Page 34 of 654
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
completed by the end of the year 1997/98, so we can expect it to be completed by the end of March 1998. I promise Mr. To that this matter will be taken back to the Recreation Select Committee to ensure that works will be completed as soon as possible.
(3) MR. ALBERT LAI WING-LIN asked the following question:- 'The Markets and Street Traders Select Committee has approved the proposal of installing public market scales in all Urban Council public markets, to facilitate citizens to immediately weigh the food purchased in case of doubts. However, according to my observation, some Urban Council public markets are still not equipped with such scales. Therefore, I have the following questions.
(a) Please list out the Urban Council public markets that are installed with public market scales, as well as their frequency of use.
(b) What is the response of citizens and stall lessees regarding the installation of such scales in Urban Council public markets? Has the Council taken any appropriate suitable actions to encourage citizens to use the scales when necessary?
(c) Has the Council any plans to install public market scales in all its existing public markets? If yes, please provide the timetable and detailed arrangements. If no, what are the difficulties?"
Mr. IP KWOK-CHUNG, Chairman of the Markets and Street Traders Select Committee, replied as follows (in Cantonese):- This three-part question concerns the provision of public weighing scales in UC markets. The first part asks which UC markets are provided with public weighing scales and their frequency of use.
Since February 1995, public weighing scales have been provided in 4 UC markets. They are the Bowrington Road Market, Sheung Wan Market, Po On Road Market and Sheung Fung Street Market. All four are regularly used and the frequency of use of each of these scales ranges between about 10 to 50 times daily.
The second part of the question concerns the response of the public and stall tenants to the provision of such scales. According to observations made by the Department, market-goers generally welcome the provision of public weighing scales to protect their interests. Stall lessees also tend to accept such provision as a means to promote their credibility. Notices and directional signs showing the locations of the weighing scales are displayed in conspicuous places in the markets to draw the attention of the market-goers.
The last part of the question concerns whether the Council has any plans to provide weighing scales in all existing public markets. For all new markets, such scales will be provided as a standard item. In respect of existing markets, it is planned to provide scales wherever feasible and 36 additional UC markets have so far been identified to be suitable for the provision of the weighing scales.
Page 36 of 654