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

     The delegation of the Legislative Council (LegCo) continued its parliamentary visit in London, the United Kingdom (UK), yesterday (September 12, London time). 

     The delegation first received a briefing from representatives of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) of the UK Government on the latest development and the implications of UK's exit from the European Union. Delegation members discussed with FCO representatives about the prospect of Hong Kong serving as a gateway for UK companies to explore business opportunities in the Mainland and Southeast Asia.

     In the afternoon, the delegation visited the Royal College of Art (RCA), one of the world's leading universities specializing in art and design, to exchange views on innovation, entrepreneurship and design thinking, as well as learning about how RCA's graduates contributed to the creative economy. Led by the Vice-Chancellor of RCA, Dr Paul Thompson, and the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Professor Naren Barfield, delegation members toured the teaching and research facilities in the Battersea campus of RCA. Meanwhile, at a briefing on RCA, delegation members further learnt about the collaboration between RCA and Hong Kong's tertiary institutions in promoting design research. 

     The delegation then visited the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in London (London ETO) and attended a briefing session on the work of London ETO conducted by the Director-General of London ETO, Priscilla To, and the Head of Investment Promotion of Invest Hong Kong in London Office, Andrew Davis. Delegation members also took the opportunity to discuss with Ms To and Mr Davis about how UK and European investors are encouraged to set up operations in Hong Kong. After the briefing session, the delegation attended an official dinner hosted by London ETO.

     The delegation will depart for Edinburgh today (September 13, London time). Upon arrival, delegation members will visit the Scottish Parliament to hold meetings with its Members.

          

     According to the provisional results of a survey released today (September 13) by the Census and Statistics Department (C&SD), the index of industrial production for manufacturing industries as a whole increased by 1.6% in the second quarter of 2018 compared with a year earlier, following a year-on-year increase of 1.1% in the first quarter of 2018. The corresponding producer price index also increased by 3.8% in the second quarter of 2018 compared with a year earlier, after recording a 3.8% year-on-year increase in the first quarter of 2018 as well.

     The index of industrial production for sewerage, waste management and remediation activities increased by 3.1% in the second quarter of 2018 compared with a year earlier, following a year-on-year increase of 1.6% in the first quarter of 2018. The corresponding producer price index also increased by 4.3% in the second quarter of 2018 compared with a year earlier, following a year-on-year increase of 5.9% in the first quarter of 2018.

     Indices of industrial production reflect changes in the volume of local industrial output after discounting the effect of price changes. The price changes are measured by the producer price indices compiled from data on producer prices of selected industrial goods/services collected in the same survey.

     Comparing the industrial production in respect of major manufacturing industries in the second quarter of 2018 with that a year earlier, an increase in output volume was recorded mainly in the food, beverages and tobacco industry (+3.2%). On the other hand, a decrease in output volume was recorded in the metal, computer, electronic and optical products, machinery and equipment industry (-1.3%).

     On a seasonally adjusted basis, the index of industrial production for manufacturing industries as a whole increased by 0.6% in the second quarter of 2018 compared with the first quarter of 2018. 

     Producer price indices reflect changes in the prices of local output. They measure changes in the actual prices (net of any discounts or rebates allowed to buyers, plus any surcharges) received by producers for their output. Transportation and other incidental charges are not included.

     Comparing the second quarter of 2018 with a year earlier, increases in producer prices were recorded for all major manufacturing industries. The metal, computer, electronic and optical products, machinery and equipment industry had the largest increase in producer prices (+5.1%), followed by the paper products, printing and reproduction of recorded media industry (+2.8%); the food, beverages and tobacco industry (+1.6%); and the textiles and wearing apparel industry (+1.4%).

     Table 1 shows the year-on-year percentage changes in the indices of industrial production by selected industry grouping. Table 2 shows the year-on-year percentage changes in the producer price indices for the industrial sector by selected industry grouping.

     The revised figures on indices of industrial production and producer price indices for the industrial sector for the second quarter of 2018 will be released at the website of the C&SD (www.censtatd.gov.hk/hkstat/sub/bbs.jsp) and relevant publications of the department starting from October 19, 2018.

