XN000022-1996-06-05 — Page 32

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. 13.

As regards part (b) of the question, for all public slopes within school boundaries, the Architectural Services Department and the Housing Department carry out routine maintenance inspections annually and engineering inspections every five years in respect of non-estate schools and estate schools respectively. Once a sub- standard public slope is included under the Landslip Preventive Measures Programme, the GEO will request the maintenance department to step up maintenance until the upgrading works by the GEO begin. The schools concerned are informed of the results of the slope inspections and any works or measures that are required. The private slopes within school boundaries in respect of which DHOs have been issued are expected to be regularly inspected by the Authorised Persons appointed by the schools and their consultants. A school issued with a DHO is required to appoint an Authorised Person registered under the Buildings Ordinance to study and carry out the repair works.

On part (c) of the question, as I said before, sub-standard public slopes within or in the vicinity of schools are covered under the Landslip Preventive Measures Programme. All government and aided schools can also apply for urgent slope repairs in emergency cases. Aided schools on private land issued with DHOS have to appoint an Authorised Person to study and carry out the repair works. All costs in respect of government or aided schools are borne by Government; those in respect of private schools are borne by the owners of the slopes.

In respect of public slopes within school boundaries which are not covered by the Landslip Preventive Measures Programme, emergency works are carried out immediately upon application. It may take nine to eighteen months to complete the slope repair works, depending on factors such as size of the slope and complexity of the works involved.

In relation to part (d) of the question, in the event a landslide causes property losses, injuries or deaths, the owner of the slope concerned could be held responsible under the Common Law. The extent of liability, if any, is a matter for the court to decide. In respect of compensation, aided schools are covered under the block insurance policy on public liabilities and employees' compensation. In addition, Government will restore damaged school premises including furniture and equipment. Private schools have been encouraged to purchase block insurance policy on public liabilities and employees' compensation.

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