Page 41 of 107
67
R
66
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
Mr. Y. K. Kan referred to basements, and was dissatisfied with a policy which permits their occupation in certain circumstances. We are dealing successfully with attempts to convert new basements into domestic accommodation and in consequence, the real problem is that of clearing the older ones. Here we come up against the old impasse "where are the occupants to go?" Rehousing appears to be the only solution.
This concludes my remarks, but I would not like to close without thanking members for their proposals and criticisms, which serve to keep us all alive to our problems and sometimes to point a way out.
CHAIRMAN: --Ladies and Gentlemen, the speeches of the unofficials at the previous meeting were a fine stimulant and I personally welcome this annual opportunity for a frank review of what we have achieved and what we plan for the future.
More officials have spoken to-day than on previous occasions and a number of the points raised by the unofficials have already been covered. I will do my best to deal with the remainder.
I am glad that Mr. C. Y. Kwan inquired about progress with the new legislation. I referred his comments to Government and have subsequently been informed that Government is appreciative of the work of the Select Committee and fully conscious of the importance of the Bill. I am assured that every effort will be made to see that it is passed into law as soon as possible.
Col. Clague spoke on staff questions and explained the need for the sizable increases that have taken place over the last few years. In this connexion, he commented on the need to cut down on overtime payments, and he and I agree that it is more realistic to increase the total number of staff. I sympathize with this attitude and will keep a close watch on such payments. I must, of course, emphasize that most activities in this department are on a 7-day basis and that any unanticipated interruption such as a special public holiday or a typhoon can give rise to very expensive results.
While I am on the subject of Staff, I would like to assure Mr. Cheong-Leen who unfortunately is not with us to-day, that I am fully aware of the need to furnish training facilities for local staff. Over about 25 years the expatriate staff in the Health Inspectorate have been reduced from over 60 to 6, despite a great increase in population. There is a comprehensive local training scheme under the auspices of the Royal Society of Health and 6 Inspectors are sent annually to the United Kingdom for training in meat inspection. You will be pleased to hear that all those who have gone abroad have attained excellent results in their examinations. Two have even qualified in Sanitary Science.
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
Mr. Sales referred to cases of discourtesy. Everything is done to impress on all the staff the need for the most polite and harmonious relations with the public and I can assure Mr. Sales that, if he provides me with relevant details, I shall be only too happy to investigate the allegations. Quite honestly, I find the staff very much more patient than I should be if I were in their shoes and had to deal directly with so much lamentably inconsiderate behaviour on the part of the public.
The motion on cemeteries, to which Mr. Sales referred, aroused considerable interest at the time and I should therefore like to remind you that I regarded this motion as somewhat premature that I consequently abstained after making the following remarks:
"I do not wish to oppose the motion, but I feel it incumbent on me to point out that the decision of Government to alienate areas at Cape Collinson for private cemeteries was approved by the Select Committee in 1956 and apparently reaffirmed in August, 1957.
An undertaking of the magnitude contemplated by Mr. Sales warrants very careful consideration indeed, implying, as it does, a reversal of previous policy and I am not really satisfied in my own mind that there has been sufficient discussion both within the Select Committee and also with interested groups. I would therefore urge the Select Committee, to which this motion, if passed, will be referred, to consider the matter most carefully in all its aspects and to appreciate the very considerable capital outlay, which will not necessarily be approved by Government".
Those are the remarks I made at the time.
Since then, the two bodies most affected by this motion are the Catholic Church and the Muslims, who for religious and economic reasons, would far prefer to operate their own cemeteries at Cape Collinson as previously agreed with Government. I do not propose to speak further on this issue which is still under discussion in the Select Committee, wherein I have made clear my personal views.
I am personally rather fond of zoos and aquaria, and I would welcome a zoo in Kowloon as suggested by Dr. Bell. I do, however, believe in first things first, and appreciate the prior urgency of other projects. I would also mention that Government considers that such an amenity could best be run by a commercial body or non-profit making association like the Zoological Society in London and that in the meantime no public funds can be made available.
