Hong Kong e-Legislation (HKeL) will be the only government legislation website from July 1, 2018, following the discontinuation of the previous Bilingual Laws Information System (BLIS) website on the same date, a spokesperson for the Department of Justice (DoJ) said today (May 25). 
      
     HKeL was launched in February 2017. To facilitate the transition from BLIS to HKeL, the two websites have been running in parallel. After consulting the HKeL Liaison Group and considering the views of the legal profession, it has been decided that BLIS will discontinue service on July 1, 2018.
      
     The spokesperson said, "We have been giving advance notice on the decommissioning of BLIS through various channels since December 2017. To assist our users in transitioning to the HKeL regime, we have published user's guides on how to perform basic BLIS functions in HKeL and how to maintain printed copies of legislation. Briefing sessions on HKeL and its advance functionalities have also been arranged for members of the legal profession.

     "We are committed to improving and enhancing the functionality and user-friendliness of HKeL. Since its launch, we have introduced a number of enhancements, for example, the Chapter Number Index was enhanced so that users could conveniently download PDF copies of different chapters using the Index. A progress bar was also added to the 'view legislation' page to show users the loading progress of a chapter.
      
     "Further enhancements will be introduced in the coming months to facilitate quicker and easier access to legislation."
      
     The spokesperson added that the HKeL website marks a new milestone in the Government's efforts to facilitate public access to information on legislation. The Government will continue to listen to the views of users to enhance HKeL for the benefit of the general public and the legal profession.  

The following is issued on behalf of the Legislative Council Secretariat:

     The Legislative Council (LegCo) Public Accounts Committee (PAC) will hold a public hearing on "Management of restored landfills" (Chapter 1) of the Director of Audit's Report No.70 at 9am tomorrow (May 26) in Conference Room 2 of the LegCo Complex.

     Fifteen witnesses have been invited to appear before the above hearing to respond to points raised in the Report and answer questions asked by PAC members.

     The programme for the public hearing is as follows:

Date: May 26 (Saturday)
Time: 9am
Venue: Conference Room 2

Subject: Management of restored landfills (Chapter 1 of the Director of Audit's Report No.70)

Witnesses:

Secretary for the Environment
Mr Wong Kam-sing

Under Secretary for Home Affairs
Mr Jack Chan

Principal Assistant Secretary (Recreation and Sport)2, Home Affairs Bureau
Ms Linda Law

Director of Environmental Protection
Mr Donald Tong

Deputy Director of Environmental Protection (2)
Mrs Vicki Kwok

Assistant Director (Environmental Infrastructure), Environmental Protection Department
Ms Betty Cheung

Assistant Director (Nature Conservation and Infrastructure Planning), Environmental Protection Department
Dr Samuel Chui

Principal Environmental Protection Officer (Landfills and Development), Environmental Protection Department
Mr Fong Kin-wa

Director of Leisure and Cultural Services
Ms Michelle Li

Chief Executive Officer (Planning) 2, Leisure and Cultural Services Department
Ms Linda Cheung

Director of Architectural Services
Mrs Sylvia Lam

Project Director/3, Architectural Services Department
Mr Edward Tse

Chief Project Manager 302, Architectural Services Department
Mr Chris Liu

Director of Home Affairs
Miss Janice Tse

Assistant Director (2), Home Affairs Department
Ms Eugenia Chung

     PAC is chaired by Mr Abraham Shek, and its Deputy Chairman is Mr Kenneth Leung. Other members include Mr Paul Tse, Mr Steven Ho, Mr Lam Cheuk-ting, Mr Shiu Ka-fai and Ms Tanya Chan.

     The Environmental Protection Department (EPD) today (May 25) released the latest grading of water quality for 37 gazetted beaches and one non-gazetted beach (Discovery Bay) that are open for swimming.
        
     Twenty-five beaches were rated as Good (Grade 1), 11 as Fair (Grade 2) and two as Poor (Grade 3).
 
