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6.
7.
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by the Royal Hong Kong Jockey Club. It was also estimated that the park would cost approximately $1.8 million, that is, $0.3 million more than the amount approved by Finance Committee. In addition, a further $75,000 would be required for the construction of Inverness Road. It was, therefore, necessary to reduce the schedule for the park to a point where the combined cost of park and swimming pool would not exceed the approved $3.5 million, apart from the $75,000 for Inverness Road. The necessary pruning of the schedule for the park was carried out in March 1962.
I am authorized by the Financial Secretary to state that Government has not, at any time, caused deliberate delay, through financial policy, in the completion of the swimming pool.
Regarding the last part of the question, I hope that it will be possible for the outstanding items in the park project for which funds are available to be completed by July 1963.
MR. SALES:
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I yield the floor to my colleagues, should they wish to ask supplementary questions, before I do so myself.
MR. CHEONG-LEEN: Just to start the ball rolling, Mr. Chairman, may I ask for an interpretation of paragraph 6 of the reply as to whether it is correct that there is no deliberate delay through financial policy? Do I understand correctly that from Government's point of view no delay is deliberate—it just happens?
CHAIRMAN: The words in paragraph 6 mean exactly what they say. I regret that you were not present at the last meeting, Sir, when MR. SALES alleged that there was a deliberate delay through financial policy.
MR. CHEONG-LEEN: Mr. Chairman, I asked that supplementary because I remember that about 4 or 5 years ago questions were asked in regard to this particular project.
CHAIRMAN: I am not saying that there has been no delay. What I am anxious to make clear is that there has been no deliberate delay through financial policy.
MR. SALES: Mr. Chairman, is it not a fact that in August 1957 Mr. CHEONG-LEEN put some questions about swimming pools in Kowloon? Would you accept that statement?
CHAIRMAN: I accept that statement.
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MR. SALES: Mr. Chairman, is it not a fact that in January 1958 both Mr. CHEONG-LEEN and I put questions about the swimming pool in Kowloon?
CHAIRMAN: I accept that statement.
MR. SALES: May I, with your permission, Mr. Chairman, quote from the reply given by your predecessor that at that time official circles were already so fully seized with the importance of this development, that he hesitated to say whether any generous financial offer made to Government would necessarily expedite the construction of that pool? Would you accept that statement?
CHAIRMAN: I have seen that statement.
MR. SALES: Mr. Chairman, on 18th March, 1958, the basic requirements of the pool were outlined in a paper, together with the comments of the Education Department and the Public Works Department, and these basic requirements were accepted by the Swimming Pools Select Committee. Were they not, Mr. Chairman?
CHAIRMAN: I understand that that is the case.
MR. SALES: Was it not by memorandum of the 4th September, 1958, that this Council was informed of the Jockey Club donation?
CHAIRMAN: I accept that statement.
MR. SALES: Mr. Chairman, the plans were approved in March 1959, and one year later, in January 1960, Mr. CHEONG-LEEN asked again whether progress had been made, and it was disclosed then that the scheme had not been finalized. Would that not be correct, Mr. Chairman?
CHAIRMAN: That is correct.
MR. SALES: Thank you.
DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS: I do not think that MR. SALES is correct in stating that the plans were approved in March 1959. I understand that they were approved by the Urban Services Department in March 1960.
MR. SALES: Mr. Chairman, may I ask you please to make the relevant extract for your official colleague's information? May I proceed with my supplementary questions? Is it not true then that at a meeting of the Urban Amenities Select Committee on 3rd March, 1961, the Committee deplored the considerable delay that had taken place? May I refer you to paragraph 5 of the minutes of the Urban Amenities Select Committee of 3rd March, 1961? Would you like me to read these minutes?
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