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HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
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The amount paid from September 1993 to November 1993 was $262,199.97. December 1993 was an exception, as I mentioned earlier, the amount paid for this single month was $65,521.90. From January 1994 to March 1994 compensation paid was $89,138.50 and from April 1994 to June 1994 it was $102,342.60 and from July 1994 to September 1994 it was $239,874.12. That is the breakdown that I have on hand. Irrespective of how one looks at it, from the point of view of the payout, it is fairly straightforward and it is determined by the EMSD in relation to what is being paid out. EMSD is the authority to determine the nature of the claims.
As for the second question, at present 43 UC drivers are granted approval to undertake outside work and these cases are normally reviewed at a six monthly interval. As far as we know in 1994, none of the drivers involved in accidents are engaged in outside work.
THE HONOURABLE LI WAH-MING (in Cantonese): Is there any way for the Department to find out whether their drivers are involved in part-time jobs outside?
MR. PAUL YOUNG TZE-KONG (in English): I think this is quite difficult, because if they choose not to declare, unlike these 43 drivers who have chosen to do so, it is quite difficult for the Department to obtain the information. Furthermore, not only the Department but also the GLTA are looking at this matter as they are part of government set up.
MR. PAO PING-WING (in Cantonese): In Mr. YOUNG's reply, one point is clear. When we look at the driving skills of the drivers, the 'kilometer per traffic accident' is used as an indicator. In paragraph four of the reply, we note that disciplinary actions are instituted. I would like to ask Mr. YOUNG the following question: Apart from assessing the driving performance of our drivers in terms of kilometers per traffic accident, does the Department have any positive measures to enhance their driving skills? For example, do we have internal safety campaigns, award schemes or stringent training programmes or will you be contented if a driver is not involved in any traffic accident? There is no mention of any positive or proactive action on the part of the department in the reply.
MR. PAUL YOUNG TZE-KONG (in English): Of course we do acknowledge that our drivers are skilled professional drivers. Nevertheless, every opportunity is taken by the Department to improve their driving skills and vehicle safety. Working towards this direction, the following measures have been taken or will be taken by the Department:
(a) The Institute of Advanced Motorists of Hong Kong has been engaged to provide instructional safe driving seminars to our drivers. Up to November 1994, eight seminars have been arranged for 246 drivers. Four more seminars will be organised before April 1995. Furthermore, 100 and 300 service drivers will be sponsored in 1994/1995 and 1995/1996 respectively to attend the Advanced Driving Test conducted by the Institute of Advanced Motorists of Hong Kong.
(b) Rear vision cameras will be installed in our refuse collection vehicles in 1994/1995 to ensure greater safety in vehicle reversing.
(c) With a view to promoting safe driving amongst USD drivers, a total of 8 articles covering driving techniques were released in 'USD Voice' since April 1994. Furthermore, stickers and posters will be printed to promote safe driving amongst USD drivers.
(d) The Safe Driving Award presentation ceremony will take place on 8th December 1994 to motivate drivers and to serve as a recognition of safe driving.
(e) GLTA regularly runs Refresher Courses for all government drivers. The next course will commence in April 1995 and arrangements will be made for our drivers to attend accordingly.
I hope this puts members at ease in terms of the Department's efforts in promoting drivers' skills.
MR. CHAN CHOI-HI (in Cantonese): I am not familiar with figures. When I look at the last part of paragraph two in the Chinese version, I can see that USD figures have been compared with government figures in general. I have roughly added the figures together and discovered that USD figures are not really that satisfactory. Can Mr. YOUNG provide more information and explanation?
MR. PAUL YOUNG TZE-KONG (in English): The figures cover the five quarters from April 1993 to June 1994 and obviously, the other one is the last available figure for 1993 for all other government departments. So, we are just taking a rough approximation and it comes close to that. In other words, there seems to be a fairly tolerable blend, so we have to take an approximation to give some idea that we are not far off the mark and I don't think we should really claim to be much better.
3.
MR. DANIEL WONG KWOK-TUNG asked the following question (in Cantonese): In the recent year, the number of claimed 'herbal tea shops' has increased rapidly. Their business activities have far exceeded that of selling herbal tea alone. Some of them simply do not have herbal tea for sale, among them, one or two have even opened chain shops throughout the territory at a very fast rate. These shops are selling sweet soups, Chinese desserts, fresh fruit juice and fresh fruit dishes which are prepared at the premises. These shops all have seating areas for their customers. I would like to know:
(a) Is this sort of business practice in breach of the relevant conditions of food business licenses?
(b) What kind of protection is available to members of the public who patronise these well-decorated, popular but possibly unlicensed/not properly licensed food premises?
