XN000022-1986-03-19 — Page 51

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WEDNESDAY, MARCH 19, 1986

HE SAID THE FINAL DECISION, HOWEVER, RESTED WITH THE ATTENDING DOCTOR WHO WEIGHED UP THE VARIOUS FACTORS AND DETERMINED THE MOST APPROPRIATE COURSE OF TREATMENT FOR HIS PATIENT,

MR CHAMBERS SAID ABOUT 180-200 NEW PATIENTS COULD HAVE DERIVED BENEFIT FROM DIALYSIS TREATMENT IN EACH OF THE PAST THREE YEARS.

IN 1983, 1984 AND 1985, HE SAID, 254, 358 AND 450 PATIENTS RESPECTIVELY WERE ON DIALYSIS TREATMENT. DURING THE SAME THREE- YEAR PERIOD, A TOTAL OF 79 KIDNEY TRANSPLANTS WERE PERFORMED. THE COST OF RENAL DIALYSIS TO THE GOVERNMENT IN THE LAST THREE YEARS WAS ABOUT $58 MILLION, HE SAID.

STEPS TAKEN TO REMOVE DISQUALIFICATION RULE

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THE PROPOSAL TO REMOVE THE PROVISION FOR THE MANDATORY DRIVING DISQUALIFICATION WILL BE SUBMITTED TO THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL NEXT MONTH, THE SECRETARY FOR TRANSPORT, THE HON IAN MACPHERSON, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).

REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY THE HON RICHARD LAI ABOUT GOVERNMENT'S PROGRESS TO REMOVE THE MANDATORY DRIVING

DISQUALIFICATION PROVISION, MR MACPHERSON SAID THE PROPOSAL, WITH THE SUPPORT FROM THE TRANSPORT ADVISORY COMMITTEE, WOULD BE SUBMITTED WITH THE NECESSARY AMENDMENT IN APRIL, AND THEN TO INTRODUCE IT INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

MR MACPHERSON ALSO SAID THE PROSECUTIONS UNDER SECTION 41(1) OF THE ROAD TRAFFIC ORDINANCE WERE STILL BEING INSTITUTED.

+ IN CASES OF EXCEEDING THE SPEED LIMIT BY MORE THAN 30 KPH, IT IS POLICE POLICY TO PROSECUTE UNDER THE ROAD TRAFFIC ORDINANCE RATHER THAN ISSUING A FIXED PENALTY TICKET, HE EXPLAINED,

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