XN000022-1993-03-24 — Page 5

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WEDNESDAY, MARCH 24, 1993

WAYS TO HELP STUDENTS SEVER TRIAD LINKS

WITH EFFECT FROM APRIL 1 THIS YEAR, UNDER A SIX-MONTH

TRIAL

SCHEME, THE POLICE WILL MAKE WIDER USE OF THE SUPERINTENDENT'S DISCRETION SCHEME IN CASE OF JUVENILES ARRESTED FOR MINOR TRIAD-RELATED OFFENCES, INCLUDING THAT OF BEING A MEMBER OF A TRIAD SOCIETY.

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

"IN APPROPRIATE CASES, YOUNG PERSONS WILL BE CAUTIONED AND HELPED TO TURN AWAY BEING PROSECUTED, MR ASPREY SAID.

"

BELOW 17 YEARS OF AGE FROM CRIME RATHER THAN

ADDITIONAL ASSISTANCE CAN

WITH THE AGREEMENT OF THE PARENTS, THEN BE PROVIDED BY THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT AND EDUCATION DEPARTMENT.

"THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE TRIAL SCHEME, AND THAT OF OTHER EXISTING MEASURES, WILL CONTINUE TO BE MONITORED ΤΟ ENSURE ADEQUATE ASSISTANCE IS GIVEN TO STUDENTS WHO WISH то GIVE UP TRIAD LINKS," MR ASPREY SAID.

HOWEVER, THE SECRETARY SAID THESE MEASURES DID OF A FORMAL TRIAD RENUNCIATION SCHEME, AND THERE WERE PRESENT TO REACTIVATE THE FORMER RENUNCIATION SCHEME.

THAT THEIR

NOT FALL PART NO PLANS AT

"NO DOCUMENTARY PROOF OF TRIAD RENUNCIATION WILL THEREFORE BE PROVIDED, HE ADDED.

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HE ALSO SAID STUDENTS WITH TRIAD LINKS COULD APPROACH SCHOOL SOCIAL WORKERS FOR COUNSELLING AND OTHER ASSISTANCE.

TO HELP THEM SEVER THEIR TRIAD LINKS, ARRANGEMENTS COULD BE MADE TO ENABLE THEM TO CHANGE SCHOOL.

IN MORE DIFFICULT CASES, THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT, WITH THE CONSENT OF THE PARENTS, CAN APPLY TO THE JUVENILE COURT FOR A CARE AND PROTECTION ORDER то PLACE THE STUDENTS UNDER STATUTORY SUPERVISION, HE ADDED.

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COMPASSIONATE HOUSING POLICY MODIFIED TO HELP DIVORCEES

*

TO

THE HOUSING AUTHORITY HAS RECENTLY REVIEWED THE COMPASSIONATE HOUSING POLICY AND APPROVED ITS MODIFICATION TO PROVIDE MORE HELP THOSE DIVORCEES IN GENUINE NEED.

THIS WAS STATED BY THE SECRETARY FOR PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT AND

MR LANDS,

QUESTION BY

HON TONY EASON, IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A EMILY LAU IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).

THE

/MR EASON