HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
MR. H. CHEONG-LEEN, CHAIRMAN OF THE HAWKER POLICY SELECT COMMITTEE, replied as follows:
The Hawker Select Committee has been working systematically towards the implementation of a practical, realistic Hawker Policy and to co-ordinating all efforts to implement such a policy in consultation with and support from other branches of the Government. The very real difficulties of devising a policy which could embrace all aspects of the hawker problem, balancing the interests of the hawkers against the general interests of the public are, I think, very well recognized by all concerned. On the one hand, hawking must be accepted as an economic activity that provides an occupation for a large number of persons and also a useful service to the public. On the other hand, the legitimate needs of hawkers must be balanced against the needs of traffic and pedestrian circulation, of shops and residences, and of public health and safety. As the result of very careful policy consideration and thorough discussion, a new Hawker Policy, known as the "Revised Hawker Policy, 1969", has now been formally agreed between the Urban Council and other Government departments, and a public announcement of this policy was made recently by the Council, which also declared its intention of giving the hawker problem top priority, and has been promised full co-operation from the Government in implementing this policy, subject to the availability of resources.
As regards efforts to implement this policy, the following measures are in hand:
(a) The Hawker Control Force is being reorganized by upgrading the post of its Commandant, and a recruitment exercise for a suitable person to fill this post is now urgently in hand. A primary task for the new Commandant will be to conduct a review of the present structure and effectiveness of the Force, and to devise proposals for its planned development, so that more effective control may become possible in the existing areas, and coverage by the Force in other areas can also be considered. I would also add that the Hawker Policy and Hawker Management Select Committees expect that there will be no large scale increase in the Hawker Control Force without the two Committees being fully consulted.
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
131
(b) The Finance Committee has recently approved a substantial increase in the Hawker Liaison Section which will be consolidated and reorganized on a district basis. I expect that they will establish close liaison and co-operation with the City District Offices, and other Government departments so as to effectively implement the Hawker Policy of the Urban Council. Recruitment of suitable staff to these newly established posts is in hand.
(c) With the help of the Secretary for Home Affairs and the City District Officers, District Hawker Consultative Committees have been formed in all of the 10 City Districts for the purpose of advising and assisting the Urban Council and Urban Services Department in implementing the new Hawker Policy.
(d) Action is in hand to find suitable off-street sites for hawker bazaars, particularly in areas of new development where land is more readily available. Even in areas where there are already hawker concentrations, consideration will be given, in consultation with Government departments, to finding such suitable hawking sites in which hawkers can be given proper status and their positions legalized. I would add, Mr. Chairman, that it is not easy to find such sites, but we are hoping with the co-operation of the Public Works Department that we should find an increasing number of such sites in the near future.
(e) Action is in hand to consider necessary amendments to the Hawker By-laws so as to put hawker matters on a practical, effective and legitimate footing.
(f) A list of hawker "black spots" has been drawn up, and tidying-up operations will become more frequent. The frequency of these operations is however subject to availability of extra manpower recruited to, and trained in, the Hawker Liaison Section; and
(g) a number of committee papers examining each facet of the overall Hawker Policy are being produced for consideration by the Hawker Policy Select Committee in accordance with an agreed Priority Working Programme.
I hope that the foregoing will serve to reassure Members and all those interested in this vital matter that steady and consistent progress is being made, and this progress will definitely continue.
Page 77 of 237