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Reclamation project has not yet been confirmed. So it would not be practical to make a decision on the relocation of the Abattoir at present. Moreover, if we look at the actual figures as well as the overall territorial figures for the slaughtering of animals, we can see that in the future we may have to look at the overall situation with regard to all slaughter-houses. What I mean is, if we close down one abattoir without any other plan to relocate it elsewhere, there may be other problems. So at present, it is not the right time to decide to relocate the Kennedy Town Abattoir elsewhere.
MR. STEPHEN LAU MAN-LUNG (in Cantonese): Several years ago, Mr. Chairman, when we considered the retention of the Kennedy Town Abattoir, we worried that the transportation of animals from Hunghom Railway Station to Kennedy Town might lead to environmental problems. At that time, we were told that most of the animals would be transported to Kennedy Town Abattoir by sea. So I would like to ask Mr. Pão what is the present position? If it is not the case, when can we minimize the number of animals to be transported to Kennedy Town Abattoir by land?
MR. PAO PING-WING (in Cantonese): Mr. Chairman, off hand I do not have any figures to show whether the animals are transported to Kennedy Town Abattoir by sea or by land. I will investigate the details and will give an answer to Mr. LAU later on.
MR. WONG SHUI-LAI (in Cantonese): Mr. Chairman, I am not asking a question. I would like to supplement certain information. With regard to the answer given by the Chairman of the Public Health Select Committee, after the privatisation of the Kennedy Town Abattoir, I understand that most of the animals have been transported there by land. Only a few number are transported by sea. According to the operator, it is cheaper to do it by land. The Department has received many complaints in this regard. As the USD says that the matter is within the jurisdiction of the Agriculture and Fisheries Department, so the complaints have been referred to the said Department for action. The problem has not yet been resolved.
MOTIONS
1.
DR. RONALD LEUNG DING-BONG, THE CHAIRMAN, URBAN COUNCIL, moved the following motion:
'RESOLVED that the Urban Council Annual Report 1991-1992 be approved.'
He said (in English): The copies of the Urban Council Annual Report 1991-92 are tabled at this meeting.
Despite the increasing number of work programmes of the Council and the department, we have endeavoured to make the report as concise as possible. Therefore, it contains only 140 pages, compared with 196 pages in the last year's report. Basically, the format of the report is along similar line as in the previous reports. But this year, it contains some new features. In a moment, Mrs. Eleanor Ling will give an outline of these new features as well as other highlights of the report.
Compared with previous annual reports, the 1991–92 report provides a more concise account of the Council's multifarious services, activities and facilities. It also contains many colour photographs of the Council's major projects, facilities and functions, as well as colour charts.
Apart from a brief review by myself, the report summarizes the Council's work in 1991-92 in five chapters, namely 'Introduction', Administration and Planning', 'Public Health', 'Recreation and Sport' and 'Culture and the Arts'.
Members will be pleased to learn that the price of the 1991-92 report remains at $20 per copy.
I now move the motion for the Urban Council Annual Report 1991-92 to be formally adopted.
MRS. ELEANOR LING, CHAIRMAN OF THE ADMINISTRATION SELECT COMMITTEE (in English): Mr. Chairman, the logo featured on the front cover of our Annual Report this year is as colourful as the Council's diverse services and facilities.
The logo was originally designed to publicize our 'Open House' Event held earlier in March. This promotional event was organized to make the Council's entry into the 110th year and to underscore our strong commitment to enriching the city life for Hong Kong residents.
Indeed this Annual Report presents another good record of the endeavours to expand and upgrade the Council's facilities and services in the three main areas which directly interact with the public. These are Public Health, Recreation & Sports, and Culture and the Arts.
I should also add that the fourth area of the Council's concern, namely the Urban Services Department (USD) our executive arm, is also featured in the Administration & Planning Section of the report. Furthermore this year we also highlighted for the first time the work of some of our front-line staff. By the nature of their jobs, these men and women seldom come under the spotlight but they all play an important part in the Council's services and deserve some recognition.
I am sure readers of this Annual Report will find it a very comprehensive and interesting source of information. Do you know, for instance, that USD collects 3 000 tons of refuse daily, or that we organized over 8 000 community activities for over 280 000 people last year? Or that the Museum of Art is now relocated in a new $235 million purpose-built building, and almost 3/4 of a million people visited the HK Science Museum last year? These, and another interesting tidbits are, in fact, highlighted for readers in 'Do You Know?' boxes throughout the Report.
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