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They have always chosen to use direct labour. This makes one wonder whether in the Estates we have done the right thing by opting, as we have done in most of the Estates, for cleansing contract.
As to how to improve the performance of cleansing contractors, this is a complicated problem made worse by the fact that the tenders themselves when the tenders are put in, are not always very clear, and there has been a tendency, I think, to accept tenders that were excessively low, tenders that could only be operated if we assume that fewer labourers would be employed on the job than we would think necessary. On the part of the contractors themselves, I think a lot of them have lacked experience in doing their own costing, in doing their own homework. So there are these points which have to be considered and which will be considered, but I would say, in the meantime, keep an open mind on it. The performance, of course, depends too on the extent to which the estate staff lean on contractors, the extent to which they demand better performance, and I think here there is a problem in that it is difficult to lean on contractors if you believe that their rate is excessively low. We are continuously reviewing these room rates and seeking financial approval from time to time to have the rate for a particular contract increased so that we can with a clear conscience demand a better performance.
(Mr. T. S. LO left the meeting at this point.)
MRS. ELLIOTT:- Mr. Chairman, could these rates not be compared with the rates that go to operate the Housing Authority estates where they have so much better service?
COMMISSIONER FOR RESETTLEMENT: — Yes, indeed, I think there is a very close liaison between my own department and the Housing Authority on such matters.
MR. CHEONG-LEEN:- Are there standing instructions that Estate Officers should monitor the performance of contractors and this information should be channeled from time to time to Resettlement headquarters?
COMMISSIONER FOR RESETTLEMENT: — I would need notice of that question I am afraid.
MR. CHEONG-LEEN:- I do not intend to ask a question, but could this point be looked into by the Commissioner?
MR. HU:- Mr. Chairman, I would like to ask a supplementary. What can the Urban Services Department do with regard to the removal of the rubbish at Tsz Wan Shan Resettlement Estate?
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CHAIRMAN:- This is again a question of liaison, Mr. Hu. Refuse is brought out to a collection point and it is up to us to remove it, and we are in close contact with the Resettlement Department on this particular problem.
MR. MACKENZIE :- Mr. Chairman, I have one more supplementary. I am concerned about the fact that this rubbish lay for two weeks without action by estate staff. I notice that reprimand has been taken, but could a general instruction be issued in this area, because it seems quite unbelievable that two weeks could pass before action was initiated?
COMMISSIONER FOR RESETTLEMENT:- Mr. Chairman, I agree, a very bad show. I would like to say, however, that this was not rotting, smelling refuse. It was dry inoffensive litter, not be rejects of the local food shops and restaurants. There was no offensive stench about it, but to deal with the point Mr. MACKENZIE is making, we have got this whole question of cleansing performance in the estates under review. I think myself it is an area which offers great scope for quite dramatic improvement. After all, when the estates have been cleaned up of hawkers, once you have cleared the open space, it is only then you begin to see the problem facing you in the field of cleansing, only then you begin to see the extent to which the contractors are not doing their duty, and that is a process we are now coming face to face with.
MRS. ELLIOTT:- Mr. Chairman, could the Commissioner confirm whether or not it was the same staff who were responsible, last summer we did have some rotting, smelling litter lying for three weeks?
(Mrs. C. J. SYMONS left the meeting at this point.)
COMMISSIONER FOR RESETTLEMENT:- I was not in this post last summer, Mr. Chairman.
(15) MR. JOHN MACKENZIE asked the following question:-
(a) Would the Chairman advise the total establishment for Road Sweepers in the Urban Area, and the number of staff vacancies which now exist?
(b) What is the current Departmental view on the increased use of mechanized sweeping and cleansing equipment? What steps are being taken to implement a mechanization programme?
THE CHAIRMAN, URBAN COUNCIL, replied as follows:
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