XN000022-1986-04-16 — Page 17

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 16, 1986

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MR HENDERSON SAID HE UNDERSTOOD THAT THE AUTHORITY'S

RESOURCES SHOULD BE QUITE ADEQUATE TO ABSORB THE INCREASED CHARGE DURING THE CURRENT YEAR AND THAT ITS FINANCIAL PROJECTIONS INDICATED A CONTINUING SURPLUS INCOME OVER EXPENDITURE IN THE YEARS IMMEDIATELY AHEAD.

+ IF AT SOME FUTURE TIME ANTICIPATED LEVY INCOME WERE INSUFFICIENT TO MEET THE ANTICIPATED COSTS OF THE AGREED TRAINING PROGRAMME, THEN IT WOULD BE OPEN TO THE AUTHORITY TO PROPOSE TO THE GOVERNMENT AN ALTERATION IN THE RATE OF LEVY,+ HE ADDED.

MR HENDERSON SAID EVERY EFFORT WOULD BE MADE BY THE COMMISSIONER OF CUSTOMS AND EXCISE TO ENSURE THAT ANY INCREASE IN THE SERVICE CHARGE WAS KEPT TO A MINIMUM.

WORKING GROUP ON SIGN BOARDS PROPOSED *****

A WORKING GROUP MAY BE SET UP TO EXAMINE THE QUESTION OF THE CONTROL OF ADVERTISING SIGNS.

THIS WAS STATED IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY) BY THE SECRETARY FOR LANDS AND WORKS, THE HON NICKY CHÂN, IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO QUESTIONS FROM THE HON LEE YU-TAI.

MR CHAN SAID A PROPOSAL FOR SETTING UP A WORKING PARTY UNDER HIS CHAIRMANSHIP WAS BEING DRAWN UP FOR EARLY SUBMISSION TO THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL.

HE SAID IT WOULD BE VERY DESIRABLE TO SET UP A WORKING GROUP TO CONSIDER THE WHOLE QUESTION OF CONTROL AND ENFORCEMENT OF ADVERTISING SIGNS, INCLUDING THE QUESTION OF THE LEVY OF A DEPOSIT FROM THOSE WHO ERECT SIGNBOARDS.+

MR CHAN SAID THAT LAST YEAR 39 STRUCTURALLY DANGEROUS SIGNS WERE REMOVED BY THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE OFFICE AND 546 SIGNS WERE CERTIFIED AS POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS. OF THESE, 327 SIGNS WERE REMOVED BY THE OWNERS THEMSELVES AND 219 BY THE BOO.

THE FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT WAS EMPOWERED TO DEMOLISH SIGNS TO ENABLE IT TO DEAL WITH FIRES OR OTHER CALAMITIES, BUT THE POLICE DID NOT HAVE SUCH POWERS. HE SAID THE POLICE ROLE WAS TO GUARD AGAINST ANY BREACH OF THE PEACE WHEN SIGNS WERE BEING REMOVED.

HE ADDED THAT THE URBAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT WAS ALSO EMPOWERED TO REMOVE SIGNS, BUT IN PRACTICE THE BUILDINGS ORDINANCE OFFICE ACTED AS THE AGENCY FOR THE USD IN REMOVING SIGNS.

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