1964 — Page 161

Page 161 of 312

298

HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL

THE CHAIRMAN replied as follows:—

An account of the steps taken and of the present position in regard to the clearance of this refuse has been given in replies to previous questions.

MR. CHEUNG:-Mr. Chairman, do you not agree that those steps have not been very effective and it took weeks and weeks before the backlog caused by Typhoon Ruby was cleared up. In fact, if "Sally" had done more damage it would have taken us many more weeks and months to clear up also.

CHAIRMAN:-I would not say, Sir, that the steps taken were altogether ineffective, although I personally know of places where you can still see typhoon refuse, even in the urban areas. It has been a question of a long and slow haul, Sir. The principal reason for the delay in handling these accumulations of refuse has been the shortage of labour. That is my considered opinion.

(23) MR. CHEUNG WING-IN asked the following question:

As an emergency measure has the Department seriously considered or resorted to procuring contract labour and hired transport to remove rubbish and debris (as distinct from cleansing work) in specified areas under the supervision of the Department's staff?

THE CHAIRMAN replied as follows:

The answer is in the affirmative. After the typhoons at the beginning of last month about 59 commercial lorries were hired for the removal of refuse and debris. Nine were hired with crews for a short period.

Four commercial lorries are still being used in Kowloon for the removal of junk, together with six vehicles from the Government transport pool. Domestic refuse cannot be removed satisfactorily by commercial lorries, which are used therefore only as an expedient. Specialized refuse collection vehicles are essential for this work in the long term.

MR. BERNACCHI:-As a supplementary, Mr. Chairman, have you inquired, and if not, will you inquire, whether in the Law Officers' opinion the Urban Council Ordinance constitutes this Council as an incorporated body?

CHAIRMAN: ---I will inquire, Sir.

HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL

299

MR. CHEUNG:—Mr. Chairman, from your answer it appears that the question of contract labour was resorted to in a very small way. Our main problem was shortage of labour. Could we not have resorted to this measure to a greater extent so that the rubbish could have been cleared up earlier?

CHAIRMAN: I think so, Sir, but I would point out that any large-scale introduction of contract labour, which is fairly expensive, might have a seriously upsetting effect on the other members of the Department's labour force.

MR. WATSON-Mr. Chairman, I do not quite understand Mr. BERNACCHI's question. I wonder if he was asking a supplementary question on the next question, which we have not come to yet. (Laughter).

MR. BERNACCHI : I was indeed! I beg Mr. WATSON's pardon and your pardon, Mr. Chairman. I was pushing on to my motion again. (Laughter).

(24) MR. CHEUNG WING-IN asked the following question:-

Has the Chairman considered the legal liability of the Department and/or of this Council to the public for consequences of accumulating rubbish and debris in the streets? Would not the leniency of the public or their lack of legal remedy impose an even greater moral responsibility on Government to safeguard their health by promptly clearing the backlog of accumulated refuse or debris?

THE CHAIRMAN replied as follows: -----

I have considered the position in the light of your question and I am advised by the Law Officers that the potential risk of liability of the Council or of the Department is very slight.

I can assure you, Sir, that I am well aware of Government's responsibility to clear accumulated refuse from the streets as soon as possible.

MR. BERNACCHI:-Mr. Chairman, would you please read my supplementary as referring to this question. (Laughter).

CHAIRMAN: Yes, Sir.

MR. CHEUNG:-Mr. Chairman, have the Law Officers given you the reasons why they consider the potential liability or potential risk to be very slight?

Page 161 of 312