1982 — Page 108

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HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL

recreational groups, more activities in this line are organized on district basis. It is therefore in the interests of residents to differentiate between international. regional and district activities. With all our experiences in such matters, the Council could well play a role in the overall planning. Besides, if these activities are to be co-ordinated by the Council in the coming year when financing might not be sufficient, we might be able to enlist financial support from the commercial and industrial sectors or civic bodies, and then pass the funds to as many District Boards as possible. In this way, District Boards will be involved in the provision of cultural and recreational services.

Environmental Hygiene

Mr. FORSGATE, Mr. SULKE and I have been involved in the advisory work of environmental protection for years with some success. Apart from the Water Pollution Control ordinance which has already been enacted, the Air Pollution Control Bill and the Noise Control Bill are now also under careful study. The Tolo Harbour and Channel Water Control Zones were gazetted in February last year, and the Statement of Water Quality Objectives, in June of the same year. It is hoped that the relevant by-laws will come into effect shortly. All these moves are made in the interests of the users, and the industrial circles, farm owners as well as the general public are urged to play their parts in the up- keeping of environmental hygiene.

It is surely in line with our environmental and economic needs to set up coal- generated electricity plants and to urge the electricity companies to improve their facilities. The building industry, private or otherwise, should be directed to plant more trees on hillsides. Also, expert advice should be sought on the disposal of waste, and the population encouraged to produce less refuse.

The 1981-82 Clean Hong Kong Campaign Report points out in its conclusion that after fourteen months' hard work and with the support of the public and various government departments, satisfactory results are achieved. but cleansing work still needs to be kept up in squatter areas, hawker places and the harbour. In this connection, I would like to ask whether pig-breeding in urban areas and the Homantin Goods Yard (Livestock) of the Kowloon- Canton Railway should be allowed to exist.

Conclusion

Since it is the Council's primary duty to keep Hong Kong clean and hygienic, we should give this top priority and step up our work in this direction. Represen- tatives from the Environmental Protection Agency should be invited to join the Council's Environmental Hygiene Select Committee to introduce their profes- sional expertise to the committee. The Clean Hong Kong Campaign should be carried on in conjunction with the District Boards on district basis, so as to beautify Hong Kong to make it more livable.

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

HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL

MR. HOWARD H. W. YOUNG (in English): --Mr. Chairman,

Clean Hong Kong

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The largest ever campaign undertaken by Government and the Urban Council, the Clean Hong Kong Campaign-has just been completed after 14 months. I made a statement on this last month. In a nutshell, we are happy with the results of the campaign, but cannot say that we are 100% satisfied. We have reason to be happy because more than 95% of the population were aware of the more than 75% of the population thought the campaign was campaign, effective, and the majority of the population thought that as a result Hong Kong is cleaner now than before the campaign. We must not say we are 100% satisfied because firstly, as a matter of principle, we must never feel entirely satisfied at anything because that indicates we do not wish to improve even further. Secondly, there are still problem areas such as hawker areas and recreational spots that leave a lot to be desired. Thirdly, there are still thousands of people caught and prosecuted every month for littering, some of them even recividists, which shows there is still a sector of the population that is not conscientious about keeping our environment clean.

In order to sustain the efforts and uphold the improved standards achieved during the campaign, the Urban Council must not relax in its determination to keep Hong Kong clean. Apart from continuing to sweep the streets on average 4 times a day and to collect on average more than 2 000 tons of refuse daily, we plan to continue to educate the public on the importance of 'Cleanliness is a Way of Life' and to press for stricter enforcement to enhance this message. I hope the public and the magistrates will back us up in our efforts, the former by refraining from littering in public places, the latter by dealing sternly with those who spoil the environment through their selfishness and bad habits. On the operational side, there will still be periodic major activities to follow up the Clean Hong Kong Campaign, the first of which is a week-long junk collection exercise starting 3 weeks from now just prior to Chinese New Year. We must not let the millions of dollars spent during the 14 month long campaign go to waste by relapsing back to old standards.

Public Transport

The conventional annual debate is a forum for airing views outside the jurisdiction of the Urban Council. On past occasions I have touched on both public transport and housing, and these are the still two subjects the man in the street is most concerned and frustrated with in day to day life. I wish to continue to harp on these two matters of concern and expand further on them, because I am not entirely satisfied that my previous views on them had met with appropriate response from Government.

I reiterate that non-fixed route public light buses are the only form of public transport where there is no control over fares. Recently, Government has relaxed certain criteria on the type of equipment allowable for running public light buses, but these rules relate to the possible upgrading in comfort factor