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MR. SALES: Mr. Chairman, on a point of clarification, does that mean a lack of confidence on the part of the Secretary-General of the Civic Association in his own Chairman's ability to reply to questions? (Laughter).
MR. CHEONG-LEEN: May I say that I do wish to avoid giving the impression to Mr. SALES that the Elected Members are conspiring against the Appointed Members.
CHAIRMAN: I think that your observation is mildly improper. The reply was given by Dr. Woo who must have approved it, so it must be attributable to him.
MR. CHEONG-LEEN: On the contrary, Mr. Chairman. I think you have misunderstood me. I very much approve of it, but I must say that it does reflect on the excellent co-operation among the Elected Members. It was certainly not organized by us.
MR. SALES: Might I suggest that Mr. CHEONG-LEEN opened his mouth and put his foot in it. (Laughter).
MR. CHEONG-LEEN: Mr. Chairman, I would be glad to comply if Mr. SALES would show the way.
CHAIRMAN: Mr. CHEONG-LEEN, would you like to ask the next question?
MR. H. CHEONG-LEEN then asked the following question: Will the Director of the Urban Services Department please advise what has the Government Organizational Surveys Unit done so far to assist his Department in streamlining its work and improving its efficiency?
THE CHAIRMAN replied as follows:
An initial survey extending over a period of about 4 months was carried out in 1963 on the utilization of transport and the operation of the two vehicle depots. As a result, an improved system of keeping records has now been introduced. The officer who made the survey recommended that a further investigation into certain aspects of the organization of the depots, including manning scales for vehicles and vehicle utilization, should be made. This will be carried out in the near future.
In addition, the Organizational Surveys Unit has started looking into the organization of the Gardens Section. It has completed pilot surveys on gardening, grasscutting and maintenance work in selected districts of Hong Kong Island, and these are under consideration at the present time.
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MR. SALES: Mr. Chairman, just to clarify your answer, does this particular Unit employ gardeners as well?
CHAIRMAN: No, Sir.
MR. SALES: To what extent then are they carrying out the survey? In a practical manner?
CHAIRMAN: I believe, Sir, that they study the work carried out by the Gardens Section and endeavour to advise whether it could be carried out more expeditiously and efficiently by re-arranging the work schedules for individuals or for groups, or, for example, by introducing better methods of transport, utilizing labour over larger areas, and so forth. They are proving to be of some value, as I am sure you will agree, when we are able to report to the Urban Amenities Select Committee later.
MR. SALES: Mr. Chairman, thank you for your reply. I am most surprised that the time and effort of such a Unit should be employed in so humble a pastime as gardening, but I would certainly be pleased to see the report eventually.
CHAIRMAN: Sir, I would point out that it has been our aim for some years to get the Organizational Surveys Unit to study the Department, for it is the largest department in Government, with a staff of 10,000. I think, as you will probably agree, and as the Chairman of the Estimates Select Committee will certainly agree, that proper supervision is our most difficult problem in a department of this size. The Organizational Surveys Unit has a very important role to play in assisting us to achieve better supervision and economy of staff.
MR. SALES: Thank you.
MR. H. CHEONG-LEEN asked the following question:
It has been suggested that a local flower should be selected with which Hong Kong could be identified in overseas promotion work. Could the Director of Urban Services Department advise what are the most common flowers from which such a selection could be made? Could the Director take steps to invite the views of the Tourist Association and other interested groups and individuals in this regard?
THE CHAIRMAN replied as follows:
The suggestion that there should be a local flower with which Hong Kong could be identified in overseas promotion is a happy one. I will gladly put it to the Chairman of the Tourist Association, the Director of Commerce and Industry, and other persons who may be interested.
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