Issued by Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government Information Services
Garden Road, 5th-8th Floors, Murray Building, Hong Kong. Tel: 2842 8777
Saturday, January 31, 1998
CONTENTS
========
1. Transcript of CS
2. Re-appointments to civil service salaries commission
3. Safety standard of obstruction guards upgraded
4. Update on avian flu
5. Due care for the use of water purifier and heater
6. Eight groups to raise funds
7. Sai Kung District Festival launched
1. Transcript of CS
****************
Following is the transcript of a media session given
by the Chief Secretary for Administration, Mrs Anson Chan,
at the Queen Mary Hospital this (Saturday) morning after
visiting the passengers who were injured in yesterday's
(Friday) bus accident at Wan Chai:
Mrs Chan: I have visited all those who were injured in the
very serious bus accident at Queen Mary Hospital and was
very very saddened by this tragic accident. I want
particularly to express sympathy for the relatives of
those who died during this accident. I understand that
currently there are 34 people who are hospitalised and
apart from eight who are more seriously injured, two can
be discharged from hospital today and the others who have
suffered minor injuries will over the next few days also
be discharged from hospital as and when the Hospital
Authority considers them suitable for discharge. We are
of course very concerned at the reasons for this serious
accident and as you know the Police and the Transport
Department will be carrying out separate investigations.
The Transport Department will also be following up with
the Citybus management to establish the causes for this
accident and to see what lessons can be learnt so that we
can avoid such accidents in future. I have to
particularly praise all the government departments, the
Queen Mary Hospital and the Hospital Authority for the way
in which they responded to this accident. They were very
very quickly out on the scene and I am reassured to see
that all the injured will receive appropriate care. Thank
you.
End
2. Re-appointments to civil service salaries commission
****************************************************
The Government announced today (Saturday) that the
Chief Executive has re-appointed Mr Ip Sik-on, Simon and
Mr Tam Yiu-chung as members of the Standing Commission on
Civil Service Salaries and Conditions of Service up to
January 31, 2000.
Chaired by Sir Sidney Gordon, the Standing Commission
advises the Government on principles and practices
governing the pay and conditions of service of the non-
directorate civil service other than the disciplined
services.
Other members of the Commission include Dr Chan Siu-
yuen, Wilfred; Professor Chan Yuk-shee; Mr Chiu Sai-chuen,
Nicholas; Mr David Wylie Gairns; Mrs Kaung Lai-chun,
Janie; Mr David Austin Morris, and Mr Pang Yuk-wing,
Joseph.
End
3. Safety standard of obstruction guards upgraded
**********************************************
The Electrical and Mechanical Services Department
(EMSD) has raised the safety standards of escalator
vertical obstruction guards to prevent passengers from
injuries.
A spokesman for the department said today (Saturday)
that the new standards required a fixed guard and a
suspended guard, of at least 400 millimetres and 600
millimetres in height respectively, to be installed.
"The fixed guard should be installed at the floor
intersection, immediately after the suspended guard," the
spokesman said.
The new requirements are applicable to all escalators
whose tenders for construction have been invited since
January 1 this year.
"We strongly recommend owners of existing escalators
to upgrade their escalators in accordance with the new
requirements to enhance the safety of users," he added.
The department has consulted the Lift and Escalator
Contractors Association and the Registered Elevator and
Escalator Contractors Association Ltd on the new design
and has obtained their support.
In the past year, there were two escalator accidents
in which two passengers were trapped between the escalator
handrail and the floor ceiling.
One of the cases occurred at a shopping mall in Fo
Tan, Sha Tin, where a six-year-old boy was injured.
"We urge parents to exercise extra care on their
children when travelling on escalators," the spokesman
said.
During the some period, there were 47 escalator
accidents in which passengers' feet were trapped between
escalator steps and skirtings. Another 74 accidents were
associated with passengers losing their balance.
The spokesman reminded passengers to take the
following measures when travelling on escalators:
* Keep feet away from the skirtings or yellow
stripes;
* Hold on to the handrail;
* Hold children's hands;
* Stand facing forward;
* Do not lean over the escalator handrail;
* Do not play or run on escalators;
* Do not play with the emergency stop button which
is to be used only when under emergency situation.
End
4. Update on avian flu
*******************
The Department of Health (DH) announced today
(Saturday) that there was no new case of influenza A
(H5N1) today.
The total number of cases stands at 18 confirmed
cases.
The conditions of these cases remain the same as of
January 16.
End
5. Due care for the use of water purifier and heater
*************************************************
The Water Supplies Department reminded the public
today (Saturday) to be careful with the use of water
purifiers or filters.
"Improper maintenance may lead to the breeding of
bacteria and cause health hazards," a spokesman for the
department said.
"We, therefore, do not recommend the installation of
water filters," the spokesman said.
He pointed out that most of the problems of water
quality were due to the lack of regular cleansing of water
tanks and the corrosion of water pipes in the building.
