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I think compulsory primary education should not only be for children in resettlement estates, but also for children outside resettlement estates as well. (Laughter). May I ask Question No. 16, Sir?
VICE-CHAIRMAN:---I was under the impression that Dr. BELL was talking about nurseries in the resettlement estates. The whole question of nurseries has come up before, and it is still being considered.
(16) MR. H. CHEONG-LEEN asked the following question:
Will the Chairman of the Urban Council please advise to what extent has there been a falling off in the use of the multi-storey car parks on Hong Kong Island and in Kowloon since Government increased the monthly parking fees by 100%? Will the Chairman also advise whether he has received any notification from Government that there will soon be a reduction in the parking fees in multi-storey car parks?
THE VICE-CHAIRMAN replied as follows:
During the month immediately preceding the increase in parking charges, that is April 1966, the total number of monthly passes sold was 2,201 and the total number of cash users was 33,909. For the month of July 1966 the number of monthly passes sold was 1,359 and the number of cash users was 40,635. There has therefore been a decrease in the number of monthly pass holders but an increase in the number of persons paying hourly parking charges. I have tabled the full statistics for the past five months in case Members would like to study the trends in greater detail.
The answer to the second part of the question is in the negative.
MR. CHEONG-LEEN:-Sir, I thank you for your very clear reply. I think I should also take this opportunity of congratulating you on taking on today's Council meeting in a manner even better than you yourself had anticipated. (Laughter). Sir, do you know why the number of monthly passes have come down by such an extent? Is it because Government has raised the monthly fees steeply exactly 100 per cent?
VICE-CHAIRMAN:--I have no doubt that is one of the reasons, Sir.
MR. CHEONG-LEEN:-The main reason Sir?
VICE-CHAIRMAN:-I am unable to say. There have been a number of other factors involved, particularly the opening of the Ocean Terminal car park with 1,100 car spaces in a very convenient spot. Several other open-air car parks opened during the quarter, and the rainstorms in June certainly affected the usage of these multi-storey car parks very considerably.
MR. CHEONG-LEEN:-Sir, in a Chinese paper this morning, it was reported that the Commissioner for Transport has assured a representative of that paper that there will be a reduction in the monthly fees for the Middle Road Car Park. Have you any indication of this?
VICE-CHAIRMAN:-I am not aware of this, Sir.
MR. CHEONG-LEEN:-Would you be good enough to check and let me know?
VICE-CHAIRMAN:-Could you give me details of the statement?
MR. CHEONG-LEEN:--Well, in the Sing Tao Daily, it is stated that the representative of the newspapers checked with the Commissioner for Transport, and he had advised that newspaper that a reduction in the monthly fee may be possible. But he made no mention of a reduction in the monthly fees for the other car parks, and I would like to have an assurance, Sir, that if there is going to be a reduction for the Middle Road Car Park, then there should also be a reduction for the car parks in Hong Kong as well.
VICE-CHAIRMAN:-I will certainly check that statement, Sir.
MR. SALES: Sir, may I support Mr. CHEONG-LEEN by saying that I would not like to see Hong Kong residents being discriminated against.
ADJOURNMENT — 5.52 P.M.
VICE-CHAIRMAN:-That concludes the business of this meeting. Council stands adjourned until Tuesday, 6th September, at 4.00 p.m.
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