LAND, PUBLIC WORKS AND UTILITIES
206
prescribed commercial premises such as banks, betting centres, jewellery shops, shopping arcades and supermarkets.
After the tragic fires in Garley Building, Top One Karaoke and Mei Foo Sun Chuen, the government stepped up inspections with a view to improving the fire safety standards attained. A total of 648 inspections were made, 6 423 advisory letters issued, and 72 statutory orders served. As a result, rectification works were completed in six buildings and were in progress in 31.
Community education and publicity were strengthened to cultivate higher awareness of fire safety and to promote better management of buildings.
The Public Sector
The Architectural Services Department (Arch SD) provides planning and technical advice on building-related matters to all government departments. The department also provides financial control and project management services for both public building developments under the Public Works Programme and subvented building projects financed by the government. Further, it is responsible for professional design services for government departments, the Hospital Authority, the Urban Council and the Regional Council in Hong Kong; and maintenance services for buildings owned or occupied by these bodies.
During 1997, the Arch SD designed or constructed 260 projects valued at $47.6 billion. It monitored a further 149 projects valued at $19.8 billion. Actual expenditure on building projects undertaken or monitored by the department totalled $11.8 billion, with a further $2.6 billion being spent on routine maintenance and minor alteration works.
Education
Seven primary schools and six secondary schools were completed in 1997 under the School Building Programme. One special school, one practical school and a skills opportunity school were also completed. Improvements to 143 schools were completed in 1997 under the School Improvement Programme. Construction work started on 11 primary schools, 12 secondary schools, three special schools, one practical school and three skills opportunity schools. Improvement work on 102 schools started under the School Improvement Programme.
Domestic
Projects completed for the disciplined services include the junior disciplined services quarters at Wong Tai Sin.
Disciplined Services
Projects completed include Tung Chung Divisional Fire Station, Lam Tin Ambulance Depot, Marine Police District Headquarters at Sai Wan Ho and Tung Chung District Police Station, with the Sham Tseng Ambulance Depot under construction.
Infrastructure
The Air Traffic Control Complex and Tower and the Airport Fire Station for the new airport at Chek Lap Kok were completed in mid-1997. Construction of the Airport Police Station, the Government Flying Services Headquarters, the Air Mail Centre