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Buildings identified for comprehensive improvement
Following is a question by the Hon Christine Loh Kung-wai and a written reply by the Secretary for Home Affairs, Mr Michael Suen, in the Legislative Council today (Wednesday):
Question:
At the meeting of the Home Affairs Panel of the Legislative Council held on December 20 last year, the Government informed the Panel that about 1,000 private buildings in the territory with potential fire and safety hazards had been put on a "watchlist". It is learnt that a total of 331 of these buildings are located on Hong Kong Island. In this connection, will the Government provide this Council with a list of the names and addresses of the 331 buildings located on Hong Kong Island?
Reply:
Mr President,
The Home Affairs Department's District Offices in Eastern, Wanchai and Central & Western, like their counterparts in other districts, co-ordinate government efforts in assisting the owners concerned in enhancing the management of private buildings. This is done through Building Management Co-ordination Teams (BMCT) which include professional officers seconded from the Housing Department. The BMCTs identify buildings with building management problems and select them as the target for comprehensive building management improvement. Buildings so targeted may not necessarily be those with potential fire and safety hazards. Moreover, the Home Affairs Department does not use the term "watchlist" but simply regards such buildings as those which can benefit from additional co-ordination efforts to improve their management.
End