XN000022-1996-10-16 — Page 48

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Also, regulations are being drawn up requiring taxi drivers to issue receipts to passengers on demand. We aim to introduce the new regulations in early 1997 and to have full implementation by 1998.

A number of measures have been introduced to promote honesty among taxi drivers. The mandatory display of driver identity plates encourages drivers to exercise self-discipline. The maximum penalty for overcharging has been increased to $10,000. Information booklets on taxi services have been published to set out the rights and obligations of both taxi drivers and passengers.

End

Services to help new arrivals from China

Following is a question by the Hon Ip Kwok-him and a written reply by the Secretary for Health and Welfare, Mrs Katherine Fok, in the Legislative Council today (Wednesday):

Question:

New arrivals from China face a lot of problems after arriving in the territory. At present, many voluntary agencies (VAs) provide various services to help new arrivals integrate into the community. However, it is difficult for the VAs to further develop these services because of limited resources and such services cannot be provided to more new arrivals. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:

(a)

(b)

whether there are any plans to allocate more resources to the VAS to further develop such services; if so, what the specific plans are; if not, why not; and

in view of the current situation in which many VAS are allocated funds by the Government to provide their services on an annual basis, which makes it difficult for them to make long-term plans for providing services for new arrivals from China, what measures does the Government have to rectify the situation?