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air-conditioners. Therefore, the question does not arise on whether the existing legislation on water dripping from air-conditioning systems has sufficient control over Legionnaire's Disease and other infectious diseases.
The prevention and control of this type of disease is not within the purview of the Urban Services Department. To look into the possible causes of the disease and the preventive measures, a Prevention of Legionnaire's Disease Committee has been set up under the chairmanship of the Electrical and Mechanical Services Department. In the event of outbreak of the disease, the Department of Health will investigate the case jointly with the Electrical and Mechanical Services Department.
As to the last part of the question, Health Inspectors will check the sanitary condition of ventilating systems during their routine inspections to food premises.
(4) Mr. WU CHI-WAI asked the following question (in Cantonese):-The Association for Celebration of Reunification of Hong Kong with China (the Association) has, on behalf of non-government organizations, applied for the hiring of the Council's venues to hold activities relating to the change of sovereignty. Some of the Association's applications clashed with those from other non-government organizations, and as such the Council's adjudication on the matter was required. However, there were press reports that, in respect of certain bookings which clashed dates, some organizers whose applications were approved did not organize the activities as scheduled. Therefore, I have the following questions:
(a) How many booking applications for holding activities during the period from May to July were made by the Association on behalf of non-government organizations? How many of these activities were held as scheduled? Regarding the cancelled activities, how many were cancelled with advance notice to the Department? How many were cancelled without giving advance notice?
(b) Under the Council's existing venue hiring policy, is the organizer who cannot hold the activities as scheduled required to give reasonable advance notice to the Department, so as to avoid wastage of valuable venue resources?
(c) Is there any penalty clause in the Terms and Conditions of Hire of the Council's venues in respect of those organizers who cancel their activities without giving any reasonable explanations? If yes, what are the penalties concerned? If no, why?
MR. RONNIE WONG MAN-CHIU, CHAIRMAN OF THE RECREATION SELECT COMMITTEE, replied as follows (in Cantonese):-Mr. Wu's question concerns the Recreation Select Committee, the Culture Select Committee and the Entertainment Select Committee. I would present the reply on behalf of the Chairmen of the other two Select Committees.