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SCMP Reporter

What do you think of  changes to the plan for  the Central Police Station?
I agree with Bill Greaves (Talkback, July 24) that the Herzog & de Meuron glass scaffold is unsuitable for the Central Police Station compound. The architecture is worthy of a more prominent site that would do justice to the design, which has the possibility of becoming a Hong Kong icon.
Mr Greaves suggests a move to West Kowloon, but  a better alternative would be the end of the Kai Tak runway. Increase the height so that the viewing platform  offers a truly spectacular panorama of Hong Kong side and Kowloon. May I further suggest that the viewing platform be connected by  gondelbahn to Kwun Tong and across the harbour to Quarry Bay. As the architects are Swiss, I have confidence that this cableway would have a smoother ride than the Ngong Ping 360.
Christian Rogers, Mid-Levels
Should more open space be provided for free art shows?
Not everyone has the time or inclination to go to a museum or art gallery, as many Hongkongers often focus on making money and other materialistic pursuits.
Most of us are too busy in the workplace. Because of this, we are rarely in the mood to go to an art gallery because we are tired after working.
If there are open areas with free art shows, people will be able to connect with art. They will be able to look at the art on their way to work or when they are shopping.  Showing art in this way enables a larger number of people to enjoy art. Being in an open space, it becomes an integral part of our environment.
You may not see the effects straight away but, in the long term, having free art shows in open spaces can improve the quality of life of people in the city.
Designers and artists will also be glad because more people will see their work.
These open spaces can help develop our art industry.
Wong Hiu-ying, Kwai Chung
On other matters...
Shame on Marks & Spencer for trying to get some good 'green' publicity by having a no-plastic-bags day ('Department store makes green moves', July 17).
Though this is not a bad thing in theory, and in fact is needed throughout this city, their level of commitment to this cause should be an embarrassment to the management.
Not only did they decide to follow what a few grocery stores have done by picking Tuesdays as the day to charge for bags - maybe their least busy day - but they also followed with a minuscule charge of 50 cents per bag.
This is even less than many bags now cost on the mainland.
Marks & Spencer's client base is not known to be at the lower end of the income scale. If they really care and really want to make a contribution to WWF, then they should be charging HK$5 to HK$10 per bag, every day.
It is highly unlikely that business from their client base would be lost because of such a small charge and, in fact, it is more likely to bring a feel-good factor to those who contribute. If business is actually lost, shame on all those who are too cheap to care about our environment.
This is a perfect example of 'greenwashing'. This is when a company tries to make itself look good by claiming its policies are 'green', yet doing the absolute bare minimum just to get that green publicity.
Unfortunately, this policy shows a blatant lack of care for something it is meant to protect - our environment. Hopefully  Marks & Spencer will realise this mistake and show us they truly are a leader in a new era of green retailing.
Douglas Woodring, Mid-Levels
I refer to the report on the plight of people living in cage homes ('Advocates call for increased assistance as cage-home dwellers face heat misery', July 22). Their problems have been made worse by the heatwave and the fact that inside their dwellings the temperature is on average 4 degrees Celsius higher than the temperature outside.
The temperature of those without windows is even higher. Given that most of the cubicles are very small, with poor ventilation, problems with health and sanitation will probably be more severe than they are elsewhere.
Hong Kong has a sub-tropical climate and, with the greenhouse effect, temperatures here are rising.
The average temperature in summer is getting higher and July 21 was the hottest day of the year. These high temperatures will continue for the next few weeks.
Even for those of us who live in conditions where we can get good ventilation, conditions are unpleasant. You are left feeling irritated by the heat.
People living in cage homes are on low incomes. Therefore, they cannot afford to move to better accommodation.
Hence, the government has to give as much assistance as possible and make the necessary changes. A committee should be set up to investigate and ameliorate  the living conditions of these families.
Where necessary, financial assistance should be offered to these people. Officials must also speed up the application procedures for people wanting to get a public housing apartment.
These people deserve better care from the government.
Tiffany Chan, Quarry Bay
I refer to the letters by Neena Aswani and Romy Serfaty (Talkback, July 9 and 12) about movie categories, especially for the film Wanted (Category IIB) and about under-age children watching category IIB films in UA cinemas.
According to the Television and Entertainment Licensing Authority (Tela), all movies showing in Hong Kong cinemas are classified into four categories:  Category I, Category IIA, Categories IIB and Category III. The classifications are:  Category I (suitable for all ages); Category IIA (not suitable for children); Category IIB (not suitable for young persons and children); and Category III (persons aged 18 and above only). Category I, IIA and IIB are advisory in nature, but the age restriction (18 or above) for Category III films will be legally enforced. It is an offence to exhibit a Category III film or publish a Category III videotape or laserdisc to a person under the age of 18.
For the movie Wanted, Tela classified it as a Category IIB, which is not suitable for young persons and children, but as I said, it is advisory.
Unlike a Category III film, cinema members of staff have no authority to stop under-age children attending the movie.
Michael Lee, area manager,  UA Cinema Circuit Limited



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