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MR. PAO PING-WING (in Cantonese):--We will of course consider these factors, which are worthy of consideration. I just want to clarify a point, i.e. whether the Council has considered only the factor of utilization rate and ignored the development of the society and whether population and demographic changes have been taken into account. I wish to explain that the figures I gave you earlier were the figures in 1994/95. In other words, the figures reflect changes in development of the society as well as demographic changes. The utilization rate is that of 1994/95.
Mr. Tim S. Manuel Chan (in Cantonese):—Will the Culture Select Committee carry out a review in response to the recommendation of the Director of Audit in 1988/89? It is because the usage rates in 94/95 maybe adequate to overrule so many useful views advanced by Members of this Council? If the Council is open-minded, it should keep in view the overall geographical and demographical changes and also transport factors. I would like to ask again whether Mr. Pao will at the meeting of the Culture Select Committee ask the USD to prepare a paper for conducting an overall review to respond to the outdated report of the Director of Audit?
Mr. Pao Ping-wing (in Cantonese):—I think it is not appropriate to respond to the report in 1988/89. If we only respond to that report made in 1988/89, it will appear to outsiders that the Council has done nothing at all in the interim. If we are going to do something then we have to look at the development strategy of civic centres instead of responding to the report of 1988/89. I do not know the way how this issue will be discussed at the Culture Select Committee as it is up to the Culture Select Committee to decide. Being the Chairman of the Culture Select Committee I would rather think that the most rational approach is to wait until the Ko Shan Theatre is in operation for a certain period. Then we will consider the whole situation before we review the matter and come to any conclusion. If the Ko Shan Theatre can be put into operation in 1996, then in Kowloon East and even the whole territory, there will be an additional venue. If we are not able to grasp the current situation, we maybe forced to carry out another review after a few months. However, if this issue is raised by Members the Select Committee will certainly discuss it. But I hope Members can consider what is the best and most effective and sensible way forward.
Mr. Kwok Bit-Chun (in Cantonese): --I would like to enquire the utilization rate of the Theatre in Ngau Chi Wan Civic Centre. How many days on Sundays and public holidays were not used and how many nights of the theatre were not booked?
Mr. Pao Ping-wing (in Cantonese): --As I do not have the figure on hand, I will ask the Department to provide the figures to Mr. Kwok after the meeting.
(6) MR. KAM NAI-WAI asked the following question (in Cantonese):---At a meeting of the Central and Western District Board, the Land Development
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MR. PAO PING-WING (in Cantonesc):--We will of course consider these factors, which are worthy of consideration. I just want to clarify a point, i.e. whether the Council has considered only the factor of utilization rate and ignored the development of the society and whether population and demographic changes have been taken into account. I wish to explain that the figures I gave you earlier were the figures in 1994/95. In other words, the figures reflect changes in development of the society as well as demographic changes. The utilization rate is that of 1994/95.
Mr. Tim S. Manuel Chan (in Cantonesc):—Will the Culture Select Committee carry out a review in response to on the recommendation of the Director of Audit in 1988/89? It is because the usage rates in 94/95 maybe adequate to overrule so many useful views advanced by Members of this Council? If the Council is open-minded, it should keep in view the overall geographical and demographical changes and also transport factors. I would like to ask again whether Mr. Pao will at the meeting of the Culture Select Committee ask the USD to prepare a paper for conducting an overall review to respond to the outdated report of the Director of Audit?
Mr. Pao Ping-wing (in Cantonese):—I think it is not appropriate to respond to the report in 1988/89. If we only respond to that report made in 1988/89. it will appear to outsiders that the Council has done nothing at all in the interim. If we are going to do something then we have to look at the development strategy of civic centres instead of responding to the report of 1988/89. I do not know the way how this issue will be discussed at the Culture Select Committee as it is up to the Culture Select Committee to decide. Being the Chairman of the Culture Select Committee I would rather think that the most rational approach is to wait until the Ko Shan Theatre is in operation for a certain period. Then we will consider the whole situation before we review the matter and come to any conclusion. If the Ko Shan Theatre can be put into operation in 1996, then in Kowloon East and even the whole territory, there will be an additional venue. If we are not able to grasp the current situation, we maybe forced to carry out another review after a few months. However, if this issue is raised by Members the Select Committee will certainly discuss it. But I hope Members can consider what is the best and most effective and sensible way forward.
Mr. Kwok Bit-Chun (in Cantonese): --I would like to enquire the utilization rate of the Theatre in Ngau Chi Wan Civic Centre. How many days in Sundays and public holidays were not used and how many nights of the theatre were not booked?
Mr. Pao Ping-wing (in Cantonese): --As I do not have the figure on hand, I will ask the Department to provide the figures to Mr. Kwok after the meeting.
(6) MR. KAM NAI-WAI asked the following question (in Cantonese):---At a meeting of the Central and Western District Board, the Land Development
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