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Since we have a computerised record of the convictions, why did he say that the Department had failed to provide the information to him? Can Mr. CHAN check up the computerised records? I am sure we can get the figures very easily. If each unlicensed hawker was convicted more than 10 times, of course we have 64 000 convictions. For itinerant hawkers, they will be convicted of obstructing the street and not unlicensed hawking. I hope that Mr. CHAN will clarify this point. Secondly, in paragraph two, it is said that over the past six years, the number of unlicensed hawkers has decreased from 16 000 to 6 500. The Department has confirmed these figures. I would like to ask Mr. CHAN whether the Department has told him how the headcounts were carried out. Is it true that GDTs in chasing behind illegal hawkers carried out the headcounts. Otherwise, it appears that the reply was given not seriously.
MR. CHAN TAK-CHOR (in Cantonese): As I have pointed out and I have explained in detail how the Department carried out the headcounts. Perhaps I will respond to the second part of Mr. LAU's question first. When the Department carries a headcount, it will not deploy GDTs to chase after the unlicensed hawkers and then make the headcount. The Department will make the headcount very quietly. I think I will not explain any further with regard to these figures. Another point raised by Mr. LAU concerns computerized conviction records. It is true that we have a computerised record. I have just said that this time the Department had not provided me with the figures. I only told Mr. WONG Shui-lai that the figures are not available but I would ask the Department to provide the figures to Mr. LAU and Mr. WONG.
MR. MAN SAI-CHEONG (in Cantonese): I would like to ask Mr. CHAN whether he is aware that there are some foreign illegal hawkers from Nepal and Philippines. I wonder whether we have any information in this regard. Is it true as some people have called up the radio station and complained that GDTs gave these foreign illegal hawkers different treatments. Is that the case?
MR. CHAN TAK-CHOR (in Cantonese): Mr. MAN's question can be divided into two parts. Concerning the number of foreign hawkers, I do not have the figures in hand. If Mr. MAN is interested in the number of foreign illegal hawkers, I will ask the Department to provide the figures to Mr. MAN. As to the second part of the question, whether the Council and the Department will give preferential treatment to the foreign unlicensed hawkers, I can tell you that this is not the case. We treat all unlicensed hawkers in the same manner. For those who hawk without licences, we will prosecute them during our raids.
MR. MAN SAI-CHEONG (in Cantonese): I would like to follow up. If we prosecute these foreign illegal hawkers, then will there be any difficulties in taking up prosecution action. Does this lead to the case that we decided not to arrest them?
MR. CHAN TAK-CHOR (in Cantonese): In arresting illegal hawkers, all along, prosecutions have been done in the Police Station, so I don't think there are any difficulties in taking prosecution action against those foreign unlicensed hawkers. I think Members are all aware that only the Foremen in the GDTs can take up prosecution or arrest hawkers. I believe Foremen have been given sufficient instructions and training to do the work.
MR. RONNIE WONG MAN-CHIU (in Cantonese): Thank you Mr. Chairman, in paragraph 11 of the paper, it is said that there are two parties involved in illegal street trading, i.e. the unlicensed hawker and the customer. Some colleagues including me, have proposed that customers should be prosecuted as well. I would like to ask Mr. CHAN whether the Select Committee can study the feasibility of prosecuting the customers.
MR. CHAN TAK-CHOR (in Cantonese): Mr. Chairman, as Mr. Ronnie WONG has made this very strong request, I believe our Select Committee will recommend to the Working Party chaired by Dr. Tu to study the matter because the Working Group is responsible for reviewing policies on hawker control.
3.
MR. B. A. BERNACCHI asked the following question (in English): Apart altogether from confidential papers, I have heard that there is a suggestion of having a new sports ground in Chai Wan/Siu Sai Wan. Some members of the Chai Wan North Area Committee, on which I still sit, have suggested to me that a suitable area would be from the Ming Tak School to the MTR. Has this site been investigated? If so, what are the chances of a suitable sports ground being developed in this area, perhaps at an early date?
MR. RONNIE WONG MAN-CHIU, CHAIRMAN OF THE RECREATION SELECT COMMITTEE, replied as follows (in English): This question is in two parts and asks whether:
(a) a site near the Ming (MENG) Tak School and the MTR in Chai Wan would be suitable for a sports ground; and
(b) if so, what the chances are of developing a sports ground in this area at an earlier date.
The answer is, of course, linked to the Urban Council's recent decision about the proposed redevelopment of the Hong Kong Stadium. On 21 January, the Standing Committee of the Whole Council agreed, inter alia, that to meet the school athletic requirements a new Sports Ground should be provided at Siu Sai Wan as soon as possible.
Before making this particular recommendation the Working Group carefully considered a number of factors including:
(a) the site area;
(b) the site orientation which is suitable for the purpose;
(c) the likely availability and zoning of the land; and (d) the general accessibility of the site.
