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MINUTES.
The Minutes of the meeting of the Council held on 7th February, 1967, were confirmed.
PAPERS.
The Chairman laid upon the table the following papers:-
(1) Report on the work of the Urban Council and Urban Services Department for the month of February, 1967.
(2) Analysis of Other Charges 1967/68-Urban Services Department.
(3) Analysis of Draft Estimates 1967/68-Resettlement Department.
MR. SALES: Mr. Chairman, it is customary at the time that Draft Estimates are laid on the table for members to comment on them. I would like to draw Council's attention, in particular to page 3, item 13. I am very gravely concerned that a reduction should have been made on the allowance for public band concerts at a time when the Urban Council is pursuing vigorously the policy of having more such concerts at various places on Hong Kong Island and in Kowloon. It is the aim of the Select Committee to have a band concert each week on both sides of the harbour. For this purpose, I calculate that at least $60,000 would be required, and I am sorry to see that instead of an increase a cut has been made. I can only assume, Sir, that my Select Committee could, if they wish, borrow from item 12, $10,000, which has been set aside for official entertainment, now that it appears that the Urban Council is not expected to meet and entertain Commonwealth Secretaries of State. (Laughter).
MR. BERNACCHI: Mr. Chairman, only one query over the Analysis of Draft Estimates for the Resettlement Department, and that is, has this Analysis gone through the appropriate Select Committee?
COMMISSIONER FOR RESETTLEMENT: Perhaps I can answer that, Mr. Chairman. It has never to my knowledge been the practice in the past for the Resettlement Department Estimates to go to any Select Committee, other than the Estimates Select Committee of this Council. That was the procedure which was followed this year, and the Chairman of the Resettlement Policy Select Committee enquired about it only a day or two ago when I said I had no objection whatever to submitting these papers to the Resettlement Policy Select Committee in future if that was the wish of Members.
MR. BERNACCHI: I thank Mr. BARTY for his reply. Certainly it does seem entirely inappropriate for the Estimates Select Committee not to refer resettlement matters to the Resettlement Policy Select Committee because they do not know what future policy is, or they may not know what the future policy is, and therefore whether or not the Estimates take this into account.
QUESTIONS.
(1) MR. H. CHEONG-LEEN asked the following question:-
(a) Can the Chairman advise whether there is a booklet or publication which can explain to the public the duties, responsibilities and services to the public of the Urban Council and its departments, the composition of the Urban Council and its manner of operation?
(b) If not, can the Chairman request the co-operation of the Director of Information Services to prepare as a matter of priority such a booklet in Chinese and English version for free distribution to the public?
THE CHAIRMAN replied as follows:
The most comprehensive publication produced is, of course, the Departmental Annual Report of the Chairman, Urban Council and Director of Urban Services. Other publications include the Colony's Annual Report, the Council's Annual Statement of Progress, and the Monthly Reports. Another example, dealing with the particular aspect of services to the public in the field of parks and recreation, is a booklet produced by the department last September. The service given by the Information Services Department, which arranges full newspaper and radio coverage in both English and Chinese of Council meetings, is possibly the most effective measure at present being used to publicize the Council's function.
On receipt of this question it was referred to the Director of Information Services, and I understand that he would be willing to assist in producing suitable pamphlets or leaflets in Chinese for free distribution through the Public Enquiry Service and other outlets to the public.
The type of publication will have to be thought out in detail, and I propose that the matter should be taken up with the Director of Information Services as soon as possible.
MR. CHEONG-LEEN: One supplementary, Mr. Chairman. I was not thinking so much of a formidable publication as the Departmental Annual Report, I was thinking of something more readable (Laughter) for the average student in Secondary Schools. I would be grateful if,