The Government is reviewing options to resolve problems at the Yau Ma Tei Fruit Market, the Health, Welfare & Food Bureau says.

The Director of Audit's Report No. 48, released today, has examined the Government's economy, efficiency and effectiveness in managing fresh food wholesale markets, covering issues relating to the letting of market facilities, management and outsourcing of markets, reprovisioning of outdated wholesale markets, and other related improvement areas.

It has recommended the Government expedite its review of responsibility for the construction of wholesale food markets.

Review underway

In response, the bureau said the review with relevant departments is underway, with due consideration of the overall economic policy, the present day needs of Hong Kong and other factors.

Relevant parties, including the concerned Legislative Council Panel and the relevant district councils, will be kept informed and consulted on the proposals in due course, it said.

As at September 30, 2006, the city's three wholesale markets had an overall vacancy rate of 11%. The report recommends that the Director of Agriculture, Fisheries & Conservation take measures to boost the use of the facilities in different wholesale markets.

The bureau said the department is following up with  relevant departments on alternative uses of vacant market facilities.

Rental guidelines under revision

The department is also working to improve the rent-collection procedures and revising the rental guidelines.

It has strengthened the site management of the Cheung Sha Wan Wholesale Food Market and Western Wholesale Food Market.

Management guidelines and the inspection manual are undergoing revision to strengthen compliance checking and tenancy-term enforcement. It is also exploring the feasibility of automating the entry-registration system.

A new set of performance measures to assess the  department's effectiveness and efficiency in discharging its duties in managing government wholesale markets are also in development.