HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
THE CHAIRMAN tabled the following written reply
"The Council has asked Government for high priority to be given to the construction of a public swimming pool in the area earmarked for a park and playground to the north of Kowloon City. This area is at present being levelled in connexion with the construction of the new runway at Kai Tak, which should be finished this year.
In the meantime, I am discussing with the Director of Public Works the best site within this area for the pool and proposals will shortly be submitted to the appropriate Select Committee.
The Victoria Park Pool has proved very successful and popular and I certainly agree that a similar pool in Kowloon is most desirable. I believe this is accepted in principle by this Council and by all concerned; but I think you will appreciate that I am not yet in a position to forecast when such a pool is likely to be built. The Victoria Park Pool took ten months to build so there is no possibility of a Kowloon pool being in operation this year."
MR. A. DE O. SALES asked the following question
"(a) Is the Chairman in a position to state when it is intended to build a public swimming pool in Kowloon?
(b) Where is it planned to locate it?
(c) Should the Council not press ahead with the plans to do so in view of the evident need for such recreational facilities in the urban area in Kowloon?"
CHAIRMAN :—I have combined in the one reply, the reply to Mr. Cheong-leen's second question and to your first.
MR. SALES: -Thank you very much, sir. May I put a supplementary question? Are you prepared, Mr. Chairman, to indicate whether the completion of the swimming pool in Kowloon will be expedited were an offer made privately for its cost being borne entirely?
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
CHAIRMAN:-I think in fact official circles are already so fully seized with the importance of this development that I would hesitate to say that, even were such a generous offer made, the work would necessarily be expedited. That is not to say that such an offer would not be very heartily welcomed!
MR. SALES :-Can the Chairman confirm whether such an offer has in fact been made?
CHAIRMAN:-No, sir, not to my knowledge.
MR. SALES :-Thank you, sir.
MR. A. DE O. SALES asked the following question :--
"(a) What action is the Urban Services Department taking to better the appalling conditions to be found in some markets in Kowloon?
(b) Does the Chairman not think that stricter control and supervision by the Department would do much to improve the situation?
(c) Will the Chairman state what programme the Council has in view for the construction of new markets in Kowloon?"
THE CHAIRMAN tabled the following written reply :-
"In answer to a similar question last month I pointed out that the root of the trouble is the lack of control over hawkers. General proposals for improvements in hawker control have recently been endorsed by the Hawkers (Policy) Select Committee and are contained in a report which will probably be tabled at the next meeting.
Meanwhile action is being taken this week, on lines which have proved successful elsewhere, to establish more satisfactory control over the hawkers round Shamshuipo Market. I hope the results will reinforce our view that such measures are the key to the improvement of conditions in and around markets, and I hope members will visit the area to see for themselves.
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HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
THE CHAIRMAN tabled the following written reply
"The Council has asked Government for high priority to be given to the construction of a public swimming pool in the area earmarked for a park and playground to the north of Kowloon City. This area is at present being levelled in connexion with the construction of the new runway at Kai Tak, which should be finished this year.
In the meantime, I am discussing with the Director of Public Works the best site within this area for the pool and proposals will shortly be submitted to the appropriate Select Committee.
The Victoria Park Pool has proved very successful and popular and I certainly agree that a similar pool in Kowloon is most desirable. I believe this is accepted in principle by this Council and by all concerned; but I think you will appreciate that I am not yet in a position to forecast when such a pool is likely to be built. The Victoria Park Pool took ten months to build so there is no possibility of a Kowloon pool being in operation this year."
MR. A. DE O. SALES asked the following question
"(a) Is the Chairman in a position to state when it is intended to build a public swimming pool in Kowloon?
(b) Where is it planned to locate it?
(c) Should the Council not press ahead with the plans to do so in view of the evident need for such recreational facilities in the urban area in Kowloon ?"
CHAIRMAN :—I have combined in the one reply, the reply to Mr. Cheong-leen's second question and to your first.
MR. SALES: -Thank you very much, sir. May I put a supple- mentary question? Are you prepared, Mr. Chairman, to indicate whether the completion of the swimming pool in Kowloon will be expedited were an offer made privately for its cost being borne entirely?
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
159
CHAIRMAN:-I think in fact official circles are already so fully seized with the importance of this development that I would hesitate to say that, even were such a generous offer made, the work would necessarily be expedited. That is not to say that such an offer would not be very heartily welcomed!
MR. SALES :-Can the Chairman confirm whether such an offer has in fact been made?
CHAIRMAN:-No, sir, not to my knowledge.
MR. SALES :-Thank you, sir.
MR. A. DE O. SALES asked the following question :--
"(a) What action is the Urban Services Department taking to better the appalling conditions to be found in some markets in Kowloon?
(b) Does the Chairman not think that stricter control and supervision by the Department would do much to improve the situation?
(e) Will the Chairman state what programme the Council bas in view for the construction of new markets in Kowloon ?"
THE CHAIRMAN tabled the following written reply :-
"In answer to a similar question last month I pointed out that the root of the trouble is the lack of control over hawkers. General proposals for improvements in hawker control have recently been endorsed by the Hawkers (Policy) Select Committee and are contained in a report which will probably be tabled at the next meeting.
Meanwhile action is being taken this week, on lines which have proved successful elsewhere, to establish more satisfactory control over the hawkers round Sham- shuipo Market. I hope the results will reinforce our view that such measures are the key to the improve- ment of conditions in and around markets, and I hope members will visit the area to see for themselves.
Page 87 of 115
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