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Housing Authority concerning the terrible state of affairs at the Choi Hung Estate was also made available to the Hawkers Select Committee, what request-what plans, were made by that Select Committee to correct this disgraceful state of affairs?
MR. BERNACCHI:-The state of affairs at Choi Hung Estate was made known to the Hawkers Select Committee, but not at the time of the report of the Housing Manager, that is in November of last year.
MR. SALES: Sir, may I just make a request, that the Hawkers Select Committee take into account the situation prevailing at all the housing estates of the Hong Kong Housing Authority in respect to hawking, because the Authority is dissatisfied with the state of affairs. All I would like to have is an assurance from the Chairman of the Select Committee, that they will consider this matter at an appropriate meeting.
MR. BERNACCHI:-I can give you an unqualified assurance to that effect. We are also considering the situation in respect to resettlement estates.
MR. SALES:-Thank you. May I put question No. 10?
(10) MR. A. de O. SALES asked the following question:-
(a) May we know whether Government has accepted our proposal to keep as open space all or most of the land at Causeway Bay across King's Road from Victoria Park? (b) If not, may we know when a decision is likely to be taken and what other uses are also being considered for it?
THE CHAIRMAN replied as follows:-
I have been asked by the Colonial Secretary to say that Government is fully aware of the Urban Council's view that as much as possible of this land should be earmarked as open space, but that the position remains as stated in the reply by my friend, the Director of Public Works, which was given to a similar question by Mr. SALES at the Council meeting held on 7th September, 1965.
MR. SALES: -Mr. Chairman, are you in a position to refresh this Council as to what was the substance of the reply made on the 7th September, 1965?
CHAIRMAN:-The substance of the reply Sir, I quote, is in the first paragraph, and it says: "No decision has yet been reached on the request that Victoria Park should be extended across Causeway Road to include the land formerly occupied by the Services.
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MR. SALES: If that was all that the reply contained on the 7th September, for all the trouble that your typist took in producing the reply which was made today, I suggest that it would have been more honest to have just stated it on this occasion, rather than baldly referring to a reply made on the 7th September, when we don't have it before us.
CHAIRMAN: --Sir, you asked for the substance of the reply. That was the substance of the reply. The reply runs into a foolscap page, and if you wish I will read it all to you. (Laughter).
MR. SALES: May I request that you do so, because I intend to ask some supplementary questions.
CHAIRMAN: I quote from the reply given by my friend the Director of Public Works on 7th September:
No decision has yet been reached on the request that Victoria Park should be extended across Causeway Road to include the land formerly occupied by the Services.
The sports ground on the southside of Causeway Road which was at one time allocated to the Royal Navy, is now controlled by the Education Department and is, I am informed, fully utilised by many schools, associations and clubs.
The remaining area between the sports ground and Morton Terrace is now being used for the parking of lorries and public cars as well as for open storage on a temporary basis. In reply to your question on 4th February, 1964, the Chairman said:
"As members know, two areas of land were occupied by the Services at Causeway Bay. The first comprised six acres adjoining Morton Terrace and has recently been released by the Army. It is now under temporary occupation mainly for lorry parking and is intended for sale in the future."
The position has not changed in the last eighteen months. While there is a need for more recreation space in many parts of the Colony there is also a real need for the use of open ground for purposes other than recreation. Pending a decision on the final development of the land it is Government's view that the land on the south side of Causeway Road is being put to good use. About one half is being used for recreation purposes and the other half is being used for other purposes.
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."
That ends the reply.
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