Page 405 of 485
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
example to answer Mr. To's question. The number of waterfront amenities has decreased because of reclamation. Yet, after the completion of reclamation work, the land given back to us for open space or promenade development will be much more than that we lost or expropriated.
(4) MR. STANLEY NG WING-FAI asked the following question (in Cantonese):-In February this year, the Hawker Control Team (HCT) started to put on trial the special work shift to cope with illegal hawker problems during midnight and early morning. It is because there were many confrontations between HT and hawkers in the past year and some HCT members even got injured and were hospitalised. I, therefore, want to raise the following questions:
(a) It is rumoured that in a certain place in Mongkok, the 'lookout' fee is $500 per month while the 'lookout' fee for hawkers trading with hand-carriers is $100 per month. Does the Council know about this? Has the Council reflected to the police about possible infiltration of triad elements into some hawkers blackspots? Upon receiving a report from HCT, the Police usually arrive in a few minutes time. But are there any districts where the Police takes more time to arrive or does not give positive assistance? If any HCT member is threatened, what police assistance is normally provided and has the Urban Services Department received any complaints in this regard from HCT members?
(b) Regarding the trial arrangement for the special work shift starting from February, does the Council agree that operations during overnight shifts has a higher chance of confrontation with cooked food hawkers? Has the Council ever made any concerted effort with the police to facilitate law enforcement? Are there any problems in this respect?
(c) Since some HCT members consider that their outfits are inadequate, will the Council consider improving their outfits, such as providing caps, 'UC' epaulets for winter jackets, nylon waistbands, bags, walkie-talkies and sufficient radiophones of good reception quality, thick woolen jackets and powerful torches?
(d) Since some HCT members worry about their safety and remuneration/welfare, should the HCT's present remuneration/welfare package be reviewed? What is the situation when compared with other disciplined forces? To ensure safety of the HCT members, has the Council made adequate preparations/arrangements and provided sufficient training to them so that they can go out to work with confidence and return home safely?
MR. IP KWOK-Chung, CHAIRMAN OF THE MARKETS AND STREET TRADERS SELECT COMMITTEE, replied as follows (in Cantonese):-This is a four-part question concerning the trial of a shift pattern for the newly-created Regional Task Force (RTF) to carry out enforcement actions against late-night and early-morning illegal hawking activities in certain blackspots within urban areas. The question is raised on account of the confrontations between RTF
Page 405 of 485
Page 405
Page 406