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barging at the emergency ramp at the Kennedy Town Incinerator pending completion and commissioning of the Island Western Transfer Station.

For operational reasons, the Department's objective is to have four disposal sites/points within the Urban Council area, one each in Hong Kong East, Hong Kong West, Kowloon East and Kowloon West to cater for refuse generated in the respective regions. If there is any proposal for diversion, Council will be consulted.

6. MR. PAUL YOUNG TZE-KONG asked the following question (in English); Could I please be told what progress has been made in the development of the contemplated Wong Chuk Hang Park? The Park was planned quite some considerable time ago and I understand the local District would like to see it realized as quickly as possible in order to remove the unsightly and dangerous motor vehicle repair activities, and also to give local residents, and especially those in the adjoining THA, some recreational space.

MR. SAMUEL P. W. WONG, CHAIRMAN OF THE RECREATION SELECT COMMITTEE replied as follows (in Cantonese):---Mr. Chairman, the question asks about the progress of the development of the contemplated Wong Chuk Hang Park.

The site for the Wong Chuk Hang Park is currently occupied by some temporary domestic and commercial structures, and an old pre-British village. The original programme for the development of the Wong Chuk Hang Park was scheduled to commence in late 1989 for completion in 1991. The Housing Department however advised in November 1987 that due to the shortage of housing stock in the Southern District, the clearance had to be deferred to 1991. The local District Board was consulted over the delay of clearance. Concern was raised because of the adverse environmental effects of the delay as a result of the motor vehicle repair activities which are being carried out at some of the temporary commercial structures. Having regard to the constraints of the rehousing stock and the concern to remove as early as possible the environmental nuisances, it was agreed that a phased clearance programme be introduced whereby the vehicle repair shops will be cleared by early 1989.

The area, upon clearance, will be developed into a temporary sitting out area which will be integrated with the future Park development. The layout and the cost estimate for this first phase development of the Wong Chuk Hang Park are being finalized and will be presented to the Urban Council for approval in December 1988. Subject to Council's approval, construction of the project will commence in mid-1989 for completion in early 1990.

Progress of this project has been reported to the Southern District Board and the Urban Council in the context of the Capital Works Programme and the regular progress reports on recreation projects.

7.

MR. PAUL YOUNG TZE-KONG asked the following question (in English):— What is the cleansing condition of private streets in Hong Kong? Since the

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Government announced the takeover of the management of all private streets, will the Urban Council take up the cleansing work of such streets, hence improving the environmental hygiene there?

MR. TONG KAM-BIU, VICE-CHAIRMAN OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL HYGIENE SELECT COMMITTEE replied as follows (in Cantonese):-Mr. Chairman, this question is in two parts. The first part enquires about the cleansing condition of private streets in Hong Kong. The second part asks whether the Urban Council will take up the cleansing work of private streets to improve environmental hygiene following the resumption of private streets by the Government.

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The answer to the first part is that generally speaking, with the exception of well-managed private developments, the cleansing condition of private streets leaves a lot to be desired. Road surfaces are generally in a poor state of repair; pavements are obstructed by illegal structures or merchandise; drains are often blocked due to poor maintenance; vehicles are haphazardly parked; and littering by hawkers who seek refuge there is frequent. All these make proper cleansing of private streets difficult. The problem is further com- pounded by multiple ownership involving often hundreds of owners in streets of only moderate length. The task to get the multitude of owners together to get work done is often cumbersome and ineffective.

The short answer to the second part of the question is 'yes'. As a matter of fact, Council already provides cleansing services to a large number of private streets which are open to the public at large. Unfortunately due to poor maintenance and ill-management, our cleansing work is often hampered by the problems described above. We expect that following resumption by the Government, the condition of private street will improve vastly and cleansing will be relatively easy.

8. MR. WALTER M. SULKE asked the following question (in English):—It is now four years since, as a result of a motion moved by myself, the Working Party to Review Hawker and Related Policies was instituted, and it is 12 months since the final report of this Working Party was issued and accepted by this Council. I understand that although some recommendations made by the Working Party have been implemented, the major recommendations cannot be implemented because of problems beyond the control of this Council, especially regarding the type and form of hawker control and the viable siting of our markets. Could I please have an indication as to when come progress on these matters might be forthcoming, and why it is taking such a long time to put the recommendations into practice?

DR. THE HON. ELSIE TU, CHAIRMAN OF THE MARKETS AND STREET TRADERS SELECT COMMITTEE replied as follows (in English):-Mr. Chairman, the question asks the current state of play on the implementation of the recommendations of the Working Party to Review Hawker and Related Policies and the reason that there has been delay.