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allowed to go back to their original position in the queue. So, I wonder if the Department has sufficient staff to monitor the queue. How many days before the actual allocation are people allowed to queue up? I think it is an important question.
Mr. Joseph Chan Yuek-sut (in Cantonese):—As to whether undertakers are given priority or preferential treatment, I don't have the relevant information off hand. If Ms. Au has received such a complaint, I can refer the complaint to the Department for handling.
As far as our process is concerned, every month we publicise the information by putting up a notice outside the office. As to when people can go there to make enquiry, they can always go there at anytime.
MR. WU CHI-WAI (in Cantonese):—I raised this question in the first place because it is obvious that residents in Kowloon wanted to make use of the niches in Kowloon. I think they would have to wait forever if the present method is to continue. Every month on the first day, they have to go and check the notice board to see how many niches are available but the undertakers' staff stationed right next door and they can easily get hold of the information. So I think it is better for us to have a prior registration system or some sort of booking system. I think it is like having a waiting list for public housing. For example, I would like to get a niche in Diamond Hill Crematorium and I put my name down and one day it will be my turn. I also understand that there will be an expansion programme for Diamond Hill Crematorium and in a year or two, there will be an annex to the Diamond Hill Columbarium.
In the interim period, can we have some sort of measures to assist residents in the queuing process instead of letting people queue up without getting a definite result?
CHAIRMAN (in Cantonese):—I would advise Mr. CHAN to refer these suggestions to the relevant Select Committee for discussion.
MR. JOSEPH CHAN Yuek-sut (in Cantonese):—I think it is not too fruitful to have any discussions because we don't have empty or vacated niches. We have to wait for people to surrender niches. No matter what measures we adopt, we can't solve the problem.
Ms. GRACE AU YUK-HAR (in Cantonese):—I understand that in July, there will be 38 niches available. Mr. Chan insists that the vacancies will only be known on the first day of the month, I think this is not true. In fact, residents knew about it and the notice was taken away. If we adopt a prior registration system on a first-come-first served basis or by ballot, what are the additional manpower required as estimated by the Department?
Mr. Joseph Chan Yuek-sut (in Cantonese):—Mr. Chairman, I don't have the information with me as to the staff implications if we are to impose a new system.
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