XN000022-1980-09-16 — Page 8

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 1980

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AFTER THE VISITS, DR VINSON COMPLIMENTED THE PRISON OFFICERS FOR THEIR GOOD WORK. HE WAS IMPRESSED BY THE OUTSTANDING RESULTS ACHIEVED BY YOUNG INMATES OF PIK UK CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTION IN THE TELECOMMUNICATION TECHNICIAN EXAMINATIONS OF THE CITY AND GUILDS OF LONDON.

EARLIER IN THE DAY, HE HAD DISCUSSIONS WITH MR TOM ECOB, THE ACTING COMMISSIONER OF PRISONS.

TOMORROW, DR VINSON WILL VISIT STANLEY PRISON AND THE PRISONS DEPARTMENT'S STAFF TRAINING INSTITUTE.

PAYMENT MADE TO DUST DISEASE PATIENTS

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EX-GRATIA PAYMENTS TOTALLING $151 000 WERE MADE FOR THE FIRST TIME OVER THE WEEKEND TO THREE PEOPLE SUFFERING FROM PNEUMOCONIOSIS.

A SPOKESMAN FOR THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY (TUESDAY) THAT THE RECIPIENTS WERE AMONG 47 APPLICATIONS APPROVED SINCE THE EX-GRATIA PAYMENT SCHEME STARTED ON JULY 10, THIS YEAR.

PAYMENTS AMOUNTING TO ABOUT $1.2 MILLION TO THE OTHER 44 APPLICANTS WERE EXPECTED TO BE MADE IN ABOUT FOUR WEEKS.

PEOPLE DIAGNOSED BEFORE JANUARY 1, 1981 TO BE SUFFERING FROM PNEUMOCON I OSIS AND THE DEPENDANTS OF THOSE WHO DIED ON OR AFTER JULY 10 AND WHO HAD NOT PREVIOUSLY RECEIVED PAYMENT ARE ENTITLED TO THE EX-GRATIA PAYMENT, PROVIDED THEY HAD RESIDED IN HONG KONG FOR FIVE YEARS.

WORKERS WHO SUSPECT THEMSELVES TO BE SUFFERING FROM THE DISEASE SHOULD EITHER CONSULT THEIR OWN DOCTOR OR APPROACH THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT'S INDUSTRIAL HEALTH UNIT AT CANTON ROAD GOVERNMENT OFFICES, 5TH FLOOR, YAU MA TEI, FOR ARRANGEMENTS OF X-RAY.

ANY ENQUIRY ABOUT THE PAYMENT SHOULD BE MADE TO THE LABOUR DEPARTMENT'S PNEUMOCONIOSIS COMPENSATION UNIT, TEL: 3-688353 AND 3-687346.

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