1974 — Page 91

Page 91 of 187

149

148

HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL

"it hoped that the construction of the first stage of the project will begin at the end of 1975 and be completed in mid-1977." Then secondly "most likely the construction will have to be phased and it may take up to the early 1980s to complete the entire projects." Are these dates the latest or the earliest dates, in the opinion of the Chairman of the City Hall?

Mr. Lo (in English):-In my own opinion, Sir, the earliest.

(3) DR. DENNY M. H. HUANG asked the following question (in Cantonese):

May I be informed of the relationship which will exist between the recently formed Recreation and Sports Service and the activities of the Urban Council?

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

Mr. Chairman, I think that perhaps the best way of answering this question is, first of all, to remind Members of the responsibilities of the Council in the recreational field and to advise them also of the terms of reference of the Council for Recreation and Sport.

To deal with the Urban Council first, Section 25 of the Urban Ordinance reads, inter alia, as follow:

The Council may, within the urban areas- (a) establish and maintain places and facilities for recreation relaxation, the performance of sports of any kind and the conduct of literary, artistic, musical or other cultural activities of any kind; (b) provide, promote, sponsor, assist or collaborate with any person or group of persons whether incorporated or not in the organizing or presenting of-

(i) dancing, musical, dramatic or theatrical performances of any kind;

(ii) cinematograph displays;

(iii) literary or artistic exhibitions or competitions;

HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL

(iv) demonstrations, displays or competitions of sports.

As regards the Council for Recreation and Sport, its terms of reference are as follow:

To ensure that facilities for recreation and sport in both the urban and rural areas are expanded, consistent with resources available, that their use is maximized and that facilities and services provided appropriate to meet the leisure-time needs of young people, and to this end:

(i) to advise on how facilities for both recreation and sport may be expanded and to make recommendations on Government expenditure on such facilities;

(ii) to advise on how the use of such facilities may be maximized;

(iii) to advise on how the supervision of recreation and sport by voluntary and Government agencies can be improved and expanded;

(iv) to be the channel for advice to Government on financial assistance to amateur sport;

(v) to make recommendations to Government on any special services and facilities required to meet the leisure-time needs of young people;

(vi) to keep under review needs in these fields and progress made in meeting them and to issue an annual report;

(vii) to establish a special secretariat under the supervision of the Secretary for Home Affairs.

The powers of the Urban Council are therefore not affected by the recently formed Council for Recreation and Sport, and Urban Councillors sit on the Council for Recreation and Sport to ensure that the fullest co-operation is achieved in our related objectives.

If I could condense the differing aims of these two bodies I would say that the Urban Council will continue to provide and look after an ever increasing range of recreational sites developed for public use and to take entertainment to the people, including sports competitions, at a steadily increasing rate to fill public needs.

Page 91 of 187