HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
on account of their proximity to the site of nuclear blasts, the fallout is likely to be heavier than elsewhere? If not is it not desirable in the interest of the public to recommend to the Government that such a precautionary step be taken?
THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES replied as follows:
Milk which is the most important immediate indicator of radioactivity in foodstuffs after an atomic explosion is being sampled regularly and there has been no significant level of radioactivity detected. The measurement in other foodstuffs is not being undertaken but Government has the situation under urgent review. The report of the United Nations Scientific Committee on the effects of atomic radiation recently published is expected shortly and this gives up-to-date information on the general levels of radioactivity throughout the world. When this report has been received further consideration will be given to the problem in the light of the scientific facts therein.
MR. SALES-Mr. Chairman, may I ask, by way of a supplementary question, whether this report of the United Nations Scientific Committee has been considered by the local United Nations Association as yet? If so may we have their views on that matter?
MR. CHEONG-LEEN:-May I ask a supplementary, Mr. Chairman? I would like to seek clarification from the Vice Chairman as to what kind of milk he referred to in this context-fresh milk, reconstituted milk, or any other kind of milk?
DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES:-It is the milk powder which is important.
MR. FUNG-Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
MR. FUNG HON-CHU asked the following question:-
Is the Chairman aware that there exists dissatisfaction among members of the public over the inconsiderate and slipshod manner in which some of our street sweepers go about their work, and that it is a common experience for pedestrians to find themselves inconvenienced through the sweepers' blatant disregard for elementary rules of courtesy? Will the Chairman please inform this Council
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
as to what measures he proposes to take to discourage this undesirable behaviour and whether, for easier identification in case of complaints, the wearing of a number by the sweepers might have a salutary effect?
THE CHAIRMAN replied as follows:
I am not aware that members of the public have grounds for dissatisfaction with the behaviour of street sweepers whilst carrying out their duties. No complaint on this score has been received by the department in the past twelve months. 2. I am arranging for an instruction to be issued, warning all sweepers to be considerate whilst performing their duties, and to make every attempt to avoid handling their brooms during street sweeping in such a way as to cause inconvenience to members of the public.
3. Sweepers already carry a number for identification purposes on the breast pocket of their jacket.
MR. FUNG: Mr. Chairman, incidentally there was an article in the local Press, making similar complaints just a couple of weeks ago. So there must be something concerning this undesirable behaviour.
DR. P. F. Woo asked the following question:
In all the restaurants and eating establishments the managements are in the habit of shutting off the air-conditioners long before the closing hours, in spite of the presence of customers, for economical reasons. This constitutes health risks and contravenes ventilation regulations. As all these establishments are under the control of the Council, would the Chairman take measures to stop this practice?
THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES replied as follows:
It is an offence under section 96(2) of the Public Health and Urban Services Ordinance for restaurant keepers to shut off ventilating systems during business hours. No complaints that this happens have been received nor have any prosecutions been undertaken for this offence.
2. The importance of maintaining adequate ventilation is clear, and in view of what you have said about these air-conditioners being shut off, the district staff have been instructed to warn
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176
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
on account of their proximity to the site of nuclear blasts, the fallout is likely to be heavier than elsewhere? If not is it not desirable in the interest of the public to recom mend to the Government that such a precautionary step be
taken?
THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES replied
as follows:
Milk which is the most important immediate indicator of radio- activity in foodstuffs after an atomic explosion is being sampled regularly and there has been no significant level of radioactivity detected. The measurement in other food- stuffs is not being undertaken but Government has the situation under urgent review. The report of the United Nations Scientific Committee on the effects of atomic radiation recently published is expected shortly and this gives up-to-date information on the general levels of radio- activity throughout the world. When this report has been received further consideration will be given to the problem in the light of the scientific facts therein.
MR. SALES-Mr. Chairman, may I ask, by way of a supplementary question, whether this report of the United Nations Scientific Committee has been considered by the local United Nations Association as yet? If so may we have their views on that matter?
MR. CHEONG-LEEN:-May I ask a supplementary, Mr. Chairman? I would like to seek clarification from the Vice Chairman as to what kind of milk he referred to in this context-fresh milk, reconstituted milk, or any other kind of milk?
DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES:-It is the milk powder which is important.
MR. FUNG-Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
MR. FUNG HON-CHU asked the following question:-
Is the Chairman aware that there exists dissatisfaction among members of the public over the inconsiderate and slipshod manner in which some of our street sweepers go about their work, and that it is a common experience for pedes- trians to find themselves inconvenienced through the sweepers' blatant disregard for elementary rules of courtesy? Will the Chairman please inform this Council
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
177
as to what measures he proposes to take to discourage this undesirable behaviour and whether, for easier identi- fication in case of complaints, the wearing of a number by the sweepers might have a salutary effect?
THE CHAIRMAN replied as follows:
I am not aware that members of the public have grounds for dissatisfaction with the behaviour of street sweepers whilst carrying out their duties. No complaint on this score has been received by the department in the past twelve months. 2. I am arranging for an instruction to be issued, warning all sweepers to be considerate whilst performing their duties, and to make every attempt to avoid handling their brooms during street sweeping in such a way as to cause incon- venience to members of the public.
3. Sweepers already carry a number for identification purposes
on the breast pocket of their jacket.
MR. FUNG: Mr. Chairman, incidentally there was an article in the local Press, making similar complaints just a couple of weeks ago. So there must be something concerning this undesirable behaviour.
DR. P. F. Woo asked the following question :
In all the restaurants and eating establishments the manage- ments are in the habit of shutting off the air-conditioners long before the closing hours, in spite of the presence of customers, for economical reasons. This constitutes health risks and contravenes ventilation regulations. As all these establishments are under the control of the Council, would the Chairman take measures to stop this practice?
THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES replied as follows:
It is an offence under section 96(2) of the Public Health and Urban Services Ordinance for restaurant keepers to shut off ventilating systems during business hours. No complaints that this happens have been received nor have any prosecutions been undertaken for this offence.
2. The importance of maintaining adequate ventilation is clear, and in view of what you have said about these air-conditioners being shut off, the district staff have been instructed to warn
Page 96 of 150
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