1964 — Page 283

Urban Council Proceedings 市政局議事錄 All AI Reviewed

Page 283 of 312

540

HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL

Members will recall that this figure was agreed by both Resettlement Select Committees in December 1963. Progress, however, is slow; partly for the reason which I have already mentioned, and more importantly because tenants of overcrowded rooms are only fifth in the priorities for resettlement laid down in the White Paper. The department, therefore, is at present endeavouring to give preference to those families whose room density is below 13 square feet per adult.

MRS. ELLIOTT:- Mr. Chairman, may I ask the Commissioner, through you, if he realizes that children who are under 10 years of age and who are living in 6 square feet of space, are not allowed to go to any school which does not provide them with 10 square feet for studying?

COMMISSIONER FOR RESETTLEMENT: I was not aware of that fact.

MRS. ELLIOTT:- That is the regulation of the schools. Any school which does not provide 10 square feet for a child to study is prosecuted. Mr. Chairman, may I ask if it would be possible for the Policy Select Committee to reconsider this question of overcrowding because of the fact that many people in the resettlement areas seem to be deserting them on account of overcrowding?

COMMISSIONER FOR RESETTLEMENT:- Certainly, there is no reason at all why the Select Committee should not reconsider it although, of course, we are to some extent bound by the policy laid down in the White Paper.

MR. BERNACCHI: On that matter, Mr. Chairman, or perhaps the Commissioner for Resettlement, through you, Mr. Chairman, surely the priorities are based on 24 square feet, so that priority (V) in the White Paper is relief against overcrowding which is less than 24 square feet. Therefore, less than 16 square feet should, I feel, be given top priority and not down to 13 square feet which is an appalling congestion.

COMMISSIONER FOR RESETTLEMENT:- I agree with you, Sir; certainly it is an interpretation which might be worth pursuing.

MRS. ELLIOTT:- Mr. Chairman, may I ask if the Policy Select Committee could consider the question of whether the people living in huts are not better off than the people living in resettlement estates?

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

In view of the many queries raised by the persons concerned, would the Commissioner for Resettlement be prepared to make a public statement at this meeting concerning the plan for cultivators' and pig-breeders' shop-sites, with special reference to those already on the waiting-list. When, and in what way, are the promises made to them likely to be fulfilled?

THE COMMISSIONER FOR RESETTLEMENT replied as follows:

I regret that I am not in a position to make a statement at this meeting. The matter is under consideration in the Colonial Secretariat and I understand that it may require a decision by the Governor in Council as well as the provision of funds by Finance Committee.

MRS. ELLIOTT:- Mr. Chairman, may I ask the Commissioner, through you, if he could give us some idea when the announcement will be made, because some of the people who have been promised shops for the last 4 or 5 years are beginning to lose faith, and feel that Government has no intention of resettling them?

COMMISSIONER FOR RESETTLEMENT:- I am afraid, Mr. Chairman, there is really nothing that I can add to my reply.

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

Would the Chairman please explore the possibility of having more parks and playgrounds provided with suitable lighting, including floodlights where appropriate, so that they may be kept open after dark as a means of keeping children off the street and as one way of counteracting the recent trend towards hooliganism and unhealthy forms of amusement?

THE CHAIRMAN replied as follows:

The department is now reviewing the existing provision of general park lighting and floodlighting, as well as the related question of opening and closing hours. A report will be made as soon as possible to the Urban Amenities Select Committee. The information so far available suggests that in some cases opening and closing hours merit revision, but the benefits likely to accrue from extension of opening hours have to be weighed against the cost of additional lighting or staff.

Twenty-two fenced parks and playgrounds are already provided with lighting and are open till midnight in summer and, with certain exceptions, until 10 p.m. in winter. Numerous other parks and playgrounds are scheduled to be provided with lighting under Government's Street Lighting Programme.

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HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL

