- 5 -
"However, in view of the public concern, the Department will carry out routine inspections on a monthly basis from now on," he said.
The spokesman said the construction of the Duplicate Tsing Yi South Bridge is in good progress and is scheduled for completion at the end of 1998.
"The completion of the new bridge will not only bring about improved local traffic condition but will also provide a good opportunity for more extensive maintenance works to be carried out to the existing bridge," he added.
End
Auxiliary Forces Pensions (Miscellaneous Amendments) Bil!
The Government will introduce legislative amendments to provide for a unified scheme for the payment of pensions and gratuities to members of the auxiliary forces or their dependants.
The Auxiliary Forces Pensions (Miscellaneous Amendments) Bill 1997, which seeks to ensure fairness and uniformity in this respect for all auxiliary forces, is gazetted today (Friday).
The auxiliary forces are the Auxiliary Medical Services, the Civil Aid Services, the Royal Hong Kong Auxiliary Police Force and the Government Flying Service (Auxiliary Section).
A Government spokesman said that some deficiencies were identified in a general review of the present provisions governing the payment of pensions and gratuities to members of the different auxiliary forces.
"These include differences in the calculation and payment of pensions to members of different auxiliary forces, and the ineligibility of the widower and dependants of a deceased female member for pension benefits," he said.
The spokesman said that to overcome the deficiencies, the Bill proposed to introduce a unified scheme of calculation and payment of pensions and gratuities under the Auxiliary Forces Pay and Allowances Ordinance.