ON IMMIGRATION, THERE HAS BEEN A SIGNIFICANT AND WELCOME REDUCTION IN ILLEGAL IMMGRATION FROM CHINA. HOWEVER, SMUGGLING OF YOUNG CHILDREN BY TRAFFICKERS WHO HAVE LITTLE REGARD FOR THE SAFETY OF THEIR PASSENGERS, HAS BEEN OF PARTICULAR CONCERN TO THE GOVERNMENT WHICH IS CO-OPERATING WITH THE CHINESE AUTHORITIES TO PUT A STOP TO QUOTE THIS DEPLORABLE AND DANGEROUS TRAFFIC UNQUOTE. THERE WILL BE NO (NO) AMNESTY FOR ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS AND THE OPERATIONS OF THE SECURITY FORCES WILL NOT (NOT) BE RELAXED. THE ARRANGEMENTS WITH THE CHINESE AUTHORITIES INTRODUCED LAST DECEMEBER TO REGULATE THE NUMBER OF VISITORS FROM CHINA HAVE WORKED WELL. THE GREAT MAJORITY OF VISITORS HAVE RETURNED TO CHINA IN ACCORDANCE
WITH THE TERMS OF THEIR VISIT PERMITS: THE FEW OVERSAYERS ARE
SOONER OR LATER DETECTED AND REPATRIATED.
ON VIETNAMESE REFUGEES, THE NUMBER OF ARRIVALS HAS REDUCED TO 2900 IN THE 12-MONTH PERIOD ENDING SEPTEMBER 1983 AS COMPARED
WITH 8220 IN THE PREVIOUS 12 MONTHS. THE NUMBER OF VR'S LEAVING FOR RESETTLEMENT ALSO DROPPED FROM 10155 TO 3844 IN THE
SAME TWO PERIODS. THE GOVERNOR SAW NO QUICK OR EASY SOLUTION TO THIS INTRACTABLE PROBLEM.
ON CORRECTIONAL SERVICES, THE POLULATION IN THE CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTIONS HS GROWING, DUE IN PART TO THE INCREASING NUMBER OF LONG-TERM PRISIONERS. TO COPE WITH THIS, MORE CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTIONS ARE BEING PROVIDED AND NEW SCHEMES FOR TRAINING
AND REHABILITATION ARE BEING INTRODUCED. ON CORRUPTION, HK MAKES A VERY DETERMINED EFFORT TO ERADICATE CORRUPTION AND HAS ACHIEVED CONSIDERABLE SUCCESS. THE LEVEL OF CORRUPTION IN HK DOES NOT COMPARE BADLY WITH OTHER PARTS OF THE WORLD. THE ICAC HAS
THE FULL BACKING AND CONFIDENCE OF THE GOVERNMENT IN SUSTAINING ITS PRESSURES ON THE CORRUPT.
URBAN COUNCIL AND DISTRICT BOARDS:
THE DISCRICT BOARDS HAVE MORE THAN PROVED THEIR WORTH. THEY HAVE MADE AN IMPACT ON LOCAL ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEMS, PRODUCING BALANCED AND CONSTRUCTIVE ADVICE ON MATTERS AFFECTING LIFE IN THE DISTRICTS AND HAVE PROMOTED LOCAL PARTICIPATION IN RECREATIONAL AND CULTURAL EVENTS. THE GOVERNMENT WILL CONTINUE TO SUPPORT THE DISTRICT BOARDS OF WHICH THE 489 MEBERS CONSTITUTE THE LARGEST ADVISORY BODY OF OPINION IN HK. THE GOVERNOR HAS ORDERED THAT THE EXISTING ARRANGEMENTS FOR LOCAL ADMINISTRATION AND THE ORGANISATION OF GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS TO GIVE EFFECT TO THE DECISIONS OF THE URBAN COUNCIL AND THE ADVICE OF DISTRICT BCARDS SHOULD BE EXAMINED TO CONSIDER WHETHER THEY MIGHT BE IMPROVED.
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