XN000022-1994-09-09 — Page 5

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 1994

BUILDINGS DEPARTMENT INVESTIGATING WALL COLLAPSE

THE DIRECTOR OF BUILDINGS, MRS HELEN YU, TODAY (FRIDAY) EXPRESSED CONCERN OVER THE CASUALTIES OF THE WALL COLLAPSE AT A DEMOLITION SITE AT 343-361 NATHAN ROAD, YAU MA TEI.

MRS YU SAID THE BUILDINGS DEPARTMENT HAD SET UP A TEAM ΤΟ ESTABLISH THE FACTS OF, AND TO INVESTIGATE, THE INCIDENT.

"THE FIRST PRIORITY FOR THE DEPARTMENT IS TO TAKE ALL NECESSARY ACTIONS TO RESTORE PUBLIC SAFETY AT THE SITE.

"IN THIS RESPECT, THE TEAM IS WORKING IN CONSULTATION WITH THE AUTHORISED PERSON, THE REGISTERED STRUCTURAL ENGINEER AND THE REGISTERED CONTRACTOR RESPONSIBLE FOR THE DEMOLITION WORKS, SHE

W

ADDED.

0

SWD OFFERS ASSISTANCE TO WALL COLLAPSE VICTIMS

* * *

SCENE

TO THE

STAFF OF THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT HAVE ATTENDED OF THE WALL COLLAPSE INCIDENT AT NATHAN ROAD AND WILL CONTINUE TO LOCATE THE FAMILY MEMBERS AND RELATIVES OF THE VICTIMS TO SEE WHAT KIND OF SERVICES CAN BE OFFERED TO THOSE AGGRIEVED.

FIELD UNIT AND FAMILY SERVICE CENTRE PERSONNEL RUSHED TO THE SCENE OF THE INCIDENT ABOUT 10 MINUTES AFTER THE WALL COLLAPSED. IT WAS LATER ESTABLISHED THAT NO EMERGENCY RELIEF SERVICES WERE REQUIRED AT THIS STAGE.

MEANWHILE,

MEDICAL SOCIAL WORKERS IN QUEEN ELIZABETH HOSPITAL ARE APPROACHING THE FAMILY MEMBERS OF THE INJURED VICTIMS TO OFFER ASSISTANCE IF NECESSARY.

SEPARATELY, THE DEPARTMENT'S CASEWORKERS ARE CONTACTING THE FAMILIES OF THOSE WHO DIED TO OFFER THEM COUNSELLING AND TO SEE WHAT KIND OF SOCIAL WELFARE SERVICES THEY REQUIRED.

0

MORE FUNDS HELP INDUSTRIES GO UP-MARKET

* * * * *

A TOTAL OF $180 MILLION HAS BEEN MADE AVAILABLE SINCE APRIL THIS YEAR TO FINANCE PROJECTS THAT WILL PROMOTE HONG KONG'S INDUSTRIAL AND TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENT, THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, SIR HAMISH MACLEOD, SAID TODAY (FRIDAY).

SPEAKING AT THE OPENING OF THE 13TH HONG KONG WATCH AND CLOCK FAIR, SIR HAMISH SAID TO DATE, $29 MILLION HAD BEEN PROVIDED TO FUND PROJECTS BENEFICIAL TO THE WATCH AND CLOCK INDUSTRY.

HE SAID THE

SUBSTANTIAL INCREASE IN FUNDING WAS AIMED AT ASSISTING HONG KONG'S INDUSTRIES TO MOVE UP-MARKET AND INTO HIGHER VALUE-ADDED PRODUCTION.

/"THE HONG