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"The mid-term review is to be conducted after the fourth year of the new franchise.

"Based on the outcome of such a review, the Governor-in-Council may, if necessary, and with the consent of Citybus, amend the terms of the franchise," he said.

The spokesman said the Sino-British Joint Liaison Group reached a common view on the grant of this new franchise last month.

End

Statutory control of optometrists-comes into effect

Those who practise as optometrists are now required by law to be registered, a spokesman for the Secretariat of the Optometrists Board said today (Tuesday).

The enforcement and disciplinary provisions in the Supplementary Medical Professions Ordinance in relation to optometrists and the Optometrists (Registration and Disciplinary Procedure) Regulation came into effect yesterday (Monday). It is now a criminal offence for a person to practise the profession of optometrists without being registered.

The spokesman said: "Registered optometrists are obliged to display their certificates of registration in a conspicuous position in their practising premises.

"Moreover, they should always comply with the provisions in the Code of Practice for optometrists and are advised to study the code carefully and to acquaint themselves thoroughly with its contents.

"This is to avoid the danger of inadvertently transgressing accepted codes of professional ethical behaviour which might lead to disciplinary action by the Optometrists Board."

Under the Optometrists (Registration and Disciplinary Procedure) Regulation, optical shops are required to submit to the Secretary of Optometrists Board the particulars of its directors, managers and employees who are practising the profession of optometrist.