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lack of systematic cataloging. I would like to raise the following questions for the attention of the Council:
(a) (i) Can we catalogue all video tapes, films and records (including compact disc) and give brief descriptions for each of them so as to facilitate borrowing and to ensure that the public can borrow what they really want?
(ii) If we cannot complete the cataloging for all audio-visual materials within a short period of time, can we have other temporary remedial measures?
(b) Occasionally, the performance of the audio-visual equipment including the headsets within the booths is rather unsatisfactory. They may even become out of order. There is also dirt in the headsets, making them very unhygienic. How does the Council improve such conditions?
MR. JOSEPH Y. S. CHAN, CHAIRMAN OF THE LIBRARIES SELECT COMMITTEE, replied as follows (in Cantonese):—the question is in two parts. The first concerns the provision of annotations for audio-visual materials and the second, the maintenance of audio-visual equipment.
Concerning the cataloguing of audio-visual materials, the Urban Council Public Libraries provide simple catalogues in card format for all audio materials, including audio-compact discs. As for video materials, catalogues in card format have recently been made available for public use, to supplement the alphabetical listing available. As a general practice, annotations are not provided for the various materials in the stock of the libraries, because such provision would be labour intensive and costly. However, information on the availability of accompanying scripts is available in catalogue cards for video-materials. Readers may request to see the scripts and the video holders or jackets for information on the content of video programmes before using them in the audio-visual libraries. They are also welcome to seek assistance from the library staff on duty.
Regarding maintenance of audio-visual equipment, such service is provided regularly by the Electrical and Mechanical Services Department and service contractors and has been satisfactory. The equipment failure rate reported in the 13 audio-visual libraries in the past twelve months was 0.3%. Readers who encounter difficulties in using audio-visual equipment are advised to contact staff on duty for immediate assistance.
On the use of headsets, I should clarify that both ear pads and grilles of headsets are cleaned with alcohol every day. Should users encounter any headset that is not in a clean condition, they should report this immediately to the counter staff.
(Mrs. Eleanor C. M. LING arrived at 2.46 p.m.)
MR. DAVID P. S. FONG (in Cantonese):—Mr. Chairman, since a lot of video materials do not really have scripts or annotations on their cases or jackets, so in
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the long term, could the Council consider to catalogue such materials and to have annotations?
MR. JOSEPH Y. S. CHAN (in Cantonese):—The suggestions by Mr. FONG can be considered as long as we have sufficient resources. For instance, in the purchase of video materials, if we do have the annotations, probably we can ask the suppliers to give us an additional empty case which can be put on display for users' reference. This will be taken up in the long term to improve our services to users.
4. MR. DANIEL K. T. WONG asked the following question (in English):—I understand from residents of Kowloon that the dead body of their family member could only be cremated at least 7 to 10 days after the death. The delay results from the present practice with the making of reservation with the government crematorium. The present practice only allows a person to make booking of a time-slot for cremation within the next 7 days. The person often finds the timetable for the crematorium fully booked, and has to attend several times to be able to make a successful booking. He has to attend the Urban Services Department personally to make the booking early in the morning, like queuing up for the government clinic. This has not only created a lot of inconvenience for the next-of-kin of the deceased, but has also given rise to opportunity to the existence of a kind of pay service, whereby the deceased's family has to pay at least several hundred dollars to strangers for queuing up overnight to get a booking.
Will the Council please advise what the present booking system for cremation is, and how such pay service could be prevented?
DR. RONALD D. B. LEUNG, CHAIRMAN OF THE PUBLIC HEALTH SELECT COMMITTEE, replied as follows (in English):—Mr. Chairman, the first part of this question inquired about the booking system for cremations for Urban Council. Booking can be made at either of the two centralized offices at Canton Road Government Offices and Centre Point. Usually an application can be completed for death registration, issue of the cremation permit and booking of the cremation session. These offices are open from 9 a.m. to 12.30 p.m. and 2 p.m. to 4.30 p.m. They are closed on Saturday afternoon, Sundays and public holidays. Booking is made on a first-come-first-served basis and application can be made personally or by authorized licensed undertaker to complete it on his behalf. Booking can only be made 7 days in advance. Under normal circumstances, only 24 cremation sessions per day are conducted at Cape Collinson and 18 sessions at Diamond Hill. Once the booking is full for the first 4 days, the 7-day advance booking limit may be extended to cope with the demand.
The problem outlined in the question posed by Mr. Daniel WONG, really reflects the actual situation in the difficulty in booking, and has highlighted a serious problem in which the relatives of a deceased have to face considerable delay and inconveniences in booking an appointment for cremation. This situation may have arisen from a number of factors.
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