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even more effective with the recent formation of the Kaifong liaison unit in the department. It will be appreciated however that this is primarily a Police matter and that there is little direct action open to the staff or to the Kaifongs.
MR. CHEONG-LEEN:-Mr. Chairman, with regard to the statement by the Commissioner that 40% of those prosecuted for serious crimes were under the age of 21 compared with 50% during the same period last year, is it conceivable that although there has been a decrease of 10% of serious crimes for those under the age of 21 that there has been an increase in hooliganism and minor crimes on the part of young people in these particular areas?
COMMISSIONER FOR RESETTLEMENT:-There has been some increase as I have already said. The difficulty is, of course, that we don't know exactly. The figures of 40% and 50% that I quoted were a sort of indication of the age group of the people that were responsible, it is not precise of course because it is based only on prosecutions.
MR. CHEONG-LEEN:-Well, Sir, as I understood it, it referred to the amount of serious crimes but apparently there aren't enough statistics available as regards hooliganism and the minor crimes. With regard to the last paragraph of the reply, Mr. Chairman, could the commissioner consider whether it would be a useful exercise for joint meetings to be held from time to time between the senior resettlement staff, especially those who are on the Kaifong Liaison Committee together with Police and representatives of the Kaifongs.
COMMISSIONER FOR RESETTLEMENT:-I'll certainly consider this. I can't tell you off-hand whether it is being done at present or not but I will certainly consider it.
MR. CHEONG-LEEN:-Thank you.
MRS. ELLIOTT:-Mr. Chairman, in this connexion may I ask the Commissioner if, in the liaison meetings with the Police, they could consider some simple way of getting the co-operation of the people living in the areas. To clarify that, the teachers in one school actually caught a teddy boy robbing a child of his school fees and they had to appear at the Police station or the Police court so many times and miss their school lessons that they made up their minds that they would never report another case. Would there be some possible simplification of this course Sir?
COMMISSIONER FOR RESETTLEMENT:-I don't think I can answer that one Mrs. ELLIOTT—it's court procedures-something that must be gone through.
MR. CHEONG-LEEN:-Wouldn't problems such as these be quite conveniently discussed at these joint meetings between the Kaifong representatives and Police and the Resettlement Department staff?
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COMMISSIONER FOR RESETTLEMENT:-They would certainly be subjects that could be discussed of course.
MR. BERNACCHI:-I would suggest, Mr. ASERAPPA, if it is discussed, that you make the suggestion that the Police officers see the staff of the schools in school or in their homes rather than requiring them to go to the Police station in school hours.
COMMISSIONER FOR RESETTLEMENT:-I will certainly make that suggestion.
(9) MR. HILTON CHEONG-LEEN asked the following question:
I have received complaints from the residents of the Tsz Wan Shan Resettlement Estate regarding the provision of health clinics which are inadequate to meet the needs of the Estate's population. Could the Commissioner for Resettlement please state:-
(a) How many clinics are operating in this area? (b) What steps are being taken to provide more clinics to meet the needs of the population there.
MR. LI YIU-BOR, CHAIRMAN OF THE RESETTLEMENT MANAGEMENT SELECT COMMITTEE, replied as follows:-
This question concerns the provision of clinics in the Tsz Wan Shan Resettlement Estate.
There are three charity clinics operating in the estate and accommodation for an additional 8 clinics has been allocated or is in the process of allocation to medical practitioners. There are also five clinics operating in the immediate vicinity of the estate outside its boundaries.
In answer to the second part of the question, it is probable that accommodation for one additional clinic will become available shortly. Accommodation will in any event be reserved for clinics in the new blocks to be completed under the current building programme in this particular estate.
(MR. HENRY H. L. Hu arrived at this point).
MR. CHEONG-LEEN:-Mr. Chairman, it is quite obvious that the three clinics in the estate, in this estate, are quite insufficient for the 80,000 or more people living there. Could I ask from the Commissioner what steps are being taken to have these 8 clinics allocated as soon as possible?
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