XN000022-1996-09-25 — Page 20

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The report comprises two volumes. Volume 1, "Strategy for Continued Leadership", contains the key findings and recommendations of the study. Volume II, "Hong Kong's Softgoods Industry in the Global Supply Chain", provides additional data and justifications to support the conclusion and recommendations.

Copies of the techno-economic and market research study report are now available from the Government Publications Centre, Queensway Government Offices, Low Block, Ground Floor, 66 Queensway at $84 for Volumes I and II.

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Transfer of VMs from Tai A Chau to Whitehead completed

The exercise to transfer all the Vietnamese migrants (VMs) on Tai A Chau to the Whitehead Detention Centre had been completed, the Government announced today (Wednesday).

A party of workers and their families, totalling 405 VMs, were transferred on September 12 in an advance exercise. This was followed by a 10-day transfer operation from September 16 to 25 during which 5,465 VMs were transferred.

This operation was observed each day by independent monitors.

"We are very pleased that the transfer has been a smooth and uneventful one," a government spokesman said.

"This is to the credit of all parties concerned, including the Hong Kong Housing Services for Refugees, the Police, the Correctional Services Department and other supporting departments such as the Department of Health, the Auxiliary Medical Services, Civil Aid Services, Fire Services Department, the Government Flying Service and the Royal Navy."

During the 10-day period, about 500 to 550 VMs were transferred each day by three ferries to HMS Tamar at Stonecutters, from where they were trucked to Whitehead.

The Police provided escort throughout the trip, and the monitors observed the whole process. More than 12,200 pieces of luggage were moved together with the

VMs.

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