1957 — Page 88

Page 88 of 113

HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL

The following Kowloon markets appear on a Market Re-construction Programme recently approved by the Council; the numbers indicate the priority in a programme including Hong Kong and Kowloon markets:-

4. Shamshuipo

6. Mongkok

7. Kun Chung

9. Hung Hom

10. To Kwa Wan.

MR. SALES-May I again, sir, with your permission, ask some supplementary questions? Paragraph 2 of your reply: would the appropriate Select Committee of this Council be given an immediate report on the results of your experiment?

CHAIRMAN:-Yes, sir, they would in any case receive one.

MR. SALES-Arising out of your reply, how long would it take this Council and your Department to carry out the same experiments in other markets in Kowloon?

CHAIRMAN:-It is impossible at the present time. Questions of staff arise and before any general improvement on these lines can be undertaken it will be necessary for staffing arrangements to be re-organized on the lines of the recommendations to which I have referred. I am not in a position to describe these today.

MR. SALES-Thank you, Mr. Chairman. A supplementary question on the third paragraph of your reply: could you give an indication of the time lag before completion of these markets in each particular case?

CHAIRMAN:-No, sir, I cannot. A very considerable period is involved.

MR. SALES:-Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman.

DR. R. H. S. LEE asked the following question:-

"Will the Chairman confirm that private schools can obtain a refund of conservancy fees in respect to urinals and nightsoil pans not in use; and if so, is this fact generally known to the schools concerned?"

HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL

THE CHAIRMAN tabled the following written reply:

"Yes, Sir.

I cannot say how far the position is appreciated in the schools, although I should have thought it obvious that we would not expect a school to pay for services it did not receive. At all events, I hope this question and answer will serve to clarify the matter."

DR. R. H. S. LEE asked the following question:-

"In view of the large amount of refuse spilt from refuse bins in the Shek Kip Mei Resettlement Area, will the Commissioner for Resettlement take immediate steps to provide more refuse bins with lids to meet the requirements of the residents?"

THE CHAIRMAN tabled the following written reply by the Commissioner for Resettlement:-

"The need for more refuse bins in Shek Kip Mei and other Resettlement Estates is recognized, and as a first step, an order for 100 more 40-gallon bins has been placed. 50 of these have already been delivered and the remainder will be delivered in the near future."

DR. R. H. S. LEE, in the absence of Mr. B. A. Bernacchi, asked the following question:-

"(a) Will the Chairman explain the necessity for the present apparently high rates chargeable for admission to the Central Reclamation Car Park?

(b) Is the Chairman aware that since the opening of the Central Reclamation Car Park considerable portions of the general reclamation area and the surroundings of the cricket ground have been turned into 'No Parking' areas. Can an assurance be given that this has no connexion with the opening of the Council's Car Park?"

THE CHAIRMAN tabled the following written reply:-

"(a) We have, as you know, a Select Committee dealing with matters relating to the management of this car park, and this committee was consulted

Page 89 of 113

tags for paragraphs. Minor corrections were made for spacing and punctuation to improve readability while adhering to the original content and order.