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construction of a new playground could be justified at this stage.
I propose to refer the matter to the Urban Amenities Select Committee for consideration, but you will appreciate, I am sure, that the Committee already has a long list of commitments on playgrounds and only limited funds at its disposal."
MR. H. CHEONG-LEEN asked the following question:--
"Since the recent announcement of an increase in resettlement shop rents, many families living in resettlement estates have approached me expressing anxiety that Government may seek to increase living accommodation rents in estates and areas; will the Commissioner for Resettlement give an assurance that Government will not seek to increase rents for living accommodation in resettlement areas and estates during 1962?”
THE COMMISSIONER FOR RESETTLEMENT replied as follows:-
"I am happy to be in a position to give you the assurance, which you ask for, to the effect that Government will not seek to increase rents for living accommodation in resettlement areas and estates during 1962.”
MR. H. CHEONG-LEEN asked the following question:—
"A number of residents in the Tai Hang Tung, Shek Kip Mei and Li Cheng Uk Resettlement Estates have made representations that the toilets and staircases in these estates are not as clean as in other estates:
(a) Will the Commissioner for Resettlement please advise what is being done to keep the toilets and staircases in these estates regularly cleansed?
(b) Will the Commissioner also advise what further steps can be taken to improve the situation, either by closer supervision of the cleansing staff, and/or by seeking further co-operation from the resettlement residents?"
THE COMMISSIONER FOR RESETTLEMENT replied as follows:-
"You refer to representations on the part of a number of residents, but it is a pity that they are not more specific as a total of 61 blocks and 150,267 residents are concerned.
First of all, may I say that I regard cleanliness as a prerequisite for the well-being of settlers, and I would therefore ask you to impress on your complainants that they
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should come out into the open in the knowledge that specific and constructive representations will always be sympathetically received by the staff of the Resettlement Department.
The following factors could have an influence on the situation in the older estates if the facts are shown to be as alleged. I do not necessarily agree that this is the case.
Firstly, the design of the buildings. In the older estates wall finishes in the toilets are of impervious enamel paint on cement screed and the floors are of rendered cement. In the newer estates the floors are of white rubbed granolithic finish which provides a better surface both in appearance and from a sanitary point of view. In the course of alterations which are being made, the standards of finish in these older blocks will be brought up to those pertaining to blocks in the newer estates and those currently under construction.
In the past the old systems were manually operated, but these are now being replaced by automatic systems. In recent months all Estates have changed over from fresh water to saltwater flushing and existing galvanized iron piping is being replaced by 'vinyl' piping and cast-iron flushing cisterns by asbestos ones. This work, which was in any case made necessary by the corroding effect of sea water, is already in hand and should be completed by mid-January. When these improvements have been effected, the flushing systems will be comparable to those in the new estates. A total sum of $168,000 is being spent on this work.
Thirdly, the overcrowding. It is undeniable that some of the domestic accommodation in the older estates is overcrowded as a result of natural increases and the impossibility of making additional space available without prejudice to new clearances. Toilets and staircases are consequently used to a greater extent than originally anticipated.
Secondly, the regularity of flushing.
Fourthly, staff. Consequent on overcrowding and to a limited extent on other factors such as the size and dispersal of the blocks, the cleansing staff/population ratio in the older estates is lower than in the new. This disparity is recognized as an anomaly and is currently under consideration. Staff cannot work round the clock and any considerable increase in their numbers would have an impact on rents, which I know you are very anxious to see kept at their present levels. The answer would appear to lie in
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