XN000022-1986-05-14 — Page 4

WEDNESDAY, MAY 14, 1986

QUESTIONED ON THE NUMBER OF SUCH CASES THAT HAD NOT BEEN REPORTED AND THE PREVENTION OF SIMILAR INCIDENTS OCCURRING, MR CHAMBERS SAID IT WAS IMPOSSIBLE TO GIVE ANY PRECISE FIGURES AND THAT IT WAS DIFFICULT TO SAY WHAT WAS A SIMILAR INCIDENT+ UNTIL A CASE WAS THOROUGHLY INVESTIGATED AND ASSESSED.

HE STRESSED THAT THE BEST MEANS OF PREVENTING SUCH CASES WAS FOR ANYONE WHO GENUINELY SUSPECTED THAT ABUSE OR NEGLECT WAS TAKING PLACE TO INFORM EITHER THE POLICE OR THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT SO THAT THE CIRCUMSTANCES COULD BE INVESTIGATED AND APPROPRIATE ACTION TAKEN.

HE POINTED OUT THAT THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT OPERATED HOT-LINE SERVICE AND THE PUBLIC WERE ENCOURAGED THROUGH THE MED JA TO REPORT SUSPECTED CASES OF CHILD ABUSE.

MR CHAMBERS ADDED THAT A SET OF STANDARD PROCEDURES FOR DEALING WITH CHILD ABUSE CASES WAS DRAWN UP SEVERAL YEARS AGO FOLLOWING DISCUSSIONS BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT AND THE VOLUNTARY AGENCIES WHICH WERE ACTIVE IN THIS FIELD.

BOAT OWNERS MUST BEAR SHARE OF COSTS

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IT IS GOVERNMENT'S POLICY THAT, WHENEVER POSSIBLE, THOSE WHO USE SERVICES PROVIDED AT PUBLIC EXPENSE SHOULD PAY IN FULL FOR THAT USE, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON SIR JOHN BREMRIDGE, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY) WHEN CONCLUDING THE DEBATE ON THE SHIPPING AND PORT CONTROL (FEES) BILL 1986 IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

EXPRESSING GRATITUDE TO THE HON STEPHEN CHEONG FOR HIS SUPPORT OF THE BILL, SIR JOHN SAID HE SAW NO GOOD REASON WHY THE GENERALITY OF TAXPAYERS SHOULD SUBSIDISE THOSE WHO COULD AFFORD TO RUN PRIVATE BOATS AND YACHTS IN HONG KONG.

+THOSE WHO USE PLEASURE VESSELS IN HONG KONG WATERS MUST EXPECT TO BEAR THEIR PROPER SHARE OF THE PUBLIC EXPENDITURE FOR SERVICES PROVIDED IN SUPPORT OF PLEASURE BOATING, HE SAID.

+WE SHALL DO THIS THROUGH SETTING FEES FOR VESSELS AND FOR THE KEEPING OF PRIVATE MOORINGS.+

SIR JOHN SAID THE BILL WOULD ENABLE THE GOVERNMENT TO RECOVER MORE OF THE COSTS OF OPERATING HONG KONG'S PORT AND SHIPPING SERVICES. + IT WILL DO NO MORE THAN THAT,+

+MOREOVER, THE BILL DOES NOT INTRODUCE A TAX IN THE SENSE OF A RAISING OF GENERAL REVENUE,

HE SAID.

/SIL JOHN