Page 136 of 194
254
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
Concerning environmental hygiene I would like to reiterate to my predecessors on that Committee my admiration for the ingenious "Miss Ping On" campaign. The environmental hygiene campaign should be continuous. Recently quite a few of my friends told me that in parking in the side streets of Hong Kong and Kowloon they have had all kinds of refuse poured on the top of their cars. Some of the contents were beyond description (Laughter). A campaign on civic consciousness could perhaps be waged with the co-operation of the Kaifongs to eliminate this unhygienic as well as unethical practice.
Over two weeks ago, I had the opportunity of visiting a scavenging lane on the Hong Kong side with the Chairman of the Council. It revealed the necessity of intensive cleaning as well as re-examination of the question of squatter huts hitherto allowed in scavenging lanes; conditions in some are deplorable. There is no question that squatters in the scavenging lanes must be removed from a public health point of view. The difficulty lies in the modus operandi of resettlement. I have not yet studied the recent Report of the Working Party on Housing, but I am sure that a practical way could be found to resettle these squatters without the hardships which were supposed to have been imposed upon them.
Now, coming to food and food premises, we have not yet solved the problem of health inspectors of food and food premises. Apart from the practices which I have mentioned in previous years, there is definite evidence of snobbery displayed by health inspectors in treating differently people under similar conditions. Perhaps Members of the Food and Food Premises Committee, especially the Delegated Members, could work yet harder and go into the details of each licence and its cancellation.
With these remarks, Mr. Chairman, I have much pleasure in supporting the motion before the Council. (Applause).
Mr. CHEUNG WING-IN-Mr. Chairman, eight months ago in my maiden speech at this Council I criticized the slow pace at which Government was tackling the various urgent problems confronting Hong Kong and its nearly four million population. In a world of rapid changes and developments we have to move fast in order not to be left behind.
The report on the power companies was published nearly four years ago, but it was not until very recently that Government has been able to arrive at a policy decision after doing a 180° turn in mid stream. The school health scheme and the introduction of wireless television had been mooted for many years and although Government's decisions in these matters have been announced for some time we still do not know when they will be implemented. We can only hope that it will be soon.
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
255
Legal Aid
A committee to consider legal aid for the poor in both criminal and civil proceedings was first appointed over five years ago. To carry on the work a new committee was appointed in 1960 and a report was submitted a year ago. To date the results of these deliberations have not been made known to the public. Nor has Government revealed its intentions.
The extension of legal aid to all poor persons charged in the Supreme Court was brought into force a year ago and is a step in the right direction. Previously this privilege was confined only to persons charged with offences involving capital punishment. It seems to me that Government should now extend legal aid to the poor charged in the District Courts as these Courts are empowered to mete out prison sentences up to 5 years.
The present scheme, whereby at least 90% of the persons charged with serious offences are not legally represented because they are poor, makes a mockery of the fundamental principle of British justice that every man is equal before the law. (Cries of hear, hear). The present limitation that only persons with means below $500 may apply for legal aid in civil matters needs reviewing. In my opinion in view of the long lapse of 10 years, when this sum was first fixed and of the great increase in cost of living since then the limit should be raised to at least $1,000 before it can be of real help to the average litigant.
Housing
At the last annual debate I advocated the formation of a Housing Consortium to provide decent homes for the white collar class for whom my friend Mr. MARDEN has expressed his concern this afternoon. Except for the pilot scheme of the Hong Kong Land Investment Co., Ltd. to build flats to be sold to white collar workers on a 5-year instalment plan (and as expected these flats were wholly taken up in no time) the suggestion has not aroused the support that it deserves.
I therefore wish to take this opportunity to draw my suggestion to Government's attention once again.
The implementation of the proposal requires the full co-operation between the Government and local financial institutions and the actual success largely depends on the degree of encouragement and assistance that Government is willing to provide.
In this respect I welcome the formation of the Working Party on (Squatters, Resettlement, and Government Low Cost) Housing. I am sure very useful suggestions will be forthcoming dealing with this very important problem. However, the recommendations will not improve
Page 137 of 194
of 194
Page 136 of 194
254
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
Concerning environmental hygiene I would like to reiterate to my predecessors on that Committee my admiration for the ingenious "Miss Ping On" campaign. The environmental hygiene campaign should be continuous. Recently quite a few of my friends told me that in parking in the side streets of Hong Kong and Kowloon they have had all kinds of refuse poured on the top of their cars. Some of the contents were beyond description (Laughter). A campaign on civic consciousness could perhaps be waged with the co-operation of the Kaifongs to eliminate this unhygienic as well as unethical practice.
Over two weeks ago, I had the opportunity of visiting a scavenging lane on the Hong Kong side with the Chairman of the Council. It revealed the necessity of intensive cleaning as well as re-examination of the question of squatter huts hitherto allowed in scavenging lanes; conditions in some are deplorable. There is no question that squatters in the scavenging lanes must be removed from a public health point of view. The difficulty lies in the modus operandi of resettlement. I have not yet studied the recent Report of the Working Party on Housing, but I am sure that a practical way could be found to resettle these squatters without the hardships which were supposed to have been imposed upon them.
Now, coming to food and food premises, we have not yet solved the problem of health inspectors of food and food premises. Apart from the practices which I have mentioned in previous years, there is definite evidence of snobbery displayed by health inspectors in treating differently people under similar conditions. Perhaps Members of the Food and Food Premises Committee, especially the Delegated Members, could work yet harder and go into the details of each licence and its cancellation.
With these remarks, Mr. Chairman, I have much pleasure in supporting the motion before the Council. (Applause).
Mr. CHEUNG WING-IN-Mr. Chairman, eight months ago in my maiden speech at this Council I criticized the slow pace at which Government was tackling the various urgent problems confronting Hong Kong and its nearly four million population. In a world of rapid changes and developments we have to move fast in order not to be left behind.
The report on the power companies was published nearly four years ago, but it was not until very recently that Government has been able to arrive at a policy decision after doing a 180° turn in mid stream. The school health scheme and the introduction of wireless television had been mooted for many years and although Government's decisions in these matters have been announced for some time we still do not know when they will be implemented. We can only hope that it will be soon.
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
255
Legal Aid
A committee to consider legal aid for the poor in both criminal and civil proceedings was first appointed over five years ago. To carry on the work a new committee was appointed in 1960 and a report was submitted a year ago. To date the results of these deliberations have not been made known to the public. Nor has Government revealed its intentions.
The extension of legal aid to all poor persons charged in the Supreme Court was brought into force a year ago and is a step in the right direction. Previously this privilege was confined only to persons charged with offences involving capital punishment. It seems to me that Government should now extend legal aid to the poor charged in the District Courts as these Courts are empowered to mete out prison sentences up to 5 years.
The present scheme, whereby at least 90% of the persons charged with serious offences are not legally represented because they are poor, makes a mockery of the fundamental principle of British justice that every man is equal before the law. (Cries of hear, hear). The present limitation that only persons with means below $500 may apply for legal aid in civil matters needs reviewing. In my opinion in view of the long lapse of 10 years, when this sum was first fixed and of the great increase in cost of living since then the limit should be raised to at least $1,000 before it can be of real help to the average litigant.
Housing
At the last annual debate I advocated the formation of a Housing Consortium to provide decent homes for the white collar class for whom my friend Mr. MARDEN has expressed his concern this afternoon. Except for the pilot scheme of the Hong Kong Land Investment Co., Ltd. to build flats to be sold to white collar workers on a 5-year instal- ment plan (and as expected these flats were wholly taken up in no time) the suggestion has not aroused the support that it deserves.
I therefore wish to take this opportunity to draw my suggestion to Government's attention once again.
The implementation of the proposal requires the full co-operation between the Government and local financial institutions and the actual success largely depends on the degree of encouragement and assistance that Government is willing to provide.
In this respect I welcome the formation of the Working Party on (Squatters, Resettlement, and Government Low Cost) Housing. I am sure very useful suggestions will be forthcoming dealing with this very important problem. However, the recommendations will not improve
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