WEDNESDAY, MAY 23, 1979
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+WHERE A DETAILED STUDY HAS SHOWN THAT THE STABILITY OF A SLOPE IS INADEQUATE, PREVENTIVE WORKS HAVE BEEN PUT IN HAND AS A MATTER OF URGENCY, MR. MCDONALD SAID.
+WHERE SUCH SLOPES LIE IN PRIVATE LAND, NOTICES HAVE BEEN ISSUED TO THE OWNERS INFORMING THEM OF THE SITUATION AND REQUIRING THEM TO TAKE APPROPRIATE ACTION TO MAKE THE SLOPES SAFE.+
AS FAR AS FLOODING IS CONCERNED, HE EMPHASISED THAT THERE ARE ALTOGETHER 25 KNOWN BLACKSPOTS THROUGHOUT THE TERRITORY WHICH ARE UNDER SPECIAL SURVEILLANCE AND FOR WHICH DRAINAGE IMPROVEMENT SCHEMES ARE IN HAND OR ARE UNDER INVESTIGATION.·
HE REITERATED THAT EXPERIENCED PERSONNEL AND SPECIALIST EQUIPMENT WERE KEPT ON A 24-HOUR STAND-BY SYSTEM TO DEAL PROMPTLY WITH ALL BLOCKAGES AND FLOODINGS REPORTED TO THE DEPARTMENTAL CONTROL CENTRE.
SUPPLEMENTARY PROVISIONS FOR 1978-79
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THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY) APPROVED THE SCHEDULE OF SUPPLEMENTARY PROVISIONS FOR THE THIRD QUARTER OF THE FINANCIAL YEAR 1978-79 -- OCTOBER 1 TO DECEMBER 31, 1978 — WHICH COVERS $472 MILLION.
WHEN MOVING THE MOTION, THE ACTING FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON, HENRY CHING SAID $323 MILLION WERE REQUIRED FOR PUBLIC WORKS PROJECTS, MAINLY AS A RESULT OF MORE RAPID PROGRESS ON EXISTING PROJECTS AND THE UPGRADING OF 14 NEW PROJECTS TO CATEGORY A OF THE PUBLIC WORKS PROGRAMME.
THIS SUPPLEMENTARY PROVISIONS COVERED BY THE SCHEDULE RESULTED IN A NET INCREASE OF $100 MILLION IN THE ESTIMATED EXPENDITURE FOR THE YEAR, THE REMAINDER BEING OFFSET BY SAVINGS UNDER OTHER SUBHEADS OF EXPENDITURE AND BY THE FREEZING OF FUNDS PROVIDED UNDER HEAD 52 MISCELLANEOUS SERVICES SUBHEAD 100 ADDITIONAL COMMITMENTS,+ HE EXPLAINED.
HIGHER LEVEL OF GOVT SUBVENTION FOR 85 AGENCIES THIS YEAR
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THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, THE HON. THOMAS LEE, SAID TODAY (WEDNESDAY) THAT 85 OF THE 100 VOLUNTARY WELFARE AGENCIES APPLYING FOR GOVERNMENT SUBVENTION FOR 1979-80 WOULD RECEIVE A HIGHER LEVEL OF SUBVENTION COMPARED WITH LAST YEAR,
REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY THE REV. THE HOM. JOYCE BENNETT 10 THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, MR. LEE SAID THAT OF THE 100 AGENCIES, FOUR WOULD RECEIVE HORE THAN THE AMOUNT THEY ASKED FOR, AND 19 WOULD GET 30 TO 50 PER CENT LESS THAN WHAT THEY APPLIED FOR.
JENNETTE,