Daily Information Bulletin
Issued by Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government Information Services
Garden Road, 5th-8th Floors, Murray Building, Hong Kong. Tel: 2842 8777




Friday, March 6, 1998


CONTENTS
========
1.  Chief Executive's transcript
2.  Restaurant ordered to be disinfected over cholera case
3.  Statement by CSD
4.  Employers asked not to resort to retrenchment lightly
5.  Care over slimming products urged
6.  Polling stations for April elections gazetted
7.  Number of reported drug abusers dropped in 1997
8.  Volume and price statistics of external trade in December 97
9.  Disoposal of surplus government quarters in Baguio Villas
10. Rules to raise fees and charges of SFC endorsed
11. Revised plan for land access to Container Terminal No. 9
12. Tuen Mun Road improvement works to start soon
13. Draft Tsuen Wan Outline Zoning Plan amended
14. 47 building plans approved in January
15. Bookkeeper convicted of assisting employer to evade tax


1.  Chief Executive's transcript
    ****************************

     Following is the transcript of the remarks by the
Chief Executive, Mr Tung Chee Hwa, at Kai Tak airport this
(Friday) evening:

Reporter: (on RTHK)

Mr Tung: Do I have to say that all again?

Reporter: Yes, please.

Mr Tung: I do want to take this opportunity to clarify the
issue about RTHK.  Let me first of all state very
emphatically that freedom of speech, freedom of
information, are something we treasure and we regard very
much.  Nobody, can I insist that nobody should doubt my
or our entire government's determination in this respect.
There has been discussion recently about the role of RTHK
but this discussion is not new.  It was here a few months
ago.  It was here before the return of Hong Kong. It's been
here for a number of years already.  We all know that and
I am sure that this discussion will continue.  I have
heard many different opinions stated on this particular
issue and I'll continue to listen to these opinions.
There were opinions expressed in Beijing, personal views
as to the future of RTHK.  I think these are personal
views.  We should respect the rights of individuals to
express personal views but they do not represent the views
of the Central Government.  I stated earlier on that
during my visit to Beijing, I had the opportunity to meet
the President, the Premier, Deputy Premier Zhu Rongji as
well as Deputy Premier Qian Qichen.  And one of the subjects
of discussion was their determination to make sure "one
country, two systems" is solidly moving forward and they
are very happy to see that it is solidly moving forward.
RTHK is a Hong Kong issue and we'll deal with RTHK if
there is any need in Hong Kong.  Of course RTHK has
editorial independence.  I think what I would like to hope
is that RTHK and all news media would want to report
government policies fairly, justly, accurately so that
people of Hong Kong can accurately understand what the
government thinking is behind different policies.  Having
said that the government and I continue to welcome
criticism from the news media, all suggestions from the
news media.  I think the news media has played a very
important role in Hong Kong in monitoring the activities
of the Government and I would hope very much that the news
media would continue to do that.  People have asked me
whether RTHK is speaking on behalf of the people or should
it speak on behalf of the Government?  I think this is an
absurd question because government serves the people, and
we are on the same side with the same interest.  So
certainly we want to express government policies through
the news media, through the RTHK, and we will listen very
carefully views expressed by the people, all criticism,
all suggestions by all the people of Hong Kong through
RTHK or other news media.  Thank you.

End


2.  Restaurant ordered to be disinfected over cholera case
    ******************************************************

     The Department of Health, in conjunction with the
Urban Services Department, has traced the source of a
cholera case to a licensed food premises in Causeway Bay
and ordered the premises to be disinfected, disinsected
and deratted to the satisfaction of the health officer.

     The move was made with the authority vested under the
Prevention of the Spread of Infectious Diseases
Regulations Cap 141.

     Our field investigations incriminated the meal
consumed by the patient with seven other friends at the
restaurant on February 25.

     The patient involved is a 27-year-old female living
in Sha Tin.  She presented diarrhoea on February 27 and is
being treated in Princess Margaret Hospital.  Her
condition is satisfactory.

     One of her friends also subsequently developed
diarrhoea and was admitted into Princess Margaret Hospital
on March 5 for further investigation.  The result of the
investigation is expected to be available early next week.

     The remainder of her friends are being followed up.

