1963 — Page 172

of 194

Page 172 of 194

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is urgently required in order to give support to the programmes that that Committee has drawn up. It is our hope that Government will take prompt action on the proposal so that the plans may not be set back. Mr. Chairman, may I ask you to make strong representations on that With that remark and that request, I support the estimates which have been laid on the table.

note.

MR. H. CHEONG-LEEN: -Mr. Chairman, insofar as urban amenities are concerned, let me say that I have full confidence in the administra- tive staff, especially since Mr. SALES has been right on top of the Com- mittee and the staff for the past few years. I think that the estimates as tabled do reflect the views of Council, but I would take this oppor- tunity to mention that at one of the meetings of the Estimates Select Committee I raised the question (concerning which I do not think I have received the answer yet) as to whether the Department should change its policy in future and employ female staff as well in our cleans- ing service. At present we only have male street sweepers. I hope you do not think that I am frivolous or that I am trying to defend the rights of the fair sex, but it was a question which was put forward seriously and I hope that during the coming year the Department will look into this matter. With that I would say the estimates are fully satisfactory.

DR. LEE:-For the purpose of clarification, Mr. Chairman, am I right in saying that the majority of the coolies employed on nightsoil collection were females in the old days?

CHAIRMAN: -I believe that is correct, Sir.

MR. CHEONG-LEEN:-In clarification, I was referring to street cleans- ing in particular.

QUESTIONS.

MR. LI FOOK-SHU asked the following question : -

Have any cases been brought to your notice where restaurants established in newly-constructed buildings, have additional seating arrangements in cocklofts with ceiling heights of no more than 6 feet? Would you agree that the ventila- tion is quite inadequate in such a restricted space?

THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF Medical and HEALTH SERVICES replied as follows:

I am informed that no cases have been brought to the notice of the Urban Services Department of restaurants in which cocklofts used for seating accommodation have ceilings below the minimum of 6 feet. This minimum height was approved by a Select Committee of the Council in

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September 1950 and was confirmed by the Food and Markets (Policy) Select Committee in June 1956. I should add that the thickness of beams is not taken into account in calculating the ceiling height.

Ceiling height is indeed one of the factors affecting ventilation which are considered when the suitability of premises or floors for licensing as restaurants is assessed. The policy appears to have worked satisfactorily since 1950 but if my friend, Mr. Li, knows of any cases where ventilation in a cockloft is poor, I will be glad to have them investigated.

MR. LI:-Thank you.

MRS. E. ELLIOTT asked the following question:-

(a) In view of the fact that Government has only been able to supply half a gallon of water per person per day to the resited hut-dwellers at Mount Davis, and in view of the fact that most of these squatters are the victims of house collapse or fires, would it be possible to anticipate any future changes in Resettlement policy by granting high priority to the residents of this area in the Resettle- ment programme?

(b) Until such time as these most unfortunate hut-dwellers can be resettled, would Government consider placing water tanks at the top of the hill and supplying water by pipe down the hillside, if necessary purchasing water from water carriers for the purpose?

(c) Would the Commissioner for Resettlement investigate the allegation that some hut-dwellers have to walk 10 to 15 minutes to reach the nearest toilet?

THE COMMISSIONER FOR RESETTLEMENT replied as follows:

The answer to the first part of the question is that it would be unwise to grant high priority for resettlement to the residents of this area in anticipation of a change in resettlement policy. In any case, apart from one block at Wang Tau Hom, arrangements for filling which have already been made, no more new blocks will be ready for occupation in the urban areas before about the middle of March 1964. By that time, I hope that the permanent water supply for the Mount Davis Resite Area will be nearly ready.