HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
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THE COMMISSIONER for RESETTLEMENT replied as follows:
At the end of May 1969 there were 603 empty rooms in the central group of estates, i.e. Wong Tai Sin, Lo Fu Ngam, Wang Tau Hom and Tung Tau. The reason for these vacancies is that a large number of families in these estates have recently been moved to Ngau Tau Kok and Tsz Wan Shan under the external decantation programme, and the rooms so vacated have not been filled by internal decantation.
These vacant rooms are being allocated to overcrowded families in these four estates who are eligible for them in accordance with the current schedule for internal decantation. However, progress has been slow, as the rooms that are vacant are seldom adjacent to the rooms of the families who qualify for them; and families are reluctant to accept additional rooms if it means splitting. On the 14th May it was agreed by the Resettlement Policy Select Committee that an attempt would be made to offer any surplus empty rooms in the central estates to families in the three oldest and most overcrowded estates, that is, Shek Kip Mei, Tai Hang Tung and Lei Cheng Uk. If this proves unsuccessful, it may be necessary to relax the rules to allow less overcrowded families in the central estates to apply for them.
MRS. ELLIOTT:- Mr. Chairman, I did mention in part (b) of the question, is the decantation of those who are eligible and willing to be decanted up-to-date. I did put the word "willing" in. Is anything done about checking up families so that they do not have to go looking for someone to write a letter for them to ask for decantation?
COMMISSIONER FOR RESETTLEMENT:- It should be quite straightforward, Mr. Chairman. They can apply at the Estate Office and state their position and make an application to the Officer-in-Charge. I will look into that and see if there are any difficulties involved.
(5) MRS. E. ELLIOTT asked the following question:-
(a) Since the visit of the Hawker Management Select Committee in March of this year, what has been done to tidy up the hawker layout in Marble Road?
(b) Is it correct that Fire-fighting operations at 78 Marble Road were recently hindered because of hawkers blocking roads?
(c) What is the function of the Hawker Control Force in this area?
MR. R. H. LOBO, CHAIRMAN OF THE HAWKER MANAGEMENT SELECT COMMITTEE, replied as follows:-
The answer to the first part of this question is that a major operation will be required to tidy up the hawkers in Marble Road. A list of priorities for Hong Kong Island has now been drawn up by the departments concerned and a high priority has been given to the Marble Road/Tong Shui Road/Chun Yeung Street area. It is expected that a start will be made on the improvement of conditions in this area during this month.
The answer to the second part of your question is that fire-fighting operations at 78 Marble Road were not hindered during the recent fire because the address in question is at the eastern end of this street where there are no hawkers. Had the fire, however, occurred at any of the premises at the western end of Marble Road and particularly in the section between Shu Kuk Street and Tong Shui Road, the story might have been very different since this section is completely blocked by hawkers and the Fire Services Department have expressed concern at the present situation there.
The answer to the third part of your question is that the situation in Marble Road deteriorated as a result of the 1967 disturbances and that until a major tidying-up operation has been carried out, it will not be possible for the Hawker Control Force to control this area. At present, only one N.C.O. and two constables are available for duty in Marble Road at any one time and they have been instructed to concentrate on ensuring the free passage of motor traffic and pedestrians through Tong Shui Road and Shu Kuk Street which intersects Marble Road. In addition, they have been instructed to warn hawkers in Marble Road to keep down the size of their stalls. This, however, has been ineffective and it is hoped that the position will improve after the major operation already referred to.
MRS. ELLIOTT:- Mr. Chairman, may I ask the Chairman of the Hawker Management Select Committee if he can remember making a visit to this area before Chinese New Year?
MR. LOBO:- Yes.
MRS. ELLIOTT:- Mr. Chairman, may I also ask if we were not given a promise that immediately after Chinese New Year this area would be cleared up?
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