WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 1985
25
BILL TO REDRESS OMISSION
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A BILL OFFERING TO CERTAIN STAFF OF THE FORMER PREVENTIVE SERVICE A RETROSPECTIVE OPTION OF CEASING TO CONTRIBUTE TO THE WIDOWS AND ORPHANS PENSION SCHEME WAS READ A SECOND TIME TODAY,
MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE PENSIONS (SPECIAL
PROVISIONS) (CUSTOMS OFFICERS) BILL 1985, THE CHIEF SECRETARY, SIR PHILIP HADDON-CAVE, SAID ITS AIM WAS TO REDRESS AN OMISSION IN 1977 WHEN THE DEPARTMENT WAS RE-STRUCTURED.
HE SAID AT THAT TIME A NUMBER OF OFFICERS WHO WERE CONTRIBUTORS TO THE SCHEME WERE REGARDED INTO THE NEW BASIC RECRUITMENT RANK OF CUSTOMS OFFICER.
AS 'RANK AND FILE' OFFICERS IN THE BASIC RECRUITMENT RANKS OF THE DISCIPLINED SERVICES WERE EXEMPTED FROM SUCH CONTRIBUTION SIR PHILIP POINTED OUT, THESE REGARDED OFFICERS SHOULD THEN HAVE BEEN GIVEN AN OPTION TO STOP CONTRIBUTING TO THE SCHEME.
THIS WAS NOT DONE DUE TO AN OMISSION, HE SAID.
+SOME OF THESE OFFICERS SUBSEQUENTLY BECAME CONTRIBUTORS TO THE WIDOWS AND CHILDREN'S PENSIONS SCHEME, WHICH WAS INTRODUCED ON JANUARY 1, 1978, TO REPLACE THE WIDOWS AND ORPHANS PENSION SCHEME, HE SAID.
FOR OFFICERS WHO ELECT TO TAKE THE RETROSPECTIVE OPTION, THE BILL WOULD PROVIDE FOR REFUNDS OF THEIR CONTRIBUTIONS MADE UNDER THE TWO SCHEMES.
DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.
LAUNDRY-POLE DRYING 'REASONABLY SAFE'
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THE LAUNDRY-POLES DRYING SYSTEM IN PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES WAS REASONABLY SAFE, JUDGING FROM THE VERY SMALL NUMBER OF ACCIDENTS REPORTED, THE SECRETARY FOR HOUSING, THE HON DONALD LIAO, SAID TODAY.
REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY THE HON PAULINE NG IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, HE SAID THERE HAD BEEN THREE REPORTED ACCIDENTS INVOLVING LAUNDRY-POLES IN ESTATES AMONG A TOTAL OF 500 000 FLATS.
+THE PRESENT FACILITIES ARE MUCH FAVOURED BY OCCUPANTS OF SMALL FLATS WHERE READY DRYING FACILITIES ARE INEVITABLY VERY LIMITED.
+THEY OFFER MINIMUM INCONVENIENCE TO USERS AND NEIGHBOURS AND MEET THE TENANTS' DESIRE TO AIR THEIR CLOTHES IN THE SUNLIGHT, AND SO REMAIN POPULAR.
/+DRYING RACKS