1995 — Page 8

Page 8 of 485

232

4.

HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL

MR. PAUL YOUNG TZE-KONG asked the following question (in English):— In response to a follow up question raised by me in the Council in July 1994 concerning the licensing of private refuse collection vehicles, the Chairman of the Public Health Select Committee advised that the subject would be discussed in his Select Committee in September 1994. I would like to ask what is the outcome of the deliberations of the Public Health Select Committee and whether regular inspections will be made by the Department to ensure the hygienic standards and cleanliness of these private refuse collection vehicles?

PROFESSOR LEUNG PING-CHUNG, CHAIRMAN OF THE PUBLIC HEALTH SELECT COMMITTEE, replied as follows (in English): At last I have got an easy question to answer! This two-part question concerns the monitoring of services provided by private refuse collection vehicles. The first part asks about the outcome of the deliberations of the Public Health Select Committee on a survey of these vehicles conducted by the Department.

A report on this survey prepared by the Department was considered by the Public Health Select Committee at its meeting last September, that is September 1994. The report found that the environmental nuisances caused by private refuse collection vehicles were relatively minor and most of them could be easily rectified. It concluded during that meeting that existing legislative controls were already sufficiently comprehensive having regard to the current mode and scale of operation of private waste collectors and private refuse collecting vehicles. It considered further control measures such as licensing of private refuse collecting vehicles as unnecessary, at the moment.

Having noted these findings, Members of the Public Health Select Committee made a number of suggestions. They included giving advice to owners and operators of private refuse collection vehicles on the preferred waste collection practices to minimise environmental nuisances, close monitoring of the performance of these private refuse collectors and the launching of more publicity efforts to increase public awareness of nuisance caused by private refuse collectors.

Following these suggestions, the Department has prepared and distributed to owners and operators of private refuse collection vehicles a set of guidelines on proper waste handling methods. Posters and hand-outs are also being prepared for distribution to educate the public on the proper way of handling domestic waste. Consideration will also be given to the production of a TV API to heighten public awareness in this area as part of the Keep Hong Kong Clean Campaign publicity programme in 1995/96.

Mr. YOUNG's second question refers to whether the Department will make regular inspections to ensure hygienic standards and cleanliness of private refuse collection vehicles. The cleansing supervisory staff of the Department have in fact always been closely monitoring the performance of private refuse collection vehicles as part of their normal day-to-day duties. They also frequently inspect the waste storage and loading areas for these private collection vehicles to prevent and eradicate any unhygienic practices. These efforts by departmental staff will be maintained and stepped up where necessary in specific locations.

Page 8 of 485

HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL

Page 8 of 485

233

MR. PAUL YOUNG TZE-KONG (in English):—Mr. Chairman, I think as we have only a month or two to go, it's a bit difficult to ensure that follow-up action will be carried through. But I hope the Chairman of the Select Committee can look at whether it is possible to ask the Department to further consider the possibility of licensing the service. It is because monitoring does not empower the Department to inspect the vehicles. The last part of your answer says that the Department will only inspect the storage area but not the vehicle itself. For hygiene purposes and to safeguard the health of the public, I think it is necessary to look at the licensing possibility and inspection. Is it possible that the Chairman can look at this?

PROFESSOR LEUNG PING-CHUNG (in English):—I think Mr. YOUNG's voice is heard in this Council and Mr. YOUNG's voice will be heard in the Department. Mr. YOUNG, like myself, now serving as a Councillor, will also serve as a concerned and honorary citizen.

5. THE HON. LI WAH-MING asked the following question (in Cantonese):-In view of the unsatisfactory bidding of stalls in the Lunar New Year fairs, I would like to ask:

(a) What are the total numbers of unlet dry goods stalls and wet goods stalls in this year's fairs? How does the situation compare with that of last year? Are the average successful bids lower than those of last year?

(b) Has the Department reviewed the reasons for the poor response to the bidding of stalls in this year's Lunar New Year fairs?

(c) It has been recently reported that some individuals have made profits by bidding for over 10 stalls and then sub-letting them to others. Has the Department detected such incidents and, if so, what can be done to prevent monopoly and speculation in these stalls?

MR. IP KWOK-CHUNG, CHAIRMAN OF THE MARKETS AND STREET TRADERS SELECT COMMITTEE replied as follows (in Cantonese): This question is in three parts and concerns the letting out of stalls in the Lunar New Year fairs.

The first part of the question asks about the auction results of this year's Lunar New Year fairs and how they compare with those of last year. In this Lunar New Year fair, out of the 1 446 stalls provided, a total of 1 246 stalls were let out. 39 dry goods stalls and 158 wet goods stalls were unlet. The overall occupancy and vacancy rates were 86% and 14% respectively. Last year, a total of 1 444 stalls were provided out of which 1 307 stalls were let out. So, only 137 wet goods stalls were unlet. The occupancy rate was 90.5% and the vacancy rate 9.5%. As regards bidding prices, the average bidding price for the dry goods stalls and wet goods stalls in the fairs this year are $3,490 and $3,950 respectively. The average bidding price was 9.2% higher than that of last year.

Page 8 of 485