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PROVISIONAL URBAN COUNCIL
are already a lot of flea markets in Hong Kong, such as the one in the Fairview Park and the proposed piazza on the former Tamar base, which may be used by the Hong Kong Tourist Association as a flea market. There is also the Kai Tak Airport. Apart from a Museum of Hong Kong Aviation Transport History, a flea market can be set up there. Similar sites, such as the Stanley Main Street on Hong Kong Island, the Temple Street and 'Women's Street' in Kowloon, also sell similar stuffs and are well known to local residents as well as overseas visitors. In view of the present economic slump, is there any urgency at all to set up a flea market in the Coliseum piazza? We have to take into consideration the long-term interests of the Council, the feasibility of the idea and public safety.
What is more is that a flea market of a considerable scale should not be set up on a trial basis. There should be a spacious area, a great diversity and a large number of stalls. I must stress that there should be fixed opening hours to attract regular consumers. It is impossible for it to open this Sunday, close for the next two and then re-open on the fourth one. Because of the above reasons, the Coliseum piazza is not an appropriate site for the setting up of a flea market. I would beseech Members to think twice.
These are my remarks. I do not support the motion. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
MR. CHAN CHOI-HI (in Cantonese): I support the motion moved by Mr. CHIANG today. I recall that a similar motion was put forth by me a long time ago at a meeting of the Standing Committee of the Whole Council. Many Members gave their views then but my motion only recommended that suitable venues of the Council be identified for the setting up of flea markets on a trial basis. Support was expressed by the Hong Kong Tourist Association then.
Back to Mr. CHIANG's motion. It focuses on the selection of the Coliseum piazza for the trial scheme. In fact, this is but one of the choices for consideration. In past discussions, other places were also suggested by Members for the trial scheme. I consider that we should take the first step. I find the motion moved by Mr. CHIANG today to be appropriate because it would at least give some pressure to the Department.
Since the last discussion, weeks or even months have lapsed. I can't remember because such a long time has lapsed. As to what exactly the Department is doing, what its response is and what it is up to, we have no idea at all. I hope I will be able to ask the Director of Urban Services at the meeting of the Standing Committee next Tuesday what exactly the follow-up action on the proposal is. In fact, I have great reservation about the Department's reply. Firstly, they may consider that there are operational difficulties. For example, they may be worried about the impact on the traffic in the vicinity. Secondly, the shops in the surrounding areas may protest that their business is affected. Thirdly, there may be problems in management, such as duplication of
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