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MRS. ELLIOTT:--Mr. Chairman, may I ask if the Commissioner and the Committee concerned can keep a check on what is happening at Shek Kip Mei and the other estates where families are really living in less room than animals have to?
COMMISSIONER FOR RESETTLEMENT:-I am not quite sure what Mrs. ELLIOTT means in this context, but I will certainly give her all the information that she might want on this point.
MRS. ELLIOTT:-Well, what I was meaning, Mr. Chairman, that is if I may clarify, could the Department and the Committees consider what possible ways there are of dealing with the overcrowding at Shek Kip Mei?
COMMISSIONER for ResettlEMENT:-That certainly could be done, and in fact this has been considered in broad lines in the Committee, and it is hoped that there will be further discussion and further consideration as to what can be done.
MR. BERNACCHI:-Certainly, I think, Mr. Chairman, that the Commissioner has already undertaken to consult the Resettlement Policy Select Committee on any further "rent in advance" tenants that he proposes to put into Pak Tin.
COMMISSIONER for RESETTLEMENT:-That is certainly correct.
(6) MR. D. J. R. BLAKER asked the following question:
(a) Will the Government consider granting Urban Councillors the right to call for papers and other material from the various Government departments concerned, when these are required by them in the exercise of their duties in their Ward Offices?
(b) Since the decision has now been taken not to proceed with the appointment of a form of Ombudsman, what other steps does the Government have in mind to increase the effectiveness of the Ward Office system?
THE CHAIRMAN, URBAN COUNCIL, replied as follows:
In answer to the initial part of this question, it might perhaps be useful first to review the history of the Ward System. This system was approved by Government on the understanding that it should be confined within the scope of the Council's existing statutory powers. This provision was accepted, admittedly with reservation, by the Council at a meeting of the Standing Committee of the Whole Council on 21st September, 1965. However, despite this provision, the Secretariat appreciated that Ward Councillors would receive enquiries or complaints which were not within the jurisdiction of the Council, and that it would be extremely difficult for Councillors to refuse assistance in such cases. In the circumstances, heads of departments were instructed that on receipt of complaints or requests from Urban Councillors on matters outside the scope of the Council, they should either inform the Councillor concerned that appropriate action would be taken or reply direct to the complainant, at the same time sending a copy of the reply to the Urban Councillor under a complimentary slip or covering letter. This procedure was made known to Councillors at the time, although I do appreciate that some new Members may not be aware of the instructions given to heads of departments.
On matters which are within the jurisdiction of the Council, any Councillor can, of course, ensure that appropriate action is taken by reference to the department.
In view of what I have just said there would not appear to be a need for Ward Councillors to call for papers and other material from various Government departments. In any case, I think it must be obvious to all Members that, as far as departmental files are concerned, these are restricted documents intended for use only by Government servants who require them in the performance of their duties.
With regard to the second part of the question, I would like to say first of all that no positive decision has been taken not to proceed with the appointment of an Ombudsman. Indeed, I am sure that Members must recall that, in the recent Legislative Council Debate, His Excellency the Governor stated in this connection that the proper organization of the UMELCO Office should be put into effect and evaluated first before Government went any further.
Similarly, the Colonial Secretary at the same debate said that the matter required a great deal more evaluation before Government could take a decision. Secondly, I would suggest that, as the Council itself has established the Ward System, Government would not wish to interfere in the development of the system but would undoubtedly be prepared to consider any constructive proposals which might increase its effectiveness, should Councillors themselves wish to make such proposals.
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