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HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
ADDRESS BY CHAIRMAN
Before we proceed with the agenda, it is my pleasant duty this afternoon to extend a very warm welcome to our two new Members, Mrs. Elsie ELLIOTT and Mr. CHEUNG Wing-in, who are taking their seats for the first time today. They bring between them, a wealth of talent, both professional and general, and we look forward to working with them on the Council.
I offer my greetings, on their re-election, to Dr. Raymond LEE and Mr. CHAN Shu-woon. I would mention especially that for Dr. LEE this puts the seal on a decade of public service on this Council. It is no small thing that a member, after ten years during which committee work and meetings have made continuous and heavy inroads on his time as a private citizen, should, from a sense of civic duty, come up fighting for more.
I also have pleasure in welcoming the Honourable P. C. M. SEDGWICK Who has taken over the duties of Secretary for Chinese Affairs during the absence on leave of Mr. McDOUALL. I do not think that Mr. SEDGWICK needs any introduction, for he has served on many occasions on this Council.
MR. SALES: -Mr. Chairman, may we the Unofficial Members be associated with you in the warm welcome you have accorded to the new Elected Members and also the congratulations you have offered to those who have been returned to this Council. I am very pleased indeed that Mrs. ELLIOTT has joined the Council, thus strengthening the position of Kowloon in this chamber. Mr. CHEUNG Wing-in is an old associate of mine in the Junior Chamber; he has always given us legal advice, strictly in an honorary capacity, and I would like to see that honorary aspect of his legal advice continued for the future. May I also say that we appreciate the service that has been rendered by the Elected Members who have returned to this chamber. I would also like to welcome Mr. SEDGWICK in the same way as you have done. (Applause).
MINUTES.
The Minutes of the meeting of the Council held on 5th March, 1963, were confirmed.
PAPERS.
THE CHAIRMAN laid upon the table the following papers:
(1) Report on the work of the Urban Council and Urban Services Department for the month of March 1963. (2) Statement of Progress and Policy.
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
3
QUESTIONS.
DR. R. H. S. LEE asked the following question :-
In view of the wide usage of lifts in multi-storey buildings, what measures are taken to ensure adequate ventilation of lifts and the installation of an alarm system to prevent the incidence of suffocation in case of mechanical or electrical failure?
THE CHAIRMAN replied as follows:--
Provision has been made in the Buildings (Lifts) Regulations, 1959 for the ventilation of all lift-shafts and lift-cars, and for the installation of an alarm system. The relevant regulations are 10, 32, 33, 35, 36, and 37. These Regulations are administered by the Building Authority.
It is possible, Sir, that in asking this question, you had in mind a recent report of a child being suffocated in a lift. I understand that in this case the child, only two years old, was apparently playing on the threshold of the lift when the doors closed on him. He was not suffocated in the sense that the lift was inadequately ventilated, but his chest was caught between the doors of the lift and he was unable to breathe.
DR. LEE: -Mr. Chairman, to what extent is the regulation concerning the installation of an alarm system carried out to all the lifts in the Colony?
DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS: -I would say that it is carried out fully to all new installations.
DR. LEE:-Am I right to assume, Mr. Chairman, that recent lifts have not got an alarm system?
DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS:-So far as I am aware, they all have an alarm system, but perhaps Dr. LEE could draw my attention to any that has not and I will look into it.
DR. LEE:-Thank you very much.
MR. CHEONG-LEEN:-Mr. Chairman, may I ask for clarification? To what extent is the Urban Council interested in the safety of persons using lifts in the urban areas?
CHAIRMAN: --I think, Sir, that I should have notice of that question, I would like to look into it.
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