XN000022-1982-02-05 — Page 5

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 1982

APPRENTICESHIP (AMENDMENT) BILL 1982

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A BILL WILL BE INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON WEDNESDAY (FEBRUARY 10) SEEKING TO EFFECT THE TRANSFER OF CERTAIN RESPONSIBILITIES UNDER THE APPRENTICESHIP ORDINANCE TO THE NEW VOCATIONAL TRAINING COUNCIL AND THE DIRECTOR OF TECHNICAL EDUCATION AND INDUSTRIAL TRAINING.

THE TRANSFER OF RESPONSIBILITIES WAS ANNOUNCED IN DECEMBER WHEN THE GOVERNMENT REVEALED ITS PLANS FOR THE CREATION OF THE COUNCIL AND A DEPARTMENT OF TECHNICAL EDUCATION AND INDUSTRIAL TRAINING. THE PURPOSE IS TO PRESERVE THE CLOSE LINKS BETWEEN THE DEVELOPMENT OF INDUSTRIAL TRAINING AND THE PROMOTION OF APPRENTICESHIPS.

UNDER THE APPRENTICESHIP (AMENDMENT) BILL 1982, WHICH IS PUBLISHED IN THE GOVERNMENT GAZETTE TODAY, THE MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES UNDER THE ORDINANCE WILL BE TRANSFERRED FROM THE HONG KONG TRAINING COUNCIL AND THE COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR.

THE BILL ALSO MAKES SOME MINOR DELETIONS OF PARTS OF THE ORDINANCE WHICH ARE NO LONGER REQUIRED OR AMENDMENTS WHICH HAVE PROVED NECESSARY IN THE LIGHT OF EXPERIENCE.

EXPANDED FACILITIES AT MAN KAM TO ****

ADDITIONAL SPACE AND FACILITIES FOR PROCESSING CROSS-BORDER TRAFFIC WILL BE PROVIDED AT MAN KAM TO IN ABOUT TWO YEARS TIME.

A LAND RESUMPTION NOTICE IS PUBLISHED IN THE GOVERNMENT GAZETTE TODAY, AND SITE FORMATION WORK ON THE PROJECT IS EXPECTED TO START IN ABOUT THREE MONTHS' TIME.

WHILE DETAILED PLANNING IS BEING FINALISED, THE EXPANDED FACILITIES WILL INCLUDE A NEW IMMIGRATION AND CUSTOMS AND EXCISE BUILDING AND VEHICLE HOLDING AND INSPECTION AREAS.

A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THE EXPANSION WAS IN ANTICIPATION OF AN INCREASE IN CROSS-BORDER TRAFFIC WHICH WOULD RESULT FROM THE GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT OF THE SHENZHEN SPECIAL ECONOMIC ZONE AND CONTINUED GROWTH IN TRADE AND TRAFFIC WITH OTHER PARTS OF CHINA.

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