XN000022-1979-10-10 — Page 15

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 10, 1979

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CENTRALISED CONTROL OVER CULTURAL AND

LEISURE ACTIVITIES IN HK

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THE GOVERNMENT HAS DECIDED TO CENTRALISE THE EXECUTIVE CONTROL OF THE RECREATION AND SPORT SERVICE AND THE MUSIC ADMINISTRATOR'S OFFICE.

THE GOVERNOR, SIR MURRAY MACLEHOSE, TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY) THAT THE SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS, WHO IS ALREADY RESPONSIBLE FOR THE GOVERNMENT'S OVERALL POLICY ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF CULTURE IN HONG KONG, WILL TAKE INTO HIS BRANCH THE EXECUTIVE CONTROL OF THE TWO OFFICES.

SIR MURRAY SAID THE SPEED OF DEVELOPMENT IN THE CULTURAL AND LEISURE ACTIVITIES ORGANISED BY THE GOVERNMENT, AND THE DRAMATIC GROWTH IN THEIR POPULARITY, HAD LED TO THE CONSIDERATION OF THE ADMINISTRATIVE STRUCTURE REQUIRED.

ADDED.

+LATER A NEW EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT MAY BE CONSIDERED, HE

BOTH THE RECREATION AND SPORT SERVICE AND THE MUSIC ADMINISTRATOR'S OFFICE WERE TEMPORARILY HOUSED IN THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT.

THOUGH THE TWO HAVE THEIR SEPARATE OBJECTIVES, SIR MURRAY SAID, UNDERLYING THE WORK OF BOTH IS THE CREATION OF COMMUNITY SPIRIT THROUGH PROVISION FOR COMMUNAL LEISURE TIME ACTIVITIES.

AS PART OF THE REARRANGEMENT, SIR MURRAY SAID: +THE SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS WILL ALSO TAKE OVER THE POLICY ASPECTS OF RECREATION IN COUNTRY PARKS SO THAT ALL RECREATION POLICY WILL BECOME THE RESPONSIBILITY OF ONE SECRETARY.

HOWEVER, HE SAID THERE WOULD BE NO CHANGE IN ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE ADMINISTRATION OF COUNTRY PARKS WHICH WERE WORKING SO WELL.

SIR MURRAY SINGLED OUT THREE ITEMS OF CULTURAL AND LEISURE ACTIVITIES WHICH HAVE MADE EXCEPTIONAL PROGRESS IN THE IR DEVELOPMENT.

THE FIRST IS THE YOUTH INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC TRAINING SCHEME ORGANISED BY THE MUSIC ADMINISTRATOR'S OFFICE UNDER THE GENERAL SUPERVISION OF THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION.

THE SCHEME AIMS FIRSTLY TO DEVELOP THE INSTRUMENTAL SKILLS OF YOUNG PEOPLE AND SECONDLY TO BRING MUSIC TO A WIDE CROSS SECTION OF THE POPULATION.

/+THE SCHEME