HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
MR. SALES: -Mr. Chairman, it is not my intention to contravene Standing Orders by making this question a matter for debate, but since you have chosen to make a statement, then it is incumbent upon me as Chairman of the relevant Select Committee also to state the Urban Council's position. I cannot accept your statement entirely. It takes into account the legal position, but I do not accept it because it does not take into account the responsibility of the Urban Council in initiating policy and in bringing to the attention of the Government the needs of the people for open spaces in various areas. The initiative must lie with the Urban Council. It is the responsibility of the Urban Council, and if the Urban Council did not exercise that initiative, whether it is in this particular Select Committee, or in any Select Committee, then the Urban Council would be falling down on its assignment. So I would like to put it to you that, while the legal position has been clearly stated by you, you should not overlook the interest which the Urban Council must evidently take in this matter if it is to work properly in the discharge of its function.
CHAIRMAN: --I am with you there, Sir. I shall not overlook it and I shall have these remarks sent to the appropriate quarter.
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
MR. SALES: --As I have put this question before to the Government through you or your predecessor, it is evidently of interest to this Council that a progress report should be produced at this time, particularly when the Services have announced that they are in this part of the world running down their garrison, and also because of the growing need for open spaces for the youth of Hong Kong. So, I am indeed taken aback by the fact that the Ministry of Defence has not stated that any existing sports ground is not required by the Services when it is apparent to all and sundry that the Services' sports grounds in Hong Kong are not put to full use. Sir, you have chosen to make use of the term "proper use" in reply, when my question was "full use". The acceptation of the term "proper use" in your's and the Colonial Secretariat's text is evidently different from the acceptation of the term in the Parks, Recreation & Amenities Select Committee. I think, Sir, if I may be allowed to continue making this statement, that the Select Committee has drawn the attention of Government to the fact that such Service playgrounds are not put to full use in areas where the children of Hong Kong require recreational facilities.
(8) MR. A. de O. SALES asked the following question:-
(a) What negotiation is taking place with the military authorities for their sports grounds to be taken over for public use if they are no more required by the garrison? (b) Where such recreational facilities are not put to full use, would the Government arrange for them to be open to the public?
THE CHAIRMAN, URBAN COUNCIL replied as follows:-
Negotiations are currently in progress with the Ministry of Defence concerning the Services' future landholdings. However, no instance has yet arisen in these negotiations where the Ministry of Defence has said that an existing sports ground is not required by the Services.
The Government is not aware of any recreational facilities held by the Services not being put to proper use.
The question therefore of making representations for such facilities to be opened to the public has not so far arisen. I understand, however, that the Services do permit schools and other private organizations, on application, to have access to Services' recreational facilities including swimming pools, when not in use by the Services themselves.
(9) MR. HENRY H. L. HU asked the following question:—
Is the Chairman aware of the living condition of inhabitants in wooden huts in an area parallel to Aldrich Street on the other side of an uncovered nullah in Shau Kei Wan near the sea front? Is there any plan to clear this area and resettle the inhabitants concerned?
THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES replied as follows:
I am informed by the Commissioner for Resettlement that there are no immediate plans for clearing the squatters in this area. It seems that many of the people in the area work in Shau Kei Wan, and it is unlikely that they would welcome resettlement until the new resettlement blocks are completed at Chai Wan.
I am aware that the sanitary and living conditions in this area are poor, but it is difficult to effect and maintain much improvement.
In response to a similar question asked by Mr. CHEONG-LEEN in August last year, the Urban Services Department has made every effort to find suitable sites for latrine compartments. This however, has not proved possible and persons in the area are required to use the public latrines which are situated across the road. There are two stand-pipes for water supply and these would appear to be...
Page 141 of 259
of 259
Page 140 OF2
Page 140 of 259
254
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
MR. SALES: -Mr. Chairman, it is not my intention to contravene Standing Orders by making this question a matter for debate, but since you have chosen to make a statement, then it is incumbent upon me as Chairman of the relevant Select Committee also to state the Urban Council's position. I cannot accept your statement entirely. It takes into account the legal position, but I do not accept it because it does not take into account the responsibility of the Urban Council in initiating policy and in bringing to the attention of the Government the needs of the people for open spaces in various areas. The initiative must lie with the Urban Council. It is the responsibility of the Urban Council, and if the Urban Council did not exercise that initiative, whether it is in this particular Select Committee, or in any Select Committee, then the Urban Council would be falling down on its assignment. So I would like to put it to you that, while the legal position has been clearly stated by you, you should not overlook the interest which the Urban Council must evidently take in this matter if it is to work properly in the dis- charge of its function.
CHAIRMAN: --I am with you there, Sir. I shall not overlook it and I shall have these remarks sent to the appropriate quarter.
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
255
MR. SALES: --As I have put this question before to the Government through you or your predecessor, it is evidently of interest to this Council that a progress report should be produced at this time, particularly when the Services have announced that they are in this part of the world running down their garrison, and also because of the growing need for open spaces for the youth of Hong Kong. So, I am in- deed taken aback by the fact that the Ministry of Defence has not stated that any existing sports ground is not required by the Services when it is apparent to all and sundry that the Services' sports grounds in Hong Kong are not put to full use. Sir, you have chosen to make use of the term "proper use" in reply, when my question was "full use". The acceptation of the term "proper use" in your's and the Colonial Secre- tariat's text is evidently different from the acceptation of the term in the Parks, Recreation & Amenities Select Committee. I think, Sir, if I may be allowed to continue making this statement, that the Select Committee has drawn the attention of Government to the fact that such Service playgrounds are not put to full use in areas where the children of Hong Kong require recreational facilities.
(8) MR. A. de O. SALES asked the following question:-
(a) What negotiation is taking place with the military authorities for their sports grounds to be taken over for public use if they are no more required by the garrison? (b) Where such recreational facilities are not put to full use, would the Government arrange for them to be open to the public?
THE CHAIRMAN, URBAN COUNCIL replied as follows: -
Negotiations are currently in progress with the Ministry of Defence concerning the Services' future landholdings. However, no instance has yet arisen in these negotiations where the Ministry of Defence has said that an existing sports ground is not required by the Services.
The Government is not aware of any recreational facilities held
by the Services not being put to proper use.
The question therefore of making representations for such facilities to be opened to the public has not so far arisen. I under- stand, however, that the Services do permit schools and other private organizations, on application, to have access to Services' recreational facilities including swimming pools, when not in use by the Services themselves.
(9) MR. HENRY H. L. Hu asked the following question:—
Is the Chairman aware of the living condition of inhabitants in wooden huts in an area parallel to Aldrich Street on the other side of an uncovered nullah in Shau Kei Wan near the sea front? Is there any plan to clear this area and resettle the inhabitants concerned?
THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF MEDICAL AND HEALTH SERVICES replied as follows:
I am informed by the Commissioner for Resettlement that there are no immediate plans for clearing the squatters in this area. It seems that many of the people in the area work in Shau Kei Wan, and it is unlikely that they would welcome resettlement until the new resettlement blocks are completed at Chai Wan.
I am aware that the sanitary and living conditions in this area are poor, but it is difficult to effect and maintain much improvement.
In response to a similar question asked by Mr. CHEONG-LEEN in August last year, the Urban Services Department has made every effort to find suitable sites for latrine compart- This however, has not proved possible and per- sons in the area are required to use the public latrines which are situated across the road. There are two stand- pipes for water supply and these would appear to be
ments.
Page 140Page 141
of 259
Page 141 of 25%
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.