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collection of each library. If such information is available, can Mr. KAM pass it to me after the meeting?
Mr. Kam Nai-wai (in Cantonese):—The only information I have on hand is that the total stock of the 31 libraries in Hong Kong amounts to 3.1 million items. The existing policy aims to achieve the provision level of 1 library item per person in the urban area, that is 3.3 million items before 1997. As to whether any individual library, like the City Hall Library or other small libraries, has reached the target provision level, I do not have the information now. I will pass such information to Members through the Libraries Select Committee.
MR. JOSEPH Lai Chi-keong (in Cantonese):—Mr. Chairman, I have a question for the Chairman of the Libraries Select Committee. Monthly publications and periodicals are given priority to be shelved, but timing is also very important for computer publications. So do we have different procedures for processing different types of books? Is there any priority for computer publications to be shelved?
MR. KAM NAI-WAI (in Cantonese):—The computer publications mentioned by Mr. LAI just now are indeed one of the priority items. Computer publications have their own time frames, they may be popular within a certain period of time but not so afterwards. Hence, we have special procedures for processing such books. For example, popular computer publications would be displayed on the new books' shelves in order to attract more readers. Different books will undergo different processing procedures and I don't think I can enumerate them now. If Members are interested in such matters, I would be glad to pass the relevant information to them afterwards.
(4) MR. CHAN KWOK-LEUNG asked the following question (in Cantonese):— Due to historical reasons, some Council functions were transferred to the Department of Health, but the relationship between the Council and the Department of Health has yet to be clarified. I have the following questions:
(a) Arising from the transfer of functions, which legislation and bylaws of the present 'Public Health and Municipal Services Ordinance' are executed by the Department of Health? When and how did such transfer take effect?
(b) How does the Council monitor the Department of Health in executing those sections of the Public Health and Municipal Services Ordinance which were formerly executed by the Council? If the Council's Public Health Select Committee raises questions in respect of the above issue, are officials of the Department of Health required to attend meetings and answer questions? Is the Department of Health required to execute the Public Health Select Committee's decisions on food hygiene?
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