XN000022-1992-10-02 — Page 9

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 2, 1992

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'THERE ARE SIMILAR SAFETY SPECIFICATIONS IN THE ICTI, ASTM AND EN71 STANDARDS FOR THE PACKAGING OF TOYS. THE AMENDMENTS WILL MAKE IT CLEAR THAT THEY WILL BE APPLIED TO TOYS SUPPLIED IN HONG KONG, HE EXPLAINED.

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A NEW PROVISION WILL BE ADDED TO CLAUSE 25 REGARDING DEFENCE OF DUE DILIGENCE.

"WE AGREE WITH THE AD HOC GROUP THAT THIS WILL SEND A CLEAR MESSAGE TO THE TOY SUPPLIERS THAT IT WILL BE IN THEIR OWN INTEREST TO OBTAIN SUCH TESTING CERTIFICATES BEFORE SUPPLYING THEIR PRODUCTS IN HONG KONG, HE SAID.

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"WE APPRECIATE THE AD HOC GROUP'S CONCERN ABOUT THE MAKING OF REGULATION ON ADDITIONAL SAFETY STANDARDS UNDER CLAUSE 35 OF THE BILL, HE SAID.

"WE HAVE ASSURED MEMBERS THAT IF THESE STANDARDS ARE TO BE MADE, THEY WILL HAVE TO BE MORE STRINGENT THAN THE EXISTING STANDARDS.

"WE HOPE TO INTRODUCE THESE AMENDMENTS то THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON NOVEMBER 4, 1992 UPON RESUMPTION OF THE SECOND READING DEBATE ON THE BILL," HE SAID.

RETAIL SALES VALUE IN JULY ON INCREASE

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THE VALUE OF TOTAL RETAIL SALES IN JULY, ESTIMATED AT $13.6 BILLION, INCREASED BY 15% OVER THE SAME MONTH LAST YEAR, ACCORDING ΤΟ STATISTICS RELEASED TODAY (FRIDAY) BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.

THE INCREASE REFLECTED A CONTINUED GROWTH IN SPENDING BY BOTH LOCAL CONSUMERS AND TOURISTS.

AFTER DISCOUNTING THE EFFECT OF PRICE CHANGES OVER THE TOTAL RETAIL SALES INCREASED BY 10% IN VOLUME TERMS.

PERIOD,

THE INCREASE WAS MAINLY ATTRIBUTABLE TO THE GROWTH IN CONSUMER SPENDING ON MOTOR VEHICLES, CLOTHING, JEWELLERY AND WATCHES.

SALES OF MOTOR VEHICLES REGISTERED A LARGE YEAR-ON-YEAR INCREASE, BY 28% IN VALUE AND 22% IN VOLUME. SALES OF CLOTHING, FOOTWEAR AND ALLIED PRODUCTS WENT UP BY 20% IN VALUE AND 9% IN VOLUME.

SALES OF JEWELLERY, WATCHES, CLOCKS AND VALUABLE GIFTS ROSE BY 17% IN VALUE AND 23% IN VOLUME. THE LARGER INCREASE IN VOLUME WAS DUE TO THE FALL IN THE, PRICES OF JEWELLERY ITEMS.

MORE MODERATE INCREASES WERE RECORDED FOR SALES IN DEPARTMENT STORES, BY 12% IN VALUE AND 2% IN VOLUME; AND FOR SALES OF FUELS, 13% IN VALUE AND 6% IN VOLUME.

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