6 of 194
Page 166 of 194
314
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
we have started on one of the worst areas in Tai Kok Tsui where the obstructions are already coming down. Progress may seem slow but the process of law must be followed to avoid hardship. Many shades that we would like to see removed provide homes or work-places for the less fortunate members of our community and if these were removed by force complaints of harsh treatment would no doubt be received. Nevertheless, progress is being made and, as mentioned in the State-ment of Aims for 1964, it is the intention that it should continue at an increasing pace.
The Honourable F. S. LI, Mr. Wilson WANG and Mr. Wilfred WONG referred to delays and difficulties in licensing and to discrimina-tion on the part of health staff.
We have tried and are constantly trying to smooth out these difficulties by giving detailed instructions to the staff but I know that problem cases do arise from time to time. It is sometimes difficult to reach agreement quickly with other departments when there is an apparent conflict of interests. I should add that a large proportion of the complaints made on this subject prove on investigation to be due to the applicant's own neglect to carry out advice given to him.
If Members ever hear of unjustified delays, difficulties or dis-crimination, I hope that they will report them to the department immediately so that they can be investigated.
The Honourable F. S. LI also spoke on two matters of food hygiene. I am grateful to him for mentioning these and I am always glad to hear of any suspected illegal practices so that action can be taken to remedy them.
The use of glasses instead of straws or disposable cups for non-bottled drinks is objectionable unless they can be properly cleansed. Holders of non-bottled drinks permits have all been warned to this effect and their premises or stalls are being kept under observation. Instructions have, however, now been issued to the staff that any future cases discovered are to be prosecuted without further warning.
A watch has been kept over the service of meals in offices for the past two years, to ensure that food comes only from hygienic sources. When a breach of the by-laws is suspected it is often extremely difficult to prove the sale of food or to identify its source. In this case it is the public who are largely to blame because when inquiries are made, the office workers to whom meals are served frequently claim that the food is prepared by their own staff. However, in the past year seven unlicensed food factories have been detected and prosecuted and it is proposed to launch an intensive campaign on this matter in the near future.
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
315
From office lunches I now turn to the less appetizing subject of offensive trades. It is true, as Mr. MARDEN said, that we are now within sight of a solution to the problem of bone sheds in Kennedy Town; I am glad to say that the temporary fly-proof measures intro-duced last year have been successful and no complaints have been received recently. We now look forward to seeing these bone sheds resited in Kwai Chung with modern hygienic equipment. With this stumbling block overcome, it is hoped to re-examine the classification of offensive trades of which there is an imposing list in the ordinance, ranging from the scraping of guts to the cleaning of hair. Some of these trades have disappeared from our ken while others have developed into full scale industries. Meanwhile the areas delineated for certain trades have developed into residential and commercial centres. The problem is being studied and proposals will be put before the appropriate select committee in due course.
The Honourable F. S. Li referred to the subject of air pollution which is a matter of concern to public health authorities throughout the world. Hong Kong is following developments in this field with interest and certain detailed studies are being made.
My honourable friend's interesting suggestion of appointing a single co-ordinating authority is being examined. There are several departments involved, each concerned with one particular aspect of the problem. There is constant liaison on matters of general interest but it might prove cumbersome and time-wasting to refer everything to a single department. The Department of Civil Aviation, for example, must be free to take urgent action in cases where the safety of aircraft is involved.
I am grateful also to the Honourable F. S. LI for his kind remarks regarding food hygiene training courses. I feel these have been valu-able and Members will be glad to know that some of the Colony's largest hotels are taking a keen interest in this form of training.
I agree with Mr. Wilfred WONG that constant education is neces-sary to combat the dumping of refuse from upper windows. This is no new problem; a well known English writer of the 17th century was complaining of its prevalence in London as long ago as 1660. It is difficult to keep propaganda on this subject continuously fresh and stimulating, but I would assure Mr. WONG that we will explore every means of publicity in the coming year.
