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it used to be before, whether Government would consider putting that land under the Urban Council at this time, because as Mr. SALES has rightly pointed out, there is a serious shortage of open space and playground space in Hong Kong. Surely it stands to reason that at this time when Government cannot obtain as high a price for land as it has always been trying to do, the least it could do for the public of Hong Kong is hand over that land to the Urban Council to develop for the interests of the younger generation.
MR. HU: --I would ask one supplementary question, Mr. Chairman, if I may. Does Government intend to use this vacant land intensively?
DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS: -I think, Mr. Chairman, the answer is simply that Government has not yet made up its mind how to use the land.
MR. HU: -Would Government, if it does not intend to use the land intensively, take into consideration the request of the Council?
DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS: -I am sorry, before I answer your question Mr. Hu, may I, Mr. Chairman, apologise to Mr. SALES. I have had a dictionary passed to me. I see that "prevaricate" is to speak evasively to equivocate. I myself quite honestly always assumed prevaricate to mean to lie, and I did attach that meaning to the wording that Mr. SALES used, and I apologise for my misunderstanding.
MR. SALES: --Thank you very much.
MR. HU: -What about my question?
(Laughter).
DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS: -Would Mr. Hu repeat his question?
MR. HU: Mr. Chairman, through you, would the Director of Public Works give us an assurance that if Government wants to use the vacant land, it will be used intensively?
MR. BERNACCHI: Mr. Chairman, I believe the Director of Public Works has two questions to answer now as supplementaries, one of Mr. SALES and one of Mr. Hu's.
MR. SALES: -Mr. Chairman, I withdraw my supplementary question in the light of the fact that the Director of Public Works understands that I did not at any time charge him with lying. Prevaricate means what is in the dictionary. And I said that; I mean that. I believe that Government has been evasive in its reply, and I would like to be corrected. I would like to see this land developed in the way every member of the Urban Amenities Select Committee has asked for it to be developed, that's all. We have no other motive. I withdraw whatever supplementary question I raised.
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS: -In regard to Mr. Hu's question, I think I said before in this Council that I do not decide myself, nor does my Department, how land such as this is to be used. I think I am aware of Mr. Hu's feelings and the feelings of the Council on this, and certainly if my views were sought by Government as to how the land should be used, I would certainly advise them of the views of the Council.
MR. HU: -Thank you.
MR. CHEONG-LEEN: -Mr. Chairman, what I said just now was not a supplementary, it was a specific request. May I have assurance that it will be put to Government?
CHAIRMAN: -Certainly Sir.
MR. CHEONG-LEEN: -Thank you.
(11) MR. A. de O. SALES asked the following question:
Have you told the Town Planning Board that this Council is anxious to have as much open space in Whitfield Barracks as possible even to the extent of preserving the area entirely as a public park?
THE CHAIRMAN replied as follows:
The Town Planning Board was informed of this Council's views on the use of Whitfield Barracks in a letter addressed to the Secretary of the Board dated 30th December, 1965. A copy of this letter was sent to each Member of the Council on 13th January, 1966.
(12) MR. A. de O SALES asked the following question:
Will you please tell us whether the Town Planning Board has considered the suggestion made in this Council that all the railway land south of Salisbury Road should be developed as a garden and sitting-out area without any building on it?
THE CHAIRMAN replied as follows:
Yes, Sir, I can assure you that the Town Planning Board has considered the suggestion that the railway land south of Salisbury Road should be zoned entirely as public open space.
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