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HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
THE COMMISSIONER FOR RESETTLEMENT replied as follows:
I am aware that this type of gambling is liable to occur in resettlement estates, in the same way that it occurs elsewhere in the Colony. But neither the Commissioner of Police nor I has any evidence that it is a highly-organized racket in resettlement estates.
Experience indicates that where Tse Fa occurs in estates, a seller normally operates from the second or third floor to cover two or three blocks and that this organization is of a low grade. Most types of organized gambling tend to take place, not in resettlement blocks, but in nearby open spaces which are therefore regularly patrolled and frequently raided by the Police. The Commissioner of Police informs me that he exerts a steady pressure against all forms of illegal activity throughout the Colony. He does not concentrate specifically in resettlement estates and areas to suppress gambling.
Monthly meetings are held between Police officers and Resettlement Estate staff who bring to the notice of the Police any signs of persistent or increased gambling within the estates. This liaison ensures prompt and effective action.
MR. CHEONG-LEEN:-Mr. Chairman, does the Commissioner know how many cases of Tse Fa were discovered by the Resettlement Department since the beginning of this year?
COMMISSIONER FOR RESETTLEMENT:—Mr. Chairman, I do not know.
(11) MR. H. CHEONG-LEEN asked the following question:
I have received complaints from members of the public that the floors and windows of many public transport vehicles including buses and trams, are not kept in a clean condition and are a source of annoyance to many bus and tram users:
(a) Will the Director of Urban Services make a statement as to whether his Department has any powers to ensure that the windows, seats and floors of public transport buses and trams are kept in a reasonably clean and fit condition in the interest of general public health?
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
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(b) What is the Urban Services Department doing to encourage the public transport companies to improve the overall cleanliness of their vehicles, at least in the portions which are used by the general public?
THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES replied as follows:-
I am advised that neither the Director of Urban Services nor the Urban Services Department nor the Urban Council have any powers to ensure that windows, seats and floors of public transport vehicles are kept in a reasonably clean and fit condition. This is primarily a matter for the Companies concerned.
MR. CHEONG-LEEN:-Mr. Chairman, does that mean to say then that any bus company or tram company can keep their vehicles or at least those portions which are used by the public, in filthy state and the Urban Council can do nothing about it?
DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES:--No, Sir. The Road Traffic (Public Omnibus and Public Cars) Regulations 1961 contain provisions requiring bus operators to keep buses clean. A breach of these regulations is an offence. Prosecutions are normally conducted by the Police. There is no statutory provision specifically referring to cleanliness of trams.
MR. CHEONG-LEEN:-Mr. Chairman, can I ask the Vice-Chairman what do the Police know about hygiene and sanitation? (Laughter).
DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES:---I do not think that is a fair question, Mr. Chairman.
MR. CHEONG-LEEN:-I beg your pardon. Is it fair or unfair?
DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES:-Can I have the question again, Mr. Chairman. (Laughter).
MR. CHEONG-LEEN:-Can the Vice-Chairman, Mr. Chairman, say what do the Police know about environmental hygiene sanitation and maintaining buses in a clean condition.
DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES:-I am not able to say how much the Police know about it. I said in my reply that the Companies are responsible for keeping their buses clean.
MRS. ELLIOTT:-Mr. Chairman, is the Deputy Director's reply not a clear indication that public transport should be controlled by a public body like the Urban Council?
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Page 23 of 382
2224
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
THE COMMISSIONER FOR RESETTLEMENT replied as follows:
I am aware that this type of gambling is liable to occur in resettlement estates, in the same way that it occurs else- where in the Colony. But neither the Commissioner of Police nor I has any evidence that it is a highly-organized racket in resettlement estates.
Experience indicates that where Tse Fa occurs in estates, a seller normally operates from the second or third floor to cover two or three blocks and that this organization is of a low grade. Most types of organized gambling tend to take place, not in resettlement blocks, but in nearby open spaces which are therefore regularly patrolled and frequently raided by the Police. The Commissioner of Police informs me that he exerts a steady pressure against all forms of illegal activity throughout the Colony. He does not concentrate specifically in resettlement estates and areas to suppress gambling.
Monthly meetings are held between Police officers and Re- settlement Estate staff who bring to the notice of the Police any signs of persistent or increased gambling within the estates. This liaison ensures prompt and effective action.
MR. CHEONG-LEEN:-Mr. Chairman, does the Commissioner know how many cases of Tse Fa were discovered by the Resettlement Depart- ment since the beginning of this year?
COMMISSIONER FOR RESETTLEMENT: —Mr. Chairman, I do not
know.
(11) MR. H. CHEONG-LEEN asked the following question:
I have received complaints from members of the public that the floors and windows of many public transport vehicles including buses and trams, are not kept in a clean condi- tion and are a source of annoyance to many bus and tram
users:
(a) Will the Director of Urban Services make a statement as to whether his Department has any powers to ensure that the windows, seats and floors of public transport buses and trams are kept in a reasonably clean and fit condition in the interest of general public health?
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
25
(b) What is the Urban Services Department doing to encourage the public transport companies to improve the overall cleanliness of their vehicles, at least in the portions which are used by the general public?
THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES replied as follows:-
I am advised that neither the Director of Urban Services nor the Urban Services Department nor the Urban Council have any powers to ensure that windows, seats and floors of public transport vehicles are kept in a reasonably clean and fit condition. This is primarily a matter for the Companies concerned.
MR. CHEONG-LEEN:-Mr. Chairman, does that mean to say then that any bus company or tram company can keep their vehicles or at least those portions which are used by the public, in filthy state and the Urban Council can do nothing about it?
DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES:--No, Sir. The Road Traffic (Public Omnibus and Public Cars) Regulations 1961 contain provisions requiring bus operators to keep buses clean. A breach of these regulations is an offence. Prosecutions are normally conducted by the Police. There is no statutory provision specifically referring to cleanliness of trams.
MR. CHEONG-LEEN:-Mr. Chairman, can I ask the Vice-Chairman what do the Police know about hygiene and sanitation? (Laughter).
DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES:---I do not think that is a fair question, Mr. Chairman.
MR. CHEONG-LEEN:-I beg your pardon. Is it fair or unfair?
DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES:-Can I have the question again, Mr. Chairman. (Laughter).
MR. CHEONG-LEEN:-Can the Vice-Chairman, Mr. Chairman, say what do the Police know about environmental hygiene sanitation and maintaining buses in a clean condition.
DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES:-I am not able to say how much the Police know about it. I said in my reply that the Companies are responsible for keeping their buses clean.
MRS. ELLIOTT:-Mr. Chairman, is the Deputy Director's reply not a clear indication that public transport should be controlled by a public body like the Urban Council?
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