TNAG-1731-FCO40-2444-Minutes-and-Hansards-of-the-Legislative-Council-of-Hong-Kong-1988 — Page 204

N T A NCADQUARTEKO

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Question No. 7

Fire-fighting capability in tongporary housing

and squal

Reply by the Hon. D.P.H. Liao, CBE, JP,

aquaiter areas

Secretary for District Administration, to Dr. the Hon HO Kam-fai's question in Legislative Council on Wednesday, 18 May 1988

QUESTION

QUE

7. DR. HO asked:

In view of recent claims that outbreaks of fire in some temporary housing areas or squatter areas have been caused by unauthorised persons in vacant THA units or squatter structures and that fire-fighting installations in these areas have not been properly maintained, will Government inform this Council what measures are being taken to ensure that unauthorised persons cannot enter vacant structures in temporary housing areas and squatter areas and that fire-fighting

installations in these areas are in proper working order?

ве

SECRETARY FOR DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION:

Sir,

Vacant temporary housing units are boarded up by

Housing Department staff so as to prevent trespassing. These

units are regularly checked by Housing Department management

staff and security guards. Moreover, the police are given

lists of vacant units so that they can inspect them during

routine patrols. Vacant squatter huts are demolished wherever

possible so as to prevent re-occupation.

Where this cannot

be done, for example because of the effect on the stability

of adjacent huts, the premises are boarded up. These huts

are also inspected at regular intervals by Housing Department's

squatter control staff.

The above measures are generally effective.

So

far, this year, there have been four fires in temporary housing

two of which were started in vacant units and were

areas,

thel leved....