XN000022-1996-07-12 — Page 29

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Deadline for returning survey questionnaires

The Census and Statistics Department today (Friday) reminded sampled establishments in the following surveys in respect of 1995 to return survey questionnaires to the department promptly:

Annual Survey of Industrial Production;

Annual Survey of Wholesale, Retail and Import and Export Trades, Restaurants and Hotels;

Annual Survey of Building, Construction and Real Estate Sectors;

Annual Survey of Transport and Related Services; and

Annual Survey of Storage, Communication, Financing, Insurance and Business Services.

These surveys are conducted annually by the department to collect up-to-date statistical data for evaluating the contribution of various economic activities to Hong Kong's gross domestic product and for ascertaining their cost structure and operating characteristics.

The survey results are useful to both the government and the private sector in formulating policies and making decisions.

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Questionnaires were mailed in April May 1996 to about 25,000 establishments sampled for the 1995 surveys. The establishments concerned are required by law to return the completed questionnaires to the department by July 31.

The acting Commissioner for Census and Statistics, Mr. Joseph Lee, appealed to the managements of all sampled establishments to fulfil their legal and social responsibilities by returning promptly the completed questionnaires and co-operating with officers of the department in the course of the surveys.

Any person who is unable to return the completed questionnaire within the time specified is required to declare with reasons his inability in doing so. Those who fail to do so may be committing an offence.