WEDNESDAY, MARCH 13, 1985
32
ROAD DEFINITION - A MOOT POINT
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THE GOVERNMENT WAS CONSIDERING MAKING IT COMPULSORY FOR MOTOR VEHICLES TO BE COVERED BY THIRD PARTY INSURANCE ON PRIVATE AS WELL AS ON PUBLIC ROADS IN HONG KONG, THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT, THE HON IAN MACPHERSON, SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
HE SAID THAT DOUBTS AROSE ABOUT THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THIRD PARTY INSURANCE ON PRIVATE ROADS BECAUSE THE DEFINITION OF +ROAD+ IN THE MOTOR VEHICLES INSURANCE (THIRD PARTY RISKS) ORDINANCE RELATED TO A ROAD TO WHICH THE PUBLIC HAD ACCESS, AND THERE WERE DIFFICULTIES IN INTERPRETING THIS.
THE GOVERNMENT, HE SAID, HAD ANNOUNCED LAST MONTH THAT THE PROVISIONS OF THE ROAD TRAFFIC LEGISLATION WHICH RELATED TO SAFETY (INCLUDING INSURANCE, LICENSING, AND CONSTRUCTION AND MAINTENANCE OF VEHICLES) SHOULD APPLY TO ALL ROADS IN THE TERRITORY, OTHER THAN INDUSTRIAL AND WORK SITES.
+A WORKING GROUP IS NOW CONSIDERING LEGISLATION TO GIVE EFFECT TO THIS DECISION IN PRINCIPLE, HE SAID.
MORE THOUGHT GIVEN TO BANYAN TREE REQUEST
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IT WAS DECIDED THAT A FURTHER INVESTIGATION SHOULD BE CARRIED OUT IN THE LIGHT OF EXPRESSED PUBLIC CONCERN OVER THE FATE OF A BANYAN TREE IN STANLEY MARKET ROAD, THE SECRETARY FOR LANDS AND WORKS, MR NICKY CHAN, SAID TODAY.
MR CHAN WHO WAS REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY THE HON ANDREW SO, SAID THAT AFTER CONSULTATION WITH DEPARTMENTS CONCERNED THE LOT ON WHICH THE TREE IS PERCHED WAS INCLUDED IN THE LAND SALES PROGRAMME AND WAS SCHEDULED FOR AUCTION ON MARCH 1.
+SUBSEQUENTLY, PETITIONS FOR THE PRESERVATION OF THE TREE WERE RECEIVED WHICH WOULD IN EFFECT MEAN THE LOT COULD NOT BE SOLD,+ HE SAID.
+ALTHOUGH THE BACKGROUND HAD BEEN CAREFULLY LOOKED INTO, IT WAS DECIDED A FURTHER INVESTIGATION SHOULD BE CARRIED OUT IN THE LIGHT OF EXPRESSED PUBLIC CONCERN.
+TO ALLOW ADDITIONAL TIME FOR THIS REVIEW, SALE OF THE LOT HAS BEEN POSTPONED TO APRIL 18, MR CHAN SAID.
+
/IN REPLY