HONG KONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL — 5 July 1995 5019 OFFICIAL RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
Wednesday, 5 July 1995
The Council met at half-past Two o'clock
PRESENT
THE PRESIDENT
THE HONOURABLE SIR JOHN SWAINE, C.B.E., LL.D., Q.C., J.P.
THE CHIEF SECRETARY
THE HONOURABLE MRS ANSON CHAN, C.B.E., J.P.
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY
THE HONOURABLE SIR NATHANIEL WILLIAM HAMISH MACLEOD, K.B.E., J.P.
THE ATTORNEY GENERAL
THE HONOURABLE JEREMY FELL MATHEWS, C.M.G., J.P.
THE HONOURABLE ALLEN LEE PENG-FEI, C.B.E., J.P.
THE HONOURABLE MRS SELINA CHOW LIANG SHUK-YEE, O.B.E., J.P. THE HONOURABLE HUI YIN-FAT, O.B.E., J.P.
THE HONOURABLE MARTIN LEE CHU-MING, Q.C., J.P.
DR THE HONOURABLE DAVID LI KWOK-PO, O.B.E., LL.D., J.P. THE HONOURABLE NGAI SHIU-KIT, O.B.E., J.P.
THE HONOURABLE PANG CHUN-HOI, M.B.E.
THE HONOURABLE SZETO WAH
THE HONOURABLE TAM YIU-CHUNG
THE HONOURABLE ANDREW WONG WANG-FAT, O.B.E., J.P.
THE HONOURABLE LAU WONG-FAT, O.B.E., J.P.
THE HONOURABLE EDWARD HO SING-TIN, O.B.E., J.P.
THE HONOURABLE RONALD JOSEPH ARCULLI, O.B.E., J.P.
5020 HONG KONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL — 5 July 1995 THE HONOURABLE MARTIN GILBERT BARROW, O.B.E., J.P. THE HONOURABLE MRS PEGGY LAM, O.B.E., J.P. THE HONOURABLE MRS MIRIAM LAU KIN-YEE, O.B.E., J.P. THE HONOURABLE LAU WAH-SUM, O.B.E., J.P.
DR THE HONOURABLE LEONG CHE-HUNG, O.B.E., J.P. THE HONOURABLE JAMES DAVID McGREGOR, O.B.E., I.S.O., J.P. THE HONOURABLE MRS ELSIE TU, C.B.E.
THE HONOURABLE PETER WONG HONG-YUEN, O.B.E., J.P. THE HONOURABLE ALBERT CHAN WAI-YIP
THE HONOURABLE VINCENT CHENG HOI-CHUEN, O.B.E., J.P. THE HONOURABLE MOSES CHENG MO-CHI
THE HONOURABLE MARVIN CHEUNG KIN-TUNG, O.B.E., J.P. THE HONOURABLE CHEUNG MAN-KWONG
THE HONOURABLE CHIM PUI-CHUNG
REV THE HONOURABLE FUNG CHI-WOOD
THE HONOURABLE FREDERICK FUNG KIN-KEE
THE HONOURABLE TIMOTHY HA WING-HO, M.B.E., J.P. THE HONOURABLE MICHAEL HO MUN-KA
DR THE HONOURABLE HUANG CHEN-YA
THE HONOURABLE SIMON IP SIK-ON, O.B.E., J.P. DR THE HONOURABLE LAM KUI-CHUN
DR THE HONOURABLE CONRAD LAM KUI-SHING, J.P. THE HONOURABLE EMILY LAU WAI-HING
THE HONOURABLE LEE WING-TAT
THE HONOURABLE ERIC LI KA-CHEUNG, J.P.
HONG KONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL — 5 July 1995 5021 THE HONOURABLE FRED LI WAH-MING
THE HONOURABLE MAN SAI-CHEONG
THE HONOURABLE STEVEN POON KWOK-LIM
THE HONOURABLE HENRY TANG YING-YEN, J.P.
THE HONOURABLE TIK CHI-YUEN
THE HONOURABLE JAMES TO KUN-SUN
DR THE HONOURABLE SAMUEL WONG PING-WAI, M.B.E., J.P. DR THE HONOURABLE PHILIP WONG YU-HONG
DR THE HONOURABLE YEUNG SUM
THE HONOURABLE HOWARD YOUNG, J.P.
THE HONOURABLE ZACHARY WONG WAI-YIN
DR THE HONOURABLE TANG SIU-TONG, J.P.
THE HONOURABLE CHRISTINE LOH KUNG-WAI
THE HONOURABLE ROGER LUK KOON-HOO
THE HONOURABLE ANNA WU HUNG-YUK
THE HONOURABLE JAMES TIEN PEI-CHUN, O.B.E., J.P.
THE HONOURABLE ALFRED TSO SHIU-WAI
THE HONOURABLE LEE CHEUK-YAN
IN ATTENDANCE
MR MICHAEL LEUNG MAN-KIN, C.B.E., J.P.
SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER
MR MICHAEL DAVID CARTLAND, J.P.
SECRETARY FOR FINANCIAL SERVICES
MR DOMINIC WONG SHING-WAH, O.B.E., J.P.
SECRETARY FOR HOUSING
5022 HONG KONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL — 5 July 1995
MRS KATHERINE FOK LO SHIU-CHING, O.B.E., J.P. SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE
MR PETER LAI HING-LING, J.P.
SECRETARY FOR SECURITY
MR KWONG KI-CHI, J.P.
SECRETARY FOR THE TREASURY
THE CLERK TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
MR RICKY FUNG CHOI-CHEUNG
THE DEPUTY SECRETARY GENERAL
MR LAW KAM-SANG
HONG KONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL — 5 July 1995 5023 PAPERS
The following papers were laid on the table pursuant to Standing Order 14(2): Subject
Subsidiary Legislation L.N. No.
Merchant Shipping (Miscellaneous Craft)
(Amendment) Regulation 1995......................................................... 289/95
Shipping and Port Control (Hong Kong - China
and Macau Ferry Terminals) (Amendment)
Regulation 1995................................................................................ 290/95
Telecommunication (Amendment) (No.3)
Regulation 1995................................................................................ 291/95
Telecommunication (Hong Kong Telephone Company)
(Exemption from Licensing) (Repeal)
Order 1995........................................................................................ 292/95
Telecommunication (Fixed Telecommunication
Network Services) (Exemption from Licensing)
Order................................................................................................. 293/95
Port Control (Public Cargo Working Area) (No.3)
Order 1995........................................................................................ 301/95
Port Control (Public Water-Front) (No.2)
Order 1995........................................................................................ 302/95
Telecommunication (Hong Kong Telephone Company)
(Exemption from Licensing) (Fees) (Repeal)
Order 1995........................................................................................ 303/95 Housing (Tenancy Appeals) Rules............................................................ 304/95
Housing (Amendment) Ordinance 1995 (24 of 1995)
(Commencement) Notice 1995 ......................................................... 305/95
Pensions (Special Provisions) (The Hong Kong
Institute of Education) Ordinance (38 of 1995)
(Commencement) Notice 1995 ......................................................... 306/95
Banking Ordinance (Amendment of Third Schedule)
Notice 1995 ...................................................................................... 307/95
5024 HONG KONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL — 5 July 1995
Telephone (Amendment) Regulation 1995 ............................................... 308/95
Factories and Industrial Undertakings (Suspended
Working Platforms) Regulation (L.N.393 of 1994)
(Commencement) Notice 1995 ......................................................... 309/95
Sessional Paper 1994-95
No.102 — Report of Changes to the Approved Estimates of
Expenditure Approved During the Final Quarter of
1994-95 Public Finance Ordinance: Section 8
ORAL ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS
Assistance for Young Immigrants from China
1. MR TIK CHI-YUEN asked (in Cantonese): Regarding the Government's recent announcement that the Chinese Government will increase the quota of one-way permits to enable some children to settle in the territory, will the Government inform this Council:
(a) whether it has taken into account the education needs of these children in formulating education policies;
(b) what measures have been put in place to cope with the increased demand for school places; and
(c) whether any measures will be formulated to help such children and their parents to settle down in the territory; if so, how much will it cost for implementing these measures and what is the timetable for implementation?
SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER (in Cantonese): Mr President,
(a) The needs arising from the increase in Chinese immigrant children have been taken into account in formulating various aspects of education policies.
(b) Based on past statistics on the profile of immigrants from China, the Education Department has fully assessed the capacity of the present system to cope with the revised forecast demand and the need for additional school places. The Government has now earmarked capital expenditure of $208 million for building five new primary
HONG KONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL — 5 July 1995 5025
schools for completion in 1997-98. It will also conduct a review of longer term requirements in 1996 in the light of more information on new arrivals. In the meantime, any additional demand for school places will be met by existing school vacancies and extra places made available by the decline in secondary school population from 1996.
(c) The Education Department has also taken steps to help immigrant children and their parents settle down in Hong Kong. This is done through a special induction programme, school placement services, and school-based remedial teaching and counselling services. In April 1995, with the help of voluntary agencies, a new induction programme was launched by the Education Department to help immigrant children integrate more quickly into the local system. This is being expanded to cater for additional immigrant children arriving under the increased quota from 1 July 1995. The estimated cost for running this programme is $8.3 million per annum, and 10000 new immigrant children are expected to benefit from it every year. For school placement services, District Education Offices will continue to assist in arranging newly arrived immigrant children into schools. In addition, schools have been advised to give special attention to these children, providing them with appropriate remedial teaching and school guidance and counselling services.
For parents of the immigrant families, adult orientation courses have been run by non-profit making voluntary agencies with Government subvention since 1981. A sum of $0.27 million has been earmarked in 1995-96 for such courses.
On the welfare side, the Hong Kong Branch of the International Social Service, a subvented agency, provides post-migration programmes to help new immigrants from China settle down in Hong Kong. Orientation sessions, language and tutorial classes, and referral services are provided. In 1995-96, $1.17 million was granted to the agency for this purpose. The Social Welfare Department has also secured another premise for the agency to expand its post-migration service in 1996. New immigrants from China who are in need can also use the counselling and family support services provided by the 62 family services centres throughout the territory.
MR TIK CHI-YUEN (in Cantonese): Mr President, according to the information provided by the Government, after 1 July 1997, about 64000 children from China may be granted the right of abode in Hong Kong pursuant to the provisions of the Basic Law. The data furnished by the Government just now indicate that five primary schools will be built in the next two to three years. But this will provide no more than 10000 bisessional places. Will these
5026 HONG KONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL — 5 July 1995
10000 school places be sufficient to cater to the needs of the 64000 children who are due for schooling? Apart from the short-term measure of building a few schools in the next couple of years, has the Government formulated any long-term plans to meet demand in this respect?
SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER (in Cantonese): Mr President, we have made detailed arrangements to address demands in this respect following a rise in population. According to estimated figures, more than 60000 children who are due for schooling will arrive in Hong Kong from China. In respect of the first year arrivals, we have fixed an age limit of zero to five and 16 to 20. In this regard, we have sufficient school places for this group of children and juveniles. We have sufficient child care centre places for children under five years of age. We will not have to provide extra school places for juveniles over 16 years of age because they will have been past the age for nine-year free education. In the next five to seven years, we will of course gradually increase the number of schools, including secondary and primary schools, so as to provide extra school places for these children. I believe there will be no problem in this respect.
PRESIDENT: Not answered, Mr TIK?
MR TIK CHI-YUEN (in Cantonese): Mr President, my question will be very short. I wish to know more of the plan the Secretary mentioned a moment ago, that is to say, the plan to increase the number of secondary and primary school places in the next six to seven years. Can the Government provide us with specific dates in this regard? If such data are not available today, could they be provided later in writing?
SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER (in Cantonese): Mr President, I can provide some rough data. As regards primary schools, we shall have five more in 1997-98, and in the following year we shall have two more, reaching three in 2001-02. This is our estimated demand for primary schools. As regards secondary schools, we shall have nine more in 1999-2000 and in the following year we shall have one more. This is our future estimated demand.
MR CHEUNG MAN-KWONG (in Cantonese): Mr President, in the main reply, the authorities state that $8.3 million will be appropriated each year for running an induction programme for about 10000 immigrant children. This will work out to an average of $830 per child. Moreover, the induction programme will only last for a short period of four weeks. Obviously, this is less than sufficient and will not solve the problem at all. It will not be of much help in terms of enabling children to integrate into society. Since immigration into Hong Kong is going to become a long-term trend, has the Government ever considered
HONG KONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL — 5 July 1995 5027
setting up special schools in districts where most of the new immigrants choose to live in order to cater exclusively to their needs? These schools will teach the immigrant children English and Chinese and provide induction courses for them. The courses may be for half a year so as to enable the children to integrate more speedily into society and the local education system. Has the Government considered doing this?
SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER (in Cantonese): Mr President, the $8.3 million will be used solely for the purpose of helping these children adapt to their new environment in Hong Kong. But if we should include the cost for existing services within other schools, the resultant figure would be many times the present figure. Members must not forget that the money is for meeting extra needs in helping these immigrant children adapt to their new environment. We are not in favour of segregating these children, which would be a bad way of doing things in terms of education. I believe Mr CHEUNG ought to understand that we should not segregate them for special treatment. They should live and be educated along with local children. This is what we should do. Therefore we are not in favour of setting up special schools for them.
PRESIDENT: Not answered, Mr CHEUNG?
MR CHEUNG MAN-KWONG (in Cantonese): Mr President, I feel that the Secretary's answer patently distorts the original meaning of my question. If it is at all possible, please let me ask the question again. The schools to cater exclusively for immigrant children that I mentioned would be of a transitional nature and they would basically be no different from the four-week transition courses offered by the Government. If, in attempting to avoid this question, the Secretary is adamant that these would be schools of a segregation nature, I would say this is unfair. What I am asking relates to schools of a transitional nature. The immigrant children may not enter school immediately after their arrival in Hong Kong. If they can learn English and Chinese properly during the transitional period before they formally enter school, what impropriety would there be? Why should this be regarded as segregating education and condemned?
SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER (in Cantonese): I might have misunderstood Mr CHEUNG's question with regard to special schools. But the courses we are offering are mainly for the purpose of arranging a temporary counselling service for these children. We think that, in receiving education, they should not be placed outside the school system. This is our principle. I believe we should be able to deal with this matter in a flexible way. If there is the need for these children to continue to receive more or longer duration counselling, we shall be glad to consider beefing up these courses so
5028 HONG KONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL — 5 July 1995
that these children will have a longer adaptation period. But we are not in favour of setting up special schools to teach them. This is our principle.
MR SZETO WAH (in Cantonese): Mr President, if a young person from China is over 15 years of age but his academic standard, particularly in regard to English, is just up to Primary IV or V, what will the Government do if he wants to go to school?
SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER (in Cantonese): Mr President, we are well acquainted with this problem because many immigrant children are over-aged in terms of schooling. Though they are over 15, their academic standard is below that of a child aged 15. We will deal with this in a flexible manner. If they need help in regard to English or other matters, we will of course arrange schools for them to study in. However, Members should know that this will not be compulsory.
Structural Safety of Old Public Housing Estates
2. MR TAM YIU-CHUNG asked (in Cantonese): In view of the incident in which a concrete block fell from the ceiling in a flat at Kwai Chung Estate which is over 30 years old, will the Government inform this Council whether:
(a) inspections will be carried out regularly on the structural safety of buildings in old public housing estates; and
(b) the Housing Department will speed up the redevelopment and demolition of old public housing estates so as to prevent the recurrence of similar incidents?
SECRETARY FOR HOUSING: Mr President, all housing blocks built before 1981 are inspected regularly by the Housing Department's structural engineers for structural safety. The frequency of inspections depends on the structural condition of each block, but a two year cycle is typical.
Estate management staff also inspect the general condition of each flat at least once every 18 months. The focus of this type of inspection is on spalling concrete and water seepage. Where necessary, maintenance surveyors, structural engineers and consultants will participate in such inspections.
The Housing Authority has a Comprehensive Redevelopment Programme for old housing blocks. Redevelopment is determined having regard to various factors, such as structural and general conditions of the block, facilities available in each flat and community facilities provided in the housing estate. Another factor affecting the timing is the availability of flats for rehousing
HONG KONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL — 5 July 1995 5029 existing tenants, particularly as most of them prefer to remain in the same district.
Of the 885 old blocks, 304 have already been demolished and redeveloped. In the next five years, the Housing Authority will develop another 185 blocks, comprising 77000 fiats or nearly 12% of its total rental stock. This is a high proportion, and any further acceleration of the programme without very good reason will adversely affect the provision of public rental housing to families on the General Waiting List. Nevertheless, the Housing Authority will review its Redevelopment Programme regularly, and full account will be taken of any housing block found to have structural defects.
MR TAM YIU-CHUNG (in Cantonese): Mr President, would the Secretary for Housing consider the following three-point opinion:
(1) To shorten the two-year intervals between which old housing blocks are inspected for structural safety;
(2) To conduct a questionnaire survey once every six months in order to understand the condition of spalling concrete and water seepage; and
(3) To take structural safety as the prime factor for consideration in determining the order of priority under the Comprehensive Redevelopment Programme?
SECRETARY FOR HOUSING (in Cantonese): Mr President, with regard to the first point, namely, to shorten the two-year intervals between which housing blocks are inspected for structural safety, the Housing Department has in fact taken structural safety as the prime factor for consideration and has therefore conducted thorough structural inspections once every two years. At present, there is no particular need to shorten the interval. If, during the interval, tenants should discover any problem they should report it to the Estate Housing Manager or Estate Office so that it can be looked into immediately.
As regards the second point, namely, whether the tenants can be consulted through questionnaires, the Housing Department carries out questionnaire surveys from time to time. Therefore, there should be no problem with launching a survey of this sort as suggested. As I said a moment ago, if the tenants have any particular problem they can report it to the Estate Office any time so as to enable the Housing Department to carry out repair works according to the actual condition.
As regards the third point, namely, the order of priority under the Comprehensive Redevelopment Programme, we must handle this with the utmost caution. As I said in my main reply, redevelopment is determined
5030 HONG KONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL — 5 July 1995
having regard to various factors, one of them being the desire of the affected tenants to be rehoused in the same district. However, we have to ensure that available resources match overall demand, that is to say, we have to see if there are sufficient new housing units to rehouse tenants affected by redevelopment.
MR FRED LI (in Cantonese): Mr President, recently I visited the old housing blocks in Sau Mau Ping Estate Kwun Tong which will not be redeveloped in the next five years. I discovered that spalling concrete and water seepage were common enough phenomena. When the tenants complained to the Housing Department's management staff, the latter said that the problem was not serious and that this happened to most housing blocks. I hope the Secretary for Housing will give a definite answer. Having regard to the fact that spalling concrete and water seepage are all too common among housing blocks over 20 years old and that tenants' complaints are not dealt with despite a long wait, what can the Housing Department do to effect thorough improvement in this respect in favour of the tenants?
SECRETARY FOR HOUSING (in Cantonese): Mr President, to my knowledge, the Housing Department is implementing a CARE Programme. Under this programme, the Department will thoroughly inspect the interior and exterior conditions of these public housing estates. Such inspection is carried out once every six years. As I said a while ago, if a tenant finds any particular problem with his housing unit, such as spalling concrete or water seepage, he should immediately report it to the estate management staff. As I understand it, spalling concrete will not immediately result in concrete chunks falling off, which will happen only after a period of time. If tenants pay careful attention to the interior conditions of their housing units, they should be able to detect early signs of trouble and report same to the Housing Department so that repairs personnel can deal with it speedily.
PRESIDENT: Mr LI, not answered?
MR FRED LI (in Cantonese): Mr President, the Secretary said that the tenants should report problems to the Housing Department. But the question is that despite reports being made to the Housing Department, the Department has been saying there are too many problems to be dealt with. I hope the Secretary will look into the matter to see how serious it is. Will it be possible to improve radically the condition of spalling concrete and water seepage in respect of those old housing blocks which will not be redeveloped in the next five years?
SECRETARY FOR HOUSING (in Cantonese): Mr President, the CARE Programme I mentioned a while ago is of course a long-term programme. It is carried out once every six years. However, as I understand it, following the fall
HONG KONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL — 5 July 1995 5031
of concrete chunks in Kwai Chung Estate and a couple of other housing estates, the Housing Department has been carrying out an overall inspection in respect of all old housing estates. After completion of this overall inspection exercise, I shall remind the Department of the need to deal speedily with the condition of spalling concrete and to carry out urgent repairs.
MR LEE WING-TAT (in Cantonese): Mr President, the Secretary for Housing, Mr Dominic WONG said moments ago that a CARE Programme is being carried out in respect of old housing estates. This is not correct. It is because the programme is not being implemented in many of the old housing estates, including Kwai Chung Estate and others about to be redeveloped.
Mr President, a thorough way to solve the problem of spalling ceiling in these old housing blocks is to speed up the pace of redevelopment of these old housing blocks. I also understand that there must be sufficient units to rehouse the tenants if redevelopment is to be speeded up. But the safety of the tenants must be a prime factor for consideration. I hope the Secretary will consider the two-point opinion that I am presenting:
(1) Can the Housing Branch discuss with the Planning Department to see if the plot ratio of public housing redevelopment sites — that is to say, the built-up density — can be slightly raised so that more units can be built on the same site to rehouse tenants?
(2) Will it be possible to convert Home Ownership Scheme (HOS) flats now under construction to public rental housing units?
These two methods will not affect applicants on the Waiting List for public housing.
SECRETARY FOR HOUSING (in Cantonese): Mr President, I already gave a detailed explanation earlier on in respect of the general redevelopment programme. With regard to the two-point opinion presented by Mr LEE, let me address the first point, that is, the question of whether the built-up density can be heightened. In fact, the Government has considered this proposal and carried out a study as to whether the use of a site can be maximized. In this respect, I shall discuss with the Secretary for Planning, Environment and Lands and the Planning Department to see if the plot ratio can be raised.
As regards the second point — that is to say, the question of whether HOS flats under construction can be converted to public rental housing units — in principle, neither the Housing Authority (HA) nor the Government intend to do this. In building housing units, we have to pay regard to the interests of two groups of people, that is, the interests of public housing tenants on the one hand and the aspiration of those who want to own their own homes on the other. In respect of public rental housing, we pay close attention to whether real danger
5032 HONG KONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL — 5 July 1995
exists in the units concerned. Preliminary findings from a thorough inspection carried out by experts indicate that these old housing blocks are still structurally safe. However, the detailed report has not yet been submitted to the HA. I believe that the detailed report will be presented to the HA in the next few weeks. If the HA is then of the view that there is a need to redevelop early a housing estate not originally included in the redevelopment programme, the Authority will realistically consider the proposal to speed up the redevelopment programme and revise the order of priority in respect of the works involved.
Substandard Public Housing Estates
3. MRS ELSIE TU asked: About two decades ago, I wrote to the then Director of Public Works enclosing a sample of the substandard building material used in the building of public housing estates in Tsuen Wan-Kwai Chung area. The sample was supplied by a contractor who was concerned that corrupt contractors were using cheap materials and salt water in building public housing estates. The allegation was denied, but some years later tenants had to be removed from some estates because of the poor quality of building materials. Unofficial report said that over 100 blocks in various areas were in a similar condition and should be rebuilt. In view of this, will the Government inform this Council:
(a) how many blocks were identified as being substandard due to poor building materials and use of salt water in concrete-making;
(b) of the blocks referred to in (a) above, how many have been demolished as dangerous buildings; and in which areas are these dangerous blocks located; and
(c) what action has been, or is being, taken against the responsible contractors and government officials?
SECRETARY FOR HOUSING: Mr President, in the early 1980s, the Housing Department carried out an investigation into the structural safety of all public housing blocks built before 1981. Concrete samples were taken from 836 blocks for testing. 411 blocks were found to have average concrete strength although they did not comply with their original design requirement. Salt levels in walls were generally deemed acceptable at the time of construction, but salt levels in floor slabs were particularly high, which might have been partly the result of floor washing with sea water in those days.
Of the 411 blocks mentioned above, 26 were demolished for early redevelopment. They were not dangerous structurally, but restrengthening work would not have been cost effective. The blocks were located in Kwai Fong, Kwai Hing, Kwai Shing East, Lam Tin, Pak Tin, Shek Lei I, Sau Mau Ping I, Shek Pai Wan, Tsz Man, Tsz Oi and Wong Chuk Hang estates.
HONG KONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL — 5 July 1995 5033
The Housing Department investigated into the responsibility of 25 contractors involved in building the 411 substandard blocks concerned. It was not possible to take civil action against contracts exceeding the 12-year statutory limit. For contractors whose contracts fell within the 12-year limit, seven were identified as being liable for civil action in relation to their performance in building 25 substandard blocks. Successful claims were made against four of them, and a total of about $19 million was recovered. In the other three cases, one contractor was in liquidation, another was in the process of liquidation, and action against the third one had to be dropped when it was found that the liability time limit of six years for that particular contract had expired.
The Independent Commission Against Corruption took prosecution action in 11 cases where there was prima facie evidence of corruption. Seven of the accused were civil servants at the time of the alleged offences; the remaining four were employed in the construction industry.
MRS ELSIE TU: Mr President, in paragraph two we are told that 26 of the 411 blocks found to have average concrete strength were demolished and redeveloped. What about the remaining 385 blocks? Could the Secretary tell us whether any of these 385 blocks were the subject of recent complaints of falling concrete, as mentioned in the previous question and what steps are being taken to make more frequent checks or to restrengthen these 385 blocks to see how far the structures may have deteriorated since they were only of average concrete strength over 10 years ago?
SECRETARY FOR HOUSING: Mr President, some of the blocks which have not yet been designated for redevelopment are in fact still of a high standard; I believe over 270 of these blocks are still of a high standard. I am aware from general information that nearly 130 blocks would require redevelopment, probably in the course of the next 10 years or so. Although there is no particular programme for the moment for these particular blocks to be redeveloped, my understanding is that the Housing Authority, after it has carried out the redevelopment in the next five years, will be looking at those blocks. In other words, we can expect probably another seven years beyond the year 2000 to see another about 130 of these blocks into redevelopment. And I believe they will be redeveloped in the first 10 years of the next century.
PRESIDENT: Not answered, Mrs TU?
MRS ELSIE TU: Mr President, no. One question was not answered, that is, how many of the 385 found to have average concrete strength were actually the ones that have been the subject of recent complaints?
5034 HONG KONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL — 5 July 1995
SECRETARY FOR HOUSING: Mr President, I am afraid I do not have that particular information. I will be happy to gather it and write to the Honourable Member concerned. (Annex)
DR CONRAD LAM (in Cantonese): Mr President, I would like to ask a follow-up question in regard to the second paragraph of the Secretary's main reply. The Secretary says in the second paragraph that, of the 411 problem-plagued public housing blocks, some are structurally safe. One of the blocks mentioned is in Tsz Man Estate. Last week, several hundred residents of Tsz Man Estate complained that their blocks had structural problems. One of the complainants was an old woman who is blind and lives alone. She said that when she was cooking her meal a chunk of concrete fell at her side, narrowly missing her cooking pan. Residents of Tsz Man Estate last year received notice in writing through the District Board to the effect that Tsz Man Estate would be redeveloped within that year. But recently they learnt that redevelopment would be indefinitely postponed. The residents said that Tsz Man Estate had been listed as Type II problematic public housing 10 years ago and notice of redevelopment had been given last year. They said that structural problems have kept appearing and there was spalling concrete from the ceiling and around the windows. Therefore, I would like to ask the Secretary this: With regard to Tsz Man Estate and other similar housing estates which were scheduled for redevelopment but later postponed, is it because housing units are not available in sufficient numbers to rehouse the affected tenants, as alleged by the Secretary in his reply to an earlier question, or is it because the blocks have been confirmed to be structurally safe? If they are structurally sound, I hope the Secretary will formally notify the residents through the Housing Department that the blocks are structurally sound and that the Department is willing to be held responsible for the residents' safety.
SECRETARY FOR HOUSING (in Cantonese): Mr President, in providing information to this Council earlier on, I already mentioned that the Housing Department had engaged consultants to carry out structural inspection of the housing blocks in question, the Kwai Chung Estate being given the foremost priority. As regards other public housing estates, the Department will continue to engage professional people to carry out special structural inspection of the housing blocks. Up to now, there has been no finding to establish that some public housing blocks indeed have structural problems. In respect of Tsz Man Estate mentioned by Dr the Honourable Conrad LAM, I shall be happy to pass to the Housing Department the information given by him just now and I shall consider it in conjunction with the Housing Authority. Dr LAM asked why the scheduled redevelopment had been postponed. I regret to say I have no information regarding this. But I shall pass Dr LAM's remarks to the Housing Authority and the Housing Department and request them to consider them in depth.
HONG KONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL — 5 July 1995 5035 Lam Tin Woman Health Centre
4. DR HUANG CHEN-YA asked (in Cantonese): Will the Government inform this Council:
(a) of the total number of clients who have utilized the service of the Lam Tin Woman Health Centre since its inception together with a breakdown of these clients by age;
(b) of the effectiveness of the service provided by the Centre; and
(c) what plans are in place to increase and improve the service?
SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE (in Cantonese): Mr President, in his 1992 policy address, the Governor announced new initiatives to provide better health care for the community. These included, inter alia, the phased establishment of three well woman clinics for women aged 45 and above. Lam Tin Woman Health Centre is a pilot project to provide promotive and preventive health care services for women of menopausal age group. It was opened on 4 May 1994. Until the end of May 1995, a total of 2470 women have utilized the service of this Woman Health Centre. About 76% of these women were aged between 45 and 55, while 24% were from 55 to 65.
The result of the disease screening programme has so far been very encouraging. A total of 22 cases of cancer, namely 19 cases of breast cancer, two cases of cervical cancer and one case of ovarian cancer were detected and referred for early treatment during this period. In addition, 135 cases of hypertension and diabetes mellitus were detected. Health education activities were also well received. Over 800 women with conditions varying from menopausal, personal, family, emotional and social problems enjoyed the benefit of additional individual counselling and advice.
A second centre will be established in Chai Wan in early 1996 and a third centre in New Territories by 1997. The Department of Health is now providing screening services for cervical cancer at all Maternal and Child Health Centres for clients of Family Planning Clinics. For women not requiring family planning services, cervical cytology screening services are available at four Maternal and Child Health Centres. By early 1996 the number of Maternal and Child Health Centres providing this screening service will be increased to six. In the long term, we will examine the practicability of integrating the full range of woman health services into some of the maternal and child health centres and will welcome collaboration with other healthcare providers who may wish to set up similar services.
5036 HONG KONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL — 5 July 1995
DR HUANG CHEN-YA (in Cantonese): Mr President, according to the information provided by the Government, although the utilization rate of the Lam Tin Woman Health Centre is very low with nine to 10 patients on an average daily, this health centre is definitely of value in that it plays a very significant role in promoting health care for women. However, the Government's promotion programme seems to be proceeding at too slow a pace which makes people feel that the Government seems to have no sincerity in helping women improve their health. Will the Government give an undertaking that by 1997 every district throughout the territory will have a well woman clinic?
SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE (in Cantonese): Mr President, I would like first to clarify that the target group the health centre is intended to serve are not patients. Therefore we normally do not refer to these women as patients. Our purpose is to provide promotive and preventive health education for them. This is a very important point. It is precisely because of this that many women find it hard to accept that the health centre is not for patients. This is a relatively new concept. Hence, during the current year, we will carry out publicity activities in abundant measure to explain that this woman health centre is an institution for promotive and preventive education, not for treating illnesses.
As regards the question of whether similar health care services for women can be provided in each district, we are now considering if such would be the most appropriate model for provision of health care services. In my main reply, I already mentioned that other maternal and child health centres would gradually provide such services. But the first health centre could be said to be just a pilot scheme to try out a model. We shall conduct an overall review in 1996 as to what model to adopt in promoting these services. At that time we shall consider the way forward, in what districts or regions the centres are to be located, the manner in which the services are to be operated, and whether the centres should be independent entities or merged with maternal and child health centres or with other types of health centres.
MR MICHAEL HO (in Cantonese): Mr President, the main reply provides a lot of data and figures, including the number of people using the centre. Will the Government tell us what its policy is in terms of providing health care to well women? Will it be prepared to provide health checkup for women of menopausal age group? If yes, what will be the estimated size of the target group and how many centres will be needed?
SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE (in Cantonese): Mr President, in Hong Kong there are about 500000 women of menopausal age group. But the setting up of health centres does not mean that all Hong Kong women must participate in this scheme of the Government. We know that many women
HONG KONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL — 5 July 1995 5037
would like to have private doctors or other practitioners treat their illnesses or provide health care for them. This health centre is the first of its kind and also one under trial. Therefore, we shall have to wait until the second health centre is commissioned in 1996 before we can carry out an overall review as to whether this is the best model and as to how to develop and expand the health care programme for women.
DR LAM KUI-CHUN (in Cantonese): Mr President, although few people receive services at the woman health centre, just eight to nine people each day, this represents a vast improvement when compared with just two clients daily at the health centre for the elderly. Could I ask the Government what difference there is between the promotive effort and model adopted by the woman health centre and that adopted by the health centre for the elderly so much so that the former has been so successful? What is there to learn from and model on?
SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE (in Cantonese): I would like to stress that the utilization rate of the centre is normal, not on the low side as alleged. In the main reply, I mentioned that 2470 women used the centre in the past year as against our estimate of 2400 to 2500 users for the year. It is because the centre provides services through appointment with clients.
In respect of promotion, it may be that women of this age group pay more attention to their own health and are most ready to receive services of this sort. With regard to the usage rate of health centres for the elderly, we will conduct a review to see what better way there is to promote the services. It is because even now Hong Kong people are not in the habit of consulting doctors or nurses unless they are ill.
MISS EMILY LAU (in Cantonese): If the health centre is used by no more than eight to nine women each day, I feel that this absolutely cannot count as success. Could I ask the Government what the operating costs are in respect of the centre, that is to say, how much of taxpayers' money is being used to operate the centre each year? And how much on average is spent on each user? Does the Government consider it to be cost-effective?
SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE (in Cantonese): Mr President, the Chai Wan Woman Health Centre scheduled to be commissioned in 1996 will entail a yearly operating cost of $1.3 million. There will be about nine staffers, including one medical officer, three nurses, one clerical officer, one workman, one technician and two therapists. The operating cost is about $1.3 million each year.
5038 HONG KONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL — 5 July 1995 PRESIDENT: Miss LAU?
MISS EMILY LAU (in Cantonese): Mr President, I did not ask for the operating costs of the Chai Wan Woman Health Centre but the Lam Tin Woman Health Centre, that is to say, the centre currently used by eight to nine women each day. If the Government does not have the figures at hand, these can be provided to us later. We want to know how much of taxpayers' money is being spent each year to enable the centre to operate while there are so few people using the centre. We want to know how much on average is spent on each user of the services in order to see if it is cost effective. Perhaps we may need to ask the Director of Audit to look into this.
SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE (in Cantonese): Mr President, the operating costs of the Lam Tin Woman Health Centre are just about the same at $1.3 million each year.
MR LEE CHEUK-YAN (in Cantonese): Mr President, in the main reply, the Secretary said that another centre in the New Territories would open for service in 1997. May I ask in which part of the New Territories the centre will be located? If the location is not yet decided on, I would consider Tuen Mun to be the district in most need of such a centre. It is because the district has rather poor external transport facilities on the one hand and it has already reached middle age in terms of development on the other. It is believed women in that district have particular need for services in this respect. That is why I want to know in which part of the New Territories the centre will be located.
SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE (in Cantonese): Mr President, we have not yet decided in which part of the New Territories the centre will be located. But we will consider the suggestion the Honourable LEE Cheuk-yan made just now.
