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HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL

is confined to the urban areas alone, i.e. Hong Kong and Kowloon. As to the affairs of the New Territories, we have no say at all.

This situation gives rise to two problems. Firstly, those Council- lors who were elected by residents in the New Territories have no chance to speak for their electors. Secondly, many districts in the New Territories have gradually become densely populated towns. For instance, the population of Tsuen Wan is getting to over 800,000, Sha Tin to 500,000 and Tuen Mun to 400,000. Shouldn't these places be regarded as part of the urban areas? Or should they still be con- sidered as some rural districts in the New Territories?

If these places should be regarded as part of the urban areas, then should the services of our Council be extended to them? Some thoughts ought to be given to these questions now.

Mr. Chairman, I support the motion.

MRS. GRACE Ho (in Cantonese):-Mr. Chairman, 4.4 million people living in a land area of 1,046 kilometres, with metropolitan areas populated by an average of 17,000 per square kilometres rising to over 154,000 persons per square kilometres in Mong Kok creates a lot of problems.

The Select Committee on Environmental Hygiene of which I am Chairman for the past nine months is charged with responsibilities ranging from prevention of malaria to cleansing of streets and refuse collection. The scope of the Select Committee's work is basically to keep Hong Kong's environment clean and healthy. I would like to thank members of the Committee for their help and support and the Urban Services Department for carrying out the Committee's policy. It is no mean task, for instance, to collect and dispose of over one million tons of rubbish per annum.

During the period under review, it had been suggested that the Council take over the function of keeping the harbour clean. At present, this is carried out by the Marine Department which is expected to expend $1.5 million during the current financial year to remove seaborne refuse. Since such refuse originates partly from land such as indiscriminate dumping on reclamations and in nullahs resulting in rubbish being washed into the sea, it was proposed that responsibility for removal of seaborne refuse be part of the Council cleansing func- tions. This proposal is under examination. It is however, obvious that the present method of using fleets of sampans to remove floating debris by hand is labour intensive, slow and comparatively unproduc-

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tive. Depending on wind and tide, floating debris tend to concentrate in certain sectors of the harbour and a mechanised means of removing the accumulation of debris would be quicker and more effective. Of course, in certain inaccessible places such as under piers, scooping refuse by hand from sampans is the only method possible. Seaborne rubbish is similar to litter on land, in that they are generally created by man. If we can prevent rubbish from being indiscriminately de- posited or being dumped overboard from ocean going vessels as well as by our boat population, we would remove the major source of harbour pollution. Regretfully, Government in reclaiming land has not exercised strict control and a great deal of debris in the harbour is attributed to these sites. Improved supervision is required.

I take this opportunity to give a brief report on Keep Hong Kong Clean Activities as from April this year.

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During the summer, cleaning of beaches took place both in gazetted beaches and beaches in the outlying islands. Over 1,000 volunteers took part and beach shows and competitions were arranged.

Since July, the Urban Services Department, the Home Affairs Department and the New Territories Administration have in conjunction with residents, youth groups and community leaders carried out intensive clean up operations on black spots around Hong Kong Island, Kowloon Peninsula and the New Territories and are continuing to do so.

On 26th July 1976, a seminar was held by the Education Department in which teachers were asked to assess whether "Clean Your City" groups should continue and the consensus of opinion was that they should and also actively participate in the campaign.

A "Live Clean" Exhibition held from the 6th to 12th Novem- ber 1976 attracted over 42,000 visitors.

Over 600 buildings participated in the "Clean Building Com- petition" and adjudication is now underway.

Arrangements are being made for extra temporary refuse/junk collection points in high density areas before the Lunar New Year to remove greater amount of household junk and rubbish generated from the annual spring cleansing which each house- hold traditionally undertakes in welcoming the new year. May I, Mr. Chairman, on behalf of my Committee, publicly thank volunteers and the generous donors of prizes and the many people who have contributed to the activities of the Campaign.