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Mr. Chairman, the Director of Social Welfare has very kindly lent us his support. I can assure him that in disbursing the money under the Block Vote every consideration is given to projects which are located in the high density areas. We have urged Government to build playgrounds in Resettlement Estates at the same time as the estates are put up and out of the same budget, but Government has turned us down. Government believes that the recreational projects in Resettlement Estates should not be built out of the same vote, but as an amenity matter, which is most unfortunate. I, too, realize it is far more important to have boat pools than fountains, but the fountains were largely given to us by the Hong Kong Bank, even though they may not be operational at the present time. I assure him that unless another Bank wishes to give us fountains, we are not likely to have more of them. (Laughter).
As to the excellent swimming pool complex which the Urban Services Department and the Public Works Department have devised, we know very well that the Royal Hong Kong Jockey Club, which is paying for all these projects, is most anxious that they should be taken in hand as soon as possible. The first two projects will be ready in March 1969, and I am hopeful that instead of two swimming complexes there will be four. The one at Kennedy Town will be built at the same time, now that I understand the land problem has been cleared, and another one at Ta Kwu Ling, for which the Jockey Club has suggested it would also like to pay. Now, as to pressure being applied for the swimming pools to be of international standard, I have resisted this pressure as much as I could, because the pools are already of international standard. (Laughter).
Sir, Mr. BERNACCHI echoes my sentiment. I do not think that the motion goes far enough, but it is better to call upon Government to review its programme than to demand from Government that we should be given the rates now and to spend the rates as we deem fit.
I do agree with Mr. Henry Hu that there should be more trees. In point of fact, last year, if I remember correctly, the Department informed the Council that 400,000 trees, flowering shrubs and flower beds were planted in the urban areas, and the year before that 170,000 trees and flowering shrubs. This is a tremendous achievement and we are encouraging the Department to keep up the planting at this rate, and at the same time to refine the selection of parks to be put in the urban areas.
Mr. Chairman, I agree with Mr. FORSGATE that the sub-committee, at great personal risk, conducted a survey of the beaches in the New Territories and made some worthwhile recommendations. Now these recommendations, I believe, are being put into effect, but unfortunately the Urban Council can only advise on matters concerning beaches in the New Territories where you, Mr. Chairman, and the Commissioner for the New Territories have absolute control over life and death.
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As to the development of recreational areas in the New Territories, you may recall, Sir, that at the time it was contemplated in the United Kingdom to set up a Countryside Commission, I drew the attention of this Council that we should likewise do so. Notwithstanding the strong co-operation given by the Urban Council when these surveys about open spaces in the New Territories were made, still, when the Provisional Commission was set up, Government pointedly ignored the Urban Council in a strong endeavour to exclude the Urban Council from the New Territories. This is the sum total of the remarks that I have to make in reply to the points which my colleagues were so kind as to make.
MR. CHEONG-LEEN: -Mr. Chairman, on a point of clarification in regard to Mr. SALES' reference to the Civic Association Member's view on the subject matter of this debate, it seems to me that Dr. Woo must have considered the misunderstanding a somewhat serious one, otherwise he would not have taken the view that he did. On subjects of a general nature such as this, the Civic Association Members vote as individual Councillors. Certainly it is no different from the stand which Appointed Members take sometimes when they have minor dissensions within their ranks, and when a Member of this Council takes a stand in good conscience, I think we in the Civic Association respect the rights of that member to express his views as an individual Councillor.
MR. SALES: --Mr. Chairman, I think it would only be fair to allow the Reform Club to similarly explain their attitude.
The question was put.
The motion was carried with 23 votes for and 1 abstention.
FAREWELL TO DEPUTY SECRETARY.
CHAIRMAN: ---Ladies and gentlemen, before we close Members will wish me to say farewell to Mr. TIBBLES, the Deputy Secretary of the Council. Mr. TIBBLES' secondment from the United Kingdom Civil Service to the Hong Kong Government has expired and he is due to return to Britain on the 15th of August. I am sure all Members wish him well. (Applause).
MR. BERNACCHI:-Mr. Chairman, I cannot let your wishing him well go without the expression, I think, of all Unofficial Members joining with you in this wish. I and other members have had personal experience of the efficiency and co-operation which Mr. TIBBLES has always shown to this Council, behind the scenes, rather than in front of the curtain, because, of course, he works in Select Committees and in
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