FOR NON-DOMESTIC PROPERTIES, HE NOTED.
FOR
THE 20%
AS A RESULT OF THE PROPOSED CAP, INDIVIDUAL WILL BE ASKED TO PAY IN ABOVE WHAT WAS PAID IN 1993/94.
SIMILARLY, THE MAXIMUM PAYMENT IN 20% ABOVE THE AMOUNT PAYABLE IN 1994/95.
SIR HAMISH SAID THE MAXIMUM 1994/95 WILL BE NO MORE THAN
1995/96 WILL BE NO MORE
THAN
"THIS RELIEF WILL FOR 1995/9G, OVER 20% OF RELIEF,’’ HE SAID.
APPI3 TO \BOUT «0% OF PROPERTIES IN 1994/95. PROPERTIES WILL CONTINUE TO BENEFIT FROM THIS
/WITH THE.......
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 2, 1994
32
WITH THE PROPOSED RATES RELIEF MEASURE, THE AVERAGE INCREASE IN RATES IN 1994/95 FOR A SMALL PRIVATE FLAT WILL BE ABOUT $53 PER MONTH AND FOR A LARGE FLAT ABOUT $247 PER MONTH, HF ADDED.
SIR HAMISH STRESSED THAT THOSE LIVING IN PUBLIC RENTAL HOUSING, THE LARGEST SINGLE GROUP OF TENANTS IN HONG KONG, WOULD NOT BE DIRECTLY AFFECTED BY THE INCREASE IN RATES.
HE SAID: "IN THE PAST, THE HOUSING AUTHORITY HAS ABSORBED THE IMMEDIATE EFFECT OF ANY RATES INCREASES UNTIL RENTS CAME UP FOR REVISION. THESE RENTS, WHICH ARE INCLUSIVE OF RATES, ARE REVISED ON A ROLLING CYCLE EVERY TWO YEARS.
"I UNDERSTAND THAT THE HOUSING AUTHORITY WILL CONTINUE THIS PRACTICE AND THAT RENTS WILL CONTINUE TO BE SET ON THE BASIS OF AFFORDABILITY. CONSEQUENTLY, PUBLIC HOUSING TENANTS WILL BE LITTLE AFFECTED IN PRACTICE FROM THESE RATES INCREASES, EVEN IN THE LONGER TERM.”
NOTING THAT THE REVENUE FROM RATES HELPED TO FINANCE THE TWO MUNICIPAL COUNCILS, SIR HAMISH SAID HE HAD REVIEWED THE FINANCIAL POSITION OF THE TWO COUNCILS AND THEIR PLANNED PROGRAMME OF ACTIVITIES FOR THE NEXT THREE YEARS.
"I HAVE REVISED THE SPLIT OF THE RATES REVENUE BETWEEN GENERAL REVENUE AND THE COUNCILS. THE NET EFFECT OF THESE MEASURES IS THAT THE GOVERNMENT’S REVENUE FROM RATES IN 1994/95 WILL INCREASE BY ABOUT 15% TO $5.1 BILLION," HE NOTED.
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TAX CONCESSIONS FOR DISABLED AND ELECTRIC CARS
*****
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON S IF? HAMISH MACLEOD, HAS PROPOSED IN HIS BUDGET FOR 1991/95 TWO TAX CONCESSIONS FOR THE DISABLED AND OWNER OF ELECTRIC CARS.
IN HIS BUDGET FOR 1991/95, SIR HAMISH SAID DAILY TRAVEL WAS A (’HORE FOR Till' AVERAGE FAMILY, HOW MUCH MORE TRYING MUST IT BE FOR THE DISABLED MEMBERS OF OCR COMMUNITY.
HE SAID THE GOVERNMENT \LREADY RECOGNISED THEIR SPECIAL DIFFICULTIES BY GRANTING VARIOUS CONCESSIONS TO DISABLED DRIVERS OF PRIVATE CARS.
”1 BELIEVE THAT SIMILAR CONCESSIONS SHOULD APPLY TO THE DIAL-ARI DE REHABUS SERVICE.
"1 PROPOSE, THEREFORE, THAT PASSENGERS ON THESE SERVICES SHOULD BE EXEMPT FROM GOVERNMENT TUNNEL TOLLS AND THE CROSS-HARBOUR TUNNEL PASSAGE TAX," HE SAID.
SIR HAMISH SAID HE ALSO BELIEVED THAI HIE FISCAL SYSTEM COULD PLAY ITS PART IN DEVELOPING SOLUTIONS TO ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEMS.
/HE SAID .......
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 2, 1994
- 33 -
HE SAID FUEL-ENGINED VEHICLES WERE A MAJOR CAUSE Ob AIR POLLUTION, UNLIKE ELECTRIC VEHICLES.
’’THESE, HOWEVER, ARE AT PRESENT STILL MORE EXPENSIVE THAN FUEL-ENGINED ONES BECAUSE OF HIGH DEVELOPMENT COSTS AND LOW PRODUCTION LEVELS.”
HE ADDED: "I PROPOSE TO EXEMPT ELECTRIC VEHICLES REGISTERED DURING THE NEXT THREE YEARS FROM FIRST REGISTRATION TAX. IHIS SHOULD MAKE ELECTRIC VEHICLES MORE ATTRACTIVE BY REDUCING THEIR INITIAL COST.”
"I SHALL ASSESS THE BENEFITS OF THIS CONCESSION TOWARDS THE END OF THE PERIOD TO SEE WHETHER IT SHOULD BE EXTENDED.
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IMPLEMENTATION DATES FOR TAX PROPOSALS t * * ♦ ♦
THE PROPOSED INCREASE IN THE FUEL DUTY AND THE NEW ALCOHOL DUTY STRUCTURE ANNOUNCED BY THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON SIR HAMISH MACLEOD, IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY) CAME INTO EFFECT UNDER A PUBLIC REVENUE PROTECTION ORDER ISSUED TODAY.
PROPOSALS ON PERSONAL TAXATION, PROFITS TAX, BUSINESS REGISTRATION FEE, ESTATE DUTY, STAMP DUTY, AIR PASSENGER DEPARTURE TAX, LOTTERY DUTY AND RATES, AS WELL \S CONCESSIONS IN RESPECT OF ELECTRIC CARS AND DIAL-A-RIDE REHABUS PASSENGERS, WILL COME INTO EFFECT ON APRIL I, THIS YEAR, SIR HAMISH SAID.
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LAWS TO DEAL WITH TAX EVASION AND AVOIDANCE * ♦ ♦ * ♦
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON SIR HAMISH MACLEOD, TODAY (WEDNESDAY) PLANNED TO INTRODUCE LEGISLATION TO DEAL WITH TAX-EVASION AND THE TAX-AVOIDANCE ASPECTS OF SERVICE COMPANY ARRANGEMENTS.
SIR HAMISH SAID HONG KONG’S TAXES WERE LOW, SIMPLE AND PREDICTABLE.
THERE WAS NO POSSIBLE EXCUSE FOR FAILING TO PAY IN FULL THE MODEST TAX OBLIGATIONS WHICH HONG KONG IMPOSES TO FINANCE ITS PUBLIC SERVICES AND FACILITIES, HE SAID.
’’INDEED, THE WORLD COMPETITIVENESS REPORT 1992 ESTIMATED THAT HONG KONG’S TOTAL TAX REVENUE - AT ONIA 11.25% OF GDI - WAS THE LOWEST PERCENTAGE OF ALL 36 ECONOMIES SURVEYED.”
THE PACKAGE OF CONCESSIONS AND REFORMS I HAVE PROPOSED TODAY WILL FURTHER REDUCE THE TAX PAYABLE BY BOTH INDIVIDUALS AND BUSINESSES.
/HE SAID .......
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 2, 1994
34
HE SAID OVER THE PAST TWO YEARS, THE INLAND REVENUE DEPARTMENT’S INVESTIGATION AND FIELD AUDIT STAFF HAD TACKLED OVER 2,000 CASES AND OBTAINED MORE THAN $1.4 BILLION IN BACK TAX AND PENALTIES.
’’HOWEVER, IT HAS BECOME APPARENT THAT THERE IS STILL SUBSTANTIAL UNDER-REPORTING BY MEMBERS OF SOME PROFESSIONS WHO RECEIVE CASH PAYMENTS FOR THEIR SERVICES. THIS UNDER-REPORTING OF INCOME IS INTOLERABLE.
”1 UNDERSTAND THAT FOR ONE PROFESSION ALONE, OF 237 CASES EXAMINED, 224 INVOLVED TAX EVASION WHICH, WITH PENALTIES, AMOUNTED TO ALMOST $100 MILLION. \ REMEDY IS CLEARLY NEEDED.
"AS A FIRST STEP, WE SHALL REQUEST PROFESSIONAL BODIES TO INSIST tHAT THEIR MEMBERS KEEP PROPER ACCOUNTS AND ISSUE PROPER RECEIPTS.
"LET ME MAKE MYSELF VERY CLEAR. IF THIS FAILS TO ACHIEVE THE DESIRED RESULT, I SHALL HAVE NO CHOICE BUT TO LEGISLATE FOR A SOLUTION INCLUDING THE MANDATORY ISSUE OF RECEIPTS.’’
ON TAX AVOIDENCE, SIR HAMISH SAID HONG KONG HAD SUFFERED INCREASINGLY FROM ONE PARTICULAR DEVICE WHICH WAS CLEARLY WRONG IN EQUITY AND WHICH HAS LITTLE OR NO COMMERCIAL JUSTIFICATION.
"I REFER TO THE PROLIFERATION OF SERVICE COMPANIES ESTABLISHED TO AVOID OUR ALREADY LOW RATES OF TAX. INDEED, THESE COMPANIES ARE BEING WIDELY PROMOTED BY TAX ADVISERS AND \ RECENT PRESS HEADLINE SUMS UP THE SITUATION VERY APTLY: ’USE SERVICE COMPANIES TO UNLOCK TAX BONANZA’.
"I AM NOT IN THE BUSINESS OF TOLERATING TAX BONANZAS. I CONSIDER THAT THE TIME HAS COME TO LEGISLATE.”
SIR HAMISH ALSO GAVE TWO EXAMPLES OF SERVICE COMPANY ARRANGEMENTS WITH WHICH HE WAS PARTICULARLY CONCERNED.
THE FIRST AMOUNTS TO AN ATTEMPT TO DISGUISE AN EMPLOYER/EMPLOYEE RELATIONSHIP. TYPICALLY, REMUNERATION FOR SERVICES RENDERED UNDER EMPLOYMENT-LIK E CONDITIONS IS NOT PAID \S SALARY I’O THE INDIVIDUAL WHO PROVIDES THE SERVICE. INSTEAD, A FEE IS PAID TO A COMPANY WHICH HE CONTROLS.
A SUBSTANTIAL REDUCTION IN THE AMOUNT OF TAX WHICH WOULD OTHERWISE BE PAYABLE CAN THEN BE OBTAINED THROUGH THE SERVICE COMPANY PROVIDING THE INDIVIDUAL WITH GENEROUS EMPLOYEl BENEFITS.
THE SECOND EXAMPLE INVOLVES THE PAYMENT OF INFLATED MANAGEMENT FEES BY A FIRM TO A SERVICE COMPANY WHICH IS CONTROLLED BY THE FIRM’S PROPRIETOR OR ITS PARTNERS.
THE SERVICE COMPANY EMPLOYS THE PROPRIETOR OR PARTNERS AND USES THE FEES TO PAY THEM "EMPLOYEE BENEFITS". AS IN THE FIRST EXAMPLE, THE PROVISION OF THESE BENEFITS IS DESIGNED TO REDUCE THE OVERALL TAX LIABILITY.
"I PROPOSE TO INTRODUCE LEGISLATION TO DEAL WITH THE TAXAVOIDANCE ASPECTS OF SERVICE COMPANY ARRANGEMENTS. I EXPECT THE RESULT TO BE SIGNIFICANT ADDITIONAL REVENUE."
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/35 .....
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 2, 1994
- 35 -
FS OUTLINES MEDIUM RANGE FORECAST t t * t t
HONG KONG’S FISCAL RESERVES WILL STAND AT AN IMPRESSIVE $120 BILLION ON MARCH 31, 1997, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON SIR HAMISH MACLEOD, SAID IN HIS MEDIUM RANGE FORECAST FOR THE FIVE-YEAR PERIOD ENDING 1997/98 TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE APPROPRIATION BILL 1994, SIR HAMISH SAID: ’’THIS IS A DRAMATIC INCREASE OVER THE FIGURE OF $78 BILLION WHICH I FORECAST IN MY BUDGET LAST YEAR.
"THIS $120 BILLION IS ALL THE MORE REMARKABLE AN ACHIEVEMENT WHEN YOU REMEMBER THAT IT TAKES INTO ACCOUNT BOTH THE SPENDING PROPOSALS AND THE TAX CONCESSIONS I HAVE ANNOUNCED TODAY.
"AND IT ALSO FULLY ALLOWS FOR THE PROPOSED ADDITIONAL EQUITY INJECTION INTO THE AIRPORT CORE PROGRAMME, AND EXPLAINS MY WILLINGNESS TO MAKE SUCH A LARGE INVESTMENT."
IN ACCORDANCE WITH NORMAL PRACTICE, THE FORECAST COVERS THE CURRENT FINANCIAL YEAR, THE ESTIMATES YEAR, AND THREE FURTHER YEARS.
"HENCE, MY FORECAST WILL FOR THE FIRST TIME INCLUDE THE 1997/98 FINANCIAL YEAR, A PERIOD MOST OF WHICH FOLLOWS THE TRANSFER OF SOVEREIGNTY,” HE SAID.
"I SHOULD EMPHASISE THAT THIS IS A FORECAST ONLY, PRESENTED TODAY SOLELY TO PROVIDE THE APPROPRIATE CONTEXT FOR HONG KONG’S PLANNING. IT IN NO WAY IMPOSES ANY COMMITMENT ON THE FUTURE SAR GOVERNMENT."
NOTING THAT TWO DIFFERENT FACTORS WERE AT WORK FOR THE MEDIUM RANGE FORECAST, SIR HAMISH SAID: "FIRST, REVENUES HAVE BEEN BUOYANT OVER THE PAST THREE YEARS. AND REVENUE FORECASTS HAVE BEEN INCREASED TO REFLECT THIS.
"SECONDLY, ON THE EXPENDITURE SIDE, THE FORECAST REFLECTS A MORE REALISTIC ESTIMATE OF OUR CAPACITY ON PUBLIC WORKS."
HE FORECAST THAT HONG KONG WOULD ADD $7.7 BILLION TO ITS FISCAL RESERVES IN 1994/95.
"THROUGHOUT THE FORECAST PERIOD, WE SHALL CONTINUE TO SEE A HEALTHY SURPLUS ON THE OPERATING ACCOUNT," HE SAID.
"HOWEVER, TN 1995/96 AND 1996/97, WE ARE FORECAST TO DRAW ON OUR RESERVES TO TAKE ACCOUNT OF AN INCREASING SPENDING CAPACITY ON PUBLIC WORKS, AS WELL AS INCREASED INVESTMENT IN OUR PHYSICAL INFRASTRUCTURE, INCLUDING MOST NOTABLY THE AIRPORT CORE PROGRAMME."
MOVING TO THE LAST YEAR OF THE FORECAST, NAMELY 1997/98, SIR HAMISH SAID THE MEDIUM TERM FORECAST PREDICTED AN OVERALL SURPLUS FOR THE YEAR OF $21 BILLION.
/HE SAID .......
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 2, 1994
- 36 -
HE SAID THIS VERY SATISFACTORY FIGURE REFLECTED THE FACT THAT, IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE JOINT DECLARATION, THE SAR GOVERNMENT WOULD RECEIVE THE FULL PROCEEDS FROM LAND SALES, AND WOULD COLLECT RENTS FOR THE EXTENSION OF NEW TERRITORIES LEASES.
’’THE END RESULT IS THAT THE FORECAST PREDICTS THAT THE FISCAL RESERVES WILL TOTAL $141 BILLION AT THE END OF 1997/98," HE SAID.
HE ADDED THAT THOSE FIGURES DID NOT TAKE INTO ACCOUNT THE POSITION OF THE SAR GOVERNMENT LAND FUND, WHICH WOULD REPRESENT A SIGNIFICANT ASSET FOR THE FUTURE SAR GOVERNMENT.
HONG KONG ESTIMATES THE FUND TO BE $105 BILLION, BEFORE TAKING INTO ACCOUNT THE DISPOSAL OF SITES ALONG THE AIRPORT RAILWAY.
BUT WHEN ACCOUNT IS TAKEN OF THE FUND’S SHARE OF THE LIKELY ADDITIONAL RECEIPTS FROM THESE SITES, THE BALANCE OF THE FUND IN 1997 SHOULD REACH $125 BILLION.
"THUS, AT THE END OF 1997/98, THE SAR GOVERNMENT IS LIKELY TO HAVE COMBINED RESERVES, INCLUDING INTEREST, OF ABOUT $269 BILLION, INCORPORATING BOTH THE FISCAL RESERVES AND THE LAND FUND," HE SAID.
"FORTUNATELY, THEREFORE, WE ARE ABLE TO CONTINUE TO BUILD UP RESERVES GREATER THAN OUR ANNUAL EXPENDITURE.
"THIS IS SOMETHING WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO ACHIEVE IN RECENT TIMES. AND SOMETHING THAT FEW OTHER COMMUNITIES HAVE BEEN ABLE TO DO. "
CLARIFYING THE SETTING UP OF TRADING FUNDS, HE SAID: "ONE OF THEIR OBJECTIVES IS TO FREE APPROPRIATE SERVICES FROM THE GOVERNMENT’S NORMAL EXPENDITURE CONTROLS AND SO PERMIT THEM TO RESPOND MORE READILY TO CHANGING COMMERCIAL CIRCUMSTANCES.
"THUS TRADING FUNDS KEEP ACCOUNTS WHICH ARE SEPARATE FROM THOSE OF THE GOVERNMENT, AND THEIR EXPENDITURE NO LONGER FORMS PART OF GOVERNMENT EXPENDITURE.
"TRADING FUNDS DO, HOWEVER, REMAIN PART OF THE WIDER GOVERNMENT STRUCTURE, AND THEIR PAYMENTS REMAIN WITHIN THE DEFINITION OF PUBLIC EXPENDITURE FOR THE PURPOSE OF MEASURING THE PUBLIC SECTOR SHARE OF THE ECONOMY."
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/37........
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 2, 1994
- 37 -
STRIKING RIGHT BALANCE BETWEEN SPENDING AND SAVINGS » » t t
THE GOVERNMENT IS ENGAGED IN MANAGING THE PROSPERITY HONG KONG HAS ACHIEVED AND IN ENSURING THAT IT CONTINUES, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON SIR HAMISH MACLEOD, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE APPROPRIATION BILL 1994, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY SAID IN PRACTICE, THIS HAD INVOLVED HIM IN STRIKING THE RIGHT BALANCE BETWEEN SPENDING AND SAVINGS.
HE SAID SPENDING WAS MADE TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF LIFE FOR THE COMMUNITY AS A WHOLE AND TO CREATE THE INFRASTRUCTURE FOR THE FUTURE GROWTH OF THF TERRITORY.
IN ACHIEVING SAVINGS, THE GOVERNMENT WANTS TO MEET FUTURE LIABILITIES AND UNFORESEEN CONTINGENCIES, BECAUSE ECONOMIC SUCCESS CANNOT BE TAKEN FOR GRANTED YEAR AFTER YEAR, HF ADDED.
NOTING THAT THERE WOULD ALWAYS BE A TEMPTATION TO SPEND A LITTLE MORE AND SAVE A LITTLE LESS, HE SAID: "IT MIGHT SOMETIMES SEEM TEMPTING POLITICALLY TO BOW TO SOME OF THE INEVITABLE PRESSURES TO DO SO. BUT IT WOULD NOT BE RESPONSIBLE GOVERNMENT. AND IT WOULD RISK INCREASING CONSUMPTION AND FUELLING INFLATION."
SIR HAMISH SUMMED UP HIS BUDGET PROPOSALS AS FoLf.OWS :
* PUTTING $.38 BILLION BACK INTO THE TAXPAYER’S POCKET OVER THE NEXT FIVE YEARS.
* IMPLEMENTING THE AMBITIOUS EXPANSION IN SOCIAL SERVICES SET IN MOTION BY THE GOVERNOR’S FIRST TWO POLICY ADDRESSES, AND
* PUTTING AN ADDITIONAL $8 BILLION INTO OUR FISCAL RESERVES NEXT YEAR AND PUT US ON COURSE FOR TOTAL FISCAL RESERVES OF $269 BILLION BY THE END OF THE FORECAST PERIOD.
CONCLUDING HIS SPEECH, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY EMPHASISED THAT IT WAS NOT THE GOVERNMENT WHICH HAD MADE TODAY’S BUDGET POSSIBLE.
"THIS HAS BEEN ACHIEVED BY THE HARD-WORKING MEN AND WOMEN OF HONG KONG," HE SAID.
"IT IS , FIRST AND LAST, THEIR SUCCESS AND THEIR MONEY ON WHICH WE RELY, AND IT IS THEIR WAY OF LIFE, THEIR LIVELIHOOD WE ARE ALL TRYING TO SECURE.”
DEBATE ON THF HILL WAS ADJOURNED.
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/38 .......
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 2, 1994
- 38 -
FS MAKES TV BROADCAST ON BUDGET * * * * *
FOLLOWING IS THE SCRIPT OF THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY SIR HAMISH MACLEOD’S TELEVISION BROADCAST ON THE BUDGET FOR 1994/95:
GOOD EVENING,
THIS AFTERNOON, I PRESENTED MY THIRD BUDGET TO LEGCO. IT IS RIGHTLY TITLED ’’MANAGING PROSPERITY". OUR ECONOMY, AND OUR FINANCES, CONTINUE TO DO VERY WELL. IT HAS BEFN MY AIM TO ENSURE THAT THIS SUCCESS STORY CONTINUES. AND THAT THE BENEFITS OF THAT SUCCESS ARE PASSED ON TO YOU, THE MEMBERS OF THE HONG KONG COMMUNITY.
I HAVE BEEN ABLE TO ANNOUNCE DRAMATIC’ (’UTS IN THE AVERAGE FAMILY’S TAX BILLS, AS WELL AS A CUT IN PROFITS TAX, AND REDUCED TAXATION IN SOME OTHER AREAS. AT THE SAME TIME, I HAVE PROVIDED FOR FURTHER EXPANSION OF OUR AMBITIOUS SOCIAL SERVICE PROGRAMMES. THIS WILL HELP THE MORE VULNERABLE MEMBERS OF OUR COMMUNITY, AND IMPROVE OUR QUALITY OF LIFE.
ALL THIS IS POSSIBLE BECAUSE OF THE CONTINUED SUCCESS
OF OUR
ECONOMY. WE CAN LOOK FORWARD TO BETTER ECONOMIC PROSPECTS IN OUR
MAJOR OVERSEAS MARKETS, AND TO CONTINUED HIGH GROWTH IN THE REGION. ABOVE ALL, WE WILL CONTINUE TO BENEFIT FROM THE DRAMATIC’ GROWTH OF THE CHINESE ECONOMY. WE HAVE A VITAL ROLE TO PLAY IN CHINA’S ECONOMIC MODERNISATION. INCREASINGLV, THE KEY TO OUR FUTURE ECONOMIC SUCCESS WILL LIE IN OUR ABILITY TO SELL OUR SERVICES TO THE WORLD, TO THE REGION, AND ABOVE ALL TO THE CHINESE ECONOMY.
THE SUCCESSFUL CONCLUSION OF THE URUGUAY ROUND WILL ALSO HELP TO BOOST TRADE PROSPECTS. BUT WE WILL ALWAYS NEED TO DEFEND THE PRINCIPLES OF FREE TRADE AND FAIR ACCESS ON WORLD MARKETS. AND TO LOBBY AGAIN IN WASHINGTON FOR THE RENEWAL OF MFN FOR CHINA’S EXPORTS.
WE PROSPECTS
MUST ALSO FACE UP TO SOME PROBLEMS, IF ARE TO REMAIN GOOD. WE NEED TO CARRY ON
OUR ECONOMIC
INVESTING IN
TRANSPORT
LINKS TO CHINA AND BEYOND. WF \RF IMPROVING OUR ROAD
TRANSPORT
GUANGDONG
SYSTEM BETWEEN THE CONTAINER PORT AND PROVINCE. AND WE ARE LOOKING CAREFULLY
THE BORDER WITH AT PROPOSALS TO
INCREASE OUR EXISTING RAIL CAPACITY. BUT WE ALSO NEED TO GET ON WITH OUR PORT AND AIRPORT DEVELOPMENT, IF WE ARE TO SUSTAIN HONG KONG’S GROWTH BEYOND 1997, AND WITH IT THE GROWTH OF SOUTHERN CHINA.
WE MUST ALSO FIND WAYS TO RELIEVE THE MOUNTING TRAFFIC CONGESTION ON OUR ROADS. WE CANNOT SIMPLY SPEND OUR WAY OUT OF THE PROBLEM. OTHER SOLUTIONS WILL BE NEEDED. WE MUST ALSO REMOVE THE FINANCIAL ANXIETY FROM OLD AGI AND RETIREMENT. WE HAVE ANNOUNCED PROPOSALS FOR AN OLD AGE PENSION SCHEME TO ACHIEVE THIS, AND INTEND TO PUBLISH DETAILS AS SOON AS POSSIBLE FOR PUBLIC COMMENT.
/INFLATION REMAINS .......
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 2, 1994
39
INFLATION REMAINS A DIFFICULT CHALLENGE. CONSUMER PRICES WILL INCREASE BY AROUND 8.5% AGAIN TN 1994. THIS IS NOT A FIGURE WE CAN BE COMPLACENT ABOUT, THOUGH IT IS A SIGNIFICANT IMPROVEMENT OVER RECENT YEARS. AND INFLATION, TO SOME EXTENT, IS THE PRICE WE HAVE HAD TO PAY FOR OUR SUSTAINED ECONOMIC GROWTH, AND THE FULL EMPLOYMENT WHICH GOES WITH IT. BUT WE MUST DO MORE TO EASE THE CONSTRAINTS WHICH ARE THE CAUSE OF OUR INFLATION. WE WILL DO EVERYTHING WE CAN TO INCREASE THE SUPPLY OF LAND AND TO ENCOURAGE REDEVELOPMENT OF EXISTING BUILDINGS. WE MUST ALSO FIND NEW AND ACCEPTABLE WAYS TO EXPAND OUR LIMITED WORKFORCE. WE WILL SHORTLY MAKE A USEFUL START WITH A NEW SCHEME TO ADMIT GRADUATE PROFESSIONALS AND MANAGERS RECRUITED DIRECTLY FROM CHINA.
NEVERTHELESS, THE CONTINUED SUCCESS OF OUR ECONOMY HAS CREATED VERY HEALTHY PUBLIC FINANCES. FOR THE COMING FINANCIAL YEAR, WE ARE BUDGETING FOR A SURPLUS, AND THE LEVEL OF RESERVES FORECAST FOR 1997 HAS RISEN GREATLY EVEN AFTER ALLOWING FOR FURTHER SPENDING ON THE AIRPORT.
GIVEN OUR BUOYANT REVENUES AND COMFORTABLE RESERVES, I DECIDED WE COULD AFFORD MAJOR TAX CONCESSIONS. IN DECIDING WHERE TO MAKE THOSE CUTS, I HAVE LISTENED CAREFULLY TO THE ADVICE I HAVE RECEIVED IN MY CONSULTATIONS WITH MEMBERS OF LEGCO, AS WELL AS FROM PROFESSIONAL BODIES, COMMERCIAL ASSOCIATIONS, AND LABOUR AND WELFARE GROUPS.
THIS AFTERNOON, I II WE ITT FORWARD PROPOSALS TO BENEFIT ALMOST EVERYONE PAYING SALARIES TAX. FOR 120,000 TAXPAYERS, MY PROPOSALS WILL MEAN THAT THEY PAY NOTHING AT ALL IN FUTURE. FOR ANOTHER 1.1 MILLION, TAX BILLS WILL BE VERY CONSIDERABLY REDUCED. IT IS AN AMAZING FACT THAT THE PROPORTION OF THE WORKING POPULATION WHO PAY NO SALARIES TAX - I REPEAT, ZERO SALARIES TAX - WILL INCREASE FROM 43% TO 58%.
BUT 1 HAVE NOT CONFINED MY CONCESSIONS TO SALARIES TAX. I HAVE ALSO BEEN ABLE TO REDUCE CORPORATE PROFITS TAX. FOR SOME, THIS WILL BE PARTLY OFFSET BY THE INCREASE I HAVE PROPOSED IN THE BUSINESS REGISTRATION FEE. I HAVE ALSO REDUCED AIRPORT DEPARTURE TAX, ESTATE DUTY, AND STAMP DUTY ON THE PURCHASE OF LOWER AND MEDIUM-VALUE FLATS. I HAVE PROPOSED NO INCREASE IN TOBACCO DUTY, A SIMPLE INFLATION INCREASE IN THE DUTY ON PETROL, AND \ COMPLETE REFORM OF THE COMPLEX SYSTEM OF DUTIES ON ALCOHOL. I HAVE ALSO TRIPLED THF LOTTERIES FUND’S SHARE OF MARK 6 PROCEEDS TO MEET EXPENDITURE ON SOCIAL WELFARE PROJECTS. AT THF SAME TIME, I HAVE TAKEN STEPS TO BLOCK LOOPHOLES WHICH ALLOW OUR LOW TAXES TO BE AVOIDED.
THE TAX CUTS I HAVE PROPOSED HAVE NOT AFFECTED OUR ABILITY TO FIND MORE MONEY FOR EXISTING PROGRAMMES, AND FOR NEW• INITI ATIVES. IN HIS POLICY ADDRESSES TO LEGCO IN 1992 AND 1993, THE GOVERNOR SET OUT AMBITIOUS TARGETS FOR IMPROVEMENTS IN OUR EDUCATION AND TRAINING PROGRAMMES, ON HEALTH AND HOSPITAL SERVICES AND OUR SOCIAL WELFARE SERVICES. WE WILL BE ABLE TO FINANCE ALL THESE TARGETS FOR THE COMING YEAR.
ALL IN ALL, I HAVE TRIED TO MAKE MY BUDGET MEET THE NEEDS AND EXPECTATIONS OF THE COMMUNITY. MY AIM IN THIS BUDGET HAS BEEN TO MANAGE THE PROSPERITY WE HAVE ACHIEVED : TO ALLOW THE HARD-WORKING MEN AND WOMEN OF HONG KONG TO ENJOY THE BENEFITS OF THIS SUCCESS, AND TO ENSURE THAT THIS SUCCESS, \ND WITH IT OUR WAY OF LIFE, CONTINUES IN THE FUTURE.
GOOD NIGHT.
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/40 .......
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 2, 1994
- 40 -
WHAT THE BUDGET MEANS FOR YOU
*****
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WILL HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK TO THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, SIR HAMISH MACLEOD, ABOUT THE BUDGET FOR THE NEW FINANCIAL YEAR TOMORROW (THURSDAY), THE DAY IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE PUBLICATION OF THIS IMPORTANT DOCUMENT.
SIR HAMISH WILL TAKE QUESTIONS FROM ('ALLERS PHONING IN RTHK RADIO 1 AND 5’S "TALKABOUT" AND RADIO 3’S ”HONG KONG TODAY” PROGRAMMES FROM 7.45 AM TO 8.45 AM.
THE LIVE BROADCAST, WITH SIMULTANEOUS TRANSLATION, TAKES PLACE IN BROADCASTING HOUSE, 30 BROADCAST DRIVE, KOWLOON.
THE PHONE-IN NUMBERS ARE 187 2311 FOR THE CHINESE LANGUAGE AND 338 8266 FOR THE ENGLISH.
LATER IN THE MORNING, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY WILL BE MEETING THE CHAIRMEN OF THE 19 DISTRICT BOARDS AND THE CHAIRMEN OF THE TWO MUNICIPAL COUNCILS AT 11 AM IN THE CNTA HEADQUARTERS TO BRIEF THEM ABOUT THE IMPLICATIONS OF THE BUDGET PROPOSALS FOR THE COMMUNITY, AND THE DISTRICTS IN PARTICULAR.
IN THE AFTERNOON, SIR HAMISH WILL BE HOSTING A POST-BUDGET PRESS CONFERENCE AT 3 PM IN THE INFORMATION SERVICES DEPARTMENT.
ATTENTION NEWS EDITORS:
PHONE-IN PROGRAMME
PRESS MEMBERS WHO ARE INTERESTED TO COVER THE PROGRAMME ARE REQUESTED TO NOTE THE FOLLOWING:
* AUDIO AND CLOSED CIRCUIT FACILITIES ARE SET UP FOR PRESS MEMBERS TO MONITOR ACTIVITIES INSIDE THE LIVE STUDIO.
♦ PLEASE BRING ALONG PRESS CREDENTIALS.
DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMEN MEETING
A PHOTOGRAPHIC FACILITY HAS BEEN ARRANGED FOR THE MEDIA TO TAKE PICTURES PRIOR TO THE START OF THE MEETING. PRESS MEMBERS ARE REQUESTED TO ASSEMBLE AT 10.45 AM AT THE NEWS AND PUBLICITY DIVISION OF CNTA, SOUTHORN CENTRE, 30TH FLOOR, 130 HENNESSY ROAD, WAN CHAI.
PRESS CONFERENCE
THE PRESS CONFERENCE WILL BE HELD IN THE GIS PRESS CONFERENCE ROOM, BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, FIFTH FLOOR, CENTRAL, AT 3 PM.
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
SUPPLEMENT 2
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 2, 1994
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MEETING:
AGREEMENT ON IMMIGRATION LAW YET TO BE REACHED.......... 1
ICAC’S RECOMMENDATIONS ON FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCY ELECTIONS 1
FURTHER USE OF CHINESE IN COURT PROCEEDINGS UNDER STUDY ... 2
RESOURCES ALLOCATED ACCORDING TO COMMUNITY’S NEEDS ..... 2
ALL RAILWAY INCIDENTS ARE INVESTIGATED ................. 3
SIX DEPARTMENTS MAY SET UP TRADING FUNDS ............... 4
SEWAGE CHARGING SCHEME ACCEPTABLE TO COMMUNITY ......... 6
SINGLE PARENT TAX ALLOWANCE REVIEWED IN BUDGET ......... 6
JUSTIFICATIONS FOR AGE REQUIREMENTS IN CERTAIN POSTS ... 7
RECLAMATION WORKS DO NOT AFFECT MARINE TRAFFIC ......... 8
POLICE FIGHT TRIAD EXTORTION AT TWO LEVELS ............. 8
NO CONTRADICTORY STATEMENTS ON CONSULAR PROTECTION...... 9
MANAGEMENT IN PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES SATISFACTORY ...... 9
SERVICES FOR SCHOOL DROP-OUTS TO BE STRENGTHENED ....... 10
REHABILITATION CARE FOR IN-PATIENTS .................... 11
PARKING RENTAL INCREASES REASONABLE ............... . 12
OPEN RECRUITMENT FOR CDI PROFESSIONAL POSTS ............ 12
CONTROL STEPPED UP TO REDUCE WATER MAINS BURST ......... 13
HELP FOR HK TOURISTS ................................... 13
GUIDELINES FOR SITING OF FUNERAL PARLOURS ............. 14
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 2, 1994
1
AGREEMENT ON IMMIGRATION LAW YET TO BE REACHED *****
THE GOVERNMENT HAS YET TO REACH AGREEMENT WITH THE CHINESE SIDE ON THE ALIGNMENT OF THE IMMIGRATION ORDINANCE WITH THE BASIC LAW, INCLUDING THE PROVISION TO ENABLE RESIDENTS WITH FOREIGN NATIONALITY TO GET RIGHT OF ABODE IN HONG KONG.
IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY DR THE HON LEONG CHE-HUNG IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY), THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, MR ALISTAIR ASPREY, REPORTED ON THE PROGRESS.
"WE HOPE THAT FURTHER TALKS WITH THE CHINESE SIDE WILL TAKE PLACE ON THIS MATTER SOON.
"AND WE HOPE TO BE ABLE TO PUBLISH A COMPREHENSIVE GUIDE AS SOON AS AGREEMENT IS REACHED ON FUTURE RIGHT OF ABODE IN THE HONG KONG SPECIAL ADMINISTRATIVE REGION," MR ASPREY SAID.
THE GOVERNMENT HAS UNDERTAKEN TO PUBLISH THE GUIDE ON THE RIGHTS THAT RESIDENTS WITH FOREIGN NATIONALITY COULD ENJOY.
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ICAC’S RECOMMENDATIONS ON FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCY ELECTIONS
* * * * »
THE INDEPENDENT COMMISSION AGAINST CORRUPTION (ICAC) HAS RECOMMENDED, ON THE BASIS OF THE EXISTING SYSTEM, A NUMBER OF IMPROVEMENTS TO THE FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCY ELECTION PROCEDURES, THE SECRETARY FOR CONSTITUTIONAL AFFAIRS, MR NICHOLAS NG, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MR NG ADDED THAT THE ELECTORAL PROVISIONS (MISCELLANEOUS AMENDMENTS) BILL 1994, WHICH WOULD BE INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON MARCH 9, HAD ALSO PROPOSED A NUMBER OF CHANGES TO THE SYSTEM.
IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON ANNA WU IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, MR NG SAID THAT THE GOVERNMENT WOULD CONSIDER THE ICAC’S RECOMMENDATIONS IN THE LIGHT OF THE FINAL SHAPE OF THE LEGISLATIVE CHANGES.
MR NG SAID: "THESE PROPOSALS, IF IMPLEMENTED, WILL GREATLY REDUCE THE SCOPE FOR ABUSE AND CORRUPTION IN FUTURE FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCY ELECTIONS."
THE MAIN RECOMMENDATIONS MADE BY THE ICAC INCLUDE:
* VOTING FOR FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCIES WITH SMALL ELECTORATES, WHICH ARE CONSIDERED MORE PRONE TO ELECTION MALPRACTICES, TO BE COMPUTERISED OR MECHANISED;
* RURAL ELECTIONS TO BE SUBJECT TO THE CORRUPT AND ILLEGAL PRACTICES ORDINANCE;
* POLLING AGENTS TO WITNESS THE SEALING OF BALLOT BOXES AND THE BREAKING OF THE SEALS;
/* GUIDELINES CW .......
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 2, 1994
2
* GUIDELINES ON ELECTIONEERING ACTIVITIES TO BE ISSUED TO THE REPRESENTATIVE ORGANISATIONS OF THE FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCIES;
* GUIDELINES TO BE ISSUED TO GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS ON HOW TO HANDLE REQUESTS FROM CANDIDATES FOR CAMPAIGNING IN GOVERNMENT OFFICES;
* PUBLICITY ON FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCY ELECTIONS TO BE IMPROVED.
MR NG SAID THE ICAC’S REPORT WAS AN INTERNAL CONSULTANCY DOCUMENT AND IT WAS CONSIDERED INAPPROPRIATE TO MAKE PUBLIC THE FULL REPORT.
’’HOWEVER, BEFORE IMPLEMENTING ANY OF THE RECOMMENDATIONS, EITHER THROUGH LEGISLATION OR IN THE FORM OF GUIDELINES, THE COMMUNITY WILL BE THOROUGHLY CONSULTED,” HE ADDED.
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FURTHER USE OF CHINESE IN COURT PROCEEDINGS UNDER STUDY ♦ * * * * *
TWO WORKING PARTIES APPOINTED BY THE CHIEF JUSTICE HAVE BEEN ASKED TO CONSIDER THE MEANS BY WHICH THE USE OF THE CHINESE LANGUAGE MAY BE FURTHER PROMOTED IN COURT PROCEEDINGS, THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, THE HON JEREMY MATHEWS SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION RAISED BY THE HON TAM YIU-CHUNG, MR MATHEWS SAID THE TWO WORKING PARTIES MIGHT WELL MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE CHIEF JUSTICE AS TO WHETHER AND, IF SO, HOW THE OFFICIAL LANGUAGES ORDINANCE NEEDED TO BE AMENDED TO ALLOW CHINESE BE USED IN THE COURT OF APPEAL, HIGH COURT AND DISTRICT COURT.
HE SAID: "THE CHIEF JUSTICE WILL, IN DUE COURSE, DECIDE WHAT ACTION, IF ANY, HE WILL TAKE IN RESPECT OF THOSE RECOMMENDATIONS.”
WITH REGARD TO STATUTORY FORMS, MR MATHEWS SAID THE BILINGUAL LAWS EXERCISE NOW BEING CONDUCTED WAS DESIGNED TO ENSURE THAT ALL FORMS THAT REMAINED SPECIFIED IN THE LAWS OF HONG KONG WOULD, BEFORE 1997, BE SPECIFIED IN BOTH ENGLISH AND CHINESE.
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RESOURCES ALLOCATED ACCORDING TO COMMUNITY’S NEEDS *****
THE GOVERNMENT DETERMINES PRIORITIES IN RESOURCE ALLOCATION ON THE BASIS OF THE COMMUNITY’S NEEDS, AND THE COMMUNITY REGARDS SOCIAL WELFARE, MEDICAL SERVICES AND HOUSING AS DESERVING PARTICULAR PRIORITY.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE SECRETARY FOR THE TREASURY, MR DONALD TSANG, IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY DR THE HON CONRAD LAM IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
/THIS TARGETING ....
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 2, 1994
3
THIS TARGETING OF PUBLIC EXPENDITURE, AND THE FACT THAT THE SERVICES PROVIDED IN THESE AREAS ARE HEAVILY SUBSIDISED, UNDERLINE THE GOVERNMENT’S DETERMINATION AND CONTINUOUS EFFORT IN IMPROVING THE QUALITY OF LIFE FOR THE LESS FORTUNATE SECTORS OF THE COMMUNITY, HE SAID.
THE GOVERNMENT ALSO TARGETS TAX ALLOWANCES TO ELIMINATE OR REDUCE THE TAX BURDEN ON THE LOWER INCOME GROUPS, MR TSANG SAID.
"AS A RESULT, OVER HALF OF THE WORKING POPULATION PAYS EITHER NO TAX OR VERY LITTLE TAX.’’
THE SECRETARY SAID FROM THE POPULATION CENSUSES AND BY-CENSUSES CONDUCTED AT FIVE-YEARLY INTERVALS, THE COMMISSIONER FOR CENSUS AND STATISTICS COLLECTED AND COMPILED DATA ON INCOME DIVERSITY BETWEEN THE RICH AND THE POOR.
IN THE ONGOING GENERAL HOUSEHOLD SURVEY, THE BROAD INCOME DATA IS ALSO COLLECTED AS ONE ASPECT OF THE HOUSEHOLD CHARACTERISTICS.
HOWEVER, BECAUSE OF THE LIMITED SAMPLE SIZE, THESE DATA CANNOT BE APPLIED TO DERIVE SATISFACTORY STATISTICS ON INCOME DIVERSITY, MR TSANG SAID.
’’ANNUAL STATISTICS ON INCOME DIVERSITY ARE HENCE NOT AVAILABLE," HE SAID.
ACCORDING TO THE 1991 POPULATION CENSUS, THE FIVE PER CENT OF HOUSEHOLDS IN THE BOTTOM INCOME BRACKET ACCOUNTED FOR 0.3 PER CENT OF THE TOTAL HOUSEHOLD INCOME IN HONG KONG FOR THAT YEAR.
FIVE PER CENT OF HOUSEHOLDS IN THE TOP INCOME BRACKET ACCOUNTED FOR 26 PER CENT OF THE TOTAL HOUSEHOLD INCOME.
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ALL RAILWAY INCIDENTS ARE INVESTIGATED
******
IT HAS ALWAYS BEEN, AND WILL REMAIN TO RAILWAY CORPORATION’S PRACTICE TO CARRY OUT AN INVESTIGATION INTO THE CAUSES OF EVERY RAILWAY
BE, THE KOWLOON-CANTON IMMEDIATE AND DETAILED INCIDENT.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE SECRETARY FOR BARMA, IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY REX IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
TRANSPORT, MR HAIDER THE HON FUNG CHI-WOOD
MR BARMA SAID A REPORT WAS KONG RAILWAY INSPECTORATE AND THE THAT, WHERE NECESSARY, REMED1AI SAFETY.
PRODUCED FOR THE INDEPENDENT HONG CORPORATION’S OWN CONSIDERATION SO ACTION COULD BE TAKEN TO ENHANCE
UE SAID SUCH REPORTS WERE MOT PUBLISHED BECAUSE THEY WERE VERY TECHNICAL, COMPLEX AND LENGTHY AND WERE NOT EASY TO DIGEST.
"HOWEVER, TO FACILITATE UNDERSTANDING, \ SIMPLIFIED VERSION IS PREPARED AND IS AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST, HE SAID.
/MR BARMA .......
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 2, 1994
4
MR BARMA STRESSED THAT TO ADDRESS BOTH PUBLIC CONCERN AND INTEREST BOTH THE CORPORATION AND THE GOVERNMENT WOULD DO THEIR BEST TO ‘PROVIDE EACTS AND EXPLAIN THE SITUATION AND FINDINGS TO THE MEDIA AND THE PUBLIC.
WITH REGARD TO THE THREE INCIDENTS MENTIONED BY THE HONOURABLE MEMBER, HE SAID THE CORPORATION IIAD HELD SEVEN MEETINGS WITH VARIOUS POLITICAL AND LOCAL ORGANISATIONS AND ONE MEETING WITH THE SHA TIN DISTRICT BOARD TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT COMMITTEE TO BRIEF THEM ON THE MAIN FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS OF ITS INVESTIGATIONS.
TO PREVENT THE RECURRENCE OF AN ACCIDENT SIMILAR TO THE JUNE 9, 1993 INCIDENT, MR BARNA SAID THE CORPORATION HAD REMINDED ALL PLATFORM STAFF TO KEEP BEHIND THE YELLOW LINE, ESPECIALLY WHEN TRAINS WERE APPROACHING OR LEAVING THE PLATFORM, AND TO STRICTLY OBSERVE SAFETY PROCEDURES.
REGARDING THE FIRE AT THE UNDERFRAME OF A TRAIN CAR ON JUNE 17, 1993, HE SAID THE CORPORATION IDENTIFIED THE CAUSE TO BE A FAULT IN A MINOR ELECTRICAL COMPONENT UNDER THE CARRIAGE FLOOR AND HAD REINFORCED THE INSPECTION AND MAINTENANCE OF ALL SUCH EQUIPMENT TO PREVENT RECURRENCE.
CONCERNING THE FIRE IN THE CONTRACTOR’S WORK AREA AT SHA TIN STATION ON SEPTEMBER 21, 1993, HE SAID THE CORPORATION HAD INCREASED ITS LEVEL OF SUPERVISION AND CONTROL OVER CONTRACTORS ON ITS PREMISES TO REINFORCE SAFETY REQUIREMENTS AND TO ENSURE THAT THEY HAD TAKEN ALL NECESSARY MEASURES TO PREVENT SIMILAR OCCURRENCES.
IT HAS ALSO REVIEWED ITS EVACUATION AND RECOVERY PROCEDURES WITH THE POLICE AND FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT IN THE LIGHT OF EXPERIENCE GAINED FROM THIS INCIDENT, HE ADDED.
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SIX DEPARTMENTS MAY SET UP TRADING FUNDS * ♦ t ♦ t
Six GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS ARE UNDER CONSIDERATION FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF TRADING FUNDS, THE CHIEF SECRETARY, THE HON MRS ANSON CHAN, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
THESE DEPARTMENTS ARE:. DRAINAGE SERVICES DEAPRTMENT, OFFICE OF THE TELECOMMUNICATIONS AUTHORITY, WATER SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT, MARINE DEPARTMENT, POST OFFICE AND ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT.
IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON LAU CHIN-SHEK IN ’'HE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, MRS CHAN SAID TYPICALLY TRADING FUNDS WOULD KELP DEPARTMENTS PROVIDE AN EFFICIENT AND EFFECTIVE OPERATION.
THIS WAS OBVIOUS IN CASES WHERE TRADITIONAL VOTE-FUNDED ARRANGEMENTS COULD NOT BE VARIED ON \ DAY-TO-DAY BASIS TO MATCH FLUCTUATING DEMAND FOR SERVICES; OR WHERE A DEPARTMENT COULD NOT COMPETE SUCCESSFULLY FOR THE ALLOCATION OF RESOURCES NECESSARY TO RUN it:: business.
/SHE SAID .......
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 2, 1994
5 -
SHE SAID THE LAND REGISTRY AND COMPANIES REGISTRY OPERATION AS TRADING FUNDS SINCE AUGUST 1, 1993 ALREADY ILLUSTRATED THESE BENEFITS IN THE MANAGEMENT OF RESOURCES, THE PROVISION OF SERVICES AND THE DEVELOPMENT OF NEW PROJECTS.
BOTH REGISTRIES ARE ALSO PLANNING TO EXPAND AND RENOVATE THEIR PUBLIC AREAS IN ORDER TO PROVIDE A MORE USER-FRIENDLY AND CUSTOM-ORIENTED ENVIRONMENT, MRS CHAN SAID.
’’ALL THESE PROJECTS ARE PROGRESSING MORE RAPIDLY THAN WOULD OTHERWISE BE POSSIBLE BECAUSE OF THE GREATER FLEXIBILITY PROVIDED UNDER THE TRADING FUNDS ORDINANCE,” SHE SAID.
’’TRADING FUNDS INTRODUCE RELATIVELY STRAIGHTFORWARD ADMINISTRATIVE CHANGES TO ENABLE DEPARTMENTS TO OPERATE MORE LIKE BUSINESSES WHERE THIS IS APPROPRIATE, WHILE REMAINING AS PART OF GOVERNMENT.
’’THE ASSETS OF A TRADING FUND REMAIN GOVERNMENT ASSETS; THE STAFF REMAIN CIVIL SERVANTS. PRIVATISATION AND CORPORATISATION WOULD INVOLVE MORE FAR-REACHING CHANGES, AND ARE THUS NOT CONSIDERED AN ALTERNATIVE FORM OF MANAGEMENT ARRANGEMENT TO TRADING FUNDS.”
THE KEY SAFEGUARDS ON THE SERVICES OF A TRADING FUND DEPARTMENT ARE:
♦ THE TRADING FUND ORDINANCE. BEFORE A TRADING FUND IS ESTABLISHED, THE ADMINISTRATION WILL NEED TO SATISFY ITSELF AND THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL OF THE CAPABILITY AND
SUITABILITY OF A PROPOSED DEPARTMENT TO BECOME A TRADING FUND;
* THE TERMS OF THE RESOLUTION ON THE SETTING UP OF EACH INDIVIDUAL FUND WHICH MUST BE APPROVED BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL;
♦ THE ANNUAL REPORT OF THE OPERATION, THE CERTIFIED STATEMENTS AND THE REPORT OF THE DIRECTOR OF AUDIT OF EACH TRADING FUND, ALL OF WHICH ARE PRESENTED TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL;
* THE POWERS OF THE DIRECTOR OF AUDIT TO AUDIT THE EFFICIENCY AND EFFECTIVENESS OF THE OPERATION; AND
* THE FRAMEWORK AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE APPROPRIATE BRANCH SECRETARY AND THE GENERAL MANAGER OF A TRADING FUND COVERING COMMERCIAL AND NON-COMMERCIAL OBJECTIVES, FINANCIAL TARGETS, OPERATING TARGETS AND OTHER MATTERS OF CONCERN, SUCH AS ARRANGEMENT TO ADJUST FEES AND CHARGES. .
MRS CHAN SAID THE ADMINISTRATION ATTACHED GREAT IMPORTANCE TO THE NEED TO SECURE STAFF SUPPORT IN THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A TRADING FUND.
’’EACH CONCERNED DEPARTMENT INFORMS AND BRIEFS ITS STAFF OF THE PROPOSED SETTING UP OF A TRADING FUND AND DISCUSSES WITH THEM THE IMPLICATIONS OF THE FUND FOR THE STAFF OF THE DEPARTMENT," MRS CHAN SAID.
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/6......
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 2, 1994
- 6 -
SEWAGE CHARGING SCHEME ACCEPTABLE TO COMMUNITY
******
HOUSEHOLDS PAYING NO WATER CHARGES UNDER THE PRESENT WATER TARIFF WOULD ALSO BE EXEMPT FROM SEWAGE CHARGES, THE SECRETARY FOR PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS, MR TONY EASON, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON EMILY LAU WAI-HING, MR EASON SAID: "TO PROVIDE AN INCENTIVE TO HOUSEHOLDS GENERATING LESS SEWAGE, WE PROPOSE THAT HOUSEHOLDS CONSUMING 13 CUBIC METRES OF WATER OR LESS IN FOUR MONTHS SHOULD BE EXEMPT FROM SEWAGE CHARGES.
"THIS WILL BENEFIT ABOUT 287,000 OR 17 PER CENT HOUSEHOLDS," HE SAID.
ON THE QUESTION THAT ABOUT 230,000 OR 14 PER CENT HOUSEHOLDS MAY HAVE TO PAY MORE FOR THE SEWAGE CHARGES THAN THEIR WATER BILLS, MR EASON SAID THIS WAS BECAUSE THESE HOUSEHOLDS WHO CONSUMED BETWEEN 14 AND 24 CUBIC METRES OF WATER OVER A FOUR-MONTH BILLING PERIOD HAD THE ADVANTAGE OF RECEIVING THE FIRST 13 CUBIC METRES OF WATER FREE OF CHARGE UNDER THE EXISTING WATER TARIFF.
"THEIR SEWAGE CHARGES MAY BE AS LOW AS $9.5 TO $ 11.2 A MONTH COMPARED WITH THE EXPECTED AVERAGE OF $15 A MONTH,” HE SAID.
MR EASON SAID "GIVEN THE LOW-USER EXEMPTION AND THE MODEST CHARGES PROPOSED FOR ALL OTHER USERS, THE SCHEME SHOULD BE ACCEPTABLE TO THE COMMUNITY."
HE SAID THE SEWAGE CHARGES WOULD BE BASED ON A FIXED SERVICE CHARGE OF $7 PER MONTH AND 70 CENTS PER CUBIC METRE OF WATER CONSUMED SO THAT THE RESULTING REVENUE WOULD RECOVER THE OPERATING COSTS OF SEWAGE SERVICES.
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SINGLE PARENT TAX ALLOWANCE REVIEWED IN BUDGET
*****
TAX ALLOWANCE FOR SINGLE PARENTS IS REVIEWED ALONGSIDE OTHER SALARIES TAX ALLOWANCES IN THE CONTEXT OF THE BUDGET EACH YEAR.
ADJUSTMENTS ARE MADE HAVING REGARD TO THE NEED TO MAINTAIN THE REAL VALUE OF THE ALLOWANCE AND THE GOVERNMENT’S FISCAL POSITION.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE SECRETARY FOR THE TREASURY, MR DONALD TSANG, IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO THE HON LI WAH-MING IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
"IN RECOGNITION OF THE EXTRA FINANCIAL BURDEN THEY BEAR IN RAISING A FAMILY ON THEIR OWN, WE HAD SET THE ALLOWANCE AT A LEVEL WHICH WOULD PROVIDE SOME APPRECIABLE RELIEF TO THIS PARTICULAR CATEGORY OF TAXPAYERS," MR TSANG SAID.
/"UNDER EXISTING .......
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 2, 1994
7
"UNDER EXISTING LAW, A PERSON IS ENTITLED TO CLAIM A SINGLE PARENT ALLOWANCE IF AT ANY TIME DURING A YEAR OF ASSESSMENT HE HAD THE SOLE OR PREDOMINANT CARE OF A CHILD IN RESPECT OF WHOM HE WAS ENTITLED TO A CHILD ALLOWANCE," HE SAID.
HOWEVER, A CLAIM WOULD NOT BE ENTERTAINED UNDER THE FOLLOWING CONDITIONS:
♦ IF AT ANY TIME IN THE YEAR OF ASSESSMENT HE WAS MARRIED AND LIVING WITH HIS SPOUSE; OR
* HE CLAIMED THE ALLOWANCE BY REASON ONLY THAT HE MADE CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE MAINTENANCE AND EDUCATION OF THE CHILD DURING THE YEAR OF ASSESSMENT; OR
* HE CLAIMED THE ALLOWANCE IN RESPECT OF THE SECOND AND SUBSEQUENT CHILD.
IN ADDITION, WHERE TWO OR MORE PERSONS ARE ENTITLED TO CLAIM THE ALLOWANCE IN RESPECT OF THE SAME CHILD FOR THE SAME YEAR OF ASSESSMENT, THE ALLOWANCE WILL BE APPORTIONED.
THE SINGLE PARENT CAN BE A MAN OR A WOMAN IN THIS CONTEXT UNDER THE LAW, HE ADDED.
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JUSTIFICATIONS FOR AGE REQUIREMENTS IN CERTAIN POSTS
UNDER THE CIVIL SERVICE GUIDELINES, AGE REQUIREMENTS SHOULD ONLY BE LAID DOWN BY GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS WHEN THEY ARE CONSIDERED NECESSARY FOR OPERATIONAL REASONS.
SUCH REASONS MAY INCLUDE THE NEED FOR A CERTAIN DEGREE OF PHYSICAL FITNESS IN JOBS WHERE A SUBSTANTIAL AMOUNT OF MANUAL WORK HAS TO BE PERFORMED, THE NEED TO HAVE HAD RECENT EDUCATIONAL EXPOSURE TO MODERN TECHNOLOGY, OR FOR CERTAIN JOBS WHICH HAVE FREQUENT CONTACT WITH THE PUBLIC, TO HAVE A MATURE PERSONALITY.
IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON ANNA WU IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY), THE SECRETARY FOR THE CIVIL SERVICE, MR MICHAEL SZE, EXPLAINED THAT SETTING OUT AGE REQUIREMENTS IN SUCH CIRCUMSTANCES "HELPS TO REDUCE THE NUMBER OF APPLICATIONS FROM THOSE WHO ARE UNLIKELY TO BE FOUND SUITABLE".
"IT ALSO REDUCES THE RESOURCES NEEDED FOR CONDUCTING RECRUITMENT EXERCISES," HE ADDED.
ON THE AGE REQUIREMENTS FOR THREE GOVERNMENT POSTS QUOTED BY MISS WU, THE SECRETARY NOTED THAT THE AGE LIMIT FOR THE TEMPORARY CLERK IN THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT WAS SUBSEQUENTLY WITHDRAWN.
THE COMPANIES REGISTRY. HAS DECIDED NOT TO STIPULATE AGE REQUIREMENTS IN ITS FUTURE RECRUITMENT NOTICES.
THE VACANCY FOR A PERSONAL SECRETARY IT IN THE LAND REGISTRY HAS ALREADY BEEN FILLED BY A PERMANENT STAFF AND NO TEMPORARY POSITION. WILL BE OFFERED FOR THE TIME BEING.
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/R .........
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 2, 1994
8 -
RECLAMATION WORKS DO NOT AFFECT MARINE TRAFFIC *****
THE CENTRAL AND WANCHAI RECLAMATION ACTIVITIES DO NOT AFFECT THE SAFETY OF VESSEL TRAFFIC, THE SECRETARY FOR ECONOMIC SERVICES, MR GORDON SIU, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
THIS IS BECAUSE THE PROJECTS ARE CARRIED OUT OUTSIDE THE CENTRAL FAIRWAY, HENCE THE WIDTH OF THE FAIRWAY WILL NOT BE REDUCED.
HOWEVER, VESSEL TRAFFIC ALONG THE FAIRWAY HAS BECOME BUSIER AS THE AREA OF NAVIGABLE WATERWAY IS REDUCED OWING TO RECLAMATION, MR SIU SAID IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON ALBERT CHAN.
TO REDUCE THE IMPACT AND TO MAINTAIN EFFICIENCY OF NAVIGATION, MR SIU SAID THE MARINE DEPARTMENT HAD CAREFULLY PRE-PLANNED RECLAMATION WORKS IN CONJUNCTION WITH RELEVANT WORKS DEPARTMENTS.
DETAILED INSTRUCTIONS ARE SENT OUT TO CONTRACTORS TO UNDERTAKE SAFETY PRECAUTIONS.
THE DEPARTMENT CONSULTS AND GIVES ADVICE TO PILOTS, FERRY OPERATORS AND LOCAL VESSEL ASSOCIATIONS AND OTHER MAJOR PORT USERS.
IT HAS ALSO STEPPED UP HARBOUR PATROLS AND HAS MAINTAINED CLOSE COMMUNICATION WITH ALL PARTIES. TWO ADDITIONAL PATROL LAUNCHES WILL BE DEPLOYED IN MAY.
MR SIU SAID IN VIEW OF THE LIKELY IMPACT ON MARINE TRAFFIC OF TERRITORY-WIDE INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT, THE MARINE DEPARTMENT WOULD UNDERTAKE A NUMBER OF ACTIVITIES.
THE ACTIVITIES INCLUDE:
* CONDUCTING A FULL NAVIGATIONAL RISK ASSESSMENT FOR THE WHOLE OF HONG KONG WATERS;
* IDENTIFYING MARINE TRAFFIC BLACK SPOTS AND INDUSTRY MALPRACTICES AND DEVISING APPROPRIATE CONTROL MEASURES; AND
♦ EXAMINING THE PORT AND WATERWAY LAYOUTS WITH A VIEW TO IDENTIFYING THE SAFEST, MOST ECONOMIC AND EFFICIENT MARINE TRAFFIC FLOW. AS PART OF THIS REVIEW, NEW FAIRWAYS AND ANCHORAGES IN THE WESTERN HARBOUR AREA WILL BE INTRODUCED LATER THIS YEAR.
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POLICE FIGHT TRIAD EXTORTION AT TWO LEVELS
*****
THE POLICE HAVE DEPLOYED CONSIDERABLE RESOURCES AT REGIONAL AND DISTRICT LEVELS TO FIGHT TRIAD EXTORTION OF PUBLIC LIGHT BUSES.
THIS 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 REGIONAL LEVEL, INTELLIGENCE-BASED OPERATIONS ARE MOUNTED USING UNDERCOVER OFFICERS IN OPERATIONS WHICH HAVE HAD CONSIDERABLE SUCCESS," MR ASPREY SAID.
/Rm nTCrnnTfT
9
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 2, 1994
AT DISTRICT LEVEL, BOTH UNIFORMED AND PLAIN-CLOTHED OFFICERS ARE REGULARLY DEPLOYED ON THE ROUTES AND NEAR QUEUES TO REASSURE THE PUBLIC AND GLEAN INTELLIGENCE ON THE CURRENT SITUATION, HE SAID.
THE NUMBER OF CASES REPORTED TO THE COMMISSIONER OF POLICE ABOUT PUBLIC LIGHT BUS DRIVERS OR OPERATORS BEING BLACKMAILED OR EXTORTED BY TRIADS WAS NINE LAST YEAR XND ONF EACH IN 1992 AND 1991.
AS A RESULT OF THESE COMPLAINTS, TWO PEOPLE WERE PROSECUTED IN 1991; NONE IN 1992; AND EIGHT LAST YEAR.
THE NUMBER OF PERSONS CONVICTED WAS TWO IN 1991; NONE IN 1992; AND ONE LAST YEAR; THE PROSECUTION OF SIX PERSONS HAS NOT YET BEEN CONCLUDED.
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NO CONTRADICTORY STATEMENTS ON CONSULAR PROTECTION
*****
THE BRITISH FOREIGN OFFICE AND THE SECURITY BRANCH HAVE GIVEN NO CONTRADICTORY STATEMENTS ON THE ISSUE OF CONSULAR PROTECTION FOR BRITISH NATIONALS UNDER THE BRITISH NATIONALITY SELECTION SCHEME.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, MR ALISTAIR ASPREY, IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON HENRY TANG YING-YEN IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
BUT, AS A MATTER OF INTERNATIONAL LAW, A PERSON WITH DUAL NATIONALITY IS NOT GIVEN CONSULAR PROTECTION IN THE COUNTRY OF HIS SECOND NATIONALITY, MR ASPREY SAID.
"IT FOLLOWS THAT THF UK CANNOT GIVE A DUAL BRITISH/CHINESE NATIONAL CONSULAR PROTECTION IN HONG KONG AFTER 1997," HE ADDED.
THE QUESTION OF WHETHER BRITISH NATIONALITY WAS OBTAINED THROUGH THE SELECTION SCHEME OR IN ACCORDANCE WITH ANY OTHER PROVISIONS OF BRITISH NATIONALITY LEGISLATION IS IRRELEVANT, HE SAID.
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MANAGEMENT IN PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES SATISFACTORY
******
THE PERFORMANCE OF THE AGENCIES AND COMPANIES MANAGING HOME OWNERSHIP SCHEME (IIOS) AND PRIVATE SECTOR PARTICIPATION SCHEME (PSPS) ESTATES IS GENERALLY SATISFACTORY, ACCORDING TO THE FEEDBACK FROM RESIDENTS.
VERY FEW COMPLAINTS HAVE BEEN RECEIVED BY THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT ABOUT THE PERFORMANCE OF THESE ESTATE MANAGERS.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE SECRETARY FOR PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS, MR TONY EASON, TN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY) IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE REV HON FUNG CHI-WOOD.
MR EASON SAID THE HOS ESTATES WERE NORMALLY MANAGED BY PROPERTY MANAGEMENT AGENTS (PMAS) WHO WERE INCLUDED ON THE HOUSING AUTHORITY’S APPROVED LIST SUBJECT TO COMPLIANCE WITH A SET OF OBJECTIVE REQUIREMENTS.
/"THEIR PERFORMANCE
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 2, 1994
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"THEIR PERFORMANCE IS MONITORED BY HOUSING MANAGERS OF THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT WHO PAY REGULAR VISITS TO THE HOS ESTATES AND REPORT ON THE MANAGEMENT SERVICES PROVIDED.
"PMAS ARE ALSO REQUIRED TO SUBMIT MONTHLY REPORTS TO THE SUPERVISING HOUSING MANAGER ON ESTATE MANAGEMENT," HE SAID.
FOR PSPS ESTATES, HE SAID, THE DEVELOPERS ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR APPOINTING AND SUPERVISING MANAGEMENT COMPANIES.
THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT IS INVOLVED IN PRESCRIBING PERFORMANCE STANDARDS BY VETTING MANAGEMENT PROPOSALS SUBMITTED BY DEVELOPERS AT THE PROJECT TENDER STAGE.
SINCE DECEMBER 1991, THE APPOINTMENT OF MANAGEMENT COMPANIES BY PSPS DEVELOPERS MUST \I.SO BE APPROVED BY THE DIRECTOR OF HOUSING WHO TAKES ACCOUNT OF THE MANAGEMENT EXPERIENCE, PAST PERFORMANCE, ORGANISATIONAL STRUCTURE AND FINANCIAL STATUS OF THE COMPANIES.
EACH OF THE 15 PMAS CURRENTLY ON THE APPROVED LIST AS WELL AS THE MANAGEMENT COMPANIES OF PSPS ESTATES HAS ITS OWN STAFF MANAGEMENT POLICY.
TO ENSURE QUALITY OF SERVICE, THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT MAINTAINS CLOSE LIAISON WITH THE PMAS AND MANAGEMENT COMPANIES, PAYS REGULAR VISITS TO ESTATES AND ADVISES HOW TO IMPROVE THE STANDARD OF SERVICE.
THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT WILL REPORT UNSATISFACTORY PERFORMANCE BY ESTATE MANAGERS TO THEIR COMPANIES FOR APPROPRIATE ACTION.
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SERVICES FOR SCHOOL DROP-OUTS TO BE STRENGTHENED * * * * * *
TO STRENGTHEN THE EXISTING SERVICES TO SCHOOL DROP-OUTS, AN ADDITIONAL 39 SCHOOL SOCIAL WORKERS WILL RE PROVIDED IN 1994/95.
BY 1995/96, THE RATIO OF SCHOOL SOCIAL WORKERS TO STUDENTS WILL BE RAISED FROM THE EXISTING I TO 2,500 TO 1 TO 2,000.
THE NUMBER OF EDUCATIONAL PSYCHOLOGISTS WILL ALSO BE INCREASED BY FIVE PER YEAR, BRINGING THE TOTAL NUMBER FROM THE PRESENT 33 TO 71 BY THE YEAR 2000/2001.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER, MR MICHAEL LEUNG, IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY-THE HON TIMOTHY HA WING-HO IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MR LEUNG SAJI) APART FROM PREVENTIVE MEASURES WHICH HAD BEEN STRENGTHENED THROUGH EMPHASIS ON SCHOOL-BASED COUNSELLING AND SUPPORT, THERE WERE OTHER SERVICES AVAILABLE TO DROP-OUTS.
THEY INCLUDED ASSESSMENT AND THERAPEUTIC SERVICES; ADJUSTMENT PROGRAMMES FOR THOSE WITH EMOTIONAL AND BEHAVIOURAL DIFFICULTIES; PROGRAMMES FOR RE-JNTEGRAT1ON INTO MAINSTREAM SCHOOLS; AND INTENSIVE REMEDIAL TEACHING SERVICE AFTER RESUMPTION OF SCHOOLING.
/AT PRESENT .......
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 2, 1994
- 11 -
AT PRESENT, THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT OPERATES AN EARLY NOTIFICATION SYSTEM UNDER WHICH SCHOOLS ARE ENCOURAGED TO REPORT BY TELEPHONE ABSENCE WITHOUT PERMISSION FOR SEVEN DAYS.
THIS IS IN ADDITION TO THE REQUIREMENT TO FURNISH WRITTEN REPORTS INVOLVING UNAUTHORISED ABSENCE OF 14 DAYS.
’’UPON RECEIPT OF REPORTS OF SUSPECTED DROP-OUTS FROM SCHOOLS, THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT WILL ASSESS THE REASONS FOR THEIR ABSENCE FROM CLASS AND, IN THE LIGHT OF FINDINGS, SEEK TO PLACE THE STUDENTS IN SCHOOLS MOST ABLE TO MEET THEIR INDIVIDUAL NEEDS,” MR LEUNG EXPLAINED.
’’THIS PROCESS REQUIRES THE CO-OPERATION OF PARENTS, SCHOOLS AND THE STUDENTS THEMSELVES.
”IT TAKES ABOUT TWO MONTHS FOR STRAIGHT-FORWARD CASES AND THREE OR FOUR MONTHS WHEN PROFESSIONAL ASSESSMENT AND COUNSELLING ARE INVOLVED.”
THE DEPARTMENT SEEKS TO RETURN THE STUDENTS TO THE ORIGINAL SCHOOLS OR, IF APPROPRIATE, FACILITATE PROMPT PLACEMENT IN ALTERNATIVE SCHOOLS.
MR LEUNG ADDED THAT THE CODE OF AID WAS BEING AMENDED TO CLARIFY THE DIRECTOR’S POWERS TO PLACE STUDENTS IN SUCH CIRCUMSTANCES.
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REHABILITATION CARE FOR IN-PATIENTS *****
THERE WERE 258 PHYSIOTHERAPISTS AND 463 OCCUPATIONAL THERAPISTS PROVIDING REHABILITATION CARE TO PATIENTS IN PUBLIC HOSPITALS AS AT THE END OF DECEMBER LAST YEAR, THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, MRS ELIZABETH WONG, SAID.
IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY DR THE HON HUANG CHEN-YA IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY), MRS WONG POINTED OUT THAT ALL NURSING STAFF WERE TRAINED TO PROVIDE GENERAL PATIENT CARE, INCLUDING REHABILITATION SERVICES.
OF THE 288 DOCTORS WORKING TN THE SPECIALTIES OF GERIATRICS, RESPIRATORY MEDICINE AND ORTHOPAEDICS AND TRAUMATOLOGY, 100 HAVE ALSO RECEIVED TRAINING IN THEIR RESPECTIVE SPECIALTIES WITH A SIGNIFICANT COMPONENT OF REHABILITATION CARE.
IN 1992/93, THERE WERE ABOUT 90,000 IN-PATIENTS REQUIRING REHABILITATION CARE MAINLY IN GERIATRIC, PULMONARY AND ORTHOPAEDIC SERVICES.
THEIR AVERAGE LENGTH OF STAY WAS 18 DAYS.
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/12........
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 2, 1994
- 12 -
PARKING RENTAL INCREASES REASONABLE ******
THE MONTHLY CHARGES FOR PARKING SPACES IN HOME OWNERSHIP SCHEME (HOS) ESTATES WERE INCREASED BY ABOUT 20 PER CENT IN JANUARY THIS YEAR, THE SECRETARY FOR PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS, MR TONY EASON, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY DR THE HON TANG SIU-TONG, MR EASON SAID THESE INCREASES WERE GENERALLY CONSIDERED REASONABLE AS THE NEW CHARGES REPRESENT ABOUT 80 PER CENT OF THE PREVAILING MARKET RATES.
MR EASON SAID THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT WAS AWARE OF RECENT COMPLAINTS FROM PRIVATE SECTOR PARTICIPATION SCHEME (PSPS) FLAT OWNERS CONCERNING INCREASES IN CAR PARK CHARGES BUT THESE HAD BEEN FEW IN NUMBER.
HE SAID THE PROVISION OF CAR PARKING SPACES IN HOS/PSPS ESTATES WAS PLANNED ON THE BASIS OF ASSESSED NEED.
THE RATIO OF PARKING SPACES FOR PRIVATE CARS TO RESIDENTIAL UNITS IN HOS/PSPS ESTATES IS 1:5 TO 8 FLATS IN THE METROPOLITAN AREA AND 1:8 TO 11 FLATS IN NON-METROPOLITAN AREA.
AT PRESENT, THERE ARE MORE THAN 15,000 AND 10,000 PARKING SPACES IN HOS AND PSPS ESTATES RESPECTIVELY.
MR EASON SAID CAR PARKS IN THE PSPS ESTATES WERE OWNED BY PRIVATE DEVELOPERS BUT MOST OF THE PARKING SPACES HAD BEEN SOLD TO INDIVIDUAL PURCHASERS.
HE NOTED THAT UNDER THE CONDITIONS OF SALE FOR EXISTING PSPS ESTATES, THE USE OF CAR PARKS WAS RESTRICTED TO RESIDENTS ONLY BUT NOT THEIR OWNERSHIP.
’’THE GOVERNMENT IS AWARE THAT CAR PARKS IN PSPS ESTATES HAVE BEEN SOLD IN LOTS BY THE DEVELOPERS TO SINGLE PURCHASERS WHO LATER RESELL OR LET FOR PROFIT.
"IN ORDER TO LIMIT THIS PRACTICE, THE CONDITIONS OF SALE OF NEW PSPS SITES WERE REVISED IN 1993 TO RESTRICT OWNERSHIP OF CAR PARKS IN FUTURE PROJECTS TO FLAT OWNERS AND TO PREVENT ANY FLAT OWNER FROM OWNING MORE THAN ONE PARKING SPACE,” MR EASON SAID.
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OPEN RECRUITMENT FOR CDI PROFESSIONAL POSTS
******
THE TARGET TO FILL 60 PER CENT OF THE PROFESSIONAL POSTS IN THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT’S CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT INSTITUTE BY . OPEN RECRUITMENT ON CONTRACT TERMS WILL BE ACHIEVED BY 1998/99.
IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON TIK CHI-YUEN IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY), THE SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER, MR MICHAEL LEUNG, SAID THIS WOULD BE ACHIEVED THROUGH THE CONVERSION OF CIVIL SERVICE POSTS TO NON-CIVIL SERVICE POSTS FOLLOWING THE RETIREMENT OR RESIGNATION OF STAFF IN THE INSPECTOR GRADE.
/AT PRESENT........
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 2, 1994
13
AT PRESENT, THERE ARE 130 PROFESSIONAL POSTS IN THE INSTITUTE, OF WHICH 32 (OR 25 PER CENT) ARE FILLED THROUGH OPEN RECRUITMENT.
THE NUMBER IS EXPECTED TO INCREASE TO 44 (OR 34 PER CENT) BY 1994/95.
"AT THIS RATE, THE 60 PER CENT TARGET WOULD BE ACHIEVED BY 1998/99,” MR LEUNG ADDED.
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CONTROL STEPPED UP TO REDUCE WATER MAINS BURST
• : •• • !/
THE WATER SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT IS NOW STEPPING UP CONTROL ON-EXCAVATION WORKS NEAR WATER MAINS BY CONDUCTING REGULAR INSPECTION ON ROAD WORKS AND ADVISING CONTRACTORS ON THE METHOD OF PREVENTING DAMAGE TO THE WATER MAINS.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE SECRETARY FOR WORKS, MR JAMES BLAKE, IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY) A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION ABOUT FLUSHING WATER SUSPENSIONS IN PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES BY THE HON LEE WING-TAT.
MR BLAKE NOTED THAT THERE WERE 244 PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES AND THE AVERAGE NUMBER OF FLUSHING WATER SUSPENSION PER HOUSING ESTATE PER YEAR WAS LESS THAN ONE IN THE LAST THREE YEARS.
THE SUSPENSION CASES, MOST OF WHICH AFFECTED ONLY PART OF THE HOUSING ESTATE, WERE CAUSED BY MAINS BURST AND MAINTENANCE AND CONNECTION WORK IN DISTRIBUTION MAINS OUTSIDE THE BOUNDARY OF PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES.
□ •
------0-------- ( ■ ? >1 ;: -O
HELP FOR HK TOURISTS » * * » *
THE GOVERNMENT HAS RECEIVED THREE REQUESTS FOR HELP FROM FAMILY MEMBERS WHO HAVE LOST CONTACT WITH RELATIVES VISITING THAILAND OVER THE PAST THREE YEARS.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, MR ALISTAIR ASPREY, IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON CHIMPUI-CHUNG IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
IN EACH CASE, THE BRITISH EMBASSY IN BANGKOK WAS CONTACTED FOR ASSISTANCE, HE SAID.
REGARDING THE FOUR CASES OF HONG KONG RESIDENTS NOW BELIEVED TO HAVE BEEN MURDERED IN THAILAND, MR ASPREY SAID THE GOVERNMENT DID NOT RECEIVE ANY REQUEST FOR HELP.
HE ADDED THAT THROUGH THE FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE (FCO), THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT HAD SOUGHT DETAILS OF THE FOUR HONG KONG TOURISTS FROM THE BRITISH EMBASSY IN BANGKOK, WHICH ‘HAD; ALSO LIAISFD WITH THE FAMILIES OVER FUNERAL ARRANGEMENTS.
/"WE UNDERSTAND........
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 2, 1994
14
"WE UNDERSTAND THAT THE THAI POLICE ARE CONTINUING THEIR INVESTIGATIONS INTO THE CASE," THE SECRETARY SAID.
ON MEASURES TO PROTECT LOCAL PEOPLE ON OVERSEAS TOURS, MR ASPREY SAID BASED ON INFORMATION FROM THE FCO, THE GOVERNMENT ISSUED TRAVEL ADVICE, THROUGH THE MEDIA, WHENEVER THERE WAS A SPECIAL NEED TO DO SO.
IN ADDITION, PEOPLE TRAVELLING IN TOUR GROUPS GET ADVICE FROM THEIR TOUR OPERATORS, HE ADDED.
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GUIDELINES FOR SITING OF FUNERAL PARLOURS
******
ALTHOUGH RIGID CRITERIA FOR SITING A FUNERAL PARLOUR, SUCH AS DISTANCES FROM HOUSING ESTATES OR OTHER AREA, WERE NOT LAID DOWN, THEY SHOULD BE SEPARATED FROM RESIDENTIAL AND COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENTS BY TOPOGRAPHICAL FEATURES OR LAND USES SUCH AS COMMUNITY FACILITIES, PUBLIC UTILITIES OR OPEN SPACE AS FAR AS POSSIBLE.
THESE GUIDELINES HAVE BEEN FOLLOWED IN SELECTING THE FUNERAL PARLOUR SITE IN TIN SHUI WAI.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE SECRETARY FOR PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS, MR TONY EASON, IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON ZACHARY WONG IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MR EASON NOTED THAT OTHER SITES IN AREA 14 AND ELSEWHERE IN TIN SHUI WAI HAD ALSO BEEN CONSIDERED BUT FOUND TO BE LESS SUITABLE.
NOTING THAT FUNERAL PARLOURS PROVIDED AN ESSENTIAL COMMUNITY SERVICE ALTHOUGH THEY MIGHT NOT BE WELCOME IN URBAN AREAS, MR EASON SAID THE FUNERAL PARLOUR IN TIN SHUI WAI WOULD BE OPERATED ON A NONPROFIT BASIS FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE LESS WELL OFF MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY.
"IT IS PROPOSED THAT THE SITE SHOULD BE GRANTED BY PRIVATE TREATY TO THE POK 01 HOSPITAL WHICH HAS LONG EXPERIENCE IN PROVIDING NON-PROFIT-MAKING COMMUNITY SERVICES," HE SAID.
THE DRAFT TIN SHUI WAI OUTLINE ZONING PLAN, WHICH WOULD INCORPORATE THE SITE, WAS UNDER PREPARATION AND WOULD BE GAZETTED LATER THIS YEAR, HE SAID, ADDING THAT THE LAND GRANT WOULD BE TAKEN FORWARD THEREAFTER SUBJECT TO THE OUTCOME OF THE STATUTORY OBJECTION PROCEDURES.
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
THURSDAY, MARCH 3, 1994
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
CS SPEAKS TO PRESS AFTER VISITING WAN CHAI POLICE STATION ... 1
BUDGET TO SEND A STATEMENT OF CONFIDENCE: CS .............. 1
AIRPORT TALKS RESTART ..................................... 2
VIEWS INVITED ON MUNICIPAL COUNCIL CONSTITUENCY BOUNDARIES .. 2
VEGETABLES FOUND PESTICIDE-TAINTED ........................ 4
LABOUR IMPORT APPLICATIONS CLOSE ON MARCH 25 .............. 5
SAN PO KONG ILLEGAL BUILDING WORKS TO BE CLOSED ........... 5
WAN CHAI DISTRICT OFFICER CALLS FOR SUPPORT OF BUDGET ..... 6
AFD DIRECTOR COMMENDS STAFF ON SUGGESTIONS SCHEME ......... 6
CONTRACTORS REMINDED OF FIRE SAFETY IN HANDLING FLAMMABLE
SUBSTANCES .............................................. 7
ACTING MARINE DIRECTOR WELCOMES INAUGURAL VOYAGE .......... 8
186 VIETNAMESE RETURN HOME ................................ 9
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS .. 9
THURSDAY, MARCH 3, 1994
CS SPEAKS TO PRESS AFTER VISITING WAN CHAI POLICE STATION * * * * . «
MRS CHAN : GOOD AFTERNOON EVERYONE. I HAVE JUST COME FROM SOME VERY USEFUL DISCUSSIONS WITH THE CP AND HIS STAFF AND HAVE BEEN FORTUNATE TO SEE FOR MYSELF SOME ASPECTS OF THE POLICE WORK. THE COMMISSIONER AND HIS STAFF ARE CLEARLY DOING AN EXCELLENT JOB IN ENSURING THAT OUR STREETS CONTINUE TO BE FREE OF CRIME AND SAFE FOR OUR POPULATION AND WE OBVIOUSLY ARE KEEN TO ENSURE THAT THE POLICE CONTINUE TO HAVE THE RESOURCES THAT THEY NEED TO COMBAT CRIME. I’D ALSO LIKE TO SAY A FEW WORDS ABOUT THE BUDGET. YESTERDAY THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY DELIVERED A REMARKABLE BUDGET AND I THINK IN THIS BUDGET EVERYBODY CAN SEE SOMETHING IN IT FOR THEMSELVES. IT UNDERLINES THE STRENGTH OF OUR ECONOMY. IT SAYS A GREAT DEAL ABOUT THE EFFICACY OF OUR FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT POLICIES. FOR THE SECOND YEAR RUNNING, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY HAS BEEN ABLE TO INCREASE PUBLIC EXPENDITURE IN THE AREAS THAT THE COMMUNITY WISHES TO SEE MORE RESOURCES BEING SPENT. AT THE SAME TIME, HE HAS BEEN ABLE TO CUT TAXES SO THAT EVERYBODY BENEFITS AND ALSO STRENGTHEN THE POSITION OF OUR RESERVES. I HOPE THAT THIS WILL SEND A CLEAR STATEMENT OF CONFIDENCE TO NOT ONLY OUR OWN COMMUNITY BUT ALSO TO THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY AND THAT IT WILL BE REASSURING FOR THE CHINESE PARTICULARLY IN NOTING THAT AFTER 1997 THE SAR GOVERNMENT WILL INHERIT AN EXTREMELY STRONG FINANCIAL POSITION. I UNDERSTAND THAT THE EXPERT TALKS ON THE AIRPORT FINANCING ARRANGEMENT IS STILL GOING ON. WE HAVE, AS YOU KNOW, PUT FORWARD A FOURTH FINANCING PROPOSAL TO THE CHINESE WHICH, WE HOPE, ADDRESSES ALL THE CONCERNS THAT THE CHINESE HAD PUT TO US IN PREVIOUS DISCUSSIONS AND WE LOOK FORWARD VERY MUCH TO A POSITIVE RESPONSE FROM THE CHINESE AND TO EARLY AGREEMENT SO THAT THE AIRPORT PROJECT CAN GO AHEAD AT FULL SPEED.
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BUDGET TO SEND A STATEMENT OF CONFIDENCE: CS
*****
THE CHIEF SECRETARY, MRS ANSON CHAN, THIS (THURSDAY) AFTERNOON SAID SHE HOPED THE REMARKABLE BUDGET DELIVERED BY THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY YESTERDAY WOULD SEND A CLEAR STATEMENT OF CONFIDENCE TO NOT ONLY THE LOCAL COMMUNITY BUT ALSO TO THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY.
"IT WILL BE REASSURING FOR THE CHINESE PARTICULARLY IN NOTING THAT AFTER 1997, THE SAR GOVERNMENT WILL INHERIT AN EXTREMELY STRONG FINANCIAL POSITION," SHE SAID.
SPEAKING TO REPORTERS AFTER HER VISIT TO THE WAN CHAI POLICE STATION, THE CHIEF SECRETARY SAID:"I THINK IN THIS BUDGET EVERYBODY CAN SEE SOMETHING IN IT FOR THEMSELVES. IT UNDERLINES THE STRENGTH OF OUR ECONOMY.
"IT SAYS A GREAT DEAL ABOUT THE EFFICACY OF OUR FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT POLICIES."
/FOR THE .......
THURSDAY, MARCH 3, 1994
2
FOR THE SECOND YEAR RUNNING, MRS CHAN SAID, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY HAD BEEN ABLE TO INCREASE PUBLIC EXPENDITURE IN THE AREAS THAT THE COMMUNITY WISHED TO SEE MORE RESOURCES BEING SPENT.
"AT THE SAME TIME, HE HAS BEEN ABLE TO CUT TAXES SO THAT EVERYBODY BENEFITS AND ALSO STRENGTHEN THE POSITION OF OUR RESERVES," SHE SAID.
ON THE EXPERT TALKS ON THE AIRPORT FINANCING ARRANGEMENT, MRS CHAN SAID:" WE HAVE, AS YOU KNOW, PUT FORWARD A FOURTH FINANCING
PROPOSAL TO THE CHINESE WHICH, WE HOPE, ADDRESSES ALL THE CONCERNS
THAT THE CHINESE HAD PUT TO US IN PREVIOUS DISCUSSIONS.
"WE LOOK FORWARD VERY MUCH TO A POSITIVE RESPONSE FROM THE
CHINESE AND TO EARLY AGREEMENT SO THAT THE AIRPORT PROJECT CAN GO
AHEAD AT FULL SPEED.”
------0--------
AIRPORT TALKS RESTART * * ♦ ♦ *
IN ANSWER TO MEDIA QUESTIONS ON THIS AFTERNOON’S EXPERT LEVEL TALKS ON AIRPORT AND AIRPORT RAILWAY FINANCING, A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID:
"WE ARE PLEASED THAT TALKS WITH THE CHINESE SIDE ON AIRPORT AND AIRPORT RAILWAY FINANCING HAVE RESTARTED ON A CONSTRUCTIVE BASIS.
’’THIS AFTERNOON THE CHINESE SIDE ASKED VARIOUS QUESTIONS ABOUT OUR FOURTH FINANCING PROPOSAL, AND WE WILL BE PROVIDING THEM WITH ANSWERS AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.
”WE NOW HOPE THAT TODAY’S FRIENDLY AND POSITIVE MEETING, WHICH TOOK PLACE AT EXPERT LEVEL, WILL PAVE THE WAY FOR AN EARLY MEETING OF THE AIRPORT COMMITTEE.”
VIEWS INVITED ON
MUNICIPAL COUNCIL CONSTITUENCY BOUNDARIES
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE INVITED TO GIVE THEIR VIEWS ON THE PROVISIONAL ELECTORAL BOUNDARIES DETERMINED BY THE BOUNDARY AND ELECTION COMMISSION (BEC) FOR THE PROPOSED CONSTITUENCIES OF THE URBAN COUNCIL AND REGIONAL COUNC1L ELECTIONS IN 1995.
ANNOUNCING THIS TODAY (THURSDAY), THE CHAIRMAN OF THE COMMISSION, THE HONOURABLE MR JUSTICE WOO KWOK-HING, SAID REPRESENTATIONS SHOULD BE SENT TO THE COMMISSION SECRETARIAT BETWEEN MARCH 4 AND APRIL 2.
/'•THE COMMISSION ......
THURSDAY, MARCH 3, 1994
- 3 -
"THE COMMISSION WILL REPORT TO THE GOVERNOR BY END OF APRIL AFTER THE CONCLUSION OF THE CONSULTATION EXERCISE," MR JUSTICE WOO SAID.
SPEAKING AT A PRESS CONFERENCE, MR JUSTICE WOO SAID SIMILAR TO THE DELINEATION OF THE DISTRICT BOARD (DB) CONSTITUENCIES, THE BEC WAS REQUIRED TO DETERMINE ITS PROVISIONAL RECOMMENDATIONS ON THE PROPOSED CONSTITUENCIES FOR THE MUNICIPAL COUNCIL ELECTIONS ON THE BASIS OF THE STATUTORY CRITERIA PRESCRIBED UNDER THE LAW.
"THE MAIN CRITERION IS THE POPULATION FACTOR. OTHER FACTORS WHICH THE COMMISSION CONSIDERS INCLUDE COMMUNITY IDENTITIES, PRESERVATION OF LOCAL TIES, PHYSICAL FEATURES, ACCESSIBILITY AND DEVELOPMENT OF THE RELEVANT AREAS. THE COMMISSION APPLIES THESE CRITERIA FAIRLY AND CONSISTENTLY IN ITS DELINEATION OF THE PROPOSED CONSTITUENCIES," HE SAID.
MR JUSTICE WOO POINTED OUT THAT AS DISTINCT FROM THE DEMARCATION OF THE DB CONSTITUENCIES, THE NUMBER OF MUNICIPAL COUNCIL CONSTITUENCIES PROPOSED BY THE BEC MUST BE EQUAL TO THE NUMBER OF MEMBERS THAT MAY BE ELECTED TO THE PUBLIC BODY CONCERNED, THAT IS, 32 FOR THE URBAN COUNCIL AND 27 FOR THE REGIONAL COUNCIL.
"THE COMMISSION HAS NO DISCRETION TO INCREASE OR REDUCE THE NUMBER AND HENCE THERE IS NO FLEXIBILITY WHATSOEVER IN THIS RESPECT. FURTHERMORE, EACH PROPOSED MUNICIPAL COUNCIL CONSTITUENCY HAS TO BE A COMBINATION OF TWO OR MORE WHOLE NEW DB CONSTITUENCIES.
"THE COMMISSION’S PROVISIONAL RECOMMENDATIONS HAVE BEEN DRAWN UP AFTER CAREFUL CONSIDERATION AND BALANCE OF ALL THE RELEVANT FACTORS.
"TO PRESERVE THE INTEGRITY AND COMMUNITY TIES OF INDIVIDUAL DISTRICTS AND TO AVOID FORMING PROPOSED CONSTITUENCY WITH DB CONSTITUENCIES FROM DIFFERENT DISTRICTS, THE COMMISSION FINDS IT DESIRABLE THAT THREE OF THE PROPOSED CONSTITUENCIES SHOULD DEVIATE FROM THE POPULATION QUOTA BEYOND THE + /- 25 PER CENT LIMIT," MR JUSTICE WOO SAID.
A NOTICE OF THE ARRANGEMENTS FOR PUBLIC CONSULTATION WILL BE GAZETTED ON FRIDAY (MARCH 4).
MAPS SHOWING THE DELINEATION OF THE PROPOSED CONSTITUENCY AREAS AND DESCRIPTION TABLES WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR PUBLIC INSPECTION BETWEEN MARCH 4 AND APRIL 6 AT OVER 440 LOCATIONS IN THE TERRITORY. THEY INCLUDE:
» REGISTRATION AND ELECTORAL OFFICE ON THE 1OTH FLOOR IN HARBOUR CENTRE AT 25 HARBOUR ROAD, WAN CHAI;
* THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION HEADQUARTERS AT SOUTHORN CENTRE, 130 HENNESSY ROAD; DISTRICT OFFICES AND SUB-OFFICES;
* ESTATE OFFICES OF ALL PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES;
/* ALL URBAN ........
THURSDAY, MARCH 3, 1994
* ALL URBAN COUNCIL AND REGIONAL COUNCIL PUBLIC LIBRARIES;
* ALL POST OFFICES; AND
* THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS SALES CENTRE ON THE GROUND FLOOR IN GENERAL POST OFFICE BUILDING, CONNAUGHT PLACE, CENTRAL.
WRITTEN REPRESENTATIONS, WITH NAMES AND ADDRESSES, SHOULD BE SENT ON OR BEFORE SATURDAY, APRIL 2 TO THE BOUNDARY AND ELECTION COMMISSION SECRETARIAT ON THE 1OTH FLOOR IN HARBOUR CENTRE AT 25 HARBOUR ROAD, WAN CHAI, HONG KONG.
MR JUSTICE WOO EXPLAINED THAT THE BOUNDARY AND ELECTION COMMISSION ORDINANCE ALLOWED ONLY 30 DAYS FOR PUBLIC CONSULTATION AND THAT SUBMISSIONS MADE AFTER APRIL 2 WOULD NOT BE CONSIDERED.
DURING MARCH 21 - 26, MR JUSTICE WOO WILL MEET, BY APPOINTMENT, MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WHO WISH TO MAKE VERBAL REPRESENTATIONS AT THE COMMISSION’S OFFICE. APPOINTMENTS MAY BE MADE AT 827 7144 ON OR BEFORE MARCH 16, 1994. THESE MEETINGS ARE OPEN TO THE PUBLIC.
ENQUIRIES REGARDING THE PUBLIC CONSULTATION ARRANGEMENTS CAN BE MADE WITH THE BOUNDARY AND ELECTION COMMISSION SECRETARIAT AT 827 7144.
- - 0 - -
VEGETABLES FOUND PESTICIDE-TAINTED
*****
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH TODAY (THURSDAY) CONFIRMED THAT TWO VEGETABLE SAMPLES WERE TESTED POSITIVE FOR THE PESTICIDE, METHAMIDOPHOS.
THE SAMPLES OF MATRIMONY VINE OR GAU GE I WERE TAKEN FROM CHEUNG SHA WAN VEGETABLE WHOLESALE MARKET ON TUESDAY (MARCH 1).
INITIAL INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THESE TWO BATCHES OF VEGETABLE WERE IMPORTED FROM THE SHENZHEN AND GUANGZHOU AREAS.
THE CHINESE AUTHORITIES HAVE BEEN INFORMED OF THE FINDINGS FOR THEIR NECESSARY ACTION, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
HE ADDED THAT THE DEPARTMENT WOULD TAKE APPROPRIATE ACTION AT THE MAN KAM TO BORDER CHECKPOINT.
0 - -
THURSDAY, MARCH 3,
1994
LABOUR IMPORT APPLICATIONS CLOSE ON MARCH 25 * » » » *
EMPLOYERS WHO WISH TO IMPORT WORKERS UNDER THE IMPORTATION OF LABOUR SCHEME HAVE UNTIL MARCH 25 TO SEND IN PRELIMINARY APPLICATIONS.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT SAID THEY SHOULD SUBMIT THEIR APPLICATIONS TO THE DEPARTMENT AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.
’’LATE APPLICATIONS WILL NOT BE ENTERTAINED,” HE ADDED.
APPLICATION FORMS AND GUIDANCE NOTES CAN BE OBTAINED FROM THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT, THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT OR DISTRICT OFFICES.
ABOUT 11,000 QUOTAS WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR RE-USE THIS YEAR.
"IT IS IN THE INTEREST OF EMPLOYERS TO SUBMIT THEIR APPLICATIONS IN THE FIRST AVAILABLE OPPORTUNITY IF THEY WANT TO AVOID LAST-MINUTE RUSH," HE SAID.
ENQUIRIES ON IMMIGRATION-RELATED MATTERS MAY BE MADE OF THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT BY TELEPHONE ON 829 3220 AND 829 3225.
- - 0 - -
SAN PO KONG ILLEGAL BUILDING WORKS TO BE CLOSED * ♦ * » ♦
THE BUILDING AUTHORITY IS SEEKING TO CLOSE THE UNAUTHORISED BUILDING WORKS IN THE BASEMENT OF A BUILDING IN SAN PO KONG UNTIL ITS FIRE SAFETY MEASURES MEET THE CODE OF PRACTICE FOR MEANS OF ESCAPE IN A FIRE AND OTHER RELEVANT REGULATIONS.
SAN PO KONG MANSION IS LOCATED AT 84-114 CHOI HUNG ROAD, 2-32 YIN HING STREET AND 6-14 TSEUK LUK STREET.
A NOTICE OF INTENTION TO APPLY FOR A CLOSURE ORDER FROM THE HONG KONG DISTRICT COURT UNDER THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE ON MARCH 31 WAS POSTED ON THE BUILDING TODAY (THURSDAY).
DEMOLITION WORK IS EXPECTED TO START ONCE THE TEMPORARY CLOSURE ORDER IS ISSUED. THE ORDER WILL BE LIFTED WHEN THE NECESSARY WORKS ARE COMPLETED.
0 - -
THURSDAY, MARCH 3, 1994
- 6 -
WAN CHAI DISTRICT OFFICER CALLS FOR SUPPORT OF BUDGET *****
WAN CHAI DISTRICT OFFICER, MR PETER MANN, HAS CALLED ON DISTRICT DIGNITARIES AND LOCAL RESIDENTS TO SUPPORT THE NEWLY RELEASED 1994/95 BUDGET.
SPEAKING AT THE WAN CHAI KAIFONG SPRING RECEPTION CUM ELDERLY NIGHT THIS (THURSDAY) EVENING, HE SAID THE BUDGET WAS GENEROUS, WITH AN INCREASE IN PERSONAL ALLOWANCES AND A NEW ALLOWANCE INTRODUCED FOR DEPENDENT GRANDPARENTS.
’’UNDER THE PROPOSALS, ABOUT 4 20,000 TAXPAYERS WILL DROP OUT OF THE TAX NET WHILE A FURTHER 1,130,000 SANDWICH CLASS PEOPLE WILL PAY LESS TAX,” HE SAID.
EXPRESSING THANKS TO THE WAN CHAI KAIFONG ASSOCIATION FOR ITS VALUABLE CONTRIBUTION IN THE PAST YEAR, MR MANN HOPED IT WOULD CONTINUE TO GIVE FULL BACKING TO GOVERNMENT POLICIES.
------0--------
AFD DIRECTOR COMMENDS STAFF ON SUGGESTIONS SCHEME » » ♦ » »
THE DIRECTOR OF AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES, DR LAWRENCE LEE, TODAY (THURSDAY) COMMENDED 15 COLLEAGUES FOR THEIR MERITORIOUS AND INNOVATIVE IDEAS UNDER THE DEPARTMENTAL STAFF SUGGESTIONS SCHEME.
AT A CEREMENY HELD AT THE HEADQUARTERS OF THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT (AFD) THIS MORNING, DR LEE PRESENTED AWARDS AND CASH PRIZES, TOTALLING $23,200, TO THE 15 DEPARTMENTAL STAFF MEMBERS.
DR LEE THANKED THE STAFF FOR THEIR INITIATIVES, SAYING THAT THE AFD STAFF SUGGESTIONS SCHEME HAD BEEN A SUCCESS SINCE ITS INTRODUCTION LAST YEAR.
HE ALSO CALLED ON ALL MEMBERS OF THE DEPARTMENT TO MAKE SUGGESTIONS SO AS TO MAKE ITS OPERATIONS MORE EFFICIENT AND COST-EFFECTIVE.
THIS YEAR, THE AFD STAFF SUGGESTIONS SCHEME’S TOP HONOUR HAS BEEN AWARDED TO MR WOO TING-KWONG, A FIELD OFFICER I OF THE MA ON SHAN MANAGEMENT CENTRE. HIS ASSISTANTS, MR LIN YAT-SANG AND MR CHEUNG TAK-SHING, WERED ALSO AWARDED.
MR WOO’S NEW DESIGN OF BARBECUE PIT HAS BEEN JUDGED AS MORE DURABLE AND EASY TO INSTALL. IT IS SPECIALLY TAILORED TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM OF EXPANSION CAUSED BY HEAT, WHICH IN TURN WILL SAVE A LOT OF MANPOWER AND RESOURCES IN REPAIR AND MAINTENANCE. AS AN ESTIMATED $175,000 IS EXPECTED TO BE SAVED ANNUALLY, THIS NEW FACILITY HAS BEEN RECOMMENDED FOR ADOPTION IN ALL COUNTRY PARKS.
/A "SUBSTANTIAL .......
THURSDAY, MARCH 3, 1994
- 7 -
A "SUBSTANTIAL AWARD" TOGETHER WITH A CASH PRIZE OF $8,000 WAS GIVEN TO MR WOO AND HIS ASSISTANTS IN RECOGNITION OF THEIR CREATION FOR IMPROVING THE QUALITY OF SERVICE TO THE PUBLIC.
THE TWO RECIPIENTS OF THE "MODERATE AWARD" ARE SENIOR FIELD ASSISTANT MR MAK KOON-LAU AND FIELD OFFICER I MR LAM WAI-MING. CASH AWARDS AT $3,500 AND $2,600 WERE PRESENTED TO THEM RESPECTIVELY THIS MORNING.
MR MAK’S MODIFIED TREE CLIMBING TECHNIQUE FOR TREE FELLING, KNOWN AS "LEG STROPS", HAS BEEN PROVED TO BE USEFUL AND SAFE FOR TREE CLIMBERS. THIS TECHNIQUE IS EXPECTED TO BE ADOPTED IN ALL COUNTRY PARKS AS IT ENHANCES THE EFFICIENCY AND EFFECTIVENESS OF THE TREE FELLING TEAMS.
MR LAM’S SUGGESTION IN THE USE OF COMPUTER CARTOON CHARACTERS AND FEATURES FOR THE PRODUCTION OF NOTICES AND POSTERS HAS ALSO BEEN CONSIDERED AS INGENIOUS AND PRACTICABLE IN CONVEYING SIMPLE MESSAGES TO COUNTRY PARK VISITORS.
TEN OTHER AFD STAFF MEMBERS WERE EACH PRESENTED A NOMINAL OR AN ENCOURAGEMENT AWARD WITH CASH PRIZES RANGING FROM $300 TO $2,500.
AT TODAY’S CEREMONY, DR LEE PRESENTED LETTERS OF COMMENDATION TO THE SENIOR MANAGER OF VEGETABLE MARKETING ORGANISATION, MR EDWARD LAI AND FOUR STAFF MEMBERS OF AFD’S AGRICULTURE BRANCH IN RECOGNITION OF THEIR GOOD WORK.
DR LEE ALSO PRESENTED SOUVENIRS TO 45 COLLEAGUES WHO HAVE RETIRED OR DUE TO RETIRE IN RECOGNITION OF THEIR LONG AND MERITORIOUS SERVICE IN THE DEPARTMENT.
AMONG THE RECIPIENTS WERE THE FORMER ASSISTANT DIRECTOR (FISHERIES), DR TOMMY YIP KAE-SANG AND ANOTHER RETIRING ASSISTANT DIRECTOR, MR ROY CHILVERS.
---------0-----------
CONTRACTORS REMINDED OF FIRE SAFETY IN HANDLING FLAMMABLE SUBSTANCES » * * « » * *
CONTRACTORS ARE REMINDED TO COMPLY WITH THE LAW IN TAKING SAFETY PRECAUTIONS TO GUARD AGAINST FIRE HAZARDS WHEN USING FLAMMABLE SUBSTANCES, ESPECIALLY ON BOARD GONDOLAS.
THE SAFETY ADVICE AND THE REQUIRED MEASURES WERE SET OUT IN A LETTER ISSUED BY THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT RECENTLY TO ALL CONTRACTORS IN THE WAKE OF THE FIRE ON A GONDOLA IN YUEN LONG EARLIER THIS YEAR.
THE DEPUTY CHIEF FACTORY INSPECTOR, MR KAN HON-SANG, POINTED OUT THAT CONTRACTORS AND WORKERS SHOULD AVOID USING FLAMMABLE SUBSTANCES ON GONDOLAS IF POSSIBLE.
/WHEN THE .......
THURSDAY, MARCH 3, 1994
- 8 -
WHEN THE USE OR HANDLING OF FLAMMABLE SUBSTANCES IS INDISPENSABLE, A NUMBER OF SAFETY MEASURES MUST BE OBSERVED.
UNDER THE FACTORIES AND INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS (DANGEROUS SUBSTANCES) REGULATIONS, EVERY CONTAINER HOLDING FLAMMABLE SUBSTANCES SHOULD BE PROPERLY LABELLED AND KEPT IN NON-SPILLABLE METAL CONTAINERS
WITH SELF-CLOSING LIDS. < , ■
’’ADEQUATE INFORMATION, TRAINING IN FIRST-AID, FIRE-FIGHTING ( AS WELL AS INSTRUCTION AND SUPERVISION SHOULD BE PROVIDED TO EVERY PERSON WHO WORKS WITH OR IS LIKELY TO COME INTO CONTACT WITH A FLAMMABLE SUBSTANCE,” MR KAN SAID.
’’SMOKING OR USE OF NAKED FLAME SHOULD BE STRICTLY PROHIBITED AND SERVICEABLE FIRE EXTINGUISHERS SHOULD BE PROVIDED.
"IF THERE IS A RISK OF INDISCRIMINATE DROPPING OF HEATING ELEMENTS SUCH AS CIGARETTE BUTTS FROM UPPER FLOORS, OCCUPANTS OF THE BUILDING UNDER SERVICE SHOULD BE WARNED OF THE HAZARD OR CONSPICUOUS WARNING SIGNS SHOULD BE PUT UP AT SUITABLE PLACES," HE ADDED.
UNDER THE GENERAL DUTIES PROVISION OF THE FACTORIES AND INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS ORDINANCE, AN EMPLOYER IS REQUIRED TO PROVIDE AND MAINTAIN A SAFE SYSTEM OF WORK WHICH INCLUDED AN ASSESSMENT OF THE HAZARDS INVOLVED AND AN EMERGENCY PLANNING.
"FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH THE STATUTORY REQUIREMENTS WILL BE LIABLE TO a MAXIMUM PENALTY OF $200,000 AND IMPRISONMENT FOR SIX? MONTHS," HE ADDED. . w
---------0-----------
ACTING MARINE DIRECTOR WELCOMES INAUGURAL VOYAGE
THE ACTING DIRECTOR OF MARINE, MR IAN DALE, TODAY (THURSDAY) WELCOMED THE "SEABOURN SPIRIT" ON HER INAUGURAL VOYAGE TO HONG KONG, THE BIGGEST CONTAINER PORT AND ONE OF THE BEST NATURAL HARBOURS IN THE WORLD. '
SPEAKING AT A CEREMONY TO MARK THE INAUGURAL CRUISE OF THE SHIP, MR DALE SAID: "YOUR PASSENGERS NO DOUBT ENJOY THE SUPERB FACILITIES AND EXOTIC DESTINATIONS THIS VESSEL OFFERS, BUT THEY RARELY SEE ITS MOST IMPORTANT ATTRIBUTES - ITS SAFETY SYSTEMS."
MR DALE POINTED OUT THAT THE SEA WAS A WONDERFUL WAY TO TRAVEL, BUT SHE CAN BE CRUEL AND FICKLE TO THOSE WHO DO NOT PROTECT THEMSELVES FROM HER WILDER MOMENTS.
REGISTERED IN NORWAY, THE "SEABOURN SPIRIT" MAINTAINED THE HIGHEST STANDARDS IN INTERNATIONAL MARINE SAFETY, HE SAID.
/HE ADDED .......
THURSDAY, MARCH 3, 1994
9
HE ADDED THAT THERE WERE MANY SHIPS PLYING THE OCEANS THAT OPERATED WELL BELOW BASIC SAFETY LEVEL, POSING DANGER TO THEIR PASSENGERS AND CREW, AND A THREAT TO .THE ENVIRONMENT, BUT THE •’SEABOURN SPIRIT” WAS CERTAINLY NOT ONE OF THEM*
MR DALE WISHED THE COMPANY OF THE VESSEL, SEABOURN CRUISE LINE, EVERY SUCCESS IN THE EXCITING VENTURE AND THE PASSENGERS AN ENJOYABLE VISIT TO THE THRIVING AND VIBRANT PORT CITY OF HONG KONG.
---------0-----------
186 VIETNAMESE RETURN HOME * * * * *
A GROUP OF 186 VIETNAMESE MIGRANTS TODAY (THURSDAY) RETURNED TO VIETNAM UNDER A VOLUNTARY REPATRIATION PROGRAMME OF THE UNITED NATIONS HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR REFUGEES.
COMPRISING 75 MEN, 54 WOMEN, 33 BOYS AND 24 GIRLS, THEY WERE THE 205TH BATCH TO GO BACK UNDER THE PROGRAMME.
THIS GROUP BROUGHT TO 3,099 THE TOTAL NUMBER OF VIETNAMESE MIGRANTS WHO HAI) RETURNED VOLUNTARILY THIS YEAR, AND TO 41,712 THE TOTAL NUMBER OF RETURNEES SINCE THE PROGRAMME STARTED TN MARCH 1989.
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HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS
I » * * *
$ 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 125.5 »-0.1» 1,825 +1,175 3,000 NIL -730 2,270 3.3.94 /HONG KONG
THURSDAY, MARCH 3, 1994
- 10 -
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND
EF BILLS EF NOTES/HONG KONG GOVERNMENT BONDS
TERMS YIELD TERM ISSUE COUPON PRICE YIELD
1 WEEK 3.73 18 MONTHS 2508 4.625 99.98 4.69
1 MONTH 3.72 21 MONTHS 2511 4.15 98.85 4.91
3 MONTHS 3.77 24 MONTHS 2602 4.40 98.82 5.10
6 MONTHS 3.88 32 MONTHS 3610 4.20 97.21 5.41
12 MONTHS 4.32 35 MONTHS 3701 4.60 97.66 5.56
TOTAL TURNOVER OF BILLS AND BONDS - 14,798 MN
CLOSED 3 MARCH 1994
- - 0
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
FRIDAY, MARCH 4, 1994
DISASTER RELIEF FUND ADVISORY COMMITTEE HOLDS FIRST MEETING . 1
ADJUDICATION BOARD PROPOSED TO HANDLE MINOR EMPLOYMENT CLAIMS 2
SECURITY BRANCH OFFICIALS MEET TAI A CHAU VIETNAMESE ........... 3
GO-AHEAD FOR YOUTH SERVICE PLAN ................................ 3
PRINCESS ROYAL ARRIVES ON SUNDAY ............................... 4
67 TO RUN FOR EDUCATION CONDUCT COUNCIL ELECTION ............... 6
EIGHT DEVELOPMENT PERMISSION AREA PLANS APPROVED ............... 6
AMENDMENTS TO DRAFT OUTLINE ZONING PLAN ANNOUNCED .............. 7
WONG NAI CHUNG OUTLINE ZONING PLAN APPROVED .................... 8
LAND SURVEY BILL GAZETTED ...................................... 9
THREE LOTS FOR AUCTION ........................................ 10
CONSTRUCTION OF SHIPYARD AT TO KAU WAN, NORTH LANTAU........... 11
GAMES HALL FOR DIAMOND HILL RESIDENTS ......................... 11
REVISION OF JUDICIARY FEES .................................... 12
CONTRACT FOR UPGRADING SEWAGE TREATMENT FACILITIES SIGNED ... 12
EDUCATION OFFICERS CONDUCT SURPRISE INSPECTIONS ............... 12
APPLICATIONS INVITED FOR CONVERSION TO WHOLE-DAY SCHOOLING .. 13
ESTATE AGENTS WORKING GROUP SUPPORTS LICENSING ................ 13
MORE WOMEN ADVISERS ON FILM CENSORSHIP NEEDED ................. 14
PROVISIONAL RESULTS OF RETAIL SALES SURVEY FOR DECEMBER 1993 RELEASED ..................................................... 15
MORE FUNDS FOR ENVIRONMENTAL WORKS ............................. 18
ELDERLY TO BENEFIT FROM BUDGET ................................. 18
GOVT SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT TO HOLD FAMILY DAY .................... 18
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS .. 19
FRIDAY, MARCH 4, 1994
1
DISASTER RELIEF FUND ADVISORY COMMITTEE HOLDS FIRST MEETING *****
THE DISASTER RELIEF FUND ADVISORY COMMITTEE HELD ITS FIRST MEETING TODAY (FRIDAY) TO DISCUSS GUIDELINES FOR GRANTS OF AID FROM THE DISASTER RELIEF FUND.
"THE COMMITTEE HAS LAID DOWN SOME BROAD GUIDELINES TO PROVIDE A FAIR AND OBJECTIVE BASIS FOR CONSIDERING PROPOSALS FOR GRANTS FROM THE FUND," A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID.
"THE COMMITTEE HAS DECIDED THAT GRANTS SHOULD ONLY BE MADE IN CASES OF A SPECIFIC DISASTER, NOT AN ONGOING PROBLEM. THE DISASTER SHOULD BE OF SUCH A NATURE AND SCALE THAT CALLS FOR A RESPONSE BY THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY," THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
UNDER THE GUIDELINES, GRANTS WILL BE CONSIDERED IN RESPONSE TO APPEALS MADE TO THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY BY A GOVERNMENT OR A RELIEF ORGANISATION, OR UPON RECEIPT OF APPLICATIONS SUBMITTED BY A RELIEF ORGANISATION FOR A DISASTER RELIEF PROJECT.
THE APPEAL OR APPLICATION SHOULD BE BASED ON HUMANITARIAN, NOT POLITICAL, GROUNDS AND SHOULD HAVE RECEIVED A MEASURE OF PUBLIC SUPPORT IN HONG KONG. IN ADDITION, ANY APPLICATION BY A RELIEF ORGANISATION SHOULD BE SUPPORTED BY A DETAILED PROPOSAL FOR THE COMMITTEE’S CONSIDERATION.
"TO ENSURE THAT GRANTS ARE USED FOR DISASTER RELIEF SERVICES AND ACTIVITIES, THE GOVERNMENT OR RELIEF ORGANISATION CONCERNED WILL BE REQUIRED TO SUBMIT TO THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT AN EVALUATION REPORT AND AN AUDITED ACCOUNT ON THE USE OF THE GRANT," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
THE DETAILED GUIDELINES ARE AVAILABLE ON REQUEST TO INTERESTED RELIEF ORGANISATIONS AND INDIVIDUALS.
THE SPOKESMAN ADDED THAT PUBLIC DONATIONS AND APPROPRIATIONS FROM GENERAL REVENUE ARE THE MAIN SOURCES OF THE FUND.
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE ALSO WELCOME TO DONATE TO THE FUND FOR GENERAL RELIEF PURPOSE. ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE OF THE SECRETARY TO THE DISASTER RELIEF FUND ADVISORY COMMITTEE IN ROOM 553, EAST WING, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES (TEL 810 3503).
THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE IS CHAIRED BY THE CHIEF SECRETARY. OTHER MEMBERS ARE MSROSANNAWONG, DRRAYMONDCH’IEN, MRSELSIETU, MRHUIYIN-FAT, THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE AND THE SECRETARY FOR THE TREASURY.
------0-------
FRIDAY, MARCH 4, 1994
2 -
ADJUDICATION BOARD PROPOSED TO HANDLE MINOR EMPLOYMENT CLAIMS * * * * »
THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT HAS PROPOSED TO SET UP A BOARD TO ADJUDICATE MINOR CLAIMS ARISING FROM DISPUTES OF STATUTORY OR CONTRACTUAL RIGHTS OF EMPLOYMENT WHEN SETTLEMENT CANNOT BE ACHIEVED THROUGH CONCILIATION OF ITS LABOUR RELATIONS SERVICE (LRS).
DETAILS OF THE PROPOSAL WERE SET OUT IN THE MINOR EMPLOYMENT CLAIMS ADJUDICATION BOARD BILL GAZETTED TODAY (FRIDAY).
’’UNDER THE PROPOSAL, THE MINOR EMPLOYMENT CLAIMS ADJUDICATION BOARD WILL BE SET UP IN THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT BUT SEPARATED FROM AND INDEPENDENT OF THE LRS TO PROVIDE A QUICK, SIMPLE AND INEXPENSIVE SERVICE,” ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR, MR ALFRED CHAN, SAID.
"IT WILL DETERMINE CLAIMS INVOLVING NOT MORE THAN FIVE CLAIMANTS AND FOR EACH CLAIMANT THE AMOUNT OF CLAIM DOES NOT EXCEED $5,000.
"THE MAXIMUM AMOUNT OF $5,000 WILL BE SUBJECT TO REGULAR REVIEW AND IT IS ESTIMATED THAT THE BOARD WILL HANDLE ABOUT 1,300 CASES IN A YEAR,” HE ADDED.
MR CHAN SAID A NUMBER OF SENIOR LABOUR OFFICERS WITH ADEQUATE EXPERIENCE IN LABOUR LAWS AND LABOUR RELATIONS IN HONG KONG WOULD BE APPOINTED AS ADJUDICATION OFFICERS.
’’HEARINGS WILL BE CONDUCTED IN PUBLIC, AND IN AN INFORMAL MANNER,” HE SAID.
"NO LEGAL REPRESENTATION ON EITHER SIDE WILL BE ALLOWED."
HE SAID THE ADJUDICATION OFFICER MAY, ON HIS OWN MOTION OR ON THE APPLICATION OF A PARTY, REVIEW AN AWARD MADE BY HIM WITHIN 14 DAYS.
"APPEAL AGAINST THE AWARD OF THE BOARD SHALL LIE WITH THE HIGH COURT ON THE GROUND THAT THE AWARD IS ERRONEOUS ON A POINT OF LAW OR OUTSIDE THE JURISDICTION OF THE BOARD," HE ADDED.
MR CHAN SAID REGULAR REPORTS ON THE WORK OF THE BOARD WOULD BE SUBMITTED TO THE LABOUR RELATIONS COMMITTEE OF THE LABOUR ADVISORY BOARD.
THE BILL WILL BE INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL LATEIJ THIS MONTH.
"WE HOPE THE ADJUDICATION SERVICE WOULD SPEED UP THE SETTLEMENT OF LABOUR DISPUTES, WHICH IN TURN WOULD HELP IMPROVE THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN EMPLOYERS AND EMPLOYEES," MR CHAN SAID.
"WE ALSO HOPE THAT IN LONGER TERM, THE SERVICE COULD HAVE A POSITIVE EFFECT ON LABOUR PRODUCTIVITY AND OUTPUT," HE ADDED.
------0-------
/3........
FRIDAY, MARCH 4, 1994
3
SECURITY BRANCH OFFICIALS MEET TAI A CHAU VIETNAMESE
♦ ♦ » ♦ ♦
DISCUSSIONS WERE HELD THIS (FRIDAY) AFTERNOON BETWEEN SECURITY BRANCH OFFICIALS AND REPRESENTATIVES OF THE TAI A CHAU CAMP POPULATION.
’’THE PURPOSE OF THE MEETING WAS TO LISTEN TO THE VIEWS OF THE VIETNAMESE MIGRANTS AT TAI A CHAU,” SAID PRINCIPAL ASSISTANT SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, MR EDDY CHAN, AFTER ATTENDING THE MEETING WITH 10 VIETNAMESE MIGRANT REPRESENTATIVES.
"THE MEETING WAS HELD IN A FRIENDLY ATMOSPHERE AND I TOOK THE OPPORTUNITY TO APPEAL TO THEM NOT TO TAKE ANY DRASTIC ACTIONS WHICH WOULD BENEFIT NO ONE, NOT LEAST THE VIETNAMESE THEMSELVES.
"I REAFFIRMED THE GOVERNMENT’S POSITION ON THE VARIOUS ISSUES THAT THEY RAISED, INCLUDING THE SCREENING PROCEDURES AND THE REPATRIATION OF SCREENED-OUT VIETNAMESE MIGRANTS UNDER THE ORDERLY REPATRIATION PROGRAMME.
"THE VIETNAMESE REPRESENTATIVES ATTENDING THE MEETING AGREED TO CONVEY TO THE CAMP POPULATION THE GOVERNMENT’S POSITION ON THE ISSUES RAISED AND TO CONSIDER WHETHER OR NOT TO CONTINUE THEIR PROTEST ACTIONS."
MR CHAN SAID HE HOPED THAT THE VIETNAMESE MIGRANTS WOULD COME TO REALISE THAT, UNDER THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN OF ACTION, THOSE WHO HAD BEEN DETERMINED TO BE NON-REFUGEES HAD NO ALTERNATIVE BUT TO RETURN TO VIETNAM WHERE THEIR FUTURE LAY.
"I ALSO HOPE THAT THEY WILL BEHAVE RATIONALLY AND SENSIBLY AND CALL OFF THEIR PROTEST ACTIONS," MR CHAN SAID.
- - - - 0-----
GO-AHEAD FOR YOUTH SERVICE PLAN
*****
THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL HAS APPROVED THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE RECOMMENDATIONS BY THE WORKING PARTY ON REVIEW OF CHILDREN AND YOUTH CENTRE SERVICES.
THE WORKING PARTY, CHAIRED BY PROFESSOR FELICE LIEH-MAK, WAS SET UP IN MARCH 1992 TO REVIEW THE POLICY, OBJECTIVES AND OPERATION OF CHILDREN AND YOUTH CENTRES AND RELATED SERVICES IN VIEW OF THE CHANGING NEEDS OF YOUNG PEOPLE AND A DECLINING YOUTH POPULATION.
ONE OF THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE WORKING PARTY IS THAT 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 CENTRES, OUTREACHING SOCIAL WORK, SCHOOL SOCIAL WORK, AND WHERE POSSIBLE, FAMILY LIFE EDUCATION," A SPOKESMAN FOR THE HEALTH AND WELFARE BRANCH SAID TODAY (FRIDAY).
/THE WORKING .....
FRIDAY, MARCH 4, 1994
4
THE WORKING PARTY HAS ALSO RECOMMENDED THAT CHILDREN AND YOUTH CENTRE SERVICES SHOULD BE PLANNED ACCORDING TO THE YOUTH POPULATION AND NOT THE GENERAL POPULATION. AN INTEGRATED TEAM SHOULD BE ESTABLISHED FOR EACH CATCHMENT AREA WITH A YOUTH POPULATION OF 12,000.
PROGRAMMES OFFERED BY CHILDREN AND YOUTH CENTRES SHOULD BE MORE TARGET-ORIENTED AND MORE RELATED TO SOCIAL WORK.
SPECIAL ATTENTION SHOULD BE GIVEN TO SOCIALLY DISADVANTAGED YOUNG PEOPLE AND THOSE WHO ARE AT RISK AND NEED HELP.
IN ADDITION, A PILOT COMMUNITY SUPPORT SERVICE SCHEME SHOULD BE INTRODUCED TO HELP CHILDREN AND YOUTH WHO HAVE BROKEN THE LAW BY ORGANISING SUPERVISED ACTIVITIES FOR THEM.
THESE RECOMMENDATIONS WILL BE IMPLEMENTED FROM NEXT MONTH.
"A STEERING COMMITTEE ON THE IMPLEMENTATION OF INTEGRATED TEAMS HAS BEEN FORMED," THE SPOKESMAN SAID, ADDING THAT THE SERVICE WOULD BE EVALUATED TWO YEARS LATER IN 1996.
- - - - 0----
PRINCESS ROYAL ARRIVES ON SUNDAY
*****
HER ROYAL HIGHNESS THE PRINCESS ROYAL WILL ARRIVE IN HONG KONG ON SUNDAY (MARCH 6) FOR A FOUR-DAY VISIT.
DURING HER STAY, THE PRINCESS WILL OPEN THE "TRANSDELTA CONFERENCE" ORGANISED BY THE CHARTERED INSTITUTE OF TRANSPORT IN HER
CAPACITY AS PRESIDENT OF THE INSTITUTE AND THE TUEN MUN PUBLIC RIDING
SCHOOL. SHE WILL ALSO VISIT THE PRINCE OF WALES BARRACKS, POKFULAM
PUBLIC RIDING SCHOOL, THE ROYAL HONG KONG YACHT CLUB AND SEVERAL
OTHER INSTITUTIONS.
SHE WILL RETURN TO THE UNITED KINGDOM ON MARCH 10.
ATTENTION NEWS EDiTORS:
PRESS FACILITIES WILL BE PROVIDED FOR THE MEDIA TO COVER SOME OF THE VISIT PROGRAMMES OF THE PRINCESS ROYAL. ALTHOUGH PRIOR REGISTRATION WILL NOT BE NECESSARY, PRESS MEMBERS MAKING USE OF SUCH FACILITIES SHOULD BE ABLE TO PRODUCE PRESS IDENTITY ISSUED BY THEIR ORGANISATIONS. SECURITY CHECKS MAY ALSO BE REQUIRED.
ARRIVAL AT AIRPORT, MARCH 6
ARRIVING ON A SPECIAL FLIGHT, THE PRINCESS ROYAL WILL BE MET BY THE GOVERNOR, THE RT HON CHRISTOPHER PATTEN.
THERE WILL BE A PHOTOGRAPHIC POSITION ON THE TARMAC TO COVER THE ARRIVAL. u
/MEDIA PHOTOGRAPHERS .......
FRIDAY, MARCH 4, 1994
5
MEDIA PHOTOGRAPHERS SHOULD ASSEMBLE AT THE AIRPORT PRESS ROOM ON THE GROUND FLOOR OF THE PASSENGER TERMINAL BUILDING BY 2.30 PM. THEY MUST PRODUCE PROOF OF IDENTITY, FOR EXAMPLE, HONG KONG IDENTITY CARDS OR PASSPORTS, BEFORE THEY ARE ALLOWED INTO THE AIRPORT RETRICTED AREA.
PHOTOGRAPHERS ARE ADVISED TO BRING ALONG TELEPHOTO LENSES.
OPENING OF TRANSDELTA CONFERENCE, MARCH 8
THE PRINCESS WILL OPEN THE "TRANSDELTA CONFERENCE DEVELOPMENT OF TRANSPORT SERVICES IN HONG KONG AND THE PEARL RIVER DELTA" ORGANISED BY THE CHARTERED INSTITUTE OF TRANSPORT AT THE GRAND HYATT HOTEL AT 9 AM.
THERE WILL BE A FIXED POSITION OUTSIDE THE GRAND BALLROOM FOR PHOTOGRAPHERS TO COVER THE GREETING PARTY RECEIVING THE PRINCESS.
SEATS WILL BE RESERVED FOR REPORTERS INSIDE THE GRAND BALLROOM. REPORTERS WISHING TO ENTER THE BALLROOM TO COVER THE SPEECHES MUST REGISTER WITH THE ORGANISER OUTSIDE THE GRAND BALLROOM BEFORE 8.30 AM AND TAKE UP THE SEATS BEFORE 8.45 AM. NO LATE-COMERS WILL BE ADMITTED. CLEAR SOUND OUTLETS WILL BE PROVIDED NEXT TO THE PRESS SEATS FOR RECORDING OF THE SPEECHES.
UPON REQUEST OF THE ORGANISER, NO CAMERA WILL BE ALLOWED INSIDE THE CONFERENCE VENUE. PHOTOGRAPHIC COVERAGE INSIDE WILL BE PROVIDED BY A POOL PHOTOGRAPHER AND A POOL TV CAMERA IN A FIXED POSITION.
OPENING OF TUEN MUN PUBLIC RIDING SCHOOL, MARCH 9
THE PRINCESS WILL UNVEIL A PLAQUE, TOUR THE STABLES AND PADDOCKS.
THERE WILL BE ONE FIXED POSITION FOR THE MEDIA TO COVER THE OPENING CEREMONY AND HER TOUR OF THE PADDOCKS.
TRANSPORT WILL BE PROVIDED FOR MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES. A COACH WILL LEAVE THE CAR PARK AT CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, LOWER ALBERT ROAD, HONG KONG, AT 9.15 AM SHARP.
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES MAKING THEIR OWN WAY SHOULD ARRIVE AT THE TUEN MUN PUBLIC RIDING SCHOOL AT LUNG MUN ROAD, BUTTERFLY BAY, TUEN MUN BY 10.30 AM. -----------------------------------0--------
/6.........
FRIDAY, MARCH 4, 1994
6
67 TO RUN FOR EDUCATION CONDUCT COUNCIL ELECTION * * * » ♦
THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT HAS RECEIVED 67 NOMINATIONS FOR THE ELECTION OF 25 SEATS IN THE COUNCIL ON PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT IN EDUCATION (CPCE).
THE NOMINATIONS INCLUDE 42 FROM TEACHER-NOMINATED CATEGORIES AND 25 FROM ORGANISATION-NOMINATED CATEGORIES.
THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, MR DOMINIC WONG, ANNOUNCED TODAY (FRIDAY) THAT VOTING FOR THE ELECTION WOULD BE HELD ON WEDNESDAY, APRIL 20.
"ALL FULL-TIME REGISTERED AND PERMITTED TEACHERS AND RELEVANT ORGANISATIONS ARE ELIGIBLE TO VOTE," MR WONG SAID.
THE CPCE IS A NON-STATUTORY BODY TO ADVISE THE GOVERNMENT ON MEASURES TO PROMOTE PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT IN EDUCATION INCLUDING THE DRAFTING OF OPERATIONAL CRITERIA DEFINING THE CONDUCT EXPECTED OF AN EDUCATOR, AND TO ADVISE THE DIRECTOR IN CASES OF DISPUTE OR ON ALLEGED PROFESSIONAL MISCONDUCT.
DETAILS OF THE ELECTION PROCEDURE WILL BE SENT TO SCHOOLS AND ORGANISATIONS SHORTLY.
------0-------
EIGHT DEVELOPMENT PERMISSION AREA PLANS APPROVED
*****
THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL LAST MONTH APPROVED EIGHT DEVELOPMENT PERMISSION AREA PLANS FOR VARIOUS PARTS OF THE NEW TERRITORIES.
THE PLANS COVER KWU TUNG SOUTH, MAN UK PIN AND SHAP SZ HEUNG IN NORTHEAST NEW TERRITORIES; HO CHUNG AND PAK KONG IN SAI KUNG; HA TSUEN, SHEUNG PAK NAI/HA PAK NAI, AND SAN TIN IN NORTHWEST NEW TERRITORIES.
THESE ARE RURAL AREAS WITH VILLAGE SETTLEMENTS IN LOWLANDS AND FOOTHILLS. IN RECENT YEARS, SOME OF THE FARMLANDS IN THE AREAS HAVE BEEN CONVERTED INTO WORKSHOPS, CAR-STRIPPING YARDS AND OPEN STORAGE TO MEET DEVELOPMENT NEEDS.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE TOWN PLANNING BOARD POINTED OUT THAT THESE USAGES HAD CAUSED A GENERAL DEGRADATION OF THE RURAL ENVIRONMENT AND CREATED PROBLEMS, SUCH AS TRAFFIC CONGESTION, VISUAL BLIGHT AND FLOODING.
THE PLANS ARE PUBLISHED TO PROVIDE INTERIM PLANNING CONTROL AND DEVELOPMENT GUIDANCE FOR THE RURAL AREAS PENDING THE PREPARATION OF OUTLINE ZONING PLANS (OZP’S).
REPLACEMENT OZP’S FOR THESE AREAS ARE NOW BEING PREPARED BY THE BOARD AND WOULD BE PUT UP FOR PUBLIC INSPECTION.
/"ON THE .......
7 _ FRIDAY, MARCH 4, 1994
"ON THE DEVELOPMENT PERMISSION AREA (DPA) PLANS, AREAS SET ASIDE FOR SMALL HOUSING DEVELOPMENT ARE ZONED ’VILLAGE TYPE DEVELOPMENT’, WHEREAS AREAS WITH ADEQUATE INFRASTRUCTURAL FACILITIES ARE ZONED FOR LOW-DENSITY RESIDENTIAL USE TO ENCOURAGE PRIVATE INITIATIVES IN UNDERTAKING DEVELOPMENT," HE SAID.
"IN ADDITION, THERE ARE ALSO ’GREEN BELT’ ZONES, DELINEATING AREAS WITH LANDSCAPE AND AMENITY VALUE, AND ’GOVERNMENT/INSTITUTION/COMMUNITY’ ZONES RESERVING LAND TO MEET LOCAL AND DISTRICT NEEDS.
"ON THE DPA PLANS ARE ALSO MANY ’UNSPECIFIED USES’ AREAS WHERE PLANNING PERMISSION IS REQUIRED FOR ALL TYPES OF DEVELOPMENT OTHER THAN THE PERMITTED USES SET OUT IN THE NOTES ATTACHED TO THE PLANS," THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
ALL EIGHT DPA PLANS ARE BEING EXHIBITED FOR PUBLIC INSPECTION FOR ONE WEEK UNTIL MARCH 11 AT THE PLANNING DEPARTMENT, 16TH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG.
THEY ARE ALSO ON DISPLAY AT THE DISTRICT OFFICES IN THE NORTH DISTRICT, TAI PO, SAI KUNG AND YUEN LONG AS WELL AS IN THE SHA TIN AND NORTH EAST DISTRICT PLANNING OFFICE, THE SAI KUNG AND TSEUNG KWAN 0 DISTRICT PLANNING OFFICE, AND THE TUEN MUN AND YUEN LONG DISTRICT PLANNING OFFICE.
COPIES OF THE APPROVED DPA PLANS ARE ON SALE AT THE SURVEY AND MAPPING OFFICE, LANDS DEPARTMENT, 14TH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG AND THE KOWLOON MAP SALES SECTION, 382 NATHAN ROAD, KOWLOON.
------0--------
AMENDMENTS TO DRAFT OUTLINE ZONING PLAN ANNOUNCED *****
THE TOWN PLANNING BOARD TODAY (FRIDAY) ANNOUCED AMENDMENTS TO THE DRAFT SHAU KEI WAN OUTLINE ZONING PLAN (NO. S/H9/3), WHICH WILL PROVIDE AREAS FOR PUBLIC HOUSING, SCHOOLS AND OTHER SUPPORTING FACILITIES.
THE RECLAMATION AREAS IN ALDRICH BAY HAVE BEEN REZONED FROM "UNDETERMINED", "GOVERNMENT/INSTITUTION/COMMUNITY" AND "OTHER SPECIFIED USES" ANNOTATED "SEWAGE SCREENING PLANT" AND "COMPREHENSIVE RECREATIONAL DEVELOPMENT AREA" TO "RESIDENTIAL (GROUP A)" "OPEN SPACE", "GOVERNMENT/INSTITUTION/COMMUNITY" AND "OTHER SPECIFIED USES" ANNOTATED "SEWAGE SCREENING PLANT" AND "GODOWN".
THIS WILL MAKE PROVISION FOR PUBLIC HOUSING DEVELOPMENT INCORPORATING A PRIMARY SCHOOL, A PUBLIC TRANSPORT TERMINUS, A SHOPPING CENTRE, MARKETS, OPEN SPACE AND OTHER COMMUNITY AND RECREATIONAL FACILITIES.
A SITE ON TAI ON STREET HAD ALSO BEEN RESERVED FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF A SECONDARY SCHOOL. AREAS FOR OPEN SPACE DEVELOPMENT HAVE BEEN PROVIDED NEAR THE RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT.
MEANWHILE, A PIECE OF LAND TO THE EAST OF ALDRICH BAY HAS BEEN RESERVED FOR THE REPROVISIONING OF A WHOLESALE FISH MARKET AND THE EXTENSION OF THE SEWAGE SCREENING PLANT. AN AREA NEAR A KUNG NGAM WILL BE USED FOR GODOWN PURPOSE.
/OTHER AMENDMENTS .......
FRIDAY, MARCH 4, 1994
- 8 -
OTHER AMENDMENTS INCLUDE REZONING THE AREA BOUNDED BY SHAU KEI WAN MAIN STREET EAST AND TUNG HEI ROAD FROM "COMMERCIAL/RESIDENTIAL” AND ’’GOVERNMENT/INSTITUTION/COMMUNITY” TO ’’RESIDENTIAL (GROUP A)”, ’’GOVERNMENT/INSTITUTION/COMMUNITY” AND ’’OPEN SPACE”.
THE AREAS WITHIN TAI TAM COUNTRY PARK HAVE ALSO BEEN REZONED FROM ’’GREEN BELT" TO "COUNTRY PARK" TO REFLECT THE EXISTING USE.
THE AMENDMENT PLAN (NO. S/H9/4) IS AVAILABLE FOR PUBLIC INSPECTION UNTIL MAY 3 IN THE FOLLOWING OFFICES:
* HONG KONG DISTRICT PLANNING OFFICE,
11TH FLOOR, LEIGHTON CENTRE, 77 LEIGHTON ROAD, HONG KONG;
♦ PLAN.ilNG DEPARTMENT,
16TH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG; AND
» EASTERN DISTRICT OFFICE,
GROUND FLOOR, EASTERN LAW COURTS BUILDING, 29 TAI ON STREET, HONG KONG.
ANY PERSON AFFECTED BY THE AMENDMENTS MAY SEND HIS WRITTEN OBJECTION TO THE SECRETARY OF THE TOWN PLANNING BOARD, C/O PLANNING DEPARTMENT, 13TH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING BEFORE MAY 3.
COPIES OF THE AMENDMENT PLAN CAN BE BOUGHT AT THE SURVEY AND MAPPING OFFICE, LANDS DEPARTMENT, 14TH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, AND KOWLOON MAP SALES OFFICE, 382 NATHAN ROAD, KOWLOON.
------0--------
WONG NAI CHUNG OUTLINE ZONING PLAN APPROVED *****
THE TOWN PLANNING BOARD HAS PUBLISHED AN APPROVED OUTLINE ZONING PLAN FOR WONG NAI CHUNG.
THE PLAN COVERS AN AREA OF ABOUT 139 HECTARES, ESTABLISHING A STATUTORY PLANNING FRAMEWORK TO CONTROL DEVELOPMENT AND REDEVELOPMENT WITHIN THE AREA.
THE PLANNING AREA IS BOUNDED BY LEIGHTON ROAD IN THE NORTH, HONG KONG STADIUM AND SO KON PO IN THE EAST, TAI HANG ROAD IN THE SOUTH AND SOUTHEAST AND STUBBS ROAD IN THE WEST.
THE SOUTHERN PART OF THE PLANNING AREA IS PREDOMINANTLY RESIDENTIAL, AND THE NORTHERN PART, COMPRISING HAPPY VALLEY AND CAROLINE HILL, HAS BEEN DEVELOPED MAINLY FOR SPORTS AND RECREATION CLUB USES.
/ABOUT 38 .......
FRIDAY, MARCH 4, 1994
9
ABOUT 38 HECTARES OF THE LAND IN THE AREA HAVE BEEN DESIGNATED FOR RESIDENTIAL USE. SPECIFIC RESTRICTIONS ON DEVELOPMENT INTENSITY HAVE BEEN IMPOSED ON SOME OF THE RESIDENTIAL ZONES BECAUSE OF THE LIMITED CAPACITY OF THE ACCESS ROADS, THE NEED TO PRESERVE PUBLIC VIEWS AND THE DESIRE TO MAINTAIN THE CHARACTER OF THE AREA.
MEANWHILE, 35 HECTARES OF THE LAND HAVE BEEN RESERVED FOR OTHER SPECIFIED USES INCLUDING SPORTS AND RECREATION CLUB, CEMETERY AND RACE COURSES; ABOUT NINE HECTARES FOR OPEN SPACE DEVELOPMENT; ONE HECTARE FOR COMMERCIAL/RESIDENTIAL USE; ABOUT 21 HECTARES ALONG STUBBS ROAD AND TAI HANG ROAD FOR GREEN BELT AREAS; AND ABOUT 20 HECTARES FOR ROADS.
THE APPROVED PLAN IS AVAILABLE FOR PUBLIC INSPECTION FOR A WEEK AT:
* WAN CHAI DISTRICT OFFICE, 21ST FLOOR, SOUTHORN CENTRE, 130 HENNESSY ROAD, WAN CHAI, HONG KONG;
* HONG KONG DISTRICT PLANNING OFFICE, 11TH FLOOR, LEIGHTON CENTRE, 77 LEIGHTON ROAD, HONG KONG; AND
* PLANNING DEPARTMENT,
16TH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING,
GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG.
COPIES OF THE PLAN ARE AVAILABLE FOR SALE AT THE SURVEY AND MAPPING OFFICE, LANDS DEPARTMENT, 14TH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, AND KOWLOON MAP SALES OFFICE, 382 NATHAN ROAD, KOWLOON.
------0--------
LAND SURVEY BILL GAZETTED * * * * *
THE GOVERNMENT IS TO INTRODUCE THE LAND SURVEY BILL TO IMPROVE THE STANDARD OF LAND BOUNDARY SURVEYS AND TO ESTABLISH AN ACCURATE LAND BOUNDARY RECORD SYSTEM.
THE BILL, GAZETTED TODAY (FRIDAY), WILL PROVIDE FOR A REGULATORY FRAMEWORK FOR THE CONTROL OF THE STANDARD THROUGH THE REGISTRATION OF AUTHORISED LAND SURVEYORS WHO HAVE TO ENSURE THAT ALL LAND BOUNDARY SURVEYS CARRIED OUT BY THEM ARE IN ACCORDANCE WITH ADOPTED CODES OF PRACTICE.
THE BILL REQUIRES THAT LAND BOUNDARY PI,ANS CERTIFIED BY AUTHORISED LAND SURVEYORS SHOULD ACCOMPANY CONVEYANCING INSTRUMENTS OR DEEDS CREATING NEW DIVISION OF LAND FOR REGISTRATION UNDER THE LAND REGISTRATION ORDINANCE.
THE REQUIREMENT WILL BE MANDATORY AFTER THE PROPOSED LEGISLATION TAKES EFFECT.
/THE AUTHORISED .......
FRIDAY, MARCH 4, 1994
10
THE AUTHORISED LAND SURVEYORS SHOULD ALSO DEPOSIT THE LAND BOUNDARY PLANS AND THE RELATED SURVEY RECORD PLANS WITH THE LAND SURVEY AUTHORITY, WHO WILL EITHER BE THE DIRECTOR OF LANDS OR HIS DELEGATED REPRESENTATIVE.
UNDER THE BILL, AUTHORISED LAND SURVEYORS WILL BE LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGES TO ANY PERSONS AS A RESULT OF ANY INACCURACY OR INCOMPLETENESS OF LAND BOUNDARY PLANS CERTIFIED BY THEM.
THE BILL, WHICH WAS APPROVED BY THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL ON FEBRUARY 22, IS SCHEDULED TO RECEIVE ITS FIRST READING IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON MARCH 30.
ENQUIRIES ON THE BILL SHOULD BE DIRECTED TO:
SENIOR LAND SURVEYOR/TECHNICAL INFORMATION LANDS DEPARTMENT
ROOM 1507, 15TH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, CENTRAL, HONG KONG
TEL : 848 2723
FAX : 877 8520
------0--------
THREE LOTS FOR AUCTION » » * »
THREE LOTS OF GOVERNMENT LAND WILL BE OFFERED FOR SALE AT A PUBLIC AUCTION ON MARCH 31 (THURSDAY).
THE AUCTION WILL START AT 2.30 PM IN THE JADE BALLROOM OF HOTEL FURAMA-KEMPINSKI, CONNAUGHT ROAD, CENTRAL.
THE FIRST LOT, AT 665 KING’S ROAD, HAS AN AREA OF ABOUT 2,661 SQUARE METRES.
IT IS INTENDED FOR NON-INDUSTRIAL USE, EXCLUDING PETROL-FILLING STATION, GODOWN, WAREHOUSE AND PRIVATE RESIDENTIAL.
THE SECOND LOT, AT AREA 11, TUEN MUN, COVERS AN AREA OF ABOUT 3,781 SQUARE METRES.
IT IS FOR NON-INDUSTRIAL USE, EXCLUDING GODOWN, RESIDENTIAL, HOTEL, SERVICE APARTMENT AND PETROL-FILLING STATION, BUT INCLUDING MULTI-STOREY PUBLIC CAR PARK.
THE THIRD LOT, AT AREA 11, ON YIU STREET, SHA TIN, HAS AN AREA OF ABOUT 6,515 SQUARE METRES. IT IS PLANNED FOR INDUSTRIAL OR GODOWN (WITH ANCILLARY OFFICE) USE.
FULL PARTICULARS AND CONDITIONS OF SALE MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE LANDS DEPARTMENT, 14TH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD; AND THE DISTRICT LANDS OFFICES KOWLOON, YAU MA TEI CAR PARK BUILDING, 10TH FLOOR, 250 SHANGHAI STREET, KOWLOON.
/SALE PLANS .......
FRIDAY, MARCH 4, 1994
11
SALE PLANS ARE AVAILABLE FOR INSPECTION IN THE OFFICES.
CONDITIONS OF SALE WILL ALSO BE AVAILABLE AT THE DISTRICT LANDS OFFICES OF SHA TIN, TUEN MUN, YUEN LONG, TSUEN WAN, KWAI TSING, TAI PO, NORTH, SAI KUNG AND ISLANDS.
------0-------
CONSTRUCTION OF SHIPYARD AT TO KAU WAN, NORTH LANTAU
*****
ABOUT 7.7 HECTARES OF FORESHORE AND SEA-BED AT TO KAU WAN, LANTAU ISLAND WILL BE RECLAIMED TO PROVIDE LAND FOR A SHIPYARD. RECLAMATION AND ASSOCIATED WORKS WILL COMMENCE IN SEPTEMBER AND TAKE ABOUT ONE YEAR TO COMPLETE.
THE EXTENT OF THE AREA AFFECTED IS DESCRIBED IN A GOVERNMENT GAZETTE NOTICE PUBLISHED TODAY (FRIDAY).
THE NOTICE AND THE RELATED PLAN CAN BE SEEN ON NOTICE BOARDS POSTED NEAR THE SITE.
THE PLAN CAN ALSO BE SEEN AT THE LANDS DEPARTMENT’S SURVEY AND MAPPING OFFICE, 14TH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, CENTRAL, HONG KONG AND AT THE TSUEN WAN DISTRICT OFFICE, FIRST FLOOR, TSUEN WAN STATION MULTI-STOREY CARPARK BUILDING, 174-208 CASTLE PEAK ROAD, TSUEN WAN, NEW TERRITORIES.
ANY PERSON WHO CONSIDERS THAT HE HAS AN INTEREST, RIGHT OR EASEMENT IN OR OVER THE FORESHORE AND SEA-BED INVOLVED MAY SUBMIT A WRITTEN OBJECTION TO THE DIRECTOR OF LANDS BEFORE OR ON MAY 4, 1994. IT SHOULD DESCRIBE THE MANNER IN WHICH HE ALLEGES HE WILL BE AFFECTED.
------0-------
GAMES HALL FOR DIAMOND HILL RESIDENTS ♦ * * * »
DIAMOND HILL RESIDENTS WILL BE ABLE TO ENJOY MORE SPORTS FACILITIES WHEN AN INDOOR GAMES HALL IS COMPLETED BY THE END OF NEXT YEAR.
THE INDOOR GAMES HALL, TO BE DEVELOPED ON A SITE OF 0.6 HECTARE AT THE JUNCTION OF PO KONG VILLAGE ROAD AND FUNG LAI ROAD, WILL HAVE A CHILDREN’S PLAY ROOM, A DANCING STUDIO, A GAMES ROOM FOR TABLE TENNIS, A MULTI-PURPOSE ACTIVITIES ROOM, TWO BASKETBALL COURTS AND SIX SQUASH COURTS.
THE ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT IS NOW INVITING TENDERS FOR THE PROJECT WHICH IS SCHEDULED TO START IN JUNE.
FORMS OF TENDER AND FURTHER PARTICULARS MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT, 34TH FLOOR, QUEENSWAY GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 66 QUEENSWAY, HONG KONG.
TENDER OFFER WILL CLOSE AT NOON ON MARCH 25.
---------0-----------
/12 .......
FRIDAY, MARCH 4, 1994
12
REVISION OF JUDICIARY FEES
*****
THE SUPREME COURT FEES (AMENDMENT) RULES 1994 AND THE DISTRICT COURT CIVIL PROCEDURE (FEES) (AMENDMENT) RULES 1994, WHICH SEEK TO INCREASE THE FEES COLLECTED BY THE JUDICIARY IN PROVIDING VARIOUS SERVICES UNDER THE SUPREME COURT ORDINANCE AND THE DISTRICT COURT ORDINANCE, WERE GAZETTED TODAY (FRIDAY).
THE FEES WERE LAST REVISED IN 1992.
’’TAKING ACCOUNT OF THE INCREASE IN THE COSTS OF PROVIDING THE SERVICES SINCE THE LAST REVIEW, THE FEES WILL BE INCREASED BY 10 PER CENT WITH EFFECT FROM MAY 1, 1994,” A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID.
THE SPOKESMAN EXPLAINED THAT THE FEE REVISION WAS A ROUTINE AdJUSTMENT AIMED AT RECOVERING THE INCREASED ADMINISTRATIVE COSTS INCURRED.
---------0-----------
CONTRACT FOR UPGRADING SEWAGE TREATMENT FACILITIES SIGNED *****
THE DRAINAGE SERVICES DEPARTMENT TODAY (FRIDAY) SIGNED A $37.6 MILLION WORKS CONTRACT TO UPGRADE THE SEWAGE TREATMENT FACILITIES IN THE TAI PO SEWAGE TREATMENT PLANT.
THE CONTRACT WAS SIGNED BY THE DEPARTMENT’S ASSISTANT DIRECTOR (PROJECTS AND MANAGEMENT), MR TSE HON-SUM, AND A REPRESENTATIVE OF THE CONTRACTOR, CHIU HING CONSTRUCTION AND TRANSPORTATION COMPANY LIMITED.
MR TSE SAID THE CONTRACT INVOLVED THE CONSTRUCTION OF A CONTROL AND STORAGE HOUSE, AS WELL AS MODIFICATION AND REFURBISHMENT OF SOME OF THE EXISTING TREATMENT INSTALLATIONS, SUCH AS THE INLET WORKS, AERATION TANKS AND PIPEWORKS.
THE WORKS ARE SCHEDULED TO BEGIN ON MARCH 19 FOR COMPLETION IN AUGUST 1996.
THE EFFLUENT QUALITY AND OPERATION CONDITIONS OF THE TAI PO SEWAGE TREATMENT PLANT WOULD BE IMPROVED UPON THE COMPLETION OF THE WORKS, MR TSE ADDED.
------0-------
EDUCATION OFFICERS CONDUCT SURPRISE INSPECTIONS
*****
EDUCATION OFFICERS CONDUCTED SURPRISE INSPECTIONS ON 13 PRIVATE EVENING SCHOOLS THROUGHOUT THE TERRITORY LAST (THURSDAY) NIGHT.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY THE INSPECTIONS WERE CONDUCTED TO ENSURE THAT THESE SCHOOLS WERE OPERATING ACCORDING TO THE EDUCATION ORDINANCE.
/THE INSPECTIONS .......
13
FRIDAY, MARCH 4, 1994
THE INSPECTIONS WERE ALSO AIMED AT MAINTAINING CLOSE COMMUNICATION WITH THE OPERATORS AND OFFERING ADVICE AND ASSISTANCE TO ENHANCE THEIR STANDARD, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
DURING THE INSPECTIONS, THE SPOKESMAN SAID, FOUR SCHOOLS WERE FOUND NOT COMPLYING WITH THE EDUCATION ORDINANCE.
HE SAID THESE IRREGULARITIES INCLUDED COLLECTION OF UNAPPROVED FEES, TEACHERS WITHOUT REGISTRATION CERTIFICATES OR TEACHING PERMITS AND EXCESS ENROLMENT.
WARNINGS HAVE BEEN GIVEN TO THE SCHOOLS TO RECTIFY THE IRREGULARITIES IMMEDIATELY, HE SAID.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE DEPARTMENT WOULD TAKE FOLLOW-UP ACTIONS, INCLUDING LEGAL ACTION IF WARRANTED, AGAINST THESE OPERATORS.
HE SAID THE DEPARTMENT WOULD CONTINUE TO CONDUCT SURPRISE INSPECTIONS ON SCHOOLS TO ENSURE THAT THEIR OPERATIONS WERE SMOOTH.
IN THE 1992/93 SCHOOL YEAR, THE DEPARTMENT CONDUCTED 211 SUCH INSPECTIONS AND 112 BETWEEN SEPTEMBER 1993 AND FEBRUARY 1994.
------0-------
APPLICATIONS INVITED FOR CONVERSION TO WHOLE-DAY SCHOOLING ♦ ♦ * ♦ *
AIDED BI-SESSIONAL PRIMARY SCHOOLS ARE INVITED TO APPLY FOR WHOLE-DAY OPERATION IN THE 1995/96 SCHOOL YEAR.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT SAID SCHOOLS OPERATING ON A WHOLE-DAY BASIS WERE GIVEN AN IMPROVED TEACHER/CLASS RATIO OF 1.4 TO ONE AND A SENIOR TEACHER RATIO OF ONE ASSISTANT MASTER/MISTRESS FOR EVERY THREE CLASSES.
’’WHOLE-DAY SCHOOLS ALSO RECEIVE AN INCREASED ANNUAL CLASS GRANT,” HE SAID.
THE SPOKESMAN ADVISED SCHOOLS TO DISCUSS WITH PARENTS AND TEACHERS ON THE CONVERSION BEFORE SENDING IN THEIR APPLICATIONS.
THE DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS IS APRIL 18. APPLICANTS WILL BE INFORMED OF THE RESULTS IN MAY.
AT PRESENT, A TOTAL OF 131 WHOLE-DAY PRIMARY SCHOOLS ARE IN OPERATION IN THE TERRITORY.
------0--------
ESTATE AGENTS WORKING GROUP SUPPORTS LICENSING t » * * *
THE WORKING GROUP ON REGULATION OF REAL ESTATE AGENTS TODAY (FRIDAY) AGREED TO RECOMMEND TO THE GOVERNMENT THAT ESTATE AGENTS IN HONG KONG SHOULD BE LICENSED BY A REGULATORY AUTHORITY WITH LEGISLATIVE BACKING.
THE RECOMMENDATION CAME AFTER MEMBERS OF THE GROUP CONSIDERED CAREFULLY THE PROS AND CONS OF VARIOUS REGULATORY SYSTEMS FOR THE TRADE.
/THEY HAVE ........
FRIDAY, MARCH 4, 1994
14
THEY HAVE MADE REFERENCE TO SIMILAR REGULATORY FRAMEWORK AND EXPERIENCE IN OVERSEAS COUNTRIES AND HAD REGARD TO THE LICENSING SYSTEMS FOR SOME OF LOCAL TRADES IN THEIR LAST MEETING AND TODAY’S MEETING.
MEMBERS GENERALLY AGREED THAT IT WOULD BE IN THE BEST INTEREST OF THE TRADE AND THE PUBLIC TO PLACE ESTATE AGENTS UNDER A FORMAL REGULATORY FRAMEWORK THAT WILL SERVE THE PURPOSES OF ENSURING MINIMUM ACCEPTABLE COMPETENCE STANDARD AND SANCTIONING DISHONEST AND INCOMPETENT AGENTS.
THEY ALSO AGREED THAT THE PRIMARY FUNCTIONS OF THE AUTHORITY SHOULD INCLUDE ADVISING THE GOVERNMENT ON REGULATORY MATTERS, DETERMINING LICENSING REQUIREMENTS, LICENSING ESTATE AGENTS, INQUIRING INTO ALLEGED BREACHES OF RULES AND REGULATIONS AND IMPOSING PENALTIES ON DEFAULTING AGENTS.
------0--------
MORE WOMEN ADVISERS ON FILM CENSORSHIP NEEDED
*****
THE TELEVISION AND ENTERTAINMENT LICENSING AUTHORITY (TELA) WILL RECRUIT MORE WOMEN TO BE PUBLIC ADVISERS ON FILM CENSORSHIP.
AT A SPRING RECEPTION HOSTED BY TELA TODAY (FRIDAY), THE COMMISSIONER FOR TELEVISION AND ENTERTAINMENT LICENSING, MRS RITA LAU, SAID: "WE NOW HAVE A PANEL OF ABOUT 300 PUBLIC ADVISERS BUT ONLY ABOUT 80 OF THEM ARE WOMEN.
"THE ADDITION OF WOMEN WOULD MAKE THE PANEL MORE REPRESENTATIVE OF OUR COMMUNITY," SHE SAID.
BUT MRS LAU SAID SHE WAS NOT IMPLYING THAT THE PRESENT PANEL DID NOT REFLECT THE COMMUNITY’S OPINION.
"IN FACT, A PUBLIC OPINION SURVEY ON FILM STANDARDS CONDUCTED AT THE END OF LAST YEAR SHOWS THAT THE VIEWS OF OUR PUBLIC ADVISERS ARE GENERALLY IN LINE WITH THOSE HELD BY MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC."
CERTAIN DATA WAS STILL BEING ANALYSED BY THE INDEPENDENT RESEARCH FIRM CONDUCTING THE SURVEY, MRS LAU SAID.
"THE REPORT WILL BE READY BY THE END OF THIS MONTH BUT WE HAVE YET TO MAKE A DECISION ON THE PRECISE DATE WHEN IT WILL BE RELEASED TO THE PUBLIC," SHE SAID.
MRS LAU PRAISED THE CONTRIBUTIONS MADE BY THE PUBLIC ADVISERS, WHO SPENT HALF A DAY EVERY TWO WEEKS TO ADVISE THE FILM CENSORS ON WHETHER A FILM SHOULD BE APPROVED FOR SHOWING AND IF SO, WHETHER IT SHOULD BE CLASSIFIED AS CATEGORY I, II OR III.
"IT IS HEARTENING TO SEE SO MANY MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY, WHO COME FROM DIFFERENT WALKS OF LIFE, SACRIFICING THEIR TIME TO RENDER A SERVICE TO THE COMMUNITY.
"THE FACT THAT THERE WAS IN THE WHOLE OF 1993 ONLY ONE APPEAL AGAINST THE FILM CENSORS’ DECISION IS INDICATIVE OF THE BALANCED ADVICE PUT FORTH BY THE PUBLIC ADVISERS," MRS LAU SAID.
/ON THE ........
FRIDAY, MARCH 4, 1994
15
ON THE QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED TO BE A PUBLIC ADVISER, MRS LAU SAID: "ANY PERSON OF THE AGE OF 18 OR ABOVE WHO IS NOT A CIVIL SERVANT IS ELIGIBLE TO BF, APPOINTED PROVIDED THAT THE APPOINTMENT WILL NOT GIVE RISE TO ANY CONFLICT OF INTEREST."
ANYONE INTERESTED COULD OBTAIN AN APPLICATION FORM BY WRITING TO OR DROPPING IN THE TELA OFFICE ON THE 39TH FLOOR, REVENUE TOWER, 5 GLOUCESTER ROAD, WAN CHAI, HONG KONG.
THE RECEPTION WAS ATTENDED BY ABOUT 250 PERSONS INCLUDING THE PUBLIC ADVISERS, MEMBERS OF THE BOARD OF REVIEW CHAIRED BY MR NORMAN LEUNG AND ALSO GUESTS FROM THE FILM AND VIDEO INDUSTRY.
- - 0 - -
PROVISIONAL RESULTS OF RETAIL SALES SURVEY FOR DECEMBER 1993 RELEASED *****
THE VALUE OF TOTAL RETAIL SALES IN DECEMBER 1993, ESTIMATED AT $17.7 BILLION, INCREASED 13% WHEN COMPARED WITH THE SAME MONTH LAST YEAR, ACCORDING TO THE STATISTICS RELEASED TODAY (FRIDAY) BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
AFTER DISCOUNTING THE EFFECT OF PRICE CHANGES OVER THE PERIOD, TOTAL RETAIL SALES INCREASED 6% IN VOLUME TERMS.
FOR 1993 AS A WHOLE, THE INCREASE IN RETAIL SALES WAS 13% IN VALUE AND 7% IN VOLUME.
THE INCREASE IN DECEMBER WAS MAINLY ATTRIBUTABLE TO A CONSIDERABLE GROWTH IN SPENDING ON CLOTHING AND FOOTWEAR, CONSUMER DURABLE GOODS OTHER THAN MOTOR VEHICLES, AND SALES IN DEPARTMENT STORES.
SALES OF CLOTHING, FOOTWEAR AND ALLIED PRODUCTS REGISTERED A SIGNIFICANT YEAR-ON-YEAR INCREASE IN DECEMBER, 26% IN VALUE AND 16% IN VOLUME.
SALES OF CONSUMER DURABLE GOODS OTHER THAN MOTOR VEHICLES WENT UP MARKEDLY BY 21% IN VALUE AND 18% IN VOLUME, WHILE SALES IN DEPARTMENT STORES ROSE BY 15% AND 7% RESPECTIVELY.
BOTH SALES IN SUPERMARKETS AND SALES OF JEWELLERY AND WATCHES INCREASED 10% IN VALUE. IN VOLUME TERMS, THE INCREASES WERE 3% AND 2% RESPECTIVELY.
SALES OF FUELS WENT UP SLIGHTLY BY 3% IN VALUE AND 1% IN VOLUME.
ON THE OTHER HAND, SALES OF OTHER FOODSTUFFS SHOWED NO GROWTH IN VOLUME, DESPITE AN INCREASE IN VALUE BY 9% SALES OF MOTOR VEHIC1ES RECORDED A DECREASE OF 7% IN VOLUME BUT VIRTUALLY NO CHANGE IN VALUE.
COMPARING 1993 WITH THE PRECEDING YEAR, TOTAL RETAIL SALES ROSE BY 13% IN VALUE AND 7% IN VOLUME. THE CORRESPONDING INCREASES IN 1992 WERE 18% AND 12% RESPECTIVELY, INDICATING A CONTINUED GROWTH IN CONSUMER SPENDING IN 1993.
/SALES OF
FRIDAY, MARCH 4, 1994
- 16 -
SALES OF CLOTHING AND FOOTWEAR ROSE SHARPLY IN 1993 BY 31% IN VALUE AND 21% IN VOLUME; THOSE OF CONSUMER DURABLES OTHER THAN MOTOR VEHICLES BY 17% IN VALUE AND 15% IN VOLUME; AND THOSE OF JEWELLERY AND WATCHES BY 11% IN VALUE AND 8% IN VOLUME.
MODERATE INCREASES WERE RECORDED FOR SALES OF SUPERMARKETS (BY 10% IN VALUE AND 3% IN VOLUME); SALES IN DEPARTMENT STORES (BY 10% IN VALUE AND 2% IN VOLUME); SALES OF FUELS (BY 8% IN VALUE AND 3% IN VOLUME); AND SALES OF OTHER FOODSTUFFS (BY 7% IN VALUE AND 1% IN VOLUME).
SALES OF MOTOR VEHICLES RECORDED A 1% INCREASE IN VALUE BUT A 7% DECREASE IN VOLUME.
COMPARING WITH NOVEMBER 1993, AND BEARING IN MIND THAT THIS COMPARISON MAY BE AFFECTED BY SEASONAL FACTORS, TOTAL RETAIL SALES IN DECEMBER 1993 INCREASED 18% IN BOTH VALUE AND VOLUME TERMS.
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.
TABLE 1 PRESENTS THE REVISED TOTAL RETAIL SALES FIGURE FOR NOVEMBER 1993 AND THE PROVISIONAL FIGURE FOR DECEMBER 1993.
TABLE 2 SHOWS THE VALUE AND VOLUME INDICES OF RETAIL SALES IN NOVEMBER AND DECEMBER 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 DECEMBER 1993 RESULTS WITH THOSE FOR NOVEMBER 1993 AND WITH THOSE FOR DECEMBER 1992, AND COMPARISONS OF RETAIL SALES IN 1993 WITH 1992 ARE ALSO GIVEN.
THE REPORT CONTAINING THE ANALYSIS OF THE DECEMBER 1993 RESULTS IS NOW ON SALE AT $2 PER COPY AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS SALES CEnTRE, GROUND FLOOR, 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 ......
FRIDAY, MARCH 4, 1994
17
TABLE 1 : TOTAL RETAIL SALES
Total Retail Sales for December 1993 (Provisional Figure) = HK$17,730.9 million
for November 1993 (Revised Figure) = HKS15,008.0 million
TABLE 2 : VALUE AND VOLUME INDICES OF RETAIL SALES FOR NOVEMBER 1993 AND DECEMBER 1993
(Monthly average of Oct. 89 - Sept. 90 = 100)
Type of outlet Index of Retai I Sales November 1993 December 1993 December 1993 compared with November 1993 December 1993 compared with December 1992 Jan-Dec. 1993 compared with Jan-Dec. 1992
(Revised (Provisional Points % Points % Points %
(A) FOR ALL RETAIL OUTLETS figures) figures) ♦ 13.4 ♦12.7
Value 159.8 188.8 ♦29.0 ♦ 18.1 ♦22.3 ♦18.0
Volume 129.0 152.5 ♦23.6 ♦ 18.3 ♦8.8 ♦6.1 ♦8.6 +6.9
(B) BY TYPE OF RETAIL OUTLET
Foodstuffs, alcoholic Value 130.1 142.3 ♦12.1 ♦9.3 ♦11.4 ♦8.7 ♦7.8 ♦6.6 +1.1
drinks and tobacco Volume 104.6 111.3 ♦6.7 ♦6.4 -0.3 -0.3 ♦ 1.1
(other than
supermarkets)
Supermarkets <!> Value Volume 132.9 99.6 154.8 115.9 ♦21.9 ♦ 16.3 ♦ 16.5 ♦ 16.4 ♦14.4 ♦3.5 ♦ 10.3 ♦3.1 ♦12.7 ♦2.8 ♦10.0 ♦2.7
Fuels Value 150.5 159.9 +9.4 ♦6.3 ♦4.8 ♦3.1 ♦ 11.3 +8.2
Volume 110.1 117.8 ♦7.7 ♦7.0 ♦0.6 ♦0.5 +3.6 ♦3.4
Clothing, footwear and Value 221.0 268.3 ♦47.4 ♦21.4 ♦55.5 ♦26.1 ♦48.2 +30.8
allied products Volume 158.2 194.6 ♦36.4 ♦23.0 ♦27.2 ♦16.3 ♦27.2 ♦20.9
Consumer durable goods Value 185.4 185.2 -0.2 -0.1 ♦18.4 ♦ 11.0 ♦14.6 ♦9.0
Volume 155.2 157.1 ♦ 1.9 ♦ 1.2 ♦9.3 ♦6.3 ♦7.0 +4.8
- Motor vehicles Value 225.3 193.1 -32.2 -14.3 ♦0.5 ♦0.2 ♦2.1 ♦1.1
and parts Volume 171.8 147.0 -24.9 -14.5 -11.7 -7.4 -10.7 -6.6
- Consumer durable Value 156.6 179.5 ♦22.9 ♦ 14.6 ♦31.4 ♦21.2 ♦23.7 ♦16.8
goods other than motor vehicles Volume 143.2 164.4 ♦21.2 ♦14.8 ♦24.5 ♦ 17.5 ♦19.8 ♦ 14.8
and parts
Department stores Value Volume 144.6 107.5 195.2 147.2 ♦50.6 ♦39.7 ♦35.0 ♦37.0 ♦25.0 ♦9.3 ♦ 14.7 ♦6.7 ♦12.7 ♦2.7 ♦9.6 ♦2.4
Jewellery, watches Value 142.7 179.1 ♦36.4 ♦25.6 ♦ 16.8 ♦10.3 ♦ 14.6 ♦10.6
and clocks, and valuable gifts Volume 141.1 174.7 ♦33.6 ♦23.8 ♦2.8 ♦1.6 +10.8 ♦7.6
Other consumer goods Value 162.2 212.8 ♦50.6 ♦31.2 ♦26.3 ♦ 14.1 ♦23.7 ♦15.9
not elsewhere classified Volume 131.5 172.6 ♦41.1 ♦31.3 ♦ 14.7 ♦9.3 ♦13.1 +10.2
NOTES : 0 Not including supermarkets operating in department stores.
0
/18 .......
FRIDAY, MARCH 4, 1994
18
MORE FUNDS FOR ENVIRONMENTAL WORKS *****
THE GOVERNMENT HAS ALL ALONG PLACED GREAT EMPHASIS ON ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION, AS EVIDENCED BY A 15.3 PER CENT INCREASE IN THE ESTIMATED EXPENDITURE ON ENVIRONMENTAL WORKS FOR 1994/95, WAN CHAI DISTRICT OFFICER, MR PETER MANN, SAID TODAY (FRIDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE WAN CHAI DISTRICT GREENING FOR THE CHEST TREE-PLANTING CEREMONY, HE SAID THE UPCOMING ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION PROGRAMMES WOULD BENEFIT FROM THE EXTRA FUNDING PROPOSED IN THE BUDGET.
A TOTAL OF 25 FICUS BENJAMINA WERE PLANTED ALONG THE FOOTBALL PITCH OF WAN CHAI PARK, RAISING MORE THAN $97,000 FOR THE COMMUNITY CHEST.
WAN CHAI HAS BEEN AMONG THE FIRST TO IMPLEMENT THE SCHEME, WHICH HAS SEEN A GROWING NUMBER OF TREES IN THE DISTRICT WHILE BOOSTING THE CHARITY COFFERS.
SINCE 1989, MORE THAN 650 TREES HAVE BEEN PLANTED IN THE AREA.
------0-------
ELDERLY TO BENEFIT FROM BUDGET
*****
THE ELDERLY RESIDENTS OF WAN CHAI WILL HAVE BETTER CARE AND SUPPORT JUDGING FROM THE PROPOSALS ON SOCIAL SERVICES PUT FORWARD IN THE 1994/95 BUDGET, WAN CHAI ASSISTANT DISTRICT OFFICER, MISS VIVIAN KO, SAID THIS (FRIDAY) AFTERNOON.
ADDRESSING THE CLOSING CEREMONY FOR THE GREEN WARDEN SCHEME, SHE SAID THE PROPOSALS INCLUDED AN INCREASE OF 8.4 PER CENT IN THE RECURRENT EXPENDITURE ON SOCIAL WELFARE, AN ADDITIONAL 1,660 PLACES IN CARE AND ATTENTION HOMES AND 24 ELDERLY CENTRES THIS YEAR.
THESE, COUPLED WITH THE FORTHCOMING ISSUE OF SENIOR CITIZENS’ CARDS, WILL DEFINITELY BENEFIT THE AGED IN THE DISTRICT, SHE ADDED.
A TOTAL OF 50 ELDERLY PEOPLE WERE AWARDED CERTIFICATES AS A TOKEN OF THANKS FOR REPORTING "ILL TREES" TO THE RELEVANT DEPARTMENT UNDER THE THREE-MONTH SCHEME.
THE TRIAL SCHEME WAS ORGANISED BY THE CONCERN FOR THE AGED WORKING GROUP UNDER THE COMMUNITY BUILDING COMMITTEE OF THE DISTRICT BOARD.
------0-------
GOVT SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT TO HOLD FAMILY DAY
*****
ABOUT 2,000 CHILDREN OF THE STAFF OF THE GOVERNMENT SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT WILL HAVE A COLOURFUL AFTERNOON THIS SUNDAY (MARCH 6) AT THE COMPOUND OF ITS HEADQUARTERS IN OIL STREET, NORTH POINT.
THE ANNUAL FAMILY DAY WILL BE HELD FROM 1 PM TO 5 PM.
/THE CHILDREN .......
FRIDAY, MARCH 4, 1994
19
THE CHILDREN WILL BE TREATED TO A POLICE DOG SHOW, A DRILL OF THE JUNIOR LEADERS OF THE ROYAL HONG KONG REGIMENT, MUSIC PRESENTED BY THE AUXILIARY MEDICAL SERVICES BAND AND STALL GAMES.
THE DIRECTOR OF GOVERNMENT SUPPLIES, MR NIGEL SHIPMAN, WILL JOIN THE STAFF AND THEIR FAMILY MEMBERS.
ATTENTION NEWS EDITORS:
THE DIRECTOR OF GOVERNMENT SUPPLIES, MR NIGEL SHIPMAN, WILL OFFICIATE AT THE OPENING CEREMONY AT 1 PM AT THE HEADQUARTERS OF THE GOVERNMENT SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT AT OIL STREET, NORTH POINT.
YOUR REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER.
------0-------
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS » » » « »
$ MILLION
OPENING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT 2,270
REVERSAL OF LAF +730
BALANCE AFTER REVERSAL OF LAF 3,000
NET INJECTION/WITHDRAWAL TODAY NIL
EFFECT OF LAF TODAY -782
CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT 2,218
LAF RATE 2.00 BID/4.00 OFFER TWI 125.7 *+0.2» 4.3.94
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND
EF BILLS EF NOTES/HONG KONG GOVERNMENT BONDS
TERMS YIELD TERM ISSUE COUPON PRICE YIELD
1 WEEK 3.56 18 MONTHS 2508 4.625 99.98 4.69
1 MONTH 3.60 21 MONTHS 2511 4.15 98.85 4.91
3 MONTHS 3.67 24 MONTHS 2602 4.40 98.83 5.10
6 MONTHS 3.80 32 MONTHS 3610 4.20 97.15 5.44
12 MONTHS 4.26 35 MONTHS 3701 4.60 97.68 5.55
TOTAL TURNOVER OF BILLS AND BONDS - 27,857 MN
CLOSED 4 MARCH 1994
0
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
SATURDAY, MARCH 5,1994
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
BUDGET IS PEOPLE-ORIENTED.......................... 1
PUBLIC URGED TO BACK BUDGET........................ 1
BUDGET IS GOOD NEWS FOR GENERAL PUBLIC............. 2
DAYA BAY CONTINGENCY PLAN BOOKLET REPRINTED..... 3
CONSERVE COUNTRY PARKS BY PLANTING TREES........... 4
LUCKY CAR REGISTRATION MARKS SALE BY AUCTION.... 5
PREPARATION TO SET UP ADC NEARING COMPLETION....... 6
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS......................................... 8
SATURDAY, MARCH 5, 1994
1
BUDGET IS PEOPLE-ORIENTED *****
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY’S 1994/95 ESTIMATES CAN BE DESCRIBED AS A "PEOPLE-ORIENTED BUDGET", THE SHAM SHUI PO DISTRICT OFFICER, MS LINDA LAI, SAID TODAY (SATURDAY).
SPEAKING AT A FUN DAY FOR TEACHERS AND SCHOOL STAFF, MS LAI SAID FOR INSTANCE, GIVEN THE CONTINUED HEALTHY ECONOMY IN HONG KONG, THE GOVERNMENT FELT THAT PART OF THE HUGE SURPLUSES SHOULD BE GIVEN BACK TO ITS PEOPLE.
"THE CONCESSIONS IN THE SALARY TAX AND SOME OTHER AREAS HAVE IN FACT BENEFITED MOST PEOPLE IN THE MIDDLE-INCOME GROUP," SHE SAID.
ON THE EDUCATION FRONT, MS LAI POINTED OUT THAT THE TOTAL EXPENDITURE DURING THE NEXT FINANCIAL YEAR WOULD INCREASE BY 6.1 PER CENT IN REAL TERMS.
SHE SAID THERE WOULD BE AN INCREASE OF 980 GRADUATE TEACHERS FOR PRIMARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOLS AND AN UPGRADING OF 370 GRADUATE TEACHERS TO SENIOR GRADUATE TEACHERS.
FURTHERMORE, MORE SUPPORT SERVICES WOULD BE PROVIDED TO BAND FIVE STUDENTS AND THE RATIO OF PUPILS TO TEACHERS WOULD ALSO BE REDUCED.
TURNING TO RECENT SINO-BRITISH RELATIONS, MS LAI HOPED THAT BRITAIN AND CHINA COULD PUT ASIDE THEIR DIFFERENCES ON ELECTORAL ARRANGEMENTS AND CO-OPERATE ON OTHER MATTERS IN THE INTERESTS OF HONG KONG PEOPLE.
"THERE IS A GREAT DEAL OF WORK TO DO FOR A SMOOTH TRANSITION AND A LOT TO ACHIEVE TO ENSURE THE CONTINUED PROSPERITY OF HONG KONG," SHE ADDED.
- - 0 - -
PUBLIC URGED TO BACK BUDGET *****
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC SHOULD SUPPORT THE 1994/95 BUDGET WHICH PROPOSES A HOST OF TAX CONCESSIONS AND PUBLIC EXPENDITURE PROGRAMMES, WAN CHAI DISTRICT OFFICER, MR PETER MANN, SAID TODAY (SATURDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE ANNUAL ROAD SAFETY CARNIVAL AT SOUTHORN PLAYGROUND, MR MANN SAID THOSE IN THE MIDDLE AND LOWER INCOME GROUPS TN PARTICULAR WILL BENEFIT MOST FROM THE PROPOSALS.
AS TO THE CARNIVAL, HE HOPES IT WOULD REMIND BOTH PEDESTRIANS AND DRIVERS TO OBSERVE ROAD SAFETY RULES TO REDUCE ACCIDENTS.
/TODAY'S EVENT
SATURDAY, MARCH 5, 1994
- 2 -
TODAY’S EVENT KICKS OFF A PUBLICITY CAMPAIGN AIMED AT SPREADING ROAD SAFETY MESSAGES THE FOLLOWING WEEK.
MEMBERS OF THE WAN CHAI ROAD SAFETY CAMPAIGN WORKING GROUP WILL DISTRIBUTE LEAFLETS AND SOUVENIRS TO PASSERS-BY AT THE BLACK SPOTS OF MAJOR ROADS IN THE DISTRICT DURING LUNCH HOURS.
--------0-----------
BUDGET IS GOOD NEWS FOR GENERAL PUBLIC
*****
THE 1994/95 BUDGET SHOULD BE GOOD NEWS TO THE GRASSROOTS AS WELL AS THE MIDDLE CLASS, SOUTHERN DISTRICT OFFICER, MRS ROSANNA URE, SAID TONIGHT (SATURDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE INAUGURATION CEREMONY OF THE WAH FU RESIDENTS’ ASSOCIATION, MRS URE ATTRIBUTED THIS TO THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY’S PROPOSAL OF A HUGE INCREASE IN THE BASIC ALLOWANCE FOR SALARIES TAX AND THE INTRODUCTION OF A DEPENDENT GRANDPARENT ALLOWANCE.
"SERVICES AND MANPOWER IN THE FIELD OF SOCIAL WELFARE, EDUCATION AND MEDICAL CARE HAVE ALSO BEEN SUBSTANTIALLY INCREASED TO MEET THE NEED OF THE GENERAL PUBLIC," SHE SAID.
EARLIER, ADDRESSING THE DISTRICT INDUSTRIALIST ASSOCIATION, MRS URE SAID A ONE PERCENTAGE POINT CUT IN THE PROFITS TAX WOULD HELP BOOST HONG KONG’S COMPETITIVENESS IN THE ASIAN PACIFIC REGION.
"IT CAN ALSO PROMOTE BUSINESS AND INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT IN THE TERRITORY,” SHE ADDED.
TURNING TO A NEW SCHEME WHICH ENABLES EMPLOYERS TO RECRUIT PROFESSIONALS DIRECTLY FROM CHINA, MRS URE BELIEVES THAT THE TRIAL RUN, TO BE INTRODUCED SHORTLY, CAN HELP SOLVE THE PROBLEM OF MANPOWER SHORTAGE IN THE TERRITORY.
MRS URE ALSO CALLED ON THE PUBLIC TO VOTE IN THE COMING DISTRICT BOARD ELECTIONS.
---------0-----------
/3 ........
SATURDAY, MARCH 5, 1994
- 3 -
DAYA BAY CONTINGENCY PLAN BOOKLET REPRINTED *****
THE GOVERNMENT HAS REPRINTED A BOOKLET AND A LEAFLET EXPLAINING TO THE PUBLIC THE VARIOUS COUNTER-MEASURES TO BE TAKEN IN THE UNLIKELY EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT AT THE GUANGDONG NUCLEAR POWER STATION (GNPS).
THE ADDITIONAL COPIES, IN CHINESE AND ENGLISH, ARE AVAILABLE FOR COLLECTION AT DISTRICT OFFICES AND PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATE OFFICES THROUGHOUT THE TERRITORY, A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (SUNDAY).
THE BOOKLET OUTLINES THE PRINCIPAL ELEMENTS OF THE CONTINGENCY PLAN DRAWN UP BY THE GOVERNMENT IN ACCORDANCE WITH INTERNATIONAL PRACTICE TO ENSURE THAT THERE WILL BE A QUICK AND TIMELY RESPONSE TO MINIMISE ANY POSSIBLE HEALTH RISKS TO THE HONG KONG PUBLIC IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT AT THE GNPS WHICH MAY LEAD TO A RADIOACTIVE RELEASE AFFECTING HONG KONG.
CONTENTS OF THE BOOKLET COVER:
# EARLY NOTIFICATION TO HONG KONG BY THE CHINESE EMERGENCY AUTHORITIES OF ACCIDENTS AT THE GNPS WHICH MAY GIVE RISE TO AN OFF-SITE RADIOLOGICAL RELEASE;
* CONTINUOUS TERRITORY-WIDE RADIATION MONITORING;
» RAPID ASSESSMENT OF THE INFORMATION GATHERED THROUGH THE ABOVE TWO OR OTHER MEANS, AND CONSIDERATION OF NECESSARY COUNTER-MEASURES;
* RAPID ALERT OF ALL DEPARTMENTS INVOLVED IN THE ACTIVATION AND IMPLEMENTATION OF THE PLAN;
» THE IMPLEMENTATION OF COUNTER-MEASURES TO MITIGATE THE EFFECTS OF ANY RADIOLOGICAL EXPOSURE; AND
» THE PROVISION OF ACCURATE AND TIMELY INFORMATION TO THE PUBLIC ON THE DEVELOPING SITUATION, AND OF ADVICE ON WHAT TO DO.
THE BOOKLET WAS INITIALLY PUBLISHED IN DECEMBER LAST YEAR IN ADDITION TO THE LEAFLET WHICH HAD BEEN DISTRIBUTED IN SEPTEMBER THROUGH THE DISTRICT OFFICES, PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATE OFFICES AND SCHOOLS.
THE LEAFLET EXPLAINS HOW HONG KONG MIGHT BE AFFECTED AND WHAT THE GOVERNMENT WOULD DO IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT AT THE NUCLEAR POWER STATION.
--------0 - -
/4 ........
SATURDAY, MARCH 5, 1994
4
CONSERVE COUNTRY PARKS * * * *
BY PLANTING TREES *
ALL MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY SHOULD HELP IN CONSERVING OUR COUNTRY PARKS BY PLANTING TREES, AND STOP LITTERING AND STARTING HILL FIRES.
THE APPEAL WAS MADE BY THE DEPUTY SECRETARY FOR PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS, MR CANICE MAK, WHEN HE ADDRESSED THE LAUNCHING FOR THIS YEAR’S "COMMUNITY TREE PLANTING SCHEME" AT TUI MIN HOI, TSIU HANG SPECIAL AREA, SAI KUNG, THIS (SATURDAY) MORNING.
DURING THIS YEAR’S SCHEME, MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC CAN PLANT TREES AT FOUR COUNTRY PARKS.
MR MAK SAID TREES COULD PRESENT A VISUAL RELIEF TO OUR SURROUNDINGS, HELP PREVENT SOIL EROSION, PROVIDE SHELTER AND FOOD FOR WILDLIFE, AND INCREASE THE BIODIVERSITY AND CARRYING CAPACITY OF ECOLOGICAL HABITATS.
HE SAID: "TREE PLANTING, THEREFORE, IS AN ACT WHICH CAN BEST SIGNIFY THE COMMUNITY’S COMMITMENT TO NATURE CONSERVATION. THROUGH ACTIVE INVOLVEMENT AND PARTICIPATION, A SENSE OF RESPECT TO THE NATURAL ENVIRONMENT WILL BE DEVELOPED WITHIN THE COMMUNITY."
ON THE TERRITORY’S COUNTRY PARKS, MR MAK SAID THEIR HIGH PERCENTAGE (40 PER CENT) OF THE TOTAL LAND AREA WAS SOMETHING THAT HONG KONG PEOPLE SHOULD BE PROUD OF.
APART FROM THE PLAN TO EXTEND THE EXISTING COUNTRY PARKS AT TAI LAM AND SAI KUNG IN 1994, THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT (AFD) IS ALSO STUDYING ANOTHER 12 SITES, COVERING MORE THAN 7,500 HECTARES, IN A BID TO DESIGNATE THEM AS COUNTRY PARKS OR SPECIAL AREAS IN THE NEXT FIVE YEARS, HE ADDED.
ALSO SPEAKING AT THE LAUNCHING CEREMONY, THE AFD DIRECTOR, DR LAWRENCE LEE, URGED ALL SECTORS OF THE COMMUNITY, IN PARTICULAR THE YOUNGER GENERATION, TO BE INVOLVED IN PLANTING AND CARING OF TREES IN THE COUNTRY PARKS.
FROM TOMORROW (SUNDAY) TO APRIL 30, FOUR COUNTRY PARK TREE PLANTING SITES AT NAM SHAN ON LANTAU, TAI MO SHAN, LAU SHUI HEUNG IN PAT SIN LENG AND QUARRY BAY WILL BE OPEN TO THE PUBLIC FROM 10 AM TO 4 PM ON SUNDAYS AND PUBLIC HOLIDAYS TO PLANT TREES.
DR LEE SAID: "COUNTRY PARK STAFF WILL BE ON DUTY DURING THE PERIOD TO PROVIDE TREE SEEDLINGS, PLANTING TOOLS AND TECHNICAL ADVICE.
AS FOR INTERESTED SCHOOLS AND ORGANISATIONS, DR LEE SAID THEY WERE WELCOME TO CONTACT AFD’S CONSERVATION EDUCATION UNIT ON TEL 733 2121 FOR SEPARATE ARRANGEMENTS ON PARTICIPATION IN THE PLANTING SCHEME. A TOTAL OF NINE SITES HAVE BEEN DESIGNATED FOR THIS PURPOSE.
ARRANGEMENTS HAVE ALREADY BEEN MADE WITH THE TERRITORY’S LIONS CLUBS, ROTARY CLUBS, THE COMMUNITY CHEST, GREEN GROUPS AND MANY OTHER ORGANISATIONS, HE SAID.
/DR LEE .......
SATURDAY, MARCH 5, 1994
- 5 -
DR LEE WAS CONFIDENT THAT THIS YEAR’S SCHEME WOULD BE EVEN MORE SUCCESSFUL THAN THAT OF 1993. LAST YEAR, MORE THAN 28 000 PARTICIPANTS PLANTED OVER 36,000 TREES UNDER THE SCHEME, WHICH HAD BEEN GAINING INCREASING SUPPORT SINCE ITS INCEPTION IN 1957.
THE DIRECTOR THANKED THE LIONS CLUBS INTERNATIONAL DISTRICT 303, FRIENDS OF THE COUNTRY PARKS AND VOCATIONAL TRAINING COUNCIL FOR THEIR SUPPORT TO THE SCHEME OVER THE YEARS.
HE ALSO THANKED TELEVISION BROADCASTS LTD FOR ITS ASSISTANCE IN PUBLICISING THE SCHEME FOR THE SECOND YEAR IN SUCCESSION.
THIS YEAR’S COMMUNITY TREE PLANTING SCHEME IS ORGANISED BY AFD WITH SUPPORT FROM THE FRIENDS OF THE COUNTRY PARKS (FCP).
ALSO PRESENT AT TODAY’S LAUNCHING CEREMONY WERE A COUNTRY PARKS BOARD MEMBER, DR JIM CHI-YUNG; THE LIONS CLUBS INTERNATIONAL DISTRICT 303’S GOVERNOR, MR PATRICK CHENG WAI-CHUEN, FCP’S PRESIDENT, DR TAM WING-KUN AND AN ASSISTANT DIRECTOR, MR FRANK LAU.
-------- 0----------
LUCKY CAR REGISTRATION MARKS SALE BY AUCTION
* t * * »
ONE HUNDRED CAR REGISTRATION MARKS WERE PUT UP FOR AUCTION TODAY (SATURDAY) FOR A TOTAL OF $4,903,000 WHICH WILL GO TO THE GOVERNMENT LOTTERIES FUND FOR CHARITY AFTER DEDUCTION OF EXPENSES INCURRED.
THE AUCTION, HELD AT THE RECITAL HALL OF THE CITY HALL, SAW THE REGISTRATION MARK *FW1 FETCH THE HIGHEST PRICE OF $1,100,000.
ANOTHER REGISTRATION MARK »AL9 WAS SOLD AT THE SECOND HIGHEST PRICE OF $230,000 WHILE THE LOWEST PRICE WAS $1,000 EACH FOR FS1966, FS3923, FS706 AND FS1957.
FOLLOWING ARE THE RESULTS OF TODAY’S MORNING SESSION AUCTION:
$ $ $ $
FP1668 30,000 FS928 30,000 FS332 16,000 FS129 15,000
FS7888 12,000 FP9998 17,000 AA8138 86,000 BH1289 11,000
♦ DL11 95,000 ♦ AL9 230,000 ♦ FV16 70,000 ♦AS8888 220,000
FS1328 15,000 FS819 8,000 FS668 100,000 FS986 10,000
FS6686 8,000 CT139 20,000 DR250 19,000 BB9281 10,000
AW362 14,000 FS826 12,000 FS398 20,000 FS8689 10,000
FS722 6,000 FR8113 7,000 XX113 202,000 FS9692 W/C
*3444 85,000 »DK20 90,000 »EE95 101,000 »AH4444 46,000
FS880 25,000 FS8863 6,000 FS1220 4,000 FS 196.6 .1,000
FR275 3,000 XX102 35,000 FS817 15,000 FS3923 1,000
FS338 66,000 FS107 4,000 ♦ FK14 22,000 AH2558 5,000
FS3001 5,000 AU1972 9,000 FS915 2,000 ♦DD5005 25,000
FS706 1,000 FS3927 2,000
/FOLLOWING ARE .......
SATURDAY, MARCH 5, 1994
6 -
FOLLOWING ARE THE RESULTS OF TODAY’S AFTERNOON SESSION AUCTION:
FT3338 $ 30,000 FT283 $ 21,000 FS1668 $ 50,000 HK1018* $ 100,000
FS998 40,000 BC180 62,000 AF831 21,000 FT918 14,000
♦ DL98 80,000 *DK16 56,000 ♦ FV11 80,000 ♦ FW1 1 ,100,000
FS4428 8,000 FT318 30,000 FT668 100,000 FT1299 6,000
CC317 26,000 FS2826 10,000 FT908 16,000 AW368 60,000
FT9228 16,000 AC811 60,000 AW6828 25,000 FT2863 6,000
FS8887 12,000 FT8863 20,000 FT138 150,000 FS871 5,000
*1383 200,000 *AL28 200,000 *FF8686 50,000 ♦BS1991 15,000
FT8818 21,000 FT986 10,000 AS9788 20,000 FS3122 4,000
FS9128 9,000 FS8898 62,000 FR9692 2,000 FT319 6,000
FT6066 4,000 AA908 82,000 ♦AL626 68,000 FT322 22,000
FT730 5,000 AH827 17,000 FS9867 2,000 ♦BB9595 60,000
CY6118 12,000 FS1957 1,000
THERE WAS NO BIDDER FOR FS9692.
