XN000022-1996-02-14 — Page 33

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Since that time, the expenditure guidelines have been rolled forward each year to take account of -

(i)

the forecast trend growth rate of GDP;

(ii) the effect of price changes; and

(iii) changes in the scope of government activities (for example the guidelines have been reduced to reflect the creation of government trading funds, the expenditure on which ceases to be a charge on the General Revenue Account).

The expenditure guidelines for 1996-97 have been prepared on this same basis. There is no intention, at this time, to adopt a new reference date in calculating the expenditure guidelines for future years.

End

Complaints on withholding imported workers' visas

Following is a question by the Hon Lau Chin-shek and w written reply by the Secretary for Security, Mr Peter Lai, in the Legislative Council today (Wednesday):

Question:

It was reported that on 18 December last year more than 30 imported workers employed by a construction and transportation company lodged a complaint with the police about the withholding of their Chinese passports by a labour service company. the results of the Before the police has informed the workers concerned of investigation, the labour service company has intimated recently that the passports of these workers are already kept in Guangzhou. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:

(a) how the police will handle complaints from imported workers about the withholding of their passports by labour service companies (including those operated by people from mainland China and those operated by Hong Kong people);