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HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
CHAIRMAN (in English):-I think the Secretary has pointed out that this excellent publication produced in May has the records of Markets and Street Traders, on page 9. But it doesn't give the figure in the evening. The information could be forthcoming if it is still a real interest to you.
7. MISS FOK PUI-YEE asked the following question (in Cantonese):—The contractual cleansing scheme for various squatter areas has been introduced for more than a year. Could I be told of the progress of the scheme and how the Council Department oversees the work of the contractors?
DR. RONALD D. B. LEUNG, CHAIRMAN OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL HYGIENE SELECT COMMITTEE, replied as follows (in Cantonese):-The question asks about the progress of the contractual cleansing scheme and how the Council/Department oversees the work of the contractors.
At present, cleansing has been introduced in only one squatter area, i.e. the Shaukiwan Squatter Areas since 1 July 1984. Cleansing services in the Ma Hang squatter village are not considered as part of contractual cleansing scheme as being instead a 'Self Help' scheme.
The performance of the contractor is closely monitored by the district supervisory staff of the Department. The service of the contractor is, therefore, overseen by a Foreman, Senior Foreman and Overseer on a daily basis; and by a Health Inspector, Senior Health Inspector and Chief Health Inspector on a weekly, bi-weekly and monthly basis respectively.
Under the existing supervision system, each village is provided with a ‘daily inspection record sheet', which has to be completed by the Foreman and counter-checked by the Senior Foreman. Where the work of the contractor is found to be unsatisfactory details are entered into this inspection record which becomes, therefore, a detailed instruction to the contractor to remedy matters. In case of failure to rectify the irregularity within the specified time, the Senior Foreman will issue a written formal notice to the contractor with a copy to the Overseer in-charge for information. The Health Inspector (Cleansing) is required to report on the overall performance of the contractor to the District Hygiene Superintendent on a monthly basis, and if the performance is considered satisfactory the District Hygiene Superintendent will sign a certificate of satisfactory performance service for full payment to the contractor. In case of default, the Director of Urban Service has the right to deduct the appropriate amount from the monthly payment or in serious case to terminate the contract by giving 14 days' notice in writing to the contractor.
To enhance communication with the contractor and the village representatives, the District Hygiene Superintendent or his representatives will hold regular meeting with the management of the Contractor Co. to exchange views on how the service could be improved, and they will also initiate meetings with village representatives to seek their views on the performance of the contractor's operatives.
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
MISS FOK PUI-YEE (in Cantonese):—Mr. Chairman, the contractual cleansing scheme so far has been introduced in one district. But if we extend the scheme, will we step up our manpower to strengthen our supervision?
DR. RONALD D. B. LEUNG (in Cantonese):-Mr. Chairman, the Council has not thought of extending the scheme for the time being because priority is being given to the privatization of abattoirs. So before the work is completed in this regard, we will not extend the present scheme. Actually the service of the contractor in Shau Kei Wan will be diminished because the squatters will be rehoused to other public housing estates eventually. The population there is decreasing.
8. MISS VICTORIA CHAN YING asked the following question (in English):— Whilst it would appear that spitting in public places is lesser a problem than it was many years ago, this habit being not only anti-social but is a way of spreading diseases, spitting is still widely practised in Hong Kong. Could I please know whether the Council intends to mount an anti-spitting campaign during the current Council year?
DR. RONALD D. B. LEUNG, CHAIRMAN OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL HYGIENE SELECT COMMITTEE, replied as follows (in Cantonese):-This question asks whether the Council intends to mount an anti-spitting campaign during the current Council year.
Sir. I am grateful to Miss CHAN for raising this matter. The proposal will be put before the Keep Hong Kong Clean Campaign Committee at its next meeting to see how appropriate anti-spitting publicity can be incorporated into the current campaign.
Members may wish to know that under By-law 8(A) of the Public Cleansing and Prevention of Nuisances (UC) By-laws, it is an offence to spit in any street, public place or any common part of a building. The maximum penalty for breach of this by-law is a fine of $1,000 on first conviction and $2,000 on the second or subsequent conviction.
The health staff of the Urban Services Department, in the course of their day-to-day enforcement action on littering offences, also prosecute offenders for spitting. According to past records, prosecution cases against spitting in the Urban Council area were 14,152 in 1984, 13,013 in 1985, 12,264 in 1986 and 2,896 from January to March in 1987. It is evident from these figures that a steady effort is being put in against spitting.
This anti-social practice, although not as serious as it used to be, is still noticeable in many places in Hong Kong and remains a problem to be solved. I therefore hope that it will be possible to inject suitable publicity into the Keep Hong Kong Clean Campaign to drive this matter home to those who are guilty of this habit and to help them to realize the serious need of it. Members of the
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