     The new confirmed case has brought to the total
number of cholera cases in Hong Kong to ten so far this
year.

     A department spokesman said investigations into the
case so far had revealed that it was likely to be
associated with inadequately cooked food.

     He pointed out that cholera is an acute diarrhoeal
disease that is readily treatable and is common in South
East Asia.

     "In Hong Kong, cholera does not pose a major health
problem as the necessary preventive measures are well in
place and the health care facilities are adequate and
easily accessible," the spokesman said.

     However, he said, the public should adopt proper
personal hygiene, food hygiene and environmental hygiene
practices at all times in order to prevent the disease.

     The spokesman advised the public to take the
following measures to guard against gastro-intestinal
infections:-

     * Wash hands with soap after visiting toilet and
       before preparing or eating food;

     * Adopt good environmental hygiene and keep kitchen
       and cooking utensils clean;

     * Cook food, especially meat and shellfish,
       thoroughly before consumption;

     * Store all perishable food not meant for immediate
       consumption properly;

     * Leftover food should be reheated thoroughly before
       consumption; and

     * All garbage and waste should be stored in a covered
       container before disposal.

End


3.  Statement by CSD
    ****************

     Following press reports on the number of complaints
received from prisoners by the Ombudsman, a Correctional
Services Department spokesman made the following statement
today (Friday):

     "In response to the request of the Ombudsman, this
Department has since September 1996 launched an
enhancement programme in promoting prisoners' awareness of
the Ombudsman services.  Henceforth, there has been a
drastic upsurge of cases, with 86 in 1996, while there
were only 19 and 14 respectively in 1995 and 1994.

     During 1997, the Ombudsman has referred a total of
141 cases to this Department for action.  However, none of
these cases was found substantiated, or even partially
substantiated.  The predominantly frivolous character of
these complaints so referred well reflects that the
prisoners are apt to raise complaints at their whims.

     Out of these 141 cases, 37 cases were referred to
this Department for internal investigation.  Although
additional resources have to be deployed in handling these
cases, the referrals indicate that we are entrusted by the
Ombudsman to conduct the investigation directly.  It
further reflects that even the Ombudsman recognises that
we have a sound system and expertise both in investigation
and handling internal complaints.

     According to our very experience in managing
prisoners and offenders, they largely reflect the
vindictive and calculated behaviour of inmates to get
their way with hidden motives to subvert prison order and
discipline.  On the other hand, it reflects that there
exist adequately open and effective channels for prisoners
to air their grievances."

End


4.  Employers asked not to resort to retrenchment lightly
    *****************************************************

     The Commissioner for Labour, Miss Jacqueline Willis,
today (Friday) made a plea to employers that they should
not resort to retrenchment lightly.

     Speaking to a group of human resources professionals
at the opening of the Hong Kong Institute of Human
Resource Management's Regional Seminar on "The Impact of
the Recent Financial Crisis in Asia on People Management",
Miss Willis said: "I sincerely hope that employers will
discuss their problems with their employees frankly,
explore possible options together and work out
arrangements acceptable to both parties.

     "Building and maintaining effective partnership has
been and will continue to be the key to success of our
enterprises," she said.

     Miss Willis said Hong Kong had been enjoying a state
of harmonious and peaceful labour relations which was
conducive to its economic development.

     "This cannot be attained, however, without the joint
efforts of the employers, employees and the Government.

     "We should all build upon this partnership to
overcome any difficulties which we may have to face.  It
is more essential now than ever for those employers who
are affected by the present economic downturn to work
partnership with their employees.

     "Please do not forget that in the good days, your
employees made useful contribution to the organisation."

     She added: "When the economy begins to pick up again,
employers will need a dedicated and experienced workhorse
to cope with a speedy rebound.  By then they may not be
able to re-hire those former hardworking employees whom
they have retrenched earlier."

     She said that in the event that employers really had
to resort to the last measure of retrenchment, it was
important that termination compensation was paid according
to the law and the contract of employment.

     "You as human resource professionals should endeavour
to make this painful exercise a fair and humane one.

     "For example, keeping employees well informed,
establishing fair criteria for selection, giving those
affected ex-gratia compensation whenever the financial
position permits.

