XN000022-1983-01-17 — Page 3

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MONDAY, JANUARY 17, 1983

+1 NOW TURN TO THIS YEAR'S AWARD ITSELF. THE WINNING PRODUCT IS A +CHESS ROBOT ADVERSARY+: AN INGENIOUS DESIGN --COMBINING ELECTRONIC, MECHANICAL, COMPUTER AND ROBOTIC ENGINEERING

SKILLS, AND THE FIRST OF ITS KIND IN THE WORLD. THE PRODUCT IS DOUBLY REPRESENTATIVE OF HONG KONG AND ITS INTERNATIONAL OUTLOOK. NOT ONLY DOES IT SHOW INNOVATION AND HIGH QUALITY DESIGN IT HAS ALSO BEEN DEVELOPED BY A TEAM OF ENGINEERS AND RESEARCHERS OF MANY NATIONALITIES. IN HONG KONG ITSELF WITH SOME TECHNICAL SUPPORT FROM OVERSEAS. I CONGRATULATE WARMLY ALL THOSE WHO HAVE PLAYED A PART IN PRODUCING IT. MAY I NOW CALL UPON THE DESIGNER, NOVAG INDUSTRIES LIMITED, TO COME FORWARD TO RECEIVE THE AWARD?+

NEW ELECTRICAL SAFETY LAWS PLANNED

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THE GOVERNMENT PROPOSES TO INTRODUCE NEW LEGISLATION TO IMPROVE THE SAFETY OF ELECTRICAL FITTINGS AND INSTALLATIONS.

THE EXISTING ELECTRICITY SUPPLY ORDINANCE AND ITS REGULATIONS WERE BROUGHT INTO EFFECT IN 1911.

A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY THAT ALTHOUGH VARIOUS AMENDMENTS HAD BEEN MADE TO THE LEGISLATION TO RESPOND TO CHANGING CIRCUMSTANCES, THE PROVISIONS WERE NOW OUT OF DATE.

+A REAPPRAISAL OF THE LEGISLATION WAS CARRIED OUT RECENTLY AND THIS SHOWED THAT SIGNIFICANT CHANGES WERE NECESSARY TO MEET MODERN SAFETY STANDARDS,+ HE EXPLAINED.

→THE GOVERNOR-IN-COUNCIL HAS DECIDED, THEREFORE, THAT NEW LAWS SHOULD BE DRAFTED TO REPLACE THE ORDINANCE AND REGULATIONS.+

*THE INTENTION IS TO PRODUCE LEGISLATION TO ENHANCE SAFETY IN THE HOME, INCLUDING REDUCING THE INCIDENCE OF ACCIDENTS CAUSED BY ELECTROCUTION, AND TO ENSURE THAT CONSUMERS' INSTALLATIONS DO NOT CONSTITUTE A DANGER TO OTHERS.+

AS IN THE CASE OF OTHER AREAS WHERE THE GOVERNMENT PROVIDES CONSUMER PROTECTION, IT WILL PROBABLY BE NECESSARY TO ESTABLISH A SYSTEM OF COMPULSORY LICENSING AND REGISTRATION OF ELECTRICAL CONTRACTORS AND WORKERS. COUPLED WITH THIS WILL BE A CODE OF PRACTICE TO BE DRAWN UP IN CONSULTATION WITH THE APPROPRIATE PROFESSIONAL BODIES AND TECHNICAL INSTITUTIONS.

THERE WILL BE TRANSITIONAL ARRANGEMENTS TO ALLOW EXISTING CONTRACTORS AND WORKERS TIME TO COMPLY WITH LICENSING REQUIREMENTS TO BE SPECIFIED.

IN THE INTEREST OF PUBLIC SAFETY, THE OWNERS OF PLACES OF PUBLIC ENTERTAINMENT AND PREMISES FREQUENTED BY LARGE NUMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WILL BE REQUIRED BY LAW TO HAVE THEIR INSTALLATIONS TESTED PERIODICALLY BY REGISTERED CONTRACTORS.

THERE WILL