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management are also designed to assist schools and recognized clubs engaged in promoting the sport. On top of this, the Council contributes maximum financial contributions to both the summer and winter programmes organised by the Government Recreation & Sport Service. These programmes include a series of training courses on diving, water polo, snorkeling, life-saving, rescue techniques and swimming clinics. Last year, the Council contributed $68,266 towards the summer programme and $10,230 towards the winter programme.
Turning to the second part of this question, namely, the possibility of awarding free season tickets as prizes to winners in swimming galas sponsored by the Council, I must point out that, at present, the Council does not issue season tickets for admission to public swimming pools, even on payment. If Members feel that it is desirable that this should be done, it will be necessary to amend the Public Swimming Pools Bylaws. In view of the question of policy raised by this proposal, I will ask the Urban Services Department to examine it in detail and to make recommendations to the Recreation & Amenities Select Committee.
MR CHAM (in English):—Mr Chairman, in view of the fact that we sponsored one and only one event last year, are there any plans to increase Urban Council's sponsorship of swimming galas for schools or kaifongs in the future?
MR HU (in English):—Mr Chairman, I am sure with the support of the Chairman of the Council, we will be only too pleased to increase the level of support to swimming competitions.
MR CHAM (in English):—On the question of season tickets, has the Council before considered the viability of introducing season tickets? If so, are there any administrative problems involved which prevent us from issuing season tickets as trophies to winners of events?
MR HU (in English):—As I mentioned in my earlier reply, I will certainly ask the department to look into details so that we can study the possibility of issuing season tickets.
MR HOWARD H. W. YOUNG (in English):—Mr Chairman, should the Council respond favourably to the idea of season tickets, will the Council consider not only winners of Urban Council sponsored galas, but also those Hong Kong citizens who have achieved outstanding results in events, such as the Cross Harbour Swimming Race or in inter-city or international competitions as being eligible as well?
MR HU (in English):—Mr Chairman, if the Council does decide to issue season tickets, I am sure MR HOWARD YOUNG's point will be taken into consideration.
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CHAIRMAN (in English):—At the same time, does the Council not jeopardize their amateur status? (Laughter).
MR HU (in English):—Yes.
MRS GRACE HO (in English):—Mr Chairman, MR F. K. HU has said that the Council contributes maximum financial contributions to the Government's Recreation & Sports Service. When he said maximum contribution, what percentage is the total contribution? My point is that how much does the Government contribute? It may be a fair question as he said 'maximum'.
MR HU (in English):—If I remember correctly, it is more or less on a 50-50 basis, and on top of that, the Recreation & Sports Service do provide the manpower.
3 DR P. C. WONG asked the following question (in English):—How many complaints have been received in the past six months on the Refuse Collection sites that are too close to schools or residential building? What steps are being taken now to remedy the problems?
MRS GRACE HO, CHAIRMAN OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL HYGIENE SELECT COMMITTEE, replied as follows (in English):—95 complaints were received during the past six months about refuse collection sites being too close to schools or residential buildings. This includes complaints made direct to the Urban Services Department, letters to the newspapers, and complaints made on radio 'phone-in' programmes.
Present procedure generally is for refuse from private households to be conveyed by private collectors engaged by householders through the streets to collection points, the majority of which are on-street, for removal by the Urban Services Department. This is a very unsatisfactory arrangement. The only effective solution is for proper refuse collection chambers to be constructed inside the buildings themselves and for refuse to be collected in bulk by the Department from these chambers, thus eliminating the need for outside refuse collection points. The environmental consultants employed by the Government have recommended that legislation should be enacted requiring all new high-rise buildings to be provided with proper refuse chutes and storage areas accessible to Council refuse collection vehicles. This proposal is, clearly, one which will only be effective in the long term, but I am sure that all Members will not only support it, but request early implementation.
I am concerned with the present conditions at some refuse collection points and the Council is tackling the problem in a number of different ways.
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