TNAG-0734-FCO40-938-Reports-of-Standing-Committee-on-the-Planning-Progress-of-Ho-1978 — Page 81

CONFIDENTIAL

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CODE 18-77

$5 10/76

Mr J Thompson

Mr J Stewart

(separate copies)

HONG KONG QUARTERLY PROGRESS REPORTS

HKK 013|L.

2013/1

← MAR 1978

OFFICE:

PA

W Solin

1. The Quarterly Progress Reports have just arrived from Hong Kong. You might like a short note on Hong Kong's progress for this afternoon's meeting. A more detailed appraisal will be submitted in due course.

Primary Education

2. The targets have been met. From now onwards there are places for all.

Junior Secondary Education

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3. The target of providing places for all from Form 1 from 1978 onwards has been met. There should be places for all children up to and including Form 3 by 1980/81, although the Planning Paper states that this should be achieved by 1980.

Senior Secondary Education

4.

In Form 4, places for 40% of all children will be available in 1981, and for 34% in Forms 4 and 5 together. From then on there will be sufficient places for 40% in Forms 4 and 5. This is a significant improvement on the last quarterly estimate. For Form 6 there are already more than enough places for anticipated demand.

Technical Education

5.

There is a very slight drop in the estimate of places to be provided in 1978/79. Furthermore, the number of places available to full and part-time students is still lagging behind the Planning Papers recommendations.

Higher Education

6. The 1977/78 figures on places have reached the target.

Labour

7. Two amendments to Ordinances on workmen's compensation have recently become effective. These concern the employers' responsibilities for the costs of medical care in compensation cases, and the raising of the wage ceiling from HK$2,000 to HK$,5000 for non-manual workers. The Bill providing for compensation for workers suffering from pneumocoiosis is now scheduled for the second quarter of 1978 - a slippage of one quarter.

CONFIDENTIAL

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