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Page 283 of 312 540 HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL Members will recall that this figure was agreed by both Resettlement Select Committees in December 1963. Progress, however, is slow; partly for the reason which I have already mentioned, and more importantly because tenants of overcrowded rooms are only fifth in the priorities for resettlement laid down in the White Paper. The department, therefore, is at present endeavouring to give preference to those families whose room density is below 13 square feet per adult. MRS. ELLIOTT:- Mr. Chairman, may I ask the Commissioner, through you, if he realizes that children who are under 10 years of age and who are living in 6 square feet of space, are not allowed to go to any school which does not provide them with 10 square feet for studying? COMMISSIONER FOR RESETTLEMENT: I was not aware of that fact. MRS. ELLIOTT:- That is the regulation of the schools. Any school which does not provide 10 square feet for a child to study is prosecuted. Mr. Chairman, may I ask if it would be possible for the Policy Select Committee to reconsider this question of overcrowding because of the fact that many people in the resettlement areas seem to be deserting them on account of overcrowding? COMMISSIONER FOR RESETTLEMENT:- Certainly, there is no reason at all why the Select Committee should not reconsider it although, of course, we are to some extent bound by the policy laid down in the White Paper. MR. BERNACCHI: On that matter, Mr. Chairman, or perhaps the Commissioner for Resettlement, through you, Mr. Chairman, surely the priorities are based on 24 square feet, so that priority (V) in the White Paper is relief against overcrowding which is less than 24 square feet. Therefore, less than 16 square feet should, I feel, be given top priority and not down to 13 square feet which is an appalling congestion. COMMISSIONER FOR RESETTLEMENT:- I agree with you, Sir; certainly it is an interpretation which might be worth pursuing. MRS. ELLIOTT:- Mr. Chairman, may I ask if the Policy Select Committee could consider the question of whether the people living in huts are not better off than the people living in resettlement estates? (10) MRS. E. ELLIOTT asked the following question: In view of the many queries raised by the persons concerned, would the Commissioner for Resettlement be prepared to make a public statement at this meeting concerning the plan for cultivators' and pig-breeders' shop-sites, with special reference to those already on the waiting-list. When, and in what way, are the promises made to them likely to be fulfilled? THE COMMISSIONER FOR RESETTLEMENT replied as follows: I regret that I am not in a position to make a statement at this meeting. The matter is under consideration in the Colonial Secretariat and I understand that it may require a decision by the Governor in Council as well as the provision of funds by Finance Committee. MRS. ELLIOTT:- Mr. Chairman, may I ask the Commissioner, through you, if he could give us some idea when the announcement will be made, because some of the people who have been promised shops for the last 4 or 5 years are beginning to lose faith, and feel that Government has no intention of resettling them? COMMISSIONER FOR RESETTLEMENT:- I am afraid, Mr. Chairman, there is really nothing that I can add to my reply. (11) MRS. E. ELLIOTT asked the following question: Would the Chairman please explore the possibility of having more parks and playgrounds provided with suitable lighting, including floodlights where appropriate, so that they may be kept open after dark as a means of keeping children off the street and as one way of counteracting the recent trend towards hooliganism and unhealthy forms of amusement? THE CHAIRMAN replied as follows: The department is now reviewing the existing provision of general park lighting and floodlighting, as well as the related question of opening and closing hours. A report will be made as soon as possible to the Urban Amenities Select Committee. The information so far available suggests that in some cases opening and closing hours merit revision, but the benefits likely to accrue from extension of opening hours have to be weighed against the cost of additional lighting or staff. Twenty-two fenced parks and playgrounds are already provided with lighting and are open till midnight in summer and, with certain exceptions, until 10 p.m. in winter. Numerous other parks and playgrounds are scheduled to be provided with lighting under Government's Street Lighting Programme. 541 HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL Page 284 of 312

Baseline (Original)

Page 283 of 312 540 HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL Members will recall that this figure was agreed by both Resettlement Select Committees in December 1963. Progress, however, is slow; partly for the reason which I have already mentioned, and more importantly because tenants of overcrowded rooms are only fifth in the priori- ties for resettlement laid down in the White Paper. The department, therefore, is at present endeavouring to give preference to those families whose room density is below 13 square feet per adult. MRS. ELLIOTT:-Mr. Chairman, may I ask the Commissioner, through you, if he realizes that children who are under 10 years of age and who are living in 6 square feet of space, are not allowed to go to any school which does not provide them with 10 square feet for study- ing? COMMISSIONER FOR RESETTLEMENT: I was not aware of that fact. MRS. ELLIOTT:-That is the regulation of the schools. Any school which does not provide 10 square feet for a child to study is prosecuted. Mr. Chairman, may I ask if it would be possible for the Policy Select Committee to reconsider this question of overcrowding because of the fact that many people in the resettlement areas seem to be deserting them on account of overcrowding? COMMISSIONER for ResettlemENT:-Certainly, there is no reason at all why the Select Committee should not reconsider it although, of course, we are to some extent bound by the policy laid down in the White Paper. MR. BERNACCHI : On that matter, Mr. Chairman, or perhaps the Commissioner for Resettlement, through you, Mr. Chairman, surely the priorities are based on 24 square feet, so that priority (V) in the White Paper is relief against overcrowding which is less than 24 square feet. Therefore, less than 16 square feet should, I feel, be given top priority and not down to 13 square feet which is an appalling congestion. COMMISSIONER FOR RESETTLEMENT:-I agree with you, Sir; cer- tainly it is an interpretation which might be worth pursuing. MRS. ELLIOTT:-Mr. Chairman, may I ask if the Policy Select Committee could consider the question of whether the people living in huts are not better off than the people living in resettlement estates? (10) MRS. E. ELLIOTT asked the following question: In view of the many queries raised by the persons concerned, would the Commissioner for Resettlement be prepared to make a public statement at this meeting concerning the HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL 541 plan for cultivators' and pig-breeders' shop-sites, with special reference to those already on the waiting-list. When, and in what way, are the promises made to them likely to be fulfilled? THE COMMISSIONER FOR RESettlement replied as follows: I regret that I am not in a position to make a statement at this meeting. The matter is under consideration in the Colonial Secretariat and I understand that it may require a decision by the Governor in Council as well as the provision of funds by Finance Committee. MRS. ELLIOTT:-Mr. Chairman, may I ask the Commissioner, through you, if he could give us some idea when the announcement will be made, because some of the people who have been promised shops for the last 4 or 5 years are beginning to lose faith, and feel that Government has no intention of resettling them? COMMISSIONER FOR RESETTLEMENT:-I am afraid, Mr. Chairman, there is really nothing that I can add to my reply. (11) MRS. E. ELLIOTT asked the following question:— Would the Chairman please explore the possibility of having more parks and playgrounds provided with suitable light- ing, including floodlights where appropriate, so that they may be kept open after dark as a means of keeping chil- dren off the street and as one way of counteracting the recent trend towards hooliganism and unhealthy forms of amusement? THE CHAIRMAN replied as follows: The department is now reviewing the existing provision of general park lighting and floodlighting, as well as the re- lated question of opening and closing hours. A report will be made as soon as possible to the Urban Amenities Select Committee. The information so far available sug- gests that in some cases opening and closing hours merit revision, but the benefits likely to accrue from extension of opening hours have to be weighed against the cost of additional lighting or staff. Twenty-two fenced parks and playgrounds are already provided with lighting and are open till midnight in summer and, with certain exceptions, until 10 p.m. in winter. Numer- ous other parks and playgrounds are scheduled to be pro- vided with lighting under Government's Street Lighting Programme.

