Page 107 of 118
196
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
(b) If the Commissioner has no personal knowledge of such desire or intention on the part of the Colonial Development Corporation, will he be good enough to inquire from Government and make a full statement either at this meeting of Council or at the following meeting?
(c) Is the Commissioner aware of any alternative proposal to build flatted factories within resettlement areas and estates (other than those planned by the Resettlement Department) by any local Development Authority or Development Corporation for the purpose of accommodating small industrial establishments and to provide more employment opportunities for resettlers and other local citizens?"
THE COMMISSIONER FOR RESETTLEMENT replied as follows:
"No application has been made by the Colonial Development Corporation for sites for flatted factories within the boundaries of resettlement estates or areas, neither has the Corporation expressed any desire to acquire such sites. There are no alternative proposals to allocate any sites within the boundaries of resettlement estates or areas to any other body for the construction of flatted factories outside the resettlement programme."
MR. CHEONG-LEEN:-I have quite a number of supplementaries, Mr. Chairman, which I will take up with the Commissioner for Resettlement privately.
MR. H. CHEONG-LEEN asked the following question:-
"In view of the recent Hung Hom squatter fire on 16th January last which rendered about 10,000 persons homeless, will the Commissioner for Resettlement please state: (a) Whether he is participating in any departmental or inter-departmental inquiry held for the purpose of studying what further measures can be enforced to reduce to the minimum the danger of similar conflagrations in the future; and
(b) Whether it is possible for the Squatter Control Section to enlist the more active co-operation of the Fire Brigade and the Labour Department in this respect?"
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
197
THE COMMISSIONER FOR RESETTLEMENT replied as follows:-
"I can confirm that both departmental and inter-departmental discussions have taken place to consider what could be done to reduce the danger of further squatter fires on the scale of the recent fire at Hung Hom.
With regard to the second part of the question the Fire Brigade has always been most actively concerned with the prevention of squatter fires, and the Labour Department, in its particular sphere, has given all possible assistance in this respect. I have no doubt that these departments will continue to give their fullest co-operation."
MR. CHEONG-LEEN:-Mr. Chairman, is the Commissioner for Resettlement fully satisfied with the co-operation he has been receiving from the Fire Brigade?
COMMISSIONER FOR RESETTLEMENT:-Yes.
MR. CHEONG-LEEN:-I am not satisfied, Mr. Chairman.
DR. R. H. S. LEE:-With your concurrence, Mr. Chairman, I rise to ask Question 5 that stands in Mr. CHAN Shu-woon's name.
CHAIRMAN:-Is there any objection by any Member to Dr. LEE asking this question on behalf of Mr. CHAN Shu-woon? The position is apparently not covered in Standing Orders.
(No objections were received from Members)
DR. R. H. S. LEE then asked the following question :-
"In view of the fact that a fire broke out at room No. 48 in Block 'O', Tai Hang Tung Resettlement Estate on 9th January causing much damage to the occupants including the loss of life of a baby girl, will the Chairman inform the Council what measures should be taken to prevent further recurrence of this kind of tragical consequence?"
THE COMMISSIONER FOR RESETTLEMENT replied as follows:-
"The room where the fire occurred was occupied by a tenant who made rubber shoes. I am informed that inflammable vapour given off by the rubber solution used was ignited by the flame from a lighted stove. The storage or use of inflammable materials in domestic rooms—other than a reasonable quantity of kerosene for domestic use—is contrary to the conditions of tenancy. All tenants have been reminded of this fact and action will be taken to terminate the tenancy of any person who does not comply with this condition in future."
Page 107 of 118
:
Page 107 of 118
196
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
(b) If the Commissioner has no personal knowledge of such desire or intention on the part of the Colonial Development Corporation, will he be good enough to inquire from Government and make a full statement either at this meeting of Council or at the following meeting?
(c) Is the Commissioner aware of any alternative proposal to build flatted factories within resettle- ment areas and estates (other than those planned by the Resettlement Department) by any local Development Authority or Development Cor- poration for the purpose of accommodating small industrial establishments and to provide more employment opportunities for resettlers and other local citizens?"
THE COMMISSIONER FOR RESETTLEMENT replied as follows:
"No application has been made by the Colonial Development Corporation for sites for flatted factories within the boundaries of resettlement estates or areas, neither has the Corporation expressed any desire to acquire such sites. There are no alternative proposals to allocate any sites within the boundaries of resettlement estates or areas to any other body for the construction of flatted factories outside the resettlement programme."
MR. CHEONG-LEEN:-I have quite a number of supplementaries, Mr. Chairman, which I will take up with the Commissioner for Resettle- ment privately.
MR. H. CHEONG-LEEN asked the following question:-
"In view of the recent Hung Hom squatter fire on 16th January last which rendered about 10,000 persons home- less, will the Commissioner for Resettlement please state: (a) Whether he is participating in any departmental or inter-departmental inquiry held for the pur- pose of studying what further measures can be enforced to reduce to the minimum the danger of similar conflagrations in the future; and
(b) Whether it is possible for the Squatter Control Section to enlist the more active co-operation of the Fire Brigade and the Labour Department in this respect?"
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
197
THE COMMISSIONER FOR Resettlement replied as follows:-
"I can confirm that both departmental and inter-departmental discussions have taken place to consider what could be done to reduce the danger of further squatter fires on the scale of the recent fire at Hung Hom.
With regard to the second part of the question the Fire Brigade has always been most actively concerned with the preven- tion of squatter fires, and the Labour Department, in its particular sphere, has given all possible assistance in this respect. I have no doubt that these departments will continue to give their fullest co-operation.”
MR. CHEONG-LEEN:-Mr. Chairman, is the Commissioner for Re- settlement fully satisfied with the co-operation he has been receiving from the Fire Brigade?
COMMISSIONER for ResettlEMENT:—Yes.
MR. CHEONG-LEEN:-I am not satisfied, Mr. Chairman.
DR. R. H. S. LEE:-With your concurrence, Mr. Chairman, I rise to ask Question 5 that stands in Mr. CHAN Shu-woon's name.
CHAIRMAN:-Is there any objection by any Member to Dr. LEE asking this question on behalf of Mr. CHAN Shu-woon? The position is apparently not covered in Standing Orders.
(No objections were received from Members)
DR. R. H. S. LEE then asked the following question :-
"In view of the fact that a fire broke out at room No. 48 in Block 'O', Tai Hang Tung Resettlement Estate on 9th January causing much damage to the occupants including the loss of life of a baby girl, will the Chairman inform the Council what measures should be taken to prevent further recurrence of this kind of tragical consequence?"
THE COMMISSIONER FOR RESETTLEMENT replied as follows:-
"The room where the fire occurred was occupied by a tenant who made rubber shoes. I am informed that inflammable vapour given off by the rubber solution used was ignited by the flame from a lighted stove. The storage or use of inflammable materials in domestic rooms-other than a reasonable quantity of kerosene for domestic use-is contrary to the conditions of tenancy. All tenants have been reminded of this fact and action will be taken to terminate the tenancy of any person who does not comply with this condition in future."
Page 107 of 118
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.