XN000022-1995-05-17 — Page 6

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5.

"A key requirement for contractors is that their qualification, experience and competence will be assessed by a statutory committee.

"Furthermore, registration will be personal to an individual but corporate bodies or unincorporated associations of persons will not be able to register.

"A grace period of two years is initially proposed for the existing contractors to comply with the new requirements," Mrs Yu said.

"We are also introducing changes to the registration of building professionals, namely 'authorised persons' and 'registered structural engineers.' It will be a system of self-regulation so that their competence and their practice are subject to peer supervision.

"On supervision of sites with works in progress, we have been in consultation with relevant bodies including the professional institutions. The Bill is a framework for safety assurance: we are proposing an enabling provision," Mrs Yu said.

"Regulations have yet to be made on the way in which supervision of sites should be carried out. We will be discussing further with the professional institutions and others concerned on details.

"Our concern is for public safety. Our approach will be a pragmatic one. We will take into account any reasonable and realistic views," she added.

End/Wednesday, May 17, 1995

Membership of Medical Council to be enlarged

A bill which seeks to revise the composition of the Medical Council and its procedures for transacting business as well as the system of registration and examination of medical practitioners, will be introduced into the Legislative Council on June 7,

Under the proposed Medical Registration (Amendment) Bill 1995, the membership of the Medical Council will be increased from 14 to 24 so as to broaden its representation and to cope with its increased workload.

"The enlarged Council will include additional representation from the University of Hong Kong, the Chinese University of Hong Kong, the Hong Kong Medical Association (HKMA) and the lay sectors," a spokesman for the Health and Welfare Branch said today (Wednesday).