Issued by Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government Information Services
Garden Road, 5th-8th Floors, Murray Building, Hong Kong. Tel: 2842 8777
Tuesday, February 10, 1998
CONTENTS
========
1. CE listens to public views
2. CE urges voters to turn up at polls
3. No decision yet on labour importation scheme
4. ExCo approves urban taxi fare increase
5. Cannot say traffic accident sentence was wrong or inadequate
6. Update on avian flu
7. Appointment of new Government Printer
8. Regulation to govern airport automated people mover
9. AIDS Trust Fund invites applications for grants
10. Hong Kong Monetary Authority tender results
1. CE listens to public views
**************************
In response to media enquiries concerning requests
made by certain petitioners this (Tuesday) morning at the
main entrance of the Central Government Offices for the
Chief Executive to receive their petition letters in
person, a spokesman for the Chief Executive's Office said
the following:
"The Chief Executive listens to the views expressed
by the public on issues which are of concern to people's
livelihood. He often chats with the petitioners and
receives petition letters himself on his arrival at or
departure from the office.
"However, much as the Chief Executive wishes to
listen to the petitioners himself, his tight schedule
sometimes does not permit him to do so," he added. "He
has therefore asked his colleagues, usually the policemen
who station at his office, to receive the petition letters
on his behalf."
"This system has worked well and is accepted
generally by petitioners," the spokesman said.
"The Chief Executive's Office follows up all petition
letters, usually in conjunction with relevant policy
bureaux and departments," he said.
End
2. CE urges voters to turn up at polls
***********************************
The Chief Executive, Mr Tung Chee Hwa, today
(Tuesday) called on voters to exercise their rights and
obligations as a citizen and cast their vote at the first
Legislative Council election of the HKSAR in May.
Speaking at the spring reception held by the Home
Affairs Bureau, Mr Tung also encouraged residents to take
an active part in fire prevention and in improving
environmental hygiene.
Mr Tung said: "The year 1998 is an important year for
Hong Kong. In May, we shall be holding our first
Legislative Council election since our reunification with
the motherland. This election is not only testimony to
the progressive development of Hong Kong's political
system, but also an opportune moment for us to demonstrate
to the whole world that we are fully committed to
implementing successfully the concept of 'Hong Kong people
running Hong Kong'.
"I hope that you will all keep up the enthusiasm and
vigour that have motivated you in the recent voter
registration exercise and devote your efforts, through
your connections with a wide cross-section of the
community, to raising the awareness of Hong Kong citizens
as to their rights and obligations and encouraging them to
turn up at the polls."
On fire prevention, Mr Tung said that it was the
responsibility of the owners and tenants of the buildings,
as well as of the Government, to ensure that there would
not be a repeat of the fires that could have been
prevented in the first place, and to do our utmost to
minimise the casualties.
"In the interests of the general public, I would like
to call on the community leaders to promote fire
prevention campaigns in your districts so as to instil
into everyone in your neighbourhood and all your friends
an awareness of the importance of fire prevention, and to
spare no efforts in taking precautions for the sake of
yourselves, your families and your neighbours," he said.
"The Government will also expedite the implementation
of the series of fire prevention measures announced
recently. In the long run, accelerating the redevelopment
of the obsolete areas is the ultimate solution," he added.
The Chief Executive noted that the rapid growth of
Hong Kong's population and development of our economy over
the years had given rise to a number of public health
problems.
"The recent cases of 'bird flu' and cholera underline
the need for the community and the Government to be on the
alert at all times, and pay attention to personal and
environmental hygiene, so that all of us can have a clean
environment to work and live in.
"The Government will, through civic education,
encourage people to start with attending to their personal
hygiene and health, and then participate actively in other
city-cleaning activities," he said.
Mr Tung said that the Government was concerned about
the safety of the public. "Hong Kong is not only a
modernised city, but also a caring society. Let us work
hand in hand to increase our awareness of the importance
of fire prevention and hygiene, and unite our efforts to
remove the potential hazards, so that Hong Kong will
become a safer and cleaner modern metropolis," he said.
End
3. No decision yet on labour importation scheme
********************************************
Commenting on a report in a local Chinese newspaper
today (Tuesday) which alleged that the Secretary for
Education and Manpower, Mr Joseph W P Wong, had admitted
that it was highly possible for the Construction Labour
Importation Scheme (CLIS) to be abandoned, a spokesman for
the Education and Manpower Bureau said the report was
untrue and misleading.
"Mr Wong has never suggested to any reporter that it
was highly likely that the proposed CLIS would not be
implemented," the spokesman stressed.
"The Government has yet to take a decision on the
matter. In the process, the Government will take full and
careful account of public views expressed during the
consultation period in the past two months, the present
economic climate and prevailing construction labour market
conditions.
"We will make an announcement after the Government
has taken a decision," he added.
End
4. ExCo approves urban taxi fare increase
**************************************
The Chief Executive in Council today (Tuesday)
approved a 5.9 per cent increase in fares for urban taxis
with effect from June 1, 1998 to enable the urban taxi
trade to cover increases in operating costs. Urban taxi
fares were last revised in April 1997.
