XN000022-1995-12-06 — Page 39

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We are, however, examining ways to increase the production of home ownership flats in the longer term. In fact, we shall consider the future level of provision of all types of housing up to 2006 in the context of our current review of the Long Term Housing Strategy, which will be completed in the middle of 1996.

The Housing Authority's budget is separate from the Government's budget. The construction costs of home ownership flats form part of public expenditure rather than Government expenditure, because these flats are funded by the Housing Authority and not directly by the Government. Our medium range forecast up to 1998-99 projects that public expenditure as a percentage of GDP will remain well below 20%.

End

Safety of schools located near dangerous goods stores

Following is a question by the Hon Cheung Bing-leung and a written reply by the Secretary for Education and Manpower, Mr Joseph Wong, in the Legislative Council today (Wednesday):

Question:

Following the recent incident of gas leaking from a liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) tank-truck in Tuen Mun, the public has expressed great concern about the safety of students studying in schools located near hazardous installations. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:

(a) how many schools are currently located near dangerous goods stores;

(b)

whether a comprehensive risk assessment of schools located near hazardous installations will be conducted; if so, how it will be conducted and when its findings will be made known; and

(c) whether such schools will be given special guidelines on how to formulate measures to deal with evacuation and other emergencies?