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Again, members may have raised matters on which the central Government simply has not yet made up its mind. What can one usefully say in a case like that?
But I can say that expressions of opinion emanating from this Council receive full attention in appropriate quarters, and may well play their part in what is said or done elsewhere than in this Chamber.
All this brings me to the reason for the Chairman's saying each year, in roughly the same terms: All matters raised by members which lie within the statutory functions of this Council and require action will be examined by my officers and myself in the months ahead. Other matters have been referred to the Colonial Secretary and the heads of departments concerned.
As it happens I have a few words to say on the subject of local administration. As a prelude, here is the moment to refer to the Aim which I mentioned a few minutes ago as being an aim outside our jurisdiction. I refer, of course, to Aim No. 24 which reads: "To press more vigorously for the enlargement of the Council's scope, in the spirit of the Ad Hoc Committee's Report on the Future Scope and Operation of the Urban Council". Since this is a matter which is not within our jurisdiction it is clear that I and the other official members must reserve our position on this particular aim. If we vote in support of the motion now before Council our voting must be understood in this sense. I can, however, assure members that the report of this Council's ad hoc committee, together with the views which members have subsequently expressed on this subject, are receiving careful and proper consideration.
I can also assure members that the Government is still giving active consideration to the desirability and feasibility of effecting improvements to the existing system of local administration.
As all responsible persons will appreciate, the events since May this year have important implications in this particular field, requiring at least the re-examination of previous proposals and their reappraisal in the light of our present circumstances. I understand that an experienced officer is devoting his full-time attention to this requirement and that progress is being made.
Turning now to matters with which I am more familiar, Dr. BELL referred to the accommodation provided for ward offices and to the lack of assistance in these offices. Judging from the number of handwritten letters and memoranda received by the Secretary, Urban Council alone, I fully agree that some form of assistance seems to be required. I am also aware that some of the ward offices are not altogether satisfactory.
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Where accommodation is concerned the difficulty is, of course, in providing suitable accommodation or offices in the areas where they are needed. However, it might be possible in certain areas to find better accommodation than is at present used and, subject to the views which might be expressed when this matter is raised in Standing Committee at the request of Dr. BELL, I suggest that the Council Section of the Urban Services Department looks into this matter.
The need for assistance, in particular stenographic assistance, in ward offices has been drawn to the attention of the Colonial Secretary in the last few days. The suggestion has my full support and I hope to have some ideas to put to Members when this matter is discussed in Standing Committee.
As for the work of the Urban Services Department under this Council, as far as the Parks, Recreation and Amenities Division is concerned it may perhaps be taken as an indication of success that the subject of recreation received less attention in Members' speeches than it has done in the past. If this relative silence represents, as I hope it does, a degree of satisfaction with the progress being made, I must emphasize that much of the credit lies with the indefatigable Mr. SALES and his colleagues on the Parks, Recreation and Amenities Select Committee. An impressive increase in facilities for outdoor leisure has indeed been achieved. In the past 15 months, that is since the Deputy Director's booklet was produced in September 1966, the total acreage of open space developed for recreation within the urban area alone has increased by 13%, whilst the number of facilities for play has risen by 20%. Included in this 20% increase in facilities are such items as 34 children's playgrounds, 13 mini-soccer pitches, 36 basket or volley ball courts, and 2 running tracks.
Several Members expressed a wish to provide an indoor stadium in Hong Kong. The Sub-Committee's Report on this subject, which was recently submitted to Government, recommended an ambitious scheme embracing a convention hall and facilities for trade fairs and exhibitions in addition to an indoor stadium. The response to the recommendation was understandably influenced by the very high capital cost, which was estimated at $61 million. I understand that Government is unable to agree at the present time to a scheme of this magnitude, but that it would be prepared to consider a proposal for an indoor stadium whose primary purpose would be for recreation, sports, and youth activities generally, and which might involve an expenditure of some $10 million from public funds. (Applause).
The remarks made by Mr. SALES and Mr. Wilson WANG on the utilization of the City Hall and the prospects for the expansion of the Museum and Art Gallery I found most encouraging. Mr. RAFEEK
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