10 -
"The proposed amendments to Prison Rule 56 would provide a proper legal basis for restrictions on the withholding of all publications, including horse-racing supplements, which may pose a threat to the good order and discipline within penal institutions.
"It is important that our prison authorities have the necessary statutory powers to maintain good order and discipline in penal institutions.
"The sooner the amendment to Prison Rule 56 is enacted, the sooner this loophole will be plugged," he added.
The spokesman said the Government had received legal advice that the proposed amendment was consistent with the BORO and could proceed independently of the appeal.
The other amendments are mainly to streamline procedure to enhance the administration of the rules.
The Prison (Amendment) Rules 1996 will be gazetted on July 5 and are expected to be tabled at the Legislative Council on July 10.
End
Government draws up action plan to enhance industrial safety
The Government is very concerned about the recent spate of industrial accidents and is strengthening and implementing measures to promote industrial safety, said the Secretary for Works, Mr H S Kwong, this (Wednesday) morning at the launching ceremony of the 1996 ACP Construction Safety Award Scheme.
"We have, following a high-level inter-departmental meeting on June 18, drawn up an action plan to enhance safety at three main high-risk areas; construction sites, work at height and confined spaces," he noted.
The main points of the strategy include:
Labour Department will step up inspections and prosecutions, and will seek Attorney General's review of any inadequate penalty for breach of industrial safety requirements. The department will also set up a hotline to handle complaints of industrial and occupational hazards;