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CHAIRMAN:-It has always been my impression that this Council is part of the Government (Laughter).
MR. SALES:-May I say how delighted we are to know that we are part of Government, although in this Council at least we do not aspire to being paid notwithstanding the effective work we do. So could you give an answer to my previous question?
CHAIRMAN:-I cannot, Sir, without notice. I would like to make some enquiries and let you know.
MR. SALES:-Would you be willing in the circumstances to make representation to Government that this Council views, with great concern, Government's disregard for our interest in playgrounds by capriciously handing over to the Education Department responsibility for land applied for by this Council in very clear terms?
MR. BERNACCHI:-On a point of order, Mr. Chairman, perhaps that should be a motion passed by the Urban Council first before you convey it to the Government.
MR. SALES: Mr. Chairman, may I remind Mr. BERNACCHI that that motion was proposed by me, seconded by Mr. BERNACCHI and passed by this Council (Laughter).
MR. BERNACCHI:-Not on that subject.
MR. CHEONG-LEEN:-May I seek clarification from you in reply to Mr. SALES' question as to what is Government. Is it correct to say, Sir, that at Urban Council meetings, such as the one we are having today, that Government is the official bench and the unofficial members are the appointed members and the elected members who represent the public?
MR. SALES:-I think you must thank Mr. CHEONG-LEEN for having described us as representatives of the public (Laughter).
MR. CHEONG-LEEN:-I mean it most sincerely.
MR. BERNACCHI:-Mr. Chairman, on that question I agree entirely with you, Sir, when you say that this Council is part of Government and I do not think that we can differentiate between official members, nominated members and elected members. This Council as a whole is part of Government. Therefore, I would like to join in with Mr. SALES in expressing my concern that over the last paragraph, Government is at present reviewing its policy on private recreation grounds and hope that you will, Sir, represent to those officials of Government responsible for this review that the Urban Council should be consulted.
MR. SALES:-May I thank Mr. BERNACCHI.
CHAIRMAN:-I will certainly convey that to those concerned.
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
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(15) MR. HENRY H. L. HU asked the following question:—
Can the life-saving boats in beaches of Hong Kong be equipped with motors so that they can act more effectively in case of emergency? Can the swimming area on all beaches be clearly and conspicuously marked out?
MR. A. de O. SALES, CHAIRMAN OF THE URBAN AMENITIES SELECT COMMITTEE, replied as follows:
This question concerns safety arrangements at beaches.
It is thought unlikely that equipping catamarans with motors would enable them to deal more effectively with emergencies in most beaches. The circumstances of each and every swimming accident are carefully examined to see whether any improvements can be made to our rescue arrangements, and there is no evidence that motorized catamarans would have resulted in any lives being saved in recent years. However, your suggestion will be studied in respect of each particular beach and will also be referred to the officer whom the Director of Medical and Health Services has recently appointed to advise the department on life-saving arrangements at beaches and swimming pools.
Regarding the second part of the question, the swimming areas at 9 of the 12 urban area beaches are already clearly marked with orange plastic floats, mainly to keep out boats. It is planned to install plastic floats at Hairpin Beach in time for next summer. At Shek O and Big Wave Bay Beaches it is not practicable to install a system of floats capable of standing up to the frequent rough seas. Please be assured that any proposals will be tried out if at all possible.
MR. HU: Is it true that at Shek O we have the most swimming accidents?
MR. SALES: Mr. Chairman, I would like to suggest that your department issues a paper on the fatalities that have occurred in the summer in relation to the particular beaches where these fatalities have unfortunately taken place.
CHAIRMAN: It is my impression that we have had a rather high number of fatalities this year, and I also have the impression that most of them have occurred at Deep Water Bay.
MR. SALES: In this connection, I made private enquiries myself as to the conduct of our lifeguards when these accidents occurred. On
Page 147 of 382
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Page 146 of 382
270
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
CHAIRMAN:-It has always been my impression that this Council is part of the Government (Laughter).
MR. SALES: -May I say how delighted we are to know that we are part of Government, although in this Council at least we do not aspire to being paid notwithstanding the effective work we do. So could you give an answer to my previous question?
CHAIRMAN: -I cannot, Sir, without notice. I would like to make some equiries and let you know.
MR. SALES: --Would you be willing in the circumstances to make representation to Government that this Council views, with great con- cern, Government's disregard for our interest in playgrounds by capriciously handing over to the Education Department responsibility for land applied for by this Council in very clear terms?
MR. BERNACCHI :· -On a point of order, Mr. Chairman, perhaps that should be a motion passed by the Urban Council first before you convey it to the Government.
MR. SALES: Mr. Chairman, may I remind Mr. BERNACCI that that motion was proposed by me, seconded by Mr. BERNACCHI and passed by this Council (Laughter).
MR. BERNACCHI:-Not on that subject.
MR. CHEONG-LEEN:-May I seek clarification from you in reply to Mr. SALES' question as to what is Government. Is it correct to say, Sir, that at Urban Council meetings, such as the one we are having today, that Government is the official bench and the unofficial members are the appointed members and the elected members who represent the public?
MR. SALES: -I think you must thank Mr. CHEONG-LEEN for having described us as representatives of the public (Laughter).
MR. CHEONG-LEEN:-I mean it most sincerely.
MR. BERNACCHI :--Mr. Chairman, on that question I agree entirely with you, Sir, when you say that this Council is part of Government and I do not think that we can differentiate between official members, nominated members and elected members. This Council as a whole is part of Government. Therefore, I would like to join in with Mr. SALES in expressing my concern that over the last paragraph, Govern- ment is at present reviewing its policy on private recreation grounds and hope that you will, Sir, represent to those officials of Government responsible for this review that the Urban Council should be consulted.
MR. SALES: ---May I thank Mr. BERNACCHI.
CHAIRMAN:-I will certainly convey that to those concerned.
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
271
(15) MR. HENRY H. L. Hu asked the following question :—
Can the life-saving boats in beaches of Hong Kong be equipped with motors so that they can act more effectively in case of emergency? Can the swimming area on all beaches be clearly and conspicuously marked out?
MR. A. de O. SALES, CHAIRMAN OF THE URBAN AMENITIES SELECT COMMITTEE, replied as follows:
This question concerns safety arrangements at beaches.
It is thought unlikely that equipping catamarans with motors would enable them to deal more effectively with emergen- cies in most beaches. The circumstances of each and every swimming accident are carefully examined to see whether any improvements can be made to our rescue arrangements, and there is no evidence that motorized catamarans would have resulted in any lives being saved in recent years. However, your suggestion will be studied in respect of each particular beach and will also be referred to the officer whom the Director of Medical and Health Services has recently appointed to advise the department on life-saving arrangements at beaches and swimming pools.
Regarding the second part of the question, the swimming areas at 9 of the 12 urban area beaches are already clearly marked with orange plastic floats, mainly to keep out boats. It is planned to install plastic floats at Hairpin Beach in time for next summer. At Shek O and Big Wave Bay Beaches it is not practicable to install a system of floats capable of standing up to the frequent rough seas. Please be assured that any proposals will be tried out if at
all possible.
MR. HU: Is it true that at Shek O we have the most swimming accidents?
MR. SALES: Mr. Chairman, I would like to suggest that your department issues a paper on the fatalities that have occurred in the summer in relation to the particular beaches where these fatalities have unfortunately taken place.
CHAIRMAN: It is my impression that we have had a rather high number of fatalities this year, and I also have the impression that most of them have occurred at Deep Water Bay.
MR. SALES: In this connection, I made private enquiries myself as to the conduct of our lifeguards when these accidents occurred. On
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