XN000022-1993-07-07 — Page 43

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WEDNESDAY, JULY 7, 1993

AS REGARDS A PNEUMOCONIOTIC'S RIGHT TO CLAIM DAMAGES AT COMMON MR LEUNG SAID THIS WOULD BE SUBJECT то THE NORMAL COURT PROCEDURES AND THE PROVISIONS OF THE LIMITATION ORDINANCE.

LAW,

THE AMENDMENT BILL AIMS TO INTRODUCE A NUMBER OF IMPROVEMENTS THE COMPENSATION SCHEME FOR PNEUMOCONIOSIS SUFFERERS DIAGNOSED ON OR AFTER JANUARY 1, 1981.

TO

ON THE SUGGESTION OF THE BILLS COMMITTEE, MR LEUNG MOVED A NUMBER OF COMMITTEE STAGE AMENDMENTS. THESE INCLUDE:

*

THE BILL WILL COME INTO IMMEDIATE EFFECT UPON ENACTMENT BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL;

THE NEW RATE OF LEVY, DUE TO BE INCREASED FROM 0.02 PER CENT то 0.3 PER CENT LATER THIS YEAR, WILL NOT APPLY TO THOSE CONSTRUCTION WORKS THE TENDER FOR WHICH HAS BEEN SUBMITTED BEFORE THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF THE NEW RATE; AND

REPLACE "MECHANICAL WHEELCHAIR" IN THE AMENDMENT BILL BY "WHEELCHAIR" TO GIVE MORE FLEXIBILITY TO THE PNEUMOCONIOŠ18 MEDICAL BOARD IN DETERMINING THE TYPE OF WHEELCHAIR THAT SUITS THE USER;

AS FOR THE PROPOSAL TO GIVE FUNERAL EXPENSES TO PNEUMOCONIOTICS IRRESPECTIVE OF THE REASON OF DEATH, MR LEUNG SAID HE COULD NOT ACCEPT THIS AS IT WAS AGAINST THE GOVERNMENT PRINCIPLE OF PROVIDING COMPENSATION TO WORKERS WHO DIED OR WERE INJURED AS A RESULT OF AN

INCIDENT OR AN OCCUPATIONAL DISEASE RELATING TO THEIR EMPLOYMENT.

**

"THIS PRINCIPLE IS APPLIED UNDER THE EXISTING COMPENSATION ORDINANCE AS WELL AS THE EMPLOYEES COMPENSATION ORDINANCE, HE EXPLAINED.

"HOWEVER,

THE PNEUMOCONIOSIS MEDICAL BOARD HAS A TRACK RECORD OF MAINTAINING A SYMPATHETIC AND FLEXIBLE APPROACH AND THERE HAS BEEN NO COMPLAINTS SO FAR FROM FUNERAL EXPENSES ON THESE CASES."

LAND DRAINAGE BILL INTRODUCED INTO LEGCO

A BILL THAT PROPOSES IMPROVEMENT IN THE GOVERNMENT'S ABILITY TO UNDERTAKE DRAINAGE MAINTENANCE WORK TO HELP PREVENT FLOODING WAS INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).

MOVING THE SECOND READING OF THE LAND DRAINAGE BILL, THE SECRETARY FOR PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS, MR TONY EASON, SAID THE BILL WOULD EMPOWER THE GOVERNMENT TO GAIN ACCESS TO PRIVATE LAND то CARRY OUT NECESSARY DRAINAGE WORK AND TO REQUIRE. THE OBSTRUCTIONS OR STRUCTURES FROM MAIN WATERCOURSES.

REMOVAL

OF

/THE BILL