XN000022-1994-03-23 — Page 5

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 23, 1994

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NO PLAN FOR DAYA BAY DRILLS

* * * * *

DAYA

OF

THE GOVERNMENT HAS NO PLAN TO ARRANGE DRILLS AS PART OF THE BAY CONTINGENCY PLAN INVOLVING THE PHYSICAL EVACUATION RESIDENTS IN HONG KONG, THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, MR ALISTAIR

ASPREY, SAID THIS (WEDNESDAY) AFTERNOON.

FOR ONLY TWO PERMANENT HONG KONG RESIDENTS, BOTH LIVING ON PING CHAU, ARE CAST INTO THE 20 KM-RADIUS OF THE CONTINGENCY PLAN.

THE REMAINDER OF THIS PLANNING AREA COVERS THE OPEN WATERS OF MIRS BAY.

HOWEVER, MR ASPREY SAID THE MARINE POLICE, RESPONSIBLE ARRANGEMENTS AS FOR ANY SUCH EVACUATION, DID PRACTISE THE LOGISTICAL PART OF DAYA BAY EXERCISES AND THE TWO RESIDENTS HAD BEEN BRIEFED ON THE ARRANGEMENTS.

IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON EMILY LAU WAI-HING IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, MR ASPREY ALSO SAID THE ROYAL OBSERVATORY PUBLISHED A MONTHLY RECORD OF DAILY READINGS OF THE AMBIENT GAMMA RADIATION LEVELS AT ITS 10 MONITORING STATIONS. THESE BULLETINS ARE AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC.

THE BACKGROUND GAMMA RADIATION LEVELS, MR ASPREY EXPLAINED, THUS VARIED FROM PLACE TO PLACE AND FLUCTUATED WITH TIME AND WEATHER. NORMAL VARIATIONS OF UP TO 100 PER CENT OF AVERAGE LEVELS WERE COMMON.

THE LEVEL OF RADIATION WHICH WOULD BE OF PUBLIC CONCERN WOULD BE SEVERAL HUNDRED TIMES THE BACKGROUND LEVELS, HE SAID.

"THE

INCLUSION OF THESE MEASUREMENTS IN DAILY WEATHER REPORTS WOULD BE OF VERY LIMITED PRACTICAL BENEFIT, HE ADDED.

ΓΙ

0

STAMP ARRANGEMENTS UNDER DISCUSSION WITH CHINA

* * * * *

TRANSITIONAL ARRANGEMENTS FOR POSTAGE STAMPS FOR HONG KONG BEING DISCUSSED WITH THE CHINESE AUTHORITIES, THE SECRETARY FOR AFFAIRS, MR MICHAEL SUEN, TOLD THE

COUNCIL LEGISLATIVE (WEDNESDAY) AFTERNOON.

ARE

HOME

THIS

MR

DIFFICULTIES

IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON PANG CHUN-HOI, SUEN STRESSED THAT THE GOVERNMENT ENVISAGED NO PRACTICAL IN PUTTING IN PLACE APPROPRIATE ARRANGEMENTS WELL 1997.

BEFORE JUNE 30.

BE

INCONVENIENCED

OR

THIS

MEANS

THE

PUBLIC WILL IN NO WAY POSTAL SERVICES ADVERSELY AFFECTED, HE ADDED.

"ARRANGEMENTS WILL BE MADE CLOSER TO THE TIME UNUSED STAMPS BEARING THE QUEEN'S PORTRAIT," HE SAID.

TO

DEAL WITH

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