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MRS. ELLIOTT:- Mr. Chairman, may I remind the Commissioner that this is 1971, that is seven years ago. May I ask that the people be given consideration to have a standpipe in every street to avoid the queueing up? There is no shortage of water now.
COMMISSIONER FOR RESETTLEMENT:- That can be looked into.
MRS. ELLIOTT:- Thank you.
MR. CHEONG-LEEN:- Mr. Chairman, as far as the Commissioner is aware, is there much sub-letting going on?
CHAIRMAN:- Ladies and gentlemen, I feel that this is getting rather outside the original question. I would like to move on to the next question.
MR. BERNACCHI:- I would like to make a personal statement that whilst not agreeing with all that the Commissioner for Resettlement has said, I would like to congratulate him on doing his homework on likely supplementaries. (Laughter).
(3) MR. R. H. LOBO asked the following question:—
How many mechanical street sweepers are now in operation? Where do these machines operate and have they been effective? Some time ago, there was some mention of new orders for additional mechanical street sweepers, have they been ordered? Is the U.S.D. contemplating enlarging the areas of operation of these sweepers?
THE VICE-CHAIRMAN, URBAN COUNCIL, replied as follows:-
This question concerns mechanical street sweepers. The Department now has 6 such sweepers-3 on each side of the harbour-2 operating at off-peak traffic hours and 1 held in reserve.
These sweepers are only employed on main roads where there are no parked cars or obstructions, and have been found most effective in removing sand and grit, especially on roads with central dividers, on flyovers and in the Lion Rock Tunnel. They cannot clean pavements.
In view of the large number of flyovers that have been and are to be constructed, a request for two additional sweepers in the 1971-72 Estimates has been made.
The operation of these sweepers will be extended to cover additional suitable areas which come into being (such as new flyovers etc.) but not to cover additional types of duties because they cannot clean pavements or operate effectively where there are parked cars and other obstructions.
MR. LOBO: I thank the Vice-Chairman for his very good reply. I am disappointed to learn that these machines, although very effective, are not going to be used for other areas because of car parking as I feel that, if the cars are parked, our street sweepers and personnel will also not be able to sweep. May I ask whether the Department will look into the possibility of having cars parked on one side of the road one day of the week and on the other side of the road the other day of the week, like all the other major cities in the world, specifically for the mechanical sweepers?
CHAIRMAN:- This could be looked into, Mr. LOBO, but I think it could add to the general confusion.
(4) MR. R. H. LOBO asked the following question:
Several spots in the urban areas have been set aside as parking and termini for various types of public transport. May I know, Mr. Chairman, who is responsible for the cleaning of these areas, including removal of grease, oil, etc. caused by these vehicles and how often is this cleaning operation carried out?
THE VICE-CHAIRMAN, URBAN COUNCIL, replied as follows:-
This question concerns areas set aside for parking and as termini for various types of public transport.
The Urban Services Department is responsible for the cleaning of parking areas and termini for public light buses and taxis daily. The areas are washed and degreased with detergent once a week.
The Motor Bus Companies are responsible for all bus termini and follow the same pattern as the Department.
MR. LOBO:- Thank you.
(5) MR. PETER P. K. NG asked the following question:
Can the Chairman advise this Council when the Causeway Bay Recreation Ground is likely to be made available to the Urban Council for public use?
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