Page 49 of 110
2. HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
hazards. This department was represented at the meeting and the necessary instructions to give effect to the proposal have already been issued to Health Inspectors. In addition, it was agreed that in due course the Director of Fire Services should arrange lectures, training, and discussion sessions for inspecting staff on the recognition of fire hazards.
A recent check on departmental house inspection procedure has revealed that a few premises are found locked up when Health Inspectors call, and consequently inspection is not possible. Because these premises could be used for storage of dangerous materials, instructions have been issued that in such cases inspectors must pay a return visit to the premises and try again to gain access. If still unsuccessful, they must report the situation to headquarters, where further action will be considered.
MR. CHEONG-LEEN:- Mr. Chairman, you have mentioned in the first paragraph of your reply that it was agreed that in due course lectures would be arranged by the Director of Fire Services. Have these lectures actually commenced?
CHAIRMAN:- No, Sir, they have not commenced yet. It is expected that they will begin in four to six weeks' time.
DR. LEE:- With your permission, Mr. Chairman, may I know what machinery exists to remind the Director of Fire Services of outstanding cases, where storage of fire hazardous material is known to exist. I can quote you the case of 47 Ta Ku Ling Road which has been reported to the Fire Brigade months ago, but, as far as I know—and I have read the file three times—no action has been taken.
CHAIRMAN:- With your permission, Sir, I will look into the matter and will give you a reply in due course.
MR. H. CHEONG-LEEN asked the following question:-
"Will the Chairman please advise whether this Council or the Urban Services Department staff exercises any sort of control over the employment by restaurants of children? Is there any consultation between the Urban Services Department and the Labour Department to ensure that children in restaurants are not required to work excessive hours?"
THE CHAIRMAN replied as follows:-
"The answer to the first part of the question is 'No'. As regards the second part of the question, the extent of the employment of children in restaurants is not known to the Urban Services Department. In any case, the question of the employment of children in such establishments is for the Labour Department to deal with, and accordingly the answer to the second part of the question is also 'No'.
However, if, in the course of their work, Health Inspectors come across flagrant cases of abuse of employment of children in restaurants, such cases will be brought to the attention of the Labour Department."
MR. CHEONG-LEEN:- I was told just yesterday that there are no regulations, insofar as restaurants are concerned, governing the employment of children under 14. These apply to premises selling intoxicating liquors and not to all restaurants. Would the Chairman be good enough to draw the attention of Government to the need for enacting regulations to cover the employment of children under 14 in all restaurants, so that they need not have to work excessive hours.
CHAIRMAN:- Yes, Sir. I will draw the attention of the Colonial Secretary to your point.
MR. H. CHEONG-LEEN asked the following question:-
"A number of local residents have suggested that a planetarium be built on top of the artificial hill in Victoria Park:
(a) Has this suggestion been considered previously by the Urban Services Department?
(b) Is the Director of Urban Services in favour of the building of such a planetarium in Victoria Park?"
THE CHAIRMAN replied as follows:-
"In reply to the first part of the question, I understand that the provision of a planetarium was considered in the Urban Services Department about three years ago and that the cost, said to be over a million dollars, was thought to be prohibitive. In addition to the initial capital expenditure, there would also be the recurrent costs of specialized staff, including technicians for maintenance of the equipment.
2. As regards the second part of the question, the Urban Amenities Select Committee will be asked for its views on the subject of a planetarium."
MR. CHEONG-LEEN:- Mr. Chairman, I think in my question I asked whether the Director of Urban Services is in favour of the building of such a planetarium.
Page 49 of 110
82
2. HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
83
2. HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL