There have been well-documented calls in Hong Kong for more good-quality doctors and nurses, and it is felt this need is urgent. Surely it makes sense to recruit from overseas?

On that premise, I did some preliminary research and was unfortunately confronted with some intriguing and frustrating facts. The primary step involves taking the Hong Kong Medical Licensing Exam (HKMLE), a written and an oral exam, before starting an intern or houseman year of training. A qualifying exam would be a reasonable prerequisite as other countries like the US and Britain require overseas graduates intending to practise there to pass the same exam as their local graduates - the United States Medical Licensing Exam and in Britain, the Professional Linguistic Assessment Board Test.

However, I was given to understand that the content of the HKMLE is prohibitively demanding (with a pass rate of around 10 per cent only) and that it is more demanding than what local graduates need in order to practise in Hong Kong.

This seems to be a case of double standards and I wonder if it could discourage people wanting to return to Hong Kong. Doctors trained overseas should not be given privileges. However, given the urgent need for more doctors, should the entrance bar not be set to at least an equal level, that is, with only an exam that is similar if not identical to the exam done by medical graduates from Hong Kong?

I was born and educated in Hong Kong, and trained to be a doctor in Britain and the US. I am completing my postgraduate training at a premier US medical institution and I would like to return one day to serve the people of Hong Kong. I am therefore eager to have some clarifications soon which hopefully will give me the incentive to make a committed move in this direction.

J. Chan, Baltimore, Maryland, US

Works can prevent disaster

I refer to the letter by Peter Tanner (''Safety' work unnecessary', December 3).

While appreciating Mr Tanner's passion for a natural environment and cost effectiveness of public works, the importance of public safety must not be taken lightly or overshadowed by concerns about visual impact and costs.

The government has an imperative duty of care to the public and always takes a prudent approach in justifying the need for any public works.

With the absence of specific details and locations on the comments made in the letter, we would like to provide the following information as a general response to clarify some of the common misconceptions.

Blockage of the catchwater channels by landslide debris could lead to havoc on downhill developments. A blockage occurs when debris from landslides falls onto and blocks the catchwater channel, forming a dam and causing water to back up behind the debris. This may lead to overtopping and spilling of water causing flooding and damage to areas downhill. Works are thus required to minimise the risk of failure of slopes adjacent to catchwaters.

It is our policy to make government slopes look as natural as possible to reduce their visual impact and improve the environment. Shotcrete cover is used on slopes only after other techniques have been explored and found not practical or inadequate on slope stability grounds.

The need for fencing and signage at public areas should take into account the needs of the community at large rather than just the able-bodied.

Robert Tsoi, senior engineer/media communications, Civil Engineering and Development Department

Make helmets compulsory

I read recently of yet another accident where a cyclist crashed, landed head first and suffered severe head injuries.

We hear and read similar stories frequently and some cyclists even lose their lives through head injuries.

To me, the common-sense solution is to require all cyclists to wear a helmet, starting with young children. Other countries around the world have had this law in place for the past 20 years or more.

Why do we not have such simple legislation in Hong Kong?

Why is the SAR lagging so far behind the rest of the world in safety matters such as this?

Do we have to wait another 20 years and have many more preventable accidents before action is taken?

M. Scully, Discovery Bay

Long hours a safety issue

I would support a law stipulating a standard working week of 44 hours.

Many companies ask their employees to work overtime. This implies there is too much work to be done during the normal working day. In that case, why doesn't the firm hire more staff?

People who work long hours gradually become less efficient. They also lose their sense of satisfaction in their job.

They are more tired and if they are operating machinery this could lead to an accident. If they work long hours employees have less time to spend with their families and this may lead to domestic problems.

We now have a statutory minimum wage and should also have a standard hours law.

Michael Ng Yu-hang, Tsuen Wan

Don't squeeze older workers

The government should be praised for its commitment to improving the working environment of people with the implementation of a minimum wage law.

This statutory wage of at least HK$28 will help low-skilled workers.

Now some people are calling for a law to set a standard working week of 44 hours. I found it surprising that many of the city's business and opinion leaders have backed this proposal.

I appreciate that such a law could protect workers. They would have a minimum wage and a working hours ceiling. But I am concerned that this might lead to younger and more energetic people being hired rather than older people who are less productive.

It simply comes down to the law of supply and demand.

Therefore, I urge officials to give very careful thought to the implications of such standard hours legislation. Before it is rolled out there must be a consultation process and all aspects of the proposed law must be given thorough consideration.

W. H. Chan, Kwun Tong

Still an exciting place to live

There is some truth in what Robin Mitchell writes ('Progress has cost HK its soul', December 11), although with beauty, much must lie in the eyes of the beholder. 'When all the world is young, lad, and all the trees are green' of course has to be a factor.

Hong Kong scenery, by and large, has not changed all that much and a great deal is still breathtaking. There are still places, people and customs of considerable interest, my Chinese wife still wears a cheongsam on a daily basis, and relations between the races have never been better.

After half a century of living here, '[Not] all the world is old, lad ... [and not] all the wheels [are] run down' (with apologies to Charles Kingsley). This has to be a good sign in any of us 'Old Hong Kong Hands'.

And in spite of drastic changes, with its unique blend of old and new and intermixing of Western and Asian, Hong Kong remains an exciting place to live.

Dan Waters, Mid-Levels

Tobacco tax deters youth

I refer to the report ('Fewer young smokers after tobacco tax raised', December 10).

I find it encouraging to see the drop in the number of young smokers from 2.4 per cent to 1.8 per cent.

Tobacco consumption by young people is especially worrying as habits formed early are likely to persist.

Given that the percentage of smokers increased by 0.2 per cent the government must do more to reverse this trend. There should be more tobacco control inspectors in the smoke-free zones to ensure smokers obey the rules.

As Dr Judith Mackay said, young people are more price-sensitive, so I agree that the tobacco tax should be increased.

Leung Yui-kuk, Tsuen Wan

Communist in name only

According to many academics and wordsmiths in the West, China's one-party political system is communist.

Exactly what element of China's government is truly communist?

The only thing, misconstrued as communist, about China's government is its physically- and politically-brutal authoritarian rule over its populace and that of Tibet.

Everything else about China's government is capitalism based on smug wealth and greed.

Really, let us all eliminate the terminological anachronism.

Frank G. Sterle, Jr, White Rock, British Columbia, Canada