XN000022-1979-02-21 — Page 4

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WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 1979

SECRETARY OF STATE FOR INDUSTRY ARRIVES FOR FOUR-DAY VISIT

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THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR INDUSTRY, THE RT. HON. ERIC VARLEY, ARRIVED IN HONG KONG THIS (WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON FOR A FOUR-DAY VISIT BEFORE LEAVING FOR PEKING.

MP

MR. VARLEY WAS MET AT KAI TAK AIRPORT BY THE GOVERNOR, SIR MURRAY MACLEHOSE, THE DIRECTOR OF TRADE, INDUSTRY AND CUSTOMS, MR. DAVID JORDAN, THE SENIOR BRITISH TRADE COMMISSIONER, MR. D.M. MARCH AND THE BRITISH TRADE COMMISSIONER, MR. G.T. BURGESS.

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ACCOMPANYING MR. VARLEY ON HIS VISIT TO PEKING WILL BE MR. GEORGE PARK, MP, PARLIAMENTARY PRIVATE SECRETARY MR. A. DUGUID, PRIVATE SECRETARY LORD NELSON, CHAIRMAN OF GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY AND SINO-BRITISH TRADE COUNCIL MR. A.E. HAMMOND, EXECUTIVE COUNCIL MEMBER OF THE ELECTRICAL ENGINEERS AND PLUMBERS TRADE UNION - MR. A.J. LIPPITT, DEPUTY SECRETARY OF THE DEPARTMENT OF INDUSTRY- MR. C. PRISTON, ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF THE DEPARTMENT OF TRADE AND MR. R. MATHRANI, ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF THE DEPARTMENT OF INDUSTRY.

DURING HIS STAY HERE, MR. VARLEY WILL BE BRIEFED ON HONG KONG'S ECONOMY AND DEVELOPMENTS.

HIS PROGRAMME ALSO INCLUDES A HELICOPTER TOUR OF THE NEW TERRITORIES, ACCOMPANIED BY THE GOVERNOR AND THE SECRETARY FOR THE NEW TERRITORIES, MR. DAVID AKERS-JONES.

SIR MURRAY WILL ALSO ACCOMPANY MR. VARLEY TO MEET MEMBERS OF THE TRADE AND INDUSTRY BOARD AND TEXTILES ADVISORY BOARD.

MR. VARLEY WILL THEN MEET SENIOR GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS AND BUSINESS COMMUNITY LEADERS AND BRITISH BUSINESSMEN, VISIT THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY CORPORATION AND GO ON A LAUNCH TRIP TO SEE THE HARBOUR, CONTAINER TERMINALS AND MODERN FACTORIES.

HE WILL HOLD A PRESS CONFERENCE ON SATURDAY AT KAI TAK AIRPORT BEFORE LEAVING FOR PEKING BY AIR.

RHINO HORNS BANNED IN HONG KONG

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THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT WILL NO LONGER ISSUE IMPORT LICENCES FOR RHINOCEROS HORNS, THEIR PARTS OR DERIVATIVES.

ANNOUNCING THIS TODAY (WEDNESDAY), THE DIRECTOR OF AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES, MR. TED NICHOLS, SAID ALL SPECIES OF RHINOCEROS ARE UNDER THE ANIMALS AND PLANTS (PROTECTION OF ENDANGERED SPECIES) ORDINANCE WHICH GIVES EFFECT LOCALLY TO THE CONVENTION ON INTERNATIONAL TRADE IN ENDANGERED SPECIES OF WILD FAUNA AND FLORA.

THE GOVERNMENT'S