XN000022-1996-10-15 — Page 3

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"The Administration is satisfied that these guidelines have been met," the spokesman said.

The application was supported by the Transport Advisory Committee after two meetings in July and August.

However, the Committee has asked the Company to draw up strategic plans to improve its financial position, to explore avenues to generate more income, to reduce its expenditure and to enhance services, including air quality inside the tunnel.

In the meantime, the Company has appointed a consultant to conduct a study on air quality and to make recommendations.

The new toll compared with existing ones and that of the franchise proposal are as follows:

Vehicles

Existing toll

New toll

Franchise Proposal

private cars,

taxis & motorcycles

$6

$8

$8

Light buses and

light goods vehicles

$10

$13

$14

Medium & heavy goods

vehicle and buses

$15

$20

$16

Extra axle

$5

$7

$10

End

Unemployment and underemployment statistics

The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for the period June to August 1996 was 2.8%, and the underemployment rate was 1.4%, according to the latest labour force statistics released today (Tuesday) by the Census and Statistics Department.

For the period July to September 1996, the provisional seasonally adjusted unemployment rate fell further to 2.6%, while the provisional underemployment rate remained unchanged, at 1.4%.