Page 118 of 279
210
2.
3.
4.
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
There is also one Youth Centre in Tsz Wan Shan; and a Youth Centre may be opened later this year in Sau Mau Ping if the Hong Kong Federation of Youth Groups is in a financial position to do so. In the 4 estates mentioned as being without Boys and Girls Clubs or Youth Centres, there is at present no suitable space vacant for the purpose. But, in the case of Ham Tin (a Mark IV estate with 16-storey domestic blocks), space will be available when present proposals for social welfare centres come to fruition.
The second part of the question requests the estimated total number of young people under 18 years of age living in the 7 estates mentioned earlier. I regret that I can give no answer which could claim any validity. The medium projection of the 1961 Census prophesied that this year 21.5% of the population of Hong Kong would be between 10 and 19 years of age. It is too early yet for the results of the recent by-census to be available for checking this forecast, either generally or in relation to the 7 estates in question.
As regards the third part of the question, the Boys and Girls Club in Tai Hang Tung is thought to cater for about 400 young people and the Community Centre for another 950, while the Youth Centre at Tsz Wan Shan is used by about 200 young persons. But these figures are very approximate and it should not be assumed that all the young people concerned necessarily live in resettlement estates.
The fourth part of the question enquires what further plans there are to increase the number of Youth Centres and Boys and Girls Clubs within the next 6 months. In reply, I would refer Mr. CHEONG-LEEN to the fourth paragraph of the reply which Mr. WILSON gave to a similar question on the 3rd of May this year, which will be found on pages 80 and 81 of the official record of proceedings of the meeting on that date.
MR. CHEONG-LEEN:- Mr. Chairman, Dr. BELL and I would like to seek clarification from the Commissioner on paragraph 4. In referring to Mr. WILSON, does the Commissioner mean Mr. Harold WILSON? (Laughter).
COMMISSIONER FOR RESETTLEMENT:- No Sir, I mentioned Mr. Brian WILSON. (Laughter).
MR. CHEONG-LEEN:- It would be most interesting to know if Mr. Harold WILSON was interested in this reply Mr. Chairman, with reference to paragraph 3 of the Commissioner's reply, where it states that there are facilities for a little over 1,500 youngsters. From this figure, does it indicate very strongly that there is a serious shortage of facilities for young people in the resettlement estates which I have referred to in my question?
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
211
COMMISSIONER FOR RESETTLEMENT:- The figures in paragraph 3 of my reply, Mr. Chairman, do not enumerate the quantity of the facilities. They state approximately how many people are using them. The two may be very different. Secondly, I think we would all agree, I certainly do, that you could scarcely have too many facilities of this kind.
MR. CHEONG-LEEN:- Well, I will pursue that further, Mr. Chairman, in seeking practical information. Aren't there some estates where there are no facilities whatsoever for youths?
COMMISSIONER FOR RESETTLEMENT:- That is so Mr. Chairman, I named four in my reply.
MR. CHEONG-LEEN:- Well, doesn't that confirm what I was asking Mr. Chairman, that, taken as a whole, there is a serious shortage of youth facilities in these estates?
COMMISSIONER FOR RESETTLEMENT:- I entirely agree, Mr. Chairman.
MR. CHEONG-LEEN:- Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Now since it will be a problem for me to find out what Mr. WILSON said in paragraph 4, could I have a copy of that at the convenience of the Commissioner?
COMMISSIONER FOR RESETTLEMENT:- I would be very glad to lend you my copy of the Hansard if I can be sure of getting it back. (Laughter).
MR. CHEONG-LEEN:- Would you let me read it?
COMMISSIONER FOR RESETTLEMENT:- Certainly.
(The Commissioner for Resettlement handed MR. CHEONG-LEEN a copy of the May Hansard)
MR. CHEONG-LEEN:- Mr. Chairman, with your permission can I ask the next question, but with your indulgence could I revert to supplementaries if necessary? (Laughter).
CHAIRMAN:- Very well Sir.
MR. CHEONG-LEEN:- Thank you Sir, I rise to ask Question No. 5.
