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arranged by the Committee before the swimming season so that swimmers are aware of the problems with the Rocky Bay Beach and go to other beaches?
MR. PETER C. K. CHAN (in Cantonese): Regarding Rocky Bay Beach, I have predicted long time ago that this will be raised because the water quality there is not suitable for swimming. When the report was released, there were also a couple of beaches in the New Territories that have the same problem. The Department suggested that the Rocky Bay should be declared not suitable for swimming. I have made a prediction at that time that someone might query such a declaration. Now I am right in making this prediction. Since the water quality there is not safe for swimming so it is better not to swim there. May be Dr. LEUNG can enlighten us here.
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MR. JOHN K. P. FAN (in Cantonese):—The Chairman of the Recreation Select Committee in reply to the question of Mr. LAM has listed out quite exhaustively the facilities and services provided at our beaches and our pools. I am concerned about lifeguard services in particular. Safety in water sports is of very great importance to the Urban Council since it is a matter of life. Since we are having a staff shortage problem, I would like to ask what is the manning scale for lifeguards in our swimming pool complexes and beaches? According to the above manning scale, can we provide adequate or sufficient lifeguard services at these complexes in the coming season, so that we don't have to close down some of our complexes as swimming is really a popular sport for the general public in summer.
MR. PETER C. K. CHAN (in Cantonese):—As far as I know, the Department has not recommended any contingency measures to deal with the shortage of lifeguards to the Recreation Select Committee. After I have obtained the relevant information from the Department, I will give a written reply to Mr. FAN.
CHAIRMAN (in English):—Dr. LEUNG, would you like to help the Chairman of that Select Committee?
DR. RONALD D. B. LEUNG (in English):—I don't pretend to be the Chairman to answer the question but I think most Councillors will know that the EPD is monitoring the situation of all the beaches by doing the Chlorine form content of the water. When it reaches certain safety level, the beach will be declared unsuitable for swimming. The classification is A, B, C and D. When it is below grade C, then the beach will be not suitable for swimming. I think it is a well-established practice.
DR. THE HON. ELSIE TU (in English):—Mr. Chairman, I notice that in the reply, Mr. CHAN says that the Council is planning to build a leisure pool complex at Hammer Hill, and the Jordan Valley. We know about Hammer Hill, but the District Board in Kwun Tong has been arguing for years, they don't want a leisure pool in Jordan Valley, they want a standard swimming pool. Have they changed their minds or has the Council told them or might there be any discussion with the District Board on this?
MR. PETER C. K. CHAN (in English):—Hammer Hill will be an experimental scheme i.e. to see how people enjoy it. For the time being, it is the leisure pool, according to my personal information, attracts more people. When is this Hammer Hill commissioned for use? The answer is probably no. As regards Jordan Valley, we don't even know whether this is feasible to have a swimming pool there because of feasibility. When I looked at the word 'feasibility', I was still thinking about that. In my constituency, Oi Man Estate, there is also a place for swimming pool behind the Kin Man Estate, but the Department has not decided to recommend a leisure or standard pool.
DR. THE HON. ELSIE TU (in English):—Mr. Chairman, may I make the question a little more blunt. Would Mr. CHAN agree that the District Board should be consulted before any changes made from the standard pool to a leisure pool?
MR. PETER C. K. CHAN (in English):—The answer is Yes.
ADJOURNMENT—3:52 p.m.
CHAIRMAN (in English):—That concludes the business of today's meeting. The Council stands adjourned until Tuesday, 12 June 1990 at 2:30 p.m.
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