XN000022-1996-02-12 — Page 4

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Security of supply and potential benefits to consumers and the economy would be key factors to consider in examining any proposal, the Government's response said.

Turning to the point of encouraging developers to install three-phase electricity supply in new housing developments, so that consumers could choose between gas and electric instantaneous water heating and vice versa, the Government's response said households would pay more to switch from towngas water heaters to instantaneous electric water heaters as additional costs would be involved.

The Government sees no need to intervene in developers' choice of energy supply for new developments, as developers build and equip flats taking into account market demand.

End

Govt Flying Service's response on hill fire incident

In response to press enquiries on the rescue operation in Pat Sin Range, the Government Flying Service issued the following statement:

"The rescue operation was undertaken under very difficult circumstances given the steepness of the terrain and the advancing flames.

"On arrival, the crew spotted a group of children who were panicking seeing the flames and the heavy smoke. The scene was in a state of confusion.

"Two children were immediately winched up to safety into the helicopter but the second attempt was less fortunate and two children fell as the helicopter tried to move the group to a place of safety away from the flames.

"The crewman was then lowered again to continue with the rescue operation and picked up two other children. By that time, the crewman was burnt and in much pain. Notwithstanding this, he went down to pick up a further child who was one of the two children who had fallen.

"The helicopter then quickly flew to the nearby base to load off the casualties and returned immediately with a replacement crewman.