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HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
MR. MACKENZIE:-I would like to ask a supplementary, if you don't mind. Would the Chairman of the Recreation and Amenities Select Committee agree that the provision of a heated pool, at least one heated pool, which is on our schedule, would be of great benefit for training purposes in off-season for such organizations as Royal Life-saving Society and for school children and others, and that the small additional cost involved in the provision of this is more than justified by the possible saving of lives?
MR. SALES: The short answer to that is Yes, most definitely.
(11) MR. JOHN MACKENZIE asked the following question:-
(a) What is the current strength of the Hawker Control Force
and how many vacancies exist?
(b) What were the numbers of recruits, resignations and
transfers in the year ended 31st March, 1971?
(c) What are the main reasons for, and what positive steps are being taken to counter, the high rate of wastage in the Force?
THE CHAIRMAN, URBAN COUNCIL, replied as follows:
The current strength of the Hawker Control Force is 378. There are 153 vacancies. In the year ended 31st March, total resignations, transfers, terminations of service and dismissals came to 96, and it has not proved possible to recruit new members to fill these vacancies. The main reason for the high rate of wastage are unattractive remuneration, lack of fringe benefits, including quarters, and the unpleasant nature of hawker control work. Proposals to improve the conditions of the Force are linked with Government's consideration of the hawker policy in general. As Members were informed in answer to an earlier question, the matter is about to be put to the Governor-in-Council for consideration. Representa- tions have also been made to the Salaries Commission.
MR. MACKENZIE:-I am rather concerned, about what I regard as an urgency of hawker problems. Of my brief experience in Select Committee and I feel that, may I put the question rather than make a statement, would it be possible to invite the Government to act on this with due urgency?
CHAIRMAN: We have been doing this for the past three years, Mr. MACKENZIE.
MR. MACKENZIE:-May we continue to do so?
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
CHAIRMAN: -I shall continue to do so.
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MR. BERNACCHI :-Correction, Mr. Chairman, we have been doing it almost as long as I have been on the Council, but three years ago the Governor gave an indication that if we would amend the hawker policy we could expect ample support financially from the Government and we have done so.
(12) MR. JOHN MACKENZIE asked the following question:-
(a) What steps are being taken to replace and expand the Department's present fleet of six mechanical road sweepers?
(b) Where and how intensively are these sweepers used at
present?
(c) When were these units purchased?
(d) Do plans exist for the increased mechanization of road
sweeping in Hong Kong?
DR. DENNY M. H. HUANG, CHAIRMAN OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL HYGIENE SELECT Committee, replied as follows: --
This question concerns the replacement and the expansion of the departmental fleet of mechanical road sweepers.
A sweeper is automatically replaced after reaching the end of its useful life. This can be from 7 to 10 years. Expan- sion is dependent on need. The department does consider that there is a need, and a request for 2 additional sweepers with a third as a reserve was, therefore, included in the 1971-72 Estimates to clean fly-overs that have been or are to be constructed. Members may recall that ap- proval of these additional sweepers was held up pending further consideration by the Secretariat. This considera- tion is still taking place.
The 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 fly-overs and in the Lion Rock Tunnel. They are employed 16 hours a day from mid-night to 4.00 p.m., in 2 shifts.
2 of the present 6 sweepers were purchased in 1965 and the
remaining 4 in 1968.
The need to increase the number of mechanical sweepers, to
sweep new fly-overs and highways, is kept under constant review.