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HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL

MRS. ELLIOTT (In English):-Well, if water is not going to be laid on nearby, I mean 80 feet is quite a long way to carry the water, if water isn't going to be laid on, are we going to allow the hawkers to be temporary dirty? Can you tell me what is the problem in putting a tap there?

CHAIRMAN (In English):-Normally, we do not provide water to temporary bazaars, and unfortunately I am unable to give any specific date when this bazaar will be moved.

MRS. ELLIOTT (In English):--Do we always have to stick to "normally"? Can't we just change the regulation and give water?

CHAIRMAN (In English):-This is up to the Council, not me, Mrs.

ELLIOTT.

MRS. ELLIOTT (In English):-All right. May we have it referred to the Council to see if temporary bazaars can normally have one?

CHAIRMAN (In English):-Certainly.

MRS. ELLIOTT (In English):-Thank you.

(7) MR. RAYMOND Y. K. KAN (In Cantonese): -Mr. Chairman, before I ask my question, I would declare my interest as Chairman of the Tung Wah Group of Hospitals. Now, I want to ask the following question:-

I am very much concerned about the refuse collection point in Dundas Street abutting the transformer house and adjacent to the main kitchen of Kwong Wah Hospital. It has been reported to me that it is a source of infection from which disease carriers can contaminate the food being prepared in the nearby kitchen and cause secondary infection to the patients at the Hospital. Apart from bad odour and a source of hazard to health, inflammable articles including lighted cigarette stubs in the rubbish pile, being close to the transformer house, would increase the risk of fire.

I understand repeated complaints have been made in vain to U.S.D. since the setting up of this collection point about 10 years ago. Will the Chairman inform this Council:

(a) What is the established policy regarding the location

of refuse collection points;

(b)

in view of the facts just stated, will this point be removed in the near future; and

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(c) if not, will any effective measures be taken to

improve this intolerable situation?

DR. DENNY M. H. HUANG, CHAIRMAN OF THE ENVIRONMNETAL HYGIENE SELECT COMMITTEE, replied as follows (In Cantonese):

It is the policy to site on-street refuse collection points where they are within reasonable distance from the domestic premises where they are intended to serve but, also, at the same time, wherever practical, to site them where they cause the least obstruction to traffic and the least incon- venience to the public.

This particular point and its associated problems (which, of course, are common to many other points) have for some time exercised our attention but so far it has not proved practical to find an alternative, suitable site.

To alleviate the position (which is not considered intolerable), close supervision is exercised over this collection point in order to minimize any possible nuisance.

MR. KAN (In Cantonese):-Just now, Dr. HUANG mentioned that this situation also happens in other refuse collection points. I would like to know whether there are any other refuse collection points just adjacent to major acute hospitals. In fact, how many refuse collection points are located next to large hospital kitchens?

DR. HUANG (In Cantonese): -How far the collection point is away from the kitchen I am not sure; but Mr. KAN also mentioned that this question has been with us for ten years. But during the ten years there has not been any serious health hazard. Therefore, I do not consider this a serious problem.

MR. KAN (In Cantonese):-I don't think Dr. HUANG has answered my question. I just want to know whether there are any refuse collec- tion points adjacent to the kitchen of a large hospital?

CHAIRMAN (In English):-I am afraid, Mr. KAN, I need notice of that question. But could I add that the Kwong Wah has no refuse collecting chamber of its own and, in fact, stores its refuse next to its kitchen to await the collection vehicle.

Dr.

MR. KAN (In Cantonese): --My next question is as follows. HUANG said that at present we cannot find a suitable site. This has been for ten years. I want to know when will a suitable site be avail- able?

CHAIRMAN (In English):-At the instigation of other parties in- terested in Kwong Wah, we have within the past year invited the

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