XN000022-1985-05-03 — Page 8

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FRIDAY, MAY 3, 1985

THE TOP FLOOR OF THE BUILDING IS A SELF-CONTAINED WORKSHOP FOR MAKING LINEN AND GARMENT ITEMS FOR THE MEDICAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT, WITH A VIEW, EVENTUALLY, TO TAKING UP ALL ITS REQUIREMENTS.

THE OTHER FLOORS ARE FOR CARPENTRY WORK GEARED TO THE MANUFACTURE OF GOVERNMENT OFFICE AND QUARTERS FURNITURE AS WELL AS THE MAKING AND MAINTENANCE OF DOORS FOR HOUSING AUTHORITY.

AN IMPORTANT FEATURE IN THE CARPENTRY WORKSHOP IS THE INSTALLATION OF AN EFFICIENT DUST COLLECTING SYSTEM. IN ADDITION, THERE ARE A DEHUMIDIFYING FACILITY FOR DRYING TIMBER AND WATER SPRAY BOOTHS FOR REMOVING VAPOUR AND SPRAY GIVEN OFF BY THE PAINT SPRAYING PROCESS.

THE PROJECT COST $13.3 MILLION, $10.05 MILLION FOR BUILDING AND $3.25 MILLION FOR EQUIPMENT. BUILDING CONSTRUCTION WORK WAS STARTED IN JULY LAST YEAR, AND WILL TAKE ABOUT 12 MONTHS TO COMPLETE.

FACILITIES AT PIK UK PRISON, WHICH BEGAN OPERATIONS IN 1975, INCLUDE A COMPLEX OF BUILDINGS INCORPORATING AN ADMINISTRATION COMPLEX, A HOSPITAL, A KITCHEN, A DINING HALL, A DOMESTIC LAUNDRY, TAILORING WORKSHOPS AND A PURPOSE- BUILT LAUNDRY FOR THE MEDICAL AND HEALTH DEPARTMENT, AND DORMITORY ACCOMMODATION FOR SOME 500 PRISONERS,

THE FIVE-STOREY LAUNDRY WAS BUILT ADJACENT TO THE PRISON IN 1981 PROVIDING SERVICE FOR FIVE GOVERNMENT HOSPITALS - PRINCESS MARGARET, KOWLOON, CASTLE PEAK, KWAI CHUNG AND PRINCE OF WALES. SOME 180 PRISONERS ARE EMPLOYED IN THE LAUNDRY WHICH CAN HANDLE 19 000 KILOGRAMMES OF SOILED LINEN A DAY.

MR GARNER SAID THAT PIK UK PRISON WAS ORIGINALLY PLANNED IN THE LATE 1950'S AS A CAMP FOR 400 PRISONERS TO BE BUILT AT LUK KENG IN THE NEW TERRITORIES,

HOWEVER, JUST AS CONSTRUCTION WORK WAS TO START IN 1967, IT WAS DECIDED TO LOOK FOR AN ALTERNATIVE SITE, THE SITE AT PIK UK WAS MADE AVAILABLE, HE SAID.

WHEN THE PRISON WAS BEING BUILT, IT WAS AGREED, AT THE REQUEST OF THE COMMISSIONER. THAT SLEEPING ACCOMMODATION FOR 200 MORE PRISONERS BE ADDED, THOUGH OTHER FACILITIES WERE FOR ONLY 400, AND THE ADDITIONAL ACCOMMODATION ADDED WAS QUICKLY PUT TO USE AS WORKSHOPS.

MR GARNER