1970 — Page 59

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Page 59 of 241

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HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL

MRS. ELLIOTT:-Mr. Chairman, I don't want to bother you with supplementaries, but I would like to clarify, if I may, that I asked this question publicly because we've had a trekking to the ward of people asking about this.

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

(a) How many rooms will be available this year for decanta-

tion?

(b) What is being done to bring before the Government the shocking overcrowding now existing in resettlement estates?

(c) How far is the failure of construction companies respons- ible for holding up the decantation programme? What steps are being taken to hasten building of much-needed resettlement blocks?

MR. HENRY H. L. HU, CHAIRMAN OF THE RESETTLEMENT MANAGE- MENT SELECT COMMITTEE, replied as follows:-

It has been agreed that the quota of places in new estates for the relief of overcrowding should be 30,000 for the current financial year. The building programme for the year provides for this number of places in addition to other resettlement commitments.

The Housing Board and the Colonial Secretariat are aware of the position with regard to overcrowding in the earlier estates. The problem is also very much in the minds of the Resettlement Select Committees.

The delays in the building programme last year did not materially affect decantation as the quota of 20,000 places was filled. It is expected that the rate of provision of new estate blocks will be accelerated this year as in fact I indicated in a reply to a similar question last month.

MRS. ELLIOTT:-Thank you, Mr. Chairman, I have no supple- mentaries.

(3) MR. PETER P. K. NG asked the following question:-

Is the Chairman satisfied that there are sufficient Life Guard Patrols and First Aid Personnel at all public beaches under the control of the Urban Council, especially during peak periods?

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HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL

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Does the Council ensure that all the conditions and require- ments under the By-laws for all licensed swimming pools are met at all times?

What is the usual practice for inspection of all licensed

swimming pools at present?

MR. A. de O. Sales, ChairMAN OF THE RECREATION AND AMENITIES SELECT COMMITTEE, replied as follows:-

Sir, this question concerns lifeguard and first-aid facilities at beaches controlled by the Council, and observance of the Council's conditions at licensed swimming pools.

The Urban Services Department is satisfied that the present lifeguard and first-aid facilities at our beaches are sufficient at present. These requirements were carefully reviewed last year, and no increase in the number of Urban Services Department Beach Attendants was found neces- sary. The requirements are reviewed annually.

The Council is responsible for 13 beaches in the urban area, with a total establishment of 84 Beach Attendants. The number of Beach Attendants ranges from 12 at such beaches as Deep Water Bay and Repulse Bay to 2 at smaller or less used beaches. These attendants are supple- mented by honorary lifeguards supplied by the Hong Kong Life Guard Club; starting from this month, 7 honorary lifeguards will be on duty to the end of August on the afternoons of weekends and public holidays at each of the seven more popular beaches.

The Department's Beach Attendants are encouraged to take the St. John Ambulance Brigade's examinations, and of the 84 at urban beaches, 83 have so far qualified. In addition, the St. John Ambulance Brigade also provides volunteers at 8 of the beaches at weekends and public holidays. Each team consists of one nursing and one ambulance officer, and at each of the 8 beaches there are two such teams in the morning and two in the afternoon. The remaining 5 beaches are less popular, and the first- aid service provided by the Department's Beach Attend- ants is considered to be adequate.

There are, at present, 23 swimming pools licensed by the Council. These are inspected at least once a month during the swimming season by District Health Inspectors. These Inspectors are required to ensure that the Council's conditions and requirements pertaining to swimming pools are observed. They are required to check the cleanliness