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SCS to make statement to select committee
A government spokesman announced today (Saturday) that the Administration has suggested to the Hon Ip Kwok-him, Chairman of the LegCo "Select Committee to Inquire into the Circumstances Surrounding the Departure of Mr LEUNG Ming-yin from the Government and Related Issues", that Mr W K Lam, Secretary for the Civil Service, would be prepared to make a statement to the Select Committee as soon as practicable. Mr Ip has agreed to make arrangements for the Select Committee to reconvene some time early next week.
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No alteration to fire exits
Illegal alterations to means of escape and fire resistance construction pose a great threat to the occupants in case of fire, the Director of Buildings, Dr Choi Yu- leuk, said today (Saturday)
"Conversion of wooden doors to glass doors, removal of doors at fire exits, and making openings through fire resisting wall are the most common types of dangerous alteration.
"We will take actions to rectify the situation as soon as we know about such problems," he said.
Dr Choi was speaking at the launching ceremony of the 1997 Building Safety Campaign held at the Dragon Centre in Sham Shui Po.
Also officiating at the ceremony were Legislative Councillors Mr Edward Ho and Mr Frederick Fung.
Dr Choi said the improvement of building safety and fire safety relied mainly on the support and co-operation of owners to take good care of their properties.
He said that the increasing number of accidents which involved falling loose concrete and rendering had already set an alarm.
"Nearly half of the 50,000-odd buildings in the territory are over 20 years old. Some of these buildings have already shown signs of aging such as loose or bulging rendering with cracks around them, spalled concrete, and deep cracks in concrete with visible rust stains.
appear.
"Remedial actions should be taken immediately whenever these problems