XN000022-1986-04-23 — Page 32

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WEDNESDAY, APRIL 23, 1986

TURNING TO CIVIC EDUCATION, MR LIAO SAID ARRANGEMENTS WERE BEING FINALISED FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A COMMITTEE ON THE PROMOTION OF CIVIC EDUCATION.

+THE NEW COMMITTEE WILL BE COMPRISED MAINLY OF UNOFFICIALS AND IT IS HOPED THAT APPOINTMENTS WILL BE MADE VERY SHORTLY.

→THE COMMITTEE'S FUNCTION IS TO OFFER ADVICE NOT ONLY TO GOVERNMENT BUT ALSO TO COMMUNITY ORGANISATIONS ON THE OBJECTIVES AND SCOPE OF CIVIC EDUCATION OUTSIDE THE FORMAL SCHOOL SYSTEM,+ HE SAID.

+THE INTENTION IS TO STIMULATE INITIATIVES FROM THE COMMUNITY IN PROMOTING CIVIC RESPONSIBILITY AND TO PROVIDE THE NECESSARY GUIDELINES AND SUPPORT.+

ON THE POSSIBLE ESTABLISHMENT OF A NEW CENTRAL BODY FOR YOUTH ACTIVITIES, MR LIAO SAID IT WAS NOW INTENDED THAT A CENTRAL COMMITTEE ON YOUTH SHOULD BE ESTABLISHED NEXT MONTH.

THE NEW BODY WOULD BE NON-STATUTORY AND COMPRISE OF MAINLY UNOFFICIALS WHO WOULD ADVISE GOVERNMENT ON MATTERS RELATING TO YOUTH DEVELOPMENT.

+THE COMMITTEE WILL PROVIDE A FOCAL POINT FOR, AMONG OTHER THINGS, DISCUSSION AND RESEARCH ON THE NEEDS AND ASPIRATIONS OF HONG KONG'S YOUNG PEOPLE.+

MR LIAO SAID HE SHARED THE HON LAU WONG-FAT'S CONCERN ABOUT THE NEED TO IMPROVE LIVING CONDITIONS IN SOME PARTS OF THE NEW TERRITORIES OUTSIDE THE BOUNDARIES OF THE NEW TOWNS.

HE POINTED OUT THAT INITIATIVES WERE BEING TAKEN BY THE GOVERNMENT IN THIS AREA AS OUTLINED BY THE SECRETARY FOR LANDS AND WORKS.

ON MR LAU'S SUGGESTION THAT THE LOCAL PUBLIC WORKS PROGRAMME BE EXTENDED TO IMPROVE VILLAGES IN RURAL PARTS OF THE NEW TERRITORIES, MR LIAO SAID THE PRESENT ANNUAL PROVISION OF $14.7 MILLION WAS NOT SUFFICIENT.

+WE ARE CURRENTLY EXAMINING THE CASE FOR A FUTURE INCREASE,* HE SAID.

+THIS PROGRAMME PROVIDES FOR SIMPLE ACCESS ROADS AND FOOTPATHS, DRAINAGE SYSTEMS AND OTHER BASIC FACILITIES AND FOR MAINTENANCE OF EXISTING PROJECTS.

+WE AGREE THAT WORKS OF THIS KIND ARE STILL REQUIRED IN THE RURAL AREAS AND THAT THE SCHEME SHOULD CONTINUE.+

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