XN000022-1997-01-29 — Page 44

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Policy for entry for training explained

Following is a question by the Hon Chan Wing-chan and a written reply by the Secretary for Security, Mr Peter Lai, in the Legislative Council today (Wednesday):

Question:

Will the Government inform this Council:

(a)

(b)

(c)

(d)

the number of people coming from mainland China to the territory in each of the past three years, for reason of undergoing training;

the number of these trainees remaining in the territory as at the end of last year;

the trades in which these trainees have been engaged after arrival in the territory, and the percentages of these trainees working in restaurants and the retail trades respectively; and

the average period of stay granted to these trainees, and the longest and shortest period of stay granted?

Reply:

(a)

(b)

Statistics on the number of visas issued under the policy for entry for training in general are as follows -

Year

1994

1995

1996

No. of training visas issued

5726

5460

4154

The Immigration Department does not keep separate arrival statistics for PRC nationals who entered for training purposes or have a breakdown of the visas issued by nationality of the recipients of visas.

The limit of stay granted to these persons varied from 1 to 6 months. The Immigration Department does not keep separate statistics on the number of persons still receiving training in Hong Kong;