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adequate outdoor recreational facilities for the residents of the urban area. It follows that many facilities may have to be provided in the New Territories if they are to be provided at all. Undoubtedly the policy decisions which have yet to be taken on the Gill Survey on Recreation for Young People and the Talbot Report on Conservation of the Hong Kong Countryside will have a bearing on this matter.
Both Mr. GILL and Dr. TALBOT had discussions with Members of the Urban Council, and, in furtherance of the wishes of the Urban Amenities Select Committee, I have asked the Colonial Secretary if both reports could be referred to the Council.
MR. SALES: Thank you, Sir. Has Government accepted as a matter of policy that open space must be found in the New Territories for use by urban dwellers?
CHAIRMAN: Sir, I would ask your indulgence to check the point and reply in writing as soon as possible.
MR. SALES: Thank you, Sir.
MR. CHEONG-LEEN: In respect of this question concerning open spaces in the New Territories, did you seek and obtain permission from the Colonial Secretary to reply to Mr. SALES?
CHAIRMAN: The terms of the reply, Sir, were discussed with an officer of the appropriate seniority in the Colonial Secretariat.
MR. CHEONG-LEEN: And that being the case Mr. Chairman, I hope that this precedent will be consistently followed in future by Government.
MR. SALES: Mr. Chairman. Can an assurance be given to this Council that any or all recommendations made by the Gill Report will not be implemented without the Council having been given a chance to consider the recommendations?
CHAIRMAN: On that point, Sir, I can only say that the implementation of the Gill Report is receiving the close attention of the Colonial Secretary.
MR. SALES: Sir, because the Urban Council is the statutory body for playgrounds in urban areas, will you seek an assurance from Government that no recommendations at all will be put into effect without this Council being first consulted so that our own plans would not be prejudiced in consequence?
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CHAIRMAN: In view of the obviously close and intense interest of this Council in the provision of public amenities, I find it extremely difficult to believe that this Council will not be consulted in connexion with the implementation of the Gill Report.
MR. SALES: Sir, because of the time that has elapsed since the Gill Report was submitted to Government, this Council may well be forgiven for having misgivings about Government's intentions. Can you seek an assurance from Government that this Council will not be set aside on the recommendation of any other Government department?
CHAIRMAN: Sir, certain views on the Gill Report were forwarded by me to Government, and I have no doubt, that they will receive consideration.
MR. SALES: Why should Government submit this report to other departments without also seeking the views of the Urban Council at least at the same time, having in view the fact that the Urban Council is a statutory body for pleasure grounds in urban areas?
CHAIRMAN: Perhaps you will excuse me if I decline to give an expression of opinion.
MR. SALES: No request was made for an expression of opinion. I was asking you to seek an assurance from Government that such a step would not be taken by Government, because in the view of many people in Hong Kong who know what is required in the way of recreational facilities, Government should be prevented from making a mistake in this regard. A very serious mistake indeed.
(8) MR. A. de O. SALES asked the following question:
Will you please give this Council a progress report on the projected multipurpose indoor stadium?
THE CHAIRMAN replied as follows:
In November 1964 the Urban Amenities Select Committee appointed a sub-committee to consider and plan the projected multi-purpose indoor stadium. This sub-committee, which includes both Urban Councillors and senior officers of the Public Works, Commerce and Industry, Education and Urban Services Departments, has so far held seven meetings under the chairmanship of Mr. Wilson WANG. Further regular meetings are scheduled for the coming months.
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