XN000022-1996-11-06 — Page 25

-

- 8

During their routine inspections to construction sites where cranes are being used, factory inspectors will check all the certification required by the law regarding the safe operation of a crane. The owner of a crane which has not been properly examined and tested but is found to be in use is liable to prosecution. In the first six months of 1996, 70 summonses were taken out relating to the unsafe use of lifting equipment.

The regulatory measure has been further improved following an amendment to the Factories and Industrial Undertakings Ordinance in July 1996, which empowers the Commissioner for Labour to issue improvement notices and suspension notices. So far, 27 improvement notices on the safety standards of lifting equipment have been issued. These new powers have been found to be useful in preventing accidents.

End

Dispute over private land ownership

Following is a question by the Hon Zachary Wong and an oral reply by the Secretary for Planning, Environment and Lands, Mr Bowen Leung, in the Legislative Council today (Wednesday):

Question:

It is reported that recently some villagers in the New Territories have been harassed and threatened by developers because of disputes over land ownership rights. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:

(a)

(b)

of the number of complaints, concerning villagers being harassed and threatened by developers because of disputes over land ownership rights, received by the department concerned in each of the past three years;

and

how the departments concerned handled such complaints so as to safeguard the safety of the villagers?