     "For those employees you have decided to retain, you
should not impose unreasonable employment terms.  Such a
measure may constitute a contravention of the law," Miss
Willis said.

     She appealed to employers to let the Labour
Department know of any retrenchment exercise in advance so
that the Department could render their service to help.

     The Labour Department's Local Employment Service
(LES) provides free employment and counselling services
through a network of nine employment centres.

     "These centres are now enhancing their services
through computerisation.  Job seekers now have access to
all the updated vacancies through self-service terminals
at these centres.

     "By April, employers will be able to place their
vacancy orders with the LES through the Internet.  In
effect this will amount to a central electronic vacancy
register," she added.

     Miss Willis also appealed to all employers to make
use of the department's free and professional service by
providing vacancies.

     "It will cost you nothing to use us as an additional
avenue for recruitment.  With the setting up of the
computer system, our LES is now in a better position to
match the right job with the right job-seekers," she
added.

End


5.  Care over slimming products urged
    *********************************

     The Department of Health today (Friday) advised
members of the public to be cautious in choosing slimming
products, especially those sold by direct means or at
beauty parlours.  They should consult their doctors for
advice on the taking of slimming medicines.

     If they encounter suspicious slimming products, they
should contact the department's Pharmaceutical Service on
2572 2068.

     The advice followed the discovery of three more
slimming products, labelled as Chinese proprietary
medicines, to contain fenfluramine, a Western medicine
which has been de-registered in Hong Kong since January
this year for its association with heart diseases.

     The three slimming products are "Uni-Beauty Body Care
Rapid Reduce Fat Capsule", "Beauty of Slim Quick Slim
Capsule" and "Slimcome Capsule".  All three are also found
to contain ephedrine, another Western medicine.

     The department's Assistant Director (Special Health
Service), Dr W M Chan, advised the public not to buy and
use the three slimming products for the protection of
their health.

     She said: "Acting upon complaints, the department
tested these three slimming products and found that they
contained fenfluramine and ephedrine.

     "Follow-up enforcement action resulted in the seizure
of 78 boxes of the first product from the wholesaler and
six boxes from beauty parlours.

     "According to the wholesaler, the product was brought
into Hong Kong by an agent without an import licence."

     She added that the second and the third, also
suspected to be illegally imported into Hong Kong, were
acquired from salesmen.  The responsible persons could not
be traced.

     Dr Chan appealed to drug retailers and beauty parlour
operators who are in possession of these slimming products
to refrain from selling them and surrender them to the
Pharmaceutical Service of the department on the 18th floor
of Wu Chung House, 213 Queen's Road East, Wan Chai.

     She said the department would be forwarding the
investigation results to the Department of Justice for
legal advice to ascertain whether prosecution action could
be instituted against the wholesaler.

     The three have brought the total number of such
slimming products containing fenfluramine to nine since
the first was discovered in December last year.

     Dr Chan said the department has stepped up
surveillance and would be testing similar slimming
products.

     In the meantime, the department is sending out
advisory notices to all beauty parlours in Hong Kong to
draw their attention to these slimming products and to
alert them not to fall prey to unscrupulous traders over
the direct sale of slimming products of doubtful origin.

     They are also reminded that under the Pharmacy and
Poison Ordinance, the possession and sale of unregistered
pharmaceutical products is an offence liable to a maximum
penalty of $100,000 fine and two years' imprisonment.

End


6.  Polling stations for April elections gazetted
    *********************************************

     There are 96 polling stations designated for the
Election Committee subsector elections to be held on April
2.  Their locations are announced in the gazette today
(Friday).

     The polling hours will last from 7.30 am to 10.30 pm.

     Every subsector is assigned one or more polling
stations in accordance with the size of its electorate, a
spokesman for the Registration and Electoral Office said.

     The Education Subsector, with the biggest electorate,
has 18 polling stations, he added.

     Thirty-six of the polling stations are designated as
special polling stations that are accessible to disabled
voters.

     Any voter who claims to be a person with disability
may apply to the Chief Electoral Officer at least three
days before the polling day for voting at a special
polling station designated for his subsector.

