XN000022-1989-03-14 — Page 8

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TUESDAY, MARCH 14, 1989

SECONDLY, MR LEUNG SAID A QUALITY

AWARENESS CAMPAIGN WAS UNDER ACTIVE PLANNING AND WAS SCHEDULED FOR LAUNCHING EARLY NEXT YEAR.

"THE CAMPAIGN WILL PRIMARILY BE TARGETTED AT DECISION MAKERS IN MANUFACTURING COMPANIES AS WELL AS THEIR EMPLOYEES.

"THE PRINCIPAL MESSAGE WOULD BE THAT THE INTRODUCTION OF A PROPER QUALITY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM WOULD HELP REDUCE COSTS, IMPROVE OUTPUT AND SECURE MARKETS, HE SAID.

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THIRDLY, A VOLUNTARY SCHEME OF ACCREDITATION FOR THE MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS OF COMPANIES CONFORMING WITH STANDARDS BASED ON THE APPROPRIATE PARTS OF THE ISO 9000 SERIES OF QUALITY MANAGEMENT STANDARDS, ISSUED BY THE INTERNATIONAL ORGANISATION STANDARDISATION (ISO), WAS ESSENTIAL.

I

FOR

MR LEUNG NOTED THAT PLANNING HAD STARTED FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A GOVERNMENT SPONSORED AGENCY WHOSE PRIME FUNCTION WAS TO ASSESS QUALITY MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS IN FACTORIES FOR THE PURPOSE OF ACCREDITATION. THE AGENCY WAS EXPECTED TO BE OPERATIONAL LATER THIS

YEAR.

"

TARGETTED FOR OF A NUMBER OF

'ASSESSMENT OF THE FIRST GROUP OF FACTORIES IS MID-1990 AND IT IS ANTICIPATED THAT ACCREDITATION THESE WILL BE ACHIEVED SHORTLY THEREAFTER.

MANUFACTURERS

"WHERE NECESSARY. ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE MADE FOR TO HAVE ACCESS TO APPROPRIATE PROFESSIONAL CONSULTANCIES, HE SAID.

"

MR LEUNG EXPECTED THAT THE SCHEME WOULD EXPAND CONSIDERABLY AS THE QUALITY MESSAGE BECAME MORE CLEARLY UNDERSTOOD AND BETTER APPRECIATED.

NEW WATER RATES FROM APRIL 1

ΤΟ

NEW WATER RATES ARE TO BE INTRODUCED FROM APRIL 1 THIS YEAR REFLECT MORE REALISTICALLY OPERATING COSTS AND INFLATION ON VARIOUS ITEMS OF EXPENDITURE, A WATER AUTHORITY SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (TUESDAY).

THE ANNUAL REVIEW WAS APPROVED BY THE EXECUTIVE

MORNING.

COUNCIL TRIS

THE SPOKESMAN SAID THAT UNDER THE NEW RATES ABOUT 222,000 HOUSEHOLDS WILL CONTINUE ΤΟ ENJOY A FREE SUPPLY OF WATER WHILE 720,000 HOUSEHOLDS WILL NEED TO PAY NO MORE THAN AN EXTRA 80 CENTS PER WEEK.

THE BALANCE