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MR. CHRISTOPHER CHUNG SHU-KUN (in Cantonese):-Mr. Ronnie WONG has not responded to the request for a review of distribution. Does he think a review is unnecessary? Mr. Wong also stressed that the matter be raised at District Boards. If some Councillors are not District Board Members, does this indicate that the concerned districts are neglected?
Mr. Ronnie Wong Man-chIU (in Cantonese):—Mr. Chairman, I am happy to refer Mr. Chung's proposal relating to children population size and usage rate of children play room facilities in such districts to the Department for investigation and review.
Let me reiterate that there is no subordinate relationship between the Council and the District Boards. Nevertheless, District Boards are consultative bodies. District Board meetings can act as consultative forums not necessarily through fellow colleagues of this Council, but also through Department staff attending the meetings.
MR. WONG KWOK-HING (in Cantonese):—I would like to follow up Mr. Ronnie WONG has not responded to my question in the first round on the provision criteria of children's facilities, that is, the ratio of children population to each play room. If Mr. WONG does not have that information in hand, may ask the Select Committee to give a reply when a full review is carried out?
My second point has to do with the concept of children between 4 and 9 'to be left temporarily' in play rooms. I hope Mr. WONG will take this concept back to the Select Committee for a review. I believe the provision of children play rooms is not only for parents to leave them there temporarily, but also to serve the needs of the children. The concept of leaving them there temporarily is outdated. It should be reviewed. This is the second question.
My third point has to do with opening hours. At present, play rooms are open up to 9 or 10 pm on weekdays. The hours are definitely inappropriate because children go to sleep early instead of playing into the evening hours on weekdays. On Sundays, the rooms are open only up to 5 pm. I think the question of opening hours should be taken back to the Select Committee for a comprehensive review.
Last of all, we hope to see short term improvements before the Summer vacation sets in even if the results of a comprehensive review may not be available soon. I wonder if the Chairman of the Select Committee can give me his promise.
MR. RONNIE WONG MAN-CHIU (in Cantonese):-The Recreation Select Committee will meet tomorrow. I will try to discuss with the Department on points raised today and see if we can beat time and have information for discussion tomorrow.
I now deal with other follow up questions raised by Mr. WONG. On provision criteria, namely population size in relation to the size of children play rooms, I did say the standard adopted by U.K. was 3 square metres for
Page 106 of 654
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Page 106 of 654
Page 106 of 654
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
103
MR. CHRISTOPHER CHUNG SHU-KUN (in Cantonese):-Mr. Ronnie WONG has not responded to the request for a review of distribution. Does he think a review is unnecessary? Mr. Wong also stressed that the matter be raised at District Boards. If some Councillors are not District Board Members, does this indicate that the concerned districts are neglected?
Mr. Ronnie Wong Man-chIU (in Cantonese):—Mr. Chairman, I am happy to refer Mr. Chung's proposal relating to children population size and usage rate of children play room facilities in such districts to the Department for investigation and review.
Let me reiterate that there is no subordinate relationship between the Council and the District Boards. Nevertheless, District Boards are consultative bodies. District Board meetings can act as consultative forums not necessarily through fellow colleagues of this Council, but also through Department staff attending the meetings.
MR. WONG KWOK-HING (in Cantonese):—I would like to follow up Mr. Ronnie WONG has not responded to my question in the first round on the provision criteria of children's facilities, that is, the ratio of children population to each play room. If Mr. WONG does not have that information in hand. may ask the Select Committee to give a reply when a full review is carried out?
My second point has to do with the concept of children between 4 and 9 'to be left temporarily' in play rooms. I hope Mr. WONG will take this concept back to the Select Committee for a review. I believe the provision of children play rooms is not only for parents to leave them there temporarily, but also to serve the needs of the children. The concept of leaving them there temporarily is outdated. It should be reviewed. This is the second question.
My third point has to do with opening hours. At present, play rooms are open up to 9 or 10 pm on weekdays. The hours are definitely inappropriate because children go to sleep early instead of playing into the evening hours on weekdays. On Sundays, the rooms are open only up to 5 pm. I think the question of opening hours should be taken back to the Select Committee for a comprehensive review.
Last of all, we hope to see short term improvements before the Summer vacation sets in even if the results of a comprehensive review may not be available soon. I wonder if the Chairman of the Select Committee can give me his promise.
MR. RONNIE WONG MAN-CHIU (in Cantonese):-The Recreation Select Committee will meet tomorrow. I will try to discuss with the Department on points raised today and see if we can beat time and have information for discussion tomorrow.
I now deal with other follow up questions raised by Mr. WONG. On provision criteria, namely population size in relation to the size of children play rooms, I did say the standard adopted by U.K. was 3 square metres for
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