     The gazette announces that the Exhibition Hall 3 on
Level 7 of the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre,
Wan Chai, will be used as the central counting station.

     The subsector elections will return about 664 members
of the Election Committee from 35 subsectors.  They,
together with members of the Provisional Legislative
Council, the Hong Kong deputies to the National People's
Congress and members nominated by the Religious Subsector,
will form a 800-strong Election Committee.

     The Election Committee will then elect 10 members of
the first Legislative Council of the Hong Kong Special
Administrative Region on May 24.

End


7.  Number of reported drug abusers dropped in 1997
    ***********************************************

     The number of drug abusers reported to the Central
Registry of Drug Abuse (CRDA) in 1997 totalled 17,555, a
drop of 10.8 per cent over the 19,671 reported in 1996,
according to CRDA statistics presented to the Action
Committee Against Narcotics (ACAN) today (Friday).

     Speaking at ACAN's quarterly meeting, the
Commissioner for Narcotics, Mrs Clarie Lo, said that young
drug abusers reported in 1997 had also dropped by 14.3 per
cent compared with 1996.

     "A total of 3,135 drug abusers aged below 21 were
reported in 1997 as compared with 3,656 in 1996."

     Mrs Lo pointed out that CRDA statistics showed that
the overall number of reported drug abusers dropped in
1997.

     "In 1994, we had 20,327 reported drug abusers of all
ages, and 4,289 drug abusers aged below 21.  The figures
dropped to 17,555 and 3,135 respectively in 1997," she
said.

     She went on to say that more encouraging was the fact
that the number of reported drug abusers aged below 21 had
also decreased since 1994.

     "In 1994, there were 4,289 reported young drug
abusers, but the figure dropped to 3,988 in 1995, 3,656 in
1996 and 3,135 in 1997."

     However, CRDA statistics showed that the reported
number of psychotropic substances abusers appeared to be
on the rise, she added.

     "There were 3,451 reported psychotropic substance
abusers of all ages in 1997, compared with 3,388 in 1996
and 2,618 in 1995.  As regards psychotropic substance
abusers aged below 21, 1,269 abusers were reported in
1997, compared with 1,357 in 1996."

     Mrs Lo pointed out that there was a small decrease in
the number of female drug abusers in 1997 when 2,216
abusers were reported, compared with 2,429 in 1996.

     ACAN noted that the downward drug abuse trend in 1997
was consistent with the downward movement of drug-related
factors such as reported crimes, persons receiving
treatment and admissions to drug treatment agencies.

     Notwithstanding this observation, a thorough study on
factors affecting the drug abuse trend in Hong Kong was
recently commissioned by ACAN with a view to identifying
the underlying factors that affect the size, complexity
and characteristics of the drug abuse population in Hong
Kong.  The study will be completed by 2000.

     On preventive education, Mrs Lo said that more
resources would be devoted to stepping up the beat drugs
campaign despite the drop in the number of drug abusers
figures.

     She said that ACAN's Preventive Education and
Publicity Sub-committee had adopted the following themes
for education and publicity programmes for 1998/99:

     (i)   to heighten awareness of the undesirable
           consequences of abusing drugs, no matter 'hard'
           or 'soft';";

     (ii)  to educate the public, in particular young
           people, that drug abuse is not the solution to
           any problem, and to equip them with life
           skills; and

     (iii) to emphasise the positive effects of staying
           drug-free.

     "The budget for the 1998/99 preventive education and
publicity programmes amounted to about $5.1 million," Mrs
Lo said.

     Within that budget, $1.3 million will be used for
updating videos for anti-drug education talks for
secondary and primary 6 students, and producing a new
video for a new talk for primary 5 students.

     A sum of about $1 million had been budgeted for
producing publicity programmes through the electronic
media; printing publicity posters and leaflets; and
placing advertisement on television, radio, buses and MTR
stations.

     In addition, $2.86 million have been earmarked for
organising various preventive education programmes and
subsiding District Fight Crime Committees, District School
Liaison Committees and community organisations in carrying
out anti-drugs publicity activities.

     ACAN was also informed by a Social Welfare
Department's representative at the meeting that the
Subventions and Lotteries Fund Advisory Committee had
supported the Government to grant $16.12 million to
subvent the services provided by four non-medical
voluntary drug treatment and rehabilitation agencies for
the 1998/99 financial year.

