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(2) food surveillance, such as conducting laboratory tests on sampled food.
Imported foods are tested regularly.
(3) surveillance on local food manufactories.
(4) pest control; and
(5) territory-wide health education.
The money is spent on these areas. As to the exact amount spent on the training of Health Inspectors, I don't have the figures on hand right now.
Mr. Lam MAN-FAI (in Cantonese):—Mr. Chairman, when we visit the Food Control Office in Man Kam To to see how their work is done, we found that the Department of Health's computer system is not sufficient. If the Department needs to upgrade its computer system but has financial and manpower difficulties as some Councillors have pointed out just now, can the Urban Council and the Regional Council purchase new computer equipment and loan them to the Department of Health so as to solve the problem?
Mr. Joseph Chan Yuek-sut (in Cantonese):—Mr. Chairman, regarding the Food Control Office in Man Kam To, we have not yet received any requests from the Department of Health for help in that regard. If we receive such requests, we will consider Mr. LAM Man-fai's suggestions and see if the Council can offer help.
Mr. Lam Man-fai (in Cantonese):—I would like to further follow up on this matter. The problem does not only exist in the Man Kam To Food Control Office. The Department of Health has several Food Control Offices located in different locations, for instance, in the urban areas, in Man Kam To, and at harbour check points. At present, all data are transmitted by sending the floppy disks from one place to another, and it takes several days to process the data. If there is a network system, then all data can be processed immediately. However, the problem is, the Department of Health is short of funds to purchase these facilities. As summer is coming, the work of the Food Control Office is particularly important to the control of food hygiene for the interest of the public.
MR. JOSEPH Chan Yuek-sut (in Cantonese):—Mr. Chairman, we will reflect on this point.
MR. KAM NAI-WAI (in Cantonese):—Regarding the situation mentioned by Mr. Joseph CHAN Yuek-sut just now, according to information and my understanding, the Urban Council has provided a sum of over $50 million, but the money is passed to the Hygiene Services Committee formed by the '2 Councils and 3 Departments', which, as Mr. CHAN has said, is a consultative and policy-making body. Mr. CHAN has also mentioned that a review will be conducted. Can we take into consideration two options during the review: if the services are funded by the Urban Council, can the Council or the Urban Services Department take up the full duties; or if the fund is allocated by the Central Government, i.e.,
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(2) food surveillance, such as conducting laboratory test on sampled food.
Imported foods are tested regularly.
(3) surveillance on local food manufactories.
(4) pest control; and
(5) territory-wide health education.
The money is spent on these areas. As to the exact amount spent on the training of Health Inspectors, I don't have the figures on hand right now.
Mr. Lam MAN-FAI (in Cantonese);—Mr. Chairman, when we visit the Food Control Office in Man Kam To to see how their work is done, we found that the Department of Health's computer system is not sufficient. If the Department needs to upgrade its computer system but has financial and manpower difficulties as what some Councillors have pointed out just now, can the Urban Council and the Regional Council purchase new computer equipments and loan them to the Department of Health so as to solve the problem?
Mr. Joseph Chan Yuek-sut (in Cantonese):—Mr. Chairman, regarding the Food Control Office in Man Kam To, we have not yet received any requests from the Department of Health for help in that regard. If we receive such requests, we will consider Mr. LAM Man-fai's suggestions and see if the Council can offer help.
Mr. Lam Man-fa! (in Cantonese):—I would like to further follow-up on this matter. The problem does not only exist in the Man Kam To Food Control Office. The Department of Health has several Food Control Offices located in different locations, for instance in the urban areas, in Man Kam To and at harbour check points. At present, all data are transmitted by sending the floppy disks from one place to another and it takes several days to process the data. If there is a network system, then all data can be processed immediately. However, the problem is, the Department of Health is short of funds to purchase these facilities. As summer is coming, the work of the Food Control Office is particularly important to the control of food hygiene for the interest of the public.
MR. JOSEPH Chan Yuek-sur (in Cantonese):—Mr. Chairman, we will reflect this point.
MR. KAM NAI-WAI (in Cantonese):—Regarding the situation mentioned by Mr. Joseph CHAN Yuek-sut just now, according to information and my understanding, the Urban Council has provided a sum of over $50 million but the money is passed to the Hygiene Services Committee formed by the '2 Councils and 3 Departments", which, as what Mr. CHAN has said, is a consultative and policy- making body. Mr. CHAN has also mentioned that a review will be conducted. Can we take into consideration two options during the review: if the services are funded by the Urban Council, can the Council or the Urban Services Department take up the full duties; or if the fund is allocated by the Central Government, i.e.,
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