XN000022-1996-10-10 — Page 8

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On building management, Mr Suen stressed that the Government was committed to encouraging the formation of Owners' Corporations (OCs) and Mutual Aid Committees as part of an ongoing effort to promote public participation in community affairs.

"The Government attaches great importance to the promotion of effective building management for private multi-storey buildings. In this regard, the Building Management Ordinance provides a legal framework for owners to manage their buildings and to facilitate the formation of OCs. About 4,600 have been formed to date, a majority of which with assistance from our District Offices," Mr Suen noted.

He also highlighted some new initiatives of the Home Affairs Department (HAD) in assisting owners and residents to manage their buildings effectively.

The HAD has recently stepped up training for its front-line staff who handle building management matters. Experience-sharing sessions and formal workshops are held regularly, and legal courses are offered to staff in collaboration with the University of Hong Kong.

Furthermore, a subject officer with considerable experience in building management has been designated at each District Office to handle building management cases, to maintain frequent contact with the Headquarters and to assist with training and experience sharing.

A Central Information Unit was also set up at the HAD Headquarters to collect information on past cases with building management problems. The information is analysed, collated and relayed to staff for their reference in dealing with any new problem cases.

Appearing before the LegCo Information Policy Panel, Mr Suen reiterated the administration's determination to provide better access to Government information and that one of the means is to use the Internet to help disseminate government information and communicate with the public. This would further enhance the development of an open and accountable government in Hong Kong.

He said that at the end of September this year, four branches and 28 departments and 12 government-related organisations have set up their own home pages under the Government Information Centre which receives some 40,000 visitors

a month.

"The goal is for the whole of the Government to come on the Internet in 1997. To achieve this, an Internet Resources Centre (IRC) will be established in the Information Services Department to provide assistance to branches and departments who wish to set up their home pages but are constrained by resources, time or lack of expertise.