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HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
MR. HU:-Mr. Chairman, when will these measures be taken by the Council to ensure the people of Hong Kong that this language barrier will be removed? What have you in mind, Sir? What measures will be taken? That part of the question you have not answered, Sir.
CHAIRMAN:-Sir, I have nothing to add to the answer which I have already given in this matter.
MR. HU:-Do I understand that no measures will be taken to ensure the people of Hong Kong the removal of the language barrier, with the only exception that an Ad Hoc Committee has been set up to study the feasibility of introducing a system of simultaneous translation at Council meetings, besides that no measures will be taken? Do I understand correctly?
CHAIRMAN: No, Sir, you do not understand correctly. It is my impression that this is an item which has engaged the attention of Government, and that Government is also interested in increasing the provision of correspondence in the Chinese language to people who address letters to Government departments in Chinese.
MR. HU: Then, Mr. Chairman, what measures will be taken? May I know them?
CHAIRMAN:-Sir, I am only concerned with matters in the Urban Services Department and the Urban Council. I can give you no assurance regarding other matters projected in the wider sphere of Government as a whole.
MR. HU: Thank you, Sir, and I also thank you for the reply you gave with regard to the third part of my question.
MR. BERNACCHI:-Mr. Chairman, I believe that simultaneous translation at Council meetings is intended by the Ad Hoc Committee to be only the first step. It is envisaged that to be of much use simultaneous translation has to be also at Select Committees. Am I right?
CHAIRMAN:-I do not know, Sir. My impression was that there was some divergence of feeling and opinion in this Council when the matter was discussed and it was for the Ad Hoc Committee to go into the matter and see what practical suggestions could be made. I think I am also right in saying that whatever this Council may achieve in this matter will be regarded with keen interest by Government.
MR. HU: Mr. Chairman, do I understand correctly that as far as this Council is concerned no further measures will be taken for the moment to ensure the people of Hong Kong to remove this language barrier?
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
CHAIRMAN:-Sir, again, I can only speak on behalf of the Urban Services Department. The Department is trying to extend the provision of correspondence in Chinese by translating into Chinese regulations pertaining to licences and permits which have hitherto been issued in English. Apart from that Sir, I think we must await the opinions which will no doubt be expressed in due course by the Ad Hoc Committee.
MR. BERNACCHI:-As a member of the Ad Hoc Committee, may I make a personal statement that of course the Ad Hoc Committee is also considering simultaneous translation of Select Committee meetings if the experiment is a success at Council meetings. Whilst on my feet, I believe the Secretary has written to various persons requesting them to co-operate in interpreting during the experiment. Could I ask has he received any replies yet?
SECRETARY, URBAN COUNCIL:-We have, in fact, received two replies, Sir.
MR. HU: Sir, may I ask one question. You have just mentioned about the wider view of the Government. Could you tell us what would be the wider view of the Government, if possible?
CHAIRMAN:-No, Sir.
MR. SALES:-Sir, is it not true that in the normal course of events the Report of this particular Ad Hoc Committee would come before the Standing Committee of the Whole Council for consideration? In the circumstances, Sir, may I interpret your nod as an affirmative reply to my previous supplementary? Would it not be better to avoid anticipating the recommendations of the Ad Hoc Committee and await its report before going into the practical aspects of interpretation and translation.
CHAIRMAN:-That, Sir, was intended to be the gist of my replies as far as the Ad Hoc Committee is concerned.
MR. SALES: Sir, in the circumstances, may I suggest that had your reply been drafted clearly then my colleague, Mr. Hu, would not have found it necessary to ask this supplementary question.
MR. HU: He may be right. (Laughter)
(15) MR. HENRY H. L. Hu asked the following question:-
(a) Is the Chairman aware that the beach of Shek O is dirty?
(b) Can the Chairman explain to the Council the causes for such state of affairs?
(c) What measures will be taken for the improvement?
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