XN000022-1987-10-31 — Page 3

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SATURDAY, OCTOBER 31, 1987

"THE REAL POINT IS THAT THERE IS NO LACK

OF INVESTMENT FUNDS IN HONG KONG ITSELF. INDEED, INVESTMENT IN PLANT AND MACHINERY HAS BEEN AT RECORD LEVELS IN THE LAST THREE YEARS, THERE ARE MASSIVE PRIVATE SECTOR CAPITAL PROJECTS, WITH PAY BACK PERIODS STRETCHING WELL BEYOND 1997, AND THE BANKS ARE VERY LIQUID."

HE ADDED THAT THERE HAS BEEN VERY HEAVY HONG KONG INVESTMENT IN CHINA: "THAT 19 SCARCELY THE ACTION OF A BUSINESS COMMUNITY WHICH IS FRIGHTENED BY THE FUTURE TRANSFER OF SOVEREIGNTY. *

LOOKING TO THE FUTURE, MR DORWARD SAID THAT THE LONG SERIES OF VICISSITUDES WHICH HAVE BEEN THE LOT OF HONG KONG SINCE, AND EVEN BEFORE, IT WAS FOUNDED GIVE A GOOD IDEA AS TO WHY THOSE WHO KNOW HONG KONG MAINTAIN A STUBBORN CONFIDENCE THAT ITS PROVEN RECORD OF RESILIENCE AND ADAPTABILITY WILL ENABLE IT TO SURVIVE AND PROSPER MANY YEARS TO COME.

FOR

CENTRAL REFERRAL SYSTEM FOR DISABLED CHILDREN

THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT WILL BE COMPUTERISING APPLICATIONS FOR PLACES IN PRE-SCHOOL SERVICES FOR DISABLED CHILDREN. THE COMPUTER WILL ALSO KEEP A RECORD OF VACANCIES IN THESE SERVICES.

THE COMPUTERISATION IS AIMED AT ACHTBVING A BETTER UTILISATION OF THE AVAILABLE FACILITIES AND OBTAINING A MORE ACCURATE PICTURE OF THE DEMAND AND SUPPLY SITUATION.

BY OF

THIS CO-ORDINATED REFERRAL SYSTEM FOR DISABLED PRE-SCHOOL CHILDREN (CRS), THE ESTABLISHMENT OF WHICH HAS BEEN RECOMMENDED THE WORKING PARTY ON PRE-SCHOOL CARE, EDUCATION AND TRAINING DISABLED CHILDREN, WILL COME INTO OPERATION ON MONDAY, NOVEMBER 2.

INTRODUCING THE SYSTEM, THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE (YOUTH AND REHABILITATION), MR TONY REYNALDS, SAID ONE OF ITS MAIN FUNCTIONS WAS TO MAINTAIN AND DISSEMINATE TO GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS AND VOLUNTARY AGENCIES CONCERNED INFORMATION ON THE LEVEL OF OCCUPANCY AND THE WAITING LISTS OF CENTRES FOR PRE-SCHOOL DISABLED

CHILDREN.

THEY INCLUDE THE SPECIAL CHILD CARE CENTRES FOR THE MORE SEVERELY DISABLED CHILDREN; CHILD CARE CENTRES WITH INTEGRATED PROGRAMMES WHERE THOSE AGRD TWO TO SIX, WITH MINOR DISABILITIES, ARE INTEGRATED WITH NORMAL CHILDREN AND THE FARLY EDUCATION AND TRAINING CENTRES FOR CHILDREN UNDER TWO.

/AT PRESENT,