THIS CAR REGISTRATION MARK WILL BE ASSIGNED TO THE ORIGINAL APPLICANT.
♦ SPECIAL CAR REGISTRATION MARK (NOT TRANSFERABLE)
* * W/C:WITHDRAWN
SUCCESSFUL BIDDERS WERE REQUIRED TO PAY BY CHEQUE IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE BIDDING.
THE CAR 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 216TH AND 217TH ORGANISED BY THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT SINCE MAY 1973, BROUGHT THE TOTAL AMOUNT REALISED SO FAR TO $274,722,905.00.
------0--------
PREPARATION TO SET UP ADC NEARING COMPLETION ♦ * * » *
THE HONG KONG ARTS DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL WORKING GROUP IS ABOUT TO COMPLETE ITS TASK OF MAKING THE NECESSARY PREPARATIONS FOR THE FORTHCOMING ESTABLISHMENT OF THE HONG KONG ARTS DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE WORKING GROUP SAID THERE HAD BEEN MUCH DISCUSSION ABOUT HOW THE MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL SHOULD BE SELECTED INCLUDING WHETHER ANY FORM OF ELECTIONS SHOULD BE HELD.
THIS WAS, IN PARTICULAR, A TOPIC OF DISCUSSION AT THE LAST OF THE WORKING GROUP’S PUBLIC FORUMS HELD ON FEBRUARY 19, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
/THE GOVERNMENT'S .......
SATURDAY, MARCH 5, 1994
THE GOVERNMENT’S VIEW IS THAT TO REPLACE THE APPOINTMENT SYSTEM WITH AN ELECTION SYSTEM WOULD HAVE WIDE IMPLICATIONS FOR THE EXISTING APPOINTMENT SYSTEM TO ITS MANY ADVISORY BODIES.
THE GOVERNMENT ALSO SEES PRACTICAL PROBLEMS. IT IS THE WORKING GROUP’S VIEW THAT THERE ARE PRACTICAL CONSTRAINTS, BEARING IN MIND THE DIVERSE, PLURALISTIC AND UNCO-ORDINATED NATURE OF THE ARTS COMMUNITY AT THIS MOMENT IN TIME, HE SAID.
TO HELP SELECT CANDIDATES FOR APPOINTMENT AS MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL AND ALSO FOR CO-OPTING ITS COMMITTEES, THE WORKING GROUP WOULD LIKE TO INVITE NOMINATIONS OF SUITABLE PEOPLE WITH PROFOUND INTEREST AND/OR EXPERTISE IN THE LITERARY, PERFORMING OR VISUAL ARTS, ARTS ADMINISTRATION OR ARTS EDUCATION TO BE PUT FORWARD TO THE GOVERNMENT FOR CONSIDERATION.
NOMINATIONS SHOULD BE SUBMITTED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE TO THE WORKING GROUP’S SECRETARIAT. THE ADDRESS AND OTHER DETAILS ARE:
HONG KONG ARTS DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL
WORKING GROUP SECRETARIAT
ROOM 4004, 40TH FLOOR
REVENUE TOWER
5 GLOUCESTER ROAD
WAN CHAI
HONG KONG
TEL : 594 6668
FAX : 519 9301
EACH NOMINATION SHOULD INCLUDE THE REASONS FOR NOMINATION OF THE NOMINEE, A BRIEF CURRICULUM VITAE OF THE NOMINEE AND A STATEMENT THAT THE NOMINEE WOULD BE WILLING TO SERVE AS AN APPOINTED MEMBER OF THE COUNCIL ITSELF AND/OR AS A CO-OPTED MEMBER OF ONE OR MORE OF ITS COMMITTEES.
IN ADDITION, THE NOMINATOR SHOULD BRIEFLY DESCRIBE HIMSELF/HERSELF, THEIR POSITION AND ACTIVITIES IN THE ARTS WORLD AND WHETHER THEY ARE ACTING IN THEIR PERSONAL CAPACITIES OR ON BEHALF OF ANY ORGANISATION.
IF ACTING ON BEHALF OF AN ORGANISATION, THEN THAT ORGANISATION SHOULD ALSO BE BRIEFLY DESCRIBED.
NOMINATIONS WILL BE COLLATED BY THE WORKING GROUP SECRETARIAT AND FORWARDED TO THE GOVERNMENT FOR CONSIDERATION.
WHETHER OR NOT IT WOULD BE APPROPRIATE TO SEEK NOMINATIONS IN FUTURE IS, OF COURSE, SOMETHING THAT WILL NEED TO BE REVIEWED IN DUE COURSE, TAKING ACCOUNT OF THE SITUATION AT THAT TIME, THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
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/8.........
SATURDAY, MARCH 5, 1994
- 8 -
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS *****
OPENING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT REVERSAL OF LAF BALANCE AFTER REVERSAL OF LAF NET INJECTION/WITHDRAWAL TODAY EFFECT OF LAF TODAY
CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT LAF RATE 2.00 BID/4.00 OFFER
$ MILLION
2,218
+ 730
2,948
NIL
-1,465
1,483
TWI 125.8 *+0.1* 5.3.94
- - 0 - -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
SUNDAY, MARCH 6,1994
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
LOW TAX CRUX OF HK’S PROSPERITY..................... 1
BUDGET ENSURES A PROSPEROUS YEAR AHEAD.............. 1
SAI KUNG RESIDENTS TO BENEFIT FROM BUDGET........... 2
BUDGET PROVIDES BETTER SERVICES FOR ELDERLY......... 2
ELDERLY TO SHARE ECONOMIC BOOM...................... 3
BETTER QUALITY OF LIFE FOR TAI PO RESIDENTS......... 3
SPECIAL CAMPAIGN TO ENSURE SITE SAFETY.............. 4
ACADEMY OF MEDICINE TO GET SITE FOR HEADQUARTERS..... 5
DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS TO IMPORT WORKERS......... 6
STI VISITS SINGAPORE................................ 6
SIR ROBERT HO TUNG CHARITABLE FUND PAYS OUT $ 13.4 M. 7
PARENTS’ ROLE IN FIGHT AGAINST DRUGS................ 8
NEW LEAFLETS FOR APPLYING S6 READY.................. 9
PRE-TEST SURVEY FOR 1996 POPULATION BY-CENSUS...... 10
SUNDAY, MARCH 6, 1994
LOW TAX CRUX OF HK’S PROSPERITY *****
A LOW TAXATION POLICY AND A PRUDENT BUDGETARY ESTIMATE HAVE CONTRIBUTED TO HONG KONG’S PROSPERITY, THE KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT OFFICER, MR WILLIAM YAP, SAID THIS (SUNDAY) AFTERNOON.
SPEAKING AT THE GIRL GUIDES SHARING DAY, MR YAP ADDED THAT THE LAISSEZ-FAIRE POLICY, A STABLE MONETARY SYSTEM AND A SOUND FINANCIAL MECHANISM ALSO PLAYED A VITAL PART TO THE SUCCESS OF HONG KONG.
MR YAP SAID IT RELIED ON THE JOINT EFFORTS OF THE COMMUNITY TO KEEP UP WITH THE ACHIEVEMENTS.
NOTING THAT HONG KONG ACHIEVED A SATISFACTORY GROWTH RATE OF 5.5 PER CENT IN REAL TERMS LAST YEAR, HE SAID THE GOVERNMENT WAS DETERMINED TO SPEND MORE ON UPGRADING AND DIVERSIFYING ITS SERVICES.
"IN PARTICULAR, THE ELDERLY, THE MENTALLY HANDICAPPED AND THE POOR WILL GET BETTER CARE AND ASSISTANCE.
"THESE IMPROVEMENT PLANS, INCLUDING ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION, LAW AND ORDER, HYGIENE AND EDUCATION, ARE TO FULFIL THE GOVERNOR’S COMMITMENTS IN LAST YEAR’S POLICY ADDRESS," MR YAP SAID.
MR YAP SAID THE GOVERNMENT WOULD CONTINUE TO TACKLE INFLATION AND MINIMISE ITS IMPACT.
---------0-----------
BUDGET ENSURES A PROSPEROUS YEAR AHEAD
*****
THE YAU TSIM DISTRICT OFFICER, MR BART IRELAND, SAID TODAY (SUNDAY) THAT THE 1994/95 BUDGET HAD SET THE FOUNDATION FOR A PROSPEROUS YEAR AHEAD.
HE SAID HONG KONG PEOPLE WOULD ENJOY THE FRUITS OF ECONOMIC PROSPERITY AS THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY HAD PROPOSED SHARING THE REVENUE SURPLUS WITH THE PUBLIC THROUGH TAX CONCESSIONS.
OFFICIATING AT THE YAU TSIM DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME CUM ANTINARCOTICS CARNIVAL, MR IRELAND ALSO STRESSED THAT THE GOVERNMENT WOULD CONTINUE TO STRENGTHEN LAW AND ORDER IN THE TERRITORY.
NOTING THAT THE CRIME FIGURES IN 1993 WERE AMONG THE LOWEST IN THE PAST DECADE, MR IRELAND SAID THE GOVERNMENT HAD INCREASED THE EXPENDITURE FOR THE POLICE TO $8.8 BILLION.
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/2 ........
SUNDAY, MARCH 6, 1994
2
SAI KUNG RESIDENTS TO BENEFIT FROM BUDGET * * * ♦ »
THE GOVERNMENT’S FINANCIAL ESTIMATES FOR 1994/95 WILL IMPROVE THE LIVELIHOOD OF ALL RESIDENTS IN SAI KUNG, SAI KUNG DISTRICT OFFICER, MR PARRISH NG, SAID TODAY (SUNDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE CIVIC EDUCATION CARNIVAL OF SAI KUNG IN PO LAM ESTATE, TSEUNG KWAN O, MR NG POINTED OUT THAT THE GOVERNMENT’S NEW BUDGET WAS AMPLE EVIDENCE OF ITS COMMITMENT TO UPGRADE THE COMMUNITY’S QUALITY OF LIFE AND IMPROVE ENVIRONMENT, EDUCATION, MEDICAL AND WELFARE SERVICES.
HE SAID THE ESTIMATES ALSO REFLECTED A STABLE AND BOOMING ECONOMIC OUTLOOK AND RESIDENTS WOULD THEREFORE BE ABLE TO SHARE THE ECONOMIC ACHIEVEMENTS AND ENJOY DRAMATIC SALARY TAX CONCESSIONS.
AS THE GOVERNMENT WAS ALSO CONSCIOUS OF THE COMMUNITY’S DESIRE TO ENCOURAGE FAMILIES TO PROVIDE CARE AND SUPPORT FOR ELDERLY MEMBERS, A NEW CATEGORY OF DEPENDENT GRANDPARENT ALLOWANCE UNDER THE SALARY TAX CONCESSION HAD ALSO BEEN INTRODUCED.
MR NG SAID AS STATED BY THE GOVERNOR IN HIS POLICY ADDRESS, THE GOVERNMENT WAS COMMITTED TO DEVOTING MORE FUNDS TO EDUCATION AND SIX MORE PRIMARY SCHOOLS WOULD BE SET UP IN TSEUNG KWAN 0 TO MEET THE GROWING DEMANDS.
SAI KUNG DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS AND COMMUNITY LEADERS GENERALLY WELCOME THE NEW BUDGET, MR NG ADDED.
------0-------
BUDGET PROVIDES BETTER SERVICES FOR ELDERLY
*****
THE ISLANDS DISTRICT OFFICER, MR CHRISTOPHER WONG, SAID THE 1994/95 BUDGET DEMONSTRATED THE GOVERNMENT’S COMMITMENT TO PROVIDING BETTER CARE AND SUPPORT FOR THE ELDERLY.
OFFICIATING AT THE PENG CHAU "RESPECT THE AGED" GATHERING TODAY (SUNDAY), MR WONG SAID THE HARD WORK OF THESE PEOPLE IN THEIR YOUTH HAD CONTRIBUTED SIGNIFICANTLY TO THE PROSPERITY OF HONG KONG.
THE BUDGET PROPOSES TO PROVIDE AN EXTRA 1,660 PLACES IN CARE AND ATTENTION HOMES FOR THE ELDERLY. SIX DAY-CARE CENTRES, ONE HEALTH CENTRE AND 14 MULTI-SERVICE CENTRES ARE ALSO PLANNED, HE SAID.
THERE IS ALSO A NEW $20,000 ALLOWANCE FOR DEPENDENT GRANDPARENTS IN ORDER TO ENCOURAGE FAMILIES TO TAKE CARE OF THEIR SENIOR MEMBERS, HE ADDED.
MR WONG URGED THE PUBLIC TO FAMILIARISE THEMSELVES WITH THE BUDGET AS IT CONTAINED MANY PROPOSALS WHICH AFFECTED THEIR LIVELIHOOD.
"BOOKLETS ON THE BUDGET CAN BE OBTAINED FROM ALL DISTRICT OFFICES," HE SAID.
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/3.........
SUNDAY, MARCH 6, 1994
- 3 -
ELDERLY TO SHARE ECONOMIC BOOM
****<■
ELDERLY WILL BE ABLE TO SHARE HONG KONG’S ECONOMIC ACHIEVEMENTS FOR THEIR PAST CONTRIBUTIONS, THE WONG TAI SIN DISTRICT OFFICER, MR ALDAN KWOK, SAID TODAY (SUNDAY).
SPEAKING AT A FEAST FOR LOCAL SENIOR CITIZENS, MR KWOK SAID THE BUDGET ANNOUNCED LAST WEEK HAD PROPOSED FUNDS TO FINANCE 1,660 PLACES IN CARE AND ATTENTION HOMES, 24 NEW SERVICE CENTRES FOR THE ELDERLY, AND THE ISSUE OF CONCESSIONARY SENIOR CITIZEN CARDS.
BESIDES, HE SAID, TO ENCOURAGE PEOPLE, PARTICULARLY THE YOUNG PEOPLE TO SUPPORT THEIR ELDERLY FAMILY MEMBERS, A NEW DEPENDENT GRANDPARENT TAX ALLOWANCE OF (520,000 WILL BE INTRODUCED.
MORE, THE ALLOWANCE FOR A DEPENDENT PARENT WOULD ALSO RISE FROM $17,000 TO $20,000.
WITH HONG KONG ACHIEVING A RECORD GDP GROWTH LAST YEAR AND EARMARKING AN ESTIMATED SURPLUS OF $7.6 BILLION FOR 1994/95, MR KWOK SAID A BETTER STANDARD OF LIVING AND GOVERNMENT SERVICES COULD BE EXPECTED.
SPENDING IN AREAS LIKE HEALTH AND WELFARE, EDUCATION AND ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION WILL ALSO BE INCREASED.
ON COMMUNITY AFFAIRS, MR KWOK SAID THE PUBLIC COULD ALSO TAKE PART UNDER THE PRESENT THREE-TIER SYSTEM.
ON THE FORTHCOMING ELECTIONS, HE SAID THE GOVERNMENT HAD TO HAVE ALL THE NECESSARY LEGAL PROCEDURES COMPLETED BEFORE THEY COULD BE CARRIED OUT ON SCHEDULE.
WITH THE ENDORSEMENT OF THE FIRST POLITICAL REFORM BILL, MR KWOK BELIEVED THAT THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL WOULD TRY ITS BEST TO WORK OUT A SET OF FAIR, OPEN AND ACCEPTABLE ELECTORAL ARRANGEMENTS AND HAVE THEM INCORPORATED INTO THE SECOND BILL.
------0-------
BETTER QUALITY OF LIFE FOR TAI PO RESIDENTS
» » » * t
TAI PO RESIDENTS WILL SHARE HONG KONG’S REMARKABLE ECONOMIC ACHIEVEMENTS AND ENJOY A BETTER QUALITY OF LIFE UNDER THE NEW GOVERNMENT BUDGET PROPOSALS, TAI PO DISTRICT OFFICER, MR PO PUI-LEONG, SAID TODAY (SUNDAY).
SPEAKING AT A PRIZE PRESENTATION CEREMONY OF THE TAI PO SPORTS ASSOCIATION, MR PO POINTED OUT THAT IN ADDITION TO HUGE SALARY TAX CONCESSIONS, IMPROVEMENTS WOULD BE MADE TO THE ENVIRONMENT, WELFARE AND MEDICAL SERVICES.
/HE SAID .......
SUNDAY, MARCH 6, 1994
4 -
HE SAID UNDER THE NEW ESTIMATES FOR 1994/95, $3.2 BILLION WOULD BE PUT BACK INTO THE TAXPAYERS’ POCKETS.
THIS MEANS THAT ABOUT 420,000 TAXPAYERS OR A QUARTER OF THE TOTAL WILL DROP OUT OF THE TAX NET ENTIRELY WITH A FURTHER 1.13 MILLION PEOPLE PAYING LESS TAX.
ON ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENTS IN TAI PO, MR PO SAID THE GOVERNMENT HAD COMMITTED $610 MILLION TO UPGRADING THE WATER QUALITY OF TOLO HARBOUR AND $415 MILLION TO A SEWAGE SYSTEM FOR THE DISTRICT.
ON THE WELFARE FRONT, THERE WILL BE 248 ADDITIONAL PLACEMENTS IN CARE AND ATTENTION HOMES FOR THE ELDERLY, 50 MORE FOSTER CARE AND SMALL GROUP HOMES, AS WELL AS AN ADDITIONAL HOME HELP TEAM FOR THE DISTRICT.
DENTAL CARE SERVICES WILL ALSO BE EXTENDED TO A CLINIC IN TAI PO, MR PO ADDED.
------0--------
SPECIAL CAMPAIGN TO ENSURE SITE SAFETY t * * t *
THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT’S FACTORY INSPECTORS WILL LAUNCH A SPECIAL TASK FORCE PROGRAMME TOMORROW (MONDAY) TO ENSURE SAFETY ON CONSTRUCTION SITES THROUGH INTENSIVE ENFORCEMENT ACTIONS.
"THE SPECIAL CAMPAIGN, WHICH WILL TARGET ON SITES WITH POOR ACCIDENT RECORD AND HIGH RISK WORK ACTIVITIES, SUCH AS WORKING AT HEIGHT, WILL BE CARRIED OUT BETWEEN MARCH AND OCTOBER THIS YEAR," DEPUTY CHIEF FACTORY INSPECTOR, MR KAN HON-SANG, SAID TODAY (SUNDAY).
"AS IMPROVEMENTS TO THE SAFETY OF SCAFFOLDS IS ONE OF OUR MAIN TARGETS THIS YEAR, FACTORY INSPECTORS WILL EXERCISE GREAT VIGILANCE ON OFFENCES RELATING TO UNSAFE AND SUB-STANDARD SCAFFOLDS.
"WE WILL ALSO CHECK ON THE SAFE USE OF LIFTING APPLIANCES AND LIFTING GEARS AND THE USE OF PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT SUCH AS SAFETY BELTS AND SAFETY HELMETS," HE ADDED.
MR KAN POINTED OUT THAT EXPERIENCE FROM PREVIOUS SIMILAR EXERCISES HAD PROVED THAT THE OPERATION WAS VERY EFFECTIVE AND THAT THE NUMBER OF ACCIDENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY HAD BEEN DECLINING IN THE PAST SIX YEARS.
"IN VIEW OF THE HIGH FATALITY FIGURE IN THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY IN 1993, FACTORY INSPECTORS WILL NOT HESITATE TO PROSECUTE BLATANT OFFENDERS," HE SAID.
MR KAN REMINDED CONTRACTORS AND SUB-CONTRACTORS TO COMPLY WITH THEIR STATUTORY OBLIGATIONS AND DUTIES.
/"OTHERWISE, THEY ........
SUNDAY, MARCH 6, 1994
- 5 -
’’OTHERWISE, THEY MAY BE LIABLE TO A MAXIMUM FINE OF $200,000 AND IMPRISONMENT FOR 12 MONTHS FOLLOWING THE RECENT AMENDMENT OF THE SAFETY LEGISLATION.”
MEANWHILE, MR KAN ALSO URGED WORKERS TO CO-OPERATE WITH THE EMPLOYERS IN THE ADOPTION OF THE SAFETY PRECAUTIONS AND THE USE OF PERSONAL SAFETY EQUIPMENT.
”TO ENSURE SAFETY AND HEALTH AT WORK IS A MUTUAL AFFAIR REQUIRING FULL CO-OPERATION BETWEEN EMPLOYERS AND EMPLOYEES,” HE SAID.
”AN EMPLOYEE’S DUTIES HAVE CLEARLY BEEN SPELLED OUT IN THE GENERAL DUTIES AND OTHER PROVISIONS OF THE FACTORIES AND INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS ORDINANCE AND SUBSIDIARY REGULATIONS.”
MR KAN STRESSED THAT WORKERS WERE NOT IMMUNE TO PROSECUTIONS.
”IF A WORKER ADOPTED AN IRRESPONSIBLE APPROACH TO SAFETY AND HEALTH WHICH WOULD ENDANGER HIMSELF OR THE OTHERS DESPITE THE EMPLOYER DISCHARGED FULLY HIS OBLIGATIONS, OUR FACTORY INSPECTORS WILL PROSECUTE THE WORKER WITHOUT HESITATION,” HE SAID.
”IN THE PAST FIVE YEARS SINCE 1989, 28 WORKERS HAVE BEEN PROSECUTED FOR BREACHING THE SAFETY AND HEALTH LAW.
’’AFTER THE LEGISLATIVE AMENDMENT, AN EMPLOYEE WOULD BE LIABLE TO A MAXIMUM FINE OF $50,000 AND IMPRISONMENT FOR SIX MONTHS,” HE WARNED.
-----0------
ACADEMY OF MEDICINE TO GET SITE FOR HEADQUARTERS
*****
THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL HAS AGREED THAT A SITE AT WONG CHUK HANG ROAD SHOULD BE GRANTED BY PRIVATE TREATY TO THE HONG KONG ACADEMY OF MEDICINE FOR BUILDING ITS HEADQUARTERS.
THE ACADEMY IS AN INDEPENDENT STATUTORY BODY ESTABLISHED TO PROMOTE THE ADVANCEMENT OF THE ART AND SCIENCE OF MEDICINE, AND TO FOSTER THE DEVELOPMENT OF POSTGRADUATE MEDICAL EDUCATION AND CONTINUING MEDICAL EDUCATION.
ITS HEADQUARTERS IS AT PRESENT LOCATED IN THE STAFF QUARTERS OF THE PAMELA YOUDE NETHERSOLE EASTERN DISTRICT HOSPITAL IN CHAI WAN.
THE PERMANENT HEADQUARTERS WILL ACCOMMODATE ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICES, CHAMBERS FOR THE MEMBER COLLEGES OF THE ACADEMY, AN AUDITORIUM, SEMINAR ROOMS, FUNCTION ROOMS, ROOMS FOR EXTERNAL EXAMINERS, A LIBRARY, A MUSEUM, A DINING HALL AND OTHER ANCILLARY FACILITIES.
DOCTORS AND DENTISTS WHO ARE MEMBERS OF THE ACADEMY CAN USE THESE FACILITIES TO CONDUCT MEETINGS, EXAMINATIONS AND INSTRUCTIONAL COURSES.
------0-------
/6 .........
M\DAV, MARCH 6 , 1994
6
DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS TO IMPORT WORKERS ♦ * * * *
THE DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION OF PRELIMINARY APPLICATIONS TO IMPORT WORKERS UNDER THE IMPORTATION OF LABOUR SCHEME WILL BE ON FRIDAY, MARCH 25.
’’EMPLOYERS WHO INTEND TO PARTICIPATE IN THE SCHEME SHOULD SUBMIT THEIR APPLICATIONS TO THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. LATE APPLICATIONS WILL NOT BE ENTERTAINED,” A SPOKESMAN FOR THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY (SUNDAY).
APPLICATION FORMS AND GUIDANCE NOTES CAN BE OBTAINED FROM THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT, THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT AND DISTRICT OFFICES.
COMPLETED APPLICATION FORMS SHOULD BE SUBMITTED TO THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT FOR FURTHER PROCESSING.
ABOUT 11,000 QUOTAS WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR RE-USE THIS YEAR.
"IT IS IN THE INTEREST OF EMPLOYERS TO SUBMIT THEIR APPLICATIONS AS EARLY AS POSSIBLE IF THEY WANT TO AVOID THE LAST-MINUTE RUSH."
ENQUIRIES ON IMMIGRATION-RELATED MATTERS CAN BE MADE TO THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT ON TEL 829 3220 AND 829 3225.
------0-------
STI VISITS SINGAPORE *****
THE SECRETARY FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY, MR CHAU TAK-HAY, LEFT TODAY (SUNDAY) FOR A TWO-DAY VISIT TO SINGAPORE.
"HONG KONG IS AT THE HEART OF THE ASIA PACIFIC REGION. WE ARE PARTICIPATING ACTIVELY IN THE WORK OF APEC (ASIA PACIFIC ECONOMIC COOPERATION) AND ARE KEEN TO STRENGTHEN OUR ECONOMIC AND TRADE TIES WITH OUR PARTNERS IN THE REGION," SAID MR CHAU.
HONG KONG AND SINGAPORE ENJOY EXCELLENT TRADE RELATIONS. SINGAPORE IS HONG KONG’S SIXTH LARGEST TRADING PARTNER, MR CHAU SAID.
"HONG KONG AND SINGAPORE HAVE ALWAYS WORKED TOGETHER VERY CLOSELY IN BOTH THE GATT (GENERAL AGREEMENT ON TARIFFS AND TRADE) AND APEC AND WILL CONTINUE TO DO SO IN THE FUTURE."
IN SINGAPORE, MR CHAU WILL MEET MR YEO CHEOW TONG, MINISTER FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY, AND PROFESSOR S JAYAKUMAR, MINISTER FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS.
"I WOULD LIKE TO EXCHANGE VIEWS ON APEC WITH MINISTER YEO AND MINISTER JAYAKUMAR, WHO ARE MY COUNTERPARTS IN APEC.
/"I WILL........
SUNDAY, MARCH 6, 1994
"I WILL ALSO DISCUSS WITH MINISTER YEO PREPARATIONS FOR THE MARRAKESH MINISTERIAL MEETING," MR CHAU SAID.
TRADE MINISTERS WILL INITIAL THE URUGUAY ROUND AGREEMENT IN MARRAKESH, MOROCCO, IN THE MIDDLE OE NEXT MONTH.
"I WILL ALSO TAKE THE OPPORTUNITY TO PAY CALLS ON MR WONG KAN SENG AND BRIGADIER-GENERAL GEORGE YEO, WITH WHOM I HAVE WORKED AT PREVIOUS APEC MEETINGS," MR CHAU SAID.
MR WONG IS CURRENTLY SINGAPORE’S MINISTER FOR HOME AFFAIRS.
BRIGADIER-GENERAL YEO IS THE MINISTER FOR INFORMATION AND THE ARIS.
WHILE IN SINGAPORE, MR CHAU WILL VISIT THE APEC SECRETARIAT AND MEET ITS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR. MR CHAU WILL ALSO VISIT SINGAPORE’S SCIENCE PARK AND INSTITUTE OF STANDARDS AND INDUSTRIAL RESEARCH.
APEC IS A FORUM FOR HIGH LEVEL INFORMAL DIALOGUE ON REGIONAL TRADE AND ECONOMIC ISSUES.
APEC CURRENTLY COMPRISES 17 MEMBERS.
THEY ARE, APART FROM HONG KONG, CANADA, CHINA, INDONESIA, JAPAN, KOREA, PAPUA NEW GUINEA, THE PHILIPPINES, TAIPEI, AND THE USA.
AUSTRALIA, BRUNEI DARUSSALAM, MALAYSIA, MEXICO, NEW ZEALAND, SINGAPORE, THAILAND, CHINESE
THE APEC SECRETARIAT IS LOCATED IN SINGAPORE.
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SIR ROBERT HO TUNG CHARITABLE FUND PAYS OUT $13. IM *****
THE SIR ROBERT HO TUNG CHARTTABLE FUND HAS RECENTLY MADE GRANTS TOTALLING $13.4 MILLION TO 75 CHARITABLE ORGANISATIONS IN HONG KONG.
THIS WAS ANNOUNCED TODAY (SUNDAY) BY DEPUTY SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE AND CHAIRMAN OF THE ALLOCATION COMMITTEE RESPONSIBLE FOR ADVISING THE GOVERNOR ON ALLOCATIONS FROM THE FUND, MISS JACQUELINE WILLIS.
MISS WILLIS SAID MAJOR GRANTS THIS YEAR INCLUDED A SUM OF $2,184,491 MADE TO THE TUNG WAH GROUP OF HOSPITALS.
OF THAT AMOUNT, $842,000 WAS TO FUND THE SETTING UP OF A MAMMOGRAPHIC X-RAY UNIT FOR EXAMINING BREAST CANCER WHILE ANOTHER $500,000 WAS FOR INTRODUCING THE FIRST PUBLIC CORNEAL REFRACTIVE SURGERY SERVICE IN THE OPHTHALMIC CENTRE OF THE TUNG WAH EASTERN HOSPITAL.
A SUM OF $566,300 WAS GRANTED TO THE GRANTHAM HOSPITAL AND THE RUTTONJEE HOSPITAL TO BUY MEDICAL EQUIPMENT.
/THE PO .......
SUNDAY, MARCH 6, 1994
8
THE PO LEUNG KUK RECEIVED A GRANT OF $556,520 FOR RENOVATING ITS LAM TIN NURSERY.
THE HONG KONG RED CROSS WAS GRANTED $306,930 FOR IMPROVING THE BLOOD TRANSFUSION SERVICE, THE HOSPITAL LIBRARY SERVICE AND PURCHASE OF OTHER EQUIPMENT.
A SUM OF $1,578,210 WAS INJECTED INTO THE SAMARITAN FUND TO ENABLE IT TO PROVIDE HEART VALVES, CARDIAC CATHETERS AND INTRAOCULAR LENSES TO NEEDY PATIENTS.
THE MENTAL HEALTH ASSOCIATION OF HONG KONG RECEIVED A GRANT OF $114,000 FOR THE PUBLICATION OF BOOKS ON MENTAL HEALTH EDUCATION.
THE HAVEN OF HOPE CHRISTIAN SERVICE-BRADBURY CLINIC WAS GRANTED $152,000 FOR IMPROVING THE MEDICAL SERVICE TO RESIDENTS OF THE TSEUNG KWAN O NEW TOWN.
ONE OF THE LARGEST CHARITABLE TRUSTS IN HONG KONG, THE SIR ROBERT HO TUNG CHARITABLE FUND WAS SET UP WITH A BEQUEST OF $500,000 BY THE LATE SIR ROBERT HO TUNG ON HIS DEATH IN 1956.
IN 1966, THE CAPITAL OF THE FUND WAS INCREASED THROUGH THE INJECTION OF $4,950,000 FROM THE CHINA CHARITABLE FUND SET UP BY HIM.
THE SIR ROBERT HO TUNG CHARITABLE FUND IS ADMINISTERED BY HONGKONG BANK TRUSTEE LTD.
APPLICATIONS ARE INVITED ONCE A YEAR THROUGH THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, HOSPITAL AUTHORITY, THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT, THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT AND THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION.
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PARENTS’ ROLE IN FIGHT AGAINST DRUGS * * * * *
PARENTS ARE URGED TO LEARN THE ADVERSE EFFECTS OF DRUGS.
"INFORMED PARENTS ARE MUCH BETTER EQUIPPED TO DEAL WITH DRUG ABUSE AND STEER THEIR CHILDREN IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION," THE COMMISSIONER FOR NARCOTICS, MR ALASDAIR SINCLAIR, SAID.
HE WAS SPEAKING AT THE YAU TSIM DISTRICT 93/94 FIGHT CRIME CUM ANTI-NARCOTICS CARNIVAL HELD THIS (SUNDAY) AFTERNOON AT KOWLOON PARK PIAZZA.
"SOME YOUNG PEOPLE ARE MORE AT RISK THAN OTHERS.
"CHARACTERISTICS CORRELATED WITH DRUG TAKING AMONG YOUNGSTERS INCLUDE AIMLESSNESS AND BOREDOM, UNEMPLOYMENT, LOW SELF-ESTEEM, A DISRUPTED FAMILY LIFE, ACADEMIC FAILURE AND TRUANCY,” SAID MR SINCLAIR.
/SINCE YOUNGSTERS .......
SUNDAY, MARCH 6, 1994
- 9 -
SINCE YOUNGSTERS LACKED INSIGHT AND MATURITY, PARENTS NEED TO ADVISE THEIR CHILDREN THAT DRUG ABUSE WOULD NEVER HELP THEM COPE WITH STRESSES BUT WOULD ONLY WORSEN THEIR PROBLEMS AND RUIN THEIR LIVES.
i ' • ■ . .. . ‘ • ,. • < ■
"A STRONG AND SUPPORTIVE FAMILY IS INCOMPATIBLE WITH DRUG ABUSE. CLEAR AND CONSISTENT CHILD-REARING PRACTICES PROVIDE THE ,BEST PROTECTION FOR OUR CHILDREN," HE SAID.
IN ORDER TO INCREASE PARENTS’ AWARENESS OF THE DRUG PROBLEM, THE NARCOTICS DIVISION HAD PRODUCED TWO TELEVISION ANNOUNCEMENTS IN PUBLIC INTEREST AND A LEAFLET "EVERY PARENT’S GUIDE TO DRUG ABUSE", GIVING SOME TIPS FOR PARENTS AND REMINDING THEM OF THEIR 'ROLE IN GUIDING THEIR CHILDREN AWAY FROM DRUGS.
MORE, A PILOT SCHEME OF TALKS FOR PARENTS HAD BEEN ORGANISED SINCE JUNE 1992.
"ALTHOUGH WE HAVE TRIED TO HOLD THESE AT CONVENIENT TIMES, THE ATTENDANCE AT THE SEVEN TALKS CONDUCTED HAD BEEN RATHER LOW," THE COMMISSIONER SAID.
HE HOPES PARENTS CAN TAKE UP THEIR RESPONSIBILITY SERIOUSLY AND HELP THEIR CHILDREN FACE CHALLENGES, FAILURE AND WORRIES.
"TALK TO YOUR CHILDREN ABOUT DRUGS BEFORE SOMEBODY ELSE DOES," THE COMMISSIONER SAID.
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NEW LEAFLETS FOR APPLYING S6 READY
*****
THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT IS LAUNCHING A PUBLICITY DRIVE TO TELL SECONDARY FIVE STUDENTS HOW TO APPLY FOR ONE OF 23,790 SECONDARY SIX PLACES PROVIDED BY SCHOOLS IN THE COMING ACADEMIC YEAR.
A DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THERE WOULD BE AN EXTRA 672 SECONDARY SIX PLACES IN SEPTEMBER, REPRESENTING AN INCREASE OF. ABOUT THREE PER CENT OVER LAST YEAR.
• ’ : r *• >;*■ »* •' r • f‘
THE SPOKESMAN SAID A NEW LEAFLET AND SUMMARY TABLE ON SECONDARY SIX ADMISSION WERE BEING COLLECTED BY SCHOOLS FOR DSISTRIBUTION TO SECONDARY FIVE STUDENTS.
; - PT .
THE NEW LEAFLET CONTAINS ADMISSION DETAILS, AND ADDRESSES AND TELEPHONE NUMBERS OF THE 19 EDUCATION DISTRICT OFFICES TO HELP STUDENTS SEEK FURTHER INFORMATION.
PRIVATE CANDIDATES WILL RECEIVE THE LEAFLET AND SUMMARY TABLE FROM THE HONG KONG EXAMINATIONS AUTHORITY WHEN IT SENDS OUT IDENTIFICATION FORMS FOR THE HONG KONG CERTIFICATE OF EDUCATION EXAMINATION (HKCEE).
ADDITIONAL LEAFLETS AND SUMMARY TABLES ARE AVAILABLE FROM DISTRICT EDUCATION OFFICES AND OFFICES. OF THE CITY AND NE^ TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION THROUGHOUT THE TERRITORY. -
/A 24-HOUR .......
SUNDAY, MARCH 6, 1994
10
A 24-HOUR TELEPHONE ENQUIRY SERVICE HAS STARTED OPERATION. STUDENTS WHO WISH TO HEAR SECONDARY ALLOCATION PROCEDURES FOR SECONDARY SIX PLACES MAY DIAL 891 0088.
IN ADDITION, A HOTLINE WILL BE SET UP IN EARLY AUGUST, WHEN RESULTS OF HKCEE ARE ANNOUNCED, TO HELP STUDENTS SEEK ADVICE OR CLARIFICATION ABOUT ADMISSION PROCEDURES, AND TO HANDLE ANY COMPLAINTS.
THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT RECEIVED SEVEN COMPLAINTS ABOUT SECONDARY SIX PLACE ALLOCATION LAST YEAR, OF WHICH TWO COMPLAINTS WERE FOUND TO BE JUSTIFIED.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID MORE PUBLICITY WOULD BE CONDUCTED IN EARLY AUGUST BEFORE HKCEE RESULTS WERE ANNOUNCED.
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PRE-TEST SURVEY FOR 1996 POPULATION BY-CENSUS
*****
THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT WILL CONDUCT A PRE-TEST SURVEY FROM MARCH 12 TO 20 TO TEST THE QUESTIONNAIRE DESIGN AND THE OPERATIONAL PROCEDURES OF THE 1996 POPULATION BY-CENSUS.
A SAMPLE OF LIVING QUARTERS HAS BEEN SELECTED FROM FIVE DISTRICTS - MID-LEVELS, KWUN TONG, NGAU TAU KOK, KWAI CHUNG AND SHA TIN. j
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID THEY WERE CHOSEN TO TEST DIFFERENT FIELDWORK PROBLEMS THAT MIGHT ARISE IN DIFFERENT LOCATIONS.
ALL HOUSEHOLDS AND PERSONS LIVING IN THE SELECTED QUARTERS WILL BE ENUMERATED.
CENSUS OFFICERS WILL VISIT THEM BETWEEN 9 AM AND 10 PM TO CONDUCT INTERVIEWS.
THE TOPICS WILL COVER BASIC DEMOGRAPHIC CHARACTERISTICS SUCH AS AGE AND SEX, SOCIO-ECONOMIC ATTRIBUTES SUCH AS OCCUPATION, INDUSTRY, PLACE OF WORK OR STUDY, EARNINGS FROM EMPLOYMENT AND OTHER CASH INCOME.
THE DEPARTMENT IS SENDING OUT LETTERS WHICH BEAR THE CENSUS OFFICERS’ NAMES TO THE HOUSEHOLDS.
DURING THE VISITS, EACH CENSUS OFFICER WILL IDENTIFY HIMSELF WITH AN ENUMERATOR IDENTITY CARD AND A CERTIFICATE OF IDENTITY ISSUED BY THE DEPARTMENT.
IF IN DOUBT, THE HOUSEHOLDERS CAN CHECK THEIR IDENTITY BY CALLING 887 5540. OTHER ENQUIRIES ABOUT THE PRE-TEST SURVEY CAN ALSO BE MADE ON THIS TELEPHONE LINE WHICH IS OPERATING UNTIL MARCH 22.
THIS IS A VOLUNTARY STATISTICAL SURVEY CONDUCTED UNDER THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS ORDINANCE AND WAS GAZETTED ON FEBRUARY 25.
’’INFORMATION ON INDIVIDUAL PERSONS OR HOUSEHOLDS COLLECTED IN THE SURVEY WILL BE TREATED IN STRICT CONFIDENCE AND WILL NOT BE RELEASED TO ANY PERSONS OR GROUPS OUTSIDE THE DEPARTMENT,” THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
MONDAY, MARCH 7,1994
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
POSSIBLE IMPACT ON HK IF CHINA LOST MFN STATUS........... 1
RATES RISE CAP FAR BELOW INFLATION....................... 2
LIQUIDITY ADJUSTMENT FACILITY........................ 3
BANNING OF DRUGS......................................... 4
DRIVERS URGED TO ASSIST IN TAXI SURVEY................... 4
AIRPORT CORE PROGRAMME TEACHING KIT FOR PRIMARY SCHOOLS 5
AWARD SCHEME FOR OUTSTANDING SAFETY OFFICERS............. 7
MOTION DEBATE ON NORTHWEST NEW TERRITORIES RAILWAY.... 8
WATER STORAGE FIGURE..................................... 8
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS............................................... 9
MONDAY, MARCH 7, 1994
1
POSSIBLE IMPACT ON HK IF CHINA LOST MFN STATUS * * * * *
THE GOVERNMENT ESTIMATED THAT, IF CHINA’S MOST FAVOURED NATION (MFN) TRADING STATUS WERE WITHDRAWN, HONG KONG MIGHT LOSE $133 BILLION TO $187 BILLION IN OVERALL TRADE; $19 BILLION TO $26 BILLION IN INCOME AND AROUND 54,000 TO 75,000 IN JOBS.
THE TRADE DEPARTMENT RELEASED TODAY (MONDAY) THE GOVERNMENT’S LATEST ASSESSMENT OF THE IMPACT ON HONG KONG’S ECONOMY IF CHINA WERE TO LOSE ITS MFN TRADING STATUS IN THE UNITED STATES.
AT A PRESS CONFERENCE THIS AFTERNOON BY THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR-GENERAL OF TRADE, MR CHRISTOPHER JACKSON, AND A PRINCIPAL ECONOMIST FROM THE FINANCIAL SERVICES BRANCH, MR CHEUNG HOK-YING, LOCAL TRADE ASSOCIATIONS WERE TOLD THAT REMOVAL OF CHINA’S MFN TRADING STATUS BY THE U.S. WOULD HAVE DIRECT ADVERSE EFFECT ON HONG KONG’S RE-EXPORTS OF CHINA ORIGIN TO THE U.S.
"A REDUCTION OF UP TO $77 BILLION WORTH OF RE-EXPORT IS DOUBLE THE IMPACT THAT WE ESTIMATED IN 1990", MR JACKSON SAID.
"THIS IS LARGELY THE RESULT OF THE VERY RAPID GROWTH IN HONG KONG’S RE-EXPORT OF CHINA-MADE GOODS TO THE UNITED STATES OVER THE PAST FEW YEARS."
THE WITHDRAWAL WOULD ALSO HAVE SIGNIFICANT ADVERSE EFFECT ON MANUFACTURING INVESTMENT VENTURES AND OTHER PRODUCTION ARRANGEMENTS BY HONG KONG AND FOREIGN COMPANIES IN CHINA.
PRESIDENT CLINTON IS REQUIRED BY U.S. LAW TO INDICATE BY JUNE 3 WHETHER HE INTENDS TO RENEW CHINA’S MFN STATUS FOR ANOTHER YEAR.
"WE HAVE STEPPED UP OUR LOBBYING ACTIVITIES IN WASHINGTON," SAID MR JACKSON. <“ • •
"WE HAVE REINFORCED OUR LOBBYING TEAM AND ARE WORKING WITH AMERICAN BUSINESS ALLIES TO IMPRESS UPON MEMBERS OF THE ADMINISTRATION AND CONGRESS THE DAMAGE WHICH MFN WITHDRAWAL WOULD DO TO HONG KONG AND TO AMERICAN INTERESTS IN THIS REGION."
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MONDAY, MARCH 7, 1994
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RATES RISE CAP FAR BELOW INFLATION * * * * ♦
THE PROPOSAL TO CAP RATES RISE AT 20 PER CENT IS FAR BELOW THE CUMULATIVE INFLATION RATE OF 33 PER CENT OVER THE PAST THREE YEARS, THE DEPUTY SECRETARY FOR THE TREASURY, MR K C KWONG, SAID TODAY (MONDAY).
SPEAKING AT A PRESS CONFERENCE TO CLARIFY VARIOUS ISSUES WHICH HAD BEEN RAISED IN CONNECTION WITH THE PROPOSALS ON RATES PUT FORWARD IN THIS YEAR’S BUDGET, MR KWONG ALSO REFUTED SUGGESTIONS THAT BENEFITS FROM SALARIES TAX CONCESSIONS WOULD BE WIPED OUT BY THE RATES RISE.
’’UNDER THE PROPOSAL, THE AVERAGE INCREASE IN RATES FOR A FLAT UNDER 1,000 SQUARE FEET IS ONLY $53 A MONTH,” HE SAID.
THIS AMOUNTS TO $636 A YEAR WHEREAS A COUPLE EARNING THE MEDIAN WAGE OF $13,000 A MONTH WILL SAVE $2,320 UNDER THE PROPOSED TAX CONCESSIONS, HE ADDED.
"SIMILARLY, A SANDWICH CLASS COUPLE EARNING $20,000 A MONTH WILL SAVE $8,800,” HE SAID.
ON OTHER EFFECTS OF THE PROPOSED RATES RISE, MR KWONG POINTED OUT THAT:
* RATES REPRESENT ABOUT TWO PER CENT OF HOUSEHOLD INCOME. THE PROPOSED INCREASE WILL BRING THIS TO 2.1 PER CENT;
* FOR BUSINESSES, RATES REPRESENT 0.2 PER CENT OF EXPENDITURE. THE PROPOSED INCREASE WILL BRING THIS UP BY A MERE 0.01 PER CENT;
* PUBLIC HOUSING TENANTS, WHO REPRESENT ABOUT 42 PER CENT OF THE POPULATION, WILL NOT BE AFFECTED BECAUSE THEIR RENTS ARE BASED ESSENTIALLY ON AFFORDABILITY;
* SOCIAL SECURITY RECIPIENTS SHOULD NOT BE AFFECTED BECAUSE RENTS, INCLUSIVE OF RATES, IS A REIMBURSABLE ITEM UNDER THE COMPREHENSIVE SOCIAL SECURITY ASSISTANCE SCHEME.
MR KWONG ALSO POINTED OUT THAT THE CURRENT RATE CHARGE OF 5.5 PER CENT IS A HISTORIC LOW. IT WAS 17 PER CENT FROM 1931 TO 1972.
HE STRESSED THAT RATES WAS A STABLE, BROAD-BASED, AND RELIABLE SOURCE OF REVENUE AND THAT THE GOVERNMENT COULD NOT ERODE THE TAX BASE TOO MUCH.
"REGULAR REVALUATION OF RATEABLE VALUES IS NECESSARY TO REFLECT UP-TO-DATE RENTAL VALUES, SO THAT THE TAX CAN CONTINUE TO FALL EQUITABLY ON THOSE MOST ABLE TO AFFORD IT,” HE ADDED.
/3........
MONDAY, MARCH 7, 1994
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LIQUIDITY ADJUSTMENT FACILITY ♦ ♦ » * *
THE HONG KONG MONETARY AUTHORITY (HKMA) TODAY (MONDAY) ANNOUNCED THAT IN ADDITION TO EXCHANGE FUND B1LLS/NOTES AND GOVERNMENT BONDS, CERTAIN HONG KONG DOLLAR MARKETABLE DEBT INSTRUMENTS WILL, WITH IMMEDIATE EFFECT, QUALIFY AS SECURITIES FOR SALE AND REPURCHASE AGREEMENT (REPO) UNDER THE LIQUIDITY ADJUSTMENT FACILITY (LAF) OPERATED BY THE HKMA.
SUCH INSTRUMENTS MUST BE OF ACCEPTABLE CREDIT QUALITY AND CLEARED THROUGH THE CENTRAL MONEYMARKETS UNIT (CMU) OPERATED BY THE HKMA.
’’THE INCLUSION OF MORE DEBT SECURITIES ACCEPTABLE FOR REPO UNDER LAF WILL BE HELPFUL TO BANKS IN MANAGING THEIR LIQUIDITY. ONE OF THE ROLES OF THE HKMA IS TO ACT AS THE LENDER OF THE LAST RESORT OF LIQUIDITY TO THE BANKING SYSTEM,” THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OF HKMA, MR JOSEPH YAM, SAID.
"THE DEBT SECURITIES ISSUED BY THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY CORPORATION AND THE PROVISIONAL AIRPORT AUTHORITY AS WELL AS THOSE DEBT INSTRUMENTS WITH RATINGS NOT LOWER THAN A- IF ISSUED BY BANKS AND NOT LOWER THAN A IF ISSUED BY CORPORATES WILL NOW QUALIFY AS REPO SECURITIES UNDER THE LAF," HE ADDED.
SINCE ITS INTRODUCTION IN JUNE 1992, THE LAF, WHICH IS HONG KONG VERSION OF THE DISCOUNT WINDOW, HAS BEEN USED EXTENSIVELY BY LICENSED BANKS.
THE HKMA HAS BECOME THE LENDER AS WELL AS THE TAKER OF FUNDS AFTER THE CLOSE OF THE INTERBANK MARKET. IN DECEMBER 1993, A TOTAL OF $33 BILLION WAS LENT OUT AND $57 BILLION WAS TAKEN BY THE HKMA THROUGH THE LAF.
BY PROVIDING A FACILITY FOR LICENSED BANKS TO ADJUST THEIR LIQUIDITY POSITIONS, THE LAF HAS CONTRIBUTED TO THE REDUCTION OF THE VOLATILITY OF OVERNIGHT INTERBANK INTEREST RATES, ESPECIALLY WHEN THE MARKET IS UNDER PRESSURE DURING RECENT HEAVY SUBSCRIPTION OF INITIAL PUBLIC OFFERS.
THE PROVISION OF OVERNIGHT FUNDS THROUGH THE LAF WILL NORMALLY BE DONE IN THE FORM OF A SALE AND REPURCHASE AGREEMENT (REPO); PREVIOUSLY ONLY A BANK’S HOLDING OF EXCHANGE FUND BILLS/NOTES AND GOVERNMENT BONDS HAVE BEEN ACCEPTED AS REPO SECURITIES.
THE HKMA HAS ISSUED A CIRCULAR TO ALL LICENSED BANKS INFORMING THEM OF THE NEW ARRANGEMENTS.
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MONDAY, MARCH 7, 1994
4
BANNING OF DRUGS
*****
IN RESPONSE TO MEDIA ENQUIRIES ON THE BANNING OF METAMIZOLE AND AMINOPHENAZONE, A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN GAVE THE FOLLOWING REPLY:
AMINOPHENAZONE WAS DE-REGISTERED ON JANUARY 1, 1984.
IN 1982 A DECISION WAS TAKEN BY THE PHARMACEUTICAL REGISTRATION COMMITTEE OF THE PHARMACY AND POISONS BOARD TO DE-REGISTER METAMIZOLE WITH EFFECT FROM JANUARY 1, 1984 ON ACCOUNT OF ITS POTENTIAL TO CAUSE BLOOD DISORDER (AGRANULOCYTOSIS).
AN APPEAL WAS LODGED BY A MANUFACTURER. THE RISKS AND BENEFITS OF THE DRUG WERE FULLY EVALUATED BY THE PHARMACY AND POISONS APPEAL TRIBUNAL.
TAKING INTO CONSIDERATION THE RESULTS OF A SCIENTIFIC STUDY PUBLISHED IN 1986 ON THE MAGNITUDE OF THE ADVERSE EFFECT OF THE DRUG AND THAT ALTERNATIVES FOR THE DRUGS WERE NOT ENTIRELY FREE FROM ADVERSE EFFECTS, IT WAS CONSIDERED THAT THERE WERE MERITS NOT TO WITHDRAW METAMIZOLE.
METAMIZOLE IS PRESCRIPTION-ONLY ITEM. IN VIEW OF THE POSSIBLE ADVERSE EFFECTS IT IS GENERALLY RECOMMENDED THAT IT SHOULD BE USED FOR SERIOUS CONDITIONS WHERE NO ALTERNATIVE IS AVAILABLE OR SUITABLE.
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DRIVERS URGED TO ASSIST IN TAXI SURVEY
*****
TAXI DRIVERS SELECTED TO TAKE PART IN A METER READING SURVEY SHOULD COME FORWARD WITHIN THIS WEEK TO OFFER THEIR HELP, A TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (MONDAY).
THE SPOKESMAN SAID MORE THAN 900 URBAN TAXIS HAD JOINED THE SURVEY LAST WEEK IN PROVIDING DATA WHICH WOULD HELP THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ASSESS FUTURE FARE APPLICATIONS AND REVIEW THE ADEQUACY OF TAXI SERVICE IN URBAN AREAS.
THE SPOKESMAN URGED OTHER SELECTED TAXI DRIVERS TO ASSIST IN THE METER READING SURVEY BECAUSE OF ITS IMPORTANCE TO Till: TRADE.
THE SURVEY, WHICH STARTED FROM FEBRUARY 28, COMPRISES A TWO-WEEK METER READING SURVEY AND A QUESTIONNAIRE TO BE RETURNED BY TAXI DRIVERS. THE SURVEY AIMS AT FINDING DATA ON THE TRADE’S OPERATIONS AND FINANCE.
FOUR THOUSAND TAXI DRIVERS WERE CHOSEN RANDOMLY FROM THE 15,000 URBAN TAXIS TN A RATH) OF ONE TO FOUR IN THIS SURVEY.
/THEY ARE .......
MONDAY, MARCH 7, 1994
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THEY ARE REQUESTED TO ANSWER A QUESTIONNAIRE AND SEND THEIR TAXIS FOR METER READING AT ANY OF THE 10 METER READING CENTRES IN THE TERRITORY INCLUDING SHA TIN AND TSUEN WAN.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID TAXI DRIVERS SHOULD MAKE USE OF THIS WEEK TO SEND THEIR TAXIS FOR THE SURVEY BETWEEN 9.30 AM AND 12.30 PM AND BETWEEN 2 PM AND 4.30 PM DAILY FROM MONDAY TO FRIDAY.
THE METER READING SURVEY WILL BE COMPLETED ON MARCH 11.
COMPLETED QUESTIONNAIRES SHOULD BE RETURNED TO THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ON OR BEFORE MARCH 18.
TAXI DRIVERS HAVING ENQUIRES ON THE METER READING SURVEY OR DIFFICULTIES IN COMPLETING THE QUESTIONNAIRE CAN CONTACT THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ON TEL 829 5318.
ALL INFORMATION COLLECTED BY THE DEPARTMENT WILL BE TREATED CONFIDENTIALLY AND ONLY BE USED FOR STATISTICAL ANALYSIS.
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AIRPORT CORE PROGRAMME TEACHING KIT FOR PRIMARY SCHOOLS
******
THOUSANDS OF PRIMARY SCHOOL STUDENTS WILL SOON BE LEARNING MORE ABOUT HONG KONG’S AIRPORT CORE PROGRAMME THROUGH A SPECIALLY DESIGNED TEACHING KIT PRODUCED BY THE NEW AIRPORT PROJECTS CO-ORDINATION OFFICE (NAPCO).
ABOUT 1,500 SETS OF THE TEACHING KIT WILL BE DISTRIBUTED TO PRIMARY SCHOOLS, VARIOUS EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS, PUBLIC LIBRARIES, TEACHERS ASSOCIATIONS, THE BOYS’ AND GIRLS’ ASSOCIATION OF HONG KONG, YMCA, YWCA AND OTHER COMMUNITY ORGANISATIONS.
THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR (COMMUNITY RELATIONS) OF NAPCO, MR PAUL TANG, SAID TODAY (MONDAY): "THIS PRIMARY SCHOOL TEACHING KIT, DESIGNED BY THE CHINESE UNIVERSITY PRESS AT A TOTAL PRODUCTION COST OF ABOUT $1.2 MILLION, IS PRODUCED TO PROVIDE TEACHERS WITH A TEACHING TOOL.
"IT IS HOPED THAT TEACHERS WILL USE THIS KIT TO PROVIDE STUDENTS WITH A GENERAL INTRODUCTION ON THE AIRPORT CORE PROGRAMME (ACP) PROJECTS AS WELL AS THEIR ECONOMIC, SOCIAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL VALUES TO THE COMMUNITY.
"WE HOPE THAT THE TEACHING KIT WILL PROMOTE STUDENTS’ INTEREST IN THE ACP PROJECTS AND SUPPLEMENT TEACHING MATERIALS IN THE PRIMARY SCHOOL CURRICULUM.
"IT IS DESIGNED IN SUCH A WAY THAT THE KEY IDEAS ABOUT THE ACP WILL FIT INTO THE SOCIAL STUDIES CURRICULUM FOR PRIMARIES 4 AND 5 AND CAN BE USED DURING SCHOOL ASSEMBLIES," HE SAID.
/TOPICS INCLUDE .......
MONDAY, MARCH 7, 1994
- 6
TOPICS INCLUDE URBAN DEVELOPMENT, TUNG CHUNG NEW TOWN, FUTURE TRANSPORT DEVELOPMENT, REASONS FOR BUILDING THE NEW AIRPORT AND FACILITIES IN THE NEW AIRPORT.
REPRESENTATIVES FROM ABOUT 500 PRIMARY SCHOOLS HAD ATTENDED TWO SEMINARS HELD RECENTLY WHERE DR C C LAM OF THE FACULTY OF EDUCATION, THE CHINESE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG, AND THE DESIGNER OF THE TEACHING KIT, GAVE A DETAILED INTRODUCTION OF THE KIT.
THE TEACHING KIT COMPRISES A VARIETY OF TEACHING MATERIALS SUCH AS VIDEO TAPE, AUDIO CASSETTES, WALL CHARTS, MAPS, POSTERS, PHOTOGRAPHS, GAMES, GROUP DISCUSSION EXERCISES AND TAKE-HOME WORKSHEETS.
THE ACP WILL TRANSFORM HONG KONG’S INFRASTRUCTURAL FACILITIES AND PHYSICAL LAYOUT IN THE YEARS AHEAD. IT WILL ALSO HAVE A SIGNIFICANT IMPACT ON THE LIVELIHOOD OF EACH INDIVIDUAL IN THE COMMUNITY, IN PARTICULAR THE YOUNGER GENERATION, MR TANG SAID.
"AS WE MOVE FORWARD WITH THE ACP PROJECTS, IT IS OUR RESPONSIBILITY TO.EDUCATE OUR NEXT GENERATION ON THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE FUTURE INFRASTRUCTURAL DEVELOPMENT IN HONG KONG, SO THAT THEY CAN UTILISE THEM TO THE FULL EXTENT."
AN ADVISORY COMMITTEE, COMPRISING REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT AND NAPCO, WAS SET UP EARLY LAST YEAR TO OVERSEE THE PRODUCTION OF TWO SETS OF ACP TEACHING KITS, ONE FOR PRIMARY SCHOOLS AND THE OTHER FOR SECONDARY SCHOOLS.
WORK HAS STARTED ON THE SECONDARY SCHOOL TEACHING KIT AND IT IS HOPED TO INTRODUCE THIS KIT TO SECONDARY SCHOOL TEACHERS IN OCTOBER THIS YEAR.
ATTENTION NEWS EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO ATTEND A PRESS CONFERENCE HELD AT 3.30 PM TODAY (MONDAY) AT NAPCO’S CONFERENCE ROOM ON THE EIGHT FLOOR, SHUI ON CENTRE, 8 HARBOUR ROAD, WAN CHAI. DR C C LAM OF THE CHINESE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG AND THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR (COMMUNITY RELATIONS) OF NAPCO, MR PAUL TANG, WILL ATTEND.
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MONDAY, MARCH 7, 1994
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AWARD SCHEME EOR OUTSTANDING SAFETY OFFICERS
REGISTERED SAFETY OFFICERS WHO HAVE OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE AND CONTRIBUTED THEIR EFFORTS IN IMPROVING THE SAFETY AND HEALTH OF WORKERS AT WORKPLACES WILL BE ABLE TO WIN PRESTIGIOUS AWARDS UNDER A SCHEME TO PROMOTE INDUSTRIAL SAFETY IN HONG KONG.
THE SCHEME, WHICH IS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT, THE OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH COUNCIL, AND THE WORKING COMMITTEE ON SYMPOSIUM ON SAFETY AND HEALTH MANAGEMENT, AND CO-ORGANISED BY THE HONG KONG OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH ASSOCIATION, HONG KONG INDUSTRIAL SAFETY ASSOCIATION, SOCIETY OF REGISTERED SAFETY OFFICERS AND THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY SAFETY MANAGEMENT ASSOCIATION, IS NOW INVITING NOMINATIONS.
"EVERY MEMBER OF THE SOCIETY, NO MATTER OF WHAT PERSUASION OR INTEREST, SHOULD HAVE THE DUTY TO TAKE POSITIVE STEPS TO PROTECT NOT ONLY THEIR OWN HEALTH AND SAFETY BUT THAT OF THE PUBLIC AT LARGE," A LABOUR DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (MONDAY).
"THE SAFETY PROFESSION, HOWEVER, HAS A PARTICULAR AND SIGNIFICANT RESPONSIBILITY IN THIS REGARD.
"THROUGH THE SCHEME, WE HOPE THAT THEIR COMMITMENT AND EFFORTS CAN BE RECOGNISED AND THEIR SUCCESSFUL IDEAS CAN BE SHARED AMONG THE OTHERS.
"WE ALSO HOPE THAT THE STATUS AND MORALE OF THE HONG KONG SAFETY PROFESSION CAN BE ENHANCED," HE ADDED.
THE AWARD SCHEME IS OPEN TO ALL FULL-TIME PRACTISING SAFETY PERSONNEL WHO MEET THE FOLLOWING CRITERIA:
» THE NOMINEE IS A REGISTERED SAFETY OFFICER REGISTERED UNDER SECTION 7 OF THE FACTORIES AND INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS (SAFETY OFFICERS AND SAFETY SUPERVISORS) REGULATION AND IS NOT AT THE TIME BEING SUSPENDED FROM REGISTRATION UNDER SECTION 10 OF THE REGULATION;
* HE/SHE IS NOMINATED BY HIS/HER CURRENT EMPLOYER; AND
* HE/SHE IS PERFORMING THE DUTIES OF A SAFETY OFFICER OR ENGAGING IN THE WORK RELATING TO SAFETY AND HEALTH IN INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS IN THE PRECEDING 24 MONTHS.
THERE WILL BE NO LIMIT TO THE NUMBER OF AWARDS AND ALL ENTRIES WILL BE JUDGED BY A PANEL OF ADJUDICATORS FROM VARIOUS INDUSTRIES BASING ON THEIR PROFESSIONALISM.
NOMINATIONS SHOULD BE SENT TO THE INDUSTRIAL SAFETY TRAINING CENTRE OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT, 13TH FLOOR, HARBOUR BUILDING, 38 PIER ROAD, CENTRAL, HONG KONG, ON OR BEFORE MARCH 22 (TUESDAY).
ENQUIRIES ON THE AWARD SCHEME GAN BE MADE TO THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT ON TEL 852 3558.
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/8 ........
MONDAY, MARCH 7, 1994
MOTION DEBATE ON NORTHWEST NEW TERRITORIES RAILWAY
*****
THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL WILL HOLD MOTION DEBATE ON THE EARLY CONSTRUCTION OF THE NORTHWEST NEW TERRITORIES RAILWAY AT ITS MEETING THIS WEDNESDAY (MARCH 9).
THE MOTION WILL BE MOVED BY THE HON ALFRED TSO AND AN AMENDMENT TO THE MOTION WILL BE PROPOSED BY THE HON MICHAEL HO.
THE HON JAMES TIEN WILL MOVE ANOTHER MOTION ON THE RENEWAL OF CHINA’S MOST FAVOURED NATION STATUS BY THE U.S. DR THE HON HUANG CHEN-YA WILL RAISE AN AMENDMENT TO THE MOTION.
IN ADDITION, MEMBERS WILL ASK 19 QUESTIONS AND CONSIDER EIGHT
BILLS.
THERE WILL BE FIVE BILLS INTRODUCED FOR FIRST AND SECOND READINGS. DEBATES ON THEM WILL BE ADJOURNED.
THEY ARE THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL COMMISSION BILL, MINOR EMPLOYMENT CLAIMS ADJUDICATION BOARD BILL, AMUSEMENT RIDES (SAFETY) BILL, TOWN PLANNING (AMENDMENT) BILL 1994 AND LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL (ELECTORAL PROVISIONS) (AMENDMENT) BILL 1994.
DEBATES ON THE OTHER THREE BILLS, NAMELY LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL (POWER AND PRIVILEGES) (AMENDMENT) BILL 1994, PUBLIC HEALTH AND MUNICIPAL SERVICES (AMENDMENT) BILL 1994 AND COPYRIGHT (AMENDMENT) BILL 1994, WILL BE RESUMED. THEY WILL ALSO GO THROUGH THE COMMITTEE STAGE AND BE GIVEN A THIRD READING.
GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS WILL ALSO MOVE MOTIONS ON CRIMINAL PROCEDURE ORDINANCE, TRADING FUNDS ORDINANCE, HOUSING ORDINANCE, PUBLIC FINANCE ORDINANCE, BANKRUPTCY ORDINANCE AND COMPANIES ORDINANCE.
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE WELCOME TO OBSERVE THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE MEETING FROM THE PUBLIC GALLERIES. THEY MAY MAKE RESERVATIONS BY CALLING 869 9492.
- - 0 - -
WATER STORAGE FIGURE ♦ * * *
STORAGE IN HONG KONG’S RESERVOIRS AT 9 AM TODAY (MONDAY) STOOD AT 68.2 PER CENT OF CAPACITY OR 399.699 MILLION CUBIC METRES.
THIS TIME LAST YEAR THE RESERVOIRS CONTAINED 308.571 MILLION CUBIC METRES OF WATER, REPRESENTING 52.7 PER CENT OF CAPACITY.
- - 0 -
MONDAY, MARCH 7, 1994
9 -
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 TW1 125. 8 *+0.0» 1,483 +1,517 3,000 NIL -20 2,980 7.3.94
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND EF BILLS EF NOTES/HONG KONG GOVERNMENT BONDS TERMS YIELD TERM ISSUE COUPON PRICE 1 WEEK 3.43 18 MONTHS 2508 4.625 99.90 1 MONTH 3.55 21 MONTHS 2511 4.15 98.79 3 MONTHS 3.68 24 MONTHS 2602 4.40 98.77 6 MONTHS 3.86 32 MONTHS 3610 4.20 97.09 12 MONTHS 4.31 35 MONTHS 3701 4.60 97.60 TOTAL TURNOVER OF BILLS AND BONDS - 16,700 MN CLOSED 7 MARCH 1994 YIELD 4.75 4.95 5.14 5.47 5.58
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG TEL. g
CONTENTS PAGE NO,
CS TO LEAD HK’S MFN LOBBYING............................... ]
TRANSPORT LINKS VITAL TO CROSS-BORDER DEVELOPMENT: CS.. 1
WHITE PAPER ON ANNUAL REPORT ON HONG KONG 1993 TO 3
PARLIAMENT.............................................
MAXIMISING THE CAPACITY OF KAI TAK AIRPORT................. 3
STATEMENT ON DRUG BAN PROPOSAL............................. 5
CJ WELCOMES MS TAI AS JUDICIARY ADMINISTRATOR.............. 6
JUDICIARY ADMINISTRATOR APPOINTED.......................... 6
SITUATION OF THREE VM W OMEN EXPLAINED..................... 7
MORE CAN BE DONE TO ENHANCE WOMEN’S ROLE................... 7
TENDERS FOR RIVER TRADE TERMINAL........................... 8
VOLUNTARY REPORTING OF NEAR NOSS MARINE INCIDENTS ON TRIAL 10
HEAVY FINE IMPOSED FOR FAILING TO PAY WAGES............... 12
FLAT OWNERS FINED FOR IGNORING DEMOLITION ORDERS.......... 12
GOVERNMENT CARES FOR THE ELDERLY.......................... 13
VOLUNTEERS DEDICATED TO CARING FOR ELDERLY................ 13
DEADLINE CLOSES WITH 207 FUNDING APPLICATIONS............. 14
COMPUTER SOFTWARE DESIGN CONTEST TO PROMOTE CIVIC EDUCATION................................................ 15
DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS TO IMPORT WORKERS............... 16
CLOSURE OF UNAUTHORISED STRUCTURE......................... 17
54 VMS RETURN TO VIETNAM.................................. 17
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND TENDER RESULTS......; 18
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS................................................ 19
TUESDAY, MARCH 8, 1994
CS TO LEAD HK’S MFN LOBBYING
*****
THE CHIEF SECRETARY, MRS ANSON CHAN, WILL VISIT THE UNITED STATES IN LATE APRIL TO LOBBY FOR THE UNCONDITIONAL RENEWAL OF MOST FAVOURED NATION (MFN) STATUS FOR CHINA, A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN ANNOUNCED TODAY (TUESDAY).
MRS CHAN WILL BE MEETING SENIOR MEMBERS OF THE U.S. ADMINISTRATION AND CONGRESSIONAL LEADERS IN WASHINGTON AND BUSINESS AND TRADE GROUPS IN NEW YORK.
"THE UNITED STATES AND CHINA ARE HONG KONG’S TWO LARGEST TRADING PARTNERS AND A GOOD RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THEM WILL BE A VITAL FACTOR IN HONG KONG’S LONG-TERM SUCCESS," MRS CHAN SAID.
"I SHALL BE SETTING OUT IN NO UNCERTAIN TERMS HONG KONG’S COMMITMENT TO FREE TRADE AS A GENERAL PRINCIPLE AND THE IMPORTANCE OF THE UNCONDITIONAL RENEWAL OF CHINA’S MFN STATUS TO HONG KONG."
IT IS ESTIMATED THAT FAILURE TO RENEW MFN WOULD SLASH HONG KONG’S GDP GROWTH BY UP TO THREE PERCENTAGE POINTS, AND EMPLOYMENT BY UP TO 75,000 JOBS.
MRS CHAN IS EXPECTED TO SPEND THREE DAYS IN WASHINGTON AND TWO DAYS IN NEW YORK.
APART FROM MEETINGS WITH ADMINISTRATION OFFICIALS AND CONGRESSIONAL LEADERS IN WASHINGTON, SHE WILL HAVE A FULL PROGRAMME OF IMPORTANT SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS, MEETINGS WITH INFLUENTIAL PUBLIC POLICY ORGANISATIONS, TRADE ORGANISATIONS AND MEDIA INTERVIEWS.
DETAILS OF MRS CHAN’S ITINERARY WILL BE ANNOUNCED NEARER THE TIME OF THE VISIT.
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TRANSPORT LINKS VITAL TO CROSS-BORDER DEVELOPMENT: CS *****
HONG KONG’S ROLES AS AN INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS CENTRE AND A GATEWAY TO CHINA DEPEND CRITICALLY ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF TRANSPORT LINKS, THE CHIEF SECRETARY, MRS ANSON CHAN, SAID TODAY (TUESDAY).
"IT IS VITAL FOR CHINA AND FOR HONG KONG THAT THIS DEVELOPMENT CONTINUES. WE CANNOT AFFORD TO STAND STILL," MRS CHAN TOLD AN AUDIENCE AT THE TRANSDELTA CONFERENCE ORGANISED BY THE CHARTERED INSTITUTE OF TRANSPORT.
SHE SAID HONG KONG NEEDED BETTER HIGHWAYS LINKING THE TERRITORY WITH GUANGDONG, MORE CONTAINER TERMINAL CAPACITY TO HANDLE THE BOOMING CHINA TRADE, AND CHEK LAP KOK AS SOON AS POSSIBLE TO SECURE ITS POSITION AS CHINA’S INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS CENTRE AFTER 1997.
/SPEAKING ON .......
TUESDAY, MARCH 8, 1994
- 2 -
SPEAKING ON THE TOPIC: ’’HONG KONG’S ROLE IN THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OF THE PEARL RIVER DELTA”, THE CHIEF SECRETARY SAID NEITHER GUANGDONG NOR HONG KONG COULD HAVE ACHIEVED WHAT THEY HAD OVER THE PAST 10 YEARS WITHOUT EACH OTHER.
"NOT MANY MATURE ECONOMIES IN THE WORLD HAVE BEEN PRESENTED WITH NEW GROWTH OPPORTUNITIES, RIGHT ON THEIR DOORSTEP, IN THE WAY THAT HONG KONG HAS.
"NOT MANY UNDERDEVELOPED ECONOMIES HAVE BEEN ABLE TO SECURE MASSIVE OUTSIDE INVESTMENT, MANAGEMENT SKILLS AND THE FULL RANGE OF BUSINESS SERVICES, AT THE VERY MOMENT THEY NEEDED IT, AS GUANGDONG HAS,” SHE SAID.
AS A RESULT, HONG KONG HAS HAD GROWTH RATES OVER THE PAST 10 YEARS AVERAGING OVER SIX PER CENT. AND GUANGDONG HAS AVERAGED OVER 15 PER CENT GROWTH ANNUALLY OVER THE SAME PERIOD, A RECORD THAT DEVELOPING ECONOMIES THE WORLD OVER CAN ONLY ENVY, SHE NOTED.
TO DATE, THERE ARE SOME 20,000 BUSINESS ENTERPRISES IN GUANGDONG WITH HONG KONG OWNERSHIP. OVER THREE MILLION JOBS WERE CREATED THERE.
"A VITAL ELEMENT IN ALL THIS HAS BEEN THE DEVELOPMENT OF TRANSPORT LINKS BETWEEN HONG KONG AND CHINA," MRS CHAN SAID.
SHE SAID THE GOVERNMENT WAS LOOKING FORWARD TO SEEING THE OPENING OF LOK MA CHAU CROSSING ROUND-THE-CLOCK IN THE FIRST HALF OF THIS YEAR.
TOTAL CROSS-BORDER PASSENGER TRAFFIC BETWEEN HONG KONG AND GUANGDONG LAST YEAR PASSED THE 50 MILLION MARK - THE BUSIEST BORDER IN THE WORLD. MOST OF THOSE PEOPLE TRAVELLED BY RAIL.
MRS CHAN ALSO SAID THE GOVERNMENT WAS FORMULATING A RAILWAY DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY WHICH WAS LIKELY TO INCLUDE CONSTRUCTION OF A MAJOR NEW RAIL LINK TO THE BORDER.
"WE ARE NOW CONSIDERING THE PROVISION OF A NEW PORT RAIL LINE FROM THE BORDER TO THE KWAI CHUNG CONTAINER PORT," SHE ADDED.
ON WATERBORNE TRAFFIC, THE CHIEF SECRETARY SAID IT WAS VITAL THAT CONTAINER TERMINAL NINE GOT THE GO-AHEAD QUICKLY, IF THE GROWTH OF HONG KONG’S CONTAINER PORT, AND THE CHINESE CONTAINER TRAFFIC THROUGH HONG KONG WAS NOT TO BE ARTIFICIALLY CONSTRAINED.
ON THE NEW AIRPORT, MRS CHAN SAID ONE THIRD OF THE AIRPORT PLATFORM HAD BEEN RECLAIMED FROM THE SEA, TYING UP ONE THIRD OF THE WORLD’S DREDGING CAPACITY.
"THERE IS NO DOUBT THAT THE AIRPORT WILL BE BUILT," SHE SAID.
MRS CHAN SAID THE GOVERNMENT WANTED TO SEE THE AIRPORT COMMITTEE MEET AS SOON AS POSSIBLE, TO CONSIDER AND APPROVE ITS LATEST FINANCING PROPOSAL FOR THE AIRPORT.
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/3........
TUESDAY, MARCH 8, 1994
- 3 -
WHITE PAPER ON ANNUAL REPORT ON HONG KONG 1993 TO PARLIAMENT * * ♦ » *
THE ANNUAL REPORT ON HONG KONG 1993 TO PARLIAMENT (ANNUAL REPORT) HAS BEEN PRESENTED TO PARLIAMENT BY HER MAJESTY'S GOVERNMENT TODAY (TUESDAY).
AS IN PAST YEARS, THE ANNUAL REPORT HAS BEEN PUBLISHED IN THE FORM OF A WHITE PAPER BOTH IN LONDON AND HONG KONG. THE WHITE PAPER WILL BE TABLED AT THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON MARCH 23 (WEDNESDAY).
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID HER MAJESTY’S GOVERNMENT HAD AGREED IN 1985, DURING THE PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES ON THE HONG KONG BILL, TO PRODUCE ANNUAL REPORTS ON HONG KONG AND TO LAY THEM BEFORE PARLIAMENT.
THE PURPOSE OF THIS SERIES OF REPORTS IS TO KEEP PARLIAMENT INFORMED OF DEVELOPMENTS IN HONG KONG ON A REGULAR BASIS.
THE ANNUAL REPORT IS THE NINTH SUCH REPORT. IT CONTAINS A SURVEY OF MAJOR EVENTS IN HONG KONG DURING 1993.
TOPICS COVERED INCLUDE VISITS TO HONG KONG BY MEMBERS OF THE ROYAL FAMILY AND GOVERNMENT MINISTERS, VISITS BY THE GOVERNOR OF HONG KONG, CONSTITUTIONAL DEVELOPMENT, CONTACTS BETWEEN HONG KONG AND CHINA, HUMAN RIGHTS, VIETNAMESE MIGRANTS, EMIGRATION AND NATIONALITY, INFRASTRUCTURE, GENERAL ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL CONDITIONS, LAW AND ORDER, LEGAL AND JUDICIAL SYSTEMS AND THE CIVIL SERVICE. ‘
COPIES OF THE WHITE PAPER ON THE ANNUAL REPORT AND THE CHINESE TRANSLATION WILL BE AVAILABLE, FREE OF CHARGE, TO MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC FROM TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY).
THEY CAN BE OBTAINED FROM ALL DISTRICT OFFICES, THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE (GROUND FLOOR, GENERAL POST OFFICE BUILDING, CONNAUGHT PLACE, CENTRAL), AND THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS SALES SECTION OF THE INFORMATION SERVICES DEPARTMENT (FRENCH MISSION BUILDING, 1 BATTERY PATH, CENTRAL).
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MAXIMISING THE CAPACITY OF KAI TAK AIRPORT ♦ ♦ » » ♦
THE CIVIL AVIATION DEPARTMENT IS LOOKING AT OPTIONS TO MAXIMISE THE CAPACITY OF THE KAI TAK AIRPORT AND THE UTILISATION OF ITS FACILITIES WHICH HAS ALREADY REACHED ITS DESIGN CAPACITY, TO MEET THE DEMAND OF AIR TRANSPORT IN THE COMING FEW YEARS BEFORE THE COMPLETION OF THE NEW CHEK LAP KOK AIRPORT.
THESE INCLUDE IMPROVING THE RUNWAY CAPACITY AND EXPANDING THE AIRCRAFT PARKING APRON, THE AIR PASSENGER TERMINAL BUILDING AND THE ACCESS ROAD NETWORK, THE DIRECTOR OF CIVIL AVIATION, MR PETER LOK KUNG-NAM, SAID TODAY (TUESDAY).
/ADDRESSING THE .......
TUESDAY, MARCH 8, 1994
ADDRESSING THE TRANSDELTA CONFERENCE ORGANISED BY THE CHARTERED INSTITUTE OF TRANSPORT IN HONG KONG, MR LOK SAID A COMPREHENSIVE AND EFFICIENT AIR TRANSPORT NETWORK WAS ESSENTIAL TO HONG KONG AS A REGIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL CENTRE OF CIVIL AVIATION IN THE LONG-TERM ECONOMIC INTEREST OF HONG KONG.
HE SAID IN THE PAST DECADE, AIR TRAFFIC IN HONG KONG GREW AT AN YEARLY RATE OF 10 PER CENT.
BY THE END OF 1993, THE ANNUAL PASSENGER FLOW REACHED 24.5 MILLION, EXCEEDING THE CAPACITY ORIGINALLY DESIGNED SOME TWO YEARS EARLIER THAN FORECAST.
AT PRESENT, THERE IS A DAILY AVERAGE OF 370 SCHEDULED INTERNATIONAL FLIGHTS LANDING AND TAKING OFF ON THE SINGLE RUNWAY OF KAI TAK, REPRESENTING 83 PER CENT OF ITS TOTAL CAPACITY.
ON BUSY DAYS, THERE ARE OVER 400 FLIGHTS, OR 90 PER CENT OF THE CAPACITY OF THE RUNWAY.
VIRTUALLY ALL TIME SLOTS FROM 9.30 AM TO 11.30 PM AVAILABLE FOR FLIGHT SCHEDULING HAVE BEEN TAKEN UP. NEW FLIGHTS CAN ONLY BE FITTED INTO THE SLOTS BETWEEN 6.30 AM AND 9.30 AM.
"HOWEVER, THERE ARE PRACTICAL DIFFICULTIES IN USING THESE TIME SLOTS REQUIRING PASSENGERS TO SET OFF FROM HOME IN THE SMALL HOURS AT THEIR PLACE OF DEPARTURE," HE SAID.
HE ADDED THAT THIS ALSO HAD A BEARING ON THE WELL-BEING OF THE NEW AIRPORT AS FLIGHTS LOST TO OTHER AIRPORTS WOULD NOT COME BACK TO HONG KONG.
"IN THE FEW YEARS BEFORE THE COMPLETION OF THE NEW AIRPORT, WE ARE UNDER PRESSURE TO ENHANCE THE FACILITIES AND MAXIMISE THE CAPACITY OF KAI TAK TO MEET THE EVER-GROWING DEMAND," '1R LOK SAID.
"WE ARE TAKING STEPS TO IMPROVE AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL FACILITIES AND STAFFING TO ENHANCE THE CAPACITY OF THE RUNWAY WHILE MAINTAINING A HIGH LEVEL OF OPERATIONAL SAFETY.
"TO THIS END, TWO SECONDARI SURVEILLANCE RADAR WILL BE ACQUIRED TO ENABLE OUR AIR TRAFFIC CONTROLLERS TO MORE PRECISELY MAINTAIN SEPARATION BETWEEN AIRCRAFT AND SO MAKE MORE EFFICIENT USE OF THE AIRSPACE,” HE ADDED.
MEANWHILE, HE SAID THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE CONTROLLERS AT KAI TAK WOULD BE EXPANDED AND NEW WORK STATIONS WOULD BE ADDED TO SHARE THE INCREASING WORKLOAD.
A COMPUTER SYSTEM FOR MONITORING THE BUILD-UP OF AIR TRAFFIC FIVE HOURS IN ADVANCE IS BEING DEVELOPED SO THAT REGULATING MEASURES MAY BE TAKEN TO PREVENT EXCESSIVE TRAFFIC FLOW OCCURRING.
ON THE DESIGN OF THE RUNWAY, THE DEPARTMENT IS CONSIDERING THE CONSTRUCTION OF AN ADDITIONAL EXIT TAXIWAY INVOLVING A GENTLE CURVE TO REDUCE THE RUNWAY OCCUPANCY OF EACH FLIGHT.
/WITH THESE .......
TUESDAY, MARCH 8, 1994
- 5 -
WITH THESE MEASURES, THE DEPARTMENT BELIEVES THAT THE CAPACITY OF THE RUNWAY AT KAI TAK CAN BE ENHANCED BY ONE SCHEDULED FLIGHT PER HOUR IN EACH OF THE COMING THREE YEARS.
DESPITE ALL THE ABOVE IMPROVEMENT AND EXPANSION WORKS, THE DEPARTMENT ESTIMATES THAT WHILE THE HIGH STANDARD IN AIR SAFETY WILL BE ENSURED, THE LEVEL OF PASSENGER COMFORT AT KAI TAK MAY BE ERODED GIVEN THE HIGH DEMANDS IN PASSENGER TRAFFIC LN THE NEXT FEW YEARS.
MR LOK SAID IT WAS THEREFORE HIGHLY DESIRABLE THAT THE NEW AIRPORT BE COMPLETED AND COMMISSIONED ON TIME.
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STATEMENT ON DRUG BAN PROPOSAL
» * * * *
IN RESPONSE TO A PROPOSAL MADE BY A LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLOR ON THE BANNING OF METAMIZOLE, A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (TUESDAY) THAT THE MATTER HAD IN FACT BEEN CONSIDERED BY THE PHARMACEUTICAL REGISTRATION COMMITTEE OF THE PHARMACY AND POISONS BOARD.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS, THE PROPOSAL HAS BEEN REFERRED TO THE COMMITTEE FOR CONSIDERATION.
THE SPOKESMAN AGAIN EMPHASISED THAT METAMIZOLE WAS A PRESCRIPTION-ONLY ITEM. THE USE OF DRUG WILL BE PUT UNDER THE SUPERVISION OF DOCTORS.
HE IS CONFIDENT THAT DOCTORS WILL EXERCISE PROFESSIONAL JUDGEMENT IN THE USE OF THIS DRUG.
• *> ■. •
ON THE PROPER MANAGEMENT OF FEVER AND THE CAUTIOUS USE OF ANTI-FEVER DRUG, THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH’S CENTRAL HEALTH EDUCATION UNIT (CHEU) HAD ALREADY PREPARED HEALTH EDUCATION MATERIAL FOR THE PUBLIC.
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC MAY CONTACT THE CHEU FOR HEALTH EDUCATION MATERIAL OR CALL UP THE UNIT FOR GENERAL ENQUIRIES ON TEL 835 1825.
/6 ........
TUESDAY, MARCH 8, 1994
6
CJ WELCOMES MS TAI AS JUDICIARY ADMINISTRATOR * * * * *
THE CHIEF JUSTICE, SIR TI LIANG YANG, TODAY (TUESDAY) WELCOMED THE APPOINTMENT OF MS ALICE TAI YUEN-YING AS JUDICIARY ADMINISTRATOR.
’’GIVEN HER PROVEN ADMINISTRATIVE SKILLS, SENIOR MANAGEMENT EXPERIENCE, KNOWLEDGE OF HONG KONG, FAMILIARITY WITH THE WORKINGS OF THE GOVERNMENT, AND A SOUND LEGAL EDUCATION, 1 AM SURE MS TAI WILL MAKE A VALUABLE CONTRIBUTION TO THE EFFICIENT ADMINISTRATION OF THE JUDICIARY.
’’THE FACT THAT MS TAI IS FULLY BILINGUAL IS AN OBVIOUS ADVANTAGE,” SIR TI LIANG SAID.
"WITH THE STEADY EXPANSION OF THE ACTIVITIES OF THE JUDICIARY OVER THE YEARS, GROWING SOPHISTICATION OF HONG KONG AS AN INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS CENTRE, AND RISING PUBLIC EXPECTATIONS FOR EFFICIENCY, THE TASK OF MANAGING THE JUDICIARY HAS BECOME INCREASINGLY COMPLEX.
"I AM PLEASED WITH THE OUTCOME OF THE RECRUITMENT. THIS WAS A HIGHLY COMPETITIVE EXERCISE AND I WAS GRATEFUL FOR THE INTEREST EXPRESSED BY ALL CANDIDATES," HE ADDED.
MS TAI HAS BEEN SELECTED FROM AMONGST 267 CANDIDATES.
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JUDICIARY ADMINISTRATOR APPOINTED
*****
THE GOVERNMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (TUESDAY) THAT MS ALICE TAI YUEN-YING WILL BE APPOINTED TO THE POST OF JUDICIARY ADMINISTRATOR IN THE JUDICIARY ON MARCH 28.
AS THE JUDICIARY ADMINISTRATOR, SHE WILL HELP THE CHIEF JUSTICE IN THE OVERALL ADMINISTRATION OF THE JUDICIARY AND BE RESPONSIBLE FOR ENSURING THE PROPER ADMINISTRATION OF THE COURTS AND TRIBUNALS.
SHE WILL ALSO BE RESPONSIBLE FOR PLANNING, SECURING AND MANAGING THE JUDICIARY’S HUMAN AND FINANCIAL RESOURCES, AND FOR PLANNING AND DEVELOPING SYSTEMS AND OTHER MEASURES WHICH WILL HELP THE JUDICIARY TO ENHANCE ITS PERFORMANCE.
AGED 43, MS TAI FIRST JOINED THE GOVERNMENT AS AN ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER IN 1974.
SHE SERVED IN A NUMBER OF GOVERNMENT BRANCHES AND DEPARTMENTS, INCLUDING THE HOME AFFAIRS BRANCH, THE ECONOMIC SERVICES BRANCH, THE URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT, THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT LONDON OFFICE AND THE MONETARY AFFAIRS BRANCH.
/IN 1990..........
TUESDAY, MARCH 8, 1994
IN 1990, MS TAI LEFT THE ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICE AND WAS APPOINTED TO THE POST OF DIRECTOR OF INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY, WHICH SHE STILL OCCUPIES.
SHE HOLDS A BACHELOR OF LAWS (HONOURS) DEGREE FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG, AND A MASTER OF LAWS (PUBLIC LAW) DEGREE FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF LONDON.
MS TAI IS MARRIED WITH TWO SONS.
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SITUATION OF THREE VM WOMEN EXPLAINED
*****
IN RESPONSE TO PRESS ENQUIRIES, THE REFUGEE CO-ORDINATOR, MR BRIAN BRESNIHAN, TODAY (TUESDAY) CONFIRMED THAT THREE VIETNAMESE MIGRANT WOMEN, WHO ARE SEEKING TO JOIN THEIR HUSBANDS IN THE UNITED STATES, WERE NOT REPATRIATED TO VIETNAM THIS MORNING.
THE THREE WOMEN, ONE OF WHOM HAS A BABY DAUGHTER, HAVE ALL BEEN DETERMINED TO BE NON-REFUGEES.
"THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN OF ACTION CLEARLY PROVIDES THAT ALL SCREENED-OUT VIETNAMESE MIGRANTS SHOULD RETURN HOME AND WE REMAIN COMMITTED TO THIS PR INCIPLE," MR BRESNIHAN SAID.
"HOWEVER, IN THIS CASE IT APPEARS AS IF THESE WOMEN MAY BE GIVEN CLEARANCE IN THE NEAR FUTURE TO EMIGRATE TO THE UNITED STATES. IT WAS THEREFORE DECIDED TO GIVE THEM SOME FURTHER TIME TO PROCESS THEIR VISA APPLICATIONS FROM HONG KONG.”
ALL SCREENED-OUT VIETNAMESE MIGRANTS ARE ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS. MR BRESNIHAN CONFIRMED THAT IF THEY DID NOT VOLUNTEER TO GO HOME, THE GOVERNMENT RESERVED THE RIGHT TO REPATRIATE THEM AT ANY TIME.
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MORE CAN BE DONE TO ENHANCE WOMEN’S ROLE
*****
WOMEN’S ROLE IN OUR SOCIETY HAS, WITHOUT DOUBT, BEEN GREATLY ENHANCED. BUT THERE IS STILL A WAY TO GO, MRS PATTEN SAID TODAY (TUESDAY).
SPEAKING AT INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY CELEBRATION ORGANISED BY HONG KONG ASSOCIATION OF BUSINESS AND PROFESSIONAL WOMEN, MRS PATTEN SAID WOMEN PLAYED A PROMINENT PART IN HONG KONG’S PUBLIC LIFE.
"THE SENIOR MEMBER OF EXCO IS A WOMAN. THE CHIEF SECRETARY IS NOW A WOMAN. WOMEN OCCUPY SENIOR POSITIONS IN THE MEDIA, IN THE LEGAL PROFESSION, IN THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY," SHE SAID.
/MRS PATTEN .......
TUESDAY, MARCH 8, 1994
- 8 -
MRS PATTEN SAID WHILE MORE WOMEN WERE GETTING TO THE TOP, NOT ENOUGH WERE DOING SO.
"THIRTY-EIGHT PER CENT OE THE WORKFORCE IS FEMALE, BUT MEN STILL ACCOUNT FOR A SUBSTANTIAL PROPORTION OF MANAGERIAL POSTS.
"AND NOTWITHSTANDING THE CLOSING GAP IN PAY, WOMEN’S INCOME IS STILL ONLY 77 PER CENT OF THAT OF MEN," SHE SAID.
"IF WE WANT MORE WOMEN CONTRIBUTING TO THE ECONOMIC, POLITICAL AND PUBLIC LIFE OF THE TERRITORY, THEN WE WILL HAVE TO MAKE SOME ALLOWANCE FOR WOMEN IN THE WORK PLACE; THAT MEANS THINGS LIKE FLEXIBLE WORKING HOURS, CRECHES, AND PROVISION FOR CHILD CARE."
TALKING ABOUT DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, MRS PATTEN SAID THE SOCIETY MUST BE READY TO GIVE THOSE WOMEN ABUSED BY THEIR HUSBANDS OR PARTNERS THE HELP AND SUPPORT THEY NEEDED.
SHE SAID SHE WAS DELIGHTED THAT THE PROPOSALS IN THE GREEN PAPER ON WOMEN’S ISSUES HAD GENERATED A HEALTHY DEBATE AND HAD HELPED TO RAISE PUBLIC AWARENESS OF THE ISSUES INVOLVED.
"AS A WOMAN I AM AS INTERESTED AS YOU ARE IN THE QUESTIONS CONTAINED IN THE GREEN PAPER, AND WILL BE AS INTERESTED IN THE GOVERNMENT’S RESPONSE."
------0-------
TENDERS FOR RIVER TRADE TERMINAL
*****
THE GOVERNMENT IS TO INVITE TENDERS FOR THE CONSTRUCTION AND
OPERATION OF A RIVER TRADE TERMINAL IN AREA 38, THEN MUN TO HANDLE THE
GROWING RIVER TRADE WITH THE PEARL RIVER DELTA.
THE DECISION WAS TAKEN AFTER EXTENSIVE PROPOSALS TO ADDRESS
LOCAL RESIDENTS CONCERNS HAD BEEN DRAWN UP AND THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL
HAD BEEN INFORMED OF THE PLAN.
TO DEAL WITH THE CONCERN ABOUT THE IMPACT OF THE TERMINAL ON LOCAL TRAFFIC AND TUEN MUN ROAD, THE PROSPECTIVE DEVELOPER WILL BE REQUIRED TO CONDUCT A FULL TRAFFIC IMPACT ASSESSMENT INCLUDING NOISE GENERATED BY CONSTRUCTION VEHICLES AND NIGHT-TIME TRAFFIC.
THE GOVERNMENT WILL ALSO UPGRADE THE LOCAL ROAD NETWORK TO TIE IN WITH THE DEVELOPMENT AND AVOID CONGESTION BY TERMINAL TRAFFIC.
THIS WILL INCLUDE WIDENING A SECTION OF LUNG MUN ROAD AND BUILDING A NEW BYPASS ALONG THE CASTLE PEAK FOOTHILLS.
THE DEVELOPER WILL ALSO BE ENCOURAGED TO USE SEA RATHER THAN LAND TRANSPORT FOR LOADING AND UNLOADING RIVER BOAT CARGOES.
PROPOSALS HAVE ALSO BEEN DRAWN UP TO ADDRESS CONCERNS ABOUT THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPLICATIONS.
/A GOVERNMENT ......
TUESDAY, MARCH 8, 1994
- 9 -
A GOVERNMENT CONSULTANCY STUDY HAS RECOMMENDED CAREFUL ALIGNMENT OF ROADS, SPECIAL ROAD SURFACE TREATMENTS AND INSULATION AGAINST NOISE TO MITIGATE EFFECTS ON LOCAL RESIDENTS.
IN ADDITION, THE PROSPECTIVE DEVELOPER WILL BE REQUIRED TO CARRY OUT A COMPREHENSIVE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT WHICH WILL ALSO COVER DUST AND DREDGING OF MARINE MUD DURING THE CONSTRUCTION PERIOD.
THE DEVELOPER MUST ALSO PROPOSE APPROPRIATE MITIGATION MEASURES TO THE SATISFACTION OF THE GOVERNMENT BEFORE ANY WORK ON SITE CAN BEGIN.
THE GOVERNMENT’S CONSULTATION WITH THE TUEN MUN DISTRICT BOARD WILL CONTINUE THROUGHOUT THE WHOLE PLANNING PROCESS.
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID IF THE RIVER TRADE TERMINAL WAS NOT BUILT, THE LOCAL ECONOMY WOULD LOSE MORE THAN $13 BILLION BETWEEN 1997 AND 2006.
THE PORT DEVELOPMENT BOARD ESTIMATES THAT THE 20.7 MILLION TONNES OF FREIGHT CARRIED BY RIVER IN 1993 WILL DOUBLE BY 2001 AND QUADRUPLE BY 2011.
THERE IS ALSO A GROWING NEED FOR DEDICATED CONTAINER HANDLING
FACILITIES FOR RIVER TRADE.
ALTHOUGH CONTAINERISATION ACCOUNTED FOR ONLY 10 PER CENT OF RIVER CARGOES IN 1991, THE PROPORTION INCREASED TO 20 PER CENT IN 1993 AND IS EXPECTED TO REACH 41 PER CENT BY 2011.
RIVER CARGO HANDLING FACILITIES, MAINLY PUBLIC CARGO WORKING AREAS, ARE EXPECTED TO REACH CAPACITY BY 1996.
IF THE RIVER TRADE TERMINAL IS NOT BUILT THE CUMULATIVE LOSS OF RIVER SHIPMENT CARGO BETWEEN 1997 AND 2011 COULD REACH 7.1 MILLION TWENTY-FOOT EQUIVALENT UNITS OF CONTAINERISED FREIGHT ND 15.2 MILLION TONNES OF BREAK-BULK CARGO.
THE GOVERNMENT WILL GAZETTE THE TERMINAL INDER THE FORESHORE AND SEA-BED (RECLAMATION) ORDINANCE AND THE TOWN PLANNING ORDINANCE.
THE NEED FOR A RIVER TRADE TERMINAL WAS RECOGNISED IN THE PADS (PORT AND AIRPORT DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY) REPORT IN 1988.
THE RIVER TRADE CARGO ACTIVITIES COMMITTEE OF THE PORT DEVELOPMENT BOARD, IN MARCH 1992, REPORTED THAT THE NEED WAS BECOMING PRESSING.
WHEN THE GOVERNMENT, IN APRIL 1992, CALLED FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST IN BUILDING AND OPERATING THE TERMINAL, SEVERAL PRIVATE COMPANIES RESPONDED.
THE MULTI-PURPOSE TERMINAL WILL ENABLE THE OPERATORS TO SORT, STORE AND CONSOLIDATE RIVER TRADE CARGO.
IT CAN THEN BE TRANSFERRED TO BIGGER. VESSELS XND TRANSPORTED TO CONTAINER TERMINALS OR OTHER PORT FACILITIES FOR ONWARD TRANSHIPMENT.
------0-------
/10........
TUESDAY, MARCH 8, 1994
- 10 -
VOLUNTARY REPORTING OF NEAR MISS MARINE INCIDENTS ON TRIAL
*****
THE MARINE DEPARTMENT HAS LAUNCHED A ONE-YEAR TRIAL ON A SYSTEM TO COLLECT INFORMATION ON NEAR MISS INCIDENTS IN AN ATTEMPT TO IDENTIFY THE TRAFFIC BLACK SPOTS IN HONG KONG WATERS, THE DIRECTOR OF MARINE, MR ALLAN PYRKE, ANNOUNCED TODAY (TUESDAY).
STARTING FROM TODAY ANY PERSON WHO HAS BEEN INVOLVED IN, OR HAS WITNESSED WHAT HE CONSIDERS TO BE A NEAR MISS SITUATION BETWEEN TWO VESSELS CAN MAKE USE OF THE TRIAL SYSTEM TO MAKE A REPORT TO THE MARINE DEPARTMENT.
"ANALYSIS OF THE INFORMATION OBTAINED WILL ENABLE US TO IDENTIFY THE TYPE OF VESSELS CAUSING SUCH INCIDENTS AND THE AREAS WHERE THEY OCCURRED," MR PYRKE SAID.
"IT MAY THEN BE POSSIBLE FOR THE DEPARTMENT TO PLAN THE IMPLEMENTATION OF SAFETY MEASURES TO REDUCE THE RISKS BEFORE A SERIOUS ACCIDENT OCCURS," HE SAID.
UNDER HONG KONG LAW, REPORTING OF MARINE ACCIDENTS ARE MANDATORY BUT THERE IS NO SIMILAR REQUIREMENT FOR THE NEAR MISS INCIDENTS.
THE INCREASED MARINE ACTIVITY WITHIN HONG KONG WATERS HAS SIGNIFICANTLY INCREASED ACCIDENTS RISKS. LAST YEAR, THE MARINE DEPARTMENT RECEIVED A TOTAL OF 378 MARINE ACCIDENT REPORTS IN HONG KONG WATERS WHICH IS A 30 PER CENT INCREASE OVER 1992 FIGURES.
"ALTHOUGH ABOUT 70 PER ('ENT OF THESE ACCIDENTS WERE MINOR SUCH AS BUMPING OF SMALL VESSELS AT ANCHORAGES, TYPHOON SHELTERS OR PUBLIC PIERS, UNFORTUNATELY EIGHT PERSONS DIED AND ANOTHER 47 INJURED IN THE MORE SERIOUS ONES," MR PYRKE SAID.
"BY WORLD’S STANDARD, OUR CASUALTY FIGURES ARE LOW, BUT THERE IS NO ROOM FOR COMPLACENCY," MR PYRKE SAID, ADDING THAT THE MARINE DEPARTMENT WILL USE EVERY POSSIBLE MEANS TO REDUCE ACCIDENT RISKS.
"INFORMATION RECEIVED FROM THE REPORTING SYSTEM WILL NOT BE USED FOR PROSECUTION PURPOSES UNLESS THE REPORTEE INDICATES IN THE FORM OR THROUGH OTHER MEANS THAT HE WISHES TO TAKE IT FURTHER," MR PYRKE SAID.
INFORMATION NECESSARY FOR THE ANALYSIS INCLUDE THE TYPES OF VESSELS INVOLVED, THEIR COURSES AND SPEED, THE LOCATION OF THE INCIDENT, THE CLOSEST DISTANCE BETWEEN THE TWO VESSELS AND WHAT ACTION WAS TAKEN TO AVOID COLLISION.
TO FACILITATE THE REPORTING OF SUCH INCIDENTS, THE MARINE DEPARTMENT HAS DESIGNED A USER-FRIENDLY FORM FOR PEOPLE TO REPORT SUCH INCIDENTS.
"THE REPORTERS ARE ONLY REQUIRED TO TICK THE APPROPRIATE ANSWERS IN THE BOXES PROVIDED AND MARK THE LOCATION OF THE INCIDENT ON A MAP INCORPORATED IN THE FORM.
/"I ANTICIPATE .......
TUESDAY, MARCH 8, 1994
"I ANTICIPATE THAT IT WILL TAKE NO MORE THAN 10 MINUTES TO COMPLETE IT,” HE SAID.
"OF COURSE IF THEY WANT TO GIVE MORE INFORMATION, THERE IS BLANK SPACE FOR A MORE DETAILED ACCOUNT," HE ADDED.
THESE FORMS CAN BE RETURNED TO THE MARINE DEPARTMENT EITHER BY POST USING A POSTAGE-FREE BUSINESS REPLY FOLDER ATTACHED TO THE FORM, BY FAX ON 545 0556, HAND IN AT ANY DISTRICT MARINE OFFICE OR REPORT OVER HOTLINE 815 5500.
FORMS ARE AVAILABLE FROM TODAY AT ALL DISTRICT OFFICES OF THE MARINE DEPARTMENT, THE GOVERNMENT DOCKYARD AND OFFICES OF THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT.
THEY ARE ALSO AVAILABLE FROM THE OFFICES OF THE HONG KONG PILOTS ASSOCIATION, HONG KONG CARGO VESSEL TRADERS’ ASSOCIATION, HONG KONG AND KOWLOON MOTOR BOATS AND TUG BOATS ASSOCIATION, THE HONG KONG AND YAUMATEI FERRY COMPANY, FAR EAST HYDROFOIL COMPANY AND DISCOVERY BAY TRANSPORTATION SERVICES LIMITED.
THE TRIAL SCHEME IS SPONSORED BY THE HONG KONG PILOTS ASSOCIATION, HONG KONG CARGO VESSEL TRADERS' ASSOCIATION, HONG KONG AND KOWLOON MOTOR BOATS AND TUG BOATS ASSOCIATION, FAR EAST HYDROFOIL COMPANY, THE HONG KONG AND YAUMATEI FERRY COMPANY AND DISCOVERY BAY TRANSPORTATION SERVICES LIMITED.
"THEY HAVE GIVEN THE SCHEME A FLYING START BY ASSISTING IN THE DISTRIBUTION OF THE FORMS, URGING THEIR MEMBERS OR EMPLOYEES TO REPORT SUCH INCIDENTS AND ALSO BY GIVING SHARING THE COSTS OF THE SCHEME," MR PYRKE.
THE MARINE DEPARTMENT WILL ASSESS THE APPLICABILITY OF THE SCHEME AFTER ONE YEAR AND THEN DECIDE WHETHER IT SHOULD BE ESTABLISHED PERMANENTLY.
ATTENTION NEWS EDITORS:
THE DIRECTOR OF MARINE, MR ALLAN PYRKE, DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF
MARINE, MR IAN DALE AND THE SENIOR DIRECTORATE OFFICERS OF THE MARINE DEPARTMENT, WILL MEET MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES THIS AFTERNOON TO ANSWER ANY FOLLOW-UP QUESTIONS ON THE TRIAL SCHEME AND OTHER MARINE SAFETY
ISSUES.
THE MEDIA SESSION WILL BE HELD VI Uli' HARBOUR ( 1,1,1’., 25TH FLOOR, HARBOUR BUILDING, 38 PIER ROAD, CENTRAL STARTING AT 4 PM.
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/12 .......
TUESDAY, MARCH 8, 1994
- 12 -
HEAVY FINE IMPOSED FOR FAILING TO PAY WAGES
*****
EMPLOYERS ARE REMINDED TO PAY WAGES TO THEIR EMPLOYEES THE TIME LIMIT ALLOWED BY LAW OR THEY WILL FACE \ MAXIMUM $200,000 AND IMPRISONMENT OF 12 MONTHS.
WITHIN
FINE OF
THE GOLION HONG KONG LIMITED IN MONG KOK WAS RECENTLY FINED $25,000 AND ORDERED TO PAY COURT COSTS OF $3,000 BY A NORTH KOWLOON MAGISTRATE FOR FAILING TO PAY WAGES WITHIN SEVEN DAYS AFTER THE SERVICE OF AN EMPLOYEE WAS TERMINATED.
THE CASE CAME TO LIGHT WHEN THE EMPLOYEE, WHO WAS A CLERK OF THE COMPANY, LODGED A COMPLAINT TO THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT’S LABOUR RELATIONS SERVICE THAT HER EMPLOYER HAD NOT PAID HER WAGES OF $2,000 AFTER HER CONTRACT OF EMPLOYMENT WAS TERMINATED.
FOLLOWING AN INVESTIGATION, A SUMMONS WAS ISSUED AGAINST THE EMPLOYER.
UNDER THE EMPLOYMENT ORDINANCE (EO), WAGES ARE DUE AT THE END OF THE WAGE PERIOD AND MUST BE PAID AS SOON AS PRA( TH ABLE BUT IN ANY CASE NOT LATER THAN SEVEN DAYS, LABOUR OFFICER (PROSECUTIONS), MRS GRACE SHEK, POINTED OUT,
"SECTION 25 OF THE ORDINANCE ALSO PROVIDES THAT WHERE A CONTRACT OF EMPLOYMENT IS TERMINATED, WAGES AND ANY OTHER SUMS DUE TO THE EMPLOYEE MUST BE PAID WITHIN SEVEN DAYS AFTER THE DAY OF TERMINATION," SHE SAID.
AN EMPLOYER WHO FAILS TO COMPLY WITH HIS STATUTORY OBLIGATION WILL COMMIT AN OFFENCE AND WILL BE LIABLE TO HEAVY PENALTIES.
---------0-----------
FLAT OWNERS FINED FOR IGNORING DEMOLITION ORDERS *****
FLAT OWNERS WHO REPEATEDLY IGNORE DEMOLITION ORDERS ISSUED BY THE BUILDINGS DEPARTMENT ON UNAUTHORISED STRUCTURES FACE THE POSSIBILITY OF HEAVY FINES, A DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (TUESDAY).
THE REMINDER FOLLOWS A RECENT COURT CASE IN WHICH TWO FLAT OWNERS WERE EACH FINED $44,250 FOR NOT COMPLYING WITH DEMOLITION ORDERS TO REMOVE CERTAIN UNAUTHORISED BUILDING WORKS.
THE CASE CAME TO LIGHT WHEN STAFF OF THE DEPARTMENT, ACTING ON A COMPLAINT, INSPECTED THE ILLEGAL STRUCTURES IN AN INDUSTRIAL CENTRE AT SUI WO ROAD, FO TAN, SHA TIN ON SEPTEMBER 6, 1991.
ORDERS UNDER THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE WERE SERVED ON THE OWNERS OF THESE PREMISES ON MAY 21, 1992 REQUIRING THEM TO REMOVE THE UNAUTHORISED BUILDING WORKS WITHIN 60 DAYS.
/THE ORDERS .......
TUESDAY, MARCH 8, 1994
13 -
THE ORDERS WERE IGNORED. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE TWO FLAT OWNERS WERE EACH FINED $10,000 PLUS A DAILY FINE OF $10 FOR 248 DAYS ON APRIL 1, 1993 AT THE SHA TIN MAGISTRACY.
DESPITE HAVING PLEADED GUILTY AND CONTINUED PERSUASION BY STAFF OF THE DEPARTMENT, BOTH FLAT OWNERS FAILED TO REMOVE THE UNAUTHORISED BUILDING WORKS COMPLETELY UNTIL JANUARY 25, 1994.
THEY WERE PROSECUTED AGAIN ON JANUARY 27, 1994 AT THE SHA TIN MAGISTRACY, AND EACH WAS FINED $150 PER DAY FOR 295 DAYS, AMOUNTING TO $44,250.
EACH OWNER WAS FINED $56,730 FOR THE TWO OFFENCES.
---------0-----------
GOVERNMENT CARES FOR THE ELDERLY ♦ * * * *
THE GOVERNMENT HAS ALL ALONG CARED FOR THE WELFARE OF THE ELDERLY, YUEN LONG DISTRICT OFFICER ROBERT CHAN SAID TODAY (TUESDAY).
MR CHAN SAID THE FINANCIAL SECRTARY HAD PROPOSED FUNDINGS FOR AN EXTRA 1,660 PLACES LN CARE AND ATTENTION HOMES, SIX DAY CARE CENTRES, AN ELDERLY HEALTH CENTRE AND 14 SERVICES CENTRES FOR THE AGED IN HIS BUDGET.
SPEAKING AT A RESPECT FOR THE ELDERLY CEREMONY IN PING SHAN, HE ALSO POINTED OUT THAT A NEW $20,000 DEPENDENT GRANDPARENT ALLOWANCE HAD BEEN INTRODUCED TO ENCOURAGE MORE YOUNG PEOPLE TO TAKE CARE OF THE ELDERLY MEMBERS OF THEIR FAMILIES.
MR CHAN SAID INFRASTRUCTURE WOULD NOT BE AFFECTED DESPITE THE GENEROUS TAX CUTS.
HE ADDED THAT $0.7 BILLION WOULD BE ALLOCATED ON FLOOD CONTROL PROJECTS AND DRAINAGE IMPROVEMENT WORKS IN YUEN LONG IN THE NEW FISCAL YEAR.
------0-----------
VOLUNTEERS DEDICATED TO CARING FOR ELDERLY
♦ * * * *
MRS PATTEN TODAY (TUESDAY) HIGHLY PRAISED THE VOLUNTEERS OF HELPING HAND FOR THEIR DEDICATION AND HARD WORK IN THE ANNUAL COOKIE CAMPAIGN, WHICH HAD MADE ANOTHER SUCCESS THIS YEAR.
MRS PATTEN ALSO PRAISED VOLUNTEERS WHO TOOK PART IN HELPING HAND’S "WELLNESS PROJECT" THIS YEAR BY VISITING ELDERLY PEOPLE AND ORGANISING PROGRAMMES FOR THEM.
/SPEAKING AT .......
TUESDAY, MARCH 8, 1994
SPEAKING AT HELPING HAND "COOKIE CAMPAIGN THANK YOU TEA" TODAY, MRS PATTEN SAID ALL 150,000 COOKIES WERE SOLD WITH OVER $5 MILLION RAISED, WHICH WAS WELL OVER THE TARGET.
SHE SAID: "IT IS A CAMPAIGN WHICH INVOLVES PEOPLE FROM ALL WALKS OF LIFE IN CHARITABLE AND VOLUNTEER WORK.
"IN ITS RECENT COOKIE CAMPAIGN, HELPING HAND MOBILISED VOLUNTEERS FROM THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, WOMEN’S GROUPS, STUDENTS AND ELDERLY PEOPLE."
HELPING HAND IS LAUNCHING THE "WELLNESS PROJECT" THIS YEAR, WHICH HAS INVOLVED A LARGE NUMBER OF VOLUNTEERS AS "WELLNESS AMBASSADORS", MRS PATTEN SAID.
"THIS PROJECT IS NOT JUST PROVIDING A SERVICE. IT IS REALLY ABOUT CARING FOR ELDERLY PEOPLE AND COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION," MRS PATTEN ADDED.
- - 0 - -
DEADLINE CLOSES WITH 207 FUNDING APPLICATIONS * * * * *
A TOTAL OF 207 APPLICATIONS AMOUNTING TO $1,195 MILLION HAVE BEEN RECEIVED AT THE CLOSING DATE LAST THURSDAY (MARCH 3) FOR THE $180 MILLION ADDITIONAL FUNDS TO BE PROVIDED IN THE 1994/95 FINANCIAL YEAR FOR INDUSTRIAL SUPPORT PROJECTS.
SPEAKING AT A PRESS CONFERENCE TODAY (TUESDAY), ASSISTANT DIRECTOR-GENERAL OF INDUSTRY, MR RAYMOND YOUNG, SAID THE BULK OF APPLICATIONS CAME FROM THE VARIOUS TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS, WITH 139 APPLICATIONS, ACCOUNTING FOR $638 MILLION.
THE OTHERS WERE FROM THE INDUSTRY-SUPPORT BODIES (34 APPLICATIONS, $275 MILLION); PRIVATE COMPANIES (14 APPLICATIONS, $148 MILLION); TRADE AND INDUSTRY ASSOCIATIONS (12 APPLICATIONS, $75 MILLION) AND PROFESSIONAL AND RESEARCH INSTITUTES (EIGHT APPLICATIONS, $59 MILLION).
MR YOUNG SAID THE COST OF THE MAJORITY OF THE PROJECTS WAS IN THE REGION OF SEVERAL MILLION DOLLARS, WHILE THE DURATION OF THE PROJECTS RANGED FROM ONE YEAR TO SEVEN YEARS.
HE SAID THE APPLICATIONS, WHICH FELL INTO A WIDE VARIETY OF INDUSTRIAL AREAS SUCH AS ELECTRONICS, BIOTECHNOLOGY, INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY, PLASTICS AND SO ON, WOULD BE PRELIMINARILY VETTED BY EXPERTS AND LEADING INDUSTRIALISTS FOR THE PARTICULAR FIELD.
THE APPLICATIONS WOULD THEN BE EXAMINED BY THE PROJECTS VETTING COMMITTEE WHICH COMPRISED THE CHAIRMEN OF INDUSTRY AND TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL (ITDC)’S COMMITTEES AND OTHER ITDC MEMBERS BEFORE SUBMISSION TO THE ITDC FOR DISCUSSION AT THE END APRIL.
/"WE HOPE
TUESDAY, MARCH 8, 1994
15
"WE HOPE THAT FUNDING FOR THE FIRST BATCH OF APPLICATIONS COSTING LESS THAN $10 MILLION WILL BE MADE AVAILABLE IN EARLY MAY,” MR YOUNG SAID, ADDING THAT THOSE PROJECTS COSTING MORE THAN $10 MILLION WOULD BE SUBMITTED TO THE FINANCE COMMITTEE OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL FOR APPROVAL LATER.
ON THE FUNDING CRITERIA, MR YOUNG SAID NO PRIORITIES WOULD BE GIVEN FOR ANY PARTICULAR SECTOR OF INDUSTRY OR ANY SPECIFIC AREA OF TECHNOLOGY.
"PROJECTS ELIGIBLE FOR FUNDING SUPPORT SHOULD BE ABLE TO CONTRIBUTE TO THE OVERALL INDUSTRIAL OR TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENT OF HONG KONG AND TO THE COMPETITIVENESS OF HONG KONG’S MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES.
"EXAMPLES ARE THOSE WHICH AIM TO PROVIDE A COMMUNAL INDUSTRY SUPPORT SERVICE, INTRODUCE NEW TECHNIQUES OF MANUFACTURING, INCREASE PRODUCTIVITY OR ENHANCE THE INFRASTRUCTURAL SUPPORT TO INDUSTRY.
"ANOTHER CRITERION IS THAT PROJECTS SHOULD BE NON-PROFIT MAKING IN NATURE, EXCEPT FOR THE PURPOSE OF SELF-SUFFICIENCY IN THE LONG TERM," HE SAID.
MR YOUNG SAID THE ADDITIONAL FUNDING, WHICH WOULD IN MOST CASES TAKE THE FORM OF GRANTS, WAS A NEW INITIATIVE OF THE GOVERNMENT TO SUPPORT INDUSTRIAL PROJECTS WHICH WERE BENEFICIAL TO THE INDUSTRIAL OR TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENT OF HONG KONG.
SUBJECT TO THE APPROVAL OF LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON THE GOVERNMENT’S ANNUAL ESTIMATES, A PROVISION OF $180 MILLION WOULD BE AVAILABLE FOR THIS PURPOSE IN THE 1994/95 FINANCIAL YEAR.
--------0-----------
COMPUTER SOFTWARE DESIGN CONTEST TO PROMOTE CIVIC EDUCATION
*****
COMPUTER FANS ARE INVITED TO DESIGN INNOVATIVE SOFTWARE PACKAGES AND ENTER A COMPETITION TO PROMOTE AND ENCOURAGE PEOPLE TO PARTICIPATE IN REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT.
A CPCE SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (TUESDAY) THAT THE COMPETITION, THE FIRST OF ITS KIND, HAD BEEN JOINTLY ORGANISED WITH THE HONG KONG COMPUTER SOCIETY, AND SPONSORED BY AST COMPUTER.
HE SUGGESTED SUCH THEMES AS URGING THE PEOPLE TO REGISTER AS VOTERS, THE ELECTION PROCESS AND THE IMPORTANCE OF MONITORING THE PERFORMANCES OF ELECTED MEMBERS.
THERE WILL BE TWO DIVISIONS - SECONDARY SCHOOLS AND OPEN.
THE TOP THREE WINNERS OF EACH DIVISION WILL BE AWARDED GIFT COUPONS VALUED AT $10,000, $7,000 AND $5,000 RESPECTIVELY.
THERE WILL ALSO BE SIX CONSOLATION PRIZES OF $1,000 GIFT COUPONS.
/ALL ENTRIES.........
TUESDAY, MARCH 8, 1994
- 16 -
ALL ENTRIES, WITH THE DISKETTES PLUS ALL OTHER NECESSARY SYSTEM AND APPLICATION SOFTWARES, SHOULD BE SUBMITTED TOGETHER WITH APPLICATION FORMS TO THE COMMITTEE SECRETARIAT AT 31ST FLOOR, SOUTHORN CENTRE, 130 HENNESSY ROAD, WAN CHAT DURING OFFICE HOURS.
DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION IS MAY 13.
THE WINNING ENTRIES WILL BE DISPLAYED AT A SIX-DAY CIVIC EDUCATION EXHIBITION FROM JULY 2 AT THF HONG KONG SCIENCE MUSEUM.
APPLICATION FORMS WITH DETAILS ON THE CONTEST CAN BE OBTAINED FROM THE 20 TERR ITORY-W1 DE PUBLIC ENQUIRY SERVICE CENTRES AND THE CPCE OFFICE IN WAN CHAI.
A BRIEFING SESSION FOR PROSPECTIVE PARTICIPANTS WILL ALSO BE HELD AT 9.30 AM ON MARCH 19 (SATURDAY) AT THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION’S CONFERENCE ROOM, 30TH FLOOR, SOUTHORN CENTRE.
ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE ON TEL 835 1381.
--------0-----------
DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS TO IMPORT WORKERS *****
THE GOVERNMENT TODAY (TUESDAY) REMINDED EMPLOYERS THAT THE DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION OF PRELIMINARY APPLICATIONS TO IMPORT WORKERS UNDER THE IMPORTATION OF LABOUR SCHEME WILL BE ON MARCH 25 (FRIDAY).
"EMPLOYERS WHO INTEND TO PARTICIPATE IN THE SCHEME SHOULD SUBMIT THEIR APPLICATIONS TO THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. LATE APPLICATIONS WILL NOT BE ENTERTAINED," A SPOKESMAN FOR THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY (SUNDAY).
APPLICATION FORMS AND GUIDANCE NOTES CAN BE OBTAINED FROM THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT, THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT AND DISTRICT OFFICES.
COMPLETED APPLICATION FORMS SHOULD BE SUBMITTED TO THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT FOR FURTHER PROCESSING.
ABOUT 11,000 QUOTAS WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR RE-USE THIS YEAR.
"IT IS IN THE INTEREST OF EMPLOYERS TO SUBMIT THEIR APPLICATIONS AS EARLY AS POSSIBLE IF THEY WANT TO AVOID THE LAST-MINUTE RUSH."
ENQUIRIES ON IMMIGRATION-RELATED MATTERS CAN BE MADE TO THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT ON TEL 829 3220 AND 829 3225.
--------0-----------
TUESDAY, MARCH 8, 1994
- 17 -
CLOSURE OF UNAUTHORISED STRUCTURE
*****
THE BUILDING AUTHORITY IS SEEKING TO CLOSE AN UNAUTHORISED STRUCTURE IN NORTH POINT SO THAT IT CAN BE DEMOLISHED WITHOUT CAUSING DANGER TO THE OCCUPIERS AND THE PUBLIC.
THE SINGLE-STOREY STRUCTURE IS LOCATED ON THE SEVENTH FLOOR OF STATE THEATRE BUILDING IN KING’S ROAD, NORTH POINT FOR DWELLING PURPOSE.
A NOTICE OF INTENTION TO APPLY FOR A CLOSURE ORDER FROM THE HONG KONG DISTRICT COURT UNDER THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE ON JULY 6 WAS POSTED ON THE PREMISES TODAY (TUESDAY).
DEMOLITION WORK IS EXPECTED TO START AS SOON AS THE CLOSURE ORDER IS ISSUED.
--------0----------
54 VMS RETURN TO VIETNAM
*****
A TOTAL OF 54 VIETNAMESE MIGRANTS RETURNED TO VIETNAM TODAY (TUESDAY) ON THE 1GTH FLIGHT UNDER THE ORDERLY REPATRIATION PROGRAMME.
THE RETURNEES, COMPRISING 29 MEN, 10 WOMEN, 11 BOYS AND FOUR GIRLS, ARE FROM CHI MA WAN (UPPER) AND WHITEHEAD DETENTION CENTRES.
THIS BRINGS THE TOTAL NUMBER OF RETURNEES ON THESE FLIGHTS TO 849.
THE 54 RETURNEES ARRIVED IN HONG KONG MOSTLY IN 1988 AND 1989, AND WERE ALL SCREENED OUT AS NON-REFUGEES.
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/18 .......
TUESDAY, MARCH 8, 1994
- 18 -
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND TENDER RESULTS *****
TENDER DATE 8 MAR 94
PAPER ON OFFER EF BILLS
ISSUE NUMBER Q410
AMOUNT APPLIED HKD4,562 MN
AMOUNT ALLOTTED HKDl,300 MN
AVERAGE YIELD ACCEPTED 3.65 PCT
HIGHEST YIELD ACCEPTED 3.66 PCT
PRO RATA RATIO ABOUT 32 PCT
AVERAGE TENDER YIELD 3.68 PCT
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND
TENDERS TO BE HELD IN THE WEEK BEGINNING 14 MARCH 1994 -
TENDER DATE 15 MAR 94 15 MAR 94
PAPER ON OFFER EF BILLS EF BILLS
ISSUE NUMBER Q41 1 H460
ISSUE DATE 16 MAR 94 160 MAR 94
MATURITY DATE 15 JUN 94 14 SEPT 94
TENOR 91 DAYS 182 DAYS
AMOUNT ON OFFER HKDl,500 + 300 MN HKD500+100 MN
- - 0 - -
/19
TUESDAY, MARCH 8, 1994
- 19 -
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS MILLION
» » t * * $
OPENING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT 2,980
REVERSAL OF LAF + 20
BALANCE AFTER REVERSAL OF LAF 3,000
NET INJECTION/WITHDRAWAL TODAY NIL
EFFECT OF LAF TODAY -1,164
CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT 1 ,836
LAF RATE 2.00 BID/4. 00 OFFER TWI 125.7 * -0.1* 8.3.94
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND
EF BILLS EF NOTES/HONG KONG < GOVERNMENT BONDS
TERMS YIELD TERM ISSUE COUPON PRICE YIELD
1 WEEK 3.42 PCT 18 MONTHS 2508 4.625 99.91 4.74
1 MONTH 3.53 PCT 21 MONTHS 2511 4.15 98.81 4.94
3 MONTHS 3.67 PCT 24 MONTHS 2602 4.40 98.81 5.11
6 MONTHS 3.87 PCT 32 MONTHS 3610 4.20 97.09 5.47
12 MONTHS 4.33 PCT 35 MONTHS 3701 4.60 97.60 5.58
TOTAL TURNOVER OF BILLS AND BONDS - 14,464 MN
CLOSED 8 MARCH, 1994
- - 0 - -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG TEL: 842 8777
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 9,1994
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MEETING:
STUDIES CONFIRM SPUR LINE TO TUEN MUN NORTH FEASIBLE........... I
STI ON CHINA’S MFN STATUS.......................................... 2
ELECTION BILL INTRODUCED........................................... 5
ADJUDICATION BOARD TO HEAR MINOR EMPLOYMENT CLAIMS............. 6
TRANSITIONAL PROVISION INTRODUCED TO TOWN PLANNING ORDINANCE..................................J...;..:................ 7
LEGCO COMMISSION BILL.......................................... 8
LEGCO PASSES VOTE ON ACCOUNT RESOLUTION............................ 9
RESOLUTIONS TO INCREASE BANKRUPTCY AND COMPANIES FEES PASSED............................................................. 9
CAPITAL GAINS TAX NOT RIGHT WAY TO CURB SPECULATION............ 10
INDEPENDENT POLICE ADVISORY COMMITTEES UNNECESSARY............. 11
AIDS PUBLICITY MESSAGE ABOUT RIGHT................................ 12
CONDITIONS SET FOR ACCEPTANCE OF ORGAN DONATIONS FROM EXECUTED PRISONERS................................................ 13
/BRIDGE’S POTENTIAL
CONTENTS
PAGE NO.
BRIDGE’S POTENTIAL TO ATTRACT TOURISTS RECOGNISED................... 14
REMODELLING OF KCR KOWLOON STATION TO MEET DEMAND............... 14
ESCORT TEAMS TO FIGHT CRIME NOT TO BE EXTENDED...................... 15
CLEANING UP OF COUNTRYSIDE IN GOOD PROGRESS......................... 15
MTRC WILL ENSURE A RELIABLE SERVICE................................. 16
NO PLANS TO INTRODUCE ELECTRONIC NEWSPAPERS .................... . 17
GUIDELINES ON DISPLAY OF BANNERS ON GOVT LAND........................ 17
PROCEDURE OF SELECTING ATHLETES EXPLAINED......................... 19
PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES SECURITY MEASURES TO IMPROVE............. 20
PERCENTAGE OF NON-LOCAL STUDENTS WITHIN APPROVED STUDENT NUMBER TARGETS.............................................. 20
APPOINTMENT OF AOS TO DIRECTORATE POSTS............................. 21
DECISION SOON ON CEDAW.............................................. 22
LAWYERS TO SERVE AS TEMPORARY DISTRICT JUDGES .-.................... 22
POSITIVE MEASURE ADOPTED TO TACKLE MAINS DAMAGE..................... 23
• 4
AMENDED MOTION ON NORTHWEST NEW TERRITORIES RAILWAY PASSED ...................................................,......... 23
GOVERNOR SPEAKS TO MEDIA.............................................. 25
HK BUILDS FOR ITSELF AND CHINA........................................ 25
SCHOOLS COMPETE IN TELEMATCH ON AIDS.................................. 26
CLOSURE OF UNAUTHORISED STRUCTURES SOUGHT............................. 27
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS............................................................ 28
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 9, 1994
1
STUDIES CONFIRM SPUR LINE TO TUEN MUN NORTH FEASIBLE
*****
FURTHER STUDIES COMMISSIONED BY THE GOVERNMENT FOLLOWING PUBLIC CONSULTATION ON THE RAILWAY DEVELOPMENT STUDY (RDS) HAVE CONFIRMED THAT A SPUR LINE FROM TIN SHUI WAI TO TUEN MUN NORTH FOR THE PROPOSED NORTHWEST NEW TERRITORIES RAILWAY WAS FEASIBLE AND VIABLE.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT, MR HAIDER BARMA, DURING A MOTION DEBATE ON THE NORTHWEST NEW TERRITORIES RAILWAY AT THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
HOWEVER, HE SAID, FURTHER EXTENSION OF THE SPUR LINE FROM TUEN MUN NORTH TO TUEN MUN TOWN CENTRE USING AN UNDERGROUND ALIGNMENT WOULD BE PROHIBITIVELY EXPENSIVE AND COULD NOT BE JUSTIFIED AT PRESENT.
AN ALTERNATIVE ALIGNMENT TO TUEN MUN TOWN CENTRE, MAINLY ABOVE GROUND, WAS IDENTIFIED BUT PINPOINTED LAND, ENGINEERING AND ENVIRONMENT CONSTRAINTS, HE SAID.
MR BARMA SAID WITH A PURPOSE BUILT INTERCHANGE BETWEEN THE LIGHT RAIL TRANSIT AND THE WESTERN CORRIDOR RAILWAY AT TUEN MUN NORTH, THE TRAVEL TIMES BETWEEN TUEN MUN AND THE URBAN AREA COULD BE MUCH REDUCED.
ON THE RDS AS A WHOLE, MR BARMA SAID THE GOVERNMENT WAS IN THE PROCESS OF FINALISING THE STRATEGY AND HE EXPECTED THAT A BOARD POLICY STEER AND APPROVAL COULD BE OBTAINED WITHIN THE NEXT THREE MONTHS.
HE SAID SINCE MOST OF THE EXPENDITURE ON THE NEW RAILWAY WOUND COME AFTER 1997, THE CHINESE SIDE OF THE JOINT LIAISON GROUP WOULD BE CONSULTED.
MR BARMA ALSO NOTED THAT DURING THE PUBLIC CONSULTATION LAST YEAR, THERE WAS OVERWHELMING SUPPORT FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF A NEW WESTERN CORRIDOR RAILWAY SYSTEM TO PROVIDE THREE RAIL SERVICES,NAMELY: A CROSS BORDER FREIGHT LINE, A CROSS BORDER PASSENGER LINE AND A COMMUTER LINK BETWEEN THE NORTHWEST NT AND THE URBAN AREA.
HE SAID THE SYSTEM WAS ACCORDED THE HIGHEST PRIORITY IN THE RDS, RECOMMENDING THAT IT SHOULD BE BUILT BY THE YEAR 2001.
MR BARMA SAID THE INITIAL STUDIES INDICATED THAT THE COSTS FOR THIS RAILWAY SYSTEM WOULD BE IN THE ORDER OF $23 BILLION IN 1992 PRICES, AND DECISIONS ON FUNDING WOULD HAVE TO AWAIT THE OUTCOME OF DETAILED FINANCIAL STUDIES WHICH WOULD BE UNDERTAKEN ONCE A STRATEGY HAD BEEN AGREED.
’’ONE OBVIOUS APPROACH WOULD BE TO SEEK INVESTMENT FROM PROSPECTIVE OPERATORS SINCE THE INITIAL STUDY INDICATES THAT THE WESTERN CORRIDOR RAILWAY SYSTEM SHOULD BE FINANCIALLY VIABLE,” HE SAID.
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WEDNESDAY, MARCH 9,
1994
2
STI ON CHINA’S MFN STATUS * * » * ♦
THE FOLLOWING IS THE SPEECH BY THE SECRETARY FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY, MR T H CHAU, IN LEGCO’S MOTION DEBATE ON RENEWAL OF CHINA’S MOST FAVOURED NATION STATUS BY THE US:
MR PRESIDENT,
I AM GRATEFUL TO THE HONOURABLE JAMES TIEN FOR GIVING ME AN OPPORTUNITY TO RESTATE THE IMPORTANCE TO HONG KONG OF THE RENEWAL OF CHINA’S MFN STATUS IN THE UNITED STATES, AND TO GIVE AN ACCOUNT, FOR THE RECORD, OF THE EFFORTS WHICH BOTH THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT AND THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT HAVE BEEN MAKING TO LOBBY FOR THE UNCONDITIONAL RENEWAL OF THAT STATUS.
THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT’S UNRESERVED AND UNFAILING SUPPORT OF THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT’S POSITION ON MFN, AS WELL AS THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT’S EFFORTS IN LOBBYING THE US ADMINISTRATION ON THIS ISSUE, WERE CLEARLY SPELT OUT IN MY SPEECHES DURING THIS COUNCIL’S PREVIOUS DEBATES ON MFN IN 1992 AND 1993. IN RESPECT OF THIS YEAR’S RENEWAL, THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT HAVE AGAIN PRESSED THE CASE FOR RENEWAL OF MFN FOR CHINA WITH THE UNITED STATES ADMINISTRATION AT A NUMBER OF DIFFERENT LEVELS, INCLUDING BRIEFLY WHEN THE PRIME MINISTER MET PRESIDENT CLINTON LAST WEEK.
AS FOR THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT, WE ARE AGAIN GIVING MFN LOBBYING THE HIGHEST PRIORITY AND ARE DEVOTING MORE RESOURCES TO IT THAN IN PREVIOUS YEARS. IN 1993, PRESIDENT CLINTON SUBJECTED TO RENEWAL OF CHINA’S MFN STATUS IN 1994 TO CONDITIONS RELATED TO ’’OVERALL, SIGNIFICANT PROGRESS” IN CERTAIN HUMAN RIGHTS AREAS. THIS PLACES HONG KONG IN A DIFFICULT POSITION IN OUR ADVOCACY OF MFN RENEWAL BECAUSE WHETHER "OVERALL, SIGNIFICANT PROGRESS” HAS BEEN MADE IN TERMS OF' PRESIDENT CLINTON’S EXECUTIVE ORDER IS ESSENTIALLY A BILATERAL MATTER BETWEEN THE US AND CHINA. WE ARE SIMPLY NOT IN A POSITION TO DEFEND CHINA’S HUMAN RIGHTS CONDITIONS; NOR ARE WE SO PRESUMPTUOUS AS TO TRY TO DO SO. WHILE WE DO NEED TO MAKE OUR CONCERNS ON MFN HEARD, WE MUST DO SO WITHOUT GIVING THE IMPRESSION THAT WE CARE ONLY ABOUT DOLLARS AND CENTS AND DO NOT CARE ABOUT HUMAN RIGHTS. SUCH AN IMPRESSION WOULD BE ENTIRELY WRONG. FOR THIS REASON, WE NEED TO BE CAREFUL THAT OUR LOBBYING EFFORTS IN THE US DO TAKE ACCOUNT OF AMERICAN SENSITIVITIES ON HUMAN RIGHTS.
/ALTHOUGH THE .......
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 9, 1994
3
ALTHOUGH THE GOVERNOR WILL NOT BE GOING TO WASHINGTON THIS YEAR TO LOBBY PERSONALLY FOR MFN RENEWAL, HE CONTINUES TO TAKE THE KEENEST POSSIBLE INTEREST IN SECURING THE RENEWAL OF CHINA'S MFN STATUS AND WILL CONTINUE TO LOBBY STRONGLY FOR UNCONDITIONAL RENEWAL. HE HAS MADE KNOWN HIS STRONG VIEWS ON THIS ISSUE IN PRESS INTERVIEWS. ONLY' AS RECENTLY AS LAST WEEK, IN AN INTERVIEW PUBLISHED IN THE EASTERN EXPRESS, THE GOVERNOR SAID THAT MFN SHOULD NOT BE ’’THE ANNUAL HINGE IN CHINESE-US RELATIONS” AND THAT ’’HUMAN RIGHTS ARE BEST PURSUED THROUGH POLITICAL DIALOGUE RATHER THAN ECONOMIC DECISIONS”. THE GOVERNOR WILL CONTINUE TO MAKE KNOWN HIS VIEWS FORCEFULLY IN HIS CONTACTS WITH AMERICAN OFFICIALS, POLITICIANS AND BUSINESSMEN, AND TO THE AMERICAN PUBLIC THROUGH INFLUENTIAL US MEDIA. I HAVE NO DOUBT THAT THE GOVERNOR’S VIEWS ON THIS ISSUE WILL MAKE A SUBSTANTIAL IMPACT ON THOSE IN POSITIONS OF INFLUENCE IN THE US.
AS WE ANNOUNCED YESTERDAY, IN APRIL THE CHIEF SECRETARY WILL VISIT WASHINGTON, WHERE SHE WILL CONVEY HONG KONG’S CONCERNS ON MFN TO SENIOR MEMBERS OF THE US ADMINISTRATION AND THE US CONGRESS. SHE WILL BE SETTING OUT IN NO UNCERTAIN TERMS HONG KONG’S COMMITMENT TO FREE TRADE AS A GENERAL PRINCIPLE AND THE IMPORTANCE TO HONG KONG OF THE UNCONDITIONAL RENEWAL OF CHINA’S MFN STATUS IN THE US. THE CHIEF SECRETARY IS A PERSUASIVE AND FORCEFUL REPRESENTATIVE OF HONG KONG AND, AS OUR FIRST LOCAL CHIEF SECRETARY, MRS CHAN WILL BE ABLE TO CONVEY TO HER AMERICAN INTERLOCUTORS HER OWN INSIGHTS ON HONG KONG’S SITUATION AND GIVE FRESH IMPETUS TO THE HONG KONG ARGUMENT.
DR THE HONOURABLE HUANG CHEN-YA HAS PROPOSED AN AMENDMENT TO THE ORIGINAL MOTION URGING NOT ONLY THE UK GOVERNMENT TO LOBBY FOR MFN RENEWAL BUT ALSO THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT TO IMPROVE HUMAN RIGHTS CONDITIONS IN ORDER TO SECURE MFN RENEWAL. IT WOULD BE TEMPTING TO THINK THAT SUCH AN APPEAL TO CHINA WOULD BE ENTIRELY LOGICAL, GIVEN THAT PRESIDENT CLINTON’S EXECUTIVE ORDER HAS PLACED THE ONUS ON CHINA TO MAKE "OVERALL, SIGNIFICANT PROGRESS" IN HUMAN RIGHTS BEFORE SHE IS ELIGIBLE FOR MFN RENEWAL. NEVERTHELESS, WE HAVE DECIDED TO ABSTAIN FROM VOTING ON THIS AMENDMENT BECAUSE OF THE FIRM VIEW WHICH WE HAVE CONSISTENTLY HELD THAT IT WOULD NOT BE APPROPRIATE TO MIX POLITICS WITH TRADE; NOR WOULD IT BE APPROPRIATE TO USE MFN AS AN INSTRUMENT TO ACHIEVE POLICY OBJECTIVES NOT RELATED TO TRADE. AS I SAID IN THIS COUNCIL LAST YEAR, THE GRANT OF MFN STATUS IS NOT A PREFERENTIAL TREATMENT : IT IS INSTEAD THE NORMAL CONDITION UNDER WHICH INTERNATIONAL TRADE IS CONDUCTED AND THE STANDARD TREATMENT FOR AMERICA’S TRADING PARTNERS, INCLUDING EVEN COUNTRIES SUCH AS IRAN AND LIBYA.
ALSO, WE ARE OPPOSED TO CONDITIONING MFN, OR CUTTING OFF MFN, IF CHINA DOES NOT APPEAR TO HAVE SATISFIED THE CONDITIONS IN THE PRESIDENT’S EXECUTIVE ORDER, BECAUSE OF OUR BELIEF THAT TRADE IS THE MOST RELIABLE AGENT OF CHANGE FOR THE BETTER. CUT OFF TRADE AND DIALOGUE WITH CHINA, AND YOU CUT OFF A MOST POTENT SOURCE OF INFLUENCE ON CHINA. YOU WILL BE CUTTING OFF THE CHANCE OF MANY MILLIONS IN CHINA TO HAVE SUSTAINED ACCESS TO THE OUTSIDE WORLD THROUGH TRADE, AND TO ENGAGE FREELY IN THE EXCHANGE OF IDEAS AND INFORMATION. ONE ONLY HAS TO LOOK AT WHAT HAS HAPPENED IN SOUTHERN CHINA TO APPRECIATE THE WAY IN WHICH TRADE AND DIALOGUE HAVE HELPED TO IMPROVE CONDITIONS ALL ROUND, NOT JUST MATERIAL CONDITIONS BUT ALSO, FOR EXAMPLE, THE ABILITY OF INDIVIDUALS TO CHOOSE WHERE TO LIVE AND WORK.
/THE IMPORTANCE .......
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 9, 1994 4
THE IMPORTANCE TO HONG KONG’S ECONOMY OF CHINA’S MFN STATUS IS INCREASING YEAR BY YEAR. AS HONG KONG BENEFITS INCREASINGLY FROM THE CONTINUING OPENING UP OF CHINA TO EXTERNAL TRADE, THE STAKES FOR HONG KONG IN THE RENEWAL OF CHINA’S MFN STATUS ARE BECOMING HIGHER YEAR BY YEAR. SOME MEMBERS HAVE REFERRED TO OUR MOST RECENT ASSESSMENT OF THE DAMAGING IMPACT OF THE LOSS OF MFN ON HONG KONG’S ECONOMY. THIS ASSESSMENT HAS NOT TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT THE FURTHER LOSS IN INCOME AND JOBS IF CHINA WERE TO CUT BACK ON ITS IMPORTS, EITHER IN RETALIATION AGAINST THE US OR AS A CONSEQUENTIAL ECONOMIC RETRENCHMENT PROGRAMME. NOR HAS IT TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT THE EXTREMELY DAMAGING EFFECT ON BUSINESS CONFIDENCE IN HONG KONG AS THE GATEWAY TO CHINA, OR CONFIDENCE IN HONG KONG’S ABILITY TO MAINTAIN STEADY AND LONG-TERM ECONOMIC GROWTH. ALL THIS WOULD HAPPEN AT A TIME WHEN HONG KONG IS ENTERING THE FINAL STAGES OF PREPARATIONS FOR OUR RETURN TO CHINESE SOVEREIGNTY, WHEN THE ASPIRATIONS OF OUR PEOPLE FOR BETTER AND MORE COMPREHENSIVE SOCIAL SERVICES, AS WELL AS ENVIRONMENTAL AND INFRASTRUCTURAL IMPROVEMENTS TO ENHANCE THEIR QUALITY OF LIFE, ARE GETTING EVER HIGHER.
MR PRESIDENT, THE HONG KONG STORY IS NOT JUST ABOUT MAKING PROFITS. THE HONG KONG STORY IS, ABOVE ALL, ABOUT HOW SIX MILLION PEOPLE AND THEIR PREDECESSORS HAVE MANAGED TO PULL THEMSELVES UP BY THEIR OWN BOOTSTRAPS AND TRANSFORMED THE BACKWATER MIRED IN POVERTY AND INSTABILITY THAT WAS HONG KONG IN THE YEARS IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE SECOND WORLD WAR, INTO A COMMUNITY WHICH IS NOT ONLY PROSPEROUS AND A PROMINENT ENTITY IN THE WORLD ECONOMIC ORDER BUT WHICH IS, EQUALLY IMPORTANTLY, ALSO FREE AND FAIR AND CARING. A COMMUNITY WHICH CARES ABOUT OUR QUALITY OF LIFE, ABOUT SOCIAL JUSTICE AND ABOUT CIVIL RIGHTS. TAKE AWAY MFN, AND YOU CUT BACK OUR ECONOMIC GROWTH SHARPLY. TAKE AWAY GROWTH, AND YOU TAKE AWAY THE VERY FOUNDATION ON WHICH WE PLAN TO BUILD A BETTER HONG KONG - A HONG KONG ABLE TO COPE WITH THE ASPIRATIONS OF ALL OF OUR PEOPLE AND THE CHALLENGES OF THE FUTURE. DOUBTLESS, WE WOULD OVERCOME THE PROBLEMS, IF MFN WAS REMOVED - AS WE HAVE SURMOUNTED DIFFICULT PROBLEMS IN THE PAST. IT WOULD BE A TOUGH CHALLENGE, BUT RISING TO CHALLENGES HAS ALWAYS BEEN HONG KONG’S GREAT STRENGTH.
TO SUM UP, MR PRESIDENT, THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT WILL CONTINUE TO ARGUE VIGOROUSLY FOR THE UNCONDITIONAL RENEWAL OF CHINA’S MFN STATUS IN THE US. THE OPENING OF CHINA TO EXTERNAL TRADE IN THE PAST FIFTEEN YEARS HAS WORKED WONDERS IN THE ECONOMIC ARENA, AND IS SETTING IN TRAIN A PROCESS OF GRADUAL BUT STEADY PROGRESS ACROSS THE BOARD. I DO BELIEVE, MR PRESIDENT, THAT WITHDRAWAL OF MFN WOULD NOT ONLY DAMAGE HONG KONG’S ECONOMY, BUT ALSO BE UNPRODUCTIVE, OR EVEN COUNTERPRODUCTIVE, IN TERMS OF THE OBJECTIVES WHICH THE US HAS SET ITSELF. THE OFFICIAL MEMBERS WILL VOTE FOR THE ORIGINAL MOTION.
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WEDNESDAY, MARCH 9, 1994
- 5 -
ELECTION BILL INTRODUCED * * » ♦ ♦
A BILL THAT SETS OUT THE ADMINISTRATION’S PROPOSED ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE 1995 LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCY AND ELECTION COMMITTEE ELECTIONS WAS INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGCO TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
THE SECRETARY FOR CONSTITUTIONAL AFFAIRS, MR NICOLAS NG, TOLD THE LEGCO THAT THE AIM OF THESE PROPOSALS WAS TO PUT IN PLACE ELECTORAL ARRANGEMENTS WHICH WERE OPEN AND FAIR, CONSISTENT WITH THE PROVISIONS OF THE JOINT DECLARATION AND THE BASIC LAW, AND ACCEPTABLE TO THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG.
MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL (ELECTORAL PROVISIONS) (AMENDMENT) BILL 1994, MR NG SAID:
"ON 24 FEBRUARY, THIS COUNCIL PASSED THE FIRST STAGE BILL ON THE MORE IMMEDIATE ISSUES RELATING TO THE 1994/95 ELECTIONS.
"THE TIME HAS NOW COME FOR US TO CONSIDER LEGISLATION FOR THE REMAINING AND MORE COMPLEX ELEMENTS OF THE 1995 LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ELECTIONS.”
THE SECRETARY SAID SUCH LEGISLATION NEEDED TO BE ENACTED BEFORE THE LEGCO’S SUMMER RECESS, TO ALLOW THE ADMINISTRATION TO PUT IN PLACE THE VARIOUS PRACTICAL PREPARATIONS FOR THE ELECTIONS.
"AS MEMBERS CAN SEE, WE MUST PRESS AHEAD AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLY CAN," HE SAID.
HE SAID THE PROPOSALS WOULD ALLOW ALL ELIGIBLE WORKING PERSONS A VOTE IN THE FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCY ELECTION.
"OBVIOUSLY, SUCH A BROADENING OF THE FRANCHISE WILL STRENGTHEN THE CREDIBILITY OF OUR FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCY SYSTEM AS A WHOLE," HE SAID.
THE BILL ALSO STIPULATES THAT THE ELECTION COMMITTEE TO BE ESTABLISHED WILL COMPRISE ELECTED DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS AND THAT CANDIDATURE FOR THE 10 SEATS IS OPEN TO ALL PERSONS WHO ARE ON THE GENERAL ELECTORAL ROLL AND NOT JUST MEMBERS OF THE ELECTION COMMITTEE.
"SINCE ALL DB MEMBERS ARE THEMSELVES ELECTED, WE BELIEVE THIS ARRANGEMENT WILL ENSURE THAT THE ELECTION COMMITTEE WOULD BE ONE GENUINELY REPRESENTATIVE OF THE COMMUNITY."
DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.
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WEDNESDAY, MARCH 9, 1994
- 6 -
ADJUDICATION BOARD TO HEAR MINOR EMPLOYMENT CLAIMS * * * « »
A BILL THAT SEEKS TO ESTABLISH A MINOR EMPLOYMENT CLAIMS ADJUDICATION BOARD IN THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT TO HELP RELIEVE THE HEAVY WORKLOAD OF THE LABOUR TRIBUNAL WAS INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE SECOND READING OF THE MINOR EMPLOYMENT CLAIMS ADJUDICATION BOARD BILL 1994, THE SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER, MR MICHAEL LEUNG, SAID THE PROPOSAL WAS INTENDED TO PROVIDE A QUICK, SIMPLE AND INEXPENSIVE SERVICE.
THE BOARD WILL TAKE OVER THE JURISDICTION OF THE LABOUR TRIBUNAL IN RESPECT OF CLAIMS INVOLVING NOT MORE THAN FIVE CLAIMANTS FOR A SUM OF MONEY NOT EXCEEDING $5,000 PER CLAIMANT, HE SAID.
"THIS MAXIMUM AMOUNT OF $5,000 WILL BE SUBJECT TO REGULAR REVIEW."
MR LEUNG ESTIMATED THAT ABOUT 1,300 CASES, ROUGHLY ONE-THIRD OF THE EXISTING WORKLOAD OF THE LABOUR TRIBUNAL, WOULD BE PROCESSED BY THE BOARD EACH YEAR.
IT IS EXPECTED THAT THE BOARD WILL COME INTO OPERATION WITHIN SIX MONTHS AFTER THE PASSAGE OF THE BILL.
UNDER THE PROPOSED BILL, ANY MINOR EMPLOYMENT CLAIMS ARISING FROM DISPUTES OF STATUTORY OR CONTRACTUAL RIGHTS OF EMPLOYMENT FOR WHICH SETTLEMENT CANNOT BE ACHIEVED THROUGH CONCILIATION OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT’S LABOUR RELATIONS SERVICE WILL BE REFERRED TO THE BOARD FOR DETERMINATION.
SENIOR LABOUR OFFICERS WITH ADEQUATE EXPERIENCE IN LABOUR LAWS AND LABOUR RELATIONS IN HONG KONG WOULD BE APPOINTED AS ADJUDICATION OFFICERS.
THE ADJUDICATION OFFICER MAY ON HIS OWN MOTION OR ON THE APPLICATION OF A PARTY REVIEW AN AWARD MADE BY THE BOARD WITHIN 14 DAYS.
» * ■ t " .. •
"APPEAL AGAINST THE AWARD OF THE BOARD SHALL LIE WITH THE HIGH COURT ON THE GROUND THAT THE AWARD IS ERRONEOUS ON A POINT OF LAW OR OUTSIDE THE JURISDICTION OF THE BOARD," SAID MR LEUNG.
"A PARTY MAY REGISTER THE AWARD IN HIS FAVOUR IN THE DISTRICT COURT AND, UPON REGISTRATION, SUCH AWARD BECOMES FOR ALL PURPOSES A JUDGEMENT OF THE DISTRICT COURT AND MAY BE ENFORCED ACCORDINGLY," HE ADDED.
THE PROCEDURES FOLLOWED BY THE BOARD IN HEARING CLAIMS WOULD BE AS SIMPLE AND INFORMAL AS POSSIBLE.
HEARINGS WILL BE CONDUCTED IN PUBLIC, AND IN AN INFORMAL MANNER. NO LEGAL REPRESENTATION ON EITHER SIDE WILL BE ALLOWED.
DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.
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WEDNESDAY, MARCH 9, 1994
7
TRANSITIONAL PROVISION INTRODUCED TO TOWN PLANNING ORDINANCE » * * * *
A BILL THAT SEEKS TO INTRODUCE A TRANSITIONAL PROVISION TO THE TOWN PLANNING ORDINANCE TO ENABLE PLANNING APPLICATIONS SUBMITTED UNDER DEVELOPMENT PERMISSION AREA (DPA) PLANS TO CONTINUE TO BE PROCESSED WHEN DPA PLANS ARE REPLACED BY OUTLINE ZONING PLANS (OZPS) WAS INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE TOWN PLANNING (AMENDMENT) BILL 1994, THE SECRETARY FOR PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS, MR TONY EASON, SAID THE ORDINANCE STIPULATED THAT A DPA PLAN WAS EFFECTIVE FOR THREE YEARS AFTER FIRST GAZETTING AND ITS EFFECT WOULD LAPSE WHEN IT WAS REPLACED BY AN OZP.
OF THE 35 DPA PLANS GAZETTED SO FAR, 30 WERE GAZETTED ON JULY 12, 1991 AND WILL BE REPLACED BY OZPS BEFORE MID-JULY THIS YEAR.
MR EASON NOTED THAT THE ATTORNEY GENERAL’S CHAMBERS HAD ADVISED THAT WHEN A DPA PLAN CEASED TO HAVE EFFECT, ANY PLANNING APPLICATION MADE UNDER IT COULD NOT BE CONSIDERED OR REVIEWED BY THE TOWN PLANNING BOARD SINCE THE BOARD’S POWERS TO CONSIDER OR REVIEW THE APPLICATION DERIVED FROM THE DPA PLAN.
SIMILARLY, HE SAID, AN APPLICANT COULD NOT APPEAL AGAINST THE BOARD’S DECISION ON REVIEW UNDER THE ORDINANCE IF THE OZP REPLACED THE DPA PLAN BEFORE THE APPLICANT LODGED HIS APPEAL.
"WE EXPECT A NUMBER OF PLANNING APPLICATIONS WHICH ARE BEING PROCESSED BY THE BOARD OR BY THE TOWN PLANNING APPEAL BOARD TO BE OUTSTANDING WHEN THESE DPA PLANS ARE REPLACED BY OZPS.
"IN THE CIRCUMSTANCES, IN FAIRNESS TO THE APPLICANTS AND TO MAINTAIN REASONABLE CONTINUITY IN THE WORK OF THE BOARD AND THE APPEAL BOARD, WE PROPOSE TO INTRODUCE A TRANSITIONAL PROVISION TO ALLOW FOR THE CONTINUATION OF PLANNING APPLICATION, REVIEW AND APPEAL PROCESSES, UNTIL THEY HAVE BEEN EXHAUSTED," MR EASON SAID.
HE SAID THE BILL ALSO CLARIFIED THAT UNDER THE ORDINANCE, THE PLANNING AUTHORITY MIGHT ENTER A SITE ON WHICH THERE WAS UNAUTHORISED DEVELOPMENT AND TAKE WHATEVER STEPS HE CONSIDERED NECESSARY TO ENSURE THE DISCONTINUANCE OF SUCH DEVELOPMENT, AND TO PREVENT ADVERSE EFFECTS OR REINSTATE THE SITE CONCERNED.
IN CARRYING OUT THESE FUNCTIONS, THE AUTHORITY MAY HAVE TO TAKE POSSESSION OF, REMOVE, DETAIN AND SUBSEQUENTLY DISPOSE OF PROPERTY REMAINING ON THE LAND, SUCH AS CONTAINERS, ABANDONED VEHICLES AND SO ON.
AS THE ORDINANCE DID NOT STATE EXPRESSLY THAT THE AUTHORITY HAD THE POWER TO TAKE SUCH ACTION BEFORE CARRYING OUT THESE FUNCTIONS, NOR DID IT LAY DOWN PROCEDURES, MR EASON SAID IT WAS NECESSARY TO CLARIFY WHAT THE POWER OF THE AUTHORITY WAS AND TO PROVIDE FOR THE MAKING OF REGULATIONS BY THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL TO LAY DOWN THE NECESSARY PROCEDURES FOR THE EXERCISE OF THIS POWER.
DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.
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LEGCO COMMISSION BILL * * » * *
A BILL SEEKING TO ESTABLISH BY STATUE AN INDEPENDENT LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL COMMISSION AND TO EMPOWER IT TO ACT IN ALL FINANCIAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS RELATING TO THE PROVISION OF SUPPORT SERVICE FOR THE LEGCO WAS INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL COMMISSION BILL, THE CHIEF SECRETARY, THE HON MRS ANSON CHAN, SAID IN DRAWING UP THE PROVISIONS IN THE BILL, THE ADMINISTRATION HAD KEPT IN MIND TWO GUIDING PRINCIPLES.
ONE OF THE PRINCIPLES IS THAT THE FUTURE LEGCO COMMISSION SHOULD BE GIVEN THE MANAGERIAL AND FINANCIAL AUTONOMY IT NEEDS TO ORGANISE ITS OWN ADMINISTRATION AND SUPPORT FACILITIES.
AT THE SAME TIME, THE ADMINISTRATION ALSO HAS TO ENSURE THAT IT IS SUBJECT TO THE SAME DEGREE OF FINANCIAL CONTROL AND ACCOUNTABILITY AS OTHER PUBLICLY-FUNDED ORGANISATIONS.
MRS CHAN SAID THE GOVERNOR HAD, IN HIS ADDRESS TO THE LEGCO IN OCTOBER 1992, INVITED PROPOSALS FROM THE COUNCIL ON HOW THE ADMINISTRATION MIGHT HELP LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLORS TO DEVELOP FINANCIAL AND MANAGERIAL AUTONOMY IN ORGANISING THEIR ADMINISTRATION AND SUPPORT FACILITIES.
SUBSEQUENTLY, A WORKING GROUP DREW UP A LIST OF RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE REORGANISATIONS OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL SECRETARIAT.
"AFTER CONSULTING THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL ON THESE, THE ADMINISTRATION AGREED THAT A STATUTORY LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL COMMISSION SHOULD BE ESTABLISHED TO PROVIDE THE NECESSARY LEGAL FRAMEWORK TO ENABLE THIS COUNCIL TO DIRECT ITS OWN SECRETARIAT,” MRS CHAN SAID.
THE OPPORTUNITY IS ALSO TAKEN TO AMEND IN THE SCHEDULE OF THE BILL THE REFERENCES IN VARIOUS ORDINANCES TO THE CLERK TO THE LEGCO AND THE RE-TITLED CLERK TO THE EXCO, SO THAT THE DIFFERENT ROLES AND FUNCTIONS PERFORMED BY THESE TWO OFFICIALS CAN BE CLEARLY SPECIFIED, MRS CHAN SAID.
DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.
/9 ........
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 9, 1994
- 9 -
LEGCO PASSES VOTE ON ACCOUNT RESOLUTION *****
A RESOLUTION TO SEEK FUNDS ON ACCOUNT TO ENABLE THE GOVERNMENT TO CARRY ON EXISTING SERVICES BETWEEN THE START OF THE NEXT FINANCIAL YEAR AND THE ENACTMENT OF THE APPROPRIATION BILL WAS PASSED IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
THE AGGREGATE TOTAL UNDER ALL HEADS IS FIXED AT $53,146,695,000.
A VOTE ON ACCOUNT WARRANT WILL BE ISSUED TO THE DIRECTOR OF ACCOUNTING SERVICES AUTHORISING HIM TO MAKE PAYMENTS UP TO THE AMOUNT SPECIFIED AND IN ACCORDANCE WITH ITS CONDITIONS.
THE VOTE ON ACCOUNT WILL BE SUBSUMED UPON THE ENACTMENT OF THE APPROPRIATION BILL, AND THE GENERAL WARRANT ISSUED AFTER THE ENACTMENT OF THE APPROPRIATION BILL WILL REPLACE THE VOTE ON ACCOUNT WARRANT AND WILL BE EFFECTIVE FROM APRIL 1.
- - 0----------
RESOLUTIONS TO INCREASE BANKRUPTCY AND COMPANIES FEES PASSED *****
THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY) PASSED TWO
RESOLUTIONS THAT SOUGHT TO INCREASE BY 10 PER CENT CERTAIN FEES
PAYABLE TO THE REGISTRAR OF THE SUPREME COURT STARTING FROM APRIL 1 THIS YEAR.
THESE FEES INCLUDE THOSE IN RELATION TO PROCEEDINGS IN BANKRUPTCY AND THE RELATED RESEARCH, CERTIFICATION AND PHOTOCOPYING OF DOCUMENTS; AND TO COMPANIES AND COMPANIES WINDING-UP.
MOVING THE RESOLUTIONS, THE SECRETARY FOR FINANCIAL SERVICES, MR MICHAEL CARTLAND, SAID THOSE FEES WERE LAST REVIEWED IN 1992. THE INCREASE WAS IN LINE WITH THE RISE IN COST, TO RECOVER THE FULL COST OF PROVIDING THE SERVICES.
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WEDNESDAY, MARCH 9, 1994
10
CAPITAL GAINS TAX NOT RIGHT WAY TO CURB SPECULATION
*****
THE ADMINISTRATION HAS STRONG RESERVATIONS TO INTRODUCE A CAPITAL GAINS TAX, ALTHOUGH THE SUBJECT IS NOT CLOSED AND IT IS STILL STUDYING THE POSSIBLE RAMIFICATIONS OF SUCH A TAX IN HONG KONG.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE SECRETARY FOR THE TREASURY, MR DONALD TSANG, WHEN REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY DR THE HON YEUNG SUM IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
"A CAPITAL GAINS TAX WOULD SEND A STRONG NEGATIVE SIGNAL TO BOTH LOCAL AND OVERSEAS INVESTORS.”
HE SAID THE ADMINISTRATION'S INITIAL ASSESSMENT WAS THAT SUCH A TAX WOULD HAVE A SIGNIFICANT, NEGATIVE IMPACT ON PROPERTY DEVELOPMENT AND INVESTMENT IN HONG KONG.
TO PROVIDE AN EFFECTIVE DETERRENT AGAINST PROPERTY SPECULATION, THE TAX WOULD HAVE TO BE SET AT A RELATIVELY HIGH LEVEL, HE SAID.
"THIS WOULD DAMPEN DEMAND NOT ONLY AMONG SPECULATORS BUT ALSO THOSE WHO WANT TO MAKE A LONG-TERM INVESTMENT IN THE PROPERTY MARKET."
THIS WOULD ULTIMATELY REDUCE THE AVAILABILITY OF PREMISES FOR THOSE END-USERS WHO OPT TO LEASE RATHER THAN TO OWN PROPERTY.
THERE IS OF COURSE THE DANGER THAT PROPERTY DEVELOPERS WOULD RESPOND BY CUTTING BACK ON THEIR PRODUCTION, HE ADDED.
"THE LONGER-TERM DEVELOPMENT OF THE PROPERTY SECTOR COULD THUS BE JEOPARDISED," MR TSANG SAID.
BETWEEN 1989 TO 1993, THE SECRETARY SAID PRIVATE SECTOR BUILDING EXPENDITURE TOOK UP 50 TO 60 PER CENT OF THE OVERALL EXPENDITURE ON BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION IN THE ECONOMY.
"IF YOU INCLUDE THE SERVICE MARGIN OF REAL ESTATE DEVELOPERS, THIS EXPENDITURE ACCOUNTED FOR 30 TO 40 PER CENT OF THE OVERALL INVESTMENT EXPENDITURE IN OUR GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCTS."
A CAPITAL GAINS TAX ON PROPERTY TRANSACTIONS WOULD THUS IMPACT ON A LARGE SEGMENT OF INVESTMENT TN THE ECONOMY, HE SAID.
MR TSANG SAID THE ADMINISTRATION WAS WORKING ON A QUANTITATIVE ANALYSIS OF THE IMPACT OF SUCH TAX ON THE PROPERTY SECTOR AND ON THE ECONOMY AS A WHOLE.
THIS STUDY HAS NOT YET BEEN COMPLETED, HE SAID.
HE ALSO LISTED THE OTHER PRACTICAL ISSUES THAT HAD TO BE ADDRESSED IN INTRODUCING A CAPITAL GAINS TAX:
* THE APPROPRIATE TREATMENT OF GAINS ATTRIBUTABLE TO INFLATION;
* WHETHER LOSSES SHOULD BE DEDUCTIBLE AND, IF SO, WHETHER THEY SHOULD ONLY BE OFFSET AGAINST CAPITAL GAINS;
/♦ WHETHER GAINS ........
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 9, 1994
11
* WHETHER GAINS SHOULD BE AVERAGED AND BROUGHT TO CHARGE OVER A NUMBER OF YEARS; AND
* WHETHER THE TAX SHOULD APPLY TO TRANSACTIONS IN STOCKS AND SHARES IN PROPERTY-RELATED BUSINESSES.
AS TO THE ADVANTAGE OF SUCH A TAX, HE SAID IT MIGHT DEPRESS PROPERTY PRICES AND BRING IN ADDITIONAL REVENUE FOR THE PUBLIC COFFERS FOR A LIMITED DURATION.
"BUT THEY SEEM TO BE UNCONVINCING ARGUMENTS FOR INTRODUCING A CAPITAL GAINS TAX, GIVEN THE UNPREDICTABLY WIDE IMPLICATIONS OF SUCH A TAX AND OUR PRESENT STRONG RESERVES," HE SAID.
TO CURB PROPERTY SPECULATION, MR TSANG SAID ALL AGREEMENTS OF SALE OF RESIDENTIAL PROPERTIES WERE REQUIRED TO PAY STAMP DUTY.
THIS WILL INCREASE THE COST OF SPECULATION WITHOUT HARMING GENUINE HOME-BUYERS.
AT THE SAME TIME, THE INLAND REVENUE DEPARTMENT WILL CONTINUE ITS EFFORTS IN COLLECTING PROFITS TAX FROM SPECULATIVE PROPERTY TRANSACTIONS.
"THESE MEASURES HAVE PROVIDED SOME RELIEF," HE SAID.
HE SAID THE KEY TO TACKLING RISING PROPERTY PRICES MUST BE TO INCREASE SUPPLY.
IN CONCLUSION, HE SAID THE ADMINISTRATION BELIEVED THAT ON PRESENT INDICATIONS, THE SHORT-TERM BENEFITS WHICH A CAPITAL GAINS TAX MIGHT HAVE WERE HEAVILY OUTWEIGHED BY ITS LONG-TERM DISBENEFITS.
"THERE IS A SERIOUS RISK THAT IMPOSING A CAPITAL GAINS TAX NOW, ASSUMING THAT IT COULD BE EFFECTIVE IN CURBING ACTIVITY IN THE PROPERTY MARKET, WOULD DO NO MORE THAN REDUCING PRICES FOR THE PRESENT GENERATION OF HOME-BUYERS AND INCREASING COSTS FOR FUTURE ONES."
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INDEPENDENT POLICE ADVISORY COMMITTEES UNNECESSARY
*****
IT IS NEITHER NECESSARY NOR DESIRABLE TO ESTABLISH ADDITIONAL INDEPENDENT POLICE ADVISORY COMMITTEES, THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, MR ALISTAIR ASPREY, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
IN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON JAMES TO KUN-SUN IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, MR ASPREY SAID THERE WERE ALREADY PROCEDURES TO MONITOR THE POLICE FORCE PROPERLY AND ADEQUATE CHANNELS OF COMMUNICATION BETWEEN THE POLICE AND THE COMMUNITY.
"EXPENDITURE AND PERFORMANCE, INCLUDING THE EFFICIENT AND EFFECTIVE: USE OF RESOURCES, WERE MONITORED ON A CONTINUING BASIS BY THE CENTRAL GOVERNMENT," MR ASPREY SAID.
/BROAD STRATEGIES .......
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 9, 1994
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BROAD STRATEGIES FOR MAINTAINING LAW AND ORDER ARE MONITORED BY THE FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE, WHICH INCLUDES REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE COMMUNITY AND THE LEGCO.
"THE COMMITTEE REGULARLY RECEIVES AND ASSESSES REPORTS FROM THE POLICE FORCE ON THE EXTENT TO WHICH PI,ANS TO REDUCE CRIME HAVE BEEN IMPLEMENTED," MR ASPREY SAID.
HE ADDED THAT THE LEGCO’S SECURITY PANEL TOOK A CLOSE AND ACTIVE INTEREST IN ALL ASPECTS OF POLICE PERFORMANCE AND REGULARLY CALLED FOR, AND RECEIVED, PAPERS AND REPORTS FROM THE FORCE.
MR ASPREY SAID THE POLICE PLACED GREAT EMPHASIS ON THE DEVELOPMENT AND IMPROVEMENT OF RELATIONS WITH THE PUBLIC AND COMMUNICATION BETWEEN THE POLICE AND THE PUBLIC.
"THE POLICE PUBLIC RELATIONS BUREAU HAS TN RECENT YEARS STRENGTHENED YOUTH LIAISON, THROUGH THE JUNIOR POLICE CALL, AND LIAISON WITH THE PUBLIC, THROUGH THE ORGANISED AND SERIOUS CRIME HOTLINE AND CRIME INFORMATION FORMS.
AT DISTRICT LEVEL, THE FORCE IS REPRESENTED, THROUGH THE DISTRICT COMMANDERS, ON ALL DISTRICT BOARDS AND A COMMUNITY RELATIONS OFFICER IS ASSIGNED TO EACH DISTRICT TO FOSTER CLOSER RELATIONS BETWEEN THE POLICE AND THE COMMUNITY IT SERVES.
"THE FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE, TOGETHER WITH THE DISTRICT CRIME COMMITTEES, FURTHER ENHANCE DIALOGUE BETWEEN THE FORCE AND THE COMMUNITY," MR ASPREY SAID.
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AIDS PUBLICITY MESSAGE ABOUT RIGHT
« « t » *
THE FOCUS ON THE USE OF CONDOMS IN THE GOVERNMENT’S AIDS-RELATED PUBLICITY IS ABOUT RIGHT, THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, MRS ELIZABETH WONG, SAID.
"OUR STRATEGY THEREFORE ON AIDS IS ENTIRELY IN LINE WITH THE WORLD HEALTH ORGANISATION’S GLOBAL STRATEGY ON THE PREVENTION OF AIDS AND HIV TRANSMISSION.
"OUR FOCUS IS ON THE IMPORTANCE OF LEADING A HEALTHY LIFESTYLE, BOTH IN TERMS OF AIDS PREVENTION AND GENERALLY.
"THIS MESSAGE IS TARGETED PARTICULARLY AT YOUTH, WOMEN AND AT THE FAMILY," SHE ADDED WHEN REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY DR THE HON LEONG CHE-HUNG IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
IN THE ABSENCE OF A CURE OR VACCINE, MRS WONG BELIEVED THAT PREVENTION REMAINED THE ONLY EFFECTIVE WAY TO CONTAIN THE SPREAD OF HIV AND AIDS.
/SHE SAID .......
WEDNESDAY, MARCH y, iyy<*
- 13 -
SHE SAID ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT WAYS TO PREVENT AIDS, AND PARTICULARLY HIV TRANSMISSION THROUGH SEXUAL INTERCOURSE, WAS THE PRACTICE OF SAFER SEX WHICH COVERED MANY LIFESTYLE CHOICES.
THESE VARY FROM MAINTAINING A MUTUALLY MONOGAMOUS RELATIONSHIP WITH A SINGLE PARTNER, AVOIDING CAUSAL SEX, REDUCING THE NUMBER OF SEXUAL PARTNERS, TO WEARING A CONDOM.
THE SECRETARY NOTED THAT THE CONSUMER COUNCIL HAD SINCE 1988 CONDUCTED THREE TESTS ON CONDOMS OBTAINED FROM RETAIL OUTLETS.
THE RESULTS ON EACH OCCASION HAVE BEEN WIDELY PUBLICISED TO ENABLE CONSUMERS TO MAKE SENSIBLE AND INFORMED CHOICES.
SUBJECT TO THE ENACTMENT OF THE CONSUMER GOODS SAFETY BILL INTRODUCED BY THE SECRETARY FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY LAST DECEMBER, THE COMMISSIONER FOR CUSTOMS AND EXCISE WILL ENFORCE THE LEGISLATION TO ENSURE THAT THE CONSUMER GOODS SUPPLIED ARE REASONABLY SAFE.
MRS WONG SAID THE COMMISSIONER WOULD ALSO BE EMPOWERED TO REFER SAMPLES TO THE GOVERNMENT LABORATORY FOR TESTING SO AS TO PROVIDE AN ADDED SAFEGUARD FOR THE PUBLIC.
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CONDITIONS SET FOR ACCEPTANCE OF ORGAN DONATIONS FROM EXECUTED PRISONERS * » ♦ » »
THE GOVERNMENT HAS AN ESTABLISHED POLICY ON THE ACCEPTANCE OF ORGAN DONATIONS FROM EXECUTED PRISONERS OUTSIDE THE TERRITORY, THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, MRS ELIZABETH WONG, SAID.
HOWEVER, TWO CONDITIONS MUST BE FULLY MET.
’’FIRST, ANY ORGAN DONATION MUST BE A VOLUNTARY ACT AND THE DECISION TO DONATE MUST REST ON THE FREE WILL OF THE DONOR,’’ SHE SAID.
’’SECONDLY, THERE MUST NOT BE ANY COMMERCIAL TRANSACTION OF ORGANS."
MRS WONG WAS REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY DR THE HON CONRAD LAM KUI-SHING IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
SHE EMPHASISED THAT UNLESS THESE TWO CONDITIONS WERE FULFILLED BEYOND A SHADOW OF A DOUBT, ACCEPTANCE OF ORGANS FROM EXECUTED PRISONERS WAS BOTH REPUGNANT AND OBNOXIOUS.
’’THUS, WE WILL ONLY ACCEPT A PRISONER’S EXPRESSED WISH TO DONATE IF HIS OFFER IS MADE VOLUNTARILY, WITHOUT ANY COERCION, AND BEFORE IMPARTIAL AND RELIABLE WITNESSES,’’ SHE ADDED.
IN RESPECT OF DONATED ORGANS FROM PRISONERS ABOUT TO BE EXECUTED, MRS WONG SAID EACH CASE WAS CAREFULLY CONSIDERED ON ITS OWN CIRCUMSTANCES AND SUBJECT TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE POLICY BEING FULLY MET.
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/14 ........
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 9, 1994
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BRIDGE’S POTENTIAL TO ATTRACT TOURISTS RECOGNISED *****
THE GOVERNMENT CERTAINLY RECOGNISES THE POTENTIAL FOR THE LANTAU FIXED CROSSING TO BECOME A MAJOR TOURIST ATTRACTION, THE SECRETARY FOR WORKS, MR JAMES BLAKE, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
REPLYING TO A QUESTION FROM DR THE HON SAMUEL WONG IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, MR BLAKE SAID CONSIDERATION WAS BEING GIVEN TO A NUMBER OF SITES IN THE VICINITY OF THE CROSSING, TAKING INTO ACCOUNT THEIR LOCATIONS AS VIEWING POINTS FOR THE WHOLE OF THE CROSSING AS WELL AS IN PARTICULAR THE TSING MA SUSPENSION BRIDGE.
’’CAREFUL ATTENTION IS BEING GIVEN TO THE NEED FOR INCORPORATING ADEQUATE PARKING FACILITIES, AS WELL AS THEIR POTENTIAL FOR COMMERCIAL ACTIVITIES SUCH AS SOUVENIR SHOPS AND RESTAURANTS,” HE SAID.
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REMODELLING OF KCR KOWLOON STATION TO MEET DEMAND
*****
IT IS IMPERATIVE TO UPGRADE THE KOWLOON-CANTON RAILWAY (KCR) KOWLOON STATION TO PROVIDE MODERN INTERNATIONAL FACILITIES AND A PODIUM DOUBLE ITS PRESENT SIZE TO MEET THE GROWING PATRONAGE FOR BOTH DOMESTIC AND CROSS-BORDER TRAFFIC.
IN VIEW OF THE SIZE AND COMPLEXITY OF THE PROJECT, THE ESTIMATED TOTAL COST OF $1 BILLION IS CONSIDERED TO BE REASONABLE BY THE KOWLOON-CANTON RAILWAY CORPORATION (KCRC).
THIS WAS STATED BY THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT, MR HAIDER BARMA, IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY), IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY DR THE HON SAMUEL WONG PING-WAI.
MR BARMA SAID: ’’THE EXISTING TERMINAL OF THE KCRC KOWLOON STATION WAS NOT DESIGNED TO COPE WITH INTERNATIONAL TRAFFIC; NOR WAS IT DESIGNED TO HANDLE THE CURRENT VOLUME OF 150,000 TO 160,000 PASSENGERS PER DAY WHICH WAS FOUR TIMES ITS DESIGN CAPACITY.
’’CUSTOMS AND IMMIGRATION FACILITIES HAVE BEEN PROVIDED ON AN IMPROVISED BASIS AND THROUGH-TRAIN PASSENGERS HAVE TO WAIT IN LONG QUEUES OUTSIDE THE CONCOURSE.”
IN SEEKING CONCEPTUAL SOLUTIONS TO THE CAPACITY AND DESIGN CONSTRAINTS OF THE KOWLOON STATION, THE KCRC CALLED FOR PROPOSALS FROM SIX EXPERIENCED ARCHITECTURAL AND DESIGN CONSULTING FIRMS, WHOSE PROFESSIONAL MEMBERS ARE FULLY QUALIFIED AND REGISTERED LOCALLY, MR BARMA SAID.
FOLLOWING AN INTERNAL ASSESSMENT, THE FIRM WHICH BEST DEMONSTRATED ITS ABILITY AND EXPERIENCE WAS SELECTED TO EXAMINE THE PROBLEMS AND IDENTIFY POTENTIAL SOLUTIONS.
"THE PRELIMINARY STUDY HAS BEEN COMPLETED. THE BOARD OF KCRC WILL SHORTLY CONSIDER THE FINDINGS AND DECIDE HOW BEST THE PROJECT SHOULD BE IMPLEMENTED."
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/15 .......
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ESCORT TEAMS TO FIGHT CRIME NOT TO BE EXTENDED
*****
THE COMMUNITY AWARENESS PROGRAMME INTRODUCED BY THE POLICE IN TIN SHUI WAI LAST NOVEMBER TO COMBAT CRIME THERE WILL NOT BE EXTENDED TO OTHER DISTRICTS.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, MR ALISTAIR ASPREY, IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON SELINA CHOW IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MR ASPREY SAID THE PROGRAMME WAS DESIGNED TO TACKLE A SPECIFIC LAW AND ORDER PROBLEM IN A NEWLY ESTABLISHED RESIDENTIAL DISTRICT WHERE COMMUNITY RELATIONS HAD YET TO BE FULLY DEVELOPED.
"THERE ARE ALREADY WELL-ESTABLISHED CHANNELS TO ADDRESS SIMILAR POLICING PROBLEMS ELSEWHERE, AND SO WE DO NOT CONSIDER IT APPROPRIATE TO EXTEND THE PROGRAMME TO OTHER DISTRICTS," HE SAID.
THE PROGRAMME INVOLVES THE TRAINING OF RESIDENTS AND SECONDARY STUDENTS IN TIN SHUI WAI IN CRIME PREVENTION AND PERSONAL SAFETY, SO THAT THEY CAN ESCORT UNACCOMPANIED GIRLS TO THEIR HOMES.
SINCE THE START OF THE PROGRAMME IN NOVEMBER LAST YEAR, NO REPORTS OF RAPE OR INDECENT ASSAULT HAS BEEN RECEIVED IN THE DISTRICT.
------- o-----
CLEANING UP OF COUNTRYSIDE IN GOOD PROGRESS
*****
THE "CLEANING UP OF THE COUNTRYSIDE" EXERCISE WILL BE UNDERTAKEN BY A MULTI-DISCIPLINARY TASK FORCE TO BE SET UP IN THE LANDS DEPARTMENT, THE SECRETARY FOR PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS, MR TONY EASON, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY DR THE HON TANG SIU-TONG, MR EASON SAID THAT A CORE TEAM HAD BEEN FORMED LAST NOVEMBER TO CARRY OUT PREPARATORY WORK AND THE FULL TEAM OF OVER 100 STAFF WAS EXPECTED TO BE ESTABLISHED IN PHASES OVER THE NEXT FEW YEARS.
FIRST REQUEST FOR FUNDS WILL BE SUBMITTED TO THE FINANCE COMMITTEE SHORTLY, HE SAID.
DUE TO THE SCALE AND COMPLEXITY OF THE PROBLEM, THE EXERCISE MAY LAST SOME YEARS.
THE TASK FORCE WILL TARGET SPECIFIC AREAS AND SHEK KONG VALLEY WILL PROBABLY BE THE FIRST ONE.
/NOTING THAT .......
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 9, 1994
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NOTING THAT ALL POSSIBLE EXISTING ADMINISTRATIVE AND LEGAL MEASURES WOULD BE TAKEN TO ACHIEVE AN IMMEDIATE EFFECT, MR EASON SAID THE ACTION WOULD MAINLY INVOLVE THE CLEARANCE OF BLACK SPOTS ON GOVERNMENT LAND, REHABILITATING THE CLEARED LAND, AND SEEKING CO-OPERATION OF THE OPERATORS ON THE LAND UNDER GOVERNMENT CONTROL.
AS REGARDS THE PRIVATE LAND, THE PLANNING DEPARTMENT WILL ALSO BE TAKING ACTION UNDER THE TOWN PLANNING ORDINANCE AGAINST UNAUTHORISED DEVELOPMENT.
MR EASON SAID OTHER LONGER TERM SOLUTIONS WOULD BE DEVISED CAREFULLY TO TACKLE THE MORE DIFFICULT PROBLEMS.
A SPECIAL COMMITTEE COMPRISING MAINLY NON-OFFICIAL MEMBERS WILL SHORTLY BE SET UP TO ADVISE THE GOVERNMENT ON THE MONITORING OF THIS EXERCISE, HE ADDED.
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MTRC WILL ENSURE A RELIABLE SERVICE ******
THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY CORPORATION (MTRC) WILL CONTINUE TO ENSURE THE HIGHEST POSSIBLE RELIABILITY FROM ITS EQUIPMENT AND SEEK THE CO-OPERATION OF ITS CUSTOMERS TO MAINTAIN ITS HIGH STANDARD OF SERVICES.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT, MR HAIDER BARMA, IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON LEE WING-TAT IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MR BARMA SAID THERE WAS NO SERIOUS PROBLEM OF DELAYS ON THE MTR TSUEN WAN LINE AND ONLY FOUR COMPLAINTS HAD BEEN LODGED WITH THE TRANSPORT COMPLAINTS UNIT SINCE MAY 1992.
MOREOVER, THE MTRC HAD CONFIRMED THAT THEY HAD NOT RECEIVED ANY FEEDBACK ON DELAYS DURING THEIR ’’COFFEE TIMES” WITH COMMUTERS OR THROUGH OTHER CHANNELS OF LIAISON.
ACCORDING TO MTRC RECORDS, 90.4 PER CENT OF TRAINS ON THE TSUEN WAN LINE DURING THE MORNING PEAK HOUR WERE ON TIME BETWEEN MAY 1992 AND FEBRUARY 1993, COMPARING WITH 87.5 PER CENT BETWEEN MAY 1993 AND FEBRUARY 1994.
’’BUT BEARING IN MIND THAT THERE HAS BEEN AN ADDITIONAL SCHEDULED TRAIN DURING THE MORNING PEAK HOUR SINCE MAY 1993, THERE HAS BEEN NO REAL SIGNIFICANT DELAY IN SERVICE,” HE SAID.
TO PUT IT ANOTHER WAY, MR BARMA SAID THE CORPORATION ACHIEVED ITS TARGET OF 30 TO 31 TRAINS ON THE TSUEN WAN LINE DURING THE MORNING PEAK HOUR ON 184 WEEKDAYS OUT OF A TOTAL OF 210 WEEKDAYS BETWEEN MAY 1993 AND FEBRUARY 1994 AS COPARED WITH A TOTAL OF 29 TO 30 TRAINS ON 190 WEEKDAYS OUT OF 203 WEEKDAYS BETWEEN MAY 1992 AND FEBRUARY 1993.
/"MTRC BELIEVES .......
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 9, 1994
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"MTRC BELIEVES THAT THE VERY SLIGHT DECLINE IN THE LEVEL OF SERVICE IS ATTRIBUTABLE TO LONGER EMBARKATION AND DISEMBARKATION TIME DURING RUSH HOURS RATHER THAN ANY TECHNICAL OR ENGINEERING PROBLEM," HE SAID.
RECORDS ALSO SHOWED THAT THERE HAD BEEN AN INCREASE IN THE USE OF PASSENGERS ALARMS ON THE TSUEN WAN LINE DURING THE PAST THREE WINTER MONTHS, WHICH CONTRIBUTED TO SOME DELAY IN TRAIN MOVEMENTS, HE ADDED.
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NO PLANS TO INTRODUCE ELECTRONIC NEWSPAPERS * * * » »
THE GOVERNMENT HAS NO PLANS TO INTRODUCE ELECTRONIC NEWSPAPERS BUT WOULD BE HAPPY TO SEE THEIR INTRODUCTION BY THE PRIVATE SECTOR, THE SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS, MR MICHAEL SUEN, INFORMED THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL THIS (WEDNESDAY) AFTERNOON.
IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON CONRAD LAM KUI-SING, MR SUEN SAID THE GOVERNMENT WAS FULLY COMMITTED TO MAINTAINING A FREE AND ACTIVE PRESS IN THE TERRITORY.
THE GOVERNMENT, HE ADDED, ALSO SUBSCRIBED TO THE CONCEPTS OF FREE MARKET IN SERVICES AND AN OPEN SOCIETY.
"AS SUCH, THERE ARE NO RESTRICTIONS ON THE INTRODUCTION OF NEW FORMS OF MEDIA," HE SAID.
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GUIDELINES ON DISPLAY OF BANNERS ON GOVT LAND * * * * »
UNDER EXISTING GUIDELINES, DISTRICT LANDS OFFICERS ONLY APPROVE NON-COMMERCI AL ADVERTISING INVOLVING THE DISPLAY OF BANNERS AND POSTERS ON GOVERNMENT LAND FOR SPECIAL EVENTS.
THE MAIN CRITERION FOR APPROVAL IS WHETHER THE EVENT TO BE PUBLICISED IS NON-COMMERCIAL AND OF INTEREST TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE SECRETARY FOR PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS, MR TONY EASON, IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON EMILY LAU IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
FACTORS SUCH AS POSSIBLE OBSTRUCTION TO THE PUBLIC AND TRAFFIC SAFETY WERE ALSO TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT, MR EASON SAID, ADDING THAT APPLICATIONS WHICH WERE NOT RELATED TO A PARTICULAR EVENT WERE NORMALLY NOT ACCEPTED.
/IN VIEW .......
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 9, 1994
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IN VIEW OF THE DEMAND FROM SOME DISTRICT BOARD AND LEGCO MEMBERS TO ERECT SIGNBOARDS AND BANNERS IN PUBLIC PLACES, FOR EXAMPLE ON STREET RAILINGS, TO PUBLICISE THEIR ACTIVITIES, SERVICES AND OFFICES, A REVIEW WAS CARRIED OUT IN MID 1992 TO SEE IF THIS DEMAND COULD BE MET AND TO CONSIDER THE REGULATORY ASPECTS AND RESOURCE IMPLICATIONS AS WELL AS THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT OF ANY NEW ARRANGEMENTS.
A PILOT SCHEME WAS BEGUN IN WAN CHAI IN JUNE LAST YEAR FOR A TRIAL PERIOD OF TWO MONTHS USING A NEW SET OF GUIDELINES, UNDER WHICH APPLICATIONS FOR THE DISPLAY OF SIGNBOARDS AND BANNERS WOULD BE APPROVED PROVIDED THAT NO COMMERCIAL ADVERTISING OR MATERIAL OF AN INVIDIOUS NATURE WAS INVOLVED.
MR EASON SAID IT WAS INTENDED THAT IF THE SCHEME WAS SUCCESSFUL, THE GOVERNMENT WOULD CONSIDER INTRODUCING IT ON A TERRITORY-WIDE BASIS SUBJECT, AMONG OTHER THINGS, TO RESOURCES BEING AVAILABLE.
TWO ADDITIONAL STAFF WERE SPECIALLY DEPLOYED IN THE DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE/HONG KONG WEST TO IMPLEMENT THE SCHEME.
ON COMPLETION OF THE PILOT SCHEME IN AUGUST LAST YEAR, THE TWO STAFF WERE REMOVED BUT DLO/HKW CONTINUED TO HANDLE APPLICATIONS RELATING TO THE WAN CHAI DISTRICT BASED ON THE NEW GUIDELINES BUT WITHOUT THE FOLLOW-THROUGH ENFORCEMENT ACTION WHICH WAS PART OF THE PILOT SCHEME.
MR EASON SAID IT HAD NOT BEEN POSSIBLE TO EXTEND THE PILOT SCHEME TO OTHER DISTRICTS BECAUSE OF RESOURCE CONSTRAINTS AND OTHER COMPETING PRIORITIES.
HE NOTED THAT BILL OF RIGHTS IMPLICATIONS WOULD ARISE IF FAVOURABLE TREATMENT WERE GIVEN TO ANY GROUP, BE IT CHARITABLE OR PUBLIC INTEREST-BASED, AND SIMILAR TREATMENT WAS NOT GIVEN TO OTHER GROUPS IN RESPECT OF SIMILAR TYPES OF ACTIVITY.
’’THIS IS NOT THE CASE UNDER THE EXISTING GUIDELINES, WHICH ARE APPLIED TO ALL GROUPS IN THE SAME WAY.
"THE SAME IS TRUE OF THE GUIDELINES CURRENTLY APPLIED IN WAN CHAI," HE SAID.
CONSIDERATION WAS BEING GIVEN TO EXTENDING THE GUIDELINES NOW BEING APPLIED IN WAN CHAI TO OTHER DISTRICT, MR EASON SAID, ADDING THAT CHANGES TO CURRENT LEGISLATION SHOULD NOT BE REQUIRED TO ENSURE FAIRNESS.
/19........
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 9, 1994
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PROCEDURE OF SELECTING ATHLETES EXPLAINED
*****
THE FORTHCOMING MERGER OF THE HONG KONG SPORTS DEVELOPMENT BOARD AND THE HONG KONG SPORTS INSTITUTE WILL NOT RESULT IN ANY CHANGE TO THE PROCEDURE OF SELECTING ATHLETES FOR PARTICIPATION IN INTERNATIONAL SPORTS COMPETITIONS.
THIS IS BECAUSE THE SELECTION OF ATHLETES TO REPRESENT HONG KONG RESTS WITH THE NATIONAL SPORTS ASSOCIATIONS WHO ARE THE SOLE AUTHORITY IN SINGLE-SPORT COMPETITIONS.
IN THE CASE OF MULTI-SPORTS GAMES, THE AMATEUR SPORTS FEDERATION AND OLYMPIC COMMITTEE OF HONG KONG IS RESPONSIBLE FOR APPROVING THE SELECTION AND FOR CONTROLLING HONG KONG’S REPRESENTATION IN OLYMPIC, ASIAN, COMMONWEALTH AND OTHER MULTI-SPORTS REGIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL GAMES.
IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON CHIM PUI-CHUNG IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY), THE SECRETARY FOR RECREATION AND CULTURE, MR JAMES SO, EXPLAINED THAT THE SELECTION PROCESS WENT THROUGH TWO STAGES, THAT IS, THE IDENTIFICATION OF POTENTIAL HIGH PERFORMANCE ATHLETES THROUGH LOCAL OPEN CHAMPIONSHIPS AND THE SELECTION OF REPRESENTATIVES THROUGH A SERIES OF SELECTION TRIALS.
