XN000022-1977-06-14 — Page 4

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TUESDAY, JUNE 14, 1977

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+WITH THESE GENERATED RAINFALL FIGURES, AND BY ADOPTING VARIOUS LEVELS OF DEMAND, WE ESTIMATE THE DIFFERENT DEGREES OF RISK OF RESTRICTION AND THE PROBABILITY OF NOT BEING ABLE TO MEET MINIMUM SUPPLY LEVELS.

+HENCE WE HAVE A TOOL WHICH IS BASED SUBSTANTIALLY ON HISTORICAL INFORMATION AND ENABLES US TO MAKE A JUDGEMENT RELATED TO THE RISKS INVOLVED, + HE SAID.

+ IN ALL THESE DELIBERATIONS WE HAVE TO TAKE INTO ACCOUNT NOT ONLY THE RESERVES WE MUST HAVE TO SEE US THROUGH THE WINTER SEASON, BUT ALSO THE AMOUNT OF WATER REQUIRED IN STORAGE AT THE BEGINNING OF THE NEXT WET SEASON, TO ENABLE US TO MAINTAIN A MINIMUM SUPPLY IN THE EVENT OF THE FOLLOWING SUMMER BEING A DRY ONE.

+WHAT WE ARE DOING BY THE IMPOSITION OF RESTRICTIONS, THEREFORE, IS TAKING REASONABLE PRECAUTIONS TO SAFEGUARD OUR FUTURE POSITION, IN THE LIGHT OF CURRENT FACTS AND HISTORICAL PROBABILITIES, SAID MR. TUCKER.

+THE AVAILABILITY OF A HIGH QUALITY OF WATER SUPPLY IS FREQUENTLY TAKEN FOR GRANTED, HE ADDED, BUT IT DOES REQUIRE THE CONTINUOUS EFFORTS OF A MULTI-DISCIPLINED ORGANISATION -- AND EVEN MORE SO DURING PERIODS OF RESTRICTED SUPPLY SUCH AS WE ARE EXPERIENCING.+

ANNUAL LEAVE BILL COMES UP FOR DEBATE IN LEGCO

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DEBATE ON THE EMPLOYMENT (AMENDMENT) (NO. 3) BILL 1977, WHICH PROPOSES SEVEN DAYS CONSECUTIVE ANNUAL LEAVE WITH PAY FOR WORKERS, WILL RESUME TOMORROW (WEDNESDAY) IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

SEVEN UNOFFICIALS ARE SCHEDULED TO SPEAK ON THE BILL.

DURING QUESTION TIME, THE UNOFFICIALS WILL ASK A TOTAL OF 15 QUESTIONS. THESE INCLUDE QUESTIONS ON THE PROGRESS OF REMEDIAL WORKS ON DANGEROUS SLOPES. THE ENROLMENT AND NUMBER OF CLOSE-DOWN OF KINDERGARTEN AND NURSERY CLASSES, PROVISION OF WELFARE SERVICES IN TEMPORARY HOUSING AREAS, AND THE PROBABILITY OF A GREEN PAPER ON POLLUTION CONTROL AND ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT.

THERE WILL ALSO BE QUESTIONS ON THE EXPECTED TIME OF INVITATION FOR PARTICIPATION IN THE HOME OWNERSHIP SCHEME, GOVERNMENT CONTROL OVER PRIVATELY-OPERATED MEDICAL LABORATORIES, ADDITIONAL HOLIDAY CAMPS AND GAZETTED BEACHES IN THE NEXT FIVE YEARS, AND THE AMOUNT OF GOVERNMENT QUARTERS AND OFFICES IN LEASED AND GOVERNMENT-OWNED PREMISES.

TEN BILLS WILL BE INTRODUCED FOR FIRST AND SECOND READINGS, INCLUDING THE EMPLOYMENT (AMENDMENT) (NO. 4) BILL WHICH AIMS TO GIVE BETTER WAGE PROTECTION TO CONSTRUCTION WORKERS,

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