ปี
30
150
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
take the form of Government offices, children's playgrounds, car parking space, libraries, reading rooms and other civic amenities.
With regard to part (b) the answer is a qualified yes. A detailed investigation of the redevelopment requirements of Central Market and the two blocks of Western Market is now being carried out. The aim is to replace the existing, inadequate markets with a new building or buildings designed entirely in accordance with the principle of multi-purpose use, and housing a comprehensive marketing and shopping centre where the stallholders from the old markets, together with hawkers and cooked food sellers now trading in the streets of Central District, will be able to carry on their businesses in proper premises.
However, it will not be possible to accommodate all the 1,200 hawkers in the Central District in the new marketing complex. As redevelopment of the district takes place, land will have to be set aside on a planned basis for the establishment of off-street hawking centres where the remaining hawkers may trade in an acceptable fashion. Otherwise on-street hawking, accompanied by the inevitable congestion and environmental pollution, will continue to be an all-too-familiar feature of the local scene.
MR. SIN—Mr. Chairman, I would like to ask a supplementary. In paragraph 2, "the detailed investigation of the redevelopment requirements of Central Market", can Council be told when it is expected that such an investigation will be completed?
MR. LOBO:-I understand that the Urban Services Department have completed their section of it, and other departments are now studying it. I recall having informed this Council last month that as soon as it is ready it will be presented to the Council for comments.
MOTION
DR. DENNY M. H. HUANG, CHAIRMAN OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL HYGIENE SELECT COMMITTEE, moved the following Motion:
"RESOLVED that the Public Cleansing and Prevention of Nuisances By-laws, 1972 be made under Section 15 of the Public Health and Urban Services Ordinance, Cap. 132."
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
151
He said:-Mr. Chairman, the by-laws now before Members are intended to strengthen the measures taken by this Council to improve the cleanliness of Hong Kong generally, but their most important impact will be in the forthcoming "Keep Hong Kong Clean" Campaign, for which we have been planning and working for over 15 months.
The most telling new provisions are by-laws 4, 5, 9 and 13. By-law 4 absolutely prohibits the dumping of litter in any public place, including the communal parts of any building, by whatever means. By-law 5 has already been labelled the "liability clause" because it lays upon the occupier of premises the burden of keeping his premises and their surroundings within a 20′ radius clean, failing which he may commit an offence. By-law 9 seeks to prevent the carriage of mud or filth by any cart, vehicle or motor vehicle on to any public street, whether by failure to remove such mud or filth from the wheels or body of the vehicle, or by failure to secure the load properly. By-law 13 seeks to curb the growing and disgusting tendency for pavements to be soiled by dog excrement.
In the review of this vital legislation there has also been a general tightening-up in the wording to close possible loopholes, and to provide a code of practice which is easy for the co-operative members of the public to observe, and for the staff to enforce. Only the un-caring, selfish person will find this new legislation working against him, and that it is precisely what it is intended for. Sir, I beg to move.
MR. H. M. G. FORSGATE:-Mr. Chairman, I have been closely associated with development of the proposed new by-laws laid before this Council today from their inception, so I know just how much argument and compromise they represent. Originally, both the Environmental Hygiene Select Committee and the "Keep Hong Kong Clean" Campaign organizers wanted written into the law a minimum fine on the lines of the fixed penalty system, and also a presumption that if litter or refuse was found outside any premises, the owner or occupier was responsible for that filth, and could be summoned forthwith. These proposals cut across apparently unshakeable legal principles, and therefore, in the interests of expedition, had to be modified somewhat, resulting in the present form in by-laws 5 and 23(b). I am personally convinced that some sort of fixed penalty system is the answer for offences against the cleansing and litter laws, as the immediacy of such a system, and the deterrent knowledge that there is a quick penalty for offenders, has proved successful in Singapore and elsewhere. It may yet be found necessary, after giving the present legal arrangements a fair trial, for this Council to resume pressure for the introduction of a similar system.
The essence of these by-laws now before Council, is their fairness to all in the community. They cause little hardship to observe, only more self-discipline on everyone's part.
Page 85 of 206
Page 86
Page 86 of