XN000022-1991-01-09 — Page 13

12

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 9, 1991

THE

MR TSAO SAID THE BILL EMPOWERED

GOVERNOR MAKE REGULATIONS ON THE PRACTICE AND PROCEDURE OF THE AS WELL AS ON THE FEES TO BE CHARGED FOR A LICENCE AND OF EXEMPTION,

IN

COUNCIL

TO

APPEAL BOARD, A CERTIFICATE

"WE INTEND THAT THE TOTAL COSTS OF THE HOTEL ACCOMMODATION AUTHORITY SHOULD BE RECOVERED FROM THE TRADE THROUGH

FEES, HE

SAID.

*

SUCH

"I BELIEVE THAT THE ENACTMENT OF THIS BILL WILL GO A LONG WAY IN REGULATING SAFETY STANDARDS IN HOTELS AND SIMILAR ACCOMMODATION.

"IN PREPARATION FOR THE FORMAL CREATION OF THE HOTEL BEEN SECONDED ACCOMMODATION AUTHORITY, THE FIRST BATCH OF STAFF HAVE FROM THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT AND THE FIRE SERVICES DRAW UP DEPARTMENT TO THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION TO THE NECESSARY WORKING PROCEDURES, HE ADDED.

77

DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.

0

QUICK ACTION AGAINST DANGEROUS SIGNS

CONTROL OF

THE GOVERNMENT'S MAIN CONCERN ABOUT THE ADVERTISEMENT SIGNS IS TO REDUCE THE RISK OF DEATH AND INJURY POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS SIGNS BY TAKING QUICK ACTION AGAINST THEM.

FROM

THE SECRETARY FOR PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS, THE HON GRAHAM BARNES, SAID THIS IN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON PEGGY LAM IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).

MR BARNES SAID: "THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND MUNICIPAL SERVICES (AMENDMENT} (NO. 2) ORDINANCE 1989 WAS ENACTED IN APRIL 1989 ΤΟ STRENGTHEN THE CONTROL OF ADVERTISEMENT SIGNS AND TO ENSURE PUBLIC SAFETY.

"IT EMPOWERS THE BUILDING AUTHORITY TO TAKE IMMEDIATE ACTION TO RENDER SAFE OR REMOVE DANGEROUS ADVERTISEMENT SIGNS WHERE THERE IS A REAL AND IMMEDIATE THREAT TO PUBLIC SAFETY, AND TO DISPOSE OF ANY MATERIALS SO REMOVED.

INCURRED

HE SAID THE AUTHORITY MIGHT RECOVER ANY EXPENSES IN THE REMOVAL OF SUCH SIGNS AND IN THE DISPOSAL OF THE MATERIALS.

SINCE APRIL 1, 1987, OVER 4,300 DANGEROUS SIGNS HAVE BEEN REMOVED, THE SECRETARY ADDED.

MR BARNES SAID AT THE TIME OF ENACTMENT, IT WAS CONSIDERED THAT A FULL SYSTEM OF CONTROL AND ERECTION AND MAINTENANCE WOULD INVOLVE A GREAT DEAL OF STAFF WITHOUT SUBSTANTIALLY REDUCING THE MEANS NEEDED TO COPE WITH THE RISKS OF THOSE ALREADY ERECTED. STILL CONSIDERED TO BE S0.

THIS WAS

/"THE BUILDINGS