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CHAIRMAN (in Cantonese):-That is a suggestion, not a question, so there is no need to answer. I think Mr. WONG can take it back to the Public Health Select Committee for discussion.
MR. LI WAH-MING (in Cantonese):-The reply refers to Sundays and Public Holidays, but even on Saturdays, we have a lot of Filipino domestic helpers gathering in Central. I am concerned about cleanliness because very often the litter bins spill over with refuse. As no special cleaning operations are mounted on Saturdays, the environments there have become terrible. I wonder if enforcement actions by Hawker Control Teams and Cleansing staff will be undertaken also on Saturdays.
Mr. Wong Kwok-hing (in Cantonese):—Thank you for Mr. Li's concern. On Sundays, we have the pedestrian precincts there, therefore on these days there will be a boost of manpower from the Department and the series of measures referred to in the reply are carried out. With regard to similar situations on Saturdays as mentioned by Mr. Li, I will refer the issue back to the Public Health Select Committee which will ask the Department to follow-up on this.
Mr. Leung Kam-TAO (in Cantonese):—Mr. Chairman, can the Department step up penalties? It is mentioned in the reply that for expatriate illegal hawkers, if they are repeat offenders, they will be penalized. I wonder if we can liaise with the Immigration Department to raise the penalties, e.g., even first offenders will be refused re-entry or extension of stay. That is my first question.
Secondly, paragraph 7 of the reply mentioned that there were officials prosecuting 'litter bugs' in the area. Can I have the actual prosecution figure so that I can understand the real situation?
MR. WONG KWOK-HING (in Cantonese):—With regard to measures taken by the Immigration Department, in fact USD has already boosted communication with the Immigration Department. Information related to foreign visitors who committed the offence of illegal hawking will be referred to the Immigration Department and we have suggested that the Immigration Department should take note of the names of repeat offenders so that those who violate the conditions of stay will be dealt with correspondingly. As to whether even first offenders will be penalized, as suggested by Mr. Leung, I will refer Mr. LEUNG's suggestion to the Immigration Department for consideration.
For the second question concerning littering in the area, the Department did take a series of prosecution actions against litterbugs in the past. In the past 12 months, 213 offenders were prosecuted on Sundays and public holidays in the Central District.
Mr. Tim S. Manuel Chan (in Cantonese):—Mr. Chairman, I would like to follow-up. Besides the Public Health Select Committee chairman can give a reply, the
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HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
155
CHAIRMAN (in Cantonese):-That is a suggestion, not a question, so there is no need to answer. I think Mr. WONG can take it back to the Public Health Select Committee for discussion.
MR. LI WAH-MING (in Cantonese):-The reply refers to Sundays and Public Holidays, but even on Saturdays, we have a lot of Filipino domestic helpers gathering in Central I am concerned about cleanliness because very often the litter bins spill over with refuse. As no special cleaning operations are mounted on Saturdays, the environments there have become terrible. I wonder if enforcement actions by Hawker Control Teams and Cleansing staff will be undertaken also on Saturdays.
Mr. Wong Kwok-hing (in Cantonese):—Thank you for Mr. Li's concern. On Sundays, we have the pedestrian precincts there, therefore on these days there will be a boost of manpower from the Department and the series of measures referred to in the reply are carried out. With regard to similar situations on Saturdays as mentioned by Mr. Lt, I will refer the issue back to the Public Health Select Committee which will ask the Department to follow-up on this.
Mr. Leung Kam-TAO (in Cantonese):—Mr. Chairman, can the Department step up penalties? It is mentioned in the reply that for expatriate illegal hawkers, if they are repeat offenders, they will be penalized. I wonder if we can liaise with the Immigration Department to raise the penalties, e.g., even first offenders will be refused re-entry or extension of stay. That is my first question.
Secondly, paragraph 7 of the reply mentioned that there were officials prosecuting 'litter bugs' in the area. Can I have the actual prosecution figure so that I can understand the real situation?
MR. WONG KWOK-HING (in Cantonese):—With regard to measures taken by the Immigration Department, in fact USD has already boosted communication with the Immigration Department. Information related to foreign visitors who committed the offence of illegal hawking will be referred to the Immigration Department and we have suggested that the Immigration Department should take note of the names of repeat offenders so that those who violate the conditions of stay will be dealt with correspondingly. As to whether even first offenders will be penalized, as suggested by Mr. Leung, I will refer Mr. LEUNG's suggestion to the Immigration Department for consideration.
For the second question concerning littering in the area, the Department did take a series of prosecution actions against litterbugs in the past, In the past 12 months, 213 offenders were prosecuted on Sundays and public holidays in the Central District.
Mr. Tim S. Manuel Chan (in Cantonese);—Mr. Chairman, I would like to follow- up. Besides the Public Health Select Committee chairman can give a reply, the
Page 179 of 485
Page 179 of 485
Page 179 of 485
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