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Arrangements for commemorative stamps sale
Following is a question by Dr the Hon Law Cheung-kwok and a written reply by the acting Secretary for Economic Services, Mr Leo Kwan, in the Legislative Council today (Wednesday):
Question:
Will the Government inform this Council:
(a)
(b)
of the additional operating costs borne by the Post Office as a result of the sale of various commemorative stamps during the past twelve months; and
whether arrangements have been made to enable civil servants and certain members of the public to have priority in purchasing commemorative stamps; if so, what the reasons are?
Reply:
Mr President,
The additional operating costs borne by the Post Office as a result of the sale of various commemorative stamps during the past twelve months amounted to $112 million. The estimated revenue generated from selling commemorative stamps amounted to $1,142 million during the said period.
Until recently, there have been special arrangements for the sale of special stamps, souvenir sheets and stamp sheetlets for staff of the Post Office, who could generally not take leave on the first day of sale to purchase stamps over the counter. The sales quota for staff has been generally lower than the public quota. For customer relations purposes, customers with whom the Post Office has close working relationships, and organisations which provide service support to the Post Office could also order stamps in advance, subject to the same quota as for members of the public. Organisations related to the theme of a special stamp issue can also order stamps in advance.
The Post Office has introduced an enhanced local advance order service for the next special stamp issue on 27 April and future issues. Through this service anyone can place orders for mint stamps and serviced covers about two weeks before the issue date, with no limit on purchases. With the introduction of this new service, the sales arrangements for staff and customer relations purposes have ceased.
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