XN000022-1979-07-04 — Page 12

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WEDNESDAY, JULY 4, 1979

+THERE ARE, HOWEVER, PARTICULAR AREAS IN WHICH THEIR CARRIAGE WILL BE OF ASSISTANCE. ONE SUCH AREA IS PING CHAU.

+ANY DECISION OF THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL TO REQUIRE THE CARRIAGE OF IDENTITY CARDS WILL BE PUBLICISED EXTENSIVELY AND A PERIOD OF NOTICE WILL BE GIVEN BEFORE ANY ORDER TAKES EFFECT,+ MR. DAVIES SAID.

MTR CORPORATION (AMENDMENT) BILL 1979

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THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY CORPORATION (AMENDMENT) BILL 1979 WHICH SEEKS TO PROVIDE THE LEGISLATIVE MACHINERY TO ENSURE THE SAFE OPERATION OF THE RAILWAY WHEN IT STARTS TO CARRY PASSENGERS, WAS

INTRODUCED IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).

THE ACTING SECRETARY FOR THE ENVIRONMENT, THE HON. GRAHAM BARNES, SAID THE FIRST SECTION OF THE MODIFIED INITIAL SYSTEM OF THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY BETWEEN KWUN TONG AND SHEK KIP MEI WOULD OPEN ON OCTOBER 1, AND THE REMAINDER OF THE SYSTEM, INCLUDING THE SECTION TO CENTRAL DISTRICT, WOULD BE OPERATING BY EARLY 1980.

THE SCOPE OF THE AMENDING SECTIONS INCLUDES THE PROVISION FOR THE APPOINTMENT OF INSPECTORS BY THE GOVERNOR, THEIR POWERS OF INSPECTION, THE DUTY OF EMPLOYEES AND CONTRACTORS OF THE CORPORATION TO CO-OPERATE WITH OR PROVIDE INFORMATION TO THEM, AND PENALTIES FOR NON-COOPERATION OR PROVISION OF FALSE INFORMATION.

ANOTHER SECTION EMPOWERS THE CHIEF SECRETARY TO ORDER THE CORPORATION TO REMEDY DEFECTS REGARDING THE CONDITION AND OPERATION OF ANY PART OF THE MTR IF HE CONSIDERS THAT THEY ARE LIKELY TO CAUSE A RISK OF INJURY TO ANY PERSON, ENABLES HIM TO SET TIME LIMITS FOR REMEDIAL WORKS, AND SPECIFIES FINES FOR NON-COMPLIANCE WITH HIS ORDERS.

CRIMINAL LIABILITY ON AN EMPLOYEE OF THE CORPORATION WHO ENDANGERS SAFETY THROUGH THE NEGLIGENT PERFORMANCE OF HIS DUTY IS ALSO IMPOSED BY THE BILL.

THE BILL ALSO MAKES IT AN OFFENCE FOR ANY PERSON WILFULLY TO DO ANYTHING WHICH ENDANGERS SAFETY.

THE PENALTY IN EACH OF THESE CASES IS A FINE OF $5,000 AND IMPRISONMENT FOR SIX MONTHS.

THE BILL ALSO PROVIDES FOR THE MAKING OF REGULATIONS REGARDING THE REPORTING AND INVESTIGATION OF ACCIDENTS AND THE POWERS OF INSPECTORS MAKING SUCH INVESTIGATIONS.

MR. BARNES SAID THAT THE PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE SAFETY OF PASSENGERS AND WORKERS OF MTR MUST LIE WITH THE CORPORATION. ADDED THAT WORKERS ON THE RAILWAY WERE ALREADY AFFORDED THE PROTECTION OF THE FACTORIES AND INDUSTRIAL UNDERTAKINGS ORDINANCE.

HE

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