1972

HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL

estates.

But I think the Housing Board will have to be consulted on that point as we are not that powerful in that respect.

MR. BERNACCHI :- Do you, as Chairman of the Resettlement Select Committee, intend to do anything about this shocking state of affairs?

MR. CHAN :- If Mr. BERNACCHI wants to raise this matter in Select Committee, I think it will be dealt with very thoroughly, particularly with his experience, and I think the Committee will have much guidance from him with all his years of experience.

MR. CHEONG-LEEN :- Isn't this a matter, Mr. Chairman, one which goes beyond the responsibility of the Chairman of the Select Committee. Isn't it the responsibility of the Standing Committee as Whole and of the Urban Council?

MR. SALES :- Mr. Chairman, it was my intention that the information that I sought would be discussed in Standing Committee of the Whole Council so that a proper policy on housing might be formulated and recommended to the Government as a whole. Since the information was not given to me today, and I do not wish to get it by close supplementary questioning, I am asking the Chairman of the particular Select Committee to give it to me in writing as soon as possible so that I might raise it again in Standing Committee of the Whole Council.

MR. CHAN :- This will be done.

MRS. ELLIOTT :- Mr. Chairman, can we all be given this information because I am sure some of us are interested?

CHAIRMAN :- Such answers that can be produced will be passed to all Members. I would again remind members of this Council that they are not responsible for public housing.

MR. BERNACCHI :- We are surely, Mr. Chairman, as members of the Housing Authority.

CHAIRMAN :- This is the Urban Council, Mr. BERNACCHI!

MR. BERNACCHI :- By any other colour, I hope it will smell as sweet!

HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL

(b) How many such projects were under construction at the end of the last financial year?

THE DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS replied as follows:

In answering this question I have naturally limited my reply to those recreational projects within the Urban areas but have included those projects such as sitting-out areas which are intended to provide recreation for older citizens as well as the playgrounds and pools which provide for the more vigorous recreational activities of the young. Three recreation projects, all provided for from the Urban Amenities Block Vote, have been commenced since 1st April 1972. These comprise 2 playgrounds, at Shau Kei Wan and Heng Lam Street/Tung Tau Tsuen and a skating rink at Kowloon Tsai Park.

At the end of the last financial year, 11 recreation projects were under construction, 4 being in the Public Works Programme and 7 under the Urban Amenities Block Vote. These included the Kennedy Town Swimming Pool and the floodlighting of games pitches in several areas, together with 3 public open spaces, 3 temporary sitting-out areas and 7 playgrounds, of which 4 are in Resettlement or Government Low Cost Housing Estates. Four of these projects have been completed since 31st March, 1972.

A total of 22 further recreation projects, 4 in the Public Works Programme and 18 under the Urban Amenities Block Vote have been approved and work on them will start at various times over the period between now and January 1973. These include a games hall at Kai Tak East Playground, and 3 playgrounds, together with several open spaces and the improvements of facilities in existing parks, playgrounds and open spaces.

MR. SALES :- Mr. Chairman, I would like to thank the Director of Public Works for the reply that he gave me which was the one that I expected.

(2) MR. A. de O. SALES asked the following question :-

(a) Will the Director of Public Works give a list of the recreation projects the construction of which was started since 1st April under both the public works programme and the amenities block vote?

(3) MRS. E. ELLIOTT asked the following question :-

(a) Was the full quota for compassionate resettlement in 1971-72 taken up?

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