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HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
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design is such that future maintenance would be difficult or that the cost would be increased, then under such circumstances we should suggest to the Government that part of the design should be modified, so that maintenance would be easier.
DR. DENNY M. H. HUANG, CHAIRMAN OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL HYGIENE SELECT COMMITTEE, replied as follows (in Cantonese):-The question refers to the accumulation of junk left behind after squatter clearance and asked how the Department co-ordinates with other government departments the cleansing of such areas.
MR. LAWRENCE FUNG (in English):—Mr. Chairman, I can assure members the interest of the Urban Council is well looked after by both the Urban Services Department and also the relevant select committee. In fact, very often we are: Squatter clearances may be divided into two different types. Clearance of squatters in lanes is done by Lands Department in consultation with the District Board. Operations are carried out in accordance with a programme drawn up by the district Environmental Improvement sub-committee of the District Board, co-ordinating through the District Management Committee.
The other category of clearance, which are mainly clearances on a larger scale, is carried out and co-ordinated by the Housing Department. The schedule of intended clearances will be notified to all concerned departments.
MR. FREDERICK FUNG (in Cantonese):—Mr. Chairman, one more question. I think I can assure members once again that really Urban Council's interest, financial and otherwise, are well looked after.
MR. FREDERICK FUNG (in Cantonese):—Mr. Chairman, one more question. It is for the other Mr. FUNG, that is Mr. LAWRENCE FUNG to answer, I do not know which committee is more suitable to consider a question such as sometimes a complex like the clock tower in Tsim Sha Tsui can be a kind of logo for our city Council or sometimes represents Hong Kong even, and if they are badly designed is going to affect us adversely. So can some of our committees request Government that when such buildings are to be made that we can be allowed to take part in the design of such buildings?
MR. LAWRENCE FUNG (in English):-Well, I think, Mr. Chairman, as I have said before, one man's meat is another man's poison, I think it is very dangerous if we, i.e. those that are not trained in architecture or design start messing around with professional designs.
MR. STEPHEN LAU (in Cantonese):-Mr. Chairman, this building involves a heavy task, and some of the facilities are paid by the Urban Council; will the delay in construction work mean that we have to pay more, Mr. FUNG, can you answer his question?
MR. LAWRENCE FUNG (in English):—Mr. Chairman, there is no delay so far, except for weather non-working days.
3. MR. LAM CHAK-PIU asked the following question (in Cantonese): —It has come to my notice that heaps of junk left behind after squatter clearance operations usually take a long time to be removed, or sometimes are not removed at all. The situation causes not only pest infestation, but also problems of environmental hygiene and law and order, and is especially serious in summer months. May I know how the Urban Services Department is coordinating the cleansing work with other government departments?
For both kinds of clearance operations, U.S.D. is only involved in pest control work and in the clearance of organic refuse, not junk or rubble, the clearance of which is the responsibility of the co-ordinating organization.
Co-ordination of all clearance works is done at the district level. Before the commencement of the clearance, action on rodent eradication will be carried out by U.S.D. pest control staff to prevent the migration of rats elsewhere. Following the clearance, cleansing staff will move in to clear all organic refuse on site so as to prevent vermin such as flies or mosquitoes breeding, and to eradicate any foul smell. Continual surveillance by pest control staff will be made to the site to ensure it remains free from rodent and vermin breeding. Debris and junk left behind on site are to be cleared by the Lands or Housing Departments mainly through the departmental contractor who will also fence off the site after clearance (except for sites which require immediate re-development) to prevent resquatting. For small scale clearances, normally the debris and junk are cleared away immediately following the operation. In case of large operations, total clearance will take a longer time and the District Board as well as the District Office are responsible for monitoring the completion of the work. On the whole the department considers these arrangements acceptable.
The department co-ordinates its contribution to the clearance operation through the District Hygiene Superintendents who are standing members of the District Management Committee.
MR. LAM CHAK-PIU (in Cantonese):---Mr. Chairman, I am very satisfied with the answer given. At the moment we have other problems, for instance, it may be slope stabilization work. Now whether it be large scale or small scale, sometimes the Housing Department is not really doing its job, and therefore the general public put the blame on us. I would like to suggest that we should talk to the Housing Department to get better cooperation, so that the site can be cleared within a short period.
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