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young people who play with fire at barbecue sites. They melt candles similar to what has been done in the Mid-Autumn Festival. They make fire balls that are explosive and exciting. I have also heard that there are people who play with fireworks which can be shot up into the sky. So how can we stop or prevent such situation from taking place? My fourth question is: In Deep Water Bay, Southern District, the barbecue site is actually very close to gas pipes. Is it really appropriate to put barbecue sites at such locations? Is it safe enough? What effective measures do we have to prevent fire from breaking out in such places or to prevent possible accidents such as explosions? My last question is: In Shek O, we have cancelled some barbecue pits, but we do know that there is quite a big demand for barbecue pits on this barbecue beach. Do we have any appropriate and safe locations to replace the cancelled ones?
MR. RONNIE WONG MAN-CHIU (in Cantonese):—Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Let me organise myself and digest the question first. The first question from Mr. CHAN is about the time taken by the Fire Services Department to tell us the cause of the fire. I think the Urban Services Department does not really need to wait for the outcome of the investigation before it starts work. It has already put in many preventive measures. As stated in my main reply, there was an interdepartmental meeting between the four departments immediately after the incident and new rules were put in place. I think the Fire Services Department has good reasons for not giving us a report before the coroner's inquest. I am sure the Department will follow up. As to whether the 9-metre safety distance is adequate or not, this was decided after discussion among the four departments and collection of opinions from experts. I think we need to trust them. I personally feel that 9 metres which measures around 30 feet should be quite adequate. As for Mr. CHAN's point about putting in fire fighting equipment at barbecue sites similar to what is being done at the country parks, I am sure the USD will take that into consideration and follow up. Actually after the incident, we have stepped up fire fighting equipment at barbecue areas e.g. sand buckets are provided at barbecue sites. Mr. CHAN's third question is in relation to young people playing with fire at the beach and barbecue sites. That is a complex and big problem, quite a headache actually. If we merely depend on the USD and people patrolling the beaches, perhaps we will not be able to eradicate the problem completely. I would suggest to refer the matter to the Recreation Select Committee for discussion. We will ask the Department to take it up and probably to solicit the help of the Police and our legal advisor. Perhaps this will help us to come up with solutions to the problem. Since Mr. CHAN is a member of the Recreation Select Committee, I look forward to his views at that forum. The fourth question is in relation to gas pipes. The Electrical and Mechanical Services Department's Gas Safety Standard Office and the Town Gas have confirmed and assured us that the gas pipes near our barbecue pits will not pose any danger. Despite the replies from the two organisations, the Department has put up some barriers around the gas pipes so as to keep people away and we have formally requested the Town Gas to move the gas pipes and they have agreed. As regards the last question i.e. cancellation
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of some barbecue pits at Shek O and their replacement somewhere else, I am sure the Department will bear this in mind and try to put in barbecue pits elsewhere.
MR. JASON YUEN KING-YUK (in Cantonese):—Mr. Chairman, according to my record, I have received copied letters from the Shek O Resident Association. From 1992 to 1994, they have written to the Department and expressed a lot of views in relation to the 081CR project i.e. an extension of barbecue area. So in relation to the fire at the barbecue area, I wonder whether the Department or the Council has consulted these local residents or not because I keep on receiving such letters. Do we have to consult them and obtain their views through the DB as well? I would like to know what is the progress of work in this regard?
MR. RONNIE WONG MAN-CHIU (in Cantonese):—All projects under the Recreation Select Committee do involve consultation with the District Board (DB). As for the organisation mentioned by Mr. YUEN, I am sure they have representatives on the District Board, who can reflect their views to us through the DB. As for the new barbecue area, as I have said, the latest standard i.e. the 9-metre safety distance from residential areas, will be applied.
(3) MR. FUNG KWONG-CHUNG asked the following question (in Cantonese):— It has been reported recently that triad gangs in control of illegal hawkers are hindering General Duties Teams' (GDT) raiding operations through various means: (a) trapping information about GDT's operations with telecommunication equipment; (b) 'scouting' outside USD offices and following GDT members in order to alert fellow gangsters by portable telephone; (c) deploying 'sentries' at hawker black spots to pose as ordinary members of the public who would shout and create disorder when the GDTs perform their duties. I would like to know:
(a) Apart from adopting administrative measures to strength the establishment of GDT, will the Department consider applying more flexibility in GDT operations, such as conducting 'tactical' patrol to issue summonses in order to enhance efficiency?
(b) Besides increasing manpower, does the Department have any other ways to counter the 'scouting' activities? Will the Department consider improving the GDT's equipment such as their walkie-talkies, to prevent bugging? (c) With regard to the problem of illegal hawkers' affiliation with triad societies, has the Department taken any joint action with the Organized Crime & Triad Group of the Police?
MR. IP KWOK-CHUNG, CHAIRMAN OF THE MARKETS AND STREET TRADERS SELECT COMMITTEE, replied as follows (in Cantonese):—This is a three-part question concerning enforcement strategies and measures to deal with unlicensed hawkers with suspected triad background or connection.
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