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HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
in Hong Kong and Kowloon are badly overcrowded with reference to the standards laid down in Section 45 of the Public Health (Sanitation) Ordinance, 1935. Naturally the situation is one which gives rise to great concern, but the plain fact is that there is insufficient accommodation in the Colony to allow all families to obtain reasonable housing at rentals which are within their means, and exercise of the powers granted by the Ordinance would merely mean that very large numbers of people would be thrown on to the streets. This fact is known to all Members of the Council, and it has been agreed policy to refrain as far as possible from any action which might aggravate the situation in this regard. The only answer to the problem is to provide more housing at the cheapest possible rentals, and this the Resettlement Department, the Housing Authority and other agencies are endeavouring to do. Members are aware that the rate of building of Resettlement housing is to be greatly increased in the near future.
The problem is an enormous one, particularly in view of the shortage of land and the yearly increase (probably over 100,000) in the population, but Members can rest assured that it is not being forgotten in this Department. The very fact that the recent survey was made is evidence of this."
MR. CHEONG-LEEN:-May I ask a supplementary, Mr. Chairman. In the survey which was recently made, was there any indication that the overcrowding was worse than what I understand from many people appears to be serious overcrowding in the Resettlement Estates?
VICE-CHAIRMAN:-In certain instances, yes. I have figures for the various amounts of space in the cubicles involved.
MR. CHEONG-LEEN:-Mr. Chairman, in view of the recent passage by the Legislative Council of the new Public Health Bill, is it not timely that this general question of overcrowding in new multi-storey buildings and the aspect of slum clearance is it not about time that this question should be taken up either in one of the existing Select Committees or taken up by an ad hoc Select Committee to be appointed by you.
CHAIRMAN:-I should be happy to refer this question to the Environmental Hygiene Select Committee in the first instance.
MR. CHEONG-LEEN:-But you personally, Mr. Chairman, do believe that it is about time that this question should be considered further?
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CHAIRMAN:-I am afraid I cannot express my personal opinion on this matter. I am, however, prepared to refer this matter to the Environmental Hygiene Select Committee.
MR. CHEONG-LEEN:-Not even in your capacity as Head of the Urban Services?
CHAIRMAN:-I am so referring it.
MR. LI YIU-BOR asked the following question :-
"Complaints have been received from members of the public that in spite of the demarcation lines between areas for boats and swimmers on our main beaches, rowers have often strayed into the space reserved for swimmers. Will the Chairman indicate whether steps have been or will be taken to improve the situation?”
THE CHAIRMAN replied as follows: —
"This question refers to complaints from Members of the Public regarding the nefarious activities of small boats mainly unlicensed at Bathing Beaches. My only regret is that such complaints have rarely, if ever, been made direct to the Department with the result that I have not been able to count on the full weight of Public opinion in taking appropriate counter measures.
I personally am very strongly opposed to the activities of overloaded and unseaworthy craft, which contribute to many cases of drowning. The Council is not, of course, the licensing authority, but in fact the Director of Marine invariably accepts the advice of the Council as to the appropriate numbers for licensing at Beaches. The staff of the Urban Services Department have however responsibility under Regulation 5 of the Bathing Places Regulations for forbidding the entry of craft into bathing areas designated by floats. This is very right and proper as a small boat in the hands of a careless rower can easily cause injury to a swimmer.
The following licences have been issued by the Marine Department to boats at the Urban Area Beaches-
Lai Chi Kok 80
Repulse Bay 40
There have been some cases of encroachment by craft at Repulse Bay but far the most serious problem exists at Lai Chi Kok Beach. On the afternoon of the 20th July I myself counted 75 boats within the area of the floats
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