     Users can download the reports "Quarterly Index of Industrial Production, 2nd Quarter 2018"(www.censtatd.gov.hk/hkstat/sub/sp310.jsp?productCode=B1070002) and "Quarterly Producer Price Index for Industrial Sector, 2nd Quarter 2018" (www.censtatd.gov.hk/hkstat/sub/sp280.jsp?productCode=B1070003) free of charge at the website of the C&SD.

    Readers who have enquiries about the survey results may contact the Industrial Production Statistics Section of the C&SD (Tel: 3903 7247; fax: 2123 1048; email: ind-production@censtatd.gov.hk).

     The Census and Statistics Department has commenced a new round of the Quarterly Survey of Employment and Vacancies to collect data on employment and vacancies in major industry sections of the economy in respect of September 2018. This survey is conducted quarterly. The survey results are useful in serving as short-term economic indicators and providing information on the latest changes in the labour market.
           
     This round of the survey covers about 30 000 establishments which are drawn from various industry sections including industrial sections (such as mining and quarrying; manufacturing; and electricity, gas and waste management) and the services sections (such as import/export, wholesale and retail trades; accommodation and food services; transportation, storage, postal and courier services; information and communications; financing and insurance; real estate; professional and business services; and social and personal services). Information on the number of persons engaged and vacancies, together with the characteristics of job vacancies, as at September 28, 2018, will be sought from each selected establishment.
           
     Questionnaires are being sent by mail or by fax to selected establishments. In accordance with the Census and Statistics Ordinance, these establishments are required to complete and return the questionnaires to the department within the specified period. If individual establishments have any difficulties in completing the questionnaires, they may contact the department for assistance at 2234 3800.

     The Census and Statistics Department has commenced a new round of the Quarterly Survey of Employment and Vacancies to collect data on employment and vacancies in major industry sections of the economy in respect of September 2018. This survey is conducted quarterly. The survey results are useful in serving as short-term economic indicators and providing information on the latest changes in the labour market.
           
     This round of the survey covers about 30 000 establishments which are drawn from various industry sections including industrial sections (such as mining and quarrying; manufacturing; and electricity, gas and waste management) and the services sections (such as import/export, wholesale and retail trades; accommodation and food services; transportation, storage, postal and courier services; information and communications; financing and insurance; real estate; professional and business services; and social and personal services). Information on the number of persons engaged and vacancies, together with the characteristics of job vacancies, as at September 28, 2018, will be sought from each selected establishment.
           
     Questionnaires are being sent by mail or by fax to selected establishments. In accordance with the Census and Statistics Ordinance, these establishments are required to complete and return the questionnaires to the department within the specified period. If individual establishments have any difficulties in completing the questionnaires, they may contact the department for assistance at 2234 3800.

     A woman was fined $8,000 at Eastern Magistrates' Courts today (September 13) for contravening the Hotel and Guesthouse Accommodation Ordinance.
      
     The courts heard that in September last year, officers of the Office of the Licensing Authority (OLA), the Home Affairs Department, inspected a suspected unlicensed guesthouse on Des Voeux Road West in Sai Ying Pun. During the inspection, the OLA officers posed as lodgers and successfully rented a room in the guesthouse on a daily basis.
      
     According to the OLA's record, the guesthouse did not possess a licence under the Ordinance on the day of inspection. The woman responsible for managing the premise was charged with contravening section 5(1) of the Ordinance.
      
     A department spokesman stressed that operating or managing an unlicensed guesthouse is a criminal offence and will lead to a criminal record. Upon conviction, the offender is liable to a maximum fine of $200,000 and two years' imprisonment.
           
     The spokesman appealed to anyone with information about suspected unlicensed guesthouses to report it to the OLA through the hotline (tel: 2881 7498), by email (hadlaenq@had.gov.hk), by fax (2504 5805) using the report form downloaded from the OLA website (www.hadla.gov.hk), or through the mobile application "Hong Kong Licensed Hotels and Guesthouses".