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MR. HU: Mr. Chairman, I really would not like to enter into long argument with you but of course this is a matter surely in my original question I should think?
CHAIRMAN: ---Sorry, it's not there Mr. Hu. I think you should leave this to the Standing Committee.
MR. HU: -Very well.
(8) MR. HENRY H. L. Hu asked the following question:
(a) Is the Commissioner for Resettlement aware that the residents of Shek Pai Wan Resettlement Estate will shortly reach 70,000 and that there are only 2 small playgrounds? (b) Could not the upper of the 2 small playgrounds be considerably enlarged to better meet so large a population? (c) Is it true that the inhabitants in Aberdeen also use these 2 small playgrounds in this area?
MR. A. de O. SALES, CHAIRMAN OF THE RECREATION AND AMENITIES SELECT COMMITTEE, replied as follows:-
This question concerns playgrounds in the Shek Pai Wan Resettlement Estate.
The Commissioner for Resettlement is definitely not aware that the population of the Shek Pai Wan Resettlement Estate will shortly reach 70,000. I am asked by him to inform my friend Mr. Hu that the estate had 17,603 (laughter) residents on the 31st March this year and that when it is completely filled in the course of this year, it is anticipated that the figure will rise to about 29,000. (Laughter).
There are at present three play areas within this estate. They were completed last summer to provide a mini-soccer pitch, two children's playgrounds, and two practice basketball courts. Four additional play areas are now being prepared and are expected to be ready for use in July. These four areas will embrace two more children's playgrounds, a basketball court and a practice court, in addition to a rest garden. In the current financial year, it is also probable that a site next to the Royal Hong Kong Jockey Club Polyclinic can be prepared as a temporary mini-soccer pitch.
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I am told that some people living in Aberdeen use the playgrounds in Shek Pai Wan. Existing facilities for recreation in Aberdeen are not adequate until the Aberdeen Sports Ground is ready. It is in an advanced stage of planning and, on completion, will provide an elaborate sports ground for the people there. The site covers about 15 acres and will, when developed, embrace a 400-metre running track, three grassed soccer pitches, and two mini-soccer pitches.
With your permission, Mr. Chairman, I should like to table this plan which shows the location of the sites to which I have referred.
MR. HU: Mr. Chairman, I thank Mr. SALES for the very comprehensive answer, as the word he has used for your answer. First, on a point of clarification. What I say is will the population in future, reach 70,000 persons. When the Shek Pai Wan Resettlement Estate is completed, would the population be around this figure? 70,000?
MR. SALES: No, it's-
MR. HU: -You say at the end of this year-
MR. SALES: -29,000.
MR. HU: -29,000. Would that be the figure after all the resettlement estates be completed?
MR. SALES: -Yes Sir. I am afraid that if Mr. Henry Hu wants to encourage a population explosion I shall have to refer him to the Hong Kong Family Planning Association. (Laughter).
MR. HU: -I was informed, Mr. Chairman, by the Kaifong Association Chairman there, that if all the resettlement estates be completed in Shek Pai Wan the population would reach this figure. Would that be exaggerating?
COMMISSIONER FOR RESETTLEMENT: -This is referring to Shek Pai Wan estate itself. I don't know whether that's including the other Aberdeen estate at Tin Wan, but at Shek Pai Wan there's only one estate.
MR. HU: -Maybe, but anyway that is my information, I just clarify. I have read the answer given to me by Mr. SALES, but Mr. SALES did not answer the second limb of my question. "Could not the upper of the 2 small playgrounds be considerably enlarged to better meet so large a population?". Could it be enlarged?
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