XN000022-1991-12-11 — Page 13

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WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 11, 1991

SAFETY STANDARDS FOR CHILDREN'S PRODUCTS TO BE INTRODUCED

THE GOVERNMENT IS DRAFTING A BILL WHICH SETS SAFETY STANDARDS FOR TOYS AND CHILDREN'S PRODUCTS OFFERED FOR SALE IN HONG KONG, INCLUDING THE LEVEL OF LEAD PERMISSIBLE IN PAINTS USED BY CHILDREN.

THIS WAS STATED BY THE SECRETARY FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY, MR CHAU TAK-HAY IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).

REPLYING TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON LEONG CHE-HUNG, MR CHAU SAID THE TOYS AND CHILDREN'S PRODUCTS SAFETY BILL WAS AT AN ADVANCED STAGE OF DRAFTING.

SUBJECT то THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL'S ADVICE, THE BILL IS EXPECTED TO BE INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL LATER THIS SESSION, HE ADDED.

AT PRESENT, THERE IS NO STATUTORY SAFETY STANDARD REGARDING LEAD CONTENT IN DRAWING PAINT USED BY SCHOOL CHILDREN.

NOTING THAT THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT AND SCHOOLS WERE CONCERNED ABOUT SAFETY PRECAUTIONS IN SCHOOLS, RE SAID: "MEASURES TAKEN BY THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT ON THE PROMOTION OF SAFETY IN ART ACTIVITIES INCLUDE THE ISSUE OF GUIDELINES TO ALL SCHOOLS IN WHICH SAFETY PRECAUTIONS IN HANDLING TOXIC MATERIALS, INCLUDING PAINTS, EMPHASISED.

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FOLLOWING A WARNING RECENTLY ISSUED BY THE CONSUMER COUNCIL ON THE HIGH LEAD CONTENT FOUND IN A CERTAIN BRAND OF POWDER PAINT, HE SAID THE DEPARTMENT WAS REVISING THE SAFETY GUIDELINES TO STRENGTHEN THE PART ON THE PROPER HANDLING OF TOXIC ART MATERIAL.

"IT IS ALSO PLANNING TO ORGANISE A SEMINAR FOR ART TEACHERS ON THE SUBJECT, HE SAID.

SOCIAL WELFARE ADVISORY COMMITTEE TO BE CONSULTED ON POLICY CHANGES

THE ON

THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, MRS ELIZABETH WONG, TOLD LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY) THAT RECURRENT EXPENDITURE SOCIAL WELFARE IS EXPECTED TO INCREASE IN REAL TERMS BY ABOUT 16 PER CENT OVER THE NEXT FOUR FINANCIAL YEARS.

IN FACT, FOR THE GOVERNMENT AS A WHOLE THERE WILL BE REAL INCREASES IN EXPENDITURE OVER THE SAME PERIOD, SHE ADDED.

REPLYING TO A QUESTION FROM THE BON LI WAH-MING, MRS WONG EXPLAINED THAT BRANCH SECRETARIES HAD BEEN ASKED TO IDENTIFY MODEST SAVINGS ON EXISTING SERVICES SO THAT MORE AVAILABLE FOR NEW SERVICES.

FUNDS

COULD BE MADE

/THE SAVINGS