1993 — Page 99

Urban Council Proceedings 市政局議事錄 All AI Reviewed

Page 99 of 132

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HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL

60 streets in the Urban area only allow one of each to carry out their duties. For example, if the police are chasing a hawker from street A to street B and the latter only allows GDT to operate, the police have no choice but to let the subject go and vice versa. This situation also applies to Housing Estate boundaries. This may sound ridiculous, but it is true, of course the police, Housing Department and the GDT can carry out joint operations, but they are not cost-effective. Illegal hawkers and different authorities are playing 'hide and seek' games every day.

This outdated government policy that stands in the way of efficient hawker clearance should be scrapped while standard fines should go up. For example, repeated offenders should have these fines doubled every time they are convicted, especially the cooked food hawkers. Maybe we should also consider ways to issue fixed penalty tickets to cut down our resources involved.

Although the police do not object to taking part in hawker clearance, I believe the job should ultimately be handled by the USD's GDT. What they need would be the manpower and high-tech communication equipment.

The GDTs, however, should change their tactics in hawker clearance. They should spot check areas, carry out patrols and use unmarked vehicles like the police instead of stationing in one particular area most of the times and using marked vehicles thus exposing their presence before raids.

By stemming out the problem of illegal hawkers, triad intimidation in this area could be cut down, and public hygiene standard will go up. And hopefully the next department on their tail would be the Inland Revenue.

I shall also believe more communications with the judiciary are very important. Magistrates and judges are seldom known to visit illegal hawking activities and see for themselves the nuisance and how they affect the public safety. Perhaps the Council and the Department should encourage informal discussions and visits with the judiciary so as for them to understand the situation more.

What the public want is a good standard of living, hygienic surroundings, a secure environment and fairness to all sectors including the legitimate retailers.

With these remarks, Mr. Chairman, I support the motion.

MR. RONNIE WONG MAN-CHIU (in Cantonese): Mr. Chairman, as the last speaker, I do not intend to make a long speech. The work of the Recreation Select Committee, including the caring of animals in the Hong Kong Zoological and Botanical Gardens and the forthcoming development projects, have been covered by the previous speakers. Such information can also be obtained from the UC Annual Report. I would like to take this opportunity to talk specifically about the integration of the Sports Development Board and the Hong Kong Sports Institute. A few weeks ago Mr. PAO Ping-wing and I appeared before the Bills Committee of Legco to express our views on the matter. One important point raised was the profound impact a provision in the Bill allowing the SDB to use its land for non-sports purposes would have on the Urban Council. Several weeks ago, you, Mr. Chairman, and a number of colleagues met the Director of Lands and raised the same issue with him. Regrettably there was nothing he could do. I would like to reiterate that if a precedent is set to permit SDB to change the land use from sports to commercial purposes, it is not unlikely that in future we can find shopping arcades in hospitals under the Hospital Authority and residential flats in schools under the Education Department. If they decide to go ahead, I shall call on the Urban Council to apply to the Government for ownership and unrestricted use of lands where the UC venues stand. This morning we agreed to hold a motion debate on the functions of the Urban Council, Urban Services Department and Sports Development Board in the near future, so I shall wait until then to discuss the issue in detail.

Sir, with these remarks, I support the motion.

ADJOURNMENT 4:45 p.m.

CHAIRMAN (in English): That concludes the business of today's meeting and the Annual Conventional Debate. Council stands adjourned until Tuesday, 8 February 1994 at 2:30 p.m.

