HONG KONG PROVISIONAL URBAN COUNCIL
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MR. STEVEN HUNG CHUNG-FUN (in Cantonese):—Mr. Chairman, I don't understand. I asked two questions. I am not sure if the 'no' refers to both questions. If so, I have doubts. Let me ask my questions again clearly. First, are the conditions of unlicensed cooked food stalls included under hygiene condition? Secondly, should departmental staff be responsible to monitor the condition?
Mr. Joseph Chan Yuek-sut (in Cantonese):—Mr. Chairman, the question asks about hygiene conditions and refuse cleaning, not hygiene in respect of cooked food stalls.
Mr. Kam Nai-wat (in Cantonese):—The reply document states there were two prosecutions against cleansing contractors of public housing estates within the last year. Is the Chairman of the Select Committee satisfied with the Department's performance in this kind of work? I mean two prosecutions in a year. I am sure colleagues from constituencies comprised of housing estates know about the situation more clearly. I just wonder if the Chairman of the Select Committee is satisfied with the prosecution figure.
My second question is whether the Chairman of the Select Committee will include the review of prosecutions in respect of housing estates in the agenda of the next meeting of the Public Health Select Committee. Let me point out that I do not mean information supplied by the Housing Department. I mean how the Department takes up prosecution work against the cleansing contractors of the housing estates and how the policy for prosecutions is realized. Can we discuss the above at the next meeting of the Public Health Select Committee? Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Mr. Joseph Chan Yuek-sut (in Cantonese):—Mr. Chairman, prosecutions against contractors are taken out in accordance with legislation on the Council's role in public cleansing and prevention of nuisances (Section 12 of the Urban Council Bylaws). Anyone transporting refuse in a public place must cover the refuse containers properly to prevent flies, overspilling or the flowing out of dirty water. The maximum penalty for contravention is a fine of $10,000. Of the two prosecutions mentioned before, one was taken out against a housing estate cleansing contractor contravening Section 12. The other concerns Section 20 of the Bylaws regulating that refuse bins or containers cannot be left in a public place for over 10 minutes before the arrival of refuse collection trucks. Again, the maximum fine is $10,000.
As to whether there should be a detailed discussion into the prosecution work and policy in respect of housing estate cleansing contractors at the next meeting of the Public Health Select Committee, it can be arranged if colleagues consider necessary. We can also ask representatives of the Housing Department to attend and join our discussion.
As to whether I am satisfied with two prosecutions in a year, I cannot comment. Figures could not represent the situation.
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