Page 109 of 126
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
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Page 109 of 126
Page 109 of 126
274
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
Since we have a computerised record of the convictions, why did he say that the Department had failed to provide the information to him? Can Mr. CHAN check up the computerised records? I am sure we can get the figures very easily. If each unlicensed hawker was convicted more than 10 times, of course we have 64 000 convictions. For itinerant hawkers, they will be convicted of obstructing the street and not unlicensed hawking. I hope that Mr. CHAN will clarify this point. Secondly, in paragraph two, it is said that over the past six years, the number of unlicensed hawkers has decreased from 16 000 to 6 500. The Department has confirmed these figures. I would like to ask Mr. CHAN whether the Department has told him how the headcounts were carried out. Is it true that GDTs in chasing behind illegal hawkers carried out the headcounts. Otherwise, it appears that the reply was given not seriously.
MR. CHAN TAK-CHOR (in Cantonese): As I have pointed out and I have explained in detail how the Department carried out the headcounts. Perhaps I will respond to the second part of Mr. LAU's question first. When the Department carries a headcount, it will not deploy GDTS to chase after the unlicensed hawkers and then make the headcount. The Department will make the headcount very quietly. I think I will not explain any further with regard to these figures. Another point raised by Mr. LAU concerns computerized conviction records. It is true that we have a computerised record. I have just said that this time the Department had not provided me with the figures. I only told Mr. WONG Shui-lai that the figures are not available but I would ask the Department to provide the figures to Mr. LAU and Mr. WONG.
MR. MAN SAI-CHEONG (in Cantonese):-I would like to ask Mr. CHAN whether he is aware that there are some foreign illegal hawkers from Nepal and Philippines. I wonder whether we have any information in this regard. Is it true as some people have called up the radio station and complained that GDTs gave these foreign illegal hawkers different treatments. Is that the case?
MR. CHAN TAK-CHOR (in Cantonese):--Mr. MAN's question can be divided into two parts. Concerning the number of foreign hawkers, I do not have the figures in hand. If Mr. MAN is interested in the number of foreign illegal hawkers, I will ask the Department to provide the figures to Mr. MAN. As to the second part of the question, whether the Council and the Department will give preferential treatment to the foreign unlicensed hawkers, I can tell you that this is not the case. We treat all unlicensed hawkers in the same manner. For those who hawk without licences, we will prosecute them during our raids.
MR. MAN SAI-CHEONG (in Cantonese):-I would like to follow up. If we prosecute these foreign illegal hawkers, then will there be any difficulties in taking up prosecution action. Does this lead to the case that we decided not to arrest them?
MR. CHAN TAK-CHOR (in Cantonese):-In arresting illegal hawkers, all long, prosecutions have been done in the Police Station, so I don't think there are any
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difficulties in taking prosecution action against those foreign unlicensed hawkers. I think Members are all aware that only the Foremen in the GDTs can take up prosecution or arrest hawkers. I believe Foremen have been given sufficient instructions and training to do the work.
MR. RONNIE WONG MAN-CHIU (in Cantonese):-Thank you Mr. Chairman, in paragraph 11 of the paper, it is said that there are two parties involved in illegal street trading, i.e. the unlicensed hawker and the customer. Some colleagues including me, have proposed that customers should be prosecuted as well. I would like to ask Mr. CHAN whether the Select Committee can study the feasibility of prosecuting the customers.
MR. CHAN TAK-CHOR (in Cantonese):—Mr. Chairman, as Mr. Ronnie WONG has made this very strong request, I believe our Select Committee will recommend to the Working Party chaired by Dr. Tu to study the matter because the Working Group is responsible for reviewing policies on hawker control.
3.
MR. B. A. BERNACCHI asked the following question (in English):-Apart altogether from confidential papers, I have heard that there is a suggestion of having a new sports ground in Chai Wan/Siu Sai Wan. Some members of the Chai Wan North Area Committee, on which I still sit, have suggested to me that a suitable area would be from the Ming Tak School to the MTR. Has this site been investigated? If so, what are the chances of a suitable sports ground being developed in this area, perhaps at an early date?
MR. RONNIE WONG MAN-CHIU, CHAIRMAN OF THE RECREATION SELECT COMMITTEE, replied as follows (in English):-This question is in two parts and asks whether:
(a) a site near the Ming (MENG) Tak School and the MTR in Chai Wan
would be suitable for a sports ground; and
(b) if so, what the chances are of developing a sports ground in this area at
an earlier date.
The answer is, of course, linked to the Urban Council's recent decision about the proposed redevelopment of the Hong Kong Stadium. On 21 January, the Standing Committee of the Whole Council agreed, inter alia, that to meet the school athletic requirements a new Sports Ground should be provided at Siu Sai Wan as soon as possible.
Before making this particular recommendation the Working Group carefully considered a number of factors including:
(a) the site area;
(b) the site orientation which is suitable for the purpose;
(c) the likely availability and zoning of the land; and (d) the general accessibility of the site.
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