XN000022-1983-12-21 — Page 24

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WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 21, 1983

IN ADDITION, THE DEPARTMENT HAS, SINCE 1981, SET UP TENANT'S ADVICE CENTRES IN A NUMBER OF NEW ESTATES TO HELP FAMILIES TO SETTLE DOWN IN THEIR NEW ENVIRONMENT.

AS TO MORE GENERAL ENQUIRIES, MR LIAD SAID MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WERE DEALT WITH BY THE RESPECTIVE OFFICES IN THE DEPARTMENT'S HEADQUARTERS REGARDING INFORMATION ABOUT HOUSING SERVICES WHICH WERE CENTRALLY ADMINISTERED, SUCH AS APPLICATION FOR PUBLIC HOUSING, HOME OWNERSHIP SCHEME AND CLEARANCE REHOUSING.

+AND, OF COURSE, PUBLIC ENQUIRY SERVICE IS ALSO AVAILABLE AT ALL DISTRICT OFFICES, WHERE ADVICE AND INFORMATION CAN BE OBTAINED ABOUT VARIOUS ASPECTS OF GOVERNMENT POLICIES AND PROCEDURES INCLUDING PUBLIC HOUSING. +

PENALTIES TO BE DOUBLED

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A BILL WHICH WILL DOUBLE THE MAXIMUM FINE AND THE MAXIMUM SURCHARGE THAT MAY BE IMPOSED ON AN EXPORTER WHO MAKES A FALSE DECLARATION, OR WHO FAILS TO LODGE SUCH A DECLARATION, WAS READ A SECOND TIME IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY.

THE BILL IS THE INDUSTRIAL TRAINING (CLOTHING INDUSTRY) (AMENDMENT) BILL 1983, AND IT SEEKS TO RAISE THE MAXIMUM FINE AND THE MAXIMUM SURCHARGE FROM $5 000 TO $10 000.

MOVING THE BILL, THE SECRETARY FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY,

MR E.P. HO EXPLAINED THAT SIMILAR PROVISIONS EXIST IN THE IMPORT AND EXPORT ORDINANCE, AND THIS PROPOSAL WILL REMOVE THE INCONSISTENCY BETWEEN SEPARATE PLACES OF LEGISLATION FOR THE SAME OFFENCE.

*THE BILL FURTHER SEEKS TO PROVIDE GREATER RELIEF TO TRADERS INVOLVED IN THE SHIPMENT OF CLOTHING SAMPLES. UNDER EXISTING LEGISLATION, THE EXPORT OF SAMPLES WITH A VALUE BELOW $500 IS EXEMPTED FROM THE DECLARATION REQUIREMENTS, TO TAKE ACCOUNT OF PRESENT DAY COSTS, THE BILL SEEKS TO INCREASE THIS VALUE LIMIT FROM $500 TO $1 000.

*THE OPPORTUNITY IS ALSO TAKEN TO AMEND THE REFERENCE TO THE HONG KONG TRAINING COUNCIL TO THE NAME OF ITS SUCCESSOR BODY, THE VOCATIONAL TRAINING COUNCIL, + MR HO ADDED.

DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED TO JANUARY 11.

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