XN000022-1983-01-05 — Page 10

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 5, 1983.

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EXTRA POLICE TO LOOK OUT FOR PICKPOCKETS ON TRAINS

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EXTRA POLICE WILL BE ON DUTY TO LOOK OUT FOR PICKPOCKETS AND OTHER CRIMINALS ON TRAINS AND AT STATIONS DURING THE LUNAR NEW YEAR RUSH, THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, THE HON D.G. JEAFFRESON, SAID TODAY.

IN ADDITION, PUBLICITY EFFORTS WILL BE INCREASED, ADVISING THE PUBLIC TO MAINTAIN THEIR GUARD AGAINST THE CRIMINAL ELEMENTS, TO TAKE CARE OF THEIR VALUABLES, NOT TO CARRY LARGE AMOUNTS OF CASH, AND TO REPORT IMMEDIATELY TO POLICE IF ANY CRIME OCCURS, MR JÉAFFRESON TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

HE WAS REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY THE HON CHEUNG YAN-LUNG, WHO WAS CONCERNED ABOUT THE POSSIBLE INCREASE OF SUCH CRIMINAL ACTIVITY TO THE TRAVELLING PUBLIC, DURING THE HOLIDAY PERIOD.

BILL TO PROVIDE FOR CONTROL OVER CAVERNS

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THE BUILDINGS (AMENDMENT) BILL 1983, WHICH AIMS TO EXTEND THE CONTROL OVER ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION AND TO ENHANCE PUBLIC SAFETY, WAS INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY.

SPEAKING AT THE SECOND READING OF THE BILL, THE SECRETARY FOR LANDS AND WORKS, MR DAVID MCDONALD, SAID THE BUILDING AUTHORITY HAD RECEIVED ENQUIRIES FROM SEVERAL OIL COMPANIES REGARDING THE REQUIREMENTS WHICH SHOULD BE MET FOR THE DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION OF UNDERGROUND CAVERNS FOR THE STORAGE OF OIL AND PETROLEUM PRODUCTS.

+SINCE SUCH CAVERNS ARE NOT AT PRESENT DEFINED AS BUILDINGS IN THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE THERE IS NO CONTROL OVER THE IR CONSTRUCTION OR ADAPTATION, MR MCDONALD SAID.

IT HAD ALSO BEEN FOUND THAT THE EXISTING BUILDING (OIL STORAGE INSTALLATION) REGULATIONS, MADE IN 1978, DID NOT GIVE SUFFICIENT CONTROL OVER THE MAINTENANCE OF OIL STORAGE TANKS OR THE OPERATION OF OIL STORAGE INSTALLATIONS, HE ADDED,

THE NEW BILL WOULD THEREFORE GIVE THE BUILDING AUTHORITY CONTROL OVER CAVERNS CONSTRUCTED OR ADAPTED FOR THE STORAGE OF OIL AND PETROLEUM PRODUCTS, AND WOULD ALSO GIVE THE GOVERNOR-IN- COUNCIL POWERS TO MAKE MORE STRINGENT REGULATIONS GOVERNING THE MAINTENANCE AND OPERATION OF OIL STORAGE INSTALLATIONS.

DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.

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