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HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
MR. CHEONG-LEEN:-Sir, I only made one statement. What I said a little while ago was a matter of personal clarification.
MR. SALES: Mr. Paul TSUI has not yet given me the categorical assurance I sought.
(Mr. Henry H. L. HU and Dr. Denny M. H. HUANG arrived at this point).
QUESTIONS.
(1) MR. H. CHEONG-LEEN asked the following question:-
At the April Meeting of the Urban Council I was advised that there would be eight medical clinics operating by May 1968 in the Tsz Wan Shan Resettlement Estate to meet the medical needs of the population there. Could the Deputy Director of Medical and Health Services confirm that these eight clinics are now in operation as he had stated at the April Meeting of this Council?
THE ACTING DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES replied as follows:-
This question concerns the eight medical clinics in the Tsz Wan Shan Resettlement Estate mentioned at the April Meeting by Dr. WYLIE, the substantive Deputy Director of Medical and Health Services.
In reply I can state that four of these clinics are now in operation. Another one has been allocated and decoration has just been completed; it is expected to start operation at any time.
Of the remaining three sites, offers for two of them have been made to interested medical practitioners who have not yet notified us of their intentions; a subsequent application from an interested organization has been received and this application is now being processed.
The attention of all medical practitioners interested in low-cost clinics has again been drawn to these unoccupied sites and they have been invited to apply for them.
MR. CHEONG-LEEN:-Mr. Chairman, under the circumstances a 50% performance is not bad and I congratulate the Medical Department. If there are no supplementaries can I ask question No. 2?
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
(2) MR. H. CHEONG-LEEN asked the following question:
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Can the Commissioner indicate to what extent it will be feasible for the new Mark VI type of Resettlement Estates which will provide accommodation at 35 sq. ft. per adult to be managed by non-uniformed staff?
THE COMMISSIONER FOR RESETTLEMENT replied as follows:-
Since 1965 the officers in charge of estates have not been required to wear uniform. The remaining members of the staff whose responsibilities include block patrols and visits, maintenance of rent registers, inspection of sanitation, supervision of cleansing labourers, assisting in the control of hawkers, issuing warnings against indiscriminate dumping of refuse and other offences, are required to wear uniform so that they may be readily identified. These duties will continue in Mark VI estates and no particular advantage is seen in changing the position.
MR. CHEONG-LEEN:-Mr. Chairman, could the Commissioner state whether the training received by officers in charge of estates in Resettlement Department is identical or very close to that being received by Housing Managers or Assistant Housing Managers in Housing Authority estates?
COMMISSIONER FOR RESETTLEMENT:-Mr. Chairman, I suggest that this is coming on to quite a new subject.
CHAIRMAN:-I think we need notice of that question.
MR. CHEONG-LEEN:-Although it's a matter of general interest if the Commissioner thinks it's a rather delicate subject I'd be glad to have this referred to the Resettlement Policy Select Committee for discussion.
COMMISSIONER FOR RESETTLEMENT:-I am not quite sure Mr. Chairman which Mr. CHEONG-LEEN would like to refer, the question of uniforms or the question of training?
MR. CHEONG-LEEN:-The question of training. Now Mr. Chairman, has consideration been given to the staff who are below the grade of officer in charge of estates not to wear uniforms when the Mark VI blocks have been built?
COMMISSIONER FOR RESETTLEMENT:-I think I have covered that point Sir in my reply. The question has not been considered except insofar as it is considered wearing uniform is necessary in order that the staff can be identified not only in carrying out their duties but in case settlers have any problems that they wish to bring to them.
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