XN000022-1996-07-06+07 — Page 2

-

1 -

Retirement of Director of Immigration confirmed

A Civil Service Branch spokesman confirmed today (Saturday) that approval has been given to the Director of Immigration, Mr Laurence Leung Ming-yin, to retire from the civil service for personal reason. Mr Leung will begin his pre-retirement leave today.

Mr Leung joined the Government in 1965 and was appointed Director of Immigration in 1989. He was born on March 2, 1941, and is now 55 years old.

The spokesman said a successor had been identified to fill the post.

Pending the completion of appointment procedures, an announcement will be made. Meanwhile, the Deputy Director of Immigration, Mr Christopher Lee Ka- keung, will act as Director.

End

Sewage charges are fair for the benefits of Hong Kong

The higher the quantity and the heavier the pollution level of the wastewater discharged, the higher will be the sewage charges, the Director of Drainage Services, Mr Ng Yee-yum, said today (Saturday).

"This is the universally accepted 'polluter pays principle'," said Mr Ng when addressing the Drainage Services Department's (DSD) open-day reception at Cheung Sha Wan Sewage Pumping Station.

Mr Ng said every day individual households, trades and industries discharged tens of millions of litres of wastewater into territorial waters, causing pollution to the natural environment.

"Since the introduction of the Sewage Charging Scheme on April 1, 1995, all those who pollute the water in Hong Kong have to pay for the collection, treatment and disposal of wastewater.

"The sewage charges are fair. The revenue from these charges is used directly for the operation and maintenance of the sewerage systems while the capital cost of constructing capital infrastructures continues to be funded by the Government from the Capital Works Reserve Fund," he said.