XN000022-1990-04-04 — Page 33

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 4, 1990

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ACTION AGAINST SKATEBOARDING AT EDINBURGH PLACE

THE POLICE ARE AWARE OF SKATEBOARDING ACTIVITIES IN EDINBURGH PLACE AND HAVE TAKEN ACTION TO PREVENT NUISANCES OR DANGER FROM OCCURRING, THE ACTING SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS, THE HON ADOLF HSU, INFORMED THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).

IN A WRITTEN REPLY ΤΟ A QUESTION FROM THE HON ELSIE TU, MR HSU SAID WARNINGS WERE ISSUED TO 16 INDIVIDUALS LAST MONTH.

THE POLICE COULD TAKE ACTION UNDER THE SUMMARY OFFENCES ORDINANCE AGAINST PEOPLE WHO CAUSE A NUISANCE TO THE PUBLIC WHILE USING THE AREA, HE ADDED.

NEVERTHELESS, MR HSU SAID TO DATE, THE POLICE HAD RECEIVED NO COMPLAINT NOR REPORT OF ANY INJURIES CAUSED TO MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC AS A RESULT OF SKATEBOARDING ACTIVITIES THERE.

NO AIM TO HAVE COMPREHENSIVE CONTROL ON ADVERTISING SIGNS

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THE GOVERNMENT DOES NOT HAVE OR AIM TO HAVE ANY COMPREHENSIVE CONTROL ON ADVERTISING SIGNS AND ITS PRIMARY CONCERN IS TO REDUCE THE RISK OF DEATH AND INJURY BY TAKING ACTION AGAINST POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS SIGNS, THE SECRETARY FOR PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS, THE HON GRAHAM BARNES, INFORMED THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).

IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION FROM THE HON CHAN YING-LUN, MR BARNES SAID WITH THE INTRODUCTION OF THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND MUNICIPAL SERVICES ORDINANCE (AMENDMENT) (NO. 2) ORDINANCE IN MARCH 1989, THE DIRECTOR of BUILDINGS AND LANDS WAS EMPOWERED TO TAKE IMMEDIATE ACTION TO RENDER SAFE OR REMOVE DANGEROUS ADVERTISEMENT SIGNS, WITHOUT HAVING FIRST TO SERVE A NOTICE ON THE OWNER, IN EMERGENCY SITUATIONS WHERE THERE WAS A REAL AND IMMEDIATE THREAT TO PUBLIC SAFETY.

"FOR THESE PURPOSES IT IS UNNECESSARY TO REQUIRE ALL ADVERTISING SIGNBOARDS TO INCLUDE THE NAMES AND BUSINESS REGISTRATION NUMBERS OF THEIR OWNERS.

"SUCH A REQUIREMENT WOULD MOREOVER BE IMPRACTICABLE IN MANY CASES, PARTICULARLY WHERE LIGHTING WAS INVOLVED, HE SAID.

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