XN000022-1984-07-29 — Page 2

SUNDAY, JULY 29, 1984

ELECTRICITY BILL COULD GO TO EXCO NEXT YEAR

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THE NEW ELECTRICITY BILL COULD BE SUBMITTED TO THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL FOR CONSIDERATION NEXT YEAR, THE DIRECTOR OF ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL SERVICES, MR GRAHAM OSBORNE, SAID TODAY (SUNDAY).

MR OSBORNE SAID THE PRINCIPLES OF CHANGES TO BE INCORPORATED IN THE PROPOSED BILL WERE CIRCULATED LAST DECEMBER TO

12 REPRESENTATIVE ORGANISATIONS FOR THEIR VIEWS.

IN MAY, A DISCUSSION PAPER INCORPORATING VARIOUS VIEWS AND SUGGESTIONS OF THESE REPRESENTATIVE ORGANISATIONS WAS CIRCULATED FOR FURTHER COMMENTS.

LAST MONTH, A SECOND DISCUSSION PAPER, DETAILING THE PROPOSALS FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ELECTRICAL CONTRACTORS AND WORKERS WAS ALSO SENT OUT FOR COMMENTS FROM THESE ORGANISATIONS,

+ IT IS HOPED THAT THE CONSULTATIONS NOW IN PROGRESS WILL BE COMPLETED WITHIN THE NEXT TWO MONTHS, + MR OSBORNE SAID.

+THEREAFTER, DRAFTING INSTRUCTIONS WILL BE FORWARDED TO THE LAW DRAFTSMAN SO THAT A NEW ELECTRICITY BILL WITH ITS SUBSIDIARY REGULATIONS CAN BE SUBMITTED TO THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL FOR CONSIDERATION IN 1985.+

MR OSBORNE, WHO WAS SPEAKING AT THE 26TH ANNIVERSARY DINNER OF THE HONG KONG AND KOWLOON ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING AND APPLIANCES TRADE WORKERS' UNION, SAID THE NEW BILL WOULD ENSURE THAT RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE SAFETY OF ELECTRICAL

INSTALLATIONS WAS CLEARLY DELINEATED.

THE GOVERNMENT WOULD HAVE THE OVERALL RESPONSIBILITY FOR PRESCRIBING COMPREHENSIVE TECHNICAL STANDARDS IN A CODE OF PRACTICE FOR THE WIRING AND MAINTENANCE OF ELECTRICAL INSTALLATIONS AND ALSO FOR COMPILING AND MAINTAINING A REGISTER OF QUALIFIED ELECTRICAL CONTRACTORS AND WORKERS.

THE CODE WOULD BE BASED ON THE TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS OF THE SUPPLY RULES AND THE LATEST EDITION OF THE INSTITUTION OF ELECTRICAL ENGINEERS WIRING REGULATIONS DETAILING THE MINIMUM SAFETY STANDARDS FOR ELECTRICAL WIRING INSTALLATIONS.

MEANWHILE, THE TWO SUPPLY COMPANIES WOULD STILL BE REQUIRED TO INSPECT AND TEST ALL NEW INSTALLATIONS TO ENSURE THAT THEY WERE SAFE BEFORE MAKING CONNECTION FOR ELECTRICITY SUPPLY AND CONSUMERS WOULD BE REQUIRED TO EMPLOY REGISTERED ELECTRICAL CONTRACTORS TO INSTALL, MODIFY, REPAIR AND PERIODICALLY INSPECT AND TEST THE IR INSTALLATIONS.

DOMESTIC PREMISES AND SMALL COMMERCIAL INSTALLATIONS WOULD BE EXEMPTED FROM THE PERIODIC INSPECTION, BUT THIS DID NOT MEAN THAT OWNERS OF INSTALLATIONS WERE NO LONGER REQUIRED TO BE RESPONSIBLE.

/+D FACT,