1989 — Page 19

Page 19 of 166

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HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL

the past. I would like to know whether the Council will consult the Central Western District Board on the recent development of the market?

an

MR. PAO PING-WING (in Cantonese): Mr. Chairman, it is not the responsibility of the Council to consult the Central and Western District Board because when the lessees move out, the building will be given back to the Centre Government. Under such circumstances, we will not consult the Central and Western District Board. But according to my understanding, when the development plan is approved, the Government will through other governmen departments or Land Development Corporation consult the Central and Western District Board.

MR. PETER C. K. CHAN (in English):-Mr. Chairman, perhaps may I ask can the Council instruct the department to ask the Government when it is technically handed over to the Central Government, the USD will be temporarily in custody the building, keeping it until a final decision is made. I think the final decision would probably be in favour the Council's proposal. Meanwhile we will have the temporary custody of the building.

MR. PAO PING-WING (in Cantonese):-Mr. Chairman, as I understand it, all departments involved fully understand that the hawkers will be moving out in three months' time so the management of the building and other arrangements would probably be an urgent subject to be resolved in order to keep pace with the decanting programme. In my reply, I also mentioned that the Council will not only be involved in the short term but also the long term development of this particular building. This message has been relayed to the Land Development Corporation which will take this into consideration.

MR. JASON K. Y. YUEN (in English):--Mr. Chairman, may I refer to the English text. I just wish to ask for a little bit deliberation on the term 'socially desirable project'. I just wonder at this stage, can the Council be given some indication of what sort of content the proposal will be? Whether or not, it would be an art gallery, bazaar or another toilet? So that it is just to make sure that the proposa will not be self-defeating to the purpose of preservation and whether or not it should be the jurisdiction of the Urban Council?

MR. PAO PING-WING (in Cantonese):—Mr. Chairman, my answer is based on the initial understanding. What happens in the future may be entirely different. Up to now, no decision on the development plans has been made yet. But my understanding from past discussion is that the building might be turned into a building with more cultural scene such as the 'Covent Garden' in London. The second suggestion in that part of the building should be converted into small shops for selling cultural and artistic things. But as I have said these are all initial concepts and the open design competition could probably give us more difinite ideas. All parties concerned are making efforts on these lines.

STATEMENT

HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL

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SELECT COMMITTEE (in English): As members will recall, a set of proposals on MR. HILTON CHEONG-LEEN, CHAIRMAN OF MARKETS AND STREET TRADERS the comprehensive improvement of the hawker situation in the urban areas was put to the Central Government's Working Group on Hawker Control, which is under the chairmanship of the Secretary of Municipal Services, on 23 January

1989.

The proposals cover restructuring of the General Duties Teams and discussions are taking place with Civil Service Branch on them.

arising from the restructuring will be required soon. In regard to providing the Further discussions on financial support from the Central Government land required for implementing the proposals, this also is a matter which will require discussions with Central Government soon. Initial exchanges of view with the Central Government on both the finance and land question have already taken place.

We do not yet know how long it is going to take the Central Government to make up its mind on our proposals, but I must urge the Central Government to do so quickly, and to give Council full support for its efforts to produce a workable plan to improve the hawker situation in the urban areas.

MOTIONS

1. MR. SAMUEL P. W. WONG, CHAIRMAN OF THE RECREATION SELECT COMMITTEE, moved the following motion: --

'RESOLVED that the Public Health and Municipal Services (Public Pleasure Grounds) (Amendment of Fourth Schedule) (No. 3) Order 1989 be made under Section 106 of the Public Health and Municipal Services Ordinance, Cap. 132.'

He said (in English): Mr. Chairman, as Chairman of the Recreation Select Committee, I rise on the motion standing in my name:

'RESOLVED that the Public Health and Municipal Services (Public Pleasure Grounds) (Amendment of Fourth Schedule) (No. 3) Order 1989 be made under Section 106 of the Public Health and Municipal Services Ordinance, Cap. 132,'

The purpose of the amendment By-laws is to include 7 new venues as public pleasure grounds and to correct an error of description of a place previously set aside as a public pleasure ground in the Fourth Schedule (Public Pleasure Grounds) of the Public Health and Municipal Services Ordinance, Cap, 132.

Sir, I beg to move.