PRINTED AND PUBLISHED BY THE GOVERNMENT PRINTER, HONG KONG

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Page 99 of 132 201 200 HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL 60 streets in the Urban area only allow one of each to carry out their duties. For example, if the police are chasing a hawker from street A to street B and the latter only allows GDT to operate, the police have no choice but to let the subject go and vice versa. This situation also applies to Housing Estate boundaries. This may sound ridiculous, but it is true, of course the police, Housing Department and the GDT can carry out joint operations, but they are not cost-effective. Illegal hawkers and different authorities are playing 'hide and seek' games every day. This outdated government policy that stands in the way of efficient hawker clearance should be scrapped while standard fines should go up. For example, repeated offenders should have these fines doubled every time they are convicted, especially the cooked food hawkers. Maybe we should also consider ways to issue fixed penalty tickets to cut down our resources involved. Although the police do not object to taking part in hawker clearance, I believe the job should ultimately be handled by the USD's GDT. What they need would be the manpower and high-tech communication equipment. The GDTs, however, should change their tactics in hawker clearance. They should spot check areas, carry out patrols and use unmarked vehicles like the police instead of stationing in one particular area most of the times and using marked vehicles thus exposing their presence before raids. By stemming out the problem of illegal hawkers, triad intimidation in this area could be cut down, and public hygiene standard will go up. And hopefully the next department on their tail would be the Inland Revenue. I shall also believe more communications with the judiciary are very important. Magistrates and judges are seldom known to visit illegal hawking activities and see for themselves the nuisance and how they affect the public safety. Perhaps the Council and the Department should encourage informal discussions and visits with the judiciary so as for them to understand the situation more. What the public want is a good standard of living, hygienic surroundings, a secure environment and fairness to all sectors including the legitimate retailers. With these remarks, Mr. Chairman, I support the motion. MR. RONNIE WONG MAN-CHIU (in Cantonese): Mr. Chairman, as the last speaker, I do not intend to make a long speech. The work of the Recreation Select Committee, including the caring of animals in the Hong Kong Zoological and Botanical Gardens and the forthcoming development projects, have been covered by the previous speakers. Such information can also be obtained from the UC Annual Report. I would like to take this opportunity to talk specifically about the integration of the Sports Development Board and the Hong Kong Sports Institute. A few weeks ago Mr. PAO Ping-wing and I appeared before the Bills Committee of Legco to express our views on the matter. One important point raised was the profound impact a provision in the Bill allowing the SDB to use its land for non-sports purposes would have on the Urban Council. Several weeks ago, you, Mr. Chairman, and a number of colleagues met the Director of Lands and raised the same issue with him. Regrettably there was nothing he could do. I would like to reiterate that if a precedent is set to permit SDB to change the land use from sports to commercial purposes, it is not unlikely that in future we can find shopping arcades in hospitals under the Hospital Authority and residential flats in schools under the Education Department. If they decide to go ahead, I shall call on the Urban Council to apply to the Government for ownership and unrestricted use of lands where the UC venues stand. This morning we agreed to hold a motion debate on the functions of the Urban Council, Urban Services Department and Sports Development Board in the near future, so I shall wait until then to discuss the issue in detail. Sir, with these remarks, I support the motion. ADJOURNMENT 4:45 p.m. CHAIRMAN (in English): That concludes the business of today's meeting and the Annual Conventional Debate. Council stands adjourned until Tuesday, 8 February 1994 at 2:30 p.m. PRINTED AND PUBLISHED BY THE GOVERNMENT PRINTER, HONG KONG Page 99 of 132 Page 99 of 132

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Page 99 of 132 Page 99 of 132 201 200 HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL 60 streets in the Urban area only allow one of each to carry out their duties. For example, if the police are chasing a hawker from street A to street B and the latter only allows GDT to operate, the police have no choice but to let the subject go and vice versa. This situation also applies to Housing Estate boundaries. This may sound ridiculous, but it is true, of course the police, Housing Department and the GDT can carry our joint operations, but they are not cost-effective. Illegal hawkers and different authorities are playing 'hide and seek' games everyday. This outdated government policy that stands in the way of efficient hawker clearance should be scrapped while standard fines should go up. For example, repeated offenders should have these fines doubled every time they are convicted, especially the cooked food hawkers. May be we should also consider ways to issue fixed penalty tickets to cut down our resources involved. Although the police do not object to taking part in hawker clearance, I believe the job should ultimately be handled by the USD's GDT. What they need would be the manpower and high-tech communication equipments. The GDTs, however, should change their tactics in hawker clearance. They should spot check areas, carry out patrols and use unmarked vehicles like the police instead of stationing in one particular area most of the times and using marked vehicles thus exposing their presence before raids. By stemming out the problem of illegal hawkers, triad intimidation in this area could be cut down, and public hygiene standard will go up. And hopefully the next department on their tail would be the Inland Revenue. I shall also believe more communications with the judiciary is very important. Magistrates and judges are seldom known to visit illegal hawking activities and see for themselves the nuisance and how they affect the public safety. Perhaps the Council and the Department should encourage informal discussions and visits with the judiciary so as for them to understand the situation more. What the public want is a good standard of living, hygienic surroundings, a secure environment and fairness to all sectors including the legitimate retailers. With these remarks, Mr. Chairman, I support the motion. MR. RONNIE WONG MAN-CHIU (in Cantonese):-Mr. Chairman, as the last speaker, I do not intend to make a long speech. The work of the Recreation Select Committee, including the caring of animals in the Hong Kong Zoological and Botanical Gardens and the forthcoming development projects, have been covered by the previous speakers. Such information can also be obtained from the UC Annual Report. I would like to take this opportunity to talk specifically about the integration of the Sports Development Board and the Hong Kong Sports Institute. A few weeks ago Mr. PAO Ping-wing and I appeared before the Bills Committee of Legco to express our views on the matter. One important point raised was the profound impact a provision in the Page 99 of 132 HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL Bill allowing the SDB to use its land for non-sports purposes would have on the Urban Council. Several weeks ago, you Mr. Chairman, and a number of Colleagues met the Director of Lands and raised the same issue with him. Regrettably there was nothing he could do. I would like to reiterate that if a precedent is set to permit SDB to change the land use from sports to commercial purposes, it is not unlikely that in future we can find shopping arcades in hospitals under the Hospital Authority and residential flats in schools under the Education Department. If they decide to go ahead, I shall call on the Urban Council to apply to the Government for ownership and unrestricted use of lands where the UC venues stand. This morning we agreed to hold a motion debate on the functions of the Urban Council, Urban Services Department and Sports Development Baord in the near future, so I shall wait until then to discuss the issue in detail. Sir, with these remarks, I support the motion. ADJOURNMENT 4.45 p.m. CHAIRMAN (in English):-That concludes the business of today's meeting and the Annual Conventional Debate. Council stands adjourned until Tuesday, 8 February 1994 at 2.30 p.m. PRINTED AND PUBLISHED BY THE GOVERNMENT PRINTER, HONG KONG Page 99 of 132

