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HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
MR. CHEONG-LEEN:-Mr. Chairman, on a point of clarification, I personally know many hawkers and shopkeepers and office boys who are voters, and may I congratulate you, Mr. Chairman, for throwing Standing Orders overboard at today's meeting. (Laughter).
(8) MR. D. J. R. BLAKER asked the following question:-
(a) What fines exist for leaving litter in public places in the urban area?
(b) How many instances have occurred of such fines being imposed in the last twelve months?
(c) What plans exist for public campaigns or other action to try to reduce the amount of such litter in future?
DR. A. M. S. BELL, CHAIRMAN OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL HYGIENE SELECT COMMITTEE, replied as follows:
Mr. Chairman, this is a three-part question concerning litter.
The answer to part 1 is that the only fines which exist are those imposed by the court magistrates. The maximum penalty for "creating litter" under the Public Cleansing and Prevention of Nuisances By-laws, 1960 is $500, but magistrates usually impose fines from $5 to $30.
The answer to part 2 of the question is that in the 12 months up to the end of July, 1968, 99 people were summoned and 72 people were fined.
The answer to part 3 of the question:
Firstly, there are plans to continue the "Keep Your District Clean Campaigns". During these campaigns, extensive anti-litter propaganda is carried out. The Urban Services Department naturally has to play a big role in these campaigns, which also have the sponsorship of the district Kaifong Associations. The next campaign will be carried out jointly with the Kaifong Associations in seven districts in North Kowloon (Cheung Sha Wan, Lai Chi Kok, Tai Hang Tung, Tai Hang Sai, Tai Wo Ping, Li Cheng Uk, and Shek Kip Mei) and will start on 16th September and last for ten weeks.
Secondly, in July this year, two Urban Services Department anti-litter patrol squads were put into action on a trial basis. One squad works on Hong Kong Island, and the other in Kowloon. Each is under the direct control of a Chief Health Inspector. The squads each consist of an Overseer, a Class III Foreman, and a Labourer and patrol areas which are normally heavily littered. Loud-speakers are used, and handbills distributed to try to persuade people not to litter streets and public places. The squads can also take action to prosecute persistent offenders. If these squads are successful, I understand more will be formed.
Thirdly, all on the ground staff of the Cleansing Division are instructed to pay special attention to and to report persistent littering, especially by shopkeepers who often sweep litter or refuse into the street.
Fourthly, on the advice of the Environmental Hygiene Select Committee, arrangements have been made to increase the number of litter bins this year by 500 in Hong Kong and 900 in Kowloon. It is hoped that these new litter bins will all be put on the streets at the same time and as part of a Colony-wide anti-litter campaign, which will also, I hope, try to encourage people to wrap their rubbish. The campaign will probably use posters, radio, and possibly television for its publicity media. I am not able to say the exact starting date of this campaign because inter-departmental discussions are still in progress to produce a detailed programme, but it will probably be launched before the end of the year.
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MR. BLAKER:-Mr. Chairman, may I thank Dr. BELL for her very detailed reply and for the efforts in this connection. I get the impression that the amount of litter being left is on the increase, and I cannot help feeling that 72 fines in one year is only scratching the surface of the problem. I am not clear whether the mobile squads to which Dr. BELL refers are on foot. Might I ask Dr. BELL whether she would consider, as part of the campaign, the use of a vehicle with a loudspeaker on the top blaring out an appropriate message while travelling round the urban area.
DR. BELL:-Could I answer your first part of that question where you referred to the number of fines being 72. That is correct. That is the number of people who were fined for littering the streets. On the other hand, there were 243 fines in addition to that for people dumping rubbish on the streets. There's a difference. A little over 300 fines altogether, and summonses totalled over 1,000. The squads I believe are on foot. I will stand subject to correction on that, and I think the loudspeakers are on vehicles. May I have the Department's confirmation on that?
CHAIRMAN:-My own impression is that they have a loud-hailer as they go round.
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