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DR. THE HON. SAMUEL WONG PING-WAI (in English):-Mr. Chairman, since we have time to wait, my comment is that it is hopeful that within 2 or 3 months period either ASD or the Buildings and Lands Department can come up with some suggestions. If not, then it is very much up to the Council and its Members itself to speed up the programme if they agree to.

3. MR. B. A. BERNACCHI asked the following question (in English):-I would refer to Mr. Ronnie Wong's answer to my question No. 3 on the 9 June 1992. At that time he said the railings would only be provided at the water-fall. However, with the recent popularity of the Chaiwan Park, particularly by small children, there is now a danger and could I be informed if further consideration could be given to the placing of some sort of railings round all water pools, particularly to protect these small children from falling into the water?

MR. RONNIE WONG MAN-CHIU, CHAIRMAN OF THE RECREATION SELECT COMMITTEE replied as follows (in English):--The question concerns the safety aspect of water features in our parks in general and that in the Chaiwan Park in particular.

The depth of water of all water features in Chaiwan Park is less than 400 mm. The architect has taken special care on the safety aspects in designing water features in the park. Boulders and plants are provided around all water pools serving as burffers and deterrents to stop people from falling into the water. The addition of railings around all water features would adversely affect their aesthetic value. Park staff have been briefed to patrol frequently all water features in the park. Notices will be put up at prominent locations to advise the public not to go into the water areas.

Numerous water features are provided in major parks, such as the Kowloon Park and Hong Kong Park. Railings are not as a rule provided in those parks and we have encountered no problems so far. According to our observations, children playing around water features are closely looked after by their parents or guardians.

Notwithstanding the aforementioned points, operational staff will closely monitor the situation and put forth additional safety measures if and when required. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

MR. B. A. BERNACCHI (in English):—I have only one question and that is: do you, as the Chairman of the Recreation Select Committee, consider that the lack of railings, even though the inclusion will decrease the aesthetic value, even though that is the case, do you consider that it would endanger young lives. I see that at the end of your answer you say additional measures may be taken if required. Well, I hope it will not be too late. So do you yourself consider that the lack of railings is a danger?

MR. RONNIE WONG MAN-CHIU (in English):-Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I think, as Chairman of the Recreation Select Committee, I think I will also put a

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lot of emphasis on the safety aspect of all our parks' pools. However, with past experience we have encountered so far, there is not a single case of accidents in these pools. So I would consider the standard laid down by the architect is considered very safe. Of course I think the Recreation Select Committee would be very happy to look into any particular case that Mr. Brook BERNACCHI might want to raise even though if the water's depth is less than 400 mm. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

THE HON. MAN SAI-CHEONG (in Cantonese):—Mr. Chairman, we are concerned about the safety aspects of these water features in the park. But then for the water features in some of our parks, sometimes motorised model boats are allowed to be put in these water features. What are the yardsticks to determine whether mechanised motor boats or vessels are allowed in these water features? Some of these water features are rather close to residential premises e.g. the Chaiwan Park is very

close to residential premises. So should we receive any complaints, shall we then conduct a review? This question has to deal with the Chaiwan Park where motorised model boats are put in the water features. Since the private security company is responsible for the security of this park and the monitoring is not adequate, should we therefore carry out a review?

CHAIRMAN (in English): This is a little bit divergent from the original question regarding safety. Are you ready to answer?

MR. RONNIE WONG MAN-CHIU (in Cantonese):----Let me respond to Mr. Man's question. Our parks are mainly for the enjoyment of the public. I can assure Mr. MAN that his question will be referred to the Recreation Select Committee. If we find that for some water features where people play with mechanised boats thus affecting the peace and order of nearby residents, we will then review the matter with the security company concerned.

4. MR. JASON YUEN KING-YUK asked the following question (in English):- According to recent reports in the radio that the waiting time for a cremation to be held at both the Cape Collinson and the Diamond Hill has been lengthened to 2 or 3 weeks which begins to pose a serious environmental threat as all the Cold Rooms for temporary storage of corpses in hospitals and funeral parlours are so full that new corpses would have to be improperly stored or even rejected. Can this Council be informed of the reasons behind this phenomenon and advised how soon can it be rectified? Is this critical situation created by the inadequacy of crematoria provided or inefficiency in the booking procedure?

MR. PAO PING-WING, CHAIRMAN OF THE PUBLIC HEALTH SELECT Committee replied as follows (in Cantonese):-Mr. Chairman, this three-part question concerns the waiting time for the booking of cremation sessions in crematoria in the Urban Council area. The first part of the question expresses concern that waiting times for a cremation in Cape Collinson and Diamond Hill Crematoria might lead to environmental health threats because of prolonged or inadequate storage of corpses.

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