Chief Secretary Henry Tang will lead a review of the Coroner's Court jury's recommendations made in the wake of a woman's death due to a coral tree branch's collapse in Stanley last August.

Chief Executive Donald Tsang said today the review will include staff training, tree risk management, the current guidelines and implementation arrangements. Improvements will be made as soon as possible.

Expressing great sorrow over Chong Chung-yin's death and offering condolences to her family, Mr Tsang said it is crucial for the Government to have good management of trees to ensure citizens' safety.

Speaking to reporters this evening Mr Tang said a task force will be formed to study the issue. Officials from the Development, Environment, Home Affairs and Transport & Housing Bureaux and other related departments will join the group as members.

The task force will start work as soon as possible and will complete the review in three months.

Follow-up measures

The Leisure & Cultural Services Department will be allocated an additional $11 million to bolster old and valuable trees' maintenance in 2009-10.

It is also reviewing tree-management manpower and training.

Responding to the Coroner's Court's verdict yesterday, the department said public safety is always its foremost consideration.

After the incident it took action to bolster tree maintenance. Local and overseas tree experts have been invited to assess and follow up on old and valuable tree maintenance.

Expert assistance

Overseas tree experts were commissioned to strengthen and expedite the inspection of trees listed on the register of old and valuable trees under the department's management. Staff have conducted tree-care treatments based on the experts' advice.

The department will continue to consult tree expert group members on old and valuable trees which are problematic or in poor health.