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HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
THE COMMISSIONER for Resettlement replied as follows:-
There are no suggestion boxes in estates or cottage areas. Mr. CHEONG-LEEN asked a similar question in September 1964, and was himself present at the subsequent meeting of the Resettlement Management Select Committee on the 17th September when it was decided to discontinue the use of suggestion boxes. Tenants had made little or no use of them for some time, and nothing had been found in the boxes during the three months prior to the meeting.
It may be helpful if I relate briefly the history of these boxes. It began with a proposal in 1956 from the then Resettlement Estates Select Committee that "a suggestions and complaints box be installed in each estate in the hope of getting constructive suggestions and well-founded complaints from the settlers”. Boxes were accordingly provided in all estates and cottage areas in 1956 and 1957. Between then and 1958, it was found that very few letters were placed in these boxes and, of those that were, the majority did not contain suggestions, constructive criticisms or complaints, but dealt mainly with routine matters which could have been handled more promptly if they had been made direct to the estate offices or to Resettlement Department headquarters. Some people mistook the boxes for Post Office letter boxes. The scheme was discontinued in cottage areas in 1958 and, as I have said, in the estates in 1964 because it had been shown to be a failure.
3.
As regards the last part of the question, it is not the practice to bother Urban Council Select Committees with complaints and suggestions about particular cases which the department can deal with as a matter of routine within the limits of approved policy. Where it appears that any particular policy may need amendment or that exceptional treatment might be justified, the relevant Select Committee is consulted.
MR. CHEONG-LEEN:-Mr. Chairman, has the Commissioner for Resettlement on any occasion in the past few years attempted to explain to settlers, either directly or through Area Officers, what constitutes constructive suggestions or well-founded complaints?
COMMISSIONER FOR RESETTLEMENT:-I think, Mr. Chairman, the answer is probably no. I can't recall any such occasion.
MR. CHEONG-LEEN:-I think it would be very helpful to settlers if they could have someone interpret that for them. I have recently been approached, Mr. Chairman, by several residents of the Li Cheng Uk Estate asking why the practice of having these suggestion boxes was discontinued. Previously they used to come to me, but since my office is to be moved some time next month, I think they would probably prefer the more direct way of making complaints to the Commissioner for Resettlement. If these complaint boxes were put into the Li Cheng Uk Estate again on an experimental basis, and assuming they don't look too much like post office boxes, I think it would do no harm. Would the Commissioner for Resettlement be prepared to give that consideration?
COMMISSIONER FOR RESETTLEMENT:-I certainly wouldn't override a decision of the Resettlement Management Select Committee without that Committee's approval.
MR. CHEONG-LEEN:-Mr. Chairman, I wasn't asking the Commissioner for Resettlement to override any decision of the committee. I think he should consider it and then have it discussed at the next meeting of the appropriate Select Committee.
COMMISSIONER FOR RESETTLEMENT:-I would be very glad to do that. I would also at the same time ask our Chairman to invite Mr. CHEONG-LEEN to attend the meeting. (Laughter).
MR. CHEONG-LEEN:-I would be glad to.
MOTION.
MR. A. de O. SALES moved the following motion:
That this Council endorse the Statement of Aims for 1967.
He said Mr. Chairman, it is no idle compliment when I say how much the Council appreciates the close co-operation given by your Department and the other Departments represented here by our Official colleagues. Of course, we never fail to recognize our Secretary and Deputy Secretary and also the other secretaries who serve our Select Committees, for their loyal, courteous and efficient service.
There is a good team spirit in this Council and its many Select Committees. For, we are all trying to do the best job we can to improve living conditions here. But the problems in Hong Kong are big and unless tackled swiftly and with energy they tend to grow alarmingly.
There is another aspect of Council membership that is pleasing. However much we may differ in our views, we remain friendly, Officials and Unofficials alike. While we may advocate a cause in earnest, yet we do so with dignity, and we disagree without losing our sense of humour.
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