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MR. CHEONG-LEEN:- Mr. Chairman, I suggest Mr. SALES takes that back, because if the policy were not properly decided, they could not act properly.
MR. SALES: I can only go by the opinion of the Appointed Members who report to me on the transactions of the Select Committee.
MR. CHEONG-LEEN: --One-sided opinion.
MR. SALES: Mr. Chairman, may I have your permission to read the Council's manifesto on culture in Hong Kong?
Sir, I wish to speak about the work of two Select Committees.
First, may I invite Council's attention to the very heavy programme of cultural presentations in the City Hall last month. There were 20 in all, consisting of two musical concerts, six Festival of Christmas Music presentations and twelve Youth Drama performances. The Select Committee's policy is to make the City Hall the main cultural centre of all Hong Kong and from the experience gained there to present suitable programmes in other areas as physical facilities become available. Consequently, in addition to the popular concerts which are regularly offered to the public, we are now planning to sponsor more drama performances following the full houses which the last series enjoyed in December. It is hoped, Mr. Chairman, that this will offer encouragement to local playwrights as well as producers, directors, actors and all connected with the stage. Moreover, we will try working with our ballet groups. Eventually the Urban Council will be able to offer the public a wide range of activities to meet the increasing demand by young people for educational and entertainment programmes within their means. Such a policy will certainly stimulate local talent and keep in Hong Kong local people who now think of going abroad to put their talent, training and experience to good use.
Sir, I believe the best way to achieve the quickest results would be for the Government to grant the Council a block vote for the development of our cultural programmes in the same way as for our amenities section, which financial policy has proved so beneficial in practice in recent years. Mr. Chairman, the two Senior Elected Members may be forgiven for a lack of interest in cultural affairs, (Laughter) but at least, might I suggest, they should pay attention too. (Laughter). Sir, may I have your permission to continue?
There were also 46 entertainment programmes carried out elsewhere in Hong Kong by the Recreation and Amenities Select Committee in December. This points to the success which the Council is meeting in putting into practice its avowed policy of giving an increasing number and variety of entertainment to the masses particularly those who live in densely populated areas.
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who live in densely populated areas. The recent Festival of Hong Kong has brought out certain interesting possibilities which we are following up. But, and this is important, the Festival has also brought out in no uncertain manner the virtually complete lack of proper physical facilities to stage mass entertainment programmes in Kowloon.
The Recreation and Amenities Select Committee has proposed to the Government, as a major policy, the early construction of district halls for sports and other uses in as many areas as possible following on the decision taken some time ago to put up a prototype multipurpose hall in the Kai Tak East Park. However, the delay in developing this park and thus constructing the first such hall is disappointing. The Select Committee is of the opinion that such district halls will be of immense benefit.
(Mr. Peter P. K. NG arrived at this point).
This particular Select Committee has resolved to make another appeal to the Government to re-consider its decision not to turn over the remaining 16 acres of Whitfield Barracks for community use. It is much appreciated that the Government has met in good part the earlier representations made by this Council by increasing the area first reserved for public open space to 26 acres. Still, all that land occupied by Whitfield Barracks remains the only existing opportunity for the Government to provide the people with an impressive park and community centre. Representations have been made for all the remaining 16 acres to be set aside for community use. It is hoped that the civic centre, which we have proposed for Kowloon and to complement the existing facilities in the City Hall, will be located there. Mr. Chairman, responsible public opinion is clearly in favour of this area being developed for the use of the community, and so our authorities should review their decision to sell the land in the circumstances.
MR. BERNACCHI :- Mr. Chairman, using the same Standing Order 8(3), I should like to ask the Chairman of the Parks, Recreation and Amenities Select Committee what progress is being made with the resolution of this Council, past about two years ago, urging Government to give this Council the use of the land at the opposite side of King's Road to Victoria Park for an extension to Victoria Park, particularly as the new road is going to cut into the old existing Victoria Park?
CHAIRMAN: -I am afraid I cannot permit that: this is not question time, Mr. BERNACCHI. It has nothing to do with what Mr. SALES has said, but we will try and get you the answer afterwards.
MR. SALES: --Mr. Chairman, I would be delighted to give an answer to Mr. BERNACCHI.
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