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Wednesday, August 16, 1972

RESTRICTIONS ON PILEDRIVING "A USEFUL FIRST STEP"

J

The Acting Director of Public Works, the Hon. A.S. Robertson, said today that the proposed restrictions on piledriving applied to all piling irrespective of what material the pile is made of or whether it was hammered,

screwed or sunk into the ground by excavation.

He said this when moving the second reading of the Summary Offences

(Amendment) Bill in the Legislative Council.

"This must be made clear, and could be during the committee stage

of the bill, by framing a suitable definition of 'piledriving'," he added.

He agreed with the Hon. H.M.G. Forsgate that restrictions on piling would increase building costs as a result of the slowing down of piling works.

"If restrictions were also imposed at this time on other building works, building costs would increase further, and progress would be slower still. I think that we should be somewhat cautious in interfering too much, at one time, with the building industry, which is already under considerable

strain.

"We'should look upon the proposed restrictions on piledriving as a useful first step, to which other steps may be added at a later date," he said.

Earlier Mr. Forsgate had pointed out that an increase in building

costs was "a premium which we must be prepared to accept if we are to put into practical effect our awakening concern for the future well-being and contentment

of the citizens of Hong Kong".

/"However,

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