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MR. RONNIE WONG MAN-CHIU (in Cantonese):—Thank you, Mr. Chairman. In response to the first question from Mr. Li, the reply that I have given just now is one that deals with all the 16 swimming pools in general. The ratio between swimmers and non-swimmers may vary from swimming pool to swimming pool and we may follow up further.
Mr. Li also asked if there are any statistics to prove whether these restaurants are adversely affected. In fact, I do not have these figures on hand. Besides, the decision on reducing the closure of swimming pools from 1 1⁄2 to 1 hour has been made after very careful consideration of the Swimming Pool Sub-Committee at its meeting. Of course, apart from the interests of the swimmers, the interests of the restaurant operators have also been considered. The Department is of the view that in general the daily closure should not bring any substantial impact on the daily operation of the swimming-pool restaurants. We can furnish Mr. Li with further information or statistics after the meeting if he needs any.
MR. ALBERT LAI WING-LIN (in Cantonese):—If the business of the swimming-pool restaurants is affected by the daily 1 hour closure of the swimming pools, that would certainly affect the immediate interests of the operators. So, have they ever made any inquiries or lodged any complaints, or have they made a request to be consulted or asked for any assistance from the Council? This issue is related to their immediate interests. If they can provide some statistics for more in-depth study of the issue, will it not benefit and help operators of the swimming-pool restaurants?
MR. RONNIE WONG MAN-CHIU (in Cantonese):—Thank you, Mr. Chairman. As clearly laid in the reply, according to the agreements between the Department and the operators, the Council is not liable for any compensation to the operators for their loss of business because of the Council's decision to close the whole or any part of the swimming pool complex. In fact, individual operators have submitted applications for concessionary rent from the Department in April this year. However, the Department has turned down such applications in accordance with the contract terms.
The Hon. LI WAH-MING (in Cantonese):—Mr. Chairman. I do not object to the daily closure of the swimming pools, because we are in support of the cleaning of the swimming pools. Mr. Wong Man-chiu has promised that he will study the locations of the 13 swimming-pool restaurants to find out which of them are situated in inconspicuous locations and are not attractive to the public. As a result, they suffer more than others during the closure of the swimming pools. If it is found that some restaurants do have similar problems (as far as I know, at least one of them has the said problem), apart from concessionary rents (but I am not asking for this measure), does the Department or the Council have any other measures to help these restaurant operators which have difficulties in running their business? Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
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M8. Ronnie Wong Man-chiu (in Cantonese):—Thank you, Mr. Chairman, In response to the first question from Mr. Li, the reply that I have given just now is one that deals with all the 16 swimming pools in general. The ratio between swimmers and non-swimmers may vary from swimming pool to swimming pool and we may follow up further.
Mr. Li also asked if there are any statistics to prove whether these restaurants are adversely affected. In fact, I do not have these figures on hand. Besides, the decision on reducing the closure of swimming pools from 11⁄2 to 1 hour has been made after very careful consideration of the Swimming Pool Sub-Committee at its meeting. Of course, apart from the interests of the swimmers, the interests of the restaurant operators have also been considered. The Department is of the view that in general the daily closure should not bring any substantial impact on the daily operation of the swimming-pool restaurants. We can furnish Mr. Li with further information or statistics after the meeting if he needs any.
MR. ALBERT LAI WING-LIN (in Cantonese):-If the business of the swimming- pool restaurants is affected by the daily 1 hour closure of the swimming pools, that would certainly affect the immediate interests of the operators. So, have they ever made any inquiries or lodged any complaints, or have they made a request to be consulted or asked for any assistance from the Council? This issue is related to their immediate interests. If they can provide some statistics for more in-depth study of the issue, will it not benefit and help operators of the swimming-pool
restaurants?
Mr. Ronnie Wong Man-cHIU (in Cantonese);—Thank you, Mr. Chairman. As clearly laid in the reply. according to the agreements between the Department and the operators, the Council is not liable for any compensation to the operators for their loss of business because of the Council's decision to close the whole or any part of the swimming pool complex. In fact, individual operators have submitted applications for concessionary rent from the Department in April this year. However, the Department has turned down such applications in accordance with the contract terms,
The Hon. Li Wah-ming (in Cantonese); ——Mr. Chairman. I do not object to the daily closure of the swimming pools, because we are in support of the cleaning of the swimming pools. Mr. Wong Man-chiu has promised that he will study the locations of the 13 swimming-pool restaurants to find out which of them are situated in inconspicuous locations and are not attractive to the public. As a result, they suffer more than others during the closure of the swimming pools. If it is found that some restaurants do have similar problems (as far as I know, at least one of them has the said problem), apart from concessionary rents (but I am not asking for this measure), does the Department or the Council have any other measures to help these restaurant operators which have difficulties in running their business? Thank you, Mr. Chairman,
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