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eroding foothills. There are also fire victims per- mitted to live in temporary huts on the edge of the open nullah itself. In these circumstances it is extremely hard to keep the channel free from rubbish and silt.

The only permanent solution involves the resettlement of squatters, substantial drainage works and the re- construction of the nullah. I regret I am not in a position to estimate when all this can be done. Funds are in fact already provided in the Public Works Department Estimates for the reconstruction of the nullah, but work cannot start until the squatters can be resettled.

Meanwhile this nullah is carefully watched by both departments concerned that is, my department and the Public Works Department—and we do all we can to keep this nuisance to a minimum.”

MR. LI YIU Bor asked the following question :—

"Is the Chairman, Urban Council, aware that the residents of North Point are not being served by a proper market? Will he state whether or not રી market will be built in the area?"

THE CHAIRMAN tabled the following written reply :-

"A market at North Point is not at present among the new capital works which this Council has proposed to Government. So far as the sale of meat, fish and poultry is concerned, I believe the Council's present view is that the needs of the district can be adequately met by food shops, or at all events that the recon- struction of old and congested markets elsewhere is at present a more urgent matter.

As regards the sale of vegetables, this aspect is closely bound up with the hawker problem. You will be aware that new arrangements have recently been made by Council for the accommodation and control of some groups of hawkers in North Point. The Council will of course be kept informed of the pro- gress of this action, which may perhaps point the way to a solution of some of the difficulties you have in mind."

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MR. A. de O. SALES asked the following question :-

"How often are the markets in Kowloon and the streets in their vicinity washed by your Department and the rubbish removed?"

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THE CHAIRMAN tabled the following written reply:

"In market buildings Urban Services Department staff wash all public thoroughfares every morning and are employed on sweeping, and extra washing necessary, throughout the day. Market stallholders have a duty to keep their own stalls clean at all times and are required to move everything out of the stalls for a thorough cleansing once a week. Refuse lorries call to remove refuse three times a day from all major markets.

In streets round major markets staff are employed con- tinuously on refuse removal for 17 hours a day. The streets are washed once a week by street wash- ing vehicles. Refuse lorries call to remove refuse three times a day. It cannot however be said that these arrangements work satisfactorily chiefly because of the difficulties caused by hawkers. Proposals for improvements will shortly be submitted to the Council, and meanwhile new arrangements are being tried out round the Shek Tong Tsui Market in Western Hong Kong and round the new Yaumati Market in Kowloon. As a result it is now possible to ensure in both these areas that all refuse dumped during the day is entirely removed by midnight each night. The crowds in these areas by day are so great that it is difficult to remove all refuse the moment it is dumped or to catch people dumping it.”

MR. SALES-May 1 with your permission ask a supple- mentary question?

CHAIRMAN :--Please.

MR. SALES :-Before doing so I would like to congratulate you on the excellence of your reply. I refer to the second sentence, Mr. Chairman : "Market stallholders have a duty to keep their own stalls clean at all times. . . .".

Do I have your assurance that the staff of your Department help these market stall- holders to keep their duty in that respect?

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