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motors were not detected earlier: it is due to a shortage of suitably qualified staff.

MRS. ELLIOTT:-Mr. Chairman, the Commissioner says in para- graph (c) that he was assured that the work would be carried out as quickly as possible. Would the Commissioner give us some idea of what is meant by "as quickly as possible"?

COMMISSIONER FOR RESETTLEMENT:-It is a question, Mr. Chair- man, as I understand it, of the ordering of the rising mains and the circuit breakers, which may or may not be available from stock in Hong Kong. In installing them and, also in some cases probably, in calling on the assistance of the appropriate Power Company in the way of addi- tional mains leading in from outside the building. One estimate I have had is that it might take about six months after it is finally approved. At this stage it is not possible for me to make any definite statement, but I would say this: Those blocks which have been the principal source of trouble will be dealt with first.

MRS. ELLIOTT:-Mr. Chairman, I have a letter here from the factory owners who said that they have had more than 190 breakdowns since March. In view of the possibility of this being a long drawn-out process, would it be possible to let them use the new factories?

COMMISSIONER FOR RESETTLEMENT:-I do not know if these per- sons were from the 3rd floor of San Po Kong No. 1 factory, but staff of the Resettlement Department were interviewing representatives of the two biggest undertakings from that particular floor to-day, with a view to inviting them to move themselves to different, older accommodation, which has not yet been taken up. They use a high proportion of the current from the main, and if these two undertakings are willing to move, then maybe that will be of considerable assistance.

MRS. ELLIOTT:-Mr. Chairman, may I ask that this matter of the San Po Kong factories be regarded as a priority for the Resettlement Department, so as to help those who are genuinely trying to do their work, and also to prosecute those who are causing trouble?

MR. FUNG:-Mr. Chairman, arising out of this question concerning the installation of machinery in the 30 factories, I have just been in- formed of a case of an owner of a flatted factory at Cheung Sha Wan. He applied for the installation of machinery on 10th November last year and was not given any instructions one way or the other until 3rd July this year. I have written bringing this case to the notice of the Com- missioner for Resettlement and I do hope that he will kindly investigate it and perhaps give us an answer at the next meeting.

COMMISSIONER FOR RESETTLEMENT:

do so.

Certainly, I will be glad to

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(22) MRS. E. ELLIOTT asked the following question:

What urgent measures are at present being taken to ensure an adequate water supply to the Ngau Tau Kok Cottage area where some tenants are said to have no water supply at all?

THE COMMISSIONER FOR RESETTLEMENT replied as follows:-

This has been a recurring problem. The complaint is that set- tlers receive only four hours supply instead of the eight- hour supply which is now normal in the urban areas; that residents of the upper sections receive a poor supply; and that the hours of supply are inconvenient.

The root of the trouble appears to be low pressure and the small capacity of the existing supply main, and because of this it has been the practice, for some years past, to give a 24-hour supply to the Ngau Tau Kok Cottage Area and to phase the supply hours so that each section re- ceives a 4-hour supply during each 24-hour period.

Recent investigations show that water is available in all sections during the phased supply period, although the supply is inadequate in several places-a minimum of 2 gallons per person was recorded in one area-with the result that tenants have to descend to draw water at lower stand- pipes from which water is made available between 8 a.m. and 1 p.m.

The department is, of course, in touch with the Waterworks Office and, in the light of their advice, I hope in the near future to submit to Government proposals for improving the supply. I am, however, doubtful whether it will be possible to make any radical improvement without con- siderable expense and delay. In the meantime, all tenants can obtain water, though at some inconvenience.

MRS. ELLIOTT:-May I have an assurance from the Commissioner for Resettlement that expense will not be considered when giving these people water?

COMMISSIONER FOR RESETTLEMENT: -—I am afraid, Mr. Chairman, that is not for me to decide.

DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS:-I also cannot give that assurance, Mr. Chairman.