Recommendations proposed by a Legislative Council subcommittee on the West Kowloon Cultural District Development deviate substantially from the original Government concept, Chief Secretary for Administration Rafael Hui says.

Commenting on the recommendations released today, Mr Hui said the subcommittee was inclined to a more conservative approach, which has failed to explain how sufficient funding allocation could be secured every year to operate the cultural district.

The report suggested the Government adopt a traditional way of developing the district by tendering out the commercial and residential lots through the usual land sale procedures and using public funds to build cultural facilities.

Mr Hui said the recommendations would in effect mean giving up the plan of leaving private corporations to shoulder the expenses for the development and operation of the project, and instead go back to the old way of using public funds to meet expenses and making the Government bear all financial risk.

Mr Hui said the development has basically won widespread public support. He said if the screened-in proponents came up with a positive response by the end of this month, the Government hoped to consult the Legislative Council and the public on specific legislative proposals for the proposed statutory body in the second quarter of this year.

At this stage, the Government will listen to and exchange views with all sectors of the community, including the arts and cultural sector.