The Transport Department (TD) today (August 30) announced that the 40th invitation exercise of the Personalised Vehicle Registration Marks (PVRMs) Scheme will be launched on September 1.
 
     "Starting from September 1, applications are invited under the 40th invitation exercise for the allocation of PVRMs upon sale by auction. Completed application forms should reach the department no later than September 30. If there are more than 1 500 applications, those to be considered will be selected by lot," a TD spokesman said.
 
     Interested persons should complete and submit the application form (TD569). Those who possess a digital certificate may also make use of the online application service at the GovHK website (www.gov.hk).
 
     The application form (TD569) and the Guidance Notes for Application can be downloaded from the TD's website (www.td.gov.hk) or obtained from the TD's Licensing Offices as well as the Public Enquiry Service Centres of the Home Affairs Department. Completed applications can be put in the drop-in box at any of the TD's Licensing Offices or posted to the Vehicle Registration Marks Unit, Transport Department, 12/F, South Tower, West Kowloon Government Offices, 11 Hoi Ting Road, Yau Ma Tei, Kowloon. Applications received by mail will be dated by the postmark. No payment of deposit is required at this stage.
 
     Applicants are advised to read carefully the Guidance Notes for details of the scheme before completing the application form. They can also check whether a proposed PVRM is in compliance with the basic combination requirements by using the online service at the GovHK webpage at www.gov.hk/en/residents/transport/vehicle/onlineservices.htm.
 
     Each applicant may submit only one application in each exercise. If an applicant submits more than one application, none of his or her applications will be processed. Once submitted, the applicant cannot withdraw the application or change the arrangement of the PVRM stated in the application form.
 
     An acknowledgement will immediately be sent to the applicant upon successful submission of an online application. Those who submit applications by TD569 will receive the TD's acknowledgement by ordinary post within two weeks after submission. Applicants who do not receive the acknowledgement within this time frame should call the TD hotline at 2804 2600.

     The Labour Department (LD) will hold a public talk entitled "Occupational safety and health (OSH) for confined space workers" on September 6 (Friday). To enhance workers' OSH awareness in confined spaces, the talk will explain the related OSH hazards as well as their preventive measures.

     The talk will be given by the LD's occupational hygienist, occupational safety officer and occupational health nurse at 3pm in Activity Room 1, G/F, Hong Kong Central Library, 66 Causeway Road, Causeway Bay.

     The LD will hold another talk entitled "Occupational health (OH) for workers of residential care homes" on September 12 (Thursday). The talk will include the OH hazards affecting workers of residential care homes and their preventive measures, with a demonstration of workplace exercises to enhance their awareness of OH.

     The talk will be given by the LD's occupational health nurse at 3pm in the Lecture Hall of the Hong Kong Space Museum, 10 Salisbury Road, Tsim Sha Tsui.

     Both talks will be conducted in Cantonese. Admission is free. For enquiries or registration, please call 2852 4040.

     Rates and/or Government rent payers who have received the requisition form (R1A) issued by the Rating and Valuation Department are reminded to complete and return the form to the department as soon as possible. They can also complete and return the form by using the Electronic Submission of Forms service provided at the department's website (www.rvd.gov.hk).

     The department issued about 370 000 R1A forms to rates and/or Government rent payers this month to obtain rents and tenancy details for different categories of properties to assist in the determination of rateable values for the next general revaluation.

     Anyone having difficulty in completing and returning the form within the specified period must apply in writing for an extension of time before the end of the stipulated period and should state their reasons.

     Anyone who knowingly makes a false statement or refuses to furnish any of the particulars specified in the form commits an offence and will be liable to a maximum fine of $25,000 or $10,000 respectively and also a fine equivalent to three times the rates and/or Government rent undercharged.

     Rates and/or Government rent payers are reminded to affix sufficient postage if they return the forms by post to ensure timely and successful postal delivery.

     Enquiries on how to complete the form can be made by calling the number printed on the form, or visiting the department at 15/F, Cheung Sha Wan Government Offices, 303 Cheung Sha Wan Road, Kowloon. The department's website also provides answers to commonly asked questions on completing the form.

     The Government announced today (August 30) that the Chief Executive, on the recommendation of the Chief Justice, had appointed Madam Justice Lisa Wong Kwok-ying as a Panel Judge under the Interception of Communications and Surveillance Ordinance (Chapter 589).
      
     Under the Ordinance, the Chief Executive shall, on the recommendation of the Chief Justice, appoint three to six eligible judges as Panel Judges to consider applications for authorisations of interception and Type 1 surveillance and for device retrieval warrants. Under the Ordinance, "eligible judge" means a judge of the Court of First Instance.
      
     The Chief Executive has appointed Madam Justice Wong to succeed Mr Justice Andrew Chung On-tak, who will retire from the Court of First Instance, as a Panel Judge under the Ordinance for a term of three years commencing September 4, 2019.
      
     Madam Justice Wong was called to the Bar in Hong Kong in 1988 and was admitted as an Advocate and Solicitor in Singapore in 1995. She was appointed as Senior Counsel in 2006. She sat as Temporary Deputy Registrar, High Court, for periods in 2002 and 2003, and served as Deputy Judge of the Court of First Instance of the High Court for periods in 2008, 2011, 2012 and 2013. She was appointed as Recorder of the Court of First Instance of the High Court in 2013, and was appointed as Judge of the Court of First Instance of the High Court in 2017.
      
     The Chief Executive, Mrs Carrie Lam, said, "Mr Justice Andrew Chung On-tak has been serving as a Panel Judge since the inception of the Ordinance in 2006. I am grateful for his dedication and commitment in handling law enforcement agencies' applications for prescribed authorisations under the Ordinance during the past 13 years. I am confident that Madam Justice Lisa Wong Kwok-ying, together with the other two incumbent Panel Judges, Mr Justice Mohan Tarachand Bharwaney and Mr Justice Barnabas Fung Wah, will continue to draw on their expertise and experience to ensure the effective operation of the regulatory regime under the Ordinance."
      
     The Ordinance provides a comprehensive statutory framework for regulating the conduct of interception and covert surveillance by law enforcement agencies, and aims to strike a balance between maintaining law and order and protecting the privacy rights of individuals.

Attention TV/radio announcers:

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Here is an item of interest to swimmers.

     The Leisure and Cultural Services Department announced today (August 30) that due to big waves, the red flag has been hoisted at Clear Water Bay Second Beach in Sai Kung District. Beach-goers are advised not to swim at the beach.