XCC(71)17
9
If the sample recruitment exercise proves successful, it is proposed that another approach should be made to the Legislature for the necessary funds to implement Stage I of the Committee's proposals relating to the Legislative and Urban Councils, and Government Boards and Com- mittees. Implementation will, however, involve the creation of simultaneous interpreter posts, the ordering and installation of equipment, the construction of interpreters' booths, and amendments to the Standing Orders of the two Councils (and in the case of the Urban Council, section 45 of the Urban Council Ordinance), These processes will inevitably require some time to complete, but since it is politically desirable to institute simultaneous interpretation facilities as soon as we are certain that the requisite personnel are available, it is proposed that the following two-pronged approach should be taken:
(a)
(b)
action of the sample recruitment exercise as proposed in paragraph 8 above should proceed immediately;
detailed investigation of the feasibility of con- structing interpreters' booths and the possibility of using existing simultaneous interpretation equip- ment kept at the City Hall should proceed at the same time as the sample recruitment exercise. In this connection, it is proposed that investigations should proceed on the basis that both Council Chambers should be equipped for simultaneous interpretation as opposed to the Committee's recommendation that only the Legislative Council need be so equipped, The Committee has no doubt based this recommendation on grounds of economy but since the additional capital outlay is only $100,000 and the fact that Urban Council proceedings would be seriously inconvenienced if they were to be held away from the Urban Services Department where essential records are kept, it is felt that both Councils should be equipped. In any case, the Unofficial Members of the Urban Council feel strongly that the use of the Legis- lative Council Chamber by the Urban Council and its Select Committees would not be acceptable as a permanent measure though it might be neces- sary as a temporary measure during the install- ation of simultaneous interpretation facilities in the Urban Council Chamber.
10
It is anticipated that the process described at paragraph 9(2) above would be completed by the end of June 1971. If investigation confirms the possibility of using existing equipment, it is proposed that the Legislature be asked to provide funds for the construction of inter- preters' booths in the Councils together with whatever minor wiring costs are necessary, on the understanding that funds would not be com- mitted until simultaneous interpreters are available. If all this can be realised, Government should be in a position to introduce simultaneous interpretation into both Councils by the end of this year, with staff employed on service contracts or on permanent terms, if necessary. On the other hand, if it proves necessary to order equipment, it will not be possible to have simultaneous interpretation in the two Councils until February
1972
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