HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
frequency of inspection referred to by Dr. Lee is to be achieved the number of Inspectors would have to be in the region of 200. It will be apparent that this is something for the future and that first we must press on and attain the objective already set by Council. Consideration can in the meantime be given to the question whether the target is sufficient.
As regards training I cannot speak at length today. Members will recall that an undertaking was given in the Estimates Select Committee that the whole question of recruitment and training would be subjected to a careful examination with a view to deciding whether some radical change in method might not be to the advantage of Council. That is well advanced, a report will shortly be made and you will perhaps forgive me if I do not attempt to anticipate its findings.
Dr. Lee referred to the possibility that some new system of records of house inspection might be used comparable with the inspection cards which are now in use for restaurants. Again he gave me notice of this point but all I can say at the present time is that these records are available at every District Health Office and they are made use of by the supervisory staff and could if necessary be made use of by members. I doubt whether any more convenient system of records could be devised but if Dr. Lee or Council wish the matter can of course be examined in detail.
Mechanization: there has been no recent examination of the proposal to use salt water on streets. I think I am right that on present advice the use of salt water is thought to be dangerous or injurious to vehicles and undesirable for other technical reasons, but I am of course willing to assure the Member and Council that if there are new facts then the problem can be re-examined as soon as possible. Mechanization of nightsoil removal is in progress. The first batch of vehicles are in service and a report will be made shortly to the Select Committee concerned. The matter has not proceeded as rapidly as we would have hoped. Even after the delivery of the vehicles there have been some technical difficulties with the barge. One section of the service is now mechanized and I fully agree that the time is now ripe to examine the matter in detail and to see whether the scheme can be pushed forward if it has now fully proved itself.
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
I think I have dealt with most of the points raised by Dr. Woo. I would like to assure him that in regard to the examination and training methods of the Inspectorate, consideration is also being given to the specific point he raised, that is of removing trained Health Inspectors from duties where their specialized training is not required.
Finally Dr. Woo complained of delays in the preparation for the first health education campaign. I am afraid it is one of the matters which has not come to my notice until now and I am quite unable to make any answer at the present stage; but I shall be glad to look into the matter and communicate with Dr. Woo at an early date.
QUESTIONS.
MR. H. CHEONG-LEEN asked the following question
"I have received complaints that there is practically no street lighting in the Chaiwan Resettlement Area with its approximate population of 15,000; in view of the rapid development that is taking place in this area, will the Commissioner for Resettlement please advise what steps are contemplated to provide this area with street lighting in the foreseeable future?"
THE CHAIRMAN tabled the following written reply by the Commissioner for Resettlement :-
"I am happy to be able to say that arrangements are now being made by the Public Works Department for street lighting to be installed in this Resettlement Area within the next few months."
Mr. Cheong-LEEN: May I ask a supplementary question in regard to Question No. 1. If I recall correctly the same question of street lighting for Chaiwan and other resettlement areas was mentioned by a Civic Association Elected Member about a year ago and perhaps also by other members of the Reform Club. I suppose we will have to accept the fact that it is better late than never and the Director of Public Works has finally decided to do something about installing street lighting in Chaiwan, may I ask, Sir, whether these street lighting arrangements will be temporary or permanent in nature?
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