ENG-2000 — Page 261

LAND, PUBLIC WORKS AND UTILITIES

including the Works Departments, consultants and contractors have been encouraged to develop quality management systems. The seven Works Departments together have already obtained 34 ISO 9000 certificates. To demonstrate the Government's commitment in promoting quality project management in construction, the possession of quality management at ISO 9000 standard has been made a prerequisite for all consultants and contractors undertaking major public works projects. With the support of the construction industry, this requirement will be further extended to consultants and contractors for medium-sized public works projects by mid-2001.

A Construction Industry Review Committee was appointed by the Chief Executive on April 5 to examine the operation of local construction and to make recommendations on specific actions and good practices to improve the efficiency, cost-effectiveness and overall performance of the industry in terms of the quality and quantity of output, safety records and environmental sustainability. The committee has concluded the review and a report with recommendations will be submitted to the Chief Executive. The report contains a comprehensive package of recommendations aimed at fostering the development of a more integrated construction industry capable of self-improvement towards excellence in a market-driven environment. Major clients in construction, the Government included, are to take a lead in driving the adoption of value-for-money procurement arrangements, nurturing a quality culture in the industry and promulgating best practices throughout the project delivery process.

As part of the Government's comprehensive Slope Safety Strategy, a new 10-year Landslip Preventive Measures (LPM) Programme, with a budget of $8.7 billion, was launched in April to systematically upgrade substandard government slopes and carry out safety screening of private slopes. In addition, about $500 million will be spent each year to maintain government slopes. Regarding private slopes, assistance will be provided to private owners with financial constraints to maintain their slopes through a revised loan scheme on building safety improvement, which will be set up in 2001. To further improve the outlook of slopes, hence the quality of the living environment, landscaping will be included in every slope upgraded under the LPM programme, and improvements will be effected on existing government slopes as part of maintenance work.

The Organisational Framework

The primary objectives of the Government's lands and works policies are to ensure there is an adequate supply of land to meet the short-term and long-term needs of the public and private sectors, to optimise the use of land within the framework of land use zoning and development strategies, and to co-ordinate development in infrastructure and buildings.

The Secretary for Planning and Lands is chairman of a committee that is responsible for monitoring the general progress of the physical development of Hong Kong, as well as considering and endorsing detailed planning briefs, layouts and development plans. He is also chairman of the Town Planning Board.

In addition to his policy responsibilities, the Secretary for Planning and Lands. oversees the operation of four departments - Buildings Department, Lands Department, Planning Department, and Land Registry. He also oversees part of the

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