HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
There is something else I would like to share with Members. Staff of the Housing Department in fact need delegation of power by the Urban Services Department in enforcement of cleanliness laws, especially in catching litter bugs. That is to say, if the Council does not enforce the law in estates, it should delegate others to do so. I think we should not be passive and only address matters on receiving complaints. We should adopt an active attitude and prosecute in respect of environmental hygiene black spots, in particular those in housing estates. I hope the mover of the original motion can explain his proposed classification system and tell us whether it is designed for enforcement or simply to educate the public. Thank you.
MR. FRANCIS TANG CHI-HO (in Cantonese):—Regarding the discussions by Members on this motion, I think we must first of all clarify if it is power vested by the Municipal Services Ordinance.
First and foremost, enforcement of the Public Health and Municipal Services Ordinance is the responsibility of the Urban Council. There is no doubt about this. Another thing which the original mover may explain later on is the suggestion that the Urban Council and the Urban Services Department should prosecute cleaning contractors of the Housing Authority and Housing Society for non-compliance of public health legislation. I think very few Members ever participated in prosecution action in the districts, with the exception of Mr. Eric WONG Chung-ki who did take departmental staff on such an errand. You may say that Mr. Eric WONG was diligent. Another possibility is that we need to review whether there are criteria for assessment on what the Department has done inside and outside of public housing estates. A Member mentioned that residents of private estates paid rates and they too formed a part of the community. I fully support that suggestion. From past experience and as reflected in our debates and cases brought to us, complaints were rarely lodged by residents of private estates. In my opinion, if they lodge complaints, staff of the Urban Services Department must act. The reason we are discussing about housing estates is because of the public concern and the large percentage of residents in public housing estates. I hope Members will continue to be concerned about our legislation. I therefore support the original motion. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
MR. TAM KWOK-KIU (in Cantonese):—Mr. Chairman, I would like to express the views of Members of the Association of Democracy and People's Livelihood on the original motion and the amendment. I note that other colleagues have given their opinions in details.
Basically, I think we have consensus over the first and last parts of the original and amended motions. Conflicts lie in the middle part on the handling method only. In the opinion of the Association, neither the original nor the amended motion tackles hygiene problems in public housing estates in an effective manner. As put by some colleagues just now, we have a trump card.
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