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MR. CHEONG-LEEN :-- was referring to the statement made in the reply that in the first paragraph, "Only very occasionally can infection be passed on this way".
VICE-CHAIRMAN :-All I can say is intestinal tuberculosis is a good deal less common than pulmonary tuberculosis. Statistics will certainly show that.
Mr. Cheong-LEEN :—May I ask-
MR. SALES-I have not had my supplementary question answered.
CHAIRMAN:- -I am afraid I did not understand it. Will you repeat it?
MR. SALES :—Arising out of the question put by Mr. Cheong-Leen on statistics, the second sentence of the first paragraph attracted my attention and I wondered whether the danger of infection is doubled on occasions.
CHAIRMAN:-I am afraid we cannot answer that one.
MR. CHEONG-LEEN:-I have a final supplementary question if Mr. Sales is satisfied.
MR. SALES-May I refer that to the proof reader and ask if he is satisfied?
MR. CHEONG-LEEN :-Certain precautions are being taken. That is mentioned in paragraph 3. Would the Chairman be willing to refer to the appropriate Select Committee to consider whether or not it would not be advisable to redouble efforts to take these precautions?
CHAIRMAN :-I will be happy to refer them to the appropriate Select Committee.
DR. BELL- -I wonder if it would be possible to have the papers sent to Mr. Cheong-Leen regarding the motion that was a matter of quite some contention in the Council about two years ago, I think before he was a member of the Council?
CHAIRMAN :—I should be very happy to send him a copy of the Hansard.
MR. BERNACCHI-1 have one further point. To sum this answer up am I right in saying that the Assistant Director recommends to this Council persuasion rather than compulsion in the matter of uncovered food?
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VICE-CHAIRMAN :—Yes.
MR. LEE :-Are you aware, Mr. Chairman, that some such ruling was in fact put into practice in Canton where it was introduced in 1932 or thereabouts?
CHAIRMAN :-I am not aware of that.
MR. CHEONG-LEEN:-Since you are now aware of it would you draw that to the attention of the relevant Select Committee?
CHAIRMAN :—I will also draw that to their attention.
MR. H. CHEONG-LEEN asked the following question :
"I have heard several tourists commenting on the fact that quite a number of our citizens are still attached to the habit of indiscriminately expectorating in the streets; would the Chairman advise what measures are being, and what further steps will be taken, to curtail this unhygienic habit?"
THE CHAIRMAN replied as follows :
This question concerns indiscriminate spitting in the streets.
"I personally consider that there has been a marked improvement in this problem over the last few years but I am of course very conscious of the danger to health which still arises and the unfortunate impression conveyed to tourists.
This aspect of health is included in the current general health education programme : in November, for instance, Miss Ping On in connexion with T.B. and spitting drew attention to the importance of handkerchiefs.
There is no intention at present of starting a campaign solely concerned with spitting but this can be considered after the present series of campaigns ends in eighteen months."
DR. LEE-May I ask a supplementary question? Is the Chairman aware that a lot of spitting is caused by sinus trouble?
CHAIRMAN:-I am not a medical man but I am prepared to believe it, Dr. Lee.
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