1962 — Page 97

HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL

all licensees concerned. Night visits will also be made to licensed premises by district staff to check that section 96(2) of the Ordinance is being complied with.

DR. P. F. Woo asked the following question:

Recently a few cases have been reported that people fainted inside the cinema theatres while the performances were on, because the air-conditioners were suddenly shut off which prevented the proper ventilation of air. In some cases this was due to the breaking down of the system, but in others it was alleged that the managements deliberately shut off the air-conditioners intermittently for economical reasons. As sufficient ventilation is essential in theatres and shutting off the ventilation system is dangerous to health, would the Chairman take steps to prevent such occurrence?

THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES replied as follows:

No complaints of persons fainting in cinemas due to shutting off of the air-conditioning system have been recorded, nor have any complaints of inadequate ventilation been received this summer. Previously, two specific complaints were received in the course of eight months but neither could be substantiated on investigation.

2. Shutting off of air-conditioning systems in cinemas while they are open to the public is also an offence under section 96 of the Public Health and Urban Services Ordinance. Following a complaint last year, a letter was addressed to the managements of all air-conditioned cinemas and theatres informing them of this provision in the law and advising them to ensure that it was observed at all times. I should also add that District Health Inspectors frequently visit all air-conditioned cinemas and theatres in the urban area. From the 1st of April this year to the 15th September, 394 such visits were made. In all cases the ventilating systems were found to be in full operation.

I think that you will appreciate, Sir, that it is difficult to obtain proof of offences of this nature, short of placing inspectors on watch for long periods. The alternative is to rely on the public and I would ask that if any member of the public has a complaint about cinema air conditioning, he should report the facts without delay to the Secretary, Urban Council for investigation.

HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL

MR. ERNEST WONG:--Mr. Chairman, I am not asking a supplementary question. I just want to give information, through you, to the Deputy Director of Medical and Health Services. I think our Inspectors should go round to the cinema theatres around 10 o'clock or half past ten at night, as I myself experienced the lack of air-conditioning last Saturday night in Kowloon.

CHAIRMAN:-Thank you.

MR. CHAN SHU-WOON asked the following question:

Mr. Chairman, in view of the disaster caused by Typhoon "Wanda" in the Colony I would like to know:

(a) What damage has been done to the numerous squatter huts in the resettlement areas?

(b) How many huts have been destroyed?

(c) How many settlers have been rendered homeless?

(d) How many unfortunate persons have been affected?

(e) What the Resettlement Department has done to help these destitute ones?

THE COMMISSIONER FOR RESETTLEMENT replied as follows:-

The answers to the questions raised by you, Sir, have already been covered in my reply to Mr. CHEONG-LEEN but I will summarize:

(1) 3,301 huts were severely damaged.

(2) 1,255 huts were destroyed.

(3) At least 13,000 temporary homeless people were accommodated in public and community buildings in the urban area.

(4) People are of course affected in many ways by such a disaster but if the question means how many squatters were living in huts severely damaged or destroyed by the typhoon, the answer is 5,639 families.

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HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL

all licensees concerned. Night visits will also be made to licensed premises by district staff to check that section 96(2) of the Ordinance is being complied with.

DR. P. F. Woo asked the following question:

Recently a few cases have been reported that people fainted inside the cinema theatres while the performances were on, because the air-conditioners were suddenly shut off which prevented the proper ventilation of air. In some cases this was due to the breaking down of the system, but in others it was alleged that the managements deliberately shut off the air-conditioners intermittently for economical reasons. As sufficient ventilation is essential in theatres and shutting off the ventilation system is dangerous to health, would the Chairman take steps to prevent such occurrence?

THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES replied as follows:

No complaints of persons fainting in cinemas due to shutting off of the air-conditioning system have been recorded, nor have any complaints of inadequate ventilation been received this summer. Previously, two specific complaints were received in the course of eight months but neither could be substantiated on investigation.

2. Shutting off of air-conditioning systems in cinemas while they are open to the public is also an offence under section 96 of the Public Health and Urban Services Ordinance. Following a complaint last year, a letter was addressed to the managements of all air-conditioned cinemas and theatres informing them of this provision in the law and advising them to ensure that it was observed at all times. I should also add that District Health Inspectors frequently visit all air-conditioned cinemas and theatres in the urban area. From the 1st of April this year to the 15th September, 394 such visits were made. In all cases the ventilating systems were found to be in full operation.

I think that you will appreciate, Sir, that it is difficult to obtain proof of offences of this nature, short of placing inspectors on watch for long periods. The alternative is to rely on the public and I would ask that if any member of the public has a complaint about cinema air conditioning, he should report the facts without delay to the Secretary, Urban Council for investigation.

HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL

MR. ERNEST WONG:--Mr. Chairman, I am not asking a supplementary question. I just want to give information, through you, to the Deputy Director of Medical and Health Services. I think our Inspectors should go round to the cinema theatres around 10 o'clock or half past ten at night, as I myself experienced the lack of air-conditioning last Saturday night in Kowloon.

CHAIRMAN:-Thank you.

MR. CHAN SHU-WOON asked the following question:

Mr. Chairman, in view of the disaster caused by Typhoon "Wanda" in the Colony I would like to know:

(a) What damage has been done to the numerous squatter huts in the resettlement areas?

(b) How many huts have been destroyed?

(c) How many settlers have been rendered homeless?

(d) How many unfortunate persons have been affected?

(e) What the Resettlement Department has done to help these destitute ones?

THE COMMISSIONER FOR RESETTLEMENT replied as follows:-

The answers to the questions raised by you, Sir, have already been covered in my reply to Mr. CHEONG-LEEN but I will summarize:

(1) 3,301 huts were severely damaged.

(2) 1,255 huts were destroyed.

(3) At least 13,000 temporary homeless people were accommodated in public and community buildings in the urban area.

(4) People are of course affected in many ways by such a disaster but if the question means how many squatters were living in huts severely damaged or destroyed by the typhoon, the answer is 5,639 families.

Page 97 of 150