The Government today (July 20) announced the re-appointments of Dr Lam Ching-choi as the Chairman and Dr Vivian Lou Wei-qun as a member of the Elderly Commission. The appointments will take effect from July 30, 2018 to July 29, 2020.

     Dr Lam is the Chief Executive Officer of Haven of Hope Christian Service and a Non-official Member of the Executive Council. He was appointed as the Chairman of the Elderly Commission in 2016. Dr Lam is dedicated to enhancing elderly welfare and has been actively involved in improving long-term care services for elderly persons.

     Dr Lou is the Director of Sau Po Centre on Ageing at The University of Hong Kong. She is currently a member of the Social Work Training Fund Committee.

     The Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Dr Law Chi-kwong, welcomed the re-appointments. He said, "Dr Lam and Dr Lou are both well experienced in elderly services. I look forward to continuing to work closely with them on the promotion of the well-being of elderly persons in Hong Kong."

     The Elderly Commission was established in 1997. Its main task is to provide advice to the Government in the formulation of a comprehensive policy in caring for elderly persons.

     The membership list of the Elderly Commission with effect from July 30, 2018 is as follows:

Chairman
Dr Lam Ching-choi

Non-official members
Ms Maggie Chan Mei-kit
Ms Tammy Chan Yee-ching
Mr Cheung Leong
Mr Chua Hoi-wai
Ms Diana Chung Wai-yee
Mr Victor Lam Hoi-cheung
Professor Diana Lee Tze-fan
Ms Grace Li Fai
Ms Alexandra Lo Dak-wai
Dr Vivian Lou Wei-qun
Dr Pang Fei-chau
Mrs Susan So Chan Wai-hang
Dr Doris Tse Man-wah
Mr Wong Kit-loong
Mr Kenneth Wong Tai-lun
Dr Yeung Ka-ching

Official members
Secretary for Food and Health or representative
Secretary for Labour and Welfare or representative
Secretary for Transport and Housing/Director of Housing or representative
Director of Health or representative
Director of Social Welfare or representative
Chief Executive, Hospital Authority or representative

Attention TV/radio announcers:

Please broadcast the following as soon as possible:

Here is an item of interest to swimmers.

     The Leisure and Cultural Services Department announced today (July 20) that due to big waves, red flags have been hoisted at Stanley Main Beach, Shek O Beach and Big Wave Bay Beach in Southern District, Hong Kong Island; Upper Cheung Sha Beach in Islands District; Clear Water Bay First Beach in Sai Kung District.  Beach-goers are advised not to swim at these beaches.

     In view of media reports on excess lead found in the drinking water in some flats in Kwai Tsui Estate, the Water Supplies Department (WSD) has approached the tenants concerned and conducted water sampling for two of the flats upon obtaining the tenants' consent. The test results showed that the lead content of the water samples was within limit.
 
     A spokesman for the WSD said today (July 19), "The water samples were taken from two flats in Bik Tsui House of Kwai Tsui Estate. The lead content of the six-hour stagnation water samples taken from the two flats was 2 micrograms per litre which was within limit (i.e. lead content not exceeding 10 micrograms per litre)."
 
     As the two flats are with tenants newly moved in, the WSD has recommended the tenants of these flats to flush the drinking water supply system of their flats twice a day (every morning and night for 15 minutes) for three consecutive days from today. The WSD will revisit these flats to collect drinking water samples to test if there will be changes to the water quality.
 
     The spokesman said that when collecting water samples in the two flats, it was noticed that the tenants had altered the water pipes and replaced the water taps of the flats. As new fittings will generally have a higher metal leaching rate during their early stage of use, the WSD reminded the tenants to thoroughly flush the concerned pipes and fittings to ensure water safety.
 
     In fact, the WSD has been publicising via various channels, such as website, posters and water bill messages to new registered consumers, that the abovementioned flushing process should be conducted when moving into a new flat or after replumbing works of flats.
 
     "As testing of metal contents in water samples involves measuring trace chemicals, stringent sampling procedures and testing protocols shall be followed otherwise any contamination by the surrounding environment (such as renovation works in the flat) may affect the test result. Extra care should be taken during sample collection for such purpose to avoid the test result from being affected by contaminant in the surrounding environment," the spokesman said.
 
     The WSD continues to approach the tenants of the remaining flats alleged to have excess lead found in drinking water for arranging water sampling test in these flats.

The following is issued on behalf of the Legislative Council Secretariat:
 
     The Legislative Council (LegCo) Subcommittee to Follow Up Issues Relating to the Unified Screening Mechanism for Non-refoulement Claims today (July 19) conducted a visit to the Castle Peak Bay Immigration Centre (CIC) to better understand its facilities and operation.
 
     Members first received a briefing on the operation and management of the CIC by representatives of the Immigration Department. With the company of representatives of the Security Bureau and the Immigration Department, Members then observed the dormitory facilities, special units, anti-riot equipment, sickbay, visit room, dayrooms and exercise yard of the CIC.  Members learned that the CIC operates round-the-clock for the detention of persons pending removal in accordance with the Immigration Ordinance.  
 
     Members who participated in the visit were the Chairman of the Subcommittee, Dr Elizabeth Quat; Subcommittee Members Mr Yiu Si-wing and Dr Fernando Cheung; as well as non-Subcommittee Members Mr Ip Kin-yuen and Mr Tony Tse.

      

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 19) 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 vomit 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.