The Government announced today (October 19) the extension of the Pilot Scheme for Arbitration on Land Premium for two years from October 24, 2018 to October 23, 2020.

     The Pilot Scheme was introduced by the Government in October 2014 for a trial period of two years initially to facilitate early agreement on land premium payable for lease modification/land exchange applications, with the objective of expediting land supply for housing and other uses. The Pilot Scheme was subsequently extended for two years until October 23, 2018.

     Given the limited number of completed arbitration cases and the general support from stakeholders to retain the avenue for arbitration, the Government has decided to extend the Pilot Scheme for another two years until October 2020 in order to allow time for both the Government and the development sector to gain more experience. Meanwhile, the Government has received feedback from stakeholders on certain implementation details of the Pilot Scheme, such as concerns over the absence of an upper limit for the arbitral award becoming a disincentive for potential applicants to come forward and calls for relaxing the thresholds for triggering arbitration. Taking into account feedback received, the Government will engage with the professionals and stakeholders concerned to explore room for refining the implementation details during the period of extension.

     The Government will continue to select suitable lease modification and land exchange cases according to the general criteria published in the Information Note relating to the Pilot Scheme, and invite applications for determination of the amount of land premium through arbitration. Private land owners can also make requests for arbitration on suitable land lease modification/land exchange applications under processing.
 
     Until mid-October 2018, the Lands Department (LandsD) issued a total of 32 invitations, of which one case has completed arbitration. In another two cases, while agreeing in principle to arbitration, the applicants decided, after consideration, to accept the land premium proposed by LandsD, hence obviating the need for arbitration. The remaining 29 invitations were declined by the applicants, who either chose to continue to negotiate the premium with the LandsD or withdrew their applications for lease modification/land exchange. In addition, the LandsD rejected an application for arbitration involving no increase in residential floor area.

     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is today (October 19) investigating an outbreak of hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) in a secondary school in Tseung Kwan O, and again urged the public, schools and institutions to maintain strict hand, personal and environmental hygiene.

     The outbreak affected 20 male students, aged 12 to 14, who have developed fever, oral ulcers, rash and vesicles over hands or feet since September 25. All of them sought medical attention and none required hospitalisation. All patients are in a stable condition.

     The stool specimen of an affected student tested positive for enterovirus (EV) upon laboratory testing.

     Officers of the CHP have conducted a site visit to the school and advised the management on necessary infection control and preventive measures. The school has been put under medical surveillance. Investigations are ongoing.

     "HFMD is common in children while adult cases may also appear. It is usually caused by enteroviruses (EVs) such as Coxsackie virus and EV71. It is clinically characterised by maculopapular rashes or vesicular lesions occurring on the palms, soles and other parts of the body such as the buttocks and thighs. Vesicular lesions and ulcers may also be found in the oral cavity. Sometimes patients present mainly with painful ulcers at the back of the mouth, namely herpangina, without rash on the hands or feet," a spokesman for the CHP said.
 
     "HFMD occurs throughout the year. While the disease activity is usually higher from May to July, a smaller peak may also occur from October to December. As young children are more susceptible, parents should stay alert to their health. Institutional outbreaks may occur where HFMD can easily spread among young children with close contact," the spokesman added.

     To prevent HFMD, members of the public, and especially the management of institutions, should take heed of the following preventive measures:
 

• Maintain good air circulation;
• Wash hands before meals and after going to the toilet or handling diapers or other stool-soiled materials;
• Keep hands clean and wash hands properly, especially when they are dirtied by respiratory secretions, such as after sneezing;
• Cover the nose and mouth while sneezing or coughing and dispose of nasal and oral discharges properly;
• Regularly clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces such as furniture, toys and commonly shared items with 1:99 diluted household bleach (mixing one part of bleach containing 5.25 per cent sodium hypochlorite with 99 parts of water), leave for 15 to 30 minutes, and then rinse with water and keep dry. For metallic surfaces, disinfect with 70 per cent alcohol;
• Use absorbent disposable towels to wipe away obvious contaminants such as respiratory secretions, vomitus or excreta, and then disinfect the surface and neighbouring areas with 1:49 diluted household bleach (mixing one part of bleach containing 5.25 per cent sodium hypochlorite with 49 parts of water), leave for 15 to 30 minutes and then rinse with water and keep dry. For metallic surfaces, disinfect with 70 per cent alcohol;
• Children who are ill should be kept out of school until their fever and rash have subsided and all the vesicles have dried and crusted;
• Avoid going to overcrowded places; and
• Parents should maintain close communication with schools to let them know the latest situation of the sick children.

