The Labour and Welfare Bureau (LWB) has announced that all six reimbursable courses offered by Hong Kong School of Commerce (HKSC) have been suspended from registration as reimbursable courses under the Continuing Education Fund (CEF) with immediate effect today (January 24).

     The decision was made in accordance with the terms and conditions of approval for CEF registration set out in the approval letters issued to HKSC for these courses. The decision was made on the ground that a person who acts as the Responsible Person and Course Director of the CEF courses of the course provider has recently been involved in a criminal case. The person was charged by the Independent Commission Against Corruption with conspiracy to defraud.

     A spokesman for the LWB said, "HKSC has to promptly inform all affected CEF course participants about the suspension of CEF registration. If the courses have not yet commenced on or prior to the date of suspension, the course provider must refund in full all course fees and related payments to the CEF course participants within one month after the date of suspension. It has to continue to run the CEF courses commenced prior to the date of suspension until completion. Moreover, on or after the date of suspension, the course provider must not accept new enrolment applications for the courses purportedly as CEF reimbursable courses and must not promote them as CEF reimbursable courses. No subsidy will be paid out of the CEF to the participants of these courses enrolling on or after the date of suspension."

     A list of the CEF courses suspended is in the Annex.

     The spokesman stressed that the Office of the Continuing Education Fund (OCEF) will continue to monitor CEF courses provided by course providers closely. Apart from authenticating attendance records of learners, assessment results and their claims for reimbursement, it also conducts surprise visits to course providers to ensure that the conditions of approval are fully complied with.

     For enquiries, please contact the OCEF via its hotline (3142 2277), by email (cef_sfo@wfsfaa.gov.hk) or by post (address: Units 07-11, 25/F, CDW Building, 388 Castle Peak Road, Tsuen Wan).

     The Environmental Protection Department (EPD) today (January 24) released the latest grading of water quality for four gazetted beaches that are open all year round for swimming.

     Three beaches were rated as Good (Grade 1) and one as Fair (Grade 2).

Grade 1 beaches are:

Grade 2 beach is:

     Compared with the grading released last week, Silverstrand Beach has been changed from Grade 1 to Grade 2.

     "The changes are generally within the normal range of fluctuation of the bacteriological water quality of the beaches," an EPD spokesman said.

     Under the present grading system, beaches are classified into four grades, including Good (Grade 1), Fair (Grade 2), Poor (Grade 3) and Very Poor (Grade 4), according to the level of E. coli in the water. Grades are calculated on the basis of the geometric mean of the E. coli counts on the five most recent sampling occasions.

     While the ratings represent the general water quality at the beaches, the EPD spokesman reminded members of the public that water quality could be temporarily affected during and after periods of heavy rain. Bathers should avoid swimming at beaches for up to three days after a storm or heavy rainfall.

     A summary of beach grades is published weekly before the weekend. The latest beach grades based on the most current data may be obtained from the EPD's website on Beach Water Quality (www.epd.gov.hk/epd/beach) or the beach hotline, 2511 6666.

     Hong Kong Customs today (January 24) alerted members of the public to an unsafe model of stuffed toy. They are advised not to let children play with this toy to ensure their safety. Test results indicated that the small parts of the toy could pose suffocation risks to children.

     Customs officers earlier conducted a test-buy operation on seven models of Lunar New Year toys from retailers in different districts for safety testing. Test results revealed that a model of stuffed toy had detachable small parts which would pose a risk of suffocation if swallowed by children.

     Investigation is ongoing.

     Customs reminds members of the public to observe the following safety tips when purchasing toys:
 

• Pay attention to age recommendations shown on labels;
• Pay attention to and follow the instructions associated with the toys;
• Beware of whether the small parts of toys (e.g. the eyes of stuffed toys) are easily detachable. Detached small parts may block a child's throat and lead to suffocation if swallowed;
• Check the structure of the toys. For example, whether they have a fragile structure, hidden sharp points, rough surfaces, sharp edges or gaps that may pinch children's fingers;
• Throw away plastic packages of toys and children's products to avoid children being suffocated; and
• Stop children playing with the toys immediately if any damage is observed.

     Customs is committed to the protection of consumer interests and regularly conducts spot checks and safety tests on toys and children's products to ensure that they are reasonably safe for use by consumers.

     Under the Toys and Children's Products Safety Ordinance, it is an offence to import, manufacture or supply toys for local consumption unless the toys comply with prescribed safety standards. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $100,000 and imprisonment for one year on first conviction, and a fine of $500,000 and imprisonment for two years on subsequent conviction.

     Members of the public with information relating to suspected unsafe toys or children's products may make a report via Customs' 24-hour hotline 2545 6182 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk).

  

     New Territories South Region today (January 24) concluded a three-day traffic enforcement operation against illegal parking in Tsuen Wan, Kwai Tsing, Sha Tin, Airport and Lantau police districts.

     During the operation, a total of 2,866 fixed penalty tickets were issued and two vehicles causing obstruction were towed away.

     Police will continue to step up enforcement actions to ensure smooth traffic during the Lunar New Year period.

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

     Details of the meetings of the Legislative Council (LegCo) Committees to be held in the LegCo Complex during the week from January 27 to 31 ‍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 ‍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.