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HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL

figures for 1959 of the percentage of children of school age attending schools in Hong Kong was 60% for Primary Education and 12% for Secondary Education:

(a) Can the Commissioner for Resettlement state whether the percentage of figures given by the Secretary of State also represented the position in the Resettlement areas and estates? Or are the percentage figures.

lower?

(b) Does the Commissioner for Resettlement have the estimated figures of children of school age in resettle- ment areas and estates attending primary and secondary schools at the time the 1961 Hong Kong Census was completed? If not, has the Commissioner already taken steps to obtain such statistics from the Commissioner of Census?"

THE COMMISSIONER FOR RESETTLEMENT replied as follows:-

"This question is very similar to one asked by Mr. CHEONG-

LEEN on 1st September, 1959.

2.

3.

On the previous occasion my predecessor emphasized that no exact figures could be made available as there were no records of attendances by the children of settlers at the schools, whether private or otherwise, outside the limits of the areas and estates and I regret that there is really nothing that I can add to that reply. I shall, however, be happy to restate the case as follows.

It is known that the Government and subsidized primary schools within the estates and areas and also those in the immediate vicinity, which cater chiefly for the children of settlers, had and undoubtedly still have, accommodation sufficient for about 40% of the settlers' children in addition to other pupils. Many children from the Estates, however, go further afield to Government, subsidized or private schools but such attendance is of no direct concern to the staff of the Department as education is outside the scope of its responsibilities. The Director of Education is, however, of the opinion that opportunities for education both primary and secondary are just as favourable for the children of settlers as for those living elsewhere.

4. As regards the second part of your question, I would mention that the Census Commissioner was requested by the Commissioner for Resettlement to produce certain tabulations respecting residents in the Areas and Estates.

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These included a table showing the educational standards attained by the residents including children, but not in- formation regarding those not attending school. The tabulation will take another year to complete. I am pre- pared, if you care to approach me after this meeting, to discuss your requirements with the Census Commissioner in more detail. I can then approach the Census Commis- sioner and ask him whether he is able to produce further tabulations."

MR. CHEONG-LEEN:-I have the highest regard, Mr. Chairman, for the Commissioner for Resettlement and I shall certainly accept his in- vitation to approach him, not after this meeting but very soon.

COMMISSIONER FOR RESETTLEMENT:-Delighted.

MOTIONS.

THE CHAIRMAN moved the following motion:

"THAT:—

(i) Under section 59 of the Urban Council Ordinance, 1955, the persons whose names are set out in the first column of the attached Schedule shall be the Members of the Select Committees detailed for the period up to the commence- ment of the first meeting of the Urban Council in April, 1962 except that Mr. Y. K. KAN, Mr. A. de O. SALES, Mr. K. A. WATSON and Mr. Wilson T. S. WANG whose respective terms of office as appointed members expire on 31st March, 1962, shall be Members of the relevant Select Committees until that date.

(ii) Under Standing Order 22(6) the Chairman of each Select Committee shall be as set out in the first column of the attached Schedule for the period up to the commencement of the first meeting of the Urban Council in April, 1962, except that Mr. Y. K. KAN, Mr. A. de O. SALES and Mr. K. A. WATSON whose respective terms of office as appointed members expire on 31st March, 1962, shall be Chairmen of the relevant Select Committees until that date.

(iii) Under section 60(1) of the Urban Council Ordinance, 1955, and section 5(1) of the Resettlement Ordinance, 1958, the powers and functions of the Council as set out in the second column of the attached Schedule be delegated to the Select Committees shown in the first column for the period up to the commencement of the first meeting of the Urban Council in April, 1962.

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