’’THE AIM OF THE SELECTION PROCESS IS TO ENSURE THAT HONG KONG IS REPRESENTED IN THE BEST WAY POSSIBLE AND IN THE SPIRIT OF FAIR PLAY WITHOUT DISTINCTION OF RACE OR BACKGROUND AND COMPLYING WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE SPORTS ASSOCIATIONS CONCERNED,” MR SO SAID.
WHEN SELECTING ATHLETES TO REPRESENT HONG KONG, THE NATIONAL SPORTS ASSOCIATIONS ENSURE THAT THE SELECTION PROCESS IS OPEN AND FAIR AND THAT THE PROCEDURES ARE PUBLISHED TO ALL REGISTERED PLAYERS, MEMBERS AND MEMBER CLUBS WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME FRAME.
ALL NATIONAL COMPETITIONS AND THE SELECTION OF PARTICIPANTS IN INTERNATIONAL GAMES ARE UNDERTAKEN WITHIN GUIDELINES LAID DOWN BY THE RESPECTIVE INTERNATIONAL FEDERATION.
ATHLETES MUST ALSO MEET RESIDENTIAL ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA APPLIED BY THE INTERNATIONAL FEDERATION AND/OR THE EVENT ORGANISER, AND ACCORDING TO THE RULES AND PRACTICE OF THE AMATEUR SPORTS FEDERATION AND OLYMPIC COMMITTEE OF HONG KONG.
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/20 .......
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PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES SECURITY MEASURES TO IMPROVE * * * * *
THE HOUSING AUTHORITY IS COMMITTED TO IMPROVING SECURITY MEASURES IN PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES, THE SECRETARY FOR PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS, MR TONY EASON, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON ZACHARY WONG, MR EASON SAID A THREE-YEAR PROGRAMME WOULD BEGIN EARLY NEXT YEAR TO PROVIDE ADDITIONAL SECURITY MEASURES TO ALL NEW HARMONY BLOCKS NOW UNDER CONSTRUCTION AND TO 209 EXISTING TRIDENT AND HARMONY BLOCKS.
THESE MEASURES INCLUDE THE INSTALLATION OF SECURITY GATES AT MAIN ENTRANCES, CLOSED CIRCUIT TELEVISION AND DOORPHONE SYSTEMS AND THE PROVISION OF A 24-HOUR SECURITY GUARD SERVICE.
A WORKING GROUP HAS BEEN SET UP BY THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT TO EXAMINE SUITABLE SECURITY MEASURES AND IMPLEMENTATION DETAILS FOR THE REMAINING 983 HOUSING BLOCKS OF VARIOUS DESIGNS AND WILL SUBMIT ITS RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE AUTHORITY IN THE MIDDLE OF THIS YEAR, MR EASON SAID.
IN ADDITION TO USING THE FINDINGS OF A RECENT SURVEY ON SECURITY MEASURES IN PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES, HE SAID THE DEPARTMENT WOULD ALSO CONSULT MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES ON THE PROPOSED MEASURES.
’’THE WORKING GROUP WILL TAKE ACCOUNT OF THE SECURITY SITUATION IN PARTICULAR ESTATES IN SETTING PRIORITIES FOR THE IMPROVEMENT PROGRAMME.
’’THE POSSIBILITY OF INSTALLING TELEPHONES AND STATIONING SECURITY GUARDS IN THE LOBBIES OF HOUSING ESTATE BLOCKS BEFORE COMPLETION OF THE MAIN SECURITY WORKS WILL BE CONSIDERED BY THE WORKING GROUP,” MR EASON SAID.
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PERCENTAGE OF NON-LOCAL STUDENTS WITHIN APPROVED STUDENT NUMBER TARGETS *****
THERE WERE 179 NON-LOCAL STUDENTS ATTENDING UNDERGRADUATE COURSES AT THE SEVEN INSTITUTIONS FUNDED BY THE UNIVERSITY AND POLYTECHNIC GRANTS COMMITTEE (UPGC) IN THE 1992/93 ACADEMIC YEAR.
THE TOTAL REPRESENTED 0.5 PER CENT OF THE APPROVED STUDENT TARGETS FOR THESE COURSES.
DURING THE SAME PERIOD, THE NUMBER OF NON-LOCAL STUDENTS TAKING UP TAUGHT POSTGRADUATE AND RESEARCH POSTGRADUATE COURSES WAS 96.5 (2.8 PER CENT) AND 290 (15.5 PER CENT) RESPECTIVELY.
THE STATISTICS WERE RELEASED BY THE SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER, MR MICHAEL LEUNG, IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON TIK CHI-YUEN IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
/MR LEUNG .......
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 9, 1994
MR LEUNG EXPLAINED THAT UNDER THE POLICY APPROVED BY THE GOVERNOR-IN-COUNCIL IN MAY LAST YEAR, THE UPGC-FUNDED INSTITUTIONS COULD ENROL NON-LOCAL STUDENTS AT SUB-DEGREE, FIRST DEGREE AND TAUGHT POSTGRADUATE LEVELS UP TO A MAXIMUM OF TWO PER CENT OVER AND ABOVE THE RESPECTIVE APPROVED STUDENT NUMBER TARGETS.
FOR POSTGRADUATE RESEARCH COURSES, THE INSTITUTIONS MAY ENROL UP TO 20 PER CENT OF NON-LOCAL STUDENTS WITHIN THE APPROVED STUDENT NUMBER TARGETS FOR THESE COURSES.
MR LEUNG SAID THE STUDENT ENROLMENT SITUATION IN THE UPGC-FUNDED INSTITUTIONS, INCLUDING THE NUMBER OF "NON-LOCAL STUDENTS" ATTENDING DEGREE AND POST-GRADUATE COURSES, WOULD BE MONITORED BY THE UPGC IN THE CONTEXT OF THE INSTITUTIONS’ ANNUAL STATISTICAL RETURNS.
- - 0 - -
APPOINTMENT OF AOS TO DIRECTORATE POSTS *****
OUT OF A TOTAL OF 90 DIRECTORATE POSTS IN THE SOCIAL WELFARE, THE EDUCATION AND THE HOUSING DEPARTMENTS, ONLY FIVE ARE HELD BY ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICERS AND SEVEN BY OTHER GENERAL GRADES OFFICERS.
THE REST ARE TAKEN UP BY DEPARTMENTAL STAFF.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE SECRETARY FOR THE CIVIL SERVICE, MR MICHAEL SZE, IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON LEE WING-TAT IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MR SZE POINTED OUT THAT THERE WAS NO RATIO FOR THE APPOINTMENT OF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICERS TO THE DIRECTORATE POSTS TN THE THREE DEPARTMENTS CONCERNED, OR IN ANY GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS.
OTHER GENERAL GRADES OFFICERS INCLUDE EXECUTIVE OFFICERS, TREASURY ACCOUNTANTS AND MANAGEMENT SERVICES OFFICERS.
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/22
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 9, 1994
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DECISION SOON ON CEDAW
*****
THE GOVERNMENT HOPES TO BE ABLE TO TAKE A DECISION SHORTLY ON WHETHER IT SHOULD SEEK TO HAVE THE UNITED KINGDOM EXTEND CONVENTION ON THE ELIMINATION OF ALL FORMS OF DISCRIMINATION AGAINST WOMEN (CEDAW) TO HONG KONG, THE SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS, MR MICHAEL SUEN, INFORMED THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY THE HON CHRISTINE LOH, MR SUEN ADDED THAT IF IT WAS DECIDED THAT CEDAW SHOULD BE SO EXTENDED, A SET OF LEGISLATIVE AND NON-LEGISLATIVE MEASURES WOULD NEED TO BE DEVELOPED TO ENABLE THE ADMINISTRATION TO COMPLY WITH THE PROVISIONS OF THE CONVENTION.
HE ALSO POINTED OUT THAT AS CEDAW WOULD INTRODUCE NEW INTERNATIONAL RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS IN RESPECT OF HONG KONG, IT WOULD BE NECESSARY TO CONSULT THE CHINESE SIDE IN THE SINO-BRITISH JOINT LIAISON GROUP IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE AGREED GUIDELINES.
--------0----------
LAWYERS TO SERVE AS TEMPORARY DISTRICT JUDGES
*****
THE JUDICIARY HAS ALREADY ACCEPTED THE LEGAL PROFESSION’S OFFER TO SERVE AS TEMPORARY DISTRICT JUDGES TO HELP CLEAR THE BACKLOG OF DISTRICT COURT CASES, THE CHIEF SECRETARY, THE HON MRS ANSON CHAN, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON EMILY LAU WAI-HING IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, MRS CHAN SAID THE CHIEF JUSTICE HAD ISSUED INVITATIONS TO A FIRST GROUP OF 12 LAWYERS.
ELEVEN OF THESE LAWYERS ARE WILLING TO SERVE FOR FOUR WEEKS OR MORE. MOST OF THEM WILL BE AVAILABLE IN THE SUMMER.
ARRANGEMENTS ARE NOW BEING MADE TO FIT THE DATES WHEN THEY ARE AVAILABLE INTO THE COURT DIARY.
THERE ARE OTHER PLANS TO REDUCE THE BACKLOG IN THE DISTRICT COURT, MRS CHAN NOTED.
A RECORDING SYSTEM WILL BE IMPLEMENTED ON A TRIAL BASIS IN THE DISTRICT COURT TO RELIEVE DISTRICT JUDGES FROM TAKING DETAILED NOTES AND THUS SPEED UP THE PROCEEDINGS.
FURTHERMORE, COMPUTERISATION WILL BE INTRODUCED TO PROVIDE ASSISTANCE IN THE LISTING OF CASES.
ADDITIONAL JUDICIAL OFFICERS WILL ALSO BE DEPLOYED TEMPORARILY TO THE DISTRICT COURT.
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/23......
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 9, 1994
23
POSITIVE MEASURE ADOPTED TO TACKLE MAINS DAMAWE * * ♦ » »
THE GOVERNMENT IS AWARE OE THE FREQUENT DAMAGE TO WATER MAINS BY ROADWORK ACTIVITIES IN RECENT YEARS AND HAS TAKEN A POSITIVE AND IMMEDIATE MEASURE TO TACKLE THIS PROBLEM.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE SECRETARY FOR WORKS, MR .JAMES BLAKE, IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON FRED LI IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MR BLAKE SAID THE WATER SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT HAD SET UP INSPECTION TEAMS TO STEP UP THE SURVEILLANCE OF ROADWORK ACTIVITIES WHICH WERE LIKELY TO AFFECT THE UNDERGROUND WATER MAINS AS WELL AS TO PROVIDE GUIDANCE AND ADVICE TO CONTRACTORS AND UTILITY UNDERTAKERS FOR THE PROTECTION OF WATER MAINS.
"IT IS ANTICIPATED THAT THE IMPACT oF ROADWORK AND/OR OTHER UTILITIES’ ACTIVITIES RESULTING IN MAINS BURST WILL BE SIGNIFICANTLY REDUCED IN FUTURE," HE SAID.
REGARDING PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES, MR BLAKE SAID MONITORING OF THE PERFORMANCE OF MAINTENANCE CONTRACTORS HAD BEEN TIGHTENED UP TO BRING ABOUT QUICKER RESPONSE TO PUMPING BREAKDOWNS AND BETTER REPAIR SERVICE.
HE SAID THE PROBLEM OF STRAINER BLOCKAGE HAD BEEN SATISFACTORILY RFSOI \'EI> IN 199 BY MORE FREQ* I* I I LEANING OF THE SUPPLY SYSTEM.
"IN THE LONGER RUN, HOUSING DEPARTMENT HAS PLANNED TO UPGRADE INTERNAL PUMPING INSTALLATIONS FOR OLI) ESTATES IN THE TERRITORY AT A RATE OF 10 TO 50 PUMPING SYSTEMS PER YEAR IN ORDER TO MINIMISE THE OCCURRENCE OF EQUIPMENT FAILURE AND HENCE. SUPPLY INTERRUPTIONS," HE SAID.
AMENDED MOTION ON NORTHWEST NEW TERRITORIES RAILWAY PASSED » « » » »
THE MOTION ON EARLY CONSTRUCTION OF THE NORTHWEST NEW TERRITORIES RAILWAY WAS PASSED WITH AMENDMENT BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL IN A DEBATE OF ABOUT TWO HOURS TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
THE ORIGINAL MOTION WAS MOVED BY THE HON ALFRED TSO, WITH AN AMENDMENT RAISED BY THE HON MICHAEL HO.
AFTER 13 COUNCILLORS SPOKE ON THE MOTION, THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT, MR HAIDER BARMA, REPLIED FOR THE GOVERNMENT.
/ANOTHER MOTION .......
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 9, 1994
24
ANOTHER MOTION ON RENEWAL OF CHINA’S MOST FAVOURED NATION STATUS BY THE UNITED STATES, WHICH WAS PROPOSED BY THE HON JAMES TIEN, WAS PASSED WITHOUT AMENDMENT.
A TOTAL OF 16 MEMBERS HAVE DEBATED THE MOTION FOR ABOUT TWO HOURS, AND THE SECRETARY FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY, MR T H CHAU, GAVE A CONCLUDING SPEECH.
IN ADDITION, MOTIONS MOVED BY GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS ON CRIMINAL PROCEDURE ORDINANCE, TRADING FUNDS ORDINANCE, HOUSING ORDINANCE, PUBLIC FINANCE ORDINANCE, BANKRUPTCY ORDINANCE AND COMPANIES ORDINANCE WERE ALL PASSED.
THERE WERE ALSO THREE BILLS, NAMELY LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL (POWER AND PRIVILEGES) (AMENDMENT) BILL 1994, PUBLIC HEALTH AND MUNICIPAL SERVICES (AMENDMENT) BILL 1994 AND COPYRIGHT (AMENDMENT) BILL 1994, PASSED WITHOUT AMENDMENT.
FIVE BILLS WERE INTRODUCED INTO THE COUNCIL FOR FIRST AND SECOND READINGS. THEY ARE THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL COMMISSION BILL, MINOR EMPLOYMENT CLAIMS ADJUDICATION BOARD BILL, AMUSEMENT RIDES (SAFETY) BILL, TOWN PLANNING (AMENDMENT) BILL 1994 AND LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL (ELECTORAL PROVISIONS) (AMENDMENT) BILL 1994.
DEBATES ON THESE BILLS WERE ADJOURNED.
/25 .......
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 9, 1994
- 25 -
GOVERNOR SPEAKS TO MEDIA ♦ ♦ » » »
THE FOLLOWING IS THE TRANSCRIPT OF THE GOVERNOR, THE RT HON CHRISTOPHER PATTEN, SPEAKING TO REPORTERS AFTER HIS VISIT TO THE POLICE TRAINING SCHOOL THIS (WEDNESDAY) AFTERNOON:-
GOVERNOR: I DON’T WANT TO GIVE A PRESS CONFERENCE NOW BECAUSE I AM SPEAKING TONIGHT AND I AM GIVING A SPEECH ON FRIDAY, QUITE A BIG SPEECH AT THE CONFERENCE ORGANISED BY THE FAR EASTERN ECONOMIC REVIEW. BUT I COULDN’T COME TO THE TRAINING SCHOOL WITHOUT SAYING A WORD OR TWO ABOUT OUR POLICE FORCE. I’VE JUST SAID TO THE STAFF AND SOME OF THOSE ON THE COURSES IN THE MESS THAT, I THINK, WE HAVE HERE IN HONG KONG ONE OF THE FINEST, MOST PROFESSIONAL POLICE FORCES IN THE WORLD. I AM DELIGHTED TO SEE THE TRAINING SCHOOL AND TO SEE WHAT AN EXTREMELY COMPETENT JOB IS BEING DONE HERE TO MAKE SURE THAT THE STANDARDS WHICH HAVE BEEN SET BY OUR POLICE FORCE CONTINUE INTO THE FUTURE. WB SOMETIMES PERHAPS TAKE FOR GRANTED THE COMPETENCE AND BRAVERY OF THOSE WHO SECURE LAW AND ORDER HERE IN HONG KONG. BUT, WE SHOULD NEVER FORGET HOW MUCH WE DEPEND ON THEM, NOT ONLY FOR OUR STABILITY BUT ALSO FOR HONG KONG BEING AS PROSPEROUS AND AS SUCCESSFUL AND AS HAPPY A PLACE AS IT IS. I AM VERY PLEASED THAT RECRUITMENT FIGURES HAVE REMAINED GOOD. THAT’S A TRIBUTE TO THE POLICE AND I WANT TO ASSURE THEM AND I WANT TO ASSURE THE WHOLE COMMUNITY THAT WE INTEND TO GIVE OUR POLICE ALL THE RESOURCES THAT THEY REQUIRE, ALL THE HELP THAT THEY REQUIRE, ALL THE MORAL ENCOURAGEMENT AND SUPPORT THAT THEY REQUIRE. THEY ARE A VERY FINE FORCE AND WE’VE GOT EVERY REASON TO BE PROUD OF THEM. THANK YOU VERY MUCH INDEED.
HK BUILDS FOR ITSELF AND CHINA
*****
WHILE HONG KONG IS BUILDING AND INVESTING TO MAINTAIN ITS ECONOMIC GROWTH, IT IS, AT THE SAME TIME, BUILDING FOR CHINA, THE SECRETARY FOR ECONOMIC SERVICES, MR GORDON SIU, SAID THIS (WEDNESDAY) MORNING.
SPEAKING AT THE CHARTERED INSTITUTE OF TRANSPORT CONFERENCE, MR SIU SAID:
’’FAILURE TO MEET DEMAND FOR OUR PORT AND AIRPORT FACILITIES WOULD HARM NOT ONLY HONG KONG BUT ALSO PROSPECTS FOR CONTINUING GROWTH IN SOUTHERN CHINA AND THE NEIGHBOURING PEARL RIVER DELTA IN PARTICULAR.”
MR SIU SAID THE NEW PORT AND AIRPORT FACILITIES BEING BUILT IN CHINA WOULD COMPLEMENT RATHER THAN PROVIDE A SUBSTITUTE FOR CONTINUING EXPANSION OF HONG KONG’S FACILITIES.
"TO PUT THINGS IN PERSPECTIVE CHINA IS PLANNING, BY THE END OF THIS CENTURY, TO CONSTRUCT 10 NEW CONTAINER TERMINALS WHICH WILL BE CAPABLE OF HANDLING SOME 5 MILLION TEUS: EQUIVALENT TO ABOUT HALF OF HONG KONG’S PROJECTED THROUGHPUT OF CONTAINERS IN I'HE CURRENT YEAR.
/"FAR FROM .......
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 9, 1994
- 26 -
"FAR FROM SUPPLANTING HONG KONG THE DEVELOPMENT OF ADDITIONAL PORTS IN SOUTHERN CHINA WILL STIMULATE GROWTH THAT WILL BE GOOD NOT ONLY FOR CHINA BUT FOR HONG KONG.
"THE ADDITIONAL TRAFFIC WILL INCREASE THE ('HANCE OF ADDITIONAL SHIPPING CALLS AT HONG KONG AND ENHANCE OUR MARITIME SUPPORT SERVICES," HE SAID.
MR SIU SAID THE SAME WAS TRUE FOR AIRPORT CONSTRUCTION WHERE THE PEARL RIVER DELTA AREA WOULD SOON BE SERVED BY NO LESS THAN FOUR AIRPORTS: HONG KONG, SHENZHEN, MACAU AND ZHUHAI.
IN GUANGZHOU, A REPLACEMENT AIRPORT FOR THE CURRENT BAIYUN AIRPORT IS EXPECTED TO OPEN IN 1998 WITH A PLANNED ANNUAL CAPACITY OF 48 MILLION PASSENGERS.
"I HAVE NO DOUBT THAT ALL THESE AIRPORTS WILL BE NEEDED AND WILL HAVE A ROLE TO PLAY IN THE CONTINUING EXPANSION OF THE ECONOMY OF SOUTHERN CHINA.
"THEIR CONSTRUCTION WILL BE A STRONG STIMULUS TO GROWING BUSINESS AND COMMERCIAL TIES, AS WELL AS TO TOURISM," HE SAID.
MR SIU SAID IT REMAINED TO BE SEEN HOW THE NEW PORTS AND AIRPORTS COMPETED AND COMPLEMENTED ONE ANOTHER, AND HOW HONG KONG AND CHINA COULD WORK TOGETHER.
"WE HAVE STARTED PLANNING FOR THIS WITH OUR COUNTERPARTS IN CHINA.
"WE SEE NO INSURMOUNTABLE PROBLEMS; IT IS IN EVERYBODY’S INTEREST THAT ALL THE PORTS AND AIRPORTS IN THE PEARL RIVER DELTA WORK TOGETHER, AND COMPETE.
"AFTER ALL, THE ECONOMIC CAKE IN SOUTH CH I NA LOOKS BIG ENOUGH FOR ALL TO SHARE, AND IS GROWING EVERY DAY," HE SAID.
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SCHOOLS COMPETE IN TELEMATCH ON AIDS « » * * ♦
STUDENTS FROM FIVE SECONDARY SCHOOLS WILL COMPETE IN THE FINAL EVENT OF THE INTER-SECONDARY SCHOOL TELEMATCH COMPETITION ON AIDS AT THE SOUTHORN STADIUM ON SATURDAY (MARCH 12).
THE COMPETITION IS AIMED AT ENHANCING STUDENTS’ AWARENESS AND UNDERSTANDING OF THE BASIC FACTS ABOUT AIDS AS WELL AS TO DEVELOP CONCERN FOR HIV-INFECTED PEOPLE.
THE SCHOOLS ENTER THE TELEMATCH FINAL EVENT AFTER BEATING 47 OTHER SCHOOLS IN THE HEATS HELD LAST MONTH.
/THE FIVE .......
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 9, 1994
- 27 -
THE FIVE SCHOOLS ARE NEW TERRITORIES HEUNG YEE KUK YUEN LONG DISTRICT SECONDARY SCHOOL, SOUTH TUEN MUN GOVERNMENT SECONDARY SCHOOL, ST PAUL’S SECONDARY SCHOOL, ST PAUL’S CONVENT SCHOOL AND WONG SHIU CHI SECONDARY SCHOOL.
IN THE FINAL EVENT, PARTICIPATING SCHOOL TEAMS WILL COMPETE IN SEVEN TELEMATCH GAMES WHICH ARE DESIGNED TO AROUSE PUBLIC AWARENESS AND UNDERSTANDING ABOUT HIV-INFECTED PEOPLE.
THE TELEMATCH WILL BE RECORDED BY RADIO AND TELEVISION HONG KONG AND TELEVISED IN TELEVISION BROADCASTS LATER.
THE COMPETITION, SPONSORED BY THE COUNCIL FOR AIDS TRUST FUND, WAS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, RTHK AND THE HONG KONG ASSOCIATION OF MATHEMATICS AND SCIENCE EDUCATION.
THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE HONG KONG FEDERATION OF YOUTH GROUPS, MS ROSANNA WONG YICK-MING, AND CHAIRPERSON OF THE COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION AND PUBLICITY ON AIDS, MS CARLYE TSUI WAI-LING, WILL BE THE ADJUDICATORS AND WILL PRESENT PRIZES TO THE WINNING TEAMS.
ATTENTION NEWS EDITORS:
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE INTER-SECONDARY TELEMATCH COMPETITION ON AIDS AT THE SOUTHORN STADIUM, WAN CHAI, AT 2.45 PM ON SATURDAY (MARCH 12).
- ----0-------
CLOSURE OF UNAUTHORISED STRUCTURES SOUGHT
*****
THE BUILDING AUTHORITY IS SEEKING TO CLOSE THREE UNAUTHORISED STRUCTURES IN YAU MA TEI SO THAT THEY CAN BE DEMOLISHED WITHOUT CAUSING DANGER TO THE OCCUPIERS AND THE PUBLIC.
THE SINGLE-STOREY STRUCTURES ARE LOCATED ON THE ROOF OF THREE BUILDINGS AT 226, 228 AND 230-236 AT TEMPLE STREET IN YAU MA TEI FOR DWELLING PURPOSES.
NOTICE OF INTENTIONS TO APPLY FOR THREE CLOSURE ORDERS FROM THE HONG KONG DISTRICT COURT UNDER THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE ON APRIL 15 AND JULY 15 WERE POSTED ON THE PREMISES TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
DEMOLITION WORKS ARE EXPECTED TO START AS SOON AS THE CLOSURE ORDERS ARE ISSUED.
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/28......
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 9, 1994
- 28 -
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 1,836 +1,164 3,000 NIL -1,611 1,389
LAF RATE 2.00 BID/4. HONG 00 OFFER TWI 125.7 »+0.0* KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND 9.3.94
EF BILLS EF NOTES/HONG KONG GOVERNMENT BONDS
TERMS YIELD TERM ISSUE COUPON PRICE YIELD
1 WEEK 3.45 18 MONTHS 2508 4.625 99.80 4.83
1 MONTH 3.57 21 MONTHS 2511 4.15 98.67 5.03
3 MONTHS 3.71 24 MONTHS 2602 4.40 98.67 5.19
6 MONTHS 3.93 32 MONTHS 3610 4.20 96.93 5.54
12 MONTHS 4.39 35 MONTHS TOTAL TURNOVER OF BILLS AND BONDS 3701 4.60 - 11,836 MN 97.41 5.66
CLOSED 9 MARCH, 1994
- - 0 - -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG TEL.: 842 8777
THURSDAY, MARCH 10, 1994
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
RATES INCREASE WELL WITHIN INFLATION FIGURE: FS......... 1
BUSINESS COMMUNITY TO GAIN FROM POLITICAL DEVELOPMENT. 2
CS SPEAKS TO REPORTERS.................................. 4
GOVERNMENT COMMITTED TO SUPPLYING MORE LAND............. 4
LABOUR LAW CLARIFIED.................................... 6
NO DECISION ON ISSUANCE OF TAXI LICENCES................ 7
LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY SURVEY AGREEMENT SIGNED............ 8
VOLUME AND PRICE MOVEMENTS OF EXTERNAL TRADE IN DECEMBER AND 1993 ...................................... 9
WIDESPREAD SUPPORT FOR SENIOR CITIZEN CARD SCHEME...... 14
CS VISITS HOUSING HEADQUARTERS AND ESTATES............. 15
APPLICATIONS TO SPONSOR FIREWORKS DISPLAY INVITED...... 16
CANADA AND HONG KONG SHARE ENVIRONMENT EXPERIENCE..... 17
CLOTHING INDUSTRY HAS ENORMOUS POTENTIAL............... 18
TEACHERS URGED TO VOTE ON APRIL 20..................... 18
TAJ PO SEWAGE WORKS CONTRACT SIGNED.................... 20
REMOVAL OF KOWLOON BIRTHS REGISTRY..................... 21
FINANCE COMMITTEE MEETS TOMORROW ...................... 21
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS............................................. 22
THURSDAY, MARCH 10, 1994
1
RATES INCREASE WELL WITHIN INFLATION FIGURE: FS * * * * *
WHAT THE GOVERNMENT IS PROPOSING ABOUT RATES INCREASE IS IN EFFECT MERELY KEEPING UP WITH INFLATION, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, SIR HAMISH MACLEOD, SAID TODAY (THURSDAY).
"THE AVERAGE INCREASE IN RATES HAPPENS TO WORK OUT TO BE PRETTY WELL EXACTLY THE SAME FIGURE AS THE INCREASE IN CPI(A) OVER THE THREE YEARS IN QUESTION, THAT IS TO SAY, ABOUT 33 PER CENT," HE SAID.
HE WAS SPEAKING TO THE MEDIA AFTER A LUNCHEON SPEECH TO THE CANADIAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.
"OF COURSE, WE ARE NOT PROPOSING TO ISSUE BILLS TO THAT EXTENT BECAUSE WE ARE PROPOSING A CAP WHICH WILL BRING THE INCREASES DOWN TO 20 PER CENT IN THE FIRST YEAR, SO WE ARE LOOKING AT RATES REVALUATION WHICH IN TERMS OF THE BILL WHICH WILL COME INTO PEOPLE’S HANDS WILL BE QUITE A LOT LESS THAN THE INCREASE IN THE CPI(A) OVER THE PERIOD," HE SAID.
"WE ARE NOT CHANGING THE PERCENTAGE. THE TOTAL PERCENTAGE REMAINS AT 5.5 PER CENT," HE ADDED.
HE NOTED THAT THIS PERCENTAGE WAS HISTORICALLY VERY LOW, ADDING THAT $1.1 BILLION OF THE REVENUE THAT THE PUBLIC WOULD BE GETTING FROM THE RATES INCREASE NEXT YEAR WOULD GO TO THE TWO MUNICIPAL COUNCILS WHILE THE BALANCE WOULD GO INTO GENERAL REVENUE.
"OVER THE PERIOD OF THE FORECAST, YOU’RE TALKING ABOUT $9 OR 10 BILLION. SO IT’S NOT A SMALL SUM AND IT FITS INTO THE BUDGET PACKAGE RATHER NICELY.
"I THINK IT’S A PITY IF ANYONE TRIES TO PICK OUT FROM WHAT IS BASICALLY A SERIES OF MEASURES WHICH SHOULD BE VERY WELCOME ONE MEASURE WHICH IS MILDLY DISAGREEABLE," HE SAID.
WHEN ASKED ABOUT THE CRITICISM OF THE RATES INCREASE PROPOSAL FROM THE POLITICAL PARTIES, SIR HAMISH STRESSED THAT THE GOVERNMENT ATTACHED A LOT OF IMPORTANCE TO KEEPING REVENUE IN LINE WITH INFLATION.
"ONE OF THE REASONS PRECISELY THAT WE HAVE A GOOD REVENUE POSITION, A GOOD FISCAL POSITION, IS WE HAD DONE THAT IN THE PAST.
"IF WE CAN’T GRIT OUR TEETH A LITTLE BIT AND KEEP FEES AND CHARGES AND RATES AND THE LIKE UP WITH INFLATION, THEN THE CORE OF OUR REVENUE WILL GRADUALLY BE NIBBLED AWAY AT. SO I VIEW IT IS QUITE IMPORTANT TO IMPLEMENT THE INCREASE," HE SAID.
RESPONDING TO A SUGGESTION THAT THE GOVERNMENT COULD SURVIVE WITHOUT A RATES INCREASE IN VIEW OF THE AMOUNT OF SURPLUS THE GOVERNMENT HAD, SIR HAMISH EXPLAINED THAT HE HAD TAKEN THE REVENUE POSITION INTO ACCOUNT AND THAT WAS THE REASON WHY HE HAD NOT ATTEMPTED TO INCREASE THE PERCENTAGE CHARGE ON RATES.
/'•WE ARE...........
THURSDAY, MARCH 10, 1994
2 -
"WE ARE MERELY DOING A REVALUATION. WE DO ONE EVERY THREE YEARS. IT’S BEEN KNOWN ABOUT AT LEAST SINCE THE LAST BUDGET. THEBE HAS BEEN NO FUSS ABOUT IT UNTIL AFTER THE BUDGET SPEECH.
"I GUESS IT’S THE ONLY SLIGHTLY UNPOPULAR MEASURE IN THE BUDGET. 1 THINK IT WILL BE A GREAT PITY IF THE POLITICAL PARTIES DO DECIDE TO OPPOSE IT BUT I AM COMMITTED TO GETTING IT THROUGH," HE SAID.
EARLIER IN HIS SPEECH TO THE CANADIAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY POINTED OUT THAT 1993 WAS THE 27TH SUCCESSIVE YEAR IN WHICH HONG KONG’S ECONOMY GREW IN REAL TERMS SINCE THE START OF THE GDP FIGURE IN 1966.
HE ALSO SAID THE BENEFITS OF HONG KONG’S SUCCESS WERE BEING SPREAD THROUGH THE COMMUNITY, NOTING THAT NEARLY HALF OF THE TOTAL PUBLIC SPENDING IN HONG KONG WAS DEVOTED TO HOUSING AND THE SOCIAL SERVICES.
TO ENSURE THE CONTINUATION OF THIS SUCCESS, HE SAID, IT WAS NECESSARY FOR THE GOVERNMENT TO CONTROL EXPENDITURE, TO MAINTAIN LOW, SIMPLE AND PREDICTABLE TAXES AND ALSO TO ENSURE ADEQUATE REVENUE AND RESERVES.
---------0-----------
BUSINESS COMMUNITY TO GAIN FROM POLITICAL DEVELOPMENT *****
THE CHIEF SECRETARY, MRS ANSON CHAN, TODAY (THURSDAY) ASSURED THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY THAT THEY HAD NOTHING TO FEAR AND MUCH TO GAIN FROM THE PROCESS OF CONSTITUTIONAL DEVELOPMENT IN HONG KONG.
SINCE THE CONSTITUTIONAL REFORMS WERE INTRODUCED IN 1991, HONG KONG’S POSITION AS THE PREMIER BUSINESS LOCATION IN THE REGION HAS CONTINUED TO IMPROVE, SHE SAID.
"CHINA’S ECONOMIC MODERNISATION HAS CREATED EXCEPTIONAL TRADE AND INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES FOR HONG KONG.
"BUT OUR BUSINESS COMMUNITY HAS ALSO BENEFITED CONSIDERABLY FROM THE REASSURANCES PROVIDED BY THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT AND ITS SENIOR OFFICIALS," MRS CHAN TOLD THE HONG KONG EXPORTERS’ ASSOCIATION LUNCHEON.
THEY HAVE REGULARLY STRESSED THEIR COMMITMENT TO THE JOINT DECLARATION AND THE BASIC LAW AS WELL AS THEIR DETERMINATION TO ENSURE THE LONG-TERM PROSPERITY OF HONG KONG, SHE NOTED.
ON THIS BASIS, HONG KONG WILL BE ABLE TO MAINTAIN THE PRINCIPLES OF FREE AND OPEN MARKETS AND MINIMAL GOVERNMENT INTERVENTION ESSENTIAL TO ITS CONTINUED ECONOMIC GROWTH.
REGARDING THE SECOND STAGE OF LEGISLATION FOR NEXT YEAR’S LEGCO ELECTIONS, MRS CHAN SAID: "IT IS UNFORTUNATE THAT DESPITE OUR BEST EFFORTS, WE HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO REACH AGREEMENT WITH THE CHINESE ON CONSTITUTIONAL REFORMS."
/SHE SATD .......
THURSDAY, MARCH 10, 1994
3
SHE SAID THE PROPOSALS WOULD NOT MEAN A DRAMATIC INCREASE IN DEMOCRACY AND THEY WERE MODEST, AS LAID DOWN IN THE BASIC LAW, IN A MANNER THAT THE COMMUNITY WILL RECOGNISE AS FAIR AND OPEN.
"OUR PROPOSALS WILL IN NO WAY WEAKEN OUR COMMITMENT TO MAINTAINING HONG KONG’S ATTRACTIONS AS THE OUTSTANDING BUSINESS LOCATION IN THIS REGION,” SHE SAID.
MRS CHAN SAID SHE WAS CONFIDENT THAT AT THE END OF THESE CONSTITUTIONAL REFORMS, HONG KONG WOULD CONTINUE TO HAVE A VIGOROUS AND EFFECTIVE EXECUTIVE-LED SYSTEM OF GOVERNMENT.
HONG KONG WILL CONTINUE TO HAVE A LEGISLATURE WHOSE HIGHEST PRIORITY WILL BE TO MAKE A SUCCESS OF THE TRANSITION AND OF THE JOINT DECLARATION IN COLLABORATION WITH THE CHINESE AUTHORITIES, SHE ADDED.
TURNING TO THE NEW AIRPORT PROJECT, MRS CHAN SAID THIS MONTH HAD SEEN SOME USEFUL DISCUSSIONS WITH CHINESE OFFICIALS ON THE LATEST FINANCIAL PROPOSALS.
"WE ARE ALL ANXIOUS IN HONG KONG THAT WHATEVER QUESTIONS STILL REMAIN, CAN BE DEALT WITH QUICKLY.
"GIVE US THE CHANCE TO MANAGE THIS PROJECT IN OUR USUAL HONG KONG WAY, AND WE WILL DO OUR BEST TO COMPLETE THE WORK, WELL WITHIN FORECAST IN TERMS OF BOTH TIME AND MONEY," SHE SAID.
ON DISCUSSIONS WITH CHINA IN OTHER AREAS SUCH AS CRIME, IMMIGRATION MATTERS AND DEFENCE LANDS, MRS CHAN SAID: "I VALUE THESE AND ALL OUR OTHER REGULAR CONTACTS."
"WE WILL SEEK TO CO-OPERATE WITH THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT ON THE MANY TRANSITIONAL ISSUES WHICH AFFECT THE WELL-BEING OF OUR PEOPLE."
REGARDING THE UNCONDITIONAL RENEWAL OF CHINA'S MOST FAVOURED NATION (MFN) TRADE STATUS, MRS CHAN SAID EFFORTS WOULD CONTINUE TO LOBBY THE U.S. ADMINISTRATION.
SHE WILL VISIT WASHINGTON IN APRIL TO EXPLAIN WHY HONG KONG BELIEVES THAT ECONOMIC ISSUES SHOULD NOT BE LINKED TO POLITICAL DISPUTES.
POINTING OUT THAT MFN IS THE WRONG TOOL TO ACHIEVE IMPROVEMENTS IN HUMAN RIGHTS, MRS CHAN SAID THE ISSUE WAS BEST ADDRESSED BY CONTINUING TO TRADE WITH CHINA.
IN THIS WAY IT WILL HELP NOT ONLY TO RAISE THE STANDARD OF LIVING IN CHINA, BUT KEEP OPEN AN EFFECTIVE MEANS OF INFLUENCE ON CHINA, SHE SAID.
"IT IS IN EVERYONE’S INTEREST THAT CHINA REMAINS IN EVERY WAY A PART OF THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY THROUGH OPEN TRADE AND CONTINUING CONTACT AND COMMUNICATION WITH OTHER NATIONS," SHE SAID.
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/4 .........
THURSDAY, MARCH 10, 1994
4
CS SPEAKS TO REPORTERS » * ♦ ♦ ♦
THE FOLLOWING IS A TRANSCRIPT OF THE CHIEF SECRETARY, MRS ANSON CHAN, SPEAKING TO REPORTERS AFTER VISITING THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT TODAY:
MRS CHAN: GOOD AFTERNOON LADIES AND GENTLEMEN. I’VE JUST SPENT A VERY INTERESTING AFTERNOON HAVING DISCUSSIONS WITH THE DIRECTOR OF HOUSING AND HIS STAFF ABOUT ISSUES OF CONCERN TO THE DEPARTMENT AND ALSO SEEING FOR MYSELF SOME OF THE LATEST HOUSING UNITS. I THINK WE’VE MADE GREAT STRIKES IN OUR HOUSING PROGRAMME. IT IS ONE OF THE GREAT SUCCESS STORIES OF HONG KONG AND A GREAT DEAL OF THE CREDIT MUST GO TO THE DIRECTOR AND HIS STAFF WHO WORK EXTREMELY HARD. THEY DON’T ALWAYS GET THE CREDITS THAT THEY DESERVE. BUT WHEN YOU REMEMBER THAT THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT CURRENTLY NOW HOUSES NEARLY HALF OF THE HONG KONG’S POPULATION, THEY ARE BUILDING FLATS AT A RATE OF ABOUT A HUNDRED A DAY, I THINK YOU WILL THEN APPRECIATE THE MAGNITUDE OF THE TASK. I’M SURE THAT UNDER THE LEADERSHIP OF MISS ROSANNA WONG AS CHAIRMAN OF THE HOUSING AUTHORITY, WE WILL CONTINUE TO SEE GREAT IMPROVEMENT BOTH IN QUALITY AND QUANTITY OF OUR HOUSING STOCK, AND THE GOVERNMENT HAS ALREADY PLEDGED AND WILL CONTINUE TO WORK IN VER\ (’LOSE COOPERATION WITH THE HOUSING AUTHORITY TO ENSURE THAT WE SATISFIED THE HOUSING NEEDS OF OUR PEOPLE.
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GOVERNMENT COMMITTED TO SUPPLYING MORE LAND
*****
THE GOVERNMENT IS COMMITTED TO DOING EVERYTHING IN ITS POWER TO EASE THE LAND SUPPLY SITUATION, THE SECRETARY FOR PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS, MR TONY EASON, SAID.
SPEAKING AT A PRESS CONFERENCE TODAY (THURSDAY), MR EASON SAID SIGNIFICANT AMOUNTS OF LAND FOR BOTH RESIDENTIAL AND COMMERCIAL USES WOULD BE COMING ON STREAM IN THE MEDIUM AND LONGER TERM.
’’ABOUT 60 HECTARES OF LAND WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR RESIDENTIAL AND COMMERCIAL USES FROM THE NEW RECLAMATION AREAS IN WEST KOWLOON, CENTRAL AND WAN CHAI.
"WE WILL ALSO HAVE APPROACHING 30 MORE HECTARES OF NEW LAND ON TSING YI AND AT TUNG CHUNG FOR RESIDENTIAL AND COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENT AS A RESULT OF THE AIRPORT RAILWAY.
"IN PARTICULAR, WE PATIENTLY AWAIT THE GO AHEAD TO START BRINGING THE 62 HECTARES OF RESIDENTIAL AND COMMERCIAL LAND ALONG THE AIRPORT RAILWAY ON STREAM."
"IN DUE COURSE, FOLLOWING THE RELOCATION OF THE EXISTING AIRPORT, THE DEVELOPMENT OF SOUTH EAST KOWLOON WILL PROVIDE ANOTHER SIGNIFICANT SOURCE OF LAND - SOME 172 HECTARES FOR RESIDENTIAL AND COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENT," HE SAID.
/ON COMMERCIAL ......
THURSDAY, MARCH 10, 1994
- 5 -
ON COMMERCIAL LAND, MR EASON SAID MORE LAND FOR COMMERCIAL USES WAS EXPECTED TO COME OUT OF REDEVELOPMENT AS A RESULT OF REZONING TO COMMERCIAL USES IN LARGE AREAS IN KOWLOON SOUTH AND ALONG NATHAN ROAD.
HE NOTED THE ACHIEVEMENT IN INCREASING THE SUPPLY OF NEW LAND HAD BEEN ENORMOUS - ALMOST 9,000 HECTARES OF LAND HAVE BEEN MADE AVAILABLE IN THIS WAY IN THE NEW TOWNS OVER THE LAST 20 YEARS AND THIS PROCESS WAS CONTINUING.
"RECLAMATION HAS ALSO BEEN AN IMPORTANT SOURCE OF NEW LAND AND THAT PROCESS ALSO IS CONTINUING, AS THE WEST KOWLOON RECLAMATION GROWS BEFORE OUR EYES, NOT TO MENTION OTHER SMALLER AREAS AROUND THE HARBOUR AND OF COURSE THE NEW AIRPORT AT CHEK LAP KOK.
"BUT, THE SUPPLY OF NEW LAND IS ALWAYS FINITE AT ANY PARTICULAR TIME BECAUSE RECLAIMING FROM THE SEA AND BUILDING INFRASTRUCTURE TAKE TIME AND REQUIRE VERY LARGE CAPITAL INVESTMENT.
"THE SECOND METHOD OF INCREASING LANI) SUPPLY IS TO UNLOCK EXISTING LAND IN THE OLDER, UNDERDEVELOPED PARTS OF THE CITY THROUGH REDEVELOPMENT."
HE SAID STATISTICS SHOWED REDEVELOPMENT HAD BECOME INCREASINGLY IMPORTANT AS A FLAT PRODUCER, REPRESENTING SOME 53 PER CENT OF NEW FLATS IN 1991, 63. PER CENT IN 1992 AND 73 PER CENT IN 1993.
IT IS EXPECTED FLATS FROM REDEVELOPMENT WILL REPRESENT AN AVERAGE OF SOME 60 PER CENT - 70 PER CENT OF RESIDENTIAL FLAT SUPPLY IN THE COMING FIVE YEARS.
HE ALSO SAID ADDITIONAL RESOURCES WOULD BE PROVIDED TO THE LANDS DEPARTMENT IN 1994/95 TO SPEED UP THE PROCESSING OF NEW LAND GRANTS, LAND EXCHANGES AND LEASE MODIFICATIONS.
BY SPEEDING UP THIS PROCESS, IT IS EXPECTED THE FLAT PRODUCTION RATE WILL INCREASE BY 2,000 UNITS A YEAR.
THE GOVERNMENT HAS ALSO ADOPTED MEASURES TO STREAMLINE THE PROCESSING OF DEVELOPMENT AND REDEVELOPMENT PROPOSALS AFTER DISCUSSIONS WITH THE DEVELOPERS AND PROFESSIONAL BODIES REPRESENTED IN THE LAND AND BUILDING ADVISORY COMMITTEE.
NEW PRACTICE NOTES TO GUIDE THE PREPARATION AND PROCESSING OF MASTER LAYOUT PLANS AND DESIGN, DISPOSITION AND HEIGHT CLASS SUBMISSIONS UNDER LEASE CONDITIONS AND TIME LIMITS HAVE BEEN INTRODUCED.
IN ADDITION, THE GOVERNMENT IS LOOKING FOR WAYS TO PROVIDE MORE PRIVATE SECTOR OPPORTUNITIES TO SUPPLEMENT LAND SUPPLY.
ONE APPROACH MIGHT BE TO ALLOW A DEVELOPER TO APPLY TO GOVERNMENT FOR PROPERTY TO BE RESUMED WHERE HE ALREADY OWNS A LARGE MAJORITY OF THE PROPERTY NEEDED TO PERMIT WORTHWHILE REDEVELOPMENT BUT THE ACQUISITION OF A FEW UNITS IS FRUSTRATING HIS EFFORTS.
MR EASON EMPHASISED THAT THE RELOCATION OF EXISTING RESIDENTS ON FAIR AND EQUITABLE TERMS WOULD BE ESSENTIAL AND DEVELOPERS WOULD HAVE TO PLAY A PART IN THIS.
/THE GOVERNMENT .......
THURSDAY, MARCH 10, 1994
THE GOVERNMENT WILL ALSO BE IDENTIFYING WAYS OF INVOLVING THE PRIVATE SECTOR IN SUPPLYING MORE OF THE INFRASTRUCTURE NEEDED FOR MAJOR DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS TO BE PROPERLY SERVICED.
THIS SHOULD HELP ELIMINATE SIGNIFICANT SOURCES OF DELAY IN STARTING CONSTRUCTION WORK ON NEW SITES BY USING PRIVATE SECTOR CAPITAL TO OPEN UP NEW LAND.
TURNING TO PUBLIC HOUSING PRODUCTION, HE SAID: "THE GOVERNMENT AND THE HOUSING AUTHORITY HAVE MADE CONCERTED EFFORTS TO PREVENT PLANNED PUBLIC FLAT PRODUCTION FROM SLIPPING BEYOND THE LONG TERM HOUSING STRATEGY PERIOD UP TO 2001 AND TO ALLEVIATE A BUNCHING PROBLEM TOWARDS THE END OF THE PERIOD.
"THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT HAS ALSO COME UP WITH A PROPOSAL TO REDUCE THE CONSTRUCTION LEAD TIME TO BRING FORWARD THE COMPLETION OF PUBLIC HOUSING PROJECTS BY 11 MONTHS," HE ADDED.
ON A PROPOSAL OF INTRODUCING A CAPITAL GAINS TAX FOR PROPERTY TRANSACTIONS, MR EASON SAID THE SUGGESTION DID NOT FIT INTO THE FUNDAMENTAL POLICY OF MAINTAINING A SIMPLE AND EASY-TO-ADMINISTER TAXATION REGIME BASED ON LOW TAX RATES.
"THE LONG-TERM NEGATIVE EFFECT SUCH A TAX MIGHT HAVE ON OUR ECONOMY, AND ON THE WAY INVESTORS PERCEIVE HONG KONG, OUTWEIGHS ANY SHORT-TERM EFFECTS IT WOULD HAVE ON COOLING PROPERTY SPECULATION. BUT OUR BOOK ON IT IS NOT COMPLETELY CLOSED," HE NOTED.
HE DENIED THERE WAS A HIGH LAND PRICES POLICY BECAUSE IT WAS THE MARKET RATHER THE GOVERNMENT THAT FIXED PRICES. HE SAID THE GOVERNMENT’S POLICY WAS TO PROVIDE A SUFFICIENT SUPPLY OF LAND TO MEET DEMAND TO THE FULLEST EXTENT POSSIBLE.
"THERE IS NEITHER ANY EVIDENCE TO SUGGEST THAT DEVELOPERS ARE HOARDING LAND AND FLATS BECAUSE THEY USUALLY SELL FLATS AHEAD OF PRODUCTION, AND ON NEW SITES, THEY ARE BOUND BY BUILDING COVENANTS WHICH REQUIRE PRODUCTION USUALLY WITHIN THREE YEARS," HE ADDED.
- - 0
LABOUR LAW CLARIFIED
*****
IN RESPONSE TO MEDIA AND PUBLIC ENQUIRIES ON EMPLOYEES’ WELFARE AND BENEFITS AS PRESENTED IN A RECENT TELEVISION PROGRAMME, A LABOUR DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN POINTED OUT THAT THE EMPLOYMENT ORDINANCE APPLIED, WITH CERTAIN EXCEPTIONS, TO ALL EMPLOYEES INCLUDING THOSE EARNING MONTHLY WAGES OF MORE THAN $15,000.
AS REGARD THE LONG SERVICE PAYMENT, THE SPOKESMAN SAID AN EMPLOYEE WAS ENTITLED TO SUCH PAYMENT IF HE HAD SERVED HIS EMPLOYER FOR NO LESS THAN FIVE YEARS AND WAS BEING DISMISSED FOR REASONS OTHER THAN SUMMARY DISMISSAL OR REDUNDANCY; DIED IN SERVICE OR RESIGNED ON GROUNDS OF ILL HEALTH.
/AN EMPLOYEE
THURSDAY, MARCH 10, 1994
AN EMPLOYEE WHO IS AGED 65 OR ABOVE IS ALSO ENTITLED TO LONG SERVICE PAYMENT IF HE HAD WORKED FOR THE EMPLOYER FOR MORE THAN 10 YEARS AND WANTED TO RETIRE ON GROUNDS OF OLD AGE.
"FOR THE PURPOSE OF CALCULATING LONG SERVICE PAYMENT UNDER THE ORDINANCE, THE RECKONABLE SERVICE OF AN EMPLOYEE EARNING MONTHLY WAGES OF $4,000 IS UP TO 1977," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
"THE MAXIMUM LONG SERVICE PAYMENT IS THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF WAGES EARNED DURING THE 12 MONTHS PRECEDING HIS TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT, OR $180,000 WHICHEVER IS THE LESS.
"UNDER THE ORDINANCE , LONG SERVICE PAYMENT SHALL BE SET-OFF BY PAYMENT UNDER A RETIREMENT SCHEME OR PROVIDENT FUND SCHEME IN RESPECT OF CONTRIBUTION MADE BY THE EMPLOYER," HE ADDED.
ON THE QUESTION OF ANNUAL LEAVE, AN EMPLOYEE IS ENTITLED TO ANNUAL LEAVE WITH PAY AFTER SERVING EVERY PERIOD OF 12 MONTHS UNDER A CONTINUOUS CONTRACT WITH THE EMPLOYER.
"THE LEAVE SHOULD BE GRANTED WITHIN THE FOLLOWING PERIOD OF 12 MONTHS," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
IN RESPONSE TO ENQUIRIES ON THE NOTICE PERIOD REQUIRED FOR TERMINATION OF A CONTINUOUS CONTRACT OF EMPLOYMENT, THE SPOKESMAN POINTED OUT THAT UNDER THE EMPLOYMENT ORDINANCE, IF NO PROVISION FOR LENGTH OF NOTICE HAD BEEN MADE, THE NOTICE PERIOD WAS NOT LESS THAN ONE MONTH, IRRESPECTIVE OF WHETHER THE EMPLOYEE WAS DAILY OR MONTHLY RATED.
"IF THERE IS AN EXPRESSED AGREEMENT AS TO THE LENGTH OF NOTICE, THE NOTICE PERIOD REQUIRED IS THE AGREED PERIOD BUT IN ANY CASE NOT LESS THAN SEVEN DAYS," HE ADDED.
NO DECISION ON ISSUANCE OF TAXI LICENCES *****
IN RESPONSE TO PRESS ENQUIRIES, A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID IT WAS PURE SPECULATION TO SUGGEST THAT THE GOVERNMENT WOULD ISSUE 200 URBAN AND 100 NEW TERRITORIES TAXI LICENCES TN 1994/95. THE SPOKESMAN EMPHASI SED THAT NO DEC ISON HAD BEEN MADE ON THE NUMBER AND TIMING OF NEW TAXI LICENCES TO BE ISSUED.
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/8 ........
THURSDAY, MARCH 10, 1994
- 8 -
LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY SURVEY AGREEMENT SIGNED * * * * *
THE GOVERNMENT TODAY (THURSDAY) APPOINTED THE HONG KONG POLYTECHNIC TO CONDUCT A $1.5 MILLION SURVEY OF PERCEPTIONS ABOUT LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY.
THE SURVEY IS PART OF AN ONGOING STUDY ON LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY BY A WORKING GROUP SET UP UNDER THE EDUCATION COMMISSION.
THE AGREEMENT WAS SIGNED ON BEHALF OF THE GOVERNMENT BY THE PRINCIPAL ASSISTANT SECRETARY IN THE EDUCATION AND MANPOWER BRANCH AND SECRETARY TO THE WORKING GROUP, MR C D GODWIN, AND ON BEHALF OF THE POLYTECHNIC BY THE ASSOCIATE DEAN IN THE FACULTY OF COMMUNICATION, PROFESSOR CHEUNG YAT-SHING.
"FINDINGS FROM THE SURVEY WILL BE INCLUDED IN THE WORKING GROUP’S REPORT TO THE COMMISSION IN THE SUMMER," MR GODWIN SAID.
"THE COMMISSION EXPECTS TO PUBLISH PROPOSALS AIMED AT STRENGTHENING LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY IN THE AUTUMN,"
THE AIMS OF THE SURVEY ARE TO IDENTIFY THE VIEWS OF EDUCATORS, EMPLOYERS, PARENTS, AND STUDENTS ABOUT CURRENT LEVELS OF LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY IN CANTONESE, WRITTEN CHINESE, PUTONGHUA AND ENGLISH; AND TO IDENTIFY FACTORS WHICH HELP AND FACTORS WHICH HINDER THE ACQUISITION BY STUDENTS OF DESIRED LEVELS OF LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY DURING THEIR FORMAL EDUCATION.
EXPLAINING HOW THE SURVEY WOULD BE CONDUCTED, PROFESSOR CHEUNG SAID: "THE SURVEY WILL COVER 8,000 STUDENTS, TEACHERS, PARENTS,
PRINCIPALS AND EMPLOYERS, WITH SAMPLES DRAWN FROM 60 PRIMARY SCHOOLS, 60 SECONDARY SCHOOLS, AND SEVEN TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS." 4 '
THE POLYTECHNIC TEAM IS LED BY SENIOR LECTURER MR YU FONG-YING AND LECTURER DR DANIEL SO, BOTH IN THE DEPARTMENT OF CHINESE, TRANSLATION AND INTERPRETATION; AND PRINCIPAL LECTURER MR P K LUI IN THE DEPARTMENT OF APPLIED SOCIAL STUDIES.
THE TEAM INCLUDES SEVERAL EXPERTS ON LANGUAGE AND SURVEY METHODOLOGY FROM THE HONG KONG POLYTECHNIC AND THE CITY POLYTECHNIC.
THE CHAIRMAN OF THE WORKING GROUP, MS ANGELA CHEUNG, HAS WRITTEN TO ALL THE SCHOOLS SELECTED TO TAKE PART IN THE SURVEY, EXPLAINING ITS PURPOSE AND SEEKING THEIR COOPERATION.
"WE BELIEVE THAT THIS IS THE FIRST SUCH SURVEY EVER CONDUCTED IN HONG KONG," MS CHEUNG SAID.
"THE WORKING GROUP HOPES THAT ALL THE SCHOOL PRINCIPALS WE HAVE APPROACHED WILL RECOGNISE THE IMPORTANCE OF THE SURVEY, AND WORK WITH US TO ENSURE THE FULLEST POSSIBLE RESPONSE RATE.
"PILOT WORK HAS ALREADY BEGUN IN A SMALL NUMBER OF SELECTED SCHOOLS," SAID THE TEAM LEADER, MR YU.
"THE MAIN FIELD WORK WILL TAKE PLACE IN ALL SELECTED SCHOOLS TOWARDS THE END OF MARCH," HE ADDED.
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/9 ........
THURSDAY, MARCH 10, 1994
- 9 -
VOLUME AND PRICE MOVEMENTS OF EXTERNAL TRADE IN DECEMBER AND 1993 * * * » »
THE VOLUME OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS FOR THE WHOLE YEAR OF 1993 RECORDED A DECREASE OF 5.1% OVER 1992. OVER THE SAME PERIOD, THE VOLUME OF RE-EXPORTS INCREASED SIGNIFICANTLY BY 20%, ACCORDING TO STATISTICS RELEASED TODAY (THURSDAY) BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
TAKING DOMESTIC EXPORTS AND RE-EXPORTS TOGETHER, THE VOLUME OF TOTAL EXPORTS INCREASED BY 14%. IMPORTS INCREASED BY 13% 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 INCREASED SLIGHTLY BY 0.3%. THE PRICES OF RE-EXPORTS AND IMPORTS BOTH DECREASED BY 0.6%.
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 0.2% IN 1993 AS COMPARED WITH 1992.
TAKING DECEMBER 1993 ALONE AND COMPARING WITH DECEMBER 1992, THE VOLUME OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS DECREASED BY 5.8% WHILE THAT OF RE-EXPORTS INCREASED BY 16%. THE VOLUME OF TOTAL EXPORTS INCREASED BY 10%. THE VOLUME OF IMPORTS GREW BY 6.6%.
OVER THE SAME PERIOD OF COMPARISON, THE PRICES OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS INCREASED BY 0.9% WHILE THOSE OF RE-EXPORTS DECREASED BY 0.9%. THE PRICES OF IMPORTS REMAINED VIRTUALLY UNCHANGED.
THE CHANGES IN THE VALUE, UNIT VALUE AND VOLUME OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS BY PRINCIPAL COMMODITY GROUP ARE SHOWN IN TABLE 1.
COMPARING DECEMBER 1993 WITH DECEMBER 1992, WITH THE EXCEPTION OF METAL MANUFACTURES WHICH RECORDED AN INCREASE OF 2.7%, THE VOLUME OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS FOR OTHER COMMODITY GROUPS DECREASED, PARTICULARLY RADIOS OF ALL KINDS (-73%); TEXTILE MADE-UPS AND RELATED ARTICLES (-40%); FOOTWEAR (-38%); AND METAL ORES AND SCRAP (-34%).
AS REGARDS DOMESTIC EXPORT PRICES, THE PRICES OF FOOTWEAR; AND ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS INCREASED BY 5.5% AND 3.4% RESPECTIVELY.
ON THE OTHER HAND, DECREASES IN DOMESTIC EXPORT PRICES WERE RECORDED FOR TEXTILE YARN AND THREAD (-10%); TEXTILE FABRICS (-6.3%); AND RADIOS OF ALL KINDS (-6.2%).
THE CHANGES IN THE VALUE, UNIT VALUE AND VOLUME OF IMPORTS BY END-USE CATEGORY ARE SHOWN IN TABLE 2.
/THE IMPORT .......
THURSDAY, MARCH 10, 1994
- 10 -
THE IMPORT VOLUME OF FOODSTUFFS INCREASED BY 2.5% IN DECEMBER 1993 AS COMPARED WITH DECEMBER 1992.
CONSIDERABLE INCREASES WERE RECORDED FOR THE IMPORT VOLUME OF SOYA BEAN OIL, PEANUT OIL, VEGETABLE OIL AND LARD; AND RICE. ON THE OTHER HAND, DECREASES WERE RECORDED IN THE IMPORT VOLUME OF WHEAT AND FLOUR; TEA AND COFFEE; AND VEGETABLES.
OVER THE SAME PERIOD OF COMPARISON, THE IMPORT VOLUME OF CONSUMER GOODS INCREASED BY 6.2%.
COMMODITY ITEMS WITH SIGNIFICANT INCREASES IN IMPORT VOLUME INCLUDED HOUSEHOLD TYPE ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES; RADIOS, TELEVISION SETS, GRAMOPHONES, RECORDS, TAPE RECORDERS AND AMPLIFIERS; CLOTHING; AND ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES. HOWEVER, CONSIDERABLE DECREASE IN IMPORT VOLUME WAS NOTED FOR PASSENGER MOTOR CARS.
THE IMPORT VOLUME OF RAW MATERIALS AND SEMI-MANUFACTURES INCREASED BY 7.2% IN DECEMBER 1993 AS COMPARED WITH DECEMBER 1992.
SIGNIFICANT INCREASES IN IMPORT VOLUME WERE NOTED FOR MAN-MADE FIBRES; AND THERMIONIC CATHODE VALVES AND TUBES, DIODES, TRANSISTORS AND ELECTRICAL MICROCIRCUITS.
HOWEVER, CONSIDERABLE DECREASES WERE RECORDED IN THE IMPORT VOLUME OF WOOL AND OTHER ANIMAL HAIR; YARN OF WOOL AND MIXTURES; AND RAW COTTON.
IMPORTS OF FUELS DECREASED BY 20% IN VOLUME IN DECEMBER 1993 AS COMPARED WITH DECEMBER 1992.
AS REGARDS CAPITAL GOODS, THE IMPORT VOLUME INCREASED BY 10%. NOTABLE INCREASES WERE RECORDED FOR THE IMPORT VOLUME OF ELECTRICAL MACHINERY; SCIENTIFIC, MEDICAL, OPTICAL, MEASURING AND CONTROLLING INSTRUMENTS AND APPARATUS; AND OFFICE MACHINES.
THE IMPORT VOLUME OF CONSTRUCTION MACHINERY; TEXTILE MACHINERY; AND TRANSPORT EQUIPMENT DECLINED.
COMPARING DECEMBER 1993 WITH DECEMBER 1992, THE IMPORT PRICES OF CAPITAL GOODS; AND CONSUMER GOODS INCREASED BY 2.0% AND 0.4% RESPECTIVELY. THE IMPORT PRICES OF FUELS; FOODSTUFFS; AND RAW MATERIALS AND SEMI-MANUFACTURES DECREASED BY 9.3%, 1.5%, AND 1.2% RESPECTIVELY.
THE CHANGES IN THE VALUE, UNIT VALUE AND VOLUME OF RE-EXPORTS BY END-USE CATEGORY ARE SHOWN IN TABLE 3.
COMPARING DECEMBER 1993 WITH DECEMBER 1992, THE VOLUME OF RE-EXPORTS OF MOST END-USE CATEGORIES GREW: CAPITAL GOODS (+20%); FUELS (+19%); CONSUMER GOODS (+16%); AND RAW MATERIALS AND SEMIMANUFACTURES (+15%). HOWEVER, THE VOLUME OF RE-EXPORTS OF FOODSTUFFS DECREASED BY 13%.
OVER THE SAME PERIOD OF COMPARISON, THE RE-EXPORT PRICES OF FOODSTUFFS; CONSUMER GOODS; AND CAPITAL GOODS INCREASED BY 1.1%, 0.5% AND 0.3% RESPECTIVELY.
/ON THE
THURSDAY, MARCH 10, 1994
11 -
ON THE OTHER HAND, THE RE-EXPORT PRICES OF FUELS; AND RAW MATERIALS AND SEMI-MANUFACTURES DECREASED BY 13% AND 4.4% RESPECTIVELY.
DETAILS OF THE ABOVE STATISTICS ARE PUBLISHED IN THE DECEMBER 1993 ISSUE OF THE "HONG KONG TRADE INDEX NUMBERS”.
THE REPORT WILL BE ON SALE AROUND MARCH 14 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 ABOUT REGULAR SUBSCRIPTION TO THE REPORT MAY BE DIRECTED TO THE INFORMATION SERVICES DEPARTMENT AT FRENCH MISSION BUILDING, 1 BATTERY PATH, HONG KONG (TEL: 842 8802) AND ENQUIRIES ON TRADE INDICES TO THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT (TEL: 582 4918).
TABLE 1 : CHANGES IN DOMESTIC EXPORTS BY PRINCIPAL COMMODITY GROUP
COMMODITY GROUP COMPARING DEC WITH DEC 1993 1992 VOLUME % COMPARING JAN-DEC 1993 WITH JAN-DEC 1992
VALUE % UNIT VALUE % VALUE % UNIT VALUE VOLUME
% %
CLOTHING -2.5 -0.1 -2.4 i '■£> 1 . 1 -7.9
TEXTILE FABRICS -12.5 -6.3 -6.6 -4.6 -4.7 0.1
TEXTILE YARN AND THREAD -25.8 -10.4 -17.2 -14.4 -7.0 -8.0
TEXTILE MADE-UPS AND RELATED ARTICLES -42.2 -3.4 -40.3 -28.2 -1.4 -27.2
RADIOS OF ALL KINDS -74.2 -6.2 -72.5 -49.8 -6.5 -46.3
/ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS .......
THURSDAY, MARCH 10, 1994
12 -
ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS 0.2 3.4 -3.1 3.0 0.3 2.8
FOOTWEAR -34.4 5.5 -38.0 -45.1 6.6 -48.6
METAL MANUFACTURES 2.4 -0.3 2.7 1.6 -1.9 3.4
METAL ORES AND SCRAP -33.5 0.7 -34.0 -5.8 -1.2 -4.8
WATCHES AND CLOCKS -24.1 0.5 -24.5 -15.0 0.5 -15.4
TRAVEL GOODS, HANDBAGS AND -18.0 -1.8 -16.3 -21.3 -2.4 -19.5
SIMILAR ARTICLES
DOMESTIC ELECTRICAL -2.8 1.2 -3.7 -21.5 -2.0 -19.8
APPLIANCES
ALL COMMODITIES -5.0 0.9 -5.8 -4.8 0.3 -5.1
END-USE CATEGORY
TABLE 2 : CHANGES IN IMPORTS BY END-USE CATEGORY
COMPARING DEC 1993 COMPARING JAN-DEC 1993
WITH DEC 1992 WITH JAN-DEC 1992
UNIT VALUE VALUE VOLUME VALUE UNIT VALUE VOLUME
% % % % % %
FOODSTUFFS 1 . 1 -1.5 2.5 -0.7 -0.9 0.3
CONSUMER GOODS 6.6 0.4 6.2 15.3 -0.3 15.5
/RAW MATERIALS .......
THURSDAY, MARCH 10, 1994
13
RAW MATERIALS AND 5.9 -1.2 7.2 7.6 -2.5 10.4
SEMI-MANUFACTURES
FUELS -27.3 -9.3 -19.8 3.4 -2.5 6.1
CAPITAL GOODS 12.5 2.0 10.3 18.8 3.0 15.3
ALL COMMODITIES tn CD -0.1 6.6 12.2 -0.6 12.8
TABLE 3 : CHANGES IN RE -EXPORTS BY END- USE CATEGORY
COMPARING DEC 1993 COMPARING JAN-DEC 1993
WITH DEC 1992 WITH JAN-DEC 1992
END-USE CATEGORY VALUE UNIT VALUE VOLUME VALUE UNIT VALUE VOLUME
% % % % % %
FOODSTUFFS -11.8 1 . 1 -12.7 -3.7 -0.4 -3.4
CONSUMER GOODS 17. 1 0.5 16.4 18.7 0.2 18.5
RAW MATERIALS AND 9.6 -4.4 14.6 14.7 -3.5 18.9
SEMI-MANUFACTURES
FUELS 3.2 -13.4 19.1 43.6 -8.1 56.1
CAPITAL GOODS 20.4 0.3 20.0 30.4 1.8 28.1
ALL COMMODITIES 14.8 -0.9 15.7 19.1 -0.6 19.9
- - 0 - -
/14
THURSDAY, MARCH 10, 1994
14 -WIDESPREAD SUPPORT FOR SENIOR CITIZEN CARD SCHEME ♦ ♦tut
THE SENIOR CITIZEN CARD SCHEME WHICH AIMS TO LAUNCH A MOVEMENT IN SOCIETY TO SHOW MORE RESPECT AND CONCERN FOR ELDERLY PEOPLE IN HONG KONG WAS KICKED OFF BY THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, MRS ELIZABETH WONG, TODAY (THURSDAY).
ADDRESSING A GATHERING OF ELDERLY PERSONS AND REPRESENTATIVES OF LOCAL COMPANIES JOINING THE SCHEME AT THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT SHATIN SOCIAL CENTRE FOR THE ELDERLY, MRS WONG SAID THE SENIOR CITIZEN CARD WOULD FACILITATE PERSONS AGED 65 AND ABOVE TO HAVE ACCESS TO CONCESSIONARY FARES, PRIORITY TREATMENT AND DISCOUNTS OFFERED BY PARTICIPATING COMPANIES.
"WE HAVE NOW OVER 1,200 OUTLETS IN THE TERRITORY OFFERING CONCESSIONS AND PRIORITY SERVICE TO ELDERLY PERSONS," SHE SAID.
"THEY INCLUDE BANKS, FURTHER EDUCATION INSTITUTES, ENTERTAINMENT BUSINESSES, HOTELS, REHABILITATION PRODUCT COMPANIES, RESTAURANTS, DEPARTMENT STORES, SHOPS, TRAVEL AGENTS, PUBLIC TRANSPORT COMPANIES, CLINICS AND SO ON.
"SOME OF THE EXAMPLES OF THESE CONCESSIONS ARE PREFERENTIAL INTEREST RATES FOR FIXED DEPOSITS, DISCOUNTS FOR FURTHER EDUCATION COURSES, FREE ADMISSION TO ENTERTAINMENT PROGRAMMES, HALF-PRICE FOR A BUFFET LUNCH, DISCOUNTS FOR WHEELCHAIRS, HEARING AIDS, GLASSES, SPORTS WEAR, TOURS AND PUBLIC TRANSPORT.
"ALL THESE DEMONSTRATE THE WIDESPREAD SUPPORT AND CONCERTED EFFORTS IN RESPECTING THE ELDERS IN OUR SOCIETY," SHE ADDED.
SHE CALLED FOR COMMUNITY SUPPORT FOR THE PROJECT BECAUSE "WITHOUT YOUR SUPPORT, THE SENIOR CITIZEN CARD IS ONLY A CARD- WHICH MEANS LITTLE".
THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT (SWD) WILL ISSUE THE CARDS FREE OF CHARGE FROM APRIL 1.
ALL AN ELDERLY PERSON HAS TO DO IS TO FILL IN AN APPLICATION FORM AND SEND IT IN TOGETHER WITH A PHOTOGRAPH AND A PHOTOCOPY OF THEIR HONG KONG IDENTITY CARD THROUGH A PRE-ADDRESSED ENVELOPE.
APPLICATIONS CAN ALSO BE MADE IN BATCHES BY THE SERVICE UNITS OF NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANISATIONS AND BY LOCAL ORGANISATIONS.
APPLICATION FORMS AND PRE-ADDRESSED ENVELOPES ARE OBTAINABLE FROM SWD’S FAMILY SERVICES CENTRES, SOCIAL SECURITY FIELD UNITS AND GROUP WORK UNITS; ESTATE OFFICES OF THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT; SOCIAL, DAY CARE AND MULT I-SERVICE CENTRES FOR THE ELDERLY; AND PUBLIC ENQUIRY OFFICES AND COMMUNITY FACILITIES OF THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION.
MRS WONG SAID TO PUBLICISE THE SCHEME, TWO "PROMOTION DAYS" WOULD BE HELD ON MARCH 12 AND 19 WHEN VOLUNTEERS FROM SERVICE UNITS OF SWD AND NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANISATIONS WOULD ASSIST ELDERLY PERSONS IN COMPLETING THE APPLICATION FORMS AT OVER 170 DESIGNATED CENTRES.
/FURTHER ENQUIRIES .......
THURSDAY, MARCH 10, 1994
FURTHER ENQUIRIES ON THE SCHEME MAY BE MADE ON TEL 961 7580 -961 7585.
DURING TODAY’S LAUNCHING CEREMONY, MRS WONG AWARDED CERTIFICATES TO MORE THAN 30 REPRESENTATIVES OF PARTICIPATING COMPANIES.
THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MR IAN STRACHAN, ALSO PRESENTED THE FIRST SENIOR CITIZEN CARD TO AN ELDERLY WOMAN.
- - 0 - -
CS VISITS HOUSING HEADQUARTERS AND ESTATES *****
THE CHIEF SECRETARY, MRS ANSON CHAN, WAS BRIEFED ON THE LATEST DEVELOPMENT IN PUBLIC HOUSING ALLOCATION AND REDEVELOPMENT OF HOUSING ESTATES IN KOWLOON CENTRAL DURING HER VISIT TO THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT TODAY (THURSDAY).
ACCOMPANYING HER ON THE VISIT WERE CHAIRMAN OF THE HOUSING AUTHORITY, MS ROSANNA WONG, AND DIRECTOR OF HOUSING, MR FUNG TUNG.
MRS CHAN FIRST TOURED ROUND THE APPLICATIONS SECTION IN THE AUTHORITY’S HEADQUARTERS BUILDING, INCLUDING THE INTERVIEW ROOMS AND THE PRIORITY SERVICE CENTRE FOR THE ELDERLY.
SHE WAS TOLD THAT THE SECTION HAD TO REGISTER ON AVERAGE 1,240 NEW RENTAL HOUSING APPLICATIONS MONTHLY, TO VET APPLICANTS’ ELIGIBILITY AND TO ALLOCATE FLATS WITH A VIEW TO OPTIMISING THE USE OF HOUSING RESOURCES.
IN THE PRIORITY SERVICES CENTRE, SHE WAS TOLD THAT ABOUT 25 ELDERLY APPLICANTS WERE ENTERTAINED EACH DAY AND THAT GUIDED TOURS TO SHELTERED HOUSING WERE ORGANISED ONCE A MONTH.
MRS CHAN THEN MET SENIOR DIRECTORATE STAFF FOR A CHAT, DURING WHICH SHE PRESENTED A 30-YEAR LONG AND MERITORIOUS SERVICE CERTIFICATE AND A COMMEMORATIVE GOLD PIN TO MR FUNG.
SHE THEN DEPARTED THE HOUSING HEADQUARTERS FOR TSZ MAN ESTATE TO SEE THE LATEST HARMONY BLOCKS COMPLETED AFTER REDEVELOPMENT OF THE ESTATE.
INSIDE A SAMPLE FLAT IN THE ESTATE, SHE WAS TOLD THAT THE MODULAR CONCEPT ADOPTED IN THE HARMONY DESIGN WOULD ALLOW FOR GREATER STANDARDISATION AND QUALITY CONTROL. SHE ALSO NOTED THAT THERE WAS A SLIGHT INCREASE IN THE OVERALL FLAT SIZE AND UPGRADED FINISHES IN COMMON AREAS AND CORRIDORS.
THE PARTY THEN PROCEEDED TO THE ROOFTOP OF A NEARBY BLOCK WHERE MRS CHAN WAS BRIEFED ON THE PROGRESS OF REDEVELOPMENT IN TSZ WAN SHAN AREA WHILE HAVING A PANORAMIC VIEW OF THE DISTRICT.
/SHF. LEARNT
THURSDAY, MARCH 10, 1994
16 -
SHE LEARNT THAT ESTATES IN TSZ WAN SHAN HAD BEEN INCLUDED IN THE DEPARTMENT’S COMPREHENSIVE REDEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME BEING IMPLEMENTED IN PHASES UP TO 2000/2001. APART FROM TSZ MAN ESTATE, BLOCKS IN TSZ OI, TSZ ON AND TSZ CHING ESTATES HAD ALREADY BEEN SCHEDULED FOR REDEVELOPMENT IN THE NEXT TWO YEARS.
DURING HER VISIT TO A FAMILY LIVING IN A TWO-BEDROOM HARMONY FLAT IN WANG TAU HOM ESTATE PHASE 7, MRS CHAN NOTED THAT THE ORIGINAL 26 MARK I/II BLOCKS HAD ALL BEEN DEMOLISHED FOR REDEVELOPMENT. AT PRESENT, 18 MODERN BLOCKS, INCLUDING FOUR HARMONY BLOCKS, WERE BUILT TO PROVIDE ACCOMMODATION FOR 25,000 PERSONS.
MRS CHAN FINALLY VISITED THE LARGEST SHOPPING CENTRE EVER BUILT BY THE DEPARTMENT - THE LOK FU SHOPPING CENTRE WHICH NOT ONLY SERVED TENANTS FROM LOK FU ESTATE BUT ALSO PRIVATE DEVELOPMENT IN BROADCAST DRIVE, BEACON HILL ROAD AND EVEN KOWLOON CITY.
MANY MARKET LEADERS, INCLUDING A JAPANESE DEPARTMENT STORE AND CINEMA OPERATORS, HAVE BEEN ATTRACTED TO RUN THEIR BUSINESS IN THIS 37,000 SQUARE-METRE SHOPPING CENTRE.
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APPLICATIONS TO SPONSOR FIREWORKS DISPLAY INVITED
*****
THE RECREATION AND CULTURE BRANCH TODAY (THURSDAY) INVITED ORGANISATIONS WISHING TO SPONSOR THE 1995 LUNAR NEW YEAR FIREWORKS DISPLAY TO SUBMIT EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST TO THE GOVERNMENT BEFORE APRIL 30, 1994.
SINCE 1982, FIREWORKS DISPLAYS HAVE BEEN HELD OVER VICTORIA HARBOUR IN THE EVENING OF THE SECOND DAY OF THE LUNAR NEW YEAR TO CELEBRATE THE SPRING FESTIVAL.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE RECREATION AND CULTURE BRANCH SAID APPLICATIONS SHOULD BE SENT AT LEAST NINE MONTHS BEFORE THE DATE PROPOSED FOR THE DISPLAY.
APPLICATIONS SHOULD BE ADDRESSED TO THE SECRETARY FOR RECREATION AND CULTURE, 41ST FLOOR, REVENUE TOWER, 5 GLOUCESTER ROAD, WAN CHAI.
FURTHER ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE ON TEL 594 5659 DURING OFFICE HOURS.
/17 .......
THURSDAY, MARCH 10, 1994
17 -
CANADA AND HONG KONG SHARE ENVIRONMENT EXPERIENCE * * * * *
EXPERTS AND PROFESSIONALS IN THE FIELD OF ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT (EIA) FROM BOTH CANADA AND HONG KONG TODAY (THURSDAY) TOOK PART IN A SEMINAR ON CANADIAN EIA EXPERIENCE.
THE SEMINAR WAS PRECEDED BY A THREE-DAY WORKSHOP WHERE BOTH SIDES EXCHANGED VIEWS AND EXPERIENCES ON SOME IMPORTANT EIA ISSUES.
"BOTH THE SEMINAR AND THE WORKSHOP ARE EVENTS ORGANISED UNDER THE MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING ON ENVIRONMENTAL COLLABORATION SIGNED BETWEEN THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT AND ITS CANADIAN COUNTERPARTS IN 1992,” THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION, MR RAYMOND CHAN, SAID.
"THE CANADIAN EXPERIENCE OF HAVING TO MOVE FROM AN ADMINISTRATIVE CABINET DIRECTIVE TO A STATUTORY EIA ACT IS EXTREMELY RELEVANT TO OUR CURRENT POSITION OF PROPOSING AN EIA ORDINANCE IN HONG KONG.
"THE EXCHANGE OF VIEWS IN THE WORKSHOP AND THE SEMINAR IS VERY USEFUL TO US," HE SAID.
TODAY’S SEMINAR FOCUSED ON THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE NEW CANADIAN ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT ACT, PRIVATE SECTOR EXPERIENCES WITH ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT, THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT AND PROJECT PLANNING AS WELL AS PUBLIC PARTICIPATION.
AMONG THE SPEAKERS WERE EXPERTS FROM CANADA’S FEDERAL ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT REVIEW OFFICE, THE ONTARIO MINISTRY OF THE ENVIRONMENT AND PRIVATE CONSULTANCY FIRMS.
"CANADA HAS OVER 20 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE IN APPLYING EIA AND WE ARE VERY PLEASED TO BE ABLE TO SHARE WITH HONG KONG THE MANY LESSONS LEARNED," THE DIRECTOR-GENERAL OF THE FEDERAL ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT REVIEW OFFICE OF CANADA, MR PATRICE LEBLANC, SAID.
"THE SEMINAR AND WORKSHOP ALSO PROVIDE US WITH THE OPPORTUNITY TO GAIN FROM THE HONG KONG EXPERIENCE IN EIA, VALUABLE INPUTS AND INSIGHTS FOR OUR INTERNATIONA!, STUDY OF THE EFFECTIVENESS OF ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT," HE SAID.
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/18 .......
THURSDAY, MARCH 10, 1994
18
CLOTHING INDUSTRY HAS ENORMOUS POTENTIAL
*****
HONG KONG IS FAST BECOMING THE HUB OF A MANUFACTURING AREA EXTENDING WELL INTO SOUTHERN CHINA, SECRETARY FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY, MR T H CHAU, SAID TODAY (THURSDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING OF THE CLOTHING INDUSTRY FAIR, MR CHAU SAID THE CLOTHING INDUSTRY IN THIS AREA HAD ENORMOUS POTENTIAL, NOT JUST TO SERVE WORLD MARKETS, BUT ALSO TO MEET THE NEEDS OF AN INCREASINGLY AFFLUENT CHINESE POPULATION.
HE NOTED THAT DESPITE THE RESTRUCTURING OF THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR, THE CLOTHING INDUSTRY CONTINUED TO MAKE A MAJOR CONTRIBUTION TO HONG KONG’S EXPORT EARNINGS.
IT ACCOUNTED FOR OVER 30 PER CENT OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS LAST YEAR, AND A THIRD OF HONG KONG’S MANUFACTURING EMPLOYMENT.
ON THE LOCAL MANUFACTURING SCENE, MR CHAU SAID: "FOR A NUMBER OF YEARS ALREADY, HONG KONG MANUFACTURERS HAVE BEEN INCREASINGLY OBLIGED TO COMPETE IN OUR MAJOR MARKETS ON FAST RESPONSE AND QUALITY RATHER THAN ON PRICE.
SOME MANUFACTURERS HAVE ALREADY CHOSEN TO MOVE UP THE HIGH VALUE-ADDED LADDER, AND HAVE INVESTED IN THE LATEST EQUIPMENT AND PROCESSES, HE ADDED.
"THOSE WHO CHOOSE THIS PATH WILL FIND THE HONG KONG PRODUCTIVITY COUNCIL AND THE CLOTHING INDUSTRY TRAINING AUTHORITY READY TO HELP WITH TECHNICAL ADVICE AND ASSISTANCE," HE SAID.
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TEACHERS URGED TO VOTE ON APRIL 20 ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ *
THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT TODAY (THURSDAY) APPEALED TO ELIGIBLE TEACHER VOTERS AND EDUCATIONAL ORGANISATIONS TO VOTE IN THE ELECTION OF THE COUNCIL ON PROFESS IONA), CONDUCT TN EDUCATION ON APRIL 20.
A DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THAT THE COUNCIL WAS TO PROMOTE THE INTERESTS OF THE TEACHING PROFESSION.
ALL FULL-TIME TEACHERS REGISTERED WITH THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT ARE URGED TO EXERCISE THEIR RIGHT TN ELECTING THEIR REPRESENTATIVES IN THE COUNCIL, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
THE COUNCIL ON PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT IN EDUCATION IS A NON-STATUTORY BODY TO ADVISE THE GOVERNMENT ON MEASURES TO PROMOTE PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT IN EDUCATION, INCLUDING THE DRAFTING OF OPERATIONAL CRITERIA DEFINING THE CONDUCT EXPECTED OF AN EDUCATOR, AND TO ADVISE THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION IN CASES OF DISPUTE OR ON ALLEGED PROFESSIONAL MISCONDUCT.
/DETAILS ABOUT .......
THURSDAY, MARCH 10, 1994
- 19 -
DETAILS ABOUT VOTING PROCEDURES AND LISTS OF NOMINEES ARE BEING SENT TO SCHOOLS AND EDUCATION BODIES. CIRCULARS AND POSTERS WILL BE PUT UP IN STAFF ROOMS IN SCHOOLS TO PROMOTE THE ELECTION, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
THE SCHOOLS WILL CONDUCT THEIR OWN VOTING SESSION ON ELECTION DAY.
"FOR VOTING IN TEACHER-NOMINATED CATEGORIES IN SECONDARY, PRIMARY, SPECIAL SCHOOLS AND KINDERGARTENS, ALL FULL-TIME REGISTERED AND FULL-TIME PERMITTED TEACHERS INCLUDING PRINCIPALS AND HEADTEACHERS ARE ELIGIBLE TO VOTE," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
"HOWEVER, IF TEACHERS TEACH IN MORE THAN ONE SCHOOL, HE OR SHE SHOULD OPT TO EXERCISE HIS OR HER VOTING RIGHT IN ONLY ONE OF THE SCHOOLS. SHOULD A TEACHER VOTE IN MORE THAN ONE SCHOOL, THE BALLOT PAPER WILL BE CONSIDERED NULL AND VOID.
"VOTING IS TO BE CONDUCTED BY SECRET BALLOT IN WHICH VOTERS SHOULD NOT PUT DOWN THEIR NAMES OR ANY OTHER MARKS OF IDENTIFICATION ON THE BALLOT PAPER. THEY SHOULD NOT LET OTHER VOTERS SEE WHOM THEY VOTE FOR," HE SAID.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THAT ANY AMENDMENTS BY THE ELECTOR ON THE BALLOT PAPER SHOULD BE INITIALED BY THE RETURNING OFFICER. OTHERWISE THE VOTE WOULD BE CONSIDERED VOID.
"IF, FOR SOME REASONS, TEACHER VOTERS CANNOT CAST THEIR VOTES DURING THE VOTING SESSION, THEY MAY DO SO BEFORE THE SESSION BUT THIS MUST BE DONE ON THE VOTING DAY.
"IN THE UNLIKELY EVENT THAT ANY SCHOOL DOES NOT WISH TO PARTICIPATE IN THE VOTING EXERCISE, THE SCHOOL HEAD SHOULD PREPARE A STATEMENT TO THIS EFFECT SIGNED BY ALL ELIGIBLE VOTERS IN THE SCHOOL," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
AS TO VOTING IN ORGANISATION-NOMINATED CATEGORIES, THE SPOKESMAN SAID THAT VOTING WOULD BE CARRIED OUT ON A ONE-ORGANISATION-ONE-VOTE BASIS.
"EACH ORGANISATION CAN ONLY VOTE FOR CANDIDATES IN ITS OWN CATEGORY AND CANNOT CAST MORE THAN ONE VOTE FOR ANY CANDIDATE. SHOULD AN ORGANISATION CAST MORE THAN ONE VOTE FOR A CANDIDATE, ONLY ONE VOTE WILL BE COUNTED," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
THE UNSEALING OF ENVELOPES AND COUNTING OF VOTES FOR ORGANISATION-NOMINATED CATEGORIES WILL BE OFFICIATED BY THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION (SCHOOLS), MR S M TSUI, AND WITNESSED BY REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE ORGANISATIONS.
THE RESULTS OF THE ELECTION WILL BE ANNOUNCED THROUGH THE MASS MEDIA AS SOON AS THEY ARE AVAILABLE, PROBABLY IN LATE APRIL, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
MEANWHILE, THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT HAS RECEIVED TWO MORE NOMINATIONS WHICH WERE MAILED OR REFERRED TO THE DEPARTMENT BEFORE THE CLOSING DATE FOR NOMINATIONS.
/THIS BRINGS .......
THURSDAY, MARCH 10, 1994
- 20 -
THIS BRINGS TO 69 THE TOTAL NUMBER OF NOMINATIONS FOR THE ELECTION OF 25 SEATS.
THE NOMINATIONS COMPRISE 42 FROM TEACHER-NOMINATED CATEGORIES AND 27 FROM ORGANISATION-NOMINATED CATEGORIES.
THE TWO NOMINATIONS WHICH HAVE NOT BEEN ANNOUNCED ARE MR CHUNG MAN-KIN FROM THE LEARNER-TEACHERS’ ASSOCIATION AND NR WONG WAI-YU FROM THE HONG KONG ASSOCIATION OF HEADS OF SECONDARY SCHOOLS.
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TAI PO SEWAGE WORKS CONTRACT SIGNED * * * * *
THE ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL EQUIPMENT IN THE TAI PO SEWAGE TREATMENT PLANT IS BEING UPGRADED FOR IMPROVING THE EFFLUENT QUALITY AND OPERATION CONDITIONS OF THE TREATMENT WORKS.
A $95.9 MILLION CONTRACT FOR THE UPGRADING WORKS WAS SIGNED TODAY (THURSDAY) AT A CEREMONY BY THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF DRAINAGE SERVICES (ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL), MR LEUNG CHAM-TIM, AND REPRESENTATIVES OF THE CONTRACTOR, A JOINT VENTURE OF CHEVALIER (ENVIROTECH) LIMITED AND BIWATER INTERNATIONAL LIMITED.
THE CONTRACT, WHICH INVOLVES THE DESIGN, SUPPLY, INSTALLATION, TESTING AND COMMISSIONING OF THE SEWAGE TREATMENT PROCESS AND ASSOCIATED ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL EQUIPMENT, WILL ENHANCE THE NUTRIENT REMOVAL CAPACITY OF THE TREATMENT PLANT.
THE WORKS HAD BEGUN ON FEBRUARY 17 FOR COMPLETION IN AUGUST 1996.
THE CONTRACT IS PART OF THE STAGES I AND II IMPROVEMENT WORKS FOR THE TAI PO SEWAGE TREATMENT PLANT.
A $37.6 MILLION CIVIL ENGINEERING WORKS CONTRACT UNDER THIS IMPROVEMENT SCHEME WAS SIGNED BY THE DEPARTMENT LAST WEEK.
/21 ........
THURSDAY, MARCH 10, 1994
21 REMOVAL OF KOWLOON BIRTHS REGISTRY *****
THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (THURSDAY) THAT KOWLOON BIRTHS REGISTRY, CURRENTLY SITUATED AT SECOND FLOOR, MANDARIN PLAZA, TOWER A, 14 SCIENCE MUSEUM ROAD, TSIM SHA TSUI, WILL BE CLOSED ON COMPLETION OF ITS SERVICE IN THE AFTERNOON OF MARCH 19 AND MOVED TO THE FOLLOWING ADDRESS
MEZZANINE FLOOR, YAU MA TEI CARPARK BUILDING, 250 SHANGHAI STREET, KOWLOON.
THE NEW REGISTRY WILL COMMENCE SERVICE ON MARCH 21
AND THE
OFFICE HOURS ARE AS FOLLOWS:-
MONDAY TO FRIDAY 8.45 AM TO 12.45 PM
2 PM TO 4.45 PM
SATURDAY 9 AM TO 11.30 AM
SUNDAY AND PUBLIC HOLIDAYS CLOSED
FOR ENQUIRIES, MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC MAY TELEPHONE 824 6111, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT SAID.
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FINANCE COMMITTEE MEETS TOMORROW
*****
THE FINANCE COMMITTEE WILL HOLD A MEETING AT 2.30 PM TOMORROW (FRIDAY) AT THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL CHAMBER.
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE WELCOME TO OBSERVE THE PROCEEDINGS FROM THE PUBLIC GALLERY. THEY MAY RESERVE SEATS BY CALLING 869 9492.
ATTENTION NEWS EDITORS:
YOUR REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER THE MEETING.
ADVANCE COPIES OF THE PAPERS FOR THE MEETING WILL BE AVAILABLE FROM 2.30 PM TODAY (THURSDAY) IN THE PRESS ROOM OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL BUILDING, JACKSON ROAD, CENTRAL. PLEASE NOTE THAT THE PAPERS ARE NOT FOR USE UNTIL THE MEETING IS OVER.
/22 .......
THURSDAY, MARCH 10, 1994
- 22 -
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS *****
$ MILLION
OPENING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT 1,389
REVERSAL OF LAF +1,611
BALANCE AFTER REVERSAL OF LAF 3,000
NET INJECTION/WITHDRAWAL TODAY NIL
EFFECT OF LAF TODAY -1,261
CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT 1,739
LAF RATE 2.00 BID/4.00 OFFER TWI 125.6 *-0.1» 10.3.94
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND
EF BILLS EF NOTES/HONG KONG GOVERNMENT BONDS
TERMS YIELD TERM ISSUE COUPON PRICE YIELD
1 WEEK 3.47 18 MONTHS 2508 4.625 99.84 4.80
1 MONTH 3.58 21 MONTHS 251 1 4.15 98.74 4.99
3 MONTHS 3.72 24 MONTHS 2602 4.40 98.7 3 5.16
6 MONTHS 3.93 32 MONTHS 3610 4.20 97.01 5.51
12 MONTHS 4.39 35 MONTHS 3701 4.60 97.51 5.62
TOTAL TURNOVER OF BILLS AND BONDS - 13,492 MN
CLOSED 10 MARCH 1994
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL 842 8777
FRIDAY, MARCH 11,1994
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
HK TO STAY ON EDGE OF ECONOMIC WAVE: GOVERNOR................ 1
1,000 WORK VISAS FOR PROFESSIONALS AND MANAGERS FROM CHINA 2
PROCESSING OF APPLICATIONS FOR TRANSFER TO L6CAL TERMS CONTINUES ................................................... 3
REGULATORY AUTHORITY FOR ESTATE AGENTS RECOMMENDED....... 4
THREE PUBLIC HEARINGS FOR TV LICENCES........................ 5
INSURING PUBLIC GETS BETTER PROTECTION....................... 6
STATISTICS ON EXTERNAL TRADE FOR JANUARY..................... 8
RECLAMATION WORKS FOR LANTAU PORT DEVELOPMENT............... 17
LANTAU FIXED CROSSING TOLL COLLECTION SYSTEM................ 17
SITE FOR NEW EXPLOSIVES COMPLEX............................. 18
FINANCIAL CONSULTANTS TO BE INCLUDED IN ORDINARY LIST.... 19
JUDICIARY TO REVISE FEES.................................... 20
NEW HK STADIUM A SYMBOL OF HONG KONG........................ 20
NEW CHAIRMAN FOR CDC APPOINTED.............................. 21
-APPOINTMENT OF KENNETH TING AS CDC CHAIRMAN WELCOMED.... 21
SEWAGE TUNNELS FOR KOWTOON AND HK ISLAND.................... 21
GREAT IMPORTANCE ATTACHED TO CAREERS EDUCATION.............. 23
SWT) HELPS STRENGTHEN FAMILY TLES........................... 24
TECHNICAL TEACHERS W'ANTED ................................. 25
OFFICE ASSISTANT AW'ARDED ISM....................„.......... 25
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS................................................ 26
FRIDAY, MARCH 11, 1994
1
HK TO STAY ON EDGE OF ECONOMIC WAVE: GOVERNOR ♦ » ♦ ♦ *
HONG KONG, BY ITS OWN EFFORTS, HAS RISEN TO THE CREST OF THE ECONOMIC WAVE SWEEPING THROUGH THE ASIA-PACIFIC REGION, THE GOVERNOR, THE RT HON CHRISTOPHER PATTEN, SAID TODAY (FRIDAY).
”IF WE DO OUR WORK WELL, HONG KONG HAS THE CAPACITY TO STAY ON THE FORWARD EDGE OF THE WAVE FOR DECADES TO COME, SERVING THE DEVELOPMENT OF CHINA AND THE REGION IN THE WAY THAT NEW YORK OR CHICAGO SERVED THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OF THE UNITED STATES A CENTURY AGO,” MR PATTEN SAID.
HE WAS SPEAKING ON THE TOPIC: ’’COUNTDOWN TO 1997: HONG KONG'S ROADMAP TO CONTINUED PROSPERITY" AT A LUNCHEON OF THE FAR EASTERN ECONOMIC REVIEW CONFERENCE.
THE GOVERNOR SAID HE HAD NO DOUBT THAT WHATEVER HAPPENED IN THE NEXT THREE YEARS AND BEYOND, HONG KONG WOULD REMAIN STABLE AND PROSPEROUS.
"BUT WHAT CAN BE ACHIEVED IS FAR MORE THAN JUST STABILITY AND PROSPERITY," HE SAID.
MR PATTEN ALSO SAID THE GOVERNMENT WAS WILLING TO WORK DAY AND NIGHT WITH THE CHINESE AUTHORITIES TO RESOLVE THE MANY ISSUES ON WHICH IT COULD ONLY PROCEED BY AGREEMENT.
"NONE OF THESE ISSUES IS INTRINSICALLY INSOLUBLE," HE SAID.
HE HOPES THAT THE AIRPORT FINANCING WOULD VERY SOON BE ABLE TO NOTCH UP AGREEMENT.
MR PATTEN ALSO SAID HE HAD NO DOUBT THAT THE NEW LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TO BE ELECTED NEXT YEAR WOULD GO ON LEGISLATING RESPONSIBLY AND AUTONOMOUSLY ABOUT BUDGETS, TRAFFIC AND LIFTS; ASKING QUESTIONS ABOUT BUILDING MANAGEMENT, CRIME AND COUNTRY PARKS; DEBATING MOTIONS ON EDUCATION, HEALTH AND THE ENVIRONMENT.
"I HAVE NO DOUBT EITHER, THAT ABOVE THESE ISSUES - IMPORTANT THOUGH THEY ARE - ITS HIGHEST PRIORITY WILL BE TO MAKE A SUCCESS OF THE JOINT DECLARATION BY HELPING HONG KONG, AND WHERE APPROPRIATE THE UK, TO WORK WITH CHINA TO RESOLVE THE DIFFICULTIES AHEAD."
AFTER ALL, HE SAID, THE LEGCO THEN, MORE THAN EVER BEFORE, WILL BE REPRESENTATIVE OF THE HONG KONG PEOPLE - 97 PER CENT OF THEM CHINESE.
THESE ARE THE PEOPLE WHO WANT TO SEE A SMOOTH TRANSITION TO CHINESE SOVEREIGNTY, A TRANSITION THAT ALLOWS THEM TO HOLD ON TO THEIR WAY OF LIFE; TO HOLD ON TO THEIR ABILITY TO CHOOSE FREELY AND FAIRLY WHO REPRESENTS THEM; TO HOLD ON TO THE RULE OF LAW THAT SAFEGUARDS THEIR PROSPERITY, HE SAID.
"AND ONE THAT ALLOWS THEM TO MAKE AN EVEN GREATER CONTRIBUTION TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF CHINA IN THE NEXT CENTURY," HE ADDED.
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/? HHHII
FRIDAY, MARCH 11, 1994
2 i -
1,000 WORK VISAS FOR PROFESSIONALS AND MANAGERS FROM CHINA / ) *****
THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT TODAY (FRIDAY) ANNOUNCED DETAILS OF A PILOT SCHEME TO BE OPERATED FOR ONE YEAR, DURING WHICH 1,000 WORK VISAS WILL BE ISSUED TO PROFESSIONALS AND MANAGERS IN CHINA FOR THEM TO COME TO WORK IN HONG KONG.
.1 j, • -
"AS THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY EXPLAINED IN HIS BUDGET SPEECH ON MARCH 2, THE ENTRANTS UNDER THIS NEW SCHEME ARE TO MEET THE SHORTAGE OF PEOPLE WITH DEGREE-LEVEL QUALIFICATIONS AND KNOWLEDGE OF CHINA," THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF IMMIGRATION, MR JOHN YEUNG, SAID.
HE SAID THE PILOT SCHEME FOLLOWED A GOVERNMENT REVIEW WHICH CONCLUDED THAT THERE WAS AN INCREASING DEMAND FOR PEOPLE WITH CHINA EXPERIENCE.
"THE SCHEME, TO BE OPERATED IN FOUR QUARTERLY PHASES, WILL BE TIGHTLY CONTROLLED TO PREVENT ABUSE,” MR YEUNG SAID WHEN OUTLINING THE DETAILS OF THE SCHEME.
ELIGIBILITY TO ENTER WILL BE RESTRICTED TO GRADUATES OF 36 KEY TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS IN CHINA WITH RELEVANT WORKING EXPERIENCE.
SUCCESSFUL ENTRANTS WILL ENTER UNDER WORK VISAS AND WILL BE CAREFULLY VETTED FOR SUITABILITY FOR THE JOBS APPLIED FOR, IN JUST THE SAME WAY AS OTHER ENTRANTS APPLYING TO WORK IN HONG KONG.
"THE SCHEME WILL OPERATE SEPARATELY FROM THE EXISTING ONE-WAY AND TWO-WAY PERMIT SYSTEMS FOR ENTRY AND VISIT FROM CHINA," MR YEUNG SAID.
HE ALSO POINTED OUT THAT ENTRANTS UNDER THIS SCHEME MAY APPLY TO CHANGE JOBS, SO THAT THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN SALARIES HERE AND IN CHINA DID NOT LEAD TO THEIR EXPLOITATION. BUT THEY WOULD NOT BE ALLOWED TO BRING THEIR FAMILIES WITH THEM.
"WE HAVE TO BE SURE THAT THE PILOT SCHEME IS NOT USED AS A WAY ROUND THE ONE-WAY PERMIT SYSTEM AND OUR TIGHT IMMIGRATION CONTROLS ON ENTRY FROM CHINA," HE SAID.
THERE WILL BE TWO STAGES OF CHECKS UNDER THE SCHEME.
FIRST, EMPLOYERS WILL BE REQUIRED TO SUBMIT TO THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT A PRELIMINARY APPLICATION FOR EACH VACANCY. A NON-REFUNDABLE FEE OF $500 WILL BE PAYABLE WITH EACH APPLICATION.
IF THE DEMAND EXCEEDS THE 1,000 QUOTA, THE APPLICATIONS WILL BE DETERMINED B\ BALLOT.
THERE WILL BE FOUR BALLOTING EXERCISES, PICKING 250 APPLICATIONS EACH QUARTER. UNSUCCESSFUL APPLICATIONS WILL CONTINUE TO HAVE A CHANCE IN THE SUBSEQUENT BALLOTING EXERCISE.
IF AN EMPLOYEE APPLIES AND SUCCESSFULLY MOVES JOB, HIS EMPLOYER WHO BROUGHT HIM IN MAY SUBMIT A NEW APPLICATION FOR THE VACANCY IN THE SUBSEQUENT BALLOTING EXERCISE.
/"THE IMMIGRATION .......
FRIDAY, MARCH 11, 1994
3
"THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT WILL BE CAREFUL TO ENSURE, WITH HELP FROM OTHER RELEVANT DEPARTMENTS, THAT THE JOBS APPLIED FOR REALLY REQUIRE EXPERTS FROM CHINA, NOT READILY AVAILABLE IN HONG KONG."
SECOND, IF APPLICATIONS BY EMPLOYERS ARE SUCCESSFUL, INDIVIDUAL VISA APPLICATIONS MAY BE SUBMITTED BY THE PROSPECTIVE EMPLOYEE FROM CHINA. THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT WILL THEN CHECK AT THIS SECOND STAGE THE CREDENTIALS AND QUALIFICATIONS OF THE APPLICANTS.
THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT WILL START RECEIVING APPLICATIONS FROM COMPANIES FROM APRIL 1 THIS YEAR.
APPLICATION FORMS WILL BE AVAILABLE AT THE INFORMATION OFFICE OF THE DEPARTMENT ON THE SECOND FLOOR OF THE IMMIGRATION TOWER, WAN CHAI AND IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT BRANCH OFFICES THEN.
THE CLOSING DATE FOR THE SUBMISSION OF PRELIMINARY APPLICATIONS FOR THE FIRST QUARTER IS MAY 31 THIS YEAR.
"WE HOPE THAT THESE PROCEDURES WILL PREVENT ABUSE OF THE SCHEME BY PEOPLE INAPPROPRIATE TO HONG KONG’S NEEDS," MR YEUNG STRESSED.
"WE WILL BE MONITORING THE ACTUAL OPERATION OF THE SCHEME CLOSELY, SO THAT THE GOVERNMENT CAN CONSIDER WHETHER TO EXTEND OR TO CONTINUE THE SCHEME BEYOND NEXT YEAR," HE SAID.
ALL ENQUIRIES MAY BE MADE TO THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT ON TEL 824 6111.
------0-------
PROCESSING OF APPLICATIONS FOR TRANSFER TO LOCAL TERMS CONTINUES *****
FOLLOWING A PRESS STATEMENT ISSUED EARLIER TODAY (FRIDAY) BY THE SENIOR NON-EXPATRIATE OFFICERS ASSOCIATION (SNEOA), A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN CONFIRMED THAT THE ASSOCIATION HAD CONVEYED TO THE ADMINISTRATION ITS "3+1" PROPOSAL FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE INTERIM MEASURE OF ALLOWING OVERSEAS OFFICERS WHO WERE PERMANENT RESIDENTS TO TRANSFER TO LOCAL CONDITIONS IF THEY MET CERTAIN CRITERIA.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE ADMINISTRATION WAS PLEASED TO SEE THAT THE SNEOA HAD MADE A POSITIVE STEP IN THE SEARCH FOR A SOLUTION TO THE LOCALISATION ISSUE.
"WE ARE GIVING SERIOUS THOUGHT TO THE PROPOSAL ALTHOUGH WE ENVISAGE THAT THERE WOULD BE SOME PROBLEMS AS SOME OF THE CONDITIONS PUT FORWARD MIGHT BE DIFFICULT TO MEET," HE SAID.
"WE HAVE CONVEYED THE SNEOA'S PROPOSAL TO THE ASSOCIATION OF EXPATRIATE CIVIL SERVANTS AND ASKED THEM TO CONSIDER IT IN A POSITIVE LIGHT. WE OURSELVES ARE LOOKING CLOSELY AT IT.
/"WE HOPE .......
FRIDAY, MARCH 11, 1994
4
”WE HOPE THAT WITH MORE HARD WORK BY ALL CONCERNED, A MUTUALLY ACCEPTABLE SOLUTION COULD BE FOUND.”
HOWEVER, THE SPOKESMAN CONTINUED, IT WAS LEARNED TODAY THAT THE SNEOA WAS NOT HAPPY WITH THE ADMINISTRATION GRANTING APPROVAL IN PRINCIPLE TO OFFICERS WHO MET THE CRITERIA FOR TRANSFER WHILE DISCUSSIONS WERE TAKING PLACE.
TO PUT THE RECORD STRAIGHT, HE SAID, SNEOA HAD BEEN URGING THE ADMINISTRATION TO EXPEDITE THE PROCESSING OF APPLICATIONS.
’’THIS IS EXACTLY WHAT WE ARE DOING,” HE SAID. "TODAY THEY HAVE SAID FOR THE FIRST TIME THAT THEY WANT US TO SUSPEND THE GRANTING OF APPROVALS UNTIL APRIL 20.
’’WHILE WE WOULD BE PREPARED TO CONSIDER THAT SUGGESTION, THERE COULD BE PROBLEMS FOR CONTRACTS WHICH WILL EXPIRE IN THE NEXT FEW MONTHS.”
THE SPOKESMAN STRESSED THAT AFTER THE ENACTMENT OF THE PUBLIC OFFICERS (VARIATION OF CONDITIONS OF SERVICE)(TEMPORARY PROVISIONS) ORDINANCE, THE ADMINISTRATION HAD CONTINUED TO PROCESS APPLICATIONS FOR TRANSFER TO LOCAL TERMS.
FOR THOSE APPLICANTS WHO CAN MEET THE CRITERIA FOR TRANSFER AND WHOSE APPLICATIONS WOULD OTHERWISE BE APPROVED, THEIR CONTRACTS ARE BEING EXTENDED ON OVERSEAS CONDITIONS UNTIL THE ORDINANCE LAPSES, AFTER WHICH THE ADMINISTRATION INTENDS TO OFFER THEM AN AGREEMENT BASED ON LOCAL CONDITIONS OF SERVICE.
- - 0 - -
REGULATORY AUTHORITY FOR ESTATE AGENTS RECOMMENDED
*****
RECOMMENDATION WILL BE MADE FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A REGULATORY AUTHORITY FOR LICENSING REAL ESTATE AGENTS, THE DEPUTY SECRETARY FOR PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS (HOUSING POLICY), MR LEO KWAN, SAID TODAY (FRIDAY).
HE SAID THE AUTHORITY’S FUNCTIONS WILL INCLUDE ADVISING THE GOVERNMENT ON REGULATORY MATTERS, DETERMINING LICENSING REQUIREMENTS, LICENSING ESTATE AGENTS, INQUIRING INTO ALLEGED BREACHES OF RULES AND REGULATIONS AND IMPOSING PENALTIES ON DEFAULTING AGENTS.
THIS CAME AFTER THE WORKING GROUP ON THE REGULATION OF REAL ESTATE AGENTS HAS DELIBERATED FULLY THE SETTING UP OF A REGULATORY FRAMEWORK FOR THE TRADE OVER THE PAST FOUR MONTHS.
THE GROUP ALSO STUDIED VARIOUS OVERSEAS REGULATORY SYSTEMS FOR ESTATE AGENTS AND CONSIDERED LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MEMBERS’ VIEW AND PUBLIC OPINION IN ITS DISCUSSIONS.
"A REGULATORY AUTHORITY WILL SERVE THE PURPOSE OF ASSURING MINIMUM SERVICE STANDARD AND SANCTIONING INCOMPETENT AND DISHONEST AGENTS,” HE SAID
/MR KWAN .......
FRIDAY, MARCH 11, 1994
5
MR KWAN WAS SPEAKING AT A GRADUATION CEREMONY FOR THE CONTINUING EDUCATION CERTIFICATE COURSE IN PROPERTY AGENCY PRACTICE.
HE SAID THE WORKING GROUP HAD RECOMMENDED SOME INTERIM MEASURES TO TACKLE PROBLEMS IDENTIFIED IN THE TRADE.
’’ACTIONS ARE BEING TAKEN TO WORK OUT A STANDARD PROVISIONAL SALES AND PURCHASE AGREEMENT, TO PREPARE A CODE OF PRACTICE AND PRACTISING GUIDELINES AND TO DRAW UP A PRELIMINARY AGREEMENT SETTING OUT THE GENERAL DUTIES OF ESTATE AGENTS.
’’THESE INTERIM MEASURES, WHEN INTRODUCED, SHOULD HELP ENHANCE THE SERVICE STANDARD OF THE TRADE AND, ON THE OTHER HAND, PROTECT CONSUMERS’ INTEREST IN PROPERTY TRANSACTIONS BEFORE LEGISLATION IS PUT IN PLACE,” HE SAID.
THE MEASURES WERE BEING PURSUED JOINTLY BY THE SOCIETY OF HONG KONG REAL ESTATE AGENTS, THE HONG KONG REAL ESTATE AGENCIES ASSOCIATION, THE LAW SOCIETY, THE CONSUMER COUNCIL AND THE INDEPENDENT COMMISSION AGAINST CORRUPTION.
------0-------
THREE PUBLIC HEARINGS FOR TV LICENCES
*****
THREE PUBLIC HEARINGS WILL BE HELD DURING THE COURSE OF THE MID-TERM REVIEW OF THE ATV AND TVB COMMERCIAL TELEVISION LICENCES, THE BROADCASTING AUTHORITY (BA) ANNOUNCED TODAY (FRIDAY).
THE HEARINGS WILL BE HELD AT VENUES IN HONG KONG, KOWLOON AND THE NEW TERRITORIES AND WILL TAKE PLACE IN MAY AND JUNE THIS YEAR, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE BA SAID.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE PURPOSE OF THE HEARINGS WAS TO OBTAIN FEEDBACK FROM THE PUBLIC ON THE QUALITY AND ACCEPTABILITY OF COMMERCIAL TELEVISION BROADCASTS, ’’MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WILL BE INVITED TO COMMENT ON A RANGE OF TOPICS COVERING THE PROGRAMMES AND ADVERTISEMENTS BROADCAST,” HE ADDED.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID DISCUSSIONS WOULD BE LIMITED TO POINTS FALLING WITHIN THE SCOPE OF THE REVIEW AND, WITH REGARD TO MATTERS CONCERNING POLICY, THE RECREATION AND CULTURE BRANCH WOULD CONDUCT A SEPARATE STUDY.
HE SAID: "THE BA WILL SEEK PEOPLE’S VIEWS ON WHAT HAS BEEN BROADCAST OVER THE PAST FIVE OR SIX YEARS. THIS WILL HELP THE AUTHORITY DETERMINE WHETHER ANY CHANGES TO THE REGULATORY SYSTEM FOR COMMERCIAL BROADCASTING IS REQUIRED.”
THE BA ALSO ANNOUNCED THAT IT HAD IMPOSED SANCTIONS ON BOTH ATV AND TVB FOR BROADCASTING ACTS THAT COULD CAUSE HARM TO CHILDREN IF IMITATED.
/THE BA .......
FRIDAY, MARCH 11, 1994
- 6 -
THE BA WARNED ATV FOR BROADCASTING AN ADVERTISEMENT FOR ’’MCDONALDS" WHICH INCLUDED A SHOT OF A YOUTH CRAMMING A COMPACT DISC INTO HIS MOUTH.
MEMBERS OF THE BA NOTED THAT THIS WAS BROADCAST WITHIN FAMILY VIEWING HOURS AND FELT THAT CHILDREN MIGHT NOT REFRAIN FROM EMULATING THE ACT, WHICH WAS DANGEROUS AND COULD CAUSE INJURY.
THE BA, HOWEVER, COMMENDED TVB FOR EDITING OUT THE DANGEROUS ACT FROM THE VERSION OF THE ADVERTISEMENT THAT IT BROADCAST.
THE BA WARNED TVB FOR THE BROADCAST OF A DANGEROUS STUNT DURING A CHARITY SHOW.
THE STUNT, IN WHICH A SINGER PULLED A RUBBER GLOVE OVER HIS HEAD AND THEN INFLATED THE GLOVE UNTIL IT BURST, WAS IN THE OPINION OF THE BA VERY DANGEROUS AND, DESPITE WARNINGS GIVEN BY TVB, MIGHT LEAD TO IMITATION BY CHILDREN.
THIS WAS OF PARTICULAR CONCERN TO THE BA BECAUSE THE STUNT WAS BROADCAST DURING A CHARITY SHOW WHICH WAS POPULAR WITH ALL AGE GROUPS, THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
THE BA ALSO IMPOSED A FINANCIAL PENALTY OF $25,000 ON TVB FOR A BREACH OF THE TELEVISION CODE OF PRACTICE GOVERNING THE CONTENT OF MATERIAL BROADCAST DURING FAMILY VIEWING HOURS.
THE BREACH OCCURRED DURING THE BROADCAST OF THE PROGRAMME "GLITTERING MOMENTS” ON TVB JADE, WHEN A SEGMENT INCLUDING DIALOGUE ON SEX WAS AIRED.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID BA MEMBERS FELT THAT THE DIALOGUE WAS TOO EXPLICIT, VULGAR AND OF POOR TASTE, AND THIS RENDERED IT UNSUITABLE FOR BROADCAST DURING THE FAMILY VIEWING HOURS OF 4 PM - 8.30 PM DURING WHICH TIME NOTHING UNSUITABLE FOR CHILDREN MAY BE BROADCAST.
---------0-----------
INSURING PUBLIC GETS BETTER PROTECTION
*****
GOOD PROGRESS HAS BEEN MADE FOR THE BETTER PROTECTION OF THE INTEREST OF THE INSURING PUBLIC, THE COMMISSIONER OF INSURANCE, MR STEPHEN IP, SAID TODAY (FRIDAY).
HE WAS SPEAKING AT A PRESS CONFERENCE TO PUBLISH THE 1993 ANNUAL REPORT OF THE OFFICE OF THE COMMISSIONER OF INSURANCE AND OFFICE OF THE REGISTRAR OF OCCUPATIONAL RETIREMENT SCHEMES.
MR IP SAID THE INSURANCE COMPANIES (AMENDMENT) ORDINANCE 1993 WAS ENACTED WITH THE MAIN OBJECT TO PERMIT INFORMATION TO BE DISCLOSED TO THE INSURANCE AUTHORITY BY THE AUDITOR OR ACTUARY OF AN INSURER.
/'•THREE NEW..........
FRIDAY, MARCH 11, 1994
"THREE NEW CLASSES OF LONG-TERM BUSINESS WERE ALSO INTRODUCED TO BRING THE PROVISION OF RETIREMENT BENEFITS THROUGH INSURANCE ARRANGEMENTS UNDER THE PURVIEW OF THE INSURANCE COMPANIES ORDINANCE," HE SAID.
THERE WERE THREE AMENDMENT BILLS GAZETTED LAST YEAR.
"THE MAIN OBJECT OF THE AMENDMENT (NO. 1) BILL IS TO REQUIRE AN INSURER TO NOTIFY THE INSURANCE AUTHORITY WHEN IT BECOMES SUBJECT TO LIQUIDATION AND TO ALLOW A NEW SOLVENCY MARGIN FOR LONG-TERM INSURANCE BUSINESS TO BE PRESCRIBED BY REGULATIONS.
"THE OBJECT OF THE NO. 2 BILL IS TO REQUIRE INSURERS TO MAINTAIN ASSETS IN HONG KONG OF NOT LESS THAN 80 PER CENT OF ITS LIABILITIES ARISING FROM ITS HONG KONG GENERAL INSURANCE BUSINESS PLUS THE STATUTORY SOLVENCY MARGIN.
"THE NO. 3 BILL IS INTRODUCED TO PROVIDE LEGISLATIVE SUPPORT TO THE SYSTEM OF SELF-REGULATION OF INSURANCE INTERMEDIARIES BY THE INSURANCE INDUSTRY," HE SAID.
THERE ARE AT PRESENT 229 AUTHORISED INSURERS OPERATING IN HONG KONG. OF THEM, 104 ARE INCORPORATED IN HONG KONG WHILE MOST OF THE OVERSEAS INSURERS COME FROM THE USA AND EUROPE INCLUDING THE UK, SWITZERLAND AND FRANCE.
ON THE WORK OF THE OFFICE OF THE REGISTRAR OF OCCUPATIONAL RETIREMENT SCHEMES, MR IP SAID THE REGISTRAR’S OFFICE WAS ESTABLISHED ON OCTOBER 15 LAST YEAR FOR THE REGISTRATION AND REGULATION OF PRIVATE RETIREMENT SCHEMES.
"WITH THE OCCUPATIONAL RETIREMENT SCHEMES ORDINANCE COMING INTO EFFECT ON THE SAME DATE, THERE IS A GREATER CERTAINTY THAT RETIREMENT SCHEME BENEFITS PROMISED TO EMPLOYEES WILL BE PAID WHEN THEY FALL DUE," SAID MR IP, WHO IS ALSO THE REGISTRAR OF OCCUPATIONAL RETIREMENT SCHEMES.
MR IP SAID THE OCCUPATIONAL RETIREMENT SCHEMES ORDINANCE AIMED TO ESTABLISH A REGISTRATION SYSTEM FOR VOLUNTARILY ESTABLISHED OCCUPATIONAL RETIREMENT SCHEMES.
"THIS IS TO ENSURE THAT SUCH SCHEMES ARE PROPERLY REGULATED AND TO PROVIDE GREATER CERTAINTY THAT RETIREMENT SCHEME BENEFITS PROMISED TO EMPLOYEES WILL BE PAID WHEN THEY FALL DUE.
"BEFORE A SCHEME IS QUALIFIED TO BE REGISTERED, CERTAIN CRITERIA AND CONDITIONS MUST BE MET; AND AFTER REGISTRATION, IT MUST COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS UNDER THE OCCUPATIONAL RETIREMENT SCHEMES ORDINANCE.
"BESIDES, THE OCCUPATIONAL RETIREMENT SCHEMES ORDINANCE IMPOSES CERTAIN DUTIES AND OBLIGATIONS ON EMPLOYERS, SCHEME ADMINISTRATORS AND THE PROFESSIONALS CONCERNED," HE SAID.
/MR IP ........
FRIDAY, MARCH 11, 1994
8
MR IP ADDED THAT THE REGISTRAR’S OFFICE HAD BEEN IN CLOSE LIAISON WITH THE MARKET OPERATORS ON RETIREMENTRSCHEMESpWIT^AVIE
ASSISTING THEM AND THEIR CLIENTS IN REGISTRATION OF SCHEMES.
IT IS EXPECTED THAT THERE WILL BE ABOUT 25,000 SCHEMES APPLYING FOR REGISTRATION OR EXEMPTION WITHIN THE TWO-YEAR TRANSITIONAL PERIOD.
COPIES OF THE REPORT IN ENGLISH, AT $20 EACH, ARE NOW ON SALE AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE AT CONNAUGHT PLACE, CENTRAL, HONG KONG. THE CHINESE VERSION OF THE ANNUAL REPORT WILL BE AVAILABLE LATER IN THE YEAR.
---------0-----------
STATISTICS ON EXTERNAL TRADE FOR JANUARY * * * * ♦
THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT TODAY (FRIDAY) RELEASED DETAILED STATISTICS ON EXTERNAL TRADE WITH BREAKDOWN BY COUNTRY/TERRITORY AND COMMODITY FOR JANUARY 1994.
THE VALUE OF RE-EXPORTS IN JANUARY 1994, AT $66,771 MILLION, SHOWED AN INCREASE OF 36% OVER JANUARY 1993, WHEREAS THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS AT $ 15,340MILLION INCREASED BY 5.4%.
OVER THE SAME PERIOD, INCREASES WERE RECORDED IN THE VALUE OF RE-EXPORTS TO ALL MAJOR DESTINATIONS: CHINA (+59%), THE UNITED KINGDOM (+40%), SINGAPORE (+38%), THE REPUBLIC OF KOREA (+37%), JAPAN (+37%), THE UNITED STATES (+34%), GERMANY (+25%), THE NETHERLANDS (+23%), FRANCE (+14%) AND TAIWAN (+3.0%).
THE CHANGES IN THE VALUE OF HONG KONG’S RE-EXPORTS TO THE 10 MAJOR DESTINATIONS ARE SHOWN IN TABLE 1.
AS THE EXTERNAL TRADE FIGURES OF A SINGLE MONTH AT THE BEGINNING OF EACH YEAR TEND TO BE VOLATILE BECAUSE OF THE LUNAR NEW YEAR HOLIDAYS (WHICH OCCURRED IN LATE JANUARY LAST YEAR, BUT IN MIDFEBRUARY THIS YEAR), IT IS MORE MEANINGFUL TO MAKE COMPARISONS OVER A LONGER PERIOD.
COMPARING THE THREE MONTHS ENDING JANUARY 1994 WITH THE THREE MONTHS ENDING JANUARY 1993, INCREASES WERE RECORDED IN THE VALUE OF RE-EXPORTS TO MOST OF THE MAJOR DESTINATIONS: THE REPUBLIC OF KOREA (+28%), JAPAN (+28%), CHINA (+27%), THE UNITED STATES (+26%), THE UNITED KINGDOM (+25%), GERMANY (+25%), SINGAPORE (+21%), FRANCE (+12%) AND THE NETHERLANDS (+12%).
HOWEVER, THE VALUE OF RE-EXPORTS TO TAIWAN DECREASED BY 12%.
TABLE 2 SHOWS THE CHANGES IN THE VALUE OF RE-EXPORTS OF THE 10 MAJOR COMMODITY DIVISIONS.
/COMPARING THE .......
FRIDAY, MARCH 11, 1994
- 9
COMPARING THE THREE MONTHS ENDING JANUARY 1994 WITH THE THREE MONTHS ENDING JANUARY 1993, INCREASES WERE RECORDED IN THE VALUE OF RE-EXPORTS OF ALL MAJOR COMMODITY DIVISIONS.
MORE NOTABLE INCREASES WERE REGISTERED FOR TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND SOUND RECORDING AND REPRODUCING APPARATUS AND EQUIPMENT (BY $7,953 MILLION OR 56%); ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES, AND ELECTRICAL PARTS THEREOF (BY $4,565 MILLION OR 32%); CLOTHING (BY $3,726 MILLION OR 19%); FOOTWEAR (BY $2,604 MILLION OR 27%); TEXTILES (BY $1,994 MILLION OR 13%); OFFICE MACHINES AND AUTOMATIC DATA PROCESSING MACHINES (BY $1,950 MILLION OR 29%); AND PHOTOGRAPHIC APPARATUS, EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES, OPTICAL GOODS, WATCHES AND CLOCKS (BY $1,899 MILLION OR 25%).
THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS IN JANUARY 1994, AT $15,340 MILLION, INCREASED BY 5.4% OVER JANUARY 1993. INCREASES WERE RECORDED IN THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO MALAYSIA (+34%), CHINA (+24%), TAIWAN (+16%), SINGAPORE (+6.0%), JAPAN (+5.7%) AND THE UNITED STATES (+2.2%). HOWEVER, THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO CANADA, THE NETHERLANDS, GERMANY AND THE UNITED KINGDOM DECREASED BY 18%, 12%,
7.8% AND 3.8% RESPECTIVELY.
THE CHANGES IN THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO THE 10 MAJOR DESTINATIONS ARE SHOWN IN TABLE 3.
COMPARING THE THREE MONTHS ENDING JANUARY 1994 WITH THE THREE MONTHS ENDING JANUARY 1993, INCREASES WERE RECORDED IN THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO MALAYSIA (+5.8%), SINGAPORE (+5.5%), THE UNITED STATES (+2.9%), CHINA (+2.3%) AND TAIWAN (+1.4%).
HOWEVER, DECREASES WERE RECORDED IN THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO OTHER MAJOR DESTINATIONS: GERMANY (-20%), THE UNITED KINGDOM (-12%), THE NETHERLANDS (-10%), CANADA (-8.7%) AND JAPAN (-4.4%).
TABLE 4 SHOWS THE CHANGES IN THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS OF THE TEN MAJOR COMMODITY DIVISIONS.
COMPARING THE THREE MONTHS ENDING JANUARY 1994 WITH THE THREE MONTHS ENDING JANUARY 1993, INCREASES IN THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS WERE REGISTERED FOR ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES, AND ELECTRICAL PARTS THEREOF (BY $609 MILLION OR 12%); MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES CONSISTING OF MAINLY JEWELLERY, GOLDSMITHS’ AND SILVERSMITHS’ WARES (BY $342 MILLION OR 7.4%); AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND SOUND RECORDING AND REPRODUCING APPARATUS AND EQUIPMENT (BY $29 MILLION OR 1.0%).
OVER THE SAME PERIOD, DECREASES IN THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS WERE RECORDED FOR OFFICE MACHINES AND AUTOMATIC DATA PROCESSING MACHINES (BY $962 MILLIONOR 18%); CLOTHING (BY $955 MILLION OR 4.9%); PHOTOGRAPHIC APPARATUS, EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES, OPTICAL GOODS, WATCHES AND CLOCKS (BY $395 MILLION OR 9.3%); TEXTILES (BY $268 MILLION OR 6.6%); AND MACHINERY SPECIALISED FOR PARTICULAR INDUSTRIES (BY $36 MILLION OR 4.2%).
THE VALUE OF IMPORTS IN JANUARY 1994 WAS $80,378 MILLION, INCREASING BY 27% OVER THAT IN JANUARY 1993.
THE CHANGES IN THE VALUE OF IMPORTS FROM THE 10 MAJOR SUPPLIERS ARE SHOWN IN TABLE 5.
/COMPARING JANUARY .......
FRIDAY, MARCH 11, 1994
- 10 -
COMPARING JANUARY 1994 WITH JANUARY 1993, INCREASES WERE RECORDED IN THE VALUE OF IMPORTS FROM MALAYSIA (+57%), ITALY (+51%), THE REPUBLIC OF KOREA (+34%), CHINA (+33%), TAIWAN (+31%), SINGAPORE (+25%), THE UNITED KINGDOM (+22%), JAPAN (+18%), THE UNITED STATES (+11%) AND GERMANY (+11%).
COMPARING THE THREE MONTHS ENDING JANUARY 1994 WITH THE THREE MONTHS ENDING JANUARY 1993, THE VALUE OF IMPORTS FROM MOST OF THE MAJOR SUPPLIERS INCREASED: MALAYSIA (+32%), ITALY (+25%), SINGAPORE (+22%), CHINA (+20%), THE UNITED KINGDOM (+19%), THE REPUBLIC OF KOREA (+14%), TAIWAN (+10%), GERMANY (+9.2%) AND THE UNITED STATES (+3.1%).
HOWEVER, THE VALUE OF IMPORTS FROM JAPAN DECREASED BY 3.7%.
TABLE 6 SHOWS THE CHANGES IN THE VALUE OF IMPORTS OF THE 10 MAJOR COMMODITY DIVISIONS.
COMPARING THE THREE MONTHS ENDING JANUARY 1994 WITH THE THREE MONTHS ENDING JANUARY 1993, INCREASES WERE RECORDED IN THE VALUE OF IMPORTS OF MOST MAJOR COMMODITY DIVISIONS.
MORE NOTABLE INCREASES WERE REGISTERED FOR TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND SOUND RECORDING AND REPRODUCING APPARATUS AND EQUIPMENT (BY $7,603 MILLION OR 39%); ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES, AND ELECTRICAL PARTS THEREOF (BY $5,269 MILLION OR 21%); CLOTHING (BY $3,585 MILLION OR 18%); NON-METALLIC MINERAL MANUFACTURES (BY $2,090 MILLION OR 31%); FOOTWEAR (BY $1,980 MILLION OR 22%); AND TEXTILES (BY $1,675 MILLION OR 7.5%).
OVER THE SAME PERIOD, A DECREASE IN THE VALUE OF IMPORTS WAS RECORDED FOR ROAD VEHICLES (BY $4,069 MILLION OR 34%).
ALL THE TRADE STATISTICS DESCRIBED HERE ARE MEASURED AT CURRENT PRICES AND NO ACCOUNT HAS BEEN TAKEN OF THE CHANGES IN PRICES BETWEEN THE PERIODS OF COMPARISON.
A SEPARATE ANALYSIS OF THE VOLUME AND PRICE MOVEMENTS OF EXTERNAL TRADE FOR JANUARY 1994 WILL BE RELEASED TN EARLY APRIL 1994.
DETAILED TRADE STATISTICS ANALYSED BY COMMODITY AND BY COUNTRY/ TERRITORY ARE PUBLISHED IN TRADE STATISTICS REPORTS.
THE JANUARY 1994 ISSUE OF THE "HONG KONG EXTERNAL TRADE" WITH DETAILED ANALYSES ON THE PERFORMANCE OF HONG KONG’S EXTERNAL TRADE IN JANUARY 1994 WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR SALE AT $86 PER COPY AROUND 18 MARCH 1994.
THE REPORT CAN BE PURCHASED EITHER AT (I) THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE ON THE GROUND FLOOR, GENERAL POST OFFICE BUILDING, CONNAUGHT PLACE, CENTRAL, OR (II) THE PUBLICATIONS SECTION OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT ON THE 19TH FLOOR, WANCHA1 TOWER, 12 HARBOUR ROAD, WAN CHAI.
ENQUIRIES REGARDING REGULAR SUBSCRIPTION TO THIS REPORT MAY BE DIRECTED TO THE INFORMATION SERVICES DEPARTMENT AT FRENCH MISSION BUILDING, 1 BATTERY PATH, HONG KONG (TEL 842 8802) AND ENQUIRIES ON TRADE STATISTICS TO THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT (TEL 582 4915).
/TABLE 1 : .......
FRIDAY, MARCH 11, 1994
- 11 -
TABLE 1 : RE-EXPORTS TO THE TEN MAJOR DESTINATIONS
JAN JAN 94 NOV 93 NOV 93 TO JAN 94
DESTINATION 1994 OVER TO OVER
JAN 93 JAN 94 NOV-92 TO JAN 93
(HKD Mn.) (X CHANGE) (HKD Mn.) (X CHANGE)
CHINA 22,288 + 58.7 72,422 + 26.8
UNITED STATES 14,169 + 33.8 44,128 + 25.6
JAPAN 3,827 + 36.5 12,001 + 27.8
GERMANY 3,576 + 25.2 11,633 + 24.6
UNITED KINGDOM 2,086 + 40.5 6,593 + 24.7
TAIWAN 1,541 + 3.0 5,280 - 12.4
SINGAPORE 1,503 + 38.2 4,601 + 20.6
REPUBLIC OF KOREA 1,121 + 36.8 3,966 + 2-7.9
FRANCE 1,071 + 14.0 3,305 + 12.4
NETHERLANDS 1,066 + 22.9 3,184 + 1'1.7
/TABLE 2 : .......
FRIDAY, MARCH 11, 1994
- 12 -
TABLE 2 : RE-EXPORTS OF THE TEN MAJOR COMMODITY DIVISIONS
COMMODITY DIVISION JAN 1994 (HKD Mn.) JAN 94 OVER JAN 93 (% CHANGE) NOV 93 TO JAN 94 (HKD Mn.) NOV 93 TO JAN 94 OVER NOV 92 TO JAN 93 (% CHANGE)
ARTICLES OF APPAREL AND CLOTHING
ACCESSORIES 7,645 + 14.7 23,780 + 18.6
MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES (MAINLY BABY CARRIAGES, TOYS, GAMES AND SPORTING GOODS) 7,320 + 18.0 23,881 + 7.6
TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND SOUND RECORDING AND REPRODUCING APPARATUS AND EQUIPMENT 6,942 +101.8 22,244 + 55.7
ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES, AND ELECTRICAL PARTS THEREOF 5,520 + 42.9 18,914 + 31.8
TEXTILE YARN, FABRICS, MADE-UP
ARTICLES AND RELATED PRODUCTS 5,143 + 38.3 17,894 + 12.5
FOOTWEAR 4,473 + 29.8 12,353 + 2G.7
ROAD VEHICLES 2,801 + 51.3 8,030 + 26.0
PHOTOGRAPHIC APPARATUS, EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES, OPTICAL GOODS, WATCHES AND CLOCKS 2,757 + 50.8 9,358 + 25.5
OFFICE MACHINES AND AUTOMATIC DATA
PROCESSING MACHINES 2,657 + 42.1 8,622 + 29.2
TRAVEL GOODS, HANDBAGS AND SIMILAR
CONTAINERS 2,370 + 19.5 6,801 + 15.1
/TABLE 3 : .......
FRIDAY, MARCH 11, 1994
- 13 -
TABLE 3 : DOMESTIC EXPORTS TO THE TEN MAJOR DESTINATIONS
DESTINATION JAN 1994 (HKD Mn.) JAN 94 OVER JAN 93 (% CHANGE) NOV 93 TO JAN 94 (HKD Mn.) NOV 93 TO JAN 94 OVER NOV-92 TO JAN 93 (% CHANGE)
CHINA 4,138 + 23.5 15,089 + 2.3
UNITED STATES 3,933 + 2.2 15,303 + 2.9
GERMANY 957 - 7.8 3,538 - 19.6
SINGAPORE 868 + 6.0 2,953 + 5.5
UNITED KINGDOM 739 - 3.8 2,722 - 11.6
JAPAN 714 + 5.7 2,276 - 4.4
TAIWAN 500 + 15.8 1,686 + 1.4
NETHERLANDS 352 - 12.4 1,201 - 10.1
CANADA 301 - 17.7 1,077 - '3.7
MALAYSIA 235 + 33.7 676 + 5.8
/TABLE 4 : .......
FRIDAY, MARCH 11, 1994
- 14 - .
TABLE 4 : DOMESTIC EXPORTS OF THE TEN MAJOR COMMODITY DIVISIONS
COMMODITY DIVISION JAN 1994 (HKD Mn.) JAN 94 OVER JAN 93 (% CHANGE) NOV 93 TO JAN 94 (HKD Mn.) NOV 93 TO JAN OVER NOV 92 TO JAN (% CHANGE)
ARTICLES OF APPAREL AND CLOTHING ACCESSORIES 4,873 - 6.9 18,547 - 4.9
ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES, AND ELECTRICAL PARTS THEREOF 1,557 + 6.3 5,783 + 11.8
MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES (MAINLY JEWELLERY, GOLDSMITHS’ AND SILVERSMITHS’ WARES) 1,378 + 24.5 4,988 + 7.4
OFFICE MACHINES AND AUTOMATIC DATA PROCESSING MACHINES 1,233 - 0.6 4,386 - 18.0
TEXTILE YARN, FABRICS, MADE-UP ARTICLES AND RELATED PRODUCTS 1,111 + 7.5 3,785 - 6.6
PHOTOGRAPHIC APPARATUS, EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES, OPTICAL GOODS, WATCHES AND CLOCKS 1,099 + 14.1 3,878 - 9.3
TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND SOUND RECORDING AND REPRODUCING APPARATUS AND EQUIPMENT 839 + 22.9 2,941 + 1.0
MANUFACTURES OF METALS 325 + 15.8 1,119 + 7.3
MACHINERY SPECIALIZED FOR PARTICULAR INDUSTRIES 243 + 16.7 831 - 4.2
TOBACCO AND TOBACCO MANUFACTURES 214 - 1.3 670 + 7.3
/TABLE 5 : .......
FRIDAY, MARCH 11, 1994
TABLE 5 : IMPORTS FROM THE TEN MAJOR SUPPLIERS
SUPPLIER JAN 1994 (HKD Mn.) JAN 94 OVER JAN 93 (X CHANGE) NOV 93 TO JAN 94 (HKD Mn.) NOV 93 TO JAN 94 OVER NOV 92 TO JAN 93 (% CHANGE)
CHINA 32,754 + 33.5 104,874 ♦ 20.1
JAPAN 11,585 + 18.5 40,148 - 3.7
TAIWAN 7,068 + 30.9 23,628 + 10.3
UNITED STATES 5,469 + 11.5 19,416 + 3.1
REPUBLIC OF KOREA 3,727 + 33.5 11,816 + 13.5
SINGAPORE 3,375 + 24.7 12,403 + 22.5
GERMANY 1,683 + 11.1 6,023 + 9.2
UNITED KINGDOM 1,594 + 22.1 5,789 + 19.4
MALAYSIA 1,434 + 56.9 4,320 + 31.7
ITALY 1,352 + 50.9 4,689 + 25.0
/TABLE 6 : .......
FRIDAY, MARCH 11, 1994
16
TABLE 6 : IMPORTS OF THE TEN MAJOR COMMODITY DIVISIONS
COMMODITY DIVISION JAN 1994 (HKD Mn.) JAN 94 OVER JAN 93 (% CHANGE) NOV 93 TO JAN 94 (HKD Mn.) NOV 93 TO JAN 94 OVER NOV 92 TO JAN 93
(% CHANGE)
TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND SOUND RECORDING AND REPRODUCING APPARATUS AND EQUIPMENT 8,524 + 78.5 26,963 + 39.3
ELECTRICAL MACHINERY, APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES, AND ELECTRICAL PARTS THEREOF 8,519 + 24.2 30,293 + 21.1
TEXTILE YARN, FABRICS, MADE-UP ARTICLES AND RELATED PRODUCTS 7,115 + 35.9 24,004 + 7.5
ARTICLES OF APPAREL AND CLOTHING ACCESSORIES 6,941 + 16.0 23,566 + 17.9
MISCELLANEOUS MANUFACTURED ARTICLES (MAINLY BABY CARRIAGES, TOYS, GAMES AND SPORTING GOODS) 5,516 + 26.8 18,253 + 8.6
FOOTWEAR 3,723 + 26.9 10,804 + 22.4
PHOTOGRAPHIC APPARATUS, EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES, OPTICAL GOODS, WATCHES AND CLOCKS 3,384 + 26.4 12,178 + 10.3
OFFICE MACHINES AND AUTOMATIC DATA PROCESSING MACHINES 3,073 + 35.4 10,579 + 19.3
NON-METALLIC MINERAL MANUFACTURES 2,677 + 60.1 8,749 + 31.4
ROAD VEHICLES 2,391 - 21.3 7,780 - 34.3
---------0-----------
/17........
FRIDAY, MARCH 11, 1994
- 17 -
RECLAMATION WORKS FOR LANTAU PORT DEVELOPMENT ******
RECLAMATION AND VARIOUS RELATED WORKS WILL BE CARRIED OUT WITHIN 1,260 HECTARES OF FORESHORE AND SEABED AT PENNY’S BAY AND TO THE SOUTHWEST OF TSING CHAU TSAI PENINSULA, LANTAU ISLAND TO PROVIDE LAND FOR CONTAINER TERMINALS 10 AND 11.
THE CONSTRUCTION WORK, EXPECTED TO START IN 1994/95 AND SCHEDULED FOR COMPLETION IN PHASES BY THE EARLY 2000’S, WILL ALSO PROVIDE LAND FOR INDUSTRY, BACK-UP AREAS FOR CONTAINER TERMINALS, AND ASSOCIATED INFRASTRUCTURE AND GOVERNMENT/INSTITUTIONS/COMMUNITY FACILITIES.
IT WILL ALSO INVOLVE THE DREDGING OF AN APPROACH CHANNEL TO PROVIDE MARINE ACCESS TO THE TERMINALS. A BREAKWATER WILL BE BUILT TO PROVIDE PROTECTION FOR THE TERMINAL FACILITIES.
THE AREA TO BE AFFECTED BY THE PROJECT IS DESCRIBED IN A NOTICE GAZETTED TODAY (FRIDAY).
THE NOTICE AND THE RELATED PLAN CAN BE SEEN ON NOTICE BOARDS POSTED NEAR THE SITE.
THE PLAN CAN ALSO BE SEEN AND BOUGHT AT THE LANDS DEPARTMENT’S SURVEY AND MAPPING OFFICE, 14TH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, CENTRAL, HONG KONG.
COPIES OF THE PLAN CAN ALSO BE SEEN AT THE TSUEN WAN DISTRICT OFFICE, FIRST FLOOR, TSUEN WAN STATION MULTI-STOREY CARPARK BUILDING, 174-208 CASTLE PEAK ROAD, TSUEN WAN, NEW TERRITORIES AND AT THE ISLANDS DISTRICT OFFICE, 20TH FLOOR, HARBOUR BUILDING, 38 PIER ROAD, CENTRAL, HONG KONG.
ANY PERSON WHO CONSIDERS THAT HE HAS AN INTEREST, RIGHT OR EASEMENT IN OR OVER THE FORESHORE AND SEABED INVOLVED MAY SUBMIT A WRITTEN OBJECTION TO THE DIRECTOR OF LANDS BY MAY 11 THIS YEAR.
------0-------
LANTAU FIXED CROSSING TOLL COLLECTION SYSTEM
*****
THE HIGHWAYS DEPARTMENT IS INVITING APPLICATIONS FROM SUITABLE CONTRACTORS OR JOINT VENTURE PARTNERSHIPS TO PREQUALIFY FOR TENDERING FOR THE DESIGN, SUPPLY AND INSTALLATION OF THE LANTAU FIXED CROSSING TOLL COLLECTION SYSTEM.
THE LANTAU FIXED CROSSING IS ONE OF THE 10 PROJECTS IN THE AIRPORT CORE PROGRAMME.
NOTICE OF INVITATION WAS PUBLISHED IN THE GOVERNMENT GAZETTE TODAY (FRIDAY).
/A SPOKESMAN .......
FRIDAY, MARCH 11, 1994
- 18 -
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID THIS CONTRACT WOULD PROVIDE A TOLL COLLECTION SYSTEM AT THE LANTAU TOLL PLAZA FOR COLLECTING TOLLS FROM VEHICLES USING THE LANTAU FIXED CROSSING.
A
THE SYSTEM WOULD COMPRISE TOLL BOOTHS, TOLL COLLECTION TERMINALS, LANE CONTROL DEVICES AT THE TOLL PLAZA AND AN ADMINISTRATIVE COMPUTER SYSTEM.
CONTRACTORS OR JOINT VENTURES WITH RELEVANT EXPERIENCE AND EXPERTISE ARE INVITED TO APPLY FOR PREQUALIFICATION.
PREQUALIFICATION DOCUMENTS MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE DEPARTMENT’S CONSULTANTS:
MOTT MACDONALD HONG KONG LIMITED 12TH FLOOR SUN HUNG KAI CENTRE 30 HARBOUR ROAD WAN CHAI HONG KONG TEL: 828 5757
APPLICATIONS FOR PREQUALIFICATION ARE TO BE SUBMITTED TO THE DIRECTOR OF HIGHWAYS BY NOON ON APRIL 8.
FOLLOWING THE PREQUALIFICATION EXERCISE, THE HIGHWAYS DEPARTMENT WILL INVITE TENDERS FROM THE PREQUALIFIED TENDERERS IN JUNE 1994 FOR THE CONTRACT.
---------0-----------
SITE FOR NEW EXPLOSIVES COMPLEX ♦ » ♦ * ♦
DREDGING, RECLAMATION AND RELATED WORKS WILL START IN SEPTEMBER TO PROVIDE LAND FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF AN EXPLOSIVES STORAGE COMPLEX TO REPLACE THE EXISTING FACILITIES ON STONECUTTERS ISLAND.
THE PROJECT WILL BE COMPLETED BY MARCH 1997.
THE WORKS WILL INVOLVE THE CONSTRUCTION OF 340 METRES OF SEAWALL, RECLAMATION OF FIVE HECTARES OF LAND AND DREDGING A NAVIGATION CHANNEL WITHIN AN AREA OF ABOUT 27 HECTARES OF FORESHORE AND SEABED AT KAU SHAT WAN, LANTAU.
THE SITE FOR THE COMPLEX AND ITS LAYOUT WERE DECIDED ONLY AFTER COMPREHENSIVE STUDIES COVERING THE PROJECT’S ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT AND ITS SAFETY FEATURES.
THE PROPOSAL TO USE UNDERGROUND STORAGE RECEIVED STRONG SUPPORT
DURING THE PUBLIC CONSULTATION.
/THE ISLANDS .......
FRIDAY, MARCH 11, 1994
19
THE ISLANDS DISTRICT BOARD HAS ALSO BEEN CONSULTED IN DEVELOPING THE PROJECT PROPOSALS, WHICH HAVE BEEN CONSIDERED BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL’S LANDS AND WORKS PANEL AND BY THE FORMER ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION ADVISORY COMMITTEE, WHICH HAS BEEN RENAMED ADVISORY COUNCIL ON THE ENVIRONMENT.
THE EXTENT OF THE AREA TO BE AFFECTED BY THE WORKS IS DESCRIBED IN A NOTICE GAZETTED TODAY (FRIDAY).
THE NOTICE AND THE RELATED PLAN CAN ALSO BE SEEN AT THE LANDS DEPARTMENT’S SURVEY AND MAPPING OFFICE, 14TH FLOOR, MURRAY’ BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, CENTRAL, HONG KONG AND AT THE ISLANDS DISTRICT OFFICE, 20TH FLOOR, HARBOUR BUILDING, 38 PIER ROAD, CENTRAL, HONG KONG.
ANY PERSON WHO CONSIDERS THAT HE HAS AN INTEREST, RIGHT OR EASEMENT IN OR OVER THE FORESHORE AND SEABED INVOLVED MAY SUBMIT A WRITTEN OBJECTION TO THE DIRECTOR OF LANDS BY MAY 11 THIS YEAR.
HE SHOULD DESCRIBE THE MANNER IN WHICH HE WILL BE AFFECTED.
--------0-----------
FINANCIAL CONSULTANTS TO BE INCLUDED IN ORDINARY LIST
*****
THE FINANCE BRANCH IS INVITING REGISTERED COMPANIES PROVIDING FINANCIAL CONSULTANCY SERVICES IN HONG KONG TO APPLY FOR INCLUSION IN AN ORDINARY LIST.
A NOTICE INVITING APPLICATIONS WAS PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE TODAY (FRIDAY).
ANY COMPANY TO BE INCLUDED IN THE LIST MAY SUBMIT AN EXPRESSION OF INTEREST FOR FUTURE SPECIFIC FINANCIAL CONSULTANCIES AS AND WHEN THEY ARISE IN VARIOUS GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS.
FOR INCLUSION IN THE LIST, THE COMPANY MUST EITHER BE A REGISTERED COMPANY IN HONG KONG OR POSSESS A VALID HONG KONG BUSINESS REGISTRATION CERTIFICATE AND BE ABLE TO DEMONSTRATE PROVEN EXPERIENCE IN FINANCIAL CONSULTANCIES IN THE PUBLIC AND/OR PRIVATE SECTOR IN HONG KONG OR OVERSEAS.
THE COMPANY MUST FURNISH IN ITS APPLICATION SUPPORTING INFORMATION AS SPECIFIED IN THE GAZETTE SUCH AS AREAS OF SPECIALISATION AND A BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF FINANCIAL CONSULTANCIES UNDERTAKEN PREVIOUSLY IN HONG KONG OR OVERSEAS.
ANY COMPANY INTERESTED TO BE INCLUDED IN THE LIST SHOULD APPLY IN WRITING BEFORE APRIL 30 TO THE MANAGEMENT ACCOUNTING DIVISION, FINANCE BRANCH, GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, FIFTH FLOOR, EAST WING, LOWER ALBERT ROAD, CENTRAL, HONG KONG.
ANY ENQUIRY ABOUT THE APPLICATION CAN BE ADDRESSED TO THE CHIEF TREASURY ACCOUNTANT OF THE DIVISION WHO CAN BE CONTACTED ON TEL 810 3757 AND FAXLINE 869 4531.
--------0---------
/20.........
FRIDAY, MARCH 11, 1994
- 20 -
JUDICIARY TO REVISE FEES ♦ ♦ » » ♦
A NUMBER OF FEES PAYABLE TO THE REGISTRAR, SUPREME COURT WILL BE REVISED WITH EFFECT FROM APRIL 1, A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (FRIDAY).
THE FEES ARE IN RELATION TO PROCEEDINGS IN BANKRUPTCY AND COMPANIES AND COMPANIES WINDING-UP SPECIFIED IN THE BANKRUPTCY (FEES AND PERCENTAGES) ORDER AND THE COMPANIES (FEES AND PERCENTAGES) ORDER UNDER THE BANKRUPTCY ORDINANCE AND THE COMPANIES ORDINANCE RESPECTIVELY.
’’THE FEES WERE LAST REVISED IN 1992. TAKING INTO ACCOUNT OF THE INCREASE IN COSTS OF PROVIDING THE SERVICES SINCE THEN, THE FEES WILL BE INCREASED BY ABOUT 10 PER CENT WITH EFFECT FROM APRIL 1, 1994,” THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
DETAILS OF THE FEES REVISION WERE PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE TODAY.
------0--------
NEW HK STADIUM A SYMBOL OF HONG KONG
*****
THE MAGNIFICENT REDEVELOPMENT OF THE HONG KONG STADIUM PROVIDES A SYMBOL OF WHAT HONG KONG IS ALL ABOUT - EXCELLENCE, LOOKING FORWARD AND WORKING TOGETHER WITH THE WORLD.
THE GOVERNOR, THE RT HON CHRISTOPHER PATTEN, SAID THIS AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE HONG KONG STADIUM TODAY (FRIDAY).
MR PATTEN SAID: ”IT PROVIDES A VENUE OF THE SIZE AND SOPHISTICATION NEEDED TO STAGE WORLD CLASS SPORTS AND ENTERTAINMENT EVENTS.
’’NEXT, ITS SUPERB HI-TECH DESIGN PROVIDES A MAGNIFICENT NEW LANDSCAPE FOR HONG KONG.”
THE GOVERNOR SAID THE REDEVELOPMENT OF THE STADIUM WAS A MULTINATIONAL PROJECT WHICH INVOLVED CONTRIBUTIONS FROM FRANCE, AMERICA, AUSTRALIA AND CHINA.
HE ADDED THAT SPEED AND QUALITY IN THE CONSTRUCTION WAS DUE TO THE HARD WORK AND HIGH SKILLS OF HONG KONG WORKERS.
MR PATTEN ALSO CONGRATULATED THE ROYAL HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB AND THE URBAN COUNCIL IN MAKING THE PROJECT A GREAT SUCCESS.
/21 ........
FRIDAY. MARCH 11, 1994
- 21 -
NEW CHAIRMAN FOR CDC APPOINTED * * * * *
THE SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER, MR MICHAEL LEUNG, TODAY (FRIDAY) ANNOUNCED THE APPOINTMENT OF MR KENNETH TING WOO-SHOU AS CHAIRMAN OF THE CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL.
MR TING HAS BEEN A MEMBER OF THE CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL SINCE SEPTEMBER 1988 AND HAS BEEN ACTIVELY INVOLVED IN ITS WORK.
HE ALSO SERVED ON THE HONG KONG EXAMINATIONS AUTHORITY AND THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY POLYTECHNIC OF HONG KONG.
THE APPOINTMENT IS FOR THE PERIOD FROM MARCH 1, 1994 TO AUGUST 31, 1995.
THE CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL ADVISES THE GOVERNMENT THROUGH THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION ON SCHOOL CURRICULUM MATTERS.
---------0-----------
APPOINTMENT OF KENNETH TING AS CD( CHA I RM AX’ WELCOMED *****
IN RESPONSE TO PRESS ENQUIRIES CONCERNING THE APPOINTMENT OF MR KENNETH TING WOO-SHOU AS THE CHAIRMAN OF THE CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL (CDC), THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, MR DOMINIC WONG SHING-WAH, SAID:
"1 WELCOME MR KENNETH TING WOO-SHOU’S APPOINTMENT ZrS THE CHAIRMAN OF THE CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL. HIS SEVERAL YEARS OF EXPERIENCE IN CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT, TOGETHER WITH HIS OTHER SERVICES RELATED TO EDUCATION AND INDUSTRIAL TRAINING. WILL MAKE HIM THE MOST SUITABLE PERSON TO STEER THE WORK OF THE CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL.”
------0--------
SEWAGE TUNNELS FOR KOWLOON AND IIK ISLAND
*****
THE DRAINAGE SERVICES DEPARTMENT IS To CONSTRUCT SEWAGE TUNNELS FROM TSEUNG KWAN O AND CHAI WAN TO KWUN TONG.
THE PROJECT FORMS PART OF STAGE I OF THE STRATEGIC SEWAGE DISPOSAL SCHEME TO COLLECT AND TREAT SEWAGE FROM KOWLOON BETWEEN TSUEN WAN AND TSEUNG KWAN O AND FROM THE NORTHEASTERN PART OF HONG KONG ISLAND.
WORKS WILL BEGIN IN DECEMBER THIS YEAR FOR. COMPLETION IN ABOUT 30 MONTHS.
/THE LAND .......
FRIDAY, MARCH 11, 1994
- 22 -
THE LAND SITUATED ON THE ROUTE OF THE PROPOSED TUNNEL IS DESCRIBED IN A NOTICE GAZETTED TODAY (FRIDAY).
THE TUNNEL WILL BE CONSTRUCTED AT A DEPTH OF MORE THAN 70 METRES BELOW THE SURFACE OF THE LAND AT WHICH THE TUNNEL WILL LIE.
ANY PERSON WHO HAS AN ESTATE OR INTEREST IN AN INSTRUMENT REGISTERED IN THE LAND REGISTRY ON THE LAND MAY OBJECT IN WRITING TO THE DIRECTOR OF DRAINAGE SERVICES ON OR BEFORE MAY 11.
THE NOTICE OF SUCH OBJECTION SHALL DESCRIBE THE ESTATE OR INTEREST OF THE OBJECTOR IN THE LAND AND THE REASONS FOR HIS OBJECTION.
THE NOTICE, AND ALL RELEVANT INFORMATION IN BOTH ENGLISH AND CHINESE, TOGETHER WITH ITS RELATED PLANS KCE/S/G/755 - 761 WHICH SHOW THE ROUTE OF THE PROPOSED TUNNEL, CAN BE INSPECTED AT THE FOLLOWING GOVERNMENT OFFICES DURING OFFICE HOURS FROM MONDAY TO FRIDAY (9 AM TO 4.30 PM) AND ON SATURDAY (9 AM TO NOON):
* LANDS DEPARTMENT,
SURVEY AND MAPPING OFFICE, 14TH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, CENTRAL;
* EASTERN DISTRICT OFFICE,
PUBLIC ENQUIRY SERVICE CENTRE, GROUND FLOOR, EASTERN LAW COURTS BUILDING, 29 TAI ON STREET, SAI WAN HO, SHAU KEI WAN;
* KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT OFFICE, PUBLIC ENQUIRY SERVICE CENTRE. GROUND FLOOR, MORNING JO^ BUILDING, 141-143 KAU PUI LUNG ROAD, TO KWA WAN;
* KWUN TONG DISTRICT OFFICE, PUBLIC ENQUIRY SERVICE CENTRE, GROUND FLOOR, KWUN TONG DISTRICT BRANCH OFFICES BUILDING, 6 TUNG YAN STREET, KWUN TONG;
» SHAM SHUI PO DISTRICT OFFICE, PUBLIC ENQUIRY SERVICE CENTRE, 6TH FLOOR, WEST COAST INTERNATIONAL BUILDING, 290-296 UN CHAU STREET, SHAM SHUI PO;
* MONG KOK DISTRICT OFFICE,
PUBLIC ENQUIRY SERVICE CENTRE, GROUND FLOOR, MONG KOK GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 30 LUEN WAN STREET, MONG KOK;
/* KWAI TSING ......
FRIDAY, MARCH 11, 1994
- 23 -
t KWAI TSING DISTRICT OFFICE, PUBLIC ENQUIRY SERVICE CENTRE, 2ND FLOOR, KWAI HING GOVERNMENT OFFICES BUILDING, 166 HING FONG ROAD, KWAI CHUNG, NEW TERRITORIES; AND
* SAI KUNG DISTRICT OFFICE,
2ND FLOOR, SAI KUNG GOVERNMENT OFFICES BUILDING,
34 CHAN MAN STREET, SAI KUNG, NEW TERRITORIES.
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WHO WISH TO SEEK ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON THE PROJECT MAY CONTACT THE DRAINAGE SERVICES DEPARTMENT ON TEL 594 7260.
------0--------
GREAT IMPORTANCE ATTACHED TO CAREERS EDUCATION
SCHOOLS AND STUDENTS HAVE ATTACHED GREAT IMPORTANCE TO CAREERS EDUCATION AND HAVE SHOWN INCREASING DEMAND FOR SUCH INFORMATION, THE ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR, MRS ANGELA HO, SAID TODAY (FRIDAY).
"THIS CAN BE REFLECTED FROM THE RECORD NUMBER OF 136,500 STUDENTS FROM 283 SCHOOLS PARTICIPATING IN THIS YEAR’S CAREERS QUIZ," SHE SAID AT THE PR IZE-PRESENTATI ON CEREMONY FOR THE CAREERS QUIZ ’94.
TO HELP STUDENTS OBTAIN FIRST-HAND INFORMATION OFFERED BY DIFFERENT EMPLOYERS AS WELL AS SEE FOR THEMSELVES THE WORLD OF WORK, MRS HO SAID THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT’S CAREERS ADVISORY SERVICE ORGANISED EXHIBITIONS AND ARRANGED STUDENT GROUP VISITS TO DIFFERENT ORGANISATIONS.
THE CAREERS INFORMATION CENTRES (CICS) IN SOUTHORN CENTRE, WAN CHAI AND IN MONG KOK GOVERNMENT OFFICES ARE PROVIDING REFERENCE MATERIALS ON CAREERS, VOCATIONAL TRAINING AND FURTHER EDUCATION, SLIDE PRESENTATIONS, CASSETTE RECORDINGS, VIDEO TAPES AND A FREE ENQUIRY SERVICE.
"ALL THE SLIDE PRESENTATIONS AND VIDEO TAPES PREPARED BY THE DEPARTMENT ARE ALSO FOR LOAN," SHE SAID.
"IN ADDITION, THE ADVISORY SERVICE IS NOW PROVIDING FREE COACH SERVICE FOR STUDENT GROUPS TO VISIT OUR CICS.
"I HOPE THAT STUDENTS CAN MAKE GOOD USE OF OUR SERVICES AND TAKE PART IN DIFFERENT ACTIVITIES TO COLLECT MORE INFORMATION TO PLAN THEIR FUTURE," SHE ADDED.
/THE CAREERS .......
FRIDAY, MARCH 11, 1994
THE CAREERS QUIZ ’94, WHICH IS ORGANISED BY THE CAREERS ADVISORY SERVICE AND SPONSORED BY PENTAX CAMERA, IS AIMED AT AROUSING STUDENTS’ AWARENESS OF THE IMPORTANCE OF CHOOSING SUITABLE CAREERS AND ENCOURAGING THEM TO ACTIVELY COLLECT FIRST-HAND INFORMATION ON CAREERS, TRAINING AND FURTHER STUDY.
PARTICIPANTS HAVE TO ANSWER 50 MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTIONS RELATING TO INFORMATION ON CAREERS, TECHNICAL AND VOCATIONAL TRAINING AND LABOUR LEGISLATION.
DURING THE CEREMONY, MRS HO AND THE MARKETING MANAGER OF PENTAX CAMERA, MR JAMES YEUNG, PRESENTED PRIZES RANGING FROM TROPHIES, CAMERAS, GADGET BAGS AND BALL PENS TO WINNING SCHOOLS, HIGHEST-SCORING STUDENTS AND OUTSTANDING STUDENTS IN FORMS 3, 4 AND 5 SECTIONS.
- - 0 - -
SWD HELPS STRENGTHEN FAMILY TIES * * * * *
THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MR IAN STRACHAN, TODAY (FRIDAY) SAID THE FAMILY WAS THE MOST FUNDAMENTAL UNIT IN SOCIETY AND THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT WOULD BE PROMOTING A FAMILY ACTION PLAN TO HELP STRENGTHEN FAMILY TIES.
SPEAKING AT THE 25TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE MARYCOVE CENTRE, ABERDEEN, MR STRACHAN SAID THE PLAN WOULD CONSIST OF THREE PARTS: PREVENTION, SUPPORT AND SERVICES TO HELP FAMILIES IN TROUBLE.
SOME OF THE SERVICE THE DEPARTMENT AND NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANISATIONS ARE PROVIDING TO IMPLEMENT THE PLAN INCLUDE: 19 FAMILY ACTIVITY AND RESOURCE CENTRES. ADDITIONAL CHILD CARE CENTRE PLACES, ADDITIONAL FAMILY AID WORKERS, HOME HELPERS, FAMILY CASEWORKERS, CHILD PROTECTION WORKERS, CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGISTS, FAMILY EDUCATION WOKRERS AND SCHOOL SOCIAL WORKERS.
TALKING ABOUT THE SIGNIFICANCE OF FAMILIES, MR STRACHAN SAID: "HERE WE LEARN BASIC SOCIAL AND MORAL VALUES: HOW TO DEVELOP RELATIONSHIPS, HOW TO COPE TOGETHER WITH CONFLICTS, CRISES AND TRAGEDIES AND TO NURTURE OUR YOUNG PEOPLE FROM BIRTH THROUGH TO THEIR BECOMING ADULTS IN THE COMMUNITY."
"OUR POLICY OBJECTIVES ARE TO ASSIST FAMILIES TO DEVELOP A SENSE OF COMMITMENT AND STABILITY IN FAMILY RELATIONSHIPS, ESPECIALLY WHEN CHILDREN ARE INVOLVED.
"THE OVERALL AIM IS SUPPLEMENTING THE FAMILY RATHER THAN SUBSTITUTING FOR FAMILY FUNCTIONING," MR STRACHAN SAID.
- - 0 - -
/25
FRIDAY, MARCH 11, 1994
- 25 -
TECHNICAL TEACHERS WANTED ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
PEOPLE WITH INDUSTRIAL EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATION ARE INVITED TO ENROL IN THE 1994/95 ONE-YEAR FULL-TIME TECHNICAL TEACHERS’ COURSE.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT SAID THE COURSE FORMERLY RUN BY THE HONG KONG TECHNICAL TEACHERS’ COLLEGE WOULD BE CONDUCTED BY THE HONG KONG INSTITUTE OF EDUCATION TO BE SET UP IN SEPTEMBER THIS YEAR.
THE COURSE IS INTENDED FOR MATURE STUDENTS INTERESTED IN TAKING UP TEACHING AS A PROFESSION AND WHO HAVE ACQUIRED INDUSTRIAL EXPERIENCE IN ELECTRICAL/ELECTRONIC ENGINEERING OR MECHANICAL ENGINEERING, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
APPLICANTS MUST POSSESS A HIGHER DIPLOMA, HIGHER CERTIFICATE OR DIPLOMA TN ELECTRICAL/ELECTRONIC ENGINEERING OR MECHANICAL ENGINEERING, AWARDED BY POLYTECHNICS OR TECHNICAL INSTITUTES OR AN EQUIVALENT QUALIFICATION.
INDUCEMENT GRANTS RANGING FROM $6,707 TO $10,480 A MONTH WILL BE GIVEN TO STUDENTS DURING THEIR COURSE OF STUDY, CALCULATED ACCORDING TO THE NUMBER OF YEARS OF RELEVANT POST-QUALIFICATION INDUSTRIAL EXPERIENCE.
APPLICATION FORMS AND FURTHER DETAILS ARF AVAILABLE FROM THE HONG KONG TECHNICAL TEACHERS’ COLLEGE, 373 QUEEN’S ROAD EAST, WAN CHAI .
COMPLETED FORMS SHOULD BE RETURNED, EITHER IN PERSON OR BY REGISTERED MAIL, TO THE COLLEGE BY APRIL 6.
------0-------
OFFICE ASSISTANT AWARDED ISM ♦ ♦ ♦ * *
THE DIRECTOR OF ACCOUNTING SERVICES ANNOUNCED THAT MR KWONG KAM-CHING, OFFICE ASSISTANT, HAS BEEN AWARDED THE IMPERIAL SERVICE MEDAL (ISM) BY THE QUEEN FOR HIS LOYAL AND DISTINGUISHED SERVICE IN THE TREASURE.
MR KWONG HAS BEEN WORKING WITH THE TREASURY FOR ALMOST 35 YEARS.
AGED 63, HE JOINED THE TREASURY AS A MESSENGER IN APRIL 1959.
HE WAS PROMOTED TO THE RANK OF OFFICE ATTENDANT IN 1966 AND REGRADED TO THE RANK OF OFFICE ASSISTANT IN 1976.
MR KWONG WILL PROCEED ON PRE-RETIREMENT LEAVE FROM MARCH 15.
DURING HIS 34 YEARS OF SERVICE, MR KWONG IS A DEDICATED AND LOYAL OFFICER WHO IS ALWAYS READY TO ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITIES AND OFFER ASSISTANCE TO HIS COLLEAGUES.
------n-------
Z26........
FRIDAY, MARCH 11, 1994
26
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS
* * * * *
$ MILLION
OPENING BALANCE TN THE ACCOUNT
REVERSAL OF LAF
BALANCE AFTER REVERSAL OF LAI-
NET INJECTTON/WITHDRAWAL TODAY
EFFECT OF LAF TODAY
CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT
1 , 739
+1,261
3,000
NIL
-826
2,174
LAF RATE 2.00 BID/4.00 OFFER
TWI 125.4 *-0.2* 11.3.94
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND
EF BILLS EF NOTES/HONG KONG GOVERNMENT BONDS
TERMS YIELD TERM ISSUE COUPON PRICE YIELD
1 WEEK 3.28 18 MONTHS 2508 4.625 99.76 4.86
1 MONTH 3.52 21 MONTHS 251 1 4.15 98.65 5.05
3 MONTHS 3.72 24 MONTHS 2602 4.40 98.62 5.22
6 MONTHS 3.96 32 MONTHS 36 10 1 . 20 96.83 5.58
12 MONTHS 4.42 35 MONTHS 3701 4.60 97.34 5.69
TOTAL TURNOVER OF BILL: S AND BONDS - 21 .487 MN
CLOSED 11 MARCH 1991
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL. 842 8777
SATURDAY, MARCH 12, 1994
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
CONSULTANTS APPOINTED TO CARRY OUT FEASIBILITY STUDY ON OLD AGE PENSION SCHEME.................................... 1
GRADUATES FROM CHINA TO FILL VACANCIES.................... 3
SURVEY ON OPERATIONS OF NT TAXIS.......................... 3
LABOUR DEPARTMENT PROVIDES A VARIETY OF FREE SERVICES.. 4
HK PEOPLE TO BENEFIT FROM BUDGET.......................... 6
SEAFOOD FESTIVAL TN SAI KUNG ............................. 6
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS................................................ 7
SATURDAY, MARCH 12, 1994
1
CONSULTANTS APPOINTED TO CARRY OUT FEASIBILITY STUDY ON OLD AGE PENSION SCHEME ******
THE GOVERNMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (SATURDAY) THE APPOINTMENT OF THE WYATT COMPANY (IIK) LTD, ACTUARIES AND CONSULTANTS, TO UNDERTAKE THE FEASIBILITY STUDY ON THE PROPOSED CONTRIBUTORY OLD AGE PENSION SCHEME (OPS).
THE CONSULTANTS WILL BE REQUIRED TO ADVISE THE GOVERNMENT ON FEASIBLE OPTIONS FOR FINANCING AND ADMINISTERING THE OPS, COMMENSURATE WITH THREE GUIDING PRINCIPLES:
« THE OPS SHOULD PROVIDE REGULAR PENSION BENEFITS FOR THE AGED WHO SATISFY ESTABLISHED ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA (SUCH AS AGE, RESIDENCE);
* PENSION PAYOUTS UNDER THE OPS MUST BE FINANCED IN FULL BY CONTRIBUTIONS COLLECTIBLE FROM EMPLOYERS, EMPLOYEES, THOSE PERSONS IN RECEIPT OF REGULAR INCOME ALBEIT NOT FROM ENGAGEMENT AS EMPLOYEES, FOR EXAMPLE THE SELF-EMPLOYED, TOGETHER WITH THE AMOUNTS THAT THE GOVERNMENT WILL PLOUGH BACK AFTER SUBSUMING THE OLD AGE ALLOWANCE, THE HIGHER OLD AGE ALLOWANCE AND THOSE BASIC ELEMENTS OF THE COMPREHENSIVE SOCIAL SECURITY ASSISTANCE SCHEME PRESENTLY PAYABLE TO THE AGED; AND
* ADMINISTRATION OF THE OPS MUST BE AS SIMPLE AND USER-FRIENDLY AS POSSIBLE.
"IT IS IMPORTANT THAT WE GET THE SCHEME RIGHT," A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN STRESSED, ADDING THAT THE CONSULTANTS WOULD BE OFFERING ADVICE AND SPECIFIC RECOMMENDATIONS ON A NUMBER OF KEY AREAS. THESE INCLUDE:
* HOW SUCH A SCHEME COULD BE ESTABLISHED IN PRACTICE, INCLUDING THE MACHINERY REQUIRED TO ADMINISTER AND ENFORCE THE OPS, AND THE MECHANISM FOR COLLECTING CONTRIBUTIONS AND MAKING PAYMENTS. SPECIFIC ADVICE IS REQUIRED AS TO HOW THE SELF-EMPLOYED AND THOSE PERSONS IN RECEIPT OF REGULAR INCOME BUT WHO ARE CURRENTLY OUTSIDE THE TAX NET CAN BE BROUGHT INTO THE OPS AS CONTRIBUTORS;
* RESIDENCE QUALIFICATIONS FOR POTENTIAL OPS CONTRIBUTORS AND BENEFICIARIES. THIS ADVICE WOULD ALSO CONSIDER WHETHER MIGRANT WORKERS, FOR EXAMPLE, THOSE EMPLOYED IN HONG KONG UNDER THE IMPORTED LABOUR SCHEME, OR FOREIGN DOMESTIC HELPERS SHOULD PARTICIPATE IN THE SCHEME;
* WHETHER PENSIONS SHOULD BE PAID TO PERSONS WHO HAVE EMIGRATED, INCLUDING THOSE WHO CHOOSE TO SETTLE IN MAINLAND CHINA AFTER RETIREMENT;
/* ARRANGEMENTS WHERE ........
SATURDAY, MARCH 12, 1994
- 2 -
* ARRANGEMENTS WHERE A CONTRIBUTOR DIES BEFORE COLLECTING HIS PENSION, AND WHERE A PENSIONER DIES LEAVING DEPENDANTS;
* WHETHER POTENTIAL BENEFICIARIES WHO ARE NON-CONTRIBUTORS TO THE OPS SHOULD HAVE TO COMPLETE AN INCOME DECLARATION OR MEANS TEST BEFORE QUALIFYING FOR PENSION BENEFITS;
» HOW THE SCHEME WOULD REPLACE THE EXISTING BENEFITS UNDER THE OLD AGE ALLOWANCE AND HIGHER OLD AGE ALLOWANCE, AND RELATE TO BENEFITS PROVIDED UNDER THE COMPREHENSIVE SOCIAL SECURITY ASSISTANCE SCHEME AND THE DISABILITY ALLOWANCE;
* THE NECESSARY CONTRIBUTION LEVEL, AND THE TYPE OF INCOME THAT SHOULD BE INCLUDED FOR THE PURPOSE OF CALCULATING CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE SCHEME;
♦ THE COST OF THE SCHEME TO TAXPAYERS WHERE THE GOVERNMENT IS REQUIRED TO CONTRIBUTE;
♦ THE IMPLICATIONS OF SETTING A MINIMUM INCOME LEVEL FOR THE PURPOSE OF CONTRIBUTING TO THE OPS, AND OF SETTING A CEILING ON THE AMOUNT THAT NEEDS TO BE CONTRIBUTED; AND
» THE IMPLICATIONS ON PARTICIPANTS IN VOLUNTARY AND STATUTORY RETIREMENT SCHEMES;
’’THE CONSULTANTS ARE EXPECTED TO SUBMIT THEIR REPORT IN MAY AND THE MAIN POINTS IN THE REPORT WILL BE PUBLISHED IN THE SUMMER,’’ THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
’’THIS WILL
ON THE DETAILS OF
GIVE MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC AN OPPORTUNITY TO COMMENT THE PROPOSED OLD AGE PENSION SCHEME,” HE ADDED.
THE WYATT COMPANY (HK) LTD HAS BEEN ESTABLISHED FOR OVER 20 YEARS AND IS THE LARGEST ACTUARIAL CONSULTANCY FIRM BOTH IN HONG KONG AND IN ASIA.
THE SENIOR CONSULTANTS IN WYATT HAVE ALL WORKED IN HONG KONG FOR A CONSIDERABLE PERIOD OF TIME AND ARE THUS FULLY CONVERSANT WITH THE HISTORY OF THE LOCAL RETIREMENT BENEFIT AND PENSION DEBATE.
THE FIRM HAS ALSO CONSIDERABLE EXPERIENCE IN WORKING WITH OVERSEAS GOVERNMENTS ON RETIREMENT BENEFIT ISSUES, AND IS ABLE TO GAIN ACCESS TO A WIDE NETWORK OF OFFICES IN MAJOR CITIES IN THE WORLD.
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/3 ........
SATURDAY, MARCH 12, 1994
- 3 -
GRADUATES FROM CHINA TO FILL VACANCIES
*****
THE GOVERNMENT’S PROPOSAL TO ALLOW 1,000 GRADUATES FROM ACCREDITED UNIVERSITIES IN CHINA TO WORK IN HONG KONG IS TO MEET THE URGENT NEED FOR MANAGERIAL AND PROFESSIONAL EXPERTISE IN THE TERRITORY, MONG KOK DISTRICT OFFICER, MR BART IRELAND, SAID TODAY (SATURDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE MONG KOK DISTRICT JOINT SCHOOL VARIETY SHOW, MR IRELAND POINTED OUT THAT THERE WERE CURRENTLY 6,000 VACANCIES IN THESE POSITIONS.
STRESSING THAT THIS ARRANGEMENT WAS NOT PART OF THE LABOUR IMPORTATION SCHEME, MR IRELAND SAID IT WOULD BE TIGHTLY MONITORED BY THE GOVERNMENT.
"THE SCHEME MIGHT CONTINUE AFTER A ONE-YEAR EXPERIMENTAL PERIOD. IF IT IS EFFECTIVE, SUCCESSFUL AND WELCOMED, THEN WE WILL CONTINUE WITH IT," HE ADDED.
TURNING TO EDUCATION, MR IRELAND HIGHLIGHTED THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY’S PROPOSAL TO INCREASE RECURRENT EXPENDITURE BY 6.5 PER CENT IN REAL TERMS FOR THE COMING YEAR, WHICH MEANS AN ADDITIONAL 980 GRADUATE TEACHERS AND AN EXTRA 672 SECONDARY SIX PLACES IN SEPTEMBER.
"WE WILL ALSO IMPROVE THE KINDERGARTEN FEE REMISSION SCHEME THREE YEARS EARLIER THAN WE PREVIOUSLY SCHEDULED," HE SAID.
SURVEY ON OPERATIONS OF NT TAXIS
*****
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT WILL CONDUCT A SURVEY ON THE OPERATIONS AND FINANCE OF NEW TERRITORIES TAXIS IN THE NEXT TWO WEEKS.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY (SATURDAY) THAT THE SURVEY WAS AN ANNUAL EXERCISE WHICH COMPRISED A QUESTIONNAIRE AND A METF.R-READING SURVEY.
QUESTIONNAIRES AND SKETCHES SHOWING THE LOCATIONS OF THE METERREADING CENTRES HAVE BEEN DISTRIBUTED TO TAXI OPERATORS SELECTED FOR THE SURVEY.
FOR THE METER-READING SURVEY, TAXI OWNERS SHOULD SEND THEIR VEHICLES TO THE METER-READING CENTRES FROM MARCH 14 TO 18 AND FROM MARCH 21 TO 25 BETWEEN 9.30 AM AND 12.30 PM OR BETWEEN 2 PM AND 4.30 PM FOR METER READING.
QUESTIONNAIRES SHOULD BE COMPLETED AND RETURNED TO THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT BEFORE MARCH 23.
/THE SPOKESMAN .......
SATURDAY, MARCH 12, 1994
4
THE SPOKESMAN URGED OWNERS TO PARTICIPATE IN THE SURVEY TO HELP THE DEPARTMENT ASSESS THE OPERATING CONDITIONS OE NEW TERRITORIES TAXIS.
HE SAID THE INFORMATION COLLECTED WOULD CONFIDENTIALLY AND USED FOR STATISTICAL ANALYSIS ONLY.
BE TREATED
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LABOUR DEPARTMENT PROVIDES A VARIETY OF FREE SERVICES * * * ♦ ♦
THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT IS COMMITTED TO PROVIDING AN EFFICIENT, COURTEOUS AND PROFESSIONAL SERVICE TO THE PUBLIC, NO NATTER THEY ARE WORKERS OR EMPLOYERS, IN A CLEAN AND FRIENDLY ENVIRONMENT.
TO FACILITATE THE GENERAL PUBLIC TO HAVE A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF THE WIDE RANGE OF FREE SERVICES AVAILABLE, A NEWLY REVISED BILINGUAL BOOKLET ENTITLED "THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT OFFERS YOU ITS SERVICES" HAS RECENTLY BEEN PUBLISHED.
IT OUTLINES THE DEPARTMENT’S MAIN SERVICES AND THE ACCESS TO THEM.
THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT HAS NINE MAJOR DIVISIONS - CAREERS ADVISORY AND EXTERNAL EMPLOYMENT SERVICES, EMPLOYEES’ COMPENSATION, EMPLOYMENT SERVICES, FACTORY INSPECTORATE, LABOUR INSPECTION, LABOUR RELATIONS, OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH, PRESSURE EQUIPMENT AND SELECTIVE PLACEMENT.
THE CAREERS ADVISORY AND EXTERNAL EMPLOYMENT SERVICES DIVISION PROMOTES CAREERS EDUCATION THROUGH PROVIDING INFORMATION TO HELP YOUNG PEOPLE CHOOSE A CAREER BEST SUITED TO THEIR TALENTS, INTERESTS AND ABILITIES.
IT ALSO CONTROLS THE OPERATION OF EMPLOYMENT AGENCIES AND ATTESTS CONTRACTS FOR EMPLOYEES WHO ARE EMPLOYED Bl FOREIGN EMPLOYERS TO WORK OUTSIDE HONG KONG.
TO PROMOTE AND MAINTAIN HARMONIOUS LABOUR RELATIONS, THE LABOUR RELATIONS DIVISION GIVES ADVICE TO BOTH EMPLOYERS AND EMPLOYEES ON MANY ISSUES, INCLUDING THEIR RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS UNDER THE EMPLOYMENT ORDINANCE, SETTING UP JOINT CONSULTATIVE BODIES IN INDIVIDUAL ESTABLISHMENTS AND GOOD MANAGEMENT PRACTICES.
WHEN THERE IS A LABOUR DISPUTE, THE DIVISION ACTS AS A CONCILIATOR TO ASSIST THE PARTIES INVOLVED IN COMING TO AMICABLE TERMS OF SETTLEMENT.
IT ALSO HELPS EMPLOYEES WH<> ARE OWED WAGES AND OTHER RELATED BENEFITS BY AN INSOLVENT EMPLOYER TO APPLY FOR EX-GRAT1A PAYMENT FROM THE PROTECTION OF WAGES ON INSOLVENCY FUND.
/THE PERTOD .......
SATURDAY, MARCH 12. 1993
5
THE PERIOD OF EMPLOYMENT AND REST DAY ARRANGEMENTS FOR WOMEN AND YOUNG PERSONS IN INDUSTRY ARE MONITORED BY THE LABOUR INSPECTION DIVISION, WHICH ALSO ENFORCES LAWS GOVERNING THE EMPLOYMENT OF CHILDREN IN ALL ECONOMIC SECTORS.
LABOUR INSPECTORS FROM THE DIVISION VISIT ESTABLISHMENTS TO ENSURE THAT EMPLOYEES RECEIVE THEIR STATUTORY BENEFITS.
THE FACTORY INSPECTORATE AND THE OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH DIVISIONS ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR PROTECTING THE SAFETY AND HEALTH OF WORKERS AND ASSIST PROPRIETORS AND WORKERS OF INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS IN COMPLYING WITH STATUTORY SAFETY REQUIREMENTS.
FACTORY INSPECTORS ALSO PROVIDE SAFETY TRAINING FOR INDUSTRIAL PERSONNEL AND ORGANISE VARIOUS ACTIVITIES TO PROMOTE SAFETY AT WORK.
WHEN A WORK ACCIDENT OCCURS, THE EMPLOYEES’ COMPENSATION DIVISION HELPS THE INJURED WORKER OBTAIN COMPENSATION FROM THE EMPLOYERS AND ADVISES BOTH THE EMPLOYEE AND EMPLOYER ON THEIR RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS UNDER RELEVANT LEGISLATION.
IN ADDITION, THE DIVISION ASSISTS PNEUMOCONIOTICS OR THEIR DEPENDANTS IN OBTAINING COMPENSATION FROM THE PNEUMOCONIOSIS COMPENSATION FUND.
OTHER ESSENTIAL SERVICES INCLUDE EMPLOYMENT SERVICES FOR EMPLOYERS AND JOB-SEEKERS OFFERED BY THE EMPLOYMENT SERVICES DIVISION, JOB PLACEMENT SERVICE FOR THE DISABLED PROVIDED BY THE SELECTIVE PLACEMENT DIVISION AND CONTROLS ON THE SAFE OPERATION OF PRESSURE EQUIPMENT THROUGH THE PRESSURE EQUIPMENT DIVISION.
APART FROM GIVING A GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF THESE SERVICES, THE BOOKLET DETAILS THE ADDRESSES OF BRANCH OFFICES OF VARIOUS DIVISIONS WHERE ADVICE AND FURTHER INFORMATION CAN BE OBTAINED.
IT ALSO CONTAINS A LIST OF PUBLICATIONS PRODUCED BY THE DEPARTMENT ON VARIOUS LABOUR SUBJECTS AS WELL AS LEGISLATION IT ADMINISTERS.
WITH AN EXQUISITE DESIGN PRODUCED BY THE CREATIVE SUB-DIVISION OF THE INFORMATION SERVICES DEPARTMENT, THE BOOKLET IS A USEFUL HANDBOOK FOR BOTH THE EMPLOYERS AND EMPLOYEES.
IT IS NOW OBTAINABLE FREE FROM ALL OFFICES OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT AND FROM PUBLIC ENQUIRY SERVICE CENTRES OF THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION.
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/6.........
SATURDAY, MARCH 12, 1994
- 6
HK PEOPLE TO BENEFIT FROM BUDGET
* * * * »
THE NEWLY RELEASED 1994/95 BUDGET WILL ENABLE HONG KONG PEOPLE TO SHARE THE WEALTH BROUGHT ABOUT BY THE CONTINUED ECONOMIC GROWTH OF THE TERRITORY, THE ISLANDS DISTRICT OFFICER, MR CHRISTOPHER WONG KWOK-BUN, SAID TODAY (SATURDAY).
OFFICIATING AT THE ANNUAL PERFORMANCE OF CHEUNG CHAU CHILDREN'S CHOIR, MR WONG ATTRIBUTED THIS TO THE GENEROUS TAX CONCESSIONS AND IMPROVEMENTS TO WELFARE AND MEDICAL SERVICES.
TURNING TO EDUCATION, MR WONG POINTED OUT THAT RECURRENT EXPENDITURE WOULD BE INCREASED TO $26 BILLION IN THE COMING YEAR, WHICH WAS 20.9 PER CENT OF THE TOTAL RECURRENT PUBLIC SPENDING.
THIS WILL PRODUCE AN ADDITIONAL 980 GRADUATE TEACHERS FOR PRIMARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOLS, WITH IMPROVEMENT TO THE KINDERGARTEN FEE REMISSION SCHEME THREE YEARS EARLIER THAN PREVIOUSLY SCHEDULED, HE SAID.
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SEAFOOD FESTIVAL IN SAI KUNG
*****
TENS OF THOUSANDS OF TOURISTS AND LOCAL RESIDENTS ARE EXPECTED TO FLOCK TO SAI KUNG FOR A SEAFOOD FESTIVAL WHICH WILL BEGIN TOMORROW (SUNDAY).
THE MONTH-LONG CULINARY FAIR IS AIMED AT PROMOTING TOURISM IN THE AREA.
THERE WILL BE 36 PARTICIPATING RESTAURANTS AND SEAFOOD STALLS PROVIDING EXCLUSIVE SEAFOOD MENUS AT BARGAIN PRICES.
THE FESTIVAL IS BEING ORGANISED BY THE 1994 SAI KUNG DISTRICT SEAFOOD FESTIVAL PREPARATORY COMMITTEE WITH ASSISTANCE FROM THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT OFFICE, THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT BOARD, THE HONG KONG TOURIST ASSOCIATION AND LOCAL TRADE BODIES.
ATTENTION NEWS EDITORS:
THE CHAIRMAN OF REGIONAL COUNCIL, MR CHEUNG YAN-LUNG, THE DIRECTOR OF AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES, DR LAWRENCE LEE AND THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT OFFICER, MR PARRISH NG, WILL OFFICIATE AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT SEAFOOD FESTIVAL.
YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THE CEREMONY WHICH WILL BEGIN AT 11 AM TOMORROW (SUNDAY) AT HOI PONG STREET, SAI KUNG.
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/7........
9
SATURDAY, MARCH 12, 1994
7 -
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS *****
OPENING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT
REVERSAL OF LAF
BALANCE AFTER REVERSAL OF LAF
NET INJECTION/WITHDRAWAL TODAY
EFFECT OF LAF TODAY
CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT
LAF RATE 2.00 BID/4.00 OFFER
$ MILLION
2,174
+ 500
2,674
NIL
-350
2,324
TWI 125.4 *+0.0» 12.3.94
------0
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
SUNDAY, MARCH 13, 1994
CONTENTS
PAGE NO.
COMMONWEALTH DAY MESSAGE 1994 FROM HER MAJESTY THE QUEEN HEAD OF THE COMMONWEALTH............................ 1
SECRETARY FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY VISITS USA .............. 2
MAXIMUM FINES FOR BREACHING LABOUR LAWS................... 2
CNTA HANDLED OVER 11.7 MILLION CASES IN 1993 ............. 3
BRIEFING ON EDUCATION CONDUCT COUNCIL ELECTION............ 4
BEST STUDENT DANCERS TO GIVE PERFORMANCES 4
.APPLICATION FOR PART-TIME TEACHING POSTS CLOSES ON MARCH 26 5
WATER CUT IN WAN CHAI....... ............................. 6
SUNDAY, MARCH 13, 1994
COMMONWEALTH DAY MESSAGE 1994 FROM HER MAJESTY THE QUEEN HEAD OF THE COMMONWEALTH * t » » t
THE MOST POPULAR COMMONWEALTH EVENT THIS YEAR WILL BE THE COMMONWEALTH GAMES IN VICTORIA, CANADA AND THE LINKED CULTURAL FESTIVAL. MILLIONS OF PEOPLE THROUGHOUT THE WORLD WILL WATCH THIS GREAT CELEBRATION OF ACHIEVEMENT BY REPRESENTATIVES OF COUNTRIES OF EVERY SIZE AND LEVEL OF DEVELOPMENT. MOST OF US, WHETHER WE ARE YOUNG OR OLD, ARE INVOLVED OR INTERESTED IN SPORT AS PARTICIPANTS OR AS SPECTATORS. SO IT IS APPROPRIATE THAT SPORT IS THE THEME CHOSEN FOR THIS YEAR’S COMMONWEALTH DAY.
WHEN THEY MET IN CYPRUS LAST YEAR, THE COMMONWEALTH HEADS OF GOVERNMENT RECOGNISED THE IMPORTANT PART WHICH SPORT PLAYS IN OUR DEVELOPMENT BOTH AS INDIVIDUALS AND AS NATIONS. WE MAY BE THE CITIZENS OF A SMALL OR LITTLE-KNOWN COUNTRY BUT, IF OUR COUNTRY STARS IN A SPORT, WE TOO HAVE OUR PLACE ON THE WORLD STAGE. IF WE STRIVE TO IMPROVE OURSELVES, IF WE AIM FOR EVER MORE DIFFICULT GOALS IN THE DISCIPLINE OF PHYSICAL AND MENTAL ENDEAVOUR, WE ARE THE GAINERS. IF WE PLAY AS MEMBERS OF A TEAM, WE LEARN TO MAKE THE MOST OF EACH OTHER’S STRENGTHS AND MINIMISE EACH OTHER’S WEAKNESSES. WE FIND OUT WHAT IT IS TO WIN AND TO LOSE AND THE PART THAT LUCK CAN PLAY. ANY ONE OF US MAY BE BORN WITH AN OUTSTANDING GOD-GIVEN TALENT WHETHER WE COME FROM A PRIVILEGED OR UNDERPRIVILEGED ENVIRONMENT. WE ADMIRE THOSE WHO DEVELOP THAT TALENT TO THE HIGHEST LEVEL OF ACHIEVEMENT. THEY SET AN EXAMPLE OF DEDICATION AND DETERMINATION TO US ALL.
COMPETITION IS HARD AND NOT EVERYONE IS ABLE TO COPE. NOT EVERYONE HAS WHAT THEY NEED FOR EVEN BASIC SURVIVAL LET ALONE THE SPARE RESOURCES, INCLUDING TIME, FOR ANY KIND OF SPORT. BUT SPORT IS NOT ONLY ABOUT EXCELLENCE; IT IS PERHAPS THE BEST WAY IN WHICH PEOPLE OF DIFFERENT NATIONALITIES AND LANGUAGES CAN COMMUNICATE WITH EACH OTHER. SPORT CAN BUILD BRIDGES AND BREAK DOWN BARRIERS; IT IS ALSO ABOUT RELAXATION, ENJOYMENT AND COMPANIONSHIP, WITH SOMETHING IN COMMON TO TALK ABOUT.
OUR LIVES ARE A RACE WE HAVE TO RUN. SOMETIMES THE TRACK IS ROUGH, AND IF WE ARE RUNNING ON OUR OWN IT CAN LOOK LIKE AN ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE OBSTACLE COURSE. BUT BY HELPING EACH OTHER ALONG WE CAN MAKE IT AN EASIER AND FAIRER RACE. AMONG THE FIFTY MEMBERS OF THE COMMONWEALTH WE CAN CO-OPERATE AND ENGAGE IN FRIENDLY COMPETITION AT THE SAME TIME. WE CAN ALSO COMBINE OUR RESOURCES AND ABILITIES TO MAKE LIFE BETTER FOR EVERYONE. THAT IS INDEED A PRIZE WORTH WINNING.
