1970 — Page 71

Page 71 of 241

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HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL

(17) MR. RAYMOND Y. K. KAN asked the following question :

I understand that bathing sheds on the beaches controlled by the Urban Council are not permitted to have mains water supply. Could the Chairman advise whether this is cor- rect? If so, what are the reasons? As this has caused the public much inconvenience, can this situation be rectified?

THE DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS replied as follows:-

Sir, until late 1968, the Waterworks Office refused applications for water supply to bathing sheds because it was con- sidered that available water resources were fully commit- ted for more important uses.

With the commissioning of Plover Cove Reservoir however and the resultant improvement in the water supply position, the policy regarding water supply to bathing sheds was relaxed and applications for metered water connexions are now considered.

Certain requirements have to be met before a metered con-

nexion can be given, namely

(a) mains water is available in the area and the Waterworks Office is satisfied that the supply is sufficient to permit additional connexions,

(b) the building is a permanent type structure with plumbing

meeting the Waterworks Office requirements,

(c) a guarantor suitable to the Waterworks Office is prepared to undertake safe custody of the meter and to be respon- sible for all costs connected with it and with consumption in the usual manner.

In addition of course, hygienic arrangements must be made for the disposal of waste water to the satisfaction of the Urban Services Department.

MR. KAN:-Mr. Chairman, only one supplementary, and that is would a typical bathing shed, with open sides, a small changing area and a shower area be considered a permanent type structure?

DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS:-I think, Mr. Chairman, if the shed is built of permanent material, that is brick and mortar, or reinforced concrete, I suppose they have a lock-up for certain things--it would be considered a permanent type structure-I would say even without a lock-up it probably would be.

MR. KAN:-Thank you.

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HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL

(18) DR. DENNY M. H. HUANG asked the following question:

123

At the last meeting of the Food and Food Premises Select Committee Members were informed that the Resettlement Department will not permit future bakeries in resettlement estates in premises under 400 sq. ft. The Select Com- mittee endorsed the decision in this case, but may I enquire if the Resettlement Department obtained the views of the Resettlement Management Select Committee before coming to this decision?

THE CHAIRMAN, in the absence of the Commissioner for Resettle- ment, replied as follows:

The Commissioner for Resettlement has asked me to say on his behalf that the Resettlement Department did not obtain the views of the Resettlement Management Select Com- mittee before deciding that the minimum area for bakeries in resettlement estates should be raised from 210 sq. ft. to 400 sq. ft. The general conditions governing food factory trades were set out in a paper for the Resettlement Policy Select Committee in October 1967. It was also indicated in this paper that minor amendments to the conditions and requirements should, where necessary, be made departmentally.

DR. HUANG:-Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Since the Commissioner for Resettlement is not here I do not have supplementaries.

MR. BERNACCHI :—Mr. Chairman, does the Commissioner consider that doubling the square footage required for a bakery as being a minor amendment?

CHAIRMAN:-I can't answer that one, Mr. BERNACCHI.

MR. BERNACCHI:-Did the Commissioner refer this question to the Chairman of the Resettlement Management Committee before preparing his answer, as decided by, I think, Standing Committee of this Council a fair time ago?

CHAIRMAN:-Decided in general terms or in some specific context?

MR. BERNACCHI:-In general terms that where a question relates to a particular select committee, the answer to the question I don't know the actual context-but the question should be referred to the Chairman before it is answered. Of course, quite often it is answered by the Chairman. In that case it doesn't arise.

CHAIRMAN:-I can't answer this one, Mr. BERNACCHI, I don't know if the Chairman of the Management Committee was consulted.