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CHAIRMAN:-Sir, I am not aware of any proposal at all to by-pass or undermine or curtail or in any other way interfere with the statutory powers of the Urban Council in the matters to which you refer.
MR. SALES: -If such were the case, could I take it that this answer has not been as carefully drafted as it might have been, as it says clearly that Government is at present reviewing its policy on private recreation grounds and until a new policy has been agreed it is not intended to disturb the present arrangements?
CHAIRMAN: Sir, I can see nothing wrong with the sentence (Laughter).
MR. SALES: Then perhaps, Sir, your logic and mine do not in fact agree, but you gave me the assurance that Government is not undermining, sabotaging, etc. the position of the Urban Council and yet, in the answer that was given to this Council, it is stated categorically that a review is being conducted?
MR. BERNACCHI-If no answers are going to be given to Mr. SALES
MR. SALES: Mr. Chairman, on a point of order, I expect an answer.
CHAIRMAN: -I think Government, Sir, is entitled to review its policy and the words say "until a new policy has been agreed.”
MR. SALES: In other words, the review is taking place independently of the Urban Council? That's all I am trying to establish.
CHAIRMAN: --As far as I know, it has not yet been referred to the Urban Council.
MR. SALES: So it is being conducted independently of the Urban Council, without reference to the Urban Council, because I have no knowledge that this review is taking place and neither have other members of the Council. I am satisfied with your virtual answer to my question.
MR. BERNACCHI-I would refer you, Mr. Chairman, to paragraph 3 of the answer "The remaining area between this sports ground and Moreton Terrace is now being used for the parking of lorries and public cars." Do you mean, or does the Director of Public Works mean by that, that Government has rented out parking space to public car owners because the 1964 Traffic Regulations require parking space for each public car on the road?
DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS:—Mr. Chairman, I cannot answer Mr. BERNACCHI's question exactly, but I have a plan here which does show how the area has been let out on permit and the Traffic Office have 11,000 sq. ft. I think this has been utilized as storage, among other things, and there are certain goods lorries owners who have part of the area on permit. There are 3 or 4 companies which import motor-cars and they use the area for storing their chassis and there is also an area which is let out to 5 or 6 companies which operate taxis or public motorcars. Whether it is as a result of the 1964 legislation I cannot say. I merely have a plan which I could show you which shows who is in occupation.
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MR. BERNACCHI:-And the area used for parking of public cars is the Traffic Office area?
DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS:-Where your hand is on the plan, down that end.
MR. BERNACCHI:-I see. Dollar Motors, Sincere Motors etc., United Taxi Co. Can you answer me whether these permits have gone through the Traffic Office or direct application to Public Works Department?
DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS:-I do not know whether they have gone through the Traffic Office. I could find that out. They are granted as permits for which they are charged the statutory fee. I could check up on whether the Traffic Office have been consulted.
MR. BERNACCHI :-I would be much obliged if you would because the obvious suspicion jumps to my mind and obviously, if it is not true, I want to clear my mind of this suspicion that the Traffic Office is preferring certain public car owners to others which I do not think is a good thing.
MR. LI:-I may be wrong, Sir, but it is my impression that all the public playgrounds are under the control of the Urban Council.
MR. SALES: --Sir, I support Mr. Li Yiu-bor. Knowing the interest which the Urban Council has expressed in the control over the ground surrendered by the Services, why is it that Government capriciously handed over control to the Education Department in order to encourage a fragmentation of authority over playgrounds in the Urban Area?
DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS:-I cannot answer for Government policy, Sir, I'm sorry. On this particular case, I don't know.
MR. SALES: Sir, if the Director of Public Works cannot answer for Government policy, may I have this term 'Government' defined in this Council because it is always the shield behind which the official members hide when questions are pertinent.
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