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PROVISIONAL URBAN COUNCIL
I do not think anyone will object to the Council's role in providing assistance. Supporting international competitions is an attractive item. However, when this Council decides to do so, we must be sure of our position.
The Democratic Party thinks the Council should hold in prime consideration how to look after public need for municipal services. On fulfilling that mission, the Council should be duty bound to promote demands given in Mr. WONG Kwok-hing's motion. At times, there were no question of conflicts between needs for municipal services and the demands of staging international activities. At other times, problems arose. I am sure all of you remember clearly the case of intensive harm to the turf at Victoria Park managed by us because of the skating carnival project. The matter was discussed at length. As the result of holding such an event, the public could not use such USD venues freely for a long time. I am sure we all remember this case.
If we implement the demands of this motion, we believe the original intention is worth support. However, when we come to concrete handling of the matter, we must first of all consider the needs of various parties cautiously. In the end, we should place the needs of the public above others in making our decision.
At present, the Urban Council has the ability to promote and host mega international recreation activities. Of course, if we are to fight for the staging of international activities here, we must first of all liaise closely with the Sports Development Board or the Tourist Association. The parties should coordinate and provide us with information so that we could tie in with the needs concerning venues. The USD has now taken over the Hong Kong Stadium. Under such circumstances, our say is stronger. I think we are all the better equipped to stage international activities of a larger scale.
At present, we maintain periodic meetings with the Sports Development Board so that the two parties may build on resources held by each. We do not have a regular mechanism by which to keep in contact with the Tourist Association. I think there is need for such a mechanism if we want to implement the motion by Mr. Ronnie WONG. In his Policy Address released this year, the Chief Executive clearly referred to the new post of Commissioner for Tourism Affairs. I think this is a good time to promote tourism in Hong Kong. The future Commissioner and various functions of the Urban Council should study together, communicate and coordinate. Under such a premise, Mr. Chairman, we support the motion by Mr. Ronnie WONG.
MR. TIM S. MANUEL CHAN (in Cantonese): Mr. Chairman, first of all, I add my comments to the motion. I wonder if everyone knows that the Urban Council has been arranging recreation activities for the public and that such activities are widely welcomed. This is something we should acknowledge.
£606
Page 284 of 606
Page 284 01 606
Page 284 of 606
278
PROVISIONAL URBAN COUNCIL
I do not think anyone will object to the Council's role in providing assistance. Supporting international competitions is an attractive item. However, when this Council decides to do so, we must be sure of our position.
The Democratic Party thinks the Council should hold in prime consideration how to look after public need for municipal services. On fulfilling that mission, the Council should be duty bound to promote demands given in Mr. WONG Kwok-hing's motion. At times, there were no question of conflicts between needs for municipal services and the demands of staging international activities. At other times, problems arose. I am sure all of you remember clearly the case of intensive harm to the turf at Victoria Park managed by us because of the skating carnival project. The matter was discussed at length. As the result of holding such an event, the public could not use such USD venues freely for a long time. I am sure we all remember this
case.
If we implement the demands of this motion, we believe the original intention is worth support. However, when we come to concrete handling of the matter, we must first of all consider the needs of various parties cautiously. In the end, we should place the needs of the public above others in making our decision.
At present, the Urban Council has the ability to promote and host mega international recreation activities. Of course, if we are to fight for the staging of international activities here, we must first of all liaise closely with the Sports Development Board or the Tourist Association. The parties should coordinate and provide us with information so that we could tie in with the needs concerning venues. The USD has now taken over the Hong Kong Stadium. Under such circumstances, our say is stronger. I think we are all the better equipped to stage international activities of a larger scale.
At present, we maintain periodic meetings with the Sports Development Board so that the two parties may build on resources held by each. We do not have a regular mechanism by which to keep in contact with the Tourist Association. I think there is need for such a mechanism if we want to implement the motion by Mr. Ronnie WONG. In his Policy Address released this year, the Chief Executive clearly referred to the new post of Commissioner for Tourism Affairs. I think this is a good time to promote tourism in Hong Kong. The future Commissioner and various functions of the Urban Council should study together, communicate and coordinate. Under such a premise, Mr. Chairman, we support the motion by Mr. Ronnie WONG.
MR. TIM S. MANUEL CHAN (in Cantonese):-Mr. Chairman, first of all, I add my comments to the motion. I wonder if everyone knows that the Urban Council has been arranging recreation activities for the public and that such activities are widely welcomed. This is something we should acknowledge.
£606
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