HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
Committee to the Director of Audit. Mr. Stephen M. L. LAU commented that being an autonomous body, the Urban Council had its own policy objectives in the support of sports and cultural activities. The URBTIX System was part and parcel of the Council's comprehensive subsidy package for cultural events and should not aim for 'full cost recovery'. This view was supported by Mr. Paul Young. The suggestions made by the Public Accounts Committee to the Public Accounts Committee of the Legislative Council was supported by the SCWC.
The second question concerns the telephone switching system for ticketing services. To my understanding, the Department had considered this suggestion carefully and a study was also conducted jointly with Hong Kong Telecom. However, it was found that this service might not necessarily improve productivity and cost effectiveness. If telephone switching facilities are installed and calls are forwarded to the ticketing counter, it may give rise to a situation in which a staff member has to answer calls while he is selling tickets to the public. This is not efficient. So, concerning improving productivity and efficiency, the Department and the Council have other plans. I remember that in one previous UC monthly meeting, in reply to a question raised by Ms. CHOW Kit-bing, I mentioned about the introduction of new services to the URBTIX. The Department has now successfully conducted a test on a computerized telephone booking system which is found to be technically feasible. So computerized telephone booking service will be provided in future. At the present stage, we have written to the UK company which provides computer service to the Urban Council requesting them to design the software for us. We are waiting for their reply and if their reply is positive, I can assure Members that the productivity of the URBTIX will be enhanced.
MISS ADA WONG YING-KAY (in Cantonese): Mr. Chairman, I have a follow-up question. Concerning the Council's policy of subsidising cultural activities, I have no objection. However, in the past meetings, did Members notice the fact that over 50% of the tickets and ticketing services of the URBTIX were actually for programmes of commercial hirers, such as concerts at the Hong Kong Coliseum and 'Phantom of the Opera' which held over 120 shows at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre, etc. Are such programmes also defined as cultural programmes and eligible for subsidies?
MR. SUEN KAI-CHEONG (in Cantonese): I believe Members all understand that ever since we provide venues for presentation of performances, our venue hirers include commercial bodies and cultural bodies. I suppose Members are aware of this. The second part of the question concerns how we define cultural programmes. Technically, this is a highly difficult task. Is pop music outside the realm of culture? I personally think popular culture is also a kind of culture. 'The Book of Odes' of China was originally only folk odes in Ancient China, but now it is taken as classical literature for recitation. This is the
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