XN000022-1994-05-04 — Page 32

WEDNESDAY, MAY 4, 1994

17

STRANDED SEAMEN WILL GET QUICK HELP

AND

THE GOVERNMENT WILL AIM TO SPEEDILY IDENTIFY INDIVIDUAL DEAL EXPEDITIOUSLY AND SYMPATHETICALLY WITH WELFARE REPATRIATION MATTERS FOR FOREIGN SEAMEN STRANDED IN HONG KONG.

CASES

AND

MR BARROW

THIS WAS EXPLAINED BY THE SECRETARY FOR ECONOMIC SERVICES, GORDON SIU, IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON MARTIN IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).

WHEN FOREIGN SEAMEN ARE STRANDED IN THE TERRITORY, THE ONUS IS ON THE SHIPOWNER OR HIS AGENT IN HONG KONG TO TAKE THEM.

NOT

TO

INITIAL CARE OF

FALLS TO THE TO THE FOR THEIR

THIS PROVES

BE POSSIBLE, IT GOVERNMENT TO SPEEDILY APPROACH THROUGH DIPLOMATIC CHANNELS

CONCERNED TO MAKE ANY NECESSARY ARRANGEMENTS

WHERE

FLAG WELFARE.

STATE

MR

OF THE

SIU SAID

INCREASING PREVALENCE IN THE LIGHT OF STRANDING OF FOREIGN SEAFARERS IN HONG KONG, THE GOVERNMENT WOULD:

NEED THEM ARE CLEAR

* BRING TO THE ATTENTION OF THE FLAG STATES CONCERNED THE

TO ENSURE THAT OWNERS OF VESSELS REGISTERED WITH FULLY AWARE OF THEIR OBLIGATIONS AND то GUIDELINES FOR ACTION BY THEIR LOCAL CONSULATES;

* DETERMINE HOW BEST

TO

CONTINGENCY REPATRIATION.

RELIEF FOR

INSTITUTE

OF

CO-ORDINATE THE PROVISION STRANDED SEAFARERS PENDING THEIR

INFILL SITES IDENTIFIED TO INCREASE PUBLIC HOUSING PRODUCTION

THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT IS LOOKING INTO THE FEASIBILITY OF BUILDING ADDITIONAL BLOCKS IN EXISTING HOUSING ESTATES AS PART OF THE MEASURES TO INCREASE PUBLIC HOUSING PRODUCTION TO MEET HOUSING DEMANDS IN THE NEXT FEW YEARS. ·

AND

THIS WAS STATED BY THE SECRETARY FOR PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT LANDS, MR TONY EASON, IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY DR THE HON TANG SIU-TONG IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).

HE SAID THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT HAD IDENTIFIED 31 POSSIBLE "INFILL" SITES IN EXISTING ESTATES WHICH HAD POTENTIAL FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF STANDARD BLOCKS OR SPECIAL BLOCKS FOR SMALL HOUSEHOLDS.

MR EASON SAID THE FEASIBILITY OF USING THESE SITES WAS DEPENDENT ON THE IMPACT ON INFRASTRUCTURAL AND COMMUNITY FACILITIES BEING ACCEPTABLE, ENVIRONMENTAL AND TRAFFIC CONSTRAINTS BEING OVERCOME AND PUBLIC CONSULTATION.

/"IF EVERYTHING