XN000022-1980-01-16 — Page 24

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 16, 1980

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+IN CASES WHERE ANYTHING, INCLUDING WELDING DEBRIS, IS DROPPED OR FALLS FROM A BUILDING TO THE DANGER OR INJURY OF ANY PERSON EN OR NEAR A PUBLIC PLACE THE PERSON RESPONSIBLE FOR THE OFFENCE IS LIABLE, UNDER SECTION 4 B(1), TO A FINE OF $10 000 AND IMPRISONENT FOR SIX MONTHS.

+AND, UNDER SECTION 4 B(2) WHERE THE OFFENCE RELATES TO MATERIAL WHICH IS DROPPED OR FALLS FROM A BUILDING IN THE COURSE OF CONSTRUCTION, REPAIR OR DECORATION THE CONTRACTOR CARRYING OUT THE WORK IS LIABLE TO A FINE OF $50 000 AND IMPRISONMENT FOR ONE YEAR.+

MR MCDONALD SAID THAT MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC MIGHT, BY INFORMING THE POLICE, INITIATE PROSECUTIONS AGAINST OFFENDERS.

THEY MIGHT ALSO HAVE RECOURSE TO LEGAL ACTION FOR DAMAGES IN RESPECT OF INJURIES SUFFERED, HE ADDED.

GOVERNMENT GUARANTEE FOR MTRC LOAN

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THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY) ADOPTED A MOTION TO GIVE AUTHORITY FOR A GOVERNMENT GUARANTEE FOR EXPORT CREDITS AMOUNTING TO $37 MILLION TO FINANCE A CONTRACT PLACED IN THE UNITED KINGDOM FOR THE TRACKWORK FOR THE EXTENSION OF THE MASS TRANSIT RAILWAY TO TSUEN WAN.

THE GUARANTEE ALSO COVERS DEFERRED INTEREST AT A FIXED INTEREST RATE OF 7.75 PER CENT PER ANNUM OF UP TO $7.5 MILLION.

MOVING THE MOTION IN THE COUNCIL TODAY, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, THE HON SIR PHILIP HADDON-CAVE SAID THAT WITH THE ADDITIONAL LOAN THE GOVERNMENT'S TOTAL GUARANTEE COMMITMENT IN RESPECT OF THE MASS TRANS IT RAILWAY CORPORATION WOULD AMOUNT TO $8 942 MILLION, AND THIS CONTINGENT LIABILITY ON THE PUBLIC FINANCES WAS WELL PROVIDED FOR WITHIN THE GOVERNMENT'S FISCAL RESERVES.

+THE WHOLE OF THE CONTRACT HAS BEEN AWARDED IN HONG KONG DOLLARS TO AVOID ANY EXCHANGE RISK TO THE CORPORATION AND TO THE GOVERNMENT IN RESPECT OF ANY GUARANTEE WHICH MIGHT BE GRANTED TO COVER IT, HE ADDED.

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