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Select Committee's competence to look into the matter if Mr. TSIN could put forward the case he has in mind.

(4) Mr. F. K. Hu asked the following question (in English):

I notice that floodlighting provided for the tennis courts at Victoria Park is below acceptable standard. I would like to be advised how and when the floodlighting of the tennis courts at Victoria Park will be improved to an acceptable standard.

MR. KENNETH T. C. Lo, CHAIRMAN OF THE RECREATION AND AMENITIES SELECT COMMITTEE, replied as follows (in English): -

Mr. Chairman, floodlighting of the tennis courts in Victoria Park was carried out by the Public Works Department as a Government financial commitment because the work to be done was clearly described as a category D item within the programme and was approved well before the 31st March, 1973.

The department accepts the criticism that the floodlighting is below standard. A comparison has been made between the light intensity provided all over these public courts with that which is obtained over private club courts in the Colony. Figures provided show a real shortfall in Victoria Park, to the extent that they indicate that the floodlighting is well below club standards. In the recent Viceroy Classic Tennis Tournament, additional floodligh- ting was installed by the organizers.

These criticisms were brought out at the last meeting of the Tennis Sub-Committee of the Recreation and Amenities Select Committee. At that time it was also recorded that individual complaints of the inadequacy of this lighting have been received by Members and also by the depart- ment from quite a number of dissatisfied players.

The matter has been notified to the Public Works Department and a copy of the light readings was also forwarded to that department for information. The Regional Secretary, Hong Kong Island has been actively pursuing this matter and has been advised that the necessary improvements are unlikely to produce any technical difficulty. An

assurance has been obtained that remedial work will be undertaken as soon as possible.

A close watch will be maintained on progress and hastening action as necessary will be taken by the staff of the department as necessary.

MR. F. K. HU (in English):-Mr. Chairman, as this sub-standard work was originally carried out by the Central Government, can I be advised whether the cost for this improvement work would be met from the funds of the Central Government or by this Council?

MR. Lo (in English):-Mr. Chairman, this was originally a Government financial commitment. Since the original work done was substandard, I would think it must be the Government's responsibility to bring it up to proper standard.

MR. F. K. HU (in English):-Mr. Chairman, I have also noticed that floodlighting of the tennis court at Tin Kwong Road is also sub- standard, so could similar action also be taken for Tin Kwong Road Tennis Court?

MR. Lo (in English):-Yes, Mr. Chairman.

MOTIONS

(1) CHAIRMAN, URBAN COUNCIL moved the following motion (in English):-

"THAT in accordance with Section 39 of the Urban Council Ordinance the Estimates of Revenue and Expenditure for 1975-76 and the list of works which the Council proposes to undertake during the next financial year be approved for transmission to the Governor."

He said: When the Standing Committee of the Whole Council considered the budget for 1975-76 it was pointed out that, although a deficit of $15m is shown, yet in reality the accounts also include the allocation of $20m for capital projects which the Council will be paying in advance under the switch-financing arrangement with the Govern- ment. Consequently, there is an estimated surplus of $5m on the Council's own account.

Nevertheless, as such a heavy part of the Council's expenditure is absorbed by personal emoluments, amounting to $222.9m or two-thirds of the total budgeted expenditure and likely to be proportionately more