XN000022-1997-02-24 — Page 7

"We expect a useful and constructive dialogue between the committee and delegation officials," the spokesman added.

The Convention was ratified by the UK Government in 1969 and was extended to Hong Kong in the same year.

Apart from Mr Wong, the other team members are Principal Assistant Secretary for Home Affairs, Mr John Dean; Principal Assistant Secretary for Security, Mr Raymond Fan and Senior Crown Counsel, Mr Peter Wong.

End

Consumer Price Indices for January 1997

Consumer price inflation (as measured by the year-on-year rate of increase in the Consumer Price Index (A)) was 6.6% in January 1997, slightly lower than 6.7% in December 1996.

The year-on-year rates of increase in the Consumer Price Index (B) and Hang Seng CPI were also slower in January 1997 than in December 1996 -- 6.3% against 6.5% for the CPI(B); and 5.9% against 6.7% for the Hang Seng CPI.

The Composite CPI, which is compiled based on the combined expenditure pattern of all households, showed a year-on-year increase of 6.3% in January 1997, against 6.6% in December 1996.

The Census and Statistics Department released today (Monday) the Consumer Price Index (CPI) figures for January 1997.

A Government spokesman said that the slightly slower year-on-year increases in the CPI(A) and CPI(B) in January 1997 than in December 1996 were mainly due to slower increases in the prices of some fresh food items and outerclothing.

As for the Hang Seng CPI, the slower increase in January 1997 than in December 1996 was mainly due to slower increase in the prices of outerclothing.

Analysed by component, faster year-on-year increases than the overall average in January were recorded for miscellaneous goods (11.6% in CPI(A) and 8.1% in Composite CPI); housing (9.5% in CPI(A) and 8.9% in Composite CPI); clothing and footwear (9.4% in CPI(A) and 7.8% in Composite CPI); fuel and light (8.1% in CPI(A) and 8.3% in Composite CPI) and miscellaneous services (6.9% in CPI(A) and 6.5% in Composite CPI).