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(c)

(d)

Cases of spouse battering are dealt with under the Offences Against the Person Ordinance. This Ordinance provides for offences of violence including murder and manslaughter, as well as wounding with intent to do grievous bodily harm, wounding or inflicting grievous bodily harm, assault occasioning actual bodily harm and common assault. Depending on the gravity of the offence, penalties may include a fine and various periods of imprisonment, and, in very serious cases, life imprisonment. These penalties are kept regularly under review and are considered adequate. It is a matter, of course, for the Courts to decide on the penalty appropriate in individual cases.

Equality between the sexes and respect for each other's needs in the family are already covered in relevant textbooks since they constitute core elements of the existing syllabus under General Studies at primary school and under Social Studies and Liberal Studies at secondary school level. Separately, the Education Department has also suggested, in its guidelines on sex and civic education to schools, the inclusion of the equality of the sexes as a topic for discussion in activities such as class- teacher periods, school assemblies and guidance and counselling sessions.

Standard of concrete for public housing

Following is a question by the Hon Chan Wing-chan and an oral reply by the Secretary for Housing, Mr Dominic Wong, in the Legislative Council today (Wednesday):

Question:

Regarding the strength of concrete in existing public housing blocks, is the Government aware of:

(a)

(b)

the standard of concrete strength in public housing blocks, and whether such standard complies with the international safety standard;

the extent of the difference between the actual concrete strength of blocks built with sub-standard concrete and the standard concrete strength, the reasons for such a difference, and the remedial measures taken by the Government in respect of these blocks;