Monitors' report submitted to CS
The monitors appointed to observe the Orderly Repatriation Programme operation this (Thursday) morning have submitted their report to the Chief Secretary.
The two monitors comprised a non-official Justice of the Peace, Mrs Gertrude Judy Lee Kan Oi-ha; and a representative from a non-government organisation, Mr Tai Kie-ying of Christian Action.
End
Consumer price indices for July
The Consumer Price Index (CPI) figures for July 1996 were released by the Census and Statistics Department today (Thursday).
The year-on-year rate of increase in CPI(A), by reference to the new 1994/95- based series, was 6.1% in July 1996. This was the same as the increases recorded in both May and June based on the same series. (The corresponding rates of increase by reference to the old 1989/90-based series were 6.5% in July, and 6.4% in both May and June.)
CPI(B) increased by 6.4% in July by reference to the new 1994/95-based series (7% by reference to the old 1989/90-based series), same as the increase recorded in June. The Hang Seng CPI, on the other hand, rose by 6.1% (6.6%) over a year earlier, considerably slower than the corresponding increase of 6.6% (7.1%) in June.
The Composite CPI, which is compiled based on the combined expenditure pattern of all households, showed a slower year-on-year rate of increase of 6.2% (6.7%) in July 1996, against 6.4% (6.8%) in June.
A government spokesman said inflation remained generally stable in recent months. Prices of basic food and private housing rentals showed slower year-on-year increases in July than in June.
Against these, the prices of women's outerclothing showed a faster rate of increase; and the prices of some Chinese newspapers were raised back to the original level before the earlier price reduction. Taken together, the year-on-year rates of increase in CPI(A) and CPI(B), at 6.1% and 6.4% respectively in July, were unchanged from those in June.