XN000022-1997-01-22 — Page 21

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the Buildings Department's current practice, in both the urban area and New Territories, is to take enforcement action against unauthorised The building works if they pose a danger to life and property. Department has examined each of the complaints in (a) above, and confirmed that the cases did not pose a danger to life and property. On the other hand, the Lands Department may take lease enforcement action on breaches of lease conditions leading to re-entry/vesting of the property concerned. The Department also intends to register, in the Land Registry, a notice of a breach of lease conditions against the titles of properties with unauthorised building works. The notice would warn of the breach and the intended formal lease enforcement action. Such a registration is likely to put pressure on the offender to rectify the breach if he intends to sell his property.

It is our wish to tackle the problem more actively in the future. To this end, the Lands Department intends to conduct a sampling survey to quantify the extent of the present problem. On the basis of such information, we will consider how the current policy and procedures should be amended and whether additional resources are required.

Furthermore, one of the conditions for rates exemption for village houses inhabited by indigenous villagers is that the house is free from illegal structures. If illegal structures are found in subsequent random checks, the rates exemption will be withdrawn.

Issue of medical certificates to patients

Following is a question by the Hon Chan Yuen-han and a reply the the acting Secretary for Health and Welfare, Mrs Doris Ho, in the Legislative Council today (Wednesday):

Question:

Regarding the issue of medical certificates by medical officers in public hospitals, does the Government know: