HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
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MOTIONS.
(1) MR. SOLOMON RAFEEK moved:
"Resolved that for the purposes of Section 142 of the Public Health and Urban Services Ordinance, and in accordance with Section 60 of the Urban Council Ordinance, the Urban Council does hereby delegate the powers contained in Sub-sections (2), (3) and (4) of Section 118 of the Public Health and Urban Services Ordinance to the Supervisor, Cemeteries and Crematoria, the Health Inspector, Cemeteries and Crematoria, and to Overseers in the Cemeteries Section, in addition to the earlier delegations under Section 118 contained in the Resolution of 1st November, 1960.”
He said: Mr. Chairman, as Chairman of the Cemeteries, Crematoria and Funeral Parlours Select Committee, I rise to move the motion standing in my name.
One of the purposes of the motion is to give the Supervisor and the Health Inspector, Cemeteries and Crematoria, and the Overseers in the Cemeteries Section, authority to issue exhumation permits under subsection 2 of Section 118 of the Public Health and Urban Services Ordinance.
At present it is necessary for relatives or their agents who wish to obtain an exhumation permit to go to the Oil Street (Hong Kong) side, or Hung Hom (in Kowloon) Cemetery Depot and obtain an application form. After completing the form, the applicant must take it to the Urban Services Department Headquarters (Hong Kong) or the Urban Services Department Depot, Sai Yee Street (Kowloon) where a fee of $10 is paid and a permit issued.
By authorizing the further delegation of powers contained in sub-section 2 of Section 118 of the Public Health and Urban Services Ordinance to those public officers specified in this Motion, relatives or agents can apply for a permit, pay the fee, and receive the permit at either the Oil Street or the Hung Hom Cemetery Depot, provided that their application appears to be in order.
This revised procedure will, undoubtedly, be more convenient for applicants, and it will reduce paperwork in the department.
It is convenient to take this opportunity to delegate also to those public officers specified in the Motion powers sub-section (3) and (4) of Section 118 to issue permits for: the transfer of human remains from one part of a private cemetery to another part of the same cemetery and, human remains buried or deposited outside a cemetery to be removed in certain circumstances and buried inside a cemetery, or otherwise disposed of in a decent manner.
The powers contained in sub-section (1) of Section 118 to permit the burial of human remains, or the scattering of cremated ashes in a place which is not a cemetery have been delegated by the Urban Council to the Cemeteries, Crematoria and Funeral Parlours Select Committee. Further delegation of these powers is not considered to be appropriate.
Sir, I beg to move.
MR. BLAKER: Mr. Chairman, the reasons for the Motion have been fully set out by Mr. RAFEEK and described in the paper before the Council. I have pleasure in seconding the Motion.
MR. HU: Mr. Chairman, in support of the Motion concerning the cemeteries and the crematorium, I wish to say a few words.
At present, it will be very expensive for people to die in Hong Kong. There is an acute shortage of cemeteries in Hong Kong, especially for religious organizations. I have received complaints from such religious bodies as the Hong Kong Christian Ministerial Fellow organization, which comprises numerous Christian churches.
CHAIRMAN: Mr. Hu, the Motion concerns the issue of exhumation permits (Laughter) you are in breach of standing order 10(7) which reads: "Contents of Speeches--A member should direct his speech to the question under discussion.”
MR. HU: Mr. Chairman, it is, Sir, very difficult for you to judge before I finish my speech (Laughter).
CHAIRMAN: No, Sir, it was quite clear from your opening words- does any other member wish to speak?
MR. HU: To which standing order do you refer?
CHAIRMAN: 10(7) Mr. Hu.
The question was put.
The motion was carried.
CHAIRMAN: Mr. Hu, you abstain? (Laughter).
MR. HU: I have no chance to speak (Laughter)—I support the Motion, I already said (Laughter) but, Mr. Chairman, I think that this matter is probably worth looking into by Government anyway even if you overrule me on a point of order-nevertheless it's worthwhile for the Government to look into this matter.
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HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
Page 252 of 259
479
MOTIONS.
