XN000022-1995-07-13 — Page 23

22.

Reminder on deadline for returning survey questionnaires

The Census and Statistics Department today (Thursday) reminded sampled establishments in the following surveys in respect of 1994 to return survey questionnaires :

Annual Survey of Industrial Production;

* Annual Survey of Wholesale, Retail and Import and Export Trades, Restaurants and Hotels;

* Annual Survey of Building, Construction and Real Estate Sectors;

* Annual Survey of Transport and Related Services; and

* Annual Survey of Storage, Communication, Financing, Insurance and Business Services.

These surveys are conducted annually by the department to collect up-to-date statistical data for evaluating the contribution of various economic activities to Hong Kong's gross domestic product and for ascertaining their cost structure, operating characteristics and output/sales levels. The survey results are useful to both the government and the private sector in formulating policies and making decisions.

Questionnaires were mailed in April and May to about 25,000 establishments sampled for the 1994 surveys. The establishments concerned are legally required to return the completed questionnaires to the department by July 31.

The Commissioner for Census and Statistics, Mr Frederick HO, today appealed to the managements of all sampled establishments to fulfil their legal and social responsibilities by returning promptly the completed questionnaires and co-operating with officers of the department in the course of the surveys. Those who fail to do so may be committing an offence.

Each questionnaire of these annual economic surveys has been so 'designed that respondents can complete it by themselves. If necessary, officers of the Census and Statistics Department, who carry a Government Identity Card and a certificate for conducting the respective surveys, will visit the establishments concerned to assist them in completing the questionnaires.