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Dr. Raymond LEE suggested that refuse drums be placed at strategic points in hawker bazaar areas. The position is that such drums have been in position for some months in all Hawker Demonstration areas and more are due to be placed in the Resettlement Estates Hawker Bazaars. In addition, arrangements are already in hand for the siting of suitable containers in all areas where there are large concentrations of hawkers.

Mr. C. Y. KWAN referred to the delay in providing new abattoirs. Fortunately or unfortunately, however, Hong Kong keeps growing and, in view of the increase in the figures for daily holdings of stock and slaughter, it has been necessary to review some of the basic planning figures which were compiled in 1957. As a result of this review, it has been decided to plan for the building now of additional lairage accommodation which had originally been considered as a matter for the future. The requirements in these additional lairages have already been worked out and there is no reason to believe that this change will result in any undue delay in the finalization of the plans for the abattoirs. As regards the provision of staff quarters, except in the case of 14 higher grade quarters (8 in Hong Kong and 6 in Kowloon) suitable sites have been earmarked for 145 quarters in Hong Kong and 120 in Kowloon, and there seems no reason why they should not be ready in advance of the abattoirs.

Mr. Li Fook-shu mentioned the subject of limewashing and advocated return to the prewar system of annual compulsory limewashing of all domestic tenements houses. Speaking for myself, I feel that there is much to be said for Mr. Li's proposal, but the position is that a Select Committee of this Council discussed the question in April 1954, and decided that the reintroduction of compulsory periodical limewashing would be undesirable. I see no objection, however, to Mr. Li bringing up the matter again.

Mr. CHAN Shu-woon referred to the question of food inspection and stated that too many cases of food poisoning from vegetables and canned food have been recorded in the Colony in the past months. I have asked the Health Officers to comment on this and am informed that they have no knowledge of any food poisoning arising recently which has been traced to these sources. Admittedly the disease is not notifiable and cases may have occurred but I should be grateful if Mr. CHAN would bring any specific instances to my notice. Mr. CHAN also spoke concerning the amount of meat which is being condemned and of the consequent loss both to the butchers concerned and to the Colony as a whole. It is true that during the financial year just past about 9,800 pig carcases were condemned out of a total of slightly over one million slaughtered, a rate of just under 1%. The rate for cattle was about 0.63%. Consequently, although the amount of meat involved was considerable, it was very small in relation to the total amount handled. Mr. CHAN suggested that animals should be inspected on arrival, so that unfit beasts could be weeded out at this stage, when the losses would not fall on the butchers. Unfortunately, however, things are not quite as simple as envisaged by the questioner. Except in the comparatively rare instances of obvious disease, such as anthrax, total condemnation of a live animal, on ante mortem examination, would be wasteful, and passing or condemnation depends on examination of the carcase and the offal, the whole or part of which may be condemned. This I understand to be the universal practice, but I believe that in certain countries butchers protect themselves through a system of insurance.

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Mr. Li Yiu-bor mentioned that many latrines in various parts of the Colony are now in a very poor state, and suggested that the work of reprovisioning should be expedited. He went on to say that, as a preliminary measure to full reprovisioning, doors to the compartments should be provided in those latrines where they are conspicuous by their absence. I agree that the provision of an adequate number of public latrines is a matter deserving high priority. If he will refer to the current Estimates, however, Mr. Li will find no less than 8 items under Category A(ii) and 6 under B(i) of the Public Works Programme and all of these should come into being in the near future. A further 7 items are included in Category C, as being desirable but for which planning cannot yet commence. The department has a list of 20 odd further latrines which it would like to see built or reconstructed. But it will be appreciated that only a proportion of these can be fitted into the Public Works Programme each year. Regarding the question of doors, the position is that the Public Works Department is gradually installing them in old latrines as and when routine redecoration falls due.

As a matter of interest this is one feature (at least!) in which Kowloon is ahead of Hong Kong in that there are only four doorless latrines in the former area while there are considerable numbers in the latter. Efforts will be made to try and speed up action on the matter.

Mr. Li also complained of the condition of corridors and yards in some newly-erected multi-storey buildings. This is a matter which is causing the Department no little concern as in many cases it is virtually impossible to pinpoint the author of any particular nuisance. The matter is one which I would suggest might be referred to the relevant Select Committee.

Mr. Hilton CHEONG-LEEN referred to the question of malaria, which he stated was rampant in the New Territories. This is a matter which is scarcely within the purview of the Council, but I would refer the speaker to the press release on this subject which was published in the newspapers on April 7th. From this it can be seen that while mosquitoes may be rampant (both literally and figuratively) malaria, while it still occurs, scarcely deserves this adjective.

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