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HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
I think we should base our discussions on the Chinese version of the motion. We should improve the translation from Chinese to English later. According to the Standing Orders, our minutes of meetings are kept in English. It will create a big joke if the English version of the motion is adopted here.
CHAIRMAN (in Cantonese):—I will read the amendment again.
RESOLVED that in view of the deterioration in the water quality in the Victoria Harbour, this Council urges the Government to amend the Public Health and Municipal Services Ordinance to require water supplied for keeping seafood to comply with specific hygienic standards.'
Mr. Lam Man-FAI (in Cantonese):—I second the amended motion.
MR. STEVEN HUNG (in Cantonese):—Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I oppose the amendment. I want to cite you an example to demonstrate the problem with his amendment. Assuming that I am a vendor selling seafood and I am not a supplier of seawater. In Kwun Tong Pier, Kowloon Bay, I get some water to keep my fish. If the fish subsequently dies, I would not be breaching the law as a result. This is the gist of the question. We all know that contaminated seawater is not suitable for consumption.
Ms. GRACE AU (in Cantonese):—I oppose the amendment as it is not necessary.
The question on Mr. Christopher CHUNG's amended motion was put.
The motion was lost with 10 votes for and 16 votes against (the Chairman did not vote).
CHAIRMAN (in Cantonese):—This amended motion is not carried. The original motion is still valid. Members can speak on the original motion according to the list.
MR. JOSEPH Chan (in Cantonese):—Mr. Chairman, in order to save time, I do not intend to speak again.
Mr. Mok Ying-fan (in Cantonese):—Mr. Chairman, I believe you also eat seafood, me too. I am sure many colleagues also eat seafood. If the seawater for keeping the seafood is contaminated, what would be the consequences? I think the answer is very simple. In some minor cases, you need to take some medicine. But in more serious cases, you may have to be hospitalised. I am sure Members will remember the case last year when some members of the public were admitted to hospitals after consuming seafood kept in contaminated
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