XN000022-1982-05-19 — Page 20

WEDNESDAY, MAY 19, 1982

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ALTERNATIVE PASSENGER MOVING SYSTEMS

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THE GOVERNMENT INTENDS TO APPOINT CONSULTANTS IN THE NEAR FUTURE TO INVESTIGATE THE FEASIBILITY OF ALTERNATIVE PASSENGER

OVING SYSTEMS TO CONNECT THE MID-LEVELS AREAS WITH THE CENTRAL DISTRICT, THE SECRETARY FOR LANDS AND WORKS, THE HON DAVID MCDONALD, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY.

MR MCDONALD WAS REPLYING TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON STEPHEN CHEONG.

HE POINTED OUT THAT AN ITEM FOR THE ENGAGEMENT OF CONSULTANTS HAD BEEN INCLUDED IN THE PUBLIC WORKS PROGRAMME AND THE POSSIBLE ALTERNATIVES WOULD INCLUDE A MOVING BELT SYSTEM.

THE INVESTIGATION IS EXPECTED TO BE COMPLETED BY SEPTEMBER NEXT YEAR, HE SAID.

REVIEW OF OPEN CAMPS MANAGEMENT

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THE DIVISION OF RESPONSIBILITIES IN OPEN CAMPS FOR VIETNAMESE REFUGEES IS BEING EXAMINED WITH A VIEW TO REDEFINING THEM WHERE NECESSARY SO AS TO ENSURE THAT ACCEPTABLE BEHAVIOUR IS MAINTAINED AND LAW AND ORDER PRESERVED.

DISCLOSING THIS IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY, THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, THE HON LEWIS DAVIES, SAID HE HOPED THAT AGREEMENT COULD BE REACHED QUICKLY ON REVISED ARRANGEMENTS.

INDEPENDENT OF THIS, BUT COINCIDENTALLY, A FEASIBILITY STUDY HAD ALSO BEEN PUT IN HAND TO DETERMINE WHETHER CLOSED CAMPS FOR VIETNAMESE REFUGEES WAS A PRACTICAL PROPOSITION. HE HOPED THAT THIS STUDY WOULD BE COMPLETED IN TIME FOR A DECISION ON POLICY TO BE TAKEN IN ABOUT THREE TO FOUR WEEKS.

ON THE MANAGEMENT OF OPEN CAMPS, MR DAVIES EXPLAINED THAT IN 1979 IT HAD BEEN AGREED WITH THE UNHCR THAT THE HIGH COMMISSIONER WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR FOUR OPEN CAMPS, UNHCR HAD ARRANGED FOR THESE TO BE MANAGED BY VOLUNTARY AGENCIES.

ONLY ONE SUCH CAMP REMAINED IN FULL OPERATION TODAY AND A SECOND WAS IN THE PROCESS OF CLOSURE. THREE OTHER CAMPS ARE OPERATED BY THE GOVERNMENT.

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