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non-profit-making body which is responsible for the school, and the Council which is responsible for the facilities. Such a division of management obviously is not cost-effective as far as public money is concerned. Accordingly, for a slope which falls within the ambit of the Council, the genuine solution to the problem would be handing all the works involved over to one single department for action at one go. It is only then that there would be any savings in public money. I would therefore ask Mr. CHIANG Sai-cheong whether he will discuss my view at the meetings of the Select Committee and have it reflected to the Government.
MR. CHIANG SAI-CHEONG (in Cantonese): I thank Mr. Stanley NG for his view. The view put forth by Mr. NG just now is very correct. In fact it is already pointed out in paragraph 5 of the written reply that the Lands Department and the Geotechnical Engineering Office are conducting a 'Systematic Identification of the Maintenance Responsibility for all Slopes in the Territory (SIMAR) exercise. I think Mr. NG's view will be presented to the meetings of the appropriate select committee so that the relevant government department may handle the problem comprehensively in the interests of the general public, making the Council's work more effective.
MR. RONNIE WONG MAN-CHIU (in Cantonese): It is stated in paragraph 3 of the written reply that in 1994, the number of slopes in the Council's maintenance register was 259, which increased to 322 in December 1997. Meanwhile, the estimated expenditure arising from the maintenance of these slopes is assessed by the Department. However, the Government will announce the size of a new group of slopes by mid-1999 and it is probable that the number will grow to 400 or more. If the Council was short of funds then, how would the problem be solved? I consider that as slope safety affects public safety, it is something that the Council should handle with priority. Is the Department going to redeploy its resources, or is it going to close those services and facilities which are confirmed to be beneath dangerous slopes? I would like to ask the Chairman of the Finance Select Committee how the problem of funding for the maintenance would be solved if such a situation did happen.
MR. CHIANG SAI-CHEONG (in Cantonese): I thank Mr. Ronnie WONG for his question. I consider that if the financial situation permits, for the safety of any land or venue under the Council's management, it is our major duty to maintain the safety within the building area, to safeguard the lives and properties of the citizens, and to ensure that when the funds are used, the overall situation is taken into account. In other words, the financial provision from the Government will be used effectively. There might be a slope, a school, a park, or even private buildings within a site. I consider that as an elected representative body, the Council is obliged to make sure that taxpayers' money is appropriately spent on the slope maintenance works of various government departments such as the Lands Department, Geotechnical Engineering Office, etc. Of course, if the Council is short of funds, site development of all will be
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non-profit-making body which is responsible for the school, and the Council which is responsible for the facilities. Such a division of management obviously is not cost-effective as far as public money is concerned. Accordingly, for a slope which falls within the ambit of the Council, the genuine solution to the problem would be handing all the works involved over to one single department for action at one go. It is only then that there would be any savings in public money. I would therefore ask Mr. CHIANG Sai-cheong whether he will discuss my view at the meetings of the Select Committee and have it reflected to the Government.
MR. CHIANG SAI-CHEONG (in Cantonese):-I thank Mr. Stanley NG for his view. The view put forth by Mr. NG just now is very correct. In fact it 15 already pointed out in paragraph 5 of the written reply that the Lands Department and the Geotechnical Engineering Office are conducting a 'Systematic Identification of the Maintenance Responsibility for all Slopes in the Territory (SIMAR) exercise. I think Mr. No's view will be presented to the meetings of the appropriate select committee so that the relevant government department may handle the problem comprehensively in the interests of the general public, making the Council's work more effective.
MR. RONNIE WONG MAN-CHIU (in Cantonese): -It is stated in paragraph 3 of the written reply that in 1994, the mumber of slopes in the Council's maintenance register was 259, which increased to 322 in December 1997. Meanwhile, the estimated expenditure arising from the maintenance of these slopes is assessed by the Department. However, the Government will announce the size of a new group of slopes by mid-1999 and it is probable that the number will grow to 400 or more. If the Council was short of funds then, how would the problem he solved? I consider that as slope safety affects public safety, it is something that the Council should handle with priority. Is the Department going to redeploy its resources, or is it going to close those services and facilities which are confirmed to be beneath dangerous slopes? I would like to ask the Chairman of the Finance Select Committee how the problem of funding for the maintenance would be solved if such a situation did happen.
MR. CHIANG SAI-CHEONG (in Cantonese):-I thank Mr. Ronnie WONG for his question. I consider that if the financial situation permits, for the safety of any land or venue under the Council's management, it is our major duty to maintain the safety within the building area, to safeguard the lives and properties of the citizens, and to ensure that when the funds are used, the overall situation is taken into account. In other words, the financial provision from the Government will be used effectively. There might be a slope, a school, a park, or even private buildings within a site. I consider that as an elected representative body, the Council is obliged to make sure that taxpayers' money is appropriately spent on the slope maintenance works of various government departments such as the Lands Department, Geotechnical Engineering Office, etc. Of course, if the Council is short of funds, site development of all will be
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