XN000022-1978-11-29 — Page 23

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WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 1978

PROPOSED COUNCIL ON SOCIAL WORK EDUCATION AND TRAINING

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THE SECRETARY FOR SOCIAL SERVICES, THE HON, E.P. HO TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY) THAT MANY OF THE FUNCTIONS ENVISAGED FOR THE PROPOSED COUNCIL ON SOCIAL WORK EDUCATION AND TRAINING FALL WITHIN THE TERMS OF REFERENCE OF THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON SOCIAL WORK TRAINING.

REPLYING TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON. HILTON CHEONG-LEEN, MR. HO SAID THE REPORT ENVISAGED THAT, IN THE INTERIM, THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE COULD ASSUME THE ROLE OF THE PROPOSED COUNCIL.

+WHILST THE GOVERNMENT ACCEPTS THE NEED TO DEVELOP A VIABLE PATTERN OF SOCIAL WORK EDUCATION AND TRAINING IN HONG KONG AND TO ENSURE ADEQUATE STANDARDS, IT REMAINS TO BE CONVINCED THAT, IN OUR CIRCUMSTANCES, A STATUTORY BODY WITH AN ELABORATE ACCREDITATION MACHINERY IN ONE SPECIFIC SUBJECT AREA CAN BE JUSTIFIED, HE SAID.

+I BELIEVE IT WILL BE BETTER FOR THESE TASKS TO REMAIN ENTRUSTED TO THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON SOCIAL WORK TRAINING, RECONSTITUTED AND STRENGTHENED AS MAY BE NECESSARY, HE ADDED.

NO INTENTION TO PROMOTE HUNTING

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THE GOVERNMENT NEITHER PROMOTES, NOR DOES IT INTEND TO PROMOTE, HUNTING AS A SPORT, THE DIRECTOR OF AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES, THE HON. TED NICHOLS TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).

IN REPLY TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON. LEUNG TAT-SHING, MR. NICHOLAS SAID HUNTING AT PRESENT RARELY INCONVENIENCED FARMERS BECAUSE OF THE CONSTRAINTS PLACED ON IT BY THE WILD ANIMALS PROTECTION ORDINANCE.

HE POINTED OUT THAT ONLY LIMITED AREAS AND SEASONS WERE AVAILABLE FOR HUNTING AND OF THE 450 HOLDERS OF GAME LICENCES ONLY SOME 150 WERE ACTIVE HUNTERS.

MR, NICHOLS ALSO NOTED THAT BIRDWATCHING WAS NOT SUSCEPTIBLE TO CONSTRAINTS, HE SAID THAT APART FROM THE MANY AMATEUR BIRD- WATCHERS ENGAGED IN THIS HOBBY AT ALL TIMES OF THE YEAR, THERE WERE ABOUT 200 OR MORE ENTHUSIASTS WHO WERE MEMBERS OF THE BIRD WATCHING SOCIETY AND/OR THE NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY.

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