XN000022-1985-07-24 — Page 12

VEDNESDAY, JULY 24, 1985

THE CODE OF PRACTICE SPECIFIED THE INSPECTION PROCELUP WHICH WERE BASED ON THOSE USED IN THE GOVERNMENT'S OWN VEC. EXAMINATION CENTRES, AS WELL AS THE EQUIPMENT AND CHECKLISTS TO BE USED IN CONDUCTING EXAMINATIONS.

THIS SHOULD ENSURE THAT INSPECTIONS ARE FAIR AND THAT STANDARDS ARE CONSISTENT.

A CAR OWNER WHO IS DISSATISFIED WITH THE RESULT OF AN INSPECTION WOULD HAVE THE RIGHT TO APPEAL TO THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT FOR A FRESH INDEPENDENT EXAMINATION.

GARAGE STAFF WOULD HAVE TO ATTEND A TRAINING COURSE AT A GOVERNMENT VEHICLE EXAMINATION CENTRE AND WOULD BE ASSESSED FOR COMPETENCE.

THOSE UP TO STANDARD WOULD BE APPOINTED AS APPROVED CAR

TESTERS.

THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT WOULD CARRY OUT REGULAR VISITS TO CAR TESTING CENTRES TO MONITOR INSPECTIONS AND TO ENSURE THAT UNIFORMITY OF STANDARDS WAS MAINTAINED.

THE EXAMINATION FEE WOULD BE $160, THE SAME AS THE FEE FOR CAR INSPECTIONS AT THE GOVERNMENT'S VEHICLE EXAMINATION CENTRES.

A RE-CHECK FEE OF $50 WOULD BE CHARGED WHEN DEFECTS AT A FIRST INSPECTION WERE REMEDIED AND EXAMINED WITHIN 14 DAYS. IN THE CASE OF SPECIFIED MINOR FAULTS THE RE-CHECK WOULD BE FREE OF CHARGE, HE SAID.

A CERTIFICATE OF ROADWORTHINESS WOULD BE ISSUED BY THE CAR TESTING CENTRE WHEN A CAR PASSED AN EXAMINATION AND THE DETAILS WOULD BE PASSED TO THE TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT.

CARS OVER SIX YEARS OLD WOULD BE RE-LICENSED ONLY UPON PRESENTATION OF A VALID CERTIFICATE, MR MACPHERSON SAID.

THE TRANSPORT COMMISSIONER WOULD BE EMPOWERED TO REFUSE TO LICENSE A CAR THAT HAD NOT PASSED AN EXAMINATION AT A CAR TESTING CENTRE, HE ADDED.

DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.

OVERSEAS WORKERS' CONTRACT LOOPHOLES TO BE PLUGGED

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LOOPHOLES IN THE CONTRACTS FOR OVERSEAS EMPLOYMENT ORDINANCE WOULD BE PLUGGED IN THE INTEREST OF WORKERS BY VIRTUE OF PROPOSED AMENDMENTS, DR THE HON HO KAM-FAI SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).

SPEAKING DURING THE RESUMED DEBATE ON THE CONTRACTS FOR OVERSEAS EMPLOYMENT (AMENDMENT) BILL, DR HO SAID HE WAS HAPPY TO NOTE THAT ONE PRINCIPAL OBJECTIVE OF THE BILL WAS TO INTRODUCE OFFENCES AND PENALTIES FOR NON-COMPLIANCE WITH CERTAIN PROVISIONS OF THE ORDINANCE,

/HE SAID