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Regarding the question of study rooms as adjuncts to our libraries, and I have seen from the paper a very popular subject in these days, we have provided these for many years. In fact, we are the first, and I think Dr. Tu was one of the originators of the scheme. However, as we have printed out, the provision of study facilities should lie with the Education Department. Our study rooms must be regarded as a small bonus and nothing more. The Education Authority can learn from us that there is a great demand for well-run, air-conditioned, and well-lit study rooms. At peak periods, our study rooms are booked to total capacity, and we are pleased to be able to help in a little way, but this is certainly not our job.
Land allocated for recreational purposes
Mr. PAO Ping-wing noted with concern the suitability of some of the land allocated to the Council for recreational purposes. During the past years, we had land allocated to use for a park in the Eastern District for children to play in beneath several flyovers, and it was pointed out to us by Mr. SULKE that the air definitely would contain a great deal of motor vehicle exhaust. This is totally unsuitable, and whilst there are constraints on the provision of land in Hong Kong, more thought needs to be given by the Town Planning Authorities to recreational needs.
Administrative Appeals Tribunal
Mr. LEE Chik-yuet has made what he says is his last Annual Conventional Debate before he leaves the Urban Council, but we hope this is just an interim of what his dealing with legal studies. Over the years, he has paid a great deal of attention to hawker matters, and on your behalf, I would like to thank him for his work in this field. He also has made comments on the proposed Administrative Appeals Tribunal, which has been considered by the Council many times. He considers that the Council, being the policy body for this, should appoint its own final court of appeal for decisions made by departmental staff enforcing Council policies. Indeed, his points were made to Government. However, the Council has now agreed to go along with Government's scheme, but we will obviously have to try and take great care in monitoring its effects on Council policy. I would like to take this opportunity to wish Mr. LEE all the best in his future endeavours.
Sponsorship for Council events
Dr. Ronald LEUNG and also Mr. Walter SULKE have again raised the subject of sponsorship by companies who deal in various commodities as well as tobacco. Dr. Ronald LEUNG has some interesting ideas on the institution of a scheme similar to one introduced into Australia requiring such companies to pay into a common fund. I think Dr. LEUNG, in his position as the Chairman of the Hong Kong Council on Smoking and Health, could best channel his ideas to Government through that body.
Sports spectaculars
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
Mr. FAN Kam-ping considers that the Council should look more closely at providing the public with what he calls 'sports spectaculars', in other words, to bring internationally prominent teams to Hong Kong to let our people see the highest standard of sport available, and he draws an analogy to our cultural presentations. This is, indeed, an idea worth looking at, and perhaps we should look at this in greater depth in the coming Council year.
Usage of Council's sports facilities
Mr. FAN also urges us not to pay too much attention to criticism about the usage rates of our facilities. He says that many of our facilities are, in effect, used to full capacity, and he went on about this earlier at this meeting, and it is right and proper that we should aim at a certain amount of under-usage to allow for greater casual use of our games halls, etc. He is, of course, right—we have been running hard even to meet demand; but as many of the capital works in the pipeline over the next few years are recreational facilities, this should help to close the gap.
Hong Kong Philharmonic
Mr. Marvin CHEUNG dealt with the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra, and I would like to thank him for his work as Honorary Treasurer of the Orchestra. We welcome both his and Dr. Philip Kwok's assurances that although this Council is helping in this small way to ensure its financial viability, this will not stifle the Society's own attempts to raise funds in the future as it has done in the past. I will also try to persuade the Regional Council to pay a realistic fee when the Orchestra plays in venues under its control.
Council document
Mr. CHEUNG has raised the matter of the volume of papers sent to Urban Councillors. This is an interesting one that has taxed the minds of Members over many years. Basically, Members get what they ask for. I have been to many meetings when various Members have asked for papers in future to contain additional information. I do agree that the circulation of some minor papers to a great number of departmental officers appears to be excessive. This has been cut down, but perhaps more can be done.
Our minutes are lengthy because Members often demand that all our pearls of wisdom be recorded for posterity! Perhaps we can agree that minutes should record what was decided and may be little more.
We should also consider delegating the creation of minor posts within the Department to the Director of Urban Services, subject to certain limits and constraints. The Department will put up a paper to the Administration Select Committee with suggestions on how this can best be done, or not more than one side or one sheet of paper.
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