THURSDAY, AUGUST 5, 1993
LEGISLATION TO CONTROL BEDSPACE APARTMENTS IN THE PIPELINE
IN
SPOKESMAN TODAY RESPONSE TO MEDIA ENQUIRIES, A GOVERNMENT (THURSDAY) SAID A BEDSPACE APARTMENTS BILL DESIGNED TO TACKLE PROBLEMS ARISING FROM THESE PREMISES HAD BEEN PUT TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
YEAR
LEGISLATIVE
THE SECOND READING OF THE BILL TOOK PLACE ON JUNE 2 THIS AND THE BILL WILL BE EXAMINED BY A BILLS COMMITTEE OF THE COUNCIL.
WITH
THE
APARTMENTS,
THE VALID
THE ENACTMENT OF THE BEDSPACE APARTMENTS ORDINANCE, GOVERNMENT WILL HAVE STATUTORY POWERS TO LICENSE BEDSPACE TO REGULATE THEIR
AND FIRE AND BUILDING SAFETY,
TO PROSECUTE OPERATORS OF ILLEGAL BEDSPACE APARTMENTS THAT DO NOT POSSESS A LICENCE.
AS
REGARDS THE FIRE THAT OCCURRED AT A BEDSPACE
NIGHT, ΤΑΙ NAM WEST STREET, SHAM SHUI PO ON TUESDAY SAID 16 FIRE VICTIMS WERE NOW ACCOMMODATED IN THE TUEN CENTRE.
APARTMENT IN
THE SPOKESMAN MUN TRANSIT
SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT (SWD) STAFF ARE ASSISTING THEM TO SEE IF THEY QUALIFY FOR COMPASSIONATE REHOUSING.
DISTRICT
FOR THE NON-WELFARE CASES, STAFF OF THE SHAM SHUI PO OFFICE ARE ON THE GROUND TO HELP FIRE VICTIMS WHO WISH TO APPLY FOR ACCOMMODATION IN THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION'S SINGLETON HOSTEL AT 60 CASTLE PEAK ROAD, SHAM SHUI PO.
TENANTS
AS FOR BEDSPACE APARTMENTS IN GENERAL, THE SPOKESMAN ADDED THAT OFFICERS FROM SWD PAID AT LEAST TWO VISITS A YEAR TO IDENTIFY
MAY
OR COMPASSIONATE WHO
REQUIRE WELFARE BENEFITS, FAMILY SERVICES REHOUSING, AND OFFER APPROPRIATE ASSISTANCE.
THE ELDERLY WOMAN WHO
DIED IN
THE
BLAZE,
IN THE CASE OF OFFICIAL RECORDS REVEALED THAT SWD HAD MADE AN OFFER TO REHOUSE HER IN A HOME FOR THE ELDERLY BUT SHE HAD DECLINED THE OFFER.
AN
THE SPOKESMAN ALSO SAID THE BUILDINGS DEPARTMENT HAD EMERGENCY CLOSURE ORDER ON THE TWO FLOORS OF THE DAMAGED AND CONTRACTORS ARE NOW REMOVING DEBRIS AND LOOSE PARTS TO ENSURE SAFETY OF OTHER TENANTS AND MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC.
OBTAINED PREMISES
THE
BE OF THE BUILDING'S STRUCTURE WILL ALSO INSPECTIONS OUT IMMEDIATELY.
CARRIED
STEPPING
UP SAFETY
THE MEANWHILE,
FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT IS INSPECTIONS TO ADVISE OPERATORS OF BRDSPACE APARTMENTS ON FIRE PRECAUTIONS.
THE SPOKESMAN ADDED THAT WHILE THE LONG-TERM SOLUTION PROBLEM
AND OF
LEGISLATION BEDSPACE APARTMENTS LIES IN EVERYTHING POSSIBLE WILL BE DONE BY GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS IN A WELL-COORDINATED MANNER TO MINIMISE FIRE RISKS AND TO THE SAFETY ASPECTS OF THESE PREMISES.
ΤΟ THE LICENSING,
CONCERNED CHECK
ON
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