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matter has been long under consideration. It was instigated by this Council. The Social Welfare Department took it up and I know how hard these two organizations have worked.
MR. C. K. CHAN:- Mr. Chairman, can I ask whether these play-leadership schemes are only on an experimental basis for the time being. I understand they are pilot schemes, or are we introducing them permanently?
MR. SALES: - Mr. Chairman, if I have my way they will go on permanently in every playground. As you know, when I first raised this matter several years ago, it was at that time in an experimental stage in some of the more advanced countries in Eastern Europe and it has taken a long time for the scheme to be implemented in Hong Kong much to my disappointment. But now that it has started, I am sure that every support and encouragement will be given by the Government for this scheme to develop throughout Hong Kong.
MR. HU:- Mr. Chairman, I would ask one question to Mr. Sales. In view of his answer that there is lack of staff, or rather I should put it, Government is not quite interested at the present moment, could Mr. SALES try his best to contact other voluntary organizations to look into this aspect of affairs, because I should think this is rather an urgent matter?
MR. SALES: - Mr. Chairman, I have over the years contacted and been responsible for these voluntary organizations, but all activities boil down to the need for public assistance through funds and land provided by the Government, and the physical equipment in order that all such schemes may be properly developed. Without Government money in Hong Kong, without Government providing land, because land costs so much, and without Government providing the equipment, no headway can be made. I would like to take advantage of the opportunity to say that I am very much disappointed by the tardiness on the part of the Government as this matter has been brought up for over 20 years, I can vouch for that, and only now Government is seized with the importance of paying more attention to sports and recreational activities of a physical nature.
MR. HU: Mr. Chairman, in view of MR. SALES last answer could I turn to you? Could you kindly look into this matter to contact the various voluntary organizations to co-operate with the Government, to look into this matter.
CHAIRMAN:- I will see what can be done.
MR. BLAKER: - I get the impression that the Government has never sufficiently realized the positive value of participation in international sporting events in contributing to personal and civic pride. Can you tell me, Mr. Chairman, whether the Government has ever made a public statement accepting this contribution?
CHAIRMAN:- Sorry, I shall have to rule that one out of order, Mr. BLAKER.
MR. HU:- Indeed, I shall support Mr. BLAKER, because I was approached by various people . . . (Laughter).
CHAIRMAN: - Are you asking a supplementary, Mr. Hu?
MR. SALES: - Mr. Chairman, are you muzzling me, preventing me from answering these questions? (Laughter).
MR. HU:- May I very anxiously say that if we give young people some satisfaction at their recreation, it would be a better type of recreation.
MR. SALES: - May I be permitted to answer those supplementaries, Sir?
CHAIRMAN: - They were addressed to me personally.
MR. SALES: - All questions must be addressed to the Chairman unless you direct.
Mr. Hu:- I don't mind if Mr. SALES would answer them. (Laughter).
(12) MR. HENRY H. L. HU asked the following question:
Could the Chairman inform the Council what role, if any, the Resettlement Estates can play at the time when the Government will carry out the Urban Renewal Plan in the Western District of Hong Kong Island?
THE COMMISSIONER FOR RESETTLEMENT replied as follows:
It has been agreed by the Government that persons displaced by the Urban Renewal Scheme would be offered either accommodation in Government Low Cost Housing Estates or resettlement accommodation. The individual cases will be processed in the normal way.
MR. HU:- I thank the Commissioner for his answer. I have one question to ask. Is there any plan so far as the Resettlement Department is concerned to allocate those people who will be displaced by the Urban Renewal Plan in the Western part of Hong Kong Island?
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