XN000022-1982-12-30 — Page 3

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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 30, 1982

THE GOVERNMENT'S INVOLVEMENT IS LIMITED TO ENSURING THAT THE CHARGES OF THE COMPANIES ARE REASONABLE AND IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE SCHEMES. TO ACHIEVE THIS BOTH THE SCHEMES AND THE TARIFFS ARE APPROVED BY THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL IN THE CONTEXT OF DEMAND FOR NEW PLANT AND EQUIPMENT.

THE SPOKESMAN CONCLUDED BY STATING THAT NOTHING HAD BEEN SAID TO SUGGEST THAT A STANDING COMMISSION, WHICH HAS BEEN REQUESTED BY SOME GROUPS, WOULD RESULT IN A BETTER SERVICE TO THE CONSUMER IN TERMS OF RELIABILITY AND PRICE.

HOWEVER, THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL WOULD SOON BE ASKED TO CONSIDER A SUGGESTION THAT CONSULTANTS BE APPOINTED TO ADVISE ON

THEY WOULD WORK ALONGSIDE THE GOVERNMENT'S MONITORING SYSTEMS.

THE TECHNICAL CONSULTANTS, WHO HAVE ALREADY BEEN APPOINTED.

+THIS COULD BE A VALUABLE OUTCOME OF THE PUBLIC INTEREST IN A DIFFICULT ISSUE, HE SAID.

BUILDING DEVELOPMENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE

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THE GOVERNOR HAS APPROVED THE SETTING UP OF THE BUILDING DEVELOPMENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE AND ITS FOUR SUB-COMMITTEES, IT WAS ANNOUNCED TODAY.

ALTOGETHER 32 UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS HAVE BEEN ISSUED WITH FORMAL NOTIFICATION OF THEIR TWO-YEAR TERM OF APPOINTMENT TO SERVE THE COMMITTEE AND ITS SUB-COMMITTEES.

THE SECRETARY FOR LANDS AND WORKS, MR DAVID MCDONALD, WILL BE CHAIRING THE INAUGURAL MEETING OF THE COMMITTEE NEXT TUESDAY (JANUARY 4).

THE FOUR SUB-COMMITTEES ARE THE REAL ESTATE DEVELOPMENT SUB-COMMITTEE, THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE REVIEW SUB-COMMITTEE, THE BUILDING CONTRACTORS SUB-COMMITTEE AND THE AUTHORISED PERSONS AND REGISTERED STRUCTURAL ENGINEERS SUB-COMMITTEE.

A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THAT THE BUILDING DEVELOPMENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE WOULD BE PROVIDING A FORUM FOR THE DISCUSSION OF ALL MATTERS AFFECTING CONSTRUCTION AND PROPERTY DEVELOPMENT, AND EXAMINING AND KEEPING UNDER REVIEW ALL POLICIES, PROCEDURES AND PROCESSES NECESSARY OR DESIRABLE FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF CONSTRUCTION AND PROPERTY DEVELOPMENT AND WOULD RECOMMEND TO GOVERNMENT AMENDMENTS WHERE THESE ARE IN THE PUBLIC INTEREST.

THE OFFICIAL MEMBERS INCLUDE THE DEPUTY SECRETARY (WORKS) OF THE LANDS AND WORKS BRANCH, THE DIRECTOR OF BUILDING DEVELOPMENT, THE DIRECTOR OF HOUSING, THE DIRECTOR OF ENGINEERING DEVELOPMENT. THE DIRECTOR OF LANDS. THE SECRETARY FOR ECONOMIC SERVICES, THE DIRECTOR OF NEW TERRITORIES DEVELOPMENT, AND REPRESENTATIVES OF THE COMMISSIONER FOR LABOUR AND LEGAL DÉPARTMENT. THERE ARE ALSO 12 UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS SERVING ON THE COMMITTEE.

THE BUILDING