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Once the Social Welfare Department receives an application, the staff will separate the new applications from the applications for replacement cards. They will then check if all the necessary documents are submitted. If all the necessary documents are submitted, the staff will input the relevant data into the computer and subsequently issue a card. The staff will contact the applicants if the applicants have failed to provide all the necessary documents. It takes slightly over a month for a card to be issued after the applicant files an application.

As there is a marked increase in the number of applications in the second half of 1996, the number of accumulated cases has increased. The Social Welfare Department has employed temporary staff to assist in clearing the backlog. At the same time, the Social Welfare Department will evaluate the processing procedures with a view to shortening the time required.

Noise abatement facilities installed in schools

Following is a question by the Hon Zachary Wong Wal-yin and a written reply by the Secretary for Planning, Environment and Lands, Mr Bowen Leung, in the Legislative Council today (Wednesday):

Question:

Will the Government inform this Council:

(a)

(b)

of the total number of primary and secondary schools built by the Government in the past three years, together with the number of these schools which were required to install noise abatement facilities due to noise problems;

of the addresses of the above schools which were required to install noise abatement facilities and the respective types of facilities which were installed; and