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any way help the work which the Secretary for Chinese Affairs is doing? For instance, by way of passing out, in the course of their normal duties, copies of model association rules for members of multi-storey buildings to study and, if they are interested, then they could at their discretion contact the Secretary.
SECRETARY FOR CHINESE AFFAIRS:-I think, Sir, it might be a little dangerous to pass out models. These buildings, and the problems in them, do vary quite a bit. We usually wait, as word gets around very quickly. People who are interested do come forward, and models are not therefore necessary. There was a very good case in Kwun Tong recently, when the residents in a new block applied to a highly successful Residents' Association in Kowloon, and the model for that one actually had been drawn up in consultation with us. I think, however, that handing out model constitutions would not, as a general rule, be the right way. There is another way, Sir, in which the Urban Council has undoubtedly helped more directly. That is in its prompt readiness to investigate and look into any complaints by reputable Residents' Associations about sanitary or health conditions, whether in the building or in the surroundings. Such help is given by the Urban Services Department time and again, and this sort of thing is very encouraging. It is practical work. People then say "There is some use in this Association. We get results-we have a health hazard around us, the Association makes representations and the Urban Services Department responds at once." This is encouraging. I do not know whether this answers Mr. CHEONG-LEEN's question?
MR. CHEONG-LEEN:-It does, thank you.
MR. HU:-Mr. Chairman, I have a supplementary to ask. Is the staff of the Urban Services Department entitled to enter the communal part of a multi-storey building?
CHAIRMAN:-Mr. Hu, you are now getting a long way from the original question. So far as I am aware, the answer is yes, they are, and they do. District Health Inspectors go into staircases and passages of multi-storey buildings frequently.
MR. HU:-Would there be any difference if the multi-storey building has a Residents' Association or not? Would it make any difference?
CHAIRMAN: No, Sir. They go for a specific purpose, and they take no notice of whether there is a Residents' Association or not.
MR. HU:-Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
DR. BELL:-Mr. Chairman, may I ask a supplementary? Was it not a fact that at one of the Environmental Hygiene Select Committee meetings we considered a scheme for the cleansing of multi-storey buildings? What has happened to that--as it inter-links with the legislation which Mr. MCDOUALL was talking about.
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meetings we considered a scheme for the cleansing of multi-storey buildings? What has happened to that--as it inter-links with the legislation which Mr. MCDOUALL was talking about.
CHAIRMAN:-Dr. BELL, you have the advantage of me there. I have an idea that this happened before I became acting Chairman. Perhaps the Chairman of the Environmental Hygiene Select Committee could answer the question.
DR. LEE: Mr. Chairman, I would be very glad to answer that question. We did study this particular matter, and we did make some recommendations. What Government has done is another question. (Laughter).
DR. BELL: Mr. Chairman, in that case would you find out what Government has done, and let me know later? Because it seems if we are deciding and making recommendations which vanish into thin air we are wasting our time.
CHAIRMAN:-I seem to remember that there was some discretionary phrase used, such as that a recommendation should be made if the scheme was thought to be practicable. But I agree with what you have just said. I will find out and let you know.
(4) MR. H. CHEONG-LEEN asked the following question:
(a) Will the Commissioner for Resettlement please confirm that only one Boys and Girls Club and one Youth Centre are to be found in the following estates which have a total population of 226,720 as at the end of July 1966; Tai Hang Tung, Jordan Valley, Tai Wo Hau, Sau Mau Ping, Tsz Wan Shan, Tin Wan and Ham Tin?
(b) What is the estimated total number of young people under 18 years of age living in these estates?
(c) What is the number of youngsters that the Boys and Girls Club and the Youth Centre cater for?
(d) Can the Commissioner please inquire what further plans are there to increase the number of youth centres and Boys and Girls Clubs within the next six months?
THE COMMISSIONER FOR RESETTLEMENT replied as follows:-
In answer to the first part of the question, there are no Boys and Girls Clubs or Youth Centres in Jordan Valley, Tai Wo Hau, Tin Wan or Ham Tin estates. There is a Boys and Girls Club in Tai Hang Tung and a Community Centre nearby which caters for youth and other groups.
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