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As I have indicated in my reply to the previous question, both trucks and trailers are subject to licensing checks to ascertain their roadworthiness.

As regards guidelines, the Road Users' Code provides advice on safety for all road users, including goods vehicle drivers. The Code is currently being revised and updated. Separate advisory booklets for goods vehicle drivers will be produced. In addition, advice on keeping a safe distance from the vehicle in front will be highlighted in future editions of the Road Safety Quarterly which is published by the Transport Department.

Blackspots are defined as those where there have been 6 or more accidents involving pedestrians or 9 or more accidents involving passengers in a vehicle during a 12-month period.

Blackspots are monitored closely by the Administration in an attempt to reduce the number of accidents. The remedial measures taken include the provision of better signage, roadmarkings, more police spot checks as well as improving the layout of the roads and the laying of anti-skid road surfacing.

End

Funding to non-governmental social services explained

Following is a question by the Hon David Chu and a written reply by the Secretary for Health and Welfare, Mrs Katherine Fok, in the Legislative Council today (Wednesday):

Question:

It was mentioned in the Progress Report on Individual Undertakings in the Governor's 1992 Policy Address that a sum of $2.3 billion had been injected into the Lotteries Fund to meet the recurrent expenditure on various social welfare and rehabilitation services up to 1996-97. In this connection, will the Administration inform this Council what arrangements have been made to ensure that the voluntary agencies responsible for providing such services will receive adequate financial support so that they can continue to provide such services in the long run?