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(2) whether regular training and drills for lifeguards are conducted to ensure that they are in the best condition at all times?
MR. RONNIE WONG MAN-CHIU, CHAIRMAN OF THE RECREATION SELECT COMMITTEE, replied as follows (in Cantonese): This question, concerning the alertness and life-saving technique of lifeguards, is in two parts and asks:
(1) whether the calibre and professionalism of the lifeguards have been examined, or only their relevant certificates are counted when they are recruited; and
(2) whether regular training and drills for lifeguards are conducted to ensure that they are in the best condition at all times?
As regards the first part, all lifeguards recruited by the Department are required to undergo strict physical and skill tests which comprise four parts: (a) a swimming speed test of 100 m in breast stroke; (b) a diving test to recover an object from the bottom of the pool; (c) towing a 'victim' 50 m using cross-chest tow and (d) applying artificial resuscitation to the 'victim' on land. A candidate must pass all four practical tests before he can be offered appointment. The candidate will not be offered appointment if he fails any one of the above tests even though he may possess valid life-saving qualifications.
As regards the second part of the question, all lifeguards of the department are required to undergo regular drills at the venue or beach where they serve in order to keep them physically and technically competent in discharging their duties. The drill programmes are carried out according to prescribed frequencies set for individual drill items either weekly or bi-weekly. The drills are designed to upkeep the physique of the lifeguards as well as their life-saving and first-aid techniques. Team drill on the mobilization plan for individual venues or at beaches is also part of the programme. All drills are carried out under the close supervision as well as frequent inspections by management staff at district/regional level. Apart from these drills, relevant refresher training courses are offered to the lifeguards by the Recreation, Sports and Amenities Training Unit with a view to revalidating their life-saving and first-aid qualifications. These courses are mostly organized during the off-peak period when it is easier for the lifeguards to attend.
3.
MR. IP KWOK-CHUNG asked the following question (in Cantonese):—This question concerns the blockage of the drains of the Yau Ma Tei Market at Battery Street.
I have always received complaints caused by the blockage of drains of the Yau Ma Tei Market at Battery Street, and I am very concerned about this problem.
Actually, the drainage blockage of the Yau Ma Tei Market at Battery Street is mainly caused by the poultry traders of the market who constantly throw into the drains feathers plucked out from chickens and ducks without prior proper treatment. As a result, the drains are blocked up and the sewage flows out, which seriously affects the operation of the nearby shops and environmental hygiene of the area. Furthermore, as the drainage system is a major one in the area of Yau Ma Tei and Jordan, once blockage occurs, drains in other areas such as Jordan and Ferry Point will also be upset and blocked up, thus seriously affecting people's daily life. As far as I know, the Drainage Services Department has conducted as many as 10 major clearance exercises for this section of drainage between August 1991 and March 1992, with the extra disbursement for hiring contractors amounting to over 1 million dollars. Besides, minor drainage works are also carried out on a regular basis, but the drainage blockage problem remains unsolved. Hence, I would like to ask:
(1) Regarding the improper use of the drainage of the market, will the Council strengthen its prosecution against the persons concerned, so as to prevent the drains of the market from being blocked?
(2) Will the Council consider additional devices to the drains of the market in order to stop the people concerned from throwing untreated chicken and duck feathers into the drains and thereby causing blockage problems?
(3) Will the Council consider stepping up its publicity and education for the traders on maintaining the cleanliness of the market drains, with a view to improving the environmental hygiene of the market in the interest of the whole area?
MR. STEPHEN LAU MAN-LUNG, CHAIRMAN OF THE MARKETS AND STREET TRADERS SELECT COMMITTEE, replied as follows (in English):—This is a two-part question raised by Mr. IP about the blockage of the government sewers which may be attributable to the improper use of the drainage of the Yau Ma Tei Market.
The first part of the question asks about the necessity of the Council to install additional devices to the drains of the market to prevent feathers from entering into the public sewers outside the market and to step up prosecution against improper use of the market drains.
First of all, I would like to point out that Yau Ma Tei Market is a very old market built in 1957. Unlike other new UC markets where bucket traps designed specifically to prevent feathers from blocking the main market drain are provided for the poultry stalls and the poultry scalding rooms, there is no such provision in Yau Ma Tei Market. Notwithstanding this, precautionary installations have been provided to prevent poultry feathers from being discharged into the public sewers. These installations are iron grille covers over the surface channels in front of the market stalls, including the poultry stalls. They will help screen off most of the feathers unavoidably generated in the course of the poultry stalls business. To arrest smaller feathers that may have gone through the grilles, iron gratings are also provided over all drain outlets in the market. In addition, wire nets are also provided on top of these gratings as a process for final screening. Feathers that have been screened either by the grilles, the wire nets or the gratings are cleared regularly every day by the market operators and the market staff. Despite all these precautionary measures, it is true that some small feathers may still find their way into the
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