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No backdown over site safety assurance
The Assistant Director of Buildings, Mr Cheng Wei-dart, today (Monday) refuted an allegation published in an English-language newspaper yesterday (Sunday) that in view of strong opposition, the Buildings Department might "backdown" over the Building (Amendment) (No 3) Bill.
Mr Cheng stressed that the Government remained firm in the site safety assurances proposed in the Bill, which was being examined by a Bills Committee of the Legislative Council.
"The proposals will best serve the interest of the community. They are also in line with the trend of tightening control over building and demolition works in overseas countries.
"Singapore has a similar system. In the European Communities, contractors and developers are subject to a directive requiring them to ensure safety and health standards on construction sites.
"In Britain, the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations which came into effect on March 31, 1995 also requires building professionals to be responsible for the safety of construction projects.
"The Buildings Department is not watering down the proposals, which provide the safety assurance our community deserves and needs," Mr Cheng said.
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