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HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL

introduction of the measure proposed in the reply. In other words, I would like to know how soon the Department would be able to present its views on this particular proposal?

DR. RONALD D. B. LEUNG (in English):----Mr. Chairman, in our forthcoming Public Health Select Committee meeting, we have a paper to work out the demerit points system for suspension and cancellation of our food premises licences. But the offences of an illegal extension are sometimes very difficult to establish in law. Very often, the restaurant operators will disclaim the activities going on in the illegal extended part of the food premises. It is difficult to prove the relationships and this is a practical difficulty. So I think the Legal Draftsman has to be very careful in phrasing the laws when we were to actually introduce them.

MR. HILTON CHEONG-LEEN (in English):-Mr. Chairman, what I was hoping to ascertain through Dr. LEUNG is: having been told that the Department is now studying the introduction of such a measure, could the Select Committee hear from the Department at an earlier date as to what can be done from the practical point of view?

DR. RONALD D. B. LEUNG (in English):-Mr. Chairman, yes, as I said that a paper on the demerit points system will be discussed day after tomorrow. In the paper of which there will be different categories of offences according to the seriousness of the offence and the points will be given and the priority. The highest score will be given on hygienic grounds rather than on physical or illegal extension of the area of business activities. So I think in that particular paper, emphasis will not be given on the physical extension of their business area. The paper only emphasizes on hygienic grounds. If they violate some of the offences related to hygienic standard of the food, then they will have a heavier score. But as regards the illegal extension physically of their business area, they will not be accorded with a higher point. During the discussion, I think I will take Mr. CHEONG-LEEN's point and put it to the Department to consider giving the heaviest score on these offences.

(Mr. MAN Sai-cheong arrived at 2.39 p.m.)

3. MR. HILTON CHEONG-LEEN asked the following question (in English):- What cooperation and assistance is being given by the Urban Services Department to the Wan Chai District Office and the Wan Chai District Board in the Wan Chai District Tree Planting Plan and the 'greening' of Wan Chai District? What is the annual recurrent expenditure estimated to be like?

MR. PETER C. K. CHAN, CHAIRMAN OF THE RECREATION SELECT COMMITTEE replied as follows (in English):-Mr. Chairman, this question seeks clarification on the extent to which assistance is given to Wan Chai District Board environmental improvement projects and the cost implications for the Urban Council.

HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL

It is normal practice for the Urban Services Department to render positive assistance to District Boards in undertaking the planting and subsequent upkeep of landscape improvement projects especially along the public highways where the work complements that of the Urban Council. The initial project, including planting, is usually paid for from District Board funds whilst the subsequent upkeep of the plants is paid for by the Urban Council. During 1989 the cost of such work borne by the Urban Council in Wan Chai District is estimated to have been in the order of $98,000.

However much recent publicity has been given to two initiatives taken by the Wan Chai District Board namely, greening of the central divider in Lockhart Road and a long range endeavour to plant trees in pavements throughout the District.

The former project, now complete, involves incorporation of planter boxes along the top of the road divider in Lockhart Road plus planted hanging baskets from the lighting columns above. The Urban Services Department which was represented on the working group for this project, undertook the planting and has now commenced maintenance. Without such an input it is unlikely that the project could have proceeded. However the upkeep of this new feature requires a considerable labour input expected to cost an addtional $186,000 per annum.

To explore the scope for tree planting in streets throughout the district the District Board has employed consultants to undertake a detailed survey and a report on the findings has recently been submitted. It is hoped that as a result between 500 and 1300 trees may ultimately be planted through the streets of Wan Chai with the costs of tree pits, planting, grilles, guards and the maintenance costs for the first two years being met by private sponsorship. As always, the Urban Services Department will render such assistance and advice as is necessary during this formative period and will undertake maintenance of the trees after the initial two years period from planting. The cost of such aftercare to the Council is estimated to be around $80 per tree per annum.

Initiatives of the type shown in Wan Chai are generally welcomed, since they are consistent with the Urban Council's 'Green Hong Kong' policy and as it has to be recognized that the Urban Council has neither the manpower nor the financial resources to meet all local aspirations on its own. The Urban Services Department, on behalf of the Council, is actively supportive of such initiatives where the common interest and viability of projects can be assured. I feel confident that Members of this Council will, as in the past, also wish to give their support to such activities within prudent financial limits.

MR. TONG KAM-BIU (in Cantonese):—Mr. Chairman, such issue has arised after the establishment of the District Boards. We have been requested to do the maintenance frequently from time to time. As it involves manpower and financial resources from this Council, could we consider perhaps asking them to reimburse us some of the expenses?

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