XN000022-1986-11-12 — Page 37

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WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 1986

NEW BEAUTY TREATMENT, FITNESS TECHNIQUES BEING MONITORED

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THE GOVERNMENT WOULD BE MONITORING NEW TECHNIQUES INTRODUCED FOR BEAUTY TREATMENT AND PHYSICAL FITNESS TO DETERMINE WHETHER ANY FORM OF REGULATION WAS REQUIRED, THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, THE HON JOHN CHAMBERS, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).

REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY THE HON LEE YU-TAI, MR CHAMBERS SAID TREATMENT AT BEAUTY TREATMENT CENTRES INVOLVING MEDICAL AND SURGICAL OPERATIONS OR THE USE OF DRUGS WAS GOVERNED BY THE MEDICAL REGISTRATION ORDINANCE (CAP 161), THE PHARMACY AND POISONS ORDINANCE (CAP 138), AND ANTIBIOTICS ORDINANCE (CAP 137) AND COULD ONLY BE PERFORMED BY PERSONS QUALIFIED AND REGISTERED UNDER THOSE ORDINANCES.

+THE MAJORITY OF PHYSICAL FITNESS CENTRES ARE OPERATED AS PRIVATE CLUBS AND THE ACTIVITIES THEY PROMOTE, IF SUPERVISED BY TRAINED INSTRUCTORS AND IF PRECEDED BY A MEDICAL CHECK-UP. ARE CONSIDERED TO BE CONDUCIVE RATHER THAN HAZARDOUS TO HEALTH, + HE SAID.

MR CHAMBERS ADDED THAT THERE WAS AT PRESENT NO LEGISLATION SPECIFICALLY DESIGNED TO REGULATE THE ACTIVITIES OF PHYSICAL FITNESS CENTRES OR ORGANISATIONS PURPORTING TO OFFER BEAUTY TREATMENT SERVICES.

PROVIDENT FUND HAS FAR-REACHING IMPLICATIONS

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THE GOVERNMENT'S PRESENT POSITION TOWARDS THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A CENTRAL PROVIDENT FUND IS THAT BECAUSE OF ITS FAR-REACHING IMPLICATIONS, THE PROPOSAL NEEDS TO BE CONSIDERED WITH GREAT CARE, THE SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER, THE HON RON BRIDGE, SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).

IN REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY THE HON HUI YIN-FAT, MR BRIDGE SAID THE ADMINISTRATION WAS NOW SEEKING THE VIEWS OF APPROPRIATE CONSULTATIVE BODIES, IN PARTICULAR THE LABOUR ADVISORY BOARD, WHICH REPRESENTED THE VIEWS OF BOTH EMPLOYEES AND EMPLOYERS AND THE SOCIAL WELFARE ADVISORY COMMITTEE, WHICH REPRESENTED THE VIEWS OF A WIDE RANGE OF WELFARE ORGANISATIONS.

+SINCE THE PROPOSAL ALSO HAS FAR REACHING ECONOMIC, ACTUARIAL AND MONETARY IMPLICATIONS, THE ADMINISTRATION IS ALSO CONSULTING THREE BODIES WITH EXPERTISE IN THESE AREAS -- THE HONG KONG ASSOCIATION OF BANKS, THE LIFE INSURANCE COUNCIL OF HONG KONG AND THE DISCUSSION GROUP ON THE HONG KONG ECONOMY, + HE SAID.

WHEN ALL THESE VIEWS HAVE BEEN OBTAINED A DECISION WILL BE TAKEN AS TO WHAT FORM ANY FURTHER CONSULTATION SHOULD TAKE.

HE EMPHASISED THAT THE VIEWS OF COUNCIL MEMBERS WOULD BE SOUGHT BEFORE ANY DECISION WAS REACHED.

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