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In Brief

legal action mulled to free asylum seekers

Lawyers aiding hunger-striking asylum seekers in the Tuen Mun detention centre are preparing legal action to free the detainees, who are awaiting evaluation by the government or the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees on whether they are considered asylum seekers, refugees or torture victims. The proposed action comes as the legislator representing the welfare sector, Fernando Cheung Chiu-hung, plans to visit the centre to check on the welfare of the hunger strikers today. A Department of Immigration spokesman said 20 people were taking part in the protest, which had been continuing for five days.

new directors of food and planning soon

Director of Food and Environmental Hygiene Gregory Leung Wing-lup and Director of Planning Bosco Fung Chee-keung are to retire from the civil service. Deputy Secretary for Health, Welfare and Food Eddy Chan Yuk-tak will take over from Mr Leung, who retires after 37 years' service. Ava Ng Tse Suk-ying, deputy director of planning, will take over from Mr Fung.

Retiring Commissioner of Correctional Services Pang Sung-yuen will be succeeded by his deputy, Kwok Leung-ming from July 23.

Cherry Tse Ling Kit-ching, secretary to the Commission on Poverty, will become permanent secretary for constitutional affairs on August 7.

central reclamation debate to be launched

Lawmaker Kwok Ka-ki will launch a motion debate in the Legislative Council tomorrow to urge the government to revise the plan for phase three of the Central reclamation to reduce the area for commercial development and plot ratio.

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