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As regards the range of services being provided to new arrivals, this will be addressed by my colleagues later on. We can, however, take immediate measure to make it easier for the new arrivals to obtain information on precisely what and from where services are available to them by the Government and other service agencies. We are therefore producing a handbook which describes the types of services offered both by various government departments and voluntary agencies. The handbook will describe the services provided and will contain addresses and contact numbers for each service provider. We plan to distribute the handbook to new arrivals at Lo Wu and also to make it available at district outlets of various Government Departments. We intend the handbook to be ready for distribution in March this year.
In conjunction with the handbook, we are working with the International Social Service Hong Kong Branch (the ISS) to produce a short video which we intend to show at arrival points and immigration offices. The video will introduce a wide spectrum of social services of relevance to new arrivals' immediate needs. The ISS has rich experience in rendering post-migration services to new arrivals and we will continue to work closely with them and other voluntary agencies. In addition, the Home Affairs Department is participating in a research project jointly organised by the ISS and the Hong Kong University. Through this research project and the survey to be conducted by the Home Affairs Department which I have mentioned earlier, we hope to further explore how new arrivals adapt to life in Hong Kong and identify more specifically their needs, thereby enabling us to direct our resources and services more effectively to meet those needs.
Regarding the position after 30 June 1997, following the increase in the daily quota of one-way permits from 105 to 150 from July last year, we estimate that there will be 29,000 eligible children remaining in mainland China by 1 July 1997. They will be able to enter Hong Kong within 15 months after 1 July 1997 on the same rate of entry as currently applicable. With this assurance of entry within a reasonable period, we believe that it will reduce the temptation for parents to arrange for their children to enter illegally, and avoid the possibility of a sudden, large influx in 1997. The continued operation of the quota arrangements after 1997 will also allow both the current Administration and the Special Administrative Region Government to plan for provision of services in an orderly manner. It will also enable more spouses to enter Hong Kong in an orderly manner to re-unite with their families.
Mr President, the Government is committed to continue our existing efforts and to strengthen the implementation of various measures to assist the new arrivals' integration into the community. We have every confidence that the new arrivals, like their predecessors, will very soon assimilate into the Hong Kong community and contribute to the better future of Hong Kong.
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