XN000022-1996-06-27 — Page 75

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The operation of the existing road tunnels, including the future Western Harbour Crossing, is governed either by legislation, or by the relevant terms of management contracts. Both the legislation and the management contracts require tunnel operators to monitor continuously the concentration of carbon monoxide and to ensure that it does not exceed the prescribed limits. The TD conducts weekly monitoring checks to confirm compliance. These checks indicate so far that carbon monoxide concentrations are by and large within the legal limits.

The Administration would wish to examine whether improvements to the arrangements for maintaining air quality within the tunnels for other emissions standards can be achieved. The Administration will therefore discuss with the tunnel operators, as soon as possible, what further measures, such as the installation of nitrogen dioxide monitors, could be implemented to ensure an acceptable level of air quality in the tunnel.

End

Measures to tackle addicts injecting drugs in staircases.

Following is a question by the Hon Albert Chan Wai-yip and a written reply by the Secretary for Security, Mr Peter Lai, in the Legislative Council today (Wednesday):

Question:

Recently, I have received numerous complaints from residents in Tsuen Wan concerning drug addicts taking drugs by injection in the staircases of private buildings and leaving behind a lot of used syringes. Although I have referred such cases to the Police on a number of occasions, the residents making the complaints have claimed that the situation has not improved. In view of this, will the Government inform this Council:

(a)

whether the Police will take action if members of the public who witness drug addicts taking drugs by injection in staircases report such cases. through the '999' emergency hotline;