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other, which is at the western end of Beach Road, has 5 barbecue pits. These areas have been chosen because they do not cause undue inconvenience to bathers. Every effort is made to maintain the barbecue areas in a clean and tidy condition at all times.
The beach at Repulse Bay is extremely popular and the many thousands of people who go there are bound to cause inconvenience in one form or another to local residents. One of the commonest complaints from local residents is about noise from the beach, but I think that the Council would be reluctant to try to impose tighter controls in one of the few recreational areas where families can go to relax and enjoy themselves.
The answer to the second part of the question is that no action has been taken to lift the prohibition on overnight camping at Repulse Bay or other beaches in the urban area. In reply to Mr. YOUNG's suggestion in the Annual Debate in 1980, I pointed out that beaches are heavily used during daylight hours in the recognized swimming season and that, at the same time, they are relatively small and could not cope with large numbers of campers. The situation has not changed and I believe that, if the present restrictions were relaxed, beaches would soon be full of tents and there would also be a sizable overnight population. This, in my opinion, could lead to unacceptable disturbance to local residents and, in this respect, I believe that overnight camping would be a source of legitimate grievance whereas the present situation probably reflects a reasonable balance between the interests of beach-goers and people who live nearby.
MR. YOUNG (in English):-Mr. Chairman, it has been mentioned that there are two areas at Repulse Bay where there are barbecue pits. Is the Chairman aware whether it is the number of pits at the Lido Restaurant side which is the main cause for complaints or is it the five barbecue pits at the western end which is the main cause for complaints from residents?
MR. Lo (in English):-I am not aware which is the main cause for these complaints, Mr. Chairman. The one in front of the Lido Restaurant is much bigger.
(Miss Cecilia L. Y. YEUNG arrived during Mr. Kenneth LO's address.)
MR. YOUNG (in English):-Mr. Chairman, I have a feeling that it is the smaller amount of pits at the western end which is causing complaints because that is where most residential flats are located. In view of that, does the Chairman agree that we ought to look at stationing staff, to oversee the use of these pits even during night hours to minimize the inconvenience?
MR. Lo (in English):-Certainly, Mr. Chairman, we could look into that.
MR. LAWRENCE FUNG (in English):—Mr. Chairman, may I seek the clarification through you; whether in fact the barbecue pits are causing an inconvenience to the residents or is the activity of barbecuing causing a nuisance to the residents and bathers of Repulse Bay Beach?
MR. Lo (in English):-I am not sure which is the cause of complaint, but I know there have been complaints about the barbecue pits there.
MR. FUNG (in English):-Mr. Chairman, my understanding of the problem is that, in fact, barbecuing as a recreational activity, is causing pollution to the beach area as well as causing a noise nuisance. By that, I refer to the ashes of barbecue pits and I would like to know how in fact are they removed from the beaches this is really an environmental problem and not so much a recreational problem. And the other one of noise pollution, refers to the indiscriminate playing of cassette tape records right into the early hours of the morning rather than campers camping on the beach?
MR. Lo (in English):-Quite a large number of people go to Repulse Bay and obviously, there is going to be noise. I don't think we can avoid this if it is to be used at all.
MR. FUNG (in English):-Mr. Chairman, my first part of the question wasn't answered. How are the ashes of the barbecue pits being removed, or are they left to the devices of nature to be blown away and then mixed with the sand on the beach?
MR. Lo (in English):-I will consult the Chairman of the Environmental Hygiene Select Committee on this one. (Laughter).
DR. DENNY HUANG (in Cantonese): -Mr. Chairman, perhaps as the Chairman of the Environmental Hygiene Select Committee, I ought to answer the question. I am quite grateful that Mr. Lo has answered the question on my behalf. As to how to get rid of the ashes as mentioned by Mr. FUNG, I believe it is the responsibility of the Urban Services Department to have the staff to get rid of the ashes and I don't think it's good for the ashes to be mixed with the sand.
MR. Lo (in English):-If I may add something further to that, Mr. Chairman. I don't think the removal of the ashes and remains from the actual barbecue pits themselves cause much of a problem.
2. MR. HOWARD H. W. YOUNG asked the following question (in English):- What steps has the Council taken so far regarding proposed control over the level of aflatoxin and erucic acid in food and edible oil? To what extent have health authorities overseas and local trade and industrial organizations been consulted? Do we know of countries where such controls have been deemed necessary in the interest of public health?
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