     The four agencies are the Barnabas Charitable Service
Association, the Christian New Being Fellowship, the
Finnish Missionary Service Ling Oi Youth Centre and the
Operation Dawn, all of which will also be granted a total
subvention of $1.26 million to cover their expenses for
the month of March in the 1997/98 financial year.

     The decision on subventions followed a government
evaluation study of the services provided by non-medical
drug treatment and rehabilitation agencies with a view to
including them in the subvention system.

Ends


8.  Volume and price statistics of external trade in December 97
    **********************************************************

     In December 1997, the volume of Hong Kong's re-
exports increased by 8.9 per cent over the same month a
year earlier, while that of domestic exports increased by
7.0 per cent.  Taken together, the volume of total exports
increased by 8.6 per cent.  Concurrently, the volume of
imports increased by 7.4 per cent.

     The above figures are part of the volume and price
statistics of external trade for December 1997 released
today (Friday) by the Census and Statistics Department.

     Comparing 1997 with 1996, the volume of Hong Kong's
re-exports increased by 6.8 per cent, while the volume of
domestic exports increased by 2.2 per cent.  Taken
together, the volume of total exports increased by 6.1 per
cent.  Meanwhile, imports increased by 7.2 per cent in
volume.

     The growth in volume of trade is derived from the
growth in trade value with the effect of price changes
discounted.

     Comparing December 1997 with December 1996, the
prices of re-exports and domestic exports decreased by 1.3
per cent and 3.1 per cent respectively. Import prices also
decreased by 3.2 per cent.

     As regards price changes in 1997 over 1996, the
prices of re-exports and domestic exports decreased by 1.5
per cent and 2.3 per cent respectively, while import
prices decreased by 2.3 per cent.

     Price changes are reflected by changes in unit value
indices which are compiled based on average unit values
or, for certain commodities, specific price data.

     The terms of trade index, defined as the ratio of
total export price index to import price index, rose by
1.6 per cent in December 1997 over the same month a year
earlier, and by 0.7 per cent in 1997 over 1996.

     The changes in the value, unit value and volume of
re-exports by end-use category are shown in Table 1.

     Analysed by end-use category, increases in re-export
volume in December 1997 over the same month a year earlier
were recorded for most of the categories, viz. capital
goods (+14 per cent); foodstuffs (+11 per cent); raw
materials and semi-manufactures (+10 per cent); and
consumer goods (+5.5 per cent).  On the other hand, re-
export volume of fuels decreased by 4.4 per cent.

     Over the same period of comparison, the prices of re-
exports for most of the end-use categories, viz. fuels;
foodstuffs; raw materials and semi-manufactures; and
capital goods decreased, by 25 per cent, 3.0 per cent, 2.5
per cent and 1.5 per cent respectively.  On the other
hand, re-export prices of consumer goods increased by 0.2
per cent.

     The changes in the value, unit value and volume of
domestic exports by principal commodity group are shown in
Table 2.

     Comparing December 1997 with December 1996, the
volume of domestic exports of electronic components and
clothing recorded notable increases of 29 per cent and 14
per cent respectively.  On the other hand, the volume of
domestic exports of radios of all kinds and domestic
electrical appliances decreased significantly, by 49 per
cent and 34 per cent respectively.

     Over the same period of comparison, domestic export
prices of metal ores and scrap showed a notable increase
of 10 per cent.  On the other hand, domestic export prices
of electronic components decreased significantly by 15 per
cent.

     The changes in the value, unit value and volume of
imports by end-use category are shown in Table 3.

     Compared with December 1996, the import volume of
foodstuffs increased by 12 per cent in December 1997.

     Significant increases in import volume were noted of
soya bean oil, peanut oil, vegetable oil and lard; and
fruit. However, notable decreases were recorded in the
import volume of live poultry and sugar.

     Over the same period of comparison, the import volume
of consumer goods increased by 5.7 per cent.

     Notable increases in the import volume were noted of
passenger motor cars and alcoholic beverages.  However,
the import volume of tobacco manufactures and footwear
decreased significantly.

