XN000022-1985-04-28 — Page 2

SUNDAY, APRIL 28, 1985

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DIRECTOR OF LANDS RETURNS FROM PEKING

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THE DIRECTOR OF LANDS, MR JOHN TODD, RETURNED TO HONG KONG TODAY (APRIL 28) AFTER A THREE-DAY VISIT TO PEKING.

WHILE IN PEKING MR TODD HELD DISCUSSIONS WITH CHINESE GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS ON PREPARATIONS FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE ARRANGEMENTS IN ANNEX 111 TO THE SINO-BRITISH JOINT DECLARATION. THE ANNEX, WHICH CONCERNS LAND LEASES IN HONG KONG, WILL COME INTO EFFECT UPON RATIFICATION OF THE JOINT DECLARATION.

MR TODD SAID HIS DISCUSSIONS IN PEKING WERE +PURELY TECHNICAL+ AND WERE CONCERNED MAINLY WITH ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE EXTENSION OF A NUMBER OF NON-RENEWABLE LEASES WH1 CH ARE DUE TO EXPIRE TOWARDS THE END OF JUNE.

HE SAID THAT THE DISCUSSIONS WERE ENTIRELY SATISFACTORY.

$32M PAID OUT IN TRAFFIC ACCIDENT CASES

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THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT PAID OUT ABOUT $32 MILLION TO HELP TRAFFIC ACCIDENT VICTIMS OR THEIR DEPENDANTS LAST YEAR.

THE PAYMENTS WERE MADE UNDER THE TRAFFIC ACCIDENT VICTIMS ASSISTANCE SCHEME (TAVA) ADMINISTERED BY THE DEPARTMENT.

A DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY THAT DURING THE YEAR,

5 916 APPLICATIONS FOR ASSISTANCE WERE RECEIVED AS AGAINST 6 607 IN THE PREVIOUS YEAR.

+THE DECREASE MAY BE DUE TO THE DROP IN THE NUMBER OF TRAFFIC ACCIDENT CASUALTIES REPORTED BY THE POLICE, HE SAID.

HOWEVER, HE POINTED OUT THAT THE RATE OF SUCCESSFUL APPLICATIONS REMAINED AS HIGH AS 90 PER CENT IN THE YEAR.

REFERRING TO THREE BUS ACCIDENTS WHICH OCCURRED AT SHA TIN AND ON LANTAU ISLAND IN THE PAST THREE MONTHS, THE SPOKESMAN SAID STAFF OF THE TAVA SECTION VISITED THE INJURED IN HOSPITAL SHORTLY AFTER THE ACCIDENTS TO HELP THEM GET CASH ASSISTANCE AS EARLY AS POSSIBLE.

/THE NO-PAULT