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The ideal solution to hawker control is to resite them all into the markets. Now, there are 51 markets under the management of the Urban Council, namely, 28 on Hong Kong Island and 23 in Kowloon. Five new markets were built in 1981 and another five will be completed in 1982. Probably, three more will be built in 1983. As some of the new markets have to accommodate stall holders consequent upon demolition of old markets, there are not enough spaces in the new markets to accommodate all the street traders at present.
The prerequisite conditions for more markets are that (i) the Government has to provide the land and (ii) financial resources for the projects have to be sought.
Before a sufficient number of markets area available, it is an expedient measure to accommodate the hawkers in the streets for the time being. In order to keep the number of hawkers down, to abate the nuisance for impeding the traffic and to keep the places clean, we need a greater manpower and a better plan with more effective measures. To increase the strength of the General Duties Teams is a must and is, therefore, a pressing need.
Mr. Chairman, with these remarks, I support the motion.
(Mr. CHAN Chi-kwan and Mr. Kenneth T. C. LO arrived during Mr. SHUM Choi-sang's address.)
MRS. GRACE Ho (in English):-Mr. Chairman, as the new Chairman of the Museums Select Committee, I will be addressing you primarily on Museum matters.
During the past year, the Museum section of the Council has been very active mounting exhibitions of both ancient and modern art as well as on historical subjects in the Museums of Art and of History. I would like to take this opportunity to thank the many dedicated advisers to the Museums Select Committee who have made available their expertise and time to us and to the Curators and their staff who have worked extremely hard to give the public a veritable feast ranging from painting, calligraphy, ceramics, textiles to neolithic carvings and science as well as to the 'backroom boys' who carry out the less glamorous, but essential jobs, such as conservation and preparing exhibitions.
We are most grateful to a number of public spirited people who have given donations to the Museums' collection. In particular, I wish to mention Mr. K. S. Lo, a former Councillor who generously donated over 400 items of teaware to be housed in the new Flagstaff House Museum. Every effort will be made to speed up the renovation of this building so that the public may enjoy this outstanding collection in proper surroundings. As an encouragement to prospective benefactors, Government passed the Urban Council (Donations) Ordinance in 1981, whereby donations made in cash to the Urban Council are exempt from taxation. I therefore hope that the Council will be the recipient of many more gifts, and furthermore, that this exemption would be extended to gifts in kind.
The attendance at Museums has shown a gradual increase and not only are people attracted to exhibits relating to cultural heritage but also to displays from abroad widening our outlook. Over 301 school parties were guided around the Museums.
The Committee has continued a policy of encouraging the arts by holding exhibition of the works of local artists and sculptors, and buying their pieces for its collection.
Our Museums of Art and of History have been in existence for a number of years even though space is inadequate and the Museum of History is in temporary rented premises which inhibits expansion. Hong Kong has a young population and there is tremendous interest when scientific exhibitions are mounted. For instance, over 64 000 people visited the Exhibition on Electricity and Magnetism and when part of it was then moved to the Tsuen Wan Town Hall for a few days, attracted another 20 000 visitors. There is therefore a great need for a Museum of Science and Technology. Preparation work for a temporary science museum at Chatham Road East has started, and even the road to it has been named Science Museum Road. The cost of this temporary structure will be met from the Council's own funds although under the Memorandum of Administrative Arrangements with Government in 1973, the building of museums is a Government responsibility. This decision was taken in order to act as a catalyst and to fill a gap in facilities to the public until Government builds the permanent museum. The site chosen is close to the Hong Kong Polytechnic and easily accessible from the Hung Hom Railway Station and by public transport. It is also within walking distance of the popular Space Theatre along the new waterfront promenade. The intention is to construct the Museum of History there as well so that it could share an administrative block with economies of space and money. The open space around them could be used for outdoor exhibits with sitting out areas, providing an attractive setting to the complex.
However, there are also some aspects which I consider we must improve. These are the upgrading of museum shops and closer monitoring of publications. On a recent visit to the Museum of London, we were informed that even that purpose built museum underprovided space for sale of postcards, and souvenirs, etc. Planning for future museums should take this into account. Apart from the materials sold being of educational value, revenue generated from sales would help defray the running costs of museums which charge no admission fee except for the Lei Cheng Uk Chuen Branch Museum and then purely for control purposes. On publications, there are always the dangers of overprinting, insufficient publicity or inadequate marketing. This is especially so when a particular exhibition may have limited interest. I think we should improve these aspects of our operations.
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