XN000022-1996-06-14 — Page 3

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SEM convenes interdepartmental meeting on industrial safety

The Government is very concerned about the recent spate of industrial accidents and a high-level interdepartmental meeting will be convened next Tuesday (June 18) to review the matter, the Secretary for Education and Manpower, Mr Joseph WP Wong, said today (Friday).

Chaired by Mr Wong, the meeting will include the Commissioner for Labour, Director of the New Airport Projects Co-ordination Office, Director of Marine, Director of Buildings, and senior officials from the Works Branch and the Occupational Safety and Health Council.

"The aim of the meeting is to ensure proper co-ordination and follow-up actions, and to consider additional measures, including publicity on industrial safety," he said.

He added that priority had been given to improving industrial safety in the current financial year.

Referring to yesterday's industrial accident in Yau Tong, Mr Wong said that the Commissioner for Labour had been in close touch with the Director of Marine and a thorough investigation would be launched by the Marine Department into the accident.

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Agreement on new air traffic rights arrangements reached

In response to press enquiries, a government spokesman today (Friday) confirmed that agreement has been reached on new air traffic rights arrangements between the United Kingdom and the People's Republic of China covering Hong Kong.

Under this agreement, Hong Kong airlines can now overfly China on their major services to Hanoi, Europe and North America. It is expected that Cathay Pacific will benefit from these new overflight routes because of the shortened flight time to these popular destinations.