XN000022-1978-04-25 — Page 4

TUESDAY, APRIL 25, 1978

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THE HON. WONG LAM WILL ASK IF THE GOVERNMENT AGREES THAT THE MAJORITY OF PARENTS STILL SHOW LITTLE INTEREST IN MOST GOVERNMENT PRIMARY SCHOOLS AND PREFER TO SEND THEIR CHILDREN TO AIDED PRIMARY SCHOOLS, DESPITE THE FACT THAT FREE PRIMARY EDUCATION WAS INTRODUCED IN 1971.

HE ALSO WANTS TO KNOW WHETHER THE GOVERNMENT HAS LOOKED INTO THE REASON FOR THIS AND WHAT ITS PLANS ARE IN RECTIFYING THIS SITUATION.

THE HON. T.S. LO WILL QUERY THE GOVERNMENT ABOUT ITS METHOD USED TO ENSURE THAT LIKE OTHER MONOPOLISTIC UTILITIES THE CABLE AND WIRELESS DOES NOT OVERCHARGE.

MR. LO WILL ALSO ASK THE GOVERNMENT TO EXPLAIN WHY IT HAS PERMITTED THE CABLE AND WIRELESS COMPANY TO LEVY SUCH CHARGES ON TELEGRAMMES, TELEXES AND TELEPHONES THAT IT COSTS HONG KONG PEOPLE MORE TO COMMUNICATE WITH THE UNITED KINGDOM THAN VICE VERSA.

THE HON. HILTON CHEONG-LEON WILL RAISE A QUESTION ON THE EFFECTIVE STEPS BEING TAKEN BY THE GOVERNMENT TO STAMP OUT THE LONGTIME PRACTICE OF OVER-CHARGING OF FARES BY TAXIS OPERATING FROM KAI TAK AIRPORT.

THE HON. ALEX WU WILL ASK WHAT STEPS ARE BEING TAKEN BY THE GOVERNMENT TO ENSURE THAT ADEQUATE MEDICAL ATTENTION IS AVAILABLE TO PATIENTS ADMITTED AT NIGHT TO THE CASUALTY WARDS OF HOSPITALS IN THE PUBLIC SECTOR.

THE HON. R.H. LOBO WANTS TO KNOW WHAT STEPS GOVERNMENT WILL ASK TO PREVENT THE STREETS OF HONG KONG FROM BEING TURNED INTO NOCTURNAL RACING TRACKS BY MOTOR-CYCLISTS IN SUMMER.

OTHER QUESTIONS TO BE RAISED BY THE UNOFFICIALS CONCERN THE APPLICATION FOR WATER SUPPLY IN HOUSING ESTATE UNITS- THE HOUSING AUTHORITY'S POLICY AND PRACTICE ON REPAIR AND REDECORATION OF THE EXTERNAL STRUCTURE AND COMMON PARTS OF ESTATE BUILDINGS THE NUMBER OF ACCIDENTS INVOLVING MINI-BUSES AND THE METHODS USED TO TRACE MISSING TENNAGERS AND WOMEN,

SIX BILLS WILL BE INTRODUCED AT TOMORROW'S MEETING FOR FIRST READING. THEY ARE THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS BILL 1978, THE HOUSING (AMENDMENT) (NO. 2) BILL 1978, THE CROWN LEASES (AMENDMENT) BILL 1978, THE LAND REGISTRATION (AMENDMENT) BILL 1978, THE DISCIPLINED SERVICES (WELFARE FUNDS) BILL 1978 AND THE FACTORIES AND INDUSTRIAL UNDER- TAKINGS (AMENDMENT) BILL 1978.

DEBATE WILL RESUME ON TEN BILLS, INCLUDING THE BANK-NOTES ISSUE (AMENDMENT) BILL 1978, THE CRIMES (AMENDMENT) (NO. 2) BILL 1978 AND THE MOTOR VEHICLES INSURANCE (THIRD PARTY RISKS) (AMENDMENT) BILL 1978.

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