     Compared with December 1996, the import volume of raw
materials and semi-manufactures increased by 3.7 per cent
in December 1997.

     Rapid increases in import volume were noted of yarn
of wool and mixtures; and man-made fibres.  However,
significant decreases were noted of cotton yarn and
thread; and leather and dressed furskins.

     Compared with December 1996, imports of fuels
decreased by 24 per cent in volume in December 1997.

     As regards capital goods, the volume of imports
increased by 19 per cent in December 1997 over December
1996.

     Notable increases were recorded in the import volume
of construction machinery; and scientific, medical,
optical, measuring, and controlling instruments and
apparatus.  The import volume of transport equipment and
textile machinery however decreased significantly.

     Comparing December 1997 with December 1996, import
prices of fuels; capital goods; consumer goods; raw
materials and semi-manufactures; as well as foodstuffs,
decreased by 16 per cent, 3.6 per cent, 2.6 per cent, 2.5
per cent and 2.3 per cent respectively.

     Details of the above statistics are published in the
December 1997 issue of the "Hong Kong Trade Index
Numbers".

     The report, HK$13 per copy, will be on sale around
next Monday (March 9) at the Government Publications
Centre on the Ground Floor, Low Block, Queensway
Government Offices, 66 Queensway; or the Publications Unit
of the Census and Statistics Department on the 19th Floor,
Wanchai Tower, 12 Harbour Road, Wan Chai, Hong Kong.

     Enquiries regarding regular subscription to this
report may be directed to the Publications (Sales) Office
of the Information Services Department on the 28th floor,
Siu On Centre, 188 Lockhart Road, Wan Chai, Hong Kong (Tel
No: 2598 8194).

     For enquiries on trade indices, please call the
Census and Statistics Department on 2582 4918.

End


9.  Disoposal of surplus government quarters in Baguio Villas
    *********************************************************

     Following an announcement on February 27 on the
disposal of 120 surplus government quarters at Baguio
Villas, the Government Property Administrator (GPA) today
(Friday) reminded prospective purchasers of the main
conditions of the sale and outlined detailed arrangements
for the exercise.

     The flats will be offered at fixed prices to end
users on a first-come first-served basis.  Each eligible
prospective purchaser can only buy one flat.  He must
bring along his Hong Kong identity card and a cashier
order for HK$400,000.

     In case the purchase is to be made in joint names,
only those of spouses and/or immediate family members
(that is father, mother, son, daughter, brother and
sister) will be entertained.  They must establish their
relationship through the production of marriage or birth
certificates.

     The sale will commence at 10 am on March 10 (Tuesday)
at Revenue Tower, 5 Gloucester Road, Wan Chai.  In
anticipation of prospective purchasers arriving before the
appointed date and time, the GPA has made the necessary
arrangements at the venue to maintain good order.  GPA
staff will be on hand to give direction and offer
assistance.

End


10. Rules to raise fees and charges of SFC endorsed
    ***********************************************

     The Securities and Futures Commission
(Fees)(Amendment) Rules 1998, which sought to revise the
fees and charges of the Securities and Futures Commission
(SFC), was published in the Gazette today (Friday).

     A government spokesman said that the 1998 Rules was
endorsed by the Chief Executive in Council at its meeting
on March 3.

     He explained that the rules aimed to re-introduce the
adjustments in SFC's fees and charges approved by the
Executive Council on August 26, 1997 but subsequently
revoked by the Provisional Legislative Council on the
ground that the SFC had huge revenue from transaction levy
and reserves.

     The 1997 Rules sought to bring up the levels of fees
and charges in relation to the three major functional
areas, namely Intermediaries, Investment Products and
Corporate Finance of the SFC so as to compensate for the
increases in costs in accordance with the full cost
recovery policy.

     It also introduced two new fees following a review by
the SFC which had identified certain services currently
being provided free of charge.

     "It is the Government's objective that the SFC should
be funded by the market and that it should recover as far
as possible its expenses on specific services provided
through fees and charges set out in the Securities and
Futures Commission (Fees) Rules.

     "The fees and charges of SFC have not been revised
since 1994.  The current exercise increases the fees and
charges of the majority items of services provided by the
SFC by no more than 11 per cent which is relatively
moderate as compared to the cumulative inflation during
the period.

