XN000022-1992-10-14 — Page 18

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 14, 1992

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NO PRIORITY TO FORMER ARMY EMPLOYEES TO CHANGE JOB

THE GOVERNMENT DOES NOT HAVE ANY SPECIAL SCHEMES FOR GIVING PRIORITY ENTRANCE ΤΟ

FORMER EMPLOYEES OF THE BRITISH FORCES FOR VACANCIES EITHER IN THE ROYAL HONG KONG BRITISH FORCES OR ELSEWHERE IN THE CIVIL SERVICE.

THIS WAS STATED BY THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, MR ALISTAIR ASPREY, IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON MARVIN CHEUNG KIN- TUNG IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).

**THEY ARE WELCOME TO APPLY, AND ΤΟ COMPETE WITH APPLICANTS, MR ASPREY SAID.

".

OTHER

THE BRITISH FORCES IN HONG KONG EMPLOY SOME 3, 800 HONG KONG RESIDENTS OF WHOM 1,500 ARE SERVING MEMBERS OF THE ROYAL NAVY AND THE ARMY. THE REMAINDER ARE CIVILIANS WHO PROVIDE SUPPORT SERVICES.

THE SECRETARY SAID THE HEADQUARTERS BRITISH FORCES, AS THEIR EMPLOYER, HAD ESTABLISHED A RESETTLEMENT TEAM TO ASSIST IN MANAGING THE RUNDOWN IN EMPLOYMENT OF THESE PEOPLE AND IN IDENTIFYING EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES FOR THEM WHEN THEY LEAVE.

HE SAID THE GOVERNMENT ASSISTS BY NOTIFYING BRITISH FORCES OF VACANCIES IN THE CIVIL SERVICE.

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HEADQUARTERS

BILL TO BETTER PROTECT TRAVELLERS INTRODUCED

COMPLAINTS

NO TRAVEL AGENT HAS ABSCONDED AND THE NUMBER OF AGAINST TRAVEL AGENTS HAS DROPPED SINCE 1988, THE SECRETARY FOR AND INDUSTRY, MR T. H. CHAU, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL (WEDNESDAY).

TRADE TODAY

BILL

SAID

MOVING THE SECOND READING OF TRAVEL AGENTS (AMENDMENT) 1992, A BILL WHICH WOULD HELP CONSOLIDATE THESE EFFORTS, MR CHAU THE GOVERNMENT HAD COME A LONG WAY SINCE THE DAYS WHEN SOME TRAVEL AGENTS DEFAULTED AND LEFT THOUSANDS OF HOLIDAY-MAKERS UNPROTECTED.

THE PURPOSE OF THE BILL IS TO IMPLEMENT A PACKAGE OF REFORMS WHICH WILL, ON THE ONE HAND, ENHANCE THE REGULATORY REGIME FOR THE OUTBOUND TRAVEL INDUSTRY AND, ON THE OTHER, OFFER INCREASED PROTECTION TO CONSUMERS.

A REVIEW OF THE REGULATORY REGIME FOR THE OUTBOUND TRAVEL INDUSTRY WAS COMPLETED LAST YEAR. AFTER MUCH NEGOTIATION AND CONSULTATION WITH CONCERNED PARTIES, A PACKAGE OF REFORMS, ENDORSED BY THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON TRAVEL AGENTS, WAS AGREED WITH THE TRAVEL INDUSTRY COUNCIL AND THE TRAVEL INDUSTRY COUNCIL RESERVE FUND LAST JUNE.

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