TNAG-1607-FCO40-22122-Minutes-and-Hansards-of-the-Legislative-Council-of-Hong-Kong-1987 — Page 145

Supplementary to Question No. 7 in LegCo Meeting on 14.1.87.

could I ask the Secretary for

Mr. CHEUNG (in Cantonese): Sir,

District Administration how many cases of squatter fires have

there been in the past two years and how many of them have been

arson cases ? Have the

arsonists been punished by the courts?

Secretary for District Administration:

in

Sir, I have the figures

of the fire victims affected in 1985 and 1986 and the number

for 1985 was 1200 and 1986 the number involved was 4400. I have

not got up-to-date numbers of fires but this illustrates the

seriousness of the fires. On the question of suspected arson, the Fire Services Department always

investigates

the cause of fires and if there is suspected arson the case is

always referred to the police.

Mrs. NG (in Cantonese):

Sir, I am very happy to learn that in

the squatter areas there are already 187 fire watch teams set up.

Could I ask whether the relevant department: provide training for

team

the members so that they could more effectively promote fire

prevention campaigns ?

Secretary for District Administration:

Yes, Sir, these fire watch

teams are trained with the assistance of the Fire Services Department.

Mr. HUI: Sir, I think the Secretary should answer Mr. CHEUNG'S question on how many cases have been prosecuted for arson and whether

they have been convicted.