XN000022-1992-05-13 — Page 34

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WEDNESDAY, MAY 13, 1992

THESE INCLUDED PENSIONS PAYABLE UNDER THE WIDOWS AND ORPHANS PENSION SCHEME AND THE WIDOWS' AND CHILDREN'S PENSIONS SCHEME.

HE SAID THIS WAS ACHIEVED BY PERIODIC PENSION ADJUSTMENTS IN LINE WITH MOVEMENTS IN THE CONSUMER PRICE INDEX (A).

DURING THE LATEST REVIEW PERIOD FROM APRIL 1, 1991 TO MARCH 31, 1992, THE MOVING ANNUAL AVERAGE OF THE CONSUMER PRICE INDEX (A) ROSE BY 11.54%.

HE SAID THE TOTAL COST OF INCREASING ALL PENSIONS BY THIS PERCENTAGE WAS ESTIMATED TO BE $198.29 MILLION FOR A FULL YEAR.

INTERNATIONAL TOLL-FREE TELEPHONE SERVICE TO BE EXPANDED

* * *

A RESOLUTION WAS INTRODUCED TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY) TO ENABLE THE HONG KONG TELEPHONE COMPANY TO EXPAND ITS INTERNATIONAL TOLL-FREE SERVICE.

MOVING A MOTION UNDER THE TELEPHONE ORDINANCE, THE SECRETARY FOR ECONOMIC SERVICES, MRS ANSON CHAN, SAID THE EXPANDED SERVICE WOULD ALLOW LOCAL RESIDENTS TO DIAL INTERNATIONAL TOLL-FREE NUMBERS, SUCH AS THE "1-800" NUMBERS IN USA, FROM HONG KONG.

THE COMPANIES THAT OFFER THESE TOLL-FREE NUMBERS WILL PAY FOR THE CALL CHARGES, AND WILL BE BILLED IN HONG KONG.

THEY WILL ALSO BE REQUIRED TO PAY REGISTRATION AND ANNUAL SERVICE CHARGES, AS WELL AS A SEPARATE ONE-OFF CHARGE IF THEY WISH то CHANGE NUMBERS.

ON CHARGES FOR THE REVISED SERVICE, MRS CHAN SAID: "WE HAVE EXAMINED THESE CHARGES AND CONSIDER THEM TO BE A FAIR REFLECTION OF THE COSTS OF PROVIDING THE SERVICE.

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