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HONG KONG PROVISIONAL URBAN COUNCIL
The fourth part of the question asks whether environmental protection would be considered in designing the souvenirs.
The Department would consider different factors when designing the type of souvenirs, and the principle of environmental protection is one of the major considerations. For example, in the greening activities, the souvenirs given out are potted plants and saplings which could still be grown by those receiving them, thus the effects of beautifying, greening and protecting the environment could be achieved. Besides, other factors such as cost effectiveness, visual beauty and practical value would also be considered.
The last part of the question enquires about the total annual expenditure for making souvenirs for opening ceremonies of new facilities and major carnivals such as Health Education Carnival, Green Hong Kong Carnival, Flower Show and Urban Council Open House, etc.
Taking the last financial year as an example, the Council had 3 recreational facilities completed and opened for use in the year and the total expenditure on souvenirs was approximately $17,000. For the Green Hong Kong Carnival held at the Kowloon Park this year, the expenditure on souvenirs was only about $20,000. As regards the Flower Show held in March this year, there was a profit of approximately $120,000 in the sale of souvenirs as the total income from the sale of souvenirs was $595,000, while the expenditure on making the souvenirs was about $476,120. As for the Health Education Fair held in January 1997 and the Urban Council Open House last year, the Council has spent about $120,000 and $230,000 on souvenirs respectively.
Ms. Ada Wong Ying-kay (in Cantonese):—I have two follow-up questions. The first one refers to paragraph 4 of the reply. If we manage to find a sponsor for a carnival, I would like to know the criteria adopted in accepting souvenirs from sponsors. At the Sports Carnival held in June, a 99% pure gold key-chain was given out. I wonder if a pure gold key-chain matches the image of a promoter of sports. I just want to know if there are criteria being adopted.
The second question is one on the overall situation. Shouldn't souvenirs be designed to match with the image of the Council and the nature of the activity? I don't know whether we can discuss in the Public Relations Sub-committee on the overall purpose and criteria for printing or producing souvenirs for our activities. I think the most crucial point is not to give people an impression that the souvenirs are wasteful, unrelated to the activity and not environmentally friendly. I wonder if Mr. WONG will refer this back to the Public Relations Sub-committee or the Recreation Select Committee for deliberation.
MR. RONNIE WONG MAN-CHIU (in Cantonese):—Thank you for your follow-up questions, Ms. WONG. Let me address the question on 99% pure gold key-chain as souvenir first. As a general rule, as far as the Department is concerned, souvenirs in keeping with the nature of activities are printed or
Page 221 of 654
Page 221 of 654
220
HONG KONG PROVISIONAL URBAN COUNCIL
The fourth part of the question asks whether environmental protection would be considered in designing the souvenirs.
The Department would consider different factors when designing the type of souvenirs, and the principle of environmental protection is one of the major considerations. For example, in the greening activities, the souvenirs given out are potted plants and saplings which could still be grown by those receiving them, thus the effects of beautifying, greening and protecting the environment could be achieved. Besides, other factors such as cost effectiveness, visual beauty and practical value would also be considered.
The last part of the question enquires about the total annual expenditure for making souvenirs for opening ceremonies of new facilities and major carnivals such as Health Education Carnival, Green Hong Kong Carnival, Flower Show and Urban Council Open House, etc.
Taking the last financial year as an example, the Council had 3 recreational facilities completed and opened for use in the year and the total expenditure on souvenirs was approximately $17,000. For the Green Hong Kong Carnival held at the Kowloon Park this year, the expenditure on souvenirs was only about $20,000. As regards the Flower Show held in March this year, there was a profit of approximately $120,000 in the sale of souvenirs as the total income from the sale of souvenirs was $595,000, while the expenditure on making the souvenirs was about $476,120. As for the Health Education Fair held in January 1997 and the Urban Council Open House last year, the Council has spent about $120,000 and $230,000 on souvenirs respectively.
Ms. Ada Wong Ying-kay (in Cantonese):—I have two follow-up questions. The first one refers to paragraph 4 of the reply. If we manage to find a sponsor for a carnival, I would like to know the criteria adopted in accepting souvenirs from sponsors. At the Sports Carnival held in June, a 99% pure gold key-chain was given out. I wonder if a pure gold key-chain matches the image of a promoter of sports. I just want to know if there are criteria being adopted.
The second question is one on the overall situation. Shouldn't souvenirs be designed to match with the image of the Council and the nature of the activity? I don't know whether we can discuss in the Public Relations Sub-committee on the overall purpose and criteria for printing or producing souvenirs for our activities. I think the most crucial point is not to give people an impression that the souvenirs are wasteful, unrelated to the activity and not environmentally friendly. I wonder if Mr. WONG will refer this back to the Public Relations Sub-committee or the Recreation Select Committee for deliberation,
MR. RONNIE WONG MAN-CHIU (in Cantonese):-Thank you for your follow- up questions. Ms. WONG. Let me address the question on 99% pure gold key- chain as souvenir first. As a general rule, as far as the Department is concerned, souvenirs in keeping with the nature of activities are printed or
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