1985

230

CHAIRMAN (in Cantonese):-Ladies and Gentlemen, the meeting is called to order.

The minutes of the meetings held on 14th January and 16th January 1986, were confirmed.

The following paper was laid on the table:-

(1) Report to the Urban Council by the Director of Urban Services and Secretary, Urban Council, for the month of January 1986.

1. MR. WALTER M. SULKE asked the following question (in English):-I understand that the Department has suggested, and some Councillors have agreed, to again review tobacco company sponsorship of Urban Council entertainment and sporting events. Could I please have an assurance that Government policy in this matter will be strictly adhered to, namely, that no sponsorship from any tobacco company will be accepted since this Council does not want to encourage anyone to take up or continue the obnoxious habit of smoking?

MR. STEPHEN M. L. LAU, CHAIRMAN OF THE ENTERTAINMENT SELECT COMMITTEE, replied as follows (in Cantonese):-This question concerns the review of the Council's current policy on tobacco company sponsorship of Urban Council entertainment and sporting events.

The review Mr. SULKE refers to will analyse the rationale of the Council's policy. As it is intended that this review should be considered by the Standing Committee of the Whole Council, every Councillor will have the opportunity to have his or her views heard. Whether the current Council policy should continue to be adhered to or not will rest on the consensus of the convictions of individual Councillors.

MR. SULKE (in English):-I am sorry to hear that there should be a review for this, after all it's Government's policy, but I hope that all Councillors will be sensible about this, just in case they are not, would it not be a good idea to have the tobacco companies pay for counter advertisements, so that we have nice, big banners hanging there, saying that smoking kills and perhaps a few photographs of a heart disease and cancerous lung.

231

HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL

MR. LAU (in Cantonese):-Mr. Chairman, I believe the suggestion made by Mr. SULKE is a new suggestion and if possible, I believe the Standing Committee of the Whole Council will consider Mr. SULKE's suggestion.

MR. LAWRENCE FUNG (in English):-Mr. Chairman, following on the Annual Debate earlier where I suggested that we should have more frequent and shorter debates, would it be possible for us to have a public debate on this question of smoking and banning of cigarette advertising?

MR. LAU (in Cantonese):-Mr. Chairman, I believe after the Standing Committee of the Whole Council meeting, we will know whether we need an open discussion.

2. MR. WALTER M. SULKE asked the following (in English):—It is noticeable in Europe and North America that many places are marked with signboards giving historical and other explanations. Many tourists visiting our Territory complain that often they do not know where they are and it would obviously be a great help to them and also to our citizens if such signboards were erected, for instance giving explanations as to why Tsim Sha Tsui is so-called, or the date of the reclamation of Victoria Park, and how Repulse Bay or Stanley were named, etc. etc.. Would the relevant committee consider erecting such signboards possibly in conjunction with the Hong Kong Tourist Association?

DR. THE HONOURABLE KIM Y. S. CHAN, CHAIRMAN OF THE ADMINISTRATION SELECT COMMITTEE, replied as follows (in English):-This question asks whether consideration can be given to the erection of signboards in suitable locations to inform passers-by as to the historical significance and background of the names of the locations.

There are indeed a few such signboards already erected by the Antiquities Board. In particular, there are three commemorative plaques indicating where Dr. Sun Yat Sen held his meetings. These are at No. 2, Gough Street, No. 46, Gough Street and No. 13, Staunton Street. There are other plaques placed in various Chinese temples and these have largely been erected by members of the public as tokens of their faith. I have, however, requested the Department to look into the matter in a general context and to report back to the Administration Select Committee in due course. This investigation will cover practical aspects, likely costings, and also the question of joint sponsorship mentioned in the question.

3. MR. JOSEPH Y. S. CHAN asked the following question (in Cantonese):—What has the Council been doing in educating common citizens to keep the city clean? What future plan the Council has? And what can the Council do in co-operating with the Environmental Protection Agency to keep the city free from noise, air and water pollution?