XN000022-1989-03-15 — Page 23

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 15, 1989

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$400 MILLION IN ADDITIONAL REVENUE'

THE "ADDITIONAL REVENUE" ARISING FROM THE APPLICATION OF THE "CLAWBACK" PROVISION IN SALARIES TAXATION IS ESTIMATED TO BF ABOUT $400 MILLION FOR EACH OF THE FINANCIAL YEARS 1987-88 AND 1988-89.

THE ACTING FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON DAVID NENDICK, INFORMED THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL OF THIS TODAY (WEDNESDAY) IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON RITA FAN.

MR NENDICK EXPLAINED THAT THE "ADDITIONAL REVENUE" DERIVED FROM THE "CLAWBACK" PROVISION WAS, IN EFFECT, THE REDUCED COST TO THE REVENUE OF GRANTING ADDITIONAL PERSONAL ALLOWANCE.

"THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE 'CLAWBACK' PROVISION INVOLVED A COMPUTER PROGRAMMING COST OF $60,000 IN 1987-88."

"THEREAFTER, NO OTHER COST HAS ADMINISTRATION," HE SAID.

BEEN INCURRED IN ITS

DRINKING WATER MEETS WHO GUIDELINES

THE QUALITY OF RAW WATER FROM CHINA IS WELL WITHIN THE LIMITS THAT TREATMENT WORKS IN HONG KONG ARE CAPABLE OF HANDLING ΤΟ PRODUCE WATER THAT MEETS THE WORLD HEALTH ORGANISATION'S DRINKING WATER GUIDELINES.

THE SECRETARY FOR LANDS AND WORKS, THE HON GRAHAM BARNES, INFORMED THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL OF THIS TODAY (WEDNESDAY) IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON ELSIE TU.

MR BARNES SAID THE WATER SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT REGULARLY MONITORED RAW WATER QUALITY AT THE MUK WU PUMPING STATIONS, WHERE WATER WAS RECEIVED FROM CHINA, AND ALSO AT ALL WATER TREATMENT WORKS.

"THE QUALITY OF WATER FROM CHINA HAS ALWAYS BEEN SATISFACTORY AND NO SIGNIFICANT DETERIORATION HAS BEEN DETECTED SO FAR," HE SAID.

HE POINTED OUT THAT AT PRESENT THERE WAS NO FORMAL UNDERSTANDING WITH THE CHINESE AUTHORITIES ON THE QUALITY OF WATER PROVIDED.

"THIS WILL BE AN AGENDA ITEM IN THE COMING THE CHINESE AUTHORITY ON WATER SUPPLY FROM

DISCUSSIONS WITH

CHINA BEYOND 1994.

"WE THINK IT WOULD BE APPROPRIATE TO INCLUDE A CLAUSE GOVERNING WATER QUALITY IN THE RESULTING AGREEMENT,

HE SAID.

ON THE