(1) MR. SOLOMON RAFEEK moved:
"Resolved that for the purposes of Section 142 of the Public Health and Urban Services Ordinance, and in accordance with Section 60 of the Urban Council Ordinance, the Urban Council does hereby delegate the powers contained in Sub-sections (2), (3) and (4) of Section 118 of the Public Health and Urban Services Ordinance to the Supervisor, Cemeteries and Crematoria, the Health Inspector, Ceme- teries and Crematoria, and to Overseers in the Cemeteries Section, in addition to the earlier delegations under Section 118 contained in the Resolution of 1st November, 1960.”
He said: Mr. Chairman, as Chairman of the Cemeteries, Crema- toria and Funeral Parlours Select Committee, I rise to move the motion standing in my name.
One of the purposes of the motion is to give the Supervisor and the Health Inspector, Cemeteries and Crematoria, and the Overseers in the Cemeteries Section, authority to issue exhumation permits under subsection 2 of Section 118 of the Public Health and Urban Services Ordinance.
At present it is necessary for relatives or their agents who wish to obtain an exhumation permit to go to the Oil Street (Hong Kong) side, or Hung Hom (in Kowloon) Cemetery Depot and obtain an application form. After completing the form, the applicant must take it to the Urban Services Department Headquarters (Hong Kong) or the Urban Services Department Depot, Sai Yee Street (Kowloon) where a fee of $10 is paid and a permit issued.
By authorizing the further delegation of powers contained in sub- section 2 of Section 118 of the Public Health and Urban Services Ordin- ance to those public officers specified in this Motion, relatives or agents can apply for a permit, pay the fee, and receive the permit at either the Oil Street or the Hung Hom Cemetery Depot, provided that their application appears to be in order.
This revised procedure will, undoubtedly, be more convenient for applicants, and it will reduce paperwork in the department.
It is convenient to take this opportunity to delegate also to those public officers specified in the Motion powers sub-section (3) and (4) of Section 118 to issue permits for:
the transfer of human remains from one part of a private cemetery to another part of the same cemetery and, human
remains buried or deposited outside a cemetery to be removed in certain circumstances and buried inside a cemetery, or otherwise disposed of in a decent manner.
The powers contained in sub-section (1) of Section 118 to permit the burial of human remains, or the scattering of cremated ashes in a place which is not a cemetery have been delegated by the Urban Council to the Cemeteries, Crematoria and Funeral Parlours Select Committee. Further delegation of these powers is not considered to be appropriate.
Sir, I beg to move.
MR. BLAKER:-Mr. Chairman, the reasons for the Motion have been fully set out by Mr. RAFEEK and described in the paper before the Council. I have pleasure in seconding the Motion.
MR. HU: Mr. Chairman, in support of the Motion concerning the cemeteries and the crematorium, I wish to say a few words.
At present,
it will be very expensive for people to die in Hong Kong. There is an acute shortage of cemeteries in Hong Kong, especially for religious organizations. I have received complaints from such religious bodies as the Hong Kong Christian Ministerial Fellow organization, which comprises numerous Christian churches.
CHAIRMAN:-Mr. Hu, the Motion concerns the issue of exhumation permits (Laughter) you are in breach of standing order 10(7) which reads: "Contents of Speeches--A member should direct his speech
to the question under discussion.”
MR. HU: Mr. Chairman, it is, Sir, very difficult for you to judge before I finish my speech (Laughter).
CHAIRMAN:---No, Sir, it was quite clear from your opening words- does any other member wish to speak?
MR. HU-To which standing order do you refer?
CHAIRMAN:-10(7) Mr. Hu.
The question was put.
The motion was carried.
CHAIRMAN:-Mr. Hu, you abstain? (Laughter).
MR. HU-I have no chance to speak (Laughter)—I support the Motion, I already said (Laughter) but, Mr. Chairman, I think that this matter is probably worth looking into by Government anyway even if you overrule me on a point of order-nevertheless it's worthwhile for the Government to look into this matter.
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.