1982 — Page 19

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QUESTIONS

HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL

1. THE HONOURABLE SELINA CHOW asked the following question (in English):- How many times has the demountable stage been used for cultural presentation in 1981? How many days are now required for the setting up and the dismantling of this stage, and can this be improved upon?

THE HONOURABLE F. K. HU, Chairman of the CULTURE AND ENTERTAINMENT SELECT COMMITTEE, replied as follows (in English):-This question concerns the use of the demountable stage in 1981.

The demountable stage was erected twice in 1981, in May and again in October, and was used for 24 cultural performances altogether in the Queen Elizabeth Stadium. This includes performances which were part of the 6th Festival of Asian Arts.

The demountable stage measures 64′ × 46′ × 5′, is solidly constructed and is equipped with a full set of curtains and a grid for hanging sets. Because of its large size, its heavy construction, which is necessary for active performances such as ballet, and the limited access to the arena which is on the 3rd floor of the Queen Elizabeth Stadium and is served by only one cargo lift, the setting-up time was seven days and the dismantling time five days. It may be possible to reduce these periods marginally through better logistic planning and more experience.

The demountable stage was designed for use both at the Queen Elizabeth Stadium and the new Hung Hom Indoor Stadium which will open early in 1983. It can also be used for outdoor performances. As goods vehicles can be driven directly into the arena of the Hung Hom Indoor Stadium and as mechanical means will be provided there for the setting-up and dismantling operations, it is expected that the time requirement at the Hung Hom Stadium will be shorter than at the Queen Elizabeth Stadium.

MRS. CHOW (in English):—Mr. Chairman, is it true that there is a high turnover and transfer rate of staff who have wide experience in mounting and dismantling the stage and if so, how is it to be prevented in future so that higher efficiency can be achieved in Queen Elizabeth Stadium?

MR. HU (in English):-Mr. Chairman, it is true when we first assembled the stage, because of the lack of experience, the time required was much longer. As a matter of fact, the days as mentioned 7 days for assembly and 5 days for dismantling was the time required in October 1981; and it required a much longer period in May 1981 because through experience with the first and second operations, once in 1980 and once in May 1981, the time required was reduced accordingly, but we expect that the time can be further reduced in future especially at Hung Hom Stadium.

HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL

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MRS. CHOW (in English):- How much time can actually be saved in setting up and dismantling when the stage is used at Hung Hom?

MR. HU (in English):-We have checked this information with users of tele-stages in other places, for example in the Louisiana Superdrome. The time required at Louisiana Superdrome for assembly is 5 days and the number of days required for dismantling of tele-stage is 4 days. This is on the basis of 12 working hours per day and we expect that when we assemble and dismantle the tele-stage at Hung Hom Stadium, we should be able to arrive at a target of 5 days for assembly and 4 days for dismantling.

2. MR. WALTER M. SULKE asked the following question (in English):-As it is fairly obvious from the 'Clean Hong Kong Campaign' and the occurrences at Christmas and New Year in Central areas that a community spirit in Hong Kong is still lacking, what is the Council proposing to do to instil into the younger generation a sense of belonging to Hong Kong which is absolutely necessary if we are to preserve the few amenities we have?

MR. HOWARD H. W. YOUNG, Vice-Chairman of THE ENVIRONMENTAL HYGIENE SELECT COMMITTEE, replied as follows (in English):—This question concerns the Council's role in instilling in the younger generation the sense of belonging to Hong Kong which is needed if amenities are to be preserved.

This is a difficult question to which there can be no short or straightforward answer. I only found out 12 minutes ago that the Chairman would not have to reply, and that I would do so instead. I can possibly make the answer longer but not necessarily more straightforward. However, in general, I believe that the Council is already doing a great deal to foster community spirit, particularly through its cultural and recreational programmes and also by encouraging local residents to take part in the cleanliness of their neighbourhoods. As far as public health and the improvement of the environment is concerned, the Health Education Section of the Urban Services Department regularly conducts activities which are directed specifically to the younger generation. As part of the Clean Hong Kong Campaign, special talks have been given to school children at the request of local organizations, including one by yours truly a fortnight ago. In addition, members of the department will be going into squatter areas in April to brief residents on the Clean Hong Kong Campaign and to advise them on how to keep their neighbourhood clean.

The Chairman of the Urban Council just now also made an appeal to Councillors to participate in the tree-planting exercise and the squatter area and hawker area clean-up campaign later this month, and this is also part of the exercise in trying to instil a greater sense of belonging. A good environment and a sense of belonging go hand in hand and that is why we want more participation in the forthcoming 4th phase of the Clean Hong Kong Campaign.

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