"The most effective way to solve the problem of
discoloured water is regular maintenance of the internal
plumbing system, including frequent cleansing of water
tanks and replacement of the corroded water pipes," he
said.
Waterworks Regulation 24 stipulates that water
purifiers/filters shall not be installed without the
written permission of the Water Authority and off-tank
supply may be required to avoid possible contamination of
the government supply system.
"Hong Kong's water supply not only meets the
requirements for drinking-water quality recommended by the
World Health Organisation, but also is one of the safest
in the world," the spokesman added.
Meanwhile, the spokesman also reminded the public to
take precautionary measures when using electric water
heaters, especially in cold weather.
"Unauthorised installation of a stop valve at the
combined cold and hot water outlet of a non-pressure free-
outlet type is dangerous and contravenes the Waterworks
Regulations," he said.
As for unvented electric thermal storage-type
heaters, the spokesman said they should be fitted with the
required safety devices including a thermostat, thermal
cut-out device, temperature relief valve and pressure
relief valve of the approved standards.
"Licensed plumbers and registered electrical
contractors and workers should be employed for plumbing
and electrical works.
"Routine inspection and maintenance on electric water
heater should be carried out by experienced personnel and
power supply should be switched off after use," the
spokesman added.
End
6. Eight groups to raise funds
***************************
Eight organisations have been granted permission to
raise funds next month (February), a spokesman for the
Social Welfare Department (SWD) said today (Saturday).
They will either sell flags, tokens or similar items,
or place donation boxes in designated public places.
The spokesman also introduced a new arrangement for
an additional flag day on February 4, which was a
Wednesday.
"Members of the public can call the Department's
hotline at 2343 2255 or SWD Headquarters at 2832 4311 for
enquiries as well as feedback on the arrangement," he
said.
He also urged members of the public to call the
Department's hotline in case of any doubt regarding the
fund-raising organisations.
Any organisation planning to hold activities
involving collection of money or sale or exchange for
donation of badges, tokens or similar articles in a public
place for charitable purposes should apply for a public
subscription permit from the Social Welfare Department.
The spokesman appealed to organisers to take
precautions against any possible fraud.
"Sellers should display the permit or carry copies of
the permit for inspection upon request if the fund-raising
is mobile," he said.
The spokesman also advised them to prepare guidelines
for sellers, setting out the places and the schedule for
selling and the collection points for bags.
"Organisers should inform the Police in case of loss
of property, and seek their help when fraudulent acts,
such as tampering of collection bags or making
unauthorised selling, are found," he added.
Permits are given to the following organisations for
raising funds next month:
Flag Day
--------
Event Date Organisation
---------- ------------
February 4(Wed)* Hong Kong Family Welfare Society
February 7 The Methodist Church,
Hong Kong Methodist Epworth Village
Community Centre
February 14 Pok Oi Hospital
February 21 Hong Kong PHAB Association
February 28 Chai Wan Baptist Church
Public Subscription
-------------------
Event Day Organisation
--------- ------------
February 7 & 28 Land of Virtue Centre Ltd
February 7, 8, Raleigh International Hong Kong
14, 15, 21, 22 & Committee
28
February 26-28 Kwun Tong Methodist Social Service
End
7. Sai Kung District Festival launched
***********************************
The Sai Kung District Festival '98, the most
ambitious local community involvement programme, was
launched at Po Tsui Park, Tseung Kwan O, Sai Kung today
(Saturday).
Speaking at the kick-off ceremony for the Sai Kung
District Festival, the Acting Director of Home Affairs,
Mr Lui Hau-tuen; said the festival, featuring sports,
entertainment, cultural and recreational activities, would
engender a stronger sense of belonging and promote harmony
among residents in the district.
A total of 26 activities including football matches,
a long-distance race, acrobatics, magic, children's
carnival, Chinese opera performances and variety shows
will be staged at different venues in housing estates,
schools, community halls and centres in Sai Kung and
Tseung Kwan O districts.
Apart from inviting local performing groups, three
troupes from Hunan Province will also perform at the
festival from January 31 to February 15.
The kick-off ceremony was followed by dragon and lion
dances, acrobatics, singing and dancing, and game stalls
which attracted thousands of spectators and participants.
The Festival was organised by the Sai Kung District
Festival '98 Organising Committee with the assistance of
the Sai Kung District Rural Committee, Hang Hau Rural
Committee, Sai Kung Culture and Recreational Advancement
Association, Sai Kung District Sports Association, Sai
Kung Cultural Centre, Sai Kung District Office and
Regional Services Department.
It will be concluded with a variety show by the Hunan
Singing and Dancing Troupe at Sai Kung Jockey Club Town
Hall at 7.30 pm on February 14.
The cost of the festival is estimated at $1.7
million, of which $800,000 was funded by the Provisional
Regional Council and $450,000 by the Sai Kung Provisional
District Board, with the rest covered by local donations.
End
