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case the answer was no. To summarize, there have been 10 resignations and 7 transfers to other posts over a period of two years and nine months and to show how the Health Inspectorate has fared in this respect I should like to mention that the Executive Grade, which has a comparable number of posts in its establishment has suffered, during the same period, 18 resignations and 13 transfers to other posts.
With regard to salaries, as I have said previously in this Council the salary scales for all grades in the Government service form a carefully integrated structure. They are decided upon by Government after the most careful thought. The duties and responsibilities of grades are so diverse and the terms of service so varied that comparisons are often difficult to make. This applies equally to the ratio of promotion posts between one grade and another. The Health Inspectorate has been increasing its promotion posts from year to year to the extent that can be justified on operational grounds, which is the criterion that applies in this regard to all grades within the Public Service.
In January of this year, after it had become evident that the 1965 Salaries Commission would not, by its terms of reference, be considering the salaries and conditions of service of individual grades within the Public Service, I held discussions with representatives of the Public Health Inspectors Association. As a result, I decided to ask Government to consider carrying out separately a fresh review of the Health Inspectorate. This request was agreed to and the review is still proceeding. This review covers the duties and responsibilities of Health Inspectors, the general organization of the Inspectorate and the salary scales at all levels.
My friend the Honourable FUNG Hon-chu has also spoken about the efficiency of the Health Inspectorate and referred to the case of the Nam Yuen Restaurant in Kowloon, in connexion with the outbreak of cholera last year. As far as the Health Inspectorate is concerned, the case was examined closely at the departmental level and although certain shortcomings were revealed, I could not honestly agree that this was an instance of gross negligence. Mr. FUNG is aware that the matter was discussed recently at some length in the Food and Food Premises Select Committee, of which he is the Chairman.
I agree wholeheartedly with him when he says that corruption is a dirty word. In my opinion it is not one to be used lightly when making allegations against any particular grade of officer. No proof has been offered of corruption within the Health Inspectorate. To suggest freely that it exists, without evidence in support, is I consider, both unfair and demoralizing to the officers concerned and statements of this sort bring about a general discontent and low morale. Dr. Woo made reference to low morale in the Inspectorate.
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My friend the Honourable Mrs. Ellen Li suggested that a representative of the Fire Services Department should serve on the Food and Food Premises Select Committee in view of the delays and unsatisfactory procedure in issuing licences to food establishments. During the recent debate in this Council on the control of the Fire Services Department, it was pointed out that a procedure has already been brought into operation whereby all applications for licences which are referred to the Fire Services are now processed there within 14 days. Whenever he has been asked to do so, the Director of Fire Services has sent a senior officer to attend meetings of the Food and Food Premises Select Committee in order to clarify points raised by Members. I am sure that he will continue to do so whenever matters arise which require his advice, guidance or assistance.
Mr. RAFEEK's very human speech touched principally upon aspects of personal safety. His words must strike a chord in all thinking persons and I believe that those departments of the Government which are responsible for aspects of safety will agree with his view that steps should be taken to raise the standards of protection for our citizens.
I turn now to Cleansing. My friend Mr. CHEONG-LEEN asked why more spectacular results cannot be achieved. Even an incorrigible optimist could not look for spectacular results in this field. Raising the standards of cleansing here is a long, uphill haul. The improvement in the services provided by the Council must go hand in hand with health education to inculcate a greater sense of responsibility in the minds of our citizens.
Dr. BELL has blamed many of our deficiencies—abattoirs, incinerators, dirty streets, dilapidated roads, and street lighting, on inadequate finance and stated that the Council is “appallingly hamstrung by the control of our finance by the Financial Secretary and Finance Committee in the fulfilment of the Council's aims which are basically to make this city a clean, healthy and happy place.” I must say, that I am surprised at this criticism. In the first place, Dr. BELL's facts are not right and, in the second, it is unjust, in my opinion, to blame the Financial Secretary and Finance Committee for uncleanliness in our streets. (Laughter).
Let me state a number of facts. During the past year some 40 new vehicles have either been delivered or are shortly to arrive. The cost is $24 million. We do not now lack an adequate fleet of modern vehicles for refuse collection. Work on the Lai Chi Kok incinerator has started and the Kennedy Town plant is nearing completion. These two plants together cost over $40 million. Two additional plants are included in the Public Works Programme. Two new multi-storey depots have been completed this year to provide the headquarters from
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