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But this question of mechanization is one which, as you know, is of very close interest to the Department, and apart from a certain amount of direction, your able direction, Sir, on the Environmental Hygiene Select Committee, it will do everything it can to support you in this matter.
DR. LEE:--I don't think I deserve all the praise. I would like to ask the third question. (Laughter).
(3) DR. R. H. S. LEE asked the following question:
(a) Is the Chairman aware of the gross inadequacy of the Urban Council public library book vote which is $400,000 for 104,000 registered readers and a potential literate readership of 750,000 as compared to $337,350 on books and periodicals for about 3,900 readers at the Hong Kong University, and over $500,000 for Government departmental libraries, of which few allow public access and even fewer loans, for a staff of under 20,000 and probably used by fewer than 2,000 officers?
(b) Will the Chairman invite Government's attention to and press for a vote of $648,418 which was carefully scrutinized and unanimously approved by the Library Select Committee at its meeting held on 19th February, 1966?
THE CHAIRMAN replied as follows:-
I am aware that whereas $622,300 was originally requested the amount approved for inclusion in the Estimates was $400,000, i.e. the same amount as was approved last year.
I am also aware that the Library Select Committee considered this matter further at its meeting on the 19th February and has resolved to recommend that the original figure be raised to $648,418.
Government has asked for certain information regarding the appropriate rate of expansion to be aimed at in the matter of book stock for the Libraries, and in the absence of such guidance, pointed out that it was difficult to give proper consideration to the request for greatly increased provision, over what was approved in 1965/66, particularly at a time of some financial stringency.
When the detailed information asked for by Government is ready and has been considered by the Library Select Committee, a request for re-consideration of the matter
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with a view to securing approval for an increased provision in 1966/67 will be made.
DR. LEE:-Mr. Chairman, regarding paragraph 2, you said that the amount requested was the same as last year, which was $400,000. Were you aware of the fact that certain supplementary provision had been asked for, but it was turned down?
CHAIRMAN:-The answer, Sir, is in the affirmative.
DR. LEE:-A second supplementary, Mr. Chairman. Have you read the minutes of the meeting of the 19th February this year? (Laughter).
CHAIRMAN: Sir, I can assure you I read with intense and close interest the minutes of all the Select Committees of this Urban Council.
DR. LEE:-If you have, Sir, I would ask you to read them again. (Laughter). We have gone into great detail to fight for this very legitimate figure of $648,418.
CHAIRMAN: -My impression, Sir, if I may say so, with respect, is I do not think that you have convinced the Financial Secretary yet that there is a strong case for the provision of $622,300, let alone $648,418.
DR. LEE:-The reason why I ask whether you have read the minutes is this, I, as Chairman of that Committee, signed the minutes for that meeting only the day before yesterday.
MR. CHEONG-LEEN:-Then Mr. Chairman, isn't this obviously a case where the Financial Branch of Government is not maligned, but simply mal-informed?
CHAIRMAN:-May I say, Sir, I have never been under the impression that the Finance Branch of the Hong Kong Government is mal-informed. I always had the impression that they speak with some authority, and when they study problems they know what they are talking about.
MR. CHEONG-LEEN:-Mr. Chairman, are you speaking today for the Finance Branch when you say that the Branch is often maligned but seldom mal-informed?
CHAIRMAN:-Sir, they pay me. (Laughter).
MR. CHEONG-LEEN:-Then, Sir, when you come under the pay of the Urban Council we hope you will represent our interests entirely.
CHAIRMAN: Sir, I always try to represent as far as I can, and as strongly as I can, the best interests of the Urban Council.
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