XN000022-1996-11-21 — Page 19

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Mr Liu Sing-lee (in Chinese): There are many modern cities in the world with such raging inferno cases and then they always learn from their experience and take remedial measures to prevent a recurrence of similar incidents. So would you take reference of their measures? Although your report will be focused on this incident but would you come up with some comprehensive preventive measure to prevent any more infernos?

Governor Yes As I said earlier, we must see what lessons can be learnt from this appalling tragedy and take what measures we can All of us know that it is impossible in this world to prevent all tragedies but there are some tragedies which society should be able to do more to prevent. There are some tragedies this society should be able to do more to prevent

I very much salute the work that a number of honourable members in this Legislative Council have done. for example. to increase health and safety at the place of work We are still trying to catch up there with things that perhaps should have been in place a little earlier

As for fire prevention, there is more that we can do, more that we must do, and I hope that the future of this great city will not be marked and marred quite as frequently by tragedies which should be prevented in a civilised. successful. prosperous and decent community

Ind