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WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 22, 1982
PENALTY PROPOSED FOR LATE PAYMENTS OF LEVY
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A BILL WHICH SEEKS TO DISCOURAGE LATE PAYMENTS OF LEVY OR SURCHARGE TO THE PNEUMOCONIOSIS COMPENSATION FUND BOARD WAS INTRODUCED TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE PNEUMOCONIOSIS (COMPENSATION) (AMENDMENT) BILL 1982, THE COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR, THE HON J.N. HENDERSON, SAID THE BILL PROVIDES FOR A FIVE PER CENT PENALTY FOR LEVY OR SURCHARGE NOT PAID WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED PERIOD.
IF THE OUTSTANDING SUM IS STILL NOT PAID WITHIN THREE MONTHS AFTER THE DEADLINE, THE CONTRACTOR OR QUARRY OPERATOR WILL, IN ADDITION, HAVE TO PAY, A FURTHER PENALTY OF FIVE PER CENT OF THE TOTAL SUM.
THE PENALTIES WERE RECOMMENDED BY THE PNEUMOCONIOSIS COMPENSATION FUND BOARD DUE TO AN INCREASING NUMBER OF CASES OF NON-REPORTING OR LATE REPORTING OF WORK COMMENCEMENT, RESULTING IN THE BOARD LOSING INTEREST INCOME AND INCURRING HIGHER ADMINISTRATIVE COSTS.
MR HENDERSON POINTED OUT THAT THE BILL ALSO INTRODUCES PROVISIONS IN ORDER TO ENABLE THE FUND BOARD TO EMPLOY PROFESSIONAL QUANTITY SURVEYORS TO COUNTER-CHECK THE VALUE OF CONSTRUCTION WORKS AND TO DIVULGE INFORMATION TO THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY TRAINING AUTHORITY.
DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.
RECRUITMENT OF SOCIAL WORKERS ***
THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT AND THE VOLUNTARY AGENCIES, TAKEN TOGETHER, WERE ENCOUNTERING NO GREATER DIFFICULTIES IN RECRUITING SOCIAL WORK ASSISTANTS NOW THAN THEY DID LAST YEAR, OR THE YEAR BEFORE THAT, THE SECRETARY FOR THE CIVIL SERVICE, THE HON MARTIN ROWLANDS, SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY.
THE MAIN DIFFICULTY CONTINUES TO BE THE INSUFFICIENT OUTPUT OF DIPLOMA-HOLDERS FROM THE EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS CONCERNED, AND THIS IS IN PROCESS OF BEING REMEDIED.
REPORT
NO. 8 DID NOT APPEAR TO HAVE HAD ANY PARTICULAR EFFECT ON THE SITUATION, HE SAID, REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY DR THE HON HARRY FANG.
MR ROWLANDS SAID THE FACTS DID NOT INDICATE A NEED FOR THE GOVERNMENT TO REVIEW ITS POSITION ON THE MATTER, BUT HE RECOGNISED THAT IT WAS OF CONCERN IN CERTAIN QUARTERS.
+1 AM WATCHING THE POSITION CLOSELY, AND I WOULD WELCOME ANY ADDITIONAL FACTS WHICH MIGHT ASSIST ME IN THIS TASK, + HE SAID.
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