Replies to LegCo questions

LCQ11: Regulation of private swimming pools

     Following is a question by the Hon Fred Li and a written reply by the Secretary for Health, Welfare and Food, Dr Yeoh Eng-kiong, in the Legislative Council today (May 12):

 

Question:

 

     At present, the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department is responsible for the licensing work for private swimming pools, while the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) is responsible for the management of public swimming pools.  Besides, the qualification required of lifeguards at private swimming pools is lower than those for their counterparts at public swimming pools.  In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:

 

(a)  of the current number of licensed private swimming pools; and

 

(b)  whether it will consider amending the legislation to set higher qualification requirements for lifeguards at private swimming pools to bring them in line with those for lifeguards at public swimming pools, and transferring the licensing work for private swimming pools to LCSD so that the regulation of private and public swimming pools will be under the charge of one government department?

 

Reply:

 

(a)  Under the Swimming Pools Regulation (Cap 132 sub. leg.), private swimming pools which serve more than 20 residential units and which are accessible to the public require a swimming pool licence from the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD).  As at March 31, 2004, FEHD has issued a total of 863 swimming pool licences to private swimming pools.  In circumstances such as a clubhouse of a housing estate having more than one pool, only one licence is required to cover the pools in that premises.

 

(b)  As public swimming pools and private swimming pools have different usage rates and serve different clientele, the existing qualification requirements for respective lifeguards are not the same.  At present, the attendance of the public swimming pools managed by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) is in the region of ten millions each year.  LCSD has therefore set a different standard on the lifesaving competency of their lifeguards in order to ensure the safety of the large number of swimmers at public swimming pools.  As for private swimming pools, FEHD reviews the licensing conditions including the qualification requirement for lifeguards from time to time.  FEHD is the appropriate authority in the context of water quality and safety.  There is an issue of conflict of roles if LCSD operates and regulates at the same time.

 

Ends/Wednesday, May 12, 2004

NNNN