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This Bill has three purposes: empowering the Building Authority to order owners to carry out investigations into drains and sewers for slope safety reasons; facilitating the recovery of the cost of works carried out by the Building Authority on behalf of building owners; and making clear that a closure order will cease to have effect when the concerned structures are demolished or cease to exist.
In scrutinising the Bill, some Members proposed that water pipes should also be covered by the Bill. We agree and have prepared Committee Stage Amendments to this effect. Upon the enactment of the Bill, the Buildings Department will maintain close liaison with the Water Supplies Department in exercising the new power to require investigations into water pipes and remedial works regarding any leakage, defect or inadequacy identified.
Members have also expressed concern over the discretion of the Building Authority in serving orders requiring investigations into water pipes, drains and sewers. We have prepared Committee Stage Amendments to provide that where the Building Authority is of the opinion that no leakage, defect or inadequacy is likely, no order shall be served. In forming his opinion, the Building Authority should take into account all relevant matters and information, such as, the age of the water pipes, drains or sewers, and records of previous investigations and maintenance works. The Building Authority's decision is also subject to appeal to the Appeal Tribunal under Part VI of the Buildings Ordinance, the members of which are mainly independent legal or building professionals. We believe this provides for the necessary safeguard against potential abuse of power.
We have also prepared a Committee Stage Amendment to ensure that an owner is responsible for the maintenance of and investigations into the water pipes, drains and sewers serving his building, irrespective of where such pipes, drains and sewers are laid.
Thank you, Mr Deputy President.
End
Inland Revenue (Amendment) (No 3) Bill
Following is the speech by the Secretary for the Treasury, Mr K C Kwong, in resuming the second reading debate of the Inland Revenue (Amendment) (No 3) Bill 1996 in the Legislative Council today (Wednesday):
Mr President,
I am grateful for Members' support for the resumption of the second reading debate of the Bill. The Bill has two objectives. First, it seeks to reflect existing practices and provide greater certainty in law by -