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"As an applicant for a permanent identity card is required under the existing law to submit the application in person, these exempt persons are unable to apply for the BN(O) passport or the CI by post like other applicants who are already holding permanent identity cards."
The spokesman said the Registration of Persons Regulations would be amended to enable registration officers to waive the personal attendance requirement for these applicants who satisfied the necessary conditions.
"The changes are aimed at improving services to the public. Particularly with the summer holidays approaching, we believe that a considerable number of people among the affected groups especially children can be benefited," he said.
For enquiries, members of the public may telephone the Immigration Department hotline 2824 6111 or use the faxline 2877 7711.
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Survey of cantilever scaffolds completed
The Labour Department's Occupational Safety and Health Branch (OSHB) has completed a check on cantilever scaffolds being used in constructing bridges and flyovers in the territory.
Factory inspectors involved in the three-day operation found a total of 143 cantilever scaffolds in use on 14 work sites.
"Valid reports of monthly inspection (Form 6) of these scaffolds, properly certified by competent persons, were also available for inspection by factory inspectors," Deputy Commissioner for Labour in charge of the OSHB, Mr Lee Kai-fat, said today (Wednesday).
"No irregularities in the operation of the scaffolds have been discovered," Mr Lee added.
The territory-wide inspections were launched after five workers and an engineer died as a result of the collapse of a cantilever scaffold in a Kwai Chung construction site last Thursday (June 6) evening.
He stressed that building contractors should observe relevant regulations under the Factories and Industrial Undertakings Ordinance to ensure workers' safety.