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in implementing their own policies, and in putting into effect the various programmes that they themselves have drawn up. The 15 Select Committees of the Urban Council are the executive arms of the Council to do such important work as is assigned to them by the Council, which work touches upon the daily lives of the citizens of Hong Kong. There is no better way of creating a favourable impression than to work hammer and tongs at the various programmes that the Urban Council has just adopted in its Annual Conventional Debate.
For many years now, Sir, I have felt, and I am not alone in holding this view, that the Urban Council should have its own Public Relations Officer, but we have been talked out of pursuing this course by the Government Information Services which has, at various times, given spasmodic service to this Council. Service has been given whenever we have expressed our dissatisfaction. I trust that this expression on the part of Mr. BERNACCHI, supported by Dr. LEE and myself on this occasion and presumably by other speakers to follow, will awaken the Government Information Services once more to the need of giving better service to the Urban Council. For the time being, I would like to suggest that we ask Mr. BERNACCHI to accept that this motion be referred to the Standing Committee of the Whole Council for consideration at the appropriate time, particularly after the four sub-committees have discharged their important assignments. I so move.
CHAIRMAN: ---Mr. SALES, would you agree with me that you have, in effect, proposed a motion under Standing Order 10(17)(b) to postpone consideration of the motion?
MR. SALES: --No, I suggested at the end that it would be 10(17)(j).
MR. WILFRED WONG: - Mr. Chairman, in supporting Mr. SALES' suggestion in accordance with Standing Order 10(17)(j), I would personally like to say that I have been assigned to the sub-committee to consider the organization of the new greater Council and I would think that the primary purpose of the Members now is to work out the scope and organization of an enlarged Council, and that perhaps the Ad Hoc Committee on creating a better public image should come at a later stage.
One point I would like to mention in connection with Mr. BERNACCHI's remarks about the Ward system, is that I think the reason why certain Wards receive a greater number of cases is definitely related to the number of resettlement estates in these areas. If you analyse the cases dealt with at these Wards, you will find that the majority do concern resettlement. It has perhaps more to do with the area than with the persons involved. I prepared a Ward report in the first five months when I was assigned to the Mong Kok and Sham Shui Po Ward. I had 113 cases which I sorted out from those received and Dr. Bell,
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also had a similar number of cases, and of these, about 70% concerned resettlement and housing. When I was transferred to Central in April, there were less than one dozen cases. Therefore, I think, if we keep on with our good work the image will appear by itself. On the other hand, if we were going to set up a separate Ad Hoc Committee only for the purpose of creating a correct image, perhaps we might not be spending our time and energy in the most productive manner. I have no objection in having better publicity, but I do agree with Mr. SALES that perhaps we should first finish the Ad Hoc Committee's work on the structure, scope and organization of a greater Council. I would very much like to second the motion moved by Mr. SALES.
(Mr. Henry H. L. Hu arrived at this point)
CHAIRMAN: --Ladies and Gentlemen, on a point of clarification, Mr. SALES has proposed under Standing Order 10(17)(j) that the subject of debate be referred to or back to a Committee, namely, the Standing Committee of the Whole Council, and this has been seconded by Mr. Wilfred WONG. Does any other Member wish to speak on this motion?
MR. HU: - Mr. Chairman, may I speak? I am sorry for being late. As a matter of fact it was I who should have originally seconded Mr. Brook BERNACCHI's motion, and I should also apologize to Mr. Brook BERNACCHI, the Chairman of the Reform Club.
Mr. Chairman, I support the motion of Mr. Brook BERNACCHI because, speaking honestly, the Urban Council is an institution, very difficult and very complicated to understand. In fact, we should ask ourselves, Members of the Council, do we understand the Urban Council perfectly? The function of it? I do not understand very well, (Laughter), having served on the Council for nearly two years, Mr. Chairman. It is indeed an institution which needs a lot of time to understand and explain to the general public. It is an institution composed not only of Official and Appointed Members, but also of elected Members. What is the true purpose of this division? What is their respective status? How do they carry out their duties? What is the status of the Urban Council vis-a-vis the Legislative Council? What is the relationship between the Urban Council and the Urban Services Department, and the Urban Council with other Departments of the Government? What is the scope and jurisdiction of the Urban Council? Is it equivalent to a Municipal Council of other cities? If it is not, then what is the real aim of setting up the Urban Council? What improvements should the Council achieve in the near future? Can the Urban Council have any say in education and traffic matters? What is the Ward system? How does it function now? What is the Housing Authority? What is the relationship between the Urban Council and the Housing Authority? Before the general public understands the work and function of the
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