HONG KONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL-9th February 1972. 363
ment will provide a platform for their political aspiration and a training ground in public administration. It will instil some sense of belonging and community spirit into them; a hope which the White Paper voiced right from the start. It will further provide a challenge and a test as to whether our younger generation are capable of managing their own affairs in a businesslike and responsible manner;
that the area within which the Urban Council operates should be divided into a number of electoral districts, so that in future each elected member will represent his own district. There is much to be said in favour of this system of election. After all the whole essence of having a local government is to ensure that a Councillor who is elected to serve his district will get to know his people, their needs, desires and fears. This knowledge will enable him to make sure that his priorities are right, and the wishes of the people are properly conveyed to the Government.
I am afraid, Sir, that I cannot agree with the White Paper that satisfactory arrangements already exist for particular services needed by various districts to be provided. I recall that it took me 9 years to get a playground for Aberdeen. Two years ago I brought to the attention of this Council the tremendous needs of Kwun Tong for better rubbish collection points, better control of hawkers and more open space and recreational facilities. I have yet to see any visible progress in any of these directions;
(g) that once the Council has been constituted as a statutory local government, then it can be represented in various public bodies and committees where it has an interest. Its members may sit as representatives of the Council, instead of on a personal basis.
Sir, I give my support to the White Paper on the above qualifica- tions.
SIR YUET-KEUNG KAN:-Sir, I had not intended to speak at all although I am also one of the alumni of the Urban Council but, none- theless, as usual I cannot keep my mouth shut! (Laughter).
May I first of all correct something which the honourable Mr Lo has just said which could create some erroneous impression on the part of some of our critics. He said, I think, that all appointed Members do not necessarily toe the official line. Sir, this implies that either some of the appointed Members toe the official line or that all the Unofficial Members sometimes toe the official line. I have sat in