End
(c)
(d)
28
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The Government has no plan to compile another set of unemployment statistics. In fact, there is no such need. As I explained in part (b) above, the so-called 'unemployment figures in broad terms (U2)' are not unemployment figures, and as such the term 'unemployment' should not be used, otherwise it would cause confusion and misinterpretation by the general public. I would like to stress that the definition currently adopted by the Government for measuring unemployment follows closely those recommended by the ILO and is in line with the international standard. In this way, we can ensure that our survey methodology and results so obtained are objective, neutral and can maintain continuity over time. The statistics so compiled will also be reliable and useful.
The C&SD conducts on a continuous basis the GHS and also on a regular basis the population census/by-census and the Household Expenditure Survey. Questions asked include those related to socio- economic characteristics of the population, such as age, marital status, educational attainment, industry, income, occupation, type of living quarters, degree of sharing and household size, etc. As such, the data are not only confined to household income and employment earnings, and the coverage of information in these surveys is in fact already very comprehensive and sufficient. Thus, to undertake in-depth studies on the various aspects of different income groups - of course including the lower-income group, it only requires cross-tabulating the available data on the various socio-economic characteristics according to income range of households.
ID Card checks necessary
Following are a question by the Hon Mr Andrew Cheng Kar-foo and a reply by the acting Secretary for Security, Mrs Carrie Yau, in the Legislative Council today (Wednesday):
Question:
Recently, I have received many complaints from white-collar workers in the Central district about frequent police checks on their Identity Cars (ID Cards). In one case, a lady even had her ID Card checked by the same police officer four times in the same district. In this connection, will the Government inform ais Council: