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HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
Members joined this Council it was not only treated in the same manner as any other Department of Government and subject to have its estimates sometimes reduced almost by half, but it was also given almost back seat in respect to priorities for the exceedingly important public services that were needed. Year after year requests for more bath-houses, more latrines, more parks and playgrounds, more open spaces, better organization of beaches, dust-boat stations, markets, disinfecting stations, cemeteries and the like went by unheeded. What a difference from today! I have every hope that in the coming year, as these estimates indicate, the Urban Council will advance from strength to strength and will take its proper place in the affairs of this great community of Hong Kong.
We on the Reform Club have never hesitated to cross swords with Government wherever we feel that by constructive criticism we can advance the needs of Hong Kong's community and the real prestige of Government itself.
MR. LI YIU BOR :—I rise to comment on the analysis of the recommendations of the Estimates Select Committee on the staff requirements of the Urban Services and Resettlement Departments for the financial year 1957/58.
At the outset I must congratulate the members of this Select Committee and the staff of the Departments concerned on a very interesting analysis, particularly the latter who have taken so much pains in preparing these recommendations. The analysis of recommendations is clearly the result of excellent team work within this Council.
It is gratifying to note that in the Urban Services Department the Health Inspectorate will be expanded, and that provision is made for the recruitment and training of 48 new officers. At present each health inspector is required to look after 1,800 floors—a task which can only be done at the expense of efficiency. When these new officers are recruited and given proper training in their various duties, the general health of the community is bound to improve.
I also note with pleasure that in the Public Works Non-recurrent expenditure public latrines and bath-houses are to be built in various districts in the Colony. Toilet facilities being practically non-existent in tenement flats of the old type, these latrines and bath-houses do meet an urgent need of residents.
One would wish, however, that the programme for the development of more playgrounds could be pushed ahead with greater vigour, seeing that more and more schools are being built in the education expansion programme. More playgrounds are needed by existing as well as new schools and Boys' and Girls' clubs which are rapidly extending their activities in the field of organized games for their members. In this connexion the question of sites is always the stumbling block, but I believe that the difficulties are not insurmountable.
Members of the general public will note with interest that in the next swimming season marker buoys will be placed on the main beaches on both sides of the harbour to protect swimmers from speed boats and sampans. In future bathers can enjoy a pleasant dip without the risk of being knocked on the head by the oar of an enthusiastic but inconsiderate rower, or of swimming in the path of a speed boat going at a break-neck speed.
In the Resettlement Department I observe with satisfaction the expansion of the Squatter Control Section to cover the control of squatters on roof-tops. Squatting on roof-tops is a problem that will remain with us for some time, but the timely action of the Resettlement Department in screening roof-top squatters has prevented conditions there from further deteriorating. The provision of clinics in multi-storey estates is a welcome measure, but the installation of street lighting in cottage areas is a matter of great urgency and should be given top priority.
DR. P. F. Woo :-The Urban Services Department is given the responsibility of looking after the health of the Colony, but at present the development of this Department cannot keep pace with the rate at which the Colony expands. With the number of staff totalling 4,463 in 1951 and 6,094 in 1956, the increase of staff between 1951 and 1956 is 36%, whereas the present population in the Colony is more than double that of 1951. In view of the financial situation of the Colony, we cannot hope that the number of staff could be increased at once to meet the expansion of population, but I think it is essential that there should be appropriate annual increase in this Department. The proposed increases of staff tabled here this afternoon for the year 1957/58 are therefore justified, and I see no reason for the Government to refuse them.
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