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long ago and Members are concerned about markets being run as efficiently as possible. We agree that the cleansing work is quite labour intensive and the department is considering the contracting out of cleansing service in Po On Road Market as a pilot scheme for market cleansing. A comprehensive cleansing schedule for the contract is being drawn up and the proposal will be presented to Council for consideration. Furthermore, the Department is arranging the purchase of wet floors scrubbers, high pressure water jet generators and heavy duty suction sweepers for more effective cleansing. Mr. MA also did express concern at the complaints in regard to what was discharged from the drains. It was discovered that it was due to the chokage and flooding of the two sump pits and two grease traps. The desludging work of these has now been contracted out to a private company at $3,000 per operation once a month, and the situation has considerably improved. I hope Mr. Ma could advise residents in the area that the Department is doing everything possible to make sure the market is run efficiently.
3. MR. MA LEE-WO asked the following question (in Cantonese):―The number of elderly people in Hong Kong is increasing. At present, there are 689,000 elderly people in Hong Kong and this represents 12.2% of the local population. Every year, the Urban Council offers many activities for elderly people, who are the main users of the services of the Council. May I know:
(i) Is there any UC policy governing the provision of cultural, recreational and sports activities for elderly people? What are the details of the policy?
(ii) Will additional activities, venues and facilities specially designed for enhancing the physical fitness of elderly people be provided in the future? Are there any specific plans for that?
DR. SAMUEL WONG PING-WAI, CHAIRMAN OF THE RECREATION SELECT COMMITTEE, replied as follows (in Cantonese):-There are two related questions. The first concerns the Urban Council's policy for the provision of cultural, recreational and sports activities for the elderly people.
The Council's policy with regard to culture, recreation and sports are detailed in the annual Statement of Aims for the Select Committees concerned. While no specific reference is made to senior citizens, their needs are taken into account in both programming events and in providing services, because the Council's policy is to take into consideration the need of different age groups and interests in the community.
Specially designed programmes for the elderly people have always been an integral part of the activities organized by the Council's District Recreation, Amenities and Sports Offices. In 1988-89, 393 projects were launched for people aged 60 or above, attracting a total of 15,710 participants. For 1989–90, the number of projects has increased to 491, and more than 37,000 senior citizens are expected to join. These activities include swimming, gateballing, fitness training, excursions and other sports events. They are offered free of charge to enhance participation.
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To encourage the elderly people to make more frequent use of the Council's sporting and recreational facilities, a number of concessionary rates at half the normal fees and charges have been introduced. From 1 April 1989 onwards, people aged 60 or above can enjoy reduced hire charges for the use of various Council facilities such as tennis, squash and badminton courts, table tennis tables, bowling greens, sport pitches and certain amenities at indoor games halls. They are also entitled to a reduced entrance fee at Urban Council swimming pools.
On the cultural side, I on behalf of Messrs. Lo King-man, CHAN Kwok-ming, Joseph CHAN and Dr. Philip Kwok answer the question. The needs of senior citizens are also well cared for. The Council's public libraries will continue to provide special services for them: these include block loan of books to elderly centres, provision of music records and tapes to their taste, and organisation of interest group activities as part of the UCPL extension programmes. Senior citizens attending cultural presentations and Space Museum Sky Shows are also offered concessionary rates for tickets. Certain programmes such as Cantonese and Chiu Chow Operas, which feature regularly in the Council's entertainment programme, are most popular among senior citizens. Most of these programmes are free. For those which charge an admission fee, senior citizens are entitled to a concessionary rate.
Finally, for the benefit of the elderly, free cloakroom service is also offered to them at museums, libraries and performing venues where such facility is provided.
The second question concerns the Council's plans to enhance the physical fitness of the elderly people. As I have mentioned, recreational and sports activities are comprehensively planned. The same principle applies to the provision of venues and facilities. While no specific plans have been made for senior citizens, further expansion of activities for them will continue to be one of the priority areas in the Council's community recreation and sports programme. In this regard, it is expected that with the full operation of the District Fitness Centres in each of the Urban Districts, more activities, notably fitness programmes specially for the elderly will be provided.
I would like to reiterate that the Council's policy is to serve all people in the urban areas and its facilities and activities are designed to cater to all tastes and age groups. There is no need to single out any particular group of people for special attention because if we go by the way, the recreational and cultural activities of our Chairman, then all activities will be suitable for the elderly people.
4. MR. PAUL YOUNG TZE-KONG asked the following question (in English):— With the major aims to seek a gradual reduction in street trading as circumstances permit and to reduce progressively the heavy subsidy from public funds, what are the criteria or limits in terms of total dollars—construction and recurring administrative cost per licensed hawker to be spent when approving the