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:section in our library to collect and handle them. History is history. The collection of scattered historical materials requires considerable effort. I personally think that it is a worthwhile task. I will consult with the LIB S/C to obtain its consent to fulfilment of this task by the Central Library. As to whether we can retrieve the information being stored in other government departments, we will have to follow that up. I cannot give a reply for the time being. In the collation of historical materials, I am sure we will get the support of various departments. If we need to collect historical materials, I think the libraries of the universities will be willing to assist us. Of course, I cannot speak on behalf of them. We will try our best to obtain their help. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Chairman (in Cantonese):—If no other Member wants to speak on this question, the discussion of question one will end here. Would Mr. Li Wah-ming please raise the second question.
2.
The Hon. Li Wah-ming asked the following question (in Cantonese):—'Recently, a restaurant operator in PUC Swimming Complex has expressed his concerns to me, saying that the latest change in the opening hours of the Council's public swimming pools has an adverse effect on his business. At present, swimming pools are closed at noon, and no one except non-swimmers would patronize restaurants therein. However, some of these restaurants are in their unsatisfactory locations within the swimming complexes and can attract business only from swimmers. I have the following questions:
(i) In deciding the daily closure of swimming pools at noon, has the Council considered the consequence that the business environment of swimming-pool restaurants would be affected?
(ii) In case the swimming-pool restaurants suffer losses on sales revenues due to the closure of swimming pools in the above-mentioned period, has the Council considered any measures for giving assistance to them?'
MR. RONNIE WONG MAN-Chiu, Chairman OF THE RECREATION SELECT COMMITTEE (REC S/C), replied as follows (in Cantonese):—Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Li's question is in 2 parts. The first part asks whether the Council has considered the consequence that the business environment of swimming-pool restaurants would be affected in deciding the daily closure of swimming pools at noon.
All PUC swimming-pool restaurants provide two kinds of catering service: providing refreshments and drinks for swimmers, and catering service for the public. Besides, the swimming-pool restaurants are either covered with a General Restaurant Licence or a Light Refreshment Restaurant Licence and may therefore provide a wide variety of foods attracting different types of patrons. To the best of the Department's knowledge, the patrons of swimming-pool restaurants are mainly people who live nearby and those who go to school
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