Page 114 of 279
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES replied as follows:
The general hygiene and sanitation of construction sites, which are private property, is the responsibility of the contractor in charge of operations on the site, but where it appears that any accumulation of water on a building site is likely to contain larvae or pupae of mosquitoes, the Urban Council, by virtue of the power vested in it by section 27(1) and (2) of the Public Health and Urban Services Ordinance, may cause a notice to be served upon the registered contractor requiring him to remove the accumulation and to take any further steps to prevent the recurrence of such accumulation of water.
If the contractor does not comply with the notice, he is guilty of an offence and is liable, on prosecution, to a maximum fine of $1,000 and to a daily fine of $20 as long as the offence continues.
Also under section 27(3) of the Ordinance, if larvae or pupae of mosquitoes are found on the site the registered contractor is automatically guilty of an offence.
The District Health Staff inspect building sites at least once a week and also as soon as possible after the receipt of a complaint.
Where small accumulations of water are found, direct action is taken by the staff to have them removed there and then by the site foreman.
If the accumulation of water found is large and cannot be removed readily it is oiled and a notice served on the responsible contractor requiring him to remove the accumulation, failing which a summons will follow.
During the months of May, June and July, 95 complaints regarding mosquito nuisances on building sites were received. In the same period 83 Statutory Notices were served on building contractors for allowing the presence of stagnant water liable to breed mosquitoes, and a total of 245 summonses were taken out against contractors on account of actual mosquito breeding.
MR. CHEONG-LEEN:- Mr. Chairman, it was reported recently that there was a building site where a child was reportedly drowned. Was that particular pool inspected by the staff regularly?
DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES:- I presume Mr. CHEONG-LEEN is referring to the one at San Po Kong? On the 26th July, a boy of 14 was drowned there about half past one in the afternoon. This site was inspected along with the others.
MR. CHEONG-LEEN:- And I presume, Sir, that notice was given to the contractor concerned that the pool should be cleared? How soon after notice was given was that particular pool cleared?
DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES:- I cannot answer that question straight away, Mr. Chairman, but I will certainly find out and let you know.
MR. CHEONG-LEEN:- Thank you very much.
(2) MR. H. CHEONG-LEEN asked the following question:
I understand that Government is considering legislation concerning the management of multi-storey buildings. Since this is a matter of considerable interest to the Urban Council, particularly from the point of view of cleansing and general sanitation, can the Chairman inquire from Government whether it will take between one to two years to have legislation enacted? Is there the probability that such legislation can be enacted earlier?
THE CHAIRMAN replied as follows:
It is not entirely correct that Government is considering legislation concerning the management of multi-storey buildings, if by this is meant considering a draft bill on this particular aspect. So far, a draft bill has been produced which is concerned with such matters as the apportionment of Crown rent and premia in these buildings. As regards management, Government is at present studying a report by the Secretariat for Chinese Affairs. Until this study has been completed it is not possible to say when or even if legislation will be enacted.
(3) MR. H. CHEONG-LEEN asked the following question:-
What is the Secretary for Chinese Affairs doing to encourage owners and residents in multi-storey buildings to co-operate together to form strong and effective multi-storey residents associations for the purpose of improving public health, sanitation and living conditions generally in such buildings?
SECRETARY FOR CHINESE AFFAIRS:- Mr. Chairman, I ask the indulgence of Members of this Council as my reply is, I am afraid rather
Page 114 of 279
203
202
279
!
Page 114 of 279
202
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
Page 114 of 279
203
THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES replied as follows:
The general hygiene and sanitation of construction sites, which are private property, is the responsibility of the contractor in charge of operations on the site, but where it appears that any accumulation of water on a building site is likely to contain larvae or pupae of mosquitoes, the Urban Council, by virtue of the power vested in it by section 27(1) and (2) of the Public Health and Urban Services Ordinance, may cause a notice to be served upon the registered contractor requiring him to remove the accumulation and to take any further steps to prevent the recurrence of such accumulation of water.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
If the contractor does not comply with the notice, he is guilty of an offence and is liable, on prosecution, to a maximum fine of $1,000 and to a daily fine of $20 as long as the offence continues.
Also under section 27(3) of the Ordinance, if larvae or pupae of mosquitoes are found on the site the registered contractor is automatically guilty of an offence.
The District Health Staff inspect building sites at least once a week and also as soon as possible after the receipt of a complaint.
Where small accumulations of water are found, direct action is taken by the staff to have them removed there and then by the site foreman.
If the accumulation of water found is large and cannot be removed readily it is oiled and a notice served on the responsible contractor requiring him to remove the accu- mulation, failing which a summons will follow.
During the months of May, June and July, 95 complaints regarding mosquito nuisances on building sites were received. In the same period 83 Statutory Notices were served on building contractors for allowing the presence of stagnant water liable to breed mosquitoes, and a total of 245 summonses were taken out against contractors on account of actual mosquito breeding.
MR. CHEONG-LEEN:-Mr. Chairman, it was reported recently that there was a building site where a child was reportedly drowned. Was that particular pool inspected by the staff regularly?
DEPUTY DIRECTor of Medical aND HEALTH SERVICES:-I presume Mr. CHEONG-LEEN is referring to the one at San Po Kong? On the
26th July, a boy of 14 was drowned there about half past one in the afternoon. This site was inspected along with the others.
MR. CHEONG-LEEN:-And I presume, Sir, that notice was given to the contractor concerned that the pool should be cleared? How soon after notice was given was that particular pool cleared?
DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES:-I cannot answer that question straight away, Mr. Chairman, but I will certainly find out and let you know.
MR. CHEONG-LEEN:-Thank you very much.
(2) MR. H. CHEONG-LEEN asked the following question:
I understand that Government is considering legislation con- cerning the management of multi-storey buildings. Since this is a matter of considerable interest to the Urban Council, particularly from the point of view of cleansing and general sanitation, can the Chairman inquire from Government whether it will take between one to two years to have legislation enacted? Is there the probability that such legislation can be enacted earlier?
THE CHAIRMAN replied as follows:
It is not entirely correct that Government is considering legislation concerning the management of multi-storey buildings, if by this is meant considering a draft bill on this particular aspect. So far, a draft bill has been produced which is concerned with such matters as the apportionment of Crown rent and premia in these build- ings. As regards management, Government is at present studying a report by the Secretariat for Chinese Affairs. Until this study has been completed it is not possible to say when or even if legislation will be enacted.
(3) MR. H. CHEONG-LEEN asked the following question:-
What is the Secretary for Chinese Affairs doing to encourage owners and residents in multi-storey buildings to co- operate together to form strong and effective multi-storey residents associations for the purpose of improving public health, sanitation and living conditions generally in such buildings?
SECRETARY FOR CHINESE AFFAIRS: -Mr. Chairman, I ask the in- dulgence of Members of this Council as my reply is, I am afraid rather
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.