XN000022-1992-02-19 — Page 9

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 1992

"AS ALREADY REPORTED IN THE PRESS, MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WHO WISH TO OBTAIN THE PAPER ON CMB'S PERFORMANCE RECORDS OR THE TEXT OF CMB'S PROFIT CONTROL SCHEME MAY CONTACT THE TRANSPORT BRANCH EITHER BY TELEPHONE OR BY MAIL," HE SAID.

MR LEUNG SAID IT WOULD NOT BE DESIRABLE IN THIS CASE TO EXTEND THE CONSULTATION PERIOD.

·

"TO KEEP OPEN THE OPTION FOR A FURTHER OPENING UP OF THE BUS MARKET ON HONG KONG ISLAND, THROUGH COMPETITIVE TENDERING OF ROUTES, ENOUGH LEAD TIME MUST BE ALLOWED FOR TENDERS TO BE CALLED AND ASSESSED AS WELL AS FOR PROSPECTIVE CONTENDERS TO LINE UP BUSES AND SUPPORT FACILITIES.

"WE MUST ALSO ALLOW REASONABLE TIME FOR NEGOTIATION WITH CMB,

"

HE SAID.

GOVT TO REVIEW LAW TO PREVENT CHILDREN LEFT UNATTENDED

TO

THE GOVERNMENT INTENDED TO REVIEW THE EXISTING LEGISLATION DETER PARENTS FROM LEAVING THEIR CHILDREN ALONE AT HOME, THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, MRS ELIZABETH WONG, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).

REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY THE HON HUI YIN-FAT, MRS WONG SAID AT THE MOMENT, THE GOVERNMENT DID NOT INTEND TO ENACT A SPECIAL PIECE OF NEW LEGISLATION TO PUNISH PARENTS WHO LEAVE THEIR CHILDREN UNATTENDED AT HOME.

TO

"NEVERTHELESS, WE INTEND TO REVIEW THE EXISTING LEGISLATION SEE WHETHER IT CAN BE STRENGTHENED TO DETER PARENTS FROM HABITUALLY PUTTING THEIR CHILDREN AT RISK BY LEAVING THEM ALONE,' SHE SAID.

"

MRS WONG SAID THE GOVERNMENT WAS KEEPING AN OPEN MIND ON FUTURE

OPTIONS.

SHE NOTED THAT THE THREE-MONTH PUBLIC CONSULTATION WHICH ENDED ON DECEMBER 31 LAST YEAR ATTRACTED 190 WRITTEN SUBMISSIONS.

THE COMMENTS AND SUGGESTIONS RECEIVED WERE ANALYSED AND INCORPORATED IN A REPORT SUBMITTED TO THE SOCIAL WELFARE ADVISORY COMMITTEE FOR DISCUSSION LAST MONTH.

BASED ON THE COMMITTEE'S RECOMMENDATIONS, THE GOVERNMENT PROPOSED TO EXPAND CHILD CARE AND OTHER SUPPORT SERVICES; TO ENCOURAGE THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A SOCIAL NETWORK OF INFORMAL CARE AND SUPPORT PROVIDED BY FAMILIES, RELATIVES, FRIENDS AND NEIGHBOURS; AND ΤΟ PROMOTE PUBLIC EDUCATION ON RESPONSIBLE PARENTHOOD.

ON CHILD CARE SERVICES, MRS WONG SAID A TARGET OF 1,400 DAY NURSERY PLACES FOR CHILDREN AGED BETWEEN TWO AND SIX HAD BEEN SET ANNUALLY UNTIL DEMAND WAS FULLY MET.

/OTHER MEASURES