XN000022-1997-01-03 — Page 11

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Fees for Certificate of Competency to operate boilers

The Government proposes to increase the fees for the issue of a Certificate of Competency to operate boilers and pressure vessels from $275 to $330 starting from February 14, 1997 subject to the approval of the Legislative Council.

It is also proposed to increase the fees for carrying out examinations for the purposes of the issue or endorsement of such certificates from $510 to $610 from the same day.

The proposals are provided for under the Boilers and Pressure Vessels (Amendment) Regulation 1997 gazetted today (Friday). The regulation will be laid before the Legislative Council on January 8, 1997.

"It is Government policy that fees should in general be set at levels sufficient to recover the full costs of providing the services," a Government spokesman said.

"The fees were last revised in January 1995. The proposed fee increases are required to reflect the cost of services at 1996-97 price level."

End

Sewerage and road works planned for Tai Po

The Director of Environmental Protection has proposed the installation of trunk sewerage along Ting Kok Road between Tai Mei Tuk and Sam Mun Tsai Road.

This is part of the continuing programme for the development of the Tai Po New Town.

The works include the construction of approximately 3.5 kilometres of gravity sewer and rising mains as well as sewage pumping stations.

Works will commence around mid-1997 for completion in mid-1999. During the construction period, Ting Kok Road between Shuen Wan Lei Uk and Tai Mei Tuk will be upgraded.