LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ─ 26 October 2005 387 OFFICIAL RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS Wednesday, 26 October 2005 The Council met at Eleven o'clock MEMBERS PRESENT: THE PRESIDENT THE HONOURABLE MRS RITA FAN HSU LAI-TAI, G.B.S., J.P. THE HONOURABLE JAMES TIEN PEI-CHUN, G.B.S., J.P. IR DR THE HONOURABLE RAYMOND HO CHUNG-TAI, S.B.ST.J., J.P. THE HONOURABLE LEE CHEUK-YAN THE HONOURABLE MARTIN LEE CHU-MING, S.C., J.P. DR THE HONOURABLE DAVID LI KWOK-PO, G.B.S., J.P. THE HONOURABLE FRED LI WAH-MING, J.P. DR THE HONOURABLE LUI MING-WAH, S.B.S., J.P. THE HONOURABLE MARGARET NG THE HONOURABLE MRS SELINA CHOW LIANG SHUK-YEE, G.B.S., J.P. THE HONOURABLE JAMES TO KUN-SUN THE HONOURABLE CHEUNG MAN-KWONG THE HONOURABLE CHAN YUEN-HAN, J.P. THE HONOURABLE BERNARD CHAN, J.P. 388 LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ─ 26 October 2005 THE HONOURABLE CHAN KAM-LAM, S.B.S., J.P. THE HONOURABLE LEUNG YIU-CHUNG THE HONOURABLE SIN CHUNG-KAI, J.P. DR THE HONOURABLE PHILIP WONG YU-HONG, G.B.S. THE HONOURABLE WONG YUNG-KAN, J.P. THE HONOURABLE JASPER TSANG YOK-SING, G.B.S., J.P. THE HONOURABLE HOWARD YOUNG, S.B.S., J.P. DR THE HONOURABLE YEUNG SUM THE HONOURABLE LAU CHIN-SHEK, J.P. THE HONOURABLE LAU KONG-WAH, J.P. THE HONOURABLE LAU WONG-FAT, G.B.M., G.B.S., J.P. THE HONOURABLE MIRIAM LAU KIN-YEE, G.B.S., J.P. THE HONOURABLE EMILY LAU WAI-HING, J.P. THE HONOURABLE CHOY SO-YUK, J.P. THE HONOURABLE ANDREW CHENG KAR-FOO THE HONOURABLE TIMOTHY FOK TSUN-TING, G.B.S., J.P. THE HONOURABLE TAM YIU-CHUNG, G.B.S., J.P. THE HONOURABLE LI FUNG-YING, B.B.S., J.P. THE HONOURABLE TOMMY CHEUNG YU-YAN, J.P. LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ─ 26 October 2005 389 THE HONOURABLE ALBERT CHAN WAI-YIP THE HONOURABLE FREDERICK FUNG KIN-KEE, J.P. THE HONOURABLE AUDREY EU YUET-MEE, S.C., J.P. THE HONOURABLE VINCENT FANG KANG, J.P. THE HONOURABLE WONG KWOK-HING, M.H. THE HONOURABLE LEE WING-TAT THE HONOURABLE LI KWOK-YING, M.H. DR THE HONOURABLE JOSEPH LEE KOK-LONG THE HONOURABLE DANIEL LAM WAI-KEUNG, B.B.S., J.P. THE HONOURABLE JEFFREY LAM KIN-FUNG, S.B.S., J.P. THE HONOURABLE MA LIK, G.B.S., J.P. THE HONOURABLE ANDREW LEUNG KWAN-YUEN, S.B.S., J.P. THE HONOURABLE ALAN LEONG KAH-KIT, S.C. THE HONOURABLE LEUNG KWOK-HUNG DR THE HONOURABLE KWOK KA-KI DR THE HONOURABLE FERNANDO CHEUNG CHIU-HUNG THE HONOURABLE CHEUNG HOK-MING, S.B.S., J.P. THE HONOURABLE WONG TING-KWONG, B.B.S. THE HONOURABLE RONNY TONG KA-WAH, S.C. THE HONOURABLE CHIM PUI-CHUNG 390 LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ─ 26 October 2005 THE HONOURABLE PATRICK LAU SAU-SHING, S.B.S., J.P. THE HONOURABLE KWONG CHI-KIN THE HONOURABLE TAM HEUNG-MAN MEMBERS ABSENT: THE HONOURABLE ALBERT HO CHUN-YAN THE HONOURABLE MRS SOPHIE LEUNG LAU YAU-FUN, S.B.S., J.P. THE HONOURABLE ABRAHAM SHEK LAI-HIM, J.P. THE HONOURABLE ALBERT JINGHAN CHENG PUBLIC OFFICERS ATTENDING: THE HONOURABLE RAFAEL HUI SI-YAN, G.B.S., J.P. THE CHIEF SECRETARY FOR ADMINISTRATION THE HONOURABLE HENRY TANG YING-YEN, G.B.S., J.P. THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY THE HONOURABLE WONG YAN-LUNG, S.C. THE SECRETARY FOR JUSTICE THE HONOURABLE JOSEPH WONG WING-PING, G.B.S., J.P. SECRETARY FOR THE CIVIL SERVICE THE HONOURABLE STEPHEN LAM SUI-LUNG, J.P. SECRETARY FOR CONSTITUTIONAL AFFAIRS THE HONOURABLE AMBROSE LEE SIU-KWONG, I.D.S.M., J.P. SECRETARY FOR SECURITY LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ─ 26 October 2005 391 CLERKS IN ATTENDANCE: MR RICKY FUNG CHOI-CHEUNG, J.P., SECRETARY GENERAL MRS JUSTINA LAM CHENG BO-LING, ASSISTANT SECRETARY GENERAL MR RAY CHAN YUM-MOU, ASSISTANT SECRETARY GENERAL 392 LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ─ 26 October 2005 TABLING OF PAPERS The following papers were laid on the table pursuant to Rule 21(2) of the Rules of Procedure: Subsidiary Legislation/Instruments L.N. No. Road Traffic (Driving Licences) (Fee Reduction) Regulation 2005......................................... 170/2005 Road Traffic (Registration and Licensing of Vehicles) (Fee Reduction) Regulation 2005 .................... 171/2005 Road Traffic (Village Vehicles) (Fee Reduction) Regulation 2005......................................... 172/2005 Road Traffic Ordinance (Amendment of Schedule 5 ── Charge Revision) Order 2005......................... 173/2005 Road Traffic (Reduction of Fee for Designation of Driving School) Order 2005 .......................... 174/2005 Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation Ordinance (Amendment of Schedule 1) Notice 2005 .............................................. 