XN000022-1987-10-28 — Page 13

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WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 28, 1987

HE EXPLAINED: "DELAYS IN CONTRACTS MAY BE CAUSED BY MANY FACTORS, INCLUDING POOR ORGANISATION, UNREALISTIC PROGRAMMING, INCLEMENT WEATHER, UNFORESEEN GROUND CONDITIONS, SHORTAGE OF MATERIALS, INDUSTRIAL ACTION AND CASH FLOW PROBLEMS, AS WELL AS BY A SHORTAGE OF LABOUR.

"AND EVEN AT TIMES WHEN THERE IS NO GENERAL SHORTAGE OF LABOUR, IT IS NOT UNCOMMON THAT CONTRACTORS, FOR OTHER REASONS, EMPLOY INSUFFICIENT LABOUR TO KEEP UP TO PROGRAMME ON INDIVIDUAL PROJECTS.

"IT IS, THEREFORE, NOT POSSIBLE TO QUANTIFY ACCURATELY THE EFFECT OF A GENERAL SHORTAGE OF LABOUR IN THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY ON CONTRACT DELAYS.'

MR ASPREY

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ADDED THAT THE RESPONSIBILITY FOR COMPLETING CONTRACTS ON TIME LAY WITH THE CONSTRUCTION COMPANIES WHICH HAD CONTRACTED TO CARRY OUT THE WORK TO SPECIFIED STANDARDS WITHIN SKT PERIODS. BUT THE GOVERNMENT WOULD DO ALL IT COULD TO ASSIST THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY TO IMPROVE PRODUCTIVITY.

"FOR EXAMPLE, THE HOUSING AUTHORITY IS EXPLORING, IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE BUILDING CONTRACTORS ASSOCIATION, POSSIBLE MODIFICATIONS TO DESIGN WHICH MAY REDUCE THE LABOUR CONTENT DURING CONSTRUCTION OF PUBLIC HOUSING PROJECTS," HE SAID.

"THE ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT IS LOOKING INTO THE FEASIBILITY OF SIMILAR MEASURES FOR GOVERNMENT BUILDING PROJECTS.'

HE NOTED THAT THERE WAS SCOPE FOR CONTRACTORS MORE EFFICIENT USE OF LABOUR.

..

TO MAKE

ENOUGH LAND TO MEET PUBLIC HOUSING REQUIREMENTS

THE SMALL PROJECTED SHORTFALL IN LAND FOR PUBLIC SECTOR HOUSING BETWEEN 1992 AND 1996 COULD BE REDRESSED BY REZONING AND BY BRINGING FORWARD SITE FORMATION PROJECTS IN THE PUBLIC WORKS PROGRAMME, THE SECRETARY FOR LANDS AND WORKS, THE HON ALISTAIR ASPREY, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).

LAND

"FOR EXAMPLE, OUR FORECASTS SHOW A LIKELY SURPLUS OF LAND AVAILABLE FOR INDUSTRIAL USE IN THE NEXT 10 YEARS. SOME OF THIS CAN, IF NECESSARY, BE REZONED FOR HOUSING, MR ASPREY SAID IN TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON EDWARD HO.

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REPLY

"THE TIMING