WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 12, 1979
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IN REPLY TO ANOTHER QUESTION FROM MR. CHEN ON THE POSSIBILITY OF INTRODUCING RESTRICTED OPERATING HOURS FOR DANGEROUS GOODS VEHICLES. THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, THE HON. LEWIS DAVIES SAID THE SUGGESTION REQUIRES CAREFUL CONSIDERATION.
MR. DAVIES SAID HE WILL CONSULT THE SECRETARY FOR THE ENVIRONMENT ON THE SUGGESTION AFTER OBTAINING VIEWS FROM THE DANGEROUS GOODS STANDING COMMITTEE.
HOWEVER, WITHOUT ANTICIPATING THE COMMITTEE'S ADVICE, HE ADDED THAT AS ROAD CONGESTION IN SOME AREAS IS NOT LIMITED TO CERTAIN PEAK HOURS, DUE REGARD WOULD NEED TO BE GIVEN TO THE PRACTICABILITY OF THIS SUGGESTION IN THE LIGHT OF THE REQUIREMENTS OF DOMESTIC AND INDUSTRIAL USERS AS WELL AS PUBLIC SAFETY.+
COMPENSATION TO WORKERS SUFFERING FROM PNEUMOCONIOSIS
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PEOPLE ALREADY KNOWN TO BE SUFFERING FROM PNEUMOCONIOSIS MAY SOON RECEIVE EX-GRATIA PAYMENTS FROM A PROPOSED PNEUMOCONIOSIS COMPENSATION FUND.
THIS WAS DISCLOSED BY THE COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR, THE HON. NEIL HENDERSON, IN REPLY TO A QUESTION FROM THE HÔN. PETER C. WONG IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
MR. HENDERSON RECALLED THAT IN MAY 1976 HE INTRODUCED THE WORKMEN'S COMPENSATION (AMENDMENT) (NO. 2) BILL, 1978, INTO THE COUNCIL TO GIVE LEGISLATIVE EFFECT TO THE PROPOSED PNEUMOCONIOSIS COMPENSATION SCHEME.
THE BILL WAS PASSED INTO LAW ON JUNE 7, 1978, BUT HAS NOT YET BEEN BROUGHT INTO OPERATION DUE TO UNFORESEEN PRACTICAL DIFFICULTIES.
MR. HENDERSON SAID PROBLEMS AROSE DURING THE DRAFTING OF THE SUBSIDIARY LEGISLATION FOR THE SCHEME AND OUT OF CONSULTATIONS WITH THE BUILDING CONTRACTORS ASSOCIATION.
THE TWO MAIN PROBLEMS WERE, FIRSTLY, THAT THE SCHEME REQUIRED PROOF OF EMPLOYMENT IN THE SPECIFIED TRADES OR INDUSTRIES IN ORDER TO QUALIFY FOR COMPENSATION AND SECONDLY, THAT THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY, IN WHICH THE MAJORITY OF PNEUMOCONIOSIS CASES OCCUR, HAS A VERY HIGH LABOUR MOBILITY WHICH WOULD MAKE COMPLIANCE WITH THE LEGISLATION BY EMPLOYERS SO DIFFICULT AS TO BE ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE.
+A REVISED SCHEME HAS THEREFORE BEEN PREPARED IN CONSULTATION WITH THE VARIOUS INTERESTED ORGANISATIONS, HE SAID.
THE MOST SIGNIFICANT DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE ORIGINAL SCHEME AND THE REVISED ONE, MR, HENDERSON SAID, WAS THAT THE PNEUMOCONTOS IS COMPENSATION FUND WOULD BE FINANCED BY A LEVY ON EMPLOYERS IN THE TWO MAJOR INDUSTRIES CONCERNED AND COMPULSORY INSURANCE, AS ORIGINALLY PROPOSED, WOULD NOT THEN BE REQUIRED.
THE REVIS