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HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
CHAIRMAN:-Mr. Hu, is this a speech? (Laughter).
MR. HU:-This is a prelude to my question—I now ask my question, number 11.
MR. SALES: --Mr. Chairman, surely this courtesy must be reciprocated. May I have your indulgence? It is very brief. Mr. Chairman, I ask for your indulgence to thank Mr. Henry Hu for his great courtesy. He has always been so charming in his remarks in this Council about the Appointed Members. Mr. Chairman, Mr. Hu recognizes that the Appointed Members are strong, silent types. They work very hard in select committees. The minutes are proof, if proof were needed of the contribution which the Appointed Members make. We leave it to our Elected Members to court the public for votes, particularly as next year the elections are coming, and so many of them feel a tremendous lack of confidence about the forthcoming results. (Laughter).
CHAIRMAN: -I think Mr. Hu said number 11.
(11) MR. HENRY H. L. Hu asked the following question:-
Could the Chairman inform the Council if consideration could be given to installing drinking fountains in parks, playgrounds and other convenient places in the urban area?
MR. A. de O. SALES, CHAIRMAN OF THE RECREATION AND AMENITIES SELECT COMMITTEE, replied as follows:-
Sir, Mr. Hu may recall that in November last the Recreation and Amenities Select Committee discussed the question of drinking fountains in parks and playgrounds. At that time, Mr. Chairman, it was reported that the existing seven fountains had suffered so much from vandalism that three of them were damaged beyond repair, and only two functioned properly. It was also considered that people in Hong Kong were generally not prepared to drink from such fountains; and that they were being used for washing rather than for drinking. The Committee therefore decided that since these fountains were not being used by the general public for the purpose they were intended, no more fountains should be provided, and that the existing ones should not be replaced. Nevertheless, Mr. Hu is free to raise the issue for re-consideration by the Select Committee if he feels there has been a change of attitude towards the usefulness of such fountains.
MR. HU: --Mr. Chairman, I thank Mr. SALES for his answer. Chairman, I should give my reason for asking this question. I have seen several people, of course poor people, drink the water from our public lavatories—not once, because after the Urban Council meeting I usually go down to the public lavatory (laughter)—and I saw that not only once. I think it is not very hygienic that people drink this kind of water in public lavatories, therefore I ask this question. I did not know that there were such facilities which people do not use.
MR. SALES: -Mr. Chairman, am I to understand that you have unilaterally waived Standing Orders in favour of Mr. Henry Hu? (Laughter).
CHAIRMAN: -I have been waiting for a note of interrogation (laughter)—I think perhaps question 12 is now due.
MR. C. K. CHAN:-Mr. Chairman, I formally ask if this question can be referred to the Recreation and Amenities Select Committee for further re-consideration, if Mr. SALES has no objection.
CHAIRMAN:-Mr. CHAN, this is number 11?
MR. C. K. CHAN:-Yes, it's still number 11.
CHAIRMAN:-I see.
MR. C. K. CHAN:-I think this supplementary is in order.
MR. SALES: Yes, of course. We suggested that supplementary in the last part of our reply to Mr. Hu. Perhaps Mr. CHAN has taken advantage of the fact that Mr. Hu has made a speech instead of asking a supplementary.
MR. C. K. CHAN: --Well, Mr. Chairman, Mr. SALES said that Mr. Hu is "free to raise". Since he has not raised it I think I'm also free to raise and I do raise it, and I think it will be in order that this will be referred to the Committee.
MR. SALES: -Most certainly, Mr. Chairman. We will be delighted to supply water at any time, not only in fountains but in lavatories. (Laughter).
MR. BERNACCHI: Mr. Chairman, who does Mr. SALES mean by "we"?
MR. SALES:-The Urban Council.
CHAIRMAN: -I don't think Mr. ROBSON wishes to speak any further on this. (Laughter).
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