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DR. SAMUEL WONG PING-WAI (in Cantonese):—Mr. Chairman, I hope the USD can guarantee that before we hear any plans reached between the government and the developers, normal maintenance and repair work would be carried out as usual. I discovered that at the second children's playground, most of the play equipment including the swings are dilapidated.

MR. RONNIE WONG MAN-CHIU (in Cantonese):--I will relay this concern to the Committee for discussion and also convey this message to the Department for attention.

DR. SAMUEL WONG PING-WAI (in Cantonese):—Mr. Chairman, there used to be a lawn but due to lack of sunshine or because there are too many people using the lawn, it becomes an area full of sand. Can we surface the area with concrete so that morning walkers or those practising Taichi can have a better place to practise.

MR. RONNIE WONG MAN-CHIU (in Cantonese): Yes, I will refer this back to the Committee for discussion. I personally think that a lawn is better than a concrete area because green areas are scarce in the Parks.

DR. SAMUEL WONG PING-WAI (in Cantonese):-I would like to clarify that there is no more grass there and only sand can be seen.

MR. RONNIE WONG MAN-CHIU (in Cantonese):—Mr. Chairman, we will discuss this item at the Recreation Select Committee meeting and I hope that Mr. WONG can bring this up at the Recreation Select Committee meeting.

(Mr. Mox Ying-fan arrived at 3.05 p.m.)

MR. MAN SAI-CHEONG (in Cantonese):-Mr. Chairman, I don't agree to convert those areas originally full of grass into concrete areas. We should support the idea of making the city green. I think Victoria Park is a popular place for enjoyment of the entire family and so I would like to ask the Chairman of the Recreation Select Committee whether there are any comprehensive plans to make the Eastern District green and start this exercise at Victoria Park since more and more recreational and sports facilities have been provided in the Eastern District.

MR. RONNIE WONG MAN-CHIU (in Cantonese): Mr. Chairman, concerning the development of the Victoria Park, our usual policy is to preserve trees and grass in the Park. I share the view of Mr. MAN that greenery of the park is in line with the established policy of the Urban Council. If Victoria Park is to be re- developed, we will certainly move in this direction.

MR. STEPHEN LAU MAN-LUNG (in Cantonese):—Mr. Chairman, early this year, many people were very concerned about the redevelopment of Victoria Park. They expressed a lot of views in the newspaper concerning the redevelopment of

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Victoria Park. At that time, the Urban Council reiterated its stand that the redevelopment shall be based on two main considerations. Firstly, to improve the environment and facilities and secondly to guarantee that during the construction period, minimum disturbance will be caused to the users. I hope that Mr. WONG can reiterate this two principles. If Victoria Park is to be redeveloped, the developer has to satisfy with these two policy objectives laid down by the Council because many park users have expressed great concern over this.

MR. RONNIE WONG MAN-CHIU (in Cantonese):—What Mr. LAU's wants is to relay his message to the Recreation Select Committee for reiteration. I think the whole Select Committee will be pleased to do that.

MR. B. A. BERNACCHI (in English):—I would myself make a statement first of all. I was a member when Victoria Park was under reclamation. I was one of the members of the Committee established to form the Park, and we formed a policy that I hope will be continued. A minimum of concrete was to be used, a maximum of grass. That is history now, very old history, but I think it is being used, and I should be very sorry if it is altered. The question is completely different. The second paragraph of the English version 'these proposals i.e. proposals for extensive redevelopment of Victoria Park are still being negotiated between the developers and the Buildings and Lands Department'. Why have we been as either the Council or the Urban Services Department excluded from negotiations on a matter which concerns us very greatly. I would like to ask that.

MR. RONNIE WONG MAN-CHIU (in Cantonese):-Thank you, Mr. Chairman. First of all, I would like to thank Mr. BERNACCHI for reminding us of the policy established at the very early stage and I whole-heartily support this policy. Concerning the question raised by Mr. BERNACCHI, I think it is a Central Government policy because it involves the use of land. I think the matter of land has to be cleared by the Buildings and Lands Department first before we can take part in the discussion.

DR. SAMUEL WONG PING-WAI (in Cantonese):—-I believe both Mr. MAN and Mr. BERNACCHI have misunderstood my question. I am referring to some areas where insufficent sunshine and bushes prohibit the growth of grass. If sunshine cannot reach the grass, it is impossible to grow grass in those areas. Another reason is that there are too many people practising Taichi, which damage the grass. I am only referring to those areas.

3.

MS. ANNA TANG KING-YUNG asked the following question (in Cantonese):---I have recently received complaints from the public that:

(i) litter bins in the streets are always overflown with litter which is being

scattered around. This is not only unsanitary but also unsightly; (ii) dog faeces are always found in the streets and pavement. What effective

measures will the Department take to improve the abovesaid situation?

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