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repeated raiding operations. Given the fluid and recurrent nature of the activities of unlicensed hawkers, it is difficult to draw a line as to which markets are effectively protected and how much GDT presence is sufficient. Since the staff cost of GDT squad is very high, a balance must be struck between the need for market protection and cost effectiveness.
Part (b) of the question asks what improvement is expected from GDT with the introduction of the Special Allowance. The GDT special allowance is introduced to recompense the staff for the onerous and special working conditions in the performance of hawker control duties. The Department expects that the working morale of the GDT staff will be enhanced and that a high standard of discipline will be maintained. Certainly some improvement in efficiency is expected.
MR. B. A. BERNACCHI (in English): There are about 3 supplementary questions. Number one, does Mr. LAM mean when he says that there is absolutely no evidence these two markets in Chai Wan are not viable or the level of business has been declining, because the level of occupancy has been 85.7% for one and 94.6% for the other, or are there some other reasons why he says that there is no evidence in these two markets are unviable or the level of business has been declining?
MR. LAM CHAK-PIU (in Cantonese): Thank you Mr. Chairman. From the angle of traders, what is exactly meant by viable or adequate business is very difficult to define. If the hawkers are only trying to earn a living for their families, the question is simple. But if they really want to be able to earn enough to live a luxurious life or even to emigrate, then it would be very difficult to define. If we look at the occupancy rate, which is high and there are a lot of people frequenting the markets in Chai Wan, these markets can be said as viable. If they are not viable, there will not be so many illegal hawkers in the vicinity. Since there are a lot of people patronizing the markets, there is no evidence to show that the markets are not viable. It is true that in the past, the problem of viability in some markets did exist. But the Urban Services Department has been working very hard in working out the market rentals after taking into consideration various different factors. The rentals of some stalls in the same row may not be the same. The percentage of increase of markets rental is not across the board. The viable ones will have a greater increase. I think that our increase is reasonable.
MR. B. A. BERNACCHI (in English): Mr. Chairman, next question is: In so far as the occupancy rate is relevant to the viability and the level of business, does Mr. LAM and his Committee know that a lot of stalls are occupied merely for storage? MR. LAM CHAK-PIU (in Cantonese): Mr. Chairman, the Department has no record to show that a lot of stalls have been used for storage. It is a fact that quite a lot of people are shopping in these two markets. As regards the fairness of the rentals, the usual practice is that we always encourage the markets themselves to commission a consultant to come up with evidence and to submit the suggestions to the USD. The Urban Council would definitely consider all these suggestions and refer them to the Rating and Valuation Department, so as to make the assessments more acceptable and reasonable. This had been the practice for the past three years. I believe in Chai Wan and Yue Wan, we have discussed the rental for these markets previously and we also encouraged them to commission their own consultants to do a survey. If they think that the rental has been fixed at too high a level, they can let us know. So far, we have not received anything from them concerning the fairness of the rentals.
DR. THE HONOURABLE ELSIE TU (in English): Mr. Chairman, in fact Mr. BERNACCHI has already asked the question I was going to ask. As it has already been answered, I do not need to ask.
MR. STEPHEN M. L. LAU (in Cantonese): Mr. Chairman, in announcing the rental increase, has the Urban Council received any complaints from the tenants to criticize us to increase the rentals too high?
MR. LAM CHAK-PIU (in Cantonese): Mr. Chairman, according to the information supplied to me, the USD has not received any complaints from other stallholders.
MR. B. A. BERNACCHI (in English): Mr. Chairman, I would like to correct Mr. LAM on that before I ask the next question. I have received many complaints from market. I do not know whether he would like to reframe his answer in view of my representatives of both the temporary market and the Yue Wan permanent market.
MR. LAM CHAK-PIU (in Cantonese): Mr. Chairman, what I meant was that after we have notified them of the intended increase and on the date of implementation, we have not received any complaints. As to complaints received by Mr. BERNACCHI, then probably Mr. BERNACCHI would refer those to the USD and there might be some time difference. On the date of implementation, we did not receive any complaints, and that is the reason why probably all complaints will have to be taken up next year.
MR. B. A. BERNACCHI (in English): Mr. Chairman, is Mr. LAM speaking from his own knowledge when he says there are a lot of people patronizing the market or is he referring to report he has had from the departmental staff? If he is referring to report he himself has noticed, how many times does he go per month to Chai Wan?
CHAIRMAN (in English): You do not have to answer, Mr. LAM. You could try if you wish.
MR. LAM CHAK-PIU (in Cantonese): Mr. Chairman, I would like to answer that question. If I often go to Chai Wan, people might say that I pay too much attention...
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