XN000022-1991-02-28 — Page 14

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 1991

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ELECTION FOR KWUN TONG SHUN LEE CONSTITUENCY COUNTERMANDED

THE DISTRICT BOARD ELECTION FOR THE SHUN LEE CONSTITUENCY IN KWUN TONG DISTRICT ON SUNDAY (MARCH 3) IS COUNTERMANDED BY REASON OF THE DEATH OF ONE OF THE CANDIDATES, MR POON YU-KWONG.

ANNOUNCING THIS TODAY (THURSDAY), A SPOKESMAN FOR THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION SAID THE REGISTRATION AND ELECTORAL OFFICE WILL BE SENDING LETTERS TO INFORM ALL THE 15,030 ELECTORS OF THE CONSTITUENCY OF THE COUNTERMAND TOMORROW.

"A BY-ELECTION WILL BE HELD ON APRIL 21 AND THE PERIOD WILL BE FROM MARCH 15 TO APRIL 2," HE SAID.

REGISTERED

NOMINATION

REVISION IN FEES COLLECTED BY IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT

WITH

EFFECT FROM TOMORROW (FRIDAY), FEES CHARGED FOR A NUMBER OF SERVICES PROVIDED BY THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT WILL BE INCREASED, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY (THURSDAY).

"IT IS GOVERNMENT POLICY TO PROVIDE SERVICES TO THE PUBLIC ON A COST-RECOVERY BASIS UNLESS OTHERWISE JUSTIFIED.

"A RECENT REVIEW OF FEES AND CHARGES COLLECTED BY THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT SHOWS THAT THERE IS AN OVERALL UNDER-RECOVERY OF THE COST OF SERVICES PROVIDED, PARTICULARLY, IN RESPECT OF REGISTRATION OF PERSONS, REGISTRATION OF BIRTHS, DEATHS AND

MARRIAGE, AND ISSUE OF TRAVEL DOCUMENTS," THE SPOKESMAN EXPLAINED.

THE SPOKESMAN ALSO POINTED OUT THAT THE GOVERNMENT!S REGULAR FEES ADJUSTMENT EXERCISES WERE NECESSARY TO ENSURE THAT INFLATION AND INCREASED OPERATING COSTS WERE TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT, RATHER THAN SIMPLY PASSED ON TO THOSE WHO DID NOT ACTUALLY USE THE SERVICES.

HE SAID THAT TO DELAY THE INCREASE WOULD EXTEND THE PERIOD OF LOSS TO THE GENERAL TAXPAYERS, AND THE NEW FEES WERE, IN SOME AREAS, STILL BELOW THE COST OF PROVIDING THE SERVICES.

"IN MANY AREAS, AND PARTICULARLY THOSE WITH GREAT AND INCREASING PRESSURES OF DEMAND ON SERVICES AND STAFF, THE GOVERNMENT MUST REINFORCE THE VERY FAIR AND APPROPRIATE PRINCIPLE THAT THOSE WHO USE AND CAN AFFORD THE SERVICES SHOULD BEAR THE COSTS, HE STRESSED.

"

"FOR EXAMPLE, THE FEES FOR A 32-PAGE HONG KONG BDTC PASSPORT WILL BE INCREASED FROM $200 TO $250, A REPLACEMENT ISSUE OF A LOST OR DESTROYED IDENTITY CARD FROM $100 TO $170 AND A CERTIFICATE OF REGISTRATION OF MARRIAGE FROM $40 TO $75,' THE SPOKESMAN SAID.

I

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"THE OLD FRES WILL BE CHARGED FOR APPLICATIONS SUBMITTED BEFORE MARCH 1 HE SAID.

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