Page 120
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
CHAIRMAN: ---Before we start to-day's business, I would like to welcome Dr. BELL on her return from abroad. (Applause).
DR. BELL:—Thank you very much.
MINUTES.
The Minutes of the meeting of the Council held on 1st August, 1961, were confirmed.
PAPER.
THE CHAIRMAN laid upon the table the following paper:-
Report on the work of the Urban Council and Urban Services Department for the month of August 1961.
QUESTIONS.
MR. H. CHEONG-LEEN asked the following question:
"(a) Is the Chairman aware of the fact that since 1957, (i) no new markets have been constructed; (ii) not a single one of the old and inadequate markets has been reconstructed and replaced by a modern building; (iii) nor have any major repairs and alterations to any of these old and inadequate markets been completed, despite the dissatisfaction voiced from time to time by members of the public?
(b) Will the Chairman please inquire why it has been the policy over the past four years for Government's Public Works Sub-Committee to consistently ignore the imperative needs of the public for improved market facilities? (c) Will the Chairman be good enough to make every effort to persuade Government to at least do something this year in regard to the Urban Council's long-standing programme for markets reconstruction and major repairs and alterations? Specifically, what can be done this year? (d) What assurance is the Chairman able to obtain from Government that the Urban Council's modest programme for market reconstruction, new markets, and for major repairs and alterations will be completed over the next 3 to 5 years, instead of the programme being deferred from year to year, as has happened during the past 4 years under the existing A-B-C-D Priority System?"
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
THE CHAIRMAN replied as follows:
Page 121
"The answer to the three sections of Part (a) of the question is in the affirmative.
With regard to Part (b) of the question, I am aware that the market reconstruction programme has proceeded very slowly, but the delay is not attributable to lack of effort on the part of the Public Works Department or of the Urban Services Department. It has been due, as far as I am aware, partly to the difficulty of fitting these projects into an already overloaded Public Works Programme in other words, on the basis of need, Government has been obliged to give priority to other more urgent projects -and partly to the difficulty of settling various questions of policy which have arisen in the midst of planning, for instance, the inclusion of Hawker Control Force quarters and of hawker stalls within markets. There has been no question of ignoring the need for improved market facilities.
As regards Part (c) of the question, the answer is “yes”. Specifically, a start is expected within the next few weeks on alterations to Wan Chai Market. Piling is due to start next month for the new Tang Lung Chau Market. Plans for extensive alterations to Sai Ying Pun Market and for a large new market at Kowloon City are well advanced. Sketch plans are in course of preparation for Shek Tong Tsui, Sai Wan Ho and North Point Markets.
I am unable to obtain the assurance from Government which is referred to in Part (d) of the question. I can only emphasize that any deferment of the market reconstruction programme would not be undertaken lightly by Government.”
MR. CHEONG-LEEN:-May I ask a supplementary question, Mr. Chairman regarding the second paragraph of your reply? While agreeing with you that there is no lack of effort on the part of the Public Works Department or of the Urban Services Department, may I draw your attention to what I said in my question that I regarded it as the Public Works Sub-Committee which has consistently ignored the needs of the public for improved market facilities. Do I understand, Sir, that the 4 years in which no apparent action has been taken may be construed as being a moratorium on any action to provide new markets or major alterations to existing markets?
CHAIRMAN:-No, Sir.
Page 68 of 110
Page
120
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
CHAIRMAN: ---Before we start to-day's business, I would like to welcome Dr. BELL on her return from abroad. (Applause).
DR. BELL:—Thank you very much.
MINUTES.
The Minutes of the meeting of the Council held on 1st August, 1961, were confirmed.
PAPER.
THE CHAIRMAN laid upon the table the following paper:-
Report on the work of the Urban Council and Urban Services
Department for the month of August 1961.
QUESTIONS.
MR. H. CHEONG-LEEN asked the following question:
"(a) Is the Chairman aware of the fact that since 1957, (i) no new markets have been constructed;
(ii) not a single one of the old and inadequate markets has been reconstructed and replaced by a modern building;
(iii) nor have any major repairs and alterations to any of these old and inadequate markets been completed, despite the dissatisfaction voiced from time to time by members of the public?
(b) Will the Chairman please inquire why it has been the policy over the past four years for Government's Public Works Sub-Committee to consistently ignore the impera tive needs of the public for improved market facilities? (c) Will the Chairman be good enough to make every effort to persuade Government to at least do something this year in regard to the Urban Council's long-standing programme for markets reconstruction and major repairs and altera- tions? Specifically, what can be done this year? (d) What assurance is the Chairman able to obtain from Government that the Urban Council's modest programme for market reconstruction, new markets, and for major repairs and alterations will be completed over the next 3 to 5 years, instead of the programme being deferred from year to year, as has happened during the past 4 years under the existing A-B-C-D Priority System?"
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
THE CHAIRMAN replied as follows:
121
"The answer to the three sections of Part (a) of the question
is in the affirmative.
With regard to Part (b) of the question, I am aware that the market reconstruction programme has proceeded very slowly, but the delay is not attributable to lack of effort on the part of the Public Works Department or of the Urban Services Department. It has been due, as far as I am aware, partly to the difficulty of fitting these projects into an already overloaded Public Works Programme in other words, on the basis of need, Government has been obliged to give priority to other more urgent projects -and partly to the difficulty of settling various questions of policy which have arisen in the midst of planning, for instance, the inclusion of Hawker Control Force quarters and of hawker stalls within markets. There has been no question of ignoring the need for improved market facilities.
As regards Part (c) of the question, the answer is “yes”. Specifically, a start is expected within the next few weeks on alterations to Wan Chai Market. Piling is due to start next month for the new Tang Lung Chau Market. Plans for extensive alterations to Sai Ying Pun Market and for a large new market at Kowloon City are well advanced. Sketch plans are in course of preparation for Shek Tong Tsui, Sai Wan Ho and North Point Markets.
I am unable to obtain the assurance from Government which is referred to in Part (d) of the question. I can only emphasize that any deferment of the market reconstruc- tion programme would not be undertaken lightly by Government.”
MR. CHEONG-LEEN:-May I ask a supplementary question, Mr. Chairman regarding the second paragraph of your reply? While agree- ing with you that there is no lack of effort on the part of the Public Works Department or of the Urban Services Department, may I draw your attention to what I said in my question that I regarded it as the Public Works Sub-Committee which has consistently ignored the needs of the public for improved market facilities. Do I understand, Sir, that the 4 years in which no apparent action has been taken may be con- strued as being a moratorium on any action to provide new markets or major alterations to existing markets?
CHAIRMAN:-No, Sir.
Page 68 of 110
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