XN000022-1996-02-07 — Page 35

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13 applications which were outside the scope of the enrolment exercise (i.e. from "tui-na", "qi-gong" practitioners, Chinese medicine manufacturers, etc.)

7 applications from non-Hong Kong residents

The Secretariat of the PCCM will inform the rejected applicants in writing to explain clearly the reasons for rejection and to remind the applicants that they may appeal within 14 days. The decision of the Preparatory Committee will be final.

After the vetting has been completed, data collected will be entered into a computer for analysis. We expect that the analysis results will be available in early July. These results will enable the PCCM to understand more fully the practising situation and training background of TCM practitioners in Hong Kong. This in turn will help the PCCM to advise on legislation providing a statutory framework for the promotion, development and regulation of TCM in Hong Kong, incorporating a system of professional registration. Such legislation will also provide upon its enactment for the establishment of a statutory body to replace the PCCM

End

Tax exemption for student organisation

Following is a question by Dr the Hon Cheung Bing-leung and a reply by the Secretary for the Treasury, Mr Kwong Ki-chi, in the Legislative Council today (Wednesday):

Question:

It is reported that the Inland Revenue Department has written to a university students' union requesting the students' union concerned to amend the clause in its constitution concerning its political objective and to stop engaging in activities of a political nature, so that it can still be regarded as a charitable institution within the meaning of section 88 of the Inland Revenue Ordinance. In this regard, will the Government inform this Council:

(a)

how many student organisations of the tertiary institutions are presently regarded as charitable institutions within the meaning of section 88 of the Inland Revenue Ordinance and thus exempt from tax;