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(4) MRS. E. ELLIOTT asked the following question:-
(a) What steps are being taken to provide facilities for the handicapped in Urban Council Swimming-pool complexes?
(b) Has the advice of the Hong Kong Council of Social Services been sought on this matter?
MR. A. de O. SALES, CHAIRMAN OF THE RECREATION AND AMENITIES SELECT COMMITTEE, replied as follows (In English) :-
Mrs. ELLIOTT's question arises from a recent enquiry into the provision of facilities for the handicapped at Urban Council swimming pools.
In January 1971 the Rehabilitation Division of the Hong Kong Council of Social Service first made this request in connection with the swimming pool complexes at Kwun Tong and Kennedy Town. The Urban Services Department fully agreed that disabled persons should have access to the pools wherever possible. The first Complex was then in an advanced stage of construction and planning for the latter was also well in progress. (Mr. Henry WONG arrived at this point). Following consultations with the Public Works Department, certain works were undertaken at Kwun Tong to give access to the teaching pools for the disabled but further work still remains to be done and will be completed by the Public Works Department. It may also be possible to provide access to teaching pools in all the existing pool complexes except at Kennedy Town which, being built on a slope, regrettably precludes provision of access for the disabled.
In answer to the second part of this question, I am informed that the Hong Kong Council of Social Services has not been consulted on this matter but representatives of the Director of Social Welfare and the Director of Medical and Health Services sit on the interdepartmental Committee on Design Requirements for the Handicapped since its formation.
My Select Committee is entirely sympathetic with the wish of our physically handicapped citizens to use recreational facilities. Accordingly, instructions have been given that, to the extent possible, all sports installations should be built with this in mind, not only the swimming pools. Perhaps, at some time in the near future, Council assistance might be given to the additional provision of such special equipment as might be required for their better enjoyment of sport and recreation.
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special equipment as might be required for their better enjoyment of sport and recreation.
MRS. ELLIOTT (In English):-Mr. Chairman, I am very pleased with that answer, but may I ask you further whether the Hong Kong Council of Social Service which first, or rather did, raise the question, I don't know whether it is the first or not, could I be told whether they have been informed of this answer and, if not, could they have the answer?
MR. SALES (In English):-Mr. Chairman, the Chairman of the Rehabilitation Division is a friend of mine. In fact, I wrote to him about a month ago on this particular subject. I spoke to him before and again at lunch time today. They are well aware of our work and they know that there is every sympathy on the part of the Urban Council for the aspirations of the disabled.
MR. HU (In English):-Mr. Chairman, I ask Mr. SALES what instructions have been given for the handicapped to enjoy our recreational facilities?
MR. SALES (In English):-Mr. Chairman, I cannot do better than to table the plans for the Kwun Tong pool to show precisely what jobs were undertaken there. As a member of the Recreation & Amenities Committee, Mr. Henry Hu is aware that the Select Committee specifically told the department that all possible measures should be taken to facilitate the use of our sports facilities by the handicapped in Hong Kong.
MR. HU (In English):-I am not a member of the Recreation & Amenities Select Committee now. I was, last year.
MR. SALES (In English):-Mr. Chairman, I apologize to Mr. Hu. We cherished his membership so much that the memory of it still lingers on. (Laughter).
MRS. ELLIOTT (In English):-May I just ask if the Hong Kong Council of Social Service is satisfied with what has been done?
MR. SALES (In English):-Dr. FANG told me he was, about three or four hours ago.
(5)
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MRS. E. ELLIOTT asked the following question:
A newspaper hawker was recently fined in court for causing obstruction of 6 square feet. As the area permitted on her licence is 6 square feet, who is responsible for answer-
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