MR FRED LI (in Cantonese): Mr President, I operate a ward office in Lam Tin. But I do not know of the existence of the centre, which indicates how poor the publicity effort has been. Neither have I seen any posters in the housing estates publicizing the health centre. Therefore, I hope the Secretary will beef up the publicity effort in this regard.
In the main reply, reference is made to women troubled by personal, family, emotional and social problems. Could I ask if this kind of health centre offers opportunities for co-operation between nurses, doctors and professional social workers so as to provide a comprehensive sort of multi-disciplinary services to women who will be assisted in regard to family problems apart from
HONG KONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL — 5 July 1995 5039
health and menopausal problems? Could I ask if the Government will consider providing professional social services in the centre?
SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE (in Cantonese): Judging from the way it currently operates, this woman health centre does not need social workers on its staff. But nurses, doctors and other staff can play a counselling and referral role. If a woman client needs the services of a social worker or other services, the staff can refer her to an appropriate social service organization.
Compensation to Widow of Korean Hostage Killed in Shootout
5. MR JIMMY McGREGOR asked: Will the Government inform this Council:
(a) whether it will initiate measures to provide appropriate financial compensation to the widow of the Korean national, Mr KANG Sang Bo, who was killed in a shootout between a robber and police in October last year following his being taken as a hostage by the robber and following his extremely brave conduct in attempting to persuade the robber to give himself up to the police and subsequently struggling to disarm the robber, for which bravery and selfless conduct he lost his life; and
(b) whether it will negotiate directly with the widow's legal representatives to ensure that an early payment can be made without the necessity of action through the courts?
SECRETARY FOR SECURITY: Mr President, I would like, first of all, to express the Hong Kong Government's deepest regret at the tragic death of Mr KANG Sang-bo and to convey our condolences to Mrs KANG.
As regards the first part of the question, innocent victims (or their dependants in case of death) who are injured or killed during crimes of violence or law enforcement actions may apply for compensation under the Criminal and Law Enforcement Injuries Compensation (CLEIC) Scheme administered by the Social Welfare Department. Immediately after the shootout in last October, staff of the Social Welfare Department passed a copy of the pamphlet and application form for the Scheme to Mrs KANG through the Korean Consulate. Another application form was sent to her through her legal representative in December last year. So far, we have not received any application from Mrs KANG or her representative. If Mrs KANG decides to apply, we will do
5040 HONG KONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL — 5 July 1995
everything we can to assist her and ensure that her application is handled as quickly as possible.
As regards the second part of the question, the Government is in the process of seeking legal advice on the question of liability in the light of the evidence presented at the death inquest. If civil or criminal proceedings are subsequently initiated, matters relevant to these proceedings will also be taken into account. Before legal advice on the question of liability is obtained, it is premature to decide on the question of compensation, or on whether the Government should negotiate directly with Mrs KANG's legal representative on this matter.
MR JIMMY McGREGOR: Mr President, it is clear that the CLEIC Scheme is based upon public sympathy for the victims of violent crimes and that the intention is to compensate reasonably and fairly those victims or their families. It is perhaps the most difficult of cases where the victim is a visitor to our shores and especially where the victim has tried to thwart the crime and protect other hostages and lost his life in doing so. Since Mr KANG's widow is legally represented in Hong Kong, could the Hong Kong Government not seek discussion on a positive basis with the local lawyers to provide a basis for early assessment and payment of compensation? Surely the Government can establish and maintain some momentum in this direction. I believe, Mr President, that there is great public sympathy for Mr KANG's widow.
SECRETARY FOR SECURITY: Mr President, first of all, on the question of the CLEIC Scheme, I believe that we have taken every step to enable Mrs KANG to apply for compensation payment under that Scheme. As far as I am aware, Mrs KANG would be eligible to seek compensation and if she decides to apply we will do everything we can to assist her and to ensure that her application is handled as quickly as possible.
On the question of whether, other than the CLEIC Scheme, the Government should negotiate directly with the legal representative of Mrs KANG, on the question of compensation, I do not rule out any particular step that we may take in the future. But I am unable to say at this stage what that step might be until I have received legal advice on the question of civil liability in the light of the evidence presented at the death inquest.
MRS ELSIE TU: Mr President, the CLEIC Scheme gives a paltry amount of compensation only to tide over the victim. Has it been explained to Mrs KANG that this is only a temporary measure and that she will get other compensation? She may not know the law, she may not accept it on the grounds that she thinks that is all she is going to get. And may I ask how much she would be offered under that Scheme?
HONG KONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL — 5 July 1995 5041
SECRETARY FOR SECURITY: Mr President, I believe that Mrs KANG is eligible for compensation under that Scheme. The actual amount of compensation that she might be granted under the Scheme would, of course, be decided by the Board itself. But I believe that the maximum compensation under that Scheme could, under certain circumstances, be as much as about $110,000, that is, if Mr KANG was the sole breadwinner of the family.
As regards the question of whether there would be any additional compensation to that, that is a matter on which I am seeking legal advice. Once we receive the legal advice we would be in a position to decide what course of action we should take.
MR JAMES TO (in Cantonese): Mr President, I also wish to express my regret at the unfortunate death of Mr KANG, and convey my condolences to his family. Mr McGREGOR's main question and supplementary question seemed to centre on the fact that as Mr KANG was a visitor and that his family could be in Hong Kong for only a short period of time, and therefore there might be difficulties. However, my question is, the CLEIC scheme does not recognize certain key elements in the different cases. For example, the victim could be a passer-by injured by a stray bullet during a gun fight, or the victim could be like Mr KANG who fought the criminal bravely, snatched the robber's weapon and tried to persuade him to surrender. All these involving Mr KANG were confirmed during the inquest. The statutory compensation scheme does not take into account these factors. Will the Administration review the existing scheme so that in respect of certain factors, for example the victim was killed for his bravery or in fighting robbers, there is special ex gratia payment or a special amount of compensation, just to make a distinction between such bravery and the unfortunate death of an innocent passer-by killed by a stray bullet? Will there be different compensations made?
SECRETARY FOR SECURITY: Mr President, obviously the CLEIC Scheme cannot take account of every single specific circumstance that may be adduced in evidence in any particular case. It is against a vast bulk of evidence that is presented in the death inquest as regards the death of Mr KANG which includes some of the circumstances mentioned by the Honourable Member that we are now seeking legal advice on what, if any, compensation might be awarded to Mrs KANG and that is outside the question of the award under the CLEIC Scheme. As regards the Honourable Member's view on the coverage of the CLEIC Scheme, I shall be happy to pass his views to the Director of Social Welfare for consideration.
PRESIDENT: Not answered, Mr TO?
5042 HONG KONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL — 5 July 1995
MR JAMES TO (in Cantonese): The Secretary might have misread my question. My question did not concern legal procedures. What I have asked was that if Mr KANG died because of the negligence of the police, then that would be legal liability, and compensation should be offered because of such liability. What I mean is, will the present CLEIC scheme take into account the behaviour of the victim during an incident which would result in different degrees of injury or even death? Should different behaviours be distinguished? For example, if a member of the public bravely attempted to catch a robber, and he came out of the act alive, the police might give him a Good Citizen Award. But if somebody is killed doing the same, irrespective of liability, should compensation reflect such a factor? My question is purely on this point.
SECRETARY FOR SECURITY: Mr President, the award under the Scheme does, of course, take into account the degree of disability or injury sustained or whether it was a case of death. As regards the circumstances of the action which has caused the injury or the death, I believe that the Law Enforcement Injuries Compensation Board in deciding the award, does take into account the fact that the injury was inflicted by law enforcement officers using weapons m the execution of their duties in connection with an arrest or attempted arrest of an offender or suspected offender; or the prevention or attempted prevention of an offence; or the giving of help to any police officer or other person who is engaged in arresting or attempting to arrest an offender or suspected offender; or preventing or attempting to prevent an offence.
MR JIMMY McGREGOR: Mr President, I have to say that I agree entirely with Mr James TO that if there is a maximum of #110,000, it is a very paltry amount indeed for the kind of act through which this poor gentleman lost his life. It seems to me that the Government has a responsibility to consider the case, if not within this Scheme, then outside this Scheme.
And did I understand the Secretary therefore correctly, to say that this is in fact being done, that some examination can be carried out of the circumstances of this case in such a way that the Government will be prepared to award compensation, and discussion with the lawyers, for the widow of a sum very considerably above $110,000?
SECRETARY FOR SECURITY: Mr President, in the absence of any legal advice I cannot at this stage say what precisely will be the Government's decision on the question of compensation. I am not ruling out any particular course of action. I am simply saying that we need legal advice before we can finally decide on what courses of action or what compensation, if any, might be offered to Mrs KANG.
HONG KONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL — 5 July 1995 5043 Non-local Workers
6. MR LEE CHEUK-YEE asked (in Cantonese): Mr President, will the Government inform this Council:
(a) of the breakdown of the numbers of non-local workers currently working in the territory by modes of admission (such as those admitted under the General Importation of Labour Scheme, and the labour importation scheme
for the new airport projects, those admitted as PRC professionals, overseas professionals, British immigrants, domestic helpers and people admitted for training and business purposes) and countries of origin;
(b) of the breakdown of non-local workers currently working in the territory by trades and posts;
(c) of the criteria adopted by the Government in approving the application for entry for training purposes; and
(d) whether the Government will conduct a comprehensive review on the policies governing the control of the entry and employment of various categories of people mentioned above, so as to enhance the employment protection for local workers?
SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER (in Cantonese): Mr President,
(a) The latest statistical breakdown of non-local persons working/staying in Hong Kong by admission categories and places of origin is at Annex A.
(b) The latest statistical breakdown of non-local persons working/staying in Hong Kong by industry and by job titles is at Annex B.
(c) Under the existing policy on entry of persons for training purpose, foreign trainees are admitted to stay for a limited period to acquire, through training, skills and knowledge not readily available in their home country. After the training, they have to return to their home country to continue employment in their professions or trades. All such applications are subject to close scrutiny and will only be approved if they can meet the following criteria:
5044 HONG KONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL — 5 July 1995
(1) the sponsoring company is a reputable one, is able and competent to provide such training;
(2) there is a contract between the sponsoring company and the trainee for a period not exceeding 12 months;
(3) there are guarantees of maintainance and repatriation;
(4) there is an undertaking from the sponsoring company that the trainee will in fact be receiving training in the sponsoring company's premises until the end of the agreed period, after which he will return to his country of residence; and
(5) the applicant has no adverse immigration records.
(d) The general policy on entry for employment permits the entry of foreign nationals who possess skills, knowledge or experience of value to but not readily available in Hong Kong. In addition, there are other schemes which allow the entry of foreign workers to meet special needs, such as importation of labour schemes. The contributions of these foreign personnel are conducive to the growth of our economy and have brought about an increase in employment opportunities for local workers. As Hong Kong remains an international free-market economy, there is a continued economic need to maintain the present policy, which is well-established and well-tested. We will continue to take account of the changing needs of Hong Kong when we exercise this policy. At present, we do not consider it necessary or practicable to conduct a single review covering the different categories of foreign workers, as each scheme serves a different purpose. We will, however, continue to conduct separate reviews when the need arises. For instance, we are now conducting a comprehensive review on the General Importation of Labour Scheme and will have it completed by October this year. We will also review the Pilot Scheme for the entry of PRC professionals by the end of this year.
HONG KONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL — 5 July 1995 5045 Annex A
Breakdown of non-local persons
working / staying in Hong Kong
by admission categories and by places of origin
A. General Labour Importation Scheme (as at 23 June 1995)
Places of origin Number
PRC 17420
Nepal 933
Philippines 610
Others 99
--------
Total 19062
= = = =
B. Special Importation of Labour Scheme for the New Airport and related projects (as at 23 June 1995)
Places of origin Number
PRC 1898
Thailand 970
Philippines 391
Others 250
------
Total 3509
= = =
C. Pilot Scheme for entry of 1000 PRC professionals (as at 30 June 1995) Total number of visas issued: 203, all from PRC
D. Persons with special skills admitted under normal immigration policy on entry for employment
(that is those with special skills, knowledge or experience of value to and not readily available in Hong Kong)
5046 HONG KONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL — 5 July 1995 The number of visas issued
Year Number
1993 14871
1994 16231
1995 (January - May) 7675
Year Places of Origin Number
1993 Japan 2456
United States 2280
Australia 1069
Taiwan 1056
Philippines 1022
Others 6988
--------
Total 14871
= = = =
1994 United States 3017
Japan 2931
Philippines 1205
Taiwan 1068
Australia 1058
Others 6952
--------
Total 16231
= = = =
No breakdown statistics for 1995 are readily available.
E. British Citizens (as at 31 May 1995)
Total: 26643 (including those working and staying as dependants) all from the United Kingdom.
HONG KONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL — 5 July 1995 5047 F. Foreign Domestic Helpers (as at 31 May 1995)
Places of origin Number
Philippines 126425
Indonesia 13049
Thailand 7073
India 1168
Others 1391
----------
Total 149106
= = = = =
G. Entry of Persons for training purpose
The number of visas issued:
Year Number
1993 5413
1994 5726
1995 (January - May) 1961
Statistical breakdown by places of origin is not available.
Annex B
Breakdown of non-local persons
working / staying in Hong Kong by industry and job types
A. General Labour Importation Scheme (as at 23 June 1995)
Breakdown by Industry
Industry Number
Automobile Repairing 78
Banking and Finance 618
Catering 3640
Clothing 1486
Communication 303
Construction Work Site 638
Electrical 168
Electronics 493
5048 HONG KONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL — 5 July 1995 Industry Number
Furniture 4 Hotel 475 Import/Export Trades 914 Insurance 11 Jewellery 16 Machine shop 1099 Plastics 62 Printing 250 Retail 1597 Sanitary, Laundry and Cleaning Services 22 Shipbuilding and Repairing 48 Social and Community Services 571 Textile 203 Tourism 52 Transport and Physical Distribution 483 Wholesale 214 Wholesale, Retail and Import/Export Trades 2448 Others 40 Others (Manufacturing) 286 Others (Non-manufacturing) 2843 --------
Total 19062 = = = =
Breakdown by Post
Post Number
Sales Clerk/Sales Assistant 2613 Waiter/Waitress 2377 Cook/Junior Cook 1170 Stock, Purchasing and General Clerk 893 Security Guard 846 General Sewing Machine Operator 844 Care Home Attendant 709 Technician 565 Computer Paging/Telephone Operator 460 Teller 432 Others 8153 --------
Total 19062 = = = =
HONG KONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL — 5 July 1995 5049
B. Special Importation of Labour Scheme for New Airport and related projects (as at 23 June 1995)
Breakdown by Industry
All from construction industry
Breakdown by post
Post Number
Labourer 445
Plant Mechanic/Operator 319
Marine Operator/Coxswain 231
Carpenter 230
Precast operator 202
Precast erector 199
Concretor 183
Rigger 168
Leveller/Linesman 106
Metal Worker 73
Truck Driver 65
Others 1288
------
Total 3509
= = =
C. Pilot Scheme for the entry of 1000 PRC professionals (as at 30 June 1995) Breakdown by industry
Industry Number
Trading 50
Construction 29
Electronics 28
Manufacturing 21
Others 75
------
Total 203
= = =
5050 HONG KONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL — 5 July 1995 Breakdown by profession
Profession Number
Administrator 64
Engineer 59
Marketing Executive 18
Others 62
------
Total 203
= = =
D. Persons with special skills admitted under the normal policy on entry for employment (i.e. those with special skills, knowledge or experience of value to and not readily available in Hong Kong)
Breakdown by profession
Profession 1993 1994 1995 (Jan - May)
Administrators, managers 6863 7017 2912 and professionals
Technical professionals 2786 2485 1358
Others (e.g. representatives 5222 6729 3409 of overseas companies)
-------- -------- --------
Total 14871 16231 7675 = = = = = = = = = = = =
E. British Citizens
British citizens do not require a visa to enter for employment in Hong Kong. No statistical breakdown by job types is available.
F. Foreign Domestic Helpers
All are admitted for employment as domestic helpers in Hong Kong
HONG KONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL — 5 July 1995 5051 G. Entry of Persons for training purposes
Statistical breakdown by job types is not available. Most admitted for training belong to the managerial or professional grade in the legal and accountancy fields, tourist industry (mainly airline employees), surveyors, engineers, banking industry, computers, hotel and catering industries.
MR LEE CHEUK-YAN (in Cantonese): Mr President, my purpose of raising this question is to find out how many non-local persons are working in Hong Kong. But the reply I have been given is still not clear enough, particularly with regard to persons with special skills from overseas. Annexes B and D to the reply indicate that there were 14871 visas issued in 1993, 16231 visas issued in 1994 and 7675 visas issued from January to May 1995 to persons from overseas with special skills. But I would like to know how many out of this group of people are currently working in Hong Kong. It is because I believe a visa of this sort may cover a period spanning several years. The reply here cannot tell us clearly how many of these overseas persons with special skills are currently still working in Hong Kong. And these overseas persons with special skills are affecting many local graduates' employment opportunities in the clerical and professional fields. Will the Government review its visa policy in respect of overseas persons with special skills having regard to the current unemployment situation?
SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER (in Cantonese): Mr President, Annexes A and B set out in exhaustive detail the data required by Mr LEE. The Immigration Department spent a lot of time preparing and compiling the data. I hope Members will take them as the most exhaustive data the Government is capable of providing in this regard. I cannot produce a figure here and now as to how many of these people are still in Hong Kong. This is impossible because we have no knowledge at all of where they are now, where they will be at some particular time, and what they are doing. Now we are only able to provide statistics. If we have to launch a formal inquiry, we will need time and I believe we are not capable of doing it for the time being.
MR ALFRED TSO (in Cantonese): Mr President, concerning the importation of foreign domestic helpers, Annex A clearly shows that the foremost country of origin of the imported helpers is the Philippines, followed by Indonesia and Thailand. For security reasons, the Hong Kong Government used to discourage and even reject Chinese mainlanders coming to Hong Kong to serve as domestic helpers. However, having regard to closer ties being developed between China and Hong Kong, the approach of 1997, and Hong Kong becoming a Special Administrative Region of China after 1997, will the Government consider reviewing or even relaxing its policy so as to allow maids from China to come to Hong Kong to serve as domestic helpers — a job paying $4,000 with board and lodging provided?