175/2005 Other Papers No. 14 ─ Audited Statement of Accounts and Auditors' Report for the Fish Marketing Organization for the year ended 31 March 2005 No. 15 ─ Audited Statement of Accounts and Auditors' Report for the Vegetable Marketing Organization for the year ended 31 March 2005 LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ─ 26 October 2005 393 No. 16 ─ Marine Fish Scholarship Fund Trustee's Report and Audited Statement of Accounts and Auditors' Report on the Fund for the year ended 31 March 2005 No. 17 ─ Agricultural Products Scholarship Fund Trustee's Report and Audited Statement of Accounts and Auditors' Report on the Fund for the year ended 31 March 2005 No. 18 ─ Urban Renewal Authority Annual Report 2004-2005 No. 19 ─ Office of the Telecommunications Authority Trading Fund Report 2004/05 No. 20 ─ Hong Kong Council on Smoking and Health Annual Report 2004-2005 No. 21 ─ Hongkong Post Annual Report 2004/05 WRITTEN ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS Operation of Hong Kong Disneyland 1. MR LAU KONG-WAH (in Chinese): Madam President, with regard to the operation of Hong Kong Disneyland (HKD) which opened on the 12th of last month, will the Government inform this Council: (a) of the average daily attendance of the HKD in its first month of operation, and how this compares to the forecast attendance; if the attendance is unsatisfactory, how the relevant authorities will step up promotion of the HKD; (b) of the respective percentages of local residents, mainland tourists and overseas tourists among the visitors to the HKD; 394 LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ─ 26 October 2005 (c) of the number of complaints from visitors so far received by the relevant authorities, details of these complaints as well as follow-up actions taken; (d) of the total number of breakdowns of the amusement rides in the HKD since its opening, details and causes of such breakdowns, and whether they have resulted in any injuries to visitors; and (e) whether the HKD authorities will consider offering annual passes at a concessionary price; if not, the reasons for that? SECRETARY FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND LABOUR (in Chinese): Madam President, (a) and (b) The Hongkong International Theme Parks Limited (HKITP) has advised that park attendance and visitor mix figures are commercially sensitive information; and it has been the practice of The Walt Disney Company not to disclose such information for its theme parks. As a listed company, The Walt Disney Company will disclose the performance of its theme parks in its annual report. The HKITP is optimistic about the full year attendance. Guest surveys conducted by the HKITP in the first month of operation show that over 80% of the guests have rated the overall experience at the HKD as very good or excellent. Similarly, over 80% of the HKD hotel guests were satisfied with their stay at the hotels and more than half said that they intended to make a return visit. (c) Up to 21 October 2005, the Tourism Commission and the Hong Kong Tourism Board have received three complaints or suggestions from park visitors of the HKD. Of these, one case is related to the arrangement of the Rehearsal Days; one case is about ticketing service, and one case is about performance of theme park staff. The complaints have been referred to the management of the HKD for follow-up and reply. LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ─ 26 October 2005 395 We have also consulted the Consumer Council, who has advised that it is their policy not to release complaint figures on individual companies. The day-to-day operation of the HKD is the responsibility of the Hong Kong Disneyland Management Limited (the Management Company). According to the Management Company, they have received both compliments and suggestions for improvements. They take these comments seriously and would take follow-up actions. For example, in the light of feedback from visitors during the Rehearsal Days, the Management Company has added more than 600 seats in the restaurants, brought in additional mobile food and beverage stalls as well as outdoor benches and seats, and added new photo spots to meet customers' needs. (d) The safety of visitors is the top priority of the Management Company. It enforces rigorous safety standards in the planning, maintenance and operation of the attractions; and implements a safety inspection and maintenance programme. According to the statistics of the Management Company, the amusement rides in the theme park are in normal operation more than 99% of the time. To enable close monitoring of the operation of the amusement rides of the HKD, the HKITP is required to report all cases of suspension of amusement rides to the Electrical and Mechanical Services Department, which will follow up the reported incidents to ensure the safe operation of the amusement rides. Since the opening of the theme park to the 18th of this month, the HKITP has filed 50 reports where the rides were brought to a halt because of technical reasons, or the triggering of the safety protection system due to external interferences or guest behaviour, but no passengers were injured.