XN000022-1975-07-16 — Page 11

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WEDNESDAY, JULY 16, 1975.

EXEMPTION OF PILL FROM PRESCRIPTION LIST WELCOMED

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UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY DESCRIBED AS +MOST BENEFICIAL+ THE GOVERNMENT'S DECISION TO EXEMPT LOW DOSAGE CONTRACEPTIVE PILLS FROM THE PRESCRIPTION LIST AND SAID IT WOULD BE WIDELY WELCOMED.

+ANY DECISION WHICH WOULD HAVE RESULTED IN LESS GENERAL USE WOULD HAVE SERIOUS SOCIOLOGICAL CONSEQUENCE, AND PUT FURTHER STRAIN UPON THE GOVERNMENT IN PLANNING AND IN PROVIDING ADEQUATE SOCIAL SERVICES,+ THE HON. OSWALD CHEUNG SAID.

HE NOTED THAT HONG KONG'S BIRTH RATE HAD FALLEN SINCE 1958 WHEN THE PILL FIRST BECAME AVAILABLE FROM A HIGH OF 37 PER THOUSAND BETWEEN 1956 AND 1958 TO JUST UNDER 20 PER THOUSAND IN THE YEARS 1970-74.

WHILE THE FALL IN BIRTH RATES AND THE INTRODUCTION OF THE PILL MAY BE A PURE COINCIDENCE. HE FELT THAT MORE LIKELY THE DECLINE WAS A DIRECT CONSEQUENCE OF GENERAL USE OF THE PILL.

BOATING ON RESERVOIRS *****

ADVICE WILL BE SOUGHT FROM THE COUNCIL FOR RECREATION AND SPORT ON THE PROPOSAL TO PROVIDE BOATING FACILITIES ON RESERVOIRS.

IN REPLY TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON. JOHN BREMBRIDGE, THE ACTING SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS, THE HON. LI FOOK-KOW SAID THE COUNCIL FOR RECREATION AND SPORT WOULD HAVE TO CONSIDER PRIORITY FOR DEVELOPMENT OF BOATING FACILITIES ON RESERVOIRS AND ELSEWHERE AND TO TAKE INTO ACCOUNT THE VIEWS OF THE WATER AUTHORITY.

HE SAID THE SECRETARY OF THE COUNCIL HAD DICUSSED THE PROBLEMS RELATING TO THE PROVISION OF SUCH FACILITIES WITH THE INTERESTED PARTIES, INCLUDING THE CHAIRMAN OF THE HONG KONG CANOE UNION, THE DIRECTOR OF WATER SUPPLIES, THE CHIEF RECREATION AND SPORTS OFFICER AND INDIVIDUAL CANOEISTS WHO EXPRESSED DIVERGENT VIEWS ON THE PROPOSAL.

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