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/2 .......
SUNDAY, MARCH 13, 1994
2
SECRETARY FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY VISITS USA *****
THE SECRETARY FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY, MR T H CHAU, LEFT HONG KONG TODAY (SUNDAY) FOR A THREE-DAY VISIT TO WASHINGTON, DC, USA,
IN WASHINGTON, HE WILL MEET SENIOR OFFICIALS IN THE U.S. ADMINISTRATION, INCLUDING THE U.S. TRADE REPRESENTATIVE AMBASSADOR MICKEY KANTOR, AND MEMBERS OF THE U.S. CONGRESS.
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MAXIMUM FINES FOR BREACHING LABOUR LAWS
*****
THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT TODAY (SUNDAY) REMINDED FACTORY PROPRIETORS TO COMPLY WITH LABOUR LAWS OR THEY WILL FACE HEAVY PENALTIES.
LABOUR OFFICER (PROSECUTIONS), MISS KATHERINE TSANG, MADE THE APPEAL IN VIEW OF TWO RECENT COURT CASES- IN WHICH THE EMPLOYERS WERE EACH GIVEN MAXIMUM FINES OF $10,000 FOR ENGAGING WOMEN IN ILLEGAL OVERTIME WORK AND TO WORK ON A REST DAY.
DURING A ROUTINE INSPECTION, LABOUR INSPECTORS FOUND THAT NEW BRIGHT INDUSTRIAL COMPANY LIMITED IN SAN PO KONG HAD ENGAGED 178 WOMEN IN UNREPORTED OVERTIME WORK.
IN ANOTHER INSPECTION, THREE STARS KNITTING FACTORY LIMITED IN KOWLOON BAY WAS FOUND TO HAVE EMPLOYED 25 WOMEN TO WORK ON A REST DAY.
THE MAXIMUN FINE OF $10,000 WAS IMPOSED ON BOTH COMPANIES BY A KWUN TONG MAGISTRATE RECENTLY.
"IT IS AN OFFENCE UNDER THE WOMEN AND YOUNG PERSONS (INDUSTRY) REGULATIONS OF THE EMPLOYMENT ORDINANCE FOR AN EMPLOYER TO CHANGE THE PRESCRIBED WORKING HOURS OF WOMEN IN INDUSTRY OR TO ENGAGE THEM IN OVERTIME WORK, WITHOUT NOTIFYING THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT BEFOREHAND," MISS TSANG SAID.
THE LAW ALSO REQUIRES THE EMPLOYER TO DISPLAY IN A CONSPICUOUS PLACE IN THE FACTORY A PRESCRIBED NOTICE SETTING OUT THE PERIOD OF EMPLOYMENT, INTERVALS FOR MEALS OR REST, AND REST DAY FOR WOMEN WORKERS.
EMPLOYERS SHOULD STRICTLY ADHERE TO THE PERMISSIBLE HOURS OF WORK SET OUT IN THE PRESCRIBED NOTICE.
"IF THEY REQUIRE WOMEN WORKERS TO WORK ON A SCHEDULED REST DAY, THEY MUST APPLY FOR A CHANGE OF REST DAYS FOR THEIR WOMEN EMPLOYEES AT THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT," SHE ADDED.
MISS TSANG ALSO REMINDED EMPLOYERS THAT YOUNG PERSONS SHOULD NOT BE EMPLOYED TO WORK OVERTIME IN INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS.
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/3 .....
SUNDAY. MARCH 13, 1994
CNTA HANDLED OVER 11.7 MILLION CASES IN 1993
*****
THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION (CNTA) HANDLED 11,746,270 CASES AND ENQUIRIES LAST YEAR.
THIS REPRESENTS AN INCREASE OF 22 PER CENT OVER THE FIGURE OF 9,649,162 CASES IN 1992.
DURING THE PAST YEAR, ITS 20 PUBLIC ENQUIRY SERVICE CENTRES (PESCS) THROUGHOUT THE TERRITORY HANDLED 11,585,645 CASES AND ENQUIRIES, WHILE THE REMAINING 160,625 CALLS WERE DEALT WITH BY THE CENTRAL TELEPHONE ENQUIRY CENTRE (CTEC).
THE CTEC WAS SET UP IN APRIL 1991 AT CNTA HEADQUARTERS TO BACK UP THE SERVICES PROVIDED BY THE PESCS AT DISTRICT LEVEL.
TOPPING THE LIST OF ENQUIRIES WAS DECLARATION SERVICE (204,572), FOLLOWED BY SUBJECTS ON SUCH MATTERS AS LOCATIONS, TELEPHONE NUMBERS AND OPENING HOURS OF GOVERNMENT OFFICES (191,180) AND THOSE SEEKING INFORMATION ON NON-GOVERNMENT ORGANISATIONS ( 178,920 ) .
THE PESCS ALSO ADMINISTERED A TOTAL OF 489,069 DECLARATIONS, OATHS AND AFFIRMATIONS, INCLUDING THOSE FOR SUBMISSION TO NON-GOVERNMENT BODIES FOR SPECIFIC AND GENERAL PURPOSES (168,875), FOR EMIGRATION PURPOSES OR OVERSEAS VISITS (159,917) AND FOR OVERSEAS EXAMINATIONS OR SCHOOLING (66,551).
IN ADDITION, 7,824,262 FORMS DISTRIBUTED AT PESCS TO THE PUBLIC.
AND OTHER INFORMATION SHEETS
WERE
THESE INCLUDED APPLICATION FORMS FOR CIVIL SERVICE EMPLOYMENT (449,190), BRITISH NATIONAL (OVERSEAS) PASSPORT (430,680) AND HOME OWNERSHIP SCHEME (237,040).
UNDER THE FREE LEGAL ADVICE SCHEME, A TOTAL OF 3,1 IQ CASES WERE REFERRED TO THE HONG KONG LAW SOCIETY Willi 2,638 CASES HANDLED BY VOLUNTARY SOLICITORS UNDER THE SCHEME AND 198 CASES FURTHER REFERRED TO THE LEGAL AID DEPARTMENT.
INTRODUCED IN 1978, THIS SERVICE IS BEING OFFERED IN FIVE OF THE DISTRICT OFFICES - WAN CHAI, YAU TSIM, KWUN TONG, TSUEN WAN AND SHA TIN.
IN 1993, THE RENT OFFICERS OF THE RATING AND VALUATION DEPARTMENT ALSO HANDLED 13,795 ENQUIRIES ON MATTERS RELATING TO RENTAL AND TENANCY PROBLEMS.
THE RENT OFFICER SCHEME, ALSO IMPLEMENTED IN 1978, IS BEING OPERATED AT 10 URBAN DISTRICT OFFICES AND FIVE DISTRICT OFFICES IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WISHING TO KNOW MORE ABOUT THE VARIOUS SERVICES PROVIDED BY THE PESCS MAY APPROACH ANY OF THESE CENTRES OR CALL THE CTEC HOTLINE ON TEL 835 2500.
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/4 .....
SUNDAY, MARCH 13, 1994
4
BRIEFING ON EDUCATION CONDUCT COUNCIL ELECTION
*****
THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT WILL HOLT) A BRIEFING FOR NOMINEES OF THE ELECTION OF THE COUNCIL ON PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT IN EDUCATION AS THE APRIL 20 VOTING DAY APPROACHES.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE ELECTION WOULD BE EXPLAINED AT THE BRIEFING AND NOTES ON CANVASSING VOTES DISTRIBUTED. THIS WOULD BE FOLLOWED BY A QUESTION AND ANSWER SESSION.
THE BRIEFING WILL TAKE PLACE AT 9.30 AM ON SATURDAY (MARCH 19) IN ROOM G09, LUI KEE EDUCATION SERVICES CENTRE, 269 QUEEN’S ROAD EAST, WAN CHAI.
A TOTAL OF 69 CANDIDATES AND ORGANISATIONS WILL COMPETE FOR 25 SEATS IN THE ELECTION.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE COUNCIL WAS AIMED AT PROMOTING THE INTERESTS FOR THE TEACHING PROFESSION.
IT IS A NON-STATUTORY BODY TO ADVISE THE GOVERNMENT ON MEASURES TO PROMOTE PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT IN EDUCATION, INCLUDING THE DRAFTING OF OPERATIONAL CRITERIA, DEFINING THE CONDUCT EXPECTED OF AN EDUCATOR, AND TO ADVISE THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION IN CASES OF DISPUTE OR ON ALLEGED PROFESSIONAL MISCONDUCT.
ATTENTION NEWS EDITORS:
MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT BRIEFING FOR. NOMINEES OF THE ELECTION OF THE COUNCIL ON PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT IN EDUCATION.
IT WILL BE HELD AT 9.30 AM ON SATURDAY (MARCH 19) TN ROOM G09, LUI KEE EDUCATION SERVICES CENTRE, 269 QUEEN’S ROAD EAST, WAN 'CHAI.
------0--------
BEST STUDENT DANCERS TO GIVE PERFORMANCES
*****
THE BEST DANCERS FROM AMONG 4,000 STUDENTS.FROM 228 SCHOOLS WHO TOOK PART IN THE 30TH SCHOOLS DANCE FESTIVAL WILL PERFORM FOR THE PUBLIC AT THE BEGINNING AND MIDDLE OF APRIL.
THE DANCE EXTRAVAGANZA IS PART OF THE PRIZE PRESENTATION AND WINNERS’ PERFORMANCES WHICH WILL BE HELD AT THE AUDITORIUM, SHA TIN TOWN HALL ON APRIL 6, 7 AND R, AND AT THE GRAND THEATRE. HONG KONG CULTURAL CENTRE IN TSTM SHA TSU] ON APRIL 13 AND 14.
/ALL PERFORMANCES .......
SUNDAY, MARCH 13, 1994
- 5 -
ALL PERFORMANCES - CHINESE, ORIENTAL, MODERN AND WESTERN FOLK AND NATIONAL DANCES - WILL BEGIN AT 7.30 PM EACH EVENING.
THE PERFORMANCES ARE PRESENTED BY THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT, THE URBAN AND REGIONAL COUNCILS AND THE HONG KONG SCHOOLS SPORTS COUNCIL.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT SAID 17 SPECIAL SCHOOLS, 82 SECONDARY SCHOOLS AND 129 PRIMARY SCHOOLS TOOK PART IN THIS YEAR’S DANCE FESTIVAL.
HE SAID 47 SCHOOLS RECEIVED HONOURS, 118 WERE HIGHLY COMMENDED, 165 COMMENDED AND 10 TEAMS WERE ALSO AWARDED THEIR CHOREOGRAPHY.
TICKETS OF $15, $25 AND $30 FOR ALL PERFORMANCES ARE AVAILABLE AT THE URBTIX OUTLETS. THERE WILL BE 10 PER CENT DISCOUNT FOR ANY PURCHASE OF 10 OR MORE TICKETS.
---------0-----------
APPLICATION FOR PART-TIME TEACHING POSTS CLOSES ON MARCH 26 ♦ * * * ♦
AN EDUCATION DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN TODAY REMINDED QUALIFIED TEACHERS WISHING TO APPLY FOR EVENING PART-TIME TEACHING POSTS IN ADULT COURSES FOR THE 1994/95 SCHOOL YEAR TO SUBMIT THEIR APPLICATIONS AS SOON AS POSSIBLE AS THE CLOSING DATE WAS MARCH 26 (SATURDAY).
THE SPOKESMAN SAID APPLICANTS SHOULD BE QUALIFIED TEACHERS WITH A GENUINE INTEREST IN TEACHING ADULTS IN THE EVENING.
EXPERIENCE IN TEACHING AT SENIOR SECONDARY OR POST-SECONDARY LEVELS AND POSSESSION OF A DIPLOMA OR CERTIFICATE IN EDUCATION OR ADVANCED CERTIFICATE IN TEACHER TRAINING WILL BE AN ADVANTAGE, THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
APPLICATION FORMS ARE OBTAINABLE FROM THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT’S ADULT EDUCATION SECTION ON THE 11TH FLOOR OF WU CHUNG HOUSE, 213 QUEEN’S ROAD EAST, WAN CHAI.
REMUNERATIONS FOR PART-TIME TEACHERS ARE:
* $300 PER HOUR FOR POST-SECONDARY LEVEL SUBJECTS;
* $250 PER HOUR FOR SENIOR SECONDARY LEVEL SUBJECTS;
♦ $200 PER HOUR FOR JUNIOR SECONDARY LEVEL SUBJECTS;
» $180 PER HOUR FOR PRIMARY LEVEL SUBJECTS.
------0 - -
/6.........
SUNDAY, MARCH 13, 1994
6
WATER CUT IN WAN CHAI *****
FRESH AND FLUSHING WATER SUPPLY TO SOME PREMISES IN WAN CHAI WILL BE TEMPORARILY SUSPENDED FROM 11 PM ON TUESDAY (MARCH 15) TO 6 AM THE FOLLOWING DAY TO FACILITATE WATER MAINS LEAKAGE DETECTION.
THE SUSPENSION WILL AFFECT ALL THE PREMISES AT 39 KENNEDY ROAD, 187-271 AND 264 QUEEN’S ROAD EAST, KING SING STREET, HING WAN STREET, KAT ON STREET, LUNG ON STREET, KENNEDY STREET, STONE NULLAH LANE, 1-7 WAN CHAI GAP ROAD, SHEK KAI LANE AND YEN WAH TERRACE.
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL. 842 8777
MONDAY, MARCH 14, 1994
SEWAGE CONTRACT TO IMPROVE VICTORIA HARBOUR WATER ............... 1
CHAIRMAN AND MEMBERS OF HMDAC APPOINTED ......................... 2
HIGH FIRE RISK CLUBS URGED TO COMPLETE IMPROVEMENT WORKS .... 4
FINANCE COMMITTEE TO EXAMINE GOVT EXPENDITURE ................... 4
TEACHER RECRUITMENT DRIVE SWINGS INTO ACTION .................... 6
SAFETY FIRST AT WORKPLACES ...................................... 8
BN(O) PHASE II REGISTRATION ENDS THIS MONTH ..................... 9
AIR QUALITY REPORT FOR FEBRUARY ................................ 11
TEACHING KITS PROMOTE RULE OF LAW .............................. 12
NEW PARKING METERS SET UP IN HO MAN TIN ........................ 12
WATER STORAGE FIGURE ........................................... 13
HONG KONG MONETARY AUTHORITY MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS
13
MONDAY, MARCH 14, 1994
1
SEWAGE CONTRACT TO IMPROVE VICTORIA HARBOUR WATER *****
CONSTRUCTION WORKS FOR STAGE I OF THE STRATEGIC SEWAGE DISPOSAL SCHEME (SSDS) WILL BEGIN LATER THIS MONTH.
THE FIRST WORKS CONTRACT UNDER THIS STAGE WAS SIGNED AT A CEREMONY TODAY (MONDAY).
THE $99 MILLION CONTRACT IS FOR THE INSTALLATION OF PILES FOR SEDIMENTATION TANKS OF A CHEMICALLY-ASSISTED PRIMARY SEWAGE TREATMENT WORKS TO BE BUILT ON STONECUTTERS ISLAND.
THE DIRECTOR OF DRAINAGE SERVICES, MR SIU CHUEN, SIGNED THE CONTRACT WITH A REPRESENTATIVE OF THE CONTRACTOR, FRANKI CONTRACTORS LIMITED.
THE PILING WORKS WILL BE COMPLETED ON MAY 30, 1995.
EXPLAINING THE PROJECT AFTER SIGNING THE CONTRACT, MR SIU SAID THE GOVERNMENT COMMISSIONED THE DETAILED DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION WORKS OF THE SSDS STAGE I LAST YEAR TO TACKLE THE PROBLEM OF DETERIORATING WATER QUALITY IN VICTORIA HARBOUR AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.
THE ESTIMATED COST FOR THIS STAGE IS ABOUT $5.3 BILLION.
MR SIU SAID A NETWORK OF LARGE SEWAGE TUNNELS, ABOUT 23 KILOMETRES IN LENGTH WITH DIAMETERS RANGING FROM ONE METRE TO THREE METRES, WOULD BE CONSTRUCTED AT 150 METRES UNDERGROUND TO COLLECT THE SEWAGE FROM SEVEN EXISTING PRELIMINARY TREATMENT WORKS AT CHAI WAN, SHAU KEI WAN, TSEUNG KWAN O, KWUN TONG, TO KWA WAN, KWAI CHUNG AND TSING YI.
"THE NEW CHEMICALLY-ASSISTED PRIMARY SEWAGE TREATMENT WORKS ON STONECUTTERS ISLAND WILL TREAT THE COLLECTED SEWAGE BEFORE DISCHARGE VIA A SUBMARINE OUTFALL AT THE WESTERN HARBOUR ANCHORAGE AREA," HE ADDED.
THE WASTEWATER CATCHMENT AREAS COVERED BY THE SSDS STAGE I ENCOMPASS CHAI WAN, SHAU KEI WAN, TSEUNG KWAN O AND THE AREAS IN KOWLOON BETWEEN TSUEN WAN AND KWUN TONG.
THE POPULATION TO BE SERVED IS ABOUT 3.5 MILLION AND THE VOLUME OF SEWAGE TO BE TREATED IS 1,700,000 CUBIC METRES A DAY.
DOMESTIC AND INDUSTRIAL SEWAGE FROM THESE AREAS CURRENTLY DISCHARGING INTO THE HARBOUR AFTER PRELIMINARY SCREENING WILL BE COLLECTED AND CONVEYED THROUGH THE NETWORK OF DEEP SEWAGE TUNNELS TO THE CHEMICALLY-ASSISTED SEWAGE TREATMENT WORKS ON STONECUTTERS ISLAND FOR TREATMENT.
MR SIU SAID THIS WOULD REMOVE POINT SOURCES OF POLLUTION AT EACH LOCAL SCREENING PLANT AROUND VICTORIA HARBOUR.
"THE SEWAGE WILL ALSO RECEIVE A HIGHER LEVEL OF TREATMENT USING CHEMICALLY-ASSISTED SEDIMENTATION AT THE SEWAGE TREATMENT WORKS ON STONECUTTERS ISLAND.
•'THE WATER ...........
MONDAY, MARCH 14, 19<>4
- 2 -
’’THE WATER QUALITY WITHIN VICTORIA HARBOUR WILL THUS SIGNIFICANTLY IMPROVE THROUGH THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE SSDS STAGE I,” MR SIU SAID.
CONSTRUCTION WORKS OF THE SSDS STAGE I ARE SCHEDULED FOR COMPLETION IN JUNE 1997.
------0-------
CHAIRMAN AND MEMBERS OF HMDAC APPOINTED
*****
THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, MRS ELIZABETH WONG, TODAY (MONDAY) ANNOUNCED THE APPOINTMENT OF DR DAVID FANG AS CHAIRMAN OF THE HEALTH AND MEDICAL DEVELOPMENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE (HMDAC).
DR FANG IS THE PRESIDENT OF THE HONG KONG MEDICAL ASSOCIATION, VICE-CHAIRMAN OF THE HONG KONG SOCIETY FOR REHABILITATION, AND READER OF THE DEPARTMENT OF ORTHOPAEDIC SURGERY, UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG.
THE DIRECTOR OF HEALTH SERVES AS THE VICE-CHAIRMAN OF HMDAC.
OTHER MEMBERS, COMPRISING HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONALS, ACADEMICS, SOCIAL WORKERS AND LAY MEMBERS, INCLUDE:
* DR JOHN BOEV
PRIVATE MEDICAL PRACTITIONER
* PROF CHAN KAI MING
PROFESSOR, ORTHOPAEDIC' AND TRAUMATIC SURGERY, CHINESE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG
♦ MRS CHONG YUK TAK FUN, ALICE
GENERAL SECRETARY, HONG KONG YOUNG WOMEN’S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION
* MR HO CHUN VAN, ALBERT SOLICITOR, PRIVATE PRACTICE
* MS KIT KWONG CHI, NANCY
TRAINED NURSE; (HAIRMAN, MANAGEMENT SOCIETY FOR HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS
* MRS LEE IP WAI KAY, CECILIA
ARCHITECT; PAST CHAIRLADY OF PO LEUNG KUK
* DR LEE KIN HUNG
PRIVATE MEDICAL PRACTITIONER; VICE-CHAIRMAN, HONG KONG MEDICAL ASSOCIATION
* PROF NG MUN HON
PROFESSOR OF MICROBIOLOGY, UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG
* PROF TE1K E OH
PROFESSOR OF ANAESTHESIA \ND INTENSIVE CARE, CHINESE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG; FORMER MEMBER OF THE HOSPITAL AUTHORITY
/★DR ROSE .....
MONDAY, MARCH 14, 1994
3
* DR ROSE ONG
HEALTH CONSULTANT IN PRIVATE PRACTICE; NEWSPAPER HEALTH COLUMNIST
* MRS PONG TSO SHING YUK, ALICE
NURSE TUTOR; CHAIRMAN, HONG KONG SOCIETY FOR NURSING EDUCATION
t MRS TSANG LAU KIT PING, ALICE
OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST; CHAIRMAN, HONG KONG ASSOCIATION OF PHYSIOTHERAPISTS AND OCCUPATIONAL THERAPISTS
* DR HOMER TSO WEI KWOK
PRIVATE DENTIST; PAST PRESIDENT, HONG KONG DENTAL ASSOCIATION
* DR PETER YUEN POK MAN
HEALTH ECONOMIST; SENIOR LECTURER, DEPARTMENT OF MANAGEMENT, HONG KONG POLYTECHNIC
* CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER, HOSPITAL AUTHORITY
IN WELCOMING THE MEMBERS TO THE 1994/96 SESSION OF THE TOT ADVISORY’ COMMITTEE TO GOVERNMENT ON DEVELOPMENT OF HEALTH AND MEDICAL SERVICES, MRS WONG SAID THE CHALLENGE IN THE FI TURE LIED IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF AN INTEGRATED SYSTEM OF PATIENT SERVICES, WITH CLOSE AND EFFECTIVE INTERFACE BETWEEN PRIMARY HEALTH SERVICES AND HOSPITAL CARE.
"IN THE CONTEXT OF PRIMARY HEALTH CARE BEING PARTICIPATOR! CARE, OUR EMPHASIS WILL CONTINUE TO BE ON ENCOURAGING PUBLIC PARTICIPATION, BOTH IN DEVELOPMENT OF A CO-ORDINATED HEALTH STRATEGY AND IN MAINTAINING A HEALTHY LIFESTYLE FOR THE INDIVIDUAL,” SHE SAID.
"AT THE SAME TIME, WE MUST CONTINUE TO DEVELOP OUR MEDICAL INFRASTRUCTURE TO MEET THE HEALTH CARE NEEDS OF OUR COMMUNITY, TO ENSURE ACCESSIBILITY AND TO FACILITATE GREATER CHOICE OF SERVICES FOR PATIENTS.
"OUR TARGET IS TO ACHIEVE HEALTH FOR ALL IN THE YEAR 2000,” MRS WONG STATED.
THE TERMS OF REFERENCE OF HMDAC ARE:
* BEARING IN MIND THE OBJECTIVES OF GOVERNMENT IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF PRIMARY' HEALTH CARE, TO KEEP UNDER REVIEW THE GENERAL LEVEL OF HEALTH IN THE COMMUNITY; AND
* HAVING REGARD TO THE NEEDS OF THE COMMUNITY AND THE AVAILABILITY OF MANPOWER AND FINANCIAL RESOURCES, TO ADVISE GOVERNMENT, THROUGH THE SECRETARY' FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF HEALTH CARE SERVICES AND THE INTERFACE BETWEEN HEALTH AND HOSPITAL SERVICES.
------0 - -
/4 .........
MONDAY, MARCH 14, 1994
4
HIGH FIRE RISK CLUBS URGED TO
COMPLETE IMPROVEMENT WORKS
* * * * ♦
OPERATORS OF CLUBS WITH A HIGH FIRE RISK HAVE BEEN URGED TO COMPLETE THE NECESSARY IMPROVEMENT WORKS BY THE END OF THIS MONTH IF THEY WISH TO OBTAIN THE CERTIFICATE OF COMPLIANCE TO CONTINUE THEIR BUSINESS.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION (CNTA) TODAY (MONDAY) SAID THEY HAD INDIVIDUALLY RECEIVED NOTIFICATIONS OF THE DEADLINE FROM THE OFFICE OF THE LICENSING AUTHORITY.
HE SAID THE CERTIFICATE OF EXEMPTION NOW HELD BY THESE CLUBS WOULD EXPIRE ON MARCH 31.
THE SPOKESMAN ADDED THAT FROM APRIL 1, OFFICERS OF CNTA’S OFFICE OF THE LICENSING AUTHORITY WOULD CARRY OUT MORE INTENSIVE INSPECTIONS OF THESE PREMISES.
HE POINTED OUT THAT THOSE FOUND TO BE OPERATING WITHOUT A VALID CERTIFICATE WOULD BE LIABLE, ON CONVICTION, TO A FINE OF $200,000 AND TWO YEARS’ IMPRISONMENT AND TO AN ADDITIONAL FINE OF $20,000 FOR EACH DAY DURING WHICH THE OFFENCE CONTINUED.
THE CLUBS (SAFETY OF PREMISES) ORDINANCE, WHICH CAME INTO EFFECT ON NOVEMBER 1, 1991, PROVIDES FOR A CERTIFICATION SCHEME FOR THE REGULATION AND CONTROL OF CLUBS WITH CLUBHOUSES IN RESPECT OF THEIR FIRE AND STRUCTURAL SAFETY.
PUBLIC ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE OF THE LICENSING AUTHORITY ON TEL 881 7034.
------0-------
FINANCE COMMITTEE TO EXAMINE GOVT EXPENDITURE
*****
THE FINANCE COMMITTEE WILL EXAMINE THE DRAFT ESTIMATES OF EXPENDITURE FOR 1994/95 AT THREE SPECIAL MEETINGS TO BE HELD FROM WEDNESDAY TO FRIDAY (MARCH 16 TO 18).
THERE WILL BE 17 SESSIONS FOR THE SPECIAL MEETINGS.
EACH BRANCH SECRETARY OR HEAD OF DEPARTMENT WILL ATTEND WITH THEIR KEY CONTROLLING OFFICERS AND MAKE A BRIEF PRESENTATION ON 1 HF. 1R POLICY AREAS, PRIORITIES FOR THE YEAR AHEAD AND THE ALLOCATION OF RESOURCES TO THEM.
MEMBERS WILL THEN RAISE QUESTIONS ON POINTS MADE DURING THE PRESENTATION AND THE DRAFT EXPENDITURE ESTIMATES GENERALLY.
EACH MEETING WILL TAKE PLACE IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL CHAMBER. FOLLOWING IS THE PROGRAMME:
/SESSION .......
5
MONDAY, MARCH 14, 1994
SESSION NO. DATE/TIME
1 . MARCH 16 (WEDNESDAY) 9 AM - 10 AM 1 0 AM - 1 1 AM (11 AM - 11.15 AM
2. 3. 11.15 AM - 12.15 PM ( 1 2.1 5 PM - 2 . 1 5 PM 2.15 PM - 3.15 PM 3 . 1 5 PM - 4 . 15 PM ( 4 . 15 PM - 4.30 PM
4. 4.30 PM - 6.30 PM MARCH 17 (THURSDAY)
5. 9.15 AM - 10.15 AM
6. 10.20 AM - 11.20 AM (11.20 AM - 11.35 AM
7. 11.35 AM - 12.35 PM (12.35 PM - 2.15 PM
8. 2 . 1 5 PM - 3.4 5 PM ( 3.4 5 PM - 4 PM
9. 4 PM - 5.20 PM
10. 11 . 5.25 PM - 6.55 PM MARCH 18 (FRIDAY) 9.15 AM - 10 AM 10 AM - 10.45 AM (10.45 AM - 11 AM
12. 11 AM - 11.50 AM
13. 1 1 . 55 AM - 12.45 PM (12.45 PM - 2.15 PM
SE CRET A R Y/1) EI ’ ARTKENT HEAD
SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND welfare
(I) HEALTH (fl) SOCIAL WELFARE
TEA BREAK)
SECRETARY FOR THE CIVIL SERVICE
LUNCH BREAK)
SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER
(1) EDUCATION (II) EMPLOYMENT
TEA BREAK)
SECRETARY FOR SECURITY
SECRETARY FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY
SECRETARY FOR FINANCIAL SERVICES TEA BREAK)
SECRETARY FOR THE TREASURY
LUNCH BREAK)
SECRETARY FOR ECONOMIC SERVICES
TEA BREAK)
SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT
SECRETARY FOR WORKS
SECRETARY FOR PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS (I) BUILDINGS, LAND AND PLANNING
(II) ENV IRONMENTAL PROTECT ION
TEA BREAK)
SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS
SECRETARY FOR CONSTITUTIONAL
AFFAIRS
LUNCH BREAK)
/14. 2.15 PM .........
MONDAY, MARCH 14, 1994
6
14. 2.15 PM - 3.05 PM SECRETARY FOR RECREATION AND CULTURE
15. 3.10 PM - 3.40 PM DIRECTOR OF ADMINISTRATION
(3.40 PM - 3.55 PM TEA BREAK)
16. 3.55 PM - 5.25 PM ATTORNEY GENERAL JUDICIARY ADMIN1STRATOR
17. 5.30 PM - 5.55 PM COMMISSIONER, INDEPENDENT COMMISSION AGAINST CORRUPTION
5.55 PM - 6.20 PM DIRECTOR OF HOUSING
6.20 PM - 6.45 PM COMMISSIONER FOR ADMINISTRATIVE COMPLAINTS DIRECTOR OF AUDIT PRIVATE SECRETARY, GOVERNMENT HOUSE
RESERVE MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WHO SEATS BY TELEPHONING 869 • WISH TO OBSERVE THE PROCEEDINGS MAY 9492.
--------------------0-------- TEACHER RECRUITMENT DRIVE SWINGS INTO ACTION ♦ * * * *
THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT IS LAUNCHING A RECRUITMENT CAMPAIGN TO HELP FILL ABOUT 620 NEW TEACHING POSTS IN LOCAL SCHOOLS IN THE 1994/95 SCHOOL YEAR.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID FROM TOMORROW (TUESDAY), THE TEACHER RECRUITMENT INFORMATION OFF-ICE WILL RECEIVE APPLICATIONS FOR HELP IN FINDING A TEACHING APPOINTMENT IN SCHOOLS, WHICH ARE MAINLY AIDED ONES.
THIS WILL BE REINFORCED BY PUBLICITY ACTIVITIES TO ATTRACT MORE PEOPLE TO JOIN THE TEACHING PROFESSION, HE SAID.
THE ESTIMATED 620 NEW POSTS ARE INTRODUCED TO IMPLEMENT MEASURES ANNOUNCED BY THE GOVERNOR IN HIS TWO POLICY SPEECHES TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF EDUCATION IN PRIMARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOLS.
THE ESTIMATED INCREASE DOES NOT INCLUDE REPLACEMENTS TO FILL VACANCIES AS A RESULT OF TEACHER WASTAGES, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
HE SAID FROM TOMORROW, PEOPLE WHO WISH TO TEACH IN THE NEW SCHOOL YEAR MAY REGISTER WITH THE TEACHER RECRUITMENT INFORMATION OFFICE.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID LOCAL DEGREE HOLDERS, COLLEGE OF EDUCATION GRADUATES, AND PEOPLE WITH AN ACKNOWLEDGED POST-SECONDARY DIPLOMA OR OTHER ACKNOWLEDGED QUALIFICATIONS WERE ELIGIBLE TO APPLY.
APPLICATION FORMS WILL BE AVAILABLE FROM THE TEACHER RECRUITMENT INFORMATION OFFICE, THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT’S, DISTRICT OFFICES AND THE PUBLIC ENQUIRY CENTRES OF THE CIT\ AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION.
7
MONDAY, MARCH 14, 1994
IN ADDITION, APPLICANTS MAY GET THE FORMS THROUGH FACSIMILE BY CALLING THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT’S TELEPHONE ENQUIRY SERVICE ON 891 0088.
APPLICANTS WILL BE ASKED TO SPECIFY ON THE FORMS WHETHER THEY WISH TO TEACH IN A PRIMARY OR SECONDARY SCHOOL AND WHETHER THEY WANT HALF-DAY OR WHOLE-DAY SCHOOLS.
THEY WILL ALSO HAVE TO FILL IN THEIR PREFERRED SUBJECT AND DISTRICT IN WHICH THE SCHOOL IS PREFERABLY LOCATED, AND WHETHER THEY WISH TO TEACH FULL-TIME OR PART-TIME.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID SCHOOLS WITH TEACHER VACANCIES MIGHT APPROACH THE TEACHER RECRUITMENT INFORMATION OFFICE FOR INFORMATION ABOUT SUITABLE CANDIDATES. THE REQUIRED INFORMATION WILL BE FAXED TO THEM.
THE SCHOOLS WOULD THEN TAKE CARE OF SHORTLISTING THE CANDIDATES FOR INTERVIEW AND MAKING THEIR OWN DECISION ON WHETHER OR NOT TO EMPLOY THE APPLICANT.
BETWEEN MAY AND JULY LAST YEAR, THE RECRUITMENT INFORMATION OFFICE HAD BEEN APPROACHED FOR CANDIDATES TO FILL A TOTAL OF 838 TEACHING POSTS IN PRIMARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOLS, OF WHICH 209 WERE FINALLY FILLED BY CANDIDATES FROM THE RECRUITMENT INFORMATION OFFICE.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THOSE WHO HAD SENT IN THEIR APPLICATION FORM LAST YEAR BUT STILL WISH TO FIND A TEACHING APPOINTMENT THIS YEAR SHOULD RE-APPLY.
SHOULD ANY APPLICANT OBTAIN A JOB THROUGH OTHER CHANNELS AFTER REGISTRATION WITH THE RECRUITMENT INFORMATION OFFICE, HE SHOULD CANCEL HIS REGISTRATION AS SOON AS POSSIBLE SO THAT THE CANDIDATE LIST I'§ KEPT UP-TO-DATE.
QUALIFIED PEOPLE FROM OVERSEAS AND RETIRED LOCAL TEACHERS IN GOOD HEALTH MAY ALSO REGISTER WITH THE OFFICE.
THE TEACHER RECRUITMENT INFORMATION OFFICE IS IN ROOM 706, SEVENTH FLOOR, 405 NATHAN ROAD, KOWLOON. ITS TELEPHONE NUMBER IS 783 7345 AND FAX NUMBER 781 0206.
THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT’S "BE MY TEACHER" RECRUITMENT CAMPAIGN WILL BE CONDUCTED UNDER THE SLOGAN OF "LEAD THEM INTO THE FUTURE" THIS YEAR. PUBLICITY ACTIVITIES WILL BE CONDUCTED LOCALLY AND OVERSEAS.
ADVERTISEMENTS WILL BE PLACED IN CHINESE PAPERS IN NORTH AMERICA AND REGISTRATION FORMS DISTRIBUTED TO CHINESE COMMUNITIES THERE IN A BID TO LURE EMIGRATED TEACHERS BACK TO HONG KONG.
LOCALLY, THERE WILL BE A TERRITORY-WIDE ESSAY COMPETITION, RADIO PUBLICITY AND EXTENSIVE PROMOTION IN TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS.
• ■' ■ .IA
SEGMENTS IN "HONG KONG THIS MINUTE" ON COMMERCIAL RADIO 1 FOR THREE CONSECUTIVE THURSDAY AFTERNOONS FROM MARCH 24 WILL FEATURE THE "BE MY TEACHER" RECRUITMENT CAMPAIGN AND INTERVIEW SERVING TEACHERS ON THEIR FEELINGS ABOUT THEIR PROFESSION AND THE LIFE THEY SHARE WITH STUDENTS.
/PROMOTION COUNTERS .....
MONDAY, MARCH 14, 1994
8
PROMOTION COUNTERS WIJJL BE SET UP AT TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS IN MARCH AND APRIL TO DISTRIBUTE RECRUITMENT REGISTRATION FORMS. TALKS WILL BE ORGANISED FOR FINAL YEAR STUDENTS TO GIVE THEM A MORE IN-DEPTH UNDERSTANDING OF THE TEACHING CAREER.
A CHINESE ESSAY CONTEST BEING CONDUCTED IN FOUR GROUPS IN, PRIMARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOLS WILL INVITE STUDENTS TO GIVE THEIR IMPRESSIONS OF A RESPECTED TEACHER AND EXPLORE THE IDEAL TEACHER IN PUPILS’ MIND.
ENTRIES MAY BE HANDED IN TO THE PARTICIPANT’S SCHOOL BEFORE MARCH 25.
----0----
SAFETY FIRST AT WORKPLACES
* * » » »
THE FACTORY INSPECTORATE DIVISION OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT HAS ' RECENTLY SENT A CIRCULAR TO PROPRIETORS OF ALL INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS IN THE TERRITORY, URGING THEM TO POSITIVELY TAKE UP THEIR RESPONSIBILITIES TO ENSURE WORKPLACE SAFETY.
THE LETTER ALSO EXPLAINS THE RATIONALE BEHIND A TARGET-HITTING INSPECTION SYSTEM.
"WE INFORMED THEM THAT IN HONG KONG, A WORKER’S CHANCE OF BEING INJURED AT WORK IS HIGHER THAN THAT OF THEIR COUNTERPARTS IN MOST OTHER DEVELOPED ECONOMIES," AN ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR, MR MAK SAI-YIU, SAID TODAY (MONDAY).
THEY HAVE THE RESPONSIBILITY TO ENSURE THE SAFETY AND HEALTH AT WORK OF HIS EMPLOYEES UNDER THE GENERAL DUTIES PROVISIONS OF THE FACTORIES AND INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS ORDINANCE WHICH HAVE BEEN WIDELY PROMOTED BY THE DEPARTMENT SINCE THEIR ENACTMENT IN 1989.
THE LATEST PUBLICITY DRIVE IS PART OF THE ONGOING INDUSTRIAL SAFETY PROMOTIONS LAUNCHED BY THE DIVISION.
MR MAK SAID PROPRIETORS WERE INFORMED THAT THE FACTORY INSPECTORATE, BEING THE REGULATORY AUTHORITY, WOULD CONTINUE TO PLAY ITS ROLE IN LEGISLATION AND MONITORING.
"BUT GIVEN ITS RESOURCE CONSTRAINTS AND THE NEED TO ENCOURAGE EMPLOYERS TO FALL IN LINE WITH THE SELF-REGULATION PRINCIPLE, OUR FACTORY INSPECTORS WOULD NOT CHECK EVERY WORKPLACE THOROUGHLY TO IDENTIFY ALL WORK RISKS ON THE EMPLOYER’S BEHALF.
"THIS IS AN EMPLOYER’S RESPONSIBILITY, BOTH LEGALLY AND MORALLY," MR MAK ADDED.
THE ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER DISCLOSED THAT AS A MEASURE TO MAXIMISE THE EFFECTIVENESS OF ENFORCEMENT, FACTORY INSPECTORS ARE ADOPTING A TARGET-HITTING APPROACH FOR FOLLOW-UP INSPECTIONS TO INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS OTHER THAN CONSTRUCTION SITES.
"IN ESSENCE, THIS MEANS THAT DURING THE INSPECTION OF FACTORIES, INSPECTORS WILL TARGET CERTAIN MORE HAZARDOUS AREAS FOR VIGOROUS LAW ENFORCEMENT ACTION."
/THE FACTORY .......
MONDAY, MARCH 14, 1994
9
THE FACTORY INSPECTION REPORT ISSUED BY THE INSPECTOR AT THE END OF THE VISIT WILL NOT COVER ALL IRREGULARITIES IN THE ENTIRE WORKPLACE.
INSTEAD, RISK ASSESSMENT AND SAFETY MANAGEMENT PLANS PREPARED BY PROPRIETORS SHOULD SEE TO IT THAT ALL IRREGULARITIES AND RISKS ARE IDENTIFIED, AND SAFETY MEASURES DEVISED AND TAKEN TO REMEDY THE SITUATION.
COMMON IRREGULARITIES AND RISKS IN WORKPLACES INCLUDE:
* UNGUARDED DANGEROUS PARTS OF MACHINERY;
* USE OF EXCESSIVE QUANTITIES OF FLAMMABI.F, TOXIC OR HARMFUL SUBSTANCES WITHOUT ADEQUATE PRECAUTIONS;
♦ ELECTRICAL FAULTS WITH TOOLS, MACHINERY AND WIRING;
♦ INADEQUATE PASSAGEWAY AND EXIT ARRANGEMENTS; AND
* LACK OF PROPER MAINTENANCE FOR PLANTS, TOOLS AND LIFTING EQUIPMENT.
THE HONG KONG OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH COUNCIL AND INDEPENDENT SAFETY AND HEALTH CONSULTANTS ARE AVAILABLE TO HELP PROPRIETORS IF REQUIRED.
THE TARGET-HITTING APPROACH IS NORMALLY USED IN ALL FOLLOW-UP INSPECTIONS BY FACTORY INSPECTORS.
BUT, FOR THE TIME BEING, IT WILL NOT APPLY TO INITIAL INSPECTIONS OF NEWLY DISCOVERED INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS, CONSTRUCTION SITES OR WORKPLACES REQUIRING SPECIAL ATTENTION.
MORE THOROUGH INSPECTIONS WILL BE MADE OF THESE CATEGORIES OF WORKPLACES.
PROPRIETORS ARE REMINDED THAT THEY ARE ALSO REQUIRED BY LAW TO PROVIDE ADEQUATE SAFETY INFORMATION, TRAINING, INSTRUCTION AND SUPERVISION TO THEIR EMPLOYEES, WHOSE CO-OPERATION IS ESSENTIAL TO MAKE WORKPLACES SAFE AND HEALTHY.
"AS RESPONSIBLE INDUSTRIALISTS, I TRUST ALL PROPRIETORS WILL TAKE POSITIVE EFFORTS TO PROTECT THEIR EMPLOYEES AND TO HELP IMPROVE HONG KONG’S INDUSTRIAL SAFETY RECORD," MR MAK ADDED.
- - 0 - -
BN(O) PHASE II REGISTRATION ENDS THIS MONTH ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN TODAY (MONDAY) REMINDED THE PUBLIC THAT THE DEADLINE FOR HONG KONG BRITISH DEPENDENT TERRITORIES CITIZENS (BDTCS) BORN BETWEEN 1962 AND 1966 TO APPLY FOR BRITISH NATIONAL (OVERSEAS) (BN(O)) PASSPORTS WAS THE END OF THIS MONTH.
"HONG KONG BDTCS (SUCH AS PERSONS BORN, NATURALISED OR REGISTERED IN HONG KONG) MUST OBTAIN A BN(O) PASSPORT IF THEY WISH TO CONTINUE TO TRAVEL ON BRITISH PASSPORTS BEYOND 1997,” HE SAID.
/AS SPECIFIED
MONDAY, MARCH 14, 199^
10
AS SPECIFIED IN THE SECOND SCHEDULE TO THE HONG KONG (BRITISH NATIONALITY) ORDER 1986, APPLICATIONS FOR BN(O) PASSPORTS MUST BE SUBMITTED ON OR BEFORE THE FINAL DATES RELEVANT To THEIR AGE GROUPS.
ELIGIBLE APPLICANTS BORN BETWEEN 1962 AND 1966 MUST SUBMIT THEIR APPLICATIONS ON OR BEFORE MARCH 31.
FURTHER PUBLICITY WILL BE MADE IN RESPECT OF BDTCS BORN IN OTHER YEARS SO THAT THEY MAY SUBMIT THEIR APPLICATIONS BY PHASES ACCORDING TO THEIR AGE GROUPS.
THEY ARE OF COURSE FREE TO SUBMIT THEIR APPLICATIONS NOW.
HOWEVER, THE SPOKESMAN SAID IN VIEW OF THE LARGE NUMBER OF APPLICATIONS RECEIVING EACH DAY, PRIORITY WOULD HAVE TO BE GIVEN TO APPLICANTS FOR FIRST PASSPORT OR REPLACEMENT OF PASSPORT WITH VALIDITY OF LESS THAN 12 MONTHS.
’’PERSONS WHO DO NOT COMPLY WITH THE RELEVANT CUT-OFF DATES WILL NOT BE ABLE TO TRAVEL ON BRITISH PASSPORTS BEYOND 1997,” HE SAID.
AN APPLICATION MADE AFTER THE FINAL DATE WILL ONLY BE ACCEPTED IF THE APPLICANT CAN SHOW THAT THERE ARE SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES WHICH JUSTIFY HIS LATE APPLICATION.
A BN(O) LATE REGISTRATION APPEALS ADVISORY COMMITTEE HAS BEEN ESTABLISHED TO ADVISE THE GOVERNOR ON LATE APPLICATIONS WHICH HAVE BEEN REJECTED BY THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT.
THE SPOKESMAN EMPHASISED THAT THOSE WHO ALREADY HAD A BN(O) PASSPORT, EITHER THE CONVENTIONAL HARD-COVER TYPE OR THE BURGUNDY RED MACHINE READABLE TYPE, NEED NOT APPLY AGAIN.
APPLICATIONS FOR BN(O) PASSPORTS MAY BE SUBMITTED TO THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT EITHER BY POST OR IN PERSON.
APPLICANTS MAY ALSO DEPOSIT THEIR APPLICATIONS INTO THE DROP-IN BOXES INSTALLED AT THE IMMIGRATION HEADQUARTERS OR AT ANY’ IMMIGRATION BRANCH OFFICES THROUGHOUT THE TERRITORY.
APPLICATION FORMS ARE AVAILABLE AT ALL IMMIGRATION OFFICES AND DISTRICT OFFICES.
HONG KONG BDTCS LIVING, WORKING OR STUDYING ABROAD, ARE ALSO REQUIRED TO OBSERVE THE CUT-OFF DATES IF THEY WISH TO APPLY' FOR A BN(O) PASSPORT.
HOWEVER, THEY ARE NOT REQUIRED TO RETURN TO HONG KONG FOR THEIR APPLICATIONS.
THEY SHOULD SEND THEIR APPLICATIONS TO THE NEAREST BRITISH PASSPORT ISSUING OFFICE EITHER BY POST OR IN PERSON. THE REQUIRED OVERSEAS APPLICATION FORMS CAN BE OBTAINED AT THOSE OFFICES OR THE HONG KONG IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT.
FOR MORE INFORMATION, MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC MAY TELEPHONE
824 1177 (ENGLISH) OR 824 1717 (CHINESE).
------0--------
/Il ........
MONDAY, MARCH 14, 1994
AIR QUALITY REPORT FOR FEBRUARY *****
THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT TODAY (MONDAY) RELEASED AIR QUALITY INFORMATION FOR FEBRUARY.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT 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 CONTAINS MONITORING RESULTS FROM MONG KOK, CENTRAL/WESTERN AND KWAI CHUNG. THESE LOCATIONS ARE TYPICAL OF THREE OF THE IMPORTANT LAND USE TYPES FOUND IN THE TERRITORY:
* LOCATIONS CLOSE TO ROAD TRAFFIC IN BUILT-UP URBAN AREAS,
» COMBINED COMMERCIAL AND RESIDENTIAL DISTRICTS, AND
» DISTRICTS CLOSE TO INDUSTRIAL AREAS.
THE DEPARTMENT CURRENTLY MONITORS AIR QUALITY CONTINUOUSLY AT EIGHT STATIONS, INCLUDING THE THREE MENTIONED. SHORT-TERM MEASUREMENT CAMPAIGNS ARE ALSO UNDERTAKEN AS AND WHERE THE NEED ARISES.
THE REPORTED AIR POLLUTANTS INCLUDE SULPHUR DIOXIDE (SO2), NITROGEN DIOXIDE (NO2), TOTAL SUSPENDED PARTICULATES (TSP) WHICH COMPRISE ALL SIZES OF DUST PARTICLES, AND RESPIRABLE SUSPENDED PARTICULATES (RSP) WHICH ARE THE RESPIRABLE FRACTION OF THE DUST.
ALL THESE POLLUTANTS CAN AFFECT RESPIRATORY HEALTH IN SUFFICIENT CONCENTRATION.
THERE WERE NO EXCEEDANCES OF ANY AIR QUALITY OBJECTIVES AT ANY OF THE THREE SITES IN FEBRUARY.
OVER CHINESE NEW YEAR, SULPHUR DIOXIDE LEVELS WERE PARTICULARLY LOW AT ALL SITES AS EMISSIONS WERE REDUCED BECAUSE INDUSTRIES CLOSED DOWN OVER THE HOLIDAY PERIOD.
THE RATHER LOW DUST LEVELS ON FEBRUARY 16 WAS ALSO THE RESULT OF LOWER INDUSTRIAL AND OTHER ACTIVITIES AND THE RAIN WASHING PARTICLES OUT FROM THE AIR.
THE GASES AND PARTICLES DESCRIBED ORIGINATE FROM VARIOUS SOURCES. SO2 IS MOSTLY PRODUCED WHEN FUELS THAT CONTAIN SULPHUR ARE BURNED. NO2 IS FORMED DURING COMBUSTION BY THE COMBINATION OF NITROGEN AND OXYGEN.
HOWEVER THE MAJORITY OF IT IS FORMED IN THE ATMOSPHERE BY THE OXIDATION OF NITRIC OXIDE (NO), ALSO A PRODUCT OF COMBUSTION.
VEHICLE EXHAUSTS ARE IMPORTANT SOURCES OF NO AND NO2 IN TERMS OF IMPACT ON LOCAL AIR QUALITY.
THESE EXHAUSTS ARE ALSO A MAJOR SOURCE OF AIRBORNE PARTICULATE MATTER, ESPECIALLY THE SMALLER RESPIRABLE PARTICLES.
/OTHER SOURCES
MONDAY, MARCH ]4, ] 994
12
OTHER SOURCES OF PARTICLES INCLUDE INDUSTRY, FURNACES AND BOILERS, CONSTRUCTION ACTIVITIES, THE SEA AND THE SOIL.
IT IS WORTH NOTING THAT WHILE THE WEATHER AND CLIMATE ALWAYS AFFECT THE CONCENTRATIONS OF POLLUTANTS IN THE AIR, THE ONLY SURE WAY OF REDUCING THE LEVELS IS TQ REDUCE EMISSIONS FROM THE MAN-MADE SOURCES.
-----------------------------------------0---------------------------------------- .----------------------------------------. • t . •
TEACHING KITS PROMOTE RULE OF LAW
*****
A TEACHING KIT TO EXPLAIN AND PROMOTE THE RULE OF LAW AMONG YOUNGSTERS IS NOW AVAILABLE FOR USE IN CLASSROOMS AND SOCIAL SERVICE CENTRES.
THE KIT, COMPRISING SIX MANUALS AND A VIDEO TAPE, WAS PRODUCED BY THE COMMITTEE ON THE PROMOTION OF CIVIC EDUCATION.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE COMMITTEE SAID TODAY (MONDAY) THAT ABOUT 1 200 KITS WERE BEING DISTRIBUTED TO TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS, COLLEGES OF EDUCATION, SECONDARY SCHOOLS, CIVIC EDUCATION BODIES AND VOLUNTARY AGENCIES AT DISTRICT LEVEL.
THE MANUALS CARRY THE THEMES: LEGAL PERSONNEL, JURY SYSTEM, FAIR TRIAL, JUDICIAL INDEPENDENCE, EQUALITY BEFORE THE LAW AND DUE PROCESS OF LAW.
EACH HANDBOOK ALSO CONTAINS TEACHING PLANS AND ACTIVITIES AS WELL AS BRIEF NOTES AND SKETCHES TAILOR-MADE FOR SLIDE SHOWS, HE ADDED.
COPIES HAVE BEEN PLACED AT EACH PUBLIC ENQUIRY SERVICE CENTRE OF THE DISTRICT OFFICES TERRITORY-WIDE FOR EASY REFERENCE BY INTERESTED INDIVIDUALS.
ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE ON 835 1381.
------0-------
NEW PARKING METERS SET UP IN HO MAN TIN
*****
TWENTY-ONE PARKING METERS SET UP AT PARKING SPACES AT GOOD SHEPHERD STREET, HO MAN TIN WILL COME INTO SERVICE FROM 10 AM ON WEDNESDAY (MARCH 16), THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED.
THE TWO-HOUR PARKING METERS ARE FOR PRIVATE CARS, LIGHT GOODS VEHICLES, PUBLIC/PRIVATE LIGHT BUSES AND TAXIS. THE CHARGE IS $2 PER EVERY 30 MINUTES.
OF THEM, 11 METERS WILL BE OPERATIONAL FROM 5 PM TO MIDNIGHT ON MONDAYS TO SATURDAYS AND FROM 8 AM TO MIDNIGHT ON SUNDAYS AND PUBLIC HOLIDAYS. THE OTHER 10 ARE OPERATIONAL FROM 8 AM TO MIDNIGHT DAILY EXCEPT SUNDAYS AND PUBLIC HOLIDAYS.
------0-------
/13 .....
MONDAY, MARCH 14, 1994
- 13 -
WATER STORAGE FIGURE *****
STORAGE IN HONG KONG’S RESERVOIRS AT 9 AM TODAY (MONDAY) STOOD AT 67.9 PER CENT OF CAPACITY OR 397.689 MILLION CUBIC METRES.
THIS TIME LAST YEAR THE RESERVOIRS CONTAINED 306.446 MILLION CUBIC METRES OF WATER, REPRESENTING 52.3 PER CENT OF CAPACITY.
------0-------
HONG KONG MONETARY AUTHORITY MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS *****
$MN TIME CUMULATIVE CHANGE ( $MN )
OPENING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT 2,324 0930 HR + 676
CLOSING BALANCE LN THE ACCOUNT 3,200 1000 HR + 676
CHANGE ATTRIBUTABLE TO: 1100 HR + 676
MONEY MARKET ACTIVITY + 676 1200 HR + 676
LAF TODAY + 200 1500 HR + 6 7 6
1600 HR + 676
LAF RATE 2.00 BID/4.00 OFFER TWI 125.5 *+0.1* 14.3.94
HONG KONG MONETARY AUTHORITY
EF BILLS EF NOTES/HONG KONG GOVERNMENT BONDS
TERMS YIELD TERM ISSUE COUPON PRICE YIELD
J WEEK 3.4 5 18 MONTHS 2508 4.625 99.82 4.81
1 MONTH 3.58 21 MONTHS 2511 4.15 98.72 5.01
3 MONTHS 3.73 24 MONTHS 2602 4.40 98.72 5.17
6 MONTHS 3.95 32 MONTHS 3610 4.20 96.98 5.52
12 MONTHS 4.40 35 MONTHS 3701 4.60 97.44 5.6 5
TOTAL TURNOVER OF BILLS AND BONDS - 23,015 MN
CLOSED 14 MARCH 1994
- - 0
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL.: 842 8777
TUESDAY, MARCH 15, 1994
CONTENTS
PAGE NO
AIRPORT CORE PROGRAMME ATTRACTS KEEN INTEREST ................... 1
TREASURY SECRETARY TO ATTEND APEC MEETING ....................... 2
RISE IN YOUTH DRUG ABUSE CONTINUES .............................. 2
DISTRICT LANDS OFFICES WILL MAINTAIN ESSENTIAL SERVICES ......... 4
GARMENT INDUSTRY BENEFITS FROM URUGUAY AGREEMENT ................ 4
EMPLOYEES MUST BE INSURED ....................................... 5
POLLUTION CASES RELEASED ........................................ 6
SENIOR CITIZEN CARD APPLICATION EASY AND FREE ................... 6
SOCIAL SERVICE CENTRE EXPANDS FOR NT RESIDENTS .................. 7
80 CAR MARKS UP FOR AUCTION ..................................... 8
KOWLOON BIRTHS REGISTRY ON MOVE ................................. 9
IMMIGRATION OFFICERS ON UK TRAINING ............................. 9
WEATHER OF FEBRUARY ............................................ 10
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND TENDER RESULTS .............. 13
WATER CUTS IN SHA TIN AND TSUEN WAN ............................ 13
HONG KONG MONETARY AUTHORITY MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS ........... 14
TUESDAY, MARCH 15, 1994
1
AIRPORT CORE PROGRAMME ATTRACTS KEEN INTEREST *****
THE LOCAL AND INTERNATIONAL CONSTRUCTION SECTORS HAVE RESPONDED ENTHUSIASTICALLY TO THE CONTRACTS AWARDED UNDER THE AIRPORT CORE PROGRAMME (ACP).
THIS WAS STATED BY THE DIRECTOR OF THE NEW AIRPORT PROJECTS COORDINATION OFFICE (NAPCO), MR BILLY LAM, TODAY (TUESDAY) AT A MEETING OF THE SUB-COMMITTEE ON FINANCIAL MATTERS OF THE AIRPORT CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEE WHERE MEMBERS WERE CONSULTED ON ACP COSTS.
MR LAM SAID THE KEEN BIDDING BY COMPANIES FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD HAD RESULTED IN MORE FAVOURABLE TENDER PRICES AND HELPED TO KEEP THE PROGRAMME WITHIN BUDGET.
SO FAR 43 MAJOR CONTRACTS VALUED AT ABOUT $48 BILLION HAVE BEEN AWARDED TO HONG KONG AND OVERSEAS CONTRACTORS BY THE GOVERNMENT, THE PROVISIONAL AIRPORT AUTHORITY AND THE WESTERN HARBOUR TUNNEL COMPANY LIMITED.
TAKING THE LEAD IN MAJOR CONSTRUCTION CONTRACTS AWARDED SO FAR WERE COMPANIES FROM JAPAN (27 PER CENT BY VALUE), FOLLOWED BY HONG KONG (18.9 PER CENT), THE UNITED KINGDOM (13.8 PER CENT), THE NETHERLANDS (11 PER CENT), CHINA (7.6 PER CENT) AND FRANCE (6.8 PER CENT).
MR LAM SAID THE ACP HAD ALREADY DRAWN PARTICIPATION FROM COUNTRIES WORLDWIDE AND HE WAS CONFIDENT THAT IT WOULD CONTINUE TO ATTRACT INTERNATIONAL PARTICIPATION.
AT THE MEETING, MEMBERS WERE ALSO BRIEFED ON THE PROJECT MANAGEMENT AND THE SYSTEM OF TIGHT COST CONTROL THAT IS MAINTAINED OVER THE ACP BY THE DEPUTY CONSULTANT PROJECT MANAGER OF NAPCO, MR NORMAN SHOTWELL.
ON COST CONTROL, MR SHOTWELL SAID THE GOVERNMENT MAINTAINED CLOSE CONTROL OVER THE MANAGEMENT OF THE ACP PROJECTS AND THEIR COSTS WITH A VIEW TO COMPLETING THE PROJECTS ON TIME AND WITHIN BUDGET.
HE SAID ALL WORKS DEPARTMENTS AND NON-GOVERNMENT AGENCIES INVOLVED IN THE ACP WERE REQUIRED TO PARTICIPATE IN A PROJECT REPORTING SYSTEM IN WHICH PROGRESS OF INDIVIDUAL PROJECTS AND DETAILS OF THE CONTRACT ACTIVITIES WERE REPORTED REGULARLY TO NAPCO.
APART FROM PROJECT REPORTING, THE GOVERNMENT HAS DEVISED A "CASH LIMITING COST CONTROL” SYSTEM WHICH IS AIMED AT KEEPING THE OVERALL COST OF ITS ACP PROJECTS UNDER STRICT CONTROL.
UNDER THE SYSTEM, CHANGES IN THE SCOPE AND ESTIMATES OF A PROJECT HAVE TO BE APPROVED BY THE AIRPORT DEVELOPMENT STEERING COMMITTEE CHAIRED BY THE CHIEF SECRETARY.
MR SHOTWELL SAID INCREASES IN COST ESTIMATES WOULD NOT NORMALLY BE APPROVED UNLESS THEY WERE OFFSET BY SAVINGS IDENTIFIED IN OTHER AREAS WITHIN THE ACP.
MEMBERS ALSO RECEIVED A BRIEFING ON THE LATEST ESTIMATES OF THE ACP FROM THE DEPUTY SECRETARY FOR THE TREASURY, MR STEPHEN SELBY.
/THE OVERALL ......
TUESDAY, MARCH 15, 1994
2
THE OVERALL ESTIMATES FOR THE ACP HAVE BEEN REDUCED FROM $163.7 BILLION TO $158.2 BILLION AT MONEY OF THE DAY PRICES, MR SELBY SAID.
THE SUB-COMMITTEE WAS SET UP TO MONITOR AND COMMENT ON FINANCIAL MATTERS RELATED TO THE AIRPORT CORE PROGRAMME, INCLUDING ITS COSTS, COST-EFFECTIVENESS, COST CONTROL, REVENUE, RELATED FRANCHISES AND THE FINANCIAL ARRANGEMENTS FOR FUNDING THE AIRPORT RAILWAY AND THE AIRPORT AT CHEK LAP KOK; AND TO MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE MAIN CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEE FOR CONSIDERATION.
------0-------
TREASURY SECRETARY TO ATTEND APEC MEETING
* » * * *
SECRETARY FOR THE TREASURY, MR DONALD TSANG, WILL LEAD A HONG KONG DELEGATION TO ATTEND THE FINANCE MINISTERS MEETING OF THE ASIAN PACIFIC ECONOMIC CO-OPERATION (APEC). IN HONOLULU FROM MARCH 18 TO 19.
MR TSANG SAID THE MEETING WOULD BE AN IMPORTANT STEP IN TAKING FORWARD THE ISSUES IDENTIFIED AT THE APEC ECONOMIC LEADERS MEETING IN SEATTLE LAST NOVEMBER.
"NOW THAT THE URUGUAY ROUND HAS COME TO A SATISFACTORY CONCLUSION, APEC MEMBERS ARE IN A GOOD POSITION TO EXPLORE OPPORTUNITIES FOR FURTHER GROWTH AND CO-OPERATION UNDER GATT RULES,” HE SAID.
MEMBERS OF APEC ARE AUSTRALIA, BRUNEI DARUSSALAM, CANADA, CHINA, HONG KONG, INDONESIA, JAPAN, KOREA, MALAYSIA, MEXICO, NEW ZEALAND, PAPUA NEW GUINEA, THE PHILIPPINES, SINGAPORE, CHINESE TAIPEI, THAILAND AND THE USA.
BEFORE ATTENDING THE TWO-DAY MEETING, MR TSANG WILL SPEAK ON "MANAGING PROSPERITY: HONG KONG STYLE" AT A LUNCH MEETING OF THE PACIFIC AND ASIAN AFFAIRS COUNCIL ON THURSDAY (MARCH 17).
AFTER THE APEC MEETING, MR TSANG WILL FLY TO TOKYO WHERE HE WILL SPEAK ON "CURRENT STATUS OF THE AIRPORT CORE PROGRAMME AND OTHER MAJOR INFRASTRUCTURAL PROJECTS OF HONG KONG" TO THE JAPAN FEDERATION OF ECONOMIC ORGANISATION (KEIDANREN) ON MARCH 22.
HE WILL ALSO MEET LEADING JAPANESE BUSINESSMEN AND BANKERS BEFORE RETURNING TO HONG KONG ON MARCH 22.
------0-------
RISE IN YOUTH DRUG ABUSE CONTINUES
*****
THE INCIDENCE OF DRUG ABUSE AMONG YOUNGSTERS IS CONTINUING TO GROW, ACCORDING TO THE CENTRAL REGISTRY OF DRUG ABUSE'S STATISTICS FOR LAST YEAR.
MEMBERS OF THE ACTION COMMITTEE AGAINST NARCOTICS (ACAN) WERE TOLD TODAY (TUESDAY) THAT THE TOTAL NUMBER OF INDIVIDUALS OF ALL AGES REPORTED TO THE REGISTRY' LAST YEAR WAS 17, 491 COMPARED WITH 15,212 IN 1992, A RISE OF 15 PER CENT.
/THE NUMBER .......
TUESDAY, MARCH 15, 1994
3
THE NUMBER OF NEWLY REPORTED PERSONS OF ALL AGES ROSE FROM 2,973 IN 1992 TO 4,158 IN 1993, REPRESENTING AN INCREASE OF 39.9 PER CENT.
FOR PERSONS AGED UNDER 21 NEWLY REPORTED TO THE REGISTRY, THERE WAS AN INCREASE FROM 1,437 IN 1992 TO 2,170 IN 1993, A RISE OF 51 PER CENT. THE INCREASE WAS SLOWER IN THE SECOND HALF OF THE YEAR, AT 32.9 PER CENT, COMPARED TO 77.4 PER CENT IN THE FIRST SIX MONTHS.
THE PERCENTAGE OF YOUNG PERSONS AMONG THE NEWLY REPORTED CASES INCREASED FROM 38.3 PER CENT IN 1991 TO 48.3 PER CENT IN 1992 AND 52.2 PER CENT IN 1993.
THE AVERAGE AGE OF NEWLY REPORTED PERSONS DECREASED FROM 24.3 IN 1992 TO 23.7 IN 1993. ON AVERAGE THEY HAD ABUSED DRUGS FOR 2.7 YEARS BEFORE BEING REPORTED.
REGARDING THE TYPES OF DRUGS ABUSED, THE REGISTRY STATISTICS REVEAL THAT AMONG THE YOUNGSTERS NEWLY REPORTED IN 1993, 74.6 PER CENT HAD ABUSED HEROIN, 19.5 PER CENT CANNABIS AND 11.9 PER CENT COUGH MEDICINE.
ON TREATMENT AND REHABILITATION, THE THREE MAJOR PROGRAMMES, RUN BY THE SOCIETY FOR THE AID AND REHABILITATION OF DRUG ABUSERS (SARDA), THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND THE CORRECTIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT, ADMITTED LARGER NUMBERS OF DRUG ABUSERS.
OF THE 14,126 PERSONS ADMITTED TO THE THREE PROGRAMMES IN 1993, 3,140 (OR 22.2 PER CENT) WERE FIRST-TIME ADMISSIONS. THE INCREASES IN TOTAL ADMISSIONS AND IN NEW ADMISSIONS WERE 15.3 PER CENT AND 31.3 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY.
THE INCREASE IN NEW ADMISSIONS WAS HIGHEST IN THE UNDER-21 GROUP, BY 134.1 PER CENT IN THE DRUG ADDICTION TREATMENT CENTRES AND BY 107.1 PER CENT IN THE SARDA PROGRAMME. THE CORRESPONDING INCREASE FOR THE METHADONE TREATMENT PROGRAMME WAS 34 PER CENT.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE NARCOTICS DIVISION SAID WITH THE INTRODUCTION OF LEGISLATIVE CONTROL ON THE SALE OF COUGH MEDICINE CONTAINING MORE THAN 0.1 PER CENT OF CODEINE OR DEXTROMETHORPHAN UNDER THE PHARMACY AND POISONS REGULATIONS ON JANUARY 1 LAST YEAR, THE PERCENTAGE OF NEWLY REPORTED PERSONS UNDER 21 KNOWN TO HAVE ABUSED COUGH MEDICINE HAD FALLEN MARKEDLY FROM 26.4 PER CENT (270 PERSONS) IN 1992 TO 11.9 PER CENT (193 PERSONS) IN 1993.
HE ADDED THAT YOUNGSTERS WERE A HIGH RISK GROUP AND THE MAIN TARGET OF PREVENTIVE DRUG EDUCATION AND PUBLICITY PROGRAMMES. SUBSTANTIAL EFFORTS WERE DEVOTED TO ALERTING THEM TO THE DANGERS OF ABUSING DRUGS AND OTHER ADDICTIVE AND HARMFUL SUBSTANCES.
LAST YEAR, 242 DRUG EDUCATION TALKS WERE GIVEN TO 82,600 SECONDARY LEVEL AND PRIMARY 6 STUDENTS.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE RESPONSE FROM PRINCIPALS, TEACHERS AND STUDENTS WAS GOOD AND ENCOURAGING.
HE SAID AS A RESULT OF THE AUTOMATION OF THE DRUG ABUSE TELEPHONE ENQUIRY SERVICE HOTLINE (366 8822) IN FEBRUARY LAST YEAR, 364,438 CALLS WERE RECEIVED FOR THE YEAR, AN AVERAGE OF NEARLY 1,000 A DAY. THIS COMPARED TO 2,731 CALLS RECEIVED IN 1992 BEFORE THE AUTOMATION.
/4.........
TUESDAY, MARCH 15, 1994
4
DISTRICT LANDS OFFICES WILL MAINTAIN ESSENTIAL SERVICES
? 4 » *
THE LANDS DEPARTMENT REGRETS THAT SOME 220 MEMBERS OF THE LAND EXECUTIVES ASSOCIATION, REPRESENTING 65 PER CENT OF THE LAND EXECUTIVE GRADE’S ESTABLISHMENT, HAVE APPLIED FOR LEAVE TO STAGE A SIT-IN AS A PROTEST AGAINST INADEQUATE STAFF RESOURCES WITHIN THE GRADE.
IT WILL ENSURE THAT DISTRICT LANDS OFFICES ARE ADEQUATELY STAFFED TO MAINTAIN ESSENTIAL SERVICES.
THE DEPARTMENT HAS ACKNOWLEDGED THE CURRENT PRESSURE OF WORK AND INADEQUATE STAFF RESOURCES, PARTICULARLY IN THE NEW TERRITORIES WHERE THE LAND EXECUTIVES ARE MOST AFFECTED.
THE ADMINISTRATION IS AWARE OF THE SITUATION AND THE DEPARTMENT WILL CONTINUE TO HOLD DISCUSSIONS WITH THE LAND EXECUTIVES ASSOCIATION WITH A VIEW TO REDRESSING THE STAFF SHORTFALL.
>'------0-------- M J.
GARMENT INDUSTRY BENEFITS FROM URUGUAY AGREEMENT
» * » * «
••V. • « •. • . . . . . 1
HONG KONG’S GARMENT MANUFACTURERS ARE WELL-PLACED TO BE AMONG THE BENEFICIARIES OF THE REMOVAL OF QUOTA CONTROLS AS A RESULT OF TH# URUGUAY ROUND AGREEMENT, ACTING SECRETARY FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY, MRS REGINA IP, SAID TODAY (TUESDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE LUNAR NEW YEAR DINNER OF THE FEDERATION OF HONG KONG GARMENT MANUFACTURERS, MRS IP SAID THIS WAS DUE TO THE FLEXIBILITY AND INTERNATIONAL CONNECTIONS OF LOCAL GARMENT MANUFACTURERS.
SHE ANTICIPATED THAT WITH THE LIFTING OF QUOTA, A GROWTH IH EXPORTS FROM THE REGION WILL BE FUELLED BY LOCAL CAPITAL AND EXPERTISE.
’’THE INDUSTRY IS FACING CHALLENGES AS GREAT AS IT HAS EVER FACED, BUT THE OPPORTUNITIES ARE GREATER THAN EVER," SHE SAID. [
: = i
SHE NOTED THAT THERE WERE ENCOURAGING SIGNS OF ECONOMIC RECOVERY IN SOME OF HONG KONG’S LARGEST TRADITIONAL MARKETS.
"AND MARKETS WITH ENORMOUS POTENTIAL ARE BEGINNING TO OPEN UP CLOSER TO HOME," SHE ADDED.
MRS IP SAID THE GOVERNMENT WAS AWARE OF THE DIFFICULTIES FACED BY GARMENT MANUFACTURERS, AND HAD DEVISED WAYS TO HELP.
THEY INCLUDE THE INTRODUCTION OF ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY BY THE HONG KONG PRODUCTIVITY COUNCIL, THE DEMONSTRATION OF NEW PROCESSES BY THE CLOTHING TECHNOLOGY DEMONSTRATION CENTRE, AND THE PROVISION OF TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES UNDER THE NEW TECHNOLOGY TRAINING SCHEME.
"HONG KONG’S FREE TRADE, NON-INTERVENTIONIST POLICY DOES NOT SEEK TO DISGUISE THE HARSH ECONOMIC REALITIES, BUT THE POLICY IS FAIR AND HAS PROVED TO BE SUCCESSFUL," MRS IP SAID.
------o--------
/5.........
TUESDAY, MARCH 15, 1994
5
EMPLOYEES MUST BE INSURED
*****
THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT TODAY (TUESDAY) REMINDED ALL EMPLOYERS OF THE REQUIREMENT TO TAKE OUT INSURANCE POLICIES FOR THEIR EMPLOYEES UNDER: THE EMPLOYEES’ COMPENSATION ORDINANCE OR THEY WILL FACE HEAVY PENALTIES.
THE ADVICE FOLLOWED RECENT CASES AT THE SHA TIN MAGISTRACY IN WHICH THREE ESTABLISHMENTS WERE EACH FINED $10,000 FOR FAILING TO TAKE OUT INSURANCE POLICIES FOR THEIR EMPLOYEES.
DURING ROUTINE INSPECTIONS, LABOUR INSPECTORS FOUND THAT THE DOMINA HAIR DESIGN AT CITY ONE, SHA TIN, AND THE SHUN LUEN ENGINEERING COMPANY AT FO TAN HAD NOT TAKEN OUT INSURANCE FOR THREE EMPLOYEES AND ONE EMPLOYEE RESPECTIVELY.
THE OTHER OFFENCE WAS DETECTED AFTER AN EMPLOYEE OF A CANTEEN AT FO TAN WAS INJURED DURING A FIRE.
SECTION 40(1) OF THE ORDINANCE STIPULATES THAT NO EMPLOYER SHALL EMPLOY ANY EMPLOYEE IN ANY EMPLOYMENT UNLESS THERE IS IN FORCE IN RELATION TO SUCH EMPLOYEE A POLICY OF INSURANCE ISSUED BY AN INSURER FOR THE FULL AMOUNT OF THE LIABILITY OF THE EMPLOYER UNDER THE ORDINANCE AND INDEPENDENTLY OF THE ORDINANCE FOR ANY INJURY TO SUCH EMPLOYEE BY ACCIDENT ARISING OUT OF AND IN THE COURSE OF HIS EMPLOYMENT.
"IN OTHER WORDS, ALL EMPLOYERS ARE REQUIRED TO TAKE OUT INSURANCE POLICIES TO COVER THEIR FULL LIABILITIES UNDER THE EMPLOYEES’ COMPENSATION ORDINANCE AND COMMON LAW,” SENIOR LABOUR OFFICER (LABOUR INSPECTION), MR CHAN KWOK-KUEN, SAID.
MR CHAN SAID AN INSURED EMPLOYER IS REQUIRED TO DISPLAY, IN A CONSPICUOUS PLACE OF THE WORKPLACE, A NOTICE SHOWING THE NAME OF THE EMPLOYER AND THE NAME OF THE INSURER.
"OTHER DETAILS SHOULD INCLUDE THE POLICY NUMBER, THE DATE OF ISSUE OF THE POLICY, THE COMMENCEMENT AND EXPIRY DATES OF THE INSURANCE PERIOD, AS WELL AS THE NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES INSURED,” HE ADDED.
MR CHAN STRESSED THAT LABOUR INSPECTORS WERE DETERMINED TO PROTECT WORKERS’ RIGHTS AND BENEFITS. •
’’THEY WILL NOT HESITATE TO TAKE OUT PROSECUTION AGAINST BLATANT OFFENDERS,” HE SAID.
LAST YEAR, A TOTAL OF 331 CONVICTIONS WERE RECORDED FOR OFFENCES OF FAILURE TO TAKE OUT POLICY OF INSURANCE FOR EMPLOYEES.
THE MAXIMUM PENALTY, ON SUMMARY CONVICTION, IS A FINE OF $20,000 AND IMPRISONMENT FOR ONE YEAR.
--------0-----------
/6........
TUESDAY, MARCH 15, 1994
- 6 -
POLLUTION CASES RELEASED
K * ♦ * ♦
A TOTAL OF 39 CONVICTIONS WERE MADE IN THE COURTS LAST MONTH FOR BREACHING ANTI-POLLUTION LEGISLATION ENFORCED BY THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT.
AMONG THEM, 15 WERE CONVICTIONS MADE UNDER THE WATER POLLUTION CONTROL ORDINANCE (WPCO), 13 UNDER THE AIR POLLUTION CONTROL ORDINANCE (APCO) AND 11 UNDER THE NOISE CONTROL ORDINANCE (NCO), A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID.
THE FINES IMPOSED RANGED FROM $2,000 TO $50,000. HOP HING BEANCURD FACTORY WAS FINED $50,000 UNDER THE WPCO FOR DISCHARGING POLLUTING MATTER IN THE DEEP BAY WATER CONTROL ZONE.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
THE LIST OF CONVICTED CASES AND THE ASSOCIATED FINES IMPOSED BY THE COURTS IN FEBRUARY WILL BE FAXED.
ENQUIRIES ABOUT SPECIFIC CASES CAN BE DIRECTED TO THE FOLLOWING PRINCIPAL ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION OFFICERS:
APCO: MR FRANKLIN CHUNG TEL: 594 6200
NCO: MR STEVEN HO TEL: 594 6500
WPCO: CASES 4,6,14,15,18,19 AND 22: MR MURRAY LUO TEL: 415 9211
CASES 2,3,5,16,26,29,30 AND 32: MR PATRICK LEI TEL: 685 1133
HOWEVER, ENQUIRIES ON GENERAL ISSUES SHOULD BE DIRECTED TO THE DEPARTMENT’S MEDIA RELATIONS UNIT.
------0-------
SENIOR CITIZEN CARD APPLICATION EASY AND FREE
*****
HONG KONG RESIDENTS AGED 65 OR OVER ARE INVITED TO MAKE USE OF THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT’S NEXT SENIOR CITIZEN CARD PROMOTION DAY ON SATURDAY (MARCH 19) TO APPLY FOR THE CARDS.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT REITERATED THAT THE APPLICATION PROCEDURE WAS EASY AND FREE OF CHARGE.
"APPLICANTS ARE REQUIRED TO FILL IN A SIMPLE APPLICATION FORM, GIVING THEIR NAME, SEX, DATE OF BIRTH, ADDRESS AND TELEPHONE NUMBER,” HE SAID.
THE COMPLETED FORM, TOGETHER WITH A PHOTOCOPY OF THE APPLICANT’S HONG KONG IDENTITY CARD AND A PHOTOGRAPH IN A PREADDRESSED ENVELOPE, SHOULD BE MAILED TO THE SENIOR CITIZEN CARD OFFICE.
/ON THE .......
TUESDAY, MARCH 15, 1994
7
ON THE PROMOTION DAY, VOLUNTEERS FROM THE SOCIAL WELFARE
DEPARTMENT AND NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANISATIONS WILL HELP ELDERLY PEOPLE COMPLETE THE FORMS AT 173 DESIGNATED CENTRES, INCLUDING THE
DEPARTMENT’S FAMILY SERVICES CENTRES, SOCIAL SECURITY FIELD UNITS, GROUP WORK UNITS AND ELDERLY CENTRES.
APPLICATION FORMS ARE OBTAINABLE FROM ALL THE CENTRES OF THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT AS WELL AS ALL THE CENTRES FOR THE ELDERLY, ESTATE OFFICES OF THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT, PUBLIC ENQUIRY OFFICES AND COMMUNITY CENTRES OF THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID ELDERLY PERSONS MAY ALSO APPROACH ANY NEARBY ELDERLY CENTRES FOR HELP IN FILLING THE FORMS.
ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE OF THE SENIOR CITIZEN CARD OFFICE ON TEL 961 7581-5.
’’THERE IS NO NEED FOR THEM TO PAY ANYBODY FOR FILLING IN THE FORMS AND APPLYING FOR THE CARDS,” HE SAID.
THE ELDERLY PEOPLE WILL RECEIVE THEIR CARDS BY POST STARTING FROM APRIL.
------0-------
SOCIAL SERVICE CENTRE EXPANDS FOR NT RESIDENTS
*****
THE BRADBURY WING OF THE SKH LADY MACLEHOSE CENTRE OPENED TODAY (TUESDAY) PROVIDES MORE SPACE FOR OFFERING NEW SOCIAL SERVICES AND EXPANDING EXISTING SERVICES FOR TSUEN WAN AND KWAI CHUNG RESIDENTS.
OFFICIATING AT ITS OPENING CEREMONY, MRS PATTEN SAID A NEW COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTRE WOULD BE SET UP TO PROVIDE CONVENIENT CLINIC AND DENTAL SERVICES TO THE LOCAL COMMUNITY.
A NEW FAMILY RESOURCE CENTRE WILL BE ESTABLISHED FOR FAMILIES SEEKING GUIDANCE IN A MORE FRIENDLY AND RELAXED ENVIRONMENT.
THE EXISTING SOCIAL CENTRE FOR THE ELDERLY WILL BE EXPANDED TO PROVIDE A MORE SPACIOUS ENVIRONMENT FOR ELDERLY PEOPLE, SHE SAID.
MRS PATTEN SAID WITH THE EXPANSION OF SOCIAL WELFARE SERVICES TO MEET THE TARGETS LAID DOWN IN THE GOVERNOR’S POLICY ADDRESSES, NONGOVERNMENTAL ORGANISATIONS WOULD PLAY A FAR MORE IMPORTANT ROLE IN PROVIDING SERVICES THAN EVER BEFORE.
AT PRESENT, ABOUT 70 PER CENT OF WELFARE SERVICES ARE PROVIDED BY SUCH ORGANISATIONS.
THE SKH LADY MACLEHOSE CENTRE, STARTING AS A YOUTH CENTRE 20 YEARS AGO, HAS NOW DEVELOPED INTO A MULTI-SERVICE CENTRE OFFERING A WIDE RANGE OF SERVICES FOR THE TSUEN WAN AND KWAI CHUNG DISTRICTS WHICH ARE HOME TO MORE THAN 300,000 RESIDENTS.
------0-------
/8 ........
TUESDAY, MARCH 15, 1994
8
80 CAR MARKS UP FOR AUCTION
* * t » «
EIGHTY LUCKY VEHICLE REGISTRATION MARKS WILL BE PUT UP FOR AUCTION ON SATURDAY (MARCH 19) IN THEATRE I, HONG KONG CONVENTION AND EXHIBITION CENTRE, WAN CHAI.
FIFTY OF THEM WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR BIDDING AT 9.30 AM. THEY ARE:
FT228 FT1997 FU668 HK883
♦ FY13 *AL3 »BC28 *386
FT163 FT266 FS6333 FV288
*785 ♦FX3333 ♦FW999 ♦FW800
FT8838 AW380 AA193 FV911
BD180 FT883 FT328 AG1118
♦ FC7 *711 »DL26 *8141
FU698 AR298 FU899 FU8988
*CC29 ♦ ER15 »AS6 ♦ CK11
FU1328 FS8788 FT813 FF8883
FT1628 ♦ AL92 ♦ FX2 ♦ DK21
♦FX600 ES1668 FT633 FT3288
CD908 FS130
« SPECIAL VEHICAL VEHICLE REGISTRATION MARK (NOT TRANSFERABLE)
IN THE AFTERNOON SESSION WHICH WILL START AT 2.30 PM, THE OTHER 30 REGISTRATION MARKS WILL BE OFFERED FOR BIDDING. THEY ARE:
992 XX888 1389
AA90 HK30 HK98
228 231 9
1991 AA39 3999
HK82 383 161
209 HK2222 266
XX5 3223 1122
2328 AV2 220
AR8 2800 142
3366 306 922
THESE 30 REGISTRATION MARKS ARE NOT TRANSFERABLE.
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 .......
TUESDAY, MARCH 15, 1994
9
PROCEEDS OF THE AUCTION, AFTER DEDUCTION OF EXPENSES, WILL GO TO THE GOVERNMENT LOTTERIES FUND.
THE COMING AUCTIONS WILL BE THE 218TH AND 219TH ORGANISED BY THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT SINCE MAY 1973.
---------0-----------
KOWLOON BIRTHS REGISTRY ON MOVE
THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT REMINDED THE PUBLIC THAT ITS KOWLOON BIRTHS REGISTRY WOULD MOVE TO YAU MA TEI CARPARK BUILDING, M/F, 250 SHANGHAI STREET, KOWLOON, ON SATURDAY (MARCH 19).
THE NEW REGISTRY WILL COME INTO SERVICE ON MONDAY (MARCH 21).
THE OFFICE HOURS ARE:
MONDAY TO FRIDAY
SATURDAY
SUNDAY AND PUBLIC HOLIDAYS
8.45 AM TO 12.45 PM
2 PM TO 4.45 PM
9 AM TO 11.30 AM
CLOSED
FOR ENQUIRIES, MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC MAY TELEPHONE 824 6111.
THE REGISTRY IS OPERATING FROM ITS PRESENT PREMISES ON SECOND FLOOR, NEW MANDARIN PLAZA, TOWER A, 14 SCIENCE MUSEUM ROAD, TSIM SHA TSUI, UNTIL SATURDAY AFTERNOON.
------0-------
IMMIGRATION OFFICERS ON UK TRAINING * t ♦ * t
FOUR IMMIGRATION OFFICERS WILL LEAVE FOR THE UNITED KINGDOM LATER THIS MONTH FOR A SIX-WEEK ATTACHMENT WITH ITS IMMIGRATION SERVICE.
ANOTHER OFFICER WILL ATTEND A THREE-WEEK "ALL ARMS DRILL INSTRUCTORS" COURSE IN THE UNITED KINGDOM IN EARLY MAY.
THE FIRST GROUP COMPRISES ACTING SENIOR IMMIGRATION OFFICERS MRS TO LOK MIU-FUN, MR LEUNG KAM-KWONG AND MR TAM YUN-KEUNG, AND ACTING IMMIGRATION OFFICER MR KWOK JOON-FUNG.
THEY WILL VISIT BRANCHES OF THE HOME OFFICE HANDLING IMMIGRATION AND NATIONALITY MATTERS AS WELL AS IMMIGRATION OFFICES AND PORTS.
IMMIGRATION OFFICER MR HEUNG HON-TAK WILL RECEIVE TRAINING FROM THE UNITED KINGDOM ARMY IN DRILLING.
/AT A .......
TUESDAY, MARCH 15, 1994
10
AT A BRIEFING BEFORE THEIR DEPARTURE, THE DIRECTOR OF IMMIGRATION, MR LAURENCE LEUNG, SAID THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT PLACED GREAT IMPORTANCE ON GIVING ITS STAFF PROFESSIONAL TRAINING.
IN THE FACE OF COMPLEXITY OF IMMIGRATION WORK, STAFF MEMBERS WERE REQUIRED TO BE VIGILANT AND ALERT TOWARDS CHANGES THAT HAD TAKEN PLACE, HE SAID.
MR LEUNG SAID HE HOPED THAT THE ATTACHMENT WOULD PROVIDE A GOOD OPPORTUNITY FOR THE OFFICERS TO WIDEN THEIR HORIZON AND TO HAVE A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF THE WORK OF THEIR COUNTERPARTS IN THE UNITED KINGDOM.
------0-------
WEATHER OF FEBRUARY * * * * *
THE WEATHER IN FEBRUARY WAS ON THE WHOLE UNUSUALLY MILD AND CLOUDY WITH HIGH HUMIDITY, ACCORDING TO A MONTHLY REPORT PUBLISHED BY THE ROYAL OBSERVATORY.
THERE WERE PROLONGED SPELLS OF CLOUDS AND MIST, PARTICULARLY IN THE LATTER HALF OF THE MONTH.
THE TOTAL DURATION OF SUNSHINE WAS LESS THAN HALF OF NORMAL.
IN THE ABSENCE OF SIGNIFICANT SURGES OF COLD AIR FROM THE NORTH, THE SOUTH CHINA COASTAL AREAS WERE DOMINATED BY A RELATIVELY WARM AND MOIST MARITIME AIRSTREAM FOR MOST OF THE TIME.
THE MONTHLY MEAN MINIMUM TEMPERATURE OF 15.7 DEGREES AND MONTHLY MEAN DEW-POINT TEMPERATURE OF 14.4 DEGREES WERE RESPECTIVELY THE SEVENTH AND SIXTH HIGHEST FOR FEBRUARY.
THE MONTHLY RAINFALL OF 50.5 MILLIMETRES WAS NEAR THE FEBRUARY NORMAL OF 48.0 MILLIMETRES.
BUT WITH NO MEASURABLE RAIN IN JANUARY, THE RAINFALL TOTAL FOR THE FIRST TWO MONTHS THIS YEAR STAYED AT 50.5 MILLIMETRES, 29 PER CENT BELOW THE NORMAL OF 71.4 MILLIMETRES FOR THE SAME PERIOD.
THE MONTH’S HIGHEST TEMPERATURE OF 25.1 DEGREES WAS REACHED ON A WARM AND SUNNY DAY ON FEBRUARY 1.
THE WEATHER BECAME COOLER IN THE NEXT COUPLE OF DAYS AFTER THE ARRIVAL OF A WEAK NORTHEAST MONSOON ON THE EARLY MORNING OF FEBRUARY 2.
THE MONSOON WINDS GRADUALLY SUBSIDED AND WERE REPLACED BY A MOIST MARITIME AIRFLOW ON FEBRUARY 5. WITH INCREASING HUMIDITY, MIST FORMED EARLY THAT MORNING.
A SPELL OF HUMID WEATHER WITH OCCASIONAL MIST AND FOG PERSISTED IN THE NEXT THREE DAYS. VISIBILITY WAS NO MORE THAN 1,000 METRES INSIDE THE HARBOUR ON THE EARLY MORNING OF FEBRUARY 7.
AFTER A RELATIVELY FINE DAY ON FEBRUARY 9, THE EASTERLIES STRENGTHENED IN THE EVENING AND BROUGHT COOLER WEATHER WITH LIGHT RAIN AND MIST ON FEBRUARY 10.
/RAIN BECAME .......
TUESDAY, MARCH 15, 1994
11 -
RAIN BECAME MORE FREQUENT ON FEBRUARY 11 WITH MORE THAN 10 MILLIMETRES OF RAINFALL RECORDED OVER MOST PARTS OF THE TERRITORY. THE FIRST THUNDERSTORM OF THE YEAR WAS REPORTED THAT EVENING.
THE PASSAGE OF A WEAR COLD FRONT ON FEBRUARY 12 WAS ACCOMPANIED BY MIST AND RAIN PATCHES.
THE NORTHEAST MONSOON STRENGTHENED AND THE WEATHER THE NEXT DAY WAS WINDY AND COOLER.
CLOUDY CONDITIONS WITH RAIN PATCHES PERSISTED ON FEBRUARY 14.
MIST THICKENED INTO FOG IN THE EARLY MORNING ON FEBRUARY 15 AS WINDS SUBSIDED. VISIBILITY STARTED TO IMPROVE AS A WEAK REPLENISHMENT OF THE NORTHEAST MONSOON REACHED THE SOUTH CHINA COAST THAT NIGHT.
WITH FURTHER REPLENISHMENT OF THE NORTHEAST MONSOON, CONDITIONS REMAINED COOL WITH LIGHT RAIN FROM FEBRUARY 1 C> TO 18. RAIN TURNED HEAVY ON FEBRUARY 19 AND MORE THAN 30 MILLIMETRES FELL IN TSUEN WAN.
THE ARRIVAL OF A DRY CONTINENTAL AIR MASS BROUGHT TWO SUNNY AND CLEAR DAYS ON FEBRUARY 20 AND 21. CLOUDS AND MIST SOON RETURNED ON FEBRUARY 22 AND LASTED TILL FEBRUARY 24.
AS A COLD FRONT CROSSED THE SOUTH CHINA COAST IN THE EVENING ON FEBRUARY 24, THE MISTS WERE DISPERSED BY THE STRENGTHENING NORTHEAST MONSOON.
WITH THE ARRIVAL OF COLD CONTINENTAL AIR, TEMPERATURES DROPPED GRADUALLY TOWARDS THE END OF THE MONTH.
THE MONTH’S LOWEST DAILY MINIMUM TEMPERATURE OF 11.7 DEGREES OCCURRED EARLY ON FEBRUARY 28. THIS CONTINENTAL AIR, IN CONTRAST TO THAT OF FEBRUARY 20 AND 21, WAS TOO SHALLOW TO CLEAR AWAY THE MOISTURE IN THE MID-LEVELS OF THE ATMOSPHERE.
AS A RESULT, CLOUDS PERSISTED. NO SUNSHINE WAS RECORDED FOR SEVEN CONSECUTIVE DAYS AND THE MONTH ENDED COLD AND OVERCAST.
NO TROPICAL CYCLONE ACTIVITY WAS OBSERVED OVER THE WESTERN NORTH PACIFIC AND THE SOUTH CHINA SEA IN FEBRUARY.
DURING THE MONTH, NINE AIRCRAFT WERE DIVERTED DUE TO ADVERSE WEATHER.
DETAILS OF THE 1SSUANCE/HO1 ST I NG AND CANCELLATION/LOWERING OF VARIOUS WARNINGS/SIGNALS ARE SUMMARISED IN TABLE 1.1. MONTHLY METEOROLOGICAL FIGURES AND DEPARTURES FROM NORMAL FOR FEBRUARY AR£ TABULATED IN TABLE 1.2.
/TABLE 1.1 .
4
TUESDAY, MARCH 15, 1994
12
TABLE 1.1 WARNINGS AND SIGNALS IN FEBRUARY 1994
WARNINGS / SIGNALS EFFECTIVE DATE AND TIME
STRONG MONSOON SIGNALS FEB FEB 10 0030 - FEB 10 2100 12 2130 - FEB 14 0615
FIRE DANGER WARNINGS YELLOW FEB 9 0630 - FEB 10 0600
GAS HEATER ALERTS FEB FEB 25 1630 - FEB 26 1630 27 1630 - MAR 2 1630
TABLE 1.2 FIGURES AND DEPARTURES FROM NORMAL - FEBRUARY 1994
TOTAL BRIGHT SUNSHINE 4 7.2 50.5 HOURS; HOURS BELOW NORMAL
MEAN DAILY GLOBAL SOLAR RADIATION 6.72 3.97 MJ/SQM; MJ/SQM BELOW NORMAL
TOTAL RAINFALL 50.5 MM; 2.5 MM ABOVE NORMAL
MEAN CLOUD AMOUNT 84 %; 11 % ABOVE NORMAL
MEAN RELATIVE HUMIDITY 84 %; 6 % ABOVE NORMAL
MEAN DAILY MAXIMUM TEMPERATURE 19.2 DEGREES CELSIUS; 0.6 DEGREE CELSIUS ABOVE NORMAL
MEAN AIR TEMPERATURE 17.3 DEGREES CELSIUS; 1.4 DEGREES CELSIUS ABOVE NORMAL
MEAN DAILY MINIMUM TEMPERATURE 15.7 DEGREES CELSIUS; 1.8 DEGREES CELSIUS ABOVE NORMAL
MEAN DEW POINT 14.4 DEGREES CELSIUS; 2.6 DEGREES CELSIUS ABOVE NORMAL
TOTAL EVAPORATION 37.7 MM ; 41.3 MM BELOW NORMAL
REMARKS: ALL MEASUREMENTS WERE MADE AT THE ROYAL OBSERVATORY EXCEPT SUNSHINE, SOLAR RADIATION AND EVAPORATION WHICH WERE RECORDED AT KING’S PARK.
------0--------
/13........
TUESDAY, MARCH 15, 1994
- 13 -
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND TENDER RESULTS *****
TENDER DATE PAPER ON OFFER ISSUE NUMBER AMOUNT APPLIED AMOUNT ALLOTTED AVERAGE YIELD ACCEPTED HIGHEST YIELD ACCEPTED PRO RATA RATIO AVERAGE TENDER YIELD HONG KONG TENDERS TO BE HELD IN THE 15 MAR 94 EF BILLS Q4 1 1 HK$2,640 MN HK$1,500 MN 3.77 PCT 3.78 PCT ABOUT 87 PCT 3.79 PCT GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND WEEK BEGINNING 21 MARCH 1994 15 MAR 94 EF BILLS H460 HK$1,280 MN HKS500 MN 4.00 PCT 4.02 PCT ABOUT 10 PCT 4.03 PCT
TENDER DATE 22 MAR 94 PAPER ON OFFER EF BILLS ISSUE NUMBER Q412 ISSUE DATE 23 MAR 94 MATURITY DATE 22 JUNE 94 TENOR 91 DAVS AMOUNT ON OFFER HK$1,500 + 300 MN 0 WATER CUTS IN SHA TIN AND TSUEN ***** WAN 22 MAR 94 EF BILLS Y487 23 MAR 94* 22 MAR 95 364 DAYS HK$400 + 120 MN
FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO SOME PREMISES IN SHA .TIN AND SALT WATER SUPPLY TO SOME PREMISES IN TSUEN WAN WILL BE TEMPORARILY SUSPENDED FROM 11 PM ON THURSDAY (MARCH 17) TO 6 AM THE NEXT DAY TO FACILITATE WATER MAINS LEAKAGE DETECTION.
THE SUSPENSION WILL AFFECT ALL THE PREMISES AT TIN SUM STREET, HUNG MUI KUK ROAD, FU TIN LANE, CHE KUNG MUI ROAD AND TIN SUM VILLAGE IN SHA TIN.
THE AFFECTED AREAS IN TSUEN WAN INCLUDE ALLWAY GARDENS, TSUEN WAN ADVENTIST HOSPITAL AS WELL AS ALL THE PREMISES AT TSUEN KING CIRCUIT AND ON YAT STREET.
------0--------
/14
TUESDAY, MARCH 15, 1994
14
HONG KONG MONETARY AUTHORITY MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS *****
$ MILLION TIME (HOURS) CUMULATIVE CHANGE ($ MILLION)
OPENING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT 3,200 0930 -2,157
CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT 2,950 1000 -405
CHANGE ATTRIBUTABLE TO : 1100 -200
MONEY MARKET ACTIVITY -200 1200 -200
LAF TODAY -50 1500 -200
1600 -200
LAF RATE 2.00 BID/4.00 OFFER
TWI 125.7 *+0.2» 15.3.94
HONG KONG MONETARY AUTHORITY
EF BILLS EF NOTES/HONG KONG GOVERNMENT BONDS
TERMS YIELD TERM ISSUE COUPON PRICE YIELD
1 WEEK 3.60 18 MONTHS 2508 4.625 99.81 4.82
1 MONTH 3.57 21 MONTHS 2511 4.15 98.68 5.03
3 MONTHS 3.76 24 MONTHS 2602 4.40 98.63 5.22
6 MONTHS 3.97 32 MONTHS 3610 4.20 96.83 5.59
12 MONTHS 4.40 35 MONTHS 3701 4.60 97.25 5.73
TOTAL TURNOVER OF BILLS AND BONDS - 19,874 MN
CLOSED 15 MARCH 1994 -----------------------------------0-------
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG TEL : 842 8777
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 16, 1994
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
GOVERNMENT OBLIGED TO A PROPERTY REVALUATION ................. 1
BETTER PUBLIC TRANSPORT FOR DISABLED ......................... 2
GOVERNOR VISITS WONG TAI SIN ................................. 3
GOVERNOR SPEAKS TO REPORTERS AFTER HIS VISIT TO WONG TAI SIN DISTRICT ..................................................... 3
GOVERNOR SPEAKS TO REPORTERS AFTER SUMMIT MEETING ON TRANSPORT SERVICES FOR THE DISABLED .......................... 7
BUDGET A FINE BALANCING ACT .................................. 9
HK’S WELFARE SYSTEM COMPARABLE TO ANY IN ASIA ................ 11
PARTNERSHIP IN BUILDING SAFETY ............................... 12
PROVISIONAL ANTI-DUMPING DUTIES ON MAGNETIC DISCS ............ 13
SHABBY BUILDING DECLARED DANGEROUS ........................... 14
CENTRAL AND WESTERN ENQUIRY CENTRE TO BE REFITTED ............ 15
HONG KONG MONETARY AUTHORITY MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS ......... 15
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 16, 1994
1
GOVERNMENT OBLIGED TO A PROPERTY REVALUATION *****
THE GOVERNOR, THE RT HON CHRISTOPHER PATTEN, THIS (WEDNESDAY) AFTERNOON SAID THE GOVERNMENT WERE OBLIGED TO A REVALUATION OF PROPERTY AND THE COMMUNITY EXPECTED IT TO BEHAVE RESPONSIBLY AND PRUDENTLY OVER PUBLIC FINANCES.
SPEAKING TO REPORTERS AFTER VISITING WONG TAI SIN DISTRICT, MR PATTEN SAID THE REVALUATION TOOK ACCOUNT OF WHAT HAD HAPPENED TO THE VALUE OF PROPERTY OVER THE LAST FEW YEARS.
"NOT TO HAVE A REVALUATION WOULD FRANKLY BE UNFAIR," HE SAID.
"AT THE MOMENT, RATES REPRESENT ABOUT TWO PER CENT OF HOUSEHOLD INCOME. IF YOU ADD THE CONSEQUENCES OF THE REVALUATION, THAT FIGURE WILL GO UP FROM TWO PER CENT TO ALL OF 2.1 PER CENT."
THE GOVERNOR NOTED THAT IN THE BUGET WHICH HE DESCRIBED AS "EXTREMELY SENSIBLE", THE FINANCIAL SECRETRY CUT TAXES, INCREASED SPENDING ON ISSUES LIKE SOCIAL WELFARE, ANNOUNCED A CONSIDERABLE INCREASE IN HONG KONG’S RESERVES AND PUT MORE MONEY ASIDE FOR THE FUTURE.
"I THINK THAT IN THOSE CIRCUMSTANCES, IT DOESN'T MAKE VERY MUCH SENSE FOR US TO THROW AWAY $1.8 BILLION WHICH IS WHAT IT WOULD COST IN ORDER TO MEET SOMETHING WHICH FRANKLY 1 DON’T BELIEVE IS A CONSIDERABLE SOCIAL PROBLEM.
"SO I HOPE THAT EVERYBODY WILL BEHAVE RESPONSIBLY.
"SPEAKING FOR THE GOVERNMENT, I WANT TO MAKE IT ABSOLUTELY CLEAR THAT WHATEVER HAPPENS, WE ARE NOT GOING TO BE IMPRUDENT WITH HONG KONG’S FINANCES."
MR PATTEN SAID THE GOVERNMENT HAD AGREED AND ACCEPTED THAT THERE SHOULD BE A LOW CAP ON THE INCREASE IN RATES.
"WE’VE SET THAT CAP AT 20 PER CENT WHICH IS SUBSTANTIALLY BELOW THE FIGURE FOR INFLATION OF ABOUT 33 PER CENT OVER THE LAST THREE YEARS," THE GOVERNOR SAID.
"SO, NOBODY CAN SAY THE GOVERNMENT ISN’T TRYING TO PROTECT PEOPLE FROM THE VERY MARGINAL CONSEQUENCES OF RATING REVALUATION.”
MR PATTEN SAID HE FOUND IT VERY SUPRISING THAT SOME PEOPLE ON THE ONE HAND ACCUSED THE GOVERNMENT OF NARROWING THE TAX BASE WHILE AT THE SAME TIME WERE SUGGESTING THAT THE GOVERNMENT REALLY SHOULD NARROW THE TAX BASE BY NOT LETTING THE REVALUATION GO AHEAD.
"SO I HOPE THAT WISDOM WILL PREVAIL IN THIS CIRCUMSTANCE AND THAT WE CAN MAKE SURE THAT WHEN WE SPEND MONEY, WE SPEND IT TN SENSIBLE AND APPROPRIATE WAYS," HE ADDED.
/2........
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 16, 1994
2
BETTER PUBLIC TRANSPORT FOR DISABLED
*****
THE GOVERNMENT AND PUBLIC TRANSPORT COMPANIES HAVE DONE A GOOD JOB IN THE PAST YEAR IN MAKING THE PUBLIC TRANSPORT SYSTEMS MUCH MORE ACCESSIBLE AND USER-FRIENDLY TO THE DISABLED PERSONS, THE GOVERNOR, THE RT HON CHRISTOPHER PATTEN, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
SPEAKING AT A MEETING ON THE PROVISION OF PUBLIC TRANSPORT FACILITIES FOR THE DISABLED, THE GOVERNOR SAID HE WAS GLAD TO KNOW THAT TARGETS HE SUGGESTED AT THE LAST MEETING HAD BEEN MET WITH CONSIDERABLE SUCCESS.
HE CONGRATULATED THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT FOR PRODUCING A PUBLIC TRANSPORT GUIDE (IN ENGLISH, CHINESE AND BRAILLE) FOR THE DISABLED, WHICH SETS OUT THE TRANSPORT FACILITIES AVAILABLE TO THE DISABLED, AND THE WAYS TO MAKE BEST USE OF THESE FACILITIES.
HE ALSO COMMENDED THE PUBLIC TRANSPORT COMPANIES FOR INTRODUCING MEASURES TO MAKE PUBLIC TRANSPORT SYSTEM MORE ACCESSIBLE TO THE DISABLED.
’’BUT WE CANNOT AFFORD TO BE COMPLACENT. THE DIFFICULTIES WHICH DISABLED PEOPLE FACE IN MOVING AROUND IN HONG KONG, AS IN OTHER BUSY CITIES, REMAIN FORMIDABLE,” THE GOVERNOR SAID.
"I AM THEREFORE HEARTENED BY THE CONTINUING COMMITMENT OF THE PUBLIC TRANSPORT OPERATORS TO CONTINUE WITH THEIR EFFORTS TO IMPROVE FURTHER THEIR SERVICES TO THE DISABLED.
"OUR COLLECTIVE AIM MUST BE TO ENSURE THAT OUR PUBLIC TRANSPORT SYSTEM PROVIDES AS CONVENIENT AS POSSIBLE A SERVICE FOR ITS DISABLED PASSENGERS, AND FOR ITS PART THE ADMINISTRATION STANDS READY TO DO WHATEVER IT CAN TO HELP FACILITATE THIS," HE SAID.
ALSO SPEAKING AT THE MEETING, THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT, MR HAIDER BARMA SAID THE GOVERNMENT HAD ALSO TAKEN A NUMBER OF NEW INITIATIVES TO HELP DISABLED PEOPLE MOVE AROUND MORE EASILY AND CHEAPLY.
THESE INCLUDE A TRIAL SCHEME TO ALLOW TAXI DRIVERS TO PICK UP AND SET DOWN DISABLED PASSENGERS IN RESTRICTED AREAS, TOLL EXEMPTION FOR DISABLED DRIVERS USING GOVERNMENT TUNNELS AND THE EXTENSION OF THE CONCESSIONS TO DISABLED DRIVERS USING THREE-WHEEL VEHICLES AND SCOOTERS, SUCH AS EXEMPTION FROM FIRST REGISTRATION TAX, VEHICLE AND DRIVING LICENCE FEES, DUTY ON FUEL AND CROSS HARBOUR TUNNEL PASSAGE TAX.
MR BARMA SAID A SPECIAL WORKING GROUP SET UP BY THE GOVERNMENT EARLY LAST YEAR TO PURSUE MEASURES TO IMPROVE ACCESS TO PUBLIC TRANSPORT BY DISABLED PERSONS WAS NOW PROVIDING A USEFUL FORUM FOR EXCHANGE OF VIEWS BETWEEN THE TRANSPORT COMPANIES AND THE DISABLED REPRESENTATIVES.
ALSO ATTENDING THE MEETING, THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, MRS ELIZABETH WONG SAID RECURRENT SPENDING ON REHABUS WOULD BE INCREASED FROM $9.4 MILLION IN 1993/94 TO $13.1 MILLION IN 1994/95, REPRESENTING A SIZABLE GROWTH OF ABOUT 40 PER CENT.
/SHE SAID ......
3
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 16, 1994
SHE SAID THIS WOULD ENABLE THE REHABUS SCHEDULED ROUTE SERVICE, WHICH HAS BEEN STRENGTHENED BY FOUR ADDITIONAL ROUTES THIS FINANCIAL YEAR, TO CONTINUE ITS EXPANSION OVER THE NEXT FEW YEARS.
MRS WONG SAID THE VERY POPULAR DAIL-A-RIDE REHABUS SERVICE WOULD ALSO BE EXPANDED BY THREE ADDITIONAL REHABUSES IN 1994/95.
SHE ALSO NOTED THAT MEASURES TO IMPROVE THE MANAGEMENT AND OPERATION OF THE REHABUS SERVICE WOULD INCLUDE ADDITIONAL ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT, RENOVATION OF PARKING DEPOTS AND INSTALLATION OF CHARGING METERS.
THE MEETING, WHICH WAS ORGANISED BY THE TRANSPORT BRANCH AND DEPARTMENT, WAS ALSO ATTENDED BY THE TOP MANAGEMENT OF MAJOR PUBLIC TRANSPORT COMPANIES AND REPRESENTATIVES OF THE DISABLED GROUPS.
FOLLOWING THE MEETING THE GOVERNOR TOURED AN EXHIBITION OF FACILITIES PROVIDED BY THE PUBLIC TRANSPORT OPERATORS FOR THE DISABLED COMMUNITY.
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GOVERNOR VISITS WONG TAI SIN
*****
THE GOVERNOR, THE RT HON CHRISTOPHER PATTEN, AND MRS PATTEN TOURED WONG TAI SIN DISTRICT THIS (WEDNESDAY) AFTERNOON.
THEY FIRST VISITED THE CHI LIN NUNNERY IN DIAMOND HILL AND WAS BRIEFED ON SOME OF ITS FACILITIES WHICH INCLUDE A HOME FOR THE ELDERLY AND A DAY CARE CENTRE.
THIS WAS FOLLOWED BY A TOUR OF NGA TSIN WAI VILLAGE FAMED FOR THE FORTIFIED WALLS WHICH WERE BUILT IN THE EARLY MING DYNASTY.
MR AND MRS PATTEN THEN TOURED THE LOK FU SHOPPING COMPLEX BEFORE MEETING DISTRICT BOARD MEMBERS AND LOCAL PERSONALITIES AT A TEA RECEPTION.
THEY WERE ACCOMPANIED BY THE ACTING REGIONAL SECRETARY FOR HONG KONG AND KOWLOON, MR PHILIP CHOK; THE WONG TAI SIN DISTRICT OFFICER, MR ALDAN KWOK; AND THE WONG TAI SIN DISTRICT BOARD CHAIRMAN, MR CHAN KAM-MAN.
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GOVERNOR SPEAKS TO REPORTERS AFTER HIS VISIT TO WONG TAI SIN DISTRICT *****
GOVERNOR: I’VE ENJOYED MY SECOND VISIT TO THIS DISTRICT BOARD, NOT THE FIRST, NOT ONLY THE SECOND TIME I’VE BEEN TO THE DISTRICT BECAUSE I HAD SEVERAL HOUSING VISITS HERE AS WELL AS MANY OF YOU WILL KNOW BUT IT IS VERY GOOD TO BE BACK IN THE DISTRICT AND SEEING SOME OF THE EFFORTS THAT HAVE BEEN MADE TO DEAL WITH THE DIFFICULTY SOCIAL PROBLEMS, PARTICULARLY THE HOUSING AND ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEMS THAT PEOPLE CONFRONT HERE. NO QUESTIONS?
QUESTION: CAN YOU EXPLAIN WHY IS THAT WHEN MR MICHAEL SZE THIS MORNING SAID THAT THE CIVIL SERVANTS EXCHANGE PROBLEM BETWEEN CHINA AND HONG KONG WAS STOPPED? CAN YOU TELL WHY? IS IT DUE TO THE POLITICAL ROW?
/GOVERNOR .......
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 16, 1994
GOVERNOR: NO. IT HASN’T STOPPED. THERE’VE BEEN TWO VERY SUCCESSFUL COURSES AT QING HUA UNIVERSITY AND THERE WILL BE ANOTHER COURSE SHORTLY. BUT THERE HAS BEEN NO IMPACT ON THE PROGRAMME SO FAR AS I AM AWARE AS A RESULT OF THE UNFORTUNATE BREAKDOWN IN TALKS ON POLITICAL DEVELOPMENT.
QUESTION: A REPORT IN THE EASTERN EXPRESS THIS MORNING QUOTED A CHINESE OFFICIAL AS SAYING THAT THE CATHAY PACIFIC... WOULD AMALGAMATE WITH CAAC AFTER 1997....?
GOVERNOR: I HAVE SEEN THE STATEMENT THAT CATHAY PACIFIC PUT OUT EARLIER TODAY WHICH IS A WHOLLY ACCURATE REFLECTION OF WHAT IT SAYS IN THE JOINT DECLARATION. I WAS VERY STRUCK THE OTHER DAY BY AN INTERESTING SPEECH THAT DIRECTOR LU PING MADE IN WHICH HE DESCRIBED HONG KONG AS A GOLDEN BRIDGE FOR CHINA AND IN WHICH HE UNDERLINED THE IMPORTANCE OF EVERYONE INCLUDING OFFICIALS IN PEKING STANDING BY THE JOINT DECLARATION AND THE BASIC LAW AND I THINK THAT THIS IS A CASE WHERE THAT POINT NEEDS TO BE UNDERLINED. THE JOINT DECLARATION IS ABSOLUTELY CLEAR ABOUT RESPONSIBILITIES FOR AIR SERVICE AGREEMENT AND RELATED MATTERS AFTER 1997. AND I DON’T THINK THAT ANY SENIOR CHINESE OFFICIAL WOULD EVEN THINK ABOUT CHANGING THAT.
QUESTION: CAN THE CIVIL SERVANTS’ RECORDS BE ACCESSIBLE TO THE CHINESE BEFORE 1997?
GOVERNOR: WE’VE SAID BEFORE ON A NUMBER OF OCCASIONS, GOING BACK, I THINK, TO THE LATE 1980’S THAT WE WOULD WANT TO DISCUSS AT THE APPROPRIATE MOMENT WITH CHINESE OFFICIALS THE CAREER DEVELOPMENT OF SENIOR LOCAL CIVIL SERVANTS IN HONG KONG. AND, OF COURSE, THAT MEANS MAKING SURE THAT THEIR CURRICULUM, THEIR CURRICULUM VITAE ARE KNOWN, THE BIOGRAPHICAL DETAILS ABOUT THEIR PUBLIC SERVICE CAREERS. THAT IS NOTHING PARTICULARLY SECRETIVE OR CONFIDENTIAL ABOUT THOSE. PEOPLE WOULD KNOW THOSE, I GUESS, FROM LOOKING AT THE STRAIGHT-FORWARD CIVIL SERVICE RECORDS.
QUESTION: CAN YOU GIVE US YOUR RESPONSE TO THE DEMONSTRATIONS TODAY?
GOVERNOR: I WAS INTERESTED IN THE LARGEST OF THE DEMONSTRATIONS WHICH WAS IN FAVOUR OF A GOOD PENSION SCHEME FOR THE ELDERLY. WE’VE PROPOSED, AS YOU KNOW, SOME SENSIBLE PROPOSALS FOR THE RETIREMENT INCOME OF OLD PEOPLE. WE’VE GOT AT PRESENT CONSULTANTS WHO ARE LOOKING AT THE FULL FEASIBILITY STUDY. THEY WILL BE REPORTING IN THE SUMMER AND I HOPE THAT THE DEBATE CAN COME TO A SUCCESSFUL CONCLUSION AFTER THAT FEASIBILITY STUDY IS PUBLISHED.
QUESTION: THE CHINESE FOREIGN MINISTER TODAY SAID THAT THE CHINESE SIDE WOULD CO-OPERATE WITH THE BRITISH SIDE IN SOME ASPECTS. HOW CAN YOU SEE THE CO-OPERATION..? WHEN WILL THE AIRPORT COMMITTEE HOLD ITS MEETING?
/GOVERNOR ........
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 16, 1994
5
GOVERNOR: I VERY MUCH WELCOME THE CONSTRUCTIVE STATEMENT MADE BY THE CHINESE VICE PREMIER AND FOREIGN MINISTER, MR QIAN QICHEN. I THOUGHT IT WAS A HELPFUL, CREATIVE RESPONSE TO THE CHALLENGES THAT FACES US ALL OVER THE NEXT FEW YEARS. IT’S A MATTER, I THINK, OF GENUINE REGRET TO THE BRITISH SIDE, TO THE CHINESE SIDE, AND TO THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG THAT WE WEREN’T BE ABLE TO REACH AGREEMENT ON THE ELECTORAL ARRANGEMENTS FOR 1994/95. I REPEAT A MATTER OF GENUINE REGRET ALL ROUND. BUT BECAUSE WE WEREN’T BE ABLE TO AGREE ON THAT PARTICULAR ISSUE DOESN’T MEAN THAT WE SHOULDN’T BE ABLE TO AGREE ON MOST OTHER ISSUES. WE DO NEED TO CO-OPERATE. WE DO NEED TO WORK TOGETHER IN THE INTEREST OF THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG. I NOTICE THAT MR QIAN QICHEN STRESSED THE IMPORTANCE OF WORKING TOGETHER, OF CO-OPERATING TO PROTECT PEOPLE’S LIVELIHOOD AND TO PROTECT THE STABILITY OF HONG KONG. THAT’S SOMETHING THAT WE NEED TO DO. TODAY ON A VISIT LIKE THIS, ONE SEES ALL THE WELFARE AND LIVELIHOOD ISSUES THAT GENUINELY CONCERN PEOPLE. WE WANT TO CO-OPERATE IN THE INTEREST OF ALL THE FAMILIES WHO LIVE IN HONG KONG. SO, ON ISSUES LIKE THE DEVELOPMENT OF OUR INFRASTRUCTURE, ON THE SORT OF ISSUES THAT ARE BEING DISCUSSED IN THE JOINT LIAISON GROUP, TECHNICAL ONES, ONES THAT VERY OFTEN HAVE NO REAL CONTROVERSIAL, POLITICAL CONTENT, PEOPLE IN HONG KONG WANT TO SEE US GET ON TOGETHER AND WORK POSITIVELY TOGETHER AND CO-OPERATE TOGETHER. I AM SURE THAT MR QIAN QICHEN WOULD AGREE WITH ME THAT PEOPLE EXPECT US NOT JUST TO USE WORDS LIKE CO-OPERATE BUT TO CO-OPERATE IN PRACTICE. AND I VERY MUCH HOPE THAT IS WHAT WE’LL BE ABLE TO DO. THE JOB THAT LIES IN FRONT OF US IS A DIFFICULT ONE. NOBODY DOUBTS THAT. WHAT BRITAIN AND CHINA AND HONG KONG ARE TRYING TO DO HAS NEVER BEEN DONE BEFORE IN QUITE THIS WAY. SO, THE REQUIREMENT ON US TO WORK CLOSELY TOGETHER AND SINCERELY TOGETHER AND CONSTRUCTIVELY TOGETHER IS A VERY CONSIDERABLE ONE. AND I REPEAT THAT I WELCOME THE STATEMENT MADE BY MR QIAN QICHEN EARLIER TODAY.
QUESTION: DO YOU KNOW WHEN THE AIRPORT COMMITTEE WILL MEET AGAIN?
GOVERNOR: NO, BUT THERE ARE DISCUSSIONS TAKING PLACE BETWEEN OUR EXPERTS TO CLEAR UP SOME ISSUES WHICH I THINK THE CHINESE SIDE HAS RAISED AND I’M SURE THAT THESE DISCUSSIONS WILL LAY THE FOUNDATIONS FOR A MEETING OF THE AIRPORT COMMITTEE IN DUE COURSE. BUT NO DATE HAS YET BEEN FIXED.
QUESTION: ( RELATED TO THE PETITION ON RENTALS)
GOVERNOR: I HAVEN’T READ THE PETITION YET ABOUT THE RENTALS. BUT WHEN I HAVE READ IT, I’LL RESPOND TO IT POSITIVELY AND WILL RESPOND TO IT PUBLICLY AS WELL. SO, YOU’LL BE ABLE TO HAVE AN ANSWER TO IT.
QUESTION: WHAT’S YOUR VIEWS ON THE PROPOSAL OF INCREASING THE RATES.
/GOVERNOR .......
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 16, 1994
6
GOVERNOR: I THINK THAT THE COMMUNITY EXPECTS THE GOVERNMENT TO BEHAVE RESPONSIBLY AND PRUDENTLY OVER PUBLIC FINANCES. WE ARE AS WE WERE OBLIGED TO IN THE PROCESS OF A REVALUATION OF PROPERTY. THAT TAKES ACCOUNT OF WHAT’S HAPPENED TO THE VALUE OF PROPERTY OVER THE LAST FEW YEARS. NOT TO HAVE A REVALUATION WOULD FRANKLY BE UNFAIR. AT THE MOMENT, RATES REPRESENT ABOUT TWO PER CENT OF HOUSEHOLD INCOME. IF YOU ADD THE CONSEQUENCES OF THE REVALUATION, THAT FIGURE WILL GO UP FROM TWO PER CENT TO ALL OF 2.1 PER CENT. NOW THAT DOESN’T SEEM TO ME TO BE AN ISSUE WHICH JUSTIFIES SOME OF THE THINGS WHICH HAVE BEEN SAID IN THE LAST FEW WEEKS. THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY PUT FORWARD AN EXTREMELY SENSIBLE BUDGET IN WHICH HE CUT TAXES, IN WHICH HE INCREASED SPENDING ON ISSUES LIKE SOCIAL WELFARE, IN WHICH HE WAS ABLE TO ANNOUNCE A CONSIDERABLE INCREASE IN OUR RESERVES, IN WHICH HE WAS ABLE TO PUT MORE MONEY ASIDE FOR THE FUTURE. I THINK THAT IN THOSE CIRCUMSTANCES, IT DOESN’T MAKE VERY MUCH SENSE FOR US TO THROW AWAY $1.8 BILLION WHICH IS WHAT IT WOULD COST IN ORDER TO MEET SOMETHING WHICH FRANKLY I DON’T BELIEVE IS A CONSIDERABLE SOCIAL PROBLEM. SO I HOPE THAT EVERYBODY WILL BEHAVE RESPONSIBLY. AND SPEAKING FOR THE GOVERNMENT, I WANT TO MAKE IT ABSOLUTELY CLEAR THAT WHATEVER HAPPENS, WE ARE NOT GOING TO BE IMPRUDENT WITH HONG KONG’S FINANCES. JUST ONE OTHER POINT, WE’VE AGREED, WE’VE ACCEPTED THAT THERE SHOULD BE A LOW CAP ON THE INCREASE IN RATES. WE'VE SET THAT CAP AT 20 PER CENT WHICH IS SUBSTANTIALLY BELOW THE FIGURE FOR INFLATION OF ABOUT 33 PER CENT OVER THE LAST THREE YEARS. SO, NOBODY CAN SAY THE GOVERNMENT ISN'T TRYING TO PROTECT PEOPLE FROM THE VERY MARGINAL CONSEQUENCES OF RATING REVALUATION. I FIND IT VERY SURPRISING THAT SOME PEOPLE ON THE ONE HAND ACCUSE THE GOVERNMENT OF NARROWING THE TAX BASE WHILE AT THE SAME TIME THEY ARE SUGGESTING THAT WE REALLY SHOULD NARROW THE TAX BASE BY NOT LETTING THIS REVALUATION GO AHEAD. SO I HOPE THAT WISDOM WILL PREVAIL IN THIS CIRCUMSTANCE AND THAT WE CAN MAKE SURE THAT WHEN WE SPEND MONEY, WE SPEND IT IN SENSIBLE AND APPROPRIATE WAYS ON DEALING FOR EXAMPLE WITH SOME OF THE SOCIAL PROBLEMS THAT PEOPLE HAVE BEEN TALKING TO ME ABOUT TODAY. ONE MORE QUESTION.
QUESTION: CONCERNING THE COURT OF FINAL APPEAL, IS IT SO STRANGE THAT THE GOVERNMENT ALLOWS DISCONTINUITY POLITICALLY FOR THE POLITICAL SYSTEM, BUT FOR THE COURT OF FINAL APPEAL, MR RICHARD HOARE YESTERDAY STRESSED THAT THERE SHOULD BE CONTINUITY OTHERWISE THERE WILL BE A LEGAL VACUUM AT THE TOP OF THE JUDICIAL SYSTEM?
GOVERNOR: WELL, THERE IS ....... APPRECIATED DIFFERENCE IN THE CASE OF THE COURT OF FINAL APPEAL. AN AGREEMENT WAS REACHED BETWEEN BRITAIN AND CHINA. AN AGREEMENT WAS REACHED ON THE STRUCTURE OF THE COURT OF FINAL APPEAL AND I DON’T THINK WE CAN GO BACK TO THE NEGOTIATING TABLE AFTER THAT AGREEMENT WAS REACHED AND SAY WE NOW WANT A DIFFERENT AGREEMENT. I DON’T THINK CHINESE OFFICIALS WOULD REGARD THAT AS ACCEPTABLE BEHAVIOR. SO I THINK THERE IS A DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THAT AND THE QUESTION OF POLITICAL DEVELOPMENT WHERE THERE HAVEN’T BEEN AN AGREEMENT ON THE ELECTORAL ARRANGEMENTS. WE TRY TO GET ONE IN THE 17 ROUNDS OF TALKS BUT ALAS DIDN’T DO SO. THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL IN THE NEXT FEW WEEKS, PROBABLY NEXT MONTH, WILL CONSIDER A DRAFT BILL ON THE COURT OF FINAL APPEAL. WE’LL THEN WANT TO DISCUSS THAT WITH THE LEGAL PROFESSION IN HONG KONG AND WITH THE CHINESE SIDE. WE’LL THEN PUT IT TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL AND I HOPE THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL WILL AGREE THAT THE COURT SHOULD BE SET UP AS SOON AS POSSIBLE SO THAT IT’S GOT SOME EXPERIENCE OF OPERATING BEFORE 1997. THANKS VERY MUCH INDEED.
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/7........
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 16, 1994
7
GOVERNOR SPEAKS TO REPORTERS AFTER SUMMIT MEETING ON TRANSPORT SERVICES FOR THE DISABLED *****
GOVERNOR: WE’VE HAD THREE SUMMITS NOW, INVOLVING DISABLED GROUPS. WE HAD THE FIRST JUST OVER A YEAR AGO TO BRING TOGETHER REPRESENTATIVES OF THE DISABLED AND SOME OF OUR TRANSPORT OPERATORS TO CONSIDER HOW WE COULD MAKE PROGRESS IN DEVELOPING FACILITIES FOR THE DISABLED. THAT MEETING WAS SUFFICIENTLY SUCCESSFUL FOR US TO HAVE HELD ANOTHER MEETING INVOLVING THE DISABLED AND EMPLOYERS’ REPRESENTATIVES AT WHICH WE LOOKED AT EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES FOR THOSE WITH DISABILITY. OBVIOUSLY, THERE’S A VERY CLOSE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN TRANSPORT AND JOB OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE DISABLED.
THE MEETING WE HAD TODAY WAS TO SEE HOW MUCH PROGRESS WE’VE MADE SINCE THE FIRST MEETING IN DEVELOPING FACILITIES FOR THE DISABLED SO THAT THEY CAN MOVE AROUND WITH THE MAXIMUM INDEPENDENCE IN HONG KONG. I DON’T THINK ANY OF US ARE COMPLACENT ABOUT WHAT’S BEEN ACHIEVED, BUT I THINK THERE’S A RECOGNITION THAT IN THE LAST YEAR A VERY GREAT DEAL HAS BEEN DONE TO IMPROVE TRANSPORT FACILITIES FOR THOSE WITH VARIOUS FORMS OF DISABILITY. ONE OF THE DISABLED CONTRIBUTORS TO OUR SUMMIT UPSTAIRS SAID THAT HE THOUGHT THAT MORE PROGRESS HAS BEEN MADE IN THE LAST YEAR THAN IN THE PREVIOUS 15. SOMEONE ELSE SAID THAT THERE HAD BEEN A CHANGE IN THE WIND THAT NOW WE TOOK THESE ISSUES, TRANSPORT OPERATORS TOOK THESE ISSUES MUCH MORE SERIOUSLY AND GAVE THEM MORE PROMINENCE ON THEIR AGENDA.
THERE ARE FOUR THINGS THAT I’D LIKE TO SINGLE OUT FOR PARTICULAR NOTE. FIRST OF ALL WE UNDERTOOK LAST YEAR TO PRODUCE A BOOKLET, GIVING THE DISABLED A GUIDE TO THE TRANSPORT FACILITIES WHICH ARE AVAILABLE TO THEM. THAT BOOKLET, THAT GUIDE HAS BEEN PRODUCED BY THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT IN CHINESE, OF COURSE IN ENGLISH AND IN BRAILLE. I THINK IT HAS BEEN FOUND VERY USEFUL BY THE DISABLED GROUPS WHO HAVE OF COURSE CONTRIBUTED SIGNIFICANTLY TO IT THEMSELVES. SECONDLY, INDIVIDUAL TRANSPORT OPERATORS HAVE THEMSELVES MADE A NUMBER OF CHANGES AND WE HAD PRESENTATIONS ON THOSE. THE TRANSPORT OPERATORS HAVE PRODUCED VIDEOS ON WHAT’S BEEN ACHIEVED AND WHAT THEY ARE HOPING TO ACHIEVE AND I HOPE THAT THOSE VIDEOS WILL BE SHOWN NOT ONLY TO GROUPS OF THE DISABLED BUT ALSO ON TELEVISION, SO THAT THE WHOLE COMMUNITY CAN GET A KEENER APPRECIATION OF WHAT’S HAPPENING. ON GOVERNMENT’S PART, WE UNDERTOOK LAST YEAR TO DEVELOP OUR REHABUS SERVICE. WE ARE BRINGING ON STREAM SEVEN NEW VEHICLES IN THE COMING YEAR AND WE ARE INCREASING BY 40 PERCENT THE GOVERNMENT RESOURCES THAT GO INTO REHABUS WHICH DOES, I THINK, MAKE A CONSIDERABLE CONTRIBUTION TO THE TRANSPORT NEED OF THE DISABLED BECAUSE IT IS ABLE TO OPERATE SO FLEXIBLY, PROVIDING SERVICES EACH MONTH FOR ABOUT 5000 DIFFERENT JOURNEYS, DIFFERENT TRAVELLERS. FINALLY, WE'VE GOT TO MAKE SURE THAT IN PLANNING FUTURE TRANSPORT UNDERTAKINGS, WE TAKE ACCOUNT OF THE REQUIREMENTS AND NEEDS OF THE DISABLED. WE ARE DOING THAT, FOR EXAMPLE THE MTRC ARE DOING THAT IN THE PLANNING THAT THEY ARE TAKING FORWARD FOR THE AIRPORT RAILWAY.
/SO I .......
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 16, 1994
8
SO I THINK WE’VE ACHIEVED A GOOD DEAL OVER THE LAST YEAR AND I’D LIKE TO THANK THE GROUPS REPRESENTING THE DISABLED FOR THE VERY POSITIVE AND CONSTRUCTIVE APPROACH THAT THEY’VE TAKEN, JUST AS I’D LIKE TO THANK THE TRANSPORT OPERATORS FOR REACTING AS POSITIVELY AS THEY HAVE. BUT I REPEAT WHAT I SAID EARLIER. WE CAN’T BE COMPLACENT. THERE IS STILL MORE PROGRESS THAT WE NEED TO MAKE. WE’LL BE UNDERTAKING A REPORT NEXT YEAR TO SEE HOW MUCH HAS BEEN ACHIEVED OVER THE NEXT MONTHS AND WILL HAVE A FURTHER DISCUSSION ON THE BASIS OF THAT REPORT. WE OWE IT TO THOSE WITH DISABILITY TO CONTINUE TO GIVE THIS ISSUE IMPORTANCE. IT’S A MATTER OF HUMAN DIGNITY. IT’S A MATTER OF HUMAN RIGHTS AND IT’S IMPORTANT FOR OUR COMMUNITY THAT WE GIVE THE DISABLED EVERY OPPORTUNITY TO CONTRIBUTE TO THE FULL, TO THE LIFE OF THE WHOLE COMMUNITY.
QUESTION : ONE OF THE SPEAKERS TODAY, PETER CHAN, HAS BEEN QUITE CRITICAL OF THE BUS COMPANIES, SAYING THAT AT BEST THEY’RE ONLY MAKING COSMETIC IMPROVEMENTS AND SAYING THAT IF BUS COMPANIES ARE RELUCTANT TO CHANGE AND DISCRIMINATE AGAINST DISABLED PASSENGERS, THEY SHOULD LOSE THEIR PUBLIC FRANCHISE. DO YOU HAVE ANY COMMENT TO MAKE ON THIS
GOVERNOR : THERE WAS QUITE A LIVELY DISCUSSION ABOUT THE PARTICULAR PROBLEMS FACED BY THE BUS COMPANIES. I THINK THERE’S A RECOGNITION ON THE PART OF THE GROUPS REPRESENTING THE DISABLED THAT THERE’S A RATHER DIFFERENT SET OF PROBLEMS WHICH AFFECT THE BUS COMPANIES WHICH ARE TRYING AS THEY REPLACE THE FLEET TO ENSURE THAT THEIR NEW VEHICLES INCORPORATE THE BEST SORT OF DESIGN TO HELP THE DISABLED WHICH IS AVAILABLE IN THE MANUFACTURING COUNTRIES. SO I THINK THERE’S A RECOGNITION ON THE PART OF THE DISABLED BUT IT’S A BIT MORE OF A PROBLEM FOR THE BUS COMPANIES. BUT NEVERTHELESS THEY WANT THE BUS COMPANIES TO DO MORE, THEY WANT THE BUS COMPANIES TO MOVE FASTER, THEY WANT THE BUS COMPANIES TO GIVE THE SUBJECT THE SAME PRIORITY AND ATTENTION WHICH UNDOUBTEDLY KCRC AND MTRC HAVE GIVEN IT. BUT I THINK YOU PROBABLY BEST ASK ONE OR TWO OF THE BUS OPERATORS THEMSELVES HOW THEY THINK THEY CAN BEST REACT. I REPEAT THAT I THINK THERE’S A RECOGNITION THEY HAVE PROBLEMS WHICH THE RAILWAY COMPANIES DON’T HAVE. BUT NEVERTHELESS EVERYONE WANTS TO SEE THEM ADDRESSING THOSE PROBLEMS AS POSITIVELY AS POSSIBLE.
QUESTION : (ON ALLOWANCE)
GOVERNOR : THAT WAS A SUBJECT THAT WAS RAISED AS WELL. WHEN THE GREEN PAPER ON DISABILITY AND REHABILITATION WAS BEING CONSIDERED, THE QUESTION OF MOBILITY ALLOWANCE CAME UP AND AT THAT STAGE THE IDEA WAS TURNED DOWN IN FAVOUR OF CONTINUING TO DEVELOP DISABILITY ALLOWANCE AND PROVIDE SPECIFIC FACILITIES FOR THE DISABLED. BUT I DON’T MYSELF BELIEVE THAT THAT’S THE END OF THE ARGUMENT AND I’M SURE IT WILL CONTINUE TO FEATURE AND IT’S SOMETHING WE’LL HAVE TO LOOK AT IN THE' CONTEXT OF OUR OVERALL PRIORITIES. WE ARE VERY KEEN FIRST AND FOREMOST TO MAKE SURE THAT THE GREEN PAPER IS IMPLEMENTED TO THE FULL, IF POSSIBLE, AHEAD OF TIME. ONE MORE QUESTION.
/QUESTION .......
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 16, 1994
9
QUESTION : WHAT DOES THE GOVERNMENT DO TO TACKLE THE DISCRIMINATION AMONG THE PRIVATE SECTOR......
GOVERNOR : THAT WAS A SUBJECT WHICH CAME UP PRINCIPALLY IN THE SEMINAR THAT WE HAD ON THE DISABLED AND EMPLOYMENT. WE ARE TRYING TO ENSURE THAT WE EMPLOY IN GOVERNMENT MORE PEOPLE WITH DISABILITY AND WE HOPE THAT PRIVATE SECTOR EMPLOYERS WILL TAKE THE SAME VIEW AND WE DISCUSSED AT THAT LAST SEMINAR A NUMBER OF INITIATIVES WHICH WE THINK CAN USEFULLY BE TAKEN. AS FOR OTHER FORMS OF PREJUDICE AND DISCRIMINATION, WE HAVE TO COMBAT THEM AS LIBBY WONG HAS BEEN DOING AS VIGOROUSLY AND EFFECTIVELY AS POSSIBLE. DISCRIMINATION AND PREJUDICE ABOUT DISABILITY SIMPLY SHOULDN'T HAVE ANY PART IN A CIVILISED SOCIETY LIKE THIS ONE. I’M VERY STRUCK AS I GO AROUND THE COMMUNITY BY THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE WHO GIVE VOLUNTARILY THEIR TIME AND THEIR ENERGY AND THEIR COMMITMENT TO HELP THOSE WITH DISABILITY AND I THINK THEY REPRESENT FAR MORE THE OVERWHELMING MAJORITY VIEW OF PEOPLE IN HONG KONG THAN SOME OF THOSE WHO SHOW UNFORTUNATE PREJUDICE FROM TIME TO TIME. THANKS VERY MUCH INDEED.
- - 0 - -
BUDGET A FINE BALANCING ACT
t t * t t
IN FORMULATING THE ANNUAL BUDGET, A CAREFUL BALANCE NEEDS TO BE STRUCK BETWEEN ECONOMIC AND FINANCIAL REALITIES ON THE ONE HAND AND THE COMMUNITY’S ASPIRATIONS ON THE OTHER, THE SECRETARY FOR THE TREASURY, MR DONALD TSANG, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MR TSANG SAID THE 1994/95 BUDGET REPRESENTED A WELL-STRUCTURED PACKAGE OF PROPOSALS TO DEAL WITH HONG KONG’S REVENUE AND EXPENDITURE REQUIREMENTS, NOT ONLY FOR THE COMING YEAR BUT ALSO WITH AN EYE OPEN FOR THE YEARS AHEAD.
SPEAKING AT THE LUNCHEON MEETING OF THE HONG KONG FINANCIAL EXECUTIVES INSTITUTE, HE SAID THE BUDGET WAS A COHERENT PACKAGE WHICH NEEDED TO BE EXAMINED AND ADDRESSED AS A WHOLE, WITH DUE REGARD TO BE GIVEN TO ITS OVERALL STRATEGY AND CONTEXT.
HE SAID IN FRAMING THE ANNUAL BUDGET, THE GOVERNMENT FOLLOWED THREE MAIN FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT PRINCIPLES.
THE FIRST ONE IS THAT PUBLIC SPENDING MUST NOT BE ALLOWED TO GROW FASTER THAN THE ECONOMY.
THE SECOND ONE IS THAT SUFFICIENT REVENUE MUST BE RAISED TO COVER THE SPENDING COMMITMENTS.
THE THIRD ONE IS THAT ADEQUATE RESERVES MUST BE MAINTAINED TO MEET KNOWN COMMITMENTS AND TO PROVIDE A CUSHION AGAINST FUTURE UNCERTAINTIES.
MR TSANG NOTED THAT THE PROCESS ALSO INVOLVED PREPARING A MEDIUM RANGE FORECAST, CONSULTATIONS WITH LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MEMBERS, POLITICAL PARTIES, THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY AND OTHER INTEREST GROUPS.
/TURNING TO
WEDNESDAY. MARCH 16, 1994
10
TURNING TO THE CURRENT CONTROVERSY ABOUT THE RATES PROPOSAL IN THE BUDGET, HE EMPHASISED THAT THE PROPOSAL HAD BEEN DRAWN UP ON SENSIBLE FINANCIAL GROUNDS WITH THE NECESSARY RELIEF MEASURES IN PLACE.
"RATES ARE A STABLE, BROAD-BASED TAX, PROVIDING A PROGRESSIVE AND RELIABLE SOURCE OF REVENUE,” HE SAID.
HE POINTED OUT THAT UNDER THE PROPOSAL, THE OVERALL PERCENTAGE CHARGE WOULD BE MAINTAINED AT THE CURRENT LEVEL OF 5.5 PER CENT.
FURTHERMORE, IT WAS PROPOSED TO CUSHION THE IMMEDIATE IMPACT OF THE REVALUATION ON RATEPAYERS IN THE FORM OF A 20 PER CENT CAP ON INCREASES IN RATES FOR 1994/95 AND 1995/96.
AS A RESULT, HE SAID, THE INCREASES IN RATES PAYABLE BY RATEPAYERS WOULD BE FAR LOWER THAN THE CUMULATIVE INFLATION OVER THE PAST THREE YEARS FROM 1990 TO 1993, WHICH WAS 33 PER CENT.
THE RATES AS A PROPORTION OF AVERAGE HOUSEHOLD INCOME WOULD STILL BE ONLY 2.1 PER CENT, HE ADDED.
HE ALSO POINTED OUT THAT THE RATES INCREASE WOULD ADD ONLY 0.3 PER CENT TO INFLATION AND AS OTHER MEASURES IN THE BUDGET WERE ONLY IN LINE WITH INFLATION OR BELOW, THE OVERALL EFFECT WAS NOT SIGNIFICANT.
FOR A FLAT UNDER 1,000 SQUARE FEET, HE SAID, THE INCREASE IN RATES PAYMENT WOULD BE JUST $53 A MONTH WHICH WAS CLEARLY MORE THAN AFFORDABLE GIVEN THE GENEROUS TAX CONCESSIONS.
"TO FURTHER DISPEL ANY MISCONCEPTION ABOUT THE HARDSHIP CAUSED BY THE RATES PROPOSAL ON THE MIDDLE AND LOWER INCOME GROUPS, LET ME EMPHASISE THAT 42 PER CENT OF OUR POPULATION NOW LIVING IN RENTAL PUBLIC HOUSING WILL BE LITTLE AFFECTED," HE SAID.
"ANY RATES INCREASES ARE BORNE BY THE HOUSING AUTHORITY IN THE FIRST INSTANCE DUE TO THE HOUSING AUTHORITY’S POLICY OF CHARGING INCLUSIVE RENTS.
"WHEN THESE RENTS ARE REVISED, ON A TWO-YEAR ROLLING CYCLE, ANY RATES INCREASE, TOGETHER WITH OTHER FACTORS, WILL BE TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT.
"BUT AFFORDABILITY, AS MEASURED BY COMPARING THE RENTS WITH THE HOUSEHOLD INCOMES OF TENANTS, WILL REMAIN THE OVERRIDING CONSIDERATION IN DETERMINING NEW RENTS," HE EXPLAINED.
HE ADDED THAT THERE COULD BE NO QUESTION OF ANY HARDSHIP FOR SOCIAL SECURITY RECIPIENTS AS RATES WERE A REIMBURSABLE ITEM UNDER THE COMPREHENSIVE SOCIAL SECURITY ASSISTANCE SCHEME.
MR TSANG ALSO TOLD HIS AUDIENCE THAT GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS HAD SPENT THE PAST WEEK ANSWERING SOME 1,570 WRITTEN QUESTIONS ABOUT THE BUDGET AND WOULD BE SPENDING TODAY AND THE NEXT TWO DAYS FACING CLOSE QUESTIONING IN SPECIAL MEETINGS OF THE FINANCE COMMITTEE.
/II .........
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 16, 1994
1] HK’S WELFARE SYSTEM COMPARABLE TO ANY IN ASIA * * * * ♦
HONG KONG HAS A HIGHLY DEVELOPED SYSTEM OF WELFARE SERVICES AND SOCIAL SECURITY BENEFITS WHICH IS COMPARABLE TO ANY IN ASIA, THE DEPUTY SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, MISS JACQUELINE WILLIS, SAID IN SINGAPORE TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE "WORKSHOP ON POPULATION AGING", MISS WILLIS SAID THE SYSTEM HAD DEVELOPED FROM THE PROVISION OF BASIC RELIEF IN THE EARLY 1970S TO THE PROVISION OF A BROAD RANGE OF SERVICES AND BENEFITS TO THOSE IN NEED OF CARE, PROTECTION AND FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE.
SHE TOLD THE PARTICIPANTS THAT IN THE COMING FINANCIAL YEAR, THE GOVERNMENT WOULD BE PUTTING A STAGGERING $9.8 BILLION INTO SOCIAL WELFARE, WHICH REPRESENTS 6.8 PER CENT OF PUBLIC EXPENDITURE AND 1.23 PER CENT OF GDP.
MISS WILLIS SAID HONG KONG HAD SET IN PLACE A COMPREHENSIVE SAFETY NET FOR THE NEEDY AND THE DISADVANTAGED.
IN ADDITION, A RANGE OF PREVENTIVE, DEVELOPMENTAL AND SUPPORT SERVICES, AS WELL AS REMEDIAL SERVICES ARE PROVIDED FOR THOSE WHO ARE VULNERABLE AND REQUIRE SUCH ASSISTANCE.
"WE FOCUS PARTICULARLY ON THE NEEDS OF ELDERLY PEOPLE, WOMEN AND THE FAMILY."
MISS WILLIS OUTLINED THE MAIN AREAS OF HONG KONG’S SOCIAL WELFARE SERVICES AS LAID DOWN IN THE 1991 WHITE PAPER "SOCIAL WELFARE INTO THE 1990 AND BEYOND": FAMILY AND CHILD CARE SERVICES; SERVICES FOR CHILDREN AND YOUTH; ELDERLY SERVICES, AND SOCIAL SECURITY.
"IN THIS YEAR, THE INTERNATIONAL YEAR OF THE FAMILY, WE. WILL BE SPENDING $909 MILLION IN 1994/95 ON FAMILY AND CHILD WELFARE," SHE SAID.
"TO STRENGTHEN SUPPORT FOR THE FAMILY, ADDITIONAL FAMILY CASE WORKERS AND CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGISTS WILL BE PROVIDED TO IMPROVE OUR COUNSELLING WORK," SHE ADDED.
THE NUMBER OF HOME HELP TEAMS WILL BE INCREASED TO HELP FAMILIES IN NEED TO MANAGE THEIR HOMES BETTER AND TO COPE WITH THEIR DIFFICULTIES.
A NEW NETWORK OF FAMILY ACTIVITIES AND RESOURCE CENTRES WILL BE SET UP ACROSS THE TERRITORY, SHE ADDED.
ON CHILDREN AND YOUTH SERVICES, MISS WILLIS SAID A NEW INTEGRATED MODEL FOR THE DELIVERY OF THE SERVICES WOULD BE IMPLEMENTED FROM APRIL 1.
UNDER THIS MODEL, A TEAM OF SOCIAL WORKERS UNDER ONE MANAGEMENT STRUCTURE WILL WORK TOGETHER IN A CATCHMENT AREA TO PROVIDE BETTER AND MORE RELEVANT SERVICES FOR YOUNG PEOPLE.
ON ELDERLY SERVICES, MISS WILLIS SAID THEY COVERED BOTH COMMUNITY SUPPORT SERVICES AND RESIDENTIAL SERVICES.
/•'OUR AIM ..........
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 16, 1994
12
"OUR AIM IS TO ENABLE ELDERLY PEOPLE TO LIVE WITHIN THE COMMUNITY FOR AS LONG AS POSSIBLE," SHE SAID.
"IN 1994/95, WE WILL SPEND $855 MILLION ON THIS IMPORTANT AREA OF SERVICE," SHE ADDED.
THIS REPRESENTS A REAL INCREASE OF 27 PER CENT AND THE LARGEST REAL INCREASE IN SOCIAL WELFARE EXPENDITURE.
MISS WILLIS POINTED OUT THAT THE TOTAL GOVERNMENT EXPENDITURE ON THE ELDERLY WAS MUCH HIGHER.
"THIS COMING YEAR WE WILL SPEND CLOSE TO $6.5 BILLION ON SERVICES TARGETED AT THE ELDERLY," SHE NOTED.
ON SOCIAL SECURITY, MISS WILLIS SAID IT COMPRISED THE COMPREHENSIVE SOCIAL SECURITY ASSISTANCE SCHEME AND THE SOCIAL SECURITY ALLOWANCE SCHEME TO PROVIDE FOR THE BASIC AND SPECIAL NEEDS OF THOSE INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES WHO WERE IN NEED OF FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE.
PARTNERSHIP IN BUILDING SAFETY
*****
THE CO-OPERATION OF THE PUBLIC AND BUILDING PROFESSIONALS IS ESSENTIAL IF HONG KONG IS TO ENHANCE THE ECONOMIC VALUE, AND EXTEND THE LIFE EXPECTANCY, OF ITS PROPERTIES.
RESIDENTS MUST CO-OPERATE WITH THE BUILDINGS DEPARTMENT IF THEY ARE TO ENJOY A SAFE, PLEASANT AND HEALTHY LIVING AND WORKING ENVIRONMENT, THE DIRECTOR OF BUILDINGS, MRS HELEN YU, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY) IN AN ADDRESS TO THE HONG KONG INSTITUTE OF ARCHITECTS (HKIA).
MRS YU SAID THE DEPARTMENT WAS DEDICATED TO CONTINUING TO SERVE THE PUBLIC EFFICIENTLY AND COST-EFFECTIVELY THROUGH A CO-OPERATIVE PARTNERSHIP APPROACH.
IT LOOKS FOR CO-OPERATION FROM:
* PROFESSIONAL INSTITUTIONS SUCH AS HKIA FOR ADVICE ON POLICY AND LEGISLATION, ON CODES OF PRACTICE AND PRACTICE NOTES, THROUGH ADVISORY BOARDS AND COMMITTEES;
* BUILDING PROFESSIONALS AS AUTHORISED PERSONS SUCH AS ARCHITECTS OR REGISTERED STRUCTURAL ENGINEERS FOR OBSERVANCE OF PROPER STANDARDS IN NEW BUILDING AND
MAINTENANCE AND REPAIR PROPOSALS;
* DEVELOPERS FOR RESPONSIBLE DEVELOPMENT IN ACCORDANCE WITH STATUTORY REQUIREMENTS;
* REGISTERED CONTRACTORS AS "SITE SUPERVISORS" FOR DUE SAFETY DURING CONSTRUCTION;
/*PUTLDING OWNERS .......
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 16, I 994
1 I
* BUILDING OWNERS AND OCCUPANTS FOR PROPER, PREFERABLY PREVENT I VE , MA I NTENANC’E ; AND
♦ THE COMMUNITY AT LARGE FOR VIGILANCE IN REPORTING DANGERS AND PROBLEMS.
’TODAY, WE IN THE BUILDINGS DEPARTMENT WORK TOGETHER WITH PROFESSIONALS AND CONTRACTORS IN THE BI’ILDING I NDUSTIM To MAINTAIN BUILDING SAFETY, TO MAKE FOR MORE FUNCT I ONALI \ EII'K I ENI* BUILDINGS AND TO ESTABLISH FOR OUR COMMUNITY A MORE PLEASANT LIVING AND WORKING ENVIRONMENT.
"WE ARE ALSO STEADILY ENHANCING PUBLIC AWARENESS OF THE NEED FOR BUILDING SAFETY AND SANITATION, AS WELL AS THE ENVIRONMENTAL BENEFIT AND ECONOMIC VALUE OF BETTER MAINTAINED PROPERTIES,” MRS YU SAID.
SHE SAID THIS HOPE HAD BEEN, AND WOULD REMAIN, HER DEPARTMENT’S OBJECTIVE FOR BUILDING DEVELOPMENT.
------0-------
PROVISIONAL ANTI-DUMPING DUTIES ON MAGNETIC DISCS ♦ » » * »
THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN UNION ANNOUNCED ON MARCH 11 THE IMPOSITION OF PROVISIONAL ANTI-DUMPTNG DUTIES ON IMPORTS OF 3.5-INCH MAGNETIC DISCS ORIGINATING IN HONG KONG.
INDIVIDUAL DUTY RATES RANGING FROM 6.7 PER CENT TO 22.2 PER CENT ARE ASSIGNED TO FOUR COMPANIES THAT HAVE PARTICIPATED IN THE ANTI-DUMPING INVESTIGATIONS.
THE ALL OTHERS RATE OR ’’RESIDUAL RATE” WHICH APPLIES TO ALL OTHER COMPANIES AND NEW ENTRANTS IS SET AT 35.7 PER CENT.
"WE ARE VERY DISAPPOINTED BY THE COMMISSION’S DECISION TO IMPOSE PROVISIONAL ANTI-DUMPING DUTIES ON 3.5-TNCH MAGNETIC DISCS ORIGINATING IN HONG KONG,” ASSISTANT DIRECTOR-GENERAL OF TRADE, MS MARIA KWAN, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
’’MORE SO GIVEN THAT WE FEEL THAT THE CASE HAS BEEN INITIATED ON FLIMSY EVIDENCE.
"WE WILL BE LOOKING CAREFULLY AT THE METHODOLOGY USED TO SEE WHETHER THERE HAVE BEEN ABUSES,” SHE SAID.
"THE RESIDUAL RATE LOOKS PROHIBITIVELY HIGH GIVEN HONG KONG’S COMPLETELY OPEN MARKET AND COMPETITIVE ENVIRONMENT. IT IS SAID TO BE BASED ON THE HIGHEST DUMPING MARGIN ALLEGED BY THE COMPLAINANTS.
"WE ARE SURPRISED TO FIND THAT THE COMMISSION CHOSE TO DISREGARD HONG KONG DATA WHICH WAS VERIFIED IN THE COURSE OF INVESTIGATION BUT INSTEAD ACCEPT ARBITRARILY ADJUSTED AND UNVERIFIED THIRD COUNTRY DATA FROM THE COMPLAINANTS IN SETTING THE RESIDUAL RATE,” MS KWAN ADDED.
/THE TRADE .......
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 16, 1994
14
THE TRADE DEPARTMENT HAS KEPT IN TOUCH WITH COMPANIES CONCERNED THROUGHOUT THE INVESTIGATION.
A MEETING WAS HELD WITH THEM THIS AFTERNOON TO ASCERTAIN THEIR VIEWS ON THE PROVISIONAL FINDINGS AND TO ADVISE THEM ON PROCEDURES AND OPTIONS.
"WE WILL CONSIDER THE WAY AHEAD IN THE LIGHT OF FEEDBACK RECEIVED AND AFTER FURTHER EXAMINATION OF THE REGULATION ON THE IMPOSITION OF PROVISIONAL ANTI-DUMPING DUTIES.
"COMPANIES CAN REST ASSURED THAT THE DEPARTMENT W[LL CONTINUE TO DEFEND HONG KONG’S INTERESTS ROBUSTLY AND WILL PURSUE CONCERNS BILATERALLY AND MULTILATERALLY WHERE WARRANTED," MS KWAN SAID.
THE CURRENT CASE CONCERNING THE DISCS WAS INITIATED IN SEPTEMBER 1992. FOUR HONG KONG COMPANIES HAVE PARTICIPATED IN THE INVESTIGATION.
THE PROVISIONAL ANTI-DUMPING DUTIES WILL TAKE EFFECT FROM MARCH 12 AND WILL NORMALLY LAST FOUR MONTHS. THEY MAY HOWEVER BE FURTHER EXTENDED FOR TWO MORE MONTHS.
DURING THIS PERIOD, THE COMMISSION WILL FINALISE ITS FINDINGS AND DECIDE IF IT SHOULD RECOMMEND TO THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION THE IMPOSITION OF DEFINITIVE DUTIES.
INTERESTED PARTIES CAN MAKE REPRESENTATIONS TO THE COMMISSION ON THE ANTI-DUMPING ACTION TAKEN DURING THIS FOUR TO SIX MONTHS PERIOD ALTHOUGH THEY NEED TO REGISTER THEIR INTEREST TO DO SO WITHIN THE FIRST MONTH.
------0-------
SHABBY BUILDING DECLARED DANGEROUS
*****
A BUILDING AND A ROOF STRUCTURE ON CHEUNG CHAU WERE DECLARED DANGEROUS TODAY (WEDNESDAY) BY THE BUILDING AUTHORITY.
NOTICES OF INTENTION TO APPLY FOR CLOSURE ORDERS FROM THE HONG KONG DISTRICT COURT ON MAY 11 IN RESPECT OF THE BUILDING AND STRUCTURE LOCATED RESPECTIVELY AT 9 AND 10 SCHOOL ROAD WERE POSTED ON THE PREMISES TODAY.
THE TWO-STOREY BUILDING AT 10 SCHOOL ROAD HAS A CANTILEVERED BALCONY ON THE FIRST FLOOR.
ITS STRUCTURAL TIMBERS AND STAIRCASE ARE IN A DILAPIDATED AND DEFECTIVE CONDITION.
PORTIONS OF THE FLOOR AND THE STAIRCASE HAVE ALREADY FAILED.* THE BUILDING IS CONSIDERED TO BE BEYOND ECONOMIC REPAIR.
ATTACHED TO THE BUILDING IS A TEMPORARY STRUCTURE WITH SOME OF THE SUPPORTS BUILT INTO THE MAIN BUILDING.
DEMOLITION OF THE BUILDING WILL RENDER THIS STRUCTURE WITHOUT ADEQUATE SUPPORT.
/THEREFORE, THIS ........
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 16, 1994
15
THEREFORE, THIS STRUCTURE SHOULD ALSO BE CLOSED AND DEMOLISHED AS BEING LIABLE TO BECOME DANGEROUS.
ACCESS TO A STRUCTURE ON THE ROOF OF 9 SCHOOL ROAD IS THROUGH THE ROOF OF 10 SCHOOL ROAD.
THE DEMOLITION OF THE BUILDING AT 10 SCHOOL ROAD WILL RENDER THIS STRUCTURE WITHOUT MEANS OF ESCAPE. THE ROOF STRUCTURE WILL ALSO NEED TO BE DEMOLISHED.
------0--------
CENTRAL AND WESTERN ENQUIRY CENTRE TO BE REFITTED
*****
THE PUBLIC ENQUIRY SERVICE CENTRE OF THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT OFFICE WILL UNDERGO RENOVATION FROM FRIDAY (MARCH 18) TO MIDMAY, IN ORDER TO SERVE THE PUBLIC IN A BETTER ENVIRONMENT.
DURING THE PERIOD, THE CENTRE WILL MOVE TEMPORARILY TO ROOM 1401, 14TH FLOOR, HARBOUR BUILDING, 38 PIER ROAD, CENTRAL.
IT WILL CONTINUE TO PROVIDE A FULL RANGE OF SERVICES. THE PUBLIC ENQUIRY TELEPHONE NUMBER WILL REMAIN UNCHANGED ON 852 3002.
---------0------------
HONG KONG MONETARY AUTHORITY MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS *****
TIME CUMULATIVE CHANGE
$ MILLION (HOUR) ($ MILLION)
OPENING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT 2,950 0930 -406
CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT 2,345 1000 -206
CHANGE ATTRIBUTABLE TO : 1100 -55
MONEY MARKET ACTIVITY + 50 1200 + 50
LAF TODAY -655 1500 + 50
1600 + 50
LAF RATE 2.00 BID/4.00 OFFER TWI 125.7 *+0.0» 16.3.94
/HONG KONG .......
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 16, 1994
- 16 -
HONG KONG MONETARY AUTHORITY
EF BILLS EF/NOTES/HONG KONG GOVERNMENT BONDS
TERMS YIELD TERM ISSUE COUPON PRICE YIELD
1 WEEK 3.72 18 MONTHS 2508 4.625 99.81 4.82
1 MONTH 3.66 21 MONTHS 2511 4.15 98.67 5.04
3 MONTHS 3.78 24 MONTHS 2602 4.40 98.61 5.23
6 MONTHS 4.01 32 MONTHS 3610 4.20 96.84 5.59
12 MONTHS 4.40 TOTAL TURNOVER OF 35 MONTHS BILLS AND BONDS 3701 4.60 - 13,120 MN 97.31 5.71
CLOSED 16 MARCH 1994
- - 0 - -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
THURSDAY, MARCH 17, 1994
CONTENTS
PAGE NO.
TECHNICAL COLLEGES VITAL TO HK’S TERTIARY EDUCATION: GOVERNOR 1
CHIEF SECRETARY, MRS ANSON CHAN, SPEAKS TO REPORTERS AT CGO LOBBY .......................................................... 1
PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION EXPLAINS ITS WORK ..................... 3
BETTER CONTROL OF LIFTS AND ESCALATORS .......................... 4
BEC REMINDS PUBLIC TO SEND IN VIEWS ............................. 5
HK - A CULTURAL CITY ............................................ 6
MRS PATTEN OPENS FLOWER SHOW ...................;................ 7
UNEMPLOYMENT AND UNDEREMPLOYMENT FIGURES FOR NOVEMBER 1993 -JANUARY 1994 ................................................... 8
HONG KONG MONETARY AUTHORITY MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS
9
THURSDAY, MARCH 17, 1994
1
TECHNICAL COLLEGES VITAL TO HK’S TERTIARY EDUCATION: GOVERNOR
*****
GRADUATES FROM THE TECHNICAL COLLEGES ARE AS IMPORTANT TO THE GROWTH AND LIFE OF HONG KONG AS THOSE FROM THE UNIVERSITIES, THE GOVERNOR, THE RT HON CHRISTOPHER PATTEN, SAID TODAY (THURSDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING OF THE VOCATIONAL TRAINING COUNCIL’S TSING YI TECHNICAL COLLEGE, THE GOVERNOR SAID: "THE DEVELOPMENT OF THIS COLLEGE, TOGETHER WITH ITS SISTER AT CHAI WAN, MARKS AN EXTREMELY IMPORTANT STEP IN THE EXPANSION OF TERTIARY EDUCATION HERE IN HONG KONG."
BY TAKING OVER ALL THE NON-DEGREE PLACES FROM THE POLYTECHNICS, THE TWO TECHNICAL COLLEGES ALLOW A SUBSTANTIAL INCREASE IN THE NUMBER OF DEGREE PLACES ON OFFER IN THE COMMUNITY, HE SAID.
MORE IMPORTANT, THESE COLLEGES WILL PROVIDE A FOCUS FOR EXCELLENCE IN TECHNICAL EDUCATION - EXCELLENCE BOTH IN THE VARIETY OF COURSES THAT WILL BE OFFERED AND IN THE QUALITY WITH WHICH THEY WILL BE TAUGHT. ; 1*.
MR PATTEN SAID IT WAS VITAL THAT YOUNG PEOPLE BE GIVEN THE QUALITY OF TRAINING AND EDUCATION THAT THEY NEEDED TO (JIVE THEM CONFIDENCE IN THE USE OF TECHNOLOGY, LANGUAGES AND PROFESSIONAL SKILLS.
"THIS COLLEGE WILL PROVIDE A PLACE WHERE THOUSANDS OF YOUNG PEOPLE CAN COME TO FIND THOSE SKILLS AND TO DEVELOP THAT CONFIDENCE.
"THROUGH THIS, THEY WILL BE ABLE TO SEIZE THE OPPORTUNITIES THAT HONG KONG HAS TO OFFER," HE SAID.
------0-------
CHIEF SECRETARY, MRS ANSON CHAN, SPEAKS TO REPORTERS AT CGO LOBBY *****
CS: THANK YOU ALL VERY MUCH FOR WAITING SO PATIENTLY. WE’VE RECEIVED A NUMBER OF REQUESTS FROM THE MEDIA TO COMMENT ON MR LU PING’S STATEMENT. SO, I THOUGHT I WOULD TAKE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO CLARIFYv SEVERAL POINTS. FIRST OF ALL, ON THE QUESTION OF RIGHT OF ABODE AND PERMANENT RESIDENT STATUS, WE HAVE PUT FORWARD OUR VIEWS ON HOW TO ACHIEVE THIS THROUGH A VERY SIMPLE MEANS. WE PUT THESE PROPOSALS TO THE CHINESE ABOUT SIX MONTHS AGO. THE CHINESE HAVE AGREED TO EXPERT ’ TALKS BUT WE HAVE NOT YET BEEN ABLE TO GET A DATE OUT OF THEM. OBVIOUSLY, THIS IS A MATTER ON WHICH THE HONG KONG COMMUNITY IS VERY CONCERNED ABOUT. I AGREE ENTIRELY WITH MR LU PING THAT WE SHOULD SEEK AN EARLY SOLUTION SO I HOPE VERY MUCH THAT WE WILL BE ABLE TO AGREE AN EARLY DATE FOR TALKS TO BEGIN. THE DIRECTOR OF IMMIGRATION WILL BE VERY HAPPY TO MEET WITH HIS CHINESE COUNTERPARTS EITHER HERE OR IN BEIJING TO DISCUSS THIS VERY IMPORTANT MATTER.
/ON THE ........
THURSDAY, MARCH 17, 1994
2
ON THE QUESTION OF THE AIRPORT, FIRST OF ALL, LET ME MAKE IT QUITE CLEAR THAT EVERY SINGLE SET OF PROPOSALS THAT WE HAVE PUT TO THE CHINESE SO FAR INCLUDING THE LATEST AND THE FOURTH FINANCING PROPOSAL IS FULLY CONSISTENT WITH THE MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING ON FINANCING OF THE AIRPORT. SO, I AM NOT QUITE SURE WHAT MR LU PING MEANS WHEN HE REFERS TO A GAP. AS YOU KNOW, THE CHINESE HAVE HAD OUR FOURTH FINANCING PROPOSAL FOR A LITTLE WHILE NOW. WE HAD A USEFUL EXPERT GROUP MEETING. SEVERAL QUESTIONS WERE PUT TO US BY THE CHINESE. WE HAVE LAST FRIDAY PROVIDED ANSWERS TO THESE QUESTIONS. WE WOULD, OF COURSE, BE VERY HAPPY TO ELABORATE ON THESE VERBALLY IF THE CHINESE WISHES. BUT, I HOPE NOW IT WILL BE POSSIBLE TO HAVE AN EARLY DATE FOR THE AIRPORT COMMITTEE TO MEET. AS FAR AS WE ARE AWARE, WE HAVE ADDRESSED ALL THE CHINESE CONCERNS WITH THE LATEST FINANCING PROPOSAL WE HAVE PUT TO THEM. BUT, OF COURSE, IF MR LU PING NOW SAYS, THEY HAVE FRESH CONCERNS, THEN IT SEEMS SENSIBLE TO ME THAT THE SOONER WE CAN SIT DOWN AND TALK ABOUT THESE AND TRY TO ADDRESS THEM THE BETTER IT IS FOR EVERYONE. WE DO NEED TO MOVE AHEAD QUICKLY ON THE AIRPORT.
THIRDLY, ON THE QUESTION OF THE ELECTION COMMITTEE. THE COMPOSITION OF THE ELECTION COMMITTEE IS NOT LAID DOWN IN THE BASIC LAW. INDEED ANNEX TWO OF THE BASIC LAW MAKES IT QUITE CLEAR THAT THE SECOND ELECTION COMMITTEE WILL NOT BE THE SAME AS THE FIRST. NOR WAS ANY UNDERSTANDING REACHED BETWEEN THE BRITISH AND HONG KONG GOVERNMENTS AND THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT ON HOW THE ELECTION COMMITTEE SHOULD BE COMPOSED. SO, IT WAS CLEAR THAT IT WAS INCUMBENT UPON THE BRITISH AND THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENTS TO PUT PROPOSALS FORWARD.
IN SO FAR AS THE ’’SINGLE SEAT, SINGLE VOTE” SYSTEM IS CONCERNED, AS YOU ALL KNOW, THIS IS A SIMPLE, VERY EASY TO UNDERSTAND SYSTEM. THE COMMUNITY IS VERY FAMILIAR WITH IT SINCE WE ALREADY USED THE SYSTEM IN ELECTIONS FOR THE MUNICIPAL COUNCILS AND FOR THE MAJORITY OF THE DISTRICT BOARDS. FURTHERMORE, LEGCO HAS, ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, EXPRESSED MAJORITY SUPPORT FOR THE CONTINUATION OF THIS SYSTEM. SO, WE VERY MUCH HOPE AND SEE NO REASON WHY THE CHINESE SHOULD SEE DIFFICULTY WITH THIS. OF COURSE, THIS SYSTEM WILL DEVELOP AS TIME PASSES. AND EVEN IF HONG KONG WERE TO BE DIVIDED INTO 60 GEOGRAPHICAL CONSTITUENCIES, EACH CONSTITUENCY WILL STILL HAVE A SIZABLE POPULATION OF 100 000 PEOPLE. SO, THIS IS NOT A SMALL CONSTITUENCY BY ANY MEANS.
QUESTION: MRS CHAN, .........THE AIRPORT, TWO QUICK POINTS. A CATHAY REPRESENTATIVE RECENTLY SAID THAT THE AIRPORT CONSTRUCTION HAS ALREADY SLIPPED INTO 1998. FIRST. THAT IS POINT NO 1, DO YOU AGREE OR CAN YOU CONFIRM? SECOND IS THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY HIMSELF HAS ALREADY SAID THAT THE AMOUNT OF CASH ..... TO BE PUT INTO THE AIRPORT EXCEEDS NORMAL COMMERCIAL PRINCIPLES. SO THE QUESTION IS WILL YOU EITHER A) SWAP THE CASH AND DO THE CHINESE WANTS OR B) WILL YOU USE THE RESOURCES ACCORDING TO PRUDENT COMMERCIAL PRINCIPLES AND LET THE POLITICAL CHIPS .... FORWARD ...?
CS: JUST REMIND ME AGAIN SINCE YOUR QUESTION WAS SO LONG. WHAT WAS THE FIRST QUESTION?
/QUESTION .......
THURSDAY, MARCH 17, 1994
3
QUESTION: FIRST QUESTION IS 1998 HAS ALREADY SLIPPED INTO ........?
CS: IT REMAINS OUR INTENTION TO COMPLETE AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE OF THE AIRPORT IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING. IN SO FAR AS EQUITY INJECTION INTO THE AIRPORT IS CONCERNED, ALL THE FINANCING PROPOSALS WE HAVE PUT TO THE CHINESE SO FAR, IN OUR VIEW, COMPLY WITH THE MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING AND COMPLY WITH THE CHINESE WISH THAT WE SHOULD SEEK A COST-EFFECTIVE METHOD OF FINANCING THE AIRPORT. BUT, OUR LATEST PROPOSALS, OF COURSE, WERE DESIGNED SOLELY TO ADDRESS CHINESE CONCERNS. AND, AS I SAID EARLIER, WE BELIEVE THIS SET OF PROPOSALS ADDRESS ALL THE CONCERNS THAT THE CHINESE HAVE EXPRESSED TO US SO FAR AND WE LOOK FOR AN EARLY DATE OF THE AIRPORT COMMITTEE SO THAT WE CAN REACH AGREEMENT.
------0--------
PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION EXPLAINS ITS WORK t * ♦ t t
IN RESPONSE TO PRESS ENQUIRIES ABOUT THE WORK OF THE PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION, THE SECRETARY TO THE COMMISSION, MR ANTHONY CHAN, SAID IT WAS IMPORTANT TO CORRECT SOME MISCONCEPTIONS TO DO JUSTICE TO THE HARD WORK AND DEDICATION PUT IN BY ITS CHAIRMAN AND MEMBERS.
IT IS A STATUTORY DUTY OF THE COMMISSION TO ADVISE THE GOVERNOR ON THE FILLING OF CIVIL SERVICE VACANCIES BY RECRUITMENT AND PROMOTION, AFTER CAREFUL SCRUTINY OF CASES REFERRED TO THE COMMISSION BY THE ADMINISTRATION.
MR CHAN SAID RECRUITMENT AND PROMOTION EXERCISES WERE CARRIED OUT BY VARIOUS GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS THROUGH THE YEAR, AND SOME SUCH EXERCISES EACH INVOLVED HUNDREDS OR EVEN THOUSANDS OF CONTENDERS.
THE COMMISSION RECEIVES SUCH CASES ON A DAILY BASIS.
"EACH CASE IS CAREFULLY STUDIED BY THE COMMISSION TO ENSURE PARITY AND IMPARTIALITY OF TREATMENT, BEFORE IT GIVES ITS ADVICE TO THE GOVERNOR," HE SAID.
MR CHAN SAID OVER THE YEARS, AN EFFICIENT AND EFFECTIVE SYSTEM HAD BEEN EVOLVED WHEREBY THE PAPERS WERE CIRCULATED AMONGST THE CHAIRMAN AND THE MEMBERS.
IN THE EVENT OF QUERIES ARISING, WHICH HAPPENS NOT INFREQUENTLY, THE DEPARTMENTS ARE INVITED TO SUPPLY FURTHER JUSTIFICATION OR CLARIFICATION OR TO REVISE THE ORIGINAL RECOMMENDATIONS, HE EXPLAINED.
HE ADDED THAT MORE DIFFICULT OR CONTROVERSIAL CASES WERE DEALT WITH BY DISCUSSION AMONG MEMBERS.
THE CHAIRMAN, WHO HAS BEEN A FULL-TIME SALARIED PERSON SINCE 1967, CURRENTLY DEALS WITH THE MORE STRAIGHTFORWARD, NON-CONTROVERSIAL CASES BY EXERCISE OF AUTHORITY DELEGATED TO HIM BY HIS MEMBERS.
HE DEVOTES ABOUT HALF OF HIS OFFICE HOURS ATTENDING PROMOTION BOARD SESSIONS OR RECRUITMENT PANELS AS AN OBSERVER.
/IN THE .......
THURSDAY, MARCH 17, 1994
4
IN THE COURSE OF ATTENDING SUCH MEETINGS, HE RECEIVES DEPARTMENTAL BRIEFINGS ON HOW THEY PROPOSE TO TACKLE SUCH EXERCISES, OFFERS GUIDANCE AND ADVICE AS A VEHICLE OF EXPERIENCE AND RAISES QUERIES OR ISSUES FOR DISCUSSION.
OVER THE PAST THREE YEARS, THE CHAIRMAN AND MEMBERS ATTENDED A TOTAL OF 358 SUCH SESSIONS.
THE CHAIRMAN ALSO EXERCISED AUTHORITY DELEGATED TO HIM BY MEMBERS OF THE COMMISSION ON MORE THAN 3,000 OCCASIONS.
MR CHAN SAID POLICY ISSUES WERE DISCUSSED AT FORMAL PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION MEETINGS, ATTENDED BY THE SECRETARY FOR THE CIVIL SERVICE AND HIS SENIOR STAFF.
THERE WERE 12 SUCH FORMAL MEETINGS OVER THE PAST THREE YEARS. THESE WERE SUPPLEMENTED BY MANY INFORMAL MEETINGS CONVENED AS AND WHEN NECESSARY.
"THE COMMISSION HAS ENDEAVOURED TO STRIKE A SENSIBLE BALANCE BETWEEN EXPEDITIOUS PROCESSING OF CASE FILES AND PRUDENT AND METICULOUS ATTENTION TO DETAIL TO ENSURE THOROUGHNESS," HE SAID.
"IN THE EVENT OF CONTROVERSIAL ISSUES ARISING, ATTEMPTS ARE MADE TO RESOLVE MATTERS QUICKLY BY DISCUSSION AT A SENIOR LEVEL," HE SAID.
THE SECRETARY EMPHASISED THAT THE COMMISSION WAS ONE THAT CARRIED AN ENORMOUS WORKLOAD BECAUSE OF THE NATURE OF ITS FUNCTIONS.
OVER THE PAST THREE YEARS, MORE THAN 3,300 APPOINTMENT AND PROMOTION EXERCISES WERE COMPLETED FOR THE FILLING OF CIVIL SERVICE POSTS WITHIN THE STATUTORY REMIT OF THE COMMISSION.
------0-------
BETTER CONTROL OF LIFTS AND ESCALATORS
* t » t *
THE LIFTS AND ESCALATORS (SAFETY) (AMENDMENT) ORDINANCE 1993 WHICH STRENGTHENS AND RATIONALISES THE STATUTORY FRAMEWORK FOR THE CONTROL OF LIFTS AND ESCALATORS WILL BECOME EFFECTIVE TOMORROW (FRIDAY).
UNDER THE NEW PROVISIONS OF THE ORDINANCE, THE DIRECTOR OF ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL SERVICES (DEMS) WOULD BE THE SOLE AUTHORITY FOR THE STATUTORY CONTROLS OVER THE DESIGN, CONSTRUCTION, OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE OF LIFTS AND ESCALATORS.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE CHIEF ENGINEER OF THE ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT’S LEGISLATION ENFORCEMENT DIVISION, MR JOHN CHAN, AT A PRESS CONFERENCE TODAY.
HOWEVER, MR CHAN NOTED THAT THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE INSTALLATION OF LIFTS AND ESCALATORS RELATING TO THE FABRIC AND SAFETY OF BUILDINGS WOULD REMAIN IN THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE UNDER THE SUPERVISION OF THE BUILDING AUTHORITY.
/"TO STRENGTHEN .......
THURSDAY, MARCH 17, 1994
5
"TO STRENGTHEN THE EXISTING CONTROL, NEW PROVISIONS HAVE BEEN INCLUDED IN THE LIFTS AND ESCALATORS (SAFETY) ORDINANCE REQUIRING REGISTERED LIFT OR ESCALATOR CONTRACTORS TO ASSIST THE DEMS IN HIS INVESTIGATION OF LIFT OR ESCALATOR ACCIDENTS.
’’SUB-CONTRACTING OR ASSIGNMENT OF MAINTENANCE WORK TO NON-REGISTERED CONTRACTORS ARE ALSO PROHIBITED,” MR CHAN SAID.
MEANWHILE, THE NEW PROVISIONS ALSO EMPOWER THE DEMS TO ISSUE CODES OF PRACTICE IN RELATION TO LIFT AND ESCALATOR WORKS FOR THE INDUSTRY TO FOLLOW.
A CODE OF PRACTICE ON THE DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION OF LIFTS AND ESCALATORS HAS BEEN ISSUED BY THE DEMS AND IS NOW AVAILABLE FOR SALE.
"THE DEMS WILL CONSULT THE INDUSTRY REGULARLY TO REVIEW AND UPDATE THE CODE OF PRACTICE TO TAKE INTO ACCOUNT ANY NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS,” MR CHAN ADDED.
------0--------
BEC REMINDS PUBLIC TO SEND IN VIEWS ♦ ♦ * * *
THE CHAIRMAN OF THE BOUNDARY AND ELECTION COMMISSION (BEC) MR JUSTICE WOO TODAY (THURSDAY) RENEWED HIS APPEAL TO MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC TO SUBMIT THEIR VIEWS ON THE COMMISSION'S PROVISIONAL RECOMMENDATIONS ON THE CONSTITUENCY BOUNDARIES FOR THE 1995 MUNICIPAL COUNCIL ELECTIONS.
MR JUSTICE WOO SAID IT WAS IMPORTANT THAT NOT ONLY THOSE WHO HAD DISSENTING VIEWS SHOULD EXPRESS THEIR OPINIONS, THOSE WHO AGREED WITH THE PROVISIONAL RECOMMENDATIONS SHOULD ALSO COME FORWARD TO INDICATE THEIR SUPPORT.
"THIS WILL ENABLE THE COMMISSION TO BETTER ASSESS THE ACCEPTABILITY OF ITS PROPOSALS AND TO CONSIDER ANY COMMENTS AND COUNTER-PROPOSALS IN A MORE BALANCED MANNER," HE SAID.
MR JUSTICE WOO POINTED OUT THAT THE COMMISSION MIGHT ALTER THE PROVISIONAL RECOMMENDATIONS AS A RESULT OF THE CONSULTATION EXERCISE.
"THE SUBSEQUENT AMENDMENTS MAY NOT BE ACCEPTABLE TO THOSE WHO ARE SATISFIED WITH THE PROVISIONAL RECOMMENDATIONS. IF THE PUBLIC DO NOT TAKE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO ADDRESS THE COMMISSION, THEY MAY BE AFFECTED BY THE ALTERATION WITHOUT BEING HEARD," MR JUSTICE WOO SAID.
AS PART OF THE CONSULTATION EXERCISE WHICH WILL CLOSE ON APRIL 2, MEETINGS WITH MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC TO RECEIVE ORAL REPRESENTATIONS WILL BE HELD BY APPOINTMENT FROM MARCH 21 - 26 AT THE COMMISSION’S OFFICE AT HARBOUR CENTRE, WAN CHAI.
/THE MEETINGS .....
THURSDAY, MARCH 17, 1994
6
THE MEETINGS SCHEDULED SO FAR ARE AS FOLLOWS:
DATE TIME ORGANISATION AREAS OF DISCUSSION
21.3.94 9.30 AM 10.30 AM - DEMOCRATIC ALLIANCE FOR BETTERMENT OF HK (KOWLOON WEST OFFICE) GENERAL PRINCIPLES & YAU TSIM MONG DISTRICT
10.30 AM 11.00 AM - MR YEUNG FUK-KWONG TSUEN WAN DISTRICT BOARD MEMBER TSUEN WAN DISTRICT
11.15 AM 12.15 PM - HK ASSOCIATION FOR DEMOCRACY AND PEOPLE’S LIVELIHOOD GENERAL PRINCIPLES, YAU TSIM MONG AND KWAI TSING DISTRICTS
22.3.94 10.30 AM 12.45 PM - REGIONAL COUNCIL KWAI TSING, TUEN MUN AND TSUEN WAN DISTRICTS
2.15 PM 3.15 PM - KWAI TSING DISTRICT BOARD KWAI TSING DISTRICT
THE MEETINGS ARE OPEN TO ALL. MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WHO ARE INTERESTED IN THE TOPICS TO BE DISCUSSED OR ANY OTHER RELEVANT TOPICS ARE WELCOME TO ATTEND.
ENQUIRIES REGARDING THE PUBLIC MADE WITH THE BOUNDARY AND ELECTION 827 7144.
CONSULTATION ARRANGEMENTS CAN BE
COMMISSION SECRETARIAT ON TEL
WRITTEN REPRESENTATIONS, WITH NAMES AND ADDRESSES, SHOULD BE SENT ON OR BEFORE SATURDAY, APRIL 2 TO THE BOUNDARY AND ELECTION COMMISSION ON THE 10TH FLOOR IN HARBOUR CENTRE AT 25 HARBOUR ROAD, WAN CHAI, HONG KONG.
-----0-----
HK - A CULTURAL CITY
*****
WITH THE GROWTH OF ECONOMIC PROSPERITY AND CULTURAL INTERESTS OF ITS PEOPLE, HONG KONG IS NOW BECOMING A PLACE RENOWNED FOR THE STRENGTH AND DEPTH OF ITS CULTURAL LIFE, MRS PATTEN SAID THIS (THURSDAY) EVENING.
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING OF THE EXHIBITION OF "CHINESE SNUFF BOTTLES: A MINIATURE ART FROM THE COLLECTION OF MARY AND GEORGE BLOCH”, MRS PATTEN SAID THE EXHIBITION WOULD REINFORCE HONG KONG’S GROWING REPUTATION AS A CULTURAL CITY.
/"IT ALSO .......
THURSDAY, MARCH 17, 1994
7
"IT ALSO PROVIDES AN OPPORTUNITY FOR MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THEIR OWN CULTURAL HERITAGE AND THAT OF PEOPLE IN DIFFERENT PARTS OF THE WORLD, STRENGTHENING, WE TRUST, MUTUAL UNDERSTANDING,” SHE SAID.
SHE PRAISED PRIVATE COLLECTORS FOR LENDING THEIR MAGNIFICENT COLLECTION TO THE EXHIBITION, WHICH GAVE PLEASURE TO THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG.
"IT WILL ALSO BE TRAVELLING TO OTHER COUNTRIES AFTERWARDS, GIVING PEOPLE AROUND THE WORLD THE OPPORTUNITY TO SEE TREASURES OF CHINESE CULTURE,” SHE ADDED.
-----0--------
MRS PATTEN OPENS FLOWER SHOW
*****
HONG KONG’S PREMIER FLORAL EXTRAVAGANZA, THE 1994 HONG KONG FLOWER SHOW, WAS OFFICIALLY OPENED BY MRS PATTEN TODAY (THURSDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY, MRS PATTEN SAID THE ANNUAL FLOWER SHOW, JOINTLY PRESENTED BY THE URBAN COUNCIL AND REGIONAL COUNCIL, HAD BECOME A MAJOR POPULAR EVENT, ATTRACTING OVER 300,000 VISITORS BOTH LOCALLY AND FROM OVERSEAS.
"IN A CITY LIKE HONG KONG WHERE SPACE IS LIMITED AND FEW PEOPLE ARE ABLE TO HAVE GARDENS OF THEIR OWN, IT IS ASTONISHING THE GREAT INTEREST AND ENTHUSIASM THERE IS EVERY YEAR FOR THE HONG KONG FLOWER SHOW," MRS PATTEN SAID.
"BUT PERHAPS ITS POPULARITY IS NOT SO STRANGE.
"WHETHER PEOPLE ARE ABLE TO HAVE THEIR OWN GARDENS OR NOT, THEY STILL ENJOY WALKING IN THE COUNTRYSIDE, IN OUR PARKS AND PUBLIC GARDENS AND STILL APPRECIATE THE FLOWERS, SHRUBS AND TREES WITH THEIR BEAUTIFUL SCENTS AND COLOURS THAT THEY SEE THERE," SHE CONTINUED.
MRS PATTEN NOTED THAT WITHOUT THE WORK OF THE URBAN AND REGIONAL COUNCILS THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG WOULD NOT HAVE THE VARIETY OF BEAUTIFULLY MAINTAINED OPEN SPACES TO ENJOY.
COMMENTING ON THE THEME OF THIS YEAR’S SHOW ’’FLORAL ELEGANCE OF OUR GREAT CITY”, MRS PATTEN SAID IT WAS A MOST APPROPRIATE THEME "AS THE TWO MUNICIPAL COUNCILS ARE DETERMINED I’O GREEN OUR CITY ENVIRONMENT BY PLANTING MORE TREES AND FLOWERING • PLANTS, AND MAKE HONG KONG A BETTER AND MORE BEAUTIFUL PLACE TO LIVE.”
GIVING A VOTE OF THANKS, THE CHAIRMAN OF THE URBAN COUNCIL, DR RONALD LEUNG DING-BONG NOTED THAT VISITORS TO THIS YEAR’S FLOWER SHOW COULD SEE MANY BEAUTIFUL DISPLAYS OF TOPIARIES AND A COLLECTIVE DISPLAY OF DIFFERENT SPECIES OF THE THEME FLOWER, THE CHINESE HIBISCUS, IN ADDITION TO A WIDE RANGE OF EXOTIC FLORA.
"THIS YEAR, THE FLOWER SHOW IS FURTHER ENRICHED WITH MANY MORE INTERESTING EDUCATIONAL AND FRINGE ACTIVITIES, SUCH AS TALKS AND DEMONSTRATIONS ON HORTICULTURE AND FLORAL ART ARRANGEMENTS.
/•'CHILDREN WILL.......
THURSDAY, MARCH 17, 1994
8
’’CHILDREN WILL HAVE FUN AT THE VARIOUS GAMES STALLS AND PLAY FEATURES AS PROVIDED IN THE LAWN AREA OF THE SHOWGROUND,” DR LEUNG SAID.
FOLLOWING THE OPENING CEREMONY, MRS PATTEN TOURED THE SHOWGROUND, ACCOMPANIED BY DR LEUNG; MR CHEUNG YAN-LUNG, CHAIRMAN OF THE REGIONAL COUNCIL; MR ALBERT LAM, DIRECTOR OF URBAN SERVICES; MR BENJAMIN TANG, DIRECTOR OF REGIONAL SERVICES AND MR LAWRENCE CHEUNG YIU-KONG, CHAIRMAN OF THE 1994 HONG KONG FLOWER SHOW COMMITTEE.
A MAJOR ATTRACTION OF THE SHOW IS THE COMPETITION SECTION CONSISTING OF 113 CLASSES OF EXHIBITS AND THE TOPIARY OF A DINOSAUR, A RARE ATTEMPT IN HONG KONG.
THE 1994 HONG KONG FLOWER SHOW, ORGANISED FOR THE EIGHTH YEAR SINCE 1987, IS OPEN TO MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC FOR 11 DAYS UNTIL MARCH 27, IN VICTORIA PARK, CAUSEWAY BAY.
THE OPENING HOURS ARE 9 AM TO 9 PM DAILY.
ADMISSION CHARGES ARE $12 FOR AN ADULT AND $6 FOR CHILDREN AGED BETWEEN 4 AND 14, STUDENTS AND SENIOR CITIZENS AGED 60 AND ABOVE.
- - 0 -
UNEMPLOYMENT AND UNDEREMPLOYMENT FIGURES FOR NOVEMBER 1993 - JANUARY 1994 *****
THE SEASONALLY ADJUSTED UNEMPLOYMENT RATE FOR NOVEMBER 1993 -JANUARY 1994 WAS 2.0%, AND THE UNDEREMPLOYMENT RATE WAS 1.6%, 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 DECEMBER 1993 - FEBRUARY 1994 WAS 1.9%, WHILE THE PROVISIONAL UNDEREMPLOYMENT RATE WAS 1.6%.
THE LATEST FIGURES INDICATE THAT THE LABOUR MARKET REMAINED TIGHT IN RECENT MONTHS.
DURING THE PERIOD NOVEMBER 1993 - JANUARY 1994, THE NUMBER OF UNEMPLOYED PERSONS, ADJUSTED FOR VARIATIONS IN THE NUMBER OF FIRSTTIME JOB-SEEKERS, WAS ESTIMATED AT 57,500, WHILE THE NUMBER OF UNDEREMPLOYED PERSONS WAS ESTIMATED AT 47,300.
THE UNEMPLOYMENT AND UNDEREMPLOYMENT STATISTICS WERE OBTAINED FROM A CONTINUOUS GENERAL HOUSEHOLD SURVEY CONDUCTED BY THE DEPARTMENT.
THE SURVEY FOR NOVEMBER 1993 - JANUARY 1994 COVERED A QUARTERLY SAMPLE OF SOME 11,800 HOUSEHOLDS OR 40,800 PERSONS, SELECTED SCIENTIFICALLY TO REPRESENT THE LAND-BASED CIVILIAN NON-INSTITUTIONAL POPULATION IN HONG KONG.
RELEVANT DATA WAS OBTAINED BY INTERVIEWING EACH INDIVIDUAL MEMBER AGED 15 AND ABOVE IN THE HOUSEHOLDS SAMPLED.
/THE DEFINITIONS
THURSDAY, MARCH 17, 1994
9
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 DECEMBER 1993 WILL BE AVAILABLE FROM THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE BY THE END OF THIS MONTH AT $23.50 A COPY.
------0-------
HONG KONG MONETARY AUTHORITY MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS * * * * *
$ MILLION TIME (HOURS) CUMULATIVE CHANGE ($ MILLION)
OPENING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT 2,345 0930 +1,619
CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT 1,835 1000 + 821
CHANGE ATTRIBUTABLE TO : 1100 + 655
MONEY MARKET ACTIVITY + 655 1200 + 655
LAF TODAY -1,165 1500 + 655
1600 + 655
LAE RATE 2.00 BID/4.00 OFFER TWI 125.6 *-0.1* 17.3.94
HONG KONG MONETARY AUTHORITY
EF BILLS EF NOTES/HONG KONG GOVERNMENT BONDS
TERMS YIELD TERM ISSUE COUPON PRICE YIELD
1 WEEK 3.44 18 MONTHS 2508 4.625 99.91 4.74
1 MONTH 3.48 21 MONTHS 2511 4.15 98.81 4.95
3 MONTHS 3.71 24 MONTHS 2602 4.40 98.76 5.15
6 MONTHS 3.95 32 MONTHS 3610 4.20 97.03 5.51
12 MONTHS 4.36 35 MONTHS 3701 4.60 97.45 5.65
TOTAL TURNOVER OF BILLS AND BONDS - 24,537 MN
CLOSED 17 MARCH 1994 -----------------------------------0-------
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
FRIDAY, MARCH 18, 1994
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
GOVERNOR HOSTS RECEPTION FOR CUSTOMER LIAISON GROUPS ...... 1
BUDGET AIMS TO FORGE PROSPERITY ........................... 2
UR AGREEMENT GIVES ENOUGH TIME FOR HK INDUSTRY TO ADAPT ... 3
BREACH OF SECURITY ........................................ 4
DATES FOR DISTRICT BOARDS AND MUNICIPAL COUNCILS ELECTIONS
ANNOUNCED ............................................... 4
CRITERION TO SET PUBLIC HOUSING RENTS ..................... 5
CIVIL ENGINEERING WORKS FOR EXPLOSIVES COMPLEX ............ 6
SUPREME COURT (AMENDMENT) BILL 1994 GAZETTED .............. 6
BOARD OF EDUCATION CHAIRMAN APPOINTED ..................... 7
............................... AhHC’I
EDUCATION CHIEF WELCOMES DR TAM AS BOE CHAIRMAN ........... 8
• • • - . • IV -5V.
