TNAG-2409-FCO40-3503-Hong-Kong-Port-and-Airport-Development-Strategy-(PADS)-Brit-1992 — Page 133

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HKA 182/3

TALKING POINTS

10 April 1992

P.7.

TALKING POINTS issues on Fridays and records public views and reactions on current talking points collected from a small number of respondents in both urban and New Territories regions by City and New Territories Administration liaison staff over the week. As TALKING POINTS is not based upon a large representative cross-section of public opinion, indications in it should be treated with caution and should not be quoted authoritatively without first checking their reliability with the City and New Territories Administration.

LAW AND ORDER

Respondents were very worried about the deteriorating law and order situation in Hong Kong, Some respondents noted that while the police had strengthened patrol in urban areas, robbers are now targetting their activities against jewellery shops in the new towns.

All respondents cited China's co-operation as the crucial factor for effective control of the smuggling of firearms into Hong Kong. In this connection, the visit of the Commissioner of Police to Beijing was welcomed and some respondents urged that apart from general exchanges of views and opinions, future visits should aim at identifying specific measures to tackle the problem. Most respondents, however, found it unacceptable for Hong Kong to have to make monetary contributions to China in return for their co-operation. Some supported the idea of a China Hong Kong Task Force against smuggling but were concerned that this would allow Chinese security personnel to traverse Hong Kong territory.

2.

Respondents welcomed the various measures introduced to improve police equipment and to simplify procedures in the use of firearms. They hoped that the measures would help boost morale and enhance police ability to protect themselves as well as the public. Many of them also supported the increase of remuneration well as the granting of a danger allowance to junior Some respondents considered that capital punishment should be revived to deter illegal immigrants from committing serious crime.

as

officers.

1992/93 BUDDGET

3.

All but a handful of respondents said that they had expected that the Appropriation Bill would be passed by the Legislative Council. Some of them continued to be critical of the Co-operative Resources Centre and accused it of reneging on earlier pledges that it would vote down the budget. Some respondents said that the budget was by and large agreeable to them, although some amendments on salary tax allowance and rates would be welcomed. In this connection, some respondents hoped that the CRC could adhere to its promise and vote against the proposed increase of rates.

4.

Respondents in general remained skeptical about the Financial Secretary's assurance of measures to alleviate the tax

burden on the lower and middle income groups in next year's budget. Some respondents criticized the FS for failing to respect the views of the people as there had been proposals on the level of salary tax allowance well before the announcement of budget. Many did not believe that concessions would be

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C.N.T.A. 8 (Rev.)

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