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HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
CHAIRMAN (in Cantonese):--There should be a distinction between the mentally handicapped and the physically disabled. The question should be: In future should the Select Committee consider this point? So, Mr. Ronnie WONG, can you answer whether or not you are willing to take up that in the Select Committee? Members are reminded they are not allowed to express opinions under Standing Orders when they ask follow-up questions.
MR. RONNIE Wong Man-chiu (in Cantonese):—The Department's reply was drafted in response to Mr. LEUNG's question which refers to the disabled. I am sure the term 'disabled' includes both the mentally handicapped and the physically disabled. When we talk about disabled persons, we refer to both mentally handicapped and the physically handicapped. Mr. To's opinion can definitely be considered in the Select Committee.
Mr. Lee Kwok-KEUNG (in Cantonese):~Mr. Chairman, I would like to ask a question. According to the reply, the fast food kiosk design is not especially made for the disabled, that's why we have difficulty in considering Question (a). If the disabled persons do not require any structural change of design of the fast food kiosks, would the Department consider contracting-out such services to the organizations for disabled?
Mr. Ronnie Wong Man-chiu (in Cantonese):—Mr. Chairman, that involves a policy change. I would like to refer this question to the Select Committee for discussion. I also support the idea that the disabled be given more concessions. In fact, in hiring out our leisure facilities, we have already offered a lot of concessions to them. But for tendering exercises and also the assessment of tenders, I am sure we have to follow certain procedures unless we change them. Otherwise, we have to comply with those procedures. So for the time being, we don't have any concessions offered to the disabled in the tendering procedures.
(Mr. Eric WONG Chung-ki arrived at 2:50 p.m.)
Chairman (in Cantonese):-In due course, please discuss this in the Select Committee. Is there any further follow-up question concerning Mr. LEUNG'S question?
Mr. Szeto Wah (in Cantonese):—Mr. Chairman, can Mr. Wong answer when and in which venues will the trial scheme be implemented?
MR. RONNIE WONG MAN-CHIU (in Cantonese):-We are still considering the issue. We don't have any specific plans regarding the time table and we will try as soon as possible to set the time table for the trial scheme at the Select Committee meeting.
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