EDUCATION DELEGATION TO VISIT GUANGDONG ................... 8
; • ,z , ■ • ■ :, ■
AREA CHANGES OF TAI LAM COUNTRY PARK PROPOSED ............. 9
THREE DEVELOPMENT PERMISSION AREA PLANS APPROVED .......... 10
WATERFRONT PARK FOR TAI PO ................................ 11
LAND EASEMENT/RESUMPTION FOR POWER LINE WORKS ............. 12
/LAYING OF ......
LAYING OF GAS PIPE OFF BLACK POINT .............................. 13
LAND REGISTRATION FIGURES FOR FEBRUARY .......................... 13
PARKING METER MANAGEMENT TO BE CONTRACTED OUT ................... 17
YOUTHS ENCOURAGED TO TAKE PART IN SPORTS ...................... 17
STUDENTS HELP IMPROVE WORK SAFETY.......... . ........ 18
LEISURE POOL PLANNED FOR JORDAN VALLEY ......................v- 19
MANUFACTURERS' ORDERS-ON-HAND FIGURES FOR JANUARY ....;...........19
SEARCH FOR ELECTRIC SUPPLY STUDY CONSULTANTS .....................21
....... ... • . . . . •-»„ < V.
PREQUALIFICATION APPLICATIONS INVITED ........................... 21
? ■ ' . ■ ' . . » ♦
SAI KUNG DRAGON BOAT RACE ....................................... 21
POLICE CATCH 170 IN OPERATION AGAINST ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS .... 22
SUPPLIERS OF SEWAGE PUMPING EQUIPMENT WANTED .................. 23
FORMATION OF PO LAM ROAD PLATFORM .............................. 23
REVISED FEES FOR PLANT AND ANIMAL SERVICES ...................... 24
HONG KONG MONETARY AUTHORITY MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS ............ 25
. ■
FRIDAY, MARCH 18, 1994
1
GOVERNOR HOSTS RECEPTION FOR CUSTOMER LIAISON GROUPS *****
CUSTOMER LIAISON GROUPS WILL PROVE A STEADY AND RELIABLE SOURCE OF IDEAS FOR PRACTICABLE IMPROVEMENTS IN THE WAY THE GOVERNMENT SERVES THE PUBLIC, THE GOVERNOR, THE RT HON CHRISTOPHER PATTEN, SAID TODAY (FRIDAY).
SPEAKING AT A RECEPTION HE HOSTED FOR CUSTOMER LIAISON GROUPS AT GOVERNMENT HOUSE, THE GOVERNOR SAID: "CUSTOMER INPUT IS ONE KEY TO GOOD PUBLIC SERVICE.
"ALTHOUGH THE CONCEPT IS STILL VERY NEW IN THE GOVERNMENT, I KNOW THAT THESE GROUPS HAVE ALREADY HELPED STRENGTHEN COMMUNICATION AND UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN DEPARTMENTS AND THEIR CUSTOMERS."
ABOUT 80 MEMBERS FROM 13 GROUPS ATTENDED. THEY CAME FROM DIFFERENT WALKS OF LIFE INCLUDING PROFESSIONALS, PATIENTS, HOUSEWIVES, STUDENTS, TRADERS AND RESIDENTS.
THE GOVERNOR SAID HE WAS VERY PLEASED TO MEET MEMBERS OF THE GROUPS. HE THANKED THEM FOR THEIR CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE GOVERNMENT’S EFFORTS TO PROVIDE A GOOD SERVICE.
THE GROUPS ARE A NEW INITIATIVE INTRODUCED BY THE EFFICIENCY UNIT UNDER THE PERFORMANCE PLEDGE PROGRAMME.
THEY PROVIDE A FORUM FOR A DIRECT EXCHANGE OF VIEWS BETWEEN DEPARTMENTS AND CUSTOMERS ON THE SERVICES PROVIDED. MEMBERS ARE GENERALLY CHOSEN BY OPEN INVITATION OR RANDOM SELECTION FROM A DEPARTMENT’S CUSTOMER BASE.
ABOUT 12 DEPARTMENTS HAVE ESTABLISHED GROUPS.
THEY ARE WATER SUPPLIES, HOUSING (TWO GROUPS), HEALTH, TRANSPORT, INDEPENDENT COMMISSION AGAINST CORRUPTION, LABOUR, POST OFFICE, TREASURY, INDUSTRY, LAND REGISTRY, EDUCATION AND THE STUDENT FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE AGENCY.
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THE GROUPS HAD BEEN BRIEFED ON THE WORK AND PERFORMANCE PLEDGES OF THEIR DEPARTMENTS.
THEY HAVE MADE USEFUL AND PRACTICAL SUGGESTIONS TO IMPROVE THE FRONT-LINE SERVICE OF THE DEPARTMENTS CONCERNED, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
SOME OF THE SUGGESTIONS HAVE ALREADY BEEN IMPLEMENTED, FOR EXAMPLE, LARGER NOTICES, BETTER QUEUING ARRANGEMENTS AND SIMPLER PROCEDURES, HE SAID.
OTHER MORE COMPLICATED MATTERS WILL TAKE TIME TO BE CONSIDERED THOROUGHLY.
THE RECEPTION WAS ALSO ATTENDED BY MRS PATTEN; THE CHIEF SECRETARY, MRS ANSON CHAN; THE SECRETARY FOR THE CIVIL SERVICE, MR MICHAEL SZE; THE HEAD OF EACH DEPARTMENT WITH A CUSTOMER LIAISON GROUP AND THE HEAD OF THE EFFICIENCY UNIT, MR ROBERT FOOTMAN.
/2 .......
FRIDAY, MARCH 18, 1994
BUDGET AIMS TO FORGE PROSPERITY
*****
THE GOVERNMENT’S FUNDAMENTAL BUDGET OBJECTIVE IS TO MANAGE THE PROSPERITY HONG KONG HAS ACHIEVED AND ENSURE THAT IT CONTINUES, THE SECRETARY FOR THE TREASURY, MR DONALD TSANG, SAID THURSDAY (HAWAII TIME).
SPEAKING ON ’’MANAGING PROSPERITY THE HONG KONG WAY” AT A LUNCH MEETING OF THE PACIFIC AND ASIAN AFFAIRS COUNCIL IN HONOLULU, MR TSANG SAID THE GOVERNMENT MUST STRIKE A RIGHT BALANCE BETWEEN SPENDING AND SAVINGS IN DRAWING UP ITS BUDGET STRATEGY.
’’SPENDING TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF LIFE FOR THE COMMUNITY AS A WHOLE AND TO CREATE THE INFRASTRUCTURE FOR OUR FUTURE GROWTH.
’’SAVINGS TO MEET FUTURE LIABILITIES AND UNFORESEEN CONTINGENCIES. BECAUSE ECONOMIC SUCCESS CANNOT BE TAKEN FOR GRANTED YEAR AFTER YEAR,” HE SAID.
MR TSANG SAID APART FROM IMPROVING SOCIAL SERVICES, THE COMMUNITY ALSO EXPECTED THE GOVERNMENT TO IMPROVE THE SOCIAL AND PHYSICAL INFRASTRUCTURE ON WHICH THE FUTURE CREATION OF WEALTH WOULD DEPEND.
’’THIS MEANS IN PARTICULAR THAT WE MUST FORGE AHEAD WITH OUR AIRPORT AND PORT DEVELOPMENTS; OTHERWISE THE GROWTH OF OUR ECONOMY WILL BE SEVERELY CONSTRAINED,” HE SAID.
AT THE SAME TIME, HE SAID, THE GOVERNMENT MAINTAINED ADEQUATE RESERVES TO MEET ITS KNOWN COMMITMENTS AND GUARD AGAINST FUTURE UNCERTAINTIES.
’’THE FUTURE SPECIAL ADMINISTRATIVE REGION GOVERNMENT SHOULD GET OFF TO THE BEST POSSIBLE START IN JULY 1997, WITH A FLOURISHING ECONOMY, ADEQUATE FINANCE AND AN INFRASTRUCTURE FIT FOR THE NEXT CENTURY. THIS MEANS THAT EVEN WHEN THE RESERVES ARE BUOYANT, WE MUST RE EXTREMELY CAREFUL NOT TO RELAX OUR BUDGETARY DISCIPLINE," HE SAID.
MR TSANG STRESSED THAT THE GOVERNMENT WAS COMMITTED TO FREE TRADE. LOW TAX, STABLE CURRENCY AND A SOUND FINANCIAL SYSTEM AND PRUDENT BUDGETS.
"THE HONG KONG ECONOMY HAS PERFORMED HANDSOMELY IN 1993 WITH GDP GROWING AT 5.5 PER CENT IN REAL TERMS. WE FORECAST THAT THIS WILL CONTINUE INTO 1994.
"TO MANAGE AND SUSTAIN OUR PROSPERITY, HOWEVER, WE NEED TO INVEST IN OUR PEOPLE AND OUR PHYSICAL INFRASTRUCTURE.
"DEMANDS FOR GOVERNMENT SPENDING ARE RISING BUT WE MAINTAIN OUR STRICT BUDGETARY DISCIPLINE OF CONTAINING THE GROWTH OF PUBLIC SPENDING WITHIN THE GROWTH OF THE ECONOMY," HE SAID.
MR TSANG IS CURRENTLY LEADING A HONG KONG DELEGATION TO ATTEND THE FINANCE MINISTERS MEETING OF THE ASIA PACIFIC ECONOMIC CO-OPERATION (APEC) IN HONOLULU.
----A 0-------
/? ........
FRIDAY, MARCH 18, 1994
3
UR AGREEMENT GIVES ENOUGH TIMF
FOR HK INDUSTRY TO ADAPT
*****
THE GRADUAL 10-YEAR PHASING-OUT OF THE Ml LT I-FIBRE ARRANGEMENT (MFA) PROVIDED BY URUGUAY ROUND TEXTILES AND CLOTHING AGREEMENT GIVES SUFFICIENT TIME FOR HONG KONG INDUSTRY AND LABOUR FORCE TO RESTRUCTURE AND ADAPT TO THE NEW ENVIRONMENT.
THE DIRECTOR-GENERAL OF TRADE, MR TONY MILLER, MADE THE REMARK AT THE SPRING DINNER OF THE HONG KONG WOOLLEN AND SYNTHETIC KNITTING MANUFACTURERS’ ASSOCIATION AND HONG KONG KNITWEAR EXPORTERS’ AND MANUFACTURERS’ ASSOCIATION TONIGHT (FRIDAY)
MR MILLER SAID PROTECTIONISM APPEARING IN THE FORM OF TEXTILES QUOTA IMPOSED UPON HONG KONG BY THE ABSURDITIES OF THE MFA WOULD SOON BE A PROBLEM OF THE PAST.
"THE URUGUAY TEXTILES AND CLOTHING AGREEMENT PROVIDES A 10-YEAR TRANSITIONAL PERIOD DURING WHICH SOME 51 PER CENT PRODUCTS WILL BE PROGRESSIVELY LIBERALISED.
"GROWTH RATES OF QUOTA LIMITS ON PRODUCTS REMAINING UNDER RESTRAINT WILL GRADUALLY BE INCREASED WITH ALL RESTRAINTS REMOVED AFTER 10 YEARS PROVIDING EVENTUALLY FOR GENUINE COMPETITION," HE SAID.
MR MILLER SAID HONG KONG ENTREPRENEURS WOULD STRIVE ON COMPETITION AND HE WAS CONFIDENT THAT THEY WOUI0 TAKE FULL ADVANTAGE OF THE CHALLENGE AHEAD.
COMMENTING ON KNITWEAR INDUSTRY AND ALSO INDUSTRIES IN GENERAL, THE DIRECTOR-GENERAL SAID AN IMPORTANT FACTOR OF THEIR SUCCESSES WAS HUMAN ELEMENT.
"HONG KONG ENTREPRENEURS ARE THE MOST VERSATILE, INNOVATIVE, IMAGINATIVE, COMMITTED, DILIGENT AND PERSEVERING GROUP OF PEOPLE TO BE FOUND.
"DESPITE THE EVER-EMERGING PROBLEMS ITIAT ARISE FROM THE CHANGING ENVIRONMENT, THEY HAVE ALWAYS BEEN ABLE To FIND SOLUTIONS," HE SAID.
THE KNITWEAR INDUSTRY STARTED OFF IN THE EARLY 60’S AS COTTAGE TYPE OPERATIONS. EACH ESTABLISHMENT WAS VERY PRIMITIVELY EQUIPPED AND EMPLOYED ONLY A HANDFUL OF WORKERS.
IN THESE INTERVENING YEARS LOCAL MANUFACTURERS HAVE FACED MANY OBSTACLES, BUT MR MILLER SAID THE ENTREPRENEURS HAD MET THEM HEAD ON BY ACTIVELY' IMPROVING THEIR PRODUCTS, INVESTING IN PRODUCTION TECHNOLOGY AND IN MAKING USE OF LOWER LABOUR COSTS ACROSS THE BORDER FOR MORE LABOUR INTENSIVE MANUFACTURING OPERATIONS.
"THIS HAS HELPED TO KEEP PRODUCTION COSTS DOWN ON THE ONE HAND WHILE IMPROVING THE QUALITY OF THE PRODUCTS ON THE OTHER," HE SAID.
HOWEVER, MR MILLER SAID: "WF MUST NOT REMAIN COMPLACENT."
THE INDUSTRY CONTINUES TO REMAIN UNDER EXTREME PRESSURE FROM TOUGH COMPETITION PARTICULARLY FROM NEIGHBOURING COUNTRIES AND FROM THE EVER THREAT OF PROTECTIONISM, HE SAID.
/MR MILLER .......
FRIDAY. MARCH 18, 1994
MR MILLER URGED THE INDUSTRY TO CONTINUE TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY AND DESIGN OF THE PRODUCTS, AND THE MANUFACTURING CAPABILITY AS WELL AS TO REACH OUT TO MORE NEW MARKETS WHILE MAINTAINING THEIR POSITION IN ESTABLISHED ONES.
THE KNITWEAR FNDUSTRY IS AN IMPORTANT CONTRIBUTOR TO HONG KONG’S ECONOMY, MR MILLER SAID, NOTING THAT EXPORTS FROM THE INDUSTRY LAST YEAR WERE WORTH OVER HK$31,400 MILLION OR 14.1 PER CENT OF HONG KONG’S TOTAL DOMESTIC EXPORTS.
’’THE QUALITY OF HONG KONG’S KNITWEAR PRODUCTS IS RECOGNISED AMONG THE HIGHEST IN THE WORLD," HE SAID.
------0-------
BREACH OF SECURITY * ♦ ♦ ♦ *
IN RESPONSE TO REPORTS THAT A PERSON HAD TWICE PASSED THROUGH CONTROL POINTS AT THE AIRPORT WITHOUT PROPER AUTHORISATION, A SECURITY BRANCH SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (FRIDAY) THAT THERE HAD BEEN A BREACH OF SECURITY WHICH THE GOVERNMENT WAS TAKING VERY SERIOUSLY.
AN INTERNAL INVESTIGATION HAS BEEN LAUNCHED TO DETERMINE HOW THE INCIDENT TOOK PLACE AND WHAT REMEDIAL MEASURES MIGHT BE NECESSARY.
------0-------
DATES FOR DISTRICT BOARDS AND MUNICIPAL COUNCILS ELECTIONS ANNOUNCED
THE SECRETARY FOR CONSTITUTIONAL AFFAIRS, MR NICHOLAS NG, TODAY (FRIDAY) ANNOUNCED THAT THE DISTRICT BOARD ELECTIONS WILL BE HELD ON SEPTEMBER 18 THIS YEAR AND THOSE FOR THE MUNICIPAL COUNCILS ON MARCH 5, 1995.
THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ELECTIONS WOULD TAKE PLACE IN SEPTEMBER 1995 ON DATES VET TO BE DETERMINED, MR NG SAID IN HIS PRESENTATION TO THE SPECIAL MEETING OF THE FINANCE COMMITTEE.
MR NG TOLD THE FINANCE COMMITTEE THAT FOLLOWING THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE BOUNDARY AND ELECTION COMMISSION (BEC) IN JULY LAST YEAR, THE REGISTRATION AND ELECTORAL OFFICE (REO) WHICH HITHERTO WAS A PART OF THE CONSTITUTIONAL AFFAIRS BRANCH (CAB), HAD BECOME THE COMMISSION’S EXECUTIVE ARM.
"TO BETTER REFLECT ITS NEW ROLE AND TO UNDERLINE THE INDEPENDENCE OF THE COMMISSION, THE REO WILL BE SEPARATED FROM THE CAB AS FROM APRIL 1.
"HOWEVER, STAFF OF THE REO WILL REMAIN CIVIL SERVANTS," MR NG SAID.
IN 1994/95, THE REO WILL HAVE $92.5 MILLION TO:
* FURTHER INCREASE THE ELECTORATE SIZE THROUGH THE MOUNTING OF A MAJOR VOTER REGISTRATION CAMPAIGN IN 1994/95;
/♦ORGANISE AND .......
FRIDAY, MARCH 18, 1994
5
* ORGANISE AND SUPERVISE THE DISTRICT BOARD ELECTIONS IN SEPTEMBER 1994 AND THE MUNICIPAL COUNCIL ELECTIONS IN MARCH 1995; AND
* IMPLEMENT ANY NEW ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE 1994/95 ELECTIONS
ON THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE JOINT DECLARATION, MR NG SAID HE HIMSELF AS A NEWLY APPOINTED MEMBER TO THE JOINT LIAISON GROUP, WAS DEEPLY CONCERNED BY THE AMOUNT AND COMPLEXITY OF THE ISSUES YET TO BE RESOLVED AND THE LITTLE TIME LEFT TO TACKLE THE ISSUES.
HE STRESSED THAT THE GOVERNMENT NEEDED TO ENSURE TIMELY ADAPTATION OF HONG KONG’S 600 ORDINANCES AND ALMOST 1,000 ITEMS OF SUBSIDIARY LEGISLATION, AND THE LOCALISATION OF THOSE NECESSARY UK ENACTMENTS (SOME 220) INTO HONG KONG LEGISLATION.
"IF THIS EXERCISE IS NOT COMPLETED BY JUNE 30, 1997, THERE IS THE REAL DANGER OF GAPS IN OUR LAWS WHICH IS CLEARLY NOT CONDUCIVE TO THE STABILITY AND PROSPERITY OF THE FUTURE HONG KONG SPECIAL ADMINISTRATIVE REGION.
"WE STRONGLY BELIEVE THAT DISAGREEMENT BETWEEN THE TWO SIDES OVER CONSTITUTIONAL ISSUES SHOULD NOT AFFECT CO-OPERATION OVER ECONOMIC AND OTHER TRANSITIONAL MATTERS WHICH ARE VITAL FOR ACHIEVING A SMOOTH TRANSITION.
"I HOPE TO SEE RENEWED IMPETUS IN BOTH THE JOINT LIAISON GROUP AND THE LAND COMMISSION IN THE YEAR AHEAD," MR NG SAID.
--------0--------
CRITERION TO SET PUBLIC HOUSING RENTS *****
IN RESPONSE TO ENQUIRIES ON WHETHER PUBLIC HOUSING TENANTS sKFassrwS®®® — ™
housing tenants.
"THE OVERRIDING CRITERION USED FOR SETTING PUBLIC HOUSING RENTS IS affordability.
"THE OBJECT IS TO SET RENT AT A LEVEL NOT EXCEEDING 15 PER CENT OF THE MEDIAN INCOME.
"THIS PRINCIPLE HAS BEEN FOLLOWED IN THE PAST AND WILL CONTINUE TO BE FOLLOWED IN THE FUTURE," HE SAID.
FRIDAY, MARCH 18, 1994
- 6 -
CIVIL ENGINEERING WORKS FOR EXPLOSIVES COMPLEX
* * * * *
CONTRACTORS HAVE TWO MONTHS FROM TODAY (FRIDAY) TO SUBMIT THEIR APPLICATIONS FOR PREQUALIFICATION TO UNDERTAKE CIVIL ENGINEERING WORKS FOR THE EXPLOSIVES COMPLEX AT KAU SHAT WAN, LANTAU ISLAND.
THE WORKS COMPRISE CONSTRUCTION OF 10 UNDERGROUND STORAGE CAVERNS, 1,150 METRES OF ACCESS TUNNELS AND 340 METRES OF SEAWALL AND BERTHS, RECLAMATION OF ABOUT FIVE HECTARES OF LAND AND DREDGING OF A NAGIVATION CHANNEL.
THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT AND SAFETY ASPECTS OF THE PROJECT HAVE BEEN THOROUGHLY EXAMINED BEFORE THE SITE FOR THE COMPLEX AND ITS LAYOUT WERE DECIDED. THE SITE IS NOT WITHIN A COUNTRY PARK.
THE ISLANDS DISTRICT BOARD HAS ALSO BEEN CONSULTED IN DEVELOPING THE PROJECT PROPOSALS, WHICH HAVE BEEN CONSIDERED BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL’S LANDS AND WORKS PANEL AND BY THE FORMER ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION ADVISORY COMMITTEE, WHICH HAS BEEN RENAMED ADVISORY COUNCIL ON THE ENVIRONMENT.
DURING A PUBLIC CONSULTATION, THERE WAS STRONG SUPPORT FOR THE PROPOSAL TO USE UNDERGROUND STORAGE IN VIEW OF ITS ADVANTAGES FROM THE ENVIRONMENTAL AND SAFETY VIEWPOINTS.
TENDERS FOR THE CONTRACT ARE SCHEDULED TO BE INVITED IN JULY FROM A SELECTED LIST OF CONTRACTORS ESTABLISHED BY THIS PREQUALIFICATION EXERCISE.
WORKS ON SITE ARE EXPECTED TO START IN SEPTEMBER AND TAKE ABOUT 22 MONTHS TO COMPLETE.
THE WORKS HAVE BEEN DESIGNED AND THE CONSTRUCTION WILL BE SUPERVISED BY TBV CONSULT FOR THE PORT WORKS DIVISION, CIVIL ENGINEERING OFFICE, CIVIL ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT.
--------0-----------
SUPREME COURT (AMENDMENT) BILL 1994 GAZETTED
*****
THE SUPREME COURT (AMENDMENT) BILL 1994, WHICH PROVIDES THE LEGISLATIVE FRAMEWORK FOR THE INTRODUCTION OF THE RECORDERSHIP SCHEME IN THE HIGH COURT, WAS GAZETTED TODAY (FRIDAY).
UNDER THE NEW RECORDERSHIP SCHEME, BARRISTERS MAY BE APPOINTED AS PART-TIME JUDGES OF THE HIGH COURT. THESE PART-TIME JUDGES WILL BE GIVEN THE TITLE OF RECORDERS, FOLLOWING THE PRACTICE IN THE UNITED KINGDOM.
THE PRACTICE OF APPOINTING PART-TIME HIGH COURT JUDGES IS NOT NEW TO HONG KONG.
THE CHIEF JUSTICE HAS FOR SOME YEARS INVITED QUEEN’S COUNSEL TO SIT IN THE HIGH COURT AS DEPUTY JUDGES ON AN AD HOC BASIS.
/A FEW .......
FRIDAY, MARCH 18, 1994
7
A FEW APPOINTMENTS OF DEPUTY JUDGES HAVE BEEN MADE EACH YEAR AND THEY GENERALLY SIT FOR ABOUT FOUR WEEKS.
"WHILE THE CHIEF JUSTICE WILL CONTINUE TO MAKE AD HOC APPOINTMENTS OF DEPUTY JUDGES AS HF SEES FIT, WE AGREE WITH THE HONG KONG BAR ASSOCIATION THAT THERE SHOULD BE A MORE FORMAL SYSTEM WHEREBY BARRISTERS MAY BE APPOINTED TO SIT IN THE HIGH COURT," A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID.
TO ENABLE THE CHIEF JUSTICE TO PLAN IN \ SYSTEMATIC WAY FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF AN ADDITIONAL COURT, A RECORDER WILL NORMALLY BE APPOINTED FOR A PERIOD OF THREE YEARS WITH A MINIMUM SITTING REQUIREMENT OF FOUR CONSECUTIVE WEEKS EACH YEAR.
HE WILL BE REQUIRED TO HEAR ALL TYPES OF CASES IN THE HIGH COURT.
THE RECORDERSHIP SCHEME WILL BE TRIED OUT ON A MODEST SCALE INITIALLY AND BE EXPANDED IN THE LIGHT OF OPERATING EXPERIENCE.
"THE EVENTUAL EXPANSION OF I’HF SCHEME SHOULD IN THE LONGER TERM CONTRIBUTE TO LOWERING COURT WAITING TIMES," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
HE ALSO POINTED OUT THAT HIE SCHEME WOULD PROVIDE A MORE POPULAR MEANS OF INTRODUCING MEMBERS OF THE LOCAL BAR TO JUDICIAL WORK AND MIGHT THEREBY ENCOURAGE SOME OF THEM TO APPLY FOR PERMANENT APPOINTMENT TO THE BENCH.
"THE QUALIFICATIONS FOR APPOINTMENT OF RECORDERS WILL BE THE SAME AS FOR PERMANENT APPOINTMENTS TO THE SUPREME COURT. EACH APPOINTMENT WILL BE MADE BY THE GOVERNOR ON THE ADVICE OF THE JUDICIAL SERVICE COMMISSION," THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
THE AMENDMENT BILL IS SCHEDULED FOR INTRODUCTION INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON MARCH 30.
------0--------
BOARD OF EDUCATION CHAIRMAN APPOINTED * t t t *
THE SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER, MR MICHAEL LEUNG, TODAY (FRIDAY) ANNOUNCED THE APPOINTMENT OF DR TAM MAN-KWAN AS CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION.
DR TAM IS THE PRINCIPAL OF PAH KAU ENGLISH SCHOOL. CURRENTLY THE DEPUTY CHAIRMAN OF THE HONG KONG EXAMINATIONS AUTHORITY AND A MEMBER OF THE PRIVATE SCHOOLS REVIEW COMMITTEE.
HE SERVED ON THE BOARD OF EDUCATION FROM 1984 TO 1991; AND ON THE CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL BETWEEN 1979 AND 1992.
HE HAS BEEN THE PRESIDENT OF THE HONG KONG PRIVATE SCHOOLS ASSOCIATION SINCE 1981.
THE APPOINTMENT IS FOR THE PERIOD FROM MARCH 15, 1994 TO JUNE 30, 1995.
/8 ........
FRIDAY, MARCH 18, 1994
8
EDUCATION CHIEF WELCOMES DI? TAM AS BOE CHAIRMAN
*****
IN RESPONSE TO PRESS ENQUIRIES CONCERNING THE APPOINTMENT OF DR TAM MAN-KWAN AS THE CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION, THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, MR DOMINIC S W WONG, SAID:
"1 WELCOME DR TAM MAN-KWAN’S APPOINTMENT AS THE ('HAIRMAN OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION.
"HE IS AN EXPERIENCED EDUCATOR WITH LONG SERVICE ON VARIOUS EDUCATIONAL BODIES, AND HAS PLAYED AN ACTIVE ROLE IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF EDUCATION IN HONG KONG.
"HE WAS FORMERLY A MEMBER OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION. THIS BACKGROUND, TOGETHER WITH HIS WIDE EXPERIENCE, WILL MAKE HIM THE MOST SUITABLE PERSON TO STFER Till' FUTURE WORK OF THE BO \RD OF EDUCATION."
--------0------------
EDUCATION DELEGATION TO VISIT GUANGDONG * » ♦ ♦ »
THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, MR DOMINIC* S W WONG, WILL LEAD AN EDUCATION DEPARTMENT DELEGATION ON AN OFFICIAL VISIT TO GUANGDONG ON MONDAY (MARCH 21), AT THE INVITATION OF THE HEAD OF THE EDUCATION BUREAU OF GUANGDONG PROVINCE, MR XU RENZHl.
OTHER MEMBERS OF THE DELEGATION WILL INCLUDE SENIOR ASSISTANT DIRECTOR (DEVELOPMENT) MR KWAN TING-FAI, ASSISTANT DIRECTOR (CHIEF INSPECTOR OF SCHOOLS) MR SIMON IIO CHI-LEUNG, AND PRINCIPAL INSPECTOR (CHINESE AND CHINESE HISTORY) MRS SIN CHOW DIK-YEE.
THE DELEGATION WILL BE BRIEFID ON EDUCATIONAL DEVELOPMENTS IN GUANGDONG PROVINCE. ARRANGEMENTS HAVE ALSO BEEN MADE FOR THEM TO VISIT EDUCATIONAL ORGANISATIONS, PRE-SCHOOL ESTABLISHMENTS, PRIMARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOLS AND TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS. ,
"APART FROM FAMILIARISATION WITH EDUCATIONAL DEVELOPMENTS IN GUANGDONG PROVINCE, THE VISIT WILL STRENGTHEN RELATIONS AND COOPERATION BETWEEN EDUCATIONAL BODIES IN HONG KONG AND GUANGDONG," MR WONG SAID.
THE DELEGATION WILL RETURN TO HONG KONG ON FRIDAY (MARCH 25).
------0--------
/9 ........
FRIDAY, MARCH 18, 1994
9
AREA CHANGES OF TAI LAM COUNTRY PARK PROPOSED
♦ t i ♦ ♦
THE GOVERNMENT IS PROPOSING SOME CHANGES TO THE TAI LAM COUNTRY PARK AREA TO BRING ABOUT EXTENSION AT TAI TONG TO MEET THE INCREASING PUBLIC DEMAND FOR RECREATIONAL FACILITIES IN THE NORTH WEST NEW TERRITORIES.
PROPOSALS ARE ALSO MADE TO EXCISE A SMALL PART OF THE TAI LAM COUNTRY PARK AT MA ON KONG TO THE PROPOSED ROUTE 3 DEVELOPMENT AND TO EXTEND A BIGGER AREA NEARBY TO MAKE UP FOR THIS LOSS OF COUNTRY PARK LAND.
SENIOR COUNTRY PARKS DEVELOPMENT OFFICER OF THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT (AFD), MR WONG FOOK-YEE, TODAY (FRIDAY) SAID ONE PROPOSAL WAS TO EXTEND THE TAI LAM COUNTRY PARK TO COVER 38 HECTARES OF LAND AT TAI TONG AREA WHICH WAS FORMERLY A BORROWED AREA.
HE SAID THE AREA CONSISTED OF A SERIES OF PLATFORMS LEFT BEHIND BY BORROWING ACTIVITIES, OF WHICH 29 HECTARES OF THE LAND HAD BEEN ALLOCATED TO AFD SINCE EARLY 1980’S FOR AFFORESTATION AND RECREATION USES.
THE AREA WAS SUBSEQUENTLY DEVELOPED BY AFD INTO COUNTRYSIDE RECREATION AREA WITH BARBECUE SITES, GAMES AREA, NATURE TRAIL, TREE WALK AND VIEWING POINTS. FACILITIES INCLUDE PUBLIC TOILETS, PAVILION AND SHELTERS, INFORMATION BOARDS, WAYMARKERS AND ACCESS ROADS AND PATHS.
THE PROPOSAL TO EXTEND THE TAI LAM COUNTRY PARK AT TAI TONG WILL BRING THE AREA UNDER THE PROTECTION AND CONTROL OF THE COUNTRY PARKS ORDINANCE.
THE GOVERNMENT ALSO PLANS TO EXCISE AN AREA OF ABOUT 1.8 HECTARES FROM THE TAI LAM COUNTRY PARK NEAR MA ON KONG TO THE ROUTE 3 DEVELOPMENT.
TO MAKE UP THE LOSS OF COUNTRY PARK LAND, A MUCH BIGGER EXTENSION OF THE COUNTRY PARK IN THE NEARBY AREA TO COVER ABOUT 4.5 HECTARES OF WOODLAND IS ALSO PROPOSED.
MR WONG SAID THE EXCISED AREA WAS AT PRESENT COVERED BY SHRUBS AND WAS NOT A POPULAR PLACE FOR COUNTRY PARK VISITORS.
THE PROPOSED CHANGES HAD TAKEN INTO CONSIDERATION COMMUNITY NEEDS, PUBLIC INTERESTS AND THE LACK OF ALTERNATIVES, HE ADDED.
ANY PERSON WHO WISHES TO EXPRESS THEIR VIEWS ON THESE PROPOSED CHANGES ARE WELCOME TO SEND IN THEIR COMMENT ON OR BEFORE APRIL 27 TO THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT, 14TH FLOOR, CANTON ROAD GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 393 CANTON ROAD, KOWLOON.
ALL VIEWS WILL BE CONSIDERED BEFORE A DRAFT REPLACEMENT MAP FOR TAI LAM COUNTRY PARK IS PROPOSED. IT WILL BE FOLLOWED BY LEGAL PROCEDURES WHICH ALLOW THE PUBLIC TO RAISE FORMAL OBJECTION TO THE DRAFT MAP WHEN IT IS GAZETTED.
/10........
FRIDAY, MARCH 18, 1994
10
THREE DEVELOPMENT PERMISSION AREA PLANS APPROVED ******
THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL HAS RECENTLY APPROVED THREE DEVELOPMENT PERMISSION AREA (DPA) PLANS FOR NORTH-EASTERN NEW TERRITORIES.
THESE DPAS ARE LOCATED IN KWU TUNG NORTH, LUK KENG/WO HENG, AND LUNG YEUK TAU/KWAN TEI SOUTH.
THEY ARE RURAL AREAS ENGAGED IN AGRICULTURAL, FISHING, POULTRY REARING, RURAL INDUSTRIES AND OPEN STORAGE ACTIVITIES.
IN RECENT YEARS, MANY FISH PONDS AND AGRICULTURAL LAND HAVE BEEN CONVERTED INTO CAR-REPAIRING YARDS AND CONTAINER STORAGE USE.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE TOWN PLANNING BOARD TODAY (FRIDAY) SAID THAT THESE USES HAD CAUSED A GENERAL DEGRADATION OF THE RURAL ENVIRONMENT AND CREATED VARIOUS PROBLEMS SUCH AS TRAFFIC CONGESTION, VISUAL BLIGHT AND FLOODING.
’’THE DPA PLANS ARE PUBLISHED TO PROVIDE INTERIM PLANNING CONTROL AND DEVELOPMENT GUIDANCE FOR THE RURAL AREAS PENDING THE PREPARATION OF OUTLINE ZONING PLANS (OZPS).
’’REPLACEMENT OZPS FOR THESE AREAS ARE NOW BEING PREPARED BY THE BOARD AND WOULD BE EXHIBITED FOR PUBLIC INSPECTION,” THE SPOKESMAN EXPLAINED.
AN ’OPEN STORAGE’ ZONE OF ABOUT 43 HECTARES HAS BEEN DESIGNATED ON THE APPROVED KWU TUNG NORTH DPA PLAN TO PROVIDE LAND FOR OPEN STORAGE FOR MATERIALS AND PRODUCTS WHICH CANNOT BE ACCOMMODATED IN CONVENTIONAL GODOWN PREMISES.
ONLY THOSE OPEN STORAGE USES WHICH HAVE NO ADVERSE ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECT WOULD BE PERMITTED IN THIS ZONE.
STORAGE USES WHICH MAY CAUSE ENVIRONMENTAL DEGRADATION, SUCH AS FOR CAR-BREAKING AND DANGEROUS GOODS, WOULD REQUIRE PLANNING PERMISSION OF THE BOARD, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
TO PROTECT THE SCENERY OF THE AREA, ABOUT ONE HECTARE OF LAND AT YIM TSO HA BESIDE LUK KENG ROAD HAS BEEN DESIGNATED AS SITE OF SPECIAL SCIENTIFIC INTEREST (SSSI) IN THE LUK KENG AND WO HANG DPA PLAN.
"PROVIDING A NESTING PLACE FOR DIFFERENT SPECIES OF EGRET AND HERON, THE SSSI SITE IS ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT EGRETRIES IN THE TERRITORY. WITHIN THIS SITE, ONLY USES RELATING TO PROTECTION OF WILD ANIMALS ARE PERMITTED.
AGRI CULTURAL USE, FIELD STUDY/EDUCAT1ON/V IS I TOR CENTRE, GOVERNMENT USE (NOT ELSEWHERE SPECIFIED), PUBLIC UTILITY INSTALLATION, SHRINE AND TREE PLANTATION MAY BE PERMITTED WITH OR WITHOUT CONDITIONS ON APPLICATION TO THE BOARD.
USES OTHER THAN THESE ARE NOT PERMITTED," THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
THERE ARE ON THE DPA PLANS MANY ’UNSPECIFIED USES’ AREAS ON THE DPA PLANS WHERE PLANNING PERMISSION IS REQUIRED FOR ALL TYPES OF DEVELOPMENT OTHER THAN THE PERMITTED USES SET OUT IN THE NOTES ATTACHED TO THE PLANS.
/ON THE
11
FRIDAY, MARCH 18, 1994
ON THE DPA PLANS, AREAS SET ASIDE FOR SMALL HOUSE DEVELOPMENT ARE ZONED ’VILLAGE TYPE DEVELOPMENT’ WHEREAS AREAS WITH ADEQUATE INFRASTRUCTURAL FACILITIES ARE ZONED FOR LOW-DENSITY RESIDENTIAL USE TO ENCOURAGE PRIVATE INITIATIVES IN UNDERTAKING DEVELOPMENT.
IN ADDITION, THERE ARE ALSO ’GREEN BELT’ ZONES DELINEATING AREAS WITH LANDSCAPE AND AMENITY VALUE, AND ’GOVERNMENT/INSTITUTION/COMMUNITY’ ZONES RESERVING LAND TO MEET LOCAL AND DISTRICT DEMAND.
ALL THREE APPROVED DPA PLANS ARE BEING EXHIBITED FOR PUBLIC INSPECTION FOR ONE WEEK UNTIL MARCH 25 AT THE PLANNING DEPARTMENT, 16TH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD.
THEY ARE ALSO ON DISPLAY AT THE NORTH DISTRICT OFFICE, THIRD FLOOR, NORTH DISTRICT GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 3 PIK FUNG ROAD, FANLING; AND THE SHA TIN AND NORTH EAST DISTRICT PLANNING OFFICE, GROUND FLOOR, SHA TIN GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 6 TUNG LO WAN HILL ROAD, TAI WAI, SHA TIN IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.
COPIES OF THE APPROVED DPA PLANS ARE AVAILABLE FOR SALE AT THE SURVEY AND MAPPING OFFICE, LANDS DEPARTMENT, 14TH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG, AND THE KOWLOON MAP SALES SECTION, 382 NATHAN ROAD, KOWLOON.
------0-------
WATERFRONT PARK FOR TAI PO » » » » «
CONSTRUCTION OF THE LARGEST PUBLIC PARK IN THE NORTHEAST NEW TERRITORIES WILL BEGIN IN JULY.
THE 13-HECTARE WATERFRONT PARK IS TO BE BUILT ON THE NORTHERN BANK OF THE LAM TSUEN RIVER AND ON THE WESTERN SHORE OF TOLO HARBOUR.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE TERRITORY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT’S NEW TERRITORIES NORTH DEVELOPMENT OFFICE SAID WORK WAS EXPECTED TO COMPLETE IN ABOUT TWO YEARS.
MUCH OF THE PARK WOULD BE DEVOTED TO RECREATION WITH GARDENS, FOUNTAINS AND POOLS, EXTENSIVE GRASSY SLOPES, PROMENADES AND MEANDERING PATHS, ALL WITH A MAGNIFICENT VIEW ACROSS THE TOLO HARBOUR TOWARD MA ON SHAN AND TAI PO KAU.
A CYCLE TRACK, LINKING THE DEVELOPING NETWORK WITH SHA TIN, TAI PO AND TAI MEI TUK, WILL BE BUILT ALONG THE SEA WALL, AND A RESTAURANT WILL BE HOUSED BENEATH AN EYE-CATCHING LOOKOUT TOWER ON THE SEAFRONT.
A 600-SEAT AMPHITHEATRE WILL CROWN A 15-METRE-HIGH MAN-MADE HILL IN THE CENTRE OF THE PARK.
IN ADDITION, THERE WILL BE TWO BOWLING GREENS, A MODEL BOATING POOL, A GATE BALL COURT AND THREE CHILDREN’S PLAY AREAS.
"THE MOST UNUSUAL FEATURE WILL BE AN ECO GARDEN WHERE TYPICAL HABITATS IN SOUTH CHINA - WOODLAND, GRASSLAND, FRESHWATER POOLS AND A MARSH - WILL BE RE-CREATED BOTH FOR THEIR INHERENT BEAUTY AND THEIR EDUCATIONAL VALUE.
/"AN INSECT .......
FRIDAY, MARCH 18, 199A
12
"AN INSECT HOUSE WITH LIVE EXHIBITS AND AN INTERACTIVE EXHIBITION WILL BE LOCATED WITHIN THE ECO GARDEN TO HELP PARK USERS APPRECIATE THE WONDERFUL WORLD OF INSECTS," THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
A NOTICE OF TENDER INVITATION FOR THE WORKS WAS GAZETTED TODAY (FRIDAY).
TENDER FORMS AND FURTHER PARTICULARS MAY BE OBTAINED FROM EBC HASSEL LIMITED, 18TH FLOOR, PHOENIX TOWER, 8 CANAL ROAD EAST, WAN CHAI .
THE TENDER CLOSING DATE IS NOON ON APRIL 8.
------0--------
LAND EASEMENT/RESUMPTION FOR POWER LINE WORKS *****
THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL HAS APPROVED CREATION OF LAND EASEMENT IN CONNECTION WITH THE INSTALLATION OF OVERHEAD POWER LINES BY CHINA LIGHT AND POWER COMPANY (CLP) FOR A TRANSMISSION SYSTEM OF THE BLACK POINT POWER STATION.
THE BLACK POINT POWER STATION WILL BE BUILT TO MEET GROWING ELECTRICITY.
THE LAND EASEMENT WILL GIVE CLP THE RIGHT TO PLACE AND RETAIN ANY POWER LINE ABOVE OR BELOW GROUND ALONG THE ROUTE OF THE TRANSMISSION SYSTEM AND TO GAIN ACCESS TO PRIVATE LAND FOR WORKS RELATING TO THE SYSTEM.
THE EASEMENT IS CREATED BY A GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL ORDER TO APPLY THE PROVISIONS OF THE ELECTRICITY NETWORKS (STATUTORY EASEMENTS) ORDINANCE TO CLP'S TRANSMISSION SYSTEM.
UNDER THE ORDINANCE, CLP MUST SERVE NOTICE ON THE OWNERS TO BE AFFECTED OF ITS INTENTION TO EXERCISE SUCH RIGHTS. THE OWNERS HAVE THE RIGHT TO OBJECT.
AFFECTED LANDOWNERS MAY CLAIM COMPENSATION FROM CLP FOR ANY LOWERING OF THEIR LAND VALUE AS A RESULT OF THE ORDER. CLP IS ALSO LIABLE FOR ANY LOSS OR DAMAGE IN EXERCISING SUCH RIGHTS.
PARTICULARS OF THE LAND TO BE AFFECTED WILL BE PUBLISHED BY CLP IN NEWSPAPERS.
THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL HAS ALSO APPROVED. THE RESUMPTION OF SOME PRIVATE LAND FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE PYLONS FOR THE SYSTEM UNDER THE CROWN LANDS RESUMPTION ORDINANCE.
THE DECISION WAS MADE AFTER AN EXTENSIVE PUBLIC CONSULTATION ON THE ROUTE ALIGNMENTS OF THE TRANSMISSION SYSTEM BETWEEN JULY 1992 AND JULY 1993 WITH RELEVANT DISTRICT BOARDS, AREA COMMITTEES, RURAL COMMITTEES, VILLAGE REPRESENTATIVES AND ADVISORY BOARDS AND COMMITTEES.
AMENDMENTS TO THE ROUTE ALIGNMENTS WERE MADE TO ADDRESS CONCERNS EXPRESSED DURING THE CONSULTATION.
/CLP HAS .......
FRIDAY, MARCH 18, 1994
13
CLP HAS UNDERTAKEN TO TAKE EVERY POSSIBLE STEP TO MINIMISE DISRUPTION TO ALL NEIGHBOURING AREAS WHEN WORKS ARE IN PROGRESS.
THE COMPANY WILL ALSO IMPLEMENT A NUMBER OF MEASURES TO MINIMISE THE VISUAL AND ECOLOGICAL IMPACT OF POWER LINES.
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LAYING OF GAS PIPE OFF BLACK POINT
*****
THE CASTLE PEAK POWER COMPANY LIMITED HAS BEEN AUTHORISED TO CARRY OUT DREDGING WORK TO LAY A GAS PIPE WITHIN 256.83 HECTARES OF FORESHORE AND SEABED OFF BLACK POINT IN TUEN MUN.
THE PIPE WILL LINK UP WITH THE MAIN PIPE FROM HAINAN, CHINA TO SUPPLY FUEL FOR THE LARGE THERMAL POWER STATION NOW BEING CONSTRUCTED AT BLACK POINT.
THE EXTENT OF THE AREA AFFECTED IS DESCRIBED IN A NOTICE OF
AUTHORISATION GAZETTED TODAY (FRIDAY).
THE WORK WILL START LATER THIS YEAR AND TAKE ABOUT THREE MONTHS TO COMPLETE.
THE NOTICE AND THE RELATED PLAN CAN BE SEEN AT THE LANDS DEPARTMENT’S SURVEY AND MAPPING OFFICE, 14TH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, CENTRAL, HONG KONG.
ANY PERSON WHO CONSIDERS THAT HIS INTEREST, RIGHT OR EASEMENT IN OR OVER THE FORESHORE AND SEARED INVOLVED WILL BE AFFECTED BY THE UNDERTAKING SHOULD DELIVER TO THE DIRECTOR OF LANDS A WRITTEN CLAIM FOR COMPENSATION ON OR BEFORE MARCH 18, 1995.
HF SHOULD STATE IN HIS SUBMISSION THE SUM OF MONEY HE IS WILLING TO ACCEPT IN FULL AND FINAL SETTLEMENT OF HIS CLAIM, AND SHOULD SUBMIT ALL PARTICULARS TO SUBSTANTIATE HIS CLAIM.
------0--------
LAND REGISTRATION FIGURES FOR FEBRUARY *****
THE
TOTAL NUMBER OF SALE AND PURCHASE
AGREEMENTS
UNITS, MAINLY
FLATS, RECEIVED BY THE LANI)
BY
21 .2
PER CENT COMPARED WITH THE
REGISTRY
PREVIOUS
INCREASED BY49~PER CENT COMPARED WITH FEBRUARY LAST YEAR.
OF BUILDING LAST MONTH MONTH, AND
IN ALL, 13,024 AGREEMENTS INVOLVING A TOTAL OF $54.87 BILLION WERE RECEIVED FOR REGISTRATION LAST MONTH.
THESE ARE SHOWN IN THE MONTHLY STATISTICS RELEASED TODAY (FRIDAY) BY THE LAND REGISTRAR ON PROPERTY TRANSACTIONS RECEIVED FOR REGISTRATION AT THE URBAN AND NEW TERRITORIES LAND REGISTRIES .
/FOUR BUILDING ......
FRIDAY, MARCH 18, 1994
14
FOUR BUILDING MORTGAGES AND 8,808 OTHER MORTGAGES FOR REGISTRATION LAST MONTH, COMPARED WITH FIVE RESPECTIVELY IN FEBRUARY LAST YEAR.
WERE RECEIVED
AND 10,509
THE TOTAL AMOUNT SECURED UNDER NEW BUILDING MORTGAGES LAST MONTH WAS $0.07 BILLION COMPARED WITH $0.2 BILLION IN FEBRUARY LAST YEAR.
AMOUNT SECURED UNDER NEW MORTGAGES DECREASED BY 17.1 PER CENT, FROM $7
TO $5.81 BILLION IN FEBRUARY THIS YEAR.
OTHER THAN
BILLION IN
THE TOTAL BUILDING MORTGAGES FEBRUARY LAST YEAR
OF ALL KINDS, AS EVIDENCED BY , DECREASED BY 6.4 PER CENT, FROM TO $2.62 BILLION IN FEBRUARY THIS
REPAYMENTS UNDER MORTGAGES DISCHARGES AND MORTGAGEE’S RECEIPTS $2.8 BILLION IN FEBRUARY LAST YEAR
YEAR.
/THE LAND .......
THE LAND REGISTRY
Consolidated Muithly Statistics in respect of deeds received for registration in Hie Urban and Nev Territories District l.aiKlJU'gistries
LAND
Month : February 1994
I ton Nature of Deeds Nuriier of Deeds received for registration consiteratkxi 3?)
Urban New Territories Total Urban Now Territories __T?tal
i': 1 1 Agreements for Sale and Purchase of Building Units 7,439 ( 8,273 ) 5,585 ( 6,301 ) 13,024 ( 14,574 ) 39,592,347,148.32 15,275,604,728.00 54.867,951,876.12
2. Agreements for Sale and Purchase of land 60 351 411 7,775,323,000.00 1,411,056,947.00 9,186,379,947.00
Sub-total (1) + (2) 7,rn 5,936 13,435 47,367,670,148.32 16,686,661,675.00 ,64,054331 ,823.12
i 3. Assignments of Building Units 5.483 ( 5,719 ) 3,909 ( 4,025 ) 9,392 ( 9,744 ) 17,404,810,206.82 6,359,330,%! .00 23,764,141.167.82
! ’• Assignments of land 32 633 665 2,346,725,000.00 1,282,146,896.00 3,628,871,8%. 00
1 1 Sub-total (3) + (4) 5,515 4,542 10,057 19.751,535.206.82 7,641,477,857.00 27,393,013,063.82
i i Building Mortgages/Building Legal Charges 2 2 4 52,800,000.00 19,500,000.00 72,300,000.00
6. otlier Nortgages/Legal Ciarges 4.9Z/ 3,881 8,808 3,584.618.913.77 2,221,451,253.47 5,806,070,167.24
1 Sub-total (5) + (6) 4,929 3,883 8,812 3,637,418,913.77 2,240,95L253.47 5,878,370,167.24
1 ! 7' Receipt s/Di scha rges/Releases 4,205 2,488 6,693 2,049,2Z/,758.% 574,033,170.08 2,623,260,929.04
! 8. Leases/Tenancy Agreements 328 236 564
I 9. Exclusion Orders 0 2 2
i i’°- ; Olliers 2,444 2,076 4,520
j Total 24,9_20_ 44c083 72,805,852,027.87 PJJ4Xia£%5.55 99,948,975,983.42
Note : Figures in brackets denote niiribrr of units involved
FRIDAY, MARCH 18, 1994
THE LAND REGISTRY
Comparison of Monthly Statistics
l I i
i o
I
i l
i
Month : February 1994
Item 1994 February 1994 January 1993 February February 1994 Increase (*) or Decrease (-) as compared with
January 1994 February 1993
No. or Consideration Percentage No. or Consideration Percentage
I. Agreement tor Sale* and Purchase of Building Units (a) N’x 13.024 10.749 8,739 2.275 r 21.2 A 4.285 * 49.0
<bj Consideration S54.S67.951,87o.32 $40,529,124,484.65 $17,347,430,325.82 - $14,338,827,391.67 35.4 ▼ $37:520.521.550.50 216.3
•> Agreements for Sale and Purchase of Lund (a) No. 411 321 236 90 ♦ 28.0 * 175 ♦ 74.2
(b) Consideration $9,186,379,947.00 $6,693,854,225.30 $4,261,969,396.21 $2,492,525,721.70 * 37.2 ♦ $4,924,410,- *0.79 ♦ ’’5.5
Sub-total of (1) <■ (2)
(a) No. 13.435 11,070 8,975 • 2.365 • 21.4 * 4,460 ♦ 49.7
(b) Consideration $64,054,331,823.32 $47,222,978,709.95 $21,609,399,722.03 $16,831,353,113.37 ♦ 35.6 $42,444,932,101.29 ♦ 196
3. Assignments of Building Units
(a) No. 9.392 9.581 10.185 - 189 - 2.0 - 793 - 7.8
(b) Consideration $23,764,141,167.82 $28,120,965,129.98 $26,502,436,333.57 $4,356,823,962.16 - 15.5 - $2,738,295,165.75 - 10.3
4. Assignments of Land (a) No. 665 637 727 ■r 28 ♦ 4.4 - 62 - 8.5
(b) Consideration S3.628.871,896.00 $5,759,427,739.74 $3,876,109,259.92 - $2,130,555,843,74 - 37.0 - $247,237,7 53.92 - 6.4
Sub-total of (3) » (4) (a) No. 10.057 10.218 10.912 161 - 1.6 - 855 - 7.8
(b) Consideration $27,393,013,063.82 $33,880,392,869.72 $30,378,545,593.49 - $6,487,379,805.90 - 19.1 - $2,985,532,529.67 - 9.8
5. Building Mortgages/Building Legal Charges
(a) No. 4 6 5 - 2 - 33.3 - 1 - 20.0
(b> Consideration $72,300,000.00 $446,773,000.00 $195,000,000.00 - $374,473,000.00 - 83.8 - $122,700.^00.00 - 62.9
6. Other Mort gages/Legal Charges (a) No. 8,808 9,013 10,509 - 205 - 2.3 1.701 - 16.2
(b) Consideration $5,806,070,167.24 $8,137,858,105.79 $7,002,902,713.05 - $2,331,787,938.55 - 28.7 - $1,196,832,545.81 - 17.1
Sub-total of (5) ♦ (6) (a) No. 8,812 9,019 10,514 - 207 - 2.3 - 1.702 - 16.2
(b) Consideration $5,878,370,167.24 $8,584,631,105.79 $7,197,902,713.05 - $2,706,260,938.55 - 31.5 - $1,319,532,545.81 - 18.3
7. Receipts/Discharges/Releases (a) No. 6.693 6,804 7,039 — 111 - 1.6 - 346 — 4.9
— (b) Consideration $2,623,260,929.04 $4,222,613,050.50 $2,803,814,492.25 - $1,599,352,121.46 - 37.9 - $180,553,563.21 - 6.4
PRTnAY, MARCH 18, 1994
FRIDAY, MARCH 18, 1994
PARKING METER MANAGEMENT TO BE CONTRACTED OUT *****
THE OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE OF THE 13,000 PARKING METERS INSTALLED THROUGHOUT THE TERRITORY WILL BE TAKEN OVER BY SERCO GUARDIAN (FM) LIMITED FROM THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT FROM SUNDAY (MARCH 20) .
UNDER A THREE-YEAR MANAGEMENT CONTRACT SIGNED WITH THE DEPARTMENT, SERCO GUARDIAN WILL TAKE UP FOR THE GOVERNMENT THE COLLECTION OF PARKING METER REVENUE, THE MAINTENANCE AND REPAIRS OF THE METERS, AND DEALING WITH TELEPHONE REPORTS FROM THE PUBLIC ON DEFECTIVE METERS.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID STAFF OF THE COMPANY ON COLLECTION AND MAINTENANCE DUTIES WOULD WEAR UNIFORM AND CARRY IDENTITY CARDS.
THE EXISTING TELEPHONE NUMBER (824 2111) FOR REPORTING DEFECTIVE METERS WILL CONTINUE TO BE USED, HE SAID.
UNDER THE CONTRACT, SERCO GUARDIAN WILL ALSO BE RESPONSIBLE FOR MAINTENANCE OF THE PARKING SIGNS AND ROAD MARKINGS ASSOCIATED WITH METERED PARKING SPACES.
THE SPOKESMAN STRESSED THAT THE GOVERNMENT WOULD, HOWEVER, RETAIN THE POWER TO APPROVE THE DESIGNATION, CANCELLATION AND SUSPENSION OF THE PARKING METERS, AS WELL AS THE METER TYPES TO BE INSTALLED.
THE ENFORCEMENT OF PARKING OFFENCES, INCLUDING THE ISSUE OF FIXED PENALTY TICKETS AND PROSECUTION ON METER OFFENCES, REMAINS WITH THE POLICE.
OF THE 118 GOVERNMENT STAFF WORKING WITH PARKING METERS, 46 HAVE OPTED RETIREMENT AND 68 HAVE SO FAR SUCCESSFULLY TRANSFERRED TO OTHER JOBS IN THE CIVIL SERVICE.
--------0-----------
YOUTHS ENCOURAGED TO TAKE PART IN SPORTS ♦ * * * ♦
PARTICIPATION IN SPORTS HELPS TO BUILD A GENERATION OF DYNAMIC AND VIGOROUS YOUTHS WHO ARE READY BOTH PHYSICALLY AND MENTALLY TO MEET THE FUTURE CHALLENGES IN LIFE, HIE SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS, MR MICHAEL SUEN, SAID TODAY (FRIDAY).
OFFICIATING AT THE PRIZE-PRESENTATION CEREMONY FOR THE INTERSCHOOL ATHLETICS CHAMPIONSHIPS 1993/94, MR SUEN SAID SUCH PARTICIPATION WAS IMPORTANT TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF YOUNG PEOPLE BECAUSE IT WAS THE TRAINING OF BOTH THE BODY AND THE MIND.
’’SPORTS FOSTER YOUNG PEOPLE’S PHYSICAL FITNESS. MORE IMPORTANTLY, IN ANY SPORTS COMPETITION, WE ARE NOT SO MUCH COMPETING WITH OTHERS. THE CHALLENGE IS TO GIVE ONE’S BEST," HE SAID.
0 -
/IB
FRIDAY, MARCH 18, 1994
18
STUDENTS HELP IMPROVE WORK SAFETY *****
SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS HAVE CONTRIBUTED TOWARDS BETTER WORK SAFETY THROUGH PARTICIPATION IN A SLOGAN DESIGN COMPETITION ON SAFETY AT WORK.
TO RECOGNISE THEIR EFFORTS IN DESIGNING SLOGANS TO PROMOTE THE IMPORTANCE OF WORK SAFETY, WINNERS OF THE COMPETITION WERE PRESENTED CASH PRIZES RANGING FROM $300 TO $3,000 AND SOUVENIRS DURING A CEREMONY HELD THIS (FRIDAY) AFTERNOON.
THE THREE WINNING SLOGANS FROM EACH OF THE JUNIOR AND SENIOR SECTIONS WERE ALSO PRINTED ON HANDY CARDS FOR DISTRIBUTION AMONG STUDENTS.
THE COMPETITION IS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY A WORKING GROUP ON INDUSTRIAL SAFETY FOR STUDENTS WHICH COMPRISED REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT, THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT AND THE HONG KONG ASSOCIATION OF CAREERS MASTERS AND GUIDANCE MASTERS, AND THE OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH COUNCIL (OSHC).
IT IS ONE OF THE HIGHLIGHTS OF THE SUMMER JOB SAFETY PUBLICITY DRIVE TO ENHANCE SAFETY AWARENESS AMONG SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS AND THEIR FAMILIES AS STUDENTS OFTEN TAKE UP TEMPORARY JOBS DURING THEIR SUMMER VACATION.
WITH A TOTAL OF 922 ENTRIES FROM 27 SECONDARY SCHOOLS, THIS YEAR’S COMPETITION IS DIVIDED INTO THE JUNIOR AND SENIOR SECTIONS FOR FORMS 1 TO 3 AND FORMS 4 TO 7 STUDENTS RESPECTIVELY.
BASING ON THE EDUCATIONAL VALUE, CONCISENESS AND INNOVATION OF THE ENTRIES, THE WINNERS WERE SELECTED BY A PANEL OF ADJUDICATORS MADE UP OF SPECIALISTS IN THE FIELD AND REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT, THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT AND THE HONG KONG ASSOCIATION OF CAREERS MASTERS AND GUIDANCE MASTERS.
OFFICIATING GUESTS OF TODAY’S PRIZE PRESENTATION CEREMONY INCLUDED CHIEF FACTORY INSPECTOR OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT, MR CHAN TAT-KING; CHAIRMAN OF THE OSHC, PROFESSOR LEUNG PING-CHUNG; MEMBER OF THE OSHC, MR CHEUNG LUN; SENIOR EDUCATION OFFICER, MISS MONICA NG; AND CHAIRMAN OF THE HONG KONG ASSOCIATION OF CAREERS MASTERS AND GUIDANCE MASTERS, MR CHAN JOE-CHAK.
WINNERS OF THE COMPETITION ARE:
SENIOR SECTION:
FIRST PRIZE : SHUM KWOK-FUNG OF NG WAH COLLEGE
SECOND PRIZE : CHAN HOI-LING OF TWGHS MRS FUNG WONG FUNG TING COLLEGE
THIRD PRIZE : NG WAI-HAN OF PO LEUNG KUK YAO LING SUN COLLEGE
/JUNIOR SECTION .......
FRIDAY, MARCH 18, 1994
19
JUNIOR SECTION:
FIRST PRIZE : LAM LAP-FUNG OF CHONG GENE HANG COLLEGE
SECOND PRIZE : NG KA-PO OF BAPTIST LUI MING CHOI SECONDARY SCHOOL
THIRD PRIZE : KAN WING-SZE OF TWGHS MRS FUNG WONG FUNG TING COLLEGE
LEISURE POOL PLANNED FOR JORDAN VALLEY » » ♦ » ♦
THE ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF A LEISURE POOL COMPLEX IN JORDAN VALLEY, KWUN TONG.
THE COMPLEX WILL HAVE FOUR INTEGRATED LEISURE POOLS, ONE PADDLING POOL, A SUN DECK, LANDSCAPED AREAS, A ONE-STOREY MAIN BUILDING, A TWO-STOREY SERVICE BUILDING, A ONE-STOREY TOILET BLOCK AND AN ANNEX BLOCK.
CONSTRUCTION IS EXPECTED TO START IN MAY THIS YEAR FOR COMPLETION IN NOVEMBER 1995.
FORMS OF TENDER AND FURTHER PARTICULARS MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE DEPARTMENT, 34TH FLOOR, QUEENSWAY GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 66 QUEENSWAY, HONG KONG.
TENDER OFFER WILL CLOSE AT NOON ON APRIL 8.
------0-------
MANUFACTURERS’ ORDERS-ON-HAND FIGURES FOR JANUARY
*****
THE VALUE OF MANUFACTURERS’ ORDERS-ON-HAND FOR LOCAL PRODUCTION IN JANUARY THIS YEAR DECREASED BY 6% OVER A YEAR EARLIER, ACCORDING TO THE PROVISIONAL RESULTS OF A MONTHLY SURVEY RELEASED TODAY (FRIDAY) BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
FROM JANUARY, A NEW SERIES OF STATISTICS ON MANUFACTURERS’ ORDERS-ON-HAND IN VALUE TERMS COMPILED IN THE FORM OF AN INDEX IS PRODUCED TO REPLACE THE OLD SERIES, WHICH IS EXPRESSED IN TERMS OF NUMBER OF MONTHS TO COMPLETE THE OUTSTANDING ORDERS.
THE NEW SERIES PROVIDES A MORE DIRECT MEASURE OF THE OVERALL VALUE OF ORDERS IN THE LOCAL MANUFACTURING SECTOR THAT LEAD TO THE GENERATION OF LOCAL MANUFACTURING OUTPUT.
MANUFACTURERS’ ORDERS-ON-HAND REFER TO ORDERS AND PARTS OF ORDERS RECEIVED EARLIER BY MANUFACTURERS FOR LOCAL PRODUCTION WHICH REMAIN UNFILLED AS AT THE END OF THE REFERENCE MONTH.
ORDERS RECEIVED BY TRADERS NOT ENGAGED IN PRODUCTION ARE INCLUDED IF SUCH ORDERS ARE FURTHER PLACED TO MANUFACTURERS FOR PRODUCTION LOCALLY.
/HOWEVER, ORDERS .......
FRIDAY, MARCH 18, 1994
20
HOWEVER, ORDERS PLACED TO MANUFACTURING FIRMS FOR PRODUCTION IN CHINA AND OTHER PLACES OUTSIDE HONG KONG ARE NOT INCLUDED IN THIS SERIES OF ORDERS-ON-HAND STATISTICS.
COMPARING JANUARY 1994 WITH JANUARY 1993, SIGNIFICANT INCREASES IN THE VALUE OF OUTSTANDING ORDERS WERE RECORDED IN THE FABRICATED METAL PRODUCTS INDUSTRY (+76%), AND PRINTING AND PUBLISHING INDUSTRY (+43%).
ON THE OTHER HAND, SIGNIFICANT DECREASES IN ORDERS WERE RECORDED IN THE PLASTIC PRODUCTS (-44%) AND WEARING APPAREL (-20%) INDUSTRIES.
MODERATE DECREASES IN ORDERS WERE RECORDED IN THE TEXTILES, ELECTRICAL PRODUCTS AND ELECTRONIC PRODUCTS INDUSTRIES (-8%, -3% AND -2% RESPECTIVELY).
COMPARED WITH DECEMBER 1993, AND BEARING IN MIND THAT THIS COMPARISON MAY BE AFFECTED BY SEASONAL FACTORS, THE VALUE OF MANUFACTURERS’ ORDERS-ON-HAND INCREASED BY 12%.
THE SURVEY COVERS A SAMPLE OF SOME 300 MANUFACTURING FIRMS ENGAGING 50 OR MORE WORKERS.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT POINTED OUT THAT CAUTION SHOULD BE EXERCISED IN INTERPRETING THE MANUFACTURERS’ ORDERS-ON-HAND FIGURES IN A SINGLE MONTH.
"INSTEAD, THE TREND MOVEMENT OF THE SERIES AS DISPLAYED OVER A WIDER SPAN OF TIME POINTS SHOULD BE LOOKED AT," HE ADDED.
THE SURVEY REPORT FOR JANUARY 1994, AT $4.5 A COPY, IS NOW AVAILABLE FOR SALE AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, GENERAL POST OFFICE BUILDING, CONNAUGHT PLACE, CENTRAL, AND AT THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT PUBLICATIONS SECTION, 19TH FLOOR, WANCHAI TOWER, 12 HARBOUR ROAD, WAN CHAI.
ENQUIRIES ABOUT THE SURVEY RESULTS MAY BE MADE OF THE INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION STATISTICS SECTION OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT ON TEL 805 6441.
THE FOLLOWING TABLE SHOWS THE YEAR-ON-YEAR PERCENTAGE CHANGES IN THE VALUE OF ORDERS-ON-HAND IN MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES:
PERCENTAGE CHANGES IN THE VALUE OF
ORDERS-ON-HAND IN JANUARY 1994
OVER JANUARY 1993
ALL INDUSTRIES COVERED IN THE SURVEY
-6
WEARING APPAREL -20
TEXTILES -8
ELECTRONIC PRODUCTS -2
ELECTRICAL PRODUCTS -3
FABRICATED METAL PRODUCTS +76
PLASTIC PRODUCTS -44
PRINTING AND PUBLISHING +43
/21 .......
FRIDAY, MARCH 18, 1994
21
SEARCH FOR ELECTRIC SUPPLY STUDY CONSULTANTS
*****
SUITABLY QUALIFIED CONSULTANTS ARE INVITED TO APPLY FOR PREQUALIFICATION FOR CONDUCTING STUDIES RELATING TO THE MONITORING OF THE ELECTRICITY SUPPLY COMPANIES IN THE TERRITORY AND OTHER ASPECTS OF ELECTRICITY SUPPLY.
A NOTICE OF THE PREQUALIFICATION INVITATION WAS GAZETTED TODAY (FRIDAY).
A DOCUMENT SETTING OUT IN MORE DETAIL THE SCOPE OF THE CONSULTANCY SERVICE AND THE APPLICATION PROCEDURE MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT’S CONTRACT SECTION, ROOM 811, 98 CAROLINE HILL ROAD, CAUSEWAY BAY.
THE PREQUALIFICATION SUBMISSIONS SHOULD REACH THE DEPARTMENT BY APRIL 15.
------0-------
PREQUALIFICATION APPLICATIONS INVITED
*****
THE CIVIL ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT (CED) IS INVITING PREQUALIFICATION APPLICATIONS FOR TENDERING FOR WORKS ON PHASE II OF THE JORDAN ROAD RECLAMATION AND CONSTRUCTION OF A TEMPORARY PASSENGER FERRY PIER AT WEST KOWLOON RECLAMATION SOUTHERN AREA, THE GAZETTE NOTIFIED TODAY (FRIDAY).
THE WORKS INCLUDE A 4.1-HECTARE RECLAMATION AND REPROVISION OF A PUMPHOUSE IN MAN CHEONG STREET AND CONSTRUCTION OF BOX CULVERTS.
THE WORKS ARE SCHEDULED TO START IN JANUARY 1995 FOR COMPLETION IN ABOUT 22 MONTHS.
CONTRACTORS ON THE APPROVED CONTRACTORS FOR PUBLIC WORKS LIST I IN GROUP C FOR PORT WORKS (CONFIRMED) OR ON THE APPROVED CONTRACTORS FOR PUBLIC WORKS LIST II FOR PORT WORKS (CONFIRMED) ARE INVITED TO APPLY FOR PREQUALIFICATION DOCUMENTS FROM CHIEF ENGINEER/WEST KOWLOON RECLAMATION, CIVIL ENGINEERING OFFICE, CIVIL ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT, THIRD FLOOR, CIVIL ENGINEERING BUILDING, 101 PRINCESS MARGARET ROAD, HO MAN TIN, KOWLOON.
THE APPLICATIONS SHOULD BE RETURNED BEFORE NOON ON APRIL 29, 1994 (FRIDAY). *------ --
------0-------
SAI KUNG DRAGON BOAT RACE
*****
THE 1994 SAI KUNG INVITING PARTICIPANTS TO DRAGON BOAT RACES, TO BE
DRAGON BOAT RACE PREPARATORY COMMITTEE IS TAKE PART IN THIS YEAR’S SAI KUNG DISTRICT HELD ON JUNE 13 (MONDAY) OFF SAI KUNG TOWN
SEAFRONT.
THE DRAGON BOAT RACE IS ORGANISED WITH THE ASSISTANCE FROM THE SAI KUNG DISTRICT OFFICE AND LOCAL BODIES.
/THE COMMITTEE ......
FRIDAY, MARCH 18, 1994
22
THE COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN, MR NG SZE-FUK, SAID SHARK PREVENTION NETS WOULD ALSO BE INSTALLED IN THE RACING AREA TO ENSURE THE SAFETY OF THE PARTICIPANTS.
THE RACE WILL BE DIVIDED INTO SEVEN DIVISIONS". MEN’S OPEN DIVISION, WOMEN’S OPEN DIVISION, FISHERMEN’S OPEN DIVISION, COMMERCIAL SECTORS OPEN DIVISION, MEN’S MINI-BOAT DIVISION, WOMEN’S MINI-BOAT DIVISION AND ACADEMY MINI-BOAT DIVISION.
APPLICATION FORMS ARE NOW AVAILABLE AT THE SAI KUNG COMMUNITY CENTRE AT SAI HA, SAI KUNG. THE DEADLINE FOR APPLICATION IS APRIL 18.
ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE ON TEL 792 1762.
------0--------
POLICE CATCH 170 IN OPERATION AGAINST ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS *****
THE POLICE HAVE ARRESTED 170 PERSONS IN A TERRITORY-WIDE OPERATION AGAINST ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION.
THEY HAD BEEN REFERRED TO THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT. THOSE FOUND TO BE ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS WILL BE REPATRIATED.
THE OPERATION WAS PART OF THE GOVERNMENT’S ONGOING EFFORT TO FLUSH OUT ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS.
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN REITERATED TODAY (FRIDAY) 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 THE POLICE AND THE SECURITY FORCES BOTH AT THE LAND AND SEA BORDERS,” HE SAID.
DURING THE 24-HOUR OPERATION, WHICH BEGAN AT 4 PM ON WEDNESDAY (MARCH 16), THE POLICE HAD STEPPED UP THEIR IDENTIFICATION SPOT CHECKS IN PUBLIC PLACES AND CARRIED OUT CHECKS AT SUSPICIOUS LOCATIONS.
A TOTAL OF 12,325 PERSONS, 1,782 VEHICLES AND 429 VESSELS WERE STOPPED FOR IDENTIFICATION CHECKS.
------0--------
/23........
FRIDAY, MARCH 18, 1994
23
SUPPLIERS OF SEWAGE PUMPING EQUIPMENT WANTED * ♦ » » ♦
THE DRAINAGE SERVICES DEPARTMENT IS INVITING PREQUALIFICATION SUBMISSIONS FOR THE SUPPLY, INSTALLATION, TESTING AND COMMISSIONING OF ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL EQUIPMENT FOR FOUR SEWAGE PUMPING STATIONS.
THEY ARE THE STONECUTTERS ISLAND MAIN PUMPING STATION, TSEUNG KWAN O PUMPING STATION, NORTHWEST KOWLOON PUMPING STATION AND KWUN TONG PUMPING STATION.
THE PROJECT FORMS PART OF STAGE I OF THE STRATEGIC SEWAGE DISPOSAL SCHEME TO COLLECT AND TREAT SEWAGE FROM KOWLOON BETWEEN TSUEN WAN AND TSEUNG KWAN O AND FROM THE NORTHEASTERN PART OF HONG KONG ISLAND.
A NOTICE INVITING PREQUALIFICATION SUBMISSIONS WAS GAZETTED TODAY (FRIDAY).
ONLY CONTRACTORS WITH EXPERIENCE IN ERECTING SEWAGE OR RAW WATER PUMPING PLANT OF CAPACITY EXCEEDING 20 CUBIC METRES PER SECOND ARE INVITED TO APPLY FOR PREQUALIFICATION DOCUMENTS FROM THE PROJECT'S CONSULTANT, MONTGOMERY WATSON HONG KONG LIMITED, 1911 WINDSOR HOUSE, 311 GLOUCESTER ROAD, CAUSEWAY BAY.
THE APPLICATIONS SHOULD BE RETURNED TO THE CONSULTANT NO LATER THAN NOON ON APRIL 22.
THE DEPARTMENT WILL INVITE TENDERS FROM THE PREQUALIFIED CONTRACTORS LATER THIS YEAR.
--------0----------
FORMATION OF PO LAM ROAD PLATFORM » * » » »
TENDERS WILL BE INVITED IN JUNE FROM PREQUALIFIED CONTRACTORS FOR THE FORMATION OF PO LAM ROAD PLATFORM AT SAU MAU PING TO BE USED FOR A PUBLIC HOUSING DEVELOPMENT.
THE PROPOSED PROJECT WILL BE A DESIGN-AND-BUILD AND LUMP SUM CONTRACT. IT IS LOCATED TO THE EAST OF THE JUNCTION BETWEEN PO LAM ROAD AND SAU MAU PING ROAD.
AS FROM TODAY (FRIDAY), WITH THE PUBLICATION OF A NOTICE IN THE GAZETTE, APPLICATIONS FOR THE PREQUALIFICATION OF TENDERERS FOR THE CONTRACT ARE INVITED UNTIL MAY 13, 1994.
THE CONTRACT CALLS FOR THE FORMATION OF A PLATFORM WITH AN AREA OF ABOUT 6.5 HECTARES AND THE DIVERSION OF A 600 MM DIAMETER SALT WATER MAIN AWAY FROM THE SITE.
THE MAJOR CONSTRUCTION WORKS WILL INVOLVE BULK EXCAVATION IN SOIL AND ROCK, CUTTING AND FILLING OF SLOPES, IMPROVEMENT OF THE STABILITY OF EXISTING SLOPES, CONSTRUCTION OF ACCESS ROADS, LAYING OF A SALT WATER MAIN AND INSTALLATION OF STORM WATER DRAINS. CONSTRUCTION OF RETAINING WALLS MAY ALSO BE REQUIRED.
/THE CONSTRUCTION........
FRIDAY, MARCH 18, 1994
24
THE CONSTRUCTION WORKS WILL BE SUPERVISED BY THE ADVISORY DIVISION OF THE GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEERING OFFICE, CIVIL ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT.
CONTRACTORS ON THE APPROVED CONTRACTORS FOR PUBLIC WORKS LIST I IN GROUP C FOR SITE FORMATION WORKS OR ON THE LIST II FOR SITE FORMATION WORKS ARE INVITED TO APPLY FOR PREQUALIFICATION DOCUMENTS FROM: • . MR W C LEE CHIEF GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEER/ADVISORY GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEERING OFFICE f.’ EIGHTH FLOOR, CJVIL ENGINEERING BUILDING 101 PRINCESS MARGARET ROAD, HO MAN TIN KOWLOON TEL: 762 5300 FAX: 714 0214 -----------------------------------0--------
' i REVISED FEES FOR PLANT AND ANIMAL SERVICES
7,. » ♦ *
THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED REVISED FEES FOR A NUMBER OF SERVICES, FOLLOWING AMENDMENTS TO THE PLANT (IMPORTATION AND PEST CONTROL) ORDINANCE AND THE POUNDS ORDINANCE.
TO BE EFFECTIVE FROM APRIL 28, THE REVISED FEES ARE:
NATURE OF SERVICES
RANGE OF REVISED FEES
» PHYTOSANITARY EXAMINATION OF PLANTS 80 - 1,200
» VISIT TO THE APPLICANT’S PREMISES
FOR THE ABOVE SERVICE 85
* PLANT QUARANTINE MAINTENANCE 35
* TREATMENT OF PLANTS AND SOIL ’L, 26-60
* RELEASE OF IMPOUNDED STRAY ANIMALS EXCEPT DOGS 3.5 - 172
THE PLANT (IMPORTATION AND PEST CONTROL) (FEES) (AMENDMENT) REGULATION 1994 AND THE POUNDS (FEES) (AMENDMENT) REGULATION 1994, WHICH SPECIFY THE REVISED FEES, WERE GAZETTED TODAY (FRIDAY).
EXPLAINING THE REVISION, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID THE FEES WERE LAST REVIEWED IN 1988 AND 1989.
IN ORDER TO MAINTAIN THE REAL VALUE OF THESE FEES AGAINST INFLATION OVER THE PAST FIVE YEARS, THEY SHOULD BE REVISED UPWARD BY AN' AVERAGE PERCENTAGE OF 71.5.
ENQUIRIES ABOUT THE REVISED FEES CAN BE MADE OF THE PLANT AND PESTICIDE REGULATORY UNIT ON TEL 733 2198 OR THE RABIES CONTROL UNIT ON TEL 733 2274.
FRIDAY, MARCH 18, 1994
25
HONG KONG MONETARY AUTHORITY
MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS * » » * *
TIME
$ MILLION (HOURS)
CUMULATIVE CHANGE ($ MILLION)
OPENING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT 1,835 0930 +1,395
CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT 2,516 1000 +1,345
CHANGE ATTRIBUTABLE TO : 1100 +1,155
MONEY MARKET ACTIVITY +1,151 1200 +1,151
LAF TODAY -470 1500 +1,151
1600 +1,151
LAF RATE 2.00 BID/4.00 OFFER TWI 125.7 ♦+0.1* 18.3.94
HONG KONG MONETARY AUTHORIT
EF BILLS EF NOTES/HONG KONG GOVERNMENT BONDS
TERMS YIELD TERM ISSUE COUPON PRICE YIELD
1 WEEK 3.12 18 MONTHS 2508 4.625 99.86 4.78
1 MONTH 3.39 21 MONTHS 2511 4.15 98.75 4.99
3 MONTHS 3.69 24 MONTHS 2602 4.40 98.68 5.20
6 MONTHS 3.95 32 MONTHS 3610 4.20 96.92 5.55
12 MONTHS 4.36 TOTAL TURNOVER OF BILLS 35 MONTHS AND BONDS 3701 - 15,023 4.60 MN 97.35 5.69
CLOSED 18 MARCH 1994
- - 0 - -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
SATURDAY, MARCH 19, 1994
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
USA FIRST ADMINISTRATIVE REVIEW RESULTS DRAW CONCERN ........... 1
GFS LOOKS FOR LOCAL CADET PILOTS ............................... 2
INTEGRATED APPROACH TO SERVICES FOR YOUNG AND OLD .............. 3
CAR MARK AUCTION FETCHES $3IM .................................. 5
COMBINATION OF KMB ROUTE 30 AND 46A ............................ 6
LATEST ISSUE OF PUBLIC TRANSPORT GUIDE ON SALE ................. 6
GOVT DETERMINED TO MAINTAIN PROSPERITY OF HK ................... 7
RETIRING SENIOR LAUNCH MECHANIC AWARDED IMPERIAL SERVICE MEDAL ........................................................ 7
FIRING PRACTICE IN APRIL ....................................... 8
HONG KONG MONETARY AUTHORITY MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS ........... 9
SATURDAY, MARCH 19, 1994
1
USA FIRST ADMINISTRATIVE REVIEW RESULTS DRAW CONCERN *****
ASSISTANT DIRECTOR-GENERAL OF TRADE, MR PETER S T PANG, EXPRESSED DEEP CONCERN TODAY (SATURDAY) AT THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE’S FINAL DETERMINATION OF THE FIRST ADMINISTRATIVE REVIEW IN THE ANT I-DUMP ING CASE AGAINST MAN-MADE FIBRE SWEATERS FROM HONG KONG.
’’THE FINAL DETERMINATION IS A GREAT DISAPPOINTMENT,” SAID MR PANG. ’’ALTHOUGH THE DUTY RATE FOR THE 14 COMPANIES IN THE SAMPLE GROUP HAS BEEN REDUCED FROM 31.72% TO 20.64%, IT is STILL MUCH HIGHER THAN THE 5.86% PAID BY THESE COMPANIES UP TO NOW. THE CURRENT RATE IS ALREADY THE SUBJECT OF AN APPEAL BY HONG KONG COMPANIES.
”WE DO FEEL THAT THE CALCULATIONS AND METHODOLOGY UNDER THE U.S. ANTI-DUMPING PROCEEDINGS HAVE PRODUCED RESULTS WHICH ARE UNREALISTIC AND UNFAIR. WE ARE PARTICULARLY CONCERNED THAT THE SAMPLE GROUP RATE DETERMINED IN THE REVIEW INCLUDES THE DUMPING MARGIN OF ONE COMPANY WHICH IS ARRIVED AT ON THE BASIS OF UNVERIFIED INFORMATION PROVIDED BY THE PETITIONER, THE U.S. NATIONAL KNITWEAR AND SPORTSWEARS ASSOCIATION (NKSA).
"THE ANNOUNCEMENT IS MADE DESPITE DOUBTS ABOUT WHETHER THE U.S. DOMESTIC INDUSTRY HAS SUFFERED ANY INJURY. THE U.S. COURT OF INTERNATIONAL TRADE HAS RULED THAT THE CASE REMAINS UNPROVEN, ALTHOUGH THE U.S. PETITIONER HAS APPEALED. IN OUR VIEW, THE DUTIES SHOULD BE SUSPENDED UNTIL THE APPEAL IS HEARD.
"THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT IS IN CLOSE CONTACT WITH REPRESENTATIVES OF THE INDUSTRY, AND WILL ENCOURAGE THE HONG KONG SWEATER INDUSTRY TO CHALLENGE THIS LATEST DETERMINATION,” HE SAID. ”WE WILL ALSO BE CONSIDERING OUR OPTIONS UNDER GATT RULES.”
UNDER THE U.S. ANTI-DUMPING REGULATIONS, THE DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE IS REQUIRED TO CONDUCT AN ADMINISTRATIVE REVIEW 12 MONTHS FROM THE DATE OF THE ANTI-DUMP ING ORDER IF A REQUEST FOR SUCH A REVIEW HAS BEEN RECEIVED.
IN 1991, A NUMBER OF HONG KONG COMPANIES WERE NAMED BY THE U.S. PETITIONER SEEKING A FIRST ADMINISTRATIVE REVIEW (COVERING THE PERIOD APRIL 27, 1990 - AUGUST 31, 1991) AND EVENTUALLY FOUR HONG KONG COMPANIES WERE SELECTED FOR INVESTIGATION.
THREE OF THE FOUR COMPANIES SUBMITTED THEIR RESPONSES TO THE DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE’S QUESTIONNAIRE. ANOTHER COMPANY DID NOT RESPOND.
ON NOVEMBER 24, 1993, THE DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE ANNOUNCED THE PRELIMINARY DETERMINATION OF THE FIRST ADMINISTRATIVE REVIEW IN WHICH IT ASSIGNED NEW RATES TO DIFFERENT GROUPS OF HONG KONG COMPANIES.
THE FOUR COMPANIES SELECTED FOR INVESTIGATION IN THE REVIEW WERE ASSIGNED THEIR OWN INDIVIDUAL RATES.
OF THESE, THE THREE COMPANIES WHICH CO-OPERATED WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE RECEIVED A NIL RATE IN ONE CASE AND 5.86% FOR THE TWO OTHER.
/THE COMPANY .......
SATURDAY, MARCH 19, 1994
2
THE COMPANY WHICH DID NOT RESPOND TO THE DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE’S QUESTIONNAIRE RECEIVED A PUNITIVE 115.15% RATE.
FOURTEEN OF THE OTHER 22 COMPANIES NAMED BY THE NKSA BUT NOT SELECTED FOR INVESTIGATION BY THE DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE WERE ASSIGNED A NEW ’’SAMPLE GROUP RATE” OF 31.72%, A SHARP INCREASE FROM THE CURRENT RATE OF 5.86%.
THIS WAS CALCULATED AS A SIMPLE AVERAGE OF THE INDIVIDUAL RATES ASSIGNED TO THE FOUR COMPANIES INVESTIGATED, INCLUDING THE UNVERIFIED PUNITIVE RATE ON THE COMPANY WHICH DID NOT RESPOND IN THE REVIEW.
FOUR OTHER COMPANIES IN THE SAMPLE GROUP WHICH HAD NOT RETURNED A SAMPLING QUESTIONNAIRE TO THE DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE WERE ALSO ASSIGNED THE PUNITIVE 115.15% RATE.
THE REMAINING FOUR COMPANIES IN THE SAMPLE GROUP THAT DID NOT EXPORT SWEATERS TO THE U.S. DURING THE REVIEW PERIOD RETAINED THE CURRENT RATE OF 5.86%.
OTHER COMPANIES NOT IN THE SAMPLE GROUP WILL CONTINUE TO PAY THE CURRENT ANTI-DUMPING DUTY RATE OF 5.86%.
THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT AND HONG KONG KNITWEAR INDUSTRY REPRESENTATIVES RAISED SERIOUS CONCERNS AND CHALLENGED U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE’S CALCULATION ON THE DIFFERENT RATES FOLLOWING ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE PRELIMINARY REVIEW IN NOVEMBER 1993.
ON MARCH 18, 1994, THE DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE ANNOUNCED THE FINAL DETERMINATION OF THE FIRST ADMINISTRATIVE REVIEW.
THE PRINCIPAL CHANGE FROM THE PRELIMINARY DETERMINATION IS THAT THE "SAMPLE GROUP RATE" (AFFECTING 14 HONG KONG COMPANIES) HAS CHANGED FROM 31.72% IN THE PRELIMINARY DETERMINATION TO 20.64% IN THE FINAL DETERMINATION.
THE CHANGE IS MADE ON TECHNICAL GROUNDS BUT THE CALCULATION OF THE 20.64% RATE CONTINUES TO INCLUDE THE PUNITIVE DUMPING MARGIN OF ONE COMPANY (115.15%) WHICH IS ARRIVED AT ON THE BASIS OF UNVERIFIED INFORMATION.
BOTH THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT AND HONG KONG KNITWEAR INDUSTRY HAVE CONSISTENTLY ARGUED AGAINST THE INCLUSION OF SUCH PUNITIVE RATES.
------0-------
GFS LOOKS FOR LOCAL CADET PILOTS * ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
LOCAL YOUNG MEN AND WOMEN WHO LOVE FLYING MAY HAVE THEIR DREAMS COME TRUE NOW THAT A LOCALISATION SCHEME OF THE GOVERNMENT FLYING SERVICE IS IN FULL SWING.
THREE LOCAL CADET PILOTS AGED BETWEEN 18 AND 25 WILL BE RECRUITED TN THE NEXT FEW MONTHS.
THEY WILL BE GIVEN A TWO-YEAR FULL-TIME TRAINING IN HONG KONG AND OVERSEAS.
/A SPOKESMAN .......
SATURDAY, MARCH 19, 1994
3
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE GOVERNMENT FLYING SERVICE SAID SINCE 1990, A LONG-TERM TRAINING PROGRAMME HAD BEEN LAUNCHED, AIMING TO TRAIN A SUFFICIENT NUMBER OF LOCAL PILOTS TO TAKE OVER THESE CHALLENGING DUTIES IN THE FUTURE.
"NEW BLOOD IS REQUIRED IN THE FACE OF HEAVIER DUTIES PLACED ON OUR SHOULDERS AS THE GARRISON IS WITHDRAWING FROM HONG KONG," HE SAID.
SO FAR 18 CADET PILOTS HAVE JOINED THE TEAM.
OF THEM, 10 HAVE BEEN PROMOTED TO PILOT II AND ARE SERVING THE COMMUNITY IN AREAS RANGING FROM SEARCH AND RESCUE OPERATIONS TO AERIAL SURVEYS AND THE FLYING DOCTOR SERVICE.
THE FLEET ALSO PROVIDES SPECIALIST SUPPORT FOR THE POLICE AND OTHER GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS.
CANDIDATES SHOULD HAVE A PASS IN TWO SUBJECTS IN THE HONG KONG ADVANCED LEVEL EXAMINATION TOGETHER WITH THREE OTHER SUBJECTS INCLUDING ENGLISH LANGUAGE (SYLLABUS B) AND MATHEMATICS AT GRADE C OR ABOVE IN THE HONG KONG CERTIFICATE OF EDUCATION OR EQUIVALENT.
GOOD PHYSIQUE AND EYESIGHT IS A MUST TOO.
THOSE UP TO THE AGE OF 30 WILL ALSO BE CONSIDERED IF THEY HAVE APPROPRIATE FLYING TRAINING OR EXPERIENCE.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE QUALIFIED CANDIDATES WOULD BE ASSESSED THROUGH A FLYING APTITUDE TEST, A STRICT MEDICAL EXAMINATION AND OTHER TESTS.
ON CONDITIONS OF SERVICE, HE SAID A CADET PILOT UNDER TRAINING WOULD RECEIVE A MONTHLY SALARY OF $12,820 IN THE FIRST YEAR AND $13,395 IN THE SUBSEQUENT YEAR.
THEY WILL ALSO ENJOY STANDARD GOVERNMENT FRINGE BENEFIT-S.
REFERRING TO PROMOTION PROSPECTS, THE SPOKESMAN SAID A CADET PILOT WOULD BE PROMOTED TO PILOT II AFTER GOING THROUGH INTENSIVE TRAINING AND EXAMINATIONS AND OBTAINING A COMMERCIAL PILOT’S LICENCE.
WITH FURTHER ADVANCED TRAINING, A LOCAL PILOT MAY BE PROMOTED TO PILOT I, SENIOR PILOT AND CHIEF PILOT IN SEQUENCE.
THE SPOKESMAN ADVISED INTERESTED PARTIES TO LOOK OUT FOR GOVERNMENT VACANCIES ADVERTISEMENT IN SOUTH CHINA MORNING POST, SING TAO DAILY AND SING TAO EVENING POST IN THE NEXT FEW WEEKS.
- - 0 - -
INTEGRATED APPROACH TO SERVICES FOR YOUNG AND OLD
*****
THE GOVERNMENT IS ADOPTING AN INTEGRATED APPROACH TO SERVICES FOR THE YOUNG AS WELL AS THE OLD, THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MR IAN STRACHAN, SAID TODAY (SATURDAY).
HE WAS SPEAKING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF ABERDEEN KAIFONG WELFARE ASSOCIATION SOCIAL SERVICE CENTRE.
/IN MARCH
SATURDAY, MARCH 19, 1994
4
IN MARCH 1992, A WORKING PARTY WAS APPOINTED BY THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE TO REVIEW THE POLICY OBJECTIVES, PROGRAMMES AND DELIVERY SYSTEM OF THE CHILDREN AND YOUTH SERVICES TO ENSURE THEIR CONTRIBUTIONS COULD BE MAXIMISED.
THE WORKING PARTY HAS COMPLETED THE REVIEW. ONE OF ITS MAJOR RECOMMENDATIONS IS THE ADOPTING OF A "HOLISTIC" OR "TOTAL PERSON" APPROACH IN ADDRESSING THE NEEDS AND PROBLEMS OF YOUNG PEOPLE.
"IN THIS CONTEXT, AN INTEGRATED SERVICE DELIVERY MODEL WILL BE INTRODUCED,” MR STRACHAN SAID.
"EXISTING RESOURCES FOR CHILDREN AND YOUTH CENTRES, OUTREACHING SOCIAL WORK TEAMS AND SCHOOL SOCIAL WORK UNITS WOULD BE POOLED, AS FAR AS POSSIBLE, TO FORM INTEGRATED TEAMS WHICH WOULD ALLOW MORE FLEXIBILITY IN SERVICE DELIVERY," HE ELABORATED.
IN ADDITION, THE WORKING PARTY PROPOSES THE INTEGRATED TEAMS AS WELL AS OTHER INDEPENDENT CHILDREN AND YOUTH CENTRES OFFER FOUR CORE PROGRAMMES - PERSONAL GUIDANCE, SUPPORTIVE SERVICE FOR YOUNG PEOPLE IN DISADVANTAGED CIRCUMSTANCES, SOCIALISATION PROGRAMMES AND DEVELOPMENT OF VOLUNTEER SERVICE.
THE PURPOSE IS TO HELP YOUNG PEOPLE IN THEIR PERSONAL GROWTH AND IN COPING WITH THEIR PROBLEMS.
THE REVIEW REPORT HAS BEEN ENDORSED BY THE SOCIAL WELFARE ADVISORY COMMITTEE AND THE YOUTH COMMISSION. IT WILL BE PUBLISHED IN EARLY APRIL AND IMPLEMENTATION WILL FOLLOW. THE REPORT WILL PROVIDE DIRECTION AND FOCUS FOR THE FUTURE CHILDREN AND YOUTH SERVICES.
TO RESPOND TO THE AGING POPULATION, MR STRACHAN SAID THE ADMINISTRATION HAS BEEN DIRECTING ADDITIONAL RESOURCES TO SERVICES FOR THE ELDERLY OVER THE PAST YEARS.
"IN THE CONTEXT OF THE COMPREHENSIVE SOCIAL SECURITY ALLOWANCE SCHEME AND THE SOCIAL SECURITY ALLOWANCE SCHEME, THE LEVEL OF FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE HAS BEEN RAISED.
"AT THE SAME TIME, BOTH RESIDENTIAL FACILITIES AND COMMUNITY SUPPORT SERVICES HAVE BEEN INCREASED."
MR STRACHAN STRESSED THAT INTEGRATION OF SERVICES IS REQUIRED NOT ONLY IN YOUTH WORK, BUT ALSO IN SERVICES FOR THE ELDERLY.
"TO THIS END, A WORKING GROUP ON CARE FOR THE ELDERLY HAS BEEN APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNOR.
"THIS WORKING GROUP WILL EXAMINE, AMONG OTHER THINGS, WAYS TO INTEGRATE AND CO-ORDINATE SERVICES FOR THE ELDERLY. IT WILL CONCLUDE ITS DELIBERATIONS IN AUGUST.
"I AM SURE VARIOUS TYPES OF SERVICES FOR THE ELDERLY, INCLUDING HOUSING, WELFARE, MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES, WILL BE FURTHER INTEGRATED AND ENHANCED,” HE SAID.
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/5 ........
SATURDAY, MARCH 19, 1994
5
CAR MARK AUCTION FETCHES $31M *****
EIGHTY VEHICLE REGISTRATION MARKS WERE SOLD IN AN AUCTION TODAY (SATURDAY) FOR A TOTAL OF $ 31,610,000 WHICH WILL GO TO THE GOVERNMENT LOTTERIES FUND FOR CHARITY AFTER DEDUCTION OF EXPENSES.
THE AUCTION, HELD AT THE HONG KONG CONVENTION AND EXHIBITION CENTRE, SAW THE REGISTRATION MARK 9 FETCH THE HIGHEST PRICE OF $13 MILLION.
ANOTHER REGISTRATION MARK 161 WAS SOLD AT THE SECOND HIGHEST PRICE OF $1.02 MILLION WHILE THE LOWEST PRICE WAS $10,000 FOR F-T266.
FOLLOWING ARE RESULTS OF THE MORNING SESSION AUCTION:
$ $ $ $
FT228 200,000 FT1997 25,000 FUG 6 8 105,000 HK883 550,000
♦ FY13 75,000 ♦ AL3 450,000 ♦ BC28 220,000 ♦ 386 400,000
FT163 60,000 FT266 10,000 FS6333 15,000 FV288 70,000
*785 125,000 ♦FX3333 300,000 ♦FW999 70,000 ♦FW800 80,000
FT8838 54,000 AW380 37,000 AA193 100,000 FV91 1 200,000
BD180 45,000 FT883 60,000 FT328 110,000 AG1118 70,000
♦ FC7 150,000 ♦ 711 465,000 ♦ DL26 100,000 ♦ 8141 45,000
FU698 12,000 AR298 80,000 FU899 30,000 FU8988 45,000
♦ CC29 245,000 ♦ ER 15 70,000 ♦ AS6 270,000 ♦ CK11 180,000
FU1328 62,000 FS8788 15,000 FT 8 1 3 35,000 FF8883 40,000
FT1628 35,000 ♦ AL92 400,000 ♦ FX2 210,000 ♦ DK21 100,000
♦FX600 60,000 ES1668 60,000 FT633 30,000 FT3288 55,000
CD908 25,000 FS130 30,000
* SPECIAL VEHICLE REGISTRATION MARK (NOT LRANSFERABLE)
FOLLOWING ARE THE RESULTS OF THE \FTI' RN'OON SESSION \T(TloM:
$ $ s
992 310,000 XX888 320,000 1389 320,000
AA90 180,000 HK30 600,000 HK98 650,000
228 770,000 231 280,000 9 13,000,000
1991 340,000 AA39 200,000 3999 220,000
HK82 110,000 383 560,000 1G1 1,020,000
209 310,000 HK2222 800,000 266 400,000
XX5 360,000 3223 450,000 1122 320,000
2328 410,000 AV2 500,000 220 350,000
AR8 300,000 2800 310,000 142 300,000
3366 480,000 306 340,000 922 520,000
ALL THE 30 REGISTRATION MARKS SOLD IN THE AFTERNOON ARE NOT TRANSFERABLE.
SUCCESSFUL BIDDERS WILL BE REQUIRED TO PAY BY CHEQUE IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE BIDDING.
/THE VEHICLE
SATURDAY, MARCH 19, 1994
6
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 218TH AND 219TH ORGANISED BY THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT SINCE MAY 1973, BROUGHT THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF MONEY REALISED SO FAR TO $306,332,905.
- - 0 - -
COMBINATION OF KMB ROUTE 30 AND 46A * « * ♦ *
THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (SATURDAY) THAT THE EXISTING KMB ROUTE 30 AND 46A WOULD BE COMBINED INTO ONE NEW ROUTE TO OPERATE BETWEEN ALLWAYS GARDENS AND CHEUNG SHA WAN VIA LAI YIU ESTATE WITH EFFECT FROM MONDAY (MARCH 21).
THE NEW SERVICE WILL BE NUMBERED AS "KMB ROUTE 30". IT WOULD COVER MOST OF THE PREVIOUS CATCHMENTS OF ROUTES 30 AND 46A.
- - 0 - -
LATEST ISSUE OF PUBLIC TRANSPORT GUIDE ON SALE * * * * *
THE PUBLIC CAN GET COMPREHENSIVE INFORMATION ON HONG KONG’S PUBLIC TRANSPORT SERVICES IN A GUIDEBOOK COMPILED BY THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT.
ENTITLED ’’PUBLIC TRANSPORT IN HONG KONG - A GUIDE TO SERVICES 1993”, THE GUIDEBOOK IS NOW OBTAINABLE IN BOTH CHINESE AND ENGLISH VERSIONS, AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, GROUND FLOOR, GENERAL POST OFFICE BUILDING, CONNAUGHT PLACE, CENTRAL, AT $40 A COPY.
THE FIRST PART OF THE GUIDEBOOK CONTAINS INFORMATION ON THE ROUTES, FARES, JOURNEY DISTANCES, FIRST AND LAST DEPARTURE TIMES, FREQUENCY RANGE AND JOURNEY TIME OF ALL SCHEDULED PUBLIC TRANSPORT, INCLUDING TRAM, RAIL, FRANCHISED BUS, GREEN MINIBUS, FERRY AND KAITO SERVICES.
FOR FERRY OR BUS SERVICES WITH A FREQUENCY OF OVER 60 MINUTES, THE WHOLE TIMETABLES ARE GIVEN.
THE SECOND PART PROVIDES AN INDEX OF PUBLIC TRANSPORT SERVICES BY AREA FOR EASY REFERENCE.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY (SATURDAY) THAT BY CROSS-REFERENCING THE TWO PARTS, IT WAS POSSIBLE TO IDENTIFY THE MOST CONVENIENT PUBLIC TRANSPORT MODES FOR ANY PARTICULAR JOURNEY.
"ALTHOUGH THE SERVICES OF TAXIS AND RED PUBLIC LIGHT BUSES ARE NOT COVERED IN THE GUIDE BECAUSE THEY DO NOT OPERATE ON FIXED ROUTES AND SCHEDULES, A TABLE ON URBAN, NEW TERRITORIES AND LANTAU TAXI FARES IS INCLUDED," HE SAID.
THE SPOKESMAN ADDED THAT THE GUIDE GENERALLY INDICATED THE POSITION OF THE PUBLIC TRANSPORT NETWORK IN OCTOBER LAST YEAR.
/"AS THE
1
ShTWtoM, MARCH 19, 1994
"AS THE NETWORK IS CONSTANTLY CHANGING TO MEET PASSENGER DEMAND, A LIST OF ENQUIRY HOTLINES OF MAJOR PUBLIC TRANSPORT OPERATORS IS PROVIDED IN THE GUIDE TO ENABLE COMMUTERS TO DIRECTLY OBTAIN THE LATEST INFORMATION," HE SAID.
THE LATEST ISSUE OF THE GUIDE IS THE 11TH EDITION OF THE SERIES SINCE 1983.
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GOVT DETERMINED TO MAINTAIN PROSPERITY OF HK ♦ t * ♦ *
THE GOVERNMENT IS DETERMINED TO MAINTAIN THE PROSPERITY OF THE TERRITORY THROUGH SENSIBLY CONTROLLING GOVERNMENT EXPENDITURE. MAINTAINING ADEQUATE RESERVES AND AVOIDING THE CREATION OF INFLATIONARY PRESSURES, YAU TSIM DISTRICT OFFICER, MR BART IRELAND, SAID TODAY (SATURDAY).
OFFICIATING AT THE ANNUAL GATHERING OF CHINESE CALLIGRAPHISTS AND PAINTERS, MR IRELAND ALSO HIGHLIGHTED THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY’S GENEROUS TAX CONCESSIONS.
HE ADDED THAT MR MACLEOD ALSO PROPOSED REAL INCREASES IN EXPENDITURE ON A WIDE RANGE OF SERVICES, INCLUDING 8.4 PER CENT FOR SOCIAL WELFARE, 6.9 PER CENT FOR HEALTH AND 6.5 PER CENT FOR EDUCATION.
"WE BELIEVE THAT THESE POSITIVE AND CAREFULLY THOUGHT-OUT CHANGES WILL HELP TO BUILD AN EVEN BETTER COMMUNITY FOR EVERYONE," HE SAID.
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RETIRING SENIOR LAUNCH MECHANIC AWARDED IMPERIAL SERVICE MEDAL » » » * »
BEFORE GOING ON PRE-RETIREMENT LEAVE NEXT WEEK, SENIOR LAUNCH MECHANIC OF THE MARINE DEPARTMENT, MR LEE CHIN-CHAI, WAS DELIGHTED TO LEARN THAT HE WAS AWARDED THE IMPERIAL SERVICE MEDAL FOR 36 YEARS’ LOYAL AND INDUSTRIOUS SERVICE TO THE GOVERNMENT.
AT A BRIEF CEREMONY YESTERDAY (FRIDAY), THE DIRECTOR OF MARINE, MR ALLAN PYRKE, PRESENTED A LETTER OF CONGRATULATIONS FROM THE GOVERNOR, THE RT HON CHRISTOPHER PATTEN, TO MR LEE.
MR PYRKE CONVEYED HIS SINCERE APPRECIATION FOR THE FINE SERVICE THAT MR LEE HAD RENDERED.
MR LEE FELT THAT THE IMPERIAL SERVICE MEDAL WAS A GREAT HONOUR FOR HIM.
AGED 60, HE FIRST JOINED THE DEPARTMENT AS A STOKER CLASS II IN JANUARY 1958 AND WAS PROMOTED TO STOKER CLASS I IN OCTOBER 1959 AND THEN TO LAUNCH MECHANIC CLASS HI IN APRIL 1974.
HE ROSE TO HIS PRESENT RANK OF SENIOR LAUNCH MECHANIC IN AUGUST 1981.
/THROUGHOUT THE........
SATURDAY, MARCH 19, 1994
8
THROUGHOUT THE LONG PERIOD OF HIS SERVICE WITH THE DEPARTMENT, MR LEE HAD AT ALL TIMES PERFORMED HIS DUTIES IN A CONSCIENTIOUS AND SATISFACTORY MANNER, AND IN SO DOING, EARNED THE RESPECT AND CONFIDENCE OF HIS COLLEAGUES.
IN MAY 1979, MR LEE WAS COMMENDED BY THE THEN DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF MARINE, MR A J LACK, FOR THE PART HE PLAYED IN SUPPORTING THE AUSTRALIAN TEAM WHICH CAME TO HONG KONG TO UNDERTAKE A FEASIBILITY STUDY ON THE INTRODUCTION THE SARUS TOWERS TYPE BUOYS INTO THE TERRITORY.
IN AUGUST 1992, THE CHIEF SECRETARY COMMENDED MR LEE FOR HIS EXCELLENT SUPPORT AND ASSISTANCE IN ENSURING THE SUCCESS OF THE DEPARTURE AND ARRIVAL OF THE OUTGOING AND THE NEW GOVERNORS RESPECTIVELY.
IN RECOGNITION OF HIS MERITORIOUS PERFORMANCE OVER THE YEARS, MR LEE WAS AWARDED THE LONG AND MERITORIOUS SERVICE CERTIFICATE AND A GOLD PIN IN 1991 AS WELL AS A LONG SERVICE TRAVEL AWARD IN 1992.
MR LEE SAID HE HAD NO IMMEDIATE PLAN AFTER HIS RETIREMENT.
------0--------
FIRING PRACTICE IN APRIL ' * * * * * *
FIRING PRACTICE WILL TAKE PLACE AT THE HA TSUEN - CASTLE PEAK RANGE ON 13 DAYS NEXT MONTH.
THE PUBLIC IS ADVISED NOT TO ENTER THE AREA WHEN RED FLAGS ARE HOISTED.
THE DATES AND TIMES FOR. THE FIRING PRACTICE ARE:
DATE TIME
APRIL 7 (THURSDAY) 8.30 AM 11 .59 PM
APRIL 8 (FRIDAY) 0.01 AM — 11 .59 PM
APRIL 9 (SATURDAY) 0.01 AM — 5 PM
APRIL 11 (MONDAY) 8.30 AM — 5 PM
APRIL 12 (TUESDAY) 8.30 AM — 5 PM
APRIL 13 (WEDNESDAY) 8.30 AM — 5 PM
nrxx x xj T O r rrci-omr-r — *■ *> . O — c
APRIL 18 (MONDAY) 8.30 AM — 5 PM
APRIL 19 (TUESDAY) 8.30 AM - 5 PM
APRIL 20 (WEDNESDAY) 8.30 AM — 5 PM
APRIL 21 (THURSDAY) 8.30 AM — 5 PM
APRIL 22 (FRIDAY) 8.30 AM — 5 PM
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/9 ........
*
SATURDAY, MARCH 19, 1994 - 9 -
HONG KONG MONETARY AUTHORITY
MONEY MARKET t * » OPERATIONS
$ MILLION TIME (HOURS) CUMULATIVE CHANGE ($ MILLION)
OPENING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT 2,516 0930 + 465
CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT 2,233 1000 + 465
CHANGE ATTRIBUTABLE TO ! 1100 + 465
MONEY MARKET ACTIVITY + 465 1200
LAF TODAY -748 1500
1600
LAF RATE 2.00 BID/4.00 OFFER TWI 125.8 »+0.1* 19.3.94
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
SUNDAY, MARCH 20, 1994
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
PREPARATORY WORK FOR 1995 ELECTIONS ............................ 1
WILLIAM FUNG TO LEAD DELEGATION TO 10TH PECC MEETING ........... 1
A SUCCESSFUL OUTING IN HONOLULU ................................ 3
HIGH MARKS FOR ENQUIRY SERVICE: POLL ........................... 3
PRE-TEST SURVEY OF 1996 POPULATION BY-CENSUS ENDS .............. 4
92 ROOMS FOR STUDY ............................................. 5
SUNDAY, MARCH 20, 1994
1
PREPARATORY WORK FOR 1995 ELECTIONS
*****
COMMENTING ON THE SUNDAY MORNING POST STORY ON THE AMENDMENTS TO THE LETTERS PATENT ON THE COMPOSITION OF THF 1995 LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, THE SECRETARY FOR CONSTITUTIONAL AFFAIRS, MR NICHOLAS NG, SAID TODAY (SUNDAY) THAT THIS WAS A ROUTINE PREPARATORY STEP IN THE LEGISLATIVE PROCESS.
’’THE CURRENT LETTERS PATENT SETS OCT THE COMPOSITION OF THE EXISTING LEGCO, THAT IS, THREE EX-OFFICIO MEMBERS, 18 APPOINTED MEMBERS AND 39 ELECTED MEMBERS. THIS HAS TO BE (HANGED TO TIE IN WITH THE NEW STRUCTURE TO BE PUT IN PLACE IN 1995," MR NG EXPLAINED.
’’THE GOVERNMENT HAS PROPOSED THAT THE 1995 LEGCO SHOULD CONSIST OF 60 ELECTED MEMBERS: 20 FROM GEOGRAPHICAL CONSTITUENCIES, 30 FROM FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCIES AND 10 BY AN ELECTION COMMITTEE, AS CONSISTENT WITH THE BASIC LAW.
”A BILL HAS BEEN DRAFTED ON THIS BASIS AND IS BEING EXAMINED BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL," MR NG SAID.
”IN PARALLEL, STEPS HAVE BEEN TAKEN TO PAVE THE WAY TO AMEND THE LETTERS PATENT TO REFLECT THIS NEW STRUCTURE PENDING THE CONCLUSION OF THE DERATE IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL."
MR NG STRESSED HOWEVER THAT NO AMENDMENT TO THE LETTERS PATENT COULD TAKE EFFECT UNTIL IT WAS GAZETTED IN HONG KONG.
’’AND IT IS NOT, NOR HAS IT EVER BEEN, OUR INTENTION TO GAZETTE THE NEW LETTERS PATENT PROVISIONS UNTIL AFTER THE BILL ON THE COMPOSITION OF THE 1995 LEGCO HAS BEEN PASSED,” HE EXPLAINED.
”SO IT IS NOT AND THERE HAS NEVER BEEN ANY QUESTION OF THE GOVERNMENT PRE-JUDGING THE OUTCOME OF THE DEBATE ON THIS MATTER IN LEGCO.
’’SUCH PREPARATORY WORK, WHICH TAKES TIME, IS NECESSARY TO ENSURE ALL THE STATUTORY PROVISIONS \RE IN PLACE IN TIME TO ALLOW PRACTICAL ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE 1995 LEGCO ELECTIONS TO PROCEED," HE SAID.
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WILLIAM FUNG TO LEAD DELEGATION TO 10TH PECC MEETING
*****
MR WILLIAM FUNG, (’HAIRMAN OF HONG KONG COMMITTEE FOR PACIFIC ECONOMIC COOPERATION, WILL TODAY (SUNDAY) LEAD \ HONG KONG DELEGATION TO ATTEND THE 10TH GENERAL MEETING OF THE PACIFIC ECONOMIC COOPERATION COUNCIL (PECC) IN KUALA LUMPUR.
PECC IS A NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANISATION FOUNDED IN 1980 WITH THE AIMS OF DEVELOPING CLOSER CO-OPERATION IN TRADE AND ECONOMIC ISSUES IN THE PACIFIC REGION.
MEMBER COMMITTEES OF PECC ARE TRIPARTITE IN NATURE, CONSISTING OF ACADEMICS, BUSINESS LEADERS AND GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS.
/HONG KONG
SUNDAY, MARCH 20, 1994
2
HONG KONG WAS ADMITTED TO PECO \T THE EIGHTH GENERAL MEETING HELD IN 1991. THE HONG KONG COMMITTEE IS CHAIRED BY MR WILLIAM FUNG.
THE GENERAL MEETING WILL DISCUSS, AMONG OTHER THINGS, ECONOMIC OUTLOOK AND THE CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES FACING THE PACIFIC REGION.
A NUMBER OF CONCURRENT SESSIONS WILL ALSO RE HELD TO DISCUSS SPECIFIC' SUBJECTS SUCH AS AIR TRANSPORTATION, TELECOMMUNICATIONS INFRASTRUCTURE AND FINANCIAL AND CAPITAL MARKETS IN THE PACIFIC REGION.
THIS IS THE THIRD TIME THAT HONG KONG HAS PARTICIPATED IN A PECC GENERAL MEETING.
THE HONG KONG DELEGATION WILL BE LED BY MR EUNG.
OTHER MEMBERS OF THE DELEGATION INCLUDE MRS REGINA IP, VICE-CHAIRMAN OF THE HONG KONG COMMITTEE AND DEPUTY SECRETARY FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY AND MR JOHN TSANG, SECRETARY-GENERAL OF THE HONG KONG COMMITTEE AND ASSISTANT DIRECTOR-GENERAL OF TRADE.
MR FUNG WILL BE CONVENING THE CONCURRENT SESSION ON ’’EMERGING FINANCIAL AND CAPITAL MARKETS IN THE PACIFIC”.
A NUMBER OF EMINENT PERSONS FROM HONG KONG WILL ALSO BE SPEAKING AT THE CONCURRENT SESSION.
THEY INCLUDE DR VICTOR FUNG, CHAIRMAN OF PRUDENTIAL ASIA AND CHAIRMAN OF THE HONG KONG TRADE DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL; DR CHRISTOPHER LEONG, PRESIDENT OF TRANSPAC CAPITAL PTE LTD; MR PHILIP GRAY, EXECUTIVE CHAIRMAN OF JAMES CAPEL ASIA LTD; AND MR NORMAN CHAN, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR (MONETARY MANAGEMENT) OF THE HONG KONG MONETARY AUTHORITY.
OTHER EMINENT PERSONS FROM HONG KONG, INCLUDING MR JOHN SLOSAR, GENERAL MANAGER (AIRLINES PLANNING) OF CATHAY PACIFIC AIRWAYS; AND MR ERIC WU, MANAGER (INTERNATIONAL NETWORK OPERATIONS) OF HONG KONG TELECOM, WILL SPEAK IN OTHER CONCURRENT SESSIONS.
MEMBERS OF PECC COMPRISE AUSTRALIA, BRUNEI DARUSSALAM, CANADA, CHILE, CHINA, HONG KONG, INDONESIA, JAPAN, MALAYSIA, MEXICO, NEW ZEALAND, PERU, THE PHILIPPINES, RUSSIA, SINGAPORE, SOUTH KOREA, THE SOUTH PACIFIC FORUM, CHINESE TAIPET, THAILAND AND THE USA.
MALAYSIA IS THE CURRENT CHAIR OF PECC.
/3 ........
SUNDAY, MARCH 20, 1994
3
A SUCCESSFUL OUTING IN HONOLULU *****
THE TWO-DAY CONFERENCE OF FINANCE MINISTERS OF THE ASIA PACIFIC ECONOMIC CO-OPERATION (APEC) CONCLUDED TODAY (SATURDAY, HONOLULU TIME) WAS DESCRIBED AS ”A SUCCESSFUL OUTING IN HONOLULU” BY THE SECRETARY FOR THE TREASURY OF HONG KONG, MR DONALD TSANG.
’’THE MEETING ADDRESSES MATTERS OF SUBSTANCE IN AN INFORMAL WAY UNDER THE CHAIRMANSHIP OF THE U.S. TREASURY SECRETARY, MR LLOYD BENTSEN.
’’MEMBERS MADE NO COMMITMENT TO MAKING THE FINANCE MINISTERS MEETING A REGULAR FEATURE OF APEC, BUT IT WAS AGREED THAT A FURTHER MEETING WOULD BE HELD IN INDONESIA NEXT YEAR, TO PURSUE SOME SPECIFIC FINANCIAL ISSUES OF COMMON INTEREST,” MR TSANG SAID.
HONG KONG HAD PROPOSED THAT WHEN FINANCE MINISTERS NEXT MET, THEIR DISCUSSIONS SHOULD TRANSCEND GENERALITIES AND FOCUS ON SPECIFIC ISSUES. THIS WAS ACCEPTED BY OTHER DELEGATIONS.
IN THE MARGINS OF THE APEC FINANCE MINISTERS MEETING, THE HONG KONG DELEGATION LED BY MR TSANG HAD HELD INFORMAL MEETINGS WITH OTHER DELEGATIONS, INCLUDING THOSE FROM CHINA AND CHINESE TAIPEI. THEY EXCHANGED VIEWS ON MATTERS OF MUTUAL CONCERN.
MR TSANG ALSO HAD A CHANCE TO EXPRESS TO MR BENTSEN PERSONALLY THE IMPORTANCE OF CONTINUING CHINA’S MOST FAVOURED NATION TRADING STATUS TO THE ECONOMY OF HONG KONG.
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HIGH MARKS FOR ENQUIRY SERVICE: POLI *****
NINETY-TWO PER CENT OF RESPONDENTS TO A REGENT SURVEY SAY THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION (CNTA)’S PUBLIC ENQUIRY SERVICE CENTRES (PESO HAVE FULFILLED THEIR PLEDGE TO ATTEND TO PEOPLE WITHIN THREE MINUTES.
ON A SCALE OF 1 TO 10, THE RESPONDENTS GAVE A RATING OF 7.5 FOR THE STANDARD OF SERVICE RENDERED AT THESE CENTRES.
EVEN HIGHER PERCENTAGES OF RESPONDENTS SAID THEY WERE SATISFIED WITH THE STAFF’S WORKING ATTITUDE AND THE CENTRE’S ENVIRONMENT r 93 PER CENT AND 94 PER CENT RESPECTIVELY.
FURTHERMORE, 82 PER CENT OF USERS INDICATED THAT THEY. HAD OBTAINED THE REQUIRED SERVICES EITHER. WHOLLY OR PARTIALLY.
A CNTA SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (SUNDAY) THAT THE FINDINGS OI THE DEPARTMENT’S SURVEY CAME JUST 11 MONTHS AFTER ITS PERFORMANCE PLEDGE WAS ANNOUNCED ON APRIL 1 LAST YEAR.
THE SURVEY WAS CARRIED OUT AT THE END OF LAST YEAR AT NINE PESCS - EASTERN, WAN CHAI, MONG KOK, KWUN TONG IN THE URBAN ARFA AS • WELL AS KWAI TSING, TUEN MUN, SHA TIN, TAI PO AND NORTH DISTRICT IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.
/THE SECOND
SUNDAY, MARCH 20, 1994
4
THE SECOND PHASE OF THE SURVEY IS TO BE CONDUCTED NEXT MONTH IN APRIL TO COVER THE REMAINING 11 PESCS.
SIMILAR POLLS WILL ALSO BE CARRIED OUT ANNUALLY.
AS TO THE FIRST POLL, OF THE 885 PEOPLE APPROACHED DURING THE SURVEY, 766 OR 87 PER CENT WERE SUCCESSFULLY INTERVIEWED WHILE 119 DECLINED TO "PARTICIPATE.
THE SPOKESMAN ADDED: ’’THE SURVEY FINDINGS GIVE NO ROOM FOR COMPLACENCY AND OUR DEPARTMENT IS COMMITTED TO FURTHER IMPROVE OUR SERVICES TO THE PUBLIC."
MEANWHILE, HE POINTED OUT THAT THE CNTA WAS SPENDING $2.3 MILLION ON ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT WORKS AT A NUMBER OF PESCS.
AT PRESENT, THE WAN CHAI AND CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT PESCS ARE UNDERGOING RENOVATIONS IN ORDER TO PROVIDE A BETTER SERVICE ENVIRONMENT TO THE PUBLIC.
THESE TWO OFFICES HAVE BEEN RELOCATED TEMPORARILY TO THE 21ST
FLOOR OF SOUTHORN CENTRE AND THE 14TH FLOOR OF HARBOUR BUILDING RESPECTIVELY.
- - 0 - -
PRE-TEST SURVEY OF 1996 POPULATION BY-CENSUS ENDS
*****
THE PRE-TEST SURVEY OF THE 1996 POPULATION BY-CENSUS RUNNING FROM MARCH 12 TO 20 HAS BEEN SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETED, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT SAID.
IN THE WRAP-UP SESSION TODAY (SUNDAY), ALL ENUMERATOR IDENTITY CARDS, CERTIFICATES OF IDENTITY AND QUESTIONNAIRES ARE RETURNED TO THE HEADQUARTERS OF THE SURVEY TEAM.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID COMPLETED QUESTIONNAIRES WOULD BE TREATED MOST CAREFULLY TO PREVENT ANY POSSIBLE LEAKAGE OF INFORMATION RELATING TO INDIVIDUAL PERSONS OR HOUSEHOLDS.
HE REMINDED HOUSEHOLDS THAT ALL IDENTITY CERTIFYING DOCUMENTS ISSUED FOR THE PRE-TEST SURVEY WERE INVALID FROM TOMORROW (MONDAY).
"NO AUTHORISED CENSUS OFFICERS WILL PAY ANY FURTHER VISITS TO HOUSEHOLDS FOR THE PRE-TEST SURVEY," HE SAID.
RESULTS OF THE EVALUATION, WHICH WILL SHORTLY BE CONDUCTED BASED ON THE PRE-TEST SURVEY EXPERIENCE, WILL BE USED FOR REFERENCE IN DECIDING ON THE QUESTIONNAIRE DESIGN AND OPERATIONAL ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE 1996 POPULATION BY-CENSUS.
HE THANKED THE PUBLIC FOR THEIR SUPPORT TO THE PRE-TEST SURVEY, AND HOPED THAT THE SAME SUPPORT WOULD BE AVAILABLE FOR THE 1996 POPULATION BY-CENSUS.
/5.........
SUNDAY, MARCH 20, 1994
- 5 -
92 ROOMS FOR STUDY
*****
THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT WILL PROVIDE 92 TEMPORARY STUDY ROOMS FOR STUDENTS DURING THE EXAMINATION PERIOD BETWEEN APRIL 1 AND JUNE 30.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT SAID THESE SCHOOLS WOULD BE OPEN FROM MONDAY TO FRIDAY EXCEPT PUBLIC HOLIDAYS.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE 46 SCHOOLS - 19 FOR SECONDARY STUDENTS WHICH WOULD BE OPEN FROM 7 PM TO 10 PM AND 27 FOR BOTH PRIMARY AND SECONDARY STUDENTS WHICH WOULD BE OPEN FROM 7 PM TO 9 PM - WERE LOCATED THROUGHOUT THE TERRITORY.
A LIST OF THE LOCATIONS OF THE STUDY ROOMS WILL BE POSTED ON NOTICE BOARDS IN SCHOOLS.
“THE TEMPORARY STUDY ROOM SCHEME PROVIDES A QUIET STUDY PLACE FOR STUDENTS DURING THE EXAMINATION PERIOD,” HE SAID.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID STUDY ROOM FACILITIES IN OVER 260 LOCATIONS WERE PROVIDED ALL THE YEAR ROUND BY THE URBAN AND REGIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENTS, THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION, SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT AND VOLUNTARY AGENCIES.
- - 0 - -
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL.: 842 8777
MONDAY, MARCH 21, 1994
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
CONSUMER PRICE INDICES FOR FEBRUARY....................... 1
STATEMENT ON POST-1997 INVESTMENT......................... 7
MECHANICAL CONTRACT FOR NORTH LANTAU WATER SUPPLY AWARDED................................................... 7
TSEUNG KWAN O STAGE II/III LANDFILL CLOSES................ 8
HK PULLS OVERSEAS BUSINESS................................ 9
SENIOR CITIZEN CARDS OUT IN APRIL......................... 9
ETV PROGRAMME ON HOW TO TREAT DISABLED................... 10
BUDGET SETS FOUNDATION FOR A MORE PROSPEROUS SOCIETY... 11
WATER STORAGE FIGURE..................................... 11
HONG KONG MONETARY AUTHORITY MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS... 12
MONDAY, MARCH 21, 1994
CONSUMER PRICE INDICES FOR FEBRUARY *****
THE CONSUMER PRICE INDEX (A) IN FEBRUARY WAS 7.8% HIGHER THAN IN FEBRUARY LAST YEAR, ACCORDING TO FIGURES RELEASED TODAY (MONDAY) BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
THIS WAS HIGHER THAN THE CORRESPONDING INCREASE OF 6.2% IN JANUARY THIS YEAR.
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THE HIGHER YEAR-ON-YEAR RATE OF INCREASE IN FEBRUARY WAS MAINLY DUE TO HIGHER PRICES OF MOST FRESH FOOD ITEMS, PARTICULARLY FRESH VEGETABLES, FRESH FRUIT AND SALT-WATER FISH, AS WELL AS HIGHER CHARGES FOR HAIRDRESSING AND PACKAGE TOURS AROUND THE LUNAR NEW YEAR PERIOD.
"AS IN THE CASE OF JANUARY THIS YEAR, THE YEAR-ON-YEAR COMPARISON OF THE CPI FIGURES FOR FEBRUARY CONTINUED TO BE DISTORTED BY THE DIFFERENCE IN TIMING OF THE LUNAR NEW YEAR, WHICH TOOK PLACE IN JANUARY LAST YEAR BUT IN FEBRUARY THIS YEAR," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
TAKING JANUARY AND FEBRUARY TOGETHER, THE CPI(A) ROSE BY 7% OVER A YEAR EARLIER, WHICH WAS CONSIDERABLY LOWER THAN THE AVERAGE INCREASE OF 8.5% RECORDED IN 1993 AND THE FORECAST ALSO OF AN 8.5% INCREASE FOR 1994 AS A WHOLE, HE SAID.
THE CPI(B) AND THE HANG SENG CPI WERE HIGHER BY 8.1% AND 9.8% RESPECTIVELY IN FEBRUARY 1994 THAN IN FEBRUARY 1993. THE CORRESPONDING INCREASES IN JANUARY 1994 WERE 6.9% AND 9%.
THE COMPOSITE CPI, WHICH IS COMPILED BASED ON THE COMBINED EXPENDITURE PATTERN OF HOUSEHOLDS COVERED BY THE THREE CPIS, SHOWED AN INCREASE OF 8.4% IN FEBRUARY 1994 OVER THE SAME MONTH IN 1993. THIS WAS ALSO HIGHER THAN THE CORRESPONDING INCREASE OF 7.2% TN JANUARY 1994.
COMPARING FEBRUARY 1994 WITH FEBRUARY 1993, RELATIVELY SLOWER PRICE INCREASES THAN THE OVERALL AVERAGE WERE RECORDED FOR DURABLE GOODS (2% IN BOTH CPI(A) AND CPI(B)); FUEL AND LIGHT (2.2% IN THE CPI(A) AND 2.3% IN THE CPI(B)); FOOD (EXCLUDING MEALS AT RESTAURANTS) (4.6% AND 4.8%); CLOTHING AND FOOTWEAR (5.6% AND 5.3%); AND MISCELLANEOUS GOODS (6.2% AND 5.2%).
ON THE OTHER HAND, RELATIVELY FASTER PRICE INCREASES THAN THE OVERALL AVERAGE WERE RECORDED FOR MISCELLANEOUS SERVICES (12.1% IN THE CPI(A) AND 11.6% IN THE CPI(B)); TRANSPORT (10.7% AND 10.1%); AND HOUSING (9.8% AND 10.4%).
AS FOR MEALS AT RESTAURANTS AND ALCOHOLIC DRINKS AND TOBACCO, THEIR CORRESPONDING INCREASES WERE 8.1% AND 8.9% IN THE CPI(A) AND 8.1% AND 8.4% IN THE CPI(B).
COMPARING FEBRUARY 1994 WITH JANUARY 1994, THE CPI(A) AND CP1(B) INCREASED BY 1.9% AND 1.6% RESPECTIVELY. HOWEVER, THIS COMPARISON COULD HAVE BEEN AFFECTED BY SEASONAL FACTORS.
/FOR THE .......
MONDAY, MARCH 21, 1994
2
FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED FEBRUARY 1994, THE CPI(A) AND CPI(B) WERE, ON AVERAGE, HIGHER BY 7.5% AND 7.9% RESPECTIVELY THAN IN THE THREE MONTHS ENDED FEBRUARY 1993.
FOR THE 12 MONTHS ENDED FEBRUARY 1994, THE CPI(A) AND CPI(B) WERE, ON AVERAGE, HIGHER BY 8.1% AND 8.4% RESPECTIVELY THAN IN THE PRECEDING 12-MONTH PERIOD.
SEASONALLY ADJUSTED SERIES ARE ALSO AVAILABLE FOR THE CPI’S. THE DESEASONALISED CPI(A) AND CPI(B) INCREASED AT AN AVERAGE RATE OF 0.5% AND 0.6% RESPECTIVELY PER MONTH DURING THE THREE MONTHS ENDED FEBRUARY 1994.
THE CONSUMER PRICE INDEX REPORT
MORE DETAILS ARE GIVEN IN THE "CONSUMER PRICE INDEX REPORT" FOR FEBRUARY 1994, WHICH IS AVAILABLE AT $16.5 A COPY FROM:
* THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, GENERAL POST OFFICE BUILDING, GROUND FLOOR, CONNAUGHT PLACE, HONG KONG; AND
* THE PUBLICATIONS SECTION OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT, 19TH FLOOR, WANCHAI TOWER, 12 HARBOUR ROAD, WAN CHAI, HONG KONG.
FOR LOCAL AND OVERSEAS MAILINGS, CONTACT SHOULD BE MADE WITH THE INFORMATION SERVICES DEPARTMENT, FRENCH MISSION BUILDING, 1 BATTERY PATH, HONG KONG.
FOR ENQUIRIES ABOUT THE INDICES, PLEASE TELEPHONE THE CONSUMER PRICE INDEX SECTION OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT ON 805 6403.
DETAILS REGARDING THE HANG SENG CPI ARE CONTAINED IN THE HANG SENG CPI REPORT ISSUED BY THE ECONOMIC RESEARCH DEPARTMENT OF HANG SENG BANK LTD.
/Table 1 .......
MONDAY, MARCH 21, 1994
3
Table 1 Component Consumer Price Indices and Rates of Increase for February 1994
(Oct. 89 - Sep. 90 = 100) Hang Seng CPI Canposite CPI
CPI(A) CPI(B)
Index for Feb 94 % change over Feb 93 Index for Feb 94 % change over Feb 93 Index for Feb 94 % change over Feb 93 Index for Feb 94 % change over Feb 93
Food 139.9 46.4 141.7 +6.8 142.8 +8.2 141.1 +6.9
Meals bought away from home 149.1 48.1 148.9 +8.1 148.4 +9.9 148.9 ■♦8.5
Food, excluding meals bought away from home 130.7 44.6 131.7 +4.8 133.2 +4.9 131.4 +4.7
Housing 157.4 +9.8 159.0 +10.4 163.2 +13.4 159.8 +11.2
Fuel and light 121.9 +2.2 121.4 +2.3 121.9 +2.6 121.7 +2.3
Alcoholic drinks and tobacco 181.8 +8.9 171.5 +8.4 167.2 +8.5 176.1 +8.6
Clothing and footwear 125.3 +5.6 125.2 +5.3 134.8 +10.0 128.5 +7.0
IXirable goods 110.0 +2.0 109.3 +2.0 114.0 +2.1 110.9 +2.0
Miscellaneous goods 128.6 +6.2 125.6 +5.2 123.7 +4.6 126.2 +5.4
Transport 141.7 +10.7 141.5 +10.1 141.4 +8.9 141.5 +10.0
Miscellaneous services 154.0 +12.1 149.6 +11.6 141.8 +10.5 148.6 +11.4
All items 142.7 +7.8 142.9 +8.1 144.9 +9.8 143.3 +8.4
The 1989/90-based consimer price indices are based cn the expenditure patterns derived from the 1989/90 Hcusehold Expenditure Survey. The CPI (A) is based on the expenditure pattern of about 50% of urban households in Hong Kong, which had an average monthly expenditure of $2,5OO-$9,999 in 1989/90. The CPI (B) is based cn the expenditure pattern of the next 30% of urban hcnseholds, which had an average monthly expenditure of $10,000-$17,499 in the same period. The Hang Seng CPI is based on the expenditure pattern of the next 10% of urban households, which had an average monthly expenditure of $17,500-$37,499 in 1989/90.
Whereas the CPI (A), CPI (B) and Hang Seng CPI are based on the expenditure patterns of groups of households with different magnitudes of household expenditure, the Ctnrjosite CPI is ccnpiled based cn the expenditure pattern of all these households taken together. Thus, while the CPI (A), CPI (B) and Hang Seng CPI show the inpact of consumer price changes on different grcups of households, the Canposite CPI slxxs the impact of consumer price changes on the household sector generally.
/Table 2 .......
MONDAY, MARCH 21, 1994
4
Table 2 Consumer Price Indices for January 1991 - February 1994 (Oct. 89 - Sep. 90 = 100)
Year/month CPI(A) CPI(B) Hang Seng CPI Oorrposite CPI
1991 January 108.3 108.4 108.6 108.4
February 110.3 110.1 110.2 110.2
March 111.9 111.1 110.7 111.3
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
June 136.0 135.9 137.1 136.3
July 135.8 136.1 136.9 136.2
August 136.3 136.6 137.4 136.7
September 138.4 138.3 139.2 138.6
October 140.0 139.6 140.7 140.0
November 139.4 139.9 142.2 140.3
December 140.4 140.9 143.3 141.3
1994 January 140.0 140.7 143.4 141.1
February 142.7 142.9 144.9 143.3
/Chart I .......
MONDAY, MARCH 21, 1994
5
Chart 1 Year-on-year Rates of Increase in CPI(A)
1992 1993 1994
Chart 2 Year-on-year Rates of Increase in CPI(B)
/Chart 3 .......
MONDAY, MARCH 21, 1994
6
Chart 3 Year-on-year Rates of Increase in Hang Seng CPI
Chart 4 Year-on-year Rates of Increase in Composite CPI
/7........
MONDAY, MARCH 21, 1994
STATEMENT ON POST-1997 INVESTMENT
*****
IN RESPONSE TO PRESS ENQUIRIES ABOUT AN ENGLISH NEWSPAPER ARTICLE TODAY (MONDAY) ENTITLED THE FUTURE HONG KONG SPECIAL ADMINISTRATIVE REGION (HKSAR) ’’FREE NOT TO PAY BILLIONS OWED TO FIRMS”, A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN ISSUED THE FOLLOWING STATEMENT:
’’THE JOINT DECLARATION MAKES CLEAR THAT AFTER THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE HKSAR, THE LAWS PREVIOUSLY IN FORCE IN HONG KONG, WHICH INCLUDE THE LAW OF CONTRACT, SHALL BE MAINTAINED, SAVE FOR ANY THAT CONTRAVENE THE BASIC LAW AND SUBJECT TO ANY AMENDMENT BY THE HKSAR LEGISLATURE.
’’ACCORDING TO THE BASIC LAW, CONTRACTS WHICH ARE VALID UNDER HONG KONG’S EXISTING LAWS WILL CONTINUE TO BE VALID AND RECOGNISED AND PROTECTED BY THE HKSAR, PROVIDED THAT THEY DO NOT CONTRAVENE THE BASIC LAW.
”AS A MATTER OF CURRENT PRACTICE, WE DISCUSS MAJOR GOVERNMENT FRANCHISES AND CONTRACTS STRADDLING 1997 WITH THE CHINESE SIDE OF THE JOINT LIAISON GROUP.
"THESE DISCUSSIONS HAVE BEEN PRODUCTIVE IN THE PAST AND WE HAVE NOTED THAT THE CHINESE SIDE HAVE SAID MANY TIMES THAT THEY HOLD A POSITIVE ATTITUDE TO POST-1997 INVESTMENT IN HONG KONG."
--------0
MECHANICAL CONTRACT FOR NORTH LANTA! WATER SUPPLY AWARDED *****
THE CENTRAL TENDER BOARD HAS APPROVED THE AWARD OF A $38.73 MILLION WATERWORKS CONTRACT UNDER THE \IRPORT CORE PROGRAMME (ACP) TO ASEA BROWN BOVERI LIMITED O| HONG KONG.
THE CONTRACT IS PART OF THE NORTH LANTAU WATER SUPPLY PROJECT TO PROVIDE A PERMANENT FRESH WATER SUPPLY TO THE NEW AIRPORT AT CHEK LAP KOK, THE TUNG CHUNG NEW TOWN AND OTHER PROPOSED DEVELOPMENTS IN THE NORTH LANTAU.
IT COVERS THE SUPPLY AND INSTALLATION OF PUMPING PLANTS AT SIU HO WAN TREATED WATER AND PUT O "B" PUMPING STATIONS. EACH OF THE PUMPING STATIONS WILL BE INSTALLED WITH FOUR PUMPSETS.
THE CONTRACT ALSO COMPRISES NON-ACP WORKS WHICH INVOLVE THE SUPPLY AND INSTALLATION OF A PUMPING PL \NT \T SI' HO WAN RAW WATER PUMPING STATION.
IT WAS DECIDED TO INCLUDE THESE WORKS, VALUED \T MILLION IN THE CONTRACT AS IT IS MORE CONVENIENT AND MORE TO CARRY OUT WORKS AT THE SAME TIMF IN THE SAMI LOCATION.
ABOUT $11
ECONOMICAL
/WORKS WILL .......
MONDAY, MARCH 21, 1994
- 8
WORKS WILL START LATER THIS MONTH FOR COMPLETION IN JUNE 1996.
THE AWARD OF THIS WATERWORKS CONTRACT BRINGS THE TOTAL NUMBER OF ACP CONTRACTS AWARDED BY THE GOVERNMENT TO 37, WITH A TOTAL VALUE OF ABOUT $31.7 BILLION.
TOGETHER WITH THE SIX MAJOR CONSTRUCTION CONTRACTS, VALUED AT $10.7 BILLION, AWARDED BY THE PROVISIONAL AIRPORT AUTHORITY, AND THE $5.7 BILLION CONSTRUCTION CONTRACT AWARDED BY THE WESTERN HARBOUR TUNNEL COMPANY LIMITED, THE TOTAL VALUE OF CONSTRUCTION CONTRACTS AWARDED FOR ACP, ALL WITHIN BUDGET, IS ABOUT $48 BILLION.
--------0-----------
TSEUNG KWAN O STAGE 11/1 11 LANDFILL CLOSES
*****
THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED THAT THE TSEUNG KWAN O STAGE Il/III LANDFILL HAD BEEN CLOSED TODAY (MONDAY) AFTER REACHING ITS FULL CAPACITY.
AN ACTING ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF THE DEPARTMENT, MR JOHN ROCKEY SAID THE CLOSURE WAS IN LINE WITH Till SCHEDULE LAID DOWN IN THE FIRST REVIEW OF THE 1989 WHITE PAPER ON THE ENVIRONMENT.
THE LANDFILL, WHICH STARTED OPERATION IN LATE 1988 HAI) RECEIVED ABOUT 17 MILLION TONNES OF WASTE.
I HE WASTE CURRENTLY DELIVERED TO THE LANDFILL WILL BE DIVERTED TO THE NEARBY TSEUNG KWAN O STAGE I EXTENSION LANDFILL WHICH IS REOPENED TO MEET THE SHORTAGE OF LANDFILL CAPACITY.
THIS EXTENSION LANDFILL IS EXPECTED TO BE GRADUALLY PHASED OUT UPON THE COMMISSIONING OF Till STRATEGIC SOUTH F VST \'FU TERRITORIES LANDFILL LATER THIS V EAR,” MR ROCKEY SAID. JiVKiUb
HE SAID THE DEPARTMENT HAD PLANS TO RESTORE BOTH THE TSEUNG KWAN () STAGE I I/1 I I AND THE TSEUNG KWAN 0 STAGE I LANDFILLS TO MINIMISE THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS OF THESE CLOSED LANDFILLS.
THE Rl« STORED LANDFILL SITES WILL PROVIDE VALUABLE BENEFICIAL USES FOR THF ( OMMUNI TV AND THE GOVERNMENT IS IDENTIFYING SUITAB1F LAND USE FOR EACH INDIVIDUAL SITE,” MR ROUEFV ADDED.
- - 0------
/9 ........
MONDAY, MARCH 21, 1994
9
HK PULLS OVERSEAS BUSINESS » » ♦ * *
HONG KONG’S EXCELLENT BANKING AND FINANCIAL SERVICES ARE SOME OF THE FACTORS THAT INDUCE OVERSEAS COMPANIES TO SET UP THEIR REGIONAL HEADQUARTERS HERE, THE SECRETARY FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY, MR T H CHAU, SAID TODAY (MONDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING OF HEWLETT-PACKARD’S HONG KONG AND ASIA PACIFIC OFFICE, MR CHAU SAID HONG KONG’S OTHER ADVANTAGES INCLUDED THE COMPREHENSIVENESS OF ITS INFRASTRUCTURE, AND SIMPLE AND ROBUST ECONOMIC AND FISCAL POLICIES.
"OF COURSE, MANY PLACES LAV CLAIM TO BE AT THE HEART OF THE ASIA-PACIFIC REGION.
"WE JUST HAVE TO POINT TO THE MAP AND TO THE AIRLINE SCHEDULES.
"NO OTHER PLACE IS SO CONVENIENTLY LOCATED, WITH SO MANY OF THE SERVICES NEEDED BY BUSINESS," MR CHAU SAID.
MR CHAU NOTED THAT A SURVEY BY THE INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT LAST YEAR IDENTIFIED NEARLY 1,500 REGIONAL OPERATIONS RUN BY OVERSEAS COMPANIES IN HONG KONG.
THEY INCLUDE 624 REGIONAL HEADQUARTERS AND 844 REGIONAL OFFICES. THE UNITED STATES ALONE HAS 182 SUCH OPERATIONS, MORE THAN ANY OTHER COUNTRY.
MR CHAU SAID HE WAS CONVINCED THAT THE 21ST CENTURY WOULD BE THE ASIA-PACIFIC CENTURY.
"AND ASIA-PACIFIC IS THE PLACE TO BE IN," HE SAID.
------0-------
SENIOR CITIZEN CARDS OUT IN APRIL *****
THE SENIOR CITIZEN CARD SCHEME HAS BEEN WARMLY RECEIVED SINCE IT WAS LAUNCHED EARLIER THIS MONTH WITH MORE THAN 50,000 APPLICATION FORMS RETURNED SO FAR.
THE FIRST BATCH OF SENIOR CITIZEN CARDS WILL BE SENT TO THE APPLICANTS STARTING APRIL 1, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY (MONDAY).
OTHER APPLICANTS WILL RECEIVE THEIR SENIOR CITIZEN CARDS IN PHASES, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
THE SCHEME IS AIMED TO PROVIDE A GENERALLY RECOGNISED PROOF OF AGE TO HELP ELDERLY PEOPLE ACCESS TO CONCESSIONARY SCHEMES OF PUBLIC TRANSPORT OPERATORS AND OTHER ESTABLISHMENTS.
/ALL ELDERLY .......
MONDAY, MARCH 21, 1994
- 10 -
ALL ELDERLY PEOPLE AGED 65 OR ABOVE WHO ARE INTERESTED TO JOIN THE SCHEME CAN OBTAIN AN APPLICATION EORM AND A PRE-ADDRESSED ENVELOPE FROM SWD’S FAMILY SERVICES CENTRES, SOCIAL SECURITA MELD UNITS AND GROUP WORK UNITS; CENTRES FOR THE ELDERLY; PUBLIC ENQUIRY OF!ICES AND COMMUNITY CENTRES OF THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION; AND ESTATE OFFICES OF THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT.
COMPLETED APPLICATION FORM, TOGETHER WITH A RECENT PHOTOGRAPH AND A COPY OF THE HONG KONG IDENTITY CARD, SHOULD BE MAILED TO THE SENIOR CITIZEN CARD OFFICE IN THE PRE-ADDRESSED ENVELOPE.
"THE APPLICATION PROCEDURE IS VERY SIMPLE. APPLICANTS NEED NOT APPEAR IN PERSON AT THE SENIOR CITIZEN CARD OFFICE AND SHOULD NOT RE-SUBMIT APPLICATION FORM," THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
------0--------
ETV PROGRAMME ON HOW TO TREAT DISABLED
A 30-MINUTE SPECIAL EDUCATION TELEVISION PROGRAMME TO PROMOTE ACCEPTANCE OF THE DISABLED WILL BE TELECAST TO PRIMARY AND SECONDARY STUDENTS FROM WEDNESDAY (MARCH 23).
NAMED "TREAT THEM EQUAL, TREAT THEM RIGHT", THE PROGRAMME IS JOINTLY PRODUCED BY THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT AND RADIO TELEVISION HONG KONG TO ENHANCE STUDENTS’ UNDERSTANDING AND ACCEPTANCE OF DISABLED PERSONS.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT SAID: "THE PROGRAMME WILL HELP STUDENTS DEVELOP PROPER ATTITUDE TOWARDS THE DISABLED AND RECOGNISE THEIR RIGHT TO INTEGRATE IN SOCIETY."
"THE DEPARTMENT HAS BEEN ACTIVE IN THE PROMOTION OF STUDENTS’ ACCEPTANCE OF THE DISABLED," HE SAID.
ATTENTION NEWS EDITORS:
A PRESS PREVIEW WILL BE CONDUCTED \T 11.15 \M TOMORROW (TUESDAY) AT THE BALL ROOM OF RAMADA RENAISSANCE HOTEL, 8 PEEING ROAD, TSIM SHA TSUI. THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF EDUCAT1 ON,’MR ROBERT LO, WILL OFFICIATE AT THE PREVIEW.
YOU ARE INVITED TO SEND A REPRESENTATIVE TO ATTEND THE PRESS PREVIEW.
--------0-----------
/U.......
MONDAY, MARCH 21, 1994
BUDGET SETS FOUNDATION FOR A MORE IPROSPEROUS SOCIETY ♦ ♦ * * t
THE 1994/95 BUDGET PREPARES THE WAY FOR A MORE PROSPEROUS SOCIETY, YAU TSIM DISTRICT OFFICER, MR BART IRELAND, SAID THIS (MONDAY) EVENING.
SPEAKING AT A SINGING CONTEST ORGANISED BY THE YAI ISIM DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE, MR IRELAND EMPHASISED THAT THE SIGNIFICANT INCREASES IN INCOME TAX ALLOWANCES WOULD BENEFIT THE LOW- AND MIDDLE-INCOME GROUPS.
SOME 120,000 EXISTING TAXPAYERS WILL THEN PAY NO INCOME TAX AND MORE THAN A MILLION WILL PAY ..ESS, HE SAID.
’’THESE REAL BENEFITS FOR US AND OUR FAMILIES ARE WHAT WE HAVE EARNED THROUGH OUR HARD WORK AND COMMITMENT TO HONG KONG. WE DESERVE THEM.”
TURNING TO Pol ICING, MR IRELAND SAID THE' GOVERNMENT HAD PLEDGED AN ADDITIONAL S8.8 BILLION TO THE POLICE IN THE COMING YEAR.
”F AM VERY Pl.EASED TO SEE THAT THE ( RIME FIGURES FOR 1993 WERE ALREADY AMONGST THE LOWEST >F THE PAST DECADE AND I CAN ASSURE YOl THAT WE IN THE GOVERNMENT, WILL DO O» R BEST TO SEE THAT THIS TRENL CONTINUES,” HE STRESSED.
- - 0 - -
WATER STORAGE FIGURE ♦ * * ♦
STORAGE IN HONG KONG’S RESERVOIRS AT 9 AM TODAY (MONDAY) STOOD AT 67.7 PER CENT OF CAPACITY OR 396.693 MILLION CUBIC METRES.
THIS TIME LAST YEAR THE RESERVOIRS CONTAINED 305.834 MILLION CUBIC METRES OF WATER, REPRESENTING 52.2 PER CENT OF CAPACITY.
- - 0 - -
/12
MONDAY, MARCH 21, 1994
- 12 -
HONG KONG MONETARY AUTHORITY MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS
♦ * # * t
• r . OPENING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT CUMULATIVE TIME CHANGE $ MILLION (HOURS) ($ MILLION) 2,233 0930 +293
CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT 2,160 1000 +443
CHANGE ATTRIBUTABLE TO : MONEY MARKET ACTIVITY 1100 +483 +767 1200 +767
LAE TODAY LAF RATE 2.00 BID/4.00 OFFER -840 1500 +767 1G00 +767 TWT 125.8 *+0.0* 2J.3.94
HONG KONG MONETARY AUTHORITY
EF BILLS EF NOTES/HONG KONG GOVERNMENT BONDS
TERMS YIELD TERM ISSUE COUPON PRICE YIELD
1 WEEK 3.20 18 MONTHS 2508 4.625 99.78 4.84
1 MONTH 3.4 3 21 MONTHS 2511 4.15 98.65 5.0 6
3 MONTHS 3.74 24 MONTHS 2602 4.40 98.56 5.27
6 MONTHS 3.97 32 MONTHS 3610 4.20 96,79 5.62
12 MONTHS 4.41 35 MONTHS 3 70 1 4.60 97.18 5.76
TOTAL TURNOVER OF BILLS AND BONDS - 21,467 MN
CLOSED 21 MARCH 1994
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
TUESDAY, MARCH 22, 1994
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
NO SECRET IN AMENDING LETTERS PATENT ...................... 1
GOVERNOR SPEAKS TO MEDIA .................................. 2
KMB’S FARE INCREASE APPLICATION SLASHED.................... 6
JUDICIARY GOES THROUGH QUIET MANAGEMENT REVOLUTION......... 7
FRONT MIDDLE SEAT PASSENGERS TO BUCKLE UP TOO.............. 9
FEWER TRANSPORT COMPLAINTS IN LAST QUARTER OF 1993 ....... 10
PROVISIONAL STATISTICS ON RESTAURANT RECEIPTS AND PURCHASES FOR FOURTH QUARTER OF 1993 ................. 10
HK ABOUNDS WITH WORKS OPPORTUNITIES....................... 13
SWD TO DO MORE ON REHABILITATION SERVICES................. 13
LEGCO MEMBERS TO DEBATE BUDGET............................ 14
NEW ETV PROGRAMME ON ACCEPTING THE DISABLED............... 14
209 VIETNAMESE RETURN HOME................................ 15
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND TENDER RESULTS......... 16
HONG KONG MONETARY AUTHORITY MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS... 17
TUESDAY, MARCH 22, 1994
1
NO SECRET IN AMENDING LETTERS PATENT
*****
THE GOVERNOR, THE RT HON CHRISTOPHER PATTEN, SAID NOTHING HAD BEEN DONE SECRETIVELY IN THE AMENDMENTS TO THE LETTERS PATENT.
SPEAKING TO REPORTERS AFTER THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL MEETING TODAY (TUESDAY), THE GOVERNOR SAID: ‘"THE POLICY WAS ANNOUNCED AND WB THEN TOOK THE MEASURES TO IMPLEMENT IT.”
’’EVERYBODY’S KNOWN SINCE THE AUTUMN OF 1992 THAT IT'S BEEN THE GOVERNMENT'S POLICY TO HAVE, PROVIDED WE CAN GET THE NECESSARY LEGISLATION TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, TO HAVE A LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL IN 1995 WHICH HAS 20 DIRECTLY ELECTED MEMBERS, 30 ELECTED BY FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCIES AND 10 BY ELECTION COMMITTEE.
”SO, NO SECRET HAS BEEN INVOLVED AT ALL,” HE ADDED.
MR PATTEN MADE IT CLEAR THAT THE GOVERNMENT HAD BEHAVED OVER THE AMENDMENTS TO THE ROYAL INSTRUCTIONS AND LETTERS PATENT OVER THE PROPOSED LEGISLATION IN VIRTUALLY EXACTLY THE SAME WAY THAT IT HAD BEHAVED OVER PREVIOUS CHANGES TO THE CONSTITUTIONAL ARRANGEMENTS.
"WE ANNOUNCED THE POLICY AND THEN WE TOOK THE ADMINISTRATIVE MEASURES THAT WERE NEEDED IN ORDER TO IMPLEMENT IT, CONDITIONAL UPON OTHER THINGS BEING DONE,” HE SAID.
AS TO QUESTIONS ON WHY THE AMENDMENTS HAD BEEN MADE SO EARLY, MR PATTEN SAID THE GOVERNMENT SET OUT ON THIS COURSE OF ACTION WHEN THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL AGREED TO IT ON FEBRUARY 2 LAST YEAR AND THEN WENT TO LONDON AND TO THE PRIVY COUNCIL IN APRIL.
"WE DID IT THAT EARLY FOR TWO REASONS.
"FIRST OF ALL, BECAUSE OUR LEGAL ADVICE AT THAT STAGE WAS BEFORE WE INTRODUCED A BILL FOR THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, WE HAD TO HAVE CHANGED THE ROYAL INSTRUCTIONS AND LETTERS PATENT, OTHERWISE THE SUGGESTION WAS IT MIGHT BE ULTRA VIRES.
"SO WE TOOK THAT ACTION AT A TIME YOU WILL RECALL WHEN WE WEREN’T ALAS HAVING TALKS WITH CHINESE SIDE AND WHEN WE HAD SET OURSELVES THE TARGET OF TRYING TO GET OUR LEGISLATION THROUGH BY JULY 1993.
"SUBSEQUENTLY, AFTER DISCUSSIONS WITH THE LEGAL ADVISER TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, WE’VE REACHED THE CONCLUSION THAT WE DON’T ACTUALLY NEED A CHANGE TO THE ROYAL INSTRUCTIONS AND LETTERS PATENT UNTIL WE’VE ACTUALLY GOT LEGISLATION THROUGH.
"BUT BEFORE I ACTUALLY SIGN THE BILL, WB WOULD NEED TO HAVE THE GAZETTING WHICH IS THE PUBLICATION, THE PUBLIC ACT, THE GAZETTING OF A CHANGE TO THE ROYAL INSTRUCTIONS AND LETTER’S PATENT, SO THAT THE BILL COULD THEN BE BROUGHT INTO LINE WITH OUR CONSTITUTIONAL. ARRANGEMENTS AND VICE VERSA.
ASKED ABOUT WHAT WOULD HAPPEN IF LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL WAS TO PASS A BILL NOT IN LINE WITH THE ROYAL INSTRUCTIONS AND LETTERS PATENT OR ANY AMENDMENT TO THE ROYAL INSTRUCTIONS AND LETTERS PATENT, THE GOVERNOR SAID: "WE WOULD HAVE TO THINK VERY HARD ABOUT THE CONSEQUENCES AND DISCUSS THEM HERE IN HONG KONG AND DISCUSS THEM WITH LONDON."
/ON HIS .......
TUESDAY. MARCH 22, 1994
2
ON HIS FORTHCOMING VISIT TO LONDON, MR PATTEN SAID HE WAS GOING TO HAVE MEETINGS WITH THE FOREIGN SECRETARY, MR DOUGLAS HURD; THE MINISTER OF STATE AT THE FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE WITH SPECIAL RESPONSIBILITY FOR HONG KONG, MR ALASTAIR GOODLAD; AND A NUMBER OF FOREIGN OFFICE OFFICIALS.
HE WILL ALSO BE MEETING A NUMBER OF MEMBERS OF THE HONG KONG COMMUNITY IN LONDON. 0
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GOVERNOR SPEAKS TO MEDIA
« * * t *
FOLLOWING IS THE TRANSCRIPT OF THE GOVERNOR, THE RT HON CHRISTOPHER PATTEN, SPEAKING TO THE MEDIA AFTER ATTENDING THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL MEETING TODAY (TUESDAY):
QUESTION : ANY DECISION ON KMB ?
GOVERNOR : THAT WILL BE ANNOUNCED THIS AFTERNOON, I THINK, IN THE USUAL WAY.
QUESTION : WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF YOUR TRIP TO LONDON ?
GOVERNOR : I AM HAVING A MEETING WITH THE FOREIGN SECRETARY, WITH MR GOODLAD, A ROUTINE MEETING. I AM ALSO MEETING A NUMBER OF FOREIGN OFFICE OFFICIALS. I AM MEETING A NUMBER OF MEMBERS OF THE HONG KONG COMMUNITY IN LONDON. I’VE GOT ONE OR TWO OTHER MEETINGS FOR EXAMPLE WITH THE PRESS AND I AM DELIVERING A LECTURE IN DUBLIN FOR THE IRISH INDEPENDENT GROUP OF NEWSPAPERS ON FREEDOM OF SPEECH.
QUESTION : WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO TELL THEM ?
GOVERNOR : I’LL KNOW WHEN I HAVE WRITTEN IT.
QUESTION : DO YOU THINK THAT THE AMENDMENT TO THE LETTERS PATENT WILL SET A BAD EXAMPLE LATER TO THE SAR GOVERNMENT OR THE NPC OF THE PRC LATER? THEY CAN AMEND THE BASIC LAW, JUST LIKE THE WAY THE UK GOVERNMENT AMENDED THE LETTERS PATENT CONCERNING HONG KONG ISSUES.
GOVERNOR : WE’VE GOT QUITE A LOT OF POLITICAL PROBLEMS THAT WE HAVE'1* TO DEAL WITH AND THAT WE’LL HAVE TO DEAL WITH BETWEEN NOW AND 1997. THERE HAVE BEEN SEVERAL OVER THE LAST FEW YEARS. BUT I THINK THAT IN COMPARISON WITH SERIOUS PROBLEMS WHICH WILL INEVITABLY CREATE FROM TIME TO TIME A CERTAIN AMOUNT OF CONTROVERSY AND HEAT, IN COMPARISON WITH SERIOUS PROBLEMS, THE DISCUSSION OF THE ROYAL INSTRUCTIONS AND ' LETTERS PATENT IS THE MOST SPECIOUS, SPURIOUS NON-ISSUE EVEN IN HONG KONG’S HISTORY OF ALLEGED CONSPIRACIES AND SECRET DEALS. ONE NEWSPAPER YESTERDAY VERY ACCURATELY, WELL PERHAPS EXCESSIVELY DESCRIBED IT AS A STORM IN A TEA CUP. I THINK IT’S A STORM IN A TEA SPOON.
/LET ME........
TUESDAY, MARCH 22, 1994
3
LET ME SAY EXACTLY WHY. FIRST OF ALL, THE GOVERNMENT HAS BEHAVED OVER THE AMENDMENTS TO THE ROYAL INSTRUCTIONS AND LETTERS PATENT OVER THE PROPOSED LEGISLATION IN VIRTUALLY EXACTLY THE SAME WAY THAT IT HAS BEHAVED OVER PREVIOUS CHANGES TO OUR CONSTITUTIONAL ARRANGEMENTS, JUST AS OVER THE CHANGES THAT HAD TO BE MADE FOR THE 1991 ELECTIONS OR THE CHANGES THAT HAD TO BE MADE FOR MY DECISION TO STAND DOWN AS THE PRESIDENT OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. WE ANNOUNCED THE POLICY AND THEN WE TOOK THE ADMINISTRATIVE MEASURES THAT WERE NEEDED IN ORDER TO IMPLEMENT IT, CONDITIONAL UPON OTHER THINGS BEING DONE.
SECONDLY, WHERE’S THE SECRET IN ALL THIS ? WHAT IS THE THING THAT’S BEEN DONE SECRETIVELY ? NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE SECRETIVELY. THE POLICY WAS ANNOUNCED AND WE THEN TOOK THE MEASURES TO IMPLEMENT IT. EVERYBODY KNOWS. EVERYBODY’S KNOWN SINCE THE AUTUMN OF 1992 THAT IT’S BEEN THE GOVERNMENT’S POLICY TO HAVE, PROVIDED WE CAN GET THE NECESSARY LEGISLATION TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TO HAVE A LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL IN 1995 WHICH HAS 20 DIRECTLY ELECTED MEMBERS, 30 ELECTED BY FUNCTIONAL CONSTITUENCIES AND 10 BY ELECTION COMMITTEE. SO, NO SECRET HAS BEEN INVOLVED AT ALL. THIRDLY, WHY WAS IT DONE SO EARLY ? WE SET OUT ON THIS COURSE OF ACTION WHEN THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL AGREED TO IT ON FEBRUARY 2 LAST YEAR. WE THEN WENT TO LONDON AND TO THE PRIVY COUNCIL IN APRIL. WE DID IT THAT EARLY FOR TWO REASONS. FIRST OF ALL, BECAUSE OUR LEGAL ADVICE AT THAT STAGE WAS BEFORE WE INTRODUCED A BILL FOR THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, WE HAD TO HAVE CHANGED THE ROYAL INSTRUCTIONS AND LETTERS PATENT, OTHERWISE THE SUGGESTION WAS IT MIGHT BE ULTRA VIRES. SO WE TOOK THAT ACTION AT A TIME YOU WILL RECALL WHEN WE WEREN’T ALAS HAVING TALKS WITH CHINESE SIDE AND WHEN WE HAD SET OURSELVES THE TARGET OF TRYING TO GET OUR LEGISLATION THROUGH BY JULY 1993. SUBSEQUENTLY, AFTER DISCUSSIONS WITH THE LEGAL ADVISER TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, WE’VE REACHED THE CONCLUSION THAT WE DON’T ACTUALLY NEED A CHANGE TO THE ROYAL INSTRUCTIONS AND LETTERS PATENT UNTIL WE’VE ACTUALLY GOT LEGISLATION THROUGH. BUT BEFORE I ACTUALLY SIGN THE BILL, WE WOULD NEED TO HAVE THE GAZETTING WHICH IS THE PUBLICATION, THE PUBLIC ACT, THE GAZETTING OF A CHANGE TO THE ROYAL INSTRUCTIONS AND LETTER’S PATENT, SO THAT THE BILL COULD THEN BE BROUGHT INTO LINE WITH OUR CONSTITUTIONAL ARRANGEMENTS AND VICE VERSA.
SO, ONE, WE’VE ACTED AS WE HAVE IN THE PAST. TWO, THERE’S BEEN NOTHING SECRET DONE. THREE, THE TIMING HAS BEEN FOLLOWED FOR THE REASONS I’VE SET OUT.
/ONE OTHER .......
TUESDAY, MARCH 22, 1994
4
ONE OTHER ISSUE WHICH IS HYPOTHETICAL AND THE ONLY REAL ARGUMENT AT ALL - WHAT WOULD HAPPEN IF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL AMENDED THE BILL IN A WAY WHICH WAS DIFFERENT FROM THE AMENDMENTS WE’VE PROPOSED TO THE ROYAL INSTRUCTIONS AND LETTERS PATENT. NOW I SUPPOSE THAT COULD HAPPEN IN A NUMBER OF DIRECTIONS. I SUPPOSE THAT THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL COULD EITHER AMEND THE BILL IN A WAY WHICH MADE IT ALLEGEDLY MORE DEMOCRATIC OR IN A WAY WHICH ALLEGEDLY MADE IT LESS DEMOCRATIC. WHAT I’VE SAID TO PEOPLE WHO ARGUED AND ASKED ME QUESTIONS ABOUT THOSE TWO THINGS IS AS YOU KNOW PERFECTLY WELL, I FIND THAT DEALING WITH THE PROBLEMS OF HONG KONG AS THEY EXIST IS QUITE SUFFICIENT WITHOUT ANSWERING EVERY HYPOTHETICAL PROBLEM AND EVERY HYPOTHETICAL QUESTION WHICH IS PUT TO ME. BUT IT STANDS TO REASON THAT IF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL WAS TO PASS A BILL WHICH WAS NOT IN LINE WITH THE ROYAL INSTRUCTIONS AND LETTERS PATENT OR ANY THE AMENDMENT TO THE ROYAL INSTRUCTIONS AND LETTERS PATENT, WE WOULD HAVE TO THINK VERY HARD ABOUT THE CONSEQUENCES AND DISCUSS THEM HERE IN HONG KONG AND DISCUSS THEM WITH LONDON. BUT I REPEAT WHAT I HAVE SAID BEFORE AND WHAT I SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, I DON’T INTEND TO ANSWER EVERY HYPOTHETICAL QUESTION ABOUT AMENDMENTS TO THE BILL AS MRS BEACON SAID WHEN DESCRIBING HOW TO COOK A HARE, FIRST CATCH YOUR HARE AND THAT SEEMS TO ME TO BE THE BEST RESPONSE TO THOSE QUESTIONS. SO I VERY MUCH HOPE THAT THIS COMPLETELY SPURIOUS ISSUE CAN NOW BE SET ON ONE SIDE FOR WE CAN TALK ABOUT THINGS WHICH REALLY DO CONCERN PEOPLE LIKE THE BUDGET, LIKE FARE INCREASES, LIKE INFLATION, LIKE PROPERTY PRICES AND LIKE WHAT’S ACTUALLY IN THE BILL WHICH HAS GONE TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. I AM SORRY TO HAVE GONE ON SO LONG ABOUT IT. I DARE SAY THAT I’LL NEVER AGAIN HAVE TO SPEAK IN SUCH LENGTH ON THE ROYAL INSTRUCTIONS AND LETTERS PATENT.
QUESTION: BUT DO YOU THINK IT’S HARMFUL TO HONG KONG'S AUTONOMY?
GOVERNOR: I DON’T THINK IT’S REMOTELY HARMFUL TO HONG KONG’S AUTONOMY BECAUSE IT REMAINS OUR POSITION, AS YOU KNOW, THAT IT IS THE JOB OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TO LEGISLATE ON MATTERS LIKE ELECTORAL ARRANGEMENTS AND SO IT WILL BE UNDER THE BASIC LAW.
QUESTION: DO YOU THINK IT WILL HAVE A PSYCHOLOGICAL EFFECT AT LEAST ON OTHER LEGISLATORS OTHER THAN EMILY LAU WHO NOW SAID WELL, YOU GOT IT IN THE LETTERS PATENT ANYWAY, OF COURSE YOU WON’T GET IT THROUGH, SO WHY THE HELL SHOULD WE SUPPORT IT?
GOVERNOR: NO, I REALLY DON’T THINK SO. ANYBODY WHO ACTUALLY LISTENS TO WHAT I HAVE SAID AND WHAT FRANKLY MY OFFICIALS HAVE BEEN SAYING SINCE THE END OF LAST WEEK, ANYBODY WHO ACTUALLY LISTENS TO WHAT’S SAID SHOULD I THINK WILL BE ABLE TO REACT RATIONALLY AND CALMLY. THERE IS ONE THING THAT I SHOULD JUST ADD - THE POSITION ON THE ROYAL INSTRUCTIONS AND LETTERS PATENT WAS SET OUT ON THE 29TH OF DECEMBER BY C.M. LEUNG, THE DIRECTORATE OF THE CONSTITUTIONAL AFFAIRS BRANCH IN EVIDENCE TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. SO I DON’T KNOW AGAIN WHY PEOPLE SHOULD BE PUZZLED OR SURPRISED ABOUT WHAT’S BEEN HAPPENING.
QUESTION: HOW DOES YOU GOVERNOR.. TO QUESTION OF AGAIN GIVING PEOPLE CONFIRMATION BY THE FACT THAT REPORTERS ASKED REPEATEDLY IN THE FIRST HALF OF JANUARY IF WE CAN GET HOLD OF A COPY OF WHAT IS BETTER THAN ROYAL INSTRUCTION ’S CURRENT COPY TO ADDRESS THIS GOING QUESTION OF WHAT HAPPENS IF ON THE QUESTION OF ..., WE WERE TOLD IT DOESN’T EXIST, IT’S ONLY SCOTCH-TAPE VERSION, CUT AND PASTED THINGS AROUND, CAN’T GET ONE TRY IN LONDON AND THEN THIS? SO, YOU SEE THIS LACK OF INFORMATION TO THE PUBLIC FIT INTO THIS.
/GOVERNOR .......
TUESDAY. MARCH 22, 199*
5 -
GOVERNOR: WELL, I THINK IT’S FAIR TO SAY THAT THE ISSUE IS OF SUFFICIENT LACK OF INTEREST TO MOST PEOPLE, THAT’S VERY MANY OF THEM DIDN’T DO WHAT WOULD HAVE GIVEN THEM ON THE INFORMATION THEY WANTED WHICH IS TO ENQUIRE OF THE HOUSE OF COMMON’S LIBRARY, AS I UNDERSTAND IT. BUT I’M DELIGHTED THAT EVEN IF THOSE PROBLEMS AROSE IN JANUARY, I CAN ASSURE YOU PERFECTLY INNOCENTLY, WE’VE BEEN ABLE TO SPELL OUT THE SITUATION INSISTENTLY SINCE LAST FRIDAY. AND I’M ONLY SORRY THAT MORE NOTICE HASN’T BEEN TAKEN OF THE ANSWERS THAT HAVE BEEN GIVEN. BUT THERE WILL BE TIMES WHEN THERE ARE SERIOUS POLITICAL ISSUES WHICH ARE WORTH EXPLOSIVE LEADING ARTICLES AND ANGRY DEBATE IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. BUT I HAVE TO SAY THAT AS ARGUMENTS GO, THIS ONE IS AN EXTREMELY DEAD SHEEP.
QUESTION: ON THE QUESTION OF ACCESS TO INFORMATION, THE END OF THIS MONTH IS THE END OF THE CONSULTATION PERIOD AND A BILL HAD BEEN .... AND I’M SURE YOU’VE SEEN IT. ARE YOU STILL HOLDING QUEUE-UP POSITION THAT THE BEST WAY TO GET ACCESS OF INFORMATION IS THROUGH ADMINISTRATION MEANS? ARE YOU RULING OUT ACCEPTING A LEGISLATIVE TIE?
GOVERNOR: WHAT I’M RULING IN IS DISCUSSIONS WITH LEGISLATORS ABOUT THESE ISSUES. I DON’T THINK THAT THE ADMINISTRATION IS CONVINCED BY THE CASE FOR A STATUTORY ENTITLEMENT TO INFORMATION. BUT I THINK THE EXECUTIVE IS CONVINCED OF THE NEED TO DO EVERYTHING WE CAN. FIRST OF ALL, TO REMOVE THOSE LAWS OR THOSE PARTS OF LAWS WHICH MAY INFRINGE FREEDOM OF SPEECH. AND SECONDLY, TO LOOK AT WAYS IN WHICH WE CAN MAKE A GREAT DEAL MORE INFORMATION AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC INCLUDING AS I HAVE SOUGHT TO DO THIS MORNING, INFORMATION ABOUT THE ROYAL INSTRUCTIONS AND LETTERS PATENT. THANKS VERY MUCH INDEED.
REPORTER: GOVERNOR, HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT NOT BEING ABLE TO WATCH THE BBC TV NEWS NOW THAT STAR TV HAS DECIDED TO GO TO .... ?
GOVERNOR: I FIND THAT, LIKE A LOT OF PEOPLE IN MY POSITION, I HAVE VERY STRONG VIEWS ABOUT BROADCASTING BUT ALAS I’M NOT ABLE VERY OFTEN TO WATCH IT MYSELF. BUT I HAVE SEEN THE BBC WORLD SERVICE. I THINK IT’S EXCELLENT. I’VE SEEN IT IN THIS COUNTRY .... I’VE SEEN IT IN HONG KONG, I’VE SEEN IT IN OTHER COUNTRIES, I’VE SEEN IT IN THE UK AS WELL AND I’M SURE THAT THEY WILL FIND SOME OTHER WAY OF FEEDING INTO THE REGION. BUT IT’S A COMMERCIAL DECISION AND IT’S NOT A MATTER FOR ME. THERE ARE A LOT OF SERVICES AVAILABLE IN HONG KONG AND I HOPE THEY WILL ALL PROVIDE THE TRUTH ABOUT WHAT’S GOING ON IN AN UNVARNISHED WAY.
QUESTION: YOU DON’T SEE THIS AS A SELF-CENSORSHIP ISSUE?
GOVERNOR: I THINK THAT THAT’S A QUESTION WHICH YOU SHOULD PUT TO THE PROPRIETOR OF STAR TV.
QUESTION: ON AIRPORT FINANCING, SO FAR ANY RESPONSE FROM THE CHINESE SIDE AFTER THE ANSWERS TO THEIR QUESTIONS?
GOVERNOR: NOW WE HAVE ANSWERED EVEN MORE QUESTIONS. WE’VE HAD A HELPFUL BRIEFING AND I HOPE THAT IN THE SPIRIT OF COOPERATION WHICH A NUMBER OF CHINESE LEADERS HAVE HELPFULLY REFERRED TO WILL BE ABLE TO SORT THINGS OUT SOONER RATHER THAN LATER.
------0-------
/6........
TUESDAY, MARCH 22, 1994
6
KMB’S FARE INCREASE APPLICATION SLASHED
*****
THE GOVERNOR-IN-COUNCIL HAS APPROVED A 12.9% FARE INCREASE FOR KOWLOON MOTOR BUS (KMB) WHICH IS SUBSTANTIALLY LOWER THAN WHAT THE COMPANY SOUGHT IN THEIR APPLICATION.
THIS GIVES KMB A SIGNIFICANTLY LOWER RETURN THAN IN PREVIOUS YEARS.
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN EXPLAINED THAT IN CONSIDERING APPLICATIONS FOR BUS FARE INCREASES THE FIRST AND FOREMOST OBJECTIVE IS TO ENSURE AN EFFICIENT SERVICE WILL BE PROVIDED AT AN AFFORDABLE PRICE.
IN ADDITION, SINCE PUBLIC BUS SERVICES ARE NOT SUBSIDISED, IT IS NECESSARY TO GIVE THE BUS OPERATOR A REASONABLE RETURN.
THE SPOKESMAN EXPLAINED THAT INFLATION HAD LITTLE DIRECT BEARING ON THE OPERATING COSTS OF THE BUS INDUSTRY. THE KEY ELEMENTS ARE:
WAGES -
OPERATIONS ARE LABOUR INTENSIVE AND WAGES CONSTITUTE MORE THAN 60% OF KMB’S TOTAL OPERATING COSTS. OVER THE PAST FEW YEARS, KMB HAD TO AWARD SALARY ADJUSTMENTS HIGHER THAN INFLATION IN ORDER TO RETAIN AND RECRUIT SUFFICIENT DRIVERS. ROADWORTHINESS OF BUSES -
BUS INSPECTIONS ARE COSTLY BUT ESSENTIAL IN SAFEGUARDING PASSENGER SAFETY. THIS ALSO CONTRIBUTES TO INCREASE IN OPERATING EXPENSE.
NEW ROUTES AND FREQUENCY IMPROVEMENTS IN EXISTING ROUTES -
THESE ARE NECESSARY TO SATISFY PASSENGER DEMANDS. SUCH SERVICE IMPROVEMENTS ARE CONTAINED IN A FIVE-YEAR FORWARD PLANNING PROGRAMME WHICH IS UPDATED ANNUALLY AND SUBJECT TO CAREFUL SCRUTINY BY THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT, CONSULTATION WITH DISTRICT BOARDS AND THE ENDORSEMENT OF THE TRANSPORT ADVISORY COMMITTEE. GIVEN LITTLE OVERALL GROWTH IN PATRONAGE, SUCH IMPROVEMENTS WILL SIMPLY ADD TO OPERATING COSTS.
A FARE INCREASE OF 12.9% IS AFFORDABLE SINCE 80% OF THE PASSENGERS WILL PAY AN ADDITIONAL FARE OF 40 CENTS TO 50 CENTS ONLY; 10% OF THE PASSENGERS WILL PAY 30 CENTS EXTRA OR LESS AND THE REMAINING 10% 60 CENTS TO $1 MORE.
THIS IS FURTHER ILLUSTRATED BY THE FACT THAT THE INCREASE JUST APPROVED WOULD ONLY RESULT IN A VERY MARGINAL INCREASE OF 0.18% ON THE CPI(A).
IN APPROVING THE FARE INCREASE, THE GOVERNOR-IN-COUNCIL HAS ALSO ASKED THAT THE SCHEME OF CONTROL AND THE QUESTION OF LAND SALES BY FRANCHISED BUS COMPANIES BE EXAMINED.
/THE SPOKESMAN .......
7
TUESDAY, MARCH 22, 1994
THE SPOKESMAN EXPLAINED THAT AT PRESENT, UNDER ITS SCHEME OF CONTROL, KMB MAY SEEK A RETURN UP TO 16% ON ITS AVERAGE NET FIXED ASSETS.
THIS SCHEME WAS INTRODUCED IN 1975, AND MAY HAVE OUTLIVED ITS PURPOSE, SINCE, FOR EXAMPLE, IT HAS BEEN PERCEIVED BY CRITICS AS PROVIDING A "GUARANTEED" PROFIT FOR THE COMPANY REGARDLESS OF ITS PERFORMANCE.
THE ADMINISTRATION, THEREFORE, INTENDS TO START DISCUSSIONS WITH KMB WITH A VIEW TO REPLACING THE SCHEME OF CONTROL WITH A MORE APPROPRIATE BASIS FOR THE DETERMINATION OF BUS FARES.
AS REGARDS LAND SALES, AT PRESENT, THE COMPANY CAN DISPOSE OF ITS DEPOT SITES WHICH ARE NOT REQUIRED FOR BUS OPERATION.
UNDER THE EXISTING LEGISLATION, PROCEEDS FROM SUCH SALES CANNOT BE TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT WHEN APPLICATION FOR INCREASES ARB CONSIDERED.
THE ADMINISTRATION WILL SOON CONDUCT A REVIEW ON THE WHOLE QUESTION OF HOW PROCEEDS FROM LAND SALES BY FRANCHISED BUS COMPANIES IN FUTURE CAN BE TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT IN DETERMINING BUS FARES.
IN THE MEANTIME, THE ADMINISTRATION WILL NOT BE PREPARED TO CONSIDER ANY FURTHER APPLICATION PERTAINING TO THE RELEASE OF DEPOT SITES.
------0-------
JUDICIARY GOES THROUGH QUIET MANAGEMENT REVOLUTION
*****
THE JUDICIARY IS GOING THROUGH A "QUIET MANAGEMENT REVOLUTION" - A CULTURE CHANGE, A SHIFT OF GEAR AND A CHANGE OF HEART AND MIND -THE CHIEF JUSTICE, SIR TI LIANG YANG, SAID TODAY (TUESDAY).
SPEAKING AT A LUNCHEON MEETING OF THE CITY LIONS CLUB, SIR TI LIANG SAID OVER THE LAST SIX MONTHS, MUCH HAD BEEN DONE QUIETLY TO LAY THE GROUND FOR ADMINISTRATIVE REFORMS IN THE JUDICIARY.
"FIRST, TO START THE REFORM PROCESS, I SET UP THE WORKING PARTY ON JUDICIARY ADMINISTRATION LAST OCTOBER TO CONDUCT A THOROUGH REVIEW OF THE EXISTING ADMINISTRATIVE SYSTEMS OF THE JUDICIARY AND TO IDENTIFY PROPOSALS FOR IMPROVEMENT," HE SAID.
THE WORKING PARTY, WHICH SERVES VERY MUCH AS THE CHIEF JUSTICE’S THINK-TANK, IS MAPPING OUT A BROAD STRATEGY FOR ENHANCING JUDICIAL EFFICIENCY.
IT HAS RECOMMENDED THAT AS A FIRST AND ESSENTIAL STEP TOWARDS EMBRACING A MODERN MANAGEMENT CULTURE, THE JUDICIARY SHOULD BRING IN INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AS PART OF THE PUSH FOR EFFICIENCY.
"TO THIS END, WE WILL BE APPROACHING THE FINANCE COMMITTEE OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL SHORTLY FOR FUNDS TO LAUNCH A JUDICIARY INFORMATION SYSTEMS STRATEGY.
"THIS COMPUTERISATION PROGRAMME INITIALLY WILL FOCUS ON THE DISTRICT COURT, THE SMALL CLAIMS TRIBUNAL AND THE PROBATE REGISTRY. THESE ARE THE MAIN BOTTLENECKS, AS THEIR OPERATION IS NOW HEAVILY LABOUR-INTENSIVE," HE ADDED.
/THE CHIEF .......
TUESDAY, MARCH 22, 1994
8
THE CHIEF JUSTICE SAID SINCE LAST NOVEMBER THE JUDICIARY HAD LAUNCHED A BASIC COMPUTER TRAINING PROGRAMME FOR ALMOST ALL OF ITS 170 JUDICIAL OFFICERS AND PERSONAL COMPUTERS HAD BEEN MADE AVAILABLE TO ALL WHO WERE INTERESTED IN USING THEM IN THEIR CHAMBERS.
"I AM DELIGHTED TO SAY THAT THE RESPONSE TO THIS COMPUTER AWARENESS DRIVE HAS BEEN MOST ENCOURAGING. IT AUGURS WELL FOR THE CHANGE IN CULTURE. THE PERSONAL COMPUTERS WILL FACILITATE JUDGES AND MAGISTRATES IN PREPARING JUDGMENTS AND NOTES," HE SAID.
THE WORKING PARTY ALSO RECOMMENDED THAT A PILOT SCHEME FOR A COMPUTERISED COURT RECORDING SYSTEM BE INTRODUCED INTO THE DISTRICT COURT AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.
THE OBJECT OF THE PILOT SCHEME IS TO RELIEVE DISTRICT JUDGES OF THE BURDEN OF RECORDING THE PROCEEDINGS OF A CASE IN LONGHAND, THUS ENABLING THEM TO CONCENTRATE ON TRIALS AND HAVE MORE TIME TO HEAR CASES, SIR TI LIANG EXPLAINED.
THE CHIEF JUSTICE REVEALED THAT THE WORKING PARTY HAD ALSO LOOKED AT THE CURRENT SYSTEM OF LISTING OF CASES FOR TRIAL IN THE COURTS, WHICH HAS A DIRECT BEARING ON THE WAITING TIME FOR CASES TO COME TO TRIAL AND ON THE USE OF THE COURT’S TIME.
"THE WORKING PARTY THINKS THAT IN COMING TO GRIPS WITH THE LISTING PROBLEM, THE FULL CO-OPERATION OF THREE PARTIES IS A MUST. FIRST COMES THE JUDGE HIMSELF; SECOND IS THE OFFICER IN THE JUDICIARY RESPONSIBLE FOR SETTING DOWN CASES FOR TRIAL AND ESTIMATING THE LENGTH OF TRIAL; AND, FINALLY, THE LAWYERS WHO HAVE THE CONDUCT OF THE CASE," HE SAID.
STRESSING THAT THE JUDICIARY IS NOW SEEKING TO ACHIEVE A GREATER OPENNESS, ACCESSIBILITY, RESPONSIVENESS, TRANSPARENCY AND USER-FRIENDLINESS - ALL WITHIN THE CONFINES OF JUDICIAL INDEPENDENCE -SIR TI LIANG QUOTED A FEW EXAMPLES.
"FIRST, THREE COURT USERS COMMITTEES HAVE BEEN SET UP SINCE LAST OCTOBER TO ADVISE ME ON THE PRACTICES AND PROCEDURES IN THE CRIMINAL DIVISION, THE CIVIL DIVISION AND THE SPECIALIST TRIBUNALS. INDEED, ON ANYTHING THAT CONCERNS THE USERS COMPRISING THE LAWYERS AS WELL AS MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC.
"SECOND, IN RESPONSE TO WIDESPREAD CONCERNS, I APPOINTED LAST OCTOBER A SPECIAL WORKING GROUP, CHAIRED BY A HIGH COURT JUDGE, TO LOOK INTO THE PROBLEMS ASSOCIATED WITH MENTALLY HANDICAPPED PEOPLE GIVING EVIDENCE IN COURT.
"THE WORKING GROUP HAS CONSULTED NOT JUST THE PROFESSIONALS, BUT ALSO VARIOUS PARENTS’ ASSOCIATIONS AND COMMUNITY ORGANISATIONS. ITS FINAL REPORT IS MORE OR LESS READY.
"THIRD, WE ARE DRAWING UP THE JUDICIARY’S PERFORMANCE PLEDGE. THIS WILL GIVE THE STANDARDS OF SERVICE WHICH THE PUBLIC CAN EXPECT FROM US," HE SAID.
A TELEPHONE HOTLINE WILL ALSO BE SET UP TO THE PUBLIC IN THEIR ENQUIRIES AND COMPLAINTS.
ASSIST MEMBERS OF
/IN CONCLUSION .......
TUESDAY, MARCH 22, 1994
Q
IN CONCLUSION, THE CHIEF JUSTICE EMPHASISED THAT THE SUCCESS OF THE JUDICIARY’S DRIVE FOR EFFICIENCY AND REFORM EFFORTS HINGED VERY MUCH ON A TRIPARTITE CO-OPERATION - THE JUDICIARY ITSELF, THE LEGAL PROFESSION - LAWYERS BOTH IN PRIVATE PRACTICE AND GOVERNMENT SERVICE - AND THE ADMINISTRATION.
"WITHIN THE JUDICIARY, THERE MUST BE THE WILL AND DETERMINATION TO GO FOR MAXIMUM EFFICIENCY. THERE MUST ALSO BE THE RECOGNITION THAT FOR US TO STAND STILL IS TO STAGNATE. AMONGST THE PROFESSION, THERE MUST BE THE SENSITIVITY THAT COURT TIME IS PRECIOUS. FOR THE ADMINISTRATION, THERE MUST BE THE PREPAREDNESS TO GIVE US THE FINANCIAL AND MANPOWER RESOURCES REQUIRED," HE ELABORATED.
HOWEVER, THE CHIEF JUSTICE POINTED OUT THAT JUDICIAL EFFICIENCY MUST NOT BE ACHIEVED AT THE EXPENSE OF JUDICIAL INDEPENDENCE, THE FAIRNESS OF A TRIAL AND THE QUALITY OF JUSTICE.
"THIS IS VERY MUCH A FINE BALANCING ACT AND, IF I MAY SAY SO, A VERY DELICATE ONE," HE SAID. _
FRONT MIDDLE SEAT PASSENGERS TO BUCKLE UP TOO » * * » ♦
THE TRANSPORT ADVISORY COMMITTEE (TAC) TODAY (TUESDAY) RECOMMENDED THAT LEGISLATION BE AMENDED TO MAKE THE FITTING AND WEARING OF LAP BELTS COMPULSORY FOR FRONT MIDDLE SEAT PASSENGERS IN VEHICLES.
LAP BELTS ARE REQUIRED IN MANY COUNTRIES AND ARE EFFECTIVE IN PREVENTING SERIOUS INJURIES OR FATALITIES AS A RESULT OF ACCIDENTS INVOLVING SIDE IMPACT. THEY ALSO PREVENT PASSENGERS FROM BEING THROWN OUT OF VEHICLES IN CASE OF ACCIDENT.
THE FITTING REQUIREMENT WILL APPLY ONLY TO NEW PRIVATE CARS, TAXIS, GOODS VEHICLES AND LIGHT BUSES. THERE WILL BE A ONE-YEAR GRACE PERIOD BEFORE THE NEW REQUIREMENT COMES INTO EFFECT.
ON THE ADVICE OF TAC, THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT WILL EXPLORE THE POSSIBILITY OF EXTENDING THE COMPULSORY WEARING OF LAP BELTS TO PASSENGERS ON EXISTING VEHICLES ALREADY FITTED WITH LAP BELTS.
THE AMENDED LEGISLATION IS EXPECTED TO BE ENACTED LATER THIS YEAR TOGETHER WITH THE PROPOSED REAR SEAT BELT LEGISLATION WHICH WAS ENDORSED BY TAC LAST YEAR.
DURING THE MEETING, MEMBERS, IN THE LIGHT OF PRESENT CIRCUMSTANCES, ALSO SUPPORTED A PROPOSAL TO AMEND LEGISLATION TO MAKE THE USE OF CHILD RESTRAINTS IN REAR SEATS, IF AVAILABLE, MANDATORY. THERE SHOULD ALSO BE A PUBLICITY CAMPAIGN TO ENCOURAGE PARENTS TO USE CHILD RESTRAINTS.
AT TODAY’S MEETING, MEMBERS WERE ALSO BRIEFED BY THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY CORPORATION ON MATTERS OF INTEREST TO MEMBERS INCLUDING ITS FARE POLICY.
THE QUARTERLY REPORT OF THE TRANSPORT COMPLAINTS UNIT FOR THE LAST QUARTER OF 1993 WAS ALSO TABLED.
/10 .......
TUESDAY MARCH 22, 1994
1.0
FEWER TRANSPORT COMPLAINTS IN LAST QUARTER OF 1993 ♦ ♦ » » »
THE NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS AND SUGGESTIONS RECEIVED BY THE TRANSPORT COMPLAINTS UNIT (TCU) FOR THE PERIOD OCTOBER 1, 1993 TO DECEMBER 31, 1993 DROPPED BY 7.4 PER CENT TO 3,437 AS COMPARED WITH 3,713 IN THE PREVIOUS QUARTER.
DURING THE PERIOD, THE MAJOR AREAS OF COMPLAINTS WERE RELATED TO PUBLIC TRANSPORT (61 PER CENT), ENFORCEMENT (18 PER CENT) AND ROAD TRAFFIC CONDITIONS (15 PER CENT).
THE NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS AGAINST PUBLIC TRANSPORT DECREASED BY NINE PER CENT TO 2,096 CASES WHEN COMPARED WITH THE PREVIOUS QUARTER.
THIS WAS ATTRIBUTABLE MAINLY TO FEWER COMPLAINTS AGAINST CHINA MOTOR BUS SERVICES (-26.6 PER CENT FROM 252 TO 185 CASES); TAXI MALPRACTICES (-15.7 PER CENT FROM 1,065 TO 898 CASES); AND CITYBUS SERVICES (-9.4 PER CENT FROM 213 TO 193).
HOWEVER, THE NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS AGAINST KOWLOON MOTOR BUS ROSE FROM 302 TO 336 THIS QUARTER. NEARLY THREE QUARTERS OF THE COMPLAINTS (244) WERE RELATED TO ERRATIC SERVICES, CONDUCT AND PERFORMANCE OF DRIVERS AND INADEQUATE SERVICES.
THE NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT ROAD MAINTENANCE CONDITIONS DROPPED SIGNIFICANTLY BY 26.7 PER CENT TO 143 WHEN COMPARED WITH THE LAST QUARTER.
THERE WERE ALSO FEWER COMPLAINTS ABOUT ROAD CONGESTION, NUMBERING 237 CASES AGAINST 262 IN THE PREVIOUS QUARTER.
ONE NOTEWORTHY SUGGESTION RECEIVED DURING THE QUARTER WAS A REQUEST FOR THE INSTALLATION OF A ’RED LIGHT’ CAMERA AT A BUSY KOWLOON CITY ROAD JUNCTION.
THE SUGGESTION WAS REFERRED TO THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT WHICH AGREED TO CONSIDER IT IN THE NEXT EXERCISE TO INSTALL RED LIGHT CAMERAS.