Grade 1 beaches are:       

 
Grade 2 beaches are:

 
Grade 3 beaches are:

 
     Compared with the grading released last week, Golden Beach, Kadoorie Beach, Pui O Beach, Shek O Beach and Stanley Main Beach have been upgraded from Grade 2 to Grade 1, and Anglers' Beach, Approach Beach, Casam Beach, Hoi Mei Wan Beach and Ma Wan Tung Wan Beach from Grade 3 to Grade 2.
      
     Under the present grading system, beaches are classified into four grades according to the level of E. coli in the water. Grades are calculated on the basis of the geometric mean of the E. coli counts on the five most recent sampling occasions.
      
     While the ratings represent the general water quality at the beaches, the EPD spokesman reminded members of the public that water quality could be temporarily affected during and after periods of heavy rain. Bathers should avoid swimming at beaches for up to three days after a storm or heavy rainfall.
      
     A summary of beach grades is published weekly before the weekend. The latest beach grades based on the most current data may be obtained from the department's websites on Beach Water Quality (www.beachwq.gov.hk and www.epd.gov.hk/epd/beach) or the beach hotline, 2511 6666.

     The Lands Department has issued demand notes for Government rent in excess of $100 per annum for the half year ending June 24 in respect of properties subject to the Government Leases Ordinance (Chapter 40) and certain other properties.

     Payers can settle Government rent through various electronic means including autopay, bank automated teller machines (ATMs), e-Cheque/e-Cashier's Order, payment by phone service (PPS), and bill payment services provided by banks and PPS on the Internet. Payment may also be made in person and in cash at designated convenience stores. For details, please visit the Treasury's website at www.try.gov.hk.

     Payment may be made by sending a crossed cheque to PO Box No. 28000, Gloucester Road Post Office, Hong Kong, or in person at any post office. Please ensure sufficient mailing time and postage to make delivery in order. Underpaid mails will be rejected. For locations of post offices and their opening hours, please call Hongkong Post's enquiry hotline on 2921 2222 or visit Hongkong Post's website at www.hongkongpost.hk.

     Government rent payers who have not received their demand notes should enquire at the Government Rent and Premium Unit of the Lands Department at 1/F, North Point Government Offices, 333 Java Road, North Point, Hong Kong. Enquiries can also be made at 2231 3033.

     Purchasers of properties are strongly advised to instruct their solicitors to ensure that Government rent has been paid to date at the time of purchase. Enquiries on outstanding accounts can be made at 2231 3033. An enquiry fee is payable for each property if a written confirmation of accounts position is needed.

     The Electrical and Mechanical Services Department (EMSD) today (May 25) released the latest maintenance cost information on lifts in private residential and commercial premises for public reference.

     The EMSD had earlier engaged an independent consultant to conduct a sampling survey on the maintenance costs of lifts in private residential and commercial buildings in Hong Kong. The consultant analysed the data provided by around 7,700 questionnaires collected, and calculated the average monthly maintenance costs of the lifts as follows:
                

     The cost information is available in the Responsible Persons' Corner on the EMSD's website (www.emsd.gov.hk/en/lifts_and_escalators_safety/responsible_persons_corner/index.html). The EMSD will update it on a half-yearly basis.

     In choosing registered lift contractors, the responsible persons of lifts are advised to make reference to the materials published in the Responsible Persons' Corner in addition to the price factor. The materials include:

* performance ratings of registered contractors;
* sample contracts for procurement of lift maintenance services;
* a guidebook for persons responsible for lifts;
* guidelines for selection of registered contractors for provision of maintenance services;
* guidelines for modernisation of existing lifts;
* guidelines for management of lift maintenance works;
* a checklist for building management staff to conduct daily safety inspection of lifts; and
* common questions and answers on lift management.

Note 1: The above price figures were updated on March 31, 2018, whereas the previous price figures were updated six months ago on September 30, 2017.

Note 2: As there are very few lifts with travel of more than 35 levels and rated speed of 3.5m/s or less, the surveyed price obtained through sampling of lifts in this group is prone to higher fluctuation.