XN000022-1988-02-10 — Page 35

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WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 1988

"IN VIEW OF THE FACT THAT THIS PROGRAMME

WAS ESTABLISHED FOR THE FIRST TIME ONLY THIS YEAR, THE AMOUNT PROVIDED IS PROBABLY REALISTIC UNTIL WE SEE WHAT SORT OF PROGRESS WE CAN MAKE WITH IT," HE ADDED.

HE CONCEDED THAT THESE MINOR WORKS WOULD NOT BE ENOUGH ON THEIR OWN TO ACHIEVE THE GENERALLY DESIRED WIDE-SCALE IMPROVEMENTS IN THE RURAL AREAS.

MR BARNES ALSO SAID THE GOVERNMENT WAS NOW PLANNING THE POLICIES, MACHINERY AND PROGRAMMES NECESSARY TO ACHIEVE A PROPER RURAL INFRASTRUCTURE AND AIMED TO PRODUCE PROPOSALS FOR CONSOLIDATION BY THE END OF THE YEAR.

"BUT AS LITTLE WILL BE ACHIEVED WITHOUT MUCH MORE SUBSTANTIAL USE OF PRIVATE LAND THAN AT PRESENT, IT IS CLEAR THAT THE EXPENDITURE REQUIRED WILL BE SUBSTANTIALLY MORE THAN THE PRESENT PROVISION,' HE SAID.

HE NOTED THAT THE MAIN LIMITATIONS ON EXPENDITURE WERE STAFF BOTH FOR CONSTRUCTION AND FOR THE NECESSARY MINOR RESUMPTIONS, THE PROCEDURE FOR WHICH TOOK ABOUT NINE MONTHS FROM START TO FINISH.

"IT IS FOR THIS REASON THAT LAND POLICY, INCLUDING RESUMPTION POLICY AND THE MACHINERY FOR CARRYING OUT IMPROVEMENTS ASSUME SUCH AN IMPORTANT PART IN THE PLANS NOW BEING FORMULATED TO BUILD A RURAL INFRASTRUCTURE, HE ADDED.

"

O

FIRE FIGHTING ARRANGEMENTS ADEQUATE

HIGH

EXISTING ARRANGEMENTS ARE ADEQUATE ΤΟ TACKLE FIRES IN RISE BUILDINGS, THE SECRETARY FOR SECURITY, THE HON DAVID JEAFFRESON, SAID IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).

IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON POON CHI-FAI, MR JEAFFRESON SAID THE HIGHEST "AERIAL EQUIPMENT" THE FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT HAD IN USE WAS THREE 50-METRE TURNTABLE LADDERS WHICH COULD REACH TO ABOUT THE 15TH FLOOR OF A BUILDING.

"THIS EQUIPMENT ..........