XN000022-1973-11-29 — Page 20

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Thursday, November 29, 1973

The Public Works Department, as a whole, he went on, was the

subject of a special study on the uses which it should be making of

computers.

He was sure that an important outcome of this study would be the

computerisation of the Waterworks accounts, and this would be a great

relief to the Waterworks Office and its customers.

On problems facing the Buildings Ordinance Office, Mr. Robertson

said it was apparent that no ordinary measures could reduce the backlog

of work that had built up following last year's catastrophic rainstorms, or

even keep pace with the inflow of new work.

Allegations

This was particularly so since the heavy rainstorms had shown

that the Buildings Ordinance Office must scrutinize more closely all plans

for development in hilly areas and scrutinize also the actual activities

on the ground, he said.

Mr. Robertson also referred to allegations of P.W.D. failing to

take action against illegal building modifications.

In reply, he said: "The intensive programme of action this year

against the owners of one group of new buildings on King's Road has shown

clearly that it is completely impractical to extend such action generally

because of the enormous staff effort involved to achieve even a temporary

improvement.

"Some additional

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