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Following is a question by the Hon Albert Chan and a written reply by the Secretary for Home Affairs, Dr Patrick Ho, in the Legislative Council today (November 23):
Question:
At present, there are discrepancies between the fee levels for certain types of leisure and sports facilities provided by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department in the New Territories and those in the urban area. Many New Territories residents have pointed out that the fees of these facilities in the New Territories are generally higher than those in the urban area, which they consider as unfair to them. Also, the Administration told this Council in November 2003 that in view of the then financial climate, the fee level alignment exercise had been put on hold. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:
(a) of the details of the fees of the leisure and sports facilities in the New Territories and the urban area;
(b) whether the alignment exercise will resume; if so, when the fees will be aligned; if not, the reasons for that?
Reply:
Madam President,
My reply to Hon Albert Chan's question is as follows:
(a) At present, the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) adopts the fee levels set by the former municipal councils for the facilities of their recreational venues. Owing to the different pricing policies of the former municipal councils, there are discrepancies between the fee levels for certain facilities in the urban area and those in the New Territories. Overall speaking, except for the charges of tennis courts, badminton courts, natural turf pitches and swimming pools in the New Territories, which are higher than those in the urban area during peak hours, the fees and charges of the leisure and sports facilities in the New Territories are generally lower than those in the urban area. A list of charges for use of major LCSD recreational facilities in the urban area and the New Territories is set out at the Annex.
(b) Since its establishment, the LCSD has reviewed the fees and charges of the facilities concerned. During the course of the review, the Department has considered that any increase in fees in either the urban area or the New Territories for the purpose of alignment of fee levels would add burden on the general public. On the other hand, any reduction in fees as a result of alignment would require a corresponding increase in government subsidies to the facilities. In view of the earlier economic downturn experienced in Hong Kong, the Bureau has decided to put on hold the fee level alignment exercise. Nevertheless, during that period the LCSD has taken the opportunity to standardise the concessionary rates of the leisure and sports facilities in urban area and the New Territories, including those for public swimming pools, tennis courts, soccer pitches, squash courts, sports centres, holiday villages. Users or organisations of the same category, including children/infants, people with disabilities, students, schools, subvented organisations, etc., can enjoy the same concessionary rates when using these facilities in various districts.
With the gradual improvement in the economy, the Bureau has asked LCSD to re-examine the feasibility of aligning the fee levels and to develop options for implementation. We hope the study will be completed as early as possible and a paper will be submitted to the LegCo Panel on Home Affairs for discussion.
Ends/Wednesday, November 23, 2005
Issued at HKT 11:41
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