XN000022-1993-08-12 — Page 5

THURSDAY, AUGUST 12, 1993

THE CHIEF SECRETARY, SIR DAVID FORD, NOTED THAT THE VARIOUS OPTIONS OF ENHANCING THE INDEPENDENCE OF LEGAL AID ADMINISTRATION WERE DISCUSSED IN THE CONSULTATIVE PAPER AND THAT THE VIEWS EXPRESSED BY LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLORS WOULD FORM PART OF FEEDBACK ON THE CONSULTATIVE PAPER ON LEGAL AID.

"THE ADMINISTRATION WILL FORMULATE THE FINAL RECOMMENDATIONS, AFTER TAKING INTO ACCOUNT ALL THE FEEDBACK ON THE CONSULTATIVE PAPER," THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.

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COMMENTS ON THE CONSULTATIVE PAPER SHOULD BE ADDRESSED TO DIRECTOR OF ADMINISTRATION ON FIFTH FLOOR, MAIN WING, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, LOWER ALBERT ROAD, CENTRAL.

THE SPOKESMAN SAID LATE SUBMISSIONS WOULD BE ACCEPTED IF NOTICE WAS SENT TO THE DIRECTOR OF ADMINISTRATION.

SECOND QUARTER BUSINESS SURVEY RESULTS RELEASED

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MANUFACTURERS GENERALLY REPORTED SEASONAL IMPROVEMENT IN BOTH THE GENERAL BUSINESS SITUATION AND CAPACITY UTILISATION IN THE SECOND QUARTER OF THIS YEAR. LOOKING AHEAD, MANUFACTURERS EXPECT CONTINUED IMPROVEMENT IN THE FOLLOWING QUARTER.

FIRMS FROM THE TRADES OF REAL ESTATE DEVELOPMENT AND RELATED SERVICES EXPERIENCED A SLIGHTLY BETTER THAN EXPECTED GENERAL BUSINESS SITUATION IN THE SECOND QUARTER OF 1993. THIS IS DUE TO THE RECENT BUOYANCY IN THE PROPERTY MARKET.

LOOKING AHEAD, THE FIRMS GENERALLY EXPECT FURTHER IMPROVEMENT IN THE GENERAL BUSINESS SITUATION IN THE FOLLOWING QUARTER.

THE BANKING INDUSTRY ALSO EXPERIENCED IMPROVEMENT IN GENERAL BUSINESS SITUATION IN THE SECOND QUARTER OF THIS YEAR. PROBLEMS OF SHORTAGE OF STAFF AND HIGH STAFF TURNOVER ALLEVIATED THE QUARTER. LOOKING AHEAD, THE BANKS EXPECT FURTHER IMPROVEMENT THE GENERAL BUSINESS SITUATION.

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THESE ARE SOME OF THE MAJOR RESULTS OF THE QUARTERLY BUSINESS SURVEY RELEASED TODAY (THURSDAY) BY THE CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT.

HIGH WAGE RATES CONTINUED TO BE THE BUSINESS PROBLEM MOST CITED BY THE MANUFACTURERS AND WILL STILL BOTHER THEM IN THE FOLLOWING QUARTER. IN ADDITION, PRICE COMPETITIONS FROM LOCAL AND OVERSEAS COMPETITORS STILL REMAINED KEEN.

FOR INDIVIDUAL MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES, MANUFACTURERS FROM THE WEARING APPAREL INDUSTRY REPORTED IMPROVEMENT IN BOTH THE GENERAL BUSINESS SITUATION AND CAPACITY UTILISATION IN THE SECOND QUARTER OF 1993, ALTHOUGH THE IMPROVEMENT WAS BELOW WHAT HAD BEEN PREVIOUSLY EXPECTED.

/PRICE COMPETITION