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health and I do not believe that it is unnecessarily strict. Although its enforcement calls for a substantial amount of work, however, since it is in the public interest, I do not consider any relaxation unless and until there is such a demand and the standard of protection of public health is not affected.
The question implies that there may be a shortage of retail outlets for the sale of fresh meat and I am well aware that it is sometimes sold illegally by hawkers. However, even if this is the case in some districts and, in my view, other factors such as price are probably involved, I believe that the answer is to encourage the meat trade to open fresh provision shops since supermarkets tend to be situated in areas where the hawker problem is less apparent.
Notwithstanding these remarks, I do not wish to close the door on the suggestion that the present policy should be reviewed as I have never done so and I shall never do so. If circumstances require, I shall ask the Department to produce a paper for the consideration of my Committee.
MR HOWARD H. W. YOUNG (in English):- Mr Chairman, that being the case, then is the Council aware that at least there is one supermarket in the urban area which does sell fresh meat, and I believe it does in a hygienic manner serving the public need?
MR CHOW (in English):- I myself am not aware of the particular supermarket. If Mr YOUNG would inform me later after the meeting, I should be pleased to check with the department.
3 MR PETER P. F. CHAN asked the following question (in English):- May I ask whether the corner at the junction of Tai Hang Road and Perkins Road opposite to the supermarket may be made into a park? There is a likelihood that it will soon be occupied by hawkers, either legally or illegally.
MR KENNETH T. C. LO, CHAIRMAN OF THE RECREATION AND AMENITIES SELECT COMMITTEE, replied (in English):- The site in question referred to by Mr CHAN is at present zoned residential and is occupied by two Crown Land permittees.
In response to an earlier request by Mr CHAN, the department approached the Government in January 1978 for allocation of the site, either on a temporary or permanent basis, to the Urban Council for development as an amenity plot. The matter is still being actively pursued.
MR CHAN (in English):- Mr Chairman, Mr Lo refers to two Crown Permits. May I know what are the purposes of these 2 permits?
MR LO (in English):- I am afraid I have no exact information, but I presume it is in connection with nearby lots, perhaps, for use as a garden.
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4 MR HOWARD H. W. YOUNG asked the following question (in English):- Does the Urban Council do anything to assist the elderly or, for that matter, other categories of people such as the handicapped and disabled to enjoy the many cultural and other activities put on by the Council?
MR F. K. HU, CHAIRMAN OF THE CULTURAL AFFAIRS SELECT COMMITTEE, replied (in English):- Various provisions have been made for the aged and physically handicapped to enable them to enjoy the wide range of cultural and other activities presented by the Urban Council.
At the City Hall, arrangements are made to facilitate the booking and attendance of the physically handicapped, e.g., advance information, block-booking by telephone and admission to a performance before the general public. Spaces are also available for invalids in wheel-chairs in the concert-hall and theatre.
During the 1978-79 season, both the Chinese Orchestra and the Hong Kong Repertory Theatre will include performances at homes for the aged and handicapped.
The Council's free entertainment programme includes Cantonese opera, variety shows, folk-dances, magic shows, acrobatic displays and children's parties held at institutions, centres and homes for the aged and handicapped. During March 1978, ten such functions were presented and present plans include similar functions during the months of June, September, December 1978 and March 1979. Handicapped children are encouraged to participate in other Council programmes and special arrangements were made for them to watch the outdoor entertainment performances during the opening ceremony of the 1977 Festival of Asian Arts, to join in the Summer Fun launch picnics and, in March 1978, to compete in a special section of a games day.
As far as possible, care is taken in the two museums in the presentation of exhibits to accommodate special problems such as line-of-sight for the handicapped. In addition, attendants are on duty to assist when necessary.
The majority of Urban Council libraries are accessible to the elderly and handicapped. In planning new permanent libraries, lift services are provided especially for use by the aged and the handicapped. Special services include priority in the issue and return of books to avoid undue waiting in queues. Consideration is now being given to reserving some seats in each library for the exclusive use of the handicapped and elderly, and also a book-loan service to the housebound. In co-operation with interested organizations, special library visits have been arranged for handicapped children. Special film-shows are included for the handicapped and aged in the extension activities programmes of the libraries.
In planning new projects like the Tsim Sha Tsui Cultural Complex, the Ko Shan Road open-air theatre, the Queen Elizabeth Stadium and the Hung Hom Stadium, suitable provision is being made for the aged and handicapped.
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