I REFER to your Keeping Posted column published on March 14, concerning the Jean-Michel Jarre concert.
It is regrettable that the article contained erroneous allegations. In particular the impression given that someone from the ''Mining Department'' suddenly appeared ''less than 24 hours before Jarre was due to take centre stage'', raising objection to the proposed fireworks is incorrect. In fact, discussions between the concert organiser and a number of officers from this and other government departments had been in progress for two weeks to agree on pyrotechnics effects for the show which would be as spectacular as possible within the limits of public safety.
There is special concern in Hong Kong about fireworks. The only fireworks displays permitted are those like the lunar New Year event which are officially sanctioned after careful consideration of the safety aspects. Those displays take place over the harbour and any unexploded fireworks or still-burning remnants will fall into the water. No such displays have been allowed over land since an incident some years ago in Sha Tin when a child was seriously injured by a fallen unexploded item left over from a display. With regard to theatrical pyrotechnics used for stage effects, these were previously banned, but this policy was relaxed in 1993, to allow certain approved effects to be used under controlled conditions.
In late January, the local agent of Jean-Michel Jarre was alerted by the Urban Services Department to the need to apply for prior approval to use pyrotechnics during the planned show on March 11 and told that full details on the type of pyrotechnics to be used had to be provided. The local agent only submitted the application on February 23, and it was sent on to this department the next day. We immediately advised that the application was for the use of aerial shells which are display fireworks and, as such, are considered unsafe to be discharged in these circumstances, bearing in mind the consequences of items being accidentally projected into the audience, or falling on to flammable material inside or outside the stadium.
The police, responsible for crowd control, were also strongly against a major display. Another list was then submitted, and after lengthy meetings followed by trials at the stadium on the Thursday evening and Friday afternoon before the performance, an acceptable list of items was agreed, and we were able to recommend that a permit be issued.
Naturally we regret that it was not possible to issue a permit for all the items which M. Jarre wanted to use as part of his performance. But we have to take account of the over-riding importance of public safety, and the special concerns in an area as densely built up as Hong Kong.