Mr. CHEONG-LEEN in mentioning the development programme for medical services, asked why the Lai Chi Kok Hospital was planned to be built before that at Shau Kei Wan. I can assure him that this decision was made in order to provide general hospital beds for the
1
6 of 194
Page 166 of 194
314
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
we have started on one of the worst areas in Tai Kok Tsui where the obstructions are already coming down. Progress may seem slow but the process of law must be followed to avoid hardship. Many shades that we would like to see removed provide homes or work-places for the less fortunate members of our community and if these were removed by force complaints of harsh treatment would no doubt be received. Nevertheless, progress is being made and, as mentioned in the State- ment of Aims for 1964, it is the intention that it should continue at an increasing pace.
The Honourable F. S. LI, Mr. Wilson WANG and Mr. Wilfred WONG referred to delays and difficulties in licensing and to discrimina- tion on the part of health staff.
We have tried and are constantly trying to smooth out these difficulties by giving detailed instructions to the staff but I know that problem cases do arise from time to time. It is sometimes difficult to reach agreement quickly with other departments when there is an apparent conflict of interests. I should add that a large proportion of the complaints made on this subject prove on investigation to be due to the applicant's own neglect to carry out advice given to him.
If Members ever hear of unjustified delays, difficulties or dis- crimination, I hope that they will report them to the department immediately so that they can be investigated.
The Honourable F. S. LI also spoke on two matters of food hygiene. I am grateful to him for mentioning these and I am always glad to hear of any suspected illegal practices so that action can be taken to remedy them.
The use of glasses instead of straws or disposable cups for non- bottled drinks is objectionable unless they can be properly cleansed. Holders of non-bottled drinks permits have all been warned to this effect and their premises or stalls are being kept under observation. Instructions have, however, now been issued to the staff that any future cases discovered are to be prosecuted without further warning.
A watch has been kept over the service of meals in offices for the past two years, to ensure that food comes only from hygienic sources. When a breach of the by-laws is suspected it is often extremely difficult to prove the sale of food or to identify its source. In this case it is the public who are largely to blame because when inquiries are made, the office workers to whom meals are served frequently claim that the food is prepared by their own staff. However, in the past year seven unlicensed food factories have been detected and prosecuted and it is proposed to launch an intensive campaign on this matter in the near future.
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
315
From office lunches I now turn to the less appetizing subject of offensive trades. It is true, as Mr. MARDEN said, that we are now within sight of a solution to the problem of bone sheds in Kennedy Town; I am glad to say that the temporary fly-proof measures intro- duced last year have been successful and no complaints have been received recently. We now look forward to seeing these bone sheds resited in Kwai Chung with modern hygienic equipment. With this stumbling block overcome, it is hoped to re-examine the classification of offensive trades of which there is an imposing list in the ordinance, ranging from the scraping of guts to the cleaning of hair. Some of these trades have disappeared from our ken while others have developed into full scale industries. Meanwhile the areas delineated for certain trades have developed into residential and commercial centres. The problem is being studied and proposals will be put before the appropriate select committee in due course.
The Honourable F. S. Li referred to the subject of air pollution which is a matter of concern to public health authorities throughout the world. Hong Kong is following developments in this field with interest and certain detailed studies are being made.
My honourable friend's interesting suggestion of appointing a single co-ordinating authority is being examined. There are several departments involved, each concerned with one particular aspect of the problem. There is constant liaison on matters of general interest but it might prove cumbersome and time-wasting to refer everything to a single department. The Department of Civil Aviation, for example, must be free to take urgent action in cases where the safety of aircraft is involved.
I am grateful also to the Honourable F. S. LI for his kind remarks regarding food hygiene training courses. I feel these have been valu- able and Members will be glad to know that some of the Colony's largest hotels are taking a keen interest in this form of training.
I agree with Mr. Wilfred WONG that constant education is neces- sary to combat the dumping of refuse from upper windows. This is no new problem; a well known English writer of the 17th century was complaining of its prevalence in London as long ago as 1660. It is difficult to keep propaganda on this subject continuously fresh and stimulating, but I would assure Mr. WONG that we will explore every means of publicity in the coming year.
Mr. CHEONG-LEEN in mentioning the development programme for medical services, asked why the Lai Chi Kok Hospital was planned to be built before that at Shau Kei Wan. I can assure him that this decision was made in order to provide general hospital beds for the
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