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Secondly, the presence of hawkers around these blocks makes clearance of the surface drainage channels very difficult and I propose to consult the appropriate Select Committees with a view to removing or reducing the number of hawkers in the vicinity.
Thirdly, in September this year, loose earth and mud washed down Lung Cheung and Shatin Pass Roads from engineering works north of Lung Cheung Road. This has been aggravated by difficulties with the existing drainage system. My friend the Director of Public Works informs me that his department now has remedial and replacement works in hand which should be completed before the beginning of the next wet season.
MR. BERNACCHI: Is the Commissioner talking about licensed or unlicensed hawkers? (Laughter).
COMMISSIONER FOR RESETTLEMENT: I couldn't say offhand, Sir, but that point will be made clear to the Select Committee when it is referred to them.
(12) MR. H. CHEONG-LEEN asked the following question:
For many years it has been the custom at the Urban Council's Annual Conventional Debate for the Unofficial members to speak on a wide range of subjects outside the official scope of the Council but which are intimately connected with the improvement of living standards of Hong Kong people:
(a) Since in previous years, the Government has always refused or has hesitated to reply to such views put forward by Unofficial Urban Councillors, will the Chairman please inquire from Government whether it would be prepared this year to adopt a more enlightened attitude in this matter?
(b) Since the next Annual Conventional Debate will take place in December 1965, will the Chairman seek an assurance from Government that it will respond with goodwill and a progressive mind when Official members respond to the views expressed by the Unofficial members, particularly in respect of subjects for which the Urban Council is not yet formally responsible?
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
THE CHAIRMAN replied as follows:
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I have referred your question to the Colonial Secretary for consideration and will convey to you in due course the reply which I receive on the matters raised therein.
MR. CHEONG-LEEN: Mr. Chairman, when was this question referred to the Colonial Secretary. Do you have the date?
CHAIRMAN: Sir, your question was addressed to the Secretary of the Urban Council on the 25th October, 1965, and was immediately copied to the Colonial Secretary. A memorandum on the subject was addressed by the Secretary, Urban Council on my behalf to the Colonial Secretary on the 27th October. Sir, if you are going to suggest by any chance that there has been time to reply to this question since, then I would point out that your question raises a matter of major policy. I believe it is the first time it has been raised in this specific form, and I feel that the Colonial Secretary will need time to consider the terms of the reply which he wishes to give.
MR. CHEONG-LEEN: Mr. Chairman, appreciating the importance as you have just implied of the diversifications in this question, would you be in a position to say whether a reply can be expected before the next Annual Conventional Debate?
CHAIRMAN: No, Sir, but knowing your feelings on the matter, you may rest assured that I will endeavour, to the best of my ability, to obtain a reply for you before the next Annual Conventional Debate.
MR. CHEONG-LEEN: Sir, I would be grateful if you did that, pointing out, and reminding the Secretariat at the same time, that the next Annual Conventional Debate is next month, in case they should forget by design or otherwise.
CHAIRMAN: The Colonial Secretary has already been informed of the proposed dates of the Annual Conventional Debate. I regret to inform you that it seems that one of the days may yet clash with a meeting of the Legislative Council.
MR. SALES: Sir, may I have your indulgence to make a statement. Whatever reply the Colonial Secretary may give to Mr. CHEONG-LEEN's enquiry will not deter the Appointed Members at least from speaking their minds on matters of public interest at the Annual Conventional Debate. This is the role of the Appointed Members which we have carried out without fear or favour for years on end.
MR. CHEONG-LEEN: Mr. Chairman, I always realized that Appointed Members have had a sort of psychological complex on Annual Conventional Debates. (Laughter).
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