XN000022-1995-09-26 — Page 7

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"The size and significance of the inner reserves of individual banks should be put into perspective," said Mr Carse.

"Inner reserves are only one component of the total capital base of local banks. The principal measure of capital strength which we use is the capital adequacy ratio which banks are required to maintain under the Banking Ordinance. On this measure, all banks in Hong Kong are well above international standards.

"The deregulation which we have undertaken so far (including the step announced today) and the improvements in financial disclosure which we have made in the 1994 and 1995 accounts, have gone a long way to improving the liberalisation and transparency of the Hong Kong banking system," Mr Carse concluded.

End/Tuesday, September 26, 1995

New Director of Education appointed

The Government today (Tuesday) announced the appointment of Mrs Helen Yu Lai Ching-ping, currently Director of Buildings, as the Director of Education, succeeding Mr W K Lam when he takes up the appointment as Secretary for the Civil Service (Designate) next January.

Commenting on the appointment, the Chief Secretary, Mrs Anson Chan, said: "Helen Yu has led the Buildings Department with great skill at a time when it has been frequently under the spotlight. She has a wealth of experience in many areas of the Government and brings with her enthusiasm, a determination and will to achieve her mission."

The successor to Mrs Yu will be selected from eligible officers in the Lands and Works groups of departments, in common with recent practice in these departments.

Brief biographical notes of Mrs Helen Yu and Mr W K Lam are as follows:

Mr Lam Woon-kwong. JP

Aged 44. Mr Lam joined the Administrative Service in 1974 and rose to his present rank of Administrative Officer Staff Grade A in 1995.