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"These administrative schemes have been running smoothly and given a very high degree of transparency," he said.

"We have kept LegCo informed regularly through the Manpower Panel and consulted Members whenever we intended to make any changes to the arrangements under the schemes," Mr Leung said, citing the calculation criteria of the quota allocation as an example.

"I must stress that we have fully taken into account the views expressed by LegCo Members, employers and employees and practical proposals have been subsequently incorporated to meet concerns and changing circumstances," he said.

"The Government's labour policy has thus been closely monitored by LegCo throughout the past few years and there have been no major problems which warrant a drastic change to the existing system," Mr Leung said.

End/Wednesday, February 22, 1995

Governor to chair summit meeting on drugs in March

The Governor, the Rt Hon Christopher Patten, will chair a summit meeting on drugs on March 6 to highlight the need for a concerted effort to fight the drug problem and to draw on ideas from the community.

The plan was announced by the Secretary for Security, Mr Peter Lai, at the Legislative Council meeting today (Wednesday).

In response to members' questions on drug abuse and trafficking, Mr Lai said the Government recognised that the seriousness of the problems, particularly as they affected the young, was such that anti-drugs effort had to be redoubled.

"The Government will, of course, play its part, but we need the support and participation of non-Government organisations, teachers, parents and indeed the community as a whole."

He said the Administration's long-term policy to combat these problems took a multifaceted approach, which is co-ordinated by the Action Committee Against Narcotics and supported by the Narcotics Division of the Security Branch.

On legislation and enforcement, the policy is to enact the necessary legislation and keep them up to date.

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