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within the Hawker Control Force had been submitted to the Governor in Council and to the Salaries Commission. May I now enquire what progress, if any, has been made? Is the Hawker Control Force in any healthier state than it was six months ago?

THE CHAIRMAN, URBAN COUNCIL, replied as follows:-

The present state of the Hawker Control Force is similar to that of six months ago, if not perhaps a little worse. The current strength is 322 and there are 209 vacancies. During the period 1st April to 15th October, 1971, total resignations, transfers and dismissals came to 52.

The introduction of a $50.00 special interim allowance made in June of this year has not been of sufficient attraction to induce new members to join the Force or to retain serving officers.

An improved salary scale has been recommended by the Salaries Commission for members of the Force (constable scale from $530 to $800) but this has yet to be approved.

MR. CHEONG-LEEN: -Mr. Chairman, why has it taken so long?

CHAIRMAN: I think the whole question of the Salaries Commis- sion Report has to be very carefully studied and evaluated, and even- tually we hope to have approval for these increases.

MR. CHEONG-LEEN:-You haven't any indication as to when a reply can be received from Government? Could this be brought to the attention of the Hawker Policy Select Committee at its next meeting?

CHAIRMAN: ---Certainly.

MR. CHEONG-LEEN:---Thank you.

MRS. ELLIOTT:-Mr. Chairman, could you clarify; is it correct that this increase in salary also at the same time eliminates the "cost of living allowance" so it isn't as big as it looks?

CHAIRMAN:--I don't think they get paid "cost of living allowance”, Mrs. ELLIOTT,

MR. BERNACCHI : Mr. Chairman, is the proposal that was handied about for some time in the past by this Council of making the rank of Constable merely a training rank a "dead letter" or could it be revived?

HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL

CHAIRMAN:-It is.

MR. BERNACCHI:—But could it be revived?

CHAIRMAN:-I don't think so.

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(5) MR. JOHN MACKENZIE asked the following question:-

At a previous meeting, in May, I raised a question concerning the replacement and expansion of the Department's fleet of mechanical road sweepers. It was indicated that the existing six vehicles were in extensive use, that a need existed for new vehicles and that a request for such had been submitted to the Colonial Secretariat. May I enquire whether a decision has been reached on the Department's recommendations?

DR. DENNY M. H. HUANG, CHAIRMAN OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL HYGIENE SELECT COMMITTEE, replied as follows:-

A request for three additional mechanical street sweepers has been approved, and the Principal Government Electrical and Mechanical Engineer is now preparing specifications for tenders to be invited. These three sweepers are not replacement vehicles but are additional to the present fleet of six vehicles. Replacement vehicles are automa- tically approved as vehicles reach the end of their useful life.

(6) MR. B. A. BERNACCHI, on behalf of MR. HENRY H. L. Hu asked the following question:-

Now the White Paper concerning the Reform of Urban Council has been tabled in the Legislative Council, could the Chairman please inform the Council whether he partic- ipated in the discussion of the said White Paper either as Chairman of the Council or in his personal capacity? Could the Chairman also please inform the Council whether any public debate concerning the White Paper in the Urban Council is contemplated?

THE CHAIRMAN, URBAN COUNCIL, replied as follows:-

I must first make it clear that the White Paper is an official document which was tabled in the Legislative Council

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