XN000022-1994-04-27 — Page 8

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WEDNESDAY, APRIL 27, 1994

QUESTION: ARE THEY GOING TO GIVE A SKLECTIVE MFN TO CHINA?

CHIEF SECRETARY: WELL, I WAS ASSURED THAT NO DECISION HAS BEEN MADE. OBVIOUSLY, THEY WILL TAKE INTO ACCOUNT VARIOUS FACTORS AND THEY WILL PARTICULARLY TAKE INTO ACCOUNT HONG KONG'S SITUATION.

QUESTION: DID YOU DISCUSS ANYTHING ABOUT LATER DEMOCRATIC PROPOSALS,

BESIDES MPN?

QUESTION: HOW ABOUT HUMAN RIGHTS?

CHIEF SECRETARY: WELL, WE OBVIOUSLY TOUCHED ON THE SITUATION IN HONG KONG, THE SITUATION IN CHINA, BOTH THE ECONOMIC SITUATION, THE HUMAN RIGHTS IN CHINA.

THE

INTER-DEPARTMENTAL INVESTIGATION TEAM SUBMITS REPORT ON SHEK KIP MBI BANK FIRE

SPECIAL

INTER-DEPARTMENTAL

INVESTIGATION

TEAM,

COMMISSIONED TO LOOK INTO THE FIRE INCIDENT OCCURRED AT THE HONG KONG BANK SHEK KIP MEI BRANCH ON JANUARY 10 THIS YEAR, HAS SUBMITTED ITS REPORT TO THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY.

"IN VIEW OF THE ON-GOING

INQUEST, DETAILS OF THE REPORT

MURDER

TRIAL AND SUBSEQUENT DEATH CANNOT BE DISCLOSED PRIOR ΤΟ THE DISPOSITION OF JUDICIAL PROCEEDINGS," A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY).

HOWEVER, THE SPOKESMAN POINTED OUT THAT THE INVESTIGATION TEAM HAD PUT FORWARD A NUMBER OF RECOMMENDATIONS TO UPGRADE FIRE SAFETY STANDARDS AND MEANS OF ESCAPE IN COMMERCIAL PREMISES OF SIMILAR LAYOUT.

JEWELLERY AND

MONEY CHANGERS, PAYMENT OFFICES AND

THEY INCLUDE OFF-COURSE BETTING CENTRES, GOLDSMITHS SHOPS, PAWN SHOPS, SHROFFS, AND MEDICAL CLINICS.

"WE BELIEVE THAT MANY OF THE RECOMMENDATIONS CAN ALSO BE USEFULLY APPLIED TO OTHER COMMERCIAL PREMISES, SUCH AS SUPERMARKETS, DEPARTMENT STORES AND SHOPPING ARCADES, THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.

HE SAID

THE

F

ADMINISTRATION

APPRECIATED

THAT THE RECOMMENDATIONS MIGHT ENTAIL SIGNIFICANT IMPROVEMENT WORKS AND MIGHT HAVE AN IMPACT ON THE MAJOR USERS OF THOSE PREMISES.

"WE ARE, THEREFORE, SEEKING VIEWS AND COMMENTS FROM AFFECTED ORGANISATIONS AND BODIES ON THE RECOMMENDATIONS AND THE FEASIBILITY OF IMPLEMENTING THEM, HE SAID.

**

A CONSULTATION REPORT WILL BE SENT TO THE FOLLOWING INTERESTED PARTIES FOR COMMENTS BY JUNE 24:-

HONG KONG