XN000022-1993-08-05 — Page 9

THURSDAY, AUGUST 5, 1993

LEGISLATION TO CONTROL BEDSPACE APARTMENTS IN THE PIPELINE

IN

SPOKESMAN TODAY RESPONSE TO MEDIA ENQUIRIES, A GOVERNMENT (THURSDAY) SAID A BEDSPACE APARTMENTS BILL DESIGNED TO TACKLE PROBLEMS ARISING FROM THESE PREMISES HAD BEEN PUT TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

YEAR

LEGISLATIVE

THE SECOND READING OF THE BILL TOOK PLACE ON JUNE 2 THIS AND THE BILL WILL BE EXAMINED BY A BILLS COMMITTEE OF THE COUNCIL.

WITH

THE

APARTMENTS,

THE VALID

THE ENACTMENT OF THE BEDSPACE APARTMENTS ORDINANCE, GOVERNMENT WILL HAVE STATUTORY POWERS TO LICENSE BEDSPACE TO REGULATE THEIR

AND FIRE AND BUILDING SAFETY,

TO PROSECUTE OPERATORS OF ILLEGAL BEDSPACE APARTMENTS THAT DO NOT POSSESS A LICENCE.

AS

REGARDS THE FIRE THAT OCCURRED AT A BEDSPACE

NIGHT, ΤΑΙ NAM WEST STREET, SHAM SHUI PO ON TUESDAY SAID 16 FIRE VICTIMS WERE NOW ACCOMMODATED IN THE TUEN CENTRE.

APARTMENT IN

THE SPOKESMAN MUN TRANSIT

SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT (SWD) STAFF ARE ASSISTING THEM TO SEE IF THEY QUALIFY FOR COMPASSIONATE REHOUSING.

DISTRICT

FOR THE NON-WELFARE CASES, STAFF OF THE SHAM SHUI PO OFFICE ARE ON THE GROUND TO HELP FIRE VICTIMS WHO WISH TO APPLY FOR ACCOMMODATION IN THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION'S SINGLETON HOSTEL AT 60 CASTLE PEAK ROAD, SHAM SHUI PO.

TENANTS

AS FOR BEDSPACE APARTMENTS IN GENERAL, THE SPOKESMAN ADDED THAT OFFICERS FROM SWD PAID AT LEAST TWO VISITS A YEAR TO IDENTIFY

MAY

OR COMPASSIONATE WHO

REQUIRE WELFARE BENEFITS, FAMILY SERVICES REHOUSING, AND OFFER APPROPRIATE ASSISTANCE.

THE ELDERLY WOMAN WHO

DIED IN

THE

BLAZE,

IN THE CASE OF OFFICIAL RECORDS REVEALED THAT SWD HAD MADE AN OFFER TO REHOUSE HER IN A HOME FOR THE ELDERLY BUT SHE HAD DECLINED THE OFFER.

AN

THE SPOKESMAN ALSO SAID THE BUILDINGS DEPARTMENT HAD EMERGENCY CLOSURE ORDER ON THE TWO FLOORS OF THE DAMAGED AND CONTRACTORS ARE NOW REMOVING DEBRIS AND LOOSE PARTS TO ENSURE SAFETY OF OTHER TENANTS AND MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC.

OBTAINED PREMISES

THE

BE OF THE BUILDING'S STRUCTURE WILL ALSO INSPECTIONS OUT IMMEDIATELY.

CARRIED

STEPPING

UP SAFETY

THE MEANWHILE,

FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT IS INSPECTIONS TO ADVISE OPERATORS OF BRDSPACE APARTMENTS ON FIRE PRECAUTIONS.

THE SPOKESMAN ADDED THAT WHILE THE LONG-TERM SOLUTION PROBLEM

AND OF

LEGISLATION BEDSPACE APARTMENTS LIES IN EVERYTHING POSSIBLE WILL BE DONE BY GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS IN A WELL-COORDINATED MANNER TO MINIMISE FIRE RISKS AND TO THE SAFETY ASPECTS OF THESE PREMISES.

ΤΟ THE LICENSING,

CONCERNED CHECK

ON

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