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of order, because they were not within the context of the original question and were really beyond the scope of standing orders. Nevertheless, because the subject is of interest to you, I thought that the information should be made available.
MR. B. A. BERNACCHI (in English):-I rise on a point of order. I do not think Dr. HUANG or Mr. CHEONG-LEEN took advantage at all of the English translation, and before the English translation of the question was finished, Dr. HUANG proceeded to give the answer.
MR. CHAIRMAN (in English):—Yes, that is quite true, but I thought the Cantonese members in this Council might like to hear an exercise in Cantonese as spoken by non-Cantonese. That is why the discussion was allowed. (Laughter).
(5) MR. R. H. LOBO, on behalf of MR. H. M. G. FORSGATE, asked the following question (in English):-
On two J.P. visits made by me to Canton Road between Soy Street and Nelson Street, on 21st November and 27th December, 1973, the whole appearance was one of utter chaos. The road being covered from pavement to pavement by hawkers, most of whom I was informed are unlicensed.
What steps are being taken to improve the hawker situation in this area?
When will proper market facilities be provided?
MR. H. L. HU (in English):-Mr. Chairman, since my answer has been printed both in English and Chinese language, with your permission, Mr. Chairman, may I answer the question in Cantonese. (Laughter). I understand that my Cantonese is not very good. (Prolonged Laughter).
CHAIRMAN (in English):-That is your answer, expressed itself, so please proceed. (Laughter).
The Council has
MR. HENRY H. L. HU, CHAIRMAN OF THE HAWKERS SELECT COMMITTEE, replied as follows (in Cantonese):
Mr. Chairman, I am pleased to learn from Mr. FORSGATE'S question that visiting J.P.s are showing a keen interest in the hawker problem.
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In answer to his question, I would first like to point out that the stretch of Canton Road between Nelson and Shantung Streets is part of an old-established hawking area in Mong Kok. It is one of the main arteries from the Mong Kok Market situated at the junction of Canton Road and Argyle Street, which, together with other arteries, forms the main marketing centre for the whole of the Mong Kok District west of Nathan Road. On this account the area naturally attracts a large number of pedlar hawkers, both licensed and unlicensed.
Furthermore, owing to the chronic shortage of Hawker Control Force personnel, an arrangement was made in 1970 with the Commissioner of Police for the control of all hawkers in Kowloon to be undertaken by the Police, leaving the Hawker Control Force to concentrate its efforts on Hong Kong Island. This arrangement is, however, merely a temporary expedient, and for the long term the Hawkers Select Committee intends to introduce large and mobile General Duties Teams to control and manage hawkers (in addition to other U.S.D. duties). It is anticipated that the first of these 150-man teams, led by two Overseers under the general supervision of a Hawker Liaison Officer, will be operational by April or May this year, after which time it is hoped better order and control can be achieved and maintained among hawkers in Kowloon.
However, I wish to assure the Council that this does not mean hawkers in Kowloon are allowed to run wild in the meantime. The Urban Services District Officers do mount joint hawker operations with the Police from time to time, and a major operation was carried out on 28th December in the area visited by Mr. FORSGATE. As a result of that operation, 8 lorry-loads of hawker paraphernalia were seized, and 4 lorry-loads of refuse removed.
The present Mong Kok Market is over 55 years old and acknowledged to be grossly inadequate for the neighbourhood it now serves. Plans are already well advanced to reprovision this old market, and a temporary market is currently being built at the junction of Mong Kok Road and Shanghai Street for resiting the existing market stalls to allow work to begin for construction of a new market on site. The new Mong Kok Market is presently in Category A of the Public Works Programme and is
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