XN000022-1993-04-29 — Page 12

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THURSDAY, APRIL 29, 1993

A COMPANY/REGISTERED BUSINESS WHICH COMMITS AN OFFENCE UNDER THE TTRS IS LIABLE UPON CONVICTION TO A MAXIMUM PENALTY OF A PINE OF $500,000 AND TWO YEARS' IMPRISONMENT.

MOREOVER, THE TRADE DEPARTMENT MAY TAKE ADMINISTRATIVE ACTION AGAINST REGISTERED TEXTILE TRADERS WHO BREACH ANY OF THE CONDITIONS OF THE TTRS.

TO,

SUCH ADMINISTRATIVE ACTION MAY INVOLVE, BUT NOT CONFINED THE SUSPENSION AND REVOCATION OF ANY EXEMPTION AND REGISTRATION GRANTED.

THE TRADE DEPARTMENT HAS PUBLISHED CIRCULARS GIVING OUT DETAILS OF THE TTRS. THESE CIRCULARS AND RELEVANT TTRS APPLICATION FORMS ARE AVAILABLE FOR COLLECTION FROM THE TRADE DEPARTMENT ENQUIRY COUNTER ON GROUND FLOOR, TRADE DEPARTMENT TOWER, 700 NATHAN ROAD, KOWLOON.

EX-MENTALLY ILL FIT TO BE INTEGRATED INTO SOCIETY

* *

EX-MENTALLY ILL PEOPLE ARE DISCHARGED MENTAL PATIENTS WHO ARE RECOMMENDED BY A MULTI-DISCIPLINARY TEAM COMPRISING MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS AND SOCIAL WORKERS AS FIT TO BE INTEGRATED INTO SOCIETY, DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MR IAN STRACHAN, SAID TODAY (THURSDAY),

HE MADE THE STATEMENT AFTER VISITING THE LOK KWAN HALF-WAY HOUSE AND THE LAI KWAN DAY TRAINING CENTRE, BOTH OPERATED BY THE BAPTIST OI KWAN SERVICE IN WAN CHAI, TO FAMILIARISE HIMSELF WITH THE REHABILITATION FACILITIES FOR DISCHARGED MENTAL PATIENTS.

MR STRACHAN STRESSED THAT THE EX-MENTALLY ILL HAD THE RIGHT то LIVE AND TO BE INTEGRATED INTO SOCIETY.

"WHEN THEY ARE DISCHARGED FROM HOSPITALS, THEY HAVE THE SAME RIGHTS AS ALL CITIZENS TO PARTICIPATE IN SOCIETY.

IF WE WERE TO CONTINUE DETAINING THEM IN INSTITUTIONS OR TO HIDE THEM AWAY, THIS WOULD NOT HELP THEIR TOTAL REHABILITATION. IT WOULD ALSO REFLECT POORLY ON OUR SOCIETY, HE SAID.

HE NOTED THAT 30 YEARS AGO PROPLE IN WHEELCHAIRS FROM OTHER FORMS OF DISABILITY USED TO BE HIDDEN AWAY.

OR SUFFERING

"OUR COMMUNITY NOW REALISE THAT THEY HAVE THE RIGHT ΤΟ BE AROUND LIKE EVERYBODY ELSE.

"IN

A MODERN SOCIETY LIKE HONG KONG THIS RIGHT SHOULD NOT BE TAKEN AWAY," HE ADDED.

HE SAID THE COMMUNITY HAD A RESPONSIBILITY TO HELP MENTALLY ILL REHABILITATE.

THE EX-

ILL

WERE

DURING HIS VISIT MR STRACHAN WAS BRIEFED BY MRS LEUNG, DIRECTOR OF BAPTIST OI KWAN SOCIAL SERVICE ON HOW THE EX-MENTALLY TRAINED FOR EMPLOYMENT.

/HE PRAISED