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of multi-storey buildings has completed its deliberations and when copies of the working committee's report could be made available to this Council?
THE CHAIRMAN replied as follows:
I am informed that the Working Party expects to submit its report to Government in the very near future, but it is not known whether Government will wish to publish the Report in due course.
MR. CHEONG-LEEN: Mr. Chairman, in this context, may I ask how would you define "in the very near future"? Three months or six months?
CHAIRMAN: It is my impression, Sir, that it will be three months or less.
MR. CHEONG-LEEN: May I also request, Mr. Chairman, that steps be taken to have copies made available to Council members at the earliest possible date?
CHAIRMAN: I will forward your request to the Colonial Secretary.
MR. H. CHEONG-LEEN asked the following question:
In view of the heavy density of population in the resettlement estates, will the Commissioner for Resettlement please advise what measures are being taken by his Department to assist and co-operate with the Medical and Health Department in its current anti-cholera campaign?
THE COMMISSIONER FOR RESETTLEMENT replied as follows:
I am glad of the opportunity to explain the position. All officers in the Resettlement Department have been instructed to co-operate with Health Officers of the Medical Department in the anti-cholera campaign whenever their assistance may be required.
2.
In Kowloon, where the great majority of Resettlement Estates and Cottage Areas are situated, a campaign was started on the 1st March and will be conducted for one month. Details of inoculation centres operating in Estates and Areas together with particulars of mobile inoculation teams are given on a Paper*, copies of which are in the hands of Members. Copies will also be issued to the Press. Where the Medical Department does not already have clinics or inoculation centres in Estates, the Department is providing accommodation for temporary inoculation centres.
*This is reproduced as Appendix A to this Record.
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Estates and Cottage Areas on Hong Kong Island are being visited by mobile inoculation teams who are paying particular attention to schools, factories and workshops, and employees of restaurants and other persons handling food. In the Chai Wan Estate the Government Medical Clinic in the Estate will provide inoculations for residents of both the Estate and the Cottage Area. No special arrangements are being made for the small Cottage Areas on Hong Kong Island, but they will be served by inoculation centres in the same way as the rest of the population.
The Information Services Department has furnished 1,000 copies of notices calling on the public to be inoculated and these have been displayed in all Estates and Cottage Areas together with separate notices drawn up by the Resettlement Department indicating where and when inoculations can be obtained. In addition all Area Officers in Estates and Cottage Areas have been instructed to go round blocks and cottages under their charge to inform tenants of arrangements and to encourage them to go to be inoculated. This will be a continuous process and will be supplemented in particular areas if it is considered necessary.
The emergency campaign last year evoked a commendable response from the settlers and I hope for a similar response this year.
MR. CHEONG-LEEN: In view of the length of the reply, Mr. Chairman, I have no supplementaries.
DR. LEE: Mr. Chairman, I would like to ask a supplementary question, if Mr. CHEONG-LEEN has none. I wonder how the response in the resettlement areas and estates compares with that of the floating population this year?
COMMISSIONER FOR RESETTLEMENT: I am afraid it is really too early to give any opinion on the relative response in the resettlement estates and areas in comparison with that of the floating population.
MR. H. CHEONG-LEEN asked the following question:
Will the Deputy Director of Medical and Health Services please advise when was the last test for radioactivity carried out on reservoir water in Hong Kong, and what were the results? Are these tests being carried out regularly and at what intervals? Has the necessary up-to-date equipment arrived; if not, when will it arrive?
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