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PROVISIONAL URBAN COUNCIL
taking this first step, we should identify more options and introduc more novel ideas as solutions to the prevailing problems.
Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
MR. Kwok Bit-CHUN (in Cantonese): A number of Members expressed similar views just now. When we, DAB Councillors, read Mr. Chiang's motion, we were attracted, but after finding out that the site proposed was the Coliseum piazza, we could not help having some reservation.
DAB Councillors too will vote against the motion. It is indeed the aspiration of most Members that job opportunities would be created, that assistance be given to the tourist industry and that we should lend a helping hand in all these problems, but Mr. CHIANG neglected the fact that detailed discussions had already been held at the meetings of the Entertainment Select Committee and among Members as to whether the Coliseum piazza was a suitable site for this type of hawkers' market.
Furthermore, his motion contains the problem of hawkers' markets. And then from the debate at today's meeting, as well as the jointly signed letter from the Hong Kong Home for Artists that Mr. CHIANG showed us, we realize that what Mr. CHIANG proposed to set up in the Coliseum piazza might be either an arts fair, or a flea market, or even another type of flea market. We are totally confused.
What has aroused our greatest interest is the letter from the Hong Kong Home for Artists laid before us. I recall that last year, that is, 1997, under a motion moved by me, DAB Councillors requested that the Council step up its promotion of and support for visual art. The DAB considers that the course of the Home for Artists is worth our support. We know that a Member is going to move a motion at the Standing Committee meeting next Tuesday recommending support for the career development of visual art workers, but we need to give careful consideration to site selection and details of future operation.
Mr. Chairman, we formally reiterate that DAB Councillors are supportive of the recommendations to create job opportunities, to help the tourist industry and assist visual art workers in promoting visual art, but we find it difficult to give our support to the motion because of the proposed site and absence of deliberation. We will vote against it. These are my remarks. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Chairman (in Cantonese): Mr. CHIANG Sai-cheong, as the mover, you have five minutes to exercise your right of reply.
MR. CHIANG SAI-CHEONG (in Cantonese): I thank Members for their support and moral support. The reason for my bold choice of the Coliseum piazza for the trial scheme is that records show that several Members brought up the
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