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will look more and more to the New Territories for their recreation, and I shall be glad to bring your remarks to the attention of Government.
MR. SALES: -Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
MR. A. de O. SALES asked the following question:-
(a) With the approach of the swimming season, will you please assure this Council that the Urban Services Department has carried out in the beaches in the urban areas as well as in the New Territories, all such improvements as may be reasonably expected?
(b) How many new beaches have been provided with changing or toilet facilities?
(c) What other improvements have been made?
(d) What measures are being taken to reduce the danger of pollution?
THE CHAIRMAN replied as follows:-
Yes, Sir, I can assure you that by the time the swimming season opens next month the Department will have completed its winter works programme and that all the beaches in both the urban area and the New Territories will be in good order. All life-saving equipment will have been overhauled, paths and steps repaired, beach huts redecorated, rocks removed, and all the beach areas thoroughly cleaned.
The answer to the second part of the question is that all 30 scheduled bathing beaches in the urban area and the New Territories are provided with latrines, while 14 are also provided with public changing facilities. In this connexion I think, Sir, that you would wish me to affirm that it is the Council's policy to provide more and better toilet and changing facilities for beach users.
Regarding the third part of the question, I am glad to say that two new Composite Beach Buildings will shortly be completed. The one at Stanley Main Beach includes a refreshment kiosk, a first aid room and toilet facilities. The second, at Repulse Bay Beach, provides first aid and life-saving facilities; it should be completed by mid-summer. Other Composite Beach Buildings are planned for Shek O, Big Wave Bay, St. Stephen's, Silverstrand, Clearwater Bay and Lido Beaches.
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Among the many other improvements which have been made are the removal of large quantities of rocks from Big Wave Bay and St. Stephen's Beaches, the replacement of bamboo floats by plastic floats at 19 additional beaches, for the purpose of demarcating the safe bathing areas, and the provision of a raft at Ting Kau beach for the first time. Work is also in progress on the diversion of stream courses at Middle Bay and South Bay Beaches so as to prevent beach erosion.
Regarding the last part of the question, the Department's own beach staff will, if necessary, step up on-the-spot action to remove floating refuse and other debris which may pollute the beaches. Members are aware, I think, that the Marine Department is intensifying its harbour scavenging service, and that the Public Works Department has completed the boom at Gin Drinker's Bay. I doubt whether we can improve conditions at Lai Chi Kok Beach and I propose to ask the Urban Amenities Select Committee shortly to consider, once more, steps to warn the public against bathing there.
MR. SALES: Mr. Chairman, may I ask whether your Department has carried out the necessary improvements at Deep Water Bay, which have been the subject of representations in Select Committee?
CHAIRMAN: -Sir, it is my impression that the representations which you made in the Select Committee, of which you yourself are the Chairman, were voiced very recently and were on the subject of better drainage on the road at Deep Water Bay and in the nullah. I am not aware that the improvements have yet been carried out, but I am sure that they will be attended to by the Public Works Department.
DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS: -Mr. Chairman, this is the first time that I have heard of this matter, but now that it has been brought to my attention I will be very pleased to look into it. I have little doubt that it is already being attended to without my knowledge.
MR. SALES: -Mr. Chairman, I wish to thank you and, through you, the Director of Public Works. I am sure that the attention which he has brought in the past to bear on other subjects will likewise correct the position at Deep Water Bay. May I then go on to the second supplementary and that is this: Has your Department carried out a survey of other beaches which could be opened for public use or otherwise developed in a manner which would induce the public to use them?
CHAIRMAN: I do not think, Sir, that such a survey has yet been carried out. I have a recollection of answering a question on this subject some time ago in this Council, and I think that the opinion
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