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HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
MR. A. de O. SALES, CHAIRMAN OF THE RECREATION AND AMENITIES SELECT COMMITTEE, replied as follows:-
The answer to the first part of the question is that, in the opinion of the Recreation and Amenities Division and Select Committee, there are insufficient Urban Services Department Beach Attendants (lifeguards) for the numbers of swimmers who now attend the beaches. There is little doubt that the popularity of swimming has increased steadily over the years, and that last year's new labour legislation gave a very considerable fillip to this trend. Unfortunately, no beach census had ever been taken until last year, when a survey covering the period 26 August to 1 September was carried out. This has provided a basis for evolving a manning scale, and at its May meeting the Select Committee approved a paper proposing a sizeable increase based on this scale.
The Beach Attendant establishment for the urban beaches has remained virtually unchanged over the last five years. In 1967-68 and 1968-69 it was 80. In 1969-70 it was increased to 83, at which figure it still remains. However, because of promotions, resignations and so on, the actual strength at present is 75, and an advertisement earlier this year was unsuccessful in recruiting more. This lack of success may well be due to the low salary scale of $438-$471, and for a very considerable time the department has been seeking an improved scale.
Although the Urban Services Department Beach Attendants remain the backbone of the lifeguard service, Members are aware that they are supplemented on holidays by voluntary lifeguards from the Hong Kong Life Guard Club and Auxiliary Medical Service, to whom I would now like to express the gratitude of this Council as well as to the St. John Ambulance Brigade for their good work dating back many years. During the first three years mentioned earlier in my reply, the Hong Kong Life Guard Club provided 30 volunteers a year on holidays. Last financial year, this number was increased to 43 and for the first time the Auxiliary Medical Service also joined in, contributing 18 members. This year the Auxiliary Medical Service is providing 54 volunteers and the Hong Kong Life Guard Club 32.
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during the swimming season, considerable quantities of stones, rocks and shells are removed from the beaches. However, from what technical advice the department has been able to obtain, it would seem that complete removal of rocks and large stones (even if the department had the means to remove them) would probably result in sand erosion and exposure of the underlying rocks and stones. The department is therefore currently planning to set up "safe corridors", that is, of clearing one or more passages on the worst beaches from high-water mark as far out to sea as possible. These passages would be signposted. Broken bottles on beaches is a matter of litter collection, and I have already spoken generally about this subject in answering other questions.
In the last part of his question Dr. HUANG asks whether more litter bins can be provided. At present there is a total of 162 bins at the 12 urban beaches (excluding Lai Chi Kok), ranging from 25 each at Deep Water Bay, Repulse Bay and Shek O, to 4 at Hair Pin. The department is now considering the possibility of a substantial increase at the most popular beaches as part of the trial beach cleanliness campaign mentioned in my reply to Mr. FORSGATE.
(Mr. Peter C. K. CHAN returned to the meeting at this point).
DR. HUANG-Mr. Chairman, I must thank Mr. SALES for his comprehensive answer. Now in his reply he stated very clearly that while the number of swimmers is increasing every year, the number of lifeguards is actually decreasing and I was just informed this afternoon that this year 18 people drowned
CHAIRMAN:---Are you asking a supplementary?
DR. HUANG-Yes, that's right, I am trying to. Yes. 18 people drowned this year. I wonder if Mr. SALES as Chairman of the Select Committee will press Government to increase payment for the lifeguards.
MR. SALES: Yes, certainly Mr. Chairman, we are always pressing Government to better the working conditions of our staff. If Government is not more responsive we are most disappointed but we will continue to press them.
MR. FORSGATE:-Mr. Chairman, I think a telling point would be to have another census. Last year and this year must be quite different; figures of people using the beaches.
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