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DR. DENNY HUANG (in Cantonese):-Mr. Chairman, we are concerned about the health of our citizens. If there is fresh air, it will not affect our health. As to the temperature, it really doesn't matter as long as the person finds it comfortable. If we are to consider the temperature, of course, it is possible to do that, but I think the current legislation is adequate.

3. MR. TONG KAM-BIU asked the following question (in Cantonese):---Sham Shui Po is a densely populated industrial area. Are there sufficient off-street refuse collection points, both permanent and temporary? If not, when will the Urban Council improve the situation?

DR. DENNY M. H. HUANG, Chairman of the Environmental Hygiene Select Committee, replied as follows (in Cantonese):-This question concerns the adequacy of off-street refuse collection points in Sham Shui Po District.

Sham Shui Po District is one of the most densely populated districts with a population of nearly half a million. The district generates about 360 tonnes of refuse and junk daily. At present, there are three purpose-built off-street refuse collection points, four temporary off-street refuse collection points and three major on-street refuse collection points being used to receive refuse pending collection by refuse collection vehicles. The department is at present using 18 refuse collection vehicles and 10 junk collection vehicles daily to clear these refuse collection points in addition to calling at some 90 locations scattered in housing estates, school compounds, temporary housing areas and major establishments in the district to remove smaller quantities of refuse. Although a number of these refuse collection points are situated on-street or in temporary off-street sites, not all of which are as good neighbours as we would wish, the number of refuse collection points provided at present in the district is considered to be reasonably good.

Nevertheless, there are positive plans to improve the position, and it is expected that three additional permanent and two temporary refuse collection points will be provided within the next two or three years. Furthermore, in the longer term, another six permanent refuse collection points will be provided.

MR. TONG KAM-BIU (in Cantonese):-Mr. Chairman, I have a question on the number of refuse collection points. What does it mean by reasonably good? In Mei Foo, there is an incinerator which is very near to the Sham Shui Po district. If the refuse collection points in Sham Shui Po are so near to the incinerator and still the situation is only reasonably good, then what happens in other districts? Secondly, the answer said that in two or three years, there would be an addition of three permanent and two temporary refuse collection points, and in the longer term, six permanent refuse collection points would be provided. Have these sites been announced to the residents of Sham Shui Po District or the Sham Shui Po District Board?

past 20 years,

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DR. DENNY HUANG (in Cantonese):-Mr. Chairman, refuse collection points are one of the most unpopular facilities but we cannot do without them. I am sure Mr. TONG is aware of the increased population in Sham Shui Po over the but the streets are limited. So the major difficulty we are facing at present is that, even though we hope to have more permanent off-street refuse collection points, we must find land for such points and we have to await allocation of such land from the Central Government. I said that the situation is reasonably good because although we might have the criteria as to the number of refuse collection points to be provided per unit head of population, the situation in Sham Shui Po is tolerable because even though population has increased very rapidly, the situation is still acceptable.

4. MR. TONG KAM-BIU asked the following question (in Cantonese):-Some temporary refuse collection points in Sham Shui Po, for example at Un Chau Street near Pei Ho Street, Kim Shin Lane near Fuk Wing Street, Shun Ning Road, and Fuk Wa Street have been in use for years. As these refuse collection points are all in residential areas, residents nearby are very much disturbed by the offensive smells and thus have complained frequently. Does the Urban Council have any plans to re-develop these refuse collection points or to move them to off-street sites?

DR. DENNY M. H. HUANG, Chairman of the Environmental Hygiene Select Committee, replied as follows (in Cantonese):-This question concerns the unsatisfactory condition of some of the temporary refuse collection points in Sham Shui Po District.

Mr. TONG mentioned a number of refuse collection points located in residential areas which have caused complaint. There are already plans for reprovisioning those in Shun Ning Road and Fuk Wah Street. Unfortunately, it has not been possible to find sites for replacing those at Un Chau Street and Kim Shin Lane. Nevertheless, the department will continue to endeavour to obtain sites.

Two of the older off-street refuse collection points at Tai Nan Street and King Lam Street are being re-developed and will be fitted with carbon filtration systems.

There are also plans for providing more refuse collection points in the district which I have referred to in my answer to the previous question.

Although it will take a number of years for all the off-street purpose-built refuse collection points under planning to be built, the overall situation in the district will continue to improve.

MR. TONG KAM-BIU (in Cantonese):-Mr. Chairman, I would like to ask a question about carbon filtration system. Does it mean that in future, all off-street refuse collection points will be provided with such a system?