1964 — Page 151

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HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL

HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL

Page 151 of 312

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MR. BERNACCHI:-Is the Chairman aware that there has been one fire that showed signs of getting out of hand at the Chai Wan incinera- tion site?

CHAIRMAN:-No, Sir, I was not aware of it.

(7) MR. H. CHEONG-LEEN asked the following question:

Is the Chairman aware that there is mounting public criticism at the unhygienic and filthy conditions of many streets, primarily due to a shortage of cleansing personnel?

THE CHAIRMAN replied as follows:

The answer is in the affirmative. I have been aware for some

time of the public criticism to which you refer.

(8) MR. H. CHEONG-LEEN asked the following question:

Will the Chairman please give the dates on which the matter of shortage of cleansing personnel, no doubt primarily due to the insufficient pay offered by Government, which is seriously affecting the work of the Cleansing Division of the Urban Services Department, was brought to the notice of Government? When and what were the replies received from Government?

THE CHAIRMAN replied as follows:

I first informed the Colonial Secretary on 13th July of this year of my concern at the large numbers of labourers leaving the Department and the difficulty in recruiting to this grade, and other representations in writing were forwarded subsequently. Several discussions have taken place between officers of the Colonial Secretariat and the Department on the subject.

The question of wages for labourers and other minor staff in the public service is now under close and active con- sideration by Government. Members may recall that at · the meeting of the Legislative Council on 30th September, the Colonial Secretary stated that while a substantive review of the general level of Government salaries would be undertaken by a Salaries Commission next year, the present position regarding the wages of artisans and labourers in Government service was already under separate study.

(9) MR. H. CHEONG-LEEN asked the following question:-

Has the Director of Urban Services Department given con- sideration to recommending to Government that labourers in the cleansing section be given special allowances of about $35 to $45, which could assist in the recruitment of additional cleansing labourers?

THE CHAIRMAN replied as follows:

As I mentioned in my reply to an earlier question (No. 4), the allowance for labourers at Gin Drinkers Bay was raised from $15 to $45 a month with effect from 1st September, 1964. I have also explained that the general question of the pay of labourers is under close considera- tion by Government.

MR. CHEONG-LEEN:-Mr. Chairman, since Government is fully aware, and has been fully aware for some time, of the mounting public criticism concerning deterioration of conditions in our streets due to shortage of cleansing personnel, why has Government not taken any decision yet, bearing in mind that this matter has been brought to its attention several months ago?

CHAIRMAN :—Sir, the simple answer is that it is not just a question of adjustment of wages for labourers in the Urban Services Department, but of adjustment of wages for labourers generally in the Government service. I think that Government wishes to assure itself that any move which it makes in this matter is the correct move and that the adjust- ment is the correct adjustment.

MR. CHEONG-LEEN:-Mr. Chairman, do you know whether in releasing first the Standing Committee's Report on Superscale Salaries, rather than announcing the decision on the wages for lower paid workers, it is considered to be the right decision by Government?

man.

CHAIRMAN: -I have nothing to add to the reply already given, Sir.

MR. CHEONG-LEEN:---I did not expect a reply anyway, Mr. Chair-

MR. FUNG HON-CHU: --Mr. Chairman, the question of increased pay for the cleansing labourers was put to the Finance Committee of the Legislative Council by me at the first opportunity. That was on 1st August. At the time, I drew the attention of the Committee to the seriousness and the urgency of the problem and I did suggest that unless Government put into use a temporary allowance as an interim measure, the situation would continue to deteriorate. Government's reply was that it would give this matter careful consideration.