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Of course, there is some flexibility. They do not have a fixed schedule because the hawkers have responded very flexibly to the schedule of our staff and that is the reason why some members of staff have to look at special features in the different hawker black spots and deal with the problems flexibly.
MR. B. A. BERNACCHI (in English):-Why are there only 2-3 times in the afternoon a week and that subject to availability of resources? What does it mean, subject to availability of resources?
MR. LAM CHAK-PIU (in Cantonese):-Mr. Chairman, availability of resources means they will have flexible deployment everyday. It all depends on what has happened in different districts and therefore every week there are only about 2-3 times. Sometimes there are 4-5 times in the afternoon but if it is not necessary, perhaps only 1-2 times per week.
MR. B. A. BERNACCHI (in English):-The third question is: in the footbridge, static patrols are carried out in the afternoon. Again how many and are all at the same time or varying times?
MR. LAM CHAK-PIU (in Cantonese):-Regarding the footbridge, of course, static patrols are carried out during peak hours in the morning or in the late afternoon. Static patrols are always performed at peak hours. As for public holidays, special raiding operations are also carried out. In this way, we will be able to operate efficiently to deal with the problem. As for limited availability of resources, it is because we do not have adequate number of GDTs and that is the reason why sometimes we cannot deploy as many people as we would like to.
MR. B. A. BERNACCHI (in English):-The last question is: the last paragraph dealt with the improvement which has been instituted since 1 May. 1 May is now a week ago, does the Council yet know what effect it has had?
MR. LAM CHAK-PIU (in Cantonese):—Yes, we have only done it for a week. Since only one squad has been added, and I think we have to wait for a longer period of time before we can see its effect. As to whether we can have more squads in the future, it will depend on how successful our recruitments and training programmes are.
MR. MAN SAI-CHEONG (in Cantonese):-Mr. Chairman, Mr. BERNACCHI'S question mainly concerns Chai Wan area. In Chai Wan especially in the footbridge, there is a very serious illegal hawking problem. I would like to know whether we have similar problems in other districts? If illegal cooked food hawkers are trading on the footbridges, do we have special measures to deal with them? Are the problems serious enough to warrant special attention?
MR. LAM CHAK-PIU (in Cantonese):---In dealing with illegal hawkers, of course, we have to be very pragmatic. In some areas, unless we can enlist the cooperation of other departments otherwise we can't work effectively. For instance, at Telford Gardens in Kowloon Bay, some of the footbridges are within the jurisdiction of the MTR and some footbridges belong to the private developers. So we have to look at different situations and to liaise with the relevant authorities to come up with a good method to solve the problem.
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cooperation of other departments otherwise we can't work effectively. For instance, at Telford Gardens in Kowloon Bay, some of the footbridges are within the jurisdiction of the MTR and some footbridges belong to the private developers. So we have to look at different situations and to liaise with the relevant authorities to come up with a good method to solve the problem.
MR. TONG KAM-BIU (in Cantonese):—Mr. LAM said a moment ago that the problem of illegal hawkers particularly those in the vicinity of the Chai Wan Temporary Market was very serious. I have the following questions. First, since we have the temporary market, why do we still have illegal hawkers in the vicinity? Is it because there are not enough range of goods in the temporary market so residents still need to patronize illegal hawkers? Secondly, is it true that since they do not provide adequate range of merchandize this tends to encourage illegal hawkers to trade outside the market? Thirdly, is it true that the management is not good enough and that is why the stall operators tend to operate outside the market rather than inside the market? If this is the case, when we plan to build the permanent market, do we have measures to make sure that we have a wide range of goods so that we will be able to do away with illegal hawkers?
MR. LAM CHAK-PIU (in Cantonese): In fact, a wide range of goods are provided in temporary markets and stallholders are able to meet the demand flexibly. However, it is inevitable to have illegal hawkers outside the markets because some are seasonal, some very mobile and some are only working during certain hours of the day. Under the law, we are unable to control them. As for permanent market, in recent years, when we built new Urban Council Market Complexes we have strengthened our control in this aspect to reduce the illegal hawking activities in the vicinity and even eliminate all illegal hawkers. It is essential that we make sure that the general public know what we have to offer in our markets and in fact we have stepped up our publicity recently.
Mr. TONG's question on management is rather difficult to assess because it is difficult to manage temporary market. Sometimes, the stall operators in the markets go out of the market to trade when they see illegal hawkers operating outside. Under the law, it is very difficult for us to stop them. But if we find that they are operating outside the market as illegal hawkers, then perhaps there are some ways for us to penalize them. The demerit points system under consideration will help in this regard.
4. MR. B. A. BERNACCHI asked the following question (in English):---
(a) Several months ago, the Market and Street Traders Select Committee visited several sites in Chai Wan where the Temporary Chai Wan Market could be accommodated in about 2 years time. Has any firm decision yet been taken upon which one?
(b) A lot of stall-holders, both from the Permanent Yue Wan Market and from the Temporary Market at Yue Wan, would like to be resited together in a new market complex. Is this (alternative) possible?
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