XN000022-1981-02-19 — Page 2

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 1981

LADY MACLEHOSE VISITS GIRLS INSTITUTION

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LADY MACLEHOSE THIS MORNING (THURSDAY) VISITED THE TAI TAM GAP CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTION TO SEE THE PRISONS DEPARTMENT'S COMPREHENSIVE TRAINING PROGRAMME FOR YOUNG FEMALE OFFENDERS.

ACCOMPANIED BY THE COMMISSIONER OF PRISONS, MR THOMAS GARNER, LADY MACLEHOSE INSPECTED ITS VARIOUS FACILITIES INCLUDING DORMITORIES, CLASSROOMS, WORKSHOPS, SICK BAY- AND WATCHED INMATES UNDERGOING TRAINING. SHE ALSO SAW THE INSTITUTION'S MARCHING TEAM PRACTISING.

THE TAI TAM GAP CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTION WAS OPENED IN 1972 AS A CENTRE FOR YOUNG MALE OFFENDERS. HOWEVER, IN MAY 1980 ITS STATUS WAS CHANGED TO A TRAINING CENTRE AND PRISON FOR YOUNG FEMALE OFFENDERS UP TO THE AGE OF 21.

THE TRAINING PROGRAMME PROVIDES FOR HALF-DAY EDUCATIONAL CLASSES, CONDUCTED BY QUALIFIED TEACHERS AND FOLLOWING A SYLLABUS PLANNED IN CONSULTATION WITH THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT- AND HALF-DAY VOCATIONAL TRAINING IN ONE OF THE TRADES AVAILABLE, UNDER THE SUPERVISION OF QUALIFIED INSTRUCTORS. THE TRADES INCLUDE TAILORING, WEAVING, HAIR DRESSING, LAUNDERING AND DOMESTIC SCIENCE. LADY MACLEHOSE WAS TOLD VOCATIONAL TRAINING WAS PARTICULARLY IMPORTANT IN ASSISTING CULTIVATING AND RETAINING GOOD WORKING HABITS AS WELL AS PREPARING INMATES FOR RELEASE.

HONG KONG-UNITED STATES TEXTILES TALKS START NEXT WEEK

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TALKS BETWEEN HONG KONG AND THE UNITED STATES WILL TAKE PLACE IN HONG KONG ON FEBRUARY 24 AND 25 IN CONNECTION WITH THE HONG KONG/UNITED STATES TEXTILES RESTRAINT AGREEMENT.

THE COMMISSIONER OF TRADE, MR PETER TSAO, EXPLAINED THAT THE AGREEMENT PROVIDED THAT THE TWO SIDES SHOULD CONSULT, AT THE REQUEST OF EITHER SIDE, ON ANY QUESTIONS ARISING FROM THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE AGREEMENT. THE TALKS, WHICH WILL FOCUS ON ARRANGEMENTS FOR 1981, ARE BEING HELD AT THE REQUEST OF THE UNITED STATES.

THE UNITED STATES DELEGATION WILL BE LED BY AMBASSADOR MICHAEL B. SMITH, AND THE HONG KONG DELEGATION BY MR TSAO.

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