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couple of days. So, if you want to attack the root of the problem, you should enact legislation to control or inspect the water quality of the tanks rather than the source. In fact the flush water from toilets after filtration for two days can become very clean. I think despite the fact that Mr. To's motion is well intended it however doesn't really cover a lot of the points, so I would abstain from voting.
MR. ALBERT LAI (in Cantonese):—Mr. Chairman, seawater not supplied by water suppliers can also be hygienic. Actually, water after treatment as pointed out by Mr. Ronnie Wong, if it is up to standard then it can be used to keep seafood. We usually pinpoint at the restaurants or food establishments, what about the vendors selling seafood? It is really very difficult to amend the original motion because it is a very long worded one. To amend the motion incorporating the divergent views hastily is no easy task. I think we should amend it like this, 'water to keep seafood, which is on sale for human consumption must be in compliance with specific hygienic standards.' I think the above amendment is workable, otherwise despite the fact that the water tanks are very clean, if the seafood is contaminated, then there will still be problems.
CHAIRMAN (in Cantonese):—Mr. To, as the original proposer of the motion, has the right to speak again. After he has exercised his right of reply, the motion will be put to vote.
MR. TO BOON-MAN (in Cantonese):—Mr. Chairman, after listening to Members' speeches, if there is any ambiguity in the wording of the motion, I hope to improve upon it. I have some minor amendments to make in the last sentence of my motion.
CHAIRMAN (in Cantonese):—You cannot do that. We have to put the motion to a vote.
The question on Mr. To Boon-man's original motion was put.
The original motion was carried with 22 votes for, 2 against and 4 abstention (the Chairman did not vote).
(4) Mr. Lai Hok-Lim moved the following motion:
*RESOLVED that owing to poor hygienic and sanitary conditions in public housing estates, the Urban Council must strictly enforce the Public Health and Municipal Services Ordinance, requiring the Housing Department and the Hong Kong Housing Society, as managers of most of the public areas in public housing estates, to improve the sanitation of those areas immediately, and lay charge against the Housing Department and the Hong Kong Housing Society in case of violation of the Ordinance.'
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