"Information pertaining to their age, sex, dialects, and the districts in which they have settled is being compiled. These information will be useful in allowing the Home Affairs Department to determine their social, educational and welfare needs.
"The findings will also be fed to each of the 18 District Offices for further monitoring and assessing purposes and to enable the departments concerned to plan for their services at the district level," said Mrs Lau.
The director also paid regular visits to meet new arrivals attending orientation or education programmes and discuss with service providers the various problems which new arrivals face and the effectiveness of services rendered.
To enhance understanding of the problems facing new arrivals, she and colleagues of relevant departments have also taken every opportunity to participate at seminars or forums organised by NGOs.
Finally, Mrs Lau said HAD had produced a comprehensive service handbook to introduce to new arrivals the public services most relevant to them and the means to access them.
Written in simplified Chinese characters, the handbook is available at various contact points, including Lo Wu, Registration of Persons' Office in Tsim Sha Tsui, district offices, and at the sub-offices of various government departments and NGOs.
End
Government action on US textiles measures supported
The Textiles Advisory Board (TEXTAB) today (Thursday) re-affirmed its full support for the Government's effort in requesting additional import measures imposed unilaterally by the United States on a number of textiles and clothing products from Hong Kong should be rescinded.
Speaking after the TEXTAB meeting, the Secretary for Trade and Industry, Miss Denise Yue, who is also the Board Chairperson, said members of the Board also re-affirmed their advice that the US proposal for joint verification could affect the integrity of Hong Kong's custom jurisdiction, and was therefore unacceptable.