XN000022-1992-11-11 — Page 14

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WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 1992

TELEPHONE INTERCEPTION APPLICATIONS CAREFULLY CONSIDERED

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THE ACTING SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, MR IAN STRACHAN, TODAY (WEDNESDAY) ASSURED THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL THAT ALL APPLICATIONS SUBMITTED AND DECISIONS MADE REGARDING INTERCEPTION OF TELEPHONE TRANSMISSIONS WERE CONSIDERED CAREFULLY ON THEIR OWN MERITS.

ORDERS UNDER THE TELECOMMUNICATIONS ORDINANCE TO INTERCEPT TELEPHONE TRANSMISSIONS ARE MADE ONLY WHEN THE PUBLIC INTEREST So REQUIRES AND ONLY IN CASES INVOLVING THE PREVENTION OR DETECTION OF SERIOUS CRIME, INCLUDING CORRUPTION, OR IN THE INTERESTS OF THE SECURITY OF HONG KONG.

IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON GILBERT LEUNG KAM-HO, MR STRACHAN SAID: "SUCH ORDERS ARE AUTHORISED BY THE GOVERNOR, WHO HAS TO BE SATISFIED PERSONALLY THAT THESE CRITERIA ARE MET."

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**IT WOULD NOT BE APPROPRIATE ON LAW AND ORDER AND SECURITY GROUNDS ΤΟ DISCLOSE DETAILS OF ORDERS MADE, INCLUDING NUMBERS, HE ADDED.

MR STRACHAN SAID THE GOVERNMENT WAS LOOKING AT ITS LEGISLATION TO SEE IF IT WAS IN NEED OF MODERNISATION IN THE LIGHT OF THE INTRODUCTION OF THE BILL OF RIGHTS, AND A REVIEW WAS UNDER WAY.

IN THE REVIEW THE GOVERNMENT WILL TAKE CAREFULLY INTO ACCOUNT THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE LAW REFORM COMMISSION, WHICH IS AT PRESENT EXAMINING EXISTING HONG KONG LAWS AFFECTING PRIVACY, INCLUDING INTERCEPTION OF COMMUNICATIONS, HE SAID.

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KINDERGARTEN FEE REMISSION SCHEME SET FOR IMPROVEMENT

THE KINDERGARTEN FEE REMISSION SCHEME IS BEING IMPROVED ΤΟ ALLOW MORE PARENTS TO BECOME ELIGIBLE FOR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE, THEREBY MAKING IT POSSIBLE FOR THE OPERATORS TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF THEIR TEACHERS.

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THIS WAS STATED BY THE SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER, JOHN CHAN, IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON CHEUNG MAN- KWONG IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).

MR CHAN SAID THE GOVERNMENT HELPED PARENTS WHO PASSED A MEANS TEST WITH FEE REMISSION, REGARDLESS OF WHETHER THEIR CHILDREN WERE IN NON-PROFIT-MAKING OR OTHER PRIVATE KINDERGARTENS.

THEY ARE REIMBURSED THE STANDARD FEE, EITHER IN FULL OR IN PART, DEPENDING ON NEED.

IN 1991/92, THESE REIMBURSEMENTS RANGED FROM $100 TO $400 A MONTH IN THE CASE OF SINGLE SESSION KINDERGARTENS OR $200 TO $800 MONTH IN RESPECT OF WHOLE-DAY OPERATIONS.

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