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MR. PETER C. K. CHAN (in Cantonese):—Mr. Chairman, could the Chairman of the Markets and Street Traders Select Committee request the department that on the 17 September, there is a meeting, so that they can give us a reply. Now actually we are represented on the DMCs, actually what kind of coordination there is with the Housing Department. Can we ask the department to give a verbal report on 17 September about the coordination between the Housing Department and the USD? If any Member who is outside the Select Committee would like to know, you are now invited to attend that meeting. Chairman, is that alright?

MR. LEE CHIK-YUET (in Cantonese): Mr. Chairman, I would really like to ask the department to give a report on the 17 of September regarding the Lam Tin event.

9. THE HONOURABLE HILTON CHEONG-LEEN asked the following question (in Cantonese): Will it be possible to organize more science and technology classes, particularly on the subject of nuclear power, and nuclear power generation, and thus to promote civic education?

DR. PHILIP C. K. KWOK, CHAIRMAN OF THE MUSEUMS SELECT COMMITTEE, replied as follows (in English): This question deals with the organization of public lectures on science and technology, and particularly on the subject of nuclear power and nuclear power generation.

Since 1980 the Science Museum Office has been organizing an annual programme of Popular Science Lectures and to date, a total of 97 lectures has been organized. These have attracted a total audience of 18,376. One of the lectures each year has been on a facet of nuclear energy.

In the light of public response to the Popular Science Lectures, the Museum Select Committee has recently decided to extend the scope and frequency of its educational and extension activities in the sphere of science and technology, with a view to:

(a) further stimulating interest in science and technology and providing opportunities for a better appreciation and understanding of science and technology amongst the public;

(b) catering to the needs and interests of different sectors of the community;

and

(c) widening the audience base for the Space Museum and the new Museum of Science and Technology, which is under active planning.

Accordingly, both the Space Museum and the Science Museum Office now organize a wider range of educational and extension activities, covering lectures, seminars, film shows, informal classes and competitions on a variety of science and technological subjects.

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These activities, which are closely monitored on an on-going basis, are designed to complement formal education as well as science-related activities of other organizations such as the print and electronic media. In view of the amount of up-to-date information on nuclear power and nuclear power generation currently before the general public in Hong Kong, there are no plans at present to organize more lectures on these subjects. The Council will of course continue, through the museums, to devote resources to a balanced programme of lectures on science subjects.

10. THE HONOURABLE HILTON CHEONG-LEEN asked the following question (in Cantonese): What is the time-table for finalizing the Hawker Report, and to what extent, and in what manner, will District Boards and Hawker Associations be asked to support and assist the UC/USD in implementing the adopted recommendations wherever appropriate to each District?

MR. LEE CHIK-yuet, Chairman OF THE MARKETS AND STREET TRADERS SELECT COMMITTEE, replied as follows (in Cantonese):--This question concerns the time-table for finalizing the Hawker Policy Report and the manner in which District Boards and Hawker Associations will be asked to assist in implementing the adopted recommendations.

The six-month public consultation on the Working Party's 'Consultative Document on Hawker and Market Policies' closed at the end of June 1986. During July and early August (which is basically the recess month of the Urban Council), the Working Party has analysed the views expressed and considered their implications for its recommendations. This re-consideration of all its proposals in the light of the public consultation is expected to be completed very soon.

The Working Party tentatively hopes to submit a final report to Members of the Markets and Street Traders Select Committee for consideration at its meeting either in October or November 1986. The decisions reached by the MST Select Committee will subsequently be submitted to the Standing Committee of the Whole Council for endorsement and adoption. The Report, as adopted, may then be presented to the Government for its acceptance of the policy and financial implications. This could take place in December '86 or in January '87. These are, of course, only tentative dates and much will depend on the progress of the various discussions on the controversial and complicated issues involved. The Working Party is prepared to have fuller discussions if required rather than hurrying to a rush decision in saving a few months' time.

It is too early for me to state at this stage, before the final recommendations of the Working Party are discussed by the Markets and Street Traders Select Committee and the Whole Council, exactly to what extent and in what manner District Boards and Hawker Associations etc. may be asked to assist in the implementation of the adopted recommendations. However, the Working Party has all along recognized the need for, and the importance of, full support.