1960 — Page 81

Page 81 of 118

146

HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL

need to have a Chinese translation of the new Public Health and Urban Services Ordinance, 1960 and its accompanying by-laws:

(a) Does the Chairman agree that if the 'rule of law' is to prevail with justice in Hong Kong, the public (more than 90% of whom do not understand the English language) is entitled to know what the law is all about in a language which they comprehend;

(b) What steps are being taken to translate into the Chinese language the new Ordinance and its by-laws;

(c) When is it expected that the translation work will be completed;

(d) If translation staff is not available will the Chairman take immediate steps to obtain such staff from Government?"

THE CHAIRMAN replied as follows:-

"This question concerns the problem of making available to the public translations of Urban Council legislation.

I most readily agree with the sentiment expressed in the first part of your question that the general public is entitled to know what the law is all about in a language which it can comprehend.

With regard to the remaining parts of your question, to which, with your permission, I should like to reply collectively, steps have already been taken to translate

(1) the Hawker Control Force Ordinance

(2) the Hawker By-laws

(3) the Pleasure Grounds By-laws

(4) the Bathing Beach By-laws

and (5) certain forms in the 7th Schedule to the Public Health and Urban Services Ordinance—dealing with the procedure in lieu of taking an arrested person to the Police Station, warrants for arrest, warrants to effect entry into premises and nuisances.

These translations, which will be subject to checking by the Honourable Secretary for Chinese Affairs, are for departmental use and to assist the staff in its dealings with the public.

HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL

147

I cannot give a specific answer as to when translation of the remainder of the Urban Council legislation will be completed, as this will depend on how much time the departmental translator can spare on this task and also on what staff the Honourable Secretary for Chinese Affairs can make available for checking.

With regard to the wider implications of these parts of your question, I can say that Government also fully appreciates the desirability of providing adequate information, in the Chinese language, about legal measures which most closely concern the community at large and has for some time been studying the most satisfactory manner of meeting this requirement.

As a result, an appropriate organization is now planned and is likely to be brought into being in the very near future—whose task it will be to explain to the general public the salient features of important items of legislation. I can assure members that full use will be made of this organization's facilities if, after its inception, any piece of legislation affecting Council is still awaiting translation."

MR. CHEONG-LEEN:-Before I go on to Question No. 3, Mr. Chairman, may I just say that I believe MR. Y. K. KAN had also raised this question of translation at a previous Select Committee or open Council Meeting, and I think, Sir, that due credit should be given to him. (Laughter).

MR. KAN:-It will receive due publicity! (Laughter).

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

"Will the Chairman please state:

(a) To what extent is Council responsible for public health, sanitation conditions and overcrowding in boarding houses and hotels?

(b) To what degree is Council responsible for the licensing of boarding houses and hotels?

(c) Whether Council has at any time during the past five years approached Government to become the appropriate licensing authority for boarding houses and hotels? If not, will the Chairman approach Government in this regard?"

Page 81 of 118