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MR. JOSEPH CHAN YUEK-SUT (in Cantonese):—Mr. Chairman, it is very dangerous to simply issue licenses to seawater suppliers to ensure that seawater in food establishments are up to world health standards. This is because we must be able to gather sufficient information and justifications before we can make such judgment. If we just take a decision at whim and devise a policy on that basis and ask the Department to take enforcement action, it would be a waste of public funds if the policy cannot be enforced or the objective cannot be achieved despite a lot of resources input. The public would be adversely affected.
As regards monitoring the quality of water kept in food establishments, we have already got adequate deterrent measures to safeguard public health. If we want to conform with international or World Health Organisation's standard, then 100 ml of seawater should not contain more than 610 ecoli or other infected diseases. Since July 1994 the Department has made over 2,700 examinations in respect of tank water in food establishments. The results showed that 13 cases could not meet the required standard and we have taken out prosecutions against these food establishments. Only 5% of the establishments being examined did not conform to the required standards. The situation is considered to be satisfactory.
Chairman (in Cantonese):—Mr. Chan, I am sorry that I have to stop you because what you are talking only relates to the original motion. Now there is a dilatory motion which was proposed by Mr. CHAN Noi-yue and seconded by Mr. CHIANG Sai-cheong. The motion proposes to refer the matter to the Public Health Select Committee for deliberation. You can only speak on whether you will support the dilatory motion or not. You should not speak on the original motion.
Mr. Joseph Chan Yuek-sut (in Cantonese):— I think there is nothing wrong with our present system and I think we need to take a more cautious approach. We should gather more information and we need to ask the Department to prepare a detailed paper and provide sufficient information stating the pros and cons of the proposal so that we can have a detailed discussion on the matter. By so doing, public health can be better protected. Mr. Chairman, I support the dilatory motion.
Chairman (in Cantonese):—Members are asked to speak for or against on the dilatory motion.
MR. LEE Kwok-keung (in Cantonese):—I think there is a Select Committee responsible for every subject matter under discussion in the Council. If all motions raised by Members have to be referred back to the respective Select Committee, then in our Council meeting, we cannot possibly have in-depth discussions on issues of public interests or concerns. Mr. To's motion urges the Government to amend the Public Health and Municipal Services Ordinance. If
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HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
75
MR. JOSEPH CHAN YUBK-SUT (in Cantonese):-Mr. Chairman, it is very dangerous to simply issue licenses to seawater suppliers to ensure that scawater in food establishments are up to world health standards. This is because we must be able to gather sufficient information and justifications before we can make such judgment. If we just take a decision at whim and devise a policy on that basis and ask the Department to take enforcement action, it would be a waste of public funds if the policy cannot be enforced or the objective cannot be achieved despite a lot of resources input. The public would be adversely affected.
As regards monitoring the quality of water kept in food establishments, we have already got adequate deterent measures to safeguard public health. If we want to conform with international or World Health Organisation's standard. then 100 ml of seawater should not contain more than 610 ecoli or other infected diseases. Since July 1994 the Department has made over 2 700 exami- nations in respect of tank water in food establishments. The results showed that 13 cases could not meet the required standard and we have taken out prosecutions against these food establishments. Only 5% of the establishments being examined did not confirm to the required standards. The situation is considered to be satisfactory.
Chairman (in Cantonese):—Mr. Chan, I am sorry that I have to stop you because what you are talking only relates to the original motion. Now there is a dilatory motion which was proposed by Mr. CHAN Noi-yue and seconded by Mr. CHIANG Sai-cheong. The motion proposes to refer the matter to the Public Health Select Committee for deliberation. You can only speak on whether you will support the dilatory motion or not. You should not speak on the original motion.
Mr. Joseph Chan Yuek-sut (in Cantonese);- I think there is nothing wrong with our present system and I think we need to take a more cautious approach. We should gather more information and we need to ask the Department to prepare a detailed paper and provide sufficient information stating the pros and cons of the proposal so that we can have a detailed discussion on the matter. By so doing, public health can be better protected. Mr. Chairman, I support the dilatory motion.
Chairman (in Cantonese):—Members are asked to speak for or against on the dilatory motion.
MR. LEE Kwok-keung (in Cantonese):—I think there is a Select Committee responsible for every subject matter under discussion in the Council. If all motions raised by Members have to be referred back to the respective Select Committee, then in our Council meeting, we cannot possibly have in-depth discussions on issues of public interests or concerns. Mr. To's motion urges the Government to amend the Public Health and Municipal Services Ordinance. If
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