1977 — Page 54

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HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL

CHAIRMAN (in English):-Does any other member wish to ask supplementary questions? Then I invite Miss Cecilia YEUNG to ask her question.

(2) MISS CECILIA L. Y. YEUNG asked the following question (in Cantonese): -

What is the "Ventilation System" of the Slaughter-houses at the Cheung Sha Wan Abattoir?

MR. PETER P. F. CHAN, CHAIRMAN OF THE MARKETS AND ABATTOIRS SELECT COMMITTEE, replied as follows (in Cantonese): -

Adequate ventilation, both natural and artificial, is provided in the Cheung Sha Wan Abattoir. Natural ventilation includes windows and ventilation-openings in the slaughterhalls and the lairage block. Mechanical ventilation consists of fan-and-duct systems in the slaughter block and the lairage block, and electric fans in the slaughterhalls, offal washing rooms, work rooms and the meat despatch bays. There are altogether 57 electric fans and 54 extractor fans with ducts provided throughout various parts of the Abattoir. The Urban Services Department is aware that there have been complaints from Abattoir workers about the heat in the vicinity of the pig-scalding tanks and three additional fans are being installed in this area.

MISS YEUNG (in Cantonese):-Mr. Chairman, about the steam in the vicinity of the pig-scalding tanks; we kill thousands of pigs everyday and I think the fans and facilities mentioned by Mr. CHAN are insufficient.

MR. CHAN (in Cantonese):—Mr. Chairman, on Friday the Markets and Abattoirs Select Committee will hold a meeting and we will discuss Miss YEUNG'S suggestion then. I personally feel that improved ventilation will make our workers satisfied.

MISS YEUNG (in Cantonese): -Mr. Chairman, I heard that in the initial stage of construction, there would be more ventilation systems, but later on because of lack of funds, these facilities were decreased and therefore ventilation is unsatisfactory. Is this the case?

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MR. CHAN (in Cantonese):-Mr. Chairman, as our staff are complaining we will look into this matter. If there are insufficient ventilation fans we can add more.

(3) DR. P. C. WONG asked the following question (in English): ·

(a) Previously it was the practice to organize house cleansing operations in certain areas at regular intervals. Will the USD consider doing so again and advise the Environmental Hygiene Select Committee the advantages of doing so because of increasing reports of rat incidences in Hong Kong?

(b) With regard to the rat problem in Hong Kong, will the USD examine the present refuse collection arrangement from households so as to avoid leaving the refuse outside premises for too long a period?

(The reply to question (3) was included in the reply to question (1)).

(a)

(4) MR. JOHN MACKENZIE asked the following question (in English):

Since my question in the Council meeting of November, 1973 what additional controls or measures have been introduced as a result of the Drummond Report of that year? (Mr. T. C. DRUMMOND, W.H.O. Consultant on rodent control).

(b) Is the Council satisfied with current measures of rodent control in the Urban areas, or is it necessary that more staff and resources be applied in tackling the rats and vermin problem?

(The reply to question (4) was included in the reply to question (1)).

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

(a) With the substantial expansion of Recreation and Amenities facilities in recent years, what steps are planned or have been implemented to ensure the most effective use of such resources for general training and recreational purposes; particularly for the development of sporting skills and interest amongst the youth of Hong Kong?

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