1964 — Page 284

12

Page 284 of 312

542

HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL

MRS. ELLIOTT:-Mr. Chairman, you said in the first paragraph of your reply that a report would be made as soon as possible to the Urban Amenities Select Committee. Could you please give us some idea as to the meaning of "as soon as possible"? Will it be at the next meeting?

CHAIRMAN: -I hope within the next month.

MRS. ELLIOTT:-Thank you.

MR. SALES: Does that mean, Sir, that we do not have to wait until the Amenities Section of your Department has been reorganized?

CHAIRMAN: -Yes, Sir.

MR. SALES: -Thank you, Sir.

(12) MRS. E. ELLIOTT asked the following question:

Would the Chairman also explore the possibility of having Television installed in parks and open spaces, as an ad- ditional means of recreation, and also as a method of education in civic duties?

THE CHAIRMAN replied as follows :

ཡ--

I am already looking into this matter from a recreational standpoint and will shortly be referring it to the Urban Amenities Select Committee for consideration.

COMMISSIONER FOR RESETTLEMENT:-Silent television, I hope. MRS. ELLIOTT:-Mr. Chairman, only one question remains. Could you interpret the word "shortly"?

CHAIRMAN: -I am not too sure about it in this case, but I would like to add one cheerful note, and that is that Mr. SLOAN of Rediffusion rang me up this morning, having seen the notice of this question in one of the newspapers, and said that Rediffusion would be very glad to receive and consider proposals in this connexion.

MRS. ELLIOTT:-Thank you.

(13) MR. H. CHEONG-LEEN asked the following question:-

(a) Has the Director of the Urban Services Department con- sidered seeking the co-operation of the Cricket Club Com- mittee to make the Club ground open to schools and other organizations at times when the ground is not used by members of the Club?

HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL

543

(b) Can the Director of the Urban Services Department in- quire and advise this Council whether the Cricket Club is making available the Club ground to schools and other organizations? If so, which are those schools and organi- zations?

(c) Can the Director of the Urban Services Department in- quire from the Cricket Club Committee whether they would be willing to exchange views with the Urban Coun- cil on making fuller use of the Cricket Club ground in the wider community interest?

THE CHAIRMAN replied as follows:

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. Regarding the second part of the question, I have frequently noticed the club grounds being used by children for various purposes. I do not know which schools or organizations they come from, and I am asking the Director of Educa- tion if he could let me have some information for you on this point.

Regarding the third part of the question, you will appreciate that I have no official standing in the matter of the recreational usage of the cricket ground, but I have no objection to making the inquiry which you have suggested.

(14) MR. H. CHEONG-LEEN asked the following question:-

Many industrialists and community leaders are of the opinion that Hong Kong should have a permanent Convention and Exhibition Centre, meeting up to international standards: (a) Will the Director of the Urban Services Department please inquire from the Colonial Secretary whether he recognizes that a need for such a Convention and Exhibition Centre does exist?

(b) Will the Director of the Urban Services Department also inquire from the Colonial Secretary what he pro- poses to do to explore the feasibility of planning and building such a Centre?

THE CHAIRMAN replied as follows:-

I understand, Sir, that a firm of consultants has been engaged recently by the Hong Kong Tourist Association to make a professional survey of the need for, and the feasibility of, providing facilities in Hong Kong for conventions,