XN000022-1995-12-06 — Page 40

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Reply:

Mr President,

(a) There are at present 46 schools which are located near petrol filling stations, LPG storage tanks and other dangerous goods stores.

(b) All the existing petrol filling stations, dangerous goods stores and LPG installations in Hong Kong are constructed and operated to very stringent safety standards to ensure maximum safety to the public. We consider the current provisions adequate to safeguard the 46 schools in paragraph (a) above, and a comprehensive risk assessment of the relevant facilities located near these schools is not necessary. This notwithstanding, both the Fire Services and the Electrical and Mechanical Services Departments are conducting a thorough check on these installations. In addition, arising from the isolated incident of gas leakage of an LPG road tanker in Tuen Mun on 3 November. 1995, the Electrical and Mechanical Services Department is undertaking a review to see whether further safety improvements are necessary.

(c) Under Education Regulation 38, school heads are required to draw up a practical scheme for evacuation of the school premises in case of fire and to ensure that fire drills, including the use of all exits from the school premises, are conducted from time to time. In case of emergency other than fire, school principals are responsible for the prompt and orderly evacuation of their pupils as necessary, using similar procedure. A circular on 'Measures to be taken in case of leakage of gas' was issued in 1982 to all school heads for compliance. This circular sets out, among other things, circumstances where the emergency services e.g. Police and Fire Services are to be called.

End

Median wage of local workers

Following is a question by the hon Lee Wing-tat and a written reply by the Secretary for Financial Services, Mr Rafael Hui, in the Legislative Council today (Wednesday):

Question:

Will the Government inform this Council of:

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