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works under the Block Vote of R. and A. and the Hawkers Select Committee, so this list is not exhaustive. And secondly, a proposal which was put forward for the consideration of the Government, as to switch financing between the Council and the Central Government, by which the Council would pay for projects first, and be subsequently refunded by the Government, might increase the possibility of our Works Planning Sub-Committee carrying out more projects in the current year.
MR. JOHN MACKENZIE (in English):-Mr. Chairman. May I just press one point. Have, in fact, the Council's polices and project priorities been taken into consideration? Have we been consulted? Have we merely been informed that this is what we are getting?
CHAIRMAN (in English):-May I answer on behalf of the Council? The question of establishing priorities on projects is a matter which is only now in hand and, as Mr. FORSGATE rightly pointed out, it will be considered in due course. Only the Markets Select Committee has considered priorities so far, and other Select Committees will do so in
turn.
(7) MR. JOHN MACKENZIE asked the following question (in English): –
With reference to the recent theft (24/3/74) from the City
Hall Museum:
(a) What are the details and estimated replacement value
of the items stolen?
(b) What steps have been taken to improve security in the Museum and Art Gallery, including storage chambers?
MR. B. A. BERNACCHI, CHAIRMAN OF THE MUSEUM AND ART GALLERY SELECT COMMITTEE, replied as follows (in English):-
Mr. Chairman, a total number of twenty-one objects, four bronzes, seven jades and ten pieces of pottery and porcelain were stolen from the Museum. If all the items were to be replaced by purchase today the cost would be in the region of $80,000 - $90,000, which is an estimate based as far as possible on recent sale prices.
Museum security is a matter which is constantly under review, and improvements are frequently being made. In particular a better alarm system is to be installed, the use
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of closed circuit television is being investigated, and some alterations including structural ones are being made. Measures have also been taken to improve the reception and control of visitors to the offices, workshops and storage areas, using the additional staff recently appointed.
MR. JOHN MACKENZIE (in English):-Mr. Chairman, I am glad that the amount has been clarified. There has been some speculation and the value, in fact, of these items which have been stolen, seems rather less than I thought. But I would ask if the Chairman of the Museum and Art Gallery Select Committee is satisfied that this installa- tion of security system is moving along with sufficient speed as it is now almost two months, in fact, since the event.
MR. B. A. BERNACCHI (in English):-No, Sir, I am not satisfied. Everything when it comes to Government, or even local Government, works at a phenomenally slow rate. But the tender, I am Chairman of the Tender Panel, responsible for approving the better alarm system has now been approved and, I hope, will be installed reasonably The closed circuit television is still being investigated. It is rather phenomenally priced, and whether or not the Urban Council is prepared to meet the cost is for the future to decide although, per- sonally again, there is no point in buying museum pieces and having them stolen overnight, over our heads. So I think that a closed-circuit television is a "must", even though it will be very expensive.
soon.
MR. LO TAK-SHING (in English):-Mr. Chairman, when I urged sometime ago on the previous occasion, indeed before the items were stolen, that museum pieces be properly valued and that proper insurance be taken out. As implied in the answer, I think it is time for Mr. BERNACCHI to "self-insure". No being fully aware what this term means, and hopeful that it means that we are protected in some way, will the Chairman of the Museum and Art Gallery confirm that it is in hand to have these items replaced?
MR. B. A. BERNACCHI (in English):-No, Sir, I won't. As Mr. Lo is already aware the term "self insured" has now been clarified. It means uninsured. (Laughter) Whether or not we replace these items is up to the Council itself, and these have to be rebought out of the acquisitions vote.
MR. LO TAK-SHING (in English):-I do have a second supple- mentary, Mr. Chairman. By whom, if I may ask, and when were the lost items valued?
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