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that the total number of prosecutions taken out against unlicensed food premises from January to September 1970 is 4,783 as compared with that of 2,884 during the same period in 1969. Our prosecutions, except for a few odd cases, have all been successful, although as pointed out by Mr. Lo himself, the size of the fine imposed does not appear to serve as an effective deterrent. This requires further consideration.
Mr. Chairman, the rat menace mentioned by Mr. BERNACCHI is unfortunately one which every large city has to face. The primary factors which control the extent and degree of commensal rat infestation in any community are, of course, the standard of environmental sanitation and the availability of harbourage. Arrangements are already in hand to hold an Anti-rat Campaign in the period May/June 1971, with emphasis on environmental sanitation, and it is hoped that this will bring about a greater public awareness of the problem and encourage co-operation in dealing with it. Direct rat control by means of rodenticides and trappings is an essential secondary measure to reduce the general level of infestation and deal with local complaints. The Department's Pest Control Section wages a relentless war on the rats of Hong Kong but the public's co-operation in denying food and shelter to rats is essential to its success.
Mr. BERNACCHI also raised the question of the allocation of private cemeteries. Sir, as he well knows this Council, having considered the question from all angles, recommended the policy at present adopted by Government. This policy is to actively encourage cremation and not to countenance applications by new cemetery organizations to open new private cemeteries either on Crown or private land.
As to Mr. P. K. NG's statement that there is a virtual monopoly of the funeral parlour business in Hong Kong, my Honourable colleague the Acting Director of Public Works has informed me that, subject to the approval of the Governor in Council, at least two sites, one at Hung Hom and the other at Diamond Hill, would be put up for sale for funeral parlour use next year. Consideration is also being given to an application from a charitable organization, the Tung Wah Group of Hospitals, for the allocation of a piece of land on which to run a non-profit-making funeral parlour. I would remind Mr. NG when he speaks of "the high cost of dying in Hong Kong" that the Urban Services Department offers free services for the use of repositories and farewell pavilions for the performance of the last rites and that coffins are readily obtainable from no less than 30 licensed undertakers.
Dr. Denny HUANG has again raised the question of the output of doctors and the establishment of a second medical school in Hong Kong in The Chinese University. I can assure Dr. HUANG that the position has improved and that, compared with the 89 vacant positions in April 1969 mentioned in the Hartwell Report, there are now only 58 vacancies despite a substantial increase in establishment in the intervening period. The intake of medical students into the Hong Kong University Medical School is being increased to 150 this year and the output of graduates will therefore be increased by 50% in five years' time. Clinical facilities for teaching in the major hospitals will be fully utilized to meet this expansion and accommodation for the resulting interns is being planned in anticipation.
Mr. Lo Tak-shing in his speech referred to the enabling clause, section 56, of the Public Health and Urban Services Ordinance under which the Director of Medical and Health Services may make regulations to secure the observance of sanitary and cleanly conditions and practices for the manufacture, preparation, storage or packaging of drugs for human use. However, Sir, under the Pharmacy and Poisons Ordinance No. 46 of 69, a Poisons Committee has been established "for the purposes of advising the Board on the classification and the distribution of poisons in Part I and Part II of the Poisons List and matters relating to the control of the manufacture and distribution of poisons and pharmaceutical products." One of the functions of this Committee, therefore, will be to look into the question of the feasibility or otherwise, of introducing legislation for more effective control of pharmaceuticals imported into, or manufactured in, Hong Kong. The Board has the necessary powers under the Pharmacy and Poisons Ordinance to make regulations, subject to the approval of the Legislative Council, providing for the licensing of manufacturers and the control of the manufacture of pharmaceutical products and poisons, and generally providing for the regulating and controlling of the selling, compounding and dispensing of poisons and medicine.
It is, of course, not possible to anticipate the findings of this Committee, but it may be that, in the light of subsequent legislation made under the Pharmacy and Poisons Ordinance, there will be no need for the Director of Medical and Health Services to make use of the enabling clause mentioned by Mr. Lo Tak-shing.
Finally, Mr. Chairman, I would agree whole-heartedly with Mr. Hilton CHEONG-LEEN that health education will play a vital role in improving the living environment of the residents of Hong Kong. The launching of the major "Improve Your Environment Campaign" throughout 1971 is a very commendable decision made by the Health Education Select Committee. This deserves the fullest support not only of the departments concerned, but also of every citizen from the highest to the lowest, from the richest to the poorest. Everyone is and must be involved.
With these words, Sir, I beg to support the motion before Council. (Applause).
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