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MR. KENNETH LO (In English):-Certainly to make it more have also inspected various beaches; either there is a lack of facilities attractive and more enjoyable for the people using that particular area, sometimes, and therefore people may not use the beach properly. I They could barbecue without these pits, but I think they enjoy it a bit hink probably this problem should be looked into by the Select Com- more with the pits. The point we want to make is that while a few mittee. Would the Chairman do this? misbehave, perhaps the majority do not, and there is no reason to deprive the majority of the pleasure of barbecueing in properly designed pits just because of the misbehaviour of a few.
MR. C. K. CHAN (In Cantonese):-Mr. Chairman, the noise made by people who barbecue in this area is not often welcome. Could we put up a notice near barbecue pits advising users not to use their transistor radios or to lower the noise of their radios or to be con- siderate to others? Some of our posters have this effect. Could we consider putting up posters in these places to advise them to be more considerate? I believe most young people who use these barbecue pit are well educated, and if they are reminded they will certainly abide by them.
MR. KENNETH LO (In English): ---We will certainly consider Mr. C. K. CHAN's suggestion. It is proposed to change the By-laws to make noise by transistor radios or any other means on public beaches illegal, and we will certainly put up notices drawing the public's attention to this.
MR. CHEONG-LEEN (In English):-Mr. Chairman, in the case of Stanley Beach, having visited this beach a few months ago and seeing what happened on the ground as regards the barbecue pits there, could the Committee consider having attendants there at certain times during weekends just to ensure that young people are encouraged to keep the place in a clean condition?
MR. KENNETH LO (In English):-I am not sure whether MR. CHEONG-LEEN was referring to St. Stephen's Beach which you mentioned in the answer, or to Stanley Beach itself. Anyway, the principle is the same.
The staff of the Urban Services Department are there during day-light hours and they would certainly help to maintain order, and so on.
MR. CHEONG-LEEN (In English):-May I clarify a point for the Chairman of this Committee, Mr. Chairman. I was referring to St. Stephen's Beach, and whilst staff is there perhaps a little more attention could be given to the barbecue pits at this beach.
MR. HU (In English):-Mr. Chairman, I would like the Select Committee to look into this problem of the barbecue pits overall. I
MR. KENNETH LO (In English):-I am in a bit of quandary here, Mr. Chairman. (Laughter). While Mr. Lo wants less facilities, Mr. Hu wants more. Anyway, we would certainly look into this question and see what answer we can come up with. (Laughter).
MR. T. S. LO (In English):-In view of Mr. Kenneth Lo's last reply, I must clarify the position. There is no question of wanting less barbecue pits on my part; it is simply wanting more control by the Council. You see, inconvenience and noise, Mr. Chairman, when they happen at night, are doubly irritating and annoying and unfair than during the day. It is for this reason that I would like to ask if perhaps the Select Committee would be kind enough to consider whether it is possible particularly to provide staff at night over the weekends?
MR. KENNETH LO (In English):-This is a question of staff, Mr. Chairman. But to provide staff on beaches at night, I don't think is feasible. We will certainly look into this question.
(3) MISS CECILIA L. Y. YEUNG asked the following question (In Cantonese): ——
According to the present booking system, point system, for City Hall facilities, it seems in favour of certain organiza- tions as most of the non-profitable organizations own a hall. Their application means a deprivation of chance to other organizations who do not have their own private hall. What measures should be taken to rectify the situation?
MR. LO TAK-SHING, CHAIRMAN OF THE CITY HALL SELECT COM- MITTEE, replied as follows (In English):-
This question concerns the new booking system for the City Hall facilities.
If I understand this question properly, what Miss Yeung appears to be asking is:
"The points system does not give priority to organiza- tions which do not have their own halls, what can be done to rectify this?"
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