XN000022-1996-07-25 — Page 7

"Hong Kong's Chief Inspecting Officer (Railways) immediately went to the scene of incident to look into the matter", he said.

Mr Siu expressed his appreciation to Kowloon Motor Bus Company, China Motor Bus Company and Hong Kong and Yaumatei Ferry Company for their assistance in providing additional bus and ferry services.

"The quick response and adequate support from the bus and ferry companies have helped alleviate the problem," he noted.

End

Building condition satisfactory: survey

Over three-quarters of the buildings constructed between 1946 and 1958 were found to be in a satisfactory condition, according to a survey commissioned by the Buildings Department.

The survey, which covered 4,308 buildings constructed between 1946 and 1958 with cantilevered elements, was aimed at investigating the durability and deterioration trend of the buildings and to devise a strategy for future inspection and investigation.

Announcing the survey findings at a press conference today (Thursday), Assistant Director of Buildings (Specialist), Mr Lau Yiu-wah, said the external condition of the buildings, with specific focus on their cantilevered elements, were inspected.

"It was revealed that 77 per cent of the building flats had cantilevers in a satisfactory condition and about 23 per cent required some kinds of follow-up actions.

"Only 0.13 per cent of the flats, involving 32 buildings, were suspected to be in a potentially dangerous conditions where appropriate actions have already been taken," he said.

The survey also covered inspection of the internal condition of about 29,500 flats. Ninety-four per cent of the flats are either in sound or fair condition while the remaining six per cent were considered to have some structural problems.