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FRIDAY, MARCH 8, 1991
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE OPPORTUNITY WAS BEING TAKEN TO AMEND THE LAW ΤΟ IMPROVE CERTAIN EXISTING LEGAL AID PRACTICES SUGGESTED BY OPERATIONAL EXPERIENCE.
THE MORE IMPORTANT CHANGES INCLUDE PROVIDING THE DIRECTOR OF LEGAL AID WITH THE AUTHORITY TO REFUSE AN APPLICATION FOR LEGAL AID FROM APPLICANTS WHO REMAIN OUT OF HONG KONG FOR A CONTINUOUS PERIOD OF SIX MONTHS AFTER SUBMITTING AN APPLICATION FOR LEGAL AID, MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE TO ASSESS THEIR LEGAL AID ELIGIBILITY.
SIMILARLY AFFECTED WILL BE THOSE WHO MAKE NO ATTEMPT TO OBTAIN GAINFUL EMPLOYMENT WHILST AWAITING THE OUTCOME OF THEIR APPLICATIONS. THE AMENDMENT AIMS TO CLOSE A LOOPHOLE IN THE LAW AND REDUCE THE LIKELIHOOD OF ABUSE.
THE BILL ALSO PROVIDES FOR THE EXTENSION OF THE SUPPLEMENTARY LEGAL AID SCHEME TO COVER EMPLOYEES' COMPENSATION CLAIMS.
AT PRESENT, AN APPLICANT UNDER THE SUPPLEMENTARY LEGAL AID SCHEME WHO IS SEEKING COMPENSATION FOR INJURIES CANNOT BE ASSISTED IN HIS CLAIM FOR EMPLOYEES' COMPENSATION, ALTHOUGH HE IS ELIGIBLE FOR LEGAL AID FOR THE SUBSEQUENT COMMON LAW CLAIM.
"SINCE THE TWO CLAIMS ARE CLOSELY LINKED AND MUCH OF THE EVIDENCE IS COMMON TO BOTH, IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT THE SUPPLEMENTARY LEGAL AID SCHEME SHOULD EXTEND TO COVER BOTH CLAIMS, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
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THE COST OF ADOPTING A MAXIMUM FINANCIAL CAPACITY OF $120,000 FOR DETERMINATION OF LEGAL AID ELIGIBILITY, COMBINED WITH A GRADUATED SCALE OF CONTRIBUTIONS, WILL BE APPROXIMATELY $25 MILLION EACH YEAR.
1990 BATHING BEACHES WATER QUALITY REPORT ANNOUNCED
THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT (EPD) TODAY (FRIDAY) ANNOUNCED DETAILS OF A REPORT ENTITLED "BACTERIOLOGICAL WATER QUALITY OF BATHING BEACHES IN HONG KONG, 1990".
THE EPD'S PRINCIPAL ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION OFFICER, MR PAUL HOLMES, SAID THE REPORT REVIEWED THE BACTERIOLOGICAL WATER QUALITY THE BATHING BEACHES IN HONG KONG IN THE BATHING SEASON OF 1990.
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HE SAID THE REPORT ANALYSED THE BACTERIOLOGICAL WATER QUALITY TRENDS OF BATHING BEACHES. IT ALSO DISCUSSED THE SOURCES OF POLLUTION OF BEACHES IN VARIOUS DISTRICTS AND THE REMEDIAL ACTIONS REQUIRED.
UP-TO-DATE INFORMATION ΤΟ BEACH-GOERS ON THE LATEST WATER QUALITY AT BEACHES AND THE ASSOCIATED RISK TO HEALTH
OF SWIMMING THEM WAS ALSO PROVIDED.
AT
/THE REPORT
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