------0-------
PROVISIONAL STATISTICS ON RESTAURANT RECEIPTS AND PURCHASES
FOR FOURTH QUARTER OF 1993
* * t * *
THE VALUE OF TOTAL RECEIPTS FOR THE RESTAURANT SECTOR LAST YEAR, ESTIMATED AT $48.3 BILLION, INCREASED BY 6%. WHEN COMPARED WITH 1992, ACCORDING TO THE PROVISIONAL STATISTICS RELEASED TODAY (TUESDAY) BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
AFTER DISCOUNTING THE EFFECT OF PRICE CHANGES OVER THE PERIOD, TOTAL RECEIPTS DECREASED BY 3% IN VOLUME TERMS. THE VALUE OF TOTAL PURCHASES OF RESTAURANTS INCREASED TO $17.5 BILLION, BY 4% OVER 1992.
IN 1993, STRONG GROWTH WAS RECORDED FOR BARS. WHEN COMPARED WITH 1992, THE TOTAL RECEIPTS OF BARS REGISTERED A SUBSTANTIAL INCREASE OF 21% IN VALUE AND 5% IN VOLUME.
/MODERATE GROWTH .......
TUESDAY, MARCH 22, 1994
11
MODERATE GROWTH WAS RECORDED FOR NON-CHINESE RESTAURANTS AND FAST FOOD SHOPS, BOTH INCREASED BY 13% IN VALUE. IN VOLUME TERMS, THE INCREASES WERE 4% AND 5% RESPECTIVELY.
ON THE OTHER HAND, THE TOTAL RECEIPTS OF CHINESE RESTAURANTS INCREASED BY 2% IN VALUE BUT DECREASED BY 7% IN VOLUME.
THE VALUE OF TOTAL RESTAURANT RECEIPTS IN THE FOURTH QUARTER OF 1993, ESTIMATED AT $13.1 BILLION, INCREASED BY 13% WHEN COMPARED WITH A YEAR AGO. IN VOLUME TERMS, THE RECEIPTS WERE UP BY 4%.
THE VALUE OF TOTAL PURCHASES BY RESTAURANT IN THIS QUARTER WAS $4.7 BILLION, 11% HIGHER THAN IN THE SAME QUARTER OF 1992.
AMONG THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF RESTAURANTS, THE TOTAL RECEIPTS OF BARS RECORDED THE LARGEST YEAR-ON-YEAR INCREASE IN THE FOURTH QUARTER OF 1993, 33% IN VALUE AND 14% IN VOLUME.
THE TOTAL RECEIPTS OF NON-CHINESE RESTAURANTS ALSO ROSE SIGNIFICANTLY, BY 20% IN VALUE AND 11% IN VOLUME.
THE TOTAL RECEIPTS OF CHINESE RESTAURANTS AND FAST FOOD SHOPS INCREASED AT A LESS RAPID RATE, BOTH UP BY 11% IN VALUE. IN VOLUME TERMS, THE RESPECTIVE INCREASES WERE 2% AND 3%.
COMPARING WITH THE PRECEDING QUARTER, AND BEARING IN MIND THAT THE COMPARISON MAY BE AFFECTED BY SEASONAL FACTORS, TOTAL RESTAURANT RECEIPTS IN THE FOURTH QUARTER OF 1993 INCREASED BY 3% IN VALUE AND 2% 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 FOURTH QUARTER OF 1993 IS NOW ON SALE AT $2 A COPY AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, GROUND FLOOR, GENERAL POST OFFICE BUILDING, CONNAUGHT PLACE, CENTRAL; AND THE PUBLICATIONS SECTION OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT, 19TH FLOOR, WANCHAI TOWER, WAN CHAI.
ENQUIRIES ABOUT THE SURVEY RESULTS MAY BE DIRECTED TO THE WHOLESALE AND RETAIL TRADE STATISTICS SECTION OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT ON TEL 802 1258.
TABLE 1 PRESENTS THE REVISED FIGURES FOR THE TOTAL RECEIPTS AND TOTAL PURCHASES OF THE RESTAURANT SECTOR FOR THE THIRD QUARTER OF 1993 AND THE PROVISIONAL FIGURES FOR THE FOURTH QUARTER OF 1993.
TABLE 2 SHOWS THE VALUE AND VOLUME INDICES OF TOTAL RECEIPTS BY TYPE OF RESTAURANT FOR THE THIRD QUARTER AND THE FOURTH QUARTER OF 1993, WITH THE QUARTERLY AVERAGE FROM OCTOBER 1989 TO SEPTEMBER 1990 TAKEN AS 100.
RESULTS OF THE FOURTH
ALSO TABULATED ARE COMPARISONS OF THE
QUARTER OF 1993 WITH THOSE OF THE THIRD QUARTER OF 1993 AND THE F°UI*TH QUARTER OF 1992; COMPARISONS OF TOTAL RECEIPTS TN 1993 WITH 1992 ARE
ALSO GIVEN.
/TABLE 1 .......
TUESDAY, MARCH 22, 1994
12
TABLE 1: TOTAL RESTAURANT RECEIPTS AND PURCHASES
3rd qtr. 1993 (Revised figures)
4th qtr. 1993 (Provisional figures)
Total restaurant receipts (in HKS million) 12 689.5
Total purchases by restaurants (in HK$ million) 4 584.7
13 126.3
4 693.1
TABLE 2: VALUE AND VOLUME INDICES OF TOTAL RESTAURANT RECEIPTS FOR 3rd QUARTER 1993 AND 4th QUARTER 1993
(Quarterly average of Oct. 89 - Sept. 90 = 100)
Type of restaurant Index of total restaurant receipts 3rd quarter 1993 4th quarter 1993 4th qtr. 1993 compared with 3rd qtr. 1993 4th qtr. 1993 compared with 4th qtr. 1992 1st-4th qtr. 1993 compared with 1st-4th qtr. 1992
(Revised figures) (Provisional figures) Points X Points % Points X
Chinese restaurants Value 130.2 141.3 ♦11.1 ♦8.6 ♦ 13.8 ♦ 10.8 ♦2.2 ♦1.7
Volume 90.8 97.2 ♦6.3 ♦6.9 ♦1.9 ♦2.0 -6.8 -7.0
Non-Chinese restaurants Value 159.4 154.7 -4.7 -2.9 ♦25.6 ♦ 19.8 + 17.1 + 13.3
Volume 113.0 108.8 -4.2 -3.7 ♦ 10.4 ♦10.5 ♦3.9 ♦3.9
Fast food shops Value 229.5 205.4 -24.1 -10.5 ♦ 19.8 ♦ 10.7 ♦ 23.7 ♦ 13.3
Vo lime 170.9 151.9 -19.1 -11.2 ♦4.6 ♦3.1 ♦7.7 ♦5.3
Bars Value 225.7 271.0 ♦45.3 ♦20.1 ♦67.6 ♦33.3 ♦37.4 ♦20.6
Vo lune 144.5 173.5 ♦29.0 ♦20.1 ♦21.5 ♦ 14.2 ♦7.1 ♦5.1
Other eating and drinking places Value Volune 209.2 150.6 201.2 144.2 -8.0 -6.4 -3.8 -4.3 ♦47.8 ♦21.7. ♦31.2 ♦ 17.7 ♦37.8 ♦ 13.9 ♦24.8 ♦11.2
All restaurant types Value 147.7 152.7 ♦5.1 ♦3.4 ♦ 17.9 ♦ 13.3 +8.1 ♦6.1
Volune 104.2 106.3 ♦2.1 ♦2.0 ♦4.3 ♦4.2 -2.9 -2.8
TUESDAY, MARCH 22, 1994
- 13 -
HK ABOUNDS WITH WORKS OPPORTUNITIES
» * » t t
OPPORTUNITIES ARE PLENTY FOR PRIVATE SECTOR PARTICIPATION IN HONG KONG’S MAJOR INFRASTRUCTURAL PROJECTS FOR THE COMING YEARS, THE SECRETARY FOR THE TREASURY, MR DONALD TSANG, SAID IN TOKYO TODAY (TUESDAY).
ADDRESSING THE JAPAN FEDERATION OF ECONOMIC ORGANISATION (KEIDANREN), MR TSANG SAID THE GOVERNMENT WAS PARTICULARLY SATISFIED TO SEE THE MANY JAPANESE CONSTRUCTION FIRMS THAT HAD PARTICIPATED IN THE GOVERNMENT-FUNDED AIRPORT CORE PROGRAMME (ACP) PROJECTS AND HELPED CONTRIBUTE TOWARDS THE REMARKABLE PROGRESS TO-DATE.
JAPANESE COMPANIES HAVE WON THE LARGEST SHARE BY VALUE OF THE 43 MAJOR ACP CONSTRUCTION CONTRACTS AWARDED SO FAR.
"BEYOND THE AIRPORT CORE PROGRAMME, HOWEVER, THERE ARE MANY OTHER MAJOR PORT AND TRANSPORT PROJECTS BEING PLANNED FOR HONG KONG.
"THESE WILL PROVIDE FURTHER OPPORTUNITIES FOR PRIVATE SECTOR PARTICIPATION," HE SAID.
MR TSANG NOTED THAT THE GOVERNMENT WOULD INVEST HEAVILY IN IMPROVEMENTS TO THE ROAD AND RAIL LINKS WHICH SERVED HONG KONG’S TRADE, TOURISM AND INVESTMENT IN CHINA, AS WELL AS THE EVERYDAY NEEDS OF THE POPULATION.
THE CONSTRUCTION CONTRACTS FOR THE TING KAU BRIDGE AND COUNTRY PARK SECTION OF ROUTE 3 WOULD BE AWARDED SOON, HE SAID.
A MAJOR EXPANSION OF THE LOWU STATION WOULD BE COMPLETED EARLY NEXT YEAR, AND THE GOVERNMENT WAS CONSIDERING THE FEASIBILITY OF A NEW RAILWAY TO THE BORDER THROUGH THE NORTHWEST NEW TERRITORIES TO LINK UP WITH THE CHINESE NATIONAL RAIL SYSTEM, HE ADDED.
MEANWHILE, PLANNING FOR CONTAINER TERMINALS 10 AND 11 IS UNDER WAY.
"A LOT IS INDEED GOING ON AND HONG KONG PROMISES TO BE A REALLY EXCITING PLACE FOR BUSINESS IN THE COMING FEW YEARS.
"HONG KONG WILL CONTINUE TO PROSPER AS WE EMBARK ON OUR AMBITIOUS BUT ESSENTIAL WORKS PROGRAMMES TO BUILD FOR THE FUTURE," HE SAID.
------0-------
SWD TO DO MORE ON REHABILITATION SERVICES
» t » » » r;
THE GOVERNMENT IS DETERMINED TO EXPAND AND PROMOTE REHABILITATION SERVICES, THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MR IAN STRACHAN, SAID TODAY (TUESDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE PO LEUNG KUK KING LAM HOSTEL, TSEUNG KWAN O, MR STRACHAN SAID THE SUCCESS IN IMPLEMENTING THE SERVICES DEPENDED ON THE SUPPORT OF NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANISATIONS AND OF THE COMMUNITY.
/PO LEUNG .......
TUESDAY, MARCH 22, 1994
14
PO LEUNG KUK SERVICES WERE PRIMARILY IN PROTECTING WOMEN AND CHILDREN.
THE HOSTEL OPERATES A RANGE OF REHABILITATION SERVICES TO RAISE THE QUALITY OF LIFE FOR DISABLED PERSONS TO HELP THEM INTEGRATE INTO THE COMMUNITY AND DEVELOP MUTUAL SUPPORT AMONG FAMILIES, RELATIVES AND FRIENDS.
"THE KING LAM HOSTEL HAS BEEN VERY FORTUNATE TO BE LOCATED IN SUCH A CARING COMMUNITY AS TSEUNG KWAN 0 WITH LOCAL LEADERS AND MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC SHOWING CLEARLY THEIR SUPPORT FOR EXISTING AND PLANNED REHABILITATION FACILITIES IN THEIR NEIGHBOURHOOD."
THE SUPPORT GIVEN TO THE WAI JI PO LAM DAY ACTIVITY CENTRE AND HOSTEL IN PO LAM ESTATE IS A STRONG EVIDENCE OF LOCAL PEOPLE'S UNDERSTANDING AND ACCEPTANCE OF THE INTEGRATION O.F THE MENTALLY HANDICAPPED IN THE COMMUNITY, MR STRACHAN SAID.
------o-------
LEGCO MEMBERS TO DEBATE BUDGET t t » « t (
FIFTY-FIVE MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL WILL SPEAK ON THE APPROPRIATION BILL 1994 WHICH IS SET FOR RESUMED DEBATE AT THE COUNCIL’S TWO-DAY MEETING FROM TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY).
THEY WILL ALSO ASK 20 QUESTIONS TOMORROW.
THE MEETING WILL BEGIN AT 2.30 PM ON BOTH DAYS.
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE WELCOME TO OBSERVE THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE MEETING FROM THE PUBLIC GALLERY OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL CHAMBER, 8 JACKSON ROAD, CENTRAL.
THEY CAN RESERVE SEATS BY CALLING 869 9492.
------0--------
’ NEW ETV PROGRAMME ON ACCEPTING THE DISABLED t * t ♦ »
A NEW EDUCATIONAL TELEVISION PROGRAMME TO BE TELECAST FROM TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY) WILL HELP PROMOTE ACCEPTANCE OF DISABLED PERSONS AMONG PRIMARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS.
THE PROGRAMME, "TREAT THEM EQUAL, TREAT THEM RIGHT", IS A JOINT EDUCATION DEPARTMENT/RADIO TELEVISION HONG KONG PRODUCTION.
SPEAKING AT A PRESS PREVIEW OF THE PROGRAMME TODAY, THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, MR ROBERT LO, SAID THE PROGRAMME WOULD HELP STUDENTS DEVELOP PROPER ATTITUDES TOWARDS DISABLED PERSONS OF VARIOUS HANDICAPS, AND RECOGNISE DISABLED PERSONS’ RIGHT TO INTEGRATE INTO SOCIETY AND TO BE GIVEN EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR FULL PARTICIPATION.
MR LO SAID IN THE EXISTING CORE CURRICULUM AT THE PRIMARY AND SECONDARY LEVELS, TOPICS RELATING TO DISABLED PERSONS HAD BEEN INCLUDED AND WOULD BE FURTHER ENRICHED WHEREVER APPLICABLE.
/A NEW .......
TUESDAY, MARCH 22, 199^
15
A NEW SUBJECT, "GENERAL STUDIES", TO BE INTRODUCED IN 1996 WILL INCLUDE INFORMATION LEADING TO THE UNDERSTANDING OF THE NEEDS, RIGHTS AND CONTRIBUTIONS OF DISABLED PERSONS, CULTIVATION OF POSITIVE ATTITUDES TOWARDS THEM SUCH AS ACCEPTING THEM AS EQUALS, AND ESTABLISHMENT OF AWARENESS OF REHABILITATION SERVICES FOR THEM.
MR LO SAID: "APART FROM THE FORMAL CURRICULUM SCHOOLS AND THEIR STUDENTS PARTICIPATING IN EXTRA-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES SUCH AS THE COMMUNITY YOUTH CLUB AND THE DUKE OF EDINBURGH’S AWARD SCHEME ARE ENCOURAGED TO TAKE UP ACTIVITIES RELATED TO INVOLVEMENT WITH DISABLED PERSONS."
THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT HAS BEEN AN ACTIVE MEMBER OF THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC EDUCATION ON REHABILITATION (COMPERE) CHAIRED BY THE COMMISSIONER OF REHABILITATION, HEALTH AND WELFARE BRANCH.
UNDER COMPERE, ED WILL THIS YEAR CO-ORDINATE AN INTER-SCHOOL DESIGN/ESSAY COMPETITION WITH THE ETV SPECIAL PROGRAMME "TREAT THEM EQUAL, TREAT THEM RIGHT" AS THE STIMULUS TO AROUSE STUDENTS’ CONCERN FOR DISABLED PERSONS.
THE TRANSMISSION SCHEDULE FOR THE ETV PROGRAMME IS AS FOLLOWS:
DATE TIME CHANNEL
MARCH 23, 1994 1.45 - 2.15 PM TVB (PEARL)
(WEDNESDAY)
MARCH 24, 1994 11.30 - NOON ATV (WORLD)
(THURSDAY)
MARCH 25, 1994 9.20 - 9.50 AM ATV (WORLD)
(FRIDAY)
MARCH 25, 1994 (FRIDAY)
2.45 - 3.15 PM
TVB (PEARL)
- - 0 - -
209 VIETNAMESE RETURN HOME * » » * »
A GROUP OF 209 VIETNAMESE MIGRANTS TODAY (TUESDAY) RETURNED TO VIETNAM UNDER A VOLUNTARY REPATRIATION PROGRAMME OF THE UNITED NATIONS HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR REFUGEES.
COMPRISING 84 MEN, 54 WOMEN, 29 BOYS AND 42 GIRLS, THEY WERE THE 206TH BATCH TO GO BACK UNDER THE PROGRAMME.
THE GROUP BROUGHT TO 3,308 THE TOTAL NUMBER OF VIETNAMESE MIGRANTS WHO HAD RETURNED VOLUNTARILY THIS YEAR, AND TO 41,921 THE TOTAL NUMBER OF RETURNEES SINCE THE PROGRAMME STARTED IN MARCH 1989.
- - 0 - -
/16
TUESDAY, MARCH 22, 1994
16
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND TENDER RESULTS *****
TENDER DATE 22 MAR 94 22 MAR 94
PAPER ON OFFER EF BILLS EF BILLS
ISSUE NUMBER Q412 Y487
AMOUNT APPLIED HKD3,860 MN HKD1,840 MN
AMOUNT ALLOTTED HKDl,500 MN HKD400 MN
AVERAGE YIELD ACCEPTED 3.79 PCT 4.43 PCT
HIGHEST YIELD ACCEPTED 3.81 PCT 4.44 PCT
PRO RATA RATIO ABOUT 16 PCT ABOUT 35 PCT
AVERAGE TENDER YIELD 3.82 PCT 4.52 PCT
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND
TENDERS TO BE HELD IN THE WEEK BEGINNING 28 MARCH 1994 -
TENDER DATE 29 MAR 94 29 MAR 94
PAPER ON OFFER EF BILLS EF BILLS
ISSUE NUMBER Q413 H461
ISSUE DATE 30 MAR 94 30 MAR 94
MATURITY DATE 29 JUN 94 28 SEPT 94
TENOR 91 DAYS 182 DAYS
AMOUNT ON OFFER HKD1,500 + 300 MN HKD500 + 100 MN
0
TUESDAY, MARCH 22, 1994
17
HONG KONG MONETARY AUTHORITY
MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS
* * * * » CUMULATIVE
TIME CHANGE
$ MILLION (HOURS) ($ MILLION)
OPENING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT 2,160 0930 + 13
CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT 2,540 1000 + 488
CHANGE ATTRIBUTABLE TO : 1100 + 700
MONEY MARKET ACTIVITY + 880 1200 + 850
LAF TODAY -500 1500 + 880
1600 + 880
LAF RATE 2.00 BID/4.00 OFFER TWI 125.7 »-0.1» 22.3.94
HONG KONG MONETARY AUTHORITY
EF BILLS EF NOTES/HONG KONG GOVERNMENT BONDS
TERMS YIELD TERM ISSUE COUPON PRICE YIELD
1 WEEK 3.14 18 MONTHS 2508 4.625 99.78 4.84
1 MONTH 3.41 21 MONTHS 2511 4 . 15 98.62 5.08
3 MONTHS 3.79 24 MONTHS 2602 4.40 98.54 5.28
6 MONTHS 4.01 32 MONTHS 3610 4.20 96.69 5.66
12 MONTHS 4.40 35 MONTHS 3701 4.60 97.07 5.81
TOTAL TURNOVER OF BILLS AND BONDS - 17,693 MN
CLOSED 22 MARCH 1994
t
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 23, 1994
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MEETING:
LOCALISATION OF LAW SET FOR COMPLETION BEFORE 1997 .. 1
TIGHT CONTROL OVER LAND DISPOSAL BY PUBLIC UTILITY
COMPANIES.......................................... 2
NO PLAN FOR DAYA BAY DRILLS.......................... 3
STAMP ARRANGEMENTS UNDER DISCUSSION WITH CHINA....... 3
ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION TRENDS UNDER CONSTANT MONITORING. 4
ALLOCATION OF AIRCRAFT PARKING BAYS FAIR AND OPEN.... 4
MORE FLEXIBILITY ON CIVIL SERVICE JOB ADVERTISEMENTS. 5
HELP FOR JUVENILE VICTIMS OF SEXUAL ABUSE ........... 6
PUBLIC FORMS ARE MADE USER-FRIENDLY............... 7
GREATER PROTECTION FOR WILD LIFE IN MAI PO MARSHES... 7
NO RESURGENCE IN CAR THEFTS.......................... 8
SPECIAL CLEANSING MOVE TO RID RATS................... 9
TUEN MUN HOSPITAL BEDS MEET DEMAND................... 10
OVERCROWDED FAMILIES IN PUBLIC RENTAL HOUSING DECREASING.... 10
EXTRA FUNDING AVAILABLE TO PROMOTE YOUTH SOCCER ..... 11
/SECURITY IN....
CONTENTS PAGE NO,
SECURITY IN ESTATE REDEVELOPMENT TAKEN CARE OF.......................... 12
CIVIL SERVICE MORALE REMAINS HIGH .................................... 12
MTRC TO CONSIDER SHORT-TERM BOND ISSUE ........... 13
EXTRADITION CASES EXPLAINED............................................. 14
‘ . i. .. ....« - i • : ? y ■' i . ;
CHIEF SECRETARY CONDEMNS UNRULY BEHAVIOUR................................. 15
FS REGRETS JARDINE DE-LISTING DECISION.................................... 15
CONCERTED EFFORT TO RID CENTRAL OF ILLEGAL HAWKERS........................ 15
CONSULTATIONS ON SAFETY LAWS ARE ADEQUATE................................. 16
KOWLOON BAY SITE TO LET.............................................. 17
TRAINING PROGRAMME IN BIOTECHNOLOGY INDUSTRY...............................18
$ 190M SEWER MAINTENANCE CONTRACT SIGNED ................................ 19
SPECIAL MAIL DELIVERIES AT EASTER................................................................... 19
HONG KONG MONETARY AUTHORITY MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS.................... 1 19
1
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 23, 1994
- 1 -
LOCALISATION OF LAW SET FOR COMPLETION BEFORE 1997 » » * * »
THE GOVERNMENT ANTICIPATES THAT LOCALISATION AND ADAPTATION OF LAWS PROGRAMMES SHOULD BE COMPLETED BY THE END OF 1996.
HOWEVER, IT IS POSSIBLE THAT THERE MAY BE SOME SLIPPAGE INTO EARLY 1997 AND THERE WILL INEVITABLY BE LOOSE ENDS TO TIE UP IN 1997.
THE SECRETARY FOR CONSTITUTIONAL AFFAIRS, MR NICHOLAS NG, TOLD
THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON
MICHAEL HO TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
THERE IS A GREAT DEAL OF WORK TO BE DONE, NOT MUCH TIME TO DO
IT, IF THE GOVERNMENT IS TO ENSURE THAT THERE IS A COMPLETE SET OF
LAWS CAPABLE OF CONTINUING BEYOND 1997, MR NG SAID.
"IT WOULD BE IRRESPONSIBLE FOR US TO LET GAPS IN THE LAW DEVELOP AFTER 1997. AND WE SHOULD DO EVERYTHING POSSIBLE TO KEEP TO OUR TARGET FOR THIS EXTREMELY IMPORTANT EXERCISE," THE SECRETARY SAID.
HE ADDED THAT IT WAS OBVIOUSLY THE STRONG WISH OF THE GOVERNMENT TO PROCEED WITH THIS WORK ON THE BASIS OF CONSENSUS IN THE JOINT LIAISON GROUP.
"WE WOULD DO ALL WE CAN TO TRY TO ACHIEVE THAT," HE SAID.
ON LOCALISATION OF LAWS, MR NG SAID OF THE 300 OR SO UK ENACTMENTS ORIGINALLY IDENTIFIED FOR LOCALISATION, AROUND 30 HAD BEEN LOCALISED AS HONG KONG ORDINANCES IN THE AREAS OF ADMIRALTY JURISDICTION AND MERCHANT SHIPPING.
"A FIRST STAGE CIVIL AVIATION BILL (COVERING THE LOCALISATION OF FOUR UK ENACTMENTS) IS NOW UNDER CONSIDERATION BY LEGCO," HE SAID.
NINETY ENACTMENTS HAVE BEEN IDENTIFIED AS NOT REQUIRING LOCALISATION.
CONSULTATION PAPERS ON ANOTHER 75 ENACTMENTS HAVE BEEN HANDED TO THE CHINESE SIDE.
DRAFTING OF SEVERAL LOCALISING BILLS IS AT AN ADVANCED STAGE.
ON ADAPTATION OF LAWS, MR NG SAID AN INITIAL REVIEW OF THE ORDINANCES AND SUBSIDIARY LEGISLATION HAD ALMOST BEEN COMPLETED.
"OUR FIRST CONSULTATION PROPOSAL WAS HANDED TO THE CHINESE SIDE IN NOVEMBER 1992.
"SINCE SEPTEMBER 1993 WE HAVE BEEN HANDING OVER CONSULTATION PROPOSALS TO THE CHINESE SIDE IN A STEADY FLOW," MR NG SAID.
UP TO NOW, CONSULTATION PAPERS COVERING ABOUT 30 ORDINANCES HAVE BEEN HANDED OVER TO THE CHINESE SIDE.
DRAFTING OF AN OMNIBUS ADAPTATION BILL IS AT AN ADVANCED STAGE, HE SAID.
/2 .......
t
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 23, 1994
- 2 -
TIGHT CONTROL OVER LAND DISPOSAL BY PUBLIC UTILITY COMPANIES *****
THE ADMINISTRATION WILL SHORTLY CONDUCT A REVIEW OF HOW PROCEEDS FROM FUTURE LANDS SALES BY PUBLIC UTILITY COMPANIES SHOULD BE TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT IN DETERMINING FARES WHEN THE SITES CONCERNED ARE NO LONGER REQUIRED FOR THE FRANCHISED OPERATIONS.
IN THE MEANTIME, THE ADMINISTRATION WILL NOT CONSIDER ANY FURTHER APPLICATIONS PERTAINING TO THE RELEASE OF DEPOT SITES OF BUS COMPANIES.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE SECRETARY FOR ECONOMIC SERVICES, MR GORDON SIU, IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY DR THE HON CONRAD LAM IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MR SIU SAID SITES MIGHT BE GRANTED TO PUBLIC UTILITY COMPANIES FOR APPROPRIATE UTILITY PURPOSES, ONLY IF THE COMPANY CONCERNED DID NOT DISPOSE THE LAND GRANTED WITHOUT THE GOVERNMENT’S PERMISSION.
HE SAID SUCH LAND WAS GRANTED BY PRIVATE TREATY AT FULL MARKET VALUE AND SUBSEQUENT ASSIGNMENT, TRANSFER AND MORTGAGING WERE PROHIBITED.
THESE COMPANIES MAY BE ALLOWED TO REDEVELOP SITES IN THE URBAN AREAS IF THERE IS ADVANTAGE IN MOVING THEIR FACILITIES AWAY FROM DENSELY POPULATED AREAS TO ALLOW BETTER USE OF THE LAND AND TO REALISE PLANNING GAINS.
"SUCH REDEVELOPMENTS WOULD NORMALLY REQUIRE A MODIFICATION OF THE LEASE CONDITIONS AND THE UTILITY COMPANIES WOULD BE REQUIRED TO PAY FULL MARKET VALUE PREMIUM AND GIVE AN UNDERTAKING NOT TO SEEK A FURTHER GRANT OF LAND BY PRIVATE TREATY IN THE SAME AREA," MR SIU SAID.
WHERE PUBLIC UTILITY COMPANIES HAVE ACQUIRED LAND ON THE OPEN MARKET AND THERE ARE NO RESTRICTIONS ON ASSIGNMENT OR TRANSFER, SUCH LAND CAN BE DISPOSED OF:
* IF IT IS NO LONGER REQUIRED FOR THE EFFICIENT OPERATION OF THE COMPANY; OR
* IF IT IS NO LONGER SUITABLE FOR THE PURPOSE IT WAS ORIGINALLY ACQUIRED AS A RESULT OF POPULATION MOVEMENT OR SHIFTS IN THE PATTERN OF DEMAND.
WHERE LAND REQUIREMENTS CAN CHANGE OVER TIME, SUCH AS THOSE RELATING TO BUS DEPOTS, LAND WILL BE PROVIDED ON A SHORT-TERM TENANCY BASIS.
"THE COMPANY CONCERNED PAYS RENT FOR THE LAND AND THIS IS ACCOUNTED FOR AS AN OPERATING EXPENSE.
"AS SUCH TENANCIES INVOLVE NO CAPITAL EXPENDITURE, THEY HAVE NO IMPACT ON THE COMPANY’S AVERAGE NET FIXED ASSETS OR PERMITTED RETURN," HE SAID.
- - 0 - -
1
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 23, 1994
3 -
NO PLAN FOR DAYA BAY DRILLS *****
THE GOVERNMENT HAS NO PLAN TO ARRANGE DRILLS AS PART OF THE DAYA BAY CONTINGENCY PLAN INVOLVING THE PHYSICAL EVACUATION OF RESIDENTS IN HONG KONG, THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, MR ALISTAIR ASPREY, SAID THIS (WEDNESDAY) AFTERNOON.
FOR ONLY TWO PERMANENT HONG KONG RESIDENTS, BOTH LIVING ON PING CHAU, ARE CAST INTO THE 20 KM-RADIUS OF THE CONTINGENCY PLAN.
THE REMAINDER OF THIS PLANNING AREA COVERS THE OPEN WATERS OF MIRS BAY.
HOWEVER, MR ASPREY SAID THE MARINE POLICE, RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY SUCH EVACUATION, DID PRACTISE THE LOGISTICAL ARRANGEMENTS AS PART OF DAYA BAY EXERCISES AND THE TWO RESIDENTS HAD BEEN BRIEFED ON THE ARRANGEMENTS.
IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON EMILY LAU WAI-HING IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, MR ASPREY ALSO SAID THE ROYAL OBSERVATORY PUBLISHED A MONTHLY RECORD OF DAILY READINGS OF THE AMBIENT GAMMA RADIATION LEVELS AT ITS 10 MONITORING STATIONS. THESE BULLETINS ARE AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC.
THE BACKGROUND GAMMA RADIATION LEVELS, MR ASPREY EXPLAINED, VARIED FROM PLACE TO PLACE AND FLUCTUATED WITH TIME AND WEATHER. THUS NORMAL VARIATIONS OF UP TO 100 PER CENT OF AVERAGE LEVELS WERE COMMON.
THE LEVEL OF RADIATION WHICH WOULD BE OF PUBLIC CONCERN WOULD BE SEVERAL HUNDRED TIMES THE BACKGROUND LEVELS, HE SAID.
’’THE INCLUSION OF THESE MEASUREMENTS IN DAILY WEATHER REPORTS WOULD BE OF VERY LIMITED PRACTICAL BENEFIT,” HE ADDED.
------0-------
STAMP ARRANGEMENTS UNDER DISCUSSION WITH CHINA
*****
TRANSITIONAL ARRANGEMENTS FOR POSTAGE STAMPS FOR HONG KONG ARE BEING DISCUSSED WITH THE CHINESE AUTHORITIES, THE SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS, MR MICHAEL SUEN, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL THIS (WEDNESDAY) AFTERNOON.
IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON PANG CHUN-HOI, MR SUEN STRESSED THAT THE GOVERNMENT ENVISAGED NO PRACTICAL DIFFICULTIES IN PUTTING IN PLACE APPROPRIATE ARRANGEMENTS WELL BEFORE JUNE 30, 1997 .
THIS MEANS THE PUBLIC WILL IN NO WAY BE INCONVENIENCED OR POSTAL SERVICES ADVERSELY AFFECTED, HE ADDED.
’’ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE MADE CLOSER TO THE TIME TO DEAL WITH UNUSED STAMPS BEARING THE QUEEN’S PORTRAIT,” HE SAID.
------0--------
/4 ........
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 23, 1994
4
ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION TRENDS UNDER CONSTANT MONITORING
*****
ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION TRENDS ARE CONSTANTLY MONITORED TO ENSURE THAT RESOURCES ON INTERCEPTING OPERATION ARE EFFECTIVELY DEPLOYED, THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, MR ALISTAIR ASPREY, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
’’WHERE LOOPHOLES ARE DISCOVERED, STEPS ARE TAKEN TO CLOSE THEM,” HE SAID.
IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION ASKED BY DR THE HON TANG SIU-TONG IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, MR ASPREY SAID THE MARINE POLICE STOPPED AND CHECKED NEARLY 110,000 VESSELS LAST YEAR.
ABOUT 2,400 ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS WERE ARRESTED AT SEA LAST YEAR AND 60 PER CENT OF THEM WERE FOUND IN THE DEEP BAY AREA.
OTHER ENTRY POINTS WERE MIRS BAY, SAI KUNG, CASTLE PEAK BAY, ABERDEEN AND CHEUNG CHAU, MR ASPREY ADDED.
------0 - - - -
ALLOCATION OF AIRCRAFT PARKING BAYS FAIR AND OPEN
*****
THE CIVIL AVIATION DEPARTMENT’S PRINCIPAL OBJECTIVES IN ALLOCATING AIRCRAFT PARKING BAYS AT KAI TAK AIRPORT ARE TO MAXIMISE THE USE OF THE BAYS AND TO HELP THE TRANSFER OF THE GREATEST NUMBER OF PASSENGERS BETWEEN AIRCRAFT AND THE PASSENGER TERMINAL BUILDING WITHIN THE SHORTEST POSSIBLE TIME.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE SECRETARY FOR ECONOMIC SERVICES, MR GORDON SIU, IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY DR THE HON HUANG CHEN-YA IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MR SIU SAID AIRLINES OPERATING AT KAI TAK AIRPORT WERE REQUIRED TO GIVE THE DEPARTMENT ADVANCE NOTICE ON A SIX MONTHLY BASIS OF THEIR INTENDED FLIGHT SCHEDULES.
THE DEPARTMENT THEN DETERMINES THE ALLOCATION OF PARKING BAYS IN ORDER BEST TO ACHIEVE ITS OBJECTIVES TAKING INTO ACCOUNT AIRCRAFT SIZE AND PASSENGER LOAD FACTORS.
PARKING BAYS ARE NOT ALLOCATED OR RESERVED FOR THE EXCLUSIVE USE OF ANY PARTICULAR AIRLINE, HE ADDED.
ONLY EIGHT OF THE 69 AVAILABLE AIRCRAFT PARKING BAYS AT KAI TAK ARE SERVED BY AIR-BRIDGES CONNECTED DIRECTLY TO THE PASSENGER TERMINAL BUILDING.
"PRIORITY FOR THESE BAYS IS ALWAYS GIVEN TO THE LARGEST AIRCRAFT," HE SAID.
MR SIU ALSO NOTED THAT THE PROVISIONAL AIRPORT AUTHORITY (PAA) HAD YET TO FINALISE THEIR PROCEDURES FOR THE ALLOCATION OF PARKING BAYS AT THE NEW AIRPORT.
"VARIOUS OPTIONS ARE BEING CONSIDERED AND DISCUSSED WITH THE AIRLINES."
/AIRLINES WILL .......
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 23, 1994
5
AIRL
BETWEEN TH:
NES WILL NOT BE PERMITTED TO EXCHANGE BAY MSELVES ONCE MADE; BAYS WILL BE ALLOCATED AND
ALLOCATIONS
REALLOCATED
BY AIRPORT MANAGEMENT ACCORDING TO AGREED CRITERIA, MR SIU SAID
A COMPUTERISED ALLOCATION SYSTEM WAS IN SEPTEMBER LAST YEAR.
COMMISSIONED FOR KAI TAK
THE
SYSTEM IS CURRENTLY USED TO
HELP OPERATIONAL STAFF
ALLOCATE PARKING BAYS
’’THIS ENSURES A FAIR AND EFFICIENT ALLOCATION OF AIRCRAFT PARKING BAYS, WITHOUT PREFERENTIAL TREATMENT BEING GIVEN TO ANY PARTICULAR AIRLINE,” MR SIU SAID.
HE ADDED THAT THE PAA ALSO RECOGNISED THE IMPORTANCE OF ESTABLISHING A SYSTEM OF ALLOCATION AT THE NEW AIRPORT WHICH WAS FAIR AND OPEN AND WAS ACCEPTABLE TO THE AIRLINES.
"IT IS ULTIMATELY IN THE BEST INTERESTS OF THE PAA AND THE AIRLINES TO ENSURE THAT THE ALLOCATION SYSTEM IS COST-EFFECTIVE.”
TO ACHIEVE THIS AIM, IT IS INTENDED THAT THE SYSTEM SHOULD RETAIN FLEXIBILITY TO ENSURE OPTIMUM USE OF THE BAYS AVAILABLE, MR SIU SAID.
---------0-----------
MORE FLEXIBILITY ON CIVIL SERVICE JOB ADVERTISEMENTS *****
TENDERS FOR PUBLISHING GOVERNMENT RECRUITMENT ADVERTISEMENTS WILL BE INVITED FROM ALL BONA FIDE LOCAL NEWSPAPERS AND MAGAZINES TO ALLOW MORE FLEXIBILITY AND GREATER COMPETITION, THE SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS, MR MICHAEL SUEN, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
THE TENDERS WILL BE EVALUATED ON THE BASIS OF CIRCULATION, READERSHIP PROFILE AND COST.
IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON EMILY LAU, MR SUEN POINTED OUT THAT THE TOTAL EXPENDITURE ON ADVERTISING GOVERNMENT VACANCIES IN 1993/94 WAS $5,404,718.
"THIS INCLUDED $3,266,843 SPENT BY INDIVIDUAL DEPARTMENTS ON RECRUITMENT ADVERTISING IN A RANGE OF ENGLISH AND CHINESE NEWSPAPERS AND $2,137,875 THROUGH THE CIVIL SERVICE BRANCH ON BULK RECRUITMENT ADVERTISING UNDER TWO CONTRACTS WITH ONE ENGLISH NEWSPAPER AND ONE CHINESE NEWSPAPER GROUP,” HE SAID.
HOWEVER, THE CONTRACTS WOULD EXPIRE AT THE END OF APRIL THIS YEAR AND A REVIEW OF THIS ARRANGEMENT HAD BEEN CONDUCTED IN DECEMBER LAST YEAR, HE ADDED.
FOLLOWING THE NEW ARRANGEMENT, A LIST OF SUCCESSFUL TENDERS WOULD BE PROMULGATED AND CIRCULATED TO THE DEPARTMENTS.
/HE SAID .......
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 23, 1994
6
HE SAID THE DEPARTMENT WOULD THEN BE ABLE TO PLACE THEIR ADVERTISEMENTS WITH ANY OF THE NEWSPAPERS OR MAGAZINES ON THE LIST AT FIXED PRICES.
HE BELIEVED THAT THIS METHOD SHOULD RESULT IN GREATER FLEXIBILITY AND EFFICIENCY IN THE PUBLICATION OF GOVERNMENT RECRUITMENT ADVERTISING.
------0--------
HELP FOR JUVENILE VICTIMS OF SEXUAL ABUSE
* » t » »
THE CHILD PROTECTIVE SERVICE UNIT OF THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT PROVIDES SERVICES FOR CHILDREN AND JUVENILES WHO ARE VICTIMS OF ABUSE INCLUDING SEXUAL ABUSE, THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, MRS ELIZABETH WONG, SAID.
IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON ZACHARY WONG IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY), MRS WONG SAID INTENSIVE COUNSELLING SERVICES WERE PROVIDED BY EXPERIENCED SOCIAL WORKERS AND CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGISTS TO HELP VICTIMS RELIEVE THEIR PAIN AND COPE WITH THEIR EMOTIONAL PROBLEMS.
"DEPENDING ON THE NEEDS OF THE VICTIMS AND THEIR FAMILIES, SOCIAL WORKERS ALSO OFFER ASSISTANCE AND OTHER SUPPORTING SERVICES SUCH AS COMPASSIONATE REHOUSING AND SCHOOL PLACEMENT," SHE SAID.
"IF THE VICTIMS ARE CONSIDERED UNSUITABLE TO STAY IN THEIR OLD HOME, ARRANGEMENT WILL BE MADE FOR THEM TO STAY IN CHILDREN’S HOMES, FOSTER HOMES OR SMALL GROUP HOMES."
ALL THESE SERVICES AIM TO HELP THE VICTIMS RECOVER FROM THE TRAUMA AND START A NEW LIFE IN A SUPPORTIVE ENVIRONMENT.
ON LEGISLATION, MRS WONG SAID THE PROTECTION OF CHILDREN AND JUVENILES ORDINANCE, WHICH CAME INTO EFFECT ON NOVEMBER 1, 1993, HAD GREATLY ENHANCED PROTECTION FOR CHILDREN AND JUVENILES AND SAFEGUARDED THEIR RIGHTS AND WELFARE.
THE ORDINANCE HAS WIDENED THE CIRCUMSTANCES UNDER WHICH A CHILD OR A JUVENILE IS CONSIDERED TO BE IN NEED OF CARE AND PROTECTION TO ENCOMPASS PHYSICAL ABUSE, PSYCHOLOGICAL ABUSE, SEXUAL ABUSE AS WELL AS NEGLECT.
IT ALSO PROVIDES A NEW PROCEDURE WHEREBY A NOTICE CAN BE SERVED BY THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE TO REQUIRE A PARENT/GUARDIAN TO TAKE THE CHILD FOR ASSESSMENT BY A MEDICAL PRACTITIONER, AN APPROVED SOCIAL WORKER OR AN APPROVED CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGISTS.
IN ADDITION, THE ORDINANCE HAS SHORTENED THE TIME LIMIT FROM EIGHT DAYS TO 48 HOURS IN WHICH A CHILD IS REQUIRED TO BE BROUGHT BEFORE COURT FOR A CARE AND PROTECTION ORDER AFTER HIS/HER REMOVAL TO A PLACE OF REFUGE.
QUOTING POLICE STATISTICS, MRS WONG SAID THE NUMBERS OF SEXUAL OFFENCES INVOLVING CHILDREN AND JUVENILES AS VICTIMS IN 1991, 1992 AND 1993 WERE 796, 836 AND 753 RESPECTIVELY.
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/7 .......
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 23, 1994
7
PUBLIC FORMS ARE MADE USER-FRIENDLY
* t t * »
THE GOVERNMENT HAS EXAMINED SOME 6,000 PUBLIC FORMS IN A RECENT REVIEW TO ENSURE THAT THEY ARE NECESSARY, SIMPLE AND USER-FRIENDLY, THE CHIEF SECRETARY, THE HON MRS ANSON CHAN, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON MARTIN BARROW, MRS CHAN SAID AS A RESULT SOME 4,700 FORMS CONTINUED TO BE USED.
THIS REDUCTION IS THE RESULT OF SOME 800 FORMS BEING ABOLISHED; SOME 640 FORMS BEING COMBINED AND REDUCED TO ABOUT 130, AND THE CREATION OF FEWER THAN 30 NEW FORMS. SOME 2,300 OF THE REMAINING FORMS WERE IMPROVED OR SIMPLIFIED.
"THESE IMPROVEMENTS INCLUDE BETTER QUALITY PRESENTATION, CLEARER STRUCTURE OF FORMS, AND THE INTRODUCTION OF CHINESE TRANSLATIONS WHERE NECESSARY," MRS CHAN SAID.
A TOTAL OF 53 DEPARTMENTS PARTICIPATED IN THE PUBLIC FORMS REVIEW EXERCISE.
THE REMAINING 23 DEPARTMENTS THAT HAVE NO PUBLIC FORMS OR HAVE CONDUCTED A SIMILAR REVIEW RECENTLY WERE EXEMPTED FROM THE EXERCISE.
SOME FORMS WERE ALSO EXEMPTED FOR OPERATIONAL REASONS, SHE ADDED.
------0--------
GREATER PROTECTION FOR WILD LIFE IN MAI PO MARSHES **««**»
THE GOVERNMENT INTENDS TO EXTEND THE RESTRICTED AREA TO COVER THE INTERTIDAL MUD FLATS OF INNER DEEP BAY SO AS TO GIVE GREATER PROTECTION TO THE WILD LIFE IN THE AREA, THE ACTING SECRETARY FOR PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS, MR CANICE C F MAK, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON CHEUNG MAN-KWONG, MR MAK SAID THE GOVERNMENT WAS AWARE OF THE OCCASIONAL INTRUSION OF CHINESE FISHERMEN AND THEIR BIRD-CATCHING ACTIVITIES NEAR MAI PO MARSHES.
HE SAID THE EXTENSION OF THE RESTRICTED AREA WOULD SUPPLEMENT CURRENT ENFORCEMENT ACTIONS, WHICH INCLUDED REGULAR PATROL IN I HE AREA BY AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT STAFF AND SPECIAL ENFORCEMENT OPERATION MOUNTED WITH THE HELP OF THE MARINE POLICE.
MR MAK SAID: "THE GOVERNMENT HAS LONG RECOGNISED THE MAI PO MARSHES AS AN IMPORTANT CONSERVATION AREA AND HAS DESIGNATED IT AS A RESTRICTED AREA UNDER THE WILD ANIMALS PROTECTION ORDINANCE.
APART FROM THE CONTROL AND ENFORCEMENT PROVIDED BY THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT, THE AREA IS BEING MANAGED FOR NATURE EDUCATION AND CONSERVATION BY THE WORLD WIDE FUND.
/HE SATO .....
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 23, 1994
8
HE SAID THE HONG KONG - GUANGDONG ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION LIAISON GROUP ESTABLISHED IN 1990 BETWEEN THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT AND THE GUANGDONG ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION BUREAU WAS THE MAIN CHANNEL FOR DISCUSSION OF ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES OF MUTUAL CONCERN.
BOTH SIDES HAVE AGREED TO PROTECT THE ENVIRONMENT OF DEEP BAY AND ITS CATCHMENTS, AND A TECHNICAL SUB-GROUP HAS BEEN SET UP SINCE 1992 TO DISCUSS RELATED MATTERS, INCLUDING THE PROTECTION OF THE MAI PO NATURE RESERVE.
MR MAK POINTED OUT THAT DEVELOPMENT OF THE LAND ADJACENT TO THE MAI PO NATURE RESERVE WAS CONTROLLED BY STATUTORY TOWN PLANS AND APPLICATION FOR PLANNING PERMISSION FROM THE TOWN PLANNING BOARD WAS REQUIRED FOR ANY DEVELOPMENT WHICH WAS NOT PERMITTED AS OF RIGHT IN THE TOWN PLANS.
"DEVELOPERS HAVE TO DEMONSTRATE TO THE SATISFACTION OF THE BOARD THAT THEIR PROPOSALS WOULD BE COMPATIBLE WITH THE CONSERVATION OBJECTIVE OF THE MAI PO NATURE RESERVE AND THE INNER DEEP BAY BEFORE THEY ARE APPROVED,” HE SAID.
------0--------
NO RESURGENCE IN CAR THEFTS
*****
THERE IS NO RESURGENCE IN THE NUMBER OF CAR THEFTS IN THE TERRITORY.
IN FACT, THE LEVEL OF LUXURY CAR THEFTS IN THE FIRST TWO MONTHS OF THIS YEAR WAS 72 PER CENT LOWER THAN THAT IN THE SAME PERIOD LAST YEAR.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, MR ALISTAIR ASPREY, IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON MARTIN BARROW IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MR ASPREY SAID THE POLICE MET REGULARLY WITH THE INSURANCE INDUSTRY AND CAR MANUFACTURERS TO ENCOURAGE THE FITTING OF ANTI-THEFT DEVICES IN THE CARS.
"THE RECENT DECREASE IN THE THEFT OF NEW MODEL VEHICLES WITH THESE ANTI-THEFT DEVICES ILLUSTRATES THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THIS DIALOGUE," HE SAID.
IN THE FIRST TWO MONTHS OF THIS YEAR, 697 VEHICLES WERE REPORTED STOLEN, HIGHER THAN THAT IN NOVEMBER AND DECEMBER LAST YEAR BY 67.
IT COMPARES FAVOURABLY WITH THE FIGURE OF 995 FOR THE SAME PERIOD LAST YEAR.
HE SAID MONTHLY FIGURES FOR STOLEN VEHICLES TENDED TO FLUCTUATE.
/THE SECRETARY .......
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 23, 1994
9
THE SECRETARY SAID THE POLICE CLOSELY MONITORED CAR THEFTS AND CONTINUALLY GATHERED INTELLIGENCE TO HELP IDENTIFY THE PEOPLE INVOLVED.
THE POLICE ALSO MAINTAIN CLOSE LIAISON WITH THE AUTHORITIES IN CHINA, WHICH IS THE PRIMARY MARKET FOR STOLEN CARS, TO COMBAT THE PROBLEM OF CROSS-BORDER SMUGGLING.
--------0-----------
SPECIAL CLEANSING MOVE TO RID RATS
*****
A SPECIAL HOUSING CLEANSING PROGRAMME HAS BEEN LAUNCHED AT TSUEN WAN AND KWAI TSING FROM MARCH 14 TO 23 TO URGE RESIDENTS TO CLEAN UP THEIR PREMISES TO ELIMINATE RAT HARBOURAGE PLACES.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, MRS ELIZABETH WONG, IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON MICHAEL HO, IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MRS WONG SAID THE OPPORTUNITY WAS TAKEN TO ADVISE THE RESIDENTS ON THE NEED TO PROVIDE RAT-PROOFING MEASURES TO THEIR PREMISES.
THE RAT POISONING PROGRAMME HAS ALSO BEEN STEPPED UP, AND JUNK CLEANED UP, IN KWAI CHUNG, WHERE RECENT REPORTS OF RAT-BITES HAVE OCCURRED.
MRS WONG SAID THE REGIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR PROVIDING ENVIRONMENTAL HYGIENE SERVICES TO KWAI CHUNG DISTRICT.
THE ENVIRONMENTAL HYGIENE SECTION OF THE DEPARTMENT'S DISTRICT OFFICE HAS AN ESTABLISHMENT OF 585 STAFF, INCLUDING 10 SOLELY DEPLOYED FOR RAT CONTROL DUTIES.
THE RAT CONTROL STAFF OF A DISTRICT CONDUCTS REGULAR RAT INFESTATION SURVEYS COVERING THE ENTIRE DISTRICT AND RAT POISONING PROGRAMMES ARE THEN DRAWN UP WHILE RAT HARBOURAGE PLACES ARE DEALT WITH UPON DETECTION.
IN ADDITION, SPECIAL SURVEYS AND POISONING ARE CARRIED OUT AS AND WHEN COMPLAINTS OF RAT INFESTATION ARE RECEIVED.
"STAFFING FOR RAT CONTROL DUTIES IS MONITORED BY THE RESPECTIVE DISTRICT HYGIENE SUPERINTENDENT, AND IS REVIEWED ON A NEED BASIS," MRS WONG SAID.
ON RAT CONTROL METHODS, SHE SAID THE PEST CONTROL OFFICER IN-CHARGE IN THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH IS THE ADVISER TO THE DEPARTMENT ON THE APPROPRIATE MEASURES TO BE EMPLOYED FOR THE EFFECTIVE CONTROL OF RATS AND THE TYPES OF POISONS TO BE USED.
SHE POINTED OUT THAT THE METHODS USED WERE IN ACCORDANCE WITH INTERNATIONAL PRACTICE AND WERE KEPT UNDER CONSTANT REVIEW.
--------0---------
/10........
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 23, 1994
10
TUEN MUN HOSPITAL BEDS MEET DEMAND * ♦ * ♦ ♦
OF THE 1,606-BED COMPLEMENT AT TUEN MUN HOSPITAL, 1,093 BEDS ARE ALREADY IN OPERATION AS AT MARCH 1 TO SATISFY PREVAILING OPERATIONAL REQUIREMENTS, THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, MRS ELIZABETH WONG, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON ZACHARY WONG, MRS WONG SAID THE REMAINING 503 BEDS OF TUEN MUN HOSPITAL WOULD BE OPENED IN THE NEAR FUTURE ON SERVICE DEMANDS.
"ACCORDING TO PRESENT PROJECTIONS MADE BY THE HOSPITAL AUTHORITY, THE HOSPITAL WILL OPERATE TO FULL CAPACITY BY 1996.
"THE AUTHORITY IS ALSO CONFIDENT THAT IT WILL BE ABLE TO MEET THE ESTIMATED ADDITIONAL MANPOWER REQUIREMENT OF 70 DOCTORS AND 400 NURSES,” SHE ADDED.
MRS WONG ALSO EXPLAINED THAT HOSPITALS WERE DESIGNED TO CATER FOR LONG-TERM MEDICAL NEEDS.
COMMISSIONING TO FULL CAPACITY INVOLVES THE CAREFUL IDENTIFICATION OF SERVICE NEEDS, POPULATION GROWTH, DISEASE PATTERN AND DEMOGRAPHIC STRUCTURE.
- - 0 -
OVERCROWDED FAMILIES TN PUBLIC RENTAL HOUSING DECREASING
******
EVERY YEAR THE HOUSING AUTHORITY SETS ASIDE A QUOTA IN THE ALLOCATION OF PUBLIC HOUSING UNITS FOR RELIEF OF OVERCROWDING.
USING THIS QUOTA, AN AVERAGE OF 4,000 OVERCROWDED HOUSEHOLDS HAVE OBTAINED LARGER UNITS OR AN ADDITIONAL UNIT IN EACH OF THE LAST THREE YEARS.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE ACTING SECRETARY FOR PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS, MR CANICE C F MAK, TODAY (WEDNESDAY) IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON LI WAH-MING IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
UNDER THE POLICY OF THE HOUSING AUTHORITY, HE SAID, THE DENSITY STANDARDS FOR PUBLIC RENTAL HOUSING ESTATES AND TEMPORARY HOUSING AREAS ARE SET AT 4.5 SQUARE METRES AND 3.4 SQUARE METRES OF THE INTERNAL FLOOR AREA PER PERSON RESPECTIVELY.
AGAINST THESE YARDSTICKS, THE HOUSEHOLDS REGARDED AS LIVING IN OVERCROWDED CONDITIONS MAY APPLY FOR RELIEF OF OVERCROWDING.
MR MAK SAID: "OVERCROWDED FAMILIES CAN ALSO OBTAIN RELIEF THROUGH THE COMPREHENSIVE REDEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME, THE WAITING LIST OR THE PURCHASE OF HOME OWNERSHIP SCHEME OR PRIVATE SECTOR PARTICIPATION SCHEME FLATS.”
THROUGH THESE AVENUES, THE NUMBER OF OVERCROWDED PUBLIC RENTAL HOUSING ESTATE HOUSEHOLDS HAS DECREASED FROM 111,800 IN 1982 TO THE PRESENT 19,100.
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 23, 1994
1]
EXTRA FUNDING AVAILABLE TO PROMOTE YOUTH SOCCER *****
SOCCER IS ONE OF THE SEVEN TARGET SPORTS IDENTIFIED BY THE SPORTS DEVELOPMENT BOARD FOR MORE INTENSIVE DEVELOPMENT.
AS SUCH, THE GRANT WHICH IS SPECIFICALLY TARGETED AT A TERRITORY-WIDE YOUTH FOOTBALL DEVELOPMENT SCHEME IS EXPECTED TO REACH $1,972,000 FOR 1994/95.
IN ADDITION, THE HONG KONG SPORTS INSTITUTE HAS BUDGETED OVER $4.1 MILLION FOR THE PROMOTION OF SOCCER IN 1994/95.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE SECRETARY FOR RECREATION AND CULTURE, MR JAMES SO, IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON CHIM PUI-CHUNG IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MR SO SAID THE GRANT ALLOCATED TO THE HONG KONG FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION FOR THE YOUTH FOOTBALL SCHEME IN 1993/94 WAS $1,910,500 AS COMPARED WITH $1,400,000 IN 1992/93 AND $905,000 IN 1991/92.
WITH REGARD TO HIRING CHARGES FOR THE USE OF THE NEW HONG KONG STADIUM, THE HONG KONG FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION HAS REACHED AGREEMENT WITH THE URBAN COUNCIL ON A PACKAGE FOR ITS USE DURING THE COMING YEAR.
"THE PACKAGE INCLUDES THE USE OF THE VENUE FOR A TOTAL OF 10 MATCHES AT A CHARGE OF $1,500,000 OR 20 PER CENT OF GROSS AGGREGATE GATE RECEIPTS, WHICHEVER IS THE GREATER.
"FOR SUBSEQUENT MATCHES, THE NORMAL CHARGE OF $150,000 PER DAY OR 20 PER CENT OF GROSS GATE RECEIPTS, WHICHEVER IS GREATER, WILL APPLY,” MR SO SAID.
THE SECRETARY ALSO NOTED THAT TICKET PRICING WAS A MATTER FOR THE ORGANISER.
HOWEVER, HE ADDED, SINCE THE NEW STADIUM COULD SEAT SOME 40,000 SPECTATORS AS OPPOSED TO A CAPACITY OF 28,000 BEFORE THE REDEVELOPMENT, IT WAS NOT EXPECTED THAT TICKET PRICING WOULD BE BEYOND THE REACH OF THE AVERAGE SPECTATOR.
SOCCER MATCHES WHICH ARE LIKELY TO ATTRACT A SMALLER NUMBER OF SPECTATORS MAY BE HELD AT THE MONGKOK STADIUM AND THE SHAM SHUI PO SPORTS GROUND WHICH CAN ACCOMMODATE 9,000 AND 2,000 SPECTATORS RESPECTIVELY.
THE MINIMUM CHARGES FOR THESE TWO VENUES ARE 20 PER CENT GROSS INCOME SUBJECT TO A MINIMUM CHARGE OF $2,000 OF GATE RECEIPTS WHICHEVER IS GREATER, AND $1,450 PLUS 10 PER CENT OF GROSS INCOME RESPECTIVELY.
- - 0----------
/12........
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 23, 1994
12
SECURITY IN ESTATE REDEVELOPMENT TAKEN CARE OF * * * * *
THE POLICE REGULARLY PATROL PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES DUE FOR REDEVELOPMENT, THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, MR ALISTAIR ASPREY, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY) IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
THIS IS TO DEAL WITH SECURITY PROBLEMS ASSOCIATED WITH VACANT UNITS IN THESE ESTATES.
APART FROM THE POLICE, THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT ALSO CONDUCTS REGULAR CHECKS ON SUCH UNITS.
IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON MRS SELINA CHOW, MR ASPREY SAID SECURITY PROBLEMS THERE USUALLY RELATED TO MINOR BURGLARY CASES OR TREPASSING BY YOUNG DELINQUENTS AND DRUG ADDICTS.
ESTATE OFFICERS ON PATROL WILL TAKE IMMEDIATE ACTION ON COMPLAINTS REGARDING SUSPECTED CRIMINAL ACTIVITIES IN VACANT UNITS WITH THE HELP OF THE POLICE, HE ADDED.
THE SECRETARY SAID THE POLICE ALSO MAINTAINED CONTACT WITH THE LOCAL COMMUNITY ON THIS FRONT.
HE SAID THE SUBJECT OF SECURITY IN ESTATE REDEVELOPMENT WAS MONITORED AT A NUMBER OF DISTRICT FORUMS INCLUDING DISTRICT MANAGEMENT COMMITTEES, DISTRICT BOARDS, DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEES, AREA COMMITTEES AND MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES.
------0--------
CIVIL SERVICE MORALE REMAINS HIGH *****
ALTHOUGH SOME SENIOR CIVIL SERVANTS ARE CONCERNED ABOUT THEIR FUTURE CAREER AFTER THE CHANGE OF SOVEREIGNTY, THIS HAS NOT A’FFECTED THEIR WORK, THE SECRETARY FOR THE CIVIL SERVICE, MR MICHAEL SZE, SAID.
IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY HON LAU WAH-SUM IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY), MR SZE SAID MORALE IN THE CIVIL SERVICE REMAINED HIGH AND THE GOVERNMENT WOULD KEEP IN CLOSE TOUCH WITH CIVIL SERVANTS THROUGH A VARIETY OF CHANNELS TO KEEP ABREAST OF THEIR MOOD AND MORALE.
"WE WILL CONTINUE TO BE SENSITIVE TO STAFF NEEDS AND CONCERN," SAID MR SZE.
"WE WILL MAINTAIN CIVIL SERVICE PAY AT REASONABLY ATTRACTIVE LEVEL, TO RECRUIT AND RETAIN PEOPLE OF HIGH CALIBRE.
"WE WILL ENSURE THAT THE TERMS OF APPOINTMENT AND CONDITIONS OF SERVICE OF CIVIL SERVANTS ARE UPDATED AND APPROPRIATE."
QUOTING EXAMPLES, HE SAID THE GOVERNMENT PROPOSED TO DEVELOP COMMON TERMS AND CONDITIONS FOR LOCAL AND OVERSEAS OFFICERS.
THERE ARE PROPOSALS ARISING FROM THE HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT REVIEW AIMED AT ENCOURAGING A MORE SYSTEMATIC AND FOCUSED APPROACH TO STAFF MANAGEMENT \ND DEVELOPMENT.
/TN ADDITION .......
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 23, 199^
13
IN ADDITION, THERE WILL BE INCREASED TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES FOR CIVIL SERVANTS OF DIFFERENT LEVELS.
TO SET UP A SUBSTANTIAL PENSION RESERVE FUND IS ALSO A CONCRETE MEASURE TO ADDRESS STAFF CONCERN.
ON CONTINGENCY MEASURES, MR SZE SAID THE POSSIBILITY OF A PORTION OF OFFICERS LEAVING THE SERVICE BEFORE OR AFTER THE CHANGE OF SOVEREIGNTY IN 1997 HAD NOT BEEN RULED OUT. i
"TO PREPARE FOR THIS POSSIBILITY, WE HAVE STEPPED UP OUR DIRECTORATE SUCCESSION PLANNING EXERCISE AND OUR TRAINING FOR MIDDLE RANKING OFFICERS WITH POTENTIAL, TO ENSURE THAT QUALIFIED CANDIDATES WILL BE AVAILABLE TO TAKE UP HIGHER LEVEL POSTS IF REQUIRED," HE ADDED.
- - 0 - -
MTRC TO CONSIDER SHORT-TERM BOND ISSUE *****
THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY CORPORATION (MTRC) WILL CONSIDER ISSUING SHORT-TERM BONDS OF SMALL DENOMINATIONS FOR HONG KONG RESIDENTS TO INVEST IN THE CORPORATION, DEPENDING ON THE FINANCING REQUIREMENTS FOR THE AIRPORT RAILWAY.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE SECRETARY FOR THE TREASURY, MR DONALD TSANG, IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON FUNG K1N-KEE IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
"THE MTRC HAS ALREADY ISSUED A STEP-UP BOND IN DENOMINATIONS OF $10,000 MATURING IN 1995.
"THIS IS LISTED ON THE HONG KONG STOCK EXCHANGE FOR THE GENERAL PUBLIC. THE INTEREST RATES PAYABLE TO HOLDERS OF THIS BOND ARE STEPPED UP ANNUALLY UP TO MATURITY," MR TSANG SAID.
AS AT DECEMBER 31 LAST YEAR, MTRC*S TOTAL AMOUNT OF OUTSTANDING LOANS AND OBLIGATIONS UNDER FINANCE LEASES WAS $18,591 MILLION.
THIS INCLUDED $6,480 MILLION (35 PER CENT) FOR CAPITAL MARKET INSTRUMENTS; $10,695 MILLION (57 PER CENT) FOR BANK AND OTHER LOANS; AND $1,416 MILLION (EIGHT PER CENT) FOR OBLIGATIONS UNDER FINANCE LEASES.
THE CORPORATION’S BORROWINGS, EXCLUDING OBLIGATIONS UNDER FINANCE LEASES, AMOUNTED TO $17,175 MILLION LAST YEAR*.
THIS COMPRISED:
» FIXED RATE LOANS AND LOANS SWAPPED TO FIXED RATES OF $12,266 MILLION WITH INTEREST RATES RANGING FROM 4.55 PER CENT TO 10.31 PER CENT.
» VARIABLE RATE LOANS OF $4,909 MILLION, THE INTEREST RATE BEING DETERMINED BY REFERENCE TO EITHER THE PRIME RATE, THE HONG KONG INTERBANK OFFERED RATE OR THE LONDON INTERBANK OFFERED RATE.
MR TSANG ADDED THAT THE OVERALL EFFECTIVE COST OF FUNDING LAST YEAR WAS 7.3 PER CENT.
/14
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 23, 1994
14
EXTRADITION CASES EXPLAINED
*****
THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, MR ALISTAIR ASPREY, TODAY (WEDNESDAY) EXPLAINED TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL THE CIRCUMSTANCES WHERE THE GOVERNMENT WOULD NOT BE CIVILLY LIABLE IF AN ARRESTED PERSON PENDING EXTRADITION WAS EVENTUALLY DISCHARGED BY A HONG KONG COURT,
WHERE THE GOVERNMENT HAS ACTED IN GOOD FAITH ON REPRESENTATIONS MADE BY A COUNTRY WITH WHICH HONG KONG HAS EXTRADITION ARRANGEMENTS IN THE EXERCISE OF ITS INTERNATIONAL OBLIGATIONS, IT WILL NOT BE CIVILLY LIABLE, HE SAID.
THE ARREST AND DETENTION OF A PERSON WANTED FOR TRIAL IN SUCH A COUNTRY OCCURS ONLY AFTER HONG KONG HAS RECEIVED A REQUEST FROM IT, MR ASPREY SAID IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON CHIM PUI-CHUNG.
OF ALL PERSONS ARRESTED IN THE PAST THREE YEARS ON PROVISIONAL WARRANTS OF ARREST FOLLOWING A REQUEST FOR EXTRADITION, FOUR WERE SUBSEQUENTLY RELEASED.
"NO CLAIMS FOR COMPENSATION HAVE BEEN RECEIVED IN RESPECT OF THESE CASES,” HE SAID.
- - 0---------
/15 .......
r
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 23, 1994
15
CHIEF SECRETARY CONDEMNS UNRULY BEHAVIOUR *****
THE FOLLOWING STATEMENT IS ISSUED BY THE CHIEF SECRETARY, MRS ANSON CHAN:
”1 AM SURE THE WHOLE COMMUNITY WILL JOIN ME IN CONDEMNING THE BEHAVIOUR OF THOSE INVOLVED IN THE INCIDENTS OUTSIDE THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL CHAMBER YESTERDAY AND TODAY.
’'THE COMMUNITY EXPECTS PUBLIC AFFAIRS TO BE CONDUCTED IN A CIVILISED AND ORDERLY MANNER. THESE INCIDENTS OF UNRULY AND UNLAWFUL BEHAVIOUR REFLECT POORLY ON THOSE INVOLVED AND ARE NOT THE HONG KONG WAY OF DOING THINGS.
"THERE ARE MANY LEGITIMATE WAYS FOR PEOPLE TO EXPRESS THEIR VIEWS. WE ACCEPT PEACEFUL PROTESTS AND VIGOROUS DEBATE, BUT WE WILL NOT TOLERATE BULLYING AND INTIMIDATION."
---------0-----------
FS REGRETS JARDINE DE-LISTING DECISION *****
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, SIR HAMISH MACLEOD, . TODAY (WEDNESDAY) EXPRESSED HIS REGRET AT THE DECISION BY JARDINE MATHESON TO TERMINATE ITS SECONDARY LISTING IN HONG KONG.
"OVER THE PAST THREE YEARS, ALL PARTIES CONCERNED - THE COMPANY ITSELF, THE SECURITIES AND FUTURES COMMISSION AND THE GOVERNMENT -HAVE SPARED NO EFFORT TO ADDRESS JARDINE MATHESON’S CONCERNS, WHILE AT THE SAME TIME ENSURING THAT INVESTORS’ INTERESTS WOULD BE ADEQUATELY PROTECTED AND THE INTEGRITY OF OUR MARKET WOULD NOT BE COMPROMISED.
"WHILST REPRESENTING ONLY ABOUT TWO PER CENT OF MARKET CAPITALISATION, IT IS SAD THAT IN THE END JARDINE MATHESON HOLDINGS HAVE FELT IT NECESSARY TO DE-LIST.
"BUT I WELCOME JARDINE’S STATEMENT THAT THEY WILL CONTINUE TO BE A MAJOR INVESTOR AND EMPLOYER IN HONG KONG," SIR HAMISH SAID.
------0--------
CONCERTED EFFORT TO RID CENTRAL OF ILLEGAL HAWKERS
*****
FIRM ACTION
WILL
ILLEGALLY
IN
THE
BE TAKEN TO ARREST AND PROSECUTE
CHATER ROAD PEDESTRIAN PRECINCT
HAWK i LHir unuu i Xi’ . _______
SURROUNDING AREA OVER THE EASTER HOLIDAYS, ACTING CENTRAL AND DISTRICT OFFICER, MR HOWARD LEE, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
THOSE
AND
WHO
THE
WESTERN
THE CONCERTED EFFORTS WILL BE MADE BY THE GENERAL DUTIES rEA^ OF THE URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT AND THE POLICE WHOSE PRESENCE WILL BE VERY VISIBLE DURING THE FIVE CONSECUTIVE HOLIDAYS, HE ADDED.
HE SAID: "IT IS AGAINST THE LAW TO HAWK WITHOUT A LICENCE.
"THE MAXIMUM PENALTY IS A $2,500 FINE IMPRISONMENT ON FIRST CONVICTION AND $5,000 FINES IMPRISONMENT ON SUBSEQUENT CONVICTIONS.
PLUS ONE MONTH’S
PLUS SIX MONTHS’
/FURTHERMORE, ALL .......
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 23, 1994
16
FURTHERMORE, ALL HAWKING COMMODITIES AND PARAPHERNALIS SEIZED WILL BE CONFISCATED UPON CONVICTION.
MR LEE ALSO SAID IMMIGRATION OFFICERS WOULD JOIN THE OPERATION TO HELP INVESTIGATE ANY SUSPECTED BREACH OF THE IMMIGRATION ORDINANCE.
HE CALLED ON VISITORS AND FOREIGN DOMESTIC HELPERS IN HONG KONG NOT TO ENGAGE IN ILLEGAL HAWKING.
SPEAKING AT A BRIEFING FOR A DISTRICT BOARD WORKING GROUP ON THE CHATER ROAD PEDESTRIAN PRECINCT TODAY, A REPRESENTATIVE FROM THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT SAID HAWKING MIGHT BREACH THE CONDITIONS OF STAY IMPOSED BY THE DIRECTOR OF IMMIGRATION UPON VISITORS AND DOMESTIC HELPERS.
HE EMPHASISED THAT SUCH BREACHES CONTRAVENED THE IMMIGRATION ORDINANCE AND MIGHT RENDER THE INDIVIDUAL LIABLE TO BE REMOVED FROM HONG KONG.
THE LATEST OPERATION IS BEING MOUNTED FOLLOWING THE CHAOS CAUSED BY THE LARGE NUMBER OF FOREIGN HAWKERS ILLEGALLY SELLING THEIR WARES IN THE AREA DURING THE RECENT LUNAR NEW YEAR HOLIDAYS.
------0-------
CONSULTATIONS ON SAFETY LAWS ARE ADEQUATE
*****
IN RESPONSE TO PRESS REPORTS WHICH QUOTED MR RAYMOND LEUNG OF THE HONG KONG CONSTRUCTION ASSOCIATION (HKCA) AS SAYING THAT THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT HAD NOT CONSULTED RELEVANT INDUSTRIES BEFORE SUBMITTING PROPOSED SAFETY LEGISLATION TO THE AUTHORITIES, A LABOUR DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN POINTED OUT TODAY (WEDNESDAY) THAT THE ALLEGATIONS WERE GROSSLY UNTRUE AND MISLEADING.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT HAD BEEN PROMOTING TRIPARTITE PARTICIPATION IN THE PROMOTION OF OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH AS WELL AS ACCIDENT PREVENTION FOR MANY YEARS.
"WE HAVE ATTACHED AND WILL CONTINUE TO ATTACH GREAT IMPORTANCE TO THE VIEWS OF ALL PARTIES CONCERNED ON SAFETY LEGISLATION AND ENFORCEMENT," HE SAID.
"THE SETTING UP OF THE LABOUR ADVISORY BOARD (LAB) AND ITS FUNCTIONAL COMMITTEES, SUCH AS THE COMMITTEE ON INDUSTRIAL SAFETY AND HEALTH (CISH), REFLECTS THE DEPARTMENT’S EMPHASIS ON CONSULTATION."
HE NOTED THAT IN THE CASE OF SAFETY LEGISLATION, ALL PROPOSALS WOULD BE DISCUSSED IN THE LAB AND THE CISH ON WHICH THE HKCA WAS REPRESENTED.
ANOTHER VENUE FOR MUTUAL EXCHANGE OF VIEWS AND IDEAS IN THIS CONNECTION ALSO EXISTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY SAFETY AND HEALTH COMMITTEE UNDER THE AUSPICE OF THE OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH COUNCIL.
BOTH THE HKCA AND THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT HAVE THEIR REPRESENTATIVES IN THIS PARTICULAR COMMITTEE.
/REGARDING THE .......
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 23, 1994
17
REGARDING THE PROPOSED EXTENSION OF SAFETY OFFICERS AND SAFETY SUPERVISORS REGULATIONS TO CONSTRUCTION SITES EMPLOYING MORE THAN 100 WORKERS, ALL MAJOR EMPLOYER ASSOCIATIONS, INCLUDING THE HKCA AND OTHER PARTIES CONCERNED, WERE CONSULTED BEFORE THE PROPOSAL WAS SUBMITTED TO THE CISH AND LAB.
’’THE SECRETARY GENERAL OF THE HKCA, MR PATRICK CHAN, RESPONDED TO OUR CONSULTATION PAPER IN HIS REPLY TO THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT DATED 23 FEBRUARY 1993," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
THE PROPOSAL, TOGETHER WITH HKCA’S OBSERVATION ON THE SUPPLY OF SAFETY OFFICERS, WAS DISCUSSED AT THE CISH ON JULY 19, LAST YEAR.
THE HKCA’S REPRESENTATIVE ON THE COMMITTEE, MR PETER NIE, ATTENDED THE MEETING DURING WHICH MEMBERS WERE INFORMED OF THE NUMBER OF REGISTERED SAFETY OFFICERS, THE NUMBER OF PRACTISING SAFETY OFFICERS AND THE ESTIMATED ANNUAL OUTPUT OF SAFETY OFFICERS FROM LOCAL TRAINING INSTITUTIONS.
IT WAS SAID AT THE MEETING THAT THE SUPPLY OF SAFETY OFFICERS WOULD BE FURTHER IMPROVED AFTER THE CITY POLYTECHNIC JOINED IN WITH THE HONG KONG POLYTECHNIC AND CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY TRAINING AUTHORITY IN PROVIDING SAFETY OFFICER COURSES.
THE ANNUAL THROUGHPUT IS NOW ABOUT 240 AND AS AT MARCH 14, 1994, THE NUMBER OF REGISTERED SAFETY OFFICERS IS 934.
ANOTHER PROPOSAL TO REQUIRE COMPULSORY ESTABLISHMENT OF SAFETY COMMITTEES IN DANGEROUS TRADES WAS ALSO CIRCULATED TO ALL PARTIES CONCERNED, AGAIN INCLUDING THE HKCA, FOR CONSULTATION.
"THE VIEWS AND SUGGESTIONS COLLECTED WILL BE INCLUDED IN THE PROPOSAL TO BE PRESENTED TO THE CISH AND LAB FOR COMMENTS. AND THE HKCA WILL BE CONSULTED ONCE AGAIN IN THE COMMITTEE," HE SAID.
HE STRESSED THAT ALL THESE FACTS STRONGLY INDICATED THAT THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT HAD CONSULTED THE INDUSTRIES CONCERNED ADEQUATELY WHEN DRAWING UP PROPOSED INDUSTRIAL SAFETY LEGISLATION.
THE SPOKESMAN WELCOMED A SERIES OF PROMOTIONS TO BE LAUNCHED BY THE HKCA TO IMPROVE CONSTRUCTION SAFETY AND PLEDGED FULL SUPPORT FOR THEIR RENEWED EFFORTS IN THIS DIRECTION.
"THROUGH OUR CONTINUED CO-OPERATION WITH THE HKCA AND OTHER PARTIES CONCERNED IN IMPROVING CONSTRUCTION SITE SAFETY, WE HOPE SITE ACCIDENTS CAN BE REDUCED TN THE FUTURE." HE ADDED.
- 0 - -
KOWLOON BAY SITE TO LET * * * ♦ ♦
THE LANDS DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR THE SHORT-TERM TENANCY OF A PIECE OF GOVERNMENT LOT IN KOWLOON BAY.
THE 6,710-SQUARE-METRE LOT. LOCATED AT THE JUNCTION OF WANG KWONG ROAD AND KAI WAll STREET, CAN BE USED FOR OPEN STORAGE OF NON-DANGEROUS GOODS.
/THE TENANCY
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 23, 1994
18
THE TENANCY IS FOR THREE YEARS, RENEWABLE QUARTERLY.
CLOSING DATE FOR SUBMITTING TENDERS IS NOON ON APRIL 8.
FORMS OF TENDER, TENDER NOTICE AND CONDITIONS MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE, KOWLOON EAST, 1OTH FLOOR, YAU MA TEI CAR PARK BUILDING, 250 SHANGHAI STREET, KOWLOON AND THE LANDS DEPARTMENT, 1 4TH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG.
TENDER PLANS ARE ALSO AVAILABLE FOR PUBLIC INSPECTION AT THE OFFICES.
------0-------
TRAINING PROGRAMME IN BIOTECHNOLOGY INDUSTRY
*****
MORE THAN 30 INTERNSHIP TRAINING PLACES WILL BE AVAILABLE IN JUNE FOR LOCAL TERTIARY STUDENTS TO ACQUIRE FIRST HAND ON-THE-JOB EXPERIENCES IN HONG KONG’S FLEDGLING BIOTECHNOLOGY INDUSTRY.
ORGANISED BY THE BIOTECHNOLOGY SUB-COMMITTEE (BSC) OF THE INDUSTRY AND TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL, THE BIOTECHNOLOGY INTERNSHIP PROGRAMME IS A PILOT TRAINING SCHEME AIMED AT BETTER PREPARING TERTIARY STUDENTS TO CAPITALISE ON OPPORTUNITIES IN THE VAST AND DYNAMIC FIELD OF BIOTECHNOLOGY.
"WE ALSO HOPE THAT THIS PIONEER PROJECT WILL HELP ENHANCE THE QUALITY OF HUMAN RESOURCES OF HONG KONG’S BIOTECHNOLOGY INDUSTRY," ASSISTANT DIRECTOR-GENERAL OF INDUSTRY, MR RAYMOND YOUNG, SAID.
A TOTAL OF 11 BIOTECHNOLOGY-RELATED COMPANIES AND INSTITUTIONS WOULD OFFER 31 LOCAL AND OVERSEAS INTERNSHIP PLACES FOR A THREE-MONTH PERIOD, WITH PROGRAMMES RANGING FROM RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT, MARKETING, MANUFACTURING AND MARKET ANALYSIS.
MR YOUNG SAID APPLICANTS FOR THE INTERNSHIP PROGRAMME SHOULD BE PERMANENT RESIDENTS OF HONG KONG WHO HAD EITHER COMPLETED AT LEAST TWO YEARS’ UNDERGRADUATE STUDIES OR BEEN CONDUCTING A POST-GRADUATE PROGRAMME IN A BIOTECHNOLOGY-RELATED DISCIPLINE AT A RECOGNISED LOCAL TERTIARY INSTITUTION.
GRADUATES WHO WOULD COMPLETE THEIR FIRST DEGREE THIS SUMMER AND PURSUE THEIR MASTER OR DOCTORATE STUDIES IN THE COMING AUTUMN MIGHT APPLY FOR POST-GRADUATE INTERNSHIP PROGRAMMES, HE ADDED.
THE BSC AND THE PARTICIPATING COMPANIES WOULD SHARE THE COST OF REMUNERATION TO THE INTERNS, WHICH IS SET AT A MONTHLY RATE OF $6,500 FOR UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS AND $9,000 FOR POST-GRADUATE STUDENTS.
APPLICATION FORMS AND INFORMATION MATERIAL ON THE INTERNSHIP PROGRAMME CAN BE OBTAINED FROM THE PLACEMENT OFFICES OF THE TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS OR FROM THE INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT WITH PROPER STAMPED AND SELF-ADDRESSED ENVELOPES.
COMPLETED FORMS SHOULD REACH THE INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT AT 14TH FLOOR, OCEAN CENTRE, 5 CANTON ROAD, TS1M SHA TSUI ON OR BEFORE APRIL 16.
------O-------
/19 .....
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 23, 1994
19
$190M SEWER MAINTENANCE CONTRACT SIGNED
» » t ♦ *
THE DRAINAGE SERVICES DEPARTMENT THIS (WEDNESDAY) MORNING SIGNED A $190 MILLION CONTRACT FOR SEWERAGE MAINTENANCE WORKS.
THE CONTRACT WAS SIGNED BY THE DEPARTMENT’S ASSISTANT DIRECTOR (OPERATIONS AND MAINTENANCE), MR SIH NAM-SEN, AND A REPRESENTATIVE OF THE CONTRACTOR, GAMMON CONSTRUCTION LIMITED.
THE WORKS INCLUDE THE MAINTENANCE AND IMPROVEMENT OF ALL PUBLIC SEWERS AND STORMWATER DRAINS IN KOWLOON, TSUEN WAN, KWAI TSING, SHA TIN AND SAI KUNG AREAS.
MINOR SEWERS, DRAINS AND DRAINAGE STRUCTURES AND PLANTS WILL ALSO BE BUILT. :
THE CONTRACT WILL BEGIN THIS MONTH AND LAST 32 MONTHS.
.? * 1 . . . . ‘ ;• .•
------0--------
SPECIAL MAIL DELIVERIES AT EASTER
t » » * *
SPECIAL MAIL DELIVERIES WILL BE PROVIDED ON GOOD FRIDAY (APRIL 1) AND ON APRIL 4, THE POSTMASTER GENERAL, MR MIKE PAGLIARI, ANNOUNCED TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
NO DELIVERIES WILL BE MADE ON APRIL 2, 3 AND 5.
ALL POST OFFICES WILL BE CLOSED DURING THE EASTER AND CHING MING HOLIDAYS.
------0--------
HONG KONG MONETARY AUTHORITY MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS * * * » *
$ MILLION TIME (HOURS) CUMULATIVE CHANGE ($ MILLION)
OPENING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT 2,540 0930 -864
CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT 2,160 1000 -664
CHANGE ATTRIBUTABLE TO : 1100 + 290
MONEY MARKET ACTIVITY + 490 1200 + 490
LAF TODAY -870 1500 + 490
1600 + 490
LAF RATE 2.00 BID/4.00 OFFER
TWI 125.7 »+0.0» 23.3.94
/HONG KONG .......
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 23, 1994
- 20 -
HONG KONG MONETARY AUTHORITY
EF BILLS EF NOTES/HONG KONG GOVERNMENT BONDS
TERMS YIELD TERM ISSUE COUPON PRICE YIELD f-
1 WEEK 3.20 18 MONTHS 2508 4.625 99.90 4.75
1 MONTH 3.38 21 MONTHS 2511 4.15 98.83 4.95
3 MONTHS 3.72 24 MONTHS 2602 4.40 98.76 5.16
6 MONTHS 3.92 32 MONTHS 3610 4.20 96.90 5.57
12 MONTHS 4.43 35 MONTHS 3701 4.60 97.31 5.71
TOTAL TURNOVER OF BILLS AND BONDS - 30,222 MN
CLOSED 23 MARCH 1994
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL.: 842 8777
THURSDAY, MARCH 24, 1994
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
FOOD SURVEILLANCE FIGURES FOR 1993 RELEASED................ 1
RESIDENTIAL MORTGAGE SURVEY RESULTS FOR FEBRUARY........... 2
GOVT DISAPPOINTED AT EXTENSION OF MORATORIUM............... 3
ANOTHER CONTRACT AWARDED FOR CHEUNG CHING TUNNEL........... 3
ONE MORE WEEK FOR BRITISH NATIONALITY SCHEME APPLICATIONS. 4
MARINE DEPARTMENT SEIZES “NEW ORIENT PRINCESS”............. 5
55 LEGCO MEMBERS DEBATE BUDGET............................. 6
HONG KONG MONETARY AUTHORITY MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS...... 6
THURSDAY, MARCH 24, 1994
1
FOOD SURVEILLANCE FIGURES FOR 1993 RELEASED ♦ * ♦ ♦ ♦
THE HYGIENE DIVISION OF THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH TOOK 27,214 FOOD SAMPLES FOR CHEMICAL ANALYSIS LAST YEAR UNDER ITS REGULAR FOOD SURVEILLANCE PROGRAMME.
THE PURPOSE IS TO ENSURE THAT FOOD SUPPLIED TO THE COMMUNITY IS WHOLESOME, UNADULTERATED, UNCONTAMINATED, PROPERLY LABELLED AND OF NUTRITIOUS QUALITY.
EXAMINATION REPORTS REVEALED THAT 27,025 SAMPLES WERE SATISFACTORY, WHILE 189 OR 0.69 PER CENT WERE UNSATISFACTORY AS COMPARED WITH 1.3 PER CENT IN 1992.
BACTERIOLOGICAL EXAMINATION ALSO SHOWS THAT OUT OF THE 10,807 SAMPLES TAKEN, 10,265 WERE SATISFACTORY WHILE 542 OR 5 PER CENT WERE UNSATISFACTORY AS COMPARED WITH 5.3 PER CENT IN 1992.
MOST OF THE UNSATISFACTORY CASES INCLUDED HIGH BACTERIAL COUNT IN SHELLFISH, RAW FISH AND MEAT PRODUCTS.
OTHERS WERE MAINLY SEAFOOD CONTAINING HIGHER LEVEL OF HEAVY METAL, FOOD CONTAINING NON-PERMITTED COLOURING MATTERS, AND FOOD CONTAINING NON-PERMITTED OR EXCESSIVE FOOD ADDITIVES.
THE UNSATISFACTORY CASES FOR MEAT AND MEAT PRODUCTS WERE ATTRIBUTED MAINLY TO IMPROPER HANDLING AND STORAGE IN RETAIL OUTLETS.
THE DIVISION CARRIED OUT 207 PROSECUTIONS AND ISSUED 185 WARNING LETTERS.
IT HAS ALSO MONITORED FOOD FOR RADIOACTIVITY SINCE 1986. THIS HAS EXTENDED TO FOOD IMPORTED FROM CHINA SINCE LAST YEAR.
IN 1993, A TOTAL OF 514 FOOD SAMPLES WERE TAKEN FOR RADIOACTIVITY MEASUREMENT AND ALL RESULTS WERE SATISFACTORY.
ON THE LABELLING OF PRE-PACKAGED FOOD, THE DIVISION CHECKED 14,472 LABELS, ISSUED 254 WARNING LETTERS AND EXECUTED 41 PROSECUTIONS.
IN THE SAME PERIOD, THE DIVISION INSPECTED 6,868,995 KILOGRAMS OF IMPORTED MEAT AND 12,689,353 KILOGRAMS OF IMPORTED POULTRY IN 2,925 INSPECTIONS.
ABOUT 811,100 KILOGRAMS OF FOOD WERE FOUND UNFIT FOR CONSUMPTION AND WERE DESTROYED LAST YEAR.
A TOTAL OF 168 CASES OF FOOD POISONING WERE REPORTED DURING THE PERIOD WITH 862 PERSONS AFFECTED. INVESTIGATIONS SHOWED THAT 105 WERE DOMESTIC OUTBREAKS AND 63 FOOD-PREMISES OUTBREAKS.
BACTERIAL FOOD POISONING REMAINED THE MOST COMMON CAUSE WHICH ACCOUNTED FOR 34 PER CENT OF THE CASES.
THERE WERE 39 CASES OF FOOD POISONING OWING TO CONTAMINATED VEGETABLES AND 41 CASES OF SEAFOOD POISONING OF BIOTOXIN IN NATURE.
------0-------
/? .....
THURSDAY, MARCH 24, 1994
2
RESIDENTIAL MORTGAGE SURVEY RESULTS FOR FEBRUARY
******
THE GROWTH RATE OF RESIDENTIAL. MORTGAGE LOANS DECELERATED SLIGHTLY IN FEBRUARY, ACCORDING TO THE LATEST MONTHLY SURVEY OF THE HONG KONG MONETARY AUTHORITY (HKMA).
THE AMOUNT OF RESIDENTIAL MORTGAGE LENDING BY THE 33 INSTITUTIONS IN THE SURVEY GREW BY 1.0 PER CENT IN FEBRUARY (1.2 PER CENT IN JANUARY), FROM $221.7 BILLION TO $224 BILLION.
THIS IS BELOW THE AVERAGE MONTHLY GROWTH RATE OF 1.5 PER CENT OVER THE LAST 12 MONTHS.
"THE FEBRUARY FIGURES SEEM TO HAVE BEEN INFLUENCED BY SEASONAL FACTORS AS WELL AS BY THE FURTHER TIGHTENING MEASURES ANNOUNCED BY CERTAIN BANKS IN JANUARY," THE DEPUTY CHIEF EXECUTIVE (BANKING) OF THE HKMA, MR DAVID CARSE, SAID.
"SOME BANKS, HOWEVER, SAW CONTINUED RAPID GROWTH IN THEIR LENDING IN FEBRUARY," HE SAID.
THE THREE-MONTH MOVING AVERAGE OF OUTSTANDING LENDING HAS RISEN TO 12.2 PER CENT (ANNUALISED), COMPARED WITH 12.0 PER CENT IN THE THREE-MONTH PERIOD TO JANUARY.
THE 12-MONTH AVERAGE OF OUTSTANDING LENDING STANDS AT AN ANNUALISED GROWTH RATE OF 17.3 PER CENT, HAVING RISEN FROM 16.1 PER CENT IN JANUARY.
NEW LOANS APPROVED BUT NOT YET DRAWN FELL IN FEBRUARY FROM $6.5 BILLION TO $5.3 BILLION.
"JUDGING FROM THESE FIGURES, I EXPECT THAT THE AMOUNT OF OUTSTANDING LENDING WILL RISE TN MARCH AT ABOUT THE SAME RATE AS IN FEBRUARY," MR CARSE SAID.
"HOWEVER, A RENEWED UPSURGE IN DEMAND BY BORROWERS CANNOT BE RULED OUT AND BANKS SHOULD THEREFORE REMAIN CAUTIOUS," HE SAID.
AS REGARDS LENDING FOR THE PURCHASE OF PROPERTIES IN CHINA, THE LATEST FIGURES SHOW THAT SUCH LENDING ROSE BY 1.5 PER CENT IN FEBRUARY, FROM $3.66 BILLION TO $3.71 BILLION.
THE INCREASE WAS ENTIRELY ATTRIBUTABLE TO LOANS FOR THE PURCHASE OF RESIDENTIAL PROPERTIES.
GROSS LOANS MADE IN FEBRUARY FELL BOTH IN NUMBERS (FROM 307 TO 203) AND IN AMOUNT (FROM $116 MILLION TO $101 MILLION).
NEW LOANS APPROVED ALSO DROPPED IN TERMS OF BOTH NUMBERS (FROM 435 TO 223) AND AMOUNT (FROM $198 MILLION TO $107 MILLION).
/3 ........
THURSDAY, MARCH 24, 1994
3
GOVT DISAPPOINTED AT EXTENSION OF MORATORIUM
IN RESPONSE TO PRESS ENQUIRIES, A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (THURSDAY) THE GOVERNMENT WAS VERY DISAPPOINTED TO LEARN THAT THE PUBLIC SERVICE PANEL HAD DECIDED TO EXTEND THE LIFE OF THE PUBLIC OFFICERS (VARIATION OF CONDITIONS OF SERVICE)(TEMPORARY PROVISIONS) ORDINANCE UNTIL THE END OF THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION IN JULY THIS YEAR.
"WE HAVE BEEN HOLDING INTENSIVE TALKS WITH THE LOCAL AND OVERSEAS STAFF ASSOCIATIONS, TRYING VERY HARD TO WORK OUT A MUTUALLY ACCEPTABLE WAY FORWARD FOR THE INTERIM MEASURE OF ALLOWING CERTAIN OVERSEAS OFFICERS TO TRANSFER TO LOCAL TERMS," HE SAID.
"A LOT OF PROGRESS HAS ALREADY BEEN MADE. GIVEN THE WILLINGNESS TO FIND A SOLUTION AND WITH MORE HARD WORK BY THE PARTIES CONCERNED, THERE IS A FAIR CHANCE THAT AN AGREEMENT CAN BE REACHED," HE ADDED.
THE SPOKESMAN NOTED THAT EXTENDING THE ORDINANCE WAS NEITHER NECESSARY NOR HELPFUL.
IT WILL ONLY PROLONG AND AGGRAVATE THE UNCERTAINTY CAUSED BY THE ORDINANCE AS BOTH THE DEPARTMENTS AND THE OFFICERS CONCERNED WILL FIND IT DIFFICULT TO PLAN THEIR WORK AND FUTURE IN THE NEXT FEW MONTHS.
"THE JOB OF MANAGING THE CIVIL SERVICE SHOULD BE LEFT TO THE ADMINISTRATION AND SHOULD NOT BE THE SUBJECT OF LEGISLATION.
"TO AVOID ANY VIOLATION OF THE BILL OF RIGHTS, WE SHALL HAVE NO CHOICE BUT TO CONTINUE TO GRANT SHORT EXTENSIONS ON OVERSEAS TERMS TO OFFICERS WHO WOULD OTHERWISE BE ABLE TO TRANSFER TO LOCAL CONDITIONS OF SERVICE UNTIL THE ORDINANCE EXPIRED," SAID THE SPOKESMAN.
SINCE JULY 30 LAST YEAR WHEN THE GOVERNMENT ANNOUNCED ITS DECISION TO ALLOW OVERSEAS AGREEMENT OFFICERS WHO ARE HONG KONG PERMANENT RESIDENTS TO APPLY FOR TRANSFER TO LOCAL TERMS SUBJECT TO CERTAIN CONDITIONS, A TOTAL OF 113 APPLICATIONS HAVE BEEN RECEIVED.
OF THE TOTAL, TWO HAD BEEN \PPROVED BEFORE THE PASSAGE OF THE ORDINANCE, NINE HAVE BEEN APPROVED IN PRINCIPLE SINCE THE PASSAGE OF THE ORDINANCE, 21 HAVE BEEN REJECTED AND FOUR WITHDRAWN. THE REST ARE STILL BEING PROCESSED.
------0-------
ANOTHER CONTRACT AWARDED FOR CHEUNG CHING TUNNEL
THE CENTRAL TENDER BOARD HAS ACCEPTED A $49 MILLION TENDER SUBMITTED BY BALFOUR BEATTY LIMITED FOR THE PROVISION OF TUNNEL VENTILATION AND CENTRAL MONITORING AND CONTROL SYSTEMS FOR CHEUNG CHING TUNNEL ON TSING YI ISLAND, A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN ANNOUNCED TODAY (THURSDAY).
CHEUNG CHING TUNNEL IS A MAJOR ELEMENT IN THE AIRPORT CORE PROGRAMME’S (ACP) HIGHWAY NETWORK LINKING THE NEW AIRPORT AT CHEK LAP KOK AND TUNG CHUNG NEW TOWN TO KOWLOON AND CENTRAL HONG KONG.
/IT ALSO........
THURSDAY, MARCH 24, 1994
4
IT ALSO FORMS PART OF THE TSING YI SECTION OF ROUTE 3, A NEW NORTH-SOUTH HIGHWAY LINKING THE BORDER AND NORTHWEST NEW TERRITORIES WITH WEST KOWLOON.
THE FIRST PART OF ROUTE 3 TO BE CONSTRUCTED FALLS WITHIN THE ACP AND CONNECTS THE LANTAU FIXED CROSSING WITH THE WEST KOWLOON EXPRESSWAY VIA TSING VI AND KWAI CHUNG.
WORKS TO BE EXECUTED UNDER THE CONTRACT AWARDED INCLUDE THE DESIGN, MANUFACTURE, INSTALLATION, TESTING AND COMMISSIONING OF THE FOLLOWING ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL FACILITIES:
» TUNNEL VENTILATION SYSTEM
* CENTRAL MONITORING AND CONTROL SYSTEM
TENDERS WERE RECEIVED FROM FOUR PREQUALIFIED TENDERERS AND BALFOUR BEATTY LIMITED SUBMITTED THE LOWEST BID. THE WORKS WILL START THIS MONTH FOR COMPLETION BY JANUARY 199".
THE AWARD OF THIS CONTRACT BRINGS THE TOTAL NUMBER OF ACP CONTRACTS AWARDED BY THE GOVERNMENT TO 38, WITH A TOTAL VALUE OF OVER $31.7 BILLION.
TOGETHER WITH THE SIX MAJOR CONSTRUCTION CONTRACTS, VALUED AT $10.7 BILLION, AWARDED BY THE PROVISIONAL AIRPORT AUTHORITY, AND THE $5.7 BILLION CONSTRUCTION CONTRACT AWARDED BY THE WESTERN HARBOUR TUNNEL COMPANY LIMITED, THE TOTAL VALUE OF CONSTRUCT ION CONTRACTS AWARDED FOR THE ACP, ALL WITHIN BUDGET, IS OVER $48 BILLION.
------0-------
ONE MORE WEEK FOR BRITISH NATIONALITY SCHEME APPLICATIONS * * « » »
THE GOVERNMENT TODAY (THURSDAY) REMINDED INTENDING APPLICANTS OF THE BRITISH NATIONALITY SELECTION SCHEME THAT ONLY ONE WEEK IS LEFT BEFORE THE CLOSE OF THE APPLICATION PERIOD ON MARCH 31 (THURSDAY).
UNDER THE FINAL PHASE OF THE SCHEME, 13,160 HEADS OF HOUSEHOLDS AND THEIR DEPENDANTS IN HONG KONG WILL BE ABLE TO REGISTER AS BRITISH CITIZENS.
AS AT YESTERDAY, A TOTAL OF 10,169 APPLICATIONS FOR THE FINAL PHASE OF THE SCHEME HAD BEEN RECEIVED.
COMMENTING ON THE RESPONSE, A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID IT REFLECTED A STRONG INTEREST IN THE SCHEME. FURTHER INCREASES IN THE NUMBER OF APPLICATIONS ARE EXPECTED AS THE DEADLINE DRAWS NEAR.
"APPLICANTS SHOULD SUBMIT THEIR APPLICATIONS AS EARLY AS PRACTICABLE TO AVOID A LAST-MINUTE RUSH AND MISSING THE DEADLINE INADVERTENTLY. LATE APPLICATIONS WILL NOT BF. ACCEPTED," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
APPLICATION FORMS TOGETHER WITH A SET OF GUIDANCE NOTES ARE AVAILABLE FROM THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, IMMIGRATION OFFICES, PUBLIC ENQUIRY SERVICE CENTRES OF DISTRICT OFFICES AND POST OFFICES.
/NINE NEW ..
THURSDAY, MARCH Z4, LW4
5
NINE NEW REFERENCE MANUALS HAVE BEEN PUBLISHED TO EXPLAIN THE GENERAL PRINCIPLES AND RULES FOR AWARDING POINTS FOR EACH OF THE POINT-SCORING ATTRIBUTES AND GIVE THE COMPUTER CODES FOR OCCUPATIONS, QUALIFICATIONS AND AWARDS.
THE SPOKESMAN ADVISED APPLICANTS TO CONSULT THE MANUALS BEFORE COMPLETING THE APPLICATION FORM IN ORDER TO PROVIDE ACCURATE AND FULL INFORMATION, AS APPLICATIONS WILL BE ASSESSED ON THE BASIS OF THE INFORMATION PROVIDED IN THE FORM.
THE MANUALS ARE AVAILABLE FOR REFERENCE AT ALL PUBLIC ENQUIRY SERVICE CENTRES OF DISTRICT OFFICES, IMMIGRATION OFFICES, POST OFFICES AND PUBLIC LIBRARIES.
THEY ARE ALSO AVAILABLE FOR SALE AT $24 A COPY AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE ON THE GROUND FLOOR OF THE GENERAL POST OFFICE BUILDING IN CENTRAL, IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT HEADQUARTERS IN WAN CHAI, PUBLIC ENQUIRY SERVICE CENTRES OF DISTRICT OFFICES, SELECTED POST OFFICES AND CENTREPOINT MINISTORES.
COMPLETED FORMS, TOGETHER WITH AN APPLICATION FEE OF $300 IN CROSSED CHEQUE OR CASHIER’S ORDER, SHOULD BE RETURNED BY PERSONAL DELIVERY OR REGISTERED MAIL TO THE BRITISH NATIONALITY DIVISION OF IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT AT IMMIGRATION TOWER, 7 GLOUCESTER ROAD, WAN CHAI .
ENQUIRIES SHOULD BE MADE ON THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT HOTLINE 802 9900.
------0-------
MARINE DEPARTMENT SEIZES ’’NEW ORIENT PRINCESS” *****
THE DIRECTOR OF MARINE, MR ALLAN PYRKE, HAS DECIDED TO SEIZE THE VESSEL ”NEW ORIENT PRINCESS” AFTER HER OWNERS FAILED REPEATEDLY TO COMPLY WITH ORDERS TO REMOVE THE WRECK, PRINCIPAL MARINE OFFICER/VESSEL TRAFFIC SERVICES BRANCH OF THE MARINE DEPARTMENT, MR BARRIE HIRD, SAID TODAY (THURSDAY).
THE WRECK OF THE VESSEL HAS BEEN BEACHING AT FAT TONG CHAU IN TSEUNG KWAN O SHORTLY AFTER THE VESSEL CAUGHT FIRE ON AUGUST 25 LAST YEAR.
’’THE MARINE DEPARTMENT FIRST ISSUED AN ORDER TO THE OWNERS ON SEPTEMBER 27, 1993, REQUESTING THEM TO REMOVE THE WRECK WITHIN FOUR WEEKS,” MR HIRD SAID.
AN EXTENSION FOR SIX WEEKS WAS GRANTED AT THE REQUEST OF THE OWNERS WHEN THE FOUR-WEEK PERIOD EXPIRED.
SINCE THEN SEVERAL EXTENSIONS WERE GRANTED TO GIVE THE OWNERS MORE TIME TO FIND WAYS TO REMOVE THE WRECK.
ON MARCH 11 THIS YEAR, THE DEPARTMENT ISSUED A FURTHER NOTICE TO THE OWNERS INFORMING THEM THAT NO FURTHER EXTENSION WOULD BE GRANTED.
/THEY ARE ........
THURSDAY, MARCH 24, 1994
6
THEY ARE ALSO INFORMED THAT UNLESS 1’HEY WOULD PROVIDE BY MARCH 17 THIS YEAR DOCUMENTATION SHOWING A CONTRACT HAD BEEN SIGNED FOR THE REMOVAL OF THE WRECK TOGETHER WITH A WORK PLAN AND SCHEDULE, THE DIRECTOR OF MARINE WOULD TAKE ACTION TO SEIZE THE VESSEL UNDER SECTION 21(3) OF THE SHIPPING AND PORT CONTROL ORDINANCE.
A FORMAL NOTICE OF THE SEIZURE OF THE VESSEL WILL BE GAZETTED TOMORROW.
”IF NO CLAIM FOR THE RELEASE OF THE VESSEL IS RECEIVED BY THE MARINE DEPARTMENT WITHIN 14 DAYS AFTER THE PUBLICATION OF THE NOTICE IN THE GAZETTE, THE VESSEL MAY BE PUT UP FOR AUCTION,” MR HIRD SAID.
’’THE LONGER THE WRECK IS ALLOWED TO REMAIN AT ITS PRESENT SITE WITHOUT ANY ATTEMPT TO REMOVE IT, THE GREATER THE RISK IS POSED EITHER BY BREAKING UP, CAUSING POLLUTION FROM RUPTURED OR DETERIORATED TANKS OR EVEN, IN TYPHOON CONDITIONS, OF COMING OFF THE BEACHING SITE,” HE SAID.
------0--------
55 LEGCO MEMBERS DEBATE BUDGET * * * * *
A TOTAL OF 55 LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MEMBERS HAVE SPOKEN IN THE DEBATE ON THE APPROPRIATION BILL 1994 AT A TWO-DAY MEETING THAT ENDED TODAY (THURSDAY).
THE DEBATE ON THE BILL IS FURTHER ADJOURNED UNTIL NEXT WEDNESDAY (MARCH 30) WHEN GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS WILL REPLY TO THE POINTS RAISED.
------0--------
HONG KONG MONETARY AUTHORITY
MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS *****
CUMULATIVE
TIME CHANGE
$ MILLION (HOURS) ($ MILLION)
OPENING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT 2,160 0930 + 399
CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT 3,209 1000 + 399
CHANGE ATTRIBUTABLE TO : 1100 + 824
MONEY MARKET ACTIVITY + 824 1200 + 824
LAF TODAY + 225 1500 + 824
1600 + 824
LAF RATE 2.00 BID/4.00 OFFER
TWI 125.8 *+0.1* 24.3.94
/HONG KONG .......
THURSDAY, MARCH 24, 1994
7
HONG KONG MONETARY AUTHORITY
EF BILLS EF NOTES/HONG KONG GOVERNMENT BONDS
TERMS YIELD TERM ISSUE COUPON PRICE YIELD
1 WEEK 3.32 18 MONTHS 2508 4.625 99.89 4.76
1 MONTH 3.41 21 MONTHS 2511 4.15 98.79 4.97
3 MONTHS 3.72 24 MONTHS 2602 4.40 98.76 5.16
6 MONTHS 3.93 32 MONTHS 3610 4.20 96.80 5.62
12 MONTHS 4.42 35 MONTHS 3701 4.60 97.21 5.75
TOTAL TURNOVER OF BILLS AND BONDS - 13,563 MN
CLOSED 24 MARCH 1994
---------0-----------
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
FRIDAY, MARCH 25,1994
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
GOVERNOR CONGRATULATES RESCUERS ON FINDING MISSING SOLDIERS................................................... 1
FINAL REPORT OF WORKING PARTY ON MENTALLY HANDICAPPED PEOPLE GIVING EVIDENCE IN COURT............................. 1
CHANGES TO ELECTORAL APPEAL PROCEDURES...................... 3
GENERAL HOLIDAYS FOR 1995 .................................. 4
MILESTONE FOR DRAINAGE SERVICES IN HK....................... 5
EIGHT MORE HIV INFECTED CASES CONFIRMED..................... 6
FEES FOR LANDS TRIBUNAL PROCEEDINGS REVISED................. 7
PROVISIONAL RETAIL SALES FIGURES FOR JANUARY 1994 .......... 8
INDUSTRIAL SAFETY LAWS ARE EFFECTIVE....................... 11
RECONSTRUCTION OF NEW CLEAR WATER BAY ROAD................. 14
NEW LINE-UP FOR SPORTS DEVELOPMENT BOARD ANNOUNCED...... 14
JAPANESE BANK GETS HK LICENCE.............................. 16
DRAFT MA ON SHAN OUTLINE ZONING PLAN AMENDED............... 16
/QUALITY - THE
CONTENTS PAGE NO,
QUALITY - THE WAY TO REMAIN COMPETITIVE.......................... 18
WORKS FOR TWO PUMPING STATIONS................................. 19
TSEUNG KWAN O OUTLINE ZONING PLAN AMENDED........................ 20
USA BUSINESS MISSION TO HK AND CHINA............................. 21
WATER ENQUIRY CENTRES UNDERGO RENOVATION......................... 21
SHAU KEI WAN ROAD TO BE REBUILT.................................. 23
■' ■ . ».-•,«.• jn.- ■
DRAFT OUTLINE ZONING PLAN AMENDED................................ 23
PREQUALIFICATION OF TENDERERS INVITED FOR ROAD EXTENSION...... 25
LOCAL FAMILIES UNDER STRESS...................................... 25
40 EX-CHINA VIETNAMESE ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS SENT BACK.............. 26
CLOSURE OF YAU MA TEI ILLEGAL STRUCTURE SOUGHT................... 26
HONG KONG MONETARY AUTHORITY MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS .... 27
i.'l •> ■
■ ' • • ’.3
> • ‘ i- '
FRIDAY, MARCH 25, 1994
1
GOVERNOR CONGRATULATES RFSCUERS ON FINDING MISSING SOLDIERS
* * * * *
THE GOVERNOR, THE RT HON CHRISTOPHER PATTEN, TODAY (FRIDAY) WELCOMED THE NEWS THAT FIVE HONG KONG AND BRITISH SOLDIERS MISSING FOR A MONTH HAVE BEEN FOUND ALIVE ON MOUNT KINABALU.
’’THIS IS VERY GOOD NEWS INDEED. I AM DELIGHTED FOR THE FAMILIES OF THE FIVE SOLDIERS.
”1 CONGRATULATE EVERYONE INVOLVED IN WHAT HAS BEEN AN EXTRAORDINARILY DIFFICULT RESCUE OPERATION, ESPECIALLY THE MEMBERS OF THE MALAYSIAN ARMED FORCES WHO HAVE WORKED TIRELESSLY TO RESCUE THE MISSING SOLDIERS.”
- - - - 0------
FINAL REPORT OF WORKING PARTY ON
MENTALLY HANDICAPPED PEOPLE GIVING EVIDENCE IN COURT
*****
LEGISLATION SHOULD BE INTRODUCED TO ENABLE A MENTALLY HANDICAPPED WITNESS TO GIVE EVIDENCE BY VIDEO LINK AND A VIDEOTAPED STATEMENT BY A MENTALLY HANDICAPPED WITNESS TO A POLICE OFFICER AND SOCIAL WORKER TO BE ADMISSIBLE IN EVIDENCE.
THESE ARE SOME OF THE RECOMMENDATIONS IN THE FINAL REPORT OF THE WORKING PARTY ON MENTALLY HANDICAPPED PEOPLE GIVING EVIDENCE IN COURT, CHAIRED BY MR JUSTICE MICHAEL WONG KIN-CHOW, A HIGH COURT' JUDGE.
RELEASING THE FINDINGS OF THE FINAL REPORT, MR JUSTICE WONG SAID TODAY (FRIDAY) THAT UNLIKE ENGLAND WHERE THERE WAS A LAW ON GIVING EVIDENCE BY WAY OF VIDEO LINK, HONG KONG DID NOT HAVE A PROVISION OF THIS NATURE.
HOWEVER, HE POINTED OUT THAT THE COMMITTEE ON THE EVIDENCE OF CHILDREN IN CRIMINAL PROCEEDINGS CHAIRED BY DEPUTY CROWN PROSECUTOR, MR GRENVILLE CROSS, HAD MADE A FIRM RECOMMENDATION THAT LEGISLATION SHOULD BE INTRODUCED TO ALLOW CHILD VICTIMS AND WITNESSES TO GIVE EVIDENCE IN COURTS THROUGH A LIVE TELEVISION LINK.
"WE ENDORSE THAT RECOMMENDATION AND IT WOULD BE A SIMPLE MATTER TO EXTEND IT TO WITNESSES WHO ARE MENTALLY HANDICAPPED," HE SAID.
ON VIDEO RECORDINGS OF THE TESTIMONY OF MENTALLY HANDICAPPED PERSONS, MR JUSTICE WONG SAID: "TO BE ABLE TO RECORD AN EARLY COMPREHENSIVE INTERVIEW AND USE IT IN THE TRIAL WOULD NOT ONLY ENABLE THE JUDGE AND THE JURY TO HAVE THE BENEFIT OF THE EVIDENCE OF THE WITNESS GIVEN SHORTLY AFTER THE OFFENCE, BUT IT WOULD REDUCE THE TRAUMA OF GIVING EVIDENCE LIMITING THE TIME SPENT IN THE WITNESS BOX TO CROSS-EXAMINATIONS AND ANY RE-EXAMINATJ ON.”
/"TO GIVE .......
FRIDAY, MARCH 25, 1994
2 -
"TO GIVE EVIDENCE IN COURT IS A STRESSFUL EXPERIENCE. MENTALLY HANDICAPPED PERSONS BECOME DISTRESSED MORE READILY THAN THE MAJORITY OF THE POPULATION AND ANYTHING THAT CAN BE DONE TO HELP THEM IS TO BE COMMENDED,” HE ADDED.
THE THIRD RECOMMENDATION OF THE WORKING PARTY IS THE DEPOSITIONS TO BE TAKEN BEFORE A MAGISTRATE.
MR JUSTICE WONG EXPLAINED THAT IN A CASE WHERE FOR GOOD AND VALID REASONS IT WAS UNAVOIDABLE THAT A TRIAL COULD NOT BE HELD WITHOUT DELAY OR WHERE THE EXPOSURE TO A FULL TRIAL WOULD INVOLVE DANGER TO THE PHYSICAL OR MENTAL HEALTH OF THE WITNESS, THE PROSECUTION OR THE DEFENCE MIGHT APPLY TN WRITING TO A MAGISTRATE TO TAKE A DEPOSITION OF THE MENTALLY HANDICAPPED WITNESS.
IF THE APPLICATION IS MADE UNDER THE FORMER SITUATION, THE APPLYING PARTY WILL PRODUCE BEFORE THE MAGISTRATE A CERTIFICATE OF THE REGISTRAR, SUPREME COURT STATING THE REASON OR REASONS AS TO WHY AN EARLY AND SPEEDY TRIAL IS NOT POSSIBLE.
IF THE APPLICATION IS MADE UNDER THE LATTER SITUATION, AN AFFIDAVIT OR AFFIRMATION OF A MEDICAL PRACTITIONER WILL HAVE TO BE PRODUCED, HE SAID.
’’THE DEPOSITION WILL BE SIGNED BY THE MAGISTRATE WITH A CERTIFICATE STATING THE REASONS FOR TAKING THE DEPOSITION, THE DATE AND PLACE IT IS TAKEN AND THE NAMES OF THOSE PRESENT. THE DEPOSITION IS ADMISSIBLE TN EVIDENCE WITHOUT FURTHER PROOF.”
THE WORKING PARTY ALSO RECOMMENDS THE PUBLICATION OF BOOKLETS AND PAMPHLETS ”TO PSYCHOLOGICALLY PREPARE THE HANDICAPPED WITNESSES FOR THE APPEARANCE IN COURT".
MR JUSTICE WONG STATED THAT BOOKLETS OR PAMPHLETS EXPLAINING THE PROCEDURE IN SIMPLE, PLAIN AND NON-TECHNICAL LANGUAGE WOULD BE OF GREAT ASSISTANCE.
"THESE CAN BE READ BY THE MENTALLY HANDICAPPED WITNESSES THEMSELVES IF THEY CAN READ AND UNDERSTAND THEM AND, IF NOT, THEY CAN BE EXPLAINED TO THEM BY THEIR FAMILY MEMBERS, SOCIAL WORKERS OR SCHOOL TEACHERS BEFORE GOING TO COURT.
"BY THE TIME THE MENTALLY HANDICAPPED WITNESS ARRIVES IN COURT, HE OR SHE WILL HAVE AT LEAST SOME IDEAS WHY HE OR SHE IS IN COURT AND WHAT HE OR SHE IS EXPECTED TO DO AND WHAT OTHER PEOPLE ARE ALSO THERE," HE SAID.
THE WORKING PARTY WAS APPOINTED BY THE CHIEF JUSTICE, SIR TI LIANG YANG, IN OCTOBER LAST YEAR.
IT COMPRISED SEVEN MEMBERS: MR JOHN WOOD, DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC PROSECUTIONS; MR ALLAN CHOW, COMMISSIONER FOR REHABILITATION; MR ANTHONY' CHAN, ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE (YOUTH AND REHABILITATION); MR MICHAEL LUNN, A BARRISTER RECOMMENDED BY THE BAR ASSOCIATION; MR T C FOO, A SOLICITOR RECOMMENDED BY THE LAW SOCIETY; DR SYLVIA CHAN, A PSYCHIATRIST IN PRIVATE PRACTICE; AND MR FRED LI WAH-M1NG, A LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MEMBER.
/THE WORKING .......
FRIDAY, MARCH 25, 1994
3
THE WORKING PARTY JS TASKED TO EXAMINE WAYS AND MEANS BY WHICH MENTALLY HANDICAPPED PEOPLE GIVING EVIDENCE IN COURT MAY BE ASSISTED IN ORDER TO MINIMISE ANY TRAUMA THEY MAY SUFFER THEREBY.
THE FINAL REPORT HAS BEEN SUBMITTED TO THE CHIEF JUSTICE, WHO HAS ACCEPTED ITS RECOMMENDATIONS IN PRINCIPLE.
THE CHIEF JUSTICE WILL SEEK THE VIEWS OF THE LEGAL PROFESSION AND RELEVANT GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS TO SEE HOW BEST THE RECOMMENDATIONS CAN BE IMPLEMENTED.
THE CHIEF JUSTICE PAID TRIBUTE TO MR JUSTICE WONG AND MEMBERS OF THE WORKING PARTY FOR THEIR COLLECTIVE EFFORTS IN DRAWING UP THE FINAL REPORT ON AN ISSUE WHICH IS OF CONSIDERABLE PUBLIC CONCERN.
------0-------
CHANGES TO ELECTORAL APPEAL PROCEDURES * * * ♦ ♦
A REGULATION MAKING SOME TECHNICAL CHANGES TO THE EXISTING APPEAL PROCEDURES IN ORDER TO TIE IN WITH THE NEW REGULATIONS MADE BY THE BOUNDARY AND ELECTION COMMISSION RECENTLY ON THE REGISTRATION OF ELECTORS IN GEOGRAPHICAL CONSTITUENCIES WAS GAZETTED TODAY (FRIDAY).
"UNDER THE REGULATION, A PERSON WHO WANTS TO APPEAL AGAINST A DECISION OF THE REGISTRATION OFFICER WILL FIRST LODGE A NOTICE WITH THE REGISTRATION OFFICER, WHO WILL NOTIFY THE REVISING OFFICER OF SUCH NOTICES.
"THE REVISING OFFICER WILL THEN MAKE ARRANGEMENTS WITH THE APPELLANT AND ANY OTHER PERSONS INVOLVED IN THE APPEAL FOR. A HEARING OF THE CASE. ALL PARTIES CONCERNED IN THE CASE WILL BE NOTIFIED DIRECT BY THE REVISING OFFICER OF HIS RULING," A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN EXPLAINED.
THERE WILL BE NO CHANGE TO THE EXISTING ARRANGEMENTS THAT IF THE APPELLANT DOES NOT APPEAR AT THE HEARING AND DOES NOT MAKE ANY WRITTEN REPRESENTATIONS PRIOR TO THE HEARING, THE REVISING OFFICER WILL NOT REVIEW THE DECISION OF THE REGISTRATION OFFICER.
THE ELECTORAL PROVISIONS (REGISTRATION OF ELECTORS) (GEOGRAPHICAL CONSTITUENCIES) (APPEALS) REGULATION WILL BE TABLED IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON MARCH 30.
--------0---------
/4 ........
FRIDAY, MARCH 25, 1994
GENERAL HOLIDAYS FOR 1995 * * * * »
THE FOLLOWING LIST OF GENERAL HOLIDAYS FOR 1995 WAS PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE TODAY (FRIDAY):
EVERY SUNDAY
THE FIRST WEEK-DAY IN JANUARY MONDAY JANUARY 2
LUNAR NEW YEAR’S DAY TUESDAY JANUARY 31
THE SECOND DAY OF LUNAR NEW YEAR WEDNESDAY FEBRUARY 1
THE THIRD DAY OF LUNAR NEW YEAR THURSDAY FEBRUARY 2
CHING MING FESTIVAL WEDNESDAY APRIL 5
GOOD FRIDAY FRIDAY APRIL 14
THE DAY FOLLOWING GOOD FRIDAY SATURDAY APRIL 15
EASTER MONDAY MONDAY • APRIL 17 / •
TUEN NG FESTIVAL FRIDAY JUNE 2
THE BIRTHDAY OF HER MAJESTY THE SATURDAY JUNE 17 . .
QUEEN ' . > J • . • S A
THE MONDAY FOLLOWING THE QUEEN’S MONDAY JUNE 19
BIRTHDAY • *
THE SATURDAY PRECEDING THE LAST SATURDAY AUGUST 26
MONDAY IN AUGUST
LIBERATION DAY, BEING THE LAST MONDAY AUGUST 28
MONDAY IN AUGUST
CHINESE MID-AUTUMN FESTIVAL SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 9
CHUNG YEUNG FESTIVAL WEDNESDAY NOVEMBER 1
CHRISTMAS DAY MONDAY DECEMBER 25
THE FIRST WEEK-DAY AFTER CHRISTMAS TUESDAY DECEMBER 26
DAY
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/5........
FRIDAY, MARCH 25, 1994
5 -
MILESTONE FOR DRAINAGE SERVICES IN HK
*****
THE OPERATION OF SEWAGE SERVICES UNDER A TRADING FUND ARRANGEMENT WILL ALLOW THE DRAINAGE SERVICES DEPARTMENT (DSD) TO TACKLE THE PROBLEM OF WATER POLLUTION MORE EFFECTIVELY AND ECONOMICALLY.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE SECRETARY FOR WORKS, MR JAMES BLAKE, TODAY (FRIDAY).
MR BLAKE AND THE DIRECTOR OF DRAINAGE SERVICES, MR SIU CHUEN, SIGNED A FRAMEWORK AGREEMENT WHICH SETS OUT THEIR RESPECTIVE ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES FOR MANAGING THE SEWAGE SERVICES TRADING FUND.
"TODAY’S CEREMONY MARKS AN IMPORTANT STEP FORWARD FOR THE DRAINAGE SERVICES DEPARTMENT (DSD), ITS STAFF AND THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG WHO ARE CONCERNED AT THE GROWING PROBLEM OF WATER POLLUTION," HE NOTED.
THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON MARCH 9 APPROVED THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE SEWAGE SERVICES TRADING FUND IN THE DSD.
THE DIRECTOR OF DRAINAGE SERVICES WAS DESIGNATED GENERAL MANAGER OF THE TRADING FUND ON MARCH 11 AND CONSEQUENTLY HE IS RESPONSIBLE TO THE SECRETARY FOR WORKS FOR THE PERFORMANCE OF THE TRADING FUND.
"FOR MY PART, I AM REQUIRED TO CO-OPERATE WITH THE DIRECTOR IN AGREEING PERFORMANCE STANDARDS AND ASSESSING THAT PERFORMANCE.
"1 AM REQUIRED TO APPROVE A BUSINESS PLAN WITHIN WHICH THE DIRECTOR WILL HAVE TO OPERATE.
"IN ADDITION, THE DIRECTOR WILL BE PERSONALLY RESPONSIBLE TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL AND TO THE PUBLIC FOR THE PERFORMANCE OF THE FUND," MR BLAKE EXPLAINED.
ON THE OPERATIONS OF THE TRADING FUND, MR BLAKE SAID, INITIALLY THE TRADING FUND WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR MANAGING THE $fi.8 BILLION EARMARKED FOR THE HIGH PRIORITY PROGRAMME OF NEW SEWERAGE INFRASTRUCTURE WORKS.
HE STRESSED THAT BY ACCOUNTING FOR THESE FUNDS UNDER THE TRADING FUND, THERE WAS NO CHANCE OF THEM BEING USED FOR OTHER PROJECTS IN THE FUTURE.
"FURTHERMORE, AS A TRADING FUND IS NOT SUBJECT TO THE NORMAL PUBLIC WORKS PROCEDURES FOR AUTHORISING WORKS AND APPROVING EXPENDITURE, WE WILL BE BETTER ABLE TO 'FAST TRACK’ THESE PROJECTS SO AS TO ^EEP THEM ON SCHEDULE," HE SAID.
MR BLAKE EXPLAINED THAT ONCE NEW CHARGES FOR SEWAGE SERVICES WERE INTRODUCED, THE COST OF OPERATING AND MAINTAINING SEWAGE SERVICES WOULD BE ACCOUNTED FOR SEPARATELY IN THE TRADING FUND AND WOULD BE COVERED BY REVENUE FROM THE NEW CHARGES.
/"THESE CHARGES .......
FRIDAY, MARCH 25, 1994
6
’’THESE CHARGES WILL HELP TO MAKE PEOPLE AWARE OF THE COST OF DEALING WITH POLLUTION AND WILL, WE HOPE, GO SOME WAY TO DISCOURAGE POLLUTION,” HE SAID.
POINTING OUT THAT A TRADING FUND IS, AT ITS MOST BASIC, AN ACCOUNTING ARRANGEMENT, MR BLAKE SAID THE SERVICES UNDER SUCH AN ARRANGEMENT REQUIRED A MANAGEMENT COMMITMENT TO QUALITY IN THE DELIVERY OF THESE SERVICES.
HE NOTED THAT THE TRADING FUND WAS A FA1RLS NEW CONCEPT, AND THERE WAS SOME CONCERN ABOUT WHETHER IT WOULD IN PRACTICE BE A CHANGE FOR THE BETTER.
’’THE FUNDAMENTAL OBJECTIVE OF THE NEW \RRANGEMENTS IS TO ENSURE GREATER PUBLIC ACCOUNTABILITY AND TO ENCOURAGE THE DELIVERY OF A MORE EFFICIENT, RESPONSIVE AND COST-EFFECTIVE SERVICE.
”HOW SUCCESSFUL THESE ARRANGEMENTS PROVE TO BE, WILL DEPEND ON HOW ALL OF US INVOLVED ADAPT TO THE NEW ENVIRONMENT AND RESPOND TO THE CHALLENGE.
”1 FOR ONE, AM CONFIDENT THAT WE CAN ADAPT AND MEET THE CHALLENGE OF DELIVERING, IN THIS CASE, A SERVICE WHICH WILL IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF THE ENVIRONMENT IN WHICH WE LIVE,” MR BLAKE CONCLUDED.
------0--------
EIGHT MORE HIV INFECTED CASES CONFIRMED ♦ ♦ t ♦ ♦
SEVEN MEN AND A WOMAN WERE FOUND POSITIVE FOR THE HIV ANTIBODY TEST LAST MONTH (FEBRUARY), THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH ANNOUNCED TODAY (FRIDAY).
THIS BRINGS THE NUMBER OF HIV INFECTED PERSONS IN HONG KONG TO 429.
FOUR NEW AIDS CASES WERE REPORTED DURING THE MONTH.
THE TOTAL NUMBER OF CONFIRMED AIDS CASES IS 99 WITH 65 DEATHS REPORTED.
OF THE 429 HIV INFECTED, 317 ACQUIRED THE INFECTION SEXUALLY, NINE WERE INJECTING DRUG USERS, AND 65 ACQUIRED THE INFECTION THROUGH CONTAMINATED BLOOD OR BLOOD PRODUCTS BEFORE 19R5 WHEN HIV ANTIBODY TEST AND SAFE HEAT TREATED CLOTTING ( ONCENTRATES WERE NOT AVAILABLE.
FOR THE REMAINING 38, THE INFORMATION AVAILABLE WAS INADEQUATE FOR CLASSIFICATION.
UNDER THE HIV SURVEILLANCE PROGRAMME WHICH STARTED IN 1985, A TOTAL OF 315,465 BLOOD SPECIMENS HAVE BEEN TESTED FOR THE HIV ANTIBODY.
THE HONG KONG RED CROSS BLOOD TRANSFUSION SERVICE HAS ALSO SCREENED ALL BLOOD DONORS FOR AIDS.
UP TO LAST MONTH, 1,375,085 UNITS OF BLOOD HAD BEEN TESTED AND 29 DONORS WERE FOUND POSITIVE.
------0--------
/7......
FRIDAY, MARCH 25, 1994
7
FEES FOR LANDS TRIBUNAL PROCEEDINGS REVISED » » * * *
FEES RELATING TO PROCEEDINGS BEFORE THE LANDS TRIBUNAL HAVE BEEN REVISED TO REFLECT THE HIGHER COSTS OF PROVIDING THESE SERVICES.
THE NEW FEES GAZETTED TODAY (FRIDAY) UNDER THE LANDS TRIBUNAL (FEES) (AMENDMENT) RULE 1994 WILL COME INTO EFFECT ON APRIL 28.
ANNOUNCING THIS, A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID: "IT IS GOVERNMENT POLICY THAT FEES SHOULD, IN GENERAL, BE SET AT LEVELS SUFFICIENT TO RECOVER THE FULL COST OF PROVIDING THE SERVICES.
"THE FEES SET OUT IN THE LANDS TRIBUNAL (FEES) RULES WERE LAST REVIEWED IN 1992. TO COVER THE INCREASE IN COST SINCE THEN, THEY SHOULD NOW BE INCREASED BY ABOUT 10 PER CENT."
THE REVISED FEES INCLUDE:
CURRENT FEE NEW FEE
t APPLICATION FOR PROCEEDINGS INCLUDING APPEAL AND REVIEW $210 $235
* APPLICATION TO DETERMINE COMPENSATION UNDER THE DEMOLISHED BUILDINGS (REDEVELOPMENT OF SITES) ORDINANCE (CAP. 337) $55 $61
♦ APPLICATION FOR ORDER OR DETERMINATION OTHER THAN COMPENSATION $55 $61
* FILING ORDER OR EXPERT EVIDENCE AND AMENDING DOCUMENTS IN PROCEEDINGS $55 $61
* COPY OF ANY DOCUMENT TYPED IN THE REGISTRY OF THE TRIBUNAL AND CERTIFYING THE SAME, PER PAGE $18 $20
t PHOTOSTATIC COPY OF ANY $5
DOCUMENT MADE IN THE REG I STR V OF THE TRIBUNAL AN’’
CERTIFICATION, PER PAGE
$5.5
/* Every search ........
FRIDAY, MARCH 25, 1994
- 8
♦ EVERY SEARCH IN THE REGISTRY $16 $18
OF THE TRIBUNAL FOR EACH
REGISTER, FILE OR DOCUMENT
* ATTENDANCE OF ANY GOVERNMENT OFFICIAL TO.PRODUCE OR PROVE IN THE TRIBUNAL ANY RECORD OR DOCUMENT CALLED BY ANY PARTY OTHER THAN THE CROWN $210 $235
* ATTENDANCE OF WITNESS TO PRODUCE DOCUMENT OR OTHER PAPERS, PER HOUR OR PORTION OF AN HOUR OF ATTENDANCE $105 $116
* ATTENDANCE OF WITNESS TO GIVE ANY OTHER EVIDENCE, PER HOUR OR PORTION OF AN HOUR OF ATTENDANCE $105 $116
* SETTLING ANY NOTICE OR DOCUMENT, PER PAGE $6 $6.6
» SEALING OF ANY DOCUMENT $50 $55
» TRANSLATION, PER PAGE $30 $33
* CERTIFICATION $18 c
---------0-----------
PROVISIONAL RETAIL SALES FIGURES FOR JANUARY 1994
*****
THE VALUE OF TOTAL RETAIL SALES IN JANUARY THIS YEAR, ESTIMATED
AT $18.1 BILLION, INCREASED BY 15% WHEN COMPARED WITH JANUARY LAST YEAR, ACCORDING TO STATISTICS RELEASED TODAY (FRIDAY) BY THE CENSUS
AFTER DISCOUNTING THE EFFECT OF PRICE CHANGES OVER THE PERIOD, TOTAL RETAIL SALES ROSE BY 9% IN VOLUME.
THE APPRECIABLE INCREASE IN JANUARY 1994 OVER JANUARY 1993 WAS ATTRIBUTABLE MAINLY TO THE SIGNIFICANT GROWTH IN SALES OF JEWELLERY AND WATCHES (29% IN VALUE OR 15% IN VOLUME), MOTOR VEHICLES (26% IN VALUE OR 16% IN VOLUME), CLOTHING AND FOOTWEAR (22% IN VALUE OR 13% IN VOLUME), AND CONSUMER DURABLES OTHER THAN MOTOR VEHICLES (17% IN VALUE OR 15% IN VOLUME).
/SALES OF .......
FRIDAY, MARCH 25, 1994
- 9 -
SALES OF FOODSTUFFS (OTHER THAN THOSE SOLD IN SUPERMARKETS) WENT UP MODERATELY, BY 4% IN VALUE AND 7% IN VOLUME.
THE LARGER INCREASE IN VOLUME TERMS WAS DUE TO A FALL IN THE PRICES OF FOODSTUFFS CAUSED BY A HIGH BASE OF COMPARISON IN JANUARY 1993.
THIS WAS AFFECTED BY THE TIMING OF THE LUNAR NEW YEAR FESTIVAL, WHICH TOOK PLACE IN JANUARY LAST YEAR, BUT IN FEBRUARY THIS YEAR.
ON THE OTHER HAND, SALES IN SUPERMARKETS DROPPED BY 4% IN VOLUME, DESPITE AN INCREASE OF 2% IN VALUE. SALES IN DEPARTMENT STORES REGISTERED A 6% DECREASE IN VOLUME BUT VIRTUALLY NO CHANGE IN VALUE. SALES OF FUELS DECREASED BY 6% IN VALUE AND 8% IN VOLUME.
COMPARED WITH DECEMBER 1993, AND BEARING IN MIND THAT THIS COMPARISON MAY BE AFFECTED BY SEASONAL FACTORS, TOTAL RETAIL SALES IN JANUARY 1994 INCREASED BY 2% IN VALUE AND 4% 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 ANALYSTS OF THE JANUARY 1994 RESULTS IS NOW ON SALE AT $3 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, WANCHA1 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 TEL 802 1258.
TABLE 1 PRESENTS THE REVISED TOTAL RETAIL SALES FIGURE FOR DECEMBER 1993 AND THE PROVISIONAL FIGURE FOR JANUARY 1994.
TABLE 2 SHOWS THE VALUE AND VOLUME INDICES OF RETAIL SALES IN DECEMBER 1993 AND JANUARY 1994 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 JANUARY 1994 RESULTS WITH THOSE FOR DECEMBER 1993 AND WITH THOSE FOR JANUARY 1993 ARE ALSO GIVEN.
/TABLE 1 : .......
FRIDAY, MARCH 25, 1994
- 10 -
TABLE 1 : TOTAL RETAIL SALES
Total Retail Sales for January 1994 (Provisional Figure) - HKS18,118.1 million for December 1993 (Revised Figure) = HK$17,725.5 million
TABLE 2 : VALUE AND VOLUME INDICES OF RETAIL SALES FOR December 1993 AND January 1994 (Monthly average of Oct. 89 - Sept. 90 = 100)
Item Index of Retail Sales December 1993 January 1994 January 1994 compared with December 1993 January 1994 compared with January 1993
(Revised (Provisional Points % Points X
(A) FOR ALL RETAIL OUTLETS figures) figures) 192.9 ♦4.2 ♦15.1
Value 188.7 ♦2.2 ♦25.2
Volume 152.5 158.4 ♦5.9 ♦3.8 ♦ 13.5 ♦9.3
(B) BY TYPE OF RETAIL OUTLET
Foodstuffs, alcoholic Value 142.3 139.1 -3.2 -2.3 ♦5.5 ♦4.1
drinks and tobacco Volume 111.3 111.5 ♦0.2 ♦0.2 +7.6 ♦ 7.3
(other than
supermarkets)
Supermarkets 0 Value Vol une 154.8 115.9 163.0 122.7 ♦8.2 ♦6.8 ♦5.3 ♦5.9 ♦2.7 -5.3 ♦1.7 -4.1
Fuels Value 159.9 131.6 -28.3 -17.7 -8.2 -5.9
Volume 117.8 97.2 -20.6 -17.5 -8.7 -8.2
Clothing, footwear and Value 267.8 299.9 ♦32.1 ♦ 12.0 ♦53.3 ♦21.6
allied products Volume 194.2 229.6 ♦35.4 ♦18.2 ♦25.7 +12.6
Consumer durable goods Value 185.2 193.5 ♦8.3 ♦4.5 +33.3 ♦20.8
Volume 157.1 164.9 ♦7.9 ♦5.0 ♦21.8 ♦15.2
- Motor vehicles Value 193.1 208.9 ♦ 15.8 ♦8.2 ♦43.7 ♦26.4
and parts Volume 147.0 158.0 ♦11.1 ♦7.5 ♦22.3 ♦16.4
- Consumer durable Value 179.5 182.3 ♦2.8 ♦1.6 ♦25.9 ♦16.5
goods other than motor vehicles and parts Vo 1 une 164.4 169.9 ♦5.6 ♦3.4 ♦21.5 ♦14.5
Department stores Value 195.2 189.0 -6.2 -3.2 ♦0.7 ♦0.4
Volume 147.2 149.1 ♦ 1.9 ♦ 1.3 -9.3 -5.9
Jewellery, watches Value 179.1 192.4 ♦ 13.3 ♦7.4 ♦42.8 ♦28.6
and clocks, and valuable gifts Volune 174.7 182.7 ♦8.0 ♦4.6 ♦23.9 ♦15.1
Other consumer goods Value 212.8 204.8 -8.0 -3.8 ♦46.4 ♦29.3
not elsewhere classified Volume 172.6 167.3 -5.3 -3.1 ♦33.5 ♦25.0
NOTES : 0 Not including supermarkets operating in department stores.
/Il .......
FRIDAY, MARCH 25, 1994
11
INDUSTRIAL SAFETY LAWS ARE EFFECTIVE
* * * * *
THE AGE OF THE SAFETY AND HEALTH LAWS DOES NOT AFFECT ITS EFFECTIVENESS AND USEFULNESS AS LONG AS THEY ARE APPLICABLE AND PRACTICABLE IN THE CURRENT SITUATION, LABOUR DEPARTMENT’S CHIEF FACTORY INSPECTOR, MR CHAN TAT-KING, SAID TODAY (FRIDAY).
SPEAKING AT A PRESS CONFERENCE ON INDUSTRIAL SAFETY AND HEALTH, MR CHAN SAID: "THIS CAN BE REFLECTED BY THE HIGH CONVICTION RATE OF THE OFFENCES BROUGHT TO THE COURT."
LAST YEAR, THE FACTORY INSPECTORATE TOOK OUT A TOTAL OF 3,001 SUMMONSES AGAINST THE CONTRACTORS AND PROPRIETORS OF INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS FOR BREACHING PROVISIONS OF THE FACTORIES AND INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS ORDINANCE AND ITS SUBSIDIARY REGULATIONS.
THE NUMBER SHOWED AN INCREASE OF 6.7 PER CENT OVER 1992.
OF THEM, 2,925 SUMMONSES WERE CONVICTED AND A TOTAL FINE OF $17,222,150 WAS IMPOSED.
MR CHAN POINTED OUT THAT THE "TOP FIVE" OF COMMON SAFETY AND HEALTH BREACHES IN THE CONSTRUCTION AND MANUFACTURI NG INDUSTRIES WERE SIMPLE TN NATURE.
IN THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY, COMMON OFFENCES DETECTED INCLUDED FAILURE TO PROVIDE FENCING OR GUARD-RAILS TO DANGEROUS WORKING PLACES; FAILURE TO ENSURE THE USE OF PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT; FAILURE TO PROVIDE SUITABLE SCAFFOLD OR WORKING PLATFORMS; FAILURE TO MAINTAIN HOIST IN SAFE WORKING CONDITIONS; AND FAILURE TO GUARD DANGEROUS PARTS OF MACHINERY EFFECTIVELY.
IN THE MANUFACTURING INDUSTRY, THE OFFENCES INCLUDED FAILURE TO GUARD DANGEROUS PARTS OF MACHINERY EFFECTIVELY; FAILURE TO MAINTAIN SAFE MEANS OF ESCAPE; FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH SAFETY PRECAUTIONARY NOTICE; FAILURE TO PROVIDE SUITABLE EXIT DOORS; AND FAILURE TO TAKE ADEQUATE SAFETY PRECAUTION IN THE USE OF DANGEROUS SUBSTANCE.
"THE BLATANT VIOLATION OF THE BASIC SAFETY PROVISIONS WHICH ARE ESSENTIAL AND YET SIMPLE TO IMPLEMENT REFLECTS THE GENERAL APATHY AMONGST MANY CONTRACTORS AND PROPRIETORS," MR CHAN SAID.
THEY JUST TURN THEIR BLIND EYE TO THE LAW."
MR CHAN STRESSED THAT THE LAW BY ITSELF COULD NOT ACHIEVE THE GOAL OF PREVENTING ACCIDENTS OR ILL HEALTH.
"IT IS IMPERATIVE THAT THE EMPLOYERS AND EMPLOYEES WHO CREATE AND WORK WITH THE RISKS RESPECTIVELY SHOULD TAKE A MORE ACTIVE ROLE IN ELIMINATING THE RISKS.
"OF COURSE, THE EFFECTIVENESS OF A PIECE OF SAFETY LEGISLATION ALSO RELIES ON REGULAR REVIEWS AND UP-DATING, WHERE NECESSARY.
/"THIS IS .......
FRIDAY, MARCH 25, 1994
- 12 -
"THIS IS THE PROCESS TO WHICH THE DEPARTMENT IS FULLY COMMITTED," HE ADDED.
REVIEWING THE LEGISLATIVE IMPROVEMENTS MADE OVER THE PAST YEAR, MR CHAN SAID THE FACTORIES AND INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS ORDINANCE WAS AMENDED TO RAISE THE LEVELS OF PENALTY ACCORDING TO THE SERIOUSNESS OF THE OFFENCES.
"THE MAXIMUM FINE FOR VERY SERIOUS OFFENCES HAS BEEN RAISED TO $200,000 TO INCREASE THE DETERRENT EFFECT," HE SAID.
"IN ADDITION, THE AMENDED FACTORIES AND INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS (LIFTING APPLIANCE AND LIFTING GEAR) REGULATION WAS ENACTED IN JULY 1993 TO STRENGTHEN REGULATORY MEASURES ON THE USE OF LIFTING EQUIPMENT IN INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS AND CONSTRUCTION SITES, INCLUDING THE COMPETENCE OF THE OPERATORS."
THE CHIEF FACTORY INSPECTOR ALSO POINTED OUT THAT WORK HAD BEEN CARRIED OUT AT AN ADVANCE STAGE TO AMEND THE CONSTRUCTION SITES (SAFETY) REGULATIONS TO PROHIBIT THE EMPLOYMENT OF UNTRAINED YOUNG PERSONS UNDER THE AGE OF 18 TO WORK ON CONSTRUCTION SITES.
THE COVERAGE OF THE SAFETY OFFICERS AND SAFETY SUPERVISORS REGULATIONS WILL BE EXTENDED TO REQUIRE THE EMPLOYMENT OF SAFETY OFFICERS ON CONSTRUCTION SITES AND SHIPYARDS WITH 100 OR MORE WORKERS.
FURTHERMORE, A NEW SUSPENDED WORKING PLATFORMS REGULATION IS BEING DRAFTED TO TIGHTEN CONTROL ON THE OPERATION OF GONDOLAS WHICH ARE WIDELY USED FOR EXTERNAL WALL CLEANING AND MAINTENANCE AT HIGH-RISE BUILDINGS.
THE ASBESTOS (AMENDMENT) SPECIAL REGULATIONS WILL BE MADE TO INTRODUCE A NEW CONTROL REGIME ON ASBESTOS HAZARD TO WORKERS.
THE SAFETY COMMITTEES REGULATION WILL BE PROPOSED TO REQUIRE THE SETTING UP OF SAFETY COMMITTEES FOR CONSTRUCTION SITES AND SHIPYARDS EMPLOYING OVER 100 WORKERS.
MR CHAN SAID THE FACTORY INSPECTORATE WAS AT PRESENT EXPLORING WAYS AND MEANS TO ASSIST THE MANAGEMENT, SUCH AS MANAGERS, DEVELOPERS, DESIGNERS AND ARCHITECTS, TO IMPROVE THEIR SAFETY AND HEALTH SYSTEM TO FURTHER PROTECT WORKERS.
"WE ARE ALSO CONSIDERING TO EXTEND THE POWER OF THE COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR TO ISSUE PROHIBITION NOTICES TO CONSTRUCTION SITES AND NOTIFIABLE WORKPLACES TO STOP ANY INDUSTRIAL PROCESS/PLANT THAT GIVES RISE TO UNACCEPTABLE HIGH RISKS TO WORKERS.
"THIS WILL ENABLE FACTORY INSPECTORS TO ACT FASTER ON EXTRAORDINARY HIGH RISK AREAS," HE SAID.
"MOREOVER, THE CONSTRUCTION SITES (SAFETY) REGULATIONS ARE CURRENTLY BEING OVERHAULED TO FURTHER IMPROVE THE CONTROL MEASURES FOR SAFETY AND HEALTH STANDARDS ON SITES, IN PARTICULAR, THE SAFETY OF WORKING AT HEIGHT," HE ADDED.
/WITH REGARD .......
FRIDAY, MARCH 25, 1994
13
WITH REGARD TO INDUSTRIAL ACCIDENTS, THE CHIEF FACTORY INSPECTOR DISCLOSED THAT A TOTAL OF 46,797 INDUSTRIAL ACCIDENTS WERE REPORTED LAST YEAR IN WHICH 92 WORKERS DIED.
"THE TOTAL NUMBER OF INDUSTRIAL ACCIDENTS HAVE BEEN DECREASING OVER THE PAST FIVE YEARS, AND THAT THE NUMBER OF ACCIDENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY HAS BEEN REDUCED FROM 18,815 IN 1992 TO 16,573 IN 1993, OR A DROP OF 11 PER CENT," MR CHAN SAID.
"HOWEVER, THE INCREASE OF FATAL ACCIDENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY FROM 48 IN 1992 TO 80 IN 1993 HAS BEEN MOST DISTURBING."
IN THIS REGARD, A NUMBER OF MEASURES ARE BEING ADOPTED WITH A VIEW TO STRENGTHENING THE CONTROLS ON CONSTRUCTION SITE SAFETY, MR CHAN NOTED.
"FIRST OF ALL, MORE VIGOROUS ENFORCEMENT ACTIONS WILL BE TAKEN AGAINST BLATANT OFFENDERS UNDER SAFETY REGULATIONS ON SITES, INCLUDING CONTRACTORS, SUB-CONTRACTORS AND EMPLOYEES.
"A SPECIAL TASK FORCE HAS BEEN MOBILISED EARLIER THIS MONTH TO TARGET SITES WITH BAD ACCIDENT RECORDS OR INVOLVING HIGH-RISK WORK ACTIVITIES.
"MORE FACTORY INSPECTORS WILL BE DEPLOYED TO MONITOR SITE SAFETY."
MR CHAN SAID AS REGISTERED SAFETY OFFICERS ON SITES WOULD PLAY A KEY ROLE IN THE IMPROVEMENT OF SAFETY, FACTORY INSPECTORS WOULD CLOSELY LIAISE WITH THEM AND PROVIDED THEM WITH ADVICE WHENEVER NECESSARY TO ASSIST THEM TO FULFIL THEIR FUNCTIONS AND TO INFLUENCE THEIR EMPLOYERS.
"IN THE LONG RUN, EMPHASIS WOULD BE PLACED ON HELPING THE EMPLOYERS IMPROVE THEIR SAFETY MANAGEMENT PERFORMANCE, SUCH AS ASSISTING THEM TO CARRY OUT THEIR OWN RISK ASSESSMENT, IMPROVING THEIR SAFETY MANAGEMENT TECHNIQUES, AND PLANNING THEIR SAFETY AUDIT SYSTEM.
"THIS LONG-TERM POLICY IS IN ESSENCE CENTRED UPON THE PREVAILING PHILOSOPHY THAT THOSE WHO CREATE AND WORK WITH THE HAZARDS SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR ELIMINATING THEM.
"TO BACK IT UP, THE GOVERNMENT WILL CONTINUE TO ACT AS A CATALYST AND A FACILITATOR TO HELP EMPLOYERS AND EMPLOYEES TO FULFIL THEIR LEGAL OBLIGATIONS SO THAT THERE WILL BE FEWER ACCIDENTS AND LESS ILL HEALTH IN OUR PLACE OF WORK," MR CHAN ADDED.
- - 0---------
/14 ........
FRIDAY, MARCH 25, 1994
- 14 -
RECONSTRUCTION OF NEW CLEAR WATER BAY ROAD * * * * *
THE HIGHWAYS DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR THE RECONSTRUCTION OF NEW CLEAR WATER BAY ROAD - SECTION FROM PING SHEK ESTATE TO ANDERSON ROAD.
THE WORKS INCLUDE RECONSTRUCTION OF CARRIAGEWAYS AND FOOTPATHS ALONG NEW CLEAR WATER BAY ROAD FROM PING SHEK ESTATE TO ANDERSON ROAD AND THE NECESSARY UPGRADING OF STORMWATER DRAINAGE SYSTEM, ROAD PAVEMENT DRAINAGE SYSTEM, AND IMPROVEMENT TO ROADSIDE LANDSCAPING.
IN THE COURSE OF THE WORKS, UTILITY COMPANIES WILL UNDERTAKE RENEWAL AND FURTHER PROVISION OF UTILITY SERVICES.
THE WORKS ARE SCHEDULED TO START IN THE MIDDLE OF THIS YEAR AND COMPLETE IN MID-1996.
A NOTICE ON THE TENDER INVITATION WAS PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE TODAY (FRIDAY).
FORMS OF TENDER AND FURTHER PARTICULARS MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE OFFICE OF THE CONSULTING ENGINEERS, PETER FRAENKEL BMT (ASIA) LIMITED, SEVENTH FLOOR, SWIRE & MACLAINE HOUSE, 21 AUSTIN AVENUE, KOWLOON. ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE ON TEL 369 0175.
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 APRIL 22. LATE TENDERS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.
THE WORKS HAVE BEEN DESIGNED AND CONSTRUCTION WILL BE SUPERVISED BY THE CONSULTING ENGINEERS, PETER FRAENKEL BMT (ASIA) LIMITED FOR THE HIGHWAYS DEPARTMENT.
--------0-----------
NEW LINE-UP FOR SPORTS DEVELOPMENT BOARD ANNOUNCED *****
THE SECRETARY FOR RECREATION AND CULTURE, MR JAMES SO, TODAY (FRIDAY) SAID THE GOVERNOR HAD MADE THE FOLLOWING APPOINTMENTS TO THE NEW HONG KONG SPORTS DEVELOPMENT BOARD FOR THE TERM APRIL 1 THIS YEAR TO MARCH 31, 1996:
CHAIRMAN
VICE-CHAIRMAN
MEMBERS
MR DAVID GLEDHILL
DR YORK CHOW
SECRETARY FOR RECREATION AND CULTURE
MAJOR-GENERAL G H WATKINS
MR R L WILSON
MR CHAU HOW-CHEN
MR FOK TSUN-TING, TIMOTHY
MRS LAI WEI KIT-LIN, MINNIE
MR KONG CHURK-HOI, BILLY
MR CHIU SHEEN-CHARM, LOUIS
/THE FOLLOWING .......
FRIDAY, MARCH 25, 1994
THE FOLLOWING WILL CONTINUE TO HE EX-OFFICIO MEMBERS OF THE
BOARD:
CHAIRMAN OF THE URBAN COUNCIL, OR HIS REPRESENTATIVE
CHAIRMAN OF THE REGIONAL COUNCIL, OR HIS REPRESENTATIVE
PRESIDENT OF THE AMATEUR SPORTS FEDERATION AND OLYMPIC COMMITTEE OF HONG KONG, OR HIS REPRESENTATIVE
THE TERM OF APPOINTMENT OF THE EXISTING BOARD WILL EXPIRE AT THE END OF THIS MONTH.
WITH THE ENACTMENT OF THE HONG KONG SPORTS DEVELOPMENT BOARD (AMENDMENT) ORDINANCE ON FEBRUAR’i 3 THIS YEAR AND THE INTEGRATION OF THE HONG KONG SPORTS DEVELOPMENT BOARD AND THE HONG KONG SPORTS INSTITUTE WITH EFFECT FROM APRIL 1 THIS YEAR, A NEW BOARD CHAIRED BY MR GLEDHILL WILL BE FORMED.
MR GLEDHILL IS ALSO THE CHAIRMAN OF THE CURRENT HONG KONG SPORTS DEVELOPMENT BOARD.
"A CONSOLIDATED BOARD EMBRACING THE HONG KONG SPORTS INSTITUTE WILL ENSURE THAT RESOURCES ARE PUT TO OPTIMUM USE FOR THE BETTER DEVELOPMENT OF SPORTS IN HONG KONG," MR SO SAID.
FOUR SERVING MEMBERS OF THE EXISTING HONG KONG SPORTS DEVELOPMENT BOARD, MR HOWARD YOUNG, MR VICTOR HUI, MRS NG LEUNG MEE-LEE AND MISS BETTY MAIR, WILL STANp DOWN ON APRIL 1.
THEIR VALUABLE CONTRIBUTIONS TO SPORTS DURING THEIR PERIOD OF SERVICE ARE MUCH APPRECIATED, HE SAID.
"IN MAKING THE NEW APPOINTMENTS TO THE HONG KONG SPORTS DEVELOPMENT BOARD, THE GOVERNMENT HAS ATTACHED GREAT IMPORTANCE TO ACHIEVING A BALANCED AND COMPREHENSIVE REPRESENTATION FROM THE SPORTS COMMUNITY IN ORDER TO HELP SPORTS PROGRESS.
"THE NEW MEMBERSHIP COVERS A WIDE SPECTRUM OF SPORTS, SUCH AS TEAM AND INDIVIDUAL SPORTS, LAND AND WATER SPORTS, SPECTATOR AND PARTICIPATIVE SPORTS, SPORTS FOR THE DISABLED AND AT THE GRASSROOTS LEVEL.
"WE HAVE AIMED TO IDENTIFY MEMBERS WHO POSSESS NOT ONLY SPORTS KNOWLEDGE AND INTEREST BUT ALSO ADDITIONAL QUALITIES AND EXPERIENCE WHICH WILL BE OF SPECIAL VALUE TO THE BOARD," MR SO SAID.
HE SAID THE EX-OFFICIO MEMBERS ON THE BOARD WOULD CONTINUE TO ACT AS AN ESSENTIAL LINK BETWEEN THE BOARD \ND THE ORGANISATIONS WHICH THEY REPRESENT.
THE GOVERNOR HAS ALSO APPOINTED MAJOR-GENERAL GUY WATKINS, WHO IS THE CHAIRMAN OF THE CURRENT HONG KONG SPORTS INSTITUTE BOARD, TO BE THE CHAIRMAN OF THE HONG KONG SPORTS INSTITUTE MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE WHICH WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR Till MANAGEMENT OF THE HONG KONG SPORTS INSTITUTE.
THE APPOINTMENT WILL BE FOR THE PERIOD APRIL 1 THIS YEAR TO MARCH 31, 1996.
- - 0 - -
/16
FRIDAY, MARCH 25, 1994
- 16 -
JAPANESE BANK GETS HK LICENCE
*****
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (FRIDAY) THAT THE HIROSHIMA BANK, LTD HAD BEEN GRANTED A BANKING LICENCE TO CONDUCT BUSINESS IN HONG KONG.
IT IS THE 31ST LARGEST BANK IN JAPAN AND RANKS 131ST IN THE WORLD IN TERMS OF CAPITAL. IT HAS 220 BRANCHES IN JAPAN, TWO BRANCHES IN NEW YORK AND LONDON, AND A BANKING SUBSIDIARY IN AMSTERDAM.
IN HONG KONG, IT HAS BEEN OPERATING A REPRESENTATIVE OFFICE SINCE 1985.
THE BANK WISHES TO UPGRADE THE OFFICE TO A BRANCH TO ENABLE IT TO OFFER A WIDER RANGE OF BANKING SERVICES TO ITS CLIENTS DOING BUSINESS IN HONG KONG, CHINA, AND THE SOUTHEAST ASIAN COUNTRIES.
THE PROPOSED BRANCH WILL CONCENTRATE ON INTERNATIONAL LOAN SYNDICATION AND TRADE FINANCING.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE CONTINUING INTEREST OF FOREIGN BANKS IN ENTERING THE LOCAL MARKET REFLECTED HONG KONG’S CONTINUED IMPORTANCE AND ATTRACTIVENESS AS A MAJOR INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL CENTRE.
THE LICENCE FOR HIROSHIMA BANK. LTD IS THE THIRD BANKING LICENCE GRANTED THIS YEAR.
THERE ARE NOW 175 LICENSED BANKS IN HONG KONG, OF WHICH 143 ARE INCORPORATED OUTSIDE THE TERRITORY.
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DRAFT MA ON SHAN OUTLINE ZONING PLAN AMENDED *****
THE TOWN PLANNING BOARD ANNOUNCED CERTAIN AMENDMENTS TO THE DRAFT MA ON SHAN OUTLINE ZONING PLAN TODAY (FRIDAY).
ONE OF THESE AMENDMENTS IS THAT A STRIP OF LAND ALONG THE COAST OF TAI PO HOI NEAR NAI CHUNG HAS BEEN REZONEI) FROM ’GREEN BELT’ TO ’SITE OF SPECIAL SCIENTIFIC INTEREST’ TO PROTECT THE RARE GEOLOGICAL FEATURES.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE BOARD SAID THE FLAT LAND EAST OF THE LI PO CHUN UNITED WORLD COLLEGE, WHICH IS BEING USED AS A PICNIC AREA, HAD BEEN REZONED FROM 'GREEN BELT’ TO ’RECREATION’ TO FACILITATE ITS DEVELOPMENT INTO A PROPER RECREATIONAL AREA.
ANOTHER AMENDMENT IS THE REZONING OF A SITE AT MA ON SHAN ROAD OPPOSITE YIU ON ESTATE FROM ’GOVERNMENT/INST ITUTION/COMMUNITY’ TO 'RESIDENTIAL (GROUP B) 2’ FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF SANDWICH CLASS HOUSING.
/TO PROVIDE .......
FRIDAY, MARCH 25, 1994
- 17 -
TO PROVIDE A PROMENADE ALONG THE WATERFRONT, THREE STRIPS OF LAND ALONG THE COAST OF SHA TIN HOI HAVE BEEN REZONED FROM RESIDENTIAL AND ’GOVERNMENT/1NSTI TUTION/COMMUNITY’ USES TO 'OPEN SPACE’.
HE ADDED THAT IN RECOGNITION OF THE RIGHTS OF INDIGENOUS VILLAGERS TO DEVELOP SMALL HOUSES, AREAS AT MA ON SHAN TSUEN AND MUI TSZ LAM HAD BEEN REZONED FROM ’GREEN BELT’ TO 'VILLAGE TYPE DEVELOPMENT’.
UNDER THE NOTES FOR ’VILLAGE TYPE DEVELOPMENT’, THE MAXIMUM BUILDING HEIGHT FOR NEW REDEVELOPMENT IS 8.23 METRES (WHICH IS EQUIVALENT TO THREE STOREYS) OR THE HEIGHT OF EXISTING BUILDINGS.
OTHER AMENDMENTS INCLUDE THE REZONING OF AN AREA ADJACENT TO THE EXISTING CAR PARK OPPOSITE SAI O VILLAGE FROM ’ROAD’ TO ’GOVERNMENT/INSTITUTION/COMMUNITY’, A PROPOSED PETROL-FILLING STATION SITE TO THE WEST OF SAI O VILLAGE FROM 'OTHER SPECIFIED USES (PETROL FILLING STATION)’ TO 'OPEN SPACE’, AND A PROPOSED OPEN SPACE SITE TO THE SOUTHEAST OF CHEUNG MUK TAU VILLAGE FROM 'OPEN SPACE’ TO ’GREEN BELT’ .
OTHER REZONING AREAS INCLUDE THE PRIMARY SCHOOL TO THE SOUTH OF SUNSHINE CITY FROM ’RESIDENTIAL (GROUP A)’ TO
’GOVERNMENT/INSTITUTION/COMMUNITY’, AND THE ELECTRIC SUBSTATION AND SEWAGE PUMPING STATION FROM THE SOUTHWEST OF HENG ON ESTATE FROM ’INDUSTRIAL’ TO ’GOVERNMENT/1NSTITUTION/COMMUNITY’ .
THE AMENDED DRAFT OUTLINE ZONING PLAN IS NOW AVAILABLE FOR PUBLIC INSPECTION UNTIL APRIL 15 AT:
* PLANNING DEPARTMENT,
16TH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG
* SHA TIN AND NORTH EAST DISTRICT PLANNING OFFICE, GROUND FLOOR, SHA TIN GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 6 TUNG LO WAN HILL ROAD, SHA TIN
* SHA TIN DISTRICT OFFICE, SIXTH FLOOR, KCRC HOUSE, SHA TIN STATION, SHA TIN; AND
t TAI PO DISTRICT OFFICE,
TAI PO GOVERNMENT OFFICES, TING KOK ROAD, TAI PO
ANY PERSON AFFECTED BY THE AMENDMENTS MAY SUBMIT WRITTEN OBJECTIONS TO THE SECRETARY OF THE TOWN PLANNING BOARD, C/O PLANNING DEPARTMENT, 13TH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD ON OR BEFORE APRIL 15.
COPIES OF THE AMENDMENT PLAN ARE ON SALE AT THE SURVEY AND MAPPING OFFICE, LANDS DEPARTMENT, 14TH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG AND THE KOWLOON MAP SALES SECTION, 382 NATHAN ROAD, KOWLOON.
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/18 ........
FRIDAY, MARCH 25, 1994
18
QUALITY - THE WAY TO REMAIN COMPETITIVE
*****
HONG KONG’S MANUFACTURERS HAVE TO EMPHASISE THE CONCEPT OF QUALITY IN MANAGEMENT, MANUFACTURING, AS WELL AS IN THE PRODUCTS AND SERVICES THEMSELVES IN ORDER TO REMAIN COMPETITIVE, THE SECRETARY FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY, MR T H CHAU, SAID TODAY (FRIDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING OF QUALITY WEEK AND THE PRESENTATION CEREMONY OF THE HONG KONG Q-MARK COUNCIL LICENCE, MR CHAU SAID HONG KONG MANUFACTURERS WERE FACING MANY IMPORTANT CHALLENGES IN THE 1990’S.
"ONE OF THE CHALLENGES IS THE GROWING DEMAND FOR HIGH QUALITY PRODUCTS AND SERVICES IN ALL OUR MARKETS.
"CUSTOMERS ARE NOW DEMANDING PRODUCTS AND SERVICES THAT ARE SAFE, WELL-DESIGNED, RELIABLE AND GIVE VALUE FOR MONEY," HE SAID.
IN ORDER TO RAISE THE LEVEL OF QUALITY AWARENESS AND COMMITMENT AMONG LOCAL MANUFACTURERS, THE GOVERNMENT LAUNCHED A THREE-YEAR QUALITY AWARENESS CAMPAIGN IN MARCH 1990.
"THIS CAMPAIGN HAS ENJOYED CONSIDERABLE SUCCESS IN ENHANCING QUALITY AWARENESS IN OUR MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES.
"TO PROMOTE AND RECOGNISE COMPANIES WHICH EXCEL IN QUALITY, THE INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT ALSO INTRODUCED THE QUALITY CATEGORY IN THE ANNUAL GOVERNOR’S AWARD FOR INDUSTRY IN 1990," MR CHAU SAID.
AS MORE AND MORE COMPANIES DEVELOPED THEIR QUALITY MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS AND BECAME ISO 9000 REGISTERED, MR CHAU SAID THE SCENE WAS SET FOR A MOVE BY COMPANIES TOWARDS ADOPTING A TOTAL QUALITY PHI-LOSOPHY WITHIN THE ORGANISATIONS - A TOTAL QUALITY MANAGEMENT (TQM) APPROACH.
AT THE CEREMONY, MR CHAU PRESENTED Q-MARK LICENCES TO 11 COMPANIES WHOSE PRODUCTS HAD COMPLIED WITH THE RECOGNISED STANDARDS AND SPECIFICATION ON QUALITY.
AT PRESENT, THE Q-MARK COUNCIL HAS MORE THAN 300 LICENCES LISTED IN THE HONG KONG Q-MARK PRODUCTS REGISTER AND IS CURRENTLY PROCESSING 50 ADDITIONAL APPLICATIONS FOR PRODUCT CERTIFICATION.
QUALITY WEEK '94 IS ORGANISED BY THE INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT. A SERIES OF QUALITY PROMOTION ACTIVITIES TARGETED AT DIFFERENT GROUPS OF AUDIENCES HAVE BEEN LINED UP.
SIX SEMINARS, EACH FOCUSING ON A PARTICULAR ASPECT OF QUALITY MANAGEMENT, WILL BE HELD TO CATER FOR THE NEEDS OF THE PERSONNEL INVOLVED IN QUALITY IMPROVEMENT.
TO PROMOTE THE GENERAL AWARENESS OF QUALITY, THE INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT IS HOLDING AN EXHIBITION ON QUALITY AND QUALITY MANAGEMENT FROM MARCH 24 TO 27 AT THE HONG KONG CONVENTION AND EXHIBITION CENTRE.
/A NUMBER .......
FRIDAY, MARCH 25, 1994
- 19 -
A NUMBER OF POSTERS ON THE IMPORTANCE OF QUALITY IN THE PRODUCTION OF GOODS AND SERVICES WILL ALSO BE PUBLISHED.
IN ADDITION, SIX BOOKS, WRITTEN BY EXPERTS WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO THE HONG KONG ENVIRONMENT, WILL BE PUBLISHED IN SERIATIM THIS YEAR WITH AN AIM TO CREATE A LASTING QUALITY CULTURE AND A DYNAMIC TQM CONCEPT IN COMPANIES.
TWO OF THEM, ENTITLED ’’THE ROLE OF MANAGEMENT" AND "QUALITY IN MANUFACTURING", HAVE BEEN PUBLISHED. FREE COPIES ARE NOW AVAILABLE FROM THE INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT ON THE 36TH FLOOR, IMMIGRATION TOWER, 7 GLOUCESTER ROAD, WAN CHAI.
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WORKS FOR TWO PUMPING STATIONS
*****
WORK WILL START THIS MONTH ON LAYING EFFLUENT DISCHARGE AND SEA WATER INTAKE PIPEWORKS, AND ON CARRYING OUT SITE FORMATION WORKS FOR TWO PUMPING STATIONS AT SHAM TSENG, TSUEN WAN.
IT WILL ALSO INVOLVE DREDGING OF SEABED.
THE GOVERNMENT HAS GIVEN CHEER KONG LIMITED PERMISSION TO USE ABOUT 1,770 SQUARE METRES OF FORESHORE AND SEABED AT SHAM TSENG TO CARRY OUT THE WORK, WHICH IS EXPECTED TO TAKE EIGHT MONTHS.
THE EXTENT OF THE AREA AFFECTED IS DESCRIBED IN A NOTICE PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE TODAY (FRIDAY).
THE NOTICE AND THE RELATED WORK PLAN CAN BE SEEN AT:
* THE LANDS DEPARTMENT’S SURVEY AND MAPPING OFFICE, 14TH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, CENTRAL, HONG KONG.
» TSUEN WAN DISTRICT OFFICE, FIRST FLOOR, TSUEN WAN STATION MULTI-STOREY CARPARK BUILDING, 174-208 CASTLE PEAK ROAD, TSUEN WAN, NEW TERRITORIES.
ANY PERSON WHO CONSIDERS THAT HIS INTEREST, RIGHT OR EASEMENT IN OR OVER THE FORESHORE AND SEABED INVOLVED WILL BE AFFECTED BY THE WORK MAY WRITE TO THE DIRECTOR OF LANDS FOR COMPENSATION ON OR BEFORE MARCH 25, 1995.
HE SHOULD INDICATE THE AMOUNT OF MONEY HE IS WILLING TO ACCEPT IN FULL AND FINAL SETTLEMENT OF HIS CLAIM AND SUBMIT ANY PARTICULARS TO SUBSTANTIATE HIS CLAIM.
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/20 .......
FRIDAY, MARCH 25, 1994
- 20 -
TSEUNG KWAN O OUTLINE ZONING PLAN AMENDED
*****
THE TOWN PLANNING BOARD TODAY (FRIDAY) ANNOUNCED SEVERAL AMENDMENTS TO THE DRAFT TSEUNG KWAN O OUTLINE ZONING PLAN.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE BOARD SAID TWO SITES IN AREA 13 AND PO HONG ROAD HAD BEEN REZONED FROM ’OPEN SPACE’ AND ’GOVERNMENT/INSTITUTION/COMMUNITY’ TO ’RESIDENTIAL (GROUP A)’ FOR SANDWICH CLASS HOUSING DEVELOPMENT.
”A SITE ON ROAD P2 HAS BEEN REZONED FROM ’OPEN SPACE’ TO ’GOVERNMENT/INSTITUTION/COMMUNITY’ FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF A SWIMMING POOL COMPLEX, A REGIONAL LIBRARY AND AN INDOOR RECREATION CENTRE.
’’ANOTHER AMENDMENT IS THE REZONING OF A SITE ON PO HONG ROAD FROM ’GOVERNMENT/INSTITUTION/COMMUNITY’ TO ’OPEN SPACE’ IN ORDER TO INTEGRATE WITH THE ADJOINING SITE FOR A MORE COHERENT DISTRICT OPEN SPACE DEVELOPMENT,” HE ADDED.
OTHER AMENDMENTS INCLUDF THE REZONING OF A SITE ON CHIU SHUN ROAD FROM ’GOVERNMENT/INSTITUTION/COMMUNITY’ TO ’VILLAGE TYPB DEVELOPMENT’; AND THE TRANSFERRING OF ’GAS WORKS’ FROM THE ’’USES THAT MAY BE PERMITTED WITH OR WITHOUT CONDITIONS ON APPLICATION TO TOWN PLANNING BOARD” COLUMN TO "USES ALWAYS PERMITTED” COLUMN IN THE ’NOTES OF OTHER SPECIFIED USES FOR INDUSTRIAL ESTATE ONLY’.
THE AMENDED DRAFT OUTLINE ZONING PLAN IS NOW AVAILABLE FOR PUBLIC INSPECTION UNTIL APRIL 15 AT:
» PLANNING DEPARTMENT,
16TH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG
♦ SAI KUNG & TSEUNG KWAN O DISTRICT PLANNING OFFICE, SUITE 1209, 12TH FLOOR, CHINACHEM GOLDEN PLAZA, 77 MODY ROAD, TSIM SHA TSUI EAST, KOWLOON, AND
» SAI KUNG DISTRICT OFFICE,
GROUND FLOOR, SAI KUNG GOVERNMENT OFFICES BUILDING, 34, CHAN MAN STREET, SAI KUNG, NEW TERRITORIES.
ANY PERSON OBJECTIONS TO THE DEPARTMENT, 13TH APRIL 15.
AFFECTED BY THE AMENDMENTS MAY SUBMIT WRITTEN SECRETARY OF THE TOWN PLANNING BOARD, C/O PLANNING FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD ON OR BEFORE
COPIES OF THE AMENDED PLAN ARE ON SALE AT THE SURVEY AND MAPPING OFFICE, LANDS DEPARTMENT, 14TH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG AND THE KOWLOON MAP SALES SECTION, 382 NATHAN ROAD, KOWLOON.
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/21 .......
FRIDAY, MARCH 25, 1994
- 21 -
USA BUSINESS MISSION TO HK AND CHINA *****
A DELEGATION OF SENIOR BUSINESS EXECUTIVES FROM NEW YORK WILL ARRIVE IN HONG KONG TONIGHT (FRIDAY) ON THE FIRST LEG OF THEIR VFSIT TO HONG KONG, SHENZHEN AND SHANGHAI.
IN HONG KONG THEY WILL MEET CHIEF SECRETARY, MRS ANSON CHAN; POLITICAL ADVISER, MR ROBERT PEIRCE; SECRETARY FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY, MR T II CHAU, SECRETARY FOR FINANCIAL SERVICES, MR MICHAEL CARTLAND; HONG KONG STOCK EXCHANGE CHAIRMAN, MR CHARLES LEE; JAND REPRESENTATIVES OF LEADING COMPANIES SUCH AS JOHN SWIRE AND fUlNS LTD, WHARF LTD, CITIC, HKSBC, HONG KONG TELECOM AND NOMURA RESEARCI^j
THEY WILL ALSO VISIT THE NEW AIRPORT SITE AT CHEK LAP KOK. ■
ORGANISED BY THE HONG KONG ASSOCIATION OF NEW YORK, INC AND THE HONG KONG ECONOMIC AND TRADE OFFICE IN NEW YORK, THE 11-DAY MISSION WILL HIGHLIGHT BUSINESS AND INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES IN HONG KONG AND IN CHINA.
ENTITLED "DOING BUSINESS WITH CHINA THROUGH HONG KONG", THE MISSION IS LED BY MR RODERICK RICHARDS, CHAIRMAN OF THE HONG KONG ASSOCIATION OF NEW YORK AND MR PETER R SCHMIDT, MANAGING DIRECTOR OF BOYDEN METRO NEW YORK.
ON WEDNESDAY (MARCH 30) THE GROUP WILL VISIT SHENZHEN AND THE FOLLOWING DAY DEPART FOR SHANGHAI.
THE HONG KONG ASSOCIATION OF NEW YORK, INC IS A NON-PROFIT ORGANISATION SET UP TO PROMOTE BUSINESS AND ECONOMIC TIES AND FOSTER MUTUAL UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN UNITED STATES AND HONG KONG.
ATTENTION NEWS EDITORS:
MR RODERICK RICHARDS, MR PETER SCHMIDT OR GROUP MEMBER MR HENRY WAN (FOR CHINESE LANGUAGE PRESS) WOULD BE AVAILABLE FOR INTERVIEWS FROM TOMORROW (SATURDAY). THEY CAN BE CONTACTED AT 'THE KOWLOON SHANGRI-LA HOTEL.
?»
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WATER ENQUIRY CENTRES UNDERGO RENOVATION » * t « »
THE WATER SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT IS RENOVATING ITS SEVEN CUSTOMER ENQUIRY CENTRES TO IMPROVE THEIR SERVICE ENVIRONMENT.
THE CENTRE ON THE SECOND FLOOR, NGAU TAU KOK GOVERNMENT OFFICE, 21 ON WAH STREET, NGAU TAU KOK, HAS BEEN RECENTLY CLOSED FOR THE WORKS.
/A SPOKESMAN .......
FRIDAY, MARCH 25, 1994
- 22 -
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT TODAY (FRIDAY) SAID FULL SERVICES WOULD RESUME IN LATE APRIL THIS YEAR ON COMPLETION OF RENOVATION.
V WORKS FOR OTHER CUSTOMER ENQUIRY CENTRES WILL BE CARRIED OUT IN PHASES.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID PUBLIC ENQUIRIES COULD BE MADE ON THE ENQUIRY HOTLINE, 824 5000.
THE PUBLIC CAN ALSO MAKE USE OF THE NEWLY INTRODUCED 24-HOUR WATER INFOLINK SERVICE TO OBTAIN INFORMATION ABOUT WATER ACCOUNT AND SUPPLY MATTERS, n*
THE TELEPHONE NUMBER OF THE SERVICE IS 802 9966.
MEANWHILE, CUSTOMERS MAY VISIT ANY OF THE FOLLOWING CUSTOMER ENQUIRY CENTRES:
* WANCHAI CUSTOMER ENQUIRY CENTRE, IMMIGRATION TOWER, FIRST FLOOR, 7 GLOUCESTER ROAD, WAN CHAI, HONG KONG.
* SHAUKEIWAN CUSTOMER ENQUIRY CENTRE, PERFECT MOUNT GARDENS, GROUND FLOOR, PO MAN STREET,
,'w SHAU KEI WAN,
HONG KONG.
* MONGKOK CUSTOMER ENQUIRY CENTRE, 128 SAI YEE STREET, GROUND FLOOR, MONG KOK, KOWLOON.
♦ TSUEN WAN CUSTOMER ENQUIRY CENTRE, KWAI HING GOVERNMENT OFFICES, FIFTH FLOOR, 166-174 HING FONG ROAD, KWAI CHUNG, NEW TERRITORIES.
» SHATIN CUSTOMER ENQUIRY CENTRE, KCR HOUSE, SHATIN STATION, SHA TIN; AND
» TAI PO CUSTOMER ENQUIRY CENTRE, TAI PO GOVERNMENT OFFICES BUILDING, FOURTH FLOOR, TING KOK ROAD, TAI PO MARKET, NEW TERRITORIES.
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/23 .......
FRIDAY, MARCH 25, 1994
- 23 -
SHAU KEI WAN ROAD TO BE REBUILT ♦ * t * ♦
THE HIGHWAYS DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR THE RECONSTRUCTION OF SHAU KEI WAN ROAD BETWEEN ALDRICH STREET AND TAIKOO SHING ROAD.
THE WORKS COMPRISE THE RECONSTRUCTION OF THE EXISTING CARRIAGEWAY AND ITS ASSOCIATED FOOTWAYS; LAYING OF FRESH WATERMAIN; AND SOME MINOR TRAFFIC IMPROVEMENT WORKS.
IN ADDITION, THE EXISTING STORMWATER DRAINS AND SEWERS ALONG THE SECTIONS OF THE ROAD WILL BE UPGRADED.
CONSTRUCTION WORKS ARE EXPECTED TO START IN JUNE THIS YEAR AND WILL TAKE ABOUT 26 MONTHS TO COMPLETE.
A NOTICE ON THE TENDER INVITATION WAS PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE TODAY (FRIDAY).
TENDER FORMS AND FURTHER PARTICULARS ARE OBTAINABLE FROM THE REGIONAL HIGHWAY ENGINEF.R/HONG KONG. HIGHWAYS DEPARTMENT, EIGHTH FLOOR, HENNESSY CENTRE, 500 HENNESSY ROAD, CAUSEWAY BAY, HONG KONG.
ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE ON TEL 895 8409.
TENDERS MUST BE ADDRESSED TO THE CHAIRMAN, CENTRAL TENDER BOARD, AND PLACED IN THE GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT TENDER BOX IN THE LIFT LOBBY ON THE LOWER GROUND FLOOR OF THE CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, EAST WING, LOWER ALBERT ROAD, HONG KONG, BEFORE NOON ON AP« ’ > 22.
THE WORKS HAVE BEEN DESIGNED AND CONSTRUCTION WILL BE SUPERVISED BY THE HIGHWAYS/HONG KONG REGION OF HIGHWAYS DEPARTMENT.
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DRAFT OUTLINE ZONING PLAN AMENDED ♦ * ♦ ♦ ♦
THE TOWN PLANNING BOARD TODAY (FRIDAY) ANNOUNCED AMENDMENTS TO THE DRAFT KENNEDY TOWN AND MOUNT DAVIS OUTLINE ZONING PLAN.
MAJOR AMENDMENTS INCLUDE DESIGNATING THE AREA FOR THE ISLAND WEST REFUSE TRANSFER STATION IN A CAVERN UNDER MOUNT DAVIS TO ’’VILLAGE TYPE DEVELOPMENT (SUB-AREA 1)” AND ’’GREEN BELT (SUB-AREA 1)” ZONES.
REMARKS HAVE BEEN ADDED UNDER THE NOTES FOR THESE ZONES TO PERMIT THE DEVELOPMENT OF UNDERGROUND REFUSE TRANSFER STATION.
UNDER THE GOVERNMENT’S WASTE DISPOSAL STRATEGY, THE PROPOSED STATION WILL TRANSPORT WASTE IN BULK FROM THE URBAN AREA TO THE STRATEGIC LANDFILLS IN THE NEW TERRITORIES FOR FINAL DISPOSAL.
/THE STATION .......
FRIDAY, MARCH 25, 1994
- 24 -
THE STATION WILL BE LOCATED IN A MAN-MADE CAVERN 20 TO 80 METRES BELOW GROUND LEVEL.
THE CONSTRUCTION AND OPERATION OF THE STATION WILL NOT AFFECT DEVELOPMENTS AT THE GROUND LEVEL NOR CAUSE ANY ADVERSE ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS ON THEM.
TO FACILITATE DEVELOPMENT OF ABOVE-GROUND ANCILLARY FACILITIES FOR THE REFUSE TRANSFER STATION, AN AREA AT SAI NING STREET HAS BEEN REZONED FROM ’’GREEN BELT”, "GOVERNMENT/INSTITUTION/COMMUNITY”, "OTHER SPECIFIED USES" ANNOTATED "CARGO HANDLING AREA" AND "OPEN SPACE" TO "OTHER SPECIFIED USES" ANNOTATED "USES RELATED TO UNDERGROUND REFUSE TRANSFER STATION".
OTHER AMENDMENTS INCLUDE THE INTRODUCTION OF A MAXIMUM PLOT RATIO OF 1.2 AND A MAXIMUM SITE COVERAGE OF 20 PER CENT FOR THE "RESIDENTIAL (GROUP O" ZONE AT MOUNT DAVIS ROAD TO ENSURE COMPATIBILITY OF THE BUILDING DEVELOPMENT IN THIS AREA WITH THE SURROUNDING ENVIRONMENT.
SIMILAR DEVELOPMENT CONTROL HAS ALREADY BEEN STATED IN THE LEASE CONDITIONS. FOR THE SITES WITHIN THE "RESIDENTIAL (GROUP C)" ZONE.
THE AMENDMENT AIMS AT STRENGTHENING CONTROL THROUGH THE STATUTORY PLAN. IT DOES NOT SUBSTANTIALLY AFFECT THE REDEVELOPMENT POTENTIAL OF THE SITES.
THE AMENDMENT PLAN (NO. S/Hl/5) IS AVAILABLE FOR PUBLIC INSPECTION UNTIL APRIL 15 AT:
* HONG KONG DISTRICT PLANNING OFFICE,
11 TH FLOOR, LEIGHTON CENTRE, LEIGHTON ROAD, HONG KONG;
* PLANNING DEPARTMENT,
16TH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING,
GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG; AND
* CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT OFFICE,
PUBLIC ENQUIRY SERVICE CENTRE,
GROUND FLOOR, HARBOUR BUILDING,
38 PIER ROAD, HONG KONG.
ANY PERSON AFFECTED BY THE AMENDMENTS MAY SEND HIS WRITTEN OBJECTION TO THE SECRETARY OF THE TOWN PLANNING BOARD, C/O PLANNING DEPARTMENT, 13TH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING BEFORE APRIL 15.
COPIES OF THE AMENDMENT PLAN ARE AVAILABLE FOR SALE AT THE SURVEY AND MAPPING OFFICE, LANDS DEPARTMENT, 14TH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, AND THE KOWLOON MAP SALES SECTION, 382 NATHAN ROAD, KOWLOON.
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/25 .......
FRIDAY, MARCH 25, 1994
- 25 -
PREQUALIFICATION OF TENDERERS INVITED FOR ROAD EXTENSION * » » ♦ *
THE HIGHWAYS DEPARTMENT IS INVITING APPLICATIONS FROM CONTRACTORS TO PREQUALIFY FOR TENDERING THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE SMITHFIELD EXTENSION.
THE WORKS MAINLY COMPRISE THE CONSTRUCTION OF TWO-WAY DISTRICT DISTRIBUTOR ROAD LINKING EXISTING SMITHFIELD TO POKFULAM ROAD, REPROVISION OF POK FU LAM ROAD PLAYGROUND, REALIGNMENT OF CARRIAGEWAY AND FOOTWAYS ALONG PARTS OF EXISTING MOUNT DAVIS ROAD, DIVERSION OF WATER MAINS, ASSOCIATED DRAINAGE, LANDSCAPING AND OTHER ANCILLARY WORKS.
A NOTICE ON THE PREQUALIFICATION APPLICATION WAS PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE TODAY (FRIDAY).
CONTRACTORS CONFIRMED ON THE APPROVED CONTRACTORS FOR PUBLIC WORKS LIST I GROUP C CONFIRMED FOR ROADS AND DRAINAGE WORKS, OR ON LIST II CONFIRMED FOR ROADS AND DRAINAGE WORKS, OR JOINT VENTURES OF THE SAID LIST I AND II APPROVED CONTRACTORS WHO ARE INTERESTED IN PREQUALIFYING SHOULD WRITE TO THE PROJECT MANAGER, PY PUN ENGINEERING CONSULTANTS LTD, .101 ASIAN HOUSE, 1 HENNESSY ROAD, WAN CHAI, HONG KONG FOR DETAILS.
COMPLETED PREQUALIFJ CAT ION SUBMISSION SHALL BE SUBMITTED AS DIRECTED NOT LATER THAN NOON ON APRIL 22.
TENDERS WILL BE CALLED IN JUNE THIS YEAR FROM THE PREQULAIFIED CONTRACTORS. CONSTRUCTION IS EXPECTED To START IN AUGUST THIS YEAR AND WILL BE COMPLETED IN MID 1997.
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LOCAL FAMILIES UNDER STRESS »»»•»*
FAMILIES IN HONG KONG ARE UNDER GREAT STRESS TO PERFORM WELL ITS ROLE IN GIVING LOVE TO MEMBERS AND REARING CHILDREN, THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MR IAN STRACHAN,SAID TODAY (FRIDAY).
OPENING THE HONG KONG FAMILY WELFARE SOCIETY WEST KOWLOON CENTRE, MR STRACHAN SAID THE TIME HAD COME FOR THE SOCIETY TO STEP UP EFFORTS TO MEET THESE CHALLENGES.
POINTING OUT THE FAMILY IS THE MOST FUNDAMENTAL UNIT IN SOCIETY, MR STRACHAN SAID: "IT IS THE PLACE WHERE OUR SOCIAL AND MORAL VALUES ARE SHAPED, OUR EMOTIONAL BONDS FORMED AND OUR COPING SKILLS LEARNED."
"THE ROLF. OF THE FAMILY UNIT TO NURTURE OUR NEXT GENERATION TO BECOME HEALTHY AND RESPONSIBLE MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY IS INDISPUTABLE AND CANNOT BE REPLACED."
/UNFORTUNATELY, IN .......
FRIDAY, MARCH 25, 1994
- 26 -
UNFORTUNATELY, IN MANY SOCIETIES, HONG KONG BEING NO EXCEPTION, THE FAMILY UNIT IS BREAKING UP. THIS TERRITORY, IN PARTICULAR, HAS SEEN DYNAMIC CHANGES IN THE LAST DECADE, HE NOTED.
OUR POPULATION IS AGEING; SINGLE-PARENT FAMILIES ARE GROWING IN NUMBER; THE DIVORCE RATE IS RISING, AS IS FAMILY VIOLENCE, HE SAID.
TURNING TO THE WHITE PAPER ON SOCIAL WELFARE INTO THE 1990S AND BEYOND, MR STRACHAN SAID THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT HAD SPECIFIC PROGRAMMES TO HELP FAMILIES STAY CLEAR OF TROUBLE, TO SUPPORT CHILDREN AND THEIR PARENTS TO REMAIN IN THE FAMILY WITH COMMUNITY RESOURCES AND TO HELP LESS FORTUNATE FAMILIES COPE WITH THEIR PROBLEMS.
THE GOVERNOR, IN HIS 1993 POLICY SPEECH, HAD HIGHLIGHTED THE IMPORTANCE TO REAFFIRM THE FAMILY’S ROLE AS THE BASIC BUILDING BLOCK FOR A STABLE SOCIETY.
HE SAID THE DEPARTMENT WOULD SPEND MORE THAN $900 MILLION ON FAMILY AND CHILD WELFARE THIS YEAR, REPRESENTING A REAL INCREASE OF 17.5 PER CENT OVER THAT OF LAST YEAR, HE ADDED.
IN CONCLUSION, MR STRACHAN COMMENDED THE NON-GOVERNMENT SECTOR FOR BEING A VALUABLE PARTNER OF THE GOVERNMENT TN THE PROVISION OF FAMILY WELFARE SERVICES.
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40 EX-CHINA VIETNAMESE ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS SENT BACK * * * * *
FORTY EX-CHINA VIETNAMESE ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS (ECVIIS), COMPRISING 16 MEN, EIGHT WOMEN, EIGHT BOYS AND EIGHT GIRLS, WERE RETURNED TO HAIKOU, HAINAN THIS (FRIDAY) MORNING ON A COMMERCIAL FLIGHT.
DISCUSSIONS ARE CONTINUING WITH THE CHINESE AUTHORITIES ON THE REPATRIATION OF THE REMAINING 700 ECVIIS IN HONG KONG.
CLOSURE OF YAU MA TEI ILLEGAL STRUCTURE SOUGHT
*****
THE BUILDING AUTHORITY IS SEEKING TO CLOSE AN UNAUTHORISED STRUCTURE IN YAU MA TEI, SO THAT IT CAN BE DEMOLISHED WITHOUT CAUSING DANGER TO OCCUPIERS AND THE PUBLIC.
THE TWO-STOREY RESIDENTIAL STRUCTURE IS ON THE EIGHTH FLOOR OF A BUILDING AT THE JUNCTION OF 174-184A TEMPLE STREET AND 19-21 NING PO STREET.
/A NOTICE .......
FRIDAY, MARCH 25, 1994
- 27 -
A NOTICE OF INTENTION TO APPLY FOR A CLOSURE ORDER FROM THE HONG KONG DISTRICT COURT UNDER THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE ON JULY 20 WAS POSTED ON THE PREMISES TODAY (FRIDAY).
DEMOLITION WORK IS EXPECTED TO START AS SOON AS THE CLOSURE ORDER IS ISSUED.
--------0-----------
HONG KONG MONETARY AUTHORITY MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS ♦ t * * ♦
CUMULATIVE
TIME CHANGE „ .
$ MILLION (HOURS) ($ MILLION)
————————— — _ — — — — ———————————
OPENING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT 3,209 0930 -196
CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT 2,931 1000 -206
CHANGE ATTRIBUTABLE TO : 1100 -201
MONEY MARKET ACTIVITY -198 1200 -198
LAF TODAY -80 1500 -198
1600 -198
LAF RATE 2.00 BTD/4.00 OFFER TWT 125.5 t-0.3* 25.3.94
HONG KONG MONETARY AUTHORITY
EF BILLS EF NOTES/HONG KONG GOVERNMENT BONDS
TERMS YIELD TERM ISSUE COUPON PRICE YIELD
1 WEEK 3.15 18 MONTHS 2508 4.625 99.80 4.83
1 MONTH 3.39 21 MONTHS 2511 4.15 98.70 5.03
3 MONTHS 3.73 24 MONTHS 2602 4.40 98.63 5.23
6 MONTHS 3.94 32 MONTHS 3610 4.20. 96.69 5.67
12 MONTHS 4.4 5 35 MONTHS 3701 4.60 97.10 5.80
TOTAL TURNOVER OF BILLS AND BONDS - 10,605 MN
CLOSED 25 MARCH 1994
------0-----------
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
SATURDAY, MARCH 26, 1994
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
CLG MEMBERS VISIT VEHICLE EXAMINATION CENTRES ................ 1
HONG KONG MONETARY AUTHORITY MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS ......... 2
SUNDAY, MARCH 27, 1994
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
SOCIAL SECURITY PAYMENTS GO UP IN APRIL ...................... 3
DISABLED ABLE TO UNDERTAKE MANY JOBS ......................... 5
BUDGET WILL IMPROVE WELFARE .................................. 6
EMPLOYMENT AND VACANCIES SURVEY UNDER WAY .................... 6
9 BODIES TO RAISE FUNDS IN APRIL ............................. 7
SATURDAY, MARCH 26, 1994
1
CLG MEMBERS VISIT VEHICLE EXAMINATION CENTRES *****
MEMBERS OF THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT’S CUSTOMER LIAISON GROUPS (CLG) TODAY (SATURDAY) SAW HOW MOTOR VEHICLE EXAMINERS MAKE VEHICLES SAFE RUNNING ON THE ROADS.
SOME 30 MEMBERS VISITED THE DEPARTMENT’S VEHICLE EXAMINATION CENTRES IN KOWLOON BAY WHERE THEY WERE BRIEFED ON THE WAYS VARIOUS TYPES OF CARS WERE EXAMINED.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID TWO CLGS WERE SET UP IN SEPTEMBER LAST YEAR AS THE SECOND PHASE OF THE DEPARTMENT’S PERFORMANCE PLEDGE SCHEME LAUNCHED IN DECEMBER 1992.
