1960 — Page 101

184

HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL

HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL

185

policy of the Council not to require the compulsory instal- lation of refuse chutes in multi-storeyed buildings is incor- rect. No such policy has been decided upon."

MR. CHEONG-LEEN:- May I ask a supplementary question, Mr. Chairman. Was not this question discussed at a previous meeting of the Environmental Hygiene Select Committee and a policy decision taken, which makes your statement incorrect?

CHAIRMAN:- I would not say so. It does not seem, from our records, that a policy decision was actually taken.

MR. CHEONG-LEEN:- I have a copy of the minutes of the Environ- mental Hygiene Select Committee, Mr. Chairman, but since I notice that it is "restricted" I may not be in a position to quote from it unless I have your permission.

CHAIRMAN:- Perhaps Dr. LEE, as Chairman of the Select Commit- tee, could throw some light on this matter.

DR. LEE:- I certainly could, Mr. Chairman. I fully endorse your remark that the Select Committee did not come to any specific conclu- sion that owners of new premises should be compelled to install refuse chutes.

MR. CHEONG-LEEN:— Mr. Chairman, I asked in my question whether the Council had not already come to a decision to compel the compulsory installation of such refuse chutes and you replied that my assumption was incorrect. Mr. Chairman, may I suggest that this matter be referred back to the Environmental Hygiene Select Committee.

CHAIRMAN:- I am quite prepared to refer it back.

MR. H. CHEONG-LEEN asked the following question:-

"Will the Chairman be good enough to make a statement on the results of the 'Keep Your City Clean' Campaign during 1960:-

(a) Have the results justified the overall efforts of the

Department?

(b) How many districts in the urban areas were affected

by the campaign?

(c) Does the Department intend to enlarge upon its efforts

on this campaign during 1961?

(d) How much liaison is there and how much support does the Department receive from the Education and other Government Departments and voluntary or- ganizations in support of this campaign?

(e) Does the Department consider it a good idea to have in addition to the year-round effort a special 'Keep Your City Clean Week' during which all the Kaifong Associations, the Hawkers' Associations and other interested bodies would be asked to participate?"

THE CHAIRMAN replied as follows:-

"I think that the results of the campaign have justified the efforts of the department, although they have not been spectacular. One noticeable result has been a marked diminution of the amount of refuse that has to be swept up from public places in the districts where the campaign is waged. There is still litter and refuse left in these areas, but cleansing staff have reported that the volume has been reduced by about 25%. There has also, I think, been a reduction in the incidence of the other two offences which the campaign seeks to eradicate: namely, spitting and allowing children to obey a call of nature in public, and I am satisfied that after nearly 18 months the campaign is proving to be worth the time and trouble spent on it. It is intended that the campaign should be continued, with a view to further reduction in the offences mentioned and to the spreading of health education generally.

3.

2. So far 9 districts have been affected by the campaign. It opened in August 1959 in the Western District of Hong Kong and the Sham Shui Po District of Kowloon. It was extended in December of that year to the Eastern District of Hong Kong and the Yau Ma Tei District of Kowloon, It was extended again in October 1960 to the Bay View and Shau Kei Wan Districts of Hong Kong and the Mong Kok, Hung Hom and To Kwa Wan Districts of Kowloon. It is intended to extend the campaign to other districts in accordance with the wishes of the Environmental Hygiene Select Committee. In time, the campaign will, I hope, cover all the urban areas, but I must point out that extension ought not to be undertaken too hurriedly. Only when a firm hold is established in districts already covered is it feasible to consider moving on to new ones. The physical preparations for extension are considerable. It is no good telling the public not to throw refuse on the ground if the right place for disposing of it is not also specified. In other words, more litter-containers have to be provided. Since the campaign started an extra 930 litter containers costing $50 each have been put on the streets. Extra staff have to be found to form patrols,

Page 101

of 11