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two items are approved, and taking into account those items already in the Public Works Programme, the only resettlement estates for which no immediate provision will be made will be Tin Wan and Shek Pai Wan at Aberdeen (combined population 43,702), and Yau Tong (population 19,429). Pools to serve the areas including these estates are in the long term programme I have already mentioned, but in the view of the department and the Select Committee their priority is not as high as in the more crowded areas, particularly in the case of the two Aberdeen estates which are not far from the beaches.
Finally, I should like to stress again that it is the view of my Committee that the swimming pool programme should be a comprehensive one, embracing the needs of the community as a whole and not just the residents of resettlement estates.
MR. CHEONG-LEEN:-Mr. Chairman, could the Acting Chairman of the Recreation and Amenities Select Committee or the Director of Public Works tell this Council how many pools will be completed in 1972 and 1973?
MR. FORSGATE:-Well, in 1972, there will be four more pools and, probably in 1973, two more, making a total in the present programme of nine.
MR. CHEONG-LEEN:-Which will be completed?
MR. FORSGATE:-Well, I defer to the technical judgment of the Director of Public Works for that answer, Mr. Chairman.
DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS:-Mr. Chairman, I would need notice of that question. I think MR. FORSGATE is trying to put the pressure on me by suggesting that these pools would be completed by this date. However, there is one at Kennedy Town of course, which is already under construction, that may be finished by next year. I would hate to commit myself to anything else.
MR. CHEONG-LEEN:-There's nothing beyond that one for next year?
MR. FORSGATE:-From the paper I've got--obviously a greater optimist wrote this paper it says Kennedy Town early 1972, Tai Wan, that's at Hung Hom, mid 1972. The only one I regret that hasn't got a date is the one at Chai Wan. (Laughter).
MR. BERNACCHI: As in the foreseeable future the population of Chai Wan and Hing Wah Estates will probably be nearer 100,000, what efforts are being made by this Council to turn the expectancy of a swimming pool complex in Chai Wan into a reality?
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
MR. FORSGATE:-Mr. Chairman, Chai Wan pool is in Category C and you can rest assured that the Chairman of the Recreation and Amenities Select Committee will strain every nerve to get it up.
MR. BERNACCHI:-Thank you.
MR. CHEONG-LEEN:-Category B rhymes with Brook Bernacchi, could it be moved into Category B?
CHAIRMAN:-I am sure pressures will arise to have that done.
(6) MR. HENRY WONG asked the following question:
(a) Could this Council be informed how many Television sets are there at present in our playgrounds?
(b) Have we any plan to install Television sets in our new playgrounds?
(c) How are the Television sets being controlled, are they allowed to put on full blast even after 11 p.m.?
MR. H. M. G. FORSGATE, in the absence of 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 at present 50 television sets have been installed in 50 urban parks and playgrounds, and another 2 are in the process of installation.
The answer to the second part of the question is that although there is no policy of automatically installing television sets in new playgrounds, the department is currently negotiating with Messrs. Television Broadcasts Limited for the installation of further sets, which will, it is hoped, be donated by clients of this company. A priority list of 31 locations has been sent to the company, and this list includes a number of newly completed playgrounds. The department is awaiting the outcome of its discussions with the company.
The answer to the third part of the question is that television sets are put on when the Chinese channel opens, and are switched off when the programme closes down. Where parkkeepers are available, they have been instructed to
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