5052 HONG KONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL — 5 July 1995
SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER (in Cantonese): Mr President, this bears on immigration policy. I would defer to the Secretary for Security.
SECRETARY FOR SECURITY: Mr President, we do not provide for the entry from China of domestic helpers because such entrants could pose a particular immigration problem for Hong Kong. Given the fact that they are Chinese citizens they could, in due course, be eligible for a long-term addition to the population of Hong Kong as permanent residents. We are therefore not considering allowing domestic helpers from China to work in Hong Kong. Other than that, we allow foreign domestic helpers from different countries to work in Hong Kong.
MR MARTIN BARROW: Mr President, there is clearly a need in Hong Kong for people from overseas and this is essential if Hong Kong's position as an international commercial centre is to be preserved and enhanced for the benefit of all the people of Hong Kong.
Would the Secretary include in the review, referred to in paragraph (d), steps to reduce the mismatch between supply and demand and in particular, to revise the statistics methodology so that vacancy and unemployment figures could be made available at the same time?
SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER: Mr President, certainly I can confirm that insofar as the review on the importation scheme is concerned, we will take into account the mismatch between jobs and people and the better way of getting the statistics on the unemployed and the employed in our survey. We will try to improve on those things by that time.
MR MICHAEL HO (in Cantonese): Mr President, if the importation of persons for training purposes is abused, these people will be imported workers in disguise. Paragraph (c) of the main reply mentions certain strict vetting criteria which include: the sponsoring company is a reputable one; there is a contract between the sponsoring company and the trainee; there is a guarantee of repatriation; and the applicant has no adverse immigration records. Mr President, can the Government tell us whether, in considering these criteria, it also considers the possible effects the importation of these trainees will have on local workers? For instance, some trainees in the catering trade are in fact doing certain jobs in restaurants. This will result in rice bowls being snatched away from local workers. Can the Government tell this Council whether, in importing these trainees, it has considered the possibility of local workers' rice bowls being snatched away by them and whether the Government will take this as a criterion for importation?
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SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER (in Cantonese): Mr President, of course we understand that in certain circumstances some companies may use such training as a guise under which to import foreign workers. We are paying close attention to this. Up to now, there is no evidence to prove that this has been the case or that abuses have arisen in this respect. Of course, if any company is suspected of importing foreign workers through this means, that is to say, importing workers under the guise of training, we will definitely deal with it most strictly. But up to now, we have not discovered such a case.
WRITTEN ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS
Jakarta Declaration for the Advancement of Women in Asia and the Pacific
7. MISS CHRISTINE LOH asked: Will the Administration inform this Council what specific steps it has taken and will take in 1995-96 to fulfil its obligations under the Jakarta Declaration for the Advancement of Women in Asia and the Pacific and the accompanying Plan of Action, to which Hong Kong became a signatory in June 1994?
SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE: Mr President, at the Second Asian and Pacific Ministerial Conference on Women in Development in June 1994, participants adopted the Plan of Action for the Advancement of Women in Asia and the Pacific as a means to accelerate the attainment of the objectives of the Nairobi Forward-looking Strategies in the Asian and Pacific region, and to contribute to preparations for the Fourth World Conference on Women. The participants, taking into account the social, economic and political conditions of each country, committed themselves to taking all necessary measures to ensure effective implementation of the Plan of Action. As an Associate Member of the Economic and Social Commission of Asia and the Pacific Region, Hong Kong participated at the Ministerial Conference. The Plan of Action outlines nine critical areas of concern and sets out the general directions in respect of the actions to be taken.
In the Hong Kong context, the contents of the Declaration and the Plan of Action was disseminated to all the relevant Policy Branches involved in promoting the well-being of women in Hong Kong. In developing their policies and programmes, the relevant Policy Branches have, taking into account the social, economic and political conditions of Hong Kong, adopted measures to implement the Plan of Action. Examples of the measures taken in 1995 to implement some of the provisions in the Plan of Action are annexed for Members' information.
5054 HONG KONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL — 5 July 1995 Annex
Jakarta Declaration for the Advancement of Women in Asia and the Pacific Examples of actions taken to implement the
Provisions in the Plan of Action
Vulnerable groups and feminization of poverty
Hong Kong's family policy is to preserve and strengthen the family as a basic unit. A comprehensive network of family welfare services is provided to all types of family, based on their respective needs. Such family types include female-headed and female-maintained households. A leaflet on welfare services for single-parent families was published and widely distributed in early 1995. With effect from April 1995, single-parent families, including female-headed single parent families, receive a special allowance.
In respect of the elderly, financial resources have been earmarked for implementing the recommendations of the Working Group on Care for the Elderly. In April 1995, the Residential Care Homes (Elderly Persons) Ordinance came into force. As a result of the provisions of the Ordinance, residents in these care homes (including female residents) now receive services of acceptable standards.
In relation to young women and girls, the Protection of Children and Juveniles Ordinance provides statutory care and protection to young women and girls under the age of 18 against all types of abuse and exploitation. To further protect vulnerable witnesses, including girls under the age of 17 who are victims of sexual abuse cases, legislative amendments are in process to provide for testifying through live television links or video tape.
In respect of women with disabilities, comprehensive rehabilitation services are provided to people with a disability, including women. The White Paper on Rehabilitation published in 1995 sets out fully policy decisions for the further development of rehabilitation services for people with a disability, including women, for the next decade and beyond. We have also introduced the Disability Discrimination Bill into the Legislative Council which seeks to outlaw discrimination and harassment on the ground of disability against persons of both sexes.
Promoting equality in women's access to and participation in economic activities
As a general policy to promote equal opportunities in employment, the Labour Department, through its labour relations promotional activities, has disseminated the message of equal opportunities to employers. Employers are also advised to remove the gender requirement on job vacancies in recruiting employees through its Local Employment Services.
HONG KONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL — 5 July 1995 5055
In respect of training, the Employees Retraining Board has organized through various training bodies, a number of tailor-made retraining courses specifically catering for the needs of elderly women as well as female household managers to enhance women's access to the labour market.
Protecting and promoting women's human rights
The Sex Discrimination Bill, which renders unlawful sex discrimination and sexual harassment in a number of areas of activity, was introduced into the Legislative Council in October 1994, the Bill was passed by the Legislative Council on 28 June 1995.
Promoting women's equal access to health services
In Hong Kong, a comprehensive range of health services are available to women. Women's health needs in all stages of the life-cycle are being catered for. Services in respect of mental health, reproductive health, nutrition and cancers, and menopausal and post menopausal conditions are readily available to women in Hong Kong.
The Family Health Service of the Department of Health provides maternal health services to women of reproductive age through its network of 46 maternal and child health centres. The government subvented Family Planning Association of Hong Kong also runs birth control clinics, providing contraceptives, gynaecological check up, pre-marital check up, counselling and advice on sub-fertility.
The first Women Health Centre run by the Department of Health commenced operation in May 1994 to provide services for women aged 45 and above. This provides a comprehensive range of health screening and education services including screening for breast cancer and cervical cancer. Two more women health centres will be established by 1997.
Supporting access to and equality of women in education and literacy
In Hong Kong, there is full access to education and equal opportunities for both sexes in terms of the provision of education services. Topics on equality of sexes and sexual stereotyping are included in the subjects of Religious Education, Social Studies as well as Liberal Studies. In the Guidelines on Sex Education in Secondary Schools, relevant topics are also recommended for inclusion in schools' sex education programmes.
In preparing curriculum materials for use in schools, the Education Department has paid special attention to providing teachers with the necessary reference in teaching the issue of equality of sexes. Examples of these curriculum materials include a teaching kit on "Sexual Attitudes and Values" for secondary level and a booklet on "The Influence of Mass Media on Our Lives" for primary schools.
5056 HONG KONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL — 5 July 1995 Water Seepage in Public Housing Estates
8. DR TANG SIU-TONG asked (in Chinese): According to the information released by the Housing Branch, 2414 complaints about water seepage have been received from among 44908 flats in a total of 19 public housing estates completed less than three years ago. Of these complaints, some 745 have been received from Tin Yiu Estate at Tin Shui Wai. In connection with this, will the Government inform this Council:
(a) whether there is anything special about the situation mentioned above as compared with the situation regarding complaints of the same nature three years ago;
(b) whether the situation mentioned above is due to the quality of the buildings or to the design of the buildings;
(c) what plan the Housing Authority has put in place to improve the quality of public housing estates; and
(d) what measures the Government will take to assist the residents in solving the existing seepage problems?
SECRETARY FOR HOUSING: Mr President, there is no evidence to suggest that there has been a deterioration in the general quality of public housing blocks constructed in recent years, nor are there special factors affecting the quality of flats in Tin Yiu Estate. Each item of work is checked by Housing Department staff at every stage of construction of a housing project, and defects are corrected before the flats are accepted for occupation.