     "The increase in fees and charges for financial
intermediaries in conjunction with the reduction in stamp
duty and transaction levy will together reduce the share
of the investing public in financing the SFC's operations.

     "To postpone the adjustments any further will be
against the interests of the investing public as it would
only lead to further erosion of the cost recovery level of
the SFC's services and increase in cross-subsidisation by
the investing public for the operation of the financial
intermediaries and issuers", the spokesman added.

     According to the 1998/99 budget of the SFC, the
investing public will contribute 60 per cent of the total
revenue of the SFC through transaction levies on
securities and futures trading, while the fees and charges
paid by market intermediaries and issuers will account for
only 24 per cent of SFC's funding.

     Section 54 of the SFC Ordinance and section 11 of
Schedule 8 of the Interpretation and General Clauses
Ordinance (Cap. 1) provide that the Chief Executive in
Council may, after consultation with the SFC, make rules
providing for the payment to the SFC of fees or other
charges in relation to services provided by the SFC.

     The Rules gazetted today will come into effect on
April 20, 1998.

End


11. Revised plan for land access to Container Terminal No. 9
    ********************************************************

     The Chief Executive in Council has approved an
improved scheme for the land access and associated
roadworks for the Container Terminal No. 9 and its back-up
areas.

     Replacing the original proposal announced in 1992,
the new scheme includes the construction of a turnaround
at the northern end of Principal Industrial Access (West)
in front of a screen building which serves to mitigate
noises generated in the area.

     A small round-about at Cheung Fai Road extension will
be built to allow vehicle U-turns and provide access to
the Tsing Yi Sewage Treatment Works.

     The Marine Basin Road (North) will also be widened
from a two-lane single carriageway to a dual two-lane
carriageway to cope with additional traffic.

     Plans showing the amended scheme are available for
public inspection at the Public Enquiry Service Centre of
the Central and Western District Office, Kwai Tsing
District Lands Office and Kwai Tsing District Office.

End


12. Tuen Mun Road improvement works to start soon
    *********************************************

     Traffic congestion on Tuen Mun Road will be further
relieved during morning peak hours when improvement works
to the Tai Lam Section of Tuen Mun Road has completed, a
spokesman for the Highways Department said today (Friday).

     Additional road capacity to cater for the traffic
growth would also be provided, he added.

     The project, to be carried out according to a revised
scheme, has been approved by the Chief Executive in
Council.

     The revised scheme is an amendment to the original
proposal gazetted in July 1993 by realigning and widening
the Kowloon-bound carriageway at the Tai Lam Section of
Tuen Mun Road from Brothers Point to Ka Loon Tsuen.

     It also includes cutting back of existing slopes,
construction of retaining walls and amendment to the
boundary of the works area.

     Construction works are scheduled to commence in July
this year for completion in late 2000.  Appropriate
mitigation measures will be implemented.

     Plans showing the revised scheme are available for
public inspection at district offices in Central and
Western, Tuen Mun, Yuen Long and Tsuen Wan; as well as
district lands offices in Tuen Mun and Tsuen Wan.

End


13. Draft Tsuen Wan Outline Zoning Plan amended
    *******************************************

     The Town Planning Board today (Friday) announced two
amendments to the draft Tsuen Wan Outline Zoning Plan.

     The amendments involve the rezoning of a 0.37-hectare
site near the junction of Sha Tsui Road and Texaco Road
from "Industrial" to "Comprehensive Development Area"
("CDA") to facilitate commercial and residential
development.

     Furthermore, a remark stipulating the planning
control on the development intensity of the proposed "CDA"
site has been incorporated into the Notes for the "CDA"
zone.  As a result, the future development of the site
should not exceed a domestic plot ratio of five or a non-
domestic plot ratio of 9.5.

     The draft plan (No. S/TW/9) is available for public
inspection until March 27 during office hours at:

     * Planning Department, 15th floor, North Point
       Government Offices, 333 Java Road, North Point;

     * Tsuen Wan, Kwai Tsing and Sham Shui Po District
       Planning Office, 27th floor, Tsuen Wan Government
       Offices, 38 Sai Lau Kok Road, Tsuen Wan; and

     * Tsuen Wan District Office, first floor, Tsuen Wan
       Station Multi-storey Carparking Building, 174-208
       Castle Peak Road, Tsuen Wan.

