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These benefits and entitlements are guaranteed by the Employment Agreement signed between each member of the Performing Companies and the Council.
MR. LAM CHAK-PIU (in Cantonese):—Mr. Chairman, I have two supplementary questions. Firstly, when we recruit our artists, the criteria have been constantly reviewed. However, today's Sing Tao Yat Po says that there is a tendency that the Chinese Orchestra is recruiting people from China. I would like to know whether the management will encounter difficulty in recruitment? Secondly, if the artists are not satisfied with their salaries and benefits, what is the channel for appeals?
CHAIRMAN (in English): I think the first supplementary is requesting an answer of hypothetical proposition, so it is up to you. You need not answer that part of the question.
MR. LO KING-MAN (in English):—Mr. Chairman, the question is not only hypothetical but is unrelated to the original question because the original question concerns with condition of service. The so-called supplementary concerns actual recruitment. However, I will try to indicate answers. As far as the Culture Select Committee and its Performing Companies Sub-Committee are concerned, we have not encountered any problem raised by any party save in the general way this morning concerning issue of no particular case reference in the newspaper's report on certain members' complaints. The system of recruitment is based entirely on merit, competence in the particular art form required and the judgement is clearly defined and it is largely based on recruitment panels or audition panels and largely based on a system that has been derived by the Department in consultation with its advisers and the artistic or music directors of the specific companies and agreed in general terms by the Performing Companies Sub-Committee. So if there were any specific cases of complaints which I have not had recollection specifically in recent months, we would certainly be aware of it. At the moment, I have not formally encountered any.
8.
MR. LAM CHAK-PIU asked the following question (in Cantonese):— (a) What kind of Council's services is available at its swimming pools and beaches in this bathing season?
(b) Do the swimming facilities and services provided by the Council during the bathing season really meet the needs of the swimmers?
MR. PETER C. K. CHAN, CHAIRMAN OF RECREATION SELECT COMMITTEE, replied as follows (in Cantonese):—This question concerns swimming facilities and services. The first part asks what kind of services are available at swimming pools and beaches managed by the Council. The second asks whether these facilities and services really meet the needs of swimmers.
As to existing facilities, the Council manages 14 public swimming pool complexes and 12 gazetted beaches. Services provided there include lifeguards, first-aid, cleansing, changing rooms, light refreshment kiosks, and restaurants. At some beaches, barbecue pits are also provided. An exception is Rocky Bay Beach where only cleansing services are provided. This is because, as Members know, this beach has been declared unsuitable for swimming.
Generally speaking, these services do meet the needs of the bathing public. That is, the need for somewhere to cool down in hot weather, for somewhere to swim either for pleasure or for serious training, for somewhere to learn how to swim, and for somewhere for children to have fun. The Council's services allow for all these activities to be enjoyed safely and in a relatively pleasant environment.
However, the Council acknowledges the need to meet the changing demands of an increasingly sophisticated public and is continually seeking ways to improve its services. A special example is the ultra-modern complex in Kowloon Park. This was, of course, financed by the Jockey Club but is managed by the Council. It includes a number of unique features such as an Olympic standard pool with an adjustable bottom to cater for different types of usage, the use of ozone for water treatment, and an air bubble machine for safer diving. There are also four free-form leisure pools for people who prefer a more relaxed, family-style approach to swimming.
At a more mundane level, the Council has spent nearly $23 million on installing coin-return lockers and coin-operated turnstiles at its swimming pool complexes. Both facilities have been well received by the public. Nearly $8 million is being spent on installing innovative equipment at the Chai Wan complex, and similar facilities are planned at Lei Cheng Uk. The Council is also planning to build a leisure pool complex at Hammer Hill and, subject to feasibility, at Jordan Valley. These projects are at the 'drawing board' stage.
At the seaside, the Council has spent $45 million on resanding Repulse Bay Beach and diverting the central nullah. This has doubled the size of the beach and greatly improved the water quality. A more modest exercise at South Bay costing some $3 million has made the beach there larger, safer, and more attractive. At Stanley Main Beach, the Council is completing a new building which will provide better changing and shower facilities, and a refreshment kiosk. This has cost $8 million.
Thus the Council has spent over $80 million in the last three years on improving its services to swimmers and is committed to spending much more over the next few years. I think this demonstrates that no effort has been spared to better leisure services. The Council is firmly committed to maintaining these and, within reason, meeting the changing demand for more and better efforts.
MR. LAM CHAK-PIU (in Cantonese):—Mr. Chairman, I would like to ask the Chairman of the Recreation Select Committee a question. The Rocky Bay Beach had a very high usage rate in the past and under what circumstance the Bay is declared not suitable for swimming? Also, whether good publicity has been...
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