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information, I beg leave to doubt any general claims that the work of the Hawker Control Force is causing genuine hardship to hawkers.
As regards the second part of the question, I have inquired into the position and I am satisfied that, in the Yau Ma Tei area and indeed elsewhere also the Hawker Control Force is enforcing hawker legislation in a reasonable and humane manner. I would point out that the fact that legislation designed for the benefit of the community as a whole does not meet with the approval of a section of hawkers provides no justification for not enforcing the law.
Finally, I wish to say that if you have knowledge of any specific cases of hardship I trust that you will refer them to the Hawkers Select Committee, of which you are a member."
MR. CHEONG-LEEN:-That is done as a matter of course whenever cases of hardship are referred to individual members, but may I raise a supplementary question, Mr. Chairman? Are you aware of the fact that in the Kwun Chung area, there is a general hardship among the hawkers, who feel that in being required to remove their wares in the evening, (many of them live very far away from the Kwun Chung area) they experience genuine hardship? As an illustration, there was a case that came to my notice to-day of a man's wife who, in trying last night to move some eggs or other wares from the area to a distant place where they live, fell and sprained her ankle. There are many other cases like this, Mr. Chairman, and I would like to ask whether you are aware that there is general hardship among the hawkers there?
CHAIRMAN:-I have nothing to add to my reply.
MR. CHEONG-LEEN:-I would be grateful if you would look into it, Sir.
CHAIRMAN:Yes.
MR. H. CHEONG-LEEN asked the following question:-
"I have been given to understand that there are certain members of the Hawker Control Force who have recently displayed a deplorable lack of courtesy during the exercise of their duties:
(a) What steps does the Director of Urban Services propose to adopt to instil a greater spirit of courtesy to the public among members of the Hawker Control Force?
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(b) Will the Director of Urban Services give his assurance that strict disciplinary measures will be taken against any member of the Force who is deliberately discourteous to any member of the public?"
THE CHAIRMAN replied as follows:
"Throughout training and duties, each member of the Force is frequently reminded of the need to exercise courtesy in dealing with the public. I do not think that any additional measures are necessary at present.
No specific acts of discourtesy have been brought to my notice. If they are, I will see to it, in appropriate cases, that the wide disciplinary powers resting with the Commandant of the Force are brought into operation.
I know that the Chairman of the Hawkers Select Committee is very sensitive regarding the conduct of members of the Control Force and very alert to eliminate any oppressive behaviour. But he shares my view that general and unsubstantiated allegations of bad behaviour may well be unfair to the individual members of the Force and damage their efficiency."
MR. CHEONG-LEEN:-Mr. Chairman, before I ask a supplementary question, may I say that I heartily endorse the sentiments which have been stated in the third paragraph, and I believe that these are your sentiments as well. The reason which prompted me to ask this question was more by way of a reminder to the Force, since it did in fact come to my attention that there had been individual instances of gross discourtesy on the part of certain of its members. There is first-hand information of a case, which I visited myself but in which I could not get a written statement, because the persons concerned were fearful of action being taken against them otherwise. May I ask, as a supplementary question, Mr. Chairman, whether you would consider at the appropriate time to send a reminder to the Hawker Control Force on the necessity at all times to be courteous to the members of the public?
CHAIRMAN:-I will do so, Sir.
DR. BELL:-May I ask a supplementary question, Mr. Chairman? Is the Chairman of the Hawkers Select Committee alert on Hong Kong side or Kowloon side?
MR. BERNACCHI:-Both sides! (Laughter).
MR. CHEONG-LEEN:-As a member of that Committee, I have every confidence in the Chairman of the Hawkers Select Committee.
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information, I beg leave to doubt any general claims that the work of the Hawker Control Force is causing genuine
hardship to hawkers.
As regards the second part of the question, I have inquired into the position and I am satisfied that, in the Yau Ma Tei area and indeed elsewhere also the Hawker Control Force is enforcing hawker legislation in a reasonable and humane manner. I would point out that the fact that legislation designed for the benefit of the community as a whole does not meet with the approval of a section of hawkers provides no justification for not enforcing the law.
Finally, I wish to say that if you have knowledge of any specific cases of hardship I trust that you will refer them to the Hawkers Select Committee, of which you are a member."
MR. CHEONG-LEEN:-That is done as a matter of course whenever cases of hardship are referred to individual members, but may I raise a supplementary question, Mr. Chairman? Are you aware of the fact that in the Kwun Chung area, there is a general hardship among the hawkers, who feel that in being required to remove their wares in the evening, (many of them live very far away from the Kwun Chung area) they experience genuine hardship? As an illustration, there was a case that came to my notice to-day of a man's wife who, in trying last night to move some eggs or other wares from the area to a distant place where they live, fell and sprained her ankle. There are many other cases like this, Mr. Chairman, and I would like to ask whether you are aware that there is general hardship among the hawkers there?
CHAIRMAN:-I have nothing to add to my reply.
MR. CHEONG-LEEN:-I would be grateful if you would look into it, Sir.
CHAIRMAN:Yes.
MR. H. CHEONG-LEEN asked the following question:-
"I have been given to understand that there are certain members of the Hawker Control Force who have recently displayed a deplorable lack of courtesy during the exercise of their duties:
(a) What steps does the Director of Urban Services pro- pose to adopt to instil a greater spirit of courtesy to the public among members of the Hawker Control Force?
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
155
(b) Will the Director of Urban Services give his assur- ance that strict disciplinary measures will be taken against any member of the Force who is deliberately discourteous to any member of the public?"
THE CHAIRMAN replied as follows:
"Throughout training and duties, each member of the Force is frequently reminded of the need to exercise courtesy in dealing with the public. I do not think that any additional measures are necessary at present.
No specific acts of discourtesy have been brought to my notice. If they are, I will see to it, in appropriate cases, that the wide disciplinary powers resting with the Commandant of the Force are brought into operation.
I know that the Chairman of the Hawkers Select Committee is very sensitive regarding the conduct of members of the Control Force and very alert to eliminate any oppressive behaviour. But he shares my view that general and un- substantiated allegations of bad behaviour may well be unfair to the individual members of the Force and damage their efficiency."
MR. CHEONG-LEEN:-Mr. Chairman, before I ask a supplementary question, may I say that I heartily endorse the sentiments which have been stated in the third paragraph, and I believe that these are your sentiments as well. The reason which prompted me to ask this question was more by way of a reminder to the Force, since it did in fact come to my attention that there had been individual instances of gross discourtesy on the part of certain of its members. There is first- hand information of a case, which I visited myself but in which I could not get a written statement, because the persons concerned were fearful of action being taken against them otherwise. May I ask, as a supple- mentary question, Mr. Chairman, whether you would consider at the appropriate time to send a reminder to the Hawker Control Force on the necessity at all times to be courteous to the members of the public?
CHAIRMAN: -I will do so, Sir.
DR. BELL:-May I ask a supplementary question, Mr. Chairman? Is the Chairman of the Hawkers Select Committee alert on Hong Kong side or Kowloon side?
MR. BERNACCHI:-Both sides! (Laughter).
MR. CHEONG-LEEN:-As a member of that Committee, I have every confidence in the Chairman of the Hawkers Select Committee.
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