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HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
have been reconsidered with the Superintendent of Crown Lands, the Commissioner for Resettlement (part of whose Shek Kip Mei Estate is involved) and the Chief Engineer, Roads Office. It is hoped, however, that there will be no further delays in implementing the plan already approved by Select Committee.
Dr. R. H. S. LEE asked the following question :-
"Will the Chairman go into the delay in providing proper recreational areas for the residents of Ap Lei Chau who are patiently waiting their construction?"
THE CHAIRMAN replied as follows:
"This concerns playground amenities in Ap Lei Chau Island. Following your Council question in August last year concerning Ap Lei Chau's need for playground facilities, the Crown Lands and Surveys Office was contacted and advised that an extension and revision of the existing outline development plan for that area was in preparation and that this new plan would incorporate areas for open space and other community purposes. When this plan was received in October, consultations were then necessary between the Hon. Secretary for Chinese Affairs, Hon. Director of Public Works and the Urban Services Department. Towards the end of April this year, it appeared that all problems connected with the layout of the various playgrounds had been resolved and on 14th May a draft Committee paper was forwarded for comments to the Superintendent of Crown Lands and Surveys (with a copy to Hon. Secretary for Chinese Affairs). It is expected that it will be possible to issue this paper soon to the Urban Amenities Select Committee.”
MR. A. DE O. SALES asked the following question:-
"At the conclusion of the Annual Debate last month, you informed this Council that the cost of reprovisioning the Softball Association would be at least $200,000. As I have reason to believe that much of this sum would have to be spent in any case if the site were to be developed for any other useful purpose, will you please give us a break-down of this figure by way of an itemized statement of costs to show the additional extent to which the Softball Association will benefit from the replacement of grounds?"
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
THE CHAIRMAN replied as follows:-
"This concerns the reprovisioning of the Soft Ball Association which will be required to move from King's Park due to the construction of Queen Elizabeth Hospital.
As far as I am aware Government will meet only the cost of levelling the site and of providing the north-east boundary fence for the Soft-ball Association. I am not at present in a position to state what the cost of levelling will be as distinct from the cost of fencing."
MR. SALES: -May I thank you, Mr. Chairman, for the wealth of information you have given me with your short answer. I would like to clarify that answer, if I may, by asking a supplementary question or two. Am I to understand, Mr. Chairman, that, apart from the relatively small cost of fencing, the sum of $200,000 will be spent on levelling the site to make it useful for the public?
CHAIRMAN: -I regret, Mr. Sales, that I cannot give a reply to this question and I must point out that this question of reprovisioning the Soft-ball Association which, after all, is a private association, is of no direct concern to this Council.
MR. SALES: That is a matter which I think ought to be referred to the Urban Amenities Select Committee because it was dealt with by that Select Committee. There is a difference of opinion between the chair and a very humble and Unofficial member on that score. May I pursue the supplementary questioning? Am I to conclude, Mr. Chairman, that when you replied to me at the annual debate and mentioned that it would cost the public $200,000 to reprovision you were in effect giving a different meaning to your reply than I had indicated when I asked my question? In fact you were drawing a red herring across the matter, were you not? Standing Order 8 notwithstanding?
CHAIRMAN:-This is rather a serious implication to make. I am not in the habit of drawing red herrings across replies.
MR. SALES: -What were you trying to draw across my question?
MR. A. DE O. SALES asked the following question :-
"Will you please inform the public what efforts are being made by the Urban Services Department to abate the mosquito nuisance which seems to have increased considerably this year?"
THE CHAIRMAN replied as follows:-
"This concerns rising complaints of the undue prevalence of mosquitoes in the urban area.
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