SEM's statement on Immigration Bill
Following is a statement by the acting Secretary for Education and Manpower, Miss Jackie Willis, on Legislative Councillor, Mr Michael Ho's Private Member's Bill on Immigration (Amendment) Bill 1995 which will be tabled in the Legislative Council for first and second reading today (Wednesday):
"The Supplementary Labour Scheme (SLS) announced by the Government yesterday (Tuesday) has been well received by the employers, employees and the community at large as reflected in the press reports today. The scheme is devised to strike a balance between all interests and it is a result of intensive discussions with all concerned parties.
"We are absolutely opposed to Mr Ho's Private Member's Bill because this Bill if passed, would immediately stop all importation of labour schemes and it is clearly not in the interest of the community. We have now the SLS which meets our community's needs. It is a fair and reasonable scheme well grounded in community support.
"The importation of labour schemes have been and should remain administrative measures so as to retain the flexibility to react swiftly to economic changes. We believe this is in Hong Kong's best interest.
End
"We strongly urge members of the Legislative Council to oppose this Bill."
Yearly figures on court insolvency cases released
There were 481 new compulsory company liquidations last year, representing less than 1.5 per cent of the total number of new companies incorporated during the year (33,000).
Reviewing the work of the Official Receiver's Office in 1995, the Official Receiver, Mr Robin Hearder, said the number of new compulsory company liquidations was only around 0.1 per cent of the total number of companies (472,000).
The corresponding figure in 1994 was 426.