HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
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ADDRESS BY CHAIRMAN.
Before taking the first item on to-day's agenda, I should like to welcome to the Council Dr. FRANKLIN, who is acting as Deputy Director of Medical and Health Services. (Applause).
I should also like to welcome back Mr. MARDEN.
MR. BERNACCHI:-I take it, Sir, from the brevity of your answer, that the terms of reference are not yet to be made known publicly?
CHAIRMAN:-I think not at the moment, Sir.
MINUTES.
The Minutes of the meeting of the Council held on 5th January, 1965 were confirmed.
PAPERS.
THE CHAIRMAN laid upon the table the following papers:
(1) Report on the work of the Urban Council and Urban Services Department for the month of January 1965.
(2) Urban Council and Urban Services Department Statistical Report for the period 1st October, 1964 to 31st December, 1964.
(3) Report by the Commissioner for Resettlement on the progress of clearance and resettlement operations during the period 1st October, 1964 to 31st December, 1964.
QUESTIONS.
(1) MR. B. A. BERNACCHI asked the following question:-
The Chairman replying to my motion urging Government to adopt certain recommendations for enlargement of the electoral registration and simplification of the procedure on registration in time for this year's elections, disclosed to this Council that it was the intention of His Excellency the Governor to appoint a Working Committee on electoral reform generally. Has the Chairman any more information about this proposed Committee and when His Excellency will name the members thereof?
THE CHAIRMAN replied as follows:-
In a committee paper which was issued yesterday, Members were informed of the proposed terms of reference and the membership of the Working Party. The matter will be for discussion in the Standing Committee of the Whole Council immediately following this meeting.
(2) MR. B. A. BERNACCHI asked the following question:-
I moved a motion to the effect that the language of this Urban Council should be bilingual, English and Chinese, with simultaneous translation. This motion was submitted to the Standing Committee of the Whole for further study. Will the Chairman disclose in public meeting what is the present position over this motion, and in particular, whether the views of the Governor-in-Council have been obtained?
THE CHAIRMAN replied as follows:
The minutes of the meeting of the Standing Committee of the Whole Council on 13th November, 1964 were forwarded to the Colonial Secretary on 2nd January, 1965 in accordance with the Council's recommendation in paragraph 16 of those minutes. I understand that the recommendations are under current consideration; no decision has yet been communicated to me.
MR. BERNACCHI :—Sir, I think they were forwarded to the Colonial Secretary to be referred to His Excellency the Governor in Executive Council?
CHAIRMAN:-They were referred to the Colonial Secretary with the recommendations made by this Council.
MR. BERNACCHI:—And you can give this Council no information whether or not His Excellency the Governor in Council has considered the matter?
CHAIRMAN:-No, Sir.
(3) MR. B. A. BERNACCHI asked the following question:
Is it true that the relatives of the deceased in the Wyndham Street accident in which an Urban Services Department lorry was involved have applied
(i) for rations, including rice, to tide them over their emergency?
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