XN000022-1974-07-31 — Page 4

WEDNESDAY, JULY 31, 1974

THE MID-LEVELS, MR. WỤ SAID, HAS TO ACCOMMODATE MORE PEOPLE AND WILL ALWAYS REMAIN A CHOICE RESIDENTIAL AREA IF THE SIZE OF FLATS BUILT THERE IS ANY GUIDANCE. HE ALSO FELT THAT THE TRAFFIC PROBLEM TENDED TO BE SELF-REGULATING OWING TO THE GEOGRAPHICAL PROXIMITY TO THE CENTRAL BUSINESS AREA.

RECENTLY, HE SAID, A UMELCO GROUP CONDUCTED A TEST BY DRIVING FROM CENTRAL TO THE WAH FU ESTATE THROUGH THE MID-LEVELS AND POKFULAM AREAS. THE GROUP STARTED AT 8.15 A.M. AND REACHED ITS DESTINATION THIRTY MINUTES LATER WITHOUT RUNNING INTO ANY TRAFFIC JAM. MR. WU'S OWN TRIAL RUNS THROUGH THE AREAS PROVED +AN EQUALLY PLEASANT EXPERIENCE.+

MR. WU COMMENDED THE DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS AND HIS PLANNERS FOR HAVING TAKEN THE INITIATIVE TO INTRODUCE THE.BUS PRIORITY SCHEME IN THE MID-LEVELS WHICH, HE SAID, HAD IMPROVED TRAFFIC CONDITIONS.

THE UMELCO TRIP THROUGH THE AREAS, HE SAID, HAD BEEN MADE DURING OFFICE RUSH HOURS AND AT A TIME WHEN SCHOOLS WERE CLOSED FOR THE HOLIDAYS. BUT WHILE THE RUSH HOURS WOULD BE PROLONGED DURING SCHOOL TIME ASSUMING SCHOOLS BEGIN AT 8 A.M. OR EARLIER -- IT WOULD NOT NECESSARILY AGGRAVATE CONGESTION, HE SAID.

PRIORITY TREATMENT FOR SEVERANCE PAY ON REDUNDANCY

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THE SECRETARY FOR SOCIAL SERVICES, THE HON. LI FOOK-KOU, TODAY INTRODUCED TWO NEW BILLS TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL SEEKING TO AMEND THE BANKRUPTCY AND COMPANIES ORDINANCES IN ORDER TO GIVE SEVERANCE PAY ON REDUNDANCY EQUAL PRIORITY AS ARREARS OF WAGES OR SALARY.

THESE ARE THE BANKRUPTCY CAMENDMENT) BILL 1974 AND THE COMPANIES (AMENDMENT) (NO. 2) BILL 1974.

IN MOYING THE SECOND READING OF THE BILLS, MR. LI POINTED OUT THAT THE EMPLOYMENT CAMENDMENT) (NO. 2) BILL 1974 AMENDS THE EMPLOYMENT ORDINANCE TO PROVIDE FOR THE MAKING OF SEVERANCE PAYMENTS BY EMPLOYERS TO EMPLOYEES WHO, IN SPECIFIED CIRCUMSTANCES, ARE DISMISSED BY REASON OF REDUNDANCY OR ARE LAID OFF.

INDING

IN THE EVENT OF THE BANKRUPTCY OF THE EMPLOYER OR UP OF THE EMPLOYING COMPANY, SEVERANCE PAYMENTS DUE SHALL, UNDER. THESE TWO BILLS, ENJOY THE SAME PRIORITY ACCORDED TO OUTSTANDING VAGES AND SALARY, SUBJECT TO A MAXIMUM AMOUNT OF $6,000 IN RESPECT OF EACH SEVERANCE PAYMENT, HE SAID.

DEBATE ON THE MOTION WAS ADJOURNED.

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