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HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES replied as follows:-
No tests of radio-activity of reservoir water have been undertaken as the tests carried out on rain water have shown insignificant levels of radio-activity. Tests on the levels of radio-activity in samples of air, dust and fresh rain water are being conducted regularly and the results, which have been confirmed in samples sent to the United Kingdom, have shown negligible amounts of radio-activity much below any possible danger level.
The Secretary of State and the Ministry of Science have been consulted regarding special equipment required for continuous measurements of radio-activity and recommendations regarding the use of equipment best suited for use in Hong Kong are being examined.
MR. CHEONG-LEEN:- Mr. Chairman, in view of the fact that Dr. COOMBES has sat in this Council before, I have no qualms in asking him supplementary questions. May I ask, Mr. Chairman, whether the Deputy Director of Medical and Health Services can make a categorical statement that there is no danger to the Hong Kong public in the use of reservoir water insofar as radioactivity is concerned?
DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES:- I can certainly give that assurance at present.
MR. CHEONG-LEEN:- Thank you. I would also like to ask when the new equipment will be coming?
DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES:- I am afraid that I do not know. The new equipment, which is very complicated, is still being considered. The equipment we have now is sufficient to test levels of radioactivity well below any danger level, but the equipment that has been suggested is very specialized and it has not yet been agreed whether it is required. That is all I can say at the moment.
MR. CHEONG-LEEN:- The answer is straightforward and I have no further supplementaries, Mr. Chairman.
DR. LEE:- In view of the impending tests to be carried out in many parts of the world, I should like to know what steps are being taken to send samples to the United Kingdom for testing the three very dangerous radioactive elements.
DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES:- When are these tests coming off?
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DR. LEE:- Mr. Chairman, as a member of the public who subscribes to the daily newspapers, I am guided by that information entirely.
DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES:- We can certainly arrange to look into the necessary procedures for sending samples, if required.
MOTION.
MR. Y. K. KAN:- Mr. Chairman, as Chairman of the Food & Food Premises Select Committee, I move the motion standing in my name as item 4 on the Agenda, which reads as follows:-
"THAT the Milk (Amendment) By-laws, 1962, be made under section 56 of the Public Health and Urban Services Ordinance, 1960.”
Sir, the purpose and effect of these by-laws are set out in the explanatory note at the foot of the by-laws. I have nothing further to add. I beg to move.
DR. R. H. S. LEE:- Mr. Chairman, I beg to second.
MR. CHEONG-LEEN:- Mr. Chairman, I beg to support. (Laughter).
The question was put.
The motion was carried.
FAREWELL TO THE HONOURABLE Y. K. KAN, O.B.E.
CHAIRMAN:- Before we adjourn, there is one further matter. Members are aware, I think, that this is the last meeting at which we will enjoy and I use the word "enjoy" advisedly the company of the Honourable Y. K. KAN as a Member of this Council.
Mr. KAN has been a Member of the Urban Council since 1st April, 1957. During that time he has won the highest respect from all of us for his clear judgment and sound advice. In addition, he has won deep liking through his unfailing good humour, his staunch fellowship, and his loyalty and devotion to the Council, He has indeed served it with distinction. I am sure that his talents will continue to be given play in other important fields of public administration in the Colony.
The Council will not be the same without Y. K. and I know that I speak for all Members in saying how much we shall miss him. In now bidding farewell to him from this Council, I should like to thank him most sincerely for all his endeavours on behalf of the Council and to wish him and his charming wife good health and good fortune in the future. (Applause).
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HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES replied as follows:-
No tests of radio-activity of reservoir water have been under- taken as the tests carried out on rain water have shown insignificant levels of radio-activity. Tests on the levels of radio-activity in samples of air, dust and fresh rain water are being conducted regularly and the results, which have been confirmed in samples sent to the United Kingdom, have shown negligible amounts of radio-activity much below any possible danger level.
The Secretary of State and the Ministry of Science have been consulted regarding special equipment required for con- tinuous measurements of radio-activity and recommenda- tions regarding the use of equipment best suited for use in Hong Kong are being examined.
MR. CHEONG-LEEN:-Mr. Chairman, in view of the fact that Dr. COOMBES has sat in this Council before, I have no qualms in asking him supplementary questions. May I ask, Mr. Chairman, whether the Deputy Director of Medical and Health Services can make a categorical statement that there is no danger to the Hong Kong public in the use of reservoir water insofar as radioactivity is concerned?
DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES:-I can certainly give that assurance at present.
MR. CHEONG-LEEN:-Thank you. I would also like to ask when the new equipment will be coming?
DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES:-1 am afraid that I do not know. The new equipment, which is very com- plicated, is still being considered. The equipment we have now is sufficient to test levels of radioactivity well below any danger level, but the equipment that has been suggested is very specialized and it has not yet been agreed whether it is required. That is all I can say at the
moment.
MR. CHEONG-LEEN:-The answer is straightforward and I have no further supplementaries, Mr. Chairman.
DR. LEE:-In view of the impending tests to be carried out in many parts of the world, I should like to know what steps are being taken to send samples to the United Kingdom for testing the three very dangerous radioactive elements.
DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES: are these tests coming off?
-When
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201
DR. LEE:-Mr. Chairman, as a member of the public who sub- scribes to the daily newspapers, I am guided by that information entirely.
We can DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES :- certainly arrange to look into the necessary procedures for sending samples, if required.
MOTION.
MR. Y. K. KAN:-Mr. Chairman, as Chairman of the Food & Food Premises Select Committee, I move the motion standing in my name as item 4 on the Agenda, which reads as follows:-
"THAT the Milk (Amendment) By-laws, 1962, be made under section 56 of the Public Health and Urban Services Ordinance, 1960.”
Sir, the purpose and effect of these by-laws are set out in the explanatory note at the foot of the by-laws. I have nothing further to add. I beg to move.
DR. R. H. S. LEE:-Mr. Chairman, I beg to second.
MR. CHEONG-LEEN:-Mr. Chairman, I beg to support. (Laughter).
The question was put.
The motion was carried.
FAREWELL TO THE HONOURABLE Y. K. KAN, O.B.E. CHAIRMAN:-Before we adjourn, there is one further matter. Members are aware, I think, that this is the last meeting at which we will enjoy and I use the word "enjoy" advisedly the company of the Honourable Y. K. KAN as a Member of this Council.
Mr. KAN has been a Member of the Urban Council since 1st April, 1957. During that time he has won the highest respect from all of us for his clear judgment and sound advice. In addition, he has won deep liking through his unfailing good humour, his staunch fellowship, and his loyalty and devotion to the Council, He has indeed served it with distinction. I am sure that his talents will continue to be given play in other important fields of public administration in the Colony.
The Council will not be the same without Y. K. and I know that I speak for all Members in saying how much we shall miss him. In now bidding farewell to him from this Council, I should like to thank him most sincerely for all his endeavours on behalf of the Council and to wish him and his charming wife good health and good fortune in the future. (Applause).
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