Page 68 of 115
Page 68 of 115
132
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
Page 68 of 115
133
The amount paid from September 1993 to November 1993 was $262,199.97. December 1993 was an exception, as I mentioned earlier, the amount paid for this single month was $65,521.90. From January 1994 to March 1994 compensation paid was $89,138.50 and from April 1994 to June 1994 it was $102,342.60 and from July 1994 to September 1994 it was $239,874.12. That is the breakdown that I have on hand. Irrespective of how one looks at it, from the point of view of the payout, it is fairly straightforward and it is determined by the EMSD in relation to what is being paid out. EMSD is the authority to determine the nature of the claims.
As for the second question, at present 43 UC drivers are granted approval to undertake outside work and these cases are normally reviewed at a six monthly interval. As far as we know in 1994, none of the drivers involved in accidents are engaged in outside work.
THE HONOURABLE LI WAH-MING (in Cantonese):-Is there any way for the Department to find out whether their drivers are involved in part-time jobs outside?
MR. PAUL YOUNG TZE-KONG (in English):-I think this is quite difficult, becaust if they choose not to declare, unlike these 43 drivers who have chosen to do so, it is quite difficult for the Department to obtain the information. Furthermore, not only the Department but also the GLTA are looking at this matter as they are part of government set up.
MR. PAO PING-WING (in Cantonese):-In Mr. YOUNG's reply, one point is clear. When we look at the driving skills of the drivers, the 'kilometer per traffic accident' is used as an indicator. In paragraph four of the reply, we note that disciplinary actions are instituted. I would like to ask Mr. YOUNG the following question Apart from assessing the driving performance of our drivers in terms of kilometers per traffic accident, does the Department have any positive measures to enhance their driving skills? For example, do we have internal safety campaigns, award schemes or stringent training programmes or will you be contented if a driver is not involved in any traffic accident? There is no mention of any positive or proactive action on the part of the department in the reply.
MR. PAUL YOUNG TZE-KONG (in English):—Of course we do acknowledge that our drivers are skilled professional drivers. Nevertheless, every opportunity is taken by the Department to improve their driving skills and vehicle safety. Working towards this direction, the following measures have been taken or will be taken by the Department:
(a) The Institute of Advanced Motorists of Hong Kong has been engaged to provide instructional safe driving seminars to our drivers. Up to November 1994, eight seminars have been arranged for 246 drivers. Four more seminars will be organised before April 1995. Furthermore, 100 and 300 service drivers will be sponsored in 1994/1995 and
Page 68 of 115
1995/1996 respectively to attend the Advanced Driving Test conducted
by the Institute of Advanced Motorists of Hong Kong.
(b) Rear vision cameras will be installed in our refuse collection vehicles in
1994/1995 to ensure greater safety in vehicle reversing.
(c) With a view to promoting safe driving amongst USD drivers, a total of 8 articles covering driving techniques were released in 'USD Voice' since April 1994. Furthermore, stickers and posters will be printed to promote safe driving amongst USD drivers.
(d) The Safe Driving Award presentation ceremony will take place on 8th December 1994 to motivate drivers and to serve as a recognition of safe driving.
(e) GLTA regularly runs Refresher Courses for all government drivers. The next course will commence in April 1995 and arrangements will be made for our drivers to attend accordingly.
I hope this puts members at ease in terms of the Department's efforts in promoting drivers' skills.
MR. CHAN CHOI-HI (in Cantonese):- I am not familiar with figures. When I look at the last part of paragraph two in the Chinese version, I can see that USD figures have been compared with government figures in general. I have roughly added the figures together and discovered that USD figures are not really that satisfactory. Can Mr. YOUNG provide more information and explanation?
MR. PAUL YOUNG TZE-KONG (in English):—The figures cover the five quarters from April 1993 to June 1994 and obviously, the other one is the last available figure for 1993 for all other government departments. So, we are just taking a rough approximation and it comes close to that. In other words, there seems to be a fairly tolerable blend, so we have to take an approximation to give some idea that we are not far off the mark and I don't think we should really claim to be much better.
3.
MR. DANIEL WONG KWOK-TUNG asked the following question (in Cantonese): In the recent year, the number of claimed 'herbal tea shops' has increased rapidly. Their business activities have far exceeded that of selling herbal tea alone. Some of them simply do not have herbal tea for sale, among them, one or two have even opened chain shops throughout the territory at a very fast rate. These shops are selling sweet soups, Chinese desserts, fresh fruit juice and fresh fruit dishes which are prepared at the premises. These shops all have seating areas for their customers. I would like to know:
(a) Is this sort of business practice in breach of the relevant conditions of food
business licenses?
(b) What kind of protection is available to members of the public who patronise these well-decorated, popular but possibly unlicensed/not properly licensed food premises?
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