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HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
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Mr. Lai Chi-keong (in Cantonese):—As we all know, the Urban Council has organized some large-scale activities such as the Mid-Autumn Festival Lantern Carnival or the Chinese New Year Fair; large quantities of garbage would be left in U.C. venues after each festival. Did the Department stop taking prosecution action during such events even if there were litterbugs, or was any prosecution action taken? If yes, can I have the relevant figures? Also, did the Department do any publicity broadcast during such events, just like what has been done on Sundays in Central?
Mr. Chan Yuek-sut (in Cantonese):—Advisory broadcast would always be done and television broadcast of the message was also arranged. But the result, especially after the Mid-Autumn Festival, was still disappointing. If prosecution action has to be taken during such events, a special task force may have to be deployed. If such is the case, the Department may have to request and authorize Members to book litterbugs on the spot in parks and beaches. Under these circumstances, I think we should consider carefully to decide whether such drastic prosecution action should be taken while people are enjoying themselves on festivals, or whether it would be better to step up publicity and education.
Mr. Wu Chi-wai (in Cantonese):—I would like to explain in detail my question on the appropriate ratio of prosecution action. It is because I believe we Members do not understand the process of prosecution action at all. As shown by the figures, the Department has 1,500 officers who are authorized to carry out prosecution action. However, the number of prosecution cases is 26,000. I hope the Department can submit a detailed review report on the work arrangement of booking 'litter bugs'. I hope Mr. Chan can bring up this question at the Public Health Select Committee for discussion.
Mr. Tim S. Manuel Chan (in Cantonese):—Has the Department considered producing some leaflets carrying the message of Keeping Hong Kong Clean and the penalties for litter offences for distribution to visitors to Hong Kong in the border areas or at the airport, so as to advise these visitors not to commit such offences? Has the Department done this? If not, will the Department consider doing this as an inter-departmental effort?
Mr. Chan Yuek-sut (in Cantonese):—This has been done before. But I haven't been to these places recently, so I don't know whether this is still being done or not. However, I have once seen information packages available to the visitors to Hong Kong in the airport. Such information includes the messages on Keep Hong Kong Clean campaign and penalties for litter offences. The Keep Hong Kong Clean Committee had implemented this measure in the past. I guess this is still being done but I can't say for sure for I haven't been to the airport for a long time. Perhaps when members visit the airport, they can check it out for us.
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Page 204 of 485