XN000022-1994-05-31 — Page 4

TUESDAY, MAY 31, 1994

COMPLAINTS AGAINST TRAFFIC REGULATION ENFORCEMENT DECREASED BY EIGHT PER CENT TO 567 CASES FROM 617 IN THE LAST QUARTER.

THEY WERE RELATED MAINLY TO REQUESTS FOR ACTION AGAINST ILLEGAL PARKING AND MOTORISTS FAILING TO COMPLY WITH TRAFFIC REGULATIONS, ALL OF WHICH HAD BEEN REFERRED TO THE POLICE FOR ACTION.

DURING THE SAME PERIOD, THERE WERE 170 COMPLAINTS ABOUT ROAD CONGESTION, REPRESENTING A DECREASE OF 28 PER CENT WHEN COMPARED WITH 237 CASES IN THE PREVIOUS QUARTER.

IN ADDITION, THERE WERE 149 COMPLAINTS ABOUT TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT AND 135 SUGGESTIONS FOR ADDITIONAL TRAFFIC SIGNS AND AIDS, COMPARED WITH 143 AND 125 CASES RESPECTIVELY IN THE PREVIOUS QUARTER.

ALL THESE COMPLAINTS AND SUGGESTIONS HAD BEEN REFERRED TO THE RELEVANT AUTHORITIES FOR CONSIDERATIONS.

ESTATE AGENTS REPORT BEING FINALISED

THE WORKING GROUP ON REGULATION OF ESTATE AGENTS TODAY (TUESDAY) MET TO DISCUSS FURTHER. THE RECOMMENDATIONS THEY HAD DELIBERATED IN PAST MEETINGS IN THE PROCESS OF DRAFTING ITS REPORT FOR SUBMISSION TO THE GOVERNMENT.

THE WORKING GROUP IS IN SUPPORT OF SETTING UP A SELF-FINANCING LICENSING AUTHORITY WITH LEGISLATIVE BACKING TO ADVANCE AND REGULATE ACTIVITIES OF THE TRADE.

THE APPROACH IS TO EMPOWER THE AUTHORITY TO SET LICENSING STANDARD AND TO PUT IN PLACE A SANCTION AND REDRESS SYSTEM TO PROTECT THE PUBLIC FROM UNETHICAL AND ILLEGAL PRACTICE.

MEMBERS ALSO ENDORSED THE APPROACH TO ENHANCE THE IMPARTIALITY AND CREDIBILITY OF THE LICENSING AUTHORITY BY INVITING REPRESENTATIVES FROM A WIDE CROSS-SECTION IN THE COMMUNITY TO SERVE AS MEMBERS.

THEY HAVE ALSO RECOMMENDED THE SETTING UP OF AN INDEPENDENT APPEAL PANEL TO DEAL WITH APPEALS AGAINST THE AUTHORITY'S DECISIONS.

IN THEIR PREVIOUS MEETINGS, MEMBERS ALSO DISCUSSED A WIDE RANGE OF SHORT-TERM MEASURES TO IMPROVE THE SERVICE OF THE TRADE.

THESE INCLUDE THE STANDARDISATION OF THE PROVISIONAL SĄLE AND PURCHASE AGREEMENT, AND THE FORM FOR INSPECTING A FLAT PUT UP FOR SALE VIA AN ESTATE AGENT.

THE WORKING GROUP IS ALSO IN SUPPORT OF THE TRADE ASSOCIATIONS DRAWING UP A CODE OF PRACTICE AND PRACTISING GUIDELINES FOR THE TRADE.

IT IS EXPECTED THE WORKING GROUP UNDER THE CHAIRMANSHIP OF THE DEPUTY SECRETARY FOR PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS (HOUSING POLICY), MR LEO KWAN, WILL SUBMIT ITS RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE GOVERNMENT IN ABOUT TWO MONTHS' TIME.

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