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MR HU (in English):-Well, of course reaction but from the various interviews with the visiting artists and various cultural leaders from other countries, my understanding is they are very keen to organise something along our lines and they are very impressed by the success of the Hong Kong's Festival of Asian Arts.
DR HUANG (in Cantonese):-My last supplementary question. If say, Japan or Singapore, is willing to organise such Arts Festivals, would we consider taking turns in organising such festivals so that we can have say one Festival in one place each three years.
CHAIRMAN (in English):-This is of course asking Mr Hu for an opinion which is contrary to Standing Orders, but he may give it if he wishes.
MR HU (in English):-Well, we consider this Festival is such an important artistic event that it is really worthwhile to make it an annual event but, of course, if other countries want to organise similar events and they want Hong Kong to support, I am sure we will be only too pleased to support their Festivals.
CHAIRMAN (in English):-Any other supplementary questions please, Miss Maria TAM and Mr Howard YOUNG in that order.
MISS MARIA W. C. TAM (in English):-Mr Chairman, it seems that from the figures laid before us that we are increasing our investment with diminishing returns in terms of revenue, may I ask if the expenditure would be lessened if there were more local programmes put on by local artists?
MR HU (in English):-One of the purposes of the Festival is to increase the local talents to participate in the Festival so I think Miss TAM's question can be answered. As far as expenditure is concerned, in the first Festival some of the expenses were covered by other votes and subsequently, we decided that all the expenditure would be covered under one vote, that is why the second and third Festivals' expenditure seemed to be much higher than the first one, but actually this was because a few votes were grouped together in the second and third Festivals.
CHAIRMAN (in English):-Miss TAM, have you finished?
MISS TAM (in English):-I have finished. Thank you.
MR HOWARD H. W. YOUNG (in English):-Mr Chairman, the crux of the original question is about the deficit. Instead of stopping the Festival, could we try to reduce the deficit by exploring other means for generating revenue such as selling television rights, etc.
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MR HU (in English):-Mr Chairman, it is a very interesting question. I am sure we have to find ways and means of increasing the revenue. As a matter of fact, in the first Festival, we received considerable donations in meeting the expenditure and there is no reason why we cannot do it in future.
MR HOWARD H. W. YOUNG asked the following question (in English):-What has been the utilization record of the new Wan Chai Sports Ground? What is regarded as the maximum utilization capacity of this ground for sports events, and what steps will the council take to maximize its usage?
MR KENNETH T. C. LO, CHAIRMAN OF THE RECREATION AND AMENITIES SELECT COMMITTEE, replied as follows (in English):-
Wan Chai Sports Ground
This question concerns the use of the Wan Chai Sports Ground. Since its opening in mid-February and up to the end of May, the Wan Chai Sports Ground was used for a total of 314 days. The maximum utilization capacity of an ordinary sports ground during the athletic season is six in every seven days. In other words, if the Wan Chai Sports Ground were treated as an ordinary ground, it was used during the period for 30% only of its full capacity. Between June and September, no athletics normally take place.
However, I must make it clear that the Wan Chai Sports Ground is much more than an ordinary sports ground: it is Hong Kong's venue for national, regional and international athletics events. Apart from this ground, there are five other athletics venues for general use. Pending experience with this new ground which has sophisticated and expensive equipment, it was decided after due consideration to restrict usage to inter-school or inter-district and regional competitions as well as organised training and coaching. Block bookings are confined to the following bodies:
(a) Hong Kong Amateur Athletic Association;
(b) Hong Kong and New Territories Schools Sports Associations;
(c) Education Department for inter-school functions;
(d) Recreation and Sport Service.
As regards the second part of the question, the optimum utilization capacity will be determined in the light of experience, and it is too early to make conclusions at this stage. The Department has been asked to keep the usage of this ground under review and, if circumstances so indicate, to recommend extending the booking criteria to allow a greater use of the ground, provided that the high standard of the facilities will not be put at risk.
MR YOUNG (in English):-Mr Chairman, when reviewing the usage and considering extension of booking criteria in due course, will account be taken of the fact that the five other athletic venues mentioned in the reply are in general still unable to cater for demand from schools?
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