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HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
MR. SALES-Having regard to the views of members of this Council on the Traffic Advisory Committee, do you think that, in the circumstances, this being an example whereby the Council has a member on that Committee and yet the Council has not got the right to discuss plans, that we, as a Council, should withdraw our representative?
CHAIRMAN:-I regret that under Standing Orders I cannot be called upon to put forward an expression of opinion.
MR. SALES--May I commend you on your quick knowledge of Standing Orders. May I suggest that in the future such important matters be also referred to other important organizations other than the Traffic Advisory Committee, for example, the Urban Council.
CHAIRMAN:-What about the Kowloon Residents' Association?
MR. SALES: I thank you for suggesting that. I had it in my mind. Would you refer it to the appropriate Government department?
CHAIRMAN: I don't know which it is, but I am afraid we cannot carry on with any further argument.
MR. A. DE O. SALES asked the following question:
"Is the Chairman in a position to tell this Council whether the use of brighter colours and the introduction of more pleasing architectural designs will be made when old markets are redecorated and new ones built?"
THE CHAIRMAN replied as follows:-
"Members of the Hawkers and Markets Select Committee have, on previous occasions, expressed interest in variations of colour schemes and their comments have been brought to the notice of the Architectural Office of the Public Works Department.
I have every reason to believe that when old markets are redecorated, improvements to the colour scheme will be made, consistent with the use of colours and materials which will neither deteriorate nor show the dirt so quickly that they will require excessive recurrent expenditure. I am satisfied that when new markets are built, the architectural design will reflect the remarkably high standards of architectural construction which are set by the Chief Architect of the Public Works Department and his assistants."
MR. SALES: Thank you for your complete reply. May I ask whether the Public Works Department supports this reply?
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
CHAIRMAN:-I regret that I must rule that question out of order.
MR. SALES: -May it be minuted that I asked that question?
CHAIRMAN :—Yes.
MR. SALES: -Mr. Chairman, are you aware of Committee Paper No. 19/24/58-59 of the Markets Executive Select Committee?
CHAIRMAN:-I should think so.
MR. SALES: --May I have your permission to read it?
CHAIRMAN:-I would rather not.
MR. SALES: -Because this is relevant to my question. Or would you like to muzzle me? (Laughter).
CHAIRMAN: -You are muzzled.
MR. SALES: -May it be minuted that I am muzzled?
CHAIRMAN :—Yes.
MR. CHEONG-LEEN:---Would it be appropriate for Mr. Sales to be consulted as to the aesthetic taste of designs and colours?
MR. SALES: —I deplore Mr. Cheong-Leen's ignorance. (Laughter). It was I who moved on 20th November, 1958 that the Urban Council be consulted as to architectural designs and colours and the Public Works Department stated that we, as a department, could not be consulted.
MR. ERNEST C. WONG asked the following question:
“I was given to understand that the Government will impose control over and promulgate a regulation governing the air-conditioning at public places. May I know when the regulation will be announced and enforced?
THE CHAIRMAN replied as follows:
"There is a long history to this question so far as the Council is concerned. In 1956 a select committee of this Council was appointed to advise the Council whether by-laws to control air conditioning were necessary, and, if so, to put before the Council by-laws for this purpose.
This select committee had the advice of a sub-committee of experts, and it was decided that by-laws were necessary for the control of air conditioning in public places. The
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