Page 171 of 206
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HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
there was an apparently sick woman in a bed next to the food preparation room. Some of these premises had no latrine facilities available for the staff but many had the water closet in the middle of the food room. Prepared food in containers was seen standing on the soiled floor and in general the operations were being carried out in cramped and dirty surroundings in what seemed to be in some instances, illegal extensions to domestic premises. In addition, in these domestic premises other trades were being carried on side by side with food preparation. There can be no doubt that serious health hazards exist here but in addition an obvious nuisance is created for the other residents of these domestic buildings in the form of dripping and dirt seen on the staircases and the degree of obstruction caused in conveying raw and cooked food up and down from these illegal food factories. Though I am not qualified to adjudicate with regards to the fire hazards which such kitchens present, they seemed to me to be very grave indeed. Mr. Hu in his speech mentioned that some 10,000 families depended upon this business for their livelihood. This is not borne out by a survey carried out by the Hygiene Division of the Urban Services Department in October of this year on illegal food factories preparing meals for consumption off the premises. From information supplied personally by the caterers during the survey, it was found that 818 persons including family members were at that time engaged in this business. Employers in certain areas have already provided canteen facilities for their workers and I hope others will follow. In the meantime, of course, food caterers operating in non-domestic premises who meet the Council's health and hygiene requirements will be licensed as they apply.
I now turn to the somewhat similar problem which is causing concern to Mr. Raymond KAN, that is, the operation of small factories in multi-storey domestic buildings on both sides of the harbour, and the fire, accident and health risk which they present. I presume Mr. KAN also includes in his concern food factories. I am pleased to inform Mr. KAN that the Secretariat is at present conducting an exercise to see how best lease conditions in multi-storey buildings can be enforced.
Dr. Denny HUANG in his speech has indeed made a very generous offer of ten million dollars to initiate the establishment of a medical school in the Chinese University of Hong Kong. Doubtless he will be discussing this proposal with the Chinese University and its Vice Chancellor who will need to give consideration to the feasibility of the venture in the light of accommodation and facilities available for the pre-clinical and clinical training of such students.
I would remind Dr. HUANG that His Excellency the Governor in his address at the opening of Legislative Council this year said: "Since 1970, the intake of medical students into the University of Hong Kong
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
321
has increased from 120 to 150. This should go a long way towards relieving the shortage of doctors and we hope that this problem will be greatly diminished by 1978.”
It might hearten Council if I were to refer to its Statement of Aims of some ten years ago, and to consider the advances which have
been made:
—
No mention was then made of air pollution control.
No mention of ventilation and its improvement.
No mention of the control of vending machines.
Cremation was a relatively under used method of disposal of human remains.
No mention was made of Funeral Parlours.
No mention of new swimming pools.
No mention of stadia.
The new abattoirs were expected to start functioning only in 1966.
The library service merited but one line "To promote the provision of an adequate library service." And of course no mention of the implementation of the 1971 White Paper.
These are some of the many aims in which the Council is forging ahead to improve environmental public health and the general well-being of our urban community. The Statement of Aims for 1973 which you have tabled, Mr. Chairman, amply demonstrates Council's determination that everything possible, within its orbit of responsibility, should be done to make the urban area of Hong Kong a place worthy and desirable to live and work in. May every success attend the new Council's efforts in the future.
(In Cantonese) Mr. Chairman, I am pleased to support the motion. (Laughter) (Applause).
THE HON. D. C. C. LUDDINGTON, SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS (In English): -Sir, the Secretary for Home Affairs when attending meetings of this Council has tended to keep his ears open and his mouth shut. Occasionally he has had some difficulties with his eyes. He has from time to time spoken at the annual conventional debate and as this is the last opportunity that a Secretary for Home Affairs will have to speak at this debate, I thought that I had better make the most of it.
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Page 171 of 206
320
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
there was an apparently sick woman in a bed next to the food prepara- tion room. Some of these premises had no latrine facilities available for the staff but many had the water closet in the middle of the food room. Prepared food in containers was seen standing on the soiled floor and in general the operations were being carried out in cramped and dirty surroundings in what seemed to be in some instances, illegal extensions to domestic premises. In addition, in these domestic prem- ises other trades were being carried on side by side with food preparation. There can be no doubt that serious health hazards exist here but in addition an obvious nuisance is created for the other residents of these domestic buildings in the form of dripping and dirt seen on the staircases and the degree of obstruction caused in conveying raw and cooked food up and down from these illegal food factories. Though I am not qualified to adjudicate with regards to the fire hazards which such kitchens present, they seemed to me to be very grave indeed. Mr. Hu in his speech mentioned that some 10,000 families depended upon this business for their livelihood. This is not born out by a survey carried out by the Hygiene Division of the Urban Services Department in October of this year on illegal food factories preparing meals for consumption off the premises. From information supplied personally by the caterers during the survey, it was found that 818 persons including family members were at that time engaged in this business. Employers in certain areas have already provided canteen facilities for their workers and I hope others will follow. In the meantime, of course, food caterers operating in non-domestic premises who meet the Council's health and hygiene requirements will be licensed as they apply.
I now turn to the somewhat similar problem which is causing concern to Mr. Raymond KAN, that is, the operation of small factories in multi-storey domestic buildings on both sides of the harbour, and the fire, accident and health risk which they present. I presume Mr. KAN also includes in his concern food factories. I am pleased to inform Mr. KAN that the Secretariat is at present conducting an exercise to see how best lease conditions in multi-storey buildings can be enforced.
Dr. Denny HUANG in his speech has indeed made a very generous offer of ten million dollars to initiate the establishment of a medical school in the Chinese University of Hong Kong. Doubtless he will be discussing this proposal with the Chinese University and its Vice Chancellor who will need to give consideration to the feasibility of the venture in the light of accommodation and facilities available for the pre-clinical and clinical training of such students.
I would remind Dr. HUANG that His Excellency the Governor in his address at the opening of Legislative Council this year said: "Since 1970, the intake of medical students into the University of Hong Kong
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
321
has increased from 120 to 150. This should go a long way towards relieving the shortage of doctors and we hope that this problem will be greatly diminished by 1978.”
It might hearten Council if I were to refer to its Statement of Aims of some ten years ago, and to consider the advances which have
been made:
—
No mention was then made of air pollution control.
No mention of ventilation and its improvement.
No mention of the control of vending machines.
Cremation was a relatively under used method of disposal of human remains.
No mention was made of Funeral Parlours.
No mention of new swimming pools.
No mention of stadia.
The new abattoirs were expected to start functioning only in 1966.
The library service merited but one line "To promote the provision of an adequate library service." And of course no mention of the implementation of the 1971 White Paper.
These are some of the many aims in which the Council is forging ahead to improve environmental public health and the general well- being of our urban community. The Statement of Aims for 1973 which you have tabled, Mr. Chairman, amply demonstrates Council's determination that everything possible, within its orbit of responsi- bility, should be done to make the urban area of Hong Kong a place worthy and desirable to live and work in. May every success attend the new Council's efforts in the future.
(In Cantonese) Mr. Chairman, I am pleased to support the motion. (Laughter) (Applause).
THE HON. D. C. C. LUDDINGTON, SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS (In English): -Sir, the Secretary for Home Affairs when attending meetings of this Council has tended to keep his ears open and his mouth shut. Occasionally he has had some difficulties with his eyes. He has from time to time spoken at the annual conventional debate and as this is the last opportunity that a Secretary for Home Affairs will have to speak at this debate, I thought that I had better make the most of it.
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