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Page 99 of 132

201

200

HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL

60 streets in the Urban area only allow one of each to carry out their duties. For example, if the police are chasing a hawker from street A to street B and the latter only allows GDT to operate, the police have no choice but to let the subject go and vice versa. This situation also applies to Housing Estate boundaries. This may sound ridiculous, but it is true, of course the police, Housing Department and the GDT can carry our joint operations, but they are not cost-effective. Illegal hawkers and different authorities are playing 'hide and seek' games everyday.

This outdated government policy that stands in the way of efficient hawker clearance should be scrapped while standard fines should go up. For example, repeated offenders should have these fines doubled every time they are convicted, especially the cooked food hawkers. May be we should also consider ways to issue fixed penalty tickets to cut down our resources involved.

I shall also believe more communications with the judiciary is very important. Magistrates and judges are seldom known to visit illegal hawking activities and see for themselves the nuisance and how they affect the public safety. Perhaps the Council and the Department should encourage informal discussions and visits with the judiciary so as for them to understand the situation more.

What the public want is a good standard of living, hygienic surroundings, a secure environment and fairness to all sectors including the legitimate retailers.

With these remarks, Mr. Chairman, I support the motion.

MR. RONNIE WONG MAN-CHIU (in Cantonese):-Mr. Chairman, as the last speaker, I do not intend to make a long speech. The work of the Recreation Select Committee, including the caring of animals in the Hong Kong Zoological and Botanical Gardens and the forthcoming development projects, have been covered by the previous speakers. Such information can also be obtained from the UC Annual Report. I would like to take this opportunity to talk specifically about the integration of the Sports Development Board and the Hong Kong Sports Institute. A few weeks ago Mr. PAO Ping-wing and I appeared before the Bills Committee of Legco to express our views on the matter. One important point raised was the profound impact a provision in the

Page 99 of 132

HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL

Bill allowing the SDB to use its land for non-sports purposes would have on the Urban Council. Several weeks ago, you Mr. Chairman, and a number of Colleagues met the Director of Lands and raised the same issue with him. Regrettably there was nothing he could do. I would like to reiterate that if a precedent is set to permit SDB to change the land use from sports to commercial purposes, it is not unlikely that in future we can find shopping arcades in hospitals under the Hospital Authority and residential flats in schools under the Education Department. If they decide to go ahead, I shall call on the Urban Council to apply to the Government for ownership and unrestricted use of lands where the UC venues stand. This morning we agreed to hold a motion debate on the functions of the Urban Council, Urban Services Department and Sports Development Baord in the near future, so I shall wait until then to discuss the issue in detail.

Sir, with these remarks, I support the motion.

ADJOURNMENT 4.45 p.m.

CHAIRMAN (in English):-That concludes the business of today's meeting and the Annual Conventional Debate. Council stands adjourned until Tuesday, 8 February 1994 at 2.30 p.m.

1993 — Page 99

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