Author Archives: hksar gov

     Following is a question by the Hon Alice Mak and a reply by the Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Dr Law Chi-kwong, in the Legislative Council today (May 22):   Question :      The Social… read more

     A spokesman for the Department of Justice (DoJ) today (May 22) announced the publication of the latest edition of “The Judge Over Your Shoulder – A Guide to Judicial Review for Administrators” (JOYS) at the DoJ’s website (www.doj.gov.hk/eng/public/The_Judge_Over_Your_Shoulder.html).

     “Since it was first published in 2010, JOYS has served to provide guidance to administrators in the Government on principles of judicial review which are relevant to their work as decision or policy makers. The purpose of the publication is to provide a better understanding of judicial review so as to maintain the highest standards of public administration in Hong Kong,” the spokesman said.

     “The latest edition of JOYS is now available on the DoJ’s website in English and Chinese versions. We hope that the guide, by providing an overview of the relevant law, will serve as a useful general reference for not only government officials, but anyone who wishes to understand more about judicial review, which is an integral part of the Hong Kong legal system,” the spokesman continued. read more

     The effective exchange rate index for the Hong Kong dollar on Wednesday, May 22, 2019 is 105.6 (up 0.1 against yesterday’s index). read more

     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (May 22) appealed to members of the public not to buy or use two whitening cream products (see photos) as they may contain excessive mercury, which is harmful to health.

     The appeal followed the CHP’s receipt of notification of a case of mercury poisoning from the Hospital Authority (HA) involving a 25-year-old female patient. The CHP commenced investigations immediately.

     The patient has developed generalised swelling since mid-April this year and reported using the two products for around six months. Her urine and blood samples revealed mercury levels higher than the reference levels, which was clinically suspected to be related to the use of the products.

     Testing by the HA revealed that the levels of mercury in the two products were 8 411 times (day cream) and 15 597 times (night cream) the acceptable level. The CHP’s investigation is continuing. The case has also been referred to the relevant law enforcement agency for follow-up.

     “Chronic exposure to mercury can cause damage to the nervous system and kidneys. Symptoms may include tremors, irritability, insomnia, memory deterioration, concentration difficulty, impaired hearing and vision, and change in the taste function. In severe cases, renal failure may occur,” a spokesman for the CHP said.

     “As the content of mercury in both products far exceeded the acceptable level, their use may cause serious side effects. People who are using them should stop immediately and consult healthcare professionals as soon as possible if they feel unwell or are in doubt. Members of the public are urged not to buy or use cosmetic products of unknown composition or obtained from doubtful sources,” the spokesman added.

      

The following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Housing Authority:

     The Hong Kong Housing Authority (HA) announced today (May 22) that applications for purchase under the Sale of Home Ownership Scheme (HOS) Flats 2019 (HOS 2019) and White Form Secondary Market Scheme (WSM) 2019 (WSM 2019) will commence concurrently on May 30. Eligible White Form and Green Form applicants may submit applications from May 30 to June 12.
 
     White Form applicants may choose to apply for HOS 2019, WSM 2019, or both, using one single White Form. Application fees are $250 for HOS 2019, $160 for WSM 2019 and $410 for both.
 
     A total of 4 871 flats in six new HOS developments, i.e. Kwun Tak Court in Ho Man Tin, Hoi Tak Court in Cheung Sha Wan, Sheung Man Court in Kwai Chung, Yung Ming Court in Tseung Kwan O, Kam Fai Court in Ma On Shan and Yuk Wo Court in Sha Tin, will be offered for sale.
 
     “Rescinded flats arising from cancellation of the Agreements for Sale and Purchase from five HOS developments (namely Ka Shun Court in Sha Tin, Ping Yan Court in Yuen Long, Ngan Wai Court and Ngan Ho Court in Mui Wo and Choi Hing Court in Kwun Tong) previously put up for sale in 2016 and 2017 will be included for resale in this sale exercise. Apart from the 27 rescinded flats as at April 1, any additional rescinded flats from the five HOS developments after that date will also be included for resale in this sale exercise,” the spokesman said.
 
