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CHAIRMAN: That point, Sir, has, as far as I am aware, never been challenged.
DR. BELL: In reply to Mr. CHEONG-LEEN on matters which do not concern this Council, perhaps it could be said they are matters which ought to concern this Council, because they are matters which very much concern the people of Hong Kong.
(13) Mr. H. CHEONG-LEEN asked the following question:-
The closing off of Statue Square to permit work to commence on the Statue Square piazza has brought into sharp focus the need for more car park facilities in the Central District:
(a) Can the Chairman inquire from Government what are Government's detailed plans to expand car park facilities in the Central District over the next 5-10 years?
(b) Are such plans considered by Government as flexible and adequate to cope with the annual increase of vehicles in Hong Kong, after the completion of any tunnel or cross-harbour rapid transit system, with the resultant tendency to concentrate more vehicle traffic within the Central District?
MR. A. de O. SALES, CHAIRMAN OF THE URBAN AMENITIES SELECT COMMITTEE, replied as follows:-
Since the preamble to the question mentions the new Statue Square garden, may I point out for the record that the loss of 160 metered parking spaces in Statue Square has been very largely offset by the creation of 148 spaces in the new Blake Pier Open-air Car Park. This decrease of 12 car spaces is surely a small price to pay for a public square which, with its trees, flowers and illuminated fountains, will give pleasure to many people each year. It will also fill a need for open space in the Central District which could be used by the people at all times. Your request for information about Government's long term plans for parking facilities in the Central District has been transmitted to the Colonial Secretary. I expect that this Council will be informed of the outcome of the current review of parking policy on which the Council was recently consulted. The Council has always taken a close interest in parking and other traffic matters so any suggestion you may have, will be studied carefully, for sure.
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MR. CHEONG-LEEN: Mr. Chairman, before I ask a supplementary question, could I explain to the Chairman of the Urban Amenities Select Committee that I am in favour of the Public Square at Statue Square. That has never been in question, but I would like you, Mr. Chairman, or any of your official colleagues, to answer this supplementary. Is it realized that even though the decrease of car places may only be twelve, in view of the increasing number of cars which are seeking car parking spaces in the urban areas, that this is quite a serious matter to motorists who have to come to office every morning, and who quite often spend half an hour or even more to find parking spaces. Is anything been done, in the short term, to resolve that situation?
CHAIRMAN: Sir, I would have to look into your question and let you have the answer later.
MR. CHEONG-LEEN: I appreciate that, Sir, and I presume that you appreciate the gravity of the situation as far as the ordinary motorist is concerned.
CHAIRMAN: The answer is in the affirmative.
MR. CHEONG-LEEN: Thank you.
MR. BERNACCHI: Mr. Chairman, Mr. SALES. Was the first draft of the answer prepared by the Urban Services Department? (Laughter).
MR. SALES: Sir, may I answer that? In keeping with the policy advocated by Mr. BERNACCHI, all draft answers are prepared by the Urban Services Department and submitted to the Chairman of the Select Committee concerned, and we have made it a practice that the Chairmen of the Select Committees should answer questions pertaining to their own Committee. If Mr. BERNACCHI is interested in seeing the draft and my own additions, we will be delighted to show him, because the original draft was not as it is now put before this Council. Much of the addition in respect to policy was introduced unofficially. (Laughter).
MR. BERNACCHI: Then was the expression "and other traffic matters" put in the original draft, or was it Mr. SALES who included it? (Laughter).
MR. SALES: I say "mea culpa," because that means a subtle suggestion that the Urban Council should look into many matters concerning traffic other than car parking, and I am glad Mr. BERNACCHI has given me an opportunity of advocating a stronger role for the Urban Council in all traffic matters.
MR. CHEONG-LEEN: Mr. Chairman, I would ask this question—
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