1967 — Page 103

of 259

Page 103 of 259

182

HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL

be allocated to Kaifongs, but the Director of Education will need to be satisfied in each case that they have adequate funds and that the standard and continuity of management are assured. In the developing estates it may be some months before new school building are available for allocation.

I should like to take this opportunity of paying a tribute to the many residents of the estates and cottage areas who are devoting so much time and thought to these matters and are giving such a valuable lead.

MR. BERNACCHI:-Mr. Chairman, the second paragraph of the answer interests me. Nine Kaifong Associations whose membership totals 13,300. Another nine new Associations and a total membership now of about 15,000 in 22 estates. The big urban estates, I think I am right in saying, have a total resident population each of about 50,000, so that, that proportion is almost as poor as the franchise for the Elected Members. (Laughter). Now comes my question. How then does the Commissioner suggest that he hopes this proportion will be increased considerably, and what reason has he to think that that is the case?

COMMISSIONER FOR RESETTLEMENT:-My understanding is that only one member of a household normally joins the Kaifong, although his whole household may be associated with it or participating in its activities or making use of the facilities it offers. So that a total mem- bership of 15,000 may well represent a considerably larger number of people associated directly or indirectly with the Kaifongs. Secondly, in the second paragraph of my reply, I said that nine new Associations had been formed or were in the process of formation. Even if newly formed, the membership, I believe, in most cases is at present fairly small, and it is not really until they have formally adopted a Constitution and registered as a Society, or registered under the Companies Ordinance, that a real drive to increase the membership begins.

MR. BERNACCHI :-Another point is, are there any figures available for the number of associate as opposed to full members? I believe that the numbers quoted are totals, and this is perhaps another question within a question: are the number of members entitled to vote con- siderably smaller than the total membership. Are there any figures available as to members who are entitled to vote?

COMMISSIONER FOR RESETTLEMENT:-Mr. Chairman, I regret that I cannot quote these figures now, but I believe we have them in respect of some of the Associations in the Estates, and I will be glad to pass on this information to Mr. BERNACCHI later.

MR. CHEONG-LEEN:-Mr. Chairman, a supplementary question. I understand that employment is becoming a slightly more difficult prob-

HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL

183

lem nowadays. Could the Commissioner discuss with the Labour Department whether that Department could supply the existing well- organized Kaifongs in the Resettlement Estates with lists of vacancies available in different factories and other organizations?

CHAIRMAN:-I must rule that question out of order, Sir. It is a new question to-day. It is permissible to ask that question at the next meeting.

MR. CHEONG-LEEN:-Then, since the Commissioner, according to your ruling, need not answer that question, could he take note of it, and he could take it up with me separately? (Laughter).

MRS. ELLIOTT:-Mr. Chairman, may I ask a supplementary? You said he can ask that next time. Why did you rule my question on the same subject out of order?

CHAIRMAN: —I do not think it was quite the same question, Mrs. ELLIOTT. I Would like to compare the two.

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

I understand that the Sau Mau Ping Kaifong Association is interested in opening a subsidized primary school to pro- vide education for children in that estate and in the adjoin- ing areas. Can the Commissioner for Resettlement advise if steps are being taken to facilitate the application of the Association to obtain suitable premises in that estate so that additional school places can be provided there as soon as possible?

THE COMMISSIONER FOR RESETTLEMENT replied as follows:-

When this Association applied to the Director of Education in May this year for an estate school, they were informed that the school buildings which will be completed in the near future had already been allocated, but that their application would be considered when more schools be- came available.

As I said in reply to an earlier question, applications from Kai- fong Associations to run primary schools in our estates are perfectly acceptable in principle, although the Director of Education must necessarily satisfy himself in each case that the Association has the financial resources for such a project, and that the quality and continuity of the manage- ment are assured. The Sau Mau Ping Kaifong Welfare Association is aware of the position and, while waiting for