Analysis of defects reported by tenants shows that the normal causes of seepage are either poor workmanship or tenants' unauthorized modifications which damage waterproof materials and surface drainage in the toilet, kitchen and balcony areas, rather than the quality or design of buildings.
Since 1993, only contractors who are certified to have attained ISO 9000 (a specified international standard in terms of quality control procedures) are allowed to bid for the Housing Authority's building contracts. Contractors' performance is monitored by the Housing Department, and scores are assigned on a monthly basis. A contractor's future opportunity to tender will be affected by his scores.
HONG KONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL — 5 July 1995 5057
In addition, the design of and materials used in new blocks are continually being refined. Recent examples are the relocation of floor drains to the external wall and the use of windows with weather-strips. Suppliers of building components, with ISO certification, are used as far as possible.
These measures, taken together, have proved to be generally effective. Newly occupied flats in early 1993 had a seepage defect report rate of one per 110 flats during the first six months of occupation. For flats occupied in 1994, the rate dropped significantly to one per 364 flats.
Tenants are advised to report water seepage problems to estate staff. When a complaint is received, the problem will be inspected and repair will be carried out normally within 14 days. Estate staff also inspect the general conditions of every flat in public housing estates at least once every 18 months.
Engineering Students and Graduates
9. DR SAMUEL WONG asked: Will the Government inform this Council:
(a) how many engineering students will graduate from the universities funded by the University Grants Committee in 1995;
(b) how many of such graduates will be able to join the Hong Kong Government as Engineering Graduates, and how many will be able to join the graduate training scheme jointly organized by the Vocational Training Council and the Hong Kong Institution of Engineers; and
(c) whether there are plans to provide more training opportunities in the two categories mentioned in (b) above?
SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER: Mr President,
(a) On the basis of the number of final-year engineering students, the expected numbers of engineering graduates from the University Grants Committee (UGC)-funded institutions in 1995 at postgraduate, undergraduate and sub degree levels are 432, 1858 and 1928 respectively.
5058 HONG KONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL — 5 July 1995
(b) There are a total of 80 vacancies for engineering graduates in the Housing Department and in the Works Group of Departments of the Government. These vacancies are open to both local and overseas engineering graduates, provided that they are permanent residents of Hong Kong. Since these Departments are now in the process of selecting suitable candidates, the number of engineering students graduated from the UGC-funded institutions who will join the Government in 1995 is not yet available. However, according to past experience, over 90% of these vacancies will be filled by the local engineering graduates.
As for the Engineering Graduate Training Scheme (EGTS), 270 training places for engineering graduates will continue to be offered in 1995.
(c) The total number of training places in the Government for engineering graduates has increased from 64 in 1994 to 80 in 1995. We are planning to further increase this to 94 in 1996. As regards the EGTS, there are at present no plans for any increase in the training places.
Neighbourhood Level Community Development Projects
10. MR FRED LI asked (in Chinese): Regarding the service development of "Neighbourhood Level Community Development Project", will the Government inform this Council:
(a) of the reasons why it contemplates recommending to the Executive Council that it will no longer develop the Project and that it will gradually reduce the number of service teams under the Project over the next 10 years; how many service teams will be affected immediately and in which districts are they based; and
(b) what specific service development plans does the Government have under its policy on future community development, and what is the long term objective of such policy?
HONG KONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL — 5 July 1995 5059 SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS: Mr President, my reply is as follows:
(a) Neighbourhood Level Community Development Projects (NLCDP) were introduced in the 1970s as a remedial service for areas such as squatter areas and temporary housing areas (THAs) where the provision of welfare services was inadequate or non-existent. In view of the marked improvement in the provision of welfare services, introduction of new services, full implementation of the District Administration Scheme and decrease in the number of THAs and squatter areas over the past 20 years, the need for NLCDP service is diminishing. Coupled with the fact that trained social workers who are limited in number are badly needed to effect the expansion of other welfare services, we intend to propose to the Executive Council to rationalize the NLCDP service by withdrawing NLCDP teams whose services for their clients will no longer be required upon the clearance or redevelopment of the areas which they serve.
(b) The Government attaches great importance to community development. The introduction of the District Administration Scheme is to strengthen local administration and community development. The District Boards together with the Mutual Aid Committees, Owners' Corporations, Area Committees and various district organizations provide various channels for residents to voice their concerns or to come together to foster a sense of neighbourhoodliness. The District Officers will continue to provide assistance to district organizations and encourage them to undertake community involvement projects with the assistance of district board funds. The Social Welfare Department's Group Work Units and Non-governmental organization (NGO)-run community centres are providing group and community services to all age groups in the neighbourhood community. The Social Welfare Department will also continue to encourage its service units and NGOs to adopt an out-reaching approach in the delivery of their service in order to address the welfare needs of the people they serve.
5060 HONG KONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL — 5 July 1995 Prevention of Flooding in Flooding Black spots
11. MR LEE WING-TAT asked (in Chinese): As the rainy season has begun, will the Government inform this Council of the details of the projects which have been carried out, and the preventive measures which have been adopted, by the relevant departments to prevent the recurrence of serious flooding in various flooding black spots throughout the territory?
SECRETARY FOR PLANNING, ENVIRONMENT AND LANDS: Mr President, the Government is tackling the flooding problem in the territory in a systematic manner. In brief, the problem is being addressed through a three-tier approach comprising:
(a) long-term structural measures to carry out river training works and village flood protection schemes;
(b) short-term improvement and management measures including local drainage improvement works, maintenance and surveillance to prevent drain blockage and to ensure the integrity of the drainage system; and
(c) institutional and legislative measures including formalization of the Drainage Impact Assessment requirement for developments within a flood plain and the implementation of the Land Drainage Ordinance.
Details of these measures are included in an information paper on Flood Control in the New Territories, prepared for the Legislative Council Panel on Planning, Lands and Works for their meeting on 4 April 1995 (Annex A). Since then we have achieved two major milestones in the implementation of the overall flood control strategy: the commencement of the Shenzhen River Regulation Project Stage I in 19 May 1995, and the gazetting of the first draft Drainage Authority Area Plan covering the Yuen Long, Kam Tin and Ngau Tam Mei drainage basin under the Land Drainage Ordinance in 19 May 1995.
Based on historical flooding records, the Government has comprised a list of flooding black spots (Annex B) covering the whole territory. Both long-term and short-term action plans have been drawn up for the 82 flooding black spots and many of these action plans are in progress or have been completed.
HONG KONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL — 5 July 1995 5061 Information Paper on Flood Control in the New Territories
LegCo Panel on Planning, Lands and Works
Meeting on 4 April 1995
BACKGROUND
1. Flooding occurs mainly in the north-western and northern districts of the New Territories where, because of the topography, natural river flooding occurs in times of heavy and prolonged rainfall, resulting in regional floodplain inundation. The problems have been exacerbated due to intensive development on the floodplains and the lack of maintenance of some of the existing streamcourses which have become dumping grounds for rubbish, construction debris and livestock wastes.
LONG TERM STRUCTURAL MEASURES
2. Flooding on a regional scale such as that experienced in the New Territories can only be alleviated through major structural measures. The Drainage Services Department has a programme of structural measures to tackle the problems and the various works are summarized in Tables 1 and 2. The total estimated cost of these works is some $5 billion. They are substantial by any standard, and upon completion will greatly reduce the risks of flooding in the flood prone areas of the New Territories.
3. The flood control projects may be divided into two categories. The first category comprises the main river training projects which will provide a comprehensive river channel system in the New Territories to carry flood water to the sea. In the northern N.T., construction of the first stage of Shenzhen River Regulation scheme will commence shortly, and will be
5062 HONG KONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL — 5 July 1995
completed by 1997. In the north-western N.T., training of the Sham Pui River and the downstream section of Kam Tin River are already in progress, while training of the middle reaches of the Kam Tin River will start in October this year.
4. The second category of projects consists of the village flood protection schemes for low-lying flood prone villages. Such schemes typically comprise an earth embankment around the village to protect it from water overflowing the river banks and a flood pumping station to pump away the rainwater collected within the village. A total of 15 village flood protection schemes are already in operation. Another 12 schemes are under detailed design and planning and construction for the Tsung Pak Long Village scheme (Sheung Shui) and the Sha Po Village scheme (Kam Tin) will commence later this year.
SHORT TERM IMPROVEMENT AND MANAGEMENT MEASURES
5. The Administration recognizes the long time frame needed to complete the structural measures outlined above, and is therefore endeavouring to alleviate the flooding situation wherever possible through short term improvement and management measures. These include local drainage improvement works, maintenance activities to prevent drain blockage, surveillance activities to ensure that the integrity of the drainage system is preserved and installation of local flood warning systems to alert the residents of flood prone villages. Most of these activities are carried out on a continuous basis and action is stepped up before and during the rainy season each year.
Local Drainage Improvement Works
6. Notable among these measures are the minor drainage improvement works under the Rural Planning Improvement Strategy (RPIS) programme. In the programme there are 39 minor drainage projects at a total estimated cost of $168M. 12 projects have been completed, 5 are under construction and 22 are at the planning and design stage. Of the latter, 9 new schemes, costing some $51 million, will commence within 1995/96.