TNAG-1854-FCO40-2629-Legislative-Council-of-Hong-Kong-memoranda-and-minutes-of-me-1989 — Page 73

HONG KONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL — 15 February 1989

香港立法局 一九八九年二月十五日

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MR. HO SAI-CHU: Sir, would the Financial Secretary tell this Council whether Government will consider organizing more conferences or seminars for businessmen when 1992 draws near or when we have got more information on the matter?

FINANCIAL SECRETARY: Certainly, Sir. As and when we get more information, we would be delighted to organize more conferences and seminars. Indeed, Sir, if any Members of this Council feel that a seminar on any particular subject in this area is needed and if they have some information to convey to us, we would be very happy to hear it and then we can organize a suitable seminar or conference.

Control of unauthorized building works

2. MR. CHENG HON-KWAN asked: Will Government inform this Council what improvements have been achieved in the control of unauthorized building works since the introduction of a system in 1988 to classify unauthorized building works into "high" and "low" priority groups for enforcement action?

SECRETARY FOR LANDS AND WORKS: Sir, the improvement sought in introducing the "high/low" system of enforcement priorities in March 1988 was to establish guidelines for enforcement action, which are generally accepted by the public. Staff of the Buildings Ordinance Office now have clear instructions to take action against high priority cases. Also, given the publicity that was given to this system, and the co-operation of the district boards, I am advised that building owners and occupants involved have shown greater willingness to co-operate with the Government.

The introduction of this new system also helped the Buildings Ordinance Office to plan for a series of comprehensive clearance programmes of unauthorized building works on a district by district basis. Action under this programme includes demolition of illegal structures, improving staircases and exit routes, structural repairs, removal of dangerous sign-boards, rectification of defective drainage systems and repainting of external walls.

Sir, as far as I can gather, the number of demolitions of unauthorized building works has not increased, but could do so when more of the planned programmes of improvements mentioned above have taken place. The rate should further improve when the Buildings Ordinance Office recruits some 18 additional staff for which the posts have been earmarked in the 1989-90 estimate.