XN000022-1990-04-04 — Page 39

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WEDNESDAY, APRIL 4, 1990

PUBLIC HOUSING DESIGNS FOR LAUNDRY DRYING BEING STUDIED

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THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT IS EXAMINING THE DESIGN OF THE HARMONY RANGE OF PUBLIC HOUSING BLOCKS TO ASCERTAIN WHETHER THERE ARE ANY POSSIBLE ALTERNATIVE DRYING ARRANGEMENTS TO MEET TENANTS' WISHES TO DRY THEIR LAUNDRY IN DIRECT SUN AND WIND, THE SECRETARY FOR PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS, THE HON GRAHAM BARNES, INFORMED THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).

HE WAS REPLYING TO A QUESTION BY THE HON LEUNG HAI-TUNG ON SAFETY ASPECTS OF LAUNDRY DRYING IN PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES IN VIEW OF RECENT MISHAPS INVOLVING THE USE OF METAL DRYING ROD HOLDERS (WHICH ARE GENERALLY REFERRED TO AS THE "THREE JOSS STICKS").

MR BARNES SAID THE

HOUSING AUTHORITY DID NOT CONSIDER THE "THREE JOSS STICKS" TO BE INHERENTLY UNSAFE, BUT ACCIDENTS MIGHT OCCUR IF USERS DID NOT EXERCISE DUE CARE WHEN USING THEM.

HE NOTED THAT HOUSING AUTHORITY TENANTS WERB PERMITTED ΤΟ INSTALL A NUMBER OF APPROVED DESIGNS OF DRYING ROD HOLDERS AND CORDED DRYING RACKS, AND THE CHOICE OF DESIGN WAS MADE BY THE INDIVIDUAL TENANT CONCERNED.

ON WHETHER RESIDENTS WOULD BE ADVISED OF THE PROPER WAY TO USE LAUNDRY DRYING FACILITIES, MR BARNES SAID ESTATE MANAGEMENT STAFF WERE ALWAYS AVAILABLE TO ADVISE TENANTS ON THE USE AND PURCHASE OF SUITABLE RACKS, AND CARRIED OUT ENFORCEMENT ACTION AGAINST THE USE OF UNAUTHORISED DESIGNS.

"HOWEVER, AS A RESULT OF THE RECENT ACCIDENTS, THE HOUSING DEPARTMENT IS CARRYING OUT FURTHER PUBLICITY WORK TO ENSURE THAT TENANTS ARE AWARE OF THE NEED TO USE APPROVED DESIGNS AND TO EXERCISE CAUTION WHEN USING THE LAUNDRY EQUIPMENT, HE ADDED.

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DEPENDANTS OF JLG AND LAND COMMISSION OFFICIALS

TO BE GIVEN DIPLOMATIC PRIVILEGES

AND LAND AND

THE PRIVILEGES AND IMMUNITIES (JOINT LIAISON GROUP COMMISSION) (AMENDMENT} BILL 1990, WILL. ENABLE PRIVILEGES IMMUNITIES TO BE GRANTED TO THE DEPENDANTS OF CERTAIN CATEGORIES OF CHINESE OFFICIALS OF THE JOINT LIAISON GROUP AND THE LAND COMMISSION, THE CHIEF SECRETARY, THE HON SIR DAVID FORD, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).

-

IS

IN MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE BILL. SIR DAVID SAID IT STATED IN ANNEX II TO THE JOINT DECLARATION THAT MEMBERS OF THE JOINT LIAISON GROUP SHALL ENJOY DIPLOMATIC PRIVILEGES AS APPROPRIATE IN PEKING, LONDON AND HONG KONG,

WHILE

/THE PRIVILEGES