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HONG KONG PROVISIONAL URBAN COUNCIL
MR. CHRISTOPHER CHUNG SHU-KUN (in Cantonese): I want to follow up on wax burning. I want to ask the Department from which day before the Mid-Autumn Festival this year will special action be taken and on which day after the Mid-Autumn Festival will special action end. What are the daily patrolling hours during the action period?
There are small open spaces in different districts used by very few people on ordinary days. However, when the Mid-Autumn Festival comes, many people go to such places to burn wax and have fun. If mobile teams are to be deployed, how many will there be? Is there a performance pledge in respect of frequency and hours of patrolling for the mobile teams?
Regarding telephone hotline, is there a performance pledge to specify the time required for a patrol team or special team to arrive at the scene?
My last follow-up question is whether the Environmental Health Division would send staff to assist if there is insufficient personnel?
Mr. Ronnie Wong Man-Chiu (in Cantonese): I shall try to answer the four follow-up questions raised by Mr. CHUNG.
I shall respond to the last question first. In fact, there are Departmental guidelines to seek the assistance of and join with the Fire Services Department and the Police in overcoming working difficulties when the need arises.
As for the question on when to take special actions to check wax burning activities, actions have begun already. The special actions will cover the period from early September to after the Mid-Autumn Festival. As for the concrete dates, I shall provide Mr. CHUNG with a schedule after the meeting.
Mr. Chung asked for the number of special teams. I do not have that information in hand, but according to statistics of last year, 700-odd staff members were involved in stepping up patrols in our venues. I believe a similar number will be deployed this year.
As to performance pledges, I would have to check for information. I believe on receipt of a complaint, headquarters will immediately contact the relevant regional office. This way, it won't take too long for a team to arrive at the scene.
MR. CHAN KWOK-LEUNG (in Cantonese): Just now, the Chairman of the Select Committee referred to discrepancies between legislations of this Council and those of the Provisional Regional Council. He also said there would not be any problem in enforcement of legislation. I have my concerns over this. Will the actual situation and enforcement be as we expect? Will the Department refrain from making prosecutions before the Provisional Regional Council initiates an amendment to the wax burning legislation this year and instead just give advice so as to avoid embarrassment?
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Τ ΟΙ 654
228
HONG KONG PROVISIONAL URBAN COUNCIL
MR. CHRISTOPHER CHUNG SHU-KUN (in Cantonese):-/ want to follow up on wax burning. I want to ask the Department from which day before the Mid- Autumn Festival this year will special action be taken and on which day after the Mid-Autumn Festival will special action end. What are the daily patrolling hours during the action period?
There are small open spaces in different districts used by very few people on ordinary days. However, when the Mid-Autumn Festival comes, many people go to such places to burn wax and have fun. If mobile teams are to be deployed, how many will there be? Is there a performance pledge in respect of frequency and hours of patrolling for the mobile teams?
Regarding telephone hotline, is there a performance pledge to specify the time required for a patrol team or special team to arrive at the scene?
My last follow up question is whether the Environmental Health Division would send staff to assist if there is insufficient personnel?
Mr. Ronnie Wong Man-Chiu (in Cantonese):—I shall try to answer the four follow-up questions raised by Mr. CHUNG.
I shall respond to the last question first. In fact, there are Departmental guidelines to seek the assistance of and join with the Fire Services Department and the Police in overcoming working difficulties when the need arises.
As for the question on when to take special actions to check wax burning acitivities, actions have begun already. The special actions will cover the period from early September to after the Mid-Autumn Festival. As for the concrete dates. I shall provide Mr. CHUNG with a schedule after the meeting.
Mr. Chung asked for the number of special teams. I do not have that information in hand, but according to statistics of last year, 700-odd staff members were involved in stepping up patrols in our venues. I believe a similar number will be deployed this year.
As to performance pledges. I would have to check for information. I believe on receipt of a complaint, headquarters will immediately contact the relevant regional office. This way, it won't take too long for a team to arrive at the
scene.
MR. CHAN KWOK-LEUNG (in Cantonese):-Just now, the Chairman of the Select Committee referred to discrepancies between legislations of this Council and those of the Provisional Regional Council. He also said there would not be any problem in enforcement of legislation. I have my concerns over this. Will the actual situation and enforcement be as we expect? Will the Department refrain from making prosecutions before the Provisional Regional Council initiates an antendment to the wax burning legislation this year and instead just give advice so as to avoid embarrassment?
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