XN000022-1983-03-08 — Page 5

TUESDAY, MARCH 8, 1983

OTHER QUESTIONS BY UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS WILL DEAL WITH SUCH MATTERS AS THE POSSIBILITY OF AN INSURANCE FUND TO PROTECT DEPOSITORS. THE WORK ON STABILISING DANGEROUS SLOPES, BICYCLISTS AND ROAD SAFETY, DENTAL TREATMENT FOR CHILDREN, AND THE TIME TAKEN FOR ASSESSMENT OF LAND PROPERTY VALUES IN THE NEW TERRITORIES.

QUESTIONS WILL ALSO BE ASKED ABOUT ACCIDENTS CAUSED BY WING MIRRORS OF GOODS VEHICLES, FIRE SAFETY IN RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS, THE CONSULTANTS STUDY ON THE KAI TAK INSTRUMENT LANDING SYSTEM, AND DEATHS FROM CARBON MONOXIDE POISONING.

INVESTIGATION INTO EDA INVESTMENTS LTD ***

THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, MR JOHN BREMRIDGE, ANNOUNCED TODAY THAT THE SECURITIES COMMISSION HAD APPOINTED INSPECTORS TO INVESTIGATE THE AFFAIRS OF EDA INVESTMENTS LTD. AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES AND ASSOCIATED COMPANIES.

THE INSPECTORS ARE MR ROBERT CHING TANG, BARRISTER-AT-LAW, AND MR MICHAEL J. JOHNSON, FELLOW OF THE HONG KONG SOCIETY OF ACCOUNTANTS AND OF THE INSTITUTE OF CHARTERED ACCOUNTANTS OF ENGLAND AND WALES. THE INVESTIGATION WILL TAKE SOME MONTHS TO COMPLETE AND THE SECURITIES COMMISSION MAY PUBLISH THE REPORT OF THE INSPECTORS IN WHOLE OR IN PART.

MR BREMRIDGE WELCOMED THE APPOINTMENT, WHICH HE SAID WAS CONSISTENT WITH THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE REGULATORY STEPS IN THE FINANCIAL SECTORS FORESHADOWED IN HIS BUDGET SPEECH.

VEHICLE INSPECTION PROGRAMME EXTENDED

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THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT'S COMPULSORY VEHICLE INSPECTION PROGRAMME IS BEING EXTENDED TO INCLUDE ALL GOODS VEHICLES MANUFACTURED IN 1972 AND 1973, AND ALL PRIVATE CARS MANUFACTURED

IN 1971.

ANNOUNCING THIS TODAY (TUESDAY), A SPOKESMAN SAID VEHICLES IN THE ABOVE CATEGORIES WILL BE REQUIRED TO UNDERGO EXAMINATION ONLY IF THEIR NEW LICENCES COMMENCE ON OR AFTER JULY 1, 1983.

THE YEAR OF MANUFACTURE OF A VEHICLE IS STATED IN THE VEHICLE REGISTRATION DOCUMENT.

AS TO GOODS VEHICLES MANUFACTURED PRIOR TO 1972 WHICH HAD UNDERGONE INSPECTIONS PREVIOUSLY, THE SPOKESMAN SAID THEY WOULD BE EXEMPTED FROM EXAMINATION FROM JULY 1, 1983 UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE.

/THE KOWLOON