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and the Festival of Sport, and grassroots spectator programmes. The CRS is primarily concerned with national squad training, sports official training, overseas and local international competitions and exhibitions, and competitions leading to the selection of the national squad. The Department considers this demarcation appropriate and does not recommend any changes to it.

However, there are areas, such as international spectator programmes and other international competitions or exhibitions that do not clearly fall under the jurisdiction of either Urban Council or CRS. In such cases, the Urban Council has considered funding appropriate events based on their individual merits.

Generally, the Urban Council has concentrated on local spectator events. International events are eligible for subvention from the Council for Recreation and Sports. Whilst exceptions may be made for events such as the recent Pre-Olympic Water Polo Display, responsibility for promoting international events clearly rests with the Governing Bodies of Sport, with support from CRS, although the Department will always, of course, assist the Governing Bodies and the CRS in booking venues and in solving venue-based problems.

The emphasis on grassroots and local events at all levels was reconfirmed when Council considered the reorganization of the Sports Promotion Office in December 1987. At that time, it was concluded that the Sports Promotion Office should assume the role of a subvention office only.

MR. MAN SAI-CHEONG (in Cantonese): I think that Hong Kong is an international city. We have organized a lot of international events such as the Festival of Asian Arts and the Council's subsidized Hong Kong Arts Festival, which are welcome by the general public. I think there should be no exception to sports since spectacular sports events are also welcome by the general public. If we are determined, we should be able to promote such events. Can the relevant committee discuss this matter in more detail in the coming meeting?

MR. SAMUEL WONG (in Cantonese): Mr. Chairman, it is possible to do so, particularly in the sub-committee under the Chairmanship of FAN Kam-ping.

MR. FAN KAM-PING (in Cantonese): Mr. Chairman, although I am the Chairman of the Sports and Activities Sub-committee, according to my understanding, the demarcation of responsibility for funding of sports does not preclude the Urban Council from supporting spectacular sports events. My first question is whether my understanding is correct? Secondly, according to the last paragraph of the answer given by Mr. Samuel WONG, after the reorganization of the Sports Promotion Office in December 1987, the Office is only responsible for subvention of sports events. If the Urban Council is going to organize large-scale spectacular sports events, which division in the USD is responsible for organizing or presenting such large-scale spectacular sports events?

MR. SAMUEL WONG (in Cantonese): Mr. Chairman, the second question is not really a question. As regards the first question, Mr. FAN's understanding is correct. If there are spectacular sports events which require presentation, the Deputy Director (Environment and Recreation) will be the responsible officer. I would like to supplement one point that some spectacular sports events organized in Hong Kong are always held in a hurry. For example, the Olympic Gold Medallist of the Chinese National Team came to Hong Kong within a week's notice. It will be more appropriate for the governing bodies of sports to organize such activities because they are more flexible. The Council can assist them in booking venues. So, it is better to let the sports associations take the lead in organizing such events.

3.

(Mr. Frederick K. K. FUNG arrived at 2:48 p.m.)

MR. HILTON CHEONG-LEEN asked the following question (in Cantonese): In view of the large number of people recently taken ill due to eating contaminated vegetables:

(a) What further steps are being taken to tighten inspection of ‘choi sam' and other vegetables in markets and street stalls to eliminate vegetables poisoned by pesticides from being sold to the public;

(b) Is there close liaison between the Council and Government to strengthen coordinated efforts to reduce the recurrence of such food poisoning?

MR. CHAN KWOK-MING, CHAIRMAN OF THE FOOD HYGIENE SELECT COMMITTEE replied as follows (in Cantonese): Mr. Chairman, the question asks what further controls should be imposed to control the importation of poisoned vegetables.

The control of the import of food is the responsibility of the Government, exercised by the Municipal Services Branch. A similar question was put in the Legislative Council on 2 November, when the Secretary for Health and Welfare gave the following answer, as drafted by the Municipal Services Branch:

1. The recent food poisoning cases were caused by the consumption of vegetables contaminated with methamidophos, a toxic pesticide, the import, possession, or use of which is prohibited in Hong Kong. Investigations have confirmed that these vegetables were imported from China, where the use of methamidophos on vegetables is prohibited. Since a previous outbreak of food poisoning cases in late 1987, which was traceable also to vegetables imported from Shenzhen and contaminated with the same pesticide, the Municipal Services Branch has kept the situation under review. It has intensified inspection and sampling at the points of entry. It has also obtained the co-operation of the Shenzhen Import and Export Commodity Inspection Bureau. Both the Municipal Services Branch and the Bureau are of the view that control is best exercised at the source of production. A recent meeting in Shenzhen between them has led to the introduction by the Bureau of an improved system of export control. Farmers in Shenzhen are now required to submit to the Bureau written declarations of the dates on

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