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HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
(3) the consumers a particular market serves;
(4) the trading situation of a market;
(5) the overall trading environment and situation of a market.
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I hope to be able to discuss in detail the points listed above in the discussion to be held in September. Recently, a study team comprising us councillor went to Singapore and returned with good news. Market rental in Singapore is quite low. One thing worth taking reference is that there are only 36 people in the market management and hawker control force of Singapore. For us, we spend hundreds of millions to keep our Hawker Control Force. What we spend on this has to be shouldered by market operators, and I feel it is grossly unfair. I think our recent review of the market rental policy is indeed timely. With these remarks, I support the motion. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Mr. Christopher Chung Shu-kun (in Cantonese):—Mr. Chairman, fellow colleagues, something happened at my office last month. I was meeting members of the public that night when 70 to 80 market stall traders of Yue Wan Market rushed in furiously. They spoke in abusive language against me and the Urban Council. They asked why we were increasing rent by such a large percentage, claiming that they were asked to pay 30% to 80% more.
In fact, I can understand their fury. A market stall trader is not the boss of a large conglomerate, just a small merchant. Yue Wan Market is an old style market with poor ventilation and narrow corridors. Many itinerant hawkers operate outside the market. Even loading areas are occupied by itinerant hawkers. Notwithstanding these bad conditions, we decided their rental increase in accordance with the market rent and valuation of the shops outside. An air-conditioned, spacious and brightly lit unit in an arcade is certainly worth a higher rent. A 70% to 80% increase is, to me, an extra burden for the average market stall trader. Because of the large increase in rent, those who suffer will naturally shift the burden to the general public. When our families go and buy food, the items cost a lot more. I feel that the Council's policy to peg rent on the so-called market rent is unreasonable.
Our present inflation rate is still high. By increasing rent drastically, we drive up the prices of our daily necessities. Mr. Chairman, I think it is high time for us to review our market rental policy. I suggest that we adopt a new method by taking inflation rate as reference. I support the motion. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
MR. KAM NAI-WAI (in Cantonese):—Urban Council markets play their social role in many ways. They are used to resite itinerant hawkers or those affected by demolition as a matter of policy. They help improve the outlook of the city and they offer a convenient place for the public to shop for food. Various colleagues have discussed the way the Council at present determines market rent. Mr. LEUNG Kam-tao, Chairman of the Markets Sub-Committee said we were not adopting market rental assessment at present, but some of my
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HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
(3) the consumers a particular market serves;
(4) the trading situation of a market;
(5) the overall trading environment and situation of a market.
175
I hope to be able to discuss in detail the points listed above in the discussion to be held in September. Recently, a study team comprising us councillor went to Singapore and returned with good news. Market rental in Singapore is quite low. One thing worth taking reference is that there are only 36 people in the market management and hawker control force of Singapore. For us, we spend hundreds of millions to keep our Hawker Control Force. What we spend on this has to be shouldered by market operators, and I feel it is grossly unfair. I think our recent review of the market rental policy is indeed timely. With these remarks, I support the motion. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Mr. Christopher Chung Shu-kun (in Cantonese):—Mr. Chairman, fellow colleagues, something happened at my office last month. I was meeting members of the public that night when 70 to 80 market stall traders of Yue Wan Market rushed in furiously. They spoke in abusive language against me and the Urban Council. They asked why we were increasing rent by such a large percentage, claiming that they were asked to pay 30% to 80% more.
In fact, I can understand their fury. A market stall trader is not the boss of a large conglomerate, just a small merchant. Yue Wan Market is an old style market with poor ventilation and narrow corridors. Many itinerant hawkers operate outside the market. Even loading areas are occupied by itinerant hawkers. Notwithstanding these bad conditions, we decided their rental increase in accordance with the market rent and valuation of the shops outside. An air-conditioned, spacious and brightly lit unit in an arcade is certainly worth a higher rent. A 70% to 80% increase is, to me, an extra burden for the average market stall trader. Because of the large increase in rent, those who suffer will naturally shift the burden to the general public. When our families go and buy food, the items cost a lot more. I feel that the Council's policy to peg rent on the so-called market rent is unreasonable.
Our present inflation rate is still high. By increasing rent drastically, we drive up the prices of our daily necessities. Mr. Chairman, I think it is high time for us to review our market rental policy. I suggest that we adopt a new method by taking inflation rate as reference. I support the motion. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
MR. KAM NAI-WAI (in Cantonese):—Urban Council markets play their social role in many ways. They are used to resite itinerant hawkers or those affected by demolition as a matter of policy. They help improve the outlook of the city and they offer a convenient place for the public to shop for food. Various colleagues have discussed the way the Council at present determines market rent. Mr. LEUNG Kam-tao, Chairman of the Markets Sub-Committee said we were not adopting market rental assessment at present, but some of my
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