Attention TV/radio announcers:

Please broadcast the following as soon as possible and repeat it at regular intervals:

     Here is an item of interest to swimmers.

     The Leisure and Cultural Services Department announced today (July 6) that Ping Shan Tin Shui Wai Swimming Pool in Yuen Long District has been temporarily closed for cleaning and superchlorination following the discovery of a small amount of faeces in the pool.

     It will be reopened at 6.30am tomorrow.

     The department appeals to swimmers to be considerate and to keep the swimming pools clean. They are advised not to swim after a full meal and should use the toilet facilities if necessary before swimming.

     The Financial Leaders Forum, chaired by the Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan, held its fifth meeting today (July 6).

     At today's meeting, Members were briefed on the overall strategy of the Government and regulators in promoting the development of Hong Kong as an international asset management centre. Members noted that Hong Kong has been developing the asset management industry by a multi-pronged approach through building a facilitating business and tax environment, enhancing talent development and deepening connections with other jurisdictions. Members agreed that Hong Kong is well positioned to capture opportunities arising from the sustained economic growth of China, in particular the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Bay Area development.

     Members were also briefed on the initiatives to develop green finance in Hong Kong. Recognising that green finance is rapidly expanding globally, Members opined that as an international financial centre and global Renminbi business hub, Hong Kong could play an important role as a premier financing platform for international and Mainland enterprises in channelling global capital to projects and investments that would bring environmental benefits.
 

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

     The Legislative Council (LegCo) and its Committees will hold 15 open meetings and a closed meeting during the week from July 9 to 13 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 following is issued on behalf of the Legislative Council Secretariat:

     The 2018 internship programme organised by the Legislative Council (LegCo) Secretariat for local tertiary students concluded today (July 6).

     A total of 23 students participated in this year's programme. The Secretary General of the Secretariat, Mr Kenneth Chen, presented the certificate of participation to the students in the closing ceremony. Mr Chen said, "The internship programme provides students with an opportunity to gain a better understanding of the work of LegCo. I hope they can learn from the professionalism demonstrated by the Secretariat staff and leave with fond memories. Meanwhile, the Secretariat will continue to strive for excellence and offer a more rewarding internship experience to tertiary students next year."

     Student representatives also shared their experiences gained. One of the students said, "Through the interactions with Members, I could appreciate the manner of 'harmony in diversity' among Members. They may have heated debates, but always make voting decisions for the best interest of society."

     Meanwhile, eight Legislative Council Members who participated in the "Meeting with Members" sessions of the internship programme also attended the reception of the closing ceremony to exchange views with the students and to know more about the inspirations students have gained from the internship. Members who attended the reception included Mr Wu Chi-wai, Mr Chan Chi-chuen, Mr Kenneth Leung, Mr Ip Kin-yuen, Dr Elizabeth Quat, Mr Alvin Yeung, Mr Lam Cheuk-ting and Mr Tony Tse. 

     During the six-week internship programme, which started from May 28, students were attached to various divisions of the Secretariat and they were arranged to meet with the President, 17 Members, and heads of divisions of the Secretariat. Furthermore, students gained understanding of the work of LegCo through observing meetings of LegCo and its committees, the Chief Executive's Question Time, as well as participating in a training workshop introducing the work of LegCo and a role-play on law-making process.

     First launched by the Secretariat in 2013, the internship programme is held annually during the summer vacation of students.

      

     In response to media enquiries on the treatment of the premium payment placed with an annuity scheme, and the payout under the scheme in the financial test of the Old Age Living Allowance (OALA), a spokesman for the Social Welfare Department (SWD) gave the following reply today (July 6):
 
     The one-off lump-sum premium payment placed with an annuity scheme will not be counted as an asset under the OALA (including Normal OALA and Higher OALA), while the payout provided under the annuity scheme will be counted as monthly income.
      
     If an applicant is married, he/she should declare the income and assets of the couple even if his/her spouse has not yet reached the age of 65. The SWD will assess whether the applicant meets the relevant income and asset requirements with reference to the prescribed limits for married couples. Whether both parties of the couple or just one party participate(s) in an annuity scheme, the above arrangements will apply. For details of the monthly income and asset limits of the OALA, please visit the SWD's website www.swd.gov.hk/oala.
      
     When an applicant surrenders or partially surrenders an annuity scheme, the surrender value (if any) will be treated as an asset. Under such circumstances, he/she should immediately report the changes to the SWD. If the total asset value of the elderly person exceeds the prescribed limits, he/she will not be eligible for the OALA.
      
     The above treatment is also applicable to applicants aged 65 to 69 of the Guangdong Scheme and the Fujian Scheme.
      
     It is a matter of personal decision whether elderly persons participate in any annuity scheme. Elderly persons should make an honest declaration of their income and assets. Otherwise, all payments granted on the basis of incorrect declarations will be taken as overpayment and would be duly recovered by the SWD.