XN000022-1990-12-24 — Page 2

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MONDAY, DECEMBER 24, 1990

LEGISLATIVE CONTROL OF BEDSPACE APARTMENTS BEING CONSIDERED

OF

THE GOVERNMENT HAS BEEN CONSIDERING THE FEASIBILITY INTRODUCING LEGISLATION, ALONG THE LINES OF THAT BEING PROPOSED FOR GUESTHOUSES, TO CONTROL BEDSPACE APARTMENTS, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION SAID TODAY (MONDAY).

TO THIS END, A TERRITORY-WIDE SURVEY

OF BEDSPACE APARTMENTS AND TENANTS WAS LAUNCHED IN NOVEMBER AND IS EXPECTED TO BE COMPLETED NEXT MONTH (JANUARY).

"THE AIM OF THE SURVEY IS TO COLLECT INFORMATION ON THE SOCIAL PROFILE OF THE BEDSPACE TENANTS WITH A VIEW TO FORMULATING MEASURES TO IMPROVE THE LIVING CONDITIONS OF THIS TYPE OF ACCOMMODATION, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.

"WHEN WE HAVE ADEQUATE INFORMATION ON THE OPERATION OF SUCH APARTMENTS AND ON THE LODGERS, WE SHALL BE ABLE TO CONSIDER PRACTICAL SOLUTIONS TO THE PROBLEM.

"THE INFORMATION COLLECTED WILL INCLUDE THE OCCUPANT'S AGE, OCCUPATION, PLACE OF WORK, MONTHLY INCOME, MARITAL STATUS, AND THE REASONS FOR RENTING A BEDSPACE, THE SPOKESMAN EXPLAINED.

**

HAS BEEN

TO THE

IN THE MEANTIME, THE FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT CARRYING OUT INSPECTIONS OF THE 174 BEDSPACE APARTMENTS KNOWN GOVERNMENT TO ENSURE THAT THEY COMPLY WITH FIRE REGULATIONS.

OF THESE, 99 WERE FOUND TO BE NOT POSING FIRE HAZARDS. ACTION IS BEING TAKEN IN RESPECT OF THE REMAINDER.

THE BEDSPACE APARTMENTS INVOLVED IN THE FOURTH ALARM FIRE YESTERDAY (DECEMBER 23) WERE NOT KNOWN TO THE GOVERNMENT.

THE CNTA SPOKESMAN REITERATED HIS APPEAL ΤΟ ALL BEDSPACE APARTMENT OPERATORS AND TENANTS TO COOPERATE WITH THE DISTRICT OFFICE STAFF CONDUCTING THE SURVEY.

HE ALSO APPEALED TO MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ΤΟ NOTIFY THE DISTRICT OFFICES OF BEDSPACE APARTMENTS THAT THEY COME ACROSS.

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