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  • 1998.07.15

Textbook prices up and above inflation rate despite drop in paper and printing costs

Textbook prices are increased by an average of 8.76% and 7.55% for primary and secondary schools respectively this year.

Both increases are above the average inflation rate for the past 12 months (April 97 - May 98) based on the composite Consumer Price Index which averaged 5.4% for the period.

This was revealed in an annual survey of the Consumer Council which has been monitoring textbook prices for many years for the reference of publishers, school heads and teachers, parents and students, and other interested parties. The survey covered a total of 970 titles of primary and secondary textbooks.

Although textbook prices have consistently been on the rise and invariably above the inflation rate in the past, the Council takes particular exception to this year's price rise.

First, the increases which will no doubt affect many families with school children, come at a time of price freeze and rising unemployment in the face of an economic crisis.

Second, the extent of the increases is such that it is 3.36% more than the composite CPI for primary school textbooks and 2.15% more for the secondary.

Third, more importantly, the increases are imposed despite a drop in the costs of both paper and printing which were down by 15-21% and 2-13% respectively.

While it is the prerogative of schools to decide on the selection of textbooks, it is the students who have no choice but to bear the cost of the purchase.

Therefore, in addition to the suitability and quality of textbooks, school heads and teachers should take into account the price factor when selecting textbooks for students.

Students are advised to shop around for bookshops that offer higher discounts. School unions and associations are also encouraged to help organise the sales of used books to enable students to buy at a lower price.

Publishers have claimed rising production costs and in particular new investments necessitated by significant changes in the curriculum such as the need for IT and multimedia materials.

If you think scuba-diving is for the non-swimmer, you cannot be more mistaken; it may cost your life

Scuba-diving has become increasingly an attraction in the promotional brochure of many a packaged holiday tour. But can you partake in scuba-diving if you cannot swim?

At least three travel agencies which arrange scuba-diving during holiday tours, responded "yes" to the query in a Consumer Council survey.

Of two other travel agencies, one suggested that non-swimmers could join in water activities but not scuba-diving, while another opined that non-swimmers would not be allowed in water activities including scuba-diving.

Of these five agencies, two claimed no preparatory instructional course was necessary before scuba-diving; three indicated that coaching of basic skill and knowledge would be provided.

The survey was conducted in the wake of the tragic death of two Hong Kong residents while on packaged holiday tour to Thailand and Malaysia earlier this year.

The claim by some travel agents that non-swimmers could also take part in scuba-diving have drawn a strong rebuttal from the Hong Kong Underwater Association. The Association considered the claims to be totally inappropriate and erroneous.

Skill in swimming is a mandatory prerequisite in learning scuba-diving. A non-swimmer or beginner will have natural fear when in water, thus increasing the risk of scuba-diving.

There should also be restriction in age. Persons under 12 years old are unsuitable for scuba-diving as are adults aged above 45 who will need a physical check-up certifying that they are fit to join scuba-diving training.

According to the Association, at least 3 hours of training is needed for any "discover scuba-diving, resort scuba-diving, introductory scuba-diving" types of activity.

The survey also covered the provision of insurance coverage for scuba-diving. Of the 20 travel insurance schemes provided by travel agents and insurance companies, 15 also include coverage on scuba-diving.

Whilst most travel insurance policies will cover scuba-diving and other water activities, they may require for such activities to be carried out only under conditions of supervision by qualified personnel and proper use of safe equipment or with certain restrictions on coverage.

Potentially dangerous light bulb with suddenly detached glass envelope identified in the interest of public safety

Just imagine. In the comfort of your home, the glass envelope of a light bulb is suddenly detached, falls down and shattered into pieces.

No fewer than nine consumers had complained against the product's safety and durability. Fortunately, none of them was hurt in the mishaps.

The complaints prompted the Electrical and Mechanical Services Department (EMSD) to initiate a test on the product in question. Two ratings (60W, 100W) of the G-95mm light bulb were put to test in the period from December 1996 to April 1997.

The test confirmed that some of the 100W samples had their glass envelopes detached from the cap after a life test of1250 hours, while the 60W samples showed no similar problem. Breakage of the glass envelope or its ejection from the cap at the end of life is not acceptable, according to the safety standard of electric light bulb.

The test samples with the problem involved a model of globular opal lightbulb which can be identified with this marking on the package: "LION G-95mm BALLLAMP" and on the lamp cap "LION 220V 100W".

Consumers are strongly advised to check out their light bulbs at home. They should watch out for any loosened glass envelope from the lamp cap or any signs of abnormality. In case of doubt, the electrical circuit should be checked by a registered electrical worker.

The agent of the product has refused to recall the light bulbs on the grounds that the design of the product was changed last year and a testing certificate obtained in January this year.

But the Consumer Council cannot rule out the possibility that the old design model may still be available on the market or in use at home. The EMSD has undertaken to continue to monitor and conduct further testing on the quality of the product.

Encouraging improvements in car safety design but there are still considerable differences in standards of protection in the event of a crash accident

Are you concerned over the level of protection your car will give to its occupants in the event of a crash?

Are you the motorist of a small family car, probably the most popular size of car?

Is safety a most important key factor in your selection of a family car?

Included in this latest (261) issue of the Council's monthly magazine 'CHOICE' is a report on the results of crash tests on 12 small family cars (including 10 hatchbacks).

The crash tests were conducted in laboratories in the UK and Holland, with the samples bought in Europe, as part of the European New Car Assessment Programme (Euro-NCAP). Results of similar crash tests on super-minis and family cars were published in 'CHOICE' last November.

The report noted encouraging improvements in car safety design, although there is still a long way to go. Highlights of the report include:

Frontal Impact - Improvements are found in some car models in the protection of the knee areas though the lower leg and foot areas are still cause of concern.

Side Impact - In a large number of cars tested, the chest of the occupant on the struck side is vulnerable to life threatening or serious injuries.

Child Restraints - Not every car maker supplies or even recommends specific child restraints as suitable for use in their model range. In two cars, the recommended child restraint proved to be incompatible with adult seat belts.

Pedestrian Protection - Car manufacturers still need to improve their design to get better performance.

According to some car importers, models sold in Hong Kong are different from the test samples bought in Europe. Some even claim that models sold in Hong Kong have more safety features than their European counterparts.

Clean bill of health for colour cosmetics

The beauty-conscious who habitually use colour cosmetics, can heave a sigh of relief.

In a test of 37 colour cosmetics - 3 eyeshadows, 15 eyeliners, 9 eyebrow pencils and 10 lip liners – the Consumer Council has given them all a clean bill of health.

None was detected with any problem colour additives - Permanent Orange, Sudan II, Metanil Yellow, Scarlet Red,Methyl Violet BB, Gential Violet, Violet 6B and Rhodamine B. Some of these harmful substances are known to cause cancer in rats and mice in laboratory experiment.

The samples were also within the safety limits in respect of heavy metals - arsenic, lead and mercury. Some samples were found with chromium content very close to the safety limit of 60ppm -the nearest one was barely 2ppm below the limit. It is therefore advisable to choose those with less chromium content.

The colour cosmetics included in the test were within a low price bracket of $10 to $39.