Page 41 of 107
Page 41 of 107
67
R
66
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
Mr. Y. K. Kan referred to basements, and was dissatisfied with a policy which permits their occupation in certain circumstances. We are dealing successfully with attempts to convert new basements into domestic accommodation and in consequence, the real problem is that of clearing the older ones. Here we come up against the old impasse "where are the occupants to go?" Rehousing appears to be the only solution.
This concludes my remarks, but I would not like to close without thanking members for their proposals and criticisms, which serve to keep us all alive to our problems and sometimes to point a way out. CHAIRMAN: --Ladies and Gentlemen, the speeches of the unofficials at the previous meeting were a fine stimulant and I personally welcome this annual opportunity for a frank review of what we have achieved and what we plan for the future.
More officials have spoken to-day than on previous occasions and a number of the points raised by the unofficials have already been covered. I will do my best to deal with the remainder.
I am glad that Mr. C. Y. Kwan inquired about progress with the new legislation. I referred his comments to Government and have subsequently been informed that Government is appreciative of the work of the Select Committee and fully conscious of the importance of the Bill. I am assured that every effort will be made to see that it is passed into law as soon as possible.
Col. Clague spoke on staff questions and explained the need for the sizable increases that have taken place over the last few years. In this connexion, he commented on the need to cut down on overtime payments, and he and I agree that it is more realistic to increase the total number of staff. I sympathize with this attitude and will keep a close watch on such payments. I must, of course, emphasize that most activities in this department are on a 7-day basis and that any unanti- cipated interruption such as a special public holiday or a typhoon can give rise to very expensive results.
While I am on the subject of Staff, I would like to assure Mr. Cheong-Leen who unfortunately is not with us to-day, that I am fully aware of the need to furnish training facilities for local staff. Over about 25 years the expatriate staff in the Health Inspectorate have been reduced from over 60 to 6, despite a great increase in population. There is a comprehensive local training scheme under the auspices of the Royal Society of Health and 6 Inspectors are sent annually to the United Kingdom for training in meat inspection. You will be pleased to hear that all those who have gone abroad have attained excellent results in their examinations. Two have even qualified in Sanitary Science.
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
Mr. Sales referred to cases of discourtesy. Everything is done to impress on all the staff the need for the most polite and harmonious relations with the public and I can assure Mr. Sales that, if he provides me with relevant details, I shall be only too happy to investigate the allegations. Quite honestly, I find the staff very much more patient than I should be if I were in their shoes and had to deal directly with so much lamentably inconsiderate behaviour on the part of the public.
The motion on cemeteries, to which Mr. Sales referred, aroused considerable interest at the time and I should therefore like to remind you that I regarded this motion as somewhat premature that I conse- quently abstained after making the following remarks:
"I do not wish to oppose the motion, but I feel it incumbent on me to point out that the decision of Government to alienate areas at Cape Collinson for private cemeteries was approved by the Select Committee in 1956 and apparently reaffirmed in August, 1957.
An undertaking of the magnitude contemplated by Mr. Sales warrants very careful consideration indeed, implying, as it does, a reversal of previous policy and I am not really satisfied in my own mind that there has been sufficient discussion both within the Select Committee and also with interested groups. I would therefore urge the Select Committee, to which this motion, if passed, will be referred, to consider the matter most carefully in all its aspects and to appreciate the very considerable capital outlay, which will not necessarily be approved by Govern- ment".
Those are the remarks I made at the time.
Since then, the two bodies most affected by this motion are the Catholic Church and the Muslims, who for religious and economic reasons, would far prefer to operate their own cemeteries at Cape Collinson as previously agreed with Government. I do not propose to speak further on this issue which is still under discussion in the Select Committee, wherein I have made clear my personal views.
I am personally rather fond of zoos and aquaria, and I would welcome a zoo in Kowloon as suggested by Dr. Bell. I do, however, believe in first things first, and appreciate the prior urgency of other projects. I would also mention that Government considers that such an amenity could best be run by a commercial body or non-profit making association like the Zoological Society in London and that in the meantime no public funds can be made available.
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.