Page 64 of 498
Page 64 of 498
64
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
may not be in line with UC's commitment to resite on-street hawkers and better environmental hygiene.
Under the Public Health and Municipal Services Ordinance, UC is responsible for managing municipal public markets. The law authorizes USD staff to take enforcement action in markets. So, even if management of markets is contracted out to private companies, the Department will have to retain manpower for law enforcement work in the markets. From the point of establishment, this is certain not to attain the aim of cost effectiveness and saving. The motion may seem hard to implement, yet for individual support services such as cleaning of markets, they were, as pointed out by Mr. LEE, contracted out gradually from 1991. Up to the present, private contractors are handling cleaning work for a total of 43 markets. The Department carried out reviews from time to time and cleaning work for newly built market complexes are contracted out. The demand of our citizens on services provided at markets is becoming higher. The Council has recognized this and taken positive measures correspondingly so as to improve operating conditions at markets.
At the end of 1994, task groups each headed by a Senior Health Inspector were set up to strengthen market management. The Council has also allocated funds to step up publicity work in this respect. The Markets and Street Traders Select Committee chaired by myself has recently endorsed a new policy for studying into the air-conditioning systems in our markets as well as their designs. Markets now under planning will as far as possible take advantage of a new design. Details include raising the platforms for stalls, removing the partition wall of the last stalls, separating the loading areas and rubbish rooms, installing scrubber air-cleaning systems at rubbish rooms, poultry stalls and kitchens etc.
The Markets and Street Traders Select Committee will continue to take advantage of new market designs and management ideas. Three Members of the Markets and Street Traders Select Committee recently visited Singapore and Malaysia to study hawker and market management there. A report will be submitted shortly to the Council for consideration. To step up communication and study management problems, consultation committees each comprising district management staff, stall tenants, Urban Councillors and one District Board Member of the district were set up. More of such committees will be set up in various districts. I am sure this will be effective in enhancing market services and competitiveness. Based on the above, I do not support the motion.
Will Ms. Grace AU Yuk-har speak?
Ms. GRACE AU YUK-HAR (in Cantonese): Before I begin, I refer first of all to Mr. LEUNG Kam-tao's paper. As he has to leave early, I hope the Secretarial will enclose the full text of Mr. LEUNG's speech (Annex 6) in the minutes of meeting. I will save time instead of reading out the paper for him.
Page 64 of 498
Page 64 of 498