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HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL

in access, toilet facilities and seating. The recommendation of the Public Works Department's guide on design requirements for handicapped people

and access to buildings for the disabled are closely followed.

The Aberdeen and Tai Wan Shan swimming pools include special ramps, changing rooms and toilets for disabled persons in wheelchairs. The same facilities will be provided in the new swimming pools now being planned.

MR YOUNG (in English):-As it appears that the public sometimes are not fully aware of all these facilities, what is being done to inform the relevant people concerned, particularly people in Social Welfare Department and Hong Kong Council for Social Service, that these facilities are

provided that full use can be made of them?

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MR HU (in English):-Mr Chairman, actually the Urban Council is now preparing booklets outlining the facilities provided for the general public handouts. Emphasis is to point out the facilities provided for disabled and elderly and aged, and these, I think, have been distributed freely to all the institutions and interested organizations.

MR YOUNG (in English): —As an extension of these facilities will the problem of concessional tickets or concessional prices in tickets be considered?

MR HU (in English):-Well, as far as entertainment is concerned, all these are free, but every arrangement will be made to meet the wish of the handicapped and elderly people.

MRS GRACE Ho (in English):—Mr Chairman, will Mr Hu confirm that at the City Hall High Block as well as the Low Block, ramps will be provided for access of the disabled?

MR HU (in English):--When the management is aware of the visit of elderly people or handicapped people, ramps will be provided.

MRS HO (in English):-I don't mean special occasions but as a permanent feature.

MR HU (in English):-These are removable ramps, so they can be provided very easily.

5 MR HOWARD H. W. YOUNG asked the following question (in Can- tonese):-As skate-boarding has recently become very popular, and the occurrence of skate-boarding accidents on the public roads appears to be becoming a more serious problem at the same time, what steps are being taken by the Council to allow use of its amenities for skate-boarding in order to help promote safety in this outdoor pursuit?

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MR KENNETH T. C. Lo, CHAIRMAN OF THE RECREATION AND AMENITIES SELECT COMMITTEE, replied (in English):-The Urban Services Department recently conducted a survey to determine which of the recreational amenities under Council management might be used for skateboarding, and concluded skateboarding could be practised safely were the existing roller-skating rinks that the only suitable areas away from traffic and pedestrian circulation where in Council parks and playgrounds. The Recreation and Amenities Select Committee has therefore decided that, as an interim measure, skateboarding should be permitted on these skating rinks, and that a review of the situation should be made after a six months' trial.

On the question of promoting the safety of this sport, the Council has approved a contribution of $9,000 towards the cost of printing colour posters and pamphlets advising the public on the basic safety rules for skateboarding. These posters will be ready for distribution to all skateboarders and other interested members of the public later this month.

For the future, the Council has agreed that a simple skateboarding practice area should be set aside in the proposed Mount Caroline Park, off Tai Hang Road, which is under planning. The intention is to provide skateboarders with a better and safer place to practise, away from vehicular and pedestrian traffic.

MR YOUNG (in Cantonese): --Mr Chairman, because other members using the park are as important as the ones who play skateboarding, can we be told how the pedestrians in the park are also protected?

MR Lo (in English):-Mr Chairman, other park users' comfort and con- venience must of course always be considered and park-keeping staff have been given instruction to advise intending skateboarders to use the skating rinks and to keep away from hard-surfaced areas in the remainder of the parks.

CHAIRMAN (in English):-Mr YOUNG, have you finished?

MR YOUNG (in Cantonese):-Do you know that there was a pedestrian hurt by one who was skateboarding in the park?

MR Lo (in English):—Mr Chairman, I have, I think like Mr YOUNG, read a letter in the newspaper complaining about this, but as far as I am aware, no official complaint has been made to the Council.

MR KIM Y. S. CHAM (in English):---Aside from the $9,000 contributed to the posters and pamphlets, has consideration been given towards a publicity campaign drawing the public's intention towards safety in skateboarding?