The Government announced today (July 19) that the Chief Executive has re-appointed Dr Wilfred Wong Ying-wai as Chairman of the Standing Commission on Civil Service Salaries and Conditions of Service (SCCS). The Chief Executive has also re-appointed two existing members and appointed a new member to the SCCS. 

     The term of Dr Wong as Chairman of the SCCS will be extended from July 31, 2018, to December 31, 2018. The term of the two re-appointed members, Ms Angela Lee Wai-yin and Ms Elaine Lo Yuen-man, will be extended from July 31, 2018, to December 31, 2020.

     The Chief Executive has also appointed Ms Christina Maisenne Lee as a new member from August 1, 2018, to December 31, 2020.

     The Government expresses its deep gratitude to outgoing member Dr Carrie Willis Yau Sheung-mui for her invaluable contribution to the work of the SCCS over the past six years.

     The SCCS tenders advice to the Chief Executive on matters concerning pay and conditions of service of non-directorate civilian civil servants. Other serving members are Mrs Edith Chan Ngan Man-ling, Mr Ignatius Chan Tze-ching, Mr Lee Luen-fai, Mr Dick Lee Ming-kwai, Mr Joseph Lo Kin-ching, Mr Tony Tse Wai-chuen and Mr Wilfred Wong Kam-pui.

     The effective exchange rate index for the Hong Kong dollar on Thursday, July 19, 2018 is 103.7 (up 0.3 against yesterday's index).

     Following is the transcript of remarks by the Secretary for Development, Mr Michael Wong, at a media session after attending "M21 TV Programme at Book Fair" today (July 19):

Reporter: Do you think this is the failure of the Government's supervision because this is not the first case of lead in water?

Secretary for Development: I think at this moment we need to find out the fact first. And also, I understand that the residents are concerned about the quality of water. We understand their concern. So, the Water Supplies Department is making arrangement to provide in-situ water support and we think that will be available this afternoon. So, that's one thing we would do. At the moment, I don't think it is right for me to make any speculation as it is premature for the Government to speculate the reason of the incident. At the moment, we would focus our efforts on finding out the facts. Depending on the outcome, we would do our best to make sure that the water quality is satisfactory.

(Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript.)

     The Buildings Department approved 15 building plans in May, with five on Hong Kong Island, six in Kowloon and four in the New Territories.
 
     Of the approved plans, eight were for apartment and apartment/commercial developments, three were for commercial developments, two were for factory and industrial developments and two were for community services developments.
 
     In the same month, consent was given for works to start on 11 building projects which, when completed, will provide 30 903 square metres of gross floor area for domestic use involving 270 units, and 25 321 sq m of gross floor area for non-domestic use. The department has received notification of commencement of works for eight building projects.
 
     The department also issued 16 occupation permits, with six on Hong Kong Island, two in Kowloon and eight in the New Territories.
 
     Of the buildings certified for occupation, the gross floor area for domestic use was 185 471 sq m involving 2 717 units, and 52 155 sq m was for non-domestic use.
 
     The declared cost of new buildings completed in May totalled about $9.4 billion.
 
     In addition, seven demolition consents involving seven building structures were issued.
 
     The department received 3 097 reports about unauthorised building works in May and issued 1 407 removal orders on unauthorised items.
 
     The full version of the Monthly Digest for May can be viewed by the public on the Buildings Department's homepage (www.bd.gov.hk).

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 19) that the shark prevention net at Big Wave Bay Beach in Southern District, Hong Kong Island, has been repaired and the beach has been reopened.

     The beach was temporarily closed earlier on for shark prevention net maintenance work.

     However, due to big waves, the red flag is still hoisted at the beach. Beach-goers are advised not to swim at the beach.