XN000022-1987-01-07 — Page 33

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 7, 1987

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THREE BILLS PASSED

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THE POST OFFICE (AMENDMENT) BILL 1986, THE TRADE DESCRIPTIONS (AMENDMENT) BILL 1986 AND THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND MUNICIPAL SERVICES (AMENDMENT) (NO. 3) BILL 1986 WERE PASSED IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).

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FIVE OTHER DILLS THE CONTROL OF PUBLICATIONS CONSOLIDATION (AMENDMENT) BILL 1986, THE PUBLIC ORDER (AMENDMENT) BILL 1986, THE COMPANIES (AMENDMENT) BILL 1986, THE INSURANCE COMPANIES (AMENDMENT) BILL 1986, AND THE JUBILEE SPORTS CENTRE (AMENDMENT) BILL 1986 WERE READ A SECOND TIME AND DEBATE ON THEM WAS ADJOURNED.

THE MEETING WAS ADJOURNED TO JANUARY 14.

LONG-TERM SOLUTION REACHED ON BOAT WIVES

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THE PROBLEM OF BOAT WIVES WOULD BE SETTLED WITHIN A PERIOD OF THREE YEARS UNDER A LONG-TERM SOLUTION REACHED DURING RECENT DISCUSSIONS BETWEEN THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT AND THE GUANGDONG AUTHORITIES, THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, THE HON DAVID JEAFFRESON, EXPLAINED IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).

REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY THE HON MARIA TAM, MR JE AFFRE SON SAID THE SOLUTION TO BE PUT INTO EFFECT NOW WOULD NOT UNDERMINE THE PRESENT SYSTEM OF IMMIGRATION CONTROL.

HE SAID HE WOULD LIKE TO THANK THE GUANGDONG AUTHORITIES FOR THEIR HELP ON THIS ISSUE.

UNDER THE NEW ARRANGEMENT, THE GUANGDONG AUTHORITIES HAVE STOPPED ISSUING LANDING AND BOARDING PERMITS TO CHINESE WOMEN WHO MARRIED HONG KONG FISHERMEN AFTER AUGUST 10, 1986, HE SAID.

+THOSE BOAT WIVES WHO ALREADY HAVE LANDING AND BOARDING PERMITS' WILL BE ALLOWED TO LEAVE CHINA, IF THEY APPLY FOR EXIT PERMITS, TO JOIN THEIR HUSBANDS FOR RESETTLEMENT IN HONG KONG,+ HE ADDED.

ELABORATING ON THE SCHEME MR JE AFFRESON SAID THE GUANGDONG AUTHORITIES WOULD, WITHIN A PERIOD OF THREE YEARS, MAKE ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE APPLICANTS TO BE ISSUED WITH EXIT PERMITS IN BATCHES ACCORDING TO THE DATE OF THEIR MARRIAGES.

/+APPLICANTS WILL