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review the design of these bins. We can consider fixing them on the ground or some place else so as to prevent them from being stolen.
MR. WONG KWOK-HING (in Cantonese):-I welcome Mr. NG's report today. Perhaps he can be more active by reporting on discovering collection bins have been stolen instead of waiting until today. As I understand, the Department intends to purchase 216 dog fouling collection bins in the next two years. They will be placed at additional locations and some will replace damaged ones. If Mr. NG knows the locations of stolen collection bins, may I ask him to supply information so that I can ask the Department to put in replacements?
Chairman (in Cantonese):—I can see a lot of Members are interested in this topic. Perhaps they would be interested to join discussions of the Public Health Select Committee.
Mr. Joseph Chan YUEK-SUT (in Cantonese):—Mr. Chairman, I am not answering questions, but can I ask a question? I would like to respond to Mr. KAM Nai-wai's point. I did not say that I was not well-suited to be the Chairman of the Public Health Select Committee. I am very interested in the job. What I said was that the best choice for the Chairman of the Public Health Select Committee should be a doctor with medical qualifications.
MR. Chairman, I want to go back to the issue. My first question is about the penalty level for dog fouling offences, the number of convictions and the penalties imposed in the past year.
My second question is whether it will be possible for this Council to propose that the future SAR Government amend the ordinance and allow the slaughtering of dogs for eating purpose. This way, there will be fewer dogs. Can this Council make such a proposal?
CHAIRMAN (in Cantonese): It is not within the ambit of this Council. We cannot make a proposal. Please do not ask that question.
MR. JOSEPH CHAN YUEK-SUT (in Cantonese);—Alright. My third question. The Department provides dog fouling collection bins and dog toilets for use by dog keepers. Can we commission the designing of dog napkins just like those for babies? If so, they can be put on dogs before going out and there will not be excreta on our streets.
MR. WONG KWOK-HING (in Cantonese):-First of all, I would like to thank the Chairman for clarifying the real reason for my delivering a reply today. I go on to answer Mr. CHAN's questions about penalty levels and the number of prosecutions. The maximum level of penalty for the first offence is $5,000. For the next and following offences, they are punishable by a fine of $10,000. There
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