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Page 87 of 485
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HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
Mr. Ronnie Wong Man-chiu (in Cantonese):-I think the Recreation Select Committee will ask the Department to do that as soon as possible.
Mr. Wu Chi-wai (in Cantonese):—In paragraph 4 of the answer, it says that there are at present no problems in staffing swimming pools. But last week a child was drowned in the Kowloon Park Swimming Pool. It was reported that it took 20 minutes before a lifeguard could save him. Also according to the press report, the lifeguard post in that swimming pool was not manned for more than 20 minutes. So is it due to the negligence on the part of the lifeguard or is it a problem relating to the manning scale of the Kowloon Park Swimming Pool?
Mr. Ronnie Wong Man-chiu (in Cantonese):-Mr. Chairman, when our swimming pool complexes are open, we will definitely adhere to the approved manning scale. As regards who should be held responsible for that particular incident, as the matter is still under investigation and before the outcome is available, I do not want to comment on the incident. Once the result is available, I will inform Mr. Wu as soon as possible.
Mr. Steven Hung (in Cantonese);—Mr. Chairman, I would like to follow up on the question asked. In the last 3 years, I have not witnessed the opening of the diving pool in Kwun Tong Swimming Pool. According to Appendix II, the Department should have established manning scale to man that pool. So can I be given a written reply concerning the diving pool in Kwun Tong Swimming Pool complex in respect of the opening hours in the last 3 years, and the reasons for not opening it in the past. Mr. Wong has mentioned the low utilization rate in Kwun Tong Swimming Pool. Can he clearly explain to us what is its utilization rate and under what circumstances will the diving pool be opened?
Mr. Ronnie Wong Man-chiu (in Cantonese):—Mr. Chairman, although it is not necessary for me to answer individual questions I will ask the Department to give a detailed written reply to Mr. Hung.
(4) Mr. Wu Chi-wai asked the following question (in Cantonese):-In the last five years, the Department has employed 193 lifeguards on contract terms, 66 of them have left for various reasons and 31 of them even resigned before their contracts expired. I would like to ask:
(a) What are the advantages and disadvantages of employing contract staff and pensionable staff as the mainstream of lifeguard establishment?
(b) Is there a serious wastage problem in respect of contract lifeguards?
(c) Does the Department have any difficulties in recruiting contract lifeguards? What is the target of this year's recruitment? How many lifeguards have been recruited so far?
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