A government spokesman said: "It is estimated that
the operating costs of urban taxis will be increased by
5.4 per cent between April 1997 (the date of the last
increase) and June 1998 (the implementation date of the
new fares). The general inflation rate between April 1997
and June 1998 is forecast to be six per cent.
"The fare increase is line with inflation and should
be acceptable to taxi passengers."
The new urban taxi fares are as follows -
Existing fares New fares
Flagfall for the first 2 km $ 14.50 $ 15.00
Fare for every subsequent $ 1.30 $ 1.40
0.2 km
Waiting time charge for
every 1 minute $ 1.30 $ 1.40
Telephone booking surcharge $ 5.00 $ 5.00
(No change)
Surcharge for every article
of baggage, animal of bird $ 5.00 $ 5.00
(No change)
End
5. Cannot say traffic accident sentence was wrong or inadequate
************************************************************
The Department of Justice has carefully considered
the case of the traffic accident that occurred at the
junction of Wyndham Street and Queen's Road Central in
August last year, and has come to the view that there is
no basis for seeking a review of the penalty imposed by
the court.
A group of persons who were injured or who are
relatives of victims in the accident have asked for an
appeal against the sentence. In a reply to them today (Tuesday), the Department of Justice said their feelings
on the accident, which had extremely tragic consequences,
could be understood.
The driver of the vehicle in the accident was found
not guilty of reckless driving causing death, but found
guilty of three charges of careless driving. The
magistrate found that he did not deliberately ignore the
traffic light, and that he tried to avoid the accident but
failed to do so.
In fining the defendant $2,500 for each charge, the
magistrate commented that he was not going to punish him
for the consequences of his careless driving. The
defendant's driving record before the accident was clear
and he told the court that he had ceased to drive after
the accident, and there was evidence that he was
remorseful.
The letter to the group of petitioners explained that
it is well established at law that, when sentencing a
person in respect of a traffic accident, the primary
considerations are the quality of the driving and the
extent to which it falls below the standard of the
reasonably competent driver.
The consequences of the accident may sometimes have
little relevance to the penalty that should be imposed and
those consequences are a matter of chance.
The courts do not consider it appropriate to impose
on a driver whose carelessness produces tragic
consequences, a more severe penalty than on a driver whose
similar carelessness fortunately causes no serious
accident.
As to the penalty for careless driving, the maximum
is a fine of $4,000 and imprisonment for six months, but
immediate custodial sentences for careless driving
offences are virtually unknown. There is no offence in
law of careless driving causing death.
A spokesman for the department explained that the
Secretary for Justice is only entitled to seek a review of
a penalty imposed in a criminal case on the grounds that
the sentence is not authorised by law, is wrong in
principle, or is manifestly excessive or manifestly
inadequate.
The fine imposed in this case of $2,500 for each
offence is within the band which is customary for an
offence of careless driving of this type.
"Having given careful consideration to the facts of
this case, and to the established legal principles, the
Secretary for Justice decided that the sentences imposed
are authorised by law, and cannot be said to be wrong in
principle or manifestly inadequate," he said.
On a point raised by the group that not all witnesses
who gave statements were called to testify, the spokesman
explained that this is not uncommon, when, as in this
case, evidence which is not in dispute can be agreed
between the parties.
"The prosecutor acted responsibly throughout, and he
presented his case to the court in a manner which cannot
realistically be said to lend itself to criticism, let
alone to appeal.
"There is simply no basis for the suggestion that
either the investigation or the prosecution was conducted
in a manner which was other than conscientious and
thorough," the spokesman said.
End
6. Update on avian flu
*******************
The Department of Health (DH) announced today
(Tuesday) that there were no new cases of influenza A
(H5N1) today.
The total number of cases stands at 18 confirmed
cases.
The conditions of the last two patients still under
treatment at Yan Chai Hospital are both stable. They are
the 24-year-old female patient of Case 7 whose conditions
has previously changed from critical to poor and now to
stable, and the 19-year-old female patient of Case 16
whose conditions has previously changed from critical to
poor, then to fair and now to stable.
End
7. Appointment of new Government Printer
*************************************
The Government announced today (Tuesday) the
appointment of Mr Benjamin Tang Kwok-bun as Government
Printer. Mr Tang will succeed Mr Harris Myers with effect
from March 2, 1998.
As the head of the Printing Department, Mr Tang will
be responsible for overseeing the reliable and cost-
effective operation of the printing services to government
departments.
"Mr Tang is well-placed for his new appointment. He
has a wealth of administrative and management experience
essential for the effective functioning as head of the
Printing Department," the Secretary for the Civil Service,
Mr W K Lam, said.
Brief biographical notes on the officers are as
follows:
Mr Benjamin Tang Kwok-bun, JP
-----------------------------
Aged 46. Mr Benjamin Tang is at present the Deputy
Secretary (Environment) in Planning, Environment and Lands
Bureau.
