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and other organizations on some safety precautions at the appropriate time? On the other hand, can we impose some regulations to ask the workers in the throwing areas to wear safety helmets?
CHAIRMAN (in English):—Mr. CHAN, there are only two questions today and you are stretching the limit of supplementaries a little too much even for my good nature. So would you permit the Chairman of the Recreation Select Committee to attempt to answer. Could I remind people who wish to continue the question that there is an inquiry to be held into this unfortunate accident in due course and there may be factors coming out in that inquiry which we certainly should not prejudge.
MR. SAMUEL P. W. WONG (in Cantonese):—Thank you, Mr. Chairman. As regards the overlapping zone in the field, if you have just one throwing event, of course, the danger will be greatly reduced. However, it will be quite monotonous if only one event is held. The idea of overlapping zone is that more than one 'throwing' events can be held within that particular area but certainly not at the same time. If we hold all events together thus requiring individual ‘safety' zones, the whole field may not be sufficient. I think the teachers and prefects should be responsible for the order and safety of the event. Of course, our officers will also be there to assist but the main responsibility rests with the school principal and teachers.
MR. PETER C. K. CHAN (in Cantonese):—Mr. Chairman, as far as I understand there will be an inquiry. Before any recommendation is made by the inquiry, for the sake of safety, no events should be held simultaneously in the overlapping zone in our venues. In the interim, we should limit only one event to take place at the same time, say, either javelin or disc throwing. I would like to ask is the Committee willing to make the interim measure?
CHAIRMAN (in English):—I think the question should be referred to the Sports and Activities Sub-Committee and to the department for consideration.
MR. MAN SAI-CHEONG (in Cantonese):—Mr. Chairman, we have learned a lesson from this incident. This gives us an opportunity to review the safety measures. Secondly, if accident does happen, how are we going to deal with it? I would like to cite one example. In summer time, the lifeguards are very busy but they are not so in winter time. I wonder whether in winter some less busy lifeguards can be given some professional first aid and lifesaving training courses in order to let them have some new and international knowledge which can be improved from time to time. Can we consider that?
MR. SAMUEL P. W. WONG (in Cantonese):—Yes, we will certainly consider that. In fact, for water safety, there are a number of training courses available each year. They will be taught safety and first-aid procedure by the Auxiliary Medical Services.
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CHAIRMAN (in English):—It seems that Mr. Joseph CHAN does not want me to exercise my right of reply. He still wants to ask another supplementary question.
MR. JOSEPH Y. S. CHAN (in Cantonese):—Mr. Chairman, I will not ask any more question. It is only because that my previous question has not been answered. In order to protect the safety of those working in the zones where throwing events take place, could we impose regulations, say, to ask people working in the zones to wear helmets. This question has not been answered. I just want to know whether this is possible?
MR. SAMUEL P. W. WONG (in Cantonese):—Mr. Chairman, this is quite technical. After wearing helmets, you may need to wear armours too as the javelin may hit your heart instead of your head. Anyway, the HKAAA and the Department will consider all possible safety measures.
MR. CHAN KWOK-MING (in Cantonese):—Mr. Chairman, I would like to ask Mr. WONG a question. Since there are a lot of sports day events in our venues, does the Department know the whole programme beforehand? If the answer is in affirmative, has the Department scrutinized the programmes to see whether the venues are suitable for hiring?
MR. SAMUEL P. W. WONG (in Cantonese):—Mr. Chairman, the responsibility of scrutinizing all athletics programmes rests with the Education Department. The Urban Council is only responsible for providing the necessary venues and facilities.
RESUMPTION OF ANNUAL CONVENTIONAL DEBATE
CHAIRMAN said (in English):—It is my duty and privilege to exercise my right of reply to the speeches made by Members at this year's Annual Conventional Debate. Councillors have again shown their wide knowledge and concern for many of the major problems besetting Council's work and matters affecting Hong Kong in general. I trust these will be followed up by various select committees and other Government departments to whom the various speeches will be referred.
An extraordinary meeting of the Urban Council will take place on Thursday when Members will have an opportunity to make their views known on the Government's White Paper on constitutional reform. No doubt with the White Paper in their hands, Members can expand on the proposals as contained therein. Thus, I do not think it is necessary for me today to comment on the points made by some Members on this subject.
Turning to specific points made in the various speeches, I would like to highlight the problems that we are facing with implementing the Report and