XN000022-1983-08-12 — Page 3

FRIDAY, AUGUST 12, 1983

UNHCR TO GIVE MORE FOR REFUGEES' CARE

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A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY THAT THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT HAS SECURED THE AGREEMENT OF THE UNITED NATIONS HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR REFUGEES TO INCREASE HIS CONTRIBUTION TOWARDS THE CARE AND MAINTENANCE OF VIETNAMESE REFUGEES IN GOVERNMENT-RUN CENTRES IN HONG KONG TO HK$12.8 MILLION FOR THE CURRENT CALENDAR YEAR.

DEPENDING ON THE TOTAL EXPENDITURE ACTUALLY INCURRED DURING THE REST OF THE YEAR, THE AGREEMENT PROVIDES THAT THIS AMOUNT MAY BE FURTHER INCREASED UP TO A TOTAL OF $15.7 MILLION, SUBJECT TO FURTHER DISCUSSION BETWEEN THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT AND THE UNHCR,

UNHCR HAS ALREADY AGREED TO CONTRIBUTE HK$7.4 MILLION TO THE COST OF MAINTAINING VRS IN GOVERNMENT CENTRES HERE, AND AN AGREEMENT WAS SIGNED BETWEEN THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT AND UNHCR IN DECEMBER 1982 TO COVER EXPENDITURE OVER THE FIRST SIX MONTHS OF THIS YEAR.

THE NEW AGREEMENT WILL COVER ANY ADDITIONAL EXPENDITURE FOR THE PERIOD FROM JULY 1 TO DECEMBER 31.

AS IN THE PAST, UNHCR'S CONTRIBUTION COVERS EXPENDITURE ON ITEMS SUCH AS FOOD, MEDICAL SUPPLIES, UTILITIES AND OTHER RELIEF ITEMS FOR VRS DETAINED IN GOVERNMENT CENTRES.

THERE ARE AT PRESENT 5 600 VRS IN GOVERNMENT CENTRES, OF WHOM 5 100 ARE IN THE THREE CLOSED CENTRES AT CHI MA WAN, CAPE COLLINSON, AND HEI LING CHAU AND THE REMAINDER ARE IN THE ARGYLE STREET RECEPTION CENTRE AWAITING DEPARTURE FOR OVERSEAS RESETTLEMENT.

MTRC'S FINANCIAL TIES CLARIFIED IN BILL

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A BILL TO CLARIFY THE FINANCIAL RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT AND THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY CORPORATION IS PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE TODAY.

A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN EXPLAINED THAT AS THE ONLY SHAREHOLDER OF THE MTRC, THE GOVERNMENT, IN EFFECT, IS THE PARENT COMPANY AND THE CORPORATION IS ITS SUBSIDIARY.

IT IS THEREFORE APPROPRIATE FOR THE GOVERNMENT TO HAVE CONTROL OVER ITS FINANCIAL POSITION, WHICH IS NOT SET OUT SPECIFICALLY IN THE EXISTING LAW, HE SAID.

THE MTRC (AMENDMENT) BILL 1983, PUBLISHED TODAY, SEEKS TO ENSURE THAT THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY IS CONSULTED AND HIS APPROVAL OBTAINED BEFORE THE MTRC APPLIES ITS PROFITS IN ANY WAY.

HIS APPROVAL IS ALSO REQUIRED BEFORE ANY GENERAL OR SPECIAL RESERVE FUND IS SET UP OR USED, AND HE WILL BE EMPOWERED TO DIRECT THAT THE WHOLE OR PART OF THE MTRC'S PROFITS BE PAID INTO RESERVE.

/IN ADDITION,