1995 — Page 18

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QUESTION

1.

HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL

MR. CHAN CHOI-HI asked the following question (in Cantonese): In view of the low percentage of leased stalls in certain Urban Council markets, what will the Department do to improve the situation?

MR. IP KWOK-CHUNG, CHAIRMAN OF THE MARKETS AND STREET TRADERS SELECT COMMITTEE replied as follows (in Cantonese):―This question concerns the vacancy situation in some UC markets and the action being taken by the Department to improve the situation.

The Council now manages 62 markets with a total of over 10,000 stalls. The overall occupation rate is over 85%. This is far from a low figure. Admittedly, among these 62 markets, some are more popular than the others. The less popular markets with a lower occupation rate are usually older UC markets such as the Mong Kok Market and the Wan Chai Market. They were built for the purpose of meeting the resite commitment at that time, without taking into consideration all the factors such as the location and design of the market, and consumers' demand. As a result, some of these older markets are unnecessarily large with an over-provision of stalls often in a cramped and unsatisfactory layout. These old, sub-standard and less viable markets are basically a legacy of history, and we have learnt from their experience in order that we can make improvements.

Under current Council's policy, viability is a primary consideration in the planning of all new markets. New markets are now planned and built having careful regard to their viability vis-a-vis the existing retail outlets in their catchment area, and their schedules of accommodation are drawn up on the basis of a realistic assessment of the actual consumers' demand.

In the coming months, a number of new markets will be commissioned to replace older market facilities. They include the Causeway Bay Market, the Pei Ho Street Market, the Hung Hom Market, the Smithfield Market, and the Wong Nai Chung Market. Their new designs emphasize openness and good ventilation which contribute towards a better shopping environment. All the cooked food centres within these markets are air-conditioned. Stalls are larger in size with wider passageways to facilitate and enhance customers' circulation. The mix of trade is also carefully determined on the basis of customers' demand.

For those markets which will not be redeveloped or reprovisioned in the near future, refurbishment and improvement work will be implemented, wherever and as far as it practicable within the constraints of the existing markets. A typical example is the To Kwa Wan Market, where major refurbishment was completed recently. This has resulted in a significant improvement in the business of the market. Plans are now in hand to carry out similar improvement works to the Mong Kok Market, the Ngau Tau Kok Market and the Po On Road Market.

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HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL

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MR. CHAN CHOI-HI (in Cantonese):--Mr. Chairman, a few follow-up questions. First of all, is the Department aware that for certain markets with vacancies, there have situations of abuse, e.g., some stalls are used for storage and other purposes?

Secondly, regarding the 15% vacancy rate, I would like to have a detailed analysis and the percentage. Furthermore, on the 15% of the stalls which are vacant, what is the financial loss to Council because of these vacancies?

My third question is regarding refurbishment and improvement works for UC markets. I would like to know the specific timetable. I hope at the MST Select-Committee meeting, Members can be told what the Department has done to refurbish and improve our markets.

MR. IP KWOK-CHUNG (in Cantonese):-Thanks to Mr. CHAN for your comments. I believe I do not need to address the last two questions raised by Mr. CHAN. I am sure that after our meeting today, those questions will be answered. Regarding the timetable for our refurbishment works, that will be discussed by the MST at the appropriate time and Mr. CHAN will be given the relevant information.

Regarding the first question of abuse, i.e., the stalls are not being used for trading purposes, we are aware of such cases. As I have stated in my reply, given some of the older markets and the need to resite on-street hawkers, the design and location of these stalls leave much to be desired. We have already tried our best to constantly improve on these stalls. In this regard, let us take the Wan Chai Market and the Lockhart Road Market for example. We are aware of such situations of abuses and we have already tried our best to change the usage of these stalls. These are some of the ways being considered to improve on the situation. I am sure and I can tell Mr. CHAN that the question of abuse will be closely monitored. If a stall is used for purposes other than trading, we will certainly warn the stall operator. In the course of giving such warnings, we have also encountered technical difficulties. Whilst a stall holder may cease trading today, he may do so tomorrow.

Anyway, to respond to Mr. CHAN's question, we will ask the Department to be more vigilant and take stricter enforcement action to prevent the problem from deteriorating.

I think that is all I wish to say in response to Mr. CHAN's question.

MR. CHAN CHOI-HI (in Cantonese):-Mr. Ip referred to certain difficulties. I wonder if Mr. Ip could enlighten us further on what sort of difficulties he has encountered?

MR. IP KWOK-CHUNG (in Cantonese): As far as the question of abuse is concerned, Mr. Chan pointed out that some of the stalls had been used for storage and other non-trading purposes. We are aware that the majority of these stalls are used for storage purposes. The situation that such stalls are being put to other uses is rather rare. Sometimes it is very difficult for us to

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