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HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
ADDRESS BY CHAIRMAN.
Before we start the business of the meeting I am sure that Members will wish me to offer our congratulations to Dr. Coombes on his appointment as the substantive Deputy Director of Medical and Health Services. (Applause).
I should also like to welcome back Mr. McDouall after his illness and to express our appreciation to Mr. Sedgwick who took Mr. McDouall's seat during his absence. (Applause).
MR. CHAN SHU-WOON.
MR. B. A. BERNACCHI:---On a point of order, Mr. Chairman, has Mr. Chan Shu-woon's resignation now become effective?
CHAIRMAN: --Yes, Sir. It became effective on 1st May.
MINUTES.
The Minutes of the meeting of the Council held on 7th April, 1964 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 April 1964.
(2) Urban Council and Urban Services Department Statistical Report for the period 1st January, 1964 to 31st March, 1964.
(3) Report by the Commissioner for Resettlement on the progress of clearance and resettlement operations during the period 1st January, 1964 to 31st March, 1964.
QUESTIONS.
MR. LI YIU-BOR asked the following question:
If there is any projected scheme for the eventual reclamation of the present Yau Ma Tei Typhoon Shelter, will the Chairman ensure that representations are made for adequate provision for playground facilities for children living in the area?
THE CHAIRMAN replied as follows:----
Sir, if any scheme for the reclamation of the Typhoon Shelter materializes, I will take the necessary steps to have such representations made.
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
MR. LI YIU-BOR asked the following two questions :-
1.
2.
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A representative of the Kowloon Licensed Hawkers Mutual Society has informed me that the instructions given orally to members of the Society by the Police and members of the Hawker Control Force often contradict each other with the result that even law-abiding hawkers do not know what to do.
Will the Chairman inform this Council what steps he will take to improve the situation?
Will the Chairman advise this Council whether or not it is feasible to consult representatives of recognized Hawkers' Associations on matters relating to the livelihood of hawkers generally?
THE CHAIRMAN replied as follows:-
In regard to the first question, the Urban Services Department and the Police Force keep in close touch on matters affecting hawkers, and particular attention is paid at the present time to ensuring that the actions of the two departments are in accord. To this end, a Working Committee, consisting of representatives of the two departments, was set up about two months ago to deal with matters of joint concern, particularly hawkers, cleansing obstructions and nuisances. I should mention that the discussions of this Working Committee are reported to the Hawkers Select Committee for its approval on hawker matters.
This Committee has already proved to be of considerable benefit and I think that there are now likely to be few opportunities for conflicting instructions to hawkers. If any Member of this Council hears of such cases I should be grateful if he would let me know at once so that action can be taken to remedy the situation.
The answer to the second question is in the affirmative. Indeed, the Department has been seeing representatives of hawker associations for many years. Members of the Hawkers Select Committee are also aware of the value of such consultations and I understand that they will shortly be making arrangements for a special meeting or meetings with representatives of recognized hawker bodies, with the object of ascertaining their views generally.
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