Mr Tang joined the civil service as an administrative
officer in 1974 and rose to his present rank of
Administrative Officer Staff Grade B in 1995. He has
worked in various departments and branches/bureaux,
including the former New Territories Administration, the
former Recreation and Culture Department, the Hong Kong
Government Office in London, the former Transport Branch,
the former City and New Territories Administration, the
Independent Commission Against Corruption, Regional
Services Department and the former Broadcasting, Culture
and Sport Branch. He took up his present appointment in
the Planning, Environment and Lands Bureau in February
1997.
Mr Harris Myers, JP
-------------------
Aged 59. Mr Myers was appointed as Government
Printer in August 1983. On his departure on completion of
his agreement, Mr Myers will have rendered over 14 years
of service as Government Printer.
End
8. Regulation to govern airport automated people mover
***************************************************
The Chief Executive in Council has made the Airport
Authority (Automated People Mover) (Safety) Regulation to
govern the safe operation of the Automated People Mover
(APM) at the new airport.
The Airport Authority (AA) will operate the APM at
the new airport to provide speedy passenger transport
between the processing terminal and the aircraft gates at
the remote end of the concourse. It is a driverless
transit system operated in a tunnel beneath the terminal
buildings.
When the new airport opens in July, the APM will only
operate between the two stations in the Passenger Terminal
Building. This section is 700 metres long and the journey
will take about 70 seconds.
The APM will initially operate on a two-car unit with
a carrying capacity of 150 passengers. It can be expanded
to a six-car unit. It will run at an interval of about
four minutes and will be upgraded to two minutes at peak
times. Platform screens with automatic bi-parting doors
are installed at every APM station for passenger safety
and energy conservation. Automatic train protection
system is also installed to ensure safe train movement.
Apart from the APM, travelators are installed in the
Passenger Terminal Building to facilitate transport of
passengers.
End
9. AIDS Trust Fund invites applications for grants
***********************************************
The AIDS Trust Fund is inviting applications for
grants for research or promotion projects which will
contribute to greater public understanding on AIDS or to
the well-being of HIV/AIDS patients and their families.
There are four rounds of applications this year, the
deadlines for which are February 27, May 29, August 28 and
November 27 respectively. Applicants are reminded to
adhere to the appropriate deadlines as it will normally
take two to three months for processing.
Application forms are available at the Secretariat of
the Council for the AIDS Trust Fund and the Red Ribbon
Centre, second floor, Wang Tau Hom Jockey Club Clinic, 200
Junction Road East, Kowloon. Completed applications
should be sent to-
Secretary, Council for the AIDS Trust Fund
c/o Health and Welfare Bureau,
Government Secretariat,
The Government of the Hong Kong Special
Administrative Region,
19-20/F, Murray Building,
Garden Road,
Hong Kong
Enquiries can be made on telephone numbers 2973 8136
and 2973 8117, or by fax to 2840 0467 and 2869 4376.
The AIDS Trust Fund was set up in April 1993 to
provide assistance to HIV-infected haemophiliacs and
generally to strengthen medical and support services and
public education on AIDS.
Since its establishment, it has disbursed more than
$115 million for 240 projects which include the
establishment of the Red Ribbon Centre serving as an AIDS
education, research and resource centre; a hospice service
for the HIV/AIDS patients; an activity centre for the
people living with HIV/AIDS; two TV series on AIDS; a
media award to encourage positive and impartial news
reporting on AIDS; as well as grants of ex-gratia payments
to provide assistance to HIV-infected haemophiliacs.
End
10. Hong Kong Monetary Authority tender results
*******************************************
Tender date : 10 February 1998
Paper on offer : EF Bills
Issue number : Q806
Issue date : 11 February 1998
Maturity date : 13 May 1998
Amount applied : HK$12,514 MN
Amount allotted : HK$2,000 MN
Average yield accepted : 7.70 PCT
Highest yield accepted : 7.78 PCT
Pro rata ratio : About 1 PCT
Average tender yield : 7.90 PCT
- - - - -
Tender date : 10 February 1998
Paper on offer : EF Bills
Issue number : H857
Issue date : 11 February 1998
Maturity date : 12 August 1998
Amount applied : HK$5,570 MN
Amount allotted : HK$1,000 MN
Average yield accepted : 8.76 PCT
Highest yield accepted : 8.80 PCT
Pro rata ratio : About 23 PCT
Average tender yield : 8.97 PCT
- - - - -
Hong Kong Monetary Authority
****************************
Tender to be held in the week beginning - 16 Feb 98:-
Tender date : 17 February 1998
Paper on offer : EF Bills
Issue number : Q170
Issue date : 18 February 1998
Maturity date : 18 March 1998
Tenor : 28 Days
Amount on offer : HK$5,000 MN
- - - - -
Tender date : 17 February 1998
Paper on offer : EF Bills
Issue number : Q807
Issue date : 18 February 1998
Maturity date : 20 May 1998
Tenor : 91 Days
Amount on offer : HK$2,000 + 500 MN
- - - - -
Tender date : 17 February 1998
Paper on offer : EF Bills
Issue number : Y886
Issue date : 18 February 1998
Maturity date : 19 February 1999
Tenor : 366 Days
Amount on offer : HK$500 + 150 MN
End