THE GROUPS, WITH A TOTAL OF 42 MEMBERS, ENABLE THE PUBLIC TO PARTICIPATE IN MONITORING THE DEPARTMENT’S SERVICE, AND TO ADVISE ON HOW TO MAKE THE LICENSING SERVICES MORE USER-FRIENDLY.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE MEMBERS HAD BEEN GIVING VIEWS TO IMPROVE SERVICES.
"SOME OF THEIR SUGGESTIONS HAVE ALREADY BEEN IMPLEMENTED WHILE OTHERS ARE BEING CAREFULLY CONSIDERED," HE SAID.
VISITS OF THIS NATURE WILL ENABLE CLG MEMBERS KNOW MORE ABOUT THE FUNCTION AND OPERATION OF THE DEPARTMENT.
"THIS WILL HELP THEM PUT FORWARD EVEN MORE USEFUL AND PRACTICABLE SUGGESTIONS FOR IMPROVEMENTS," HE SAID.
DURING THE VISIT, AN ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL ENGINEER, MR DAVID TSANG, TOLD MEMBERS THAT CARS WERE USUALLY SENT TO A GARAGE FOR INSPECTION BEFORE EXAMINATION AT THESE CENTRES. THEREFORE ABOUT 75 PER CENT OF CARS PASSED AT THEIR FIRST EXAMINATION.
"A CAR WILL PASS THE EXAMINATION IF NO MAJOR FAULTS ARE FOUND AFFECTING ITS SAFE OPERATION. IF IT FAILS, IT MUST BE RE-SUBMITTED FOR ANOTHER FULL INSPECTION AFTER REPAIR," HE SAID.
UNDER EXISTING LEGISLATION, PRIVATE CARS OF SIX YEARS AND OVER; AND FROM APRIL 1 LIGHT GOODS VEHICLES AND GOODS VEHICLES OVER 5.5 TONNES WITH MANUFACTURING YEAR IN 1990 OR BEFORE, ARE SUBJECT TO ANNUAL INSPECTION BEFORE RENEWAL OF A LICENCE.
LAST YEAR, A TOTAL OF 171,584 VEHICLES WERE EXAMINED.
---------0-----------
/2 ........
SATURDAY, MARCH 26, 1994
2
HONG KONG MONETARY AUTHORITY
MONEY MARKET ♦ * » OPERATIONS * * CUMULATIVE CHANGE ($ MILLION)
$ MILLION TIME (HOURS)
OPENING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT 2,931 0930 NIL
CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT 2,861 1000 NIL
CHANGE ATTRIBUTABLE TO : 1100 NIL
MONEY MARKET ACTIVITY NIL 1200 NIL
LAF TODAY -70
LAF RATE 2.00 BID/4 .00 OFFER • / TWI 125.4 *-0.1* 26.3.94
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/3........
SUNDAY, MARCH 27, 1994
- 3 -
SOCIAL SECURITY PAYMENTS GO UP IN APRIL *****
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC RECEIVING PAYMENTS UNDER THE COMPREHENSIVE SOCIAL SECURITY ASSISTANCE (CSSA) AND SOCIAL SECURITY ALLOWANCE (SSA) SCHEMES WILL COLLECT MORE MONEY FROM APRIL 1.
THE REVISION OF PAYMENTS IS MADE POSSIBLE FOLLOWING AN APPROVAL BY THE FINANCE COMMITTEE OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY (SUNDAY).
THE REVISION MAINLY COVERS AN INCREASE OF $100 IN THE STANDARD RATES FOR CHILDREN UNDER THE CSSA SCHEME AND AN INCREASE OF 7.7 PER CENT IN THE PAYMENT RATES OF CSSA AND SSA TO TAKE ACCOUNT OF INFLATION.
DETAILS OF THE REVISED RATES ARE:
CSSA
PAYMENT RATES (PER MONTH)
(1) STANDARD RATES EXISTING SCALE FAMILY MEMBER NEW SCALE
($) SINGLE PERSON ($) SINGLE PERSON FAMILY MEMBER
ELDERLY PERSONS AGED 1 ,550 1 ,285 1 ,670 1,385
60 OR ABOVE
DISABLED ADULT
50% DISABLED 1,550 1 ,285 1,670 1,385
100% DISABLED 1,935 1,675 2,085 1,805
REQUIRING CONSTANT
ATTENDANCE 2,835 2,570 3,055 2,770
DISABLED CHILD
50% DISABLED 1,770 1,51 0 2,015 1,735
100% DISABLED 2,160 1 ,895 2,435 2,150
REQUIRING CONSTANT
ATTENDANCE 3,055 2,795 3,400 3,120
ABLE-BODIED CHILD 1,260 995 1,465 1,180
ABLE-BODIED ADULT 1 ,035 895 1,115 965
/(2) ANNUAL LONG- .......
SUNDAY, MARCH 27, 1994
4
(2) ANNUAL LONG-TERM SUPPLEMENT ONE ELIGIBLE MEMBER 1,14 5 1 ,235
TWO-FOUR ELIGIBLE MEMBERS 2,290 2,470
FIVE OR MORE ELIGIBLE MEMBERS 3,435 3,705
(3) MONTHLY MEAL ALLOWANCE FOR STUDENTS ATTENDING FULL-DAY SCHOOL AND TAKING LUNCH AWAY FROM HOME SSA 154 166
(1) PAYMENT RATES (PER MONTH) (A) DISABILITY ALLOWANCE EXISTING SCALE ($) NEW SCALE ($)
NORMAL RATE 900 970
HIGHER RATE (B) OLD AGE ALLOWANCE 1 ,800 1 ,940
NORMAL RATE 450 485
HIGHER RATE 510 550
(2) FINANCIAL ELIGIBILITY LIMITS MONTHLY INCOME LIMITS FOR NORMAL OLD AGE EXISTING SCALE ( $) ALLOWANCE CASES NEW SCALE ( $ )
FOR A SINGLE PERSON 3,4 50 3,630
FOR A MARRIED COUPLE ASSETS LIMITS 5,610 5,870
FOR A SINGLE PERSON 121,000 130,000
FOR A MARRIED COUPLE 181,000 195,000
CSSA AND SSA RECIPIENTS
TO CONTACT THEIR RESPECTIVE DEPARTMENT’S HOTLINE 343 2255,
WHO HAVE FURTHER ENQUIRIES ARE SOCIAL SECURITY FIELD UNITS THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
ADVISED
ON THE
SUNDAY. MARCH 27, 1994
- 5 -
DISABLED ABLE TO UNDERTAKE MANY JOBS
» « * * ♦
DISABLED PERSONS ARE ABLE TO UNDERTAKE SUCCESSFULLY A WIDE RANGE OF JOBS FROM UNSKILLED TO PROFESSIONAL LEVELS WITH THE PROVISION OF SUITABLE VOCATIONAL TRAINING AND APPROPRIATE TECHNICAL AIDS.
TO HELP THEM COMPLETE THE REHABILITATION PROCESS, NOT ONLY THE FREE PLACEMENT SERVICE PROVIDED BY THE SELECTIVE PLACEMENT DIVISION OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT IS REQUIRED, BUT ALSO THE ACCEPTANCE OF DISABLED WORKERS BY EMPLOYERS AS WELL AS RECOGNITION OF THEIR ABILITIES BY THE COMMUNITY AS A WHOLE.
ACCORDING TO THE RESULTS OF A QUIZ CONDUCTED BY THE DIVISION DURING THE RECENT FOURTH EDUCATION AND CAREERS EXPO, SOME 30 PER CENT OF THE PARTICIPANTS HAVE MISCONCEPTIONS TOWARDS- THE MENTALLY ILL, MENTALLY RETARDED AND BLIND PEOPLE.
"GENERAL MISCONCEPTIONS ON THEIR WORKING ABILITIES WOULD DEFINITELY POSE A HINDRANCE FOR EMPLOYERS TO EMPLOY DISABLED PERSONS," SENIOR LABOUR OFFICER (SELECTIVE PLACEMENT), MRS JFNNIE CHOR, SAID TODAY (SUNDAY).
"IN FACT, MOST OF THE MENTALLY ILL PATIENTS ARE NOT PRONE TO VIOLENCE AS MANY PEOPLE BELIEVED," SHE SAID.
"LIKEWISE, THE MENTALLY RETARDED ARE NOT TOTALLY NONPRODUCTIVE.
"THEY CAN PERFORM MANY KINDS OF JOBS SUCH AS MESSENGERS AND WAITERS AFTER TRAINING."
MRS CHOR NOTED THAT MANY PEOPLE TENDED TO BELIEVE THAT' BLIND PEOPLE COULD ONLY BE EMPLOYED AS TELEPHONE OPERATORS.
"THIS IS AGAIN NOT TRUE," SHF SAID.
"THE ADVANCEMENT OF TECHNOLOGY ENABLES THE BLIND TO READ DOCUMENTS WITH THE HELP OF PERSONA!, COMPUTERS AND BRAILLE DISPLAY UNITS.
"THEREFORE, THEY CAN TAKE UP DIFFERENT KINDS OF JOBS INCLUDING THOSE AT THE PROFESSIONAL LEVEL. SUCH AS EXECUTIVE, ACCOUNTING AND COMPUTER JOBS," SHE ADDED.
MRS CHOR SAID THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT WOULD SPARE NO EFFORT IN ASSISTING THE DISABLED TO FIND SUITABLE JOBS.
"TO ACHIEVE THIS GOAL, STAFF OF THE DIVISION WILL CONTINUE TO PERSUADE EMPLOYERS TO ACCEPT DISABLED EMPLOYEES AND PROVIDE EMPLOYMENT ASSISTANCE TO THE DISABLED.
/"WE WILL .......
SUNDAY, MARCH 27, 1994
6
"WE WILL ALSO USE DIFFERENT CHANNELS, SUCH AS PARTICIPATING IN THE EDUCATION AND CAREERS EXPO, TO SPREAD THE MESSAGE THAT DISABLED PERSONS COULD CONTRIBUTE THEIR TALENTS, THROUGH WORK, TO THE SUCCESS OF THE COMMUNITY.
"ON THE OTHER HAND, WE HOPE THE GENERAL PUBLIC COULD ACCEPT THE DISABLED AND HAVE A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF THEIR WORKING ABILITIES SO THAT THEY COULD WORK WITH THEIR ABLE-BODIED COUNTERPARTS TO ACHIEVE THE GOAL ’TOGETHER WE DEVELOP OUR ABILITIES’,” MRS CHOR ADDED.
------0-------
BUDGET WILL IMPROVE WELFARE
*****
THE 1994/95 BUDGET PROPOSALS ARE AIMED TO IMPROVE THE WELFARE OF THE PEOPLE AND MAINTAIN THE PROSPERITY AND STABILITY OF THE TERRITORY, KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT OFFICER, MR WILLIAM YAP, SAID THIS (SUNDAY) EVENING.
SPEAKING AT AN OPERA NIGHT FOR LOCAL ELDERLY, MR YAP SAID THE GOVERNMENT WAS CONCERNED WITH PROVIDING WELFARE SERVICES TO SENIOR CITIZENS BECAUSE THEY HAD CONTRIBUTED MUCH TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF SOCIETY.
NOTING THAT HONG KONG HAD ACHIEVED A SATISFACTORY GROWTH RATE OF 5.5 PER CENT IN REAL TERMS LAST YEAR, MR YAP SAID THE ADMINISTRATION WAS DETERMINED TO SPEND MORE ON DIVERSIFYING AND IMPROVING ITS SERVICES.
IN PARTICULAR, BETTER CARE AND HELP WILL BF PROVIDED TO THE ELDERLY, THE POOR AND THE MENTALLY HANDICAPPED, HE SAID.
MR YAP ALSO SAID THE GOVERNMENT WOULD CONTINUE TO TACKLE INFLATION AND MINIMISE ITS IMPACT.
"AND THE ADMINISTRATION WILL ALSO CONTINUE TO UNDERTAKE BUILDING THE NECESSARY INFRASTRUCTURFS TO ('ATER FOR Till FUTURE GROWTH OF THE TERRITORY," HE ADDED.
------G--------
EMPLOYMENT AND VACANCIES SURVEY UNDER WAY ****** A QUARTERLY SURVEY OF EMPLOYMENT AND VACANCIES TN MAJOR SECTORS OF THE ECONOMY FOR THIS MONTH IS UNDER WAY.
THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT IS MAILING QUESTIONNAIRES TO ABOUT 67,000 ESTABLISHMENTS.
THE RESULTS ARE USEFUL IN SERVING AS SHORT-TERM ECONOMIC INDICATORS AND PROVIDING INFORMATION ON LATEST CHANGES IN THE LABOUR MARKET, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID.
/THE ESTABLISHMENTS .......
SUNDAY, MARCH 27, 1994
7
THE ESTABLISHMENTS ARE DRAWN FROM VARIOUS SECTORS INCLUDING 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 THE NUMBER OF PERSONS ENGAGED AND VACANCIES AT THE END OF THIS MONTH WILL BE SOUGHT FROM EACH SAMPLED ESTABLISHMENT.
LN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS (QUARTERLY SURVEY OF EMPLOYMENT AND VACANCIES) ORDER, THE SAMPLED ESTABLISHMENTS ARE REQUIRED TO COMPLETE AND RETURN THE QUESTIONNAIRES TO THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT WITHIN THE SPECIFIED PERIOD.
THE SPOKESMAN ADVISED RESPONDENTS TO CONTACT THE DEPARTMENT ON TEL 582 5076 IF THEY HAD DIFFICULTIES IN COMPLETING THE QUESTIONNAIRES.
------0-------
9 BODIES TO RAISE FUNDS IN APRIL *****
A TOTAL OF NINE ORGANISATIONS HAVE BEEN GRANTED PERMISSION TO RAISE FUNDS IN PUBLIC PLACE NEXT MONTH, A SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (SUNDAY).
THEY WILL EITHER SELL FLAGS, TOKENS OR SIMILAR ITEMS, OR PLACE DONATION BOXES IN DESIGNATED PUBLIC AREAS.
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC CAN TELEPHONE THE DEPARTMENT'S HOTLINE 343 2255 OR THE HONG KONG COUNCIL OF SOCIAL SERVICE ON TEL 866 8123 IN CASE OF DOUBTS, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
HE ALSO APPEALED TO FUND-RAISING ORGANISERS TO TAKE PRECAUTIONS AGAINST FRAUD.
"SELLERS SHOULD DISPLAY THE PERMIT OR CARRY COPIES OF THE PERMIT IF THE FUND-RAISING ACTIVITY MOVES FROM PLACE TO PLACE," HE ADDED.
THE SPOKESMAN ALSO ADVISED ORGANISERS TO PREPARE GUIDELINES FOR SELLERS, FIX THE PLACES AND TIMES FOR SELLING AND THE COLLECTION POINTS FOR BAGS.
ORGANISERS SHOULD INFORM THE POLICE IN CASE OF LOSS OF PROPERTY, AND SEEK THEIR HELP WHEN FRAUDULENT ACTS, SUCH AS TAMPERING OF COLLECTION BAGS OR MAKING UNAUTHORISED SELLING, XRE FOUND.
DETAILS OE THE ACTIVITIES ARE:
/FOR FLAGS .......
SUNDAY, MARCH 27, 1994
8
* FOR FLAGS
EVENT DATE ORGANISATION
APRIL 9 NEW LIFE PSYCHIATRIC REHABILITATION ASSOCIATION
APRIL 16 BREAKTHROUGH LTD
APRIL 23 NEIGHBOURHOOD ADV 1( E-ACT 1 ON COUNCIL
APRIL 30 STEWARD’S CO, (HK) LTD
♦ FOR PUBLIC SUBSCRIPTION
APRIL 2 APRIL 3 HONG KONG COUNCIL OK EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION AND SERVICES
APRIL 3 APRIL 4 LIONS CLUB OF SILVERSTRAND
APRIL 9 APRIL 10 WORLD VISION OF HONG KONG
APRIL 10 LAND OF VIRTUE CENTRE LTD
APRIL 10 THE EXECUTIVE PASTOR Oh JESUS CHRIST,
APRIL 24 THE NAME ABOVE EVERY NAME, ADMINISTRATOR, INC .
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
MONDAY, MARCH 28,1994
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
HK ATTENDS APEC CONFERENCE.................................. 1
PROVISIONAL FIGURES ON EXTERNAL TRADE FOR FEBRUARY.......... 1
SOLID FOUNDATION LAID FOR ARTS.............................. 4
CASH AID TO TRAFFIC ACCIDENT VICTIM’S FAMILY................ 5
TWO BOOKLETS ON EASTERN DISTRICT FOR DISTRIBUTION........... 6
POSTERS DEPICT JOURNEY TO PEACE............................. 6
8 CLINICS STAY OPEN AT EASTER............................... 7
WATER STORAGE FIGURE........................................ 7
HONG KONG MONETARY AUTHORITY MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS..... 7
MONDAY, MARCH 28, 1994
1
HK ATTENDS APEC CONFERENCE *****
HONG KONG WAS REPRESENTED AT AN ENVIRONMENTAL CONFERENCE IN VANCOUVER LAST WEEK WHICH BROUGHT TOGETHER SENIOR ENVIRONMENTAL OFFICIALS FROM 17 COUNTRIES IN THE ASIA PACIFIC REGION TO DISCUSS WAYS TO IMPROVE THE ENVIRONMENT AND TO PURSUE SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT.
AT THE INVITATION OF THE DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER OF CANADA AND ENVIRONMENT MINISTER, MS SHEILA COPPS, THE SECRETARY FOR PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS, MR TONY EASON AND THE DEPUTY SECRETARY, ENVIRONMENT, MR TONY COPPER, ATTENDED THE TWO-DAY CONFERENCE ORGANISED BY THE ASIA PACIFIC ECONOMIC CO-OPERATION (APEC) ON MARCH 24 TO 25.
THE CONFERENCE PROVIDED A USEFUL FORUM FOR DELEGATES TO COMPARE NOTES AND EXCHANGE VIEWS ON ISSUES OF MUTUAL INTEREST INCLUDING ENVIRONMENTAL TECHNOLOGY AND EDUCATION, TOOLS TO IMPLEMENT ENVIRONMENTAL POLICIES AND MEASURES AS WELL AS THE CONCEPT OF SUSTAINABLE CITIES.
PARTICIPANTS ENDORSED A JOINT STATEMENT AND A SET OF COMPREHENSIVE PRINCIPLES TO GUIDE ENVIRONMENTAL ACTIVITIES IN APEC COMMITTEES AND WORKING GROUPS.
THEY WERE ALSO COMMITTED TO THE SPIRIT OF MUTUAL CO-OPERATION AND SUPPORT IN IMPROVING THE ENVIRONMENT AND PURSUING SUSTAINABLE ECONOMIC GROWTH.
AT THE CONFERENCE, MR EASON SPOKE ABOUT THE WIDE RANGE OF MEASURES HONG KONG USED TO TACKLE THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEM WHICH INCLUDED COMPREHENSIVE ENVIRONMENTAL PLANS AND PRIVATE SECTOR INVOLVEMENT.
THE SECOND REVIEW OF THE 1989 WHITE PAPER ON ENVIRONMENT - A GREEN CHALLENGE FOR THE COMMUNITY - WAS TABLED AT THE MEETING.
HONG KONG ALSO HELPED SHAPE THE AGENDA AND THE JOINT STATEMENT ISSUED AT THE END OF THE CONFERENCE.
- - 0
PROVISIONAL FIGURES ON EXTERNAL TRADE FOR FEBRUARY ♦ * * * *
MAINLY AFFECTED BY THE TIMING OF THE LUNAR NEW YEAR HOLIDAYS, BOTH RE-EXPORTS AND IMPORTS FELL MODERATELY IN FEBRUARY THIS YEAR OVER THE SAME MONTH LAST YEAR, WHILE DOMESTIC EXPORTS REGISTERED A SIGNIFICANT DECLINE.
THESE ARE SHOWN IN THE PROVISIONAL FIGURES ON EXTERNAL TRADE FOR FEBRUARY RELEASED TODAY (MONDAY) BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.
THE VALUE OF RE-EXPORTS, AT $59,365 MILLION IN FEBRUARY 1994, WAS $2,199 MILLION OR 3.6% LOWER THAN A YEAR EARLIER.
/THE VALUE
MONDAY, MARCH 28, 1994
- 2 -
THE VALUE OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS FELL BY $3,333 MILLION OR 20% OVER A YEAR EARLIER TO $13,474 MILLION IN FEBRUARY.
TAKING RE-EXPORTS AND DOMESTIC EXPORTS TOGETHER, THE VALUE OF TOTAL EXPORTS IN FEBRUARY 1994 DECLINED BY $5,532 MILLION OR 7.1% TO $72,839 MILLION.
OVER THE SAME PERIOD, THE VALUE OF IMPORTS DECREASED BY $3,544 MILLION OR 4.3% TO $79,305 MILLION.
AS THE VALUE OF TOTAL EXPORTS IN FEBRUARY 1994 WAS SMALLER THAN THAT OF TOTAL IMPORTS, A VISIBLE TRADE DEFICIT OF $6,465 MILLION, EQUIVALENT TO 8.2% OF THE VALUE OF IMPORTS, WAS RECORDED.
THIS COMPARED WITH A DEFICIT OF $4,477 MILLION, EQUIVALENT TO 5.4% OF THE VALUE OF IMPORTS, RECORDED IN FEBRUARY 1993.
THE RELATIVELY LARGER DEFICIT IN FEBRUARY THIS YEAR WAS AGAIN INFLUENCED BY THE TIMING OF THE LUNAR NEW YEAR HOLIDAYS.
COMMENTING ON THESE TRADE FIGURES, A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THERE WERE CONSIDERABLE FLUCTUATIONS IN TRADE PERFORMANCE IN THE MONTHS OF JANUARY AND FEBRUARY.
THIS WAS ATTRIBUTABLE MAINLY TO THE DIFFERENCE IN TIMING OF THE LUNAR NEW YEAR HOLIDAYS, WHICH TOOK PLACE IN FEBRUARY THIS YEAR, BUT IN JANUARY LAST YEAR.
IT WAS THEREFORE ADVISABLE TO LOOK AT THE TRADE PERFORMANCE FOR THE TWO MONTHS COMBINED, HE SAID.
TAKING THE FIRST TWO MONTHS OF THIS YEAR TOGETHER, THE VALUE OF TOTAL EXPORTS GREW BY 9%. AMONGST THIS, THE VALUE OF RE-EXPORTS ROSE BY 14%, WHILE THAT OF DOMESTIC EXPORTS FELL BY 8%. ON THE OTHER HAND, THE VALUE OF IMPORTS SHOWED AN INCREASE OF 9%.
OVER THE SAME PERIOD, A VISIBLE TRADE DEFICIT OF $4,732 MILLION, EQUIVALENT TO 3.0% OF THE VALUE OF IMPORTS, WAS RECORDED, COMPARED WITH A TRADE DEFICIT OF $4,103 MILLION, EQUIVALENT TO 2.8% OF THE VALUE OF IMPORTS, RECORDED A YEAR EARLIER.
REFLECTING A SUSTAINED RAPID CHANGE IN THE COMPOSITION OF HONG KONG’S EXPORT TRADE, THE SHARE OF RE-EXPORTS IN THE VALUE OF TOTAL EXPORTS ROSE TO 81% IN THE FIRST TWO MONTHS OF 1994, FROM 78% IN THE FIRST TWO MONTHS OF 1993. OVER THE SAME PERIOD, THE VALUE OF RETAINED IMPORTS WAS HIGHER BY 1.5%.
A MORE DETAILED ANALYSIS OF HONG KONG’S EXTERNAL TRADE FOR FEBRUARY 1994, BY COMMODITY AND COUNTRY, WILL BE RELEASED IN MID-APRIL 1994 .
/3 .......
MONDAY, MARCH 28, 1994
- 3 -
PROVISIONAL FIGURES OF EXTERNAL TRADE FOR FEBRUARY 1994
MERCHANDISE: Domestic Exports : $13,474 million
Re-exports $59,365 million
Total Exports $72,839 million
Imports : $79,305 million
Trade balance -$6,465 million
COMPARATIVE FIGURES
Dec 93 to Dec 92 to Change
Latest 3 months Feb 94 Feb 93
HK$ Mn. HK$ Mn. HK$ Mn. %
Domestic Exports 49,397 53,025 -3,628 -6.8
(% of Total Exports) (19.8%) (23.3%)
Re-exports 199,910 175,013 +24,897 +14.2
Total Exports 249,307 228,038 +21,269 +9.3
Imports 255,732 236,431 +19,302 +8.2
Trade balance -6,425 -8,393 +1,968
February February Change
Same month last year 1994 1993
I IK$ Mn. HK$ Mn. IIK$ Mn. %
Domestic Exports 13,474 16,807 -3,333 -19.8
(% of Total Exports) (18.5%) (21.4%)
Re-exports 59,365 61,564 -2,199 -3.6
Total Exports 72,839 78,371 -5,532 -7.1
Imports 79,305 82,848 -3,544 -4.3
Trade balance -6,465 -4,477 -1,988
February January Change
Last month 1994 1994
HK$ Mn. HK$ Mn. HK$ Mn. %
Domestic Exports 13,474 15,340 -1,866 -12.2
(% of Total Exports) (18.5%) (18.7%)
Re-exports 59,365 66,771 -7,406 -11.1
Total Exports 72,839 82,111 -9,272 -11.3
Imports 79,305 80,378 -1,073 -1.3 -
Trade balance -6,465 1,734 -8,199
Jan-Feb Jan-Feb Change
Calendar year to-date 1994 1993
HK$ Mn. HK$ Mn. HK$ Mn. %
Domestic Exports 28,815 31,366 -2,552 -8.1
(% of Total Exports) (18.6%) (22.1%)
Re-exports 126,136 110,729 +15,407 +13.9
Total Exports 154,951 142,095 +12,855 +9.0
Imports 159,682 146,199 +13,484 +9.2
Trade balance -4,732 -4,103 -628
Mar 93 to Mar 92 to Change
Last 12 months Feb 94 Feb 93
HK$ Mn. HK$ Mn. . IIK$ Mn. %
Domestic Exports 220,475 233,835 -13,359 -5.7
(% of Total Exports) (20.8%) (24.7%)
Re-exports 838,631 713,169 + 125,461 +17.6
Total Exports 1,059,106 947,004 +112,102 +11.8
Imports 1,086,081 977,410 +108,671 +11.1
Trade balance -26,975 -30,406 +3,431
28 March 1994
CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT
---------0-----------
/4 ........
MONDAY, MARCH 28, 1994
4
SOLID FOUNDATION LAID FOR ARTS t t * t *
THE COUNCIL FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS (CFPA) HELD ITS LAST ANNUAL PRIZE AND COMMEMORATIVE CERTIFICATE PRESENTATION RECEPTION TODAY (MONDAY).
FROM NEXT MONTH, ITS FUNCTIONS WILL BE TAKEN OVER BY THE HONG KONG ARTS DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL.
THE CFPA WAS ESTABLISHED IN 1982 AS THE GOVERNMENT’S PRINCIPAL ADVISER ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE PERFORMING ARTS.
"THE COUNCIL SHOULD REGARD WITH GREAT PRIDE AND SATISFACTION THE SOLID FOUNDATION AND STRUCTURE THAT IT HAS ESTABLISHED FOR THE ARTS DURING THE PAST DECADE," THE SECRETARY FOR RECREATION AND CULTURE, MR JAMES SO, SAID.
CHAIRMAN OF THE CFPA, PROFESSOR WANG GUNGWU, BRIEFED THE Participants at the reception on the work of the cfpa during the past YEARS, AND EXPRESSED HIS GRATITUDE TO ALL MEMBERS OF CFPA AND ITS COMMITTEES FOR THEIR ADVICE AND SUPPORT.
THANKS WERE ALSO EXPRESSED TO THE ASSESSORS WHO HAVE PARTICIPATED IN THE REPORT WRITING SCHEME.
ONE OF THE IMPORTANT INITIATIVES UNDERTAKEN BY THE CFPA WAS THE INTRODUCTION OF THE MATCHING GRANT SCHEME IN 1990 TO PROMOTE BUSINESS SPONSORSHIP FOR THE ARTS.
UNDER THE SCHEME, A PERFORMING ARTS GROUP CAN APPLY FOR THE SAME AMOUNT OF SUBSIDY FROM THE GOVERNMENT FOR EVERY DOLLAR OF BUSINESS SPONSORSHIP IT CAN SECURE UP TO A MAXIMUM OF $100,000.
DURING THE PERIOD 1990/91 TO 1993/94, A TOTAL OF 46 MATCHING GRANTS WERE AWARDED ATTRACTING SPONSORSHIP OF $5.7 MILLION.
AT THE RECEPTION, COMMEMORATIVE CERTIFICATES WERE PRESENTED TO BUSINESS SPONSORS WHO HAD GENEROUSLY GIVEN THEIR SUPPORT TO THE PERFORMING ARTS IN 1993/94.
FOR THE FOURTH YEAR RUNNING, THE CFPA HAD ORGANISED AWARDS FOR OUTSTANDING ORIGINAL SCRIPTS WHICH WERE AIMED AT CULTIVATING MORE LOCAL PLAYWRIGHTS FOR THE SAKE OF THE DEVELOPMENT OF DRAMA IN HONG KONG.
NINE WINNING SCRIPTS WERE SELECTED.
IN THE OPEN SECTION - "FULL LENGTH PLAY", CHEUNG TAT-MING WON THE FIRST PRIZE. THE SECOND PRIZE WENT TO NG KA-HAI AND THE THIRD, TO PAUL POON.
IN THE OPEN SECTION - "ONE ACT PLAY/SHORTER WORK", THE WINNERS OF FIRST, SECOND AND THIRD PRIZES WERE NG KA-HAI, JAMES CHEUNG AND TING YU RESPECTIVELY. AN AWARD OF MERIT WAS PRESENTED TO PANG KA-WING.
/IN THE ........
MONDAY, MARCH 28, 1994
- 5 -
IN THE SECONDARY SCHOOL SECTION, THE FIRST PRIZE WAS WON BY TSE YI-MI OF PENTECOSTAL LAM HON KWONG SCHOOL. THE SECOND PRIZE WAS AWARDED TO LEUNG KEE-LOK, LAI YAT-HONG, CHEUNG CHI-SHUN, HON MAN-SHAN AND CHOY CHI-HANG OF HONG KONG AND KOWLOON CHIU CHOW PUBLIC ASSOCIATION MA CHUNG SUM SECONDARY SCHOOL. THE THIRD PRIZE WAS AWARDED TO HONG KONG RED SWASTIKA SOCIETY TAI PO SECONDARY SCHOOL.
ALSO SPEAKING AT THE RECEPTION WAS CHAIRMAN OF THE HONG KONG ARTS DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL WORKING GROUP, SIR JOSEPH HOTUNG.
"SOUND LINKS HAVE BEEN ESTABLISHED WITH THE CFPA AND THIS HAS HELPED TO ENSURE A SMOOTH TRANSITION," SIR JOSEPH SAID.
IN ADDITION, AN INDEPENDENT SECRETARIAT HAD BEEN SET UP AND SOME STAFF DIRECTLY RECRUITED BY THE WORKING GROUP WERE ALREADY IN POST, HE SAID.
THE WORKING GROUP HAD ALSO GIVEN A GREAT DEAL OF THOUGHT TO THE WAY FORWARD REGARDING DEVELOPMENT OF THE VISUAL, LITERARY AND PERFORMING ARTS AND WAS CONFIDENT THAT MUCH WOULD BE ACHIEVED IN THE FUTURE, SIR JOSEPH ADDED.
------0-------
CASH AID TO TRAFFIC ACCIDENT VICTIM’S FAMILY *****
THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT TODAY (MONDAY) APPROVED $52,590 FROM THE TRAFFIC ACCIDENT VICTIMS ASSISTANCE (TAVA) FUND TO THE DEPENDANTS OF A CLEANSING WORKER WHO DIED IN A TRAFFIC ACCIDENT AT CHING CHEUNG ROAD EARLIER THIS MONTH.
THE VICTIM, AGED 71, WAS SURVIVED BY HIS WIFE AND TWO SONS.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID THE TAVA SCHEME PROVIDED QUICK FINANCIAL HELP TO TRAFFIC ACCIDENT VICTIMS OR THEIR DEPENDANTS REGARDLESS OF THE MEANS OF A FAMILY OR THE FAULT ELEMENT IN THE ACCIDENT.
BENEFICIARIES UNDER THE SCHEME WILL RETAIN THE RIGHT TO MAKE CLAIMS FOR LEGAL DAMAGES OR COMPENSATION FROM OTHER SOURCES TN THE USUAL WAY.
HOWEVER, THOSE WHO RECEIVE OTHER DAMAGES OR COMPENSATION RELATING TO THE SAME ACCIDENT ARE REQUIRED TO REPAY THE AMOUNT OF ASSISTANCE ALREADY RECEIVED FROM THE SCHEME.
"BUT IN ANY CASE, THE AMOUNT REPAID WILL NOT EXCEED THE AMOUNT OF DAMAGES OR COMPENSATION AWARDED," THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
DURING THE FIRST 10 MONTHS OF THE CURRENT FINANCIAL YEAR 1993/94, THE DEPARTMENT HAD APPROVED MORE THAN $76 MILLION FROM THE TAVA FUND TO HELP VICTIMS OF TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS.
ENQUIRIES ABOUT THE SCHEME MAY BE DIRECTED TO THE DEPARTMENT’S TAVA SECTION IN ROOM 942, NINTH FLOOR, WU CHUNG HOUSE, 213 QUEEN’S ROAD EAST, WAN CHAI OR ON TELEPHONE 892 5326.
------0-------
/6 .......
MONDAY, MARCH 28, 1994
- 6 -
TWO BOOKLETS ON EASTERN DISTRICT FOR DISTRIBUTION
*****
FREE COPIES OF THE ’’EASTERN DISTRICT MONUMENTS AND LEGENDS” AND EASTERN DISTRICT BOARD REPORT FOR 1991 TO 1994 WILL BE AVAILABLE FROM TOMORROW (TUESDAY).
THE BILINGUAL BOOKLET ON HERITAGE TRACES THE HISTORY OF THE DISTRICT - WHICH IS NOW HOME FOR MORE THAN 570,000 PEOPLE - OVER THE PAST CENTURY.
IT IS ILLUSTRATED WITH ABOUT 70 PICTURES, 20 OF WHICH ARE
PUBLISHED FOR THE FIRST TIME.
THE TERM REPORT GIVES A DETAILED ACCOUNT OF THE WORK AND
ACTIVITIES OF THE 36-MEMBER BOARD IN THE PAST THREE YEARS.
THE TWO PUBLICATIONS ARE PRODUCED BY THE DISTRICT BOARD AND
CAN BE OBTAINED FROM THE PUBLIC ENQUIRY SERVICE CENTRE, EASTERN DISTRICT OFFICE, GROUND FLOOR, EASTERN LAW COURTS BUILDING, 29 TAI ON STREET, SAI WAN HO.
COPIES WILL BE SENT TO THE AREA COMMITTEES, MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES AND TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS IN THE DISTRICT AS WELL AS MEDIA ORGANISATIONS AND OTHER DISTRICT BOARDS.
------0-------
POSTERS DEPICT JOURNEY TO PEACE
* * * * »
THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION, MR DOMINIC S W WONG, SAID TODAY (MONDAY) THAT THE POSTER DESIGN CONTEST ENTITLED "A JOURNEY TO PEACE", WHICH WAS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT AND LIONS CLUB, WAS AN EXTREMELY MEANINGFUL ACTIVITY.
THE POSTER DESIGN CONTEST IS CONDUCTED WORLDWIDE TO SPREAD THE MESSAGE OF PEACE TO ALL COUNTRIES AND TO AROUSE CONCERN FOR PEACE.
MR WONG CONGRATULATED THE WINNERS OF THE CONTEST WHO WERE PRESENTED WITH PRIZES TODAY.
THERE WERE A TOTAL OF 1,066 ENTRIES IN THE POSTER DESIGN CONTEST.
MR WONG ALSO PAID TRIBUTE TO THE LIONS CLUB FOR ITS EFFORT IN ORGANISING AND SPONSORING SCHOOL ACTIVITIES, AND PROVIDING EDUCATIONAL FACILITIES.
WITH THE SUPPORT OF THE LIONS CLUB, THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT’S COMMUNITY YOUTH CLUB WAS SET UP IN 1997 TO HELP CULTIVATE GOOD CITIZENSHIP AMONG YOUNG PEOPLE.
--------0-----------
/7........
MONDAY, MARCH 28, 1994
8 CLINICS STAY OPEN AT EASTER
*****
EIGHT GENERAL OUT-PATIENT CLINICS WILL REMAIN OPEN ON APRIL 2 (SATURDAY) AND APRIL 3 (SUNDAY) DURING THE COMING EASTER HOLIDAYS.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH TODAY (MONDAY) SAID THEIR OPENING HOURS WOULD BE FROM 9 AM TO 1 PM.
THE CLINICS ARE VIOLET PEEL HEALTH CENTRE AND SHAU KEI WAN JOCKEY CLUB CLINIC ON HONG KONG ISLAND; KWUN TONG JOCKEY CLUB HEALTH CENTRE, ROBERT BLACK HEALTH CENTRE AND YAU MA TEI 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.
THERE WILL BE NO GENERAL OUT-PATIENT CLINIC SERVICE ON GOOD FRIDAY (APRIL 1) AND ON THE FOLLOWING MONDAY (APRIL 4) AND TUESDAY (APRIL 5), THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
--------0-----------
WATER STORAGE FIGURE
*****
STORAGE IN HONG KONG’S RESERVOIRS AT 9 AM TODAY (MONDAY) STOOD AT 67.4 PER CENT OF CAPACITY OR 395.147 MILLION CUBIC METRES.
THIS TIME LAST YEAR THE RESERVOIRS CONTAINED 303.638 MILLION CUBIC METRES OF WATER, REPRESENTING 51.8 PER CENT OF CAPACITY.
-----0-------
HONG KONG MONETARY AUTHORITY MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS *****
$ MILLION TIME (HOURS) CUMULATIVE CHANGE ($ MILLION)
OPENING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT 2,862 0930 + 102
CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT 1,837 1000 + 52
CHANGE ATTRIBUTABLE TO : 1100 + 134
MONEY MARKET ACTIVITY + 134 1200 + 134
LAF TODAY -1,159 1500 + 134
1600 + 134
/LAF RATE .......
MONDAY, MARCH 28, 1994
8
LAF RATE 2.00 BID/4.00 OFFER TWI 125.4 »+0.0* 28.3.94
I HONG KONG MONETARY AUTHORITY
EF BILLS EF NOTES/HONG KONG GOVERNMENT BONDS
TERMS YIELD TERM ISSUE COUPON PRICE YIELD
1 WEEK 3.19 17 MONTHS
1 MONTH 3.40 20 MONTHS
3 MONTHS 3.72 23 MONTHS
6 MONTHS 3.97 31 MONTHS
12 MONTHS 4.45 34 MONTHS
TOTAL TURNOVER OF BILLS AND BONDS
CLOSED 28 MARCH 1994
12,002 MN
2508 4.625 99.75 4.87
2511 4.15 98.64 5.08
2602 4.40 98.54 5.29
3610 4.20 96.57 5.72
3701 4.60 96.97 5.86
- - 0 - -
4
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
TUESDAY, MARCH 29, 1994
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
PROPERTY PRICES TOP GOVERNOR’S AGENDA....................... 1
GOVERNOR SPEAKS TO PRESS AFTER EXCO MEETING................. 2
CAMPAIGN TO TARGET ON 2M POTENTIAL VOTERS................... 6
DAMAGED SEAWALL INSPECTED................................... 8
EFFORTS TO MAKE CONSTRUCTION SITES SAFE..................... 8
EXPERTS TO GIVE ADVICE ON SAFE USE OF HEAVY CONSTRUCTION MACHINERY.................................................. 10
GREEN SLOPES TO REPLACE SHEK O QUARRY FACES................ 11
PUBLICITY DRIVE AGAINST MOSQUITO BREEDING.................. 12
HK HOSTS WORLD WHEELCHAIR FENCING CHAMPIONSHIP............. 13
THREE LOTS FOR AUCTION..................................... 14
SOCIAL SECURITY PAYMENTS GIVEN OUT ON TIME................. 15
DISTRICT OFFICER BANS HAWKING.............................. 15
BUDGET DEBATE TO RESUME TOMORROW........................... 16
CHING MING HOLIDAY REMINDER................................ 17
EARLY WELFARE PAYMENTS..................................... 17
INTEREST ON TAX RESERVE CERTIFICATES UP.................... 18
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND TENDER RESULTS....... 19
HONG KONG MONETARY AUTHORITY MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS ....
20
TUESDAY, MARCH 29, 1994
PROPERTY PRICES TOP GOVERNOR’S AGENDA
*****
PROPERTY PRICES IS A SUBJECT THAT CONCERNS EVERYONE BECAUSE IT IS A THREAT TO THE ASPIRATIONS OF ORDINARY FAMILIES AS WELL AS HONG KONG’S COMPETITIVENESS AS AN ECONOMY, THE GOVERNOR, THE RT HON CHRISTOPHER PATTEN, SAID TODAY.
SPEAKING TO REPORTERS AFTER THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL MEETING TODAY (TUESDAY), THE GOVERNOR SAID PROPERTY PRICES WOULD OBVIOUSLY BE THE NUMBER ONE DOMESTIC ISSUE ON HIS AGENDA.
"IT IS NOT AN EASY PROBLEM. THERE ARE NO SIMPLE SOLUTIONS AND WE HAVE TO TAKE GREAT CARE IN ADDRESSING IT IN CASE WE CREATE SERIOUS AND DAMAGING PROBLEMS IN THE PROPERTY MARKET AS A RESULT OF INEPT ACTION," HE SAID.
"WE HAVE TO TAKE COMPREHENSIVE MEASURES BUT WE HAVE TO TAKE MEASURES THAT WON’T CREATE DIFFERENT BUT EQUALLY SERIOUS PROBLEMS IN THE SECTOR.
"BUT I DON’T WANT US TO GO OFF AT HALF-COCK, I WANT US TO COME FORWARD WITH A COMPREHENSIVE SET OF PROPOSALS. THAT IS WHAT OFFICIALS ARE WORKING ON AT THE MOMENT AND I HOPE THAT WE WILL BE ABLE TO MAKE SOME ANNOUNCEMENTS IN THE EARLY SUMMER."
ASKED ABOUT THE NEW TERRITORIES LAND (EXEMPTION) BILL, MR PATTEN SAID HE HOPED THAT RESIDENTS IN THE NEW TERRITORIES WOULD BE FULLY INFORMED ABOUT WHAT WAS IN THE BILL AND IN THE AMENDMENT RATHER THAN WHAT SOME PEOPLE WERE TELLING THEM WAS IN THE BILL AND IN THE AMENDMENT.
"THEY ARE NOT HAVING ANY RIGHT TAKEN AWAY, THEY ARE STILL ABLE TO MAKE WILLS IF THEY WISH TO DO SO BUT WHAT IS BEING PROVIDED FOR IS FREEDOM OF CHOICE."
HE ALSO NOTED THE RESPONSES TO THE DISCUSSION DOCUMENT ON EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR MEN AND WOMEN.
"THAT DOCUMENT RECEIVED 1,100 RESPONSES AND 90% OF THEM SAID THAT WE SHOULD ADDRESS THE ISSUE OF INHERITANCE RIGHTS IN THE NEW TERRITORIES," HE SAID.
HE STRESSED THAT THE GOVERNMENT WAS TRYING TO RESPOND AS POSITIVELY AS POSSIBLE TO THE COMMENTS FROM THE COMMUNITY, WHILE AT THE SAME TIME BEHAVING AS REASONABLY AS POSSIBLE TO THOSE IN THE NEW TERRITORIES WHO HAD WORRIES AND ANXIETIES ABOUT THIS PARTICULAR POINT.
------0 - -
TUESDAY, MARCH 29, 1994
- 2 -
GOVERNOR SPEAKS TO PRESS AFTER EXCO MEETING
*****
GOVERNOR: GOOD MORNING, SINCE I AM GOING BACK TO EUROPE THIS EVENING I THOUGHT I WOULD GIVE YOU A CHANCE OF ASKING SOME QUESTIONS NOW RATHER THAN OBLIGE YOU TO COME OUT TO THE AIRPORT AT HALF-PAST TEN OR A QUARTER-TO-ELEVEN. SO I JUST GIVE YOU DUE NOTICE THAT I’LL ANSWER QUESTIONS NOW BUT I WILL GO THROUGH THE AIRPORT TONIGHT, I TRUST, LIKE A KNIFE THROUGH BUTTER.
I AM GOING BACK FOR A ROUTINE VISIT TO LONDON, VIA DUBLIN WHERE I AM DELIVERING THE SECOND INDEPENDENT NEWSPAPERS' LECTURE AT TRINITY COLLEGE, DUBLIN, TOMORROW NIGHT. I AM THEN GOING ON TO LONDON ON THURSDAY AND DURING MY VISIT TO LONDON I WILL BE SEEING THE FOREIGN SECRETARY, A NUMBER OF OTHER MINISTERS INCLUDING MR GOODLAD, I WILL BE SEEING SENIOR OFFICIALS, I WILL BE SEEING MEMBERS OF THE HONG KONG COMMUNITY IN LONDON. IT WILL BE A FAIRLY STANDARD VISIT AND AS YOU KNOW, I HAVE SET A PATTERN OF ABOUT FOUR OR FIVE OF THESE VISITS A YEAR, LIKE MY PREDECESSOR, AND THE NEXT ONE, I GUESS, WILL BE IN THE EARLY SUMMER - JUST TO SAVE YOU ANY SPECULATIVE VENTURES - I WOULD BE EXPECTING TO GO ABOUT THAT TIME.
WHEN I RETURN, CLEARLY THE NUMBER ONE DOMESTIC ISSUE ON MY AGENDA WILL BE PROPERTY PRICES. I THINK THE WHOLE COMMUNITY IS EXTREMELY CONCERNED ABOUT THE ISSUE, AS THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY SAID IN HIS BUDGET SPEECH AND AS HE WILL SAY AGAIN IN HIS REPLY TO THE BUDGET TOMORROW. IT IS A SUBJECT WHICH CONCERNS EVERYONE BECAUSE IT IS A THREAT TO THE ASPIRATIONS OF ORDINARY FAMILIES HERE IN HONG KONG, AND WE ALL RECOGNISE, I THINK, THAT IT IS A THREAT TO OUR COMPETITIVENESS AS AN ECONOMY AS WELL. IT IS NOT AN EASY PROBLEM. THERE ARE NO SIMPLE SOLUTIONS AND WE HAVE TO TAKE GREAT CARE IN ADDRESSING IT IN CASE WE CREATE SERIOUS AND DAMAGING PROBLEMS IN THE PROPERTY MARKET AS A RESULT OF INEPT ACTION. SO WE HAVE TO TAKE COMPREHENSIVE MEASURES BUT WE HAVE TO TAKE MEASURES THAT WON’T CREATE DIFFERENT BUT EQUALLY SERIOUS PROBLEMS TN THE SECTOR.
THAT DOES NOT MEAN THAT WE DON’T HAVE TO SHOW IMAGINATION. IT DOESN’T MEAN THAT WE DON’T HAVE TO TAKE EXCEPTIONAL MEASURES. IT IS AN EXCEPTIONAL PROBLEM AND I THINK THAT IT WILL DEMAND EXCEPTIONAL MEASURES. BUT 1 DON’T WANT US TO GO OFF AT HALF-COCK, I WANT US TO COME FORWARD WITH A COMPREHENSIVE SET OF PROPOSALS. THAT IS WHAT OFFICIALS ARE WORKING ON AT THE MOMENT AND I HOPE THAT WE WILL BE ABLE TO MAKE SOME ANNOUNCEMENTS IN THE EARLY SUMMER. THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY AND THE SECRETARY FOR PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT AND LAND WILL, I THINK, SAY A LITTLE MORE ON THIS SUBJECT TOMORROW, THOUGH THEY WON’T BE IN A POSITION TO SPELL OUT THE PRECISE DETAILS OF OUR PLANS. IT IS IMPORTANT TO GET RIGHT WHAT THE WHOLE COMMUNITY WANTS US, I KNOW, TO DO.
QUESTION: GOVERNOR, CHRISTINE LOH’S AMENDMENT FOR WOMEN AND MEN
TO INHERIT LAND IN THE NEW TERRITORIES, ARE YOU IN FAVOUR OF IT?
/GOVERNOR: .......
TUESDAY, MARCH 29, 1994
3 -
GOVERNOR: IT IS VERY DIFFICULT NOT TO BE HAVING SEEN THE RESPONSES TO OUR DISCUSSION DOCUMENT ON EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR MEN AND WOMEN. THAT DOCUMENT RECEIVED 1,100 RESPONSES AND 90% OF THEM SAID THAT WE SHOULD ADDRESS THE ISSUE OF INHERITANCE RIGHTS IN THE NEW TERRITORIES. I VERY MUCH HOPE THAT AS THE BILL WHICH WE INTRODUCED -AND WHICH WE WOULD HAVE LIKED TO HAVE SEEN THROUGH BY NOW WHICH WAS DEALING WITH THE UNFORESEEN CONSEQUENCES OF INHERITANCE RIGHTS ON PROPERTY IN THE URBAN AREAS IN THE NEW TERRITORIES - I VERY MUCH HOPE THAT THE DISCUSSIONS IN COMMITTEE WILL RESOLVE THE DIFFERENCES THAT HAVE EMERGED AND I HOPE THAT RESIDENTS IN THE NEW TERRITORIES WHO PERHAPS HAVE BEEN UNDERSTANDABLY CONCERNED, WILL BE FULLY INFORMED ABOUT WHAT IS IN THE BILL AND IN THE AMENDMENT RATHER THAN WHAT SOME PEOPLE ARE TELLING THEM IS IN THE BILL AND IN THE AMENDMENT. THEY ARE NOT HAVING ANY RIGHT TAKEN AWAY, THEY ARE STILL ABLE TO MAKE WILLS IF THEY WISH TO DO SO BUT WHAT IS BEING PROVIDED FOR IS FREEDOM OF CHOICE.
BUT OBVIOUSLY, IN THE NEXT FEW WEEKS WE WILL ALL BE HOPING THAT THE MATTER CAN BE RESOLVED AMICABLY AND WITHOUT THE SORT OF AGGRAVATED FEELINGS AND TENSIONS THAT HAVE EXISTED PREVIOUSLY. BUT I REPEAT WHAT I SAID EARLIER, THAT IF YOU TAKE A DISCUSSION EXERCISE SERIOUSLY, AS WE MUST DO, THEN THE FEELINGS OF THE COMMUNITY IN RESPONSE TO OUR GREEN PAPER WERE PRETTY OVERWHELMING.
QUESTION: MANY OF THE PEOPLE IN THE NEW TERRITORIES FEEL THAT THIS IS THE THIN EDGE OF THE WEDGE AND THAT THE GOVERNMENT ACTUALLY HAS IN MIND A LOT OF OTHER THINGS, INCLUDING FOR EXAMPLE, THE SMALL HOUSE POLICY, AND THAT THIS IS A WAY OF GETTING AT THOSE AND TAKING THEM AWAY. CAN YOU ASSURE THE PEOPLE IN THE NEW TERRITORIES THAT THIS IS NOT ....... ?
GOVERNOR: YES, I WOULD LIKE TO GIVE THAT REASSURANCE UNEQUIVOCALLY. THERE HAVE BEEN WORRIES EXPRESSED ABOUT SMALL HOUSES, THERE HAVE BEEN WORRIES EXPRESSED ABOUT VILLAGE BURIAL GROUNDS AND SIMILAR WORRIES, AND I HOPE THAT THEY CAN BE PUT ON ONE SIDE. THERE ARE ISSUES WHICH ARE CONTENTIOUS FROM TIME TO TIME. THE QUESTION OF INHERITANCE IS ONE OF THEM. ANOTHER ISSUE WHICH HAS BEEN CONTENTIOUS FROM TIME TO TIME IS THE APPLICATION OF PLANNING IN THE NEW TERRITORIES. AND AS YOU KNOW, WE ARE COMMITTED TO TRYING TO WORK IN THE NEW TERRITORIES WITH THE DISTRICT BOARDS AND WITH THE VILLAGERS AND WITH THE LOCAL COMMUNITY, TO CLEAN UP THE NEW TERRITORIES BUT I DON’T THINK THAT IS SOMETHING WHICH SHOULD RAISE WORRIES OR CONCERNS. I THINK IT IS AN ENDEAVOUR IN WHICH WE SHOULD ALL BE INVOLVED. BUT YOU’RE QUITE RIGHT TO SAY THAT I THINK THERE IS A SUB-TEXT IN THIS ISSUE AND THE MORE WE CAN DENY SOME OF THE CHARGES THAT HAVE BEEN MADE, THE BETTER 1 THINK FOR THE DEBATE ON THE REALLY SERIOUS ISSUES.
QUESTION: YOU SAY THAT WHEN YOU COME BACK YOU ARE GOING TO MAKE THE NUMBER ONE DOMESTIC ISSUE THE PRICES OF PROPERTY. I THINK I AM SURPRISED THAT YOU ARE NOT GOING TO MAKE IT GETTING YOUR PLAN FOR CONSTITUTIONAL CHANGE THROUGH LEGCO. NOW, YOU SAID A COUPLE OF MONTHS AGO THAT YOU WERE GOING TO, THAT YOU WOULD LIKE TO VERY VIGOROUSLY PRESS FOR THAT AND I AM SURE YOU ARE DOING THAT WITH LEGCO MEMBERS. BUT WHY DON’T WE SEE THE KIND OF PERSONAL CAMPAIGN FROM YOU THAT WE SAW AFTER YOUR SPEECH IN 1991 AND AFTER THE SECOND LEGCO --
/GOVERNOR: .......
TUESDAY, MARCH 29, 1994
GOVERNOR: 1992.
QUESTION:
— YES, IN 1992.
GOVERNOR: IT MAY FEEL LIKE 1991 BUT IT WAS 1992.
QUESTION: — WELL, NONE OF US IS AS YOUNG AS WE WOULD LIKE. WHY AREN’T YOU GOING OUT YOURSELF TO PRESS THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG, TO BE SURE THAT THEY UNDERSTAND EXACTLY WHAT YOUR LAWS ARE ABOUT, SO THAT THEY CAN THEN TELL LEGCO? BECAUSE I’VE GOT THE FEELING THAT AT THE MOMENT WHAT YOU ARE DOING IS PRESSING LEGCO. I WANT TO KNOW WHY YOU’RE NOT DOING THE OLD-FASHIONED TORY CAMPAIGN OUTSIDE, TO TELL PEOPLE EXACTLY WHAT IT IS YOU WANT?
GOVERNOR: CAN I JUST MAKE A COUPLE OF CORRECTIONS. I DON’T THINK THAT I’LL RETURN FROM LONDON TO DISCOVER THAT PROPERTY PRICES ARE THE NUMBER ONE ISSUE DOMESTICALLY, I THINK THEY ARE THE NUMBER ONE ISSUE DOMESTICALLY. BUT I JUST WANTED TO CONFIRM THAT THAT IS THE WAY THE GOVERNMENT SEES THINGS AND THAT’S A PROBLEM WHICH THE GOVERNMENT, WITH THE COMMUNITY, WISHES TO ADDRESS.
CERTAINLY, I WAS MAKING A DISTINCTION BETWEEN, AS IT WERE, THE NON-POLTTICAL CONSTITUTIONAL ISSUES AND THE OTHERS. CERTAINLY, WE HAVE TO ENSURE THAT DURING THE COURSE OF THE SUMMER THE EXTREMELY SENSIBLE PROPOSALS THAT WE HAVE PUT TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ARE ENACTED. AND IF I LOOK BACK OVER THE LAST YEAR, THERE HAVE BEEN OCCASIONAL SQUALLS, OCCASIONAL ARGUMENTS CONDUCTED FAIRLY VOCIFEROUSLY FROM TIME TO TIME, BUT HERE WE ARE IN THE SPRING OF 1994 AND TWO-THIRDS OF OUR POLITICAL PROPOSALS ARE THROUGH AND ON THE STATUTE BOOK AND I’M LOOKING FORWARD TO THE OTHERS BEING THROUGH.
THE PROPOSALS THAT WENT THROUGH A FEW WEEKS AGO WENT THROUGH WITH, I THINK, THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL DEBATING THEM VERY THOROUGHLY AND WITH THE COMMUNITY HAVING A PRETTY GOOD NOTION OF WHAT THEY WERE ALL ABOUT. RECENT OPINION POLLS, LIKE THE POLL YESTERDAY WHICH GAVE PEOPLE’S PARTY POLITICAL PREFERENCES, DIDN’T SUGGEST THAT THE GENERAL THRUST OF OUR ARGUMENT AND OUR APPROACH WAS RUNNING INTO A BRICK WALL. SO WE WILL CONTINUE TO ADDRESS THE ISSUE IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL - AND OUTSIDE WHEN WE NEED - BUT I DON’T THINK AT THE MOMENT THAT IT REQUIRES ANY MORE HIGH PROFILE ACTIVITY ON MY PART. I’M CONFIDENT THAT THE GOVERNMENT WILL MAKE A SUFFICIENTLY GOOD CASE ON THESE PROPOSALS TO SEE THEM FIRMLY ENTRENCHED ON THE STATUTE BOOK. THAT’S OUR AMBITION AND OUR INTENTION AND THAT’S WHAT WE WILL BE WORKING FOR AND ARGUING FOR AFTER THE SUMMER BUT THERE ARE OTHER ISSUES THAT MATTER AS WELL.
THE REASON WHY THE POLITICAL ISSUE MATTERS SO MUCH IS BECAUSE IT IS SO INTIMATELY TIED UP WITH OUR FUTURE WELL-BEING AS A COMMUNITY, SO INTIMATELY TIED UP WITH THE FUTURE OF THE RULE OF LAW AND WITH THE FUTURE OF THE OTHER VALUES AND FREEDOMS THAT MATTER SO MUCH IN THIS COMMUNITY.
ONE FINAL POINT, THE BILLS COMMITTEE HAS STARTED TO LOOK AT THIS PARTICULAR MEASURE. THEY HAD AN EXTREMELY GOOD DISCUSSION YESTERDAY LASTING ABOUT AN HOUR-AND-A-HALF. IT WAS DETAILED AND INTELLIGENT AND THOUGHTFUL - QUIET, THERE WERE NO VERBAL FISTICUFFS - IT WAS AN INTELLIGENT DISCUSSION. I’M SURE THAT IS HOW THE DISCUSSION WILL CONTINUE AND I WAS ALSO IMPRESSED BY THE EXTENT TO WHICH THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL OBVIOUSLY WANT TO MAKE PROGRESS AS RAPIDLY AS POSSIBLE, SO WE CAN GET THIS ISSUE RESOLVED AS SOON AS MAY BE.
/QUESTION: .......
TUESDAY, MARCH 29, 1994
5
QUESTION: MR PATTEN, REFERRING TO MISS CHRISTINE LOH’S AMENDMENT, CAN YOU SAY WHY THE GOVERNMENT - BECAUSE THERE ARE CRITICISMS FROM THE NEW TERRITORIES RESIDENTS - WHY THE GOVERNMENT SUPPORTS THIS CONTROVERSIAL ISSUE AT THE LATTER HALF OF THE TRANSITIONAL PERIOD, WITHOUT CONSULTING THE CHINESE SIDE? IS THERE A CONSPIRACY BEHIND THIS SUPPORTIVE POSITION? OR YOU, AS A GRADUATE IN HISTORY, YOU SHOULD PAY RESPECT TO THE COLONIAL HISTORY CONCERNING THE NEW TERRITORIES LEASE.
GOVERNOR: I THINK THAT IF I OR ANY OTHER GOVERNOR OR CHIEF SECRETARY HAD A TEN DOLLAR BILL FOR EVERY TIME WE HAVE BEEN SAID TO BE PART OF SOME CONSPIRACY, WE’D RETIRE EXTREMELY RICH. I THINK THAT THE SUGGESTION IS LITERALLY AND IN EVERY PARTICULAR, LUDICROUS. WE PUT FORWARD A BILL BEFORE CHRISTMAS TO DEAL WITH WHAT EVERYBODY IN THE COMMUNITY AGREED WAS A SERIOUS PROBLEM: THE UNFORESEEN APPLICATION OF TRADITIONAL INHERITANCE RIGHTS TO PROPERTY IN THE NEW TERRITORIES. IF YOU DON’T BELIEVE ME, ASK THE 340,000 FAMILIES WHO WERE AFFECTED, IN NEW KOWLOON AND IN THE NEW TOWNS IN THE NEW TERRITORIES. THEN AFTER A LOT OF PEOPLE IN THE NEW TERRITORIES THOUGHT THE BILL HAD BECOME LAW, THIS AMENDMENT WAS PUT DOWN AND IT WAS PUT DOWN WITHIN WEEKS OF US HAVING TO RESPOND TO 1,100 COMMENTS ON OUR GREEN PAPER ON EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES.
IF WE HAD RESPONDED IN ANY OTHER WAY, YOU WOULD HAVE BEEN SUGGESTING THAT WE WERE INVOLVED IN SOME CONSPIRACY TO OVERLOOK THE 1,100 PEOPLE, 90% OF WHOM HAD RESPONDED TO THE GREEN PAPER IN A WAY WHICH QUESTIONED INHERITANCE RIGHTS IN THE NEW TERRITORIES. WHAT YOU HAVE HERE ISN’T A CONSPIRACY, ISN’T EVEN THE SMALLEST CONSPIRACY IN HUMAN HISTORY, WHAT YOU HAVE HERE IS A GOVERNMENT TRYING TO RESPOND AS POSITIVELY AS POSSIBLE TO THE COMMENTS FROM THE COMMUNITY, WHILE AT THE SAME TIME BEHAVING AS REASONABLY AS POSSIBLE TO THOSE IN THE NEW TERRITORIES WHO HAVE WORRIES AND ANXIETIES ABOUT THIS PARTICULAR POINT.
QUESTION: MR PATTEN, DO YOU FEEL THAT THE SETTING UP OF A HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION WOULD HELP TO RESOLVE THE QUESTION OF THE NEW TERRITORIES INHERITANCE RIGHTS?
GOVERNOR: I DON’T THINK THE SETTING UP OF A HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION WOULD MAKE VERY MUCH DIFFERENCE TO THIS ISSUE, NO. BUT THERE ARE ALL OBVIOUSLY IMPORTANT ISSUES THAT WE HAVE TO ADDRESS WHICH HAVE BEEN RAISED BY A NUMBER OF LEGISLATORS, INVOLVING DISCRIMINATION, INVOLVING A COMMISSION FOR WOMEN, INVOLVING A COMMISSION ON HUMAN RIGHTS AND INVOLVING OTHER MATTERS, AND WE WILL BE DISCUSSING THOSE DURING THE COURSE OF THE SUMMER.
QUESTION:
DO YOU EXPECT TO DISCUSS THE PERGAU DAM AFFAIRS ?
GOVERNOR: NO.
/QUESTION: .......
TUESDAY, MARCH 29, 1994
6
QUESTION: REGARDING LAND, TWO THINGS: DO YOU INTEND TO BRING UP WITH THE CHINESE THE QUESTION OF ALLOWING MORE LAND TO COME ON TO THE PROPERTY MARKET IN ORDER TO EASE SOME OF THE PRESSURE? POINT NUMBER ONE. AND SECOND, PROBABLY ONE OF THE MORE CONTROVERSIAL PROPOSALS WOULD BE TO GIVE DEVELOPERS THE POWER OF RESUMPTION - ON THEIR BEHALF - DO YOU PLAN TO DO THAT?
GOVERNOR: ON THE FIRST QUESTION, I THINK IT IS AN OPEN SECRET THAT WE WILL BE TALKING TO THE CHINESE SIDE THROUGH THE USUAL CHANNELS ABOUT LAND AND THE AMOUNT OF LAND COMING ON TO THE MARKET. THERE ARE ARGUMENTS, WHICH I THINK HAVE BEEN PUT BY SOME DEVELOPERS AMONG OTHERS, AS WELL AS BY LEGISLATORS, FOR BRINGING FORWARD MORE LAND.
THERE’S ANOTHER WHOLE RANGE OF ISSUES LOCKED INTO THE QUESTION OF REDEVELOPING EXISTING LAND, REDEVELOPING URBAN AREAS, WHICH NEED TO BE ADDRESSED, INCLUDING THE EXTENT TO WHICH PRIVATE DEVELOPERS CAN MAKE CONTRIBUTIONS TO DEVELOP THE INFRASTRUCTURE RATHER THAN WAITING FOR PUBLIC EXPENDITURE INVESTMENT. THOSE ARE SOME OF THE ISSUES THAT NEED TO BE ADDRESSED. THEY ARE ALL THE THINGS WE ARE LOOKING AT. I DARE SAY THAT THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY AND SECRETARY FOR PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT AND LAND WILL BE SAYING A BIT MORE TOMORROW. BUT WHAT I DON’T WANT TO DO IS TO ANNOUNCE AN APPROACH IN DRIBS AND DRABS. I THINK THE COMMUNITY WOULD LIKE US PROBABLY TO TRY TO TIE EVERYTHING TOGETHER AND MAKE AS COMPREHENSIVE A STATEMENT AS POSSIBLE.
QUESTION: MR PATTEN, WOULD YOU SAY THAT THE GOVERNMENT IS SUPPORTIVE TO THE SETTING UP OF A HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION? AS YOU SAID, IT MAY HELP IN RESOLVING PROBLEMS OF ANTI-DISCRIMINATION AND MATTERS ...
GOVERNOR: WELL, THAT IS NOT ACTUALLY WHAT I SAID, IT’S ALMOST THE OPPOSITE OF WHAT I SAID. BUT WE WILL BE DISCUSSING THOSE ISSUES WITH THE LEGISLATORS WHO ARE BRINGING FORWARD THEIR PROPOSALS IN THE COMING WEEKS. THANKS VERY MUCH INDEED.
---------0 - -
CAMPAIGN TO TARGET ON 2M POTENTIAL VOTERS * * * t ♦
A MAJOR VOTER REGISTRATION CAMPAIGN WILL BE IMPLEMENTED BOTH AT THE CENTRAL AND DISTRICT LEVELS IN THE NEXT THREE MONTHS TO CALL ON TWO MILLION ELIGIBLE VOTERS TO REGISTER FOR THE POLLS.
SPEAKING TODAY (TUESDAY) AT THE PRESS CONFERENCE ON THE VOTER REGISTRATION CAMPAIGN 1994, THE CHAIRMAN OF THE BOUNDARY AND ELECTION COMMISSION, MR JUSTICE WOO KWOK-HING, HIGHLIGHTED THE IMPORTANCE OF VOTER REGISTRATION IN THE LEAD-UP TO THE COMING ELECTIONS.
”IT IS OUR CITIZENS’ RIGHT TO REGISTER AS ELECTORS, WHICH IS A PREREQUISITE FOR VOTING OR PARTICIPATION IN THE DISTRICT BOARD ELECTIONS ON SEPTEMBER 18 THIS YEAR AND THE MUNICIPAL COUNCIL ELECTIONS ON MARCH 5 NEXT YEAR,” MR JUSTICE WOO SAID.
/"THROUGH THE .......
TUESDAY, MARCH 29, 1994
"THROUGH THE ELECTED BOARD MEMBERS OR COUNCILLORS, OUR EXPECTATIONS IN LIFE ARE REFLECTED TO THE GOVERNMENT," HE SAID, ECHOING THE CAMPAIGN SLOGAN "MAKE YOURSELF HEARD, REGISTER TO VOTE".
ON THE QUALIFICATIONS FOR REGISTRATION, HE SAID: "THOSE REACHING THE AGE OF 18 ON JUNE 30 THIS YEAR OR OVER, AND ARE PERMANENT RESIDENTS OR HAVE ORDINARILY LIVED IN HONG KONG FOR THE SEVEN YEARS PRECEDING THE DATE OF APPLICATION ARE ELIGIBLE."
THERE ARE 3.9 MILLION ELIGIBLE VOTERS, OF WHICH 1.94 MILLION PEOPLE HAVE BEEN REGISTERED.
A WORKING GROUP ON PUBLICITY FORMED UNDER THE COMMISSION AND CONVENED BY MR NORMAN LEUNG NAI-PANG IS TASKED TO FORMULATE THE PUBLICITY STRATEGY AND IMPLEMENT EXTENSIVE AND INTENSIVE PROGRAMMES FOR THE TWO MILLION POTENTIAL VOTERS FROM APRIL 1 TO JULY 1.
ABOUT $6.6 MILLION WILL BE SPENT ON THESE PROGRAMMES.
"SPECIAL PUBLICITY PROGRAMMES ARE BEING ORGANISED FOR THE 200,000 ELIGIBLE VOTERS AGED BETWEEN 18 AND 21, WITH THE LOWERING OF THE VOTING AGE TO 18 FROM THIS FRIDAY (APRIL 1)," HE ADDED.
REGISTERED ELECTORS WILL ALSO BE URGED TO REPORT PROMPTLY ANY CHANGE OF HOME ADDRESS TO THE REGISTRATION AND ELECTORAL OFFICE SO THAT THEY MAY VOTE IN THE RIGHT CONSTITUENCY.
"AT THE CENTRAL LEVEL, THE CAMPAIGN WILL MAKE USE OF THE ELECTRONIC AND PRINTED MEDIA, LIGHT ELECTRONIC DISPLAY BOARDS, COUPLED WITH MTR, KCR, TRAM AND BUS ADVERTISING TO DISSEMINATE THE VOTER REGISTRATION MESSAGE TO PEOPLE FROM ALL WALKS OF LIFE," MR JUSTICE WOO SAID.
AMONG THE PUBLICITY ITEMS ARE A SERIES OF TELEVISION AND RADIO ANNOUNCEMENTS IN THE PUBLIC INTEREST AND PROGRAMMES, NEWSPAPER AND MAGAZINE ADVERTISEMENTS, AS WELL AS SOUVENIRS.
"REGISTRATION FORMS WILL BE DISTRIBUTED AT OVER 1,500 OUTLETS, AND APPEAL LETTERS SENT TO THE POTENTIAL ELECTORATE.
"VOTER REGISTRATION DRIVES WILL ALSO BE LAUNCHED IN SECONDARY SCHOOLS, TERTIARY AND POST-SECONDARY INSTITUTIONS AND YOUTH ORGANISATIONS. PLANS ARE ALSO IN HAND FOR A VOTER REGISTRATION AMBASSADOR SCHEME," HE ADDED.
PROMOTIONAL ACTIVITIES BEING ORGANISED BY DISTRICT OFFICES INCLUDE PUTTING UP OF POSTERS AND SIGNBOARDS, WINDOW DISPLAY. BUS PARADES, CARNIVALS, VARIETY SHOWS, DISTRIBUTION OF SOUVENIRS, SETTING UP OF TEMPORARY REGISTRATION COUNTERS AND, MOST IMPORTANTLY, HOUSEHOLD VISITS BY TEMPORARY STAFF.
Z8 ........
TUESDAY, MARCH 29, 1994
- 8 -
DAMAGED SEAWALL INSPECTED
*****
THE BUILDINGS DEPARTMENT TODAY (TUESDAY) INSPECTED THE DAMAGED SEAWALL AND THE NEARBY SEA-FRONTING BUILDINGS ALONG THE PROMENADE AT HENG FA CHUEN, CHAI WAN.
THE INSPECTION, CARRIED OUT BY THE DEPARTMENT’S PROFESSIONAL STAFF, HAS CONFIRMED THAT THE BUILDINGS ARE SAFE.
"NO STRUCTURAL DANGER OR ANY MOVEMENT HAS BEEN DETECTED," A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT EMPHASISED.
STRUCTURAL PLANS SHOW THAT THE BUILDINGS STAND ON "BORE PILE ON ROCK".
THE DEPARTMENT’S STAFF MET WITH ENGINEERS OF MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY CORPORATION (MTRC) ON THE SITE THIS AFTERNOON TO DISCUSS THEIR REMEDIAL REPAIR WORK ON THE SEAWALL.
THE DEPARTMENT WAS SATISFIED THAT THE SITUATION HAS BEEN BROUGHT UNDER PROPER CONTROL BY THE MTRC AND EMERGENCY REPAIR WORK IS PROGRESSING WELL.
MTRC WILL SUBMIT A REPORT ON THE INCIDENT TO THE BUILDINGS DEPARTMENT IN DUE COURSE.
MEANWHILE, THE DEPARTMENT WILL CONTINUE TO MONITOR THE SITUATION IN THE INTEREST OF PUBLIC SAFETY.
------0-------
EFFORTS TO MAKE CONSTRUCTION SITES SAFE
*****
THE GOVERNMENT IS CONSIDERING TO ADOPT A THREE-PRONGED APPROACH TO REDUCE THE NUMBER OF INDUSTRIAL ACCIDENTS RELATING TO CONSTRUCTION HEAVY MACHINERY IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR, WHICH CLAIMED 20 LIVES LAST YEAR.
THIS WAS REVEALED BY THE SECRETARY FOR WORKS, MR JAMES BLAKE, TODAY (TUESDAY) WHEN HE ADDRESSED A SEMINAR ON THE SAFE USE OF HEAVY MACHINERY ON CONSTRUCTION SITES.
HE SAID THE THREE-PRONGED APPROACH, THAT IS ENFORCEMENT, EDUCATION/TRAINING AND PROMOTION, WAS RECOMMENDED BY A WORKING GROUP SET UP LAST YEAR TO CONSIDER HOW REGULATIONS AND CONTROL OF CONSTRUCTION SITE HEAVY MACHINERY CAN BE TIGHTENED UP.
THE WORKING GROUP CONSISTS OF REPRESENTATIVES FROM VARIOUS DEPARTMENTS.
/IT HAS .......
TUESDAY, MARCH 29, 1994
9 -
IT HAS BEEN EXPANDED TO INCLUDE PRIVATE SECTOR’S PARTICIPATION THROUGH THE CONSTRUCTION ADVISORY BOARD, WHICH RECEIVES DIRECTLY THE VIEWS OF THE HONG KONG REAL ESTATE DEVELOPERS ASSOCIATION, THE HONG KONG CONSTRUCTION ASSOCIATION, AND THE HONG KONG ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL ASSOCIATION BY WAY OF MEMBERS OF THE BOARD.
AS FOR ENFORCEMENT, MR BLAKE SAID, THE GOVERNMENT ARE ACTIVELY CONSIDERING THE NEED TO CONTROL BUILDER’S LIFTS IN THE SAME MANNER AS OTHER LIFTS IN DOMESTIC AND COMMERCIAL BUILDINGS, SINCE EACH OF THEM CARRY PASSENGERS.
"NEW LEGISLATION WILL BE INTRODUCED TO EMPOWER THE DIRECTOR OF ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL SERVICES AS THE ENFORCING AUTHORITY FOR BUILDER’S LIFTS AND TOWER WORKING PLATFORMS.
"FOR CRANES AND OTHER HEAVY PLANTS, STRINGENT REQUIREMENTS, SUCH AS REQUIRING THE 'COMPETENT EXAMINER' TO BE A REGISTERED ENGINEER, AND THE CERTIFICATION OF PLANT OPERATORS. WHICH WILL IMPROVE THE SAFE OPERATION OF SUCH EQUIPMENT, ARE BEING CONSIDERED."
AS FOR EDUCATION AND TRAINING, HE SAID VARIOUS SAFETY COURSES WOULD CONTINUE TO BE RUN BY CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY TRAINING ASSOCIATION, HONG KONG POLYTECHNIC AND THE INDUSTRY SAFETY TRAINING CENTRE.
"GOVERNMENT WILL ALSO ACTIVELY TAKE PART IN IMPROVING THE OVERALL CO-ORDINATION OF TRAINING RESOURCES."
MR BLAKE SAID THE GOVERNMENT, BEING THE LARGEST DEVELOPER, WOULD TAKE THE LEAD BY COMMITTING MORE TO SAFETY AND SAFETY PUBLICITY, SUCH AS THE ISSUANCE OF GUIDANCE NOTES FOR TESTING AND EXAMINATION OF BUILDER’S LIFTS, TO ENCOURAGE THE PRIVATE SECTOR TO FOLLOW SUIT.
"THE PROMOTION PROGRAMME HELPS SPREAD THE SAFETY MESSAGE WIDE AND FAST, PARTICULARLY WITH THE USE OF MASS MEDIA LIKE TELEVISION.
"WE ARE CONFIDENT THAT BY THIS THREE-PRONGED APPROACH RECOMMENDED BY THE WORKING GROUP, WE CAN GRADUALLY DEVELOP A SITE SAFETY CULTURE ON PRIVATE SITES, SIMILAR TO WHAT WE HAVE ALREADY STARTED IN THE PUBLIC SECTOR," HE SAID.
--------0 -
/IO........
TUESDAY, MARCH 29, 1994
- 10
EXPERTS TO GIVE ADVICE
ON SAFE USE OF HEAVY CONSTRUCTION MACHINERY
* * * * »
SAFETY PROFESSIONALS FROM JAPAN AND HONG KONG GAVE TALKS ON "SAFE USE OF HEAVY CONSTRUCTION MACHINERY" AT A SEMINAR HELD TODAY (TUESDAY) WITH A VIEW TO FURTHER CUT DOWN ACCIDENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY.
THE SEMINAR IS AIMED AT IMPROVING SAFETY PROFESSIONALS’ TECHNICAL KNOWLEDGE OF THE SAFE INSTALLATION, OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE OF HEAVY CONSTRUCTION MACHINERY SUCH AS MOBILE CRANES, TOWER CRANES, PASSENGER HOISTS, LIFTS AND ESCALATORS,
IT IS JOINTLY ORGANISED BY THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT, THE OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH COUNCIL AND THE WORKING COMMITTEE ON SYMPOSIUM ON SAFETY AND HEALTH MANAGEMENT.
OTHER CO-ORGANISERS INCLUDE THE HONG KONG OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH ASSOCIATION, HONG KONG INDUSTRIAL SAFETY ASSOCIATION, SOCIETY OF REGISTERED SAFETY OFFICERS AND CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY SAFETY MANAGEMENT ASSOCIATION.
ATTRACTING SOME 400 CONTRACTORS, ENGINEERS, SAFETY CONSULTANTS, SAFETY OFFICERS AND PERSONS RESPONSIBLE FOR SAFETY AND HEALTH AT CONSTRUCTION SITES, THE SEMINAR WAS HELD AT THE GRAND BALLROOM OF HOTEL NIKKO IN TSIM SHA TSUI EAST, KOWLOON.
FOLLOWING THE WELCOMING SPEECH BY THE SECRETARY FOR WORKS, MR JAMES BLAKE, OVERSEAS PRODUCT SUPPORT MANAGER OF THE KOBE STEEL LIMITED IN JAPAN, MR YUKI SATO, TALKED ON "SAFETY IN THE OPERATION, INSPECTION AND MAINTENANCE MOBILE CRANES".
OTHER EXPERTS INCLUDE MR WILLIAM TAM CHUN-PONG, GENERAL SERVICES MANAGER OF THE MANTA EQUIPMENT SERVICES LIMITED; MR MATS HEDLUND, EXPORT MANAGER OF ALIMAK AB; MR CHRIS HARDY OF HEK MANUFACTURING AND MR MAK CHE-MIN, MANAGER OF THE MAINTENANCE DEPARTMENT OF RYODEN LIFT AND ESCALATOR COMPANY LIMITED.
THEY GAVE THEIR VIEWS ON THE SAFETY DESIGN, OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE OF POTAIN TOWER CRANE; SAFETY IN THE EXAMINATION, INSPECTION AND MAINTENANCE OF PASSENGER HOISTS; WORK PLATFORMS WHICH IS A MAJOR CONTRIBUTION TO SAFETY IN THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY; AND SAFETY IN THE INSTALLATION AND MAINTENANCE OF LIFTS AND ESCALATORS.
DURING THE SEMINAR, OPEN FORUMS WERE ALSO ARRANGED FOR PARTICIPANTS TO SHARE THEIR EXPERIENCES AND EXCHANGE THEIR VIEWS IN PROMOTING THE CULTURE OF SITE SAFETY.
0 -
/Il ........
TUESDAY, MARCH 29, 1994
- 11
GREEN SLOPES TO REPLACE SHEK O QUARRY FACES *****
A MAJOR ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECT IN SHEK 0 OFFICIALLY GOT UNDER WAY TODAY (TUESDAY) WHEN CONTRACT DOCUMENTS WERE SIGNED BY THE DIRECTOR OF CIVIL ENGINEERING, DR E W BRAND.
THE 10-YEAR CONTRACT IS FOR THE REHABILITATION OF THE SHEK 0 QUARRY, WHICH HAS BEEN OPERATED SINCE 1964 UNDER HONG KONG GOVERNMENT CONTRACTS.
OVER THIS PERIOD IT HAS PROVIDED ABOUT 12 PER CENT OF THE TERRITORY’S ANNUAL ROCK AND AGGREGATE REQUIREMENTS, BUT THE QUARRYING OPERATIONS HAVE RESULTED IN A VISUAL SCAR ON THIS OTHERWISE PRISTINE STRETCH OF THE CAPE D’AGUILAR COASTLINE.
THE CONTRACT IS A COMPONENT OF THE GOVERNMENT METROPLAN LANDSCAPE STRATEGY FOR THE URBAN FRINGE AND COASTAL AREAS. AND WILL RESULT IN THE PRESENT STEEP QUARRY’ FACES BEING REPLACED OVER THE NEXT DECADE BY WOODED SLOPES TO MATCH THE SURROUNDING NATURAL TOPOGRAPHY.
THE SCHEME WILL ALSO CREATE A NATURAL-LOOKING MARINE INLET WHERE THE FLOOR OF THE QUARRY IS NOW LOCATED. AN ACCESS ROAD WILL BE PROVIDED TO THE SHORES OF THE INLET, MAKING THE AREA SUITABLE FOR RECREATIONAL USE.
THE QUARRY LIES JUST OUTSIDE THE TAI TAM COUNTRY PARK. IT HAS BEEN PROPOSED THAT THE COUNTRY PARK BOUNDARY COULD LATER BE EXTENDED TO INCLUDE THE RESTORED AREA.
THE REHABILITATION PROCESS WILL INVOLVE THE EXCAVATION OF SOME 10 MILLION CUBIC METRES OF MATERIAL IN ORDER TO CUT BACK THE STEEP QUARRY FACES TO A MORE NATURAL GRADIENT.
THIS WORK WILL BE CARRIED OUT BY SHEK O QUARRY LIMITED, A SUBSIDIARY OF PIONEER QUARRIES (HONG KONG) LTD, WHO WILL HAVE THE RIGHT TO CRUSH THE EXCAVATED ROCK TO PRODUCE AGGREGATES FOR CONCRETE AND OTHER PRODUCTS.
"THE SCHEME HAS A NUMBER OF BENEFITS," DR BRAND SAID AFTER THE CONTRACT WAS SIGNED WITH THE MANAGING DIRECTOR OF THE PIONEER GROUP, MR J G MCDONALD.
"APART FROM RESTORING THE SCENERY OF THE AREA AT NO DIRECT COST TO HONG KONG TAXPAYERS, THE EXCAVATIONS WILL PROVIDE A RELIABLE SUPPLY OF AGGREGATES, WHICH ARE ESSENTIAL TO HONG KONG’S INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT," HE SAID.
THE WORKS WILL ALSO INCLUDE THE REALIGNMENT AND IMPROVEMENT OF A SECTION OF SHEK O ROAD ADJACENT TO THE QUARRY, ELIMINATING THE TIGHT HAIRPIN BEND AT WINDY GAP (TAI FUNG AU).
"WHEN THE RESTORATION IS FINISHED, THE PUBLIC WILL HAVE A NEW AREA FOR RECREATIONAL ACTIVITY IN THE MARINE INLET," HE SAID.
/FOR THE .......
TUESDAY, MARCH 29, 1994
12
FOR THE NEXT THREE YEARS, THE FLOOR OF THE QUARRY WILL BE USED AS A CASTING BASIN FOR THE SUBMERSIBLE CONCRETE TUNNEL UNITS USED TO CONSTRUCT THE WESTERN HARBOUR CROSSING.
AFTER THIS WORK IS COMPLETED, THE CASTING BASIN WILL BE DEEPENED AND FLOODED TO FORM THE MARINE INLET CONNECTED TO TAI TAM BAY.
THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS OF ALL ASPECTS OF THE WORK HAVE BEEN STUDIED, AND MITIGATION MEASURES WILL BE ADOPTED DURING CONSTRUCTION TO MINIMISE ANY EFFECTS ON THE SURROUNDING ENVIRONMENT.
SITE TRIALS HAVE ALSO BEEN CARRIED OUT TO TEST THE TECHNIQUES TO BE ADOPTED TO ENSURE SUCCESSFUL ESTABLISHMENT OF VEGETATION ON THE FINAL SLOPES.
THE FINAL RESTORATION SCHEME AT SHEK 0 WAS ADOPTED AFTER CONSULTATION WITH THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT BOARD. THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL LANDS AND WORKS PANEL HAS ALSO BEEN FULLY BRIEFED ON THE PROJECT.
--------0-----------
PUBLICITY DRIVE AGAINST MOSQUITO BREEDING
*****
WITH THE APPROACH OF THE SUMMER, THE HEALTH EDUCATION UNIT OF THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH WILL LAUNCH A CAMPAIGN NEXT MONTH AGAINST MOSQUITO BREEDING.
DURING THE MONTH, THE UNIT’S 24-HOUR HOTLINE - 723 0013 - WILL CARRY A TWO-MINUTE MESSAGE IN CANTONESE ON MOSQUITO PREVENTION.
"AFTER LISTENING TO THE TAPED MESSAGE, CALLERS MAY LEAVE THEIR QUESTIONS WITH THE ANSWERING MACHINE. STAFF OF THE UNIT WILL CALL BACK," A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID.
ENTITLED "REMOVE STAGNANT WATER, NO MOSQUITO BREEDING", THE CAMPAIGN IS SPONSORED BY THE URBAN AND REGIONAL COUNCILS.
IT AIMS AT REMINDING BUILDING CONTRACTORS AND HOUSEHOLDS TO TAKE PREVENTIVE MEASURES TO REDUCE MOSQUITO NUISANCE AND PREVENT MOSQUITO-BORNE DISEASES SUCH AS MALARIA.
"TO PREVENT MOSQUITO INFESTATION, IT IS IMPORTANT TO ELIMINATE ALL STAGNANT WATER WHICH IS THE POTENTIAL BREEDING GROUND FOR MOSQUITOES," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
"CONTRACTORS SHOULD INSPECT THEIR CONSTRUCTION SITES REGULARLY TO ENSURE THAT THERE ARE NO ABANDONED CONTAINERS AND EMPTY TINS HOLDING WATER.
"THEY SHOULD PUMP AND DRAIN STAGNANT WATER IN HOLES, TRENCHES AND HOLLOW SPACES AND FILL THEM UP WITH SOIL.
/"SPRAY A .......
TUESDAY, MARCH 29, 1994
13
"SPRAY A THIN LAYER OF DIESEL OIL ON THE WATER SURFACE IF DRAINING OF STAGNANT WATER IS IMPOSSIBLE," HE SAID.
THE SPOKESMAN ADVISED HOUSEHOLDS TO COVER TIGHTLY ALL WATER CONTAINERS, STORAGE TANKS AND WELLS AND LEAVE NO WATER IN FLOWER POT TRAYS.
"KEEP ALL DRAINS FREE FROM CHOKING.
"IT IS AN OFFENCE UNDER THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND MUNICIPAL SERVICES ORDINANCE TO ALLOW THE ACCUMULATION OF WATER LIABLE TO MOSQUITO BREEDING. THE MAXIMUM FINE FOR THE OFFENCE IS $10,000," HE SAID.
IN 1992, A TOTAL OF 515 PROSECUTIONS WERE MADE. THE FIGURE INCREASED TO 589 LAST YEAR.
DURING THE CAMPAIGN PERIOD, EXHIBITION BOARDS WILL BE PUT ON PUBLIC DISPLAY AT THE UNIT’S RESOURCE CENTRE ON THE EIGHTH FLOOR OF THE URBAN COUNCIL FA YUEN STREET COMPLEX IN MONG KOK.
THE CENTRE ALSO PROVIDES PREVIEW AND LOAN SERVICE FOR EDUCATIONAL MATERIALS LIKE TAPES AND VIDEO TAPES.
A VARIETY OF PRINTED MATERIAL SUCH AS POSTERS, LEAFLETS AND STICKERS MAY ALSO BE OBTAINED FREE FROM THE CENTRE, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
MEANWHILE, THE DEPARTMENT WILL BE SENDING ADVISORY LETTERS, AND EDUCATIONAL LEAFLETS AND POSTERS TO OWNERS INCORPORATIONS, MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES, MANAGEMENT OFFICES OF LARGE PRIVATE HOUSING ESTATES AND BUILDING CONTRACTORS TO ENLIST SUPPORT.
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC SEEKING ADVICE OR HELP IN MOSQUITO PREVENTION MAY ALSO CONTACT THE RESPECTIVE DISTRICT ENVIRONMENTAL HYGIENE OFFICES OF THE URBAN SERVICES OR REGIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENTS.
--------0-----------
HK HOSTS WORLD WHEELCHAIR FENCING CHAMPIONSHIP
*****
HONG KONG IS HOSTING THE 1994 WORLD WHEELCHAIR FENCING CHAMPIONSHIP WHICH IS HELD OUTSIDE EUROPE FOR THE FIRST TIME.
SPEAKING AT ITS OPENING CEREMONY, THE CHIEF SECRETARY, MRS ANSON CHAN, SAID THROUGH SPORT AND CULTURE, THE OLYMPIC IDEAL AIMED TO PROMOTE INTERNATIONAL UNDERSTANDING AMONG THE YOUTH OF THE WORLD.
THUS A BETTER AND MORE PEACEFUL WORLD IS TO BE BUILT, SHE ADDED.
/"THE WORLD .......
TUESDAY, MARCH 29, 1994
- 14 -
"THE WORLD WHEELCHAIR FENCING CHAMPIONSHIP, WITH ITS 11 PARTICIPATING COUNTRIES AND TERRITORIES, PROVIDES A VERY SUITABLE MEDIUM FOR THE REALISATION OF THIS IDEAL,” SHE SAID.
NOTING THAT THE PROMOTION OF WHEELCHAIR SPORT REQUIRED EXCEPTIONAL DEDICATION, MRS CHAN PRAISED THE CO-ORDINATED EFFORTS OF THE ATHLETES, THEIR FAMILIES AND COACHES, AND THE COMMUNITY.
--------0 - -
THREE LOTS FOR AUCTION *****
THE LANDS DEPARTMENT WILL AUCTION THREE LOTS OF GOVERNMENT LAND ON MARCH 31 (THURSDAY).
THE PUBLIC AUCTION WILL BEGIN AT 2.30 PM IN THE JADE BALLROOM OF HOTEL FURAMA-KEMPINSKI, CONNAUGHT ROAD CENTRAL, HONG KONG.
THE FIRST LOT, LOCATED AT 665 KING’S ROAD, HAS AN AREA OF ABOUT 2,661 SQUARE METRES FOR NON-INDUSTRIAL USE, EXCLUDING PETROL-FILLING STATION, GODOWN, WAREHOUSE AND PRIVATE RESIDENTIAL USE.
THE SECOND LOT IS SITUATED AT AREA 11, TUEN MUN, COVERING AN AREA OF ABOUT 3,781 SQUARE METRES.
IT IS FOR NON-INDUSTRIAL USE, EXCLUDING GODOWN, RESIDENTIAL, HOTEL, SERVICE APARTMENT AND PETROL-FILLING STATION, BUT INCLUDING MULTI-STOREY PUBLIC CAR PARK.
THE THIRD LOT IS LOCATED AT AREA 11, ON YOU STREET, SHA TIN, HAVING AN AREA OF ABOUT 6,515 SQUARE METRES FOR INDUSTRIAL OR GODOWN (WITH ANCILLARY OFFICE) USE.
ATTENTION NEWS EDITORS:
YOUR REPRESENTATIVES ARE INVITED TO COVER THE AUCTION.
/15........
TUESDAY, MARCH 29, 1994
- 15 -
SOCIAL SECURITY PAYMENTS GIVEN OUT ON TIME * » » * »
IN RESPONSE TO PRESS ENQUIRIES ABOUT THE POSSIBLE DELAY IN SOCIAL SECURITY PAYMENTS CAUSED BY A COMPUTERISATION SYSTEM, A SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN CONFIRMED THAT CUSTOMERS WOULD BE GETTING THEIR MONEY ON TIME.
HE SAID WITH THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE SYSTEM ON APRIL 1, PAYMENTS WOULD BE GIVEN TO SOME 90,000 FAMILIES ON THE COMPREHENSIVE SOCIAL SECURITY ASSISTANCE SCHEME THROUGH THE BANK AUTOPAY.
"INSTEAD OF ASKING THEM TO COLLECT VARIOUS KINDS OF PAYMENTS AT BANKS AND POST OFFICES, WE HAVE STREAMLINED OUR PAYMENT SYSTEM FOR THE BETTER CONVENIENCE OF OUR CUSTOMERS.
"OUR PRIMARY CONCERN IS TO ENSURE THAT THEY WILL CONTINUE TO RECEIVE THEIR PAYMENTS ON TIME," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
HE ADDED THAT THERE WERE BOUND TO BE SOME TEETHING PROBLEMS WITH THE COMPUTERISATION OF ANY MAJOR PROJECT. SOME HAD ARISEN DURING MARCH WHEN THE NEW COMPUTERISATION SYSTEM FOR THE SOCIAL SECURITY PAYMENT WAS BEING TESTED.
"WE ARE PLEASED TO HAVE IDENTIFIED THESE PROBLEMS BEFORE THE FULL IMPLEMENTATION OF THE SCHEME SO THAT WE HAVE TIME TO RECTIFY AND TO ENSURE ITS SMOOTH RUNNING IN APRIL, WITH THE CO-OPERATION OF THE INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY SERVICES DEPARTMENT.
"WE ARE ALSO WORKING CLOSELY WITH THE STAFF ON WAYS TO RESOLVE THESE TEETHING PROBLEMS, INCLUDING ARRANGEMENT OF OVERTIME PAYMENT AND OTHER BACK-UP TO STAFF," HE SAID.
HE ADDED THAT DURING THE TEST RUN SINCE THE BEGINNING OF MARCH SOME 200,000 CUSTOMERS ON COMPREHENSIVE SOCIAL SECURITY ASSISTANCE SCHEME, OLD AGE ALLOWANCE SCHEME AND DISABILITY ALLOWANCE SCHEME WERE PAID THROUGH THE AUTOPAY SYSTEM AT THE BANKS.
------0-------
DISTRICT OFFICER BANS HAWKING
*****
ACTING CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT OFFICER, MR HOWARD LEE, TODAY (TUESDAY) REMINDED VISITORS AND FOREIGN DOMESTIC HELPERS NOT TO ENGAGE IN ILLEGALLY HAWKING IN THE CHATER ROAD PRECINCT AREA DURING THE EASTER HOLIDAYS.
MR LEE SAID THE URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT AND THE POLICE WOULD TAKE FIRM ACTION TO ARREST AND PROSECUTE THOSE BREAKING THE LAW.
IMMIGRATION OFFICERS WILL ALSO BE PRESENT TO HELP INVESTIGATE ANY SUSPECTED BREACH OF THE IMMIGRATION ORDINANCE, HE ADDED.
/"HAWKING MIGHT .......
TUESDAY, MARCH 29, 1994
"HAWKING MIGHT BREACH THE CONDITION OF STAY IMPOSED BY THE DIRECTOR OF IMMIGRATION ON VISITORS AND FOREIGN DOMESTIC HELPERS," MR LEE SAID.
"ANY CONTRAVENTION OF THE IMMIGRATION ORDINANCE MIGHT RENDER THE INDIVIDUAL LIABLE TO BE REMOVED FROM HONG KONG," HE SAID.
AS TO ILLEGAL HAWKING, HE POINTED OUT THAT THE MAXIMUM PENALTY IS A $2,500 FINE PLUS ONE MONTH’S IMPRISONMENT ON FIRST CONVICTION AND A $5,000 FINE PLUS SIX MONTHS’ IMPRISONMENT ON SUBSEQUENT CONVICTIONS.
ALL HAWKING COMMODITIES AND PARAPHERNALIA SEIZED WILL ALSO BE CONFISCATED UPON CONVICTION, HE SAID.
- - 0 - -
BUDGET DEBATE TO RESUME TOMORROW *****
THE CHIEF SECRETARY, FINANCIAL SECRETARY, ATTORNEY GENERAL AND SEVEN BRANCH SECRETARIES WILL SPEAK IN THE RESUMED DEBATE ON THE APPROPRIATION BILL 1994 AT THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MEETING TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY).
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY WILL ALSO PRESENT AT THE MEETING THE ESTIMATES FOR THE YEAR ENDING MARCH 31, 1995 WHICH SHOWS THE SUMMARIES OF REVENUE BY HEADS AND SUBHEADS OF THE GENERAL REVENUE ACCOUNT.
MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL WILL ASK 20 QUESTIONS AND CONSIDER NINE
BILLS
OF THEM, TWO BILLS -- SUPREME COURT (AMENDMENT) BILL 1994 AND LAND SURVEY BILL — WILL BE INTRODUCED FOR FIRST AND SECOND READINGS. DEBATES ON THEM ARE DUE TO BE ADJOURNED.
DEBATE ON THE SEVEN OTHER BILLS WILL BE RESUMED. THEY ARE DUE TO GO THROUGH THE COMMITTEE STAGE AND BE GIVEN A THIRD READING.
THEY ARE: THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL COMMISSION BILL, APPROPRIATION BILL 1994, THE HONG KONG INSTITUTE OF EDUCATION BILL, LAYOUT-DESIGN (TOPOGRAPHY) OF INTEGRATED CIRCUITS BILL, TELECOMMUNICATION (AMENDMENT) BILL 1994, AIR POLLUTION CONTROL (AMENDMENT) (NO. 2) BILL 1993 AND LAND DRAINAGE BILL.
IN ADDITION, THE ATTORNEY GENERAL WILL MOVE A MOTION UNDER OFFICIAL LANGUAGES ORDINANCE.
THE SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER WILL PROPOSE TWO MOTIONS UNDER FACTORIES AND INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS ORDINANCE.
ALSO, THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE WILL MOVE A MOTION UNDER HONG KONG ACADEMY OF MEDICINE ORDINANCE.
/THE SECRETARY
TUESDAY, MARCH 29, 1994
THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT WILL PROPOSE THREE MOTIONS. ONE UNDER MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY CORPORATION ORDINANCE, AND TWO UNDER KOWLOON-CANTON RAILWAY CORPORATION ORDINANCE.
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE WELCOME TO OBSERVE THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE MEETING FROM THE PUBLIC GALLERY.
THEY MAY RESERVE SEATS BY CALLING 869 9492.
------0-------
CHING MING HOLIDAY REMINDER *****
THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT TODAY (TUESDAY) REMINDED EMPLOYERS THAT APRIL 5 (TUESDAY), THE CHING MING FESTIVAL DAY, IS ONE OF THE 11 STATUTORY HOLIDAYS.
UNDER THE EMPLOYMENT ORDINANCE, ALL EMPLOYEES IRRESPECTIVE OF THEIR WAGE LEVELS ARE ENTITLED TO THE HOLIDAY AND MUST BE PAID FOR THE DAY OFF IF THEY HAVE WORKED CONTINUOUSLY FOR AN EMPLOYER FOR THREE MONTHS IMMEDIATELY PRECEDING THE STATUTORY HOLIDAY.
HOLIDAY PAY SHOULD BE EQUIVALENT TO AN EMPLOYEE’S EARNINGS ON A FULL WORKING DAY AND SHOULD INCLUDE BASIC WAGES AS WELL AS ALLOWANCES THAT CAN BE EXPRESSED IN MONEY TERMS SUCH AS MEALS AND COST OF LIVING ALLOWANCES.
WHERE THE EARNINGS VARY FROM DAY TO DAY, HOLIDAY PAY SHOULD BE THE AVERAGE DAILY EARNINGS DURING EVERY COMPLETE WAGE PERIOD, WHICH COULD BE BETWEEN 28 DAYS AND 31 DAYS, PRECEDING THE HOLIDAY.
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 AT THE GENERAL ENQUIRY TELEPHONE SERVICE OF THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT ON 717 1771.
------0-------
EARLY WELFARE PAYMENTS
*****
RECIPIENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE SOCIAL SECURITY ASSISTANCE AND SOCIAL SECURITY ALLOWANCE UNDER THE BANK PAYMENT SYSTEM MAY RECEIVE PAYMENTS EARLIER IF THEIR PAYDAY FALLS ON THE COMING EASTER AND CHING MING PUBLIC HOLIDAYS.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY (TUESDAY) THAT PAYMENTS SCHEDULED BETWEEN APRIL 1 (FRIDAY) AND APRIL 5 (TUESDAY) WOULD BE ADVANCED TO MARCH 31 (THURSDAY).
IN CASE OF DOUBT, RECIPIENTS ARE ADVISED TO CONTACT THEIR RESPECTIVE SOCIAL SECURITY FIELD UNITS.
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/18........
TUESDAY, MARCH 29, 1994
- 18 -
INTEREST ON TAX RESERVE CERTIFICATES UP
*****
THE ANNUAL RATE OF INTEREST PAYABLE ON TAX RESERVE CERTIFICATES WILL BE INCREASED TO 3.84% (TAX FREE) FROM TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY).
THE CURRENT RATE IS 3% (TAX FREE).
A LEGAL NOTICE TO THE EFFECT THAT THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY HAS AUTHORISED THE INCREASE WAS GAZETTED YESTERDAY (MONDAY).
INTEREST ON TAX RESERVE CERTIFICATES IS CALCULATED IN MONTHLY STEPS AND THE NEW RATE WILL BE $0.32 PER MONTH PER $100.
INTEREST WILL BE CREDITED AS BEFORE IN RESPECT OF COMPLETE MONTHS BETWEEN PURCHASE AND SURRENDER IN PAYMENT OF TAX.
INTEREST IS ONLY CREDITED WHEN CERTIFICATES ARE USED TO PAY TAX AND NO INTEREST IS DUE WHERE THE PRINCIPAL VALUE OF A CERTIFICATE IS REPAID BY A CHEQUE.
THE NEW RATE WILL APPLY TO ALL CERTIFICATES ISSUED ON OR AFTER MARCH 30.
CERTIFICATES WHICH WERE ISSUED BEFORE MARCH 30 WILL CONTINUE TO EARN INTEREST AS FOLLOWS:
7.08% PER ANNUM FOR CERTIFICATES ISSUED ON OR AFTER MARCH 7, 1990 AND BEFORE APRIL 4, 1990;
8.04% PER ANNUM FOR CERTIFICATES ISSUED ON OR AFTER APRIL 4, 1990 AND BEFORE AUGUST 15, 1990;
7.56% PER ANNUM FOR CERTIFICATES ISSUED ON OR AFTER AUGUST 15, 1990 AND BEFORE OCTOBER 24, 1990;
7.08% PER ANNUM FOR CERTIFICATES ISSUED ON OR AFTER OCTOBER 24, 1990 AND BEFORE JANUARY 30, 1991;
6.60% PER ANNUM FOR CERTIFICATES ISSUED ON OR AFTER JANUARY 30, 1991 AND BEFORE MAY 29, 1991;
7.56% PER ANNUM FOR CERTIFICATES ISSUED ON OR AFTER MAY 29, 1991 AND BEFORE JULY 3, 1991;
6.60% PER ANNUM FOR CERTIFICATES ISSUED ON OR AFTER JULY 3, 1991 AND BEFORE AUGUST 14, 1991;
6.00% PER ANNUM FOR CERTIFICATES ISSUED ON OR AFTER AUGUST 14, 1991 AND BEFORE SEPTEMBER 18, 1991;
5.52% PER ANNUM FOR CERTIFICATES ISSUED ON OR AFTER SEPTEMBER 18, 1991 AND BEFORE NOVEMBER 6, 1991;
’ j'j.
5.04% PER ANNUM FOR CERTIFICATES ISSUED ON OR AFTER NOVEMBER 6, 1991 AND BEFORE MAY 6, 1992;
/4.56% .......
TUESDAY, MARCH 29, 1994
- 19 -
4.56% PER 1992 ANNUM FOR CERTIFICATES ISSUED ON OR AFTER AND BEFORE MAY 27, 1992; MAY 6
3.60% PER 1992 ANNUM FOR CERTIFICATES ISSUED ON OR AFTER AND BEFORE JULY 8, 1992; AND MAY 27
3.00% PER 1992 ANNUM FOR CERTIFICATES ISSUED ON OR AFTER AND BEFORE MARCH 30, 1994. JULY 8
BUT THEY ARE ALWAYS SUBJECT TO THE GENERAL RULE THAT INTEREST CEASES TO ACCRUE AFTER 36 COMPLETE MONTHS WITHOUT SURRENDER FOR PAYMENT OF TAX.
FOR EXAMPLE:
$1,000 CERTIFICATES PURCHASED ON MARCH 30, 1994, APRIL 30, 1994 AND MAY 30, 1994 RESPECTIVELY, SURRENDERED IN PAYMENT OF TAX DUE ON JUNE 29, 1994 WILL HAVE INTEREST CALCULATED AS FOLLOWS:
ON $1,000, MARCH 30, 1994 TO JUNE 29, 1994
THREE COMPLETE MONTHS AT $3.20 PER MONTH = $9.60
ON $1,000, APRIL 30, 1994 TO JUNE 29, 1994
TWO COMPLETE MONTHS AT $3.20 PER MONTH = $6.40
ON $1,000, MAY 30, 1994 TO JUNE 29, 1994
ONE COMPLETE MONTH AT $3.20 PER MONTH = $3.20
$19.20
---------0-----------
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND TENDER RESULTS » » » » »
TENDER DATE 29 MAR 94 29 MAR 94
PAPER ON OFFER EF BILLS EF BILLS
ISSUE NUMBER Q413 H461
AMOUNT APPLIED HKD4,140 MN HKD1,68O MN
AMOUNT ALLOTTED HKD1,5OO MN HKD500 MN
AVERAGE YIELD ACCEPTED 3.73 PCT 3.98 PCT
HIGHEST YIELD ACCEPTED 3.73 PCT 3.99 PCT
PRO RATA RATIO ABOUT 98 PCT ABOUT 44 PCT
AVERAGE TENDER YIELD 3.75 PCT 4.01 PCT
/HONG KONG .......
TUESDAY, MARCH 29, 1994
- 20 -
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND
TENDERS TO BE HELD IN THE WEEK BEGINNING 4 APR 94 - TENDER DATE 6 MAR 94 PAPER ON OFFER EF BILLS ISSUE NUMBER Q414 ISSUE DATE 7 APR 94 MATURITY DATE 6 JUL 94 TENOR 90 DAYS AMOUNT ON OFFER HKD1.500 + 300 MN 0 HONG KONG MONETARY AUTHORITY MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS ***** TIME $ MILLION (HOURS) OPENING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT 1,837 0930 CUMULATIVE CHANGE ($ MILLION) + 607
CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT 2,991 1000 + 671
CHANGE ATTRIBUTABLE TO : 1100 + 841
MONEY MARKET ACTIVITY +1,154 1200 +1,154
LAF TODAY NIL 1500 +1,154
LAF RATE 2.00 BID/4 .00 OFFER TWI 125.1 1600 *-0.3* +1,154 29.3.94
/HONG KONG .......
TUESDAY, MARCH 29, 1994
- 21 -
HONG KONG MONETARY AUTHORITY
EF BILLS EF NOTES/HONG KONG GOVERNMENT BONDS
TERMS YIELD TERM ISSUE COUPON PRICE YIELD
1 WEEK 3.16 17 MONTHS 2508 4.625 99.76 4.86
1 MONTH 3.36 20 MONTHS 2511 4.15 98.61 5.10
3 MONTHS 3.73 23 MONTHS 2602 4.40 98.54 5.29
6 MONTHS 3.96 31 MONTHS 3610 4.20 96.51 5.75
12 MONTHS 4.45 TOTAL TURNOVER OF BILLS 34 MONTHS 3701 4.60 96.89 5.89 AND BONDS - 13,097 MN
CLOSED 29 MARCH 1994
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 30,1994
CONTENTS PAGE NQ.
EXCHANGE FUND UNAUDITED FIGURES ANNOUNCED.................... 1
NEW DIRECTOR OF ACCOUNTING SERVICES NAMED................... 1
PUBLIC WORKS QUALITY TO IMPROVE.............................. 2
FIVE QUEEN’S COUNSEL APPOINTED............................... 3
ANNUAL REPORT ON CONSUMER PRICE INDEX FOR 1993 PUBLISHED.... 4
PROPER PLANNING NEEDED IN CROSS-BORDER FREIGHT TRANSPORT... 4
MONETARY STATISTICS FOR FEBRUARY 1994........................ 6
VISITORS MUST OBSERVE CONDITIONS OF STAY..................... 9
VIDEO ON TSING MA BRIDGE..................................... 9
CLOSURE ORDER FOR ILLEGAL STRUCTURE SOUGHT.................. 11
REMINDER OF EARLY WELFARE PAYMENTS.......................... 11
HONG KONG MONETARY AUTHORITY MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS .... 12
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 30, 1994
EXCHANGE FUND UNAUDITED FIGURES ANNOUNCED
*****
IN A STATEMENT TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY) THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, SIR HAMISH MACLEOD, ANNOUNCED THE UNAUDITED FIGURES OF THE EXCHANGE FUND SHOWING THE POSITION AS AT THE END OF 1993.
AT THE END OF 1993, THE EXCHANGE FUND STOOD AT HKS348 BILLION, UP 21 PER CENT FROM HKS287 BILLION AT THE END OF 1992. MORE THAN 96 PER CENT OF THE FUND WAS IN FOREIGN CURRENCY ASSETS. ACCUMULATED EARNINGS OF THE FUND STOOD AT HK$128 BILLION, 20 PER CENT HIGHER THAN A YEAR AGO.
"THE FOREIGN CURRENCY COMPONENT OF THE FUND, AT OVER US$43 BILLION, PLACES HONG KONG SIXTH IN THE WORLD IN OVERALL FOREIGN CURRENCY RESERVES, AND SECOND IN THE WORLD IN TERMS OF RESERVES PER CAPITA," SIR HAMISH SAID.
"THE STRONG FOREIGN CURRENCY RESERVES POSITION OF THE EXCHANGE FUND REFLECTS HONG KONG’S IMPRESSIVE FINANCIAL STRENGTH AND IS IMPORTANT TO THE MAINTENANCE OF MONETARY AND FINANCIAL STABILITY OF HONG KONG," MR JOSEPH YAM, CHIEF EXECUTIVE OF THE HONG KONG MONETARY AUTHORITY, ADDED.
THE HONG KONG MONETARY AUTHORITY WILL BE ISSUING IN MAY 1994 ITS FIRST ANNUAL REPORT, TO BE TABLED IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL AND PROVIDING FULLER DETAILS ON ITS ACTIVITIES TOGETHER WITH THE AUDITED ACCOUNTS OF THE EXCHANGE FUND.
--------0 - -
NEW DIRECTOR OF ACCOUNTING SERVICES NAMED
*****
THE GOVERNMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (WEDNESDAY) THAT MR CHIU SZE-HUNG, DIRECTOR OF ACCOUNTING SERVICES, WILL RETIRE ON APRIL 1 THIS YEAR.
HE WILL BE SUCCEEDED BY HIS DEPUTY, MR ALAN RICHARDSON;’
O ■ ■„ • ; J >
THE FOLLOWING ARE BRIEF BIOGRAPHICAL NOTES ON THESE OFFICERS:
MR CHIU SZE-HUNG, ISO, JP (AGED 61)
MR CHIU JOINED THE GOVERNMENT AS A TEMPORARY CLERK IN 1952. HE WAS TRANSFERRED TO THE TREASURY ACCOUNTANT GRADE IN 1972.
AFTER A SERIES OF PROMOTION IN THE GRADE, HE WAS PROMOTED TO DIRECTOR OF ACCOUNTING SERVICES IN 1993.
ON HIS RETIREMENT, MR CHIU WILL HAVE COMPLETED 41 YEARS OF SERVICE WITH THE GOVERNMENT.
/MR ALAN RICHARDSON.........
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 30, 1994
2
MR ALAN RICHARDSON, JP (AGED 52)
MR RICHARDSON ACCOUNTANT IN 1976.
JOINED THE GOVERNMENT AS A CHIEF TREASURY
HE WAS PROMOTED TO ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF ACCOUNTING SERVICES IN 1981 AND TO DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF ACCOUNTING SERVICES IN 1993.
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PUBLIC WORKS QUALITY TO IMPROVE
*****
THE QUALITY OF PUBLIC WORKS PROJECTS IS EXPECTED TO TAKE ANOTHER STEP TOWARDS PERFECTION AS THE GOVERNMENT IS TO INTRODUCE QUALITY ASSURANCE STANDARDS IN PUBLIC CONSTRUCTION WORKS.
’’THE WORKS BRANCH, WITH THE SUPPORT AND AGREEMENT OF THE WORKS DIRECTORS, HAS APPROVED A FRAMEWORK FOR THE INTRODUCTION OF ISO 9000 QUALITY ASSURANCE STANDARDS IN OUR CONSTRUCTION WORKS,” ACCORDING TO SECRETARY FOR WORKS, MR JAMES BLAKE.
HE WAS ADDRESSING A SEMINAR ON ’’QUALITY IN PUBLIC WORKS”, ORGANISED BY THE WORKS BRANCH TO EXPLAIN THE GOVERNMENT’S POLICY AND OBJECTIVE ON THE QUALITY OF CONSTRUCTION IN PUBLIC WORKS.
MR BLAKE SAID THERE WAS A GROWING AWARENESS OF THE NEED FOR INTERNATIONAL QUALITY STANDARDS IN HONG KONG.
’’INDEED, MANY OF OUR CONTRACTORS AND CONSULTANTS HAVE ALREADY ACHIEVED ISO 9000 CERTIFICATION, OR PLAN TO DO SO,” HE SAID.
’’THE REASON WHY WE ARE CONCERNED ABOUT QUALITY IN PUBLIC WORKS IS SIMPLE.”
"IN THE 1990’S WE CAN NO LONGER AFFORD THE LUXURY OF INEVITABLE TIME AND COST OVERRUNS.
"IN PUBLIC WORKS CONSTRUCTION TODAY, WE ARE NOT ONLY EXPECTED TO BUILD ON TIME AND WITHIN BUDGET, BUT ALSO TO ACHIEVE VALUE FOR MONEY AND QUALITY IN THE COMPLETED WORK.
’’QUALITY ASSURANCE IS INTENDED TO ENSURE CONSTRUCTION TO SPECIFICATION AND REDUCE COST BY DOING THINGS RIGHT AT THE FIRST TIME.
MR BLAKE SAID THERE WERE OTHER BENEFITS.
’’ONE OF THEM IS ENHANCED SITE SAFETY BY REDUCING THE NUMBER OF HAZARDOUS SITUATIONS WHICH CAN CAUSE INJURY OR LOSS OF LIFE.
"INDEED, MANY CONTRACTORS ALREADY INCLUDE A SAFETY PROCEDURES IN THEIR PROJECT QUALITY PLANS.
MR BLAKE SAID THE GOVERNMENT WOULD MAINTAIN CLOSE LIAISON WITH THE RELEVANT PROFESSIONAL AND TRADE ASSOCIATIONS.
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/3......
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 30, 1994
- 3 -
FIVE QUEEN’S COUNSEL APPOINTED * * * * *
THE CHIEF JUSTICE ANNOUNCED THAT THE QUEEN HAD APPOINTED MR ANTHONY R DICKS, MR WARREN CHAN CHEE-HOI, MR LAWRENCE LOK YING-KAM, MR MICHAEL V LUNN, AND MR NIGEL A C AIKEN HER MAJESTY’S COUNSEL FOR HONG KONG.
THE APPOINTMENT IS TO TAKE EFFECT 'IMMEDIATELY AND A CEREMONY WILL BE HELD IN NO. 1 COURT OF THE SUPREME COURT AT 10 AM ON SATURDAY (MAY 14) TO CALL WITHIN THE BAR THE FIVE NEW QUEEN’S COUNSEL.
THE COURT, WHICH WILL INCLUDE MEMBERS OF THE BENCH AT ALL LEVELS, WILL BE PRESIDED OVER BY THE CHIEF JUSTICE, SIR TI LIANG YANG.
MR ANTHONY DICKS IS 58 YEARS OF AGE AND WAS CALLED TO THE INNER TEMPLE IN 1961. HE WAS ADMITTED TO THE HONG KONG BAR IN 1965 AND WAS ENGAGED IN PRACTICE FROM 1967. HE WAS IN PART-TIME PRACTICE IN LONDON FROM 1968-1974 AND RETURNED TO FULL-TIME PRACTICE IN HONG KONG IN 1974.
HE ACQUIRED A BUSY LITIGATION PRACTICE, LARGELY IN THE COMMERCIAL, ADMIRALTY AND COMPANY FIELDS. THROUGHOUT HIS PERIOD IN PRACTICE, HE HAS BEEN CONSULTED ON A VERY WIDE VARIETY OF ASPECTS OF CHINESE LAW, TRADITIONAL AND MODERN, SOMETIMES GIVING EXPERT EVIDENCE IN THE COURTS OF HONG KONG AND OTHER PLACES.
MR WARREN CHAN IS 40 YEARS OLD AND WAS CALLED TO THE HONG KONG BAR IN 1978 AND THE ENGLISH BAR IN 1983. HE STARTED WITH A GENERAL CIVIL PRACTICE AND GRADUALLY DEVELOPED INTO A PROPERTY AND COMMERCIAL PRACTICE. HE HAS OCCASIONALLY DONE SOME CRIMINAL WORK.
HE SERVED AS A MEMBER OF THE BAR COMMITTEE IN 1980/1981-AND A MEMBER OF THE CRIMINAL INJURIES COMPENSATION BOARD IN 1986/1987. HE HAS BEEN A MEMBER OF THE SUB-COMMITTEE ON OVERSEAS ADMISSION SINCE 1992.
MR LAWRENCE LOK IS AGED 39 AND WAS CALLED TO THE HONG KONG BAR IN 1978. HE HAS BEEN IN PRACTICE SINCE 1979 AND HIS WORK IS NOW EXCLUSIVELY CONFINED TO CRIMINAL CASES.
HE IS A MEMBER OF THE WORKING PARTY FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF USE OF CHINESE IN MAGISTRATES COURTS (1989), AND A MEMBER OF THE LAW SOCIETY LEGAL ADVICE AND DUTY LAWYER SCHEME (1989/1992). HE HAS BEEN A MEMBER OF THE CRIMINAL LAW STANDING COMMITTEE SINCE 1990.
MR MICHAEL LUNN IS 43 YEARS OF AGE AND WAS.CALLED TO THE INNER TEMPLE IN 1973 AND THE HONG KONG BAR IN 1981. HE WORKED IN THE LEGAL DEPARTMENT FROM 1977 TO 1982. HIS WORK IS MOSTLY IN CRIMINAL LAW DEALING WITH TRIALS IN THE MAGISTRACY, DISTRICT COURT AND THE HIGH COURT. EIGHTY-FIVE PER CENT OF THESE TRIALS ARE IN THE HIGH COURT.
HE HAS BEEN A MEMBER OF THE HONG KONG BAR COUNCIL SINCE 1992 AND IS NOW A MEMBER OF THE WORKING PARTY ON MENTALLY HANDICAPPED PEOPLE GIVING EVIDENCE IN COURT.
/MR NIGEL AIKEN
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 30, 1994
4
MR NIGEL AIKEN IS 44 YEARS OF AGE AND WAS CALLED TO THE ENGLISH BAR IN 1974 AND THE HONG KONG BAR IN 1981. HE WAS A MEMBER OF THE LEGAL DEPARTMENT FROM 1977 TO 1982.
HALF OF HIS WORK IS IN CRIMINAL CASES. HE ALSO TAKES CASES IN BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION WORK INCLUDING ARBITRATIONS AND GENERAL COMMERCIAL WORK. HE HAS BEEN ASKED SEVERAL TIMES TO ACT AS AN ARBITRATOR.
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ANNUAL REPORT ON CONSUMER PRICE INDEX FOR 1993 PUBLISHED *****
THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT HAS PUBLISHED A REPORT ANALYSING THE MOVEMENTS OF CONSUMER PRICE INDICES (CPIS) LAST YEAR.
CHARTS AND TABLES SHOWING MOVEMENTS OF THE CPI(A), CPI(B), HANG SENG CPI AND COMPOSITE CPI BY INDIVIDUAL COMMODITY/SERVICE COMPONENTS, AS WELL AS THEIR CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE OVERALL CHANGE IN THE INDICES ARE ALSO INCLUDED IN THE REPORT.
IT ALSO CONTAINS A DETAILED EXPLANATION OF THE CONCEPTS AND COMPUTATION METHOD OF THE CPIS TO HELP READERS GAIN A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF THE INDICES.
THE ANNUAL REPORT IS A BILINGUAL PUBLICATION IN BOTH ENGLISH AND CHINESE.
IT IS NOW ON SALE, AT $32 A COPY, AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, GENERAL POST OFFICE BUILDING, GROUND FLOOR, CONNAUGHT PLACE, CENTRAL; AND THE PUBLICATIONS SECTION OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT, 19TH FLOOR, WANCHAI TOWER, 12 HARBOUR ROAD, WAN CHAI, HONG KONG.
ENQUIRIES ABOUT THE REPORT CAN BE DIRECTED TO THE CONSUMER PRICE INDEX SECTION OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT ON TEL 805 6403.
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PROPER PLANNING NEEDED IN CROSS-BORDER FREIGHT TRANSPORT
*****
PROPER PLANNING IS THE SOLUTION TO THE PROBLEMS CREATED BY THE MASSIVE INCREASE IN CROSS-BORDER FREIGHT, THE SECRETARY FOR ECONOMIC SERVICES, MR GORDON SIU, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING OF A SEMINAR ON CHINA-HONG KONG FREIGHT TRANSPORT ORGANISED BY THE HONG KONG GENERAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, MR SIU SAID THERE HAD TO BE PROPER PLANNING IN HONG KONG; ACROSS THE BORDER; AND IN BOTH THE PRIVATE AND THE PUBLIC SECTORS.
/NOTING THAT .......
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 30, 1994
- 5 -
NOTING THAT FREIGHT TRANSPORT WAS THE VERY LIFE BLOOD OF HONG KONG, MR SIU SAID THE GOVERNMENT WAS DOING ITS BEST TO OVERCOME THE PROBLEM OF CONGESTION ON THE ROADS, AT THE AIRPORT, AND IN THE PORT AS A RESULT OF THE GROWTH OF FREIGHT MOVEMENT BETWEEN CHINA AND HONG KONO.
"OUR EFFORTS IN PLANNING AND BUILDING THE NEW AIRPORT, THE PORT PROJECT, THE TSING MA BRIDGE, EXTENSIVE HIGHWAY SCHEMES, HAVE ATTRACTED ATTENTION AROUND THE WORLD," HE SAID.
MR SIU POINTED OUT THAT KAI TAK WAS NEARING ITS CAPACITY AND THE NEW FREIGHT FACILITIES AT CHEK LAP KOK WOULD BE NEEDED BY SHIPPERS AS SOON AS THEY COULD COME INTO SERVICE.
HE ADDED THAT EVEN IF WORK STARTED IMMEDIATELY ON CONTAINER TERMINAL 9 THERE WAS LIKELY TO BE A SHORTFALL OF SUPPLY OVER DEMAND FOR BERTH SPACE IN 1995.
"ANTICIPATING THE GROWING DEMAND, THE GOVERNMENT IS LOOKING AT WAYS OF BRINGING TERMINALS 10 AND 11 ON LANTAU ON STREAM AS EARLY AS POSSIBLE," HE ADDED.
ON HIGHWAY PROJECTS, MR SIU SAID PROGRESS WAS BEING MADE ON THE TSING MA BRIDGE AND ROUTE THREE, WHILE A FRANCHISE TO BUILD THE $7 BILLION, DUAL, THREE-LANE COUNTRY PARK SECTION OF ROUTE THREE WOULD BE AWARDED AT THE END OF THIS YEAR.
"ROAD LINKS BETWEEN THE BORDER AND URBAN AREAS WILL BE IMPROVED WITH THE OPENING OF THE YUEN LONG SOUTHERN BYPASS IN SEPTEMBER THIS YEAR.
"IN AUGUST, WE WILL BE AWARDING A CONTRACT FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE TING KAU BRIDGE," MR SIU SAID.
TO HELP DEVELOP RIVER TRANSPORT, MR SIU SAID THE GOVERNMENT WAS PLANNING A RIVER TRADE TERMINAL AT TUEN MUN.
THERE WAS GREAT INTEREST IN FURTHER DEVELOPING FREIGHT RAIL LINKS BETWEEN THE MAINLAND AND HONG KONG WITH DEDICATED RAIL LINES RUNNING TO THE PORT, MR SIU NOTED.
"THE GOVERNMENT HOPES TO FINALISE THE RAILWAY DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY BY MAY BEFORE CONSULTING THE CHINESE AUTHORITIES ON THE PLANS AND MOVING INTO DETAILED NEGOTIATIONS WITH PROSPECTIVE OPERATORS.
"WE PLAN TO HAVE THE FREIGHT LINE COMPLETED BY THE YEAR 2001.
"WITH CHINA MAKING MAGNIFICENT PROGRESS IN DOUBLE TRACKING ITS RAIL SYSTEM, SUCH A LINK, WITH MARSHALLING YARDS BOTH IN CHINA AND HONG KONG, WOULD GREATLY EXPAND THE TERRITORY’S FREIGHT HINTERLAND ON THE MAINLAND.
"IT WOULD ENABLE A TRUE INTERMODAL FREIGHT TRANSPORT SYSTEM TO BE ESTABLISHED FOR THE FIRST TIME IN HONG KONG," MR SIU SAID.
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/6 ........
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 30, 1994
- 6 -
MONETARY STATISTICS FOR FEBRUARY 1994 ♦ * * * ♦
HONG KONG DOLLAR DEPOSITS WITH AUTHORISED INSTITUTIONS DECREASED DURING FEBRUARY, OWING TO A HIGH COMPARISON BASE RESULTING FROM SHARE FLOTATION EXERCISES IN LATE JANUARY, ACCORDING TO STATISTICS PUBLISHED TODAY (WEDNESDAY) gY THE HONG KONG MONETARY AUTHORITY.
CONSISTENT WITH THIS, THE BROADEST HONG KONG DOLLAR MONEY SUPPLY, HK$M3, DECLINED IN FEBRUARY. HONG KONG DOLLAR LOANS AND ADVANCES ALSO DECREASED DURING THE MONTH.
DEPOSITS
INFLUENCED BY THE HIGH COMPARISON BASE IN JANUARY AS A RESULT OF A FEW SHARE FLOTATION EXERCISES, HONG KONG DOLLAR DEPOSITS WITH AUTHORISED INSTITUTIONS (ADJUSTED TO INCLUDE SWAP DEPOSITS BOOKED LOCALLY) FELL BY 8.3% IN FEBRUARY 1994, FOLLOWING A DECREASE OF 14.3% IN DECEMBER 1993 AND AN INCREASE OF 11.6% IN JANUARY 1994.
AMONG THESE DEPOSITS, DEMAND DEPOSITS AND TIME DEPOSITS FELL BY 8.7% AND 12.3% RESPECTIVELY DURING THE MONTH.
THE DECREASE WAS ATTRIBUTABLE TO THE REFUNDING OF APPLICATION MONIES FOR NEW SHARE ISSUES LAUNCHED IN LATE JANUARY.
SAVINGS DEPOSITS FELL MARGINALLY BY 0.1%. YEAR-ON-YEAR, TOTAL HONG KONG DOLLAR DEPOSITS GREW BY 25.3%.
FOREIGN CURRENCY DEPOSITS WITH AUTHORISED INSTITUTIONS DECREASED BY 1.2% IN FEBRUARY 1994, AFTER INCREASES OF 0.2% AND 1.2% IN DECEMBER 1993 AND JANUARY 1994 RESPECTIVELY.
OF THESE DEPOSITS, U.S. DOLLAR DEPOSITS DECREASED BY 2.5% WHILE NON-U.S. DOLLAR FOREIGN CURRENCY DEPOSITS RECORDED AN INSIGNIFICANT CHANGE. YEAR-ON-YEAR, TOTAL FOREIGN CURRENCY DEPOSITS GREW BY 1.5%.
DURING FEBRUARY 1994, DEPOSITS IN ALL CURRENCIES WITH LICENSED BANKS DECREASED BY 5.0% WHILE DEPOSITS WITH RESTRICTED LICENCE BANKS AND DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES INCREASED BY 0.8% EACH.
YEAR-ON-YEAR, DEPOSITS WITH LICENSED BANKS GREW BY 13.4% WHILE DEPOSITS WITH RESTRICTED LICENCE BANKS AND DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES DECLINED BY 28.7% AND 3.8% RESPECTIVELY.
MONEY SUPPLY
HK$M1, HK$M2 AND HK$M3 DECREASED BY 4.8%, 7.5% AND 7.4% RESPECTIVELY IN FEBRUARY, COMPARED WITH INCREASES OF 11.6%, 11.3% AND 11.0% RESPECTIVELY IN JANUARY. YEAR-ON-YEAR, HK$M1, HK$M2 AND HK$M3 INCREASED BY 33.4%, 27.2% AND 25.5% RESPECTIVELY.
/TOTAL Ml.........
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 30, 1994
TOTAL Ml, M2 AND M3 DECREASED BY 4.0%, 4.7% AND 4.4% RESPECTIVELY IN FEBRUARY. IN JANUARY, THEY ROSE BY 11.0%, 6.8% AND 6.4% RESPECTIVELY. YEAR-ON-YEAR, TOTAL Ml, M2 AND M3 ROSE BY 33.3%, 14.2% AND 13.8% RESPECTIVELY.
LOANS AND ADVANCES
TOTAL OUTSTANDING LOANS AND ADVANCES EXTENDED BY AUTHORISED INSTITUTIONS INCREASED BY 1.0% IN FEBRUARY 1994, FOLLOWING A DECREASE OF 4.2% IN DECEMBER 1993 AND AN INCREASE OF 4.1% IN JANUARY 1994.
AMONG THESE LOANS, HONG KONG DOLLAR LOANS FELL BY 5.3%, LARGELY DUE TO THE REPAYMENT OF LOANS FOR SHARE SUBSCRIPTIONS.
FOREIGN CURRENCY LOANS INCREASED BY 4.4% DURING THE MONTH. COMPARED WITH A YEAR EARLIER, THESE LOANS INCREASED BY 18.9% AND 15.7% RESPECTIVELY.
LOANS TO FINANCE VISIBLE TRADE OF HONG KONG DECREASED BY 0.3% IN FEBRUARY 1994, AFTER INCREASES OF 0.3% AND 1.1% IN DECEMBER 1993 AND JANUARY 1994 RESPECTIVELY. YEAR-ON-YEAR, SUCH LOANS GREW BY 13.4%.
OTHER LOANS FOR USE IN HONG KONG FELL BY 3.7% IN FEBRUARY 1994, FOLLOWING A DECREASE OF 10.6% IN DECEMBER 1993 AND AN INCREASE OF 8.1% IN JANUARY 1994. YEAR-ON-YEAR, THESE LOANS INCREASED BY 19.6%.
LOANS FOR USE OUTSIDE HONG KONG INCREASED BY 4.2% IN FEBRUARY 1994, AFTER INCREASES OF 0.3% AND 1.6% IN DECEMBER 1993 AND JANUARY 1994 RESPECTIVELY. YEAR-ON-YEAR, THESE LOANS GREW BY 15.4%.
LOANS TO FINANCE TRADE NOT TOUCHING HONG KONG DECREASED BY 1.5% DURING FEBRUARY 1994 AFTER A DECREASE OF 6.5% IN DECEMBER 1993 AND AN INCREASE OF 2.8% IN JANUARY 1994. YEAR-ON-YEAR, THESE LOANS DECREASED BY 6.9%.
NUMBER OF REPORTING INSTITUTIONS
THE NUMBER OF REPORTING LICENSED BANKS AND RESTRICTED LICENCE BANKS INCREASED BY ONE EACH TO 170 AND 57 RESPECTIVELY WHILE THE NUMBER OF REPORTING DEPOSIT-TAKING COMPANIES REMAINED UNCHANGED AT 139.
/TABLE 1 : .......
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 30, 1994
8
TABLE 1 : MONETARY STATISTICS - FEB 1994
Money Supply Feb 1994 Earljer months (% change to Feb 1994) (HKSmn)
Jan 1994 Nov 1993 Feb 1993
Ml - HKS 178,903 187,940 ( -4.8) 160342 ( 11.2 ) 134,093 ( 33.4)
Foreign currency 21X381 20280 ( 3.9) 18.776 ( 12.3 ) 15,970 ( 32.0 )
Total 199,984 208319 ( -4.0) 179.618 ( 11.3) 150363 ( 33.3 )
M2 - HKS* 949,518 1326,621 ( -73) 1.062351 ( -10.7 ) 746,473 ( 272 )
Foreign currency* 843,643 854,466 ( -1.3) 838361 ( 0.6 ) 823,706 ( 14)
Total 1.793,161 1381387 ( -4.7) 1.901.411 ( -5.7) 1370,180 ( 14.2 )
M3 - HKS* 966,364 1343324 ( -7.4) 1.079356 ( -103 ) 769310 ( 253 )
Foreign currency* 884347 893,991 ( -1.0) 876,695 ( 0.9 ) 857264 ( 3.2)
Total 1351211 1,937315 ( -4.4) 1,956351 ( -5.4) 1,627,075 ( 13.8 )
Notes and coins in circulation 76,798 78,950 ( -2.7) 67.958 ( 13.0 ) 62375 ( 22.7 )
of which held by public 68,695 67384 ( 2.1) 60207 ( 14.1) 54.761 ( 25.4)
Total Deposits •
Total Demand deposits 131289 140,935 ( -63 ) 119.411 ( 9.9 ) 95,302 ( 37.8 )
Total Savings deposits 416,416 415,968 ( 0.1) 410323 ( 1.4 ) 357353 ( 16.5 )
Total Time deposits with licensed banks 1,151,972 1332389 ( -6.6 ) 1388351 ( — 10.6 ) 1,045370 ( 10.2 )
Total Time deposits with restricted licence banks 25387 25,381 ( 03 ) 28399 ( -9.9 ) 35366 ( -28.7 )
Total Time deposits with deposit - taking companies 17,820 17,678 ( 03 ) 17334 ( 2.8) 18323 ( -3.8)
HKS deposits* 878,829 957,979 ( -8.3) 1,001.685 ( -12.3 ) 701,314 ( 25.3 )
USS deposits* 422,417 433337 ( -23) 411,644 ( 2.6) 417.691 ( 1.1 )
Other foreign currency deposits* 441338 441337 ( 0.0 ) 451,190 ( -2.1 ) 433,609 ( 1.9)
All deposits 1,743,083 1332352 ( -4.9) 1,864 318 ( -6.5) 1352,614 ( 12.3)
Foreign currenc swaj deposit- n.,28‘ ’ .Mi • O. yUi 6/ 6O/>76 f 202 )
Total Loans and advances F
To finance H.K-’s visible trade 104,068 104,354 ( -0.3) 102,975 ( 1.1 ) 91.780 ( 13.4 )
To finance merchandising trade not touching H.K. 11,355 11332 ( -13) 11.997 ( -5.4 ) 12200 ( -6.9 )
Other loans for use in H.K. 1,119,004 1,162,030 ( -3.7) 1302391 ( -6.9) 935375 ( 19.6 )
Other loans for use outside H.K. 1,721,047 1351350 ( 4.2) 1,621291 ( 6.2 ) 1.491.999 ( 15.4 )
Other loans where the place of use is not known 45,634 43,007 ( 6.1) 45.005 ( 1.4 ) 38,717 ( 17.9 )
Loans in HKS 991314 1347,056 ( -5.3) 1,089373 ( -9.0 ) 833.744 ( 18.9 )
Loans in foreign currencies 2,009,794 1,925,717 ( 4.4) 1394.087 ( 6.1 ) 1.736327 ( 15.7)
Total loans and advances 3,001,108 2,972,773 ( 1.0) 2,983.660 ( 0.6 ) 2370371 ( 16.7 )
• Adjusted for foreign currency swap deposits. Starting from April 1991, swap deposits can further be broken down into US dollar and non-US dollar foreign currency swap deposits.
Note : 'Restricted licence banks’ and 'deposit -taking companies' were known as licensed deposit -taking companies’ and 'registered deposit - taking companies’ respectively before 1 February 1990.
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/9 ........
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 30, 1994
- 9 -
VISITORS MUST OBSERVE CONDITIONS OF STAY *****
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT REMINDED VISITORS THAT THEY SHOULD NOT TAKE UP EMPLOYMENT IN HONG KONG WITHOUT PERMISSION FROM THE DIRECTOR OF IMMIGRATION.
HE GAVE THE ADVICE FOLLOWING A RECENT POLICE OPERATION IN WHICH 35 TWO-WAY PERMIT VISITORS FROM CHINA WERE ARRESTED IN THE CHEUNG SHA WAN VEGETABLE WHOLESALE MARKET.
THEY WERE SUBSEQUENTLY REFERRED TO THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT FOR FOLLOW-UP ACTION.
FURTHER ENQUIRIES BY IMMIGRATION INVESTIGATORS CONFIRMED THAT ALL OF THEM WERE TWO-WAY PERMIT HOLDERS FROM CHINA.
THEY ADMITTED TO HAVE WORKED ILLEGALLY AT THE VEGETABLE WHOLESALE MARKET AS PORTERS OR CAUSAL WORKERS WITH DAILY WAGES OF BETWEEN $50 AND $150.
ALL DEFENDANTS WERE CONVICTED OF BREACHING THEIR CONDITIONS OF STAY IN HONG KONG AT THE WESTERN MAGISTRACY TODAY (WEDNESDAY) AND WERE EACH FINED EITHER $1,000 OR $2,000.
’’ALL VISITORS ARE NOT ALLOWED TO TAKE UP \NY EMPLOYMENT, EITHER PAID OR UNPAID, WITHOUT THE PERMISSION FROM THE DIRECTOR OF IMMIGRATION,’’ THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
THOSE WHO BREACH THEIR CONDITIONS OF STAY ARE LIABLE TO PROSECUTION AND UPON CONVICTION TO A MAXIMUM FINE OF $5,000 AND IMPRISONMENT FOR TWO YEARS.
PEOPLE WHO AID AND ABET OTHERS TO COMMIT THESE OFFENCES ARE ALSO LIABLE TO PROSECUTION AND PENALTY, THE SPOKESMAN EMPHASISED.
------0--------
VIDEO ON TSING MA BRIDGE
*****
PEOPLE IN HONG KONG AND OVERSEAS WILL HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO SEE ONE OF THE GRANDEST ENGINEERING PROJECTS UNDER CONSTRUCTION, WITH THE PRODUCTION OF A VIDEO ON THE TSING MA BRIDGE.
THE BRIDGE FORMS THE MAJOR PART OF THE LANTAU FIXED CROSSING, WHICH IS ONE OF THE 10 PROJECTS IN THE AIRPORT CORE PROGRAMME (ACP).
IN ADDITION TO PROVIDING AN ESSENTIAL LINK TO THE NEW AIRPORT AT CHEK LAP KOK, THE CROSSING WILL OPEN UP LANTAU ISLAND FOR DEVELOPMENT.
WITH A SPAN OF 1,377 METRES, THE BRIDGE WILL BE A SPECTACULAR NEW LANDMARK SYMBOLISING HONG KONG’S GROWTH AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.
/THIS AND .......
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 30, 1994
- 10 -
THIS AND OTHER SPECIAL FEATURES OF THE BRIDGE ARE ILLUSTRATED IN THE VIDEO, ENTITLED "TSING MA - BRIDGE TO THE FUTURE”.
THE VIDEO WAS PRODUCED BY THE NEW AIRPORT PROJECTS CO-ORDINATION OFFICE (NAPCO) AND A SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY) THAT IT WAS DESIGNED TO SHOW HOW THE BRIDGE WAS BEING BUILT, AND TO CAPTURE THE EXCITING NATURE OF THIS PROJECT.
BUILDING OF THE BRIDGE HAS BROUGHT TOGETHER ENGINEERING EXPERTISE AND MATERIALS FROM MANY PARTS OF THE WORLD AND THE VIDEO INCLUDES FOOTAGE TAKEN OVERSEAS.
THIS SHOWS STEEL MANUFACTURING AND FABRICATION OF DECK UNITS IN JAPAN, CASTING AND MACHINING OF CABLE SADDLES AND WIRE MANUFACTURING IN THE UNITED KINGDOM, ASSEMBLY OF DECK UNITS IN CHINA AND WIND TUNNEL TESTS IN CANADA.
THE VIDEO ILLUSTRATES THE VARIOUS STAGES OF CONSTRUCTION ON SITE UP TO THE COMPLETION OF THE TWO GIANT CONCRETE TOWERS ON TSING YI AND MA WAN ISLANDS.
"THROUGH THE USE OF COMPUTER-GENERATED GRAPHICS AND ANIMATION, IT ALSO SHOWS THE BRIDGE ON COMPLETION IN 1997 WHEN IT WILL BE THE LONGEST SUSPENSION BRIDGE IN THE WORLD CARRYING BOTH ROAD AND RAIL TRAFFIC," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
THE VIDEO HAS BEEN PRODUCED IN SEVERAL LANGUAGES - ENGLISH, CANTONESE, PUTONGHUA AND JAPANESE.
"IT WILL BE GIVEN WIDE CIRCULATION AND WILL BE SEEN BY MANY THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
COPIES OF THE VIDEO, WHICH IS NINE MINUTES LONG, WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR SALE AT $120 EACH AFTER THE EASTER HOLIDAYS AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS SALES CENTRE ON THE GROUND FLOOR OF THE GENERAL POST OFFICE BUILDING, CONNAUGHT PLACE, CENTRAL.
THE VIDEO WILL BE MADE AVAILABLE FOR VIEWING AT PUBLIC LIBRARIES, THE LIBRARIES OF TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS AND AT THE AIRPORT AND PORT PROJECTS RESOURCE CENTRE ON THE FIRST FLOOR OF THE FRENCH MISSION BUILDING, BATTERY PATH, CENTRAL.
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WILL ALSO HAVE THE CHANCE TO VIEW THE VIDEO AT EXHIBITIONS ON THE ACP WHICH WILL BE STAGED BY NAPCO DURING THE COURSE OF THE YEAR.
THE VIDEO WILL BECOME PART OF THE PROMOTIONAL MATERIAL USED BY THE GOVERNMENT TO PUBLICISE THE ACP GENERALLY. THIS INCLUDES SHOWING IT TO INTERNATIONAL AUDIENCES THROUGH THE OVERSEAS OFFICES OF THE GOVERNMENT, THE HONG KONG TOURIST ASSOCIATION AND THE TRADE DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL.
THE PUBLICITY PACKAGE INCLUDES A VIDEO PRODUCED EARLIER ON ALL THE ACP PROJECTS, ENTITLED "THE VISION TAKES SHAPE" WHICH WON SEVERAL FILM AWARDS. COPIES OF THIS VIDEO ARE ALSO AVAILABLE FOR SALE AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS SALES CENTRE.
- - 0----------
/Il ........
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 30, 1994
CLOSURE ORDER FOR ILLEGAL STRUCTURE SOUGHT
*****
THE BUILDINGS DEPARTMENT WILL APPLY FOR A CLOSURE ORDER SO THAT AN UNAUTHORISED ROOF-TOP STRUCTURE AT 55 SUN CHUN STREET, TAI HANG, CAN BE DEMOLISHED WITHOUT ENDANGERING THE OCCUPIERS AND THE PUBLIC.
A NOTICE STATING THE APPLICATION FOR THE CLOSURE ORDER FROM THE HONG KONG DISTRICT COURT ON JUNE 22 WAS POSTED ON THE STRUCTURE TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
DEMOLITION WORKS ARE EXPECTED TO BEGIN ONCE THE CLOSURE ORDER IS GRANTED.
- - 0 - -
REMINDER OF EARLY WELFARE PAYMENTS
*****
RECIPIENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE SOCIAL SECURITY ASSISTANCE AND SOCIAL SECURITY ALLOWANCE UNDER THE AUTOPAY SYSTEM ARE REMINDED THAT THEY WILL RECEIVE THEIR PAYMENTS EARLIER IF THEIR PAYDAY FALLS ON THE COMING EASTER AND CHING MING PUBLIC HOLIDAYS.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY) THAT PAYMENTS SCHEDULED BETWEEN APRIL 1 (FRIDAY) AND APRIL 5 (TUESDAY) WOULD BE ADVANCED TO TOMORROW (THURSDAY).
MEANWHILE, THE OFFICE HOURS IN ALL THE 32 SOCIAL SECURITY FIELD UNITS WILL BE EXTENDED UNTIL 7 PM TOMORROW FOR RECIPIENTS TO MAKE ENQUIRIES ABOUT PAYMENT ADVANCEMENT FOR PAYDAYS FALLING BETWEEN APRIL 1 AND 5.
_ _ 0 - -
/12
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 30, 1994
12
HONG KONG MONETARY AUTHORITY MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS *****
$ MILLION TIME (HOURS) CUMULATIVE CHANGE ($ MILLION)
OPENING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT 2,991 0930 -578
CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT 2,993 1000 -437
CHANGE ATTRIBUTABLE TO : 1100 + 1
MONEY MARKET ACTIVITY + 2 1200 + 1
LAF TODAY NIL 1500 + 1
1600 + 2
LAF RATE 2.00 B1D/4.00 OFFER TWI 125.2 ♦+0.1* 30.3.94
HONG KONG MONETARY AUTHORITY
EF BILLS EF NOTES/HONG KONG GOVERNMENT BONDS
TERMS YIELD TERM ISSUE COUPON PRICE YIELD
1 WEEK 3.00 17 MONTHS 2508 4.625 99.62 4.97
1 MONTH 3.33 20 MONTHS 2511 4.15 98.46 5.20
3 MONTHS 3.75 23 MONTHS 2602 4.40 98.33 5.42
6 MONTHS 4.01 31 MONTHS 3610 4.20 96.25 5.87
12 MONTHS 4.46 34 MONTHS 3701 4.60 96.59 6.01
TOTAL TURNOVER OF BILLS AND BONDS - 21,206 MN
CLOSED 30 MARCH 1994
------0------------
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
SUPPLEMENT
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 30, 1994 '.A
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MEETING:
DISMISSAL OF STUDENTS GOVERNED BY CODES OF AID.......... 1
CONSULTANCY STUDY IN HAND FOR HOTEL DEVELOPMENT......... 1
INFORMATION ON SCHOOLS’ MEDIUM OF INSTRUCTION AVAILABLE
SOON................................................. 2
CONSULTANTS EMPLOYED ON NON-CIVIL SERVANT APPOINTMENTS. 3
“VALUE FOR MONEY” ON U.S. COMMISSIONER POST............. 3
IMPORTING PROFESSIONALS TO MEET BUSINESSES’ NEED........ 4
RESOURCE CENTRES HELP INTEGRATE CHRONIC PATIENTS........ 5
NO REPORTS OF FATAL RAT BITES........................... 5
MEDICAL EQUIPMENT PROTECTED AGAINST ELECTRICAL INTERFERENCE............................................ 6
FEW REPORTS OF ILLEGAL VENDING AT VESSELS............... 7
EMIGRANT FIGURES FOR 1991/93 ........................... 7
STREET NAME PLATES...................................... 8
/STT VEHICLE.
CONTENTS
PAGE NO.
STT VEHICLE PARK SITES ARE FOR TEMPORARY USE............................................. 9
MORE CONSULTATION ON SITING OF REFUSE TRANSFER STATION................. 9
TERMINAL FACILITIES ADEQUATE TO MEET DEMAND............................................. 10
INTRODUCTION OF A-LEVEL EXAM SUBJECTS DEPENDS ON VARIOUS FACTORS................................................................................. 11
HOUSING SOCIETY TO REDEVELOP FIVE STREETS IN KENNEDY TOWN . 12
ENGLISH LANGUAGE REQUIREMENT FOR JURORS NOT INEQUITABLE .... 12
SUPREME COURT (AMENDMENT) BILL 1994 INTRODUCED................................ 13
LARGER GOVERNING COUNCIL FOR HKIED...................................................... 15
ACADEMY OF MEDICINE STARTS FULL OPERATIONS.............................................. 16
APPROPRIATION BILL 1994 PASSED.......................................................... 16
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 30, 1994
- 1
DISMISSAL OF STUDENTS GOVERNED BY CODES OF AID *****
NO PUPIL SHOULD BE EXPELLED BY SCHOOLS WITHOUT PROPER WARNING AND NOTICE TO PARENTS.
ALSO, NO PUPIL UNDER THE AGE OF 15 COULD BE EXPELLED WITHOUT THE APPROVAL OF THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION.
IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON HENRY TANG YING-YEN IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY), THE SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER, MR MICHAEL LEUNG, POINTED OUT THAT THESE WERE STIPULATED IN THE CODES OF AID.
HE SAID IN ALL EXPULSION CASES, THE DIRECTOR SHOULD BE INFORMED AT THE WARNING STAGE.
THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT CAN ASK SCHOOLS TO RE-ADMIT STUDENTS WHO HAVE BEEN UNREASONABLY ADVISED TO LEAVE.
’’THUS, STAFF OF SUBSIDISED IN THE DISMISSAL OF STUDENTS, AND IN THE CODES OF AID IS CONSIDERED
SCHOOLS DO NOT HAVE EXCESSIVE POWERS NO REVIEW OF THE PRESENT PROVISIONS NECESSARY,” MR LEUNG SAID.
---------0-----------
CONSULTANCY STUDY IN HAND FOR HOTEL DEVELOPMENT ♦ ♦*♦♦*
WHEN MAKING LAND AVAILABLE FOR COMMERCIAL/RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT, IT HAS BEEN GOVERNMENT’S POLICY TO LEAVE THE MARKET TO DECIDE WHAT TO BUILD WITHIN BROAD LAND USE ZONINGS, THE ACTING SECRETARY FOR PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS, MR CANICE MAK, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
IN HIS WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON MARTIN BARROW, MR MAK SAID OUTLINE ZONING PLANS COVERING HUNG HOM BAY RECLAMATION AND WEST KOWLOON RECLAMATION HAVE SITES ZONED FOR ’COMMERCIAL’ AND ’COMPREHENSIVE DEVELOPMENT AREA’ WHICH INCLUDE HOTEL USES.
’’THE GENERAL ’COMMERCIAL’ ZONING HAS BEEN ADOPTED IN ORDER TO GIVE FLEXIBILITY TO FUTURE DEVELOPMENT IN RESPONSE TO MARKET DEMANP3•
"STATUTORY PLANS FOR CENTRAL AND WAN CHAI RECLAMATION ARp 8TlbL UNDER PREPARATION. THERE WILL ALSO BE SITES INTENDED FOR HOTEL DEVELOPMENTS.
MR MAK SAID A CONSULTANCY STUDY HAS BEEN COMMISSIONED TO REVIEW THE EXISTING FRAMEWORK OF DEVELOPMENT CONTROLS AND MARKET FORCES AND THEIR IMPLICATIONS FOR HOTEL DEVELOPMENT.
"WHEN THE FINDINGS OF THE STUDY ARE AVAILABLE, GOVERNMENT WILL CONSIDER WHETHER IT IS NECESSARY OR APPROPRIATE TO DESIGNATE SITES SPECIFICALLY FOR HOTEL DEVELOPMENT IN NEW RECLAMATION AREAS OR ELSEWHERE,"
---------0 - -
/2........
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 30, 1994
- 2 -
INFORMATION ON SCHOOLS’ MEDIUM OF INSTRUCTION AVAILABLE SOON * * * * *
THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT WILL PROVIDE PARENTS WITH FULL INFORMATION ON THE LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY OF THEIR CHILDREN AS WELL AS THE TEACHING MEDIUM OFFERED BY EACH SECONDARY SCHOOL TO ASSIST THEM IN THEIR CHOICE OF SCHOOLS NEXT MONTH.
THIS WAS STATED BY 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 SAID ALL 392 SECONDARY SCHOOLS PARTICIPATING IN THE SECONDARY SCHOOL PLACES ALLOCATION WERE ASKED BY THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT LAST DECEMBER TO CHOOSE A MEDIUM OF INSTRUCTION BEST SUITED TO THEIR INDIVIDUAL CIRCUMSTANCES FOR USE IN 1994/95.
IN RESPONSE, 111 SCHOOLS CHOSE ENGLISH AND 112 CHOSE ENGLISH EXCEPT CULTURAL AND PRACTICAL SUBJECTS.
OF THE REST, 52 SCHOOLS CHOSE CHINESE, 14 CHOSE CHINESE AND ENGLISH BY CLASS, 100 CHOSE CHINESE AND ENGLISH BY SUBJECT, AND THREE CHOSE CHINESE AND ENGLISH BY CLASS AND BY SUBJECT.
TO ASCERTAIN WHETHER THESE SCHOOLS ACTUALLY USE THE CHOSEN MEDIUM OF INSTRUCTION, THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT WILL CONDUCT SCHOOL INSPECTIONS AND INVESTIGATE COMPLAINTS BY PARENTS AND STUDENTS.
"SCHOOLS WHICH ULTIMATELY FAIL TO IMPLEMENT A RATIONAL AND CONSISTENT TEACHING MEDIUM WILL BE PROVIDED WITH FIRM GUIDANCE," MR LEUNG SAID.
AS ENVISAGED IN THE EDUCATION COMMISSION REPORT NO. 4, THERE WILL BE A TRANSITIONAL STAGE INVOLVING SOME MISMATCH BETWEEN THE NUMBER OF PLACES IN SCHOOLS CHOOSING TO USE CHINESE AND THE NUMBER OF STUDENTS WISHING TO STUDY THROUGH THAT MEDIUM, DURING THE INITIAL INTRODUCTION OF THE NEW POLICY.
THIS MISMATCH, THOUGH UNDESIRABLE, ALREADY REPRESENTS AN IMPROVEMENT OVER WHAT GOES ON IN SCHOOLS NOW.
"THE EXTENT OF THIS MISMATCH WILL BE REDUCED AND ELIMINATED ULTIMATELY AS PARENTS AND SCHOOLS ADJUST TO THE NEW REALITIES, AND IN THE LIGHT OF GUIDANCE ISSUED BY THE DEPARTMENT TO THE SCHOOLS," MR LEUNG ADDED.
- - 0 -
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 30, 1994
3
CONSULTANTS EMPLOYED ON NON-CIVIL SERVANT APPOINTMENTS *****
THE GOVERNMENT APPOINTS CONSULTANTS WHOSE EXPERTISE IS NORMALLY UNAVAILABLE AMONG CIVIL SERVANTS OR OF A NATURE OR DURATION WHERE CIVIL SERVICE APPOINTMENTS ARE NEITHER COST-EFFECTIVE NOR APPROPRIATE.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE SECRETARY FOR THE TREASURY, MR DONALD TSANG IN HIS WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON ERIC LI IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
THE SELECTION AND APPOINTMENT OF GOVERNMENT CONSULTANTS ARE HANDLED BY DIFFERENT AUTHORITIES, MR TSANG SAID.
THERE ARE THREE MAJOR APPROVING AUTHORITIES FOR GOVERNMENT CONSULTANCIES: THE CENTRAL CONSULTANTS SELECTION BOARD, THE ENGINEERING AND ASSOCIATED CONSULTANTS SELECTION BOARD AND THE ARCHITECTURAL AND ASSOCIATED CONSULTANTS SELECTION BOARD.
THE GOVERNMENT APPROVED A TOTAL OF 274 CONSULTANCIES DURING THE PERIOD 1991/92 TO 1993/94.
MR TSANG SAID SMALLER CONSULTANCY STUDIES VALUED AT LESS THAN $1 MILLION FOR SERVICES RELATING TO CONSTRUCTION AND ENGINEERING WORKS AND $500,000 FOR OTHER SERVICES WERE NOT INCLUDED IN THE FIGURE.
’’THE APPOINTMENT OF INDIVIDUALS FOR NON-CIVIL SERVANT APPOINTMENTS AS CONSULTANTS OR ADVISORS IS DEALT WITH BY HEADS OF DEPARTMENTS UNDER DELEGATED AUTHORITY, SUBJECT TO THE ADVICE OF THE PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION UNDER SPECIFIED CIRCUMSTANCES," HE NOTED.
BASED ON AVAILABLE STATISTICS, THE PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION HAS APPROVED 23 CONSULTANTS APPOINTED IN THEIR INDIVIDUAL CAPACITIES FROM 1991 TO 1993, HE SAID.
THE GOVERNMENT EXPECTS THERE TO BE A SMALL NUMBER OF CASES WHERE HEADS OF DEPARTMENTS HAVE APPOINTED INDIVIDUAL CONSULTANTS UNDER DELEGATED AUTHORITY WITHOUT INVOLVING THE PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION, HE ADDED.
------0-------- ‘ •
"VALUE FOR MONEY" ON U.S. COMMISSIONER POST
*****
THE GOVERNMENT BELIEVES THAT TAXPAYERS ARE GETTING "VALUE FOR MONEY" IN RESPECT OF THE POST OF COMMISSIONER IN WASHINGTON, USA.
"THE COMMISSIONER'S CREDIBILITY IS ENHANCED BY HIS SENIORITY AND PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE IN HONG KONG," THE SECRETARY FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY, MR T H CHAU, SAID IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON EMILY LAU IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
SINCE TAKING OFFICE IN OCTOBER LAST YEAR, THE COMMISSIONER HAS CULTIVATED CONTACTS WITH MEMBERS OF THE U.S. CONGRESS AND THEIR CHIEF AIDES, SENIOR U.S. OFFICIALS AND LEADING PERSONALITIES IN THINK-TANKS AND IN ACADEMIC AND MEDIA CIRCLES.
/•'MANY OF..........
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 30, 1994
4
"MANY OF WHOM ARE IN A POSITION TO INFLUENCE THE FORMULATION OF U.S. TRADE AND ECONOMIC POLICIES OF DIRECT RELEVANCE AND IMPORTANCE TO HONG KONG," SAID MR CHAU.
THE COMMISSIONER HAS ALSO ANSWERED A WIDE RANGE OF QUESTIONS ABOUT DEVELOPMENTS IN HONG KONG AND EXPLAINED THE SPECIAL ARRANGEMENTS BEING PUT IN PLACE TO ENSURE HONG KONG’S STABILITY AND PROSPERITY AFTER 1997.
MR CHAU ADDED THAT THE COMMISSIONER HAD TRAVELLED WIDELY ACROSS THE U.S., CULTIVATING SUPPORT FOR HONG KONG THROUGH SPEECHES, PRESENTATIONS, MEDIA INTERVIEWS AND MEETINGS WITH PEOPLE OF INFLUENCE.
------0--------
IMPORTING PROFESSIONALS TO MEET BUSINESSES’ NEED ♦ ♦ * » »
THE PILOT SCHEME TO ALLOW 1,000 PROFESSIONALS AND MANAGERS IN CHINA TO COME TO WORK IN HONG KONG IS DESIGNED TO MEET A PARTICULAR NEED IDENTIFIED BY BUSINESSES OPERATING IN THE TERRITORY.
THE QUOTA OF 1,000 IS A TENTATIVE FIGURE TO ENABLE THE GOVERNMENT TO TEST BOTH THE DEMAND FOR AND THE OPERATION OF THE SCHEME BEFORE ANY CHANGES ARE CONSIDERED.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER, MR MICHAEL LEUNG, IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON TIMOTHY HA WING-HO IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
IN CONSIDERING APPLICATIONS FOR ENTRY, MR LEUNG SAID THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT WOULD TAKE INTO ACCOUNT WHETHER THE EMPLOYING COMPANY HAD A GENUINE NEED FOR THE EMPLOYMENT OF A CHINESE NATIONAL AND WHETHER IT HAD TAKEN ANY ACTIVE STEPS TO RECRUIT LOCALLY, BUT IN VAIN.
THE DEPARTMENT WILL ALSO CONSIDER WHETHER THE APPLICANT’S EXPERIENCES AND QUALIFICATIONS ARE RELEVANT TO THE POST WHICH HE OR SHE WILL FILL, AND WHETHER THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT ARE COMPARABLE TO THOSE PREVAILING IN THE MARKET.
"AS APPLICATIONS WILL BE DETERMINED BY BALLOT, ALL EMPLOYERS WILL STAND THE SAME CHANCE UNDER THE SCHEME.
"NO PREFERENCE WILL BE GIVEN TO A PARTICULAR INDUSTRY OR DISCIPLINE," HE SAID.
UNDER THE SCHEME, ONLY GRADUATES OF 36 KEY TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS WHICH ARE IDENTIFIABLE AND REPUTABLE INSTITUTIONS UNDER THE STATE EDUCATION COMMISSION IN CHINA ARE ELIGIBLE TO APPLY.
THIS IS TO KEEP THE SCOPE OF THE EXPERIMENT WITHIN MANAGEABLE PROPORTION AND TO MINIMISE POSSIBLE ABUSES, MR LEUNG SAID.
APPLICATIONS SUBMITTED BY GRADUATES OF OTHER TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED, HE ADDED.
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/5.........
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 30, 1994
- 5 -
RESOURCE CENTRES HELP INTEGRATE CHRONIC PATIENTS
* ♦ ♦ ♦ »
PATIENT RESOURCE CENTRES ARE BEING ESTABLISHED IN MANY PUBLIC HOSPITALS TO PROVIDE A FOCAL POINT OF HEALTH EDUCATION, INFORMATION AND ENQUIRY FOR CHRONIC PATIENTS, INCLUDING THOSE SUFFERING FROM SYSTEMIC LUPUS ERYTHEMATOSUS.
THIS IS AIMED AT INTEGRATING SUCH PATIENTS BACK INTO THE COMMUNITY.
IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY DR THE HON HUANG CHEN-YA IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY), THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, MRS ELIZABETH WONG, SAID PATIENTS AND THEIR FAMILIES WERE ALSO ENCOURAGED TO FORM SELF-HELP GROUPS FOR THE SHARING OF EXPERIENCE IN OVERCOMING THE TRAUMA OF THEIR ILLNESS.
AT PRESENT, THERE ARE 160 QUALIFIED SPECIALISTS IN INTERNAL MEDICINE WORKING IN THE HOSPITAL AUTHORITY WHO ARE CAPABLE OF MANAGING RHEUMATOLOGY PATIENTS, INCLUDING THOSE SUFFERING FROM SYSTEMIC LUPUS ERYTHEMATOSUS.
THERE ARE ALSO THREE DESIGNATED RHEUMATOLOGY CLINICS AND 20 SPECIALIST CLINICS PROVIDING TREATMENT TO SUCH PATIENTS.
AS REGARDS THE INTERVAL FOR FOLLOW-UP CONSULTATION, MRS WONG SAID THIS WOULD DEPEND ON THE HEALTH CONDITION AND TYPE OF MEDICATION GIVEN TO INDIVIDUAL PATIENTS.
IT RANGES FROM ONCE EVERY WEEK FOR ACUTE CASES TO ONCE EVERY THREE MONTHS FOR STABLE CASES, SHE ADDED.
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NO REPORTS OF FATAL RAT BITES
*****
THERE HAVE BEEN NO KNOWN CASES OF FATAL RAT BITES IN THE LAST THREE YEARS.
DURING THE PERIOD, THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE SEEKING TREATMENT FOR RAT BITES AT THE ACCIDENT AND EMERGENCY UNITS OF QUEEN MARY HOSPITAL AND QUEEN ELIZABETH HOSPITAL HAS ALSO DECREASED - FROM 381 IN 1991 TO 227 IN 1992 AND 102 LAST YEAR.
IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY DR THE HON LAM KUI-CHUN IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY), THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, MRS ELIZABETH WONG, SAID PEOPLE WERE NOT REQUIRED TO REPORT RAT BITES.
VICTIMS NORMALLY SEEK MEDICAL TREATMENT BY THEMSELVES, SHE ADDED.
/ON THE .......
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 30, 1994
- 6 -
ON THE QUESTION OF RAT POPULATION, MRS WONG SAID A RAT CENSUS WAS TECHNICALLY A VERY TEDIOUS AND COSTLY UNDERTAKING AND PRONE TO WIDE MARGINS OF STATISTICAL ERROR.
"THE GENERAL LEVEL OF RODENT INFESTATION IS DETERMINED BY ENVIRONMENTAL HYGIENE STANDARDS WHICH, IN TURN, DICTATE THE RAT HOLDING CAPACITY IN ANY GIVEN AREA," SHE ADDED.
AS REGARDS RAT CONTROL, MRS WONG NOTED THAT RODENT CONTROL STAFF OF THE TWO MUNICIPAL SERVICES DEPARTMENTS CONDUCTED REGULAR RAT INFESTATION SURVEYS COVERING THE ENTIRE TERRITORY TO MONITOR HYGIENE CONDITIONS AND SEE IF THERE WERE ANY ABNORMAL INCREASES IN THE RAT POPULATION.
RAT POISONING PROGRAMMES ARE THEN DRAWN UP DEPENDING ON THE DEGREE OF INFESTATION.
THE STAFF ALSO DISSEMINATE ADVICE ON RAT PROOFING AND ENVIRONMENTAL HYGIENE TO RESIDENTS.
IN ADDITION, THE TWO DEPARTMENTS CONDUCT AN ANTI-RAT CAMPAIGN IN NOVEMBER/DECEMBER EACH YEAR TO PUBLICISE THE IMPORTANCE OF ENVIRONMENTAL CLEANLINESS, HENCE REDUCING THE LIKELIHOOD OF RODENT INFESTATION.
- - 0----------
MEDICAL EQUIPMENT PROTECTED AGAINST ELECTRICAL INTERFERENCE
* * ♦ t ♦
THERE HAVE BEEN NO REPORTS OF DISTURBANCE TO THE FUNCTIONING OF ELECTRONIC MEDICAL EQUIPMENT BY THE USAGE OF MOBILE TELEPHONES INSIDE HOSPITALS AND CLINICS.
IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY DR THE HON LEONG CHE-HUNG IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY), THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, MRS ELIZABETH WONG, SAID THE HOSPITAL AUTHORITY WAS AWARE OF THE POSSIBLE ELECTRICAL INTERFERENCE WITH MEDICAL EQUIPMENT CAUSED BY MOBILE TELEPHONE, PARTICULARLY IF OPERATED WITHIN A CLOSE RANGE OF THE EQUIPMENT.
"IT IS CURRENTLY EXAMINING THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THIS PROBLEM WITH A VIEW TO GIVING APPROPRIATE GUIDANCE AND ADVICE TO PUBLIC HOSPITALS," SHE SAID.
MRS WONG ASSURED THAT MOST MEDICAL EQUIPMENT WERE DESIGNED TO PROTECT AGAINST ELECTRICAL INTERFERENCE AND SO FAR THERE HAD BEEN NO RECORDED INCIDENT OF THIS KIND IN HONG KONG.
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/7........
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 30, 1994
FEW REPORTS OF ILLEGAL VENDING AT VESSELS
*****
THE POLICE, THE CUSTOMS AND THE MARINE DEPARTMENT HAVE RECEIVED VERY FEW REPORTS OF ILLEGAL VENDING TAKING PLACE FROM MAINLAND CHINESE FISHING VESSELS.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE SECRETARY FOR ECONOMIC SERVICES, MR GORDON SIU, IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY) IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON ALBERT CHAN WAI-YIP.
"THEY WILL CONTINUE TO MONITOR THE SITUATION CLOSELY, PAYING PARTICULAR ATTENTION TO THOSE AREAS WHERE REPORTS HAVE BEEN RECEIVED," MR SIU SAID.
HE ADDED THAT IN THE 1994/95 DRAFT ESTIMATES FOR THE CUSTOMS AND EXCISE DEPARTMENT, THERE WAS PROVISION FOR TWO REPLACEMENT HARBOUR LAUNCHES.
"THE NEW LAUNCHES WILL ENHANCE THE DEPARTMENT’S ABILITY TO CARRY OUT EFFECTIVELY ITS RESPONSIBILITIES INCLUDING THE INTERCEPTION OF VESSELS UNDERTAKING ILLEGAL ACTIVITIES."
HE EXPLAINED THAT THE VENDING OF GOODS BY A PERSON ON BOARD A CHINESE FISHING VESSEL IN HONG KONG WATERS MAY BE AN OFFENCE IF:
* THE GOODS CONSTITUTE UNMANIFESTED CARGO UNDER PART IV OF THE IMPORT AND EXPORT ORDINANCE;
* THE PERSON OR PERSONS INVOLVED HAVE ENTERED HONG KONG OTHER THAN IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PROVISIONS OF THE IMMIGRATION ORDINANCE; OR
* SUCH VENDING TAKES PLACE WITHOUT A VALID MARINE HAWKER LICENCE HAVING BEEN ISSUED BY THE DIRECTOR OF MARINE UNDER THE MARINE HAWKER ORDINANCE.
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EMIGRANT FIGURES FOR 1991/93 ♦ t * * *
A TOTAL OF ABOUT 179,000 PEOPLE EMIGRATED FROM THE TERRITORY DURING THE THREE YEARS FROM 1991 TO 1993, THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, MR ALISTAIR ASPREY, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
ABOUT HALF OF THE EMIGRANTS WERE ECONOMICALLY ACTIVE AND ABOUT 16 PER CENT OF THEM WERE MANAGERS OR ADMINISTRATORS, HE SAID.
/IN A ........
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 30, 1994
- 8
IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION RAISED BY THE HON MARTIN BARROW, MR ASPREY GAVE A BREAKDOWN OF THE CATEGORIES OF EMIGRANTS:
1991 1992 1993*
MANAGERS AND ADMINISTRATORS 9,500 (16%) 10,200 (15%) 8,700 (16%)
OTHER EMPLOYED PERSONS 19,500 (32%) 23,500 (36%) 17,800 (34%)
ECONOMICALLY INACTIVE PERSONS 31,000 (52%) 32,300 (49%) 26,500 (50%)
60,000 (100%) 66,000 (100%) 53,000 (100%)
« PROVISIONAL FIGURES ONLY FOR 1993
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STREET NAME PLATES
*****
UNDER THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND MUNICIPAL SERVICES ORDINANCE, THE URBAN COUNCIL AND THE DIRECTOR OF LANDS ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR NAMING STREETS IN URBAN AREA AND THE NEW TERRITORIES RESPECTIVELY.
THE RELEVANT DISTRICT BOARDS ARE CONSULTED BEFORE DECISIONS ARE TAKEN, AND THE HIGHWAYS DEPARTMENT AFFIXES AND MAINTAINS THE STREET NAME PLATES.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT, MR HAIDER BARMA, IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY) IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON TIMOTHY HA WING-HO.
MR BARMA SAID: "IN THE CASE OF LONG STREETS, NAME PLATES ARE USUALLY PROVIDED AT APPROXIMATELY 200-METRE INTERVALS, WHICH IS CONSIDERED ADEQUATE FROM THE PAST EXPERIENCE.
STREET NAME PLATES ARE GENERALLY INSTALLED AT ALL ROAD JUNCTIONS, EXCEPT IN CASES WHERE THIS MAY LEAD TO AN UNDESIRABLE PROLIFERATION OF STREET SIGNS OR OBSTRUCT THE SIGHT OF DRIVERS.
CHECKING STREET NAME PLATES IS PART OF THE REGULAR ROAD INSPECTION DUTIES OF THE HIGHWAYS DEPARTMENT.
THE INSPECTIONS ARE CARRIED OUT AT ABOUT SIX MONTHLY INTERVALS.
IN ADDITION, NAME PLATES ARE REPLACED IF DAMAGE IS REPORTED BY THE PUBLIC.
r
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/9.........
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 30, 1994
- 9 -
STT VEHICLE PARK SITES ARE FOR TEMPORARY USE
******
TWO TEMPORARY VEHICLE PARKS IN WESTERN DISTRICT WERE OPERATED UNDER SHORT-TERM TENANCIES (STTS) UNTIL THE SITES WERE REQUIRED IN CONNECTION WITH CONSTRUCTION OF THE WESTERN HARBOUR CROSSING, THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT, MR HAIDER BARMA, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY DR THE HON YEUNG SUM, MR BARMA SAID SEVERAL ALTERNATIVE TEMPORARY SITES HAD BEEN FOUND WITHIN THE SAME DISTRICT TO PROVIDE OVER 400 PARKING SPACES AND ADDITIONAL SITES WERE BEING IDENTIFIED.
HE SAID THE GENERAL POLICY IS TO DISPOSE OF SITES IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE TOWN PLAN.
’’WHEN THERE IS NO IMMEDIATE REQUIREMENT FOR PERMANENT DEVELOPMENT, SUCH SITES ARE EITHER ALLOCATED TO GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS (E.G. AS WORKS AREAS) OR LET ON STTS BY WAY OF PUBLIC TENDERS (E.G. AS VEHICLE PARKS).
MR BARMA SAID THE ADMINISTRATION COULD NOT GUARANTEE THE REPROVISIONING OF TEMPORARY PARKING SITES ON EXPIRY OF STTS.
’’OWING TO LAND CONSTRAINTS, IT IS NOT ALWAYS POSSIBLE TO PROVIDE REPLACEMENT VEHICLE PARKS OF THE SAME SIZE AND IN THE SAME LOCALITY.
THE POLICY ON PARKING PROVISION FOR ALL TYPES OF VEHICLE WILL BE REEXAMINED IN THE CONTEXT OF OUR CURRENT PARKING DEMAND STUDY,” HE SAID.
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MORE CONSULTATION ON SITING OF REFUSE TRANSFER STATION
*******
THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT WILL FURTHER CONSULT THE TUEN MUN DISTRICT BOARD ON THE PROPOSED REFUGE TRANSFER STATION (RTS) IN SHUN TAT STREET, TUEN MUN BEFORE PROCEEDING WITH THE PROJECT, THE ACTING SECRETARY FOR PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS, MR CANICE MAK, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
IN HIS WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON ZACHARY WONG, MR MAK SAID VISITS TO THE COMPLETED REFUSE TRANSFER STATIONS IN ISLAND EAST AND KOWLOON BAY AND PRESENTATION OF THE PROPOSED PROJECT IN NORTHWEST NEW TERRITORIES AT DISTRICT BOARDS AND THE RURAL COMMITTEE HAD BEEN ORGANISED.
/MR MAK
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 30, 1994
- 10 -
MR MAK SAID UNDER THE LONG-TERM WASTE DISPOSAL STRATEGY, A REFUSE TRANSFER STATION IN THE YUEN LONG - TUEN MUN CORRIDOR IS REQUIRED TO TRANSPORT THE WASTE ARISINGS FROM THE NORTH WEST NEW TERRITORIES TO THE WEST NEW TERRITORIES LANDFILL IN A COST-EFFECTIVE AND ENVIRONMENTALLY ACCEPTABLE MANNER.
HE SAID THE SHUN TAT STREET SITE'WAS SELECTED IN 1993 AFTER CAREFUL AND COMPREHENSIVE INVESTIGATIONS COVERING ENVIRONMENTAL, OPERATIONAL AND LANDUSE ASPECTS.
"THE SITE WAS FOUND TO HAVE THE LEAST ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS AMONGST THE NINE POTENTIAL SITES IN THE INITIAL ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT," HE SAID.
THE TUEN MUN DISTRICT BOARD, TUEN MUN RURAL COMMITTEE AND CONCERNED RESIDENT GROUPS IN THE NEARBY VILLAGES HAVE OBJECTED TO THE SITING BECAUSE THEY WERE CONCERNED THAT IT WOULD CAUSE ADVERSE IMPACT ON THE HYGIENE CONDITIONS, THE EXISTING TRAFFIC PROBLEM AND "FUNG SHUI".
MR MAK SAID MEASURES WOULD BE TAKEN TO ALLEVIATE THE CONCERNS OF THE LOCAL VILLAGERS.
"STRINGENT ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL STANDARDS WILL BE IMPOSED ON THE RTS OPERATION, AND ADEQUATE QUEUING SPACE WITHIN THE SITE WILL BE PROVIDED TO AVOID REFUSE COLLECTION VEHICLES (RCV) QUEUING OUTSIDE THE STATION.
"THE RTS CONTRACT WILL ALSO INCLUDE PROVISION TO REQUIRE THE CONTRACTOR TO CLEAN THE ROAD SHOULD IT BE FOUND NECESSARY.
"THE RTS WILL BE LANDSCAPED TO BLEND IN HARMONIOUSLY WITH THE SURROUNDING ENVIRONMENT, AND REGIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT HAS UNDERTAKEN TO KEEP THE OPERATION OF THEIR RCV FLEET IN A HYGIENIC MANNER,” HE SAID.
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TERMINAL FACILITIES ADEQUATE TO MEET DEMAND » * * * * *
THE EXISTING TERMINAL FOR FERRIES OPERATING BETWEEN CHINA AND HONG KONG HAS ADEQUATE CAPACITY TO MEET DEMAND UNTIL 1997, THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT, MR HAIDER BARMA, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON CHIM PUI-CHUNG, MR BARMA SAID: "PLANS ARE IN HAND TO PROVIDE THREE MORE BERTHS AND AN ENLARGED WAITING AREA AT THE CHINA FERRY TERMINAL TO MEET PROJECTED REQUIREMENTS UP TO 2001,"
HE SAID THERE WERE SUFFICIENT BERTHING FACILITIES FOR PASSENGER SHIPS TO MEET CURRENT DEMAND.
/"CHINA FERRY .......
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 30, 1994
11 -
"CHINA FERRY SERVICES ARE ALLOCATED TIME SLOTS FOR USING THE TERMINAL BERTHING FACILITIES. VESSELS ARRIVING ON SCHEDULE CAN USE THE BERTHS ASSIGNED TO THEM WITHOUT DELAY.
"IF A VESSEL IS LATE, IT WILL HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL A BERTH BECOMES AVAILABLE. IN SUCH CIRCUMSTANCES, THE WAITING TIME IS NO MORE THAN 15 MINUTES."
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INTRODUCTION OF A-LEVEL EXAM SUBJECTS DEPENDS ON VARIOUS FACTORS *****
THE HONG KONG EXAMINATIONS AUTHORITY (HKEA) TAKES INTO ACCOUNT A NUMBER OF FACTORS BEFORE INTRODUCING ANY NEW SUBJECTS IN THE HONG KONG ADVANCED LEVEL EXAMINATION (HKALE).
THESE INCLUDE THE NEEDS OF THE CANDIDATES, THE RESOURCES AVAILABLE, AND THE PRACTICABILITY OF OFFERING PUBLIC EXAMINATIONS IN THAT SUBJECT.
AS THE HKEA DERIVES ITS INCOME MAINLY FROM EXAMINATION FEES, IT ALSO HAS TO STRIKE A BALANCE BETWEEN OFFERING EXAMINATIONS AND KEEPING THEIR FEES AFFORDABLE, HAVING REGARD TO THE ACTUAL COST OF CONDUCTING THE EXAMINATIONS.
THIS WAS STATED BY 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).
AT PRESENT, 14 SUBJECTS THAT ARE CURRENTLY OFFERED BY THE HKEA IN THE HONG KONG CERTIFICATE OF EDUCATION EXAMINATION ARE NOT OFFERED IN THE HKALE.
A NUMBER OF COURSES OFFERED IN TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS ALSO DO NOT HAVE A-LEVEL COUNTERPARTS, THAT IS LAW, ARCHITECTURE, PHILOSOPHY, EDUCATION, SOCIAL WORK, COMMUNICATION AND PHYSICAL EDUCATION.
"TO THE EXTENT THAT TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS DO NOT REQUIRE SPECIFIC SUBJECTS AS A PRE-REQUISITE FOR ADMISSION TO THEIR COURSES, THE INTERESTS OF STUDENTS ARE NOT ADVERSELY AFFECTED,” MR LEUNG SAID.
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/12 .......
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 30, 1994
- 12 -
HOUSING SOCIETY TO REDEVELOP FIVE STREETS IN KENNEDY TOWN *****
THE REDEVELOPMENT PROJECT OF THE FIVE STREETS IN KENNEDY TOWN BY THE HONG KONG HOUSING SOCIETY WAS APPROVED BY THE TOWN PLANNING BOARD IN 1992.
ACCORDING TO HOUSING SOCIETY’S CURRENT PROGRAMME THE PROJECT IS EXPECTED TO START IN EARLY 1998, BUT THE SOCIETY IS CONSIDERING WAYS TO BRING THIS FORWARD.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE ACTING SECRETARY FOR PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS, MR CANICE MAK, IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY) IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY DR THE HON YEUNG SUM.
THE FIVE STREETS INCLUDE THE KENNEDY TOWN NEW PRAYA, DAVIS STREET, KIN MAN STREET, CADOGAN STREET AND CATCHICK STREET.
THE SITES WERE FIRST ZONED COMPREHENSIVE DEVELOPMENT AREA (CDA) IN 1988 TO HELP A COMPREHENSIVE RATHER THAN PIECEMEAL REDEVELOPMENT.
MR MAK SAID COMPREHENSIVE PLANNING AND REDEVELOPMENT IN THE FORM OF CDA UNDER ONE AGENCY WOULD PROVIDE BETTER ENVIRONMENT AND MORE OPEN SPACE.
THIS SHOULD ALSO BRING ABOUT IMPROVEMENT OF TRAFFIC CIRCULATION AND VEHICULAR ACCESS OF THE AREA.
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ENGLISH LANGUAGE REQUIREMENT FOR JURORS NOT INEQUITABLE *****
THE REQUIREMENT THAT JURORS SHOULD HAVE A KNOWLEDGE OF THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE SUFFICIENT TO ENABLE THEM TO UNDERSTAND THE PROCEEDINGS IN THE HIGH COURT IS NOT INEQUITABLE, UNFAIR OR DISCRIMINATORY, THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, THE HON JEREMY MATHEWS, SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON CHIM PUI-CHUNG, MR MATHEWS SAID ALL CRIMINAL TRIALS AND CIVIL TRIALS BY JURY WERE CONDUCTED IN THE HIGH COURT AND UNDER THE OFFICIAL LANGUAGES ORDINANCE, PROCEEDINGS IN THE HIGH COURT HAD TO BE CONDUCTED IN THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE.
HE SAID: "IN THESE CIRCUMSTANCES IT IS RATIONAL FOR THE LAW TO REQUIRE JURORS TO HAVE A KNOWLEDGE OF THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE SUFFICIENT TO ENABLE THEM TO UNDERSTAND THE PROCEEDINGS IN COURT."
MR MATHEWS ALSO NOTED THAT THE LANGUAGE REQUIREMENT FOR JURORS WOULD BE REVIEWED AS AND WHEN IT WAS PROPOSED TO ALLOW THE CHINESE LANGUAGE TO BE USED IN THE HIGH COURT.
/IN THIS .......
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 30, 1994
- 13 -
IN THIS RESPECT, HE SAID, TWO WORKING PARTIES HAD BEEN ESTABLISHED BY THE JUDICIARY TO CONSIDER WAYS OF PROMOTING THE GREATER USE OF CHINESE IN THE LAW.
IN RELATION TO WHETHER THE LANGUAGE REQUIREMENT WILL BE REPEALED OR AMENDED BEFORE 1997, MR MATHEWS SAID IT WOULD DEPEND LARGELY ON WHETHER, BEFORE THAT DATE, THE LAW WAS TO BE AMENDED TO ALLOW THE CHINESE LANGUAGE TO BE USED IN THE HIGH COURT.
AND, WHETHER THE RETENTION BEYOND 1997 OF THE EXISTING LANGUAGE REQUIREMENT FOR JURORS WOULD CONTRAVENE THE BASIC LAW WAS A MATTER THAT WAS BEING CONSIDERED AS PART OF THE ADAPTATION OF LAWS EXERCISE, HE ADDED.
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SUPREME COURT (AMENDMENT) BILL 1994 INTRODUCED
*****
A BILL PROPOSING TO PROVIDE FOR THE INTRODUCTION OF A FORMAL SYSTEM OF APPOINTING EXPERIENCED BARRISTERS AS RECORDERS OF THE HIGH COURT WHO WOULD SIT AS TEMPORARY JUDGES FOR SPECIFIC PERIODS WAS INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE SUPREME COURT (AMENDMENT) BILL 1994, THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, THE HON JEREMY MATHEWS, SAID FOR SOME YEARS, THE CHIEF JUSTICE HAD INVITED, AND APPOINTED, EXPERIENCED BARRISTERS, NORMALLY QUEEN'S COUNSEL, ON AN AD HOC BASIS TO SIT IN THE HIGH COURT AS DEPUTY JUDGES FOR A PERIOD OF ABOUT FOUR WEEKS.
HE SAID: "THE ARRANGEMENT HAS PROVIDED AN OPPORTUNITY FOR MEMBERS OF THE BAR TO HAVE FIRST-HAND EXPERIENCE OF JUDICIAL WORK, AND ALSO FOR THE CHIEF JUSTICE TO TEST THEIR SUITABILITY FOR POSSIBLE FUTURE APPOINTMENT TO THE BENCH.
’’BUT IT HAS NOT PROVED VERY EFFECTIVE IN ATTRACTING MEMBERS OF THE BAR TO APPLY TO JOIN THE BENCH, NOR HAS IT CONTRIBUTED MATERIALLY TO A REDUCTION IN THE TIME TAKEN FOR CASES TO BE HEARD."
MR MATHEWS SAID THE BILL GAVE EFFECT TO THE RECOMMENDATIONS MADE BY A WORKING GROUP WHICH HAD CAREFULLY EXAMINED THE PROPOSAL PUT FORWARD BY THE HONG KONG BAR ASSOCIATION.
THE PROPOSAL AIMED TO ESTABLISH A FORMAL SYSTEM OF RECORDERSHIP TO MAKE MORE EXTENSIVE USE OF THE EXPERTISE AVAILABLE IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR.
THE BILL PROPOSED THAT A MORE FORMAL RECORDERSHIP SYSTEM WHERE BARRISTERS MAY BE APPOINTED TO SIT IN THE HIGH COURT OVER A LONGER PERIOD SHOULD BE INTRODUCED.
MR MATHEWS SAID: ”WE PROPOSE THAT, AS RECOMMENDED BY THE WORKING GROUP AND FOLLOWING THE PRACTICE IN THE UNITED KINGDOM, A RECORDER SHOULD NORMALLY BE APPOINTED FOR A PERIOD OF THREE YEARS, WITH A MINIMUM SITTING REQUIREMENT OF FOUR CONSECUTIVE WEEKS EACH YEAR.
/"THE CHIEF .......
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 30, 1994
- 14 -
"THE CHIEF JUSTICE WILL CONTINUE TO MAKE AD HOC APPOINTMENTS OF DEPUTY JUDGES AS HE SEES FIT.”
MR MATHEWS ALSO POINTED OUT THAT THE RECORDERSHIP SCHEME WOULD BE INTRODUCED ON A MODEST SCALE AND EXPANDED IN THE LIGHT OF EXPERIENCE.
HE SAID: "WE HOPE THAT IT WILL ENCOURAGE MORE MEMBERS OF THE BAR TO OBTAIN EXPERIENCE OF JUDICIAL WORK, AND THAT SOME OF THEM WILL APPLY IN DUE COURSE FOR PERMANENT APPOINTMENT TO THE BENCH.
"THE EVENTUAL EXPANSION OF THE SCHEME MAY ALSO IN THE LONG TERM CONTRIBUTE TO LOWERING THE WAITING TIME FOR HEARING CASES IN THE HIGH COURT BY ENABLING THE CHIEF JUSTICE TO PLAN IN A SYSTEMATIC WAY FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF AN ADDITIONAL COURT."
IN ADDITION, THE BILL ALSO DEALS WITH THE APPOINTMENT OF RECORDERS OF THE HIGH COURT AND THE APPOINTMENT OF TEMPORARY REGISTRARS OF THE SUPREME COURT.
HE SAID: "AS RECORDERS WILL BE REQUIRED TO HEAR ALL TYPES OF CASES, THEIR QUALIFICATIONS WILL BE THE SAME AS FOR PERMANENT APPOINTMENTS TO THE SUPREME COURT. THEIR APPOINTMENTS WILL ALSO BE MADE BY THE GOVERNOR ON THE ADVICE OF THE JUDICIAL SERVICE COMMISSION.
"THE CHIEF JUSTICE WILL BE EMPOWERED BY CLAUSE 11 TO APPOINT SUCH TEMPORARY DEPUTY REGISTRARS ON AN AD HOC BASIS TO FILL ANY VACANT POSTS OF DEPUTY REGISTRARS OR TO DEAL WITH TEMPORARY INCREASES IN THE INTERLOCUTORY WORK IN THE SUPREME COURT."
IN RELATION TO RETROSPECTIVE APPOINTMENTS, THE BILL ALSO SEEKS TO FORMALISE THE EXISTING PRACTICE OF ALLOWING THE RETROSPECTIVE APPOINTMENT OF JUDGES AND OTHER JUDICIAL OFFICERS.
MR MATHEWS ADDED: "SUCH RETROSPECTIVE APPOINTMENTS MAY HAVE TO BE MADE IN THOSE RARE CIRCUMSTANCES WHERE THE FORMAL APPOINTMENT INSTRUMENTS, DUE TO SOME ADMINISTRATIVE REASONS, HAVE NOT BEEN MADE READY ON OR BEFORE THE DATES OF THE COMMENCEMENT OF THE APPOINTMENTS."
THE BILL ALSO SETS OUT THE PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS AT PRESENT REQUIRED OF THE REGISTRAR, THE DEPUTY REGISTRARS AND THE ASSISTANT REGISTRARS OF THE SUPREME COURT TO REMOVE ANY POSSIBLE DOUBT, HE NOTED.
DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.
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/15........
15
LARGER GOVERNING COUNCIL FOR HKIED ♦ ♦ * ♦ ♦
MORE STAFF AND STUDENT REPRESENTATIVES AS WELL AS PERSONS EXPERIENCED IN SCHOOL EDUCATION WILL BE APPOINTED TO THE GOVERNING COUNCIL OF THE HONG KONG INSTITUTE OF EDUCATION (HKIED).
SPEAKING AT THE RESUMED DEBATE ON THE HONG KONG INSTITUTE OF EDUCATION BILL AT THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY), THE SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER, MR MICHAEL LEUNG, SAID THE COMPOSITION OF THE COUNCIL AS ORIGINALLY PROPOSED SOUGHT TO MAINTAIN A BALANCE OF STAFF, ACADEMIC AND BROADER INTERESTS, WHILE MAINTAINING A REASONABLE SIZE FOR EFFECTIVE MANAGEMENT.
ON THE SUGGESTION OF THE BILLS COMMITTEE, MR LEUNG NOTED, THE ADMINISTRATION WOULD INCREASE THE MAXIMUM SIZE OF THE COUNCIL FROM 20 TO 26.
THE CHANGES AGREED INCLUDE:
# INCREASE THE NUMBER OF ELECTED STAFF REPRESENTATIVES FROM ONE TO THREE;
* APPOINT ONE TO THREE PERSONS WITH EXPERIENCE IN SCHOOL EDUCATION; AND
♦ INCLUDE A STUDENT REPRESENTATIVE.
