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HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
Government under the pretext that a prototype has still to be completed. That is the multi-purpose games hall. Hong Kong stands in very great need of such indoor facilities, not only for recreation but for a multiplicity of activities on the part of the various kaifong and other neighbourhood organizations. This Council has made a proposal for the building of a particular type of multi-purpose hall for many years already; because the first one was unfortunately located in Kai Tak East playground, the clearance of squatters and other development projects have caused the initial undertaking to be postponed, and on that pretext the list of other such halls to be constructed in various highly populated areas in Hong Kong has been held back, Sir, for no good reason. In the interval, the cost of building such a hall has gone up enormously from, I believe, $345,000 each to well over a million dollars at this time. Mr. Chairman, I would like to see this project pursued expeditiously. I consider it to be of such great benefit to the public, that it could be likened to the many swimming pool complexes which we have built and are continuing to build.
Sir, another aspect of the Council's work bears emphasis at this time and that is paragraph 209. In the year under review, no less than 482 separate activities were organized by this Council for an audience totalling nearly half a million people. The Council would like to see an expansion in scope and extent. The Council is handicapped by two factors. First, lack of adequate staff. We have been fortunate in having a succession of executive officers who have worked beyond the call of duty in order to carry out the very extensive entertainment programmes which the Council undertakes and which are given much publicity; I think today is the right time for a tribute to be paid to the work of those members of your staff who have not spared themselves in carrying out such programmes and have shown remarkable initiative in their planning and implementation. But we need many more people if we are to serve the public in highly populated areas where there is a great need for public entertainment. At the same time, we need facilities. While physical facilities take a long time to build, because of the absence of suitable sites, the Council has consequently suggested to the Government that there should be provision for a portable or mobile acoustics shell to serve as an open-air theatre. It does not cost much. Nevertheless, the Government has deferred approval of our application on the pretext that more justification should be given. Sir, what more justification can this Council give for a project which, I believe, costs less than $200,000. The tremendous number of people attending all of our many functions should, in themselves, provide ample justification for the disbursement of a paltry sum of $200,000. I would like to see you, Mr. Chairman, pursuing this matter vigorously on behalf of the Council. Mr. Chairman, please do so in your usual expeditious manner.
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
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MR. LO TAK-SHING:--Mr. Chairman, on a point of order, I would like to have clarification from the Chair as to the convention on which Mr. SALES spoke, not as the chairman of the Select Committee.
CHAIRMAN:--This is by convention. It has been for many years, and as far as I am concerned it will continue.
MR. LO TAK-SHING:--No, I was not questioning the existence of convention, but merely asking for the definition of it from the Chair. Has every member the right to speak on the Statement of Progress?
CHAIRMAN:--Certainly.
MR. SALES:--Perhaps Mr. T. S. Lo might like to stand up and say how much he supports what I have said on behalf of his Select Committee. (Laughter).
MR. LO TAK-SHING:--The part of it that I was able to understand and recall, I find quite acceptable. (Laughter).
MR. SALES:--I am very grateful to Mr. Lo for his meagre support. Nevertheless, the children of Hong Kong would be very grateful, Mr. Chairman, if that support was not so niggardly given.
MR. CHEONG-LEEN:--Mr. Chairman, could we define "meagre support" as "additional support"?
QUESTIONS
(1) MR. PETER P. K. NG asked the following question:
(a) When can the Government make a decision concerning the site for a Museum as requested by the Urban Council, that is the site between Star Ferry and Holt's Wharf along the sea front?
(b) Will an investigation plan about the area be made known to the public at the time of Government's decision?
(c) If the Government decides to grant the piece of land as requested for a Museum when can the actual planning be started?
(d) When would Government expect the construction work to commence?
(e) When would Government expect the Museum to be completed?
(f) In the meantime, can Government offer a proper building for the temporary use as a Museum until the proper one is built?
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