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My second question. Have members of the Hong Kong Stadium Board of Governors first-hand experience of bungy jumping or have they ever watched bungy jumping? If not, was it unfair to refuse the application on the strength of overseas researches?
Mr. Ronnie Wong Man-chiu (in Cantonese):—I shall answer the second question first. I have not tried it before and I do not know about other members, but I have seen a lot of such performances on TV and video tapes. In fact, we collected information from different countries including the United States and Australia. These countries have their own organizations to assess the risks of such dangerous performances on pre-set criteria. The above organizations also consider bungy jumping a high risk activity. However, I cannot answer here on behalf of other Members. Perhaps we can ask other members of the Board to give their views and see if they have experience in this field.
As to whether the Council will consider an application of bungy jumping to be performed by specially trained people, I think the Hong Kong Stadium Board of Governors will consider if there is such a concrete proposal.
THE HON. LI WAH-MING (in Cantonese):—Mr. Chairman, the question is that the Hong Kong Stadium Board of Governors turned down the second application. The organizers proposed a demonstration by specially trained people in their second application for Members to view and consider its feasibility. That application was rejected because it was believed that the organizers would afterwards apply again for a mass participation activity. I want to ask if that decision was in itself a mistake. Mr. Ronnie Wong in his reply said the Board would consider if the organizers invited specialists for a demonstration act. I wonder if the Board can confirm this.
MR. RONNIE WONG MAN-CHIU (in Cantonese):—I was not present on the day the application was considered. Maybe the Chairman of the Urban Council can respond to this.
MR. AMBROSE CHEUNG WING-SUM (in Cantonese):—Mr. Chairman, I have a follow-up question. Is it possible to stage the 'bungy jump' activity elsewhere other than at the Hong Kong Stadium? From what I have seen on TV, there is no need for the activity to be held at a stadium. It can take place on a bridge above water. That is why I want to know if the activity can take place at various other venues apart from at a stadium or a piece of grassland. That is my first follow-up question.
My second follow-up question is that bungy jump is beyond dispute a risky act. Is it necessary for one to have experienced the act itself before knowing what jumping down from a high floor is about? I feel it is not necessary. Assuming that the act is risky, the question lies in whether it is the Council's policy to encourage
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HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
My second question. Have members of the Hong Kong Stadium Board of Governors first-hand experience of hungy jumping or have they ever watched bungy jumping? If not, was it unfair to refuse the application on the strength of
overseas researches?
Mk. Ronnie Wong Man-chiu (in Cantonese):-I shall answer the second question first. I have not tried it before and I do not know about other members, but I have seen a lot of such performances on TV and video tapes. In fact, we collected information from different countries including the United States and Australia. These countries have their own organizations to assess the risks of such dangerous performances on pre-set criteria. The above organizations also consider bungy jumping a high risk activity. However, I cannot answer here on behalf of other Members. Perhaps we can ask other members of the Board to give their views and see if they have experience in this tickl.
As to whether the Council will consider an application of bungy jumping to be performed by specially trained people, I think the Hong Kong Stadium Board of Governors will consider if there is such a concrete proposal.
THE HON. LI WAH-MING (in Cantonese):—Mr. Chairman, the question is that the Hong Kong Stadium Board of Governors turned down the second application. The organizers proposed a demonstration by specially trained people in their second application for Members to view and consider its feasibility. That application was rejected because it was believed that the organizers would afterwards apply again for a mass participation activity. I want to ask if that decision was in itself a mistake. Mr. Ronnie Wong in his reply said the Board would consider if the organizers invited specialists for a demonstration act. I wonder if the Board can confirm this.
MR. RONNIE WONG MAN-CHIU (in Cantonese):—I was not present on the day the application was considered. May be the Chairman of the Urban Council can respond to this.
MR. AMBROSE CHEUNG WING-SUM (in Cantonese):—Mr. Chairman, I have a follow-up question. Is it possible to stage the 'bungy jump' activity elsewhere other than at the Hong Kong Stadium? From what I have seen on TV, there is no reed for the activity to be held at a stadium. It can take place on a bridge above water. That is why I want to know if the activity can take place at various other venues apart from at a stadium or a piece of grassland. That is my first follow-up
question.
My second follow-up question is that bungy jump is beyond dispute a risky act. Is it necessary for one to have experienced the act itself before knowing what jumping down from a high floor is about? I feel it is not necessary. Assuming that the act is risky, the question lies in whether it is the Council's policy to encourage
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