     The public may visit the CHP's page on HFMD and EV71 infection and Public Health Advice for Play Facilities for more information.

The following is issued on behalf of the Legislative Council Secretariat:

     The Legislative Council (LegCo) and its Committees will hold 12 open meetings and a closed meeting during the week from October 22 to 26 in the LegCo Complex.  Details of the meetings are available in the meeting schedule attached.
 
     The information in the meeting schedule is subject to change.  Please refer to the "LegCo Calendar" on the LegCo Website (www.legco.gov.hk) for the latest details of meetings.
 
     Members of the public are welcome to observe open meetings of LegCo and its Committees.  Interested individuals and groups are advised to make advance booking of seats by calling the LegCo Secretariat at 3919 3399 during office hours.  Members of the public can also listen to or watch all open meetings via the "Webcast" system on the LegCo Website.

     The Government announced today (October 19) that the Financial Secretary, under the authority delegated by the Chief Executive, has appointed a new Chairman and six new members, as well as re-appointed four incumbent members of the Process Review Panel for the Securities and Futures Commission (PRP) for a term of two years from November 1, 2018 to October 31, 2020. 
 
     The new Chairman is Mr Lawrence Lee Kam-hung. The six new members are Mr Jeffrey Chan Lap-tak, Ms Dilys Chau Suet-fung, Ms Ivy Chua Suk-lin, Mr Vincent Chui Yik-chiu, Ms Margaret Kwan Wing-han and Mr Henry Lai Hin-wing. The four re-appointed members are Ms Ding Chen, Mr Chester Kwok Tun-ho, Mr Frederick Tsang Sui-cheong and Ms Nicole Yuen Shuk-kam.
 
     The Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan, said, "I am grateful for the time and effort that the Chairman and members of the PRP have devoted to review and advise the Securities and Futures Commission (SFC) on the adequacy of its internal procedures and operational guidelines. I would like to express my gratitude in particular to Dr Moses Cheng Mo-chi for his exemplary leadership over the past six years, as well as the valuable advice and suggestions provided by him and other outgoing members, including Mr Clement Chan Kam-wing, Dr Hu Zhanghong, Ms Rosita Lee Pui-shan and Mr Robert Lee Wai-wang.
 
     "The PRP comprises veterans of the financial services industry and other professional areas. I am confident that under the leadership of the new Chairman, the PRP will continue to play its vital role of assisting the SFC to exercise its regulatory power in a fair and consistent manner."
 
     The PRP is an independent non-statutory panel established in November 2000 to review the operational procedures of the SFC and determine whether the SFC has followed its procedures in carrying out its work. This helps ensure that the SFC exercises its regulatory power in a fair and consistent manner. The membership comprises a good mix of knowledge, experience and expertise from relevant sectors.
 
     In addition to advising the SFC on its operational procedures, the PRP submits to the Financial Secretary and publishes annual reports on its review and its observations and recommendations made regarding the SFC's internal processes and procedures. 
 
