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"Operators are thus encouraged to draw up a list of possible replacement helpers, which may include, for instance, teachers or parents of the school children or their own relatives," the spokesman added.
"Such short-term helpers need not be registered with the department."
School bus operator will not be prohibited from making a trip if an escort fails to turn up and other helpers are not available.
"However, an operator should make every endeavour to find a replacement in the interest of the safety of the children on board," the spokesman said.
School bus operators will be given a six-month adaptation period to fine-tune their working arrangements.
The department will closely monitor the progress and liaise with the trade to help resolve problems which may arise.
Other additional safety measures which have been scheduled to take effect in February are being revised to take place in May upon the completion of the necessary legislative enactment process.
These measures include the mandatory installation of warning devices at main doors and emergency exit doors, an additional "Caution: Children" rear signboard on buses carrying school children and a new colour scheme for newly registered nanny
vans.
End
External trade figures for December 1996 released
In December 1996, the value of Hong Kong's re-exports and imports showed some increases over a year earlier. Domestic exports however continued to decline.
These are shown in the external trade figures for December 1996 released today (Thursday) by the Census and Statistics Department.
The value of total exports (comprising re-exports and domestic exports) in December 1996 increased by 1.2% over a year earlier to $116.7 billion.
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