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Following is the transcript (English portion) of remarks by the Secretary for Economic Development and Labour, Mr Stephen Ip, and Director of of Electrical and Mechanical Services, Mr Ho Kwong-wai, on the Ngong Ping 360 cable car incident at a media session at the Central Government Offices today (June 12):
Reporter: Can you say a few words in English?
Secretary for Economic Development and Labour: We are very concerned about the incident last night. The EMSD is conducting an investigation. They will invite an overseas expert in the operation of cable cars to assist in the investigation being conducted by EMSD. At the same time, we are requiring the MTRC, in conjunction with the manufacturer of the cable car and their independent surveyor, to conduct a full investigation into the incident to identify the cause of the incident and to take remedial measures to ensure the safety of the system. Unless and until the Director is satisfied with the safety of the system, we will not allow the resumption of the service.
Reporter: The incident took place at a time when the Legco is dealing with the railway merger bill...
Secretary for Economic Development and Labour: This has nothing to do with the railway merger. We are talking about safety here and safety is most important. We will make sure that a thorough and full investigation is conducted. This is most important. We need to identify the cause of the incident. Not only is the investigation to be conducted by MTRC, we ourselves, the EMSD, will also do our own investigation with the assistance of an overseas expert. We will not only look at the system itself. We will also look at things like the management, operations, maintenance and repairs - all aspects. Unless and until we are satisfied that the system is safe and the management is capable, we will not allow the resumption of service.
Reporter: Will you be stopping all the promotional programmes that you have engaged in promoting Ngong Ping as a tourist attraction here in many parts of the world...?
Secretary for Economic Development and Labour: The Chairman of the HKTB has already said that they would adjust their promotion strategy. Of course, in the meantime, they would not promote the Ngong Ping 360. We will also arrange with travel agents to see whether they can arrange tour buses to take tourists to the Ngong Ping Village instead of by the cable car.
Reporter: I would like to know from the Secretary or the Director that some people have been saying that the incident...inexplicable.... How could this thing happen?
Director of Electrical and Mechanical Services: The incident happened during the testing of the system. In the testing, the incident occurred. As for the reason for that, as the Secretary has mentioned, we will do a full investigation. We still do not know the exact causes yet. But we are going to do an in-depth investigation. It may concern the system or it may concern the management, operation and maintenance. At this moment in time, we still don't know yet.
Ends/Tuesday, June 12, 2007
Issued at HKT 18:33
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