HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
MINUTES.
The Minutes of the meeting of the Council held on 4th August, 1959, were confirmed.
PAPERS.
THE CHAIRMAN laid upon the table the following paper:-
Report on the work of the Urban Council and Urban Services Department for the month of August, 1959.
QUESTIONS.
MR. R. C. LEE asked the following questions:-
"Has the attention of the Chairman been drawn to a press comment on the absence of wash basins in teahouses and restaurants?
What steps are being taken to see that all requirements and regulations are strictly complied with in these premises?"
THE CHAIRMAN replied as follows:
"My attention is invariably drawn to press comment on any subject concerning the business of the Council, and I did in fact note the comment to which you refer. The comment in question is, I am afraid, inaccurate. Of approximately 1,400 licensed restaurants and cafes I am advised that the number which do not possess a wash hand basin can be given in single figures, and in each of these cases the particular circumstances leading to exemption have been known to the Council.
2.
With regard to the second part of your question I can say that all licensed restaurants and cafes are inspected fortnightly, and in addition spot checks are carried out periodically. In the last three months the irregularities found, mostly minor in character, have totalled 3,203. The Secretary, Urban Council, has issued 43 warning letters in this connexion, and in 16 cases legal action has been taken."
MR. KAN:-May I ask a supplementary question to your answer No. 2? When you say, sir, that you can say that all licensed restaurants and cafes are inspected fortnightly, does that mean to say every licensed restaurant and cafe is inspected fortnightly?
CHAIRMAN:--That is a duty imposed on the staff and I am satisfied that it is carried out.
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
MR. R. C. LEE asked the following question:
"In view of frequent complaints concerning nuisances caused by smoke and soot in urban areas, what steps have been taken by the Council to ensure their abatement?"
THE CHAIRMAN replied as follows:
"The existing statutory powers for dealing with nuisances caused by smoke and soot are extremely limited in range. Section 17, subsection 19 of the Public Health (Sanitation) Ordinance refers to "any chimney (not being a chimney of a private dwelling house) or any furnace sending forth smoke in such a quantity as to be a nuisance". This means that where a chimney of a private dwelling house emits forth smoke or soot in such a quantity to be a nuisance no action can be taken by this department due to lack of statutory powers.
2. Where smoke or soot is emitted from the chimney of other than a private dwelling house e.g. a restaurant, then the premises are visited by officers of this department and advice given relating to:
(a) the use of smokeless fuels;
(b) careful stoking, whether mechanical or by hand;
(c) the necessity to increase the height of the chimney in order to increase the draught.
In addition, the complaint is referred to the Labour Department for any action considered necessary.
A Clean Air Ordinance has recently been enacted, but not yet brought into force. I very much hope that its provisions will enable stronger action against nuisances from smoke and soot."
MR. A. DE O. SALES asked the following question:
"(a) To what extent has this Council advocated that incinerators be used in all local hospitals?
(b) Is the Chairman in a position to state which public and private hospitals are without incinerators?
(c) Will the Chairman assure this Council that no new hospital will be built without incinerators being installed?"
THE CHAIRMAN replied as follows:
"(a) In April this year, the Urban Services Department suggested to the Director of Medical and Health Services that, where suitable, all Government and private hospitals...
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112
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
MINUTES.
The Minutes of the meeting of the Council held on 4th August, 1959, were confirmed.
PAPERS.
THE CHAIRMAN laid upon the table the following paper:-
Report on the work of the Urban Council and Urban Services
Department for the month of August, 1959.
QUESTIONS.
MR. R. C. LEE asked the following questions:-
"Has the attention of the Chairman been drawn to a press comment on the absence of wash basins in teahouses and restaurants?
What steps are being taken to see that all requirements and regulations are strictly complied with in these premises?"
THE CHAIRMAN replied as follows:
"My attention is invariably drawn to press comment on any subject concerning the business of the Council, and I did in fact note the comment to which you refer. The comment in question is, I am afraid, inaccurate. Of approximately 1,400 licensed restaurants and cafes I am advised that the number which do not possess a wash hand basin can be given in single figures, and in each of these cases the particular circumstances leading to exemption have been known to the Council.
2.
With regard to the second part of your question I can say that all licensed restaurants and cafes are inspected fortnightly, and in addition spot checks are carried out periodically. In the last three months the irregularities found, mostly minor in character, have totalled 3,203, The Secretary, Urban Council, has issued 43 warning letters in this connexion, and in 16 cases legal action has been taken."
MR. KAN:-May I ask a supplementary question to your answer No. 2? When you say, sir, that you can say that all licensed restaurants and cafes are inspected fortnightly, does that mean to say every licensed restaurant and cafe is inspected fortnightly?
CHAIRMAN: --That is a duty imposed on the staff and I am satisfied that it is carried out.
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
MR. R. C. LEE asked the following question :
113
"In view of frequent complaints concerning nuisances caused by smoke and soot in urban areas, what steps have been taken by the Council to ensure their abatement?"
THE CHAIRMAN replied as follows:
"The existing statutory powers for dealing with nuisances caused by smoke and soot are extremely limited in range. Section 17, subsection 19 of the Public Health (Sanitation) Ordinance refers to "any chimney (not being a chimney of a private dwelling house) or any furnace sending forth smoke in such a quantity as to be a nuisance". This means that where a chimney of a private dwelling house emits forth smoke or soot in such a quantity to be a nuisance no action can be taken by this department due to lack of statutory powers.
2. Where smoke or soot is emitted from the chimney of other than a private dwelling house e.g. a restaurant, then the premises are visited by officers of this department and advice given relating to:
3.
4.
(a) the use of smokeless fuels;
(b) careful stoking, whether mechanical or by hand; (c) the necessity to increase the height of the
chimney in order to increase the draught. In addition, the complaint is referred to the Labour Department for any action considered necessary.
A Clean Air Ordinance has recently been enacted, but not yet brought into force. I very much hope that its provisions will enable stronger action against nuisances from smoke and soot."
MR. A. DE O. SALES asked the following question : ·
"(a) To what extent has this Council advocated that incinera-
tors be used in all local hospitals?
(b) Is the Chairman in a position to state which public and
private hospitals are without incinerators?
(c) Will the Chairman assure this Council that no new hos- pital will be built without incinerators being installed?"
THE CHAIRMAN replied as follows:
"(a) In April this year, the Urban Services Department sug- gested to the Director of Medical and Health Services that, where suitable, all Government and private hospitals
Page 64 of I
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