Members briefed on MTR operation at Tai Koo Shing Station
Education and Manpower Panel Convener, Fr Patrick T McGovern (up to 30.9.84)
Mr Peter C WONG (from 1.10.84) The Panel held a joint meeting with the Economic Services and Monetary Affairs Panel on 27.9.84 to discuss matters of manpower and training with visiting British Minister of State for Employment, Mr P H Morrison, MP.
On 23.5.85, the Panel met with the Secretary for Education and Manpower and the Commissioner for Labour to discuss matters relating to the Central Provident Fund Scheme; long service gratuities; and the drafting programme for employment related legislation.
Environmental Affairs Panel \(up to Health and Welfare Panel [27.9.84) Health, Welfare and Environment Panel (from 28.9.84) Convener, Dr Harry FANG
It was agreed at the UMELCO meeting on 28.9.84 that the UMELCO Environmental Affairs Panel and the UMELCO Health and Welfare Panel should be merged to form the UMELCO Health, Welfare and Environment Panel.
The UMELCO Health and Welfare Panel met Mr DENG Pufang, Deputy Director-in-Chief of the China Welfare Fund for the Handicapped on 12.9.84 during Mr DENG's visit to Hong Kong.
The main topics discussed included rehabilitation services in China and Hong Kong; education in China; and Mr DENG's impressions of Hong Kong.
On 26.6.85, the UMELCO Health, Welfare and Environment Panel had a meeting with the Secretary for Health and Welfare, the Director of Medical and Health Services, and the Commissioner for Environmental Protection. Subjects discussed included nursing homes for the aged; environmental problems in Tsuen Wan; traditional Chinese medicine; cross-infection in hospitals; Medical and Health Department's responsibility for teaching; paramedic scheme; and school medical and dental services.
Housing Panel
Convener, Sir Roger Lobo During the year, two meetings were held with the Secretary for Housing and the Director of Housing. The meeting on 25.4.85 discussed various topics including the review of public housing programmes; the Landlord and Tenant (Consolidation) (Amendment) Bill 1985; half-way houses in housing estates and matters relating to the re-development of Kwai Fong Estate.
On 1.8.85, the Panel met to receive a briefing on the Green Paper on "Housing Subsidy to Tenants of Public Housing" from the Secretary for Housing and the Director of Housing.
Lands and Works Panel
Convener, Mr O V CHEUNG
Two meetings were held during the year. On 30.10.84, the Panel met with the Administration to consider representations made by a group of Tin Shui Wai villagers concerning the clearance of their villages. At a
meeting of the Panel held on 20.6.85, the proposal to set up a separate register of geotechnical engineers was discussed in detail.
Public Relations Panel
Convener, Mr O V CHEUNG
The Panel usually met regularly, every two months, with the Secretary for District Administration, Secretary for Administrative Services and Information, the Regional Secretaries, the Director of Information Services, the Director of Broadcasting and the Commissioner for Television and Entertainment Licensing to discuss topics of current interest. It also met in turn with all District Officers to receive reports on the progress of district development works and to discuss district problems generally.
A total of nine meetings were held during the year. Topics discussed included registration of voters for the LegCo election; District Board elections; promotion of civic education; licensing of public entertainment establishments and off-course betting centres; setting up of the Media Council; film censorship; public image of the Government; and District Boards' reactions to the Legislative Council (Powers and Privileges) Bill.
Public Utilities Panel Convener, Miss Maria TAM The Panel met on 1.2.85 with the Secretary for Economic Services to discuss a representation by the Joint Organisation of the Concern for Nuclear Energy on the Daya Bay Nuclear Power Plant project. Members also received a briefing on the latest developments in the operation of the two power companies and the schemes of control.
Security Panel
Convener, Mr LO Tak-shing (up to 12.2.85)
Mr M G R Sandberg (from 13.2.85)
The Panel met with the Secretary for Security on 10.6.85 to discuss problems relating to difficulties faced
30