The government is set to implement reforms and push for accountability as soon as possible in the wake of November's deadly fire at Wang Fuk Court and will do so once the independent committee submits its report on the Tai Po disaster, Chief Executive John Lee said on Tuesday.

The committee, led by judge David Lok, is expected to submit its final report on the blaze, which claimed 168 lives, by the end of this month, after its submission deadline had been pushed back by a month.

Lee noted that several reform initiatives are already in place.

“In the Policy Address I delivered in September, I announced seven priority reform initiatives, including smoking ban at construction sites, enhancing regulations on fire service installations and equipment, tightening disciplinary actions and penalties for professionals and contractors, raising operational standards of owners' meetings," he said.

The other three are "examining the criminalisation of bid-rigging, launching new tender invitation and evaluation services, setting up vetted lists of qualified consultants and contractors," Lee said, adding the administration would also examine "feasible options to better assist the public in handling matters involving professional knowledge in building maintenance work".





Edited by Tony Sabine