XN000022-1978-02-15 — Page 20

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WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 1978 *

BILL TO PROVIDE NEW CONTROLS OVER OIL STORAGE INSTALLATIONS *****

THE BUILDINGS (AMENDMENT) BILL 1978, WHICH AIMS TO PROVIDE FOR NEW CONTROLS RELATING TO OIL STORAGE INSTALLATIONS, RECEIVED ITS SECOND READING AT THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY.

MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE BILL, THE HON. DAVID MCDONALD, DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS, SAID THAT THE PROPOSED LEGISLATION, IF ENACTED, WOULD ALSO GIVE THE BUILDING AUTHORITY SUPERVISORY POWERS OVER THE CONSTRUCTION AND MAINTENANCE OF SUCH INSTALLATIONS SO AS TO REDUCE THE POSSIBILITY OF A MAJOR OIL SPILL.

HE SAID THAT ONE OF THE CLAUSES RE-DEFINED +BUILDING+

IN THE PRINCIPAL ORDINANCE TO INCLUDE OIL STORAGE INSTALLATIONS AND CLEARLY SETS DOWN THE MEANING OF SUCH INSTALLATIONS.

ANOTHER CLAUSE, MR. MCDONALD ADDED, ENABLED REGULATIONS TO BE MADE BY THE GOVERNOR-IN-COUNCIL TO CONTROL THE DESIGN, CONSTRUCTION, MAINTENANCE AND LICENSING OF OIL STORAGE INSTALLATIONS AND ALSO PROVIDED FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A STANDING COMMITTEE TO ADVISE THE BUILDING AUTHORITY ON MATTERS RELATING TO SUCH INSTALLATIONS.

A THIRD CLAUSE AMENDED A SECTION OF THE PRINCIPAL ORDINANCE, PERMITTING MAXIMUM PENALTIES OF A FINE OF $100,000 AND IMPRISONMENT FOR TWO YEARS FOR CONTRAVENTION OF THESE REGULATIONS.

DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.

ADDITIONAL EXPENDITURE FOR SECOND QUARTER

OF 1977-78 FINANCIAL YEAR

******

THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY APPROVED THE ADDITIONAL PUBLIC EXPENDITURE OF $452 MILLION FOR THE PERIOD BETWEEN JULY 1 AND SEPTEMBER 30 OF LAST YEAR.

MOVING THE MOTION FOR SUPPLEMENTARY PROVISION FOR THE SECOND QUARTER OF THE FINANCIAL YEAR 1977-78, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON. PHILIP HADDON-CAVE, SAID THAT ABOUT $88.5 MILLION WAS REQUIRED AS A RESULT OF MORE RAPID PROGRESS ON A NUMBER OF EXISTING PROJECTS AND THE UPGRADING OF 15 PROJECTS TO CATEGORY A OF THE PUBLIC WORKS PROGRAMME.

ANOTHER $335 MILLION WAS FOR AN EQUITY CONTRIBUTION TO THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY CORPORATION AND THIS WAS MATCHED BY AN EQUIVALENT PAYMENT INTO GENERAL REVENUE AS PREMIUM FOR THE GRANT OF LAND IN KOWLOON BAY FOR A DEPOT, MR. HADDON-CAVE ADDED.

MR. HADDON-CAVE SAID THAT OFF-SETTING SAVINGS OF $101 MILLION HAVE BEEN FOUND UNDER OTHER SUBHEADS OF EXPENDITURE. OR BY THE FREEZING OF FUNDS FOR ADDITIONAL COMMITMENTS UNDER MISCELLANEOUS SERVICES SUBHEAD.

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