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HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
CHAIRMAN:—I would need notice of that question.
MR. SALES: Well you did not need notice of the previous question, Mr. Chairman. May I assure you that that was what the surplus of $618 million worked out to. In other words for the recreation of the people of Hong Kong, Government spent less than 1% of what Government saved. Am I now, Sir, permitted to ask you, since you have done your homework, how much does the Government intend to spend per head of population in 1971-72 on recreation and cultural programmes?
CHAIRMAN:-On the same basis, Mr. SALES, next year's estimated expenditure would equal $1.75 per head.
MR. SALES: -And what do you expect next year's surplus would be per head of population? No doubt you will need notice of that question but we can safely say 100 times what Government expects to spend on the poor children of Hong Kong.
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
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engaged in public recreation and entertainment through the departmental votes, but has given and continues to give assistance in the promotion of cultural activities organized by non-profit-making cultural organizations by waiving the hire charges for the use of City Hall Concert Hall or Theatre for all joint presentations with the Urban Council. In 1970-71, there were some 43 such presentations and local cultural organizations have therefore been indirectly granted a subsidy amounting to at least $34,630 through these presentations. The "subsidy" of course has been directed at ensuring that prices for admission to these concerts were kept low and well within reach of students.
MR. SALES: -Mr. Chairman, thank you very much for your very comprehensive answer.
(10) MR. A. de O. SALES asked the following question:
What financial assistance did the Urban Council give to non-governmental organizations engaged in public recreation and entertainment through your departmental votes?
THE CHAIRMAN, URBAN COUNCIL, replied as follows: --
The two divisions concerned with public recreation and entertainment are the Recreation and Amenities and Cultural Services Divisions.
Last financial year, the Recreation and Amenities Division paid $100,000 to the Friends of Scouting (an affiliate of the Scouts Association) from the public recreation activities vote for it to organize on behalf of the Council a total of 19 summer camps for about 3,700 children. In addition, it spent some $20,000 from the same vote in contributing towards other activities jointly organized by the Division's Entertainment Section and various non-Government organizations. These included a Karting demonstration, an Asian Chinese Chess tournament, 22 swimming parties at swimming pools and beaches, 4 seasonal festival events or district fun fairs, and 3 pop/folk musical entertainments.
(Mr. Peter C. K. CHAN left the meeting at this point).
The Cultural Services Division has not given any direct financial assistance to non-governmental organizations
(11) MR. A. de O. SALES asked the following question:
(a) What progress have you made in setting up a Physical Recreation Section in the Urban Services Department?
(b) Have the discussions with the Education Department elicited any positive response and an assurance of support?
(c) Is the Government aware that the Urban Council considers this re-organization of your department and the engagement of specialist staff to be of public importance in improving our service to youth?
THE CHAIRMAN, URBAN COUNCIL, replied as follows:-
(a) A question on this matter was asked at this Council's March meeting when it was reported that a considerable amount of information was required from other Departments concerned before the Urban Services Department could make any firm recommendations.
By 1st June, the necessary information had reached my department following which it was necessary for my senior staff to consider the various connected problems posed prior to a discussion with the Director of Education for which the latter had asked.
This discussion was held in the middle of the Typhoon on 17th June and it is hoped that it will be possible to present a paper to the Recreation and Amenities Select Committee at its July meeting.
Page 87 of 242
Page 87 of 242
154
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
CHAIRMAN:—I would need notice of that question.
MR. SALES: Well you did not need notice of the previous question, Mr. Chairman. May I assure you that that was what the surplus of $618 million worked out to. In other words for the recreation of the people of Hong Kong, Government spent less than 1% of what Government saved. Am I now, Sir, permitted to ask you, since you have done your homework, how much does the Government intend to spend per head of population in 1971-72 on recreation and cultural programmes?
CHAIRMAN:-On the same basis, Mr. SALES, next year's estimated expenditure would equal $1.75 per head.
MR. SALES: -And what do you expect next year's surplus would be per head of population? No doubt you will need notice of that question but we can safely say 100 times what Government expects to spend on the poor children of Hong Kong.
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
155
engaged in public recreation and entertainment through the departmental votes, but has given and continues to give assistance in the promotion of cultural activities organized by non-profit-making cultural organizations by waiving the hire charges for the use of City Hall Concert Hall or Theatre for all joint presentations with the Urban Council. In 1970-71, there were some 43 such presentations and local cultural organizations have therefore been indirectly granted a subsidy amounting to at least $34,630 through these presentations. The "subsidy" of course has been directed at ensuring that prices for admission to these concerts were kept low and well within reach of students.
MR. SALES: -Mr. Chairman, thank you very much for your very comprehensive answer.
(10) MR. A. de O. SALES asked the following question:
What financial assistance did the Urban Council give to non- governmental organizations engaged in public recreation and entertainment through your departmental votes?
THE CHAIRMAN, URBAN COUNCIL, replied as follows: --
The two divisions concerned with public recreation and enter- tainment are the Recreation and Amenities and Cultural Services Divisions.
Last financial year, the Recreation and Amenities Division paid $100,000 to the Friends of Scouting (an affiliate of the Scouts Association) from the public recreation activities vote for it to organize on behalf of the Council a total of 19 summer camps for about 3,700 children. In addition, it spent some $20,000 from the same vote in contributing towards other activities jointly organized by the Division's Entertainment Section and various non- Government organizations. These included a Karting demonstration, an Asian Chinese Chess tournament, 22 swimming parties at swimming pools and beaches, 4 sea- sonal festival events or district fun fairs, and 3 pop/folk musical entertainments.
(Mr. Peter C. K. CHAN left the meeting at this point).
The Cultural Services Division has not given any direct financial assistance to non-governmental organizations
(11) MR. A. de O. SALES asked the following question:
(a)
What progress have you made in setting up a Physical Recreation Section in the Urban Services Department?
(b) Have the discussions with the Education Department elicited any positive response and an assurance of support?
(c) Is the Government aware that the Urban Council considers this re-organization of your department and the engage- ment of specialist staff to be of public importance in improving our service to youth?
THE CHAIRMAN, URBAN COUNCIL, replied as follows:-
(a) A question on this matter was asked at this Council's March meeting when it was reported that a considerable amount of information was required from other Depart- ments concerned before the Urban Services Department could make any firm recommendations.
By 1st June, the necessary information had reached my depart- ment following which it was necessary for my senior staff to consider the various connected problems posed prior to a discussion with the Director of Education for which the latter had asked.
This discussion was held in the middle of the Typhoon on 17th June and it is hoped that it will be possible to present a paper to the Recreation and Amenities Select Committee at its July meeting.
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.