XN000022-1991-05-22 — Page 11

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WEDNESDAY, MAY 22, 1991

SHE POINTED OUT THAT IN 1989 WHEN THE FUND STARTED ΤΟ COVER SEVERANCE PAYMENTS, THERE WERE 4,460 APPLICATIONS; LAST YEAR, THE NUMBER OF APPLICATIONS INCREASED BY MORE THAN 56 PER CENT TO 6,977.

"IN THE CURRENT YEAR WE EXPECT THE NUMBER ΤΟ INCREASE BY ANOTHER 4.5 PER CENT TO WELL OVER 7,200 CASES,' SHE SAID.

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ON POSSIBLE FUTURE IMPROVEMENTS, MISS CHOW SAID SINCE A MAJOR STEP HAD BEEN TAKEN FORWARD, IT WOULD SEEM PRUDENT TO ALLOW SOME TIME FOR ITS IMPLICATIONS ON THE RESOURCES OF THE FUND TO RE ASCERTAINED, BEFORE CONSIDERING FURTHER CHANGES.

"IN SO DOING, WE WOULD NEED TO CONSULT THE BOARD CONTROLLING THE FUND AND THE LABOUR ADVISORY BOARD," SHE SAID.

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LAW ALLOWS POSTAL PACKETS TO BE OPENED FOR INSPECTION

UNDER THE POST OFFICE ORDINANCE, THE POSTMASTER GENERAL IS PERMITTED TO OPEN FOR INSPECTION POSTAL PACKETS WHICH ARE SUSPECTED OF CONTAINING PROHIBITED ARTICLES.

THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, THE HON ALISTAIR ASPREY, SAID THIS IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY) WHEN REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY THE HON CHEUNG YAN-LUNG.

"IN PRACTICE, ENFORCEMENT IS UNDERTAKEN BY CUSTOMS OFFICERS WHO, UNDER THE IMPORT AND EXPORT ORDINANCE, ARE EMPOWERED TO OPEN AND EXAMINE ANY POSTAL PACKET IN THE PRESENCE OF A POSTAL OFFICER, MR ASPREY SAID.

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HE ADDED THAT THE SELECTION OF PACKETS TO OPEN FOR INSPECTION OR TO X-RAY WAS BASED ON INTELLIGENCE AND PROFILING.

IN 1990, 81,736 INWARD AND 13,720 OUTWARD PARCELS WERE CLOSELY EXAMINED AND, AS A RESULT, 97 SEIZURES WERE MADE.

"THE SEIZURES WERE MAINLY OF DUTIABLE COMMODITIES BUT ALSO INCLUDED DRUGS, PART 1 POISONS, AMMUNITION AND ANIMAL PRODUCTS SUCH AS IVORY, THE SECRETARY SAID.

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