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Mr Forsgate pointed out that though some of the latest generation container ships had a maximum draught of 14 metres when fully laden, it was very rare that any vessel arrived at, or left Hong Kong, with a full load.
"However," he added, "once the dredging is completed by the middle of next year, the Rambler Channel will be able to accommodate even the biggest ship loaded down to its maximum marks, if necessary."
End
Payroll and wage statistics
According to statistics released today (Thursday) by the Census and Statistics Department, average labour earnings in all major sectors of the economy, as measured by payroll per person engaged, recorded an increase of 11.7% in nominal terms in the third quarter of 1995 over a year earlier.
After discounting changes in consumer prices, there was an increase of 2.9% in real terms.
Analysed by major sector, average payroll per person engaged in the manufacturing sector recorded the largest increase, by 12.9% in nominal terms or 4% in real terms in the third quarter of 1995 over a year earlier, followed by financing, insurance, real estate and business services, by 12.7% in nominal terms or 3.9% in real terms; wholesale, retail and import/export trades, restaurants and hotels, by 11.5% in nominal terms or 2.7% in real terms; transport, storage and communications, by 11.4% in nominal terms or 2.7% in real terms; and community, social and personal services, by 10.9% in nominal terms or 2.1% in real terms.
Thus all major sectors surveyed recorded increases in average labour earnings both in nominal terms and in real terms.
The overall wage index covering selected major sectors however showed a less rapid increase than average labour earnings. This index rose by 7% in nominal terms in September 1995 over a year earlier.
After discounting changes in consumer prices, the index showed a decrease of 1.8% in real terms.