UN debt to SAR stands at $1.17b

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees' debt to the Government is $1.17 billion.

The UNHCR had repaid $162 million and the administration would continue to press for the outstanding balance, Acting Secretary for Security Carrie Yau Tsang Ka-lai said yesterday.

Provisional legislators also heard that about 160 Correctional Services Department officers were to share an $18 million redundancy payout after the closure of Whitehead detention centre on June 16.

They approved the ex-gratia awards following a request from CSD Commissioner Raymond Lai Ming-kee.

The ex-gratia awards are equivalent to half a year's salary.

The CSD said commuted pension gratuity payments to staff who had lost jobs would amount to $59.8 million, while recurrent monthly pension payments would be $4.6 million per year.