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of the Public Works Programme, does there seem to be a fair possibility that these two senior grassed pitches can be completed by next year?
MR. SALES: Sir, the paper which was issued to the Select Committee at the end of last month shows that detailed planning is proceeding in regard to the Aberdeen Sports Ground, and I should imagine that Category B would hold out the hope that in the next financial year this project might well be carried to completion.
(6) MR. H. CHEONG-LEEN asked the following question:-
Residents have been complaining that in some of the old resettlement estates, loose electric wiring is causing obstruction in the staircases. As this represents a potential danger to children living there, can the Commissioner for Resettlement take steps to survey resettlement estates to determine which have defective or loose electric wiring on the staircases and take whatever remedial steps are necessary?
MR. LI YIU-BOR, CHAIRMAN OF THE RESETTLEMENT MANAGEMENT SELECT COMMITTEE, replied as follows:
A survey of the electric wiring in Mark I and II resettlement estates has already been made. Proposals for remedying the situation have also been formulated and approved by the Resettlement Policy and Resettlement Management Select Committees.
(7) MR. H. CHEONG-LEEN asked the following question:-
As the Government is now implementing the proposal which I had made some time ago that Kaifong Associations be established in all Resettlement Estates, can the Commissioner for Resettlement state whether his Department will give maximum co-operation to all Kaifong Associations in Resettlement Estates in their work to expand welfare, educational, youth and other community services for the benefit of the approximately one million residents living in the estates?
THE COMMISSIONER FOR RESETTLEMENT replied as follows:-
I am glad to be able to assure Mr. CHEONG-LEEN that the Resettlement Department, with the approval of the Resettlement Policy and Resettlement Management Select Committees, and the co-operation of the Secretariat for Chinese Affairs is actively encouraging the development of existing Kaifong Associations and the formation of new ones in the urban resettlement estates, and is doing all in its power to assist with the expansion of the welfare and other services which they provide. A number of senior officers in the Estates Division have been seconded for a time to perform these duties and have shown an admirable keenness and aptitude for them. Similar action is being taken in the estates in the New Territories under the aegis of the District Officers who have the assistance of estates staff, and the department's attention in these fields has recently been extended to the Cottage Areas.
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mittees, and the co-operation of the Secretariat for Chinese Affairs is actively encouraging the development of existing Kaifong Associations and the formation of new ones in the urban resettlement estates, and is doing all in its power to assist with the expansion of the welfare and other services which they provide. A number of senior officers in the Estates Division have been seconded for a time to perform these duties and have shown an admirable keenness and aptitude for them. Similar action is being taken in the estates in the New Territories under the aegis of the District Officers who have the assistance of estates staff, and the department's attention in these fields has recently been extended to the Cottage Areas.
In June this year there were 9 Kaifong Welfare Associations, whose membership was confined to or included residents of resettlement estates, with an estimated membership of 13,300 among the residents. At the end of August 9 new associations, including residents' associations, had been formed or were in the process of formation, so that 18 out of the 22 estates are now or will shortly be represented in the movement. Total membership now numbers about 15,000 and there is every hope of this increasing considerably, although the rate of progress naturally varies.
In the past, Kaifong Associations in the estates have sometimes been handicapped by a lack of adequate premises as well as insufficient funds and trained personnel to carry on their activities. The department has been active in finding new or additional accommodation for them and has recently sought the approval of the Resettlement Management Select Committee to let rooms to 5 of them. I expect that other grants of tenancies will follow as soon as new Associations are established.
The Associations are being encouraged to branch out into new activities such as the provision of libraries, television, recreation facilities for young people and a letter-writing service. Some actively assisted during the period of severe water restrictions in opening up wells and organizing the orderly distribution of water during supply hours. The Wang Tau Hom Kaifong Welfare Association has been providing a 9-seater van service from Wang Tau Hom to Cheung Sha Wan since public transport became difficult.
Officers of the department have had discussions with the Education and Social Welfare Departments regarding the possibility of the Kaifongs providing services in these fields. It is agreed in principle that school premises in estates may
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