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HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
Mr. Joseph Chan Yuek-sut (in Cantonese):—Mr. Hung's information is correct. For Home Ownership Scheme flats, public housing flats and rental flats of the Housing Society, cases are usually referred to the authorities concerned for handling because it is quicker for them to take action directly. The allegation of shirking responsibility is wrong because it is important to demarcate clear responsibilities so as to improve efficiency. Occupiers of public housing flats are tenants and tenants tend to follow the advice of the landlord more. To them, the Housing Department is the landlord. If the landlord takes it up, tenants are usually more cooperative. As to the Nuisance Notices mentioned in paragraph 7, if an occupier is uncooperative and we need to inspect the unit, we will have to search for the information of the owner. Otherwise, there should be no such need. If one is cooperative, whether he is a tenant or an occupier, we will inform him directly and the problem will be solved. In this case, there is no need for the issuance of a Nuisance Notice.
Mr. Stanley Ng Wing-fai (in Cantonese):—In West Kowloon, we once paid a visit to a housing estate early in the morning together with some Health Inspectors in the hope of enhancing efficiency. We found that they only brought along a small pair of binoculars so that it was difficult to spot where water dripping could be found in the multi-storey buildings. I want to know if the Chairman of the Public Health Select Committee has in mind any measures to improve efficiency in respect of inspections for water dripping from air-conditioners and whether there will be a review shortly on the improvement in provision of binoculars and other items of equipment.
Mr. Joseph Chan Yuek-sut (in Cantonese):—If there are such problems, I think we can upgrade our equipment or facilities so as to improve efficiency.
Mr. Wu Chi-wai (in Cantonese):—I have one further question. Why do staff of the Department require one month to check the particulars on ownership of properties?
Mr. Joseph Chan Yuek-sut (in Cantonese):—The Department needs time to search for information at the Land Office or Land Registry. As to whether this can be done more quickly, I have to find out. This present operation does require some time. I do not know how searches are processed in the private sector. Maybe law firms know better, or people are paid or sent to process searches. I would need some time to arrange things and I have to check with the Department to see if the time required can be shortened.
Mr. Joseph Lai Chi-keong (in Cantonese):—I refer to paragraph 2 of the reply, Eastern District is my constituency. From the reply, I find that there were nearly 5,000 cases of water dripping from air-conditioners in the Eastern District. That figure represents four or five times the figure reported in other districts. Has