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HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
MR. CHEONG-LEEN:- One final supplementary. Since you seem to have made up your mind in your answer, may I ask that this be referred back to the Urban Amenities Select Committee?
CHAIRMAN:- With pleasure.
MR. H. CHEONG-LEEN asked the following question:
"I understand that the development of playground facilities in Ap Lei Chau is partly being held up by the Resettlement Department not yet being able to resettle or resite squatters from sites reserved for playing fields; could the Commissioner for Resettlement advise how soon action could be taken in this respect?"
THE COMMISSIONER FOR RESETTLEMENT replied as follows:
"I understand that the following playgrounds are planned at Ap Lei Chau:
(a) A covered playground and library
(b) A miniature football pitch
(c) A basket-ball court
(d) A children's playground
The sites for the first two of these projects are clear of squatters. The site of the basket-ball court has about 5 squatter huts on it. The Public Works Department is at present investigating possible resite areas for these squatters, and provided that a suitable one can be found it should be possible to clear the site with little or no delay. There are about 40 structures on the site of the children's playground. No arrangements have been made to clear this site as I have been informed by the Public Works Department that the allocation to the Urban Services Department of this site, which is on the foreshore, is still provisional."
MR. CHEONG-LEEN:- A supplementary, Mr. Chairman. In the second paragraph it is stated that the Public Works Department is at present investigating possible resite areas for these squatters. Has any indication so far been given up to this present moment that a suitable site may be found in the very near future?
COMMISSIONER FOR RESETTLEMENT:- I have no final answer at the moment, but I have no doubt a suitable site will be found.
MR. CHEONG-LEEN:- In the very near future?
COMMISSIONER FOR RESETTLEMENT:- In the fairly near future.
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MR. H. CHEONG-LEEN asked the following question:
"I understand that Government is proposing at some time in future to assign a Public Information Officer to the Urban Council; does the Chairman know if and when such Public Information Officer will be assigned to Council; can the Chairman give an assurance that he has made, or will make representations to Government to ensure that Council is given proper priority in obtaining the services of such an Information Officer?"
MR. A. de O. SALES asked the following question:
"(a) Is the Chairman prepared to set up a Publicity/Public Information/Public Relations Select Committee to study the whole question of the Council's public relations? (b) Should members not be directly concerned in framing the actual policy which the Council should follow in this regard?"
CHAIRMAN:- With the permission of Mr. Cheong-Leen and Mr. Sales I would like to answer both questions 4 and 5 together, as they are similar.
I understand that the Director of Information Services has in hand an expansion programme but I know very little about the details. I have his assurance, however, that the Council's activities will not be neglected. I certainly have no knowledge of any specific proposal to assign a Public Information Officer to this Council.
With regard to Mr. Sales' question I agree that Members should be directly concerned in framing the policy on publicity as on all other matters with which the Council is legitimately concerned. However much I might be prepared to set up a select committee to study the subject I cannot do so, for that is the prerogative of the Council under Section 59 of the Urban Council Ordinance and Standing Order No. 22. I do not myself consider it essential that the subject be considered by a select committee, and would suggest that if members wish to pursue the question it would be appropriate to appoint a sub-committee of the Standing Committee of the Whole Council to go into the issue.
I feel bound to say, however, that there would appear to be no reason why each select committee of the Council should not decide to what matters publicity is to be given, and thereafter seek the assistance of the Director of Information Services in facilitating publication to the public."
MR. SALES:- I yield my right to ask supplementary questions to Mr. Cheong-Leen first.
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