HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
of the premises from the Land Registry, which will take about a month. The Nuisance Notice will then be issued to the owner giving him two weeks to abate the nuisance. If these extra steps have to be taken, this will mean an additional 40 odd days to deal with the complaint.
Moreover, in situations where water dripping occurs only at night and more than one air-conditioner in a multi-storey building are involved, the spotting of which air-conditioner is causing the nuisance can be very difficult and time consuming. Generally speaking, these difficult cases may take two to three months to complete. Notwithstanding this, the complainant will be kept informed of the progress and result of the investigation all along.
Mr. Chan Choi-hi (in Cantonese):—There are in fact a lot of procedures described in paragraphs 6 to 8 and a long period of time is required. I want to ask if the Chairman of the Select Committee will consider training some Foremen or other public health staff to handle some of these procedures in addition to our Health Inspectors. In fact, from what we see, one such case can take up a lot of time. I therefore think this suggestion is worth considering.
Mr. Joseph Chan Yuek-sut (in Cantonese):—Our records show that the problem does not lie in manpower. If we do encounter manpower problem, we can consider whether to train up some Foremen. At present, Health Inspectors are authorized to enter domestic premises without having to obtain a warrant beforehand. If such authorization is extended to Foremen as well, we may have to report and apply to the authorities concerned. Besides, as Foremen are of a more junior rank, there may be inconveniences in communicating with householders and their handling of cases. Usually, householders are more cooperative with trained Health Inspectors in uniform. When Health Inspectors knock their doors, most householders would not refuse to open. There are relatively few cases of householders refusing to open doors.
Mr. Chan Choi-hi (in Cantonese):—I would like to ask if the Chairman of the Select Committee is aware of a pilot scheme introduced in the last few years for Foremen to inspect water-dripping from air-conditioners? I believe a report on this is available. Will it be distributed to us through Mr. Chan after the meeting?
Mr. Joseph Chan Yuek-sut (in Cantonese):—Mr. Chan Choi-hi knows better than I do. If there is such a report, I will ask the Secretariat to distribute copies to Members for inspection.
Mr. Wu Chi-wai (in Cantonese):—Mr. Chairman, I have not received a reply from Mr. Chan concerning part four of my question. I don't know why. Secondly, I would like to mention that water will be found dripping from air-conditioners only when they are in use. In other words, paragraph 8 of the reply should state that water dripping from air-conditioners is a regular feature. We have reason to suspect that most cases are difficult and will take some two to
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of the premises from the Land Registry, which will take about a month. The Nuisance Notice will then be issued to the owner giving him two weeks 10 abate the nuisance. If these extra steps have to be taken, this will mean an additional 40 odd days to deal with the complaint.
Moreover, in situations where water dripping occurs only at night and more than one air-conditioner in a multi-storey building are involved, the spotting of which air-conditioner is causing the nuisance can be very difficult and time consuming. Generally speaking, these difficult cases may take two to three months to complete. Notwithstanding this, the complainant will be kept informed of the progress and result of the investigation all along.
Mr. Chan Chot-hi (in Cantonese):-There are in fact a lot of procedures described in paragraphs 6 to 8 and a long period of time is required. I want to ask if the Chairman of the Select Committee will consider training some Foremen or other public health staff to handle some of these procedures in addition to our Health Inspectors. In fact, from what we see, one such case can take up a lot of time. I therefore think this suggestion is worth considering.
MR. JOSEPH CHAN YUEK-SUT (in Cantonese):—Our records show that the problem does not lie in manpower. If we do encounter manpower problem, we can consider whether to train up some Foremen. At present, Health Inspectors are authorized to enter domestic premises without having to obtain a warrant beforehand. If such authorization is extended to Foremen as well, we may have to report and apply to the authorities concerned. Besides, as Foremen are of a more junior rank, there may be inconveniences in communicating with householders and their handling of cases. Usually, householders are more cooperative with trained Health Inspectors in uniform. When Health Inspectors knock their doors, most householders would not refuse to open. There are relatively few cases of householders refusing to open doors.
MR. CHAN CHOI-HI (in Cantonese):—I would like to ask if the Chairman of the Select Committee is aware of a pilot scheme introduced in the last few years for Foremen to inspect water-dripping from air-conditioners? I believe a report on this is available. Will it be distributed to us through Mr. CHAN after the meeting?
MR. JOSEPH CHAN YUEK-SUT (in Cantonese): -Mr. CHAN Choi-hi knows better than I do. If there is such a report, I will ask the Secretariat to distribute copies to Members for inspection,
MR. WU CHI-WAI (in Cantonese):—Mr. Chairman, I have not received a reply from Mr. CHAN concerning part four of my question. I don't know why. Secondly, I would like to mention that water will be found dripping from air- conditioners only when they are in use. In other words, paragraph 8 of the reply should state that water dripping from air-conditioners is a regular feature. We have reason to suspect that most cases are difficult and will take some two to
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