ON this day 25 years ago: M. D. I. Gass, the Colonial Secretary, yesterday reaffirmed the Government's policy not to legalise any further forms of gambling, especially the introduction of greyhound racing.
Mr Gass, speaking in the Legislative Council, said: ''I welcome the opportunity to confirm that the Government's policy on gambling has not changed since the recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Gambling Policy were accepted in 1966; nor is thereany intention at the present to change it.'' Fung Hon-chu asked if the Government would reveal the steps taken to eradicate the evil and their effectiveness.
Mr Gass pointed out the police were continuing their efforts to control illegal gambling. ''In addition, the law on gambling is being re-examined with a view to closing certain loopholes which hamper the police in bringing successful prosecutions,'' he said.
Chan Yat-sun, chairman of the Heung Yee Kuk, in favour of introducing dog racing to the New Territories, said last night: ''No matter what decision has been reached, we will proceed accordingly.'' TWO teams of newly-trained officers of the Fire Prevention Bureau, known as the Means of Escape Unit, will visit factory and domestic multi-storey buildings from Monday to ensure corridors, staircases and passages are not obstructed in case of fire.
The unit's mission was to ''educate'' some of the residents that their lives, families and neighbours could be in danger if the escape routes were obstructed.
A spokesman for the Fire Services appealed to the residents for help and co-operation by informing the Fire Prevention Bureau should they find obstructions in their residential buildings or factories and said the new unit would only take legal proceedings as a ''last resort'' if repeated warnings were ignored.