HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
Composit Market Parking Building
In this connection I would like to welcome the suggestion put forward by Mr. LOBO concerning the possibility of making greater use of the valuable sites set aside for retail markets. There are now 26 market items in the Public Works Programme, 17 of which are in the Urban Area. Feasibility studies, recently completed by the Architectural Office, have shown that it is possible to develop some of these sites by multi-storey buildings providing for lorry parking on one or two floors, car parking above, and other uses in an upper tower, whilst still preserving the ground floor for market use. Since this is the only floor which people using markets seem willing to patronise, there is no loss of market facilities by such an arrangement. It will take a little time to work out the details but I shall seek the help of Mr. LOBO's committee at an early stage.
I have spoken at some length on traffic questions since it is undoubtedly an issue of considerable and growing public concern. The Public Works Department is very well aware of this and is tackling the aspects for which it is responsible with vigour and with some degree of success.
Urban Renewal
Mr. ROBSON dealt at length with Urban Renewal last year and in answer to Mr. FORSGATE I will confine myself merely to recording that steady progress is being made.
Land Policy and Community Development
Mr. Hu criticized land policy and stated that the proceeds of land sales were remitted to the United Kingdom. This, of course, is not correct. Such proceeds form part of the normal revenues of the Colony and are used together with other revenues to pay for the various facilities provided for the benefit of the community.
It should also be noted that in the last two decades Government land policy has ensured that large areas of Crown land have been made available for a variety of community uses including recreation grounds and other open space. Undoubtedly Government's ability and willingness to provide land in this way has been one of the main reasons why this Council, in collaboration with the Public Works Department, has in turn been able to make such an impressive advance in the provision of these community facilities for recreation during the last 15 years. The Planning Branch of the Crown Lands and Survey Office has been very effective in this field and the new Minor Works Section of the Architectural Office to which reference was made by one speaker should help to speed implementation even further.
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
Access to the Countryside
The Hong Kong Recreational Development and Nature Conservation Committee--which I hope can be retitled the Hong Kong Countryside Committee--has already been floated and the first meeting was held last week. This meeting dealt with procedural matters but a draft programme covering both physical development and improved management of the Island countryside is ready for presentation to the second meeting due to be held at the end of the year. Subject to the committee's agreement it is hoped to make rapid progress both in providing new facilities and obtaining the staff to undertake the vital forest protection and sanitation services which are at present lacking. As members will be aware, a similar committee exists for the New Territories.
Museum
As some Members are aware the museum proposals are to be the subject of discussion in Standing Committee. However, in view of the misconception which may have arisen in the eyes of the public, I feel I must put the record straight. Firstly I should say that there is no item for such a project in the Public Works Programme. The model showing a building at the north-west corner of the City Hall Complex which has been the subject of press comments was prepared by the Architectural Office to illustrate a proposal recommended by this Council. As yet Government is in no way committed to this or any other scheme. There may well be sound reasons for selecting some other site--perhaps even one in Kowloon!
Conclusion
In conclusion I would like to record a personal comment. This is the first and may be the last time I shall speak in this debate and I hope that my contribution has been helpful. It has always been my opinion that officials and unofficials should work together with a view to overcoming, as far as this is possible, the numerous problems which beset our society. I am sure this is a view of the greater part of the civil service and, I presume, this Council. It was, therefore, somewhat disappointing to me to hear some of the more senior unofficial members castigating the civil service in terms which, if taken seriously, seem to me quite unjustified and counter-productive.
Subject to these words, Mr. Chairman, I support the motion before Council. (Applause).
VICE-CHAIRMAN: Mr. Chairman, as the newest member of the Council at present, I am in a position in joining with our colleague, Mrs. C. J. SYMONS, in stating that I am neither disillusioned nor
Page 183 of 241
344
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
345