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"Local residents and District Boards are more familiar with the status and state of the signs in their neighbourhood. They can therefore help in earlier identification," he added.

The spokesman stressed that the Buildings Department's overriding concern regarding overhanging signs was public safety.

"Our policy is to ensure that signs which could pose a threat to public safety are removed either by the owners themselves or, if necessary, by our contractor."

Under Section 105 of the Public Health and Municipal Services Ordinance, the Director of Buildings has the power to remove, or to render safe, advertising signs considered dangerous or likely to become dangerous.

"We estimate that there are some 170,000 advertising signs in the territory. Each Year, this increases by about six per cent and about three per cent of the existing signs are replaced," the spokesman added.

"People wishing to put up overhanging signs should seek professional advice for safe design and installation. They must then ensure regular maintenance. This will safeguard public safety," the spokesman said.

End/Friday, January 20, 1995

Correctional Services thanked for hard work

Hong Kong's record of taking in and caring for Vietnamese migrants for so long is second to none, the Governor the Rt Hon Christopher Patten told the gathering at the Correctional Services Department (CSD) annual parade today (Friday).

Great credit is due to the CSD staff for caring for them with dedication and tolerance, even at times of provocation and when under intense pressure and scrutiny, he noted.

Mr Patten said though there were critics and things that with hindsight could be done better, the majority of the public appreciated their difficult task and their capable way in dealing with it.

Turning to over-crowding in prisons, he said for the long term, the Government was committed to building a new medium-security institution as part of the Stanley Prison Area Redevelopment Programme.