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persons or more will be more useful. If the Urban District Complex cannot provide for a hall with such increased seating capacity, then other alternatives must be found.
The library development programme which was touched upon by Mrs. Grace Ho continues apace, and the Libraries Select Committee which is chaired by Mrs. Elsie ELLIOTT, is pushing ahead with plans to provide branch and mini libraries wherever they are required. It is interesting to note that the Urban Council library system has issued library membership cards to one-third of the urban population in Hong Kong, i.e. 1.3 million membership cards.
The Council adopts a balanced approach in supporting both the performing arts as well as fine arts. The Council Vice-Chairman, Mr. FORSGATE, mentioned on behalf of Dr. Philip Kwok, Chairman of the Hong Kong Philharmonic Society, about the pleasing progress made by the Orchestra. As the Urban Council is the major financial supporter of the Hong Kong Philharmonic, we could take pride in the high standard of performance and the growing international recognition achieved by the Orchestra.
The other performing companies which include the Chinese Orchestra, the Repertory Theatre, the Hong Kong Dance Company and the Hong Kong Chorus are supported wholly by the Urban Council and the development of these companies is being carefully monitored. These four companies which come under the Performing Companies Sub-Committee, ably chaired by Mrs. Selina Chow, are performing not only in the urban areas but also in the New Territories as well through the Cultural Services Department of the U.S.D.
The Council's programme to expand museum services has shown good progress as well. Last month, we opened the New Flagstaff House Museum of Tea Ware. The Chairman of the Science Museum Sub-Committee, Mr. Lawrence FUNG, also mentioned the construction of a 'temporary Museum of Science and Technology'. This museum, when completed in about two years' time, will occupy a total floor area of 50,000 sq. ft. and will prove a valuable substitute until funds are obtained to build a permanent Museum of Science and Technology and a permanent Museum of History on a site adjacent to the Hong Kong Polytechnic.
During the 'Science in Action' Exhibition held recently at the City Hall, there was a total attendance of 93,000 persons with a daily attendance rate of 5,800. In the light of the success of this Exhibition, the Urban Services Department is considering having it shown at other venues such as Queen Elizabeth Stadium and also in the New Territories.
Relationship with District Boards
On Council's relationship with District Boards, I am confident that there will be closer interaction between members of the ten urban District Boards and the Urban Council in enabling the Council to fulfil its statutory responsibilities to our nearly four million urban residents.
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This year, the Urban Council has been consulting the District Boards on their views regarding the various capital works items which are in active progress or being planned for each district. We have already drawn upon this valuable feedback from the District Boards to revise our works programme and with continued goodwill on both sides will in future be able to better plan our priorities in the completion of the various capital works items, as well as to ensure that the services provided will meet the needs and wishes of the district residents.
The City Services Department has its representatives sitting on District Board Committees and Area Committees. Furthermore, the Cultural Services Department has regional offices which keep in close touch with the cultural and sports associations which work together with District Boards in the planning of district sports and cultural festivals. I am happy to note that practically all the District Boards have been organizing sports and cultural festivals on their own initiative. The Urban Council will continue to give its full support to these community-building initiatives on the part of district cultural and sports associations.
The Entertainment Sub-Committee of the Culture and Entertainment Select Committee, under the chairmanship of Mr. SHUM Choi-sang, has been giving much encouragement to district initiative in the setting up of district entertainment activities, and traditional festivals, such as Lantern Festivals, and in so doing, to enhance a sense of district involvement and community building.
The work of the Urban Council has a close relationship with the district strategy plan of all the District Boards, in the environmental field, that is sanitation and hygiene, hawker matters, street management and other types of environmental improvements.
In the community-building field, the Urban Council's input covers recreational and sports activities and facilities, providing cultural facilities and the promotion of cultural activities, and making a contribution towards the development of a district identity.
The Urban Services Department has been organizing visits by District Board members jointly with the Urban Councillors who sit on each District Board to inspect the various Urban Council facilities and also to take a look at the Urban Council projects in the planning.
We are in an evolving situation in our relationship with the District Board system and we should identify and expand the range of those activities which District Board leaders would like to do themselves and to give them every support possible. This means we should encourage the district cultural and sports associations to take the initiative in organizing district entertainment, cultural activities, sports and recreational activities. The Council stands ready to assist all District Boards whether by way of material or financial resources for