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HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL

HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL

Page 62 of 241

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of the Cultural Affairs Select Committee, and if as a result Members consider that there is sufficient evidence to warrant a recommendation that these lifts should be re- placed, this recommendation will certainly be forwarded to Government,

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MR. SALES: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Are you aware that Members have already expressed their dissatisfaction with the present state of affairs even though there has been an improvement with the introduction of the new scheme.

CHAIRMAN: --I think we know that, Mr. SALES, and for that reason we want the evidence to be placed before them so they can put the recommendation forward with some science behind it.

MR. SALES: -Mr. Chairman, are you aware that there has been a suggestion made by Urban Councillors that these slow lifts should be transferred to some other Government building where a more leisurely way of life is the order of the day? (Laughter).

CHAIRMAN: ---I won't ask if you have any suggestions, Mr. Sales. (Laughter).

MR. SALES-I thought that with so many Government buildings going up we might not have to miss the boat. That is all I have to ask, Mr. Chairman.

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(7) MR. H. M. G. FORSGATE asked the following question:-

Will Government please advise :-----

(a) The maximum number of persons who can be accom- modated at peak periods in the swimming pools now operating?

(b) The maximum number of persons who will be accommodated at peak periods by this time next year, when various new swimming pool complexes will be completed and in operation?

MR. A. de O. SALES, CHAIRMAN OF THE RECREATION AND AMENITIES SELECT COMMITTEE, replied as follows:-

Sir, this question concerns the capacity of present swimming

pools and pools under construction.

The two existing public swimming pools at Victoria Park and Kowloon Tsai can accommodate 1,265 and 2,060 swim- mers respectively at any one time.

By this time next year, the three new pools at Morse Park, Lei Cheng Uk and Kwun Tong will be in operation and each will be able to accommodate up to 5,000 swimmers at the same time. The total capacity of all five pools next year will, therefore, be 18,325.

MR. FORSGATE:-Mr. Chairman, that is six times as many people this time next year. Quite an impressive increase. But it would be interesting if we could find out the number of people who would like to swim if facilities could be made available. I don't suppose the statistical department could work that out, but it would be an interesting exercise if it were possible.

CHAIRMAN:-We will take note of that suggestion, Mr. FORSGATE.

MRS. ELLIOTT:-Mr. Chairman, can the Chairman of the Recrea- tion and Amenities Select Committee reconcile his answer with the answer given to him just a few minutes ago by the Director of Public Works that Morse Park will be opened by next year at this time?

MR. SALES: -Morse Park will be opened this year in August as the Director of Public Works said.

(8) MR. H. M. G. FORSGATE asked the following question:

Does Government have any plans for increasing parking spaces in the vicinity of beaches on the Island and on the Mainland?

MR. A. de O. SALES, CHAIRMAN OF THE RECREATION AND AMENITIES SELECT COMMITTEE, replied as follows:

Mr. Chairman, the only plans at present for increasing parking spaces in the vicinity of urban beaches are in respect of Deep Water Bay, where the Public Works Department proposes to start on the construction of a further parking area to hold some 50 cars in September this year. At present there is parking for 137 cars at this beach.

Of the 12 beaches under the Council's control (I have excluded Lai Chi Kok since it is intended to degazette it at the end of this swimming season), there are parking facilities at 8, with a total capacity of 869 cars. The 4 beaches without carparks are Chung Hom Kok, Stanley Main, Hair Pin and Rocky Bay. However, parking is allowed by the Police on the roadside adjacent to Chung Hom Kok and Stanley Main beaches provided this causes no obstruction,