UNDER THE BILL, THE COUNCIL WILL BE APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNOR IN HIS CAPACITY AS THE PRESIDENT OF THE INSTITUTE.
OTHER COUNCIL MEMBERS INCLUDE THE DIRECTOR AND DEPUTY DIRECTORS OF THE HKIED, PUBLIC OFFICERS, AND NOMINEES FROM THE INSTITUTE’S ACADEMIC BOARD.
THE ROLE OF THE ACADEMIC BOARD IS TO PLAN ACADEMIC PROGRAMMES, REGULATE STUDENT ADMISSION AND CONFER ACADEMIC AWARDS.
THE BILL WAS PASSED WITH AMENDMENTS.
- 0 - -
/16
16
ACADEMY OF MEDICINE STARTS FULL OPERATIONS
*****
THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY) PASSED A RESOLUTION TO ENABLE THE HONG KONG ACADEMY OF MEDICINE TO HOLD ITS FIRST ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING AND TO START FULL OPERATIONS.
MOVING THE RESOLUTION, THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, MRS ELIZABETH WONG, SAID THE ACADEMY WAS ESTABLISHED AS A STATUTORY BODY RESPONSIBLE FOR THE CONDUCT OF POSTGRADUATE AND CONTINUING MEDICAL EDUCATION UNDER THE HONG KONG ACADEMY OF MEDICINE BILL PASSED BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON JUNE 24, 1992.
’’SINCE THEN, GROUNDWORK FOR THE ACADEMY HAS BEEN CARRIED OUT BY AN INTERIM COUNCIL, INCLUDING THE DRAFTING OF THE NECESSARY SUBSIDIARY LEGISLATION," SHE SAID.
- - 0 - -
APPROPRIATION BILL 1991 PASSED
*****
THE APPROPRIATION BILL 1994 WAS PASSED WITHOUT AMENDMENTS IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
TELECOMMUNICATION (AMENDMENT) BILL 1994 WAS ALSO PASSED WITHOUT AMENDMENTS.
FIVE OTHER BILLS WERE PASSED WITH AMENDMENTS.
TUFA WERE: THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL COMMISSION BILL, THE HONG KONG INSTITUTE OF EDUCATION BILL, LAYOUT-DESIGN (TOPOGRAPHY) OF INTEGRATED CIRCUITS BILL, AIR POLLUTION CONTROL (AMENDMENT) (NO. 2) BILL 1993 AND LAND DRAINAGE BILL.
TWO BILLS - SUPREME COURT (AMENDMENT) BILL 199 I AND L \ND SURVEY BILL - WERE INTRODUCED FOR FIRST AND SECOND READINGS. DEBATES ON THEM WERE ADJOURNED.
IN ADDITION, FIVE MOTIONS MOVED BY GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS WERE ALSO PASSED.
AMONG THEM, TWO WERE MOVED BY THE VI’TORNEY GENERAL, THE HON JEREMY MATHEWS AND THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, MRS ELIZABETH WONG UNDER THE OFFICIAL LANGUAGES ORDINANCE AND HONG KONG ACADEMY OF MEDICINE ORDINANCE RESPECTIVELY.
ONE MOTION WAS PROPOSED BY THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT, MR HAIDER BARMA UNDER THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY CORPORATION ORDINANCE. THE OTHER TWO WERE MOVED BY MR BARMA UNDER THE KOWLOON-CANTON RAILWAY CORPORA’!’ ION ORD I NANCE.
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DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE. HONG KONG. TEL.: 842 8777
SUPPLEMENT
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 30, 1994
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MEETING (RESUMED BUDGET DEBATE): GOVT TO INTERVENE PROPERTY PRICES: FS...................... 1
IMPORTATION OF GRADUATES SHOULD PROCEED QUICKLY............ 2
FS UPHOLDS PRUDENT FINANCING............................... 3
FS AIMS TO SOFTEN LARGE RATES INCREASE..................... 5
NEW ALCOHOL DUTY SYSTEM FAIR............................... 7
LOWER PROFITS TAX JUSTIFIED................................ 8
LOOPHOLE IN SERVICE COMPANIES MUST BE CLOSED............... 9
PUBLIC TO BE CONSULTED ON OLD-AGE PENSION SCHEME.......... 10
ANOTHER GOOD YEAR FOR EXCHANGE FUND....................... 11
HK’S FISCAL MANAGEMENT FOR WORLD TO ENVY.................. 12
POSITIVE ACTION TO IMPROVE CIVIL SERVICE MORALE: CS....... 12
GOVT WILL HELP JUDICIARY GO MODERNISATION................. 13
NO GOVT INTERFERENCE IN LEGAL AID SERVICE................. 14
/GOVT DETERMINES...
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
GOVT DETERMINES TO TACKLE PROPERTY PRICES................... 15
GOVT PROMOTES FAIR COMPETITION AND CONSUMER PROTECTION......... 16
GOVT FIRM TO ROOT OUT TRIAD ................... 18
PUBLIC INFRASTRUCTURE PROGRAMMED INTO NEXT CENTURY............. 19
NEW AIRPORT COST-EFFECTIVE........................................ 21
HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONALS PRAISED FOR HARD WORK................... 23
LEGCO BRIEFED ON MEASURES TO SLOW CAR GROWTH...................... 24
OPS - ONLY SOLUTION TO FINANCIAL SECURITY FOR AGED................ 26
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WEDNESDAY, MARCH 30, 1994
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GOVT TO INTERVENE PROPERTY PRICES: FS » * » » ♦
THE GOVERNMENT HAS DECIDED TO TAKE A MAJOR STEP TO INTERVENE IN THE PROBLEM OF HIGH PROPERTY PRICES AND KEEP THEM DOWN, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON SIR HAMISH MACLEOD, SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
CONCLUDING THE DEBATE ON THE SECOND READING OF THE APPROPRIATION BILL 1994, SIR HAMISH SAID:
"WE ARE SERIOUS ABOUT TACKLING THIS ISSUE. BOTH THE CHIEF SECRETARY AND I ARE PERSONALLY COMMITTED TO FINDING A SOLUTION.
"WE RECOGNISE THERE IS A PROBLEM, AND WE HAVE DECIDED TO INTERVENE. THAT IN ITSELF IS A MAJOR STEP, GIVEN OUR GENERAL BELIEF IN LETTING THE MARKET DECIDE," HE SAID.
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY ADDED THAT INTERVENTION WAS NOT WITHOUT RISKS.
"IT IS NOT POSSIBLE TO FINE-TUNE PROPERTY PRICES, BUT ONLY TO NUDGE THEM FAIRLY CRUDELY IN A PARTICULAR DIRECTION."
SIR HAMISH BELIEVES IT IS RIGHT TO FOCUS ON THE POSITIVE STEP OF INCREASING LAND SUPPLY AS THE KEY.
CLEARLY OTHER BASICALLY NEGATIVE MEASURES, SUCH AS STAMP DUTY AND REDUCED MORTGAGE LENDING, HAVE SIMPLY NOT HAD SUFFICIENT IMPACT, HE ADDED.
HE ALSO BELIEVES THE QUICKEST AND GREATEST IMPACT IS LIKELY TO BE MADE BY HARNESSING THE ENERGIES OF THE PRIVATE SECTOR AND OF QUASIGOVERNMENT BODIES TO THIS NEW CHALLENGE.
IN SUPPORT OF THIS SPECIAL EXERCISE TO INCREASE LAND SUPPLY, SIR HAMISH SAID HE WAS PREPARED TO CONSIDER PROVIDING FUNDS IF A GOOD CASE COULD BE MADE.
ONE EXAMPLE MIGHT BE TO SET ASIDE A SUM OF MONEY TO REIMBURSE PRIVATE DEVELOPERS FOR PROVIDING THE INFRASTRUCTURE NEEDED TO ENABLE NEW HOUSING TO PROCEED ON AN ACCELERATED BASIS.
ANOTHER EXAMPLE MAY BE TO ASSIST THE LAND DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION OR THE HOUSING SOCIETY TO ACCELERATE THEIR PROGRAMMES, INCLUDING LOANS TO IMPROVE THEIR CASHFLOWS, AND SO TO ALLOW THEM TO PUT MORE COMMERCIAL AND RESIDENTIAL UNITS ON TO THE MARKET.
"OUR AIM IS TO PRODUCE A CREDIBLE PACKAGE OF MEASURES WHICH WILL NOT ONLY INCREASE THE SUPPLY, BUT BE SUFFICIENT TO REDUCE PRICES.
"I REPEAT, OUR AIM IS TO START A DOWNWARD TREND IN PRICES, NOT TO KEEP LAND PRICES HIGH. THIS WILL NOT BE EASY, BUT WE ARE PUBLICLY COMMITTED TO TRY, AND TO TRY HARD OVER THE NEXT FEW MONTHS TO IDENTIFY AND IMPLEMENT THE BEST MEANS OF ACHIEVING RESULTS."
/ON THE........
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 30, 1994
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ON THE PROPOSAL FOR INTRODUCING CAPITAL GAINS TAX, HE SAID PROFITS ARISING FROM TRADING IN PROPERTY WERE ALREADY LIABLE TO PROFITS TAX.
INDEED, OVER THE LAST TWO YEARS, THE INLAND REVENUE DEPARTMENT HAS STEPPED UP ITS EFFORTS TO TRACK DOWN SUCH TRANSACTIONS.
”1 AM PLEASED TO SAY THAT THIS HAS ACHIEVED GOOD RESULTS.”
HE HIGHLIGHTED SOME PARTICULAR POINTS UNDERLYING THE GOVERNMENT’S RESERVATIONS ON SUCH A PROPOSAL.
A CAPITAL GAINS TAX WOULD RUN AGAINST THE GOVERNMENT’S FUNDAMENTAL POLICY OF MAINTAINING A SIMPLE, PREDICTABLE AND LOW TAX SYSTEM.
TO ACHIEVE A SIGNIFICANT DETERRENT EFFECT, THE TAX WOULD HAVE TO BE SET AT A HIGH LEVEL.
IT WOULD ALSO BE EXPLICITLY INTRODUCED AS A TEMPORARY FISCAL MEASURE TO ADDRESS A SHORT-TERM PROBLEM, SO INTRODUCING UNCERTAINTY, HE SAID.
"THIS WOULD RISK SENDING A STRONG NEGATIVE SIGNAL TO LOCAL AND OVERSEAS INVESTORS. THE COMMUNITY AT LARGE WOULD STAND TO LOSE SHOULD THIS HAPPEN.”
MOREOVER, IT IS NOT ENTIRELY CLEAR THAT THE EFFECT OF INTRODUCING A CAPITAL GAINS TAX WOULD BE THAT THE MARKET WOULD AUTOMATICALLY CORRECT ITSELF, BRINGING PROPERTY PRICES BACK TO A MORE REALISTIC LEVEL, AND THEREBY BENEFITING END-USERS.
ELSEWHERE, VERSIONS OF SUCH A TAX HAVE HAD MIXED RESULTS, RANGING FROM PUSHING PRICES UP TO BRINGING ABOUT A COLLAPSE OF THE PROPERTY MARKET.
"HENCE, I MUCH PREFER TO SEEK A SOLUTION IN AN INCREASED SUPPLY. IF THAT DOES NOT SUCCEED, THEN I SHALL BE FORCED, RELUCTANTLY, TO REVIEW OTHER OPTIONS, INCLUDING THE CAPITAL GAINS TAX IDEA.” SIR HAMISH SAID.
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IMPORTATION OF GRADUATES SHOULD PROCEED QUICKLY
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THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD PROCEED QUICKLY WITH THE MODEST PILOT SCHEME TO ADMIT 1,000 GRADUATES FROM CHINA TO TACKLE INFLATION.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON SIR HAMISH MACLEOD, WHEN CONCLUDING THE BUDGET DEBATE IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
SIR HAMISH SAID LEGCO SHOULD BE CONSULTED BEFORE SUCH A SCHEME WAS ENLARGED.
/"AND THAT .......
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 30, 1994
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’’AND THAT WE NEED TO CONTINUE TO REASSURE OUR OWN GRADUATES THAT THEIR PROSPECTS ARE NOT SIGNIFICANTLY REDUCED.”
HE SAID HONG KONG’S INFLATION CONTINUED TO BE LOCALLY GENERATED, WITH SHORTAGES OF LABOUR AND LAND BEING THE TWO MAIN UNDERLYING FACTORS.
IMPORTED INFLATION REMAINS INSIGNIFICANT, AS REFLECTED BY STABLE IMPORT PRICES IN OVERALL TERMS, HE SAID.
THOSE CONSUMPTION ITEMS SHOWING A FASTER INCREASE IN PRICES THAN THE OVERALL CONSUMER PRICE INDEX HAVE A RELATIVELY HIGHER LOCAL INPUT CONTENT.
THE MAIN EXAMPLES ARE HOUSING, TRANSPORT, MEALS AT RESTAURANTS AND VARIOUS OTHER CONSUMER SERVICES.
”1 TAKE CAUTIOUS COMFORT FROM THE FACT THAT IN THE FIRST TWO MONTHS OF 1994, THERE WAS A FURTHER MODERATION IN CONSUMER PRICE INFLATION.”
THE CPI(A) IN THESE TWO MONTHS ROSE BY AN AVERAGE OF 7% OVER THE SAME PERIOD LAST YEAR. THIS COMPARES FAVOURABLY WITH THE CORRESPONDING INCREASE OF 8.5% FOR 1993 AS A WHOLE. IT IS ALSO BELOW THE FORECAST RATE OF INCREASE, ALSO OF 8.5%, FOR 1994.
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FS UPHOLDS PRUDENT FINANCING
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THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON SIR HAMISH MACLEOD, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY) HE WOULD CONTINUE TO HOLD THE BALANCE BETWEEN COMPETING CLAIMS, AND BETWEEN REVENUE AND EXPENDITURE IN A PRUDENT MANNER.”
. P‘ •
CONCLUDING THE BUDGET DEBATE IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, SIR HAMISH POINTED OUT THREE SIMPLE FACTS TO REASSURE THOSE WHO THOUGHT HE HAD BECOME IMPRUDENT.
♦ DESPITE THE TAX CONCESSIONS, TOTAL REVENUE IS ESTIMATED TO
INCREASE FROM $164 BILLION IN THE 1993/94 REVISED ESTIMATES
TO $177 BILLION IN THE 1994/95 ESTIMATES;
» GROWTH IN GOVERNMENT EXPENDITURE CONTINUES TO BE KEPT IN
LINE WITH THE GROWTH OF THE ECONOMY;
* LARGE RESERVES EXIST PRECISELY TO ENABLE HONG KONG TO WEATHER ANY TEMPORARY DOWNSIDES.
HE ALSO SAID THE KEY TO FINANCIAL STABILITY WAS TO MAINTAIN THE REVENUE IN REAL TERMS FROM A MIX OF SOURCES - BE THEY FEES AND CHARGES, DUTIES OR TAXES.
/SIR HAMISH .......
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 30, 1994
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SIR HAMISH SAID:
’’THAT SAID, I DO ACCEPT THAT WHEREVER POSSIBLE WE SHOULD TIP THE BALANCE IN FAVOUR OF RELIABLE, STEADY SOURCES - THAT IS ANOTHER REASON WHY 1 FAVOUR KEEPING RATES UP WITH INFLATION, AND WHY I HAVE GONE FOR AN INCREASE IN THE BUSINESS REGISTRATION FEE. THEY ARE BOTH RELATIVELY STEADY, RELIABLE SOURCES OF REVENUE.”
SIR HAMISH SAID WHATEVER HE PROPOSED TO RAISE IN TAX, HE MUST BE ABLE TO JUSTIFY IN TERMS OF NEED.
"WE HAVE RESERVES WHICH WILL SUSTAIN GROWTH IN EXPENDITURE IN LINE WITH THE PROJECTED GROWTH IN THE ECONOMY."
IN FACT, THE RESERVES ARE MORE THAN ENOUGH FOR THAT: THEY ALSO EXTEND TO PROVIDING AN ASSURANCE THAT HONG KONG CAN SURVIVE QUITE CONSIDERABLE SHOCKS TO THE ECONOMY WITHOUT HAVING TO CUT BACK ON EXISTING EXPENDITURE.
"BUT I CAN'T JUSTIFY GOING BEYOND THAT. AT SOME POINT, I HAVE TO SAY ’WE HAVE ENOUGH TAX FOR NOW, THANK YOU'," HE SAID.
HE SAID THE REVENUE BASE AND THE TAX NET WERE NOT THE SAME.
THE REVENUE BASE IS THE OVERALL MIX OF ALL SOURCES OF REVENUE.
"WE WISH TO KEEP IT STABLE, SIMPLE AND PRODUCTIVE. THE TAX NET, ON THE OTHER HAND, REFERS TO THE NUMBER OF TAX-PAYERS.
"THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE IN THE TAX NET CAN BE REDUCED WITHOUT NECESSARILY AFFECTING THE REVENUE BASE, BECAUSE AT A TIME OF ECONOMIC GROWTH AND OF RISING REAL WAGES WE CAN STILL EXPECT TO MAINTAIN REVENUE DESPITE OUR CONCESSIONS ON SALARIES TAX."
FOR EXAMPLE, REVENUE FROM SALARIES TAX IS EXPECTED TO INCREASE IN 1994/95, AND WILL CONSTITUTE ABOUT THE SAME PROPORTION OF TOTAL REVENUE AS IT DID IN 1993/94.
"THUS, I DON'T THINK IT IS QUITE ACCURATE TO ARGUE THAT BY-REDUCING THE NUMBER OF TAX-PAYERS IN THE NET, I AM NARROWING THE REVENUE BASE."
"I WOULD ONLY NARROW THE REVENUE BASE IF I SEVERELY' REDUCED THE NUMBER OF SOURCES OF REVENUE, OR LET THE REVENUE FROM THE EXISTING ONES ATROPHY IN REAL TERMS BY FAILING TO KEEP THEM UP-TO-DATE."
"THIS IS WHY I ATTACH IMPORTANCE TO MAINTAINING FEES AND CHARGES IN LINE WITH INFLATION, AND TO MAINTAINING RATEABLE VALUES IN LINE WITH THE MOVEMENT IN RENTAL VALUES."
BUT IT WOULD STILL BE A VALID CRITICISM IF IT COULD BE SHOWN THAT THE TAX CHANGES HAVE MADE THE REVENUE SIGNIFICANTLY LESS RELIABLE, AND MORE VOLATILE.
THIS POINT IS SOMETIMES TREATED AS IF IT IS THE SAME THING AS THE RATIO BETWEEN DIRECT AND INDIRECT TAXES.
/INDEED, THIS ........
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 30, 1994
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INDEED, THIS RATIO WAS INTRODUCED AS A CRUDE WAY TO MEASURE WHETHER THE REVENUE BASE WAS BECOMING MORE OR LESS ROBUST. THE THEORY WENT THAT IF THE PROPORTION OF INDIRECT TAXES WAS INCREASING, THE REVENUE WAS MORE ROBUST.
THE PROBLEM IS THAT THIS HAS PROVED TOO CRUDE A MEASURE TO BE VERY VALUABLE. INDIRECT TAXES DO NOT NECESSARILY CORRELATE WITH STABLE REVENUE, NOR DIRECT TAXES WITH UNSTABLE REVENUE.
SALARIES TAX, WHICH IS DIRECT, HAS BEEN STEADY, WHEREAS VEHICLE FIRST REGISTRATION TAX, WHICH IS A CLASSIC INDIRECT TAX, HAS BEEN FLUCTUATING VERY CONSIDERABLY.
’’THAT IS THE REASON I CEASED TO REFER TO THIS RATIO SOME BUDGETS AGO,” SIR HAMISH SAID.
HE SAID THE GOVERNMENT WAS IN THE "RARE AND ENVIABLE” POSITION OF BEING ABLE TO RETURN SOME OF THE CONSIDERABLE WEALTH TO ITS TAXPAYERS.
”1 THINK ONE WOULD NEED SOME EXTRAORDINARILY GOOD ARGUMENTS TO TRY TO ARGUE AGAINST THAT.”
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FS AIMS TO SOFTEN LARGE RATES INCREASE
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THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON SIR HAMISH MACLEOD, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY) HE WOULD LOOK FURTHER AT THE SUGGESTION THAT IN FUTURE THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD INDEX THE RATEABLE VALUES IN BETWEEN REVALUATION YEARS.
THIS IS TO SOFTEN THE IMPACT OF ANY LARGE INCREASE IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING A GENERAL REVALUATION.
”WE SHALL FIND A SATISFACTORY SOLUTION AS TO HOW BEST TO HANDLE RATES REVISIONS IN THE COMING YEARS THROUGH FURTHER DISCUSSIONS WITH MEMBERS.”
FURTHER EXPLAINING HIS THINKING ON RATES REVALUATION WHEN CONCLUDING HIS BUDGET DEBATE IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, SJR HAMISH SAID THE PURPOSE OF THE GENERAL REVALUATION WAS TO REASSESS THE RATEABLE VALUES OF PROPERTIES SO THAT RATES FELL EQUITABLY AMONG RATEPAYERS IN PROPORTION TO THE UP-TO-DATE RENTAL VALUES OF THEIR PROPERTIES.
THIS TRIENNIAL EXERCISE HAS BECOME AN ACCEPTED PRACTICE WITH BOTH LEGISLATORS AND THE GENERAL PUBLIC, HE SAID.
AS A STABLE AND BROADLY-BASED TAX, RATES ARE A RELIABLE SOURCE OF REVENUE AND HAVE OVER THE YEARS MADE A STEADY CONTRIBUTION TO THE PUBLIC FINANCES, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY STRESSED.
/HE FOUND .......
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 30, 1994
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HE FOUND IT DIFFICULT TO ACCEPT COMMENTS BY MEMBERS THAT THE ENVISAGED RATES INCREASE WOULD BRING TOO MUCH OF A BURDEN ON THE GENERAL PUBLIC, SET AGAINST RISING REAL WAGES, AND THE MINIMAL TAXES THAT MOST OF THE POPULATION ENJOYED.
IN THE LATEST REVALUATION, THE AVERAGE INCREASE IN THE RATEABLE VALUES FOR ALL CLASSES OF PROPERTIES IS 33%, WHICH REFLECTS THE INCREASE IN RENTAL VALUES OVER THE THREE YEARS TO JULY 1993.
THIS PERCENTAGE HAPPENS TO BE IN LINE WITH INFLATION OVER THE PAST THREE YEARS, AND WELL BELOW THE RISE IN PROPERTY PRICES.
MOREOVER, THE ANNUAL ADJUSTMENTS IN 1994/95 AND 1995/96 WILL EACH BE CAPPED AT 20%, SO THAT THE FULL IMPACT OF THE NEW RATES WILL BE SPREAD OVER THE COMING THREE YEARS.
PUBLIC HOUSING TENANTS, WHO ACCOUNT FOR AS MUCH AS 42% OF THE POPULATION, WILL NOT BE DIRECTLY AFFECTED IN PRACTICE, BECAUSE THE HOUSING AUTHORITY FOLLOWS THE POLICY OF SETTING RENTS BY REFERENCE TO TENANTS’ AFFORDABILITY.
SIR HAMISH SAID THE CURRENT OVERALL PERCENTAGE CHARGE AT 5. .5% WAS HISTORICALLY LOW.
’’AND WE ARE NOT PROPOSING TO INCREASE IT.
’’BACK IN THE SEVENTIES, AS SOME OF YOU MAY RECALL, THE OVERALL CHARGE WAS AS HIGH AS 17%. RATES ONLY TAKE UP ABOUT 2% OF THE AVERAGE HOUSEHOLD INCOME. FOR BUSINESSES, RATES REPRESENT 0.2% OF THEIR OUTGOINGS,” HE SAID.
THE PLAIN TRUTH IS: THIS IS A MODEST MEASURE WHICH STRIKES A BALANCE BETWEEN MAINTAINING THE REAL WORTH OF A STABLE REVENUE SOURCE, AND GIVING DUE WEIGHT TO EASING THE IMPACT ON RATEPAYERS, HE SAID.
”1 SHOULD EMPHASISE THAT IN CONSIDERING A TAX CONCESSION, THE GOVERNMENT’S FISCAL POSITION IS IMPORTANT, BUT IT IS BY NO MEANS THE ONLY CONSIDERATION.
’’AND WHEN I SAY THE GOVERNMENT’S FISCAL POSITION, I DO NOT MEAN OUR SURPLUS OR DEFICIT IN ANY ONE YEAR, BUT OUR OVERALL FINANCIAL HEALTH DURING THE FORECAST PERIOD.
’’AFFORDABILITY ASIDE, WE ALSO NEED TO TAKE INTO ACCOUNT THE IMPLICATIONS OF THE PROPOSED MEASURE ON OUR TAXATION SYSTEM,HE SAID.
HE SAID TO MAKE FISCAL DECISIONS ON THE BASIS OF THE SURPLUS OR DEFICIT FIGURES FOR A SINGLE YEAR WAS NOT WISE.
"TO ARGUE TO DELAY THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE LATEST RATES VALUATION OR TO REDUCE THE OVERALL PERCENTAGE CHARGE, SIMPLY BECAUSE WE HAVE PROJECTED A MODERATE SURPLUS FOR NEXT YEAR, IS I SUGGEST TO TAKE A VERY SHORT-TERM VIEW.”
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WEDNESDAY, MARCH 30, 1994
NEW ALCOHOL DUTY SYSTEM FAIR *****
THE NEW ALCOHOL DUTY SYSTEM COMMENDS ITSELF BECAUSE OF ITS GREATER DEGREE OF FAIRNESS, INCLUDING A CLEARER COMPATIBILITY WITH THE GATT, AND THE BENEFITS IT BRINGS TO THE AVERAGE CONSUMER, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON SIR HAMISH MACLEOD, SAID TODAY (WEDNEDAY).
CONCLUDING THE BUDGET DEBATE IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, SIR HAMISH ASSURED LEGISLATORS THAT HE FULLY RECOGNISED THE ADMINISTRATIVE PROBLEMS INHERENT IN A FULL AD VALOREM SYSTEM.
"FOR THIS REASON, 1 HAVE ALREADY ASKED THE CUSTOMS AND EXCISE DEPARTMENT TO CLOSELY MONITOR ANY ATTEMPT TO AVOID PAYING THE APPROPRI ATE DUTY .
"I UNDERSTAND THAT THERE ARE ALREADY EAGER VOLUNTEERS FOR THE ARDUOUS DUTY OF CARRYING OUT FIELD AUDITS IN Till- VINEYARDS OF FRANCE, AUSTRALIA AND CALIFORNIA," HE SAID.
IN INTRODUCING A STRAIGHT AD VALOREM DUTY SYSTEM FOR ALCOHOLIC DRINKS, SIR HAMISH SAID ONE OF HIS OBJECTIVES WAS TO AMEND THE PREVIOUS SYSTEM UNDER WHICH CHEAPER PRODUCTS WERE SUBJECT TO A HEAVIER DUTY RELATIVE TO THEIR COST, COMPARED WITH MORE EXPENSIVE PRODUCTS OF THE SAME TYPE.
"IN SHORT, I HAVE AIMED TO DESIGN A FAIRER SYSTEM."
HE SAID THERE WAS SOME UNDERSTANDABLE CONFUSION OVER THE PRECISE EFFECT OF THE DUTY CHANGES ON RETAIL PRICES, AND RETAILERS WOULD NOT NECESSARILY ADJUST PRICES IN UNIFORM WAYS.
USING WINE TO ILLUSTRATE THE EFFECTS OF THE NEW SYSTEM, HE SAID FOLLOWING THE PROPOSED CHANGES, PRODUCTS WITH AN EXPORT PRICE LESS THAN $50 A LITRE, WHICH ACCOUNTED FOR SOME 89% OF THE LOCAL WINE CONSUMPTION IN 1993, WOULD PAY MUCH LESS IN DUTY.
"I REPEAT, SOME 89% OF THE WINE SOLD IN HONG KONG WILL PAY LESS DUTY."
FOR THE NINE BEST-SELLING BRANDS IN THIS PRICE RANGE, THE DUTY REDUCTION RANGES FROM $21 TO $29 A LITRE. THESE NINE PRODUCTS WERE BEING SOLD BEFORE THE INTRODUCTION OF THE NEW DUTY SYSTEM AT A RETAIL PRICE OF ABOUT $70 TO $115 A LITRE.
HE SAID PRODUCTS WHICH COST MORE THAN $50 A LITRE AT THE POINT OF EXPORTATION WOULD BE SUBJECT TO HIGHER DUTY UNDER THE NEW SYSTEM.
TO SERVE AS AN ILLUSTRATION, TWO OF THE MORE POPULAR BRANDS RETAILING AT AROUND $200 A LITRE WILL BE PAYING ABOUT $9 MORE IN ALCOHOL DUTY.
WINES IN THE TOP PRICE RANGE, SOME RETAILING AT A FEW THOUSAND DOLLARS A BOTTLE, WILL BE HARDER HIT.
/BUT THE .......
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 30, 1994 »
BUT THE HIGHER DUTY WILL ONLY BE \ REFLECTION OF THE CONSUMER’S
ABILITY TO PAY, AND IS PROPORTIONAL TO THE COST OF THE PRODUCT.
AND SUCH PRODUCTS, WHICH ACCOUNT FOR WELL UNDER 1% OF HONG KONG’S TOTAL WINE CONSUMPTION, OCCUPY AN EXCLUSIVE NICHE IN THE MARKET WHERE PRICE IS OF LESS IMPORTANCE THAN QUALITY AND PERSONAL PREFERENCES TN DETERMINING CONSUMER CHOICE, HE SAID.
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LOWER PROFITS TAX JUSTIFIED
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AT A TIME WHEN THE FISCAL POSITION PERMITS, IT IS ONLY RIGHT TO RESTORE PROFITS TAX TO ITS PREVIOUS, LOWER LEVEL, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON SIR HAMISH MACLEOD SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
IT WILL BF. HELPFUL IN ENSURING THAT HONG* KONG WILL CONTINUE TO ENJOY AN ENVIRONMENT THAT ENCOURAGES INVESTMENT AND REINVESTMENT, PARTICULARLY AT A TIME WHEN THERE IS CONCERN OVER HIGH RENTS, SIR HAMISH SAID.
CONCLUDING THE BUDGET DEBATE, HE SAID HE BELIEVED THE SYMBOLIC NATURE OF THIS STEP WAS IMPORTANT.
"IT ILLUSTRATES BY ACTION THAT THIS GOVERNMENT REALLY DOES BELIEVE IN KEEPING TAXES TO THE LOWEST POSSIBLE LEVEL, AND IN RETURNING MONEY TO THE TAXPAYER WHEN THIS CAN SAFELY BE DONE, SO PRESERVING THE INCENTIVE TO SUCCEED FOR BOTH INDIVIDUALS AND COMPANIES.
"THIS IS ONE OF THE REASONS FOR OUR SUCCESS," SIR HAMISH SAID.
HE STRESSED THAT A KEY BUDGETARY PRINCIPLE WAS TO KEEP GROWTH IN GOVERNMENT EXPENDITURE IN LINE WITH THE TREND GROWTH OF THE ECONOMY.
THIS SETS THE LIMIT ON HOW MUCH THE GOVERNMENT CAN SPEND IN THE PUBLIC SECTOR, HE SAID.
A BUMPER YEAR FOR PROFITS TAX DOES NOT THEREFORE TRANSLATE INTO A SUDDEN EXPANSION IN GOVERNMENT SERVICES.
NOR DOES A CUT IN PROFITS TAX RESULT IN A CUT IN EXPENDITURE.
"IT IS ALSO WORTH NOTING THAT GIVEN OUR BUOYANT BUSINESS OUTLOOK, REVENUE FROM PROFITS TAX IS IN FACT EXPECTED TO INCREASE IN 1994/95 NOT ONIA IN MONEY TERMS, BUT AS A PROPORTION OF TOTAL REVENUE, EVEN AFTER THE REDUCTION," THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY SAID.
ON THE GROWTH OF PUBLIC EXPENDITURE, SIR HAMISH SAID RESTRAINING GOVERNMENT EXPENDITURE TO ECONOMIC GROWTH, WHEN THAT GROWTH WAS RUNNING AT ABOUT 5% IN REAL TERMS, WOULD BE REGARDED IN MOST PLACES IN THE WORLD AS NO RESTRICTION AT ALL, BUT ON THE CONTRARY AS GROWTH BEYOND THEIR WILDEST DREAMS.
/"COMPOUND GROWTH .......
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"COMPOUND GROWTH OF THIS LEVEL, FOCUSED ESPECIALLY ON INFRASTRUCTURE AND THE SOCIAL SERVICES, HAS ENABLED US TO EXPAND OUR SERVICES AT A DRAMATIC PACE."
HE SAID THIS WAS THE ANSWER TO THOSE WHO PRODUCED YET AGAIN THE RATHER TIRED ARGUMENT THAT TAX CONCESSIONS DID NOT HELP THE LESS WELL-OFF.
"OF COURSE THEY DON’T, BECAUSE IN HONG KONG, UNLIKE IN MOST OTHER PLACES IN THE WORLD, THE LESS WELL-OFF ARE VIRTUALLY TAX-FREE -WE HELP THEM NOT THROUGH TAX CUTS BUT THROUGH OUR EXPENDITURE ON PUBLIC HOUSING AND THE SOCIAL SERVICES.
"AND INCIDENTALLY THAT IS ALSO PART OF THE ANSWER TO THE ANNUAL REFERENCES TO THE GINI COEFFICIENT AND OTHER SUCH MEASURES OF INCOME DISTRIBUTION - THEY DON’T TAKE INTO ACCOUNT THE BENEFITS DERIVED FROM GOVERNMENT EXPENDITURE AND SUBSIDIES, AND IN THAT SENSE THEY ARE MISLEADING."
HE SAID THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD BE ANYTHING BUT PROUD OF THE INCREASES IN SPENDING ON THE SOCIAL SERVICES. TO UNDERLINE THIS POINT, RECURRENT EXPENDITURE OVER THE LAST FIVE YEARS TO 1994/95 WILL HAVE INCREASED:
ON HEALTH, TO $17.1 BILLION FROM $6 BILLION, AN INCREASE OF 70% IN REAL TERMS;
ON SOCIAL WELFARE, TO $11.3 BILLION FROM $4.4 BILLION, AN INCREASE OF 53% IN REAL TERMS; AND
ON EDUCATION, TO $25.8 BILLION FROM $11.2 BILLION, AN INCREASE OF 36% IN REAL TERMS.
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LOOPHOLE IN SERVICE COMPANIES MUST BE CLOSED * * * * *
THE LOOPHOLE USED BY SOME WELL-OFF PEOPLE TO PAY LESS TAX BY MEANS OF SERVICE COMPANIES MUST BE CLOSED, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON SIR HAMISH MACLEOD, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
THERE MAY BE OVER 4,000 CASES WHERE SERVICE COMPANIES ARE BEING USED TO AVOID TAX, INVOLVING AN AMOUNT OF TAX OF ABOUT $400 TO $500 MILLION A YEAR.
”1 WOULD FEEL FULLY JUSTIFIED IN PUTTING SIGNIFICANT RESOURCES AND SOME HARD-HITTING LEGISLATION IN PLACE TO GO AFTER THAT AMOUNT OF MONEY." SIR HAMISH SAID, WHEN CONCLUDING THE BUDGET DEBATE IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
HE SAID THERE WAS ALSO THE CORRODING EFFECT ON THE PUBLIC’S FAITH IN THE TAX SYSTEM, IF IT WAS PERCEIVED THAT THE SYSTEM WAS UNFAIR, AND SOME WELL-OFF PEOPLE GOT AWAY WITH PAYING LESS TAX THAN OTHERS.
/"THIS LOOPHOLE .......
WEDNESDAY, MARCH ?0, 1994
- 10 -
’’THIS LOOPHOLE MUST BE CLOSED,” HE STRESSED.
RESPONDING TO A LEGISLATOR’S COMMENT THAT HE WAS USING "A SLEDGEHAMMER TO CRACK A NUT”, SIR HAMISH SAID:
”1 INFER FROM THIS ANALOGY THAT SOME MEMBERS REALISE THE SIZE OF THE NUT AND FEEL THAT A SLEDGEHAMMER IS LOOMING."
WHERE TAX AVOIDANCE ARRANGEMENTS INVOLVING SIGNIFICANT AMOUNTS OF REVENUE WERE IDENTIFIED, HE SAID THE ENACTMENT OF SPECIFIC LEGISLATION HAD TWO ADVANTAGES OVER THE USE OF THE EXISTING GENERAL ANTI-AVOIDANCE PROVISIONS OF THE INLAND REVENUE ORDINANCE.
FIRST, IT BENEFITS THE GOVERNMENT IN THAT THE EXACT PROBLEM AND THE EXACT REMEDY CAN BE SPECIFIED, THUS REDUCING THE AMOUNT OF COSTLY LITIGATION THAT WOULD BE REQUIRED TO BRING CASES TO BOOK.
SECONDLY, FOR THE TAXPAYER, IT WOULD HAVE THE BENEFIT OF ALLOWING BUSINESS PEOPLE TO UNDERSTAND WITH CERTAINTY THE PURPOSES FOR WHICH SERVICE COMPANIES CAN AND CANNOT BE USED.
THIS MEANS THAT SERVICE COMPANY ARRANGEMENTS WHICH ARE FOR A BONA FIDE COMMERCIAL PURPOSE CAN BE USED WITH MORE CONFIDENCE, SIR HAMISH SAID.
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PUBLIC TO BE CONSULTED ON OLD-AGE PENSION SCHEME
* * * * *
A CONSULTATION DOCUMENT ON THE FEASIBILITY STUDY ON THE PROPOSED OLD-AGE PENSION SCHEME WILL BE ISSUED IN THE SUMMER AND A DECISION WILL BE TAKEN BY THE END OF THE YEAR.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON SIR HAMISH MACLEOD WHEN CONCLUDING THE BUDGET DEBATE IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
”1 JUST WISH TO REASSURE MEMBERS THAT I AM AS ANXIOUS AS THEY ARE THAT THIS SHOULD NOT LEAD US DOWN THE PATH OF A WESTERN-STYLE WELFARE STATE.
”IT IS ESSENTIAL THAT WE MAINTAIN DISCIPLINE THROUGH AN IRON LINK BETWEEN THE AMOUNT OF CONTRIBUTIONS AND THE BENEFITS TO BE PAID OUT. ”
HE SAID \S LONG AS THE GOVERNMENT ENSURED THAT THE TWO AMOUNTS WERE EQUAL OVER A REASONABLE PERIOD OF TIME, AND WERE KEPT SEPARATE FROM OTHER REVENUE AND EXPENDITURE, THE PROPOSED SCHEME SHOULD BE AFFORDABLE TO THE COMMUNITY AS A WHOLE AND NOT BECOME A BURDEN TO FUTURE GENERATIONS.
ON CAPITAL INVESTMENT FUND, HE SAID ALL INVESTMENTS AND LOANS MADE FROM IT WERE SUBJECT TO THE APPROVAL OF FINANCE COMMITTEE.
/HE MADE .......
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 30, 1994
11
HE MADE IT CLEAR THAT THE USE OF THE FUND WAS NOT A MEANS OF ESCAPING LEGCO’S SCRUTINY.
MOREOVER, THE MAJOR RECIPIENTS OF INVESTMENTS AND LOANS FROM THE FUND - THE HOUSING AUTHORITY, THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY CORPORATION, THE PROVISIONAL AIRPORT AUTHORITY, AND THE RECENTLY ESTABLISHED TRADING FUNDS - ALL HAVE THEIR ACCOUNTS TABLED IN THE LEGCO, SO PROVIDING LEGISLATORS WITH THE OPPORTUNITY TO MONITOR AND QUESTION THE USE TO WHICH THESE BODIES HAVE PUT THE FUNDS, HE SAID.
- - 0 - -
ANOTHER GOOD YEAR FOR EXCHANGE FUND *****
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON SIR HAMISH MACLEOD, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY) THAT THE EXCHANGE FUND HAD ANOTHER VERY GOOD YEAR IN 1993.
UNAUDITED FIGURES OF THE EXCHANGE FUND STOOD AT HK$348 BILLION AT THE END OF 1993, AN INCREASE OF 21% OVER THE PREVIOUS YEAR.
CONCLUDING THE BUDGET DEBATE IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, SIR HAMISH SAID ACCUMULATED EARNINGS OF THE FUND STOOD AT HKS128 BILLION, 20% HIGHER THAN A YEAR AGO.
"THESE ARE IMPRESSIVE FIGURES," HE SAID.
MOREOVER, THE FOREIGN CURRENCY HOLDINGS OF THE FUND INCREASED FROM US$35 BILLION TO OVER US$43 BILLION.
HE SAID THIS PLACED HONG KONG SIXTH IN THE WORLD IN OVERALL FOREIGN CURRENCY RESERVES, COMPARED WITH 10TH LAST YEAR.
"AND WE STAND SECOND IN THE WORLD IN TERMS OF RESERVES PER CAPITA.”
HE SAID SO FAR AS THE RESOURCES OF THE EXCHANGE FUND WERE CONCERNED, THESE WERE SUBJECT TO THE SCRUTINY OF THE DIRECTOR OF AUDIT.
THE ANNUAL REPORTS OF THE MONETARY AUTHORITY WILL BE TABLED IN THE COUNCIL, AND THE FIRST SUCH REPORT IS EXPECTED TO BE READY VERY SOON.
SO FAR AS THE DETAILS OF THE EXCHANGE- FUND FIGURES WERE CONCERNED, HE SAID THE GOVERNMENT NEEDED TO STRIKE A BALANCE ON THE LEVEL OF DETAIL AND FREQUENCY OF DISCLOSURE.
THE MONETARY AUTHORITY’S FIRST ANNUAL REPORT WILL CONTAIN A FULLER REPORT AND MORE DETAILED FIGURES WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR LEGISLATORS’ INFORMATION, STR HAMISH SAID.
- - 0 - -
/12
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 30, 1994
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HK’S FISCAL MANAGEMENT FOR WORLD TO ENVY ♦ * * » »
HONG KONG’S FISCAL MANAGEMENT SETS A GOOD EXAMPLE FOR THE REST OF THE WORLD, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON SIR HAMISH MACLEOD, SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
CONCLUDING THE BUDGET DEBATE, SIR HAMISH SAID:
"I BELIEVE THAT IN OUR MODEST WAY WE SET A GOOD EXAMPLE TO THE REST OF THE WORLD IN OUR FISCAL MANAGEMENT - ZERO DEBT, USE OF THE PRIVATE SECTOR WHEREVER APPROPRIATE, SMALL GOVERNMENT, LOW AND PREDICTABLE TAXES, AND ADEQUATE RESERVES TO CUSHION US AGAINST DOWNSIDE RISKS.
"I WOULD ALSO HAVE TO MENTION OUR WILLINGNESS TO RETURN MONEY TO THE TAXPAYER WHEN IT IS MORE THAN WE NEED, RATHER THAN INCREASE EXPENDITURE TO USE UP THE AVAILABLE REVENUE.”
MORE BROADLY, HE SAID HONG KONG HAD A LAW-ABIDING, PROSPEROUS AND CONFIDENT COMMUNITY.
HONG KONG ENJOYS GOOD ECONOMIC GROWTH AND FULL EMPLOYMENT. AND THE GOVERNMENT IS WILLING TO CARRY ON INVESTING BOTH IN THE SOCIAL SERVICES, AND IN THE INFRASTRUCTURE NECESSARY TO ENABLE THAT ECONOMIC GROWTH TO CONTINUE.
”I AM CONVINCED THAT THIS IS THE PATH WE MUST CONTINUE TO TRAVEL,” THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY SAID.
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POSITIVE ACTION TO IMPROVE CIVIL SERVICE MORALE: CS
*****
THE CHIEF SECRETARY, THE HON MRS ANSON CHAN, TODAY (WEDNESDAY) REITERATED THAT THE ADMINISTRATION WOULD TAKE POSITIVE ACTION TO MAINTAIN AND IMPROVE THE MORALE OF CIVIL SERVANTS.
"THE IMPENDING CHANGE IN SOVEREIGNTY HAS UNDOUBTEDLY AROUSED SOME CONCERN AND UNCERTAINTY AMONG CIVIL SERVANTS. THIS IS UNDERSTANDABLE,” SHE SAID.
"BUT, GREATLY TO THE CREDIT OF THE CIVIL SERVICE, THIS HAS NOT AFFECTED THEIR WORK. MORALE REMAINS GENERALLY HIGH.
"INDEED WE ARE CONSTANTLY TRYING TO IMPROVE ON OUR PERFORMANCES,” SHE ADDED.
OPENING THE RESUMED DEBATE ON THE BUDGET FOR 1994/95 IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, MRS CHAN SAID THE GOVERNMENT WAS DETERMINED TO PRESS AHEAD WITH LOCALISATION.
/SHE SAID: ........
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 30, 1994
13
SHE SAJI): ’’THIS IS INEVITABLY A GRADUAL PROCESS, BUT WE HAVE ALREADY BEEN FAIRLY SUCCESSFUL."
THE PERCENTAGE OF OVERSEAS OFFICERS IN THE CIVIL SERVICE HAS SHRUNK FROM ABOUT 4.4 PER CENT IN 1952 TO 1.1 PER CENT IN JANUARY THIS YEAR .
LOCAL OFFICERS NOW FORM 67.4 PER CENT OF THE DIRECTORATE AND OCCUPY HALF OF THE POSTS AT THE LEVEL OF HEAD OF DEPARTMENT AND POLICY SECRETARY.
MRS CHAN SACD THE GOVERNMENT HAD INTRODUCED SPECIAL MEASURES
FOR THOSE DEPARTMENTS WHERE PROGRESS HAD NOT BEEN SO EASY TO MAKE.
ON THE PROPOSAL INTRODUCED LAST YEAR FOR COMMON TERMS AND
CONDITIONS OF SERVICE FOR ALL FUTURE STAFF. SHE SAID DURING THE FIRST
PHASE OF THE CONSULTATION EXERCISE, THE COMMENTS RECEIVED WERE OVERWHELMINGLY IN SUPPORT OF THE PRINCIPLE OF COMMON CONDITIONS OF SERVICE.
"PREDICTABLY, MORE DIVERSE VIEWS HAVE BEEN EXPRESSED ON THE SPECIFIC TERMS PROPOSED.
"WE ARE NOW STUDYING THE VIEWS RECEIVED TO SEE WHETHER ANY PART OF OUR PROPOSAL SHOULD BE CHANGED.
"WHEN WE HAVE REACHED A CONCLUSION, WE WILL HOLD FURTHER DISCUSSIONS WITH STAFF AND SEEK FURTHER ADVICE FROM ADVISORY BODIES," SHE SAID.
THE CHIEF SECRETARY SAID DIALOGUE WOULD BE MAINTAINED WITH THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL AND MEMBERS’ VIEWS WOULD BE TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT,
’’WE WILL THEN CONSULT THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL AND DISCUSS WITH THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT THROUGH THE JOINT LIAISON GROUP.” SHE ADDED.
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GOVT WILL HELL JUDICIARY GO MODERNISATION t t ♦ * t
THE ADMINISTRATION WILL DO EVERYTHING IT CAN TO HELP THE JUDICIARY CREATE A MORE OPEN AND USER-FRIENDLY CULTURE AND A MORE EFFICIENT ADMINISTRAT1VE SYSTEM, THE CHIEF SECRETARY, THE HON MRS ANSON CHAN, SAID.
WHILE DOING THIS, IT WILL FULLY RESPECT THE PRINCIPLE OF JUDICIAL INDEPENDENCE.
RESPONDING TO LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLORS’ CONCERN OVER THF NEED TO IMPROVE THE ADMINISTRATION OF THF JUDICIARY IN THE RESUMED DEBATE ON THE BUDGET, MRS CHAN SAID MUCH HAI) BEEK DONE IN THE PAST SIX MONTHS.
MRS CHAN SAID THE HIGH-LEVEL WORKING PARTY ON JUDICIARY ADMINISTRATION WAS MAPPING OUT \ BROAD STRATEGY FOR THE JUDICIARY TO FOLLOW UP.
/TT MAQ
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 30, 1994
14
IT HAS IDENTIFIED COMPUTERISATION OF THE JUDICIARY AS A PRIORITY TASK.
’’PROPOSALS ON THIS WILL BE PUT TO FINANCE COMMITTEE SOON, AND A PILOT COMPUTERISED RECORDING SCHEME WILL BE INTRODUCED IN THE DISTRICT COURT.”
ANOTHER PROBLEM BEING TACKLED BY THE WORKING PARTY IS COURT WAITING TIMES, MRS CHAN NOTED.
A RECORDERSHIP SCHEME WOULD BE INTRODUCED UNDER THE SUPREME COURT (AMENDMENT) BILL 1994, WHEREBY MEMBERS OF THE BAR WOULD BE APPOINTED AS TEMPORARY JUDGES IN THE HIGH COURT.
THE CHIEF JUSTICE IS SEPARATELY APPOINTING MEMBERS OF THE BAR TO SIT IN THE DISTRICT COURT TO ASSIST WITH THE WORKLOAD THERE.
BESIDES MORE FLEXIBLE ADMINISTRATIVE SYSTEMS AND MODERN MANAGEMENT KNOW-HOW, MRS CHAN SAID THE JUDICIARY ALSO NEEDED A SERVICE-ORIENTED MANAGEMENT APPROACH.
’’THE SETTING UP OF THREE COURT USERS COMMITTEES AND THE DRAFTING OF THE JUDICIARY’S FIRST PERFORMANCE PLEDGE ARE SIGNIFICANT STEPS IN THIS DIRECTION,” SHE EXPLAINED.
REFERRING TO THE CHIEF JUSTICE’S COMMITMENT TO A "QUIET MANAGEMENT REVOLUTION’’ IN THE JUDICIARY, MRS CHAN SAID THE NEW JUDICIARY ADMINISTRATOR, WHO WAS THE ADMINISTRATIVE HEAD AND CONTROLLING OFFICER OF THE JUDICIARY, HAD A KEY ROLE TO PLAY IN THIS AREA.
------0-------
NO GOVT INTERFERENCE IN LEGAL AID SERVICE
* * * * *
THE CHIEF SECRETARY, THE HON MRS ANSON CHAN, REASSURED THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL THAT THE ADMINISTRATION DID NOT INTERFERE IN ANY WAY WITH THE DECISIONS MADE BY THE LEGAL AID DEPARTMENT ON THE GRANT OF LEGAL AID.
ALTHOUGH THE DEPARTMENT IS A GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENT, THE DIRECTOR OF LEGAL AID IS EMPOWERED UNDER THE LEGAL AID ORDINANCE TO CONSIDER APPLICATIONS BEFORE HER INDEPENDENTLY, IN ACCORDANCE WITH STATUTORY CRITERIA.
"THERE IS NO EVIDENCE TO SUGGEST THAT THE DECISIONS TAKEN BY THE DEPARTMENT HAVE EVER BEEN INFLUENCED BY ITS STATUS.
”ON THE CONTRARY, THERE ARE NUMEROUS OCCASIONS ON WHICH THE DEPARTMENT, ACTING ON BEHALF OF ITS CLIENTS, HAS SUCCESSFULLY TAKEN THE GOVERNMENT TO COURT," SHE SAID.
IN HER SPEECH IN THE RESUMED DEBATE ON THE BUDGET, MRS CHAN POINTED OUT THAT ABOUT 90 PER CENT OF LEGAL AID CLIENTS PREFERRED TO USE THE DEPARTMENT’S COUNSEL RATHER THAN OUTSIDE LAWYERS.
/NEVERTHELESS, SHE .......
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 30, 1994
15 -
NEVERTHELESS, SHE SAID THE ADMINISTRATION HAD GIVEN SERIOUS CONSIDERATION TO POSSIBLE WAYS OF ENHANCING THE PERCEPTION OF THE INDEPENDENCE OF I.EGAL AID ADMINISTRATION.
LAST YEAR A NUMBER OF OPTIONS WERE PUT FORWARD IN THE CONSULTATIVE PAPER ON LEGAL AID.
ONE OF THESE WAS THE ESTABLISHMENT OF AN INDEPENDENT STATUTORY AUTHORITY WITH RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE OVERALL MANAGEMENT OF PUBLICLY FUNDED LEGAL AID SERVICES.
AN INTER-DEPARTMENTAL WORKING GROUP IS STUDYING THE VIEWS EXPRESSED ON THE CONSULTATIVE PAPER.
"THE ADMINISTRATION ALMS TO REACH A DECISION ON THIS WITHIN A FEW MONTHS," SHE SAID.
ADDRESSING CONCERNS ABOUT A REDUCTION IN THE PROVISION FOR LITIGATION IN 1994/95, MRS CHAN SAID THE REDUCTION WAS DUE SOLEY TO THE FACT THAT A CONSIDERABLE AMOUNT OF MONEY WAS NEEDED FOR SOME EXCEPTIONALLY LENGTHY AND COMPLEX CASES IN 1993/94 WHICH WERE NOT EXPECTED TO RECUR THIS YEAR.
THE PRESENT PROVISION FOR LITIGATION IS CALCULATED ON THE ESTIMATED EXPENDITURE IN 1994/95.
"BUT IT IS NOT CASH LIMITED. SUPPLEMENTARY PROVISION WILL BE SOUGHT FROM THIS COUNCIL IF AND WHEN ADDITIONAL LITIGATION EXPENSES ARE NEEDED.
"THE GOVERNMENT REMAINS COMMITTED TO ITS POLICY OF PROVIDING LEGAL AID SERVICES ON A DEMAND BASIS," SHE SAID.
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GOVT DETERMINES TO TACKLE PROPERTY PRICES » » * * *
THE GOVERNMENT IS DETERMINED TO TACKLE THE PROBLEM OF THE RISE IN PROPERTY PRICES AND IS WORKING VERY HARD NOW WITH A VIEW TO DEVISING A PACKAGE OF MEASURES IN TWO TO THREE MONTHS’ TIME.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE ACTING SECRETARY FOR PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS, MR CANICE MAK, AT THE BUDGET DEBATE IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MR MAK SAID A MULTI-DISCIPLINARY TASK FORCE WOULD BE SET UP TO SPEARHEAD THE TASK OF SUPPLYING MORE DEVELOPABLE LAND.
HE SAID THE TASK FORCE HEADED BY HIS BRANCH WOULD COMPRISE REPRESENTATIVES FROM WORKS BRANCH, FINANCE BRANCH, PROFESSIONAL STAFF FROM THE PLANNING DEPARTMENT, LANDS DEPARTMENT AND TERRITORY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT.
/"IT WILL .......
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 30, 1994
- 16 -
"IT WILL LOOK AT POSSIBLE DEVELOPABLE SITES E.G. TIN SHUT WAI LAND BANK AS WELL AS OTHER AREAS, THE INFRASTRUCTURE REQUIRED TO MAKE THESE SITES SUITABLE FOR DEVELOPMENT AND COST OF PROVIDING SUCH INFRASTRUCTURE.
"THE TASK FORCE WILL ALSO INVITE THE PRIVATE SECTOR TO SUBMIT PROPOSALS THEY WISH TO PURSUE ON LAND HELD BY THEM BUT HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO IMPLEMENT DUE TO LACK OF INFRASTRUCTURE.
"THESE PROPOSALS WILL THEN BE SCRUTINISED BY THE TASK FORCE. ISSUES FOR CONSIDERATION INCLUDE THE QUANTITY AND TYPE OF ACCOMMODATION TO BE MADE AVAILABLE. TIMING, THE CAPITAL AND RECURRENT COSTS OF THE INFRASTRUCTURE REQUIRED," HE SAID.
MR MAK SAID THE GOVERNMENT WOULD ALSO BE LOOKING AT WAYS TO EXPEDITE THE PRODUCTION OF PUBLIC HOUSING.
"IN THE NEXT FEW WEEKS, WE SHALL BE TAKING THIS UP WITH THE HOUSING AUTHORITY, THE HOUSING SOCIETY AND THE LAND DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION,"
HE SAID THE GOVERNMENT WOULD ALSO BE LOOKING AT WAYS TO SPEED UP REDEVELOPMENT THROUGH LAND EXCHANGES AND LEASE MODIFICATIONS WHICH WAS AN IMPORTANT SOURCE OF LAND SUPPLY.
"TO ENSURE SPEEDY REDEVELOPMENT, WE WILL CONSIDER INCLUDING A BUILDING COVENANT THAT SETS A TIME LIMIT ON THE CONSTRUCTION PERIOD AS A CONDITION OF A LANI) EXCHANGE OR LEASE MODIFICATION. SUCH CONDITION IS ALREADY AVAILABLE IN THE SALE OF NEW LANI).
"IN ADDITION, WE WOULD ALSO NEED TO SEE HOW THE EXISTING CONSENT SCHEME CAN BE IMPROVED TO DISCOURAGE SPECULATION," HE SAID.
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GOVT PROMOTES FAIR COMPETITION AND CONSUMER PROTECTION ♦ ♦ * ♦ ♦
THE PROMOTION OF COMPETITION AND THE ENHANCEMENT OF CONSUMER PROTECTION WILL CONTINUE TO PLAY A KEY ROLE IN THE FORMULATION OF GOVERNMENT POLICIES, THE SECRETARY FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY, MR T H CHAU, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
RESPONDING TO THE VIEWS OF THE MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL IN THE RESUMED DEBATE ON THE BUDGET, MR CHAU SAID WITH THE HELP OF THE COUNCIL, THE GOVERNMENT WOULD CONTINUE ITS EFFORTS TO ENSURE A LEVEL PLAYING FIELD FOR CONSUMERS AND PRODUCERS ALIKE.
THE SECRETARY NOTED THAT \DDIT TONAL FUNDS HAD BEEN MADE AVAILABLE TO THE CONSUMER COUNCIL TO ENABLE IT TO CONTINUE WITH ITS STUDIES ON THE STATE OF COMPETITION IN MAJOR BUSINESS SECTORS AFFECTING THE DAILY LIFE OF THE GENERAL PUBLIC.
THESE SECTORS INCLUDE BANKING SERVICES, SUPERMARKETS, BROADCASTING, TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND GAS SUPPLY, MR CHAI SAID.
/THE FIRST .......
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 30, 1994
- 17 -
THE FIRST OF THESE STUDIES WAS COMPLETED AND A REPORT, ENTITLED ’’EVALUATION OF THE BANKING POLICIES AND PRACTICES IN HONG KONG”, WAS PUBLISHED BY THE CONSUMER COUNCIL LAST MONTH.
’’THE REPORT IS NOW BEING EXAMINED CAREFULLY WITH AN OPEN MIND BY THE GOVERNMENT,” MR CHAU SAID.
A FULL RESPONSE IS EXPECTED TO BE PRODUCED WITHIN SIX MONTHS FROM THE DATE OF PUBLICATION OF THE REPORT.
ON THE BASIS OF THE FINDINGS OF THESE STUDIES, THE GOVERNMENT WILL, WHERE APPROPRIATE. REVISE ITS EXISTING POLICIES AND FORMULATE NEW ONES AND, WHERE NECESSARY, CONSIDER INTRODUCING LEGISLATIVE CHANGES TO IMPLEMENT THOSE POLICIES TO PROMOTE COMPETITION, HE ADDED.
THE RECENTLY PROPOSED CONSUMER LEGAL ACTION FUND, WHICH ENJOYS WIDE SUPPORT FROM THE COMMUNITY, IS A TIMELY EXAMPLE IN PROMOTING CONSUMER PROTECTION AND FAIR COMPETITION, MR CHAU SAID.
TO MAINTAIN A STRONG INDUSTRIAL BASE IN HONG KONG, THE SECRETARY SAID SEVERAL IMPORTANT STEPS HAD BEEN TAKEN TO EXPAND SUBSTANTIALLY THE FUNDING AVAILABLE FOR INDUSTRIAL SUPPORT.
FORESHADOWED IN THE GOVERNOR’S POLICY ADDRESS TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL LAST OCTOBER, AN APPLIED RESEARCH CENTER WILL BE ESTABLISHED LATER THIS YEAR WITH THE SUPPORT OF THE INDUSTRY AND TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL.
"THE CENTRE WILL SUPPORT INDUSTRIALISTS WHO WISH TO MAKE USE OF RESEARCH EXPERTISE BOTH HERE AND IN CHINA,” MR CHAU SAID.
IN ADDITION, THE HONG KONG Al l’Ll Fl) RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT FUND COMPANY LIMITED HAS ALREADY APPROVED FUNDING OF MORE THAN $18 MILLION FOR SPECIFIC PROJECTS, AND MORE ARE IN THE PIPELINE, HE SAID.
ALSO, THE INDUSTRY AND TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL HAD RECEIVED 207 APPLICATIONS FOR SUBSTANTIAL FUNDS - $180 MILLION IN 1994/95 ALONE - EARMARKED FOR ADDITIONAL SUPPORT FOR INDUSTRY.
EXPLAINING THE REDUCTION IN SUBVENTION TO THE TRADE DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL, MR CHAU SAID IT WAS AGREED BY HIE COUNCIL HAVING REGARD TO ITS HEALTHY FINANCIAL POSITION AND AS A MOVE THAT WOULD BENEFIT BOTH TRADE AND INDUSTRY.
"THE REDUCTION HAS CREATED ROOM WITHIN THE GOVERNMENT’S PUBLIC EXPENDITURE GUIDELINE TO ENABLE US TO ALLOCATE, FROM GENERAL REVENUE, A ROUGHLY EQUIVALENT AMOUNT TO SUPPORT INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT,” MR CHAU SAID.
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/18........
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 30, 1994
- 18 -
GOVT FIRM TO ROOT OUT TRIAD: S FOR S
* * * * *
THE GOVERNMENT, POLICE IN PARTICULAR, IS ALL OUT AGAINST THE THREAT OF TRIAD.
SPEAKING IN THE RESUMED BUDGET bEBATE IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY), THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, MR ALISTAIR ASPREY, SAID TACKLING THIS MENACE WAS A PRIORITY FOR THE POLICE AND THE GOVERNMENT AS A WHOLE.
"HOWEVER, THE POLICE ALONE CANNOT SOLVE THE PROBLEM OF TRIADS.
"THEY NEED CO-OPERATION, INFORMATION AND SUPPORT FROM MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC. THEY ALSO NEED MORE EFFECTIVE POWERS OF INVESTIGATION," HE SAID.
MR ASPREY NOTED THAT $8.2 BILLION, ABOUT 8% OF TOTAL GOVERNMENT EXPENDITURE ON GENERAL REVENUE ACCOUNT, WILL BE ALLOCATED TO THE POLICE. THIS DEMONSTRATED THE GOVERNMENT’S FIRM COMMITMENT TO MAINTAIN LAW AND ORDER.
IN ADDITION TO THE INCREASED RECURRENT SPENDING, A FURTHER $110 MILLION OF NON-RECURRENT FUNDS HAS BEEN ALLOCATED TO THE POLICE FOR UPGRADING OF TECHNOLOGY, TO STRENGTHEN POLICE COMMUNICATIONS AND IMPROVE OPERATIONAL CAPABILITY.
THE SECRETARY SAID HE WOULD LIKE TO SEE THE ORGANISED AND SERIOUS CRIMES BILL, WHICH WOULD PROVIDE THE POLICE WITH ENHANCED INVESTIGATIVE POWER TO COUNTER ORGANISED CRIME ACTIVITIES INCLUDING TRIADS, ENACTED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.
"WHEN IT IS, WE SHALL BE MUCH BETTER EQUIPPED TO TACKLE ORGANISED AND SERIOUS CRIME IN HONG KONG," HE ADDED.
HE SAID FUNDS HAD BEEN PROVIDED IN RECENT YEAR’S ESTIMATE TO ESTABLISH A CENTRAL WITNESS PROTECTION UNIT IN THE POLICE TO CO-ORDINATE AND IMPLEMENT WITNESS PROTECTION ARRANGEMENTS.
HF SAID: "THIS IS A MATTER OF PRIORITY."
THE SECRETARY ALSO SAID THE GOVERNMENT WAS PREPARING A PUBLICITY STRATEGY.
PUBLIC WOULD BE INFORMED ABOUT THE PROVISIONS OF THE ORGANISED AND SERIOUS CRIMES LEGISLATION; THEIR RIGHTS AND DUTIES AS WITNESSES; THE PROTECTION AND SECURITY OFFERED BY THE WITNESS ASSURANCE ARRANGEMENTS; AND THE IMPORTANCE OF PUBLIC SUPPORT AGAINST TRIADS.
TURNING TO POLICING IN NEW TOWNS, MR ASPREY SAID: "AS THE POPULATION IN NEW TOWNS HAS INCREASED, SO TOO HAVE THE POLICE RESOURCES IN THESE AREAS."
HE SAID THE COMMISSIONER OF POLICE HAD MADE IT A PRIORITY FOR HIS STAFF TO MAINTAIN CLOSE CONTACT WITH THE LOCAL COMMUNITY THROUGH DISTRICT BOARDS, DISTRICT MANAGEMENT COMMITTEES, DISTRICT FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEES AND OTHER ASSOCIATIONS, SUCH AS MUTUAL AID COMMITTEES.
/MR ASPREY
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 30, 1994
- 19 -
MR ASPREY ALSO POINTED OUT THAT THERE WAS A NEED TO DEVOTE MORE EFFORT TO PREVENT YOUNG PEOPLE FROM BECOMING INVOLVED IN CRIME.
HE SAID THE FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE HAD COMMISSIONED A STUDY INTO THE SOCIAL CAUSES OF JUVENILE CRIME.
THE RESEARCH IS EXPECTED TO BE COMPLETED IN THE MIDDLE OF THIS YEAR, AND IT SHOULD INDICATE NEW INITIATIVES TO TACKLE THE JUVENILE CRIME PROBLEM.
AS REGARDS OVERALL POLICE MANPOWER, MR ASPREY SAID THE POLICE MANAGEMENT REVIEW HAD STUDIED POLICIES, PROCEDURES AND PRACTICES IN THE FORCE SO AS TO ENSURE THAT RESOURCES WERE USED EFFICIENTLY.
HE SAID: "IT IS EXPECTED THAT THE STUDY WILL BE COMPLETED LATER THIS YEAR. RECOMMENDATIONS WILL THEN BE PRIORITISED FOR FUNDING AND IMPLEMENTATION."
TURNING TO IMMIGRATION MATTERS, THE SECRETARY SAID TO MEET THE DEMANDS OF INCREASED PASSENGER TRAFFIC AT THE CONTROL POINTS, PARTICULARLY LO WU, THE GOVERNMENT HAD BEEN ABLE TO INCREASE THE STAFF DEPLOYED AT LO WU BY NEARLY 20%, BY USING RESOURCES SAVED FROM THE RUNDOWN IN VIETNAMESE MIGRANTS PROGRAMME.
"NEXT YEAR A MAJOR EXTENSION AT LO WU WILL BE COMPLETED, BRINGING A FURTHER INCREASE IN STAFF OF OVER 10%," HE SAID.
MR ASPREY ADDED THAT OPTICAL READERS WERE TO BE INSTALLED AT MAJOR CONTROL POINTS LATER THIS YEAR.
"THIS WILL SPEED UP THE PROCESSING OF THOSE WITH HONG KONG IDENTITY CARDS AND MACHINE READABLE PASSPORTS," HE SAID.
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PUBLIC INFRASTRUCTURE PROGRAMMED INTO NEXT CENTURY
* * t t *
INVESTMENT IN PUBLIC SECTOR INFRASTRUCTURE IS PROGRAMMED FOR IMPLEMENTATION WELL INTO THE NEXT CENTURY , THE SECREI ARY FOR WORKS, MR JAMES BLAKE, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE RESUMED BUDGET DEBATE, MR BLAKE SAID THE GOVERNMENT WOULD CONTINUE TO DEVELOP CONCEPTUAL ESTIMATES USING IMPROVED COST FORECASTING TECHNIQUES, THAT WOULD PROVIDE GREATER CERTAINTY IN DEVELOPING HONG KONG’S INFRASTRUCTURE INTO AND WELL BEYOND THE YEAR 2000.
TO IMPROVE THE DELIVERY OF THE PUBLIC WORKS PROGRAMME, HE SAID, THE GOVERNMENT HAD MADE CONSIDERABLE EFFORTS DURING THE PAST 12 MONTHS.
"WE ARE VERY CLOSE TO MEETING OUR PROGRAMME EXPENDITURE TARGET FOR THIS FINANCIAL YEAR, AND, AS OF THIS MORNING, THE LIKELY GROSS UNDERSPENDING IS ONLY 4% OF THE ORIGINAL EXPENDITURE ESTIMATES.
/"IF WE .......
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 30, 1994
- 20 -
"IF WE DISCOUNT THE IMPACT OF LOWER THAN EXPECTED TENDER PRICES, THE NET UNDERSPEND WILL BE SIGNIFICANTLY LESS THAN 4%.
"THIS IS OBVIOUSLY VERY GOOD NEWS AND AN ACHIEVEMENT OF WHICH BEARS WITNESS TO THE EFFORT OF THE WHOLE WORKS GROUP.”
MR BLAKE SAID THE AIRPORT CORE PROGRAMME WAS BEING IMPLEMENTED, BOTH ON THE GROUND AND IN THE PREPARATION OF CONTRACTS FOR AWARD, SWIFTLY AND EFFICIENTLY, AND FULLY IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE GOVERNMENT'S OBLIGATIONS IN THIS REGARD SET DOWN IN THE MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING.
HE SAID EXPENDITURE ON NON-AIRPORT CORE PROGRAMME PUBLIC WORKS IN THE NEXT YEAR WAS EXPECTED TO RISE BY SOME 30%.
TO INCREASE LAND SUPPLY, HE SAID, THE GOVERNMENT WAS RECLAIMING LAND NOW MORE QUICKLY THAN HAS EVER, USING THE MOST MODERN EQUIPMENT AND ENGINEERING TECHNIQUES.
"WE WILL CONTINUE WITH OUR EFFORTS TO IMPROVE UPON THE RATE AT WHICH SERVICED LAND BECOMES AVAILABLE."
MR BLAKE SAID THE GOVERNMENT HAD A COMPREHENSIVE PROGRAMME OF RIVER TRAINING WORKS AND DRAINAGE CHANNEL PROJECTS TO TACKLE THE FLOODING PROBLEM IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.
"THESE PROJECTS, WHICH WILL COST OVER $3 BILLION AND WILL BE IMPLEMENTED IN PHASES, WILL ALLEVIATE THE FLOODING PROBLEM IN THE NEW TERRITORIES TO A LARGE EXTENT WHEN COMPLETED."
AS REGARDS RURAL DEVELOPMENT, HE SAID THE GOVERNMENT WAS NO LESS COMMITTED TO IMPROVEMENTS TO THE RURAL INFRASTRUCTURE PROGRAMME THAN IT WAS TO THE MORE HIGH PROFILE PROJECTS SUCH AS THE ACP AND THE SEWAGE STRATEGY.
TURNING TO ROAD OPENINGS, MR BLAKE SAID THE GOVERNMENT FULLY ACCEPTED THAT THERE WAS A NEED TO SJGNIFICANTLY IMPROVE WORKING PRACTICES AND REDUCE INCONVENIENCE TO THE PUBLIC AT LARGE.
HE SAID A SPECIAL WORKING COMMITTEE SET UP LAST YEAR HAD REVIEWED ALL ASPECTS OF THE PROBLEM AND IDENTIFIED NEW INITIATIVES.
"CLOSE COLLABORATION WITH TRANSPORT BRANCH, THE POLICE, AND HIGHWAYS DEPARTMENT HAS RESULTED IN NEW INITIATIVES BEING IDENTIFIED, AND WE WILL BE EXPLAINING THESE TO MEMBERS VERY SOON."
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/21 .......
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 30» 1994
- 21 -
NEW AIRPORT COST-EFFECTIVE
*****
THE COST AND STANDARD OF THE NEW AIRPORT AT CHEK LAP KOK ARE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE RANGE, ACCORDING TO A COMPARISON WITH OTHER MAJOR AIRPORTS CARRIED OUT BY THE PROVISIONAL AIRPORT AUTHORITY.
ADDRESSING POINTS RAISED BY LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MEMBERS IN THE RESUMED DEBATE ON THE 1994/95 BUDGET, THE SECRETARY FOR ECONOMIC SERVICES, MR GORDON SIU, SAID: "WE ARE, BY NO MEANS, BUILDING THE WORLD’S MOST EXPENSIVE AIRPORT."
"WE SHOULD NOT PROVIDE SUB-STANDARD SERVICES AT OUR NEW AIRPORT, NOR SHOULD WE OVER BUILD.
"HONG KONG IS A MODERN VIBRANT WORLD ECONOMY. WE SHOULD HAVE A COST-EFFECTIVE AIRPORT APPROPRIATE TO OUR STANDING. NO MORE, NO LESS," MR SIU SAID.
ON THE LEVEL OF DEBT PROPOSED IN THE FOURTH FINANCING PROPOSAL FOR THE NEW AIRPORT, MR SIU SAID THE TOTAL DEBT PROPOSED FOR THE AIRPORT AND AIRPORT RAILWAY WAS SUBSTANTIALLY REDUCED.
"OUR LATEST FINANCING PROPOSALS WILL MEET IN FULL THE CONCERNS RAISED BY THE CHINESE SIDE IN RESPECT OF THE LEVEL OF DEBT, AND SO THERE IS NO PROSPECT THAT THEY COULD COMPLICATE OUR DISCUSSIONS WITH THE CHINESE SIDE," HE SAID.
IT MUST BE IN THE BEST INTERESTS OF HONG KONG PEOPLE NOT TO INVEST MORE OF THE TAXPAYERS’ MONEY IN THESE PROJECTS THAN IS STRICTLY NECESSARY TO PROVIDE A PRUDENT AND CONSERVATIVE FINANCING PLAN, HE EXPLAINED.
IF THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY CORPORATION AND THE PROVISIONAL AIRPORT AUTHORITY CAN UNDERTAKE SENSIBLE BORROWINGS, MORE PUBLIC RESOURCES WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR INVESTMENT IN OTHER NEEDED INFRASTRUCTURAL PROJECTS.
"IN VIEW OF THE COMMERCIAL STRENGTH OF THESE TWO PROJECTS AND THE SUBSTANTIAL REVENUES THEY WILL GENERATE, THE LEVEL OF DEBT PROPOSED IN THE FOURTH PLAN WOULD BE EASILY SERVICED."
MR SIU SAID BY ANY STANDARD, THIS WAS A CONSERVATIVE APPROACH TO FINANCING THESE PROJECTS.
"NOT ONLY IS THE GOVERNMENT ITSELF NOT HAVING TO BORROW TO FUND THESE PROJECTS, NEITHER IS IT HAVING TO GUARANTEE THE DEBT RAISED BY THE CORPORATIONS.
"SO FAR FROM CREATING ANY RISKS FOR THE GOVERNMENT OF THE SPECIAL ADMINISTRATIVE REGION, THE AIRPORT CORE PROGRAMME AS A WHOLE WILL PROVIDE AN ESSENTIAL SPRINGBOARD FOR CONTINUED ECONOMIC GROWTH," HE SAID.
/TURNING TO........
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 30, 1994
- 22 -
TURNING TO THE PROPOSED $100 REDUCTION IN AIR PASSENGER DEPARTURE TAX, MR SIU SAID THIS WAS GOOD NEWS FOR THE TOURISM INDUSTRY WHICH PLAYED A CRUCIAL ROLE IN HONG KONG’S ECONOMY.
MANY VISITORS WILL MAKE USE OF THE MONEY THAT THEY WOULD HAVE HAD TO SPEND ON DEPARTURE TAX TO DO A LITTLE BIT MORE OF LAST-MINUTE SHOPPING.
’’WHILE SOME MONEY WILL BE LOST TO GENERAL REVENUE, IT WILL NOT NECESSARILY BE LOST TO THE ECONOMY AS A WHOLE,” HE SAID.
THE REDUCTION WILL ALSO HELP TO RELIEVE CONGESTION IN THE AIRSIDE DEPARTURE AREA AT KAI TAK BECAUSE LARGER NUMBERS OF TRANSFER PASSENGERS WILL BE ENCOURAGED TO LEAVE THE AIRPORT TEMPORARILY FOR SHOPPING OR SIGHTSEEING.
REGARDING THE CONTINUING STRONG GROWTH IN TOURIST ARRIVALS, PARTICULARLY FROM CHINA, MR SIU SAID THIS ARGUED FOR A CAREFUL REASSESSMENT OF HONG KONG’S ABILITY TO CONTINUE TO ABSORB EVER-INCREASING NUMBERS OF VISITORS.
HE LENT STRONG SUPPORT TO THE PROPOSAL BY THE TOURIST ASSOCIATION TO CARRY OUT A CONSULTANCY STUDY TO EXAMINE THE OPPORTUNITIES FOR AND THE THREATS TO CONTINUING DEVELOPMENT OF THE TOURISM INDUSTRY.
THE 12-MONTH STUDY WILL MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS BOTH ON HOW TO DEVELOP NEW TOURISM ATTRACTIONS AND TO ENSURE THAT THERE ARE SUFFICIENT HOTEL ROOMS, AMENITIES AND TRANSPORT INFRASTRUCTURE TO COPE WITH THE GROWING NUMBERS.
AN IMPORTANT ELEMENT OF THE STUDY WILL BE TO REVIEW DEVELOPMENTS IN CHINA’S TOURISM INDUSTRY AND IDENTIFY OPPORTUNITIES FOR GREATER CO-OPERATION IN PROMOTING HONG KONG AND SOUTHERN CHINA AS JOINT TOURISM DESTINATIONS.
ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF ECONOMIC TIES BETWEEN HONG KONG AND CHINA, MR SIU SAID THE DEVELOPMENT OF ADDITIONAL PORT AND AIRPORT FACILITIES IN CHINA WOULD STIMULATE AND REINFORCE GROWING BUSINESS AND COMMERCIAL TIES, AS WELL AS TOURISM.
’’COMPETITION CAN ONLY BE GOOD FOR HONG KONG; IT WILL KEEP US ON OUR TOES AND I HAVE NO DOUBT THAT WE WILL HOLD OUR OWN,” HE SAID.
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/23 .......
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 30, 1994
- 23 -
HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONALS PRAISED FOR HARDWORK
*****
THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, MRS ELIZABETH WONG, TODAY (WEDNESDAY) PAID TRIBUTE TO HONG KONG’S HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONALS FOR THEIR DEDICATION AND HARD WORK.
"AT BOTH THE PERSONAL LEVEL AND A§ SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, I KNOW HOW HARD EVERYBODY IN OUR HEALTH CARE SYSTEM WORKS," SHE SAID.
"OUR HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONALS HAVE AN IMPORTANT JOB AND THEY DO IT WELL. THE COMMUNITY’S NEED FOR QUALITY CARE WILL, I AM SURE, AS IN THE PAST, BE MET BY DEDICATION AND COMMITMENT ON ALL OUR PART, TODAY AND IN THE DAYS TO COME."
SPEAKING DURING THE RESUMED BUDGET DEBATE IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, MRS WONG REFUTED AN ALLEGATION BY THE HON MICHAEL HO THAT SHE HAD DENIED ANY KNOWLEDGE OF MANPOWER SHORTAGE AT THE RECENT SPECIAL FINANCE COMMITTEE MEETING.
WHAT SHE ACTUALLY SAID WAS "WE HAVE SUFFICIENT FUNDS TO MEET THE DUTIES WHICH NEED TO BE CARRIED OUT TO DELIVER NURSING CARE TO THE PATIENTS IN HOSPITALS", THE SECRETARY STATED, QUOTING FROM THE VERBATIM REPORT OF THE OFFICIAL RECORD OF THAT MEETING.
"IN OTHER WORDS, THE MONEY IS THERE TO ENGAGE THE NECESSARY PEOPLE TO PROVIDE QUALITY CARE."
OVER THE RECENT YEARS, MRS WONG POINTED OUT, THE GOVERNMENT HAD IMPROVED THE SALARY SCALES AND CAREER PROSPECTS OF HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONALS, AND INCREASED SPECIALIST POSTS AND EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES.
"LAST YEAR, I ALSO SET UP AN INDEPENDENT STUDY GROUP TO STUDY THE EVOLVING ROLE OF NURSES, THE FUTURE EDUCATION AND TRAINING NEEDS AND RESOURCE IMPLICATIONS INVOLVED.
"WE HAVE IDENTIFIED THE NEED TO PROVIDE ADDITIONAL DEGREE PLACES AND WE HAVE ALSO RESERVED $10 MILLION TO EXPAND POST-BASIC TRAINING FOR SERVING STAFF.”
IN ADDITION, THE HOSPITAL AUTHORITY IS FINALISING NEW MANPOWER INDICATORS WHICH WILL PROVIDE USEFUL INFORMATION FOR HOSPITAL MANAGERS TO EVALUATE THEIR MANPOWER PROVISION AGAINST THE RANGE OF SERVICES.
IN PARALLEL, PATIENT MANAGEMENT PROTOCOLS' AND NURSING CARE PLANS ARE BEING DEVELOPED TO ENSURE THAT QUALITY PATIENT CARE IS DELIVERED.
THE HOSPITAL AUTHORITY IS ALSO ADDRESSING PROBLEMS SPECIFIC TO INDIVIDUAL HOSPITALS.
"I KNOW FROM MY RECENT DISCUSSIONS WITH FRONTLINE STAFF THAT THESE ARE THE MATTERS CLOSE TO THEIR HEART," MRS WONG SAID.
/"I HAVE.........
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 30( 1994
"I HAVE, THEREFORE, ASKED THE HOSPITAL AUTHORITY TO EXPEDITE THE COMPLETION OF THIS IMPORTANT EXERCISE. TOGETHER, WE WILL FIND NEW SOLUTIONS TO OLD PROBLEMS," SHE STRESSED.
ON MANPOWER, MRS WONG SAID THERE WERE 16,748 NURSES AND 2,477 DOCTORS IN THE HOSPITAL AUTHORITY WHICH HAD 23,400 BEDS AS AT MARCH THIS YEAR. THERE WERE ALSO 1,245 NURSES AND 474 DOCTORS AT THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH.
SINCE THE SETTING UP OF THE HOSPITAL AUTHORITY, THE ANNUAL INTAKE OF NURSES HAS INCREASED FROM 1,950 IN 1992 TO 2,235 IN 1993 AND THAT FOR DOCTORS FROM 330 TO 342.
WASTAGE HAS BEEN NOW KEPT AT 10 PER CENT FOR NURSES AND 7.5 PER CENT FOR DOCTORS.
TURNING TO WELFARE ISSUES, MRS WONG SAID OVER 120,000 ELDERLY PEOPLE HAD ALREADY APPLIED FOR THE SENIOR CITIZEN CARD, WHICH WOULD BE ISSUED NEXT MONTH TO ENABLE THE HOLDERS TO GET CONCESSIONS, DISCOUNTS AND PRIORITY SERVICES IN MORE THAN 1,200 OUTLETS.
THE WORKING GROUP ON CARE FOR THE ELDERLY APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNOR LAST NOVEMBER HAS MADE GOOD PROGRESS AND WILL SUBMIT A REPORT WITH PROPOSALS IN AUGUST.
ON SOCIAL SECURITY, THE SECRETARY SAID AN INDEPENDENT STUDY WAS BEING CONDUCTED ON THE FINANCIAL NEEDS OF DISADVANTAGED INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES.
ITS FINDINGS, DUE TO BE AVAILABLE IN AUGUST, WILL BE EXAMINED CAREFULLY BY THE GOVERNMENT.
- - 0 - -
LEGCO BRIEFED ON MEASURES TO SLOW CAR GROWTH
*****
THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT, MR HAIDER BARMA, HOPED THAT HE WOULD BE ABLE TO BRIEF THE LEGCO TRANSPORT PANEL ON MEASURES TO SLOW DOWN THE RATE OF GROWTH IN VEHICLE OWNERSHIP AND USAGE BY THE MIDDLE OF THE YEAR.
SPEAKING AT THE BUDGET DEBATE TODAY (WEDNESDAY), MR BARMA SAID THE WORKING GROUP, WHICH HE FORMED TO STUDY THE PROBLEM AND TO DEVISE A PACKAGE OF MEASURES TO RELIEVE THE SITUATION, IS TAKING INTO ACCOUNT THE MANY IDEAS AND PROPOSALS AIRED BY INDIVIDUALS IN CORRESPONDENCE COLUMNS AND PHONE-IN PROGRAMMES AS WELL AS IN NEWSPAPER EDITORIALS AND CRITIQUES.
WHILE HE DID NOT WISH TO PRE-EMPT DECISIONS, HE AGREED WITH THE VIEW EXPRESSED IN THE DEBATE THAT FISCAL PENALTIES ALONE WILL NOT SOLVE THE TRAFFIC CONGESTION PROBLEM.
/HOWEVER, HE
WEDNESDAY, MARCH JO, 1994
25
HOWEVER, HE SAID THE FISCAL MEASURES WHEN USED PREVIOUSLY HAVE HAD CONSIDERABLE IMPACT, POINTING OUT THAT AFTER TAXES WERE RAISED IN 1982, THE NUMBER OF PRIVATE VEHICLES REDUCED BY 40,000, OR 23%, AND DID NOT RECOVER TO THE PRE-TAX INCREASE LEVEL UNTIL FOUR YEARS LATER.
’’THIS COULD GIVE US VITAL BREATHING SPACE,” MR BARMA SAID.
"WE WILL HAVE TO FACE DIFFICULT AND UNPOPULAR CHOICES, IN BALANCING THE INTERESTS OF VEHICLE OWNERS AND POTENTIAL VEHICLE OWNERS WITH THOSE OF THE COMMUNITY AS A WHOLE.
’’THE ADMINISTRATION LOOKS TO MEMBERS OF THIS COUNCIL FOR THEIR SUPPORT AND UNDERSTANDING IN REACHING SOLUTIONS WHICH WILL BEST SERVE THE NEEDS OF HONG KONG,” HE ADDED.
ON RAILWAY DEVELOPMENT, HE SAID A STRATEGY WILL BE FORMULATED WITHIN THE NEXT FEW MONTHS, FOLLOWING WHICH THERE WILL BE CONSULTATION WITH THE CHINESE AUTHORITIES, SINCE MOST OF THE EXPENDITURE WILL OCCUR AFTER 1997.
THEREAFTER, THE ADMINISTRATION WILL MOVE QUICKLY IN SEEKING THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE HIGH PRIORITY PROJECTS.
MR BARMA INDICATED THAT HE EXPECTED THAT THIS WOULD INCLUDE THE PROPOSED NORTH WEST NEW TERRITORIES RAILWAY AND A MTR LINK TO TSEUNG KWAN O.
ON THE SUGGESTION TO PROVIDE MORE CAR PARKING SPACES TO HELP RELIEVE TRAFFIC CONGESTION, MR BARMA SAID THE GOVERNMENT WOULD DO ALL IT COULD TO RELIEVE CURRENT SHORTFALLS BY BUILDING MORE CAR PARKS AND PROVIDING TEMPORARY CAR PARKING SPACES IN AREAS WHERE LAND COULD BE MADE AVAILABLE.
IN ADDITION, THE GOVERNMENT HAS COMMISSIONED A PARKING DEMAND STUDY WHICH WILL PROVIDE A COMPREHENSIVE REPORT ON THE PARKING PROBLEM.
ON ROAD INFRASTRUCTURE, MR BARMA SAI!) ALTHOUGH A SIGNIFICANT PROPORTION OF THE $9 BILLION EXPENDITURE IN 1994/95 WOULD BE PART OF THE AIRPORT CORE PROGRAMME, IT WAS EQUALLY IMPORTANT TO NOTE THAT THESE ROADS WERE NOT BEING BUILT EXCLUSIVELY FOR AIRPORT-RELATED TRAFFIC.
FOR EXAMPLE, THE WESTERN HARBOUR CROSSING AND ITS ASSOCIATED APPROACH ROADS WERE IDENTIFIED AS HIGH PRIORITIES IN THE COMPREHENSIVE TRANSPORT STUDY IN RELIEVING CROSS-HARBOUR TRAFFIC.
IN SUMMING UP, HE SAID: ’’ALTHOUGH WE HAVE MORE VEHICLES PER KILOMETRE OF ROAD THAN ANY OTHER PLACE, WE HAVE MANAGED TO MAINTAIN AVERAGE TRAFFIC SPEEDS THAT COMPARE VERY FAVOURABLY WITH ANY OTHER MAJOR CITIES.
’’AND OUR PUBLIC TRANSPORT SYSTEM IS IN FACT THE ENVY OF OTHER PLACES, IN THAT WE MANAGE TO PROVIDE A WIDE CHOICE OF MODES OF TRANSPORT AT REASONABLE FARES, AND WITHOUT PUBLIC SUBSIDY," HE ADDED.
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Z26 .......
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 30, 1994
- 26 -
OPS - ONLY SOLUTION
TO FINANCIAL SECURITY FOR AGED
* * » t t
THE PROPOSED OLD-AGE PENSION SCHEME IS THE ONLY EFFECTIVE SOLUTION TO THE PROBLEM OF FINANCIAL SECURITY FOR THE AGED, THE SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER, MR MICHAEL LEUNG, REITERATED TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
HE SAID THIS CONCLUSION WAS REACHED AFTER A YEAR-LONG ANALYSIS OF ALL THE SUGGESTED OPTIONS.
"WE HAVE WEIGHED THE PROS AND CONS OF VARIOUS OPTIONS CAREFULLY, AGAINST THE VIEWS EXPRESSED BY THE COMMUNITY AND THE EXPERIENCE OF RETIREMENT SCHEMES OPERATING ELSEWHERE," MR LEUNG SAID DURING THE DEBATE ON THE APPROPRIATION BILL IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
"WE HAVE COME TO THE FIRM CONCLUSION THAT NEITHER OF THE TWO COMPULSORY SAVING SCHEMES, I.E. A CENTRAL PROVIDENT FUND AND THE PRIVATE MANDATORY RETIREMENT SCHEME, WOULD PROVIDE MEANINGFUL RETIREMENT COVER FOR THE BULK OF THE AGED.
"IF THE COMMUNITY’S WISH IS THAT HONG KONG DOES NEED TO PROVIDE A FLOOR OF INCOME PROTECTION FOR OUR SENIOR CITIZENS, THEN THE ONLY EFFECTIVE WAY TO ACHIEVE THIS IN A REASONABLY SHORT TIME IS TO IMPLEMENT AN OLD-AGE PENSION SCHEME," HE STRESSED.
HOWEVER, THE GOVERNMENT HAS TO BE VERY CAREFUL TO ENSURE THE "IRON-LINK" BETWEEN CONTRIBUTIONS AND PENSION BENEFIT PAYOUTS COULD BE MAINTAINED SO AS TO AVOID THE COMMON MISTAKE ELSEWHERE OF TRYING TO FUND PENSIONS OUT OF TAX REVENUE.
"THAT IS WHY WE HAVE TO UNDERTAKE AN EXPERT CONSULTANCY STUDY BEFORE WE MAKE A FINAL DECISION.
"WE AIM TO COMPLETE THE STUDY IN MAY AND PUBLISH A DOCUMENT FOR CONSULTATION BY THE SUMMER.
"WE SHALL THEN MAKE A DECISION ON THE BASIS OF, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE COMMUNITY’S VIEWS ON WHETHER THEY ARE WILLING TO PAY FOR SUCH A SCHEME."
TURNING TO THE PILOT SCHEME TO ADMIT 1,000 GRADUATE PROFESSIONALS AND MANAGERS FROM CHINA, MR LEUNG SAID IT WAS MERELY ANOTHER LIMITED EXTENSION OF THE LONG-ESTABLISHED AND WELL-ACCEPTED POLICY TO ADMIT EXPERTS FROM OUTSIDE HONG KONG TO MEET THE LOCAL EMPLOYMENT NEEDS.
FROM 1990 ONWARDS, THE GOVERNMENT HAS ALREADY TAKEN A LIMITED STEP TO ENABLE THE PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF CHINA EXPERTS WHO HAVE LIVED OVERSEAS FOR TWO YEARS OR MORE TO APPLY FOR ADMISSION TO WORK IN HONG KONG, DUE TO THE INCREASING ECONOMIC LINKS BETWEEN HONG KONG AND CHINA.
/SINCE THEN .......
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 30, 1994
- 27 -
SINCE THEN THE GROWTH IN HONG KONG-CHINA TRADE HAS BEEN LEGENDARY - WITH CHINA ACCOUNTING FOR 35 PER CENT OF HONG KONG’S EXTERNAL TRADE IN 1993, AND HONG KONG ACCOUNTING FOR ABOUT TWO-THIRDS OF TOTAL INVESTMENT IN CHINA.
"WE HAVE BEEN RECEIVING CLEAR MESSAGES FROM THE BUSINESS AND COMMERCIAL SECTOR THAT THEY HAVE A GROWING DEMAND FOR EXPERTISE WHO HAVE INTIMATE KNOWLEDGE OF AND FIRST-HAND WORKING EXPERIENCE IN THE CHINA MARKET," HE SAID.
"IT IS IN RESPONSE TO THIS DEMAND THAT WE HAVE DECIDED TO TAKE ONE MORE STEP BY EXTENDING THE POLICY TO ENABLE PROFESSIONALS AND MANAGERS FROM CHINA TO BE ADMITTED.
"IT IS MEANT TO CATER FOR OUR ECONOMIC GROWTH, WHICH IS VITAL TO THE WELL-BEING OF THE ENTIRE COMMUNITY," HE ADDED.
THE 1,000 QUOTA REPRESENTS LESS THAN 0.5 PER CENT OF THE EXISTING STOCK OF MANAGERIAL AND PROFESSIONAL WORKERS AND HENCE THERE IS NO QUESTION OF WAGE DEPRESSION FOR LOCALS AS A RESULT.
"NOR IS THERE ANY QUESTION OF ADVERSE IMPACT ON LOCAL MANAGERIAL AND PROFESSIONAL STAFF," MR LEUNG SAID, ADDING THAT THE UNEMPLOYMENT RATE FOR THIS GROUP STAYED PERSISTENTLY BELOW ONE PER CENT.
TO ALLAY FEARS AND WORRIES OF SOME MEMBERS, MR LEUNG ASSURED LEGISLATORS THAT THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT WOULD VET EACH APPLICATION VIGOROUSLY TO MAKE SURE THAT THOSE WHO WERE TO BE ADMITTED WOULD SUIT THE PURPOSE OF THE SCHEME.
THE SCHEME WILL ALSO BE MONITORED VERY CLOSELY TO MINIMISE ABUSES.
MR LEUNG SAID THE GOVERNMENT WOULD UNDERTAKE A FULL REVIEW IN A YEAR’S TIME, AND TAKE THE COUNCIL AND COMMUNITY VIEWS INTO ACCOUNT BEFORE DECIDING THE NEXT STEPS.
THE SECRETARY ALSO SPOKE ON A WIDE RANGE OF ISSUES UNDER THE EDUCATION PROGRAMME.
COMMENTING ON ALLEGATIONS BY A FEW MEMBERS THAT THE SCHOOL SECTOR HAD SUFFERED AS A RESULT OF SPENDING ON THE TERTIARY SECTOR, MR LEUNG SAID IT WAS SIMPLY NOT TRUE.
HE AGREED THAT HUGE AMOUNTS HAD BEEN SPENT TO BOOST THE NUMBER OF FIRST-YEAR, FIRST-DEGREE PLACES BUT "ALL THESE HAVE NOT BEEN DONE AT THE EXPENSE OF THE SCHOOL SECTOR".
CITING STATISTICS, HE SAID THE SHARE OF TOTAL EXPENDITURE ON TERTIARY EDUCATION HAD RISEN FROM 28 PER CENT IN 1989/90 TO AROUND 36 PER CENT BY 1994/95 WHEREAS THE TOTAL EXPENDITURE ON SCHOOL EDUCATION HAD GROWN FROM $8,699 MILLION TO $17,152 MILLION OVER THE SANE PERIOD, REPRESENTING A GROWTH OF 97 PER CENT IN MONEY TERMS, OR A REAL GROWTH OF 20 PER CENT.
/"WE HAVE .......
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 30, 1994
28
"WE HAVE ALSO COMMITTED TO THE BULK OE THE RECOMMENDATIONS IN EDUCATION COMMISSION REPORTS NO. 4 AND 5.
”WE ARE INJECTING LARGE SUMS OF MONEY TO ADDRESS AREAS OF CONCERN, FOR EXAMPLE $613 MILLION TO IMPROVE OUR SCHOOLS, $152 MILLION FOR ADDITIONAL TEACHERS AND $103 MILLION TO REDUCE CLASS SIZES.”
ON PRE-PRIMARY EDUCATION. MR LEUNG NOTED THAT THE GOVERNMENT HAD OVER THE YEARS BEEN INCREASING ASSISTANCE TO KINDERGARTENS, THROUGH THE PROVISION OF FREE TEACHER TRAINING AND REBATES FOR RENT AND RATES FOR NON-PROFIT-MAKING KINDERGARTENS, AS WELL AS FEE REMISSION FOR NEEDY PARENTS.
A WORKING GROUP UNDER THE BOARD OF EDUCATION IS NOW FINALISING ITS RECOMMENDATIONS ON WHERE AND HOW MORE NEED TO BE DONE FOR KINDERGARTENS.
"AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO RECEIVING THE ADVICE OF THE BOARD AND THE EDUCATION COMMISSION BY THE SUMMER." HE ADDED.
PROPOSED SPENDING ON OTHER AREAS INCLUDES $1.9 BILLION TO BUILD A NEW CAMPUS FOR THE HONG KONG INSTITUTE OF EDUCATION, AN ADDITIONAL $180 MILLION PER YEAR TO ENHANCE THE QUALITY OF TEACHER EDUCATION, AND $390 MILLION TO UPGRADE TEACHING POSTS IN PRIMARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOLS TO GRADUATE STATUS OVER THE NEXT FOUR YEARS.
TO REDUCE FLOATATION IN SECONDARY SCHOOLS, THE GOVERNMENT HAS BEEN BUILDING EXTENSIONS TO SCHOOLS OF THE OLD DESIGN TO PROVIDE EACH SCHOOL WITH TWO ADDITIONAL CLASSROOMS.
SUCH EXTENSIONS HAVE ALREADY BEEN COMPLETED IN 58 SCHOOLS AND 15 MORE SCHOOLS WILL UNDERGO SIMILAR EXTENSIONS IN 1994/95. IN ADDITION, 80 ADDITIONAL CLASSROOMS WILL BE PROVIDED IN ANOTHER 50 SECONDARY SCHOOLS BY 1995/96.
"OUR PRESENT ESTIMATE IS THAT FLOATING (LASSES AT SECONDARY ONE TO FIVE WILL BE ELIMINATED BY THE YEAR 2000," MR LEUNG SAID.
AS REGARDS BENEFITS FOR SCHOOL TEACHERS IN THE AIDED SECTOR, MR LEUNG REPORTED THAT MORE THAN 900 STAFF IN AIDED SCHOOLS WERE RECEIVING HOUSING BENEFITS UNDER THE MORTGAGE INTEREST SUBSIDY SCHEME INTRODUCED IN 1993.
"WE WILL SOON UNDERTAKE A REVIEW OF THE OPERATION OF THE SCHEME TO SEE IF THE PROCEDURES COULD BE FURTHER IMPROVED.
"THE SUBSTANTIAL CONCESSIONS ON SALARIES TAX AND REDUCTION IN STAMP DUTY ON LOW TO MEDIUM-VALUE PROPERTY PROPOSED IN THE BUDGET SHOULD ALSO I NCREASE THE DISPOSABLE INCOME OF MIDDLE-INCOME EARNERS TO WHICH SCHOOL TEACHERS BELONG," HE ADDED.
- - 0----------
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFIELD HOUSE, HONG KONG. TEL: 842 8777
THURSDAY, MARCH 31, 1994
CONTENTS PAGE NO.
ANSON CHAN ON TRANSITION OF CIVIL SERVICE....................... 1
TRANSCRIPT OF DEPUTY TO THE GOVERNOR’S MEDIA SESSION...... 2
GOVT SEEKS FC APPROVAL TO PROCEED ON ACP WORKS.................. 3
EXCO ENDORSES MORE CONTROL OVER MAHJONG PARLOURS.......... 5
THREE LOTS SOLD FOR $3,700 MILLION.............................. 6
AIRPORT COMMITTEE EXPERTS MEET.................................. 7
BRIDGE TOWERS CONNECTED ACROSS MA WAN CHANNEL................... 7
AIRPORT RAILWAY AREA PLAN.................................... 8
GOVT DECIDES TO COMPILE GROSS NATIONAL PRODUCT STATISTICS FOR HONG KONG.........................................'......... 9
ESTATE AGENTS WORKING GROUP ENDORSES LICENSING................. 11
DEPUTY AND ASSOCIATE DIRECTORS FOR HKIED ANNOUNCED ............ 12
GATT PRINCIPLE VITAL FOR GROWTH................................ 14
FOUR DEVELOPMENT PERMISSION AREA PLANS APPROVED................ 15
NEW RATE VALUATION LISTS OPEN FOR INSPECTION................... 16
/WORKS ON....
CONTENTS
PAGE NO,
WORKS ON TING KAU BRIDGE TO BEGIN SOON....................... 18
SHOPS URGED TO DISPOSE OF MEDICINES WITH TIGER INGREDIENTS .. 19
ROUTE 3 - COUNTRY PARK SECTION TO BE CONSTRUCTED............. 20
HK FIRE SERVICES ENVIABLE IN THE WORLD....................... 22
FIRE PREVENTION ADVICE...................................... -23
.«• ... - . .« . .• * r
CENSUS & STATISTICS DEPT CONDUCTS GENERAL HOUSEHOLD SURVEY...................................................... 23
AUSTIN ROAD TO BE WIDENED.................................... 24
PRE-QUALIFICATION APPLICATIONS INVITED....................... 25
LANDS TO BE RESUMED FOR PYLON CONSTRUCTION........ .. 25
'' ' ' '•
TENDERS INVITED FOR CONSTRUCTION OF DIAPHRAGM WALL........ 26
SPECIAL REVIEW ARTICLE ON SALARY STATISTICS OF MIDDLE-LEVEL MANAGERIAL AND PROFESSIONAL EMPLOYEES....................... 26
ROADS IN KWUN TONG INDUSTRIAL AREA TO BE RECONSTRUCTED.... 27
WINNING STUDENT ACTORS TO PERFORM FOR PUBLIC................. 27
RECONSTRUCTION OF WYLIE ROAD................................. 28
HONG KONG MONETARY AUTHORITY MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS...... 29
THURSDAY, MARCH 31, 1994
ANSON CHAN ON TRANSITION OF CIVIL SERVICE
*****
THE GOVERNMENT SEES NO NEED FOR CIVIL SERVANTS TO DECLARE WHETHER THEY INTEND TO STAY IN THE SERVICE AFTER 1997, THE DEPUTY TO THE GOVERNOR, MRS ANSON CHAN, SAID TODAY (THURSDAY).
SPEAKING TO THE MEDIA AFTER OFFICIATING AT A PASSING-OUT PARADE AT THE FIRE SERVICES TRAINING SCHOOL IN PAT HEUNG, MRS CHAN SAID EVERYONE WOULD AGREE THAT AN EFFICIENT CIVIL SERVICE WAS CRUCIAL FOR HONG KONG’S PROSPERITY AND STABILITY.
"IN PARTICULAR, CONTINUITY IN THE CIVIL SERVICE IS EXTREMELY IMPORTANT," SHE SAID.
"BOTH THE BASIC LAW AND THE JOINT DECLARATION SET OUT IN DETAILS THE ARRANGEMENTS TO ENSURE CONTINUITY IN THE CIVIL SERVICE.
"THE BASIC LAW AND THE JOINT DECLARATION MAKE IT QUITE CLEAR THAT SERVING CIVIL SERVANTS CAN EXPECT TO REMAIN IN SERVICE AFTER 1997."
SO FAR AS THE FILLING OF PRINCIPAL OFFICIAL POSTS ARE CONCERNED, MRS CHAN SAID THE BASIC LAW AND THE JOINT DECLARATION ALSO MADE IT QUITE CLEAR THAT THESE POSTS WOULD HAVE TO BE FILLED BY CHINESE NATIONALS WITHOUT RIGHT OF ABODE IN ANY FOREIGN COUNTRY.
"WE ARE ALREADY MAKING PLANS TO ENSURE THAT THERE WILL BE AN ADEQUATE NUMBER OF SUITABLY QUALIFIED OFFICERS TO FILL THESE POSTS AFTER 1997," SHE ADDED.
SHE THOUGHT CIVIL SERVANTS WANTED AN ASSURANCE FROM THE CHINESE PARTICULARLY THAT WOULD SET THEIR MIND AT EASE.
"THESE ARE IMPORTANT ISSUES WHICH WE BELIEVE SHOULD BE PROPERLY DISCUSSED AT A FORUM RECOGNISED BY BOTH PARTIES.
"I HAVE SAID ON MANY OCCASIONS THAT WE STAND READY AT ANY TIME TO DISCUSS CIVIL SERVICE MATTERS WITH THE CHINESE AS SOON AS THEY ARE READY.
"I VERY MUCH HOPE THAT THESE DISCUSSIONS WILL TAKE PLACE SOONER RATHER THAN LATER."
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/2 ........
THURSDAY, MARCH 31, 1994
2
TRANSCRIPT OF DEPUTY TO THE GOVERNOR’S MEDIA SESSION
*****
FOLLOWING IS A TRANSCRIPT OF THE DEPUTY TO THE GOVERNOR, MRS ANSON CHAN’S MEDIA SESSION AFTER OFFICIATING AT THE FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT PASSING-OUT PARADE TODAY (THURSDAY):
MRS CHAN : I’D LIKE TO SAY A FEW WORDS ABOUT THE CIVIL SERVICE. WE HAVE IN HONG KONG A FIRST CLASS CIVIL SERVICE, EFFICIENT AND DEDICATED. I THINK EVERYONE AGREES INCLUDING THE CHINESE THAT AN EFFICIENT CIVIL SERVICE IS CRUCIAL FOR HONG KONG’S PROSPERITY AND STABILITY, AND IN PARTICULAR CONTINUITY IN THE CIVIL SERVICE IS EXTREMELY IMPORTANT. BOTH THE BASIC LAW AND THE JOINT DECLARATION SET OUT IN DETAILS THE ARRANGEMENTS TO ENSURE CONTINUITY IN THE CIVIL SERVICE. THE BASIC LAW AND THE JOINT DECLARATION MAKE IT QUITE CLEAR THAT SERVING CIVIL SERVANTS CAN EXPECT TO REMAIN IN SERVICE AFTER 1997. SO WE SEE NO NEED FOR CIVIL SERVANTS TO HAVE TO DECLARE THEIR INTENTION AS TO WHETHER THEY INTEND TO STAY IN THE SERVICE AFTER 1997. INSOFAR AS THE FILLING OF PRINCIPAL OFFICIAL POSTS ARE CONCERNED, AGAIN THE BASIC LAW AND THE JOINT DECLARATION MAKE IT QUITE CLEAR THAT THESE POSTS WOULD HAVE TO BE FILLED BY CHINESE NATIONALS WITHOUT RIGHT OF ABODE IN ANY FOREIGN COUNTRY. WE ARE ALREADY MAKING PLANS TO ENSURE THAT THERE WILL BE AN ADEQUATE NUMBER OF SUITABLY QUALIFIED OFFICERS TO FILL THESE POSTS AFTER 1997.
QUESTION : (FOR REACTION TO PWC STATEMENT) ?
MRS CHAN : THE CHINESE HAVE MADE IT QUITE CLEAR IN STATEMENTS OVER QUITE A LONG PERIOD OF TIME. I RECALL PARTICULARLY MR LU PING HAS BEEN AT PAINS TO ASSURE CIVIL SERVANTS THAT THEY HAVE NOTHING TO WORRY. THE QUESTION OF WHO WILL FILL PRINCIPAL OFFICIAL POSTS AND OTHER ARRANGEMENTS CONCERNING THE CIVIL SERVICE IN THE TRANSITION TO 1997 ARE VERY IMPORTANT ISSUES. I THINK CIVIL SERVANTS NOW WANT AN ASSURANCE FROM THE CHINESE PARTICULARLY THAT WILL SET THEIR MIND AT EASE. THESE ARE IMPORTANT ISSUES WHICH WE BELIEVE SHOULD BE PROPERLY DISCUSSED AT A FORUM RECOGNIZED BY BOTH PARTIES. I HAVE SAID ON MANY OCCASIONS THAT WE STAND READY AT ANY TIME TO DISCUSS CIVIL SERVICE MATTERS WITH THE CHINESE AS SOON AS THEY ARE READY. I VERY MUCH HOPE THAT THESE DISCUSSIONS WILL TAKE PLACE SOONER RATHER THAN LATER.
QUESTION : DO YOU THINK THAT THE DOCUMENT YOU MENTIONED IS SOMETHING THAT WE CAN TRUST FOR THE 1997 TAKE-OVER ?
MRS CHAN : THE CHINESE AGAIN HAS STRESSED THAT THEY INTEND FULLY TO ADHERE TO THE BASIC LAW AND THE JOINT DECLARATION. AS I HAVE JUST SAID THE ARRANGEMENTS CONCERNING CIVIL SERVANTS ARE VERY CLEARLY LAID DOWN IN THESE TWO DOCUMENTS. BOTH SIDES ARE CLEARLY ANXIOUS TO ENSURE THAT WE ABIDE BY THESE DOCUMENTS.
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/3 ........
THURSDAY, MARCH 31, 1994
3
GOVT SEEKS FC APPROVAL TO PROCEED ON ACP WORKS * « * * »
THE GOVERNMENT WILL SEEK APPROVAL IN APRIL FROM THE FINANCE COMMITTEE TO ENABLE SOME URGENT GOVERNMENT WORKS TO PROCEED ON THE AIRPORT CORE PROGRAMME (ACP).
THEY INVOLVE GOVERNMENT FACILITIES AT THE NEW AIRPORT AT CHEK LAP KOK AMOUNTING TO $3,877 MILLION AT MONEY OF THE DAY PRICES AND FURTHER WORKS ON THE WEST KOWLOON RECLAMATION AT $423 MILLION (MOD PRICES).
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (THURSDAY) THE $3,877 MILLION BEING SOUGHT FOR GOVERNMENT FACILITIES AT CHEK LAP KOK WAS FOR THE FURTHER PROCUREMENT OF EQUIPMENT AND SYSTEMS AND THE CONSTRUCTION OF GOVERNMENT FACILITIES FOR THE NEW AIRPORT.
APART FROM AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL AND METEOROLOGICAL EQUIPMENT AND SYSTEMS, FITTING OUT AND EQUIPMENT AND SYSTEMS FOR GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS WITHIN THE PASSENGER TERMINAL BUILDING AND THE AIR CARGO COMPLEX AND STAND ALONE GOVERNMENT BUILDINGS, FOR EXAMPLE POLICE STATION, WILL ALSO BE REQUIRED.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID: "SITE FORMATION FOR THE AIRPORT ISLAND AT CHEK LAP KOK IS ALREADY ONE-HALF COMPLETED. DETAILED DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION OF CERTAIN CRITICAL WORKS ARE ALSO UNDERWAY.
"TO TIE IN WITH THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE PROGRAMME OF THE PROVISIONAL AIRPORT AUTHORITY, THE GOVERNMENT MUST HAVE ITS OWN FACILITIES TO SERVE THE AIRPORT READY IN GOOD TIME.
"THE LEAD TIME FOR THE DESIGN OF THE SOPHISTICATED SYSTEMS, FACILITIES AND BUILDINGS, AND TO TENDER. CONSTRUCT AND COMMISSION THEM IS AT LEAST TWO TO THREE YEARS."
THE $423 MILLION FOR THE WEST KOWLOON RECLAMATION COVERS THE NEXT PHASE OF WORK IN THE SOUTHERN AREA OF THE RECLAMATION WHICH HAS TO START IN MAY 1994 TO ENABLE THE COMPLEMENTARY ROAD NETWORK AND SUPPORTING UTILITIES FOR THE WEST KOWLOON EXPRESSWAY, WESTERN HARBOUR CROSSING AND WEST KOWLOON RECLAMATION DEVELOPMENT AREAS TO BE COMPLETED BEFORE THE END OF 1996 AS SCHEDULED.
THE FINANCE COMMITTEE WILL ALSO BE ASKED TO ADJUST THE SCOPE OF THE CENTRAL RECLAMATION PHASE 1 PROJECT TO ENABLE THE GOVERNMENT TO UNDERTAKE EXTRA WORKS TO ALLOW FOR THE COMPLETION OF MAJOR NEW AND REFURBISHED UTILITY WORKS IN HARBOUR VIEW STREET. ’
THE GOVERNMENT IS PROPOSING TO USE FUNDS SET ASIDE IN THE PROJECT CONTINGENCY TO FUND THESE EXTRA WORKS COSTING $64 MILLION AND THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY CORPORATION AGREES TO REIMBURSE THE GOVERNMENT WHEN IT CONSTRUCTS THE AIRPORT RAILWAY.
THEREFORE THERE WILL NOT BE ANY ADDITIONAL OUTLAY OF FUNDS INVOLVED, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
/HE SAID ......
THURSDAY, MARCH 31, 1994
HE SAID THE PROPOSED EXTRA WORKS COVERED THE DEMOLITION OF THE ELEVATED WALKWAY AND THREE CONNECTING FOOTBRIDGES ABOVE THE CENTRAL PROMENADE AT THE HARBOUR VIEW STREET TO MAKE WAY FOR THE LAYING OF NEW HIGH-VOLTAGE ELECTRIC CABLES TO SERVE THE BUILDINGS IN CENTRAL.
THESE ALSO INCLUDE THE INSTALLATION OF DIAPHRAGM WALLING AND ESSENTIAL PORTIONS OF THE FUTURE AIRPORT RAILWAY HONG KONG CENTRAL SUBWAY FOR PEDESTRIANS UNDER THE HARBOUR VIEW STREET.
ALL THESE EXTRA WORKS MUST BEGIN BY APRIL 22, 1994 IF PROGRAMME DELAY TO THE CENTRAL RECLAMATION PHASE I PROJECT IS TO BE AVOIDED.
THE FINANCE COMMITTEE WOULD ALSO BE ASKED TO APPROVE THE CREATION OF A "POOL" OF GOVERNMENT ACP PROJECT CONTINGENCIES.
HE EXPLAINED: "AT PRESENT, WE DO NOT HAVE THE DELEGATED AUTHORITY FROM THE FINANCE COMMITTEE TO RE-DEPLOY APPROVED PROJECT CONTINGENCY FUNDS OR SAVINGS FROM ONE GOVERNMENT ACP PROJECT TO ANOTHER PROJECT TO MEET PROGRAMME AND OTHER CRITICAL REQUIREMENTS."
THE "POOLING" OF PROJECT CONTINGENCIES WOULD CREATE A MORE FLEXIBLE MECHANISM THAT WOULD ENABLE THE GOVERNMENT TO "MAKE CONSTRUCTIVE USE OF SAVINGS IDENTIFIED FOR ONE GOVERNMENT ACP PROJECT TO MEET SHORTFALLS NEEDED FOR ANOTHER ACP PROJECT PROVIDED THAT THERE IS NO CHANGE IN THE APPROVED SCOPE OF WORKS AND THE AMOUNT OF CONTINGENCIES DEPLOYED TO A PROJECT NOT EXCEEDING 10 PER CENT OF ITS APPROVED PROJECT ESTIMATE.
"IT WOULD ENABLE THE GOVERNMENT TO RE-DEPLOY PROJECT CONTINGENCIES IN THE SHORTEST TIME POSSIBLE TO MEET URGENT NEEDS," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
THIS PROPOSAL TO "POOL” PROJECT CONTINGENCIES TOGETHER CARRIES NO FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS AS IT INVOLVES ONLY THE INTERNAL TRANSFER OF FUNDS ALREADY APPROVED BY THE FINANCE COMMITTEE, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
DISCUSSION PAPERS CONTAINING DETAILS OF THE PROPOSED FUNDING HAVE BEEN ISSUED TODAY TO MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL’S SUBCOMMITTEE ON THE FINANCING OF THE ACP.
THEY WILL BE CONSIDERED AT A MEETING OF THE SUB-COMMITTEE ON APRIL 6, IN ADVANCE OF A PUBLIC WORKS SUB-COMMITTEE MEETING ON APRIL 13.
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/5 .......
THURSDAY, MARCH 31, 1994
- 5 -
EXCO ENDORSES MORE CONTROL OVER MAHJONG PARLOURS » * » * ♦
THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL HAS DECIDED TO STEP UP MEASURES TO CONTROL LICENSED MAHJONG PARLOURS (LMPS), MAHJONG PLAYING IN CLUBS AND RESTAURANTS, AND PROMOTIONAL AND SELLING ACTIVITIES OF FOREIGN LOTTERIES IN HONG KONO.
ANNOUNCING THIS TODAY (FRIDAY), A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL HAS GIVEN APPROVAL IN PRINCIPLE TO THE GAMBLING (AMENDMENT) (NO.2) REGULATION L994. THE GAMBLING (AMENDMENT) BILL WILL BE GAZETTED ON APRIL 15 AND INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON APRIL 27.
OUTLINING THE PROPOSALS, THE SPOKESMAN SAID ADDITIONAL LICENSING CONDITIONS FOR LMPS WOULD INCLUDE REQUIREMENTS TO ENSURE THAT ALL EMPLOYEES AND AGENTS OF THE LICENSEE AT THESE LICENSED PREMISES WERE APPROVED BY THE COMMISSIONER FOR TELEVISION AND ENTERTAINMENT LICENSING (CTEL).
SECONDLY, ALL LICENSEES OF THESE PARLOURS SHOULD KEEP A DETAILED REGISTER OF ALL EMPLOYEES AND MAKE IT AVAILABLE FOR INSPECTION BY CTEL AND POLICE OFFICERS.
THIRDLY, THE LICENSEE OR HIS AGENT MUST BE PRESENT AT THE PREMISES THROUGHOUT THE HOURS OF PLAY.
FOURTHLY, THE LICENCE IS NOT TRANSFERABLE.
ALL THESE MEASURES, THE SPOKESMAN POINTED OUT, ARE DESIGNED TO FACILITATE CTEL AND THE POLICE TO MONITOR THE OPERATION OF LMPS AND MINIMISE TRIAD INVOLVEMENT IN THEIR OPERATION.
TURNING TO MAHJONG PLAYING IN CLUBS AND RESTAURANTS, HE SAID THAT IT WAS STILL THE POLICY INTENTION TO ALLOW LAWFUL GAMING IN THE FORM OF SOCIAL RECREATION IN THESE PREMISES.
TO CONTINUE WITH THIS POLICY, THE SPOKESMAN SAID IT WOULD BE NECESSARY TO AMEND THE GAMBLING ORDINANCE SO THAT LAWFUL GAMING WAS PERMITTED IN LICENSED RESTAURANTS OR IN CLUBS LICENSED UNDER THE CLUBS (SAFETY OF PREMISES) ORDINANCE.
AND TO FURTHER REGULATE THE OPERATION OF MAHJONG PLAYING IN THESE PREMISES, THE BILL ALSO PROPOSES THAT THE MANAGEMENT OR EMPLOYEES SHOULD NOT BE ALLOWED TO PARTICIPATE IN THESE GAMES WITH THEIR CLIENTS.
’’THIS IS TO PREVENT THE OPERATORS FROM MAKING PROFIT THROUGH THIS,” THE SPOKESMAN EXPLAINED.
FURTHERMORE, IT IS PROPOSED THAT THE FEE TO BE CHARGED FOR A SET OF MAHJONG TILES BE REVISED FROM $20 TO $80 A DAY.
THE CURRENT FEE WAS SET IN L977 AND THE PROPOSED REVISION IS GENERALLY IN LINE WITH INFLATION.
/THE ABOVE ......
THURSDAY, MARCH 31, 1994 •
- 6 -
THE ABOVE PROPOSALS HAVE BEEN ENDORSED BY THE FIGHT CRIME COMMITTEE WHILE VIEWS OF DISTRICT BOARDS AND THE TRADE ASSOCIATION HAVE ALSO BEEN SOUGHT.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE RECOMMENDATIONS WERE GENERALLY SUPPORTED.
THE BILL ALSO PROPOSES THAT THE SECTIONS IN THE ORDINANCE AND
THE REGULATIONS GOVERNING FOREIGN LOTTERIES BE FINE-TUNED SO THAT ALL OVERSEAS LOTTERIES WOULD BE PUT ON AN EQUAL FOOTING AND WOULD BE SUBJECT TO CONTROL UNDER THE GAMBLING ORDINANCE, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
"BUYING FORElbN LOTTERY TICKETS BY HONG KONG RESIDENTS IN THEIR PRIVATE CAPACITY WILL CONTINUE TO BE PERMITTED. IT WOULD BE AN OFFENCE TO PROMOTE OR PUBLICISE FOREIGN LOTTERIES, OR TO SELL FOREIGN LOTTERY TICKETS IN HONG KONG," HE POINTED OUT.
HOWEVER, ADVERTISEMENTS OF A FOREIGN LOTTERY IN AN INTERNATIONALLY CIRCULATED PUBLICATION NOT PRINTED OR PRODUCED IN HONG KONG WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED AS PROMOTION, HE SAID.
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THREE LOTS SOLD FOR $3,700 MILLION
*****
THREE LOTS OF GOVERNMENT LAND WERE SOLD AT A TOTAL OF $3,700 MILLION AT A PUBLIC LAND AUCTION HELD BY THE LANDS DEPARTMENT THIS (THURSDAY) AFTERNOON.
THE FIRST LOT, AT 665 KING’S ROAD, WAS BOUGHT BY RANDASH INVESTMENT LTD AT $2,200 MILLION. BIDDING OPENED AT $1,600 MILLION.
COVERING AN AREA OF 2,661 SQUARE METRES, THE LOT IS FOR NONINDUSTRIAL USE, EXCLUDING PETROL-FILLING STATION, GODOWN, WAREHOUSE AND PRIVATE RESIDENTIAL.
THE SECOND LOT, AT AREA 11, ON YIU STREET, SHA TIN, COVERING AN AREA OF ABOUT 6,515 SQUARE METRES, WAS BOUGHT BY MARBRAD COMPANY LTD AT $650 MILLION, WITH BIDDING OPENING AT $460 MILLION.
IT IS INTENDED FOR INDUSTRIAL OR GODOWN (WITH ANCILLARY OFFICES) USE.
THE DEVELOPER HAS TO COMPLETE A GROSS FLOOR AREA OF NOT LESS THAN 19,545 SQUARE METRES BEFORE MARCH 31, 1998.
THE THIRD LOT, SITUATED AT AREA 11, TUEN MUN, WITH AN AREA OF ABOUT 3,781 SQUARE METRES, WAS SOLD TO ENNICH INVESTMENT LTD AT $850 MILLION, WITH BIDDING OPENING AT $600 MILLION.
/IT IS .....
THURSDAY, MARCH 31, 1994
7
IT IS INTENDED FOR NON-INDUSTRIAL (EXCLUDING GODOWN, RESIDENTIAL, HOTEL, SERVICE APARTMENT AND PETROL FILLING STATION) USE, INCLUDING MULTI-STOREY PUBLIC CAR PARK.
THE DEVELOPER HAS TO COMPLETE A GROSS FLOOR AREA OF NOT LESS THAN 24,000 SQUARE METRES ON OR BEFORE MARCH 31, 1998.
THE AUCTION WAS CONDUCTED BY GOVERNMENT LAND AGENT, MR TIMOTHY MILLS.
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AIRPORT COMMITTEE EXPERTS MEET » » * * *
IN ANSWER TO PRESS QUERIES, A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN CONFIRMED
TODAY (THURSDAY) THAT EXPERTS FROM THE TWO SIDES OF THE AIRPORT
COMMITTEE MET THIS MORNING.
THERE WAS A PRELIMINARY EXCHANGE OF VIEWS ON THE AIRPORT
CORPORATION BILL AND ON THE AWARD OF FRANCHISES FOR KEY AIRPORT
SERVICES.
THE MEETING WAS ANOTHER IN A SERIES OF REGULAR EXPERT EXCHANGES.
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BRIDGE TOWERS CONNECTED ACROSS MA WAN CHANNEL * * * * *
THE TWIN TOWERS OF THE TSING MA BRIDGE HAVE BEEN SPANNED, WITH THE HOISTING OF THE FIRST OF TWO WIRES, EACH 3,000 METRES IN LENGTH, ACROSS THE MA WAN CHANNEL TODAY (THURSDAY).
THE OPERATION, LINKING MA WAN ISLAND WITH THE REST OF HONG KONG FOR THE FIRST TIME, MARKS ANOTHER MILESTONE IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE NEW TRANSPORT NETWORK LEADING TO THE NEW AIRPORT AT CHEK LAP KOK.
THE WIRES - FUNCTIONING MUCH LIKE A CLOTHESLINE - WILL BE USED TO HAUL MATERIALS BETWEEN THE TWO TOWERS OVER THE WATER. FURTHER WIRES WILL BE ADDED LATER TO CONSTRUCT TWO TEMPORARY FOOTBRIDGES, OR CATWALKS, WHICH WILL BE USED AS WORKING PLATFORMS WHILE THE MAIN CABLES OF THE BRIDGE ARE FORMED USING A TECHNIQUE KNOWN AS AERIAL SPINNING,
IN PREPARATION FOR TODAY’S OPERATION, ONE END OF THE WIRE HAD BEEN FED FROM A DRUM ON THE WATER’S EDGE BY THE MA WAN TOWER. IT WAS LIFTED UP AND OVER A PULLEY AT THE TOP OF ONE OF THE TOWER LEGS -TALLER THAN THE HONGKONG BANK BUILDING - AND THEN FED DOWN THE OTHER SIDE TO BE ATTACHED TO A WINCH AT THE TOWER BASE.
/BEGINNING AT .......
THURSDAY, MARCH 31, 1994
- 8 -
BEGINNING AT 6 AM, THE DRUM WAS LOADED ONTO A BARGE. THE BARGE THEN MOVED SLOWLY ACROSS THE CHANNEL, UNREELING THE WIRE INTO THE WATER AND ONTO THE SEABED UNTIL IT REACHED TSI NG YT ISLAND. THERE THE REMAINING LENGTH OF THE WIRE WAS UNLOADED, LIFTED OVER THE TOP OF ONE OF THE TSING YJ TOWER LEGS AND ATTACHED TO ANOTHER WINCH ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE TOWER BASE.
THE WINCHES ON BOTH ISLANDS WERE THEN DRIVEN TO TIGHTEN THE WIRE, WHICH EMERGED GLISTENING FROM THE SEA AND WAS PULLED TO ITS FINAL POSITION.
THE 16 MM WIRE - ONLY AS THICK AS A THUMB - NOW HANGS TN A GRACEFUL CURVE BETWEEN THE TWO TOWERS WITH ITS LOWEST POINT ABOUT 80 METRES CLEAR OF THE WATER, WELL ABOVE SHIP MAST HEIGHT.
THE WHOLE OPERATION TODA\ TOOR ABOUT FIVE-AND-A-HALF HOURS, DURING WHICH THE CHANNEL WAS CLOSED TO MARINE TRAFFIC.
THE CATWALKS ARE EXPECTED TO BE COMPLETED IN JUNE, ENABLING THE SPINNING OF THE MAIN CABLES TO COMMENCE IN JULY.
THE TSING MA BRIDGE, WHICH WILL BI- ON SCHEDULE FOR COMPLETION IN 1997, WILL HAVE A SPAN OF 1,377 METRES MAKING IT THE LONGEST SUSPENSION BRIDGE IN THE WORLD CARRYING BOTH ROAD AND RAIL TRAFFIC.
IT WILL BE A SPECTACULAR NEW LANDMARK FOR HONG KONG, WITH THE TOWERS STANDING 206 METRES HIGH.
THE BRIDGE IS BUILT UNDER THE SUPERVISION OF THE HIGHWAYS DEPARTMENT AND WILL FORM PART OF THE LANTAU FIXED CROSSING - ONE OF THE 10 PROJECTS IN THE AIRPORT (ORE PROGRAMME.
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AIRPORT RAILWAY AREA FLAN ♦ ♦ t ♦ ♦
THE GOVERNMENT TODAY (THURSDAY) PUBLISHED THE ALIGNMENT OF THE AIRPORT RAILWAY, FROM THE NEW AIRPORT \T CHEK LAP KOK AND TUNG CHUNG NEW TOWN TO KOWLOON AND HONG KONG ISLAND UNDER THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY (LAND RESUMPTION AND RELATED PROVISIONS) ORDINANCE.
THE ALIGNMENT WILL KUN \LONG THE NORTH COAST OF LANTAU, ACROSS TO TSING YT VIA THE LANTAU FIXED CROSSING AND ALONG THE WEST KOWLOON RECLAMATION TO HONG KONG ISLAND.
A SPOKESMAN SAID THE ALIGNMENT WAS PUBLISHED TO INFORM THE PUBLIC AND PEOPLE THAT MIGHT BE AFFECTED BY IT OF WHERE THF RAILWAY WOULD BE’ BUILT.
HE POINTED OUT THAT THE \LIGNMENT WOULD BE MAINLY ON RECLAIMED LAND AND VERY FEW EXISTING DEVELOPED AREAS WOULD BE AFFECTED.
HE STRESSED HOWEVER THAT THF CONSTRUCT LON OF THE. RAILWAY WOULD NOT BEGIN UNTIL AGREFMhN'l HAD BEEN REACHED ON THF FINANC ING ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE PROJECT.
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/9 ........
THURSDAY, MARCH 31, 1994
9
GOVT DECIDES TO COMPILE GROSS NATIONAL PRODUCT STATISTICS FOR HONG KONG *****
THE GOVERNMENT HAS DECIDED TO SET UP A SYSTEM TO COMPILE GROSS NATIONAL PRODUCT (GNP) STATISTICS FOR HONG KONG.
GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT (GDP) STATISTICS HAVE ALREADY BEEN AVAILABLE FOR MANY YEARS.
THE MOVE TO EXTEND THE STATISTICAL SYSTEM TO COVER GNP STATISTICS IS TO MEET A GROWING NEED FOR SUCH DATA TO ANALYSE THE HONG KONG ECONOMY.
THIS SHOULD ENABLE BOTH THE GOVERNMENT AND THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY TO GAIN A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF HONG KONG’S ECONOMIC GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT.
IN JUNE 1992, THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL ASKED THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT TO CONDUCT A FEASIBILITY STUDY ON THE COMPILATION OF GNP STATISTICS FOR HONG KONG.
’’THE STUDY HAS BEEN COMPLETED AND ON THE BASIS OF ITS RESULTS, EXECUTIVE COUNCIL DIRECTED THAT THE DEPARTMENT SHOULD PROCEED WITH WORK FOR THE SETTING UP OF THE STATISTICAL SYSTEM,” SAID COMMISSIONER FOR CENSUS AND STATISTICS MR FREDERICK HO.
’’THE FEASIBILITY STUDY WAS ALSO TO ESTABLISH THE MINIMUMCOST APPROACH, WHEREBY COSTS IN TERMS OF DATA COLLECTION EFFORTS ON THE PART OF THE GOVERNMENT AND REPORTING BURDEN ON PROSPECTIVE DATA SUPPLIERS WILL BE MINIMISED,” HE ADDED.
STAFF OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT CARRIED OUT THE NECESSARY RESEARCH, CONSULTED INTERNATIONAL EXPERTS AND INTERVIEWED A LARGE NUMBER OF LOCAL ORGANISATIONS DURING THE FEASIBILITY STUDY.
MR HO EXPLAINED: ’’FOR A REFERENCE PERIOD, GDP MEASURES THE TOTAL VALUE OF PRODUCTION WITHIN THE BOUNDARY OF AN ECONOMIC ' TERRITORY. CONCURRENTLY, IT MEASURES THE INCOME ARISING FROM SUCH PRODUCTION.
"ON THE OTHER HAND. GNP MEASURES THE TOTAL INCOME OF RESIDENTS OF A TERRITORY, IRRESPECTIVE OF WHETHER THE INCOME IS EARNED' FROM INVESTMENT AND EMPLOYMENT WITHIN THE TERRITORY OR OUTSIDE.
"RESIDENTS OF A TERRITORY INCLUDE INDIVIDUALS AND ORGANISATIONS. FOR INDIVIDUALS, RESIDENTS REFER TO THOSE WHO NORMALLY STAY IN THE TERRITORY, IRRESPECTIVE OF THEIR NATIONALITIES. FOR ORGANISATIONS, RESIDENTS REFER TO THOSE WHICH ORDINARILY OPERATE IN THE TERRITORY. CONCEPTUALLY, THE RESIDENCE STATUS OF INDIVIDUALS AND ORGANISATIONS DEPEND ON THEIR CENTRE OF ECONOMIC INTEREST.
/"FOR COMPILING ......
THURSDAY, MARCH 31, 1994
- 10 -
’’FOR COMPILING GNP ESTIMATES FOR HONG KONG, IT IS NECESSARY TO HAVE DATA ON BOTH INCOME EARNED BY HONG KONG RESIDENTS FROM OUTSIDE HONG KONG AND INCOME EARNED BY NON-HONG KONG-RESIDENTS FROM WITHIN HONG KONG. GNP IS OBTAINED BY ADDING THE FORMER INCOME TO, AND SUBTRACTING THE LATTER INCOME FROM, GDP.”
IN RECENT YEARS, THERE HAVE BEEN FAST-INCREASING INVESTMENTS IN HONG KONG MADE BY EXTERNAL INVESTORS AS WELL AS INVESTMENTS BY HONG KONG INVESTORS OUTSIDE THE TERRITORY, PARTICULARLY IN CHINA.
INCOME FLOWS GENERATED FROM SUCH INVESTMENTS ARE ACCORDINGLY GROWING FAST.
GNP STATISTICS EMBRACING THESE EXTERNAL INCOME FLOWS WILL THEREFORE PROVIDE A VERY USEFUL COMPLEMENTARY MEASURE OF HONG KONG’S OVERALL ECONOMIC ACTIVITY.
THE COMMISSIONER SAID: ’’BOTH GDP AND GNP ARE IMPORTANT ECONOMIC INDICATORS. THE PURPOSE OF COMPILING GNP IS NOT TO REPLACE GDP. TO SUPPORT DIFFERENT ECONOMIC ANALYSES, MOST COUNTRIES/TERRITORIES COMPILE BOTH GDP AND GNP STATISTICS.”
REGARDING DATA COLLECTION, MR HO SAID: ”WE HAVE NOW DECIDED THAT THE NECESSARY DATA NEEDED FOR COMPILING GNP STATISTICS WILL BE COLLECTED THROUGH STATISTICAL SURVEYS.”
HE SAID THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS ORDINANCE WOULD PROVIDE THE LEGAL AUTHORITY FOR DATA COLLECTION AND THE ORDINANCE ALSO REQUIRED ALL DATA RELATING TO INDIVIDUAL ORGANISATIONS OR PERSONS TO BE KEPT STRICTLY CONFIDENTIAL.
THE TOTAL INCOME EARNED BY RESIDENTS FROM OUTSIDE HONG KONG INCLUDES TWO TYPES OF FACTOR INCOME: INVESTMENT INCOME AND LABOUR INCOME. CAPITAL GAINS ARE NOT INCLUDED.
SINCE EXTERNAL INVESTMENT TRANSACTIONS OF INDIVIDUALS ARE MAINLY CONDUCTED THROUGH FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS, EFFORTS OF SURVEYS WILL BE FOCUSED ON INCOME FLOWS ROUTED THROUGH RELEVANT BUSINESS ESTABLISHMENTS.
THE SURVEY WILL COVER AROUND 12,000 COMPANIES IN VARIOUS KINDS OF BUSINESSES IN HONG KONG, INCLUDING FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS, COMMERCIAL COMPANIES AND MANUFACTURING FIRMS.
INTERNATIONALLY ACCEPTED STATISTICAL STANDARDS WILL BE USED IN THE SURVEYS WITH REGARD TO DEFINITIONS OF INCOME FLOWS AND THE DELINEATION OF RESIDENTS AND NON-RESIDENTS.
VARIOUS TECHNICAL MATTERS HAVE BEEN CAREFULLY CONSIDERED IN THE FEASIBILITY STUDY AND MR HO ASSURES THAT THE DATA REQUIRED FROM SURVEY RESPONDENTS WILL BE KEPT TO THE MINIMUM AND THE REQUIREMENTS WILL BE EXPLAINED CLEARLY TO THEM.
/THE COST .......
THURSDAY, MARCH 31, 1994
- 11 -• ■ . • <• • J . .
THE COST OF COMPILING GNP STATISTICS IS AROUND $9.5 MILLION ANNUALLY.
THE FIRST ROUND OF THE PLANNED SURVEY WILL BE CONDUCTED FROM OCTOBER THIS YEAR. THE FIRST SET OF GNP STATISTICS. IN RESPECT OF LAST YEAR, WILL BE AVAILABLE BY END 1995. IN DUE COURSE, DATA COLLECTION WILL BE EXPEDITED SO THAT BY 1998 THE RELEASE OF GNP IN RESPECT OF 1996 W1LI BF ADVANCED TO MARCH 1998.
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ESTATE AGENTS WORK'NG GROUP ENDORSES LICENSING
*****
THE WORKING GROUP ON REGULATION OF REAL ESTATE AGENTS HELD ITS MEETING YESTERDAY (WEDNESDAY) AND ENDORSED THAT THE LICENSING SYSTEM SHOULD BE DIVIDED INTO THREE CATEGORIES APPLICABLE TO ESTATE AGENTS. CORPORATIONS AND FRONT-LINE SALESPERSONS.
MEMBERS AGREED THAT ANY INDIVIDUAL WHO WISHED TO APPLY FOR AN ESTATE AGENT'S LICENCE SHOULD MEET \ NUMBER OF REQUIREMENTS:
* HE MUST BE AT LEAST OF A MINIMUM AGE AS SPECIFIED BY THE REGULATORY AUTHORITY;
♦ HE MUST BE A FIT AND PROPER PERSON, E.G. HE SHOULD HAVE NO RECORD OF CRIMINAL CONVICTIONS OR COMPLAINTS THAT, IN THE VIEW OF THE REGULATORY AUTHORITY, RENDER HIM UNSUITABLE TO BE AN ESTATE AGENT; AND
* HE DEMONSTRATES TO THE SATISFACTION OF THE REGULATORY AUTHORITY THAT HF. HAS A GOOD UNDERSTANDING OF THE STATUTORY OBLIGATIONS OF AN ESTATE AGENT AND THE RULES OF CONDUCT AND PRACTICE PRESCRIBED BY THE REGULATORY AUTHORITY.
• »j
A CORPORATION THAT WANTS TO OPERATE AN ESTATE AGENT BUSINESS MUST OBTAIN A CORPORATION LICENCE FIRST.
MEMBERS AGREED THAT THF REQUIREMENTS FOR A CORPORATION LICENCE SHOULD BF:
* THE CORPORATIONS’ DIRECTORS MUST BE FIT AND PROPER INDIV IDUALS;
♦ THF CORPORATION SHOULD HAVE ITS DIRECTORS A NUMBER. OF LICENSED ESTATE AGENTS AS SPECIFIED BY THE REGULATORY AUTHORITY (F.G. THE REGULATORY AUTHORITY MAY SPECIFY THAT AT LEAST HALF OF THE CORPORATIONS’ DIRECTORS SHOULD BE LICENSED ESTATE AGENTS); AND
* THE CORPORATION HAS V LICENSED ESTATE AGENT ACTING XS 1 HF. OFFICER IN EFFECTIVE CONTROL OF ITS ESTATE AGENT BUSINESS.
' ‘-L if ■: if
GA
LL; J < ‘L
n I ■. ; /MEMBERS ALSO....
THURSDAY, MARCH 31, 1994
- 12 -
MEMBERS ALSO AGREED THAT THERE SHOULD BE TRANSITIONAL ARRANGEMENTS WHICH INCLUDE THF ISSUE OF PROVISIONAL LICENCES, TO BRING ESTATE AGENTS INTO THE REGULATORY SYSTEM WITHIN A REASONABLE PERIOD OF TIME.
THEY FELT THE PROPOSED ARRANGEMENTS WOULD ENSURE THAT DISRUPTION OF SERVICE TO THE PUBLIC WOULD BE MINIMISED.
IT WOULD ALSO ADDRESS ANXIETIES OF THE TRADE THAT THE LICENSING WOULD FORCE MANY PEOPLE OUT OF WORK.
UNDER THE PROPOSED ARRANGEMENTS, ALL PRACTISING ESTATE AGENTS AND SALESPERSONS CAN APPLY FOR A LICENCE.
THE APPLICANTS MUST MEET THE LICENSING REQUIREMENTS BEFORE A FULL LICENCE IS ISSUED.
THE POWERS OF THE PROPOSED REGULATORY AUTHORITY SHOULD INCLUDE SETTING RULES OF CONDUCT AND STANDARD PRACTICE, AND IMPOSING PENALTIES ON OFFENDERS.
--------0 - -
DEPUTY AND ASSOCIATE DIRECTORS FOR HKIED ANNOUNCED
*****
THE PROVISIONAL GOVERNING COUNCIL (PGC) OF THE HONG KONG INSTITUTE OF EDUCATION (HKIED) HAS SELECTED DR PANG KING CHEE AND PROFESSOR RAYMOND ANDERSON AS THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR AND ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR (ACADEMIC) OF THE INSTITUTE RESPECTIVELY.
ANNOUNCING THIS TODAY (THURSDAY), THE CHAIRMAN OF THE PGC, MR SIMON IP, WELCOMED THE SELECTION.
"DR PANG IS A WELL-RESPECTED ACADEMIC, AN EXPERIENCED TEACHER EDUCATOR AND SOMEONE WHO HAS HAD HANDS OF EXPERIENCE IN SHAPING THE CURRICULUM AND ASSESSMENT METHODS FOR LOCAL PRIMARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOLS," SAID MR IP.
"HIS DEEP KNOWLEDGE ABOUT THE LOCAL EDUCATION SCENE AND TEACHER EDUCATION WILL BE A GREAT ASSET TO THE HKIED.
"PROFESSOR ANDERSON HAS HAD VAST EXPERIENCE AND KNOWLEDGE IN PRIMARY EDUCATION, SCHOOL-BASED CURRICULUM DESIGN AND RESTRUCTURING TEACHER EDUCATION IN AUSTRALIA.
"HE WILL BRING AN OVERSEAS PERSPECTIVE OF TEACHER EDUCATION TO HONG KONG."
MR IP SAID DR PANG AND PROFESSOR ANDERSON WOULD FORM THE CORE TEAM TO PROVIDE ACADEMIC SUPPORT TO THE DIRECTOR OF THE INSTITUTE.
"THE COUNCIL IS CONFIDENT THAT THEY WOULD BE ABLE TO MAKE A MOST VALUABLE CONTRIBUTION TOWARDS THE SETTING UP OF THE INSTITUTE AND THE UPGRADING OF THE QUALITY OF TEACHER EDUCATION IN HONG KONG," HE ADDED.
/BOTH DR .......
THURSDAY, MARCH 31, 1994
- 13 -
BOTH DR PANG AND PROFESSOR ANDERSON ARE EXPECTED TO ASSUME DUTY AS SOON AS PRACTICABLE AND HOPEFULLY BEFORE MID 1994.
THE FOLLOWING ARE BRIEF BIOGRAPHICAL NOTES ON DR PANG AND PROFESSOR ANDERSON:
DR PANG KING CHEE
DR PANG IS CURRENTLY THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OF THE CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT INSTITUTE (CDI) OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT.
HE HAS ALSO BEEN A PRACTITIONER IN TEACHER EDUCATION: HE WAS A SECONDARY SCHOOL TEACHER AND A LECTURER IN THE DEPARTMENT OF PROFESSIONAL STUDIES IN EDUCATION AND SENIOR LECTURER IN THE DEPARTMENT OF CURRICULUM STUDIES OF THE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG.
DR PANG GRADUATED FROM MCGILL UNIVERSITY, CANADA, AND OBTAINED HIS DOCTORAL DEGREE IN TEACHER EDUCATION FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG.
HE HAS BEEN ACTIVELY ENGAGED IN RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT, AND HAS A DISTINGUISHED RECORD OF PUBLICATIONS, PARTICULARLY IN THE AREAS OF CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT, TEACHER EDUCATION AND BIOLOGICAL SCIENCE.
PROFESSOR RAYMOND ANDERSON
PROFESSOR ANDERSON IS THE HEAD OF SCHOOL, FACULTY OF EDUCATION AT THE MONASH UNIVERSITY, AUSTRALIA.
HE GRADUATED FROM MELBOURNE UNIVERSITY, AUSTRALIA, AND OBTAINED HIS PHD IN CURRICULUM AND TEACHER EDUCATION FROM STANFORD UNIVERSITY IN THE UNITED STATES IN 1981.
HE HAS EXTENSIVE EXPERIENCE TN HIGHER EDUCATION ADMINISTRATION, PARTICULARLY IN THE PLANNING, DEVELOPMENT AND ACCREDITATION OF TEACHER EDUCATION PROGRAMMES.
PROFESSOR ANDERSON HAS BEEN INVOLVED IN THE MERGER OF TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS, INCLUDING THE MERGER OF THE CHISHOLM INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY WITH MONASH UNIVERSITY AND IS CURRENTLY ALSO THE CAMPUS DIRECTOR, PENINSULA CAMPUS, FRANKSTON, MONASH UNIVERSITY.
/14 .......
THURSDAY, MARCH 31, 1994
- 14 -
GATT PRINCIPLE VITAL FOR GROWTH *****
THE DIRECTOR-GENERAL OF TRADE, MR TONY MILLER, TODAY (THURSDAY) EMPHASISED THE CONTRIBUTION WHICH BASIC GATT PRINCIPLES HAD MADE TO THE GROWTH OF TRADE AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.
HE WAS SPEAKING AT A MEETING OF THE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG MANAGEMENT ALUMNI SOCIETY.
"THE ENORMOUS POST-WORLD EXPANSION OF INTERNATIONAL TRADE WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN POSSIBLE WITHOUT THE MOST FAVOURED NATION (MFN) PRINCIPLE," SAID MR MILLER.
"WITHOUT IT, I DOUBT WHETHER THE WORLD WOULD HAVE WITNESSED THE EXTRAORDINARILY RAPID EXPANSION OF TRADE WITH EAST ASIA OR THE RISE IN STANDARDS OF/LIVING WHICH HAVE FOLLOWED."
MR MILLER NOTED THAT THE TERM "MOST FAVOURED NATION", WAS A SIMPLE CONCEPT BUT OFTEN MISUNDERSTOOD.
"MFN IS NOT ABOUT GIVING SPECIAL TRADING PRIVILEGES TO PARTICULAR TRADING PARTNERS. FT IS ABOUT TREATING ALL TRADING PARTNERS EQUALLY, EXTENDING TO ALL THE BEST TERMS A COUNTRY IS PREPARED TO OFFER ANY OTHER."
DESCRIBING THE "BEGGAR THY NEIGHBOUR" POLICY WHICH HAD STRANGLED PRE-WAR INTERNATIONAL TRADE AND CONTRIBUTED TO WORLD-WIDE RECESSION, MR MILLER CAUTIONED AGAINST FORGETTING THE LESSONS OF THE PAST.
"TRADE BENEFITS ALL WHO ENGAGE IN IT. IT IS NOT A ZERO SUM GAME. A COUNTRY WHICH BUYS GOODS FROM ANOTHER BENEFITS FROM THAT TRANSACTION EVEN IF THE OTHER COUNTRY BUYS NONE OF ITS PRODUCTS IN RETURN. THE ONLY LOSERS ARE THOSE WHO DO NOT ENGAGE IN TRADE, WHO DO NOT ALLOW THEIR CONSUMERS TO BUY WHAT CAN BE PRODUCED CHEAPER AND MORE EFFICIENTLY ABROAD."
MR MILLER NOTED THAT COUNTRIES ALL TOO OFTEN EXTERNALISED INTERNAL ECONOMIC PROBLEMS BY BLAMING THEM INCORRECTLY ON TRADE IMBALANCES.
"THERE IS AN UNFORTUNATE TREND, DESPITE THE LESSONS OF THE PAST AND THE LEARNING OF THE TRADE ECONOMISTS, TOWARDS FOCUSSING ON BILATERAL BALANCES OF TRADE, TO INSIST THAT, IF I BUY $10 WORTH OF GOODS FROM YOU, YOU SHOULD BUY AT LEAST AS MUCH FROM ME. THIS NOTION OF RECIPROCITY IS NONSENSE, AND IT IS VERY DANGEROUS NONSENSE. IT IS PRECISELY THE SORT OF FALSE LOGIC WHICH LED TO THE FAILURE OF THE PREWAR TRADING SYSTEM.
"RECIPROCITY IS THE ANTITHESIS OF MFN.
"RECIPROCITY IS WHEN THE SCHOOL BULLY TELLS YOU THAT YOU ARE GOING TO TRADE YOUR CHOCOLATES FOR HIS STALE BISCUITS, AND YOU ARE EXPECTED TO SAY THANK YOU. MFN IS THE DEMOCRATIC PROCESS OF SEVERAL SCHOOL BOYS DIVIDING UP THEIR LUNCHES SO THAT EACH GETS A BIT OF WHAT THEY WANT AND COULD NOT HAVE HAD WITHOUT AN AMICABLE EXCHANGE."
/MR MILLER .......
THURSDAY, MARCH 31, 1994
- 15 -
MR MILLER WENT ON TO PRAISE THE OUTCOME OF THE URUGUAY ROUND AND THE AGREEMENT TO ESTABLISH THE WORLD TRADE ORGANISATION.
"THIS IS A VICTORY FOR THE MFN BASED GATT SYSTEM. IT IS VITALLY IMPORTANT FOR SMALLER ECONOMIES, LIKE HONG KONG, WHICH LACK THE POLITICAL CLOUT TO ENGAGE IN BILATERAL DEALS WITHOUT DISADVANTAGE. IT IS THEREFORE ENORMOUSLY IMPORTANT THAT WITH THE SETTING UP OF THE WORLD TRADE ORGANISATION, ALL MEMBERS PLAY BY THE SAME SET OF RULES AND ESCHEW RECOURSE TO UNILATERAL ACTION."
---------0-----------
FOUR DEVELOPMENT PERMISSION AREA PLANS APPROVED » * * » »
THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL HAS APPROVED FOUR DEVELOPMENT PERMISSION AREA (DPA) PLANS FOR PING KONG, PING CHE AND TA KWU LING IN NORTHEAST NEW TERRITORIES, KWUN YAM SHAN AND FA SAM HANG IN SHA TIN, AND NGAU TAM MEI IN NORTHWEST NEW TERRITORIES.
MAJOR ECONOMIC ACTIVITIES IN THESE DPA’S ARE AGRICULTURAL AND LIVESTOCK FARMING AS WELL AS OPEN STORAGE AND RURAL INDUSTRIAL ACTIVITIES MIXED WITH RURAL SETTLEMENTS.
IN RECENT YEARS, MANY OF THE FALLOW AGRICULTURAL LANDS WITH EASY ACCESS HAVE GRADUALLY BEEN CONVERTED TO WORKSHOPS, CAR DUMPING OR REPAIRING YARDS AND OPEN STORAGE GROUNDS.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE TOWN PLANNING BOARD TODAY (THURSDAY) SAID THAT THESE USES HAD CAUSED GENERAL DEGRADATION TO THE RURAL ENVIRONMENT.
"THE DPA PLANS WILL INTRODUCE PROPER PLANNING CONTROL TO THESE AREAS AND PROVIDE A PLANNING FRAMEWORK TO GUIDE DEVELOPMENTS WITHIN THEM.
"ENFORCEMENT ACTION WILL BE UNDERTAKEN AGAINST UNAUTHORISED DEVELOPMENTS WITHIN THESE AREAS," THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
IN PING CHE AND TA KWU LING DPA, A TOTAL OF ABOUT 139 HECTARES OF LAND HAVE BEEN DESIGNATED FOR OPEN STORAGE USE, REPRESENTING ABOUT 50% OF TOTAL LAND AREA DESIGNATED FOR OPEN STORAGE USE IN ALL DPA PLANS.
"ONLY THOSE OPEN STORAGE USES WHICH HAVE NO ADVERSE ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECT WOULD BE PERMITTED IN THIS ZONE.
"STORAGE USES WHICH MAY CAUSE ADVERSE IMPACTS ON ENVIRONMENT, TRAFFIC AND DRAINAGE WOULD REQUIRE PLANNING PERMISSION FROM THE BOARD SO THAT THE BOARD COULD ASSESS AN APPLICATION ON INDIVIDUAL MERITS AND IMPOSE APPROPRIATE MITIGATION MEASURES IF AND WHEN NECESSARY," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
/IN KWUN .......
THURSDAY, MARCH 31, 1994
- 16 -
IN KWUN YAM SHAN AND FA SAM HANG DPA, ABOUT 0.6 HECTARES OF LAND HAS BEEN ZONED "COUNTRY PARK". ANY DEVELOPMENT WITHIN THIS ZONE IS SUBJECT TO THE PROVISIONS OF THE COUNTRY PARKS ORDINANCE UNDER THE JURISDICTION OF THE COUNTRY PARKS AUTHORITY AND NO SEPARATE PLANNING PERMISSION FROM THE BOARD IS REQUIRED.
IN THE NGAU TAM MEI DPA, ABOUT 28 HECTARES OF LAND HAVE BEEN DESIGNATED FOR LOW DENSITY RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT AND ZONED "RESIDENTIAL (GROUP C)" WITH A DEVELOPMENT RESTRICTION OF A MAXIMUM PLOT RATIO OF 0.4, SITE COVERAGE OF 20% AND BUILDING HEIGHT OF TWO STOREYS OVER ONE LEVEL OF CARPORT OR THE EXISTING DEVELOPMENT INTENSITY, WHICHEVER IS GREATER.
"MINOR RELAXATION OF THE DEVELOPMENT RESTRICTIONS MAY BE ALLOWED UPON APPLICATION TO THE BOARD," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
OTHER LAND USES ON THESE PLANS INCLUDE "VILLAGE TYPE DEVELOPMENT", "GREEN BELT”, "GOVERNMENT/INSTITUTION/COMMUNITY", "UNSPECIFIED USE".AREA AND ROAD RESERVE.
THE PLANS ARE NOW EXHIBITED FOR PUBLIC INSPECTION UNTIL APRIL 7 IN THE PLANNING DEPARTMENT, 16TH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, HONG KONG AS WELL AS THE RESPECTIVE DISTRICT OFFICES AND DISTRICT PLANNING OFFICES.
COPIES OF THE PLANS ARE AVAILABLE FOR SALE AT THE SURVEY AND MAPPING OFFICE, LANDS DEPARTMENT, 14TH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, AND THE KOWLOON MAP SALES OFFICE, 382 NATHAN ROAD, KOWLOON.
- - 0----------
NEW RATE VALUATION LISTS OPEN FOR INSPECTION
* » » » *
THE NEWLY DECLARED VALUATION LISTS WILL BE ON DISPLAY AT THE TREASURY IN IMMIGRATION TOWER, 30TH FLOOR, 7 GLOUCESTER ROAD, WAN CHAI, HONG KONG FROM APRIL 6 UNTIL MAY 31.
COPIES OF THE RELEVANT PORTION OF THE LIST WILL ALSO BE
AVAILABLE IN EACH OF THE DISTRICT OFFICES.
DURING THE DISPLAY PERIOD ANYONE MAY TAKE AN EXTRACT FROM THE
LIST BY CALLING, DURING OFFICE HOURS, AT THE DISTRICT OFFICE IN
QUESTION.
PROPOSALS OBJECTING TO THE NEW RATEABLE VALUES MAY ALSO BE MADE DURING THE SAME PERIOD, THAT IS, IN APRIL AND MAY 1994.
SUCH PROPOSALS SHOULD BE MADE ON THE SPECIFIED FORM (R20A) AND EITHER DELIVERED TO THE DEPARTMENT BY HAND OR SENT BY POST.
TRANSMISSION BY FAX IS NOT ACCEPTABLE.
/PROPOSALS SERVED .......
THURSDAY, MARCH 31, 1994
- 17 -
PROPOSALS SERVED BEFORE APRIL AND AFTER MAY 31 CANNOT BE ACCEPTED.
THE NECESSARY FORMS CAN BE OBTAINED EITHER FROM THE RATING AND VALUATION DEPARTMENT’S OFFICE AT 17TH FLOOR, HENNESSY CENTRE, 500 HENNESSY ROAD, CAUSEWAY BAY, HONG KONG, OR FROM DISTRICT OFFICES.
NOTICES REGARDING THE DISPLAY OF THE LISTS APPEAR TODAY (THURSDAY) IN THE GAZETTE AND WILL APPEAR IN PRESS ADVERTISEMENTS AS REQUIRED BY LAW.
ALL RATEABLE VALUES ARE REVIEWED EVERY THREE YEARS TO ENSURE THAT THE RATES LIABILITY IS DISTRIBUTED FAIRLY AMONG RATEPAYERS IN PROPORTION TO UP-TO-DATE RENTAL VALUES OF THEIR PROPERTIES.
THE OVERALL AVERAGE INCREASE IN RATEABLE VALUE IS 33 PER CENT BUT FOR INDIVIDUAL PROPERTIES THE ACTUAL INCREASE WILL VARY.
IN FACT FOR A FEW PROPERTIES THE RATEABLE VALUES WILL BE REDUCED.
TO CUSHION THE INITIAL IMPACT OF THE RATES INCREASE ON RATEPAYERS, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY HAS PROPOSED A LIMIT OF 20 PER CENT ON ANY INCREASE IN RATES IN EACH OF THE YEARS 1994/95 AND 1995/96.
FOLLOWING THE REVALUATION, COMPENSATION TO TENANTS IN RESPECT OF ANY PROPERTY WHERE THE LANDLORD REQUIRES POSSESSION FOR REDEVELOPMENT AND THE TENANCY IS PROTECTED BY PARTS II OR IV OF THE LANDLORD AND TENANT (CONSOLIDATION) ORDINANCE WILL BE BASED ON 1.7 TIMES THE NEW RATEABLE VALUE.
RATE DEMANDS TO BE ISSUED OVER THE NEXT WEEK OR SO WILL SHOW THE NEW RATEABLE VALUES.
THESE WILL BE ACCOMPANIED BY A LEAFLET EXPLAINING THE REVALUATION AND THE STEPS TO BE TAKEN IF THE RATEPAYER IS IN DOUBT ABOUT THE NEW RATEABLE VALUES.
THOSE WHO WISH TO MAKE FURTHER ENQUIRIES ARE INVITED TO TELEPHONE OR CALL AT THE RATING AND VALUATION DEPARTMENT.
THE DEMANDS MUST BE PAID ON THE DUE DATE WHETHER OR NOT AN OBJECTION IS MADE TO THE NEW RATEABLE VALUE.
IF THERE IS ANY CHANGE TO THE RATEABLE VALUE AS A RESULT OF AN OBJECTION THIS WILL DATE BACK TO APRIL 1, 1994 AND IF THERE IS ANY REDUCTION IN RATES ANY OVERPAYMENT WILL BE REFUNDED.
--------0 - -
/IB .......
THURSDAY, MARCH 31, 1994
- 18 -
WORKS ON TING KAU BRIDGE TO BEGIN SOON
* * » » *
WORKS ON THE TING KAU BRIDGE AND APPROACH VIADUCT, WHICH WILL PROVIDE RELIEF TO TRAFFIC CONGESTION IN THE TING KAU - TSUEN WAN -KWAI CHUNG CORRIDOR, IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN IN EARLY SEPTEMBER FOR COMPLETION IN MID-1997.
THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL HAS AUTHORISED THE PROJECT WHICH WILL BE TOTALLY FUNDED BY THE GOVERNMENT AT A COST OF ABOUT $3.7 BILLION.
THE BRIDGE WILL CONNECT TSING YI ISLAND AND TING KAU AND WILL PROVIDE A DIRECT LINK BETWEEN THE NEW AIRPORT AND THE NORTHWEST NEW TERRITORIES.
IT WILL FORM PART OF THE ROUTE 3, A MAJOR NEW TRUNK ROAD WHICH WILL EVENTUALLY LINK UP YUEN LONG, TSUEN WAN, KOWLOON AND THE HONG KONG ISLAND.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE HIGHWAYS DEPARTMENT SAID THE PROJECT INCLUDED THE DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION OF A HIGH LEVEL BRIDGE AND A VIADUCT ACROSS THE RAMBLER CHANNEL WITH A TOTAL LENGTH OF ABOUT 1,775 METRES.
IT ALSO INCLUDES CONSTRUCTION OF TWO ELEVATED SLIP ROADS LINKING TUEN MUN ROAD.
THE CONSTRUCTION CONTRACT WILL BE AWARDED ON A "DESIGN AND BUILD" BASIS AND THE SUCCESSFUL BIDDER WILL BE REQUIRED TO IMPLEMENT ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AND MITIGATION IN BOTH CONSTRUCTION AND OPERATION STAGES.
THE KWAI TSING AND TSUEN WAN DISTRICTS BOARDS AND THE TSUEN WAN DISTRICT COMMITTEE OF THE REGIONAL COUNCIL HAD BEEN CONSULTED ON THE PROJECT. NONE OF THEM RAISED ANY OBJECTION.
THE NOTICE OF THE AUTHORISATION WAS PUBLISHED IN THE GOVERNMENT GAZETTE TODAY (THURSDAY).
PLANS OF THE PROJECT CAN BE SEEN AT THE DISTRICT OFFICES AND DISTRICT LAND OFFICES IN TUSEN WAN AND KWAI TSING. IT CAN ALSO BE SEEN AT THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT OFFICE.
/19 ........
THURSDAY, MARCH 31, 1994
- 19 -
SHOPS URGED TO DISPOSE OF MEDICINES WITH TIGER INGREDIENTS *****
LOCAL CHINESE MEDICINAL SHOP OPERATORS AND TRADERS ARE TODAY (THURSDAY) REMINDED TO DISPOSE OF MEDICINES CONTAINING OR CLAIMING TO CONTAIN TIGER INGREDIENTS BY APRIL 28.
THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT’S (AFD) SENIOR CONVERSATION OFFICER, MR J K CHAN, SAID AFTER APRIL 28, POSSESSION OF MEDICINES CONTAINING OR CLAIMING TO CONTAIN TIGER INGREDIENTS WOULD BE PROHIBITED EXCEPT UNDER AND IN ACCORDANCE WITH A LICENCE ISSUED IN ADVANCE BY AFD.
MR CHAN SAID THE NEW CONTROLS ON THE IMPORT AND EXPORT OF SUCH ITEMS HAD BECOME EFFECTIVE SINCE JANUARY 28 THIS YEAR FOLLOWING AMENDMENTS TO THE ANIMALS AND PLANTS (PROTECTION OF ENDANGERED SPECIES) ORDINANCE.
SINCE THEN, NO LICENCE HAS BEEN ISSUED AND THE IMPORT AND EXPORT OF SUCH ITEMS ARE PROHIBITED.
HE SAID: "AS REGARDS POSSESSION OF THOSE MEDICINES ACQUIRED BEFORE JANUARY 28, THE OWNERS ARE REQUIRED TO DISPOSE OF THEM IN THREE MONTHS."
THEREAFTER POSSESSION AND SALE WILL BE PROHIBITED.
"ONLY UNDER VERY EXCEPTIONAL CIRCUMSTANCES THAT A POSSESION LICENCE WILL BE ISSUED BY AFD."
MR CHAN WAS PLEASED TO NOTE THAT LOCAL CHINESE MEDICINAL SHOP OPERATORS AND TRADERS GENERALLY PAID HEED TO THE NEW CONTROLS.
HE URGED THEM TO CONTINUE THEIR GOOD EFFORTS TO HELP SAVE TIGERS AND TO UPHOLD HONG KONG’S GOOD IMAGE IN ENDANGERED SPECIES CONSERVATION.
ON THE PUBLIC EDUCATION FRONT, A LARGE QUANTITY OF PUBLICITY STICKERS HAD BEEN PRODUCED AND DISTRIBUTED BY AFD TO CHINESE MEDICINAL SHOPS FOR DISPLAY.
THE STICKER PLEDGES THAT THESE SHOPS, IN SUPPORT OF THE "PROTECT ENDANGERED SPECIES CAMPAIGN", DO NOT SELL MEDICINES CONTAINING OR CLAIMING TO CONTAIN TIGER OR RHINO INGREDIENTS AS WELL AS OTHER PROHIBITED ITEMS OF ENDANGERED SPECIES.
OTHER ENDANGERED SPECIES COVERED BY THE NEW' CONTROLS COMPRISE OF AMERICAN BLACK BEAR, AMERICAN OSTRICH, CERTAIN HORNBILLS, BAIKAL TEAL, CERTAIN AIR PLANTS, VENUS FLY-TRAP, BRAZILIAN ROSEWOOD, AFRICAN TEAK AND MAHOGANY, AND SO ON.
MR CHAN ALSO TOOK THE OPPORTUNITY TO REMIND RESIDENTS VISITING CHINA OR OVERSEAS COUNTRIES DURING THE EASTER HOLIDAYS NOT TO CONTRAVENE THE ORDINANCE BY BRINGING BACK ENDANGERED SPECIES ON THEIR RETURN TO HONG KONG.
/OVER 8,000 .......
THURSDAY, MARCH 31, 1994
20
OVER 8,000 SPECIES OF ANIMALS AND PLANTS, WHETHER ALIVE OR DEAD, THEIR STUFFED SPECIMEN, PARTS OR DERIVATIVES SUCH AS SKINS, MEAT, SCALE IVORY OR HORN ARE PROTECTED BY THE ORDINANCE.
UNDER THE ORDINANCE, ANY PERSON FOUND GUILTY OF IMPORTING, EXPORTING OR POSSESSING ENDANGERED SPECIES WITHOUT A LICENCE ISSUED BY AFD WOULD BE LIABLE TO A MAXIMUM OF $25,000 ON FIRST CONVICTION, AND $50,000 PLUS SIX MONTHS’ IMPRISONMENT ON SUBSEQUENT CONVICTIONS.
FURTHER ENQUIRIES ON THE NEW CONTROLS AND THE ORDINANCE CAN BE DIRECTED TO THE AFD’S FAUNA CONSERVATION SECTION ON TEL 733 2123 OR 733 2284.
- - 0 - -
ROUTE 3 - COUNTRY PARK SECTION TO BE CONSTRUCTED ♦ * * ♦ »
THE HIGHWAYS DEPARTMENT PROPOSES TO CONSTRUCT THE ROUTE 3 -COUNTRY PARK SECTION (TAI LAM TUNNEL AND YUEN LONG APPROACH ROAD) PHASE I WORKS.
THE COUNTRY PARK SECTION BETWEEN TING KAU AND THE NEW TERRITORIES CIRCULAR ROAD AT AU TAU IS A VITAL PORTION OF ROUTE 3 CONNECTING THE BORDER WITH KOWLOON AND HONG KONG ISLAND AND WILL BE CONSTRUCTED TO EXPRESSWAY STANDARDS.
THE PHASE I WORKS, UPON COMPLETION, WILL PROVIDE A DUAL THREE-LANE BORED TUNNEL (TAI LAM TUNNEL) ABOUT 3.8 KILOMETRE LONG UNDER THE TAI LAM COUNTRY PARK BETWEEN TING KAU IN THE SOUTH AND HO PUI IN THE NORTH.
PORTAL BUILDINGS, VEHICULAR UNDERPASSES, VENTILATION ADITS AND BUILDINGS WILL BE BUILT ADJAENT TO BOTH TUNNEL PORTALS ALL OF WHICH ARE LOCATED OUTSIDE THE COUNTRY PARK.
THE SOUTHERN PORTAL OF THE TUNNEL WILL BE CONNECTED VIA AN INTERCHANGE WITH THE EXISTING TUEN MUN ROAD AND THE PROPOSED TING KAU BRIDGE.
AN ABOUT 1.7 KILOMETRE LONG DUAL THREE-LANE OPEN EXPRESSWAY, WHICH WILL FORM THE SOUTHERN PORTION OF THE YUEN LONG APPROACH ROAD, WILL BE CONSTRUCTED LEADING TO THE NORTHERN PORTAL OF THE TUNNEL.
A TOLL PLAZA, TOGETHER WITH AN ADMINISTRATION BUILDING, PARKING AREAS, WORKSHOPS AND ASSOCIATED FACILITIES, WILL BE PROVIDED ABOUT 1.3 KILOMETRE NORTH OF THE TAI LAM TUNNEL.
SERVICE ROADS, A VEHICULAR BRIDGE, A FOOTBRIDGE AND A VEHICULAR UNDERPASS WILL ALSO BE CONSTRUCTED ADJACENT TO THE TOLL PLAZA.
THE PHASE I WORKS WILL INCLUDE THE CONSTRUCTION OF AN ABOUT 1.4 KILOMETRE LONG SINGLE CARRIAGEWAY LINKING KAM SHEUNG ROAD WITH THE TUNNEL ADMINISTRATION AREA FOR LOCAL TRAFFIC AND FOR PROVIDING ACCESS TO THE TAI LAM COUNTRY PARK.
/CONSTRUCTION OF
THURSDAY, MARCH 31, 1994
- 21 -
CONSTRUCTION OF THE PHASE I WORKS IS SCHEDULED TO START EARLY NEXT YEAR WITH A VIEW TO COMPLETION BY THE END OF 1998.
THE PLANS AND SCHEME MAY BE SEEN BY MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC FREE OF CHARGE AT
* THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN DISTRICT OFFICE, PUBLIC ENQUIRY SERVICE CENTRE, GROUND FLOOR, HARBOUR BUILDING, 38 PIER ROAD, CENTRAL, HONG KONG;
* THE DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE/TSUEN WAN, TENTH FLOOR, TSUEN WAN STATION MULTI-STOREY CARPARK BUILDING, 174-208 CASTLE PEAK ROAD, TSUEN WAN, NEW TERRITORIES;
» THE DISTRICT LANDS OFFICE/TUEN MUN, SIXTH-SEVENTH FLOOR, TUEN MUN GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 1 TUEN HI ROAD, TUEN MUN, NEW TERRITORIES;
» THE DISTRICT LANDS OFF1CE/YUEN LONG, NINTH-ELEVENTH FLOOR, YUEN LONG GOVERNMENT OFFICES AND TAI KIU MARKET, 2 KIU LOK SQUARE, YUEN LONG, NEW TERRITORIES;
» THE TSUEN WAN DISTRICT OFFICE, FIRST-SECOND FLOOR, TSUEN WAN STATION MULTI-STOREY CARPARK BUILDING, 174-208 CASTLE PEAK ROAD, TSUEN WAN, NEW TERRITORIES;
t THE TUEN MUN DISTRICT OFFICE, SECOND FLOOR, TUEN MUN
GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 1 TUEN HI ROAD, TUEN MUN, NEW
TERRITORIES AND
♦ THE YUEN LONG DISTRICT OFFICE, YUEN LONG DISTRICT BRANCH
OFFICES BUILDING, 269 CASTLE PEAK ROAD, YUEN LONG, NEW
TERRITORIES.
ANY PERSON OBJECTING TO THE WORKS OR THE USE, OR BOTH, IS REQUIRED TO ADDRESS HIS OBJECTION IN WRITING TO THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT AT THE CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, EAST WING, SECOND FLOOR, LOWER ALBERT ROAD, CENTRAL, NOT LATER THAN MAY 30 THIS YEAR, DESCRIBING HIS INTEREST AND THE MANNER IN WHICH HE ALLEGES HE WILL BE AFFECTED BY THE WORKS OR THE USE.
A NOTICE CONCERNING THE PROPOSED WORKS IS PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE TODAY (THURSDAY).
---------0-----------
/22........
THURSDAY, MARCH 31, 1994
HK FIRE SERVICES ENVIABLE IN THE WORLD *****
THE FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT ENJOYS AN ENVIABLE REPUTATION AMONG FIRE BRIGADES AROUND THE WORLD, THE DEPUTY TO THE. GOVERNOR, MRS ANSON CHAN, SAID TODAY (THURSDAY).
SPEAKING AT THE DEPARTMENT’S 103RD PASSING-OUT PARADE, MRS CHAN SAID THE REPUTATION HAD BEEN EARNED BY THE DEDICATION AND PROFESSIONALISM OF THEIR PREDECESSORS OVER MANY YEARS.
IN ORDER TO FURTHER IMPROVE SERVICES TO THE PUBLIC, THE FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT HAS TAKEN ON A NUMBER OF INITIATIVES IN RECENT YEARS, SHE SAID.
"ON THE ONE HAND, NON-EMERGENCY AMBULANCE DUTIES WILL BE TRANSFERRED FROM THE DEPARTMENT TO THE HOSPITAL AUTHORITY SO THAT MEMBERS CAN CONCENTRATE ON THE PROVISION OF EMERGENCY SERVICES.
"ON THE OTHER HAND, THE PROVISION OF PARA-MEDICAL SERVICES IS BEING EXTENDED. THIS WILL ENABLE OUR FIRE-FIGHTERS TO PROVIDE TRAINED HELP TO ACCIDENT VICTIMS AT AN EARLY STAGE TO SAVE LIVES."
MRS CHAN PAID TRIBUTE TO THE DEPARTMENT’S AMBULANCE-AID MOTOR-CYCLE SERVICE, WHICH HAD PROVED TO BE EXTREMELY EFFECTIVE IN SUPPLEMENTING THE NORMAL AMBULANCE SERVICES IN AREAS PRONE TO SEVERE TRAFFIC CONGESTION.
MRS CHAN NOTED THAT THE RECRUITS HAD CHOSEN A WORTHWHILE AND NOBLE CAREER, ONE WHICH WAS HELD IN HIGH REGARD BY THE COMMUNITY.
SHE CONGRATULATED TWO FEMALE STATION OFFICERS ON THEIR SUCCESSFUL COMPLETION OF THE TRAINING, NOTING THAT THIS WAS THE FIRST TIME IN THE HISTORY OF THE HONG KONG’S FIRE SERVICES.
"THESE TWO LADIES HAVE ALREADY PROVED THAT THEY HAVE THE SAME DETERMINATION AND FORTITUDE AS THEIR MALE COUNTERPARTS BY COMPLETING THE VERY RIGOROUS TRAINING PROGRAMME IN THIS SCHOOL," SHE NOTED.
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THURSDAY, MARCH 31, 1994
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FIRE PREVENTION ADVICE
*****
GRAVE SWEEPERS ARE URGED TO TAKE EXTREME CARE WHEN HANDLING BURNING MATERIALS, SUCH AS JOSS STICKS, JOSS PAPER AND CANDLES, DURING THE CHING MING FESTIVAL PERIOD.
"THEY SHOULD EXTINGUISH ALL LIGHTED MATERIALS AFTER THE RITUALS," A SPOKESMAN FOR THE FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY (THURSDAY).
HE POINTED OUT THAT THERE WERE 2,644 VEGETATION FIRES LAST YEAR. LAST WEEKEND (MARCH 26 AND 27) ALONE, ABOUT 100 FIRES INVOLVING VEGETATION BROKE OUT THROUGHOUT THE TERRITORY.
AT THE SAME TIME, THE SPOKESMAN ADVISED HOLIDAY PICNICKERS NOT TO PLACE ANY COMBUSTIBLE OR INFLAMMABLE STUFF NEAR THEIR BARBECUE SITES WHILE LIGHTING FIRES.
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CENSUS &
STATISTICS DEPT CONDUCTS GENERAL HOUSEHOLD SURVEY
*****
THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT CONTINUES TO CONDUCT THE GENERAL HOUSEHOLD SURVEY DURING THE QUARTER FROM APRIL TO JUNE THIS YEAR.
THE SURVEY, CONDUCTED ON A CONTINUOUS BASIS SINCE AUGUST 1981, COLLECTS INFORMATION ON EMPLOYMENT, UNEMPLOYMENT AND UNDEREMPLOYMENT, AND THE GENERAL SOCIAL CHARACTERISTICS OF THE POPULATION.
IN ADDITION, QUESTIONS ON HONG KONG RESIDENTS’ EXPENDITURE ABROAD, RIGHT OF RESIDENCE ABROAD, HAWKER SITUATION AND HAWKER PATRONAGE BEHAVIOUR, ORGAN DONATION, HERITAGE PRESERVATION AND HOUSEHOLD EXPENDITURE ON RENT WILL ALSO BE INCLUDED IN THIS ROUND OF THE SURVEY.
EACH QUARTER, 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 QUARTER BEFORE.
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 VOLUNTARY CO-OPERATION IN THE SURVEY.
CENSUS OFFICERS OF THE DEPARTMENT WILL CONTACT HOUSEHOLDS CONCERNED TO COLLECT THE REQUIRED INFORMATION.
/WHEN THEY .......
THURSDAY, MARCH 31, 1994
24
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.
IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PROVISIONS OF THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS 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.
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AUSTIN ROAD TO BE WIDENED *****
THE HIGHWAYS DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR THE WIDENING AND RECONSTRUCTION OF AUSTIN ROAD BETWEEN NATHAN ROAD AND JORDAN PATH, AND OF COX’S ROAD BETWEEN AUSTIN ROAD AND TAK SHING STREET.
THE WORKS INCLUDE WIDENING AND RECONSTRUCTION OF THE ABOVE SECTIONS OF ROADS AND THE ADJOINING FOOTPATHS, THE PROVISION OF SIGNAL CONTROLLED PEDESTRIAN CROSSINGS AT THE JUNCTION OF AUSTIN ROAD, COX’S ROAD AND PINE TREE HILL ROAD AND THE PROVISION OF ASSOCIATED LANDSCAPE WORKS.
THE WORKS ARE EXPECTED TO START IN JUNE THIS YEAR AND BE COMPLETED IN SEPTEMBER, 1995.
A NOTICE ON THE TENDER INVITATION WAS PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE TODAY (THURSDAY).
TENDER FORMS AND FURTHER PARTICULARS MAY BE OBTAINED FROM MANUNSELL CONSULTANTS ASIA LTD, 12TH FLOOR, 1 KOWLOON PARK DRIVE, TSIM SHA TSUI, KOWLOON. ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE ON TEL 376 2299.
TENDERS MUST BE ADDRESSED TO THE CHAIRMAN, CENTAL TENDER BOARD, AND PLACED IN THE GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT TENDER BOX IN THE LIFT LOBBY ON THE LOWER GROUND FLOOR OF THE CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, EAST WING, LOWER ALBERT ROAD, HONG KONG, BEFORE NOON ON APRIL 22 THIS YEAR.
THE WORKS HAVE BEEN DESIGNED AND CONSTRUCTION WILL BE SUPERVISED BY MANUNSELL CONSULTANTS ASIA LTD FOR HIGHWAYS DEPARTMENT.
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/25........
"HIJPSnAV march 31, 1994
PRE-QUALIFICATION APPLICATIONS INX1TED » * » ♦ »
THE ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT (ASDI IS INVITING PRE-QUALIFICATION APPLICATIONS FOR TENDERING FOR THE DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION OF A CENTRALISED GOVERNMENT GODOWN IN CHAI WAN, THE GAZETTE NOTIFIED TODAY (THURSDAY'
THE PROJECT, ESTIMATED TO COST $450 MILLION, COMPRISES A 14-STOREY GODOWN OF ABOUT 65,000 SQUARE METRES GROSS FLOOR AREA, PROVIDING STORAGE FACILITIES FOR THE GOVERNMENT SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT AND OTHER GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS
CONTRACTORS ARE INVITED TO APPLY FOR PRE-QUALIFICATION DOCUMENTS FROM THE CHIEF ARCHITECT/4, ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT, QUEENSWAY GOVERNMENT OFFICES. 66 QUEENSWAY, HONG KONG.
THE APPLICATIONS SHOULD BE RETURNED NOT LATER THAN NOON ON APRIL 25.
TENDERS FOR THE CONTRACT ARE SCHEDULED TO BE 1NV1TED IN JUNE FROM A SELECTED LIST OF CONTRACTORS ESTABLISHED BY THE PRE-QUALIFICATION EXERCISE.
0
LANDS TO BE RESUMED FOR PYLON CONSTRICTION
******
THE GOVERNMENT IS TO RESUME PRIVATE LOTS IN FOUR AREAS IN THE NEW TERRITORIES TO PROVIDE LAND FOR A PUBLIC UTILITIES COMPANY TO CONSTRUCT POWER PYLONS.
IN TUEN MUN, YUEN LONG, TAI PO AND SAI KUNG, A TOTAL OF 29,317 SQUARE METRES COMPRISING WHOLE OR PORTIONS OF 79 PRIVATE LOTS OF AGRICULTURAL, BUILDING AND SPECIAL PURPOSE LAND WILL BE RESUMED.
THE RESUMPTION OF LAND IS REQUIRED TO ALLOW THE CONSTRUCTION OF PYLONS BY THE CHINA LIGHT AND POWER COMPANY LIMITED TO CARRY TWO OVERHEAD TRANSMISSION LINES FROM THE BLACK POINT LARGE THERMAL POWER STATION TO SHA TIN SUBSTATION, AND FROM TSEUNG KWAN O SUBSTATION TO TSZ WAN SHAN SUBSTATION.
THE LAND WILL BE REVERTED TO THE GOVERNMENT ON THE EXPIRY OF THREE MONTHS FROM THE DATE OF POSTING OF NOTICES ON THE LOTS.
RESUMPTION DETAILS WERE PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE TODAY (THURSDAY).
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/26........
THURSDAY, MARCH 31, 1994
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TENDERS INVITED FOR CONSTRUCTION OF DIAPHRAGM WALL
* * * * *
THE DRAINAGE SERVICES DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF DIAPHRAGM WALLS FOR THE MAIN PUMPING STATION ON STONECUTTERS ISLAND.
THE WORKS, WHICH FORM PART OF STAGE 1 OF THE STRATEGIC SEWAGE DISPOSAL SCHEME (SSDS), ARE SCHEDULED TO BEGIN IN JUNE FOR COMPLETION IN ABOUT 11 MONTHS.
THE STAGE I OF THE SSDS IS TO COLLECT AND TREAT SEWAGE FROM KOWLOON BETWEEN TSUEN WAN AND TSEUNG KWAN 0 AND FROM THE NORTH-EASTERN PART OF HONG KONG ISLAND WITH A VIEW TO IMPROVING THE WATER QUALITY IN VICTORIA HARBOUR.
A NOTICE OF THE TENDER INVITATION WAS GAZETTED TODAY (THURSDAY).
TENDER FORMS AND FURTHER PARTICULARS MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE OFFICE OF THE CONSULTING ENGINEERS, MONTGOMERY WATSON HONG KONG LIMITED, 1911 WINDSOR HOUSE, 311 GLOUCESTER ROAD, CAUSEWAY BAY.
THE TENDER CLOSING DATE IS NOON ON MAY 6.
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SPECIAL REVIEW ARTICLE ON SALARY STATISTICS OF MIDDLE-LEVEL MANAGERIAL AND PROFESSIONAL EMPLOYEES *****
THE JANUARY 1994 ISSUE OF THE HONG KONG MONTHLY DIGEST OF STATISTICS CONTAINS A SPECIAL REVIEW ARTICLE WHICH OUTLINES THE SURVEY METHODOLOGY AND ANALYSES OF THE FINDINGS OF THE ANNUAL SURVEY OF SALARIES AND EMPLOYEE BENEFITS - MANAGERIAL AND PROFESSIONAL EMPLOYEES (EXCLUDING TOP MANAGEMENT) FOR THE PERIOD 1984 TO 1993.
THE SURVEY HAS BEEN CONDUCTED ANNUALLY BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT SINCE 1984 TO COLLECT INFORMATION RELATING TO SALARIES AND FRINGE BENEFITS OF MANAGERIAL AND PROFESSIONAL EMPLOYEES FROM 200 LARGE COMPANIES IN SELECTED MAJOR ECONOMIC SECTORS.
DURING THE DECADE UNDER REVIEW, THE AVERAGE SALARY RATE FOR MIDDLE-LEVEL MANAGERS AND PROFESSIONALS IN THE FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS AND INSURANCE SECTOR SHOWED A HIGHER PERCENTAGE INCREASE AS COMPARED WITH OTHER ECONOMIC SECTORS.
ANALYSED BY OCCUPATIONAL GROUP, EMPLOYEES IN BANKING AND INSURANCE MANAGEMENT, FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT AND MARKETING AND PURCHASING MANAGEMENT ENJOYED A HIGHER RATE OF INCREASE IN SALARY.
THE ARTICLE ALSO CONTAINS STATISTICS FOR JUNE 1993 ON THE AVERAGE MONTHLY SALARY OF SELECTED COMMON OCCUPATIONS ACROSS DIFFERENT ECONOMIC SECTORS AND THE PERCENTAGE OF EMPLOYEES ENTITLED TO VARIOUS KINDS OF FRINGE BENEFITS.
/THE HONG .......
THURSDAY, MARCH 31, 1994
27
THE HONG KONG MONTHLY DIGEST OE STATISTICS IS AVAILABLE AT $48 A COPY*.
PURCHASE CAN BE MADE AT THE GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS CENTRE, GENERAL POST OFFICE BUILDING, GROUND FLOOR, CONNAUGHT PLACE, HONG KONG AND AT THE PUBLICATIONS SECTION OF CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT ON 19TH FLOOR, WANCHAI TOWER, 12 HARBOUR ROAD, WAN CHAI, HONG KONG.
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ROADS IN KWUN TONG INDUSTRIAL AREA TO BE RECONSTRUCTED * * * » »
THE HIGHWAYS DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR THE RECONSTRUCTION OF ROADS IN KWUN TONG INDUSTRIAL AREA.
THE WORKS COMPRISE THE RECONSTRUCTION OF SECTIONS OF LAI YIP STREET, WAI YIP STREET, SHING YIP STREET, HOI YUEN ROAD AND THE WHOLE LENGTH OF HUNG TO ROAD, AND UPGRADING OF ASSOCIATED ROAD DRAINAGE.
WORKS ARE SCHEDULED TO START IN JUNE THIS YEAR AND WILL COMPLETE IN SEPTEMBER 1996.
THE WORKS HAVE BEEN DESIGNED AND WILL BE SUPERVISED BY HIGHWAYS (KOWLOON) REGION, HIGHWAYS DEPARTMENT.
A NOTICE ON THE TENDER INVITATION WAS PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE TODAY (THURSDAY).
P. . . . .
FORMS OF TENDER AND FURTHER PARTICULARS MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE REGIONAL HIGHWAY ENGINEER/KOWLOON, HIGHWAYS DEPARTMENT, 13TH FLOOR, ROOM 1321, NAN FUNG COMMERCIAL CENTRE, 19 LAM LOK STREET, KOWLOON BAY, KOWLOON. ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE ON TEL 707 7439.
TENDERS MUST BE 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 APRIL 29.
LATE TENDERS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.
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WINNING STUDENT ACTORS TO PERFORM FOR PUBLIC » * * » *
THE BEST ACTORS AND ACTRESSES AMONG 4,200 STUDENTS FROM 114 SECONDARY AND 32 PRIMARY SCHOOLS WHO TOOK PART IN THE 1993/94 HONG KONG SCHOOL DRAMA FESTIVAL WILL DEMONSTRATE THEIR TALENTS AT THE GALA EVENINGS AND PUBLIC PERFORMANCES IN APRIL AND MAY.
THE WINNING TEAMS AWARDED THE CERTIFICATES OF MERIT IN THE PERFORMANCE PHASE WILL PERFORM AT TSUEN WAN TOWN HALL, THE CIVIC CENTRES AT SAI WAN HO AND SHEUNG WAN BETWEEN APRIL 13 AND 20.
/THE OUTSTANDING .......
THURSDAY, MARCH 31, 1994
- 28 -
THE OUTSTANDING TEAMS IN THESE PUBLIC PERFORMANCES WILL THEN BE INVITED TO PERFORM IN THE GALA EVENINGS AND PRIZE PRESENTATION CEREMONIES AT THE SAI WAN HO CIVIC CENTRE ON MAY 5 AND 6.
THE 1993/94 HONG KONG SCHOOL DRAMA FESTIVAL IS PRESENTED BY THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT, THE URBAN COUNCIL AND REGIONAL COUNCIL.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY (THURSDAY) THAT THE DRAMA FESTIVAL COMPRISED CHINESE AND ENGLISH SECTIONS.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID PRIZES WOULD BE GIVEN TO TEAMS WHICH WERE COMMENDED FOR STAGE EFFECT; SCRIPT ORIGINALITY AD INTERPRETATION; ACTORS; ACTRESSES AND DIRECTORS.
TICKETS OF $20 FOR PUBLIC PERFORMANCES AND GALA EVENINGS ARE NOW AVAILABLE AT THE CIVIC CENTRES OF SAI WAN HO AND SHEUNG WAN, TSUEN WAN TOWN HALL, AND THE URBTIX OUTLETS. THERE WILL BE 50 PER CENT DISCOUNT FOR STUDENTS AND PERSONS AGED 60 OR ABOVE.
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RECONSTRUCTION OF WYLIE ROAD *****
THE HIGHWAYS DEPARTMENT IS INVITING TENDERS FOR THE RECONSTRUCTION OF WYLIE ROAD.
THE WORKS INCLUDE THE RECONSTRUCTION OF WYLIE ROAD, THE IMPROVEMENT OF THE JUNCTION OF WYLIE ROAD/KING’S PARK RISE, AND THE ASSOCIATED DRAINAGE WORKS.
WORKS HAVE BEEN SCHEDULED TO START IN JUNE THIS YEAR AND WILL COMPLETE IN AUGUST NEXT YEAR.
THE WORKS HAVE BEEN DESIGNED AND WILL BE SUPERVISED BY HIGHWAYS DEPARTMENT.
A NOTICE ON THE TENDER INVITATION WAS PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE TODAY (THURSDAY).
FORMS OF TENDER AND FURTHER PARTICULARS MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE REGIONAL HIGHWAY ENGINEER/KOWLOON, HIGHWAYS DEPARTMENT, 13TH FLOOR, ROOM 1321, NAN FUNG COMMERCIAL CENTRE, 19 LAM LOK STREET, KOWLOON BAY, KOWLOON. ENQUIRIES CAN BE MADE ON TEL 707 7423.
TENDERS MUST BE 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 APRIL 29.
LATE TENDERS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.
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/29 .......
THURSDAY, MARCH 31, 1994
- 29 -
HONG KONG MONETARY AUTHORITY MONEY MARKET OPERATIONS * ♦ » » *
$ MILLION TIME (HOURS) CUMULATIVE CHANGE ($ MILLION)
OPENING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT 2,993 0930 + 946
CLOSING BALANCE IN THE ACCOUNT 3,766 1000 + 846
CHANGE ATTRIBUTABLE TO : 1100 +1,990
MONEY MARKET ACTIVITY +3,863 1200 +3,575
LAF TODAY -3,090 1500 +3,865
1600 +3,863
LAF RATE 2.00 BID/4.00 OFFER TWI 125.0 *-0.2* 31.3.94
HONG KONG GOVERNMENT EXCHANGE FUND
EF BILLS EF NOTES/HONG KONG GOVERNMENT BONDS
TERMS YIELD TERM ISSUE COUPON PRICE YIELD
1 WEEK 3.12 PCT 17 MONTHS 2508 4.625 99.72 4.89
1 MONTH 3.33 PCT 20 MONTHS 2511 4.15 98.60 5.11
3 MONTHS 3.73 PCT 23 MONTHS 2602 4.40 98.44 5.35
6 MONTHS 3.99 PCT 31 MONTHS 3610 4.20 96.30 5.84
12 MONTHS 4.45 PCT 34 MONTHS 3701 4.60 96.54 6.04
TOTAL TURNOVER OF BILLS AND BONDS - 14,871 MN
CLOSED 31 MARCH 1994
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