XN000022-1982-05-28 — Page 5

FRIDAY, MAY 28, 1982

LEGAL AID ALLOWANCES REVISED

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THE ALLOWANCES FOR CALCULATING THE DISPOSABLE INCOME OF LEGAL AID APPLICANTS AND THE IR DEPENDANTS WILL BE INCREASED FROM TUESDAY (JUNE 1) TO BRING THEM INTO LINE WITH THE RECENTLY REVISED PUBLIC ASSISTANCE RATES.

THE NEW RATES OF ALLOWANCES UNDER THE LEGAL AID (ASSESSMENT OF CONTRIBUTIONS) (AMENDMENT) REGULATIONS, PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE TODAY, ARE AS FOLLOWS:

EXISTING RATE

(1)

PERSON WITH NO DEPENDANT

$350

(11)

PERSON AND FIRST $250 EACH 2 DEPENDANTS

(IIT)

THIRD, FOURTH

$215 EACH IN

AND FIFTH

DEPENDANTS

(IV)

SIXTH AND ADDITIONAL

$165 EACH IN

DEPENDANTS

ADDITION TO (11)

ADDITION TO (11) AND (111)

NEW RATE

$450

$325 EACH

$280 EACH IN ADDITION TO (11)

$215 EACH IN ADDITION TO (11) AND (111)

A SPOKESMAN FOR THE LEGAL AID DEPARTMENT EXPLAINED THAT IN CALCULATING THE DISPOSABLE INCOME OF A LEGAL AID APPLICANT, THE AMOUNT OF RENT AND RATES PAID BY HIM FOR HIS DWELLING HOUSE, AND PERSONAL ALLOWANCES IN RESPECT OF HIMSELF AND DEPENDANTS WHOLLY MAINTAINED BY HIM ARE DEDUCTED FROM HIS GROSS INCOME. IT IS THESE ALLOWANCES THAT ARE INCREASED BY THE REGULATIONS, HE SAID.

+THESE INCREASES ARE DESIGNED TO TAKE ACCOUNT OF INFLATION AND TO ENSURE THAT THE STATUS QUO IS MAINTAINED FOR THAT SECTION OF THE PUBLIC WHOSE INCREASES IN INCOME, INTENDED TO OFFSET THE RISE IN THE COST OF LIVING, MAY ALSO AFFECT THEIR ELIGIBILITY FOR LEGAL AID, HE ADDED.

URBAN CLEARWAY IN TSUEN WAN

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THE NORTHBOUND KERBSIDE LANE ON SAI LAU KOK ROAD FROM CASTLE PEAK ROAD TO MEI WAN STREET IN TSUEN WAN WILL BE DESIGNATED AS AN URBAN CLEARWAY FROM 10 AM ON MONDAY (MAY 31).

WITHIN THE CLEARWAY, ALL VEHICLES EXCEPT FRANCHISED BUSES WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO STOP FOR PASSENGERS OR GOODS.