Press Releases
Remarks by SHWF on backyard poultry and court ruling on claims by public doctors
Following is a transcript (English portion) of remarks made by the Secretary for
Health, Welfare and Food, Dr York Chow, at a media session at the Legislative
Council Building today (March 1):
Reporter: Can I have your reaction to the High Court's ruling?
Dr Chow: First of all, we respect the judgment of the court. Certainly, I think
this is an opportunity now for the Hospital Authority to communicate with the
public doctors to settle on the working conditions and hopefully to improve
their morale. I think the working conditions of young doctors, particularly, has
always been an issue that needs to be settled.
Reporter: Would you ask the new Chief Executive of the Hospital Authority to
conduct an urgent review on doctors' working hours?
Dr Chow: I think the Hospital Authority has conducted a review on the working
conditions and working hours of young doctors recently. They have also been
engaging with the Public Doctors' Association on a regular basis. So I think the
Chief Executive of course needs to take up the role of the main communicator and
contact person with the Public Doctors' Association. I'm sure that he would take
time to understand the situation and also to implement suitable policy for the
future.
Reporter: Now there is a judicial review launched against the Government on
backyard farming, would you reconsider paying farmers of backyard poultry for
compensation?
Dr Chow: I think the legal argument on compensation has been very clear, as far
as the Government is concerned. We would not like to comment any further since
the case is now in court. I don't think we should comment until there is a
judgment.
Reporter: I just don't understand that the number of backyard poultry is very
small, why doesn't the Government pay off the farmers?
Dr Chow: I don't want to comment now because the case is already in court. I
don't think my comment will be fair at this stage.
(Please also refer to the
Chinese portion of the transcript.)
Ends/Wednesday, March 1, 2006
Issued at HKT 14:00
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