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HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
The answer to the second part of the question is, I am informed by the Commissioner for Resettlement, that his officers in the resettlement estates and areas urge settlers to obtain inoculation against infectious diseases as a matter of course during their routine visits of inspection. This is a regular part of their work, and applies to the campaign against polio as well as to the present campaign against cholera.
Members will no doubt be pleased to know that since this question was first drafted, approximately half a million more people have been inoculated, so that the balance who have not been protected has been reduced to about 1 million. Members may also be interested to know that the percentage inoculated in resettlement estates is around 75% compared with 71% in the population as a whole.
MR. H. CHEONG-LEEN asked the following question:-
Will the Chairman please advise whether the Urban Services Department is already implementing any of the recommendations of the Report of the Working Party on Sub-Divided Buildings? Will the Chairman also inquire whether the recommendations of this Working Party (which was appointed on 18th August, 1960) have yet been accepted by Government?
THE CHAIRMAN replied as follows:
Although the Urban Services Department is interested in some of the implications of the Working Party's recommendations—the effect, for example, on the sanitary conditions prevailing inside buildings in multiple ownership if the scheme to appoint factors for such buildings is introduced—the department is not concerned with putting the Working Party's recommendations into effect. The recommendations are contained in a Report submitted in May 1962 which is still under consideration by Government. In this connexion perhaps I should add that a large number of legal and other problems have had to be studied in connexion with the Report.
MR. CHEONG-LEEN:-Mr. Chairman, would you say that the improvement of sanitary conditions in multi-storey buildings, which it is generally agreed are quite unsatisfactory, depends on the Working Party's recommendations, particularly as regards sanitary conditions, being approved by Government at an early date?
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
CHAIRMAN:-As I have said, Sir, the problem is complicated, but that aspect which refers to sanitary conditions inside buildings and concerns the Urban Services Department is one which is of great interest to me, and I agree with you on that limited field.
MR. CHEONG-LEEN:-Thank you.
MR. H. CHEONG-LEEN asked the following question:-
Will the Chairman inquire from Government as to its plans to build an Aquarium in Aberdeen? What specific steps have been taken in the planning and building of this Aquarium? Will it be placed under the management of the Urban Council?
THE CHAIRMAN replied as follows:
I have been asked to say that Government has no plans for building an aquarium or oceanarium, either at Aberdeen or elsewhere. However, as Members are aware, a number of sizable areas are being set aside for amenity purposes in and around Aberdeen, and it is thought that one of these might be suitable for an aquarium or an oceanarium should such a scheme materialize in the future.
It is Government's view that while an aquarium or oceanarium may be a desirable educational and recreational amenity, it should be established and run either by private enterprise or, ideally, by a suitable non-Government organization representing all the persons or bodies with an interest in such an enterprise. Should such a body be formed and demonstrate that it was capable of financing and properly managing the affairs of an aquarium or oceanarium on a firm and continuing basis, then Government would consider the desirability of assisting the enterprise in some appropriate manner. It must, however, be emphasized that whether or not any assistance could be given would depend entirely on all the circumstances at the time.
MR. CHEONG-LEEN:-Mr. Chairman, your reply has prompted me to ask a supplementary question. In order to facilitate the early starting of such an aquarium would it be possible for a number of our more active Government servants in their personal capacity to establish such a non-Government body?
CHAIRMAN:-I hardly think so, Sir.
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