XN000022-1987-09-18 — Page 8

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FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 1987

THE PLANS ARE AVAILABLE FOR INSPECTION BY THE PUBLIC AT:

SOUTHERN DISTRICT OFFICE, SHOP 25, GROUND FLOOR, MEI FUNG COURT, ABERDEN, HONG KONG;

PUBLIC ENQUIRY SUB-OFFICE, CENTRAL GOVERNMENT OFFICES, WEST WING ENTRANCE, HONG KONG; AND

* TOWN PLANNING OFFICE, BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT, 4TH

FLOOR, MURRAY ROAD, HONG KONG.

MORE EXTENSIVE USE OF PNEUMOCONIOSIS FUNDS PROPOSED

THE PNEUMOCONIOSIS COMPENSATION FUND BOARD WILL BE GIVEN MORE FLEXIBILITY TO USE ITS FUNDS IF THE PNEUMOCONIOSIS (COMPENSATION} (AMENDMENT) BILL PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE TODAY (FRIDAY) IS ENACTED.

A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN TODAY (FRIDAY) SAID THE BOARD WAS SET UP IN 1980 FOR THE PURPOSE OF PAYING COMPENSATION, DAMAGES, MEDICAL EXPENSES, MEDICAL EXAMINATION FEES AND OTHER EXPENSES ΤΟ VICTIMS OF PNEUMOCONIOSIS OR THEIR DEPENDANTS.

IT IS FINANCED BY A LEVY OF 0.05 PER CENT ON ALL CONSTRUCTION WORKS WITH A VALUE OF $1 MILLION OR MORE, AND ON QUARRY PRODUCTS.

HOWEVER, HE SAID, THE BOARD IS NOT AT PRESENT AUTHORISED TO USE ITS FUNDS ON PREVENTIVE MEASURES, SUCH AS RESEARCH INTO THE WAYS OF PREVENTING PNEUMOCONIOSIS.

AS THE FUND HAD A SURPLUS OF SOME $90 MILLION AT THE END OF AUGUST THIS YEAR, THE BOARD CONSIDERS THAT TO USE SOME OF THE FUNDS ON PREVENTIVE MEASURES WOULD BE A USEFUL AND JUSTIFIABLE EXTENSION OF ITS ACTIVITY.

THE BILL THEREFORE PROPOSES ΤΟ AMEND THE (COMPENSATION) ORDINANCE TO ENABLE THE BOARD TO USE A

LEVY INCOME ON EDUCATION, PUBLICITY, RESEARCH PROGRAMMES TO PREVENT PNEUMOCONIOSIS.

ITS

PNEUMOCONIOSIS PROPORTION OF AND OTHER

AND

THE BILL ALSO REQUIRES THE BOARD TO SUBMIT ITS PROGRAMMES ESTIMATES TO THE GOVERNOR ANNUALLY AND EMPOWERS IT TO WRITE OFF UNCOLLECTABLE DEBTS WHEN ALL PROCEDURES TO RECOVER THEM THROUGH AND OTHER MEANS HAVE PROVED UNSUCCESSFUL.

THE LABOUR ADVISORY BOARD WAS CONSULTED ON THE AMENDMENTS.

THE BILL IS EXPECTED TO BE INTRODUCED INTO THE COUNCIL FOR FIRST AND SECOND READINGS ON OCTOBER 14.

LEGAL

LEGISLATIVE

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