TNAG-1603-FCO40-2210-Future-of-Hong-Kong-annual-reports-to-Parliament-on-Hong-Kon-1987 — Page 279

FCO40 Hong Kong Department Records 聯邦事務部香港部檔案 All

42. The year also saw steps taken to ensure that the younger generation came more proficient in both the Chinese and English languages; the expansion of facilities for industrial training, as a result of new centres opening. in Kwai Chung and Kowloon Bay; new technical institutes at Sha Tin and Tuen Mun nearing completion; and progress towards completion of a scheme to include computer studies in Forms 4 and 5 curricula for all aided secondary schools from September 1986. At present some 210 schools or about two-thirds of the total include computer studies in their curricula.

(c) Medical Services

43. As regards medical services, land formation work for a new government hospital started at Chai Wan, while construction of a major new hospital at Tuen Mun, extension of the Queen Mary Hospital, expansion of Pok Oi Hospital and redevelopment of the Ruttonjee Sanatorium all progressed well. In addition, funds were set aside to meet the cost of large-scale extensions to several hospitals in the subvented sector, including $680 million for a 760-bed extension to the United Christian Hospital, which will more than double its size, and $224 million to allow an increase in capacity, from 150 to 700 beds at the Yan Chai Hospital.

(d) Drug Abuse

44. Preventative education among the young was extensively promoted by the Action Committee Against Narcotics, with imaginative programmes designed to maintain public awareness of the dangers of drug abuse and to enlist public co-operation in reporting the activities of street dealers. A campaign was mounted to encourage drug abusers to seek treatment; its success was measured by the large attendances at treatment clinics. The Hong Kong Government is also considering the introduction of measures to seize the assets of drug traffickers.

(e) Broadcasting

45. The Broadcasting Review Board, set up to advise upon broadcasting policy after the expiry of present licences in 1988, published its report in September 1985. During the next few months the Government will be seeking public comment on these far-reaching proposals which will shape the future of television and broadcasting in Hong Kong for a long time to come.

VI. DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMMES

46. As regards works and communications, in May 1985 the Mass Transit Railway Corporation opened the main section of the Island Line running from Chai Wan to Admiralty.

47. The opening of new bridges at Man Kam To, Sha Tau Kok and Lo Wu improved communications between Hong Kong and the Shenzhen Special Economic Zone of China. These together with the Lok Ma Chau bridge which is due to be completed in 1988, should provide sufficient capacity to cope with the expected growth of traffic over the border into the next decade.

48. The opening of the New Territories Trunk Road between Sha Tin and Fanling in September 1985 and the opening earlier in the year of the Island

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