XN000022-1995-11-02 — Page 55

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S for W in LegCo debate on motion of thanks

Following is the speech by the Secretary for Works, Mr Kwong Hon-sang, in the Legislative Council debate on the motion of thanks today (Thursday):

Mr President,

I wish to respond, to the remarks by Hononable Members in respect of improving slope safety.

Accelerating the current LPM Programme

I wish to reassure members that we are determined to accord slope safety a higher priority. We have advised members that $1.3B have been provided for the investigation and necessary upgrading works on potentially hazardous man-made slopes in the existing Catalogue of Slopes compiled in 1977/78. Besides, increased staff resources of some 160 posts have been approved since last year to facilitate acceleration of the LPM Programme. A further 25 posts have been approved in this financial year. These will assist in completing all the investigation and necessary upgrading works on slopes in the existing Catalogue by the year 2000. We take note of Members' concern on the expediency of these works, and will try all possible ways to finish the necessary works as early as possible.

We are taking a pragmatic approach to deal with the Landslide Preventive Measures Programme. Slopes affecting busy roads and footpaths will be given a higher priority in the accelerated Programme.

In fact, the $1.3B has included a provision of $100M to deal with some other slopes not included in the existing Catalogue, but which are considered to be posing some degree of danger.