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HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
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MINUTES.
The Minutes of the meeting of the Council held on 4th November, 1958, were confirmed.
PAPER.
THE CHAIRMAN laid on the table the following paper :—
Report on the work of the Urban Council and Urban Services Department for the month of November, 1958.
QUESTIONS.
MR. H. CHEONG-LEEN asked the following question :—
"Is the Chairman aware that a serious danger of T.B. infection to the public exists when "Tim Sum" in an uncovered tray is offered to a customer by a T.B. infected waiter or waitress who moves from table to table in a Chinese restaurant, offering the "Tim Sum" in a raised voice? What steps have been taken, or what further steps will be taken, to minimize this health hazard by ensuring that trays are covered by glass or other means?"
THE VICE-CHAIRMAN replied as follows:—
“I cannot agree that there is a serious danger to the public of tuberculous infection arising out of the practice of serving "Tim Sum." Only very occasionally can infection be passed on this way.
The subject of covering food served from trays was considered by this Council in 1949, and in November of that year a circular letter was sent to all licensees of restaurants, food canteens and cafes, requesting them to ensure that covers for such food were provided and used.
Since then the health staff have been constantly advising this precaution which is one which should, in fact, be taken to protect all "open" foods, cooked or uncooked, which are exposed for sale.
As regards future steps it is doubtful whether we could successfully or even reasonably expect to enforce this precaution by making it a legal requirement or a condition of licensing, though the Select Committee concerned might wish to consider further this step."
MR. CHEONG-LEEN :—May I make one point clear that I said in my question that there was a possibility of serious danger of T.B. infection when "Tim Sum" is offered in an uncovered tray. I did not say that there was a serious danger arising out of the practice of serving "Tim Sum".
VICE-CHAIRMAN :—Arising out of the practice referred to in your question.
MR. CHEONG-LEEN :—I think I was a little more specific on that in that I thought the danger might arise in serving "Tim Sum" in an open tray.
CHAIRMAN :—We are of the opinion "Tim Sum" is always served on an open tray.
MR. CHEONG-LEEN :—"Tim Sum" is quite often served in a covered tray.
The supplementary question I would like to ask is did the Assistant Director of Medical and Health Services consult the opinion of experts, T.B. experts, such as I have done?
VICE-CHAIRMAN :—I did.
MR. CHEONG-LEEN :—Apparently it would seem to be a matter of conflict of opinion. I would like to ask another supplementary question, Mr. Chairman. How did the Assistant Director know that infection is passed occasionally and not often? Does he have any statistics?
CHAIRMAN :—I am afraid there can be no statistics for a matter of that nature. It is largely a matter of opinion.
MR. SALES :—A supplementary question, Mr. Chairman, on statistics. The second sentence of the first paragraph, I wonder whether the incidence of infection is doubled on occasions. Could the Vice-Chairman answer that? He implied that infection is stronger on certain occasions.
VICE-CHAIRMAN :—You are presumably referring to pulmonary tuberculosis, not intestinal tuberculosis.