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liaising with overseas food importers, food manufacturers and overseas hygiene authorities. Strictly speaking, the Department of Health is an independent body formed by the Central Government, which, unlike the Urban Services Department, is not an executive arm of the Urban Council and therefore does not fall under the supervision of the Urban Council. However, because of their close working relationship and the common goal, the 2 departments co-operate closely and exchange views through the Hygiene Services Committee in the course of their work.
Regarding finances, strictly speaking, the Department of Health is funded by the Central Government. In fact, the Department of Health applies to the Central Government for allocation of funds for its expenditures on food hygiene whereas the Central Government seeks reimbursement of part of the funds from the Urban Council. Therefore, some expenditures of the Department of Health have much to do with the Urban Council, such as expenditures on health education, on which the Urban Council's views would be sought beforehand. As what I have mentioned a moment ago, the annual estimates of revenue and expenditure of the Department of Health need to be vetted and approved by the Urban Council. Some of their expenditures need to be approved by the Central Government before requests for funding can be made to the Urban Council through the Hygiene Services Committee. Sometimes their request for funding may not be supported by the Central Government.
Mr. Chairman, these are my replies. If you have anything to add, please do so.
CHAIRMAN (in Cantonese): I remember that we had talked about this issue at a meeting of the Public Health Committee. When the Municipal Services Branch was being dissolved, there was a question on who should be responsible for central matters concerning hygiene services. This was discussed in the Urban Council to see if we would take up the duty. We rejected. Then the issue was referred to the Regional Council for their consideration and they rejected it too. Mr. Augustine CHUI Kam who was the then Secretary for Municipal Services asked the Urban Council to think it over again. The Council had intention to take up the duty but the Regional Council was of the opinion that it was not appropriate for the Urban Council to take charge of central matters, so the duty was finally delegated to a third party.
Regarding territory-wide district services such as pest control, food imports and food manufacturers licensing, central health education, etc, the central matters were the responsibilities of the Department of Health whereas the Urban Council was only responsible for providing manpower support as DH has no Health Inspectors. Since then the Director of Health is the co-ordinator for all these services. Under him, there is a Medical Adviser and this post is filled by a medical specialist. Now Dr. P. Y. LEUNG is the Medical Adviser and his office is at the upper floors of the Fa Yuen Street Market Complex. Staff
£185
Page 455
Page 456
Page 455 of 485
Page 455 of 485
Tage 455 of 485
166
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
liaising with overseas food importers, food manufacturers and overseas hygiene authorities. Strictly speaking, the Department of Health is an independent body formed by the Central Government, which, unlike the Urban Services Department, is not an executive arm of the Urban Council and therefore does not fall under the supervision of the Urban Council. However, because of their close working relationship and the common goal, the 2 departments co-operate closely and exchange views through the Hygiene Services Committee in the course of their work.
Regarding finances, strictly speaking, the Department of Health is funded by the Central Government. In fact, the Department of Health applies to the Central Government for allocation of funds for its expenditures on food hygiene whereas the Central Government seeks reimbursement of part of the funds from the Urban Council. Therefore, some expenditures of the Department of Health have much to do with the Urban Council, such as expenditures on health education, on which the Urban Council's views would be sought beforehand. As what I have mentioned a moment ago, the annual estimates of revenue and expenditure of the Department of Health need to be vetted and approved by the Urban Council. Some of their expenditures need to be approved by the Central Government before requests for funding can be made to the Urban Council through the Hygiene Services Committee. Sometimes their request for funding may not be supported by the Central Government.
Mr. Chairman, these are my replies. If you have anything to add, please do so.
CHAIRMAN (in Cantonese):-I remember that we had talked about this issue at a meeting of the Public Health Committee. When the Municipal Services Branch was being dissolved, there was a question on who should be responsible for central matters concerning hygiene services. This was discussed in the Urban Council to see if we would take up the duty. We rejected. Then the issue was referred to the Regional Council for their consideration and they rejected it too. Mr. Augustine CHUI Kam who was the then Secretary for Municipal Services asked the Urban Council to think it over again. The Council had intention to take up the duty but the Regional Council was of the opinion that it was not appropriate for the Urban Council to take charge of central matters, so the duty was finally delegated to a third party.
Regarding territory-wide district services such as pest control, food imports and food manufacturers licensing, central health education, etc, the central matters were the responsibilities of the Department of Health whereas the Urban Council was only responsible for providing manpower support as DH has no Health Inspectors. Since then the Director of Health is the co-ordinator for all these services. Under him, there is a Medical Adviser and this post is filled by a medical specialist. Now Dr. P. Y. LEUNG is the Medical Adviser and his office is at the upper floors of the Fa Yuen Street Market Complex. Staff
£185
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