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Finally, I would like to take this opportunity to appeal again to everyone in Hong Kong to various government departments to actively 'pitch in' in the Keep Hong Kong Clean Campaign.
MR. LAM CHAK-PIU (in Cantonese):--Mr. Chairman, in the first part of the answer, Mr. TONG said that the Keep Hong Kong Clean Committee is working very closely with various government departments in getting the Keep Hong Kong Clean message across. But I would like to know why the government departments do not take the initiative in keeping Hong Kong clean. For instance, in certain government sites the contractor should be responsible for clearing of government sites rather than to leave the debris to be cleansed by the government departments. I wonder if the Keep Hong Kong Clean Committee has actively reminded the government departments that they should take the initiative in keeping Hong Kong clean. We are now asking the general public to keep Hong Kong clean and that of course is a good thing but I think the government departments should take the initiative first.
MR. TONG KAM-BIU (in Cantonese):—Mr. Chairman, concerning the allegation that we haven't taken the initiative, I don't think this is true. Cleansing of environmental hygiene of our city is one of the major works of the USD. Regarding the debris left behind by contractors at government sites, as far as I know, before the government takes over a site, the contractor has to be responsible for clearing the debris and the site will be fenced off and duly indicated as crown land. But before the project starts, certain junk refuse may be dumped at the site which will give rise to complaints. Once we have received these complaints, we will try to clear the debris as soon as possible.
MR. LAM CHAK-PIU (in Cantonese):-Mr. Chairman, we should not wait to take action until we receive complaints because everybody in Hong Kong has the responsibility to keep Hong Kong clean. I have visited a number of government sites e.g. a site on top of reservoir in Lam Tin and which belongs to the Water Supplies Department. It is fenced off and the USD staff cannot go into the site. It is very dirty and filthy and filled with junk. The debris was only cleared after I have contacted the USD staff to arrange for the cleansing and clearing of the site. I think that the Keep Hong Kong Clean Committee should at least persuade the government departments to take the initiative or to take the lead in keeping Hong Kong clean. I wonder if the Keep Hong Kong Clean Committee can think of a better way to persuade the government departments to take a lead.
CHAIRMAN (in English):—I think in that speech, Mr. LAM have re-emphasized his point previously, I don't think there is any need for Mr. TONG to come on that. Could I remind Members that supplementaries should be kept strictly to the question which they have originally asked and not for use for the case for making speeches. The opportunity to make speeches will come later.
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5. MISS FOK PUI-YEE asked the following question (in Cantonese): With regard to the disappearance of quite a number of books from the Urban Council Public Libraries each year, will the Council review the present library management system?
MR. JOSEPH Y. S. CHAN, CHAIRMAN OF THE LIBRARIES SELECT COMMITTEE, replied as follows (in Cantonese):-This question deals with the loss of library books, and whether there is, as a result, a need to review the present library management system.
The Council's policy is to provide free access to information and to make library users feel welcome and at home in the libraries, with a view to promoting greater usage. Accordingly, whenever space permits and it is practical to do so, library users are encouraged to browse amongst the bookshelves to select the materials they want with minimum supervision and interference.
Under this system of free and open access, some loss of library books and other materials through theft is inevitable. However, indications over the years have revealed that the loss rate is not excessive, particularly when compared against the books and other library materials that are voluntarily withdrawn from stock each year, which amount to 65,000 items either because they are out of date or physically worn out. The number of lost books through theft was 4,033 in 1986/87 which is less than 1% of the total stock.
The relatively low loss rate indicates that existing management and security measures in the libraries are adequate such as the installation of closed circuit TVs, the use of turnstiles, the prohibition on taking bags into the library areas, and staff physically checking on books taken out. However, the Libraries Select Committee is by no means complacent where security of public property is concerned. The department is examining in conjunction with the Crime Prevention Bureau of the Royal Hong Kong Police Force, whether there are any newer, better security measures that might cost-effectively be introduced in the libraries.
MISS FOK PUI-YEE (in Cantonese):-Mr. Chairman, I would like to know what will be our measures to be taken in future in this regard?
MR. JOSEPH Y. S. CHAN (in Cantonese):-Mr. Chairman, as I have said just the security measure at our libraries is by no means not inadequate but we are not complacent about this and we will keep looking for better and newer security measures at libraries. In future if the Royal Hong Kong Police Force can provide us more information or the Members of the Libraries Select Committee can think of better measures and if they are endorsed, they will be implemented if necessary.