1983 — Page 79

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APPENDIX

HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL

Swimming Incidents for the current season (up to end of September) and corresponding periods in the

previous two seasons (i.e. 1981 and 1982)

Urban Beaches

1983

1982

1981

Urban Swimming Pools

1983 1982 1981

Total

1983

1982 1981

Fatal

4

6

0

5

2

Rescue

237

348

141

296

421

449

Accident

152

252

118

169

533 321

า 769 590

598

368

Attendance 10.4m

10.4m+ 11.9m+

2.3m

+ Estimated figure.

346 250

3.5m 3.6m 12.7m 13.9m 15.5m

more

MR. YOUNG (in English): Mr. Chairman, it is fine to see from the statistics that the number of fatal incidents on beaches has not really increased dramatically which for some time has not been the impression given to people if you only read sensational reports in the press. However, since there is no room for complacency, may I ask whether the Council would consider giving support to other organizations which play a part in educating the public in the safe use of beaches and other swimming facilities, for instance, the Council for Recreation and Sport does have water safety days which this Council does not appear to have been involved in over the last two years. Perhaps the chairman will consider giving more support to them in this respect.

MR. Lo (in English):--Mr. Chairman, anything which can be done to draw people's attention to the need to follow safety rules is certainly useful. I think we should certainly support any campaign to teach the public safety first, perhaps in co-operation with the Recreation and Culture Department.

2.

MR. LAM CHAK-PIU asked the following question (in Cantonese):-On the scheme of ex-gratia payment for voluntary surrender of on-street cooked-food stall licences-

(i) Up to 31 August since the introduction of the scheme, how many licensees have surrendered their licences for the ex-gratia payment? As a result of the cancellation of such licences, how many cooked-food stalls in the urban areas have been cleared so far? According to the Council's licensing records, how many fast-food shops, restaurants, or cooked-food stalls in the Urban Council complexes or cooked-food centres have been established in the ten urban districts during the same period, i.e. from 1 June to 31 August? Are these new establishments sufficient to make up for the number of on-street cooked-food stalls cleared under the scheme so that cooked-food is not in short supply? (ii) Has Council made plans for dealing with displaced employees of surrendered

cooked food stalls either:

(a) within its own policy; or

(b) by referring the plight of these persons to other agencies.

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(ii) The Council has stated that control over the operation of on-street cooked- food stalls would be stepped up after the introduction of the scheme, and what measures to that effect have actually been taken by the Council? And, how much will such measures cost? Judging from the result of prosecutions, are these additional expenses worth our while?

MR. SHUM CHOI-SANG, CHAIRMAN Of the Markets and Street Traders Select COMMITTEE, replied as follows (in Cantonese):―This question raises a number of issues concerning the implementation of the ex-gratia payment scheme for licensees of on-street cooked food stalls. I will deal with these issues in the order

they are raised.

The first part of this question concerns progress on the implementation of this scheme since it was introduced on 1 June 1983. Although Mr. LAM has enquired about the position as at 31 August, I think I should provide a more up-to-date account of the situation for the information of this Council. As at 16 October, 257 licensees have surrendered their licences for the ex-gratia payment and 44 stalls have actually been demolished; the remainder are scheduled to be resumed within the next few months. During the same period, a total of 137 new licences have been issued for 15 fast food shops, 24 light refreshment restaurants and 98 general restaurants in the urban area. In addition, the Fat Kwong Street Temporary Cooked Food Centre which was opened last month provided for 7 additional cooked food stalls after meeting the resiting commitments. Short of a detailed survey on eating facilities in localities affected, it would be difficult to ascertain firmly whether these new establishments are sufficient to make up for on-street cooked food stalls cleared. However, judging from the number and distribution of these establishments, I would say that they should more than offset any shortfall resulting from the closing down of the cooked food stalls. To the best of my knowledge, there has been no complaint about any resultant shortage in cooked food supply in any particular locality.

The second part of this question concerns the position of employees in cooked food stalls which are ceasing business as a result of participation in the ex-gratia payment scheme. In order to provide them ample opportunities to seek alternative employment or set up their own business, the Council has allowed these cooked food stalls a maximum period of six months to wind up their business. It is hoped that during this 'grace' period, employees of these stalls would be able to find another job or bid for a cooked food stall in a public market or public housing estate. For their benefit, the Department has provided them with detailed information on the vacancy situation and application procedures concerning these cooked food stalls. I understand that there is still a number of vacancies in public markets and housing estates and would strongly urge them to bid for a stall as soon as possible if they aspire to run their own business.

The last part of this question concerns the enforcement action taken by the Council to regulate the operation if cooked food stalls that still remain on- street. Members will wish to note that the General Duties Teams have been