HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL

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Mr. WONG can consider two things simultaneously so as to improve the situation. The first is to revert to the traditional manual method of keeping swimmers' properties. When staff were put to the job in the past, there were very few theft cases. Of course, I hope Mr. WONG can also consider the aspect of cost-effectiveness as well as feasibility. That is something to be studied.

Secondly, on Mr. WONG and the Recreation Select Committee consider placing lockers in a certain area that can be monitored by CCTV? It will have a deterrent effect. Of course, I would like to emphasize that the CCTV installed in the changing rooms should only shoot at the lockers. I hope Mr. WONG can study the above measures at the Recreation Select Committee meetings.

MR. RONNIE WONG MAN-CHIU (in Cantonese): In response to the first suggestion put forward by Mr. PAO on assigning staff to keep watch of properties, I would like to bring out that we need to cope with a large number of swimmers. At present, there are on average 2,500 to 3,000 lockers placed at each swimming pool. If we assign staff to keep watch of the lockers, it will be difficult to arrange and very costly too. I think there must be some ways to resolve the problem, say with the design of lockers, their arrangement and so on. We can even make use of CCTV for monitoring as suggested by Mr. PAO. All these options will be discussed by the Recreation Select Committee.

(3) MR. STANLEY NG WING-FAI asked the following question (in Cantonese): It is understood that the reclamation at West Kowloon will soon be completed, the Tai Kok Tsui Airport Railway Station is expected to operate in June 1998, and phase one development of related properties and public housing on top of the Station will be completed in 1999. Nevertheless, it usually takes five to seven years, or even longer, for the planning, design and construction of major Urban Council facilities. Therefore, I would like to have replies to the following questions:

(1) Since the Airport Railway will be put into operation in June 1998 and the phase one development of related properties and public housing will be completed in 1999, please advise how many Urban Council facilities serving the West Kowloon Reclamation Area can be completed on time at the beginning of 1999 for the use of citizens residing in or visiting the area. Please provide the timetable for completion of the following facilities: (A) parks and sitting-out facilities;

(B) public libraries; and

(C) public health facilities such as refuse collection points.

Will there be serious delay in the completion of these facilities resulting in criticisms about the Council?

(2) After the West Kowloon Reclamation, some other large-scale reclamation works are planned in 'Central/Wanchai' and 'Kai Tak Airport' etc. Will the planning, design and construction process of Urban Council facilities be completed on time and tie in with the occupation of the related

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Page 197 of 498

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