4
Mr Ho said the by-census results, at various levels of detail, would be widely used in government administration and planning. The statistical data would also be used by business people and the general public for various purposes.
He also said the data collection operation of the by-census was very smooth, thanks to the public's co-operation, which he attributed to the general public's awareness of the important role that good statistics play in building Hong Kong's future.
End
Surrender scheme for textiles quotas affected by US measures
The Trade Department today (Tuesday) launched a Special Surrender Scheme for quota holders of the categories of textiles products which are subject to US additional import measures or on a US watch list, to assist the trade to tide over the difficulties caused by the confusion and uncertainty brought about by the US
measures.
A Trade Department spokesman said: "The scheme is operated from today to November 16. It covers categories 336/636 (dresses), 342/442/642 (skirts), 351 (nightwear), 352/652 (underwear), and 443 (suits) which have been subject to US additional import measures since June 17 this year.
"It also covers categories 331 (cotton gloves), 338/339 (cotton knit shirts), 348 (women's cotton pants) and 350 (cotton dressing gown) which have been placed on a US watch list since September 1."
Under the Special Surrender Scheme, quota holders of the specified categories may from today to November 16 surrender to the Trade Department any balances of their own quotas. Companies/registered businesses which surrender their quotas in these categories under the scheme will:
a)
b)
receive an allocation entitlement in 1997 in the corresponding category equivalent to 100% of the quantity surrendered; and
have their quota entitlement for 1997 in the corresponding category calculated on the basis of shipment performance against the original allocation less the quantity surrendered under the scheme.