XN000022-1986-07-16 — Page 45

WEDNESDAY, JULY 16, 1986 **

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THE KCRC HAD STATED PUBLICLY THAT IT WOULD ADOPT A REALISTIC FARE POLICY AND THAT FARE LEVELS WOULD BE KEPT REASONABLE.

THE CORPORATION WAS NOT A PUBLICLY LISTED COMPANY WHICH HAD TO MAXIMISE PROFIT FOR ITS SHAREHOLDERS. IT WAS WHOLLY FINANCED BY THE GOVERNMENT AND GOVERNED BY A BOARD OF DIRECTORS APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNOR.

THE BOARD COMPRISED MEMBERS FROM THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, THE REGIONAL COUNCIL, THE URBAN COUNCIL AND DISTRICT BOARDS WHO WERE THERE TO REPRESENT THE PUBLIC INTEREST.

+ THERE WILL IN EFFECT BE A THREE-TIER SYSTEM OF MONITORING LRT FARES AND SERVICE: THE TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT COMMITTEES OF THE TWO DISTRICT BOARDS, THE KCRC BOARD ITSELF WITH ITS PUBLIC REPRESENTATIVES AND FINALLY THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL WHO IS EMPOWERED UNDER SECTION 6 OF THE KOWLOON-CANTON RAILWAY CORPORATION ORDINANCE TO GIVE DIRECTIONS TO THE CORPORATION IN THE PUBLIC INTEREST,+ HE SAID.

THIS THREE-TIER SYSTEM OF MONITORING WOULD ENSURE THAT THE PUBLIC INTEREST WAS WELL DEFENDED AND SAFEGUARDED.

DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.

TOUGHER LAWS PROPOSED ON FIRE SAFETY

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PROPOSALS IN THE FIRE SERVICES (AMENDMENT)(NO. 3) BILL 1986 AIM AT ENABLING THE DIRECTOR OF FIRE SERVICES TO DEAL MORE EFFECTIVELY WITH HAZARDS THAT HAVE RECURRED- DETERRING PEOPLE FROM CREATING ESPECIALLY DANGEROUS FIRE HAZARDS AND INCREASING THE OVERALL EFFECTIVENESS OF RELEVANT LEGISLATION.

THIS WAS SAID BY THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, THE HON MICHAEL THOMAS, IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY) WHEN MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE BILL.

+ THE MOST SIGNIFICANT OF THE PROPOSED AMENDMENTS ARE THOSE WHICH WOULD MAKE IT A CRIMINAL OFFENCE TO ALLOW A FIRE HAZARD WHICH HAS ALREADY BEEN THE SUBJECT OF A 'FIRE HAZARD ABATEMENT NOTICE TO RECUR WITHIN 12 MONTHS OR TO LEAVE OBSTRUCTIONS IN THE CORRIDORS, STAIRCASES AND OTHER COMMON AREAS OF A BUILDING WHICH FORM PART OF THE MEANS OF ESCAPE FROM IT OR TO LOCK ANY MEANS OF ESCAPE SUCH THAT IT CANNOT BE OPENED FROM INSIDE WITHOUT THE USE OF A KEY, HE SAID.

+MEMBERS MAY THINK THAT IT WOULD BE HIGHLY IRRESPONSIBLE FOR ANYONE TO COMMIT SUCH OFFENCES. SO IT IS RIGHT TO PROPOSE FAIRLY STIFF PENALTIES FOR THEM, HE ADDED.

/IT WAS HOPED