XN000022-1976-10-13 — Page 13

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WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 13, 1976

SAFETY OF YOUNG PEOPLE IN OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES

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THE GOVERNMENT IS VERY MUCH CONCERNED ABOUT THE SAFETY OF YOUNG PEOPLE WHO TAKE PART IN OUTDOOR RECREATION ACTIVITIES PARTICULARLY THOSE WHICH CARRY SOME DEGREE OF RISK, THE SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS, THE HON. DENIS BRAY SAID TODAY.

IN REPLY TO QUESTIONS FROM THE HON. HILTON CHEONG-LEEN IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MEETING, HE SAID IT IS RECOGNISED THAT SOME COMMERCIAL OPERATORS WHO ARE PROVIDING OUTDOOR PHYSICAL RECREATION FACILITIES, DO SO MAINLY FOR A PROFIT MOTIVE WITHOUT A PROPER REGARD OR KNOWLEDGE OF THE RISK INVOLVED.

+THIS MATTER HAD BEEN OF CONCERN TO THE COUNCIL FOR RECREATION AND SPORT WHICH IN JUNE THIS YEAR SET UP A WORKING PARTY TO EXAMINE THE PROBLEM.+

THE TERMS OF REFERENCE OF THIS WORKING PARTY ARE TO CONSIDER WHERE DANGER LIES AND WHAT CAN BE DONE TO REDUCE IT BY LAW OR IN ANY OTHER WAY.

+WHEN WE HAVE THE REPORT FROM THIS WORKING PARTY WE SHALL BE ABLE TO PROPOSE POSITIVE MEASURES TO SAFEGUARD THE SAFETY OF YOUNG PEOPLE TAKING PART IN OUTDOOR RECREATION ACTIVITIES, HE SAID.

MR. BRAY REVEALED THAT THE GOVERNMENT WAS ALSO AWARE OF COMMERCIALLY OPERATED HOLIDAY YOUTH CAMPS AT CHUK WAN AND TAI MONG TSAI WHICH WERE THE SUBJECT OF PUBLIC COMPLAINT THIS SUMMER.

THE OPERATOR OF THESE CAMPS, HE SAID, WERE NOT COMMITTING ANY OFFENCE AS THEY WERE IN LAWFUL OCCUPATION OF THEIR LAND WITH PERMISSION TO USE IT FOR RECREATIONAL PURPOSES ON A COMMERCIAL BASIS.

HE SAID THAT THE GOVERNMENT WAS ALSO AWARE OF THE GROWING DEMAND FOR HOLIDAY CAMPS WHICH WOULD NO DOUBT INCREASE WITH THE INTRODUCTION OF MORE PAID HOLIDAYS.

THERE ARE AT PRESENT OVER 40 CAMPS AND HOSTELS SPREAD OVER HONG KONG, KOWLOON AND THE NEW TERRITORIES.

+MORE CAMPS WILL NO DOUBT BE OPENED AS AND WHEN MORE VOLUNTARY ORGANISATIONS COME FORWARD AND LAND BECOME AVAILABLE,+ THE SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS SAID.

+THE PART TO BE PLAYED BY COMMERCIALLY OPERATED CAMPS AND

HOLIDAY RESORTS IS YET TO BE THOUGHT THROUGH.

+WITH INCREASING WEALTH AND LEISURE OF THE COMMUNITY I AM SURE WE SHALL FIND AN INCREASING DEMAND FOR FACILITIES OF THIS SORT. WE SHOULD SEE THAT THIS DEMAND CAN BE LEGITIMATELY PROVIDED FOR BY ENTREPRENEURS AS WELL AS WELFARE AGENCIES.+

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