XN000022-1985-01-15 — Page 4

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TUESDAY, JANUARY 15, 1985

REPORT ON KCRC INTERRUPTIONS IN SERVICE

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THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL TODAY CONSIDERED THE REPORT OF THE ENQUIRY CONDUCTED BY THE KCRC INTO INTERRUPTIONS IN SERVICE OVER THE LAST EIGHTEEN MONTHS.

THE COUNCIL NOTED THAT IMMEDIATE AND LONG TERM REMEDIAL ACTION HAD BEEN TAKEN OR WAS BEING PLANNED, AS REQUIRED, BY THE CORPORATION, AND THAT IN NO INCIDENT WAS THE SAFETY OF PASSENGERS AT ANY TIME COMPROMISED.

IT WAS ALSO NOTED THAT THE REPORT OF THE ENQUIRY HAD BEEN CONSIDERED AND ACCEPTED BY THE BOARD OF THE KCRC AND BY THE DEPARTMENTS OF GOVERNMENT CONCERNED.

THE COUNCIL WAS THEREFORE SATISFIED THAT THERE IS NO NEED FOR A PUBLIC ENQUIRY. A FULL STATEMENT AND PRESS CONFERENCE IS BEING HELD BY THE CORPORATION TODAY (JANUARY 15).

TAB ACTS ON NEW U.S. TEXTILE MOVE

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THE TRADE ADVISORY BOARD (TAB) AT ITS MEETING THIS (TUESDAY) AFTERNOON DISCUSSED A VARIETY OF TOPICS, INCLUDING PROPOSED CHANGE PUBLISHED IN THE DECEMBER 7. 1984 ISSUE OF THE UNITED STATES FEDERAL REGISTER TO THE REQUIREMENTS UNDER THE UNITED STATES GENERALISED SYSTEM OF PREFERENCES.

THE CHANGES PROPOSED BY THE UNITED STATES CONCERNED THE INTRODUCTION OF A NEW REQUIREMENT FOR EXPORTERS TO SUBMIT DECLARATIONS UPON REQUEST BY U.S. CUSTOMS AND THE REMOVAL OF THE EXISTING REQUIREMENT OF GOVERNMENTAL CERTIFICATION OF FORM A'S. THEY ARE APPLICABLE TO ALL U.S. GSP BENEFICIARIES.

REPRESENTATIVES OF THE FIVE GOVERNMENT APPROVED CERTIFICATION ORGANISATIONS WERE INVITED TO GIVE THEIR VIEWS BEFORE THE BOARD, AFTER LISTENING TO THEIR VIEWS, AND CONSIDERING A DISCUSSION PAPER ON THE ISSUE, THE TAB ADVISED THE SECRETARY FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY THAT THE TRADE DEPARTMENT SHOULD, IN RESPONSE TO A U.S. INVITATION TO COMMENT ON THE PROPOSED CHANGES, MAKE A WRITTEN REPRESENTATION STATING THE POSSIBLE ADVERSE EFFECTS OF THESE PROPOSALS. THE PARTICULAR CONCERN WAS THAT PREVENTION OF FRAUD WOULD BE LESS EFFECTIVE UNDER THE PROPOSED NEW SYSTEM. A TRADE DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN ALSO COMMENTED THAT THE PROPOSED CHANGES DO NOT AFFECT THE ELIGIBILITY OF HONG KONG PRODUCTS FOR U.S. PREFERENTIAL TARIFFS.

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