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Page 283 of 312

540

HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL

Members will recall that this figure was agreed by both Resettlement Select Committees in December 1963. Progress, however, is slow; partly for the reason which I have already mentioned, and more importantly because tenants of overcrowded rooms are only fifth in the priori- ties for resettlement laid down in the White Paper. The department, therefore, is at present endeavouring to give preference to those families whose room density is below 13 square feet per adult.

MRS. ELLIOTT:-Mr. Chairman, may I ask the Commissioner, through you, if he realizes that children who are under 10 years of age and who are living in 6 square feet of space, are not allowed to go to any school which does not provide them with 10 square feet for study- ing?

COMMISSIONER FOR RESETTLEMENT: I was not aware of that fact. MRS. ELLIOTT:-That is the regulation of the schools. Any school which does not provide 10 square feet for a child to study is prosecuted. Mr. Chairman, may I ask if it would be possible for the Policy Select Committee to reconsider this question of overcrowding because of the fact that many people in the resettlement areas seem to be deserting them on account of overcrowding?

COMMISSIONER for ResettlemENT:-Certainly, there is no reason at all why the Select Committee should not reconsider it although, of course, we are to some extent bound by the policy laid down in the White Paper.

MR. BERNACCHI : On that matter, Mr. Chairman, or perhaps the Commissioner for Resettlement, through you, Mr. Chairman, surely the priorities are based on 24 square feet, so that priority (V) in the White Paper is relief against overcrowding which is less than 24 square feet. Therefore, less than 16 square feet should, I feel, be given top priority and not down to 13 square feet which is an appalling congestion.

COMMISSIONER FOR RESETTLEMENT:-I agree with you, Sir; cer- tainly it is an interpretation which might be worth pursuing.

MRS. ELLIOTT:-Mr. Chairman, may I ask if the Policy Select Committee could consider the question of whether the people living in huts are not better off than the people living in resettlement estates?

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

In view of the many queries raised by the persons concerned, would the Commissioner for Resettlement be prepared to make a public statement at this meeting concerning the

HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL

541

plan for cultivators' and pig-breeders' shop-sites, with special reference to those already on the waiting-list. When, and in what way, are the promises made to them likely to be fulfilled?

THE COMMISSIONER FOR RESettlement replied as follows:

MRS. ELLIOTT:-Mr. Chairman, may I ask the Commissioner, through you, if he could give us some idea when the announcement will be made, because some of the people who have been promised shops for the last 4 or 5 years are beginning to lose faith, and feel that Government has no intention of resettling them?

COMMISSIONER FOR RESETTLEMENT:-I am afraid, Mr. Chairman, there is really nothing that I can add to my reply.

(11) MRS. E. ELLIOTT asked the following question:—

Would the Chairman please explore the possibility of having more parks and playgrounds provided with suitable light- ing, including floodlights where appropriate, so that they may be kept open after dark as a means of keeping chil- dren off the street and as one way of counteracting the recent trend towards hooliganism and unhealthy forms of amusement?

THE CHAIRMAN replied as follows:

The department is now reviewing the existing provision of general park lighting and floodlighting, as well as the re- lated question of opening and closing hours. A report will be made as soon as possible to the Urban Amenities Select Committee. The information so far available sug- gests that in some cases opening and closing hours merit revision, but the benefits likely to accrue from extension of opening hours have to be weighed against the cost of additional lighting or staff.

Twenty-two fenced parks and playgrounds are already provided with lighting and are open till midnight in summer and, with certain exceptions, until 10 p.m. in winter. Numer- ous other parks and playgrounds are scheduled to be pro- vided with lighting under Government's Street Lighting Programme.

1964 — Page 283

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