Press Releases
Government responds to PAC report on management of public markets
In response to media enquiries on the report of the Legislative Council
Public Accounts Committee (PAC) on the management of public markets, a
spokesman for the Food and Health Bureau said today (February 18) the bureau
and the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) noted the views of
the PAC and would diligently follow up on its recommendations.
Responding to the usage of public markets, the spokesman said: "We have been
closely monitoring the provision and operation of public markets. We briefed
the Panel on Food Safety and Environmental Hygiene of the Legislative
Council last November on the outcome of our policy review on the provision
of public markets.
"On planning of new public markets, we proposed to revise the planning
standards and guidelines for the provision of public markets such that
future planning of new public markets will be considered on a case-by-case
basis, taking into account a host of relevant factors such as demographic
mix, the provision of other retail outlets, infrastructural support and
result of opinion surveys where appropriate."
The spokesman said: "On the positioning and functions of public markets, as
mentioned in the public hearing of the PAC, a review on public market policy
and a patronage survey will be completed in mid-2009 with a view to
identifying and assessing areas in the existing policy that needed to be
finetuned and the outcome will be reported to the PAC and the relevant Legco
Panel.
"In this regard, the FEHD will conduct a patronage survey and a customer
opinion survey starting next month to ascertain whether the markets are
providing an active service to the community. The Government will base on
views collated to explore feasible improvement measures to enhance the
viability and utilisation of public markets.
"The FEHD plans to organise several district forums on public market in the
second half of this year. Members of district councils, area committees and
other stakeholders will be invited to discuss feasible measures to improve
public market operation and design concepts of new public markets.
"As for market stall rentals and charges, we will put up for LegCo Panel's
consideration as soon as practicable a suitable and aligned rental
adjustment mechanism."
On the management of public markets, the FEHD has been taking positive steps
to improve the operation and management of public markets. The bureau will
continue to provide policy steer to the department and monitor its progress.
Starting from February, the FEHD has lowered the upset prices for tendering
of those market stalls which have remained vacant for six months or more to
attract more potential bidders. The department will be more flexible in
allowing more variation in the provision of services in selected public
markets and will convert some vacant stalls to fit different usages to
enhance markets�� attractiveness.
The spokesman added that the FEHD had committed to stepping up enforcement
against contraventions such as subletting.
The spokesman said: "The FEHD is actively following up on suspected
subletting cases identified by the Director of Audit. Since the release of
the Audit Report, FEHD has terminated four tenancies on account of
subletting and 20 other cases are under investigation. The FEHD will review
and improve the monitoring and investigation procedures for subletting
cases. The department will remain vigilant in enforcing measures to
strengthen deterrence and sanction against such irregularities.
"With regard to market A, the FEHD will consult district council on its way
forward in next month, and based on the outcome of the consultation,
determine the way forward regarding market A. For the time being, the FEHD
has enhanced surveillance of the management work of market A.
"We will regularly report to the PAC and the Panel on Food Safety and
Environmental Hygiene of the Legislative Council on progress."
Ends/Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Issued at HKT 19:22
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