     The membership of the PRP with effect from November 1, 2018 is as follows:

Chairman

Mr Lawrence Lee Kam-hung
 
Members

Mr Jeffrey Chan Lap-tak
Ms Lena Chan
Ms Dilys Chau Suet-fung
Ms Ivy Chua Suk-lin
Mr Vincent Chui Yik-chiu
Ms Ding Chen
Ms Margaret Kwan Wing-han
Mr Chester Kwok Tun-ho
Mr Henry Lai Hin-wing
Dr Billy Mak Sui-choi
Mr Frederick Tsang Sui-cheong
Ms Nicole Yuen Shuk-kam
 
Ex-officio Members

The Chairman of the SFC
The Secretary for Justice or her representative

     According to the latest labour force statistics (i.e. provisional figures for July – September 2018) released today (October 19) by the Census and Statistics Department (C&SD), the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate stood at 2.8% in July – September 2018, same as that in June – August 2018. The underemployment rate increased from 1.1% in June – August 2018 to 1.2% in July – September 2018.
 
     Comparing July – September 2018 with June – August 2018, movements in the unemployment rate (not seasonally adjusted) in different industry sectors varied, but were generally small in magnitude. Movements in the underemployment rate also varied, with a relatively notable increase observed in the foundation and superstructure works of the construction sector.
 
     Total employment decreased by around 7 800 from 3 882 400 in June – August 2018 to 3 874 600 in July – September 2018. Over the same period, the labour force also decreased by around 7 400 from 3 999 800 to 3 992 400.
 
     The number of unemployed persons (not seasonally adjusted) in July – September 2018 was 117 800, about the same as that in June – August 2018 (117 400). The number of underemployed persons increased by around 1 800 from 45 500 in June – August 2018 to 47 300 in July – September 2018.
           
Commentary
 
     Commenting on the latest unemployment figures, the Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Dr Law Chi-kwong, said, "Labour market stayed tight in July – September 2018, with the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate holding steady at 2.8%. Total employment sustained a solid growth on a year-on-year basis."
 
     "When compared to the preceding three-month period, movements in unemployment rates varied across sectors, but were generally small in magnitude. On a year-on-year comparison to net out seasonal fluctuations, the unemployment situation improved in many major sectors, especially in the accommodation services, decoration, repair and maintenance for buildings, as well as information and communications sectors."
 
     Looking ahead, Dr Law said, "Overall labour market conditions will likely remain favourable in the near term. Nonetheless, the Government will continue to monitor closely how the increasing external headwinds will affect the local labour market going forward."
 
     On promoting youth employment, Dr Law noted that to encourage employers in hiring young people and to provide them with quality on-the-job training, the Labour Department (LD) expanded the scope of the Youth Employment and Training Programme on September 1 to cover part-time on-the-job training and increased the maximum amount of monthly training allowance payable to employers who engage young people and provide them with on-the-job training from $3,000 to $4,000 (for a period of six to 12 months).
 
     On large-scale job fairs, the LD will organise the New Opportunities-New Terrain Job Expo on October 25 and 26 at the Hong Kong Polytechnic University. Around 45 employers would participate, offering vacancies suitable for young people with post-secondary education. Moreover, the LD will organise the Job Fair for Middle-aged and Elderly Employment on November 15 and 16 at the Dragon Centre in Sham Shui Po. In addition, industry-based or district-based job fairs are regularly organised at the LD's industry-based recruitment centres and job centres located across the territory.
 
Further information
 
     The unemployment and underemployment statistics were compiled from the findings of the continuous General Household Survey.
 
     The survey for July – September 2018 covered a sample of some 25 000 households or 74 000 persons, selected in accordance with a scientifically designed sampling scheme to represent the population of Hong Kong.
 
     Data on labour force characteristics were obtained from the survey by interviewing each member aged 15 or over in the sampled households.
 
     In the survey, the definitions used in measuring unemployment and underemployment follow closely those recommended by the International Labour Organization.
 
     Detailed analysis of labour force characteristics is given in the "Quarterly Report on General Household Survey" which is published four times a year. The latest issue of the publication contains statistics for the quarter April – June 2018 while the next issue covering the quarter July – September 2018 will be available by end-November 2018. Users can download this publication free of charge at the website of the C&SD (www.censtatd.gov.hk/hkstat/sub/sp200.jsp?productCode=B1050001).
 
     For enquiries about labour force statistics, please contact the Household Statistics Analysis Section of the C&SD (Tel: 2887 5508 or email: ghs@censtatd.gov.hk).