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TUESDAY, MAY 26, 1987
F.S. RETURNS FROM TALKS
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THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, MR PIERS JACOBS, SAID TODAY (TUESDAY) THE NEXT ROUND OF TALKS ON THE DEFENCE COSTS AGREEMENT WOULD BE HELD IN HONG KONG IN JULY.
MR JACOBS MADE THE COMMENTS WHEN RETURNING FROM THE FIRST ROUND OF TALKS IN LONDON ON MAY 21 AND 22.
HE SAID THE TALKS WERE CONDUCTED IN A CORDIAL AND FRIENDLY ATMOSPHERE.
OTHER MEMBERS OF THE HONG KONG TEAM WERE THE DEPUTY SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, MR ROBERT UPTON, AND MR IAN WOTHERSPOON AND MR JOHN SHANNON FROM THE FINANCE BRANCH.
MR JACOBS REITERATED THAT THE TALKS WERE ON THE DEFENCE COSTS ONLY AND THE FUTURE OF THE BRITISH GARRISON IN HONG KONG WOULD NOT BE DISCUSSED.
FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO TRAFFIC ACCIDENT VICTIMS
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THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT TODAY (TUESDAY) APPROVED $11.636 IN INJURIES GRANT FROM THE TRAFFIC ACCIDENT VICTIMS ASSISTANCE (TĀVA) FUND TO NINE PEOPLE INJURED IN A TRAFFIC ACCIDENT LAST THURSDAY.
THREE PEOPLE, INCLUDING A MINI-BUS DRIVER AND HIS WIFE, WERE KILLED AND 28 PEOPLE INJURED IN THE COLLISION BETWEEN A BUS AND A PUBLIC LIGHT BUS ON CASTLE PEAK ROAD ON MAY 21.
FOLLOWING THE ACCIDENT, OFFICERS FROM THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT'S YUEN LONG AND KWAI CHUNG FAMILY SERVICES CENTRES AND FIELD UNITS AS WELL AS THE TAVA SECTION CONTACTED THE FAMILIES OF THE VICTIMS TO RENDER NECESSARY ASSISTANCE. TOTAL OF $9 000 IN BURIAL GRANT HAD BEEN APPROVED FROM CHARITABLE FUNDS FOR THE TWO BEREAVED FAMILIES.
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IN ADDITION, THE FIVE ORPHANS OF THE MINI-BUS DRIVER WERE GIVEN DISCRETIONARY GRANT OF $10 000 FROM A CHARITABLE FUND. THE MONEY WAS HANDED OVER TO THEM YESTERDAY (MONDAY) BY THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MRS ELIZABETH WONG.
STAFF OF THE TAVA SECTION ARE STILL PROCESSING ASSISTANCE APPLICATIONS FROM THE REMAINING VICTIMS.
THE TAVA SCHEME PROVIDES QUICK FINANCIAL HELP TO TRAFFIC ACCIDENT VICTIMS OR THEIR DEPENDANTS, REGARDLESS OF WHO WAS AT FAULT IN CAUSING THE ACCIDENT.
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