1977 — Page 146

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HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL

In last year's annual debate, I had talked about the issue of hawker licence. Now I still hold the view that in order to strengthen the control of hawkers, temporary licences can be issued to those hawking in the Hawkers Permitted Areas. If the fee to be charged is $5 per week, or $20 per month, it will help defray the expenses for hawker control.

As the prospect for next year's economy may not be rosy, the Hawkers Permitted Areas should be retained.

But the unlicensed hawkers should be better controlled so that the streets of Hong Kong will be kept clean and orderly.

Mr. Chairman, with these remarks, I support the motion.

(Dr. P. C. WONG left the meeting at this point.)

MRS. GRACE HO (in English):-Mr. Chairman, I propose to speak mainly on subjects within the responsibility of the Environmental Hygiene Select Committee and on the "Keep Hong Kong Clean❞ Cam- paign. Some of these points have already been raised by earlier speakers.

At the previous Annual Conventional Debate, I had referred to the problems faced by this Select Committee in carrying out the task of maintaining a clean and healthy environment in the urban districts of Hong Kong.

I would like to take this opportunity to give a brief report on what had been done during the intervening 12 months.

Three important reviews were carried out during the year. These were on anti-litter wardens, cleansing and Urban Services Department Headquarters staff.

There is no doubt that the work of an anti-litter warden is unplea- sant because it involves confrontation with litter offenders. However strict enforcement of anti-litter laws is essential for the success of keeping Hong Kong clean. In order to revitalise the force, the decision was taken to use younger and more energetic personnel and implement a job rotation scheme so that anti-litter wardens after serving two years were transferred to other posts with prospect of promotion. Early next year, an overseer post is to be created for each of the 10 urban districts to supervise the anti-litter warden squads.

The cleansing review team had completed its work on the section of manual and mechanical sweeping services. Their recommendations for better methods of sweeping streets, utilization of manpower and

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equipment and more effective control of staff were accepted. Other sectors on cleasing would be considered by the Committee as the review proceeds.

Urban Services Department's proposals for reorganization of Head- quarters Staff Officers structures were considered and adopted. For example, the Staff Office Cleansing has taken over the duties of the Staff Officer (Campaign) so that there is now a direct link with opera- tional staff. The streamlined management is expected to provide more effective services.

In addition, the Urban Services Department and the Government's Electrical and Mechanical Office carried out a joint review to improve maintenance and repairs to the Council's vehicles. With closer co- operation between the two departments, adopting where possible, standardization of vehicles and of spare parts, as well as updating spare parts requirements, we should see a marked reduction in the high downtime of vehicles.

A programme for refurbishment of existing public bathhouses and public toilets over a period of about five years was approved in principle. Two public toilets were refitted at Wong Nei Chung Road, Happy Valley and at Victoria Park. Members of the public are invited to compare them with the un-reconditioned toilets. The emphasis is on more attractive hygienic conditions and easy to maintain fixtures and materials. Whilst on the subject of toilets, I understand that one of the oldest public conveniences on record in Hong Kong is the latrine at Wing Lok Street, built in 1910. Perhaps, some people may consider there is merit in preserving this toilet or one of the four of this vintage, in its original state, as a part of Hong Kong's heritage.

Refuse collection points although a necessary feature in the public cleansing infrastructure are a problem. Nobody wants them anywhere near them, be they "major on street", "temporary off street" or "per- manent off street" refuse collection centres. Plans to redevelop two existing public toilets, one in Wan Chai and the other at Happy Valley into multi user buildings with public toilet and bath facilities, refuse collection points, cleansing depot and staff quarters are in the pipe line. The new designs will hopefully make refuse collection points sited within buildings less objectionable to nearby residents. With greater public acceptance, we can find more land to build permanent off street refuse collection points to replace the unsatisfactory "on street" and "tem- porary" refuse collection points.