Page 406 of 498
oo of 498
450
# HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
open/restricted auctions in order to reduce resiting commitment upon their redevelopment.
The fourth part of the question asks what measures are adopted by the Department to improve the current vacancy situation. The Markets and Street Traders Select Committee is currently conducting a review on the IHL Compulsory Detention Policy which would have implications on the freezing of market stalls for selection by the IHL holders. Depending on the outcome of the review, the vacancy situation of the markets might be improved. The Market Sub-Committee is closely monitoring the implementation of various improvement works in the existing markets as an on-going exercise. These improvement measures include promotional activities, improvement of lighting, ventilation and passage circulation, combination of vacant adjacent mini-stalls to form larger stalls, demolition of end walls to enhance openness of the market and addition of signage to attract customers, etc. Recently, a survey has been conducted to all markets by local Councillors in each district to identify possible improvement measures to further promote market viability. The results of the survey will be presented for consideration by the Market Sub-Committee once analyzed by the Department. In the longer term, the Council has a programme to reprovision old markets with new markets, incorporating modern facilities such as air-conditioning, improved stall size and layout, installation of water scrubber systems and glass panelled market offices.
MR. LEE KWOK-KEUNG (in Cantonese):--Mr. Chairman, according to the recent Audit Report on Urban Council Markets and the resite of IHL holders in markets, in February 1996, a total of 1846 IHL holders handed back their licences and only 116 chose to move into our market stalls. I want to point out that under our policy, all stalls are frozen for selection by the IHL holders. In the last 3 years, we have frozen a lot of stalls but the IHL holders have not chosen them. The topic was discussed many times at the Markets and Traders Select Committee. I would like to ask the Chairman of the Select Committee when the frozen stalls will be released for open tendering in order to reduce loss incurred on the Council.
MR. IP KWOK-CHUNG (in Cantonese):-Concerning the first question about the Audit Report, discussion by the Public Accounts Committee is still pending. So, it is not convenient for me to discuss the figures here. However, there is one point I can reply to Mr. LEE. The Markets and Street Traders Select Committee has instructed the Department to draft a paper on the review of the IHL policy. If there is any change to the policy, solutions to the problem of vacant market stalls will be identified. If the current policy is to be continued, future work directions will be proposed. As we do not want to see vacant stalls, measures to tackle the problem will have to be worked out if the policy is to be discontinued. Of course, I cannot give you a reply right now on how to tackle the problem. We still have to wait for the decision of the
Page 406 of 498
Page 406 of 498
oo of 498
450
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
open/restricted auctions in order to reduce resiting commitment upon their redevelopment.
The fourth part of the question asks what measures are adopted by the Department to improve the current vacancy situation. The Markets and Street Traders Select Committee is currently conducting a review on the IHL Compulsory Detention Policy which would have implications on the freezing of market stalls for selection by the IHL holders. Depending on the outcome of the review, the vacancy situation of the markets might be improved. The Market Sub-Committee is closely monitoring the implementation of various improvement works in the existing markets as an on-going exercise. These improvement measures include promotional activities, improvement of lighting, ventilation and passage circulation, combination of vacant adjacent mini-stalls to form larger stalls, demolition of end walls to enhance openness of the market and addition of signage to attract customers, etc. Recently, a survey has been conducted to all markets by local Councillors in each district to identify possible improvement measures to further promote market viability. The results of the survey will be presented for consideration by the Market Sub-Committee once analyzed by the Department. In the longer term, the Council has a programme to reprovision old markets with new markets. incorporating modern facilities such as air-conditioning, improved stall size and layout, installation of water scrubber systems and glass panelled market offices.
MR. LEE KWOK-KEUNG (in Cantonese):--Mr. Chairman, according to the recent Audit Report on Urban Council Markets and the resite of IHL holders in markets, in February 1996, a total of 1846 IHL holders handed back their licences and only 116 chose to move into our market stalls. I want to point out that under our policy, all stalls are frozen for selection by the IHL holders. In the last 3 years, we have frozen a lot of stalls but the IHL holders have not chosen them. The topic was discussed many times at the Markets and Traders Select Committee. I would like to ask the Chairman of the Select Committee when the frozen stalls will be released for open tendering in order to reduce loss incurred on the Council.
MR. IP KWOK-CHUNG (in Cantonese):-Concerning the first question about the Audit Report, discussion by the Public Accounts Committee is still pending. So, it is not convenient for me to discuss the figures here. However, there is one point I can reply to Mr. LEE. The Markets and Street Traders Select Committee has instructed the Department to draft a paper on the review of the IHL policy. If there is any change to the policy, solutions to the problem of vacant market stalls will be identified. If the current policy is to be continued, future work directions will be proposed., As we do not want to see vacant stalls, measures to tackle the problem will have to be worked out if the policy is to be discontinued. Of course, I cannot give you a reply right now on how to tackle the problem. We still have to wait for the decision of the
Page 406 of 498
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.