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the Stadium. However, the noise levels at some monitoring locations still exceeded the 65 decibel limit. In this connection, Wembley and the Department will further discuss with acoustics consultants to find ways to resolve the problem.
Part four of the question asks whether the Board of Governors considers the Stadium suitable for staging concerts again. Mr. Chairman, under Standing Order 12(13) it is not really appropriate to answer. However, the Board of Governors will consider the matter and each case will be considered on its individual merits and recommendation will be made to the Standing Committee of the whole Council in due course.
The last part of the question is on the number of provisional bookings for concerts for the period between May and December. According to Wembley, our Stadium Manager, the total number of provisional bookings received so far is 9 days: 7 days for Canto pop and 2 days for western style concerts. Wembley has been instructed not to confirm any of these bookings without prior consultation with the Board of Governors.
THE HONOURABLE LI WAH-MING (in Cantonese):—According to paragraph 4 of the reply, all technical remedial measures were in place by 22 April 1994 apart from the in-house public address system that needed further fine-tuning. As the Alan Tam Concert started on the 22 April, it means that all technical remedial measures were in place at his first concert. But unfortunately, the noise at the concerts and that of the rehearsal day all exceeded the prescribed limits. So I don't know why the BOG has approved the staging of the Asian Youth Orchestra. Since the concert will be staged in July, are there new remedial measures that have not been mentioned to be introduced? Will that be further remedial measures so as to ensure that the concert will not exceed the prescribed noise limits? If there are new measures, what are those and what is the cost?
MR. STEPHEN LAU MAN-LUNG (in Cantonese):—Mr. Chairman, apart from what is stated in paragraph 4 of my reply, on last Saturday, when considering the application of the Asian Youth Orchestra, the BOG and the Stadium Manager were of the views that concerts by philharmonic orchestra were very different from pop concerts. Even though the application has been confirmed, details of the contract will still have to be worked out between the hirer and the Stadium Manager to make sure that they will comply with our conditions. It is possible that the sound control room would be monitored by the Stadium Manager to ensure that the sound level would be kept within the prescribed limits.
THE HONOURABLE LI WAH-MING (in Cantonese):—Apart from that point i.e. the Stadium Manager will be in control of sound control room, are there no other new remedial measures?
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MR. STEPHEN LAU MAN-LUNG (in Cantonese):—I believe that if there is an agreement between the hirer and the Stadium Manager for the latter to be in control of the sound level at the mixer desk, we can effectively control the noise level.
MR. SAN STEPHEN WONG HON-CHING (in Cantonese):—Mr. Stephen Lau, as a member of the BOG says that the sound control could be monitored by Wembley at the Asian Youth Orchestra Concert to be held in July, so that the noise would not exceed the EPD's limits. I hope that this can be confirmed. As an elected member of the Wanchai District Board, I hope that the concert will not further exceed the EPD noise limits, otherwise we will be breaking our promises. On some occasions, we aimed at protecting the interests of nearby residents, but on another, before detailed discussion at the SCWC meeting, the application of the orchestra was endorsed. Our credibility will suffer. If the Board of Governors considers that the level of sound can be kept within the prescribed limits at the concert, I wonder whether you have really arrived at an agreement with the hirer that the sound level must not exceed the prescribed limits? It is because we don't really want to see the sound limits being exceeded again leading people to point their fingers at us again. I would like to ask whether the hirer knows that they must keep the noise within the prescribed limits.
MR. STEPHEN LAU MAN-LUNG (in Cantonese):—Mr. Chairman, the BOG members have considered this very carefully. On 12 April, a motion was passed by this Council saying that before effective measures are put in place, we should not consider or accept applications for concerts. The Asian Youth Orchestra has actually performed at Happy Valley on several occasions. Besides, if the level of sound could be effectively controlled, I think the application should be accepted. We would be irresponsible if we do not attempt to try out the functions of the Hong Kong Stadium by simply rejecting applications without consideration.
MR. SAN STEPHEN WONG HON-CHING (in Cantonese):—But my question has not been answered. In other words, is the hirer aware of the fact that he should not exceed the 65 decibel limit because the Urban Council cannot breach the law again. The hirer, the Stadium Manager and the UC must know very clearly that this will have a very significant impact.
MR. STEPHEN LAU MAN-LUNG (in Cantonese):—Mr. Chairman, in my reply I said that the BOG had approved the application subject to the conditions being worked out and complied with according to what we announced on 30 March.
CHAIRMAN (in Cantonese):—At the BOG meeting on last Saturday, when I asked a very direct question on whether the concert would create noise nuisance to the nearby residents, the Stadium Manager, having more knowledge about the situation, said that it would not disturb nearby residents. As just mentioned by Mr. Lau, Wembley has confirmed the application. But in the contract,
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