     Project information, approved building plans, Outline Zoning Plans, land grants, latest drafts of or executed Deeds of Mutual Covenant and aerial photographs of the six new HOS developments and the five HOS developments with rescinded flats will be exhibited and building models and doll houses produced using the building information modelling technique of the six new HOS developments will be displayed at the Housing Authority Customer Service Centre (HACSC) in Lok Fu from 8am to 7pm between tomorrow (May 23) and June 12 for inspection by the public.
 
     Sales booklets of the six new HOS developments, the sales leaflet of the rescinded flats, application forms and application guides for HOS 2019 and WSM 2019 will be available at the HACSC for collection by the public starting from tomorrow. These documents will also be available for collection by the public within office hours at the office of the HA’s Green Form Subsidised Home Ownership Scheme (GSH) Sales Unit, estate offices and District Tenancy Management Offices of the HA, rental estate offices of the Hong Kong Housing Society (HS), the Home Affairs Enquiry Centres of the Home Affairs Department and the Sham Shui Po Housing Information Centre.

     Soft copies of the sales booklets of the six new HOS development, the sales leaflet covering details of the rescinded flats, latest drafts of or executed Deeds of Mutual Covenant and aerial photographs will also be uploaded to the designated websites of the respective HOS developments from tomorrow. “Members of the public are encouraged to browse the websites for HOS 2019 (www.housingauthority.gov.hk/hos/2019) and for WSM 2019 (www.housingauthority.gov.hk/wsm/2019),” a spokesman for the HA said. Soft copies of the application forms and application guides for both schemes will also be available for viewing and downloading from the above websites.

     In addition, the HA will make available hard copies of the sales brochures covering details of the HOS developments and the price lists for collection by the public at the HACSC and viewing at the designated websites for the respective HOS developments before the commencement of flat selection for this sale exercise.
 
     With effect from this application exercise, an e-Submission service will be provided in addition to the current paper-based submission. Applicants may choose either to submit paper-based application forms by post/by hand as in the past or to submit online application. Details are set out in the application guides. 
 
     For online submission, a step-by-step e-Submission video demonstrating how to apply online will be available shortly before the commencement of application on May 30. “This is the first e-Submission service provided for the schemes by the HA and we will closely monitor the operation of the system. We anticipate that the volume of usage will be large, especially nearer the closing of application, and the system is expected to be very busy. Applicants are therefore reminded to submit applications as early as possible,” a spokesman for the HA said.
 
     “For Green Form applicants who are living in the HA’s public rental housing estates or the HS’ rental estates and use the e-Submission service, staff of their respective estate offices will contact them and verify their household information after receiving their e-Submissions. The estate office will prepare hard copies of the application forms and the applicants will have to return the completed application forms, together with signatures of the applicants and all family members aged 18 or above, to their respective estate offices for further processing,” the spokesman said.
 
     Streamlined application arrangements are also being implemented in this sale exercise. Valid HOS Green Form applicants are allowed to opt for carrying over their applications to the next subsidised sale flats (SSF) sale exercise without submitting separate applications and paying further application fees.
 
     “Green Form applicants who wish to use this carry-over arrangement need to indicate their consent in their HOS application forms. However, if an applicant later wishes to apply for the next SSF based on a household category different from that for this HOS application, he or she is required to inform the HA during the stipulated application period of the next SSF sale exercise,” the spokesman said.

     “The application period will run from 8am on May 30 until 7pm on June 12. Applications submitted before the application period or after the closing time will not be accepted,” the spokesman said.

     Members of the public may visit the HACSC from 8am to 7pm during the application period. They can also call the 24-hour HA Sales and WSM hotline on 2712 8000 for matters relating to HOS 2019 or WSM 2019.