XN000022-1978-03-15 — Page 14

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 15, 1978

12.

FACILITIES FOR LEISURE IN COMMUNITY CENTRES ADEQUATE

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THE GOVERNMENT IS SATISFIED THAT THE EXISTING FACILITIES FOR LEISURE TIME ACTIVITIES PROVIDED BY GOVERNMENT COMMUNITY CENTRES ARE ADEQUATE TO MEET THE NEEDS OF THE PUBLIC.

THIS WAS STATED TODAY BY THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, THE HON. THOMAS LEE, IN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON. MRS. KWAN KO STU-WAH IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

REFERRING TO FACILITIES PROVIDED ON SUNDAYS AND PUBLIC HOLIDAYS, MR. LEE RECALLED HIS REPLY TO THE HON. WONG LAM'S QUESTION ON FEBRUARY 15 IN WHICH HE OUTLINED GOVERNMENT'S PLAN TO MAKE COMMUNITY CENTRE FACILITIES AVAILABLE DURING WEEKENDS.

HE ADDED THAT IF AND WHEN, IN ADDITION TO FACILITIES PROVIDED BY GOVERNMENT CENTRES. THE NEED FOR A VOLUNTARY AGENCY

· CENTRE IN A PARTICULAR LOCATION TO BE OPEN ON SUNDAYS AND PUBLIC HOLIDAYS COULD BE DEMONSTRATED AND ESTABLISHED, CONSIDERATION WOULD BE GIVEN TO ENABLE THIS TO BE DONE.

+WE SHOULD, HOWEVER, BEAR IN MIND THAT STAFF OF VOLUNTARY AGENCY CENTRES, LIKE THOSE IN GOVERNMENT CENTRES, ALREADY ORGANISE OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES FOR THE IR MEMBERS DURING WEEKENDS AND THESE ACTIVITIES SHOULD NOT BE CURTAILED AND THAT STRENGTHENING THE FAMILY AS A SOCIAL UNIT SHOULD NOT BE OVERLOOKED,+. MR. LEE. POINTED OUT.

+ IT IS ALREADY KNOWN THAT MANY FAMILIES PREFER TO SPEND THE IR WEEKENDS TOGETHER. THIS SHOULD CONTINUE TO BE ENCOURAGED,+ HE SAID.

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