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HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL

The Urban Council's development plans go up to and beyond the turn of the century and our facilities and services will by then be further widened and expanded, and the quality of life will be even better.

Let us all then look forward with courage and strength to the challenging future with confidence in ourselves, confidence in our abilities and confidence in Hong Kong itself.

PAPER

The following papers were laid on the table:-

(1) Report to the Urban Council by the Director of Urban Services and Secretary, Urban Council, for the months of March and April, 1984.

QUESTIONS

1. MR. WALTER M. SULKE asked the following question (in English):—In 1982 there was some publicity about the Abattoir in the Western District having become the base for drug trafficking and drug abuse. Has there been any improvement in the control of drug trafficking and drug abuse in the Kennedy Town Abattoir?

MR. SHUM CHOI-SANG, CHAIrman of the Markets and STREET TRADERS SELECT COMMITTEE, replied as follows (in Cantonese):-This question asks whether there has been any improvement in control of drug trafficking and drug abuse in the Kennedy Town Abattoir since publicity on the issue in 1982.

In the past two years there has been no evidence of either drug trafficking or drug abuse in the Kennedy Town Abattoir. This is probably because of the increased vigilance both by the Police and the Department.

2. MR. WALTER M. SULKE asked the following question (in English):—Why is it not possible for the Council to fix backlighted U.C. logos on the Coliseum's large cantilevered walls, which at present look ugly and bare?

MR. STEPHEN M. L. LAU, CHAIRMAN OF THE ENTERTAINMENT SELECT Committee, replied as follows (in Cantonese): This question concerns Urban Council logos to be affixed on the walls of the Coliseum.

Even before the opening of the Coliseum, the idea of erecting signs on the Coliseum's external walls was considered carefully by the Committees concerned. At one time, notwithstanding the project architect's reservations

HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL

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on aesthetic and architectural grounds, the intention was to pursue the idea, and design proposals were sought from four prominent designers and architects. In October 1983, the then Indoor Stadia and Programmes Sub-Committee decided that the proposal should not be further pursued. This decision was made in the light of the growing public awareness of the Coliseum, the financial implications involved and the fact that not all renowned buildings had identification signs on

them.

In short, it is possible for the Council to erect external signs (including backlighted U.C. logos) on the Coliseum's large cantilevered walls, but a decision was made by the Sub-Committee concerned that this should not be

done.

Now that the management of the Hong Kong Coliseum is placed under the Entertainment Select Committee, I shall arrange for the matter to be reviewed.

MR. SULKE (in English):-Mr. Chairman, I am very glad to hear Mr. LAU will be taking the matter up in his Committee, I would like to know when that is going to be and whether he would be willing to invite me to take part in such a meeting.

MR. LAU (in Cantonese):-Mr. Chairman, we do not need a lot of time in reviewing this matter and I can assure Mr. SULKE that he will be invited and asked to express his views.

3. MRS. NELLIE FONG asked the following question (in English):—What role does the Urban Council play in District Festivals? Are there any plans to join together with District Boards to organize District Festivals?

MR. STEPHEN M. L. LAU, CHAIRMAN OF THE ENTERTAINMENT Select CommITTEE, replied as follows (in Cantonese):—This question is in two parts and concerns Council's present involvement with District Festivals and future plans in this respect.

It is the Council's policy to give support to District Festivals. Council's involvement in District Festivals depends largely on the degree and type of support that the districts request. Some districts prefer to organize their own festivals or seek commercial sponsorship, while others seek active support from Council. When support from the Council is sought, it is met whenever possible.

Since the introduction of the scheme in 1981, Council has taken an active part in supporting District Festivals of various types by providing programmes, both indoor and outdoor, by presenting its performing companies, by organizing extension activities in the libraries, by providing free venues, such as parks, playgrounds, indoor games halls, or by providing financial assistance.

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