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Following is a question by the Hon Choy So-yuk and a written reply by the Secretary for Home Affairs, Dr Patrick Ho, in the Legislative Council today (February 15):
Question:
On the 3rd of last month, I saw workers using brutal means to remove the Christmas lighting decorations from the trees at Statue Square in Central, which resulted in numerous branches and flowers being snapped off. I gave out advice immediately. As the person in charge of the work was not found at the scene, I subsequently lodged a complaint with the Hong Kong Tourism Board (䩕HKTB蒅) which had put up such lighting decorations. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:
(a) whether the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (䩕LCSD蒅) and HKTB have deployed staff to supervise the hanging and removal of these lighting decorations; if they have, whether warnings have been issued to the contractors for damaging the trees; if not, the reasons for that;
(b) whether LCSD and HKTB know the extent of the damage caused to the trees in the vicinity of Statue Square; if so, of the results and whether they have requested the contractors to bear the relevant expenses; if not, the reasons for that; and
(c) of the measures to prevent the recurrence of similar incidents?
Reply:
Madam President,
The Administration's response to the three parts of the question are as follows:
(a) The Statue Square Gardens and Chater Garden of Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) were hired by the Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) for holding the 䩕2005 Hong Kong WinterFest蒅 from November 9, 2005 to January 14, 2006. During the WinterFest, a Santa﷿s Town was set up in Statue Square Gardens and Chater Garden with decorative lightings. The WinterFest was concluded on January 2 and the dismantling work commenced on January 3.
The HKTB had appointed a contractor to design, set up, maintain and dismantle the venue decoration of the WinterFest. The contractor was required to observe all rules and regulations in respect of the use of the venues and to bear all costs or to make good any damages caused to the venue facilities as a result of their works. LCSD had also arranged staff to observe the construction and dismantling works carried out by the contractor.
During our inspection, LCSD staff had found that the contractor had caused damage to some plants while dismantling the lightings. LCSD staff immediately warned the contractors of their improper act and requested the HKTB to tighten up supervision of their contractor. The HKTB had also warned the contractor at once and reminded them to exercise extreme care during dismantling so as to avoid damage to plants. Upon receiving the referral from the Hon Choy So-yuk's office, the HKTB immediately conducted site inspection again and warned the contractor accordingly.
(b) After the incident of January 3, both the staff of HKTB and LCSD had conducted site checks. It was found that a few small branches of the tree in question were broken but its general condition was satisfactory. Upon completion of all dismantling works, LCSD conducted a site check again with the HKTB and the other relevant departments and observed that some damage had been done to a few shrubs. In accordance with the conditions of hire, LCSD had requested the HKTB to follow-up the case with the contractor. The HKTB is considering further action to hold the contractor liable for the incident.
(c) To prevent recurrence of similar incident, LCSD would require venue hirers to strengthen supervision of their setting up and dismantling works. LCSD would also strengthen on-site inspections to ensure that plants and properties are adequately and suitably protected.
Ends/Wednesday, February 15, 2006
Issued at HKT 15:10
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