XN000022-1980-03-19 — Page 7

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WEDNESDAY, MARCH 19, 1980

NARCOTICS EXPERT VISITS LOCAL PENAL INSTITUTIONS

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THE SENIOR SCIENTIFIC ADVISER TO THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND WELFARE IN CANADA, DR DON SMITH, TODAY (WEDNESDAY) VISITED TAI LAM ADDICTION TREATMENT CENTRE, TAI LAM CENTRE FOR WOMEN AND SIU LAM PSYCHIATRIC CENTRE - THREE DIFFERENT TYPES OF PENAL INSTITUTION ADMINISTERED BY THE PRISONS DEPARTMENT IN HONG KONG.

DR SMITH, WHO IS CURRENTLY IN HONG KONG ON A FAMILIARISATION VISIT, WAS CHAIRMAN OF THE UNITED NATIONS COMMISSION OF NARCOTIC DRUGS IN 1979.

HE TOURED THE CENTRES AND WAS BRIEFED ON THE PROGRAMMES AND FACILITIES PROVIDED IN THEM BY THE SUPERINTENDENTS IN CHARGE AND MEDICAL OFFICERS.

EARLIER TODAY, DR SMITH HAD TALKS WITH THE COMMISSIONER OF PRISONS, MR T.G. GARNER ON THE TREATMENT OF OFFENDERS. HE WAS PARTICULARLY INTERESTED IN THE REHABILITATION PROGRAMMES AND VARIOUS SUPPORTING SERVICES PROVIDED FOR CONVICTED DRUG ADDICTS.

NORWAY CONTINUES ACTION ON TEXTILE IMPORTS

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THE REPORT OF A GATT PANEL INVESTIGATING A COMPLAINT BY HONG KONG OF ACTION BY NORWAY ON IMPORTS OF TEXTILES IS EXPECTED TO BE CONSIDERED AT THE MAY MEETING OF THE GATT COUNCIL.

DESPITE THIS, NORWAY HAS JUST ANNOUNCED THAT IT IS CONTINUING ITS ACTION FOR A FURTHER SIX MONTHS TO THE END OF 1980 - AND WILL ISSUE QUOTAS FOR THAT PERIOD TO NORWEGIAN IMPORTERS ON APRIL 1.

*IT IS REGRETTABLE THAT NORWAY HAS DECIDED TO EXTEND ITS CURRENT ACTION FOR YET ANOTHER PERIOD, SAID THE ACTING DIRECTOR OF TRADE, INDUSTRY AND CUSTOMS, MR PETER TSAO TODAY (WEDNESDAY).

IT WAS IN JULY, 1978 THAT NORWAY ANNOUNCED THAT, UNDER ARTICLE XIX OF THE GATT, IT INTENDED TO INTRODUCE GLOBAL QUOTAS ON TEXTILE IMPORTS FOR 1979. HOWEVER HONG KONG, ALTHOUGH A SUBSTANTIAL SUPPLIER, WAS NOT ALLOCATED AN APPROPRIATE +COUNTRY+ SHARE.

HONG KONG AND NORWAY HELD CONSULTATIONS TWICE IN 1978 AND AGAIN IN 1979, BUT WITHOUT CONCLUSIONS. AS A RESULT OF HONG KONG'S COMPLAINT ON THE NORWEGIAN ARTICLE XIX ACTION, THE GATT DECIDED TO ESTABLISH A PANEL TO LOOK INTO THE DISPUTE. WHILST THIS PANEL WAS BEING SET UP, NORWAY ANNOUNCED A SIX-MONTH EXTENSION OF ITS ORIGINAL ACTION, TO THE MIDDLE OF 1980.

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