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Monitors' report submitted to CS
The monitors appointed to observe the transfer of Vietnamese migrants (VMs) from the Whitehead Detention Centre yesterday (Wednesday) have submitted their report to the Chief Secretary.
Yesterday's operation covered the transfer of VMs selected for the Orderly Repatriation Programme from Whitehead to Victoria Prison and the transfer of the remaining VMs in section 5 of Whitehead to High Island Detention Centre.
The four monitors comprised two non-official Justices of the Peace, Mr Raymond Pang Hang-yin and Mr Tam Man-kwan; and representatives from two non- government organisations, Ms Harriet Sewell from Christian Action and Mr Li Lup-
kwan from Caritas.
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Grading of beach water quality
The Environmental Protection Department (EPD) today (Thursday) announced the latest gradings of Hong Kong's beaches, based on the bacteriological water quality, for the 1996 swimming season.
The purpose of the grading system is to inform swimmers and the general public about the state of bacteriological pollution at various beaches.
The grading will be announced biweekly during the bathing season to coincide with the frequency at which beach waters are usually sampled.
The grading is based on the most recent E coli data obtained by EPD in its routine monitoring programme.
As with last year, the grading also includes an estimate of the risk of suffering some minor skin or gastrointestinal complaints as a result of swimming at a beach which has some degree of pollution.
The estimate is based on a large body of statistical information gathered in Hong Kong in recent bathing seasons.