3
(e) Fire risk is high.
There are 199 buildings,
over 80% of which are over 6 storeys. Because of the maze-like layout of the City, Fire Services find it difficult to locate fires and to bring fire appliances close to many of the buildings, so there is frequent loss of life. Also when fire renders a building dangerous the normal building closure order cannot be enforced; evacuation and demolition have to be negotiated. Legislation regarding the storage of dangerous goods is however enforced.
4. Lesser problems include education, social services, labour legislation enforcement, and crime prevention.
(a) The Education Department neither registers, records nor inspects regularly schools within the Walled City. There are 7 of these which cater for 2,100 children (1,300 in the two communist schools).
(b) There is no Social Welfare Department within the Walled City but the services of the Department are open to residents through regional offices nearby. Fublic assistance was received by 118 families in 1973 and youths and children from the Walled City were involved in Summer Frogrammes. There are several welfare organizations within the Walled City. (c) The Labour Department enforces labour legislation regarding the employment of women and young children. Factories are inspected for serious fire hazards but safety regulations are not enforced.
(a) Despite its reputation for crime, the Walled City is relatively crime-free compared with the neighbouring parts of Kowloon, and the police have no serious problem about operating against vice.
5. The general attitude of Walled City residents towards the Hong Kong Government's involvement in the affairs of the Walled City is one of extreme pragmatism. Government
..
CONFIDENTTAL
/regulatory