Page 118 of 279
of 279
Page 118 of 279
Page 118 of 279
210
2.
3.
4.
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
There is also one Youth Centre in Tsz Wan Shan; and a Youth Centre may be opened later this year in Sau Mau Ping if the Hong Kong Federation of Youth Groups is in a financial position to do so. In the 4 estates mentioned as being without Boys and Girls Clubs or Youth Centres, there is at present no suitable space vacant for the purpose. But, in the case of Ham Tin (a Mark IV estate with 16- storey domestic blocks), space will be available when present proposals for social welfare centres come to fruition.
The second part of the question requests the estimated total number of young people under 18 years of age living in the 7 estates mentioned earlier. I regret that I can give no answer which could claim any validity. The medium projection of the 1961 Census prophesied that this year 21.5% of the population of Hong Kong would be between 10 and 19 years of age. It is too early yet for the results of the recent by-census to be available for checking this forecast, either generally or in relation to the 7 estates in question.
As regards the third part of the question, the Boys and Girls Club in Tai Hang Tung is thought to cater for about 400 young people and the Community Centre for another 950, while the Youth Centre at Tsz Wan Shan is used by about 200 young persons. But these figures are very approximate and it should not be assumed that all the young people concerned necessarily live in resettle-
ment estates.
The fourth part of the question enquiries what further plans there are to increase the number of Youth Centres and Boys and Girls Clubs within the next 6 months. In reply, I would refer Mr. CHEONG-LEEN to the fourth para- graph of the reply which Mr. WILSON gave to a similar question on the 3rd of May this year, which will be found on pages 80 and 81 of the official record of proceedings of the meeting on that date.
MR. CHEONG-LEEN:-Mr. Chairman, Dr. BELL and I would like to seek clarification from the Commissioner on paragraph 4. In referring to Mr. WILSON, does the Commissioner mean Mr. Harold WILSON? (Laughter).
COMMISSIONER FOR RESETTLEMENT: -No Sir, I mentioned Mr. Brian WILSON. (Laughter).
MR. CHEONG-LEEN:-It would be most interesting to know if Mr. Harold WILSON was interested in this reply Mr. Chairman, with reference
i
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
211
to paragraph 3 of the Commissioner's reply, where it states that there are facilities for a little over 1,500 youngsters. From this figure, does it indicate very strongly that there is a serious shortage of facilities for young people in the resettlement estates which I have referred to in my question?
COMMISSIONER FOR RESETTLEMENT:-The figures in paragraph 3 of my reply. Mr. Chairman, do not enumerate the quantity of the facilities. They state approximately how many people are using them. The two may be very different. Secondly, I think we would all agree, I certainly do, that you could scarcely have too many facilities of this kind.
MR. CHEONG-LEEN:-Well, I will pursue that further, Mr. Chairman, in seeking practical information. Aren't there some estates where there are no facilities whatsoever for youths?
COMMISSIONER FOR RESETTLEMENT: --That is so Mr. Chairman, I named four in my reply.
MR. CHEONG-LEEN:-Well, doesn't that confirm what I was asking Mr. Chairman, that, taken as a whole, there is a serious shortage of youth facilities in these estates?
man.
COMMISSIONER FOR RESETTLEMENT:-I entirely agree, Mr. Chair-
MR. CHEONG-LEEN:-Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Now since it will be a problem for me to find out what Mr. WILSON said in paragraph 4, could I have a copy of that at the convenience of the Commissioner?
COMMISSIONER FOR RESETTLEMENT:—I would be very glad to lend you my copy of the Hansard if I can be sure of getting it back. (Laughter).
MR. CHEONG-LEEN: -Would you let me read it?
COMMISSIONER for RESETTLEMENT: ---Certainly.
(The Commissioner for Resettlement handed MR. CHEONG-LEEN a copy of the May Hansard)
MR. CHEONG-LEEN:--Mr. Chairman, with your permission can I ask the next question, but with your indulgence could I revert to supple- mentaries if necessary? (Laughter).
CHAIRMAN: -Very well Sir.
MR. CHEONG-LEEN:-Thank you Sir, I rise to ask Question No. 5.
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.