TNAG-1859-FCO40-2634-Legislative-Council-of-Hong-Kong-memoranda-and-minutes-of-me-1989 — Page 34

HONG KONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

18 October 1989

香港立法局

·九八九年十月十八日

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In keeping, however, with the definition of permanent resident of the Special Administrative Region under the Joint Declaration the nine-year time limit is now being considered for reduction to seven years. This review is expected to be completed before the end of this year.

MR. LI: Sir, the Government has indicated that it is currently reviewing the territory's immigration policy with the aim of devising a uniform extension of stay pattern. When and how will the conclusions and recommendations of this review be made known to this Council?

SECRETARY FOR SECURITY: Sir, as I have said the review is expected to be completed before the end of the year. It is intended after that to make a submission to the Executive Council. Following that, Members of this Council will receive the brief for the submission. After that legislation will take its normal course. But I should hope that it will be enacted in the current Session.

MR. MARTIN LEE: Sir, is it intended also to give three stars on the ID Card of an alien who has been ordinarily resident in Hong Kong after seven years during that review?

SECRETARY FOR SECURITY: That is a detail, Sir, which I am not certain of. I will certainly look into that and let Mr. LEE have a reply in writing. (Annex II)

Shortage of school teachers

7. MR. DAVID CHEUNG asked: Will Government inform this Council of the reasons for the shortage of school teachers and of the long-term measures it will take to tackle the problem?

SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER: Sir, before I answer the question, it is important that we have a clear idea of the extent of the shortage.

The Education Department conducted a survey of all aided schools at the start of the current school year. This revealed 203 vacancies in a total establishment of 31 740 teaching posts, representing a vacancy rate of 0.64%. Since then a further 87 vacancies have been filled, giving a current vacancy rate of 0.4%.

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