XN000022-1993-06-02 — Page 22

AD

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 2, 1993

"AFTER THESE INSPECTIONS THE AUTHORITY WILL ADVISE OPERATORS ON THE IMPROVEMENT WORKS REQUIRED FOR LICENSING PURPOSES.

THE

"APPLICANTS FOR LICENCES WILL HAVE то SATISFY THE AUTHORITY THAT THEIR BEDSPACE APARTMENTS HAVE COMPILED WITH THE SAFETY REQUIREMENTS SPECIFIED IN THE LEGISLATION," HE SAID.

IN THIS CONNECTION, PRACTICAL GUIDANCE SUCH REQUIREMENTS WILL BE PROVIDED IN A CODE OF THE AUTHORITY AND PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE.

FOR COMPLIANCE WITH PRACTICE DEVISED BY

BE

MR SUEN STRESSED THAT A BEDSPACE APARTMENT WOULD RE-INSPECTED TO ENSURE THAT THE SAFETY STANDARDS HAD BEEN MAINTAINED BEFORE A LICENCE WAS RENEWED.

MEANWHILE, THE BILL WILL EMPOWER THE AUTHORITY TO REMEDIAL WORKS BE CARRIED OUT IN ANY BEDSPACE APARTMENT.

DIRECT THAT

FURTHERMORE, THE DISTRICT COURT WILL

ALSO BE EMPOWERED ORDER ANY SUCH PREMISES TO BE CLOSED OR ΤΟ CEASE ΤΟ BE USED BEDSPACE APARTMENT, IF THERE IS ANY DANGER OR RISK OF DANGER OCCUPIERS.

TO

AS TO

MR SUEN SAID ANY APPEALS ARISING FROM THE ENFORCEMENT OF THE LEGISLATION WOULD BE DETERMINED BY AN APPEAL BOARD APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNOR.

THE APPEAL BOARD WILL BE CHAIRED BY A PERSON WHO IS QUALIFIED FOR APPOINTMENT AS A DISTRICT JUDGE, HE ADDED.

LICENSING

ON THE IMPLICATIONS OF THE

REQUIREMENTS, MR SUBN SAID SOME BEDSPACE APARTMENTS WOULD HAVE TO REDUCE THE NUMBER OF BEDSPACES AND IT WAS ESTIMATED THAT ABOUT 400 BEDSPACES WOULD GO.

HOWEVER, HE GAVE HIS ASSURANCE THAT STEPS HAD ALREADY BEEN TAKEN TO MAKE AVAILABLE ALTERNATIVE HOUSING ΤΟ THOSE WHO WOULD BE DISPLACED.

"SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT WILL ASSIST THOSE AFFECTED LODGERS AGED 60 AND ABOVE AS WELL AS THE DISABLED THROUGH COMPASSIONATE REHOUSING, RESIDENTIAL CARE FACILITIES FOR THE ELDERLY OR HOSTELS SINGLE PERSONS.

FOR

"THOSE AFFECTED LODGERS WHO DO NOT FALL WITHIN THE ABOVE CATEGORIES WILL BE ELIGIBLE FOR APPLICATION FOR ADMISSION INTO THE SINGLETON HOSTELS ESTABLISHED BY THE CITY AND NEW ADMINISTRATION,"

HE SAID.

DEBATE ON THE BILL WAS ADJOURNED.

TERRITORIES

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