Home safe home: Secretary for Development Carrie Lam inspects exhibition panels at the building safety carnival.

Secretary for Development Carrie Lam says the Government will shortly introduce a bill to the Legislative Council to amend the Buildings Ordinance, to implement a proposed mandatory building and window-inspection scheme.

Officiating at a building safety carnival opening ceremony, Mrs Lam said the two schemes are preventive in nature.

"They are instrumental to ensuring a better and safer built environment. The Government will provide financial and technical assistance to owners upon the launch of the schemes," she said.

Mrs Lam said the bureau aims to commence operation of the minor works control system by mid-2010, adding that the system could simplify statutory requirements and procedures for carrying out small-scale building works.

She said 130 buildings have started repair works under 'Operation Building Bright' which launched in May last year, while as at December 31, 4,920 applications - involving about $180 million - have been approved under the building maintenance grant scheme for elderly owners.