XN000022-1996-12-17 — Page 3

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Senior government appointments announced

The Government announced today (Tuesday) the appointments of Dr Lam Hung-kwan as Director of the Royal Observatory and Mr Brian Dagnall as Director of Accounting Services.

Dr Lam, currently Assistant Director of the Royal Observatory, will take over from Mr Robert Lau with effect from December 22, 1996. Mr Lau will be retiring after 30 years of service in Government.

Mr Dagnall, currently Deputy Director of Accounting Services, will succeed Mr Alan Richardson with effect from February 3, 1997. Mr Richardson will have served 21 years when he proceeds on pre-retirement leave.

Mr W K Lam, Secretary for the Civil Service, expressed full confidence in both Dr Lam and Mr Dagnall. He also thanked Mr Lau and Mr Richardson for their dedicated and meritorious service in Government.

Following are their biographical notes:

Mr Lau Chi-kwan. Robert. JP

Mr Lau Chi-kwan, Robert joined the civil service as Scientific Officer in August 1966 and was promoted to Senior Scientific Officer in January 1978. He has been Director of the Royal Observatory since May 1995. Mr Lau will proceed on pre- retirement leave on December 22, 1996 at the age of 55.

Dr Lam Hung-kwan, JP

Aged 49, Dr Lam Hung-kwan joined the civil service as Assistant Education Officer in October 1970 and was appointed Scientific Officer in August 1971. He was promoted to Senior Scientific Officer in May 1980 and Assistant Director of the Royal Observatory in July 1990. He has acted as Director on a number of occasions.

Mr Alan Richardson, JP

Aged 54, Mr Richardson joined the Hong Kong Government as a Chief Treasury Accountant in 1976. He was promoted to Assistant Director of Accounting Services in 1981, to Deputy Director of Accounting Services in 1993 and to his present rank of Director of Accounting Services in 1994. On his retirement, Mr Richardson will have completed over 20 years of service with the Hong Kong Government.