     Copies of the draft plan are available for sale at
the Survey and Mapping Office, Lands Department, 23rd
floor, North Point Government Offices, 333 Java Road, and
the Kowloon Map Sales Office, ground floor, 382 Nathan
Road.

     Any person affected by the amendments may submit
written statement of objection to the Secretary of the
Town Planning Board, c/o Planning Department, 15th floor,
North Point Government Offices before March 27, 1998.

End


14. 47 building plans approved in January
    *************************************

     The Buildings Department approved 47 building plans
in January - 16 on Hong Kong Island, 21 in Kowloon and 10
in the New Territories.

     This compared with 58 building plans approved in
December and 37 in November last year.

     The approved plans covered 17 for apartment and
apartment/commercial developments, eight for commercial
developments, seven for factory and industrial
developments, and 15 for community services developments.

     Consent was given in the month for works to start on
43 building projects, which will provide 88,434 square
metres of usable domestic floor area and 94,958 square
metres of usable non-domestic floor area on completion.

     The department also issued 20 occupation permits -
six on Hong Kong Island, nine in Kowloon and five in the
New Territories.

     Of the buildings certified for occupation in January,
the usable floor areas for domestic and non-domestic uses
were 126,326 square metres and 101,403 square metres
respectively.

     The declared cost of new buildings completed in the
month totalled about $3.654 billion.

     In addition, 18 demolition consents involving 25
buildings and structures were issued.

     The department's Control and Enforcement Division
received 733 complaints against unauthorised building
works in January, and issued 210 removal orders on
unauthorised works.

End


15. Bookkeeper convicted of assisting employer to evade tax
    *******************************************************

     A 50-year-old book-keeper was today (Friday)
sentenced to four months' imprisonment, suspended for two
years, after he pleaded guilty to six charges of assisting
his employer to evade tax.

     Defendant Choi Sai-chak was charged with six counts
of wilfully with intent assisting his employer to evade
tax, making use of a fraud, art or contrivance, contrary
to Section 82(1)(g) of the Inland Revenue Ordinance.

     He pleaded guilty to all the charges covering the
years 1988/89 to 1993/94.

     The Court heard that during the relevant years, Choi
was the book-keeper of Nam Shan Company Limited, which was
a wholesaler and retailer of piecegoods.  Investigation by
the Inland Revenue officers into the tax affairs of Nam
Shan revealed that Choi issued invoices on behalf of Good
Wear Corporation, a defunct company previously owned by
Choi, to Nam Shan for purported purchases of cloth.  Nam
Shan then issued cheques to Good Wear for the amount of
the invoices.

     The cheques were deposited into Good Wear's bank
account.  A short time later, Choi would issue cheques for
similar amounts which would either be cashed by PHO Bun
Liong, director of Nam Shan, or deposited into the bank
accounts of PHO or Nam Shan.

     For the six years from 1988/89 to 1993/94, the false
purchases inflated Nam Shan's cost of goods sold and,
consequently reduced the assessable profits by a total
amount of $6,223,689.  This resulted in a total amount of
profits tax evaded of $1,070,851 by Nam Shan.  PHO
departed from Hong Kong after the Inland Revenue
Department launched its investigation.

     Passing the sentence, District Court Judge Line
indicated that tax evasion is a very serious offence and
the defendant should be liable to immediate imprisonment.
However, after taking account the fact that the defendant
did not obtain any financial benefit and had pleaded
guilty, the judge gave him a suspended sentence and did
not impose any fine.

     Senior Assistant Director of Public Prosecutions, Mr
Michael C Blanchflower, represented the Department of
Justice and Mr Michael J Crawford appeared for the
defendant in the hearing.

     The Inland Revenue Department reminded the public
that tax evasion is a criminal offence, and assisting
others to evade tax is no less serious.  Upon conviction,
the maximum penalty is 3 years' imprisonment and a fine of
$50,000 on each charge, plus a further fine equivalent to
three times the amount of tax undercharged.

End





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