XN000022-1996-04-03 — Page 76

(d)

60

(c)& We will continue to process applications and closely monitor the utilisation of the quotas under the Scheme. Our previous plan was to conduct a review of the Scheme when a sufficiently large number (say about 75%) of visa applications have been approved under the Scheme. However, in view of the slow utilisation rate, we plan to commence the review shortly with a view to completing it before the end of this year.

We will also seek to ascertain from the review the expertise and working experience that these professionals from China possess which Hong Kong is short of and needs most. In the light of the findings of the review, we will identity, if necessary, the need to train up local professionals.

End

Pets keeping problems in public housing estates

Following is a question by the Hon Albert Chan and a written reply by the Secretary for Housing. Mr Dominic Wong, in the Legislative Council today (Wednesday):

Question:

Recently, a tragedy occurred in a public housing estate in which a baby girl was bitten to death by a dog, and this has aroused public concern over the problem of keeping of pets by public housing tenants. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:

(a)

(b)

whether the tenancy agreement signed between the Housing Authority and a public housing tenant stipulates a ban on the keeping of pets or a ban on the keeping of dogs; what are the reasons for such a stipulation: and

if the tenancy agreement stipulates a ban on the keeping of all kinds of pets, why the Housing Department's recent publicity efforts are targeted only at those tenants who keep dogs; and what measures the Department will take to ban the keeping of other kinds of pets by public housing tenants?